News - Pakenham Officer Star News - 3rd September 2020

PAKENHAM OFFICER

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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Day dedicated to mental health

High risk of exposure at stations

Searching for stars in community

Pushing forward at Pakenham

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SPORT

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Town in waiting

By Jessica Anstice Officer residents, who were promised a town centre upon purchasing their homes, are becoming impatient.

While a town centre in the heart of Officer has been on the cards for a number of years now, construction is yet to commence.

Part of the town centre, called One Centre Square, is set to be built on a vacant block of land east of Siding Avenue.

The planned state-of-the-art commercial development has already sold and leased 60 percent of its facility to businesses.

Confirmed tenants include a gym and pilates centre, bottle shop, massage and nail salon, hairdressers, laundromat, doctors clinic, dentist, pharmacy, grocer and a pizza shop.

“During this evolving Covid-19 outbreak, we are acting on guidance from public health authorities to maintain a safe environment for everyone,” the One Centre Square website states.

“We are still well on track to commence construction as soon as possible.”

With no confirmed start or completion date, residents have become tired of waiting.

Officer resident, Bec Beverley, said she was told the town centre was going to be similar to a Westfield with a cinema when she purchased her block of land.

“Those plans keep changing. It would be nice to have these kind of things however we are not really fussed on it as Fountain Gate is only 15-20 minutes away,” she said.

“But it’s one of those things - I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Across the road, Cardinia Shire Council has plans to build a ‘major activity centre’ where there will be employment opportunities, as well as shopping, recreation and community facilities.

The council’s liveable communities general

The planned state-of-the-art commercial development has already sold and leased 60 per cent of its facility to businesses.

Picture: ONE CENTRE SQUARE manager Tracey Parker said the framework is in place for Officer to become an even better place to live, work and visit.

“Officer town centre has been earmarked as a future major activity centre, which is a designated focal point for shops, services, employment, housing and public transport,” she explained.“The Officer Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) is the planning framework which identifies proposed locations of business, residential and other uses in the area.

“The Officer PSP was recently reviewed and amended in November 2019. The revised PSP was added to the Cardinia Planning Scheme in March 2020.”

Ms Parker said recent changes to the plan aim to attract investment and jobs to Officer town centre through more simplified and flexible planning controls.

It is estimated that 5500 jobs will be created through the future precinct when it is developed.

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“The vision for Officer town centre, as outlined in the PSP, is for a vibrant and functional place with a diverse range of development including retail, food and beverage businesses, entertainment, commercial and professional services, recreational facilities as well as higher residential dwelling densities within and around the centre,” she said.

NEWS

New emergency line call

By Danielle Kutchel A petition to implement a “fourth line” to triple-zero specifically for mental health emergencies has gained more than 12,000 signatures and is showing no signs of slowing.

As the spotlight shifts to mental health and wellness, the petition has gained momentum, far surpassing the 1000 signatures its organiser, mental health advocate Heidi Everett, was expecting.

“I thought 1000 would be quite decent. We hit that within about a week and it ballooned up after that,” she said.

She believes the petition has struck a chord in a community in which many have reached breaking point during the Covid-19 pandemic.

While a report released last week by the Coroners Court of Victoria shows no increase in suicides to date during the pandemic, psychologists have reported a massive increase in people requiring assistance.

Ms Everett believes that’s where her suggested mental health hotline proposal could help.

She’s seeking a “fourth line” to be added to triple-zero, so that when people call the emergency number they hear: “police, fire, ambulance or mental health?”

The mental health line would be connected to a crisis assessment treatment (CAT) team, who are trained specifically to deal with mental health crises.

This team would then take appropriate steps to help the person in crisis. They would be supported by paramedics for emergencies involving medical incidents.

Mental health advocate Heidi Everett is calling for a fourth line to be added to triple-zero for mental health emergencies.

Ms Everett says in a utopia, people with lived experience of mental ill-health and carers would also be on the team.

Currently, she says, if someone calls triplezero for suicidal thoughts or mental health crisis, paramedics and police respond with the support of a mental health worker - but Ms Everett wants to see that flipped, with the mental health workers becoming the pri-

mary responders in a situation they are most equipped to deal with.

She believes it would help reduce the burden on hotlines like Lifeline and Beyond Blue, and added that in “if you’re in a mental health crisis, the last thing you’re going to do is remember those numbers or go searching for them on the internet. Triple-zero cuts through that.”

“I’ve used Lifeline so many times but even they say contact triple-zero in an emergency,” Ms Everett says.

She added that the fourth line would be particularly useful for those who have no idea who to call in a mental health emergency people like farmers, business owners and parents who are now, for the first time, experiencing the mental ill-health.

Clinical psychologist and director of Lakeside Psychology, Michael Tomek, said he thought the concept of a fourth line was “interesting” and that he could see the appeal.

But he stressed it would be important to consider all the pros and cons of the suggestion and how it would impact the triple-zero system.

He acknowledged that the state’s psychiatric triage system is currently “under the pump”.

“Often we have to leave messages to them and they get back to us. It’s very challenging ... The pressure is being felt in not only in the community but also by psychologists and the public mental health team.”

In fact, he said, demand at his clinic - including enquiries and requests for appointments - has doubled since March.

A spokesperson for Victoria Police said of-

ficers are “attending an increasing number of mental health incidents every year”.

According to the spokesperson, Victoria Police works with mental health professionals to improve training in the area for its officers, with mental health training woven into all aspects of training for recruits.

“In addition to recruit training, all frontline Victoria Police officers will receive additional in-depth training solely dedicated to assisting people experiencing a mental health crisis,” the spokesperson said.

“It will also help to prevent the escalation of incidents and associated harm to the individual, police and community and enhance diversion to assessment and treatment.”

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson confirmed that they respond to over 75,000 mental health emergency calls, with more than 17,000 of those being connected with a specialist mental health nurse within the organisation.

The others “require a lights and sirens emergency response and admission to an emergency department”.

Telstra provides Australia’s triple-zero service. To connect a fourth line, the legislation governing the service would need to be updated.

To view the petition, visit https://www. c h a n g e. o rg / p / a u s t ra l i a n - g ove r n m e n t 000-mental-health-line If this story has raised any issues for you, please contact: Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue. org.au

· ·

Much-needed break: Dedicated day to mental health

By Mitchell Clarke The Monday blues were made a little more bearable thanks to a welfare day at Pakenham Hills Primary School.

Staff, students and parents were given a much needed break to switch off from the stresses of remote learning and instead focus on family activities.

Pakenham Hills Primary School principal Dale Hendrick said the dedicated mental health day fell at the right time within the term.

“It just struck me that we needed to have a break,” he explained.

“Times are hard and listening to the feedback that was coming from staff and students, it was clear they were struggling. In many ways, remote learning - and the pandemic - has taken a toll on mental health.”

While the initiative was a chance for staff and students to take a day off for themselves, it also provided some relief to parents.

“The feedback that we’ve received is quite positive,” Mr Hendrick explained.

“Most parents didn’t have to wake up and

ed Publish y ursda

worry about getting their child online. I think it’s equally important for parents to also have a rest.”

The 15 children who required onsite learning were treated to a pyjama day filled with fun and alternative activities.

With just over two and a half weeks left of Term 3, the school is preparing for the possibility of onsite learning returning for Term 4.

“I think it’s become noticeable that some students are starting to disengage. They want to be back at school. It’s a highly interper-

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Pakenham Hills Primary School students Beau, Robert, Poojan, Zach, Cailin and Elly in 2018.

180644 Picture: GARY SISSON

sonal place, so they miss the contact with their teachers and peers and they miss the normality of just coming to school,” Mr Hendrick said.

“Term 4 will be very different and it’s going to present a challenge in other ways. We’ll need to bring everyone up to speed because from what I’ve seen, at least 25 percent of the kids haven’t engaged a lot over the past two terms.”

If the Chief Health Officer deems it necessary to continue home learning for Term 4, Mr Hendrick said it’s a probability that more welfare days would occur.

“Home learning has been a challenge. I couldn’t say it’s anything other than a challenge. Times are hard but I look at my school community and they’re to be praised,” he said.

“As a principal, I couldn’t be more proud of my staff and their efforts in making sure it’s working for their children. They’ve just risen to the challenge.

“This welfare day is only a small thing we can do, but in some ways it’ll help, and that’s the intention of it.”

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NEWS

Our ‘high risk’ exposure

By Mitchell Clarke The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have identified the Officer and Berwick railway stations as “high risk locations“.

DHHS revealed on 1 September that a person who had tested positive for Covid-19 reportedly caught the 11.20am train from Berwick to Officer on Saturday 22 August.

The confirmed case is understood to have boarded the train in Berwick before hopping off at Officer between 11.30am and 2pm.

The passenger then caught a Moe bound train from Officer and arrived at Moe station later that afternoon.

While it would appear the passenger changed to a V-Line service further along the Pakenham line, no other train stations have

yet been identified by DHHS as a high risk location.

It’s understood the person then visited a Hungry Jacks in Moe between 4 and 5pm.

The three train stations have been identified as locations which could potentially pose a higher exposure risk to the virus.

DHHS have confirmed the exposure risk posed at these sites has now passed, however anyone who visited either station on Saturday 22 August should watch for any Covid-19 symptoms.

If symptoms do occur, immediately get tested and stay at home until you return a negative result.

As of Tuesday 1 September, there were 28 active cases of Covid-19 within the Cardinia Shire and 133 in Casey.

Berwick train station. 196128

Buyers’ patience fraying at heart of a town in waiting From page 1 “A high level of pedestrian activity surrounding Officer Railway Station will be supported by a range of nearby community facilities with council investigating the potential for a library, community hub and future bus interchange.

“Council looks forward to working with the community and stakeholders in realising the vision for the Officer town centre.”

However, when Officer residents were asked what they would like in the town centre - the overwhelming response was a cinema and a retail giant such as Kmart, Costco or Ikea.

“Cinema and a Kmart would be awesome but I don’t see it being likely,” resident Missy Bennett said.

“A microbrewery and privately owned cafes and restaurants with atmosphere would be sweet.”

Other ideas included a butcher, bakery, florist, takeaway shops, library, community

hub, indoor sports and aquatic centre and even X-Golf and ten pin bowling.

“Some good restaurants and cafes would be good because we basically have to go to Pakenham or Beaconsfield,” resident Tahlia Starrenburg said.

While residents were brainstorming ideas, some were skeptical about the development going ahead.

One resident, Kathy Symons said, “I’d like it to be built, not just a pie in the sky promise.”

Resident Reece Campbell suggested somewhere nice to go for dinner and a drink, as well as a cinema that was allegedly promised years ago.

“They promised years ago a cinema but that seems a long shot,” Ms Campbell said.

“They made a promise for One Centre Square but at 60 percent sold I’m skeptical they will deliver.

“A completion date would also be great.”

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.

Confirmed tenants include a gym and pilates centre, bottle shop, massage and nail salon, hairdressers, laundromat, doctors clinic, dentist, pharmacy, grocer and a pizza shop.

PICTURE: ONE CENTRE SQUARE 12458111-SN36-20

While a town centre in the heart of Officer has been on the cards for a number of years now, construction is yet to commence.

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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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NEWS

Weather lashes 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.

A trampoline was blown onto a roof in Cranbourne.

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

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

Picture: CONTRIBUTED 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.”

So much more than just great results!

First home buyer Andrew Poplician recently bought in Officer. 204785 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By Mitchell Clarke Cardinia Shire residents have saved more than $21 million in stamp duty savings, the State Government has revealed.

New data released on 20 August revealed the 1149 people in Cardinia who got their feet into the housing market were among the 40,000 first home buyers across the state to save a collective $724 million in stamp duty in the past 12 months to 30 June.

Cardinia’s total figure of $21,417,155 in savings placed them in the top 10 local governments for stamp duty savings.

The City of Casey was the highest of any local government area in the state for savings or waivers, with more than 3700 residents saving a total of $72,645,002.

Almost 500 Baw Baw Shire residents saved $5,908,276, cementing their position in the top five regional areas for savings.

Under the State Government’s Homes pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

for Victorians scheme, applicants do not pay any stamp duty at all on properties under $600,000 and receive a stamp duty concession for property valued up to $750,000.

All applicants who build or buy a new home are also eligible for a $10,000 First Home Owner Grant, which is doubled to $20,000 for new homes in regional areas.

Since the scheme’s inception in 2017, more than 103,000 Victorians have saved closed to $2 billion.

Treasurer Tim Pallas said even amid the global coronavirus pandemic, the scheme was helping Victorians “get a leg-up and enter the property market and turning their dreams into reality”.

“Home ownership has become increasingly difficult for young Victorians and we know it can often feel out of reach,” he said.

“That’s why we abolished stamp duty for properties valued $600,000 or less - so first home buyers get a fair go.”

ENROLMENTS ARE NOW OPEN FOR 2022 with limited places available for 2021.

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Cardinia’s savings savvy first home buyers cash in

We invite you to come and see what makes St Paul’s one of Australia’s leading regional schools.

To organise a virtual tour please contact our Enrolments Officer via telephone 5623 5833 or email enrolments@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

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NEWS

OPINION

Victim scares burglar

LENSCAPE

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

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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

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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

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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!

John Veldwyk: Welcome to Crimbourne Charlie Bravo Campbell: Ahh, there’s that description... pakenhamnews.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.

It’s time to put your food waste to good use!

From 28 September, Cardinia Shire residents will be able to put food waste in their green bins, helping reduce landfill and recover valuable resources.

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 College 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.

Your food and garde n wa will be tur ste ne into comp d o for garden st sa farms acr nd oss Victoria.

Learn more about this new service at one of our free online information sessions; Thursday 10 September from 7pm Saturday 12 September from 10:30am Register online www.cardinia.vic.gov/greenwaste

Don’t have a green bin yet?

Order online or call customer service www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/greenwaste 1300 787 624 12458947-SG35-20

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NEWS

New compost collection

By Jessica Anstice Cardinia Shire residents will soon be able to put household food scraps straight into their green waste bin for the council to collect and create compost.

All food scraps, including fruit and vegetables, cooked and uncooked meat, dairy products, processed foods and more can be placed in the green waste bin to be composted into nutrient rich soil for farms and gardens.

The new service, to commence from Monday 28 September, will provide a solution to the problem of food waste in Cardinia Shire.

Around 32 percent of household waste in the shire is spoiled food or food scraps, which

currently goes straight to landfill.

When food waste decomposes in landfill it produces methane - a harmful greenhouse gas - and creates leachate - a toxic landfill liquid that can pollute the land, ground and waterways.

Residents who already have a green waste bin will receive a free ‘food in green waste bin’ kit including a bench top kitchen caddy, flyer and sticker during the rollout period of 28 September to 19 October.

Once received, it can be used immediately.

Ratepayers can order a green bin any time of year.

The annual fee for 2020-2021 is $123.20 for

the 240L green bin or $90 for the 120L green bin.

Green bins will continue to be collected fortnightly and are available in two sizes: the standard 240L bin and a new smaller 120L bin for smaller households with less garden waste needs.

A free online information session will be available to interested residents from 7pm to 8pm on Thursday 10 September or from 10.30am to 11.30am on Saturday 12 September.

To book or for more information about the session, visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/greenwaste

To order a new or additional green bin, visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/orderbins, phone 1300 787 624 or email mail@cardinia.vic.gov. au.

Rental tenants will need to contact their property manager or landlord.

People who have a compost bin at home can continue to use it, with the council offering rebates of up to $50 for residents who buy a compost bin, worm farm or mulcher visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/wasterebates for more information.

OFFICIAL MEDICAL ADVICE

Don’t risk it.

Always follow the health advice.

There is set to be a new hang out for dogs in Pakenham when the off leash area at Don Jackson Reserve opens this year.

Dogs to roam free

By Jessica Anstice There is set to be a new hang out for dogs in Pakenham when the off leash area at Don Jackson Reserve opens this year.

The new space will be fully fenced with two double gate entries, a quiet zone and an agility equipment zone.

Located between Ahern Road and Shetland Court, the Don Jackson Reserve off leash dog park will be made possible thanks to the State Government’s $275,000 contribution through the Building Works package.

“Cardinia Shire is grateful for the Victorian Government’s contribution to fully fund a new dog off leash area at Don Jackson Reserve in Pakenham,” Cardinia Shire Council’s liveable communities general manager Tracy Parker said.

“The area will be landscaped with features such as drinking fountains, seating, paths and doggie nature play areas.

“Construction is set to start as soon as permitted, pending Covid-19 restrictions, and is expected to be completed this year.”

In May the government announced it would establish nine new dog parks across Melbourne - the first of 16 new dog parks that will be built through its $154 million Suburban Parks Program, which will create 6500 hectares of public open space, including parkland and new trails.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced a further $2.5 million in funding to create seven new dog parks in Melbourne, and 10 in regional Victoria including the one in Pakenham.

“Now more than ever, we realise the value of having open green space close to where we live,” she said.

“These new dog parks will deliver that for communities across Victoria.”

The dog park locations were chosen through an expression of interest process with local councils.

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

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra 8 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

The Drake Tavern owner Brendan Theobold and bar manager Frank Harris are looking to reward community-minded people for their good deeds, in partnership with the Gazette.

Searching for ‘stars’ Tough times bring out the best and worst in people - and it can be easy to be drawn into the negatives.

So The Drake Tavern and the Star News sister paper the Pakenham-Berwick Gazette have combined to put a more positive spin on events locally and showcase the good things that are happening in our community.

Starting now, each month they will identify the Drake Community Star, with the help of Drake patrons and Gazette readers.

They will be seeking nominations from the public for someone who has done a good deed, performed a random act of kindness, or gone above and beyond to help someone else.

The person deemed the most worthy each month with receive a $100 venue voucher for The Drake Tavern in Pakenham.

Owner Brendan Theobold came up with the concept in a bit of spread a bit of positive news.

“Times are pretty tough at the moment and it can be easy for people to dwell on the negatives,” he said.

“This is a chance to get a bit of good news out there and celebrate the many people who are doing good things.”

Star News Group editor Garry Howe was more than happy to jump on board and provide the vehicle to spread the good news.

He applauded The Drake initiative.

“Our job is to cover the news and it’s not always good,” Mr Howe said. “But we are always looking to report on positive things happening in the community as well, so getting on board

For any queries contact 0410 422 541

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

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

with The Drake was a no-brainer.

“We can’t wait to hear the many wonderful things people are doing in the community.”

If you know someone worthy of being rewarded as The Drake Community Star, contact the Gazette team through email on dailyeditor@starnewsgroup.com.au, by mail to PO Box 9, Pakenham 3810 or message the Gazette on Facebook.

The winners will be announced in the Gazette each month, so make sure you pick up a copy.

Liquor theft

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.

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By Jessica Anstice A man is being sought by police for stealing a four pack from a Pakenham liquor store last week.

The man entered the store’s cool room and put the four pack of alcohol into his backpack on Friday 28 August.

He then left the store a short time later without paying for the items.

CCTV images show the man wearing beige coloured pants and a black singlet.

If you recognise him please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic. com.au.

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

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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 CCTV images show the man wearing beige coloured pants and a black singlet.

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pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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STAR NEWS 9

NEWS Berwick-Pakenham

Stay connected locally!

Read the Gazette.

Bass MP Jordan Crugnale at Living Learning Pakenham with Judy Davey, Miriam Cadwallader and Chenkuach Aleer.

The need for trusted local news and information is now more vital than ever.

Keep up to date with all the local news and information from across the region.

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By Mitchell Clarke

There are growing calls for a “buddy be implemented system” to for people living alone during the Covid-19 pandemic .

Liberal Gembroo called on the State k MP Brad Battin has Government to New Zealand initiative follow which links people a ing by themselve livs.

“Many people live alone, are out of and have no social work connection during Mr Battin said.

Stage 4,” “The governme nt partners to connect, has allowed intimate and it is only fair person can nominate a single their isolation bubble.” a buddy to allow into That idea has been welcomed by an woman who has Officer lived by herself for the past year.

Beth, who didn’t want to use her real name, said the pandemic , strictions, had been in particular Stage 4 rethe most difficult her. time for “Personally, I don’t feel loneliness that ten. I was an only ofchild so I’m used alone, but this has been different,” to being plained. she ex“It’s a different feeling to when your family or friends go away on a time. There’s nothingholidays for months at that separates er than being not legally allowed to us oth- The State Government said it was vital to other.” see each limit physical interaction to slow the spread To make matters In June, calls of the virus. 208185 over 10 kilometre worse, Beth’s parents live July, as Stage were up by 47 percent while in Picture: STEWART s away, so she’s wasn’t the same 3 restrictions were CHAMBERS as physical contact. meet them at a halfway unable to calls again reintroduced, doubled point to exercise.

“It’s not quite the same time last year. when compared to the “People with intimate same as seeing someone want to acknowledge just how in person, which difficult it is for partners can travel people’s general gives 20 to 30 kilometre Lakeside Psycholog mental health and s can boost well-bein rise to oxytocin and that in y clinical psycholog wellbeing, particular for those provides emotiona at a time, and I get that, it Michael Tomek g,” he explained ist . l support. I get a said “There really is providing mental health condition already experiencing lot of emo- was tricky, tional support from a need for our but a compassionate exemptions people and my friends and family vulnerable s,” Ms Crugnale it may fall under I can’t see them,” approach was said. but needed.

“Whilst many a medical exempshe said. tion, so I would have found new ways of say to people who “It’d be nice if you “The levels of loneliness gling to speak to are strug- connecting, whether through could nominate their doctor or support video calls with person, even if and isolation in family or friends, it was just to catch that one this crisis are just extraordin and get some of discovering new exception or documen service classes or twice a week. ary. The mental up once health impact hobbies or online, or going Most people are tation. from this pandemic “We can’t risk sticking to concernin guidelines and worsening mental is just so so one who lives nearby, for a walk with somearen’t travelling g,” he said. there health, needs further five kilometres or I totally recognise to be some flexibility than “A lot of these people breaching curfew, peounderstanding and my ple who live on their think this would be any different.” so I don’t their own or have been have always lived on job and have is that police are doing a great connection formats own may not have the been single, on hand, or the social quite compassionate but their Calls to Beyond around this time Blue’s support services and about family networks.” has really been tested,coping this.” creased by 66 percent in- ing an increased in April and 60 percent strain on their mental causLabor Bass MP Jordan Beyond Blue’s in May, compared free Coronavirus health.” vital Crugnale said it Mr Tomek said to the same time to limit physical Mental was Wellbeing Service catching up with in 2019. interaction to slow is available 24/7 over the phone friends spread of the by calling the 1800 512 348. or through video virus. platforms 12418633-LN21 “These are such -19 For immediate help, challenging times contact Lifeline and I 11 14. on 13

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

From left: Jeffah Thebach, Chengkuach Aleer, Thuch Ajak, Mading Amech, Sunday Chak and Liah Mout with Bass MP Jordan Crugnale and Minister Gabrielle Williams at a round table event pre Covid.

Students to find support

By Mitchell Clarke A new program which aims to better engage Cardinia Shire’s African community with school will launch at Living and Learning Pakenham.

The centre received $120,000 in State Government funding to create a dedicated Homework Club program as part of the $8.6 million Victorian African Communities Action Plan.

The club will provide a place for primary and secondary school students of African heritage to visit the Living and Learning Centre and the Pakenham Library every Tuesday and Thursday.

Living and Learning centre manager Miriam Cadwallader said the homework club had been designed as a “safe, flexible and fun place” for students to find support.

She said the program would help students reach their potential as productive community members.

“It’ll gives those kids that are doing it tough some extra support outside of the school setting,” Ms Cadwallader explained.

“A key element of student success is the involvement and engagement of families and caregivers, and Living and Learning Homework Club will incorporate opportunities for families and caregivers to participate in targeted activities, events and workshops.”

Ms Cadwallader said she had been working with the African community for about four

years and was part of a “bigger community solution”.

“This is about giving kids a chance. It’s not just a small program, it’s part of a whole suite of things,” she said.

The program is set to operate through to June 2021, and will pick up once Covid-19 restrictions ease.

Homework Club co-ordinator Chengkuach Aleer said he was “very delighted” to support and engage young people and their families.

“It is with great honour and appreciation that I thank Living and Learning Pakenham for giving me this opportunity to engage and support young people to reach their potential as students and productive community members,” he said.

Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said the program had been designed and delivered in partnership with the Victorian African Communities Action Plan committee, which is made up of a diverse group of African Victorian community leaders.

“This initiative will help support and empower young Victorians of African heritage in Pakenham to achieve their potential at school,” Ms Crugnale said.

“We want every student at every school across the state to have a quality education which opens up opportunities and options in both further education and employment pathways.” pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Bright sparks come to you

By Tania Phillips Batteries are an essential service and even if customers aren’t able to coming into the store as much under lock-down, Battery Zone in Pakenham is not out of reach - they can come to you if you need them.

Owner and founder of Battery Zone Charlie Carter said during the most recent stage-four lockdown they have been doing more and more home visits.

And as long as it’s an emergency Charlie and his team can come out to where ever the client needs them to be - which is just as well because Battery Zone supplies batteries for everything from watches to trucks and everything in between.

In fact during lockdown earlier in the year, they actually experienced a 29 percent growth in sales as people had extra time on their hands to attend to vehicle care and maintenance or preparing their caravans for when the travel restrictions lifted.

This time around things have been a little tougher, although winter is their busy season so the demand for truck and car batteries has still been high - particularly as they deliver.

“The second lockdown has hurt us a bit more, we’re down about probably 35 percent but it’s better than 100 percent down,” Charlie said.

“We are travelling ok, we are doing a lot of roadside at the moment and click and collect and phone orders.

“Batteries are classed as an emergency item so people need their vehicle for work or health

reasons, they can go out and replace their batteries.”

And people are always going to need batteries.

“The first lockdown we had - our business went up for three months but 30 percent and now we’re down by 35 but its purely because people can’t come into the store for three more weeks,” he said.

“But they can still click and collect and they can still phone me, they can do a phone order or they can ring me from home and I’ll come out to them.

“I suppose what I want to say is if you are locked down and you have a car issue we can come to you.”

He said it’s peace of mind for people to know someone can come out with a car battery when they need it even at this time.

Find Battery Zone at 3/206 Princes Hwy, Pakenham. For more information go to batteryzone.com.au or phone 5940 1364.

Charlie, Gary and Mason at Battery Zone.

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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STAR NEWS 11

NEWS

An army of mask-makers

By Jessica Anstice Pakenham’s Living and Learning Centre volunteers have been hard at work sewing away to make face masks for those most vulnerable community members.

The project started about three weeks ago when the community centre received a call to see if it was able to facilitate a series of sewing workshops to produce face masks for people without access to them.

Living and Learning Inc - Skills and Wellbeing Centre CEO Miriam Cadwallader said she put a call out to anyone who was interested in being part of the mask making project.

“With the kind support of MP Jordan Crugnale, the Cardinia Shire Council and the Pakenham Op Shop we were able to start,” she said.

“Then lockdown restrictions came into play and all our plans were not going to work.

“However we were not going to let this stop us so we replanned and set up online systems.”

The project now has 21 volunteers from Pakenham through to Inverloch, plus two volunteer delivery drivers to help collect supplies and pickup finished masks.

To date, the hard working volunteers have made more than 380 masks and have donated 300 of those to members in the community.

“It’s heartening to see the community coming together to support the community,” Ms Cadwallader added.

By the end of it, volunteers hope to produce 1000 masks for those in need.

“Acts of kindness in the community are what carries us through these tough times,“ Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale said.

“This project is a pearler - 1000 masks made with love. The team at Living Learning Pakenham are amazing.

“We keep doing what we can to keep those golden threads that bind us all together as humans - connected and strong. I’m proud to be part of this initiative. Community at heart.”

Living Learning Pakenham volunteers Ameeta, John and Surinder.

Pakenham’s Living and Learning Centre volunteers have been hard at work sewing away to make face masks for those most vulnerable community members.

The very first masks order that was packaged.

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The project now has 21 volunteers from Pakenham through to Inverloch, plus two volunteer delivery drivers to help collect supplies and pickup finished masks.

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By Rowan Forster A lifesaving Pakenham-based venture, spear-

health care system for the entire community.

According to government figures, 45 per cent of metropolitan emergency department

We just keep getting MEGA.

health care system for the entire community.

According to government figures, 45 per cent of metropolitan emergency department presentations are non-urgent.

Tiny Hearts has also compiled statistics from participants, illustrating the importance of teaching the critical first aid skills.

After the course, 98 per cent of parents said they felt more confident to act effectively in an emergency.

Almost 50 per cent reported that they had used their acquired infant and child first aid knowledge within six months of undertaking the course.

Narre Warren's Shelby Cooke, who performed CPR on her choking two-year-old daughter while paramedics rushed to their home, stressed the importance of first aid training.

She believes that had she not received the course through her workplace, her daughter may have suffocated.

"I still owe everything to having those skills," she said.

"The more people that are equipped with them, the less tragedies we're going to see with children, babies and toddlers.

"It's such a frightening thing to go through - so you need to be prepared."

The free sessions will be held across the region, including at Beaconhills College, in Pakenham.

Topics covered will include choking, fevers, convulsions, burns, drowning, bleeding, caring for an unconscious person, bites and stings and head injuries.

Parents or caregivers interested in undertaking the free training can sign up by heading to: www.tinyheartsfirstaid.com/fundedcourse.

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A lifesaving Pakenham-based venture, spearheaded by a paramedic and a teacher, has received a federal cash injection to provide free first aid training throughout Melbourne's south-east.

Tiny Hearts - founded by sisters Rachael Waia and Nikki Jurcutz - will arm 1800 local parents and carers with the skillsets required to save their children in the event of an emergency.

In a regional first, 300 parents are also set to be trained bilingually, catering for Chinese and Afghan communities.

Their journey began in a garage, but Tiny Hearts now has a headquarters in Pakenham's Industrial Park - proving that business success is attainable under the most challenging circumstances.

Ms Waia, a former educator and volunteer first responder, was first aid trained when she was just 15 years old.

She is determined to share her vital knowledge with as many parents as possible.

"I've got two kids of my own and I know what it's like when they choke and when they're really sick," she said.

"Because we've got such a good report built with our parents, we get a lot of feedback where they say, hey, you literally saved our babies' lives.

"I love what I do - waking up and making a difference."

Tiny Hearts worked in conjunction with the South East Melbourne Primary Health Network to secure the federal grant.

The organisation also hopes to reduce the number of inappropriate admissions to the emergency department and create a better

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12 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Brazen bandits target cars

By Mitchell Clarke A series of break ins are being investigated by police, after brazen thieves - in breach of curfew - allegedly targeted a number of parked cars in Pakenham’s Cardinia Lakes estate.

Police have confirmed at least two cars on Victoria Place were ransacked, while another was broken into on Leigh Drive in the early hours of Monday morning, 31 August.

A Victoria Police spokesman said personal belongings and a number of tools had been stolen from the vehicles.

CCTV caught the moment at least two alleged offenders appeared to target Ashleigh Nulliah’s partner’s Ute at about 2am on Monday morning.

The footage shows at least one of the men purportedly searching through a trailer and tool box before fleeing the scene.

Ms Nulliah told the Gazette that the Ute, trailer and tool box had all been broken into and a number of tools had been stolen.

“Stealing from tradies is the lowest of the lows,“ she said.

Nearby, Darlene Bromage’s daughter’s boyfriend’s car was also targeted, before his front window was smashed in.

It’s unknown when the smash and grab occurred.

“We were all in bed at 9.30pm. I’m up at 3.30am to take my daughter to work but I was back at 4.15am. The boyfriend went to work at 6.45 when he noticed it,” she explained.

Neighbourhood Watch Cardinia chairperson David Farrelly said the two most common items stolen from cars were number plates and tools.

“Tools are the second most stolen item from cars, and this has a huge impact on the victim, often not being able to work without

The car, which was parked in the Cardinia Lakes estate, was targeted early Monday morning. the tools,” Mr Farrelly explained.

“We recommend that tradies always lock their car, van or Ute. We suggest keeping tools out of sight and covered up, and to park vehicles in a secure location, preferably one that has motion sensor floodlights or an alarm.”

Mr Farrelly said locking car doors was the most effective measure, and reduced the threat of break ins by 80 percent.

He said while it’s rare for locked cars to be broken into, criminals could become tempted to steal if they see items of value in plain sight.

Neighbourhood Watch Cardinia will host an online forum with Victoria Police and Car Safe on Tuesday 8 September to discuss issues around theft of cars and theft from cars.

To register: www.nhw.com.au/webinars.

A man caught on CCTV appearing to search a tool box in the middle of the night.

FOCUS ON … TAX TIME

Accountants’ peak group offers tax tips for investors 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

Individual Tax Returns Property Investors Companies & Trusts Self Managed Super Funds Tax Returns Online

Claim your expenses for rental properties, · If there are multiple owners in an invest· such ment, ensure that income and expenses are as interest on investment loans in-

· · ·

cluding 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

correctly apportioned

capital gains tax, make sure that you kept · For 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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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

Phone: (03) 9769 3380

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 13

NEWS

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 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.

Peter and Sally at Wilson Botanic Park Berwick. 214416

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

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

Narre Warren resident Sunish has a spring in his step at the 1001 Steps - Bayview Park 214416

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

14 STAR NEWS

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Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

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

214416

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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

FOCUS ON … YOUR HEALTH YOUR IMAGE

New clinic for Officer Now open and located in central Officer in the new medical precinct located at 19/445 Princes Highway, Officer, Officer Family Doctors is a medical practice that has recently opened due to high demand in the local community of Officer and surrounding areas.

The dedicated team of general practitioners, nursing staff and receptionists are committed to providing high quality service and medical care to everyone.

Appointments are always available on the day and the clinic is open seven days.

Facilities include a children’s play area, baby change provision and disabled toilet, disabled access and facilities, and air conditioning to make your visit more comfortable.

The team of doctors can provide a wide range of services including women’s health, men’s health, children’s health, childhood immunisations, travel vaccinations, management of chronic diseases, mental health issues, and minor procedures to name a few.

Officer Family Doctors is a Covid-19 testing site - please call for an appointment on 7001 1400.

If you believe you have symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat please let the friendly staff know and they can arrange for medical staff to examine you in the carpark.

Officer Family Doctors is a private billing practice with discounted fees available for healthcare and concession card holders. The practice also bulk bills consultations for children under the age of 16 and age pensioners.

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

Personalised treatment for your dental health

Officer Family Doctors is now open in the new medical precinct in the heart of Officer. 214328

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.

The clinic offers high quality service and medical care to everyone. 214328

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

OPEN FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY

Servicing The Beaconsfield Community for over 19 years.

Members of the Australian Osteopathic Association

Orthodontic Treatment for children and adults utilising the latest technologies including SureSmile, Invisalign, lingual and clear appliances.

For more information & professional friendly service, please contact: Casey Osteopathic Health Services

SATURDAY & EVENING APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

Offering all GP services Immunisations, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Mental Health, Chronic Disease Management, Bulk Billing, All children under 16 Aged Pensioner Concession Card Holders PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU HAVE ANY SYMPTONS YOU MUST ISOLATE AT HOME FOLLOWING THE DHHS GUIDLINES UNTIL YOU RECEIVE YOUR RESULTS AND THEN FOLLOW ANY INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN. BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY

19/445 Princes Hwy, Officer 3809 Phone: 7001 1400 • Fax: 7001 1409 Email: reception@officerfd.com.au pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

PH: 9769 9881

COVID-19 TESTING SITE •฀All testing carried out whilst patients remain in their car.

•฀Simply park your car at the front of the clinic in the specially marked parking spaces.

•฀Phone the clinic on arrival and our Receptionist staff will take your details.

•฀One of our friendly and caring nursing staff will then come to your car and undertake your test.

•฀Upon completion your test will be promptly forwarded to the approved pathology laboratories for testing and results.

Strict hygiene and physical distancing policies in place

12459976-JW35-20

NEW DOCTORS NOW OPEN

OPEN 6 DAYS

12459159-SN35-20

2 STELLA ST, BEACONSFIELD

We offer flexible, interest free payment plans to make orthodontics accessible to everyone.

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5.30 pm 2/31 Clyde Road Berwick 3806 9796 2794 | info@seortho.com.au www.seortho.com.au Thursday, 3 September, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 15

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

16 STAR NEWS

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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. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … REAL ESTATE

A PLEASANT PLACE TO CALL HOME JUST 50 minutes drive South East of the Melbourne CBD, Mt Pleasant embraces abundant green spaces, modern amenities and gorgeous homes in the heart of Pakenham.

Titled land currently available. Plus, with the $25k Home Builders Grant (eligibility criteria applies), there has never been a better time to secure your dream home site at Mt Pleasant.

Don’t let stage 4 restrictions stop you from achieving your home ownership dreams.

Picturesque rolling hills, beautiful vistas and a rich history make Mt Pleasant the perfect location to build your new home.

One hundred acres of prime land with views over the heart of Pakenham is being transformed into more than 500 home lots.

With land sizes ranging from approximately 300 square metres to over 1650 square metres, there’s room for everyone to build their dream home.

Mt Pleasant was founded in 1843 by an adventurous Englishman named Thomas Minton who snapped up a lease on 1045 acres of prime land. Inspired by the region’s rolling hills and picturesque outlook, he christened his holdings ‘Mt Pleasant’.

Thomas Minton’s acreage is now set to begin a brand-new chapter as the home of a contemporary community in Pakenham’s heart. This is your chance to own a piece of history while living in a state-of-the-art development.

Enjoy all the advantages of a cosmopolitan suburb but with the  extra benefit of vast, open skies and  fresh air.

Thanks to its residential growth and



picturesque green hills, more and more people are looking to call Pakenham home.

At Mt Pleasant schools, shops, restaurants, parks, sporting facilities, as well as the beauty of nature are all right on your doorstep.

Mt Pleasant strives to be a welcoming community and a place you can proudly call home.

If it’s a relaxed, outdoorsy lifestyle you’re after, you’ll love being a part of the Mt Pleasant and Pakenham community.

Virtual appointments now available for Mt Pleasant.

To register interest or find out more phone 1300 577 383 or go to www. mpestate.com.au ●

 HOME ESSENTIALS

 Address: PAKENHAM Inspect: On application Contact: Ian Harris, 0420 533 871 or go to www.mpestate.com.au   —  Take advantage of the $20,000* first home

owners grant and even  better….

Receive up to $25,000*  for the new builders scheme.  Now is the time to buy!  *eligibility criteria must be met

96

Lampard

| Drouin

| Drouin

Road

     

Inclusions • Carpet to remaining • Flush panel • Vinyl wrap kitchen areas from builders internal doors with stone benchtops range • Internal door handles • Stainless steel electric • Stainless steel sink • 50mm Scotia cornice oven and flick mixer throughout • Stainless steel gas hot to kitchenTOWN • White glo tub plates • Chrome mixer tops to laundry • Stainless steel range from builders range • Weathertough acrylic hood • Mirrors with polished to all exterior • Ducted heating edge to bathroom • Sewer power, • Ceramic floor and wall • Exhaust fans to drainage, gas and tiles as per floor plans bathrooms water connections as *Subject to developers final approval, statutory regulations & builders preferred sitting. from subject to change without notice.

• Roller *Pricing & inclusions Pictures door for illustration purposes only. per plans builders range to garage • Outdoor water taps pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

FOR SALE - 18 Stunning Units Nestled amongst the open space of Bellbird Park, Drouin.

First home buyers grant of $20,000 available to eligible purchasers. BUY NOW AND SAVE THOUSANDS ON STAMP DUTY!

For more information, contact: Dale Atkin: 0402 717 891

Don’t miss this opportunity to purchase a unit in a great part of Drouin, surrounded by open space and parklands. With 2 & 3 bedroom and single & double garage options, these quility built units feature open plan kitchen/meals/living area, and high quality finishes throughout.

96 Lampard Road is located just 1.5kms from Drouin’s main shopping precinct, schools, train station and recreation facilities. Take a leisurely bike ride along the ‘Two Towns Trail’ from Drouin to Warragul, enjoy the town’s restaurants and cafe’s, take the kids to the local skate park, or make the most of the array of sporting facilities offered in Drouin including golf course and basketball stadium.

12452901-SG27-20 12451848-NG25-20 12452901-SG27-20

  

* Images are for illustration purposes only.

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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STAR NEWS 17

HOME FOCUS

GREAT LOCATION 5 LOT PREMIUM DEVELOPMENT SITE HERE is your chance to build your new dream home!

This 5 lot premium development site is perfectly nestled amongst the prestige of Oxley Court and Bunjil Drive. With slightly undulating vacant blocks , and a beautiful natural elevevation showing stunning views,

this privately secluded court of 5 x 1 acre blocks is your chance to build a signature home. Measuring between 1004m2 and 4683m2 with power, water and telephone available, Jean Court is a perfect opportunity to secure a jewel of Drouin. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: Jean Court, DROUIN Price: On application Inspect: By appointment Contact: Dale Atkin 0402 717 891, RAY WHITE DROUIN, 5625 1033

SITTING proudly on this easy to maintain block is this 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home.

Set amongst established homes and close to parkland, this property features a spacious kitchen,roomy meals/family area, study, ducted heating, split system cooling, double lock up garage and fully landscaped low maintenance gardens.

The home is situated minutes away for Warragul Secondary College and Marist Sion College, This is a fantastic package for the value savvy buyer and a golden opportunity for the home owner or astute investor.

Perfect for those looking for a quiet area surrounded by similar sized properties and only a few minutes to the town centre and freeway.

This is an ideal family property for lifestyle living, call today. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 18 McMillan Drive, WARRAGUL Price: On application Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Inspect: By appointment Contact: Dale Atkin 0402 717 891, RAY WHITE DROUIN, 5625 1033

Take advantage of the $10,000* first home owners grant and even better….

Receive up to $25,000* for the new builders scheme.

Now is the time to buy! *eligibility criteria must be met

Pakenham

Inclusions • Vinyl wrap kitchen with stone benchtops • Stainless steel electric oven • Stainless steel gas hot plates • Stainless steel range hood • Ducted heating • Ceramic floor and wall tiles as per floor plans from builders range

• Carpet to remaining areas from builders range • Stainless steel sink and flick mixer to kitchen • Chrome mixer tops from builders range • Mirrors with polished edge to bathroom • Exhaust fans to bathrooms • Roller door to garage

• Flush panel internal doors • Internal door handles • 50mm Scotia cornice throughout • White glo tub to laundry • Weathertough acrylic to all exterior • Sewer power, drainage, gas and water connections as per plans • Outdoor water taps

Whether you’re looking to downsize and keep the caravan or boat, a first home buyer looking to enter the market or savvy investor, this development has a little something for everyone. Located in an established part of Pakenham, opposite parklands and open space, the fresh air and neighbourhood vibes will have you feeling at home in no time! With close access to all the amenities such as shopping, schools, restaurants and more throughout Pakenham and surrounding towns, you’ll have everything you need.

With easy access to the M1.

2 bedroom townhouses $369,000–399,000.

3 bedroom townhouses $409,000–$449,000.

First Home Owner Grant $10,000 (to eligible applicants) Prices subject to change 12452900-LB26-20

18 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

PRE-BOOK A PRIVATE INSPECTION COMMENCING 14 SEPTEMBER

OFFICER 6 Captain Street

Buyer Enquiry Range $780,000 - 840,000

CLYDE 9 Unison Drive

For Sale $557,000

OFFICER 29 Rosina Drive

Buyer Enquiry Range $570,000 - 610,000

PAKENHAM 12 Rembrandt Court

Buyer Enquiry Range $450,000 - 490,000

OFFICER 6 Bevington Crescent

Buyer Enquiry Range $550,000 - 600,000

PAKENHAM 7 Rockies Ridge

For Sale $555,000

OFFICER 6 Sabina Road

Buyer Enquiry Range $620,000 - 670,000

SKYE 4/38A Lily Way

For Sale $525,000

If you have been considering selling, now may be the right time. We have registered buyers waiting.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU TODAY?

Ian Harris 0420 533 871

Anil Jayalath 0420 220 779

Janine Scott-Rule 0417 160 423

Geoff Gaertner 0412 990 871

Aman Singh 0430 420 053

P 5943 1111 #wecare

Terry Lock 0407 494 199

W krpeters.com.au

#staysafe

#stayhealthy 12459740-SN36-20

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 19

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(1.5% credit card processing fee applies. Cheques and money orders can be posted in or hand delivered to our local office)

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NEWS

Last chance for grants

By Jessica Anstice Applications are now open for the latest round of the State Government’s 2020-21 Sporting Club Grants Program and grassroots sports clubs across Cardinia and Casey are being encouraged to apply.

The Sporting Club Grants Program provides funding to boost local sports clubs with equipment, skills and administration expertise.

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.

They 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 coronavirus 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,” Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale said.

“I encourage all our local clubs in the Bass electorate to grasp this opportunity and apply.”

In addition, Community Sport Minister Ros Spence announced the establishment of the new funding program, the Aboriginal Sporting Participation Grants Program.

This program replaces Category 4: Aboriginal Participation from the Sporting Club Grants Program.

The new program will be a tailored annual grants program to address participation barriers Victorian Aboriginals experience in sport and active recreation.

“Recent coronavirus restrictions have had a heavy impact on community sport, that’s why

The Sporting Club Grants Program provides funding to boost local sports clubs with equipment, skills and administration expertise. Pictured is Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale. we’re proud to provide this funding lifeline that opens up a range of opportunities on and off the field for clubs and their members,” Ms Spence said.

“When it is safe to do so, we want commu-

nity clubs to come back better than ever and this boost will go a long way to help clubs, coaches, athletes and officials get back in the game.”

This program will open for applications

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later this year.

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

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STAR NEWS 21

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.

The salary caps and points allocations for Gippsland’s senior football sides have been a hot topic Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS of discussion for some time. 198697 “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 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.”

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.

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.

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.

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-and-under 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 22 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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 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

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.

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.” pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Weathering the storm

By Lance Jenkinson Pakenham Racing Club officials can finally exhale.

A busy and testing winter racing program like no other at the Tynong track has been completed without a hitch.

Pakenham Racing Club general manager of racing and commercial Wade Calderwood conveyed the atmosphere around Sportsbet Pakenham during another successful, albeit crowd-less, race meeting on Monday.

“The over-riding feeling amongst everybody has been one of relief,” he said.

“It’s a relief that the racing industry has been able to continue for so long and weather the storm of all these Covid outbreaks.

“We’re now into six months of Covid and we haven’t lost one race meeting.

“That’s very important because people have got families to feed and we’ve been able to keep going.”

Calderwood praised the whole racing industry for its willingness to adapt to new guidelines brought about by Covid-19.

He believes the industry has operated under the strictest conditions, but with the most willing participants, who know what is at stake.

“We have extremely strict protocols, right from arrival through to where the jockey rooms are, to the officials, the mounting yard, even cleaning the barriers before the horses start,” he said.

“There’s a significant number of protocols, pages and pages, that we adhere to, to make sure we can continue to keep racing “We’ve had to really be very adaptive in short periods of time.”

It was important for the local economy for racing to continue.

Milton Park, with Jarrod Fry on board, took out the Vale George Dore OAM Handicap at Sportsbet Pakenham on Friday.

Picture: COURTESY OF RACING PHOTOS “It’s a large employer, the racing industry, particularly down Pakenham way, with a lot of trainers and owners,” Calderwood said.

“It’s great that their local track has still been able to gainfully employ jockeys, trainers, stablehands and everyone associated with our industry down this way.”

Calderwood is flat that members have not

been able to attend race meetings, but has assured them “plans will be in place” for their return once restrictions are lifted.

He has been encouraged by the engagement in off-course betting and believes new racing fans will come from those who tuned in from their living rooms through the pandemic.

The big question is: Could Pakenham have punters on track for their next racing meeting on 16 October?

“It’s very much crystal ball gazing, so we just don’t know,” Calderwood said.

“We’ll certainly be prepared one way or the other.”

Keeping the Power on

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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?

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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

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

QUIZ NUMBER 1729

12. Basketball 13. John Newcombe and Margaret Court 14. Geoff Hunt 15. Annette Kellerman

Technology has made it easier for Gippsland Power players and officials to stay connected during the Covid-19 pandemic that brought a premature end to the 2020 NAB League season.

While there is no substitute for one-on-one, face-to-face coaching, Power talent manager Scott McDougal said the priority has to be on health during this tough period.

“We made the decision that we were going to try and get away again, but obviously people’s health and public safety takes precedence over that, so we’re following the government directions,” he said.

Creative use of technology has ensured that the Gippsland Power does not need to take short cuts.

The Power keeps in contact with the players’ parents through the Team App phone application and with players through video and phone calls.

“Technology is really helping us in this situation,” McDougal said.

“Obviously we’d rather be face-to-face, but we are lucky in that way that technology is available for us to be able to keep in communication with the boys and girls.

“We keep in contact with our players in a variety of ways.

“We’ve got a TeamApp application where we can contact all parents and forward all the information.

“We have been having some Zoom meetings with players.”

What the eyes can’t see through the absence of team training sessions, the technology can.

Gippsland Power is utilising the Smartabase app to track their players training loads and wellbeing from home.

“The players get on that and record how they slept, how they feel, what their training loads were, what the session was like,” McDougal said.

“There’s a bit of an onus on them to follow the program from home.

“They’re keen to follow it because there’s

not really a lot else they can do apart from exercise and skills from home.”

While 2020 has seen Gippsland Power players spend more time on the home front, it has not shed them of their responsibilities when it comes to football and schooling.

McDougal continues to preach the importance of players having balance in their lives.

“That’s par for the course,” he said.

“You’ve always got to have a balance in life with the time you set aside for your family, your schooling and your outside pursuits.

“One can’t overtake the other or you’ll get out of whack.”

Gippsland Power is hoping for more success at the AFL draft later this year.

In 2019, five Power players were selected in the national draft, including this season’s AFL Rising Star favourite Caleb Serong, drafted by Fremantle.

The highly-rated Power quartet of Zach Reid, a 202-centimetre defender/ruck; insideoutside midfielder Sam Berry, who plays in a similar fashion to Serong; Ryan Angwin, a rangy wingman; and inside midfielder/crafty forward Will Papley, the younger brother of Sydney Swans star Tom, are on the radar of recruiters this year.

While McDougal’s phone continues to run hot with AFL recruiters seeking information on players, with no football currently on, one request has been a constant.

“We’ve been giving a lot of vision of games from practice matches this year,” he said.

“We also had meetings with all the clubs prior to going into Stage 3 again.

“Everybody has been proactive.”

McDougal is champing at the bit to begin similar conversations with recruiters about the fresh talent coming through the Gippsland Power’s ranks.

“We’ve got a really talented bunch of bottom-agers coming through and another really good group of 16-year-olds coming through as well,” he said.

“Hopefully sooner rather than later they can get back to footy and we can start having those conversations again.”

16. Sarfraz Nawaz 17. Vladmir Kuts 18. Kingston Town 19. Des Renford 20. Liverpool

By Lance Jenkinson

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

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