News - Cranbourne Star News - 17th October 2024

Care reform calls

Casey Council outsourced its aged care services in 2022 due to Commonwealth reforms, while the council’s The Living and Ageing Well Action Plan 2023-25 highlights that about 22 per cent of Casey’s population is aged 55 and above, with this number expected to rise by 60 per cent by 2041.

Star News interviewed candidates from Cranbourne Gardens Ward and Tooradin Ward about aged care services in Casey.

Cranbourne Gardens Ward candidate Tamas Kapitany argued for reinstating in-house aged care services, calling healthcare a human right.

Tooradin Ward candidate Ravneet Singh prioritised support for seniors facing financial and mobility challenges.

Tooradin Ward candidate Anthony Tassone pointed out mixed satisfaction with outsourced services and emphasised the need for better

communication about available resources.

Tooradin Ward candidate Ali Yaghobi suggested enhancing support for seniors through investment in community initiatives but opposed bringing back the old in-house model and instead allocate more resources to local initiatives.

Cranbourne Gardens Ward candidate Michelle Crowther expressed concern over delays in aged care assessments and advocated for stricter

oversight of outsourced services.

Tooradin Ward candidate Andrew Gai highlighted the importance of accountability and transparency, urging the council to support seniors ageing in their homes.

All the candidates agreed on the need to improve aged care quality, communication, and support as Casey’s senior population grows.

Full story page 4

Avenue parking concerns

By Violet Li

Cranbourne locals are angered that a section of Avenue of Honour is being used as a car park, saying it is disrespectful to those who served in the World War.

Local David McCormack, a veteran, noticed Cranbourne Greyhound Racing Club had been using a section of Avenue of Honour opposite the United Petroleum for months.

“You can see the damage along here. You can see the tracks. That used to be all beautiful green grass there. You can see how close they’re getting to the trees. They’re going to kill the trees!” he said.

“These trees have been here since the Second World War. They have been here for 70 years. Each tree is for a soldier. Look at the mess they’ve done. That’s very disrespectful!”

The club said it did not mean to cause any disrespect to the Avenue of Honour, and would prefer to use the southern end for access - as opposed to the northern end.

Mr McCormack said there used to be a car park around the corner but with the Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade that had been installing new traffic lights at the South Gippsland Highway intersection, the old car park along with the southern access to the club was closed.

“Why isn’t it a car park anymore? Why waste all this land?” he said.

“There are two ways of looking at it. It’s not the greyhound people’s fault, but it’s not because they’ve got no other choice now.”

Mr McCormack also said he had reported the issue to the City of Casey several times, but nothing happened.

Local Allan Ryan said there were times the cars would even park on the footpath among the Avenue of Honour, and he could not get past in a wheelchair.

“It was lucky the wheel didn’t fall down then. I would’ve hurt myself,” he said.

Cranbourne Greyhound Racing Club chief executive officer Andrew Fennell said they understood some residents were concerned with the parking and access to the training facilities on the South Gippsland Hwy.

“The Cranbourne Greyhound Racing Club, its members and greyhound participants do not mean to cause any disrespect to the Avenue of Honour, nor does anyone want to cause any damage to the surroundings,” he said.

“It is unfortunate and frustrating that our participants have been forced to access the facilities from the northern end and they are mindful of the traffic on the highway, as well as the pedestrian traffic.

“Our preference has always been to retain access at the southern end as it works better for everyone.”

He said the reason they currently accessed the facility from the northern end was because they were contacted by the road contractor and advised that the roadworks would impact access to

the southern end.

“We were instructed to use the northern gates until a permanent solution was found. The road project had already started, and they had not consulted the CGRC prior to design and the start of construction,” he said.

“Once we advised them of the issue with access, we were told that the plans could not be changed and that they would work with the club to find a permanent solution for access. Despite many meetings, they have told us to now work with the City of Casey for a permanent solution.

“We have tried many times to contact the City of Casey, who have denied our requests to meet and resolve the issue.

“Vehicle access and parking need to be close to the entry point of the track as we have trainers who can bring up to eight greyhounds at a time and require close access to their vehicles while they train them one by one. It is also an animal welfare issue, as the greyhounds cannot be left in a car or trailer unattended over 100 metres away.”

When contacted, City of Casey’s manager connected communities Callum Pattie said: “Under the Victorian Road Safety Road Rules 2017, it is illegal for unauthorised vehicles to park on a nature strip or footpath.”

“The overall Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade roadworks are a Victorian Government road project being undertaken by Major Road Projects Victoria and are expected to end in October.

“Some additional minor works are expected to be completed thereafter, and they are scheduled to finish in November.”

A Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) spokesperson said MRPV consulted extensively with nearby residents, stakeholders and businesses throughout works on the Narre WarrenCranbourne Road Upgrade.

“We will continue to work with the training facility, the Department of Transport and Planning, and the City of Casey to find a suitable permanent arrangement,” they said.

Local Allan Ryan can’t access paths when cars are parked on them, which makes it difficult for him in a wheelchair. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 435739)

Local David McCormack said the empty space behind him used to be a car park for the Greyhound Racing Club, but with the roadworks on South Gippsland Highway, it was closed down.

The car tracks on the Avenue of Honor.

Each tree is planted for a soldier on the Avenue of Honor.

NEWS Landfill buffer guide widens

By Violet Li

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria has increased the landfill buffer distance guideline for putrescible landfills with a tip face of equal to or more than 900 square metres, a category which Hallam Road Landfill falls under.

In August this year, EPA Victoria updated its Landfill buffer guideline and Separation distance guideline.

In the Landfill buffer guideline, landfills accepting municipal or putrescible waste with licensed tipping face equal to or greater than 900 square metres have an increased separation distance from 500 metres to 1500 metres for sensitive land uses, to respond to various risks to human health and amenity, including landfill gas, odour, and dust.

The guideline also notes this may be varied to a minimum of 1000 metres with an appropriate odour risk assessment that demonstrates an alternative buffer is acceptable.

Sensitive land use includes dwellings and private open space, accommodation excluding caretaker’s residences, childcare centres, education centres, informal outdoor recreation, camping and caravan parks, indoor recreation facilities, hospitals, medical centres, aged care facilities and retirement villages.

For operating landfills, the separation distances for odour and dust in the urban area should be measured from the outer boundary of the landfill activity posing the amenity risk to the property boundary of the nearest sensitive land use.

Separation distances for landfill gas migration

should be measured from the outer boundary of the landfill cells to the nearest building or structure.

The guideline states that if a development is proposed within the buffer of an operating landfill, the risk of landfill gas as well as human health and amenity impacts should be assessed.

When the proposed use is a sensitive land use to human health and amenity impacts, the planning and responsible authority are recommended to refer the application to EPA for site-specific advice.

“The assessment of proposed sensitive use within the buffer of operating landfills is complex. Ultimately the planning and responsible authority are the statutory decision-makers,” the guideline states.

“However, if consulted EPA generally does not

recommend sensitive land uses within the buffer of an operating landfill for the following reasons: Operating landfill risks may change with time...

“Landfill gas risk will continue to change as new cells are filled with waste and long after the landfill has closed.

“If amenity impacts occur at a development site, there may be no way to mitigate these through protective design measures at the development.”

When the proposed use is not sensitive land use to human health and amenity impacts, the planning and responsible authority should determine the appropriate level of assessment for landfill gas risks.

Proposals for non-intrusive works that do not involve enclosed structures, excavation or significant ground disturbance do not need to be assessed for risk of landfill gas impacts, including alterations to buildings and structures that do not require ground disturbance, fencing, street and park furniture, vehicle crossovers, satellite dishes, and minor signage.

EPA recommends the planning and responsible authorities use a scoring system for developments proposing alterations to an existing building or new building or structure to determine if a landfill gas risk assessment or an environment audit is required.

The guideline states that its purpose is to provide guidance to planning or responsible authorities on what to consider when preparing and assessing planning scheme amendments, precinct structure plans and planning permit applications for landfills or those that would lead to use or de-

velopment within the buffer of an operating or closed landfill.

“This guideline is not to be used retrospectively to require an existing landfill operating in accordance with all relevant statutory obligations to comply with a buffer,” it states.

“However, it may be used to determine a buffer to inform land use and development decisions surrounding an existing landfill or to assess proposed changes to or expansion of an existing landfill where permission is triggered.

“This guideline should be applied early in planning processes as separation distances are most effective where they can direct the location and siting of land uses to avoid incompatibility or encroachment.”

The guideline also points out that councils can determine a site-specific buffer which is represented by a Buffer Area Overlay (BAO).

“Providing guidance on site-specific buffers is not within the scope of this guideline…” it states.

“Councils can also request EPA’s advice on developing an appropriate process to determine site-specific buffers in their municipality.

“Generally, this involves gathering and assessing site-specific landfill information with the assistance of a professional environmental consultant with demonstrated experience in assessing risks to developments from landfills.”

The updated Separation distance guideline has also increased the recommended separation distance for waste transfer stations that accept municipal kerbside organics and putrescible waste from 250 metres to 500 metres.

Cranbourne Gardens Ward candidates on SBI landfill

By Violet Li

As the Stevensons Brothers Industries (SBI) landfill has been a concern in the community since mid-2022 and its proposed planning permit amendment has yet to be decided, Star News spoke to Cranbourne Gardens Ward candidates on their attitudes towards the landfill.

Star News reported in early March this year that residents expressed concerns that the operator’s proposed amendments to its planning permit would increase traffic, dust, and stormwater runoff into nearby neighbourhoods.

SBI lodged an application to amend its permit in late February in response to a Planning Contravention Notice issued by the council on 11 January 2023, which indicated that certain site activities and operations were not in compliance with approved plans and that required documents had not been satisfactorily prepared.

Tamas Kapitany said anything that impacted air quality for residents should be shut down.

“It cannot be contained,” he said.

“As to wheel wash reduction, it needs to be a permanent procedure applied to all truck movements regardless of weather. The issue really is finding other sites somewhat local that can be used in a similar manner without impacting local residents.

“I live in the area impacted by the SBI landfill and share the concerns of local residents about the odours emitted and silica dust migration into our neighbourhood.”

Michelle Crowther said she would strongly for the community that additional planning permit amendments should not be approved until the current issues were resolved and odour pollution was better managed.

“I live down the road from SBI and I have been following EPA’s investigations and the numerous shutdowns,” she said.

“I have also consulted with community members and have even logged multiple smell tickets myself with EPA.

“The entire circumstances are awful and the stress, medical issues and loss of property value that residents have experienced is a concern.”

Mary Beth Melton said she would be doing all she could to assist residents to become free of the awful smells they had to endure, and she would be looking into the circumstances in which additional permits were being approved by Casey Council.

“Despite EPA maintaining how cooperative SBI has been, they are not compliant with the requirements of the permits, and the odours

remain, despite the burner installation, and despite the installation of detectors to sense the odours,” she said.

“I am getting a lot of requests for support from special interest groups and requests for my position on various political issues, but this is a local issue of deep importance to residents and something I am highly committed to following up on and finding a suitable long-term solution.

“I have not been satisfied with what the EPA and council have done to date, as it has taken far too long for SBI to be allowed to be compliant with their initial permit, and we have failed to hold them to account.”

The EPA and SBI Landfill recently settled a case in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

As part of it, SBI is to engage a suitably qualified independent professional to establish an

education and training program concerning SBI’s responsibilities under the Environment Protection Act.

“The odour management system that was fast tracked to resolve the odour generated by the February 2022 firewater which, under EPA approval, was transferred into Cell 1, remains with EPA after multiple submissions by SBI, to clarify the systems design intent,” SBI said in a statement on their website on 22 August.

“In the interim, SBI continue to monitor, manage and mitigate under existing protocols. SBI appeal to the community to report offsite impacts believed to be attributable to SBI, directly to SBI, to facilitate actions, if required, by SBI. Community reports submitted to EPA, remain with EPA, creating a break in the line of communication, which directly impacts any possible action by SBI.”

SBI landfill. (289985)

Cranbourne Gardens Ward candidate Tamas Kapitany. (Supplied)

Cranbourne Gardens Ward candidate Michelle Crowther. (Stewart Chambers: 390923)

Cranbourne Gardens Ward candidate Mary Beth Melton. (Supplied)

EPA Victoria. (File)

Aged care in the spotlight

By Violet Li

As October is the month in Victoria for celebrating seniors, Star News spoke to Cranbourne Gardens Ward and Tooradin Ward candidates about the future of aged care services in Casey.

Casey Council outsourced its community aged care services in 2022 in response to Commonwealth Reforms.

According to the City of Casey Living and Ageing Well Action Plan 2023-25, the current population ageing above 55 and over in Casey accounts for 22 per cent of the total, and it is forecast to increase by almost 60 per cent to 122,000 in 2041. The plan also notes that currently, over half of residents aged 55 and older report living with at least one chronic health condition.

Junction Village and coastal suburbs in Casey South have recorded a relatively high proportion of residents aged above 55 and over, the plan shows.

Cranbourne Gardens Ward candidate Tamas Kapitany believed healthcare should never have been privatised.

“It is a human right to be cared for in old age. Health services when privatised end up becoming more expensive and lesser quality service,” he said.

He said the council’s in-house aged care services should be reinstated.

“Council is there to serve the needs of the residents. It was never about having $20 million credits in bank accounts. So much money is wasted on excessive administration staff wages.”

Tooradin Ward candidate Ravneet Singh shared the situation of a senior resident he talked with.

He said the resident had met financial challenges and mobility challenges, and she had been looking for assistance for elderly care.

“I am committed to prioritising her interests and addressing issues faced by the elderly with diligence and professionalism,” Mr Singh said.

“My focus will be on advocating for better support systems, accessible services, and ensuring that those who have contributed so much to our community receive the care and assistance they deserve.

“Together, we can work towards improving the quality of life for our seniors.”

Tooradin candidate Anthony Tassone said the feedback he received regarding the outsourcing of aged care services by Casey Council was that their satisfaction with the service delivered was more dependent on the individual staff member rather than the employer.

“Now as before, residents mention ‘you get your good ones and your not-so-good ones like anything’,” he said.

“One noticeable difference in the service delivery is that prior to outsourcing, residents were offered a ‘heavy duty cleaning service’ up to twice a year for things such as window and gutter cleaning. Since out-sourcing, these types of services are not being offered which has negatively impacted residents and increased out-of-pocket costs to obtain from other private providers as they’re not capable of doing it themselves or have family to assist.”

Mr Tassone said outsourcing of services was not necessarily a bad thing, provided it was cost-

effective and there was accountability of the service provider in meeting the expectations and objectives for residents and ongoing surveying of satisfaction for clients receiving the service.

He noticed a low awareness of services and support groups within Casey for seniors.

“We need to work with our older community to better communicate what support services are available in the City of Casey. Communication of available services will need to be in different forms, and not reliant on just the council website but other channels including family members and community groups who can share the information,” he said.

“Older residents want to see more public transport including bus services across the ward, but especially in Tooradin to be able to transit to places like Cranbourne which may host existing groups and services. This is something I am very supportive of.

“Support groups that can be localised, including in Tooradin would be of interest to those I have spoken with. Tooradin has the greatest proportion of their resident population aged 55 years and over in the Tooradin Ward.

“Having more public toilets available around parks and public spaces and better signage are raised when speaking with older residents and mentioned in the action plan. These are within the direct influence of the City of Casey and should be improved.”

Mr Tassone said as the ageing population in Casey was forecasted to increase by 60 per cent by 2041, the existing local health care and support services would not be able to meet demand if the council did not prepare adequately.

“If elected to council, I would be supportive of the implementation of the City of Casey Living and Ageing Well strategy and reviewing the outcomes to inform the ongoing work necessary,” he said.

Tooradin candidate Ali Yaghobi said most of the people he spoke to were not happy with outsourcing and wanted the in-house model back.

“Most people like to have programs to connect them with services and other people, being safe

in the community and being able to actively participate in social and groups activities,” he said.

Mr Yaghobi said he would invest more in providing resources and support to service providers who worked with older people, resource the current Living and Ageing Well Action Plan, support community organisations such as Men’s Shed, Rotaries and clubs, support more age-friendly initiatives and intergenerational programs, and explore to find out ways to engage cleaning companies for some of the common services, including domestic cleaning, needed by senior people.

“I wouldn’t bring back the previous model but rather allocate more resources toward some of these initiatives,” he said.

“Casey will need to build their services from scratch - they will need to compete with other providers that have established services in the region.

“Workforce is an issue and council will need to compete for workers. They need to think about viability, like whether they can afford to have a workforce given that the council pays more than other organisations.

“They will need to build a clinical care model as this is a requirement under the new reforms.”

Cranbourne Gardens Ward candidate Michelle Crowther said she had heard concerns from many older residents regarding delays in aged care assessments and limited access to services since the outsourcing began.

“Many have expressed frustration over a lack of continuity in care, as they feel the current outsourced model lacks the personalised attention that an in-house service might provide,” she noted.

“Some would like to see the in-house model return, but they also want to improve communication and efficiency from the current providers.”

Ms Crowther said she understood that returning to the in-house model might not be feasible due to financial and workforce constraints, but the council could play a more active role in overseeing outsourced providers.

“This would involve implementing stricter performance benchmarks and improving com-

munication between the council, service providers and the residents,” she said.

“I also propose to advocate to federal and state authorities to ensure that funding is aligned with our community’s growing aged care needs.”

Tooradin Ward candidate Andrew Gai said he had talked with the aged care advocate in the community, and he understood the concerns among the senior community.

“If we want to serve the community well, we need to listen to the experts who work in the area, people that have dedicated most of their life to this,” he said.

“What I found during my door knocking is it has been very nice to see a lot of our elderly people in their own homes and how happy they are in their own homes. The best we can do as a council is to make sure we have that option for them, for those who want to age in their own home, that that there is an option to support them.

“Accountability and transparency have been an issue for the aged care services in the community. Not to say that the administrators haven’t been doing a good job within their means, but trying to reach Casey in the last four years has been horrendous. It took away our responsibility to look after our elders.

“It has been years since the council outsourced the aged care service. We need to make sure that we review how that is going.”

Mr Gai said it was a shame that the people who built the city were not being looked after at the older stage of their lives.

“That’s something not acceptable. There are a few roles that the local government can play, which is engaging with our federal, representative to make sure that anything that this federal government decides to do, they take action on that seriously,” he said.

“But also at the local level, their providers need to be held accountable. If you are looking after our elders, we want you to do that properly.

“You need to recruit the right people and train them.”

Aged care advocate Elizabeth Barton and Tooradin Ward candidate Andrew Gai. (Stewart Chambers: 437585)

Tooradin Ward candidate Anthony Tassone at the Cranbourne Senior Citizens Centre.

Stolen medals back home

By Ethan Benedicto

After three self-storage facilities in the South East were burgled earlier this year, a daughter has been reunited with her father’s stolen war medals.

Kay Dawson smiled from ear to ear as the four medals, which decorated her father, Robert Allan Dawson for his service in the Second World War, were returned to her possession.

When the police returned the medals to Kay, laying her hands on the box was a feeling like no other, and when opening it she said “they were beautiful, they were shiny and they were lovely, it was so good to see them”.

“It’s fantastic to know that we’ve got them back,” she said.

Casey CIU units executed five search warrants at addresses in Hallam, Dandenong and Narre Warren, where officers located and seized over 200 allegedly stolen items including the medals.

After being notified by a friend just a few days prior, Kay was shocked that they were stolen to begin with, “considering that they’re replicas”.

“A friend of mine was just flicking through Facebook, she saw the surname and rang me, and said, are these your father’s medals?”

The original medals had been lost roughly years prior, and while there is no monetary benefit to them, it’s the sentimental value that Kay holds on to.

“They belong to my father you know? He’s long since passed away and it also represents something in history, of what a lot of young men went through, a lot of sacrifices,” she said.

The thought of medals being stolen in the first place was absurd, with, Kay adding that, “it was a shock, you can’t really think of many things to say, but what can you do?”

“I bet you they thought they were going to get a whole heap of money from it, but that’s only for originals.

“It’s a great thing that that’s all they’ve gotten,” she said.

Robert “Bob” Dawson served in the Pacific theatre and was a mechanic for the 22nd RAAF

Squadron.

As a mechanic, he and many others were responsible for “keeping the planes in the air”, according to Kay.

When asked what her father would have thought of the debacle, she said that he would say something “along the lines of ‘Oh bugger, but the great thing is you got them back’”.

AusNet is currently seeking feedback on funding to maintain and upgrade it s electricity distribution network over the next five years.

This funding will support:

a safe, reliable and more resilient network

keeping up with customers moving to all-electric homes and electric vehicles

customer service improvements

more renewables, including large and small renewables like rooftop solar.

Kay Dawson with her father, Robert Allan Dawson’s medals. (Ethan Benedicto: 437184) While it was not the first time she opened the box on the day, the feeling of glee remained the same.

Robert Allan Dawson’s old passport from the time he retained the original medals.

NEWS Meaningful tour overseas

By Violet Li

Hampton Park Secondary College student Mahdia Qasimi was among the 12 students across Victoria selected for an international study tour in Türkiye as part of the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize.

Students had a 10-day tour during which they learned the courage, service and sacrifice of the Anzacs who fought in the Gallipoli Campaign.

They explored significant sites from the Gallipoli Campaign and participated in an educational program.

They also learned from historians at sites across the Gallipoli peninsula including Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, the beaches of Cape Helles and a newly discovered Australian trench system at Silt Spur.

Coming back from the tour, Mahdia said she felt such an honour to represent her school and represent Australia, and she found the tour really meaningful.

“It’s really different when you just read something, and then you go and visit it and learn more about it,” she said.

Mahdia looked back at the time when she submitted her application. It was not easy, but the process itself meant a lot to her.

“My submission was about women’s role during the war, like how women have such an important role doing the war, but they will always be ignored,” she said.

In her submission, Mahdia also wrote about how she and her family came to Australia about

One

An Endeavour Hills man is turning a gut feeling into reality, after taking home $1.2 million after the weekend’s lotto draw.

To be precise, the man held one of four division one winning entries nationally on Sunday 12 October, scooping up a whopping $1,290,833.

The man said that the winnings would be a “big difference to our lives”.

“I’m a bit speechless to be honest”.

“It’s all a bit crazy, I only buy lottery tickets now and then but the other day I had this really strong feeling to buy a ticket.

three years ago.

“The Australian army helped us when the government changed in Afghanistan three years ago, so we had to move because it was not safe to live there,” she said.

“The Australian Air Force helped us to leave

Afghanistan, then they took us to Dubai and then we stayed at a refugee camp in Dubai for 10 or 12 days.”

Mahdia said when she started the application, it was pretty hard for her to research ANZAC Day, World War I, and World War II.

“It was a lot of work. Other students were born in Australia, and they knew everything about the wars,” she said.

“But I learnt a lot during it. It was really unforgettable.”

“I just thought, ‘I think these numbers are going to be drawn’ [and] I can’t believe it, I’m still in shock!”

In 2024 there have been 21 division one winning series in the southeast so far, which collectively, have taken home over $37.2 million in prize money. When the winner eagerly showed his partner the money, she initially thought it was a hoax, but after the shock wore off her laughter turned to gratitude and they spent the weekend celebrating.

“I showed my partner the win and she took one look and thought it was some sort of hoax,”

the man said.

“She eventually came around and now we’re both awestruck [so] we did a little bit of celebrating on the weekend.”

The man is buzzing with excitement after winning the TattsLotto draw, revealing that he’d be using his million-dollar prize to secure his first home.

“We’re currently renting and one of us is studying, so we’re not in the position to buy, but now we can!” The man said.

“We’ll be able to own a house now which is

crazy to say.”

His winning 18-game quick pick was purchased on The Lott website, with the winning numbers on draw 4511 being 8, 2, 21, 45, 10 and 28 while the supplementary numbers were 27 and 30.

Across Australia, there were four division one winning entries in the TattsLotto draw 4511, three in Victoria and one in New South Wales. The tally for division one winners has reached 359 so far in 2024, where 134 were won by Tatts customers.

Mahdia Qasimi found the tour meaningful and educational. (436790)

Never too late to learn

By Sahar Foladi

With the right attitude, life can work in wondersand Jodie Daniel is a testament to that.

She anchored her love for legal drama into a profession she never imagined to occupy, as an Associate for a County Court Judge.

“I thought of getting an administration role at Victoria Police or somewhere. I never thought to work at a court room. To wear that gown on my first day of work, I was excited.

“It has been a huge learning curve on the job. I had to learn about how to create an order, how to research and find old cases to be used in judgements and so much more.

“I’m much more confident now and can whip up an order within minutes rather than hours.”

The 56-year-old is still in awe and shock as she walks into work each day.

She made the leap from a salon and beauty business owner of 30 years and this was the first job Jodie applied for during her Diploma of Justice course.

“When I applied I thought there was no chance. One of the prerequisites was a law degree, which everybody seems to have in this role but I had nothing to lose.”

Born in Springvale and living with her three high school-aged children and husband in Keysborough for 21 years, Jodie had more time to spare and decided to take up studying “for the sake of studying”.

She started a free Community Service course with Holmesglen Institute however a component of the studies, youth justice, led her to transfer to a Diploma of Justice.

“I thought I wasn’t going to lose financially by doing it. I was happy to attain the qualifications but if I managed to secure a job with it that would’ve been a bonus.”

Despite her hesitance as the second-oldest in her classroom, Jodie gave “110 per cent“ through the 18 months of the course as she watched much

younger students working away with AI on their screens.

She almost found herself homeless when she left home and school at the age of 15 and never had the chance to complete her education.

“I never had the opportunity to do anything. I never went back after leaving home so I was working in factories. I couldn’t even get an apprenticeship as a Year 9 graduate.”

Eventually she landed a foot in the finance sector with a number of banks and the NSW Treasury Office before she settled in City of Greater Dandenong.

“I always wanted to not just show my kids but anyone that if you’re prepared to put the work and effort in, at 56 you can do a course, start a whole new career in a very good position. There’s nothing that can stop you.

“I had no experience in legal, and my business background attracted my Judge to appoint me in the role.

Holmesglen Institute Educational Manager, Suzie Zarris said Diploma of Justice students were presented with opportunities to attend industry events and seminars and engage in volunteer work to help network and build connections.

“Blending theory with practice brings the workplace experience to students while making their learning experience dynamic and exciting.

“We also call on the expertise of real people working in the real world by integrating law enforcement and legal guest speakers, mock court performances and simulated workplace scenarios to help students fully understand what the job will entail.”

Holmesglen also provides the unique chance for students to engage in the Victoria Police Role Player Program that gives them valuable insight into the justice system.

The Diploma provides insights into law enforcement, courts, corrections, and legal systems to unlock various job roles within the justice field.

Casey City Council postal election

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.

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

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

Jodie Daniel had a profession makeover and landed the first job she applied for in 30 years as an Associate for a County Court Judge.

Help celebrate the opening of Hilltop Reserve extension

Join us on Sunday 27 October to officially open the extension to Hilltop Reserve, and National Grandparents Day!

Enjoy free:

• Smoking Ceremony

• Sausage Sizzle

• Coffee & Ice Cream

• Face Painting

• Bouncy Castle

A free family event with activities for the young and the young at heart – face painting, ice creams and a bouncy castle, a sausage sizzle and a barista coffee cart.

Celebrate the opening of Hilltop Reserve extension

Sunday 27 October, 12.00pm - 1.30pm

Optional gold coin donations on site, fundraising for a charity close to our resident’s hearts – Backpacks for Vic Kids. An Australian charity providing essential material aid to displaced children.

As part of the development of the Summerset Cranbourne North Retirement Village we are gifting back to the community a redesigned and fully landscaped extension to the Hilltop Reserve. This extension will be officially opened by local representatives, complete with a traditional smoking ceremony.

Our friendly team will be there also to show you around our stunning show homes* and give you a taste of the Summerset life our residents love.

Love the life you choose.

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

Sweet victory at the show

By Ethan Benedicto

A big-name award always tastes as sweet as it comes, especially if it involves three first places and one second at the Royal Melbourne Show’s cake decorating competitions.

Anita Laskovsky, a Clyde North resident entered not one, but four cakes into the cake decorating competitions which saw her win the Most Successful Exhibitor Award.

To Anita, the whole experience felt “unrealeven now just sitting here, I just can’t believe it”.

“You know from 10 years ago when I first started getting into cake decorating, and when I first entered competitions I would get awards like highly recommended or just get told well done.

“Looking back at that and to actually you know, come first and win, it’s amazing,” she said.

The four cakes Anita submitted were a clear display of her skill, her attention to detail, and her proficiency in decor.

The piece that garnered the most attention was her roast dinner; complete with a whole chook, collared greens, carrots, potatoes, corn, peas and tomatoes, all pieced together like the perfect Sunday roast - except it’s cake.

Another piece was a baby Grinch, sitting down with a smaller cake in between its legs, covered in snow dust and with a little snowman for company.

Anita developed her love for patisserie after bingeing on cooking shows during the floods in Brisbane in 2011 and 2012, and after indulging in a series of cake shows, she realised that not only herself, but her children would love it too.

The competition wasn’t her first, and having been a hairdresser in her home city, Anita has always been good with her hands, however, she considers herself more of a decorator than a baker.

“I gave up hairdressing and decided to make some cakes, I loved it, family and friends loved it and I sort of had a little bit of business going - and then we decided to move to Melbourne,” Anita said.

It was here that she decided to enrol in Chisholm’s patisserie certificate three course in order to formalise her qualifications as a cake decorator, a crucial step in which Anita recalled led her to where she is now.

“That was when I decided to enrol and learn, to do something more on the patisserie side and of course the baking side,” she said.

“It was a chance for me to ‘advance my cakes’ and such and I absolutely loved it.

“And now, I love being able to teach people, because as I said I was self-employed and selftaught, so it’s my passion that I have that I want other people out there to be able to go, ‘you know what, I can do this as well’.”

Currently, Anita runs a cake-decorating business, called Whisk Takers in Lynbrook, a play on the popular term and an ode to her switch in careers even through her middle ages.

That, in itself, has been a place for her to grow, where she learned more about pastries and also

expanded her own skillset.

Anita’s results at the Show are as follows:

■ First - ‘Is That Cake?’ Category

■ First - ‘Novelty Christmas Theme’ CategoryBaby Grinch

■ First - ‘Innovation Cakes’ Too Cute CategorySunflower Piggy

■ Second - ‘Creative Challenge, Dolly Verden’ Category

Taking her inspiration from all aspects of life, from YouTube to everyday things, Anita recalled the first take on a realistic patisserie she made,

which was a lettuce made from wafer paper and other materials.

Taking it back to her current pieces, it’s not uncommon for Anita to tell others first what they see, such as the chicken, but then “I’ll say it’s a cake and they’ll be like, whoa”.

“I made the roast and everything, put it on the dinner table and I said, it’s time for dinner but then when I told them it was cake they were all shocked!

“So it’s about that you know, trying new things, expanding, I love trying new and different things and push the boundaries a little bit,” she said.

Assessment and Referral Court opens in Dandenong

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A specialist court which has successfully reformed offenders with complex mental health issues and disabilities has been launched at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.

The Assessment and Referral Court (ARC) delivers a therapeutic brand of justice.

It has been running successfully at three courts in Victoria, resulting in reduced rates of offending.

The ARC’s supervising magistrate Ros Porter says the evidence-based approach tackles the factors underlying offending.

“One of its key aims is to provide better outcomes for individuals. But it means that we also enhance community safety.

“It’s worth noting that there’s many people who come before the court who’ve had very poor access to mental health services, and for some people coming before the court it’s the first time for them to access mental health treatment.

“Being before the (ARC) is often a very significant catalyst for us to assist individuals to get the intensive intervention that they need.”

Under ARC, the offender’s sentence is effectively deferred until the end of an intensive treatment and support program.

They are offered up to 12 months of improved access to mental health treatment and support services as well as regular court hearings and case management.

Many of the participants are linked into the National Disability Insurance Scheme as well as medical treatment, housing support and drug and alcohol treatment.

It can achieve a real turnaround in life, such as in the case of Brad (not his real name) who was charged with aggravated burglary, theft and attempted fraud.

As part of ARC, he was assessed as having an acquired brain injury (ABI) and needing support for alcohol abuse, grief and loss, and problem gambling.

It led to him being formally diagnosed with an ABI, and being referred to housing support,

gambling help and drug and alcohol and mental health services.

After his involvement in ARC, he reconnected with family, did vocational training and gained part-time work. He did not reoffend.

Magistrate Porter says often ARC offenders have a very traumatic background.

“As a part of coming into ARC, we work through what the individuals’ issues are.

“And individuals identify very readily what

the most important things are for them to change.”

They build strong relationships with the ARC’s multidisciplinary team.

There are monthly meetings with the same magistrate and weekly appointments with the same case manager who organises services and supports.

The ARC also has dedicated police prosecutors.

The participants are given clear goals – such as for a parent who wants to reduce drug use and achieve more stable mental health so their children are returned to their care, Magistrate Porter says.

Others gain employment, lead more prosocial lives, have better relationships with families, reduced family violence and reduced reoffending.

The Royal Commission into Victoria’s mental health system recommended expanding the ARC to all headquarter courts.

Dandenong is the fourth court to introduce ARC, followed by another five sites.

Outside of Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, Dandenong will be the only court to have all specialist courts including the Drug Court, Koori Court and family violence courts.

This allows offenders to be transferred to the most suitable court option to get the right intervention.

“The predominant issue (at ARC) is the underlying mental health concern,” Magistrate Porter says.

“It’s part of them taking responsibility for the underlying causes of their offending, with the appropriate support.”

The Dandenong ARC team of Alysha McFadzean, magistrate Jacinta Studham, Kristen Ayres, Hollie Le Brun and Kristy Taylor. (Stewart Chambers: 436733)

Anita with her cakes and their ribbons, from left to right: Sunflower Piggy, Is That Cake? Rotisserie Chicken, Dolly Varden and Baby Grinch. (Supplied)

NEWS Festival amazes Lynbrook

Lynbrook Resident Association’s Lantern Festival stunned the Banjo Paterson Reserve on Saturday 12 October.

More than 5000 locals attended the festival and filled the night with vibrant community spirit and joy.

The festival introduced an LED Chinese Dragon for the first time in years.

“Without their dedicated group of volunteers, we couldn’t have brought you the magic we did,” a spokesperson of the association said.

“This event is truly a community effort, driven by our passion to create a vibrant, welcoming space for all to enjoy. Thank you to everyone who joined us and celebrated our wonderful community.

“We’re grateful for the perfect weather and an unforgettable day of joy, laughter, and connection!

“We look forward to seeing you all next Lantern – here’s to an even bigger, brighter event for families and friends to enjoy together!”

Cooking up meals for Dandenong Hospital heroes

A church ‘Rapid Relief Team’ has cooked up more than 800 meals for nurses and staff at Dandenong Hospital.

Fifteen volunteers from the Berwick-based RRT served a lunch of burgers, sausage sandwiches, chicken wraps and bottled water on Thursday 3 October.

The team leader Simon Mauger said it was a gesture to give back to the hospital’s “everyday heroes”.

“We want to give back to those who give us so much, why is we were only too happy to fire up the grill. It was great to see there were plenty of hungry hospital staff with more than 800 meals served up.

“I know our team got such a kick out of not only talking to the nurses and hospital staff but seeing the smiles on their faces.”

Bruce MP Julian Hill and Greater Dandenong incumbent councillor and mayor Lana Formoso were on hand.

RRT is a charitable arm of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.

Established in 2013, It provides food, donations and other resources for frontline workers and emergency services, as well as hosting charity events and donating to the community.

RRT team leader Simon Mauger and Bruce MP Julian Hill at the RRT’s free BBQ for Dandenong Hospital workers.

The RRT provided hearty burgers for Dandenong Hospital staff. (Supplied)

Bubble Wrangler. (Rob Carew: 434595)

“Mermaid Tarielle” was very popular with Children who had their picture taken with her.

Beautiful weather.

Golden light as the sun goes down.

Spring Spectacular

Join us as we celebrate the launch of our brand-new park and display village, with a jam-packed afternoon of free food and entertainment for the whole family!

Sunday, 20 October 2024 2pm - 4pm

Averley Sales & Information Centre, 55 Apsley Parkway, Nar Nar Goon North

Face painting l Balloon twisting Giant games l Ice-cream & sweet treats*

Sausage sizzle# l Coffee cart* l Giveaways with Nova

VOUCHERS

TO BE WON:

$250 Gumbuya World

$150 Cannibal Creek Vineyard

$100 Robert Gordon

Pick up your Visit, Stamp & Win^ card from our Welcome Station.

Scan for more event

THE LOWDOWN

Q&A

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

Not necessarily a fun fact, but I do believe in giving back to the community, that’s always been part of my life.

What do you love most about your job?

As a volunteer, helping others and bringing joy to seniors.

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

A Golden Retriever, that was my last dog.

What is your most memorable moment the last few years?

Having my daughter return from living in London and seeing the grandchildren.

What were you like as a kid?

Nerdy and studious, I was always a hard worker, and became a school teacher.

What event, past or present, would you like to witness?

Any Eric Bogle concerts.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Hardworking, dedicated and loyal.

What would you do on your perfect “day off“?

I would read or do crafts.

Where is your happy place?

Sitting outside a caravan, in the sunshine beside a river.

If you had to compete in MasterChef what dish would you cook?

I would probably just go with a stir fry or a lasagne.

Where is your dream holiday destination? It’s on my bucket list, so the Rocky Mountains in Canada, I would love to go on a train trip through there.

with Chris Trimnell

THREE … ways to mark Pink Ribbon Day

With Pink Ribbon Day approaching on 18 October, here are three ways you can commemorate and take part in pushing for awareness to breast cancer.

1

Wearing pink and spreading awareness is one of the more accessible ways to take part of delivering the day’s message; wearing a pink ribbon or a pink top can show solidarity with breast cancer survivors and patients and you can also share information on prevention, early detection and treatment on social media.

2

Donating to charities is another way to take part, where money towards the Breast Cancer Foundation or Cancer Council Australia supports vital research, patient care and advocacy efforts

3

Fundraising or organising a pink event - or taking part in them - is also another way to contribute, where you can involve the wider community in taking part through activities such brunch, teas or charity walks can both raise money and awareness to the cause.

U3A Casey president Chris Trimnell. (Stewart Chambers: 437235)

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Program makes a splash

The first participants of a new swimming program are ready to splish and splash after graduating from the pilot born in Cardinia to save lives in the water.

Sixteen men and seventeen women have been recognised for completing the new Safely Engaging with Water pilot program, created to prevent drownings in multicultural communities.

The program goes over 10 weeks of swimming lessons and water safety education to help keep participants, their friends and their loved ones safe in the water.

A partnership of the Sikh community’s Officer Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar (SGND), recreation operator Aligned Leisure and Life Saving Victoria (LSV), the program started earlier this year in response to the over-representation of multicultural communities in drowning deaths.

The pilot has garnered resounding interest with a current wait list of more than 60 people wanting to take part.

The first batch of graduates was congratulated on Saturday 12 October before an audience at SGND in Officer which included Federal Bruce MP and Assistant Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill and State Pakenham MP Emma Vulin.

Active community member and an academic at Federation University who instigated the program, Dr Harpreet Singh Kandra said the new graduates had shown great dedication and courage.

Of the 37 participants who started, 33 have graduated - demonstrating a commitment to

making drownings a history.

“This group of men and women has worked hard and challenged themselves to build their water safety abilities and knowledge,” Dr Kandra said.

“We are so proud of them and what they’ve achieved. They will now be role models and leaders in our community who will help spread the word on water safety.

“I also hope this program shows the way forward to improving water safety for multicultural communities across Victoria and Australia.”

Dr Kandra mentioned that this pilot initiative is being appreciated Statewide and more centres in Caroline Springs, Casey and Dandenong are signing up to run the program.

LSV Strategic Adviser - Diversity and Inclusion Community Outreach David Holland said role models were an integral part of empowering multicultural communities to safely enjoy the water.

“This program gives participants vital water safety skills and equips them to lead by example in their community to drive home the importance of water safety,” Mr Holland said.

Thanks were also given to all others who attended including Federal Holt MP Cassandra Fernando, Southeastern Metro MPs Lee Tarlamis and Michael Galea, Cardinia Shire Mayor Jack Kowarzik and Chairperson for the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Viv Nguyen.

For further information, please contact Harpreet Singh on 0447 028 688 or info@sgnd. com.au

Ramzi Hussaini and Harpreet Kandra.

David Holland (LSV Strategic Advisor) with Umang Mehta.

Paula Smith (Head of Swim School Aligned Leisure Pakenham).

Anant Bhatia with his swimming certificate. Tony Fitzgerald and Shirley Hynes.Julian Hill MP with Jaswinder Kaur.

James Waterson (LSC Vic Police), Ramzi Hussaini (LSV Coordinator) and David Holland (LSV Strategic Advisor). (Stewart Chambers: 435493)

Emma Vulin MP and Cassandra Fernando MP handing out swimming certificates.

Neetu Neetu and Cardinia Mayor Jack Kowarzik.

Clover Cottage for sale

By Ethan Benedicto

Luck is in the air for a beloved local attraction, back on the market as development for the roughly 3-hectare plot of land remains uncertain.

Clover Cottage was a popular local attraction for its intricate infrastructure, historical contribution, beautiful gardens and iconic restaurant, aspects that the locale built a strong connection with through the establishment’s comfort and ambience.

However, a recent dispute between Parklea Berwick Pty Ltd and the City of Casey came to a head at VCAT on 28 March 2024, where ultimately no development plan was decided or approved for the 18 hectares between 42-80 Manuka Road after drafts from both parties failed to meet requirements for the Casey Planning Scheme, specifically DP204.

Considering a key part of the scheme that governs land use and development in Casey was not met, locals have expressed that while the waters are stagnant, retention of the cottage’s heritage is crucial, from its architecture to its aura as a significant historical piece of Berwick.

Volunteers and avid historical enthusiasts from the Berwick Mechanics Institute and Free Library said that they would love to see the place maintained, and wouldn’t be too upset either if it resumed operations.

Corinne Brewis, one of the library’s history gurus said that “since we’re an old library here in Berwick, with interest in the locale’s history, we’d be interested in [the cottage’s] retainment”.

“There is a heritage overlay cottage right next to it, and it would be good for that to be preserved.”

Previously in 2021, former minster for planning Richard Wynne approved Amendment C321 to the Casey Planning Scheme, which allowed parts of the land between 42-80 Manuka Road, Berwick, to be transformed into residential dwellings.

This meant that these plots of land which re-

tain a substantial amount of local history, having been changed from a “farming zone” to a “neighbourhood residential zone”; this also meant an update to the heritage overlay of the site.

Keeping the place alive is important, with Judith Dwyer saying that “there’s nothing like that in Berwick now”.

“Well, we haven’t gone to the place in a while but I’d like to keep it as it is,” she said.

Returning to the most recent VCAT case between Parklea and Casey, an original draft of a development plan from Parklea was approved in May 2023 after being modified by the City of Casey.

Parklea then disputed these amendments, which included tree retention, drainage schemes, road layouts, bushfire management and other factors in the site’s development; they, once more, submitted their preferred version of the plan in October of that year.

Casey Council also submitted their own draft the following month in November, and ultimately, both Parklea’s and Casey’s revised drafts were overturned by VCAT.

Audrey Dodson, secretary of the Berwick Pakenham Historical Society, who was a frequent visitor of the cottage when it hummed with life said that she would like it to remain “as is”.

“I would like it to remain as it is, as a restaurant, as a place for people to enjoy meals and see the gardens, it would be a pity if it were cut up.

“I enjoyed the ambience of the place, it would be a pity to lose something like that because I don’t know of any such other in the area,” she said.

When asked as to why such great levels of care should be taken considering the place, her answer was simple, where she said “well it’s part of our past, isn’t it? We would like to preserve that.”

Since no development plan has been approved, both Parklea and Casey Council will need to undergo further revisions and negotiations before any residential development can proceed for that stretch of land.

As it stands, many criteria need to be met, with both parties needing to tackle strict environmental and heritage controls, which means time for those considering a hefty purchase of a historical relic.

10am on Sunday 20th October 2024

The entrance to Clover Cottage in 2021, when a development plan was announced for 42-80 Manuka Road. (Stewart Chambers: 239886)

An overview of the stretch of development land from 42-80 Manuka Road, Berwick, which is still in limbo following the most recent VCAT case.

Major milestone birthdays

Cranbourne East’s Homestyle Aged Care Langford Grange has had big celebrations for the past week.

Two residents celebrated the big milestones of turning 105 and 100.

John McLeish celebrated his 105th birthday on 10 October.

John grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, started his apprenticeship in painting, which took six years to finish, and then worked as a sign writer. He migrated to Australia in 1951 aged 31 with his family, where he worked as a sign writer and then had his own business shop for wallpaper and paint, before being a hotel keeper in the City of Melbourne.

John is married and has six children and eight grandchildren. He goes line dancing each

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Ian Wood

Quarters Ward Casey Council Elections

Wednesday with his daughter and enjoys having a good sing-along and a nice glass of wine.

On Monday 14 October, another resident Merle Crowther celebrated her 100th birthday.

Merle said she was feeling overwhelmed, receiving a letter from the King, as she received a letter from the late Queen Elizabeth II for her golden wedding anniversary.

Merle was born in Deniliquin, New South Wales, where she grew up then worked for William Wills before marrying and having four children and with 12 grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren.

She enjoys having games of bingo and hoy while attending the entertainment where she will be seen tapping her feet to the music.

Decade of excellence

Sri Lanka women’s magazine Aalokaa celebrated its tenth anniversary on Saturday 5 October with awards to 11 women of Sri Lankan origin living in Australia who have excelled in their fields.

Special guests included La Trobe MP Jason Wood and Holt MP Cassandra Fernando.

Ms Fernando also received an award for leadership for her devotion to her community and commitment to advocating for essential workers.

Other award receipts are Mangala Kalansuriya (artist), Swarnakanthi Rajapakse (author), Udumbara Ratnatunga (dancing), Yasodhara Saratchchandra (drama and performing arts), Nirosha Ranawaka (entrepreneur), Dilrukshi Wijesuriya (journalist), Hiru Manorathna and Imasha Nayomi (singer), Vineetha Wijesuriya (sports, special awards), Mihiri Dissanayaka (social service and outstanding female), Vathsala Ishtaweera (special awards), and Jayasinghe and Shyma Fernando (merits).

John McLeish celebrated his 105-year-old birthday on 10 October. (Supplied)On

Monday 14 October, resident Merle Crowther celebrated her 100th birthday. (Supplied)

Dr Vineetha Wijesuriya receives an award for Best Female Sports. (431371)

Swarnakanthi Rajapakse receives an award for Best Female Author from La Trobe MP Jason Wood and Dr Vineetha Wijesuriya (right). (431371)

Mihiri Dissanayake (right) received an award for Most Outstanding Female from Holt MP Cassandra Fernando (middle) and Dr Vineetha Wijesuriya (right). (431371)

A century to remember

By Ava Cashmore

John Featherstone blew out his 100th-birthday candles on Monday 7 October.

His century of life was celebrated surrounded by his many loving family members including his daughter, four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

“All the family members were so pleased to be able to share this amazing milestone in John’s life,” said Ann Laws, John’s daughter.

John Featherstone was born in Shoreditch, London in October 1924. John served in the RAF during WW2 in France and later Germany, and married his wife Betty in 1947. In 1948 his daughter Ann was born, and his son, John, in 1952.

In 1964 John and his family migrated to Australia. With the arrival of his first grandchildren in 1975 John and Betty decided to move to Berwick to be closer to their family.

He worked at Coates Hire in Dandenong until his retirement. John loved nothing better than working in his garden. His grandchildren, and later great grandchildren, would happily follow him around the garden “helping”, said Ann.

He has four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. All of them call him by the formal name “Grandfather”, which was started by his first grandchild, and stuck as the family grew.

John’s wife passed away in 2013 and he has since moved to Melville Grange Hostel.

John received congratulatory letters from King Charles and Queen Camilla, The Governor General, The Prime Minister, The Leader of the Opposition, The Governor of Victoria, La Trobe Federal MP Jason Wood and Berwick State MP Brad Battin.

His favourite musicians are Glenn Miller and singer Frank Sinatra.

John’s secret to living a long life is to have a happy and loving family. He advises younger generations to make sure that they have a good education.

Great great grandson Eamon helps John Featherstone blow out the candles on John’s 100th birthday cake. (Stewart Chambers: 434050)

Great great granddaughter Cora leads the charge Hip Hip Hooray for John Featherstone on his 100th birthday. (Stewart Chambers: 434050)

John Featherstone and his daughter Ann Laws (Stewart Chambers: 434050)

WHAT’S ON

St Andrews Uniting Church Fete

St Andrews Uniting Church Berwick is holding a fete for locals on Saturday 19 October.

A perfect time as the weather is turning warm to enjoy fun in the sun, the day will include many local stalls, providing baked goods, books, crafts, collectibles and much more.

There will be various catering on the day including a sausage sizzle.

· Held at St Andrews Uniting Church Berwick, 105 High Street Berwick from 9am to 2pm on Saturday 19 October.

Berwick Antique and Collectible Fair

The Berwick Antique and Collectible Fair is back and set to take place on Sunday 20 October at the Berwick Leisure Centre.

The one-day event will run from 9am to 4pm, offering visitors the chance to explore more than 40 stalls filled with rare antiques, unique collectibles, and vintage treasures.

All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Knox Nocturnals Youth Program, a vital initiative that provides support and social inclusion for vulnerable young people in the Knox area. Entry is $5 for adults, with children under 16 free.

· For more information, contact Stephen Palamara on 0419 004 125 or info@berwickantiquefair.com.au

Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club

Not a member? Doesn’t matter, come along and join the fun.

Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club meets weekly for a range of different events, including bus trips, community days, games, coffee and chat, bingo, dancing and carpet bowls.

Weekly activity times - Line Dancing Mon.10am12pm, New Vogue and Old Time Dance Tue. 1pm3:30pm, Carpet Bowls Wed. & Sat. 11:30am2:30pm, Bingo Thur. 11am-2pm.

For all enquiries or bookings contact Marilyn mobile 0432 107 590.

· Find us on facebook https://www.facebook. com/groups/487808127399953

U3A Cranbourne

This week U3A is having it’s open day. We are inviting neighbours, friends and interested people to visit us to see what we do at U3A Cranbourne. We are a friendly group for Over 50’s. Our classes

include Art, Calligraphy, Patchwork and Sewing , Knitting, Chess, Scrabble, Italian, Quilling, Ukulele and Guitar, Singing, Parchment Craft, Table Tennis, Card Making and Books. New groups that will be starting soon are gardening and resin craft. We also have Line Dancing and Social Ballroom dancing, these are held at Casey Basketball Stadium. Lots of our Art work is on display. Come and see what our talented members have produced. U3A Cranbourne is supported by Casey Council. A membership fee of $50 per year is all you pay for as many classes as you wish. Our open day is on Friday 18th October 10am till 1pm. Come and have a coffee with our members at 20-22 Bowen Street, Cranbourne.

· Find out more at our Website www.u3acranbourne.org.au or call 0493991919.

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 oneto-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.

Berwick Springs VIEW Club

Affiliated with The Smith Family, the Berwick Springs VIEW Club is a not-for-profit organisation, with the aim to fundraise to support Learning for Life students.

The club currently supports 10 students of varying ages with their education expenses.

The club meets on the first Monday of each month in the Berwick Springs Hotel function room from 11.15am, where members enjoy lunch and then host a guest speaker.

Throughout the year, the club has a couple of special fundraisers, as well as casual morning tea and lunch for interested ladies.

The club is always looking for new members in all age groups.

· For more information, contact Shirley on 0438 191 759 or email berwicksprings.viewclub@ gmail.com

Probus Club of Casey Combined Meetings finish at noon when many of our members assemble for lunch at one of the local cafes.

The club meets at the Old Cheese Factory at 9.45am on the second Tuesday of each month.

BADFolk Club

Berwick and District Folk Club meets on the third Friday of each month.

Doors open at 6.30pm, with the music running from 7pm to 10pm with entry $15.

· For more information, visit badfolkclub.org or contact Edward on 0418 535 264.

Star News Group seeks an enthusiastic sales executive to work across our print, digital,

Star News Group is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future.

The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to

Sales skills/experience:

• Ability to maintain existing professional relationships and to create new ones

• Ability to meet defined sales and activity targets

• Excellent listening skills

• Accuracy and attention to detail

• Effective time management to meet deadlines

• Ability to operate in a team

• Demonstrates initiative and flexibility

• Effective oral and written communication

Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.

The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.

Send your application letter and resume to:

Advertising Sales Manager Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au

200 for ‘Clinka’ at Eagles

By Marcus Uhe

Clinton Ayres and the Cranbourne Cricket Club will forever be linked.

Ayres is considered a great Clubman at Cranbourne; someone always willing to go the extra mile and do the often unwanted tasks, a person that every organisation needs to hold them together.

For as much as he has given the club, however - 200 senior games, committee service, captaincy duties, coaching tenures, premiership successthe club may have provided more in return.

While at Cranbourne, Ayres met his wife, Megan - the daughter of club legend, Murray Pratt - created life-long friendships with the likes of Cam Kelly, Matt Moore, Chris George and Steve Miller, and discovered a passion for coaching junior cricketers.

Taking to it naturally, his first season saw him steward his team to the brink of premiership glory, before taking an even stronger vested interest when his nephew, Sahin, first began to ply his trade as a junior.

“I coached him from U13s through to 17s and now he’s got a passion for coaching too,” Ayres said.

“When my youngest nephew played, Sahin and I coached together.

“We had a team that had two kids that could bowl properly and the rest pretty much threw the ball.

“By the end of the year, all the kids bowled properly and one of the other coaches commented ‘it’s amazing what you’ve done with these kids’.

“That positive sort of thing when you see those kids is the real joy of coaching juniors.”

The now 45-year-old played his 200th game for the Eagles on Saturday, typically tidy behind the stumps and finishing as the last man standing with the bat.

There were signs and artwork around the ground celebrating his milestone, with members of his family making the trip to honour the muchloved ‘Clinka’, and his wife and daughter donning playing replica Ayres playing shirts.

Many of those he’s coached over the years have become teammates in some capacity during Ayres’ near 20 years at Cranbourne, returning to Melbourne and joining the club after a stint in Queensland when he joined the Armed Forces in his 20s.

There’s not much he hasn’t done during his time at the Eagles, becoming just the eighth player to reach the 200 game milestone and citing the Turf 3 premiership back in 2010/11 as one of his major highlights.

His father-in-law currently holds the record for senior games played at Cranbourne with 454 caps, having begun his senior career as a teenager - giving him a massive head start over his future son-in-law.

Ayres laughed when asked if Pratt’s record was in his sights, and despite his daughter Grace being just three-years-old, she already forms part of his goals for the future.

“I know my daughter’s only three but that would be a goal, to play a game of cricket with her

if she does play cricket,” he said.

“I know it’s a long way down the track but it’s in the back of your mind.

“She loves going to the cricket club; the people there, she’s only three but the guys there all say hello to her and play with her.

“Wicketkeeping, if I want to keep playing, is probably one of the first things I’d have to stop doing.

“I’d like to play as long as I can.”

HSD sends T2 statement as new Eagles captain rocks

By Marcus Uhe

What shaped as a potential grand final preview in the Dandenong District Cricket Association’s Turf 2 competition on Saturday proved to be a one-sided contest, thanks to an excellent bowling performance from HSD against Parkfield.

A rematch of last summer’s preliminary final in which Parkfield emerged victorious, HSD turned the tables to record a comfortable sixwicket win at Casey Fields, easily chasing the Bandits’ total of 151 in the 36th over.

A defiant seventh-wicket partnership from Steve Cannon and Sanjay Kahawatte dug the Bandits out of trouble with the bat, having slumped to 7/94 in the 31st over.

An even spread of contributors with the ball helped to curtail the Bandits’ batting card, with the wickets shared between Triyan De Silva, Ryan Patterson and Jawed Hussaini, while those who did not claim a scalp were effective in keeping the scoring rate down.

De Silva picked up where he left off from last summer by removing the opening pair of Nathanial Cramer for 12 and Dishan Malalasekera for four, with Patterson grabbing the dangerous Riley Payne for four also, ripping the heart out of Parkfield’s top order.

Prized recruit Sahan Jayawardana offered the most resistance with the bat, hitting 36 off 59, but wickets fell around him and restricted their ability to build partnerships.

Cannon and Kahawatte’s 57 runs for the seventh wicket added respectability to the scorecard, while on the bowling front, HSD recruit Hussaini offered the desired impact with the ball, taking 3/23 from his 12 overs.

HSD experienced a minor wobble in the chase but in truth, never looked considerably troubled.

Left-arm quick Jayawardana showed in part

why he was so sought-after in Turf 2 by removing the dangerous Zahoor Sarwari in his opening over, and the wickets of Brent Patterson (18), Mackenzie Gardner (32) and De Silva (13) gave Parkfield glimmers of hope, but the Cobras escaped danger by reaching the target in the 36th over.

Hussaini and Anuda Akmeemana added 75 for the fifth wicket to complete the endeavour as HSD staked their claim as one of the teams to beat this summer.

Life in Turf 2 begun in stunning fashion for Coomoora with a thrilling final over win over Lyndale at home.

With just four deliveries remaining in Saturday’s play, a pair of Roos debutants in Sam Wetering and Jackson Noske guided the Turf 3 premiers home in a cliff-hanger at Coomoora Reserve.

The third of Coomoora’s debutants on Saturday, in Jarrod Munday, was instrumental in anchoring the chase of Lyndale’s 189, top-scoring

with 48 in the middle order, without any boundaries.

He added 80 for the third wicket in an important partnership with Joel Robertson, but his run out and Dean Krelle’s dismissal with the score on 155 threatened to unravel the innings.

Munday and captain Liam Hard departed in quick succession shortly after to make it a collapse of 4/24, but the pair of ex-Premier cricketers provided the calm heads when required to guide the Roos home.

At Cranbourne, the Eagles’ boom recruit at the top of the order made an instant impact, with new captain-coach Harrison Carlyon showcasing his all-round talent in the Eagles’ opening game of the year against St Mary’s.

Carlyon’s 73 off just 58 balls, featuring nine fours and a six, got his new side off to an excellent start, helping them to post 233 in 44 overs before his 12 overs of spin netted him 1/30 as the Saints reached just 159.

The Jersey international was the clear standout for Cranbourne with the bat, with fellow debutant Mohit Bisht adding a brisk 42.

With the ball, the Eagles took regular wickets to wrap the Saints’ innings up in the final over for just 159.

47 from Junaid Kari and 35 from former Merinda Park batter Rumesh Ranasinghe were the shining lights with the bat for St Mary’s, but seven batters dismissed for single-figure scores made chasing the total extremely difficult.

Tim Fathers and Martin Kelly each took three wickets for Cranbourne at miserly economy rates to keep the pressure on.

Parkmore, meanwhile, began life under Niranjan Kumar’s dual leadership roles with sixwicket win over Narre Warren.

The Pirates pillaged the Magpies for 133, completing the chase in the 31st over.

Mackenzie Gardner nails a drive for HSD against Parkfield. (Rob Carew: 436983)

Milestone man Clinton Ayres with daughter, Grace, and wife, Megan celebrating his 200th game at Cranbourne. (Supplied)

Grace Ayres celebrate’s her dad’s 200th game.

Cranbourne Meadows and Emerald finish all tied-up!

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Emerald has pulled off a stirring comeback in a dramatic tie with Cranbourne Meadows during round 2 of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA) District competition.

Chasing 208 for victory, Cranbourne Meadows’ batting was typically turbulent.

After reaching 2/114 inside 17 overs, the hosts then collapsed as Lawson Cocks and Trent Rolfs dried up the run rate before off-spinner Harry Closter and seam-bowler Ethan Crosher did the damage late.

The pair bowled in tandem for the last 16 overs of the innings, combining for six wickets.

Crosher bowled the 39th over, with Cranbourne Meadows needing five runs to win.

Mandhiraj Singh smashed a straight drive for four to start the over before looking to hit one through the legside infield, but managing only an edge which was caught by Michael Hoban at fly-slip.

That was the ninth wicket to fall, with Agyapal Sidhu only available for the first innings of the match, leaving the Cranbourne Meadows line-up one short.

“It was a bit hollow knowing we had tied the game but it was a great fightback,” said Emerald’s Michael Nell.

“We bowled to try to test their patience and have learned from playing them over the last few years that (they’re attacking), we just have to go in with a plan to combat the way they go about it.

“Just before the drinks break we brought everyone in and said ‘listen, let’s go, let’s fight this at the death, we know we can get a clump of wickets

in a hurry, just keep testing them.’

“Wickets started coming our way and belief started getting bigger and bigger as each wicket passed.

“We felt we weren’t far away early on and a few

Strang delivers in B-Grade

By Jonty Ralphsmith

With the first full round of Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA) action in the books on a perfect day for cricket in South East Melbourne, here is a reflection on some of the lower grades highlights.

A-Grade

Kooweerup scored at more than six an over against Devon Meadows, with half centuries to John Bright, Matt Davey and Chris O’Hara guiding the Demons to 6/263, which won by 117 runs.

At Merinda Park, Onkar Uppal, Arun Sharma and Kanwaljit Handa bowled the hosts out for just 83 en-route to a seven-wicket victory. Elsewhere, Tooradin proved far too strong for Pakenham, winning by five wickets and Tyson Browne’s half-century led Cardinia to a 102-run win over Clyde.

B-Grade

Robert Strang put on a clinic with the ball for Officer, guiding the Bullants to a routing of Pakenham Upper Toomuc.

Strang was brought on in the 10th over after the hosts had seen off the new ball unscathed, and ripped through the Yabbies’ top and middle-order.

From his last 20 balls, the first change bowler claimed five wickets to finish with 5/12 off 5.1 overs, giving Officer a reasonably comprehensive five-wicket win.

Meanwhile, Tooradin took apart Clyde, comfortably chasing 8-110 in a nine-wicket win, Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll defeated Pakenham by 45 runs and Emerald beat Upper Beaconsfield by three wickets.

C-Grade

An unbeaten 92 to Merinda Park’s Paul Wiles was the highlight of C-Grade as the Cobras timed their chase of Melbourne Sixers’ 9-192 to perfection, winning in the last over.

Alongside Wiles, Craig Robertson finished unbeaten on 65, the pair putting on 166 in a match-winning second-wicket partnership.

Devon Meadows was similarly dominant in chasing down Officer’s 5-114, Kooweerup defeated Kerala Strikers by 25 runs and Carl-

Robert Strang was excellent for Officer. (Stewart Chambers: 372556)

isle Park smashed Cardinia by 134 runs.

D-Grade

Dene North led Pakenham to a sevenwicket victory over Emerald.

North was explosive opening the batting, smashing 14 boundaries in his knock of 74 off 68, as the Lions chased down Emerald’s 5-183 with an over to spare.

Lakhvir Sekhon was similarly destructive for Emerald, looking on track for a century, having clattered four maximums at a strike rate better than 120 before holing out for 68.

Elsewhere, the Marygoons got up by five wickets against Merinda Park, Kerala outplayed Officer by 92 runs and Pakenham Upper Toomuc defeated Kooweerup by five wickets.

E-Grade

A half-century to Ben Monckton helped Cardinia ease past Carlisle Park by five wickets, Theekshana Gayasha’s 84 guided Melbourne Sixers to a 20-run win over Officer, while Devon Meadows and Clyde defeated Pakenham Upper Toomuc and Merinda Park respectively.

quick wickets got us right in it.

“We held our chances, bowled to the plans we set so we knew we were a chance and it eventuated.”

Earlier, Nell anchored the batting innings with

97, helping his team reach a total which it believed at the halfway mark to be “about 20 short”. He took the shine off the new ball with Ethan Crosher, stabilised after two quick wickets, used the pockets of space at the big Lawson Poole Reserve to turn the strike over with Hoban (25) and Rolfs (40) before accelerating at the back-end.

The club hopes that the tie represents a significant step forward for them, after finishing last season with just three wins, the first of which didn’t come until the last round before the Christmas break.

“In preseason, we put a big emphasis on being a lot fitter so we could play out games a lot better and working on doing everything quality-wise rather than focusing on quantity,” Nell said.

“The professional standards have been raised in the last two years from where they were previously which (coach) Owen Thorne has built.

“There has been a junior development squad which has been integrating with the seniors in preseason.

“We want the club to develop young cricketers to be First XI cricketers and play higher cricket so that’s a philosophy we’re trying to set and standards have improved off the back of that

“We’ve put a fork in the road and said ‘this is the time we need to see results’ and we’re starting to see the reward for the effort that is being put in.”

Elsewhere, Lang Lang chased down Melbourne Sixers’ 218, Jaan Balasuriya bowled Carlisle Park to a 56-run win and Jonty Bennie led the way for Officer in its victory over Pakenham Upper Toomuc.

Swans bowlers restrict Rams

By Marcus Uhe

A tight bowling effort from Casey-South Melbourne has the Swans in a solid position at stumps on day one of its Premier Cricket Victoria contest against Ringwood at home.

Winning the toss and opting to bowl, CaseySouth Melbourne kept the Rams to 9/266 from the opening 90 overs in a rematch of last season’s preliminary final at the same venue.

The Swans took regular wickets throughout the day, halting the progress of any Ringwood partnerships before they could get off the ground.

The largest stand the Rams could offer was 63, for the sixth wicket, having begun at 5/129.

The prized wicket of veteran David King was

the first to fall, caught by Yash Pednekar in the ring off the bowling of Jackson Fry for just 22.

The interruption of rhythm due to the consistent falling of wickets meant no Rams batter could cash-in on their starts, with Oliver Horlock (66) and Jackson Freeman (52) the only two to pass 50.

The Rams will have the option of continuing to bat next week if they choose.

Jack Stevenson continues to impress at his new home, taking 2/30 from his 19 overs and bowling seven maidens to finish as the pick of the Swans’ bowling line up.

Daud Malik and Nathan Lambden also grabbed two wickets each, with Fry and Vinu Mohotty each adding one.

Jack Stevenson returned excellent figures in just his second contest for Casey-South Melbourne on Saturday. (Rob Carew: 436984)

Trent Rolfs turned the momentum during his spell of bowling. (Gary Sissons: 383147)

Seagull Craven a standout

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Tooradin workhorse Jesse Craven has won the Gippsland Power Boys Best and Fairest award following a consistent campaign in his side’s engine room.

Craven averaged 19 disposals across 14 matches in 2024, with his stoppage work and two-way running complementing first round draft prospect and Morrish Medallist Xavier Lindsay well.

The Seagulls local returned to Gippsland as an over-aged player in 2024, after managing just seven games last season, and four in 2022, as his school football commitments with Haileybury College took precedent.

After playing on the wing for Gippsland last year and juggling different game plans, establishing continuity in the midfield for the Power allowed him to thrive in 2024.

“I had a chat to the coaches before the season started and I wanted to go into the midfield and they said ‘we see you as a midfielder but let’s work on your running,’” Craven said.

“Throughout preseason and in-season I was looking to get my running to the highest possible standard to benefit the team and it improved heaps.

“The past few years, in that fourth quarter I would be coming off extremely tired and this year I’ve had that extra in the legs to help the team get over the line.”

In a league where significant focus is put on players using their offensive weapons, Craven played several critical roles around the footy to keep opposition playmakers accountable, helping the unheralded Power line-up claim several upsets throughout the year.

Most notably, he played on Dandenong cocaptain Harvey Langford three times in 2024, significantly limiting the top-three AFL draft pick contender’s influence in Dandenong’s Coates Talent League quarter-final victory.

“Coming up against some really good midfielders in the competition, my ability to win the

one-on-ones was definitely a key focus of mine,” Craven said.

“When we played Dandenong, I was going with Harvey Langford at all stoppages.

“It’s good to see where your own game is at against some of the best and he is definitely one I enjoyed playing on and throughout the year.

“Obviously he’s so strong and (he) definitely had me covered in the strength area, so body positioning in the midfield was something I tried to

focus on and attacking him rather than him leading me to the footy, so I tried to get my positioning right and hands on it first.”

The 176cm player’s trusty form for Gippsland led to a VFL berth for Casey late in 2024, having trained with the Demons throughout the year, providing an insight into the demands of state league footy.

While conceding there was a sense of hollowness that he was unable to ever enter draft discussion during his time at Gippsland, Craven is keen

to play the highest level he can, but hasn’t settled on a footy home for 2025.

As well as his game for Casey, Craven also got a taste of senior footy at Tooradin, playing eight games for the Seagulls across the past two years.

“I’ve been there my whole life and came through the senior ranks,” Craven said.

“It’s probably my favourite place to play footy, it’s such a good community, and everyone’s so connected.

“There’s such a family environment and having guys like (former AFL players) Adam Oxley and Matt Buntine to help me improve is awesome.”

Following his VFL debut, ‘Gulls coach Jordan Kelly spoke of the esteem Craven is held in at the club, with those around the Power are similarly glowing about his team-first mindset.

“I think he’ll take that step (to VFL) - his skill level and IQ is 100 per cent there and he’s super clean,” Kelly said.

“I have no doubt he’ll have a long VFL career which is pretty cool for the club.”

See below for a full list of award winners from Gippsland’s Best and Fairest.

BOYS GIRLS

Best and Fairest: Jesse Craven Ash Centra Runner-up: Max Donohue Jas Sowden Best Clubman: Allan Chandler

Coaches Award: Alix Tauru Zahri Burn

Leading Goalkicker: Asher Eastham Ash Centra Trainers and support staff award: Xavier Lindsay Chelsea Sutton U17 Future Star:Willem Duursma Ella Stoddart U16 Future Star: Wil Malady Grace Dillow Best first year player: Mitch Stevens Brooke Hunter

Most improved: Harry Canning Lily Leighton Most determined: Brodie Atkins Rebecca Fitzpatrick

Most professional: Max Stobie Zali Gallagher

Casey Cannons celebrate tremendous year on the pitch

By Jonty Ralphsmith

The Casey Cannons Hockey Club celebrated the 2024 season on Friday night at Pakenham Racecourse.

The Best and Fairest function was an excellent chance for the club to reflect on a successful season where the men’s firsts’ team reached the grand final, and the women’s firsts, along with a host of lower grade teams, also qualified for finals.

Below is a full list of award winners.

Best Senior Club Person: Jessica Rowland. Simplicity Funerals Cares Award: Karen Martz.

SENIOR GAMES MILESTONES

100 Games: Luke Westendorp, Steve Stuart, Ebony Williamson, Emma Harris, Rebecca Wagg, Charlotte Davis, Matthew Hollway, Rachelle Smith, April Picton, Jordan McDonald.

150 Games: Sean Dack, Brooke Hyland, Jasjit Singh.

200 Games: Lorraine Ritchie, Leigh Welsh, Tegen Hyland.

250 Games: Craig Moore, Cameron Ritchie.

300 Games: Matthew Light, Jessica Rowland, Nick Alards.

450 Games: Hilary Doulton.

800 Games: Fiona Young.

SENIOR TEAM AWARDS

MEN’S VIC LEAGUE 2

Best and Fairest: Cameron Ritchie

Runner up Best and Fairest: Tristan Chaffey

Coaches Award: Joshua Watson

MEN’S VIC LEAGUE 2 RESERVE

Best & Fairest: Jason Moult

Runners up Best and Fairest: Tadhg McCurran

Coaches Award: Rhylee Johnson

MEN’S METRO 2

Best and Fairest: Alfie Ray

Runners up Best and Fairest: Mark Dowel

Coaches Award: Jesse Jelavic

WOMEN’S VIC LEAGUE 1

Best and Fairest: Samantha Wagg

Runner up Best and Fairest: Leandra McLaughlan

Coaches Award: Tegen Hyland, Rebecca Wagg

WOMEN’S VIC LEAGUE 1 RESERVE

Best and Fairest: Bec Cheater

Runner up Best and Fairest: Lizzy Maciulaitis

Most Improved: Kimberlee Davidge

WOMEN’S PENNANT E

SOUTH EAST

Best and Fairest: Lauren Symmons

Runner up Best and Fairest: Fiona Young

Coaches Award: Sophie Kimm

WOMEN’S METRO 1 SOUTH

Best and Fairest: Kenslie Oliver

Runner up Best and Fairest: Rachelle Smith

Most Improved: Kiara Gilbert

MASTERS 45+ CSE

Best and Fairest: Lizzy Maciulaitis

RunnerupBestandFairest:MurrayAnderson

UNDER 16 MIXED DISTRICT SE

Best and Fairest: Lachlan Light

Runners up Best and Fairest: Nur Ilham

Amin Bin Iszehar, Mikayla Fry

Coaches Award: Sophie Kimm

PERPETUAL SHIELD ENGRAVING

Senior Club Person: Jessica Rowland

Junior Club Person: Matilda Dowel

Men’s Firsts Best and Fairest: Cameron Ritchie

Women’s Firsts Best and Fairest: Samantha Wagg

Life Member: David Hyland

The Casey Cannons celebrated the 2024 season on Friday night. (Supplied)

Jesse Craven’s defensive work was outstanding this year. (Supplied)