Budding baseballers swung into a Come & Try Day at Police Paddocks Reserve, Endeavour Hills on Sunday 29 September.
Event host South East Warriors Baseball Club was seeking to entice more recruits ahead of the 13 October juniors season opener.
More photos page 20
Emmanuel is a club member and was helping with the youngsters that turned up for the day. (Gary Sissons: 433887)
By Violet Li
As Glasscocks Road veins the lives of Kowan Ward, Star News spoke to Kowan Ward candidates about their perspectives and future orientation towards the road.
Jawad Erfani said he spoke to many residents who had specifically complained about the intersection of Glasscocks Road and William Thwaites Boulevard.
“Their concerns are about the intersection’s confusing design and high traffic volume and as a result, it has become a hazard for drivers and pedestrians,” he said.
“There have been many reports of near misses and accidents…Many families are particularly concerned about the safety of children walking to
and from nearby sports clubs on the other side of Glasscocks Road.”
Mr Erfani pointed out that the ongoing safety issue with this road was rather “urgent” and needed “immediate attention” to mitigate the risk of further accidents.
“My view is that while I understand there is a need for necessary technical planning and prepa-
ration, we need to find the necessary funds either through putting less critical projects on hold or lobbying for more funding from the State authorities,” he said.
He said for Glasscocks Road, council could consider implementing a multi-pronged approach that combines both immediate and longterm solutions.
Continued page 11
GARY ROWE
Suburb of Residence: Narre Warren South in excess of 26 years
ONKAR SINGH SANDHAWALIA
Suburb of resident: Cranbourne East.
How long have you lived in Casey? Been living here since 2016.
Political party (past and present): None so far.
Occupation, business/employer name: Bus Driver & Disability Support Worker.
Property interests: NA
Business interests: NA
Three most important issues for your ward: 1. Crime 2. Network 3. Infrastructure maintenance.
KANU AGGARWAL
Suburb of residence: I live in the Cranbourne East.
How long have you lived in Casey? More than 5 Years
Political party (past and present): Local councils are for local people. We are not talking about State or Federal Elections here.
Occupation, business/employer name:
I am a registered teacher and previously I was teaching in Special School. Now I am a care sector tafe teacher.
Property interests: I own my house with Mortgage.
Business interests: N/A
Three most important issues for your ward: List is long and that’s what happens when people’s voices are unheard since last 4 years. Traffic, Congestions, parking, Crime, Rising rates so on.
Describe your involvement in the local community: Casey Citizen of the Year 2022, Nominee of the Women of the Year 2024. I selflessly provided relentless hope, guidance and advice to children and their parents in a rather difficult and uncertain time during COVID 19 when the education system failed to provide certainty. Being an ardent and vocal supporter of community service, I counselled people who had lost their jobs and were impacted by COVID-19, by assisting them in making smooth transitions in their respective careers, thereby enabling and empowering them. I helped to organise an online ‘Maths Olympiad Scholarship Test when NAPLAN was cancelled and donate $300 as scholarship prize for the winner. I am empathetic and community-driven and celebrated my son’s first birthday in an age-
Describe your involvement in the local community: An active dad who is dedicated to sports. Older son plays for soccer club and I help organise events. Also for local group’s elders gathering events.
Why are you standing for election?
To secure my neighbourhood.
What is your campaign budget? $5k
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? None.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? No advise.
Who will you direct your preferences to? NA
care home in a rather unorthodox manner by donating presents to senior-citizens, spending time with them and bringing them joy and happiness! In 2023, I was awarded with the ‘Women Leading locally Fellowship,’ which is a program designed to provide a platform to exemplary women, enabling them to advance in public offices and assume leadership roles.
Why are you standing for election? To lead, to advocate for my local community and especially for those people who ‘s voices are unheard since a long time. Someone have to take lead, and I am happy to do that. A leader must have skills, knowledge, wisdom and vision and I am fortunate enough to have all those skills developed through out my life. I am still learning and taking life lessons which will continue further.
What is your campaign budget?
Did not estimate yet. Spending my hard earned money at the moment.
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
Did not estimate yet. May be $200 from my family and friends and 2 bars from a kind person while I was standing out in a market to meet and greet residents.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? They say that it takes a whole village to raise a child. Same it takes a whole village or community to help a woman to grow and thrive to foster a strong, united future of the community.
Who will you direct your preferences?
As a candidate, I believe in empowering voters to make informed decisions. My focus is on running a positive, issue-based campaign. I encourage everyone to support candidates who align with their values and vision for our community and who have skills and passion for the community service.
Political Party: Previously the State Member for Cranbourne for 10 years 1992 to 2002 for the Liberal Party. Defeated in 2002 by Labor. Retained active membership for a short time perhaps 5-6 years. I am no longer an active member.
Occupation: Various Banking and finance rolls, including establishing Bendigo Community banks at Carrum Downs and Marriott Waters. I was initially the Chair of Carrum Downs Financial Service the management of the Community Banks for seven years and then steeped back. I continued as a Director for 3 more years when Bendigo offered me a role within the Bank as a Business Development Manager, I remained in that roll for 10 + years and have recently stepped back and accepted a new role as Board Member responsible for Business and Community Engagement.
I am a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and hold a Diploma of Financial Services and I am Registered Company Director Property Interests: Nil
Business Interests: No current interest outside my current role and Casey and Cranbourne Community in general.
Three most important issues for Correa Ward:
1. Safety in the Community, as a former VIC Pol member Community Safety in the Home and in the Streets is of the highest priority.
SHEGOFA NASERI
Suburb of Residence:
Cranbourne East
How long have you lived in Casey? I have lived in Casey for 2 years.
Political party (past and present): Standing independent Occupation, Business/Employer Name: Community Support Coordinator and Bi-Cultural Support Practitioner
Property Interests: N/A
Business Interests: N/A
Three most important issues for your ward: 1. Youth engagement and support 2. Drug addiction and related challenges
3. Road safety and addressing local infrastructure needs
Describe your involvement in the local community: For over three years, I have been actively involved in the community, working as a Community Support Coordinator and Bi-Cultural Support Practitioner. My experience has given me deep insight into the needs of our community, particularly with our youth.
2. Security of Employment and developing a City that welcomes industry and oppurtunity.
3. Extension of the Cranbourne rail Line with the establishment of two to three new stations, A project close to my heart having achieved it from Dandenong to Cranbourne.
Describe your involvement in the local community: Cranbourne and its communities have always been my love and work for over 30 years, I started As a Councillor for the Shire of Cranbourne, to being the Member for Cranboune in Parliament to a Councillor it has been a huge part of my life, we achieved a lot in the roles I have taken on and there is much more needed with Casey having the highest number of new citizens of many different back grounds.
Why are you standing for election?
There is lots more to me done, Cranbourne and Casey have been a huge part of my adult life and they are will continue to be for many years to come.
What is your campaign budget? How long is a piece of string, Its what I can provide without impacting the family budget. I have spent just over $6,000 ask me again in two weeks. Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
I have none. I do have friends within the community that convinced me to run and are helping with walking the streets.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or exMPs have assisted or advised your campaign? I have received no assistant from any MP’s, ex MPs or past Councillors at all.
Who will you direct your preferences to? You’ll see on the Ballot, but I only have one that is worthy and I don’t know the rest.
As someone who has grown up here, I am passionate about addressing these needs and providing meaningful support to young people. Why are you standing for election?
I am standing for election because, as a young person, I want to be a voice for our youth. I’ve seen firsthand the challenges they face, especially around issues like drug addiction and lack of political awareness. My goal is to create opportunities for ouryouthtolearnabouthowthecouncilworksand to encourage their future involvement in local decision-making.Iwanttoensurethatourcommunity’s needs are met and that we have a safe, supportive environmentwhereyoungpeoplecanthrive. What is your campaign budget? N/A
Who are your campaign donors? How much has each contributed?
No one donated with my campaign
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs, or exMPs have assisted or advised your campaign? Mayor Lana has been a great support throughout my journey.
She has offered invaluable guidance and provided essential information about the election process.
Who will you direct your preferences to? N/A
Continue
By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Violet Li
Casey Council candidates have called out racist and gender hatred that have marred their election campaigns.
Quarters Ward candidate Kuljeet Kaur Robinson said almost all of her campaign posters had been incessantly defaced and some were even removed in the past six weeks.
People wrote “RISK” and “Don’t vote for this b****” on her posters, according to Ms Robinson.
“It happens again and again, and we’re cleaning again and again,” she said.
“I don’t know why somebody would do that. People don’t know me very well. I’m standing first time for the council.”
She said she even received a call from one of the supporters who said someone damaged his car with graffiti.
“He requested me to take my defaced poster off his fence as he was very scared,” she said.
“These posters were displayed in compliance with all local regulations and campaign guidelines. The removal and defacing of my posters (again and again) is not only an inconvenience but also an obstruction of my right to fair participation in the political process.
“I feel like some people are targeting me deliberately, and it is affecting my mental health and my family life.”
Ms Robinson said she felt threatened and had already planned to move out of the area if she did not get elected.
Waratah candidate Jamel Kaur Singh called for community ‘unity’ after her election sign was defaced with racist hate speech in Hallam.
It struck the heart of the Waratah Ward independent candidate, who has written children’s books and run school sports programs in the name of unity.
On the sign, her photograph was scrawled with the words: “Australia is for Australians / Go home and fix your own c*ntryy(sic)!!”
Initially, it filled Singh with shock and fear.
Now she said she felt “a bit angry”.
“This is exactly why I want to be a councillor. I want to close the disparity gap and create unity through diversity.”
The vandalism was fuelled by “unconscious bias and stereotyping that’s becoming worse and not better”, Ms Singh said.
“That’s the sort of stuff we need to stamp from our community.
“It’s hard running (for election) as a woman of colour but I didn’t expect this.”
Ms Singh has lived in Australia for 44 years, after arriving as a four-year-old with her family from England.
Her family set up Australia’s first multifaith association in Adelaide in the 1980s and were flown around the world by the Department of Foreign Affairs to promote the cause.
She’s also since volunteered for the Australian Defence Force Reserve.
“You can’t get more Australian than that,” she said.
“I’m what an Australian looks like, I breathe Australia, I’m an Australian in every sense of the word.”
Ms Singh has written a series of children’s books The World is Our Playground, designed to be used in primary schools.
It tells of the adventures of two children of diverse backgrounds from Melbourne who travel to far-flung places in Vietnam, France, the Philippines, Greece as well as meeting a First Nations elder on Stradbroke Island.
“My aim is to celebrate diversity and empower our kids to see themselves represented in the books they’re reading.”
She decided to run for council to “help articulate the grass-roots community needs at a council level”.
Residents had been most concerned about safety – physically and psychologically, she said.
She said there was also a role for sports and community education - where kids were taught
Community
Restoring
Improving
“consequences” and parents were taught to be responsible for their kids.
“I’d love to be promoting more unity. That’s an important part of Casey, and Australia as well.”
Ezatullah Alam, also a Waratah Ward candidate, was shocked to see his election poster defaced with Nazi symbols several weeks ago.
The ALP candidate’s face was altered with a textured-on Adolf Hitler hairstyle and moustache.
“This was very sad because I believe there is no space for such things in our community.”
“Even though we all have different affiliations, different opinions when it comes to politics, but going to that extreme, I think that’s unacceptable.
“They’re not only hurting my feelings, they’re hurting the feelings of the whole community.”
“There needed to be an awareness campaign in the community to say, ‘this is not acceptable’”, Mr Alam said.
Casey could also run more “social cultural events” open to all, regardless of religion or background.
“We should be encouraging, doing something good for the community instead of spreading hatred or racism based on race, religion or ethnicity - I think there is no space in this community for these sorts of behaviours.
“If I’m elected, I’ll definitely be working for [towards] more acceptable behaviour, respectful behaviour; not saying that this will completely go away since we are all human beings at the end of the day.”
Do you love swimming? Do you want to explore competitive swimming?
South East Aquatics is running a Fun Swim program providing young swimmers with a fun and engaging program to explore racing and develop and improve 'race ready' skills.
If you are a swimmer aged 7-12 and want to know what it is like swimming in a competitive squad, this is YOUR opportunity!
Casey ARC, Narre Warren Wednesday Nights in Term 4 October 9th-27th of November, 7:15pm - 8:30pm
By Violet Li
South Gippsland Highway and Ballarto Road
Roundabout construction has been hit by an approximately $2 million budget blowout, revealed by Casey’s latest financial outcome.
At the September Council Meeting, Casey Council approved the reallocation of $2.3 million for the project from the capital works budget surplus along with savings in the 2023-24 financial year.
The additional costs have been incurred due to “significant underground stabilisation and relaxed extension of time costs that was not foreseen but is required to complete the project to standard”.
The project was initially budgeted at $11.2 million. It is now estimated to be approximately $13.5 million and is jointly funded by Council and developers, with developers contributing $4.2 million.
Casey Council is converting the South Gippsland Highway and Ballarto Road intersection into a roundabout intersection to accommodate the growing population in the area.
Construction work was originally proposed to commence in late 2018 and be completed by June 2019.
However, Council shared that it experienced a number of delays with VicRoads, due to design change requirements and active Major Road Projects Victoria and Big Build projects delivered by the State Government in the area.
Periphery works commenced on site in late 2022, with construction works commencing in March 2023. Council then projected the works
would be completed by July 2024.
Star News reported in May this year that the intersection project was hit with locals’ dissatisfaction as Council did not timely inform them of the delay.
They said they hadn’t noticed any work in the past three months.
At the time, Casey Council said that the roundabout construction works would recommence in June and were expected to be completed within six months.
When enquired by Star News after the latest budget outcome in September, City of Casey manager City Design and Construction Michael Barrett said: “Negri Contractors (Vic) Pty Ltd recommenced works on the South Gippsland Highway and Ballarto Road roundabout in June. Relocation of major services including Telstra, NBN and gas with the relevant utility authorities has now been completed.”
“Council is co-ordinating with relevant authorities for further relocation and protection of underground services, which are obstructing drainage upgrades and proposed road alignment.
“As a result, a revised date for completion of work is mid-2025, however, this is dependent on Melbourne Water approval and completion of protection works.”
Cranbourne East local Colin Hampton, who lives close to the project site, said he was disappointed at the budget blowout.
“My experience in the local government told me, once if you’re doing a project and you stop it and you take the workers off, it costs a downside more to bring it back on again,” he said.
From page 2
TRACEY RYAN
Suburb of residence:
Cranbourne North
How long have you lived in Casey? Over 35 years
Political party (past and present): Always voted Labor
Occupation, business/employer name: Housewife, volunteer, director of charity
Property interests: Owe our home, no other property
Business interests: None
Three most important issues for your ward: Crime, roads, rates
Describe your involvement in the local community: I have not had much to do the Casey community but I do volunteer for a couple
ABDULLAH NESHAT
Suburb of residence: Cranbourne East
How long have you lived in Casey? Since 2018 years
Political party (past and present): ALP
Occupation, business/employer name: Bright tiling & stone
Property interests: Own our home in Cranbourne East.
Business interests: Small Business Owner, Bright tilling & stone Pty Ltd.
Three most important issues for your ward: commuting, crime and cost of living
Describe your involvement in the local community: I used to be an interpreter with Home Affairs and Centrelink, community interpreting.
Fundraising for bushfire relief in 2020. Founder and former President of Nawin cultural and social associations.
of organisations this is a 24/7 “job”. I am also a speaker for National Breast Cancer /Inherited Cancers Australia (formerly known as Pink Hope) and Young Pink Sisters Charity. I am also an unpaid director of Young Pink Sisters Charity. Why are you standing for election? Very good question since I am not political at all but I do have something to say and I want to try and improve things here in the City Of Casey. What is your campaign budget? Nil - I am not doing flyers or posters just word of mouth Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? None What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? None but I will say Gary Rowe has introduced himself to me. Who will you direct your preferences to? Gary Rowe
Why are you standing for election?
I am running the council election for integrity, transparency, and addressing key issues that matter to residents. I am committed to ensuring that decisions are made openly, with full accountability, and that the concerns of the community such as infrastructure, safety, and service quality are addressed fairly and responsibly. To make strong local government. What is your campaign budget?
Around 18k from friends, family and myself. Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
My donors will be public and they will donate around $15000k
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? I have received advice from ex councilors Dale Wilson
Who will you direct your preferences to?
I will Direct my preference to Shegofa Naseri.
By Violet Li
The State Coroner has highlighted the safety concerns on e-scooter use after a Cranbourne North man died after speeding with no helmet on a residential street.
On the late night of 14 March 2022, the then51-year-old Carl Edward Medlyn lost control of his e-scooter while fast-speeding with no helmet east along Hoysted Avenue in Cranbourne North, near the intersection with Candytuft Close. He fell onto the footpath and was discovered by a resident after midnight.
Mr Medlyn suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, woke from a coma after approximately one month, and stayed in the hospital for rehabilitation where he discovered his lung cancer.
In August, Mr Medlyn developed aspiration pneumonia and passed away three days later.
The autopsy concluded he died from aspiration pneumonia, traumatic brain injury arising from the scooter incident, with the contributing factor of lung cancer.
State Coroner Paul Lawrie stated it was impossible to conclude the causes that made Mr Medlyn fall from the scooter.
“It may have been a loss of control due to excessive speed, the suspension and handling limitations of the scooter, a transition from the roadway to the footpath or across a driveway crossover, or a combination of these,” he stated.
He pointed out that Mr Medlyn was likely to be impaired by cannabis use to some extent, but he also had a history of self-medicating with cannabis.
“It is not possible to say what the effects of habituation may have been or the degree to which he would have been impaired while he was riding the scooter,” he stated.
Coroner Lawrie noted that e-scooters were prohibited from being used on Victorian public footpaths, now, and at the time of Mr Medlyn’s death.
“The consequences of a crash at the high speeds these vehicles are capable of, particularly when the rider has no head protection, are all too likely to be catastrophic.
“I note that in a report summarising the findings of e-scooter trials conducted by the Victorian Depart-
“The power output and speed capability of this scooter have the potential to, very quickly, place a rider in a situation where they are at the limits of controllability,” he stated.
ment of Transport and Planning, published in March 2023, concerns were noted about unsafe behaviour by e-scooter users including high-speed riding, riding on footpaths, not wearing a helmet, and carrying a passenger.
“The report also noted that safety risks increased when users did not observe safety-based rules.”
Mr Medlyn suffered seizures after an assault in 2016 and was medically unfit to drive.
He purchased the scooter in early March 2022.
Coroner Lawrie stated that he had directed the report to the Department of Transport and Planning to inform their research in the e-scooter trials.
Suburbs: Lyndhurst, Cranbourne West, Cranbourne
Candidates: Ian Wood, David Rolfe, Carolyn Rolfe, Kuljeet Kaur Robinson, Craig Baird, Aftab Hussain, Ridvan Rasimi, Jagdeep Singh Sukhija KULJEET KAUR ROBINSON
Suburb of residence: Cranbourne West
How long have you lived in Casey? 9 years
Political party (past and present): Labor (Non endorsed)
Occupation, business/employer name:
Registered psychiatric nurse, Peninsula Health
Property interests:
Property owner (Mortgage payer)
Business interests:
Husband owns a small business in Cranbourne
Three most important issues for your ward:
· Safety and Security of the community
· Youth crime and mental health
· Overdevelopment
Describe your involvement in the local community:
I actively engage with the local community through various initiatives and activities. This
CRAIG BAIRD
Suburb of residence: Cranbourne
How long have you lived in Casey?
4 years
Political party (past and present):
Freedom Party (current member)
Occupation, business/employer name:
Software developer
Property interests: I own the property I live in.
Business interests:
None.
Three most important issues for your ward: Back to basics.
Focusing council back on core business like Rates, Roads and Rubbish. By getting Casey council out of areas of state and federal responsibilities and cutting back the layers of over-regulation, we can provide better services in the core areas of council responsibility.
Upgrading storm water drainage to fix our current flooding issues.
There have been numerous flooding events in the ward in the past few years. To fix this we need a real upgrade to storm water drainage capacity in the right locations.
Road maintenance and pothole fixes.
The biggest complaint I’ve heard from the
AFTAB HUSSAIN
Suburb of residence: Lyndhurst
How long have you lived in Casey? 9 years
Political party (past and present): Labor
Occupation, business/employer name: Higher Education Professional / The University of Melbourne
Property interests: I own two houses. A smaller first home and a larger one to cope with an expanding family with a mortgage.
Business interests: I am a director of Dost Painting Group PTY LTD which started its business in June 2024.
Three most important issues for your ward:
Having door knocked over 8000 homes across Quarters ward along with my team, we have listened to community concerns and prioritised major issues as part of my TeamAftab Action Plan which include,
· Freeze council rates for next financial year and conduct an ongoing review
· Improve the condition of play facilities in parks for our children and families
· Fix potholes, uneven footpaths, and better maintain the grass on local roads
· Improve Kindergarten and Maternity and Child Health Services to meet local demand
· Establish school crossing at Cranbourne West Secondary College
· Support local businesses and create local jobs
· Advocate to establish “Casey Transparency Hub”
includes running a not-for-profit organization (Punjabi Sath Melbourne), participating in community get-together events, supporting local businesses, and attending local group meetings to stay informed about community issues. I also enjoy organizing workshops and events that unite people to share skills and knowledge, fostering a sense of connection and collaboration among residents. As a writer and poet, I love Engaging in cultural and literary activities that help improve the community and strengthen relationships among its members of every creed and age group.
As a mental health nurse, I believe that actively engaging with the local community has a positive impact on mental health and well-being in several ways. Social connections, building friendships, listening to others, and helping others can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. I like to learn new skills from others, especially from diverse groups of people.
Why are you standing for election?
I am very practical in my life; I believe in talking less and working more. I’m standing for election to make a positive impact on the local community and address the concerns that matter most to the residents. My goals include promoting open communication, promoting transparency in decision-making, and improving Council-Commu-
public is potholes. With the Victorian government now cutting spending on road maintenance, it’s more important than ever that council doesn’t drop the ball on roads.
Why are you standing for election?
Because we are over-governed. Governments in Australia seemingly want to stick their noses into every facet of our lives and Victorian councils have been some of the worst examples of this.
I want to bring Casey council back to basics, no more sticking their noses into areas of state or federal responsibility. No more committees for special interest groups. No more additional layers of over-regulation and mismanagement. No more wasting rate payer’s money on pet projects and jobs for mates.
By focussing on the basics we can provide better services in councils core areas of responsibility, like Rates, Roads and Rubbish.
What is your campaign budget?
approx $2,000-$3,000
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
My campaign is wholly self-funded.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or exMPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
None
Who will you direct your preferences to?
Ian Woods 2, Aftab Hussain 3.
· Improve local traffic management by strong advocacy with the State Government to open Glasscocks Road, duplicate Evans Road and add a third lane on the South Gippsland Highway.
Describe your involvement in the local community:
I served as President of Lyndhurst Primary School council for two years and have ongoing engagement in the community to improve quality of education and disability support.
Why are you standing for election?
I am a people person and talking to the local community comes naturally to me. Over recent years, I have seen there is a gap that has developed between council and our community and I believe I can reduce that gap by ensuring residents’ views are heard in the Council.
What is your campaign budget?
$17000
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
Myself = $10,000, and family friends=$7,000
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or exMPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
Only one retired ex-councillor - Dale Wilson
Who will you direct your preferences to?
I am required to give preference to fellow Labor party members (2) Kuljeet Kaur Robinson and (3) Jagdeep Singh Sukheja. Then (4) will go to Craig Baird as promised in exchange for a (3). (5) to Carolyn Eaves, (6) Ridvan Rasimi, (7) David Rolfe, (8) Ian Wood
nity relationships. I believe in the power of collaboration and want to bring diverse voices together to create solutions, that reflect the community’s needs. Additionally, I aim to focus on key issues such as fixing the potholes on the roads so that the vehicles are not damaged, the young community’s mental health issues, and Transparency in council communication (While campaigning, I came to know that many community members were not aware of coming elections, many people were not aware of Casey council had been dispended over corruption and many people did not have any knowledge about what a council does and where their house rates have been spent).
What is your campaign budget?
$15000
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
I do not have any campaign donors; I contributed my own
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or exMPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
I have taken advice from local female MPs and businesswomen.
Who will you direct your preferences to?
Undecided
By Violet Li
Casey Council candidates are concerned about the “relatively low” women candidacy rates in the coming election.
Six of the women candidates running across Casey met on Friday 20 September to discuss the issues facing them.
They pointed out that only 24 out of 89 candidates in this year’s Casey election were women, with a concerning rate of 27 per cent.
“According to ABS Census data from 2021, 50.2 per cent of Casey’s population are women, yet only 27 per cent of candidates in this election are women,” they said.
Dillwynia Ward, which contains suburbs of Berwick and Clyde North, has recorded the lowest representation of women, with no women running.
Kowan Ward candidate Kasuni Mendis said there were already many barriers for women preventing them from running for council, including finding the time and energy to campaign, whilst managing caregiving responsibilities as well as finding the time to be an elected representative, amongst other responsibilities.
“We all have our identity, and in that aspect, I get looked at differently for being a woman, being a young person, being a person of colour,” she said.
“I think there are women that have chosen not to run because of some of those barriers.
“At a time where family violence and safety are key issues for women, having representation on the council to address these societal issues is crucial.
“Women are also concerned about ensuring vital council-run services such as kindergartens and Maternal and Child Health services are adequately resourced.”
Ms Mendis said she organised the dinner because she knew how difficult campaigning was and she wanted to support other women new to
running for council.
“For candidates like Lynette and myself, we’re used to the trials and tribulations of this process. But for new candidates, it can be challenging to navigate and we wanted to provide a support system for them,” she said.
“Across Casey, some women candidates have been facing the same issues. For example, some of the men candidates running across Casey, in their respective wards, have seemed to be working with each other to preference each other and have excluded good strong, women candidates from those discussions.
“Whether that is because they’re a threat to them, I’m not sure.
My council, my vote
An election is being held for Casey City Council.
Check the mail for your ballot pack
Ballot packs containing voting material were mailed to enrolled voters from Monday 7 October.
This is a postal election only.
If you do not receive your ballot pack by Tuesday 15 October please visit vec.vic.gov.au to complete the online replacement form, or call 131 832 to arrange a replacement.
Candidates
Candidates who have nominated for election are listed in the ballot packs and at vec.vic.gov.au
A photo and candidate statement will also be included if provided by candidates. Responses to a candidate questionnaire, if provided, are available at vec.vic.gov.au
How to vote correctly
You must complete your ballot paper correctly for your vote to count. Put the number 1 in the box next to the candidate you want to see elected, then number all the other boxes in order of your choice. You must number every box and only use each number once.
“But I think candidates who claim to be about integrity and want a good representative of the community should seek to actually engage with women candidates and take that into consideration of their preference.”
Casuarina Ward candidate Kim Ross added “The prevalence of unconscious bias towards male leadership exists, and even with the best of intentions it can be easy to exclude female candidates from important conversations.”
“It’s important that women support each other to ensure our voices are loud and strong in all issues and conversations in this important election for Casey Council.”
Quarters Ward candidate Kuljeet Kaur Robin-
son said it should be 50 per cent women in the council.
“With the low women representation rate, the reason which I understand is that in Asian cultures like us, Indian, Sudanese or Pakistani, these cultures, they are man dominant cultures, so women usually just stay at home and look after kids and do other jobs,” she said.
“Most of the time, families don’t allow them to do things like that.
“And the other thing is in the multicultural community, most of the people have young kids, and they are so busy.
“I have three young kids as well, and my friend was saying it’s too much for you.”
How to return your ballot pack
Put your completed ballot paper in the ballot paper envelope, complete the declaration, then post it ASAP using the reply-paid envelope provided, or hand deliver it during election office hours to: Suite OF003
Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre
125 High Street (access from Level 1 carpark near Anytime Fitness) Cranbourne
Voting is compulsory for all voters who were enrolled at 4 pm on Wednesday 7 August. This includes state-enrolled and council-enrolled voters.
If you don’t vote and don’t have a valid excuse, you may be fined.
Your completed ballot pack must be in the mail or hand delivered by 6 pm Friday 25 October.
State-enrolled voters can register for free VoterAlert SMS and email reminders at vec.vic.gov.au
By Ethan Benedicto
There were over 3276 offences recorded for stealing from a motor vehicle in the year ending in June 2024 in the City of Casey, the highest recorded since 2020’s 3251 figure, according to the most recent release by the Crime Statistics Agency.
The 31.6 per cent increase from 2023’s number of 2488 recorded offences is followed by the second highest category of the breach of a family violence order, which is sitting at 3097 offences, up 6 per cent from 2023’s 2914.
Overall, Casey has seen an 11.3 per cent increase in total offences recorded from 2023, where figures were at 22,299 but now sit at 24,808; at the rate of per 100,000 in population, that number sits at 6161 in 2024, an 8.3 per cent increase from 2023’s figure of 5686.
According to the CSA, the top suburbs where incidents occurred remain relatively consistent to 2023, such as Cranbourne, which was previously second now replacing Narre Warren for first. Berwick comes in third, with Hampton Park at fourth and Clyde North at fifth.
For the top three, Cranbourne recorded 3339 offences, Narre Warren recorded 3152, and Berwick recorded 2854; in comparison to the previous years, the figures were 2925, 2965, and 2330, respectively a 14.1, a 6.3 and 22.4 per cent increase.
Victoria Police’s acting deputy commissioner of regional operations, Chris Gilbert, said on 26 September that “the reality is behind every statistic is a victim of crime”.
“These people and their experiences are the reason our members doggedly pursue those who endanger the community.”
The top offence for the state, also recording the highest year-on-year increase is theft from a motor vehicle, with a state-wide total of 61,959, and according to VicPol remains the most common criminal offence.
Following the breach of family violence orders
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at second, the subgroup of other theft offences was third on the list, with 2170 recorded offences ending in June 2024, an 8 per cent increase from 2023’s 2008 figure; it has also been the highest since the 2355 figure in 2017, with the period of 2018 to 2023 having an average offence record of 1628.
Criminal damage, under property damage, is fourth, with a figure of 1773 offences, a slight increase from 2023’s 1764, ultimately remaining consistent with previous years.
Common assault is at the bottom of the list and is down to 1214 in 2024 compared to 2023’s 1217 recorded offences, which was the highest figure since 2021’s 1072 offences.
The most common location for criminal offences to occur in Casey remains in and at houses, with 10,530 recorded in the year ending June 2024, a 5 per cent increase from the previous year.
Deputy Commissioner Gilbert said that “we understand many in the community are anxious about the increasing prevalence of intruders entering homes.”
“Your home should be your castle, and this is why 70 additional frontline police, Dog Squad
members, Highway Patrol officers, and the Public Order Response Team continue to swarm Melbourne’s suburbs every single night - specifically targeting burglars and car thieves as the Air Wing watches from above.”
After a rather drastic drop in number, retail as a whole placed second on the list with 3668 offences recorded.
To be precise, shopping complexes saw 956 offences recorded, which has seen a steady increase since 2021’s figure of 785, jumping to 853 in 2022 and 951 in 2023.
Service stations were next in the subgroup with 927 offences recorded, spiking 21.8 per cent from 2023’s numbers of 761.
However, as a whole, streets, lanes and footpaths are second on the list for the most common location of offences to occur, with figures sitting at 3264; it has seen a 20.2 per cent increase from the previous year’s number of 2715.
“This determination to hold criminals accountable has never been more evident, with Victoria Police making 68,579 arrests and laying 189,666 charges over the past year,” Deputy Com-
I find people generally fall into one of three categories: those who say what should happen, those who wonder what happened, and those who make it happen.
I’ve always been someone who makes it happen, and that’s why I’m stepping forward as an independent candidate for the Tooradin ward in the City of Casey elections. Since the dismissal of our council in 2020 due to allegations of corruption and poor governance, residents have not felt represented.
This needs to change.
I have over 20 years of experience as a practicing pharmacist and 18 years as a business owner in the City of Casey, including the last nine years at TerryWhite Chemmart Clyde. I’ve represented the pharmacy profession at the highest levels of government as the National Vice President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, where I have worked in government relations, media, financial and risk management. I’m also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
My track record demonstrates that I can deliver. As lead negotiator, I secured a five-year, $26.4 billion Community Pharmacy Funding Agreement with the Australian government, providing affordable medicines to patients through pharmacies nationwide.
For Tooradin ward, we need commitment to key infrastructure projects, including the Cranbourne train line extension to Clyde and the Clyde Road corridor upgrade.
I’ve successfully negotiated on behalf of the pharmacy industry at both the state and federal levels. If elected, I will use these skills for Casey.
The Victorian government’s 2051 housing plan targets 235,000 new homes in Casey, a 79% increase from the current 131,000. There is a need for more housing, but approving developments without the necessary infrastructure is not sustainable.
The old saying: “Build it and they will come” but it feels the other way around In Casey, more like, "They’ve come, now we need to build it."
I want to help Casey. A vote for me brings the know-how for success.
It’s time for a fresh start, and I’m ready to help the City of Casey write its new chapter.
missioner Gilbert said.
“Victoria’s four fastest growing crimes are all related to opportunistic offending - theft from motor vehicle, retail theft, motor vehicle theft, and the theft of other items such as petrol.”
At a closer look, Cranbourne saw a total of 1754 offences committed under property and deception offences, with theft as a stark outlier with the figure of 1087, compared to the second highest of property damage at 257 offences.
Crimes against the person came as the overall second with a total of 611 offences; for this group’s specifics, assault and related offences sat at 329.
Justice procedures offences had 620 total recorded offences, with the breach of orders sitting at 515.
Narre Warren displayed similar trends, with property and deception offences sitting first in 1819 and theft, specifically, with a figure of 1280.
Likewise, crime against a person was also second, with a total of 560 incidents and 275 accounts of assault and related offences.
Berwick is on the same boat; 1630 under property and deception offences with theft at 1033; crime against the person with a figure of 549 and assault and related offences at 330.
Under the alleged offender incidents, the age group between 18 to 24 remains the highest at 1273, but only by a small margin to the next age group of 1255 with those aged 45 and above.
Coming in third is the age group of 30 to 34 years old, with alleged offenders with the figure of 1235, followed by the age group of 25 to 29 at 1169.
“Operation Trinity has made 1550 arrests over the last year - an average of more than four burglars and thieves arrested across metropolitan Melbourne every day,” Deputy Commissioner Gilbert said.
“Police continue to see far too many properties burgled and cars stolen due to unlocked doors and windows, so we urge the community to take simple measures such as checking your home and car is locked before heading to bed.”
Voting is compulsory
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· Suburbs: Narre Warre South, Cranbourne North, Berwick
· Candidates: Christine Skrobo, Kasuni Mendis, Joby George, Gagan Bumrah, Shane Taylor, Bernard Brian Carr, Jawad Erfani, Raj Nayak
SHANE TAYLOR
Suburb of residence:
I live in Cranbourne North.
How long have you lived in Casey? I’ve been proud to call Casey home for over 10 years.
Political party (past and present): I’m running as an independent and have never been a member of any political party.
Occupation, business/employer name:
I am an Investigator for the Victorian Building Authority.
Property interests: I don’t have any commercial property interests, just my family home here in Cranbourne North.
Business interests: No business interests.
Three most important issues for your ward:
· Community Engagement
Ibelieveinacouncilthattrulylistensandactson what the community needs. I would work hard to be a transparent and responsive councillor, making sure Casey residents’ voices are heard and your concerns are addressed promptly. The community’s feedback will drive my decisions and actions.
· Greater Value for Money
We need to make sure every dollar of your rates is spent wisely. I would be dedicated to ensuring those funds are managed responsibly, cutting unnecessary costs, and investing in projects that offer Casey residents’ real value. This way, we ensure that your money is working hard for our community’s benefit.
· Improving Infrastructure
Our roads, parks, and footpaths need an upgrade. I’m committed to better road maintenance, effective traffic management, and creating more green spaces for everyone to enjoy. By
KASUNI MENDIS
Suburb of residence: Berwick
How long have you lived in Casey? Over 25 years
Political party (past and present): ALP member
Occupation, business/employer name: Council Officer at a local council in the western suburbs of Melbourne.
Property interests:Business interests:Three most important issues for your ward:
· Advocating for better roads and road networks is important for residents in the ward, as we are surrounded by some roads that urgently need upgrading. Residents also want to see core services delivered more efficiently, such as maintaining parks and reserves, so that we get better value for our rates. Finally, residents want to see better community cohesion, so that we can feel safe and secure in our neighborhoods.
· Describe your involvement in the local community: Over the last 9 years, I have been involved with various community groups including the Casey Multi-Faith Network and the Casey Residents and Ratepayers As-
BERNARD BRIAN CARR
Suburb of Residence: Narre Warren South in the Kowan Ward. I believe that candidates should stand in the Ward where they live, rather than choosing another Ward which they may see as an easier path to becoming a Councillor.
How Long Have You Lived in Casey: I have lived in Casey for the past six years. More importantly, because I live in the Ward, I will be in Ward every day over the next four years. Political Party (Past and Present):
I am not a member of a political party. I believe that Local Government works best if Councillors are not dictated to by outside political interests.
focusing on these areas, we can ease congestion, make our streets safer, and provide better recreational facilities for our community.
Describe your involvement in the local community: Over the years, I’ve been involved in local sporting clubs, community events, and volunteering. I’m passionate about fostering a strong sense of community and connection among residents.
Why are you standing for election? After four years of Casey being under administration, I’m running to bring accountability and transparency back to local government. I will ensure that our community’s needs are heard and more importantly addressed. I believe in Casey’s potential and by working together, we can build a thriving, connected, and safe community for all residents.
What is your campaign budget? I’m running a very modest campaign with a small budget. My focus is on connecting with the community, it’s more about engagement and getting to know what really matters to residents. Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? My campaign is entirely self-funded. I’ve chosen not to accept any external donations. This allows me to campaign with integrity and remain focused on what really matters, serving the community without any outside influence.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? I haven’t sought advice from any current or former councillors or MPs. My focus is on listening to the community and making sure their concerns and ideas are at the center of this campaign. It’s important to me that their voices drive the decisions I’ll make if elected. Who will you direct your preferences to? At this point, I haven’t decided on any specific preference deals. My focus is on connecting with residentsandensuringtheirconcernsareheard.
sociation, both of which I am now the President.Throughtheseroles,Ihavebeenastrong advocate for our community. I have served on various council advisory committees and reference groups including for Environment and Sustainability, and Access and Inclusion. I am also an L2P Mentor.
Why are you standing for election? I know that I can make a positive difference for our community with my background, knowledge and experience. There is more work to be done in our municipality to ensure that we build the community we deserve, and I know I have the right skills and vision to be a strong voice to make this happen.
What is your campaign budget? $8,000
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
Entirely self-funded
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or exMPs have assisted or advised your campaign? I have a broad range of community members who have advised me on my campaign. Who will you direct your preferences to? I will direct my preferences to other candidates who have been active in the community, have experience, are running for the right reasons and want what is best for the community above their self-interest.
Occupation, Business/Employer Name: Barrister, Mediator and Expert Determiner (i.e. a person appointed to decide a dispute as an alternative to going to Court).
Property Interests: No property interests.
Business Interests: No business interests other than as part of my occupation.
Three Most Important Issues in Your Ward: Community safety, Cost of Living, and restoring the community’s trust in their elected representatives. Describe Your Involvement in the Local Community: My involvement with the local community is through my work as a lawyer, and through pro
CHRISTINE SKROBO
Suburb of residence: Narre Warren South
How long have you lived in Casey?
I have lived in Casey for almost 20 years.
Political party (past and present): I am a member of and endorsed by the Libertarian Party. I was previously a member of the Greens.
Occupation, business/employer name: Student, part-time customer service representative, part-time volunteer.
Property interests: None
Business interests: None
Three most important issues for your ward:
· Core services are not being prioritised so ratepayers are not seeing value for money. Casey Council needs to focus on ensuring the roads are fixed, rubbish is collected and footpaths are maintained.
· Rates are too high and increase each year. The council must cut down on wasteful spending so ratepayers can keep more of their hard-earned money.
· Community engagement is poor and holding better council meetings is a clear way to improve this. That starts with having them at appropriate times, reading out all public questions and allowing residents to stand up and ask questions themselves if they
RAJ NAYAK
Suburb of residence:
Cranbourne North -Casey
How long have you lived in Casey?
13 Years
Political party (past and present):
· The Australian Greens (State Candidate -HOLT 2014 ) -2 Years
· ALP - 15 Years Occupation, business/employer name:
· OHS & Compliance Manager
· Manhari Metals ( Metal Recycler and Waste Management )
Property interests: Unique priority right now!!
Business interests: Science & Research , Education related , Training and Assessment programs ideas etc. Three most important issues for your ward: Output of voters, during my routine door knocking:
1. Crime (Stolen Cars, Number Plates etc)
2. Falling Trees / Some times council do not permit for dangerous trees to be taken off/ Property Damage due to tree/ More dry leafs around the front due to the council trees are very close to the house and they spend lots of time during the weekends etc.
3. More population and good schools do not have enough spaces. Few kindergartens issues and play ground insufficient equipments etc. My point of view;
1. All above & Kowan ward CLEANUP is required. ( Some areas are very smelly and lots of mess around).
2. Cost of living and affordability.
3. Lobby for continuing major roads and traffic improvements,
Describe your involvement in the local community:
bono legal work for those who cannot afford legal representation.
Why Are You Standing for Election: Casey City Council is the largest council in the State by population, and one of the largest in terms of its revenue. Over the 4 year term of the next Council, that revenue will approach, if not exceed, $2.5 Billion dollars. The elected Councillors are like a Board of Directors who oversee its expenditure.InorderfortheCounciltoachieveits most efficient and effective outcomes, the Councillors need to have the necessary training, experience and skills to fulfil their roles; learning ‘on the job’ is not enough. I am standing for Council because I am determined to see a Council that delivers first class outcomes not just for the electors in my Ward, but for all residents of the Council area. Properly maintained parks, gardens and roads,
wish to.
Describe your involvement in the local community:
I regularly attend the council meetings and keep informed about local issues. Why are you standing for election?
I have lived in Casey for almost my entire life. I went to school here, have worked here and genuinely care about our local community. I want to see the City of Casey become a more affordable area to live and a clear way to make that happen is to reduce the rates. I want ratepayers to feel like they are getting value for money when they look around the municipality at the roads, footpaths and open spaces. What is your campaign budget?
Up to $1000 of own money.
Who are your campaign donors?
None
How much have each contributed?
Not applicable
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
I have had guidance and mentoring from Paul Barker, Councillor at Surf Coast Shire, and recently interned with David Limbrick MP. Who will you direct your preferences to? I will not be providing a how-to-vote card. I encourage voters to read what each candidate stands for and preference them based on who will best represent the community.
· Recently (Aud 2024) won the bravery award for the life saving effort from ST John Ambulance, Our community is happy about that effort and achievements.
· Continuously involved with Cranbourne North, Narre warren and Berwick various community groups.
· Visited many festivals, charity events, sports events throughout the year.
· Member of casey council group of survey and Improvement.
· Involved in NABO & NEXT DOOR Social networks as a Leader.
Why are you standing for election?
· I am standing to become stronger local voice and represent our local each common man to make sure during my time they are happy to be on this council with the improved cost of living,
· Reduced rates, high quality roads and streets etc. Also I would like to make sure their safety through wellbeing and crime prevention programs.
· I am committed to supporting and recognition of all ,regardless of race,faith, gender, sexuality and ability.
· I am standing Up for what’s Right!. What is your campaign budget?
$5000
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
As of today no one, All from my pocket!. Spending this much amount to make sure I will reach people to be their voice. What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
· Wayne Smith , Sarah Carter ( Before her death- RIP)
· Lynette Keleher, zahra haydarbig , Jude Perera (Until Jan 2024 ) has guided me. etc. Who will you direct your preferences to? Kasuni Mendis
safe communities, proper planning outcomes and better health services are all achievable if our resources are efficiently and effectively managed. What Is Your Campaign Budget: Hard to say at the moment, but I estimate that it will come out at around $10K.
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
My campaign is self-funded. I don’t seek or accept donations. If elected, that will apply for the full 4 year term.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? No one.
Who will you direct your preferences to?
I will make this decision after I have been able to hear from, and possibly speak to, the other candidates.
From page 1
He would first advocate for a comprehensive traffic management plan, including the installation of more traffic lights and roundabouts, better road signage, widening the roads and adding one more lane where possible in both directions, more speed control measures, and improved street lighting.
“Also we need a more effective and timely collaboration with State Authorities to streamline the processes with for example VicRoad and at the same time lobby for more funding particularly if lack of resources is the cause for delay in addressing the safety concerns,” he said.
“Another important thing is to create and implement a community reporting mechanism where residents can easily report incidents and issues to capture more data and information so they can be used for any assessment and analysis on what needs to be done to address the issues.”
Bernard Brian Carr said the residents’ concerns on the road were numerous.
“Firstly, the traffic movement from the western end of Glasscocks Road to Narre Warren Cranbourne Road is a ‘rat-run’ through The Promenade, Robinswood Parade, Galloway Drive and Littlecroft Avenue which were not designed to carry, nor should they be expected to carry, the high volumes of traffic they see on a daily basis. They are suburban streets that have been turned into arterial roads,” he said.
“Secondly, the high traffic volumes comprise a significant percentage of large trucks which these streets were not designed to carry. Thirdly, the straight and flat nature of Glasscocks Road results in many drivers exceeding the 70 kph speed limit, often significantly.
“Fourthly,theintersectionofWilliamThwaites Boulevard and Glasscocks Road is one of the most dangerous in the area. The same is true at the Berwick Springs Promenade intersection.”
Mr Carr highlighted that a contributing factor
appeared to be a reluctance on the council’s part to commit any funding to the redevelopment of Glasscocks Road until the area to the immediate south of Casey Central Shopping Centre, known as the Casey Central Town Centre Area, took place.
“If the timing for the development of the Casey Central Town Centre Area (i.e. the current farmland to the south of Casey Central Shopping Area) is unknown or in the distant future, one strategy is for the Council to fund the construction of the link road itself, either through revenue and/or debt finance, and recover the capital amount and interest from the eventual developer at a later date. This will make a huge difference to the traffic issues in the area,” he said.
He added several other lower costs strategies for the intersections at William Thwaites Boulevard and Berwick Springs Promenade, including reducing the speed limit through this area to 50kph, installing traffic lights, reconstructing the poorly located exit and entry points to the Berwick Springs Football Club car park.
Kasuni Mendis said from her doorknocking experience, residents were concerned about the traffic on surrounding streets in Narre Warren
South, specifically The Promenade, Robinswood Parade and Galloway Drive, and other streets that were a thoroughfare from Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road, into this side of Cranbourne North.
“Glasscocks Road should be extended through to Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road, as is currently planned according to the Precinct Structure Plan for the area,” she said.
“Further to this, residents are concerned about the standard of the existing road extending to Berwick - Cranbourne Road and are calling for an upgrade of the road due to the frequent occurrence of accidents at many of its intersections.”
She said the development of the Casey Central Town Centre Precinct Structure Plan for this area was reliant on the re-development of land currently owned by a market garden.
“I believe this is resulting in council investing minimally in the existing road until the broader issue of the extension is addressed,” she said.
“Council should endeavour to work with the market garden landowner to reach a beneficial outcome for everyone alongside the State and Federal Governments. As such funding arrangements for this road, as an arterial road would be a collaborative effort between all levels of government.
“Until then, council can continue to allocate more funding to ensure the existing road is maintained and safety concerns are addressed.”
Joby George said the nearby residents were concerned about the intersection of Glasscocks and William Thwaites Boulevard and his first priority was to have traffic signals installed there.
“I myself have witnessed more than a dozen accidents at this particular intersection and we need a traffic signal at this point of intersection,” he said.
He said it had been an ongoing negotiation between the landlord and Casey council to acquire the land to open up Glasscocks Road.
“As long as the council decides to buy the parcel of land and to open up with a disclosed sum,
this matter will be resolved,” he said.
“I would renegotiate the deal to make this road opening happen so that it will ease the burden of local traffic.
“Also I will take care of the traffic consideration in light of the new public school coming into the neighbourhood.”
Raj Nayak observed many residents nearby were unhappy with the potholes around Glasscocks Road.
“Many people are not happy with the slow process of construction activities and its slowdowns in the traffic on Thompsons Road to nearby Cranbourne Avenue Shopping Centre,” he said.
“There are effective measures, opportunities for improvement and ideas to tackle the road issues.
“However, we can’t commit anything right now unless we do research, understand the obstacles, like political, dynamics, and financial, understand the exact structural requirement etc. These are inputs to think about further.
“Concern can be tackled easily but there is a need to see, and understand the previous feasibility studies, reports, records and observations.”
Shane Taylor said residents urged action on the dangerous intersection at Glasscocks Road.
“Concerns are growing among Cranbourne North residents about the intersection at William Thwaites Boulevard and Glasscocks Road, which many consider a serious safety hazard. With faded road markings, high-speed limits, and a confusing layout, the intersection has seen numerous near-misses and accidents,” he said.
“The council has outlined plans to address these concerns, including the installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Glasscocks Road and South Gippsland Highway, which aims to improve both traffic flow and safety.
“Additionally, a pedestrian refuge is being designed for the centre median, and traffic surveys are underway to assess further needs.”
By Ethan Benedicto
As the Melbourne CBD was packed with crowds over the Grand Final, it wasn’t the only event that saw an enormous turnout, with the Berwick Orchids Club’s 29 September Spring Show.
Over 600 people attended the event, and according to president Murray Harding, was “the best show we’ve ever had”.
“The major good moment for me was that we had around 40 membership applications, and when you consider that this club’s got around 70 members, that’s massive.”
Colours from red, yellow, purple and a blend of everything in between adorned the event, showering guests with a lush aroma that filled the air.
Each orchid presented itself with its own name, given to it by its owners, each ensured to fit its character from its diverse and intricate blooms.
There was also a series of categories to be won
throughout the event, showcasing some of the most illustrious blends of sophistication and elegance.
“The way this club operates is that we don’t have a green champion orchid,” Murray said.
“It might sound silly but there’s a good reason for it, there are a lot of different genera in orchids and you’ve got plants like cattleyas that can be quite large and things like Australian natives that can be quite small.
“When you get to the end and you’ve got a series of champions that need to be judged, and you try to pick amongst them for the best, you’re really not comparing eggs with eggs.
“What we do is we have champions in their respective genres, and as far as I’m concerned that makes an awful lot of sense.”
Looking ahead, the club is also looking to hold their orchid auction on 27 October, with Murray more than keen to showcase the club’s orchid collection and for the local community to come and indulge in them.
Chisholm TAFE in Dandenong has struck gold twice at an international awards event in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Commercial cookery graduate Leela Subramanium and Chisholm’s community and social services manager Raelene Stockton took out the highest honours at the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics Awards (WFCPA).
A mature-age student in 2022, Subramanium is now a senior sous chef managing eight kitchen staff at Flinders Hotel on the Mornington Peninsula.
She took out the WFCPA’s Outstanding Student Achievement Award.
“Training at Chisholm built my confidence and gave me several life-changing opportunities,” Subramanium said.
“Previously, I was nervous and afraid to make a mistake, but TAFE provided a nurturing space for me to learn, free from judgement.”
She is now set for an internship at a Michelinstarred restaurant in Oslo, Norway.
Her dream is to create a social enterprise restaurant that provides training for disadvantaged youth in remote areas.
Meanwhile, Stockton won the WFCPA Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion award.
She established Chisholm’s Family Violence Training Hub, initiated a Family Violence Community of Practice for trainers and led the design and delivery of Australia’s first accredited genderequity qualification.
Stockton has devoted her career to creating specialized education and training to address family violence, and contributed to Government policy.
Chisholm chief executive officer Stephen Varty said the pair’s international recognition was a “significant honour”.
Parents and children had fun with a range of family-friendly, nature-based activities at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne on Tuesday 30 September. From crafting with natural materials to learning about native wildlife, led by experienced learning facilitators, participants immersed themselves in the interactive nature play designed to inspire curiosity about the environment.
You’ve heard of physical health and mental health, but have you ever come across the term ‘social health’?
Social health is the wellbeing that we experience as a result of our connections with the people around us.
Social relationships matter at every age. In our younger years, activities like school and university bring us into frequent interaction with others.
But in our adult lives, work and family commitments can make spontaneous opportunities for connection harder to come by. And the cost is significant: social isolation has been linked to everything from mental illness and emotional distress to higher risks of dementia, stroke and heart disease.
The good news that there are lots of simple ways to build social health — for example, taking up a new hobby like joining a Heart Foundation Walking group. Walking is a free, low-impact physical activity that offers a wealth of health benefits, including reducing heart disease risk and protecting against mental health issues like depression. Walking in a group gives you access to all these positive health impacts, as well as to the social benefits of spending time with others.
Heart Foundation Walking is one of Australia’s
largest free walking programs, with hundreds of groups across Australia. Rosanne, one of the program’s many volunteer Walk Organisers, has seen the impacts of communal walking up close.
“You foster a sense of community among walkers, creating a supportive network of likeminded people,” she says.
That sense of community can lead to fun, friendship and a regular fitness habit, and it can also be protective against some of the challenges that life throws up along the way.
“The social involvement has gone a long way to improving my mental health,” says one walking group participant.
So, what are you waiting for? No matter your age, fitness level or location, you can start or join a Heart Foundation Walking group and enjoy the impacts of better physical, emotional and social health. If you’d rather walk independently or on your own schedule, sign up for a free Personal Walking Plan that’s developed by experts and tailored to your fitness level.
Find out more about Heart Foundation Walking today
https://walking.heartfoundation.org.au/
We know the decision to move into a retirement village isn’t always easy, but once you experience life at our first Australian retirement village with premium aged care, you’ll know you made the right call.
Once complete, we will offer a wide range of living options from spacious villas, cottages, assisted living apartments, through to our modern care home, so you can feel secure that if your needs change there will be care onsite. All while being surrounded by stunning resort-style facilities.*
“Everything was done to make us feel welcome and after only two weeks we feel like we belong. Nothing could have been done to make our transition better.” GERRY & FENNA, RESIDENTS AT SUMMERSET
Love the life you choose
Pop in or make an appointment at a time that suits you
Summerset Cranbourne North 98 Mannavue Boulevard, Cranbourne North 03 7068 5642 | cranbourne.sales@summerset.com.au
* Licence to occupy. Images are indicative. This insert is produced using a Chain of
We might be new to your neighbourhood, but as one of the most well-known retirement village operators in New Zealand, we’ve been around for a while. In fact, Summerset has been operating across the Tasman for more than 27 years.
It all started when Summerset founder John O’Sullivan set out to create a village that was spacious, modern, inviting and, as he puts it, “the sort of place that would be good enough for my Nana, and for other Nanas as well.”
In 1997, John bought a piece of land in Wanganui, on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. He transformed the site and built 14 retirement village units on the land. As luck would have it, the neighbouring piece of land happened to come up for sale soon after, allowing John to expand on his vision. With the extra space, he built more facilities, and eventually created what was to become the very first Summerset retirement village.
Since then, we’ve continued to grow, and we now have 38 villages throughout New Zealand, plus many more in development. On top of that, we have 7 sites of land in Australia, including our open village at Cranbourne North.
We might have grown a lot over the years, but our founding principles of kindness, respect, choice and community spirit have always remained the same. In fact, we’ve built on John’s philosophy to develop a way of living that we think is second to none.
Now, we’re excited to bring everything that Summerset promises to Australia in brand new villages, designed specifically for the over 70s. We’re truly proud of the many things that make Summerset special, including offering a range of homes so you can pick the style that suits you best, and a host of top-end facilities like an indoor pool, beauty salon and recreational bowling green, right on your doorstep.
There’s also our continuum of care, which means that should you require some extra support further down the track, you can access a range of care packages or change to a new level of care, without having to leave the village community you know and love. It’s a model that hasn’t been widely available in Australia until now, and we think it sets us apart from the rest.
Above all, we’re thrilled that more than 8,400 residents already call Summerset home, including our new residents at the recently opened Summerset Cranbourne North, here in Victoria. Come and visit us anytime to find out more about Summerset and view our beautiful show homes.
LOVE THE LIFE YOU CHOOSE summerset.com.au
Budding baseballers swung into a Come & Try Day at Police Paddocks Reserve, Endeavour Hills on Sunday 29 September. Event host South East Warriors Baseball Club was seeking to entice more recruits ahead of the 13 October juniors season opener.
More than a hundred young people from multicultural communities across Melbourne’s south-east gathered at the weekend for the ‘Welcome to Melbourne Soccer Tournament’.
The tournament, staged by migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia and hosted by the Barton United Football Club at its ground in Cranbourne West, saw a dozen men’s and women’s teams, comprised of about 100 players, compete.
The action was witnessed by around 80 spectators.
The victors in the men’s section were the ‘Afghan Eagles’ team and ‘Barton United’ in the women’s section.
Trophies were awarded by Federal and State MP’s Cassandra Fernando, and Lee Tarlamis.
Ms Fernando, the first Sri Lankan-born member of the federal parliament, told the gathering that multiculturalism made south-east Melbourne a vibrant and rich community.
“My electorate is one of the most diverse in Australia and I’m proud of the way our commu-
nity is welcoming and supportive of newcomers.“
AMES Australia chief executive officer Cath Scarth the tournament was aimed at building connections between diverse communities and individuals in Melbourne.
“The tournament is all about welcoming newly emerging communities and giving young people the opportunity to connect with people from other cultures and the mainstream community, while also building their confidence and developing their skills.“
The event was part of AMES’ Engage! Program which coordinates and delivers programs and events aimed at young CALD individuals throughout the year.
The program targets three areas: youth participation, youth development and youth celebration.
The Victorian Government-funded initiative is designed to provide young people with access to programs and activities to help build their confidence and help them meet their personalised goals and ambitions.
Josephine Mead’s ‘Matrimony’ is a bold exploration of love, ritual, and union that redefines the traditional through a queer lens.
Opening at Walker Street Gallery and Art Centre on September 24 and running until November 15, 2024, this exhibition invites viewers to reimagine love ceremonies, offering a space that is as much about reflection as it is about transformation.
The core of ‘Matrimony’ revolves around Mead’s personal experience with love and its ceremonial expressions. At the heart of the exhibition are paintings of the artist’s bridal bouquet, positioned among 14 pews, deliberately installed as “spectators” within the gallery.
These pews, and the bouquets they frame, symbolise the quiet anticipation and sacredness often present in rituals of union. Here, the floral “witnesses” stand as metaphors for the societal gaze, while also holding space for personal reflection on what it means to publicly declare love.
A standout piece, ‘Bridal Veil’, is a handcrafted sculpture made from thousands of brass wedding rings. The rings - delicately yet powerfully intertwined - serve as a striking visual of the weight of commitment. As viewers observe the sheer volume and intricacy of the sculpture, they are reminded of the complexity of union—one that is both celebratory and binding.
Accompanying the visual elements is a soundscape composed by Dandenong-based musicians BJ Morriszonkle and Nero Friktschn Feuerherdt. Their orchestral-like arrangement, designed to evoke the moments before a wedding begins, deepens the atmosphere of anticipation within the gallery. It resonates with the emotional build-up that precedes a life-altering moment like marriage.
Beyond the exhibition itself, ‘Matrimony’ offers public programs that continue the conversation around love, memory, and identity. Among them are workshops, discussions, and a unique cinema and performance night that promises to challenge and expand viewers’ understanding of queer love.
Mead’s ‘Matrimony’ is a bold exploration of
Josephine Mead’s ‘Matrimony’ is a triumph in exploring the multifaceted layers of love and ritual. By framing these ideas within a queer context, the exhibition offers an inclusive, powerful look at
and union.
union—one that transcends the heteronormative and invites everyone to reconsider what it means to love and commit.
-Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner
Walker and Robinson St, Dandenong. (03) 8571 5320 greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/matrimony-exhibition
The Federal and State governments celebrated theconclusionofmajorroadprojectsinthesouth east on Wednesday 2 October.
The $1.5 billion South Eastern Roads Upgrade delivered 34 kilometres of new lanes – cutting congestion, improving safety and reducing travel times for the nearly 130,000 motorists that use these roads every day, according to the Major Road Projects Victoria.
The South Eastern Roads Upgrades have been completed early with major works on the Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road and the HealesvilleKoo Wee Rup Road finalised.
This will deliver extra lanes, traffic lights and upgraded intersections to improve safety and travel flow.
The works have delivered 41 new and upgraded intersections and more than 28 kilometres of shared-use paths, giving pedestrians and cyclists more options to move around their local areas.
The completion of the Golf Links Road Upgrade and the Pound Road West Upgrade will benefit the motorcyclists.
New lanes have been added in each direction between Abbotts Road and South Gippsland Highway and new shared walking and cycling paths and traffic lights have been installed at several intersections.
The Hallam North and Heatherton Road Upgrade and Lathams Road Upgrade added an extra lane in each direction between Heatherton Road and James Cook Drive.
Safety barriers have been installed and a new bridge has been built over the Peninsula Link –creating a new lane over the freeway.
Construction of the South Eastern Roads Upgrade has created about 1,700 full-time-equivalent jobs, with crews working more than three million work hours across the six projects since construction began in 2021.
This work was jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional
Development and Local Government MP Catherine King said: “The Australian Government is committed to keeping Victoria moving by investing in critical infrastructure projects like the South Eastern Roads works as part of the Suburban Roads Upgrades.”
Victorian Transport Infrastructure MP Danny Pearson said: “Here in Victoria, we’re building more homes than any other state while ensuring our fastest growing communities have less con-
Three men from Endeavour Hills and Springvale have been charged after three allegedly stolen cars were seized by police in a fast-food outlet’s car park.
Moorabbin CIU detectives were called out to reports of a trio acting suspiciously in a car in Audsley Street, Clayton South about 2.30pm on Sunday 29 September.
The car and two others in the car park were stolen, police say.
Two Mazda CX5s and a Toyota Prado were seized by police after a search allegedly revealed a knife, high powered laser, prescription medications, methylamphetamine and suspected stolen property.
Two Endeavour Hills men both aged 29 and a Springvale man, 30, were charged with three counts of car theft, theft from a motor vehicle, handling stolen goods, being equipped to steal and related offences.
They were bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on 28 November.
gested roads and better rail infrastructure to support more train services.
Holt MP Cassandra Fernando said: “We will continue to work closely with the Victorian Government to deliver meaningful projects like the South Eastern Roads Upgrade, ensuring our planning and investment come together to provide the best outcomes for commuters and communities.”
Not-for-profit organisation Sikh Volunteers Australia has secured a new kitchen facility and three new vehicles from the state government.
Hastings MP Paul Mercurio, representing Carers and Volunteers MP Ros Spence, attended the opening of the kitchen facility and unveiling of the vehicles at the premises of Sikh Volunteers Australia in Langwarrin on Sunday 29 September.
The state government invested $500,000 to fund the purchase of two new vans, as well as the purchase and fit-out of a brand-new food truck which Sikh Volunteers Australia will use to deliver food relief and community outreach to Victorians during disasters.
Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club
Welcoming new members - Community Social Day
- includes lunch, cuppa, games and chat. Fri 4th October, 11am-4pm. Cost $10.
Not a member? Doesn’t matter, come along and join the fun.
Weekly activities - Line Dancing Mon. 10am-12pm, New Vogue and Old Time Dance Tue. 1pm-3:30pm, Carpet Bowls Wed. & Sat. 11:30am-2:30pm, Bingo Thur. 11am-2pm, community days and bus trips. .
• For all enquiries or bookings contact Marilyn mobile 0432 107 590.
• Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/groups/487808127399953
Merinda Park Learning & Community Centre Community Safety Day
Our free Community Safety Day is coming up on Saturday 5th October 10.30 am - 1.30 pm at Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre. Join us for fun, family activities, free food, stalls and more!
Enjoy a free sausage sizzle, popcorn and fairy floss, get up close with farm animals, have your face painted, meet Casey Dog who will be reading stories at 11am and 12.30 pm, loads of free fun activities for the children, click some pics with a cop or a firefighter, stalls selling a variety of goodies and much, much more!
You can also: ask questions and learn about upcoming classes, take a look at our classrooms and Drop in lounge, visit our children’s services area.
• 141-147 Endeavour Drive, Cranbourne North Berwick Pakenham Historical Society
Bellevue Orchards will speak of their 70-year history at the Annual meeting of the Berwick Pakenham Historical Society. This event will take place on Sunday October 6th at 1pm. Visitors welcome. Exit the Highway at James St. and turn right into the Service Rd. U3A Casey Expo for Seniors Seniors are invited to come along between 10am and 2pm to see what U3A Casey is about and what we have to offer.
As well as celebrating our 33 years in the City of Casey, we will also be showcasing our over 60 different activities for seniors.
This free to enter event will include active demonstrations and displays, including Walking Football, Tai Chi, Discussion Groups, Pickleball, Zumba, Music, Arts & Crafts, Fitness and much more.
It also contributed $250,000 for the new kitchen at Sikh Volunteers Australia’s base in Langwarrin.
Sikh Volunteers Australia is a volunteer-run organisation that provides free food for Victorians in need and supports communities in Victoria and nearby regions in times of crisis such as bushfires or floods.
In 2023, Sikh Volunteers Australia distributed more than 28,000 free meals from their vans, and they also provide free food, water and necessary items to a range of communities during disaster relief operations.
Join us for a free sausage sizzle, with scones and coffee also available for purchase.
• Friday 11 October, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Jack Rae Pavilion, Akoonah Park, 2 Cardinia Street, Berwick
• Entry cost Free, Enquiries:0410 415 409
Cranbourne Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens
Plant sale dates: Saturday and Sunday 12th and 13th October, 2024
Times: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on both days
Location: Royal Botanic Garden Victoria – Cranbourne (Cnr Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne)
The plant sale will be held at the northern end of the Australian Garden. Parking and entry is available nearby (look for the large red banners). A large variety of Australian native plants will be available. A plant list will be available on our website approximately a week before the sale. EFTPOS is available.
Lynbrook Lake Lantern Festival
Banjo Paterson Reserve Lynbrook, Saturday 12th October, 4pm - 8:45pm 2024 WILL BE OUR BIGGEST LANTERN FESTIVAL
EVER
FREE ENTRY - all welcome!
Paint a lantern and display for all to see or release a floating lotus candle lantern onto the lake and watch in awe as hundreds of other people do the same. It’s quite the spectacle. Painting and floating lanterns for sale at the event $3-$5.
FREE childrens show with Charlie Sillypants, FREE Chris Morant Magic Circus show, FREE Mermaid Tariel by the lake delighting the young and young at heart. Stories of the sea and games.
U3A Cranbourne
U3A is a community group for anyone over 50 to learn, share and socialise. The group offers a large variety of activities at its new premises 20-22 Bowen Street, Cranbourne. Line dancing and ballroom dancing are held at Casey Basketball Stadium in Cranbourne. The group is a not for profit organisation and is supported by Casey Council. The membership fees of $50 per year give you access to as many classes as you wish. They have a wide variety of classes including extensive art classes with freestyle, general painting, calligraphy, quilling, card making and resin craft offered.
U3A is holding an open day on Friday 18th of October for anyone who would like to see classes in action.
Hastings MP Paul Mercurio said: “Many Victorians are doing it tough which makes investments like this so important.”
“I’m pleased that we have been able to help Sikh Volunteers Australia provide even more food relief for people in local communities.”
Carers and Volunteers MP Ros Spence said: “We are continuing to invest in organisations like Sikh Volunteers Australia who are helping Victorians in need.”
Hastings MP Paul Mercurio and CEO Jaswinder Singh at Sikh Volunteers Australia. (Supplied)
• Check out the classes on offer at our website www.u3acranbourne.org or call 0493 991 919 to learn more.
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 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.
Blind Bight Community Centre
Craft gift making for adults from 12.30pm to 2.30pm on Tuesdays.
Join in the craft gift making class and bring along your own craft to complete.
A variety of techniques and skills are shared including mosaics, macrame, sewing and painting at $3 per class.
Playgroup from 10.30am to noon on Wednesdays. The program provides fun play activities and craft for children at $5 per family.
Free knit and crochet from noon to 2pm on Wednesdays.
Line dancing from 1pm to 2pm on Wednesdays.
All ages, and abilities welcome at $10 per class.
• For more information and for bookings, visit www. blindbightcommunitycentre.com.au
Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club
Are you new newly retired, or new to the area, or just wanting to enjoy your freedom as a senior or expand your social life?
Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club can offer you stimulating activities and friendship.
The club hosts weekly social activities with dance to low-key in-line dancing if you want to tap your feet, great music, a chat, 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
Scrabble Club
Berwick Activities Club has started a Scrabble Club recently and it runs every Friday from 1pm to 3.30pm. It will be both competitive and social on a one-to-one basis.
Come along to learn how to play or improve your game.
Word lists and more will be available to increase your skills.
• Contact David on 0433 566 456.
By Jonty Ralphsmith
It’s been a busy preseason for Devon Meadows junior Will Halton.
The young ‘keeper-batter was one of 39 players named in Cricket Victoria’s under-19 male emerging players squad in July and has made the leap to Vic Premier Cricket club Casey-South Melbourne.
Halton has trained at Junction Oval twice per week during preseason under the tutelage of Jon Holland, Nick Speak and Xavier Crone, who have more than 250 first class matches under their belt collectively.
It follows the teenager plundering more than 400 runs in each of his first two seasons of First XI cricket for Devon Meadows.
“It’s probably been my most full-on preseason so I’ll be ready to go in round one,” Halton said.
“It has been so tough - they’re quicker, smarter and more consistent so that’s been good.
“Being around them has exposed me to how skilled players go about their crafts and I try to pick up what I can.
“I’ve never been that challenged before, I’ve always felt confident in my game.
“I’m playing with and against quality cricketers so it’s stressful at times but I’ve got so much out of the coaching which has been unreal.
“You can’t get away with not being at your best - tiny mistake are amplified.”
Halton has been a regular in representative sides in recent years, notably selected in the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association’s Country Week squad last season.
Backing the skillset which has long had others earmarking big things for the teenager has been a challenge.
“The biggest gap going from junior (representative cricket) and beyond is that everyone has the shots, but it’s how you think during it and before,” he said.
“The hardest thing about Country Week for me was mental.
“I’ve got these big adults who have played for around 10-20 years, I haven’t even been alive that long.
“It was interesting to see how I held up against strong opposition when there was no limit on age - there is a lot of quality smart cricketers so it was a challenge I really enjoyed.
“For the most part I thought I managed to keep up with them but it was good to figure out how to work around things when I’m not feeling
By Jonty Ralphsmith
The Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA) has made clear its intention to work with clubs for the 2024-25 season.
It follows a relationship breakdown between the CCCA board and member clubs, which have felt at times in recent years that the league has not been receptive of their ideas.
Ben Knowles has replaced Rob Hansen as CCCA president and emphasised to this masthead in August the direction he was hoping to take the league.
“The trust has definitely waivered over the last couple of years, so that’s the number-one thing, winning that back, and then putting important pillars in place for the future,” Knowles said.
“At the end of the day, we’re here for the clubs.
“The clubs elected to make this change because they were worried about the future of the association.
“They wanted change, they wanted to modernise it; and now I’m putting it back on them.
“The clubs got what they wanted, but where are we going from here?
“The ball is now firmly in the court of the clubs; we now have the opportunity to build an association together that is attractive to other clubs throughout Casey and Cardinia.“
Vice-president Ben Parrot echoed a similar sentiment at the CCCA season launch in midSeptember, which was attended by 10 member clubs.
“We want the clubs to know we’re there to work for them; we’re not working as a board deciding for them, we are working for the clubs.
“Decisions aren’t made by the board, it’s driven by the clubs so we at no stage make decisions for them.
“They make decisions and we verify that; where I think for a long time the shoe was on the other foot.
“We want to build that trust again among the clubs.
“I think the relationship between all the clubs has never been as strong as what it is now and we’re seeing clubs supporting one another and it’s the way it should have been a long way before this but we finally got there so we will continue driving that.”
Highlighting the increasing trust, the CCCA committee has added two members – Devon Meadows president Mick Floyd and umpire David Huntington – due to demand.
Parrot and Knowles have both also highlighted the increased focus on female cricket, with the vice-president also impressed with the clubs working together to drive junior participation in the region.
Another noteworthy change to the CCCA in 2024-25 is the addition of an eighth team, Melbourne Sixers, to the second-flight District competition, providing each club with the opportunity to play 14 games, rather than 12 with two byes, as happened last season.
Melbourne Sixers came fifth in the B Grade competition in 2023-24 and lost the D Grade semi final after finishing the season in second place.
The Sixers will have four teams this season and are based at Barton Reserve, Cranbourne West.
The CCCA kicks off this Saturday.
as confident and when a player might be better than me.”
Those around Devon Meadows are in awe at the reliability of Halton, who regularly keeps up to the stumps to the Panthers’ quicks.
The transition to turf cricket, however, has highlighted minor technical glitches in Halton’s keeping which has been the focus of his preseason, alongside batting with intent.
Having opened the batting with run-scoring machine Lucas Ligt for the past two seasons, the pressure has naturally been on opposition bowlers, which has allowed Halton to bat his way, but he understands the importance of expanding his game.
“In the shorter formats it has been boundary or dot for me,” Halton noted.
“I have focussed on looking too pretty and playing the right shots – I’m trying to work out how to face the least amount of balls as possible and get up the other end.
“In the middle overs I can pin myself down and I just want to keep scoring and accelerate my strike rate.”
The Swannies’ season starts against Frankston-Peninsula on Saturday, with Halton likely to make his debut in the Third XI.
“I just want to perform the best I can and push up the grades as quickly as I can because my goal will be eventually to play ones for Casey; but baby steps, I have to perform well in the (lower grades) before I even think about that,” Halton said.
“I am aiming big but I’m not trying to get too ahead of myself.”
By Marcus Uhe
The glint reflecting from Dayna Crees’ Paralympic Bronze Medal did not keep fans and members of the Casey Cardinia Athletics Club away from Casey Fields on Friday afternoon.
Hundreds turned out to celebrate Crees’ achievements at the recent Paris Games, in which the Berwick athlete won Bronze in the Women’s Javelin Throw F34 category in her first games experience.
The dual-sport athlete who lives with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia will remember the events of September 1 2024 for the rest of her life, when she claimed her first Paralympic Medal at just 22-years-old.
Throwing a personal best distance of 17.65 metres while seated, Crees shocked even herself to finish on the podium behind two Chinese athletes, who took first and second place.
Having refined her skills at Casey Fields, Crees returned to the venue on Friday to celebrate with family, friends and club members, along with her medal, and the javelin that secured it.
The Dandenong District Cricket Association’s Turf 2 competition is shaping up for yet another thrilling season with nearly every team capable of qualifying for the top four.
HSD and Parkfield open the season as the most likely to snatch the crown, but Cranbourne, St Mary’s and Parkmore will all feel they can lay claim to a finals spot, and Coomoora has tongues wagging.
Here’s a breakdown of each side ahead of round one this weekend.
PREDICTED LADDER
· HSD
· Parkfield
· Coomoora
· Parkmore
· Cranbourne
· St Mary’s
· Lyndale
· Narre Warren
CRANBOURNE
LAST SEASON: Fourth
COMING: Mohit Bisht, Harrison Carlyon (Jersey)
GOING: Jakeb Thomas, Sajana De Silva, Chenutha Wickramasinghe, Harry Singh (Lyndale)
STAYING: Martin Kelly, Alex Hollingsworth, Harsaroup Singh, Clinton Ayres, Cameron Kelly, Dean McDonell
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Harrison Carlyon, Harsaroup Singh, Martin Kelly
Cranbourne Cricket Club is looking to build on last season’s fourth-place finish through the acquirement of an international star on the rise.
Jersey’s Harrison Carlyon has been plucked from the Northern Hemisphere to lead the Eagles as their senior coach this summer, joining the club through the Cricketer Exchange platform.
The 23-year-old has worn his national colours in 44 internationals so far, excelling in T20s with a batting strike rate of 121 and bowling economy of 5.86.
A power hitter, vice-president Alex Hollingsworth and the club is hoping he can re-shape their fortunes in the shorter formats of the game.
“He’s a teammate of Jonty Jenner who played at Narre South in the last couple of years and was looking for a chance to get his name out overseas,” Hollingsworth said.
“Harrison coming in is a nice big power hitter to start in white ball cricket and the depth to bat to the tail in red ball cricket.”
Carlyon is expected to open the batting with Martin Kelly, seeing Dean McConnell slide down the batting card as a result and join Harsaroup Singh in the middle order.
His batting will be vital in Cranbourne are to reach the finals once again, with three of the Eagles’ top five run scorers from last season all flying the nest, in Sajana De Silva, Chenutha Wickramasinghe and Jakeb Thomas.
Thomas and De Silva both excelled in allrounder roles, taking 20 and 17 wickets respectively to go with 200 runs each.
Cranbourne recorded impressive wins against Parkfield and Dandenong West last summer but was troubled by inconsistency was ultimately thrashed by the Bulls in the first week of the finals.
Despite scoring more runs than any other side, Hollingsworth felt the batting was where they came up short on a number of occasions.
“We failed to capitalise on some really good bowling performances at times and I feel the way our batting line up will structure this year will enable us to possibly put on a couple of bigger scores to give us a better target to bowl at,” he said.
“I know there were times last year where we probably didn’t get to a number we thought would be defendable.
“With the way our line up should be this year, we’ll be quite flexible for both red and white (ball).
“We’ve got plenty of bowling stock and plenty of batting depth now.
“With what we have at the club, I’d like to think we’ll be competitive in every game we play this year.”
ST MARY’S
LAST SEASON: Relegated from Turf 1
COMING: Cameron Smith (South Belgrave), Duveen Sasindu, Rumesh Ranasinghe (Merinda Park) Ashan Anthony
GOING: Susantha Pradeep (Beaconsfield)
STAYING: Danidu Chamikara, Raveen Nanayakkara, Mohib Sherzai, Junaid Kari
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Ashan Anthony, Raveen
Nanayakkara, Rumesh Ranasinghe
The disappointment of relegation has done little to dissuade players from joining St Mary’s for the upcoming summer.
While Susantha Pradeep is one of the biggest losses in the competition and will be tough to replace, on the back of his brilliant season with bat and ball – topping the Saints’ run count and second for wickets – the Saints have recruited depth to cover his absence.
Rumesh Ranasinghe joins the club off earning Country Week selection in the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association last summer for Merinda Park, taking 18 wickets with his left-arm spin and proving particularly effective in the shorter formats of the game.
20-year-old Cameron Smith brings much needed youth, and Duveen Sasindu and Ashan Anthony have returned from seasons away to take the Saints back up the grades.
The Saints are enigmatic and explosive at their best but head scratching and disappointing when they fail to fire – and last season were far too often the latter, succumbing to the pressure of Turf 1 cricket.
Five times they were bowled out for 100 or less and failed to secure a win until round 12 when they upset Beaconsfield away, with Pradeep steering the chase.
The Turf 1 pedigree of recent seasons and the experienced head of Neil Shaw guiding them as coach means they are not to be taken lightly in Turf 2, but filling the void of Pradeep is the main priority on the field.
Dynamic all rounder Raveen Nanayyakara has been elevated to captaincy duties.
HSD
LAST SEASON: Third
COMING: Jawed Hussaini (Narre South), Sakuntha Liyanage
GOING: -
STAYING: Thisuraka Akmeemana, Brent Patterson, Ryan Patterson, Mackenzie Gardner, Triyan de Silva, Jett Kearney, Craig Hookey
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jawed Hussaini, Ryan Patterson, Triyan de Silva
Will this summer finally be the season of HSD?
They seem to have all bases covered, and have been there or thereabouts in recent years, without breaking through for premiership success.
The last two summers saw them fall short in semi finals, while 2021/22 was as close as they got to going up, falling an agonising four runs short of Parkmore on grand final day.
With Dandenong West continuing its rise up the ranks, HSD will fight it out with Parkmore as the team to beat in Turf 2.
They have the reigning Gartside Medal winner in Triyan De Silva, who was also the best bowler in the competition with 43 wickets at 14, three of
last season’s top six run scorers, in he, Mackenzie Gardner and Brent Patterson.
They addressed the vacancy of a front line spinner by bringing Sri Lankan left-armer Sakuntha Liyanage to the snake pit, who can take bowling pressure off the remainder of the attack and mimick the success that Peter Sweeney had at Cranbourne, while nearly all of the squad from last summer has returned for another season at Reedy Reserve.
Little stands in way road to being a contender yet again this season, but whether they can combat a perceived mental demon, only time will tell.
“For three years now we’ve felt like we’ve been in a good position to move our way up to Turf 1, but unfortunately it hasn’t panned out that way,” coach Craig Hookey said.
“The first year we thought we would just make finals, so to get into the grand final in the first year was a real pleasing thing.
“The two seasons after that have been disappointing towards the end.
“Do I think it’s a hoodoo? Sure everyone wants to win but at the end of the day I don’t think it’s something people will be thinking about (or) stressing.
“In the last two seasons that we’ve had, we come in with expectations that we’re playing in a grand final.
“Obviously when you get to the grand final, anything can happen on the day but we expect to get to the last game of the year every year that we play.”
LYNDALE
LAST SEASON: sixth
COMING: Ciaron Connolly (Hallam Kalora Park), Usman Ali (Upper Beaconsfield), Harry Singh (Cranbourne)
GOING: Surien Silva, Satnam Singh, Niti Mahendrakumar
STAYING: Ben Montgomery, Rajika Fernando, Himesh Galhenage, Faraz Rahman, Kieth Ash, Nithiyananthan Mahendrakumar.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Ciaron Connolly, Ben Montgomery, Rajika Fernando.
Sixth place is not where Lyndale wishes to remain in Turf 2.
Ben Montgomery has returned to captaincy duties for a sixth season at the helm, with a clear focus in the offseason to address their deficiencies with the bat.
Lyndale tied with Keysborough as the only Turf 2 side to lose 122 wickets lasts ummer, the equal most in the Division, and scored the thirdleast runs across the season.
Just two players eclipsed 200 runs – Himesh Galhenage and Faraz Rahman.
Chris Joseph’s appointment as coach will assist in developing players and help Montgomery with strategic nous, and the return of Ciaron Con-
nolly to his junior club is one of the feel-good stories of the season.
Connolly brings the knowledge of what it takes to win a premiership at Turf 1 level with Hallam Kalora Park from back in 2020/21, when his glove work and runs were vital in the Hawks conquering the mountain.
Surien Silva is a huge loss, having led the way with the ball with 27 wickets last summer as one of just two bowlers to reach double figures of wickets – Rajika Fernando being the other. It will be a big ask for the Dales to remain in Turf 2 this season.
PARKFIELD LAST SEASON: runner up
COMING: Sahan Jayawardana (Narre Warren), Chawali Mosti
GOING: -
STAYING: Travis D’Souza, Steve Cannon, Jonty Hall, Dishan Malalasekera, Nathaniel Cramer, Riley Payne, Jeffery Nicholas, Sanjay Kahawatte PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sahan Jayawardana, Jeffery Nicholas, Dishan Malalasekera
There’s nothing quite like the pain of losing a grand final.
You’re ever so close to the ultimate success, but ultimately you’ll be remembered like every other team that doesn’t salute on the day, no matter how strong the rest of your year was.
Parkfield knows this all too well, having been unable to conquer Dandenong West in last season’s decider after a very strong home-and-away season.
They finished just three points from top spot and upset HSD in the semi final round, but blew an excellent platform in the first innings of the grand final to finish the year trophyless.
Captain, Steve Cannon, recently admitted that the pain from last summer is fuelling the Bandits this campaign, and the desire to make amends may be the factor that pushes them over the line in 2024/25.
That, and the inclusion of Sahan Jayawardana from Narre Warren, may be enough to push them over the top, and capture the elusive Turf 2 crown.
The left-arm bowler and aggressive batter who made the Turf 2 Team of the Year last summer hit 357 runs, more than any Parkfield player, and will slot nicely into Parkfield’s middle order to support Travis D’Souza and Hansika Kodikara. With each member of the grand final side from last summer returning in an attempt to make amends, Cannon is hoping they can harness last summer’s momentum and reach the final day of the season once again.
Last season the drive came from within, a noticeable shift from the previous season.
This season there’ll be no searching for impetus.
“Other clubs are getting players in and topping up, and there are other very good teams in the competition as well,” Cannon said.
“We’re certainly not going in saying ‘this year is ours because Dandenong West aren’t there’. “Even last year, things fell our way a little bit; Cranbourne absolutely pumped us early on in the year and there were games that we won, even games that we lost, the back of a few ‘out of the blue’ performances.
“It’s not like we’re invincible at all.“
PARKMORE
LAST SEASON: fifth
COMING: Josh Tonna, Rusiru Perera, Satheesh Fernandu (East Coburg), Inol Guruge (Dandenong), Ankit Saxena (Greenvale), Callum O’Connell (England), Alistair Day (England)
GOING: Amal Athulathmudali, Kasun Ranasinghe, Dickshan hettirachi
STAYING: Ammar Bajwa, Avisha Wilwalaarachchi, Kyle Gwynne, Niranjen Kumar, Brad Van Twest, Johan Brohier.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Ankit Saxena, Avisha Wilwalaarachchi, Inol Guruge
Parkmore has moved swiftly in its efforts to return to Turf 1, making a number of changes to its playing list ahead of the upcoming season.
Last season’s captain, Amal Athulathmudali, and coach, Gavin Lehman, have both departed, but the inclusions have come thick and fast.
Of most significance is a pair of former Premier Cricket representatives, in Ankit Saxena, who opened the bowling for Greenvale’s First XI last summer, and Inol Guruge, who has played at Dandenong’s lower levels as a top order batter.
Alistair Day and Callum O’Connell will inject some English influence, with both in their early 20s and keen to make an impression in a summer abroad, while Josh Tonna returns to cricket after some time away from the game to take the gloves.
Recruiting manager Kevin Van Twest explained the recruiting strategy, saying the club wanted to deepen its stockpile of talent.
“What we’ve done is, we’ve tried to take the budget we’ve got and go and sign a number of blokes to give us depth that will spread across both the ones and twos,” he said.
“To get a Premier ones opening bowler to come and play Turf 2 cricket is a massive plus.
“There’s a plan from the executive to try and go younger, so the average age of the First XI will be younger than what it was last year and we want to keep progressing that through over the next two/three/four seasons, and get the average age
down of our first 11 to under 30, which we’re not at the moment.”
The Pirates are coming off a mixed year in which they finished fifth, having dropped from Turf 1 the previous campaign, but recorded wins against premiers, Dandenong West, Parkfield and HSD.
A loss to the relegated Keysborough proved costly come the end of the season, however, and exemplified the margin between their best and worst.
“We’re going to rely more on role players than we are on marquees,” Van Twest said.
“Our goal is to make the four and I think we’ve got the side to make the four, from the overall squad of 12/13 guys that are genuine ones cricketers this year.”
COOMOORA
LAST SEASON: Premiers of Turf 3
COMING: Jackson Noske (St Kilda), Sam Wetering (Springvale South), Jarrod Munday (St Kilda)
GOING: Charith Sylvester, Lalanka Dhanasekara
STAYING: Dean Krelle, Malan Madusanka Lance Baptist, Rahoul Pankhania, Joel Robertson.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sam Wetering, Malan Madusanka, Rahoul Pankhania
The chance to prove themselves at a higher grade is fuelling the excitement at Coomoora
Cricket Club this preseason.
Numbers have been excellent at training according to senior coach Liam Hard, with a handful of former Victorian Premier Cricketers joining the club to bolster the ranks, on the back of winning the Turf 3 premiership in the Dandenong District Cricket Association last summer.
Former Dandenong quick Sam Wetering comes to the Roos after a season off to bolster the bowling attack, alongside former St Kilda seamer Jackson Noske, to form a strong quartet of seam bowlers alongside Joel Robertson and Dean Krelle.
Promotion to Turf 2 saw the ‘Roos shake the monkey from their back in the eyes of Hard, and he has faith that their players, and the game style, is replicable at the next level.
“What we’ve been building in the last few years is creating a really professional environment,” Hard said.
“The professionalism that we had in Turf 3 really stood out and I reckon that’s why we’ve picked up a few guys, because they’ve seen that.
“We’re pretty confident in the way that we play, and what we’ve done is going to stand up in this division as well.
“Watching Dandenong West go from Turf 3 to Turf 2, gives us a lot of confidence; they carried through a pretty similar side from that division
up, which gives us a lot of confidence as a club. “We’ve recruited well and what we’ve built, we’re going ‘we’re a chance here.’”
They won’t need to wait long for answers as to whether they will be up to the challenge, with a tough slate of early matches to offer a baptism of fire. The remaining three finalists from last season, in Cranbourne, Parkfield and HSD, await in the opening five weeks, along with the relegated St Mary’s, no doubt eager to prove themselves after falling from Turf 1.
Much of Coomoora’s premiership winning side has chosen to stick around, bar wicketkeeper Charith Sylvester and all-rounder Lalanka Dhanasekara.
Another former Saint in Jarrod Munday returns to the game after some time overseas to take the gloves, adding vital experience to join the senior ranks alongside Malan Madusanka, Lance Baptist and Rahoul Pankhania.
Madusanka comes with high expectations, having taken an astonishing 54 wickets last season, the most of any in Turf 3.
The left-arm spinner boasts plenty of variations in his trick bag and will be vital if the Roos are to emulate their success from the previous summer.
“Our goal, and what we’re building, is to get up to Turf 1,” Hard said.
“Everyone’s talking about it, we can’t wait to play against the Turf 2 sides and see where we rank.
“We’re confident with where we are but we’ve got no idea until you start playing.
“The ones boys have trained the whole preseason.
“After a flag, sometimes it can drop off a bit, but the boys are super excited.”
NARRE WARREN
LAST SEASON: Seventh COMING: -
GOING: Sahan Jayawardana (Parkfield), Luke Clarke (Berwick)
STAYING: John Mentiplay.
There’s not much to say here for Narre Warren, but the departures of Luke Clarke and Sahan Jayawardana will make life tough for the Magpies this summer.
The pair were the club’s two highest run-scorers last season and Jayawardana was second for wickets taken.
Expect them to be fighting for survival this season, alongside Lyndale.
Coach, John Mentiplay, was contacted for comment.
In Cranbourne’s first game of the new Dandenong District Cricket Association season on Saturday, Clint Ayres will become only the eighth player to reach 200 games at the Cranbourne Cricket Club.
A Life Member at Cranbourne, Ayres arrived at the Club only a few weeks before the start of the 2007/08 season.
At that stage, the Club had sufficient players for three teams in our Under 17’s, but only two coaches.
Although being new to the Club, Ayres had no hesitation offering his services to coach one of the teams.
He coached junior teams for roughly the next 12 years and during that time, became the Club’s vice president, in charge of the Club’s junior department.
During that time, he coached premierships in the Under 15’s in 2013/14, and the Under 17’s in 2008/09.
He continued in that position for several years before taking a break a couple of years ago, and took over the captaincy of the Club’s senior second XI, taking them to a flag in 2022/23.
Ayres expected to continue in that role in season 2023/24, but when the person appointed as senior coach had to withdraw from the position at the last minute, the Club had no hesitation asking him to fill the position and take over leading the Club.
Ayres took over as First XI captain, wicketkeeper and senior coach.
He did not let the Club down, leading the firsts into the finals, while the seconds also made the finals and took out the premiership.
Since he arrived at the Club, Ayres has been a total clubman, helping out any way he can.
On the field, he has been a very quiet achiever.
He first played in the thirds as a middle order batsman and, not wanting to step on any toes at the new club, didn’t even mention he was a wick-
etkeeper, as he didn’t think it was fair the incumbent ‘keeper should lose his position to a new bloke.
When an opportunity arose to keep-wicket due to an injury, it was obvious he was pretty handy with the gloves, and continued in that position from thereon.
From there, he worked his way up the grades as a keeper/batter.
Ayres has probably batted in every position from one to 11, but as long as he feels he is helping the club, he is happy to bat anywhere.
His club-first attitude has always been obvious to all, and when a gritty opening batter was required in Turf 1 several years ago, the club knew Ayres was the right man for the job, knowing he would take up the challenge and be up for the fight.
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