News - Pakenham Officer Star News - 14th March 2024

Page 1

Smith’s batting brilliance

Pakenham star Chris Smith completed one of the greatest home-and-away seasons in local cricket history on Saturday with a brilliant 98 against Tooradin.

He was caught on the boundary 662 runs after he was last dismissed.

His recent rampage contained scores of 140 not out, 210 not out and 214 not out and he finished the home-and-away season with 989 runs, at the staggering average of 109.89.

Smith will be a key figure when the Lions travel to Kooweerup this weekend for a cutthroat semi-final.

See page 31 for a full preview

Other

of a new roundabout at the Brunt Road, Pioneer Way and Edinburgh Drive intersection to support increasing traffic and providing access to the new Kurmile Primary School located on Fairweather Parade.

Following the construction works, locals raised concerns regarding the removal of the right-hand turn facilities in to and out of the Blue Gum Lifestyle Estate.

To address these concerns, the council

raised a notice of motion at the December 2023 council meeting to complete an independent traffic assessment to review the safety of allowing right-turns out of Brunt Road and Rix Rd.

The council then completed an independent traffic assessment and presented the findings at the February 2024 council meeting.

The traffic impact assessment found providing centre median openings along the Brunt-Rix Road corridor would not be in line

with the intended or required standards within the Officer Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) and their installation would negatively impact the safety and operation of Brunt Road at the entrance at Blue Gum Lifestyle Village.

Brunt Road has already experienced significant traffic volumes, with the council determining the traffic will exceed the estimated volumes modelled for the PSP, which were estimated to be at 14,500 vehicles per day.

Continued page 3

/pakenhamstarnews @StarNews_SE pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au PAKENHAM OFFICER 40¢ Inc. GST Thursday, 14 March, 2024 12674012-JB10-24 OPEN FOR BUSINESS ! Now in office consultations Online Consults still available FIXED PRICE CONVEYANCING • CONTESTING A WILL WILLS AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY PROBATE AND LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION Pakenham, Narre Warren and Yarra Junction Offices | P 5941 5166 12588394-AI05-23 BULK BILLING OPEN 7 DAYS Low Dose CT, Digital X-ray, Comprehensive Ultrasound Dental X-ray, Dexa or Bone Densitometry, Echocardiogram U2, 1 Stephenson Street PAKENHAM 12514155-BL41-21 (03) 5922 2072 PAGE 10 Academic helps fellow refugees PAGES 14-18 Pakenham Show this weekend SPORT Pumas all pumped up PAGE 6 Women unite for contest Road green light Cardinia Shire Council has taken another step towards easing ongoing congestion issues throughout Officer, with upgrade works on Brunt Road and Pioneer Way now complete. Complementing ongoing works along the Princes Highway at Tivendale Road and Bayview Road, the council has completed duplication works along Brunt Road from the entrance of Blue Gum Park to the railway crossing and extended Pioneer Way to connect with Brunt Road.
works included
the installation
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Waiting for shelter

With the passing of the sweltering weekend, complaints from public transport users have become commonplace with the lack of shelters at bus stops.

In the City of Casey, there are a total of 1165 bus stops, however only 442 of those have shelters; with 295 owned and maintained by the State Government and 147 green shelters maintained by the council.

A resident said that while she would like to see more shelters, she was “probably more concerned for people with disabilities, trying to cope with things like the weather and such”.

“When there isn’t a bus shelter they’re most likely going to be the least understanding as to why there isn’t one to begin with,” she said.

Another Cranbourne North local said that her concern was more on safety, that “people are on the side of the road and you’d want the shelter to make it obvious that there’s a person there”.

“But of course the weather, it could be in the middle of winter and you don’t want to get caught in the rain or be standing too long out there because what if you get wet and you’re on your way to work or school,” she said.

Paul Westcott, from the Public Transport Users Association, said that the issue is longstanding and would require proper collaboration between local councils and the Department of Transportation and Planning.

“The responsibility of bus stops and bus shelters is shared between the local council and the DTP under the Transport Integration Act,” he said.

With his previous role of 15 years being Geelong’s branch convenor, Mr Westcott is now the PTUA’s regional spokesperson, covering areas of public transportation throughout Victoria.

“The problem is whenever you contact the council and say that people have been saying that they want a shelter here, they will tell us that they don’t have sufficient money to do it because the DTP hasn’t given them the funds.

“When you contact the DTP they’ll tend to just tell you that they’ve given the council xamount of dollars over the last 12 months and it’s their job to put the shelters on their behalf,” Mr Westcott said.

He summarised the situation as a “buckpassing exercise” where the bus travellers are the ones caught in the middle of the commotion.

According to the Department of Transport, the City of Casey has been a member of the department’s Bus Shelter Agreement (BSA) since 2007 and is also included in the recent contract which refreshed and commenced in March 2024.

“We’ve been working closely with the City of Casey Council to install bus shelters and deliver a safe, convenient public transport experience for the community,” a DTP spokesperson said.

Mr Westcott said that while his 15 years of experience had been concentrated in Geelong, throughout the same period he found that the same situation can be observed throughout

Teens held after police pursuit

Four teens were arrested after allegedly evading police in Springvale South on Wednesday 13 March.

Police say they spotted a stolen grey Kia Cerato on Clyde Road in Berwick about 1.40am.

With the assistance of Air Wing, officers followed the vehicle through Boronia as the driver allegedly reached speeds up to 150km/h.

Police deployed stop sticks, successfully deflating a tyre on the vehicle before the male driver pulled over along Dingley Bypass.

Officers arrested the 13-year-old alleged driver and his three passengers without incident.

A 13-year-old Hampton Park boy, a 14-year-old Dandenong boy, a 14-yearold Pakenham girl and a 14-year-old Rowville boy were assisting police with their enquiries.

Any CCTV/dash cam footage or information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au

multiple councils in the state.

“Officially it’s the job of the State Government to provide shelters, but they’ve always relied on councils.

“The DTP doesn’t have squads of people that can do the job so they contract it out, they rely on local councils and they do provide money, but these councils always say it’s not enough,” he said.

The situation for Mr Westcott has barely changed over the last 15 years, where at one stage the PTUA attempted to enact a process for local councils to put bus shelters in, but both said councils and the DTP couldn’t come to an agreement.

He said that “the situation is extremely muddy, and we always say that buses are the invisible public transport medium”.

“People get very worked up about rail, even tram, people get very passionate about them, but for buses, it’s almost like if the vehicle doesn’t run on rails it’s not public transportthey’re left in limbo.”

A Clyde North shopper said that shelter is a big issue, considering“four seasons in one day, we definitely need more”.

“It’s not so much because of the sun, but more so the rain, people would just get soaking wet when they’re going anywhere and it’s pouring.

“With rain, you’ve got to cover from all these angles, and there’s always wind so an umbrella won’t even help, so at least with a shelter you’re

covered on one side and only have to worry about the other,” he said.

For Mr Westcott, the issue also spread to other avenues, where he thought that “the bus system is almost like a social service system, it’s for people who can’t drive for a range of reasons”.

“It takes a lot to get people out of their cars; it doesn’t give them the frequency, the spread of hours, the operation or the directness of routes.

“Bus routes can be started up and run pretty quickly, you don’t need rails or overhead electric power.

“We’ve got millions of dollars being spent on the rail infrastructure and while I’m not saying it shouldn’t be built, the bus system is being left to languish,” he said.

The PTUA is looking at the beginning of a sustainable cities campaign on Thursday 14 March, with Friends of the Earth at Williams Landing in the western suburbs, an event which Mr Westcott hopes to act as a launching pad for other parts of the system and the state.

As for the DTP, they’ve renewed their partnership with oOh! Media following a recent retendering of the bus shelter agreement.

This means oOh! Will continue management of advertising services, cleaning, maintenance, contraction and installation of roughly 5000 bus shelters across the state, including the City of Casey.

Happy 80th birthday!

2 STAR NEWS Thursday, 14 March, 2024 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au CONTACT US Phone: 5945 0666 ADVERTISING Visit starcommunity.com.au/advertise Email advertising@starnewsgroup.com.au Phone 5945 0666 EDITORIAL Email dailyeditor@starnewsgroup.com.au Published by Star News Group Pty Ltd ACN 005 848 108. Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas. All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. Distribution numbers, areas and coverage are estimates only. For our terms and conditions please visit www.starcommunity.com.au starcommunity.com.au AUSTRALIAN OWNED & INDEPENDENT REAL ESTATE Email seren@starnewsgroup.com.au Visit networkclassifieds.com.au Email sales@networkclassifieds.com.au Phone 5945 0600 12651769-SN47-23 5940 2166 2 Tango Circuit Pakenham (off Commercial Drive) www.clarksblinds.com.au 12522838-BL47-21 CALL NOW For a FREE measure and quote Pakenham 190 Princes Highway Ph: 5941 4888 Cranbourne 6 Brunt Street Ph: 5996 6822 Drouin 2 Porter Place Ph: 5625 2571 www.davidwbull.com.au Family Funerals 12658638-AA02-24
Local Pakenham identity and life member of the Parklea Pakenham Show, Val Vale, marked her 80th birthday on Friday, 1 March. Last week, friends and fellow show members gathered for a morning tea at Brewsters Cafe in Garfield to celebrate the occasion.
NEWS
Catherine with baby Ned, Cheryl, Faye, Gwenda, Joanne, and Kaye with Val Vale. A stop for the 898 bus without a shelter in Heather Grove, Clyde North, which connects the suburb to Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre and Cranbourne Station.

Quest for Costco

Ambiguity still surrounds the much anticipated proposal for a Costco in the South East, specifically floated in the Pakenham and Officer area.

Rumours circulate online regularly about a new proposed site heard second-hand or from supposed insider information, ever since the international wholesale giant announced a proposal for a warehouse in Kaduna Business Park in Officer South.

The proposal was supported by Cardinia Shire Council, but was dramatically shot down by the State Government who believed it infringed on the State-significant industrial land planned for Officer South.

The South East is certainly a desired location for Costco.

Costco Australia chief executive officer Patrick Noone had previously been quoted saying the Pakenham and Officer area was‘very attractive’ for the company.

In a recent statement from Costco Australia Country manager, Chris Tingman neither confirmed nor denied that Costco would find a home in the area.

“We are always on the lookout for new warehouse locations,” Mr Tingman said.

“Our focus is to find the right location to meet our specifications so that we can ensure every warehouse offers a wide range of products and services of the highest quality at the best possible price.

“Our warehouses are quite sizable in order to be able to house our comprehensive range of goods and specialty department services.

“A typical warehouse is about 14,000 square metres.

“We also look for lots that can house our fuel stations and sizable car parks as well.

“Unfortunately, at this time we cannot confirm a secured future site location in the Pakenham/Officer area.”

Cardinia Shire Council is still supportive of a

Costco is still yet to confirm if a warehouse is on the way for the South East. 284890 Picture: ON FILE

warehouse in Cardinia. Mayor Cr Jack Kowarzik said it was a part of their push to get more local jobs. “We’ve been advocating hard for more local jobs, and with around 70 per cent of residents leaving Cardinia Shire every day for work,

Officer road green light

From page 1

Due to the volume of traffic, the council determined it would be unsafe to install additional median crossings along Brunt Road, including at the entrance to the Blue Gum Lifestyle Village or within the wider Brunt-Rix Road corridor.

Other works included:

· Pavement construction

· Parking bays

· Drainage

· Public lighting works

· Kerb and channel

· Line marking Officer Ward councillor Tammy Radford was excited to see vital road upgrades being delivered in Officer.

“Brunt Road is a crucial link in our road network, with drivers, cyclists and pedestrians using the road and surrounding paths to

access the Princes Hwy and Freeway, schools and educations, businesses, employment and their homes,” Cr Radford said.

“There’s been no doubt that there’s been a lot happening around Officer in the last year, so I’m pleased to see another project has been completed to help keep Cardinia Shire moving.”

Several other projects are being delivered by external agencies and developers around Brunt Road including the Level Crossing Removal works on the train line and developer roadworks on Princes Highway in Beaconsfield. These projects are being delivered independently from the council’s program of works.

For more information on the Brunt Road upgrades and other major projects from around the shire, please visit cardinia.vic.gov.

au/majorprojects

Deadline looms on funds boost

Community grants from the Cardinia Foundation are still open with less than a week left for local organisations to apply.

Any local group looking to get massive boost in your efforts to better the community is encouraged to apply to Cardinia Foundation’s 2024 Grants which close on 5pm Tuesday 19 March.

Grants are based on aligning the Cardinia Shire Council’s Livability Plan, given up to $10,000 to a recipient, most are shared at the $5,000 mark.

Such grants can play a pivotal role in a local organisation whether they are just getting started or are firmly established.

Last year’s round of grants saw funds going to support groups from the Bunyip Football Club to the Upper Beaconsfield Community Centre.

Organisations focused or involved with men’s health are especially encouraged as $25,000 donated from the Casey Cardinia Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch is set to be given to groups looking to do work around prostate cancer and men’s health.

These specific grants will be decided after the 19 March date, groups looking at this category can still apply after the deadline.

I’m still hopeful that Costco can be a part of the solution,” Cr Kowarzik said. “I also recognise that our community wants more retail options, they don’t want to have to travel around 45 minutes to access another store.”

If you wish to apply go to cardiniafoundation.grantplatform.com, you can contact admin@cardiniafoundation.org for more information.

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Picture: CARDINIA
Upgrades
are now complete on Brunt Road and Pioneer Way in Officer.
SHIRE COUNCIL

THE LOWDOWN

Q&A

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I’m obsessed with the colour pink. The majority of my clothes are pink, my entire backyard is full of pink pot plants, and every appliance in my kitchen is hot pink as well. It’s a colour that makes me happy. Give me a pink cupcake or a pink macaroon and watch my face light up. What do you love the most about your volunteering?

I love being able to make a difference to my community and to where I live. Being able to help others gets me out of my own head and I learn something new every single time. I absolutely love living here, and being able to promote our amazing suburbs, local businesses, and community groups, in some small way is a wonderful feeling. I’ve volunteered in Casey and Cardinia for the past 15 years - reading to the elderly in local nursing homes, sitting on the board of a Community Bank, former president of a local resident group and then mentoring other new resident groups and helping them get started, and former president of the Casey MultiFaith Group for example.

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

I’d be a Chihuahua. Because they are small (I’m not the tallest person in the world so I can relate) and fierce when they need to be. I’m still working on the fierce part.

What was your most memorable moment?

Realising that it’s never too late to be who you were meant to be and that everything I want is on the other side of fear. When you finally take a stand and realise that you do deserve to be happy, everything changes. I can pinpoint the exact moment that happened to me and use that memory to spur me on every single day. I also use this in my volunteer work with survivors of domestic violence and as a volunteer mental health first aider.

What were you like as a kid?

I read every book I could get my hands on and

lived in the fantasy world they created, in order to get away from an abusive upbringing. I’m not backwards in coming forwards about my past because I’m proof that you are not defined by what has happened to you. What event, past or present, would you like to witness?

That’s a hard one - so many amazing events in history. I think any event where mankind got together to change something for the better would be lovely. Imagine being present at the signing of a peace treaty, or the release of prisoners of war. That would be a moment you’d never forget. Mind you, watching something incredible like the Eiffel Tower or the Sydney Opera House being built too would be awesome.

Dore Road sealing begins

Sealing upgrade works are now underway on Dore Road in Nar Nar Goon.

As part of the Better Local Roads, Strategic Sealed Roads program, Cardinia Shire Council will seal the entire 6km length of Dore Rd. Works will include road pavement construction, kerb and channel construction, drainage works and signage, and line markings.

This project is jointly funded by the council and the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure fund.

Dore Rd is the first project where the council has used ground penetrating radar technology to conduct environmental surveys and create a 3D model of the trees and their roots above and below ground.

With over 1000 trees surrounding Dore Rd, the GPR has helped inform:

· The location and depth of existing tree roots

· If road levels can be adjusted to avoid and preserve certain areas.

· Which tree roots will remain viable throughout construction and, which trees and their roots will need to be removed.

Without using the GPR surveys, it’s estimated that over 340 trees could have been removed as part of the Dore Rd sealing upgrade works.

Thanks to these GPR surveys, the council have been able to save 95 per cent of these identified trees along Dore Rd.

BunyipWard councillor Graeme Moore said the project will play a significant role in building a better Cardinia Shire.

“The Strategic Sealed Roads program will connect vital local roads to the existing sealed road network, and not only aims to reduce environmental impacts associated with unsealed roads including run-off and dust, but also minimise the impact on native wildlife and vegetation,” Cr Moore said.

“It’s amazing that we can now utilise technology, like ground penetrating radar, to help

Works have begun to seal Dore Road.

better understand our native vegetation and ultimately help save trees and ratepayers money.”

The council estimates that over $300k in ratepayers’ money has been saved due to the GPR surveys along Dore Rd, as it reduced the potential native vegetation offset and tree removal costs.

“I’m excited to see that works have started, and I’d also like to ask the Bunyip Ward community for their patience during the works,” Cr Moore said.

Upgrades works on Dore Rd are expected to be completed by September 2024, conditions permitting.

For more information on this project, visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/majorprojects

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Bubbly, eccentric, passionate.

What would you do on your perfect day off?

I’d go and spend the day in nature. One of my favourite things to do is pack a picnic and go for a long hike in one of our amazing parks with my partner. I can totally switch off and just be in the moment and no matter what I’m dealing with I can usually come back and revisit it with a much clearer mindset. If I can see an animal or two along the way (thinking of all the kangaroos at Lysterfield Lake) then that’s a bonus.

Where is your happy place?

I created a bucket list of adventures about 10 years ago for fun, but it ended up being the best thing I ever did. I now add to the list all the time and each fun, crazy, ‘out there’ thing I attempt makes me incredibly happy. From simple things like trying a new food or going to a fancy dress party, to taking a flying lesson, each experience has pushed or challenged me - and I love that feeling. When you’ve spent a lot of time convincing yourself you can’t do anything, only to find that guess what you actually can, it’s awesome. I have newfound confidence and skills I wouldn’t have had otherwise. All my friends give me vouchers for more adventures now, so it makes my birthdays easier for them too.

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

The biggest, pinkest, cupcake ever! Or a big pink macaroon! I love macaroons!

Where is your dream holiday destination?

I would love to go to Ireland to meet my partner’s family and some amazing friends I’ve made online there myself, just from researching various places to visit. The rolling green hills I see in movies would be awesome to run around on and explore.

THREE … reasons maths is important for everyday life

1 Personal finance

Whether it’s the really big things like saving up for a home, or the somewhat smaller things like planning your weekly grocery budget, your high school maths skills will be sure to help you stay on top of your finances.

2 Cooking Measuring out exactly 1/13th of a cup is daunting for anyone, but a basic grasp of maths can help make these measurements feel more achievable (and help your cooking taste a whole lot better).

3 Time management

Ever arrived somewhere half an hour late even though you planned to arrive a half hour early? Maths can help you avoid this, allowing you to weigh up factors like traffic and parking, and the time needed to get ready, to ensure you get from A to B with perfect timing.

Design released for cop station in Clyde North

The State Government released the design of the long-awaited Clyde North Police Station on Friday 8 March, and tenders for construction will be released in the coming months.

Located on the corner of Newgrange Boulevard and Matterhorn Drive, the new station will deliver modern facilities forVictoria Police to keep the community safe, the government said.

The funding of the station is part of a $78 million investment in Melbourne’s growing south-east corridor.

“Our record investments are about making sureVictoria Police has all the resources they need to keep the community safe,” Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards said.

“We’re delivering modern police stations equipped with future-proofed design features, so our police have the facilities they need now and into the future.”

Berwick MP Brad Battin said this station had been years late, and the community had seen a massive increase in crime including violent home invasions.

“Labor is amazing at spin and terrible on delivery,” he said.

“The Clyde North Community was promised a new 24-hour Police Station in 2018 with a guarantee it would be open by 2022. Now, they are saying we are only heading to the tender process.

“It is common knowledge that Labor is out of money and these delays just kick the can down the road. To pay for Labor’s financial mess, Casey residents’ community safety was put at risk. I will believe Labor when I see police responding from

4 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 14 March, 2024 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au NEWS
design blueprint for the proposed Clyde North Police Station. Pictures: SUPPLIED the station.” Builders are invited to enter a formal submission to build the station.
A
AusNet representative Kathy Burgstahler at Foodbank’s apple-picking event at the Montague Orchards, Narre Warren North. 389434 Picture: ROB CAREW

Union disputes time

A Victorian firefighter union has lashed out at a minister’s claim that the fire rescue for the 3 March Clyde North fire was delivered within the standard time.

A residential fire destroyed eight garages and one townhouse on Spartan Avenue on the morning of Sunday 3 March, one road across the proposed Clyde North Fire Station site.

When Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes was questioned on the absence of the station by Shadow Minister Ann-Marie Hermans in parliament two days later, she responded by saying she was advised that the Clyde CFA tanker arrived first within the Service Delivery Standard (SDS).

“The response from crews was well coordinated and, I am advised, extremely quick,” she said.

United Firefighters Union delegates reached out to Star News and said the response time for the Clyde CFA tanker was 8 minutes 48 seconds, which was 48 seconds longer than the SDS for the Medium Urban area.

According to CFA, response time is measured from when the brigade is alerted to an event to when the first brigade vehicle arrives on the scene.

Star News is in possession of the fire service data extracted from Triple 0 Victoria time stamp chronology, an independent external organisation that is responsible for the communication dispatch of the fire services and could confirm that the Clyde Tanker 1 was alerted at 8:12:14 and arrived on scene at 8:21:02, which amounted to a response time of 8 minutes and 48 seconds.

FRV’s Cranbourne senior station officer and United Firefighters Union delegate Geoff Barker, who attended the fire rescue, said on behalf of the union that they were really quite surprised that the minister was saying in parliament that this fire met service delivery time-

frames as the time stamp said a different story.

“It [the time stamp] is locked in,” he said.

“I can’t change that. You can’t change that. We can’t change it.

“The time stamp is about Budget Paper No.3. It goes straight to the government for Budget Paper No.3 compliance.”

Mr Barker clarified that when he told Star News last week that the response time was more than 10 minutes, he was referring to the span between the initial Triple 0 call and the arrival time.

He said regardless of how you measured the time frame, the response time should have been less than a minute.

“Had the fire station been built, it [fire rescue] would have likely occurred under 90 seconds and the fire impact would have been significantly reduced,” he said.

Freda, who lost the townhouse her family had been residing in for only two years to the fire, said she felt like it “seemed forever” before she heard the sirens after calling the Triple 0.

She remembered when she called Triple 0, it was mentioned there was a nearby fire sta-

tion, so she was expecting sirens straight away.

“The firefighters did a wonderful job, and it could have been worse if not for their hard work and putting their lives at risk to do what they have to do,” she said.

“They were there in less than 10 minutes. It probably just feels like such a long time for me because of the panicked state I was in.

“Everything felt longer than how it actually was.”

Out of curiosity, Freda searched for the nearby fire station days later and saw there was a plan for a fire station just one road across her house.

“But that’s been a long-time plan,” she said.

“I was surprised when I read that piece of information.

“I’m not being political or something. I think this party has failed the people of Clyde North because this has been like a plan for the longest time for a fire station to service Clyde North.”

Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes was contacted for comment.

Big thanks

The Kililit family who lost their townhouse to the 3 March Clyde North fire wanted to extend their gratitude towards the firefighters for risking their lives to put out the fire and the community for helping out with immediate needs for goods.

“The main thing is we’re all safe,” Freda Kililit said, speaking with Star News five days after the fire. “My daughter’s already trying to reestablish her usual routines. My husband has gone back to work. And I’m just busy just sorting out admin, like insurance for the house.”

Though the family has been staying strong ever since the accident, they are still reeling from the loss of their newly built house.

“It’s most likely a knockdown and rebuild situation,” Freda said.

“We’ve got comprehensive home insurance, but they’re going to determine if our insurance is sufficient to cover it. At this point, we still don’t have the numbers yet.”

Freda said she wanted to clarify that the fire did not start from her house or garage. “Everyone’s assumption is that it started from my house because that’s where the damage was, but it wasn’t. Looking at footage from my husband’s dashcam when he was bringing our car out of the garage, there were already flames in the neighbours’ garages. We didn’t even think that it would come to our property. As to the source of the fire, we’re still waiting on the report, the final report from the fire investigators.”

The Kililit family also thanked the local communities. If anyone would like to help them with home appliances, please contact Freda at 0478 781 126.

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FirefightersalongSpartanAve. 392643 Picture:GARYSISSONS

Women ready to fire up

A new women’s team from District 9 and 27’s Women’s Networking Groups are joining forces and hitting the running track to warm up for the upcoming Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria State Firefighter Championships later this month.

Having both formed in 2018, the dedicated Women’s Networking Groups consists of more than 150 passionate members, with 100 in District 9 and 77 in District 27.

The Senior Urban and Senior Rural events will be held at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve on Saturday 23 March and Sunday 24 March.

Warragul brigade firefighter and District 9 and 27 Women’s Networking Group member Dani Watkins said the group of seven women were gearing up for the championships.

“Like most of the South East region, we have a Women’s Network in District 9 and 27,“ she said.

“However, we decided to combine the two for the event because 27 is quite small.

“A couple of us decided we would put together a running team because it looked like a bit of fun.“

Ms Watkins said the team is working with assistance from Pearcedale Fire Brigade to get up to speed with the specifics of the events, training once a week or once a fortnight in the lead up to the state event.

“It has been really good to train with Pearcedale,“ she said.

“We were essentially starting from scratch with no prior knowledge of any of the activities.

OPINION

“We called them up and asked them if we could join them for a training session and they’ve been really accommodating since and have taught us so much.“

Fellow network member and Tanjil Fire Brigade firefighter Margaret ’Maggs’ Harrison was

quick to put her hand up to represent her brigade at the championships.

“When we met to discuss the State Firefighter Championships, I thought I may as well jump into the opportunity and give it a shot with the other women for the first time too,“

she said.

“I’ve found training with Pearcedale to be enlightening.

“It’s been great to watch how they work together and understand how they work as a team.“

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs up

Casey Council listened and replaced the speed lumps on Central Park way with more reasonable ones.

Thumbs up

To all the people who stopped to help my granddaughter and get her car back on its wheels after an accident on South Gippsland Highway at 7.30pm on Tuesday 5 March.

Thumbs down

To the terrible weather over the weekend.

SOCIALLY SPEAKING

A question for International Women’s Day is here. Who is the most inspiring woman in your life?

Jared Mcewan

Dani Laidley and Kaitlyn Jenner.

Mark Rogers

My wife Karina Rogers, Janet Savage and my late Mum Constance.

Pete Tee

My wife.

Mark Walker

Jenna Jamison.

Michael Goldie

Sam Kerr.

6 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 14 March, 2024
pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
392215
Musicians at the Music by the Lake event at Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick this month.
LENSCAPE
NEWS
Members from across Districts 9 and 27 have been training hard ahead of this year’s State Firefighter Championships. Pictures: SUPPLIED The development of the women’s team aimed to not only bring brigades together in a new environment but to also continue empowering women. This will be the first time the districts’ Women’s Networking Groups will have representation at the championships. The women have been training alongside members of the Pearcedale Fire Brigade.

The world is watching our Facebook fight!

An open letter to Prime MinisterAnthony

Albanese

Dear Prime Minister, Your first response to Facebook brazenly announcing they’ll stop paying for our news that they use to make a fortune from was…perfect!

“That’s not the Australian way,” you said.

Exactly. Australians hate bullies. Australians fight for a fair go. And this battle is not just a fight for a fair go here - the whole world is watching.

Meta, the trillion dollar tech giant that owns Facebook has built an empire out of content they don’t own. They don’t produce anything. They ‘share’ the great work of others and keep the cash.

The Australian government was the first in the world to call out this scandal, and in 2021 the News Media Bargaining Code forced them to finally pay for news content. But not anymore.

Meta is betting that if they bully the Australian government, they win the world. PM, this is a fight for the future of news and democracy. This is fight against fake news and a fight for a fair go for all journalists who hold the powerful to account, all around the world.

Let’s make sure Australia shows Facebook what a fair go is. The world is watching.

Yours sincerely,

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au Thursday, 14 March, 2024 | STAR NEWS 7
Authorised by A Schreyer for Country Press Australia 97-103 Queen Street Warragul Victoria 3820 12675835-FC11-24

Pleas for green space

Communities around the Hallam Road Landfill say they want green space rather than another residential development in the vicinity, as the Cranbourne Golf Course hits the market as a potential housing estate.

Located near the landfill, the 70-hectare course falls in the General Residential Zone and is said to “present a viable solution to assist the Victorian Government’s aim of providing 800,000 homes over the next 10 years”, according to a media release in February this year.

A for sale billboard outside of the course says the land has the potential to deliver between 1000 and 1300 residential dwellings, derisked from a zoning perspective.

Nearby resident Dr John Theodoridis said the community would want the course to be a reserve or just a green space.

“They’ve been promised green space countless times regarding the rehabilitation of the landfill,” he said. “It’s never been forthcoming.”

The call comes amid a proposed Buffer Area Overlay planning scheme amendment for the Hallam Road Landfill in Hampton Park.

But the issue of the amendment has been put on ice by the City of Casey until the EPA publishes its updated Separation Distance Guideline and Landfill Buffer Guideline.

The guidelines, which the council expects to be published sometime this year, could see the buffer for landfills accepting municipal putrescible waste with a tip face greater than 500 square metres increase from 500 metres to a maximum of 1500 metres. The distance may be varied to a minimum of 1000 metres if an odour risk assessment could show that an alternative buffer is acceptable.

This has led residents to question whether a larger buffer would encompass the Cran-

But the answer is not clear until the City of Casey has the chance to read the updated guidelines - when published - at which point council officers “would provide a further report to determine whether investigations should continue, and a Buffer Area Overlay Scheme amendment pursued”, according to a report published in February.

Cranbourne Country Club, which owns the golf course, was contacted for comment.

Lynbrook Residents Association spokespersonViv Paine said the overlay would negatively impact the properties enclosed.

“When a property in the buffer zone is offered for sale the Buffer Area Overlay must be

included in the Section 32 Vendor’s Statement prepared for prospective purchasers. Local estate agents predict properties thus encumbered will suffer a decline in value in the range of 10 to 20 per cent compared to nearby properties without an overlay,” he explained.

“Encumbered properties within the buffer zone are restricted from subdividing large blocks or constructing new buildings in the backyard such as a granny flat or even a shed.

“Renovations and extensions will encounter more building permit hurdles and cost more due to requirements for tight seals around windows and doors to prevent the ingress of toxic escaping gas.”

Dr Theodoridis said once the residential

A for sale billboard outside of the course says the land has the potential to deliver between 1000 and 1300 residential dwellings, de-risked from a zoning perspective. 392859

zone had been established around the landfill, an overlay was just adding insult to injury.

“Not only do people have to pick up the torments of that landfill, but now they have to take a financial hit on their most significant asset,” he said.

“I think it’s atrocious, to be honest.”

He believed there should be a big billboard on each sale block to remind prospective buyers of the nearby landfill.

“It’s only effective if the public is being made aware of the thing. I’ve seen billboards up about local housing developments in that immediate area saying a last chance to invest in this, but there’s no sign saying, by the way, there’s a tip just 500 metres down the road, and it’s going to hit the price of your house,” he said.

“Unless there’s community education and potential buyer education, it does nothing.”

‘Devoid of native vegetation’: Habitat loss sparks worry

Communities around Stevensons Brothers Industries (SBI) landfill are expressing concern around the habitat loss of the local endangered species Southern Brown Bandicoot, as the latest report reveals the operator removed about half a hectare of native vegetation, allegedly without the authorised permits, during the past three years.

The Native Vegetation Removal Assessment, a submission to support the operator’s recent proposed planning permit amendments, was commissioned after Casey Council issued a breach notice of alleged unauthorised native vegetation removal in January 2023.

“Too much native vegetation has already been removed,” a resident wrote to the Casey Council in their lodged objections against the proposed permit amendments.

“I am also worried about the damage to native vegetation and the possible effect it will have on the endangered bandicoot population,” another resident objected.

The assessment found that the removal comprised 0.456 hectares of native vegetation in patches around the edges of the quarry, including seven large trees.

It identified ‘complete direct removal of canopy and understorey species’ due to unpermitted clearing and ‘partial native vegetation removal’ resulting from unauthorised bike tracks and rubbish and metal materials dumping.

The stormwater runoff, which carried sediment, was discovered to indirectly contribute to the death of native vegetation in several studied areas.

One of the areas worth noticing was the zone opposite the office near the site entrance where trucks and the road are washed down.

“Water runoff has been directed into adjacent native vegetation via a concrete gutter,” the assessment wrote.

“This area is now devoid of native vegetation due to inappropriate hydrology

and excess sediment.

“The only attempt to control sediment runoff is the presence of hay bales, however, these are not proving to be effective at trapping sediments in this location.”

Echoing the residents’ concerns, an updated fauna management plan to satisfy the proposed planning permit amendment noted that vegetation in the area met the habitat requirements for South Brown Bandicoot, a species listed as endangered under both the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act).

Though the investigators did not catch the presence of the species during the survey pe-

riods, the plan assumed that the species were active on site given the presence of numerous sights within the adjoining Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.

“If resident in the study area, this species would be susceptible to impacts involving the removal or modification of treed native vegetation, particularly those areas with dense lower understories,” the plan wrote.

The plan also stated that the lost vegetation due to allegedly unpermitted clearing could not be feasibly revegetated due to ‘past quarry activities and soil being too disturbed for planting to be successful’.

SBI was contacted for comment.

8 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 14 March, 2024 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
There are concerns about the endangered bandicoot population. 262016 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS The allegedly unpermitted clearing of native vegetation is highlighted in the purple area.
PERMIT AMENDMENT NEWS
Picture: SBI PLANNING bourne Golf Course. A closer look at the billboard. 392859 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

We’re building big near you and there will be transport disruptions

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re easing congestion by building better roads and continuing level crossing removal works in Melbourne’s south east. While we work this autumn, transport disruptions may affect your travel.

What we’ve done

Finished building new lanes and upgrading four key intersections on Hall Road between Carrum Downs and Cranbourne West

Opened the new inbound Princes Freeway

ramp and widened the existing outbound exit ramp at McGregor Road in Pakenham

Upgraded four intersections on Western Port Highway – at Thompsons, Hall, Ballarto and CranbourneFrankston roads

Upgraded 8 new intersections so far as part of the Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains

Road disruptions: Closed roads

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au Thursday, 14 March, 2024 | STAR NEWS 9 Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne Check before you travel at bigbuild.vic.gov.au
exit
7732
Princes Freeway, Pakenham Overnight, at times until May Closed between McGregor Road and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East Until mid-2024Closed between Berwick-Cranbourne Road and New Holland Drive Camms Road, Cranbourne East Until mid-2024Closed at Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road South Gippsland Highway, Cranbourne Until mid-2024Closed lanes between Cameron Street and Lineham Drive Webb Street, Narre Warren 8pm 15 Mar to 6am 24 Mar Closed between Valley Fair Drive and Centre Road Ballarto Road, Pakenham South 7am to 6pm, 18 to 23 Mar Closed to Cardinia-bound traffic between Healesville Koo-Wee Rup Road and Hobsons Road Healesville Koo-Wee Rup Road, Pakenham 8pm to 6am each night, 17 to 21 Mar 8pm to 6am each night, 24 to 27 Mar Closed between Southeast Boulevard and Manks Road Closed between Southeast Boulevard and Ballarto Road Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, Narre Warren 9pm to 5am each night, 26 to 27 Mar Between Saxonwood Drive/Fullard Road and Princes Highway
Pakenham Line From 9.30pm 15 Mar to 17 Mar Dandenong to Pakenham 12674899-MP11-24

Finks trio spared jail time

Three full-patched members of the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang have avoided jail over the extortion and robbery of a member wishing to leave the outfit.

Michael Bacalja, 43, of Berwick, Andrew Tonkin, 32, of Keysborough, and Allan Campbell, 30, of Endeavour Hills, pleaded guilty after sentence indications at theVictorian County Court.

Sentencing was deferred for Paul “Romeo” Draper, 40, of Endeavour Hills due to him being booked in for surgery.

Bacalja pleaded guilty to extortion with a threat to inflict injury and being a prohibited person with an imitation gun.

Tonkin and Campbell pled to robbery and common law assault.

The victim had been a fully-patched Finks member and treasurer based at the Cranbourne West club house.

Draper, Tonkin and Campbell barged their way into the victim’s house in Doncaster in July 2021, with Draper demanding the victim’s $60,000 2019 Harley Davidson while he was deciding whether to leave the club.

The victim pleaded for them not to take his bike and Draper assaulted him.

Campbell warned the victim that“if you call the cops, we’ll shoot you” and ordered the victim to write a note authorising the hand-over of his bike to Draper.

The victim complied and the men rode away with his bike.

A week later, after pleading for his bike’s return, the victim was told to go to Draper’s home in Endeavour Hills.

While waiting outside in his car, Bacalja approached with VicRoads transfer papers in hand.

Inside the house, Draper told the victim that he’d have to pay $15,000 and forfeit his bike to leave the Finks.

If he didn’t sign over the bike, he would be “f***ed”, Draper told him – and the victim duly signed the transfer papers.

When he left, Draper phoned him to say he’d signed the wrong part of the form. If he didn’t come back inside, he’d be “really f***ed”.

An angry Draper punched kicked and kneed him in what the victim said was a “really savage” beating. He was left with red marks, a sore jaw and head for days.

Over several weeks, the victim transferred $11,500 to Draper’s bank account, spurred by several demands from Draper via calls on encrypted app Signal.

In October, Echo Taskforce police raided the accused’s homes as well as the Cranbourne West clubhouse.

At Draper’s home, they seized the bike’s keys and registration plate as well as several steroids.

They seized a gel-blaster gun from the home of Bacalja, who was prohibited to possess an imitation gun.

Bacalja told police that he didn’t realise the gun was illegal. He’d bought it as a toy online, used only in the backyard and not for any other purposes, he said.

The victim declined to make a victim impact statement.

Sentencing judge Sarah Leighfield said Draper – highly ranked as a ‘Nomad’ at the Finks – was the “principal offender” in the robbery of the bike as well as in extorting the victim.

Tonkin and Campbell had lesser roles in the robbery and Bacalja a limited role in the extor-

tion, she said.

Leighfield noted Tonkin and Bacalja had shown remorse and taken full responsibility for their conduct.

Campbell sought to minimalise his actions but considered the treatment inflicted on the victim was undeserved and unjustified, she said.

He’d also paid $10,000 in order to leave the Finks.

Campbell had been dismissed from his trucking job as a result of the charges.

He had no criminal history, but for a fine for wearing a Finks T-shirt in public.

At the time of the offences, he was abusing drugs and alcohol. His severe borderline personality disorder was also noted.

Since moving in with his partner – a kindergarten teacher – Campbell had been sober, cut off ties with negative peers and complied with bail conditions.

Bacalja, a former Navy seaman and miner, had limited criminal history including assault, threats to kill and firearm offences.

He’d been in the Finks only a few months at

the time of offending. Though still a member, he had since stepped down as vice-president. He’d not re-offended since.

Tonkin, a bouncer and former marital arts instructor, had no priors and had become a dedicated charity volunteer.

The prosecution submitted for Draper and Bacalja to be jailed, and Campbell and Tonkin given jail and a community corrections order (CCO).

Leighfield said despite the offences being serious, each would receive a CCO – taking into account their mental health issues and signs of rehabilitation.

Campbell’s 30-month CCO included up to 320 hours of unpaid work, supervision and drug, alcohol and mental health treatment.

Bacalja’s CCO of 27 months included up to 280 hours of unpaid work, supervision and treatment. He was ordered not to associate with the Finks for nine months.

Tonkin was sentenced to a 21-month CCO including up to 150 hours of unpaid work and mental health treatment.

Draper was scheduled to be sentenced on 10 April.

‘My favourite country as a kid’: Helping fellow refugees

A young Afghan refugee who was a leading academic in his homeland is now supporting newly arrived refugees in Melbourne’s south east.

Muqtader Yousafzai arrived in Melbourne in May 2023 and was reunited with his mother and one brother.

He is now working as acting case manager with migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia.

“I’ve been working with AMES for three months and I’m enjoying the work. It’s rewarding to be supporting people who are also arriving as refugees,” Muqtader said.

“The team and all of my colleagues are awesome.”

Muqtader was the youngest Afghan to be awarded a full scholarship to study for a PhD. In 2020, he travelled to India to take up his doctoral studies in business administration.

But when, in October 2021, Kabul fell to the Taliban and the Afghan government collapsed, his future seemed uncertain.

The collapse of Afghanistan meant Muqtader’s mother and brother were forced to flee their homeland.

And he soon realised that because he had previously worked in a senior role in Afghanistan’s interior ministry, it meant he also could not return to Afghanistan.

“I had worked as aVIP member of the government. It was my job to work closely with the government VIPs. Before starting work as a VIP member, I was working as policy and strategy advisor to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Afghanistan,” Muqtader said.

“Meanwhile, I was also a university lecturer and have three years of experience in this field. I was teaching business subjects in both Master’s and Bachelor’s degree courses.”

He was interviewed on TV about economic issues more than 30 times as well as being a guest lecturer.

“My mother was also a senior official in the Ministry of Defence and our family was

well known in Afghanistan.

“This meant we could not return home to Afghanistan as we would have been targets of the Taliban.”

Fortunately, Muqtader has been able to continue with his studies and complete his PhD at Lucknow University.

“I have published research papers related to business administration in international

journals,” he said

A few days after the fall of Kabul, Muqtader’s mother was able to get on a flight to leave Afghanistan safely.

“She went to Europe and then came to Australia on a humanitarian visa,” he said.

Muqtader is keen to return to academia.

“In India, when I was studying, I was also teaching business administration. Academia was my comfort zone,” he said.

Muqtader says he wants to be a role model and represent Australia in different areas.

“This country is full of opportunities and he wants to make a contribution.

“For now I am focusing on my role with AMES and I would like to progress in the settlement and humanitarian sector. But I would like to do both academia and work for society.”

Muqtader says he and his family are happy with their new lives in Australia.

“Life is good for us. We are doing well and we are very happy to be in Australia,” he said.

Muqtader also thanked Australia for providing the opportunity to come here.

“Australia was my favourite country as a kid. I always thought that if I was to leave Afghanistan I would want to go to Australia. It was my childhood dream.

“I’ve been a cricket and sports fan since I was four-years-old and I always liked the Australian team. I could name the entire squad.”

Muqtader still plays cricket and soccer with friends in pick-up games.

10 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 14 March, 2024 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Muqtader, a refugee academic, is helping other refugees at AMES. Picture: CON CHRONIS/AAP

A shining beacon of hope

In an era where mental health struggles and disabilities often go unnoticed, Seachange Care Support Services stands as a beacon of hope and assistance.

Established in 2018 by the compassionate visionary Jismon, our organization has dedicated the past five years to providing essential aid to individuals navigating through life’s toughest challenges.

At Seachange, our mission transcends mere service provision; it’s about making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.

We specialize in delivering outreach support to individuals grappling with disabilities and various mental health conditions, fostering independence and resilience along their journey.

Jismon, our founder, brings not only 14 years of industry experience but also an unwavering passion for helping others.

Having begun his career as a social worker, his transition to entrepreneurship stemmed from a deep-rooted commitment to addressing unmet needs in the community.

Our comprehensive suite of services caters to diverse needs, ranging from mental health support and supported independent living to recovery coaching and education/training assistance.

Whether it’s aiding with daily tasks, facilitating social participation, or ensuring roundthe-clock home care, Seachange remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

With local support available on a full-time, part-time, or as-needed basis, we strive to be more than just a service provider—we are a trusted partner in each individual’s journey towards holistic well-being.

Together, let’s continue to create positive change and foster a more inclusive and supportive society.

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au Thursday, 14 March, 2024 | STAR NEWS 11 12666933-AV24-24 Are you looking for an Ndis Registered provider? Look no further Seachange Care Support Services Narre Warren NDIS Support Service Provider www.seachangecare.com.au info@seachangecare.com.au 0450 599 488 0461 380 966 At Sea Change Support Narre Warren, our vision and goal is to enable people living with psycho-social disabilities to achieve their goals and lead an independent life. 12672274-MP11-24 FOCUS ON …
DISABILITY
Suite 429, Waterman Narre Warren, Level 2, 66 Victor Crescent,
· info@seachangecare.com.au · 0450 599 488 · 0461 380 966
Seachange
Care Support Services,
Narre Warren.
Seachange Care Support Services stands as a beacon of hope and assistance.

Opening up on inclusion

Celebrated on Friday 8 March, the centre held activities focused on arts and crafts, with educational workshops aiming at providing resources and opportunities to advocate for an inclusive community.

One of the centre’s playgroup mums who attended the event, Maure, said that “where there is woman, there is magic”.

Residents were invited to write down on a heart-shaped piece of paper what made them feel included, which was then displayed to form a collection of letters on one of the centre’s walls.

The event began at 10.30am and finished at 12.30pm, with morning tea provided for those who attended.

Inspirational stories: Merinda Park marks annual event

Every day should be International Women’s Day.

Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre has strived to live up to the maxim as the centre held a four-day celebration from 4 to 7 March, recognising and appreciating the diverse women within the community circle.

The first day of the celebration marathon saw City of Casey early childhood educator Paru Ramesh share her stories of hard work and success with the English students in the centre.

She engaged the students in a brief discussion about career and personal goals. The students wrote and shared their own stories and neatly presented them in a folder.

A seekh kebab barbecue united the students on the second day as they shared their traditional recipes and cooked up a storm.

Initially inspired by Casey Connect & Learn, the Wednesday crochet group, students, staff, and volunteers put on their ‘creative hats’ and produced beautiful works of art on the third day of the celebration. Felt flowers, crochet hearts, decorated personalised quotes, and other creative pieces adorned the ArtWall.

The celebrations were summed up with the grand opening of the Art Wall by Holt MP Cassandra Fernando on the last day.

A centre spokesperson said Merinda Park continued to contribute to the ongoing efforts of promoting equality, empowerment, and inclusivity among women within society, beyond just a single day.

“Our deepest gratitude to all who participated in the events, especially our wonderful students and staff,” she said.

12 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 14 March, 2024 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au NEWS
The Art Wall. A group shot of the celebration. Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre manager Michelle Davidson and Holt MP Cassandra Fernando with the centre students.
Pictures: SUPPLIED
Balla Balla Community Centre in Clyde North celebrated International Women’s Day by inviting women to open up on what made them feel included. Dee, standing next to her letter. 389979 Farzia holding her letter near the others. 389979 Lauren McCarthy and Nicole Atkinson (Balla Balla Community Centre) with guest speaker Cindy Warren (Umbrella Support) and Cassandra Fernando MP. 389979 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS Lauren McCarthy (Balla Balla Community Centre) standing next to the wall covered with letters on what made someone feel included. 389979

THE IGET IT , I THINK BIT

Lose yourself at one of Victoria’s renowned galleries or artist workshops. You’ll find plenty to your taste – or not. And that’s the fun of it.

Get curious at cultural institutions like Bendigo Art Gallery.

VISITVICTORIA.COM

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au Thursday, 14 March, 2024 | STAR NEWS 13
12665161-MS11-24

The Parklea Pakenham Agricultural and Horticultural Show with the support of the multicultural community groups is back bigger and better than ever on Saturday with loads of free family fun.

This year’s Hobby Horse Fancy Dress Relay Race promises to be an exciting addition, guaranteed to captivate spectators.

Delve inside this special feature and full list of the day’s free activities.

“Wheels on the Farm”

14 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 14 March, 2024 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au PAKENHAM SHOW parklea. 12672000-AP11-23 Saturday, 16th March PB Ronald Reserve Cnr. John St. & Henry St. Pakenham pakenhamshow1@bigpond.com Show Secretary 0401 271 627 FREE ENTRY
family fun!
Pakenham Show Free

FOCUS ON … PAKENHAM SHOW

It’s almost show time!

From alluring lizards to the stars of the hit children’s show Paw Patrol, this year’s Parklea Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show will feature something for attendees of all ages.

Billed as one of the biggest events across Cardinia and with free entry, the 113th Parklea Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show will be held at the P.B. Ronald Reserve on Saturday 16 March from 9am to 4pm, next to Pakenham Hall, at the junction of Henry Street and John Street.

Show president David Young said entry is once again free to the show and the theme for 2024 is “Wheels on the Farm”.

“There’s a long list of attractions,“ he said.

“We look forward to an excellent day.“

Reptile Encounters will be a major feature again at this year’s show.

Participants will be amazed by feathered, furry and scaly creatures in this hands-on display of animal life. Everyone will get an up-close look at a hand raised marsupial, rainforest parrot, freshwater turtle, shingleback lizard, monitor lizard, pythons and even a crocodile, with demonstrations about what they eat, where they live and more.

Other highlights will include the baby animal farm, miniature goats exhibition, the Parklea Adventure Trail showbags with 19 stands, sheep and poultry competitions, Blacksmith Demonstration, Meccano and Lego exhibitions, Cardinia Youth’s skateboard competitions, camel rides, carnival rides and a Brandt Tractors - Pakenham exhibition.

Mr Young said the Parklea Adventure Trail features“great value“ for the young showgoers.

“That’s a good way to keep the children occupied,“ he said.

Mr Young said on top of the sheep and poultry competitions, another highlight will be all of the entries featured in the pavilion, including produce, artwork and photography.

“We’d love to have more people enter their produce and artwork into the future,“ he said.

Pakenham Library will also be hosting a Butterfly Adventures Gazebo from 9.30am to 12.30pm inside the library.

The Living Learning Centre, which is on the western boundary of the reserve, will also be a bright and busy area all day. Here, there will be multicultural dancing and singing throughout the day.

9.00am African Drummers, 10.00am Shivam Dance Academy, 10.30am Tamil Dancers, 11.00am Creative Souls, 11.30am Sapphire Dancers (Bollywood), 1.00pm Brazilian Dancers, 1.30pm Bandok Tati’s Aboriginal Dance Group, 2.00pm Seychellois Dancers, 2.30pm Madi - African Drums.

The Cardinia Civic Concert Band will once again be a vital part of the show program appearing at 11am as well as the giant pumpkin and vegetable competitions will again attract enormous interest.

The Junior Personality competition will take place in front of the Pakenham Hall/ Library at 1pm; entries taken at 12 noon.

Added bonus to the outside competitions starting from 12 noon will be the gumboot throw, paper plane and the new Hobby Horse Fancy Dress Relay race competitions with plenty of fabulous prizes to be won.

While you’re in the vicinity of PB Ronald Reserve for the Pakenham Show this weekend, it is well worth checking out the Pakenham Skate Park Competition. You’ll be able to walk from the main show area to the skate park at 11am for the scoot competition, followed by BMX at 12.30pm and skate at 1.30pm. It is free entry, and all ages and abilities are welcome.

This year the dog component of the show will be held on Sunday 17 March with many entries expected. Also free for the public to

view at the PB Ronald Reserve.

Mr Young said one of the main goals of the committee is to ensure the show is welcoming to people of all cultures from across the South East.

“It’s an inclusive show,” he said.

“There’s a number of multicultural things occurring.”

Mr Young said the show committee are grateful to major sponsors Parklea and Cardinia Council.

“Without their support, the show wouldn’t be possible,” he said.

“Without them, we wouldn’t be able to have a fee-free show.”

Mr Young said the show’s committee members and volunteers are also invaluable to ensuring the day runs without a hitch.

“I’d like to thank all the committee members and all the volunteers,” he said.

“Getting lots of people to the show makes all that hard work worthwhile.”

The show committee comprises of a dedicated group of people of all ages. New committee members are always welcome.

If you would like to be involved or help with the preparations for the show, give the show secretary a ring 0401 271 627 or email pakenhamshow1@bigpond.com

You’ll enjoy a wonderful day out - and entry is free.

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au Thursday, 14 March, 2024 | STAR NEWS 15
Jess Wendel (left) from Reptile Encounters helps Andrea meet her new snake friend (‘Tammy’ a Woma Python from Central Australia) at a recent show. Emma enjoyed competing in the Gumboot Competition at a recent Pakenham Show. This competition as well as the paper plane will be on at 12 noon with cash prizes to be won. Pakenham Library will host a Butterfly Adventures Gazebo on show day. The Melbourne Meccano Club will return with their exhibition in the Living Learning Centre as well as part of the Adventure Trail.
Spend over $100 10% OFF Spend over $200 15% OFF Spend over $300 15% OFF + FREE GIFT 5941 2225 109 Main Street Pakenham www.lazyfroggifts.com.au VALID 14TH - 17TH. MARCH NOT INCLUDING CANDLES AND DIFFUSERS 12675786-JB11-24 12675950-FC12-24 Proudly supporting the Pakenham Show. Call in and grab and coffe and a bite to eat before the Show. 145 Main street, Pakenham The Great Australian Bakehouse, Pakenham P: 5941 3262 Open 7 days early until 3pm 12674214-SM11-24
Well known Cement Stockmen will return and be situated beside the Adventure Trail Stand 1.

FOCUS ON … PAKENHAM SHOW

Shear joy for ambassador

Talented young gun Tess Runting is back for her tenth year as the Parklea Pakenham Show’s sheep superintendent as well as Rural Ambassador for the show.

With enthusiasm and a positive attitude, sponsor First National Estate Neilson Partners Pakenham will again support Tess as well as the other young people on the show committee.

The sheep exhibition is an important part of the show’s theme “Wheels on the Farm”.

Ms Runting helped revive the sheep division back when the show society moved from the original Pakenham Racecourse to now PB Ronald Reserve, Pakenham and she hopes to have more than 80 animals on display this year.

She encouraged families to spend time enjoying the show’s agricultural sections.

“I think it is imperative for all agricultural shows to maintain a strong connection with the land and producers,” Ms Runting said.

“This is especially important as the gap between producers and consumers is unmistakably large.

I believe that education and experience is the key to understanding and creating a strong and prosperous community.

“The Pakky Show is a fantastic family-orientated event with something for all ages.”

Ms Runting owns and operates her own stud, Moralla Corriedales, on the Mornington Peninsula. She also took out the 2023 ASA Merino Fleece Judging National Champion.

MONDAY -

Saddle up for the show

The inaugural Hobby Horse Fancy Dress relay race is on this Saturday 16 March at 12.30pm

Supply and decorate your own horse with four friends or community group members to enter into the show contest. There are great prizes on offer for the winning team in each category:

· Under 7Years - Mixed

· Between 7 and 12 - Mixed

· Secondary - Aged 12 to 18 - Mixed

· Adult - Open - Mixed

· Community Groups - Open - Mixed

Thanks to the generous support of Pakenham Central Marketplace, show organisers are thrilled to announce an extra sweet victory for the winners - a refreshing reward!

Each winning participant in each category will be taking home more than just the pride of winning - they’ll be savouring the taste of triumph with a $30 Boost Juice gift card. That’s right - a deliciously healthy boost to your day to celebrate your team’s skills and dedication.

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OF
SUPPORTER
PAKENHAM SHOW
FRIDAY: 7:00AM - 4:30PM SATURDAY: 7:00AM - 12:00PM
(GRANTVILLE ONLY): 9:00AM - 2:00PM
SUNDAY
Di, Karen, Marni and Kelly from Star News Group. Tess Runting is back for her tenth year as the Parklea Pakenham Show’s sheep superintendent as well as Rural Ambassador for the show.

FOCUS ON … PAKENHAM SHOW

Popular Adventure showbag is back

The ever popular Adventure showbag - where kids collect items from stands - will return this year at the show on Saturday.

Thanks goes to the wonderful children at the Living Learning Centre workshops who have decorated the showbags again this year.

Bigger than ever before and still $10. All in all 19 stands: Pakenham Rotary Club, Giant Pumpkin and Vegetables, Racecourse Road Family Dental, Sweet Stop, First Early Learning and Kindergarden - Pakenham, Cardinia Environment Coalition, Cardinia’s Emergency Management, Emma Vulin MP, Fairy Floss/ Pop Corn, Living Learning Centre, Cardinia Men’s Shed, Meccano Club - Melbourne, Cardinia Scouts, Puma’s Baseball Club, Renee Heath MP, Myli Library, Southern Cross Brix, and Pakenham Guidance Group (member of the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria).

Products will include native plants, apples, potatoes, carrots, popcorn, noodles, peaches, jigsaws, apple juices, bubbles, chalk, drink bottles, Lego, seeds, Pakenham Central Marketplace $10 meal vouchers just to name a few.

100% of all money raised goes towards the children’s entertainment for 2025.

All completed passports will go into the draw for the opportunity to win a night’s accommodation at the Mercure Pakenham Hotel as well as Brendan Langley Area Specialist has donated a $150 Visa Voucher and $50 Visa Voucher for second and third place.

Meet with PAW Patrol

Hey kids, guess who is coming to the Parklea Pakenham Show? Chase, Marshall and Skye from PAW Patrol!

The beloved characters will be meeting and greeting children throughout the day with the show’s MC from OBrien Real Estate, Rod Capuano.

The three characters are scheduled for: 9.30am-12.30pm - Marshall; 10.30am-1.30pm - Chase and 12 noon3pm - Skye.

The PAW Patrol series focuses on a boy named Ryder who leads a pack of search and rescue dogs known as PAW Patrol. They work together on missions to protect the community of Adventure Bay.

The characters will be no doubt looking for adventure.

The beloved characters from PAW Patrol - Marshall, Skye and Chase will be meeting and greeting children throughout the day.

Proudly supporting the Pakenham Show

The Parklea Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show has been an important part of our community for 113 years.

People from all walks of life can come together and celebrate the best our district has to offer from produce, livestock, baking, art, photography and horticulture to fun competitions.

Pakenham should be proud to have such a dedicated group of volunteers who organise the event, and the generous support of business owners to sponsor it. As a result, this is one of the few local shows that doesn’t charge an entry fee.

The Parklea Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show is a display of true community spirit.

You will find me and my team at a stall on March 16. Feel free to drop by, have a

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au Thursday, 14 March, 2024 | STAR NEWS 17
12670294-JB11-24 brandt.ca/au (03) 5941 5966 Mowers | Tractors | Compact Construction | Gators. You will find it all. 12671467-JC11-24
Sheri Venables is preparing and ready for the Adventure showbag this year which will be bigger and better than before, so get in early.

FOCUS ON … PAKENHAM SHOW For everyone

Living Learning Pakenham and the Pakenham Show has been in partnership over the past 10 years to deliver the annual Pakenham Show event.

Living and Learning operates the Skills and Wellbeing Centre in Pakenham, with our Henry Street Centre situated on the PB Ronald Reserve. When the Pakenham Show underwent major changes in vision and direction recognising the changing face of the community, welcoming the region’s increasing multicultural profile, and the show moving from its traditional home at the former Pakenham Racecourse to the PB Ronald Reserve, the perfect opportunity arose for us to form a meaningful partnership.

Living and Learning caters many of its programs supporting our multicultural community and with the move of the show, the opportunity arose for us to support the show committee with its planning and enabled us

to showcase and promote the centre to the broader community. Our primary role in the delivery of the show is to inform, highlight and showcase cultural diversity in Cardinia in the form of dance, activities and arts.

Often the show coincides with Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Day; this is a unique opportunity to showcase the shire’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. It is a day for all Australians to embrace and to share what we have in common.

Some of the most disadvantaged live in Pakenham central and keeping the event free, and open to all communities, eliminates the barrier of cost to participate and enjoy a day out with the family. Organised activities help to break down barriers, educates and enhances respect and support for cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.

Over the years the Pakenham Show has gone from strength to strength, and I’m sure will continue to do so in the future.

Talking transport bonanza

Travellers can learn about improvements to the transport network and major milestones when Victoria’s Big Build Roadshow visits the Pakenham Show on Saturday 16 March.

Teams from the Metro Tunnel, the Level Crossing Removal Project and Major Road Projects Victoria will be available from 10am to 1pm to answer questions about road and rail construction, and planned disruptions.

Next year the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines will become level crossing free – while work is forging ahead to extend the Pakenham Line two kilometres and remove three congested crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road.

“All 22 level crossings will be gone for good from the Pakenham Line next year, easing congestion and increasing the capacity of our rail network,” the State Government said.

“Two new stations are being built at Pak-

enham and Pakenham East – providing extra parking and accessible facilities.

“Pakenham Line trains will run through the new Metro Tunnel and continue on to Sunbury – giving passengers better connections to schools, health care, jobs and recreation.

“In the meantime, crews are hard at work testing equipment and systems and there will be disruptions on sections of the Pakenham line, with buses replacing trains at times in April and May.

“Works are continuing on the Pakenham Roads Upgrade, with the project upgrading Racecourse Road, McGregor Road and the Princes Freeway – removing bottlenecks and improving traffic flow.

“Work on the Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road Upgrade are well underway, with an extra lane being added in each direction between Princes Freeway and Manks Road.”

For more information, go to bigbuild.vic. gov.au/southeast

Proud show sponsors since 2015.

Parklea has been creating communities in Melbourne’s Southeast since 1974. That’s why we’re delighted to be sponsoring The Parklea Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show for the 9th year running.

The Show has a proud history of celebration among the community and offers families the chance to get together and enjoy the region’s achievements and have some fun. It’s one of Cardinia Shire’s oldest and largest community events and with Parklea celebrating 50 years in the community this year, being part of the 2024 event feels extra special.

We hope to see you there!

FREE event

Saturday 16 March 2024, 9am start

P.B. Ronald Reserve, Henry and John Streets, Pakenham

parklea.com

18 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 14 March, 2024 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
Fun filled
12671901-AP11-24
Work is well underway on the rail bridge over Main Street/Bald Hill Road in Pakenham. Emma Vulin MP with the African Drummers at the 2023 Parklea Pakenham Show. 323968 Bandok Tati’s Aboriginal Dance Group will return to perform at 1.30pm

Devon Meadows Primary School held another one of its successful colour run fundraisers on Friday 8 March, with kids of all ages getting involved in the fun - and some of the adults, too!

A colourful fundraiser

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au Thursday, 14 March, 2024 | STAR NEWS 19 NEWS
Sally-Anne and Elijah. 392574 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS Josephine with her kids Nicholas and Frank. 392574 Lakyn. 392574 School Council member Laine squirts the kids with the colourful powder. 392574 Jordee cools off. 392574
It’s
Teaching staff Kate and Staci with Charlie (centre). 392574
a
thumbs up from Johnny. 392574 Sally-Anne. 392574

Tomatoes savour success

Black Cherry was crowned the best tasting heirloom tomato in Australia recently by a panel of gardening superstars and food experts at Heronswood House and Gardens, the home of the Diggers Foundation on the Mornington Peninsula.

The well known heirloom variety - Black Cherry - was a stand out for the official taste test panel who were brought together to taste and rate the best heirloom tomatoes in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the first Diggers Great Tomato Taste Test.

Blayne Bertoncello from O.MY Restaurant

in Beaconsfield (Good Food Guide Best Restaurant of the Year 2024) joined this year’s official taste test panel, alongside gardening royalty Jane Edmanson and Costa Georgiadis, acclaimed organic gardener Phil Dudman, author of Preserving the Italian Way Pietro Demaio, VicHealth CEO Sandro Demaio, and three of the participants in the very first Diggers tomato taste test in 1993 - garden writer Peter de Waart and co-founders of the Diggers Club and Foundation Penny Blazey and Clive Blazey.

Diggers Club and Foundation CEO Tim

Sansom said that over 65 heirloom tomato varieties had been grown in preparation for the event, before the top varieties in three categories (beefsteak and saucing, cherry, and salad) were selected for the panel to taste and rate. However, one variety almost didn’t make it onto the judges’ tasting plates - Nonna Peppina’s - which came to Diggers last year from one of its members - Ken Carr in Annangrove (about 25km from the centre of Sydney).

The Diggers Club has almost 80,000 members throughout Australia and Ken Carr, aged 66, was one of them who put his hand up to not only take part in seed trials in August 2023, but to also donate a tomato seed line that his family had been growing for generations.

“I’ve been growing tomatoes since I was three and am amazed at the varieties I still don’t know about,” Mr Carr said.

“Each year, I try a range of varieties from every colour and shape of cherry tomatoes to my largest...Nonna Peppina’s...she was the one who provided the original [seeds]...unfortunately smuggled into Australia in 1946 stitched into her bra strap.”

When informed about Nonna Peppina’s being named the best Beefsteak and Saucing tomato, Ken said: “I’m pleased everyone likes them as much as I do. They are nice just chopped up and pan fried still keeping them solid, add a leaf of two of basil and pile on toast.”

Diggers Club & Foundation CEO Tim Sansom said that the official taste test panel rated heirloom varieties of tomatoes for their taste, texture and appearance.

“The best tasting tomatoes are often the smallest and Black Cherry was a standout in the Cherry Tomato category. They are highly productive, easy to grow and work in salads, lunch boxes and as garden snacks straight

from the vine in gardens around Australia,” Mr Sansom said.

“Sweet Cassidy was the winner of the Salad Tomato category - a mid-sized fruit that boasts the same sweetness of a cherry tomato. A new addition to our range and a discovery from our seed vault, we knew this tomato was something special.

“Nonna Peppina’s was the winner of our Beefsteak and Saucing Tomato category. Beefsteaks are the large meaty tomatoes that can be sliced or used in sauces, while the saucing tomatoes offer more flesh and less seeds - which makes them incredibly versatile for cooking.”

Mr Sansom said that the taste test was as much about preserving the diversity of tomatoes as it was about crowning a winner.

“Nonna Peppina’s is such a great story and I’m sure there are other seed gems being passed down in families around Australia, but if we don’t take steps to preserve and share those seed lines, we’re in danger of losing them for future generations to enjoy.

“These heirloom varieties represent important cultural heritage,” Mr Sansom said.

“Everyone can play a role in preserving open-pollinated, heirloom seed varieties of vegetables, just by making more informed decisions about the seed we decide to plant in our gardens. It’s one of the ways we can keep control of what we grow and serve up on our plates - so those decisions remain in the hands of gardeners and not large corporations.

“The Diggers Foundation is preserving biocultural treasures like heirloom seeds to ensure they don’t disappear. By growing and saving seed of these precious heirlooms we can make sure that they will be accessible to future generations.”

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Black Cherry - overall winner of the 30th Diggers Great Tomato Taste Test and winner of the Cherry tomato category.

Nod to dedication

Doveton resident Ederlynn Carkeek has been acknowledged by Monash Health for her 15 years of invaluable volunteering at Dandenong Hospital.

The soon-to-be 68-year-old started around 2008 after her daughter went to high school.

Three days a week, she does everything she can to bring her passions to the wards and brighten patients’ stays.

A woman of many talents, she often brings flowers from her garden or sings hymns from her local choir to comfort patients.

If she knows a patient’s birthday is coming up, she will arrive on the ward with a balloon and a handwritten card to celebrate.

She also mentors young volunteers at the hospital, showing them where to go and what to do.

For Ederlynn, her decision to devote herself to the hospital has been a way to give back.

She gave birth to her children at the Dandenong Hospital and received massive help when she lost several of them.

“That’s why there’s a lot of memories in that hospital for me,” she said.

“But because the staff, doctors, and nurses were so kind and helpful to my family at that time, I’m happy to give back that kindness through volunteering.”

Ederlynn said her favourite part of the volunteering was to engage with the patients.

“Just give them a smile or ask how’s their day because you don’t know what’s happening in the hospital,” she said.

“Many patients have families, but they just have no time to see them. So just being there for them for 10 or 15 minutes would make a difference.”

Volunteer coordinator Vicky Vasilopoulos said she felt grateful to have Ederlynn as a part of the longest-standing volunteers at Dande-

nong Hospital and she was very proud of all of her accomplishments over the years.

“She is always willing to help out wherever may be required. Her down-to-earth personality makes her approachable, easy to talk to, and a great mentor to all volunteers,” she said.

“Ederlynn buddies up to mentor most of the student volunteers on their first shift, and I am constantly receiving positive feedback from them.

“She embraces them like her own children and is passionate about passing on her life skills to them.”

When volunteer Kaif Mohammed Qais first arrived at Dandenong Hospital, Ederlyn took him under her wing.

“As a young man right out of high school, I felt very nervous going into my role as a ward ambassador, I felt like I’d have a tough time

talking with patients given the generational gap,” Kaif said.

“Luckily Ederlynn was there to help. Not only was she able to help me connect with patients on a deeper level, but she showed me how enjoyable my role could be in chatting with and brightening up the lives of so many patients.

“Ederlynn is a very loving and compassionate mentor, and I’m so grateful that she’s always been there to guide me as a volunteer.”

Monash Health and the Dandenong Hospital family thanked Ederlynn for her years of service and for making such a positive difference in the lives of others.

For those wanting to give back to their community like Ederlynn, Monash Health has opportunities for volunteers to get involved. To learn more, please visit monashhealth.org/ careers/volunteer

Four teenagers arrested in police raids

A Cranbourne East boy was among the additional four children arrested on the morning of Friday 8 March, as part of a police investigation into a number of incidents linked to the ongoing tobacco dispute.

Warrants were executed simultaneously at five residential addresses in Springvale, Princess Hill, Cranbourne East, Brighton East, and Preston at about 7am.

Four boys were arrested and set to be interviewed by police. They included a 16-year-old Springvale boy, a 14-year-old Princess Hill boy, a 17-year-old Cranbourne East boy, and a 16-year-old Preston boy.

Investigators said they would interview the four boys in relation to an aggravated burglary in Wonga Park, as well as two arson attacks at a Mill Park restaurant and a tobacconist in Ballarat in February.

A white Isuzu D Max and a silver Ford Ranger were stolen during an aggravated burglary in Wonga Park between 10pm on Monday 19 February and 7am onTuesday 20 February.

The Ford Ranger was then utilised in an arson attack at a reception centre in Thomastown on Thursday 22 February.

It was later located burnt out in Bundoora. A 20-year-old St Albans man was charged on Thursday 29 February in relation to that incident.

On Tuesday 27 February at about 3.40am, the Isuzu D Max was involved in an attempted arson at a Mill Park restaurant on The Link.

The D Max reversed towards the front door of the premises and a number of offenders exited the vehicle, with one reaching back in to remove a jerry can.

A witness observed the vehicle and ran

towards the scene, causing the offenders to flee.

The same vehicle was then used the following day in an arson attack at a tobacconist on Sturt Street in Ballarat at about 3.35am.

The store was significantly damaged during the incident.

A short time later, the vehicle was located burnt out on Eureka Street.

A second vehicle, a stolen BMW X1 bearing stolen plates was captured on CCTV in a convoy with the Isuzu.

The BMW was seized from a Springvale address during last week’s warrants.

Four children, including a 15-year-old Springvale boy, a 14-year-old Mulgrave boy, a 16-year-old Mulgrave girl, and a 16-yearold Pakenham girl, were charged on Friday 1 March as part of the investigation into the incidents.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information on any organised crime activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

Leading the way at Tulliallan Primary School

Cranbourne North’s Tulliallan Primary School welcomed a very special guest to award their 2024 leadership team their badges on Monday.

Ian Burridge, regional director of SouthEastern Victoria Region at the Department of Education and Training, attended the primary school’s assembly which acknowledged the leadership positions for 2024.

Even with a moon boot on, Ian delivered a speech to the students and their parents discussing his own expertise in positions of leadership before presenting the badges to the new young leaders of TPS.

The following students were appointed:

· Digital Technologies captains - James and Kirat.

· Green Team - Shraddha, Arshia, Deana and Sayuni.

· Music - Ruby and Abhilesh.

· Art - Tabitha and Marwa.

· STEM - Minoli and Esandu.

· Mandarin - Ashlesha and Marco.

House Captains

· Elder -Walter and Isabel.

· Mitchell - Noah and Abbigail.

· Rossiter - Toby and Navya.

· Strettle - Caidyn and Saba.

Three youths arrested in Cranbourne West

Police have arrested three people after they allegedly evaded police in Cranbourne West on the morning ofWednesday 6 March.

It is understood police initially observed the allegedly stolen vehicle on Flicka Boulevard at about 11.45pm on 5 March.

The vehicle was then followed by Air Wing as it travelled through the Casey Fields area.

Stop sticks were successfully deployed on Berwick Cranbourne Road a short time later.

The three occupants eventually exited the vehicle where they were swiftly arrested by responding officers with the assistance of Air Wing and Dog Squad.

A 21-year-old Pakenham woman, a 19-yearold Cranbourne man, and a 20-year-old Corio man were assisting police with their inquiries, police said.

Investigators believe the vehicle may have collided with other vehicles in the area and they are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, with dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

Man dies after ute fall

A 20-year-old man who fell from the back of a ute in Dandenong on Saturday 2 March has died in hospital.

Police say the Cranbourne man fell while the white Ford Falcon ute was moving in a McCrae Street car park about 6.20pm.

He was taken to hospital where he died on the night of Tuesday 5 March.

The day before, Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives arrested three men.

A 19-year-old Cranbourne East man was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury.

He was expected to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 6 March.

A 19-year-old Hallam man and a 19-yearold Dandenong man were interviewed by police and released pending further enquiries. Small grass fire

CFA responded to a small grass and scrub fire at Clyde-Five Ways Road at around 9.21pm on Monday 11 March.

Ten units responded from Devon,Tooradin, Clyde, Cranbourne, and NarreWarren.

The incident involved a fire through bushes which was not permitted during the Fire Danger Period.

Victoria Police was also called to the scene for traffic management.

The incident was deemed under control at 9.51pm and declared safe 10.11pm.

For more information about regulations during FDP please refer to CFA’s Can I, Can’t I? at cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/firebans-ratings-and-restrictions/can-i-or-cant-i Hit parked cars

Police were called to a three-vehicle collision in Officer which caused a path of destruction.

A 4.5 tonne truck is alleged to have collided with two parked cars and uprooted a large tree on Dahl Drive around 10.30pm on Sunday 10 March.

Police say the driver, a 29-year-old man, provided an evidentiary breath test of 0.157. He was also found to be unlicensed, police say.

Police additionally established the two parked vehicles that were damaged were owned by friends of the truck driver and he was on his way to visit them.

The Officer man was set to be charged on summons with exceeding the prescribed concentration of alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving in a manner dangerous, careless driving, and unlicensed driving.

He will appear in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

This forms part of Operation Arid, a statewide road policing operation aimed at reducing road trauma and lives lost on the roads over the Labour Day long weekend. It ran from 12.01.am Friday 8 March to 11.59pm on Monday 11 March.

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au Thursday, 14 March, 2024 | STAR NEWS 21
IN BRIEF
NEWS
Ederlynn (left) and Monash Health volunteer coordinator Vicky Vasilopoulos (right). Picture: SUPPLIED New school captains Ayush, Maxine, Ravindu and Lannah pictured with Tulliallan staff and Ian Burridge. Picture: AVA CASHMORE

Wellsprings awarded

South East support service Wellsprings for Women’s groundbreaking volunteering project for migrant and refugee women has been crowned with a statewide award.

The service was recognised with the InclusiveVolunteering award at the State’s 2023Volunteering Awards at Government House on 27 February.

Wellsprings general manager Robyn Erwin said its award-winning project aimed to increase the numbers of women from refugee and migrant backgrounds “gaining the benefits of volunteering”.

“Many women arrive in Australia with strong workplace and resilience skills but face many barriers to finding ways to apply these skills and meet their goals to contribute to society.”

Wellsprings’s team included 10 women who had settled in Australia and had volunteering experience themselves.

One of the key staff behind the program was Amina Rezayiee, who came to Wellsprings to learn English several years ago and returned as a volunteer.

Wellsprings itself has about 50 volunteers who support its programs each week. More than 80 per cent are born overseas –“a win-win situation”, says Erwin.

“Wellsprings gains by having volunteers able to assist with communication with participants, understand cultural needs and provide inspiration to participants of what they can achieve.

“The volunteers, many of whom also attend classes at Wellsprings, gain local experience and continue to gain confidence and new skills.”

Wellsprings currently has five other staff who also began at the organisation as volunteers.

The co-design team for the Pathways to Volunteering project included: Fahima Safi,

WHAT’S ON

U-Bute Uke Group

After forming in 2017,the U-Bute Uke Group has since grown into a large and enthusiastic group which meet every Monday from 12.30pm to 2.30pm to play a wide range of music – including rock, country and old standards – at Pakenham’s Outlook Community Centre.

Ideal for ukulele players who enjoy singing and playing in a relaxed happy atmosphere.

· Phone between 8.30am and 4.30pm on 5941 1535.

Hills with Heart

Emerald photographer Tracey Sharp is running the Hills with Heart project, which is aiming to capture the stories of 50 local families with a exhibition at the Hills Hub later in the year. There is a $100 participating fee per family, which will be donated to the CFA or SES brigade of your choice.

· For more information, visit www.sharpmemories.com.au

Bunyip Show

A community show once a year which families can attend. Please encourage your friends and family to attend from 9am to 3pm and get behind this local community event.

· On Sunday 24 March at the Bunyip Recreation Reserve.

Narre Warren Family History Group

The next Narre Warren Family History Group meeting will be held on Wednesday 20 March from 7.30pm at the Cranbourne Library conference room with entry via the Casey Radio entrance at 1/65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road in Cranbourne.

Author Heather Arnold will be this month’s presenter, talking about her new book ’Enchanted Beneath the Bluff’, which tells the stories of some very interesting Melbourne women, who lived their lives on their own terms.

Emerald Rotary Market

A community market in the heart of thehHills. Crafts, produce, collectables, treasures, hot food, fresh coffee, ice cream and so much more will be available. The market will be located behind the shops off Kilvington Drive and opposite the primary school on the oval on Heroes Avenue.

· For more information search for it online or contact 0408 769 491.

Yaneth Orellana,

They shared their challenges, successes, insights and experiences to help co-design and pilot a seven-session program.

It aimed to increase understanding of the range of volunteering roles available, how to value your existing diverse skills and how they can be used in volunteering.

Participants learnt how volunteering can help them reach “life goals” such as re-discovering self-respect, finding a job, further study or social connection.

Wellsprings also delivered a workshop for volunteer organisations to understand the many benefits brought by women from di-

verse backgrounds and how to reduce barriers to participation.

“This can be as simple as having application options that don’t require computer skills,” Erwin said.

The service also developed resources for other groups such as videos in several languages to promote the benefits of volunteering.

These are found onYouTube under the subject Pathways to Volunteering for Migrant & Refugee Women.

The resources are found on the Wellsprings website Resources Hub wellspringsforwomen. com/pathways-to-volunteering-resources or from robyn@wellspringsforwomen.com

The program received an Emerging Stronger grant from the State Government.

Duck race at Noojee Hotel

Saturday March 16 from noon to 5pm at the

Nooj Pub River Flat.

Each year, Variety Bash teams band together and organise a family friendly event aiming to raise as much money as possible for disabled and disadvantaged kids of Australia.

· Bring your family and join in on the fun, as there will be two duck races in the Latrobe River behind the hotel, an ice cream van, kids amusements, a petting zoo, market stalls, face painting, a barbecue and much more.

Open mic for artists

Cardinia Creative Community is a space for animators, artists, musicians, writers, poets, comedians, actors, dreamers, visionaries, dancers, storytellers and creators to come together to support one another to make dreams come true.The group meets on the last Friday of the month from 7pm to 9pm, at the Officer Food Truck Park, 474 Princes Hwy, Officer.

· For more information, visit www.facebook. com/groups/870966037793058

Probus Club of Pakenham East

The Probus Club of Pakenham East is encouraging new members to join.

Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each

Driving road safety

Smart technology in Casey is set to drive ground-breaking research into road safety and waste reduction.

City of Casey has launched its Future Mobility Living Lab (FMLL) which will trial smart mobility technologies to get insight into road safety and schools.

The FMLL will respond to parents’ concerns about student road safety in trips to and from Narre Warren South P-12 as well as during drop-off and pickup times. By installing sensors, data will be collected and analysed by Federation University and Swinburne University research teams. Their recommendations will help inform the school and Casey to improve safety in the local school zone.

The lab will also focus on reducing waste and emissions, and building streets and transport infrastructure with a lower environmental impact. Leading research organisation National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) will also collaborate with the FMLL.

NRTO’s work includes researching construction materials that incorporate recycled waste that would otherwise go to landfill. City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff said the FMLL project aligned with goals of protecting residents and a sustainable environment.

“The Future Mobility Living Lab will takegreatstridestowardscreatingaspace where everyone can feel secure and our city can thrive sustainably as we shape the future of mobility in Casey. “Through Living Lab projects, council can test and implement new ideas and technologies, developed with the active participation of the community, with the intent to deliver better outcomes for our community.”

2024 Parklea Pakenham Show - Wheels on the Farm

Saturday 16 March, PB Ronald Reserve. Free entry to the show featuring rural excellence, marvellous art and craft displays, iconic events and competitions, multi-cultural demonstrations along with new and returning attractions for people of all ages.

· For more information, email pakenhamshow1@bigpond.com.

month at the Cardinia Club, commencing at 10am.

A short meeting is followed by morning tea and the opportunity to get to know members prior to the introduction of the guest speaker. Various activities are held throughout the month.

· For more information, phone Pam on 0427 067 823 or Kevin on 0455 877 737 or e-mail probuspakenhameast@gmail.com.

Housing Support and Advice

Are you experiencing homelessness? At risk of having no safe place to live? Living in low-cost accommodation with no support?

Visit the Pakenham Library and have a chat with a support worker to discuss available options and resources.

· Every Wednesday between 2pm to 4pm. Bookings are not required. If you require more information, please phone Pakenham Library on 5940 6200.

Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club

Are you newly retired, or new to the area, or just wanting to enjoy your freedom, or expand your social life?

Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club can offer you stimulating activities such as weekly social/chat

activities with low key in line dancing if you want to tap your feet and great afternoon teas, day/ short and long trips away via (coach/flights), Weekly Morning Coffee Club, Monthly Saturday Country Pub Lunches, Monthly Evening Dineouts, Weekly Table Tennis Club, Walking Groups, Seasonal Daytime Musical Theatre Outings, and more! We welcome all you gentlemen out there with time on your hands! Ladies, come along, this is your time to meet like minded people and make those new friends.

Come along and get to know the club by visiting on a Thursday at 2pm at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House or join us on a Wednesday at 10am for a Coffee at Little Sparrow Fountain Gate.

· For more information, contact Enquiry Officer Gloria 0468 363 616.

Berwick Springs VIEW Club

Affiliated with The Smith Family, the Berwick Springs VIEW Club is a not-for-profit organisation, with the aim to fundraise to support Learning for Life students.

The club currently supports seven students of varying ages with their education expenses and are about to take on an eighth student.

The club meets on the first Monday of each month in the Berwick Springs Hotel function room from 11.30am, where members enjoy a lunch and then host a guest speaker.

Throughout the year, the club has a couple of special fundraisers, as well as casual morning tea and lunch for interested ladies.

The club is always looking for new members in all age groups.

· For more information,contact Shirley on 0419 878 481 or email berwicksprings.viewclub@ gmail.com

Berwick Bridge Club

Are you looking for some exercise for your brain that is both fun and challenging?

Berwick Bridge Club is looking for new members. There is a free beginner’s course starting on March 4th from 7pm-9pm. No partner required. Lessons are held at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House, 21A Bemersyde Drive, Berwick. The course will run for 6+ weeks on a Monday night.

· To reserve your spot phone Maree on 9702 2348.

22 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 14 March, 2024 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au NEWS
Past show president Geoff Young with grandson Cody, 3, with a huge Steam tractor from Arthur Godden Son & Daughter Steam Amusements on Tour during the 2022 Pakenham Show. 271091 Picture: ROB CAREW Milagros Lopez, Araig Mohamed, Qamaria Habibullah, Patricia Martin, Tamara Penaloza, Mahjabeem Azim, Fakhria Balkhy and Irosha Gamage. Sophea Pan, Uzma Memon, Robyn Erwin and Patricia Martin were part of Wellsprings for Women’s award-winning volunteer project. They are carrying the Inclusive Volunteering Award 2023 trophy. 391957 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

BEGINNING school comes with a whirlwind of emotions and experiences.

Since starting school on January 31, our St Clare’s Foundation students have certainly settled into school life positively, marking a promising start to their academic journey.

School is all about making friends, developing connections and relationships, learning routines and embracing all the new learning that awaits.

The Foundation students at St Clare’s have already built connections with not just peers but also their teachers and other school staff. Teachers and staff have already observed eagerness amongst their young learners, accompanied by a mix of excitement, some trepidation and curiosity.

From lining up to packing their bags, the Foundation students have been introduced to daily routines that provide structure and predictability. Mastering these routines early on, fosters a sense of accomplishment and independence.

At school for only twenty-three days, the progress is already evident!

School is a fascinating place for a Foundation student. At St Clare’s we offer many opportunities for exploration and learning and the enthusiasm we have already observed is wonderful!

Some recent quotes from students include – “I like playing on the playground and playing with my friends.” “I like drawing pictures at school.” “My favourite thing about school is that I love my teachers. And I like learning about the characters that teach us the sounds like Cooper Caterpillar and Felix Frog.”

At St Clare’s,we will continue to work together with Respect,Optimism,Courage and Kindness always in a Safe and inclusive environment.

We welcome families to attend our Open Day on Saturday, 16 March between 10am and 12pm, 2024.

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au Thursday, 14 March, 2024 | STAR NEWS 23 St Clare’s Catholic Primary School Our Faith Leads to Wisdom and Courage. OPEN DAY Saturday 16 March 10am to 12pm School Tours Available Call 5940 6777 ENROL NOW FOR 2025
12675636-HC12-24 My 1st Year P ER PS 2 2 0 4 St Clare’s Foundation

My 1st Year P ER PS 2 2 0 4

We would like to share with you a little about why Cardinia Primary School is so special and lives up to its motto of being a “Caring Family School”.

We are a small country school of 200 children, not far from Officer, Clyde and Pakenham. We provide an excellent education in an environment that is nurturing, catering for every child’s needs. Our classrooms are closed plan, and our class sizes are small. Our experienced and highquality teachers are dedicated to providing the very best education for every child in our care. We have specialist teachers in the areas of Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Science. Our Eco Zone is a place for our children to learn about sustainability and looking after our planet.

We believe that the social aspects of schooling are also important, and we provide a yard experience that is above and beyond expectations. We have four playgrounds; one of these is a fitness track and another has exercise equipment and outdoor musical instruments. Our children love playing in our two cubby houses, and make full use of our undercover basketball court, our netball court, our Ga Ga pit and so much more.

Providing an education in a caring, family environment, our families love to join in with the many traditions we have in our school calendar.

The first of these each year is a whole school beach picnic. We invite families to our school throughout the year as we celebrate Easter, Mother’s, Father’s and Special Person’s days, our art and science show and our end of year Christmas Concert.

We have two Foundation classes, each with its own large classroom - and all children are off to a great start this year. Our teachers combine play-based learning and explicit instruction so that every child learns. We welcome enquiries from out of zone families for our 2025 Foundation classes.

We have vacancies now at some year levels, and for Foundation for 2025. Cardinia Primary School situated at 2405 Ballarto Road, Cardinia or telephone 5998 8323. cardinia.ps@education.vic.gov.au www.cardiniaps.vic.edu.au www.facebook.com/cardiniaps

Looking forward to meeting you.

24 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 14 March, 2024 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au CARDINIA PRIMARY SCHOOL 2405 Ballarto Rd, Cardinia 3978 (03) 5998 8323 cardinia.ps@education.vic.gov.au www.cardiniaps.vic.edu.au www.facebook.com/cardiniaps • A rural school environment • A positive learning environment • Caring and supporting staff • Strong community support • And excellent learning program • Expressions of interest for Foundation members 2025
Cardinia Primary School Offers All Children
12675514-JC12-24

My 1st Year P ER PS 2 2 0 4

Starting school at St James is exciting, whether in Foundation or any year level. Every student is personally welcomed and connected to a buddy. This year, fifteen very excited Foundation students started their primary school journey at St James. They were full of questions, energy and a little apprehension, all of which was embraced by our caring and nurturing staff. A standout for St James is that we are a very small school set in a gorgeous rural setting, while still being just ten minutes from Pakenham.

We have strong focus on providing inclusive, high quality Catholic Education where every learner is supported to thrive.

We deliver a well researched phonics learning to our junior students. This was introduced in 2022 and we have seen a significant development of literacy skills during this time. Every class is supported by our wonderful Education Support Officers, who work closely with classroom teachers to know every child and take an active interest in their stories and learning. Our entire team focuses on the wellbeing, social emotional, spiritual and academic growth of every child. This makes us a great choice for families as we know every child and can cater for their needs. We strive to provide students with a unique and warm environment, including contemporary classrooms, a well resourced and welcoming library, indoor and outdoor sporting areas and purpose fitted art and STEM spaces. Students are challenged in their learning beyond Religious Education, English and Maths. Our students also enjoy learning Japanese, Visual Arts, Physical Education, STEM and Digi- Tech. Our whole school has focused on Design and Technology this year, all were given the chance to turn their hand to woodwork and build a vehicle. Our Foundation students built and painted Monster Trucks. Connections and genuine relationships are one of our first and foremost priorities at St James. We work with students to develop friendships and positive relationships with every member of our school community. One way we focus on this is by ensuring our junior students have a senior buddy. Our Buddy program develops our senior students as mentors while also giving our junior students reassurance and a lot of fun! We begin developing these partnerships while students are still at kinder, with our Year Fives visiting the local kinder.

Enrolments are now open for 2025. We customise our school tours to work around busy family lives. You are very welcome to contact us to arrange a visit, to see what we are and what we can provide for your child. We look forward to meeting you!

St James Catholic School

Committed to your child’s academic, spiritual & emotional development
Where every student is known, nurtured & respected.
pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au Thursday, 14 March, 2024 | STAR NEWS 25 12659921-JC12-24
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR FOUNDATION STUDENTS 2025 WELCOME 60 Nar Nar Goon Rd, Nar Nar Goon
12675638

Foundation First Year School at St Patrick's Primary School 2024

At St Patrick's our Foundation students have settled into the start of their school life remarkably well. There has been much laughter and enjoyment in our classrooms and we are thrilled with the way the students have made the transition from kinder to primary school. There is always something exciting happening in the Foundation classrooms. Students have been learning about our school expectations. What it means to be respectful, resilient, safe,courageous and cooperative. At St Patrick's we value our Catholic identity and our Foundation students have shown enthusiasm towards learning our school prayer. We can't wait to see our students blossom throughout the year.

We pride ourselves on being a Catholic, welcoming school where everyone is valued and respected. Our committed and professional staff

aim to engender a love of learning in every

26 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 14 March, 2024 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au My 1st Year P ER PS 2 2 0 4 Expressions of interest for Foundation students 2025 now welcome Ph: 5943 9000 or email office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au to book a school tour
student. 136 Princes Highway, Pakenham | www.stppakenham.catholic.edu.au | (03) 5943 9000 12659961-KO06-24
provide a safe, caring environment where we
12676086-AP11-24

The power of motivation

TAKING CARE IAN ASH OF BUSINESS

As a business leader, is it possible to motivate your staff or can personal motivation only come from within? There are a range of views on this and it correlates with other similar such questions such as can other people make you happy or are we each responsible for our own happiness? Similarly, can we inspire ourselves or can we only be inspired by others? Whatever the answers to these questions, it is definitely true that leaders can significantly influence the motivation of team members, afterall it is rightly said that staff don’t leave companies, they leave people.

Being motivated just feels great. It gives us purpose, a reason to go above and beyond and the opportunity to achieve things that others may see as extremely difficult or perhaps even impossible. A highly motivated team is typically a high-performance team and you know it when you are part of it for there is no feeling quite like it. There is a completely natural sense of camaraderie and support, time passes without you being conscious of it and results come much more easily, almost effortlessly.Watch some of the great AFL teams over the past few years (Collingwood, Richmond and Geelong for example) and you will see this play out on the footy field itself. It often seems like they have more players than their opposition and there is a high level of self-confidence in their ability to win.

When it comes to motivation, the first thing that any leader needs to recognise is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach as

perience (e.g. those new to a particular job), often they will be motivated by the opportunity to achieve at the tasks they have been set and to learn more so that they can become a more effective and valuable member of the business. This implies that appointment of a Mentor, investment in training and/or a gradual increase in responsibility may well be factors that will have a positive influence on their personal motivation.

For those staff members that have high skill and/or significant experience, a typically different approach is required. For these staff members, training in their role is unlikely to be required but further personal development in an adjacent area may well be welcomed. It is not unusual for some senior staff to become demotivated over time (perhaps by having done the same role for many years), so when a senior member of staff has lost their mojo, a personalised, individual method is required to find out what lies behind this. These staff members may be motivated by a new challenge, the opportunity to make a significant difference or perhaps a better work/ life balance.

When it comes to motivation, the first thing that any leader needs to recognise is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach as everyone is motivated by different things and to different degrees, Ian Ash says.

everyone is motivated by different things and to different degrees. For some it is about winning, status, recognition whereas others may be more motivated altruistic outcomes such as the opportunity to give back to the community or to help other people less fortunate than themselves. Fundamentally, personal motivations are aligned with an individual’s

The Cardinia Foundation Ltd Community Grants Program 2024

Applications are now open

Applications close 5.00pm 19th March 2024

The Cardinia Foundation Ltd is a philanthropic community foundation, raising funds for local community groups throughout the Cardinia Shire, with funds dispersed through an annual grants program. Established in 2003, the foundation aims to support the social, community and physical development of the Cardinia Shire.

Community groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply for a grant in this year’s program. The Community Grants Program aims to support projects aligned with the Cardinia Shire’s Liveability Plan that focuses on food security, housing, crisis support, health, education, social cohesion, the environment, the arts and men's health across the Cardinia Shire region.

How to apply:

1. Head to our website and proceed to the grants tab - cardiniafoundation.org/grants

2. Download the ‘Policy’ before starting the application.

3. Follow the link to apply through our new grant platform.

4. Late applications will not be accepted; applications MUST be submitted on or before 5:00 pm 19th March 2024.

Announcement of successful applicants will be made during May 2024. Applications will close at 5.00pm on 19th March 2024. Please direct any queries to the Executive Officer on email: admin@cardiniafoundation.org

“Your foundation at the heart of the community”

Picture: UNSPLASH

personal core values so if a leader can identify these, the potential to motivate that individual is significantly increased.

While recognition of a person’s core values is clearly important, it is also necessary to understand where someone sits relative to required skills and experience in their role. For those people with low skills and/or ex-

Dealing with people that have become demotivated requires careful handling since factors that influence this may not necessarily be work-related. If an individual is having problems outside of work, then this could well have a direct bearing on not only their performance but how they feel about work in general. While it is clearly not the role of the leader to resolve a staff member’s personal problems, showing patience and offering a listening ear can go a long way to helping the person get back on track.

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au Thursday, 14 March, 2024 | STAR NEWS 27 NEWS We have Double Passes to giveaway to the BBC Earth Experience for each of our newspapers across Victoria.. enter now! Scan the QR CODE to ENTER or visit starcommunity.com.au/competitions For more information on the BBC Earth Experience and tickets, please visit: https://bbcearthexperience.com/melbourne WIN TICKETS This immersive exhibition brings together state of the art audio visual technology and breathtaking footage from BBC Studios Seven Worlds, One Planet on an unrivalled scale. From fireflies putting on a spectacular light show in North America, to snub nosed monkeys huddling together to stay warm in Asia, and cassowary fathers protecting their tiny chicks in Australia, visitors will get to experience our seven continents in all their glory, like never before. Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is the home of this transformative audio visual experience where you will feel like you’ve stepped into the natural world, right in the heart of Melbourne...open until 28th April 2024. WIN TICKETS BBC Earth Experience - the exhibition everyone is talking about! Travel the natural world and journey across the seven continents in one epic experience narrated by David Attenborough. 12673293-KG11-24
Press release – Community Grants Program 2024
12673002-AA09-24

View to help

InternationalWomen’s Day 2024 was celebrated by 137 VIEW Club women and 17 South East clubs at the Dandenong Club on Friday 8 March - the first gathering of the clubs since the Covid pandemic.

Women attending were from throughout the South East and from as far as Bairnsdale. VIEW Clubs are valued members of The Smith Family, with approximately 14,000 members in 283 clubs across Australia.

After aWelcome to Country, Anton Leschen, general manager Victoria for The Smith Family, reviewed how VIEW Club women support The Smith Family Learning For Life (LFL) students throughout the country, sponsoring over 1700 students with donations of $133.5 million annually and growing.

In 2023, 62,822 LFL students received support for books, uniforms, excursions and other learning programs such as reading and study skills.

The Smith Family’s goal is to double that number of sponsored students in the next five years.

A Learning for Life student alumni spoke about his experience in the program, improving his reading skills during prep, advancing in maths and other areas in secondary school, and now pursuing a degree in aeronautical science, maths and commerce at Monash University.

Talented members of the Bairnsdale VIEW Club entertained with several songs celebrating women, ending with a community sing of“I Am Woman”.

The final speaker, Susan Bower, inspired attendees with her views on the importance of womeninourcountryandsharingherlifestory.

Susan eventually reached her writing goals, despite road blocks during her early life when the only options available to women were essentially nursing and teaching - training as a nurse, becoming the youngest and first-ever married charge nurse at the Alfred Hospital, delivering babies and seeing out the dying, sur-

Anton Leschen.

viving a broken family, single motherhood, and eventually finding her way to television as creative producer, writing some of the best known Australian television drama series including A Country Practice, Neighbours, McCloud’s Daughters, All Saints, and A Place Called Home.

‘Retired’ from official writing and producing, Susan is now teachingWriting a TV Series at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, mentoring new story tellers, sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generations.

To learn more about VIEW Clubs, visit thesmithfamily.com.au/view

Free help if you experience sexual harassment at work

A free legal help service for workplace sexual harassment has been launched, with appointments opening at Dandenong Library.

South-East Monash Legal Service lawyer Rohan Sethi is at the library one morning a week for free legal advice appointments.

It’s part of the SMLS’s Advocacy Against Sexual Harassment (AASH) program to combat under-reporting of workplace sexual harassment.

Fewer than one in five people (18 per cent) who experience sexual harassment in the workplace make a report or complaint, Rohan says.

Only 4 per cent see a lawyer.

“Since the AASH program has launched the number of enquiries and cases are a much higher than usual response for intakes.”

Confidential free legal assistance is also given to low-income workers experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage.

SMLS recently represented a young woman at conciliation.

“She demonstrated courage and resolve in sticking to her walkaway figure and insisting on the other party paying not just damages but also demonstrating accountability.

“We negotiated a substantial amount in terms of general damages, apology and the other party agreeing to get anti-discrimination and sexual harassment training for all staff to prevent sexual harassment and discrimination at the workplace.”

According to SafeWork Australia, one in three people (33 per cent) - including 41 per cent of women - say they have experienced sexual harassment at work in the

last five years.

Young women and women from a culturally diverse background are particularly at greater risk.

Women of CALD backgrounds report experiencing sexual harassment at twice the rate of the surveyed population.

“Our team has seen a number of young people coming forward with complaints of workplace sexual harassment, including clients under the age of 18,” Rohan said.

The AASH program is free and confidential. Details: 9545 7400 or 9038 8002 between 9am-4.30pm, or info@smls.com.au

28 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 14 March, 2024 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au NEWS
South-East Monash Legal Service lawyer Rohan Sethi gives free advice on workplace sexual harassment. 392903 Picture: GARY SISSONS
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It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au 12423634-SN31-19 “Reliable Service with Old-Fashioned Care” Maurie - 0407 594 325 ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ 12323574-ACM38-16 V Pets & Services V Massage Therapists A GRADE ELECTRICIAN Qualified & Licensed For prompt & reliable service No job too small • EV Car Charges. Lights, Power Points, Phone, & TV Points. CCTV. Rec 23156. 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SPORT

New concussion protocols

The increased scrutiny and attention on concussion and head injuries in football has seen the AFL introduce a mandatory minimum 21day return-to-play protocol after suffering a concussion for community footballers.

All Australian Football competitions outside of the AFL and AFLW will adopt the minimum 21-day protocol, including VFL, VFLW and Coates Talent League competitions, an increase on the 12-day graded loading program from 2023.

The new guidelines mean that the earliest a player who suffers from a concussion can return to play is the 21st day after the concussion diagnosis, provided they receive a medical clearance and complete the return-to-play program.

The day on which the concussion is sustained is considered Day Zero, with Day One being the day after the game.

For example, should all fixtures occur on a Saturday, the protocols mean that, at a minimum, the player will miss matches on the following two Saturdays.

Should medical clearance be obtained by the player from their medical practitioner, and the player successfully progresses through all three stages of the return-to-play program, the player will be eligible for selection on the third Saturday post the concussion diagnoses, the 21st day since the incident.

The updated guidelines insist on a minimum period of 24 hours or longer for each step of progression through the return-to-play program and, if any symptoms recur during the graded return to training and play stage, the player athlete must go back to the previous symptom-free step.

The guidelines also insist on an individualised approach to return to play where factors such as young age, a history of learning disor-

ders or mood disturbance that may impact on monitoring of recovery, or a history of multiple concussions, may necessitate a more cautious and conservative approach.

Pumped up Pumas ready for Sunday grand final glory

Two junior teams from the Pakenham Pumas Baseball Club have qualified for the grand final set to be held this Sunday at Toomuc Reserve.

After having a bye in the first round, the Pumas’ under-14s were undefeated through 16 rounds of the home-and-away season before winning their way through to the big dance with an 11-7 win.

The club will be looking for its first under14s premiership since 2017-18; coincidentally including the team’s current coach, Harry Reid.

The under-14s team has maintained a core group of eight which all came together

in round four after starting the season with eight members.

Many of the under-18s are in their final year of junior baseball so will be looking to finish on a high after invoking the mercy rule with a 10-0 semi final win.

The under-14s will face Cheltenham, whose only two losses of the season came to the Pumas, while the under-18s will face fourthplaced Williamstown.

Pakenham Pumas had three junior teams this season, as well as a rookie team which didn’t play for points.

The focus of the season has been on enjoyment as they develop their skills in the diamond.

The player must have medical assessment prior to being cleared to return to full contact training with the group and then a further medical assessment before being cleared to

return to play.

AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said the AFL takes very seriously the issue of concussion and the updated community football guidelines reflect the AFL’s ongoing commitment to the health and safety of all present, past and future players.

“The updated community guidelines represent a significant step in the AFL’s existing record of ongoing improvements to its concussion management strategy that reflect medical research and other learnings over time,” Mr Meade said.

“We play a contact sport and there is always going to be risk, however over recent years we have continued to take action to strengthen match-day protocols and amend the Laws of the Game to discourage high contact, and we will continue to do so.

”While there are risks of injury in our sport, we will continue to act to reduce and manage those risks, and there are also many very significant physical and mental health benefits of playing our great game.

“The AFL’s concussion guidelines are the most stringent concussion protocols in Australian sport both at a community and elite level and we are committed to continuing to take action to protect the safety of players at all levels of the game.”

The new community football guidelines and the elite football guidelines are in-step with the recent Australian Institute of Sport’s Concussion and Brain Health Position Statement regarding return to play protocols postconcussion, the AFL said.

The full details of the new community football guidelines will be released in the coming weeks ahead of the community football seasons.

Just Social in rare territory

A 109-peg from Paul has consigned Just Social to back-to-back losses in the South West Gippsland Dart League, upset by Dart Vaders on Tuesday night.

Dart Vaders snuck home with an 8-7 victory to announce themselves to the competition and climb into fifth place, after three consecutive wins.

While it would be a brave move to writeoff a powerhouse like Just Social so early in the competition, the loss could have critical implications come the back end of the season, when finals seedings are determined and premiership glory is on the line.

Outside of the aforementioned nailbiter, high pegs and wide margins of victory were the flavours of round four action in a handful of lopsided contests.

Paul’s 109 was bettered by Jordan from Predators, who threw 120 in his side’s 11-4 win over Bullseyes for the highest peg of the new season to date.

It strengthens Predators’ credentials as a force to be reckoned with, considering Steve, the early-season pace-setter in the ton count, went ton-less.

Six tons each to Ant and Shane helped Cheers comfortably take Railway off the tracks, 14-1.

Mud Rats was handed its first loss of the competition, picked off by the Snipers, led by Dean’s seven tons.

26ers and Gembrook also recorded double-digit margin wins, while Fore registered its first win, over Generals.

Round five will take place on Tuesday 19 March.

Results R4: Cheers 14 v Railway 1, Snipers 14 v Mud Rats 1, Gembrook 13 v Dart Attack 2, Dart Vaders 8 v Just Social 7, Predators 11 v Bullseyes 4, 26ers 13 v Hoodies 2, Fore 9 v Generals 6.

Ladder: Snipers 16, Cheers 16, Predators 16, Gembrook 12, Dart Vaders 12, Mud Rats 12, Just Social 8, 26ers 8, Fore 4, Generals 4, Railway 4, Hoodies 0, Bullseyes 0, Dart Attack 0.

Fixture R5 (19 March): Snipers (1) v Bullseyes (13), Predators (3) v Dart Vaders (5), Mud Rats (6) v Hoodies (12), Just Social (7) v Gembrook (4), 26ers (8) v Cheers (2), Dart Attack (14) v Generals (10), Railway (11) v Fore (9).

30 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 14 March, 2024 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
394874 Picture: SUPPLIED
The Pumas under-14s will play in the grand final at Pakenham on Sunday. Darts
Powerhouse Just Social has lost consecutive matches for the first time in a long time.
348512 Picture: DAVID NAGEL New guidelines surrounding the return to play following concussions have been introduced ahead of the upcoming local football season. 334580 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

One blink and you’re gone

The glory of making a grand final versus the despair of being one short step away; the prize is huge when the CCCA Premier Division semifinals take place at Tooradin and Kooweerup this weekend. Sports Editor DAVID NAGEL runs his eye over the Seagulls, Bulls, Demons and Lions ahead of two enormous contests.

TOORADIN (1) V CARDINIA (4)

TOORADIN

· WIN/LOSS/DRAW: 12-1-1

· RUNS TOP-5: Cal O’Hare 552, Josh Lownds 527, Peter Sweeney 339, Tom Hussey 312, Mick Sweeney 276.

· WKTS TOP-5: Brad Butler 26, Josh Lownds 23, Russell Lehman 19, Peter Sweeney 12, Tyler Evans 9, Kallan Braid-Ball 9.

CARDINIA

· WIN/LOSS/DRAW: 6-7-1

· RUNS TOP-5: Morteza Ali 590, TravisWheller 531, Alex Nooy 442, Jacobus Hynes 362, Matt Welsh 217.

· WKTS TOP-5: Travis Wheller 29, Dean Henwood 18, Josh Browne 14, Matt Welsh 13, Morteza Ali 11.

FINALS HISTORY

Tooradin and Cardinia will play their first twoday final since 2014/15 when the Seagulls and Bulls collide at Tooradin this weekend.

These two most recently played a semi-final in the one-day season of 2020/21; with the top-of-the-table Bulls in considerable trouble, making 8/145 from their 40 overs, before rain washed away the Seagulls run-chase.

In 2021/22, Tooradin broke a nine-year premiership drought when it defended its 7/161 against the Bulls, with champion all-rounder Russell Lehman (51 and 4/24) leading allcomers with both bat and ball that day.

These two were constant combatants in finals leading to that 2015 engagement, which was the fourth year in a row they stared each other down in semis.

Tooradin won the first two of those finals; with 2013 leading to premiership glory, before the Bulls gained revenge in ’14 and ’15.

In 2015, Travis Wheller bowled the Bulls to victory taking 3/11 off 10 over; three days on from his 17th birthday.

BULLET POINTS

· Travis Wheller has bowled 54 maidens from 178 overs; Dean Henwood is next best for the Bulls with 28.

· Josh Lownds has the best bowling average of all finalists; taking his wickets at 9.13.

· Josh Lownds (2.05) and Peter Sweeney (2.30) have the two best economy rates in the league.

· Take the good with the bad. Brad Butler has conceded 55 extras (40 wides, 15 no balls) but picks up a wicket every 26 balls.

· Cal O’Hare (768) and Josh Lownds (750) sit three and four on the balls-faced list this season; behind Pakenham’s Chris Smith (1303) and Dale Tormey (895).

· Despite opening the batting, Morteza Ali (4) has the most not outs for Cardinia this season.

· Tooradin clearly has the highest caliber of not out players, with Dylan Sutton (5), Tyler Evans (5), Russell Lehman (4) and Brad Butler (4) being unbeaten 18 times.

· Travis Wheller (3 x 50, 2 x 100) has had more milestone innings than any player in this match. Josh Lownds is next best (3 x 50, 1 x 100) with four.

· Tooradin has the top-three strike-rates; Brad Butler (168 off 86), Dylan Sutton (235 off 153) and Russell Lehman (243 off 193) of semifinalists to have made more than 100 runs.

· Fire-power at the top. Morteza Ali (20) and Cal O’Hare (19) have hit the most sixes for their teams. Next best is Mick Sweeney (8) and Travis Wheller (7).

THE TIP

Cardinia is the only team to have played in the last three grand finals, and knows how to cause an upset.

Last year the Bulls finished fourth, before crushing top-of-the-ladder Pakenham with an explosive day-one batting performance (9/371) led by Morteza Ali (134).

Ali took the game away from the Lions, before Jake Prosser (63), Leigh Paterson (50) and LachlanVolpe (62*) put the final nail in the coffin.

Ali doesn’t have those three as support

this time around, but will instead rely on the trustworthy Travis Wheller, the unpredictable Alex Nooy, and up-and-coming talent Jacobus Hynes to set up a winning score.

It won’t be easy however, with Brad Butler and Russell Lehman dangerous commodities with the new ball; before Josh Lownds and Peter Sweeney aim to tie things up from both ends.

Tooradin’s batting philosophy is pretty straight forward.

Cal O’Hare, Josh Lownds and Peter and Mick Sweeney will look to bat time; keeping wickets in hand, before the most powerful mid-to-lower order in the CCCA looks to explode late.

Expect Wheller to bowl a marathon spell, having bowled the most overs (178) in the Premier Division this season.

Cardinia will expect to win, that’s its‘always’ approach to cricket…but thisTooradin line-up looks a class above.

The Seagulls will win convincingly and march through to their second grand final appearance in three years.

KOOWEERUP (2) V PAKENHAM (3)

KOOWEERUP

· WIN/LOSS/DRA: 11-2-1

· RUNS TOP-5: Chris Bright 621, Luke McMaster 612, Steven Dillon 458, Gamini Kumara 199, Lachie Ramage 159.

· WKTS TOP-5: Adam McMaster 27, Luke McMaster 18, Matt Bright 18, Steven Dillon 16, Robert Maskiel 11.

PAKENHAM

· WIN/LOSS/DRAW: 9-4-1

· RUNS TOP-5: Chris Smith 989, Dale Tormey 659, Rob Elston 259, Jack Anning 233, Dom Paynter 169.

· WKTS TOP-5 Dale Tormey 27, JasonWilliams 18, Chris Smith 13, James Close 11, Marcus Martini 11.

FINALS HISTORY

One of the great modern-day rivalries will resume at Denhams Road on Saturday when Kooweerup hosts Pakenham.

These two were last scheduled to play in March in the 2019/20 grand final before Covid intervened; handing the Demons their seventh flag in 12 seasons courtesy of their higher ladder position.

That 2019/20 decider was meant to be a mouth-watering tie-breaker, with the Demons sandwiching two premierships (2017 and ‘18) between the Lions’ dual successes in 2016 and ’19.

Despite being regulars at the top of the lad-

der, this will be the first semi-final meeting between the two clubs in the last decade. The Demons won in 2013/14 - due to a Chris O’Hara (5/53 and 65) masterclass – and again prevailed at this stage in 2011/12 after 15-year-old Adam McMaster took 4/36 off 14 overs to turn over the Lions.

BULLET POINTS

· Steven Dillon has the best bowling strikerate of players with 10 wickets or more; taking a wicket every 21 balls, at an average of 13.

· Dale Tormey (31) and Jason Williams (29) have combined for 60 maidens this season.

· Chris Smith has an average of 109.89; next best for Pakenham is Dale Tormey (54.92) and then it drops away quickly to Dom Paynter (24.14).

· Pakenham faced 4143 balls this season; Chris Smith (1303) and Dale Tormey (895) faced more than half of them (2198 = 53-percnt); numbers one and two in the CCCA for that stat.

· Steven Dillon (654) faced the most balls for Kooweerup this season; ahead of Luke McMaster (623) and Chris Bright (593).

· Chris Bright has the most milestone innings (6 x 50, 1 x 100); one clear of Pakenham pair Chris Smith (3 x 50, 1 x 100, 2 x 200) and Dale Tormey (5 x 50, 1 x 100).

· Chris Smith (989 off 1303) and Dale Tormey (659 off 895) bat at a combined strike-rate of exactly 75.

· Kooweerup’s two big guns, Chris Bright (621 off 593) and Luke McMaster (612 off 623) bat at a combined strike-rate of 102.

· These two teams have hit the most boundaries this season; Pakenham (288 x 4s and 32 x 6s) with 320 ‘umpire-signal’ shots; Kooweerup 304 (253 x 4s and 51 x 6s).

· Smith and Tormey have hit 228 of Pakenham’s 320 4s and 6s; Chris Bright and Luke McMaster have 182 of Kooweerup’s 304.

THE TIP

It’s hard to recall a team being more reliant on two players than what Pakenham has been this year.

Having said that, they’re two pretty handy players; with Chris Smith (989 runs and 13 wickets) elevating his game and reputation to another stratosphere in recent times, while skipper Dale Tormey (659 runs and 27 wickets) has had another magnificent season with both bat and ball.

The most amazing stat of all; Smith and Tormey have faced 2198 of the 4143 balls the Lions have faced this season; equating to 53-percent!

It’s an extraordinary figure and just goes to show the pressure that those two will be under this weekend.

And, in Kooweerup, they’ve got an opponent that won’t be shy in reminding them of that fact.

The Lions and Demons have split the points this season, but the Demons delivered the most telling blow on the same deck as this week’s semi-final.

Tormey (116) and Rob Elston (55) had the Lions cruising on day one - at 1/187 - before all hell broke loose.

The Lions lost 9/30, including their last eight wickets for nine runs.

Then last week Smith (98) and Tormey (91) had the Lions at 1/173 against Tooradin, before the final score ended on 9/253…five runs short of their target.

The problem this has created; opposition teams know they’re never out of the contest against the Lions.

Kooweerup has the ideal attack to make sure the Lions don’t even get off to that good start.

Jess Mathers and Adam and Luke McMaster are absolute guns with the new ball, while Steven Dillon, Matt Bright, Mitch Davey and Nathan Voss can do some damage in a hurry.

The Demons also have some reliability issues if Luke McMaster and Chris Bright fail at the top…but have a much better back-up plan than their opponents.

It’s the Demons to edge one step closer to their ninth premiership in 15 years.

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au Thursday, 14 March, 2024 | STAR NEWS 31 SPORT
Josh Lownds sits top-two for Tooradin with both bat and ball this season and will be a crucial player for the Gulls against Cardinia. 393920 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS The exquisitely talented Chris Smith will hold the key for Pakenham when the Lions head to Kooweerup this weekend for a cut-throat semifinal. 393920 CASEY CARDINIA CRICKET ASSOCIATION PREMIER PREVIEW - SEMI-FINALS
32 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 14 March, 2024 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au 12676875-KG11-24
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