APRIL 16, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
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Pokies deal on table By Tate Papworth
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Thousands of people are expected to flock to Lake Caroline this weekend for an egg-cellent day of family fun. The annual Caroline Springs Easter Family Fun Day on Saturday will offer an afternoon of fun for everyone. Organised by INChurch Melbourne, the event is in its fifth year. INChurch Melbourne pastor Craig Maher said he and wife Melissa started the event after moving to Caroline Springs. “One of the things we noticed straight away was there weren’t any community events offering low-cost, family-friendly entertainment,” he said. About 5000 people attended last year’s event. Saturday’s fun will feature inflatable games for the kids, a petting zoo, face-painting and live music. There will also be a free show bag with an Easter egg for each child. Entry is free. Wrist bands for unlimited inflatable games can be purchased for children aged three to 15. The event will run at the Lake Caroline Foreshore Park from 11am-3pm. Details: bit.ly/2GepCFB JosHua, 6
Monday - Wednesday: 9am-12am Thursday: 9am-1am Friday: 9am-2am Saturday: 10am-2am Sunday: 10am – 12am
Laura Michell
FRIDAY 26TH julY 2019
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FRIDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2019
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Shell be right for Easter
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Brimbank council says its position on electronic gaming machines remains clear, despite reports the council could seek gaming industry funding to help build the $58 million St Albans Leisure Centre. Brimbank suffers the biggest gaming losses in Victoria, with almost $140 million lost in 2017-2018. The council has repeatedly highlighted the suffering caused by gaming machines and in October last year called for the community to sign the petition Pokies play Brimbank. However after struggling to find funding for the much-talked about leisure centre, the council is now considering looking to the gambling industry. A report in The Age said a possible partnership with pokies operators was raised at a private gathering of councillors last month. The report stated that some present at the meeting say they are concerned such a partnership could give the pokies industry leverage over council policy. But they would not comment publicly, citing the council’s strict media code. In a statement last week, Brimbank mayor Lucinda Congreve said the council’s position on electronic gaming machines was unchanged. “As the municipality that consistently experiences the highest EGM losses in Victoria, Brimbank council has been vocal and steadfast in our calls for gambling industry reform,” she said. “Brimbank continues to advocate for reform of the industry and the introduction of harm minimisation measures.” Cr Congreve said the council operated within financial constraints and was looking at a variety of options for funding. “Councillors recently discussed (during an informal meeting between councillors) potential opportunities to explore private sector investment in the much-needed St Albans Health and Wellbeing Hub. “This was a robust and broad discussion, exploring a number of options – including whether it would be appropriate for council to seek funds from agencies or companies that we do business with or even to try and claw back directly some of the gambling losses experienced by our community.” Cr Congreve said a number of organisations were floated as potential investors, including Community Clubs Victoria, a pokies lobby group.