Damien and Layla Kelly at their last fundraising run at Casey Fields. (Gary Sissons: 459645)
Bells Road now open
The new 6.2km section of Bells Road, extending from O’Shea Road to Heather Grove is now open!
This major infrastructure upgrade provides enhanced access to the developing areas of Berwick and Clyde North, as well as a valuable connection to the Monash Freeway.
Delivered in partnership with the development industry and at a cost of over $58 million, the road feature eight intersections and provides a much-needed alternative route to Berwick-
Cranbourne and Clyde Road and supports the future rollout of bus routes by the Victorian Government.
The road is also expected to ease traffic congestion in the area, improving travel time for residents and visitors alike.
Access to well-maintained roads and efficient public transport is a key priority of the community and council is committed to improving infrastructure to meet the needs of our growing community.
Bunjil Place invites you to a stunning gala event, celebrating the opening of the Floribunda exhibition, where art, flowers, and creativity come to life.
Book your tickets now for a night of floral wonder, live performances, and immersive experiences! Head to the Bunjil Place website to book.
Become a Learner Driver Mentor
The TAC L2P Program helps learner drivers aged between 16 and 23 who don’t have access to a supervising driver or vehicle to get the driving experience they need to get a probationary license.
The program could not run without the ongoing support and commitment of our volunteer mentors.
Engaging Women in Physical Activity Forum
What do you think sport and recreational initiatives for women in Casey should look like? We need help shaping the future of women’s participation in sport and active recreation in Casey.
Join us at the Engaging Women in Physical Activity Forum on Monday 17 March from 5:45 pm to 9:00 pm at Bunjil Place. Come along and share your ideas, participate in co-design workshops, and create new connections.
Childminding will be available and there will be lots of giveaways. To register, scan the QR code.
Casey Conversations
Provide feedback on a number of consultations currently open on our community engagement platform, Casey Conversations.
Due to high demand, the Casey L2P program needs even more volunteer support.
If you can spare two to three hours a week, then please consider joining us to support disadvantaged youth in Casey.
Visit our website to learn more or scan the QR code.
• Cranbourne Hub: we are seeking feedback on the concept design for the proposed Cranbourne Hub at 1-3 Lyall Street, Cranbourne.
• Ackland Park Reserve redevelopment project: the reserve in Narre Warren North is closed until mid-June for redevelopment works.
• Berwick Springs Wetland dog-friendly park: we are seeking feedback on the elements required at this new dog-friendly park in Narre Warren South.
Head to the Casey Conversations website to find out more or scan the QR code.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen and Dillwynia Ward Councillor Anthony Walter.
Subdivision bid concerns
By Violet Li
The surroundings of the Stevensons Brothers Industries (SBI) landfill could see more houses in the future as a proposed planning application has sought to subdivide the Brookland Greens Recreation Reserve to facilitate the future expansion of the housing estate.
Land surveyor Head & Humphreys Pty Ltd proposed subdividing the Brookland Greens Recreation Reserve into two lots to represent the existing zone boundaries.
The reserve, located at the corner of Ballarto Rd and Cranbourne-Frankston Rd, has two zonings, including the 4.43 hectares of land at the western end, zoned as General Residential, and the rest zoned as Public Park & Recreation.
According to the proposal, the subdivision is “intended to facilitate the future sale of this land for the continued expansion of the Brookland Greens Estate”.
The proposal notes that an application for the future development of the land remains subject to separate approval by others, which requires a more comprehensive assessment of the site constraints and a demonstration of how the subdivision responds to the overlay and the scattered remnant vegetation on the site.
“Particular consideration will also be required to determine vehicle access locations off Ballarto Rd and where appropriate, Cranbourne-Frankston Rd via service lanes, along
with the interface treatment to the SES building adjacent to the site’s northwest corner,” it states.
The proposed residential lot at the western end is about 700 to 800 metres away from the neighbouring SBI landfill. According to EPA’s latest landfill buffer guideline, there is a 500-metre buffer for landfills accepting solid waste like SBI landfill for human health and amenity impacts.
A nearby resident said they don’t want more houses in the area.
“If we have houses there, it’s going to make more traffic in the streets and everything,” she said.
“The council told us that all this land was going to be for recreational.”
The resident said she didn’t smell the odour from the neighbouring landfill, but a lot of her neighbours along the other streets in the Brookland Greens Estate could smell the rotten egg-like odour when the wind was blowing.
Another nearby resident said when they bought the house, they expected that there would be more houses down the road, so they wouldn’t be bothered.
The two-lot subdivision application PA240529 is advertised on Casey’s planning portal until 11 March.
Residents can lodge a submission to this application. Submissions can only be lodged after the application has been advertised and prior to determination.
New home for Siege of Tobruk war medals
By Violet Li
A collection of Siege of Tobruk war medals will have pride-of-place at DandenongCranbourne RSL.
The RSL sub-branch’s committee members had a commemoration ceremony with the donor Jim Wetherall at Dandenong on Tuesday 25 February.
The medals were awarded to Mr Wetherall’s late father James Wetherall, who fought in the Siege of Tobruk during the Second World War.
“We’ve now got the medals and we’re going to put them into a frame with a photo and put them onto our wall to thank him for giving us the medals,” Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL secretary Marcus Osborne said.
Mr Osborne said the ceremony went very well.
“It was more of a commemoration of about 14,000 Australians that were involved in the Siege at Tobruk,” he said.
“James was in the middle of it for the eight months that they were surrounded by the Germans.
“His son Jim has graciously given us the medals to display.”
“And then he would say, that’s all today, Aussies. And they would all clap and cheer
“He did that for quite some time. But one
day, he didn’t play his song. And they never heard from him again.
“If there’s something out of that story, it shows that they were human too, the generals.”
Your say
Cranbourne Star News, as part of Star News Group, is running an online survey to show what truly matters to Casey residents in the lead up to the Federal Election.
As an outer Melbourne growth corridor, the South East has its own priorities and concerns that should be heard by candidates vying for political office.
We will then share the results and highlight the issues that matter most to ensure they are not ignored in Canberra.
Star News urges all readers to take part by completing the survey online, or if they prefer, write answers in the printed survey, snap a photo, and email it to federalsurvey@starnewsgroup.com.au
The full survey can be completed in print on page 22 of this edition. To complete the online survey, scan the QR code on the same page.
SMART - RUN SMART” SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM Enabling Multicultural Businesses & Start-Ups
Doors open 6.30pm, Presentation commences 7pm START SMART - RUN SMART BUSINESS PROGRAM
Doors open 6.30pm, Presentation commences 7pm START SMART - RUN SMART BUSINESS PROGRAM
VENUE: Cranbourne Public Hall, 166-178 South Gippsland Highway, Cranbourne
VENUE: Cranbourne Public Hall, 166-178 South Gippsland Highway, Cranbourne
1st Guest Speaker: Nick Perrett
1st Guest Speaker: Nick Perrett
Brookland Greens Recreation Reserve is along Ballarto Road.
Peter Gane, David Joyce, Lance McDermott (president of Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL), Jim Wetherall (donor of the medals), Mark Osbourne (secretary), Vlad Nargorny (veteran from Ukraine) were at the
Bingo Plushie
Opening marred by chaos
By Violet Li
Enthusiastic shoppers, an overwhelming turnout, hours of queues, fighting and verbal abuse, vandalism, a police callout, and an early shutdown marked the grand opening of Australia’s first Panda Mart in Cranbourne last weekend.
International discount retailer Panda Mart opened its first store Australia-wide in Cranbourne on Thursday 27 February, with a 20 per cent discount being offered on the first four days.
When Star News visited on the afternoon of Saturday 1 March, customers queued deep, with the line extending from the front of the store to Bunnings next door.
Carparks were full to their capacity as plenty of drivers hung around to try their luck. The surrounding neighbourhood was also packed with cars on nature strips and kerbsides, with traffic congestion on Thompsons Road.
Shoppers were seen going home with full trolleys and red shopping bags with the panda logo.
A South East resident, who visited relatives in Cranbourne on the day, said it was shambolic, chaotic, and out-of-control as people “happily” carried their ladened bags with cheap stuff away from the store and more poured in.
“Where was the permit for this grand opening that insisted on traffic management?” she said.
Store owner John Chen estimated that more than 10,000 shoppers showed up each day during the weekend, which was beyond his expectations. He and his team only expected less than one-fifth of the actual turnout.
The situation went out of control in the late afternoon on Saturday.
On the inside, shoppers became agitated while waiting for about one hour and a half on average to check out.
“We opened 18 checkout machines, and there are two people on each machine, one is the cashier, and the other is helping with bagging. It was not as fast as the shoppers expected, so many people queued for a long time,” Mr Chen said.
Some shoppers attempted to jump the queue. Verbal abuse started and escalated into physical fights.
Mr Chen said the staff tried to break up the fight, but one was stopped, and the other kicked off. He also noted that some young people took advantage of the chaos by smashing goods onto the ground and tearing apart the packages.
On the outside, the massive crowd wanted to get in all at once, but the staff shut down the
door due to the fights and overcrowding inside.
Eager shoppers swarmed all over the small space between the two rows of glass doors at the entrance. People were pushing on the glass doors to get inside.
Mr Chen said they tried to manage the flow by putting on crowd-control officers, but it didn’t work.
He understood that many people drove hours to have a look and didn’t want to go home with
their hands empty, but they had to tell them to go home as the safety concerns loomed.
A large part of the crowd refused. They kept putting their weight on the glass doors.
Police were called and arrived around 5pm to manage the safety and the order. The store was then shut down early for the day.
The store later apologised on Facebook for the inconvenience.
“We apologise for the recent crowding in our store, which may have impacted your shopping experience,” it states.
“To improve safety and comfort, we’re actively managing customer flow by increasing staff, implementing crowd control, and streamlining checkout.
“Thank you for your patience and continued support as we work to provide a better shopping experience.”
Mr Chen said the early shutdown was a hard decision to make.
“We had to do it for everyone’s safety because we were afraid that the fights inside would affect the people lining up next to them, and then there would be more and more fights,” he said.
“More people would be involved in the chaos, and we were concerned about the possibility of a stampede.
“That’s why we decided to shut the door.”
Mr Chen said they implemented crowd-control in the early morning of Sunday 2 March. The queue popped up even before 8am.
“We let 10 people in at a time. There were hundreds of shoppers inside,” he said.
“The average waiting time to get inside was about one hour and a half.
“We also put on four security guards.”
Panda Mart has put Cranbourne town on the map on China’s RedNote, a social media platform used widely by Chinese living overseas. The Chinese community hailed the discount store as “Melbourne’s Yiwu”. Yiwu, a city in the eastern part of China, is widely recognised as the world’s largest wholesale market for small commodities.
The discount store also went viral on TikTok.
Buddy the helper celebrates birthday at Casey Grammar
Casey Grammar’s staff member Buddy, the school’s well-being dog, celebrated his second birthday this week with a special birthday treat, a peanut butter and sweet potato cake.
Since joining the school 12 months ago, Buddy has had quite an impact on staff and students.
He’s a regular in the classrooms and can often be found connecting with students in the playground, and in the hotter summer months, he’s easily spotted wearing his bright orange and blue sneakers.
“Buddy’s shoes are quite eye-catching, and they protect his feet on the hot concrete during warmer days. The students love seeing him in his shoes!” Casey Grammar Library technician Rebecca Birch, who is also Buddy’s primary carer, said.
“Last year, Grade 3 students in their STEM classes designed a few items to keep Buddy comfortable, including his own backpack and
an umbrella hat to keep him in the shade on hot days.”
Buddy is a Labradoodle and joined Casey Grammar as part of the whole school wellbeing program.
He was trained as a well-being dog through the Dogs Connect program.
“Since joining the school, he’s probably become the most popular member of staff,” principal Fiona Williams said.
“Buddy settled into classes quite quickly and now attends school four days a week and regularly visits our Foundation to Year 12 classrooms.
“He’s definitely lifted morale and some students who were previously afraid of dogs now enjoy getting close to Buddy without any fear.
“Dogs in schools have been proven to provide emotional support and help students and staff build connections and Buddy carries out
his role like a true professional.” Wellbeing dogs bring a range of benefits to classrooms including reducing anxiety and
stress, improving attendance rates, strengthening connections between students and the school community and increasing empathy and understanding.
During the school day, Buddy plays ball with students at lunchtime and is read to by Junior School students during their morning literacy groups.
He’s even attended coding classes to improve his IT know-how and listens patiently as students explain their latest STEM inventions to him.
“To celebrate Buddy’s special day last year, he joined his first online Teams meeting to hear the Junior School singing Happy Birthday,” Ms Birch said.
“The staff sang Happy Birthday to Buddy this year, and presented him with his cake and he later played ball with students on the oval. It was quite a day.”
Shoppers huddled in the shop doorway to get in on Saturday 1 March. (Violet Li: 462948)
Birthday girl Ella celebrated her birthday with Buddy. The two had the same birthday date.
(Gary Sissons: 461935)
Man convicted over compensation fraud
A Lynbrook business manager has been convicted and placed on a Community Corrections Order after dishonestly claiming $114,952 in workers’ compensation payments while secretly working a full-time job.
The Lynbrook man, 57, was sentenced in the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 20 February after pleading guilty to a single charge of fraudulently obtaining payments, and a single charge of providing false or misleading information.
He was convicted and placed on an 18-month Community Corrections Order with a condition to perform 180 hours of unpaid community work.
The court heard that in April 2021, the man slipped and fell while working for a plant hire company, injuring his leg, shoulder and lower back.
His injury claim was accepted in June 2021, but he continued working while submitting suitable employment certificates until May 2022, when he underwent surgery.
He did not return to work after the surgery and started receiving weekly payments when he formally resigned in June 2022 and began submitting medical certificates stating that he had no capacity for employment.
However, a WorkSafe investigation later found that in the same month, the man had started a new role as a business manager for a rail freight business, earning a $200,000 annual salary.
On 11 of the 13 medical certificates submitted since resigning, the man falsely declared that he was not engaged in any employment.
While receiving the payments, the man was asked on three separate occasions about his employment status and each time falsely stated that
he was not working.
His weekly compensation payments were terminated in April 2023 on grounds of fraud.
He has since paid back the full restitution amount of $114,952.
Return to Work Victoria Executive Director Jason Lardelli said the case exposed an attempt to exploit Victoria’s workers compensation system for personal gain.
A 20-year-old Cranbourne North man has been charged following an alleged hit-and-run collision in Seaford on Saturday 22 February.
Officers were told that a cyclist was travelling at the rear of a group of other cyclists along the Nepean Highway when he was allegedly struck by a blue VW Gold at around 7.55am.
The 53-year-old cyclist came off his bike and was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries.
The Cranbourne North suspect has since been charged with reckless conduct endangering life, dangerous driving, careless driving, the failure to render assistance and the failure to exchange details. He was bailed to appear before Moorabbin Magistrate’s Court on 3 April.
More than 50 allegedly impaired drivers were caught in a police blitz on Monash Freeway last weekend.
Police also impounded eight vehicles, issued 18 infringement notices and arrested three people in an allegedly stolen car during Operation Colossus on Friday and Saturday nights (28 February and 1 March). In other incidents during the alcohol and drug testing blitz:
■ A 27-year-old driver with an alleged blood-alcohol reading of 0.177 was also detected.
■ An alleged drug-and-unlicensed driver was detected at 152 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on the Monash.
“Not only is it a crime, it’s a breach of community trust to those who genuinely rely on the scheme while they can’t work.”
“WorkSafe has stepped up monitoring and compliance checks. Those who behave in this way will be caught, and they will face the full consequences of their actions.”
“It’s really disappointing to see when someone knowingly accepts workers compensation payments while already earning a full-time salary,” Mr Lardelli said.
■ A stolen car drove through a testing site. It was stopped by police a short distance away and three occupants arrested.
■ A driver was arrested in Hampton Park after failing to stop at the testing site.
■ Nine disqualified, suspended or unlicensed drivers were also detected.
Mapping Casey’s heat
By Violet Li
Environment advocacy organisation Sweltering Cities delved into the City of Casey to research how its urban planning could be more heat-safe.
Senior Community Campaigner Sophie Emder took several community members for a 45-minute Cool Walk through the streets of Narre Warren and Cranbourne respectively on 23 and 24 February to map hot and cool spots in the areas.
The walks started from the train stations in the suburbs, spanning less than 1.5 kilometres each.
Sophie said: “We created this idea of doing cool walks to answer this question - is the way that our suburbs are being built making it easier or harder for people to travel and get around their suburb on hot days and during heat waves?”
She said the purpose of the walk was to collect powerful data and evidence from community input about what the solutions are to extreme heat in their suburbs and how cooler suburbs could be built to keep everyone healthy during heat waves.
“Extreme heat kills more people in Australia than all other environmental disasters,” she said.
“Heat waves are getting longer and hotter, and people are feeling the heat.”
Equipped with a notepad, participants were tasked with mapping hot spots in the areas through rating scale questions and qualitative questions.
“We had a series of questions. We ask people at every stop. Questions are like, on a scale of one to five, how comfortable is it to wait at this train station on a hot day or during a heat wave?” Sophie said.
“We had qualitative questions, like what are the specific features that would make this bus stop more comfortable for you to wait at on a 40-degree day?
“We also were collecting other comments and insights from people, like doing voice recordings,
taking photos, taking videos.
“We gave people temperature monitors, and they were measuring the difference, for example, between dark-coloured and lighter-coloured concrete or the difference in temperature between the grass.”
Community members said they wanted more shaded bus stops so that they could wait comfortably on hot days. They wanted more water at train stations. They wanted to see cooler and lighter building materials.
Sophie noted that some intersections become mini urban heat islands on really hot days.
“They’re uncomfortable for people to walk around. They’re really busy. There’s often no assisted way to cross these intersections,” she said.
“People are waiting for long periods of time in the burning sun feeling unsafe.”
Sophie said the organisation would create a report with all the findings within the next two weeks.
“We’re going to be putting it out to the public, to decision-makers, policymakers, so anyone can look at it and use it and do something with it,” she said.
City of Casey councillor Kim Ross said the Cool Walk was a great initiative to show the challenges of increasing participation in active transport.
“The lack of shade and respite, especially in the main pedestrian thoroughfare from Narre Warren railway station up to Fountain Gate, was highlighted,” she said.
“This area is known to me, as I walked it during my campaign. However, I’m sure many similar areas throughout Casey are not comfortable walking in higher temperatures.”
She said the findings of the cool walk could be incorporated into a broader conversation about factors stopping people from choosing active transport when it is uncomfortable.
Appeal for footage following Monash Freeway grass fire
Victoria Police is appealing for dashcam footage of a grass fire next to Monash Freeway, Hallam last month.
Police are investigating the cause of the fire, which appeared to start on an off-ramp and rapidly spread uphill through grassland about 2.40pm on Friday 21 February.
The blaze damaged a freeway barrier as well as spreading to a rear fence line and home shed at Nettle Drive.
More than a dozen fire-fighting tankers and pumpers from CFA and FRV were called, bringing the blaze under control about 3.15pm.
Any information or dashcam footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au The fire damaged a Monash
Freeway barrier. (Hallam Fire Brigade/Facebook)
Fire crews fought a rapidly spreading grass fire that ignited at a Monash Freeway off-ramp in Hallam on Friday 21 February. (Hallam Fire Brigade/Facebook)
The group started the data-collection walk at Cranbourne train station. (460970)
Facilitator Sophie Emder was interviewing local Kathy Smith. (460970)
A participant was filling out the research questionnaire These forms were then given back to Sophie for data analysis. (460970)
Facilitator Sophie Emder was with community members on a mission to map hot spots and cool spots around Cranbourne train station. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 460970)
Oceania closure slammed
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A union claims that Oceania Glass’s administrators “blindsided” workers with the announced closure of the company’s manufacturing plant in Dandenong South.
On 27 February, administrators at Grant Thornton Australia stated 151 jobs would be lost – including 56 employees laid off immediately.
It has led to outrage from industry groups such as South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) – which accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of having a “glass jaw” in failing to rescue Australia’s only architectural glass manufacturer.
Australian Workers Union (AWU) state secretary Ronnie Hayden said the union was “shocked and appalled by this ambush”.
The closure of the factory leaves employees waiting months for the company’s liquidation before receiving their redundancy payments and entitlements, he says.
According to AWU, administrators applied to the Federal Court to extend the administration process to August, meaning workers couldn’t apply for the federal government’s Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) for six months.
“It is utterly outrageous to think you can lay off 40-plus hardworking Australians with no financial support or entitlements and expect it to go unnoticed.
“These are people with families, mortgages, and bills to pay.
“Our members are facing the prospect of leaving with zero dollars in their pockets and waiting half a year for their entitlements. This is completely unacceptable.”
Hayden called on the Federal Government to fast-track the FEG applications.
“The AWU is demanding urgent action to ensure workers receive their full entitlements without delay and warns that this shocking situation may only be the beginning.”
SEMMA chief executive Honi Walker ques-
tioned why the Federal Government recently offered a $2.4 billion bail-out of Whyalla steelworks but there was no lifeline for Oceania Glass.
“Why isn’t Albo playing the Man of Steel this time? Does he have a glass jaw?
“If Victoria is to be the battle ground for this federal election – Albo – come down to Dandenong and save Dandenong manufacturers – it might just save your job.”
She called on the Government to immediately bring forward the Anti-Dumping Commission’s findings and apply tariffs to cheap imported steel and glass.
“Do the right thing for Australian manufacturers and our workers – back a Future Made in
Australia – back your own policy!”
The Australian Glass and Window Association (AGWA) warned of serious impacts for Australia’s building sector and national housing supply targets.
“Our members are constantly being asked to compete against cheap imported products that increasingly skirt Australian safety and quality standards,” AGWA chief executive Clinton Skeoch said.
“Every manufacturer we lose weakens our sovereign capability to build locally.
“If more Australian glass and window businesses are forced to close their doors, it will rob our construction sector of decades of expertise
and crucial manufacturing capacity during a chronic national housing shortage.”
AGWA called for stricter enforcement of quality standards for imports and stronger protections for local manufacturers.
In a statement on 27 February, voluntary administrators stated they were unable to secure a buyer for Oceania Glass as a whole.
“Regretfully glass manufacturing at the company’s Dandenong factory will cease shortly.
“As a result, the administrators have had to make the difficult decision to make 56 employees at the Dandenong manufacturing facility redundant effective immediately with the potential for a further 95 redundancies over the coming weeks as the company’s float line and production facility is wound down.”
Meanwhile, the administrators were exploring the sale of the company’s national distribution business with “several interested parties through a due diligence process”.
The distribution facility co-located in Dandenong will “continue to operate as usual over the forthcoming weeks”.
“We wish to extend our thanks to the employees of Oceania Glass for their patience and co-operation during this difficult time as we begin the process of ceasing manufacturing operations at the Dandenong factory,” joint administrator Lisa Gibb said.
“We acknowledge this latest outcome is stressful for employees and their families and are providing support services to those affected.”
According to its website, Oceania Glass sold its first glass in 1856 and is Australia’s only maker of architectural glass.
Prior to its collapse, Oceania Glass submitted to the Anti-Dumping Commission that the Australian industry had suffered “material injury” as a result of clear laminate glass imported from Thailand and China at dumped and subsidised prices.
Federal Industry Minister Ed Husic was contacted for comment.
As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re easing congestion by building better roads in Melbourne’s south east making your journey quicker and safer.
As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re easing congestion Melbourne’s south quicker
Road disruptions: Closed Roads, lanes and ramps
Road disruptions: Closed Roads, lanes and ramps
McGregor Road, Pakenham
Until 5am 17 Mar
McGregor Road, Until 5am 17 Mar
7pm 27
Citybound entry ramp to the Princes Freeway
Citybound entry ramp to the Princes Freeway
7pm to 5am each night, 23 to 27 Mar Between Princes Freeway and Southeast Boulevard
Bald Hill Road, Until mid 2025
Bald Hill Road, Pakenham Until mid 2025
Beaconsfield Avenue, Beaconsfield 5pm 13 to 5pm 16 MarBetween Goff and Souter streets
Officer-bound between Street and 5pm 13 to 5pm Souter streets
Officer-bound between O’Sullivan Street and Racecourse Road
Princes Freeway, 7pm 14 to 5am 17 Mar
Princes Freeway, Pakenham 7pm 14 to 5am 17 Mar
Princes Freeway, Berwick
Citybound between McGregor and Cardinia roads
Citybound between and Cardinia roads
Mid to late MarAt Clyde Road
Princes Freeway, Berwick Mid to late MarAt Clyde Road
Kenilworth Avenue, Beaconsfield
7am 20 to 9am 24
Kenilworth Avenue, 7am 20 to 9am 24
MarBetween Soldiers Road and Station Street
MarBetween Soldiers Road Station Street
Victorian Branch of the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) secretary Ronnie Hayden was calling on the Federal Government to support glass manufacturing as the country’s only glass manufacturer, Oceania Glass, has recently gone into administration. (ROB CAREW: 460999)
Ready to make their mark
By Ethan Benedicto
The Job Readiness Bootcamp was a success, as a group of eager and determined youth filtered into the halls of Berwick Chisholm on Friday, 28 February.
Andrew Simmons, CEO of South East Local Learning and Employment Network (SELLEN), said that he was amazed to see the level of engagement from those who attended.
Laughing at the thought, he said that “we almost had to kick them out at the end because they were really engaged!”
“We didn’t have huge numbers, but the young people and job seekers that were there, they were very involved.
“To quote some of the employers that were there, the quality far outweighed the quantity, which is an amazing sign,” he said.
Once Andrew and the other presenters had finished their speeches, he recalled speaking to the attendees one-on-one, ensuring to deliver that critical message that “they’re not in this on their own”.
For him, SELLEN, and the employers who attended, he said that the key part was to make a difference in people’s careers and to push that message for them to know that “it’s okay to ask questions”.
“The employers are there, and they want to help, to support you find the job that you want,” he said.
“It was a real collective effort, and we could see the benefits of networking, and that every person knows that you’re looking, as well as other people who have an eye and ear open for you.”
As someone who has been with SELLEN for roughly 15 years and in a corporate position beforehand, the feeling never changes whenever he, the organisation, and other employers have the chance to lend a helping hand.
“This is why we do it; I left the corporate space for a reason, and I love what we get to do here,” he said.
From left to right: Andrew Simmons, Craig Hilton, Alex Charlton, Jasper Budiono, Zach Townend and Rosie Hopgood. (Stewart Chambers: 462452_01)
Help shape local precincts
By Violet Li Ballar
Casey community is invited to have their say in precinct plans for new suburbs in Devon Meadows, and Casey Fields South, which are proposed to deliver more than 5,000 jobs and 11,000 homes.
The two proposed precincts sit next to each other at approximately 5 kilometres from the Cranbourne town centre.
According to the draft precinct plans, the two precincts will deliver land for more than 5,000 jobs, reducing the need for Casey residents to travel out of the municipality for work.
Devon Meadows precinct will be turned into an immersive and walkable residential community, home to over 11,000 residents.
The heart of the precinct will provide opportunities for shopping, education, community services, entertainment, and recreation.
The precinct plans also propose to deliver new transport, drainage and community infrastructure, including the facilitation of new intersections along Ballarto Road, Clyde Five Ways Road, Craig Road and South Gippsland Highway, a local convenience centre in both Casey Fields South Employment and Devon Meadows Precincts, a government primary school and government secondary school in Devon Meadows Precinct, a multipurpose community centre including kindergartens and meeting rooms for community use, which will be co-located with the primary school in Devon Meadows Precinct, a public open space network including four new local parks in Casey Fields South, and six new local parks and a local sports reserve in Devon Meadows.
The draft planning scheme amendment has been prepared to implement the Casey Fields South Employment and Devon Meadows precinct plans into the Casey Planning Scheme.
Changes to the zoning, overlay and particular provisions of the Casey Planning Scheme
will be applied to facilitate the development of the precincts.
Specifically, the draft amendment proposes to rezone land in the precincts to an Urban Growth Zone (UGZ), also inserting a new schedule into the zone, apply an Environmental Audit Overlay (EAO) to land identified as having a high risk for potential contamination, include native vegetation exemptions in the Schedule to Clause 52.17 Native Vegetation of the Casey Planning Scheme, and delete the existing Public Acquisition Overlay (PAO) applied to land on Clyde Fiveways Road and
The 275-hectare Casey Fields South Employment precinct is bounded by Ballarto Road on the northern edge and Clyde Five Way Road on the eastern edge, while the 261-hectare Devon Meadows precinct, a primarily residential precinct, is bounded by Craig Road to the west and directly adjoins the backs of multiple existing rural residential lots to the south. South Gippsland Highway runs across the connecting side of the two precincts.
Both precincts are relatively flat, with “gently undulating topography”.
Three information sessions will be held in March, two online and one in-person.
■ Online information session 1: Thu, 13 March 2025, 5.30pm – 6.30pm.
■ Online information session 2: Tue, 18 March 2025, 7.30pm – 8.30pm.
■ In-person information session: Botanic Ridge Village Shopping Centre pop-up, Sat, 15 March 2025, 9.30am – 12.30pm.
The public consultation is open from 3 to 31 March. To submit, access online information sessions, and read more information, visit: engage.vic.gov.au/cfsdm
Come along to Summerset Cranbourne North’s upcoming
Open Days Friday 7 & Saturday 8 March
Summerset
Summerset Cranbourne North 98 Mannavue Boulevard, Cranbourne North 03 7068 5642 | cranbourne.sales@summerset.com.au
Love the life you choose.
Love the life you choose.
Ballarto Road.
The Ballarto Road and Clyde Five Way Road will see a new employment precinct in the future. (Stewart Chambers: 463449)
Soccer club issues plea
A high-growth soccer club in the City of Casey is crying out for more space and a major ground upgrade.
Lynbrook Falcons Sports Club, based at the Lawson Poole Reserve in Cranbourne, has about 400 players, and the number has been growing alongside the population in the municipality, president Llewellyn Moses said.
However, its facilities have not been keeping up with the growth, according to the president.
The space problem starts with the visibly tight storage room – despite recently undergoing an upgrade.
“We’re almost at the stage where we’re like crying for some help with space.
“Unfortunately, this is the only space that we have been allocated. All our coaches and parents have to take everything home with them, which means if someone’s sick, they can’t bring it back,” Mr Moses said.
“We can’t have it in our facility, so we need a little bit more space to just put all our stuff at the moment.”
Mr Moses said as the club had been here since 2019, it would have been good if it had been consulted on how much space it needed before the upgrade.
City of Casey active communities manager Ali Neil said council officers consulted with tenant clubs and sought approvals before construction.
“The Lynbrook Falcons Sports Club was not a tenant during planning, so direct input wasn’t possible,” she said.
“Despite this, the facility provision of storage is in line with the Council Sports Facilities Framework.
“Council officers will continue to work with tenant clubs to assess their ongoing storage needs and work through potential solutions.”
The club also hopes to replace its flood-
prone pitch with a synthetic surface.
Mr Moses recalled that the last time when they had big rains, the whole place was covered in water that reached half the height of his calf.
“As it rains, all the pitch turns into mud,” he said.
“You couldn’t use the ground... there were ducks in here swimming.
“This is technically unsafe because if you ever look at how uneven the surface is, look how much sand’s missing underneath.
“It makes it really hard for us to even use the
soccer pitch as much as we want to play soccer because we can’t. If you keep playing on this, you might get injured.”
According to the City of Casey, the pitch underwent extensive turf maintenance during the 2024-25 off-season and is now ready for club training and matches.
Council officers also provided additional space to support club growth and manage pitch use.
Ms Neil said the reserve, owned by Melbourne Water, was designed to hold water after heavy rain.
According to the Falcons, the poor accessibility between the soccer ground and the pavilion also needs fixing.
The path stops at the basketball court in front of the facility. The remaining is grass and gravel roads.
“If someone’s elderly or in a wheelchair, they actually can’t get to the ground. They’ve got to get someone to push them onto here,” Mr Moses said.
South Eastern Metropolitan MP Rachel Payne is backing the club’s pleas.
“I’ve heard from a constituent who helps around the club, making sure the club rooms and pitches are kept tidy, but despite their best efforts the facilities just aren’t fit for a growing club,” she said.
“The club has asked their local council to fund some upgrades, and thankfully the pitches will be fixed in the off-season however they still need more fencing, road repairs, lighting improvements and other facilities.”
In Parliament, Ms Payne called for state funding for the upgrades so the club can “continue to train the next generation of soccer stars for Australia”.
“There could be contenders for the Matildas or Socceroos learning how to play with the Falcons, but most importantly this club delivers fun and connection to the south east.
“That’s definitely worth investing in.”
Lynbrook Falcons Sports Club president Llewellyn Moses shows where the pitch turns muddy and dangerous after rain. (Gary Sissons: 460683)
By Violet Li
ROBIN PRODUCTIONS
(Gary Sissons: 463412)
Clyde is on the right track
By Violet Li
Extending the Cranbourne line to Clyde has been among the recommendations for future major infrastructure projects by the State’s independent advisory body.
Infrastructure Victoria (IV) recommends the State Government extend and electrify the Cranbourne line to Clyde and build four new stations after 2030, including Dandenong South, Cranbourne East, Casey Fields, and Clyde, to address the need for public transport in the south east, according to the body’s draft 30-year infrastructure strategy.
The draft recommendation states the extension and a new Dandenong South station means that residents could assess around 50,000 more jobs in 45 minutes. Its model projects 3,700 additional weekday train boardings at four new stations by 2031 and 6,900 by 2041.
The advisory body also recommends frequent bus services to connect with trains for seamless public transport journeys.
“Without frequent bus services, more people drive to stations in Melbourne’s growth areas. This increases the need for expensive car parks Stations with high-quality bus connections can see over 25 per cent of 1340 passengers switching between buses and trains,” the draft report reveals.
IV estimates a cost of $2 billion to $3 billion for the upgrade and extension of the Cranbourne line to Clyde, including upgrading the train line and buying new rolling stock. The cost estimate is approximate and based on 2020 estimates adjusted to reflect the current higher costs.
“The Victorian Government can consider a mix of funding mechanisms, including value capture. General government revenue is likely to be a major funding source,” IV states.
“Public transport fares can help offset operating costs. The Victorian Government can also seek additional funding from the Australian Government.”
City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen said essential infrastructure was critical to supporting residents and ensuring the growing city continues to thrive.
“Our 2025/26 Federal Government Pre-Budget Submission outlines the priority projects and initiatives that are important to our community, including the much-needed construction of the Clyde Rail Link,” he said.
“I am pleased to see our advocacy efforts being echoed by Infrastructure Victoria. “Council will review the draft strategy in detail and deter-
mine whether a submission is warranted.
“Council looks forward to working with all levels of government to ensure our residents get the access to public transport that they need and deserve.”
The envisioned Clyde Train Station has been a circling topic in the community. Casey Council has long been advocating for an extension of the line to Clyde. Back in 2022, Casey’s plan pitched
Need for more open and green spaces
By Ethan Benedicto
Melbourne’s south east, including the City of Casey, is amongst many growth areas in Melbourne that have been coined to need a bigger boost to parks and open spaces due to rapid urban expansion.
Infrastructure Victoria recently released their draft for the state’s ‘30-year Infrastructure Strategy’, where, in addition to their statistics, they have sought the input and feedback of the local community.
The draft emphasised additional train lines for Cranbourne to Clyde, expanded libraries and their services, as well as TAFE’s expansion, and the importance of open spaces and their accessibility.
In the draft, it details that in the outer and middle metropolitan areas in the southeast, there are 460,000 people who cannot access outdoor sports fields within a 10-minute walk. Looking deeper, in growth areas in the southeast, there are 88,000 people that cannot access an outdoor sports field within the same time frame.
Infrastructure Victoria’s chief executive, Dr Jonathan Spear, said that over the next decade, “more than 800,000 extra people are expected to live in Melbourne’s already booming growth areas”.
“People in growth areas have less access to infrastructure like public transport, schools and libraries near their homes.
“They are less likely to be able to access jobs within their local area compared to those living in Melbourne’s inner and middle suburbs,” he said.
Parks and open spaces, as stated in the draft, play an important role in the upkeep of the state’s and the people’s health.
It was added that in 2022-2023, there were 564,886 ‘potentially avoidable’ presentations to the emergency department in Victoria that could have been managed in primary or community health, many of which were related to chronic conditions.
The draft says that in addition to infrastructure such as hospitals and community health
facilities, “public open spaces such as parks and sports fields, and walking and cycling paths give people opportunity for exercise”.
Paula, from the Friends of Wilson Botanic Park, is an advocate for more open and green spaces in Casey, saying that a critical factor of it “is really a mental health aspect”.
“There are two parts to it really, but the closeness to nature is important to people’s mental health, as well as the opportunity to exercise.
“The other aspect is that these parks and open spaces play a big role in having events or just bringing the community together,” she said.
The City of Casey has multiple avenues being implemented to enhance the quality and growth of green and open spaces.
According to their Open Space Strategy that was endorsed on 17 October 2023, the purpose of it was to deliver a ‘connected network of quality and diverse open spaces’ to improve the liveability in the city.
Similar to Infrastructure Victoria’s draft, this strategy recognised the increasing population of Casey and its urbanisation, calling for a network of trails and green corridors that would connect parks, reserves and community spaces across the city.
Likewise, it is detailed that the strategy aims to ensure that local parks are within 400 metres of all residents, and district and regional parks should be within one kilometre of suburban homes for accessible recreational options.
Building on that, the strategy also emphasises a focus on this level of interconnectedness through local, district and regional levels; in addition, mentioned local paths are planned to provide circuit routes around neighbourhoods, while larger trails serve as a connection between suburbs for longer walking, cycling and running trails.
Speaking in her area of residence, Paula has noticed the urban growth first hand, where she observed more fences and homes going up, and trees and shrubbery going down.
“If anything, parks have become more important”, she said, and with the prominence of high-density living, she also fears the frequency of people attending to said open spaces.
“Parks are even more important, especially if they’re going to be building housing like that, they have to incorporate those open spaces more so people can have access to the outdoors, that fresh air.
“That access to recreational areas and spaces is critical; it provides space for people to make them their meeting space,” she said.
Once community and stakeholder feedback to the draft is gathered and finished, the complete strategy will be tabled in the Victorian Parliament to inform the policies of all parties.
The draft strategy is open for said feedback until Monday, 28 April 2025.
a duplicated line across about 5 kilometres with three new stations: Cranbourne East, Casey Fields and Clyde.
With a then-estimated cost of $1.5 to $3 billion, the State Opposition put down a commitment of just under $1 billion if elected in the last election. With the Liberal party failing to achieve Government, the project has largely fallen to silence since.
Talking issues
By Violet Li
City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen said issues of private land use permits and the proposed Hampton Park waste transfer station would be discussed formally in the coming Casey Council Meeting on Tuesday 18 March.
In a statement to the community on 3 March, Mayor Koomen said Casey’s Local Laws, the overarching framework that covers the conditions on the private land use permits, had been in place for many years and existed to protect the community, but parts of these laws were changed by the Administrators in December 2023 and new councillors agreed that this had created confusion and that further review would be needed.
Mayor Koomen noted the proposed waste transfer station in Hampton Park had also been a long-standing community concern, and council officers issued a planning permit before the new councillors were elected last year.
“Councillors have discussed these issues and requested formal reports to be discussed at the March council meeting,” he said concerning the next step for the two issues.
“Now is your opportunity to contact your local councillor, so we can represent your views at the March meeting.
“That way councillors can represent our community’s concerns and transparently decide on the best action to assist our community.
“All we ask is that everyone observes the council’s public debates respectfully.”
Casey’s February meeting was dismissed halfway through after angry and frustrated residents shouted and heckled, prompting a police call-out.
Most ratepayers attended the meeting to voice their concerns and opinions on the private land use permits and the proposed Hampton Park waste transfer station.
The old Clyde railway line is buried in grass. (FILE)
Members of the Friends of Wilson Botanic Park, from left, Caroline Humphreys, Paula Taylor and Lex Nieboer. (Ethan Benedicto)
2025 TIPPING CHART
We stand for rights for women, not redefinition
We stand on the shoulders of giants: women who protested on the streets, went on hunger strikes, and signed petitions, facing assault, imprisonment, and mockery, to secure your rights and mine. These were steadfast, tenacious women who demanded nothing less than fairness.
Like these women, my mother climbed from humble beginnings to scholarships and the top of her field in the face of discrimination. She didn’t just break the glass ceiling – she smashed it, setting an example for my girls and me.
But sadly, these hard-fought gains are being reversedbeforeourveryeyes.InthenameofDEI, fringe activists have redefined the word ‘woman’, and some of the political elite suffer from collective amnesia about it. In Matt Walsh’s documentary, What is a Woman?, he interviews professors and medicos about this question but due to fear of repercussions they struggle to provide a clear definition. Politicians like Biden and Trudeau also falter on this issue and were ultimately pilloried by the public. I’m not one of these politicians, and I can say with the authority of biology and history that there is only male and female.
This binary isn’t about exclusion. Everyone has the right to live their lives, make choices, and view themselves as they wish. But the law must
serve the common good and bring order to society. Without a clear definition, we risk losing women’s dedicated spaces, legal protections, professional achievements, and undermining science.
The freedom and opportunity women enjoy in the West are not universal. Women across the world still face prejudice, violence, and limited access to health and education services. Many migrants come to this country to embrace our freedoms. Let’s not deny them what they longed for, by turning our backs on what we’ve already won.
On International Women’s Day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to preserving the true essence of womanhood. Let’s reject attempts to redefine it. From sports to healthcare, let’s continue to advance the voice and rights of women.
Ann-Marie Hermans MP BA (Soc.Sc), Grad.Dip.Ed., Grad.Dip.Theol., MA, MEd. (Leadership and Policy) State Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region Shadow Assistant Minister for Education Rights for women, not redefinition.
Unlocking awareness
Life’s complexities often seem overwhelming, and in a world of constant distractions, finding clarity can be a challenge. However, the key to overcoming these obstacles lies within us, and that key is self-awareness.
In Awareness Holds the Key, Avrill provides invaluable tools designed to enhance our awareness and reshape our mindsets.
By understanding the different types of awareness and expanding our mental toolkit, we unlock the potential for personal growth and transformation.
This book offers more than just theory; it provides practical solutions tailored to individual needs. Recognizing that each of us is unique, Avrill goes beyond a one-size-fits-all approach, delving into both past and present behaviors. She guides readers on a journey toward self-discovery, offering actionable insights that pave the way for meaningful change.
The essence of this book is simple: shift your mindset, embrace awareness, and you unlock a world of possibilities.
In a world where miscommunication often exacerbates struggles—leading to breakdowns in relationships, personal challenges, and even severe mental health issues—Avrill’s approach offers hope. Her insights create a roadmap to enhance communication, fostering deeper emotional connections, and promoting overall wellbeing.
With over 30 years of expertise in hypnosis, NLP, and confidence-building across various industries, Avrill has empowered individuals to perform better, boost their confidence, and achieve greater success. Awareness Holds the Key
is more than just a book; it’s an invitation to transform your life by rethinking how you engage with yourself and the world around you. Discover how this book can reshape your perspective and empower your journey to-
For
ward personal transformation. Get your copy today on Amazon!
more on Avrill’s transformative work and services, visit Positive Life Mindset or scan the code.
Photos provided by Capital Edge Media.
Avrill Juriansz.
International Women’s Day March 8 2025
Rock-solid support is Key
Big hearted people excel when they work with organisations whose culture aligns with their values. They seek to learn and grow while bringing the best outcomes to the customers they support.
People like Benjamas (Key) Hamilton. Key loves having a career with heart and hopes to be a senior manager at Uniting AgeWell in the future through hard work and steady progression.
Originally from Thailand, Key has progressed from her initial role as a cleaner, to working in the laundry to becoming a Food Services Assistant. Now the 38-year-old mother-of-two, is studying to become a Personal Care Worker.
When she’s got that qualification under her belt, she plans on studying nursing.
“I enjoy working here,” explains Key. “The staff are supportive and friendly and the role is meaningful.” Key loves that she’s encouraged to be the best that she can. “Everyone wants me to succeed. Do you know how incredibly important that is?”
Uniting AgeWell places huge importance on recognising staff dedication and providing a platform for people to excel.
Director AgeWell Services Clare Irvine also enjoys her demanding role while juggling life with a young family.
Clare started at Uniting AgeWell in mid-2019 with a six-month old baby, followed by a second baby two years later. Promoted to her current role in 2023 Clare says, “Uniting AgeWell in particular is a very family-friendly organisation.
Everyone is treated equally, and there is flexibility to allow for career advancement while juggling a young family.”
One of the not-for-profit organisation’s top
five strategic priorities is to be an Employer of Choice. As part of its investment in staff, the Uniting AgeWell Scholarships Program was launched which saw 26 staff awarded in the first
International Women’s Day on 8 March is an opportunity for Uniting AgeWell, with women making up over 80% of its workforce,
to celebrate the daily impact women make through their work.
To find out more about a career in aged care visit careers.unitingagewell.org/jobs/search
round in 2024.
Benjamas (Key) Hamilton is being supported to go from strength to strength. (Mark Munro)
MP pushing for change
To mark International Women’s Day, south-east MP Rachel Payne has promised to keep fighting to stop family violence in the region.
Sadly, pockets of the south-east have the worst rates of family violence in the state.
Victoria Police statistics show that in the year to March 2024, family violence reports increased by 3 per cent, with almost 96,000 incidents. Casey had more incidents than any other local government areas with a total of 5,564 reports. The LGA of Frankston was sixth, and Greater Dandenong was 10th in the state.
Ten times in the past year, Rachel has demand-
ed more protection for women impacted. She has called for stronger laws to deal with anyone who breaches a family violence intervention order.
She’s also demanded the Allan government update the state’s coercive control legislation – Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia and NSW have already moved to do this.
Rachel then held the Victorian government to account for failing to meet recruitment targets for family violence workers. She thanks the workers who provide vital support and pays tribute to the strong women who have survived family violence in the south-east.
Rachael Choy, Rachel Payne and Mary Nguyen Payne.
International Women’s Day March 8 2025
Suffragettes forged tradition
International Women’s Day (IWD) has been running for more than a century.
Since 1911, the day has represented the striving for women’s equality.
It was founded on the efforts of first-wave feminist groups such as the suffragettes and suffragists who championed women’s right to vote – also known as women’s suffrage.
IWD was marked for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March 1911, with more than one million attending rallies.
In 1913, there was the first observance of IWD in Russia – with protests and rallies for better working conditions, equal rights and the right to vote.
Famously, suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst was arrested in front of Charing Cross station during a women’s suffrage march in London.
The first IWD rally in Australia was held in Sydney by Militant Women’s Group of the Communist Party.
Through the 20th century, IWD was marked as an official holiday in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, China, Tunisia, Ukraine, Cuba.
In 1975, United Nations marked IWD by declaring 1975 as International Women’s Year.
In recent years, celebrities and entertainers such as Beyonce, Madonna and Lady Gaga have supported IWD with social media posts.
Importance of transport
Public transport is a key for migrant women moving ahead in their lives, according to organisers of an International Womens Day event in Dandenong on Friday.
The public celebration is hosted by South East Community Links and Metro Trains, who jointly run the successful Community Connectors program at Dandenong railway station.
SECL financial-wellbeing head Rachna Madaan Bowman said the IWD event highlighted the importance of public transport being “safe and welcoming for all”.
“Our event supports the voices of multicultural women and highlights how feeling safe and confident on public transport helps them live more independent lives.
“Many migrant and refugee women face transport challenges that limit their opportunities.
“For these women, public transport is more than just a way to get from A to B – it helps women access education, employment, and social connection.”
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
Joanna O’Reilly Stubbs, Alisha Hill Melanie Wright and Emily Scott (pic) are amongst the many inspiring, exceptional and talented women volunteering in leadership roles in our local community.
We have a suite of programs supporting women of all ages and backgrounds on their pathway to success. vic.gov.au/our-womensleadership-programs Victorian Honour Roll of Women nominations are also open until 16 March. vic.gov.au/honour-roll-women
Kickstart your new career or upskill with even more Free TAFE courses on offer. Check out the wide range here: vic.gov/free-tafe
Bowman said Community Connectors were making a “real difference” at Dandenong and Frankston stations.
“Through programs like Community Connectors, we’re ensuring that all community members, especially women, can access safe, reliable, and inclusive transport to build a better future for themselves and their families.”
Community Connectors are qualified outreach practitioners that provide direct support for emergency relief, youth housing and empowerment programs, settlement services, and financial counselling.
They also coordinate referrals to local services for drug and alcohol, mental health, homelessness, and family violence support.
A report on the Dandenong pilot program found that connectors referred about 190 people to services, prevented harm and de-escalated over 100 situations, initiated casework for around 70 people.
It also improved passengers’ perception of safety.
At the IWD event, Candy Bowers will appear as MC, as well as Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams and Mulgrave MP Eden Foster.
It is at Harmony Square, cnr Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong on Friday 7 March, 11am-12pm. Morning tea provided.
SECL financial-wellbeing head Rachna Madaan Bowman, left, says public transport is vital for CALD women. (Stewart Chambers: 414616)
The largest international IWD concert Global Citizen Festival: Power of Women was held in New York City in 2019.
Performers included Cardi B, Pharrell Williams, Michelle Obama, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Kerry Washington.
OPENING ROUND
MAR 6–9
BrisbaneLionsvsGeelongCats G
SydneySwansvsHawthorn SCG
GoldCoastSunsvsEssendon PFS
GWSGiantsvsCollingwood ES
ROUND 1
MAR 13–16
RichmondvsCarlton MCG
HawthornvsEssendon MCG
GeelongCatsvsFremantle GMHBA
SydneySwansvsBrisbaneLions SCG
WBulldogsvsNthMelbourne MRVL
CollingwoodvsPortAdelaide MCG
AdelaideCrowsvsStKilda AO
MelbournevsGWSGiants MCG
WCoastEaglesvsGoldCoastSuns OS
ROUND 2
MAR 20–23
CarltonvsHawthorn MCG
WBulldogsvsCollingwood MCG
EssendonvsAdelaideCrows MCG
PortAdelaidevsRichmond AO
StKildavsGeelongCats MRVL
BrisbaneLionsvsWCoastEagles G
NthMelbournevsMelbourne MRVL
FremantlevsSydneySwans OS
ROUND 3
MAR 27–30
EssendonvsPortAdelaide MRVL
CarltonvsWBulldogs MRVL
MelbournevsGoldCoastSuns MCG
StKildavsRichmond MRVL
HawthornvsGWSGiants UTAS
AdelaideCrowsvsNthMelbourne AO WCoastEaglesvsFremantle OS
ROUND 4
APR 3–6
CollingwoodvsCarlton MCG
GeelongCatsvsMelbourne GMHBA
GoldCoastSunsvsAdelaideCrows PFS
RichmondvsBrisbaneLions MCG
NthMelbournevsSydneySwans MRVL
GWSGiantsvsWCoastEagles ES
PortAdelaidevsStKilda AO
FremantlevsWBulldogs OS
ROUND 5
APR 10–13
AdelaideCrowsvsGeelongCats AO CollingwoodvsSydneySwans AO
NthMelbournevsGoldCoastSuns BP
CarltonvsWCoastEagles AO
WBulldogsvsBrisbaneLions NO
MelbournevsEssendon AO
RichmondvsFremantle BP
StKildavsGWSGiants NO
PortAdelaidevsHawthorn AO
ROUND 6
APR 17–21
BrisbaneLionsvsCollingwood G NthMelbournevsCarlton MRVL
WCoastEaglesvsEssendon OS MelbournevsFremantle MCG
AdelaideCrowsvsGWSGiants AO
RichmondvsGoldCoastSuns MRVL
SydneySwansvsPortAdelaide SCG
WBulldogsvsStKilda MRVL
GeelongCatsvsHawthorn MCG
ROUND 7
APR 24–27
MelbournevsRichmond MCG
CollingwoodvsEssendon MCG
FremantlevsAdelaideCrows OS
StKildavsBrisbaneLions MRVL
PortAdelaidevsNthMelbourne AO
GWSGiantsvsWBulldogs MO
GoldCoastSunsvsSydneySwans PFS
CarltonvsGeelongCats MCG
HawthornvsWCoastEagles MRVL ROUND
MAY 1–4
8
EssendonvsNthMelbourne MRVL
StKildavsFremantle MRVL
WBulldogsvsPortAdelaide MARS
AdelaideCrowsvsCarlton AO
CollingwoodvsGeelongCats MCG
WCoastEaglesvsMelbourne OS
SydneySwansvsGWSGiants SCG
HawthornvsRichmond MCG
BrisbaneLionsvsGoldCoastSuns G
ROUND 9
MAY 8–11
FremantlevsCollingwood OS
StKildavsCarlton MCG
MelbournevsHawthorn MCG
EssendonvsSydneySwans MRVL
GoldCoastSunsvsWBulldogs TIO
PortAdelaidevsAdelaideCrows AO
RichmondvsWCoastEagles MCG
GeelongCatsvsGWSGiants GMHBA
NthMelbournevsBrisbaneLions NS
ROUND 10
MAY 15–18
GoldCoastSunsvsHawthorn TIO
SydneySwansvsCarlton SCG
CollingwoodvsAdelaideCrows MCG
PortAdelaidevsGeelongCats AO
GWSGiantsvsFremantle ES
WBulldogsvsEssendon MRVL
RichmondvsNthMelbourne MCG
BrisbaneLionsvsMelbourne G
WCoastEaglesvsStKilda OS
ROUND 11
MAY 22–25
GeelongCatsvsWBulldogs GMHBA
EssendonvsRichmond MCG
CarltonvsGWSGiants MRVL
HawthornvsBrisbaneLions MCG
NthMelbournevsCollingwood MRVL
FremantlevsPortAdelaide OS
AdelaideCrowsvsWCoastEagles AO
MelbournevsSydneySwans MCG
StKildavsGoldCoastSuns MRVL
ROUND 12
MAY 29–JUN 1
BrisbaneLionsvsEssendon G
CollingwoodvsHawthorn MCG
GoldCoastSunsvsFremantle PFS
GWSGiantsvsRichmond ES
SydneySwansvsAdelaideCrows SCG
MelbournevsStKilda TP
WCoastEaglesvsGeelongCats OS
ROUND 13
JUN 5–9
WBulldogsvsHawthorn MRVL
AdelaideCrowsvsBrisbaneLions AO
RichmondvsSydneySwans MCG
GeelongCatsvsGCSuns GMHBA
GWSGiantsvsPortAdelaide MO
NthMelbournevsWCoastEagles HO
CarltonvsEssendon MCG
MelbournevsCollingwood MCG ROUND 14
JUN 12–15
StKildavsWBulldogs MRVL
HawthornvsAdelaideCrows UTAS
BrisbaneLionsvsGWSGiants G EssendonvsGeelongCats MCG
NthMelbournevsFremantle OS
PortAdelaidevsMelbourne AO
WCoastEaglesvsCarlton OS
ROUND 15
JUN 19–22
FremantlevsEssendon OS
GeelongCatsvsBrisbaneLions GMHBA
CarltonvsNthMelbourne MCG
PortAdelaidevsSydneySwans AO
CollingwoodvsStKilda MRVL
GWSGiantsvsGoldCoastSuns ES
WBulldogsvsRichmond MRVL
ROUND 16
JUN 26–29
CollingwoodvsWCoastEagles MRVL
FremantlevsStKilda OS
GoldCoastSunsvsMelbourne PFS
HawthornvsNthMelbourne UTAS
PortAdelaidevsCarlton AO
RichmondvsAdelaideCrows MCG
SydneySwansvsWBulldogs SCG
ROUND 17
JUL 3–6
AdelaideCrowsvsMelbourne AO
BrisbaneLionsvsPortAdelaide G
CarltonvsCollingwood MCG
EssendonvsGoldCoastSuns MRVL
GeelongCatsvsRichmond GMHBA
NthMelbournevsWBulldogs MRVL
StKildavsHawthorn MRVL
SydneySwansvsFremantle SCG
WCoastEaglesvsGWSGiants OS
ROUND 18
JUL 10–13
CarltonvsBrisbaneLions MRVL
FremantlevsHawthorn OS
GoldCoastSunsvsCollingwood PFS
GWSGiantsvsGeelongCats ES
MelbournevsNthMelbourne MCG
PortAdelaidevsWCoastEagles AO
RichmondvsEssendon MCG
StKildavsSydneySwans MRVL
WBulldogsvsAdelaideCrows MARS ROUND 19
JUL 17–20
AdelaideCrowsvsGoldCoastSuns AO
BrisbaneLionsvsWBulldogs G
CarltonvsMelbourne MCG
CollingwoodvsFremantle MCG
EssendonvsGWSGiants MRVL
GeelongCatsvsStKilda GMHBA
HawthornvsPortAdelaide UTAS
SydneySwansvsNthMelbourne SCG
WCoastEaglesvsRichmond OS ROUND 20
JUL 24–27
AdelaideCrowsvsPortAdelaide AO
EssendonvsWBulldogs MRVL
HawthornvsCarlton MCG
FremantlevsWCoastEagles OS GoldCoastSunsvsBrisbaneLions PFS
GWSGiantsvsSydneySwans ES
NthMelbournevsGeelongCats MRVL
RichmondvsCollingwood MCG
StKildavsMelbourne MRVL
ROUND 21
JUL 31–AUG 3
AdelaideCrowsvsHawthorn AO CollingwoodvsBrisbaneLions MCG
FremantlevsCarlton OS GeelongCatsvsPortAdelaide GMHBA
GoldCoastSunsvsRichmond PFS
MelbournevsWCoastEagles MRVL
StKildavsNthMelbourne MRVL
SydneySwansvsEssendon SCG
WBulldogsvsGWSGiants MRVL ROUND 22
AUG 7–10
BrisbaneLionsvsSydneySwans G CarltonvsGoldCoastSuns MRVL GeelongCatsvsEssendon GMHBA GWSGiantsvsNthMelbourne
AUG 15–17
AdelaideCrowsvsCollingwood
Cleaning up coastal town
By Violet Li
Warneet Association held its annual Clean Up Australia event at Warneet Foreshore on Sunday 2 March.
Despite that the event officially began in the afternoon, locals, from children to senior citizens, could not wait and started grinding from the morning.
President Chris Groves said locals cleaned up a large area, from the foreshore to the main street of the town.
“We had people in the mangroves. People were pulling stuff out of the mangroves and out of the bush,” he said.
About 20 bags of rubbish were collected, and Chris noted that the main road and the boat ramp were where the most rubbish came from.
The association skipped the event last year for personal reasons, and the locals were happy about the return this year.
Warneet Association held its annual Clean Up Australia event at Warneet Foreshore on Sunday 2 March. (Gary Sissons: 461594)
Rubbish pick-up while learning all about elm trees
Community organisation Friends of the Tulliallan Elms had a Clean Up Australia Day at its Quarterly Friends Gathering on Sunday 2 March.
It trained the local community about the elm trees and their diseases and also organised a litter pick-up activity, also in conjunction with Clean-up Australia Day.
It then started to re-label the trees using the new copper nameplates.
The names came up from students of Tulliallan Primary School in 2019.
About 30 people joined the event which ended with a complimentary breakfast under the elm trees. Casey Councillor Shane Taylor also attended the day.
Friends of the Tulliallan Elms is a community volunteer group that supports the conservation efforts
of 110 elm trees in the Tulliallan estate in Cranbourne North.
Friends of the Tulliallan Elms group photo of everybody attending the clean up.
The cleanup day started with educational training on the health of the trees.
Friends of the Tulliallan Elms president Raavanan Jayaraman and Casey Cr Shane Taylor were holding copper tags with the names of the trees on them. As named by the local primary school, this tree is called Sky Might.
The gathering.
Friends of the Tulliallan Elms gathering: Sumit Palta, Surabhi Palta, Maggie Marzec, Cr Shane Taylor, Stefan Marzec and president Raavanan Jayaraman. (Gary Sissons: 461592)
Maggie Marzec, Sumit Palta and Surabhi Palta were picking up litter.
Inspirational fundraiser
By Violet Li
A Casey local finished a landmark fundraiser in February by running 10 kilometres a day for 100 days to assist with her partner’s medical costs and future research for brain cancer.
Layla Kelly decided on the goal after her partner Damien was diagnosed with brain cancer in October last year.
It was a way to raise money for the expensive treatment and more of a way to raise hope.
The brain cancer, a grade 4 diffuse midline glioma, is a rare pediatric cancer, with limited treatment options available to the 26-year-old Damien.
A silver lining is Damien has been eligible for a clinical trial that provides him with a new drug designed specifically for his type of tumour.
“Going on that, he risks going on the placebo, so we started a fundraiser to raise some money for that and he does a lot of alternative treatments too,” Layla said.
“They’re all pretty expensive things.
“No day is easy. Some days, he’s not 100 per cent himself when he wakes up and that interferes with work a lot as well.
“That’s why we started the fundraiser essentially.”
At the time of the writing, the fundraising pool has reached over $200,000. At the last run on Sunday 16 February, more than 200 people came to see Layla finish her last 10 kilometres for Damien.
“It’s such a busy day, and it was a really beautiful experience,” Layla recalled.
Layla said Damien was the biggest motivator throughout the whole journey.
“Damien has always been quite fit, quite healthy, and there were days where I didn’t feel like getting up and running, some days, you don’t even feel like brushing your teeth when that’s on your mind, but he would quite often get into the gym and do his own exercise, and it just puts you in the mindset that, if he can get up and do it, then so can I?” she
said. “I was really lucky in that sense.”
The next step is to keep positive, and keep healthy, Layla shared.
Damien and Layla Kelly. (Gary Sissons: 459645)
The start of the last run.
Setting watches before the run.
Tech fuels car thefts
Police are warning vehicle owners that tech-savvy thieves are behind a surge in car thefts across the state, including Casey.
Earlier this year, police arrested an alleged offender who sped with a stolen Holden Commodore bearing false plates in Clyde. Follow-up enquiries revealed the owner told police they had retained their car keys, and their car was locked. Moments before being arrested, police saw the alleged offender attempt to discard an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) reprogrammer into a bin.
Late last year, police arrested two offenders for a series of alleged Holden Commodore thefts in Sale and Narre Warren. A search of the man’s bedroom uncovered stolen registration plates, cards linked to 14 vehicle-related offences, and an OBD device.
Increasing numbers of cars are being stolen from residential streets, driveways, and other community locations. In the twelve months to September 2024, 25,773 vehicles were stolen in Victoria, 6,408 more than in the previous twelve months.
Many owners reported to police that they retained the keys, and their car had simply vanished. Police suggest as many as one in five Victorian cars are stolen in these circumstances.
Vehicle Crime Squad detective inspector Julie MacDonald said modern cars offered new opportunities for criminals.
“Vehicle immobilisers were a technology-facilitated solution at the turn of the century – the emergence of key programming devices is proving to be a technology-facilitated problem,” she said.
“It was considered impossible to steal a car this way as little as two years ago.
“However, offenders are now using these devices like a modern-day screwdriver to steal cars.”
According to the police, this trend has coincided with third-party electronic devices, which are capable of programming or mimicking keys,
becoming increasingly available for purchase.
Once inside a vehicle, this device can be plugged into the cars on board diagnostic port to override the security system and start the engine.
Car thefts using third-party electronic devices have been occurring in other countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom for several years and are now becoming more prevalent locally.
Police believe this methodology is wellknown among criminal circles and is being used extensively.
Police suggest certain makes and models with electronic push start technology are being targeted, given no ignition key is required.
Inspector Scott Dwyer of SD2 Investigations and Response said these devices were well understood and frequently used by offenders.
“They are showing up more and more at search warrants and offenders are admitting they are using them during arrest interviews,” he said.
“Local police continue to arrest car thieves, including several who have admitted to using these devices to start and steal cars.”
Victoria Police’s Vehicle Crime Squad has been working with impacted manufacturers on
this issue, given the devices are being used to exploit car electronic security systems. Insurance companies have also been engaged as part of these discussions.
“We strongly encourage owners of impacted cars to consider all possible methods to improve their vehicle’s security. There are a range of auto shops and websites that stock these anti-theft products, and staff can assist with advising you on what will best suit your vehicle,” Ms MacDonald said.
“Vehicle owners can also speak with manufacturers or their insurance agents for further advice.”
Police reveal the makes and models most stolen in circumstances where police believe key reprogramming devices were used, including:
■ Holden thefts increased by 92.9 per cent (+1,377) in the twelve months to January 2025, when compared to the previous 12 months.
■ Toyota thefts increased by 76.4 per cent (+1,391) in the twelve months to January 2025, when compared to the previous twelve months.
■ Subaru thefts increased by 107.8 per cent (+402) in the twelve months to January 2025, when compared to the previous twelve months. Further information about additional vehicle security measures can be found at: police.vic.gov. au/preventing-motor-vehicle-theft
Other security tips include parking your vehicle off the street and always ensuring your vehicle is locked, even when at home.
Police also urge the community to lock their cars and remove items such as garage remotes and car and house keys.
Without technological remedies or target hardening measures, such as the installation of OBD port locks, it’s anticipated by the police that the number of car thefts will continue to increase locally.
Anyone with information on vehicle theft is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at: crimestoppersvic.com.au
An exhibition that celebrates flowers in art is set to open in late March at Bunjil Place in collaboration with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).
Running from Saturday 29 March to Sunday 20 July, and curated by David Sequeira, Floribunda offers an exploration of floral imagery and motifs through a diverse selection of artworks drawn exclusively from the NGV Collection.
To celebrate the launch of Floribunda, Bunjil Place will host an exclusive Opening Night Gala on Friday 28 March. Guests are invited to dress in their floral finest for a night filled with art, music and immersive experiences, all inspired by the exhibition’s theme.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to bring this stunning exhibition to Bunjil Place in collaboration with the National Gallery of Victoria,” said Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen.
“This partnership shines a spotlight on the incredible NGV collection, while also solidifying Bunjil Place as a must-visit destination for world-class art right here in Melbourne’s Southeast.”
During the exhibition, a lineup of floral-inspired activities, workshops, walks, and talks will take place at venues across the city, including Bunjil Place, Wilsons Botanic Gardens, and The Old Cheese Factory.
Highlights of the program include a flower still life drawing workshop, an artist talk with Deanne Gilson, a twilight lantern walk, and an interactive hands-on flower arranging workshop.
Entry to the Floribunda exhibition is free. Tickets for the Opening Night Gala are limited.
For information, visit bunjilplace.com. au/events/floribunda-opening-night-gala
(File)
FEDERALELECTIONSURVEY
What issues matter most this Federal Election in suburban Australia?
As one of the largest publishers of independent community news in Victoria, Star News Group is conducting this simple survey to gauge community sentiment around the forthcoming federal election.
Please take 5 minutes to have your say and be part of this important conversation. The results of the survey will help us gauge the appetite of readers toward the forthcoming Federal Election and we will share results with our readers.
You can either fill in the survey below and email in or complete the survey online (Simply scan the QR code below)
1. What do you see as the single most important issue in the upcoming federal election?
8. Regarding immigration policy, do you believe the next government should:
Increase immigration
Reduce Immigration
Keep it about the same
9. At this point are you more likely to vote for:
2. Please select the top 5 of the following issues that are "Extremely Important" to you:
Electricity Prices
Climate Change Policies
Inflation (Cost of Living)
Health Services
Immigration and border control
National roads and rail infrastructure
Water infrastructure
Broadband interenet access
Please specify:
3. Please select the top 5 of the following issues that are "Least Important" to you:
Electricity Prices Climate Change Policies
Inflation (Cost of Living)
Health Services
Immigration and border control
National roads and rail infrastructure
Water infrastructure
Broadband interenet access
Please specify:
4. Which is more important to you?
Cheapest electricity possible
Reducing carbon emissions
5. Do you support nuclear energy in Australia?
Yes No
6. Would you support a nuclear plant in your local area?
Yes No
7. Where would you most like to see a local increase in federal funding, and why?
Local hospitals
Local national highways
Local infrastructure project Defence
Other
Once completed, please scan or photograph your completed survey and email to:
A major party (Labor or Coalition)
A minor party
An independent
10. On a scale of 1 to 5, (5 the highest), how significant do you think the influence of social media is on public discourse and political decisionmaking in Australia?
1 2 3 4 5 Why?
11. On a scale of 1 to 5, (5 the highest), how concerned are you about global security currently?
1 2 3 4 5 Why?
12. On a scale of 1 to 5, (5 the highest), how concerned are you about housing affordability in your region? 1 2 3 4 5
13. In your opinion, how important is improved national road and transport infrastructure in your region? 1 2 3 4 5
14. What specific infrastructure projects do you believe should be prioritised in your region?
15. Are there any other local or regional issues that you feel are not getting enough attention in the federal election campaign? Please share your thoughts.
16. What age group do you fall into?
First Name: Last Name: Daytime Contact Phone No:
Thank you for completing the survey. We really appreciate your support and value your opinion - Star News Team
Over 76
PROFILE
Walk in and dance out
It’s time to…SING-A-LONG ABBA!
SING-A-LONG to all the hits of ABBA with all the words to all the songs on the BIG screen, backed by a 5 piece band on stage! The only ABBA tribute where the show is not only ON stage but OFF stage in the audience!
SING-A-LONG to your favourite ABBA hit songs:
· Mamma Mia - Dancing Queen
· Fernando - Ring, Ring
WHAT’S ON
Cranbourne Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Inc Autumn Plant Sale
• Plant sale dates: Saturday and Sunday 22 and 23 March, 2025
• Times: 10am – 4pm on both days
• Location: Royal Botanic Garden Victoria –Cranbourne (Cnr Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne)
• The plant sale will be held at the northern end of the Australian Garden. Parking and entry is available nearby (look for the large red banners).
A large variety of Australian native plants will be available. A plant list will be available on our website approximately a week before the sale. EFTPOS is available.
Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre
• 17 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 7 March - 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
· Waterloo - S.O.S.
· Take A Chance On Me
· Honey, Honey
· Knowing Me, Knowing You
· The Winner Takes It All…and so, so many more!! Over 25 hit songs!!
“Most theatre shows make you stay in your seats, this show gets you UP on your feet!” - Australian BOS Music- Josef Kiss.
All costumes worn by the cast of SING-A-
• 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 terms
- Conversational 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
LONG ABBA are direct from the “OFFICIAL ABBA MUSEUM!” - Stockholm, Sweden
Every audience member receives free glow sticks on entry to get the party started!!
Groups bookings of 8+ receive a 20% discount per person.
Walk in. Dance Out.
Robin Productions, Saturday 15 March at Bunjil Place, Narre Warren, 9709 9700.
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-forprofit 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.
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.
• To 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.
• Weeklyactivitytimes-LineDancingMon.10am12pm, New Vogue and Old Time Dance Tue. 1pm3:30pm, Carpet Bowls Wed. & Sat. 11:30am2:30pm, Bingo Thur. 11am-2pm.
• For all enquiries or bookings contact Marilyn mobile 0432 107 590.
• Find us on facebook https://www.facebook. com/groups/487808127399953
The team at Robin Productions are looking to bring Sing-A-Long ABBA into 2025. (Supplied)
Premiership chase begins
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Lyndale and Cranbourne snared the last two finals positions up for grabs in round 14 of the Dandenong District Cricket Association Turf 2 competition.
It resulted in heartbreak for Coomoora, which fell out of a top-four position it has held for most of the season at the last hurdle despite sneaking past Narre Warren by two wickets.
Cranbourne successfully defended 112 against Parkfield, putting them ahead of both the Dales and Roos on points, while the Dales had a 17-run victory over Parkmore, their superior percentage to Coomoora placing them fourth.
Heinz Southern Districts blitzed past St Mary’s in the other game, comfortably chasing down 71 after bowling the Saints out inside 21 overs.
It was a thrilling game at Coomoora, with the hosts taking two early wickets before an 87-run partnership between Akshjit Sammi and league medallist Amila Ratnaike got the Magpies back in the contest.
The visitors lost that pair in near-immediate succession, though, putting the match in the balance again before Ben Swift’s quickfire 61 off 46 gave Narre Warren 204 to defend with the white ball.
Coomoora’s innings had similar momentum swings, with two early wickets, before Jarrod Munday (57), Joel Robertson (33) and Lance Baptist (53) played key roles through the middle.
A string of single figure scores followed that trio’s dismissals, though, which put pressure on the lower order.
Having been forced to hit the winning runs in a similar situation last season, number nine Michael Klonaridis played a fearless 25 off 12 to get Coomoora over the line.
At Casey Fields, a four-wicket haul to first-year player Sahan Jayawardana appeared like it would set Parkfield up for a consolation round 14 win, with captain Harry Carlyon (36) the only player to pass 20 in Cranbourne’s 112.
But Parkfield’s poor running between the wickets stung, with four runouts contributing to an allout total of 89.
The Bandits lost seven wickets before establishing a partnership between captain Steve Cannon and Roshane Cooray but it wasn’t enough against an Eagles outfit vying for finals.
Rajika Fernando’s 4/23 was the standout performance in Lyndale’s victory over Parkmore.
The results set up a Heinz Southern Districts matchup against Lyndale and Parkmore bout with Cranbourne in the two semi-final clashes.
HSD has experienced plenty of finals in recent
DDCA DANDENONG DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION TURF 2 REVIEW - FINALS PREVIEW
years but struggled to win the big moments in the post-season.
While they have lost at times under the weight of expectation in the past, the Cobras have arguably never been hotter favourites going into a final.
That’s despite going down in the only home and away match between the sides - a one day fixture prior to Christmas.
Top-order batter Mackenzie Gardner has had his best season for the club after being recruited to add sturdiness and experience when it matters, allrounder Triyan De Silva has had another consistent campaign and Sakuntha Liyanage and Ryan Patterson have shared 49 wickets leading the bowling attack.
Opener Brent Patterson is another trusty asset.
Lyndale, meanwhile, have been the big improvers of the competition - along with the promoted Coomoora - and it has largely been built off quick
36 wickets at 17 comfortably leads the competition.
Explosive batter Himesh Galhenage Don has played some impressive knocks and opener Faraz Rahman has frequently given his team a platform throughout the year.
The other game is much harder to pick; Cranbourne, like HSD, is a perennial force in Turf 2, while Parkmore’s 2023-24 campaign was poor after relegation from Turf 1.
This season, though, Parkmore has been the much more consistent side and has more assets that have shown recent form.
Kyle Gwynne is always hard to dismiss at the top of the order and could anchor an innings, while Satheesh Fernandu and Hewa Fonseka also average more than 30 this season.
By contrast, Cranbourne has not had the consistent output from as many batters in 2024-25, with Harrison Carlyon’s 420 runs in his first season at the club critical in the victories.
Spinner Harsaroup Singh has led the way with the ball, and has also shown in the past that he can light it up with the bat, and Cranbourne will hope he can call on that experience on the weekend.
Tips: HSD v Lyndale, PARKFIELD v Cranbourne Results: HSD 4/73 v St Mary’s 71, Coomoora 8/207 v Narre Warren 204, Parkmore 10/153 v Lyndale 9/170, Cranbourne 112 v Parkfield 10/89 Turf 2 ladder (Final Standings): HSD 66, Parkmore 60, Cranbourne 52, Lyndale 48, Coomoora 48, Parkfield 34, Narre Warren 24, St Mary’s 12
Grand final contenders move to semi-finals on a high
By Jonty Ralphsmith
All four finals-bound sides in Turf 3 of the Dandenong District Cricket Association finished the home and away season with big victories on Saturday.
It sets up a clash between Keysborough and Berwick Springs in one semi final and Silverton and Fountain Gate in the other.
Six wickets to McDonald Medallist James Wright and a Shanaka Perumpuli run-a-ball 62 were the highlights in Keysborough’s 114-run win over Doveton.
The Titans, meanwhile, reached a strong total of 186, despite star batter Jackson Marie missing out in a confidence booster for the rest of the batting order.
Lachie Marie and Radomir Badzoka were the standout batters, before Harman Sahota led the bowling battery.
Fountain Gate annihilated a hapless Lynbrook, bowled out for 29, whose loss caused it to fall short of back to back finals campaigns.
Usually a patient batter, Karan Singh played with great flair to accelerate the Gators to 7/212 before Jasdeep Singh, Nadim Nazif and Surya Pratap took the 10 wickets inside 15 overs.
Silverton was clinical in chasing down 137 in the other fixture, with Rob North’s unbeaten 62 leading the way.
The Knights clash with Berwick Springs is a clash of contrasting storylines.
Keysborough was last year relegated from Turf 2, but has been a dominant force this season, winning 10 matches, built off the back of recruit Chanaka Kahandawala’s phenomenal
consistency with the blade.
He and Perumpuli have given much needed batting assistance to the experienced Christo Otto, who has been the standout batter of the side for several years.
With the ball, Wright has taken 40 wickets and arguably been the standout bowler of the competition.
The Titans have not had the same calibre of
standout player in a 2024-25 season which has at times stuttered after surprising many by reaching the grand final last year.
Jackson Marie is the clear standout player and his wicket will be massive in the context of the game - pressure he has become accustomed to handling - but the best of Berwick Springs in the past two seasons has demonstrated an evenness in contribution around him.
The Titans core is the same as the one which played the two matches in last year’s finals series, with Kenny Smart proving a valuable addition this year with 25 wickets.
Despite finishing two wins behind the rest of this year’s finalists, the Titans have the talent to seriously contend.
The other game pits Fountain Gate, which lost its semi-final to eventual premiers Coomoora last season, against Silverton, which has successfully rebounded from a 2023-24 plagued by a lack of selection continuity.
Both sides finished with nine wins, with Fountain Gate appearing to be a much more cohesive unit under the leadership of Ray Pal, with Pratap a revelation with 40 wickets and youngster Nazif taking another step forward with his cricket.
The batting hasn’t had the consistency across the board of the bowling during the season, but Singh’s temperament lends itself well to finals cricket.
For Silverton, North and competition leading wicket taker Harkanwal Singh are the players who will be looked to in the big moments.
Tips: Keysborough v BERWICK SPRINGS, Silverton v FOUNTAIN GATE
Round 14 results: Fountain Gate 7/212 v Lynbrook 29, Keysborough 204 v Doveton 9/90, Silverton 2/138 v Hampton Park 137, Narre North 132 v Berwick Springs 8/186 Turf 3 ladder (Final Standings): Keysborough 70, Silverton 68, Fountain Gate 64, Berwick Springs 52, Lynbrook 46, Hampton
Park 40, Narre North 18, Doveton 6
Fountain Gate dominated Lynbrook to finish the season. (Rob Carew: 462198)
bowler Rajika Fernando. His
Cranbourne was victorious in round 14, securing a finals berth. (Rob Carew: 462193)
Time for pleasure and pain
Buckley Ridges has been Hallam Kalora Park’s nemesis this season, going two from two against the Hawks in rounds two and nine.
The Bucks will come in feeling bulletproof after a great run-chase against Springvale South last week, while the Hawks have been outstanding since Christmas. Every game has been a cakewalk since the calendar ticked over to 2025, with the Hawks taking 65 wickets while surrendering only 34 of their own. They finished the season with clearly the best percentage, but that will count for little when the first ball gets bowled on Saturday. The main hope for the Hawks is their quality bowling attack, with William Whyte, Lauchlan Gregson, Jordy Hammond and Lee Brown combining for 109 wickets this season.
The Bucks top-four - Ishan Jayarathna, Hussain Ali, Sanka Dinesh and Prav Chahal - have taken 71 by comparison.
Ben Wright and Roshane Silva have been stars this season. (Stewart Chambers: 457972)
Both teams have so much quality with the bat; and it only takes one to get away to make all the difference in this one.
Dale Tormey is a proven big-game player; and we’re expecting the leftie to play a big hand and earn the Bucks a week off and a place in this year’s grand final.
It’s the Bucks to win by 30 to 40 runs or four wickets.
The harsh reality has been on the horizon since Christmas; that two quality teams will do battle with the threat of elimination imminent.
We just weren’t quite sure who they would be, with Springvale South relinquishing its stranglehold on the top-two with three losses from its last four. If this was a horse race, you couldn’t back the Bloods; who have consistently failed in the same class and distance that they face this week.
But this is Springvale South; a proven warrior that has players such as Jordy Wyatt who can change a game in an instant.
The Bloods were good in defeat against Buckley Ridges last week, with the return of Ryan Quirk a huge boost, while Wyatt looked in ominous touch with 55 off 43 balls.
None of Berwick’s top six looked any good against Narre South last week, leaving it to a battle-hardened lower-order to get across the line.
The pressure will be on Matthew Hague, Jar-
ryd Wills, Jake Hancock and Michael Wallace to get the Bears off to a solid start.
It almost feels sacrilegious to say this; but at the moment one team knows how to win and one team knows how to lose.
It’s the Bears to progress in a late-Sunday afternoon classic.
ROUND14(ONE-DAY)
Saturday1March,2025
TURF1
• DANDENONGWESTVBEACONSFIELD
TOSS: Dandenong West – Bowl.
BEACONSFIELD
J Steel c: M Collett, b: N Kulasekara 6
A Madhushanka c: A Reid, b: M Bandara .............................39
T Clark lbw: R Siwes..............................................................44
S Pradeep c: B Howarth, b: M Bandara 8
A Fernando b: R Siwes 8
A Taniwal c: A Reid, b: R Siwes 4
M Dunstan run out: R Siwes, M Collett 8 M Tielen not out....................................................................17
N Mohammady c: B Howarth, b: A Reid 0
D Maskiell c: D Pulukkuttiarachchi, b: N Kulasekara 5 J Cutting not out 5
Extras 5WD, 2NB, 1LB, 0B 8
Total (45 Overs) .............................................................9/152
FallofWickets: 1-8 J Steel, 2-76 A Madhushanka, 3-99 S Pradeep, 4-109 T Clark, 5-116 A Fernando, 6-117 A Taniwal, 7-132 M Dunstan, 8-134 N Mohammady, 9-142 D Maskiell.
DandenongWestBowling: N Kulasekara 12-1-38-2, A Reid 6-0-27-1, B Howarth 3-0-20-0, S Weir 6-0-21-0, M Bandara 11-1-29-2, R Siwes 7-0-16-3.
DANDENONGWEST
S Weir not out.......................................................................79
D Pulukkuttiarachchi c: J Steel, b: A Madhushanka..............38 V Hemachandra not out........................................................27
Extras 5WD, 2NB, 2LB, 0B 9
Total (32 Overs) 1/153
FallofWickets: 1-82 Don Pulukkuttiarachchi.
BeaconsfieldBowling: J Cutting 4-0-16-0, D Maskiell 5-020-0, M Tielen 4-0-22-0, N Mohammady 6-0-25-0, S Pradeep 2-0-8-0, A Madhushanka 7-1-40-1, A Taniwal 3-0-9-0, T Clark 0.5-0-11-0.
Dandenong West won by nine wickets.
• HALLAMKALORAPARKVNORTHDANDENONG
TOSS: Hallam Kalora Park – Bat.
HALLAMKALORAPARK
L Booth c: D Umagiliyage, b: K Muhammad..........................78
J Hammond c: K Muhammad, b: C Keerthisinghe.................39
D Perera c: T Sultani, b: Fill-in ..............................................40
Mahela Udawatte not out.....................................................67
A Fardell b: S Gupta .............................................................24
L Gregson c: R Shaw, b: S Gupta 0 B Hillard not out 0 Extras 12WD, 3NB, 3LB, 1B.................................................19
Total (45 Overs) .............................................................5/267 FallofWickets: 1-76 J Hammond, 2-166 D Perera, 3-170 L Booth, 4-250 A Fardell, 5-250 L Gregson. NorthDandenongBowling: S Gupta 10-0-60-2, D Umagiliyage 9-0-71-0, K Muhammad 7-0-36-1, C Keerthisinghe 6-0-23-1, I Laghmani 6-0-32-0, Fill-In 7-0-41-1. NORTHDANDENONG G Mangal b: W Whyte...........................................................26 T Sultani b: W Whyte 4 I Laghmani b: J Hammond....................................................23
Whyte
Umagiliyage c: D Perera, b: L Gregson.................................
Extras 3WD, 2NB, 0LB, 4B 9
Total (20.4 Overs) ................................................................85
FallofWickets: 1-4 T Sultani, 2-41 G Mangal, 3-56 S Mehmood, 4-64 I Laghmani, 5-73 R Shaw, 6-79 Player, 7-79 Player, 8-79 K Muhammad, 9-85 C Keerthisinghe, 10-85 D Umagiliyage.
HallamKaloraParkBowling: W Whyte 10-1-30-5, L Gregson
4.4-0-32-2, J Hammond 4-0-18-1, L Brown 2-1-1-2.
Hallam Kalora Park won by 182 runs.
• NARRESOUTHVBERWICK
TOSS: Berwick – Bowl
NARRESOUTH
M Ali c: L Brown, b: J Goodes................................................25
V Jayasuriya c: J Cleland, b: J Goodes 6
V Kelley b: T Wills
K Hardy b: T Wills 2
R McDonald c: T Wills, b: J Wills ...........................................23
S Brooks b: J Trodd...............................................................26
A Snelling c: T Wills, b: E Mathews........................................33
Total (43.4 Overs)...............................................................161
FallofWickets: 1-38 V Jayasuriya, 2-45 M Ali, 3-49 K Hardy, 4-59 V Kelley, 5-85 R McDonald, 6-136 S Brooks, 7-141 A Snelling, 8-142 J Zietsman, 9-156 J Hussaini, 10-161 C Tout.
BerwickBowling: J Trodd 7-0-42-2, J Goodes 7-3-16-2, M Wallace 2-0-9-0, T Wills 8-1-24-3, J Wills 7-2-19-1, L Brown
5-0-16-0, E Mathews 7.4-1-30-2.
BERWICK
M Hague c: A Snelling, b: Z Wilson 9
J Wills b: C Tout 0
J Hancock c: V Kelley, b: J Zietsman......................................15
M Wallace c: V Kelley, b: J Hussaini......................................11 N Shirt b: J Zietsman 2
J Cleland b: C Tout................................................................39
T Wills c&b: K Hardy.............................................................16
L Brown c: V Kelley, b: J Zietsman.........................................35
J Trodd not out......................................................................23
Jarrod Goodes not out 4 Extras 3WD, 0NB, 4LB, 1B 8 Total (44.3 Overs) ..........................................................8/162
FallofWickets: 1-9 M Hague, 2-10 J Wills, 3-37 J Hancock, 4-39 N Shirt, 5-39 M Wallace, 6-80 T Wills, 7-102 J Cleland, 8-153 L Brown.
NarreSouthBowling: C Tout 11.3-3-29-2, Z Wilson 7-1-21-1, J Zietsman 12-2-52-3, J Hussaini 7-1-28-1, M Ali 5-0-18-0, K Hardy 2-0-9-1.
Berwick won by two wickets. • SPRINGVALESOUTHVBUCKLEYRIDGES TOSS: Springvale South – Bat. SPRINGVALESOUTH R Quirk b: J Cronin................................................................64
M Forsyth b: J Cronin............................................................26
N Boland c: I Jayarathna, b: J Cronin ....................................13
J Wyatt c: H Ali, b: S Bates....................................................55
B Baxter
c: T Aust, b: S Bates 9
J Sketcher c: M Davies, b: S Dinesh......................................22
J Mackenzie not out..............................................................30
P Hill not out 2 Extras 12WD, 2NB, 5LB, 1B.................................................20 Total (45 Overs) .............................................................6/241
FallofWickets: 1-45 M Forsyth, 2-113 N Boland, 3-120 R Quirk, 4-178 B Baxter, 5-188 J Wyatt, 6-232 J Sketcher. BuckleyRidgesBowling: I Jayarathna 12-0-55-0, H Ali 5-0-24-0, J Cronin 12-0-62-3, M Davies 7-0-27-0, S Dinesh 4-0-28-1, S Bates 5-0-39-2.
Keysborough 204 (S Perumpuli 62, J Kamali 4/32, H Azadzoi 3/43) def Doveton 9/90 (J Wright 6/40).
2/138 (R North 62*, R Sandhu 39) def Hampton Park 137 (H Singh
One dropped chance could prove fatal for the Berwick cordon against Springvale South on Saturday. (457972)
Bella punches ticket to UK
By Justin Schwarze
Casey BMX prodigy Bella May is set to pack her bags for a massive opportunity in the UK after being included in Bestrong’s team for the European Cup.
At just 19 years old, May has already decorated an elite resume in the sport, dominating at junior level.
Her career highlights include being a threetime Australian Champion, two-time Oceania Champion and an unbelievable 11-time State Champion.
She competed in the Under-23 category at the 2024 BMX Racing World Championships in South Carolina, United States, where she earned a bronze medal with a time of 33.82 seconds in the final.
Her rapid ascension has come while she’s been a member of the Casey BMX Club.
“They (Casey BMX) have been supporting me for years now,” May said.
“They’re just great people and it’s such a friendly environment.”
While at the club, May has taken multiple roles, including competing, training and coaching the next generation.
Even leading up to her departure overseas, she continues to mentor and inspire the younger riders.
“It’s great seeing and being able to help the younger generation,” May said.
“These are our next girls coming through the club so it’s really great to help them out, do some coaching at the club and help grow our community.”
On the track, she’s preparing for a major stepup in competition.
Once you reach age 19, you become eligible to compete in the ‘Elite’ category, which is the next step for May.
“I’m stepping up into the elite category this year,” she stated.
“It’ll be challenging, but I’m excited and I’m ready to hit it.
“I had the opportunity to stay down in the category, but I felt like I was ready to take the next step and challenge myself more.”
Throughout her journey, it hasn’t been just the club that has had a massive influence on her career.
May cited the backing from her family as one of the biggest keys to her success.
“My family has been my number one supporter from day dot,” she said.
“From a two year old, I’ve always been on two wheels, whether it was motorbikes or BMX just at the skate park.
“One day I just rocked up to the BMX track,
and fell in love with the sport and I said to mum and dad that this is sick, I want to do this.
“Along the way, gaining sponsors, the community from the club, there’s a lot of people that have made this what it is.”
The next challenge will be travelling to the other side of the world, to compete in a higher competition standard.
Being based in Manchester, the European Cup includes races in France and Italy, and Manchester National rounds are on the calendar for May.
Until then, the fact that she’s going over there hasn’t really sunk in.
“It doesn’t really kick in until I’m really there and associated with them,” she admitted.
“I’m ready to make this bigger step; there’ll definitely be challenges along the way like stepping up straight away into the bigger category in my first race overseas, that will be surreal.
“Seeing my name on the leaderboard from previous seasons, like my last season was pretty phenomenal, that took a while to kick in that I competed overseas and got my name out there.
“I got some pretty phenomenal results.
“It’s hard to recognise, but I am proud of myself.”
In her fresh competition and new category, she will face some of the world’s best talents.
This includes racing Australian Olympic Gold medallist and two-time UCI BMX World Cup champion Saya Sakakibara.
“It’s a bit scary but I’m excited, she’s definitely where we I want to be,” May said of racing Sakakibara.
“It’ll be pretty phenomenal to race against her.
“She’s set pretty high standards for us, which is so amazing but I’m ready to race her and judge where I’m at.”
With the future in mind, there is one goal above all else for May.
This opportunity is another step in the right direction, and she’s even closer to realising her biggest dream.
“The Olympics are definitely the goal,” she said.
“It’s always been a childhood dream since the first day.
“This is another step, another path in the journey to get me to that end result.”
Excitement builds during a great week for Cranbourne
CRANBOURNE BOWLS
On a glorious sunny day and playing on the synthetic green Cranbourne 4 Div 6 went into the section preliminary final against Dandenong Club 5 with the winner advancing to the section final against Mulgrave CC5.
For the loser; their season would be over.
It was a strange day of bowls with some of the scores not telling the whole story.
The breeze was a little tricky and when you expected the bowl to come in, the breeze tended to hold the bowl up on its axis.
Two rinks won by Dandenong Club were significant, one being by 15 shots and one by 12 shots, but these rinks were just out bowled or weren’t able to hold the shot.
The only other bad errors were two of our rinks losing a six and a four each.
The two best rinks for Cranbourne 4 were skipped by Hans Worsteling, with Ron Fenton 3rd, Lesley Deal 2nd and Bruce Harper Lead winning their rink by 25 shots by playing some great bowls. Everyone contributed and played brilliantly 32-7.
The rink skipped by Harry Van Soest, with Bill Sherriff 3rd, David McMaster 2nd and Frank Verco Lead won their rink by four shots 21-17.
With about four ends to play, Dandenong Club 5 had a 15-shot lead and things were looking grim for Cranbourne 4.
Then all of a sudden, the supporters and team members came to life and were cheering and encouraging the players to keep at it.
The crowd were cheering wildly for Cheryl Wright’s team which included Scott DePiazza, Jo Alsop and Jacqui Warner lead.
The crowd went wild for them, but the rest of us just quietly worked away chipping the lead down to the point where with one end to play the scores were 77-77 all.
It was left to Hans Worsteling’s team to bring It on home.
This they did with two ripper bowls from Lesley Deal and Ron Fenton.
Hans then provided the supporting back bowls which allowed Cranbourne 4 to get the shots necessary to put them over the line and proceed to the section final against Mulgrave CC5 on Saturday at Burden Park.
This team and the players who’ve played most of the season have been fantastic in their endeavours to get our team into finals and promoted to Div 5.
As team manager, I can only thank all of them for their efforts and hard work.
They’ve been brilliant and I want them to enjoy the game next Saturday irrespective of the outcome.
Thankyou Dandenong Club for a great game, played in very good spirit and very magnanimous with regards to the result.
· Cranbourne 4 Div 6 (79) def Dandenong Club 5 (77).
MIDWEEK PENNANT
Both Midweek teams travelled to take on their opponents in semi-finals with the winners advancing to section finals and earning a week’s break.
Cranbourne 1 Div 1 travelled to Narre Warren to take on their number-two team.
Cranbourne was a very determined team and set themselves a goal to win over their opponents and advance to the section final…and this is what transpired.
The rink skipped by Peter Elgar, with Chris Stevenson 3rd, Steve Bentley 2nd and Loui Mag-
ri Lead, defeated their opposition 31-22.
The rink skipped by Lyn Quigg, with Peter Colthup 3rd, Dennis Tomlin 2nd and Kristi Hickson Lead won their rink 25-17.
The third rink skipped by Nick Arnold, with Wayne Stevens 3rd, Karen Hickson 2nd and Vic Butera Lead had a great tussle with their opponents, going down by two shots 18-20.
Finals are always going to be hard to win, but Cranbourne 1’s resolve was steadfast and their reward is a grand final spot against Dandenong Club 2 at Noble Park.
Cranbourne 4 (6-A-Side) shuffled on down to Black Rock to take on the top-of-the-ladder team.
Being the two top teams in the Division, both clubs played some very close bowls with very little between them.
Winning one rink each, Cranbourne 4 came out on top to the tune of seven shots.
The rink skipped by Dale Henry, with John Stanley 2nd and Jeanne Tomlin Lead won their rink 20-12, followed closely by Black Rock 1’s second team who beat our team skipped by Steve Muhi, with Rod Challis 2nd and Lead Helen Blake by one shot 15-16.
Cranbourne 4 will play the winner of the preliminary final between Black Rock 1 and Cranbourne RSL 2 in the section final on Tuesday 11 March.
· Cranbourne 4 (35) def Black Rock 1 (28).
Congratulations to the two Midweek Cranbourne teams and I’m sure the club, it’s members, family and friends will be at both games to provide you all the love and support they can.
Well done players, selectors and team managers on a great day for the club.
Derek Maguire
Cranbourne Midweek 2 celebrates its semi-final success. (Supplied: 463638)
Casey BMX star Bella May is set to head to the UK to compete at a new level in 2025. (Supplied: 463366)
