News - Pakenham Officer Star News - 11th April 2024

A prominent Cardinia Shire community leader has stressed the importance of water safety awareness following the deaths of six people from the local Indian community.

Clyde residents Dharmvir Singh, 38, and Gurjinder Singh, 65, drowned after leaping into a pool at a Gold Coast hotel to try to save the younger man’s child on Sunday 31 March.

The shocking news came only two months after Victoria’s worst drowning incident in almost two decades where three Clyde North

residents - Kirti Bedi, 20, Suhani Anand, 20, and Jagjeet Singh Anand, 23 - and Reema Sondhi from India, drowned during at Forrest Caves Beach on Phillip Island on Wednesday 24 January.

On 12 January, Cranbourne East man Sahil Panwar, 25, was swept out to sea in the vicinity of the Bourne Creek Trestle Bridge at Kilcunda Surf Beach when he was trying to retrieve his sunglasses in the water.

The Officer Sikh Temple Gurudwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar held a voluntary prayer

service on Thursday 4 April for the shattered families of Dharmvir and Gurjinder. Harpreet Singh Kandra, a community volunteer who helped organise the prayer service, said they tried to build a bit of water safety awareness in the community on the day.

“A lot of people in the Indian community do not know swimming, which is not good.We did tell people that it’s good for everyone to learn to swim,” he said.

“If you can’t learn swimming, you need to be extra careful with water when you are on a

Guiding the way for art

Girl Guides has celebrated a brand-new artwork at their Henry Street Hall on Sunday 7 April which honours the almost century-long history of Guides in Pakenham.

The mural was completed by Simon White, an artist who travels the country creating predominantly murals for local communities.

The mural became a reality after finding the artist for the job and securing a sponsorship with Ray White Officer’s Gavin Staindl.

A prospective artwork at the hall was a long-time passion for district manager Sonya Boloski.

“I was absolutely over the moon, what he has done is everything I could have wished for in the artwork,” she said.

“It has everything, they are tributes to the brownies of the old. It’s all a tribute to guiding in Pakenham.”

On Sunday, an afternoon tea was held at the hall to officially reveal the artwork, with mayor Jack Kowarzik in attendance.

holiday.”

He said there was a need for the media and the community to build up awareness on a wider scale.

“When news is new, people remember it and people can relate to it. But once the news dies down, people again get used to their lives,” he said.

“I have spoken with a few community leaders, and I don’t think it’s a problem in the wider community.

Continued page 3

By Violet Li and AAP

Pakenham

From left,back,Gavin Staindl,Jack Kowarzik, Claire Baker and Jackie Murphy; front,Sonya Boloski,Khloe,Kat,Mia,Miley and Jan Withers. Picture: GARY SISSONS

PM honours young authors

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Young publishers earned the thanks of the Prime Minister at a Sikh festival celebration at Bunjil Place, Narre Warren on Sunday 7 April.

PM Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan recognised the 17 students who co-created the book The Dry Village.

The book is touted as “one of its kind”written in English and Punjabi languages, and set to be donated to Victorian schools by Sikh Volunteers Australia.

The Dry Village tells the tale of a village community coming together to overcome a long-term drought.

Much like the SVA’s own renowned food-relief efforts during disasters across the country.

Mr Albanese and Ms Allan joined a long list of VIPs in traditional Sikh attire at the Vaisakhi harvest festival celebration which also marked SVA’s 10th anniversary.

The Prime Minister later paid tribute to SVA’s “extraordinary work”.

“During the pandemic they provided food for students who were in desperate need for that support.

“During the bushfires, during floods. Wherever there are issues confronting Australians, we see the best of the Australian character and there’s no community organisation that has done more than Sikh Volunteers Australia.

“We see them whether it be here in Victoria, or up in Lismore, wherever there are floods or natural weather events, we see people putting their values into practice by providing that support to their fellow Australians who are in need.”

SVA chief executive Jaswinder Singh said SVA appreciated the recognition from the federal and state leaders.

“They gave a moral boost to volunteers that the things we are doing are good, required and appreciated by the highest leaders. This is en-

couragement to everyone.

“The whole festival was excellent and great. The energy was like a madhouse, a tremendous flow of energy on and off stage.”

The students behind The DryVillage are Divjot Kaur, Balsharn Kaur, Ibadat Kaur, Gunnit

Kaur, Gurnaaz Singh, Harjaap Singh, Jasnam Singh, Keert Kaur, Manjap Kaur, Pritpal Singh, Puneet Kaur, Roop Kaur, Sahib Kaur, Tavleen Kaur, Triptas Singh, Manroop Kaur and Manjaap Kaur.

Also recognised at the event were about 15

youth volunteers who helped SVA distribute food relief in Hastings, Rosebud, Frankston, Noble Park and Dandenong.

State and federal MPs, and members ofVictoria Police, SES, CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria were also invited.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with some of the young publishers recognised by Sikh Volunteers Australia.

Audi pursuit ends in arrests

Police arrested five children, including three from Pakenham, after the alleged theft of a motor vehicle in Narre Warren which led to a prolonged police pursuit through the early hours of Friday 5 April.

It is alleged the children stole a black Audi S3 from a home on the Princes Highway at about 9.30pm on Thursday night, 4 April.

Shortly after, the Audi was allegedly involved in a petrol drive-off at a service station, further along the Princes Highway in Beaconsfield.

Police sighted the allegedly stolen Audi travelling erratically and at a fast rate of speed on the Princes Highway in Chadstone about 2am Friday morning.

Despite officers successfully deploying a tyre deflation device, the Audi allegedly continued to travel at speeds exceeding 150km/h, on its rims, throughout Clayton and Wheelers Hill. Police commenced a pursuit.

The Audi allegedly drove through a roadworks area, forcing a worker to jump from the vehicle’s path to avoid being struck. The worker was not physically injured.

As the vehicle reached Scoresby, police successfully deployed a second tyre deflation device.

The allegedly stolen Audi continued to travel at speeds of up to 130km/h, until finally coming to a stop at the intersection of High Street and Stud Road in Rowville.

Police vehicles boxed in the Audi and officers swiftly arrested five children at the scene.

A 15-year-old Pakenham girl and a 16-yearold Warragul girl were both cautioned in relation to theft.

A second 15-year-old Pakenham girl and a 15-year-old Pakenham boy have been charged with theft. Both were bailed to appear before a children’s court at a later date.

A 14-year-old Seaford boy has been charged with theft, theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving whilst pursued by police, conduct endangering serious injury and bail

offences. He was bailed to appear before a children’s court at a later date.

Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit were assisted Operation Trinity, which runs every single night until dawn in Victoria Police’s most well-resourced frontline policing operation at present.

There are 70 additional police rostered each night, on top of existing patrols.

This includes frontline officers, Highway Patrol members, the Dog Squad, Public Order Response Team, and Air Wing.

As a result of this intense focus, police have made over 1400 arrests relating to burglaries and car thefts – with the overwhelming majority of these offenders’ children. A further 2300 night shift arrests have also been made for other criminal offending due to the strong police presence as part of Operation Trinity.

Water safety plea from local leader amid drownings

From page 1

“Again, we are using the opportunity to make the community aware of water safety and the need for us to learn swimming.

“People come here when they relocate from other countries. They learn driving because driving is an important skill to have here, and we are stressing that swimming is also an important state skill to acquire.”

Holt MP Cassandra Fernando said she was deeply heartbroken about the recent drownings of Dharmvir Singh and Gurjinder Singh, which followed other drowning incidents that have taken the lives of people from the community.

“Every life lost is one too many,” she said.

“When I heard about the incident that took place on the Gold Coast, I could not help but reflect that I had only recently attended the funeral of the four people from the Indian community who lost their lives at Forrest Caves Beach.

“It’s important to drive more awareness about being safe in and around the water.

“While swimming lessons are often a staple in Australian schools, it is important that this is not the case around the world. Similarly, while we’ve been taught to ‘swim between the flags’ since childhood, not everyone is aware of this.”

Ms Fernando said she was currently in discussions with a few Indian community organisations about the steps they could take to improve water safety awareness.

The drowning of two men from Melbourne’s Indian community has also prompted a plea from lifesavers to inject more cash into multicultural water safety programs.

Multicultural communities are five times more likely to drown when swimming and the Indian community is particularly vulnerable, according to Life Saving Victoria.

Following the tragedy, the state’s peak water safety body said urgent action was needed to better support multicultural communities around water, with 28,000 migrants arriving in Victoria each year.

Philanthropic organisations and local governments have been forced to fill gaps in funding, Life Saving Victoria’s diversity and inclusion advisor David Holland said.

“We’re at the stage now where (programs) won’t operate without the generosity and the

assistance of the State Government,” he told reporters on Friday 5 April.

‘‘We’re pretty much tapped out.”

Life Saving Victoria wants to develop the water skills of as many African, Asian, and Middle Eastern people as possible so they can work as pool lifeguards, swim teachers, and volunteers.

“For people who can’t come to the beach and learn, we’ll go to their classroom, church,

sporting clubs, community centre, homework group and we’ll deliver (programs) there,” Mr Holland said.

Victorian Minister Vicki Ward said the State Government had spent more than $400,000 on supporting multicultural community water safety awareness.

“We will continue to work with our communities and... with our swimming industry to see how we can continue to help keep Victorians safe,” she said.

An alleged theft of a motor vehicle in Narre Warren has lead to the arrest of five children.

Picture: ON FILE

Harpreet Singh Kandra,a community volunteer,is calling for more water safety awareness while stressing the need for swimming lessons.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Making tracks on the line

By Matthew Sims

Construction of the new Pakenham and East Pakenham stations and the removal of three level crossings along the Pakenham line continues to progress.

Works, including a 2.5km rail bridge design with a new Pakenham Station and extending the metropolitan rail line two kilometres and building a new East Pakenham Station, are progressing well on site, as crews work to remove three level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road.

The fit out of both Pakenham and East Pakenham stations are continuing, with station signage and seating installed recently on the platforms at Pakenham Station and 80 solar panels added to the roof.

Crews are also working on both station concourses and the underpass at East Pakenham Station which is nearly complete.

With the East Pakenham and Pakenham works launching last June, including the decommissioning and removal of the existing tracks and the construction team installing drainage structures in Deep Creek and Pakenham Creek, the team got to work on installing the ballast and sleepers along the line, with the Pakenham project using 60,000 tonnes of ballast.

Metro Trains senior project engineer Rhys Glowaski said the project is using concrete sleepers, replacing the old wooden ones, which have been donated to Walhalla Goldfields Railway, and old concrete sleepers, donated toYarraValley Railway.

“In East Pakenham, we are laying around 6000 sleepers, and on an uninterrupted day we can lay as many as 1600 sleepers,“ he said.

“Concrete sleepers have a better life expectancy and can handle larger train wheel loads over the traditional timber sleepers.“

At the Pakenham Station car park, crews are installing kerbs, and getting ready to place asphalt later this month.

The concrete piers under the elevated rail line are painted with a bright blue to indicate the active areas in the open space; the exercise area, the playground, and the basketball court.

The level crossings at Main Street, McGregor Road and Racecourse Road in Pakenham are three of 22 crossings being removed on the Pakenham Line, which will be level crossing free by next year.

This year, the three level crossings will be gone, and new stations open at Pakenham and East Pakenham, as well as six MCGs worth of community open space created for locals to enjoy.

Works on the new Pakenham station roof.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Pakenham station works are coming together.

The new Pakenham Station includes 80 solar panels.

Workers putting together the overhead lines at Pakenham Station. Works at Pakenham station while the sun sets.

The concrete piers under the elevated rail line have been painted a bright blue to indicate where the active areas will be.

The East Pakenham station works are also coming together.

East Pakenham station sunrise.

Teen court date after crash

Two Pakenham children are among the three charged following a collision involving an allegedly stolen vehicle in Berwick on Tuesday 9 April.

Police alleged a grey Mazda 3 collided with a vehicle and then a traffic light at the intersection of Gloucester Avenue and Princes Highway at about 10.50am.

The teens inside the vehicle fled the scene on foot but were arrested in the area by police with the assistance of the public.

Police have alleged the Mazda was stolen from a business on Princes Highway in Narre Warren just before 1.15am on Tuesday 9 April.

Police have charged a 15-year-old Pakenham boy with theft of a motor vehicle, burglary and theft, with the boy bailed to appear in a children’s court at a later date.

Police also charged two 14-year-old girls, from Chelsea Heights and Pakenham, with

theft of a motor vehicle, with the girls also bailed to appear in a children’s court at a later date.

A 14-year-old Seaford boy was taken to hospital and was yet to be interviewed, police said on Tuesday.

Three CFA units responded from Beaconsfield, Berwick and Nar Nar Goon.

The incident was deemed under control at 11.12am.

A witness, who was one of the first people on the scene and provided support to those involved in the collision, described the aftermath of the crash as “traumatic”.

“I heard the screech and I stood up and I saw the car,” they said.

“Someone is going to get cleaned up there one day.”

Another bystander described the incident as “pretty scary”.

The crash caused extensive damage strewn across the footpath. Pictures: SUPPLIED

The crash attracted a number of onlookers along High Street and Gloucester Avenue.

Fighting for disease cure

By Violet Li

An annual fundraiser for promoting awareness and supporting research for Huntington’s disease will be held at Selandra Rise Retirement Village in Clyde North on 27 May at 2.30pm.

It’s been organised by a Selandra resident who lost his wife and son to the fatal sickness.

Maurice Browne has been involved in the Huntington community for decades after discovering his wife carried the gene and passed it on to three of their six children.

“It [the disease] affects the central cortex of the brain. The main symptoms are neurological disorders, balance problems, depression, and confusion,” he said.

“Your reflexes slide down. Your swallow gets compromised. You choke because of the compromise.

“You suffer from personality disorders... [and] mood swings.”

The tragedy first hit the family in 2007 after his wife lost her battle to the disease. Seven years later, their eldest son also succumbed to the same illness.

Now, their son Philip and daughter Sharon are in the late stages of the disease, constantly in care.

“Sharon is in a very bad way at the moment. She’s lost weight, and she has trouble talking and walking,” Maurice said.

Maurice’s grandsons Mitchell, 34, and Philip, 37, have also been diagnosed with the disease.

“It’s a long journey. We’ve been through emotional roller coasters,” Maurice recalled.

“It’s one crisis after another, but we’ve got through so far. We’re sticking together.”

Maurice has organised many fundraising events since 2001 to help gain more exposure to the disease and funds for a cure.

“We raise money for Huntington’s Victoria in May to coincide with the Awareness Month, in the form of raffles, and auctions,” he said.

“All the money raised will go to research to find a cure.

“Last year we raised about $2700 and usually we raise close to $3000.”

Afternoon tea will be provided on the fundraising day. Any donation would be gratefully accepted.

Maurice and fundraising organiser Gillian Clegg would like to say a great thank you to Tobin Brothers Funerals Cranbourne branch manager Alan Muller who has donated generously to this year’s fundraiser.

For more information, call 5991 5526.

Kids left ‘high and dry’ at future Doveton Pool in the Park

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A residents group says young families may be left ‘high and dry’ if toddler pools and water slides are removed from a redeveloped Doveton Pool in the Park.

Doveton Eumemmerring Township Association chair Stefan Koomen said “many local families believe that at least one slide and shallow pool need to be kept for younger children”.

“If you don’t have anything fun for little ones, families are less likely to use the pool.

“This will impact the long-term viability of the pool’s operations.”

Recently, Casey Council committed to $7.91 million of stage 1 funding to retain the 50-metre pool and splash pad facilities only.

It is awaiting state and federal funding to help fund further stages including a possible beach sand pit, plaza, canopy tree planting, upgraded splash pad, playground, outdoor fitness equipment, barbecue, toilets and upgraded pool building.

Mr Koomen welcomed the funding to

OPINION

LENSCAPE

save the historic pool but raised his concerns at a recent meeting with the council.

“We’ve asked the council to reconsider the removal of all slides and smaller pools and are eager to work with them to ensure

the design and investment align with community needs.

“It’s vital to have a shallow area for little swimmers to get confident with water in a safe controlled environment, suited to their size and ability.”

He said it would also be “such a shame” to remove the slides which were “notstalgic” for residents who “grew up spending their childhood summers at Doveton Pool”.

After a fierce community campaign in 2021, Casey Council reversed its plans to replace all of the pools with parkland.

Casey’s city and asset planning manager Keri New said community feedback in 2021 showed a “strong sentiment to retain the pool whilst supporting year-round elements such as a park and water play”.

“Doveton Pool in the Park annual visits identify that school carnival users make up approximately 75 per cent of the annual visitation, with the remaining visitation being community visits.”

Ms New said several “activations and programs” would be offered to ensure the 50

metre pool would be used by people of all ages and abilities, including young children and families.

She said the community, including DETA, had been engaged during a public exhibition of the site’s masterplan in mid-2022.

“In light of council’s recent endorsement to stage the delivery of the master plan and fund stage 1, council will be informing the community of this decision and will continue to advocate to State and Federal Governments, seeking funding commitment to deliver future stages.”

For the past two summers, the outdoor pools has opened on days 25 degrees Celsius and hotter – a reduction from the previous 30-degree temperature trigger.

However, attendances were down. In 43 days of operation in 23-’24, there were 5836 visitations – thought to be due to the lack of extreme heat days.

The Doveton Pool was developed in 1968 after a long campaign of community fundraising in response to drownings in Eumemmerring Creek.

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs up

To free junior footy back at Catani Football and Netball Club starting soon.

Thumbs down

To Federal MPs who ignore their constituents’ emails. Do your job and represent us.

Thumbs down

To the ridiculous amount of storm debris lying all over the road sides that council do nothing about. It’s either one good wind gust away from ending up on the road or it’s blocking drains from running properly, creating a whole host of other issues.

Thumbs up

To all the unfinished roadworks on the highway and the way the move on to another part without finishing anything.

DETA chair Stefan Koomen with daughters Frankie and Georgie at Doveton Pool in the Park last summer.

Bubbles and foam cover the enthusiastic crowd at the Casey Kids Carnival in Berwick. 399019

Maurice with pictures of his son with the same name, Maurice, and wife Mary. Standing by him is Gillian, who helps with the fundraising. 399731 Picture: ROB CAREW

THE LOWDOWN

Q&A with Casey Council Young Citizen of the Year Maya Pinn

Tell us about yourself and your roles!

I am first and foremost a single mum to two beautiful children: Lloyd (six), who has a rare genetic condition, and Elsie (four). I am the owner of RareWear (an adaptive clothing brand),afulltimeuniversitystudentundertaking Honours at The University of Melbourne, an administration officer and volunteer at Syndromes Without A Name (SWAN) Australia, a Community Champion at Association for Children With a Disability (ACD), a member of the Nepean School Council, and an associate investigator on two research projects within the health science sector.

What do you love the most about your work?

Providing opportunities to further increase accessibility and disability inclusion from policy to the ground, and helping families of children with a disability in all surrounding communities.

What was your most memorable moment during your current role?

This is tough! I’m so very grateful to have had many significant opportunities and memorable moments throughout my various positions, but if I had to pick one, it would be the surprise of being named 2024Young Citizen of the Year by the City of Casey.

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

A monkey. I’m a bit of a jokester, but also strategic and agile.

What were you like as a kid?

Inquisitive and empathetic, with a tendency to push boundaries.

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

Peter Brock winning Bathurst for the last time in 2003 in his 7LV8 Holden Monaro. I was born and bred a Holden girl, if you couldn’t tell.

NEWS

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

My great grandma who passed away at 100-years-old in 2020, Stephen Hawking, Elvis, Bobby Darin (to duet with Elvis, of course), Steven Bartlett (author of Diary of a CEO), and Mel Robbins (who has helped me more than she will ever know via her podcast).

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

I asked them! The answers were: 1) persistent, 2) eclectic, and 3) determined.

What would you do on your perfect day off?

Head off into the Dandenong Ranges for a long

hike to a waterfall destination, with Lloyd in a carrier on my back and Elsie happily alongside me.

Where is your happy place?

Sitting at the Harkaway Cemetery at my grandparents’ grave, picnicking with my beautiful kids, and telling them stories about Grandma.

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

Vegetarian lasagne.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

The Northern Lights (whether in Iceland, Norway or Sweden).

THREE … upcoming celebratingevents Eid

1

Eid @QVM - 13 and 14 April

Known for its bustling markets and delicious food, the Queen Victoria Market will be hosting an exciting two-day event in celebration of Eid. People are invited to come and immerse themselves in the diverse Muslim cultures, ranging from Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, Bosnia, South East Asia and the Subcontinent through a mouthwatering culinary journey and interactive art offerings.

2

The Eid Show at Broadmeadows Town Hall - 19 to 21 April

Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, The Eid Show boasts an unmissable collection of multicultural food kiosks and trucks, exhilarating rides, stalls, fireworks and stage shows, making for a family outing that is perfect for all ages.

3 Hakaya (Stories) of Eid 2024 at Bunjil Place - 27 April

Visit Bunjil Place for an interactive day of storytelling in an event that honours Eid’s diverse narratives and traditions across different cultures The day will feature cultural performances, exhibitions, and workshops.

Take it easy around here

By Ethan Benedicto

Through speed humps, road islands and wet weather, Saffron Drive in Hallam continues to see its fair share of reckless drivers, or what Glenn Williams prefers to term, hoons.

Village manager of Saffron Grove Retirement Village, Mr Williams is no stranger to the almost-daily dangerous driving on both Saffron Drive and Nettle Drive.

These two roads surround the retirement village, and serve as what Mr Williams called a “rat run”.

“[Drivers] try to avoid the lights at the corner of Hallam Road, so they come down Nettle Drive and then they go through Saffron Drive,” Mr Williams said.

“One day somebody’s going to come down this road hard, hit the speed bumps, lose control and they’ll end up in the village.”

While there are traffic management devices present on Saffron Drive, with multiple speed humps and islands, Mr Williams said they do little to hinder the frequency of these incidents.

The pink brick entrance driveway of the retirement village is no stranger to tyre skid marks which for Mr Williams, “is insane”.

“They just go over them, you stand here and you watch those cars going over those speed humps and they just fly over them.

“My biggest concern is somebody exiting the village and another person is going to be coming up the end that quick, and just clean them up.

“Because the little islands they have here are pretty much racing cones aren’t they? They go through those pretty quick,” Mr Williams said.

According to Keri New, the City of Casey’s manager of city and asset planning, the council is “aware of community concerns regarding hooning and speeding along Nettle and Saf-

fron Drive in Hallam”.

“In response to this, council has programmed updated traffic surveys in the next school term at the area adjacent to the Retirement Village to determine current traffic volumes and speeds in these streets.

“Should speed data prove concerning then this data will be forwarded to Victoria Police and a request for enforcement at these locations,” Ms New said.

With his office situated at the front and corner of the village, alongside the cameras that surround the area, Mr Williams gets a clear view of the comings and goings of vehicles on Saffron Drive.

“The motorbikes go between the speed humps anyway, it doesn’t slow them down whatsoever.

“For [drivers], there’s no point in slowing down because the cars are big enough to absorb them, and it’s more when they come into the driveway like that which concerns me enormously,” he said.

Mr Williams can’t seem to wrap his mind around the ‘why’ of the incidents.

“I don’t understand, realistically, why they are coming to this little area here to do their burnouts.”

For the council, road safety is addressed through several programs such as a Local Traffic Management (LTM) Program, which provides annual funding for the installation of traffic calming devices throughout the municipality.

“This program assesses and prioritises roads based on data such as traffic speeds, traffic volumes and number of accidents,” Ms New said.

“Factors such as proximity to schools, shops and playgrounds are also taken into consideration.

“Hooning is a key concern for the Casey community and was identified as a high priority in Casey’s Community Perception of Safety in 2021.

“Council has since participated in a Victorian Ministerial Reference Group (2023) and works closely with Victoria Police to support enforcement and operations around hooning behaviour in Casey.”

Safety is a big concern for Mr Williams, not just for the residents of the village, but for those that live in the area as well.

“There’s a retirement village, there’s a church, there’s a park, and there’s always kids in the park you know.

“We’ve got bus stops here and another on the other side of the road, and realistically there’s no safe place for the residents to cross.

“This isn’t something I want to do for myself, it’s making sure that they’re [the residents] safe and let’s face it, they’re getting older, their reflexes may not be as good as what they once were.

“And if you get somebody hooning up the road, it doesn’t take much for the residents to come out and see that there’s nothing there initially, but then all of a sudden there is,” Mr Williams said.

He’s also afraid that his concerns “have fallen on deaf ears”.

“We’re not respecting the dangers of a motor vehicle, and the council’s explanation would most likely be that they’re a caretaker council so therefore they’re going to wait until the real council’s elected.

“I do get that, but there’s always going to be some excuse with the council, and the police know that this is an issue here and I have no doubt that they don’t have the manpower, but should that make all the residents here suffer?” Mr Williams said.

For Ms New, residents reporting incidents is a key factor in curbing the numbers, saying that “staff undertake outreach with the local community and speak with residents directly to encourage reporting”.

Furthermore, Ms New said that enforcement is a police responsibility, and urged residents who have witnessed dangerous driving to report it to Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1800 333 000.

According to Glenn Williams,village manager at Saffron Grove Retirement Village,these tyre skid marks are too common along the village and further down the road. Picture: ETHAN BENEDICTO

Maya Pinn. 399275

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Win for disability inclusion

By Emma Xerri

At only 25, Maya Pinn is paving the way for disability inclusion across the City of Casey, turning her self-described “over-enthusiastic” efforts into a well-deserved Casey Community Award win as the 2024 Young Citizen of the Year.

As a disability inclusion advocate, business owner and single mother to two children, Ms Pinn has taken matters into her own hands, after her now six-year-old son’s diagnosis with rare genetic condition IQSEC2-related disorder inspired her to seek much-needed change in a flawed system.

“My advocacy work came about after I had to advocate for two years to get genetic testing for my son, Lloyd, after I had done every test known to mankind to find out why he had such a severe global developmental delay.

“The average Diagnostic Odyssey for receiving a diagnosis is seven to nine years, and 30 per cent of children with a rare genetic disease pass away before they’re five.

So I think it’s so important that these are caught early on.

“If there’s going to be a life-limiting condition, and there’s no cure right now, then how can we improve the quality of life for the child and their families so that they have the best five years?”

Ms Pinn’s advocacy work began in 2019 when she first connected with Syndromes Without a Name (SWAN) while awaiting her son’s diagnosis.

Five years on, she is still devout in her work with the organisation, moving into a paid administration role, while continuing her volunteer work in peer support by providing advice to families, lending an ear for their diagnosis stories and connecting them with research projects.

Her work with SWAN has also seen her become involved with the Community Advisory Group, through which she has advocated against issues like Discrimination Against Genetic Testing in Life Insurance, which stops life insurance companies from increasing your premium or denying you health or life insurance due to genetic tests.

Outside of SWAN, Ms Pinn dedicates some of the remaining hours in her busy week to the Association for Children with a Disability (ACD), volunteering as a community champion and advocating on behalf of the organisation in issues regarding the NDIS, while offering her experience in the creation of training modules for inclusive playgrounds.

“My six-year-old, Lloyd - who has a rare genetic condition, is in a wheelchair, is non-verbal, has a severe intellectual disability, and is

PEG-fed now - has completely different needs from my four-year-old, who is neurotypical and can walk, talk and run,” she said.

“So, how do you include them both in the park at the same time?

“And it’s not just my family that I’m providing this sort of feedback for.

“Trying to keep everything as inclusive and accessible as possible not only suits me but the families around me.”

Supporting her two children and continuing to pursue higher education, Ms Pinn also runs an adaptive clothing business, called RareWear, that aims to“help parents lessen the stress for simple daily tasks like getting their kids ready in the morning”.

“A lot of families don’t even know that things can be easier,” she said.

“So I hope to make mine and their lives easier so we have more time for fun and connection.”

And having just celebrated its first birthday, the founding of her clothing business took place while studying a Bachelor of Health Science full time, which she just finished in 2023, and working at her local auto retail store 25 hours a week.

During this time, she also volunteered with the Royal Children’s Hospital Family Advisory Council, and at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, where she is now doing her honours in increasing diversity in Australian genomics, with The University of Melbourne.

“I try to do as much as possible,” she explained.

“I’m not good at being bored, or relaxing for that matter, so I’m very strategic in how I plan my days, weeks and months.

“I’m also really lucky to have such a great community around me in terms of my family, with my parents and sister, and also my best friend, work colleagues and, of course, groups

like SWAN and ACD, who have always been really supportive, especially when I need disability-specific advice.

“And I have so many calendars, it’s not even funny. I have two on my phone, one on my email, two physical calendars in my kitchen, and I do a weekly one as well.

“But the key for me in balancing everything is passion. When you’re passionate about it, it doesn’t feel like work.”

Hoping to help lighten her mum’s load is four-year-old Elsie, who has taken the busyness of her little life in her stride, and works alongside her mum to make the things that could otherwise be burdensome more fun, naming Lloyd’s medical devices fun things like Peggy and Tricia, and helping with her favourite job of changing the “Peggy pads” twice a day.

While she is still “shocked” by the award, Ms Pinn hopes that her win can help raise greater awareness for her work and for disability inclusion as a whole throughout the City of Casey and beyond.

“I think my win is a great opportunity to really make a big impact on families in the City of Casey predominantly, but also statewide and nationally, by building a community for children like mine.

“And children turn into adults too, so this way we will have people to turn to when they finish school, and around guardianship.

“This is all information that shouldn’t be kept from these families, and I don’t think anyone should ever be alone.

I know what it’s like to feel isolated, so I hope to lessen the mental health impact on families and help them find more people like them.

“Because from my standpoint and experience, we can do a lot better with disability inclusion, and it doesn’t have to be hard.”

Maya Pinn with her kids Elsie and Lloyd. 399275 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Cancer support recognition

By Ethan Benedicto

Being heralded as one of a city’s most upstanding citizens - whether through commendation for your deeds, representation of a people, or a combination of both and everything in between - is a title many would be honoured to have.

As is the case for Jodie Hollis, who was named City of Casey’sWoman of theYear on 22 March, for her outstanding commitment and contribution to the community through her work and personal endeavours.

Jodie’s repertoire made its mark in 2017 through her volunteer work for the NarreCranbourne Relay for Life and in recognition of her involvement with the locality, she was given the Holt Australia Day Award in 2020.

Fast forward to 2024, Jodie said that while she was initially shocked to have won, the award has pushed her to strive for more.

“I feel excited and elated, to tell the truth, knowing who I was up against in that category - they were just so deserving of the award that it’s a pity they couldn’t give it to all of us.

“It seems that almost every year there’s another [award] under my or the charity’s belt and it does, it pushes me to continue to hit new levels and raise the bar day in and day out with Cancer Support Angels,” she said.

A not-for-profit organisation that focuses on providing direct practical, financial and emotional support to those undergoing cancer treatment, Cancer Support Angels was Jodie’s ultimate ambition and is not a centrepiece of her life.

“Back in 2013 when I had my own journey with thyroid cancer, I was looking around for support groups and I just couldn’t find any,” she said.

“I could only find online groups and also no financial support services besides Centrelink; that was one of the things that made me

‘It’s

By Violet Li

A futuristic semi-open piece of impressive architecture is tucked away in the quiet neighbourhood of Lifestyle Meridian in Clyde North.

The white front wall says it is a microgrid and battery house. Inside the structure, a lineup of contained batteries stands on one side and faces two digital screens installed on the opposite wall: a monitoring dashboard for the homeowners to see how much energy they are saving and an educational cartoon for kids from the surrounding schools to learn how the microgrid works.

Innovative solar energy and battery microgrids are emerging as a certainty to save homeowners in the lifestyle community up to 30 per cent on electricity bills, a comfort when power bills bite.

The innovation has been the largest of its kind in a residential community in Australia, a partnership with renewable energy solution provider Mondo that started almost two years ago.

“It’s a renewable energy microgrid that has turned this community into a self-serving virtual power plant that meets a large portion of its own energy needs,” Mondo business and market development manager Max Karmali explained.

“We’ve distributed the rooftop solar systems across the community on a selected number of roofs. Then our energy management technology Ubi connected these rooftop solar systems to a centralised commercial battery for energy monitoring and reducing the energy import from the national grid.

“The more energy you generate, and you use at your own sites, then the less energy you need to use from the national grid. Therefore, it reduces the cost of electricity for the homeowners.”

Clean, low-cost energy is generated from 6-kilowatt solar panels placed on every third home acting as nodes in the grid network. The microgrid will, it is estimated, reduce emissions by roughly 600 tonnes every year.

go ‘maybe I should look into starting a support group for people with all cancers’.

“While every single person’s journey is different, I find that we’re talking about similar things,” Jodie said.

Jodie founded Cancer Support Angels in 2019 and is entering its fourth year of service to the community.

The journey itself had not been easy, however, and began with Jodie selling her previous business to volunteer for three years to gain insight into the people and their needs.

The organisation officially launched on 16 March 2020 and was met with a tumultuous road to begin its journey.

“When we did start in December we were hit by bushfires, and then when they died down we had severe flooding throughout the country.

“Everything from that died down, and we just started out first moral support groups and whatnot, and then around 22 March I fell over and had a a bad accident,” she said.

Jodie had broken her ankle and torn a few

That’s the equivalent of filling 120 hot air balloons.

A number of parameters were considered when the crew installed the solar panels such as sunshine, the development pipeline, and the orientation of the houses.

More north-facing and west-facing roofs were used to capture more sunshine

ligaments, and after undergoing surgery she came home at the beginning of the series of lockdowns.

“There was trying to overcome the navigation of children studying at home, not being able to go anywhere and also not being able to do anything since I was stuck in a wheelchair.

“I had to sit there and say, ‘how am I going to navigate online?’, I’m not a marketer, I’m a bookkeeper.

“I just sat there and continually posted every day, we came up with new strategies but finally we got a really large donation from Village Cinemas in Fountain Gate to start our care packs,” Jodie said.

The cogs began turning for Jodie, and with the help of a then-young advertising firm that offered their services free of charge for a month, the not-for-profit moved towards its full potential.

“In the first few days that they were working for us and doing all of our online content, we had 2000 requests for care packs and we had to put it on hold after nine days so I could pack them.

“We started the campaign again, and within 12 days we had another 2000 requests for packs, so they kind of catapulted us nationally in that respect pretty quickly.

“We just had to realise that our presence was going to be more online than it was faceto-face, it was a massive pivot from what we originally planned, but thank God it worked,” Jodie said.

Moving forward, the Cancer Support Angels is a combination of both online and in-person support, with the launch of face-to-face support groups in Casey.

At any given time, there are roughly 70 to 80 active volunteers for the organisation, and with over 5000 patients already supported, Jodie and the Angels are looking to spread their influence and work state-wide.

“It’s not necessarily just about the cost savings upfront, but it’s also about what it does for the way of living,” she said.

“It’s the way of the future.

“You could also bring young children in and show them this and show them how sustainability is important for the environment.”

Lifestyle Meridian construction manager Jennifer De Baize believes the whole idea of a microgrid system is making the place a sustainable community.

“We want to reduce the cost for our homeowners so that it is a much more affordable way of living for them as well, but then we would also be able to divert that energy out as a sustainable company,” she said.

The key uniqueness of the project was that there had been lots of applications of solar panels, but the use of battery was what differentiated the experiment in the lifestyle community.

throughout the year.

“Every solar system has now been installed. We are connecting more and more grids to the batteries. I think we are close to 90 per cent of the grids connected. And more benefits will flow through,” Max said. Homeowner Gemma Brown is one of the many who loves such renewable innovation.

“Other people would just use the solar and that’s it. But this is the first and largest of its kind with solar and battery microgrids in a land lease community,” Max said.

“The design that we have put is quite unique in the country.

“We’re very proud of this system. It’s such a great service.

“Everyone can benefit from this locally generated energy, locally stored energy, and locally used energy.”

Jodie Hollis began her journey with Cancer Support Angels in December 2019, and the not-forprofit has since grown exponentially.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Approval despite concerns

By Violet Li

Federal Environment Minister has approved housing development on about three hectares of endangered bandicoot habitats near Cranbourne’s botanic garden, which wildlife conservation expert says would be a huge blow for the species and contribute to its further population decline.

The approval would lead to 3.1 hectares of dense vegetation cleared by Brown Property Group for future housing.

A Department of Environment spokesperson said the department approved the residential development at 40-46 Cyril Beechey Lane in Cranbourne following a rigorous assessment under national environment law.

“After considering the proposed avoidance, mitigation, and offset measures for the endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot (eastern), the minister’s delegate approved the action, with strict conditions to protect the environment.”

The approval conditions imposed include that the developer must maintain a 30-metrewide biodiversity corridor along the eastern boundary of the residential development area,

which is believed to provide habitat connectivity for the bandicoot, between the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne to the south and Grandeur Nature Reserve to the north.

To offset the clearing of the habitat, the developer will also need to conserve a 10-hectare site in Ocean Grange in Victoria.

Professor of wildlife and ecology at Deakin University Euan Ritchie said as the species had been endangered in Victoria and the population had been declining, any destruction of remaining habitat, particularly good habitat at the Cranbourne address, would be another blow for the species and contribute to further decline of the population.

According to an ecology report by consultancy Ecology and Heritage Partners, bandicoots were detected on 17 occasions during 17 surveyed nights, which Mr Ritchie said was a pretty high number that suggested the area was a very good habitat for the species.

“The more you fragment and make existing patches of habitat smaller, the harder it is for species like the Southern Brown Bandicoot, which is ground-dwelling, to move through the landscape because you’ve got a cleared area as opposed to a suitable habitat,” he said.

Walking for a cause

On 27 March 2024, 18 Inner Wheel members and friends gathered together and walked around the Lake near the Officer Club, Pakenham to raise vital funds for Cord Blood Research.

This fundraising is the Inner Wheel Australia National Project – Cord Blood Research to ‘give a loved one a second chance in life’.

It was a beautiful sunny morning and one that encouraged all to give it a go, and while doing so they enjoyed each other’s company while clocking up the kilometres.

Each March, this fundraiser is held and it is supported by all Inner Wheel clubs in Australia.

This project was launched in 2002 and has now raised in excess of $3 million.

Researchers are working in a variety of medical fields. Using the stem cells contained in just 30ml of cord blood collected from donated placentas can save a child’s life.

For further information please contact iiw.au.pakenham@gmail.com

“The species has really contracted massively in the Greater Melbourne area largely due to urbanisation - so the destruction of their habitat for housing.

“And if we’re going to try and maintain this endangered species in Melbourne’s outer suburbs, we just can’t afford to keep destroying the good quality habitat.”

The approval conditions also stipulated that the developer must implement a Fauna Corridor Management Plan across a span of five years.

The plan would transform the woodland

into shrubland to meet the requisite separation distance between the proposed development and the vegetation, by selectively removing trees with overlapping canopies and gradually replacing understory weeds with native species.

Casey Council has just endorsed a planning permit amendment to rezone the land from the Farming Zone to the General Residential Zone in March. It will request the Planning Minister to authorise the preparation and exhibition of the amendment and community engagement will commence at the public exhibition of the amendment.

John Burhop, Deb James, Jenny Watson, Col James, Anne Sheean, Bronwyn Kennett, Maureen Lindau, Marg Macdonald, Gary Board, Marlene Burhop, Joy Board, Sue Blenkhorn, Pam Chalmers, Pat Harman, Jan Ahern, Marcia Rook, Gayle van Diemen and Alma Elliott.

Federal Environment Minister has approved housing development on about three hectares of endangered bandicoot habitats at 40-46 Cyril Beechey Lane in Cranbourne. 396248 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS Southern Brown Bandicoots are active in the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne area. 262016

FOCUS ON … DISABILITY

A shining beacon of hope

In an era where mental health challenges are increasingly recognised and acknowledged, the importance of dedicated support cannot be overstated. Organisations like Seachange, with their unwavering commitment to providing tailored assistance to individuals grappling with complex mental health conditions, are beacons of hope in our communities.

At the heart of Seachange’s ethos lies a profound understanding that each client’s journey is unique. Their approach is not about fitting clients into preconceived moulds but rather about finding the perfect match between client and support worker. This personalised approach ensures that clients receive the support they need in a manner that resonates with them, fostering trust and comfort along the way.

What truly sets Seachange apart is their dedication to building genuine connections with their clients. It’s not merely a professional obligation for them; it’s a deeply personal commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of those they serve. Through one-onone support, Seachange fosters an environment where clients feel safe and empowered to open up about their struggles, knowing they are met with empathy and understanding.

The passion and dedication of Seachange’s support workers shine through in their approach to their roles. Armed with extensive experience in mental health and guided by principles of patience, understanding, and non-judgmental acceptance, they create a nurturing space where clients can thrive. It’s evident that for Seachange, this isn’t just a job—it’s a calling to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

The impact of Seachange’s work extends far beyond the realm of mental health support. By fostering independence and empowerment in

Seachange Care Support Services stands as a beacon of hope and assistance.

their clients, they contribute to building stronger, more resilient communities. Their belief in treating every individual as equals underscores their commitment to inclusivity and respect for diversity.

In a world where mental health stigma still lingers, organisations like Seachange serve

as beacons of hope and compassion. They remind us that with empathy, understanding, and dedication, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Seachange’s unwavering commitment to empowering lives through compassionate support is a testament to the transformative pow-

er of human connection.

Seachange Care Support Services, Suite 429, Waterman Narre Warren, Level 2, 66 Victor Crescent, NarreWarren.

· info@seachangecare.com.au

· 0450 599 488 and 0461 380 966

Cerebral Palsy Alliance launches new video series

Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) is proud to announce the launch of its newWhat is CP? video series, aimed at raising awareness about cerebral palsy (CP) and providing valuable insights into the condition and its impact on individuals and their families.

Hosted by CPA researchers living with cerebral palsy, Tash Garrity and Georgina Henry, the series features adults and children with lived experience of CP, offering an inside perspective.

Despite its relatively high prevalence, cerebral palsy is a little understood condition, and many misconceptions can prevent people with CP from achieving the best of their abilities, Ms Henry said.

“The series is a vital resource that aims to bridge some of those barriers by educating the parents of children with CP about all the things that their child can achieve with the right support, “ Ms Henry said.

“By sharing personal stories and insights, we hope to empower individuals with CP and their families while fostering greater community support and inclusion.”

The What is CP? video series builds on a previous explainer video that garnered sig-

nificant attention, becoming one of CPA’s most popular ever videos and reaching global audiences. It is particularly relevant for individuals and families with a new diagnosis of CP. By revitalising this series, CPA aims to reinforce its position as a global leader in CP support, advocacy, technology innovation and research.

TheWhat is CP? video series is now available on the Cerebral Palsy Alliance website and social media channels.Watch the video series at youtu.be/JLaROMpCxuY

The series features adults and children with lived experience of CP.

The What is CP? video series is now available on the Cerebral Palsy Alliance website and social media channels.

FOCUS ON … DISABILITY

Top support

What matters to our participants, matters to Support Embrace Connect. Our support services revolve around the needs of our participants.

We offer a personalised support process according to your NDIS goals in your NDIS plan: including individualised support and team connections.

Social Outings, Art, Cooking, Special Events, Gardening, Team Building Exercises and More.

Support Embrace Connect is situated at 5-6/10 Princes Highway, Beaconsfield, telephone 0484 679 364.

· www.supportembraceconnect.com.au

Using proper ‘language’

As our society progresses into a more inclusive and welcoming environment, it is important that we make a conscious effort to ensure the language we use towards others is appropriate. Rather than relating to concepts such as profanities, this is in reference to the way we address or describe people with disabilities.

Like fashion crazes, music styles and interior design trends, language tends to change and update with time. New words and phrases are introduced into our vocabularies to reflect the times we live in.

Terms like ‘handicapped,’ ‘physically challenged’ and ‘wheelchair-bound’ are heading away from being the accepted way to refer to people who have a disability, while the use of phrases like ‘suffering from’ or ‘afflicted with’ are generally deemed offensive in today’s language.

Avoid the use of words and phrases such as crippled, a victim of, unfortunate, suffering from, incapacitated or worse, words that have evolved from historically medical terms to become hurtful slurs.

Using the word ‘normal’ is also, depending on context, one that should generally be avoided when referring to people with a disability.

Using proper terminology is empowering, while outdated terminology is hurtful and offensive.

Instead of defining someone by an impairment or disability they may have, try to first recognise that they are a person above all else. They are not disabled, they have a disability - in the same way that someone is not brown hair, but rather they have brown hair.

Instead of saying ‘a blind person’ or ‘a quadriplegic’, perhaps consider rephrasing to ‘a person who is blind or has a vision im-

When referring to someone with a disability, start your sentence with ‘a person...’ so as to not define them by their disability.

pairment,or‘apersonthathasquadriplegia.’ Similarly, this concept also applies to medical conditions such as asthma and cancerinstead of ‘she suffers from asthma,’ instead use ‘she has asthma.’ Rather than ‘a cancer patient,’ use ‘a person with cancer.’

It is in this way that we are not defining someone by any disability that they may have, but rather recognising that it is simply a feature of who they are.

One of the best ways to address or refer to people with a disability is to start with ‘a person,’ as you are affirming their humanity first and foremost.

You can then go on to say ‘...that uses a wheelchair,’ ‘...with a hearing impairment,’ or whatever their disability may be.

Language and terminology will continually evolve, as do all other aspects of our society, and is something that we all have a duty to remain aware of. It is important to take note of the terms that the person with the disability uses to describe or refer to themselves, and then use those terms accordingly. It all comes down to each person’s own preference and we should respect everyone’s preferred way of self-identification.

Supporting the community, Embracing life and connecting with those that matter most.

• Supporting participants with empathy

• Transport to appointments

• Community access e.g. coffee shop, grocery shopping, local parks and gardens

• Booking and reminders for appointments

• Support to build relationships with family and friends through goals

• Teaching life skills

• Liasing with other support workers and support agencies

• Assisting clients with Government agency contact and applications

Picture: ISTOCK

Support Embrace Connect offers personalised support.

Explore the community

Experience a day of family fun and enjoyment at Officer Lifestyle Estate by Lincoln Place. To celebrate the school holidays we are throwing open our gates so that you can come and enjoy everything our friendly over 55 community has to offer – but with some added extras for the kids. Join us on Thursday, 11 April, from 10 am to 3 pm, for a fun day out suitable for all ages.

Bring your kids, grandkids, and friends for an array of activities, including the Ultimate Officer Olympics, hosted by Andy’s Antics, face painting, a petting zoo, and barefoot bowls and pickleball throughout the day. Why not help yourself to some complimentary treats from our coffee van, fairy floss, and sausage sizzle while you’re there?

This event is open to everyone, so whether you’re already a part of our community or simply curious to explore Officer Lifestyle Es-

tate, please come along. We’d really appreciate it if you could RSVP at info@lincolnplace. com.au to help us manage our catering. Find us at Officer Lifestyle Estate, 34 McMullen Road, Officer. We can’t wait to welcome you.

Experience a day of family fun and enjoyment at Officer Lifestyle Estate by Lincoln Place.

Tips for great presentations

TAKING CARE

IAN ASH OF BUSINESS

Being able to speak effectively in public is essential for a business leader and pretty well expected these days, but writing as someone who was once terrified of public speaking, I feel reasonably well qualified to share five tips that should make your presentations as effective as possible.

Know your material

Many surveys on fear frequently show ‘Fear of Public Speaking’ as figuring in the top three (often even above ‘Dentistry’ and ‘Fear of Dying’!) and a significant way to overcome this is to be fully confident of the material you are presenting. This does not mean memorizing great chunks of text as this will not help, but it does mean having good examples, knowing key facts, anticipating possible questions you may be asked and being really clear on the message(s) you want to provide. Keep slides simple and supportive

A frequent mistake that people make when presenting is to have slides loaded with text. Doing this inevitably means that the audience will be reading the slide contents instead of listening to you. The point is Powerpoint slides should exist to support the presenter, not be in competition. For this reason, keep text to an absolute minimum, use bullet lists to drive the narrative so that these act as a prompt for you to speak to as opposed to just reading it off the slide.

Tell a story

Long before there were presentation forums or even paper materials, people shared information through storytelling, and it still remains

a highly effective way to transfer information today. A good strategy is for you to (briefly) ‘tell your audience what you will be telling them’ (a contents list really helps here), ‘tell them’ and then ‘tell them what you told them’ (i.e. summarise the key messages you want them to leave with). The material itself should naturally flow so that context is provided upfront and supporting material (facts, charts, data etc) used to illustrate the point. It is important to emphasise that if you have a time limit to your presentation, you must stick to it since your audience’s interest and attention drop off dramatically if you exceed your allotted time. Be conscious of people’s learning styles People learn in different ways. Most of us are

visual so when presenting, remember that a picture tells a thousand words.We can process an image in about 13 milliseconds so showing a relevant image should enhance the point you wish to make without distraction. Some people learn best through listening so ensuring variety in tonality and using short videos should keep the presentation interesting. Finally, if presenting to train others, then be aware that many people learn best by actually doing, so brief exercises, break-out rooms and teamwork work well.

Personal pace, voice and posture

This can be a tough one to master at first if you are nervous about giving presentations, but they are necessary if you are to maintain au-

dience engagement. If you have ever been in a situation where the speaker drones on in a monotonous tone for what seems like hours, you will know what I mean. So vary your tone of voice as appropriate and a good trick here is to always talk to the back of the room to aid voice projection. Avoid talking too fast (silence for short durations is okay) and it is good practice to stop occasionally and ask the audience a relevant question to keep them on their toes. Finally, never have your back to the audience and if talking to a slide, stay close by.

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

Powerpoint slides should exist to support the presenter, not be in competition, says Ian Ash. Picture: CAMPAIGN CREATORS ON UNSPLASH

WHAT’S ON

BADFolk Club

Berwick and District Folkclub (BADFolk) have been meeting at the Old Cheese Factory in Berwick for the past 21 years.

The group meets on the third Friday of each month, with doors open from 6.30pm and the music running from 7pm to 10pm.

This month, the group is welcoming back classic folk singer Maria Forde.

The group also welcomes spot acts - anyone who can play an instrument,sing,share a poem.

Entry is $15, with tea, coffee, wine, beer, soft drinks and snack food available for purchase.

· For more information, visit badfolkclub.org or contact Edward on 0418 535 264.

Yakkerboo Festival

Kicking off on Saturday 20 April, with a carnival at amusement ride prices.

The event will also feature an open mic competition and a spectacular firework display to close out the evening.

On Sunday 21 April, the family festival gets into full swing, commencing with the parade at 10am.

From 11am to 4pm there will be unlimited rides for all ages, with the purchase of a $15 wrist band, as well as a line up of local talent to entertain on stage.

· 20 and 21 April

Lovers Lane Planting Day

Cannibal Creek Catchment Landcare are holding another community planting day at Lovers Lane, Garfield on Sunday 5 May from 9.30am to 2pm. Help plant out 5000 indigenous tube stock to continue the revegetation of five acres, creating habitat for local endangered species such as Southern Brown Bandicoots. Bring gloves, sturdy and waterproof footwear, sunscreen, hat, a water bottle and eye protection.

A coffee van will be available, while a morning tea and a sausage sizzle lunch will be provided for volunteers.

· For more information, contact Cannibal Creek Landcare Group on cannibalcreeklandcare@ gmail.com or phone Pam on 0407 876 935.

Learn to play ukulele

The ukulele is a very simple instrument to learn – perfect for the lazy potential musician. No need for the ability to read music, or practise endless scales or devour a whole heap of theory.

The U-Bute Uke Group is a relaxed and happy group which makes magical music together. Bring a love of music and a sense of fun.

Enrol in the ‘Introduction to Ukulele’ 9 week course at the Outlook Community Centre Pakenham, with the view to graduate to join the group.

· Course begins on Friday 26 April from 12.30pm to 2pm.

· Contact Outlook Community Centre on 5940 4728 for further details. Bookings essential.

Emerald Rotary Market

A community market in the heart of the Hills. 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.

· The market is held on the second Saturday of

Council.

· For more information or to donate, visit www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/ColleenAstbury or contact Colleen on 0422 849 619.

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 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 president Gary on 0428 255 178 or contact secretary Doro-

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. Come along and get to know the club by visiting on a Thursday at 2pm at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House or join 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@

Moody and Coleman strike

By Garry Howe

The Pakenham-based training combination of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman took a major share of the spoils on the first day of The Championships in Sydney on Saturday.

Chain Of Lightning got up at double figure odds in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes, giving Moody his fourth win in the race named after his first boss in the industry and Coleman her first Group 1 success.

They went close to quinellaing the event, with stable star I Wish I Win flashing home for an impressive third in his first run since winning The Everest in October.

Moody and Coleman also had success at Caulfield’s big Easter Cup meeting, winning the Geoff Murphy Handicap with Legacies.

Cranbourne trainer Ciaron Maher saddled up six runners in the other Sydney feature, the

Doncaster Handicap, and Nugget was the best performed, finishing fourth in a blanket finish to Celestial Legend, who gave 85-year-old Les Bridge a career highlight.

Maher did win the Chairman’s Quality earlier in the day with Circle of Fire.

Pakenham trainer Phillip Stokes saddled up a winning double at Caulfield with Oracle Son and Regal Azmon.

He also took home the $500,000 Country Discovery at Yarra Valley on Good Friday with Savannah Cloud and will likely to be set for the Goodwood Handicap in Adelaide via the Hareeba Stakes at Mornington.

Stokes has also confirmed that the luckless Amade, who ran an amazing fourth in the recent Adelaide Cup despite jockey Zac Spain losing his irons, would head to the Sydney Cup this weekend.

Cheers can’t salute in heavyweight dartboard battle

By Marcus Uhe

Cheers’ undefeated streak to open the new South West Gippsland Dart League season came to an end at the hands of Snipers last week in an 8-7 thriller at the Nar Nar Goon hotel.

The trio of Ant, Shane and Liam combined for 11 tons but it wasn’t enough to get the better of Dean and his Snipers in the highly-anticipated clash.

Despite the win, Snipers have been jumped in the standings on percentage by Predators, who enjoyed a 14-1 thrashing over Generals.

Steve returned to action for the Predators with eight tons to lead the way for his side, vaulting back to prime position for the first time since round four.

Predators and Cheers remain the only undefeated sides in the competition thus far.

Bullseyes picked up its first win of the season, edging Hoodies 8-7.

4x4’s second 180 of the season helped Just Social to a comfortable 13-2 win over

Railway, while Mud Rats and Dart Vaders recorded sound wins over Fore and Gembrook, respectively. 26ers, meanwhile, made it back-to-back wins, downing Dart Attack 10-5, anchoring them to the foot of the table as one of two winless sides.

Round eight will be played on Tuesday 16 April.

Results R7: Dart Vaders 9 v Gembrook 6, Predators 14 v Generals 1, Snipers 8 v Cheers 7, Mud Rats 11 v Fore 4, Bullseyes 8 v Hoodies 7, Just Social 13 v Railway 2, 26ers 10 v Dart Attack 5.

Ladder: Predators 28, Snipers 28, Cheers 24, Mud Rats 20, Dart Vaders 20, Just Social 16, 26ers 16, Gembrook 16, Fore 8, Generals 8, Railway 8, Bullseyes 4, Hoodies 0, Dart Attack 0.

Fixture R8: Gembrook 8 v Bullseyes 12, Cheers 3 v Hoodies 13, Generals 10 v DartVaders 5, Fore 9 v Snipers 2, Railway 11 v Predators 1, Dart Attack 14 v Mud Rats 4, 26ers 7 v Just Social 6.

Warriors women show signs during opening weekend

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Pakenham was competitive and proved they turned a corner in the preseason, but weren’t able to secure a win against Hume on Saturday, going down 86-79 in the Big V Championship Women’s competition.

Kicking off a massive double header with the men at Cardinia Life, the women came out firing, scoring 28 points in the opening quarter, leading by as much as 12 late in the term.

After going five from five from the freethrow line in the early stages, back-to-back three pointers to Mel Prior and Haille Nickerson set the scene for the new season.

“It was really good, the ball was moving really nicely in the first quarter,” coach Rob Dielemans said.

“We shot the ball extremely efficiently and we made the extra pass when we needed to.

“We were able to create for each other as well which was good.”

The Warriors went into halftime with a 12-point lead but Hume overcame that in a momentum-turning third quarter, hitting the lead in the last 90 seconds of the term for the first time since opening the scoring in the game’s first minute.

Hard to stop all day, Hume’s Taylor Edwards was particularly prominent in the third quarter turnaround.

The visitors shot 15 free-throws in the third, converting eight, compared to just two out of four for Pakenham, while Pakenham’s field goal percentage also dropped off as the match progressed.

After shooting at 50 per cent in the first half, the Warriors went at just 30 per cent after the main break, having 10 more field goal at-

tempts in the second half but putting 21 fewer points on the board.

Particularly frustrating would have been their ability to only make one of their last six shots after an Ebony Sans three-pointer cut the margin to two with three-and-a-half minutes remaining.

On club debut, Briahna Whatman’s and Erica Meyer’s injections were seamless and a

major positive to take out of the game.

Whatman passed the ball well, blending six assists with 16 points, while Meyer was the defensive player of the day.

The Pakenham import’s size was crucial in the hosts competing, her lockdown stunting several Hume attacks as she finished with three blocked shots.

She also grabbed with 10 rebounds as she continually kept her direct opponent off the glass.

Meanwhile, the Youth League One women defeated McKinnon 80-64 at full strength on Saturday, but put forward a younger team on Sunday and were outplayed as several players were unavailable, having been selected to play in the Women’s side instead.

The second quarter against McKinnon was where Ben Gaze’s side played its best, opening up a 22-point halftime lead thanks to a 33-12 second quarter where they contained excellently.

“We executed defensively really well,” Gaze said of that period.

“That led to transition with Stella (O’Loughlin) pushing the floor and getting layups after layups and we were executing on offense and getting easy buckets.

“It was probably the best game we played so far and all their stars we shut down.”

O’Loughlin continued her hot start to the season with 14 points, 14 rebounds and six assists, while Hayley Letts and Chloe Zielinski combined for 36 points, 14 rebounds and five steals, and Jemma Hancock showed positive signs on club debut.

Despite winning by 16 points, the margin of victory felt much more comfortable, with McKinnon closing late with ‘junk time’ points.

On Sunday, the roles were reversed, with Coburg winning 63-49 but having 46 extra shots as the Warriors turned the ball over 29 times, giving the coach an insight into areas that need to be addressed for the emerging players.

“We struggled with the erratic pressure of Coburg,” Gaze said.

“We knew that they apply full-court pressure and we lacked a little bit of composure.”

O’Loughlin and Chelsea Schreuder did what they could to turn the tide but didn’t have the experience around them that they’re accustomed to.

Pakenham’s Women have a double header this weekend, backing up a trip to Camberwell on Saturday night with a home clash against Bulleen at Cardinia Life on Sunday.

The Youth have Hume as the first leg of a Sunday double header at Cardinia Life at 1pm, before the Women’s team.

Briahna Whatman showed her class in her first game for the Warriors. Picture: SUPPLIED

Pakenham’s Youth Women’s coach Ben Gaze got a good look at his squad’s depth on Sunday. 339121 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Katherine Coleman now has a Group 1 winner to her name. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

New faces to power Lions

By David Nagel

The Pakenham Football Club women’s team will put a beneficial pre-season to the test when the Lions head to Upwey-Tecoma on Saturday in a tough initiation to the 2024 Outer East Division One season.

The Lions finished third in 2023, before downing second-placed Upwey-Tecoma in an upset semi-final performance to earn a grand final place against Olinda Ferny Creek

Pakenham was outplayed on the day; but the season could only be judged as a success.

Lions coach Rick Stalker will send out a new-look line up on Saturday, in his third season at the helm, after a high turnover of players in the pre-season.

Emma Caulfield, Steph Grentell,Tayla Sbisa and leading goalkicker Chelsea English will be missing, along with Kate Sanders, Niamh Mooren, Amanda Hobba and long-time player Tash Wakenshaw.

While those absences will hurt, the Lions havereplenishedtheirstockswithsomequality.

Kate Green and Abbey McKenzie will add pace and determination around the contest, while Annalise Ryan returns after two years away to add some spark and toughness across half back and through the midfield.

Rielle Menere and Aiesha Kolaritsch are youngsters with exciting qualities, while Kayla Wilson and Bec Domotor have been impressive performers through the pre-season.

And the Lions will have some real X-factor at times this season, with a remarkable five players making the Gippsland Power list in 2024.

The Lions will only see limited minutes from the likes of Ava Deszcz, Abby Hobson, Ash Perkins, Jayda Tannahill and Bonnie Williams, who have all slotted in nicely to the Pakenham women’s pre-season training.

Stalker can expect one or two of those girls

to front up on a weekly basis, while there are approximately four or five occasions throughout the year when all five quality youngsters will be available.

The Lions also have a core group that has trained hard since early November last year as they attempt to take the next step.

Midfielder Chloe Nagel hasn’t missed a beat and will once again captain the team, with 2022 league medalist Courtney Stephens as her deputy.

Rover Bianca Moody has stepped up to take

Pakenham downed by Narre

By Marcus Uhe

Erin Bell made a successful return to the netball court for Narre Warren on Saturday as the Magpies recorded a first-up win in Outer East Football Netball’s A-Grade competition against Pakenham.

Bell, who sat out last season while pregnant, scored 32 goals in the 53-38 win, with the Magpies extending their lead at every break as the contest played out.

Narre Warren threatened to pull away during a physical first half but the Lions were able to reel leads back in before they got out of hand on a number of occasions.

Light rain made for a slippery surface and ball, while the physicality at both ends of the court was noticeable.

Pakenham’s shooters in Rose Laidlaw and Charlotte Hudolin were steadfast in the face of strong bodywork from Narre Warren’s defenders Gabrielle Dwyer and Julia Kaitani, but the swarming wings of NarreWarren further ahead in the court made moving the ball difficult for the Lions, who were forced to resort to long balls down court on a number of occasions.

A six-goal run in the third quarter helped the Magpies extend their lead to 11, and was enough to keep the Lions at arms-length for the remainder of the contest.

11 goals to just five in the final term saw the Magpies run away with the result, and begin their premiership defence in ideal fashion.

Recruits, Jordyn Adams and Millicent Utber both made strong impressions in their first games for Pakenham, as did Kelly Cousins, who shot 14 goals.

AtWandin, the Bulldogs prevailed in a highstakes contest with 2023 preliminary finalist Mt Evelyn.

The high-scoring clash finished 55-45 in Wandin’s favour, eager for redemption after lasts season’s grand final loss.

Taking a four-goal lead into the second half,Wandin outscored the Rovers 16-10 in the third term, and grew the margin to 13 midway through the final period, before settling on the eventual gap of 10.

Shooter Emmalia Blake picked up where she left off last season, scoring 50 goals in her

first contest of the year.

Clubs in 2024 will now have the option to activate rolling substitutions throughout the game, rather be limited to making changes through injury.

Outer East introduced rolling substitutions in accordance with the 2024 edition of the Rules of Netball.

One player at a time can be substituted at the designated interchange area next to the score bench, or near the team’s interchange bench, without needing to notify umpires or stop the game.

Outer East’s Netball Operations Coordinator Matt Blanchard said the decision to choose rolling substitutions over tactical substitutions was made to minimise disruptions to the game, and to ease pressure on scorers.

“We opted for rolling substitutions because we thought it would be easier for our scorers and volunteers to record,” he said.

“Because you only do one at a time, whereas tactical subs you can technically change every position on court.

“It keeps the game flowing, it doesn’t stop and start.

“For us, for an integrity point of view, because we have goal-shooting awards, it’s making sure the right player is apportioned the right amount of goals.”

The remainder of round will be played this weekend.

on the role of deputy vice-captain, while reigning best and fairest winner Emily Devine will join forces with Kayla Menere and Courtney Karayannis to lead the backline.

The athletic Sarah Ventura looks set for a huge season in the ruck, while the pace of Tianah Vandesteeg and Sarah Connelly will be valuable assets as the season begins to unfold.

And Pippa Simon, Brianna Menere, Aliya Daniel and Tanya Stafford are all versatile types who can play in all areas of the ground.

The Lions learned some valuable lessons in

their one and only practice match againstWarragul Industrials on Sunday 24 March; and will be much improved for the run.

In other round-one games this week, Berwick Springs will look to continue its rapid improvement during last year when it hosts recently-promoted Belgrave, while Olinda Ferny Creek will begin its title defence against Healesville.

Healesville finished the home-and-away season last year undefeated, but were upset by Olinda Ferny Creek in a cut-throat semi-final.

Holt debut headlines

EDFL opening weekend

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Lang Lang has started the Marc Holt era with a 10.5 65 to 5.8 38 win over Trafalgar.

The iconic forward kicked three goals for the hosts in the Ellinbank District Football League (EDFL), having crossed to the club from Cranbourne in the offseason.

The Tigers had the ascendancy for the majority of the afternoon but couldn’t put Trafalgar away until a four-goal-to-one final quarter.

Long-time Chelsea player Bradley Clark also fitted seamlessly into the line-up, rounding out his game with two goals.

Buln Buln also got its season started with a win against Neerim South, racing out to a 35-point halftime lead, before ultimately winning 14.11 95 to 9.7 61.

Teenager Patrick Ireland kicked six goals in the big win with his size and class up forward decisive in the result.

Longwarry proved too strong for Catani, getting up 13.10 88 to 6.10 46.

The visitors pulled away from Catani in the third term, kicking six-goals-to-two to race out to a 36-point three-quarter-time lead.

Kooweerup recruit JasonWell led the way with six goals, while South Mornington recruit Justin McCleary and Gippy Power graduate Cooper Brown were also influential.

Nilma-Darnum cashed in against a struggling Nyora, kicking at least six goals in every quarter to net a big 25.10 160 to 2.4 16 victory.

After scoring six goals in his first season at the club last year, Lucas Maffei already has six to his name in 2024 after leading a firing forward line with aplomb.

There were seven multiple goal-kickers on the day. Yarragon prevailed 9.9 63 to 5.9 39 over Poowong.

Erin Bell scored 32 points in her return to the court for Narre Warren on Saturday. 399539

Picture: ROB CAREW

Former Cranbourne forward Marc Holt made his debut for Lang Lang on the weekend. 359439

Picture: ROB CAREW

The Pakenham women’s team will begin its 2024 Outer East Division One season against Upwey-Tecoma on Saturday. 354028 Picture: EUAN POULTON