News - Berwick Star News - 12th September 2024

Showcase in full bloom

Murray Harding is engulfed by a sea of yellow and white, as the once-in-a-20-year bumper bloom of Dendrobium Speciosumin in his orchid house sets a strong tone for this month’s Berwick Orchid Club Showcase. Murray himself is keen to get the show on the road, confident not just in this season’s bloom, but the beauty of his and the club’s members’ orchids to captivate visitors.

Candidates divided

By Ethan Benedicto

Since council monitors were officially announced by the State Government earlier this month, Casey council candidates in the north-east of the city have expressed a mixed bag of emotions with the new initiative.

According to the media release on 2 September, these council monitors would also be appointed to Whittlsea City and Strathbogie Shire Councils to support the transition back to elected councillors and ensure good governance practices.

Mush Rahaman, council candidate for Akoonah Ward is on the fence about the decision, saying that the soon-to-be newly appointed councillors have “certain expectations” and a “vision” for the council.

“These new people, many coming from independentbackgrounds,theyhavetheircertainways that they would monitor things,” Rahaman said.

“They want to progress things, they have a vision, as long as these visions are not impacted by the [monitors] then it’s okay, it doesn’t hurt.

“But at the same time it would be an addition-

al expense by the council as well, the ratepayers will be paying for this.”

However, Rahaman recognises the need for an overseeing body, that the new councillors could bear fruit from their presence, saying that “we can embrace and use it in a positive way”.

“We can coordinate and work together; if they are there to help and we can really get that and learn from them, and use that skill for future development of our council, then it’s a blessing.”

However, Grevillea Ward Candidate, Stephen Capon sees no benefits in having the monitors in

place, saying that the argument made by the State Government’s media release that monitors will support the newly elected councillors to restore good governance “is nonsensical”.

“It should have already been restored by the administrators, similarly, given that the municipal monitors’ functions are to ‘monitor council governance and practices’, ‘advise the council about the governance improvements’, and to make recommendations relating to council ‘governance matters’, their appointment shouldn’t be necessary.”

Continued page 3

Rowe runs for council again

By Ethan Benedicto

As the cut-off date for candidate nominations is less than a week away, the official VEC Casey Council list is open for viewing, as former councillor Gary Rowe has entered his submission for Correa Ward.

Rowe, who is an ex-Cranbourne Liberal MP stands firm on a platform of more housing and wise spending, stressing that “everyone is suffering from housing not being built”.

Reflecting on the new council, as well as the influx of newer potential candidates with no previous experience, he added that he could serve as an “old” guide for the councillors.

“If you read what they [council candidates] say, they haven’t quite got that it’s a team event - where people are listening to each other, working together for the whole municipality,” he said.

In 2020, Rowe was part of the sacked Casey Council that was investigated by anti-corruption body IBAC; however, he was not subject to adverse findings, unlike several of his former colleagues.

Building on his stance of the council working well as a team, Rowe expressed that the council is “human, councillors are human, staff are human”.

“They’re lucky to have the CEO [Glenn Patterson] that they have for this period of time,” he said.

Casey’s 12 wards have their spread of candidates for each area, which can be found listed below in the wards’ alphabetical order. The list contains additional names of candidates who have publicly announced their intention to run but have not yet appeared on the VEC’s website at the time of going to print.

Akoonah Ward

• Scott William Dowling

• Patrick R Ferdinands

• Mush Rahaman

• Samuel Dennison

Casuarina Ward

• Morteza Ali

• Kim Ross

166911)

• Jane Foreman Correa Ward

• Kanu Aggarwal

• Tracey Ryan

• Gary Rowe Cranbourne Gardens

• Tom Kapitany Dillwynia Ward

• Champika Hewa Maddumage

• Jaz Masuta

• Gurpreet Gill Grevillea Ward

• John Ternel

• Stephen Capon

• Stephen Matulec

Kalora Ward

• Zabi Mazoori

Kowan Ward

• Kasuni Mendis

• Christine Skrobo

• Jawad Erfani

Quarters Ward

• Jagdeep Singh Sukhija

• Ian Wood

• David Rolfe

River Gum Ward

• Lynette Pereira

Tooradin Ward

• Anthony Tassone

• Kuldeep Kaur

Waratah Ward

• Brian Oates

The current deadline for nominations to stand in the council elections is set to close at 12 noon on Tuesday 17 September; the list will be constantly updated online if there are any new registrations.

Former Casey councillor Gary Rowe has announced his candidacy for Correa Ward this upcoming Casey Council elections. (Victoria Stone-Meadows:

Kapitany seeking change

By Violet Li

Tom

Kapitany,

the owner of the Crystal World Exhibition Centre in Devon Meadows, will run for Cranbourne Gardens Ward in the coming Casey Council elections.

Mr Kapitany said the decision was made after years of problems with Casey Council.

“I’ve just found the council difficult to work with. Every time you work with the council, they’re very aggressive,” he said.

“I really had no interest in coming on the council, but I had dinners with some local people, and I just told them my problems, and they told me their problems. They said you should go on the council.

“This is like two years ago.”

Despite an initial lack of interest in a council position, Mr Kapitany believes changes must happen after an IBAC anti-corruption inquiry. He also took aim at the administrators and what he said was poor maintenance of nature strips, parks and roads.

“They (the administrators) subcontracted everything up from healthcare to landscaping to road maintenance,” he said.

“They (the administrators) are working for the ratepayers, but they don’t see that.”

As a rural landowner, Mr Kapitany’s top priority is to overhaul the Casey town planning division, a long-cherished wish highlighted by his wellknown planning battle to display Rosie the Shark at his exhibition centre.

Mr Kapitany rescued Rosie, a two-tonne preserved great white shark, from the closed Wildlife Wonderland in Bass in 2019, and wished to build a permanent exhibition on his premises for educational purposes, which drew considerable opposition from the town planning officers.

He then brought the planning dispute to VCAT and won in 2022, after three years of negotiations

and a total of $60,000 in legal bills.

According to Mr Kapitany, the conflicts continued after the VCAT.

“The council was not happy, so they put in a regulation. I had to get all my permits within two months. This was just after Covid. It was impossible to do it,” he recalled.

“I’ve been doing extension after extension, and every time I ask for an extension, it is $1500 to

$2,000. They’re raking me financially.”

Mr Kapitany also cited that when he tried to build a granny flat for his parents, the council wouldn’t let him put kitchens inside, which later took him nearly 12 months to negotiate.

He said he went through numerous planning challenges, decision-making delays, and wrangling over bylaws.

“Everything just shows how inflexible the council is, how council officers use their own personal opinions to make judgments, rather than be practical and say what’s good for the community, what’s not good for the community,” he said.

“Everything in council is bureaucracy. There is no logic. There is no simple way of doing things.

“They put blocks in my way. I’ve had to find ways around the blocks that they create. It shouldn’t be so difficult.

“The council lacks decision-making. They won’t make decisions because they’re afraid to take risks or afraid to do things.”

Therefore, Mr Kapitany said if he was elected, he would strive to ensure the town planning division uses “common sense“ and makes decisions in the best interests of the residents of Cranbourne Gardens Ward, rather than blindly following bylaws.

He would work hard towards eliminating the waste of time and ratepayers’ money on “frivolous“ legal actions and VCAT fees.

Public consultation should also be re-introduced for proposed developments and planning, he said.

Mr Kapitany also pointed out he would help stop the rezoning of rural areas for housing developments.

He observed that the council were forcing the rural landholders to sell by overrating them, a practice he would try to cease.

“We’re a rural area. We love the rural environ-

ment. We love the land. We love the space around us, and we want to live here in our retirement,” he said.

“When you’re having to pay a $20,000 or $30,000 annual rate, how can you afford that as a retired person?”

In addition to running his exhibition centre, Mr Kapitany is a botanist, geologist, director of the National Dinosaur Museum in Canberra, and an international consultant for museums and universities in natural history and geosciences, especially in China, Mexico, the UK, the US, New Zealand and Indonesia.

“I spent a lot of time travelling around the world, doing all sorts of fun things. I work for governments around the world. I work with small communities,” Mr Kapitany said.

“I understand what communities need and how to develop things and I know how to solve problems.

“I have a very unique way of looking at things. I’m very much into lateral thinking.”

Living in Devon Meadows for more than three decades, Mr Kapitany said he understood what the community needed, what the landholders wanted, and what the farmers wanted.

“For example, the lack of footpaths, the lack of access to public transport for elderly people, like people across the road are quite being quite elderly and they will have to move because the facilities aren’t in place for them to live here in their retirement,” he said.

“I will make sure that the council workers know they don’t work for the council, they work for the ratepayers.

“My home will be my office. People come to my house, and I’ll make them tea or coffee. I’ll sit them there and talk about their problems. I’ll be on one-to-one with them. I’m not going to put myself above everybody else.”

City of Casey candidates on the fence with monitors

From page 1

“How exactly are they going to ‘help prevent recurrence of issues that led to each councillor’s dismissal’, when good governance should have already been restored and improved over the past four years?”

Capon added that the implementation of the monitors shows a “complete lack of faith” in the new Casey Council candidates and their “heart for their local community”.

Furthermore, he added that it would be additional stress for the ratepayers; as well as it remains unclear what they have to offer that “the new councillor training, code of conduct, and administrators’ governance fixes couldn’t do”.

Casuarina Ward candidate, Kim Ross is looking for balance, saying that while it may be a little “premature” to make any certainties without knowing the monitors’ powers she understands that “they don’t want a repeat of what’s happened in the past, none of us do”.

“None of us want a repeat of having four years without local representation because it’s really hard.

“However, I think that if they’re doing it for one council, they need to do it for all councils, because all councils have the potential for the wrong people to get elected for the wrong reasons.

“There is nothing to indicate that the new councillors for Casey are going to be more prone to doing the wrong things than any new councillor in any new council,” she said.

Ross stressed the comparison of the newer Casey councillors with other LGAs, further emphasising that the monitors’ presence could potentially spell a sense of uncertainty, where they’re saying “‘hey, we think you could potentially stuff up’”.

“This is a bit like shutting the door after the horse has bolted,” she said.

At the same time, if said monitors were to offer more support and guidance for councillors who need it, then that would be something she would easily get behind.

Akoonah Ward candidate, Samuel Dennison has “no issues” with the role of the monitors, agreeing that there are many who are concerned about “the past happening again”.

“I think it’s important that we want to show that we care about integrity, and obviously that is number one, but also that we’re building back the reputation of the council and also the trust of the councillors,” he said.

The guidance of the monitors, as well as the mentioned lack of experience of some councillors, is, for Dennison, a boon for the new council.

“It’s about doing the right thing even when no one’s looking, as long as you’re not doing anything behind the scenes or doing anything that is not in the interest of the community, then you have nothing to worry about.

“I don’t preempt any negative outcomes from having additional scrutiny, I’m all about integrity so I really think that it makes me feel a little bit more comfortable as well,” Dennison said.

Grevillea Ward candidates, Stephen Matulec and John Ternel are both on board with the new monitors, with Ternel saying that the additional body would be a “good thing”, considering that the majority of the upcoming councillors will be treading new waters.

“A lot of new councillors are in new territory,

so any help or assistance or advice is good as long as there are no political agendas that are introduced,” he said.

“Information is powerful, there are lessons that have been learned from things that have happened before and we can avoid making them again, so I’m all for it.”

Matulec is in agreement, taking into account that the City of Casey hadn’t had councillors for some time, the one-year period of monitoring would be “good for people to sort of just find their feet”.

“I think they [the monitors] should be available for the councillors to speak to, where the councillor says ‘Oh I’m not sure how this works’, or ‘I’m not sure if I need to say to declare this’.

“They should be there to support the councillors, and they shouldn’t be too hands-on with their business.”

Getting the balance “right” is integral, according to Matulec, where a fine line must be drawn between ensuring good governance as well as transparency, and intervention.

Cranbourne Gardens Ward candidate Tom Kapitany. (Supplied)

Deadly toll from illegal nets

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Illegal fruit-tree nets are taking a rising, deadly toll on grey-headed flying foxes, such as the colony in Doveton’s wetlands.

After a disturbing spate of flying-fox entanglements, The Conservation Regulator, Zoos Victoria, RSPCA Victoria, Wildlife Victoria and Animal Welfare Victoria have made a joint call for households to use wildlife-safe, compliant netting.

More than 110 flying-foxes have being reportedly tangled in illegal nets in the first six months of 2024.

This already exceeds the total entanglements during 2023.

In many cases, the ‘fruit bats’ are painfully wounded or killed.

A further 400-plus flying-fox pups were rescued and rehabilitated – with many suspected to have been separated from their mothers who were entangled in nets.

Numbers in the Myuna Wetlands colony in Doveton are in the normal 5000-10,000 range for winter, which is expected to triple in summer.

However Tamsyn Hogarth from Fly By Night bat clinic in Olinda is reeling from a worst-ever tally of casualties.

“We’ve seen over 100 bats needing rescue and care across Victoria in the past month. Plus an additional 30 rescues at the start of this month alone,” she posted in the first week of August.

Many are emaciated and starved from a lack of available native fruits and nectars.

Dwindling supply is also causing more flying foxes to be entangled in household fruit trees’ netting. This year’s extended fruit season up to May and June has also contributed.

She estimates that about 70 per cent of rescues don’t survive the horrific net wounds.

Often the victims can be suffering for several days before discovered and reported to rescuers.

A common, debilitating outcome is the dieback of wings, due to the mesh winding so tightly it constricts blood-flow.

Sometimes after the bat’s rescue, it takes several more days for the gory, gaping holes to emerge in their wings.

Bats freed by the public are sometimes too damaged to fly and are later found starving to death, Hogarth says.

“We can rehabilitate them for a few weeks but the damage is sometimes too much.”

Wings, fingers, thumbs and muscles can be

deeply cut or as the bat frantically tries to free itself.

In some cases, lactating mothers with babies have chewed away at their own limbs in a desperate bid to free themselves.

Hogarth says there’s still a prolific amount of illegal nets being sold, particularly at “$2-shops”.

The injuries can often depend on the type of netting material. “If it’s black or green, we know it’s bad. The white nets are at least usually a softer net.”

A vulnerable species, the flying-foxes are often unfairly maligned, she says.

The bats play a vital role in pollinating native plants and ensuring some threatened flora’s survival.

Zoos Victoria acting chief executive Dr Sally Sherwen says the species fly thousands of kilometres in a year to search for food and pollinate a wide variety of plants, supporting important habitat for other animals like koalas and possums.

“By protecting the health and wellbeing of one species, we can help to ensure a future for an entire eco-system.”

Since late 2021, large mesh-size netting bigger than 5 millimetres by 5 millimetres has been illegal to use and sell in Victoria due to its tendency to injure wildlife.

On-the-spot fines of $395 to users and $790 to sellers apply, with penalties up to $2964 if prosecuted in court.

“We’re urging all household fruit growers to ensure they understand the law and have compliant fruit netting that protects both native wildlife and your household fruit trees,” Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens said.

“A small change to your netting can make a big difference to the welfare of animals like greyheaded flying-foxes.”

The rule-of-thumb is if your finger can pass through the mess, then it’s too big.

Experts also encourage:

· White-coloured netting with a cross-weave design, which is more visible to animals at night.

· Tightly securing netting to a frame or tree trunk to prevent trapping terrestrial species.

· Protecting selected branches with fruit bags or

sleeves, rather than netting the whole tree.

Meanwhile, Casey Council have been implementing a management plan to preserve the Doveton colony.

This includes the formation of a Grey-headed Flying Fox (GHFF) stakeholder group, planned tree planting for future roosting habitat and to manage heat stress, ongoing weed management and monitoring by local wildlife carers and engagement with Bunurong Land Council on conservation works.

“The priority is ensuring the colony’s health through continued community engagement and education, including education on netting regulations and entanglements,” Casey sustainability and waste manager Michael Jansen says.

“Council is reviewing options to mitigate bat disturbance during high heat events and when pups are being reared through our bushland capital works program, which will be implemented in autumn/winter 2025.”

If a flying-fox is trapped in netting, do not attempt to handle it yourself. Call a wildlife rescuer on 136 186 or find one on wildlife.vic.gov.au/hfiw

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The ravages of die-back on a flying-fox wing. (Supplied)

A roosting area at the Doveton flying-fox colony. (Gary Sissons: 429801)

A rescued flying-fox found tangled in illegal netting. (Supplied)

Fruit socks are also recommended as a wildlifefriendly option. (Supplied)

A grey-headed flying fox at the Doveton colony. (Gary Sissons: 429801)An example of a compliant, cross-stitch, narrowmesh net for fruit trees.

Mum’s out for house sale

By Tara Cosoleto, AAP

Vanessa Amorosi’s mother has been ordered to move out of her Melbourne home so the international pop star can sell the property to pay her restitution.

Amorosi, 43, in August successfully sued Joyleen Robinson in the Victorian Supreme Court for full ownership of the Narre Warren property where her mother lives.

The house was purchased as a result of Amorosi’s success but Mrs Robinson argued it should belong to her as she had paid her daughter the $650,000 they agreed to back in 2001.

Justice Steven Moore ruled the supposed agreement between the pair never happened and Amorosi should have full ownership of the Narre Warren property.

But the judge agreed Mrs Robinson should receive close to $900,000 in restitution from Amorosi, taking into account the $650,000 payment plus interest.

The parties were unable to agree on the exact orders following the August judgment so Justice Moore made further rulings on Monday.

He ordered Mrs Robinson be given 60 days to move out of the Narre Warren property and hand over possession to Amorosi.

The singer-songwriter was also ordered to pay her mother the $650,000 plus more than $219,000 in interest.

Justice Moore ruled the order should be stayed until 31 March, 2025.

He said his decision would give Mrs Robinson time to find other accommodation and for Amorosi to sell the property to gain the funds for restitution.

There will be another hearing in October to determine costs.

Neither Amorosi nor Mrs Robinson attended the Supreme Court for Monday’s judgment.

They both gave evidence during the five-day trial in October 2023, with the performer taking

breaks to wipe away tears and compose herself.

Amorosi claimed the $650,000 used to purchase the Narre Warren home in 2001 came from a trust account set up to receive all of her singersongwriter earnings.

The house was in both her and her mother’s names, with Mrs Robinson alleging Amorosi agreed to hand over full ownership of the Narre Warren home if she paid $650,000 when asked.

Mrs Robinson maintained the agreement was made in February 2001 during a conversation in the kitchen of their former family home.

Another arrest in probe

A 20-year-old Dandenong man has been charged over alleged arson attacks on tobacco stores and vehicles.

Taskforce Lunar detectives arrested the man on 3 September over several incidents including an alleged arson on a tobacco store and a van in Glenroy on 17 August as well as a ram raid on a Wonthaggi tobacco store on 19 August.

He was also charged over the arson of a stolen Mazda 3 used to ram the latter business, police say. The man was charged with three counts of arson as well as burglary and car theft. He was scheduled to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 3 September.

It follows the arrest of a 20-year-old Endeavour Hills man on 22 August over the same incidents plus a fire at a Melton tobacco store and car fire last month.

Mrs Robinson said she handed over $710,000 to Amorosi in 2014 for the loan she took out on her American home, maintaining she fulfilled her end of the housing pact.

But Amorosi told the court she should have full ownership as there was never any agreement in place.

The singer also sought to be the sole owner of her current Californian residence, which was bought through a trust account set up by her mother.

Justice Moore ruled the agreement between Amorosi and her mother never happened and

the Narre Warren property should be under Amorosi’s name alone.

“The shifting and inconsistent course of Mrs Robinson’s evidence leaves me entirely unconvinced that there existed a Narre Warren agreement as alleged,” the judge said in his August reasons.

Justice Moore also found Amorosi should be the sole owner of her Californian home, but he agreed Mrs Robinson should receive restitution for the contribution she made to Amorosi’s property in 2014.

He was charged with five counts of criminal damage by fire – two relating to buildings and three to vehicles – as well as three counts of car theft and burglary.

He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 14 November. The investigation remains ongoing. Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

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Vanessa Amorosi arrives at the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne in October, 2023. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

A 20-year-old Dandenong man is arrested by Taskforce Lunar detectives on 3 September. (Victoria Police)

Approach hailed by study

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

It’s often said that it takes a village to raise a child.

A sports-based pilot program in the South East has been hailed for successfully taking this approach in engaging at-risk children at primary schools.

The Black Rhinos junior basketball program supported young African-Australians at two primary schools and in the community.

It was co-designed by Afri-Aus Care and RMIT University as a primary crime prevention tool.

And a recently-released report by RMIT found that it did just that - as well as improving children’s academic performance and their connections with teachers, students and their families.

“We worked with the community to co-design what a sports-based youth development program for African-Australians and their families would look like,” Associate Professor Ronnie Egan from RMIT Social Equity Research Centre said.

“As a result, we saw enhanced engagement with learning, leading to increased school attendance and better grades.

“By strengthening relationships and engagement with learning, we created a sense of belonging for a group of people who had long been denied that feeling.”

As a result, the program has secured three years of funding from the state education department and Brian M Davis Trust.

Black Rhinos was underpinned by an indigenous African philosophy called UBUNTU, which prioritises reciprocity, mutuality, participation and inclusion for collective wellbeing.

A success story was hiring African-Australian young people as role-models and mentors for selected students at Cranbourne Carlisle Primary School and Narre Warren South P-12.

They started basketball training and games during lunchtime, homework clubs, life-skills development activities and in-class support. They built trust, confidence and leadership in their students.

The mentors became respected members of school staff. They forged stronger connection and understanding between teachers and students.

“You can tell the students really look up to them,” a teacher told researchers.

“And when they’re here they seek them out, they’re excited to see them, they’re excited to tell them about their week or what’s happened since they were last here.”

Each Sunday, the students’ families further bonded during basketball, homework club and cook-up dinners from the ‘Mammas’ - biological mothers, aunties or female carers of African descent.

“It’s really important, everyone gets happy when they see food,” one of the Mammas said.

“Even our kids, as soon as they finish the home-

work, they’ll be running like is food ready? Like excitement, really excitement.

“They eat together. That is different than eating at home alone.”

Afri-Aus Care CEO and founder Selba-Gondoza Luka said many of the Mammas reported better relations with their children as a result.

She says a key to the Junior Black Rhino’s success was the involvement of the African-Australian community from the design phase.

“If you work with the community to develop the program, it will have a better impact,” she said.

“When you do these programs well, it creates excitement for young people and their parents. It reduces intergenerational conflict and trauma

Afri-Aus Care coordinator Anish Varghese said the aim was to intervene early, to prevent primary school students dropping out of school later in their lives.

Disengagement from school is often a gateway to getting in trouble with the justice system, he said.

“Not everyone excels in certain subjects. It’s about meeting them where they are, finding and working with their strengths.”

Thumbs down

To Cardinia Road roadworks. When is the one lane traffic light going to go? It appears making it two way again is not a priority.

Thumbs up

To the teams from Pakenham, Bunyip, Beaconsfield, Berwick, Upper Beaconsfield and Emerald Fire brigades that helped raise over $780,000 for the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb. Raising money for Lifeline, Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and the 000 Foundation.

Thumbs down

To drivers who don’t know that road rules also apply in car parks. THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

Afri-Aus Care founder Selba Gondoza-Luka said key was the community’s involvement in the program’s co-design. (Rob Carew: 320078)

A student, Bang, gets to work with Junior Rhino maths tutor Jacob. (Sam Garang)

Three-on-three basketball at the launch of the Junior Rhinos program in Harmony Square last year. (Rob Carew: 320078)

$1 million on offer for info

A $1 million reward has been offered over a fatal shooting linked to a torched 4WD in Endeavour Hills.

Homicide Squad detectives recently announced the reward for information over the shooting of Mohammed Keshtiar in South Yarra just over a year ago.

Keshtiar was shot a number of times in the upper body in a drive-by shooting while walking with a male associate along Almeida Crescent on Friday 4 August 2023, police say.

About 11.37pm, the pair was approached by a stolen grey Toyota Prado.

The vehicle slowed as it passed by the two men, before a passenger fired several shots in their direction.

Keshtiar was struck several times and collapsed to the ground.

His associate was not physically injured during the incident and managed to flee to safety.

The grey Prado then pulled up alongside Keshtiar, and a passenger wearing dark-coloured clothing exited the vehicle and fired further shots into the victim.

The 4WD was then captured on CCTV travelling north on Chapel Street and east on Alexandra Avenue.

Witnesses attempted to administer first aid before emergency services arrived. Keshtiar was conveyed to hospital where he later died.

On Saturday 5 August at 4.38am, the stolen Prado was located on fire in Churchill Park Drive in Endeavour Hills.

Investigators believe this was a planned, targeted execution with at least two individuals involved directly in the shooting, with support from a number more.

Detectives are particularly keen to speak to anyone with any knowledge on those responsible for the shooting and who were inside the stolen grey Prado.

“We know our victim had connections to a number of organised crime groups. This has added complexity to the investigation and our lines of enquiry, including determining a motive,” Detective Inspector Dean Thomas from the Homicide Squad said.

“We also know that there are multiple indi-

viduals in the wider community who will have inside knowledge of the planning and the identity of those who took part in the shooting. We are particularly keen to hear from those people.

“What is clear to us is that this was a deliberate, targeted organised crime hit. It was more than a simple street exchange – Mohammed’s murder involved a confronting level of public violence.”

A reward of up to $1 million will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Mohammed Keshtiar.

The Director of Public Prosecutions will consider, according to established guidelines, the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders in this matter.

Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestoppersvic.com.au

Defend the defence industry, says South East group

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A manufacturers’ group has called for wider policing powers to remove pro-Palestine activists blockading defence-industry factories in Dandenong South.

South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) chief executive Honi Walker said police were “hamstrung” by the State Government’s repeal of ‘move-on’ laws.

“These (repealing of) laws have hamstrung police during protests at member sites, impacting their employees accessing their sites and their right to conduct law-abiding business.”

This year, Dandenong South manufacturer AW Bell has been targeted by pro-Palestine protesters for producing parts for the Lockheed Martin F-35 joint fighter program.

The fighter jets were supplied by the US to Israel and reportedly deployed in the Gaza Strip conflict.

In July, Victoria Police deployed OC spray during a clash with up to 100 Weapons Out of NAARM protesters during a picket action at AW Bell.

Two protesters were arrested and charged for allegedly hindering police.

Walker said protests by “militant protest groups under the guise of anti-war propaganda” had deeply impacted “well established and well-respected employers”.

The actions included blockading access to workplaces, trespass, staff intimidation and harassment, theft and property damage, she said.

It had required an “enormous amount of public and private resources” for additional security personnel and security systems, police and fire brigade responses, road closures and extra reporting requirements for defence.

Amanda, an activist from Dandenong, defended the right to protest which “over-rided” move-on laws.

“We’re driven by something more tangible than profits, which is justice, fairness and stopping a genocide.

“People have free will, which they will exercise. It’s about stopping the war manufacturing.”

She said protesters were undeterred by the arrests and OC spray at the July action. They had

played a role in Australia’s supplying of “lethal parts” to the Gaza conflict.

“It’s now almost common knowledge how deeply entrenched the war industry is in the Australian economy.

“How about focusing on renewable industries or solving any number of crises that we’re facing as a society now?” SEMMA welcomed special police powers granted under federal counter-terrorism laws ahead of mass protests

expected at a defence trade expo LandForces 2024 in Melbourne’s CBD this week.

Walker said the reinstatement of state ‘move on’ laws along with the federal counter-terrorism powers “empowers police to maintain public safety by removing masked protesters who may pose security risks, ensuring law-abiding citizens can conduct their business peacefully and securely”. The State Government was contacted for comment.

A line of Victoria Police officers blocks protesters from the entrance of AW Bell in July. (Sermet Kilic)

A $1 million reward is being offered by Victoria Police for information on who was inside a grey Toyota Prado linked to the fatal shooting of Mohammed Keshtiar in August 2023. (Victoria Police)

NEWS Transparency key: Foreman

By Ethan Benedicto

Dedicated to being the people’s voice, independent candidate Jane Foreman has announced her candidacy for the upcoming Casey Council elections this October.

Representing Casuarina Ward, Foreman has some key priorities that she is eager to touch on if elected, one of them being the revitalisation of the Webb Street shopping precinct.

However, it is how she aims to endeavour in this project that is key for her, with Foreman saying that she also aims to be not just a figure that the ward’s constituents can rely on, but a friend.

Regarding council matters, her first order of business is moving the meetings to “an appropriate time where people can attend”.

“I don’t believe in banning anyone from a council meeting, as long as the behaviour is correct, [we should be] allowing people to come.

“I think the questions need to be received and given, all of that transparency needs to come straight back,” she said.

Having been a councillor previously in Western Australia, Foreman is no stranger to positions of leadership, and with Webb Street as her focus, she is ready to be that voice for the people.

“One of my [initiatives] would be to really start working with the business owners, everyone who owns buildings in that area,” Foreman said.

“Let’s get together and see what we can do to come up with a plan to start revitalising that area and make it something special.

“That’s one thing I’m keen to facilitate and be a voice for all the businesses in the area.”

However, there are no certain promises per se., it’s simply listening, she said; from there, Foreman aims to be the medium that links the people with the right parties to “make things happen”.

Safety concerns at Webb Street are also another factor that she aims to address, from antisocial behaviour to vandalism, which she said would be dealt with through proper facilitation.

“I would establish a committee or a working group that you’d work hand-in-hand with local businesses, with the residents, with the city planners, all of that and begin developing a plan.,” Foreman said.

“Let’s get all the ideas on the table and let’s see what might work for them and from there proceed.

“I’m not a business owner, I’m not there all the time, I see myself as a voice - they might come up with a completely different idea and it won’t matter, I may not particularly agree with it but if that’s what they want, then it’s my job to promote that and support it with them.”

Delving into the mentioned anti-social behaviour, Foreman acknowledged that it’s a widespread issue, especially amongst the youth; and for her addressing it means taking on a holistic approach that targets the roots of their behaviours.

“We need to look at this holistically, why are

BUSINESS PROFILE

these young people there, why are they doing these things?” she said.

“Let’s get some of these youth agencies that help these young ones and engage with them, let’s see if we can help them move along.”

Building on the ward’s and the local communities’ overall safety, Foreman had the same outlook - to be that figure to first reach out to the appropriate parties, to hold those meetings and build a resolution with everyone involved.

“When you’re in council you have to negotiate with other agencies, like the State Government, the police department, the Justice Department, all with seeing what’s going on with those that are causing this,” she said.

“Are they getting apprehended? Are the police able to do something with them, why or why not? Then we’ve got to lobby.

“It’s about collaborating and bringing everyone together, gathering a meeting, seeing what we can do, what’s on the table and you know, is this adequate? What else do we need?”

Tailored to your interests

Grow 2 Be is a disability support day service making a difference.

Participants at the Pakenham-based service are offered a range of hands-on activities like art lessons, woodwork classes, and outings into the community on any given day.

They also have an opportunity to volunteer at a bunny refuge, a native-wildlife shelter and equine therapy, and are offered courses including a Certificate II in Animal Care, CPR, first aid, and everyday life skills courses.

“We offer days out, where we encourage our participants to choose and research places they want to go,” director Heidi Faber said.

“We are different in that we cater every part of our program to what our participants want to do, and what their specific interests are.

“They are in control of what happens, and we are teaching them life skills in the process.”

Among the highlights of Grow 2 Be’s achieve-

ments are some participants gaining employment through organised work placements.

“We love seeing our participants having the opportunity to live their best lives and achieve their goals,” Heidi says.

“We want to support them to have fun while learning and enriching their lives.

“Seeing our participants so excited and thriving drives us to continue our work. The smiles on their faces and the positive feedback from participants and their parents demonstrate how important our work is.”

The main goal for Grow 2 Be is to set up participants for a “bright and independent future”.

“This speaks to the heart of everything we do.”

Grow 2 Be is open 9am-3pm at 50 Lakeside Blvd, Pakenham. Contact: heidi@grow2be.com.

Considering that Casey has had no councillors for the last four years after the dismissal following the IBAC investigation, Foreman recognises the need for transparency and honesty when it comes to collaborating with one another and engaging with the city’s constituents.

With her previous experience as a councillor, one of the things she endeavoured on “was making sure we had a very diverse council”.

“Diverse views is one thing I feel strongly about, creating unity for the council, and that as councillors we are united.

“With that, I don’t mean that we might agree on everything, but I’m saying we don’t fight and not speak to one another; I want to bring a unified council, that we’re all there for the good of the community,” she said.

At a council level, Foreman is a staunch believer in keeping politics and its influences out of day-to-day operations, adding that councillors are there to “represent the people, not a political party”.

With the always-changing plane of political parties and ideologies, remaining neutral is key for an effective council moving forward, one that prioritises the needs of its constituents above all.

This priority, to Foreman, is done through personal connection with the people she is looking to represent; recognising the rampancy of technological communication, she is looking to bring it back to face-to-face conversations.

“It’s really about being in the community, it’s just something special about being with people you know?,” she said.

“Actually meeting them and being with them - and if I do get elected, I’ll be making sure I don’t just stay in my little house and sending out emails.

“I believe in grassroots engagement, in letting people know.”

Looking ahead, Foreman aims to provide strong governance and leadership, with the goals of making Casey a safe, vibrant and thriving city.

The main goal for Grow 2 Be is to set up participants for a “bright and

Jane Foreman was previously a councillor in Western Australia. (Supplied)

NEWS Spelling champions named

By Ethan Benedicto

The City of Casey celebrated its handful of winners following the finale of the VicSpell competition, where students from Year 5 until Year 8 engaged in a friendly competition of memory, problem-solving and more.

Battling through stormy weather and tumultuous power outages, students from all over eastern Victoria remained eager, with a 100 per cent attendance rate and prizes from dictionaries, trophies and vouchers won.

Trevor Sowdon, convenor and founder of VicSpells was more than just proud of the students who participated; as always, he shared the children’s excitement in competition when it came to who could spell the best.

“We know it’s a tight competition, but it’s a very fair and generous competition meaning they do respect their schoolmates who may beat them or were beaten,” Sowdon said.

“We had families coming from all over East Gippsland and of course, some had to rely on trains and parents, family, teachers and some had to walk there.”

Beaconhills College Year 8 student, Cooper Buxton placed first in his respective year level, with Ethan Cruse from Yarraman Secondary coming in second.

Also from Beaconhills, Year 7 student Emily Wang came second in her year level, just shy of first-place winner Alliah Lindner-Brownrigg from Yarram Secondary.

While St Brendan’s Primary School from Lakes Entrance Year 6 student Indi Rijs took first in their respective year level, Yohan Bala and Shradda Manikandan, both from Tullialan Primary School, respectively took second and third palaces. Sowdon, who began VicSpells 20 years ago wanted to do with the aim of promoting good spelling, but also the foster that sense of camaraderie and engagement from students with one another through friendly bouts.

“Sometimes you get two students from the same school if one goes out early, he or she is really keen for the other student to do well,” Sowdon said.

and

gravings for the first and second place holders. With the finals wrapped up, Sowdon is looking forward for more to come in 2025, eager to see more students take up the challenge.

Minister to make the call on native vegetation removal

By Violet Li

A proposed commercial and industrial development in Cranbourne West has triggered Federal involvement due to its potential to disrupt the habitats of vulnerable and endangered species.

WPH Cranbourne Investments Pty Lty, related to Salta Properties, proposed to remove 0.512 hectares of native vegetation at 690 Western Port Highway for future development.

The company is both the landowner and the land developer.

Approximately 50 hectares of non-native vegetation is also proposed to be removed.

According to an environment assessment report by consultancy Nature Advisory, the proposed development land contains “potential habitats” for 15 fauna species listed under environment protection law, including the greyheaded flying-fox, critically endangered swift

parrot, endangered Australian painted-snipe, and several migratory species.

Growling grass frog, endangered southern brown bandicoot, and endangered swamp skink are also considered to have the potential to occur in the area.

The report suggests field surveys failed to locate any of these three ground-dwelling species within the potential habitat.

The report also assesses the susceptibility of all the listed species and states that the proposed development is unlikely to have any significant impacts on them, given the species’ low level of reliance on the subject habitat resulted from the low quality of the land and the availability of other suitable habitats in the region.

The subject land is in a “relatively poor” environmental condition, according to the permit application submitted to the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environ-

ment and Water.

Mostofthelandhasbeen“heavilydisturbed” by cattle grazing, and the vegetation now mainly consists of introduced pasture grasses, the application writes.

The landowner highlights that it will retain a patch of native vegetation of high quality.

“The patch being removed is a low-quality patch and only comprised understorey species,” it states.

Professor of wildlife and ecology at Deakin University Euan Ritchie said threatened species needed connected landscapes to survive in and move through, no more so than in already highly modified and fragmented urban and peri-urban areas.

“Habitat quality and value isn’t simply a matter of size. Small patches of habitat can be disproportionately important for conserving some

threatened species, and contribute to more connected, functional landscapes,” he said.

“Some threatened species, including southern brown bandicoots and swift parrots, are adaptable and live in or move through highly modified habitats.

“But there are limits. A patch of invasive weeds might provide a home for bandicoots, but concrete and buildings won’t.

“Continuing to destroy patches of habitat of threatened species is very much death by continuous cuts.”

A referral has been made to the Federal Environment Minister to decide upon the proposed native vegetation removal.

The referral is open for public comments until 19 September.

To submit comments, visit the EPBC Act Public Portal at epbcpublicportal.awe.gov.au

The land at 690 Western Port Highway is proposed for commercial and industrial development. (Rob Carew: 430981)690 Western Port Highway from across the road. (430981)

Judge Patrick McNally also presented the winners with dictionaries on behalf of Oxford University Press, and Jim

Carol from Triangle Trophies donated their share of trophy en-

Cooper Buxton, a Year 8 student from Beaconhills College placed first in his year level. (Supplied)

From left to right: Year 5 student Krithik Kanisetty from Berwick Field Primary came second; with Remi Perera from Lakes Entrance Primary at first and Pranav Jithin from Brentwood Park at third.

Emily Wang, a Year 7 student from Beaconhills College came second and was awarded a trophy and dictionary.

Orchids a springtime delight

By Ethan Benedicto

Although colder weather is still biting through the populace’s clothes, spring has sprung and is well underway at the Berwick Orchids Club, as it readies itself for an end-of-month celebration and showcase of the best it has to offer.

Teeming with life and the yellow glitter of sunrise, the orchids have taken well to the weather, according to club president and event curator Murray Harding, with their current growth patterns looking promising for the 28-29 September spring show.

“I’m standing in my orchid house at the moment and I would suggest that I’m looking at over a thousand flower spikes,” Harding said.

“So if we can get to the end of the month while those things are still in that kind of condition, the show will be outstanding.”

The club itself grows a wide variety of plants, with orchids as the main focus; but the majority of these orchids originate further north in either New South Wales or Queensland - areas with warmer and more varied climates which tend to be better conditions for growth.

However, according to Harding, things are looking bright if spring and the coming summer are to be anything like the previous year, where the orchids matured early.

“Well, the thing is, you’re in the hands of the weather,” Harding said.

“Whether these plants will actually open and be at their best depends entirely on whether we get some warm weather or whether we go back to being cold again over the next few weeks.

“So, you’re in the lap of the gods, but the odds are in favour of an excellent show.”

Orchids are among the most prolific plant families in the globe, with over 25,000 species

spread across nearly every continent save Antarctica.

To Harding, this means that most families have some form of connection with orchids, from either a member owning one or simply being given one.

“There’s a story that goes with every orchid, and there are orchid clubs all over the world, and something around 40 in Victoria,” he said.

The love for orchids is widespread, with Harding emphasising the impact of its beauty and people’s appreciation for it through his experience at the 23rd World Orchid Conference in Taiwan,

which was held from February to March this year.

“I think there’s an orchid that speaks to everybody and will have a pretty serious number of different forms and so on.

“So having this space, such as the Berwick Orchids Club is important for these people,” he said.

The club, which roughly has 70 members sees a general attendance of around 40 every meeting has one main goal: to share their knowledge of the plants in order to get the best results.

Harding, who was first inspired by his father to grow orchids, currently houses over 10,000 orchids in his 12-metre by 18-metre orchid house

- and to him, it’s “not commercial, it’s a hobby”.

“I’m 80 now, and ever since I retired I’ve been working with and about orchids,” he said.

“And honestly, I think this is keeping me younger than I would have been if I was sitting around watching TV.”

Looking forward to a vibrant weekend, Harding is confident of not just his, but the club’s orchids and their beauty.

“If people even have the slightest interest in orchids, but [also] if they’re interested in knowing how to grow their own, this is just the place for them,” he said.

Push for faster accreditation for Filipino engineers

By Violet Li

A multicultural community organisation in Casey has been working towards a quicker professional assessment for Filipino engineers in Australia.

In partnership with the Society of Filipino Engineers in Australia (SFEA), Pinoy Casey Community Inc (PCCI) held the first information session on the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between engineering bodies of the Philippines and Australia on 25 August.

MRA recognises differences in chartered qualification standards and contributes to a simpler professional assessment process on the respective sides. Engineers Australia and the Philippine Technological Council (PTC) serve as the professional bodies on the two sides.

Engineers Australia currently has MRA with 15 countries worldwide, not including the Philippines.

The information session briefed the attendants on the progress of MRA and provided a networking opportunity.

President of PCCI Alfie Tilan and other Filipino engineers in Australia launched the nationwide SFEA in May this year after recognising the challenges faced by the cohort.

“I’m surprised because there are a lot of engineers who already could be working, like in Dubai or overseas, went to Australia, and then saying, how can we practice as engineers here?”

Mr Tilan said.

“Here, you cannot function as an engineer unless you have accreditation from Engineers Australia, or you’re formally appointed as an engineer in Australia through the MRA.”

During the information session, Mr Tilan reflected on his journey to be a chartered engineer in Australia, which took him six months after multiple tests and assessments.

He believed his process stage was among the fastest because of his extensive previous experience before coming to Australia in 2007.

“It was really a long process that the foreign engineers whose countries don’t have MRA had to go through,” he said.

“If we have MRA, many engineers don’t have to go through the same process as what I did when I became an engineer here.

“It will be like a shortcut.”

Mr Tilan said SFEA was established to speed up the process of MRA between the two countries.

“SFEA is the representative body of PTC in Australia,” he said.

“We have constant communication between the Philippines and Australia.

“If no one is pushing it here, we will have to wait for very long.”

Mr Tilan said SEFA and PCCI were confident about the timeline as the Philippines officially

became a signatory of the Washington Accord (WA) in June this year, which was believed to pave the way for MRA.

“It took Indonesia around one and a half years to finally have the MRA after the signatory with Washington Accord was met,” he said.

“We’re looking at a formal signing of MRA between the two countries in December 2025.”

Mr Tilan said MRA would be for the future generation.

“We are not doing this for ourselves because we are all chartered,” he said.

“We do this because of our passion, and we want to share our stories with those who are planning to become an engineer here.

“It could be a big inspiration for them because sometimes it gets to a point where most of them are about to give up.”

Berwick Orchid Club president Murray Harding with his father’s 44-year-old Dendrobium Speciosum that lives in a tree; he planted it there as that is where they naturally grow. (Rob Carew: 430835_01)

A fine example of a variant of a Dendrobium orchid. (430835)

The group shot of the day. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 427196)

Vice president of SFEA Alex Genota is speaking at the information session. (427196)

President of PCCI and SFEA Alfie Tilan is speaking at the information session. (427196)

L to R engineer Dennis Arcenas, director Victor Marzonia, public relations officer Jules Jusayan, president Alfie Tilan, vice president Alex Genota, treasurer Edrick Lim. (427196)

Discover the Summerset difference at

Cranbourne North Open Days

Pop along to Summerset Cranbourne North’s upcoming Open Days, enjoy some refreshments, and tour the brand-new range of Hibiscus homes.

These premium single-level villas are a range of ground or lift accessible, upper-level homes featuring two spacious bedrooms, bathroom, powder room, and internal access garage. Featuring open-plan kitchen, living and dining with either a generous garden or balcony with views over the neighbouring park, they’re perfect for entertaining friends and family.

Once complete, residents of Summerset Cranbourne North# will be able to enjoy a range of resort-style facilities, including an indoor swimming pool and spa, resident bar, café, exercise room, hair and beauty salon, recreational bowling green and resident workshop.

With two-bedroom Hibiscus homes available with flexible pricing from $669,000,* you could be loving the Summerset life sooner than you think.

Love the life you choose.

Open Days Friday 20 & Saturday 21 September, 10am - 2pm

Summerset Cranbourne North 98 Mannavue Boulevard, Cranbourne North 03 7068 5642 | cranbourne.sales@summerset.com.au

THE LOWDOWN

Q&A

Tell us about yourself and your work.

I have only been with Lyndhurst Secondary College (LSC) for four months. I mainly do marketing/graphic design for the school but also fill in at reception. I have been designing for approx. 20 years and love every bit of it.

What has been your most memorable moment during your work?

Most memorable moment was seeing the sports banners completed and flying proudly on our Athletics day.

What do you love about your work?

I love the varied work I do, I really love working with the students and the people I work with are already feeling like a family to me.

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

I’d love to be an eagle.

What were you like as a kid?

I was born in Ireland, I didn’t like to get in trouble and I loved spending time with family. What event, past or present, would you like to witness?

The time when Jesus walked the earth. Which dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?

Jesus, Elvis, Trump, and my Grandparents. What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Generous, fun, kind.

What would you do on your perfect ’day off’? Spending time with my family. Where is your happy place?

Home and church.

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

Where is your dream holiday destination? Belfast, Ireland.

with Sinead Fay from Lyndhurst Secondary College

With R U OK? Day today (Thursday 12 September), here are three ways to commemorate the day.

1

Ask the question

Asking if someone is OK, is, as obvious as it may seem, the best way to commemorate the day. One must also ensure that they are asking with sincerity, and providing the asked person a place of respite and comfort to confide with you their concerns.

2

Events

Participating in awareness events is also another way to seize the day, where many workplaces, schools and community groups host events that raise awareness of mental health and how important it is to check in on others.

Social media

3

With most people online, spreading the word and sharing messages of support and advocation through sites such as Facebook and Instagram is a good way to let others know about what the day stands for.

Sinead Fay from Lyndhurst Secondary College. (Stewart Chambers: 420809)

Lifetime of works on offer

By Matthew Sims

Former art dealers Lindsay and Roz McNaught are selling up hundreds of artworks accumulated over more than 45 years involved in the art world.

Hundreds of pieces are on sale at 13 Intrepid Street in Berwick from 11am to 6pm from Thursday 12 September to Sunday 15 September and from Thursday 19 September to Sunday 22 September.

Mr McNaught said the sale of art works including 18th and 19th century pieces, the estate of postwar and contemporary painter Karlis Mednis and etchings from printmaker, painter and art teacher Ernest Abbott is going well, with last

weekend launching the sale of their large collection.

“We originally got into art through prints and framing,” he said.

“We learnt a lot through the antique trade.”

The couple sold the historic Tonimbuk House earlier this year after living on the 130-year-old property since 1982, deciding to offload the majority of their art collection ahead of their move to Emerald.

“We’re both 75 years old,” he said.

“We’re not going to start up any businesses anymore.”

Hitting the field in the name of kids in palliative care

By Ethan Benedicto

Football legends are set to take on the field this coming Saturday, as veterans from the A-League and the Victorian Premiere League battle it out in a fundraiser for children in palliative care.

Scheduled to take place on 14 September at Frank Holohan Reserve in Endeavour Hills, two teams, one consisting of A-League all-stars and the other of Victorian Premier League vets will play in support of Very Special Kids, a not-forprofit organisation specialising in holistic palliative care for children and young people.

Steven Topalovic, recently retired Dandenong SC player and curator said that the VPL Legends match, which began in 2023, was, on one hand, a good way for him to stay in touch with the game, but more importantly, was a medium that allowed him and others to support a greater cause.

“I wanted to do something for the kids, I wanted to make sure that the money goes to a direct facility and to have someone be in direct contact with them,” Topalovic said.

“Like all the boys that I used to play soccer with, we’ve all got kids and stuff, so it’s something that we resonate with.

“[And] sports is just a good way to get people together; when I started organising it I realised how many contacts I still had from the game, the players and coaches.

“As soon as you make a phone call and explain to people what you’re doing, what you’re doing the game for, everyone’s basically on board,” he said.

Realising his close ties with the sport, its players and their love for the game, Topaovic saw it as an opportunity to bring attention to a cause he felt strongly for.

Garnering attention through the ties made

with businesses, friends and family was instrumental, with Topalovic adding that soccer as a sport is a “big engine that can drive a lot of things”.

“Getting the guys to play for something that is as important as that, it’s easy man.

“Obviously, having a Legends game without having and organisation to run and to raise money, it’s not going to generate the same sort of interest from the general public.

“So this [the Legends game] was the way to branch out into that,” he said.

Very Special Kids CEO, Michael Wasley said that the cause is a great one, considering that the topic of palliative care is a difficult one to speak of, more so convey to the general public.

“People often find it difficult to talk about dying, particularly when it comes to children; but holistic paediatric palliative care is more about living, and living well, than it is dying,” Wasley said.

“Events like the VPL Legends match don’t just provide vital funds; they also help us change the way society understands childhood life-limiting illnesses.

“Together we can make the world a better, more supportive and knowledgeable place for these children and their families.”

As a predominantly self-funded charity, VSK would not be able to provide its services, which are a range of comprehensive, tailored support programs for seriously ill children, were it not for the help of the wider community.

To Wasley, VSK wants to “ensure every Victorian child and family who needs us can access us”.

“This could be through counselling and emotional support, sibling support, community networking activities, bereavement support, family and holiday accommodation and/or respite, end-of-life care and after-death care.

“As a small charity, the public’s awareness of Very Special Kids isn’t universal, annually community events like the VPL Legends match can help us reach these families, plan ahead and support seriously ill children for years to come.”

Looking at this Saturday’s line-up, alongside Topalovic, VPL figureheads like Ivan Franjic, Carl Valeri, Nick Ward and Ersam Gulum will be some of the big names lacing up in support of the cause.

For Topalovic, he’s more than keen for the game to begin, saying “I’m definitely excited”.

“Let’s get the game happening and let’s get the people coming in, I’m excited to see everyone.”

The match is set to commence at 3pm on Saturday, and for more information on the match, visit footballvictoria.com.au/news/heinaugural-victorian-premier-league-vpl-legends-match

For additional information on Very Special Kids and their palliative care services, and for ways to donate, visit vsk.org.au

Steven Topalovic, former VPL player known for his staunch defence will be donning a Very Special Kids jersey for the Legends match. (Rob Carew: 431039)

Roz and Lindsay McNaught are selling hundreds of artworks over the next two weeks. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 429755)

The warehouse is open to all visitors over the next two weekends. (429755)

There is something for everyone throughout the collection. (429755)

Their collection features a wide range of 18th and 19th century works. (429755)

The collection features hundreds of pieces. (429755)

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

Cranbourne Senior Citizens

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

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.

U3A Cranbourne

U3A is a community group for anyone 50 and over to learn, share and socialise in Cranbourne. Activities range from Line Dancing and Ballroom Dancing, Guitar and Ukulele, Arts and Crafts, Table Tennis and more. The group offers a variety of activities at 20-22 Bowen Street in Cranbourne. Line Dancing and Ballroom Dancing classes are held at Casey Basketball Stadium in Cranbourne. Find the joy in joining others in keeping your brain, body active and pursuing creative interests that you are passionate about.

Supported by Casey Council U3A is a not-for-profit organisation with a membership fee of$50 per year. This fee allows members to participate in as many activities as they wish.

· Please check our website u3acranbourne.org. au or call 0493 991 919.

Blind Bight Community Centre Craft gift making for adults from 12.30pm to 2.30pm on Tuesdays.

Join in the craft gift making class and bring along your own craft to complete.

NEWS

A variety of techniques and skills are shared including mosaics, macrame, sewing and painting at $3 per class.

Playgroup from 10.30am to noon on Wednesdays.

The program provides fun play activities and craft for children at $5 per family.

Free knit and crochet from noon to 2pm on Wednesdays.

Line dancing from 1pm to 2pm on Wednesdays.

All ages, and abilities welcome at $10 per class.

· For more information and for bookings, visit www.blindbightcommunitycentre.com.au

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 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.

Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club

Are you new newly retired, or new to the area, or just wanting to enjoy your freedom as a senior or expand your social life?

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 our “Buildings of Casey” photography competition this spring and help us 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.

· 9am, 1 September - 5pm, 30 September

stimulating activities and friendship.The

hosts weekly social activities with dance to lowkey in-line dancing if you want to tap your feet, great music, a chat, and then afternoon tea. Day, short and long trips away via coach, a weekly morning coffee club, monthly Saturday country pub lunches, monthly Tuesday dine-outs, a weekly walking group, a weekly table tennis group, seasonal daytime musical theatre outings, entertainment function days and more.

Anyone interested can visit on Thursdays at 2pm for socialising and low-key dancing at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House at 21A Bemersyde Drive or join the club for a coffee and a chat every Wednesday from 10am at the new François cafe in front of Myer in Fountain Gate.

For more information, contact enquiry officer Gloria on 0468 363 616.

Different approaches: Adaptive leadership still relevant

Although you don’t tend to hear much about it these days, ‘Adaptive Leadership’ is still a highly relevant form of leadership which was first documented in 1994 through Ronald Heifetz’s seminal book “Leadership Without Easy Answers.“ It differs fundamentally from traditional, top-down forms of leadership in a variety of ways which can be summarised as follows:

Approach to Change

Adaptive Leadership recognises that environments are complex and constantly changing and hence require different approaches. What typically worked before may not necessarily work in a new paradigm and so Adaptive Leadership encourages a ‘growth mindset’ approach which encourages staff to tackle problems through experimentation and where learning from failure is embraced as a natural and integral part of their role. Adaptive leaders embrace uncertainty. Problem-Solving

Traditional leadership tends to focus the respon-

TAKING CARE

OF BUSINESS

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sibility for decision-making on the leaders themselves which can not only put a lot of pressure on the leader, it also removes the opportunity for individual growth and development for those within the team. Instead, Adaptive Leadership enables collective problem-solving and involvement of team members so that the leader’s role becomes one more of facilitation and support rather than being the primary person to solve the problem(s).

Focus on People

As may already be apparent from the above,

adaptive leaders are highly focused on people and relationships. They recognise the importance of emotional intelligence (the ability to understand, apply and manage your own emotions and the impact on those around you) and the role that this plays in understanding and being tolerant of differing perspectives. More antiquated leadership focuses more on the tasks than the people which can have detrimental impacts on relationships.

Flexibility

Probably the most significant difference between Adaptive Leadership and more traditional forms of leadership is the strong focus on the need for flexibility. This requires not only consideration of new solutions as situations change but the willingness of a leader to shift their own perspective for the greater good. The Adaptive Leadership paradigm often discusses leadership in terms of needing to alternate between being on the ‘balcony’ and on the ‘dance floor’. The ‘balcony’ view

provides an overall perspective and highlights that decisions are not made in isolation but with due respect to a more holistic viewpoint. Being on the ‘dance floor’ indicates the need for a leader to be in the midst of the action from time to time so as to see issues from the frontline.

Learning Orientation

As already alluded to in the ‘Approach to Change’ above, Adaptive Leadership promotes a culture of learning where feedback is encouraged and continuous improvement championed. This is not learning for learning’s sake but a practical focus on finding new ways to solve problems collaboratively. In summary, adaptive leadership thrives in dynamic environments and focuses on collaboration, flexibility and learning, while traditional leadership tends to prioritize stability, hierarchy, and adherence to established processes.

Ian Ash ACC, AIECL, AInstIB Managing Director OrgMent Business Solutions - www.ombs.com.au

Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club can offer you

club

Sarah H. won the first prize in 2023 with her photo End of the Line which captures the section of the disused railway between Broadoak Drive and Casey Fields Boulevard. (Supplied)

ASH

Casey’s Crees wins bronze

By Marcus Uhe

Berwick’s Dayna Crees will return from the Paralympic Games in Paris with a bronze medal in her suitcase after claiming third place in the Women’s Javelin Throw F34 event last week.

Crees, who honed her craft at Casey Cardinia Athletics Club, threw a personal best of 17.65 metres on her first attempt in the early hours of Monday morning, 2 September in Paris to finish third in the event behind a pair of Chinese competitors, with the gold medal winner, Zou Lijuan, setting a new world record in the process.

The 22-year-old was the second-last competitor to participate in the event and trumped her previous best distance that she threw at the 2023 Para-Athletics Championships of 16.84 metres, which at the time set a national record.

In the F34 shot put event the next day, she placed ninth with a throw of 6.3 metres on her fourth attempt, also a new personal best, to cap a wonderful maiden Paralympic Games venture.

Crees, who lives with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, throws while seated in a wheelchair due to

her disability, and recovered from a rotator cuff injury suffered in January in order to qualify for the Games.

Her athletics journey began with success in running and jumping events before transitioning to the throwing disciplines as a teenager.

Overall, the Athletics team claimed 11 medals, with three golds, two silvers and six bronze.

The Paralympics concluded on Monday morning, 9 September with the closing ceremony, bringing an end to 11 days of competition.

The Australian Paralympic Team claimed 18 gold medals, 17 silver and 28 bronze, including Crees’, to finish ninth on the gold medal tally and eighth for total overall medals.

Six athletes won multiple medals, including swimmers Alexa Leary and Callum Simpson, with medals coming in a total of nine sports; boccia, athletics, canoe, cycling, rowing, swimming, table tennis, triathlon and wheelchair rugby.

The 2028 Paralympic Games will be held in Los Angeles beginning Tuesday 22 August and concluding on Sunday 3 September.

Beaconsfield’s brave run comes to an end

By David Nagel

Beaconsfield’s barnstorming run through the Eastern Division One finals series has come to a painful end after the Eagles fell to minor premier Park Orchards by eight points in the preliminary final at Boronia.

The Eagles fell short despite having 22 scoring shots to 15; eventually eliminated from this year’s premiership race with a 12.3(75) to 9.13(67) defeat.

Coach Mick Fogarty made a massive inclusion at the selection table on Thursday night, with Frankston VFL key-position player Harrison Coe pulling on the blue, white and gold for the first time since round 10.

Coe had an immediate impact, taking the first contested mark inside forward 50 but pulled his shot to the left.

The Eagles started well, with Myles Currie kicking the game’s opener, before the Sharks clicked into gear with four unanswered goals.

The highlight of those was a magnificent running goal from Mclaren Spiteri; but two late goals in a minute to Jake Bowd and Jafar Ocaa saw the Eagles cut the margin back to a straight kick at quarter time.

The Eagles conceded the first of the second quarter, but when Bowd proved too quick for Matt Haythorne, and then received a free kick against the same Sharks’ defender; the Eagles had a three-point lead.

Park Orchards would then kick the next five goals of the contest; the first late in the second quarter before booting 4.1 to 0.2 in the third.

The Sharks just couldn’t miss, with a point to Connor Hickey; at the three-minute mark of the premiership quarter; their last inaccurate shot at goal.

The Eagles let their guard down for seven minutes in the third quarter, conceding those four goals; but did well to absorb the Sharks’ momentum and trail by 26 points at the final change.

With the aid of a gradually increasing breeze, the Eagles pulled out all stops in an entertaining final stanza.

But unfortunately, they just missed too many ‘gettable’ shots on goal to capitalise on their last-quarter dominance.

The Eagles kicked 4.6 to 2.0 in the final term, with Ocaa, Kobe Shipp and Charlie Muley all missing some realistic chances on goal.

Ocaa cut the margin back to 19 points, six minutes into the last, before Sam Allen and Jacob Price-Inglis gave the Sharks a 29-point buffer.

With just 15 minutes remaining in their season, the Eagles fired one last shot.

Coe and Brandon White both converted set shots, and when Ocaa cut the deficit back to 10 points - at the 22-minute mark – with a brilliant checkside banana, it was back to being game on.

The Eagles kept on pushing, but when a long shot from Muley was touched on the line, and an Ocaa set shot was pushed right; the Eagles’ brave and enterprising run had come to a sudden halt.

Bowd and Ocaa kicked three each for the vanquished, while Kade De La Rue, Josh Mounter and Sam Merrick gave the Eagles some drive and purpose through the middle.

Jack Docherty, Connor Mouat and White were superb for the Eagles down back, while the speed of Shipp caused the Sharks some real headaches at times.

Fogarty will be proud of his team’s performance this year; winning its first two finals in Eastern; but will rue the inaccuracy in front of goal and the deadly-shooting efficiency of its opponent.

Park Orchards will now take on reigningpremier Mitcham in the Division One decider at Tormore Reserve on Saturday.

The first bounce of the ball takes place at 2.20pm.

PRELIMINARYFINAL

ParkOrchardsGoals: Jaye Witnish 3, Sam Allen, Liam Jeffs, Kane Keppel, Tom Livingstone, Alexander Macrokanis, Jacob Price-Inglis, Tyler Prunty, McLaren Spiteri, Liam Webb. Best: Liam Cridland, Jaye Witnish, Mason Blakey, Tom Livingstone, Ciaran Hickey.

BeaconsfieldGoals: Jake Bowd 3, Jafar Ocaa 3, Harrison Coe, Myles Currie, Brandon White.

Eight locals earn invite to combine

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Four Dandenong Stingrays and four Gippsland Power players are among the 91 players nominated for the 2024 AFLW Draft combines.

Stingrays Zoe Besanko and Elli Symonds were invited to the national combine, alongside Gippsland top-five pick contender Ash Centra. Dandenong midfielders Jemma Reynolds and Kayla Dalgleish and Gippsland trio Jas Sowden, Lilly Leighton and Zali Gallagher were invited to the state combine.

Besanko is an athletic tall, Symonds projects as a strong-marking forward/midfielder and Centra is a smooth-moving utility.

Reynolds is a polished on-baller, Dalgleish is athletic and fierce, Sowden is brilliant in the contest, Leighton is a hard runner and Gallagher is pacy and tenacious off halfback.

The three-day national Draft Combine will be held in Melbourne from Friday, October 4 to Sunday, October 6. It will be held over the same weekend as the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft Combine for boys.

Club interviews will be held at the MCG across Friday and Saturday before players take part in physical testing at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) on Sunday.

Testing will include the vertical jump, running vertical jump, 20-metre sprint, agility test and 2km time trial.

In addition to the national Draft Combine, smaller state-based Draft Combines will also be held in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia for players who were not nominated for the national event.

Selection to attend the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft Combine and 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft Combines was based on nominations provided by AFLW clubs.

Zoe Besanko was invited to the AFLW National Draft Combine. (Rob Carew: 430152)

Best: Jack Docherty, Kade De La Rue, Connor Mouat, Brandon White, Joshua Mounter, Sam Merrick.

Two quick goals to skipper Jake Bowd gave Beaconsfield the second-quarter lead. (Rob Carew: 427145)

Berwick’s Dayna Crees celebrates her fantastic bronze medal finish at the Paralympics in Paris. (Drew Chislett/AAP: 430703)

Smooth two surge through

By Marcus Uhe

Narre Warren’s unblemished record in qualifying for every Premier Division grand final since the inception of the Outer East Football Netball competition has continued on the back of a brilliant, hard fought second semi-final win over Woori Yallock on Saturday.

The Magpies didn’t have it all their own way, forced to fight back after a poor opening quarter, but inspired by coach Steven Kidd’s impassioned plea to play for the black and white jumper and the badge on their chests, rallied to advance to the final day of the season with a 15-point win, 11.7 73 to 8.10 58.

For Kidd, a premiership player in his own right and one of the club’s favourite sons, the call to play for the jumper reflects his deep passion for a place that means an immense amount to him, and one he feels privileged to lead.

“I’m continually reminding them that, we play for Narre,” Kidd said.

“I’m trying to instil that in them, continually remind them and remind them how tight they are, because they are a tight group.

“I played so many games for the club and the junior club and I’ve grown up wanting to play in premierships, succeed, play for the jumper and I wanted to continue to instil in the players what has happened over the last couple of years with our club, what it means, how well we train.”

An uncomfortable and eery hush fell over the ground in picturesque conditions at Healesville with only the light breeze swaying the trees in the background providing a dull hum and atmosphere.

Joel Zietsman started on key forward Taylor Gibson in the Woori Yallock forward half, with Brayden Sharp joining Will Howe and Jesse Davies deep in the Magpies’ attacking 50 to begin the afternoon.

The Magpies made an ideal start to the contest with Riley Siwes kicking truly from in close after receiving a free kick, but the remainder of the quarter was dominated by the Tigers kicking to the scoring end of the ground, the Racecourse end, as Narre Warren appeared to succumb to finals anxiety and nerves.

Extremely uncharacteristic occurrences, such as players being unsure of whether a kick was intended for them coming out of the back half, or Tom Toner flying for a marking attempt that he was always going to battle to reach and being penalised as a result, exemplified the jitters the players were experiencing as the scoreboard looked unfavourably upon them.

Narre Warren lost concentration when Gibson was preparing to take a set shot, allowing captain Kudy Busoli to sneak into open space and convert a set shot.

The free kick after Toner’s unsuccessful aerial endeavours saw Woori Yallock take the ball the length of the field and Ben Monkhorst kick the Tigers’ second.

A scramble from a stoppage at the teeth of the Tigers’ goal bagged them their third of the afternoon, and a downfield free kick against Declan Brown led to a fourth of the term for Joshua Neal.

A desperate smother on the goal line from the Magpies prevented what looked like a certain fifth goal of term, and to trail by only 20 points despite the Tigers dominating field position was a positive outcome for Narre Warren.

The Tigers defenders held their positions in the back half did not allow for the Magpies’ dangerous half-forwards to run riot in open space as they have done on many occasions in 2024, while winning the contest at the source nullified the impact of the Magpies’ midfielders.

Narre Warren retreated to the quarter time huddle with one of the biggest deficits they had experienced all season, with Kidd likening their performance to being “deers in headlights”.

The second quarter was a complete contrast, led by Peter Gentile’s move into the middle of the ground.

He, Hayden Dwyer and Brad Scalzo were instrumental in a stunning second-quarter revival, where the Magpies kicked five goals to the Tigers’ one.

Jesse Davies converted a forced forward-half turnover and Gentile followed suit with a sweetly struck long set shot after earning a stoppage free kick.

Jordan Williams then received a yellow card for an incident with Tom Toner, and Will Howe kicked his first shortly after, finding himself in the right place at the right time when Dwyer’s set shot fell short.

The Magpies could not have asked for a better response after a sluggish opening, and now found themselves just two points behind.

Davies kicked his second of the afternoon, finding open space and being the final link in chain of a series of precise, short, sharp kicks from teammates further afield, and put the Magpies remarkably ahead by four points.

Disaster then struck in the form of Trent Papworth succumbing to another calf injury, leaving the Magpies a key pillar short in the back half, and one less big body to throw at Gibson, having now assumed the match-up.

When he eventually reached the bench, a heavy bag of ice was his companion for the remainder of the afternoon, with a line put through his prospects of returning after the game.

Siwes’ second of the afternoon, a tough set shot for a left footer in front of a passionate collection of Tigers supporters, made it five on the bounce for Narre Warren, and confirmed their ascendancy in the contest.

A much-needed stoppage goal from the Tigers just before the half stopped the rot at five, and saw Narre Warren reach the half with their beaks in front by five points.

Kurt Mutimer won the opening clearance of the second half but misses from Davies and Hamish West saw golden opportunities not taken.

Busoli made them pay at the other, after he and his teammates choked the ground and did not allow the Magpies to effectively exit from their back half.

The major re-established Woori Yallock’s lead, and Gibson’s first of the afternoon from a forward 50 ground ball pushed the margin to seven points. He would not have the same impact shortly after, however, with Zietsman getting the better of him in a vital marking contest at half back.

The remaining captain helped to create a turnover in the back half and the rebound went straight down the middle of the ground, with Sharp finding Howe stumbling into an unguarded goal square.

Dan Toner then missed a chance to retake the lead, and Zach Monkhorst’s goal at the other end, in confusing circumstances, restored a sevenpoint lead.

Approaching time on in the third quarter, Woori Yallock looked set to hold on to that lead at the final break, but a third goal for Davies and a bonus from Tom Russell, the beneficiary of a 25-metre penalty and a stunning tackle from Josh West in the back half that denied a goal-scoring opportunity, gave Narre Warren the crucial momentum heading into the pivotal final quarter, with a spot in the grand final up for grabs.

It was now that Kidd invoked the passion for the jumper, and the players found the necessary resolve to keep the Tigers at bay.

By now, a slight breeze was favouring the scoring end, and Siwes’ third of the afternoon at a forward 50 stoppage gave his side an 11-point cushion after two minutes of play.

The Tigers then lifted intensity and possessed a considerable advantage in the territory battle for much of the quarter, but the Magpies would not be denied.

Dwyer and Gentile moving back behind the ball helped sniff out attacking thrusts, providing tremendous assistance for the unheralded stalwarts in the defensive half of Hayden Johnson, Jacob Mutimer and Josh West.

Despite their endeavour, the Tigers could not find the much-needed breakthroughs to claw back the Magpies’ lead.

Siwes’ fourth would slam the door shut on the Tigers’ hopes, and seal the Magpies’ progression to the final game of the season in the quickest possible manner once again.

For the Magpies, they flew back to Narre Warren with a fourth win of the season against a genuine premiership rival, and the target well and truly on their back as the team to beat in 2024.

Dwyer, Gentile, Johnson and Siwes were each exceptional in their respective roles, while Scalzo was singled-out by Kidd for his role on Tigers star Liam O’Dea.

Dwyer was deemed by his coach to have won the match-up against one of the competition’s best rucks in Zach Monkhorst, with his stocks continuing to skyrocket.

“He just competes and works really hard,” Kidd said of his ruck.

“We’ll have a look at the tap work and all that stuff, I think it was pretty even but I think Hayden

around the ground was better.

“He understands the game really well and what he’s been able to do this year, for a guy who played about eight senior games (before this year), he’s been massive and continues to do it.”

Kidd assured that the Magpies will not treat next week as a rest in order to stay in peak condition for the upcoming grand final tussle.

Woori Yallock, meanwhile, will lick its wounds and prepare for a preliminary final on Sunday against Wandin.

Wandin made it comprehensive cut-throat final wins in consecutive weeks with a 69-point victory over Olinda Ferny Creek at Yarra Glen.

Both the offensive and defensive components of Wandin’s game were firing on all cylinders, holding the Bloods to just four goals in a 15.11 101 to 4.8 32 hammering.

After poor kicking for goal in the first quarter, which elicited just 2.5, Wandin broke clear in the second quarter with 6.2 to 1.1, leading by 45 points at the long break.

Not wanting to let their feet off the throat of the Bloods, they slammed on a further five goals in the final term in a clear four-quarter display from the reigning premier.

“We talked during the week about, the challenge for us as a group is to be able to put four quarters together, and any football side, is to put four quarters together and I think at this time of year, when you’re playing against opponents that deserve to be where they’re at, you give them momentum and they’re going to take advantage of it,” Wandin coach Nick Adam said.

“I was really pleased with the way we were able to execute for four quarters and that was probably the most pleasing part of the day.

“I felt our pressure was right up when we were playing well and it was played in our half for large chunks, which was pleasing.”

Todd Garner was given the defensive forward assignment on Matthew Scharenberg and quelled his influence, and with Aaron Mullett spending more time on the ball, Patrick Hodgett became the major beneficiary with more space inside 50, finishing with six majors.

Mullett, Harrison van Duuren and Chayce Black were among the Bulldogs’ best.

Magpies Tom Russell and Hayden Dwyer share a hug on the final siren after booking their place in the grand final. (Rob Carew: 430150)

SPORT Bulldogs turn Lion tamers

By Marcus Uhe

The season of Pakenham’s top-tier netball side has come to a grinding halt thanks to an Outer East Football Netball A-Grade netball competition semi-final loss to Wandin at Yarra Glen on Saturday.

A team of older and more experienced heads on the court than what Pakenham provided proved pivotal in the result, in a physical contest that saw Wandin prevail by eight goals, 53-45.

Pakenham went into the contest without first-choice Goal Shooter Kelly Cousins who succumbed to an ankle injury during the week, and was reduced to a supporting role on the bench to cheer her teammates on.

Rose Laidlaw paired with Charlotte Hudolin in the Pakenham goal circle, and after some nervous moments to open the game, settled with a vital rebound that led to a goal for her teammate a few minutes in.

Hudolin’s head-to-head with Wandin’s Ruby Tidd was an eye-catching matchup early in the game, with penalties traded and physicality intensifying on both sides with every Pakenham advance.

Wandin looked to move the ball quickly down the court before Pakenham could establish its defences to combat towering shooter Emmalia Blake, creating a manic fast-paced contest.

Pakenham’s patience was rewarded with an even score line that reflected a tremendous opening term, before the Bulldogs flexed its muscle in the pivotal second period.

Outscoring the Lions 18-7, the Bulldogs made their move.

nation final win.

Wandin provided a strong close to the final term however, with eight of the final 11 goals, to restore the double-digit lead by the end of the final term.

The Lions returned to their starting line up to begin the final term, but with the speedy Millicent Utber at Wing Attack in place of Rose Goodman Hancock.

Pakenham refused to give up, fighting the contest to the very end, but could only cut the lead down to six goals late in the last term.

Outside of the brutal second quarter, the Lions actually outscored Wandin 38-35, but will rue the middle period of 15 minutes over the offseason.

Wandin will face Narre Warren for a sport in the grand final next week at Officer, after the Magpies fell victim to their nemesis, Mt Evelyn in the second semi final.

The Rovers remain the only team to beat the Magpies in 2024, and got the job done for the third time in a 48-42 result that sends the Rovers through to the grand final.

Mt Evelyn outscored the Magpies in the first three quarters to take an eight-goal lead into the last, and held strong in the face of a Narre Warren fight back that cut the lead to three with three minutes remaining.

The first eight goals were split four-apiece, before Wandin scored the next nine to lead 25-16.

Hudolin was replaced by Eliza Molino at shooter, taking Molino away from her primary end of the court, where the goals continued to flow.

Molino stayed at Goal Shooter to open the

Wandin benched Blake and allowed reserve shooter Lauren Spinks to do the attacking, while at the other end of the court, Tidd was winning the battle with Hudolin.

Casey ready for grand final

By Jonty Ralphsmith

The Casey Cannons Hockey Club has two senior teams through to the grand final following a successful preliminary final weekend.

The Cannons firsts and thirds men’s side qualified for the big dance, following 4-3 and 6-4 wins respectively.

The men’s firsts, competing in the Vic League 2 competition, defeated minor premiers Craigieburn, and are set to face Yarra, which it had a 2-2 draw with in its most recent meeting following a 2-0 loss early in 2024.

Casey raced out to a 4-1 lead in the preliminary final, before Craigieburn pegged it back late, with the Canons one man short in the last quarter but able to hold on for a significant victory.

Josh Watson scored a double, while Satpal Singh and Tristan Chaffey also found the back of the net.

“The boys worked well for each other, controlled the ball and linked up well,” coach Steve Noney said.

“We were hungry for the ball in the circle early which was a big part of the result.

“We’re building something special with the culture we’ve developed and there is a really good feel around the club.”

The match was also club stalwart Matthew Light’s 300th game and his experience shone through on the big stage.

Meanwhile, the thirds were led by doubles to Matt Guastella and teenager Ilham Amin Nur Iszehar Bin in the big win in the wet.

Youngsters Alfie Ray and Jessie Jelavic were also brilliant as goal-keeper and at right half respectively

The Cannons led 6-1 at three-quarter-time before Southern United restored some respectability on the scoreboard.

“We came out blazing in the first half and we couldn’t have played any better in the first three quarters,”

“We really put it to them and were well on top and in the last quarter, we brought finals pressure, stood tough and held them off.

“It was a good all-round team effort.”

Casey is set to take on local rivals Cardinia for the men’s Metro 2 South premiership, with the Cannons the only team to defeat the Storm in 2024 after losing to them early in the season.

It will be an enticing spectacle, with many of the Storm’s inaugural players starting their career at Casey.

Cardinia had 14 wins, three draws and a loss through the home and away season to finish on top of the table to guarantee promotion; Casey finished third with 11 wins, three draws and four losses.

Meanwhile, Casey’s under-16s and under-14s teams finished as runners-up after an excellent season of development and joy.

third quarter with Hudolin at Goal Attack, and the Lions made inroads early in the third term.

Pakenham scored 10 of the first 15 goals of the quarter and cut the lead to six goals at 35-29, with shades of last week’s revival against Emerald beginning to emerge.

The care with which the Lions entered the goal circle was evident, adopting the ‘one extra pass’ approach that served them so well in their elimi-

Mt Evelyn made a move at the beginning of the third quarter with the opening five goals to build its lead from four to nine goals, and holding the Magpies at bay for the remainder of the afternoon.

Narre Warren won both contests against Wandin this year and claimed the 2023 A-Grade premiership over the Bulldogs on grand final day, making it three wins a row for the black and white.

Warriors win premiership

By Jonty Ralphsmith

The Casey Warriors First Grade women’s team have capped a dominant season with a premiership in the NRL Victoria competition.

The Warriors were forced to come from behind to defeat Truganina 16-12.

Played at Seabrook Reserve, Broadmeadows, Truganina scored the first two tries of the game, before a late Casey try trimmed the margin to four points at halftime.

Tyra Boysen and Aliena Faavae both scored early in the second half, with Chantelle Latu’s conversions essentially the difference, with Truganina unable to convert its three tries.

Highlighting the tightness between the two grand finalists, the two home and away matches between the sides yielded two draws.

The premiership followed a third-placed finish on the table for Casey, with 10 wins and four losses, alongside the two draws against Truganina.

Below is a pic spread of the special day.

Chantelle Latu’s conversion was excellent.

Casey hoist the premiership. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 430080)

Tristan Chaffey was reliable as ever. (Rob Carew: 427117)

Wandin’s Kali Dolphin and Pakenham’s Charlize Reid get physical in the Lions’ clash with the Bulldogs. (Rob Carew: 430147)