News - Berwick Star News - 3rd September 2020

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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Spring is in the air

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Woodman out!

By Brendan Rees

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Former Casey Sam Aziz and property developer John Woodman at a Subway outlet in Skye. an emphasis on greenfield sites.

“Obviously this has been a challenging time for the staff and now is the right time for a fresh start. The new business indicates we want to move forward and that means moving forward without John Woodman and with a whole new

positive business plan and set of processes.”

Mr Woodman bought Watsons in the 1990s and acquired several ‘notches on the belt’ including the $650 million Martha Cove development at Mt Martha.

Meanwhile, a key figure in the IBAC inquiry

is former Casey mayor Sam Aziz who returned to Australia in August after 10 months of being overseas. He remains in hospital in Sydney.

An IBAC spokesperson said public hearings will be resumed as soon as practical, in line with the directions of the Chief Health Officer.

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A property developer who is at the centre of an anti-corruption probe involving alleged dealings with ex-Casey councillors has sold his planning company to his son.

John Woodman’s Mornington-based development consultancy Watsons Pty Ltd will close its doors after selling the business to a new company owned by Mr Woodman’s son, Heath Woodman.

Mr Woodman is at the centre of an Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) inquiry into alleged dealings with councillors at Casey Council with former mayor Sam Aziz being a ‘person of interest’.

CEO of Watsons David Newman confirmed the sale, saying the new company Marshal Pty Ltd will have “no links” to Mr Woodman, nor will he have an operational role.

“He will not be a director or any sort of owner of the new entity,” Mr Newman said. “He will derive no income from the new company and he will have no control or influence over the new company. I cannot be clearer than that.”

Mr Newman, who will soon be CEO of Marshal, said Watsons would cease operation from 30 September, with the change being “warmly welcomed” by clients and staff.

“This is a fresh start with a new direction and a new set of organisational values and behaviours and will place even greater emphasis on professionalism and accountability,” Mr Newman said.

He said Heath Woodman was an “independent successful businessman in his own right” and it was “important to note the sale is taking place on commercial terms for fair market value after a thorough valuation process”.

The new company will be based at the company’s St Kilda Road office with staff working from home since the Covid-19 pandemic started, he said.

“We are embracing working from home in the future also, which is particularly good for our many staff who live on the Peninsula. The Watsons Mornington office has now closed.

Mr Newman reassured the change was not a restructure, but a brand new business with

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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NEWS

Casey’s Covid tally continues to fall

By Brendan Rees Casey’s Covid-19 tally has continued to fall, with a drop of three active cases in the 24 hours to Wednesday 2 September.

Coronavirus infections in Casey now stand at 130 active cases - with a drop of 21 cases in the past seven days, according to the latest health data.

In neighbouring local government areas Greater Dandenong had 92 active cases and Cardinia 27.

On Tuesday 1 September, it was the first time since late July that Covid-19 active cases in Greater Dandenong had dipped below 100.

State-wide, there were 90 new cases, with

Jade at the 1001 Steps - Bayview Park Narre Warren 214416

the total number now at 19,224.

The state’s total has 2415 active cases, including 332 active cases of infected health care workers.?

There have been six new deaths from Covid-19 reported. They include five men aged in their 80s and one man aged in his 90s. Three of the six deaths occurred prior to Tuesday 1 September.

Five of today’s six deaths are linked to known outbreaks in aged care facilities. To date, 576 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.

Meanwhile, Victoria Police issued 129 fines to individuals for breaching the Chief Health Officer directions in the 24 hours to Wednes-

day 2 September including 18 for failing to wear a face covering, 10 at vehicle checkpoints, and 64 for curfew breaches.

Examples of people breaching the rules include: A man intercepted by police in Broadmeadows having travelled from Sunshine North.

He stated he was going to drop off rice to his children. A search of his vehicle located a quantity of drugs and $11,990 in cash.

A woman spoken to by police in Southbank during curfew. She stated she was out to buy cigarettes.

Numerous examples of people out in public without face coverings who claimed to have left them at home.

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Peter and Sally at Wilson Botanic Park Berwick. 214416

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Families enjoy arrival of spring sunshine Cooped up residents have enjoyed a burst of sunshine to mark the start of spring after venturing to their local parks and reserves for some exercise.

The sunshine proved too much of a temptation for families and fitness fanatics who took to various parks across Casey, which have recently reopened for people to carry out their one hour of daily exercise while adhering to social distancing.

It comes as the State Government launches a new campaign to keep active and healthy during the coronavirus pandemic.

With 80 per cent of children and more than 50 per cent of adults in Victoria not doing the recommended amount of physical activity, the State Government is ramping up efforts to ensure everyone has the chance to flex their muscles throughout the current stage three

and four restrictions.

The State Government will also release its reopening roadmap on Sunday, 6 September, providing certainty and clarity to communities and businesses alike.

The Government will start a round of discussions with industry, unions and community organisations to inform the final development of Victoria’s roadmap to ‘Covid Normal’.

Meanwhile Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the extension of the State of Disaster until September 13.

Previously set to expire at 6pm on Wednesday 2 September, the State of Disaster will be renewed until 11.59pm on September 13, bringing it into line with the existing State of Emergency declaration and allowing advice about any future continuation to be made once the government’s roadmap for easing restrictions has been released.

Our offices continue to be available during Stage 4 restrictions providing you with the extra support you may need. .

Please do not hesitate to email or phone and we will do our best to assist you.

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By Brendan Rees

Narre Warren resident Sunish has a spring in his step at the 1001 Steps - Bayview Park

Burglary charges

By Brendan Rees A Hampton Park man has been charged following a burglary at a Lynbrook bike shop where an intruder allegedly made off with a high-end bicycle.

Detectives from the Casey Crime Investigation Unit executed a search warrant at a Hampton Park address on Wednesday 26 August where a man was arrested and an alleged stolen electric bicycle seized.

The warrant followed an investigation into an alleged break-in at Performance Bicycle Australia at South Gippsland Highway in Lynbrook about 5am on Monday 24 August.

Detectives have charged the 45-yearold Hampton Park man with burglary, theft, and failure to comply with the Chief Health Officers directions. He was bailed to appear at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court later this year.

The bike shop’s owner Craig, who asked not to use his surname, said he was impressed by the swift action of police after an intruder allegedly stole an Fuji-E hybrid bicycle worth $2000.

He said the incident was captured on closed-circuit television after a man in a face mask broke into his store about 4.45am and “just grabbed the closest bike and then went straight out the back door”.

Craig said the intruder took about 15 minutes to break-in, using tools to cut a large panel of glass and wire mesh at the front of the store.

He said police arrived about 10 minutes later on scene but the intruder had fled.

“The value of the bike is not the concern, it’s just all the other stuff that adds up,” he said referring to the damage bill, which he estimated to be thousands of dollars.

The incident was a double blow for the father-of-two, who like other retailers, has been forced to shut his shop during the stage-four Covid-19 restrictions.

“It’s frustrating,” he said. “I’ve been in bike shops for 20 odd years so every bike shop we’ve had has been done over.”

He added his security cameras had also captured a man using a phone to film at the front windows the night before the incident.

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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STAR NEWS 3

NEWS

Spring into libraries Spring has sprung and although the doors are temporarily closed at Casey Cardinia Libraries (CCL) the library is coming to you - virtually.

To keep the community engaged and entertained two special What’s On in Spring Guides have been launched, one for the adults and one for the kids, including a school holiday program.

There are more than 50 free online events on offer, all hosted online via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube.

Casey Cardinia Libraries CEO, Chris Buckingham said Spring was a time of renewal and a chance to try something new.

“By reading, learning and actively partici-

A host of virtual spring events have been launched at Casey Cardinia Libraries. pating in community, we are making a conscious decision to face down the challenges and determine our own future,” he said.

For the adults there is job search support;

help for parents teaching kids at home; conversation clubs, pilates, U3A events, chats with authors, armchair travel, support for parents, local history, family law guidance, bee keeping, and a trivia night just to get started.

For the kids there is stop motion, pirate day, LOTE events, ‘Dinovember’ events, bees, cooking classes, NAIDOC events, Sinhalese story time and craft, writing and drawing workshops, Halloween events, competitions and more!

For more information, visit: https://www. cclc.vic.gov.au/) or follow Casey Cardinia Libraries on Facebook and Instagram. Some events are limited, bookings essential.

OFFICIAL MEDICAL ADVICE

Don’t risk it.

Always follow the health advice.

Awarding efforts at diversity Nominations have opened for the Victorian Multicultural Awards to honour people who have strengthened Victoria’s multiculturalism.

The annual awards will look different in 2020 - not just due to the pandemic but also because they will feature seven new categories reflecting the many fields in which diversity is being embraced.

It includes the Community Response and Recovery category to honour the remarkable efforts of those who have assisted during the coronavirus pandemic and the bushfires of early 2020.

Victorians can be nominated for either paid or voluntary work across another 14 categories, including the Premier’s Award for Community Harmony, Youth Leadership Media, Refugee Advocacy, Police, Business, Community Innovation and Health.

Award recipients will be honoured during an online ceremony hosted by the Victorian Multicultural Commission later in the year.

The awards pay tribute to champions of diversity and others who have supported Victorians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The Victorian Multicultural Awards were first held 19 years ago, recognising the state’s strong diverse history and many Victorians that contribute to it.

For more information, visit: multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au/multicultural-awards-for-excellence. Nominations close 11.59pm on Sunday, 11 October.

Family scares off bandit

By Brendan Rees

It’s up to all of us to keep each other safe.

You must continue to practise good hygiene, physical distancing, and if you’re even slightly unwell, get tested and stay at home. Don’t risk it.

The sooner we all do it, the sooner we’ll get through it.

Have the App Visit australia.gov.au

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A Cranbourne East mother has spoken of her shock after her husband faced off with a masked bandit who stood outside their home.

The woman, who wished not be identified, said she and her husband had woken to the sound of wheelie bins moving and appearing to be jumped on about 1.30am on Tuesday 1 September.

“I just thought it must’ve just been my neighbour; I heard footsteps,” she said of their Cedarbank Court home.

But as the noises continued she woke her husband, who quickly searched around their home.

They then saw a group of males run off from their yard but one returned soon after and stood at their front room window “as if they were going to try again”.

“My hubby then spotted him and shined a flash light on him,” she said.

The male, who had his face covered by a mask, shrugged his shoulder “and continued to just stand there and when my hubby ran towards the door he then ran away” towards Elmsie Drive.

The couple called police who arrived about 20 minutes later but none of the would-be intruders could be found.

She said they were both left in shock, and “never went to sleep till 6am in fear they could be back”.

They have now upgraded their home security.

By sharing their story, the couple hope to warn others.

The male they spotted was described as African in appearance, tall, and had thin build.

He was wearing a grey hoodie, dark pants, and gloves.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Police cited for bravery

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A pair of police officers who were attacked by a radicalised teen at Endeavour Hills police station have been cited for bravery.

In the August Australian Bravery Awards, the men known only as Officer A and Officer B were listed as recipients of the Bravery Medal.

The medal is awarded for “considerable bravery” in “hazardous” circumstances.

On the night of 23 September 2014, the pair had pre-arranged a meeting with ‘person-ofinterest’ Numan Haider, 18, in the police station car park.

Officer A advised Haider that a pat-down body search was required before entering the station.

Without warning, the man drew a knife, lunged and cut the officer’s left arm. The officer fell to ground with serious injuries.

Officer B then approached Haider and was stabbed several times to the head and neck.

After the officer fell to ground, Haider crouched over to stab him in the stomach.

Officer A regained his feet and fired a shot that fatally wounded Haider.

A State Coroner later found the cause of Haider’s death was his own dangerous conduct.

“I find that Numan engaged in a course of conduct that involved radicalisation and behaviour that was increasingly dangerous, ultimately causing his death,” the coroner John Olle stated.

Officer A, who had fired the single fatal shot, was left with no other realistic option.

“Other non-fatal tactical options available to Officer A would not have prevented the potentially fatal injuries being inflicted on Officer B by Numan.”

Mr Olle found the risk assessments and decisions to meet Haider “could not reasonably be subject to criticism”.

Police gather at Endeavour Hills police station on 24 September 2014 - a night that two attacked police officers showed considerable bravery. 127959 Picture: GARY SISSONS Before his attack on police, Haider had made several Facebook posts supporting “extremist views”.

He sought weapons such as a knife and a Taser disguised as an iPhone.

He was believed to have visited an extremist Islamic centre in Bankstown just over a week before the fatal incident.

His passport was also cancelled due to the belief he could join overseas terrorist groups.

Days before, a Facebook post depicted Haider in a balaclava, military camouflage and holding a Shahada flag in the style of “members of terror groups”, and calling police and ASIO “dogs” in the wake of large-scale raids on mosques in Sydney and Brisbane.

Officer A and B had not been alerted to the post prior to the meeting. They later told the inquiry this was a significant omission.

Mr Olle said he couldn’t eliminate “hindsight bias” from assessing the post’s significance. He found there was no causal connection between that information and the manner and cause of Haider’s death.

Haider’s radicalisation transformed a “happy go lucky” teenager of a practicing Muslim family.

At age 7, Haider and his family had fled Afghanistan from persecution by the Taliban. He attended Southern Cross Primary School in Endeavour Hills and Lyndale Secondary Col-

lege in Dandenong North.

In his last months, he lost interest in his apprenticeship and playing sport, became obsessed with Middle East issues and spent “inordinate” time with a group of young males.

He met some of the group at Hallam mosque, and with one of them he attended the Al-Furqan centre in Springvale South, which was linked to recruitment for jihadist groups such as Islamic State.

“It is those closest to the individual, such as Numan’s friends and associates in this case, that were best placed to be aware of his increasing radicalisation, but they did not act on it, for reasons which are unclear,” Mr Olle stated.

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You can contact Anthony anytime by calling 8790 0556 or emailing anthony@ anthonybyrnemp.com 12454848-SG29-20

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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STAR NEWS 5

NEWS

OPINION

Correction A story published in last week’s edition entitled ‘Changes to permits’ contained a factual error.

The article reported Casey landowners whose properties are in a bushfire prone area must now apply for a council permit to remove trees or vegetation from their land under new rules - which is not correct.The correct statement is: Following changes implemented by the State Government this month, landowners whose properties do not sit within a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA) must now apply for a permit from council before removing trees or vegetation from their property. To find out if your land sits within a BPA visit the Landata website or contact the City of Casey’s planning department. To find out more phone council on 9705 5200.

We apologise to our readers for this error.

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The Salvos have been here through it all in Australia. Through two World Wars, where we provided food, drink and support to our frontline servicemen and women, to countless disasters providing emergency relief to those impacted, and throughout periods of economic turmoil like the Great Depression or the Global Financial Crisis.

And today, through Covid-19, we are here on the front-line, helping the most vulnerable in our society in their time of need. We have been there through it all. And through it all, our heartbeat has always been the Australian people.

That is why, on our 140-year anniversary of being in Australia, The Salvos want to honour the extraordinary Australian public who have donated and supported us over the years. To you all we say ‘thank-you!’ Although your work may go unnoticed, we honour and appreciate you all.

We also want to acknowledge our amazing volunteers who have given an incredible amount of their time over the years. A rough estimate over the years suggests that there have been well over a staggering five million volunteers who have supported The Salvos throughout our 140-year history.

Major Bruce Harmer The Salvation Army’s National Public Relations Secretary

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN Thumbs down To councils refusing to see gum trees in residential streets as a danger, despite three people dying in separate incidents during the storms the other day. If they fall down, they just get re-planted!

Thumbs up To the mica unit and ambulance unit that attended to me last night so promptly and efficiently. These guys helped my worried son stay calm and reassured him that I was ok. They do an amazing job on the frontline.

Thumbs down To the state of our roads! We are all still paying yet the pot holes are disgusting!

Thumbs down To dog owners who leave little plastic bags of poop. Pick up after your dog and put it in a bin.

Thumbs down To the protests being planned.

Thumbs up To everyone still doing the right thing in this tough lockdown.

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.

RAY’S SAY

SOCIALLY SPEAKING On 31 August the Cranbourne Star News Facebook page shared a story about a 550-signature petition from the community asking for a new BMX track to considered in Botanic Ridge. Here are how our readers reacted online: Kim Hufton: Need to do one over Berwick way.

Peter McKill: Definitely needed.

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Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas.

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

On 1 September the Cranbourne Star News Facebook page shared a story about a family who faced off with a masked bandit as he stood outside their home in Cranbourne East. Here are how our readers reacted online: Bo-Ann Nguyen: Police arrived 20 mins later? They could be dead by then. That cop shop is just in Cranbourne! Could have been there well under 10 mins!

John Veldwyk: Welcome to Crimbourne Charlie Bravo Campbell: Ahh, there’s that description... berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Casey backs pokies plea

By Brendan Rees and Tess Kelly Kelli has been left devastated after her family garage was ransacked by thieves. 214417 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Shock after garage raid

By Brendan Rees A Berwick family have been left shaken after their garage and two cars were raided in the early hours of Wednesday morning 26 August.

Kelli, who did not wish to use her surname, said thousands of dollars worth of items had been stolen including power tools at her Lawton Grove garage after intruders broke-in.

She said her daughter made the discovery as she was about leave for work about 7.30am after finding her Suzuki Swift had been rummaged through with two pairs of sunglasses, a jacket, toiletry bag and a garage remote control stolen.

She said there appeared to be no signs of force entry to their garage, which adjoins their home, with police telling her that intruders may have used a screwdriver.

“I was annoyed at myself because I thought I may have heard them ... but just passed off thinking that you know no way somebody would be in the house,” she said.

She added she wasn’t sure if the intruders had gained access to their home but added

nothing appeared to have been stolen.

And it wasn’t until three days later when Kelli went to the supermarket that she realised her garage remote control had also stolen from her car.

Kelli said her daughter was also devastated as her usually “completely spotless” car had been ransacked. “When she opened her car and saw stuff was on her front seat from her glove box she knew straight away.”

Kelli has since upgraded her home security and appealed on social media in the hope to alert the public of her stolen Ryobi powers tools possibly being sold online, some of which were still in unopened packaging.

Casey Crime Investigation Unit is investigating the incident.

A Victoria Police spokesperson did not reveal any further details other than investigators had been told tools and sunglasses were stolen.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Casey Council says it supports a campaign calling for pokies reform after a former gambling addict pleaded with council to introduce changes to reduce the harm associated with pokies.

Casey Council manager of city and asset planning Keri New said gambling was a “key issue” in Casey and was currently reviewing its Electronic Gaming Machine Strategy to identify “key directions moving forward, including if we need further external support for advocacy”.

While Ms New said council was “happy” to become an Alliance for Gambling Reform supporter - a collaboration of organisations and local councils that aims to reform the gambling industry to reduce the harm it causes, particularly in local communities - it would review over the next 12 months whether this should increase to become a financial member.

It comes after Star News published an article of ex-pokies addict Carolyn Crawford who begged Casey Council to join the Alliance for Gambling Reform after her habit led her to being jailed in 2016.

Ms Crawford was charged with stealing $400,000 from her previous employer over a period of seven years and used the money to play the poker machines in the Casey area.

By joining the alliance, Ms Crawford said the council would have more power to slow and stop the increase of poker machines being installed at gambling venues.

Ms New reassured the community that gambling was a key issue for the City of Casey as identified in their Municipal Public Health, and Wellbeing Plan and Electronic Gaming Machines Strategy 2015-2020.

“Advocacy is a key focus within our gaming work,” she said, which was through submissions, letters, conversations with local MPs, as well as partnerships with local government areas, local government bodies, and local services and community members, adding council had a dedicated advocacy and engagement team to support this critical work.

“Council has been proactive in reviewing gaming applications, seeking feedback from the community and expert consultants to guide decisions.

“Until this time, council is happy to become an Alliance for Gambling Reform Supporter and will review over the next 12 months whether this should increase to become a financial member.“ The latest figures from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation for the 2019-20 financial year revealed pokies machines swallowed $98.6 million at 913 gaming machines at 13 venues in Casey.

But since gambling venues have remained shut since March due to Covid-19 restrictions, $53 million has been saved from being swallowed by poker machines.

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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STAR NEWS 7

ANY SYMPTOMS GET TESTED

It’s important to get tested for coronavirus at the first sign of any symptom and stay home until you get your result. Getting tested means you keep yourself, your friends, family, workplace and your community safe.

It’s not over yet.

Find out where to get tested visit vic.gov.au/CORONAVIRUS Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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NEWS

Casey’s push for supports

By Brendan Rees

Police hope to identify this people.

Picture: VICTORIA POLICE

Police appeal after blaze Police are hoping to identity two men after a car was set alight in Cranbourne North two weeks ago.

Police believe two unknown males approached a car parked in a driveway on Freshfields Drive about 2.30am on Saturday, 22 August.

Police allege one male opened a plastic bottle and poured an accelerant across the car before setting it alight.

Both men then fled on foot in a southerly direction towards Thompsons Road.

A male occupant, who was inside at the time, observed the blaze outside and used a hose to extinguish the flames, police say.

The car sustained major damage to its exterior, but no one was injured during the incident.

Casey Crime Investigation Unit detectives have released images of two men who they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

Both males were wearing hooded jumpers, track pants and sneakers at the time.

Anyone who recognises the men or with information relating to the incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au

Casey Council’s CEO Glenn Patterson says there is an “urgent” need for a new family violence safety hub to be considered in Casey.

It comes as the State Government announced its plan to expand its ‘Orange Door’ network in the south east and inner east as well as three other regions.

The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children.

The State Government said four sites of the new hubs would be announced in the coming months “as work continues to ensure a local point of access for all Victorians no matter where they live”.

Mr Patterson said the recent announcement was “another step forward” in addressing the needs of those in the community but highlighted the “urgent” need for an Orange Door to be set-up in Casey.

“The Orange Door is a crucial service that brings together organisations that support adults and children who are experiencing family violence. The City of Casey is a central location for communities in the south east growth corridor,” he said.

“It is not surprising given Casey’s large population, 360,000 now, growing to 550,000 by 2040, that the reported number of family violence incidents is the highest in Victoria.

“Disturbingly, during the Covid-19 response, police reports of domestic violence in

the area have jumped between 25 - 30 per cent on the same time last year.”

Mr Patterson conceded the community was not safe in their own homes and that an “Orange Door close to home would help more women and children at risk”.

He said council was continuing to work with the State Government on solutions.

“An Orange Door Hub in the City of Casey would attract the services and professionals needed in Victoria’s Growth Corridor and it would be another step forward, in a challenge we all need to meet.”

The Orange Door network is part of the State Government’s commitment to implementing all 277 of the recommendations put forward by the Royal Commission into Family Violence.

The latest data from the Crime Statistics Agency Victoria revealed there were 4863 family violence incidents recorded in Casey City in the year to March - up 4.6 per cent compared to the previous year.

Premier Daniel Andrews said: “My message to all Victorians is that help is there if you need it. Escaping violence at home is always a reason to leave your home, no matter what stage restrictions are in place.”

For those experiencing or at risk of violence, or if you or someone you know needs help call the 1800 Respect National Helpline on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org. au.

Always call 000 in an emergency.

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berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 9

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10 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Winds lash South East

By Brendan Rees Narre Warren State Emergency Service volunteers have fielded dozens of calls after wild weather wreaked havoc across the region, causing widespread damage and power outages to homes.

The intense storms moved across Melbourne late on Thursday night, 27 August with SES crews responding to 33 calls for help in Casey between 5pm and 9.40pm, mostly relating to downed trees and damaged roofs.

A Warneet family said the storm hit with such ferocity that falling branches on their roof sounded like explosions about 5.30pm.

“It was just more of a shock of how loud it was,” Jodie Armitage said after one side of their steel roofing was significantly damaged.

“Somehow or another it didn’t actually put any holes in it which is lucky.”

Her husband also narrowly escaped with his life after falling from the roof of their single-storey home while trying to clear fallen branches.

She said he “somehow he managed to land on his feet” and despite feeling quite sore the next morning he was able to continue clearing tree debris around their house.

A Cranbourne resident said fierce winds lifted a trampoline off the ground and tossed it onto a neighbour’s roof, causing damage to two cars including a Mercedes, a garden shed and fencing.

SES crews also responded to trees leaning against homes, a metal gazebo tangled in a tree, an evaporative cooler hanging from a roof, about 20 large polystyrene blocks that escaped from a building site, and uprooted a tree in Endeavour Hills that blocked a residential street.

Across the state, SES had received more than 2100 calls for help in the 24 hours to 8.30am on Friday 28 August. Felled trees

amounted to 85 per cent of the calls and 10 per cent were related to building damage.

The worst-affected areas included Mount Evelyn, Belgrave, Croydon, Lilydale, and Mount Waverley with the clean-up expected to take days.

A number of trees also fell across the Cranbourne and Pakenham train lines, causing service suspensions while crews worked to clear debris and restore power, the Transport Department said.

AusNet Services said the storm caused power outages to 52,000 customers across Melbourne. By Friday morning, 28 August, power was being restored to customers in Dalmore (16), KooWeeRup (22), and Nar Nar Goon (nine).

Victoria’s Transport Department also issued a warning to motorists to drive with extreme caution after trees fell on power lines and affected multiple traffic lights.

Victoria Police confirmed three people including a four-year-old boy were killed by falling trees in separate incidents.

Meanwhile, Yarra Water told households at 88 suburbs that they should boil their tap water after storms caused electrical damage, resulting in contamination.

The Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narromore said wind gusts peaked at 158km/h in Wilsons Promontory while the strongest gusts recorded in Melbourne ranged from 80km/h to 95km/h.

Narre Warren SES controller Damian Burns said the velocity of the winds was able to snap large tree limbs and entire trees “as if they were twigs”.

“We have to remember that storms are lethal and we should seriously prepare for them,” he said.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families who lost loved ones during these devastating storms.”

A trampoline was blown onto a roof in Cranbourne.

A Warneet man clears tree debris at his Warneet home after fallen branches damaged his roof.

Picture: CONTRIBUTED

St Francis Xavier College Berwick, Officer, and Beaconsfield

St Francis Xavier College is a comprehensive, co-educational Catholic Secondary College that offers a broad range of curriculum from Years 7 to 12.

Our religious education and faith programs are designed to support each student to grow in faith by proclaiming the Gospel and invites all to share in the saving mission of Christ.

www.sfx.vic.edu.au

03 9707 3111

info@sfx.vic.edu.au 03 9707 3111

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 11

NEWS

9B student Zahra Mohammade’s photo of a sunset and a “sky of fire”.

Pictures: FOUNTAIN GATE SECONDARY COLLEGE

School celebrates science

By Brendan Rees Students at Fountain Gate Secondary College have showcased their artistic flair during a virtual celebration of Science Week.

Students participated in daily trivia, documentaries, live science Kahoot challenges (a game-based learning platform used as educational technology) and a science film and photography competition.

Principal Pete Hanratty said the school received hundreds of submissions over week from students of all year levels, including original science-themed photos, colourful home experiments and documentary film reviews.

“While they are excited to get back into the classroom, it was fantastic to see that Science Week could still successfully run online with students eager to get involved and celebrate and the many amazing things that science provides for us,” he said.

“We wanted to thank all of our school community for their enthusiasm and participation in the week, the awesome science/endeavour captains for their help in organising the week, as well as my fantastic science staff for inspiring our students to be more curious.”

Nick Allsop 9E - a piece showing “No matter how hard we try, nature will always win”.

12 STAR NEWS

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A photo by Fattema Mohammade of 12D showing a warm reflection of a lake.

Darcy B’S entry.

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

Lily Cooper of 10D - a peaceful honey bee resting on a Grevillea berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Sports cash

Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas visits a Casey kindergarten before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Families to benefit Young Casey families and sports fans are set to benefit from two new children’s facilities and a new pavilion, thanks to a State Government funding boost.

The redevelopment of the Strong Drive Children’s Centre, the new Orana Community Place Early Years Facility and the Olive Road Sporting Complex will receive more than $2.35 million from the Growing Suburbs Fund.

The new Orana Community Place Early Years Facility will provide families in Clyde North with access to kindergarten and parent-

ing support programs, playgroups and essential community health services such as paediatric, speech and occupational therapy.

The redevelopment of the Strong Drive Children’s Centre will transform this facility to provide access to four year old kindergarten for up to 50 additional children and new spaces for early years and family support programs such as playgroups and maternal and child health.

The major redevelopment of the Olive Road

Sporting Complex will deliver a new community pavilion incorporating a multipurpose community room, first aid room and kiosk to support local netballers and other sporting groups.

Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas said: “The Strong Drive Children’s Centre Redevelopment will make a real difference for families with young children - modernising the current facility and creating more places for children to access childcare and kinder programs.”

Grassroots sports clubs across Casey and Cardinia are being urged to apply for funding to boost their equipment, skills and administration expertise.

Bass MP Jordan Crugnale announced applications had opened for the latest round of the State Government’s 2020-21 Sporting Club Grants Program.

The grants provide clubs up to $1000 for new uniforms and equipment, up to $5000 for training coaches, officials and volunteers, and up to $5000 to improve club operational effectiveness.

Ms Crugnale said the grants would help people of all ages and abilities take part in grassroots sport, no matter where they live and are a great boost for clubs who are looking to get back on track following Covid-19 restrictions.

“The Sporting Club Grants Program is giving grassroots sports clubs in the Bass electorate the support they need to grow their ranks and help more people than ever play the sports they love,” she said.

The State Government has also announced the launch of the annual Aboriginal Sporting Participation Grants Program to address participation barriers Victorian Aboriginals experience in sport and active recreation.This program will open for applications later this year.

For more information on the grants and how to apply go to http://www.sport. vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/ourgrants/sporting-club-grants-program

YOUR LOCAL TAKEAWAY AND DELIVERY FATHER’S DAY PACKS AVAILABLE

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WE ARE OPEN FOR 7 DAYS LUNCH: 11:30PM - 2PM • DINNER: 5PM - 8PM BOTTLE SHOP OPEN: 10AM - 8PM Cardinia Park Hotel would like to thank all our customers for their continued support & invite any new customers to give us a try.

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 13

NEWS

Now is the time to get your alterations and cleaning sorted.

Picture: ELISSA FROM FOUNTAIN GATE DRY CLEANERS

Opportunity to clean up

By Danielle Kutchel For any queries contact 0410 422 541

HELLENIC SNACKPACKS Seasoned chicken or lamb gyro, slow cooked & served on a bed of seasoned fries, finished with our homemade garlic sauce. Let Yanni know if you’d like to add chili or bbq sauce.

CHICKEN Reg $25 or large (for 2) $38

LAMB SHOULDER Reg $27 or large (for 2) $40

MIXED Reg $25 or large (for 2) $38

THE VEGETARIAN 6 Delicious falafel served with yanni’s hand cut fried lemon and herb potatoes,greek salad, eggplant dip and pita bread

KITCHEN A selection of Yanni’s fancy meals

YANNI’S MEATBALLS Yanni loves his balls! Beef Meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce served with our famous lemon & herb fried Potatoes and a greek salad $25.

OPEN SOUVLAKI (CHICKEN, LAMB SHOULDER OR MIXED) Slow cooked & seasoned meat served with a side of greek salad, Pita bread, garlic sauce and fries. $25

TRAY OF SEASONED CHICKEN GYRO A tray of our Deliciously cut & Seasoned gyro meat Cooked to perfection.

Reg $18 lrg $30

GREEK SALAD Fresh lettuce, tomato, Cucumber, onions, olives And feta; finished with our Homemade greek dressing $19.

CHICKEN SHASHLIK Marinated grilled chicken Skewers drizzled with tangy Bbq sauce, side salad and Yanni’s hand cut lemon and Herb fried potatoes. $25

TRAY OF SEASONED LAMB SHOULDER GYRO A tray of our deliciously Cut & seasoned lamb Shoulder gyro meat cooked to perfection.

Reg $20 lrg $32

With so many people working from home, we’ve become accustomed to wearing trackies and pyjamas to ‘work’ - but that’s no excuse to let your business and formal wear languish in the wardrobe.

Now is the time to get your cleaning and alterations done at Fountain Gate Dry Cleaners.

Ensure your work-from-home wardrobe is up to scratch for those all-important Zoom calls with their latest super deal: five or more business shirts washed and machine pressed for $3.80 each (terms and conditions apply).

Other deals are also available in store.

An experienced seamstress is able to take care of all your alterations, from trouser shortening to tailoring and new zips. No fabric or job is too difficult. Embroidery is now also available.

As term four and the potential easing of restrictions looms near, now is the time to get ahead of the rush and get your children’s school uniforms pressed and ready to go for back to school. Whether it’s blazers, school dresses, trousers, shirts or shorts, Fountain Gate Dry Cleaners is up to the task.

If you’re getting into the spring cleaning spirit, bring your doonas, blankets and bedspreads in for a clean - Fountain Gate Dry Cleaners can give all your bedding a thorough clean for the new season.

Preserve the memories of your big day with

their wedding dress cleaning and preservation boxing service. Fountain Gate Dry Cleaners is also experienced in cleaning traditional and cultural wear, including saris.

Fountain Gate Dry Cleaners has been owned and run by the same family for over 30 years - meaning you can be sure of a service that’s reliable and consistent, and that you can trust.

Fountain Gate Dry Cleaners is currently open 8.30am-2.30pm Monday to Saturday and is located at Westfield Fountain Gate, Shop 2105, Level 2, 22-55 Overland Dr, Narre Warren. Contact the store on 9704 6030 or for more information, visit www.fgdc.com.au

SIDES Yanni highly recommends, the perfect pairings for a Mediteraenean Feast

YANNI’S HAND CUT FRIED POTATOES Lemon & herb, sweet paprika salted or chilli zest salted $12

TIA’S TZATZIKI OR Melitzanosalata dip (Eggplant) Aunties secret recipe $8

FRESH PITA BREAD Only the best $4

YIA YIA’S DOLMADES (6PCS) Rolled grape leaves stuffed with our herb-y rice mix drizzled in olive oil & lemon juice $10

SEASONED CHIPS Mixed herbs seasoned hot chips $12

EXTRAS Tangy bbq sauce, matinia’s chili sauce or house made garlic sauce 12457581-SN33-20

14 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

Fountain Gate Dry Cleaners. berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

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WE ARE HERE TO ENABLE YOU TO HAVE THE FRESHEST FRUIT & VEGETABLES DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR DOORSTEP, ONLY HOURS AFTER IT IS PICKED UP FROM MARKET. WE WANT TO DELIVER TO OUR CUSTOMERS, ONLY THE ITEMS THEY REQUIRE, NOT A PREMADE BOX WHERE SOME ITEMS WOULD GO TO WASTE.

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www.earlynfresh.com.au Thursday, 3 September, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 15

FOCUS ON … FATHER’S DAY

Book in time with dad If there’s one thing that most dads have much more of during the pandemic season, it’s time at home. And if your dad, or granddad, loves a good read but has “never had time”, this Father’s Day offers a peak moment to present him with a book.

Get online and search up bookstores in your area, because dollars spent locally will help keep our local businesses going. But here are some suggestions to get you started: THE POLITICAL DAD Love or hate him, Donald Trump is endlessly fascinating for political junkies. “Too Much and Never Enough”, written by his only niece and clinical psychologist Mary Trump, is a stinging expose of Trump’s foibles and will give dad a fix of insider knowledge.

The revelatory book provides intimate details, and sounds the alarm on the most powerful man in the world.

THE AFL DAD No matter where AFL team loyalties lie, Hawthorn’s former captain Jarryd Roughead is a fan favourite and respected throughout the footy world.

By giving dad “Roughy” (written by Roughy), you’ll have him happily reading during the final weeks of the AFL season, and letting him learn more about the country boy who lit up the MCG and faced down a very scary health challenge.

THE FINANCIALLY PROACTIVE DAD Scott Pape’s “The Barefoot Investor” has had many iterations, each best sellers for good rea-

TREAT DAD TO TASTY LAMB SHANKS Make dad’s day with a delicious spring time favourite recipe from Australian Lamb - slow roasted lamb shanks with creamy polenta. This recipe makes the most of Australia’s spring lamb, and you can serve it with fresh local asparagus.

LAMB SHANKS WITH CREAMY POLENTA

A good book is a perfect gift idea this Father’s Day. son. Like the earlier editions, this one is chockfull of wise financial advice – but it’s far from boring.

Potentially life-altering amidst pandemic financial worries, Scott’s book will show dad how to create an entire financial plan that’s so simple he could sketch it out on one notebook page!

CRIME AND THRILLER DAD There are so many choices in the crime genre that it’s impossible to suggest just one. But if you give dad anything written by Ian Rankin, it’ll be happy days.

Michael Crichton and Robert Galbraith are also authors worth putting in dad’s gift bag, while you can’t go wrong with books from Aussie writers Tara Moss and Peter Temple.

FATHERS DAY VOUCHER’S AVAILABLE

Serves 4 Ingredients 2 tbsp plain flour 2 tbsp olive oil 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 brown onion, diced 1 celery stalk, diced 3 stalks fresh thyme 1 carrot, diced 1 tsp dried oregano 2 cups (500mls) salt reduced stock 700mls tomato passata 1/2 cup (125mls) red wine Fresh herbs to garnish Soft white polenta and asparagus to serve

· · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Lamb shanks with creamy polenta.

Picture: AUSTRALIAN LAMB/MEAT AND LIVESTOCK AUSTRALIA

Method 1. Pre-heat oven to 170o Place half the oil in a large, frying pan over a moderately high heat. Lightly flour lamb shanks, season with salt and cracked black pepper. Cook lamb shanks for 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

2. Return frying pan to the heat, add remaining oil. Add garlic, bay leaves, onion, celery, while pan-frying add fresh thyme followed by carrots. Cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally or until soft and golden. Add oregano. Cook for a further 3 -5 minutes.

Place in a heavy based casserole dish, top with lamb shanks.

3. Add the stock and bring to boil. Add tomato passata and red wine, bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer for 8 minutes, to thicken slightly. Pour sauce over lamb shanks. Cover with baking paper and foil.

Cook in the oven for 3 hours.

4. Serve lamb shanks on a bed of soft white polenta, garnished with fresh herbs and with steamed asparagus.

TIPS Top serving dish with shaved parmesan.

Lamb shanks can be cooked the day before and gently heated to serve.

Polenta can be substituted with mashed potato Asparagus can be substituted with broccoli or broccolini This recipe also works by cooking lamb shanks in a slow cooker Recipe: australianlamb.com.au

· · · · · ·

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16 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … FATHER’S DAY

Fresh ideas just for dads

By Danielle Kutchel Making memories this Father’s Day is going to be trickier than usual, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to make dad’s day. Here are some ideas to treat him to something special: ZOOM ONTO HIS SCREEN Zoom has revolutionised how we stay in touch even when staying apart. Especially now, Dad would appreciate a call from his kids to bridge the gap. Check in and make sure he’s doing OK. If you’ve got young kids, make it more memorable by holding a Zoom concert: sing, dance and put on a show to warm his heart.

For the older ones, why not try a virtual game?

For adults only, Cards Against Humanity is a good option that’s guaranteed to get everyone laughing. You could also hold a trivia contest.

There are also plenty of virtual games and apps to choose from online.

GOLD CLASS PASS Pop the popcorn, hand dad the remote and settle in with him for a family movie night. Let dad choose one of his favourite movies so he can share that passion with his munchkins. If you’re handy in the kitchen, give dad the gold class treatment: think handmade choc tops or churros for a real treat.

NO DISHES TONIGHT No one likes doing dishes, especially not on their special day, so stay in and order your father’s favourite takeaway for a special treat.

Have a look around your local area to find out who delivers. If cooking is your thing, whip up his favourite meal and break out the ’special’ crockery - give him the full five-star restaurant treatment. And don’t leave the pots in the sink for him!

A WORD OF LOVE Never underestimate the value of a handwritten note or card. Sometimes it’s better than the digital option. A handwritten note is something dad will treasure forever, and for the younger ones will be a great time capsule in years to come.

GIFTS TO TREASURE With online ordering, the world is on our doorstep. Many local businesses have made the pivot to online and are happy to deliver your gifts by hand. Skip the socks and jocks this year in favour of something dad will really enjoy, from a local business that’s doing in tough right now - everyone will thank you for it.

Spoil your dad. He deserves it!

Never underestimate the value of a handwritten card or note.

Picture: MARIA FERNANDA PISSIOLI, UNSPLASH EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS What’s within your five kilometres? Take dad out and see what you can spy. Turn it into a game to bring out the family competitive streak (how many magpies can you spot?) or race him down the street on your bike. If you’ve

Picture: EDWARD HOWELL, UNSPLASH

If your dad has enough ties, this could be an idea to surprise him with.

Picture: TIM MOSSHOLDER, UNSPLASH

got the room, everyone loves a backyard game of cricket or kick to kick. Get those endorphins pumping!

DON’T FORGET GRANDPA Father’s Day is for all the father figures in our lives, and that includes step-dad, poppy, pa

and granddad. Over the past few months, many of our elderly in particular have been isolated. Show them you care with a call if you live too far away, or go the old-fashioned way with a hand-written note of love and appreciation. Make sure to visit when you can.

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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STAR NEWS 17

NEWS

Never too old

By Tania Phillips WITH lockdown and the pandemic giving us more time to think a lot of people are starting to look towards a career change or to study something we have always wanted.

With more and more courses going on-line studying at university is becoming easier and the focus is turning to more getting older people back to learning so much so that there is a whole week dedicated to it - Adult Learners Week (Sep 2-9).

And one man who proves that it is never too late to go back to school or in his case university is 83-year-old Reverend Tony Lang OAM who is nearing completion in Master of Arts (Theological Studies) at Charles Sturt University.

“I was not keen to be a ‘son of the soil’,” Reverend Lang, who was born and bred in Leeton, NSW, where his father and grandfather farmed the land, said.

After a long career as a military chaplain and more recently a police chaplain, and numerous postings in parishes in NSW, Queensland, and Scotland, Rev Lang decided to go to university.

“Working towards a master’s is an intellectual challenge, but who would have it any other way?” he said.

“Those who want to study at master’s level are driven for many reasons, including for the intellectual challenge and the undoubted satisfaction of acquiring it, and even I, in my retirement, don’t want simply to hang it on the wall upon completion.”

Reflecting on his career, Rev Lang said that like most country kids nearly 70 years ago, he left school at age 15 and served a six-year apprenticeship on the Murrumbidgee Irrigator in Leeton as a compositor, “ ... a trade that has joined the dinosaurs; letter press is long gone”.

“At 22 I moved to the Newcastle Morning Herald and it was in Newcastle I met my wifeto-be, Janet, a Gunnedah girl doing her nursing training at Royal Newcastle Hospital,” he said.

“I met her at church, which may have been just as well, for 18 months later we married in 1962, after she graduated.

“I was accepted as a student of the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, so started on another six years’ study and work.”

To be accepted Rev Lang had to return to school to complete the Leaving Certificate which he did, of all places, at Hamilton Girls’ High School, and he was subsequently ordained at St Peter’s, in Coonamble NSW, in 1970.

“That’s now 50 years ago but feels like last

Rev Tony Lang OAM. year,” Rev Lang said.

“I’d done National Service when I was 18, so had a real feel for military service, and in 1976 I was commissioned as a chaplain in the Australian Regular Army, where I spent the next few years until retirement.”

“I very much enjoyed military chaplaincy, and I didn’t want to leave.”

For Rev Lang the highlight of that career was conducting the service for 75th anniversary of Gallipoli, at Gallipoli in 1990.

“We took 58 veterans back to Gallipoli who had fought in that campaign,” he said.

“What an unforgettable experience!”

Rev Lang subsequently accepted a call to the parish of St Andrew’s Gladstone, Queensland, and it was there that he became a part-time police chaplain. His final parish was St Andrew’s in Manly, NSW, where he followed on as a NSW Police Chaplain.

Upon retirement in 2002 the Langs moved to the village of Wangi Wangi, by the tranquil waters of beautiful Lake Macquarie, NSW, which is four-times the size of Sydney Harbour and the largest salt water lake in the southern hemisphere.

“Our five children still manage to see quite a lot of us,” Rev Lang said.

He said as a rather restless soul and committed to ministry, he ran a vacant parish part-

time, was also part-time chaplain in an agedcare facility, and is still a police chaplain.

In 2008, still restless and open to where he believed God was calling him, he took a locum position in the parish of the North Isles, Shetland, working for the Church of Scotland.

“My wife Janet came with me, of course, for what was a most amazing, unforgettable experience,” he said. “I loved Shetland and the remarkable people there.

“We lived on the island of Unst, Britain’s most northerly and remotest island, and there were three islands in the parish: Unst, Yell, and Fetlar.

The following year the Langs moved to mainland Scotland, to a small parish in the north-east Highlands, near Wick in the county of Caithness, Britain’s most northerly mainland county, and again it was for the Church of Scotland.”

In 2015, after returning to Australia, Rev Lang was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) ‘for services to the Presbyterian Church in the field of chaplaincy’.

“This was a wonderful, if undeserved, honour, and I know most awardees feel the same since there are just so many quietly committed workers out there, unrecognised,” he said.

Since returning to a quieter life Rev Lang has enjoyed some three-month locum postings in NSW country parishes such as Bowenfels, near Lithgow, and Dunedoo, north-west of Mudgee.

Rev Lang has diplomas in Divinity, and Pastoral Studies, both from Melbourne College of Divinity, a Master of Theology (from University of Newcastle), and a Graduate Diploma of Education from the South Australian College of Advanced Education.

“The latter was really a promotion course the Army had specifically prepared for chaplains moving from major to lieutenant-colonel, but I retired before reaching that exalted rank,” he said.

Rev Lang said all the subjects he has chosen in the Master of Arts (Theological Studies) will assist him with the next book he’s planning to write, and he chose to study at Charles Sturt after approaching a number of other universities.

“I found a couple of universities not very encouraging, and at least one discouraging, but when I approached Charles Sturt University I was treated with the utmost courtesy and consideration,” he said.

Find out more about courses at Charles Sturt, online university.

SPRING INTO THE NEW SEASON WITH SWEET PAPAYA SALAD

By Tania Phillips

RED PAPAYA SALAD

The Australian papaya industry experienced a healthy harvest back in autumn but with spring on it’s way expect another flush of the nutritious fruit.

Dietitian Jemma O’Hanlon says that papaya boasts a wealth of health benefits and with the tasty tropical fruit in abundance, it’s the perfect pick to help keep the whole family healthy.

“Papaya is the perfect addition to your weekly shopping basket. One serving (150g) provides a healthy dose of folate, fibre, vitamin C and vitamin A, which helps keep your immune system, gut health and skin in-check.

“Papaya also adds a refreshing and sweet twist to any dish, making it a versatile option the whole family will love” she added.

Papaya can be enjoyed simply with a squeeze of lime or in a range of delicious ways - the taste and texture make it a refreshing contrast in everything from curries to cake, salad or your morning muesli or smoothie.

And with spring, springing around us it’s the perfect time to start shrugging off that heavy winter food and look for fresh flavours including this fun Red Papaya Salad.

Serves: 4 Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 5 mins Ingredients 1 medium red papaya - peeled, deseeded, cut into chunks Dressing 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon seeded mustard Salad 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 250 gms haloumi cheese, thickly sliced 1 small butter lettuce, washed 1 Lebanese cucumber 1 cup bean shoots 1/3 cup mint leaves 1/4; cup slivered almonds, toasted Cracked pepper to season

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

Method 1. Blend ½ cup papaya with all dressing ingredients to form a smooth dressing.

2. Heat oil in a non-stick frypan over a medium heat, cook haloumi for 2 minutes on either side, or until golden. Drain on kitchen paper.

Golden Daze.

Tracking the history of Australian surfing

By Tania Phillips Every day thousands of people hit the surf around Australia - taking the board out into the ocean to ride the waves.

Most are recreational, but over the past hundred years there have been some who have truly made their mark in the sport of surfing.

One of those is Sean Doherty - though he’s best known for his words rather than his radical re-entries or nose-riding.

Doherty, one of Australia’s leading surfing writers of recent times, aims to bring to life, through countless interviews and personal archives, the wild, bold, brave story that is Australian surfing.

His latest book has been written in conjunction with Surfing Australia.

Golden Daze tracks (pun intended) from 1915 to the present through the eyes of Surfing Australia’s legends and their defining moments.

“Over a century, the big shifts in Australian life were all reflected in their own way on the coast, and surfing has left a deep cultural cachet on the Australian way of life,” the former editor of Tracks Surfing magazine said.

The book focuses a nostalgic lens on some of Australia’s greatest surfers and surf-stories from Coolie kid Mick Fanning overcoming his shark attack; to Isabel Letham and Duke Kahanamoku tandemsurfing; to Kingscliff’s Steph Gilmore bringing style to riding waves.

The book takes a deep dive into a significant year of their surfing lives - years when they won, years when they lost.

Years where their surfing and their surfboards changed the game. Grommet years when the days never ended. Years where they surfed up the coast, down the coast and globetrotted into the great unknown.

The book offers a fascinating insight into what makes Australian surfers so great from Doherty who began his surf journalism career in 1997 with Tracks and is best-known in for his 2004 biography of surf legend MP Michael Peterson (currently forming the basis for a new feature film).

Papaya Salad.

3. Arrange lettuce on four plates, top with haloumi, cucumber, bean sprouts, mint, and remaining papaya chunks. Sprinkle with almonds, drizzle with dressing before serving. Season with cracked black pepper.

Recipe credit: Papaya Australia Journalist and author Sean Doherty. berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … TAX TIME

Business has been challenging in the last five months to say the least.

At the start of the last financial year, few, if any businesses would have factored a global pandemic into their budgets or business plans.

Many businesses have had severe restrictions placed on their trade which is entirely beyond their control.

Other businesses, conversely, have suddenly found themselves busier than ever, with their team members being stretched to their limit.

Most businesses have been grateful for the support received by both the federal and state governments, either through stimulus payments, wage support, grants, or payroll tax relief.

However, negotiating access to some of these government or banking incentives has been tricky at best.

A business’ best asset during these times has been a good working relationship with their business accountant.

Among the many things that BJT have done for clients during this period are cashflow budgets for business planning and banking purposes, business analyses, as well as applications for Victorian Government Business Relief grants, JobKeeper, Cash Flow Stimulus Boost, and refunds of Victorian (and other state) Payroll Tax.

Michelle Beadle, principal at BJT Business Advisors.

BJT has had many clients express their gratitude and relief at BJT being able to help them navigate the complexities of the government programs.

As accountants, BJT’s job is to help business owners have enough information to make informed, intelligent choices in a period of such great uncertainty.

BJT Business Advisors are located in Berwick, and specialise in business and family groups. Visit www.bjtbusinessadvisors.com.au for more.

Beware of bogus tax agents Would you have an operation if you knew the surgeon had no medical qualifications? Would you get into a taxi if you knew the driver of the car didn’t have a driver’s licence?

Not many of us would, but every year thousands of Australians entrust their personal tax returns to bogus individuals posing as tax practitioners, most of whom possess no qualifications or experience to do the work.

With the tax-time landscape being even more complicated in 2020 due to the impact of the global pandemic, the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) is urging taxpayers to ensure that their tax practitioner is registered by checking the online public register at tpb.gov.au/onlineregister.

It’s a free and easy to use resource, and one that could potentially save taxpayers thousands in penalties and additional fees.

It follows a recent case of Brisbane based, Kent Scott Hacker and his associated companies One Stop Global Staffing Pty Ltd (OSGS) and Naleview Pty Limited.

In November 2018 the ATO raided the offices of OSGS and discovered evidence indicating that Mr Hacker’s business, OSGS, had been preparing and lodging income tax returns unlawfully for thousands of taxpayers. Mr Hacker had kept records of the taxpayers’ personal details including their date of birth, tax file number and bank account details.

The TPB began investigating the matter and in February 2019 brought proceedings before the Federal Court seeking both civil penalties and an interim injunction. Following this Mr Hacker and his companies gave an undertaking to the court that they would cease their activity.

Despite this undertaking, and a later court order to display large notices at the OSGS office warning taxpayers of the risk of using Mr Hacker’s services, Mr Hacker carried on providing tax agent services, often to unsuspecting clients.

On 27 July 2020 the Federal Court delivered two judgements, finding that Mr Hacker and his businesses had contravened the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 on numerous occasions and were in contempt of court by providing tax agent services after undertaking to the court that they would not do so.

Chair of the TPB, Mr Ian Klug, AM said, “It is quite extraordinary that each time Mr Hacker admitted to being in contempt of court, he went on to unlawfully lodge additional income tax returns for clients.“ ‘We would urge anyone paying for tax agent services, particularly during this tax-time, to be suspicious of the promise of large tax refunds and check the TPB register to ensure the legitimacy of their agent’s registration.“

For many Australians, putting savings to good use through investing is an important strategy to maximise wealth, but often the tax consequences can be forgotten or misunderstood. Covid-19 has significantly affected stock markets, property investments and pension incomes. A CPA Australia-registered tax agent can help you navigate the often-complex tax rules and concessions related to investments, including capital gains tax.

CPA Australia’s tax policy adviser Elinor Kasapidis said “Covid-19 has significantly disrupted the rental property market, with landlords deferring or reducing rent or simply being unable to rent out their properties. The nature of how a holiday home is used may have changed and adjustments will need to be made to tax deductions. The ATO will continue its focus on rental properties so it is important to get this right.”

“The instant asset write-off is not available to rental property investors and holders of vacant land should check their entitlement to deductions for the costs of holding that land, as the rules changed from 1 July 2019.

“Keep in mind that the ATO’s data matching and information exchange capabilities continue to evolve and now cover many capital transactions and investment revenue streams in Australia and overseas.

It is therefore more important than ever to report investment income, including from abroad, maintain accurate records, correctly calculate capital gains or losses on disposal and to ensure your tax affairs are in order,” Ms Kasapidis said.

Top tax tips for investors Claim your expenses for rental properties, such as interest on investment loans

including deferred payments, land tax, repairs and maintenance, agents’ commission, and don’t forget depreciation and capital works deductions Account for the impacts of Covid-19 on the availability of the property for rent, especially for properties such as holiday houses Ensure you report any gains or losses from cryptocurrencies, especially as the ATO is now data-matching information from digital exchanges Ensure you report any income, expenses, gains or losses from foreign investments if you are an Australian resident for tax purposes. Also check your entitlement to any foreign tax credits for tax you paid overseas If there are multiple owners in an investment, ensure that income and expenses are correctly apportioned For capital gains tax, make sure that you kept the asset for the 12-month holding period before you claim the discount, check your tax residency status and seek advice to ensure the gain is calculated correctly Keep proper records for all your investments and ensure that you keep them for at least five years after a capital gains tax event occurred Watch out for investments being promoted as ‘tax effective’ and seek independent, professional advice before making a decision.

Further information go to www.cpaaustralia.com.au/professional-resources/taxation/tax-tips/investors

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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STAR NEWS 19

NEWS

Wheels in motion for BMX

By Brendan Rees A father of three is leading a push for a new BMX track to considered in Botanic Ridge.

Cameron Johnston submitted a petition to Casey Council calling for a new dirt track, saying it would be ideal for kids to enjoy the outdoors and have a “bit of fun”.

“My boys are always out riding. Obviously it’s a bit harder at the moment - they’re stuck,” he said due to the stage-four Covid-19 lockdown, which had left his three sons aged five, eight and 10 little choice but to use wooden bike ramps in their street as their nearest bike track was more than 5km away.

He said a new bike track in a safe environment would provide an active outlet for teenagers to get away from gaming consoles and television.

It comes as a number of illegal bike tracks built at reserves - complete with dirt mounds and jumps - have been bulldozed by council after being deemed “unauthorised” and “unsafe”.

“The kids just find a vacant spot somewhere ... they’ve been building tracks and jumps under the high voltage powerline easement,” Mr Johnston said.

“We’re just trying to avoid that I guess and get a dedicated space where they can hangout and ride their bikes and stuff and not get into trouble.”

Mr Johnston tabled his petition of 550 signatures - 149 of whom reside in Casey - at a 4 August council meeting.

With council’s support he hopes that a new track can be delivered within the next 18 months, adding his discussions with staff had so far been “positive”.

In a letter sent to Mr Johnston, Casey Council said a new BMX track “and other skateable elements” had been proposed at a future park on Station Creek Way.

Nate uses a makeshift bike jump at the front of his Botanic Ridge home. 214102 “This is the most appropriate location for this infrastructure as it can be easily installed and maintained by council outside of the restrictions of a high voltage powerline transmission easement,” the letter read.

“Unfortunately timing of the park development is uncertain as it is at the discretion of the land developer.”

Mr Johnston, a Botanic Ridge resident, said a BMX track had been promised in his estate when he moved in 10 years ago but was disappointed it had not eventuated.

Since starting the petition, Mr Johnston said he had many people offering to donate money towards the project.

“The hardest thing is getting approval, the cost of building is pretty minimal,” he said.

Casey Council administrator Miguel Belmar said it was “interesting” the petition had included signatures “from far and wide and that the City of Casey is of interest”.

“It shows that there’s facilities that may be required and that council will appropriately respond to petitions by ensuring the work is done to respond,” he said.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Chase, Ty, Nate and Cam Johnston hope a new BMX track will be built in Botanic Ridge. 214102

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After three premierships in four years, Berwick are enjoying their most successful era.

185297 Picture: ROB CAREW

After three premierships in four years, Berwick are enjoying their most successful era.

185297 Picture: ROB CAREW

Berwick’s belter Berwick's intensity from the opening bounce until the final siren simply can't be matched.

Their premiership victory against Narre Warren on Saturday - giving the club back-toback flags for just the second time in club history - was intense, finals footy laced with the right amount of class.

After a third premiership in four years, the word 'dynasty' is deservingly being bandied around, and for good reason.

The club has a stranglehold over the southeast region - they're relentless, driven by success and are always chasing their next challenge. It's the cornerstone of all successful sporting clubs.

While the weather may have been arctic in their 51-point win over Narre Warren, the Wickers put in a magical performance befitting of a champion team in the midst of a golden era.

From the superstar Travis Tuck, who came to the club with a high expectation that has

now culminated with a best on ground medal in a grand final, to their champion skipper Madi Andrews, dynamic forward Harry Money, gun midfielder Bryce Rutherford and reliable defenders Jo West and Michael Riseley, the Wickers possess remarkable star power.

"We pride ourselves on our relentless approach," Berwick coach Stewart Kemperman said in the aftermath of another premiership win.

And as for Kemperman, he couldn't have a dreamt of a start to his senior coaching career

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Not only is the former Noble Park champion blessed with an incredible squad, but he's a forward thinker, a modern day coach with an incredible tactical nous.

The foundations are set, and as the club embarks on a new era in AFL Outer East, it seems the Wickers show no signs of slowing down.

Turn to sport for more about a golden day for the Wickers in the final ever grand final of the South East Football Netball League.

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Call for a Free Mearsure & Quote

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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BERWICK

A Narre Warren teenager who came to Australia as a refugee has won a leading youth art prize.

Year 11 student Shukria Shukria Oruzgani, who arrived in Australia from Pakistan two years ago, has won AMES Australia’s One Planet youth art prize.

Shukria, an ethnic Hazara whose family fled their home in Afghanistan a decade ago, says she is thrilled to have won the One Planet art competition.

“I’m very honoured to have won the competition. I’m passionate about art and I love painting,” the 18-year-old said.

“But, I’m also interested in maths and science and maybe medicine.”

Shukria’s family lived for many years in Quetta, in western Pakistan, after fleeing their homeland because of the persecution of the Hazara ethnic minority.

But targeted attacks on Hazaras by extremists inside Pakistan forced the family to flee again.

Over the past couple of months, the young people and students who engaged with AMES Australia have had the opportunity to enter the One Planet art competition held by AMES’ Youth Services division.

In partnership with sponsors 7-Eleven, entrants have had the chance to win prizes including laptops and tablets, with the aim of helping young people with their study needs.

Shukria’s winning entry will also be turned into a large mural to be displayed at the Multicultural Hub in Melbourne’s CBD. AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said many wonderful entries were supplied, all with different interpretations on the theme of ‘one planet,’ showcasing our young people’s talents.

“The judges were all very impressed with the thought and work that went into all of the entries and applaud all of the entrants on their work,” Ms Scarth said.

Shukria Shukria Oruzgani’s creative talents has been recognised.

Shukria’s award-winning art piece. berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON ‌ RETIREMENT

Residents of Saffron Grove have access to a range of facilities including community centre with library and function room.

Boutique retirement living Saffron Grove is a independent living community for over 55s.

The boutique style retirement village offers spacious two and three bedroom homes starting from $350,000, with only 96 homes available.

Saffron Grove is a welcoming community and a friendly neighborhood, with a resident profile that is diverse, multicultural and inclusive.

Residents of Saffron Grove have access to a

range of facilities including community centre with library and function room, billiards, indoor swimming pool, gym, salon and outdoor entertaining area.

Residents are afforded a multitude of social activities including billiards, exercise classes, happy hour, water aerobics, residents barbecues, men’s club, line dancing and mid-week morning tea, to name a few.

All residents who move into Saffron Grove have a hassle-free lifestyle, allowing them more time to spend on the important things in

life and more time to do what they love.

Saffron Grove has been running for 11 years and is part of Karidis Retirement Villages.

Karidis Retirement Villages is the specialised retirement arm of the family-owned and operated Karidis Corporation - one of South Australia’s most established property development organisations.

The founder of the business, Gerry Karidis AM, is regarded as an elder statesman when it comes to retirement, residential and commer-

cial property developments.

Under his strong leadership, the company has pushed the boundaries and set new benchmarks for more than 50 years, and is today one of the largest and most dynamic developers, with landmark locations across South Australia and Victoria.

Saffron Grove is located at 8 Saffron Drive, Hallam. If you would like a private viewing or more information about Saffron Grove, please contact Tracey on 0458 519 574.

Saffron Grove offers a supportive independent living community for over 55s, enabling you to enjoy life and connect with neighbours, friends and family.

2 & 3 bedroom homes available with $10,000 housewarming gift, limited time offer.*

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To find out more or arrange a private viewing, please call Tracey 0458 519 574 or visit saffrongrove.com.au berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 21

FOCUS ON … YOUR HEALTH YOUR IMAGE

Focused on community Blooms The Chemist Casey Central is a locally owned and operated community pharmacy with community at its heart.

Blooms offers traditional pharmacy services including dispensing, scripts on file, and medication packing, as well as health services including sleep apnoea testing, iron screening, blood glucose monitoring, stroke risk assessment and blood pressure evaluation.

Customers can order their scripts and refills through the Blooms app, meaning they can click and collect or select the delivery option.

While a weekly delivery service has always been offered, this has been increased to seven days a week during the pandemic. Three members of the team now deliver every afternoon - that’s approximately 300 kilometres a week in deliveries!

To ensure they can continue to serve the community, during Covid-19 the chemist has implemented a split roster so that they could continue operating in the event of a confirmed case amongst the team members.

Charlene Cerros, retail manager, says what sets her team apart is their culture and customer service.

The Blooms The Chemist Casey Central team is a diverse bunch, with qualified pharmacists with over 20 years of experience between them, dispense techs, a naturopath, and retail team members with varied careers, ranging from joining Blooms The Chemist Casey Central as their first job to retailers with over 20 years’ experience.

“The entire Blooms The Chemist network is like a family and at Blooms The Chemist Casey Central we are so proud to be making a difference for our customers and community,” Charlene says.

“We genuinely care about each other and during these challenging times we have consis-

The team at Blooms The Chemist Casey Central is ready to serve you. tently worked together to support one another and our communities. We like to have fun with each other and customers at work (you can watch our team Tik Tok challenges on Facebook!) and live by our values of passion, commitment, honesty, trust, integrity and respect.

“Our mission is to deliver better healthcare to all Australians and we do this through our exceptional service and a wide range of prod-

ucts at the best possible price.

“We really pride ourselves on being a truly multicultural team, and between us speak over seven languages, including English, Hindi, Pashto, Dari (Farsi), Shona, Polish, Czech, and Tagalog. We love that we can really connect with all of our customers and make it even easier for them to get what they need,” Charlene adds.

Blooms The Chemist Casey Central can be found at Shop 132-134, Casey Central Shopping Centre, Narre Warren South. Call 9704 8166. The chemist is open Monday-Wednesday 8.30-7pm, Thursday-Friday 8.30-7.45, Saturday 8.30-6pm and Sunday 9-6pm. Find them on Facebook to check out their Tik Tok challenges!

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Blooms The Chemist Casey Central Shop 132-134 Casey Central Shopping Centre, 400 Narre Warren Cranbourne Road Narre Warren South VIC 3805 P 9704 8166 E casey@blooms.net.au

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5.30 pm

CASEY CENTRAL

2/31 Clyde Road Berwick 3806 9796 2794 | info@seortho.com.au www.seortho.com.au berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … YOUR HEALTH, YOUR IMAGE

Full range of GP services Beaconsfield General Practice is located at 2 Ann Street, Beaconsfield and their team of general practitioners, nursing staff and receptionists are committed to providing high quality service and medical care to everyone throughout the community.

Appointments are always available on the day and the clinic is open seven days Dr Chander Hrstic has over 25 years of experience working in general practice and provides a wide range of services including women’s health, men’s health, children’s health and childhood immunisations, travel vaccinations, management of chronic diseases, mental health issues and minor procedures to name a few.

Dr Deborah Tse has now joined Beaconsfield General Practice and brings with her a wealth of knowledge.

Dr Tse is passionate about providing quality health care to patients. Her practice encompasses a broad range of areas of general practice and her areas of special interest include travel health, women’s health, pre-pregnancy planning, children’s health, preventative health, health screening, childhood and adult immunisations and shared antenatal care.

Beaconsfield General Practice is a private billing practice with discounted fees applying for healthcare and concession card holders.

The practice also bulk bills consultations for children under the age of 16 and age pensioners.

Appointments can be made by calling the rooms on 9707 0993 or online though HotDoc or visit the website - www.beaconsfieldgp. com.au

The team at South East Orthodontics is committed to providing high quality care.

Personalised oral health South East Orthodontics is committed to providing the highest quality orthodontic care for your smile.

The practice offers several types of treatment options to personalise your needs using the most appropriate techniques.

Part of the philosophy that drives South East Orthodontics is to listen carefully to your needs, and to provide you with a personalised treatment plan that ensures longlasting oral health.

The friendly staff are dedicated to ensuring your treatment will be as comfortable as possible.

There are many people at the practice in Berwick who assist the orthodontists to give you the best possible outcome in your treatment.

Staff will provide you with clinical excellence by using the latest orthodontic developments and techniques.

Training is vital in achieving these goals, so a great emphasis is placed on continuing education for all of the staff.

South East Orthodontics is located at 2/31-33 Clyde Rd, Berwick. Call 9796 2794 for more information.

12408113-RC04-19

Casey Osteopathic Health Services Servicing The Beaconsfield Community for over 19 years.

Members of the Australian Osteopathic Association For more information & professional friendly service, please contact: Casey Osteopathic Health Services

SATURDAY & EVENING APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE 2 STELLA ST, BEACONSFIELD

Monday to Friday | 8:00am to 6:00pm Saturday | 9:00am to 1:00pm • Sunday | 9:00am to 1:00pm Our team at Beaconsfield General Practice is committed to high quality medical care and service to all age groups in the community.

Beaconsfield General Practice is a private billing practice. Children under 16 and age pensioners are bulk-billed for their consultations.

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CLICK AND COLLECT 2 Ann Street, Beaconsfield | 9707 0993 | www.beaconsfieldgp.com.au berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

Visit us on facebook for more designs and styles

OPEN 6 DAYS

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Mask’s made to order Shop 20, 215-225 Parkhill Drive, Berwick

9705 7093 Thursday, 3 September, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 23

NEWS

Casey ARC will undergo a facelift.

Picture: CITY OF CASEY

Major Casey ARC upgrade A major upgrade of Casey ARC is set to begin within months after the project was endorsed at the Casey Council meeting on Tuesday 1 September.

The project will include a total roof replacement, upgrading the solar panels and building a wall between the aquatics pool hall and entrance areas to enable 24-7 gym access to the Health Club in the future.

The roof replacement is critical maintenance work that must occur as part of the lifecycle of the building.

Initially scheduled for the 2021/22 Budget, the $3.47 million project was brought forward

would be necessary within the next 12-18 months.

Casey Council’s chair of administrators Noelene Duff said while there was never a good time to close community facilities, completing this work now when the pool was already shut would ultimately be less disruptive to the community and eliminate the need for prolonged closures down the track.

“While the current closure of community facilities is beyond our control, it does present an opportunity to get a good start on this project and avoid having to close the facility again next year to undertake this necessary work,” Ms Duff said.

“Once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, members and casual users will also have the option to use Council’s other leisure facilities including Casey RACE located in Cranbourne, Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre and Doveton Pool in the Park until Casey ARC reopens.”

The project will now go out to tender with work scheduled to begin as soon as possible.

The project is expected to take an estimated 12-16 weeks to complete and the entire facility will need to remain closed during that period for safety.

YMCA, who operate the facility on Council’s behalf, will contact members and user groups directly to discuss membership options.

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to take advantage of the enforced closure of the facility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will decrease disruption for users in the future once public health restrictions are lifted and community facilities are able to return to full capacity.

The existing 44Kw solar panel system will be upgraded to a 350Kw output, to operate the facilities plant and help reduce the carbon footprint.

Following an audit of Casey ARC in 2019, Council was advised that the corrosive chlorinated environment had resulted in considerable degradation of the roof materials and structure, and that a total roof replacement

24 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

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STAR NEWS 25

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

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berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

Member HIA and MBA www.windows1.net.au

City of Casey Bunjil Place 2 Patrick Northeast Drive NARRE WARREN This can be done during office hours and is free of charge.

Documents can also be viewed on Council’s website: https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/view-planningapplications

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DINING SET Square table (solid brown timber) with 8 leather chairs. 1.5m (W) x 1.5m (L) x 77cm (H). Chairs in EC. Table has small marks. $180 ONO. Phone: 0451 209 281.

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Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number.

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Notification Signage will be posted throughout the Pest Animal Control areas and members of the public who are living, visiting or working in the above-named areas are advised to take particular care not to disturb or interfere with bait stations or traps. While domestic dogs and cats are particularly susceptible to 1080 and PAPP poisons, they are not permitted in Haining Farm, Warramate Hills Nature Conservation Reserve, Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve or Bunyip State Park and dogs must be on lead in both Kurth Kiln Regional Park and Wright Forest Bushland Reserve.

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Parks Victoria strives to protect Victoria’s special places. This includes the control of introduced plant and animal species. As part of an ongoing strategy, notice is hereby given that Parks Victoria will be laying buried baits and deploying Canid Pest Ejector bait stations containing Sodium Monofluoroacetate (1080 poison) and PAPP (4-aminopropiophenone) on public land for the control of foxes.

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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STAR NEWS 27

SPORT

The dollars and sense

By Lance Jenkinson The ceiling on salary caps across AFL Gippsland’s leagues was set to lower even before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

The overseeing bodies take into account a multitude of factors before setting each league’s salary limits and some alarming trends coming out of certain clubs had dictated a cap compression before the pandemic took a sledgehammer to revenue.

AFL Gippsland area manager Don Harley said there was more to the application of salary caps at local football level than just how well your favourite player is remunerated.

“Parity, or on-field competitiveness, is only one factor when producing a cap,” he said.

“We have some clubs around the state who are on payment plans for their insurance, yet have paid players out in full.

“That is an alarming statistic that the pressure to pay players is prioritised over other required payments.”

No business in the sports and recreation sphere has been immune to the challenges of operating through the pandemic.

Football clubs are no different and that was taken into account by AFL Gippsland when finalising a number for salary caps across the three leagues.

The Gippsland League will have the biggest cap in 2021 at $120,000, the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition is set at $90,000 and the Ellinbank and District Football League will be $65,000.

The relief in player payments has been welcomed by some clubs.

“There has been ongoing feedback from clubs and leagues on the need to reduce salary caps, starting from way before Covid-19 hit,” Harley said.

“It’s [the pandemic] increased the responsibility in our role for protecting clubs against the effects of Covid.

“Some clubs will feel the impact of Covid greater than others by virtue of where they get their income.

“Both clubs and leagues have acknowledged that pressure arising from salary caps remaining as they were could spell dire circumstances for some clubs who would feel the need to try and compete with clubs who might be unaffected.

“Most have appreciated the reduction is responsible.”

One of the battles for all clubs is weighing up on-field success versus off-field sustainability.

The lowering of the caps for 2021 could help prune some of the money not being reinvested in what Harley calls the “footy economy”.

“We have clubs that are reporting the highest salary cap spends, but who simultaneously record the lower scores in our annual facilities audits,” he said.

“Our internal review showed there was not a definitive correlation between those who

The salary caps and points allocations for Gippsland’s senior football sides have been a hot topic of discussion for some time. 198697 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS were spending the most and those who were winning.

“With that being the case, we needed to reduce the money being lost to the footy economy.

“Could that money be better spent on facilities or on coaches or on junior programming?

“All more sustainable outcomes that would play a role in attracting players anyway.”

Harley insisted that salary cap figures were not “picked from the sky”.

He said AFL Gippsland leagues would remain competitive with metro leagues.

“All leagues have reduced [the cap] across the state,“ he said.

“We’re seeing metropolitan leagues drop from $200,000 to only $100,000, so our caps remain competitive, insofar as they still allow our clubs the same chance to attract good players as in previous years.

“We looked very carefully at what all clubs and leagues in Gippsland were spending and

the data shows the reductions are fairly consistent with the average spends of clubs anyway.

“We found a level in each league that comfortably catered for clubs to meet any league fees, insurance fees, facility development, club development and parity, while also assisting clubs to manage the impacts of Covid.

“Clubs aggrieved by the reduction, on account of difficulties attracting players to remote areas, can utilise the existing mechanism for an additional spend, which is to apply to the commission for an allowance.”

The player points structure across AFL Gippsland leagues will remain the same as this interrupted season.

“We’ve kept our existing points structure as had been allocated for 2020,” Harley said.

“The reason is that those points were amongst the highest in the state as it was anyway and an internal review showed that not one club in Gippsland was getting close to their limit on a consistent basis.”

West Gippsland Football Netball Competition Salary cap: $90,000 Player points allocation: Bunyip 44, Cora Lynn 40, Dalyston 47, Garfield 44, InverlochKongwak 42, Kilcunda Bass 47, Kooweerup 41, Korumburra-Bena 45, Nar Nar Goon 44, Phillip Island 39, Tooradin-Dalmore 41, Warragul Industrials 47.

Gippsland League Salary cap: $120,000 Player points allocation: Bairnsdale 44, Drouin 42, Leongatha 39, Maffra 38, Moe 40, Morwell 44, Sale 41, Traralgon 44, Warragul 44, Wonthaggi 43.

Ellinbank and District FL Salary cap: $65,000 Player points allocation: Buln Buln 44, Catani 44, Ellinbank 40, Lang Lang 46, Longwarry 39, Neerim Neerim South 41, Nilma Darnum 46, Nyora 43, Poowong 42, Yarragon 45.

The Cranbourne Classic was ‘Taken’ out

By Peter Quilty It’s ‘taken’ eight years, but highly decorated Pearcedale trainer Jason Thompson has another Group 3 RAM Security Cranbourne Classic (520 metres) in the trophy cabinet.

Back in 2012, Thompson won the race with superstar Proven Nitro. And late last month, ultra-reliable speedster Taken caused an upset in the $25,000-to-the-winner final.

An unheralded sprinter, Taken ($11.50) defeated Arizona Eyes ($26.70) by 2.4 lengths, with Manila Knight ($10.70) a further 1.2 lengths away third in 30.11sec.

While Taken slipped under the guard of many punters, his performance was no surprise to young handler Holly Thompson.

“I was pretty confident about his chances going into the race, and watching the race he was close to the leaders around the final turn 28 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

I sensed he was a really good chance,” Holly said.

“He has a very good temperament and he loves racing. He knows what he wants to do whenever we go to the track. He pulls hard on the lead every time we take him to the racetrack because he’s so excited and he just wants to race.”

Fire Legend ($5.40) - also trained by Thompson - led Catch The Thief ($2.00) to the first corner and down the back straight, with Taken third and tracking wide. But the race changed complexion when Fire Legend, who eventually finished fourth, and Catch The Thief ‘brushed’ approaching the circle.

Subsequently, ‘show stealer’ Catch The Thief - arguably the “next big thing” in the sport - finished an unlucky seventh, 5.8 lengths from the winner. He had won 10 of his last 13 starts and was chasing his third

age-restricted feature, having won the Group 2 WA Derby and Group 3 Warragul St Leger.

Owned by Nicholas Darragh, the aptlynamed Taken (April 2018 Fernando Bale x Smitten) notched his 14th win (with six seconds and seven thirds) from 39 starts. His stakes spiralled to $68,560.

It was also his third win in five starts from Box 8 and his second win from four starts at Cranbourne. Taken was contesting only his second Group race final. He recently finished fourth to Catch The Thief in the Warragul St Leger.

Incidentally, Taken and Fire Legend are sons of super sire Fernando Bale, who was represented by five finalists. Earlier in the night, Swift Intention (Lyn Smith) won the inaugural Karen Leek Memorial for female trainers, while Bessie’s Daisy (Billy Stockdale) snared the $5000 to-the-winner Backmans Pet Foods Grade 5 over 699 metres.

Holly Thompson with Taken.

Picture: COURTESY OF CLINT ANDERSON/ BLUESTREAM PICTURES berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

City of Casey product Craig Williams finally got his hands on his Holy Grail with his win in last year’s Melbourne Cup aboard Vow And Declare.

Picture: COURTESY OF RACING VICTORIA

Their tilt at back-to-back

By Russell Bennett and Garry Howe In what looms as a history-making Spring Racing Carnival, last year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup champion, Vow And Declare, is among those to nominate for a crack at the 2020 crown.

Nominations closed for both of Australia’s premier staying races - the Melbourne Cup and the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup - late last week, with the entry numbers for both up on last year, despite Victoria’s battle with the Covid-19 pandemic.

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WHO won the 2019 Brownlow Medal?

WHO beat Greg Norman with a bunker shot on the last hole of the 1986 US PGA golf championship?

WHICH English cricket captain was born in Sydney and knighted for services to the game?

WHO won the Sydney jockeys’ premiership a record 10 times?

WHICH Prime Minister’s wife had an America’s Cup contender named in her honour?

HOW many players does a team field in a volleyball match?

WHICH team suffered the then second-worst defeat in AFL history in 2011?

WHICH Australian tennis player lost three consecutive Wimbledon finals?

WHO finished second behind USA on the medal board at the 2016 Olympics?

WHICH country hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games?

WHICH Australian wicket-keeper holds the record for the most stumpings in Test cricket?

WITH what sport do you associate the name Larry Bird?

WHICH two Australians won the US men’s and women’s singles tennis titles in 1973?

WHICH Australian won the first world amateur squash title in 1967?

WHICH early Australian swimmer’s life was the subject of a Hollywood film?

WHICH Pakistani fast bowler once took nine Australian wickets in an innings at the MCG? WHICH Russian won the 5000-10,000 metres running double at the 1956 Olympics?

WHICH horse won the Cox Plate in 1980, 1981 and 1982?

WHICH Australian once swam around the famous Alcatraz prison in San Fransisco Bay? WHO won the English premier league soccer title in 2019-20?

16. Sarfraz Nawaz 17. Vladmir Kuts 18. Kingston Town 19. Des Renford 20. Liverpool 12. Basketball 13. John Newcombe and Margaret Court 14. Geoff Hunt 15. Annette Kellerman 6. Six 7. Melbourne 8. Fred Stolle 9. Great Britain 10. England 11. Bert Oldfield

ANSWERS: 1. Nat Fyfe 2. Bob Tway 3. Sir George Allen 4. George Moore 5. Dame Pattie Menzies

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QUIZ NUMBER 1729

Champion Cranbourne hoop Craig Williams famously piloted the Danny O’Brien-trained Vow And Declare to victory in last year’s running of ‘the race that stops a nation’.

It was Williams’ maiden victory in the great race in his 15th attempt.

The horse flew the Australian flag last year as the only locally-bred horse in the field, and also had solely local owners, trainer, and jockey.

“I spoke to a lot of racing people afterwards and they said it brought back a lot of interest in the Cup - that it’s not just a race for the internationals,” part-owner Bob Leitch told the Star News in recent weeks.

“It shows that the average Joe Blow can invest in a horse and still win the Melbourne Cup.” Leitch was turning 50 around the time the shares were being hawked around and his wife Correne asked him what he wanted for his birthday.

He says the subsequent share in Vow And Declare is the gift that keeps on giving.

They realise how fortunate they were to share one of Australian sport’s greatest prizes and one that has eluded so many icons of the sport over the years.

Take Williams as an example.

He grew up in a racing family - his grandfather and father were both trainers of note, and he’d ridden over 50 Group 1 winners all over the world, but his Holy Grail - the Melbourne Cup - had eluded him until last year.

To go back-to-back would rank Vow And Declare alongside the Cup’s first winner Archer (1861-62), Rain Lover (1968-69), Think Big (1974-75), and Makybe Diva (2003-05) as the only horses to achieve that feat.

O’Brien has a number of high-profile runners vying for both cups this year, including Vow And Declare - which was also the runnerup in the Caulfield Cup last year.

This year, the Caulfield Cup has attracted 177 nominations (up from 143 last year), and the Melbourne Cup 174 nominations (up from 152).

Meanwhile, O’Brien took out his first Fred Hoysted Medal, Victoria’s premier award for trainers, at the virtual broadcast of the 2020 Victorian Racing Awards last Wednesday.

He produced a string of stellar training performances throughout the season, including Russian Camelot (SA Derby) and Miami Bound (VRC Oaks) - in addition to Vow And Declare’s Melbourne Cup win and Caulfield Cup placing.

O’Brien amassed 100 winners at a strike rate of 17.7 per cent, up from 62 winners at 15.5 per cent last season.

His behind-the-scenes social media content - documenting the campaigns of runners including Vow And Declare - won particular praise from the judging panel.

It’s also been an action-packed few days for

Williams, who ran third to Damien Oliver in this year’s Scobie Breasley Medal - for Victoria’s premier jockey.

This year’s medal marked Oliver’s 11th Scobie Breasley, while Williams has also claimed the award five times before.

Oliver claimed the 2020 award with 61 votes - 10 clear of Dwayne Dunn (51), with Williams (43 votes) rounding out the places. Another Cranbourne hoop, rising star Jye McNeil finished fifth in the count with 36 votes.

Williams held off Oliver to win his ninth Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership, with 70 winners for the season. It marked the fifth straight year Williams took home the Roy Higgins Medal.

The Victorian Jockeys’ Premiership - a statewide title - went right down to the wire, with McNeil pipping Daniel Stackhouse in the final week of the season to win his first such award.

In summing up the nomination numbers for this year’s premier races of the carnival, Greg Carpenter, Racing Victoria’s (RV) executive general manager of racing, said in a statement: “We were unsure as to the number of nominations that would be received this year given the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic so we’re delighted to see an increase in entries for both the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup and Lexus Melbourne Cup. “It is pleasing that there is tremendous depth among the entries for both races with 29 Group 1 winners in the Caulfield Cup and 25 in the Melbourne Cup. “There’s also lots of really interesting stories among the entries for racing fans and punters to follow from afar as we begin the countdown to both races in these unprecedented times.

“It’s fantastic to see the defending Melbourne Cup champion Vow And Declare among this year’s entries, and there is no question that Danny O’Brien holds an incredibly strong hand as he plots a pathway to both cups.

“The number of internationally-trained entries is higher than expected in the circumstances, due largely to the tremendous interest from Aidan and Joseph O’Brien who have an impressive list of entries in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.”

Carpenter said RV is planning to welcome up to 16 international horses on one-way tickets to Melbourne at the end of this month, with a provision for up to 16 on two-way tickets to join them on the same shipment from Europe.

“We have this week received travel exemptions from the Government for a limited number of staff from six international stables to enter Australia and care for their horses during the Spring Racing Carnival,” he said.

“However there remains a number of logistical challenges around flights and mandatory quarantine to overcome before that can become a reality.”

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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SPORT

The excitement in the air

By Nick Creely While there remains so much uncertainty around exactly when the first ball of the cricket season will be bowled in 2020/21, the continual development within the junior ranks of the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) gives plenty of reason for excitement into the future.

The DDCA this season will expand its evergrowing Junior Girls competition to two separate age groups - 13 and under, as well as 17 and under (using Stage 2 formats )- in a sign that the competition, which only kicked off in the 2018/19 season, is not only popular but absolutely flourishing.

DDCA vice president Steven Richards said the idea of expanding the junior girls competition will benefit everyone involved as it continues to grow at a rapid rate, with the Stage 2 formats meaning the girls will get to play on proper synthetic wickets.

“The idea’s been floated around clubland for a few years, and we’ve probably been a little bit hesitant - it was just the unknown,” he told the Star News.

“And in the first two years we’ve had heaps of people attending and we felt we needed, even in its infancy stage, to grow the competition and expand it.

“At some point in time we had 15, 16-yearold girls bowling to nine-year-olds, so we needed to bridge that gap a little bit, and introducing that age group is the way to do it.”

With the DDCA previously announcing that its junior competitions will move to even age groups of under-10s, 12s, 14s and 16s, Richards said that the introduction of an under-18 competition - which is planned to be played on turf pitches - is a massive step forward for the development of cricket within the region.

“About 10 or 11 years ago, we had even age groups and finished at 16s - then we obviously

The development of the DDCA Junior Girls competition has been exciting for the south east. 187437 moved to the odd age groups,” he said.

“But moving back to the even age groups not only align with the rep cricket, it just allows us to get that extra year of cricket in for those kids and get some exposure.

“And the idea of having the 18s on turf helps give them a bit more exposure to turf cricket, and that’s a good thing for the continual development of our competition.”

The DDCA has also locked in association greats and revered cricketing personalities Matthew Chasemore and Craig Slocombe two renowned development coaches - to head is junior cricket academy, which will also align itself with the even age groups as it develops the best talent in the region to higher honours.

“I have no doubt, with the knowledge and

skillset that both champions have, they will greatly increase the development of the young kids in our association,” Richards said.

“We are very pleased with the dual announcements. We are extremely excited with these appointments and we are in great hands.”

While the DDCA is still working hard to lock in a proposal to get the junior and senior seasons started at some point this year, Richards said there was genuine optimism that cricket - which is likely to be allowed to resume under Stage 2 restrictions - will be back sooner rather than later.

“We’re in close contact with Cricket Victoria, and our regional manager Emma Gallagher - I’ve had a few meetings with her, person-

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS ally, and we’ve also had a rules and affiliations meeting with all the clubs on Wednesday night,” he said.

“We’ve got some proposals to put in place and then we hope to release it to the clubs by 13 September (when Stage 4 is expected to end), so we’re still working through the finer details of that.

“We’re hopeful of probably late November (to start), if all the restrictions go down, and that’s the best case.

“But we’re preparing for at the latest, a late January start.”

If anyone requires further information on how to get involved in any of the DDCA’s junior competitions, they can contact Steven on 0430 599 387 or junior@ddca.com.au

Cricket continues to forge ahead in West Gippsland

By Lance Jenkinson Girls cricket was riding the crest of a wave in the West Gippsland Cricket Association earlier this year - before, like a lot things, it came to a screeching halt.

The Covid-19 pandemic sapped all the momentum of the WGCA entering an All Stars team into Country Week for the first time, and offshoots stemming from Australia’s hosting of the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup also had to be put on hold.

WGCA All Stars team manager Janet Aumann admits the pandemic has bamboozled girls cricket in the region like a Jess Jonassen spin ball at the World Cup. On the agenda this summer for the WGCA was creating a better girls pathway.

As it stands, 16-and-under is the lone age group for girls in the association.

“At the moment, the WGCA comp is open to girls 16 and under,” Aumann said.

“You could be nine or you could be 16.

“You could be in your very first season or you could have been playing for quite a few years.”

Aumann has urged the WGCA not to put girls cricket expansion on the backburner.

She feels as though the age gap between nine and 16-year-olds is too great and the lack of a pathway for players after leaving 16-andunder level needs to be addressed.

“Regardless of size and strength, even just the conversations are different between a nine-year-old and a 16-year-old,” Aumann said.

“Then the natural progression for some of these older girls, who are now 15, 16 and 17, hopefully they can go into a women’s comp or an under-21s comp, depending on what we can get up and running.

“There’s a lot of discussion at the moment about how we create a pathway for girls.

“It’s very hard in Covid to get some kind of timeline and momentum.”

What is for certain is the girls’ love of the game has not waned during the pandemic.

Aumann’s daughter Stefanie is a prime example, taking part in Dandenong Cricket 30 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

Club-run academy sessions with Australian cricketer Sophie Molineux over Zoom.

Stefanie will be the WGCA’s first local girls cricket ambassador.

“She has a story that many girls will be able to relate to,” Aumann said.

“She’s quite a shy child, so can feel quite intimidated, but she’s really passionate about cricket.”

The WGCA’s inclusion in Country Week was a big milestone for the association.

In previous seasons, the WGCA’s players were used as fill-ins for other associations, but they got to represent their own association with pride this time around.

The atmosphere of Country Week left the girls wanting more, but unfortunately that, too, will be a long way away with next year’s tournament cancelled due to the pandemic.

“The good thing about Country Week is that it’s a very supportive environment,” Aumann said.

“The girls just want to have a chance to play cricket at that level, rather than the cutthroat we want to smash everyone and win.

“It’s quite an amazing atmosphere.”

An October start for the WGCA’s girls competition, including teams from Officer, Kooweerup, Beaconsfield, Carlisle Park, Upper Beaconsfield, Nyora and Merinda Park, is still on the cards.

“We’re still hopeful, but it’s hard to know what’s going to happen with Covid,” Aumann said.

Once dates are set for cricket’s return, Aumann is hopeful that it will be able to channel the positive vibes stemming from that incredible day when Australia hoisted the T20 World Cup trophy aloft at the MCG in March.

“Some of our team members went that night and we were very fortunate to be part of that amazing celebration,” she said.

“It was like one big party, having [singer] Katy Perry there, she opened the night, and Australia did so well right from the start.

“To have the young girls there watching their idols smash it out of the park was incredible.”

Stef Aumann with cricket superstar Ellyse Perry just after the coin toss for England’s clash with Australia in the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup in Bristol, England. berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

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