Abiraj is part of the Tim Mason Magic show. (Stewart Chambers: 430004)
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 20shasannouncedherintentiontorunforKowan 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.
“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.
“This is something that our surrounding 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 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.
“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.
New council an ‘opportunity to reset the culture’: Candidate
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.
“It won’t be news to anyone that our old parents 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.
“The administrators’ mandate says that they should be acting for residents, but their actions haven’t always met that standard in my opinion,” he said.
lam 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.
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.
“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 Hal-
“A councillor that’s doing their job well is much more accountable than an administrator. That’s the nature of it.
“It’s been a long time for us to be starting to deal with ongoing issues that just have not been 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
“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)
Libertarian candidate Christine Skrobo is running for Kowan Ward. (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.
“My vision is to get River Gum back on the map because at the moment, it’s probably no worse off than any other ward, but after the ad-
Casey south candidates in the October election
Correa Ward
· Abdullah Neshat, Gary Rowe, Kanu Aggarwal, Onkar Singh Sandhawalia, Shegofa Naseri, Tracey Ryan
Cranbourne Gardens Ward
· Anthony Lake, Blessing Nhliziyo, Jo Muir, Mary Beth Melton, Michelle Crowther, Tamas Kapitany
Kowan Ward
· Bernard Brian Carr, Christine Skrobo, Gagan Bumrah,Jaward Erfani, Joby George, Kasuni Mendis, Raj Nayak, Shane Taylor
Quarters Ward
· Aftab Hussain,Carolyn Eaves, Craig Baird, David Rolfe, Ian Wood, Jagdeep Singh Sukhija, Kuljeet Kaur Robinson, Ridvan Rasimi River Gum Ward
· Asher Coleman, Damien Rosario, Garry Page, Geoff Hansen, Lynette Pereira, Nazir Yousafi, Wayne Smith
Tooradin Ward
Ali Yaghobi, Andrew Gai, Anthony Tassone, Brenton Kelly, Jennifer Dizon, Kuldeep Kaur, Ravneet Singh
Casuarina Ward
Ali Morteza, Jane Foreman, Kim Ross, Bassir Qadiri, Michael Kelaart, Suzanne Carmody, Mariam Khaliqy, Lyndon Samuel, Rex Lazaros, Rex Flannery
Dillwynia Ward
· Champika Hewa Maddumage, Jaz Masuta
Kamaljeet Singh, Gurpreet Gill, Baljinder Dhaliwal, David Bissell, Anthony Walter, Anthony Dissanayake, Joe Pang
ministrators, no ward was really singled out and looked after.
“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’ve lived in that area for a long, long time, 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.”
Former councillor from 2008-2012, Lynette Pereira is looking to make her mark once more for this upcoming Casey elections. (Supplied)
Damien Rosario (left), Kerrigan La-Brooy and Wayne Smith (right). (Stewart Chambers: 376968)
Writing the hard yards
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Dandenong resident Jacqui Swallow’s memoir
The Bipolar Runner is unflinchingly raw and honest.
So raw that her publisher recommend her to tone down the most telling of lowpoints.
But in characteristically courageous fashion, Swallow insisted on an uncensored retelling.
It includes a “humiliating” passage on how she was locked in an isolation unit in a psychiatric ward. With just a mattress, no pillow.
“You have to behave badly to be put in there. And when I was put in there, my behaviour was even worse.”
She wants to explode myths such as the “terror” around mental illness and psych wards.
“Hospital is not that bad. You play Uno to pass time - it’s very boring but it’s not scary at all.
“You don’t feel confronted or threatened. Everything is well handled. You don’t feel like you’re surrounded by ‘crazy people’ – they’re people like you.”
There are other myths to pop, such as mental illness being only caused by trauma or a bad upbringing. Swallow describes her own childhood as idyllic.
Or the fiction that “we bring it on ourselves” with drinking, drugs and bad lifestyle choices. “I’m the healthiest person I know and I still suffer from mental illness.”
Or that “we can’t function, we can’t work, we can’t have relationships, have families or contribute to the community”.
“If we are medicated, have the right people supporting us – professionals, friends and family – there’s no reason a person with mental illness can’t function.”
And one specifically for those who have bipolar, schizophrenia or psychosis and can suffer “delusions of grandeur” - don’t stop following their dreams.
“It’s OK to have big goals and big ambitions.
Just because you do, it doesn’t mean you’re manic or psychotic.”
Swallow has lived with bipolar disorder since her teens, as well as intense depression and anxiety. She also has a great knack for dreaming large. Last year, she was featured in Star News for raising $4500 for mental health agency Beyond Blue while running six hours in the
She’s now taken to writing her debut book – to show how running had helped her manage debilitating mental health issues.
“I found it really cathartic,” she says of writing her memoir.
“It was highly personal. I was writing daily so it was like a journey in processing memories from the past.”
She was spurred into running since she was spurred by the film Brittany Runs a Marathon –in which the lead character goes from unfit and overweight to a marathon runner.
It was life-changing, she says.
“At the time I myself was obese. I had tried everything to lose weight and nothing worked.
“As soon as I finished watching the movie, I went for a run.”
She used to be unable to walk up hills. As she trained, she started to run up the same slopes.
She celebrated those little milestones, as well as bigger ones such as Melbourne Marathon and her book.
“I go through the whole gamut. I feel shame, regret, embarrassment, pride – every single emotion you can imagine. But mostly pride.
“I hope it will encourage people with mental illness to run, as well as people who see themselves as not athletic.”
An avid reader, she sought memoirs by people with bipolar, and found celebrities like Carrie Fisher and Stephen Fry or superstar athletes.
What she aimed to do with The Bipolar Runner was to fill a gap – a story by an everyday person who really talked about their feelings and emotions.
“There’s people in my life like my mum and my partner who don’t have mental illness and they just don’t know what it’s like. It’s completely out of their experience.
“Reading a whole book, they can then go: ‘OK, I get it’.”
The Bipolar Runner is available from Fair Play Publishing and QBD Books.
AbooklaunchwithJacquiSwallowwillbeheld atSandownParkHotelonFriday11October,6pm8pm. RSVP: form.jotform.com/242400699794871 Support is available.
· In an emergency, contact triple-zero (000). Lifeline 13 11 14.
· Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
Melbourne Marathon.
Marathon runner Jacqui Swallow has now penned an inspirational memoir. (Gary Sissons: 345036)
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)
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
(Supplied)
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-
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 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.
FOCUS ON … EDUCATION CHOICES
Books awarded to students
Rabo Community Fund in partnership with the ‘edu-tainment’ brand ‘George the Farmer’ has donated a record number of book packs to educational institutions across Australia during National Book Week.
Specialist agribusiness bank Rabobank – in collaboration with George the Farmer – awarded 70 book packs, with a collection of all 13 Australian-made George the Farmer picture storybooks to primary schools, kindergartens, preschools, early learning centres and childcare centres around the country for their libraries.
Rabobank head of community and client engagement Glenn Wealands said the initiative –now in its third year – attracted an “impressive 450 applications from large and small centres of learning”.
Mr Wealands said the interest from educational institutions – from both metro and country locations – highlights the appetite for children to learn about where their food and fibre comes from in an entertaining and engaging way.
George the Farmer began as an interactive story app in 2015 and founder Simone Kain has since expanded the brand to include virtualreality experiences, music, performances and paddock-to-plate videos available on YouTube and ABC iView, alongside free, curriculumaligned educational resources.
As an author, Ms Kain said, Book Week has become one of her favourite times of the year.
“The photos I receive of little George the Farmers and Ruby Farmers dressed up in classrooms across the country make me incredibly proud,” she said.
“Knowing that these characters – and the themes of farming – are inspiring a love of reading in young minds is truly rewarding. After all, this inspiration is what kick-starts their entire learning journey.”
Ms Kain said finding the right book can be transformative.
“Stories that reflect a child’s environment, culture or interests can make reading come alive. That’s why we created George the Farmer – to offer curriculum-aligned teaching resources, videos, and books that are both relatable and engaging to not just farm kids – but every child. Our platform has helped educate over 600,000 children to date across Australia about food and fibre, making a significant impact on their learning.
“Our partnership with Rabobank Australia and New Zealand has also been crucial in supporting literacy efforts,” she said.
“Through this collaboration, approximately 6,000 George the Farmer books have been distributed to schools across both countries, boosting literacy among challenged learners and strengthening children’s connections to regional areas and their understanding of food and fibre.”
In 2021, Rabobank launched the Rabo Community Fund in Australia and New Zealand to invest in the sustainability and vitality of rural communities.
“As a cooperative, Rabobank has a rich history of community engagement and always looks to make an impact across the rural communities in which our clients live and work,” Mr Wealands said.
“The Rabo Community Fund is driven by the bank’s farming clients, who play a central role in their communities. They support local initiatives with the goal of making a meaningful impact on the vibrancy and resilience of rural Australia.”
Mr Wealands said George the Farmer’s ambition of creating a world in which children connect with the earth, food and farming aligns seamlessly with one of the Rabo Community Fund’s central themes of fostering urban-rural connections.
Finn Olm celebrating Book Week.
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.
FOCUS ON … EDUCATION
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.
* Stuffed Baked Potatoes: Bake potatoes and fill them with toppings like cheese, broccoli, chili, or bacon. Wrap them in foil to keep them warm until lunch.
* 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
Boost for maths learning
Support for more teachers to become mathematics specialists is on the way, ensuring Victorian primary school students get the best maths education.
Education Minister Ben Carroll recently announced a further 100 government school teachers would become mathematics education specialists through the Primary Mathematics and Science Specialists (PMSS) initiative.
“Mathematics is a vital skill and we’re ensuring students are taught by the best maths teachers so they can achieve their full potential at school and in life,” he said.
The next 100 teachers to become maths specialists will follow in the footsteps of the 800 teachers from 430 schools who have already completed the training and are now leaders in STEM knowledge and delivery with-
in their schools.
The teachers will be trained over the next two years, giving them expert knowledge and skills to teach and assess mathematics.
They’ll use the skills to boost primary students’ engagement and achievement in mathematics – an underpinning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Evaluations of previous PMSS cohorts show the training of teachers as specialists results in student achievement going up at all year levels in mathematics and science.
Teachers reported training was more consistent, integrated and effective, leading to improved results in the classroom.
MARNEBEK SCHOOL
Learning at Marnebek
Marnebek is a dual campus school based in Cranbourne East. Across both campuses, we offer an environment that supports students’ academic, social and personal needs, with Primary, Secondary and Secondary Pathways.
room temperature.
* Warm Fruit: Pack warm fruit like baked apples or pears in a thermos with a sprinkle 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.
We offer a range of support and allied health services, ensuring every student has access to the support they need to excel in their learning and development.
Allied Health at Marnebek
• Speech Pathology
• Occupational Therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Psychologist
• Music Therapy
• Mental Health Practitioner
• Registered Nurse
Head to our website, or book a school tour for more information.
Touch of magic at school
Clyde Grammar celebrated this year’s Book Week on Friday 13 September.
With the theme ‘Reading is Magic’, the day started with a Book Parade. Students from Foundation to Year 4 showcased their outfits, many of them homemade, and many of the teachers also joined in the fun and dressed as their favourite book characters.
“This year’s Book Parade has been timed to coincide with the school’s very first Book Fair,” Clyde Grammar’s Library teacher Krystal Theobald said.
“The day began with the Book Parade where the children proudly showed their costumes to each other and families were also able to enjoy watching the children.
“Later, the children watched magician, Tim Mason, perform magic and they took part in a workshop with him to learn some basic magic tricks.”
The children also visited the school’s first Book Fair, which had an Enchanted Forest theme to tie in with the theme ‘Reading is Magic’.
“Book Week is all about fostering a love of literature, reading and that feeling of holding a book in your hand. The children were totally immersed in the enchanting world that can be found within the pages of a book,” Mrs Theobald said.
“We hope the event created some lasting memories of how reading can bring joy and happiness to everyday life, and we hope it encourages the students to continue to visit the school library and enjoy the books there.”
Justice of the Peace training day a success for all
A training day for the Justice of the Peace (JP) was held at the Cranbourne Community Centre on Saturday 14 September. About 40 JP and not sworn-in JP attended the training day. Training, presented by the trainers from The Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices, included the latest signing and attesting requirements.
Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards attended the day, shared morning tea and thanked all attending for the volunteer work of Honorary Justices. Cranbourne Justice of the Peace Group carries out about 4000 signings a month in Cranbourne alone, the group secretary Gary Luxford said.
“In the City of Casey, a total of 8000 to 10,000 signings could be carried out,” he said.
Aslan, Riaan, Insha and Ranbir. (Stewart Chambers: 430004)
Teachers Mrs Tucker and Mrs Dawson. (430004)Benji and Mrs Theo. (430004)
Benji. (430004)
Denny. (430004)
The attendees on the day.
Garry Luxford, Colleen Woolley, Pauline Richards, and Jackie Warner. (Supplied)
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
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
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.
· 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.
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.
Candice Fox, decorated crime author is looking to bring mystery and non-stop thrill down to Bunjil this October. (Supplied)
Public Notice
PROPOSED ROAD DISCONTINUANCE PUBLIC NOTICE INVITING
SUBMISSIONS UNDER SECTION 223
Casey City Council (Council) acting under Clause 3 of Schedule 10 of the Local Government Act 1989 (Act) proposes to discontinue part of the road known as Sofra Road, Clyde North being the land shown as Lot 1 & 2 on the proposed plans below (Road). If the proposed discontinuance is accepted to remove road status, Council will subsequently sell the parcels shown as Lot 2 to Melbourne Water Corporation. Parcels shown as Lot 1 are proposed to be retained by Council as tree reserves
Proposed section of the Road to be discontinued
Any person may make a submission on the proposal. Any person wishing to make a submission must do so in writing by 18 October 2024. All submissions will be considered in accordance with section 223 of the Act. Submissions should be submitted via Council’s website, or provided in writing and addressed to:
Head of Property and Strategic Development Casey City Council PO Box 1000 NARRE WARREN VIC 3805
Any person requesting to be heard in support of their submission is entitled to be heard before Council (or its committee established by Council for this purpose) or represented by a person acting on their behalf and will be notified of the time and date of the hearing.
Following consideration of submissions, Council may resolve not to discontinue the Road or to discontinue the Road.
Further information regarding the proposal can be obtained by contacting the Property and Strategic Development Team on 03 9705 5200 or via property@casey.vic.gov.au
ADVERTISERS
Part-Time Telesales Representative Star News Group
we are looking for a part-time Telesales Representative to join our team.
Overview
The successful candidate will be responsible for increasing revenue by selling our products and services to potential and existing customers via phone call. This is a part-time role with flexible hours.
Key Responsibilities
•Manage a portfolio of existing customers and develop relationships with new customers.
•Conduct outbound telesales calls to promote our products and services.
• Achieve and exceed sales targets and KPIs.
•Keep accurate and updated records of customer interactions and sales leads.
•Coordinate with the sales and marketing team to align sales strategies and campaigns.
•Telesales or cold-calling experience is preferred but not essential.
•Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Results driven and target-oriented mindset.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail.
The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.
Send your application letter and resume to:
Advertising Sales Manager
Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au
Star News Group is an innovative and dynamic media company located in Pakenham, Victoria. As a leading publisher of print and digital news,
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
Cranbourne Senior Citizens
Not a member? Doesn’t matter, come along and join the fun.
Weekly activities - Line Dancing Mon. 10am12pm, New Vogue and Old Time Dance Tue. 1pm3:30pm, Carpet Bowls Wed. & Sat. 11:30am2:30pm, Bingo Thur. 11am-2pm.
• For all enquiries or bookings contact Marilyn mobile 0432 107 590
U3A Cranbourne
U3A is a community group for anyone 50 and over to learn, share and socialise in Cranbourne. Activities range from Line Dancing and Ballroom Dancing, Guitar and Ukulele, Arts and Crafts, Table Tennis and more. The group offers a variety of activities at 20-22 Bowen Street in Cranbourne. Line Dancing and Ballroom Dancing classes are held at Casey Basketball Stadium in Cranbourne. Find the joy in joining others in keeping your brain, body active and pursuing creative interests that you are passionate about.
Supported by Casey Council U3A is a not-for-profit organisation with a membership fee of $50 per year. This fee allows members to participate in as many activities as they wish.
• Please check our website www. u3acranbourne,org,au or call 0493991919. Cranbourne and District Garden Club
The club is turning 51 this year and still meets at the Cranbourne Public Hall from 1.15pm on the second Thursday of the month. The club enjoys day trips and lunches, afternoon teas and friendship.
• For more information, contact Julie on 5995 1420 or Jean on 9704 6242.
Line dancing will be one of the many demonstrations set to take place at U3A Dandenong’s 30th anniversary. (Unsplash: Ardian Lumi)
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.
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.
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
Bight Community Centre Craft gift making for adults from 12.30pm to 2.30pm on Tuesdays.
Join in the craft gift making class and bring along your own craft to complete.
A variety of techniques and skills are shared including mosaics, macrame, sewing and painting at $3 per class.
Playgroup from 10.30am to noon on Wednesdays.
The program provides fun play activities and craft for children at $5 per family.
Free knit and crochet from noon to 2pm on Wednesdays.
Line dancing from 1pm to 2pm on Wednesdays. All ages, and abilities welcome at $10 per class.
• For more information and for bookings, visit www.blindbightcommunitycentre.com.au
Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club
Are you new newly retired, or new to the area, or just wanting to enjoy your freedom as a senior or expand your social life?
Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club can offer you stimulating activities and friendship.
The club hosts weekly social activities with dance to low-key in-line dancing if you want to tap your feet, great music, a chat, and then afternoon tea. Day, short and long trips away via coach, a weekly morning coffee club, monthly Saturday country pub lunches, monthly Tuesday dine-outs, a weekly walking group, a weekly table tennis group, seasonal daytime musical theatre outings, entertainment function days and more.
Anyone interested can visit on Thursdays at 2pm for socialising and low-key dancing at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House at 21A Bemersyde Drive or join the club for a coffee and a chat every Wednesday from 10am at the new François cafe in front of Myer in Fountain Gate.
• For more information, contact enquiry officer Gloria on 0468 363 616.
Balla Balla Community Centre Health & Wellbeing classes held at Balla Balla Community Centre include pilates on Tuesday afternoons or Wednesday evenings, Zumba - Tuesday evenings and Yoga Thursday late afternoons or evenings. Enhance your fitness levels before Spring arrives.
• For more information, visit ballaballa.com.au Combined Probus Club of Narre Warren
The club welcomes men and women to join for fun and interesting activities.
The club hosts bowling, armchair travel, book clubs, walk and talk, happy snappers and cards.
• For enquiries, contact Heather at hsims14@ gmail.com
Blind
Roscoe secures top award
By Jonty Ralphsmith
First year Cranbourne captain Zak Roscoe took out the Southern Football Netball League’s Ellis Medal as the best player in the Division 1 senior competition.
The hard working midfielder’s white-hot form propelling Cranbourne into the finals series was rewarded with a staggering 14 votes in the last five rounds of the home and away season.
He finished with 21 votes – three behind St Paul’s McKinnon’s Kye Beveridge who was ineligible due to suspension.
It’s an unbelievable achievement for player who bases his game on having a high fitness base, yet missed the entire preseason as he recovered from a meniscus injury.
Roscoe built into the season well, adding a more contested element to his game early in the year and giving the Eagles some presence inside 50 as they tried multiple forward dynamics following some key departures forward of the footy last season.
There were multiple layers to his form elevation midway through the year.
He returned to more of a primary midfield role, allowing him to play to his strengths.
The emphasis on the contested side of his game early in 2024 gave him a great balance for the latter part of the year.
Roscoe was training alongside fellow midfielder Jarryd Barker, whose listing with Casey in 2022-23 prevented them from previously training together in a meaningful capacity. The pair have always complemented each other on-field due to their contrasting skillsets, but their synergy and roles were clearer in 2024.
Backing up each week had given Roscoe full faith in his knee again.
And he was learning to release the internal pressure he had put on himself as a first year skipper.
“It was my best year at finding my own footy and my clearance work improved a little bit,” Roscoe said.
“Early on I didn’t want to overload the body because I knew if I went too hard too early I would probably break down in the back half of the year so it was more about timing the run and using the last five or six weeks as a stepping stone,” Roscoe said.
“As I got more confident in the body, I was able
to bring the running side of my game back into it.
“Early on, contested work was more my focus, but I learned a lot about myself early in the year and then the rest of my strengths came back into it .
“The defensive part of my game has generally been my weakest.
“Getting a leadership role, I thought I had to improve that part because if I’m going to demand other people to be strong defensively, then I have to do it myself, so there was definitely a focus on staying in the contest and being able to support
my teammates.”
Roscoe and Dylan Cavalot succeeded Brandon Osborne as skippers of Cranbourne this year, with Osborne leaving a blueprint for Roscoe after he grappled with the role amid the Eagles poor form early in the year.
“It wasn’t about what (Brandon) was saying to people, it was about him leading the way and getting his job done and hopefully it inspires everyone else to get their job done,” Roscoe explained.
“Earlier in the year I was too concerned about what everyone else was doing.
“Taking a back step, setting the tone and realising I couldn’t ask people to do things I wouldn’t do myself and if that meant going at the ball a little bit harder or getting more involved defensively than I would do it.”
The coveted award follows a top three finish last season and grand final best-on-ground for Roscoe in 2022.
Cranbourne’s Ellis Medal top three · Zak Roscoe - 21 votes
· Ryan Jones - 7 votes
· Jarryd Barker 6 votes
Captain Cooke on a maiden voyage to league award
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 AGrade 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 backto-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)
Zak Roscoe was an unstoppable force late in the home and away season for Cranbourne. (Rob Carew: 410440)
Cannons close but no cigar
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 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.
“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.”
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.
Dragons breathe fire to bring Stingrays season to an end
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
Elwood Peckett finished his season with a solid midfield performance. (Rob Lawson/AFL Photos)
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 de-
fender-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.
Costly lapse leaves Rays on the backfoot against Oakleigh
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Dandenong’s season ended in the preliminary finals against Oakleigh for the second consecutive year on Saturday with a 4.8 32 to 3.0 18 loss at a wet Highgate Recreation Reserve, Craigieburn.
An 11-minute period in the second quarter erased a promising start for the Stingrays, forcing them to play catchup for the entire second half against the premiership favourites.
The Rays fought hard to close to within six points at the 14-minute mark of the third quarter, before conceding a 50-metre penalty which led to a goal soon thereafter.
That would prove to be the final goal of the game, with heavy rain in the last quarter creating a stoppage-heavy contest, robbing the Stingrays of the opportunity to make a late charge.
The first quarter was full of promise, with Dandenong clearly the hotter team, winning it at the source and applying greater pressure than Oakleigh.
AFL Academy member Elli Symonds played as a strong-bodied mid throughout that period, winning six disposals and laying two tackles in a powerful start.
She was well aided by defenders Indi Sherritt and Ruby Geurts who both won critical contests to keep the ball in the Stingrays’ forward half, with the attack led by Nalu Brothwell.
Brothwell was an aerial presence all day and her four first quarter tackles underlined her hunt
and follow-up efforts.
Goalsneak Evelyn Connolly kicked the only goal of the first quarter to continue her strong year, before hobbling off late with injury. Forced to defend repeatedly in the second
term, it was Oakleigh’s transition game and multifaceted attack which broke the game open.
Tahlia Sanger ran hard all day and Jemma Reynolds was clean and industrious alongside her in the midfield, which gave them two goals in quick succession in the third quarter.
But the hope that provided was only brief, with Oakleigh’s quick response a momentum-sapper in a low-scoring game.
The match was an encore of several recent
meetings between the two sides.
Oakleigh has been the pacesetter of the competition for the past two years, with Dandenong able to challenge them in general play and match them in the midfield across that period.
But the gulf has lay in Oakleigh’s ability to punish Dandenong when it has momentum, which the Rays have struggled to do with the same consistency, as happened on Saturday.
Bottom-aged defender Matilda Argus was another strong performer on the day, alongside fellow back Mizuki Brothwell and midfielder Lilian Snow.
Oakleigh will take on Eastern Ranges in the grand final next weekend.
Jemma Reynolds had a strong season for the Singrays. (Gary Sissons: 403699)
Evelyn Connolly (17 Stingrays), Grabbed by Keira Gibbs (20 Gippsland).
Coach Josh Moore has led Dandenong well in 2024.
Despite the grand final defeat 2024 still represented a big step forward for Blake Edwards and the Cannons. (Rob Carew: 427117)
Johnson wins medal
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 highly-regarded 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 the Doveton Football Club, 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 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 perfectly 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 FIVE PER CLUB DOVETON
Ricky
and Nathan Langley
HSD learn from frustrating run of mistakes
By Marcus Uhe
Three years of frustration at the failure to shatter the glass ceiling hanging above the snake pit has led to some practical changes in how to approach the upcoming Dandenong District Cricket Association Turf 2 season for HSD.
Since dropping from Turf 1 at the end of the 2020/21 season, the Cobras have been perennial contenders but failed to achieve the ultimate prize on the final day of the season.
They lost a thrilling grand final to Parkmore in the 2021/22 decider but didn’t come as close in the last two seasons, upset in semi finals despite finishing the home-and-away seasons in the top two on both occasions.
As a result, Craig Hookey and the Cobras have implemented some changes during preseason in order to avoid petering out before it matters the most.
Sri Lankan left-armer Sakuntha Liyanage has been drafted in to be the club’s front line spin bowler in an effort to take some responsibility off the shoulders of Gartside Medallist Triyan de Silva and Ryan Patterson, as will quick Jawed Hussaini, who brings Turf 1 experience from his time at Narre South, and the opportunity to showcase more of his batting talent than he did at his previous home.
There’s a hope that a shorter preseason than previous years will prevent the players from running out of steam, while a flexible approach to selection will allow for some experimentation in finding the right combinations.
“Everyone says you’ve got to pick your best team for round one but it’s not about where you start, it might be about where you finish,” Hookey said.
“A lot of the time, where people start isn’t exactly where they finish, so we need to embrace and encourage that.
“Someone might start at eight and end up at the top of the order - that’s traditionally how season’s have gone for us in the past.
“We might tinker with a few things early and lose a few games early, so be it; at the end of the
Jawed Hussaini will offer more variety to HSD’s bowling attack. (Rob Carew: 379818)
day, we want to be there on the last day in March and not dwindle-out before then.
“In the past we’ve kind of gone bull-at-a-gate from round one and we’ve traditionally played our best cricket in January, so we’re structuring our program to allow us to play our best cricket in February/March is something that we’re really trying to do.”
Reflecting on the club’s 2023/24 season is impossible without considering the success of the T20 side in reaching the competition’s final against Springvale South, when the glittering combination of Brett Forysth and Jordan Wyatt proved too strong to overcome.
The Cobras gave a terrific account of themselves and dropped a handful of critical catches that could have swung the outcome of the 38-run loss, while comprehensively defeating then-Turf
Predators pushed but still prevail
By Marcus Uhe
The mighty Mud Rats came ever so close to inflicting the second loss of the season for premiership contender Predators in round 23 of the South West Gippsland Dart League last week, but scurry away from the Nar Nar Goon Hotel with plenty of confidence after an impressive performance.
In the first of two one-point thrillers of the round, Predators prevailed 8-7 to take its current winning streak to 12 matches, and bring the momentum of Mud Rats to a halt.
Despite missing Jordan, Steve was able to lead his team as he so often does, with five tons, to keep the rodents at bay for another week.
Dart Vaders, meanwhile, made it a hattrick of wins to draw level with Mud Rats in fourth place, sneaking home with the other one-point win of the week, over Just Social.
A combined 13 tons from Liam (seven) and Ant (six) helped Cheers to a comfortable 10-5 win over Fore, while Snipers dispatched of Just Social 13-2, with Bill from Snipers nabbing a fourth 180 of the season to make it two in as many weeks.
Gembrook, meanwhile, has won four in a row to keep the pressure on the top four, just one game back in sixth and with a higher percentage than the teams in fourth and fifth place.
Round 24 will offer a pair of top eight shaping contests, with Snipers and Predators going toe-to-toe for top spot, and Mud Rats and Dart Vaders playing off for fourth place.
Mud Rats and Dart Vaders may be the two most-evenly matched sides in the competition, as the only two sides in the top six of the ladder without a player in the top 10 of the leading ton throwers, and even tied on percentage as well as ladder points. Their last meeting was a one-point win to Dart Vaders back in round 11, as was Snipers’ over Predators.
Meanwhile, last week’s bye round allowed for an individual competition to take place involving some of the competition’s biggest names.
In a contest befitting of a grand final, Steve from Predators pipped Dean from Snipers 3-2 in the A-Grade final, while Tony from Dart Vaders got the better of Etty from Snipers 2-0.
Results R23: Cheers 10 v Fore 5, Snipers 13 v Just Social 2, Dart Vaders 8 v 26ers 7, Predators 8 v Mud Rats 7, Generals 11 v Bullseyes 4, Gembrook 11 v Railway 4, Dart Attack 10 v Hoodies 5.
Ladder: Snipers 92, Predators 88, Cheers 80, Mud Rats 64, Dart Vaders 64, Gembrook 60, Just Social 48, 26ers 40, Fore 40, Generals 24, Railway 24, Bullseyes 16, Dart Attack 8, Hoodies 0.
Fixture R24: Fore (9) v Bullseyes (12), Railway (11) v Generals (10), Dart Attack (13) v Cheers (3), 26ers (8) v Gembrook (6), Just Social (7) v Hoodies (14), Mud Rats (4) v Dart Vaders (5), Predators (2) v Snipers (1).
1 club St Mary’s by nine wickets in the semi final.
It’s a result that elicits pride for Hookey and his side, and offers something to build upon in the upcoming summer with an eye to returning to Turf 1.
“We ultimately walked away from that grand final disappointed - we think we should have won it and we think we got ourselves in a position to win it,” he said.
“We’re going to learn from that, we have spoken about it, that we can take on these bigger clubs.
“We’ve had pretty much the same group for three years, going into our fourth year we’re just adding bits and pieces along the way.
“We haven’t had wholesale change, so ultimately our boys should be experienced when push comes to shove.”
Ricky Johnson’s reliability on the wing was rewarded with the Bennett Medal last week. (Rob Carew: 421605)
Steve from Predators helped to stave off an attack from Mud Rats. (Supplied)
