Ferntree Gully
Belgrave
Mail Covering the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires
5
Footballers speak out
Tuesday, 15 September, 2015
2
Tribute for toddler
A Mail News Group publication
18-19
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Wright way for student
Premiership glory RARELY has a sporting club’s character been tested as much as the Emerald Football Netball Club. After the deaths of teenagers Sharn Walker, Felisha Allen and Jason Breakwell in a car crash June this year, who all had close ties to the club, it took great courage to fight back. The club has responded with a remarkable seven Emerald teams, across senior and junior football and netball, reaching grand finals this season. Only one of those went on to claim the top prize, but that side was Jason Bek’s senior football team – earning the club its place back in Division 1 of the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League with a convincing 54-point thumping of Kinglake – 11.14 (80) to 3.8 (26). One of Bek’s final messages to his men, before they stood arm in arm for the national anthem before the game, was to play with passion, but also with composure. The Bombers were led superbly by skipper Matt Livermore and inspirational veterans Ryan Simpson, Daniel Ferry and Caillin Porter. The Bombers stood tall and showed the strength of a side that deserved its place in Division 1. 144295 Picture: RUSSELL BENNETT
By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
Domestics night By JESSE GRAHAM YARRA RANGES Police weathered an “out of control” weekend for domestic violence incidents, according to Monbulk Police Sergeant, Mark Knight. Sgt Knight told the Mail on Monday, 14 September, that police were called out to numerous domestic violence incidents over the weekend, from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September. “Saturday night was out of control, absolutely out of control,” Sgt Knight said. “I had 10 incidents before 1700 hours, and I started at 3pm (1500 hours), and it just got worse after that. “It just went on and on all night.” Sgt Knight said he worked as the Police Service Area (PSA) Supervisor over the weekend, and that police were called out to spots right across the Yarra Ranges, from Healesville to Yarra Junction and Monbulk. He said a “number of offenders”
Sports of all sorts
were arrested for breaching intervention orders, with about five of the family violence incidents occurring in Monbulk alone. Sgt Knight gave the example of a 43-year-old Monbulk man, who was arrested on Friday, 11 September. He said the man had been hiding in his ex-wife’s front yard, before smashing the front window of the property. The man was charged with stalking, unlawful assault and criminal damage, and was bailed to appear in court on 4 February 2016. Sgt Knight said the victim would go to court on Tuesday, 15 September, to have an intervention order put in place. “That was a really good clean-up, that,” he said. “He would have caused that family a number of concerns.” Sgt Knight said the man did not previously have an intervention order in place against him.
When asked whether those charged with domestic violence complied with intervention orders and their conditions, Sgt Knight said offenders were “constantly breaching them”. “We feel they’re just not adhering to the orders that the magistrates make,” he said. “Because they’re a civil process, they don’t see them as a big deal until the criminal sides of the breaches commence.” He said that, once offenders spent the weekend in a cell, sometimes the message sank in. But with consistent breaching of the orders and “the seriousness and nature of offending”, Sgt Knight said those charged with domestic violence were rarely just released on summons, instead being charged and bailed to appear at court. “With consistent breaching by offenders, we look at pro-remand, that side of things, with remanding men,” he said.
Sore Feet or Legs? Heel Pain? Injuries? Kī $50
WE CAN HELP!
*
ΎDĞŶƟŽŶ ŽīĞƌ ƚŽ WŽĚŝĂƚƌŝƐƚ Ăƚ ĐŽŶƐƵůƚ ƚŽ ƌĞĚĞĞŵ
“If it’s a first-time offence, we wouldn’t, of course. “We’ve got this pro-arrest strategy, and we’re considering remanding, further remanding all of the time.” But he emphasised that each case was “taken on its merits”, rather than taking blanket action on the matter. “It’s just the onus is on each case,” Sgt Knight said. “If the circumstances warrant a remand, we’ll make applications before a bail justice ... or to the magistrates.” Any person can apply for an intervention order through the Magistrates’ Court – though an appointment is needed for some courts. Police can also assist in applying for an order in some cases. Police are also able to refer people concerned for their safety on to other support services, as well as listening to concerns, even if no crime has occurred. In an emergency, or for immediate help from police, always call triple zero.
A FERNTREE Gully teacher has been awarded a 2015 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Award for contributing to improving the financial well-being of young Australians. Peter Wright, from St Joseph’s College in Ferntree Gully, will be awarded $10,000 to further develop his financial education initiative as well as an additional $2000 personal reward. The Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards recognises extraordinary teachers from schools across Australia who have excelled in developing money management skills for students. Mr Wright has received this award for the partnership program he orchestrated between a local primary school and his senior school students. Students from both schools plan and build improvements to the schools such as seating areas and cubby houses. The program incorporates teaching aspects of literacy involved in proposal writing, numeracy needed for financial planning and construction, and the personal skills of negotiation and collaboration. Mr Wright is one of only 15 teachers selected for the award from more than 230 applications across Australia. Kylie Macfarlane, general manager Corporate Responsibility, Commonwealth Bank, said she was very impressed by the quality of the applicants this year. “We believe that better schools make a better country, and great schools are built on great teachers,” she said. “The Teaching Awards celebrate and recognise excellent teachers, and we congratulate Peter on the positive impact he has had on his students and school.”
ttrusted experts . proven solutions
1300 328 300 14/603 Boronia Road, WANTIRNA
Widetread
• TYRES • WHEELS • SUSPENSION •
UV 4&S the 4x ialsts c e Sp
!
nuff said
Approved Dealer for
FERNTREE GULLY 9758 9288 1158 Burwood Highway (towards Belgrave)
LILYDALE 9735 0188 32 Main Street (over railway line Melb. side)
www.widetread.net.au
425427-JL28-9
1182400-KK18-15