News - Pakenham Officer Star News - 20th February 2025
Saturday’s wet weather failed to dampen spirits or dull the vibrancy of the pink at Cardinia Cricket Club on Saturday which hosted its annual Pink Stumps day at E Gunton Oval.
Attendees were entertained by musician Tim Lukey and guest speaker, Paralympic athlete Al Viney at the event, organised by Maddie and Kim Diwell.
The event raised vital contributions for the McGrath Foundation which funds McGrath Cancer Care Nurses in communities across Australia.
By Afraa Kori
over a BBQ in your backyard.
The federal government’s tax hike is pushing local breweries to their limit, with many saying ‘enough is enough’.
Organisers of the Pink Stumps Day at Cardinia Cricket Club, Maddie and Kim Diwell (Stewart Chambers: 459357)
Aussie brews
Smiley Brewery Co, owner and director, Trent Butcher said the alcohol excise system needs an overhaul, urging the government to take action to create a fairer tax system for breweries.
“Stop pushing it to the side and just allowing it to continue as it has done for too many years. You are taxing a hard working, local industry out of existence!”
They are rallying behind the Independent Brewers Association’s (IBA) 2025 campaign to keep locally owned beer accessible and affordable for everyday Australians.
“We would like to see some concessions or benefits applied to Australian owned producers.”
Smiley Brewing Co is a relatively new brewery, having been open for about 18 months. Due to its current production volume, the brewery is fortunate not to be directly impacted by the bi-annual excise tax increases at this time. However, this is something that will affect the brewery in the future if the tax structure remains unchanged.
In July 2021 a remission scheme was intro-
duced for Breweries and Distilleries providing a $350,000.00 (per financial year) benefit for alcohol producers. The remission is applied to pure alcohol volume, it is reported on monthly (standard excise reporting).
Trent said they’re currently “below that cap,” allowing them to avoid the increases.
Continued page 2
Get on the beers, not taxes
From page 1
However the remission amount introduced in 2021 isn’t adjusted every 6 months when the excise amounts are, meaning the value of it is eroding away.
While Smiley Brewing Co doesn’t currently suffer any immediate impact, they are challenged by the public’s assumption that drink prices will increase universally.
“What we are seeing is the impact these increases are having on customers and the general public’s view on how expensive it is to go out for a beer at the end of the week or over the weekend.”
“The general assumption is every time one of these increases goes through that the increase hits the taps in every venue (whether it does or not).”
There are two key factors causing a shift in customer movement since opening the business.
“The first being interest rate increases, every time this happens follow’s a couple of quiet weekends, people go to assess their spending habits.”
“The second is excise increases, when these are announced the majority of people think it affects drink prices everywhere, so the already limited available spending money becomes less valuable. People are drinking at home more often than going out.”
Trent Butcher spoke to colleagues at other breweries, and the feedback was that during Covid, customer loyalty and new customer engage-
ment increased.
“Keeping it local” became strong. Breweries enjoyed growth in takeaway sales during the Covid period and even further growth when reopening after Covid.
The knock on effect of tax increases and cost of living has no doubt impacted consumer choice now.
Consumers have searched out cheaper options which are often wine or wine based products.
“This has impacted production volumes we had estimated when we started planning for the brewery (which was back in 2019),” Trent said.
“We have the ability to grow production substantially, we are only scratching the surface currently. We had initially expected we would have been increasing tank space in year 2, then 3 and so on, but this isn’t the case.”
Smiley Brewing Co is calling on the community to support independent breweries while they fight for excise reform. They encourage people to visit their local breweries, purchase locally made independent beer from bottle shops, and ask the question, “who owns my beer?”
Anyone that wants to support local beer and make sure it’s here for years to come, are encouraged to join the fight via https://independentbrewers.org.au/campaign-2025/
Owners: Trent and Kylie Butcher.
Smiley Brewing Co.
Lifting the lid on old relics
By Ethan Benedicto
Relics of the past are soon to be unveiled as the Narre Warren North community and surrounds prepare themselves for the opening of a 25-yearold time capsule.
Scheduled to take place on Saturday 15 March, the grand reveal of 36 capsules from 2000 is just under a month away, with artefacts placed underground by local schools, community organisations and charities to be displayed for all to see.
John Ternel, Narre Warren North Community Association member said that he, his family, and many others are excited to unpack the treasures that were left behind.
“Look I’m very excited because you’ve got 25 years of history down there about to be opened up, and we get to see what was happening in the community all that time ago,” he said.
“We also have the chance to read some of the stories from the schools, a bit of a snapshot in a sense of what their lives were like.
“It’s like stepping into a time machine, uncovering memories, trends, and the everyday items that shaped our lives back then.”
These 36 containers were put together by 29 groups as mentioned above, which, once fully ‘excavated’ will be displayed inside the Narre Warren North Hall for everyone to see.
The day will begin with a brief welcoming ceremony at 11am, which is followed by the excavation at 11:30.
However, the excitement doesn’t end there, for at 2pm, a new time capsule will be inserted, put together by current community organisations to be opened in 27 years, just in time for the Narre Warren North Primary School’s 175th anniversary.
As the president-elect of the Rotary Club of Dandenong and Endeavour Hills, John had in mind of playing his part and storing trophies, flyers and pamphlets that are relevant to Holden, since for him, “it’s about more than just nostal-
gia—it’s about preserving history”.
“I’m planning to put together a collection of artifacts that capture significant moments, including the rise and fall of Holden Australia, which was such a huge part of our automotive
and cultural identity,” he said.
“Since Holden has closed down, it would be a great opportunity for people in the future to see what was going on 27 years ago.
“They’re going to be seeing these old Commo-
dores, which, at that point, I’m guessing would be collectibles.”
He further added that aside from the historical significance of the items that are soon to be unearthed, there are also personal and emotional connections, from childhood keepsakes and other mementos.
“For me, opening a time capsule is about preserving and celebrating history—not just personal memories but moments that defined our community and country,” he said.
“It’s a chance to look back, appreciate how far we’ve come, and ensure future generations understand the journey that got us here.”
As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re easing congestion by building better roads in Melbourne’s south east.
Road disruptions: Closed roads and ramps
McGregor Road, Pakenham Until mid Mar
Racecourse Road, Pakenham
Bald Hill Road, Pakenham
Princes Freeway, Pakenham
8pm to 5am each night, 18 to 21 Feb
8pm to 5am each night, 25 to 28 Feb
8pm 26 Feb to mid 2025
7pm 14 Mar to 5am 17 Mar
Citybound entry ramp to the Princes Freeway
Koo Wee Rup-bound between Bald Hill Road and Henry Street
Between Racecourse Road and O’Sullivan Street
Officer-bound between O’Sullivan Street and Racecourse Road
Citybound between McGregor and Cardinia roads
Mike Allday (left) and John Ternel (right) at the site of the time capsule. (Stewart Chambers: 459500)
John Ternel and Mike Allday at the Narre Warren North Public Hall. (Stewart Chambers: 459500)
The plaque, placed on top of the capsule which homes 36 containers of the past. (Stewart Chambers: 459500)
Chaos at council meeting
By Ethan Benedicto and Violet Li
The first council meeting for the City of Casey this year was adjourned after hundreds of angry and frustrated residents shouted and heckled, prompting a police call-out.
Casey’s ratepayers attended the meeting on Tuesday 18 February, to voice their concerns and opinions on the municipality’s private land use permits and the proposed Hampton Park waste transfer station.
Those concerns included the governance and transparency and the daily maintenance of the roads, parks, and other facilities.
Many of them came to listen to their submitted public questions being read and answered.
Tensions were high from the beginning, with the crowd booing the country acknowledgement and Casey’s diversity statement.
Mayor Koomen first addressed the issues of the private land permit use.
“I want to reassure the community that local law permits are common across Victorian councils and are not unique to Casey. They are only issued when it is absolutely necessary,” he said.
The speech was met with a strong crowd reaction, with many shouting “bulls**t”.
Mayor Koomen further addressed the recent online discussions and media coverage regarding a property in Hampton Park where several unregistered vehicles were removed.
The crowd’s emotion went higher, and one resident shouted: “Shut you f*****g mouth!”
“They own the vehicles!”
Mayor Koomen also addressed the concerns regarding the proposed Hampton Park waste transfer station.
“There are concerns regarding EPA’s community consultation process, which will determine whether a development licence is issued for this proposal. This process is currently ongoing,” he said.
“Since being elected mayor, I’ve written to the EPA to stress the importance of the EPA’s role in ensuring that the community has a chance to voice their concerns about the proposed location and the potential risks for community health and safety…
“As councilors, we look forward to participating in further meetings with residents and resident groups regarding the proposed waste transfer station over the coming weeks.
“We will continue to listen, to advocate, and to do what we can in our power to address resident concerns.”
About 63 public questions were read. Most were related to the council’s private land use permit and the proposed Hampton Park waste transfer station.
Interjections were common, with Mayor Koomen telling the crowd many times to respect the time of not just the councillors but also the residents present who submitted their questions.
Residents shouted, “respect us first”, in return.
He reminded everyone after severe uproars and interjections that, if need be, the meeting would be adjourned for a later time.
When questions on the private land use permits were read, residents were calling the council to change the policy.
“We don’t want to hear your policy. It’s not your backyard.”
“Are you guys just for the government or the people?”
“We must be heard!”
“Human rights are our rights!”
“Our property is ours, not f***** yours!”
While the Mayor had made it clear that only submitted questions were being answered, residents continued to persist, with many exclaiming that they should not be ignored and that their questions should be addressed right there and then.
Quite a few residents in the front row, where
There was also a strong call from the assembly for the councillors to answer their questions, despite not having submitted a formal registered question to be addressed during the meeting.
the question submitters were seated, stood up after 63 questions being read and questioned where their questions and answers were. They claimed that they had submitted the questions, but their questions were not read and answered.
Mayor Koomen said in the meeting that all questions received that met the governance rules were responded to at the meeting today.
“The three questions that were not responded
to will receive an email,” he said.
The meeting was first adjourned for 15 minutes after the public question times, and Victoria Police came out to escort the councillors and council officers out of the gallery.
The meeting was quickly adjourned again for the night after continuous disruptive shouting from the gallery during the council officers’ reports.
A Casey ratepayer was not happy that his questions were not read or answered. (Photos Gary Sissons)
Casey Council Meeting on Tuesday 18 February.
A Casey resident was angry at the meeting.
Casey ratepayers complained about questions not being addressed.
The crowd was on the way into the gallery.
A Casey ratepayer talked with Victoria Police.A large crowd showed up at the Casey Council Meeting.
Council staff were moving the seats to make room for more residents. A Casey ratepayer complained about his question not being addressed at the meeting.
Air wing gives chase
Police have charged a man after a group allegedly attempted a home invasion in Cranbourne North last night.
The 35-year-old Pakenham man has been charged with theft of motor vehicle and bailed to Dandenong Magistrates' Court on 26 May.
Two men from Cranbourne, aged 49 and 37, along with two 57-year-old Berwick men are expected to be charged on summons.
According to police, several men demanded entry and shouted threats outside a home in
Strzelecki Court about 11.15pm on Tuesday 18 February.
The group didn’t enter the home but allegedly grabbed a dirt bike from the rear yard and loaded it into a minibus.
With the help of the Air Wing, police intercepted a Ford Territory, which was seen with the minivan, and arrested the 49-year-old driver.
Police pursued the minibus, which had two front tyres damaged by police stop-sticks. It came to a halt at the intersection of South
was arrested after a short foot pursuit.
The minibus was stolen from Springvale on 3 January, police say.
The incident at the home appeared to be targeted, Victoria Police stated.
Any information or dashcam vision to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic. com.au
Five charged after pool assault
Police have charged five Casey people following an alleged assault at the Casey ARC Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Narre Warren last month.
It is alleged that a 19-year-old male lifeguard on duty was approached and assaulted by a group of youths around 5.50pm at the Park Road premises on Sunday 19 January. He sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
On Monday 17 February, detectives executed search warrants at properties in Cranbourne North and Narre Warren South.
A 19-year-old man and an 18-year-old man, both from Cranbourne North, were arrested at the scene.
They were charged with affray and assault and bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 23 May.
Three teenagers were also arrested during the search warrants.
Two 17-year-old boys from the Casey area have been charged with affray and assault. Both have been bailed to appear at a children’s court on 3 March.
A 15-year-old boy from the Casey area was released pending further enquiries.
In the afternoon of Monday 17 February, an 18-year-old Cranbourne North man selfpresented to the Narre Warren police station. He has been charged with affray and assault and bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 23 May.
Gippsland Highway and Thompsons Road. Three of the four men inside the minibus surrendered to police while the fourth, who tried to run,
Air Wing footage of a man getting out of a minivan halted by stop-sticks on the night of 18 February. (Victoria Police)
Air Wing footage of a man fleeing from a halted minivan on the corner of Thompsons Road and Sth Gippsland Highway. (Victoria Police)
Garage sale delight
By Violet Li
Casey local Alanah Parkin will bring their debut solo comedy to the upcoming Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF), saying the show is inspired by a real-life experience in the City of Casey.
The actor and the improviser of Cranbourne North said the show is a love letter to everyday families living in suburban areas.
“I think there’s not a lot of comedy that you’re ever going to see that’s about this specific experience of having a garage sale in the City of Casey,” they said.
“I think it’s very suburban. It clings to that suburban nostalgia.”
Directed by Issac Haigh, the winner of the MICF Best Newcomer 2023, Garage Sale tells the tale of a married couple of eclectic retirees in Narre Warren South as they navigate the emotional turmoil of downsizing their anarchic and sentimental lives together. The notorious couple in their sixties is having a garage sale because they need to downsize before moving to a retirement village up the road. There is a bargain, and there is a secret awaiting the audience. Both characters will be played by Alanah.
“I’ve wanted to do it for a long time, and I’ve been pretty scared of that. It’s a big thing to do it,” they said.
“It’s fifty minutes just me on stage running around getting changed.
“I’ve done a lot of theater and a lot of performing, but I’ve never been on stage by myself for fifty minutes before.
“It’s a big deal for me. It’s definitely something I’ve been working towards for a really long time, and I’m really keen to get out there and finally do it.”
The actor said they came up with the idea when they were at a garage sale in Cranbourne North. They were wandering along, so was their train of thoughts.
freak cassette.
“My partner and I are both very interested in the history of kid’s entertainment, and Disney is a particular interest just because it has such a long history,” they said.
“We found it, and we have to get this. We took it straight home and put it on while we were making breakfast.
“They’re just singing all these different songs in different languages. Then they were singing Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gumtree because they had Australian ones as well.”
When asked why the show had been set in Narre Warren South instead of Cranbourne North, Alanah joked that Narre Warren South sounded funny to them.
“I spend a lot of time around here as well, so I’m familiar enough with the area that I felt like I could write a show set in Narre Warren South,” they said.
Path to work
By Ethan Benedicto
Paving the way for the youth in the workforce has always been a crucial initiative of growing cities, and much remains the same for the City of Casey as the Job Readiness Bootcamp is set to take place in just a few weeks.
Located at Chisholm in Berwick, the boot camp will be held on Friday 28 February and begin at 10am in the morning, running until 1:15pm with a key initiative to foster growth in resume and cover letter writing, networking, career planning, and sessions about job market trends.
Andrew Simmons, chief executive of South East Local Learning and Employment Network (SELLEN), said that providing a platform for those aged between 18-25 who have left school, to grow their soft skills and establish themselves as key workforce candidates is important.
“Garage sales are so interesting in that way because you go into someone’s garage, and it’s just their entire life, decades of their life, things they bought five years ago, things they bought fifty years ago, just all in a room,” they said.
“Where did you get this? Why do you have this? Thinking about the stories around all of the items that they have is really interesting.
“There’s just so many strange things there. You’re looking through the records and the books. You find a magazine from the sixties. There are so many worlds in this.
“In the show, there are some moments of objects kind of coming to life in that way.”
Alanah bought a vinyl record at the garage sale that inspired them, the Disneyland Boys Choir singing folk songs from all different countries around the world in the sixties. To this day, they still could not believe they had that treasure for 50 cents, including a free
It has been a decade in theatre and film for Alanah. The actor has been doing improvisational theatre for the last three to four years.
“That’s when I really started kind of going down the comedy route more specifically,” they said.
There’s a lot of doing things for yourself, kind of doing everything for yourself, which is fun in a lot of ways.
“It makes you very adaptable and versatile.”
Alanah Parkin is an actor (Still Me, Residence), singer (Video Games Made My Son Like Country Music, Isaac Haigh Sings the Classics), improviser (The Big Hoo-Haa, The Improv Conspiracy) and voice actor (The Specter’s Desire, Tales from Tookaville). Garage Sale is their debut solo show.
A Cranbourne woman won $1 million on Valentine’s Day.
The local held the only division one winning entry nationally in draw 4508, drawn Friday 14 February 2025. She can look forward to $1 million.
“I’ve been playing the same numbers since the 90s, it’s about time they came up!” she said when an official from The Lott confirmed her newfound lottery loot.
“That was Friday’s draw. What a great Valentine’s Day present! I’ve never had one before.
“This is just surreal. This gives me so much more freedom. I think I’m going to go on a holiday amongst other things.
“My passions are travel and photography, which can both be expensive hobbies, but now I’ll be able to take some time off and pursue them.
She said the win took off the pressure of looking for a new job.
“Now I can take my time,” she said.
“What a beautiful start to the day.”
Her winning marked 13-game entry was purchased on The Lott website.
The winning numbers in the Weekday Windfall draw 4508 on Monday 17 February 2025 were 1, 38, 4, 16, 45 and 44, while the supplementary numbers were 14 and 31.
Across Australia, there was one division one winning entry in Weekday Windfall draw 4508, one in Victoria.
The Lott’s division one winning tally has now reached 311 so far in FY25, including 113 won by Tatts customers.
In FY24, Weekday Windfall, formerly Monday & Wednesday Lotto, created 99 millionaires across Australia.
During this time, there were 109 division one winning Weekday Windfall entries across Australia, which collectively won $108 million.
“There are a range of aspects around it, and one of them is knowing what jobs are actually out there and how to go about finding them,” he said.
“We hear a lot about unemployment rates, and as a region, the jobs are rich, especially if you know their whereabouts.
“The other element will be preparing everyone to present themselves in a really good light when they do land those interviews because that in itself is an art form, and some of these kids may have never done that before.”
Andrew, who will be the lead presenter on the day will take time to expand on the three key factors that were mentioned, but will also have employers who are looking for talent engaging with the boot camp’s participants.
According to Andrew, the day’s last session will be all about sitting down with employers and engaging in a “networking activity”.
“It’s about talking to those employers who are in those industries that you’re really keen to get into,” he said.
“To find out the day-to-day stuff, and break down some of those myths about, for example, always working at 4am for the bakery, even though there are other roles where you can start later.
“Look, these are things that young people, are hopefully, not hearing for the first time, but if they are hearing the same story from sources and they end up believing it.”
He added that giving transparency on what certain fields offer and their real balance of labour is key, especially for those who are new to the workforce.
Andrew, who has been with SELLEN for roughly 15 years is more than aware of what the challenges are surrounding work, much less changing careers, and especially starting one.
However, “it’s that first job that’s the one that opens the doors and builds your resume, and then opportunities will come”.
Other organisations will also be present during the event, such as the City of Casey, the South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance, the City of Greater Dandenong, Cardinia Shire and more.
As important as work ethic and dedication are, there is an integral role that soft skills play when it comes to being successful and is something that Andrew, SELLEN and other parties during the event endeavour to achieve.
SELLEN chief executive Andrew Simmons, is keen to provide a platform for the youth to get their foot in the workforce door.
(Gary Sissons: 279401)
Casey local Alanah Parkin’s debut solo comedy the upcoming Melbourne International Comedy Festival tells the story of a retired couple in Narre Warren South. Both characters will be played by Alanah. (Supplied)
Tractors pull in the crowd
Tooradin had its annual Tractor Pull and Truck Show on Saturday 15 February.
Despite the wind and the rain, the community event attracted thousands of visitors.
The locals gathered around to see tractors competing, car shows, helicopter rides and burnouts.
Kids talking to the MC. Crowd shot.
back after a run.
Braxx from Bittern was having his birthday, and they got the crowd to sing Happy Birthday to him.
Parker from Kyneton next to dad’s tractor.
Paul Bennet Airshows. Stunt flying.
Burnout area.
Burnout area.
Chris Oscuro driving his 1969 HT Holden Kingswood while performing burnout. (Gary Sissons: 459479)
A VZ Maloo with an LY6 Block and an 871 Blower, Methanol EFI.
Let the flames flow!
Grading the track.
Part of the truck show.
FOCUS ON … MEDICALLY SPEAKING More support
The state government has announced three new programs as part of the $200 million Schools Mental Health Menu, providing targeted mental health support for students when and where they need it most.
The Mental Health Menu is designed for schools to select evidence-based programs, support staff and resources which enables schools to select the mental health tools that best match the unique needs of their student cohorts.
The Schools Mental Health Fund and Menu was established in 2022 in response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, which found that schools play a critical role in identifying student mental health and wellbeing challenges and making referrals to appropriate supports.
All Victorian government schools have access to the Mental Health Fund and receive ongoing funding for the menu.
The updated menu includes 59 evidencebased programs and initiatives, supporting schools to meet their students’ mental health and
wellbeing needs, with special consideration given to programs servicing rural and regional areas.
Through the menu, schools can book trusted services in areas such as social and emotional learning, mental health literacy and eating disorders. The menu also includes services that provide early intervention and cohort specific support, such as therapeutic programs and how to cope with disaster, grief and loss.
Schools can also use the fund to employ qualified mental health and wellbeing professionals, including counsellors, youth workers, and arts, music and animal therapy services.
Education Minister Ben Carroll said “Not only are we putting thousands of mental health workers and leaders in every Victorian school, we’re also making sure kids have access to a full suite of mental health tools right through their time at school.”
“We’re making sure every child has the support they need to thrive at school, without the added expense for families.”
Responses sought for national autism survey
Autism Awareness Australia (AAA) has released its first national survey in 10 years, seeking feedback from parents and carers of children and young adults on the autism spectrum.
The peak body is encouraging parents and carers to complete the survey and provide feedback on the key challenges they’re facing right now, as significant change is about to hit the sector.
AAA chief executive Nicole Rogerson said the survey will play a critical role in helping the peak body advocate for the needs of autism families across Australia.
“It’s no secret that the autism community is up against some significant reform in the coming months,” Ms Rogerson said.
“This is chiefly driven by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) changes that are coming down the pipeline, and the anxiety our community is feeling about being left behind.
“This survey is an important opportunity for parents and caregivers of children and young adults with autism to have their say, share their key concerns, and help us advocate for the right reforms.”
Ms Rogerson said it’s been a decade since AAA’s last survey, which garnered about 1500 responses.
“We’re hoping to increase that even more this year,” she said.
“We will take our community’s feedback and formulate that into a sensible set of policy recommendations for both the Commonwealth and State Governments to consider.
“All responses are anonymous and we encourage our community to be as open and honest as possible.”
The survey remains open until February 28. For more information visit www.autismawareness.com.au
Dr. Hasantha
Dr. Niranjani (Jenny) Benjamin - Nurse Practitioner
Timeless beauties on show
The 29th annual All American Car Show and Swap Meeting coordinated by the Rotary Club of Emerald & District and supported by the Thunderbirds Rod and Custom Club Victoria went ahead as planned on Sunday 16 February.
Participation at these events is heavily dependent upon weather conditions and unfortunately, the intermittent rain bursts kept the number of cars down to around 120 (has been over 700 in previous years) and about 20 stalls. However, despite the lower car turnout, hundreds of visitors braved the cooler conditions and had the opportunity to view a fantastic array of cars of all different sizes, shapes and colours as well as access a wide range of food and swap meet market stalls.
This year the event was completely rebranded and we were very well supported by the one and only “Mr Excited” who MC’d the event for us and coordinated the prize giving, awarding 3 prizes himself for outstanding cars. Major prizes were awarded in the following categories:
· Rotary President’s Choice – awarded to Tony Dibeneletto by Emma Clark (Vice President of the Rotary Club of Emerald & District)
Best Classic Car – awarded to Terry Conroy by Colin Byron (District Governor of Rotary District 9815)
Best Custom Car – awarded to Rob Dixon by Colin Byron (District Governor of Rotary District 9815)
Best Modern Car (post 2000) – awarded to Harvey Milder by Colin Byron (District Governor of Rotary District 9815)
Bet Hot Rod – awarded to David Hodson by the Thunderbirds Rod and Custom Club
The Rotary Club of Emerald & District coordinates the event every year and this year the exceptional team of Roy Bowyer, Rowan French, Linda Culell, Kristine Ash, Peter Brock, Marcus Adams, Andrew McAllister, Greg Adams and Toni-Anne Griffin was led by Ian Ash, all of whom contributed to making this an outstanding event raising around $4,000 for the Club which is utilised to support local community projects.
The Thunderbirds Rod and Custom Club managed display parking, the local Scouts group took
care of the public parking and the Gembrook Cricket Club’s barbecue was particularly popular with attendees. The day was punctuated by peri-
ods of sunshine but even though the weather had not been kind, what stood out was the fantastic atmosphere at the event. The cricket ground looked
Festival shows off the best of Upper Beaconsfield
The best of Upper Beaconsfield was on display this past weekend with a festival of art, sport and entertainment.
The Upper Beaconsfield Festival is held each year to coincide with the anniversary week of the Ash Wednesday bushfires to mark the continued strength of the community. This year it was held on that very day 42 years after the bushfires.
Several thousand people enjoyed the Upper Beaconsfield Community Centre and its assortment of activities on Sunday 16 February.
Kids got to meet the local fire brigade and even some dinosaurs, they jumped on fun rides and had their faces colourfully painted.
The festival is a gathering of local organisations from the tennis club, pony club, Men’s Shed, CFA, SES to the local kinder and primary school.
The festival also hosts the annual Tower Run, a competition that goes up to a half-marathon starting on McBride Street and winding through
There was a variety of entertainment such as a fashion parade at St John’s Church and Irish dancing.
No one can miss the dog competition that awards the best dressed to the ones most like their owner.
These highlights are just a few of the many activities enjoyed on the day.
The festival also prides itself on being sustainable with efforts to minimise all waste. Plastics are kept out of use at the event and at the end of the day the rubbish is sorted by volunteers to be recycled, composted or deposited.
Thanks went to the 1st Upper Beaconsfield Scout Group for cleaning dishes at the end of the day.
The festival is a community-run event organised by volunteers and supported by local sponsors.
Folk Train on the stage.
Ollie from Beaconsfield on the swings.
Helping young Paxton down from Upper Beaconsfield’s Tanker 1. Lt; Andrew Lloyd Upper Beaconsfield CFA.
Organisers and officials: Rosemary Hawke, Brett McEvoy and Odie Barwick.
superb, the cars were amazing and everyone appeared to have fun with no shortage of things to see and do.
Judges Ian Ash (Rotary Club of Emerald and District) and Glen Higginson (Mr Excited and Friends). Glen was the MC for the event and a judge.
All American was the theme.
Exploring the range of beauties.
There was plenty of people despite the weather. (Gary Sissons: 459493)
Bouquets for loved ones
By Ethan Benedicto
Held just before Valentine’s Day, the Andres Pancha Anchor Community gathered at the entrance of Wilson Botanical Park for their first activity of the year.
Called the Flower Bar, it involved participants trying their hands at making a bouquet for their loved ones, a process that involved careful and firm handling, but also that splash of creativity to make each flower blend amongst one another.
The charity’s director, Katalina Vergara, said that despite the cloudy weather and the rain, “we feel good”.
“People pushed through and it still turned out great, you know? We’re also very excited for this year since we feel more prepared.
“There are events in the works, and we also finally have people who are donating to the charity so we have that budget in our pocket, which also means that we can make these activities more fun,” she said.
From roses, carnations, and peonies to daisies, every person had their hands busy, with Divine Pancha leading the way in guiding those who needed some extra assistance.
“This is beyond what we expected really,” Divine said.
“We planned to have a small family gathering, with some other family members but then it went beyond that, they invited their friends who also showed up.
“Of course, these young people had the chance to make their own creations, and also learned those techniques and skills when it comes to working with flowers.”
The skills don’t apply to just flowers, accord-
ing to Divine they serve as a bigger platform for creativity, something that should be fostered with the youth.
In addition to that, it’s also about learning to
be sustainable, through the simple act of mingling with flowers and other orchids, to using recyclables such as newspapers to act as the bouquet.
Sod turned for $11m development
Clyde Grammar has held a sod turning ceremony to signal the beginning of the development of a $11 million Collaborative Learning Centre.
The learning centre is expected to enable Clyde Grammar to offer students a complete Foundation to Year 12 education.
The Collaborative Learning Centre will be completed ready for the start of the 2026 school year and the first Year 7 students will become part of the school in 2027.
The sod marking the start of the new development was turned by South-Eastern Metropolitan MP Michael Galea. South-Eastern Metropolitan MP Lee Tarlamis also attended the ceremony.
“Parents, students and teachers are very excited for this next stage in Clyde Grammar’s journey to begin. The new facility will include state-of-the-art facilities for our current students and for those students who join us in the future,” principal Leanne Evans said.
“It will be a cornerstone for collaborative learning and foster innovation and creativity.”
When completed, the centre will include four classrooms, a sessional music room, a fullsize basketball court, an assembly hall with retractable seating and a before and after-school care area.
The centre will also incorporate student change rooms, storage areas, a staff office and amenities.
Year 3 student Aiden is looking forward to being active and playing basketball in the new Centre.
“I hope there are two basketball hoops on each side and lots of lines and curves on the floors, pictures on the walls and seats to rest and watch people play sports. I think it will be amazing,” he said.
Year 4 student Sahib is also excited about the sports facilities in the new Centre.
“I am really excited about our gymnasium for PE, and we will be able to be all together for our school assemblies,” she said.
Clyde Grammar was awarded $3.6 million towards building the centre by the Victorian Government’s Building Fund for Non-Government Schools.
Mrs Evans said the school hoped to achieve another milestone in 2032 when the first cohort of students was expected to graduate as the inaugural valedictorians.
“We’re tackling different values, advocacy for things such as family, connections with friends, all in go,” she said.
For Katalina, she and the other members of the charity are keen to keep the momentum going for the remainder of the year.
“Our workshops are going to be more constant, we’re looking at having them once a month, all different of course,” she said.
“Then we’re also looking at more major events throughout the year, such as our wellbeing conference in June, held on the same day as the death anniversary of Andres Pancha.”
With a strong start to the year, the charity is confident of taking big leaps on its mission of connecting and uplifting the youth through advocacy of mindfulness and wellbeing.
“So many elements have helped Clyde Grammar reach this milestone, and our students continue to flourish,” she said.
“We have healthy waiting lists with many more local families wanting to send their children to our school, and we think very carefully about every decision we make – everything we do at Clyde Grammar has our students’ success, wellbeing and growth at its core.
“We look forward to watching the evolution of the Collaborative Learning Centre and to taking the next step in this exciting journey together as a strong school community.”
Principal Leanne Evans addressed the public at the ceremony. (Violet Li: 459452)
Clyde Grammar has held a sod turning ceremony to signal the beginning of the development of a $11 million Collaborative Learning Centre.
The APAC committee, from left to right: Charlene Deldio, Grace Pancha (daughter), Divine Pancha, Katalina Vergara, Nicole Castro and Elizabeth Sabelino. (460408)
The attendants of the Flower Bar, alongside committee members from APAC, stood net to their flowery creations. (Ethan Benedicto: 460408)
Valentine-themed stuffed toys, as well as small and traditional Filipino treats, were available to purchase throughout the event, with all proceeds going to the charity. (460408)
Kain took lessons from Divine throughout the session, listening and applying her tips to make his own. (460408)
Kayla (left) and her mother were one of the many participants who had their heads down and eyes peeled to make the most beautiful bouquet they could. (460408)
NEWS MPs reflect on heritage
South-East MPs have shared stories on their migrant families’ journeys to Australia and their sense of identity.
Holt MP Cassandra Fernando and state upper house member Lee Tarlamis have both penned personal stories that feature in the ‘Heartlands: At the Heart of Identity’ publication, produced by migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia.
Ms Fernando says in the book she sees herself as a reflection of the communities she serves.
“I’m hardworking, a migrant and I’m unafraid to speak up when it matters,” she says.
“These values have shaped my life, from my childhood as a migrant in suburban Melbourne to becoming the first Sri Lankan-born member of Australia’s Federal Parliament.
“My story begins in Sri Lanka, where my parents led a comfortable life. They had stable careers and a close-knit community, but they wanted something more for my brother and me. They wanted us to have opportunities we wouldn’t have had in Sri Lanka. So, in 1999, when I was just 11, they made the life-changing decision to leave everything behind and start again in Australia.
“The first months were tough. We arrived in Melbourne, then briefly moved to Sydney before finally settling in Dandenong North – and we never moved again.
“Starting over in a new country was a challenge, especially for my parents, who had to navigate language barriers, cultural differences, and the reality of building a new life from scratch. But through their courage and resilience, my brother and I learned the valueofhardworkandsacrifice.“
Ms Fernando said she loved the diversity in Melbourne’s South East - “a cultural melting pot of Greeks,Italians,Vietnamese,andmore“.
“Here, I learned the true meaning of community aspeoplefromdifferentbackgroundscametogether.“
South-East Metropolitan MP Lee Tarlamis tells of reconnectingwithhisheritage.
“I became determined to reconnect with Greek culture.
“Embracing both the Greek community and my wife’s Vietnamese culture helped me value diversity and the importance of preserving it.
“I’ve come to see how important it is for migrants and their descendants to retain their heritage while also integrating into a new society. For me, this balance – holding onto my Greek roots while embracing my broader Australian identity – has become a lifelong journey of understanding and growth.
“I am passionate about ensuring that every voice is heard, regardless of how long someone’s family has been in Australia or where they have come from.
“Whether they are part of well-established communities or have recently arrived, I am committed to making sure they feel represented and empowered. My goal is to build bridges and create opportunities that benefit everyone in my community, not just my own diaspora.
“I firmly believe that our society is at its strongest when we move forward together, and I will continue to dedicate myself to fostering progress, equity, and inclusion for all.“
The book, launched at Parliament House in Canberra this week by Ms Fernando, also contains reflections by SA Premier Peter Malinauskas, former Socceroo Archie Thompson as well as the children of migrants from 15 different countries.
Published recently as part of AMES Australia’s annual ‘Heartlands’ cultural project, the book is a reflection of Australia’s long and diverse history as a nation of migrants.
AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said the book was timely at a point in history when polarisation and divisiveness are on the rise across the globe.
“Stories of settlement in Australia, no matter where you have come from, are things that unite us,” Ms Scarth said.
“These stories are reflection of how migrants have helped to build Australia and helped to create the successful brand of multiculturalism we enjoy along with the high levels of social cohesion that we have built.
Tottie’s musical memoir
By Sahar Foladi
The Dandenong Drum Theatre will be the first to see a musical memoir ‘Aunty O’ based on Australia’s sweetheart Olivia Newton-John presented by her niece Tottie Goldsmith OAM.
The tour will kick-start on Friday 21 February at the Drum and end on 2 August in Gold Coast with a focus on the actress and singer’s life away from the limelight and the influence she had on her niece Goldsmith.
“I feel excited and vulnerable, you never know, this was not tried and tested show, how people may respond.
“I just pray they don’t compare me to Olivia singing, I’m using her song to tell her story.
“I hope they get something from it, see the joy, wisdom and depth of Olivia outside of what they already know about her.”
TheAustralianactressandsingerherselfwill sing her aunt’s most cherished songs alongside a five-piece band to share the very intimate details of her life and how Olivia supported her.
“A favourite memory that pops is whenever she was in Melbourne or we were traveling, we’d sit up on bed talking and falling asleep holding hands,” Goldsmith shared.
Her aunty was her “go-to” person in life and they even worked together at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre, service at the Austin Hospital.
For 30 years of her life, Olivia fought breast cancer until she could no longer do so in 2022.
“I felt it really deeply, I felt bonded to her, and I needed her in my life.
“I work at the hospital at cancer centre, working behind the scenes, I feel her presence and doing things like this makes me feel she’s very alive.
“She’s in me in every part of my world.”
As a coping mechanism, Goldsmith turned to write about Olivia as a therapy and within the mixture of those things started off “organically.”
She talks about the abandonment by her English mother (Olivia’s sister Rona) and how Olivia stepped up to fulfil that role.
“When I was not yet three-years-old, she (her mother) wanted to pursue her career and brought us to England with dad to raise us.
“Olivia felt troubled about it and stepped in with a mother heart, it’s the only word I can use to describe it.”
She shares how Olivia bought them tickets to the United States to visit their mother as 18th birthday gift after she had cut all contact with her three children.
“It’s very tricky for me to understand, she was 24 –years-old when she had three children, she was very young, her career felt important to her, I can only imagine she made a really difficult decision. “That was a survival technique for her. She didn’t tell anybody her struggles in life when she moved to England or America.
“She had emotionally, mentally and physically separated herself from her three children.
“Olivia played pivotal role in our emotional role, we wouldn’t have known her (their mother) without Olivia.”
But for Olivia, it was important to raise the young children as emotionally and spiritually strong.
“A lot of people are abandoned by their parents even when they are physically around.
“Olivia talked to me a lot of about forgiveness, surrender and acceptance which helped me with the healing process with everything.
“She helped us to understand the other part of where we came from and made us felt loved.” Goldsmith talks about all of this and more in her performance now scheduled in 14 locations as part of the tour.
Tottie Goldsmith will be performing at the Drum Theatre on 21 February. (Gary Sissons: 457724)
The Heartlands project tells the stories of migrant families’ journeys to Australia.
Holt MP Cassandra Fernando and South Eastern Metropolitan MP Lee Tarlamis contribute to the book. (Supplied)
Mayors’ plea for out here
By Corey Everitt and Violet Li
Mayors in the South East are pleading for the major parties to learn the lesson of the Werribee byelection by addressing the issues of the voters in outer Melbourne.
Appearing on ABC Melbourne on Friday 14 February, Cardinia Shire Mayor Jack Kowarzik spoke on behalf of advocacy group Outer Melbourne Councils (OMC) to state their view on the Werribee by-election.
The chair of OMC said the issues that affected Werribee applied to all residents on the urban fringe and pleaded with both Labor and Liberal to not take their issues for granted.
“I think the Government and the opposition won’t be properly learning the lessons of Werribee if they think those voter frustrations stop at the Ring Road, and that is fair to say for both the State and Federal Government,” he said.
OMC represents 10 councils that wrap around Melbourne, including the City of Casey and Cardinia Shire.
Traffic congestion, infrastructure gaps, local jobs and overall quality of life were the matters Mayor Kowarzik raised regarding the 1.6 million people who live in outer Melbourne.
When asked if he shared the same concern for the City of Casey, Mayor Stefan Koomen said the growing population in the City of Casey needed more investment than ever before.
Casey’s population is approximately 410,000 residents and is forecast to grow to more than 550,000 by 2041.
Mayor Koomen said the council was committed to advocating to the Federal and State Governments to support Victoria’s growth areas like Casey, with the critical projects and services they needed and deserved.
“Our engagement with our residents indicates roads, rail, and transport upgrades are the most important for the Federal and State Government to invest in, followed by local job opportunities, health services and facilities, and other infrastructure,” he said.
“Among our key advocacy priorities are the upgrade and extension of Thompsons Road, the upgrade of the Clyde Road corridor, the construction of the Women’s Centre of Excellence at Casey Fields, and the construction of the Clyde Rail Link.
“These priorities are integral to support our rapidly growing population and provide the services, infrastructure, and community connectiv-
She’s on the Money podcast founder in town
Connected Libraries will welcome Victoria Devine to Bunjil Place Function Centre to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Victoria is a retired financial advisor, business owner, podcaster, educator and author. Her podcast She’s on the Money reaches 1.2 million listeners each month, and she is the author of three bestselling books.
Victoria will discuss everything from investing and budgeting to how to avoid impulse purchasing and provide practical advice on how to have a better relationship with money.
Connected Libraries chief executive officer Beth Luppino said: “In celebration of International Women’s Day, we want to empower and give women in the City of Casey the tools to financial freedom.
“Victoria has a huge following of women in particular who want to get ahead in life by learning the tools for saving and investing wisely.
“If you, your daughter, your niece or anyone you know could benefit from learning more about being savvy with money, then why not grab a couple of friends and make a night of it.”
The event will be held on Wednesday 12 March, 7pm at Bunjil Place Function Centre. This is a free event. Book sales and signings will be available on the night.
Book now by visiting connectedlibraries.org. au or visit events.connectedlibraries.org.au/ event?id=129664
Victoria Devine, who runs the podcast She’s on the Money, will come to Bunjil Place Library on Wednesday 12 March. (Supplied)
ity that our city needs.
“As Mayor, I am committed to continuing to work with all levels of government to ensure the
best outcomes for our community.”
The Werribee by-election saw an unprecedented collapse of the Labor Party’s vote in the seat they have held safely for decades.
Recording a 16.5 per cent swing away, Labor’s primary could not break 30 per cent where it was previously polled at 45 per cent in 2022.
The South East is strongly Labor, with the exception of opposition leader Brad Battin’s hold of Berwick.
Pakenham and Bass will be key seats to pick up for the Liberal Party in 2026, as they are held by margins of less than 0.5 per cent.
Narre Warren North, Narre Warren South and Cranbourne are all held by 8 per cent for Labor.
“I think politicians need to stop assuming there are safe seats and respond better to voter concerns,” Mayor Kowarzik said.
“The impacts of growth are two-fold. Firstly, new residents rightly demand infrastructure, but also with those new residents, it means there are a lot of first-time voters in these seats, no one really knows who these people will vote for and that is certainly enough to swing any of those seats.”
Celebrating International Women’s Day with Jo
As a celebration of International Women’s Day, the City of Casey will feature Jo Stanley, at Bunjil Place on Wednesday 5 March.
Starting at 10am and running until 12:30pm, guests will be greeted with complimentary mimosa and morning tea, before settling into an event poised to honour the achievement of women in business, while fostering connections within the community.
Casey’s deputy mayor Melinda Ambros said that “this unique International Women’s Day event is the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and support local businesses”.
“We are thrilled to be able to host this unforgettable event at Bunjil Place, bringing together women from all walks of life to celebrate their achievements and to inspire one
another,” she said.
Jo will share her journey and insights as a trailblazing female leader and then join a panel of successful women in business to discuss their experiences, challenges, and triumphs, offering valuable lessons and inspiration.
The panel will be hosted by the chair of Women Making It Work, Khatija Halabi, and will feature best-selling author and keynote speaker Kabinga Mazaba, St. Margaret’s Berwick Grammar School principal Dr Annette Rome, and Casey’s director of customer and corporate services Jen Bednar.
Following the panel, guests can explore a vibrant market featuring local goods and services from members of the Women Making It Work business network.
Jo Stanley will be one of the many people leading the day as visitors celebrate women. (Supplied)
Cardinia Shire Mayor Jack Kowarzik, speaking on behalf of 10 outer Melbourne councils, said the issues that affected Werribee applied to all residents on the urban fringe and pleaded with both Labor and Liberal to not take their issues for granted. (390781)
Casey Mayor Stefan Koomen said the growing population in the City of Casey needed more investment than ever before from all levels of government. (Stewart Chambers: 442356)
Key road link finally open
By Ethan Benedicto
As motorists drove through the newly opened Bells Road, both the City of Casey’s mayor, Stefan Koomen and Dillwynia Ward councillor Anthony Walter took time to marvel at the new arterial passage.
The new, six-kilometre road connecting Clyde North and Berwick has since served as a critical passageway and has been crucial in easing congestion on the main path of Clyde Road.
Looping through O’Shea Road to Heather Grove, it has effectively replaced the former Soldiers Road which was notorious for its congested t-intersection, especially with neighbouring schools during peak hours.
Koomen acknowledged not just the local residents’ concerns, but motorists who frequent Clyde Road on its congestion, saying that “with this road open, it’s a big boost for our local road network”.
“We want to say a big thank you to our local residents for their patience while works were taking place to get this new stretch of road opened up.
“We think it was worth the short-term pain of road works to get Bells Road opened up, to support our growing community and make travelling to work, school, and sport much easier,” he said.
Local councillor Walter echoed the same sentiments, saying that there is an “extreme importance” in Bells Road, especially considering that “at any time during rush hour, Clyde Road is a mad house”.
“So just having this, to be able to get down to O’Shea Road and onto the freeway much easier, it really helps,” he said.
Koomen added that advocating for further works to be done in the area, namely the Thompsons Road roundabout, was a key piece in the council’s agenda.
“The Thompsons Road extension and the connection between Officer and all the way to
Pakenham is one of our most vital road links, it’s been on the forward plan for many years.
“We’re advocating to all levels of government for the federal election coming up,” he said.
The project, which was valued at over $58 million, provides an alternative route for residents to travel between the northern and southern ends of Casey.
The road, which previously met delays due to gas pipeline works, now also supports new bus routes that service the greater Clyde North area.
Building on the importance of future upgrades to Thompsons Road, Walter agreed that the re-
moval of the roundabout is a “major topic”.
“Luckily with Bells Road, that’s going to help divert the traffic when the construction begins to get those traffic lights up,” he said.
Ultimately, however, the vision has always been to ensure that there is infrastructure that accommodates the growing needs of newer areas in the city.
Mayor Koomen said that these roads “have been planned”, but it’s “just about getting on with it and delivering them”.
“We want to work with all levels of government to make that happen, and Thompsons Road
is a particularly important link for employment precincts.
“It’s about jobs, it’s about getting people home quicker to be with their families, and it’s an absolute priority for this area,” he said.
Walter is on the same page, adding that there needs to be more motions on being “proactive and less reactive when it comes to city planning”.
“Maybe instead of just making two lanes for a road, we could make it three, we just need to think about the future, so if we can focus on that, we’ll be kicking goals,” he said.
Narre Warren police station closed for refurbishments
Refurbishments for the Narre Warren Police Station are set to begin in March, with the public reception counter expected to be closed until February 2026.
To be precise, upgrade works are scheduled for 11 March this year, and are expected to be completed by 28 February the year after.
The station design includes new public-facing areas and a major upgrade to the building to enable police to better serve the community.
Southern Metro Division 3 superintendent Damian Jackson said that “the refurbished Narre Warren police station will provide our officers with the modern facilities required to carry out the important work they do in keeping the community safe”.
“Officers based within the new station will continue to perform round-the-clock patrols, which are vital to help prevent crime and arrest offenders.”
Despite the closures, community members who require urgent police attendance should call Triple Zero.
Non-urgent crimes, such as property damage, can be reported via the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or by using our online reporting service at police.vic.gov.au.
For those who need to attend a 24-hour police station reception counter has three options within less than 15km of Narre Warren Police Station.
Endeavour Hills Police Station is a 12-minute drive, Dandenong Police Station is a 16-minute drive and Cranbourne Police Station is a 20-minute drive from the Narre Warren facility.
The upgraded Narre Warren Police Station will continue to accommodate a range of police functions, that together will ensure delivery of a quick and agile police service.
Narre Warren Police Station will be closed until February 2026 for refurbishments. (On File)
The City of Casey’s Mayor, Stefan Koomen, walking alongside Dillwynia Ward Councillor Anthony Walter at the intersection between Bells Road and Thompsons Road. (Ethan Benedicto: 459478)
Both Koomen and Walter touched on the importance of of Bells Road, as well as the advocacy that Casey Council would play when it came to the removal of the Thompsons Road roundabout. (459478)
Bells Road, which initially faced delays last year due to gas pipeline works, is now operational. (459478)
Mayor Koomen and Councillor Walter under the sign near the intersection. (459478)
WHAT’S ON
Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre
17th March - 12pm - Harmony Day cultural celebration - Celebrate your culture through food, bring a plate and come and meet new friends at Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre - Free Fridays from March 7th - 10-12:30 - Hazaragi Computers for Work - Learn digital skills for the workplace in Hazaragi from a native speaking computer skills teacher - Free during term 1
•Every Monday - 9.30-11am - during school terms
- Come and sew tote bags - For sewists who want to meet new friends and practice their sewing skills making tote bags - we supply the sewing machines and fabric - Free
•Every Friday - 11am-2pm - Thee Coffee TableWelcoming women’s community group - Free Volunteers are welcome to come and help to maintain our community garden
All the above are held at Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre, 141 - 147 Endeavour Drive, Cranbourne North 3977
•For more information and bookings call - 5996 9056
We also have:
•Fridays 9.30am-11.30am during school termsConversational English Classes at Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre - Come along to practice and improve your English skills in a relaxed environment comfortable, casual classes with a friendly, patient tutor - $5 per class.
•Call 03 5996 9056 to enrol in Conversational English or come along to Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre during class times. The Cranbourne Park Community Hub is conveniently located in Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre, in the space behind Target, next to Pacific Smiles Dental and opposite Centre Management, and the nearest entrance is next to Australia Post.
U3A Cranbourne
A community group for people aged 50 and over to pursue a variety of activities and interests. We are at 20 - 22 Bowen Street, Cranbourne.
Line Dancing and ballroom dancing are run offsite. Supported by Casey Council we are a not-for-profit organisation with a membership fee of $50 per year which entitles you to join as many classes as you wish.
Members have the opportunity to learn, share and socialise. The variety is endless from table tennis to Italian, cardmaking, art, sewing, quilling, knitting, singing and ukelele and guitar classes.
Our gardening group started this week with a lovely meeting to share ideas and encourage each other. We are keen to start planting out some tubs and containers next week with herbs and vegetables.
•Wish us luck! Check out all our courses at our website www.u3acranbourne.org.au or phone 0493 991 919 for more information.
Casey Kids Carnival
Casey Kids Carnival is back for 2025 providing a free event filled with rides, stalls, and entertainment. The event is ticketed so be sure to keep an eye out for when they release!
•When: Saturday March 15, 12pm – 5pm
•Where: Old Cheese Factory
Berwick Bridge Club
Berwick Bridge Club is looking for new members.
There are two free beginner’s courses.
One starts on Monday night, 24 February, from 7 to 9pm and the second is on Friday morning, 28 February, from 10am to 12pm.
Both courses run for eight weeks.
Lessons are run at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House, 21A Bemersyde Drive, Berwick. No partner is required.
•ITo reserve your place please phone Maree on 9702 2348.
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.
•IWeekly 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.
•IFor all enquiries or bookings contact Marilyn mobile 0432 107 590.
•IFind us on facebook https://www.facebook. com/groups/487808127399953
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.
•IFor 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.
NEWS Monday blitz
A Dandenong syndicate win of $1 million was shared among 15 Melburnians drawn on Monday 10 February.
The group syndicate, aptly named ‘Monday Blitz’, held the only division one winning entry nationally in Weekday Windfall, draw 4506.
The syndicate’s System 7 entry also won division three six times, bolstering their total windfall to $1,002,602.80.
Each syndicate member of the ‘Monday Blitz’ syndicate took home a $66,840.19 prize.
The group won the division one syndicate with shares set up by the Dande Lotto with some share bought online and sold at seven other Tatts licensed lottery outlets across Melbourne including Springvale Authorised Newsagency & Lotto.
While some of the winning syndicate members held registered entries and have been notified of their win, The Lott spokesperson Eliza Wregg said some of the winning group might still be unaware of their good fortune.
“While we’ll be reaching out to nine of the syndicate members who registered their
Balla Balla Community Centre Playgroup – Balla Balla Bubs for families with babies (0-12 months) and Playgroup (1- 4 years). All our Playgroups are led by Early Learning Educators and are a great opportunity for families to make friends, socialise children and enjoy crafts, singing, sensory play, Storytime and more. Enrol online https://ballaballa.com.au/children-youth/ Health & Wellbeing – Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, Walking Group, Tai Chi - Regular exercise has been shown to help boost energy levels and enhance your mood. It may also be associated with many other health benefits, including a reduced risk of chronic disease.
Look after your social wellbeing by joining our Men’s Discussion Group – ideal for men over 50; Mindfulness Meditation – learn to enhance your self-awareness and recognise your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. This awareness can lead to a better understanding of how one communicates and interacts with others. Further details onlinehttps://ballaballa.com.au/health-wellbeing/ Morning Melodies is back! Held the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Our featured entertainers will sing the songs you know and love. Enjoy a cuppa, or scone with jam and cream, make friends and have some fun.
•IEnrolments and bookings can be made in person or by phoning the centre between 9am -3pm.
•IOnline enrolments can be made: ballaballa. com.au/programs/
Combined Probus Club of Narre War-
ren
The club welcomes men and women to join for fun and interesting activities.
The club hosts bowling, armchair travel, book clubs, walk and talk, happy snappers and cards.
•For enquiries, contact Heather at hsims14@ gmail.com
Scrabble Club
Berwick Activities Club has started a Scrabble Club recently and it runs every Friday from 1pm to 3.30pm.
It will be both competitive and social on a one-toone 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
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.
Craft classes
Join Berwick Activities Group’s Elizabeth to discover the world of papercraft and have a chat with likeminded people.
Tuesdays from 10am to noon at Timbarra Community Centre at $5 per class, all materials supplied.
•Contact admin@berwicknc.com.au or phone 9704 1863.
Narre Warren Senior Citizens Centre
If you are over 55 years old, newly retired, or new to the Casey area and looking for something to do, come and join the main club day on Wednesdays from 9.30am to 3pm at 192-196 Centre Road in Narre Warren.
There are also weekly activities on other days of the week, which include the Garden Group Club, indoor carpet bowls, line dancing, table tennis, friendly card games, and a gentle exercise class.
•For more information, phone 9704 0015 or 0426 736 467 or email narrewarrenseniors@ gmail.com
Chair dancing
Would you enjoy exercising from the comfort of your chair?
Join the Berwick Activities Group for some seated movement sessions from 10.45am to 11.30am on Wednesdays including fun and uplifting songs and different styles and eras of music.
Timbarra Community Centre at $8 per session.
•For more information, contact admin@berwicknc.com.au or phone 9704 1863.
DnD at Orana
Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) is an inclusive tabletop, fantasy, role-playing game.
Participants work together with other players to go on adventures in the DnD world.
You can act, explore, instigate, solve problems, and tell stories as you bring their chosen character to life within the game world.
Second Saturday of each month, 1pm to 9pm, Orana Community Place, 16/18 Playwright St, Clyde North.
•For enquiries and to book a spot at the table, reach out to Jonathan Whelan at thestoryweaver. dnd@gmail.com
Weekly badminton
All are welcome for badminton from 7pm to 9pm on Mondays and from noon to 2.30pm on Wednesdays 12pm-2.30pm at Hallam Badminton Club at Frawley Road Recreation Reserve; $5.
Weekday Windfall tickets to The Lott Members Club, the other six syndicate members hold unregistered entries and may not yet know they’re part of this winning group.
“If you purchased a share in a group syndicate for the recent Weekday Windfall draw, today’s the day to check it! Players can check their tickets online via thelott.com or via The Lott app.”
The winning numbers in Weekday Windfall draw 4506 on Monday 10 February 2025 were 30, 12, 9, 37, 11 and 29 while the supplementary numbers were 8 and 20.
Across Australia, there was one division one winning entry in Weekday Windfall draw 4506 – one in Victoria.
Warriors get shot of Coffey
By Justin Schwarze
Pakenham Warriors import signing Steve Coffey is no stranger to the competition landscape - or even the club itself for that matter.
His journey as a basketball player began in his time at Kutztown University, a Division 2 school in Pennsylvania, United States.
From there, he’s had playing and coaching opportunities in Palestine, Morocco, Jordan, France, Israel, Vietnam and finally Australia.
He joined RMIT’s Big V program in 2019, which at the time was a brand new entity.
RMIT started out in Division 2, the lowest grade of Big V basketball, where they competed straight away and looked to earn promotion.
After two years, he gained promotion to Division 1 as the Redbacks won the championship in 2021.
However, his list of accomplishments didn’t end there.
While at RMIT, he was named to the All-Star Five in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
He also won the Golden Hands Award in backto-back years, being 2023 and 2024.
But by far the biggest achievement in his time was winning the 2024 Big V Division 1 Championship, where he grabbed Grand Final MVP honours along the way.
From joining the program as a brand new club, to seeing it through to the top flight of Big V basketball in just five years was a remarkable feat.
“When I got to RMIT I had seen a new club,” Coffey said.
“We won Division 2 in 2021 and Division 1 last year; it’s just about getting the right pieces into place and buying into it.
“We had a bunch of guys at RMIT that the goal was to win above everything, personal stats and accolades didn’t matter.
“They were there for one reason and it worked out, you got to trust the process.”
His presence wasn’t felt just on the court; he played a major role at the club in his stint.
This included being the club’s Director of Basketball Development and coaching the Youth Men’s team when it was introduced in 2024.
Now, after guiding and overseeing RMIT into the top grade of Big V basketball over those five years, he joins Pakenham, where he hopes to have a similar impact.
“It was a three year journey in Division One (with RMIT), very successful, and I think here’s the same thing with guys who have been here for a couple of years who want to taste that championship,” Coffey stated.
“Having won Division 2 and Division 1, State Champ is all that’s left and that’s the goal, I want to as a senior player win a championship.
“The goal is always a championship. I won one last year; it makes you hungry to win another one.”
Coffey is going to continue to be involved off the court, coaching the Under-20 Boys Victorian Junior Basketball League team and mentoring other players around the club.
His presence as a leader was a huge reason why the club was attracted to him as a signing and wanted to bring him on board for 2025.
“I want to get involved as much as I can,” Coffey said.
“At RMIT, coaching the youth league team was something that I was really big on doing, I really love being able to pass on the love of the game to younger people.
“I love being able to mentor young people, just teaching what I’ve been taught and help them in their journey.
“I want these players to win games, and I have kids on that team that have ambitions, I want to help every single one of them reach their goals to succeed, whether that’s on the court, off the court.”
As for on court…he is no stranger to the Pak-
enham Warriors.
Some people around the club have never forgotten Coffey after he torched the Warriors in the Division 1 semi-final in 2023.
Coffey played all 40 minutes in that matchup, finishing with 37 points, five rebounds, four assists and five steals.
RMIT walked away with a 13-point victory.
He lit it up from all over the court, shooting 13/25 from the floor and connected on nine of his 15 shots from beyond the arc.
“I’ve been able to compete against them (Pakenham) on multiple occasions across the years including in the semi-finals two years ago,” Coffey reminisced.
“I’ve had a couple of people come up to me about that game because that was a good game from me personally at RMIT.”
For the upcoming campaign, Coffey will bring his masterful combination of elite outside shooting and play making to the Warriors.
A consistent 20 point-per-game scorer, he is a tricky player to guard with his quick change of pace and ability to hit a shot from anywhere on the court.
He shot over 40 percent from three last season and, when he gets hot, there isn’t much defenders can do to stop him.
However, he thinks his passing and tendency to get his teammates good shots is his biggest asset.
“My passing is something I take pride in, it’s being someone that really tries to get guys involved,” Coffey said.
‘Eight Up’ a scorching start
Four Cardinia Waters bowlers reached the pinnacle that many bowlers crave when they had a perfect score of ‘eight up’ in their game on Saturday.
For the uninitiated, each pennant rink has four bowlers from each team, each playing two bowls.
A perfect eight is when one team has all bowls closer to the jack than their opposition.
This happened on the first end of the game against Parkdale at Cardinia Waters.
Stuart Tokely was the skip, and Marion Stevens, Del Dance and Sandra Wilde were in his team.
They went on to win their game by nine shots and were joined by the other rinks in smashing Parkdale, doubling their score to catapult Cardinia Waters into third place on the ladder.
This gives Cardinia Waters Side One a home final on Saturday, when they play alongside Side Two in a double-header.
-John Moore-
Steve Coffey is going to provide the Pakenham Warriors with plenty of experience on and off the court in 2025. (Supplied: 460290)
“Seeing guys get hot, make shots, highlights and dunks and things like that to me is a lot better than anything else.”
Despite racking up a multitude of awards in his time in the Big V, he’s not focused on individual accolades or stats.
He remains fixated on being part of a successful team and bringing a presence of leadership.
“For me, the goal is winning,” Coffey stated.
“I don’t focus on personal stats; I just come with a work ethic and have trust in my teammates and coaches.
“I bring a lot of leadership and being older as a veteran; I’ve been around the game a lot longer.
“I think the experience of winning multiple championships across different countries with different coaches, different play styles, I think that I adapt pretty easily.
“I want to be a team that other teams are scared to play against, because we compete hard every night.
“We’re going to have a team that’s going to give everything they’ve got; we’re not going to be reliant on one guy to do everything.
“Everybody’s got a piece to the puzzle and I think when everyone put their two cents in it’s going to be special.”
Coffey is a determined player, and after all his success at RMIT, he is going to make sure the same energy is brought to Cardinia Life this season.
Whether he’s scoring, getting his teammates involved or bringing guidance and leadership, he is going to bring it every night while wearing the
Warriors jersey.
“I give everything I got, no matter what I’m doing,” Coffey said.
“When I’m on the court I’ll always give 120 percent, along with the competitiveness, intensity, the love of the game.
“I want to be someone that people want to play with, and I just want to be someone that kids enjoy looking up to.
“I’m just a guy that loves basketball and works hard and I just give it everything I got.”
With the Big V Championship season not tipping off until late March, Coffey has his sights set on setting the tone for the upcoming season.
Pakenham will kick its season off with a double-header, first hosting McKinnon then visiting Hume City.
“It’s going to take some time but I’m very excited for the possibilities of what we can put together,” Coffey said.
“We’ve got a good group of guys, we’ve got some coming back from last year along with new pieces, and I think it should be a fun year.
“If we do our best to prepare then we will be a team that’s hard to play against.”
Until then, there is one date he couldn’t help but notice in the schedule.
“Sunday 27 April, 2pm, their place,” Coffey knew immediately when asked of his first matchup with his former club.
“I’ve had that one circled in the calendar since the schedule came out.”
Steve Coffey is going to provide the Pakenham Warriors with plenty of experience on and off the court in 2025. (Supplied: 460290)
Smith soars to new heights
By David Nagel
The statistics are mind blowing and the purity of his craft is to be admired; but the genius behind the wand-waving ability of Pakenham champion Chris Smith is hidden in the calculated cricket-machine on his shoulders.
Smith, or ‘Smudge’ to his Pakenham teammates, created history at Glover Reserve on Saturday, blazing 229 not out, from 62 rain-reduced overs, to break his own club record and complete a preposterous 12 months of his career.
On January 26 last year, Smith began a remarkable run of 662 runs without dismissal, with his 140 not out against Devon Meadows - on the very ground he destroyed them again on Saturday - the beginning of something special.
He backed that up just seven days later with the first double century of his career, before dousing his 210 not out against Merinda Park with a new career-best 214 not out against Cardinia just three weeks later.
His remarkable run came to an end in round 14 against Tooradin; where he fell just two runs short of a fourth-consecutive visit to triple figures.
Since beginning his senior career as a 15-yearold for Pakenham Upper/Toomuc on February 4, 2006, Smith has been the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association’s number-one run-getter.
He made 2998 runs for the Yabbies, before moving to Toomuc Reserve for the 2013/14 season.
He has since made 6348 runs for the Lions, taking his overall tally to 9346 at the remarkable average of 44.72.
He has now scored 21 centuries across his time at both clubs; raised his bat for a half-century on 51 occasions and now has a new top score of 229 not out after 20 seasons in the top flight.
His current captain, opening partner and great friend Jack Anning has seen it all up close.
He is as impressed and full of admiration as anyone that has seen the elegant right-hander elevate his game to new levels by picking to pieces his opposition.
Anning began in the middle on Saturday, and then admired from afar as Smith cracked 34 fours and five sixes on his way to his record score.
“He’s a marvel; his ability to identify what the bowler and opposition captain are trying to do, and then manipulate the field to his own benefit is like something I’ve never seen before,” Anning said.
“There are a lot of guys that do it with brute force, but Chris doesn’t do it that way.
“He’s ability to read the play is next level.
“On Saturday, they had a wide-mid-off, cover and cover-point, on angles that didn’t allow a gap to be there; but he pierced the gap three or four times in two overs.
“I don’t envy anyone that has to try and set fields for him; he’s so clever and sees things well in advance of when I see them when we open the batting together.
“He’ll tell me to ‘watch out for this’, or, ‘they’re trying to do this’, ‘have you noticed this’; he’s mindset and how clever he is gets underrated be-
opener
cause of how quiet, reserved and humble he is.
“I’ve said it for a long time now, and I say it regularly to him, that the 34-year-old version of Chris Smith would be an outstanding captain.
“But I don’t think that’s high on his priority list right now.”
Anning said Smith’s capacity to grind things out is another underrated feature of his game.
“He’s got this ridiculous ability to not throw it away and not mentally quit,” Anning said.
“He was 130 not out on Saturday and let a full over go through to the keeper; where a lot of guys in that position would be looking for the big shots.
“He just gave himself a reset and soldiered on from there; looking for his next boundary ball.
“It’s just a ridiculous mental capacity to not bail out.”
Pakenham has had many great champions over the years, with players like Eddie Lewis and Dallas Wyatt considered the best of the best over the long journey.
Smith’s record, which now contains three double-centuries, would more than match motors with those legends; but Anning fell short of naming his close friend as Pakenham’s greatest-ever player.
“I have a connection with people like dad (Club President Phil Anning), Eddie Lewis, Clinton Smith and Keith Popovits, because I’ve grown up with those guys and I’m fully aware of the history of the club, dating back to the sixties when dad first started playing,” Jack said.
“One thing we’re really mindful of, guys like myself and Dom (Paynter), when we talk about the history, is that we don’t disrespect the past and say that ‘Chris Smith has to be our greatest ever player’.
“We can’t comment on that because we never saw Eddie Lewis play.
“I can read his statistics, listen to stories about how they went about it, but I think it would be disrespectful for us to declare him the greatest player that Pakenham has ever had.
“But for us in the modern world, Chris and Dale (Tormey) have separated themselves to the next level; both statistically and how they go about their cricket.”
Anning said he felt humbled to captain a player that he almost considers a hero, and is more than happy to have his name connected with the batting maestro stories get longer and more animated down the track.
“We’ve got a wonderful relationship and it’s just a privilege to be at the non-strikers end and watch him go about this work,” Anning said.
“Maybe in the future my legacy will be - if anyone remembers me - that I was Chris Smith’s opening partner.
“I’d be more than happy to be remembered as the guy at the other end.
“Admittedly, when he does get these big scores I’m normally out pretty early…but the scoreboard still says C Smith; J Anning, that went out to open the innings.”
‘Purple Army’ excited as Casey Fields gets rocked by Storm
By David Nagel
Casey Fields will be pumping with excitement on Sunday when Rugby League powerhouse Melbourne Storm fine tunes its preparations for its 2025 NRL opener with a pre-season match against the North Queensland Cowboys.
Storm is expected to name a full-strength NRL squad as it lays the platform for another successful season under the guidance of coach Craig Bellamy.
Storm is expecting the ‘Purple Army’ to be out in force as it puts the final pieces in place ahead of the Round 1 clash with Parramatta Eels on Sunday 9 March at AAMI Park.
While the NRL pre-season match will be the highlight of Sunday’s action, Storm fans can also watch three curtain raisers before the 5.15pm kickoff, on what is sure to be an epic afternoon of footy.
The Storm Under-17s will play at 1pm, followed by the Under-19s at 2:30pm, with both teams taking on the Manly Sea Eagles.
At 4pm, the Storm Female Development Squad will showcase their talent in an intra-club match, before the big guys hit the field.
Storm forward Trent Loiero said it’s a great time of year, knowing the grind of pre-season training is almost done.
The 23-year-old said the Storm had worked hard after last year’s NRL grand final loss to Penrith.
“It’s been very tough but all the boys have been ripping in; I think there’s definitely been a hunger, coming back after what happened at the back end of last year,” Loiero said.
“Everyone came back ready to train and we’re looking forward to trials and round one.
“We came back a bit later, but we’ve definitely squeezed a lot of work into the shortened pre-season that we’ve had.
“We’re definitely ready footy wise, and we’re just looking forward to games.”
Loiero can’t wait to experience the vibe at Casey Fields once again, having been part of the pre-season clash in 2022.
“It’s always good going out to the regional grounds and I remember all the fans showed up, we got a massive turn out and we definitely felt their support,” he said.
“All the boys are looking forward to playing in front of our loyal fans again.
“It’s special, they come from far and wide to AAMI Park to watch us, so it’s nice to repay the favour, to do open trainings and play in games like this, like we did in 2022.
“Our supporters are very important to us and we can feel their love and support every time we play in front of them.”
Loiero said fans can expect a full-scale test against the Cowboys as the excitement builds for round one.
“It’s a good chance to test any new combinations, and I feel like you can do all the training you want, but nothing can prepare you for games and
game speed and even just the contact,” he said.
“That’s what we’re most looking forward to, testing our combinations and playing the footy that we’ve been working on.”
City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen said the event is a great opportunity for Storm fans to watch their favourite team play before the start of the NRL season.
“The City of Casey is home to thousands of Storm members, and Council is thrilled to welcome the Storm back to Casey Fields,” Cr Koomen said.
“It promises to be a great day for the whole family, so get your tickets now.”
Tickets can be purchased via: www.melbournestorm.com.au
MELBOURNE STORM PRE-SEASON MATCH DETAILS
Sunday, 23 February
Casey Fields, Cranbourne East 1pm Gates Open Storm Zone Open Harold Matthews U17s 2:30pm SG Ball U19’s 4pm Female Pathways 5:15pm Melbourne Storm v North Queensland Cowboys 7pm Storm Zone Close
Pakenham
Chris Smith made his third double-century in 12 months with a magnificent 229 not out against Devon Meadows on Saturday. (Stewart Chambers: 393920)
Rare day for record books
By David Nagel
Three absolute superstars of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA) turned grey skies into a glorious sunset on Saturday on a memorable day of Premier Division action.
Pakenham’s Chris Smith (229 not out) broke personal, club and league records against Devon Meadows; while at the same time Kooweerup’s Shiran Rathnayake (160 not out) became the number-one player in the competition; becoming the first batter to crack the 600-run milestone this season.
Meanwhile, down at Clyde, Tooradin jet Tom Hussey (116) reminded everyone of his sublime skills with his first century in almost three years.
For those who love their horse racing; it was akin to having Black Caviar, Winx and Makybe Diva all win easily at different venues on the same day.
Smith and Hussey have already earned the title as the best player in the competition over their cricketing journeys; while Rathnayake might already have pinned that accolade to his chest in his first season at Denhams Road.
We’re talking the cream of the crop here; three players that have all had magnificent careers.
Smith’s overall journey - that is heading towards 10,000 Premier Division runs - will be highlighted in a different story on a different page this week, but his innings against Devon Meadows on the weekend was absolutely sublime.
He gave a gilt-edged chance to first-slip, when 27 off 30 balls, and survived a difficult missed stumping when 185 off 196.
They were the only chances in a 235-ball masterclass, that led the Lions to 6/397 and a certain position in this year’s finals series.
Rain delayed the start of play at Glover Reserve, with Devon Meadows skipper Lucas Ligt deciding to bowl first as cloud-cover began to lift overhead.
It was a decision that sort of made sense at the time; to get the new ball moving around, but was in the end a decision that would forever be embedded in the record books.
Smith and Pakenham skipper Jack Anning (26) strode to the crease and were positive from the outset, with Anning initially outscoring the champ in the early overs.
Smith gradually worked into gear and by the time tea was taken, after 18 overs, Anning had departed, with Smith on 53 not out and joined by Jason Williams (56) in the middle.
The pair put on 128 for the second wicket, with Smith crunching 12 fours in their union, that only ended after Williams was run out with a direct throw after he pushed into the covers and took off for a quick single.
Smith and Williams were in total command at the time and it took a freak piece of fielding to end their dominance.
Stuart Johnson (0) then came and went in a hurry before Dom Paynter (47) joined a rampant Smith in the middle, who was on 122 at the time.
The pair put on 113 runs in just 19 overs to keep the ball rolling, with Smith on 182 when Paynter and Nick Sadler (2) both fell to Panthers’ leg-spinner Ben Marsh (3/98 off 20) in the same over.
Smith was then joined at the crease by his ‘good-luck charm’ Sendhil Naidu (19), who was in the middle with the now 34-year-old when he made his second-consecutive double-century against Cardinia at Gunton Oval on February 24 last year.
Just as he had done earlier to bring up his 150, Smith brought up the third double-century of his career - all in the last 12 months - with a thumping six over the square-leg boundary.
He dropped his right knee and produced a slog-sweep off Marsh that would live in his heart forever.
Three double centuries in 15 innings… quite incredible really!
He then cruised past his previous best of 214 not out with a celebratory dance and lofted straight drive for four.
The very next ball he produced another slog-sweep for six that almost ended the party.
After 20 years of senior cricket; Chris Smith had just set a new benchmark in an already incredible career!
Marsh was the pick of the bowlers for the Panthers, while Mitchell Kleinig (1/100 off 24) can still hold his head high after joining Smith
as a triple-figure performer on the day.
At Upper Beaconsfield (1/40), Kooweerup (5/276 declared) can thank its star-recruit Rathnayake for batting the Demons into a powerful position against the Maroons.
The wristy-right-hander was at his imperious best, only hitting nine fours and one six in an innings that showcased his ability to pierce the field brilliantly with his placement.
It was a key feature of his play in his two match-winning half-centuries for the CCCA Country Week team in the build up to Saturday’s innings.
Rathnayake only played twice during Country Week; with both resulting in wins… before work commitments at a new job halted both his and the team’s magnificent form.
The 29-year-old has been a revelation in his first season in the CCCA since making the switch from Phillip Island.
He made over 500 runs and took 32 wickets for Phillip Island last year, with Kooweerup President Matt Davey putting the feelers out to see if the spinner/top-order-bat would be interested in making the move.
It was a call that Davey and the Demons would be more than happy to pay a high-price for right now!
Rathnayake has been brilliant for Kooweerup this season, with his best-of-theseason 160 not out on Saturday eclipsing previous scores of 102, 61, 58, 49, 47, 44 and 43.
He now leads the competition with 602 runs, 39 clear of his teammate Chris Bright (563) and exactly 100 ahead of Pakenham’s record-breaker Smith (502).
He also sits fourth on the wicket-taking list, with 21 poles, and would now have to be a short-priced favourite to take out the Terry Stephenson Medal as the best player in Premier Division this season.
No other player sits top-10 in both categories.
Rathnayake and Mitch Davey (73) were the stars for the Demons on the weekend, after Maroons’ spinner Andrew McDonald (3/78 off 26) made early inroads with the new ball.
McDonald had Bright (1), Luke McMaster (4) and Rob Maskiell (7) all back in their ‘Civies’ in a hurry, while Will Haines (1/40) claimed the wicket of Cody Miller (20) to leave the Demons in trouble at 4/75.
Rathnayake and Davey then steadied the ship with a fantastic 201-run partnership from just 29 overs at the crease.
Davey, who showcased his talents with a double-century in A Grade earlier this season, slammed four balls to the boundary and three flying over the ropes.
The speed of their partnership allowed skipper Bright to declare and have 17 overs at the Maroons in the lead up to stumps.
Jess Mathers (1/14) claimed the wicket of AJ Claxton early, but the Maroons would be feeling content after Marcus Gehling (21 not out off 52 balls) and Josh Westra (8 not out off 32) showed true grit to survive against a high-quality bowling attack.
The Maroons, particularly Ben Amos, showed enormous resilience against Pakenham last week and appear determined to take the Demons all the way once again.
One of the all-time greats of WGCA/CCCA cricket wound back the clock on Saturday with Tom Hussey (116) guiding his beloved Tooradin (9/349) to an impregnable position against Clyde.
Hussey, formerly the number-one top-order bat in the competition, was back to his brilliant best after enjoying a return to the top of the order.
The elegant right-hander has become an
‘insurance policy’ for the Seagulls in recent years, with the 36-year-old happy to step out of the spotlight to let a plethora of emerging talent shine through. But it was time for the champ to stand up and be fully prepared for the Seagulls’ quest for back-to-back premierships this year.
Just one round after fellow stalwart Russell Lehman (117) capitalised on his return to prominence, Hussey stole the show, making his 13th century for the Seagulls since making his debut for the club in 2011.
He has now made 5589 runs at the impressive average of a tick over 42; a genuine passmark for any champions’ career.
Saturday’s century was his first since making an identical score (116) against Carlisle Park on March 5, 2022.
Seagulls’ openers Josh Lownds (52) and Cal O’Hare (37) staved off the danger of Ankush Rana (1/55) on Saturday, with the Clyde quick the leading wicket-taker in Premier Division this season.
That laid the platform for a dynamic afternoon of batting with Hussey and young-gun Tyler Evans (75) working together beautifully. The pair put on 161 for the fourth wicket, with Hussey whacking 12 fours and an enterprising six, while Evans hit five to the boundary and one maximum.
The youngster, who held his own at his Country Week debut, has now made back-toback half centuries after making his maiden fifty - 67 not out - against Merinda Park last week.
Praveen Perera (3/78) and Nick Miles (2/15) were the multiple wicket-takers for the Cougars; who need to chase down the imposing total to keep their season alive.
The final game of round 13, Cardinia v Merinda Park, will be played as a one-dayer.
A touch of class. Pakenham superstar Chris Smith made his third double century in 12 months against Devon Meadows on Saturday. Smith finished on 229 not out. (Stewart Chambers: 440878)
