News - Cranbourne Star News - 9th May 2024

Thief’s mercy plea

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A 34-year-old Cranbourne man has begged for “one more chance” after pilfering scores of power tools from tradies’ utes in car parks across the South East, a court has heard.

Travis Kenyon pled guilty to more than 30 charges from a seven-month stealing spree in 2023 that netted about $78,000 of power saws, drills, multi-meters, drivers, nail guns, grinders, batteries, tower lights, handtools and similar equipment.

Kenyon preyed on 23 utes at day and at

night, targeting Dandenong Plaza, Karingal Hub, Fountain Gate, Carrum Downs, Northland and Knox shopping centres.

Other targets were Sandhurst, Keysborough and Centenary Park golf courses, Dandenong and Cranbourne basketball stadiums and Chisholm Tafe campuses in Dandenong and Berwick.

Some others were parked at Sandhurst Motel,FrankstonRSL,HoytscinemasinFrankston and a Mornington Peninsula bottle shop.

The unemployed Kenyon would typically

park next to the utes, access their rear canopies – forcing them open if they were locked - and take equipment worth up to $5000 at a time.

Despite being placed on four counts of bail at his parents’ house and a night curfew in September 2023, he continued stealing up to his arrest in December.

His phone included photos of tools sent to seven would-be purchasers.

One of his victims recognised his power tools being sold on Facebook Marketplace

by Kenyon’s associate.

The associate later told police he’d bought the tools from Kenyon for $350.

On 7 May, defence lawyer Vanda Hamilton told Dandenong Magistrates’ Court that Kenyon offended months after leaving a successful stint of residential drug rehab at Odyssey House.

He ran astray after accepting back his phone – with its list of criminal contacts, Ms Hamilton said.

Continued page 4

Ethan from St Francis de Sales Primary School, Lynbrook celebrates after scoring

Relief for rental struggles

By Sahar Foladi

A new Rental Stress Support Package has been launched by the State Government as rental stress continues.

South East Community Links (SECL) will receive a State grant to support around 1,400 renting adults and 3,000 children as part of the $7.8 million package announced by Minister for Consumer Affairs and Dandenong MP GabrielleWilliams on Friday 3 May.

The chief executive officer of SECL Peter McNamara welcomed the news saying it’ll help launch their new program, Private Renter Support.

“This Rental Stress Support Package will enable us to establish our new ‘Private Renter Support Program’ in direct response to the escalating rental housing stress on our doorstep.

“It means that people experiencing rental housing stress will have better and faster access to support including information, advice, advocacy, and referrals for legal assistance.

“We’ll have two dedicated financial counsellors on site to help people navigate their financial issues so that they can keep a roof over their heads and reduce the risk of homelessness.”

However, this will not be an ultimate solution for families and communities facing housing crisis, he says.

According to SECL the demand for support to navigate rental stress has increased by almost 40 per cent since 2020 and represented 30 per cent of all crisis sessions with clients in 2023.

“The Rental Stress Support Package won’t solve the housing crisis, but it does acknowledge that community services are dealing with increased demand and urgently require extra resources.

“It’s encouraging to see the Victorian Government recognises the pressing need to address the impacts of rental stress amidst the

rising cost of living.

“We can’t afford to wait for housing supply to catch up when people are on the brink of homelessness right now.”

Access to stable housing along with rental stress are the key priorities for majority of SECL clients with 85 per cent not owning their own homes.

Around Victoria, 5 per cent of households face serious rental stress and so has increased demand on organisations that provide financial counselling, legal assistance, advocacy and provide information.

Dandenong MP Ms Williams said the support package will provide extra help which builds on more than 130 rental reforms delivered so far.

“The community organisations supported through the Rental Stress Support Package do critical work to support Victorian renters, and we’re proud to support them as we address the housing supply crisis through our Housing Statement.”

The other organisations receiving funding are AnglicareVictoria, Launch Housing, Justice Connect, Housing for the Aged Action Group,

Child and Family Services Ballarat, Quantum Support Services and Mallee Family Care.

Tenants Victoria was also selected in partnership with local not-for-profit organisations ARC Justice, Barwon Community Legal Service, Peninsula Community Legal Centre and Westjustice.

The package builds on a $4.74 million investment to support Consumer Affairs Victoria’s tenancy programs, including the Tenancy and Retirement Housing Assistance and Advocacy Programs.

SECL chief executive Peter McNamara, pictured right at a recent Bring Your Bills Day at Springvale. 403433

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Hospital cash boost

By Violet Li

Casey Hospital has been allocated an extra $35.5 million in the 2024-25 State Budget for its emergency department expansion.

The hospital was promised a share of $236 million in funding with Werribee Mercy Hospital in the 2022-23 State Budget to double the capacity of its emergency department.

The bundle has increased by $43.5 million to reflect an additional $35.5 million for the Casey Hospital Emergency Expansion Project and $8 million for Werribee Mercy Hospital due to funding redirected from the “providing additional bed capacity through modular facilities (metropolitan various)” initiative.

About $18 million is estimated to have been spent in the 2023-24 financial year.

A total of $68 million is estimated to be spent on the two projects during the 2024-25 financial year, with an estimated completion date of around 2027.

Casey Hospital’s emergency department expansion would include a dedicated paediatric space for children and their families, and support an additional 52,000 presentations annually, helping ease the pressure on the existing emergency departments for the hospitals’ dedicated doctors, nurses, orderlies, and other hospital staff.

Minister for Health, Health Infrastructure, and Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas

said they were transforming Victoria’s worldclass healthcare system – delivering better facilities, more healthcare workers, and a record investment to make sure every Victorian gets the best care, no matter their address.

Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Ingrid Stitt said they had made the largest investment into mental health in Australia’s history since the Royal Commission.

“But there’s still more to do,” she said.

“That’s why this Budget will build on our record investment for those who need it most. For older Victorians, we’ll continue our investment so they can age in place with dignity and receive world-class care.”

Education boom for Casey amid growth

By Ethan Benedicto

Three new schools are planned for the City of Casey in the coming years as part of the 20242025 State Budget.

Released on the afternoon of Tuesday 7 May, the budget announced Casey Central Primary School, Clyde Creek North Primary and Secondary coming in 2026 as part of the new additions under the $948 million funding for 16 new schools, as well as a $9 million upgrade for Cranbourne Secondary College.

NarreWarren South MP Gary Maas said that “we’re investing in the projects and services thatVictorians need... including an upgrade to Lyndhurst Secondary College that will deliver world-class learning spaces for students and their hard-working teachers”.

Lyndhurst Secondary College, alongside Cranbourne Secondary College will be among the 25 existing schools that are part of the $227 million fund for capital upgrades, such as improvement of existing school facilities and modernisation.

The overall budget for new schools, upgrades to existing institutions and additional maintenance is $1.6 billion, with the budget aiming to build on the 2018 promise to build 100 schools by 2026.

Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards said the budget was a huge win for families in Cranbourne.

“From a substantial upgrade to Cranbourne Secondary College to a new high school in Clyde Creek North, this Budget invests in providing the children of our community with fundamental steppingstones for a brighter future,” she said.

“A $9 million upgrade at Cranbourne Secondary College will ensure kids and their hardworking teachers in Cranbourne have the world-class spaces they deserve.

“This Budget builds on our commitment to support and empower young Victorians from diverse backgrounds – with continued funding to deliver African-Australian-led homework clubs across the state.”

On the other hand Liberal MP Ann-Marie Hermans said that “Premier Jacinta Allan’s first budget has just reinforced Labor’s waste and

continued mismanagement”.

“Labor’s State Budget released today is just another horror budget setting this state back into further catastrophic debt,” she said.

Ms Hermans added that overall debt has increased by $21.8 billion to a projected $187.8 billion by 2028.

She also criticised the failure to address longstanding issues in the southeast, in addition to promising projects and then “cannot afford to deliver” such as the Suburban Rail Loop.

“We have issues that need fixing in the south east, we have a very sad homelessness issue, lack of affordable rentals and housing, youth crime out of control and the costof-living is making it impossible for people to manage,” she said.

However, Labor MP Lee Tarlamis is confi-

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dent that the budget is dedicated to helping families in the southeast, from the cost-ofliving, to schools, and healthcare.

“From new classrooms to cost of living relief – this budget is helping families across the south east,” he said.

“That means providing direct support where it’s needed most – from our $400 School Saving Bonus to an expansion of our Glasses for Kids program.”

The $287 million to deliver the School Saving Bonus is a one-off payment for every student enrolled at a government school and eligible families at non-government schools, aimed at helping to cover the cost of school expenses.

A funding of $6.8 million will also triple the size of the Glasses For Kids program, reaching a further 74,000 prep to grade three students at 473 government schools.

Budget reactions

Monash University politics expert Dr Zareh Gahazarian said he was expecting “a bit more” from the government in the 2024-25 State Budget.

It was an opportunity for Jacinta Allan to “set new priorities” in her first budget as Premier, he said.

“That it hasn’t been done to a great extent suggests that the government was financially constrained.

“It could be a feature of the government to build its capacity to deliver bigger policies in the year leading into the 2026 election.”

Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said: “As our community continues to grow, so too does our commitment to delivering the world class schools families deserve – including a brand new school on Ballarto Road opening 2026 and a primary and secondary school for Clyde North opening in 2025.

“This budget focuses on continuing our cost of living support relief for our community; in addition to what is already available including regional capped fares, free rego for trade apprentices, Victorian Default Offer – we will have for example the $400 School Saving Bonus, triple the free Glasses for Kids program and extend the $200 Get Active Kids Vouchers making sure families in Bass are supported in these challenging times.”

There was great news for the Pearcedale and surrounding community, Ms Crugnale said, “who have long advocated for a skatepark to be included in the overall redevelopment of the Rec Reserve”.

“It will be a wonderful sporting hub for young people and families to come together, be active and connect.

“I want to honour the dedication, commitment and sheer respectful pestering that the much loved late Cr Ray Brown did in his advocacy for better public transport for his community and am delighted that the Kooweerup – Pakenham bus services will have its frequency increased to better suit modern life and how the community actually move around today.”

Clyde Road

The Clyde Road Upgrade remains on track as it has been confirmed in the 2024-25 State Budget that the $243 million project will proceed as planned.

The project is funded entirely by the Federal Government with a total of $88 million estimated spending in the next financial year. It will not be finished until June 2028.

About $36 million is estimated to have been spent in the 2023-24 financial year.

Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas (left) and Lyndhurst Secondary College principal Eloise Haynes (right). Picture: SUPPLIED

Book delves into meteorite

By Violet Li

A very own historical account that explores a hidden layer of Cranbourne is finally in town.

Author and Berwick resident Sean Murphy’sThe Cranbourne Meteorite tells the longforgotten tug-of-war between local colonial scientists and the British government for the ownership of Cranbourne No.1 fragment in the 1860s.

Cranbourne meteorite has 13 fragments that are strewn across a 20-kilometre corridor from Pakenham in the northeast to Langwarrin in the southwest.

The first big sample was found near Cranbourne and that’s how the name of the meteorite came across.

The 3.5-tonne solid piece of iron, named Cranbourne No.1, is now perching in the Natural History Museum in London, highlighting the doomed finale of the mini-culture war, while a smaller No.2 is being retained here in the Melbourne Museum.

The loss of the large meteorite to the British Museum was complicated, as the book would reveal.

“The book is telling the story of what happened before Cranbourne No.1 was eventually put on a ship and taken to London in 1865. It’s a local event with astronomical fireworks and strong personalities,” Mr Murphy said.

“The leaders of these institutions were deeply invested in attempts to retain or remove Cranbourne No. 1. This arm-wrestle is largely conducted via letters, a very many letters, and in the chambers of learned societies such as the Royal Society ofVictoria.

“Part of the book also talks about the fact that it [Cranbourne No.1] was taken over there [London] at the wishes of the owner of the meteorite at the time. It was a relatively legal thing to do.”

Though Mr Murphy believes the main fragment should be returned to Australia, he’s not holding his breath.

“In the book, I tried to find an Aboriginal angle to the meteorite, whether it was revered as a sacred totem. To a certain degree, it was, but only from very limited historical references do we know that.

“And I couldn’t find anything that meant this was a sacred object for the Aboriginal people around the east side of Melbourne, so it doesn’t have that kind of cache to it that makes it a celebrity that we could bring back.

“It’s something of a scientific odyssey more than anything else.”

A Casey resident for more than two de-

cades, Mr Murphy was always looking for a local topic to explore. In 2018, when he stumbled across a podcast episode about a “Cranbourne Meteorite”, he instantly knew that was it. He did some digging around in the State Library and online history databases and formed this neat little story.

“There are a lot of meteorite-related books and things out there. But on this specific topic, I wouldn’t call it a gap in the market, but I was curious that there had no one had ever really written a book for popular consumption,” he said.

“Cranbourne meteorite is known to a lot of people in this area because many years ago, council put up a display on the South Gippsland Highway in Cranbourne, hanging some fragments.

“Cranbourne has, for a time, the largest iron meteorite in the world.”

The Cranbourne Meteorite also explores the stories around other fragments, meteorites in Australia, and fun geology and biology knowledge.

To purchase the book, visit: scholarly.info/ book/the-cranbourne-meteorite

Thief’s mercy plea following seven-month stealing spree

From page 1

He’d succumbed to “loneliness” and a need to “re-connnect”, and was now “remorseful” for his “very stupid behaviour”.

Ms Hamilton argued for Kenyon’s sentence to be deferred, in order for him to return to Odyssey.

He needed to “grapple” with a long-standing drug addiction that had “blighted his life, blighted his family’s life”.

Kenyon was coming to an age that he was young enough to turn his life around. But if he didn’t, he’d be in and out of jail.

If he did well at Odyssey, she’d submit for a combination of 151 days already served in pre-sentence remand and a community corrections order with “significant” volunteer work.

Dandenong magistrate Greg Connellan

5941 4888

said Kenyon - who had served two jail and CCO sentences for similar offending - had thrown the victims’ lives into “chaos, if not into ruin”.

“These are small business people going about their daily lives ... their tools of trade disappear, their income disappears.”

Most tradies had relatively young families and carried the stress of managing their own business.

When Kenyon was charged and bailed in September 2023, he didn’t seek Odyssey’s support and continued to steal, Mr Connellan said.

“That’s my concern.

“Odyssey is a lot more comfortable than Port Phillip Prison but it’s what happens when he leaves.”

In response, Ms Hamilton argued that a CCO would support Kenyon after his release from Odyssey.

A police prosecutor submitted that Kenyon’s “prolific” thieving required “manifest denunciation” and further imprisonment.

“Compliance on a CCO is not too promising given his prior (offences).”

Pleading for “one more chance”, Kenyon told the court that he’d left Odyssey too early last time and “it all crumbled for me”.

“I really want this chance. I’m very remorseful – I know I shouldn’t have done what I done.”

Mr Connellan replied: “The word ‘remorseful’ for someone in your position isn’t a particularly convincing term.”

After holding his head in hand and paus-

ing for 15 seconds, Mr Connellan asked Kenyon how long he’d stay at Odyssey this time.

“Two years – I need this for myself,” Kenyon said.

“Two years is nothing out of the rest of my life.”

Mr Connellan noted that he’d have to finalise the matter before he leaves the magistrate’s bench in March 2025.

He deferred Kenyon’s sentence and bailed Kenyon to re-enter Odyssey the next day.

Kenyon was ordered to remain at Odyssey until successful completion of his treatment.

If“all goes well” by early 2025, Kenyon was likely to receive a two year CCO with no further jail time, Mr Connellan said.

“You better be good to your word,” he warned.

Author and Berwick resident Sean Murphy with his new book The Cranbourne Meteorite. 404978

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

‘Stop the crocodile tears’

By Tara Cosoleto, AAP

A bodybuilder who stabbed his partner to death using six knives in Endeavour Hills while her young daughter tried to stop him has been told to “stop the crocodile tears” by a judge.

Sven Lindemann, 52, held his head in his hands and let out loud sobs on Friday as the Supreme Court in Melbourne was told how he murdered his partner on 30 May, 2023.

But Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth yelled at Lindemann to “stop the crocodile tears” because it was clear he was pretending and he had no genuine remorse.

Lindemann stabbed Monique Lezsak 17 times at her home, hours after she broke up with him because she found a new partner.

Her daughter, known in court under the pseudonym Lily, heard yelling from a bedroom ensuite and ran to see her mother being attacked by Lindemann.

He stabbed his former partner, strangled her and dragged her through the house.

Lily tried to stop Lindemann, kicking him and twice pulling the knife out of his hands, but he kept grabbing more weapons.

He used six knives in total, breaking two of them, as he inflicted the fatal stab wounds to Ms Lezsak’s head, neck and chest.

Lily also suffered five wounds during the attack.

The distressed young girl called triple zero, telling operators there was a murderer in the house.

When police arrived, they heard her pleading with her mother not to leave her, but Ms Lezsak could not be revived.

Lily’s twin brother and Ms Lezsak’s mother were also inside the Endeavour Hills home at the time of the attack.

Police found Lindemann in the bedroom with a self-inflicted stab wound to the chest.

Before stabbing himself, Lindemann made

a $70,000 bank transfer and tried to call his exwife who lived in Adelaide.

Lindemann was remanded in custody at the Melbourne Assessment Prison after undergoing emergency surgery.

In recorded conversations with his parents, Lindemann blamed Ms Lezsak, saying she “poured petrol onto the fire” and that she “wrecked everything” for him.

His barrister Lucinda Thies told the court Lindemann, who has pleaded guilty to murder, accepted responsibility for his crimes and regretted his behaviour.

But Justice Hollingworth disagreed, saying she could not accept he held genuine remorse.

“He still maintains she ruined his life,” she said.

Ms Thies asked the judge to take into account Lindemann’s strong family background, lack of prior convictions and previous good character.

However, Justice Hollingworth said those attributes did not make him unique, especially in a case of serious family violence.

“Domestic violence abusers and offenders

often present one face to the world and one face to their partner - your client is no different,” she said.

The judge noted it was a very serious example of the offence, especially considering there were young children and a grandmother present.

Prosecutor Kristie Churchill said women were entitled to end relationships without that choice leading to their deaths.

She encouraged the court to send a strong message to the community that such crimes warranted serious punishment.

More than a dozen of Ms Lezsak’s family and friends filled the court for the pre-sentence hearing, where the mother-of-two was remembered as a beautiful person inside and out.

“She didn’t deserve this and neither did her children,” her friend Donna Brown said.

“I struggle every day with what happened and the selfishness of his actions.”

Lindemann, who is facing up to life in prison, will be sentenced at a later date.

· 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

· Lifeline 13 11 14

Sven Lindemann (left) arrives at the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne on Friday, 3 May, 2024.

Picture: AAP IMAGE/DIEGO FEDELE

Police block off Kassan Gardens, Endeavour Hills where Sven Lindemann murdered partner Monique Leczak on 30 May 2023. 338172

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Helping students in need

By Ava Cashmore

Clyde Creek Primary School (Specialist campus) has received five iPads from charity organisation State Schools Relief (SSR).

SSR has provided more than 500 iPads to non-verbal students across the state.

For non-verbal students, communication is a daily challenge, often causing a loss of sense of belonging, and restricted access to learning and education. Some struggle to communicate basic needs to guardians.

SSR’s broad range of programs and initiatives aim to transform education for non-verbal students and promote inclusivity across state schools in Victoria.

Five students at Clyde Creek Primary School received an iPad each, which they can take home.

“A lot of our families don’t have the financial capacity or NDIS funding to purchase devices,“ the wellbeing/disability inclusion team leader at the school Kristy Panayiotou said.

“If families have just arrived in Australia, they may not yet have access to therapy support or NDIS funding, and cannot financially afford therapy support for children, let alone buy devices to establish a form of connection or functional communication at school and home.”

SSR charity also provides free uniforms, footwear, uniform vouchers, glasses, and other essentials.

Schools can apply online for the resources they require, and with funding from the State Government and private donations, disadvantaged students will be supplied with the resources they require.

“Every morning at Clyde Creek Primary School, students and families are greeted at the gate,” Ms Panayiotou said.

“That way we develop a connection with all of our families and the wider community, through these discussions and connections

we are able to support families in need.”

In 2022-23, SSR distributed $7.1 million worth of essential items, including iPads which benefited 452 students.

Since 2016, the not-for-profit has distributed over $45 million of essential items.

“The iPad program assists students expe-

riencing significant communication barriers within their school environment and home.

The iPad gives students a voice – something that is a universal right and helps these young people to have a voice, have agency, and to be heard,” chief executive officer of SSR Sue Karzis said.

“I am so proud that SSR is able to de-

Narre Warren man wins big in the lotto

A big weekend surprise came for a NarreWarren man, after winning $133,000 in The Lott’s Super 66 draw.

The man held one of the two division one winning entries, after pulling the lucky numbers from draw 4465 through his winning three-game QuickPick entry.

liver such an impactful program, and it is only possible due to the generosity of our partners, particularly Bank First and ASCA as well as The William Angliss Charitable Fund.”

The iPads program is also supported by Bank First and the Australian Schools Canteen Association.

“I’m in my 60s and I’ve been playing the lottery since I was 20, I think the most I’ve ever won until now is $40!”

Getting on top of his bills and setting his family up for the future were the man’s main goals, saying that“this just makes the world of difference to me and my family”.

“This is mind blowing, I got a text urging me to check my Lotto ticket so I went onto the app and checked; I couldn’t believe my eyes,” the man said.

“I only started playing Super 66 during the past year or so, this is beyond!”

Each division one entry scored a hefty $133,843.95, with the lucky numbers for the draw being 7, 4, 1, 7, 8 and 2.

Super 66 division one winning tally has now reached 354 so far for the financial year of 2024, which includes 127 won by Tatts customers.

The Narre Warren man is one of the two division one winners for the weekend draw from Super 66. Picture: ON FILE

Student Ali with Kristy Panayitou, Sharon Sartori and Ruth Cameron at Clyde Creek Primary School. 402706 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Sensitive data exposed

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A cyberattack embroiling Monash Health has exposed personal details of victim-survivors of family violence and sexual assaults dating up to 50 years ago.

The data breach occurred at Victorian company ZircoDATA, which was used to scan archived historical documents at Monash Health.

It exposed archived data from the family violence and sexual assault support units at Monash Medical Centre, the Queen Victoria Hospital, and Southern Health from 19701993.

IN BRIEF

Fatal collision

Police are investigating a fatal collision in Hampton Park on the morning of Tuesday 7 May.

Emergency services responded to reports that a sedan and a utility were involved in a head-on collision on Glasscocks Road at about 7.15am.

The driver of the sedan died at the scene.

The passenger of the sedan and the driver of the utility were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established and investigations remain ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, with CCTV/dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

Clyde North fire

Eight CFA units alongside FRV responded to a house fire on Houdan Way in Clyde North at around 4.55pm on Friday 3 May.

Units responded from Clyde, Beaconsfield, NarreWarren and Berwick.

Crews discovered a two-storey building impacted by the fire.

An advice warning was issued to the community for smoke in the area.

The relevant power and gas companies, Victoria Police, and Ambulance Victoria were called to the scene.

Crews contained the fire to the part of the house initially impacted.

The incident was deemed under control at 5.26pm and safe at 5.39pm.

Narre Warren North fire

A Narre Warren North home caught fire at roughly 9am on Wednesday 7 May, with seven emergency vehicles attending the scene.

The court at Foxborough Glade was closed off, with CFA issuing a statement that there was no immediate threat to the community and no action was required.

Truck fire in Devon Meadows

Three CFA units alongside FRV responded to a garbage truck fire on Browns Road in Devon Meadows at around at 12.59pm on Thursday 2 May.

Units responded from Devon Meadows, Tooradin and Clyde.

Crews discovered a load of recycling material fully alight.

A community warning was issued for smoke in the air.

The incident was deemed under control at 1.19pm and safe at 1.32pm.

Booze bus

In response to an alarming 2024 road toll, Victoria Police breath-tested more than 720 drivers at a booze bus site in Dandenong North last week.

The good news was just one driver returned a blood-alcohol reading over the limit by the operation on Heatherton Road in the early afternoon of 1 May.

There were no drug drivers detected.

“We are deeply disappointed to be in this position and understand the distress this may cause any impacted clients,” Monash Health chief executive Eugine Yafele said in a statement on 3 May.

“We take any matter involving cybersecurity extremely seriously.

“Our team is working tirelessly and diligently to verify those who are impacted and understand what data was compromised.”

On 29 February, ZircoDATA reported that a third party accessed its system and “identified an allegation on the dark web that some of our data has been stolen”.

Yafele stated that Monash Health was “re-

cently” informed that its data was involved. Monash Health’s own systems weren’t compromised, he stated.

“Monash Health is deeply sorry that the external breach has occurred, and we continue to work with ZircoDATA in the investigation.

“Our number one priority is providing support to those people who may be impacted by this breach.”

Monash Health has set up a dedicated cyber-breach support line at 1800 491 663 for people who may be impacted.

More information is also available at monashhealth.org/cyber

Tax cuts for

The bad news is that the operation was prompted by seven fatalities in the Dandenong area so far this year, as of 3 May. Senior Constable Rod Vejar of Dandenong Highway Patrol said testing sites were a good reminder that “police can be out anywhere, any time”.

Workforce education bid

By Violet Li

Education and businesses in the South East Melbourne region should work together to invest in the local workforce, as Australia transitions to a net zero economy, industry leaders say.

A panel discussion at the GSEM Jobs and Skills Summit explored how the South East could be innovative and capitalise on emerging opportunities during the transition.

Honi Walker, chief executive officer of South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA), said it would take manufacturers a lot to transition to a wholly renewable sector.

“Skills are lacking for manufacturers in that space. And we need more people for it,” she said.

“We will need to have some kind of concession or carryover program because we can’t just switch it (fossil-fuel power) off.”

While more targeted skilled migrants were brought up in the discussion to help businesses transition more quickly, panelist Simon McKeon AO, the GSEM chair and Monash University chancellor, believed the starting point should be “who we have here today” and the industry should make it clear to education institutions what it needs from them.

“Every other educational establishment, whether it’s primary, secondary, tertiary, is up for the same challenge because there is an urgency to produce the people that we need in the future,” he said.

“Let’s sort of mature and work out how can we get the best out of what we have. For goodness’s sake, we’re going to be a great place for all sorts of people who want to come here from overseas.

“My own bias and prejudice in this case though is that we ought to be very careful about just doing it on the easy basis of getting someone who’s already been trained overseas.

“I think we owe it to this world to roll up our sleeves and admit more than our fair share of refugees, and people that are tough. They just come here with a sheer desire to contribute.

“We need to spend money on their training.”

Emma Dawson, executive director of public policy think tank Per Capita, said reinvestment in TAFE, technical education, and micro-cre-

dentials was important and businesses should work together with them to facilitate the learning.

“Weusedtohaveapathwaywhereyoufinish school, you went and got a trade qualification, and then you had a secure job. We’ve removed too much of that for people,” she said.

She made an example of working and learning models in the State Electricity Commission (SEC) in the 1930s.

“The employers were hand in glove right through with educational institutions, particularly in those post-war eras,” she said.

“In Yallourn, where the SEC was located, there were two or three TAFEs in Gippsland, and apprentices would work at the SEC and then do one or two days a week of their TAFE.

“Those kinds of hybrid training on the job models really need to come back to the floor for this transition to the next economy.”

Ms Dawson also believed that businesses should make some investment in their workforce.

“What we’ve seen over recent years is this expectation that businesses will get job-ready candidates.They won’t need any training or any investment,” she said.

“Government [should] incentivise business participation here. One example is, say, if you don’t spend a certain amount of your profit or revenue on training your staff, then you can pay a levy to a government fund that will provide the training for them, and they might leave your company and go somewhere else.

“Keeping those also gives business the opportunity to invest in their local workforce, to keep their workforce loyal to the region.

“So a lot of these government instruments that are being developed at the State and Federal level can be leveraged specifically to form partnerships between local training organisations and businesses that are interested in that skill space,” she said.

“This also then gives young people the confidence and the hope to put down roots, to buy a house in this region, to start a family in this region, and to then continue to build a life.

“And we’ve done these things in the past.We just need to bring some of the old-fashioned thinking back to bed.”

Recognising the issues

By Ethan Benedicto

Acknowledgement was the key factor being discussed during GSEM’s barriers to work panel for youth, women and culturally diverse communities on Friday 3 May.

Four speakers were present to deliver the panel, providing insight into lived experiences from their struggles and reaching the bottom line of recognising that not everyone fits into the same mould is the first crucial step to breaking these barriers.

Mel Godinho Flores, foundation coordinator of MEGT Australia who has personal experience of family violence and AOD, said that a main hindering factor of the learning model of Australia is that there is little to no recognition of people’s capabilities, “our learning journey isn’t linear, the line isn’t straight”.

“I think our education and training system makes the assumption that everyone has a normalised education from Prep to Year 12, and that will fit into this normal line.

“As adult learners, it is probably harder than normalising youth and adolescent learning, because as we get older we break out into our electives or our chosen fields of interest [but] everyone’s a variance,” she said.

Nikita Rogers, a Holmesglen student and student teacher at Monash was diagnosed with autism when she was three and further diagnosed with intellectual disability when she was four.

She had difficulty in her early years of education, having moved to five different schools since there wasn’t a model that could cater to her learning capabilities.

“My first two schools were special schools and when I went up to Year 6, my second school, I tested two points over the criteria and this is where things got complicated.

“I moved to a mainstream high school and out of all my school years, it was probably one of the hardest for me because at that time I didn’t know what special and mainstream was – I thought school was school,” she said.

Ms Rodgers has found solid footing as a

person with high-functioning autism not just in her workplace, but also as a member of society - having acquired her licence, gaining employment and attending panels such as the GSEM sessions despite her social anxiety.

Rebecca Packer, a Bachelor of Social Work student at Deakin University, and according to her having a “collection [and] a bigger pile of chronic diagnoses” is not what “most workplaces would consider a standard diversity”.

“The way one of my employers in the past explained was that they know how to work with autism and they know how to work with ADHD, and with wheelchairs, but it was a combination of the two.

“I think the starting point is acknowledging the barriers, I feel as if a lot of places, when it comes to even disclosing some of these barriers, don’t quite understand how to even approach it.

“Are we listening to the people who are accessing the services that are being funded for mental education and understanding their experience? Are we listening to the voices of those who are actually using the space?” she said.

Nathan Carolus, a youth adviser at the Brotherhood of St Laurence said he “found a real passion for community service” and continues to work to find ways to support those struggling with barriers to work, but even so feels “as if my hands are tied a bit”.

“I feel as if I’m locked into work as much as I can so I can sustain myself, as much as I would like to study further and go for that career development opportunities, I just feel like I’m locked in,” he said.

For Ms Rogers, her “disability is silent, so I’m here to share my experience with autism and high-functioning autism, to spread awareness about being in a grey area in such a black and white world”.

Kit McMahon, CEO of Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) who also led the panel, summarised the discussion as that there is “no norm”.

“We need to create more spaces for the grey, and understand that it’s not a binary world,” she said.

The speakers at the Barriers to Work panel, from left to right: Nathan Carolus, Nikita Rogers, Mel Godinho Flores and Rebecca Packer.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Simon McKeon (GSEM chair), Emma Dawson (executive director of Per Capita), Honi Walker (CEO, SEMMA) and Michael Rowland (MC). 403587 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

NEWS Break down the barriers

By Violet Li

As female unemployment remains concerning in the South East region, manufacturing industry representatives are advocating for ways to break down the barriers for women - particularly from culturally diverse communities.

Among the options presented at a Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) summit were adaptive shift hours, promoting manufacturing career options to female students and enlightening employers.

In a panel at the GSEM Jobs and Skills Summit on Friday 3 May, Courteney Munn, project officer of Women in Manufacturing at the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union Victorian Branch (AMWU), said the industry certainly needed more women going into different roles with the old heavy lifting fading out and more sophisticated equipment coming in.

“When I look at the manufacturing industry as a whole in Victoria, and we look at the roles that women are predominantly filling at the moment, it is the production line, casual, minimum wage sorts of jobs,” she said.

“Why aren’t we getting women into operators, robotics?”

Ms Munn found that a lot of mature age women interested in welding and equipped with a degree, predominantly migrant women, were not able to find work when she was running programs out in the southeast.

“We need to really start hammering down out in the schools, making sure that young women know about these sorts of careers,” she said.

“And then also having our industry become a bit more accommodating and flexible so that women can actually take up roles.”

Ms Munn pointed out shift hours should be made more adaptive for women.

“We look at the manufacturing industry, and it’s evolved like crazy over the last 20 years. We’re seeing new technology. It’s safer. We’re seeing guarding of pretty much everything. But we look at shift flexibility, and it just hasn’t changed,” she said.

“We’re stuck with the day, afternoon, and night shift, and that’s pretty much it.

“And we’ve seen out at Jayco. They’ve actually started to look a bit more broadly. They’re offering part-time shifts now, and that’s especially worked across the day shift.

“They’ve split that in two. So you might have 7am to 11am for one person, and then 11am till 3pm for the next person. It’s as easy as that to make this industry a bit more accommodating for them.”

A GSEM report released late in 2022 reveals that the 10-year average female unemployment rate in the South East region is one percentage point higher than the Greater Melbourne average, equating to roughly 2,000 extra unemployed women per year.

Panelist Daniel Prins, project manager at Chisholm Institute, is running an engineering project in collaboration with Jobs Victoria to help people get into entry-level roles in manufacturing in the South East.

“Those people are from various disadvantaged cohorts with barriers to employment… We’ve placed 97 people into ongoing employment in the South East, which is a phenomenal effort, but the challenge around placing similarly equipped males and similarly equipped females is considerable,” he said.

Mr Prins said education was needed for employers.

“The 18-year-old blonde-hair blue-eyed Cert-to-Year-12 car-and-licensed-driving person doesn’t just walk in off the street to your business anymore,” he said.

“If you’re still longing for those days, your business will not succeed.

“You need to open your mind and open your eyes to see that doesn’t matter what these people look like, what backgrounds they come from. There are people from every walk of life that can have a positive impact on your business.

“It’s amazing how many of those conversations in greater detail we had to have with employers across the whole South East of Melbourne in order for them to take on people that didn’t look like what they thought an apprentice, or an entry-level role position should look like.”

Budget rebuff for South East

Advocacy group Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) has criticised the State Budget for a lack of investment in the region.

Fresh after hosting a jobs and skills summit on3May,GSEMchairSimonMcKeonsaid“better direct budget support to help the region’s growth would have been a good budgetary investment”.

“The GSEM region is an important economic driver forVictoria.

“It is disappointing that there is not greater direct investment in the Greater South East Melbourne region. Relief for families is welcomed – but more needs to be done to support residents of Greater South East Melbourne.”

McKeon welcomed the $555 million into TAFE and training system but “more needs to be done to ensure that this investment is getting to those who need it.”

More investment in “critical transport infrastructure” was also required.

“GSEM understands the need for sensible

Concerns over moving to ‘hollowed-out’ economy

By Violet Li

Manufacturing industry advocacies are calling for the government to collaborate with and “catalyse” the sector to boost economic productivity.

In a panel discussion to understand future workforce needs in Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) at the GSEM Jobs and Skills Summit on Friday 3 May, professor Danny Samson at the University of Melbourne said Australia was increasingly moving towards being a hollowed-out economy as manufacturing was moved to low-cost countries.

Professor Samson has areas of expertise that include manufacturing and operation strategy, sustainable development, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).

He pointed out that Australia ranked 93 among 133 countries in the Harvard Economic Complexity Index which measures the richness and depth of the economy, wedged between Uganda and Pakistan. This was driven by a lack of diversification of exports.

“I think that it’s not good enough for us to continue down that path [mining and agricultural],” he said.

“We do need to get back into doing what the world’s best economies do, the richest economies do, which is that government works with [manufacturing] industry, catalyses what’s going on, and helps them [by making the rules for business easy and friendly as opposed to difficult].”

He said the manufacturing industry in the region needed to pick up its focus.

“We look at what we’ve got. We look at our current assets. We look at our current competitive advantage. We look at trends going forward. We look at the tech that we need, the skills that we need, and come up with a focused answer to the question: what should our strategy be?” he said.

“We need to have what the world’s best

economies have, which is the government and business work government at all levels, and business work very close together to achieve that outcome in a focused way.”

Panellist Dr Martin Schlegel, who has 25 years of international experience in the manufacturing industry across novel materials, technology, and R&D commercialisation, said the Queensland Government provided an example of bringing a focused approach to its policy framework.

“Australia has a quantum technology policy, an industry policy for an emerging technology that probably will be available to us in a useful and affordable way in about 10 years,” he said.

“What the Queensland Government has done is that on the back of that technology gap, they developed a strategy and some tactics, and they focus. They say that they are going to apply only in this and this and that area.

“They disregard everything else because that focus will allow them to bundle their limited resources to attract the talent that they need for these, to support the initiatives that are in their various sectors.

“All other things will leave out.”

Julie Stevens, partner engagement and activation lead at Cremorne Digital Hub, said at the panel that government, community, industrial, and education partners should come together to see what future skills would be needed in the manufacturing industry and use those to underpin the future workforce.

“We can’t do it in our silos, in our manufacturing plants, in our educational institutions… The best way to do it is just to adopt that approach of piloting things, seeing what sticks, and then leveraging the funding that’s available to help scale those and building those nodes of industry in the region,” she said.

“It has to be about building economic productivity.”

economic management to address state debt, however growth cannot occur without the foundational building blocks of community and transport infrastructure,” McKeon said.

“We appreciate that hard decisions have had to be made but, nonetheless, we must prioritise policies and projects that provide jobs and economic growth.”

GSEM welcomed several Budget projects, including the continued Pakenham roads package as well as new schools and upgrades. He also praised the proposed intersection upgrade on Stud Road Dandenong, the Monash Medical Centre redevelopment, the $5 million Growing Suburbs fund and continuing the planning for a renewable energy terminal at Port of Hastings. It also praised the $71 million initiative to support young people complete their secondary-school educations at TAFE. GSEM includes eight council areas Cardinia, Mornington Peninsula, Casey, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Kingston, Knox and Monash.

Professor Danny Samson, department of management and marketing, University of Melbourne and Julie Stevens, partner engagement and activation lead, Cremorne Digital Hub.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Daniel Prins, Chisholm Institute, project manager – Jobs Victoria Engineering Project.

Reception relief

By Ethan Benedicto

Residents of Clyde, Clyde North and surrounds are finally receiving their long-awaited upgrades on cell reception, with Telstra and Optus confirming new towers - some within the year.

Ari Ross, a worker at Clyde North’s Deoro Cafe said “it’s about time”.

“I live just down the road, and I only have one bar in my whole house it’s terrible, so I think it’s about time honestly,” she said.

Her difficulties are well-known and a common sentiment for a majority of residents in Clyde and Clyde North, with Maree Cullinan, executive officer at Balla Balla Community Centre saying that “we agree that community members are very frustrated with the lack of coverage in the area”.

A Telstra spokesperson told 9News last week that three projects are currently underway as part of the Connecting Victoria Mobile program to improve 4G and 5G connectivity in the local area.

With two new mobile stations and an upgrade for an existing one in the books, the spokesperson said that “Telstra expects to have one new mobile base station in Clyde East constructed during May and operational by the end of June this year”.

Optus is in the same boat, with three new sites operational in the last year and covering parts of Casey Stadium and Clyde North.

“We are working hard to bring residents of Casey improved mobile coverage,” an Optus spokesperson said.

“Optus is working on an additional eight towers in the area - seven of these are part of the Connecting Victoria Mobile Program to improve mobile connectivity in Clyde, including Clyde North, Cranbourne, Berwick and Hallam.”

For Ms Ross, the additional towers are more than just a weight off her shoulders, lamenting that “I can’t FaceTime my parents, I can’t call anyone, I can’t watch [on] too many

devices at once - if I’m on my TV and my phone and my laptop, one of them will stop working”.

“[For] the whole Clyde area, all the houses have gone up, and they just haven’t accommodated to even retail, internet, traffic or anything, everything’s just taking such a long time to come together,” she said.

Ms Cullinan added that “many are still working from home and this is nearly impossible when the service is unreliable”.

“We look forward to new base stations being put in place as well as upgrades that will service the area of Clyde North which is expanding at a rapid pace,” she said.

Provided to 9News also last week, a council spokesperson said that they are working closely with the State Government and telecommunications providers in order to address the infrastructure and servicing gaps throughout the municipality, especially for Clyde and Clyde North.

“A total of two mobile towers (and one broadband solution) and four mobile towers have been identified to be delivered and

service Clyde and Clyde North, with several of these towers already being delivered or having received relevant approvals before construction.

“Casey has issued 12 planning permits for new towers in the last year, six of which are all in Clyde/Clyde North,” the spokesperson said.

Additionally, the Federal Government’s announcement of the updated Telecommunications in New Developments (TIND) Policy was announced on 17 February this year, which provides extra guidance on the development sector’s “responsibility to ensure new communities are serviced with mobile telecommunication infrastructure”.

“Council welcomes the TIND Policy announcement and has been advocating with industry stakeholders in formalising this policy position locally, whilst working in partnership with the development sector to more proactively plan for mobile telecommunications infrastructure for new projects,” the council spokesperson said.

No fee ruling

By Violet Li

The state tribunal ruled that a childcare centre in Endeavour Hills would not be required to pay Casey Council to use the six spaces within its adjacent public car park.

Inspire and Play Early Learning Centre sought approval at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to delete a permit condition that required the owner to enter into a lease agreement with Casey Council to use six spaces within the public car park directly east of the childcare.

The lease fee was an annual sum of $7500 plus GST and would increase by 5 per cent annually. Casey Council offered to reduce the figure to $900 per annum.

The tribunal examined the previous lease agreement and noted that despite a fee paid to Casey Council to use six spaces, those spaces were labelled as “non-exclusive use”.

The tribunal ruled that it was not fair to pay for a “non-exclusive use” of six public car spaces.

The traffic impact assessment report revealed a maximum occupancy of 23 out of 32 spaces within the public car parks east and north of the childcare centre and a maximum occupancy of 25 out of 42 kerbside spaces with non-residential frontages.

Asthetribunalsupportedtheconcept of relying on six spaces within the public car park nearby instead of kerbside parking for safety concerns, it was satisfied that there were sufficient vacant spaces in proximity to the childcare centre to support the waiver of six spaces. It also suggested appropriate signage to encourage, but not mandate, the use of the six spaces by the childcare centre.

Nothing but the net: Basketball duo set for USA glory

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Talented teens and childhood friends Thomas Duach and Kuich Gatwech are the latest basketballers from South East-based club Red Roo headed to the US.

The supremely athletic and motivated duo recently signed letters-of-intent to join Baltimore City Community College on four-year full scholarships.

For the occasion, they resolved not to smile for the Star News photographer.

But befitting their journeys of perseverance, the pair remained pictures of steel-eyed determination.

They’ve known each other since“little kids”, their families attending a Presbyterian church in Mulgrave. And played on the same team at Red Roo for several years.

And now the pair say they can’t wait to fly out together in August.

“We’ve got good chemistry together,” Thomas says of his on-court role with Kuich.

“With him cutting to the basket and me getting the ball to him.”

Kuich says: “I’ve know Thomas for years, he’s from a good family, we’ve grown up together.

“It’s great to be going over with someone I know.”

There’s a growing list of Red Roo recruits plying themselves at US colleges. But this is the first time two have been selected simultaneously for the same US college.

Aside from their athletic gifts, it’s clear this pair have been rewarded for years of hard work.

Thomas commutes up to two hours oneway by bus from Kilsyth to train with Red Roo at the Hoops 24/7 centre in Dandenong South up to four nights a week.

But of course, it’s been worthwhile “doing what I love and playing basketball”, he says.

Similarly and unfailingly, Kuich buses to training from Burwood. He says it’s taken years of hard work, and really taken his goal seriously in the past few years.

“It was a mental battle, I got through it and

it’s now paying off.”

Kuich, a forward who loves defence as well as attacking the ring, submitted his highlights film to Baltimore. And they clearly liked what they saw.

While studying business, he hopes that Baltimore is just the start of the US basketballing adventure – and that he doesn’t have to return home for a long time after that.

“I’m just very grateful. I knew the time would come but I didn’t know when.”

His family have always been behind him, as well as his teammates – and most importantly, he kept faith in himself.

“Of course, always I kept believing – no matter what people told me.”

Thomas is feeding off the advice of older brother Josh Duach, who is on a basketball scholarship with Iona College in NewYork City.

“I can’t wait. It’s pretty good!”

His brother has given him insight into walking into a “new experience” a long way from home and at such a young age.

Thomas’s plan is to “stay motivated, deal with the hard times that will come and stay the course with the schoolwork”.

He humbly attests to bouncing back from “many failures”, always striving to get better.

“Never lose heart, stay motivated, regroup and fix what’s messed up.”

The point guard loves attacking the ring and sharing the ball with teammates, helping them get easy shots.

He will study business management, while hoping to “make it as far as possible with my basketball”.

Red Roo coach Teny Puot – who is an assistant coach with South Sudan’s inaugural Olym-

years of

pics basketball team in Paris this year – lavishes praise on the two proteges.

He attests to Thomas’s “great character” and discipline.

“He’s not afraid of hard work – a guy who won’t back away from any challenge or assignment thrown at him.

“He reminds me of some of my older mentors with that vibe of wanting better.”

The more extroverted Kuich was a “vocal leader”.

“He’s always asking questions – that’s what everyone looks for as a coach or a teacher. He’s not afraid to put his hand up.”

Red Roo founder James Kerr credits the duo’s perseverance on the court and in the classroom.

“The No.1 determining factor is they never give up. They persevered.

“It’s very, very rare that we get two young men going to the same college on a full scholarship.”

Also big factors were their will to win and their dedication to schoolwork.

“We know they can play basketball, but we also want them to graduate.

“It’s very important that they’re a student first, a person and then a player.”

Quich Gatwech says he never lost faith in achieving his US college dream. 404233 Picture: GARY SISSONS

After

two-hour bus rides to training, Thomas Duach is set to fly out to Baltimore on a full scholarship. 404233

Deoro Cafe, situated in Clyde North’s Delaray Estate has had its fair share of connectivity issues, according to worker Ari Ross. Picture: ETHAN BENEDICTO

By Ethan Benedicto

The Webb Street level crossing removal project took a greener approach to managing stormwater, using underground tanks made from recycled plastic in the new NarreWarren station precinct.

Green move Safety guilty plea after patient death

By Cam Lucadou-Wells and AAP

Monash Health has pleaded guilty to a workplace safety charge over the suicide of a mental-health patient at Casey Hospital, Berwick in 2015.

In pleading on 6 May, the health service accepted an earlier sentence indication in the Victorian County Court of a non-conviction and a fine no more than $160,000.

Prosecutor Duncan Chisholm told the court that Rebecca Victoria Poke was found unresponsive on 31 August 2015 in a visitors toilet, which had a door handle type previously assessed as a suicide risk.

Staff had been instructed to check the private toilet every 15 minutes to ensure it was left locked and not accessed by patients.

In an audit in April 2015, the visitors toilet door handle was identified as a ligature risk.

However, unlike every other door handle in the ward, it hadn’t been replaced, the court heard.

Monash Health should have either removed the handle, replaced it with a ligature-proof pull handle or replaced it with a ligature-proof lock set, Mr Chisholm said.

It was removed shortly after the incident.

Ms Poke had been admitted into Casey’s acute mental health ward as a high risk of suicide.

During her stay over several months, she had made 11 suicide attempts.

She was taken off a compulsory treatment order and was due to be released to visit family and friends shortly before the incident.

Her bereaved father, mother, brother, sister

and husband submitted victim impact statements to the court.

Ms Poke’s father Shane Middleton said he was forced to take a long time off work to deal with her senseless and unnecessary loss, and felt like he was in a living nightmare since she died.

He feared for her twin sister and felt his life was a debt-burdened“disaster” after Ms Poke’s death, which led to the breakdown of his marriage, he said.

“I feel like I am in a continual battle for survival,” Mr Middleton said in a statement read to the court.

Ms Poke’s brother Cameron Middleton said his anger was initially misdirected at his sister.

He had since become angry at the hospital and relived his sister’s death over and over, he said.

Mental-health risk assessment expert Pro-

fessor Matthew Large later reported there was no reasonable explanation for keeping the door handle which posed a“significant risk” to patients, Mr Chisholm said.

His report stated that the need for ligature proof door handles was well known in the industry, been available for decades and were “not expensive”, the court heard.

According to defence submissions, Monash Health had eliminated many ligature point risks but not that “specific risk”.

“Insofar as they was an error (which is easy to point out in hindsight…) it was a human one in under-estimating the capacity of a determined patient to effectively ‘stake out’ the door and wait for it to be left unlocked and to sneak in without being observed by the person(s) at the Nurses Station.”

In an earlier hospital audit, the door handle was assessed as“low” risk due to being in a low dependency unit and a high-visibility corridor.

The handle couldn’t be removed because it was the only disabled bathroom on the ward, an audit stated.

Last month, judge Gerard Mullaly indicated that if Monash Health pleaded guilty, it would be fined no more than $160,000 and without conviction.

He had said it was “highly relevant” that the health service had no prior convictions given its long history operating in a “high-risk environment”.

The maximum penalty applicable is $1,328,490.

Monash Health will appear for sentencing at theVictorian County Court on 16 May.

· Lifeline 13 11 14

During construction, crews installed three detention tanks made of recycled plastic instead of concrete, using specialised plastic filters to slow down rainwater and prevent flooding in the station.

The station’s design itself reduced carbon emissions from concrete during construction by using a mix of cement alternatives in the base slab for the bin enclosure.

Materials such as flyash, which is the combustion of coal in electric utility or industrial boilers, and sand replaced 80 per cent of the cement that would have been required as part of the slab.

Through minimising the use of concrete, the detention tanks save 183.4 tonnes of CO2e, which is equivalent to driving more than 1.1 million kilometres in a diesel car or charging 22 million smartphones at once.

Other sustainable measures were also adopted during the station’s construction phase, such as using solar power generators for the site office and a trial use of a crane powered by recycled cooking oil.

While the new elevated station is now operational, works on its precinct continue after its March opening, which includes a new air-conditioned waiting room, new toilet facilities and an updated ticket office which has recently opened.

Surrounding the station, crews are finishing the forecourt, with 672 upgraded car spaces and planting more than 300 new trees and 63,000 plants, shrubs and grasses to revitalise the area.

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Casey Hospital. 199744

THE LOWDOWN

Q&A

Tell us about yourself and your jobs?

My name is Scarlett and I love learning new things. Since finishing school at Emerson School in Dandenong I have followed my dreams to work in hospitality. With the support of the NDIS, I have successfully gained employment at L’arte Central Cafe and the Amstel Club, both in Cranbourne. Both workplaces are highly supportive and taught me new skills. I also volunteer at a local Salvos store on Saturdays. To say I’m very busy is an understatement but I love everything I do. What do you love the most about your jobs? All my jobs teach me valuable skills and I love that every day is so different. From serving coffee and meals, taking orders and clearing tables, to helping people find items in the store. I particularly like working on the registers and working on my money skills. Working in fantastic teams is wonderful and I love meeting new people in the community every day. What has been your most memorable moment during your jobs?

I have had lots of memorable moments but something I am really proud of is getting my Barista Certificate.

If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

I think I would like to be a cheetah as they are very fast, a bit like me. What were you like as a kid?

Surprisingly as a young child, I was quite shy nothing like I am now…lol. I loved spending time with my family and friends. As a child, I used to play shops and cafes all the time. I even had my own cash register and my family used to have to visit my shop/cafe!

What event, past or present, would you like to witness?

I am a passionate Sydney Swans supporter and have been to a few AFL Grand Finals. I would love to see the Swans actually win a Grand Fi-

NEWS

with Scarlett Jennings from L’Arte Central Cafe

nal one day.

Which dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?

Taylor Swift, Isaac Heeney, Lance Franklin, Pink.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Hardworking, independent, confident.

What would you do on your perfect ‘day off’?

I would spend the day hanging out with some

of my close friends. Where is your happy place?

My happy place is at home where I can relax and be with my pets.

If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?

My special white chocolate cookies … they are delicious.

Where is your dream holiday destination? Disney Land.

THREE … ways to Mother’scelebrate Day

As the name suggests, Mother’s Day is a celebratory day honouring the mother of the family or the individual who has fulfilled this role of the maternal bond. It is celebration on different days in many parts of the world and in Australia is the second Sunday of May.

1

There are many different community celebrations of Mother’s Day throughout the region from different venues having special Mother’s Day high tea or lunches, or you can organise a picnic in one of the many reserves.

2

While motherhood and the opportunity to create life is a gift in itself, there are many ‘traditional’ Mother’s Day gifts such as handmade cards and decorated mugs, flowers, perfume, pyjamas and breakfast in bed.

3

It really is the opportunity for your family to celebrate mum in your own special way to show just how much you care. Sometimes, just spending time with mum can be the ideal gift.

Hope for support service

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Post the State Budget, a South-East support service has renewed hope that funding for its family-violence prevention program will continue.

Wellsprings for Women’s six-year program was due to lapse in funding at the end of June.

In some heartening Budget news, chief executive Dalal Smiley said Family Safety Victoria had notified Wellsprings that “all lapsing family violence programs across government have had funding continued”.

“For funding administered by Family Safety Victoria, this will enable the continuation of a number of critical programs to prevent and respond to family violence,” the FSV email stated.

However Ms Smiley said Wellsprings was still seeking “confirmation from the department” about the funding.

Wellsprings’ peak body Safe and Equal was also seeking “further clarification”.

In the Budget, $30.1 million was allocated for primary prevention of family violence –with further announcements to come about prevention measures in coming weeks.

Overall, family violence funding was $211 million - up $94 million from 2023-’24. It also includes $30 million for refuges and emergency accommodation for families escaping violence.

Wellsprings’ programs particularlyhelp women of migrant and refugee backgrounds.

“English is not their first language and they have so many struggles and challenges to deal with before they can find the space in their lives to reflect on gender equality, women’s economic security and the drivers of violence against women.

“But we take advantage of the time they spend at Wellsprings to learn English and acquire new skills, to broach the subject of gen-

der equality and family violence.

“Often conversations just happen over a coffee break or around the kitchen table and not always in the classroom.”

Ms Smiley says it’s difficult to demonstrate

the vital impact of family-violence prevention work at a state or national level.

“Those of us working at the forefront, with communities, having conversations on gender equality and family violence, and exploring together culturally safe and tailored messages

and approaches, are able to witness the changes in people’s attitudes and behaviors.

“Prevention programs work but need to happen consistently and over long-term and in a timely manner.”

With time, the programs “grow the pool of men and women whose lives are transformed”, she said.

They instill the value of raising children free of gender stereotypes and rigid roles, as well as helping couples with shared decision-making, domestic and caring duties.

Ms Smiley was disappointed that the Federal Government’s $925 million family violence response on 1 May, allocated nothing toward prevention.

“We urge our governments to keep funding prevention because if we only focus on responding to family violence, we fail in addressing the roots of the problem.”

Australians ought to be “shocked and outraged” by the “national crisis with the increase of women being murdered every week”, Ms Smiley said.

As of 30 April, 28 women in Australia had been killed this year as a result of violence, according to Counting Dead Women Australia research.

A State Government spokesperson said last week that its “nation-leading work to end family violence” included helping refugee, migrant and asylum seeker women overcome barriers in seeking help.

“We are making it easier for Victoria’s diverse communities to access help when they are victims of family violence with a range of measures such as funding Wellsprings for Women.”

Separate to the prevention programs, the government last year allocated $788,000 over two years toWellsprings to support victim-survivors of family and sexual violence and work with perpetrators.

Scarlett from L’Arte Central Social Enterprise Cafe. 401607

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Wellsprings CEO Dalal Smiley is awaiting confirmation that funding will continue for its familyviolence prevention program. 365111 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Heeramandi in Dandenong

By Sahar Foladi

The Drum Theatre was almost unrecognisable in a colourful transformation for the preview of the most awaited Netflix series, Heeramandi, The Diamond Bazaar.

Seats for the preview filled out quickly at the private screening which saw a culturally diverse community turnout at the heart of Dandenong on Monday 29 April.

According to a Netflix spokesperson Dandenong is among the first to participate in the private screening.

“Heeramandi is such a special series, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the cast are so loved, that we wanted Australia’s own Little India in Dandenong to be among the first in the world to see it.

“We were thrilled to create this moment for the community, and have been overwhelmed by the feedback. As one guest put it - it was a gift for the senses!

“It has been hugely rewarding to see our members love stories across genres and emotions from India.

“In 2024, we’re taking this to the next level with the biggest names and freshest voices in Indian entertainment bringing their most special films, series and documentaries to Netflix, andwecan’twaitforourmemberstoseethem.”

The series, released fromWednesday 1 May is inspired by true events set in the pre-independent India,a saga of love, betrayal, struggle and freedom.

Community members were able to enjoy bites of chicken tandoori, samosas, masala chai as they mingled around amongst the well decorated foyer with colourful drapes of fab-

Backdrops with couch, candlelight, colourful gold fabrics and red ‘N’ for

Giving back and making a difference: Top volunteer

A Narre Warren North resident has been named Volunteer of the Year during the Stroke Awards ceremony on Friday 3 May.

A Stroke Foundation volunteer, Toni Arfaras has been awarded for her efforts that educated hundreds, with the award recognising her as an outstanding volunteer whose dedicated service made a significant difference.

Ms Arfaras said that “it is very rewarding being able to connect with other out in the community”.

Since her own stroke in 2013, Ms Arfaras has been determined to use her lived experience, as well as her skills from years of teaching to help educate others.

After becoming a StrokeSafe speaker in 2016, she has since delivered multiple talks, with 34 in 2023 and has travelled over 2400 kilometres to complete them.

Likewise, 4000 kilometres is planned to be journeyed for 2024, with 33 talks already booked in.

“For me, giving StrokeSafe talks is a way I can give back to the community, and if I can

put a few of my skills to use while saving a life, or preventing disability, then it’s worth my while,” she said.

Stroke Foundation chief executive officer Dr Lisa Murphy said that Ms Arfaras is an asset to the organisation, saying that “without dedicated volunteers like Toni, Stroke Foundation simply wouldn’t exist”.

“Toni works tirelessly out in the community to ensure more people know how to recognise and prevent a stroke.

“It’s fantastic to see that Toni is able to use many of her skills to deliver such engaging and educational talks, we’re so lucky to have her,” Dr Murphy said.

The Stroke Awards aims to celebrate those in the local community who go above and beyond to improve the lives of those affected by stroke, such as survivors themselves, carers, volunteers, fundraisers, health professionals and so on.

There were a total of eight categories to be won in the Stroke Awards, such as Fundraiser of the Year, First Nations Stroke Excellence and Improving Life After Stroke among others.

Toni Arfaras (middle) holding her Volunteer of the Year award from the Stroke Foundation. Picture: SUPPLIED.

rics covering the ceiling.

Netflix were

staged with professional photographers on the scene to take Instagram worthy shots.

The traditional attire themed event saw

sparkles of big jhumkis (earrings), multi-coloured draped saris, and of course, nothing is complete without a henna station.

The Henna station was very busy. 404987

Picture: SAHAR FOLADILadies took out their best from the wardrobe to wear on the night, with jhumkis and henna done on the night. 404987

Picture: SAHAR FOLADI

Greater Dandenong mayor and deputy mayor with participants on the night of the screening.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Alternative care options

Melbourne paramedics are urging Victorians to access alternative care options and to get their flu and Covid-19 vaccination shots before winter, with Casey being one the busiest LGAs in the metropolitan region.

The advice comes as new data shows demand for emergency ambulances remains high, the period of January to March this year being the busiest quarter three on record for the services.

However, AmbulanceVictoria metropolitan regional director Michael Georgiou said paramedics across the state were reaching the sickest patients 31 seconds faster on average compared to last year, despite demand increasing by 4.4 per cent.

“Our hardworking paramedics and first responders in the Metropolitan Region deliver world-class care every day in the face of ongoing high demand – and we can all do our part to help,” Mr Georgiou said.

There was also improved performance in 62 of the 79 LGAs compared to last year; neighbouring Cardinia Shire was one of the municipalities seeing said improvements, with average response time to Code 1 patients one minute and 29 seconds faster in comparison to last year.

“Winter is a particularly bad time for the spread of illness, the good news is getting your flu shot and staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations will help you and the people around you stay well. Book in now with

your pharmacist or doctor,” Mr Georgiou said.

The quarter three for 2024 saw 150,048 Code 1 (time-critical) and Code 2 (urgent) cases combined, with 96,484 and 53,564 cases respectively.

Paramedics across Victoria responded to 67.7 per cent of Code 1 cases within the statewide target of 15 minutes, which is up from 65.2 per cent a year ago.

“Along with simple things like staying home if you’re unwell and washing and sanitising your hands often, these routine winter vaccinations can protect what’s most important to

Cup teams get their kicks

More than 200 primary school students from across the South East vied for the Paul Wade Cup at St John’s Regional College in Dandenong.

Sides from eight Catholic schools took to the outdoor and indoor fields at the Soccer Gala Day on 6 May.

The competing primary schools were St Mary’s Dandenong, St Paul Apostle North and South in Endeavour Hills, St Francis De Sales in Lynbrook, Holy Family Doveton, St Gerard’s in Dandenong North and St Kevin’s in Hampton Park.

The gala soccer day was named after former Socceroos captain Paul Wade, who is also an ex-student at St John’s college.

In the grand final, St Paul Apostle South won 3-0 against St Anthony’s.

all of us – our health.

“We also encourage all Victorians to take care of themselves, keep regular check-ups with your GP or specialist – and if it’s not urgent, get familiar with alternative care pathways,” Mr Georgiou said.

Metropolitan regional director Vanessa Gorman added that there were many options available for people to access when timely medical care and health advice was needed, but not an emergency ambulance.

“If it’s not life-threatening you can connect directly with emergency doctors and nurses at

the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) from anywhere in Victoria, 24 hours, seven days a week.

“Other options also include your local Priority Primary Care Centre (PPCC), your GP or pharmacist, or Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24.

“By using these services, it helps keep our ambulances ready and available for the sickest patients, particularly those with life-threatening conditions,” Ms Gorman said.

Andrew Keenan, acting executive director of clinical operations said that while ambulances are always provided to patients when required, about one in five calls to triple zero do not need an emergency ambulance response.

“From January to March, 39,227 people who did not need an emergency ambulance were instead connected to more appropriate care by paramedics and nurses in AV’s Secondary Triage team.

“Over the past 12 months, paramedics have referred more than 28,850 patients to the VVED. A further 7,000 patients have been referred to the VVED following assessment by our Secondary Triage team – up 135 per cent from a year ago.

“We again remind everyone to save Triple Zero (000) for emergencies – this is to ensure the sickest Victorians receive life-saving care. If you do need an emergency ambulance, always call triple zero,” Mr Keenan said.

Teammates celebrate from St Kevin’s Primary,Hampton Park. 392098 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Ethan from St. Francis de Sales Primary School,Lynbrook celebrates a goal 392098

St Gerard’s School and St Kevin’s Primary players battle indoors. 392098

A St Kevin’s Primary player launches the ball against St Gerard’s School. 392098

An enthusiastic squad from Holy Family Primary School,Doveton. 392098

St Kevin’s Primary makes a foray forward. 392098

There was improved performance in 62 of 79 local government areas (LGAs) compared to 2023, with Casey being one of the busiest municipalities in the metro region. Picture: ON FILE

NEWS

Are you a top business?

Casey Business Awards 2024 is now open for applications.

The program’s winners are recognised with a cash prize; the business that wins Business of theYear will receive $2000 and winners of each category award will receive $1000.

Council says each year the program welcomes more and more first-time applicants who relish the chance to network and learn from previous winners and finalists, receive valuable feedback from industry experts, and showcase their business’ success across the region.

“Many previous applicants, including those who have taken home awards in past pro-

WHAT’S ON

Helping Hands with Cranbourne Rotary

Cranbourne Rotary Club is organising a Helping Hands Program and inviting the local community to build prosthetic hands that will be donated to amputee landmine victims across developing countries.

About 27 hands will be assembled on the day in teamwork and there are about 10 spots left. As the day is around the corner, the club is inviting local volunteers to get on board, engage with the cause that empowers people in need of help worldwide, and have a wonderful Saturday morning. Lunch will be provided. No fee is required. If you don’t have a team, that will be fine. The club will put you in a team. If you’d like to bring your own team (3-5ppl), that would be fabulous. To participate, you can contact Paul Rice at paul@ultrasigns.com.au or call him at 0418 369 149

· Saturday 11 May, 10am -2pm, Balla Balla Community Centre, Clyde North Victoria’s Queer Festival of Words Victoria’s Queer Festival of Words is coming to the City of Casey on the 18th of May. This festival celebrates LGBTQIA+ literature and provides a platform for queer writers and readers to come together and share their stories.

Day Program Location: Bunjil Place/City of Casey Library

Day Program Times: 10am - 4pm Day Program Line-Up:

Workshop: ‘Writing for Kids and Young Adults’, with award-winning author Alison Evans In-conversation: Queer radio and podcasting with Sam Elkin, Jonathan Butler and Sally Goldner AM

Workshop: ‘From Concept to Curtain: Crafting your Theatre Show’, with Timothy Ryan Workshop: ‘Writing from the Hyphen’, with Xiaole Zhan

In-Conversation: Queer histories of Naarm, with Sally Goldner, Yves Rees and Julie Peters

Evening Program Location: The Old Cheese Factory

Evening Program Times: 6pm - 10pm

Evening Program Line-Up: Music from singersongwriter Stella Ramage followed by readings by Xiaole Zhan, JRC, Madison Whitmond, Marcel

grams, enjoy the ongoing camaraderie and friendly competition that comes along with putting their hat in the ring again,” it states.

“They also find being able to track their progress through the experts’ updated feedback valuable.”

Narre Warren-based private occupational therapy practice, Recovery in Mind, leveraged winning the 2023 Business of Year to bolster its growing business and really support its growth.

Founder Bianca Parsons said that they were able to capitalise on their business winning Business of the Year by forming and strengthening relationships with other organisations,

Liemant, Alushka Rajaram and Sam Elkin.

· Bookings Link: https://www.trybooking.com/ events/landing/1203092?

Narre Warren & District Family History Group 35th Birthday

Celebrations

The first meeting of the Narre Warren & District Family History Group was held on 10 May 1989. Past and current members and friends are invited to join us as we celebrate our many achievements over the past 35 years.

· Saturday 18 May 2024, Conference Room enter via Casey Radio Entrance, 1/65 BerwickCranbourne Road, Cranbourne. Formalities will commence at 2.30pm. Afternoon tea will be served from 3pm. Cost: $10. Bookings essential: Eileen Durdin, secretary@nwfhg.org. au, 0439 720 557 by Friday, 3 May.

CWA Berwick Branch

Country Women’s Association, Berwick Branch warmly invites you to Presenting Guest Speaker – Ms Toni Arfaras from StrokeSafe Foundation

Working to prevent, treat, and beat strokes. Over 450,000 Australians are living with strokes and a stroke occurs every 19 minutes!

Monday 3 June, 2024, Berwick Community Centre, Timbarra Way, Berwick, 7pm

Members $2, Non Members $5. Tea/ coffee and supper will be served.

· RSVP by Fri 31 May for catering – Kate Azzopardi, President. 0435 863 054

CWA Berwick Branch, Wine and Cheese event

Friday 14 June, 7pm – 9 pm, Berwick Neighbourhood Centre, TImbarra Hall, Timbarra Way, Berwick.

Cost - $25 per head or $40 for a couple.

A wide variety of paired cheeses will be available. Fundraising for Children’s Disability Services supporting local children and their families.

· Booking: trybooking.com/CRPJB Canteen: A rock and roll night for charity

Come and join us on Saturday 1 June for a night of live music. Band ROUTE 66 playing 50s, 60s, 70s R & R, country rock, and a bit of blues for charity Canteen Kids with cancer.

Location: Scout Hall 24 Mons Parade Noble

attracting new clients, hiring more employees, and enhancing our overall reputation in the City of Casey.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 30 June 2024.

This year’s awards are proudly sponsored by Zeemo, CFM Air Conditioning, BerwickWaters by Frasers Property Australia, Atura Dandenong, Chisholm Institute, CPS Insurance Solutions, and DHT Solutions.

For more information about the program including the application and judging process, please visit: businessincasey.com.au/caseybusiness-awards-2024

Park (opposite Noble Park Station car park and ample parking). Doors open 7pm, live music from 7.30pm to 11pm. Only $20 for an evening of great entertainment, dancing and fun. BYO drinks and nibbles. Free tea and coffee. Maybe a dance competition and raffle. Book a table now with family & friends.

Entry $20, pay at door (cash only please). To make booking just call Rob on 0431 511 203 or email robin_wood@optusnet.com.au

Come and support a worthy cause, and have an evening of great entertainment. All proceeds going to Canteen. Not to be missed!!

· Saturday 1 June

Probus Club of Casey Combined

We are hoping to attract new members to our Probus Club of Casey Combined. We meet at the Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Road, Berwick at 9.45am on the second Tuesday of each month. We are hoping there are retirees out there who would be interested in joining our Club. Meetings finish at noon when many of our members assemble for lunch at one of our local cafes. After morning tea we have an interesting guest speaker. Our Club was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Berwick to provide the opportunity to meet and mingle with other retirees. Open to singles.

Blind Bight Community Centre

Programs

The Magic Of Your Birthdate Numerology (three dates): 23, 30 May & 6 June, 7pm – 9pm

Raising awareness of your super powers. Receive tools to support the challenges all through the gift of the day you were born. Self - Romantic – Family with Anita BeJoyful $20 per class Bookings 0419 150 483 or 5998 7014

Line Dancing: 1pm – 2pm, Every Wednesday

Come line dancing and do some boot scooting. No experience required. All ages and abilities are welcome. $10 per class. For bookings, ring Blind Bight Community Centre on 5998 7014

Art 4 Kids: 4pm – 5.15pm, Every Wednesday

Do you have arty kids aged between 6 – 13 years. Join us for lots of fun activities and experiment with different art techniques, painting, drawing, sculpture and making creative craft. $15.00 per class, for bookings ring Blind Bight Community Centre on 5998 7014

Busy Beans Play Cafe: 10am – 11.30am, every

Tuesday

Come along to Blind Bight Community Centres very own pop – up cafe. Lovely play spaces and activities to enjoy in a social environment for both kids and adults. Cost $5 includes tea and coffee. For bookings ring Blind Bight Community Centre on 5998 7014

Intro to Cake Decorating: 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Learn all the tricks to creating a beautiful cake. Skills will cover fondant work, simple modelling and lots more. BYO Cake. Two dates – 20th & 27th May, $25 per class. For bookings ring Blind Bight Community Centre on 5998 7014. · 42 Anchorage Drive, Blind Bight, 5998 7014, www.blindbightcommunitycentre.com.au

Casey Connect and Learn Welcome Week - Balla Balla Community Centre

Casey Connect and Learn is excited to announce Welcome Week, a week-long celebration of community, lifelong learning, and connection. From 13 to 19 May, our centres throughout the City of Casey will be hosting a series of activities that highlight the diverse range of classes and activities we offer.

For an event calendar and additional information about our Welcome Week activities, please visit our website at caseyconnectlearn.com.au/ welcomeweek. Stay connected and be the first to know about upcoming events by following us on social media @caseyconnectlearn · 13 to 19 May

BADFolk Club

Berwick and District Folkclub have been meeting at the Old Cheese Factory in Berwick for the past 21 years! We meet on the third Friday of each month.

This month we welcome back Maria Forde - she is a classic folk singer and has written some great songs like ’Will You Dance with Me’ which is often played at weddings. We also welcome spot acts - anyone who can play an instrument, sing, share a poem etc.

Please note our earlier running times: Doors now open 6:30 and the music runs 7-10pm. Our kitchen sells snack food and a variety of drinks - tea/coffee/wine/beer/soft drinks. Entry: $15. Website: badfolkclub.org Contact: Edward: 0418 535 264.

· Meet on the third Friday of each month.

Winners of the 2023 Casey Business of the Year and Health and Wellbeing category award, Recovery in Mind, celebrate their win alongside City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff PSM and City of Casey CEO Glenn Patterson. Picture: SUPPLIED

Long list of charges

Police charged a Cranbourne West man on Friday 3 May and seized a large quantity of ammunition, firearms, weapons, and drugs, as part of an investigation into the possession and manufacturing of unregistered firearms.

A warrant was executed at a residential address in Cranbourne West on Thursday 18 April.

However, the 39-year-old occupant was interstate at the time.

As a result, the following was seized:

· 59 firearms, including six shotguns, 28 rifles, five flintlocks, seven handguns (both revolvers and semiautomatic), eight privately made firearms and five imitation firearms,

· What appeared to be thousands of rounds of ammunition,

· Large quantities of various firearm parts, including boxes of stocks, barrels, magazines, triggers, guards ,and other parts,

· Four swords,

· Plans and schematics for firearm manufacture,

· A small hydroponic set up of approximately 20 cannabis plants, and

· Various small quantities of drugs of dependence, including what appeared to be 1,4-Butanediol, cannabis, MDMA, cocaine, methylamphetamine, Viagra and other prescription medication.

A notice of suspension of a firearm licence was served on the Cranbourne West man.

The man was then arrested on Friday 3 May when he returned to Victoria. He was interviewed by police and subsequently charged with a range of offences, including:

· Possess traffickable quantity of firearms,

· Manufacture cat A or B longarm without a licence,

· Manufacture general category handgun

without a licence,

· Possess parts for manufacture, cat A or B longarm without a licence,

· Possess parts for manufacture, gen cat handgun without a licence,

· Handle stolen goods,

· Fail to store cartridge ammunition correctly,

· Possess imitation firearm,

· Possess prohibited weapon,

· Cultivate cannabis,

· Possess cannabis,

· Possess 1,4-Butanediol,

· Possess ecstasy,

· Possess drug of dependence - prescription drug (Viagra),

· Possess drug of dependence - drescription drug (Pregabolin),

Family

WIN TICKETS

· Possess cocaine, and · Possess methylamphetamine.

The man was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday 6 May.

Police would like to remind licensed firearms owners to be aware of the legislation with regards to the storage of their firearms.

Further information is available on the Victoria Police website: police.vic.gov.au/ firearm-storage

Victoria Police undertakes a range of compliance and enforcement activities to ensure those with firearm licences are complying with the conditions their licence.

Anyone caught breaching the conditions of their licences or failing in their obligations can expect to have their authority cancelled and to be charged or issued with penalty notices.

Victoria Police and Crime Stoppers have recently joined forces in a new campaign aimed at removing illegal firearms from the Victorian community.

The campaign, ‘Say Something Before It’s Too Late’, raises awareness about the dangers of illegal firearms and urges the public to protect themselves and those around them by reporting what they know to Crime Stoppers.

Recent efforts byVictoria Police resulted in more than 1500 illegal firearms removed from the hands of criminals in 2023.

The introduction of the Illicit Firearms Squad in 2020 and the VIPER Taskforce in 2022 has enhanced Victoria Police’s ability to combat illegal firearms-related offending, particularly concerning serious and organised crime.

Anyone with information about illicit firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

$1.3m

Schools in Dandenong North and Endeavour Hills have shared more than $1.3 million in the latest round of federal upgrade funding.

Southern Cross Primary School will receive $903,962 to replace a hardcourt, retaining walls, fences and basketball and netball hoops from the Schools Upgrade Fund announced last month.

Lyndale Greens Primary School will be granted $428,656 to refurbish staff and student toilets, including painting and new stalling.

Bruce MP Julian Hill welcomed the “terrific news for our community”.

“Lyndale Greens Primary School in Dandenong and Southern Cross Primary School in Endeavour Hills are thrilled they will receive substantial funding to build or upgrade critical infrastructure.

“By investing in upgraded school infrastructure, the government is building a brighter future for local students and Australia, making a tangible difference to the day-to-day learning of students and teachers.”

As part of the funding round,Victorian public schools will receive more than $48 million for infrastructure projects.

According to the government, public schools with the greatest need are prioritised, including schools with high numbers of students from a low socioeconomic background, First Nations students and students with disability.

The funding is set to be delivered this month.

Police have charged a man after executing a warrant at a residential address in Cranbourne West on Thursday 18 April. 387659

Ag potential

By Adrian Black, AAP

Victoria’s food supply is being undermined by increasing land-use competition, fractured planning decisions and a lack of an overarching strategy to develop and feed the state, an inquiry has been told.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano said the state’s agricultural potential was being compromised because incremental planning decisions at different government levels were encroaching on productive land.

“We lack an overall or overarching strategic plan around food supply and ... we fail to even value the economic benefit of that food supply in this state,” she told the legislative assembly committee inquiry into securing food supply on Friday 3 May.

“We’re seeing the degradation of the amount of land and they’re not making any more of it.”

Melbourne’s population is expected to grow from about five million people to nine million by 2050, while Victoria’s is expected to grow to 11 million, a transport and planning representative told the committee.

“This population growth increases the demand for food and fibre production and places pressure on natural systems, urban areas and farmlands,” director of strategic land use planning, Michael Orford, said.

He said the State Government’s land-use action plan, released in March, set out measures to protectVictorian agricultural land and food production, on top of existing legislative measures such as Melbourne’s urban boundary and zoning restrictions.

RMIT environment and planning professor Michael Buxton said the land-use planning system had been used to undermine policies aimed at protecting the agricultural use of Melbourne’s green belt.

“It has expanded the urban growth boundary, introduced urban-related uses in green wedge zones ... and further radically deregulated the planning system,” he told the committee.

Prof Buxton called for a rigid urban growth boundary for the city, which would also protect agricultural and environmentally significant rural areas from development.

Ms Germano said Victoria’s population growth provided opportunities and complications for the state’s agriculture sector.

“There’s going to be more opportunities locally to supply our food,” she said.

“(But) it means that there’s going to be more challenges in regards to that land-use conflict.”

Farmers are expected to host biodiversity services, carbon sequestration and renewable infrastructure while also producing food, Ms Germano said.

Food systems network Sustain backed calls for a national food supply chain map after the Covid-19 pandemic uncovered weaknesses.

“What the pandemic showed us was that the supermarket supply chain, which was very centralised, really struggled during those supply chain disruptions,” Sustain co-founder Kelly Donati said.

Municipal Association of Victoria senior policy adviser, James McLean, said a lack of state policy planning framework left councils lacking direction in local level planning decisions.

“What council planners, when it comes to food supply and protecting agricultural land, are most worried about is this sort of death by a thousand cuts,” Mr McLean said.

“It’s about having really strong policy to say ‘we’re drawing the line here’ and going ‘actually, the housing supply needs to happen in these areas’.”

Urban sprawl is undermining Victoria’s food supply, a Parliamentary inquiry heard on Friday 3 May. 215222

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Public Notice of Proposed Budget 2024-2025

In accordance with section 129 of the Local Government Act 1989 (“the Act”) Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation (trading as Connected Libraries) gives notice that it has prepared a Budget for the financial year 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 and (updated) Library Plan 2021-25 including a Strategic Resource Plan 2024-28. Also, subject to City of Casey approval, that the Connected Libraries (CL) Board will meet at 4.00pm on 26 June 2024, to consider any submissions and to adopt the Budget for 2024-25, and (updated) Library Plan 2021-25 including Strategic Resource Plan 2024-28.

Copies of the Draft Budget, Library Plan including the Strategic Resource Plan are available for inspection on the CL website https://www.connectedlibraries.org.au/ or contact us on 1800 577 548 until 17 June 2024.

Written submissions on any proposal contained in the Draft Budget must be made to CL by 5.00pm 17 June 2024. CL will give public notice of its decision in accordance with the Act. Submissions should be addressed to the CEO, Locked Bag 2400, Cranbourne 3977 or email information@connectedlibraries.org.au Beth Luppino, Chief Executive Officer.

The application is for a permit to:

Lot Subdivision and Variation of Restrictive Covenant P203900G Part (a) and (b) and Creation of an Easement

The applicant for the permit is: Universal Planning

The application reference number is: PA23-0705 - (Selena Sparkes)

You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the Responsible Authority.

City of Casey Bunjil Place 2 Patrick Northeast Drive NARRE WARREN

This can be done during office hours and is free of charge.

Documents can also be viewed on Council’s website: www.casey.vic.gov.au/view-planningapplications

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE A MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION ON THE EXISTING MONOPOLE AT 1870 SOUTH GIPPSLAND HIGHWAY DEVON MEADOWS VIC 3977 INCLUDING 5G

1. Vodafone proposes to install a mobile phone base station on the existing monopole to provide 4G and 5G coverage to the local area.

The proposal includes the installation of;

•A new headframe on the existing 40m monopole (no height increase proposed).

•Three (3) new Vodafone panel antennas (each measuring not more than 2.8m in length) on the new headframe.

•Three (3) new Vodafone 4G/5G antennas (each measuring not more than 2.8m in length) on the new headframe.

•Twelve (12) new Remote Radio Units (RRUs) on the new headframe.

•A new equipment shelter within an extended security compound area.

•Ancillary equipment including antenna mounts, feeders, cabling, combiners and other associated equipment.

2. Vodafone regard the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) based on the description above.

3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Scott Sibly at Service Stream Limited, 0455 214 172, TPG.Submissions@servicestream.com.au or PO Box 14570 Melbourne VIC 8001 by 5.00pm Friday 24th May 2024.

4. If you would like to know more about this site, further information can be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3977035

SPORT

Eagles on the winner’s list

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Southern Football Netball League (SFNL) Division 1 side Cranbourne has got its first win of 2024, beating Mordialloc 15.11 101 to 1.2 8 at Ben Kavanagh Reserve.

The Eagles put the game away in the first quarter and kept coming hard, crossing the 100-point mark for the first time this season and conceding only a behind after the first break.

After a tough first month that has contained an excellent period against reigning premiers Cheltenham, and good fightbacks against Port Melbourne and Dingley, the Eagles finally have something to show for their hard work.

After the league-wide by this week as an SFNL interleague side takes on Riddell District, Cranbourne face East Brighton, Bentleigh and Chelsea Heights, which all present as more winnable contests than what they faced in the first month.

“We’ve been playing okay in patches, we’ve just been consistent in our inconsistencies and we’ve had players out at selection – but every game we’ve had good patches,” said coach Steve O’Brien.

“There has been signs of (our best) all year, last week against Dingley we came with a bit of a rush in the last quarter and we were just able to carry that momentum through.”

“We’ve shown signs that our best still holds up against our best so if we can get more consistent with that, then we can challenge the very best.

“We still believe we can be one of the top sides.”

Having averaged 55 points across the first month of the season as they look to find the right mix in the forward half, Cranbourne’s 15 goals - including four to creative small Tyson

Barry - on Saturday underscored the increasing continuity.

“I think it’s showing some really good signs and we’ve had a lot of different players go through the front half – those guys are starting to learn each other’s patterns and the patterns we want to run so there was some good signs of that and kicking 15 goals on the weekend was good vindication of that,” O’Brien said.

Amid the early season inconsistency have been a series of green shoots.

Younger players have been afforded increased responsibility, including through the

Clinical short-corners lead Cannons to opening win

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Casey’s women have tasted success for the first time in 2024, netting a 5-1 win over Brunswick to stay in touch with the top six in the Vic League 1 competition.

The Cannons scored at least once in every quarter, conceding their only goal on the eve of halftime, but were able to quickly arrest Brunswick’s momentum in the third quarter.

Among the areas letting the Cannons down early in the season were their short corner inefficiency and lack of hustle to convert field goals.

There were clear signs of improvement in the victory.

Four of Casey’s goals came from short corners, with an overall efficiency of 40 per cent – a marked improvement on their first three weeks.

“We made short corners a priority during the week,” said coach Andrew Harris.

“We set up much better, we were running to more dangerous positions – we scored from our first short corner of the day and you could feel that confidence was high amongst the group.”

Meanwhile, Jess Rowland scored the field goal thanks to Emma Harris’ grit to press on and set up a field goal rather than settling for a short corner.

In a tight competition, the victory was a significant confidence-booster to use as a launchpad for the year.

“We’ve just got to go to the next level so we give ourselves a chance of finishing towards the top end of the ladder at the end of the season,” Harris said.

“The result was huge given we’re both in the middle of the table.

“The major goal is to finish in the top two and reach premier league so we’re working on a game plan now that I feel will hold us in good stead if we’re able to reach that level.

Mikayla Davis scored two goals from the

midfield and contributed two goals in a wellrounded performance within the parameters of a well-executed gameplan.

In the seconds, Lizzy Maciulaitis intercepting and tackling repelled tirelessly and Charlotte Davis had a series of dynamic runs.

Veteran Fiona Young wound back the clock with an irrepressible performance at fullback in the thirds.

Meanwhile, the men had a heartstopping 2-2 draw with Frankston in the Men’s Vic League 2 competition.

Charlie Coster scored a field goal in the last five seconds of the game to tie it up and see the Cannons escape with a point after a scrappy contest.

Casey ran it down the right wing before working it into the circle and towards Coster who converted the clutch shot.

Prince Achandira Bopanna, Tadhg McCurran and Rhylee Johnson all performed well as Casey look to develop the squad mentality in the men’s unit.

middle at times, with Tyler Finn one who has shown plenty of promise in his first season of senior footy, providing energy and regularly involved in transition play.

“For his first year of senior footy, he’s doing really well,” O’Brien said.

“Even in his quieter games, he’s still getting his hands on the footy a fair bit which is the most pleasing part so he’s giving himself an opportunity.

“He’s still learning but is tracking along really well.”

The inclusions of long-time reserves player

Paul Delaroche and returning youngster Mitch Tharle in the senior team have been other heartening stories so far.

“Paul Delaroche has been waiting for an opportunity for a number of years so for him to come in and try and cement a spot has been really good for him and he’s working really hard and trying to play a couple of different roles,” O’Brien said.

“Mitch has been on the long road back from injury and he’s still gaining confidence – each week he’s getting more confidence and as he’s gaining confidence, we’re seeing him do things he used to be able to do.”

Casey Demons ran down in final-quarter fade out

By Marcus Uhe

The Casey Demons remain winless at their home base after round six thanks to a 32-point loss toWilliamstown on Sunday in round six of theVFL.

What had become a fortress for the Demons - they went throughout 2022 not losing a single game at home - has not brought thesameresultsin2024,winlessinitsopening three contests in Cranbourne thus far.

Casey held a six-point heading into the final term but conceded seven consecutive majors in a disastrous collapse, the final score reading 10.8 68 to 15.10 100.

Matthew Jefferson kicked the opening goal of the quarter to stretch the lead to 11 points before a seven-minute stalemate, ended by Seagull Corey Ellison, who cut the lead to four points.

Williamstown then snatched the lead after 14 minutes, and kicked a further six

in eleven minutes later in the term to run away with the result.

Casey did well to fight back into the contest and take a lead after trailing by as many as 23 points midway through the second term.

From that point, the Demons kicked four of the next five majors, and had the lead late in the third term through a goal to captain, MitchWhite.

They led the contest for the next 25 minutes before the Seagulls put their feet down to runaway with the result.

Roy George, a debutant from Tyntynder in the Central Murray Football Netball League, kicked three for the Demons, as did Matthew Jefferson, while Andy MonizWakefield continues to rack up big possession tallies.

The Demons head to Princes Park to battle Carlton on Friday night, also struggling with just one win in 2024.

Andy Moniz-Wakefield had 30 disposals for Casey against Williamstown. 325648

Picture: ROB CAREW

Emma Harris set up

Jess Rowland’s field goal. 347266 Picture: GARY SISSONS

Tyson Barry snagged four on Saturday. 357900

Picture: ROB CAREW

Six earn selection

By David Nagel

TheCaseyCardiniaCricketAssociation(CCCA) has dominated selection in the Region 8 Team of the Year with six players being named in a 12-strong squad – including Pakenham’s Dale Tormey as captain.

Region 8 consists of the CCCA, Ferntree Gully District Cricket Association (FTGDCA) and Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association (MPCA), with players selected now in contention to be selected in the 2023/24 Victorian Country Cricket League (VCCL) Team of the Year.

Tormey and his Pakenham teammate Chris Smith lead the CCCA contingent, with Chris Bright (Kooweerup), Lucas Ligt (Devon Meadows), Josh Lownds (Tooradin) and Travis Wheller (Cardinia) also being selected.

Smith and Tormey have been selected as opening batters in the team, with Ligt selected in the prime number-three position after a stellar season for the Panthers.

All-rounder Lownds has been selected at number seven, one spot of ahead of Bright, who has been named as wicketkeeper in the team.

Off-spinning all-rounder Wheller rounds out a strong contingent from the CCCA, picked at number-nine in the batting order.

CCCA President Rob Hansen said having six players selected highlighted the quality of talent in the top-flight of the competition.

“It’s a great achievement by all six players, particularly from Chris Smith who averaged well over 100 for Pakenham this season,” Hansen said.

“The quality of cricketers in Ferntree Gully and Mornington Peninsula is enormous, so to have half of the team selected from the CCCA is wonderful acknowledgment for the talent we have on display.

“I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone involved in the CCCA when I say congratulations to Chris, Dale, Lucas, Josh, Chris and Travis on their selections.

“All six players are thoroughly deserving of the honour.”

Smith was the standout player in Region 8, making 989 runs for Pakenham at the astounding average of 109.89.

He catapulted himself to his third Terry Stephenson Medal with consecutive scores of 140 not out, 210 not out, 214 not out and 98 in the final game of the home-and-away season against Tooradin.

His record run ended two runs short of his fourth-consecutive triple-figure score after 662 runs without dismissal.

Tormey was the standout all-rounder across Region 8, making 659 runs at an average of 54.92 and took 27 wickets at 17.67.

Tormey finished runner-up to Smith in the Terry Stephenson Medal polling 20 votes to Smith’s 22.

2023/24 REGION 8 TEAM OF THE YEAR

Chris Smith Pakenham

Dale Tormey (C) Pakenham

Lucas Ligt

Devon Meadows

NathanWalsh (VC) FTGDCA

JacksonWalters FTGDCA

BlakeWalter FTGDCA

Josh Lownds Tooradin

Chris Bright Kooweerup

TravisWheller

Cardinia

Billy Humphrey MPCA

JakeWood MPCA

Daniel O’Shea FTGDCA (12th Man)

Nail-biters masters of the great escape

By David Nagel

Biting nails has become an almost permanent part of Nar Nar Goon’s last-quarter ritual as the Goon summoned the courage to mount a winning charge against Korumburra-Bena on Saturday.

The Goon’s 55-51 victory follows a onegoal win over Phillip Island in round one and a four-goal defeat at the hands of Kooweerup in round three.

There were no early signs of a close finish on the weekend as the Goon had far the better of the early exchanges.

With Chantelle Dale (C), Olivia Hamilton (WA) and Karly Meinecke (WD) in great form through the midcourt, the Goon took a 13-8 lead to quarter time.

Kyra Esler (GS) shot nine goals in the opening term, and Darcy Utber (GA) four, whileTaylah Boatwood (GK) and Taylah Ellis (GD) were right on top of a dangerous Giants’ attack. But things changed suddenly in the second quarter.

The Goon once again attacked the circle with conviction - scoring 13 goals for the termbut its team defence fell apart across the court.

Elisha Nicholas (GA) caught fire for the Giants in the lead-up to half-time, scoring 12 second-quarter goals – complemented by six to Mackenna Whiteside (GS) - as the Giants levelled things up at 26-all at the main break.

The Giants were once again the better team in the third term, with the drive and determination of Felicity Fox (C), Ash Cuff (WA) and Alice Reid (WD) leading to a 40-38 lead at the final drinks break.

But Nar Nar Goon had more rockets to fire, with Esler (11 goals) and Steph Lee (GA) combining beautifully in the last quarter to first catch the visitors, and then surge clear for an important victory in their season.

The Goon, which has now clawed its way into fifth position, faces a Sunday-trip to Warragul Industrials on Sunday, while the Giants will need to lick their wounds quickly before hosting Phillip Island on Saturday.

Kilcunda-Bass has also taken its record to

3-1 after the opening four rounds of the season after a hard-fought 41-35 triumph over Kooweerup at Denhams Road.

This one was tight from the opening whistle, with no more than three goals separating the teams at the three breaks in play.

A close game looked assured with the Panthers three goals up at three-quarter-time, but a strong last quarter saw them increase their margin.

Kacey Maund (C) really lifted her team when the chips were down late, while Grace Rand (WA), Tamika De Nardis (GA) and Caitlin Stephens (GD) were other important cogs in the victory.

Mikaela Stokkel (GK), Jayda McConkey (GS) and Claise Janssen (WA) battled until the bitter end for the Demons.

Kooweerup will host a confident TooradinDalmore this week after the Seagulls made it back-to-back wins with a 56-38 win over Garfield.

The Seagulls were slow out of the blocks, trailing by three at quarter time, but quickly found their rhythm in the second stanza.

The introduction of Alex Maher (GA) was huge for the Gulls at the first break, with the Team of the Year star scoring 12 of her teams 18 goals for the quarter.

The Seagulls built their 25-18 half-time lead

to 44-27 at the last change, before cruising home for the win.

Ebony Dolan, Jess Maher and Ebony Mason were terrific for the Gulls in defence, while Jemima Sheedy (C), Ash Bowden (GD) and Georgia Coleman (WA) never gave up for the Stars.

And Bunyip is still searching for its first win of the season despite another brave effort against strong opposition on the weekend.

The Bulldogs - last on the ladder – went down to second-placed Dalyston by 22 goals in a performance they can be proud of.

Keely Wright (GK) and Fiona Burns (GD) defended gamely for the Doggies, while Ally Johnson and Nat Dijkstra covered a stack of ground as they shared the role in Wing Defence.

The Magpies are humming along nicely at the moment; undefeated after four rounds which just reigning-premier Inverloch-Kongwak above them on the ladder.

The Magpies and Sea Eagles do battle in the WGFNC Match of the Day at Dalyston on Saturday.

In-form Magpies like Olivia Bramley (GD), Bella Schmidt (GS), Jarney Thomas (GA) and Gemma Thomas (GK) will be up-and-about for the big clash.

Bull Nelson takes first VFL steps

By Jonty Ralphsmith

NobleParkteenagerMattNelson’sstrong form was rewarded with a VFL debut on Sunday against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

After a strong three-game stretch to start the season for the Bulls, named in the best twice, the Stingrays graduate played for Frankston on Sunday, winning nine possessions and laying two tackles in the Dolphins’ big loss.

The younger brother of Luke Nelson, who has plenty of VFL experience at Coburg and is now listed at Carlton, Matt played his junior footy at Berwick Springs before crossing to Noble Park last season and is noted for his professionalism.

“What strikes me about Matt is he has excellent training habits,“ Noble coach Steve Hughes said about him in preseason.

“I’d go so far as to say it’s some of the best training habits I’ve seen for an 18-year-old - his intensity, enthusiasm and professionalism leads the way.”

Elsewhere, Cranbourne local Corey Ellison had a day out to lead Williamstown to a 32-point victory over Casey.

The rising key forward played his best game of the season, kicking 4.3 from 21 disposals and taking six marks.

His presence inside 50 broke the game open as he stood the tallest in a best afield performance.

Narre Warren’s Jack Toner also played a strong hand, combining 24 disposals with eight marks and a goal, busy around the footy and a crucial piece of Willy’s forward entries with his cleanliness at the fall of the ball.

Springvale Districts’ Riley CollierDawkins was fierce in a stoppage-heavy game.

Rowville’s Cooper MacDonald got another valuable game of experience under his belt in Collingwood’s backline.

Matt Nelson got his first taste of state league footy on the weekend. 379201

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Tooradin-Dalmore’s Stacey Sawyer and Garfield’s Tanita Bow leave nothing in the tank at Garfield on Saturday. 405146 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Pakenham skipper Dale Tormey has been named captain of the Region 8 Team of the Year. 395148 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Hillis high five falls short

By Jonty Ralphsmith

A barnstorming Joel Hillis produced a suffocating climax for Devon Meadows in its 11.13 79 to 11.12 78 loss to Edithvale-Aspendale at Regents Park in the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League.

Hillis kicked all five of the Panthers’ last quarter goals, his eight touches after three quarter time resulting in 5.2.

Built for the biggest of occasions, he took the club from the doldrums of a flattening defeat to the precipice of an inspiring comeback – before an Edi-Asp behind at the 27-minute mark sealed the narrow loss.

Dean Kent, moved into the midfield at three-quarter-time, won the first centre clearance of the fourth term and hit Joel Hillis just outside 50.

His shot sailed wide, but Jack Harmes was able to force a turnover from the kick in, with Hillis standing up in the contest.

He kicked another one shortly thereafter, levelling the scores five minutes into the last quarter after beating three opponents in the air, before finishing around the corner from 30.

“We know we’re fitter,” said coach Ryan Hendy at an extended three-quarter-time revup; it was certainly appearing to be the case.

Two minutes later, Hillis gave them the lead, taking a mark on the lead 20-metres out as Ryan Koo drilled it straight into his leading lane.

Too big, too powerful, too strong.

Isolated deep and with the licence to lead where he wanted, his opponent had no chance to match his explosive speed, clean skills and desperation.

His improvement from the high benchmark he has long set himself has had tongues wagging at Devon Meadows this season, and Saturday seemed to be the pinnacle of an unbelievable first month.

Until Edi-Asp arrested the momentum.

The hosts reclaimed crucial territory, following up a Tyrone Vickery goal from the ruck contest with Bradley Tagg converting a curling

banana in front of a vocal supporter-base.

The Tagg goal increased the margin to 10 and was a dagger blow at the 14-minute-mark of the last quarter.

Hillis won a free kick for holding the ball in Devon’s goalsquare three minutes later and trimmed the margin to within a goal, and then got one out the back to level the scores at the 25-minute mark.

But that would be their last serious foray forward.

Dylan Gregson and Jayden Sullivan produced huge tackles in defence and Riley McDonald a goal-saving smother as Edi-Asp could not find space in their forward half – but, crucially, they had territory.

After a swarm of entries, Michael Meehan was able to take a big contested mark, and al-

though his simple shot from 15 out missed, it would be the last score of the day.

Kent, who had lit a spark early in the last quarter turnaround, was off the ground late with a corked thigh and multiple players lacked composure as the Panthers looked to clear the defensive area.

The siren sounded deep in the Eagles forward pocket, spectators collectively exhaling after a chokingly tense finish.

Despite the loss, Devon Meadows’ ability to get so close was an excellent effort, given a poor first half.

Missing Patrick Ryder due to a minor Achilles concern, unable to generate its trademark quick ball movement on a small ground and with shabby mid-forward connection throughout the day, defeat seemed inevitable.

An 11-point halftime margin was a misrepresentation of the gulf between the two teams prior to the main break.

“He didn’t even look where he was kicking it!” retorted a Devon supporter on the sidelines in the second quarter.

His frustration was shared among the contingent of fellow Panthers travelling supporters.

Save for the last five minutes of the first half, Devon Meadows forward entries were often illdirected, and mostly intercepted. They played like they expected Ryder to take a bail-out contested mark inside 50 when it Patrick Harmes playing as the deepest forward. The Eagles dominated territory and possession.

The disciplined and indefatigable backline kept the Panthers in the contest.

Sullivan was an intercepting force, youngster Nathan Drew blended contested marks, big spoils and bruising tackles and, after a worrying first 10 minutes, Gregson was matching it with former AFL manVickery.

McDonald, too started the game with a bang, playing with toughness against bigger bodies and finding plenty of footy on the wing.

Koo was another who performed well, frustrating star Kurt Lo Po and limiting his impact after a strong start to the season.

A three-goal apiece third term started to turn the wave.

Canalscoredtwoofthose,butitwastheone which was called a behind that caused jaws to drop and discussion to flow on the sidelines.

Jack Wilson spiked down a loose ball into Canal’s vicinity and he bicycle kicked it through the big sticks from 15 metres out, his and teammates’ faces sharing disbelief – but it was ultimately called touched off the boot.

Seeking to bounce back from its first loss of the season, Devon Meadows will be confronted with another big challenge on Saturday against Somerville, sitting at 3-2 but expected to qualify for finals.

Kooweerup premiership heroes recount the glory days

By David Nagel

Familiar faces were out in force at Kooweerup on Saturday as the Demons welcomed back heroes from their 1969, 1979 and 1981 premiership teams.

The premiership team of 1969, led by captain-coach Milne McCooke, defeated Longwarry by 25 points at Cora Lynn; ending a 38-year-premiership drought that extended all the way back to 1931.

It was a long wait since Kooweerup defeated Lang Lang at Nar Nar Goon in the 1931 decider, with the roads of Kooweerup deserted by mid-morning as the town flocked to Cora Lynn to see the great drought broken.

The 1969 premiership was made all the more meritorious considering most of the team were locals, with half of them were under the age of 20.

Kooweerup 14.11(95) defeated Longwarry 10.10(70).

KOOWEERUP’S 1969 TEAM

Backs: Ventura, Whitmore, James. Half

KOOWEERUP’S 1979 TEAM

Backs: P Levey, P Neill, S O’Hehir. Half Backs: R Dennis, G O’Hehir, R Hobson. Centres: N Hazendonk, S Dwyer, T Sydney. Half Forwards: C Sanzaro, K Hobson, P Thompson. Forwards: D Adamson, B Dwyer, G Dwyer. Rucks: J McKenzie, R Batt, J Ingram. 19th Man: R Ingram. 20th Man: K Ingram.

McKenzie again led Kooweerup to premiership glory in 1981 on one of the greatest days in the club’s history.

Kooweerup 11.13(79) came from behind in the last quarter to defeat Drouin 10.16(76), to make it three premierships on the day.

Kooweerup’s reserves defeated Pakenham 9.8(62) to 5.5(35), while the thirds premiership was in the balance all the way down to the wire.

Kooweerup then outlasted Nar Nar Goon to win the 1979 premiership; 14.11(95) to 14.5(89).

Centreman Steve Dwyer set the game up for the Demons, collecting 16 kicks and 12 handballs in a magnificent game

Backs: Levey, Glasscock, Johnson. Centres: Roach, Esler, Woodhouse. Half Forwards: Nestor, Roberts, Anderson. Forwards: Levey, Hooper, McCooke. Rucks: Pellisier, Esler, Ingram. 19th Man: Highfield. 20th Man: Haughton.

through the midfield.

Peter Thompson, Nick Hazendonk, Ned Hobson, Brendan Dwyer, Jack Ingram and Charlie Sanzaro were also important players for the premiers, while Gary O’Hehir took a game-saving mark in the final stages to secure the heart-stopping win.

Captain-coach John McKenzie also played a great game in the ruck.

Pakenham led late in the game, but a Kooweerup goal with just 20 seconds left on the clock led to a 7.8(50) to 7.7(49) triumph. KOOWEERUP’S 1981 TEAM Backs: A Nunn, P Neill, C Donelly. Half Backs: R Dennis, G O’Hehir, R Hobson. Centres: N Hazendonk, S Dwyer, D McMaster. Half Forwards: P Duff, L McAlpine, R Batt. Forwards: G

P

B

G

Dwyer,

Dwyer,

Roberts. Rucks: J McKenzie,

Green, A Stephens

Peter Meaden and Don Wealands.Robert Hobson,Kevin Bergin and Shane O’Hehir.

Ross Crameri and Shane Green.Gary King with premiership centre-half-back Gary ‘Bull’ O’Hehir.

The Ingram brothers Jack,Ron and Kevin. 405151

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Joel Hillis was unbelievable on Saturday. 277788

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS