The virtual reality section was a hit during Federation University’s Open Day at Berwick Campus, where participants took a seat for a peek into the direction of modern media. Participants settled into seats, slotted the headpieces on and dove into an interactive 3D world not much different from our own.
By Ethan Benedicto
The most recent NAPLAN results have sparked significant discussions within the local education community, with a local principal voicing the need for comprehensive education reform.
A recent release by the Media Centre for Education Research revealed that one in three Australian students are below literacy and numeracy benchmarks.
While another report by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority stated that the 2024 results were stable compared to 2023, the same statistics also revealed some ongoing demographic disparities, with students in remote areas, low socioeconomic status and Indigenous backgrounds at a disadvantage.
Henry Grossek, principal of Berwick Lodge Primary said that these statistics are part of a “tired old argument”, but also the most important factor when it comes to education.
“We need to fund public schools to a hundred per cent of their student resource standard,” Mr Grossek said.
“Now if money didn’t matter, which is one of the arguments that some people use, then why are the non-government schools funded at 100 per cent or more of their SRS (schooling resource standard)?
“Because clearly they believe that money matters, well so do we.”
A lack of proper and extensive funding is what is lacking, according to Grossek, and the usual
shift of blame to teaching methods, classroom discipline and or disengagement is not entirely accurate.
According to the ACARA report, overall national scores had 67 per cent of students achieving ‘Exceeding’ and ‘Strong Levels’ with performance increasing from Year 3 and 66.3 per cent to Year 5 with 71.4 per cent; this however drops in Year 7 with 67.3 per cent and Year 9 with 63 per cent.
As for the disparities between remote and urban students, only 24 per cent of students from very remote areas achieved ‘Strong’ and ‘Exceeding’ levels in reading, compared to 70.7 per cent of students from metropolitan schools.
Numeracy was in the same situation, with 22.4 per cent from very remote schools achieving
‘Strong’ and ‘Exceeding’ levels but 69.3 per cent from urban schools.
“A substantial part of the reason is that public schools are trying to do the job with not enough money, resources,” Mr Grossek said.
“And by money, you buy programs, you buy training, so that’s clearly a number one issue.
“If we don’t do the funding properly, it doesn’t matter how much you train the teachers or how much you train the programs, you’re always going to be doing it under-resourced.”
The broader education community echoes the same sentiments from Grossek, with the MCERA release describing the situation as “deeply disheartening”.
Continued page 3
Our waste service is changing for the better.
The Victorian Government is standardising household waste and recycling services across Victoria.
This will result in all kerbside services moving to a four-bin system by 2027 — General rubbish (red lid); Co-mingled recycling (yellow lid); Food and garden waste (lime green lid); and Glass (purple lid).
To better understand your preferences for waste management in Casey, we are seeking your feedback via an online survey.
We are also hosting a number of in-person pop-up events across Casey in August and September. Your input will help us provide a user-friendly waste service in the future.
Scan the QR code or visit our Casey Conversations website for more information.
Survey closes at 5:00 pm on Monday 16 September 2024.
As part of our commitment to an age-friendly Casey, residents can subscribe to our quarterly Ageing Positively in Casey email newsletter.
The newsletter contains the latest information on what’s happening in Casey and how you can get involved in age-friendly programs and events in your area.
You will also find out the latest health and safety information, updates on aged care reforms and what services are available to you.
If you would like to subscribe or have an older family member or friend who would be interested, email positiveageing@casey.vic.gov.au,
The Melbourne Football Club (MFC) have their sights set on Casey Fields in Cranbourne East, with the Dees playing three games:
• 11:05 am, Saturday 7 September, MFC v Brisbane Lions
• 1:05 pm, Sunday 15 September, MFC v North Melbourne
• 5:05 pm, Saturday 19 October, MFC v Richmond
For more information, visit our website.
subscribe via the ‘Events for seniors’ page on our website or contact the Ageing Positive Team on 9705 5200.
Explore, Engage, Evolve is the theme for our Ageing Positively Festival.
Casey residents and their friends are invited to the festival to discover the countless ways in which you can strengthen resilience and continue to thrive as you age. Throughout October, celebrate with us — join a workshop, immerse yourself in musical events, attend an information session or go on a tour.
This year’s festival promises enriching experiences and memorable moments for all. For more information, visit Council’s website and search ‘Ageing Positively Festival’.
It’s now even easier to manage issues with your rubbish bins or hard garbage collection, with new and updated forms recently added to our website.
Skip the phone queues and jump online at a time that suits you to order bins, report issues with your regular kerbside collection, find your bin day and manage your hard waste booking. Visit our website.
SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK AND HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY
Provide feedback on a number of consultations currently open on our community engagement platform, Casey Conversations.
• The future of waste in Casey: we’re seeking your feedback on changes to your waste service.
• Help us to redesign our playgrounds: tell us how you would like your local playground to look in the future.
Head to the Casey Conversations website to find out more or scan the QR code.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Nine South East councils have committed to diverting at least 95 per cent of household rubbish from landfill to a waste-to-energy incinerator in Maryvale in the Latrobe Valley for 25 years.
Spurred by a looming landfill shortage, Bayside, Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Kingston, Knox, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges have signed up to the waste supply agreement after a series of closed council meetings in July.
The long-term deal is with Maryvale EfW Project Co Pty Ltd - a consortium of Veolia, Opal Australian Paper and Masdar Tribe Australia.
The energy-to-waste plant will be built next to OAP’s existing paper mill, and will supply heat and energy to the mill.
Councils will deliver their waste to a transfer station planned for construction in Melbourne’s South East. The waste will then be bulk transferred to Maryvale EfW.
The councils are part of the South East Melbourne Advanced Waste Processing Ltd consortium, which invited proposals from three industry candidates during the procurement process.
SEMAWP chair and Bayside Council CEO Mick Cummins said the 25-year waste supply deal was to provide cost certainty and waste processing security to the nine councils.
He said it was a “great outcome for residents of the nine councils involved in this project that began in 2019”.
“This solution provides an alternative to landfill that makes better use of household waste than burying it in the ground. Items that can’t be reused or recycled will be put to better use.”
Mr Cummins said the diversion of “residual waste from landfill” would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 270,000 tonnes annually, equivalent to removing 50,000 cars off the road per year.
“It is expected to create more than 500 temporary jobs during construction and an estimated 455 permanent operating jobs, including direct and flow-on, over the coming years.
“So, it reduces emissions, creates investment and employment, and preserves land for better uses than landfill.”
In recent years, concerns had been raised by councils about being potentially locked into supplying a “minimum tonnage” of waste over a 25year contract.
Others have questioned the datedness of technology and the pollution from burning rubbish in an energy-to-waste incinerator, as well as potentially escalating gate fees due to a “monopoly” project.
Six of the original 15 member councils pulled out - Boroondara, Glen Eira, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash and Stonnington.
SEMAWP has stated that modern, best-prac-
From page 1
Monash University senior lecturer for educational leadership, Dr. Fiona Longmuir said “it is clear that our school systems are failing students and teachers”.
“The simple rhetoric centred on teaching approaches implies that our hard-working teachers and schools are not doing enough, or not doing the ‘right’ things, with little attention to the deep inequity in Australian schooling, or to the challenging post-Covid condition including the dire teaching shortages,” she said.
Grossek is of the same mind, adding that “people are taking the simple way out by saying we need to do more phonics”.
“But to say that the answer is phonics is [not right], and it’s not a dichotomy between phonics and whole language.
“That’s not a panacea, and I do get sick and tired at times, like a lot of other educators, with when things aren’t going well, we read about teachers or schools that aren’t doing the right thing.
“Well when you don’t fund schools properly in the first place, and then you’re going to take another five years to fund them, how can you be blaming the teachers and the principals?” Grossek said.
Longmuir’s critique extended to the general public’s discourse on education, where she argued that it often oversimplifies the solutions, citing a recently retired school principal, Greg Lacy who said that NAPLAN results are “‘not a genuine measure of a truly life-fulfilling education’”.
Rather, the results are “‘a score the politicians and others can hang their hat on without delving into what truly lies beneath’.”
tially “exposing what [he] would argue is the lack of proper respect for what we need for the teaching profession”.
“I mean you’ve got a broad curriculum, so I’m not just worried about NAPLAN results, I’m more worried about how other programs are impacted by the current state of the profession,” Grossek said.
“The arts, the sciences, the sport and physical education, the lit is way beyond literacy and numeracy, but at the same time we’re more flat-lined in NAPLAN than ‘going backwards’.”
To Grossek, he said that it was amazing that the overall results for NAPLAN have only been “stagnating”, considering the situation of the educational system and its much-needed improvements and reforms.
“Imagine if we addressed those issues, they wouldn’t be stagnating, and neither would other subjects that we don’t measure,” Grossek said.
A more cultural change of viewpoints in the way teachers are seen in current society is needed, he argued, where teachers should seen at a higher standard than their current societal position.
“People say it used to be that teaching was thought of as a calling, some higher mission, it’s a profession like medicine, architecture, law - it’s a professional career,” Grossek said.
“Why shouldn’t teachers and principals be paid commensurately? Why should we be trying to get them as cheaply as possible? We’re normal human beings like everybody else, and we have families, goals, and all those things - we’re doing it because it matters to us.
tice waste-to-energy facilities met strict emissions standards with real-time emission monitoring.
In Victoria, the plants are regulated by Environment Protection Authority Victoria and Recycling Victoria.
The SEMAWP solution has been pursued to divert household waste from rapidly-diminishing landfill.
Hampton Park landfill, currently used by many South East councils, is nearing the end of life.
The nearest alternative tips are further away across Melbourne.
In March, a Greater Dandenong report warned that without SEMAWP, the council would be left “navigating the market on their own” for landfill alternatives.
“This approach risks missing out on the benefits of collective group purchasing power, potentially resulting in higher gate fees over time.”
City of Greater Dandenong mayor Lana Formoso, said local residents and communities across the South East would benefit.
“By working together, we will reduce landfill, slash greenhouse gas emissions, create a valuable energy source and provide employment across the region,” Cr Formoso said.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff said the City of Casey was pleased to be part of this initiative.
“Advanced waste processing is a great solution for household rubbish that would normally go to landfill and facilities such as this one will play a significant role in achieving targets to divert 80 per cent of household rubbish from landfill by 2030,” Ms Duff said.
“Casey has been a proud contributor to this significant project for several years, with a number of our knowledge experts ensuring this brings the best possible outcomes for the Casey community. It’s a proud moment to see this project come to life after years of planning.”
In March, Cardinia Council confirmed to Star News that a minimum tonnage had been agreed.
“Council has committed to a minimum tonnage amount as part of its future advanced waste processing contract, as we believe this will help the chosen service provider to plan and provide an efficient and effective service,” Cardinia infrastructure services manager Misty Johannsen said.
“The minimum tonnage amount proposed is compatible with Council’s long-term waste minimisation goals, as outlined in our Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy.
“Council will maintain a strong focus on providing education, services and initiatives for the Cardinia Shire community to reduce its waste over the long term.”
The council states on its website that the facility will start operating in five-to-six years.
Longmuir then added by saying that “there is no time to waste blaming teachers and arguing that narrow, standardised ways of teaching will solve the complex issues in our schools”.
Likewise, Grossek challenges the focus on NAPLAN as the only measure of widespread education success, and that while these results are certainly valuable, “they’re not the whole picture and the whole picture doesn’t depend on NAPLAN results alone”.
He calls the current period the “perfect storm” with Covid and its after-effects, essen-
“We’re interested in that profession and we want to do some good,” he said.
As communities around the state continue to digest the NAPLAN data, voices of local educators such as Grossek and national experts are calling for a holistic approach to education reform.
To Grossek, “it’s the most important profession in the world because every other profession or job or career or citizenship depends in substantial part on the quality of a nation’s education system, and it’s really struggling at the moment.”
Young students from Quarters Primary School raised awareness in light of the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence, driving the message that ‘everyone belongs’.
Held on Friday 16 August, the young children recognised the day by encouraging everyone to “take a stand together” against bullying and violence in school, the classroom and beyond.
“We are in our second year, and this gives QuartersPrimarySchool’scommunitythechance to promote the important work we do throughout the year to counter bullying and violence,” a member of the school’s well-being team said.
As part of the school’s social and emotional curriculum, the young learners discussed what bullying is and how they can prevent it, a topic that was covered throughout the week.
“Learners at QPS were very passionate about making a change and standing up for what is right,” the spokesperson said. “[Also] to create a sense of belonging in our community as our learners feel we all have a vital role [to play] in preventing bullying.”
The learners worked in groups and teams across Prep to Grade Six in creating a display in each year level that focuses on learning strategies on how to get help if they experience bullying.
“All the year levels created a beautiful mural to demonstrate their eagerness to stand up against bullying through spreading kindness,” the spokesperson said.
Moving forward, the students aim to implement these values learned into everyday life, from school to other settings, but always adhering to the theme of everyone having a right to belong.
Victoria Police are noticing a sharp increase in aggravated burglaries in the past few years throughout the state with Casey feeling the effects.
This has been driven by child and youth offenders sneaking into homes, taking keys, and stealing cars.
Homes with luxury vehicles are key targets due to the prestige associated with these vehicles.
This issue has affected several suburbs across Melbourne and the Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia areas are not immune.
According to Victoria Police, when arrested, offenders are telling them they will check multiple homes until they find one that is unlocked.
More than 70 per cent of all aggravated burglaries in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia this year were either through unlocked doors or windows.
A further 8 per cent were unsuccessful attempts when the offender found the property was locked.
An aggravated burglary occurs when the occupant of a property is home when the intruder enters.
However, confrontation during aggravated burglaries is very rare, with 95 per cent of aggravated burglaries involving no form of confrontation whatsoever, according to police.
Offenders are most commonly sneaking in during the early hours of the morning when people are sleeping to reduce the chance of confrontation.
In many instances, people are waking up in the morning to find their keys are gone and their vehicle has been stolen.
To tackle the issue, Victoria Police have been specifically targeting burglars and car thieves each night since March 2023.
Operation Trinity, which runs from dusk until dawn across Melbourne is Victoria Police’s most well-resourced policing operation at present.
Since March 2023, there has been 70 additional police including Dog Squad, Public Order Response and Air Wing rostered each night, on top of existing patrols.
As a result of this intense focus, police have made over 1400 arrests relating to burglaries and car thefts in the past 12 months – almost four arrests per day.
The Greater Dandenong Crime Reduction Team is also hounding the highestrisk offenders in the community – many of whom are repeat burglars and car thieves.
This includes bail compliance checks, patrols of locations where the person frequents and has offended previously, and referrals to support services to stop them from offending.
To keep yourself and family safe, police recommend locking all doors and windows as this dramatically reduces the chance of a burglary occurring. This includes internal garage doors that provide access to your home.
Where you keep your car keys and other valuables within your own home is your own decision.
However, police recommend keeping these items away from windows where they may be visible to opportunistic thieves.
While rare, if confronted, get to safety and call Triple Zero (000).
Do not confront the intruder - property can be replaced, however your life or the life of your loved ones cannot.
For emergencies, to report a crime in progress, or for immediate police attendance, call Triple Zero (000).
For non-emergencies, call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or an online report onlinereporting.police.vic.gov.au
By Ethan Benedicto
The need for a fine line is a must for Tooradin and District Sports Club, as a newly endorsed policy by Casey Council could impact the club’s continued operation beyond its current lease.
Casey’s most recent Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy, which looks to curb the local impact of gambling harm will effectively deem the sports club inoperable after its lease ends in 2028 unless there are no electronic gaming machines (EGM) on-site.
According to Casey’s chair of administrators Noelene Duff PSM, the policy states that the council “will not support any new EGM-operating venues or organisations on council-owned or managed land”.
Nor will they renew existing EGM-operating venues or organisation leases on council-owned or managed land.
“The Tooradin and District Sports Club has a current, long-term lease agreement with council which will be honoured to its conclusion,” Ms Duff said.
Tooradin Ward council candidate, Anthony Tassone posted a video on Facebook recently calling for further conversations with the City of Casey, citing from the 16 July agenda that the new policy would impact the club’s “not-for-profit support of the local community”.
The City of Casey consistently ranks second in gambling losses amongst other Victorian LGAs, only behind the City of Brimbank; in the financial year of 2022/2023, Casey saw a record $159 million in player losses from EGMs alone, which exceeded the previous high of $139 million before the pandemic.
After the policy’s endorsement during the 20 July meeting, and corroborating Ms Duff’s statement, all administrators endorsed the policy’s cessation of support for new EGM-operating venues on council land, which the Toordin District and Sports Club happens to be.
Vice president of the sports club and former mayor of Casey, Colin Butler, said that if the club were to be closed down, their yearly community benefits of $360,000 would no longer continue.
“We pride this [place] on being a family club, I know we have [EGMs] down there but that’s still a legitimate form of entertainment.
“We keep our prices down, we support all the major sporting clubs around here, and not just Tooradin but surrounding areas as well.
“Kindergartens, schools – at the moment we’ve got an agricultural society convening in here, we’ve got three equestrians, two Lions clubs meeting here; they all meet for free,” Mr Butler said.
Tooradin Sports Club supports local sports avenues, including Tooradin Football Club, Netball Club, Tennis Club, Cricket Club and more.
The council emphasised the importance of its position on health prioritisation when it comes to gambling harm, however proper local collaboration was needed according to Mr Tassone. In a letter to Star News, he elaborated that “governments at any level, including the local government at Casey get the best outcomes for those they serve when they consult with and listen to their community”.
“I call on the City of Casey to pause, consult and listen to the local community before making
a decision on this important issue,” he said.
The policy outlines that the council’s stance on the matter is that all forms of gambling and associated arms are a public health issue “of significant and growing concern” due to the “countless ways” harm is experienced both directly and indirectly.
It also adds that the 13 EGM gaming venues across the municipality are unevenly distributed within lower socioeconomic communities, with five of the 13 in Cranbourne and smaller clusters in Hallam and Hampton Park.
Ms Duff emphasised that the policy is about “broader community harms that result from gambling activities in the municipality, which includes direct harm to the gamblers themselves”.
“As well as indirect harms to family and social networks and [the] community at large,” Ms Duff said.
Addressing concerns regarding community organisations, Ms Duff said that the policy “does not prevent community organisations from receiving support from gaming venues or the gambling industry”.
“Community organisations that receive funding or support from the gambling industry or gaming venues will still be able to use Council facilities with the understanding that no gambling industry/venue advertisements are visible on council land,” Ms Duff said. She added that the mentioned conditions would be fully applied by July 2026 and that the policy “provides for a transition period in a number of measures to allow time to adapt to the proposed changes”.
For Mr Butler, some form of middle ground needs to be met, taking into account that the club is on council land, they “should be considered in a different light to all the other clubs in the City of Casey”.
“We should have some negotiations with the City of Casey to continue to run this facility as it is with a long-term guarantee that we can, because of the money that we’ve put back into the community - it’s a unique situation,” he said.
Although Ms Duff said that community organ-
isations that are “significantly impacted by the policy are encouraged to discuss their circumstances with council”, a larger council presence prior to the announcement of the policy should have been present in Tooradin and surrounding areas, according to Mr Butler, where proper engagement with the local community would have been beneficial.
“It’s almost as if they’ve forgotten about Tooradin in general, as the locals say, we’re at the butt end of Casey and they’re not interested in us,” Mr Butler said.
“A blanket policy where you’ve got private operators and you’ve got a not-for-profit organisation doesn’t work.”
The Tooradin Sports Club is the only venue with EGMs in the southern end of Casey, and if the club were to cease operations, “there aren’t any alternatives”.
Mr Butler said that if it were to go through, “you’ve lost 50-plus jobs and there’s nearly 2500 members here that come to enjoy this place.”
“They’re going to lose somewhere to go, to meet and you’re [also going] to lose 20 to 30 clubs that have their meetings here every month, that have their functions here.
“So the community would be lost, there would be a big hole in the community all of a sudden,” he said.
In the near future, Mr Butler is looking to liaise with future Casey councillors for the middle ground he sought prior, while Ms Duff said that “exceptions to the policy will be rare”.
When the sports club’s lease ends in 2028, Mr Butler said that they’re hoping that they “can get some councillors [in office] that appreciate what we do for the community”.
“We’ve got to be diligent going into 2028, probably six months before it’s due we’ve got to start working on building rapport with councillors to ensure another six years.”
Mr Tassone acknowledged the harms of gambling, but said that “we need to consider whether the Tooradin community will actually be better off should the City of Casey adopt this policy”.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A further “more serious” charge has been laid against a man accused of stabbing a victim in the chest in a Berwick shopping centre, a court heard on 21 August.
Jikany Puoch, 29, of Berwick, had been charged with nine offences, including two counts of reckless conduct endangering death, over allegedly injuring the 24-yearold man as well as a 77-year-old man on Sunday 11 August.
A prosecutor at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court applied for the matter to be uplifted to a higher court due to the new charge involving a serious injury.
On 19 August, a police prosecutor told the court that the 24-year-old victim suffered a “close to fatal” injury.
According to charge sheets, the man was stabbed 5 millimetres from his heart.
If Puoch had allegedly used a “standard kitchen knife”, it would “almost certainly have caused death”.
To date, the victim remains in hospital, the court heard.
He underwent keyhole surgery for a grade-1 laceration to his liver. He’d also suffered a laceration to his stomach, a laceration to his diaphragm and a collapsed lung.
He may need further surgery for other unknown internal lacerations.
The victim – who is a rigger – had missed significant work and suffered PTSD after the incident, the prosecutor said.
The older victim had been discharged from hospital later on the same day of the alleged assault, the court heard.
On 21 August, magistrate Jacinta Studham ruled the more serious charge had to go to a filing hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 27 August.
The remaining summary offences were to be heard at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 11 September.
Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash in Pakenham on Sunday morning 18 August. It is understood the rider crashed into a barrier on the Princes Freeway just before 11am. Princess Freeway city-bound was closed as emergency services responded to the scene. The rider was a 34-year-old Berwick man who died at the scene.
Police said the investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Traffic was diverted to Nar Nar Goon Connection Road before the freeway was reopened later on Sunday.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV, dashcam footage or any other information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
The spectacular annual showcase of South East students’ cultures is back again at Bunjil Place. The 4C’s Showcase: Cultivating Creative Cultures with Communities returns with an array of vibrant cultural performances from Year 7-12 students from more than 15 schools and student groups. This year, it has expanded to three nights, plus a live stream on Bunjil Place’s outdoor screen.
Casey resident Laitini Matautia founded the initiative 17 years ago.
One of the aims is first and second-generation migrant students to express and re-connect to their cultural identities, as well as to learn more about their peers.
The opening night on Monday 26 August features Lyndhurst Secondary College, St Francis
Catholic College, Let Teine Dance Group, Lyndale Secondary College, Carrum Downs Secondary College and Cranbourne Secondary College.
On 2 September, Fountain Gate Secondary College, Craigieburn Secondary College, Roxborough Park Secondary College, Home Education in the West, Kapa Haka group, Hampton Park Secondary College and St Peter’s College will perform. The final concert on 9 September will feature Cranbourne East Secondary College, The Grange P-12 College, Unschooling in the SE, Narre Warren South P-12 College, Gleneagles Secondary College and Hallam Secondary College. The 4C’s Showcase is at Bunjil Place on Monday 26 August, 2 September and 9 September, 6pm-9pm. Bookings: bunjilplace.com.au/ events/4cs-showcase
The series is supported by VicHealth.
By Ethan Benedicto
In a heart-warming display of compassion and initiative, seven-year-old Aanya has taken it upon herself to take the first step in making a difference for those less fortunate with winter’s biting cold.
Inspired by a trip to Melbourne CBD with her family, Aanya witnessed firsthand the reality of homelessness and these people’s struggles during the colder days.
Achini, Aanya’s mother said that she felt lucky to have “such a caring girl with a kind heart”.
“She’s always been like that, and to sort of see something and come up with an idea… of course, I had to find an organisation where we could do something.
“But just having that thought of helping others makes it really special and makes me really proud that I’ve raised a very caring girl with a kind heart,” she said.
The organisation the family decided to partner with, Off Your Back, focuses on ensur-
ing warmth for those most in need, with the focus on advocating for people to donate their pre-loved coats and jackets at selected loca-
tions across the state.
For Aanya and Achini, this just so happened to be her school at Hillcrest Christian College, where with the support of her family, friends and the school, a clothing drive was organised – aimed at collecting jackets and other warm items for the homeless.
The fundraiser, which collected over 100 jackets over the span of a few weeks, was recently donated to the Off Your Back Foundation in Elsternwick on Thursday, 15 August.
To Achini, she believes that raising awareness about homelessness, especially when it comes to the younger generation is crucial.
“I think it’s quite important in general to know that there are people struggling,” she said.
“Being able to see something here and having that compassionate feeling, it’s important for any child to be able to look at someone who is in need regardless whether they’re homeless or in a day-to-day environment.
“To be empathetic, sympathetic and to be able to look and help; it’s critical for the young-
er generation to develop that side.” Achini’s personal sentiments also have had an effect on her daughter, with her recalling that Aanya had previously donated her long hair for children with cancer when she was roughly five years old.
While she acknowledges that it has always been in Aanya’s nature to “look at someone –or when she’s heard about something – to do something to help”, that feeling of luck to have a daughter such as her still remains.
“She has always been someone with a very soft heart, I’m glad that she’s taking the steps to help people and doing things willingly.
“So she’s quite special, she’s always been like this it seems,” Achini said.
The Off Your Back coat drive is currently ongoing, with those with pre-loved jackets, coats and or warm clothing encouraged to donate them at the nearest drop off points before August 31.
For more information on Off Your Back and their collection points, visit offyourback.com. au/donate
Thumbs up
To the five netball teams from Garfield Netball Club playing finals in WGFNC!
Thumbs up
The weather is again brilliant this Monday.
Thumbs up
To the best TV Week Logies - so funny. Well done to Larry Emdur for getting The Gold Logie.
Thumbs down
To the cost of essential medications. My wage is now gone before it’s even cleared.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A South East manufacturers group has slammed the Victorian Government’s “tax grabs” and “redtape” after a secret survey on regulatory burden was revealed.
The NAB Regulatory Impact Analysis report for the state treasury was obtained under Freedom of Information by the Victorian Coalition.
The 2023 survey found Victorian businesses were hit hardest in the nation by State Government regulation and compliance costs – with manufacturers bearing the brunt.
South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) chief executive Honi Walker said manufacturing - “the engine room of Victoria’s economy” - was hurting.
Higher land and payroll taxes, WorkCover
premiums and “over-zealous” reporting requirements were driving manufacturers out of the state, she said.
“The report is damning for the Victorian Government.
“Our state is in unprecedented debt levels and the burden of red tape and increased taxes on manufacturers means they will not invest in capital to grow their businesses.
“They will not be able to employ more skilled people or new apprentices.
“This report tells the truth of what’s happening in the real world – not the one where Treasurer Pallas lives.”
SEMMA represents Melbourne’s South-East manufacturing “heartland”, generating an estimated $54 billion in gross regional product and more than 230,000 jobs.
Walker also took aim at Federal Government “red-tape burdens”, listing the Modern Slavery Act, National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act and Workplace Gender Equality Act.
“(These) are supposedly for $100-million-plus businesses (but) are impacting SME’s as they send the unnecessary and burdensome compliance down the line.
“We are calling for a streamlining of these regulatory requirements.
“Reducing red tape will free-up manufacturers to do what they do best – create jobs, underwrite and grow Victoria’s economy.”
A State Government spokesperson said business investment in Victoria was almost 6 per cent higher than the rest of Australia in 2023.
“Deloitte Access Economics predicts that we will lead the nation in economic growth over the
next five years.
“We’ve lifted the payroll tax-free threshold for small businesses, we are replacing stamp duty on commercial and industrial properties, and have started abolishing business insurance duty – saving Victorian businesses $900 million over the next four years.
“Our Economic Growth Statement will be released later this year and focus on making sure Victoria remains the best place in Australia to do business.”
Opposition finance spokesperson Jess Wilson said the NAB survey confirmed Victoria was the “red tape capital and the worst place in Australia to run a business”.
“Victoria must urgently slash red tape and transform our economy from the hardest to the easiest place to start, grow and run a business.”
By Ethan Benedicto
Being recognised for one’s work will always be a significant moment of acknowledgement and respect, and this rings true for Kyra Dawson, who was recently named a finalist for the Engaging Kids in School Award.
Although the ceremony for the winners is not until 3 September, Kyra is still “incredibly honoured” to have been picked as part of the few potential awardees.
Working as an engagement and inclusion coordinator at Berwick Secondary College for over 13 years, her impact on the lives of countless young people has not gone unnoticed.
“Personally, it gives me encouragement, it gives me confidence and it reinforces my core values of why I do the work I do.
“I leave home every day and I come to work, I don’t do it for the paycheck, I do it because I want to know that I’m doing something that has the potential to make a difference in the lives of the young people I’m surrounded by,” Kyra said.
The work is more than fulfilling for Kyra, something that she said she’d never grow tired of doing what it is that she does; for her, it’s work that keeps her “grounded and humble”.
“It inspired me every day as an individual person, I come to work and I get to sit with these young people, and I take away this sense of gratitude,” she said.
At a personal level, it has given Kyra a sense of purpose, worth and value and at the professional level has provided her with the understanding of relentless effort, especially when it comes to looking after students who have been entrusted to her care.
“I’ve never done this work to set out to glorify myself, it’s never been about me,” she said.
“It’s always been about the students and helping them recognise their worth, their strength and their purpose, helping them to be the best versions of themselves.
“You know, behind some of these children are a team of people who are working really hard to help them, and we don’t always have the answers, we don’t always have an immediate solution, but we continue to show up and we continue to be a constant factor in the lives of these young people.”
Kyra’s journey into social welfare was of a deeply personal note, where growing up she faced her own challenges that fuelled her desire to be that pillar of support for others.
While she initially wanted to become a teacher, Kyra realised that she had this want, or inkling for well-being, to listen and hear someone’s story.
“It’s really important that a young person has someone to talk to in their life about their challenges and about their questions and wonderings of the world, or even just trying to make sense of what might be going on in their space,” she said.
Kyra has a strong belief that education is the “most powerful weapon you can use to change an individual’s life”, and that it extends far beyond academic learning - it’s also about wellbeing, “it’s about being a part of a community”.
“It’s being part of positive connection, it’s being able to be around mentors and leaders, and people that care about you,” she said.
Building strong connections is something that Kyra emphasised when approaching students, listening and ensuring an “unconditional positive regard”.
Her method involves addressing the students’ immediate needs, whether that be someone to talk to, food, a uniform, or emotional support - “there is no judgment”.
“There is no stereotype or stigma that I place on young people, I choose to see that young person for who they are and not just the behaviours that I see or are outward.
“Giving them the power to share with someone who is actually going to take the time to listen,” she said.
Delving into the systems of a young person’s life is also important, according to Kyra, working through and with them which includes family, external relationships and school staff.
“I invest a lot of time building relationships with parents, with the external agencies that might be involved so we can all come together and we can go, ‘okay this is how the adults in the child’s life can work together to support the young person’.
“It might be anxiety, it might be mental health, it might be family challenges, or it might be all sorts of external factors that they feel like they just, can’t.
“Maybe they are in a state of fight or flight
and they don’t feel safe, so maybe my job is then to make this young person feel safe and feel calm so they can engage with their learning brain,” she said.
Of course, with any profession, there will always be risks involved, and for Kyra, while it may not necessarily be “life or death”, there could be a significant trajectory-altering factor that could lead the young person to be disengaged or more.
Building on her passion for the role, there is also that sense of responsibility and accountability, something that she promises to uphold. With constant interaction from one person to another, through different topics, concerns and issues throughout different times of the day, a strong mental fortitude is key, but for Kyra working with children simply “recharges” her.
“I guess the working with the student part is easy for me, I haven’t burnt out yet,” she said.
“I surround myself with people who share the values I have, and we encourage each other and we’re able to listen and unpack, but also encourage each other to keep going.
“If I’m ever having a bad day or a day where it’s tough, the kids care as much too, when you show care to them, it’s amazing how much care they give back,” she said.
Looking out for the coming weeks leading to the announcement, Kyra’s dedication remains strong, with her passion for the role unwavering.
“I’ve always had this internal pursuit of wanting to give something back, to make a difference,” she said.
A testament to her work’s profound impact, Kyra remains steadfast in her role regardless of the award’s outcome.
“I want to be able to come alongside those who feel unvalued or unloved or unworthy and help them see that they are worthy and valued; that’s probably why I’ve done what I’ve done,” Kyra said.
By Ethan Benedicto
A Berwick Secondary College student brought home gold after winning in his category at the Haidong Gumdo World Championships in South Korea.
Held between 26-28 July at Jeju Island, 16-year-old Maxwell Montieth was part of the 22 Australian representatives among the 1500 participants, as the event marked the first championships since the pandemic.
Now known as one of the first Victorians to compete at the World Championships in Korea, Max was initially unsure of his performance, saying that there was never a moment “I actually thought I was going to win”.
“Even when I made it to the third round I was still thinking I was going to lose.
“But the support I had around me certainly helped, everyone was there to support me and even though I still had the thought [of losing] in the back of my head, I wanted to bring gold back to my family and I just kind of fell into that mindset,” he said.
Through excellent swordsmanship, grit and the echoes of his peers’ encouragements, Max advanced to the final round where he prevailed against the competition.
According to James Heenan, master of Heenan Taekwondo, Max, who belonged in the under18s brown belt category ranked first after the initial gumbup, or forms category.
After showcasing various cuts, strikes, blocks and stances, Max became the top-ranking competitor among 12 others and was set to take on the 12th-ranked individual in an elimination tourney.
“We’re very lucky because I mean, Australia came first, equal to South Korea which is a first time ever,” James said.
Preparation for the tournament was nothing short of strenuous for Max, with school still being a priority, practice usually happened during late nights, with special sessions with Grandmaster
Jung-Il Oh on Tuesdays.
The president of Haidong Gumdo Oceania, Grandmaster Jung-Il Oh visited Heenan Taekwondo to train the Australian competitors, something that Max took advantage of leading up to the championships.
His training paid off, and even as the gold medal weighs heavy on his neck, the feat to Max is still unbelievable; however, a new sense of confidence is within him.
James commended Max’s abilities during the two-day competition retreat, with the wooden swords, called bokken, used for sparring usually heavier with more drag compared to their steel counterparts.
“When you get a timber sword, it’s like picking up a tennis racket, you just have to make it work
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“If you get an official sword, which is assigned to you, it’s meant to suit you.
“You don’t get a sword until you’re a black belt so you have to make the sword work for you when you’re on the timber ones,” James said.
With no grips, no sheet or sheath, less balance, more weight and more air displacement, James was nothing short of impressed with Max’s performance.
As for the key tips he received during the leadup to the final match, keeping his breathing in check was of utmost importance, with Max taking long breaths to maintain focus.
Max, who has been training with the sword for just under two years, said that the experience of learning has been amazing, and much of it has to
do with the community around it.
“I think it teaches you discipline, perseverance and integrity, and I think others should dive in and give it a try,” he said.
Also a taekwondo practitioner, Max said he was looking forward of heading to Brisbane later this year to compete, saying “I have this newfound confidence”.
“I’ve only ever competed in interstate club tournaments, which is just a couple of clubs meeting and now I’m going to Brisbane Nationals.
“My parents said I should and since I’ve won gold in Haidong Gumdo, I’m going to do great,” he said.
A Hampton Park Secondary College student has struck gold after placing first at the MBW 2024 International Taekwondo Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Wida Hussaini, a Year 10 student represented Australia and competed in the 15-17yr old and 46-49kg weight division; staving off fierce competition from 16 other athletes to win it all.
Her competition pool included other athletes from Australia, China and Malaysia with a total of 25000 competitors; of the 32 that hailed from Australia, five were representing Wida’s club.
Sally Carruthers, the cultural diversity and community engagement representative said that Wida’s achievement is a “testament to her dedication and skill”.
“[It] was made possible through the sup-
port she received from her school council and the broader community,” she said.
Looking ahead, Wida has set ambitious goals for her Taekwondo career, but in the short terms she plans to compete in interstate competitions across Sydney, Gold Coast and Melbourne throughout the remainder of the year.
Her aspirations, however, extend far beyond that with her sights set on the Olympics, either in Los Angeles or Brisbane.
“With her dedication and the continued support of her school and community, Wida’s future in Taekwondo looks bright,” Ms Carruthers said.
“The college community will be watching as she continues to chase her dreams and inspire others with her journey.”
Pop along to Summerset Cranbourne North’s Morning Tea & Tour every Thursday in August, enjoy some refreshments, and tour the brand-new range of Hibiscus homes.
These premium single-level villas are a range of ground or upper-level living homes featuring two spacious bedrooms, a bathroom and powder room, internal access garage, open-plan kitchen, living and dining with either a garden or balcony with views over the park, perfect for entertaining friends and family. Plus for the upper-level homes, there is the added bonus of an internal lift to access your home.
Every Thursday in August, 10am
Once complete, residents of Summerset Cranbourne North will be able to enjoy a range of resort-style facilities, including an indoor swimming pool and spa, resident bar, café, exercise room, hair and beauty salon, recreational bowling green and resident workshop.#
With two-bedroom Hibiscus homes available with flexible pricing from $669,000,* that next step could be closer than you think.
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More than 70 students are bringing to life the Disney classic Frozen Jr this week.
After months of practice, the Haileybury Berwick campus’s cast and 22 crew members were set to unveil a colourful and energetic production from 22-24 August.
The school’s head of drama Georgina Buttery nominated a few cheesy and obvious favourite moments from the show.
“A particularly special moment is when Elsa does her big reveal because one of our students, Stephanie, did the choreography for that number.”
Another highlight has been watching students’ confidence and abilities soar during rehearsals.
“The performers have dazzled the production crew and everyone has worked hard to help each other.”
Maja, Year 8, stars as Anna and she says she’s prepared hard for her leading role.
“I’ve enjoyed the lead-up to the opening night and spending weeks rehearsing to see the
show come together. I hope the audience enjoys themselves,” Maja said.
Co-star, Oviya, is playing the role of Elsa. The Year 7 student says she’s worked on her posture and ‘queen-like’ mannerisms to bring her character to life.
“One of my favourite parts of the show is In Summer because of the upbeat song and choreography,” she says.
Florence, Year 7, is playing the role of the loveable snowman, Olaf.
As well as rehearsing herself, she’s watched the Frozen movie a few times to watch how Olaf moves and behaves.
“That has helped me get into character and I’ve spent time at school and at home thinking about how I will bring Olaf to life.
“I’m really looking forward to opening night and to see all our hard work finally in action on the stage.”
Frozen Jr is at Haileybury Berwick, John Twist Hall, 138 High Street, Berwick from Tuesday 20 August to Thursday 22 August.
Haileybury has been crowned with the prestigious Non-Government Primary School of the Year title in a national education awards event this month.
In a glittering night, Haileybury’s middle school digital learning leader Dominika Kapustka also won the Rising Star category at the Australian Education Awards in Sydney.
Vice-principal Scott Doran said the school was proud of its run of success at the awards. Its primary school students consistently rank well above the national NAPLAN average, he said.
They were encouraged to “explore their passions” in subjects like visual arts, Chinese, arts and extra-curricular activities.
“We’re very proud that our primary school program nurtures a love of learning, curiosity about the world and gives young learners the confidence and tools they need in their school journey.
“This is well-deserved recognition for our brilliant teachers, our hard-working and inquiring students, and for the families in our school community who provide unwavering
support to our school community every day.”
Meanwhile, Kapustka was awarded for supporting a digital learning space for 150 teachers and 5500 students across the school’s campuses.
“To have been nominated and then shortlisted for this award was a huge honour – to have won and been named Education Rising Star of the Year is a little overwhelming,” Kapustka said.
“I am passionate about leveraging digital technologies to support and enhance student learning.
“Creating dynamic, easy-to-use and engaging resources, students and educators are empowered to build their digital literacy at their own pace and navigate online learning platforms with greater confidence.”
Haileybury’s middle school digital learning leader Dominika Kapustka won the Rising Star category at the Australian Education Awards in Sydney. (Supplied)
Dealing with foot, knee, and leg pain can be frustrating, especially when you don’t know who can help you or traditional treatments fall short. Fortunately, residents of Casey and Cardinia have access to world-class care, close to home. Dr. Paul Dowie, one of Australia’s most experienced musculoskeletal podiatrists is treating lower limb pain, injury and arthritis in Berwick.
Dr. Dowie’s expertise has been sought after by many professional athletes, including seven of the world’s number one tennis players, PGA golfers, Olympic gold medalists, and world record holders. Now, his extensive experience is available to the general public at Foot and Leg Pain Clinics across Melbourne, including Berwick.
For over 25 years, Dr. Dowie has successfully treated a wide range of issues affecting the lower limbs, from toes to hips. His clinics are dedicated to offering comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plans that are clinically proven and designed to relieve pain and improve functionwithout relying on medications or surgery.
Known for achieving outstanding treatment outcomes, Dr. Dowie often sees patients with complex conditions who have found little relief elsewhere. Whether you’re dealing with foot, heel, ankle, or knee pain, sports injuries, arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, plantar fasciitis, joint pain and degeneration, or children’s growth and development concerns, Dr. Dowie is here to help.
Expert Care is Just Around the Corner Don’t let pain control your life. For appointments with Dr. Dowie, call Foot and Leg Pain Clinics on 1300 328 300 today.
New research from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) suggests that high blood pressure treatment should be part of Alzheimer’s disease prevention strategies.
Hypertension is the most common risk factor for dementia, affecting an estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide, including over half of all people over the age of 65. Antihypertensive medication is known to help prevent strokes but up to this point there have been few studies investigating whether antihypertensive medication can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia.
Latest research published in the journal Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, and led by Dr Matthew Lennon from UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), looked at data from 31,250 individuals across 14 nations, to investigate whether previous hypertension or antihypertensive use modifies Alzheimer’s disease risk in those older than 60 years of age.
“Previous trials and longitudinal studies have indicated that ongoing antihypertensive use in late life reduces dementia risk, but the specific impact on Alzheimer’s disease and non-Alzheimer’s disease risk remained unclear,” said Dr Lennon.
“In our new study we found that those with untreated hypertension over the age of 60 had a 42% greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia compared to those with treated hypertension. However, if you had a diagnosis of hypertension and were receiving treatment, your risk for Alzheimer’s dementia was no different from those without hypertension. The findings of this study suggest that antihypertensive use should be part of any Alzheimer’s disease prevention strategy throughout later life,” said Dr Lennon.
This study is part of the research that has emanated from the international COSMIC consortium that currently comprises 57 cohort studies from 39 countries and is supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, USA.
Live music, food trucks, campus tours and interactive games highlighted the most recent open day at Federation University’s Berwick Campus, with nearly 900 people in attendance.
Held on Sunday 18 August from 9:30am to 2pm, the institution saw an eight per cent increase in visitors as compared to the same period in 2023, with vice-chancellor and president, Professor Duncan Bentley saying that “it was fantastic to see so many prospective students”.
“[As well] as their families and members of the community visiting our Berwick campus to soak up the vibrant festival atmosphere and gain valuable knowledge about everything Federation University has to offer,” he said.
The event included hands-on sessions in nursing, allied health and science, as well as a live theatre performance with family-friendly activities such as a petting zoo and various roaming entertainers.
Hundreds of courses were on display, from teaching, nursing, and engineering, but also included information on industry placement and extracurriculars.
Professor Duncan said the “open day is a wonderful opportunity to meet our staff, academics, current students and industry partners”, as well as setting future students on the path “of achieving their career dreams”.
The university’s co-operative education model was also a highlight of importance during the event, which involves getting students workready with paid placement opportunities with a range of courses, which will be embedded across all of their programs from 2026.
“We were excited to throw open our doors and showcase our beautiful campuses and worldclass regional facilities to the community on what was an exciting and informative day,” Professor Duncan said.
South East community groups are invited to share in a bumper $125,000 in grants as part of a community bank’s 25th birthday celebration.
Community Bank Carrum Downs including its Marriott Waters branch have returned 80 per cent of their profits back in the community, totalling $4.7 million.
It’s supported causes such as equipment for SES units, petrol for a coastguard patrol, a new truck for Carrum Downs CFA and a transitional house for mothers and their children at risk of violence and/or homelessness.
The Anniversary grants coincide with the community bank’s 25th birthday on 9 October.
Business development manager Gary Rowe recalls helping to start the bank in 1999, back when he was the Cranbourne state MP.
At the time, NAB had just closed its branch at the Carrum Downs shopping centre, leaving businesses and residents without a local bank, he said.
Talks began with Bendigo Bank, which was filling the voids left behind by the ‘Big Four’ banks that were abandoning country towns en masse.
And the franchisee Community Bank was born – with a commitment to invest profits into local community groups.
Applications for the Anniversary Grants close on 20 September.
Forms at available at Carrum Downs and Marriott Waters bank branches or at bendigobank.com.au/branch/vic/community-bankcarrum-downs/
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By Ethan Benedicto
Two local students from the City of Casey have been awarded the prestigious Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize for their contributions to commemorating the ANZAC legacy through what was described to be creative and heartfelt contributions.
Kylinda Zhang, a Year 11 student from Nossal High School and Mahdia Qasimi, a Year 10 student from Hampton Park Secondary College will be among the 12 secondary students who will embark on a 10-day international study tour to Turkey.
Kylinda curated a short story from the perspective of a Wadawurrung veteran who is struggling with PTSD and dives into their experiences while they worked on the Great Ocean Road Memorial.
“When I started researching I realised a lot of the Indigenous people at the time did not get the recognition after both wars (WW1 and WW2),” Kylinda said.
Research and accuracy were crucial to her, ensuring that there was a proper representation of firstly, a First Nations man, and secondly a Wadawurring man and their people’s culture.
To ensure cultural authenticity, Kylinda “paid attention to the language they used and made sure I didn’t use anything that wouldn’t have been appropriate”, she said.
Her short piece was commended as an “emotional story from First Nations perspective and demonstrated understanding of war history - [a] strong personal statement.”
Mahdia was one of the only two students who opted for a non-written medium to deliver their story, and was since applauded for her “first-hand experience of war”.
Her video focused on the absence of memorials and recognition for women in war and was inspired by her research as well as the personal connection of a close family member - who was her piece’s main subject - who experienced firsthand the impacts of war in Afghanistan.
“When I was researching the World Wars and ANZAC, I saw that women had important roles, from raising children to running businesses.
“So when I read about that, it felt like they have always been ignored like they haven’t been recognised - there aren’t many memorial places for women in war,” she said.
Both Mahdia and Kylinda were more than thrilled to have been chosen for the award, expressing their eagerness to be able to travel in the upcoming school holidays.
The students, who will be accompanied by three teachers, will visit various historical sites in Istanbul and Cannakkale, with the goal of learning about the courageous actions of those who fought and died during the Gallipoli campaign.
The Minister for Veterans, Natalie Suleyman said that the Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize is “an incredible opportunity for Victorian students to explore Australia’s wartime and peacekeeping history, and reflect on the precious freedoms we have today that we owe to the sacrifices of our veterans”.
“We are pleased to support the annual Prize
and winning students who will soon embark on an unforgettable journey to locations in Turkey that hold special significance in Australia’s wartime history,” she said.
While Kylinda is looking forward to experiencing new cultures in Turkey, she also said that the experience will “shape my understanding of ANZAC and my future perspective of war in general”.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and to see new things but most of all to really honour what the ANZACs did.
“It’ll be confronting to be exactly where they were and just to think of all these people, even those my age who went and fought,” she said.
Mahdia is on the same page, and while she is more than keen to be exposed to new experiences,
being recognised for her efforts “is an honour”.
“I feel proud and thankful, especially because it shows the value of courage and sacrifice and their importance,” she said.
For Kylinda, the challenges of writing the story extended beyond the realms of historical and cultural accuracy, with a proper sensitiveness needed when touching on PTSD.
Mahdia, who only came to Australia only three years ago spent sleepless nights researching the history of ANZAC and all things related; ultimately when she decided on her video piece, she also included a painting of her own women’s memorial. Her passion for understanding and honouring the past has also played a hand in influencing her future aspirations, and while still uncertain, has expressed interest in joining the ADF.
Inspired by her experiences as a refugee and the kindness of ADF soldiers at a camp in Dubai, she said she wanted, one day, to “join the army, to help people as they helped us”.
Teachers and students at Devon Meadows Primary School dressed up for Book Week on Monday 19 August, hosting a parade for everyone to show off their amazing creations.
As a near-final milestone, the last set of traffic lights have been turned on for the Narre WarrenCranbourne Road project.
Major Road Projects Victoria program director Marc Peterson said it was the 10th and final intersection upgrade ahead of the completion of major works in coming weeks.
“Our last new traffic light was switched on last week, further increasing connections for Berwick-Cranbourne Road and Narre WarrenCranbourne Road.
“This will enable easier access for staff and visitors to make navigating the new-look precinct safe and simple. “
The project includes almost 10 kilometres of new lanes, providing two lanes in each direction from South Gippsland Highway to Heatherton Road.
Roundabouts were replaced with signalised intersections to ease congestion, with sequenced traffic lights to provide more reliable travel times as well as easier access for emergency services.
The upgrade provided more than nine kilometres of shared walking and cycling paths as well as traffic signal crossing points for a better connection to educational institutions, Casey Stadium, Casey RACE and the Cranbourne main street. New service roads were also built for safer access from local streets.
A party of 900 children, parents, teachers and carers hopped aboard Puffing Billy for the annual Variety Day on Tuesday 20 August.
With the help of more than 100 Variety volunteers, the guests enjoyed free scenic train rides and a shuttle service through the Dandenong Ranges.
A live DJ, a roving magician, scavenger hunt, chocolates, arts and crafts, and face painting were also on offer to provide joy for children experiencing disadvantage, disability and illness.
Variety childrens charity CEO Mandy Burns said the Variety Day was about “inclusion and kindness”.
“When 70 per cent of kids with disabilities report feeling excluded and kids experiencing disadvantage often feeling unable to afford excursions, the Variety Day at Puffing Billy Railway is important.”
Springvale Park Special Development School teacher said the event was a rare opportunity for the school.
“For many of our students, the event represents their first and only exposure to such incredible experiences.
“Our students come from low socio-economic backgrounds and would otherwise be unable to access these opportunities.”
This might sound like a rhetorical question, but how do you know what your staff are actually thinking? According to Richard Branson: “Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.”
I tend to think he is right, so for this reason, understanding what matters to your staff (and hence what might be giving them cause for concern) is clearly important.
I have often thought that one of the most disappointing things for a manager to experience is a resignation letter from a valued employee when it comes out of the blue. The obvious questions are: ‘why did I not see this coming?’ and ‘what could I have done about it even if I knew?’ Sometimes this occurs simply because a staff member has been offered a fantastic opportunity that aligns with their career ambitions and is a role they could not refuse. In this case, there may be little that can be done other than to wish them the best of luck. However, this can often occur because the staff member is not happy about what
Consider short courses, career-changing graduate certificates or degrees at the Berwick TAFE info day on Wednesday 4 September.
Full campus tours will depart from a central meeting point every hour, on the hour between 1pm to 5pm.
Chisholm Berwick team members will also be available to discuss more general questions around enrolments, pathways, and the support services available at Chisholm.
· For more information, visit www.chisholm.edu. au/about-us/events/info-days
U3A Cranbourne
U3A is a community group for anyone 50 and over to learn, share and to socialise.
The group offers a large variety of activities from its new premises at 20-22 Bowen Street in Cranbourne and the line dancing and social ballroom dance classes from the Casey Basketball Stadium in Cranbourne.
Supported by Casey Council, U3A Cranbourne is a not-for-profit organisation, with a membership fee of $50 per year and members welcome to join in as many classes as they wish.
If you want to keep your brain and body active and want to make new friends, or perhaps run a class in something you are passionate about, check out the courses on offer or give 0493 991 919 a call to learn more.
New courses starting in Term 3 include the new gardening group or the Resincraft group, with social ballroom classes now underway.
· For more information, visit www.u3acranbourne.org.au
Cranbourne and District Garden Club
The club is turning 51 this year and still meets at the Cranbourne Public Hall from 1.15pm on the second Thursday of the month.
The club enjoys day trips and lunches, afternoon teas and friendship.
For more information, contact Julie on 5995 1420 or Jean on 9704 6242.
Women’s Health Week
Blind Bight Community Centre and Women’s Health in the South East are presenting a conversation about women’s health for Women’s Health Week from 11am to 1pm on Friday 6 September.
A free friendly forum where local women can share experiences, learn from each other and discuss the health topics that matter most to them.
· For more information or to book visit www.blindbightcommunitycentre.com.au or phone 5998 7014.
New Vogue dancing
Berwick Activities Club is offering another eightweek course on New Vogue dancing, commencing on Friday 6 September from 7pm to 8pm in the Timbarra Community Centre.
Dancing is a great way to make new friends and at the completion of the course you may join the weekly dance held on Thursday evenings. Booking is essential as numbers are limited.
· For more information, contact Bruce on 0447 554 475.
Trivia night
The Berwick Activities Club is hosting a trivia night on Saturday 7 September, with tables of six available.
they are doing and does not know how to express this to their manager.
Regular one-to-one meetings between a manager and their direct report is an excellent way to uncover potential issues here since these meetings, if done properly, can build trust and rapport and actually create the space for concerns to be raised before they become major issues. However, if a leader has a significant number of direct reports or has managers reporting to them, then it becomes much more difficult to get to understand how each person in the overall team is feeling.
One way to overcome this is to undertake a
periodic staff survey. It was Bill Gates who said that:
“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning” and the same can be applied to staff as with customers. A staff survey is not the sort of thing that should be done on a very regular basis as employees quickly tire of this, but doing a staff survey once a year can pay great dividends. It is said that people don’t leave companies, they leave managers so any staff survey worth its salt necessarily must include questions about management. A former boss of mine once said that “this is not the sort of thing you necessarily want to read from the top of a tall building” as you may not always like what you read, but if you are serious about improving things within the business, your most unhappy staff may well be “your greatest source of learning”.
There are three key things to bear in mind when undertaking a survey of this nature:
The survey must be confidential so that no one in the management team can know who said
· To book a table or a seat, phone David on 0433 566 456.
Blind Bight Community Centre
Craft gift making for adults from 12.30pm to 2.30pm on Tuesdays.
Join in the craft gift making class and bring along your own craft to complete.
A variety of techniques and skills are shared including mosaics, macrame, sewing and painting at $3 per class.
Playgroup from 10.30am to noon on Wednesdays.
The program provides fun play activities and craft for children at $5 per family.
Free knit and crochet from noon to 2pm on Wednesdays.
Line dancing from 1pm to 2pm on Wednesdays. All ages, and abilities welcome at $10 per class.
· For more information and for bookings, visit www.blindbightcommunitycentre.com.au
Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club
Are you new newly retired, or new to the area, or just wanting to enjoy your freedom as a senior or expand your social life?
Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club can offer you stimulating activities and friendship.
The club hosts weekly social activities with dance to low-key in-line dancing if you want to tap your feet, great music, a chat, then afternoon tea.
Day, short and long trips away via coach, a weekly morning coffee club, monthly Saturday country pub lunches, monthly Tuesday dine-outs, a weekly walking group, a weekly table tennis group, seasonal daytime musical theatre outings, entertainment function days and more.
Anyone interested can visit on Thursdays at 2pm for socialising and low-key dancing at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House at 21A Bemersyde
what. Without the provision of confidentiality, such an initiative is useless.
Undertaking a staff survey creates a ‘behavioural expectation’ within employees that something will get done. You do not need to address everything, but feedback of the results along with a high-level plan of action must be done in a timely manner otherwise the whole exercise gets thrown into disrepute and reflects poorly on management itself.
· Look for key themes that emerge from the survey results. The 80/20 rule will typically apply here (80 per cent of the issues will be due to 20 per cent of the causes) so find which ones will give the biggest bang for the buck if addressed and develop remedial actions for these. Avoid the tall buildings but undertake a survey nevertheless.
Ian Ash ACC, AInstIB Managing Director OrgMent Business Solutions - www.ombs.com.au
Come along to learn how to play or improve your game.
Word lists and more will be available to increase your skills.
· Contact David on 0433 566 456.
Berwick Springs VIEW Club
Affiliated with The Smith Family, the Berwick Springs VIEW Club is a not-for-profit organisation, with the aim to fundraise to support Learning for Life students.
The club currently supports 10 students of varying ages with their education expenses.
The club meets on the first Monday of each month in the Berwick Springs Hotel function room from 11.15am, where members enjoy a lunch and then host a guest speaker.
Throughout the year, the club has a couple of special fundraisers, as well as casual morning tea and lunch for interested ladies.
The club is always looking for new members in all age groups.
· For more information, contact Shirley on 0438 191 759 or email berwicksprings.viewclub@ gmail.com
Probus Club of Casey Combined Meetings finish at noon when many of our members assemble for lunch at one of the local cafes.
· The club meets at the Old Cheese Factory at 9.45am on the second Tuesday of each month. BADFolk Club
Drive or join the club for a coffee and a chat every Wednesday from 10am at the new François cafe in front of Myer in Fountain Gate.
· For more information, contact enquiry officer Gloria on 0468 363 616.
Cranbourne Senior Citizens Not a member? Doesn’t matter, come along and join the fun.
Weekly line dancing on Mondays from 10am to noon, New Vogue and Old Time Dancing from 1pm to 3.30pm on Tuesdays, Carpet Bowls on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11.30am to 2.30pm and bingo from 11am to 2pm on Thursdays.
For all enquiries or bookings, contact Marilyn on 0432 107 590.
Balla Balla Community Centre
Health & Wellbeing classes held at Balla Balla Community Centre include pilates on Tuesday afternoons or Wednesday evenings, Zumba - Tuesday evenings and Yoga Thursday late afternoons or evenings. Enhance your fitness levels before Spring arrives.
For more information, visit ballaballa.com.au
Combined Probus Club of Narre Warren
The club welcomes men and women to join for fun and interesting activities.
The club hosts bowling, armchair travel, book clubs, walk and talk, happy snappers and cards.
· For enquries, contact Heather at hsims14@ gmail.com
Scrabble Club
Berwick Activities Club has started a Scrabble Club recently and it runs every Friday from 1pm to 3.30pm.
It will be both competitive and social on a one-toone basis.
Berwick and District Folk Club meets on the third Friday of each month.
Doors open at 6.30pm, with the music running from 7pm to 10pm with entry $15.
· For more information, visit badfolkclub.org or contact Edward on 0418 535 264.
Craft classes
Join Berwick Activities Group’s Elizabeth to discover the world of papercraft and have a chat with like-minded people.
Tuesdays from 10am to noon at Timbarra Community Centre at $5 per class, all materials supplied.
· Contact admin@berwicknc.com.au or phone 9704 1863.
Narre Warren Senior Citizens Centre
If you are over 55 years old, newly retired, or new to the Casey area and looking for something to do, come and join the main club day on Wednesdays from 9.30am to 3pm at 192-196 Centre Road in Narre Warren.
There are also weekly activities on other days of the week, which include the Garden Group Club, indoor carpet bowls, line dancing, table tennis, friendly card games, and a gentle exercise class.
· For more information, phone 9704 0015 or 0426 736 467 or email narrewarrenseniors@ gmail.com
Chair dancing
Would you enjoy exercising from the comfort of your chair?
Join the Berwick Activities Group for some seated movement sessions from 10.45am to 11.30am on Wednesdays including fun and uplifting songs and different styles and eras of music. Timbarra Community Centre at $8 per session. · For more information, contact admin@berwicknc.com.au or phone 9704 1863.
As the iconic Sandown Raceway gears up to celebrate 60 years of thrilling endurance racing, motorsport enthusiasts and families alike are in for a treat this September.
From September 13 to 15, 2024, Sandown Raceway will host the first enduro race of the season - Penrite Oil Sandown 500, setting the stage as a crucial warm-up event for the prestigious Bathurst 1000.
Join us for a monumental celebration as we mark 60 years of endurance racing at the iconic Sandown Raceway.
This historic track has witnessed countless battles, bumps, and triumphs, and 2024 promises to deliver even more excitement.
Event Details:
* Date: September 13 – 15, 2024.
* Location: Sandown Raceway.
* Event: First enduro race of the 2024 season, a key warm-up for the Bathurst 1000 for drivers and co-drivers.
* Round: 9 of the Repco Supercars Championship.
* Special Offer: Kids 12 and under are free. Sandown Raceway welcomes Repco Supercars Championship welcomes families to join in the celebration, offering free entry for kids aged 12 and under.
It’s a perfect opportunity for young racing enthusiasts to witness history in the making and experience the thrill of motorsport up close. From September 13
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
Paula means ’small or little’ and as I only reached a height of 149cm (4ft 10 and 3/4 inches) that’s a bit of a laugh, especially when my married name (which I never used!) was Short.
What do you love the most about volunteering with the Friends of Wilson Botanic Park?
Working alongside friendly, hardworking Friends and park staff who have positive attitudes and who are dedicated to the same goals. If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
A currawong that nests in Wilson Botanic Park. How wonderful it would be to soar over such a beautiful space every day and greet the visitors with welcoming song?
What was your most memorable moment at the Park?
Seeing a flock of flame robins fly right across the path in front me as I walked past the Soroptimist’s directional marker. The brilliant flash of those bright little birds just took my breath away. What were you like as a kid?
I was a bookworm who also liked exploring the outdoors.
What event, past or present, would you like to witness?
The landing of the Cranbourne meteorite at the end of the 1700s. It would have been spectacular. Which six dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?
Baron Ferdinand von Mueller (for a few words about blackberries) Thomas Austin (for a few words about rabbits) Ellis Rowan (fearless traveller and botanical artist) Dava Sobel and Deborah Cadbury (fabulous writers of science and social history) and William Barak (artist and admired fighter for his people).
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Reliable, helpful, but somewhat impatient. What would you do on your perfect ’day off’?
I’d pack a picnic lunch and spend the day with my son, his partner and my two adorable granddaughters at the games area of Wilson Park, kicking balls and flying Frisbees and kites followed by sipping chai latte from the Gather Cafe while the girls scoff strawberries as we rest on the picnic rug. Heaven!
Where is your happy place?
Basalt Lake Wilson Botanic Park.
If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?
I’d partner up with Pam who organises the Friends’ morning teas and take orders from her. She is so efficient and has great ideas - we’d win for sure!
Where is your dream holiday destination?
Tenting in the Tanami desert or on any isolated coastal beach.
1
Pick up some rubbish
As you’re walking around your neighbourhood, you may notice litter lying around. It’s easy to leave it and think it’s someone else’s job, but it’s a kind thing to do for the community and the environment to pick it up. Take a bag and some gloves with you. This could be a fun activity for young children too.
2
Pay it forward in the drive through
Shout the person behind you on your Friday night takeaway run. Alternatively, support a local business and pay for the person standing in line behind you. This could make someone’s day.
3
Send a hamper
Put together a care package for someone you love such as a friend or family member and have it mailed to them. There’s something truly joyful about receiving something heartfelt in a time of mostly electronic communication.
PROPOSAL TO INTSALL A NEW OPTUS MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
FACILITY CO-LOCATING ON THE EXISTING TELSTRA MONOPOLE AT 125 HOMESTEAD ROAD BERWICK VIC 380
Optus proposes to install a new mobile telecommunications facility, on the existing 40m Telstra monopole:
1.The proposal includes installation of:
• One (1) new Optus headframe at a height of 35m;
•Six (6) new Optus 4G / 5G panel antennas (each no longer than 2.8m) attached to the new headframe;
•An equipment cabinet at ground level adjacent to the existing monopole; and
•Ancillary equipment including six (6) remote radio units, GPS antenna, cabling, and other associated equipment.
2. Optus regards the proposed installation as Low-impact under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities)
ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practi-
DentalNurseTrainee-FullTime FastpacedDentalSpecialists, Dandenong.Lookingfor traineeortrainedDAfor4 LongDaysperweek. Greatpeople/communication skills&amazingfinemotor dexterityvalued.Risetodif-
Determination 2018 based on the above description. The proposed infrastructure will comply with ACMA EME regulatory arrangements.
3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code 2020, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/ or comments should be directed to: Ms Pranal Salunke at Service Stream Limited, 0437 384 924 or Optus.Submissions@ servicestream.com.au or Level 3, Tower B, Zenith Centre, 821 Pacific Highway, Chatswood NSW 2067 by 5pm Friday 6 September 2024
4. If you would like to know more about this site, further information can be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3806017.
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Casey Cannons striker Mikayla McDonald represented Vic Country at the recent Hockey Australia Country Championships held in Goulburn, New South Wales.
McDonald was a staple for Vic Country up forward, facilitating plenty of scores across the squad’s seven games from 1-10 August.
“I had some good runs and we played well together as a team and did what we needed to,” McDonald said.
“It definitely helped my hockey - I learned some new skills and met a lot of new people because I was the only one on this side of Melbourne to get selected.”
Vic Country won bronze at the tournament, defeating the Australian Defence Force and South Australia to reach the semi final, which they lost to New South Wales 4-3.
After Western Australia had their measure in the pool stages, Vic Country defeated them 1-0 in the bronze medal match.
McDonaldwasparticularlyinfluentialthrough the pool stage, before playing limited minutes in the two finals due to shin splints.
“I was able to learn more about reading of the play and positioning and which way to run to
benefit my team and how to use the open space,” she said.
“Learning new set plays and presses and structures was a lot of fun and how someone else’s coaching can come into the game plan.”
A Drouin local, McDonald has been a key piece of the finals-bound Casey Cannons outfit in the Vic League 1 competition, but has also played for La Trobe Valley in 2024, needing to represent a country outfit to qualify for the championships
For Casey, McDonald has scored 10 goals from 17 games, second only to Sam Wagg.
“It’s been a lot tougher at Casey but I think we’ve managed it pretty well and come away with some good wins,” McDonald said.
“I enjoy the company of the girls and I feel like I’ve definitely developed more with my language and new skills.
“Hopefully we can finish the year off strongly.”
It was McDonald’s first time representing Vic Country, but she was born into a hockey family, and was part of a state academy in 2019 and competed in a representative tournament in April 2021 at Launceston.
The Cannons will finish the regular season with a big test against Toorak East Malvern before finals kick off.
By David Nagel
Beaconsfield will begin its quest to break a 10year premiership drought when the Eagles take on Montrose in the Eastern Division One elimination final at Boronia’s Tormore Reserve on Sunday.
Mick Fogarty and his team will go in with confidence, having defeated Gary Ayres’ Demons on two occasions this season.
The Eagles survived a seven-goal onslaught from former Richmond AFL player Ryan Garthwaite to win by 18 points at Montrose in round five, before riding a fast-start to a 21-point victory in round 14 at Beaconsfield.
There’s no question that the Eagles’ best football stacks up against the elite quality of the competition; having proven that over the last five weeks of the season.
Included over that journey was that impressive win over Montrose, while close losses to topof-the-table Park Orchards (one point) and thirdplaced Mitcham (seven points) show the Eagles are right in the mix this season.
The Eagles midfield is very much fleet of foot and can carve an opposition to pieces if allowed to run.
Tylah Stokoe, Josh Mounter, Hayden Brown, Kade De La Rue, Damien Johnston, Devon Smith and Mitch Szybkowski provide extreme depth between the arcs, while Ethan Harris has provided run along the wing.
Exciting talents Charlie Muley, Jafar Ocaa and Jake Bowd will be the key marking options up forward, while clever goal-sneaks Hayden Brough and Myles Currie can do some damage at ground level.
Garthwaite hasn’t played due a foot injury in round 13 but, if he does, it will be an area of concern for Fogarty and his coaching group.
The Eagles lost their key-post defender Lachlan Valentine to a serious knee injury in round 14, leaving Declan Curran, Brandon White and Kobe Shipp to pick up the pieces down back.
While none of those players are true beasts, they provide a viable combination that could limit the big-man’s impact.
Sam Merrick and Connor Mouat provide the
running power from defensive 50, while Jack Docherty and Trent Stokoe are real warriors who won’t take a backward step.
A win here would continue the Eagles’ dreams of maintaining a strong lineage of success.
Leigh Clifford led the Eagles to premiership glory in 2004, before Clint Evans masterminded a grand final win over Cranbourne in 2014.
The 2024 dream will remain alive after Sunday; it’s the Eagles to claim their first finals win in Eastern by 13 points.
In the qualifying final, South Belgrave should be too strong for reigning premier Mitcham.
South Belgrave has scored comprehensive wins in both starts this year; winning by 57 points in round one before a 36-point victory over the Tigers in round 10.
Key forward Tim Smith holds the key for the Saints; despite having a quieter second-half of the year.
TIPS: Second Semi-Final - SOUTH BELGRAVE (2) v Mitcham (3). First Semi-Final - Montrose (4) v BEACONSFIELD (5).
By Marcus Uhe
What has loomed as an unwanted possibility has come to fruition for the Berwick Football Club in the form of a relegation playoff battle in the final round of the Eastern Football Netball League season.
Saturday’s clash with Norwood will determine which club remains in Premier Division in 2025 and which club packs its bags for Division 1, their papers stamped with the dreaded relegation seal of approval.
Both teams enter the game with one win to show for their efforts in 2024, and by coincidence have been drawn to face each other in a game that will significantly alter their futures.
The significance isn’t lost on the players, nor Berwick coach Clint Evans, who will coach his Wickers for the final time on Saturday.
“It is our grand final,” Evans said.
“We want to stay up, 100 per cent so that’s what we’re planning to do.
“We built last week up as a massive game and unfortunately we didn’t get the job done on Saturday.
“We just said ‘we’ve got two bites at the cherry to stay up’ and there’s no next week after this week.”
Little separates the two sides statistically, and less than six per cent differentiates the two on the ladder.
Berwick won the corresponding clash back in round nine, having kicked away early and hung on for a tense 18-point victory in the second half.
The looming threat of potential VFL-listed inclusions at Norwood hovers over the contest, and will further increase the degree of difficulty on a young side running out of steam towards the end of a long season.
The smaller deck of Mullum Mullum Reserve will aid the Wickers in requiring less run and spread from the tired bodies, and the prospect of ensuring the muchloved Evans finishes his tenure having staved-off the relegation threat for three consecutive seasons will act provide a major motivational carrot.
With the confirmation of Andrew ‘Hottie’ Williams signing on the dotted line to replace Evans in 2025, staying in Premier Division will be vital in securing all-important momentum heading into a new start.
“We’re going to be up against it – it’s not going to be a case of ‘go down there walk through two hours and that’s it’”, Evans said.
“It’s going to be a fair two hours of hard work.
“There’s a fair bit to play for and they understand that, so whatever will be will be.
“If we can stay up, it’s huge for these kids and what they’ve gone through and if they do, next year will hopefully be another stepping stone, getting a lot of games into them and getting guys back, ‘Hottie’ coming in as coach to reinvigorate the boys.”
By Marcus Uhe
Pakenham’s chances of sneaking into the top two of Outer East Football Netball Premier Division netball competition come season’s end are well and truly alive, having prevailed in a vital contest on the road against fellow finals-bound Monbulk by three goals.
The closest fixture of the round in a week of blowouts, Pakenham acquired a slim advantage over the middle quarters of the contest and held off a late charge from the Hawks to secure its 13th victory of the 2024 season, winning 48-45.
16 goals from Charlotte Hudolin off the bench gave the Lions an added spark, as Lions captain Caitlin Cooke kept Hawks shooter Peri Reid to a miserly 23 goals.
As a result, Pakenham has locked itself into the top four, and can climb as high as second, depending on the outcome of round 18’s fixtures.
All eyes will turn to Kalora Park, where the result of Narre Warren’s clash with Mt Evelyn carries enormous weight in the context of finals seedings.
Mt Evelyn will secure second and the double chance if they can down the Magpies, who may opt to rest players with nothing to play for in the final round, now 10 points clear of the Rovers at the top of the table, and ahead of a potential match up with Mt Evelyn in the finals.
However, if the Magpies do wish to make life tougher for the only side to have taken points off them this season, a win opens the door for both Pakenham and Wandin to climb into second place, both two points Mt Evelyn.
Both sides will be confident in their respective fixtures, with Wandin heading to Olinda Ferny Creek to tackle the Bloods and the Lions hosting Woori Yallock, two opponents out of finals calculations with one round to play.
With the Magpies and Rovers clash beginning at 11.30, both Wandin and Pakenham will
By Marcus Uhe
The combination of an insecure ladder and a shotgun start on Saturday afternoon will make for a thrilling conclusion to the home and away season of the Outer East Football Netball (OEFN) Premier Division.
Heading into the final week, five of the 12 places are locked away – Narre Warren (first), Upwey Tecoma (fourth), Olinda Ferny Creek (fifth), Mt Evelyn (sixth) and Berwick Springs (twelfth).
Much of the intrigue, however, lies in the bottom half of the table, with a potential three-way tie for 11th, which in effect, becomes last, given the departure of Berwick Springs from the competition in 2025, and carries relegation connotations
Currently Emerald is in the hot seat, one game back from Gembrook Cockatoo and Pakenham, but with a favourable final game against Berwick Springs in round 18, the Bombers appear likely to join the other two on 20 points.
For their parts, the Brookers head to Upwey Tecoma and Pakenham welcomes Woori Yallock to Toomuc Reserve, both tough contests against sides priming for a finals run.
Woori Yallock in particular have the greatest motivation, needing a win to keep third-placed Wandin at bay and secure a top-two finish, which carries with it the all-important double chance, while Pakenham’s Jordan Stewart will likely sit the contest out due to suspension.
Should the Bombers win and a three-way tie on 20 points eventuates, it will be Pakenham packing its bags for Division One in 2025, on the back of OEFN’s tiebreaker system.
Given the 12-team competition makes for an uneven fixture, OEFN by-laws state percentage cannot be used as a tiebreaker.
Instead, the differentiating factor will be the best winning percentage of games played among tied teams.
With two wins and one loss in this bracket, the Brookers lead the way with winning percentage of 66 per cent, followed by Emerald on 50 per cent, and Pakenham on 33.
It would be disastrous for Pakenham, which set its sights on a top-three finish at the beginning of the year.
Should Emerald and Pakenham tie on 20 points, Emerald will be relegated, due to Pakenham having the greatest winning margin in the contests between the two sides, by a miserly two points, while Gembrook Cockatoo will be sent packing if it ties with Emerald.
Emerald needs to defeat Berwick Springs to keep prospects of staying in Premier Division alive. (Rob Carew: 413413)
Emerald definitely has the wood over the Titans, with the Division One grand final triumph of 2023 still fresh in everyone’s mind.
Elsewhere, a 13-point win will see Officer leapfrog Monbulk and finish in seventh, potentially finishing one back from qualifying for the top six, and casting further confusion around the Kangaroos’ decision to part ways with Daniel Charles.
A Wandin win over Olinda Ferny Creek will keep it in the hunt for second, but needs Pakenham to do it a favour to keep the door ajar – a big ask, given the circumstances.
All this makes Narre Warren’s clash with Mt Evelyn a ‘dead rubber’, with neither side able to move from its current ladder position.
How both sides approach the contest will be intriguing, with health surely to be front of mind.
TIPS: MONBULK v Officer, NARRE WARREN v Mt Evelyn, Olinda Ferny Creek v WANDIN, UPWEY TECOMA v Gembrook Cockatoo, Pakenham v WOORI YALLOCK, EMERALD v Berwick Springs. THE RELEGATION PICTURE
· EMERALD WIN, GEMBROOK COCKATOO LOSE, PAKENHAM LOSE: Pakenham will be relegated.
· EMERALD WIN, GEMBROOK COCKATOO LOSE, PAKENHAM WIN: Gembrook Cockatoo will be relegated.
· EMERALD WIN, GEMBROOK COCKATOO WIN, PAKENHAM LOSE: Emerald will be relegated.
· EMERALD LOSE – Emerald will be relegated.
· LIKELY FIRST WEEK OF FINALS: Wandin (third) v Mt Evelyn (sixth), Upwey Tecoma (fourth) v Olinda Ferny Creek (fifth). Narre Warren (first), Woori Yallock (second) – Bye.
know if second place is up for grabs by the time the first centre pass is thrown in their respective games.
Wandin’s begins at 12.30 and Pakenham’s at 1.30, giving the Lions a complete picture of what is at stake, but the Bulldogs are in the box seat, currently in third place.
Emerald, meanwhile, were the other major winner from Pakenham’s win, jumping Monbulk into fifth place.
Monbulk’s loss and the Bombers’ 70-48 win over Woori Yallock at home has taken the highflying Bombers to three consecutive wins and in the box seat for the better of the two elimination final matchups, should they get the job done against Berwick Springs in round 18.
Emerald never trailed in its win, extending its lead at every break to grab win number 11 of 2024.
Powered by Kaylah Loulanting and with an average of 58.7 goals per contest, the Bombers possess a powerful front court, the third-highest scoring team in the competition, and bettering sides above them on the table in Mt Evelyn and Pakenham.
Despite 48 goals from Loulanting, she lost top spot on the leading goal scorer table after Wandin’s Emmalia Blake nailed a whopping 83 against Gembrook Cockatoo.
It helped Wandin to a 99-40 win over the Brookers, now locked into a bottom-three finish to end the season.
Narre Warren similarly cruised to a 51-goal win over Olinda Ferny Creek, highlighting just where the two programs now sit, less than 24 months removed from an epic grand final battle in 2022.
It’s now eight wins in a row for the Magpies ahead of their clash with nemesis Mt Evelyn in the final round.
The Rovers, for their part, thrashed Berwick Springs by 74 goals, and ROC went down by 29 to Upwey Tecoma.
By Marcus Uhe
Narre Warren’s chances of winning this season’s Outer East Football Netball Premier Division football premiership have been dealt a crushing blow, with young prodigy Sam Toner ruled out for the remainder of the year through injury.
Toner, who led the competition in goal kicking with 50 majors in 13 games before earning a call up to the Dandenong Stingrays in the Coates Talent League in July, broke his wrist in the first quarter of the Stingrays’ round 18 clash against Calder on Saturday.
His availability for Narre Warren was contingent on his selection for the Stingrays, having been given the club’s permission to pursue playing at higher levels of football in the back half of the season, and the Stingrays having sealed qualification for finals.
In just his second game at the Stingrays, he kicked five goals in wet conditions against the Eastern Ranges, and earned an invitation the AFL State Combine to be held in late October
ahead of the AFL Draft.
Back at local level, he kicked seven goals in a match-winning performance against Woori Yallock in round 10 and four in a grand final rematch against Wandin in round four, and shaped as one of the most dangerous players heading into the finals, having played Under 19s in 2023.
Narre Warren coach Steven Kidd said the club was trying to rally around Toner as much as they could.
“He’s a pretty calm kid so hopefully it’s just part of his story going forward but it’s devastating for him, especially with how he was going and having been invited to the (Victorian state draft) combine,” Kidd said.
“If he gets himself right he’ll be able to go to that.
“I know Tom (Toner, Sam’s older brother) was pretty shattered for him after the game.
“Whether we were going to get him or not, we didn’t know but it definitely won’t happen now.”
By Marcus Uhe
An 88-point loss to the Gold Coast Suns rounded out a disappointing season for the Casey Demons in the Victorian Football League on Saturday.
A rare 10am start in the Queensland sun turned into a morning to forget for the Demons, thrashed by a percentage-hunting Suns side eager to escape the Wildcard placings on the ladder in their final opportunity.
After six goals apiece in the opening term, fans could be forgiven for settling in for a high-scoring shootout.
Only one side, however, went on with their bright start, the hosts storming to a commanding 27.13 175 to 13.9 87 result, kicking the highest individual team score of the 2024 VFL season in the process.
Beyond the opening term, the Suns kicked a further 21 goals to the Demons’ seven, with runs of four and five consecutive majors coming in a damaging second half.
But it wasn’t just on the scoreboard where the Demons were soundly beaten, finishing with 100 less total disposals, 53 less marks and 22 less inside 50s.
A strong Suns side, with AFL-established talent including Jack Lukosius, Alex Sexton and Brayden Fiorini, showed no mercy on a Demons outfit that by contrast, was limping to the finish line.
By three-quarter-time, the score read 22.8 140 to 11.7 73, thanks to 11 Suns goals in a third quarter procession.
Ben Brown kicked six goals in what could be his final game at the club, out of contract at Melbourne at season’s end with just 13 senior games to his name in the past two seasons.
Andy Moniz-Wakefield, meanwhile, accumulated 36 disposals after being omitted from the senior Demons side, to lead all comers, with Beaconsfield’s Kobe Shipp grabbing nine disposals in his second game at VFL level.
It’s the first season since 2019 the Demons will watch September from the sidelines and represents a major fall from the premiership success of 2022.
In 18 games, the Demons won just five and lost 13, finishing with a percentage of 83.8.
At 90 points conceded per game, Casey possessed the fourth-worst defence in the competition that could not be matched by their own scoring output.
While rarely taken to task in 2024 on the field, too many games saw them surrender a late ad-
By Jonty Ralphsmith
A fast starting Dandenong proved too proficient for Calder at Shepley Oval on Saturday in a battle of two teams which have risen through the middle of the season.
The Stingrays got the job done 13.9 87 to 9.12 66 to maintain its spot in fifth on the Talent League table heading into the last round of the season.
Berwick’s Tairon Ah-Mu kicked two early goals to help give Dandenong a 22-point lead at quarter time, with Harry Doughton and Elwood Peckett both starting well in the midfield.
Calder was able to claw its way back through the middle of the game and found the lead midway through the last quarter before the hosts found another gear.
Jordan Doherty kicked two goals in quick succession to cap off another impressive showing playing predominantly as a mobile key forward.
Bottom-ager Archie Le Clerc and crafty small Coren Giliam also kicked late goals to give the Rays breathing space.
The Rays’ defence was typically strong, with Kane Hurst winning his one-on-ones and dispos-
ing of it well with his 15 possessions and Charlie Orchard also helping combat Calder’s forward launches.
Pakenham’s Tahj De La Rue also performed well on the day, and has been solid in recent times, averaging 13 disposals and three tackles playing across multiple lines in 2024.
The Rays’ day was soured by a wrist injury to rising forward Sam Toner.
The Stingrays boys will take on Gippsland at Morwell on Saturday to finish off its regular season, with next week’s results to dictate the wildcard fixture.
Meanwhile, the Stingrays girls were impressive in defeating Geelong 8.8 56 to 4.7 31 at Avalon Airport Oval.
Jemma Reynolds and Kayla Dalgleish got things started in a fiercely contested midfield battle, with three first quarter Rays goals giving them the ascendancy.
Youngsters Matilda Argus and Alice Cunnington both impressed against an organised outfit.
The Rays will face Gippsland at Morwell to finish the regular season and are well positioned to go deep into finals.
vantage or suffer a single-quarter lapse that frittered away chances to seal four points.
Just two wins at Casey Fields from nine attempts, meanwhile, saw them squander home ground advantage at a venue that had been a fortress in previous seasons.
Matthew Jefferson finished the season as the club’s leading goalkicker with 29 majors but failed to add to his tally on Saturday morning.
Injuries and a positional switch for Josh Schache and the unavailability of Joel Smith to suspension left the Demons lacking in fire power in
its front half for much of the year, while having the program disrupted by the trevails of the AFLaligned senior club left the coaching staff with a hand tied behind their back.
Jimmy Munro’s retirement, meanwhile, left a considerable hole in the midfield, as did the void left by 2023 best-and-fairest winner Deakyn Smith, who was delisted by the Demons at the end of last season.
The Demons will conclude their season with the club’s presentation night on Thursday 29 August.
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Casey’s men suffered its first defeat in seven weeks on Saturday, succumbing to a hot Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation (ECHO) 3-0 in the Men’s Vic League 2 competition.
While they didn’t emerge with the three points, there was still some positive in limiting ECHO’s scoring after their ability to find the back of the net at will in recent rounds.
A competitive first half was followed by a disappointing second half, the Cannons were forced to rely on depth players, particularly in defence due to the absences of Sean Dack and Jamie Shilliday.
Evan Rundell and Rhylee Johnson are among the players to have stood up and acclimatised to firsts hockey well in recent weeks, while Harry Coster and Tadhg McCurran are others to be given a taste of it throughout 2024.
“I think our overall view of the season is positive and there’s a squad mentality,” said coach Steve Noney.
“It feels like we’re building a bit of depth within the club so that’s a journey we’ll continue on.”
A major positive of 2024 has been the ability to get dangerous upfront and create scoring opportunities, with the lineup previously reliant on short corners for a greater portion of their goals than in 2024.
Tristan Chaffey gives them assurance from the set play, but skipper Craig Moore has 11 goals, mostly from the field, while Dave Noney is another who often looks dangerous.
Given the tightness of the season, Casey could finish anywhere from second and fourth depending on the results in the last week of the home-and-away season, with the Cannons to take on Yarra in Men’s Mental Health Round at Berwick Secondary College.
Yarra currently sits second on the table, with Casey drawing with them 2-2 earlier in 2024.
“I think we’ve developed pretty well,” Noney said.
“I honestly believe we’re one of the best teams in the competition and have the personnel and depth to match it with anyone in the comp.
“We’ve got the ability to manage games and get results accordingly.”
Meanwhile, Casey’s Vic League 1 women followed up a tight 4-3 loss to Mornington Peninsula with a commanding 7-0 victory over La Trobe University.
Sam Wagg scored four goals in the game against La Trobe and two in the midweek game against Mornington Peninsula.
The Cannons had seven of the game’s 10 short corners against Mornington Peninsula but was unable to take full toll, with Mornington Peninsula scoring the matchwinner with less than two minutes remaining.
Casey broke La Trobe University’s spirit in the second half, with the Cannons firing home six goals after the main break, including three in an intimidating four-minute period of the fourth term.
The Cannons sit sixth with one game remaining in the regular season, unable to move positions regardless of the result against the undefeated Toorak East Malvern on Saturday.
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