Hope is inked in
By Ethan Benedicto
Spreading the message is the most important aspect of her campaign, as Sarah Kelly embarks on a journey of advocacy and solidarity for those suffering from brain cancer.
Sarah, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2021 was given between two and five years to live – but having broken through the estimate, is steadfast in her goal of supporting brain cancer research through Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Foundation.
A Beaconsfield local, Sarah has since been in touch with Berwick MP Brad Battin, and in collaboration with local tattoo studio Skin Architecture, began a fundraiser with the goal of $5000; which if met, would result with a lucky local to pick and choose a tattoo for Brad himself.
Sarah said that after her diagnosis, she “realised how little people knew about brain cancer and the impact it has on families”.
Speaking on her own condition, Sarah said that “everything’s improved to the point where I’m actually able to feel like I’ve got the energy”. “I’ve got the capacity to be a voice for brain cancer patients, and unfortunately pretty much everyone passes away.”
After her diagnosis, Sarah immediately went for surgery, which was soon followed by radiation treatment and then a year of chemotherapy; at that stage, it wasn’t uncommon for her to experience seizures.
Having been two years without a seizure, Sarah said that she is “one of the few that is here to tell my story”.
“So I really felt like I can do this, I felt like this is my time, my opportunity to share,” she said.
For every $1 donated between Friday 30 August and Sunday 8 September will be an entry into a draw which, at the end of the fundraiser, will dictate the person set to decide on a tattoo for Brad in honour of Sarah’s and many others’ hope for a cure.
The $5000 will go towards Sarah’s goal of $20,000 for CB4BC, in conjunction with the organisation’s Point to Pinnacle trek at Mount Wellington, Tasmania on Sunday 17 November.
Brad, moved by Sarah’s goal and determination recently visited the Brain Cancer Centre alongside a number of other MPs, one of them being Sam Groth, who had recently lost his mother to the same illness.
“I wasn’t aware of that, none of us had ever spoken about it, so I said to myself, what can I do to raise money?” Brad said.
“It is the least I can do to assist and raise awareness of this cruel disease; I have known Sarah for many years and her passion for making more people aware of the impacts and to openly share her story is something I had to support.”
The fundraiser runs alongside Skin Architecture’s limited promotion until 8 September, an opportunity which Brad was more than eager to jump onto for a more “unique” take on fundraising. Cheyenne, owner of the business is on the same boat, saying that she is more than pleased to support this for a great cause.
“We all know someone who has lost someone to cancer, and we are pleased to work with Sarah to create change,” she said.
“As a small local tattooist, we see many people who come in to get a tattoo in memory of loved ones, this is a little different and will be in honour of many.”
Continued page 3
Purple floods Narre Warren
(Stewart Chambers: 428711)
Come and enjoy a fun-filled, family day at the Casey Pet Expo.
Join us on the day to meet other local pet owners, socialise your dogs, and chat with stallholders showcasing the latest in pet products.
There will also be live entertainment, roving performers, pet-related workshops and demonstrations taking place throughout the day.
Scan the QR code for full event details.
Please note: Due to limited on-site parking, a free shuttle service will be running regularly from Federation University to the park throughout the event.
Casey set to host Special Olympics Victoria State Summer Games
Following on from the successful winter games in July, Casey is proud to be once again hosting the Special Olympics Victoria State Summer Games.
To be held on 21 and 22 September, you’re invited to come along and cheer on the athletes competing in a range of sports, including golf, athletics, ten pin bowling, soccer and swimming.
Check out the full program on the Special Olympics website or scan the QR Code.
Wiser Driver Education Program
Registrations are now open for our Wiser Driver education program, which aims to improve the confidence, independence and road safety skills of people aged 55 years and over.
The course will be held on 6, 13, 20 and 17 November from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Woodbine Family and Community Centre, Cranbourne North. Participants must complete all four sessions.
To register, contact 9705 5200 and ask to be directed to the Positive Ageing Team, email positiveageing@casey.vic.gov.au or scan the QR code to register online.
Facility bookings EOI
Looking for a space to hire on a regular basis in 2025?
Look no further than Casey’s multi-use community facilities. We offer a range of facility hire options from large halls to small consulting spaces for community groups, businesses, health services, and everything in between.
Expressions of interest close Friday 27 September 2024.
Scan the QR code for more information.
2024/2025 Equipment and Training Grants Program
Not-for-profit community groups and organisations are encouraged to apply for an Equipment and Training Grant.
Grants between $100 and $1,000 are available, and can be used for either purchasing equipment required to provide services or for training to help support and develop volunteers and group members.
Applications close at 5.00 pm on Friday 4 October.
For more information and to apply, please visit the ‘Equipment and Training Grants’ page on our website or contact our Grants Development Officer via communitygrants@casey.vic.gov.au or phone 9705 5200.
Casey Conversations
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.
• Springleaf Reserve, Clyde North: have your say on the draft concept design for a new playground.
• A plan for pets and public spaces: to help inform our next Domestic Animal Management Plan, we want you to tell us your thoughts on how we manage animals in Casey.
• Sweeney Reserve, Berwick: provide your feedback on what you would like to see at the proposed new dog park.
Head to the Casey Conversations website to find out more or scan the QR code.
EPA launches court action
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria has started civil proceedings against Hallam Road landfill operator Veolia in the Supreme Court, alleging a range of serious noncompliances with the State’s environmental protection laws.
The environment regulator announced the news on Tuesday 3 September.
It stated in its media release that odour emissions from Veolia’s Hallam Road landfill had been a persistent problem impacting the local community and the environment.
“While EPA maintains regulatory oversight of the site, conducting regular inspections, issuing remedial notices and tracking Veolia’s management of leachate and landfill gas, EPA believes Veolia has failed to take all reasonably practicable measures to minimise risks from their activity and prevent emissions of odour beyond the landfill,” EPA stated.
“Using powers under the Environment Protection Act 2017 that came into effect in July 2021, EPA is seeking civil remedies against the company.
“This latest action is an escalation of ongoing regulatory action against the company.”
EPA alleged the company did not comply with the requirements of its operating licence and failed to meet its general environmental duty, due to the prolonged impacts of odour from its landfill on residents.
“EPA has been acting for the community for several years, requiring Veolia to better manage the source of the odours from its Hallam Road landfill,” EPA Southern Metropolitan Melbourne Regional manager Bianca Sigismundi said.
“Despite that, we believe Veolia has failed to comply so far as reasonably practicable, and odour remains an ongoing issue.
“EPA will always use all its regulatory powers to address non-compliance that can impact human health and the environment.”
A spokesperson for Veolia said: “We are
Landfill operator criticised in Supreme Court trial
By Violet Li
Veolia has been found to engage in serious misconduct during the Supreme Court trial against its Hallam Road landill neighbour Winsome Anderson.
The landfill operator supplied out-of-date data in breach of its discovery obligations, Justice Michael McDonald stated during a costs ruling on 30 August.
On 18 July, the Supreme Court ruled that Veolia breached its licence and general environment duty (GED) by failing to take all practicable measures to prevent emissions of LFG from exceeding the prescribed levels in the subsurface geology at the landfill boundary between 1 July 2022 and 30 October 2023.
One of the practicable measures Veolia failed to implement is to ensure the optimal efficiency of its landfill gas (LFG) extraction system.
Hope inked in
From page 1
The act of raising awareness and advocacy for brain cancer research is a “privilege” for Sarah, with her saying that she has the chance to speak “on behalf of many”.
“I [recently] just wrote a spiel about, imagine a world where instead of being told you’ve got two to five years to go and make memories, imagine that there’s an alternative where they say, here are your treatment options, here’s what we have for you – I guess that’s what I’m really hoping for.
“My dream is to become a grandma one day, I’d really love to see my daughter, if she chooses to, to walk down the aisle.
“But first and foremost, I’ve got to set myself little goals, at the moment I just want to see her get to kinder, next is to see her get to primary school and then it’ll hopefully be high school and maybe beyond.”
Sarah recalled that there were multiple times when the possibility of her death was high, and the fact that she is still alive, able to move, speak and function made her “want to do something”.
For Brad, having a different take on fundraising is
It was also found during the trial that Veolia briefed one of the expert witnesses with out-ofdate data regarding the performance of the LFG extraction system at the landfill site.
The expert initially testified that the LFG extraction system was operating at the optimal 89 per cent efficiency based on data ending in July 2020.
The data was provided to the expert towards the end of May in 2023 and it was discovered later in court that Veolia received a draft risk assessment report a month before with a comment that suggested less efficient performance of its LFG extraction system in 2022.
The comment made by its environment auditor states: “The collection efficiency could be improved. 60-70 per cent is likely not good enough for odour control in the context of the site.”
The corresponding final report dated 15 September 2023 states that in 2022, the LFG extraction system is operating at an efficiency in the range of 61 per cent to 83 per cent.
The document was initially in evidence when the trial began on 15 November last year but was removed from the supplementary court book on the second day as Veolia claimed its irrelevance. It resurfaced when the expert was called in to address the additional 323 documents discovered by Veolia in December 2023.
“Veolia was aware when the trial commenced on 15 November 2023 that Mr Lane’s evidence regarding the efficiency of the LFG extraction system was based on out-of-date data and did not reflect the performance of the system as of December 2022 and thereafter,” Justice McDonald stated in the judgement.
“I infer that Veolia considered it to be in its interests to allow Mr Lane to give evidence that
the minimum, and the “challenge is getting government support” for initiatives to tackle brain cancer.
“I presume it’ll hopefully come later on, but [it’s about] getting government support for their [Brain Cancer Centre] research.
“I just think that when you went through the centre, you see that if they had extra money, they would
be in a different position.”
Currently, there are 10 tattoos for those who have donated to choose from, with both Brad and Sarah keen on inking a strong message of support.
the LFG extraction system was operating at 89 per cent efficiency because it believed this evidence would aid its defence of the plaintiffs’ claim that it had breached the GED and clause 5 of the licence.
“Through the evidence of Mr Lane in his report of 5 June 2023 Veolia sought to neutralise a key issue in the case.
“It nearly succeeded in doing so.”
Justice McDonald stated that the briefing with out-of-date data had seriously prejudiced the conduct of the proceeding as the revised evidence was “a significant factor underpinning the Court’s conclusion that Veolia had breached the GEP and its operating licence”.
The Court ordered Veolia to pay Ms Anderson standard legal costs, plus additional indemnity costs for the three-month period of the discovery breach.
To make a donation and for more information, visit pointtopinnacle2024.grassrootz.com/cb4bc/ callow-sarah
Both Brad Battin (left) and Sarah Kelly (right) have strong beliefs in the campaign’s cause; with both eager for the tattoo choice to be made. (Ethan Benedicto: 429615)
aware of a recent civil claim lodged by the Victorian EPA in relation to Hallam Road, and we are reviewing their statement of claim.”
Veolia was recently found by the Supreme Court to breach its licence and the general environmental duty at the Hallam Road landfill after
its neighbour Winsome Anderson, who owned a 38-hectare property east of the landfill, launched the lawsuit against the landfill operator in 2022.
Protesters outside Hallam Road landfill. (Stewart Chambers: 307447)
Two boys arrested in probe
Two teenagers have been arrested as part of a homicide investigation into shots fired in Hampton Park in April.
Among the incidents was the fatal shooting of 30-year-old carpenter Aaron Toth in his parked car – in what police believe to be a case of mistaken identity.
A 17-year-old Doveton boy and a 15-year-old Narre Warren boy were arrested and interviewed by police on 3 September, in relation to arson incidents connected to the shootings.
At this time police do not believe the pair were directly involved in the fatal shooting.
The Doveton boy was charged with two counts of arson relating to the allegedly deliberate burning of a stolen Ford Ranger utility on 27 April in Berwick, as well as the burning of a Mazda 3 believed to be connected to the matters.
Police say the Ford Ranger was used by the offenders during the fatal shooting.
That vehicle was set alight a short time later, and police allege that several people left the scene in the Mazda 3.
The Doveton boy has also been charged by Southern Metropolitan Crime Team detectives with unrelated offences including home invasion (x2), aggravated burglary (x4), attempted aggravated burglary (x4), burglary (x2), trespass (x5) and car theft (x14).
He was set to appear at a children’s court on 3 September. The Narre Warren boy was released pending further enquiries.
Homicide Squad detectives were recently joined by Toth’s family in appealing for information about the series of incidents in Hampton Park earlier this year. The devastated parents of Mr Toth have lashed out against his killers, describing them as “cowards”.
The 30-year-old, who had been parked outside his friend’s home was looking forward to becoming a father with his partner, who is expecting a girl in three weeks, his parents said.
Toth’s mother, Kim Toth, said on Monday that “there’s got to be somebody out there who knows something, he didn’t deserve to die like this, nobody does”.
“It’s just not fair, we need some answers.”
Mrs Toth said that those responsible for killing her son should be “locked away forever”.
“They knew exactly what they were doing; they
went there with intentions to kill somebody, why would they be there in a car with a gun?” she said.
In the first incident under investigation, a stolen black Audi Q7 SUV, a black Volkswagen Golf GTI hatchback and a white Toyota Camry sedan are captured on CCTV driving at a fast rate of speed along the Parkway in Hampton Park at 9.21pm on Friday, 26 April.
The black Volkswagen drives onto the grassland, at which point the sound of two gunshots can be heard before all three vehicles speed away from the area. At 10.50pm, a stolen white Mitsubishi Outlander SUV is captured on CCTV chasing a stolen black Audi Q7 through Andrew Street, David Street and Jeffrey Street in Hampton Park.
As the vehicles travel at high speeds on Jeffrey Street, a person can be seen on CCTV leaning out of the passenger side window of the white Mitsubishi Outlander and firing a shot as it drives behind the black Audi Q7.
The sound of 14 gunshots can subsequently be
heard. At 11.36pm, the black Audi Q7 is driven into the driveway of a residential premises on Grammar Way in Hampton Park.
Two men, both wearing light coloured pants and hooded tops, exit the vehicle carrying jerry cans.
Both men empty the jerry cans onto the Audi, before setting it alight and fleeing the scene in a dark coloured sedan waiting nearby.
That vehicle has not yet been identified.
At 12.24am on Saturday, 27 April, the 30-yearold Toth was fatally shot inside his vehicle parked outside a residential address on Bride Avenue in Hampton Park.
Investigators have established he had travelled alone from Melbourne CBD and only arrived at the address a minute earlier.
Toth had no involvement in the earlier incidents in the Hampton Park area and his death is being treated as a case of mistaken identity, police say.
CCTV has captured a stolen grey Ford Ranger
Monitors to guide new Casey councillors
The City of Casey will be one of the few Victorian councils to be appointed municipal monitors in order to guide newly elected councillors in their first year of elected representation.
Soontohappenwiththelocalgovernmentelections in October, monitors will also be appointed to Whittlsea City and Strathbogie Shire Councils to support the transition back to elected councillors and ensure good governance practices.
The Minister for Local Government, Melissa Horne, said that as “Casey City, Whittlesea City and Strathbogie Shire Councils return to elected representation, these monitors will guide incoming councillors in governance practices to help them best serve their ratepayers”.
Both Casey’s and Whittlesea’s councillors
were dismissed in 2020 until the 2024 elections, while Strathbogie councillors were dismissed in late 2023 for the remainder of the term.
The State Government said it reformed the Local Government Act 2020 to improve culture, governance, and integrity standards in Victoria’s councils.
Councils will have a uniform councillor code of conduct to create consistent standards of behaviour and increase accountability, furthermore, a program of mandatory training will be introduced for councillors and mayors, including annual professional development.
These reforms introduce stronger sanctions for councillor misconduct and improved access to resolve conduct matters earlier; they have been
developed in response to reports and recommendations from IBAC, the Chief Municipal Inspector and other interventions.
These highlighted the need for stronger processes and powers to resolve conduct issues and better training so councillors can perform their roles effectively.
“I thank the administrators for their work in supporting the local community through this challenging time - Victorians rightly expect newly elected councillors to maintain the high standard of good governance that have been put in place,” Ms Horne said.
The monitors and their terms of reference will be announced in due course.
utility turning left from Pound Road into Bride Avenue, before travelling south on Bride Avenue.
Occupants from the vehicle discharge shots into his vehicle as they drive past, fatally wounding Aaron.
A 21-year-old Cranbourne North man was charged with murder on Saturday, 29 June and is currently remanded in custody. At 2.27am, the white Mitsubishi Outlander and the grey Ford Ranger utility drove in convoy to Sweeney Reserve, Berwick. At 2.32 am, the grey Ford Ranger utility is set alight. At 2.34 am, the white Mitsubishi Outlander flees the scene.
Investigators are of the belief that all of these incidents are linked and that there are still people involved who have not yet been identified.
The only vehicle not yet recovered is the black Volkswagen Golf GTI hatchback, the whereabouts of which are unknown. The investigation into the series remains ongoing.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Officer hurt
An 18-year-old man has been charged after a male constable was allegedly stabbed at a property in Cranbourne West on the afternoon of Tuesday 3 September.
Police were called to reports of an aggravated burglary at a residential premises on George Frederick Road at about 4.30pm. Officers arrived at the property and one of the members was allegedly confronted by a man in the driveway of the address who stabbed him in the leg. He sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. The Cranbourne West man was arrested and interviewed by police.
Aaron Toth, 30, was fatally wounded after being shot in a case of apparent mistaken identity. (Supplied)
The stolen Audi Q7 SUV, was set alight by its occupants after being driven onto a residential premises in Grammar Way, Hampton Park. (Supplied)
Accused of storage heists
by Cam Lucadou-Wells
A Dandenong man stands accused of plundering scores of household goods worth more than $80,000 from self-storage facilities over several months.
Gilbert Parsooramen, 37, faced 47 charges in a brief appearance at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 28 August.
They included multiple alleged trespasses and thefts at StoreLocal in Hallam and National Storage in Dandenong South in February, March and April 2024.
According to charge sheets, Parsooramen’s alleged looting included boxes of 250 rare film slides valued at $10,000, as well as an array of computers, parts, TVs and speakers worth more than $25,000.
Some of the other listed stolen items at Hallam were industrial vacuums and a Honda pressure washer, flight simulator systems, power tools, welders, fishing rods, projector, phone, iPad, gym bags, roof racks, and a karaoke machine.
At Dandenong South, the alleged stolen items included baby clothes, kitchen wares, laptops, suitcases, personal documents, TVs, whitegoods, a lawn mower, whipper snipper, shoes, battery packs, cycling shirts, dinner and cutlery sets, helmet, sunglasses, a doona quilt set, wine glasses, whisky decanter, chessboard set, a slow cooker and a guitar.
Parsooramen was also charged with stealing a Hiace van, two motorcycles and another vehicle, retaining stolen number plates, fraudulently altering a driver’s license and number plates, dangerous driving after being directed to stop by police, disqualified driving, displaying false number
plates and shoplifting a motorcycle jacket.
He was also accused of dealing with other property suspected to be the proceeds of crime, including more than 70 boxes and items of household goods as well as gloves, a cut lock, lock breaker and bolt cutters.
In another charge, he was accused of dishonestly retaining more than 90 items and boxes of stolen goods, including an e-scooter, designer handbags, sporting memorabilia, a police badge, doctors medicine kit, electronic goods and power tools.
Parsooramen was also charged with possessing an imitation firearm as well as methylamphetamine, 1-4 butanediol and Xanax.
He was bailed to next appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 12 November.
Donuts in a time of need
Storm-affected residents across the South East received a sweet treat and a place to rest and recover, with Krispy Kreme Fountain Gate giving away free Original Glazed donuts from 2pm to 11pm.
With more than 100,000 homes without power on Monday 2 September, Krispy Kreme Fountain Gate encouraged customers to use the shop’s power outlets and Wi-Fi.
Celebration marks early completion of major works
Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) celebrated the end of major works on the Narre WarrenCranbourne Upgrade with a community thankyou event on Saturday 31 August.
To mark the recent completion of major works, MRPV hosted a free event at Cranbourne Racecourse with live musical performances, facepainting, a six-metre slide and the MRPV digger and building blocks.
Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards, Narre Warren South MP Gary Maar and South Eastern Metropolitan MP Lee Tamlaris attended the special occasion to signal the end of major works, which finished 12 months ahead of the scheduled completion date.
The Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade has built:
An extra lane in each direction between Thompsons Road and the South Gippsland Highway
· New Traffic lights to replace the roundabouts on both Thompsons Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road
New signalised intersections at the South Gippsland Highway intersection, Majestic Boulevard and Lyall Street as well as the pedestrian crossing south of Hunt Club Boulevard
· New intersections at Kingdom Drive, Linsell Boulevard and Rochester Parade
· New shared walking and cycling paths
Safety barriers along the road
The Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade also provided nearly 900,000 work hours for local employment and more than doubled the Aboriginal Employment Target.
The project more than doubled its social procurement spend throughout the project, reaching a total of 7.8 per cent spent with social enterprises and Aboriginal-owned businesses, with the following businesses among those engaged with as part of the project:
· NADRASCA - a disability services provider aimed at providing hands-on work experience and employment opportunities to people living with a disability.
· OC Connections – a disability services provider aimed at providing hands-on work experience and employment opportunities to people living with disability.
· Outlook Environmental - a social enterprise with a clear focus on sustainability.
Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards at the celebration party. (Supplied)
Dandenong Magistrates’ Court. (Gary Sissons: 244718)
Krispy Kreme Fountain Gate head of retail Antonio.
Krispy Kreme Fountain Gate customers Kristin, Jess and Alice with their free donuts.
Krispy Kreme Fountain Gate head of retail Antonio with customers Kristin, Jess and Alice and their free donuts. (Stewart Chambers: 429102)
NEWS EACH year is a highlight
By Ethan Benedicto
It was all about bringing vibrancy through their aura and colours in celebration of 50 years, as the purple EACH bus landed in Narre Warren on Monday, engaging with the hub’s staff and the local community from 9am to 11am.
The journey, which began in Ipswich, Queensland, was more than just a commemoration, but also an homage to the Eastern Access Community Health’s foundational goal; their dedication to delivering health and support services that improve lives and strengthen communities.
EACH’s manager for mental health and psychological interventions, Derek Fagan, who is based in the Narre Warren hub said that the whole experience was a fantastic way to “meet all the different services, know each of the staff along the way and hear their experiences of working for the organisation”.
“It was also about you know, wearing our tshirts with the 50th anniversary logo on it and driving on a purple bus and getting a lot of community interest.
“A lot of people in all the communities we stopped at were interested in what we were doing, so we’d stop and talk to them about mental health and aged care, working with young people, NDIS, all the services that we run, so we really galvanised a lot of community interest and support.”
EACH began in 1974, the first site being opened by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and was originally known as the Maroondah Social Health Centre.
It grew steadily, where in 1988 it held 194 volunteers; but it was in 1998 when EACH was born, after merging with the Outer East Council for Developing Services in Mental Health Inc. and Healesville Adult Day Care Centre.
“It really started as a grassroots organisation responding to community needs and health concerns,” Fagan said.
THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN
Thumbs up
To electricity crews and SES for working around the clock in this crazy weather.
Thumbs up
To all emergency service workers for trying to clean up the mess and keep people safe from these horrible storms.
Thumbs down
To McGregor Road roadworks. Please finish already.
Thumbs down
To the power outages this year. It seems our system can not cope, I’m unsure why we pay so much. You would think they would invest in the power lines being underground in this day and age.
“You know, [it was about] linking people to allied health, their GPs, as well as providing support for you aged care, people with disabilities and young people struggling with navigating life.
“It really started with people caring, and that has really been our ethos that’s come through the organisation.”
The goal of the drive was to ultimately connect with people, and celebrate them, as well as the places that have made EACH the advocate for community-based health and support services.
The organisation’s CEO, Natalie Sullivan, said that the drive “is an incredibly proud moment for us”.
“We want to share our pride in our past and our excitement about our future with everyone who has been part of our journey – communities, customers, government funders and of course our amazing team members, past and present.”
EACH provides clinical, counselling and support services that cater to youth and adult mental health, recovery from alcohol and other drugs, as well as physical wellbeing – including dental, nursing, physios and other allied health.
They also attend to people with disabilities, including children with developmental delays;
child, youth and family wellbeing is also a focus, and support for older adults to remain confident, engaged and active.
“We’re really in the whole mix, we work collaboratively in the community,” Fagan said.
“We’re providing real wrap-around support with allied health, support with GPs, Indigenous organisations, cultural and linguistic services, local councils and so on.
“It’s not for profit, we’re not in it just to win contracts, we’re in it to really advocate for the sector, to make sure that funding and the people aren’t forgotten along the way.”
Other hubs in the area were visited; including Ferntree Gully on 30 August, Boronia on 2 September and Ringwood East on 3 September.
Currently, EACH employs 1500 staff supported by 200 volunteers, delivering more than 150 health and support services to 60,000 vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians annually.
Greeted by calm winds and clear skies, Fagan said that the tour was an amazing opportunity for everyone to get together and “be one”, fostering that sense of camaraderie, not just with one another, but also the people they serve.
Cheering Corbras and a flying netball at Cora Lynn on Sunday. (Stewart Chambers: 428917)
From left to right: Derek Fagan, the Narre Warren South Site Manager, Nick Teo, EACH Mental Health AOD Director and Michelle Addicott from EACH FTG. (Stewart Chambers: 428711)
Members from the bus jumped out donning costumes, signs and other trinkets as they arrived at the Narre Warren hub. (428711)
A wave of EACH members gathered at the hub early on Monday morning to greet the purple bus and celebrate the organisation’s 50 years of service. (428711)
Derek Fagan, the Narre Warren South Site Manager, addressed the crowd during the morning’s gathering. (428711)
Crossing crucial for park
By Ethan Benedicto
A beloved and historic site in the heart of Berwick is in need of crucial infrastructural support, locals say, as the dangers of vehicles to crossing pedestrians at the entrance of Wilson Botanic Park show no signs of dwindling.
Akoonah Ward council candidate, Samuel Dennison has recently highlighted the lack of a proper crossing at the park’s entrance, adding that the people’s safety should be a priority.
“This particular area has been a sore point for many in our community, with multiple near misses and tragically, a number of deaths over the years,” Dennison said.
The park, which is known for its lush flora and its historic rock formations is a common goto destination for not just locals, but residents throughout the City of Casey.
However, on busier days, especially on weekends, it is not uncommon for groups of people, from cyclists to families with children in prams to be crossing the Princes Highway, a four-lane road with an 80kph speed limit.
“We need to make sure that kids and families crossing that road to access the Botanical Gardens have a safe way to do so,” Dennison said.
“When the car park becomes regularly full at the gardens, people then park across the road, and then obviously have to then walk across a major highway.”
A signalised pedestrian crossing is what is needed, according to Dennison, in addition to street lighting improvements; where currently the entrance of the gardens holds only two lampposts.
The City of Casey’s CEO, Glenn Patterson said that following pedestrian fatalities in 2017 and in 2023, Casey has “been advocating to the Victorian Government for pedestrian-operated signals”.
“[As well as] improved street lighting on Princes Highway at the entrance to Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick.”
Mr Patterson added that a signalised intersection on the Princes Highway at Coniston Avenue and Wilson Botanic Park access road, including pedestrian crossings to bus stops and street light upgrades, have been planned by the council.
The intersection, which is under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Transport and
Cardinia Leisure are thrilled to once again be able to hold the popular 5km & 10km Fun Run and Walk on Sunday 27 October 2024!
Returning to Deep Creek Reserve Pakenham, the track flows through the reserve wetlands, along side the golf course and the iconic award winning park. We welcome runners of all abilities to get laced up, run or walk your best and have fun doing it! Join our inclusive and supportive community who will help inspire you and your friends along your journey!
10km Run: $40.00 – early bird special until 30 September
5km Run: $35.00 – early bird special until 30 September
5km Walk: $35.00 – early bird special until 30 September
5km Run kids (12-16yrs): $30.00 – early bird special until 30 September
5km Walk kids (5-16yrs): $25.00 – early bird special until 30 September
‘Make a Move, Make a Difference’
All proceeds from the Cardinia Fun Run and Walk will be donated to the Cardinia Foundation. Your support means that the foundation can continue to support vulnerable members of our community.
Once you have registered you can create your own fundraising page to raise even more for our community.
crossing the road.
Speaking for the Friends, their “general feeling is that we would like to see some lights there.”
“Not just a marked pedestrian crossing, but one with lights; there is also a bus stop on either side and there is no other way but to cross the highway in order to get to either side of the road.
“It’s extremely dangerous, I’m a walker and I know what it’s like standing in the middle and waiting for cars to zoom past,” Ms Duncan said.
To Jennifer Robson, a Berwick local who has been in the area for over 25 years, it’s integral that something is done about the lack of proper pedestrian access and safety.
“It’s the lighting, early in the morning or late at night, there is no lighting and it’s very difficult to see,” Ms Robson said.
Adding to the fact that it is “dark and dangerous”, crossings at Berwick Village and the intersection at Parkhill Drive and Mansfield Street are not effective options for parkgoers.
“You’ve got to take into consideration people of all abilities, not everyone has the capacity to walk 150 to 200 metres, so people take a chance to cross the road.
In the meantime, Mr Patterson said that visitors to Wilson Botanic Park are “encouraged to park and walk to enter the park” through Kramer Drive and Bournevale Drive pedestrian entrances.
“If walking from the William Road and Berwick township, [pedestrians are] to use the pedestrian pathways for safe access.
Planning, has been identified by the council as a priority project, with an estimated cost of $10 million.
Jenny Duncan, president of the Friends of Wilson Botanic Park is of the same mind, recalling the many times that members of the Friends have seen people taking “many risks” when it came to
“Council has implemented a range of initiatives to help visitors safely access Wilson Botanic Park; we recently trialled temporary traffic lights at some of our larger events, which was well-received by visitors and local residents.,” he said.
While Casey Council has identified the need for upgrades at the intersection, there have been no funding commitments made by the State Department of Transport and Planning.
Samuel Dennison (left) and local resident Jennifer Robson (right) have called for improved pedestrian access to Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick. (Ethan Benedicto: 429840)
NEWS Expert hails all-electric pilot
By Ethan Benedicto
With the State Electricity Commission’s all-electric pilot rolling out in the City of Casey, a local expert has emphasised its importance as a key step forward to a more sustainable community.
A Narre Warren resident, and Federation University’s engineering executive dean, Iven Mareels said that the entire “initiative in itself is very worthwhile”.
“For many people in Australia, they actually don’t know very much about their appliances [such as] the difference between a well-insulated house and a non-insulated house can be significant in energy consumption,” he said.
Professor Mareels, vice-chancellor of innovation and executive dean of the Institute for Innovation, Science and Sustainability, also added that homes that are not fully oriented to use the sun “as a maximum possibility” are another aspect that hinders people.
A Cranbourne North resident for over 10 years, and the eldest child in a family of five, Charlene Deldio sees the pilot as an opportunity for residents to be more “in tune” with their energy expenditure.
Ms Deldio, who has been a keen advocate for her family’s installation of solar panels, said that the pilot is a “good step towards better caring for the planet”.
“Mainly because where there is such a large LGA, I think mass community action really matters, so having this [initiative] at a council level is important.”
With eyes set to touch on the digital platform and its survey, Ms Deldio added that there are some high chances for her family to explore alternative options.
“We’re always looking for ways to be more cost-efficient in the household, with our costs, and obviously electric energy will lead to overall lower costs in general.
“I think a lot of people try to be, or want to be sustainable, but most of the time they just don’t know where to start and it can be really discouraging because there’s a lot of information out there.
“But with this initiative, it’s a bit clearer when it comes to seeing the wastage and because of the free digital platform, more people can really target where and how to cut their energy bills,” she said.
Holding the same sentiment, Professor Mareels added that the SEC initiative encourages foundational habitual change, which he coined as the very first step and that is to “use less”.
“The fact that we are very easy to spill or to waste energy is a problem, the less we use, the less infrastructure we have to build, the less we have to generate and the less we have to transport - everything follows from how much we consume.
“If we can become wiser in consumptive use, and reduce this use, everybody wins,” he said.
The SEC pilot initially rolled out in the City of Casey and the City of Merri-bek in the later days of August, and while there was no confirmed date, the City of Ballarat is scheduled to begin theirs this month.
With eventual plans to expand the pilot throughout the state, Professor Mareels said that while the advisory role can be delivered readily at a large scale, the nuances are “going to be different”.
“People living in high-rises have different needs from people that live in semi-rural areas and different needs from people that live in semi-
dense areas.
“These nuances are going to come out when you roll it out widely, and while the first phase us use less, the second phase is, how do you become more efficient?” he said.
The professor also expressed challenges presented by people in different living conditions, taking into account financial measures, but also the stark differences in the realm of opportunity for those with mortgages, and those who
Probus welcomes guest speaker Paula Taylor
The Probus Club of Casey Combined in Berwick welcomed Paula Taylor from the Friends of Ermera as guest speaker to the club’s August meeting.
Friends of Ermera is a group based in South East Melbourne working to empower communities in Timor Leste in partnership with the Municipality of Ermera, focusing on the education and capacity of individuals and groups in Ermera.
Paula spoke about Casey Council’s involve-
ment and support with the Ermera Municipality since 2004, supporting the work of rebuilding Ermera communities and with funding to aid a Community Development worker in Ermera.
She also told attendees about her visits to Ermera, the teacher training projects, English language study centres, support for young people with disability, scholarship programs, and displayed a number of handmade items which the women of Ermera produced.
the high costs upfront, but going electrical would prove to be useful in the long run due to its reliability,” she said.
Looking further ahead, Professor Mareels spoke on the third phase of the SEC’s initiative and coined it as a phase where things could become “tricky” when it comes to demand management.
The professor used solar’s current state as an example of this struggle with demand and supply, where solar power that is not used locally is sent back to the grid; which in turn causes issues for those managing the grid due to not having enough space to store the energy.
“You can’t ask everyone to put in batteries, because of safety and price, the cost return investment is not there yet,” Professor Mareels said.
“So how you actually manage that surplus solar wisely, that is complicated; and that causes headaches for everybody; there are ways for doing that but for the moment, these feel kind of ‘big-brother-like’.
“Can I control your air conditioning for example, can I control your fridge, can I control your freezer? These types of questions need to be answered when you do real demand management.”
Returning to the program’s roots, as an educator, Professor Mareels believes that encouraging discussion of sustainability, waste management and other related topics, early on in one’s education is important when it comes to “bringing people’s attention” to alternative options.
While the pilot, especially the free digital platform is effective in providing the mentioned alternatives, the professor added that it can be difficult for people to “interpret” the information provided, especially when it comes to the complexities of power, energy and how it all comes together.
“However, doing it indirectly through schools where you have the attention and people, where [topics] like sustainability, the environment, energy and power are concepts that can get across.
“Even at primary school, in my opinion, you can reach a population indirectly much quicker through young people; it instils behaviours from school, where life goes on outside of that.
“There are a lot of ways we can minimise our power use, and that way then the kids will bring it home [from school],” Professor Mareels said.
On a more positive note, visualisation and competition between LGAs could also be a possible realm of opportunity, where energy consumption, not just per household, but per municipality became more visible to the general public.
“This is me fantasising, but maybe Bunjil Place could have a display on that shows Casey is producing x-amount of solar, we’re consuming this much energy and how we’re behaving as a community, and Cardinia would have the same.
“You could use the competitive behaviour of being the most sustainable community, as a way of helping us to understand the importance of energy; it’s just visualising, understanding what we’re doing and what we can better do about it.
are renting.
Seeing the pilot in a “positive light” Ms Deldio also wanted to highlight the costs of switching as a detrimental factor, saying that it’s important to “know people’s different economic standings and how accessible this program is, or how accessible sustainable practices are in general.”
“I think it’s definitely an investment, I think for people who can afford it and are sitting on the fence, I would say it’s important to consider
“Because unless people can get their head around it and see for themselves, it’s not going to happen,” the professor said.
Ultimately, Professor Mareels encourages residents to take part in the pilot, considering its educational benefits.
“We’re a wasteful society, and reflecting on [Australia], we are a lucky country, but that doesn’t mean we have to exhaust our luck,” he said.
The City of Casey was contacted for comment but did not respond before going to press.
Friends of Ermera’s Paula Taylor with Probus Club of Casey Combined’s Sue Rundle. (Supplied)
Professor Iven Mareels from Federation University sees the SEC’s pilot as an effective way for residents to be oriented with their energy expenditure, but also as the step forward to a more sustainable society. (Supplied)
Wife killer faces life in jail
By Tara Cosoleto, AAP
A man faces the prospect of life behind bars after being found guilty of murdering his wife with an axe in front of their teenage daughter in Sandhurst.
Dinush Kurera, 47, blinked and looked straight ahead as the jury’s foreman read out their guilty verdict on Friday.
The Victorian Supreme Court jurors spent less than three hours deliberating before reaching their decision.
Kurera admitted to killing his estranged wife Nelomie Perera, 43, on 3 December, 2022, but denied committing murder as he claimed to have acted in self-defence.
During the trial, the couple’s two teenage children gave evidence to the jury about their mother’s final moments.
Their daughter, who was 16 at the time of the murder, said Kurera came to their house armed with an axe and threatened to burn the property down if they tried to contact police.
She said her mother was already bleeding from the head when she came downstairs and when her brother tried to flee, Kurera chased after him with the axe.
The teen told the jury she ran to the bathroom and tried to call triple-zero but the calls did not connect.
She then heard her mother’s screams so she ran back into the kitchen and saw Kurera holding an axe and hovering over Ms Perera, who was bleeding on the kitchen floor.
Ms Perera’s screams for help were captured on a safety watch and played to the jury in the early days of the trial.
Kurera then grabbed a knife and used it and the axe to strike and stab Ms Perera repeatedly in the neck and upper body, their daughter said.
Ms Perera yelled out “I’m dead” as she was attacked and the girl ran from the house to her neighbours next door.
CCTV footage played to the jury showed her banging on the front door, saying “dad’s killing mum” and “I’m pretty sure she’s dead”.
Kurera had a different version of events, when he took the stand to give evidence in the final days of the trial.
He told the jury Ms Perera had threatened him with a knife and bit his finger during a heated argument in their Melbourne home.
He claimed he was scared she was going to attack him when he grabbed an axe and hit her
“only a couple of times”.
Ms Perera was found dead in a pool of blood with 35 separate wounds, prosecutors told the jury.
Kurera also denied assaulting his 17-year-old son by striking him with an axe as the teen tried to flee the house during the altercation.
The teenage boy described to the jury how Kurera attacked him before someone, believed to be Ms Perera, dragged his father off him.
The jury retired to consider their verdicts at
11.10am on Friday after hearing four weeks of evidence.
They returned with their two guilty verdicts, to the charges of murder and assault, at 2pm.
A large number of Ms Perera’s family and friends filled the court’s upstairs public gallery for the verdict.
Kurera was returned to custody and will front the Supreme Court in November for a pre-sentence hearing.
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Dinush Kurera (left) arrives to the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne, Wednesday, 31 July, 2024. (AAP Image/James Ross)
Award for protecting kids
South-East based police officer Senior Constable Emma Fordham has received a prestigious award for her work in turning young people’s lives around.
Fordham received a 2024 Victorian Protecting Children Award on 3 September for her role in Victoria Police’s Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT).
She took out the Keeping At Risk Young People Safe category.
“I feel very honoured to be given the opportunity to spotlight this work,” she said. “I’m so appreciative.
“I don’t do this job for awards, but it’s great to have the recognition.”
Fordham works with young people at high risk of sexual exploitation as well as those in the justice system in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia.
“I work hard to build trust with each young person, and try to empower them to make better decisions,” she said.
“I find strengths they have, and steer them in that positive direction, and I’m there as a positive role model as well.
“We really encourage positive relationships, and work with child protection authorities and other services to make sure each young person has the supports they need.”
A standout case for her was an 11-year-old who’d lost a parent and gone down a negative path.
“This young person was entrenched in criminal offending, and at risk of child sexual exploitation as well,” she said.
“I had to work very hard to get her trust – it was made more difficult that her single parent didn’t have much trust in law enforcement.
“It took work, but I slowly got her to trust me. Once I identified supports that could be put in place for her and her single parent, things started to turn around.”
Now the girl is back at school and speaking positively about her future.
“She’s doing so well,” she said. “She hasn’t reoffended, which is a fantastic result.
“I’m still engaged with her, and ready to offer my assistance if she needs it in the future.”
These are the “wins” that are the best part of her job, as well as working with her SOCIT colleagues.
“The changes are ultimately up to the young people, but it’s great we can be there, to support
them to change for the better.”
Fordham is also seeing positive outcomes from running training for other police officers to use trauma-informed approaches.
Dandenong-based Senior Sergeant Nicole Cowan praised her colleague’s “outstanding” dedication and commitment.
“Emma’s so genuine, and that means she makes an incredible difference.”
The 2024 Victorian Protecting Children Awards are run by the Department of Families,
Fairness and Housing.
Children Minister Lizzie Blandthorn congratulated all winners and finalists for their crucial work.
“Every child has the right to a safe and happy childhood and these awards acknowledge the exceptional workers, carers and community members who go above and beyond to help Victoria’s most vulnerable children.”
“I’m proud to celebrate our outstanding Victorians who work tirelessly to keep children safe and families strong every day.”
St Francis de Sales Primary School celebrates Book Week
St Francis de Sales Primary School in Lynbrook celebrated this year’s Book Week on Monday 2 September.
With this year’s theme ‘Reading is Magic’, students celebrated the power of books to make them feel, question, wonder, and experience.
Students dressed up in costumes to express their love for books. They spent the day with a range of fun activities that focused on the theme and nominated books. Reading, fun challenges, quizzes and even some arts were incorporated into the activities.
Jai and Abby from Perform Education visited the school again to deliver a performance.
“The day is great because we get to have fun dressing up and creating costumes from our favourite books. Every year we always do new activities and learn about why reading is important,” student Evie said.
“I love the day and dressing up with my friends. The show was great and it’s always fun to have a day where we get to do fun activities,” student Joy said.
The school’s literacy leader Joanna Forbes said it was a fun day had by all with a positive atmosphere for children to interact and engage with each other doing different activities.
“Perform Education’s play is a highlight of our Book Week celebrations every year,” she said.
“The children love the performance. It engages them through song and dance as well as a fantastic story line incorporating the nominated
and
year’s performance
we are surrounded by little
that we should be grateful for.”
books
a key message that relates to their everyday lives.
“The takeaway from this
was a particularly special one for us, that every day
miracles
Raphael, Cleo, Evie, Evangeline, Paloma and Jax. (428734)Teachers Matilda as Shek and Claire as Fiona. (428734)Perform Education is putting on a play for the students. (428734)
Tyler and Odin. (428734)
Teachers in costumes. (Stewart Chambers: 428734)
Senior Constable Emma Fordham, pictured left with Senior Sergeant Nicole Cowan, is a finalist in the Victorian Protecting Children Awards. (Stewart Chambers: 428288)
Decades of volunteering
By Violet Li
On 15 September, Indra Jolayemi, Casey Hospital
Operating Theatre’s clinical nurse specialist, will travel to Tonga for the 13th time in 14 years as an overseas volunteer.
For many, overseas volunteering is a one-off experience, but for the Officer resident, it has almost been a pilgrimage. The bond has been so deep that she almost thinks she’s a permanent resident there.
Around 2011, Indra signed up for the Global Health Program by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. The program branch Indra was selected seeks to support medical education and specialised hospital services throughout the Pacific. Indra’s role has been mainly to assist in urological surgeries for a week. For the past two years, the program has been sponsored by the Pasifika Medical Association.
“When my consultant who I was working with said he was going to Tonga to volunteer and he would need a nurse, I put up my hand,” she recalled.
“I went through a selection process. I was interviewed and they want to know if I’m committed and if I can follow through.
“A lot of people might go for one time, but they never follow through because you have to leave your family and go there for seven or 10 days.”
Indra proved she was not one of the many people, through time and tears.
She would never forget the day when she departed from Australia.
“When I first went, my son was 10 years old. I am a single mother, and I remember the first time I was like confused, I’ve been waiting for this opportunity, but who’s going to look after my son?” she recalled.
“But I have very good church friends. They said, this is a good course, go for it, and we will look after your son, and they said he would understand.
“I remember when I was travelling to the airport, I cried all the way to the airport because I was thinking, am I doing the right thing, leaving my son behind and doing something I wanted to do?
“But it turned out really well because he understood doing things for other people was a good thing. Thank God that it worked out well.”
First time in Tonga, Indra and the team she was a part of performed a minimally invasive kidney stone extraction, which had never been done before in Tonga or any of the Pacific islands.
“You can’t forget the first time. At that time, they usually had big open surgery to remove kidney stones. But this time, it was minimally invasive, and even the local media reported on it,” Indra said.
On a normal volunteering day, the team members work from morning till evening trying to cover as many cases as possible, right from stone cases to bladder conditions and prostate conditions.
“We do a transurethral resection of the prostate, which the local doctors are not trained to do. Patients are often with long-term urethral catheters, and they wait for us for further management,” Indra said.
“A problem is we don’t have too much of equipment. We don’t have modern equipment. We used to carry very simple equipment which was usually supplied by the Royal College of Surgeons. However, as time goes on, we sometimes ask the product companies to donate, and we carry it in our excess luggage. Donation is a big part of our program.
“We also go there to teach the Tongans, to build their capacity. I teach the nurses all the principles of operating theatre, sterility and that sort of thing so that they can do it themselves. That’s our main aim. We are not there just to do
it for them.
“We want to teach so that it’s sustainable so that they can continue doing these procedures when we are not there.”
Volunteering overseas for Indra is not only about imparting knowledge, but it is more about learning.
“When you are away from home and your comfort zone, you have to be resourceful. You will learn how to be creative. You are in a hospital with limited resources. You look around to make sure that patients are taken care of,” she said.
“And we use the same principles in health
care, whether you are in a developed country or a developing country, the principles are the same.
“You make sure there’s no infection. You make sure that everything is carried out to the highest standards, so you become resourceful. How are you going to do it is something that you need to think about.
“You can work yourself. You find a way of doing things. You become you become part of a solution, not part of a problem.”
Working life is certainly not the sole business during the volunteering. The team usually gets one day off.
“In the past, we used to go to these little islands for a boat trip and sit there for a day and come back,” Indra recalled.
“But after the tsunami in 2022, a lot of the islands disappeared and a lot of the little resorts in those islands are completely gone.
“They could never rebuild it in this lifetime. This is not a very rich country, and they don’t have any resources to build it back again. Then a lot of people in the islands have been displaced. They left the little islands, and they came to the main island where the king of Tonga gave them land to rebuild their homes.
“Over the 10 years we were visiting Tonga, we saw quite a transition. Tongans are very resilient people. They try their best to come back to normal.”
It has always been the people that move Indra and lure her back again and again. She has made lots of very good friends in the past decade whom she speaks to almost every other day through messages.
Sometimes when they are stuck with something like a urology emergency, they will call Indra up or text her and ask millions of questions.
“Tongans are very appreciative of what we do. Towards the end of the visit, when we go to the wards to see them postoperatively, the smile is itself very rewarding. That is a form of satisfaction we get.
“We don’t get paid, but the time that we spend looking after them, the smiles and the gratitude towards us are beyond words actually.”
Indra took her son to Tonga one year when he was around 12. He was in the hospital helping out and he enjoyed his time there.
Innovation versus invention and outcome uncertainty
What’s the difference between an ‘innovation’ and an ‘invention’? Are they actually the same thing or is there a discernible difference? If you ask Google for the answer, it states the following:
“Invention involves creating something entirely new, for example the first light bulbs or the telephone. Innovation, on the other hand, is the process of improving the existing creations or finding new applications for them.”
So, using this definition, if ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ as the old proverb would have us believe, then perhaps ‘efficiency is the father of innovation’? If this is true, then something that both clearly have in common is the need to do or create something different and both are typically the result of thinking about things in an alternative way. The starting point is often a problem which may be prefaced by statement along the lines of “if only we could…..” or “if it weren’t for X, then we could…” etc and this is where the journey can begin.
TAKING CARE
IAN ASH OF BUSINESS
It is not easy for anyone to invent or innovate anything since this involves what’s known as a ‘Paradigm Shift’, i.e. “a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions” (according to the English Oxford Dictionary) which necessarily means taking a quite different perspective. Hard to do when you have been doing something in a particular way over a sustained period of time. However, this is where I recommend taking the advice of Stephen Covey (‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’): “Start with the end in mind”. The more clearly you can envision the end result, the easier it is to work back from there to see where and how things could
be done differently. Another similarity that innovation and invention share is the uncertainty of the outcome. Very rarely does anything work first time, and in business there are no overnight successes. Nearly all great achievements are the result of years of sustained effort and incremental improvements, and it is exactly the same for innovations and inventions. For example, many people believe that Thomas Edison was the first person to invent the electric light bulb, but this is not actually the case. In 1800, Alessandro Volta (after whom the electrical “volt” was named) invented the first practical method of generating electricity and his ‘voltaic pile’ is also one of the first examples of incandescent lighting. In 1802, Humphrey Davy went one better and invented the ‘electric arc lamp’ (so named due to the arc of light emitted between two carbon rods) but this lamp burned out too quickly so was not a practical solution for common use. Joseph Swan developed a lightbulb comprised of carbonised paper filaments housed in a vacuum tube in
1850 but back then vacuum pumps were inefficient rendering his lightbulb unusable from a commercial perspective. It was Edison’s idea of using a thin filament (which required only a small amount of current) which was the gamechanger in 1879 and the rest is history.
However, what is generally not known is that Edison had actually made around 1,000 unsuccessful attempts before he invented a commercially viable light bulb which really does reinforce the point that there are no ‘overnight successes’. I think his quote nails the point:
“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration”
So if you have a great idea of a new invention or an innovative way of doing something differently, don’t give up, you never know what may be achieved.
Indra Jolayemi, Casey Hospital Operating Theatre’s clinical nurse specialist, has been volunteering in Tonga for the past 14 years. (Supplied)
Indra in a theatre in Tonga. (Supplied)
Shock following tragedy
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Friends and supporters are grieving the “heartbreaking” death of a 23-year-old Dandenong asylum seeker said to have lost hope after more than a decade without permanent visa protection.
Mano Yogalingham died in hospital on Wednesday 28 August after self-harming in a car near Noble Park Skate Park.
He stood vigil at a 24/7 camp outside the Department of Home Affairs office in Docklands, coordinating the protest as well as staying up through the night to protect colleagues from assaults and thefts.
Asylum seeker Rathy Barthlot, who met Yogalingham at the camp, says he was a “very strong, energetic … a lovely young boy” as well as “humble”.
“He’s not scared about anyone else. When we were in the camp, he was not sleeping during the night and looking after us.
“He’d say ‘you go to sleep, I’ll look after you guys’.
“We’re very shocked. His family is very shocked. Everyone is very heart-broken.”
Barthlot says Yogalingham had been “worried about his living conditions, living like a jailed person”.
“Since he was 11 years old he’s been a refugee living in a limbo life.
“The Government needs to consider our situation, our mental issues and suffering. Who is going to listen to us?
“Please grant us permanent visas. Let us live with some dignity and have the same rights as everyone else.”
Yogalingham fled from Sri Lanka by boat as an 11-year-old with his parents and four siblings.
The Tamil family had their claim for protection rejected under Australia’s ‘Fast Track’ system.
For more than half his life, Australia had been his home but he’d been “treated like a second-
class citizen”, says Tamil Refugee Council founder Aran Mylvaganam.
Yogalingham had many friends and family but was believed to have issues with an ex-partner at the time.
His visa “limbo” is believed to have plagued his mental health, Mylvaganam says.
Yogalingham’s “heart-breaking” demise was the third Tamil refugee known to self-immolate in the past 12 years.
“When you look at all of them, they were very community minded, they were loved and really strong people.”
It followed another Dandenong Tamil’s premature death from unknown causes a month ago, Mylvaganam says.
“We’ve been living with this issue for many issues – one death after another. If the Government resolved everyone’s situation we wouldn’t see these deaths.
“It’s the uncertainty – you can’t get a decent job. As soon as it’s found out that you’re on a bridging visa, it comes to an end.
“Without permanent residency they go
through hell.”
There was later word of a Doveton Tamil in his 40’s dying prematurely on Friday 30 August. Tamil community members were fundraising to send his body to relatives in Sri Lanka.
There are an estimated 9,000-plus asylum seekers denied a pathway to permanent residency.
Many are awaiting review from the Immigration Minister as well as the new Administrative Review Tribunal.
According to Mylvaganam, that’s now 9000 lives that must be saved.
“My view is this is not just the Liberals’ cruel policy but Labor is using these refugees as political tools.
“The numbers of people dying in the community stopped when Labor came to power. But now I feel hopelessness is setting in.
“I hope we can turn the mourning into a form of resistance, rather than giving up.”
Justice and Freedom for Ceylon Tamils president Wicki Wickiramasingham, who is an ALP member, says there is mounting desperation for
those in limbo before next year’s federal election.
And a sense of betrayal.
“The people trusted to save their lives have let them down.
“If the Government still has done nothing by December this year, we fear nothing might happen.”
Bruce MP Julian Hill, who is Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, said Yogalingham’s death was an “utterly horrific and tragic incident”.
“Any Australian – indeed any decent human being – would feel appalled that a person could get to the point in their mental health that this seems like not just an option, but a thing to do.
“My thoughts are with this man’s family, friends, first responders and anyone else affected.”
Hill said the department had not briefed him in detail on Yogalingham’s circumstances.
“Many asylum seekers in my community were stuck in limbo for the best part of a decade, never able to leave as genuine refugees, but never able to confirm and build their life here or, in many cases, see their children and grandchildren.”
He said the election pledge of permanent protection for people with TPV and SHEV visas had been implemented.
“Almost 18,000 of the 19,000 Temporary Protection Visa holders in limbo for a decade under the Liberals have now been granted permanent visas and many others from the Bridging Visa caseload are now also now able to apply for permanent protection.
“The legacy of the remaining caseload is complex, and every case is different and needs to be worked through individually.”
The majority of those remaining are 7376 who have had their visas refused, cancelled or expired. Many of them are seeking a review.
A further 2475 had been denied visas but had not yet sought a review.
LIFELINE 13 11 14
A car, believed to be Mano Yogalingham’s, abandoned at Noble Park Skate Park. (Gary Sissons: 428441)
Mano Yogalingham, 23, died after self-harming in a car at Noble Park Skate Park.
Blokes unite for a cause
The ninth Cardinia Casey Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch at Gumbuya World last Friday is on track to raise $75,000 and, just as importantly, increased awareness of the dangers of prostate cancer.
The 450 guests heard from former AFL star David Schwarz about his addictive nature and gambling exploits and of former NBA player Chris Anstey’s run-in with the likes of basketball legend Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman.
Schwarz told the crowd he lost over $4 million to gambling throughout his AFL career, including one night at Crown Casino where he won a $300,000 house and land package in Pakenham on a poker machine jackpot, had it converted to chips and lost the lot within 13 hours.
Eye-watering stuff.
But it was an address by Star News Group owner and managing director Paul Thomas that organisers hope resonated more with the sell-out crowd.
He spoke about the loss of good friends and media colleagues Bruce Ellen and Chris McPherson to prostate cancer.
“This year there’s an absence that weighs heavily,” he said.
“Sadly, we are one person less than we would be normally. Bruce Ellen, who attended most of the last nine lunches, is no longer with us.
“Bruce lost his fight with prostate cancer in March this year after fighting it for many years.
“Bruce was the managing director of the Latrobe Valley Express and Gippsland Times, a man who poured his heart and soul into everything he did.
“But beyond his career, Bruce was someone who cared deeply about his community. For 13 years, he spearheaded the Wellington Shire and also the Latrobe Valley Biggest Blokes lunches, raising awareness about prostate cancer and urging men like you and me to get tested, to take care of ourselves.”
Paul said Bruce was a fighter, but despite all his strength, the terrible disease claimed him at just 65.
“It’s hard to believe that a man so full of life, so determined, could be brought down by something so insidious. As a great friend his loss is deeply personal for me.
“And then there’s Chris McPherson, owner of the Shepparton News and other media assets in that region.
“Chris wasn’t just a friend—he like Bruce was a mentor, a guide, someone I looked up to. When Chris was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, it was already too late. The cancer had advanced, and despite all the fight he had in him, the odds were stacked against him.
“I can’t help but wonder: what if Chris had been diagnosed earlier? What if he had that chance? Prostate cancer, when caught early, can be beaten. But Chris didn’t have that opportunity.
“Yet, instead of giving in, Chris did something extraordinary. He took his diagnosis and turned it into a mission. He founded Shepparton’s Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch, and through sheer determination, he spread the message across the country.
“Chris reached out to all his friends in local media and asked them to start Biggest Blokes Lunches, which is the reason this lunch exists today. He made sure that other men wouldn’t face the same fate, that they would have the chance he didn’t get. Chris fought for all of us, raising millions of dollars for prostate cancer research and
organising events to raise awareness, all while knowing that his own time was running out.
“Chris passed away in 2015, but his legacy lives on in every event like this one, in every man who gets tested because of his efforts.”
Paul said losing Bruce and Chris had been one of the hardest things he had faced.
“These were men of incredible strength, vision, and heart. Men who made the world better just by being in it. And now, they’re gone, taken by a disease that too often goes undetected until it’s too late.
“Gentlemen, I can’t stress this enough: prostate cancer is a silent killer. It doesn’t make a lot of noise until it’s already done its damage. But there is hope. A simple blood test, just a few minutes out of your day, can save your life. It could have saved Chris and it can save you.
“So, I’m asking you, please don’t wait. Don’t let this disease take any more of our friends, our
brothers, our fathers, or our sons. Talk to your doctor. Get tested. Do it for yourself, do it for your family, do it for the people who love you and need you around.
“Bruce and Chris fought hard to make sure others wouldn’t have to go through what they did. They left us with a responsibility—to take care of ourselves, to take care of each other. Let’s make sure their fight wasn’t in vain.
“As we continue with today’s lunch, let’s remember Bruce and Chris, not just for who they were, but for what they stood for. Let’s honour them by making a commitment to our own health, to getting tested, and to spreading the word to every man we know.”
Success Cardinia Casey Biggest Ever Blokes lunch chairman Dan O’Loughlin was thrilled with the response to the event, which celebrated its 10th year.
He said the calibre of speakers at Gumbuya World on Friday 30 August was outstanding and guests gave generously to the cause.
The $75,000 raised takes the tally in the nine lunches to date to $750,000, an outstanding effort.
The bulk of those funds will go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s Victorian branch and some will be distributed to men’s health initiatives locally.
“I am loving the support the community is throwing behind the day,” Dan said. “It seems to be growing every year.
“This event, which sells out in no time, wouldn’t run the way it does without the support of the local community.
“We had another fantastic event in a magnificent venue at Gumbuya World.”
Dan acknowledged the work of outgoing chairman Garry Howe in steering the committee through the first eight lunches.
Former AFL star David Schwarz and John Fromhold. (422899)
Ron Weinzierl from Gumbuya World. (422899)MC Des Dowling. (422899)
Star News Group owner and managing director Paul Thomas. (422899)
Approximately 450 people attended the Cardinia Casey Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch at Gumbuya World. (422899)
The successful candidate will be responsible for increasing revenue by selling our products and services to potential and existing customers via phone call.
This is a part-time role with flexible hours.
Key Responsibilities
•Manage a portfolio of existing customers and develop relationships with new customers.
•Conduct outbound telesales calls to promote our products and services.
• Achieve and exceed sales targets and KPIs.
•Keep accurate and updated records of customer interactions and sales leads.
•Coordinate with the sales and marketing team to align sales strategies and campaigns.
•Telesales or cold-calling experience is preferred but not essential.
•Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Results driven and target-oriented mindset.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail.
The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.
Send your application letter and resume to: Advertising Sales Manager
Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au
THE LOWDOWN
Q&A
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I donated some of my eggs to the IVF program. What do you love the most about your work?
My boss’ wife brings me lattes and cake! What has been your most memorable moment?
I met Boy George last year. What a delightful human he is.
What were you like as a kid?
I was always a little different and unique. I guess that’s one of the reasons I admire Boy George, he showed me it was okay to be weird. What event, past or present, would you like to witness?
The Berlin Wall coming down. I am lucky enough to have a piece of it.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Loyal, kind, and thoughtful.
What would you do on your perfect ‘day off’? I would have a long breakfast with my partner, something with mushrooms. I have a women’s social group in Berwick called ‘Ladies with HATitude’, which is really a playgroup for ladies! So I would have a lunch with my friends, followed by family time with my kids and grandkids, probably a picnic dinner at a lake and flying kites. Where is your happy place?
Anywhere my family is, or Sandros in Berwick enjoying a Long Island Iced Tea!
If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?
Lamb cutlets, because they are too expensive to buy these days and I wouldn’t have to buy them myself!
Where is your dream holiday destination?
Anywhere with warm sunshine. I was not built to live in Melbourne!
WHAT’S
ON
Casey Pet Expo
Saturday 14 September, 11am - 3pm, Wilson Botanic Park, Berwick
Come and explore the beautiful surroundings of Wilson Botanic Park, participate in pet-related workshops and watch live demonstrations. There will also be live entertainment, roving performers, face painting and an abundance of exciting market stalls showcasing the latest in pet products (including food, clothing and unique accessories).
· If you do decide to bring your pet with you, please make sure they are on a lead. No bookings are required.
Dancing to the Silhouettes
Social ballroom dancing at Clyde Public Hall, 30 Railway Road from 8pm on Saturday 31 August. Tea and coffee provided, BYO food and drinks.
· To purchase tickets for $15, phone Ingrid on 0432 594 630.
Cranbourne Senior Citizens Community Day - Proudly sponsored by the City of Casey.
Dance with Pete and Lloyd from the Silhouettes, lunch and afternoon tea included, Friday 6th September 10.30am-4pm.
Not a member? Doesn’t matter, come along and join the fun.
Weekly activities - Line Dancing Mon. 10am12pm, New Vogue and Old Time Dance Tue. 1pm3:30pm, Carpet Bowls Wed. & Sat. 11:30am2:30pm, Bingo Thur. 11am-2pm.
· For all enquiries or bookings contact Marilyn mobile 0432 107 590.
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
Wright
THREE … ways to embrace International Day of Democracy
1
Taking part in community forums and debates is an integral part of democracy at a local level. Whether you are organising or simply participating, discussing important topics such as infrastructure, education and or community services at events where diverse voices can be heard is a prime example of civic engagement.
2
Celebrating cultural diversity is another to commemorate the day; since democracy thrives on inclusivity, organising events with a focus on multiculturalism that emphasises the celebration of diverse backgrounds is one way of taking part.
3
Civic education workshops are also another way to commemorate the day, where you or a group of people could hold workshops that have a focus on educating other residents about democratic processes, the importance of voting and how local governments operate.
gardening group or the Resincraft group, with social ballroom classes now underway.
· For more information, visit www.u3acranbourne.org.au
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
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.
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
Connected Libraries - Buildings of Casey Photography Competition 2024
Calling all photographers – be part of recording the City of Casey as it is now, for future generations!
Enter the “Buildings of Casey” photography competition this spring and help them collect images of the City of Casey’s current buildings, for tomorrow’s history. Photos submitted will be kept in our Local History Archive and used for historical projects in the future.
The competition opens: Sunday 1 September 2024 at 9am. Competition ends: Monday 30 September 2024 at 5pm
Theme: Buildings of Casey
Age Sections: Adult, 16 years and older; Children, under 16 years (age at time of entry) Go to connectedlibraries.org.au/caseyphotocompetition
Prizes: 1st: $75 visa gift card; 2nd: $50
in Narre Warren North is one of the many heritage-listed buildings in the city of Casey (Stewart Chambers: 353661)
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.
· To book a table or a seat, phone David on 0433 566 456.
with Ladies with HATitude’s Robyn
Representatives from the Casey chapter of the Red Hat Society Ladies with HATitude crowned Robyn Wright (second from left) as the Queen during a special ceremony last year. (Gary Sissons: 375256)
SPORT Eagles just one step away
By David Nagel
Beaconsfield coach Mick Fogarty enjoyed the unique experience of watching his young group mature before his very eyes on Sunday as his Eagles downed South Belgrave in an Eastern Division One first semi-final for the ages.
Like a proud parent should on Father’s Day; Fogarty was bursting at the seams with pride after his Eagles won their first game against the Saints since joining Eastern in 2022.
A lightning start to the last term - where the Eagles kicked three goals in six minutes – led to a 7.13(55) to 7.10(52) triumph against their rivals from up the hill.
Fogarty was still pumped up, 24 hours on, after the Eagles booked a preliminary final date with Park Orchards at Boronia this Saturday.
“We’ve been the little brother to South Belgrave since we came into the competition, we’ve never beaten them before, they’ve been too big, too strong, too good; but the boys grew up on Sunday and matched them in intensity, matched them in contest and didn’t get bullied around,” a passionate Fogarty said.
“When I say that; they’re a great club South Belgrave, and I have so much respect for their side.
“What I mean is we stood up to the intense pressure that they applied, particularly in the second quarter, when (Liam) Kidd got on top of us; (Mitchell) Garner in the ruck, and they kicked three goals into the wind.
“To absorb that pressure, and then respond the way we did; there were just big moments that made the difference in the end.
“Our leaders, Jake Bowd and Damien Johnston, they stood up, but everyone had their moment and that’s what it takes to win finals.”
The Eagles kicked against a strong breeze in the opening term, with Jafar Ocaa providing the ideal start; converting a forward-50 entry from Devon Smith.
A goal to Chris Dergacz was the only painful moment for the Eagles in the first term, leading by two points with a wind-assisted quarter to come.
Josh Mounter extended the lead to nine, just two minutes into the second, before Cayden Black answered for the Saints after an optimistic and poorly-executed switch from Hayden Brough.
Casey Wassylko then capped off some great play from Brandon White, Hayden Brown, Johnston, Kobe Shipp and Mackay Bateson, before Ocaa booted the margin out to 14 points - 15 minutes into the second.
The Eagles looked set to take a significant lead to half time, but the Saints responded in the style of a very good team.
As Fogarty explained, Kidd and Garner had a terrific 10-minute spell into the wind, with goals to Tim Smith and Charlie Peters cutting the margin back to six points at the major interval.
The Eagles went super-defensive in the third and the grit and grind paid dividends.
The Saints only kicked two for the quarter, with Phil Costa kicking truly after a blocking freekick against Trent Stokoe, before Lachie Benson kicked a goal on the siren to give the Saints a twogoal buffer.
The start of the last quarter proved critical, with Ocaa and White - who had been moved forward – judging the wind perfectly, after free kicks, to tie things up after four minutes of play.
Small-forward Bateson, who had been a pest to the Saints all afternoon, then kicked a brilliant checkside crumbing goal to the give the Eagles a six-point lead.
A Myles Currie point extended the gap to seven, before Charlie Muley dragged down Smith in a ruck contest - in the Saints goalsquare - to cut the deficit back to a point.
Scores were soon level after chaotic scenes in the Saints goalsquare, before a long point to White gave the Eagles back the lead.
Brown (U19 last year) then showed courage beyond his years to curtail a Saints forward thrust, with White doubling the margin as a
consequence.
But there would be one more twist to the tale…24 minutes into the last.
Bowd and Brody Connelly, who Bowd knows well, engaged in a one-on-one marking duel, with Connelly narrowly winning the battle.
The ball fell into his grasp, but the pressure; of the moment and that of Bowd, saw the Eagles’ skipper race away with the Sherrin from half back.
His clearance fortuitously landed in the arms of Smith, who found Brough inside 50.
He missed his set shot on goal, but a valuable 30 seconds had ticked by; buying the Eagles the time to hang on for a famous victory.
“It was an emotional roller-coaster ride,” Fogarty explained, after wins against Montrose and South Belgrave had booked a preliminary final against Park Orchards.
And why should the journey stop here?
“The first final against Montrose was the toughest, because it gets easier, and the players are understanding why,” Fogarty said.
“People won’t understand what I mean by that, because Sunday was such a tough game, but
we were mentally prepared and ready; we were ready…and we’re going to be ready again this week (Park Orchards).
“Whether that’s good enough we’ll find out; but we’re ready to take on the challenge.
“Once you qualify you only have to be the best team in finals; and so far, it’s gone pretty well.
“We’ve gone from seventh to fifth last year, to whatever happens next week; but for now, we’re just enjoying the moment; why wouldn’t you…it’s just a really special moment for our footy club.
“But it lets the other clubs know; Beaconsfield’s here for the long haul.”
Kade De La Rue and Connor Mouat were both exceptional for the Eagles, who could receive a massive boost this week, with Frankston VFL ruck Harrison Coe recovering well from a painful coxic injury.
In the second semi-final, reigning-premier Mitcham booked the first ticket to grand final day with a 10.11(71) to 6.7(43) victory over Park Orchards.
The Tigers trailed by 24 points at the final break, but rammed home 8.4 to no score in the final term to race away with victory.
Demons coming home with redemption front of mind
By Marcus Uhe
A huge clash with the reigning premier Brisbane will mark the return of the Casey Demons to their home ground of Casey Fields in the new AFLW season on Saturday morning.
Melbourne won two of its three games at home in 2023, after winning three of its four games at the venue in 2022 (Season 7), the club’s premiership season.
With Beaconsfield’s Tyla Hanks in the midfield, reigning co-winner of the Daisy Pearce Trophy with captain Kate Hore as the Demons’ best-and-fairest, the Demons still possess the star-power across the field, with Alyssa Bannan, Lily Mithen and more premiership stars still wearing the red and blue.
The Demons finished second on the ladder in 2023 with a 8-2 win-loss record but crashed out in embarrassing fashion in the second week of the finals, unable to repeat the premiershipwinning heroics of 2022.
Melbourne kicked just one goal in the qualifying final loss to North Melbourne and frittered away its double-chance by falling to Geelong by five points a week later.
The Demons exacted revenge on the Cats
on Saturday night, prevailing by two points in
but
ahead by six points early in the quarter and they held the lead for much of the final period, before Geelong set the stage for a thrilling conclusion with goal to cut the lead to two points with 43 seconds remaining.
Geelong mounted the game’s final push following the last centre bounce, and forced the ball inside 50, but Karen Paxman was there to clear the ball from defensive 50 as the final seconds ticked away.
Harris, however, missed the final quarter of Saturday’s game after succumbing to a shoulder injury, and her fitness will be monitored during the week.
Coach Mick Stinear described the injury as a “flare-up” of one she sustained during the club’s preseason camp, and said she would receive scans early in the week.
Brisbane will make the trip to Cranbourne, with the first bounce at 11.05am, on the back a disappointing opening round clash to North Melbourne at home, coming up 44 points short. Brisbane won the most recent contest between the two sides in November last year, by 25 points in Brisbane.
a cliff-hanger at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium. The Demons trailed for much of the game
took the lead late in the third quarter, courtesy of a goal to Irishwoman Blaithin Mackin. Star forward Eden Zanker put the Demons
Ex-Beaconsfield junior Tyla Hanks will bring her talents to Casey Fields this week with Melbourne’s AFLW side. (Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)
Bless em all. Beaconsfield is through to the Eastern Division One preliminary final after a ground-breaking win over South Belgrave. (Rob Carew: 427145)
Berwick handover complete
By Marcus Uhe
Clint Evans wrapped his good mate and successor at Berwick Football Club, Andrew Williams, in a tight hug following his side’s emotional finalround win of the Eastern Football Netball League Premier Division season, with a simple message.
“Over to you now, mate”.
Williams was as observant as anyone as Berwick mounted a spirited fightback against Norwood in tough circumstances to maintain its place in Premier Division, showing the resilience that has embodied the club throughout a difficult year.
Just two wins may not have been the results that anyone at the football club would have liked at the beginning of the season, but their efforts won them plenty of admirers in 2024.
One of them, Williams, was so impressed that he threw his hat in the ring to coach the squad in 2025, and through the assistance of the outgoing Evans, agreed to terms earlier in the month to take the reins.
The former West Coast Eagle and Collingwood Magpie, who honed his craft in the Dandenong region as a junior before returning to the South East after his playing career, believes he is taking over a playing group with heart, grit and character.
With a passion for coaching, returning following stepping away from the role at Monbulk Football Netball Club at the end of 2023, Williams is eager to build upon the foundations laid by Evans.
“To be able to hang in and fight in the contests, to stay in games, sometimes when you’re outnumbered with some of these top-line clubs, that’s an enormous tick for the character of the group, which only holds you in good stead for what’s to come in the future,” Williams said.
“You know you can hang tough and fight when
you’re a little bit up against it…I think it’s a massive plus and I know it’s something the club can look forward to keep improving over time.
“Not only hanging tough in games, but they’ll start to win a few of those games they’re showing
Cannons fire in first final
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Casey’s men have progressed to the semi-finals of the Men’s Vic League 2 competition with a 4-3 elimination final win over Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation (ECHO).
The Cannons fell behind three times in a seesawing battle at Elgar Park, Box Hill, but a converted short corner to Tristan Chaffey late in the last quarter gave Casey the lead for the first time on the day.
Despite ECHO pressing hard in the dying stages, Casey defended well to secure victory.
Chaffey scored a hattrick, while captain Craig Moore also scored a crucial stabilising goal.
“It was an arm wrestle right through but we stuck to our game plan and that created a few opportunities for us,” coach Steve Noney said.
“The style of hockey we’re playing and feel around the group is quite good – we’re certainly building something good for the future.
“We’ve got a lot of experience through the team and a wave of youth coming through so those older guys showing leadership and putting confidence in the younger ones is probably the highlight for me to develop the 200-300-game players.
“We’re trying to create an environment for
people to learn, play good hockey and enjoy it.”
Moore, Chaffey and Rhylee Johnson were the best players on the day
The game was stalwart defender Cam Ritchie’s 250th for the Cannons, with the coach heaping praise on him.
“He’s consistent and leads the backline, giving feedback to all the guys in a positive way and is a true club person and is massive to the team so it’s good. His leadership of the backline is invaluable and is a very much appreciated member of the team,” Noney said.
The men’s unit will take on Craigieburn at the state hockey centre on Saturday in another door-die game. The Cannons lost to the minor premiers 4-3 earlier in the season before a 1-1 draw to finish the home-and-away season two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the women’s season came to a close on Saturday, going down 2-1 to third-placed Geelong.
The Cannons conceded a penalty stroke early in the second quarter and another goal five minutes later from a short corner which had them playing catch-up in the second half.
Sam Wagg found the back of the net at the 55-minute-mark which sparked hope for the visitors, but they ultimately fell short in a tense battle.
some signs of being competitive in.
“They’ll be able to get their noses in front at times and start to get that belief that those games are winnable.
“When you believe in something it goes a long way to being successful in the future and it starts with the character of the group, and every conversation I’ve had with people at the club and ‘Boof’, they’re a really tough competitive group that have shown enormous fight this year against the odds.”
Williams said the prospect of Berwick being relegated to Division 1, staved off by the Norwood result in the final round, did not alter his desire to coach the group, having been impressed by the standard in the lower division, after watching Beaconsfield due to his son’s involvement in that program.
Eastern’s top flight of football comes highly regarded and one of the best levels in Melbourne, with a host of recently exited AFL players - Kayne Turner, Josh Walker, Tom Bell, Tim O’Brein - and VFL-listed talent plying their trades in the competition.
It’s an area where the Wickers, however, have not been able to compete in recent years, with results reflecting the gap in talent between their best and the competition’s top brass.
While flush for young talent and ex-Coates Talent League prodigies, the dearth in senior heads and bigger bodies left them fighting for survival, and with a percentage of just 47.3 at the end of the year.
Will Arthurson’s return to the field will assist on that front next year, having missed 2024 due to injury, and players of that ilk are on the shopping list ahead of a busy offseason.
Williams, however, does not view recruiting as the ‘be all and end all’, believing the right attitude can do wonders for a group’s trajectory.
His insights from his time at the Eagles, Collingwood and coaching in VFL circles, is set to be
an invaluable asset, offering ‘money can’t buy’ knowledge and anecdotes.
“My theory is, if you put the time in and you prepare yourself well, and you want to keep improving your game with your training standards and all the habits that go into being the best player you want to be, these guys can fast track their footy really quickly and they probably don’t realise how quickly they can get to that level, but there’ll be no rush with any of that stuff,” he said.
“I came through in system footy when I was drafted to West Coast with a heap of premiership players and all I wanted to do was, learn off those guys, be seen and not heard.
“If an opportunity came my way I was ready just by watching what they did.
“Some young players today might think that they’re a little further advanced than they may be physically or might think an opportunity should be there for them ahead of their time, but my theory is, if you’re good enough, you’re good enough, whatever age you are, and if you’re displaying all the right behaviours, habits and training standards, opportunities are going to be there for you.
“It’s always good to have some good mentors around and good influences on the training habits and standards and stuff like that to measure yourself off.
“We’ll be trying to get some top-end talent into the footy club to take these kids forward as quickly as possible, but if that doesn’t happen, I’ve always been a coach that’s looked to coach the group that’s in front of him and wants to get better and if that’s what they want to be, I’ll assist them the best I can to be the best player they can be.”
Arthurson, ruck Jesse Cirulis and forward Noah Cannon have all re-committed to the club for 2025, with more expected in the coming weeks on the back of maintaining their place in Premier Division.
Stingrays progress after inflicting pain on Pioneers
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Dandenong overcame violent winds and the Bendigo Pioneers to book its place in the Coates League quarterfinals on Sunday.
The Stingrays won 12.7 79 to 7.11 53 at La Trobe University, Bundoora.
On a day where most goals were scored with the wind across two matches at the venue, the Stingrays’ ball movement and decision-making going the other way was a significant factor in the result.
The Stingrays kicked six goals going against the wind compared to the Pioneers’ two, which gave them a lead at three-quarter-time, before burying Bendigo with the wind.
After being well held in the first half, topfive prospect Harvey Langford sprung to life after halftime, finishing with 32 disposals.
Having dominated the corresponding fixture last season, Riak Andrew again turned in arguably his best performance of the year in the backline.
After being soundly beaten by first round prospect Jobe Shanahan twice in 2024, Andrew was again entrusted with the matchup and kept the Pioneers spearhead goalless.
Fellow defenders Riley Hilliard, Ben Hopkins, Kane Hurst and Charlie Orchard all played strong roles, adapting to conditions well and winning their one-on-ones.
Ruck Jordan Doherty, forward-mid Cooper Hynes and St Kilda father-son prospect Elwood Peckett were others to shine in the victory.
The win was soured only by a knee injury to trusty on-baller Harry Doughton, but he appears to have escaped serious harm, though the timeline for his return is unknown at time of publication.
The Stingrays boys and girls will both face off against Gippsland this weekend, on Saturday at Port Melbourne, 2pm and Sunday at Shepley Oval, 11am respectively, with both vying for a preliminary final spot.
From left: Riak Andrew, Harvey Langford and Ben Hopkins all played key roles in the win. (Spinkscapes)
Cam Ritchie’s 250th club game was celebrated with a win. (Rob Carew: 427117)
Former West Coast and Collingwood player
Andrew Williams will coach Berwick in 2025. (Supplied)
Magpies and Tigers collide
By Marcus Uhe
The rested and refreshed pair of Narre Warren and Woori Yallock will resume hostilities once again at Healesville this week with progression directly through to the Outer East Football Netball (OEFN) Premier Division grand final at stake.
Two of the best-performing clubs since the formation of OEFN, both finished the 2024 homeand-away season in the top two, earning themselves a double chance and the opportunity to secure a streamlined passage to the biggest day of the season with a second semi final win.
The two only met once in 2024, an epic seesawing battle that finished with emotions running high at Kalora Park back in round 10.
Both sides entered the contest undefeated through the opening nine weeks of the season and fought out a battle befitting of the two best teams out of the 2024 starting blocks that went down to the wire.
Narre Warren recovered from a 13-point deficit as the final change of ends to record a stirring five-point victory, after conceding six goals in a frightening third term that showed how strong Woori Yallock is, and the genuine threat it poses.
Key to the performance, however, was young Magpie prodigy Sam Toner.
On a day where no other player kicked more than two goals and the Magpies only managed 10 for the day in an uncharacteristically low-scoring performance, Toner kicked seven, including the final three of the afternoon, to seal a remarkable win and affirm his status as one of the competition’s brightest shining lights.
The finish to the afternoon was marred by controversy, however, with Magpies defender Travis Callahan suffering a ferocious hit from Tigers’ counterpart Robert Allan.
Allan charged off of his direct opponent in Toner in the Magpies’ goal square to attempt to prevent Callahan from handballing over his head, and collected Callahan with a brutal high bump that left the courageous defender unconscious.
Allan received a five-week suspension from the tribunal, only adding to the rivalry quickly emerging between the two clubs which includes a grand final showdown in 2022.
But while Allan has served his time and Callahan has recovered from his hit, Toner will leave a huge hole in the Magpies’ forward line, having fractured his wrist last month while playing in the Coates Talent League for the Dandenong Stingrays.
Riley Siwes kicked two and Will Howe one that afternoon, meaning plenty of teammates will need to step forward to help fill the ravine Toner creates.
Since Toner’s elevation to the Stingrays, the likes of Hamish West, Jesse Davies, Tom Toner and Daniel Toner have all stepped forward with
bags of goals, and will need to contribute again if the Magpies are to make a third-consecutive grand final appearance.
Howe, meanwhile, suffered a concussion against Monbulk in round 16, and under the concussion protocols did not play in the final two games of the home-and-away season, but will be available for the semi final.
Woori Yallock enters the contest with strong form, having won seven of its final eight games to secure second place, with its only loss in that stretch coming to Wandin in diabolical conditions on its home ground, the playing surface completely marred by inclement weather in the middle of winter.
It enters the finals on a four-game winning streak, and since a mid-season scoring lull, the Tigers are back to their best inside forward 50, averaging 111 points per game in the final four weeks.
Across a myriad of statistics, the two sides are incredibly evenly matched – from score sources (both rely heavily on scoring off turnovers), inside 50 efficiency, clearance and possession numbers and nearly everything else tracked by Premier Data.
Howell finishes seventh on plucky Paralympic debut
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Berwick Paratriathlete Jack Howell has finished seventh at his Paralympic debut.
Racing in the PTS-5 event on Monday alongside fellow Aussie David Bryant, who finished eighth, the 20-year-old was four years or more younger than his nine competitors.
Howell started strongly with his 750-metre swim leg in the word famous Seine River putting him third at the first transition.
But he fell behind in his 20-kilometre cycle, traditionally his weakest leg as the micro-vibrations of the cobblestones which made up the course took a toll.
Typically a strong runner, he was unable to make up any ground on the last leg, crossing the finish line with a time of 1:02:21.
While it was Howell’s weakest time on the international stage since November 2022, competing was an excellent experience given most Paratriathletes don’t peak until their late-20s.
“For me it’s about fulfilling a childhood dream,” Howell told the Pakenham Gazette ahead of the games.
“I said when I was 10 that I wanted to go to
the Paralympics and I didn’t care what sport that was in.
“My other motivator is the people I’ve met and got to train with everyday – I wouldn’t be in a place like Gold Coast if it wasn’t for the sport.
Howell spent early 2024 living in Queensland to train under the tutelage of 2012 Australian Olympic triathlete Brendan Sexton.
“(Sexton) told me that ‘however competitive you thought a normal world championship year is, double it in a Paralympic or Olympic year’ and he’s not lying,” Howell said.
“The racing is like no other and the crowd noise is a little bit bigger.”
The triathlon and paratriathlon at the 2024 Olympics has been marred in controversy due to the water quality of the Seine River, with Howell’s race subsequently delayed by a day.
Howell was born with an absence of the hand and shortening of the left forearm, known as symbrachydactly.
Thus, his left hand sits in a cup-like device during the cycle, allowed in his category where athletes race with mild impairments and are permitted to use supporting devices.
With the winner sealing direct progression to the grand final in a fortnight’s time, expect both sides to lay everything on the line once again at Healesville on Saturday.
It’s a genuine toss of a coin, this one, and while it’s incredibly hard top tip against Woori Yallock, its somehow even harder to tip against Narre Warren.
Let’s say the Magpies, but by even less than the margin in round 10 – four points or fewer.
At Yarra Glen, Olinda Ferny Creek will be endeavouring to force another upset when it tackles reigning premier Wandin in the first semi final.
The two sides clashed in round 18 with Wandin prevailing by 52 points, having been made to work by the Bloods in a hard-fought contest at Olinda.
While Wandin has prevailed in both meetings this year, Olinda Ferny Creek kicked 10 goals in each of the contests, joining Narre Warren and Mt Evelyn as the only two sides to do so in 2024.
And with captain Lachlan Taylor returning to form in the first final after injury curtailed the back end of his home-and-away season, the Bloods will enter the contest with a nothing to lose mentality, taking a free swing at the reigning
premier playing with plenty to prove.
The Bloods will need to find a match-up for Aaron Mullett, who kicked bags of four and six in the two meetings this year and looked back to his best in the first final, having spent time on the ball towards the end of the season to showcase his versatility.
On the other side, of equal importance will be the ability to curtail Matthew Scharenberg, whose intercept marking ability is set to thwart the Bulldogs’ potent forward line.
If Wandin chooses to match height-for-height with the potential Shane Smith medal winner, it may be rangy Patrick Hodgett that gets the assignment, but if they wish to expose him for speed at ground level, expect a Tom Merlino or Brodie Atkins to play a sacrificial role.
Unlike Narre Warren and Woori Yallock, the sudden-death pressure of the contest means everything will be on the line at Yarra Glen, with the winner keeping premiership hopes alive.
52-point turnaround from round 18 is asking a lot of the Bloods, so expect Wandin to keep its season afloat.
TIPS: NARRE WARREN v Woori Yallock, WANDIN v Olinda Ferny Creek.
Jack Howell finished seventh at his PTS-5 event on Monday. (Supplied)
Hayden Dwyer and Zach Monkhorst’s head-to-head in the ruck will be a huge battle on Saturday between Narre Warren and Woori Yallock. (Gary Sissons: 414862)
