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Thursday, 11 June, 2020
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An OAM, by George! Retired Pakenham veterinary surgeon and former Cardinia mayor George Blenkhorn has been awarded a Queen’s Birthday Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to the Cardinia shire community over the past 43 years. “I was very surprised. I wasn’t expecting anything like that, it’s a real great honour,” he said. Other Queen’s honours throughout the district went to Kooweerup’s Joyce Mills, Emerald Anglican Minister Dr Peter Crawford, Warragul’s Anne Atkin for her work with Parkinson’s Disease and long-time Clyde CFA member Ian Symons, who now lives in Drouin. See George’s story on page 4.
George Blenkhorn was a Cardinia Shire Council councillor for eight years.
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“We want people to take road trauma seriously. One life is too many, let alone close to 100 Victorians who will not be around to see the year end,” AC Murphy said. “If nothing else, think about the grief and sadness your loves ones will have to go through should you not make it home, or the pain they will have to endure visiting you in a jail cell from killing someone else.” Across the state, 10,743 traffic offences and 847 crimes were detected, including 269 drink drivers and 146 drug drivers. Operation Regal began from 12.01am on Friday 5 June and ran until 11.59pm on Monday 8 June.
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lost on Victorian roads to 99 people. The same day, Cardinia Highway Patrol intercepted a Holden wagon for a license and registration check. The driver, a 34-year-old Pakenham man, informed police he didn’t have a license, and further checks revealed the man had been disqualified for 12 months due to drug driver. He refused to accompany police for a roadside drug test and will now be required to face court. Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said despite all the warnings, people continued to engage in risky behaviour.
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Nine drug drivers and one drink driver were detected in the Cardinia Shire during Victoria Police’s long weekend operation. Operation Regal was launched over the Queen’s Birthday in a bid to prevent road trauma, as more vehicles hit the road for a weekend getaway. The operation targeted the biggest contributors to the state’s growing road toll, including speeding, drink and drug drivers, fatigue, driver distraction and people not wearing seatbelts. Police caught five disqualified drivers, six unlicensed drivers and found 14 unregistered
vehicles across Cardinia. Two vehicles were impounded. In Casey, four drink drivers and seven drug drivers were nabbed, while four disqualified drivers, 12 unlicensed drivers and 25 unregistered vehicles were detected. A total of 86 and 113 speeding offences were recorded in Cardinia and Casey respectively. Tragically, a 30-year-old man lost his life over the weekend in Hoddles Creek, near Gembrook. The motorcyclist is believed to have failed to negotiate a bend before he collided with a tree on Sunday 7 June. The fatality brings the total number of lives
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NEWS
Newest principals named By Mitchell Clarke Pakenham’s newest secondary school has officially appointed their inaugural principal. Bass MP Jordan Crugnale announced Johanna Walker would lead the teaching staff when the Pakenham Henry Road Secondary School opens in the community in early 2021. Ms Walker’s most recent role has been leading the team at Heathmont College as the school’s principal. She has been described as a “leader” who assists staff in creating learning environments which are supporting, challenging and engaging. She enjoys working with young people and improving their learning and wellbeing needs. The State Government was unable to facilitate a photo of the incoming principal, however the Gazette has since reached out to Ms Walker. Over the coming months, Ms Walker will begin establishing a strong school foundation by appointing talented and committed staff and building relationships with the community. She will work closely with architects and builders to ensure the right environment is created which will allow students to excel. A ‘meet the principal’ event will also be held later this year, giving local families an opportunity to meet their new principal. Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said she was “very excited” to make the announcement, adding that she was “very excited” to seeing Ms Walker get the new school off to a great start. “Appointing principals early gives families the certainty they need about their new school,” she said. “It allows them to connect in and start forming relationships with their respective school communities.” Once complete, the Pakenham Henry Road Secondary School will include a visual arts building, a science, technology, engineering and maths building, and two outdoor play courts.
The community will be jumping for joy that a principal has been appointed. Parents and students pictured at the site in September. 197515 Picture: GARY SISSONS The school, located on the corner of Caversham Drive and Henry Road, is part of the State Government’s school building boom which will see 100 new government schools open by 2026. Meanwhile Clyde North’s Thoroughbred Primary School has announced Linda Corco-
ran as their principal. Ms Corcoran has been described as a “passionate educator” dedicated to developing each student’s capacity to be a strong, creative, critical thinker and an independent learner. She has worked in primary and secondary
schools and was most recently assistant principal at Wallarano Primary School. When complete, Thoroughbred Primary School will include two learning neighbourhoods, an administration building, outdoor play courts, a performing arts and physical education building and a sports field.
Interface Councils welcomes new growth areas funding While the announcement of $25 million for the Growing Suburbs Fund (GSF) is welcome, Interface Councils will wait with bated breath for the October State Budget. The total funding available through the fund is now $25 million - half of what was previously shared by the ten Interface Councils and, this year, the funding will also be shared with six Peri-Urban Councils. Interface Councils takes pride in its ongoing positive collaboration with the State Government and is hopeful the State Budget in October will provide additional funding support for Melbourne’s outer suburban communities, who have been some of the hardest hit by the economic and social impacts of Covid-19. Chairing yesterday’s Interface Councils Forum, interim administrator at the City of
Whittlesea, Lydia Wilson said, “The Growing Suburbs Fund is a fund that delivers for individuals and families by reducing levers of disadvantage. “It increases community engagement, supports mental wellbeing and improves access to health infrastructure services. “At a time like this, Interface Councils believes the GSF will provide essential support for some of Victoria’s most vulnerable people.” The GSF is an established program and every dollar invested by government is matched or doubled by other funding sources. This amount of leveraging is a real benefit for the State Government. The returns far exceed other funding programs, such as the Community Infrastructure Loans Scheme, where the State Government
contributes up to 90 percent of the cost of a project. More than 1.6 million people live in the Interface Councils region. But the fund will now provide support for an additional 200,000 people who live in the Peri-Urban Group of Rural Councils. “Covid-19 has seen a spike in family violence and incidents of mental illness due to rapid unemployment,” she said. “Nowhere has this been felt more keenly than in the Interface Region, where the existing gap of essential health and human services and critical infrastructure is widening even further. “Historically, the GSF has provided community hubs, cultural facilities and sports/leisure centres for families who don’t live close to the
CBD. These places are where local networks are formed and people’s lives are improved.” In addition to the social benefits generated, more than 6000 jobs have been created by the Growing Suburbs Fund. This is important in a region where a good mix of local jobs is scarce and unemployment is the highest in Victoria. There has been an oversubscription to the GSF’s priority project funding round every year, which shows the willingness of councils to financially commit to these important community projects. The Interface Councils group is hopeful the upcoming budget will include another Growing Suburbs Fund announcement and provide additional assistance to people currently living in outer suburban areas without the adequate infrastructure or support.
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STAR NEWS 3
NEWS
Queen’s honour by George By Jessica Anstice Retired veterinary surgeon George Blenkhorn has been awarded a Queen’s Birthday Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to the Cardinia shire community over the past 43 years. Lost for words, Mr Blenkhorn was stunned when he found out he had been nominated for the prestigious award. “I was very surprised. I wasn’t expecting anything like that, it’s a real great honour,” he said. “I want to thank the person who nominated me - and all the other people who supported the nomination. “It’s humbling and really, it’s thanks to all the people I’ve worked with over the years.” Mr Blenkhorn, his wife, Sue, and their three children migrated to Australia from England in 1977. Since moving to the Cardinia shire, he has truly immersed himself into the local community. He has secured the role as mayor for one term, led the Rotary Club of Pakenham as president, organised the Cancer Council’s Cardinia Relay for Life as chairman, has been the president of Pakenham Agricultural and Horticultural Society and much more. “You get unexpected views on life being involved in community organisations,” he said. Mr Blenkhorn worked as a veterinary surgeon in a private practice in Pakenham from 1977 before he retired in 2005. At first, he concentrated on large animals such as cattle, but as the area evolved he ended up working mainly with horses. He always took in veterinary students, helping and encouraging them with their studies. During his eight years as a Cardinia Shire Council councillor for the Central Ward, Mr Blenkhorn worked hard to help fight for and establish the Officer Specialist School. When the specialist school was officially opened, his passion and dedication was publically acknowledged by Cardinia councillor Graeme Moore. “It just started with a cup of coffee one morning in Berwick with Cathy Smith, a lady who had a son with a disability,” he recalled. “I was told she was trying to get a campaign up and running for the school so I caught up with her and that’s where the campaign started. “It’s definitely one of my proudest and most memorable achievements. Another highlight was working with the other councillors you’ve got to come to a consensus to get things done while on council.” Rotary has been a part of Mr Blenkhorn’s life since he joined the community service organisation in October 1992. Still an active Rotarian to this day, he is described as a “forward-thinking” and dedicated member. “It’s giving back to the community and you meet a different cohort of people,” he said. “When I was working it was always good to go to Rotary at night because there were no
After relaying at the event in Berwick, he with Penny Ponnamperuma decided to help organise a stand-alone event in Pakenham, which still runs annually to this day. This photo of Pakenham Rotary members George Blenkhorn and Peter Rowlands with Peggy Cox and Lorna Hogg was taken in 2017. 165042
Pakenham resident George Blenkhorn has been awarded with a Queen’s Birthday Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the Cardinia shire community over the past 43 years. 209594 other vets there so you talked about all sorts of things. “I’ve met some really good friends and it’s given me some really good opportunities.” From 2002 to 2007, he was on the Rotary 9820 District International Committee as chairman for Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC). ROMAC brings children from third world countries, including Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Timor Leste and Vietnam, to Australia for lifesaving or dignity restoring surgeries. “We spent a fair bit of time with kids from overseas - we would look after them while they were here,” he said. “We’d pick them up from the airport and take them down to a unit near the Royal Children’s Hospital, then take them back and forth to appointments and just look after them. “The one that really sticks out for me was a lady from Fiji - her daughter had had heart surgery and when she was about to walk into the airport to get onto the plane and she turned to me and just said: “George, I do not know what to say, thank you is not enough”.”
George Blenkhorn (middle) with fellow Rotarians Peter Rowlands and Terry Williams, at the Deep Creek Reserve opening in October 2019. 198786
Mr Blenkhorn was a guest speaker on the subject of ROMAC at a number of Rotary clubs across the district and attended many fundraising events. Also in 2002, he was elected president of the Pakenham Rotary Club for one year. His outstanding efforts were recognised in 2005 when he became a Paul Harris Fellowone of the highest awards a Rotarian can receive. Later on, in 2015, Mr and Ms Blenkhorn travelled to India with Rotary to vaccinate children against polio disease. While in India, he was interviewed for TV and radio to promote the Polio Plus program run by Rotary and National Immunisation day (NID). “We got to see a different side to India than the Golden Triangle,” he said. “We saw the wealth in India and poverty both extremes which was interesting.” A committed community member, Mr Blenkhorn played a very prominent part in starting up Relay for Life in the Cardinia shire.
After relaying at the event in Berwick, he with Penny Ponnamperuma decided to help organise a stand-alone event in Pakenham, which still runs annually to this day. The first Pakenham Relay for Life raised more than $50,000 for the Cancer Council. But it doesn’t end there, Mr Blenkhorn has been a very active member of the PB Ronald Memorial Trust committee for the past 15 years. The BP Ronald Memorial Trust honours the memory of a local citizen who worked so hard for the Pakenham community and further afield. Every year, the committee presents scholarships to young people who live within the shire, to assist with their studies in the fields of agriculture, horticulture and local government. “I enjoy helping people and I find it very satisfying seeing somebody else smile,” he added. “I would like to thank Sue and my family for all the help and support they have given me.”
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NEWS
Pump price hike hits Pakenham By Mitchell Clarke
The masterplan design for Officer’s new open space area.
Have a say on park By Jessica Anstice The council is welcoming feedback from the Officer community to help shape the official design of a new open space leisure park. Officer District Park, to be located on Lansell Avenue, will feature a regional-level skate and BMX facility, wheeled adventure trail, fitness zone, play spaces and a dog off-leash area. It will also have a cafe, wetlands, walking paths, picnic facilities, open grasslands and a lookout. The $4.7 million project is jointly funded by Cardinia Shire Council and the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund. Cardinia mayor Jeff Springfield said the park will be a popular destination with residents, as well as with visitors from other parts of Melbourne.
“What makes Officer District Park special is that it will challenge and entertain people of all ages - kids, tweens, teens and adults - with a range of excellent fitness and recreation activities,” he said. “The play space is set to include features such as parkour, an obstacle course, long slides, climbing, ropes, balance beams and climbing walls. “The wheeled adventure trail will appeal to mountain bike riders and boarders, the skate and BMX park will be able to cater to large events, and the fitness zone will have steep stairs for intensive training.” Cr Springfield added that anyone who is not fitness, fun, loves nature or has a sense of adventure will love the new open space area. “So please hop online and give us your ideas
for the design of the park’s main features,” he said. The park’s master plan, adopted by the council in late-2018, was developed after two rounds of extensive community consultation. It is now seeking community input to inform the designs of the five major elements of the park. These designs will then be finalised, ready for construction to start in mid-2021. Residents are invited to have their say on the design of the future Officer District Park at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay. Feedback closes at 5pm on Sunday 21 June. For more information about Officer District Park, contact the council’s passive reserves team on 1300 787 624 or mail@cardinia.vic. gov.au.
Fuel prices across Pakenham and Officer have skyrocketed, while the majority of service stations across suburban Melbourne remain under $1. According to the RACV, prices around Melbourne are appearing to be quite inconsistent, with approximately 15 percent of fuel retailers selling unleaded fuel at 135.9 cents per litre. More than half of all all suburban service stations have kept their prices under the $1 mark, as of Friday 5 June, RACV say. “This inconsistency is reflected for the Pakenham area, with Berwick maintaining prices at around $1 per litre while Pakenham and Officer have seen price hikes to 135 cents per litre,” RACV senior vehicle engineer Nicholas Platt said. PetrolSpy indicates that some bargains still exist in Pakenham, Beaconsfield and Nar Nar Goon, but the message to motorists is to fill up sooner rather than later. Long weekends are often synonymous with petrol price hikes, and the RACV anticipates prices will steadily rise as retailers capitalise on increased road activity. “As such, RACV recommends using the online fuel price comparison tool to find the cheapest fuel locally,” Mr Platt said. “We are encouraging motorists to fill up now as RACV is expecting prices to steadily increase over the coming days.” The Gazette understands the wholesale price of petrol is currently sitting at 98.3 cents per litre.
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STAR NEWS 5
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Driver nabbed A 25-year-old man has allegedly been caught speeding and drug driving in Junction Village on Friday 5 June. Casey Highway Patrol intercepted his Holden Commodore sedan at 8.50pm on the South Gippsland Highway where he tested positive to methamphetamine and cannabis, police say. The driver was allegedly travelling at 103km/h in an 80km/h zone. “The vehicle was observed doing a U-turn and intentionally losing traction, before being intercepted,” according to police. Police also say the driver from Sandhurst failed to have an interlock fitted to the vehicle as per their licence conditions. The man has been charged with exceed prescribed concentration of drugs, fail oral fluid test, speeding, careless driving, and fail to have an interlock fitted.
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On Friday 5 June, a story was shared to the Cranbourne Star News Facebook page regarding a new set of traffic lights at the intersection of South Gippsland Highway, Hallam Road and Evans Road. Here is how our readers responded online: Peter Ryan: Slowest road work ever, easy to rip off the Victorian taxpayers. Mark Carlson: Only 15 years late. Ben Kerr: What they need to switch on is the half trained idiots leaning on their stop signs. They have created a great deal of confusion with the mishmash of diversions they keep changing. See what a five minute training session in traffic control does? Jodi Tetteh: Wow. Only took about 2 years. Just what Sth Gippsland needs another set of lights. Waste of time and money.
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Thumbs up As the majority of kids head back to school tomorrow, a huge thumbs up to all the parents / carers who home schooled and helped children with remote learning our kids these past 8 weeks! A big thank you to all the teachers as well for helping us all through this! We all got through it!!!!
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Thumbs down To the thousands of protesters in the city over the weekend. I agree with the cause but don’t agree with undoing all our hard work and sacrifices for a protest at this time. We are supposed to be social distancing. We don’t want to end up like the USA with over 100k people dead...
Thumbs up To being able to have a few friends over. Thumbs Up Thumbs Down is your chance to have your say. Malicious or defamatory submissions will not be accepted. All submissions must include a full name address and daytime phone number. Contributions over the phone will not be accepted. Contributors will not be identified. The Star News reserves the right to edit submissions. To submit a Thumbs Up Thumbs Down email to dailyeditor@ starnewsgroup.com.au fax to 5945 0777 or post to P.O. Box 9 Pakenham 3810.
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Casey Grange Retirement Village in Cranbourne West and Casey Council are celebrating after a Federal Government announced a $6 million nation-wide communications funding package to support senior residents stay connected. Under the Be Connected program modern technology will be made available to seniors for free including devices such as laptops and tablets as well as building their online skills and know-how through step-by-step training. Federal Liberal Senator for Victoria David Van said a $30,000 Federal Government grant would assist seniors in the southeast to connect with friends and family during the coronavirus pandemic and to help boost IT literacy. In addition, almost $5 million will be used to significantly expand FriendLine, a national telephone support service for older Australians, to answer 60,000 calls a year.
“Around 14 per cent of residents in the southeast Melbourne are over 65 years of age and many Australians in this age group may lack confidence using digital technology,” Senator Van said. “These grants will help improve the online skills of our senior residents who are increasingly accessing online services during the pandemic, while expanded access to FriendLine will help seniors in southeast Melbourne to combat loneliness and isolation.” The following organisations in the southeast will also receive funding under the Be Connected program to provide digital devices to older residents: Shriners Australia in Patterson Lakes, U3A Frankston, Keysborough Learning Centre, St John’s German Lutheran Parish in Springvale, and Monash Men’s Shed in Glen Waverley. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Jai was left with deep puncture wounds to his arm and calf.
A 12-year-old boy was mauled by a homeless man’s dog at Pakenham Station. 196128
Rogue dog attacks boy By Jessica Anstice A 12-year-old boy was mauled by a homeless man’s dog at Pakenham Station on Tuesday 2 June. Jai Kelsen was on his way to school when he stepped up onto the train station rotunda and a dog charged at him, latching onto his left elbow and clawing his left calf about 7.30am. As the attack happened, the dog’s owner, a homeless man, was asleep under a blanket at the opposite end of the rotunda. Cardinia Shire Council and Victoria Police are still investigating the incident, while the dog has been seized. The young boy was left utterly traumatised with deep puncture wounds to his arm and calf. “My son managed to shake the dog free.
He and his friend then ran screaming towards the picnic bench at the park,” Jai’s mother, Michelle Kelsen said. “At this point the homeless man had awoken and was yelling at the dog to stop, as the dog had nearly caught up to my son and his friend. “The man lunged at the dog, managing to grab hold of its collar and pull it back.” A witness, who was on his way to work, called triple zero and arranged for an ambulance and police to assist. Another woman, who was also present, comforted Jai and Jai’s friend until the emergency service crews arrived on scene. Ms Kelsen and her husband were at work when they were informed of the incident. “I left work immediately, as did my husband. When I arrived, the ambulance was al-
ready there,” she said. “I was horrified and scared of how severely injured he could be but I was relieved to see my son sitting up, however I was concerned to see him so upset. “He was very shaken, in tears and in shock for the rest of the day. He has been very traumatised by the attack and fears dogs now.” He was taken to the doctors and put on antibiotics to prevent any form of infection. Jai’s parents said they are “very thankful” for the man and women at the station who helped their son. “I am also immensely proud of the children from my son’s school for the maturity they demonstrated when answering my son’s phone and advising my husband of the incident,” she added. “He needed the day off school as was pale
and in shock most of the day and we also gave him Wednesday off to be sure he was OK.” Ms Kelsen and her husband are now urging others to stay vigilant in a bid to ensure it doesn’t happen again. “My son was incredibly lucky it was not any worse, it worries us to think if this dog is allowed back on the streets the outcome could be far worse,” she said. “We have taught our children to be aware of their surrounding and safety around animals they do not know, as have the school. “The fact that they were not near the dog and it behaved like this worries us about future attacks.” As a precaution, Jai now travels to school with his older sister who is in Year 12.
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STAR NEWS 7
NEWS
Stay Classrooms connected full again locally! By Jessica Anstice
The second wave of students returned to the classroom on Tuesday 9 June, after about eight weeks of learning from home. Pupils from Grade 3 to Year 10 rejoined students from remaining year levels who have been back since 26 May. Pakenham’s John Henry Primary School assistant principal Aaron Bickery said the school experienced a fantastic start to the week with all students back and learning on campus. “There were smiles all around and the students have settled in really well,” he said. “John Henry Primary School teachers ran one on one student and teacher assessment meetings last week before the students returned and the results of these assessment tasks showed what an amazing job our parents, students and staff did during home learning. “We are pleased to have all students back and school life heading back to a somewhat normalised manner.” Minister For Education James Merlino congratulated principals, teachers, school staff,
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students and families for their incredible efforts to make remote learning work, and announced a summit in June to discuss lessons learnt and investigate what improvements can be made to the education system as a result of the remote learning experience. “Remote learning hasn’t been easy, but I couldn’t be prouder of how our principals, teachers, support staff, students and families have responded to the challenge,” he said. “The advice from the Chief Health Officer is for students to begin a phased return to faceto-face learning - and that’s what’s happening today. Having close to a million students learning from home has made a huge contribution to limiting the number of people moving around the community and reducing the spread of the virus. “This is a real opportunity to improve our education system and learn lessons from this remote learning experience. This summit will be a way for all of our school sectors to come together and report back about the benefits they experienced.”
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Grade 3 to 6 students from Pakenham Springs Primary School returned to the classroom on Tuesday 9 June, after about eight weeks of learning from home. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
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VISTA BURGER & CHIPS .................................... $16 W/ BACON, CHEESE, TOMATO, LETTUCE, SAUCE & EGG ‘For the Love of the Bicycle’ members before their bike ride through Pakenham. 209352 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS
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Jessica James at the Cardinia Cultural Centre. 209352
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HOKKIEN NOODLES TOSSED IN MIXED VEGGIES, SOY & CHILI;
By Mitchell Clarke
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Keen cyclists gathered at the Cardinia Cultural Centre for a bike ride around Pakenham, ahead of the annual World Bicycle Day. Pakenham Community Garden coordinator Max Godber swapped the gumboots for cycling shoes, as he led a team of 10 on a 15 kilometre bike ride to promote the eco-friendly activity. The team left the Cardinia Cultural Centre on Tuesday night, 2 June, and rode to the Cardinia Road train station, down the bike path near Caversham Waters and up Toomuc Creek. The following day, Wednesday 3 June, keen riders again took part in another ride to celebrate the International World Bicycle Day, which was officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018. “I organised the bicycle ride on Tuesday night and Wednesday to bring people together to share the love of riding bikes and to promote bicycling as a fun activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and cultures,” Mr Godber said. “In the past, I have used bicycles to transport myself as well equipment for an urban farming project I was working on. It demonstrates how capable and environmentallyfriendly a bicycle can be.” Mr Godber said the day was a “perfect opportunity“ for people around the globe to pay tribute to the bicycle by celebrating its uniqueness, versatility and longevity. “As one of the most affordable forms of transport, bicycles and safe bicycle infrastructure is a great step towards health equity,” he said.
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The Vista Cafe Max Godber and Peter Robinson having a go on the tall bikes. 209352 “People ride bicycles as a profession, a form of entertainment, a tool to freedom, or as their preferred vehicle to commute to work - avoiding all traffic jams. “I 100 percent support the advocacy work that the Bicycle Network and the Bicycle User Groups around Australia are doing.” The Cardinia Bicycle User Group has a weekly ride which begins at the cultural centre every Saturday from 9am.
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STAR NEWS 9
NEWS
Police sting results in jail By Cam Lucadou-Wells A former Endeavour Hills Football Club official has been jailed after being found with a selfproduced child abuse video while arrested as part of a drugs, guns and stolen luxury-cars ring. Andrew Rohan, 40, of Hampton Park, and two co-accused men were caught in an Operation Thrives police sting as they arranged to sell a stolen $180,000 Mercedes and a sawn-off shotgun and shells to an undercover police officer. The trio were arrested by Special Operation Group police in Worrell Street, Dandenong on 4 June 2019. Rohan’s nine-minute “graphic” video of him and a 15-year-old girl was found on a twoGiga-byte storage device in his wallet, the Victorian County Court heard. The girl was also arrested at the scene. Rohan was driving a $70,000 Toyota Kluger which had been stolen in an aggravated burglary on 14 May 2019. From the vehicle, police seized nearly 20 grams of ecstasy tablets and 2.3 grams of ice, a
tomahawk, bolt cutters, disposable gloves and a satchel of spanners. They also found various bank cards, ID cards and cheques of other people. At the time, Rohan was on bail and a community corrections order. Rohan pleaded guilty to offences including three counts of sexually penetrating a child under 16, producing child sex material, drug trafficking and handling stolen goods. Sentencing judge Kevin Doyle said on 9 June that Rohan knew the age of his victim during the “substantial” breach of trust. Being under 16, she could not legally consent. Rohan told a police interview that the relationship had “blurred lines”, Judge Doyle noted. He later expressed remorse for what he told police was a “moment of weakness”, that he’d originally wanted to protect the victim from a preying older man. Judge Doyle noted if Rohan had regrets, he wouldn’t have kept the video for more than four months until his arrest. It “kept alive” the possibility that Rohan could distribute the video or keep it for “selfgratification”.
It was an isolated act but there was nothing to show that Rohan acted protectively towards the victim. There was a substantial age difference and power imbalance, Judge Doyle said. The victim was vulnerable and living in difficult circumstances, Judge Doyle noted. No evidence was given to rebut the presumption of harm to the child. In the police sting, Rohan was a drop-off driver with associates Jayden Schmidt, 22, of Narre Warren, Iqan Mehrdadian, 19, of Trugannina and a fourth man. On 4 April 2019, Rohan delivered a stolen $40,000 Audi A4 to a covert police operative in Worrell Street Dandenong. Rohan told the undercover purchaser there was “a little present” in the boot - three ounces of cannabis. The covert officer paid Rohan $5750 for the drugs and the car. Rohan’s involvement in the ring was less than co-offender Schmidt but “not insignificant”, Judge Doyle said. Schmidt was linked to selling five stolen cars, 63 grams of ice and a fully-automatic SKS assault rifle for undercover cops for four months.
In May, Schmidt was jailed for up to three years and eight months, including a two-year and four-month non-parole period. The co-accused Mehrdadian was jailed for 13 months with a two-year supervised community corrections order. As a child, Rohan was exposed to drug use, various father figures and family violence. After a successful career in management, Rohan spiralled into ice use and criminality in his mid-thirties. He’d been previously placed on two CCOs for offences such as car theft, deception and drug possession. With no previous sexual offences, Rohan’s risk of re-offending was regarded as low-tomedium - and significantly less with drug and mental health treatment. Sentenced as a serious sex offender, Rohan was jailed for up to five years, including a three year non-parole period. He’d already spent 371 days in pre-sentence custody. He will be a registered sex offender for life.
Fundraiser for new wheels By Brendan Rees Sarah Taylor has a smile that “lights up the lives of those around her”. Unfortunately, the 28-year-old of Cranbourne West, who is confined to a wheelchair, desperately needs a new van to get her around as her current vehicle, which has clocked up 300,000 kilometres, nears the end of its life. Friends and carers of Sarah, who was born with severe intellectual and physical disabilities, have set up a Go Fund Me page to raise $60,000 so she can have a new wheelchairfriendly vehicle. Sarah, who is non-verbal and fed through a tube, has lived with her grandparents since she was six months old, and despite being elderly themselves they have “done a great job” of providing the best care for her. A new van which can fit Sarah’s 200kg electric wheelchair would help her attend doctor’s appointments as well as enjoy social outings. So rare is her unique combination of disabilities which includes cerebral palsy, quadriplegia, and Holoprosencephaly where the brain fails to divide properly into the right
and left hemispheres - that only 22 people are born with these each year. Sarah has continued to surprise doctors and defy the odds of her expected lifespan of five to 10 years. According to the GoFundMe page, which has so far raised $750, Sarah “can make just about anyone’s heart melt when her face lights up”. “She absolutely loves music, getting out and about, enjoying movies and shopping and yawning so she can laugh at you when you yawn too!” the fundraiser said. The current van Sarah uses has a number of mechanical issues and is exempt from further modifications. The cost of a new vehicle is also out of reach for her grandparents. While Sarah receives some funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme, they will not cover the purchasing of a new car. To donate visit: https://www.gofundme. com/f/sarah039s-new-van?utm_medium= copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_ campaign=p_lico+share-sheet
Sarah is all smiles with a friend’s baby.
Sarah enjoys some outdoor time. 10 STAR NEWS
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Thursday, 11 June, 2020
Sarah with her carers Kylie Thompson, left, and her daughter Hayley Thompson. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Back to work with Brad By Mitchell Clarke In 1990, Gembrook MP Brad Battin first began work experience by helping out a prominent Berwick trader with suit sales. Now, three decades later, the politician reunited with the same man who gave him his first break, Harry Hutchinson from Harry’s Clothing, in a bid to bring back some much needed business. It’s no secret that local businesses have been doing it tough throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, but a new ‘Back to Work and Back in Business’ campaign is set to provide a new avenue of information. There are over 33,000 small businesses located across the Casey and Cardinia regions, with the industry generating over 21,150 local jobs. Mr Battin hopes the campaign will encourage people to spend their money locally, in turn investing in local jobs. “The concept is to just remind people to support local businesses like Harry’s Clothing,” Mr Battin said. “Rather than heading out of Casey and Cardinia to purchase a suit, we want to get people thinking about spending locally, so they can buy their suits here and support locals like Harry. “It is as simple as purchasing your produce from the local green grocer, meat from your butcher, take away from your favourite restaurant and clothes from your local clothing boutique.” More than 70 percent of businesses across
Former colleagues Brad and Harry reunite. 209566 the state have reportedly experienced a reduced income due to the global pandemic. “Obviously the economy is going to struggle
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS to recover post Covid-19, so we need to work together as a state to support businesses and provide jobs,” Mr Battin added.
“As restrictions ease and we start to see a return to normal, the effects on business and employment will be felt by many locals.”
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Travel agent heads home By Jessica Anstice The team at Pakenham Travel has decided not to renew its Main Street shop’s lease and instead work from home through the coronavirus pandemic. The decision comes as the Federal Government’s travel ban continues to remain upheld. Pakenham Travel owner, David Brown, said that regardless of the team working from home, it will be business as usual. “While no one can really travel at the moment, we’ve still got all of our clients to look after,” he said. “A lot of travel agents do just work from home - is that the way of the future? We have clients in Spain, the US, the UK and Queensland so for the people who don’t live in Pakenham, it’s not going to make much difference.” As can be presumed, the Pakenham travel agency has been inundated with processing refunds on flights, accomodation, and tours for the past two or so months. “It’s probably going to be close to the end of the year before international travel resumes,” he said. “Once it opens up more, which it will, people who have cruised will still want to and people will still want to travel. We’ll still be here.” In a statement released to its clients, the travel agency wrote that the pandemic has brought about many changes in the way businesses are operating. “As our lease will end on 30 June, like many other travel agents, we have made the decision to work from home,” it stated. “For those of you who reside overseas or interstate you will not notice any difference. The telephone number and email addresses will remain the same. We appreciate your continued support over the years and look forward to assisting you with your holiday plans once we are all able to travel once again.”
The team at Pakenham Travel will be working from home. Pictured from left are staff members Melissa, Anita, Marg and David. 176206
FOCUS ON … TAX TIME
How to calculate working from home expenses for those who are working from home for the first time. “The shortcut method provides a rate of 80 cents per hour and will only require you to keep a record of the number of hours worked from home,” Ms Foat said, “This recognises that many taxpayers are working from home for the first time and makes claiming a deduction much easier. “If you choose to use this shortcut method, all you need to do is keep a record of the hours you worked from home as evidence of your claim.” This new shortcut arrangement does not prohibit people from making a working from home claim under existing arrangements,
where you calculate all or part of your running expenses. Claims for working from home expenses prior to 1 March 2020 cannot be calculated using the shortcut method, and must use the pre-existing working from home approach and requirements. The ATO will review the special arrangement for the next financial year as the Covid-19 situation progresses. Example Bianca is an employee who works as a copy writer and editor. Bianca starts working from home on 16 March as a result of Covid-19 and replaces her face-to-face meetings with online video conferencing.
Bianca has just bought a new laptop, desk, chair and stationery. She also wants to claim some additional gas, electricity, phone and internet costs due to working from home. Under the shortcut method, Bianca can now claim all her expenses under a rate of 80 cents per hour. All she needs is her timesheets. Bianca can also decide to claim using existing working from home calculations. Under that method, Bianca can claim the desk, chair, gas and electricity under the 52 cents per hour, but would need to work out the decline in value of the laptop, and calculate the work-related portion of the laptop, stationery, phone and internet. For advice on this an other tax matters see your registered taxation agent.
12387579-CG20-18
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced special arrangements this year due to Covid-19 to make it easier for people to claim deductions for working from home. The new arrangement will allow people to claim a rate of 80 cents per hour for all their running expenses, rather than needing to calculate costs for specific running expenses. Multiple people living in the same house can claim this new rate. For example, a couple living together could each individually claim the 80 cents per hour rate. The requirement to have a dedicated work from home area has also been removed. Assistant Commissioner Karen Foat said the new shortcut method will make it easier
BETTER BUSINESS. BETTER LIFE. 03 9709 2600 | 9 28-32 Gloucester Avenue Berwick 12450855-FA24-20
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Thursday, 11 June, 2020
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Woodman drops lawsuit By Brendan Rees A developer at the centre of an IBAC investigation has abandoned his defamation case against City of Casey over “bullying” allegations - much to the relief of council. Mr Woodman launched defamation proceedings in the Supreme Court following a meeting in August 2018 with four City of Casey staff including an acting chief executive to discuss his pending application for a permit regarding Brompton Lodge development in Cranbourne South. According to court documents, Mr Woodman’s lawyer, from Corrs Chambers Westgarth, claimed he was defamed in internal communications among staff. However, on 1 June Mr Woodman elected to file a notice of discontinuance and thereby discontinue his claim against council and the officers allegedly involved. Before dropping the case, Mr Woodman’s lawyers claimed the publications “carried the imputation” that Mr Woodman “was so disrespectful, belittling, aggressive, intimidatory and bullying of City of Casey staff at the meeting that his conduct warranted severe censure”. Following the first publications, Mr Woodman’s lawyers claimed council staff refused to meet with Mr Woodman following repeated requests - with another staff member allegedly publishing second publications, Mr Woodman’s lawyers stated.The court documents stated the publications were leaked to The Age newspaper in 2018 and used in a series of articles. “The republications of the substance of the publications in the print and online editions of The Age severely aggravated the harm suffered by the plaintiff,” Mr Woodman’s lawyers argued in the documents. “It is to be inferred that councillors or employees of the City of Casey were responsible
John Woodman has discontinued a libel lawsuits against City of Casey. for the leak,” it said. According to City of Casey’s defence documents, which was prepared by its lawyers from Barry Nilsson, a staff member “observed that the veins on the plaintiff’s neck (Mr Woodman) were standing up and his face was red” after allegedly interrogating a staff member about their “workload” at the 2018 meeting. City of Casey’s lawyers, which had denied the allegations, say the publications “con-
cerned a complaint about a property developer’s behaviour towards employees” in the planning department of Casey Council “and what response would be appropriate to ensure the first defendant was providing a safe working environment to its employees”. Casey Council corporate services director Sheena Frost welcomed the outcome of the defamation action being dropped which had “put considerable personal and professional
strain on the officers involved”. “During this time we did the best we could to support them, so we are all relieved we can all put this behind us,” she said. “Council and the relevant officers strongly refuted the allegations made by Mr Woodman and instructed our lawyers to defend the claim. “Mr Woodman will be required to pay council and the officers’ costs of the proceeding in accordance with the court rules.”
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A young woman has been charged over the murder of a renowned greyhound trainer who was found dead in her Devon Meadows home. Emergency services were called to a property on Cross Road about 10am on Tuesday 26 May where the body of 69-year-old Karen Leek was discovered. Jessie Moore, a 25-year-old from Berwick, who is understood to be the niece of Ms Leek, was arrested on Thursday morning 4 June and subsequently interviewed by police. Homicide Squad detectives have charged the woman with one count of murder who faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 6 June. Ms Moore did not apply for bail and the next hearing is scheduled for 27 August. In a statement following the confirmation of Ms Leek’s death, the Greyhound Owners Trainers and Breeders Association said it had been “deeply saddened” by the news of Ms Leek’s death, describing her as a “greatly respected and successful trainer” and someone who “provided support and guidance to many others making their way in greyhound racing”. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
“Karen loved her dogs, was a selfless friend and mentor to many and will be greatly missed by her many friends and colleagues,” the statement said. Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) said also posted a statement on its website saying the industry had been “devastated” to learn of Ms Leek’s sudden death. “Karen was one of the most respected people in greyhound racing, recognised for her success as a breeder, rearer and trainer,” the statement said. Ms Leek grew up in Warrandyte where her family owned the general store, and was introduced to greyhound racing at just 13 years of age. Throughout her successful career, Ms Leek’s Devon Meadows property has been the breeding ground for some of the superstars of Australian greyhound racing. Before charges were laid against the woman, Homicide squad detectives had been trying to determined what led to her final moments - as the “exact circumstances are still to be determined,” according to a statement issued by Victoria Police.
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Hearts to help By Rowan Forster
Hearts to help By Rowan Forster A lifesaving Pakenham-based venture, spear-
health care system for the entire community. According to government figures, 45 per cent of metropolitan emergency department
A lifesaving Pakenham-based venture, spearheaded by a paramedic and a teacher, has received a federal cash injection to provide free first aid training throughout Melbourne's south-east. Tiny Hearts - founded by sisters Rachael Waia and Nikki Jurcutz - will arm 1800 local parents and carers with the skillsets required to save their children in the event of an emergency. In a regional first, 300 parents are also set to be trained bilingually, catering for Chinese and Afghan communities. Their journey began in a garage, but Tiny Hearts now has a headquarters in Pakenham's Industrial Park - proving that business success is attainable under the most challenging circumstances. Ms Waia, a former educator and volunteer first responder, was first aid trained when she was just 15 years old. She is determined to share her vital knowledge with as many parents as possible. "I've got two kids of my own and I know what it's like when they choke and when they're really sick," she said. "Because we've got such a good report built with our parents, we get a lot of feedback where they say, hey, you literally saved our babies' lives. "I love what I do - waking up and making a difference." Tiny Hearts worked in conjunction with the South East Melbourne Primary Health Network to secure the federal grant. The organisation also hopes to reduce the number of inappropriate admissions to the emergency department and create a better
We just keep getting MEGA.
health care system for the entire community. According to government figures, 45 per cent of metropolitan emergency department presentations are non-urgent. Tiny Hearts has also compiled statistics from participants, illustrating the importance of teaching the critical first aid skills. After the course, 98 per cent of parents said they felt more confident to act effectively in an emergency. Almost 50 per cent reported that they had used their acquired infant and child first aid knowledge within six months of undertaking the course. Narre Warren's Shelby Cooke, who performed CPR on her choking two-year-old daughter while paramedics rushed to their home, stressed the importance of first aid training. She believes that had she not received the course through her workplace, her daughter may have suffocated. "I still owe everything to having those skills," she said. "The more people that are equipped with them, the less tragedies we're going to see with children, babies and toddlers. "It's such a frightening thing to go through - so you need to be prepared." The free sessions will be held across the region, including at Beaconhills College, in Pakenham. Topics covered will include choking, fevers, convulsions, burns, drowning, bleeding, caring for an unconscious person, bites and stings and head injuries. Parents or caregivers interested in undertaking the free training can sign up by heading to: www.tinyheartsfirstaid.com/fundedcourse.
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Karen Leek was known as a selfless friend and mentor in Victoria’s greyhound racing community. Picture: GREYHOUND RACING VICTORIA
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STAR NEWS 13
RECIPES
We’re back to bake-ists By Jordan Crugnale, Bass MP
BREAD, SOUP AND PASTA My Italian grandmother used to say, “Never set the table without a bottle of wine“ and “Bread is your best friend“. Like many around them, my family were displaced in the World War II, their houses bombed, burned and ransacked. They lived in refugee camps, lost newborns from malnutrition, had children separated from them and hid in the mountains, and some were captured and held at gunpoint. My mother still to this day says, “You have no idea what it is like to go hungry“. These stories and more were all part of our growing up: adversity and hope, gratefulness and compassion, family and community.
Rolling out the pasta.
BREAD Easiest bread recipe ever. Activity: No Knead - Yes Need. Subject areas: maths, science, chemistry, arts, home economics, literacy and numeracy. Result: 100 per cent kids will love it. www.jennycancook.com/recipes/faster-noknead-bread/
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale and son Luciano admiring the bread.
FRESH HOME-MADE PASTA (RECIPE, METHOD ON INTERNET) To get the kids making start with 2 eggs and 200 grams plain flour (one and a half cups) to throw into a soup or swap two minute noodles with fresh egg pasta - cooks faster! Equipment: Rolling pin or pasta machine. Two chairs, wooden broom handle (dowel or something similar) to hang the pasta over to dry. You can make lasagna, or break up the sheets into pieces for soups, fettucini (roll up strips and slice), ravioli (cut rounded squares and fill with cheese and spinach). Depending what you want to make determines how many eggs. I use 4-5 eggs to feed around 6 people. Ratio 1 egg: 100 grams flour.
· ·
Ingredients 2 eggs
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· 200 grams flour, which is about 1.5 cups (plain) · Salt Method 1. Place the flour on a wooden work surface or a big bowl. Make a well in the centre and crack in the eggs. Add pinch of salt. 2. Gently beat the eggs with a fork then bring in some of the flour, creating a kind of batter. 3. Then bring the rest of the flour in. When the mixture forms a ball, start kneading with your hands. For about 4-5 minutes until you get a smooth and soft dough. 4. Roll out the dough with pasta machine or with a rolling pin. Rolling pin: flour the surface, roll roll, roll at an angle then other angle to get it to stretch out. 5. Keep going till it reaches 1mm thick or so. 6. Hang over a floured broom stick or dowel for 30 mins.
STRACCIATELLA SOUP Stracciatella (stra chee a tella - the ‘a’ sounds like the ones in banana) is an ancient Italian soup from central Italy and it is also an icecream with chocolate shavings. It comes from the word meaning to ‘tear up’ or ‘rip up’. When you add the parmesan cheese and beaten egg into the hot broth you can see why - it is all frayed up. Note: fresh pasta cooks in a few minutes. Ingredients 1 litre chicken or veg broth/stock (buy liquid, stock cubes or make the broth from scratch) 2 eggs Handful of chopped parsley 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated Salt/pepper 1/2 cup broken up little bits of your home-made pasta sheets or any pasta (optional)
· · · · · ·
Method 1. Bring broth to a simmer in a pot over high heat. 2. Beat the eggs in a small bowl, then add the parsley, grated parmesan, salt and pepper. 3. While stirring the simmering broth, slowly pour egg mixture into the broth. It will immediately turn “fluffy” and float on top of the soup.
4. (Optional) Add small handful of separately cooked home made bits of pasta. Serve and enjoy!
LEMONADE SCONES Serves: 8 Ingredients 300g (2 cups) self-raising flour, sifted 55g (quarter cup) caster sugar 125ml (half cup) thick cream 125ml (half cup) lemonade 40ml (2 tablespoons) milk Jam, to serve Whipped cream, to serve
· · · · · · · By Daniel Andrews, Victorian Premier My mum is a great scone maker and we used to eat them regularly growing up in Wangaratta. This isn’t her recipe, but is the version we make at home. They’re dead easy and delicious with jam and cream - jam on first of course. 14 STAR NEWS
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Thursday, 11 June, 2020
Method 1. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees C. Lightly grease a baking tray. 2. Place the flour, sugar and half a teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. Add the cream and lemonade and mix to form a soft dough. 3. Turn out onto a lightly floured workbench and knead lightly until combined. Press the dough with yur
hands to a thickness of about 2cm. 4. Use a 6cm round cutter to cut out eight scones, place on a baking tray and brush the tops with some milk. Re-roll scraps to make a few extra scones. 5. Bake for 10-15 minutes until lightly browned. Serve warm with your favourite jam. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
LEADERS SHARE LOCKDOWN GO-TO DISHES
CAROL’S CHICKEN AND VEGIE SOUP
By Carol Jeffs, Cardinia Shire CEO I make a big pot on the weekends - great to reheat for a quick meal during the week - also great with fresh sourdough. Ingredients
· 1 brown onion · 4 cloves of fresh garlic · 6 chicken thigh fillets · 2 litres salt reduced chicken stock · 2 carrots · 1 parsnip · 1 turnip · 1 sweet potato · 1/4 butternut pumpkin · 1 zucchini · Handful of green beans · 4 sticks of celery
Method 1. Prepare by roughly dicing all vegetables and chicken fillets. 2. Finely dice onion and garlic, saute in large saucepan with a bit of oil. 3. Add diced chicken and cook until lightly browned. 4. Add chicken stock and all other vegies. 5. Boil for about 20 mins or until vegies are just soft (not mushy). Serve with fresh sourdough - yum!
BRAD’S AMERICAN PULLED PORK ROLLS MUM’S LIGHT AND · FLUFFY SCONES · · Light and fluffy scones.
1/2 cup honey 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 3 tbs olive oil 1 onion halved peeled 2kg shoulder roast pork, bone in 1/2 cup barbecue sauce Method 1. Mix together all the spices with a fork and then stir in the honey, vinegar and oil to make a paste 2. Place onion in the slow cooker and then top with the pork. Pour the honey paste over the pork, allowing it to run down the sides. 3. Turn slow cooker to low and cook for 7-8 hours, or until the meat is tender enough to shred apart with a fork. 4. Once the pork is cooked, pour the liquid into a saucepan and allow to cool, skimming off the fat as it surfaces. 5. When the pork is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and fat. Using two forks, flake the meat into small pieces. Place the shredded pork into a bowl. 6. Combine the liquid in the saucepan with the barbecue sauce and gently boil until the sauce thickens slightly. Mix the sauce into the pork and serve.
· · ·
By Brad Battin, Gembrook MP My go-to, served with on rolls, with apple coleslaw, cheese and barbecue sauce and a side of American Pale Ale (home brewed of course). Ingredients 3 tbs paprika 2 tbs salt to taste 2 tsp black pepper 1 tsp chilli powder (I like to add 2 tsps) 1 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp dried thyme
· · · · · ·
pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
By Glenn Patterson, City of Casey CEO
Serves six, preparation time 25 minutes, cooking time 12 minutes - all ready in 37 minutes. Ingredients 2 cups (250g) self raising flour 1 egg 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 cup (125ml) skim milk 1/2 cup (125ml) thickened cream
· · · · ·
Method 1. Pre-heat oven to 220 degrees C. Lightly grease a large baking tray. 2. Whip up the egg and add sugar. Beat in the milk and cream. Stir in the (sifted) flour. 3. Knead onto a flour dusted bench top until a smooth dough consistency. 4. Cut out 12 scones with a cutter or rim of a glass. Place on greased baking tray. 5. Cook for 12 minutes - removing immediately and let cool for 5-10 mins before serving. Thursday, 11 June, 2020
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Sweet potato laska. Darryl Braithwaite.
Sweet serve of vegies By Tania Phillips As a busy mum of two, television personality and cookbook author Magdalena Roze knows all about trying to make sure a family gets enough vegies in their diet. Magdalena said less than four per cent of Australians are meeting the recommended daily intake of vegetables. She said the real winner for her in the
SWEET POTATO LAKSA Serves 4 Prep time: 15 mins Cooking time: 25 mins
· 1 tbs vegetable oil · 1/2 cup laksa paste · 3 cups chicken stock · 3 cups coconut milk Method 1. Heat the oil in a wok or large saucepan over high heat. Add the laksa paste, cook stirring for 1 minute. Add the stock, coconut milk and sweet potato. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium and boil gently 15 minutes or until sweet potato is tender. 2. Meanwhile, place the noodles in a heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water. Stand for 3 minutes or until the noodles have sotened slightly. Drain and keep warm.
vegie stakes is the sweet potato, now in season. “Sweet potatoes are a firm staple in my household,” she said. “My kids love sweet potato so it’s always a fuss-free vegetable that Darren and I can serve up and know our little ones are getting a serve of veg. Mashed sweet potato was also the first food we fed both our children.” sweet potato, peeled, cut into 2cm · 800g pieces dried rice vermicelli or flat rice stick · 250g noodles · 1 tbs grated palm sugar or brown sugar · 1/2 lime, juiced · 3 tsp fish sauce · 150g snow peas, shredded green shallots, Thai basil, corian· Sliced der and fried shallots, to serve
3. Combine the palm sugar, lime juice and ish sauce and stir into the laksa. Remove from the heat and stir in the snow peas. 4. Divide the noodles between bowls and spoon over the soup. Top with, green shallots, herbs and fried shallots. Serve. Tip Laksa paste can vary in lavor from mild to very hot. Vegetarian option Want to turn this into a vegetarian meal, replace the stock with vegetable stock and fish sauce with vegetarian soy.
MAGDALENA’S ‘TOP TIPS’ Magdelena’s top tips to supercharge any occasion with sweet potatoes: 1. Sweet Treats - Add sweet potatoes into your next dessert or even as an ingredient in a birthday cake, muffins or brownies. Sweet potatoes have a natural sweetness, which makes it a delicious addition to desserts. Added bonus: it will have less added sugar, the benefit of Vitamins A and C, and the kids won’t notice they’re having a serve of veg! 2. BBQ Perfect - Sweeten up your next barbecue with sweet potato. If you’re looking for a plant-based option, sweet potato is the perfect choice. Grill some sliced sweet potato and serve with a squeeze of lemon and crumbled feta for a simple and delicious summer staple. 3.Entertaining Delight - Go meat free for your next event and make sweet potato the star of the show. I love making my sweet potato galette when having friends over for dinner - it impresses even the biggest meat eater. 16 STAR NEWS
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Thursday, 11 June, 2020
Magdalena Roze visited Far Northern NSW to check out the sweet potatoes.
Love Songs from a master By Tania Phillips He was the pop heart-throb of the mid-’70s and the comeback king in the late ’80s and now at 71 Darryl Braithwaite might just have another hit on his hands. The Aria Hall of Famer released his new single “Love Songs” through Sony Music Entertainment late last week. Written by Grammy nominated Australian wunderkind Michael Fatkin and Los Angelesbased writers Rozzi Crane and Charlie Synder, the new single has a strong contemporary pop vibe just shy of mainstream. “I thought that was George Ezra,” my 17-year-old said listening to the song with me and when it was explained that the artist was almost old enough to be the grandfather of the 26-year old Englishman (of Budapest and Shotgun fame). “That’s better than most of the ’pop’ music you hear - I wouldn’t turn that off if it came on the radio.” But maybe she’s a little biased - she’s a fan of Pink and this song was originally meant for the multi-award winning singer and yet it fits Braithwaite’s voice perfectly. And having come upon it almost by accident, it has obviously become a favourite of the former Sherbet frontman. “It was sent to me by an old friend of mine,” Daryl said, explaining how he came to record it. “He wanted to know if I could forward it to my friend, ex-Sherbet manager Roger Davies. He wanted to see if P!nk would like it. I had it
The cover for Darryl Braithwaites new single. for two days and thought ‘My God, this sounds right up P!nk’s alley’. “I sent it to Roger on my phone and didn’t hear back. Weeks turned into a couple of months and eventually we ended up having lunch together - I asked what he thought of the song and he said he’d never received it. “I had started playing it with my band and the reaction it got from audiences was really good. People at the gigs felt like they knew it by the second chorus. “Roger finally got to hear it and said, ‘It suits you more than P!nk, and she’s not recording at the moment’. I was relieved. So, we went ahead and recorded it.” So, what makes ‘Love Songs’ stand out to a man whose work from ‘Howzat’ to ‘The Horses’ is now firmly part of the cultural fabric? “I think it’s how ‘Love Songs’ starts,” he says. “It’s so simple. The dynamics of the song really appealed to me. Initially I thought twice about the title - but I’ve accepted it for what it is. I love the version we ended up recording.”
Gumboots on for the season It may be the start of winter and all you want to do is cosy up indoors, but there is no better time to put on your gumboots and enjoy the cooler weather outside. Winter is a key season to give your garden some love, maintenance and prepare for a successful end of year. To start, clear space for your summer flowering plants and produce by removing annual flowers that have finished blooming, and cut down perennials like Dahlias and Chrysanthemums if they have finished their show. Pull out weeds and empty your compost bin spreading fresh rich compost onto your cleared garden beds. Be sure to mix it into the soil! For those with more established gardens, continue to harvest plants that are still producing enjoying the fruits of your labour and sharpen your secateurs to start pruning. Once you’re ready, take some time to plan your garden for the upcoming seasons. Mr Fothergill’s have all the tools you need. If you’re wondering what seeds and bulbs might thrive where you live, the free Mr Fothergill’s Planting Guide App is ideal for you. Available for both iOS and Android users, this unique, easy-to-use app provides you with tips specific to your postcode about what’s in season or when to sow and harvest. For those looking for a more detailed plan, the Mr Fothergill’s Online Garden Planner will help you to draw out your garden beds, add plants and move items around to get the perfect layout.
Baby flower seedlings just planted in a newly prepard garden.
Find these tools and much more by visiting us online at mrfothergills.com.au. And, be sure to share your gardening journey with us on social media by using #MrFothergillsAus Karen Taylor Mr Fothergill’s Seeds pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
FOCUS ON … REAL ESTATE
LOVELY AND LIGHT WITH STREET APPEAL SET slightly elevated with plenty of street appeal is this stunning and spacious one owner family home. Showcasing faultless presentation, the property has a 4 car garage under the Colourbond roofline and is located in a most desirable local on the North side of Berwick. It offers easy access to Timbarra shopping precinct, Berwick village, schools, public transport, and major arterial roads. Lovely and light, this idyllic residence features an entrance foyer and four generous bedrooms. The master has a full ensuite and walk-in robe, whilst all three other bedrooms have built-in robes. There is a large living/dining room and a beautifully appointed and updated kitchen boasting quality SMEG stainless steel appliances including oven, gas hot plate, range-hood, dishwasher and second oven with Caesar stone bench tops. The kitchen leads through to the meals area and a most spacious family room with timber lined dado wall panelling, main bathroom with spa-bath, spacious laundry and a powder room. This property is further enhanced by a huge 4 car brick garage with motorised door and rear yard access, ideal for those looking to store extra vehicles. There is a lovely outdoor entertaining area with low maintenance and established rear garden with a selection of fruit trees. The home has a full list of quality fixtures including ducted heating, air-conditioning, floor coverings, window furnishing, water tank and much more. The genuine seller is ready to negotiate. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 8 Wintersun Road, Berwick, 3806, VIC Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 4 garage Price: $790,000 - $840,000 Inspect: Saturday 11:30 AM – 12 PM or by appointment, photo ID required Contact: Brett Donaldson, DONALDSON MARTIN & CO 9704 7555
Inclusions • Modern Kitchen with stone benchtops • Stainless steel electric oven • Stainless steel gas hot plates • Stainless steel range hood • Ducted heating • Ceramic floor and wall tiles as per floor plans from builders range • Carpet to remaining areas from builders range • Stainless steel sink and flick mixer to kitchen • Chrome mixer tops from builders range • Mirrors with polished edge to bathroom • Exhaust fans to bathrooms • Roller door to garage • Flush panel internal doors
• Internal door handles • 50mm Scotia cornice throughout • White glo tub to laundry • Weathertough acrylic to all exterior • Sewer power, drainage, gas and water connections as per plans • Outdoor water taps • Electrical fittings as per plan layouts • Smoke alarm • Aluminium sliding windows and doors as per plans • Termite protection • Colorbond/concrete roof tiles • E-Screens to front and living areas – Holland blinds to all others (house specific)
• Security doors to all openable doors • Flyscreens to all openable windows • NBN fibre optic (where required) • TV points • Water tank minimum 2000 litre (tank flush system) or grey water connection (if available) or solar hot water* whichever is applicable • All driveways, paths and crossovers as per plans with coloured concrete • Landscaping • Fencing • Letterbox
Drouin
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3 Bedroom 3 Bedroom $379,950 - $409,950 2 Bedroom 2 Bedroom $349,950 - $379,950
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2 Bedroom 2 Bedroom $349,950 - $379,950 4 Bedroom 4 Bedroom $379,950 - $409,950
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FOCUS ON … REAL ESTATE
Strzelecki Realty 77 Princes Highway, Trafalgar 03 5633 2858 admin@strzeleckirealty.com.au
www.strzeleckirealty.com.au
COURT LOCATION Highest Quality Lifestyle Property
THIS solid three-bedroom plus study home is perfectly situated in a quiet court within a short stroll to popular Nossal High School with everything needed to enjoy a comfortable family life. The home features 3 great sized bedrooms, the master with ensuite and walk-in robe and the second bedroom with wall-to-wall built-in robes. The formal lounge allows access to the dining area, adjacent study and lightfilled kitchen with gas hot-plates, wall oven and dishwasher. Outside is a sensational covered outdoor entertaining area with a huge gable pergola overlooking the gardens with plenty of space for the kids and pets to play. Separate gated access located at the
$650,000 – 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom
9 Slatters Road, Trafalgar Vic 3824 Situated on approx. 1 acre split over 3 levels is this immaculately kept family home. Natural light, quality drapes and plush carpet encase the large formal living area. There is enough room in here for the biggest of lounge suites plus your grand piano. Move on through to the open kitchen, dining and second family area where you will find the top of the line Falcon Oven, a dishwasher, pantry, and wood heater. Access to the alfresco entry area is via a sliding door and the sleek patio blinds makes it perfect to enjoy all year round. What master bedroom is not complete without a walk in robe, split system and an ensuite with shower, vanity and toilet. The two bedrooms along the front of the home are equal in size to the master and include built in robes whilst the fourth bedroom is large enough for a double and still has the built in wardrobe. Linked by the hallway from the bedrooms is the unique bathroom. Set up for a busy family it has a separate shower room, separate toilet and the main bathroom has a vanity and full size bath. The house has ample storage with a double linen press, single store cupboard and that doesn’t include the large laundry with a massive double trough, built in cupboards plus more. The home has many additional bonus’s including warmcrete, split system in formal living area, freshly painted inside, triple lock security doors on all external doors, insulated in walls and ceiling, awnings along the front of the home and ceiling fans in the living areas. Moving outside you will feel you are in your own private paradise but only minutes from town. Enjoy your own fruit from the orchard or simply enjoy watching the wildlife from the paved outdoor area.
Tanya Megaw Licensed Agent - Director 77 Princes Highway | TRAFALGAR | VICTORIA | 3824 | 03 5633 2858 | tanya@strzeleckirealty.com.au
HOME ESSENTIALS 12449733-SN21-20
Again all of your storage is covered with a single car garage attached to the house, double width and extra height carport, Atco portable hut, wood shed and a bush hut/studio. Underground power, town water plus water tanks, septic and a separate drive to your sheltered flat open area. Stunning gardens and views of Mount Baw Baw are all of what makes this the highest quality lifestyle property.
front of the property offers plenty of space to park a caravan, boat or trailer off-road. Other features include a ducted reverse cycle air-conditioning system providing yearround comfort and efficiency running on a 3 phase power system, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms and a double garage (bar not included). This is a great opportunity to secure a property in a fantastic location. Let the kids walk to school with Berwick Fields Primary School just up the road and only moments from Kambrya College, Brentwood Park Primary School, Eden Rise Shopping Village, Casey and St John of God hospitals, Federation University, Chisholm Institute, Nossal High School, Berwick Train Station and the stunning Berwick Springs lake. ●
Address: 26 Pioneer Court, Berwick, 3806, VIC Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 study, 2 garage Price: $595,000 - $650,000 Inspect: Private inspection Contact: Siobhan Beeston 0487 901 590, PEAKE REAL ESTATE 9707 5300
Pakenham
Inclusions • Vinyl wrap kitchen with stone benchtops • Stainless steel electric oven • Stainless steel gas hot plates • Stainless steel range hood • Ducted heating • Ceramic floor and wall tiles as per floor plans from builders range
Page 18 STAR REAL ESTATE
• Carpet to remaining areas from builders range • Stainless steel sink and flick mixer to kitchen • Chrome mixer tops from builders range • Mirrors with polished edge to bathroom • Exhaust fans to bathrooms • Roller door to garage
• Flush panel internal doors • Internal door handles • 50mm Scotia cornice throughout • White glo tub to laundry • Weathertough acrylic to all exterior • Sewer power, drainage, gas and water connections as per plans • Outdoor water taps
Whether you’re looking to downsize and keep the caravan or boat, a first home buyer looking to enter the market or savvy investor, this development has a little something for everyone. Located in an established part of Pakenham, opposite parklands and open space, the fresh air and neighbourhood vibes will have you feeling at home in no time! With close access to all the amenities such as shopping, schools, restaurants and more throughout Pakenham and surrounding towns, you’ll have everything you need. With easy access to the M1. 2 bedroom townhouses $369,000–399,000. 3 bedroom townhouses $409,000–$449,000. First Home Owner Grant $10,000 (to eligible applicants) Prices subject to change 202005019913_1-NG19-20
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The girls who make up Officer Kangaroos Junior Football Club under 10 team.
Picture: SHAYNE HONEY
Three-year-old Haydn lining up for a set shot.
The under 13 boys were keen to get back into the swing of things. Pictured with coach Trav Delarue.
The under 16 girls listening to coach Allison Isaacs.
Tim Ferguson coaching the Under 12 boys.
Only the absolute essentials - a footy and sanitiser!
Sienna (pictured with football) from the Under 10 girls team practicing. Pictured with coaches Brad Johnstone and Jana Payne.
There were no sirens sounding at Officer’s Heatherbrae Reserve but the footy was flying and the boys and girls were laughing, jumping, kicking and marking. Junior footy training kicked off in style for the Officer Kangaroos Junior Football Club on Sunday 7 June, with all teams participating for the first time since the club cancelled training in March. Despite training being given the green light to begin from the end of May, club president Shayne Honey said the club had strategically chosen the date because it allowed a staggered approach, much like schools. “We knew training on a long weekend would have reduced participants but it was critical to our overall planning, ensuring we pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
have a safe environment, not only this week but each week after,” he said. “With over 350 children in 21 teams, the club needed to consider how they could meet the concerns of families worried about Covid19 and the desire of kids to resume to training.” The club turned to trusted girl’s football operations manager, Kim Isaacs, to take on the role of Covid safety officer, who ensured the committee acted in line with the league protocols. “There’s no better way to get kids out of the house and increase their wellbeing,” Ms Isaacs told the Gazette, speaking of the dedication to get kids out on the field. Training was reduced to 50-minute ses-
sions per team with gaps of 20 minutes between teams entering the ground to train. Entry and exit points were also identified, footballs and hands were sprayed with sanitiser regularly and training drills were limited to no contact, so players could still maintain physical distancing. While there has been no indication the kids will get to play a game this year, kids and parents were just thrilled to be back out and on the field, thanking the club for their hard work in getting training started again. “Sometimes in life you get to feel that winning feeling before a game has been played. Today was one of those occasions,” parent Mark said.
12448026-LB18-20
Footy’s back!
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Stable Feed Person Feed Person required for the preparation of daily feeds for our racehorses and to manage the stock/feed inventory. Full time position to commit to early morning starts and afternoon shifts in our busy racing stables in Cranbourne. Must be physically fit and capable to lift chaff/feed bags and assist with the unloading of deliveries. Previous Racing Stable experience required. E ail your resu e to a ou ts@gregeurell. o .au Thursday, 11 June, 2020
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Stepping up for Shane By sports editor Russell Bennett Aaron Bailey doesn’t know what it’s like to have walked a mile in Shane Smith’s shoes. But the AFL Outer East region general manager is walking an astonishing 3300 kilometres in his great mate’s memory. Smith tirelessly dedicated decades of his life to serving the local football and netball community - through such roles as Outer East commission deputy chairman - before the devoted family man lost his battle with the beast, Motor Neurone Disease (MND), in December last year. The courage of his fight served as an ongoing and ever-present source of inspiration, not only to all who knew him, but people who even simply crossed paths with him. Bailey had the privilege of working alongside him and is still inspired by his determination, strength of character, and adoration of his family in his darkest hour. That inspiration will never leave Bailey, and it’s the driving force behind his incredible charity mission that, when completed, will see him walk the equivalent of the distance from Optus Stadium in Perth, to Melbourne’s MCG - the footballing epicentres of the two cities in which Neale Daniher made his VFL/AFL home. The former Essendon captain and inspirational 223-game Melbourne coach has been the very public face of ‘FightMND’ since his own devastating diagnosis in 2014. FightMND was specifically established with the purpose of finding effective treatments, and ultimately a cure, for Motor Neurone Disease which - in essence - gradually takes away sufferers’ use of their arms and legs, their ability to eat and swallow, their speech, and eventually their ability to breathe - often well within the span of four years. Tragically for Smith and his family, he wasn’t officially diagnosed with the disease until just days before his passing. “For me, he was a great friend and mentor, he’s someone we miss horribly and he’s had an enormous impact on all of us involved in footy and netball in the region,” Bailey told the Star News. “He was just so passionate about our region, our clubs, and our people and he had a massive role in shaping the Outer East into what it is today. “Shane’s passing had a significant impact on me, and I wanted to look at different ways to work through the grief. “I just felt I needed to do something positive - something more than just grieve, itself.” In looking for ways to honour his late mate, Bailey - a Melbourne Football Club diehard was inspired by reading Daniher’s book. Starting earlier this year, he decided to walk the equivalent distance of Perth to Melbourne - given Daniher’s footy involvement in both cities. He hopes to complete his mission by the end of the year. “But as silly as it sounds, I probably underestimated the distance involved - I committed to doing it before I even Google mapped it!” Bailey said with a laugh. “Seriously though, it’s been a really nice, cathartic process to go through - being able to take my newborn son with me as I walk 10 to 15 kilometres a day. “I think I’ve covered every street in Doreen (his home suburb).” Bailey said with the ‘Big Freeze’ taking place on the Queen’s Birthday Monday, it’s now the perfect time to get the initiative out there while also honouring Smith’s legacy, and just who he was as a person. “With the nature of MND and what it takes away from a person when it comes to their movement, I thought doing a significant physical challenge was pretty appropriate,” Bailey explained. “It’s to highlight the true impact of the disease, so putting myself through what I’d consider to be a difficult challenge is really put into perspective when I compare it to what Shane endured. It’s a great reminder to me of what to not take for granted.” Smith’s great mate, and AFL Outer East chairman, Tony Mitchell explained the heart22 STAR NEWS
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Thursday, 11 June, 2020
Aaron Bailey. ache Smith’s family went through. “We knew he was ill, but they hadn’t diagnosed him with MND until the Monday before he passed on the Wednesday (in December 2019),” Mitchell said. “He’d had other medical issues over the years, but it was initially considered to be a virus that he was suffering from. “I know I struggled with his diagnosis when it eventually came, and it was really upsetting for his family.” Mitchell and Smith had formed a close bond since meeting on the then Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League board more than 25 years ago. And they were still talking footy day in, and day out until Smith’s final days. Mitchell would constantly visit him in hospital, where Smith’s wife Debbie maintained a bedside vigil. Mitchell became emotional talking about his great mate, saying: “The toughest part has been not having him there to talk to anymore. “Every day we’d talk for half an hour or an hour at least, and we’d have some ripper debates - I’d wind him up and he’d tell me what an idiot I was! “Even in the last week of his life, I’d still give it to him and he’d just roll his eyes at me.” Mitchell said Smith never aspired to be the chair or president of what has become the ever-strengthening AFL Outer East region. “He just wanted to be the person in the background - he just wanted to roll the sleeves up and get to work,” Mitchell said. “But he never put up with any bullshit either.” The pair would be a constant fixture at local games throughout the region each Saturday for decades and would often be seen together indulging in their game day ritual of dim-sims and Coke Zero. As chair and deputy chair, they’d maintain a visible presence and always be there to receive direct feedback from passionate footy and netball club people on game days - whether positive or negative. Mitchell said he’s “incredibly proud” of Bailey’s selfless initiative, which Bailey kept close to his chest for months as Victorians battled through the bushfire crisis, and then Covid-19. Prior to joining the then YVMDFL board, Smith had served on the board of the Dandenong Ranges Junior Football League, had extensive roles at clubland with both Monbulk (including playing nearly 200 games) and Seville, and had been a real driver of the push to re-establish the senior and under-18 interleague sides. To donate to Bailey’s FightMND fundraising effort, visit hub.fightmnd.org.au/fundraise-forfightmnd/strides-for-shane
AFL Outer East region general manager Aaron Bailey is taking his young son Ciaran on an incredible mission in memory of Shane Smith.
Former AFL Outer East deputy chair, Shane Smith. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
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Spolly bolsters the Bloods By Nick Creely There are going to be some serious selection headaches at Dandenong District powerhouse Springvale South in 2020/21. Under new coach Darren Arter and recently-announced Turf 1 skipper Nathan King, the Bloods are building strongly this off-season after falling short of the Turf 1 premiership in 2019/20, and the club out of Harold Road has landed a couple of prized recruits. The great Steven Spoljaric - one of the most dominant cricketers in Victorian local cricket - is back in the DDCA after one season for Bundalaguah, re-joining Springvale South in a huge boost to the Bloods’ premiership hopes. Across a storied career in the association with the Bloods, Parkfield and Cranbourne in Turf 1- which includes six Wookey Medals for champion Turf 1 player, premierships and match-winning performances after a long and illustrious career in Victorian Premier Cricket - the legendary all-rounder has built a formidable reputation in the south east. Since joining the DDCA, ‘Spolly’ has amassed over 7000 runs at an average near 60, while with the ball he is close to taking 300 wickets at an average of 16 - all in the space of only 160 games, and in the process, bringing fans to the games and leaving opposition sides with a serious headache. Dandenong Cricket Club premiership player and quality left-arm tweaker Akshat Buch has also signed with the Bloods, in a strong addition to an already glittering spin department with fellow gun spinner Jarryd Straker also recommitting to the club. Buch - who played in the Panthers’ 2017/18 Premier Cricket premiership - took 80 wickets in his 62 matches for the club, and is more than capable with the bat as the Bloods look to bolster all departments. The Bloods have also landed the experienced and highly-regarded Paul Hill from
Coomoora, with the wicketkeeper batsman a strong addition to the club after another strong year in Turf 3. Hill also played over 100 first XI games for Noble Park and is expected to slot straight into the middle-order with the retirement of club legend Craig Slocombe. Adding to the signings, the Bloods have also locked away Matt Wetering, while from a
QUIZ NUMBER 1717 1. WHO was the only Australian soccer player to score at the 2018 World Cup finals? 2. WHICH Australian Rules player held a national boxing title while playing for Footscray? 3. WHO broke the record for most runs in a Sheffield Shield cricket season in 2007-8? 4. WHAT was the name of the first Australian harness horse to top $300,000 in prizemoney? 5. WHEN was the last Olympics at which Australia failed to win a gold medal? 6. WHICH Aussie golfer won the 100th British Open title? 7. WHO held the world heavyweight boxing title for over a decade? 8. WHICH early Australian cricket legend was nick-named ‘The Demon’? 9. WHO beat Lleyton Hewitt in the 2005 Australian Open tennis final? 10. WHICH former Australian Rules tough-man was known as ‘Captain Blood’? 11. WHAT was the name of the eagle that was the official mascot of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics? 12. WHAT colour medal did Australia win in softball at the 2004 Olympics? 13. WHO was the first West Australian cricketer to score a Test century in Perth? 14. WHO won the 2016 US Open golf title? 15. WHICH Aussie swimmer won medals in five freestyle events at the same Olympics? 16. WHICH father and son each rode two Melbourne Cup winners? 17. WHO was the youngest winner of the Australian iron-man title? 18. WHICH Aussie batsman smashed five consecutive boundaries off England’s Tony Greig in cricket’s 1977 Centenary Test? 19. WHICH Aussie basketballer was top scorer for all countries at the 1976 Olympics? 20. WHO said ‘Arguing with the New York Yacht Club is like going to your mother-in-law to complain about your wife’?
ANSWERS: 1. Mile Jedinak 2. Ambrose Palmer 3. Simon Katich 4. Paleface Adios 5. Montreal in 1976 6. Kel Nagle 7. Joe Louis 8. Fred Spofforth 9. Marit Safin 10. Jack Dyer 11. Sam 12. Silver 13. Ross Edwards 14. Dustin Johnson 15. Shane Gould 16. Peter and Billy Cook 17. Grant Kenny 18. David Hookes 19. Eddie Palubinskas 20. Sir Frank Packer
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Steve Spoljaric is back in the DDCA once again. 186792 coaching perspective Gavin Fewkes and Anthony Hamilton will assist senior coach Darren Arter off-field. In Turf 2, Beaconsfield is another club looking to significantly boost its list - particularly in the batting department - with the announcement of two key recruits. Ex-Sri Lankan international batsman Michael Vandort - who played with Parkdale last season but played four seasons with Springvale South - has landed at Perc Allison Oval in a major boost for the Turf 2 outfit, while emerging top-order batsman Tyler Clark has also signed with the club after an impressive stint in the West Gippsland Cricket Association with Kooweerup. The Tigers will be led on-field next season by ex-Frankston Peninsula spinner Jack Benbow, while the club has re-signed Nathan Goodes as senior coach. Parkfield is also continuing to bolster a list that went all the way in last year’s Turf 3 com-
Dandenong premiership spinner Akshat Buch has landed at Springvale South. 187329 petition, with the club signing two experienced players with Premier Cricket experience. Spinner Dishan Malalasekera and quick Matthew North have both been signed by the club, with Malalasekera, in particular, playing seven strong years for Kingston Hawthorn which included a string of first XI games. North - after some time away from the game will boost the pace-bowling department.
Relief on the way for clubs By Nick Creely Football Victoria (FV) has confirmed there will be relief packages in place across all tiers of football this season with soccer’s return potentially only weeks away. FV confirmed the proposed competition structures, fee relief and refund proposals to all clubs on Thursday last week, with approximately $1m in reductions - including over $600k for community competitions - expected to pave the way for the return of the game. Football Victoria president Kimon Taliadoros said it was important to get clubs and communities back into sport after a challenging period. “We understand that this has been a very challenging time for our community and would like to recognise the extraordinary efforts of our club officials and volunteers,” he said. “We hope that these proposals assist clubs in getting back to playing our game.” At this stage, elite pathway NPL junior competitions are proposed to resume on 27 June, while NPL senior competitions have been earmarked for 10 July. Community club juniors are proposed to start on 28 June, while community senior competitions have a proposed start date for 11 July. FV has announced relief packages in consultation with football stakeholders, including players, parents, the 355 clubs and associations - across all tiers of football - that have been funded by the foregoing of registration and participation fees that would have otherwise been due payable to FV for participation in 2020.
All NPL clubs received the initial proposal based on self-funding from within NPL revenues, without cross-subsidisation from other levels of football. With the competition the most impacted due to current State Government restrictions on crowds, the offer will cease when mass gatherings are allowed for more than 300 people. NPLW and NPL referees have also offered a 25 per cent discount on game day senior team match fee payments in a proposed 2020 season. This arrangement will cease if the State Government enables gatherings of more than 300 people in Victoria. Senior state league football is set to receive a 20 per cent reduction on team entry and registration fees, while FV has extended that level of support for the women’s game at senior community level to include 100 per cent team entry reductions and 50 per cent registration fee reductions FV is still in the process of reviewing junior and other community competitions - including All Abilities, Men’s Metropolitan and Masters - but based on the current return to play target dates and the agreements with other sports, councils and the State Government to extend the season into October, all competitions are expected to complete a full season, with FV also confirming it will issue fee relief offers should the seasons be shortened. FV is also developing a hardship policy which will be released shortly to further support those that are unable to return to the game, as a result of the impact of Covid-19. Thursday, 11 June, 2020
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STAR NEWS 23
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