Riding for resilience
Craig Bates is gearing up for this year’s Great Vic Bike Ride, where he has dedicated himself to travel for four days from the border town of Wodonga with sights set for the Yarra Ranges.
Despite being diagnosed with a form of lymphoma cancer in 2023, and only just finishing radiation treatment less than a month ago, Craig has since begun his training, tackling the stationary bike and the hilly roads of Harkaway and Lysterfield Park with his trusted gravel bike. Story page 10
Craig Bates, equipped with his helmet and gravel bike, is ready to hit the pedals. (Stewart Chambers: 431833)
Council showdown
By Ethan Benedicto
As the official council candidate registrations came to a close on Tuesday 17 September, the City of Casey is seeing new faces gearing up for this October’s elections, now just mere weeks away. With the number sitting at 89 candidates acros the board, northern and eastern Casey has a lot to offer, packed with 47 figures who have put their hand up, most of which are new to the field of local government.
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This area, which consists of Akoonah, Grevillea, Waratah, Kalora, Casuarina and Dillwynia and parts of River Gum Ward is home to a number of former councillors, which include Lynette
Pereira (River Gum) who served from 2008-2012. Also running is Brian Oates, current president of the Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association who finished serving as a councillor in 2005. Rex Flannery, representing Causarina Ward also played his cards for candidacy, alongside Damien Rosario from River Gum Ward as former councillors of the 2016-2020 cohort.
Following an investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), the former council was sacked by the State Government, and as a replacement, a panel of administrators was implemented to take governance of the city.
Continued page 3
Pereira keen to come back
By Ethan Benedicto
A vision of harmony and peace, with proper representation of the people and governance of equal footing and eye level with no backdoor passages, is the future Lynette Pereira envisions for River Gum Ward.
With candidate nominations closing on Tuesday 17 September, Pereira has pledged to lead the suburbs of Hampton Park, Lynbrook and sections of Cranbourne North down a path of honesty and truth.
Having been a previous councillor from 2008 to 2012, she harbours the experience to tackle the role and bring back that sense of togetherness.
“[The Ward] has been totally ignored, Hampton Park is the biggest suburbs and the shops are an absolute mess,” she said.
“The sense of community is lost, there is so much money that needs to be put back into this ward, we’ve been so neglected.”
She criticised the previous councillors - those who were dismissed in 2020 amid an IBAC investigation - adding that “they didn’t actually pay attention to what they should have been doing”.
“And that’s keeping our rates down, making sure the ward’s getting its money and attention is being paid.”
Having left the Greens party in 2014, Pereira is an independent, and a ward local for over 38 years, Pereira said she is more than aware of what it is that needs to be done.
However, she has found it difficult to prioritise, saying that “I’m a person that cares about everything”.
“Community safety is really important, so is better lighting, better signage - there used to be a neighbourhood house around here, but people don’t tend to get involved anymore so I want to build a sense of community.
“This is really important to me, things like having our multicultural festival to break down those barriers, we have a lot of different ethnicities here that tend to stay to themselves.
“I want to have functions and events where people can come together as a local community.”
With venues such as the Arthur Wren Hall and the River Gum Performing Arts Centre, Pereira wants to have a “community panel of musicians and artists” that works with schools and local groups for events such as open mic nights and public performances.
By the same token, a public community kitchen is also in her sights, much like Meals on Wheels, but a “proper community kitchen
where we can offer cheap meals for people who are struggling and need food, especially in these hard times”.
Domestic violence is also another topic Pereira is passionate about, a topic which she has been a strong voice for in her previous tenure in council, saying that “women need to have that voice, we need to be heard”.
“One of the biggest reasons was to show my kids and all their friends that they can all do it too, I want to make it so it’s not out of reach for people to think that they can’t participate in civic duties, to care about what’s going on in the community.
“I want to see more young women put their hands up for these kinds of things,” she said.
On the topic of fostering the youth, she also had visions for a youth council to be implemented, one that would support and work in conjunction with the councillors themselves.
Through goodwill, communication, and the passion to stand up for doing the right thing, Pereira says she is looking forward to leading River Gum Ward in a prosperous direction, one filled with good governance and harmonious communities.
New council an ‘opportunity to reset the culture’, he says
By Violet Li
Asher Coleman, co-founder of South East Climate Action Network, is running for the River Gum Ward in the coming Casey Council election as an independent.
Mr Coleman said he initially didn’t see himself running because of his coming wedding, but earlier this year, after he saw the report on the comeback of several sacked councillors, he decided to take the move.
Mr Coleman said: “I was shocked. I went, oh, no, we’re not going back.”
Echoing his decision to run, Mr Coleman said he would stand for integrity.
“Itwon’tbenewstoanyonethatouroldparents did not serve us well. There was a culture within the council that did not put residents first,” he said.
“They said things and then did other things. They tended to turn a blind eye.
“I want residents to know that my priority is them. Not property developers. Not enriching myself. Not some ulterior agenda. My priority is listening to residents and then acting on their concerns.”
Mr Coleman said Casey had missed out on good opportunities to reset over the last four and a half years.
“Theadministrators’mandatesaysthatthey should be acting for residents, but their actions haven’t always met that standard in my opinion,” he said.
“A councillor that’s doing their job well is much more accountable than an administrator. That’s the nature of it.
“And when we’re coming in with a whole new council, there is an opportunity to reset the culture of this place. But it’s an opportunity that’s only going to come once.”
As a fighter for the green life, Mr Coleman said he would focus on promoting a healthy environment and his top priority is to stop the proposed waste transfer station next to the Hallam Road landfill.
“I am firmly against the waste transfer station,” he said.
“Residents were promised parkland, not an industrial site.
“When the tip was originally built here, the area was a lot less developed, and guidelines were a lot different. But now, the transfer station should not be where it is.
“We’re going to be taking waste from 10 municipalities. That should not be happening in such a built-up area. It’s not that much further out to go out somewhere where residents aren’t living 100 metres away.”
The Cranbourne North resident said as a local, he knew what it was like to live next to a landfill.
“I live roughly 500 metres from the tip. Especially in winter, at the moment, the scent can be really overpowering at times. And I’m not even the worst affected people in the area,” he said.
“There were complaints about the odour of the tip a decade ago.
“It’s been a long time for us to be starting to
dealwithongoingissuesthatjusthavenotbeen resolved.”
Mr Coleman believed the council hadn’t had any effective advocacy in terms of the tip and the waste transfer station.
“The administrators have kind of rolled over. I am very happy to say I will fight against this every step of the way,” he said.
“I can’t promise that we won’t get it because I’m one person. Even if I managed to get all the councillors standing united, there’s only so much that we can do. But certainly, some things are within the council’s control. And some things are really going to affect residents.
“For example, there’s this overlay that council is considering that’ll reduce the value of people’s homes in the area by, like, 10 to 20 per cent. That’s not a small amount.”
Mr Coleman said his other environmental agenda included increasing canopy coverage, improving Casey’s Emergency Management Plan and Climate Action Plan, and better incorporating Environmental Sustainable Design (ESD) into the planning scheme.
“I’m going to have to convince the other councillors to care about the same issues. I’ve got a track record of this,” he said.
“With the South East Climate Action Network, we pushed for change throughout the southeast. We got councils as diverse as our Greater Dandenong, which is highly Labor, to the City of Stonnington, which was Liberaldominated.
“We’ve got them all to change their environmental policies for the better. I’ve got a track record of working with Labor, Liberal, Independent, Green, everyone, to get sensible and grounded environmental policy passed.”
Mr Coleman will also focus on increasing community services, including senior programs and youth programs.
He works for Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre where he runs community service programs.
River Gum Ward candidate Asher Coleman. (Supplied)
Former councillor from 2008-2012, Lynette Pereira is looking to make her mark once more for this upcoming Casey elections. (Supplied)
Ex-councillors eye seat
By Violet Li
Two sacked Casey councillors are going head to head in River Gum Ward in next month’s Casey Council election.
Damien Rosario and Wayne Smith used to be councillors in the same ward until the council was dismissed in the midst of an IBAC anti-corruption inquiry in 2020.
Former deputy mayor Rosario, who had no adverse findings against him, said it was “not an easy decision” to come back into the election race.
A Hampton Park resident, an IT educator, and a member of the Liberal party, he represented the same ward for seven and a half years.
“I only just made the decision to run, so this is not an easy decision,” Mr Rosario said.
“Because of all of the issues with the IBAC, it opens me up to criticisms, even though I’ve been cleared by IBAC.
“People paint you with the same brush regardless of and they don’t look at the details either. Anyone who follows my Facebook or knows me in the community sees me out there will know what I’m all about.
“I have been active, and people have said, oh, you know, he’s just suddenly become active. I haven’t. If you look back, I have never stopped being active,” Mr Rosario said.
“I just kept a bit of a low profile for the first couple of years while the IBAC investigation was on, so I could still help groups, but their groups were not judged, because I was participating, supporting, or volunteering for them. Because until the investigation is done, there is a cloud that hangs over everyone’s head.
“So, if you’re ever wondering why people are saying, why am I so active now? It’s not that. I was just waiting for the right time to be able to get back into educating our community on what’s happening around us.”
Mr Rosario said the ultimate drive for him to step forward this time was his eagerness to help his community.
“When I was on council, I saw connections that groups that were working in isolation could be working together to benefit the community,” he said.
“I made it my mission in the last four and a half years since leaving council to continue that work as a volunteer in the community.
“What’s really driving me is that ability to get back in the council to use that to help unite a community.”
Mr Rosario pointed out that his primary focus in running for a councillor was not for the sake of being a councillor.
He said it was not the title itself that attracted him, but the opportunities to devote himself to the community.
“A resident said to me the other day that you’ve been doing the role of a councillor without actually being a councillor, without actually having any of the resources or any of the title. You were just doing it to help people,” he said.
“I guess that for me was the driver to say, look, maybe I still have something to contribute.
“That’s why that’s the reason why I decided to do this.”
Speaking of running against his former colleague Wayne Smith, Mr Rosario said: “It is what it is.”
Former mayor and ALP member Wayne Smith also nominated to stand for River Gum Ward in the coming Casey Council election, saying he has been “cleared of the issues of IBAC”.
The investigation found that he failed to declare a conflict of interest involving developer John Woodman.
Mr Smith highlighted he was the only Justice
of the Peace in his community during Covid.
“They would not allow me to be a JP (and a Bail Justice) if the issues of IBAC were of concern to them. I know at the time they looked at the IBAC findings. I was interviewed, and there were no findings,” he said.
“I was cleared to be able to continue in that role.
“I’m disappointed about what happened, and, yes, I probably should have known stuff, but there was nothing that they were going to be able to follow through with charges or anything, and IBAC has said that the investigation in relation to me is well and truly closed, and there are no plans, intentions to do any more,” Mr Smith said.
“Certainly no charges in the air.
“From that day, I continued my life in the community.”
As his life continued, Mr Smith believed he had got a lot more to do and he was in his prime doing lots of things.
“I’m keen to get back in and get some of those projects and new ones up and running because the community has suffered in the last four and a half years without a doubt,” he said.
“MyvisionistogetRiverGumbackonthemap because at the moment, it’s probably no worse off than any other ward, but after the administrators, no ward was really singled out and looked after.
Casey candidates in the north of the city
By Ethan Benedicto
Below is a full list of all northern and eastern Casey ward candidates for the upcoming election.
Akoonah Ward, which is home to Berwick and Beaconsfield has candidates such as:
· Mush Rahaman,
· Samuel Dennison,
· Patrick R. Ferdinands,
· Kushal Shah, Dianne Pagliuca,
· Scott William Dowling. Grevillea, with Narre Warren North, Harkaway, Narre Warren and parts of Berwick are home to:
· Stephen Matulec,
· John Ternel,
· Sinfree Chirunga,
· Bernie Postma, Haroon Sayed,
· David Parr,
· Stephen Capon,
· Carmen Powell,
· Dave Perry.
Casuarina Ward, which consists of the suburbs of Narre Warren, Narre Warren South and Cranbourne North is home to the most candidates in the north, this includes:
· Ali Morteza,
· Jane Foreman, Kim Ross,
· Bassir Qadiri,
· Michael Kelaart,
· Suzanne Carmody,
· Mariam Khaliqy, Lyndon Samuel,
· Rex Lazaros,
· Rex Flannery.
Dillwynia Ward, Casey’s mid-eastern border consists of Clyde North and Berwick and has: Champika Hewa Maddumage,
· Jaz Masuta Kamaljeet Singh,
· Gurpreet Gill,
· Baljinder Dhaliwal,
· David Bissell,
· Anthony Walter,
· Anthony Dissanayake,
· Joe Pang.
Kalora Ward, tucked in the northwest corner of the municipality has Narre Warren North, Lysterfield South and Endeavour Hills, with the candidates of:
· Zabi Mazoori, Damien Sawyer, Peterine Smulders,
· Melinda Ambros,
· Jafri Katagara Luwanga,
· Brian Oates,
· Duc Nguyen,
Afroz Ahmed,
· Fred Jover.
Waratah Ward, the western-most border of Casey consists of Doveton, Eumemmering, Hallam and Hampton Park, with the candidates of:
· Jamel Kaur Singh,
· Nasser Yawari,
· Stefan Koomen,
· Ezatullah Alam,
· Burak Dilbaz.
River Gum Ward, home to Hampton Park and Lynbrook has the most former councillors in its area, but also presents a swathe of new faces:
Lynette Pereira
· Nazir Yousafi,
· Geoff Hansen,
· Damien Rosario, Asher Coleman,
· Wayne Smith,
· Garry Page.
“You only have to drive around to see how dirty and unkempt it is in terms of council responsibilities on the side to the roads, in parks and gardens.
“And in my time off council, I’ve been very active in reporting that sort of stuff. But obviously, I had no power to do anything about it, but I continued to do that.”
Speaking of running against his former colleague Damien Rosario, Mr Smith said neither of them would have wanted to play against each other.
“I think we worked well together when we were on a two-person ward. I will only stand in that ward because I strongly believe in standing in the area that I live in,” he said.
“I’velivedinthatareaforalong,longtime,and I’ve raised my family in that area. I wasn’t prepared to go to another ward to sort of avoid that. I hope we can work together and if he gets up, I’ll certainly contact him regularly to get things done, and I would expect him to do the same.
“I think it’ll be a friendly rivalry.
“I’m disappointed that we’ve been put in this position to do it, but I understand why he’s doing it because he wants to be in that role, and I’m doing it for the same reason. It’s just a shame that we didn’t have two-member awards again.
“Because, in some wards, it didn’t work, but in River Gum, it worked. It absolutely worked.”
Mr Smith is a Lynbrook resident and a secondary school teacher.
Also running in River Gum is previous councillor Lynette Pereira, who served from 2008 to 2012.
“[The Ward] has been totally ignored, Hampton Park is the biggest suburbs and the shops are an absolute mess,” she said.
“The sense of community is lost, there is so much money that needs to be put back into this ward, we’ve been so neglected.”
She criticised the previous councillors - those who were dismissed in 2020 amid an IBAC investigation - adding that “they didn’t actually pay attention to what they should have been doing”.
“And that’s keeping our rates down, making sure the ward’s getting its money and attention is being paid.”
Council election showdown
From page 1
With Casey having no councillors for over four years, and no elections for eight, many of the new candidates are eager to prevent a repeat of the previous party, the majority pledging integrity and transparency as integral moving onward.
In Akoonah Ward, which covers parts of Berwick and Beaconsfield, the candidates include La Baguette owner Mush Rahaman, Samuel Dennison, civil lawyer Patrick R. Ferdinands, governance adviser Kushal Shah, education graduate Dianne Pagliuca and Scott William Dowling.
Grevillea Ward, which covers Narre Warren North, Harkaway, Narre Warren and parts of Berwick, houses figures like Stephen Matulec, John Ternel, Stephen Capon, Sinfree Chirunga, Bernie Postma Haroon Sayed, David Parr, Carmen Powell and Dave Perry.
Wards such as Casuarina have figures such as Kim Ross and Bassir Qadiri; Waratah with Stefan Koomen and Ezatullah Alam; and Kalora with Zabi Mazoori and Jafri Katagara Luwanga.
Dillwynia is home to candidates like Champika Hewa Maddumage, with River Gum holding another former councillor such as Wayne Smith and a new candidate Nazir Yousafi.
Damien Rosario (left), Kerrigan La-Brooy and Wayne Smith (right). (Stewart Chambers: 376968)
The City of Casey is seeing 89 candidates vying for councillor positions in this upcoming October election. (Gary Sissons: 429633)
Flannery ‘running for redemption’
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Former councillor Rex Flannery says he’s “running for redemption” as he was one of the last to nominate for the upcoming Casey Council elections.
The Casuarina Ward candidate says he has been unfairly “tarnished” for being on Casey Council, while it was the subject of IBAC’s anticorruption inquiry, called Operation Sandon.
As a result of the allegations, the council was sacked and put under administration by the State Government in 2020.
Flannery was never the subject of adverse findings or publicly interrogated during the inquiry. He’d resigned shortly before the council was dismissed.
He takes issue with critics that say he ought to have known about allegedly corrupt dealings between some councillors and property developer John Woodman.
“I clearly had no idea of what was going on between them.
“I work full-time, I didn’t socialise with the (accused councillors) and they didn’t tell me they met with John Woodman.
“I’m running for redemption.”
He points out that no authority can “sack” the State Government despite losing $200 million on cancelling the Commonwealth Games and $1 billion on the East-West Link contract.
“And yet they can sack a council for alleged corruption, none of which is proven and with the likelihood that no one is going to be charged.
“They are hypocrites.“
If elected, he’s pledged to fight against rate rises, with ratepayers buckling under soaring cost
of living. He’ll also suggest a budget for each ward for items like fixing footpaths, services or other emergencies.
Flannery concedes it will be tough to win ahead of nine other candidates in Casuarina Ward.
He is supportive of a long-term “family friend” and university student Rex Lazaros, who is also running in Casuarina. He welcomes young people like Lazaros as the “future of the City of Casey”.
He urges new councillors to vote as “individuals” out of their own consciences and not in “blocs”.
“There’s no place in councils for Liberal and Labor party politics. It should never be used as a stepping stone for anybody to go into State Parliament.
“Being a councillor is for advocating for the little people, those who can’t stand up for themselves.”
Students celebrate Italian icons
Visitors to Tooradin Primary School were transported to the alleys of Sicily last Wednesday, with the smell of pasta and Italian donuts wafting down the corridors and the sound of students speaking Italian roaming over the rooftops as part of Italian Day celebrations.
Italian teacher Leanne Fechner said the students had a lot of fun dressing up, with the majority dressing up as popular video game characters Mario and Luigi.
“They loved it and it’s enjoyed by all of the parents and grandparents,“ she said.
A number of parents and grandparents helped cook a smorgasbord of Italian fare, from Italian donuts called sfingi to pasta.
Later in the day, magician Luigi Zucchini wowed the students with a magic show performed in Italian.
Finances in the spotlight
By Violet Li
Casey administrators say Casey is in a “very strong financial position”, as revealed in the recent 2023-24 budget outcome.
Casey recorded a surplus of $134 million in the 2023-24 financial year, with a revenue of $596 million and expenses of $461.8 million.
The income was about 16 per cent lower than in 2022-23 after a dropdown in grants and non-monetary contributions.
The income stream of rates and charges totalled $300 million for the year, 6 per cent higher than in 2022-23 due to the population growth and the application of the 3.5 per cent rate cap.
Council delivered $116 million of capital works programs in the 2023-24 financial year, overspending the proposed $74 million budget.
A total of $26 million was spent on road projects, 23 per cent higher than the proposed number.
Recreational, leisure, and community facility projects led to a spending of $40 million, 110 per cent higher than the budget. The continued projects include Casey Fields Regional Soccer Stage 2, Clyde Township New Family Community Centre, and Casey Fields Ovals and Pavilion Upgrade, funded from carry forward from 2022-23.
The underspend was observed for footpaths, cycleways, parks, open spaces, and streetscapes, resulting in a total of $8.5 million in the 2023-24 financial year, 11 per cent lower than in 2022-23. According to the council report, footpath and cycleway projects went through delays in obtaining external authority approvals, while playground renewals were delayed due to long lead times for the supply of equipment, wet weather, and skilled labour shortages.
Council also spent $12 million in land purchases in the year. The report says the number was higher than anticipated due to the acquisition of two parcels of land in Lynbrook and Clyde North.
“We are in a very strong position financially in the City of Casey,” City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff PSM said at the September Council Meeting.
“We’ve had many challenges to project budgets, particularly in the capital works program. We’ve had liquidation of a number of contractors undertaking works for us that we’ve had to work through. That has led to increased costs and in part has led to that carryover in terms of the capital budget…
“I think there have been some great initiatives this year. The cost issues do remain a big issue for us, and we’re very aware of the stresses on the community as a result of high mortgage payments, etc, and their capacity to contribute to the council’s finances through rates on property.
“We’re very, very conscious of that and aware of that. And, nevertheless, we’ve had to cut our cloth to meet the requirements of the community and to meet the demands that are a result of the growing community of Casey as a diverse community.”
Former councillor Rex Flannery is set to re-contest for a seat on Casey Council. (Stewart Chambers: 210613)
Tooradin Primary School teachers and students dressed in all manners of green, red and white on Wednesday 11 September for Italian Day. (Gary Sissons: 429837) Maddie and Ashlyn. (429837)
Lincoln and Brooks were one of the many Mario Brothers at this year’s Italian Day celebrations at Tooradin Primary School. (429837)
‘Nonno’ Joe and ‘Nonna’ Sarina cooked Italian donuts called sfingi with Eva and Alyssa. (429837)
Casey administrators say Casey is in a “very strong financial position”, as revealed in the recent 2023-24 budget outcome. (Gary Sissons: 429633)
‘Now it’s time for action’
By Tanya Steele
The final report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was handed down on Monday 9 September - a pivotal moment addressing the incredibly complex issue of veteran suicide in Australia.
The report represents a step forward in improving outcomes for veterans, particularly in their transition from military to civilian life.
This is an ongoing crisis with an average of three deaths by suicide every fortnight over the last decade.
The report has 122 recommendations to address cultural and systemic challenges that are failing serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and their families - and costing lives.
Star News was invited to sit down for an open discussion on the recent news of the report, as veterans, fellow volunteers and community members gathered to catch up over lunch on 11 September at the Veterans’ Advocacy Centre.
They included Boronia Veterans’ Advocacy Centre president Dave Menz and veteran advocate and Berwick RSL welfare committee member Julie Anderson OAM.
Mr Menz said the good thing is they’ve done it.
“We want them to accept and implement the recommendations fully,” he said.
Mr Menz, along with many others at the centre, spends hours of his time doing anything from helping fill out paperwork for things like retrospective medical discharges, a complex process for any veteran, to assisting with home help or medical appointments.
“We still do our work here today, free of charge,” he said.
“Some (veterans) can’t handle being in certain places and they’re not getting looked after.”
The services they provide are unique and cater to the needs of the community. Mr Menz said there is now a facility called Vasey RSL Care, also known as the V Centre which launched in Ivanhoe in February this year.
Vasey RSL Care chief executive officer Janna Voloshin said she commended the report but emphasised the importance of timely action.
“While we appreciate the report, the real test will be in how quickly the government responds. Veterans can’t afford to wait.”
Ms Voloshin said the importance of a proactive approach was essential, highlighting that the transition from the ADF to civilian life is a critical time for veterans’ wellbeing.
“The V Centre Veteran Empowerment Program is a current, operational solution to this recommendation,” she said.
“We hope the government will now consider partnering with us to share this societal responsibility.”
Yarra Glen RSL member Stephen Shortis said to him, the report has set out many ways that support can be provided or improved and the proposed appointment of someone to oversee the process is a positive step but it will depend on the calibre of the person chosen to establish or improve the system – and it will take time.
“Over the years, many attempts have been made to grapple with the problem, but none have had the size and scope of this inquiry and I compliment the members on their report,” he said.
“It is now over to the government.”
Fellow veteran advocate and Berwick RSL welfare committee member Julie Anderson OAM said processes can be difficult and the Aussie Veterans can often streamline assistance.
With a strong history of activism in the name of all veterans Mr Menz said he has protested for years to bring justice, chalking pathways and highlighting the lives lost to suicide within the defence force.
“We’d be protesting outside Anzac house and we’d be outside the DVA,” he said.
“They were scared of us being radicals and going up there and hurting them – we were totally peaceful.”
More than 100 people rallied outside the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) in Melbourne in late August 2017 to call for a royal commission and the group also rallied on 24 April 2021 outside Victoria’s State Parliament.
According to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data at least 1677 serving and ex-serving members died by suicide between 1997 and 2021, more than 20 times the number of personnel killed in active duty during that same period.
The royal commission estimated the true number of preventable deaths to be more than 3000.
Lilydale RSL president Bill Dobson said he
and the sub-branch members felt that now was the time for “genuine leadership” and that these recommendations cannot be put aside for future governments to act on.
“As commissioner Peggy Brown said ‘this is not a problem that Defence or the DVA can be trusted to solve by themselves’. The research from paramedics and police across Australia indicates there is a self harm or suicide event by a veteran every four hours,” he said.
“This cannot continue, the government must support veterans, there are thousands of disability and pension claims not being addressed by the DVA, these dismissive self important bureaucrats and politicians are stopping veterans from overcoming the trauma of war.”
Ms Anderson said she thinks the DVA were worried the group was getting traction at the time because the royal commission would expose a lot of issues within the department itself.
“There should be a royal commission into just the DVA,” she said.
“The terms of reference really didn’t shine a light on DVA, it was really focused on defence –don’t get me wrong, defence should have a lot to answer for and they had a pretty hefty light shone on there.”
Ms Anderson said that even getting basic home help and pharmacy and medical services can take months.
“They’re entitled to household services,” she said.
“Veterans are putting in their claims now and then they are allocated to a dead person.”
“Essentially, they just put on a list and allocated a delegate, that delegate is going to take two years.”
Ms Anderson said she still has veterans waiting for claims that were lodged in 2022.
DVA secretary Alison Frame said in a statement after the final report was issued that the government would time the time to “appropriately consider the recommendations” which “are largely directed to Defence and DVA”.
“As I stated in my evidence to the Royal Commission, I acknowledge that in the past we have let down the veteran community and that going forward, we are committed to improving wherever we can,” she said.
“The Final Report represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for meaningful change and, along with Defence, we will make every effort to address suicide and suicidality among our serving and ex-serving ADF personnel.”
Mr Dobson said all parties involved in the royal commission and mentioned in the recommendations need to “get their act together and support those who are putting their lives on the line”.
“There have been 57 previous inquiries into veteran suicide in the past 30 years and yet the suicide rate has not diminished,” he said.
“Australia needs to build a better ADF and action the commissioner’s findings. Trying to recruit new ADF people must be difficult at the moment and we need to meet our defence capabilities, this is a significant time with all the geopolitical uncertainty.”
The Aussie Veterans advocacy group said they are hopeful for change but acknowledge it won’t change things on the ground for veterans for some time.
Ex-service members in attendance said that without the centre, their stories would be different.
For now, people like Mr Menz and Ms Anderson will continue to advocate for veterans.
“I’m 63 this year. I’m not that young, but my focus is on younger veterans,” Mr Menz said.
“It’s a team. We all work as a team. We have the ability to look after veterans and locals who aren’t veterans.”
Mr Dobson said if any veteran needs help for any reason then please contact him, you will be directed to a professional in the appropriate area, president@lilydalersl.com.au
· Lifeline 13 11 14
· Open Arms 1800 011 046
Boronia Veterans’ Advocacy Centre president Dave Menz and Berwick RSL welfare committee member Julie Anderson OAM have been advocating for veterans for many years. (Tanya Steele: 431740)
Helping bring hope abroad
By Violet Li
Flying overseas to stay on a ship for three weeks usually conjures up the prospect of a nice vacation, but for Casey Hospital operating theatre nurse Dionne Smithwick, it is a matter of saving lives and bringing hope.
The Berwick resident will soon jump on a flight to Madagascar to volunteer for the third time in two years with the international development organisation Mercy Ships.
The charity organisation has operated hospital ships around the world with a focus on Africa for the past 30 years.
Each team is made up of volunteers from around the world. Volunteers are there to fill roles in many areas such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, teaching, engineering, hospitality staff, human resources and many more.
Dionne will board the purpose-built ship African Mercy in Madagascar to assist in life-changing and lifesaving surgeries.
“It is a civilian hospital ship which has operating theatres, wards, a recovery room and so much more,” Dionne said.
“I’ll be working in the operating theatre in scrub/circulate, which is, scrubbing and circulating for the operations.
“It’s pretty much a full circle.”
The full circle involves checking the patient
in with the family member or carer and the surgeon, bringing the patient and the translator, in this case, into the theatre, conducting a final team time out, prepping the patient for the procedure, helping out, carrying out nursing duties throughout the procedure, advocating for the patient,
helping take the patient back out to recovery and handing over to recovery staff and doing the clean-up for the next procedure.
“Shifts are from 8am until the end of the list. Usually, the finish time is somewhere between 5 and 6 o’clock,” Dionne said.
“The first time I went on Mercy Ships, it was very confronting.
“Working with new staff from multiple countries, new surgeries and complex cases you haven’t seen before, as these surgeries would be completed in a timely manner in the Western world.”
Surgical specialities offered on the ship are general surgery, paediatric surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery, ophthalmology surgery, orthopaedic surgery, maxillofacial surgery, obstetric fistula surgery, and gynaecology surgery.
“I first heard about the Mercy Ships when I was working full time at another hospital, through a presentation that was given by one of my thencolleagues,” Dionne recalled.
“I was really fascinated by the work, love and community feel and knew it was something I’d love to be part of. I found that it was a really unique and touching work environment. And for me, it was personally soul-changing.
“The fact that these communities have no access to healthcare is unimaginable to most. Before Mercy Ships I couldn’t imagine what it would
be like to live without being able to go to the doctor or the dentist or have surgery that you might need. It’s just heartbreaking.
“Some of these people were ostracised from their communities due to their conditions, whether it’s massive facial tumours, cleft palates, or cleft lips that are completely disfiguring them. Sometimes they have to live with these things for 30 or 40 years.”
Dionne said the work they did on Mercy Ships would change the patient’s life forever, that of their family and the whole community.
“I am passionate about the work and the outcomes created for the patients,” she said.
“To be involved with a team from around the world bringing hope and healing to many who would otherwise have no access to healthcare is what I love about serving. It is truly gratifying.
“A highlight for me was being involved in the ophthalmic program and watching the patients we had operated on having their eye dressings removed for the first time.
“Being able to share their joy as they had sight returned for the first time was truly magical and heartwarming. Knowing you have helped make such a positive impact in someone’s life is honestly rewarding and no price can be placed on this.”
If you wish to volunteer with Mercy Ships, visit: mercyships.org.au
Construction kicks off on Clyde North Police Station
Construction on the highly-anticipated Clyde North Police Station has officially begun.
ThesiteislocatedonthecornerofNewgrange Boulevard and Matterhorn Drive.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines visited the site on Tuesday 17 September to inspect progress on the build following the commencement of preparatory ground works in August.
The project is part of a $78 million State Gov-
ernment investment for Melbourne’s South East.
The police station will accommodate uniform police officers and include interview rooms, conference rooms, discrete public consultation facilities and a high-level of security.
During construction, according to the State Government, Clyde North is being serviced by existing police resources in the area, including the 24-hour Cranbourne Police Station, which is approximately 10 minutes away. The station build, managed by construction company ADCO, is expected to be completed in late 2025.
“As our community grows, so does our need for the best possible facilities, especially when it comes to safety and wellbeing. I look forward to following the progress of the station’s construction as it develops,” Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards said.
“The Clyde North and surrounding community is well serviced by existing police resources in the area and this new 24-hour station investment will provide a physical base to further support our community,” Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said.
Clyde North Police Station was first proposed in 2018 with an original completion date in 2022.
THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN
Thumbs up
To the Pakenham SES and all the SES for the wonderful work they voluntarily do to help us, without any government funding.
Thumbs down
To the amount of rubbish which is thrown out on our roads and branches after the storm and still not picked up.
Thumbs down
To the amount of potholes from Mount Burnett to Cockatoo and Emerald and back. They are so bad that you can damage your car. Why can’t they get fixed and why do we have to constantly have roads that are stuffed?
The crew with the MPs on Tuesday 17 September. (Supplied)
Police Minister Anthony Carbines and South-Eastern Metropolitan MPs Lee Tarlamis and Michael Galea inspected the site on Tuesday 17 September.
Cheering Cobras! (431341)
Casey Hospital operating theatre nurse
Dionne Smithwick will soon jump on a flight to Madagascar as a volunteer with the international development organisation Mercy Ships. (Supplied)
Push to get back to basics
By Violet Li
Libertarian candidate Christine Skrobo is driven to bring Casey back to basics, bring down the rates, and maximise community engagement.
The Narre Warren South resident in her early 20s has announced her intention to run for Kowan Ward in the coming Casey Council election.
“I want to see Casey really focusing on delivering those core essential services and doing them well and just sticking to them,” she said.
“They need to be fixing the roads, maintaining the footpaths, collecting the rubbish, getting all those basic things right.
“And then, we need to be looking at where is Casey wasting money. Where are they putting money that’s not towards local matters that the residents don’t really care about?
“We need to be cutting that down, looking for waste, looking for inefficiencies, and we need to try and bring down the rates.”
Having lived in Casey for her whole life, Ms Skrobo said she would love to buy a house to continue living here when she was ready, but she felt out of reach with how unaffordable the area had become.
“I’ve grown up here, went to school here, worked here. I’m just passionate about our community, and I want to see things get better and change,” she said.
“I think the increasingly high rates are another barrier for young people, so I want to get in and fight for some change there. And across the board, it’s affecting everyone.
“People are already struggling with the costof-living crisis from other areas. I think rates are another thing that they don’t need that extra stress every year.”
Speaking of maximising community engagement, Ms Skrobo believed one of the keys was to deliver better monthly meetings.
more people can attend.
“And then there’s the public question time. To me, that’s one of the most important aspects of the meeting because that’s where residents get to directly engage with the council. They get to directly hold them to account.
“I just think now that they don’t even read out the public questions unless the person is in the gallery. That really decreased the transparency and the accountability.”
Being one of the younger demographics in the municipality, Ms Skrobo highlighted she would also try her best to engage the cohort if she was elected.
“I think I’ll try to create a social media presence to talk to young people more, like recording videos to explain things in simple terms,” she said.
“You’re seeing many young people who don’t really know about the council matters or those terms and expertise pretty well, and young people maybe don’t understand the direct impacts that the council matters have on them.”
Ms Skrobo said she had been active in politics ever since she graduated high school. She ran in the 2022 federal election for Bruce and the 2022 state election for Narre Warren South.
“I think running endorsed by the Libertarian party is essentially proof of what I say I’m going to do,” she said.
“It’s proof that I’ll definitely not vote for an increase in rates because that’s something that this party has been known to not support, and I’ll always be looking to cut down wasteful spending.
“I totally understand that people are very skeptical of political parties, particularly the major parties.
“This is something that our surrounding
“I think currently they’re run quite poorly. The first thing that I think is wrong with them is the time that they’re held up. Right now, they’re held during business hours,” she said.
councils don’t do. They hold them at appropriate times when more people can attend. And I’d love to see the time shift for Casey so
“But I am still independent for the people here. I’m ready to listen to them. I’m ready to vocalise their concerns.”
Ms Skrobo is currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree.
We’re building big near you and there will be transport disruptions
As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re easing congestion and improving safety by building better roads in Melbourne’s south east.
Road disruptions: Closed roads, lanes and ramps
McGregor Road, Pakenham Until 22 SepPrinces Freeway-bound between Webster Way and Princes Freeway
7am to 5pm, 18 to 21 Sep
Princes Freeway-bound between Livingstone Boulevard and Princes Freeway 7am 22 Sep to 5am 23 Sep
Between southern freeway roundabout and Livingstone Boulevard
Princes Freeway Warragul-bound ramps
Princes Freeway city-bound entry ramp
Healesville Koo-Wee Rup Road, Pakenham Until mid NovPrinces Freeway Warragul-bound entry ramp 7pm 4 Oct to 5am 7 Oct
Racecourse Road, Pakenham 7am to 5pm, 21 Sep
7pm to 5am, 1 to 3 Oct
Between Southeast Boulevard and Princes Freeway
Princes Freeway city-bound ramps
Between Henry Street and Bald Hill Road
Sections between Princes Freeway and Henry Street
Libertarian candidate Christine Skrobo is running for Kowan Ward. (Supplied)
NEWS Fox to thrill Casey
By Ethan Benedicto
Dire stakes and high-octane action are coming to Bunjil Place on 17 October, as a best-selling author gears herself up to indulge local residents with a deeper look into one of her latest novels.
Candice Fox, Sydney’s local and decorated crime fiction author known for keeping readers at the edge of their seats, believes in reaching out, where authorto-reader relationship is key, but also for inspiration.
“I get out to places I’ve never been before to meet fans I’ve never met before,” Fox said.
“I have fans who come to every event when I’m in Sydney and they’re regulars, I see them all the time, but going to places that are a bit further out is wonderful because you get brand new interactions with readers.
“It’s about hearing those new stories of how people have covered my work, how they’re enjoying it - but also they’ve never heard me speak live, there are some things you can’t say on the radio or in an interview!”
However, it’s more than just meeting new people, as someone who writes on the move, Fox is keen for spikes of inspiration, where Bunjil, if not Casey could be the foundation for those.
“I want to see what the town is like, I want to meet the people, I want to hang out,” Fox said.
“I want to drink your coffee and go into your shops and see local sites, and it’s inspiring because I always write on the road, it’s inspiring being in those new settings and interacting with readers.
“People have no idea how often I just grab someone off the street and put them in a novel, or you know, it’s somebody at a cafe who I have a particular interaction with which inspires me for that day, so I’m excited to get to Casey.”
For Connected Libraries’ adult programs manager, Courtney Rushton, any event where authors come down to speak and connect with their fans is nothing short of “wonderful”, considering that the City of Casey are filled with “big readers”.
“Often in the outer suburbs, we miss out on these big, well-known author events because they’re traditionally being hosted to bigger Melbourne audiences.
“We’ve had feedback from previous events where people have said that coming to them has created a deeper connection for them with the author and insight into their world,” Rushton said.
Furthermore, the event, as much as it is a meetand-greet, is also about forming those social connections with people who read, “because it’s creating an environment for them to connect with one another through what is a solitary activity”.
Regarding Fox’s inspiration from the city, Rushton believes that Casey has more than enough to offer, with places like Bunjil Library itself and the myriad of dense botanical gardens offering more than a supple setting for the nature of the author’s novels.
Providing a peek into her inspiration, Fox said that some things that happen in real life are often “stranger than fiction”.
“I have an eye on true crime all the time, so it never stops inspiring; some of the things that happen you can’t even use because the reader won’t believe you.
“I’m also just someone who listens all the time, someone who will ask the uncomfortable questions, [because] everyone is full of stories.”
To Rushton, events like these are all about connection, from the readers to the author, their ideas and feelings, and to one another.
For more information on the event, visit events. connectedlibraries.org.au/event?id=82549
FOCUS ON ... SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Teen held
Police have charged a teenager following alleged home invasions and an attempted aggravated burglary in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs on Sunday 15 September.
Investigators allege that four males entered a house via a garage in Balwyn at about 4.30am, allegedly making off with cash, a wallet, garage door fobs and keys.
A short time later officers responded to reports of four males seen inside a property on Wandsworth Street in Surrey Hills. It is alleged that the males entered the property before being interrupted by a resident and then fleeing. There were no injuries.
Officers responded to reports of a third incident in Surrey Hills, where four males were spotted suspiciously loitering. On police arrival, it is alleged that two males fled on foot while two others were spotted fleeing the scene in a stolen red Alpha Romeo.
Despite police attempting to intercept the vehicle and stop sticks being deployed, the Alpha Romeo allegedly took off once again and was last seen travelling south on Robinson Road. Police later arrested a teen found hiding in a shed on Sunbury Road. Police allege that the Alpha Romeo was stolen from a Blackrock address on 12 September. A 16-year-old Cranbourne East boy was charged with home invasion, attempted aggravated burglary and handled proceeds of crime. He was remanded and will appear before a children’s court.
Detectives are still searching for three other offenders in relation to the incidents – investigations remain ongoing.
Truly spectacular experience
Circus Royale is back and bigger than ever with the “Supercharged Edition”, an exclusive, largerthan-life production at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre.
From 13 September to 13 October, audiences in Narre Warren will be treated to a truly spectacular experience featuring thrilling performances, exciting new attractions, and jaw-dropping displays under the Super Big Top, making Circus Royale Australia’s Largest Circus Spectacular — for a limited time only.
This edition promises even more “wow” moments with an array of exciting features for all ages.
Pre-Show Dinosaur Experience: Step into the world of the prehistoric era with Circus Royale’s renowned Animatronic Dinosaur Exhibit. This pre-show adventure, included with every ticket, invites guests to walk among lifelike dinosaurs. In addition, real prehistoric fossils will be on display, offering an interactive and educational experience for dino enthusiasts of all ages.
Kids Fun Zone: The “Supercharged Edition” brings an expanded Kids Fun Zone, where young circus-goers can dive into a world of fun and excitement.
Highlights include:
· A giant slide and jumping castles
· Tea cup rides
An arts and crafts zone
· Photo opportunities with favorite circus characters and dinosaurs
· Slushies, snacks, and refreshments
· Meet-and-greet sessions with world-class performers
This immersive zone ensures that the Circus Royale experience is not only a thrilling show but an unforgettable family day out.
This special edition of Circus Royale is presented under the Super Big Top, making it the largest circus spectacle in Australia for a short time only.
Exclusive to Fountain Gate Shopping Centre:
This “Supercharged Edition” is exclusive to Narre Warren and will only be performed at the Fountain Gate Shopping Centre from 13 September to 13 October. Don’t miss this limited-time engagement, as it won’t be seen anywhere else.
Event details
· Location: Fountain Gate Shopping Centre, Narre Warren
Royale is back and bigger than ever with the “Supercharged Edition”, an exclusive, largerthan-life production at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre from 13 September to 13 October.
· Showtimes: 13 Sep - 13 Oct
· Full showtime schedule available at CircusRoyale.com
Ticket pricing
· VIP: Child: $45, Adult: $55
· Ringside: Child: $35, Adult: $45
Grandstand: Child: $25, Adult: $35 (*Booking fees apply)
· Games and rides are an additional cost
About Circus Royale
Under the visionary direction of Damian Syred, Circus Royale has grown into one of Australia’s leading circus experiences, blending traditional acts with innovative performances. Damian Syred, a first-generation circus director, acquired Circus Royale at just 23 and has since produced numerous national tours, each showcasing his unique flair for entertainment.
Candice Fox, decorated crime author is looking to bring mystery and non-stop thrill down to Bunjil this October. (Supplied)
Circus
FOCUS ON … MEDICALLY SPEAKING
Mpox: A global health threat
By The Better Health Content Team
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). It is part of the Orthopoxvirus genus within the Poxviridae family. Historically, mpox was endemic to Central and West Africa, primarily found in tropical rainforest regions. However, since 2022, it has spread significantly to various parts of the world, raising serious global health concerns.
The disease is characterised by a range of symptoms that typically manifest between five to 21 days after exposure to the virus. Common initial signs include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash that can lead to painful lesions. The rash develops through several stages, beginning as bumps that evolve into pimples, blisters, or sores, which may burst and form ulcers or scabs. These lesions can appear on various parts of the body, including the face, mouth, torso, and genital areas, and can vary in size and number. While most individuals recover within two to four weeks, severe cases can occur, particularly in vulnerable populations such as infants, young children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
Since May 2022, there has been a notable global increase in mpox cases, with over 87,000 cases reported across 110 countries by the end of 2023. This outbreak has raised alarms as it has spread to regions where mpox was previously uncommon, indicating a significant shift in the epidemiology of the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 23 July, 2022, and reaffirmed this status on 14 August, 2024, reflecting ongoing concerns about the disease’s transmission and its impact on public health systems globally.
Transmission of mpox primarily occurs through close contact with infected individuals, including intimate physical contact. The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with rashes, lesions, or body fluids from an infected person, as well as through respiratory droplets, although this mode of transmission is less common and typically requires prolonged face-tofaceninteraction. Additionally, transmission can occur via contaminated objects, such as linens or towels used by an infected person.
Pregnant individuals can also transmit the virus to their fetus through the placenta. Those at higher risk include individuals who have had close physical contact with confirmed cases, travelers to endemic regions, and people with multiple sexual partners during outbreaks. Given the nature of transmission, awareness of symptoms and risk factors is essential for individuals, especially those in high-risk groups, to seek timely medical assistance and reduce the risk of infection.
Preventive measures are crucial in controlling the spread of mpox. Infected individuals should isolate until all lesions have healed, and good hand hygiene practices should be maintained
by both the infected person and their household members. Vaccination is recommended for those at high risk, with vaccines available for administration both pre- and post-exposure; however, pre-exposure vaccination is preferred for optimal protection. Most cases of mpox require only supportive treatment, such as pain relief, although antiviralmedicationsmaybenecessaryforsevere cases.
Laboratory testing is essential for diagnosis, and individuals who suspect they have been infected should seek medical advice immediately to facilitate early intervention and reduce transmission.
In conclusion, mpox is a re-emerging viral zoonotic disease that poses significant public health challenges, particularly in light of its recent global spread. Continued surveillance, public health interventions, and vaccination efforts are crucial to controlling outbreaks and preventing further transmission. Awareness of symptoms and risk factors is essential for individuals, especially those in high-risk groups, to seek timely medical assistance and reduce the risk of infection.
As the global health community responds to this evolving situation, the importance of education and proactive measures cannot be overstated in the effort to safeguard public health and mitigate the impact of mpox on communities worldwide. By fostering a better understanding of the disease and its transmission, we can work together to protect vulnerable populations and enhance public health resilience in the face of emerging infectious diseases.
Speak to us for more information, call 9702 9300 or book online at betterhealthfamilyclinic. com.au/contact/online-booking
Foot and leg pain formula
Foot, knee, and leg pain is extremely common and problematic yet successful treatment with long-term outcomes can be hard to find.
Veteran Musculoskeletal Podiatrist Dr. Paul Dowie, from Foot and Leg Pain Clinics, provided some insight into his winning formula for assisting pain and injuries, which employs all of the following considerations:
1. Underlying Causes and Contributing Factors: Foot and leg pain can stem from biomechanical issues, injuries, overuse, arthritis, repetitive stress, nerve and vascular problems. Accurately diagnosing the underlying cause and contributing factors is essential for effective treatment.
2. Individual Variability: Each person’s pain experience, tolerance and response to intervention is unique, so understanding the nature of the condition, and tailoring individual treatment plans is crucial.
3. Conservative vs. Surgical Approaches: Depending on the severity and nature of the condition, treatment can vary from conservative to surgical. In most cases a non-pharmaceutical approach provides better long-term healing outcomes, often helping to avoid surgical intervention. Weight bearing strategies, strengthening and condition programs, physical therapy, structured rest and natural regenerative injection therapies, such as Prolotherapy or PRP, are all excellent strategies to assist healing before considering surgical approaches.
4. Orthoses Assistance: Custom orthotics, braces, splints, walker boots, strapping and tapingcanallbeveryhelpfultoeithersupport, immobilise or treat. Such devises can help improve gait, relieve joint and tissue stress, improve mobility, enhance stability and comfort.
5. Multidisciplinary Care Options: Some cases benefit from a multidisciplinary approach with various specialists working together to provide comprehensive care.
6. Appropriate Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation plays a vital role in restoring function and reducing pain. Targeted strengthening and conditioning programs can play a crucial role in successful treatment.
7. Lifestyle & Activity Modifications: This can help to help alleviate stress on affected joints and tissues.
8. Patient Education: Educating patients about their condition, treatment options, and self-care techniques can greatly assist longterm wellness.
If you need assistance with foot, knee or leg pain, injuries, arthritis or children’s growth and development concerns you can consult Dr. Dowie at his Foot and Leg Pain Clinic in Berwick.
Ph 1300 328 300
Monkeypox is still a major concern, experts say.
(On File)
NEWS Strength in every pedal
By Ethan Benedicto
From the border of New South Wales, down to the hills of the Yarra Ranges, the Great Vic Bike Ride will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this November and December, as hundreds of cyclists ready themselves to embark on a nature-filled journey through Victoria.
Harkaway resident and a more recent participant of the event, Craig Bates is settling into a slow yet steady routine, all in preparation for the upcoming challenge.
While having taken part in the previous two events, and beginning roughly six years ago, the upcoming trip holds a different value for Craig, one that serves as another notch of cycling achievements, but also a reminder of his strength and fortitude, both mentally and physically.
Having been diagnosed with a form of lymphoma cancer in late 2023, Craig’s radiation therapy only recently finished, with his exercise routine slowly on the roll.
The upcoming event, which Craig will embark on for five days, will begin at the event’s originWodonga; on 23 November with the first stop at Myrtleford, some 85 kilometres south from the starting point.
Following an overnight stop at Myrtleford, the next stop will be Wangaratta, where cyclists have two nights with a loop ride, both on the 25 and the 26; from there it will be Mansfield, also with two nights and a rest day on the 27 and the 28.
The trip will finish on 1 December - after 501 kilometres - in Healesville, with a rare opportunity to ride the picturesque Black Spur car-free.
Craig’s interest was piqued far beyond the physicality of the journey, but also the logistics of the entire event; from how they organised it, how they catered to hundreds of cyclists at different venues and so on.
Leading up to this upcoming event, Craig’s excitement, despite his diagnosis and treatment, has not waned.
“I booked into this in the early months of my cancer treatment because I wanted to have something to look forward to,” he said.
“I wanted to think positively that I’m going to be good enough, that I’m going to be well enough to do this.”
To Craig, it wasn’t necessarily just a show of strength and determination - though it is that as much as anything - but it was also about doing things that he has always done, and not letting cancer take that away from him.
From training one’s endurance and stamina
to knowing the trails and your bike, Craig, at 65 years of age, sees the event, and the activity of cycling in general, as one of the best ways to explore the nature that Victoria and Australia have to offer.
Sometimes, things may not necessarily be in your favour, with Craig dwelling on that one Great Vic Bike Ride he took part of where it poured for days on end; but at that point he had been training regularly, riding with friends from his hometown twice a day for hours.
Recently, due to his diagnosis and treat-
ment, Craig has had little chance to do the same throughout 2024, but when his treatment was coming to a close, he too, began to hit the pedals.
As Craig builds himself up once more, he’s aiming to take part in the event for only four days, not because of his treatment however, but because of his son’s birthday.
With still roughly two months before the ride begins, Craig is hoping that he’ll be up for the challenge, but with strong will and fortitude, he remains steadfast in his eagerness to dart through the countryside once more.
Craig Bates, 65 years of age, is looking to hit the pedal from Northeastern Victoria with sights set for the Yarra Ranges this November. (Stewart Chambers: 431833_02)
It’s cricket for the people
By Ethan Benedicto
The Berwick Cricket Club celebrated their 20242025 season opening on Friday 13 September, where they hosted their annual player auction at La Baguette, High Street.
With the crowd trickling in around 7pm, it didn’t take long for members and players alike to flood the cafe’s floors, filling the room with talks of the previous season and their auction predictions.
Akoonah Ward candidate and La Baguette owner, Mush Rahaman, has cited the event as an example of effective collaboration between local businesses and sporting clubs, a much-needed partnership for his goals for a prosperous ward.
Rahaman added that events like these bring people together, especially sponsors, and he added that “not everybody has the capacity to host their events”.
“For example, Brad Battin himself is coming, but he’s also a sponsor and there are other businesses as well.
“So when the sport is on, it’s not only entertaining the local residents or the supporters, but it’s also something to be proud of, it’s bringing the businesses together, the community together, it’s our pride.
“The community we have here is very rich, and I would like to maintain that.”
Rahaman is steadfast in the commitment to these partnerships, and the goodwill between businesses and sports in the locale to foster that sense of camaraderie on the wider population.
The club’s president, Andrew Moore, sees the partnership as a boon for both parties, but also
for everyone else involved.
“Sponsors are the ones that allow us to get all these kids to play the sport at the end of the day, and if we didn’t have that support they wouldn’t be playing,” Moore said.
“This is extremely important, it’s good for us as a local club, because these businesses, we’ve got to show them support because they support us, which in turn supports our 21 junior sideswhich is a lot.”
The opening night also served as a player auction, where potential sponsors or other members and supporters could bid on a select number of players, all in an effort to raise funds for the club’s
operational costs.
Of course, there is always the sentiment of the player that one has bid on and made certain connections with eventually performing well throughout the season, but to Rahaman, that’s simply a side effect of the wider impact these events have on the participants and the people.
“La Baguette isn’t a big organisation that can afford a big amount of money, but even little vouchers can contribute,” Rahaman said.
“Those little things build up and inspire others, and when you start putting all the little things together, it becomes big.
“And you know, if one business is doing it, oth-
Stefan Koomen vies for Waratah Ward
By Ethan Benedicto
Pledging to be the local voice for the people, Stefan Koomen has announced his candidacy for Casey’s upcoming October elections.
A Labor member standing as an independent candidate for Waratah Ward, Koomen is looking to bring representation from the suburbs of Hallam, Doveton and Hampton Park to the council table.
A long-term local, a homeowner, ratepayer, and volunteer, he says he is invested in the area’s future.
“That means services and infrastructure are prioritised when in the past they have been overlooked a the expense or favour of other new emerging areas [in Casey].
“It’s making sure that the suburbs of Doveton, Hallam and Hampton Park get their fair share of investment and attention.”
Koomen has been a staunch supporter and active member of the Doveton Pool Campaign, which was a widespread and joint community effort in a move to save and revitalise the muchloved pool.
Hampton Park Shopping Centre [Central]
WHAT’S ON
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
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.
was also a priority - “to make it a community hub that we can all be proud of”.
“Council had a plan since 2018 that hasn’t progressed because we haven’t had a local voice. So that will be my priority for Hampton Park, to get that moving.
“For Doveton, it’s the Doveton Pool, ensuring that it’s upgraded and that it stays in our community is very important.
“In Hallam and across the rest of the ward, playgrounds and parks need to be improved and better maintained, they’re often overgrown and quite dirty so better maintenance and cleaning will give us areas that we can be proud of.”
Koomen highlighted the lack of local representation for Waratah Ward’s suburbs, where he said previous councillors were not residents of Hallam, Doveton or Hampton Park.
“Our suburbs deserve better - someone who will fight against backroom deals and bring greater transparency for our suburbs.”
Community safety was also another factor that Koomen would embark on if elected. While crime and related topics are subject to the State Government’s authority, he said that at the council’s level, it’s about “being a local voice”.
U3A Dandenong Expo
U3A Dandenong is holding an expo to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
Some Dandenong-based seniors’ clubs will be presenting what they offer.
Some participation and/or demonstrations are provided eg. Line dancing, exercise class, singing in English and Italian, games played like Scrabble, Mahjong and Rummy Kub, Art display of different mediums, a plant stall, this is just a small sample of displays.
Refreshments are available via the Dandenong Netball Assoc. canteen including a Devonshire Tea at a small cost.
• Entry: Free
• When: Friday 18 October, 2025
• Venue: Gloria Pyke Netball Stadium, at Greaves Reserve, Dandenong Show Grounds, Bennett Street, Dandenong.
• Time: between 10am and noon.
• For more information call – 0494 018 356
ers might join in and do it, it’s also about inspiration.”
It was all about creating an example through the cafe, where the business served as a medium for Rahaman’s vision of people coming together.
Ryan and Kristy Crawford, a couple who have been involved with the club for as long as they could remember were the first to bring Rahaman into being a sponsor for the club, serving as the bridge that led to that partnership.
Recalling the couple’s first time visiting La Baguette, Ryan said that “I came in here [La Baguette] for a coffee and I had a Berwick Cricket Club top on”.
“Mush came up to me and said, ‘I want to be on that top, how do I get on it?’, and I said I’ll put him on to the right people.
“Kristy and I are heavily involved in the club, I played there for 20 years and Kristy scored for 10 years, so it was good to just put it together.
“He’s a good man and he’s trying to do the right thing for the community.”
Also in attendance was Berwick MP Brad Battin, who spent the evening speaking to members of the club and other attendees; of course players up for auction were present, as well as a number of long-time sponsors.
To Rahaman, events like these are something that “we need to start sharing more of”.
“More community events, where people of other culture, other backgrounds, other heritages are welcome, where they can start coming in.
“This is an example of where everybody is invited, and I want to start promoting a message where everyone is welcome.”
“I intend to have regular meetings with local police to keep them updated on the issues in our area because at the moment there is no voice from our suburbs actually talking on behalf of residents to police where they should prioritise their resources.
“From a local council perspective, it’s about having accessible and safe public spaces that involve increased and improved lighting, and also other safety measures so that we can discourage anti-social behaviour and better connect people with our public spaces.”
Having worked for several years as electorate officer for Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams, Koomen says he understands the need for good governance. He stands firm in the belief and understanding that “I’ll be [putting] residents first”.
“I’m independent in the sense that no one can tell me how to vote or what to do.“
He also believes that this level of governance should be entirely apolitical.
“There are going to be 12 councillors who need to be able to constructively build a plan for our community, our council, our municipality, and politics isn’t needed in that environment.”
Stefan Koomen is dedicated to being the voice for Waratah Ward. (Supplied)
Line dancing will be one of the many demonstrations set to take place at U3A Dandenong’s 30th anniversary. (Unsplash: Ardian Lumi)
From left to right, Berwick MP Brad Battin, Mush Rahaman, and BCC president Andrew Moore. (Ethan Benedicto: 432557)
FOCUS ON … EDUCATION
College triumphs
Hampton Park Secondary College has been honoured as the standout winner in the Southern Melbourne region for 2024, as part of The Age’s Schools That Excel series. This prestigious recognition celebrates schools that demonstrate exceptional improvement in VCE results over the course of a decade. The school has achieved an increase in its Mean Study Score of reaching 29 and in 2023, 97% of students successfully completed their VCE.
Hampton Park Secondary College’s remarkable achievement comes after the school posted its best-ever VCE results, showcasing the hard work and dedication of both students and staff. The recognition reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and its ability to foster a supportive and encouraging learning environment.
The principal and staff expressed immense pride in their students, whose achievements have not only elevated the school’s reputation but also showcased the power of perseverance, a strong school culture, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
The school’s success story truly shows the combined efforts of the teaching staff, leadership team, and the wider school community, all of whom have worked tirelessly to help students reach their full potential.
Hampton Park Secondary College now stands as a shining example of educational excellence in Southern Melbourne, inspiring future generations to aim high and believe in their ability to excel.
Hampton Park Secondary College Triumphs in The Age’s 2024 Schools That Excel Awards.
Nourishing lunchbox ideas
Spring is a great time to pack hearty and nourishing foods in lunch boxes to keep kids warm and satisfied throughout the day. Here are some ideas for spring-friendly school lunches:
* Soup in a Thermos: Pack a thermos full of warm soup, such as chicken noodle, tomato, lentil, or vegetable soup. Pair it with some whole grain bread or crackers for dipping.
* Hot Sandwiches: Make sandwiches with warm fillings like grilled cheese, turkey and cheese, or meatball subs. Wrap them in foil to keep them warm until lunchtime.
* Quiche or Frittata: Bake mini quiches or frittatas filled with vegetables, cheese, and maybe some ham or bacon. They’re delicious served warm or cold.
* Warm Grain Salads: Make salads using hearty grains like quinoa, barley, or farro, mixed with roasted vegetables, nuts, and a flavorful dressing. They’re filling and can be enjoyed at room temperature.
*WarmFruit:Packwarmfruitlikebaked applesorpearsinathermoswithasprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey. It’s a comforting and nutritious treat.
* Homemade Muffins or Scones: Bake muffins or scones with whole grains, fruits, and nuts. They’re perfect for a cozy snack during the winter months.
Remember to consider your child’s preferences and any dietary restrictions when preparing their lunch box meals.
FOCUS ON … EDUCATION
Meet the principal
Nossal High School recently announced the appointment of its second substantive Principal, Tracey Mackin. Tracey has served the Nossal community since 2012, guiding the institution through key phases of its growth and development.
Her leadership roles have included Assistant Principal and Director of Curriculum and Pedagogy, both of which allowed her to play a central role in shaping and embedding the school’s ethos and practice.
Tracey’s leadership is characterised by a balance of vision and attention to detail, underpinned by her commitment to creating a supportive, innovative, and student-centred learning environment. Her academic and professional thinking is grounded in the values of integrity, reflection, and inclusivity. She has consistently been at the forefront of initiatives that promote student voice and agency, recognising that students thrive when given the opportunity to take ownership of their learning and engage in meaningful dialogue about their educational experience.
Tracey takes great pride in the fact that Nossal has developed into a vibrant community where staff and students share in the joy that learning can bring. With the rest of the Nossal family, she is committed to embracing the challenge of thinking deeply and well about the world, and of applying that thinking to make the world of the future a better one.
New focus on phonics
Evidence-based teaching and learning will be embedded in Victorian classrooms, including best practice teaching of phonics in the early years. Education Minister Ben Carroll in June announced the updated Victorian Teaching and Learning Model, to be implemented in all government schools across the state from 2025 with explicit teaching at its core.
All students from Prep to Grade 2 will be taught using a systematic synthetic phonics approach as part of their reading programs, with a minimum of 25 minutes daily explicit teaching of phonics and phonemic awareness. This will be a core component of a comprehensive reading program that also includes explicit teaching of oral language, vocabulary, reading fluency, and comprehension. Systematic synthetic phonics is a structured approach that explicitly teaches the relationship between sounds and letters to read words. Schools and teachers will receive high-quality, practical lesson plans, first in English and mathematics and then in science and design and digital technologies.
“The reforms and the rollout of the lesson plans will reduce teacher workload and equip them with high quality, best practice materials so they can spend more time with their students and less time planning,” Mr Carroll said.
Evidence from Victorian schools and from reviews conducted by research organisations like the Australian Education Research Organisation and the Grattan Institute shows explicit teaching works best for the largest number of students, particularly those who might be struggling.
Nossal High School recently announced the appointment of its second substantive Principal, Tracey Mackin.
Public Notice
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.
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• 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.
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• 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
Magpies seeking revenge
By Marcus Uhe
The idea of every original deserving a sequel is a divisive one in the world of film and entertainment.
Attempting to replicate what can be viewed as a perfectly good product and risk sullying the legacy in an effort to recapture the genie in the bottle of a magnificent first viewing is truly a roll of the dice.
When Anthony Hudson rhetorically asked ‘who would have thought the sequel would be just as good as the original?’ when the final siren rung to put a bow in the 2006 AFL grand final, the second West coast v Sydney cliff-hanger in two years, few, if any, had the answers.
2023’s Outer East Football Netball Premier Division football grand final was a day to remember for Wandin, and a day of despair for Narre Warren.
In 2024, the same teams will go fight it out for the crown once again, at the same venue and on the back of strikingly similar paths to qualification, with Wandin hoping history repeats, and Narre Warren wishing to reverse the result.
Narre Warren won both contests against its conqueror in 2024, the first a wire-to-wire win at home and the second a valiant comeback on the tight confides at the Kennel to solidify its status as the best team in the competition.
But Wandin haven’t lost since that chilly day in early August, and ran through its three finals opponents with conviction, with an average winning margin just shy of 50 points.
All roads lead to a belter of an afternoon at Officer.
THE CAST
Despite the renewing of the title, many of the stars on both sides have been recast.
Three of Wandin’s best midfielders from 12 months prior, in Joel Garner, Cody Hirst and Connor Smith, will likely be watching from the sidelines when the first ball is bounced on Saturday afternoon.
Garner and Smith are certainties, having plied their talents elsewhere in 2024, while Hirst is in a race against the clock to prove his fitness as he fights to recover from a knee injury.
Out of their shadows have emerged Chayce Black, Jack Manson and Macauley Beckwith in the on-ball division, with Aaron Mullett, Jordan Jaworski and Todd Garner also working their way into the rotation from time to time.
The same can be said for Narre Warren, whose summer was rife with concerns of their demise following big-name exits, but the black and white did what they so often do, in retooling, tweaking and winning far more often than losing.
Peter Gentile’s return from VFL duties has been an ideal replacement for 2023 Smith Medal winner Tom Miller, Jesse Davies has stepped forward to cover the absence of Jake Richardson, and Hayden Dwyer has been a revelation in the ruck this year, finishing in the top 10 of the SmithRamage medal count, more than ably filling the void left by Lachlan Benson.
Limiting Dwyer’s presence will go a long way to stifling the Magpies’ effectiveness in the middle, but Wandin’s makeshift rucking pair will have their hands full.
In round 15 the Magpies moved Jesse Davies into the ruck in the second half and the decision went a long way to the remarkable second half turnaround.
Riley Siwes, Sam Johnson and Corey Bader have become genuine options in the midfield for Steven Kidd to support Brad Scalzo and Kurt Mutimer, and Tom Toner will require some limiting from the Bulldogs.
The biggest weapon on the field, however, remains Mullett.
Mullett was one of the catalysts in the 10 minutes of destruction that spoilt the Narre Warren premiership party 12 months ago and has spent more time in the midfield in the second half of the season, but can find the big sticks from nearly anywhere in the forward half of the ground.
Five goals in the first half of the round 15 epic reminded everyone of his quality but the goalless second half proved that’s not unstoppable if the team locks in to its assignment.
Jacob Mutimer or Josh West may be handed the assignment due to their leg speed, or even Travis Callahan, should he earn a recall in Trent Papworth’s spot, who is leaving no stone unturned to be fit after a calf injury in the second semi final against Woori Yallock.
OUTER EAST FOOTBALL PREMIER DIVISION - GRAND FINAL PREVIEW
THE PREAMBLE
The last two seasons have seen these two sides emerge as the benchmarks of the competition, with Wandin unseating Woori Yallock on the podium.
Narre Warren has won four of the last five contests between the two combatants, but Wandin won the game that mattered the most.
In round 14, the Bulldogs looked set to square the 2024 ledger at 1-1, thanks to a 22-point lead at half time in a brilliant display on their home turf, before a stunning turnaround from the Magpies saw them kick seven of the last eight goals to escape 13-point victors.
In round three, it was a 12-goal second-half that saw the Magpies fly away with the four points, the only time Wandin conceded more than 100 points in a game this year.
Some may put more stock in the first contest of the season, given the similarities between the ground dimensions of Kalora Park and Rob Porter Recreation Reserve, but the ability to slow the Bulldogs down was stunning, and a definite ace up the Magpies’ wing.
THE PLOT
The Magpies found great success with some positional moves and in taking away the open spaces that Wandin thrive in back in round 15, and slowed the game to a crawl, with Wandin looking bereft of a plan B.
In open play, Wandin’s lethal ball users –Mullett, Black, Patrick Bruzzese, Damien Furey, Harrison van Duuren – love to showcase their footskills and slice through forward presses like surgeons.
The Magpies, too, relish open space, and have made a living out of turning opposition turnovers into scores.
When Hamish West, Riley Siwes, Daniel Toner and Mitchell Tonna are afforded space, their intimate knowledge of each other’s tendencies and patterns sees scoring chances present more often than not for Davies and Will Howe, or
one-another.
Narre Warren’s back six will have its hands full given the Wandin forward half arsenal, but the Magpies’ forwards will need to utilise their leg speed to keep Tom Hinds and John Lander on their toes.
Howe, meanwhile, has a nemesis in Leiwyn Jones, who has given him trouble in recent contests.
THE COACHES VIEWS
Steven Kidd (Narre Warren) - “(Wandin) have got a ruthless winning attitude and win-at-allcosts attitude.
“The question isn’t about motivation because that’s there and we lost last year.
“We don’t have to play too much different, but we have to play at our best.
“It is a different game, we definitely have to be pretty physical and put the pressure on them.
“As far as our game style goes, we just have to adhere to what we’ve trained.
“We feel like we’ve done everything we can as far as our training goes, it’s just going to come down to if we’re going to be good enough on the day.
“(Winning is) certainly something that would mean a lot to me if I could achieve that goal, but at this stage I know that it’s more important to concentrate on what may happen on the day and what different things or magnets we’ll have to throw around as the game wears on.”
Nick Adam (Wandin) – (Narre Warren) has been outstanding since the moment they’ve walked into the competition; I know they’ve had a really proud history in the South East, but they’ve been the ones since the merger.
“We were able to get the job done last year but I would have felt like they’re only using it as motivation.
“I felt like they couldn’t cope with us in the second quarter at Clegg Road [in round 15], but they went into half time and were able to get some
stuff really right that took all the speed out of the game, and I felt like that got it back on their terms.
“I’d be surprised if (Kidd’s) not looking at that and going ‘this is what we were able to do to manufacture that’, and we need to be able to counter it.
“The plan we have for Narre Warren is very different to what we have for Woori Yallock that we want to put in place, and I’m confident that we can get the job done.”
THE PREDICTION
In many ways, this game will be a case of winner takes all, with Narre Warren hoping for a third OEFN premiership flag to take on its impending venture to the Southern Football Netball League. Three wins from four completed seasons would be make them the undisputed yardstick from the competition’s formative years, while a second for Wandin would square the ledger at two each.
Wandin blew Narre Warren’s quest for backto-back premierships in 2023 to smithereens, and now Narre Warren is hoping to do the same.
Will the quest for vengeance outweigh the pursuit of greatness? Only time will tell.
The six-day turnaround Wandin faces adds another challenge to the equation, but their firepower across the ground gives them a slight edge.
Tip: Wandin by 15 points, with Jordan Jaworski named best on ground.
VENUE: Rob Porter Recreation Reserve will be walk-in venue, as it was for the preliminary final on Sunday and grand final day last season.
With Officer and Pakenham playing in the morning’s first football game, parking spots are set to be hot property from as soon as the gates open.
Extra parking will be available at the Officer Civic Centre car park, on Siding Avenue, and on McMullen Road, while those who can take the train to Officer station should consider whether that option suits them.
Narre Warren will have its hands full with Jordan Jaworski. (Gary Sissons: 403702)
Magpies keep marching on
By Marcus Uhe
Narre Warren will take its premiership defence right to the final afternoon of the Outer East Football Netball A Grade netball season on Saturday after booking a place in the grand final in a dominant preliminary final performance.
The Magpies, scorned after another loss to its nemesis Mt Evelyn in the second semi final last week, put any concerns of a straight sets exit to bed by quarter time in a beat down of Wandin in Sunday’s preliminary final, on its way to an 18goal win, 58-40 at Rob Porter Recreation Reserve.
A rematch of last season’s epic A-Grade grand final at the same venue was anything but, thanks to a sensational opening term from the Magpies.
They reached the quarter-time break with a 21-9 lead, on the back of a clinical performance in the goal circle from Erin Bell.
Narre Warren looked nervous in the opening minutes, losing its possession advantage on the back of an air-balled shot from Chelsea Tonna.
At the other end of the court, Emmalia Blake made no mistake with her first attempt, despite a contact penalty from Gabrielle Dwyer.
Wandin took an early 2-0 lead, but that was as good as it got for the Bulldogs, who succumbed to the overwhelming pressure from Narre Warren, and the dead-eye accuracy from Bell.
Wandin Goal Keeper Ruby Tidd’s physicality, which saw her overpower Pakenham’s Charlotte Hudolin last week, was no match for the experience and wisdom of former Australian Diamond, who showed her craft in the goal circle to work her way into scoring positions.
The Blake and Dwyer match up at the other end, meanwhile, had flipped into the Magpies’ favour.
When Blake had a successful shot waved off by referees when trailing by seven goals midway
through the quarter, she was benched, giving Dwyer an early psychological win.
Her replacement, Lauren Spinks, copped a ball to the face in one of her early involvements on the court, and took time to settle into her work.
Wandin made a better start to the second term as they looked to chip away at the Narre Warren
lead, scoring five of the first eight goals of the quarter, but they struggled to completely stem the bleeding.
Narre Warren’s reserves players, in Julia Kaitani, Ruby Dwyer and Sophie Hennessey took to the court to reinvigorate their side, and contributed to a run of five consecutive goals to close the
quarter, and create a 14-goal lead.
In what became a signature move from the Magpies, Brittany Mashado, Maddie Maund and Bell showcased elite synchronicity to work the ball from the centre pass to the goal circle in the blink of an eye, with simply no avenues for the Wandin defenders to intercept.
The Magpies led 32-18 at the half, and cruised to the 18-goal victory in the second, setting up a date with Mt Evelyn in the grand final next week.
It’s a nightmare scenario for the Magpies, facing the only side to have defeated them in 2024, and one just two to have defeated them in the last two seasons.
It’s the defensive end of the court that gives the Magpies troubles, with the Rovers offering the stingiest defence in the competition, conceding just 35.5 goals per game in 19 games this season.
The Magpies, the highest-scoring team in AGrade, average 62.4 goals per contest, but scored just 44, 34 and 42 goals in the three contests against Mt Evelyn this season, an average of just 40, and lost to them in consecutive games before Sunday’s preliminary final.
Kailtyn Black, last season’s Jodi Chandler Medal winner as the best player in A-Grade, patrols the court from the back, and is one of few players who can stop Bell in her tracks, while size across the court presents another challenge for Narre Warren to solve.
Mt Evelyn enters the game on a seven-match winning streak, having not tasted defeat in more than two months, and will be fuelled by redemption after falling to the Magpies in a preliminary final in 2023.
It will be a mighty hurdle for the Magpies to overcome, but will make for an incredible triumph if they are successful.
The grand final will be played at 12.35pm at Rob Porter Recreation Reserve.
Captain Cooke on a maiden voyage to league medal
By Marcus Uhe
Pakenham Netball Club captain Caitlin Cooke has taken out the 2024 Jodi Chandler Medal as the best player in the Outer East Football Netball A Grade netball season at the league’s presentation night on Monday 16 September.
The Lions’ A-Grade skipper enjoyed a stellar season from the Lions’ defensive third, leading Pakenham back to the finals and reaching as far as the semi final rounds with a young and talented squad.
It was a special night for the Cooke family, with Caitlin also named Goal Defence in the A-Grade Team of the Year, and her father, Matt, selected as coach of the team.
Cooke finished the count on 32 votes, five clear of Lions teammate Jordyn Adams in second place and 11 ahead of Narre Warren captain Brittany Mashado, and Emerald’s Krista Tomlinson, tied for third place on 21 votes.
After 10 rounds Cooke was in second place behind Mt Evelyn centre Montana Wallis by two votes in a tight count, but polled 19 votes in a stellar final eight games of the year to run away with the honour after 18 weeks.
In her first season back on the court after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in late 2022, Cooke enjoyed a campaign of full health, playing all 18 games in the regular season and the two finals that Pakenham qualified for, instrumental in the brilliant comeback against Emerald in the first week when the Lions stared down the barrel of an early exit.
Tenacious in the defensive goal circle, she can often be seen picking herself up off the ground after flying for an interception and putting her body on the line time after time to give her team an advantage.
Adams, meanwhile, was one of the recruits of the season in the A-Grade competition, with her competitive spirit and experience playing in higher levels of netball in South Australia helping her to elevate Pakenham to new heights.
Taller than most centres, she offered tremendous defensive support and made a habit of getting her hands into passing lanes to disrupt opposition attacking plays.
Adams was viewed as a favourite heading into the count and sat four votes adrift from Wallis at the halfway mark but like her captain, powered home with a strong second half of the
season to finish with 27 votes.
Narre Warren captain Mashado is no stranger to the podium, having won the award back in 2022.
Mashado will lead her Magpies into battle in this week’s grand final seeking back-to-back premiership glory after the successes of 2023.
B-Grade saw ROC captain Sidney Kneebone voted the competition’s best, sneaking home by one vote ahead of Woori Yallock’s Jaymee Tough, while Narre Warren’s Dorothy Maepu cruised to victory in the C-Grade count by nine votes.
In football, the league’s highest accolade, the Smith-Ramage Medal for the Premier Division best-and-fairest went to Woori Yallock ruck
Zach Monkhorst.
The son of Collingwood’s 1990 premiership ruck, Damian, Zach claimed the league’s top gong for the second time, having previously won the award back in 2019.
Widely regarded as one of the best big men in the game, he was also named as the starting ruck in the Team of the Year, and pipped Upwey Tecoma midfielder Sam Raru by one in the count.
Wandin co-captain Patrick Bruzzese rounded-out the podium with 22 votes.
In the reserves, Officer’s Tanner Thomsen pulled off a remarkable feat by winning the count despite playing just 10 of a possible 18 home-and-away games.
Thomsen began the season playing for Reservoir in the Northern Football Netball League before making his debut in round six against Gembrook Cockatoo.
Polling 21 votes, he earned a staggering 2.1 votes per game, and even missed the final two of the home-and-away season, but impressed the umpires enough to hold on to his lead ahead of Upwey Tecoma’s Blair Sheppard.
Selections in the senior football team of the year were dominated by the competition’s three best sides, with Narre Warren, Wandin and Woori Yallock each rewarded for brilliant seasons with four players each selected.
One Magpie, Sam Toner, clinched a spot in the forward pocket despite playing just 13 games.
Pakenham’s A Grade netball captain Caitlin Cooke won the Jodi Chandler Medal on Monday night. (Supplied)
ROC captain Sidney Kneebone won the B Grade league best and fairest. (Rob Carew: 405141)
Erin Bell was dominant for the Magpies in their preliminary final win over Wandin on Sunday.
(Rob Carew: 405141)
Hard work pays off for a rejuvenated Ricky Johnson
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Doveton wingman Ricky Johnson took out the Southern Football Netball League Bennett Medal last Wednesday as the best and fairest player in the Division 2 senior competition.
Johnson finished the season with 26 votes, one ahead of Highett’s Jacob Duscher, and six ahead of Endeavour Hills midfielder John Rafferty.
The medal is a testament to the diminutive ball magnet’s work ethic and adaptability across the past two seasons.
Johnson has surrendered local cricket to focus his attention in summer on building his fitness base.
Thrice per week in preseason, he would run up to 10 kilometres around Robinson Reserve –Doveton’s home ground.
“I got myself fit a couple of years ago and was playing better footy than what I had been which drove me to get the best out of myself.
“Once you start playing good footy, you see yourself achieving more so I keep going.
“I definitely enjoy the mental side of being fit and it helps put you in a good space off the field and it’s helped me play good footy.”
The tremendous will to maximise his training hasn’t gone unnoticed around Doveton, with coach Matt Stapleton dubbing him the “hardest worker on the training track and away from footy.”
It was Stapleton who masterminded Johnson’spositional switch in 2024.
While he thrived last season, named in the best in 15 of his 21 matches, Johnson was thrown around positionally which at times unsettled his footy.
The coach planned to put Johnson on the wing from preseason.
“He has tremendous running ability and can find the ball which was clearly evident this year,” Stapleton said.
“His ability to kick a goal, go back and help the defence and courageously put his body in positions at times that someone at his size doesn’t need to do is a credit to him.”
Johnson’s best form came late in the season as
Positive thoughts despite painful grand final defeat
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Casey’s season of development fell one win short of a fairytale premiership, with the Cannons going down to Yarra in penalties.
The senior men progressed to the Vic League 2 grand final from fourth position on the table and were the form side of the second half of the season.
David Noney got Casey on the board first, converting a breakaway play set up by the experienced Craig Moore midway through the second quarter.
But Yarra quickly responded from a short corner, with the scores levelled at halftime and neither side was able to break the deadlock in the second half.
After both teams went goalless in extra time, the match was decided in a penalty shootout.
While a heartbreaking way to lose, coach Steve Noney could see the silver-lining from a season of great progression.
“By no means am I shattered and I don’t think any of the team are either,” Noney said.
“For me, the positive out of the whole season from a men’s unit perspective was the growth and the overall club spirit which has increased this year.
“We played some of our best hockey in the back end so to be able to win through to the grand final from fourth after being relegated last year, you couldn’t hope for more.
“I think something we’re starting to realise is we have got depth and the juniors coming through who are making a good showing in seniors.
“From a club, we went out with a plan in place from a hockey development point of view and our gamestyle was tinkered with a little bit and we’ve got more of an understanding of the game.
“Our hockey brains have really developed; players aren’t doing things because the coach told them to do it; they’re doing it to achieve
grand
something specific.
“The positive part about it was that it wasn’t me telling them what to do, it was everyone providing input.”
The Cannons won just one game in the Vic League 1 competition last year and was relegated to Vic League 2 as a result, putting question marks on where the men’s unit sat.
To finish the home and away season with a 9-5-4 record, play in three finals, blood a slew of new players across all senior teams and compete in grand finals in both the firsts and thirds positions the Cannons well for another tilt in 2025.
“It gives us a bit of confidence that we’re on the right path going into next season.
“It gives us the belief we can do it and it shows us we still have some things to work on to get to the point of being promoted and increase the understanding of how we want to play in the men’s ones and roll that through the various grades.”
fectly and quickly brought his trademark tenacity, endurance and efficiency to the outside role.
“It was about backing myself and trusting what (coach Matt Stapleton) had in place for me and I was big on trying to help the defence rather than focussing on offence and I feel like I did that well,“ Johnson said.
“Early on, I thought I was a five foot inside mid but he’s seen something and it worked out better in the end because we had a solid midfield who could win the hard balls and flick it out to me and it’s paid off.” TOP
Doveton fell two wins short of a premiership, but an early season hiccup made amplified the magnificence of his consistency.
A concussion in preseason caused Johnson to miss multiple practice matches, robbing him of crucial match practice in a position he had played no more than a handful of times in his life. Regardless, Johnson built into the season per-
Rays season said and done
By Jonty Ralphsmith
A fast-starting Dandenong was outlasted by Sandringham on Sunday, going down 14.10 94 to 6.7 43 at RSEA Park, Morrabbin.
The Stingrays brought the heat early, with the strong-bodied trio of Elwood Peckett, Cooper Hynes and Harvey Langford masterminding two early goals from the midfield.
Playing against a star-studded, but considerably lighter weight Sandy on-ball unit, Dandenong were better at stoppages early, with Berwick’s Tairon Ah-Mu and Beaconsfield’s Jay-De Varlet the first two goal scorers.
But the premiership frontrunners ran out the first term better, beating Dandenong on the spread and putting their ascendancy on the scoreboard to lead by 14 points at quarter time.
The Dragons’ class quickly shone through, kicking seven goals to one in the middle to quarters to put the game to bed by three-quarter-time, despite a valiant effort from the Rays.
Last quarter goals to half-forward Harry Doughton, bottom-ager Jack Lawrence and defender-turned-forward Charlie Orchard maintained a respectable final margin.
Langford, who is firming for selection in the first handful of selections at the AFL National draft, finished his junior career with 25 disposals through the midfield.
Hynes had an enormous first quarter winning two centre clearances and setting up a goal, while also looking potent when played forward.
Riak Andrew also capped an excellent finals campaign by keeping first round draft prospect Harry Armstrong to just one goal for the day.
Andrew locked down Sandy’s main marking target inside 50, which follows on from a similarly strong showing against another top-10 contender, Jobe Shanahan, in wildcard round, and an intercepting spree against
Gippsland last week.
Long having established his athleticism, the defender’s finals series has importantly shown a different aspect to his skillset.
St Kilda father-son prospect Peckett’s inside work was also strong, while defenders Riley Hilliard and Ben Hopkins staved off potent Dragons forward entries throughout the day.
The loss draws a curtain on a season of continual progression for the Stingrays, the team’s chemistry growing by the week and several players entering AFL draft conversations as a result.
As well as Andrew, there are multiple clubs interested in ruck Jordan Doherty; the injured Sam Toner has put himself on the map; Orchard received a state combine invite highlighting his quick rise; and the injured Noah Mraz is still viewed by some clubs in AFL draft circles as among the best key-position players in the crop.
Sandringham will take on GWV this week in the Coates League decider.
Elwood Peckett finished his season with a solid midfield performance. (Rob Lawson/AFL Photos).
Despite the
final defeat 2024 still represented a big step forward for Blake Edwards and the Cannons. (Rob Carew: 427117)
Ricky Johnson’s reliability on the wing was rewarded with the Bennett Medal last week. (Rob Carew: 421605).
