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Thinking on South East future

Jobs and skills were on the minds of more than

and community leaders including Simon McKeon, Emma Dawson, Honi Walker with MC Michael Rowland from the ABC at a Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) summit at Bunjil Place on Friday 3 May. Among the topics on the agenda were opportunities transitioning to net-zero, future trends in the South East and breaking down barriers to work. More on pages 12 and 13

Reception relief

By Ethan Benedicto

Residents of Clyde, Clyde North and surrounds are finally receiving their long-awaited upgrades on cell reception, with Telstra and Optus confirming new towers - some within the year.

Ari Ross, a worker at Clyde North’s Deoro Cafe said “it’s about time”.

“I live just down the road, and I only have one bar in my whole house it’s terrible, so I think it’s about time honestly,” she said.

Her difficulties are well-known and a common sentiment for a majority of residents in Clyde and Clyde North, with Maree Cullinan, executive officer at Balla Balla Community Centre saying that “we agree that community members are very frustrated with the lack of coverage in the area”.

A Telstra spokesperson told 9News last week that three projects are currently underway as part of the Connecting Victoria Mobile program to improve 4G and 5G connectivity in the local area.

With two new mobile stations and an upgrade for an existing one in the books, the spokesperson said that “Telstra expects to have one new mobile base station in Clyde East constructed during May and operational by the end of June this year”.

Optus is in the same boat, with three new sites operational in the last year and covering parts of Casey Stadium and Clyde North.

“We are working hard to bring residents of Casey improved mobile coverage,” an Optus spokesperson said.

“Optus is working on an additional eight towers in the area - seven of these are part of the Connecting Victoria Mobile Program to improve mobile connectivity in Clyde, including Clyde North, Cranbourne, Berwick and Hallam.”

For Ms Ross, the additional towers are more than just a weight off her shoulders, lamenting that “I can’t FaceTime my parents, I can’t call anyone, I can’t watch [on] too many devices at once - if I’m on my TV and my phone and my laptop, one of them will stop working”.

Continued page 10

Michael Rowland (MC) with panelist Emma Dawson (executive director of Per Capita). 403587

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Relief for rental struggles

By Sahar Foladi

A new Rental Stress Support Package has been launched by the State Government as rental stress continues.

South East Community Links (SECL) will receive a State grant to support around 1,400 renting adults and 3,000 children as part of the $7.8 million package announced by Minister for Consumer Affairs and Dandenong MP GabrielleWilliams on Friday 3 May.

The chief executive officer of SECL Peter McNamara welcomed the news saying it’ll help launch their new program, Private Renter Support.

“This Rental Stress Support Package will enable us to establish our new ‘Private Renter Support Program’ in direct response to the escalating rental housing stress on our doorstep.

“It means that people experiencing rental housing stress will have better and faster access to support including information, advice, advocacy, and referrals for legal assistance.

“We’ll have two dedicated financial counsellors on site to help people navigate their financial issues so that they can keep a roof over their heads and reduce the risk of homelessness.”

However, this will not be an ultimate solution for families and communities facing housing crisis, he says.

According to SECL the demand for support to navigate rental stress has increased by almost 40 per cent since 2020 and represented 30 per cent of all crisis sessions with clients in 2023.

“The Rental Stress Support Package won’t solve the housing crisis, but it does acknowledge that community services are dealing with increased demand and urgently require extra resources.

“It’s encouraging to see the Victorian Government recognises the pressing need to address the impacts of rental stress amidst the

SECLchiefexecutivePeterMcNamara,picturedrightatarecentBringYourBillsDayatSpringvale. 403433

rising cost of living.

“We can’t afford to wait for housing supply to catch up when people are on the brink of homelessness right now.”

Access to stable housing along with rental stress are the key priorities for majority of SECL clients with 85 per cent not owning their own homes.

Around Victoria, 5 per cent of households face serious rental stress and so has increased demand on organisations that provide financial counselling, legal assistance, advocacy and provide information.

Dandenong MP Ms Williams said the support package will provide extra help which builds on more than 130 rental reforms delivered so far.

“The community organisations supported through the Rental Stress Support Package do critical work to support Victorian renters, and we’re proud to support them as we address the housing supply crisis through our Housing Statement.”

The other organisations receiving funding are AnglicareVictoria, Launch Housing, Justice Connect, Housing for the Aged Action Group,

Child and Family Services Ballarat, Quantum Support Services and Mallee Family Care.

Tenants Victoria was also selected in partnership with local not-for-profit organisations ARC Justice, Barwon Community Legal Service, Peninsula Community Legal Centre and Westjustice.

The package builds on a $4.74 million investment to support Consumer Affairs Victoria’s tenancy programs, including the Tenancy and Retirement Housing Assistance and Advocacy Programs.

Hospital cash boost

By Violet Li

Casey Hospital has been allocated an extra $35.5 million in the 2024-25 State Budget for its emergency department expansion.

The hospital was promised a share of $236 million in funding with Werribee Mercy Hospital in the 2022-23 State Budget to double the capacity of its emergency department.

The bundle has increased by $43.5 million to reflect an additional $35.5 million for the Casey Hospital Emergency Expansion Project and $8 million for Werribee Mercy Hospital due to funding redirected from the “providing additional bed capacity through modular facilities (metropolitan various)” initiative.

About $18 million is estimated to have been spent in the 2023-24 financial year.

A total of $68 million is estimated to be spent on the two projects during the 2024-25 financial year, with an estimated completion date of around 2027.

Casey Hospital’s emergency department expansion would include a dedicated paediatric space for children and their families, and support an additional 52,000 presentations annually, helping ease the pressure on the existing emergency departments for the hospitals’ dedicated doctors, nurses, orderlies, and other hospital staff.

Minister for Health, Health Infrastructure, and Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas

said they were transforming Victoria’s worldclass healthcare system – delivering better facilities, more healthcare workers, and a record investment to make sure every Victorian gets the best care, no matter their address.

Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Ingrid Stitt said they had made the largest investment into mental health in Australia’s history since the Royal Commission.

“But there’s still more to do,” she said.

“That’s why this Budget will build on our record investment for those who need it most. For older Victorians, we’ll continue our investment so they can age in place with dignity and receive world-class care.”

Education boom for Casey amid growth

By Ethan Benedicto

Three new schools are planned for the City of Casey in the coming years as part of the 20242025 State Budget.

Released on the afternoon of Tuesday 7 May, the budget announced Casey Central Primary School, Clyde Creek North Primary and Secondary coming in 2026 as part of the new additions under the $948 million funding for 16 new schools, as well as a $9 million upgrade for Cranbourne Secondary College.

NarreWarren South MP Gary Maas said that “we’re investing in the projects and services thatVictorians need... including an upgrade to Lyndhurst Secondary College that will deliver world-class learning spaces for students and their hard-working teachers”.

Lyndhurst Secondary College, alongside Cranbourne Secondary College will be among the 25 existing schools that are part of the $227 million fund for capital upgrades, such as improvement of existing school facilities and modernisation.

The overall budget for new schools, upgrades to existing institutions and additional maintenance is $1.6 billion, with the budget aiming to build on the 2018 promise to build 100 schools by 2026.

Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards said the budget was a huge win for families in Cranbourne.

“From a substantial upgrade to Cranbourne Secondary College to a new high school in Clyde Creek North, this Budget invests in providing the children of our community with fundamental steppingstones for a brighter future,” she said.

“A $9 million upgrade at Cranbourne Secondary College will ensure kids and their hardworking teachers in Cranbourne have the world-class spaces they deserve.

“This Budget builds on our commitment to support and empower young Victorians from diverse backgrounds – with continued funding to deliver African-Australian-led homework clubs across the state.”

On the other hand Liberal MP Ann-Marie Hermans said that “Premier Jacinta Allan’s first budget has just reinforced Labor’s waste and

continued mismanagement”.

“Labor’s State Budget released today is just another horror budget setting this state back into further catastrophic debt,” she said.

Ms Hermans added that overall debt has increased by $21.8 billion to a projected $187.8 billion by 2028.

She also criticised the failure to address longstanding issues in the southeast, in addition to promising projects and then “cannot afford to deliver” such as the Suburban Rail Loop.

“We have issues that need fixing in the south east, we have a very sad homelessness issue, lack of affordable rentals and housing, youth crime out of control and the costof-living is making it impossible for people to manage,” she said.

However, Labor MP Lee Tarlamis is confi-

dent that the budget is dedicated to helping families in the southeast, from the cost-ofliving, to schools, and healthcare.

“From new classrooms to cost of living relief – this budget is helping families across the south east,” he said.

“That means providing direct support where it’s needed most – from our $400 School Saving Bonus to an expansion of our Glasses for Kids program.”

The $287 million to deliver the School Saving Bonus is a one-off payment for every student enrolled at a government school and eligible families at non-government schools, aimed at helping to cover the cost of school expenses.

A funding of $6.8 million will also triple the size of the Glasses For Kids program, reaching a further 74,000 prep to grade three students at 473 government schools.

Head of Campus Talk & Tour

Monash University politics expert Dr Zareh Gahazarian said he was expecting “a bit more” from the government in the 2024-25 State Budget.

It was an opportunity for Jacinta Allan to “set new priorities” in her first budget as Premier, he said.

“That it hasn’t been done to a great extent suggests that the government was financially constrained.

“It could be a feature of the government to build its capacity to deliver bigger policies in the year leading into the 2026 election.”

Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said: “As our community continues to grow, so too does our commitment to delivering the world class schools families deserve – including a brand new school on Ballarto Road opening 2026 and a primary and secondary school for Clyde North opening in 2025.

“This budget focuses on continuing our cost of living support relief for our community; in addition to what is already available including regional capped fares, free rego for trade apprentices, Victorian Default Offer – we will have for example the $400 School Saving Bonus, triple the free Glasses for Kids program and extend the $200 Get Active Kids Vouchers making sure families in Bass are supported in these challenging times.”

There was great news for the Pearcedale and surrounding community, Ms Crugnale said, “who have long advocated for a skatepark to be included in the overall redevelopment of the Rec Reserve”.

“It will be a wonderful sporting hub for young people and families to come together, be active and connect.

“I want to honour the dedication, commitment and sheer respectful pestering that the much loved late Cr Ray Brown did in his advocacy for better public transport for his community and am delighted that the Kooweerup – Pakenham bus services will have its frequency increased to better suit modern life and how the community actually move around today.”

Clyde Road

The Clyde Road Upgrade remains on track as it has been confirmed in the 2024-25 State Budget that the $243 million project will proceed as planned.

The project is funded entirely by the Federal Government with a total of $88 million estimated spending in the next financial year. It will not be finished until June 2028.

About $36 million is estimated to have been spent in the 2023-24 financial year.

Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas (left) and Lyndhurst Secondary College principal Eloise Haynes (right). Picture: SUPPLIED

Read all about meteorite

By Violet Li

A very own historical account that explores a hidden layer of Cranbourne is finally in town.

Author and Berwick resident Sean Murphy’sThe Cranbourne Meteorite tells the longforgotten tug-of-war between local colonial scientists and the British government for the ownership of Cranbourne No.1 fragment in the 1860s.

Cranbourne meteorite has 13 fragments that are strewn across a 20-kilometre corridor from Pakenham in the northeast to Langwarrin in the southwest.

The first big sample was found near Cranbourne and that’s how the name of the meteorite came across.

The 3.5-tonne solid piece of iron, named Cranbourne No.1, is now perching in the Natural History Museum in London, highlighting the doomed finale of the mini-culture war, while a smaller No.2 is being retained here in the Melbourne Museum.

The loss of the large meteorite to the British Museum was complicated, as the book would reveal.

“The book is telling the story of what happened before Cranbourne No.1 was eventually put on a ship and taken to London in 1865. It’s a local event with astronomical fireworks and strong personalities,” Mr Murphy said.

“The leaders of these institutions were deeply invested in attempts to retain or remove Cranbourne No. 1. This arm-wrestle is largely conducted via letters, a very many letters, and in the chambers of learned societies such as the Royal Society ofVictoria.

“Part of the book also talks about the fact that it [Cranbourne No.1] was taken over there [London] at the wishes of the owner of the meteorite at the time. It was a relatively legal thing to do.”

Though Mr Murphy believes the main fragment should be returned to Australia, he’s not holding his breath.

“In the book, I tried to find an Aboriginal angle to the meteorite, whether it was revered as a sacred totem. To a certain degree, it was, but only from very limited historical references do we know that.

“And I couldn’t find anything that meant this was a sacred object for the Aboriginal people around the east side of Melbourne, so it doesn’t have that kind of cache to it that makes it a celebrity that we could bring back.

“It’s something of a scientific odyssey more than anything else.”

A Casey resident for more than two decades, Mr Murphy was always looking for a local topic to explore. In 2018, when he stumbled across a podcast episode about a “Cranbourne Meteorite”, he instantly knew that was it. He did some digging around in the State Library and online history databases and formed this neat little story.

“There are a lot of meteorite-related books and things out there. But on this specific topic, I wouldn’t call it a gap in the market, but I was curious that there had no one had ever really written a book for popular consumption,” he said.

“Cranbourne meteorite is known to a lot of people in this area because many years ago, council put up a display on the South Gippsland Highway in Cranbourne, hanging some fragments.

“Cranbourne has, for a time, the largest iron meteorite in the world.”

The Cranbourne Meteorite also explores the stories around other fragments, meteorites in Australia, and fun geology and biology knowledge.

To purchase the book, visit: scholarly.info/ book/the-cranbourne-meteorite

‘Investment lacking’: Budget rebuff for the South East

Advocacy group Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) has criticised the State Budget for a lack of investment in the region.

Fresh after hosting a jobs and skills summit on 3 May, GSEM chair Simon McKeon said“better direct budget support to help the region’s growth would have been a good budgetary investment”.

“The GSEM region is an important economic driver forVictoria.

“It is disappointing that there is not greater direct investment in the Greater South East Melbourne region.

“Relief for families is welcomed – but more needs to be done to support residents of Greater South East Melbourne.”

McKeon welcomed the $555 million into TAFE and training system but“more needs to be done to ensure that this investment is getting to those who need it.”

More investment in “critical transport infrastructure” was also required.

“GSEM understands the need for sensible economic management to address state

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6 Brunt Street Ph: 5996 6822

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debt, however growth cannot occur without the foundational building blocks of community and transport infrastructure,” McKeon

said.

“We appreciate that hard decisions have had to be made but, nonetheless, we must prioritise policies and projects that provide jobs and economic growth.”

GSEM welcomed several Budget projects, including the continued Pakenham roads package as well as new schools and upgrades.

He also praised the proposed intersection upgrade on Stud Road Dandenong, the Monash Medical Centre redevelopment, the $5 million Growing Suburbs fund and continuing the planning for a renewable energy terminal at Port of Hastings.

It also praised the $71 million initiative to support young people complete their secondary-school educations at TAFE.

GSEM includes eight council areas Cardinia, Mornington Peninsula, Casey, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Kingston, Knox and Monash.

GSEM chair Simon McKeon said more direct investment was required in the South East. 403587

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Author and Berwick resident Sean Murphy with his new book The Cranbourne Meteorite. 404978

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Thief’s mercy plea

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A 34-year-old Cranbourne man has begged for “one more chance” after pilfering scores of power tools from tradies’ utes in car parks across the South East, a court has heard.

Travis Kenyon pled guilty to more than 30 charges from a seven-month stealing spree in 2023 that netted about $78,000 of power saws, drills, multi-meters, drivers, nail guns, grinders, batteries, tower lights, handtools and similar equipment.

Kenyon preyed on 23 utes at day and at night, targeting Dandenong Plaza, Karingal Hub, Fountain Gate, Carrum Downs, Northland and Knox shopping centres.

Other targets were Sandhurst, Keysborough and Centenary Park golf courses, Dandenong and Cranbourne basketball stadiums and Chisholm Tafe campuses in Dandenong and Berwick.

Some others were parked at Sandhurst Motel, Frankston RSL, Hoyts cinemas in Frankston and a Mornington Peninsula bottle shop.

The unemployed Kenyon would typically park next to the utes, access their rear canopies – forcing them open if they were locked - and take equipment worth up to $5000 at a time.

Despite being placed on four counts of bail at his parents’ house and a night curfew in September 2023, he continued stealing up to his arrest in December.

His phone included photos of tools sent to seven would-be purchasers.

One of his victims recognised his power tools being sold on Facebook Marketplace by Kenyon’s associate.

The associate later told police he’d bought the tools from Kenyon for $350.

On 7 May, defence lawyer Vanda Hamilton told Dandenong Magistrates’ Court that Kenyon offended months after leaving a successful stint of residential drug rehab at Odyssey House.

He ran astray after accepting back his phone – with its list of criminal contacts, Ms Hamilton said.

He’d succumbed to “loneliness” and a need to “re-connnect”, and was now “remorseful” for his“very stupid behaviour”.

Ms Hamilton argued for Kenyon’s sentence to be deferred, in order for him to return to Odyssey.

He needed to “grapple” with a long-standing drug addiction that had “blighted his life, blighted his family’s life”.

Kenyon was coming to an age that he was young enough to turn his life around. But if he didn’t, he’d be in and out of jail.

If he did well at Odyssey, she’d submit for a combination of 151 days already served in presentence remand and a community corrections order with“significant” volunteer work.

Dandenong magistrate Greg Connellan said Kenyon - who had served two jail and CCO sentences for similar offending - had thrown the victims’ lives into“chaos, if not into ruin”.

“These are small business people going about their daily lives ... their tools of trade disappear, their income disappears.”

Most tradies had relatively young families and carried the stress of managing their own business.

When Kenyon was charged and bailed in

September 2023, he didn’t seek Odyssey’s support and continued to steal, Mr Connellan said.

“That’s my concern.

“Odyssey is a lot more comfortable than Port Phillip Prison but it’s what happens when he leaves.”

In response, Ms Hamilton argued that a CCO would support Kenyon after his release from Odyssey.

A police prosecutor submitted that Kenyon’s “prolific” thieving required “manifest denunciation” and further imprisonment.

“Compliance on a CCO is not too promising given his prior (offences).”

Pleading for“one more chance”, Kenyon told the court that he’d left Odyssey too early last time and“it all crumbled for me”.

“I really want this chance. I’m very remorseful – I know I shouldn’t have done what I done.”

Mr Connellan replied: “The word ‘remorseful’ for someone in your position isn’t a particularly convincing term.”

After holding his head in hand and pausing for 15 seconds, Mr Connellan asked Kenyon how long he’d stay at Odyssey this time.

“Two years – I need this for myself,” Kenyon said.

“Two years is nothing out of the rest of my life.”

Mr Connellan noted that he’d have to finalise the matter before he leaves the magistrate’s bench in March 2025.

He deferred Kenyon’s sentence and bailed Kenyon to re-enter Odyssey the next day.

Kenyon was ordered to remain at Odyssey until successful completion of his treatment.

If “all goes well” by early 2025, Kenyon was likely to receive a two year CCO with no further jail time, Mr Connellan said.

“You better be good to your word,” he warned.

Green move

By Ethan Benedicto

The Webb Street level crossing removal project took a greener approach to managing stormwater, using underground tanks made from recycled plastic in the new NarreWarren station precinct.

During construction, crews installed three detention tanks made of recycled plastic instead of concrete, using specialised plastic filters to slow down rainwater and prevent flooding in the station.

The station’s design itself reduced carbon emissions from concrete during construction by using a mix of cement alternatives in the base slab for the bin enclosure. Materials such as flyash, which is the combustion of coal in electric utility or industrial boilers, and sand replaced 80 per cent of the cement that would have been required as part of the slab. Through minimising the use of concrete, the detention tanks save 183.4 tonnes of CO2e, which is equivalent to driving more than 1.1 million kilometres in a diesel car or charging 22 million smartphones at once.

Other sustainable measures were also adopted during the station’s construction phase, such as using solar power generators for the site office and a trial use of a crane powered by recycled cooking oil. While the new elevated station is now operational, works on its precinct continue after its March opening, which includes a new air-conditioned waiting room, new toilet facilities and an updated ticket office which has recently opened. Surrounding the station, crews are finishing the forecourt, with 672 upgraded car spaces and planting more than 300 new trees and 63,000 plants, shrubs and grasses.

Helping students in need

By Ava Cashmore

Clyde Creek Primary School (Specialist campus) has received five iPads from charity organisation State Schools Relief (SSR).

SSR has provided more than 500 iPads to non-verbal students across the state.

For non-verbal students, communication is a daily challenge, often causing a loss of sense of belonging, and restricted access to learning and education. Some struggle to communicate basic needs to guardians.

SSR’s broad range of programs and initiatives aim to transform education for non-verbal students and promote inclusivity across state schools in Victoria.

Five students at Clyde Creek Primary School received an iPad each, which they can take home.

“A lot of our families don’t have the financial capacity or NDIS funding to purchase devices,“ the wellbeing/disability inclusion team leader at the school Kristy Panayiotou said.

“If families have just arrived in Australia, they may not yet have access to therapy support or NDIS funding, and cannot financially afford therapy support for children, let alone buy devices to establish a form of connection or functional communication at school and home.”

SSR charity also provides free uniforms, footwear, uniform vouchers, glasses, and other essentials.

Schools can apply online for the resources they require, and with funding from the State Government and private donations, disadvantaged students will be supplied with the resources they require.

“Every morning at Clyde Creek Primary School, students and families are greeted at the gate,” Ms Panayiotou said.

“That way we develop a connection with all of our families and the wider community, through these discussions and connections

we are able to support families in need.”

In 2022-23, SSR distributed $7.1 million worth of essential items, including iPads which benefited 452 students.

Since 2016, the not-for-profit has distributed over $45 million of essential items.

“The iPad program assists students expe-

riencing significant communication barriers within their school environment and home.

The iPad gives students a voice – something that is a universal right and helps these young people to have a voice, have agency, and to be heard,” chief executive officer of SSR Sue Karzis said.

“I am so proud that SSR is able to de-

Narre Warren man wins big in the lotto

A big weekend surprise came for a NarreWarren man, after winning $133,000 in The Lott’s Super 66 draw.

The man held one of the two division one winning entries, after pulling the lucky numbers from draw 4465 through his winning three-game QuickPick entry.

liver such an impactful program, and it is only possible due to the generosity of our partners, particularly Bank First and ASCA as well as The William Angliss Charitable Fund.”

The iPads program is also supported by Bank First and the Australian Schools Canteen Association.

“I’m in my 60s and I’ve been playing the lottery since I was 20, I think the most I’ve ever won until now is $40!”

Getting on top of his bills and setting his family up for the future were the man’s main goals, saying that“this just makes the world of difference to me and my family”.

“This is mind blowing, I got a text urging me to check my Lotto ticket so I went onto the app and checked; I couldn’t believe my eyes,” the man said.

“I only started playing Super 66 during the past year or so, this is beyond!”

Each division one entry scored a hefty $133,843.95, with the lucky numbers for the draw being 7, 4, 1, 7, 8 and 2.

Super 66 division one winning tally has now reached 354 so far for the financial year of 2024, which includes 127 won by Tatts customers.

The Narre Warren man is one of the two division one winners for the weekend draw from Super 66. Picture: ON FILE

Student Ali with Kristy Panayitou, Sharon Sartori and Ruth Cameron at Clyde Creek Primary School. 402706 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Sensitive data exposed

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A cyberattack embroiling Monash Health has exposed personal details of victim-survivors of family violence and sexual assaults dating up to 50 years ago.

The data breach occurred at Victorian company ZircoDATA, which was used to scan archived historical documents at Monash Health.

It exposed archived data from the family violence and sexual assault support units at Monash Medical Centre, the Queen Victoria Hospital, and Southern Health from 19701993.

IN BRIEF

Fatal collision

Police are investigating a fatal collision in Hampton Park on the morning of Tuesday 7 May.

Emergency services responded to reports that a sedan and a utility were involved in a head-on collision on Glasscocks Road at about 7.15am.

The driver of the sedan died at the scene.

The passenger of the sedan and the driver of the utility were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established and investigations remain ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, with CCTV/dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

Clyde North fire

Eight CFA units alongside FRV responded to a house fire on Houdan Way in Clyde North at around 4.55pm on Friday 3 May.

Units responded from Clyde, Beaconsfield, NarreWarren and Berwick.

Crews discovered a two-storey building impacted by the fire.

An advice warning was issued to the community for smoke in the area.

The relevant power and gas companies, Victoria Police, and Ambulance Victoria were called to the scene.

Crews contained the fire to the part of the house initially impacted.

The incident was deemed under control at 5.26pm and safe at 5.39pm.

Narre Warren North fire

A Narre Warren North home caught fire at roughly 9am on Wednesday 7 May, with seven emergency vehicles attending the scene.

The court at Foxborough Glade was closed off, with CFA issuing a statement that there was no immediate threat to the community and no action was required.

Truck fire in Devon Meadows

Three CFA units alongside FRV responded to a garbage truck fire on Browns Road in Devon Meadows at around at 12.59pm on Thursday 2 May.

Units responded from Devon Meadows, Tooradin and Clyde.

Crews discovered a load of recycling material fully alight.

A community warning was issued for smoke in the air.

The incident was deemed under control at 1.19pm and safe at 1.32pm.

Booze bus

In response to an alarming 2024 road toll, Victoria Police breath-tested more than 720 drivers at a booze bus site in Dandenong North last week.

The good news was just one driver returned a blood-alcohol reading over the limit by the operation on Heatherton Road in the early afternoon of 1 May.

There were no drug drivers detected.

The bad news is that the operation was prompted by seven fatalities in the Dandenong area so far this year, as of 3 May. Senior Constable Rod Vejar of Dandenong Highway Patrol said testing sites were a good reminder that “police can be out anywhere, any time”.

“We are deeply disappointed to be in this position and understand the distress this may cause any impacted clients,” Monash Health chief executive Eugine Yafele said in a statement on 3 May.

“We take any matter involving cybersecurity extremely seriously.

“Our team is working tirelessly and diligently to verify those who are impacted and understand what data was compromised.”

On 29 February, ZircoDATA reported that a third party accessed its system and “identified an allegation on the dark web that some of our data has been stolen”.

Yafele stated that Monash Health was “re-

cently” informed that its data was involved. Monash Health’s own systems weren’t compromised, he stated.

“Monash Health is deeply sorry that the external breach has occurred, and we continue to work with ZircoDATA in the investigation.

“Our number one priority is providing support to those people who may be impacted by this breach.”

Monash Health has set up a dedicated cyber-breach support line at 1800 491 663 for people who may be impacted.

More information is also available at monashhealth.org/cyber

Tax cuts for every taxpayer

THE LOWDOWN

Q&A

Tell us about yourself and your jobs?

My name is Scarlett and I love learning new things. Since finishing school at Emerson School in Dandenong I have followed my dreams to work in hospitality. With the support of the NDIS, I have successfully gained employment at L’arte Central Cafe and the Amstel Club, both in Cranbourne. Both workplaces are highly supportive and taught me new skills. I also volunteer at a local Salvos store on Saturdays. To say I’m very busy is an understatement but I love everything I do. What do you love the most about your jobs? All my jobs teach me valuable skills and I love that every day is so different. From serving coffee and meals, taking orders and clearing tables, to helping people find items in the store. I particularly like working on the registers and working on my money skills. Working in fantastic teams is wonderful and I love meeting new people in the community every day. What has been your most memorable moment during your jobs?

I have had lots of memorable moments but something I am really proud of is getting my Barista Certificate.

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

I think I would like to be a cheetah as they are very fast, a bit like me.

What were you like as a kid?

Surprisingly as a young child, I was quite shy nothing like I am now…lol. I loved spending time with my family and friends. As a child, I used to play shops and cafes all the time. I even had my own cash register and my family used to have to visit my shop/cafe!

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

I am a passionate Sydney Swans supporter and have been to a few AFL Grand Finals. I would love to see the Swans actually win a Grand Fi-

NEWS

with Scarlett Jennings from L’Arte Central Cafe

nal one day.

Which dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?

Taylor Swift, Isaac Heeney, Lance Franklin, Pink.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Hardworking, independent, confident.

What would you do on your perfect ‘day off’?

I would spend the day hanging out with some

of my close friends.

Where is your happy place?

My happy place is at home where I can relax and be with my pets.

If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?

My special white chocolate cookies … they are delicious.

Where is your dream holiday destination? Disney Land.

THREE … ways to Mother’scelebrate Day

As the name suggests, Mother’s Day is a celebratory day honouring the mother of the family or the individual who has fulfilled this role of the maternal bond.

It is celebration on different days in many parts of the world and in Australia is the second Sunday of May.

1

There are many different community celebrations of Mother’s Day throughout the region from different venues having special Mother’s Day high tea or lunches, or you can organise a picnic in one of the many reserves.

2 While motherhood and the opportunity to create life is a gift in itself, there are many ‘traditional’ Mother’s Day gifts such as handmade cards and decorated mugs, flowers, perfume, pyjamas and breakfast in bed.

3

It really is the opportunity for your family to celebrate mum in your own special way to show just how much you care. Sometimes, just spending time with mum can be the ideal gift.

Hope for support service

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Post the State Budget, a South-East support service has renewed hope that funding for its family-violence prevention program will continue.

Wellsprings for Women’s six-year program was due to lapse in funding at the end of June.

In some heartening Budget news, chief executive Dalal Smiley said Family Safety Victoria had notified Wellsprings that “all lapsing family violence programs across government have had funding continued”.

“For funding administered by Family Safety Victoria, this will enable the continuation of a number of critical programs to prevent and respond to family violence,” the FSV email stated.

However Ms Smiley said Wellsprings was still seeking “confirmation from the department” about the funding.

Wellsprings’ peak body Safe and Equal was also seeking “further clarification”.

In the Budget, $30.1 million was allocated for primary prevention of family violence –with further announcements to come about prevention measures in coming weeks.

Overall, family violence funding was $211 million - up $94 million from 2023-’24. It also includes $30 million for refuges and emergency accommodation for families escaping violence.

Wellsprings’ programs particularlyhelp women of migrant and refugee backgrounds.

“English is not their first language and they have so many struggles and challenges to deal with before they can find the space in their lives to reflect on gender equality, women’s economic security and the drivers of violence against women.

“But we take advantage of the time they spend at Wellsprings to learn English and acquire new skills, to broach the subject of gen-

der equality and family violence.

“Often conversations just happen over a coffee break or around the kitchen table and not always in the classroom.”

Ms Smiley says it’s difficult to demonstrate

the vital impact of family-violence prevention work at a state or national level.

“Those of us working at the forefront, with communities, having conversations on gender equality and family violence, and exploring together culturally safe and tailored messages

and approaches, are able to witness the changes in people’s attitudes and behaviors.

“Prevention programs work but need to happen consistently and over long-term and in a timely manner.”

With time, the programs “grow the pool of men and women whose lives are transformed”, she said.

They instill the value of raising children free of gender stereotypes and rigid roles, as well as helping couples with shared decision-making, domestic and caring duties.

Ms Smiley was disappointed that the Federal Government’s $925 million family violence response on 1 May, allocated nothing toward prevention.

“We urge our governments to keep funding prevention because if we only focus on responding to family violence, we fail in addressing the roots of the problem.”

Australians ought to be “shocked and outraged” by the “national crisis with the increase of women being murdered every week”, Ms Smiley said.

As of 30 April, 28 women in Australia had been killed this year as a result of violence, according to Counting Dead Women Australia research.

A State Government spokesperson said last week that its “nation-leading work to end family violence” included helping refugee, migrant and asylum seeker women overcome barriers in seeking help.

“We are making it easier for Victoria’s diverse communities to access help when they are victims of family violence with a range of measures such as funding Wellsprings for Women.”

Separate to the prevention programs, the government last year allocated $788,000 over two years toWellsprings to support victim-survivors of family and sexual violence and work with perpetrators.

Scarlett from L’Arte Central Social Enterprise Cafe. 401607

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Wellsprings CEO Dalal Smiley is awaiting confirmation that funding will continue for its familyviolence prevention program. 365111 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

North Morning Tea and Tours

With over 26 years of experience, 38 villages under our belt and over 8,000 residents across the ditch, we’ve become pretty good at creating the kind of retirement community you want to live in.

Our first Australian retirement village with premium aged care,Summerset Cranbourne North is a modern village with resort-style facilities, a full range of living options to suit your level of independence with the reassurance that there will be a modern aged care home onsite.# With homes priced from $599,000 and flexible pricing options to suit your budget, that next step could be closer than you think.*

The village is conveniently located with easy access to nearby shopping centres, public reserves, the freeway, and is just minutes away from the local golf club and the gorgeous Cranbourne Botanical Gardens.

Pop along to our upcoming Morning Tea and Tours, enjoy some refreshments, view the brand-new homes, and get a taste of the Summerset life that our residents love so much.

Love the life you choose.

Morning Tea and Tours

Every Friday in May, 10am

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

Guilty plea following death

By Cam Lucadou-Wells and AAP

Monash Health has pleaded guilty to a workplace safety charge over the suicide of a mental-health patient at Casey Hospital, Berwick in 2015.

In pleading on 6 May, the health service accepted an earlier sentence indication in the Victorian County Court of a non-conviction and a fine no more than $160,000.

Prosecutor Duncan Chisholm told the court that Rebecca Victoria Poke was found unresponsive on 31 August 2015 in a visitors toilet, which had a door handle type previously assessed as a suicide risk.

Staff had been instructed to check the private toilet every 15 minutes to ensure it was left locked and not accessed by patients.

In an audit in April 2015, the visitors toilet door handle was identified as a ligature risk.

However, unlike every other door handle in the ward, it hadn’t been replaced, the court heard.

Monash Health should have either removed the handle, replaced it with a ligature-proof pull handle or replaced it with a ligature-proof lock set, Mr Chisholm said.

It was removed shortly after the incident.

Ms Poke had been admitted into Casey’s acute mental health ward as a high risk of suicide.

During her stay over several months, she had made 11 suicide attempts.

She was taken off a compulsory treatment order and was due to be released to visit family and friends shortly before the incident.

Her bereaved father, mother, brother, sister and husband submitted victim impact statements to the court.

Ms Poke’s father Shane Middleton said he was forced to take a long time off work to deal with her senseless and unnecessary loss, and felt like he was in a living nightmare since she died.

He feared for her twin sister and felt his life was a debt-burdened “disaster” after Ms Poke’s death, which led to the breakdown of

his marriage, he said.

“I feel like I am in a continual battle for survival,” Mr Middleton said in a statement read to the court.

Ms Poke’s brother Cameron Middleton said his anger was initially misdirected at his sister.

He had since become angry at the hospital and relived his sister’s death over and over, he said.

Mental-health risk assessment expert Professor Matthew Large later reported there was no reasonable explanation for keeping the door handle which posed a“significant risk” to patients, Mr Chisholm said.

His report stated that the need for ligature proof door handles was well known in the industry, been available for decades and were “not expensive”, the court heard.

According to defence submissions, Monash Health had eliminated many ligature point risks but not that “specific risk”.

“Insofar as they was an error (which is easy to point out in hindsight…) it was a human one in under-estimating the capacity of a determined patient to effectively ‘stake out’ the door and wait for it to be left unlocked and to sneak in without being observed by the person(s) at the Nurses Station.”

In an earlier hospital audit, the door handle was assessed as“low” risk due to being in a low dependency unit and a high-visibility corridor.

The handle couldn’t be removed because it was the only disabled bathroom on the ward, an audit stated.

Last month, judge Gerard Mullaly indicated that if Monash Health pleaded guilty, it would be fined no more than $160,000 and without conviction.

He had said it was “highly relevant” that the health service had no prior convictions given its long history operating in a “high-risk environment”.

The maximum penalty applicable is $1,328,490.

Monash Health will appear for sentencing at theVictorian County Court on 16 May.

· Lifeline 13 11 14

Reception relief: Long-awaited upgrades in the pipeline

From page 1

“[For] the whole Clyde area, all the houses have gone up, and they just haven’t accommodated to even retail, internet, traffic or anything, everything’s just taking such a long time to come together,” she said.

Ms Cullinan added that “many are still working from home and this is nearly impossible when the service is unreliable”.

“We look forward to new base stations being put in place as well as upgrades that will service the area of Clyde North which is expanding at a rapid pace,” she said.

Provided to 9News also last week, a council spokesperson said that they are working closely with the State Government and telecommunications providers in order to address the infrastructure and servicing gaps throughout the municipality, especially for Clyde and Clyde North.

“A total of two mobile towers (and one broadband solution) and four mobile towers have been identified to be delivered and service Clyde and Clyde North, with several

of these towers already being delivered or having received relevant approvals before construction.

“Casey has issued 12 planning permits for new towers in the last year, six of which are all in Clyde/Clyde North,” the spokesperson said.

Additionally, the Federal Government’s announcement of the updated Telecommunications in New Developments (TIND) Policy was announced on 17 February this year, which provides extra guidance on the development sector’s “responsibility to ensure new communities are serviced with mobile telecommunication infrastructure”.

“Council welcomes the TIND Policy announcement and has been advocating with industry stakeholders in formalising this policy position locally, whilst working in partnership with the development sector to more proactively plan for mobile telecommunications infrastructure for new projects,” the council spokesperson said.

Casey Hospital. 199744

Deoro Cafe,situated in Clyde North’s Delaray Estate has had its fair share of connectivity issues,according to worker Ari Ross.

Picture: ETHAN BENEDICTO

FOCUS ON … MOTHER’S DAY Gift ideas for Sunday

The team at Lazy Frog Gifts have a beautiful range of gifts for you to choose from this Mother’s Day.

· Find us at: lazyfroggifts.com.au

Lazy Frog is located at 109 Main Street, Pakenham (next to the post office) and is open

Monday to Friday 9am till 5pm and Saturdays 9am to 3pm. If you have any queries phone 5941 2225 we are here to help. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Time to spoil your mum

The time to show your mum how much you appreciate and care for her has come around again with Mother’s Day on Sunday, 12 May.

Mother’s Day is time to spoil your mother with chocolates, flowers, gifts and even give her breakfast in bed.

The history of the day originates back to the time of ancient Greeks where festivities were held to honour Rhea, the mother of the gods.

Meanwhile the early Christians celebrated the Mother’s festival on the fourth Sunday of Lent to honour Mary, the mother of Christ.

Since those early festivities Mother’s Day has grown as a global day of appreciation for everything that mothers do for their

children during the year.

When looking for that perfect gift for Mother’s Day think about providing your mum with that total relaxation package and buy her some massage oils or a pamper basket with soaps and bath salts.

Always a popular gift idea is the traditional chocolates and flowers or a splash of perfume. Or why not go all-out and buy your mother a gift voucher for a day of pampering at a day spa.

Whatever the gift, Mother’s Day should be the day that you lavish your mum with that love and care that she always has for you. Mother’s Day is a time for mums to put their feet up and ask for that much-needed foot rub or just find the time to relax and unwind.

Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show mum how important she is to you. 236544

Choose the ideal gift for Mother’s Day at Lazy Frog Gifts.

Breaking down the barriers

By Violet Li

As female unemployment remains concerning in the South East region, manufacturing industry representatives are advocating for ways to break down the barriers for women - particularly from culturally diverse communities.

Among the options presented at a Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) summit were adaptive shift hours, promoting manufacturing career options to female students and enlightening employers.

In a panel at the GSEM Jobs and Skills Summit on Friday 3 May, Courteney Munn, project officer of Women in Manufacturing at the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union Victorian Branch (AMWU), said the industry certainly needed more women going into different roles with the old heavy lifting fading out and more sophisticated equipment coming in.

“When I look at the manufacturing industry as a whole in Victoria, and we look at the roles that women are predominantly filling at the moment, it is the production line, casual, minimum wage sorts of jobs,” she said.

“Why aren’t we getting women into operators, robotics?”

Ms Munn found that a lot of mature age women interested in welding and equipped

DanielPrins,ChisholmInstitute,project manager–JobsVictoriaEngineeringProject.

Picture:SUPPLIED

with a degree, predominantly migrant women, were not able to find work when she was running programs out in the southeast.

“We need to really start hammering down out in the schools, making sure that young women know about these sorts of careers,” she said.

“And then also having our industry become a bit more accommodating and flexible so that women can actually take up roles.”

Ms Munn pointed out shift hours should be made more adaptive for women.

“We look at the manufacturing industry, and it’s evolved like crazy over the last 20 years. We’re seeing new technology. It’s safer. We’re seeing guarding of pretty much everything. But we look at shift flexibility, and it just hasn’t changed,” she said.

“We’re stuck with the day, afternoon, and night shift, and that’s pretty much it.

“And we’ve seen out at Jayco. They’ve actually started to look a bit more broadly. They’re offering part-time shifts now, and that’s especially worked across the day shift.

“They’ve split that in two. So you might have 7am to 11am for one person, and then 11am till 3pm for the next person. It’s as easy as that to make this industry a bit more accommodating for them.”

A GSEM report released late in 2022 reveals that the 10-year average female unemployment rate in the South East region is one percentage point higher than the Greater Melbourne average, equating to roughly 2,000 extra unemployed women per year.

Panelist Daniel Prins, project manager at Chisholm Institute, is running an engineering project in collaboration with Jobs Victoria to help people get into entry-level roles in manufacturing in the South East.

“Those people are from various disadvantaged cohorts with barriers to employment… We’ve placed 97 people into ongoing employment in the South East, which is a phenomenal effort, but the challenge around placing similarly equipped males and similarly equipped females is considerable,” he said.

Mr Prins said education was needed for employers.

“The 18-year-old blonde-hair blue-eyed Cert-to-Year-12 car-and-licensed-driving person doesn’t just walk in off the street to your business anymore,” he said.

“If you’re still longing for those days, your business will not succeed.

“You need to open your mind and open your eyes to see that doesn’t matter what these people look like, what backgrounds they come from. There are people from every walk of life that can have a positive impact on your business.

“It’s amazing how many of those conversations in greater detail we had to have with employers across the whole South East of Melbourne in order for them to take on people that didn’t look like what they thought an apprentice, or an entry-level role position should look like.”

Not everyone fits into the same mould, crowd hears

By Ethan Benedicto

Acknowledgement was the key factor being discussed during GSEM’s barriers to work panel for youth, women and culturally diverse communities on Friday 3 May.

Four speakers were present to deliver the panel, providing insight into lived experiences from their struggles and reaching the bottom line of recognising that not everyone fits into the same mould is the first crucial step to breaking these barriers.

Mel Godinho Flores, foundation coordinator of MEGT Australia who has personal experience of family violence and AOD, said that a main hindering factor of the learning model of Australia is that there is little to no recognition of people’s capabilities, “our learning journey isn’t linear, the line isn’t straight”.

“I think our education and training system makes the assumption that everyone has a normalised education from Prep toYear 12, and that will fit into this normal line.

“As adult learners, it is probably harder than normalising youth and adolescent learning, because as we get older we break out into our electives or our chosen fields of interest [but] everyone’s a variance,” she said.

Nikita Rogers, a Holmesglen student and student teacher at Monash was diagnosed with autism when she was three and further diagnosed with intellectual disability when she was four.

She had difficulty in her early years of

ThespeakersattheBarrierstoWorkpanel,fromlefttoright:NathanCarolus,NikitaRogers, MelGodinhoFloresandRebeccaPacker.

education, having moved to five different schools since there wasn’t a model that could cater to her learning capabilities.

“My first two schools were special schools and when I went up to Year 6, my second school, I tested two points over the criteria and this is where things got complicated.

“I moved to a mainstream high school and outofallmyschoolyears,itwasprobablyone of the hardest for me because at that time I didn’t know what special and mainstream was – I thought school was school,” she said.

Ms Rodgers has found solid footing as a person with high-functioning autism not just

Picture:SUPPLIED

in her workplace, but also as a member of society - having acquired her licence, gaining employment and attending panels such as the GSEM sessions despite her social anxiety.

Rebecca Packer, a Bachelor of Social Work student at Deakin University, and according to her having a “collection [and] a bigger pile of chronic diagnoses” is not what “most workplaces would consider a standard diversity”.

“The way one of my employers in the past explained was that they know how to work with autism and they know how to work with ADHD, and with wheelchairs, but it was a

combination of the two.

“I think the starting point is acknowledging the barriers, I feel as if a lot of places, when it comes to even disclosing some of these barriers, don’t quite understand how to even approach it.

“Are we listening to the people who are accessing the services that are being funded for mental education and understanding their experience? Are we listening to the voices of those who are actually using the space?” she said.

Nathan Carolus, a youth adviser at the Brotherhood of St Laurence said he “found a real passion for community service” and continues to work to find ways to support those struggling with barriers to work, but even so feels “as if my hands are tied a bit”.

“I feel as if I’m locked into work as much as I can so I can sustain myself, as much as I would like to study further and go for that career development opportunities, I just feel like I’m locked in,” he said.

For Ms Rogers, her “disability is silent, so I’m here to share my experience with autism and high-functioning autism, to spread awareness about being in a grey area in such a black and white world”.

Kit McMahon, CEO of Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) who also led the panel, summarised the discussion as that there is “no norm”.

“We need to create more spaces for the grey, and understand that it’s not a binary world,” she said.

Workforce education focus

By Violet Li

Education and businesses in the South East Melbourne region should work together to invest in the local workforce, as Australia transitions to a net zero economy, industry leaders say.

A panel discussion at the GSEM Jobs and Skills Summit explored how the South East could be innovative and capitalise on emerging opportunities during the transition.

Honi Walker, chief executive officer of South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA), said it would take manufacturers a lot to transition to a wholly renewable sector.

“Skills are lacking for manufacturers in that space. And we need more people for it,” she said.

“We will need to have some kind of concession or carryover program because we can’t just switch it (fossil-fuel power) off.”

While more targeted skilled migrants were brought up in the discussion to help businesses transition more quickly, panelist Simon McKeon AO, the GSEM chair and Monash University chancellor, believed the starting point should be “who we have here today” and the industry should make it clear to education institutions what it needs from them.

“Every other educational establishment, whether it’s primary, secondary, tertiary, is up for the same challenge because there is an urgency to produce the people that we need in the future,” he said.

“Let’s sort of mature and work out how can we get the best out of what we have. For goodness’s sake, we’re going to be a great place for all sorts of people who want to come here from overseas.

“My own bias and prejudice in this case though is that we ought to be very careful about just doing it on the easy basis of getting someone who’s already been trained overseas.

“I think we owe it to this world to roll up our sleeves and admit more than our fair share of refugees, and people that are tough. They just come here with a sheer desire to contribute.

“We need to spend money on their training.”

Emma Dawson, executive director of public policy think tank Per Capita, said reinvestment in TAFE, technical education, and micro-credentials was important and businesses should work together with them to facilitate the learning.

“We used to have a pathway where you finish school, you went and got a trade qualification, and then you had a secure job. We’ve removed too much of that for people,” she said.

She made an example of working and learning models in the State Electricity Commission (SEC) in the 1930s.

“The employers were hand in glove right

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through with educational institutions, particularly in those post-war eras,” she said.

“In Yallourn, where the SEC was located, there were two or three TAFEs in Gippsland, and apprentices would work at the SEC and then do one or two days a week of their TAFE.

“Those kinds of hybrid training on the job models really need to come back to the floor for this transition to the next economy.”

Ms Dawson also believed that businesses should make some investment in their workforce.

“What we’ve seen over recent years is this expectation that businesses will get job-ready candidates. They won’t need any training or any investment,” she said.

“Government [should] incentivise business participation here. One example is, say, if you don’t spend a certain amount of your profit or revenue on training your staff, then you

can pay a levy to a government fund that will provide the training for them, and they might leave your company and go somewhere else.

“Keeping those also gives business the opportunity to invest in their local workforce, to keep their workforce loyal to the region.

“So a lot of these government instruments that are being developed at the State and Federal level can be leveraged specifically to form partnerships between local training organisations and businesses that are interested in that skill space,” she said.

“This also then gives young people the confidence and the hope to put down roots, to buy a house in this region, to start a family in this region, and to then continue to build a life.

“And we’ve done these things in the past.We just need to bring some of the old-fashioned thinking back to bed.”

Simon McKeon (GSEM chair), Emma Dawson (executive director of Per Capita), Honi Walker (CEO, SEMMA) and Michael Rowland (MC). 403587

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Heeramandi in Dandenong

By Sahar Foladi

The Drum Theatre was almost unrecognisable in a colourful transformation for the preview of the most awaited Netflix series, Heeramandi, The Diamond Bazaar.

Seats for the preview filled out quickly at the private screening which saw a culturally diverse community turnout at the heart of Dandenong on Monday 29 April.

According to a Netflix spokesperson Dandenong is among the first to participate in the private screening.

“Heeramandi is such a special series, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the cast are so loved, that we wanted Australia’s own Little India in Dandenong to be among the first in the world to see it.

“We were thrilled to create this moment for the community, and have been overwhelmed by the feedback. As one guest put it - it was a gift for the senses!

“It has been hugely rewarding to see our members love stories across genres and emotions from India.

“In 2024, we’re taking this to the next level with the biggest names and freshest voices in Indian entertainment bringing their most special films, series and documentaries to Netflix, andwecan’twaitforourmemberstoseethem.”

The series, released fromWednesday 1 May is inspired by true events set in the pre-independent India,a saga of love, betrayal, struggle and freedom.

Community members were able to enjoy bites of chicken tandoori, samosas, masala chai as they mingled around amongst the well decorated foyer with colourful drapes of fab-

rics covering the ceiling.

Backdrops with couch, candlelight, colourful gold fabrics and red ‘N’ for Netflix were

Giving back and making a difference: Top volunteer

A Narre Warren North resident has been named Volunteer of the Year during the Stroke Awards ceremony on Friday 3 May.

A Stroke Foundation volunteer, Toni Arfaras has been awarded for her efforts that educated hundreds, with the award recognising her as an outstanding volunteer whose dedicated service made a significant difference.

Ms Arfaras said that “it is very rewarding being able to connect with other out in the community”.

Since her own stroke in 2013, Ms Arfaras has been determined to use her lived experience, as well as her skills from years of teaching to help educate others.

After becoming a StrokeSafe speaker in 2016, she has since delivered multiple talks, with 34 in 2023 and has travelled over 2400 kilometres to complete them.

Likewise, 4000 kilometres is planned to be journeyed for 2024, with 33 talks already booked in.

“For me, giving StrokeSafe talks is a way I can give back to the community, and if I can

put a few of my skills to use while saving a life, or preventing disability, then it’s worth my while,” she said.

Stroke Foundation chief executive officer Dr Lisa Murphy said that Ms Arfaras is an asset to the organisation, saying that “without dedicated volunteers like Toni, Stroke Foundation simply wouldn’t exist”.

“Toni works tirelessly out in the community to ensure more people know how to recognise and prevent a stroke.

“It’s fantastic to see that Toni is able to use many of her skills to deliver such engaging and educational talks, we’re so lucky to have her,” Dr Murphy said.

The Stroke Awards aims to celebrate those in the local community who go above and beyond to improve the lives of those affected by stroke, such as survivors themselves, carers, volunteers, fundraisers, health professionals and so on.

There were a total of eight categories to be won in the Stroke Awards, such as Fundraiser of the Year, First Nations Stroke Excellence and Improving Life After Stroke among others.

Toni Arfaras (middle) holding her Volunteer of the Year award from the Stroke Foundation.

Picture: SUPPLIED

staged with professional photographers on the scene to take Instagram worthy shots.

The traditional attire themed event saw

sparkles of big jhumkis (earrings), multi-coloured draped saris, and of course, nothing is complete without a henna station.

The Henna station was very busy. 404987

Picture: SAHAR FOLADILadies took out their best from the wardrobe to wear on the night,with jhumkis and henna done on the night. 404987

Picture: SAHAR FOLADI

Greater Dandenong mayor and deputy mayor with participants on the night of the screening.

Picture: SUPPLIED

‘Stop the crocodile tears’

By Tara Cosoleto, AAP

A bodybuilder who stabbed his partner to death using six knives in Endeavour Hills while her young daughter tried to stop him has been told to “stop the crocodile tears” by a judge.

Sven Lindemann, 52, held his head in his hands and let out loud sobs on Friday as the Supreme Court in Melbourne was told how he murdered his partner on 30 May, 2023.

But Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth yelled at Lindemann to “stop the crocodile tears” because it was clear he was pretending and he had no genuine remorse.

Lindemann stabbed Monique Lezsak 17 times at her home, hours after she broke up with him because she found a new partner.

Her daughter, known in court under the pseudonym Lily, heard yelling from a bedroom ensuite and ran to see her mother being attacked by Lindemann.

He stabbed his former partner, strangled her and dragged her through the house.

Lily tried to stop Lindemann, kicking him and twice pulling the knife out of his hands, but he kept grabbing more weapons.

He used six knives in total, breaking two of them, as he inflicted the fatal stab wounds to Ms Lezsak’s head, neck and chest.

Lily also suffered five wounds during the attack.

The distressed young girl called triple zero, telling operators there was a murderer in the house.

When police arrived, they heard her pleading with her mother not to leave her, but Ms Lezsak could not be revived.

Lily’s twin brother and Ms Lezsak’s mother were also inside the Endeavour Hills home at the time of the attack.

Police found Lindemann in the bedroom with a self-inflicted stab wound to the chest.

Before stabbing himself, Lindemann made

a $70,000 bank transfer and tried to call his exwife who lived in Adelaide.

Lindemann was remanded in custody at the Melbourne Assessment Prison after undergoing emergency surgery.

In recorded conversations with his parents, Lindemann blamed Ms Lezsak, saying she “poured petrol onto the fire” and that she “wrecked everything” for him.

His barrister Lucinda Thies told the court Lindemann, who has pleaded guilty to murder, accepted responsibility for his crimes and regretted his behaviour.

But Justice Hollingworth disagreed, saying she could not accept he held genuine remorse.

“He still maintains she ruined his life,” she said.

Ms Thies asked the judge to take into account Lindemann’s strong family background, lack of prior convictions and previous good character.

However, Justice Hollingworth said those attributes did not make him unique, especially in a case of serious family violence.

“Domestic violence abusers and offenders

often present one face to the world and one face to their partner - your client is no different,” she said.

The judge noted it was a very serious example of the offence, especially considering there were young children and a grandmother present.

Prosecutor Kristie Churchill said women were entitled to end relationships without that choice leading to their deaths.

She encouraged the court to send a strong message to the community that such crimes warranted serious punishment.

More than a dozen of Ms Lezsak’s family and friends filled the court for the pre-sentence hearing, where the mother-of-two was remembered as a beautiful person inside and out.

“She didn’t deserve this and neither did her children,” her friend Donna Brown said.

“I struggle every day with what happened and the selfishness of his actions.”

Lindemann, who is facing up to life in prison, will be sentenced at a later date.

· 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

· Lifeline 13 11 14

Sven Lindemann (left) arrives at the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne on Friday, 3 May, 2024.

Picture: AAP IMAGE/DIEGO FEDELE

Police block off Kassan Gardens, Endeavour Hills where Sven Lindemann murdered partner Monique Leczak on 30 May 2023. 338172

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Are you a top business?

Casey Business Awards 2024 is now open for applications.

The program’s winners are recognised with a cash prize; the business that wins Business of the Year will receive $2000 and winners of each category award will receive $1000.

Council says each year the program welcomes more and more first-time applicants who relish the chance to network and learn from previous winners and finalists, receive valuable feedback from industry experts, and showcase their business’ success across the region.

“Many previous applicants, including those who have taken home awards in past programs, enjoy the ongoing camaraderie and friendly competition that comes along with putting their hat in the ring again,” it states.

“They also find being able to track their progress through the experts’ updated feedback valuable.”

WHAT’S ON

Helping Hands with Cranbourne Rotary Cranbourne Rotary Club is organising a Helping Hands Program and inviting the local community to build prosthetic hands that will be donated to amputee landmine victims across developing countries.

About 27 hands will be assembled on the day in teamwork and there are about 10 spots left. As the day is around the corner, the club is inviting local volunteers to get on board, engage with the cause that empowers people in need of help worldwide, and have a wonderful Saturday morning. Lunch will be provided. No fee is required. If you don’t have a team, that will be fine. The club will put you in a team. If you’d like to bring your own team (3-5ppl), that would be fabulous. · To participate, you can contact Paul Rice at paul@ultrasigns.com.au or call him at 0418 369 149

· Saturday 11 May, 10am -2pm, Balla Balla Community Centre, Clyde North

Victoria’s Queer Festival of Words Victoria’s Queer Festival of Words is coming to the City of Casey on the 18th of May. This festival celebrates LGBTQIA+ literature and provides a platform for queer writers and readers to come together and share their stories.

Day Program Location: Bunjil Place/City of Casey Library

Day Program Times: 10am - 4pm

Day Program Line-Up:

Workshop: ‘Writing for Kids and Young Adults’, with award-winning author Alison Evans

In-conversation: Queer radio and podcasting with Sam Elkin, Jonathan Butler and Sally Goldner AM

Workshop: ‘From Concept to Curtain: Crafting your Theatre Show’, with Timothy Ryan Workshop: ‘Writing from the Hyphen’, with Xiaole Zhan

Narre Warren-based private occupational therapy practice, Recovery in Mind, leveraged winning the 2023 Business of Year to bolster its growing business and really support its growth.

Founder Bianca Parsons said that they were able to capitalise on their business winning Business of the Year by forming and strengthening relationships with other organisations, attracting new clients, hiring more employees, and enhancing our overall reputation in the City of Casey.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 30 June 2024.

This year’s awards are proudly sponsored by Zeemo, CFM Air Conditioning, Berwick Waters by Frasers Property Australia, Atura Dandenong, Chisholm Institute, CPS Insurance Solutions, and DHT Solutions.

For more information about the program including the application and judging process, please visit: businessincasey.com.au/caseybusiness-awards-2024

Deep dive into cash-flow TAKING CARE

The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) collects data on the demographics of those filing for bankruptcy or entering formal debt agreements and in their March newsletter, the report showed that annual personal insolvencies are expected to rise by 23 per cent in 2023-24 to around 12,250 (see afsa.gov.au/newsroom/pir-newslettermarch-2024). This is a major increase from just under 10,000 recorded in 2022-23 and according to the report, most people who entered personal insolvency during 2022–23 were between 25 and 44 years old and spread across the following industries:

· Construction (12.1 per cent)

· Healthcare and social assistance (11 per cent)

· Retail trade (9.5 per cent)

· Other services (9.8 per cent)

· Transport, postal and warehousing (8.7 per cent)

A business becomes ‘insolvent’ (or goes into administration) for two reasons: 1) cash-flow insolvency or 2) balance-sheet insolvency. Cash-flow insolvency occurs when a company cannot pay its debts even though assets exceed liabilities. Balance-sheet insolvency is when total liabilities exceed total assets. Either way, lack of cash is going to be the predominant cause here and needs to be addressed.

The vast majority of businesses do not have a cash-flow forecast and for those that do, it is often not updated sufficiently frequently to provide an accurate prediction of the cash position over the coming weeks. However, in practice, this is not hard to do and having a conservative, approximate outlook of what may occur is far better than nothing at all.

The starting point should be your list of bank transactions up to the end of the previous week. You then need to forecast two things from that point on: 1) how much cash do I expect to come in and 2) how much cash do I expect to see going out. While a Profit & Loss (accrual) statement can be helpful in understanding both, the fact that you have invoiced for products and/or services and have defined payment terms, doesn’t mean that you can necessarily rely on bills being paid on time so it is wise to allow for some

IAN ASH

delay on payment of invoices. Income such as grants, cash injections and bank loans are generally not in the P&L and can therefore be added into the cash-flow forecast.

Outgoings are typically more predictable but there are some things that can easily be overlooked since significant equipment purchases and loan repayments won’t be shown and nor will IAS/BAS payments. Income tax expenses are shown after net operating profit and so can easily be missed as well. The key thing to note here is that while the P&L does not show GST amounts, what you actually pay will include GST so expense items will be necessarily higher than shown on the P&L. In order to keep things simple, I simply use just five key expense items: 1) IAS/ BAS payments, 2) any other ATO payments, 3) payroll-related expenses, 4) loans and 5) ‘general expenses’ since all these are often the big-ticket items.

Using the above, create a spreadsheet with ‘Forecast income and outgoings’ and ‘Actual income and outgoings’ for each of the coming weeks. The key thing to ensure is that the ending balance for each week aligns with that shown on your bank account. I use the ‘general expenses’ item mentioned above to enforce this rather than try to actually calculate every (general) expense. You will soon start to see a pattern emerge with this item from which you can derive an approximate forecast of these ‘general expenses’ for the coming weeks. It is wise to be conservative with income and pessimistic with costs to ensure only nice surprises and be sure to reconcile your end-week total against the bank’s weekly.

Ian Ash ACC, AIECL AInstIB Managing Director OrgMent Business Solutions - www.ombs.com.au

In-Conversation: Queer histories of Naarm, with Sally Goldner, Yves Rees and Julie Peters

Evening Program Location: The Old Cheese Factory

Evening Program Times: 6pm - 10pm

Evening Program Line-Up: Music from singersongwriter Stella Ramage followed by readings by Xiaole Zhan, JRC, Madison Whitmond, Marcel Liemant, Alushka Rajaram and Sam Elkin. Bookings Link: https://www.trybooking.com/ events/landing/1203092?

Narre Warren & District Family History Group 35th Birthday Celebrations

The first meeting of the Narre Warren & District Family History Group was held on 10 May 1989. Past and current members and friends are invited to join us as we celebrate our many achievements over the past 35 years.

· Saturday 18 May 2024, Conference Room enter via Casey Radio Entrance, 1/65 BerwickCranbourne Road, Cranbourne. Formalities will commence at 2.30pm.

· Afternoon tea will be served from 3pm. Cost: $10. Bookings essential: Eileen Durdin, secretary@nwfhg.org.au, 0439 720 557 by Friday, 3 May.

Country Women’s Association, Berwick Branch

Country Women’s Association, Berwick Branch warmly invites you to Presenting Guest Speaker –Ms Toni Arfaras from StrokeSafe Foundation Working to prevent, treat, and beat strokes. Over 450,000 Australians are living with strokes and a stroke occurs every 19 minutes!

Monday 3 June, 2024, Berwick Community Centre, Timbarra Way, Berwick, 7pm Members $2, Non Members $5. Tea/ coffee and supper will be served.

· RSVP by Fri 31 May for catering – Kate Azzopardi, President. 0435 863 054

Country Women’s Association, Berwick Branch, Wine and Cheese event

Friday 14 June, 7pm – 9 pm, Berwick Neighbourhood Centre, TImbarra Hall, Timbarra Way, Berwick.

Cost - $25 per head or $40 for a couple. A wide variety of paired cheeses will be available. Fundraising for Children’s Disability Services supporting local children and their families.

· Booking: trybooking.com/CRPJB Canteen: A rock and roll night for charity

Come and join us on Saturday 1 June for a night of live music. Band ROUTE 66 playing 50s, 60s, 70s R & R, country rock, and a bit of blues for charity Canteen Kids with cancer.

Location: Scout Hall 24 Mons Parade Noble Park (opposite Noble Park Station car park and ample parking). Doors open 7pm, live music from 7.30pm to 11pm. Only $20 for an evening of great entertainment, dancing and fun. BYO drinks and nibbles. Free tea and coffee. Maybe a dance competition and raffle. Book a table now with family & friends.

Entry $20, pay at door (cash only please). To make booking just call Rob on 0431 511 203 or email robin_wood@optusnet.com.au Come and support a worthy cause, and have an evening of great entertainment. All proceeds going to Canteen. Not to be missed!!

· Saturday 1 June

Probus Club of Casey Combined

We are hoping to attract new members to our Probus Club of Casey Combined. We meet at the Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Road, Berwick at 9.45am on the second Tuesday of each month.

We are hoping there are retirees out there who would be interested in joining our Club. Meetings

finish at noon when many of our members as-

semble for lunch at one of our local cafes. After

morning tea we have an interesting guest speaker. Our Club was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Berwick to provide the opportunity to meet and mingle with other retirees. Open to singles.

Blind Bight Community Centre Programs

The Magic Of Your Birthdate Numerology (three dates): 23, 30 May & 6 June, 7pm – 9pm Raising awareness of your super powers. Receive tools to support the challenges all through the gift of the day you were born. Self - Romantic – Family with Anita BeJoyful $20 per class Bookings 0419 150 483 or 5998 7014

Line Dancing: 1pm – 2pm, Every Wednesday. No experience required. All ages and abilities are welcome. $10 per class. For bookings, ring Blind Bight Community Centre on 5998 7014

· Art 4 Kids: 4pm – 5.15pm, Every Wednesday

Do you have arty kids aged between 6 – 13 years. Join us for lots of fun activities and experiment with different art techniques, painting, drawing, sculpture and making creative craft. $15.00 per class, for bookings ring Blind Bight Community Centre on 5998 7014

· Busy Beans Play Cafe: 10am – 11.30am, every Tuesday

Come along to Blind Bight Community Centres very own pop – up cafe. Lovely play spaces and activities to enjoy in a social environment for both kids and adults. Cost $5 includes tea and coffee. For bookings ring Blind Bight Community Centre on 5998 7014

Intro to Cake Decorating: 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Learn all the tricks to creating a beautiful cake. Skills will cover fondant work, simple modelling and lots more. BYO Cake. Two dates – 20th & 27th May, $25 per class. For bookings ring Blind Bight Community Centre on 5998 7014.

· 42 Anchorage Drive, Blind Bight, 5998 7014, www.blindbightcommunitycentre.com.au

Winners of the 2023 Casey Business of the Year and Health and Wellbeing category award, Recovery in Mind, celebrate their win alongside City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff PSM and City of Casey CEO Glenn Patterson. Picture: SUPPLIED

Cup teams get their kicks

More than 200 primary school students from across the South East vied for the Paul Wade Cup at St John’s Regional College in Dandenong.

Sides from eight Catholic schools took to the outdoor and indoor fields at the Soccer Gala Day on 6 May.

The gala soccer day was named after former Socceroos captain Paul Wade, who is also an ex-student at St John’s college.

In the grand final, St Paul Apostle South won 3-0 against St Anthony’s.

The competing primary schools were St Mary’s Dandenong, St Paul Apostle North and South in Endeavour Hills, St Francis De Sales in Lynbrook, Holy Family Doveton, St Gerard’s in Dandenong North and St Kevin’s in Hampton Park.

‘We can all do our part to help’: Alternative care

Melbourne paramedics are urging Victorians to access alternative care options and to get their flu and Covid-19 vaccination shots before winter, with Casey being one the busiest LGAs in the metropolitan region.

The advice comes as new data shows demand for emergency ambulances remains high, the period of January to March this year being the busiest quarter three on record for the services.

However, Ambulance Victoria metropolitan regional director Michael Georgiou said paramedics across the state were reaching the sickest patients 31 seconds faster on average compared to last year, despite demand increasing by 4.4 per cent.

“Our hardworking paramedics and first responders in the Metropolitan Region deliver world-class care every day in the face of ongoing high demand – and we can all do our part to help,” Mr Georgiou said.

There was also improved performance in 62 of the 79 LGAs compared to last year; neighbouring Cardinia Shire was one of the municipalities seeing said improvements, with average response time to Code 1 patients one minute and 29 seconds faster in comparison to last year.

“Winter is a particularly bad time for the spread of illness, the good news is getting your flu shot and staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations will help you and the people around you stay well. Book in now

with your pharmacist or doctor,” Mr Georgiou said.

The quarter three for 2024 saw 150,048 Code 1 (time-critical) and Code 2 (urgent) cases combined, with 96,484 and 53,564 cases respectively.

Paramedics across Victoria responded to 67.7 per cent of Code 1 cases within the statewide target of 15 minutes, which is up from 65.2 per cent a year ago.

“Along with simple things like staying home if you’re unwell and washing and sanitising your hands often, these routine winter vaccinations can protect what’s most impor-

tant to all of us – our health.

“We also encourage all Victorians to take care of themselves, keep regular check-ups with your GP or specialist – and if it’s not urgent, get familiar with alternative care pathways,” Mr Georgiou said.

Metropolitan regional director Vanessa Gorman added that there were many options available for people to access when timely medical care and health advice was needed, but not an emergency ambulance.

“If it’s not life-threatening you can connect directly with emergency doctors and nurses at the Victorian Virtual Emergency

options

Department (VVED) from anywhere inVictoria, 24 hours, seven days a week.

“Other options also include your local Priority Primary Care Centre (PPCC), your GP or pharmacist, or Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24.

“By using these services, it helps keep our ambulances ready and available for the sickest patients, particularly those with lifethreatening conditions,” Ms Gorman said.

Andrew Keenan, acting executive director of clinical operations said that while ambulances are always provided to patients when required, about one in five calls to triple zero do not need an emergency ambulance response.

“From January to March, 39,227 people who did not need an emergency ambulance were instead connected to more appropriate care by paramedics and nurses in AV’s Secondary Triage team.

“Over the past 12 months, paramedics have referred more than 28,850 patients to the VVED. A further 7,000 patients have been referred to theVVED following assessment by our Secondary Triage team – up 135 per cent from a year ago.

“We again remind everyone to save Triple Zero (000) for emergencies – this is to ensure the sickestVictorians receive life-saving care. If you do need an emergency ambulance, always call triple zero,” Mr Keenan said.

Teammates celebrate from St Kevin’s Primary,Hampton Park. 392098 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

A St Kevin’s Primary player launches the ball against St Gerard’s School. 392098

St Kevin’s Primary makes a foray forward. 392098

An enthusiastic squad from Holy Family Primary School, Doveton. 392098

Ethan from St. Francis de Sales Primary School, Lynbrook celebrates a goal 392098

St Gerard’s School and St Kevin’s Primary players battle indoors. 392098

There was improved performance in 62 of 79 local government areas (LGAs) compared to 2023, with Casey being one of the busiest municipalities in the metro region. Picture: ON FILE

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Public Notice

NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT

The land affected by the application is located at: 61-63 Fontaine

Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the Responsible Authority.

An objection must:

•be made to the Responsible Authority in writing to, Manager Planning, P.O. Box 1000, Narre Warren 3805 or emailed to caseycc@casey.vic.gov.au

• include the application number and site address

• include the reasons for the objection, and • state how the objector would be affected.

The Responsible Authority must make a copy of every objection available at its office for any person to inspect during office hours free of charge until the end of the period during which an application may be made for review of a decision on the application.

The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before: 23 May 2024

If you object, the Responsible Authority will advise you of its decision.

Public Notice of Proposed Budget 2024-2025

In accordance with section 129 of the Local Government Act 1989 (“the Act”) Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation (trading as Connected Libraries) gives notice that it has prepared a Budget for the financial year 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 and (updated) Library Plan 2021-25 including a Strategic Resource Plan 2024-28. Also, subject to City of Casey approval, that the Connected Libraries (CL) Board will meet at 4.00pm on 26 June 2024, to consider any submissions and to adopt the Budget for 2024-25, and (updated) Library Plan 2021-25 including Strategic Resource Plan 2024-28. Copies of the Draft Budget, Library Plan including the Strategic Resource Plan are available for inspection on the CL website https://www.connectedlibraries.org.au/ or contact us on 1800 577 548 until 17 June 2024.

Written submissions on any proposal contained in the Draft Budget must be made to CL by 5.00pm 17 June 2024. CL will give public notice of its decision in accordance with the Act. Submissions should be addressed to the CEO, Locked Bag 2400, Cranbourne 3977 or email information@connectedlibraries.org.au

Beth Luppino, Chief Executive Officer.

Eagles rise to new heights

By David Nagel

Beaconsfield has scored the best of its 20 wins since joining the Eastern Football Netball League in 2022 after the Eagles overcame last year’s preliminary finalist Montrose in a grinding contest on Saturday.

The Eagles gave up three goals in the opening eight minutes of play before outplaying the Demons on their way to a confidence-building 12.11(83) to 10.5(65) victory at Montrose.

Beaconsfield won six games in its inaugural season in Eastern Division One, before improving that to 10 last year to qualify fourth for an elimination final against North Ringwood.

But of those initial 16 wins, only two came against teams that would go on to qualify for finals.

This was the best of their four wins this season, against a team that is expected to be at the pointy end of the competition this year.

Things couldn’t have started any worse for Mick Fogarty’s team, with Demons’ key forward Ryan Garthwaite making it a one-man show in the early stages of the contest.

Garthwaite out-marked his direct opponent Declan Curran to kick the game’s first after four minutes of play, before capitalising on a rare defensive error from Lachie Modica in the back half.

When Garthwaite then marked a ‘chaosball’ in the forward-50; the Demons were three goals up after eight minutes.

But the Eagles soon gained the ascendency, with Tylah Stokoe, Damien Johnston, Nathan Wright and Devon Smith tightening things up in the midfield.

Mackay Bateson kicked the Eagles first after some great vision from Hayden Brough, before Bateson turned provider to allow Myles Currie to run into an open goal.

The Eagles squared things away after Charlie Muley kicked a set shot, before Garthwaite kicked his fourth for the opening quarter to give the Demons a three-point lead.

Beaconsfield once again surrendered an early goal in the second, before two long bombs from Currie and Ocaa gave the visitors a two-point advantage.

Stokoe was then unluckily yellow carded for a rough tackle, before Garthwaite kicked his fifth to give the home side a two-point lead at the major interval.

The Eagles upped the ante in the third term, with the relentless running of Modica, Josh Mounter and Kobe Shipp - and brilliant defensive work of Jake Bowd and Brandon Whitekeeping the Demons at bay.

Bateson converted two set shots, both from free kicks, at the start of the third, and the Eagles led by nine.

Garthwaite was then once again too strong in the goal-square, kicking his sixth, before Currie turned nothing into something; 14 minutes into the third.

Mounter’s hard-running from centre-wing then paid dividends with a classy crumbing goal and the Eagles had almost cracked the game open.

But that man Garthwaite did it again; kicking a great snap on the three-quarter-time siren to cut the Eagles’ margin to 13 with a quarter left to play.

Beaconsfield had the perfect start to the last quarter with Brough slotting a clever right-foot snap, before Garthwaite kicked his eighth to answer a minute later.

When Jack Garthwaite then kicked his first, the margin was cut to seven with 13 minutes ticked off the clock.

Bowd was having a hugely influential final term and played a leading role in the final two goals of the match.

At the 18-minute mark he intercepted a Demons’ forward thrust; passed to Johnston, who then found Modica for a running goal.

Garthside then narrowly missed his last shot at goal for a ninth.

A long kick out from White was brilliantly marked by Bowd, who found Mounter on the wing.

The classy right-footer then spotted up Muley; who kicked truly…to lock the game up and throw away the key.

The cream had risen to the surface; the Eagles now four-and-one and in second place on the ladder.

Bateson and Currie kicked three each for the Eagles in lively displays up forward, while Muley kicked two important goals while also playing as a back-up ruck to Mitch Summers.

Modica was everywhere for the winners, putting his height and pace to good use across wing and half-back, while Curran stuck to his guns against a bigger opponent in the imposing Garthwaite.

The challenges just keep getting bigger and bolder for the second-placed Eagles, who host the undefeated Park Orchards at Holm Park Reserve on Saturday.

The action kicks off at 2.20pm.

Montrose Goals: Ryan Garthwaite 8, Jack Garthwaite, Bailey White, Beaconsfield Goals: Mackay Bateson 3, Myles Currie 3, Charlie Muley 2, Jafar Ocaa, Josh Mounter, Hayden Brough, Lachlan Modica. Best: Lachlan Modica, Mackay Bateson, Kobe Shipp, Joshua Mounter, Brandon White, Jake Bowd.

Other Games: Mooroolbark 11.8(74) def Bayswater 9.10(64), North Ringwood 7.18(60) def by Doncaster 11.12(78), Park Orchards 16.11(107) def South Belgrave 10.16(76), Wantirna South 11.8(74) def by Mitcham 20.18(138).

Ladder: Park Orchards 20, Beaconsfield 16, Montrose, South Belgrave, Bayswater 12, Mitcham, Doncaster, Mooroolbark 8, North Ringwood 4, Wantirna South 0. Fixture R6: Beaconsfield (2) v Park Orchards (1), Bayswater (5) v Montrose (3), Doncaster (7) v Mitcham (6), North Ringwood (9) v Wantirna South (10), South Belgrave (4) v Mooroolbark (8).

Lions sit second and looking likely on the netball court

By Marcus Uhe

A strong opening month of the new netball season has Pakenham sitting second on the Outer East Football Netball Premier Division A-Grade ladder.

Trailing only the high-flying and undefeated Narre Warren, a hat-trick of wins and the second-best defence in the competition makes the Lions one the competition’s early standouts.

Despite conceding 50 goals to Emerald on Saturday, strong scoring quarters in the second and fourth periods were enough to secure a 10-goal victory over last season’s Division One champions.

The Lions outscored Emerald 19-12 in the second term and 16-11 in the fourth to snuffout any hopes of a late Bombers’ comeback.

Pakenham led by as many as 10 goals midway through the third quarter but Emerald closed with the final five goals of the term to half the lead heading into the final term.

The goals were spread evenly between Rose Laidlaw (20), Kelly Cousins (19) and Charlotte Hudolin (21), while South Australian Jordyn Adams is having a major impact

in the centre of the court, filling the big shoes of Emma Jones.

Mackenzie Fox and Taylah Simondson were standouts for Emerald, with Kaylah Loulanting nailing 30 goals.

There’s no doubting that Narre Warren remains the team to beat, however, flexing their muscle with a dominant 63-32 win over ROC.

The Magpies doubled ROC’s score in the first quarter and held a whopping 22-goal lead at half time, having kept the home side to just five goals in the second term.

Even with the contest firmly in their grasp, the Magpies’ pressure didn’t let up in the second half, keeping ROC to just 20 goals.

Defensive pair Gabrielle Dwyer and Teneille Morrell were catalysts for keeping the scoring down at one end of the court, with Grace Ioelu (27 goals) and Piuti Laban (19) taking the scoring pressure off of Erin Bell.

Sidney Kneebone and Bella Heppell were important for ROC in the centre of the court.

Gembrook Cockatoo was taught a lesson by a rampant Mt Evelyn side seeking a return to its best form in a 75-33 result.

Two quarters saw the Rovers score 20 goals or more while the third netted 19.

Gembrook Cockatoo’s best in a quarter was 10, held in check by reigning Jodi Chandler medal winner Kaitlyn Black, and with Montana Wallis and Cate Garlick applying pressure through the middle of the court.

Hollie Burton and Jordan Reynolds played important roles for the Brookers, feeding Mariah Bell on her way to scoring 17 goals.

Berwick Springs, meanwhile, continues to battle in Premier Division, losing by 50 goals for a third consecutive week, this time to Upwey Tecoma at home.

It’s also the third consecutive week that the Titans have failed to reach the 20-goal mark, this time falling 63-13.

Upwey Tecoma led by 18 goals at the half and put in a relentless second half, scoring 37 goals to the Titans’ five.

61 goals to a returning Emmalia Blake made all the difference for Wandin in a seven-goal win overWooriYallock, and Monbulk thrashed Olinda Ferny Creek by 43 goals.

The Hawks appear to be one of the competition’s big improvers alongside Pakenham, expected to challenge for a finals place.

The two go head-to-head at Toomuc Reserve in round five.

Charlotte Hudolin has been a key in the goal circle for Pakenham this season,nailing another 21 goals on Saturday against Emerald. 402294 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Livewire forward Myles Currie kicked three goals for Beaconsfield in a great win over Montrose on Saturday. 402311

Picture: ROB CAREW

Scoring difficulties settle in for Berwick

By Marcus Uhe

A promising start was not coupled with an equally impressive finish for Berwick in round four of the Eastern Football Netball League’s Premier Division on Saturday as its winless opening to 2024 continued for another week.

The Wickers won the first term against Doncaster East but kicked just two goals beyond that in the remainder of the afternoon to lose by 54 points, 5.2 32 to 13.8 86 at Zerbes Reserve.

Bewick conceded the opening two majors but were back level by the halfway mark thanks to a pair of neat finishes.

Elijah Roewer withstood a rundown tackle to snap truly on his right will being taken to ground to put the Wickers ahead after 20 minutes and give them momentum heading into the first break, but a poor second term outdid their hard work.

Doncaster East kicked two majors in the opening two minutes of the quarter to retake the lead, and a third in the sixth minute had Berwick on the back foot in the blink of an eye.

Hollis kicked his second to offer some respite and stop the Lions’ run at three, but a further two for the home side later in the term was enough to secure a 22-point lead at the long break.

Berwick was then held goelless in the third term, with Sam Hilton-Joyce’s major early in the fourth term breaking a 50 minute goal drought run for theWickers.

It come son the back of a goal-free second half against Noble Park in round three, and presents arguably the biggest challenge for Clint Evans to address.

Without two of its most prolific goalscorers from 2023 in Charlie Muley (24 goals) and Harrison Money (17), it loomed as an Achilles heel, and four weeks into the season is proving just that.

Doncaster East finished with six players kicking multiple goals, including former Carlton and Brisbane midfielder Tom Bell, who managed two goals.

Tom Brennan and Hilton-Joyce continue to

be shining lights for theWickers, while Cooper Clarke made an impact on senior debut.

Berwick hosts Balwyn next week at Edwin Flack Reserve.

Elsewhere in Premier Division, the undefeated Balwyn inflicted reigning premiers Rowville with its first defeat of its premiership defence, downing the Hawks by 46 points at their nest of Seebeck Oval.

Bad kicking for goal ruined the Hawks af-

ternoon, kicking 8.14 to the Tigers’ supremely accurate 17.6.

Vermont and East Ringwood prevailed in thrillers over Noble Park and Blackburn, respectively, while South Croydon downed Norwood by 40 points to join Berwick as the only other winless side to begin the season.

With two sides relegated from the division at the end of the season, indications suggest it will be Norwood and Berwick fighting for their survival.

CCCA cream of the crop rises to the top

By David Nagel

TheCaseyCardiniaCricketAssociation(CCCA) has dominated selection in the Region 8 Team of the Year with six players being named in a 12-strong squad – including Pakenham’s Dale Tormey as captain.

Region 8 consists of the CCCA, Ferntree Gully District Cricket Association (FTGDCA) and Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association (MPCA), with players selected now in contention to be selected in the 2023/24 Victorian Country Cricket League (VCCL) Team of the Year.

Tormey and his Pakenham teammate Chris Smith lead the CCCA contingent, with Chris Bright (Kooweerup), Lucas Ligt (Devon Meadows), Josh Lownds (Tooradin) and Travis Wheller (Cardinia) also being selected.

Smith and Tormey have been selected as opening batters in the team, with Ligt selected in the prime number-three position after a stellar season for the Panthers.

All-rounder Lownds has been selected at number seven, one spot of ahead of Bright, who has been named as wicketkeeper in the team.

Off-spinning all-rounder Wheller rounds out a strong contingent from the CCCA, picked at number-nine in the batting order.

CCCA President Rob Hansen said having six players selected highlighted the quality of talent in the top-flight of the competition.

“It’s a great achievement by all six players, particularly from Chris Smith who averaged well over 100 for Pakenham this season,” Hansen said.

“The quality of cricketers in Ferntree Gully

Pictures:

and Mornington Peninsula is enormous, so to have half of the team selected from the CCCA is wonderful acknowledgment for the talent we have on display.

“I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone involved in the CCCA when I say congratulations to Chris, Dale, Lucas, Josh, Chris and Travis on their selections.

“All six players are thoroughly deserving of the honour.”

Smith was the standout player in Region 8, making 989 runs for Pakenham at the astounding average of 109.89.

He catapulted himself to his third Terry Stephenson Medal with consecutive scores of 140 not out, 210 not out, 214 not out and 98 in the final game of the home-and-away season against Tooradin.

Cannons all fire at once

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Casey’s women have tasted success for the first time in 2024, netting a 5-1 win over Brunswick to stay in touch with the top six in theVic League 1 competition.

The Cannons scored at least once in every quarter, conceding their only goal on the eve of halftime, but were able to quickly arrest Brunswick’s momentum in the third quarter.

Among the areas letting the Cannons down early in the season were their short corner inefficiency and lack of hustle to convert field goals.

There were clear signs of improvement in the victory.

Four of Casey’s goals came from short corners, with an overall efficiency of 40 per cent – a marked improvement on their first three weeks.

“We made short corners a priority during the week,” said coach Andrew Harris.

“We set up much better, we were running to more dangerous positions – we scored from our first short corner of the day and you could feel that confidence was high amongst the group.”

Meanwhile, Jess Rowland scored the field goal thanks to Emma Harris’ grit to press on and set up a field goal rather than settling for a short corner.

In a tight competition, the victory was a significant confidence-booster to use as a launchpad for the year.

His record run ended two runs short of his fourth-consecutive triple-figure score after 662 runs without dismissal.

Tormey was the standout all-rounder across Region 8, making 659 runs at an average of 54.92 and took 27 wickets at 17.67.

Tormey finished runner-up to Smith in the Terry Stephenson Medal polling 20 votes to Smith’s 22.

2023/24 REGION 8 TEAM OF THE YEAR

Chris Smith Pakenham

Dale Tormey (C) Pakenham

Lucas Ligt

Devon Meadows

NathanWalsh (VC) FTGDCA

JacksonWalters FTGDCA

BlakeWalter FTGDCA

Josh Lownds Tooradin

Chris Bright Kooweerup

TravisWheller Cardinia

Billy Humphrey MPCA

JakeWood MPCA

Daniel O’Shea FTGDCA (12th Man)

“We’ve just got to go to the next level so we give ourselves a chance of finishing towards the top end of the ladder at the end of the season,” Harris said.

“The result was huge given we’re both in the middle of the table.

“The major goal is to finish in the top two and reach premier league so we’re working on a game plan now that I feel will hold us in good stead if we’re able to reach that level.

Mikayla Davis scored two goals from the midfield and contributed two goals in a well-rounded performance within the parameters of a well-executed gameplan.

In the seconds, Lizzy Maciulaitis intercepting and tackling repelled tirelessly and Charlotte Davis had a series of dynamic runs.

Veteran Fiona Young wound back the clock with an irrepressible performance at fullback in the thirds.

Meanwhile, the men had a heartstopping 2-2 draw with Frankston in the Men’sVic League 2 competition.

Charlie Coster scored a field goal in the last five seconds of the game to tie it up and see the Cannons escape with a point after a scrappy contest.

Casey ran it down the right wing before working it into the circle and towards Coster who converted the clutch shot.

Prince Achandira Bopanna, Tadhg McCurran and Rhylee Johnson all performed well as Casey look to develop the squad mentality in the men’s unit.

Pakenham skipper Dale Tormey has been named captain of the Region 8 Team of the Year. 395148

STEWART CHAMBERS

Josh Lownds (Tooradin). 396630

Emma Harris set up Jess Rowland’s field goal. 347266 Picture: GARY SISSONS

Tom Brennan continues to shoulder a major workload for Berwick. 243409

Picture: ROB CAREW

No panic in Titans’ camp

By Marcus Uhe

Berwick Springs co-coach Hayden Stagg is calling for a four-quarter effort as his Titans look to break their winless start to the Outer East Football Netball’s Premier Division season.

A 43-point loss at home to Upwey Tecoma saw the Titans fall to 0-4 on Saturday, going down 6.3 39 to 11.16 82.

Berwick Springs was held goalless in the second term while the Tigers added four goals of their own to grow the lead to 34 points at the half, ultimately deciding the outcome of the game as the Titans failed to recover the deficit, with both sides kicking four goals in the second half.

Stagg believes his side allowed the visitors to “dictate the game to us” in the second quarter, as his backs struggled to cope with an overwhelming number of inside 50 entries.

“We were turning the ball over going forward and they were able to slingshot it the other way, but we couldn’t adjust to it on the ground,” he said.

“It’s just one of those things, we have to try to find a way to slow it down when it does happen.

“It is what it is, it’s just something we’ll have to learn from next time we play them.”

The second term on Saturday was the fourth quarter in which the Titans failed to kick a goal in 2024, making them unwanted leaders in that statistic, tied with Emerald after four weeks.

A combination of turnovers in the middle of the ground that put the back six under immense pressure and the gelling of a list that experienced major turnover from 2023 are contributing factors, along with making the jump to the top flight.

Stagg, however, remains confident that his side can get some wins on the board, despite a sluggish start to the season.

“We started well, but unfortunately we haven’t been able to put four quarters together all year in every game,” Stagg said.

“We keep playing three quarters and you can’t do that in Premier Division, you can’t give teams one quarter because they’ll run away with it.

“When we move the ball well in patches, we can see that we’re able to score and we’re able to keep up with teams, it’s just, if we keep turning the ball over and giving teams the ball back all the time, how do you find a way to score when you keep doing that?

“I think it’s also perceived pressure; the boys probably don’t realise that two or three seconds more that they do have, and when the heat’s on in the game, like it was against Upwey and all the other teams that we’ve played, it’s in the back of your mind that ‘I’ve got to get rid of the ball as fast as I possibly can,’ instead of realising that you’ve got that one or two seconds to kick the ball or handball it nicely.

Balanced Bull Nelson has VFL debut for Frankston

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Noble Park teenager Matt Nelson’s strong form was rewarded with a VFL debut on Sunday against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

After a strong three-game stretch to start the season for the Bulls, named in the best twice, the Stingrays graduate played for Frankston on Sunday, winning nine possessions and laying two tackles in the Dolphins’ big loss.

The younger brother of Luke Nelson, who has plenty of VFL experience at Coburg and is now listed at Carlton, Matt played his junior footy at Berwick Springs before crossing to Noble Park last season and is noted for his professionalism.

“What strikes me about Matt is he has excellent training habits,“ Noble coach Steve Hughes said about him in preseason.

“I’d go so far as to say it’s some of the best training habits I’ve seen for an 18-year-oldhis intensity, enthusiasm and professionalism leads the way.”

Elsewhere, Cranbourne local Corey Ellison had a day out to lead Williamstown to a 32-point victory over Casey.

The rising key forward played his best game of the season, kicking 4.3 from 21 disposals and taking six marks.

His presence inside 50 broke the game open as he stood the tallest in a best afield performance.

Narre Warren’s Jack Toner also played a strong hand, combining 24 disposals with eight marks and a goal, busy around the footy and a crucial piece of Willy’s forward entries

Picture: GARY SISSONS

with his cleanliness at the fall of the ball.

Springvale Districts’ Riley Collier-Dawkins was fierce in a stoppage-heavy game.

Rowville’s Cooper MacDonald got another valuable game of experience under his belt in Collingwood’s backline.

“Once they figure out the speed of it all, we’ll be right.”

Michael Misso continues to lead the charge from the midfield alongside Chris Johnson, while teenager Jake Whittingham kicked two goals on senior debut for the Titans.

In other Premier Division contests, Gembrook Cockatoo’s poor kicking for goal and a slow start came back to bite them in a 17-point loss to Mt Evelyn on the road.

The Brookers allowed five goals to three in the opening term and kicked 6.12 (48) for the remainder of the afternoon, where the Rovers were a more accurate 9.11 (65).

Key position pillars Ben Schultze, Michael Firrito and Patrick Snoxell continue to hold

the side in good stead, with recruit Cory Phillips also making an impact in the middle of the ground.

Gembrook Cockatoo has now kicked 13.30 in its two losses, compared to 20.19 in its two wins. Wandin, meanwhile, was unable to overcome local rival Woori Yallock at home, as the Tigers remain undefeated.

The Bulldogs kicked 5.4 to 1.5 in the third quarter to cut the lead from 24 points to just one at the final break, but the visitors found another gear in the final term to finish 11-point victors, 14.15 99 to 12.16 88.

Olinda Ferny Creek, meanwhile, continues to impress, defeating Monbulk by 34 points to notch a third win for the season.

Demons’ final-quarter fade

By Marcus Uhe

The Casey Demons remain winless at their home base after round six thanks to a 32-point loss to Williamstown on Sunday in round six of theVFL.

What had become a fortress for the Demons - they went throughout 2022 not losing a single game at home - has not brought the same results in 2024, winless in its opening three contests in Cranbourne thus far.

Casey held a six-point heading into the final term but conceded seven consecutive majors in a disastrous collapse, the final score reading 10.8 68 to 15.10 100.

Matthew Jefferson kicked the opening goal of the quarter to stretch the lead to 11 points before a seven-minute stalemate, ended by Seagull Corey Ellison, who cut the lead to four points.

Williamstown then snatched the lead after 14 minutes, and kicked a further six in

eleven minutes later in the term to run away with the result.

Casey did well to fight back into the contest and take a lead after trailing by as many as 23 points midway through the second term.

From that point, the Demons kicked four of the next five majors, and had the lead late in the third term through a goal to captain, MitchWhite.

They led the contest for the next 25 minutes before the Seagulls put their feet down to runaway with the result.

RoyGeorge,adebutantfromTyntynderin the Central Murray Football Netball League, kickedthreefortheDemons,asdidMatthew Jefferson, while Andy Moniz-Wakefield continues to rack up big possession tallies.

The Demons head to Princes Park to battle Carlton on Friday night, also struggling with just one win in 2024.

Matt Nelson got his first taste of state league footy on the weekend. 379201

Andy Moniz-Wakefield had 30 disposals for Casey against Williamstown. 325648

Picture: ROB CAREW

Michael Misso had made a significant impact in the middle of the ground for Berwick Springs. 405142

Picture: ROB CAREW