ENDEAVOUR HILLS HALLAM DOVETON
/DandenongStarJournal
endeavourhillshallamdoveton.starcommunity.com.au
A moment to remember
TLC time for 140-year-old
Booth strikes glorious century for the Hawks
PAGE 2
PAGE 8
SPORT
Monday, 13 November, 2017
@StarJournal_SE
Property Lift out
40¢ Inc. GST com.au
property
Escape to the stage
Eva Madjar as Aldys, Melanie Blazevic as Josie Geller and Claire Duncan as Tracy. 174611 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
A cult Hollywood rom-com is set to make its Australian stage premiere in Hallam. Never Been Kissed - a 1999 film made famous by Drew Barrymore’s star turn - has been adapted by Hallam-based The Escapees Theatre Company. Company director Amy Planner said the film was on her very long list of favourites. “I thought it would be really fun. “The characters are outrageous all the while having a little bit of drama that we could really grab on to.” There were a few hurdles adapting the film to the theatre - not least for the cast to master a “Chicago-esque” accent. “We put it out there that we wanted the cast to try them and we would see how we went,” Ms Planner said. “Everyone has truly surprised me.” The company also delved garages, yard sales, op shops and “those junk drawers” to find 1990s phones, computers and fashions. Never Been Kissed is at Hallam Senior College theatre on 15-18 November. Bookings at escapeestc.com.
Third time lucky? By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Brendan Rees Casey councillor Geoff Ablett has put his hand up for his third term as mayor, with a plan to revegetate some of Casey’s lost remnant ecology. Cr Ablett was expecting to nominate for the election at a council meeting at Bunjil Place on 13 November. He thought two other councillors may rival him for the job. “I’m not sure where it all sits at the moment but I’ll be putting my hand up. “If it’s me, good. But if it’s someone else I’ll be the first person to shake their hand and say well done. “I’ll support them 100 per cent.”
If successful, Cr Ablett would pursue many of the big-ticket items of the council, such as the Smart City push, more local jobs and engagement with China. His other pet issues will include mental health, homelessness and restoring some of the large-scale loss of natural environment in Casey. Just two per cent of Casey’s environment remained from 40 years ago, he said. There was a need to balance the urgent need for more jobs with maintaining the environment, he said. Cr Ablett also would lobby for the State Government to pursue a Western Distributorstyle partnership with a private consortium to fast-track road upgrades in the South-East.
A double-rail line between Dandenong and Clyde’s growth corridor was also high on Cr Ablett’s agenda. Meanwhile incumbent mayor Cr Sam Aziz backed Cr Ablett as a “man of tremendous integrity” to take over the helm. “He is the most active councillor in terms of putting forward ideas and initiatives. “He would be a fantastic person to continue the stability and teamwork we’ve established in Casey.” He nominated the turnaround in “culture” at Casey as one of his most significant legacies. “Eight years ago, Casey was making headlines for all the wrong reasons like councillor infighting. “We’re now making the headlines for Bunjil
Place, we’re making the headlines for planning for a smarter city in the future ... “It’s a great place to be and I’m proud of the contribution I’ve been making.” He will be presented with a mayoral emeritus certificate for three terms as mayor at the council’s first meeting at Bunjil Place on 9 November. Cr Aziz has been offered seven leading portfolios under Cr Ablett, including roads and transport, economic development, innovation and Smart Cities, and advocacy for Casey ahead of the 2018 State Election. “There’s no rest for the wicked,” Cr Aziz said.
12371600-CB46-17
1126426-MB13-14
FACTORY DIRECT BLINDS FOR LESS Vito Van 111 SWB manual. 30-32 Victor Cres Narre Warren 3805
From $36,990 drive away.
Call for a Free Mearsure & Quote WWW.IMPACTBLINDSANDCURTAINS.COM.AU
Blinds & Curtains 12357183-KC27-17
PH 97056366
Mercedes-Benz Berwick 518 Princes Hwy, Berwick. Ph: 03 8794 0900 LMCT578