News - Cranbourne Star News - 3rd September 2020

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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Sky-high rescue for kitty

BMX wheels in motion

Shock after garage raid

Declaring his hand

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Woodman out!

By Brendan Rees

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

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

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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

IN BRIEF

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

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-

Ivy Rose was safely rescued after being stuck in a tree.

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.

· · ·

Victim scares burglar Casey Crime Investigation Unit is investigating an aggravated burglary in Cranbourne on Monday 1 September.

Detectives understand the victim was in his Cochrane Street home around 11.20pm when he heard an intruder gain entry.

The victim confronted the offending male with a bat, scaring the offender off, police allege.

The victim was not injured during the incident and the offender left empty-handed.

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

Trio charged after home invasion Three people have been charged over an alleged home invasion that caused extensive damage to a Blind Bight property in June.

After extensive investigations Casey Crime Investigation Unit detectives and the Dandenong Frontline Tactical Unit executed simultaneous search warrants in Seaford and Sommerville on Thursday 27 August.

It comes after police allege armed offenders caused damage to a property in Fishermans Drive on 16 June.

Police found alleged trafficable quantities of illicit drugs, cash, ammunition and weapons at the address in Seaford and arrested two men.

A 28-year-old Seaford man was charged with home invasion, aggravated burglary, drug trafficking, theft, possessing the proceeds of crime and several other offences.

A 30-year-old Seaford man was also charged with home invasion, aggravated burglary and theft.

Both men were remanded in custody to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 28 August.

In Somerville, police found an alleged imitation assault rifle and arrested a 28-year-old man.

He has been charged with possess imitation firearm, theft, handling stolen goods and commit indictable offence while on bail.

The Somerville man has been bailed to appear at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 6 May 2021.

Picture: CFA

A purrfect rescue for a much-loved kitty

By Brendan Rees Pearcedale firefighters have come to the rescue after a kitten had a frightening ordeal being stuck in a tree.

To the relief of her worried owners, the 10-month old feline was safely brought down after getting itself stuck seven metres up a tree at Queens Road just before 7.30am on Tuesday 25 August.

Owner Christie Street said she erupted with joy after she and her 11-year-old son were reunited with their beloved Ivy Rose,

who had been missing from their home for two days.

“She’s a very unique cat, she’s the most beautiful cat I’ve ever had,” she said, adding she was happy to donate $200 to Pearcedale fire brigade for their help.

“She’s only been in our life for five months but she’s definitely won our hearts 100 per cent.”

Pearcedale CFA captain Geoffrey Carter said it was believed dogs on the property had spooked the kitten up the tree.

“We had a firefighter set up the ladder and climb up the tree and there wasn’t much work to be done from there. The cat was pretty happy to be rescued because it just walked straight to us,” he said.

“It was only when I came home from the incident that I was made aware of a post on a local Facebook page asking if anyone had seen a ‘beloved grey cat’ that we were able to identify who the owners were,” he said.

“We went and dropped it off safely and they were happy to have it returned, which is a great result.”

Family scares off bandit

By Brendan Rees

Police search the property.

Picture: CONTRIBUTED cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

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.

Police hope to identify this male.

Police appeal after windows smashed Police are appealing to the public for help after windows of a house and car were smashed in Cranbourne on 19 June.

Police say a male attended at a residential address about 9am where he allegedly used a rock to smash a front window of the house.

He reportedly also used a tool to smash several windows of a vehicle parked nearby, police allege.

During the incident, a silver Toyota Kluger was parked in the driveway and police believe the occupants of the vehicle may be associates of the male.

Investigators have released images of a male who may be able to assist with enquiries.

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

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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 cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Wheels are in motion

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”.

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

Nate uses a makeshift bike jump at the front of his Botanic Ridge home. 214102 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Anthony Byrne MP Federal Member for Holt

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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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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.

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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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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!

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NEWS

Casey backs pokies plea

By Brendan Rees and Tess Kelly 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.

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

Kelli has been left devastated after her family garage was ransacked by thieves.

214417 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS 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.

Shed goes up in flames

By Brendan Rees A Warneet garden shed has been gutted by fire on Sunday afternoon, 30 August.

Fire crews were called to the Edgewater Terrace property just after 2.30pm, to reports of smoke issuing from a shed.

About 10 firefighters in breathing apparatus tackled the blaze, which was brought under control within 15 minutes.

A CFA spokesperson said the shed was well alight by the time crews arrived.

No persons were injured and property damage was confined to the shed, the spokesperson said.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage.

Eight fire appliances from Tooradin, Casey Group, Devon Meadows, Pearcedale, and Warneet-Blind Bight fire brigades attended the fire as well as supported from Cranbourne Pumper 92.

FRV issued a safety message to the community warning of smoke at nearby roads at the time.

Firefighters at the scene.

Picture: WARNEET-BLIND BIGHT CFA

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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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STAR NEWS 9

NEWS

Shukria’s award-winning art piece.

Shukria Shukria Oruzgani’s creative talents has been recognised.

Teen refugee wins prize 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 extrem-

ists 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.

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Thursday, 30 August, 2018

CRANBOURNE

‘Trains every 10 minutes’

Scott’s a top dad

Cavs close in on title double

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Bridget O'Toole has tried to block out the painful memory the day her husband was tragically killed by two stab wounds to the upper chest.

"I've got to be kinder to myself because you torture yourself thinking could've done more," says Mrs O'Toole. "Survivor guilt isn't good."

It was 5pm on 12 July 2013 when a man wielding a 20-centimetre carving knife entered Bridget and Dermot O'Toole's jewellery store in Hastings.

"I thought it was a customer coming in and I just got up to serve him," she said.

Scott’s a top dad

Cavs close in on title double

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Property Lift out

She’s our hero

By Brendan Rees Bridget O'Toole has tried to block out the painful memory the day her husband was tragically killed by two stab wounds to the upper chest.

"I've got to be kinder to myself because you torture yourself thinking could've done more," says Mrs O'Toole. "Survivor guilt isn't good."

It was 5pm on 12 July 2013 when a man wielding a 20-centimetre carving knife entered Bridget and Dermot O'Toole's jewellery store in Hastings.

"I thought it was a customer coming in and I just got up to serve him," she said.

However Mrs O'Toole, of Lyndhurst, was attacked by the armed assailant who pushed her into a glass cabinet and stabbed her several times.

"He was screaming like a lunatic," she recalled.

During the attack Mr O'Toole, who suffered from Parkinson's Disease, came out from the workshop to defend his wife and began wrestling with the assailant.

"We were just trying to fight him off ... Dermot was desperately trying to save me."

"Dermot fell over, he tripped over and he turned on him and stabbed him to death," she said.

Mrs O'Toole attempted to pull the offender away from her husband and in doing so she was

further assaulted. The assailant then ran out of the shop.

Mr O'Toole, 64, was fatally wounded and tragically died at the scene.

Mrs O'Toole was taken to hospital where she had to undergo plastic surgery for the extensive serious stab and slash wounds and the glass shards that were embedded in her back.

For her actions, Mrs O'Toole was awarded the 2018 Gold Clarke Medal during a presentation at the Melbourne Town Hall on Thursday 23 August.

"It was a beautiful day," says Mrs O'Toole. "I was totally humbled and to be deemed worthy

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By Brendan Rees

Thursday, 30 August, 2018

40¢ Inc. GST

further assaulted. The assailant then ran out of the shop.

Mr O'Toole, 64, was fatally wounded and tragically died at the scene.

Mrs O'Toole was taken to hospital where she had to undergo plastic surgery for the extensive serious stab and slash wounds and the glass shards that were embedded in her back.

For her actions, Mrs O'Toole was awarded the 2018 Gold Clarke Medal during a presentation at the Melbourne Town Hall on Thursday 23 August.

"It was a beautiful day," says Mrs O'Toole. "I was totally humbled and to be deemed worthy of such a prestigious award I couldn't believe it."

The medal is an award of The Royal Humane Society of Australasia and is the Society's highest award for the most outstanding case of bravery.

Mr O'Toole was posthumously awarded the Star of Courage in 2017 - Australia's highest bravery accolades which recognises "acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril".

The robber, Gavin Perry, 27, was high after taking ice and on parole at the time of the murder.

He was jailed for 27 years in 2014 for the crime.

Mrs O'Toole remembers her husband of 41 years as a wonderful man who was a funny, kind and loyal man."I had the best husband and we had a great life together," she said. "Life has just been horrible since."

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp presents the 2018 Gold Clarke Medal to Bridget O’Toole. 184550 Picture: FIONA BASILE

Bridget O’Toole with her 2018 Gold Clarke Medal.

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Two hospitalised after morning house fire

By Brendan Rees Two people have been taken to hospital including one airlifted - following a house fire in Cranbourne West on Wednesday morning, 2 September.

Emergency crews were called to the Scarborough Avenue property about 8.30am, to numerous triple-zero reports of a house being fully engulfed in flames.

A woman in her 20s was flown by air am-

bulance helicopter to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition with upper body injuries while a woman in her 60s was transported by road ambulance to The Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition with upper body injuries.

Two FRV appliances and one command unit also attended the scene within six minutes, and were support by a number of CFA crews. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … TAX TIME

CPA tax tips for investors 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

ATO offers support in stangest of times The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) recognises that the community has experienced significant challenges this year. The ATO’s support and guidance should make tax time easier, particularly where new circumstances mean that people are receiving a different type of income or able to claim new deductions.

Assistant Commissioner Karen Foat said the ATO has a range of different approaches to support taxpayers and the community through this tax time.

“We know many of our clients and their agents will have questions about how different types of income and expenses may affect their obligations this year. We’re helping to make sure people know how to get it right.

“We have published information on our website to help you get it right when lodging this year, including the ‘Tax Time Essentials’ page which is a one stop shop for the things that are a little different this year and how they impact your return.

“If you’ve read through the information on our website and still have a question, search our online forum ‘ATO Community’. This fo-

rum is available 24 hours a day and we have a great community of expert members who respond to questions. In a lot of cases, there’s an ATO-endorsed response to help you. If not, post it yourself and we’ll have a response back to you as quick as we can.”

How has COVID-19 impacted work-related expenses?

“This tax time the ATO expects to see a substantial increase in people claiming deductions for working from home or for protective items required for work,” Ms Foat said.

Working from home expenses The ATO has already announced a temporary ‘short-cut method’ that applies from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020. The short cut method makes it easier for the millions of Australians who have incurred some form of expense for working from home as a result of COVID-19.

It covers all deductible expenses and can be used by multiple people working from home in the same house. People claiming their working from home expenses using the shortcut method, should include the amount at the ‘other work-related expenses’ question

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can’t claim for any other working from home expenses,” Ms Foat said.

in your tax return and include ‘COVID-hourly rate’ as the description.

“If you use the shortcut method, all you need to do is keep a record of the hours you worked from home as evidence of your claim. But it is all inclusive, meaning you

Phone: (03) 9769 3380 www.rjsanderson.com.au Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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STAR NEWS 11

NEWS

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

Peter and Sally at Wilson Botanic Park, Berwick. 214416

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

214416

Enjoying arrival of spring

By Brendan Rees 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

Partners Kayla and AJ keeping fit at Robert Booth Reserve in Hampton Park. 214416

Jade at the 1001 Steps - Bayview Park, Narre Warren. 214416

Mattiga and her son Ollie at Wilson Botanic Park, Berwick. 214416

Laura and her two-year-old son Hudson at Wilson Botanic Park, Berwick.

214416

12 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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.

Gordon at the 1001 Steps - Bayview Park Narre Warren. 214416 cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

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

cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

· · · · · · · · · · · ·

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.

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 13

NEWS

Casey’s push for supports

By Brendan Rees

Police hope to identify these 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.

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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.

14 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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NEWS

Casey ARC will undergo a facelift.

Picture: CITY OF CASEY

Major Casey ARC upgrade 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

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Massage Therapists

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PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE EXISTING MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION including 5G AT 1550 THOMPSONS ROAD, CRANBOURNE EAST VIC 3977 1. The proposed upgrade to the existing facility involves:

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“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.

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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.

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Langwarrin Community Aged Care will be opening in November and are looking for the following: REGISTERED NURSES ENROLLED NURSES PERSONAL CARERS Applicants must have a relevant qualiďŹ cations, empathy and passion for our elderly and a strong work ethic To apply, please send your resume with the title of the role you wish to apply for in the email to careers@signaturecare.com.au

12460324-SG37-20

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

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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 Football League 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 cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

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 Thursday, 3 September, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 17

SPORT

Proud Cranbourne 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

18 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

12459675-JW36-20

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.” cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

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 cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

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.

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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