Pakenham Gazette - 24th April 2024

Less is ‘Moore’

Pakenham’s PB Ronald Reserve was a hive of activity over the weekend, with the annual Yakkerboo Festival taking over the town, complete with rides, face painting and the inaugural walking parade. This year also marked a bittersweet farewell for Graeme Moore, who stepped down as the keeper of Mr Yakkerboo after 25 years.

It was an emotional day for Graeme Moore, who stepped down from the role after 25 years surrounded by volunteers. 394868

Taking little time to jump straight back into her community, Pakenham MP Emma Vulin has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support that has uplifted her after the devastating news of a diagnosis with motor neuron disease.

Vulin said she is ‘sincerely grateful’ for those who have reached out far and wide from colleagues and friends to the many others who also suffer from the illness and their families.

Despite the still raw news for her and her family, Vulin quickly returned to representing the community determined to get ‘back to it’.

“I’m privileged to serve this community, I want to continue on and will do so,”Vulin said.

Road to close

Designs have been released for the closure of the level crossing at Station Street in Officer, which include a new pedestrian and cyclist connection on the north and south of the rail line.

Following initial construction works, the level crossing will close on Saturday 18 May, with the road permanently closed on either side of the rail line.

Road barriers will be installed on either side of the railway line, with clear marks set to arrive to show the change in the road condition.

Once the road is closed, drivers can access Princes Highway and Princes Freeway via a boom gate-free Brunt Road.

Full steam ahead

Pakenham is set to be totally transformed in the coming months with the State Government announcing the level crossing removal project will be completed in early June, among other major milestones for massive infrastructure projects across the area.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Dan-

ny Pearson joined Pakenham MP Emma Vulin on Sunday 21 April to announce the opening of both Pakenham and East Pakenham Station is set for early June.

The home stretch will involve a work blitz from early May that will demolish the exist-

ing Pakenham Station and complete the 2.5 kilometre rail bridge. The blitz will end with the grand opening, where many commuters will see the town in a new perspective from on high.

It was also announced that the Healesville-

Kooweerup Road Upgrade will be completed by July after two years of construction. The road will also welcome its new bridge over the Princes Freeway with the Pakenham Roads Upgrade set to reach the major milestone by June.

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Picture: GARY SISSONS