WELCOME TO OUR NEW CASEY COUNCILLORS
The City of Casey would like to congratulate and welcome our new Councillors.
To learn more about our new councillors and wards, visit Council’s website.
MAYOR
Cr. Stefan Koomen (Waratah Ward)
Cr. Gary Rowe (Correa Ward)
Cr. Michelle Crowther (Cranbourne Gardens Ward)
Cr. Dave Perry (Grevillia Ward)
Cr. Shane Taylor (Kowan Ward)
Cr. Carolyn Eaves (Quarters Ward)
Cr. Lynette Pereira (River Gum Ward)
Cr. Jennifer Dizon (Tooradin Ward)
Elected Candidate Anthony Walter (Dillwynia Ward)
DEPUTY MAYOR
Cr. Melinda Ambros (Kalora Ward)
Cr. Scott Dowling (Akoonah Ward)
Cr. Kim Ross (Casuarina Ward)
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE AT THE 2024 CASEY BUSINESS AWARDS
KDS Gourmet has been crowned Casey Business of the Year 2024 at an awards ceremony held at Bunjil Place on Friday 15 November.
Revolutionising the food service industry, KDS Gourmet rents food trucks to aspiring entrepreneurs, reducing startup costs and offering strategic support to help their clients succeed. Their innovative approach also earned them the Innovation Award.
Other category winners celebrated on the night include:
· Community Contribution: Nobody Puts Furbaby in the Corner Grooming – Supporting their local economy and customers, while taking care of their beloved dogs.
· Customer Experience: iRock Music School – Delivering personalised and engaging music education that inspires students from their first lesson.
· Employment Diversity: Outlook Australia – Creating equal opportunities for people with disabilities and those facing disadvantage.
· Home-Based Business: SANA Skin Clinic – Providing innovative skincare in a personalised and nurturing environment.
The Casey Business Awards celebrate local business excellence across industries, offering participants valuable insights from expert judges.
For more information about the awards and each of the winners, visit the Backing Business in Casey website.
Image: Winners of the 2024 Casey Business of the Year - KDS Gourmet.
EMERGING ARTISTS CREATIVE HUB
Six local creatives have joined forces with award-winning architectural firm, Sibling, to transform Narre Warren Mechanics Hall into a bright, purpose-built creative hub.
The co-design is a major step in the Emerging Artists Creative Hub project, and will feature spaces for individual studios, as well as shared spaces for messy and wet work, workshops, and small exhibitions of residents’ artworks.
Once the renovations are completed in early 2025, the following six artists will take up residency in the Creative Hub for one year. The artists will work independently and collaboratively to develop their art practice and share skills and resources.
Navaal Saeed: photographer.
· Way Over There Collective: a collective of artists, creative producers and community organisers.
· Fathiah Raihan: henna artist and art therapy student.
· Fausto Gallego: artist.
Anna Konecny: artist and jeweller.
· RIDDIM: community-driven events organisation.
Located on Webb Street in Narre Warren, the Emerging Artist Creative Hub is supported through a $150,000 grant provided by the Victorian Government’s Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support Program combined with a $185,660 investment from the City of Casey.
Image: Render of the main hall at the Emerging Artists Creative Hub.
SUSTAINABLE FESTIVE SEASON
CELEBRATE SUSTAINABLY WITH REUSABLE PARTY KITS
Did you know you can borrow or hire reusable party gear from groups like the Party Kit Network or a kitchen library? You could also create your own personalised picnic kit with plates, cups, cutlery, platters, decorations from one of our local op shops. Share it with your friends and family and celebrate seeing your treasures pop up in photos year after year.
Please remember that single-use plates and cutlery – even those made from natural materials like sugarcane or bamboo, cannot be processed in your green food or garden waste bin. They must go in the general waste bin. That’s another great reason to create or borrow reusable party kits!
Image: Keep it colourful and green.
TURN YOUR CANS INTO CASH THIS FESTIVE SEASON
Now is the perfect time to join the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme.
Save your uncrushed cans and bottles and take them to one of the many local depots, council facilities, or any of our Customer Service Centres to cash them in!
Make it a fun challenge during or after your celebrations to see who can collect the most. It’s an easy way to reduce waste and earn some extra pocket money for the kids.
Alternatively, gather your uncrushed cans and bottles and leave them beside your bin for others to collect. This thoughtful gesture not only helps keep containers out of landfill but also prevents bins from being searched while giving someone an opportunity to earn some extra cash. A win-win for everyone!
To learn more and see the full list of accepted items, visit Council’s website and search for ‘container refunds.’
Image: Making change at Clyde North.
CASEY’S FIRST EVER ELECTRIC VEHICLE EXPO
More than 30 electric cars lit up Bunjil Place on Saturday 9 November as Casey hosted its first ever Electric Vehicle Expo. The event attracted more than 700 residents, offering opportunities to test drive EVs, attend informative seminars, and engage directly with dealers.
Image: Hundreds check out EVs at Bunjil Place.
CARING FOR WILDLIFE OVER SUMMER
Peak summer is a great time to install water features to help keep you, your pets and the wildlife cool. A simple bird bath will do the trick – just ensure you include a rock or branch to help critters safely climb out.
Image: Fill a bowl, keep them cool.
SCHOOL BATTERY BLITZ
Congratulations to our Battery Blitz champions for keeping nearly 400kgs of batteries out of kerbside bins and landfill and reducing fire risks in the process!
The winner of the battery round was Clyde Grammar’s Year 4, collecting an impressive 87kg of batteries.
Joint second place went to St Peters College and Clyde North – Year 9B with a total of 75kg batteries.
In third place were the Hillsmeade Habitat Heroes from Hillsmeade Primary School, Narre Warren South with a total of 54kg of batteries.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making our environment safer – one battery at a time!
GIFTING THE SUSTAINABLE WAY
Unleash your creativity with unique wrapping ideas like tea towels, pillowcases, or tablecloths - or try the Japanese art of furoshiki to make a lasting impression.
If you’re unwrapping gifts, remember not all wrapping paper is recyclable.
2025 YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION COMMITTEE
Do you know a young person aged 15 to 25 who loves the environment? The City of Casey’s Youth Climate Action Committee is seeking applications for the 2025 committee. Join other likeminded youths working on projects that reduce emissions and raises awareness on climate change.
To apply, visit Council’s website and search for ‘Casey Youth Climate Action Committee’
Image: 2024 YCAC crew tree planting.
2024 TEXTILE AND E-WASTE GREEN LIVING EVENT
The 37+ degree heat didn’t stand a chance against our Sustainability team on Saturday 23 November as they collected and sorted through 264 carloads of material at the 2024 Textile and E-waste Green Living event.
The event was a huge success, with the following materials collected: 2,317 kilograms of television and computer waste.
· 1,518 kilos of other e-waste.
· Two truck loads of textiles for recycling.
· Two and a half van loads worth of textiles for local op shops and animal shelters.
Visit Council’s website to learn more about what can and cannot go in your recycling bin.
View the Gifting and Gathering Guide
WHAT’S ON
LIGHTFALL
2025 April School Holidays, Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne
Embrace the spirit and beauty of the gardens as it transforms after-dark with large-scale light sculptures to an immersive soundscape with Lightfall.
From the presenters of the global sell-out sensation, Lightscape, this world-first event for Melbourne’s Southeast is premiering exclusively and promises to be a magical evening for all ages.
With limited dates and tickets, visit Lightfall Cranbourne’s website to book now.
Casey locals – book your tickets early for 50% off parking. Don’t miss out – secure your tickets today! T&Cs apply.
CASEY CATCH UP
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY
Sunday 2 March 2025
To find out more, subscribe to the Green Living in Casey newsletter on our website and join our Green Living in Casey Facebook group.
MELBOURNE STARS FAMILY DAY
10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Sunday 5 January 2025
Casey Fields, Cranbourne East Cricket fans are invited to enjoy a funfilled day with free activities for all ages, meet and greet the Melbourne Stars squad, and snap selfies during signing sessions. Fuel up with delicious food trucks and register for your chance to win a team-signed Stars playing shirt! Visit www.intix.com/event/melbournestars-family-day
WISER DRIVER PROGRAM
Course will be held over 4 sessions and participants must complete all 4 sessions.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm, Tuesday 4, 11, 18, 25 February 2025 Bunjil Place, Narre Warren
Are you aged 55 years and over and would like a refresher on the Victorian road rules?
Registrations are now open for the City of Casey’s four-week Wiser Driver education program. Facilitated by Access Health and Community, the course aims to improve your confidence, independence and road safety skills. The course will cover driving today and how driving has changed over the years, how to stay safe when driving, car safety tips and planning for your driving future.
To register for the course, contact 9705 5200 and ask to be directed to the Positive Ageing Team, email positiveageing@casey.vic.gov.au or register online at www.trybooking.com/CVDTJ
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTER
Need timely updates on all things City of Casey? Good news! You can get 'Casey Catch Up', our monthly email newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
Subscribe now and:
– Get all the latest on local events, sport and entertainment
– Find out about Council-run programs and services
To subscribe, visit Council’s website
IN BRIEF
RECYCLING THIS FESTIVE SEASON AND BEYOND
Don’t forget to put your bins out the night before these holidays! They’ll still be picked up in the morning, however, it may be a little earlier than usual so our drivers can get home to their friends and family.
It’s also easier than ever to manage your rubbish bins or rubbish collection. Jump online to Council’s website to manage your rubbish booking, to order bins, report a damaged bin or an issue with your rubbish collection.
AGEING POSITIVELY NEWSLETTER
Sign up to the Ageing Positively in Casey newsletter to stay up to date with the latest information on age services, health information, age-friendly programs and events in your area and more.
To subscribe, visit the ‘Events for seniors’ page on our website. email positiveageing@casey.vic.gov.au or contact the Ageing Positive Team on 9705 5200.
REGISTER TODAY FOR THREE-YEAROLD KINDER
Kindergarten is an important step in giving every child the best start to life, ensuring they thrive in their early years.
From 2025, all Casey managed kindergartens will offer 15 hours of funded three-year-old kindergarten, providing Casey children with two years of quality early childhood education before they start school.
Registrations for 2025 are now open. To learn more and register, visit Council’s website.
KEEP SAFE THIS SUMMER
With heatwaves becoming a regular feature of the Victorian summer, it’s important to plan and consider how you can look after yourself, family, friends, pets and neighbours when the extreme heat hits.
There are simple things you can do to stay safe in the heat:
· Plan ahead. Schedule activities in the coolest part of the day and avoid exercising in the heat. If you must go out, wear a hat and sunscreen and always take a bottle of water with you.
· Drink plenty of water — always take a bottle with you.
· Hot cars kill. Never leave kids, adults or pets in hot cars. The temperature inside a parked car can double within minutes.
· Keep cool. Seek out air-conditioned buildings, draw your blinds, use a fan, take cool showers and dress in light and loose clothing made from natural fabrics.
· Help others. Look after those most at risk in the heat. Check on them on hot days via a phone call or visit.
If you or someone is unwell, call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24 for free 24-hour health advice or encourage them to see their doctor. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
For more information, visit Council’s website.
PLAZA
SUMMER STAGE AT BUNJIL PLACE:
Saturday 11 January - Friday 21 February
Tickets
Mix of free and ticketed events.
Mark your calendars for an incredible summer experience when Summer Stage returns to Bunjil Place from Saturday 11 January to Friday 21 February 2025! For six vibrant weeks, Bunjil Place Plaza will come alive with a fantastic lineup of live entertainment, music, movies, workshops, and more.
Summer Stage is the ultimate destination for entertainment and fun, offering a diverse range of activities for all ages. Whether you’re looking to kick back with friends or dive into something new, there’s a wonderful mix of events to choose from. Highlights include:
• Summer Stage Opening Party
• Emma Memma
• Sunday Sessions
• Global Flavour Feast
• DJ Workshops
View the full Summer Stage program
• The Beanies
• Barn Yoga
• Citybound Country Music Festival
• Kids Day Out
• Circus Skills Workshops
• Beats Bingo
• Nutty Scientists – Blast off to Space
• Glitter Groove: The South East’s Summer Queer Party!
• Summer in the Ends Plus so much more!
