DECEMBER 5, 2017 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Cream of the crop Thomastown is continuing to make a name for itself in the foodie world, with two cheese producers named as finalists in the Australian Grand Dairy Awards. Montefiore Cheese and Floridia Cheese were announced as being among the top-three finalists for the fresh unripened cheese and hard cheese categories. Montefiore earned nominations for its trecce and ovoline cheeses, while Floridia was nominated for its pecorino. The companies are among 54 producers of cheese, ice cream, milk, yoghurt and gelato to be named finalists. The awards, which have been running for 19 years, recognise producers who create high-quality dairy products. Over two days, more than 400 dairy products are tested by a panel of 24 judges to determine the finalists across 18 categories. An awards ceremony will be held in February to announce the overall winner in each category. Australian Grand Dairy Awards convener Amanda Menegazzo said the awards would not exist without the support of the dairy industry. “We also want to take a moment to recognise the skills and dedication of the many people who craft these products,” she said. Main: Montefiore Cheese’s Peter Ferrante with staff and cheese. Inset: Production manager Fabio Portella (centre) with cheese makers Leone Leone and Varun Kumar from Floridia Cheese. (Pictures: Mark Wilson)
Laura Michell
Crime spree safety fears By Laura Michell
12374173-DJ48-17 100484364-07
Thieves kicked in doors to force their way into Craigieburn homes during a three-day crime spree recently. Thirteen homes across the suburb were broken into during the robberies, several of which occurred after thieves smashed their way in. Most of the houses targeted did not have security doors, police said. Police posted a safety message to the Hume Eyewatch Facebook page last week, urging residents to consider installing security doors.
The warning said that the majority of the burglaries were “front door kick-in burglaries”. “[The burglaries are] a reminder of the importance of having a good-quality security door,” police posted. A police spokeswoman said the burglaries occurred between Friday, November 24, and Sunday, November 26. The thieves targeted at least nine streets, with houses in Mallard and Ardsley circuits; Grevillea, Hartow and Claremont streets; Reverence and Huntington drives; Lavington Court and Silvergum Way reportedly broken into. Police said jewellery, cash and small electronic items were taken.
It is not known if any residents were home at the time of the burglaries or if the offenders were armed. Many residents have taken to social media in recent days to express their concerns, saying they no longer felt safe in their own homes. Residents have set up the Craigieburn Neighbourhood Watch Community Facebook page and flagged plans to establish a Neighbourhood Watch group in response to the wave. Meanwhile, police have arrested seven people in relation to 30 aggravated burglaries in the north-western suburbs in October and November.
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The seven offenders are accused of being involved in burglaries in Broadmeadows, Roxburgh Park, Craigieburn, Oak Park, Coburg and Fawkner. They were arrested by detectives from the Hume and Moreland crime investigation units between November 21 and 30. Those arrested were a Broadmeadows man, 24, a Meadow Heights woman, 20, a Roxburgh Park woman, 21, a Campbellfield woman, 28, a Broadmeadows woman, 24, and two Broadmeadows men, aged 23 and 17. Anyone with information about the Craigieburn burglaries is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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