News - Pakenham Officer Star News - 3rd December 2020

PAKENHAM OFFICER

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Thursday, 3 December, 2020

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IN CARDINIA

Celebrate the best this region has to offer by supporting Cardinia’s small businesses this festive season. From food to gifts, outings to homewares, our local businesses have what you need. Dive into our Christmas in Cardinia wrap to find out more!

Pictured: Chloe from First Early Learning gets into the festive spirit.

, E R T N E C M 1 A 2 H 0 2 N E y PAK early Januar ten

g n i n e Op

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SCAN ME

For all enquiries please phone 5922 2040 or email info@fel.vic.edu.au 12471718-LB49-20

FOCUS ON … CHRISTMAS

Shop local for fine gifts If you haven’t visited Lazy Frog Gifts in a while, you don’t know what you are missing. It has been converted into a Christmas wonderland with sparkling lights, glitter and beautiful quality gifts as far as the eye can see.

It has certainly been a different year so the team at Lazy Frog has been working around the clock to make sure this Christmas is a special one.

They are super excited to announce that they are now online to help you get sorted for Christmas. Select Click and Collect as well as free gift wrapping and all you need to do is pop in to collect your products.

Some of the brands available in the beautifully presented gift display this Christmas are Ecoya, Mews, Palm Beach, Tilley, Jim Shore (Disney Traditions) Vendula London, Willow Tree, Salt and Pepper, Ashdene and many, many more. Complimentary gift wrapping will help you get organised this Christmas and ensure your gifts are perfectly presented.

There is also a large beautiful range of quality Christmas decorations to make your home look amazing this Christmas.

Lazy Frog is now a stockist for T2, so local tea lovers no longer need to travel to get their favourite blends.

And, the store is Pakenham’s adoption centre once again for The Elf On The Shelf along with all the accessories.

For those struggling to get their shopping done during normal retail hours, Lazy frog Gifts is open Sundays 10am-3pm and Thurs-

day evenings until 8pm for late night shopping - plus, other hours will be extended the closer we get to Christmas.

Avoid the crazy shopping centres and shop local this Christmas for that good oldfashioned service we all enjoy. Shopping local ensures the businesses you love will continue into the future. And don’t forget, there is ample parking at the rear of the shop.

From everyone at Lazy Frog Gifts, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The team at Lazy Frog Gifts wish you a Merry Christmas.

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We've got Christmas all wrapped up!

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FOCUS ON … CHRISTMAS

Facelift for a favourite The Cardinia Club has been the venue of choice for Pakenham locals for well over 20 years, serving up in excess of 1200 meals and pouring 800 beers for visitors every single week.

When Covid-19 forced the state into lockdown, the time came to give the busy venue a complete overhaul.

“The Club’s long plan was to undertake a refurbishment of the Cardinia Club, and with the closure of the facility due to Covid-19, we took the opportunity to complete the second stage of our multi-million dollar renovation,” Pakenham Racing Club chief executive officer, Blair Odgers said.

The new and improved Cardinia Club promises a wonderful multi-sensory experience for diners. A warm welcome from the waiters, subtle fragrances from the kitchen and inviting restaurant decor all combine to create an experience that customers will be eager to repeat.

Boasting a soft natural minimalist colour palette of greys, greens and browns, paired with a range of different patterns and textures throughout, there is something new to enjoy at every turn. Whether you choose to dine inside the newly renovated light and airy restaurant or opt to enjoy the outdoors under the warm ambient glow of the festoon lights in the courtyard, you will be fascinated by the changes.

Head chef Harj has taken care to bring a range of exciting new dishes while keeping the traditional, crowd pleasers on the menu to satisfy all tastes. Another new exciting addition to the Club is the sweetest little cafe nook, where you can relax, grab a hot coffee and enjoy a tasty treat.

The Cardinia Club is excited for the community to know that they are open for both dine in and take away, seven days a week! Dine in reser-

Customers will be fascinated by the changes. vations can be made by calling 5940 6655.

“We hope that the community enjoy the venues comforts whilst enjoying their new

freedoms,” said Mr Odgers.

Support local and follow along on Facebook to keep up to date with what’s on at the Cardin-

ia Club, including a huge 24 days of Christmas giveaways and fantastic daily dine in food and beverage deals.

NOW OPEN FULLY RENOVATED Modern Bistro - Cafe - Sportsbar - The Victory Function Room 03 5940 6655

www.cardiniaclub.com.au 12471861-SN49-20

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FOCUS ON … CHRISTMAS

Shop local at Roylaines

By Danielle Kutchel You can’t beat shopping local this Christmas.

Tick off everyone on your Christmas list with a visit to Roylaines Photo and Electronics/Jaycar Pakenham.

Roylaines has been in Pakenham for almost 30 years, operated by the same owners throughout that time. Darren and Jennie Spargo have the experience and knowledge to solve any problem that customers bring in.

They look after each and every customer and will ensure that when Santa’s helpers need some help of their own, they find the gifts they need.

Roylaines is Pakenham’s original photo store. Founded on preserving memories, the store offers a variety of ways to do so, from mugs to calendars, canvas prints to cushions.

It can be challenging to get your pictures off digital devices these days, but never fear Darren and his team will be able to help.

The store offers a framing service that can cater to anything that you need framed: tapestries, Diamond Dots, photos, footy jumpers, even cricket bats, so you can spoil your loved one with their favourite memory this Christmas. If you can find it, they can frame it!

As a Jaycar Authorised Reseller, Roylaines stocks all the latest electronics like 3D printers and remote controlled toys. Robotics have become extremely popular and you’ll find everything you need for them at Roylaines.

If you’re heading off on a camping trip over the summer break, make sure Roylaines is your first stop to stock up on your camping and RV needs - think traditional plug in fridges, or the latest self-contained batter powered versions.

In addition, Roylaines stocks supports for solar panels, as well as all those phone leads,

Shop local for all your gift and electronics needs.

USB cables and connections we all need.

Being an independently owned store, Roylaines can source products from any supplier to solve your problem and are happy to

order in one-offs.

Having weathered the Covid storm, Roylaines needs your support this season by shopping for Christmas locally, to ensure

their convenience is always there.

Find Roylaines at 148 Main Street Pakenham, or visit www.roylaines.com.au to shop online.

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FOCUS ON … CHRISTMAS

Budget fuels hot market The November State Budget included welcome news for investors, vendors and agents with significant changes to land tax and stamp duty.

The government announced a 50 per cent discount for eligible build-to-rent developments, including an exemption from the absentee owner surcharge until 1 January 2040.

The expected start date is the 2022 land tax year.

The treasurer also announced a stamp duty waiver of up to 50 per cent on purchases of residential property in Victoria valued up to $1 million. The waiver applies to contracts entered into on or after 25 November 2020 and before 1 July 2021.

KR Peters Director Peter Nicolls said the changes, coupled with the Cup Day interest rate cut, will further fuel an already hot real estate market.

“The recent interest rate cut of .15 per cent wasn’t that big a cut, but it was psychologically the cut that broke the camel’s back. It has given people confidence to go out and buy at historically low rates. And buyers have the confidence to know rates will stay low when the banks said rates are unlikely to rise for at least 3 years,” Mr Nicolls said.

Just three weeks after the latest rate cut, the budget announcements have changed the real estate landscape in Victoria yet again.

Mr Nicolls describes the build-to-rent announcement as a “huge incentive”.

On land valued at $1 million dollars, an investor could pocket savings of $5,500 to $6000 per year.

The government hopes the measure will boost housing stock and in turn keep rents stable.

“This announcement will encourage peo-

The KR Peters’ team who will help you out with any real estate needs. ple to invest and in turn will keep rents from escalating. If investors can minimise their land tax bill it will encourage them to build and hold,” Mr Nicolls explained.

Mr Nicolls welcomed the temporary stamp duty concession, but warned it would put further pressure on builders who were already nearing construction capacities.

“Home builders have filled their books with contracts that have far surpassed their projected quotas,” Mr Nicolls warned.

“The builders now have to construct the dwellings.”

He said a shortage of skilled tradespeople could become acute as demand escalates.

“We were already experiencing a shortage of bricklayers and concreters and finding quality trades to meet the demand will become challenging.

“The ability of companies to cope with the supply of building materials will also become a major factor.”

He warned construction delays could occur if builders experience difficulties securing trades or supply.

“From past experience when demand becomes so strong trades raise their prices and suppliers run out of stock. This then causes prices to rise.

“These budget announcements have certainly added fuel to an already rising market.

“Prices are rising so fast agents aren’t even quoting comparable sales from six months ago because prices have already gone up 10 per cent or more.

“The train has left the station at full speed and it’s not stopping.”

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU TODAY?

0412 990 871

Peter Nicolls 0418 311 048

Terry Lock 0407 494 199

Aman Singh 0430 420 053

P 5943 1111 #wecare pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Anil Jayalath 0420 220 779

Janine Scott-Rule 0417 160 423

W krpeters.com.au

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Ian Harris 0420 533 871

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FOCUS ON … CHRISTMAS

Sporting one-stop shop SportsPower Pakenham would like to take this opportunity to thank all our loyalty customers for your patience and understanding during these challenge times this year, and we thank you for your continued support. We are extremely glad to get back as the new normal and welcome everyone into the store.

SportsPower Pakenham is a locally owned Sporting Goods Retail store serving the local community for over 28 years. We are not franchise, we are locally owned and operated by locals, and we have always employed locals.

We pride ourselves on our service, advise and guarantee competitive prices to all customers.

We are lovers of all sports, that is why we have an extensive sporting range and equipment across all codes. Stocking all the Big Sports brands like Nike, Asics, Adidas, New Balance, Champion, 2XU, Gray-Nicolls, Kookaburra, Sherrin, Spalding, Wilson. We stock all the latest footy boots for Soccer and AFL. If you’re looking for accessories we have them too, from footy balls, to soccer goals, protective gear, mouthguards and more. We stock the latest netball and basketball shoes for adults and junior as well as netball and basketball balls.

When cricket season rolls around in summer, we have a wide range of cricket bats, pads and gloves. We also stock all the accessories you might need, whites, shoes and protective wear.

We are situated at 136 Main Street, Pakenham and are now open 7 days a week leading up to Christmas or you can ring 5940 1501.

Don’t forget we’re your one stop shop for cricket, tennis, basketballs, darts, pool cues and heaps of games and gifts for all the family.

Quality Menswear OPEN ALL SUNDAYS 10am – 3pm UNTIL 24TH December

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138 Main St, Pakenham 5940 1103

5918 0111 1/141 Windermere Boulevard Pakenham (opposite Cardinia Lakes Shopping Centre) www.thebakerystore.com.au

Michael and Ally from SportsPower Pakenham will be more than happy to help you out with any gift ideas for Christmas. 222949

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Get the kids outside this Christmas

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FOCUS ON … CHRISTMAS

Charlie and Neil amongst the acres of Christmas trees.

A tree for every family For more than 60 years, Dandenong Christmas Tree Farm has been delighting customers with that most precious of festive traditions: a real, live Christmas tree.

Customers are invited to visit the farm and take a wander amongst the rows of green until they find their perfect tree. There is a tree for every family, in different heights to fit any house.

Staff will cut the tree and can net it for easy transportation for a small fee.

They’re easy to take care of too; just keep them watered and your tree will last the whole Christmas season.

Find Dandenong Christmas Tree Farm at 336 Brown Road, Officer. Visit www.dandenongchristmastreefarm.com.au

Plenty to choose from!

Member for Gembrook, Brad Battin.

Embracing community this festive season

By Brad Battin, Member for Gembrook The lead up to Christmas always provides an opportunity for reflection and contemplation of what has been and what can be, with the hope that many people will find the moments that have brought happiness to them.

The feeling of hope is of greater significance this year, as we embrace the chance to reignite old friendships and relate to each other as a community again. We can take solace in the beautiful communities we live in and acknowledge the essence of what makes us a community and hold this in the forefront of who we are and why we live where we do.

To build on what makes our community is to continue to support each other by continuing to be kind and lending a helping hand when we see someone in need. As part of this generosity of spirit, I am sharing with you the importance of “Think Local,

Support Local”. I am running a competition to support this initiative, where I am asking residents to nominate their favourite local business and go into a draw to win a voucher to the value of at least $50 to spend over Christmas at the store they nominated. Entries will be accepted until Friday 11 December and will be drawn on 12 days throughout December. You can enter the competition by going onto my website; bradbattin.com.au.

I believe as we reflect on 2020, we can allow ourselves to reach out to the year ahead with renewed enthusiasm as we reflect on the year that has been and look towards the future for new beginnings. We can thoughtfully consider the future and the joy that can be part of this journey of discovery and hope as we move forward.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, filled with all the moments that bring a smile to your face and happiness to your heart.

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FOCUS ON … CHRISTMAS

Rising to the challenge

By Tamika Hicks, Manager, Cardinia Lakes Early Learning Centre It’s been a challenging year for everyone this year, but more so for our preschoolers!

Some of our preschoolers have spent more of their kindergarten year at home than at kindergarten. As a result, our families, educators, teachers, and allied health professionals at Cardinia Lakes Early Learning Centre are doing their best to ensure that our preschoolers are developmentally ready for their first year of primary school in 2021.

Before the Coronavirus made an impact on 2020, research reported that in Australia one out of every five children in each classroom enter their first year of primary school with one or more vulnerabilities in the five areas of development (physical health and well being, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills, communication skills and general knowledge). This statistic means that between four to five children in every classroom Australia wide may be struggling with one or more areas of learning and development.

At Cardinia Lakes ELC we want to make sure we do everything we can to ensure all our children start Prep on the right foot, and have a good foundation to be successful and confident learners. Our early childhood team partnered with exercise physiologist and developmental educator Robyn Papworth, from Play Move Improve, to focus on important school readiness skills, including: Getting dressed and undressed independently (developing the fine motor skills needed to take off a jumper, zip up a jacket, do up velcro shoes, tie shoelaces, etc.)

Confidently climbing and playing on play equipment to promote an increased level of

Ensuring preschoolers are developmentally ready for Prep. physical activity and healthy risk taking for children

Being able to open and close their own bag, open a lunch box, peel a banana or mandarin

The ability to maintain a strong sitting posture during mat time and for fine motor tasks to make children’s body physically ready for long days at primary school

Being able to copy body movements of our teachers during music and movement activities to increase their strength, coordination, and spatial awareness skills.

Our team at Cardinia Lakes ELC highly recommend Robyn from Play Move Improve to be a part of your Kindergarten’s School Readiness Funding program. To find out more about Robyn’s passion for motor development and school readiness visit www.facebook.com/ playmoveimprove

ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN FOR 2021, WITH LIMITED VACANCIES. BOOK A TOUR TODAY!

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Open from 6:30am - 7:00pm

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All main meals and snacks are provided and prepared by our qualified Chef.

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Taste our unique, tart and traditional cider

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Offer available for one week only, or while stock lasts. Terms and conditions apply.

Enjoy a tasting, coffee or stock up on a range of fresh produce and bread when you visit us at the orchard.

Now open Monday to Saturday 8.30 to 4.30pm Bellevue Orchard, 544 Brown Rd, Officer

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FOCUS ON … CHRISTMAS

Sweetest of festive gifts

By Danielle Kutchel Chocolate is the perfect gift for the person who has everything - and at All About Chocolates and Lollies in Pakenham, there’s a gift to satisfy any sweet tooth.

The range is extensive and sure to blow people away when they enter the store.

Collectable tins from England and Scotland adorn the walls and make a practical and delicious gift for a loved one or yourself.

The range of Christmas lollies and chocolates are beautiful enough to adorn any table, or use them as stocking stuffers or advent calendar fillers.

All About Chocolates and Lollies stocks a wide variety of Dutch Christmas specialties, like shortbread, nuts, cakes and speculaas.

Vegan sweet lovers are not forgotten: vegan panettone and the moo-free range of chocolate gifts, along with mint, lime and fruit-flavoured creams, will delight and ensure no one goes hungry this Christmas.

All About Chocolates and Lollies specialises in hampers to order. Both group and individual orders are welcome, and they are customisable to the recipient (and you can even add a cheeky bottle of their favourite festive tipple!)

Finish off your gift with a choice chutney or jam or pick up some specialty chocolates from Australia or overseas as a reward to yourself for finishing your Christmas shopping!

Visit All About Chocolates and Lollies at 112 Main St, Pakenham. Follow them on Facebook for trading hours, product updates or to order online.

All About Chocolates and Lollies has the treat to complete your gifts.

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Wishing you, your family and friends a joyous, safe and healthy festive season, and a happy 2021 HARRIET SHING MP MEMBER FOR EASTERN VICTORIA REGION P: 1300 103199 E: harriet.shing@parliament.vic.gov.au harrietshingmp @ShingvWorld 216 Commercial Road, Morwell VIC 3840 Authorised by H Shing, 216 Commercial Rd, Morwell. Funded from Parliamentary budget.

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Thursday, 3 December, 2020

Anthony Cafarella has almost two decades of experience in the industry.

Pumping know-how With nearly 20 years’ experience in the industry, Anthony Cafarella of Cafa’s Pumps has the know-how to solve your pump problems.

Cafa’s Pumps specialises in electric motor and pump sales and repairs. Anthony can provide pump solutions for any situation, from farm washdown pumps and stock water pumps, to house pumps and solar powered pumps.

He deals in the full range of firefighter pumps, both small and large. Generator sets from camping to large house-ready sets are also available.

Cafa’s Pumps stocks a large range of brass and poly fittings for your stock water troughs, as well as water filter systems, from basic to

complete systems with UV light included.

Anthony operates a fully equipped workshop and is also available for onsite work and after hours callouts when needed, covering all brands of pumps and parts.

The company’s motto is simple: if you can’t come to us, we will come to you!

Anthony keeps his skills sharp by attending regular training, especially when new products come on the market. He also shares his knowledge by hosting stands at some of the region’s farmer field days across the year. Cafa’s Pumps is located at 1/124 Denhams Road Kooweerup and is open 8am-5pm.

Email sales@cafaspumps.com.au or call 5997 2188. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … CHRISTMAS

Community is at heart

By Jordan Crugnale, Member for Bass Community members from the electorate of Bass have continued to shine throughout this challenging year.

There have been many moments of kindness throughout our local communities.

Stories of caring, giving, and of helping.

Dropping off food to neighbours, mowing lawns, sewing masks, phoning others to check in on them. Driving neighbours to an appointment, communicating in new ways, reading to the grandchildren via an internet screen.

Listening, caring, talking, and sharing. I can’t remember any other year where we have thought and talked about who and what really matters to us, and I hope we never forget that.

I love the term ‘community at heart’ because my Bass electorate community is at the centre of everything I do.

I want to acknowledge and thank all our community-minded locals, and I’m asking for your help.

Please join with me in celebrating our local stars by nominating them for this end of year recognition. Let me know who they are and why they have been so special to you, someone you know, or their community.

Tell me about their acts of kindness or stories of going above and beyond - so we can all thank them.

There are no rules, age barriers, or categories for being a local shining star. There is just their community at heart.

I also want to support small businesses in the Bass electorate, so as a special thank you, five outstanding nominees from the electorate of Bass will receive a hamper of local products along with vouchers to the value of $200, to treat themselves at local small businesses.

To do this, I also need to hear from small

State Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale has been out shopping for treats for community members. Here she is at All About Chocolates and Lollies with business owner, Leonie Thorne. businesses in the electorate that I can purchase gift vouchers from to offer as a selection to the outstanding nominees. Supporting local businesses makes them shine too.

To enter a nomination, go to my Facebook page, press the send email button or email me at Jordan.Crugnale@parliament.vic.gov.

au with a short story of your nominee demonstrating how they hold their community at heart.

Don’t forget to add the address of your nominee and their phone number or email address so that we can contact them.

Small businesses that have gift vouchers

available for me to purchase can contact me in the same way.

Outstanding Community at Heart recipients will be announced on my Facebook page on the evening of Sunday 19 December. You will also find out what local businesses they have selected to receive their vouchers from.

Harriet Shing MP.

Wishing our Year 12s well

By Harriet Shing Mp, Labor Member For astern Victoria Region Congratulations and well done to every single Year 12 student for what has been a very difficult year.

You have worked so hard to get through an extraordinarily tough year and you’ve persisted through remote learning, isolation, and huge changes to the way you connect with your teachers, families and friends.

Year 12 in any year is exhausting enough, but Year 12 in 2020 has required you and your teachers to go above and beyond, in

all that you’ve done.

And so as you work towards your final assessments and the end of the year, I hope that you can also find some time to recognise and celebrate just how much you have achieved, and that you also know that no matter what your final results are, you have given your all, and done your very best.

I also hope that you are planning to rest and recover and reconnect with the people most important to you, before taking your next step - whether that’s an apprenticeship, a job, further study or even a gap year.

Congratulations and best wishes for a very merry Christmas and an exciting 2021.

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The students and staff at St Clare’s Primary School would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday season filled with love, peace and happiness

St Clare’s Catholic Primary School, Officer As a relatively young school, St Clare’s has developed an outstanding reputation in the local community for providing a quality schooling experience, developing the whole student, based on the living motto of the School:

Our faith leads to wisdom and courage.

This motto is the energising source of all that happens at St Clare’s and is embedded in the ethos of the school, the curriculum we offer and the relationships we develop within our school and wider communities.

If you are reading this as a prospective student, parent, guardian or family, I invite you to visit us at St Clare’s and discover this dynamic learning environment and start the beginning of, what I hope will be, a life-long learning partnership.

Helen Staindl School Principal

Enrol now for 2021!

St Clare’s Primary School Officer 95 Majestic Drive (PO Box 362) Officer 3809 Phone 03 5940 6777 Email enrolments@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au

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PAKENHAM OFFICER

Councillor expense probe lingers on

Overhaul for Lakeside fountain

Windermere seeks help for needy

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Overhaul for It’s looking Lakeside a lot like fountain Christmas

Thursday, 3 December, 2020

Skyrail fast-track

By Mitchell Clarke

MP Jordan Crugnale points to the extension of the metropolitan line. 223038

Cardinia Shire Council mayor Brett Owen, Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan and Bass MP Jordan Crugnale at Pakenham station. 223038 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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ple who have to navigate it every single day, and that’s why we’re removing them.

“Pakenham is one of our state’s fastest growing communities and we’re delivering the infrastructure to keep pace with its growth.”

The original election commitment was to remove the three crossings and build a new station, but Ms Allan said discussions for line upgrades continued.

Continued page 6

12425088-FA36-19

Pakenham’s Skyrail-style level crossing removals will be fast-tracked and the metropolitan line will be extended to build a brand new Pakenham East station, under a $15 billion spend to improve the train line.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan joined Bass MP Jordan Crugnale at Pakenham station on Wednesday 2 December to announce a two-kilometre extension of the line out to the booming Pakenham East.

Early works will begin next year to remove the dangerous and congested level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road. The existing Pakenham station will be replaced with a super-station, and a brand new station will be built in Pakenham East.

The new station will include separate turn back tracks for Metro trains and dedicated V/ Line tracks in a bid to alleviate the current major bottleneck.

Minister Jacinta Allan was forced to hit the breaks at the Racecourse Road level crossing as she made her way into town.

“I must confess, every time I’ve been to Pakenham, I’ve been stuck at a level crossing,” she laughed.

“I felt the frustration of being stuck at a level crossing but that’s nothing compared to peo-

NEWS

New hospital site options

By Mitchell Clarke The long-awaited Pakenham Community Hospital is a step closer to being delivered, after the project received a funding boost in the Victorian 2020-21 budget.

More than $66 million has been set aside to purchase the land of 10 community hospitals, including Pakenham, and continue the planning and design of each location.

While an official local site is yet to be decided on, the Gazette understands two sites have been identified and are being considered by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

One potential site could see the existing health hub on Henty Way expanded to include the new facility. The old Woolworths site on Main Street, Pakenham has also been flagged.

According to a Cardinia Shire Council document obtained by the Gazette in late September, DHHS had indicated a strong interest in the latter site, labelling it a “highly attractive” option.

But there’s been no official word from the State Government, who maintain that a site is yet to be landed on, but “quite a number of options” had been actively assessment in the last 18 months.

Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said the recent funding to acquire the land made the project suddenly feel “very real”.

“This is a big one step closer moment and I can’t wait to bring our amazing committee made up of local people together again so we can all talk about the project, planning and continue to workshop design ideas as well,” she said.

“They are such an active group and bring a wealth of knowledge and experiences from all walks of life - this is a community hospital and it needs to provide services that are needed by the community now and into the future.”

Pakenham Community Hospital committee members during a Zoom meeting on Monday night, 30 November.

Community hospitals are small public hospitals that have extended opening hours and can provide a range of ‘everyday’ health services for people who are not critically unwell.

Services may include after-hours urgent care for minor injuries and illnesses, day procedures such as minor surgical procedures, chemotherapy and dialysis, and communitybased care including mental health, paediatrics, dental, family health and chronic disease management.

“The Pakenham Community Hospital will be such a valuable and accessible health, wellbeing and support service for the entire community across every age group in Cardinia

Shire,” Ms Crugnale said.

“We want people to be well, to stay well and to have care close to where they live. That’s why we committed to building 10 across the state.”

The community hospitals will also provide some relief to Casey Hospital and St John of God Hospital in Berwick.

“I think many of us have been to an emergency department for something that could have been treated at what will be a community hospital - I know I have,” Ms Crugnale added.

“The Andrews Government is delivering the largest pipeline of health projects in Victoria’s history, so Victorians can access health care and

services when and where they need them.”

Once complete, community hospitals will be able to treat at least 114,000 urgent care patients, provide 55,000 dialysis treatments and will enable delivery of more than 100,000 extra allied health sessions each year.

A new community hospital will also be built in Cranbourne and an existing service in Phillip Island will be expanded.

The Pakenham site will be managed by Monash Health, who said the development would be “important“ for the area.

Construction of the Pakenham Community Hospital will commence in 2022 and be completed in 2024.

EVERYTHING WE’RE DOING IS KEEPING US ON TOP OF THIS VIRUS

Keep our fitted face masks on when indoors, on public transport and when we can’t keep our distance.

Keep catching up outdoors.

Keep washing our hands.

Keep getting tested if we have any symptoms.

Go to CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne 12472998-SN49-20

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NEWS

Christmas comes to town

By Jessica Anstice With Christmas fast approaching, Pakenham community groups have started decorating the town with festive artworks and props, in time for the holiday season.

Cardinia Arts Society has partnered with the Cardinia Ratepayers Association and Living and Learning Pakenham to display Christmas decorations in Main Street as well as Pakenham Place.

The traditional red bows have been placed around Main Street, Mr Yakkerboo has been covered in tinsel and a Christmas display has been installed in the empty show windows between Target and Toy World.

“We now have a fantastic cross section of the community all working under the one umbrella to bring some Christmas spirit to Pakenham,” Cardinia Arts Society president Jillian Ronald said.

“The window display is a unique opportunity that will not be available in the future years as the Pakenham Place will be redeveloped.

“It’s also a Covid safe way to celebrate Christmas as the display can be viewed from the street. I am excited to be able to bring something new to Pakenham.”

The special display will include decorated Christmas trees and Christmas displays, such as a traditional white snowy scene and an Aussie beach scene.

Community groups, local shops and the library have been invited to participate.

Groups involved include the Country Women’s Association, Art Society, Agricultural Show, Rotary Club, Pakenham Scouts, Pakenham Inner Wheel, Pakenham Opportunity Shop, Indian Australian Community Cooperative and Cardinia Men’s Shed.

Cardinia Shire Council has provided a small grant to help facilitate the project.

Jillian and Rosa with the community project that’s on display. 222587

Cardinia Ratepayers Association member Rosa with the Christmas tree.

222587

Jillian Ronald with the Aussie beach scene.

The Casey Cardinia White Ribbon tree sponsored by Cardinia Shire.

222587

222587

Cardinia Arts Society has partnered with the Cardinia Ratepayers Association and Living and Learning Pakenham to display Christmas decorations in Main Street as well as Pakenham Place. 222587

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STAR NEWS 3

THE LOWDOWN Q&A

THREE …

Kris kringle ideas

with Vision Australia ambassador Sam Valavanis

What have been some of your biggest achievements either at school or in your personal life?

A few of my biggest achievements have been: holding a presentation at school on International Day for Persons with Disability, in order to honour blindness and low vision, with special guest speakers from Vision Australia and other organisations who also have vision impairments; being named a Junior Ambassador at the Starlight Children’s Foundation’s 25th anniversary Christmas lunch event and hosting my very own virtual trivia fundraiser to raise money for Vision Australia’s LEAP (Learn, Engage, Act, Perform) program.

What’s your lifelong ambition?

I’m still not quite sure at this stage, but I would love to become a well-renowned radio presenter/announcer. I also have passions for music and creative writing, so would love to find success as either a singer or a writer as well (maybe I could even be all three!).

Did you have any childhood heroes?

Audiobook narrator Stig Wemyss, radio presenters Matt Tilley and Fifi Box, Channel 9 weather presenter Livinia Nixon, the character of Fireman Sam (one of my all-time favourite TV shows as a child), and, probably my greatest hero of all, my ophthalmologist Dr John MacKenzie of the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, who saved my life with his good charisma, on- point surgical procedures, and endless patience with me hassling him about when I would receive a bionic eye to be able to see again.

Who are your heroes now?

Singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, wheelchair basketball and tennis player Dylan Alcott, and paralympic skier and cyclist Jessica Gallagher.

What’s an interesting/fun fact about yourself that even your best friend doesn’t know about you?

Something that not even the majority of my

1

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Jewellery Jewellery is something one does not generally buy for one’s self.

There are some things that are just not on most people’s radar, mostly because it is extra, considered a luxury, and come at a significant cost. Jewellery is one of these items. The fact that this is not an every day kind of gift makes it exciting and unique. Perhaps check out Drysdale’s Berwick Village Jewellery this Christmas?

3

Something quirky Lazy Frog Gifts in Pakenham is full of unique, high quality and affordable products - having something different to inspire and delight each customer. They offer outstanding customer service which includes free gift wrapping for all online and instore purchases. The store is also big on supporting products designed and made locally.

Get to know Vision Australia ambassador Sam Valavanis. friends know about me is that I still collect and play with toys even as an 18-year-old. I also like to watch children’s cartoons such as Thomas the Tank Engine and Fireman Sam. I collect the toys mainly as a way to get an idea of what the characters and other visual aspects look like in the shows, as I cannot see them myself obviously and am fascinated by how everyone else sees them.

What are some of your hobbies?

I have quite a few hobbies which I love to indulge in, some more than others. These include travelling on public transport like trains and trams, shopping, going into the city to visit tourist attractions, eating at cafes and restaurants, and watching movies and TV. What makes you really happy and why?

I’m really happy whenever I’m on a train or tram, as I love travelling on them and am fascinated by them.

What creeps you out and why?

I am quite creeped out by germs, and have even been diagnosed with OCD. As such, I am often insistent on people washing their hands and keeping clean, although with the help of ongoing medication, it is not as bad as it used to be.

What is your favourite book?

I have a lot of books I love to read/listen to, but probably one of my favourite series of books would be the Treehouse series by Andy Griffiths.

What is one thing you’ve never eaten but would love to try?

I love eating a lot of different foods, and am always open to trying new things. However, I have yet to try certain Australian animals, like crocodile, barramundi and witchetty grubs, and would love to eat them all one day. I have tried kangaroo though, and I’m a big fan!

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Thursday, 3 December, 2020

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NEWS

Probe getting ‘expensive’

By Mitchell Clarke

Female councillors Stephanie Davies and Tammy Radford join the CWA Officer branch in walking to raise awareness for violence against women.

Picture: CARDINIA SHIRE COUNCIL

Special walk

By Mitchell Clarke Donning orange, the Officer Owls CWA members joined Cardinia Shire Council’s female councillors in taking “literal steps” towards addressing the systemic issue of family violence.

The female ensemble gathered at Lakeside in Pakenham on Monday 30 November for a Covid safe walk as part of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.

In October 2020 alone, support organisation Wayss responded to 99 police reports of family violence in Cardinia.

“Together we can make a difference for women to be safe at home,” Officer Owls CWA spokeswoman Pamela Archibald said.

“Our walk is a symbolic gesture towards a future where all people are safe, equal and respected, free from all forms of family violence and violence against women.

“Each of us can do our part by showing zero

tolerance to abuse in the family, at work, in sexist language and jokes. It is not OK. It is not funny.“ Officer Ward councillor Tammy Radford said it was “wonderful” to join the Officer CWA branch for the “special walk”.

“Each local community event can further help raise awareness of this important issue within our community, and I commend the Officer CWA for their initiative,” Cr Radford said.

Toomuc Ward councillor Stephanie Davies echoed a similar statement. She said it was “lovely” to take some literal steps towards raising awareness in the community.

“The prevention of family violence is something that I and all my fellow councillors are very passionate about,” Cr Davies said.

Support services are available by calling 1800 RESPECT. For immediate help, call 000.

An investigation into the expenses of a Cardinia Shire councillor has been delayed because of the election caretaker period, a council meeting has heard.

The expenses investigation surrounding re-elected Central Ward councillor Collin Ross, carried out by Justicia Lawyers, was first presented to the September council meeting, after outgoing councillor Leticia Wilmot called for a review into Cr Ross’ claims.

The audit involved a review of travel expense claim forms and out-of-pocket expense claim forms lodged by Cr Ross for attendance at meetings in the city.

But an extension was granted to enable Cr Ross more time to provide information, after he advised CEO Carol Jeffs that it was “difficult” for him to provide further information during the post-election period because his access to council equipment and systems had been disabled.

During the 30 November council meeting, Ranges Ward councillor Jeff Springfield said there had been “some commentary” in the community regarding the status of the investigation.

“I believe this council can easily reassure the community that we are taking our due diligence and due process to undertake this investigation and this report so that this is adequately looking at all sides of the story,” he said.

Henty Ward councillor Carol Ryan said while it was “really good” all tracks had been covered, she had concerns about the cost of the investigation.

“The only concern I’ve ever had is the expense of the lawyers ... when it could have been dealt with inside. We’re looking at tens of thousands of dollars and that’s ratepayers money and I think that’s why the ratepayers are quite concerned,” she said.

The final report will be presented to the December council meeting.

Central Ward councillor Collin Ross. 220580

Respect is choosing not to laugh at jokes that put women down.

Respect women.

Call it out.

12470044-CG49-20

To learn more respectvictoria.vic.gov.au

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 3 December, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 5

NEWS

OPINION

Skyrail fast, new station

LENSCAPE

From page 1 “We saw there was a great opportunity to do even more than what we’d committed to in 2018, so this package becomes three level crossings, two train stations and two kilometres of extra track, and that really is a great outcome on a number of fronts,” she said.

“It was pretty clear from the 2018 election that Pakenham wanted to get rid of these level crossings. I think we can all see in our minds the huge benefits that are going to come from removing them.”

McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road will be replaced by an elevated rail bridge, meaning works will be carried out at once.

“It is a package of three and the works will happen in conjunction with each other ... That’s one of the advantages, doing them as a job lot gets them done more quickly,” Ms Allan said.

Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said the project was a “real win for our community”.

“This is just so brilliant. We’ve all got a story around level crossings and we all want them removed,” she said.

“This is going to be transformational.

With all boom gates gone, a brand new station at Pakenham East and a revamped Pakenham superstation, we’ll have communities connected for the first time.”

Cardinia Shire Council mayor Brett Owen said the major projects aligned with council’s plans to address future growth.

“With these level crossings in place, Pakenham is constrained, so we’re rapt with this news,” he said.

“I think it’s really great foresight to build the new Pakenham East station before new residents start to move in to that area. This improved public transport network will also obviously mean that people can have greater access to employment and education opportunities.”

The project will begin in early 2021, with Pakenham scheduled to be boom gate free by early 2024.

Berwick Woodworkers toy coordinator Ken Barnes with Cranbourne Information and Support Service Inc executive officer Leanne Petrides.

222669 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

SOCIALLY SPEAKING On Thursday 26 November, a story was published across Star News Group’s social media pages about a Clyde father who was jailed on grooming charges.

Here is how our readers reacted online: Julie Wlazly: Nine months is all he gets!

Michelle Cooke: People like that don’t do very well in jail.

Denise Fletcher: Unfortunately the good old judges are in there as well, in their position they get away with it! Barbaric what people get away with.

Tony Rizzo: That is absolutely disgusting to think a grown man would do that.

Fantastic job to VicPol in capturing him and taking him off the streets.

Beccy Campbell: Don’t let the creep back on the streets.

Lori Anne Huysman: I hope they never take him back into the family home. I would fear for the safety of those kids.

Lyn Van: Disappointing that a media article led to a softer sentence.

Manda Park: Hmmm... always say its not true... then why pursue them once the know its an under-age person?

starcommunity.com.au CONTACT US Phone: 5945 0666 ADVERTISING Visit starcommunity.com.au/advertise Email advertising@starnewsgroup.com.au Phone 5945 0666 EDITORIAL Email dailyeditor@starnewsgroup.com.au com.au

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REAL ESTATE Email seren@starnewsgroup.com.au

Published by Star News Group Pty Ltd ACN 005 848 108.

Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas.

All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. Distribution PROUDLY numbers, areas and coverage are estimates AUSTRALIAN OWNED & only. For our terms and conditions please visit INDEPENDENT www.starcommunity.com.au

Thumbs Down!

To Casey Council and VicRoads for not warning drivers beforehand about roadworks on Shrives Road Hampton Park. Two lanes of traffic backed up past Hampton Park Seniors Club.

Thumbs Up! To Kelly’s for continuing pick-up meals!

Thumbs Down!

To the roadworks on Clyde Road

Thumbs Up! To no Covid in Victoria.

Thumbs Down!

To customers who expect retail staff to be polite when you can’t even reply when spoken to.

Thumbs Down!

To Casey Council for closing Hampton Park Men’s Shed.

Thumbs Up! To the beautiful young woman at Fountain Gate on Friday morning who gave my dad a $50 Lowes gift card because she saw him shopping there and she never does and the card was due to expire on Christmas Day.

Thumbs Down!

To Australia Post who, even tho Covid is all but over, can’t get a parcel from Sydney delivered on time. Two weeks and counting.

Thumbs Down!

To all the long grass on the side of highway and nature strips ... get mowing council!

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.

Toys needed for region’s lost fur-babies

Mr Owen, Ms Allan and Ms Crugnale were all smiles during Wednesday’s big announcement. 223038

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Thursday, 3 December, 2020

Christmas is just around the corner - and the animal shelters are about to run out of toys.

The Lost Dogs’ Home is looking to the community to act as Santa’s helpers with its Christmas Pet Toy Drive.

The Home’s spokesperson, Suzana Talevski, said it was expected that hundreds of lost and abandoned dogs and cats will spend Christmas at The Lost Dogs’ Home. ‘’We believe that every pet waiting in a shelter for his or her forever home deserves the joy of play,” she said.

“No animal deserves to face Christmas alone. However, each year thousands of animals are brought into the Home during the festive season with nowhere else to go.

“The shelter environment can be stressful for some dogs and cats, and toys help ease that stress by providing enrichment opportunities and activities. ‘’We know that the place for our animals is in a permanent loving home but the reality is we are expecting hundreds of animals to be with us at our North Melbourne and Cranbourne sites over the holiday season and we are determined to make this time as happy for them as we can.’’

A gift of new or pre-loved toys could ensure the homeless pets area given an extra-special Christmas.

Picture: PEXELS A gift of new or pre-loved toys could ensure the homeless pets area given an extra-special festive season while they wait for the greatest

gift of all - a new home.

More information and details on donating: www.dogshome.com/toydrive. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

‘Grown man’ attacked A 29-year-old man was kicked in the chest and punched in the back of the head by two teenage thugs who demanded his phone.

The Pakenham man, who wishes to remain anonymous, was approached by two men while he was walking along Drake Avenue, near Main Street, at about 10pm on Sunday 22 November.

“I noticed a group that was hanging out near the old Woolworths but I didn’t take much notice of them,” the victim explained.

“Two fellas from that group came over and asked for the time, so I pulled out my phone and gave them the time.

“They asked me what phone I had and I thought ‘here we go’, so I just kept walking but they still followed.”

The men, perceived to be of African appearance and in their late teens, allegedly told the victim they had a knife.

“I said to them ‘what do you want?’ and they said ‘we want your stuff’,” he recalled.

“One of them has then come around with a couple of kicks to the chest and a punch to the back of the head.

“I thought to myself, ‘I better make a break for it’ but as I’ve gone to run off, I copped a few more kicks to the head.”

The victim was able to seek refuge in a nearby shop before alerting police. The thugs allegedly fled with the rest of the group.

Police conducted a search of the area but were unable to locate the alleged offenders.

Thankfully, the victim didn’t sustain any

major injuries in the assault.

“I’ve been hurt worse playing sport,” he laughed.

But he never considered that he’d be the target of such an opportunistic attack.

“It was a bit unusual because I’m not a small bloke and these guys weren’t heavily built. I thought they were pretty game to come up and demand something from me,” he said.

“It was just frustrating to think that if they can do that to me, who else is a target for this sort of thing?”

The victim said he was approached by another teen about two weeks ago while he was walking near Pakenham station.

“A fella asked me for the time and there was something about it that stood out to me. It seemed almost scripted,” he said.

“It’s pissed me off a bit, I’ve lived here for 10 years and I don’t want to feel unsafe in my own community. I’m a grown man, nearly six foot four, and if someone is making me feel unsafe, it’s a bit of a shame to think how others might feel.”

A Victoria Police spokesman confirmed they were investigating the attempted robbery.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

FREE

The iconic fountain at Lakeside in Pakenham has been restored just in time for residents to enjoy the warmer weather at the much-loved community landmark.

Cardinia Shire Council mayor Brett Owen said the council was pleased to complete the works ahead of summer and ensure the community space was preserved for generations to come.

The previous fountain had reached the end of its useful life and was replaced with a new fountain that recirculates even more water.

Toomuc Ward councillor Stephanie Davies said the new fountain is not only a great feature, but provides greater aeration to improve water quality for plants and wildlife.

“It also has LED lighting displays with an exciting range of colour and program options to create a stunning backdrop for community events,” Cr Davies said.

“I’m sure the local community will welcome and really enjoy the upgraded Lakeside fountain.”

The council is also reconstructing the nearby viewing deck to provide a perfect spot to watch the fountain and enjoy the lake.

Community-led COVID-19 recovery

PAKENHAM OFFICER

Thursday, 1 November, 2018

PAKENHAM OFFICER

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Thursday, 1 November, 2018

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With Victorian Government COVID-19 restrictions easing, Cardinia Shire Council is working closely with the community to ‘rediscover, reconnect and reset’.

Expressions of interest from passionate community members are being sought to join a community-led community Recovery Committee.

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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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Hearts to help

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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By Jessica Anstice

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Pakenham Officer Star News Digital Edition

By Rowan Forster

Lakeside fountain restored

We are

Subscribe to the

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The iconic fountain at Lakeside in Pakenham has been restored just in time for residents to enjoy the warmer weather at the much-loved community landmark. 222759

12472613-SN49-20

By Mitchell Clarke

This committee will represent the needs and ideas of our communities and work in partnership with Council and the many service organisations supporting community recovery.

To apply, visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/recoverycommittee and complete the Expression of interest form by 14 December 2020.

Call Council on 1300 787 624 for more information or assistance completing the form.

Thursday, 3 December, 2020

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STAR NEWS 7

Shire update Introducing our Mayor and Deputy Mayor Beacon Hills Ward Councillor Brett Owen has been elected Mayor of Cardinia Shire Council for 2020–21 and Ranges Ward Councillor Jeff Springfield has been elected Deputy Mayor.

Cr Owen is a long-time resident of Cardinia Shire and was first elected to Council in 2005. He is serving his fifth term, having also served as Mayor in 2012–13 and 2016–17 and Deputy Mayor in 2013–14 and 2017–18.

Cr Springfield was first elected to Council in 2016 and is serving his second term. He was Mayor in 2019–20.

To learn more about our Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors, visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/mayorandcouncillors

Tell us how you Imagine Cardinia!

Share your thoughts and ideas to help us develop the Community Vision, Council Plan, Financial Plan and Council Budget.

Help create the future of your shire.

Have your say online: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/imaginecardinia Join an online info session: Monday 7 December 11am or Wednesday 16 December 7.30pm More info: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/imaginecardinia Round 1 feedback closes 5pm 23 December 2020.

Better local roads Cardinia Shire Council’s Better Local Roads Princes Highway intersections project is kicking off with the upgrade of the O’Neil Road/Princes Highway intersection in Beaconsfield to a fully signalised ‘t-intersection’.

This intersection is the first upgrade as part of a broader program funded by Council ($18.3m) and the Australian Government ($17.8m) to upgrade a number of priority intersections along the Princes Highway in the shire over the next three years.

Buy Local Find it on the Buy Local Map: find local businesses, contact details, opening hours and services.

Promote it on the Buy Local Map: add your business or give a shout out to your favourite local businesses by posting a recommendation or photo.

More info: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/betterlocalroads

www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/buylocal

Draft Community Engagement Policy

Green waste drop-off

Following community consultation earlier this year, we’ve developed a draft Community Engagement Policy that’s now available for review and comment: www.creating.cardinia.vic.gov.au/your-say

Friday 4 – Monday 7 December, 9am–4pm, Cleanaway Resource Recovery Centre, 840 Wellington Road, Lysterfield. Residents must present photo ID as proof of residence. Waste only accepted from residential vehicles and trailers. The event will be run in line with Victorian Government COVID-19 restrictions: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au More info: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/dropoff or call 1300 787 624.

COVID-19 update Changes to Victorian Government COVID-19 restrictions came into effect at 11:59pm on 22 November as part of the last step of restrictions on the roadmap to reopening Victoria. For information regarding restrictions, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au

Community Recovery Committee Expressions of interest are being sought from passionate community members to join a community-led COVID-19 Pandemic Community Recovery Committee. The committee will represent the needs and ideas of each of our nine wards and will work in partnership with Council and the many organisations supporting community recovery. To apply, please complete and return the expression of interest form by 14 December 2020. www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/recoverycommittee For more information or assistance completing the form call 1300 787 624.

We’re still here to help!

COVID-19 online help hub

Our Customer Service Centre at Officer may be temporarily closed, but you can still contact our team by phone or email or access a range of online services via our website.

For information and advice on a range of topics, or for help to find the right support or information, phone 1300 787 624 or visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Council services

Translated resources

For updates to Council services, visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/serviceupdates

Cardinia Shire Council: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/translate Victorian Government: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/ translated-information-about-coronavirus-covid-19

The information on this page was correct at the time of print, but for the most up-to-date information:

Cardinia Shire Council Phone: 1300 787 624

Web: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au

Email: mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au 12473003-SN49-20

8 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 December, 2020

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

IBAC INQUIRY

‘Million dollar’ benefits

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Former mayor Sam Aziz failed in “the most profound way” to disclose more than $1 million of alleged “private benefits” he received as a councillor, an IBAC inquiry into alleged Casey councillor corruption has heard.

IBAC’s assisting counsel Michael Tovey told the Operation Sandon hearing on 1 December that Mr Aziz gained the benefits from “taking advantage of your position as a councillor and selling your influence”.

Mr Aziz disputed “all of that”.

“It’s great to be pulling figures out of the air, but all he’s doing is trashing my reputation.

“This will be all over the media tomorrow and I’ll be accused of taking a million dollars of bribes as usual.

“You know, I’d love to know where all that money is if that’s in fact what I had done.”

According to IBAC, the $1 million of benefits included allegedly $660,000 of “benefits” from property developer John Woodman.

There was the $240,000 or “40 per cent interest” returned to Mr Aziz after he provided $600,000 in a suitcase to Mr Woodman.

Mr Woodman also allegedly paid him consultancy fees for Spicer Thoroughbreds ($22,500) and a Smart Cities project ($298,000).

Mr Aziz received about $250,000 from property firm director Andrew Nehme, and about $45,000 from developer Vlad Kostic - an associate of Jim Group’s former CEO Tino Grossi, Mr Tovey said.

Mr Aziz allegedly gained $150,000 from buying discounted shares from tech company Lodex, which pitched a digital payment platform to Casey Council.

Tech firm IPsoft allegedly paid him $30,800 soon after it signed a contract with Casey to trial an AI robot, Amelia.

Mr Tovey added there was also about $250,000 cash that Mr Aziz “can’t explain”.

“I don’t know where you got that from,” Mr Aziz said .

IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich said there was a similar repeated “modus operandi” in which Mr Aziz entered into “sham” loans with people who had matters at Casey Council.

“What’s being put to you is that each of those commercial arrangements is a sham and that they have been used by you in order to conceal corrupt payments.”

Mr Aziz said: “I understand that’s the allegation and I totally reject that absolutely. Absolutely.”

Apart from the “very small” $25,000 loan from Mr Grossi, he had “written contracts” to cover the other arrangements, he said.

Mr Aziz said $600,000 of the Woodman money was “my own money being returned to me”.

The interest from Mr Woodman was part

Then mayor Sam Aziz outside the new Bunjil Place offices.

Sam Aziz denied he’d received $1 million-plus in private benefits as a former Casey councillor. of a “legitimate” mezzanine financial arrangement, he said.

“I totally dispute your calculations. You have made many mistakes in your calculations.”

Mr Redlich told Mr Aziz that the Commission was still giving “due deliberation” on whether the payments were “corrupt”.

“You’ve made clear you don’t accept that

Sam Aziz at Tino Grossi’s residence, 22 February 2019.

they were corrupt.

“But regardless ... what is clear is that you have in the most profound way failed to meet your integrity obligations as a councillor in terms of your obligations to disclose the private benefits that you were receiving.”

It was difficult to understand Mr Aziz’s “outrage and indignation” about the allegations given Mr Aziz had admitted to failing to disclose private benefits, Mr Redlich said.

Picture: IBAC

Mr Aziz replied that he was “outraged” because his “achievements” at Casey Council “speak for themselves above and beyond any other municipal government not just in Victoria but in the whole of Australia”.

“Sure I failed to declare a conflict of interest on a few occasions.

“But my intention was not malicious nor was it intended to profit from my job.”

Aziz took flight after raid

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Mr Aziz said he didn’t need to tell IBAC of his impending flight to Egypt, booked soon after IBAC officers raided his home on 17 September 2019.

At the time, he told the officers he wasn’t thinking about leaving for Egypt, the IBAC Operation Sandon inquiry heard on 1 December 2020.

Within days, Mr Aziz advertised and sold his house in Barak Avenue, Berwick - which he informed IBAC officers at the time, he told the inquiry.

He booked an overseas flight and withdrew $117,000 from his home’s loan account.

He transferred $50,000 to his nephew in Cairo to “support his living expenses”, Mr Aziz told the hearing.

“Following the attendance of IBAC did you sell up and put yourself in a position to go overseas?” counsel assisting IBAC, Michael Tovey asked Mr Aziz.

“Clearly it’s yes. It’s stating the obvious, isn’t it?” Mr Aziz said.

“I needed to get a break because of the amount of stress I was under, and the IBAC pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

visit was actually the straw that broke my back, and I needed to get away.”

On 3 October 2019, Mr Aziz was asked during private evidence at IBAC about why he’d applied for leave of absence from Casey Council until 6 November.

He told IBAC at the time he was attending medical appointments and preparing for an Australian Lebanon Chamber of Commerce gala event.

Mr Aziz conceded he didn’t tell IBAC at the time of his ticket to leave Australia six days later.

“I didn’t need to, Mr Tovey.

“My immediate family were still back in Australia.

“When I found out that the (IBAC public) examinations had started in November, I booked a ticket on 19 November, and I have proof of that, to return but I couldn’t board the aircraft because of my health conditions.”

The Operation Sandon public inquiry has run from 18 November-6 December 2019, as well as 2-17 March 2020 in Mr Aziz’s absence.

The hearings recommenced on 9 November, and are ongoing.

Sam Aziz at the Operation Sandon inquiry on 1 December.

Thursday, 3 December, 2020

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STAR NEWS 9

NEWS

IBAC INQUIRY

‘Fab’ Graley denies ties

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A former Labor MP who supported developer John Woodman’s push to rezone Cranbourne West land told an IBAC inquiry she was not friends with him.

Judith Graley, the former MP for Narre Warren South, says she never felt any pressure from Mr Woodman about his planning matters but acted on behalf of “the community”.

At the time, she was unaware that the active community group Save Cranbourne West Residents Action Group (SCWRAG) was sponsored

by Woodman, she told the inquiry.

In 2018, she approached Planning Minister Richard Wynne or his office staff three times on the rezoning matter - Amendment C219.

Ms Graley recalled directly mentioning the issue to Mr Wynne on their way into the Parliament chamber in March 2018.

Ms Graley was couched as Mr Woodman and his associates’ last hope in swaying the State Government to rezone the land and “our good friend in the SE (South East)”.

“Judith is into this big time,” lobbyist Philip Staindl wrote to Mr Woodman in mid-2018.

In mid 2018, Mr Woodman writes: “Phil, I would say we would need a miracle.

“Only JG can deliver.

“Fingers crossed if JG feels the need to throw in the school site. Please advise to do so.

Thanks.”

Ms Graley told the inquiry it was “a very strange comment to make”.

She denied she was “into it big time”.

In an email, Mr Staindl refers to Ms Graley as “our good friend in the SE (south-east)” who was speaking with a senior staff member from Mr Wynne’s office.

Ms Graley “proceeded to spell out in a manner that ensured there was absolutely no chance of misunderstanding that to do anything other than rezone the land would be politically disastrous and also against the overwhelming view of the local residents,” Mr Staindl writes.

“She went so far as to predict it will be the difference between winning and losing the seat of Cranbourne.”

Ms Graley disagreed with counsel assisting IBAC, Michael Tovey, that she was “enmeshed” with Mr Woodman.

She said Mr Woodman and Mr Staindl tended to “over-blow and overexaggerate things”.

“I certainly don’t see myself in the way that

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Judith Graley in 2016. 161948 ... language may paint me.

“I certainly never, never detoured from the fact that I was acting in good faith and on behalf of the community.”

She said she never thought Mr Staindl or Mr Woodman were seeking to use her in some way.

“I was never that influential.”

In 2015, Ms Graley was in monthly contact with Woodman’s lobbyist Mr Staindl in 2015.

She says they spoke about C219 as well as generally on politics, sport and travel.

Ms Graley said Mr Staindl and she “weren’t friends” nor working hand in hand on C219.

“He kept me informed”.

She didn’t understand she was being “cultivated” as part of Mr Woodman’s “sphere of influence” at the time.

Nor did she regard Mr Woodman as a friend.

She caught up for lunch with Mr Woodman

and Mr Staindl “three times at most” over 12 years. There were occasional catch-ups over cups of tea in cafes.

“The fact was that we really did enjoy catching up with each other because we had common interests and we enjoyed having a laugh and a chat with each other.”

Mr Woodman told the inquiry in 2019 he’d been funding Ms Graley’s political campaigning but denied she lobbied for the rezoning out of a “sense of obligation” to him.

Ms Graley had been a “friend” going back to her time as a Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor, one of the “main instigators” of Mr Woodman’s Martha Cove project, he said.

And she had the “ability to speak directly to the Minister for Planning”.

Ms Graley told the inquiry that she didn’t have contact with Mr Woodman during her six years on Mornington Peninsula council, including a year as mayor.

She just “saw him” “across the table” at council meetings when he was a planningpermit applicant in 2004-’05.

In an email in 2015, Mr Woodman named Ms Graley as part of the “Fab Four”, the inquiry heard.

He wrote to Mr Staindl about the need to conduct a C219 briefing with the ‘Fab Four’ including then-Cranbourne MP Jude Perera, former shadow planning minister Brian Tee and Keysborough MP Martin Pakula.

A year earlier, Ms Graley, Mr Pakula and Mr Perera’s state election campaigns shared a $30,000 donation from a joint fundraiser staged by Mr Woodman at Crown Casino.

“I never spoke to Mr Pakula about this issue,” Ms Graley told IBAC on 25 November.

“If I got $10,000 for that it was probably at the larger end of donations that I ever received.

“But, you know, I didn’t organise that.”

Post-Parliament, Graley says ‘no’ to Woodman job offer

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Former Labor MP Judith Graley says she turned down a community-development job offer from developer John Woodman, an IBAC inquiry has heard.

The offer came in August 2018 during a “general catchup” over a “cup of tea” in Florentino restaurant.

Ms Graley had already announced her political retirement as a Narre Warren South MP. Mr Woodman - flanked by his hired ALP lobbyist Philip Staindl - told her that “you should come and work with me”, she told the Operation Sandon inquiry on 25 November.

“I never said yes to the job,” she told the hearing.

She said she turned down Mr Woodman at a second meeting at Florentino.

The job description was “very vague”, Ms Graley said.

“I can assure you ... I was not going to do government relations or media or political engagement when I left politics.

“He had picked a skill set of mine, which I think is valuable, which is working with communities, working on community consultations and using community development techniques to get to develop action, political action, get things done.”

The inquiry heard a covert phone tap of Mr Woodman and Mr Staindl discussing an “on the ground” role for Ms Graley.

Mr Woodman says: “We will be going forward with her.”

10 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 December, 2020

Judith Graley at the IBAC hearing on 25 November.

They were to raise the matter with her at a lunch at Point Leo Estate restaurant on 2 November - a meeting that Ms Graley said never eventuated.

Ms Graley said she instead lunched with Mr Woodman and his executive assistant in late January 2019.

On 10 March 2020, IBAC heard that Ms Graley’s job with Mr Woodman was scuttled after she was told by ALP senior advisers to stay away from Mr Woodman’s push for Amendment C219.

C219 proposed the rezoning of industrial land for housing in Cranbourne West.

Developer consultant Tom Kenessey told the hearing that a “devastated” Ms Graley apparently told Mr Woodman in early 2019 she was going to take 12 months’ holiday and didn’t want to work with him anymore.

Mr Woodman seemed “disappointed” by the news, Mr Kenessey said.

Counsel assisting IBAC, Michael Tovey, told Mr Staindl as an IBAC witness on 12 November that the job offer “smacks very

much of a bribe”.

“No, it was actually looking at how we could build on her skill set, and the area that was being discussed was community development because she had a strong interest in that role,” Mr Staindl replied.

In the lead-up, Ms Graley had been advocating to the Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s office for the rezoning of Cranbourne West industrial land, the inquiry heard.

At stake was a $200 million residential estate proposal by developer Leightons and ensuing windfall profits. Mr Woodman stood to gain a $2 million ’success fee’.

Ms Graley said she was motivated by the community’s desire, and denied she was “enmeshed” as part of the Woodman “team” or the “champion” of the cause.

According to IBAC’s analysis, Mr Woodman and his entities paid $17,500 in Ms Graley’s electoral campaign fund in 2014-’16.

Cranbourne MPs Jude Perera and his successor Pauline Richards’ campaigns received $57,350 from Woodman between 2014-’19.

In October and November 2018, reports in The Age linked C219 to alleged inappropriate influence involving Mr Woodman, state MPs and Casey councillors.

Soon after, on the eve of a state election, Mr Wynne deferred his decision on the rezoning.

Ms Graley said she had “no idea” that Mr Woodman was cultivating a network of political influence at state and council level.

“I find it distressing ... ” pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

12469896-SG49-20

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Thursday, 3 December, 2020

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STAR NEWS 11

NEWS

IBAC INQUIRY

Signs of SCWRAG’s funds “Sammy was unwilling to provide his direct view to me on whether he thought the minister supported the rezoning.

“But then pretty much said that his office would win on this matter ... It is about what the local community wants.”

At the inquiry, Mr Perera said he was unaware of Mr Argiriou’s disclosure. He agreed it was inappropriate.

IBAC has alleged that SCWRAG was funded $193,000 by Mr Woodman’s company Watsons and Ms Schutz’s firm Schutz Consulting.

Ms Schutz told IBAC in March 2020 that State Government ministers would have known the connection between SCWRAG and Mr Woodman.

“Community groups can’t pay for huge signs to be erected...

“There was such a huge amount of money that was spent resourcing the community group, the minister must have known that the community group and the developers’ interests were aligned.

“I don’t think that was hidden.”

Ms Schutz helped set up SCWRAG. She was financed to do so by another developer Leighton Properties, which owned the land and would gain a windfall from the rezoning.

Mr Woodman was offered a $2 million success fee.

Ms Schutz told IBAC “we were using the community as a basis for my client’s commercial interests”.

IBAC was told of Ms Schutz helping Mr Walker write a letter to lobby Casey councillors as part of a “political planning strategy”.

It was boosted by traffic reports paid for by Watsons.

Developers had also paid for a barrister to give advice to SCWRAG on the legality of a Casey Council motion on Hall Road, as well as about $30,000 for a lawyer to represent the group at a Planning Panels Victoria hearing.

Mr Walker - as well as his wife Valerie was being allegedly paid monthly retainers.

The IBAC Operation Sandon hearing into alleged corrupt land deals involving developers, councillors and MPs continues.

Ex-Cranbourne MP Jude Perera revealed he knew at an early stage that Save Cranbourne West Residents Action Group (SCWRAG) was being sponsored by developer John Woodman.

Mr Perera says he still submitted SCWRAG’s purported petitions and documents to Planning Minister Richard Wynne and Casey Council, he told an IBAC hearing on 26 November.

In 2015, Mr Wynne visited industrial land which Mr Woodman and SCWRAG are lobbying to rezone for housing.

The minister made a “casual comment” that the residents group in support for rezoning Cranbourne West land had “erected such big posters”, Mr Perera told IBAC. “I can vaguely remember his making a mockery of that because ... we both hold the view that residents may not fund something like that.”

Mr Perera agreed that the link between SCWRAG and Mr Woodman’s company Watsons and his planning consultant Megan Schutz was known.

“In conversation we both - the minister and myself both understood it was the case.”

IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich noted that Mr Wynne seemed “alive to the risk that that might have come via the developers”.

Mr Perera said he had no difficulty submitting SCWRAG’s documents after that realisation.

“One thing is the issue and the process is a different thing.

“The process of, you know, hyping up was the role of the developer, but the core issue lies with the local residents about the air pollution.

“As a human being I would not like to live next to an industrial estate.”

In an email by Ms Schutz, she relays details about Mr Wynne’s private conversation with Mr Perera during the visit.

Her source is allegedly Mr Perera’s electorate officer Sammy Argiriou.

“Sammy says that the Minister asked about the signs and said that clearly it had not been the community who paid for them.

SCWRAG’s president Ray Walker in 2015. 146818

Pauline Richards appears at an IBAC Operation Sandon hearing on 30 November.

Regrets over meeting

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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Thursday, 3 December, 2020

GP1607001

“We are open and we are safe!”

Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards has told an IBAC hearing that she regretted a meeting with developer John Woodman days after he offered $20,000 to her 2018 election campaign.

IBAC surveillance officers reported observing and photographing a meeting between Mr Woodman, his lobbyist Philip Staindl and ALP candidate Ms Richards at the Sofitel Melbourne on 23 October 2018.

According to IBAC officers, the Amendment C219 industrial land supply review and the H3 intersection were discussed.

Mr Woodman had commercial interests in both issues, including a $2 million success fee for C219, IBAC has heard.

Counsel assisting IBAC, Michael Tovey said Ms Richards made noises that were “at least encouraging” of her support during the “quite extensive” 75-minute briefing.

“I remember giving him the sense that it wasn’t my role as a candidate,” Ms Richards told the inquiry.

“So I smiled and must have been more agreeable than I had realised.”

During the campaign, she had become inclined to “smile and nod agreeably at all people as part of the natural way of encouraging people to vote for me”.

In a tapped phone call afterwards, Mr Woodman reports to land-owner Leightons’ consultant Tom Kennessey that Ms Richards was “totally on board”.

“I’m very confident that she’s going to deliver.

“I’m very comfortable that she’s going to go ‘all the way, Jose’ to make that happen.”

He also reported that Ms Richards was “very appreciative” of Mr Woodman’s “generous offer to her” - presumably an offer days earlier of $20,000 to her election campaign.

Later the Woodman camp are talking about an expectation that Ms Richards would be “sitting in front of” Planning Minister Richard Wynne.

After the Sofitel meeting, Mr Woodman authorises $20,000 to be paid - $10,000 to Ms Richards’ campaign, and $5000 each to Ferntree Gully and Ringwood campaigns.

“Surely you would agree in retrospect that the look of all that is very, very bad?” Mr Tovey asked Ms Richards.

“In hindsight I wished I hadn’t attended the meeting,” Ms Richards said.

“I wish I had been clearer in my intention not to make representations on his behalf.

“And in hindsight I accept that I wish I had

been clearer in perhaps flattening his expectations of me.”

Ms Richards said she’d agreed to Woodman lobbyist and ALP life member Mr Staindl’s invitation to meet for a “coffee” at the Sofitel - after being put under pressure by his constant phone calls.

At the time, she didn’t see the $20,000 as depending on how she responded to Mr Woodman’s pitch.

Ms Richards told IBAC she requested $10,000 go to other seats due to her “discomfort” with the talks. She said she was “part rejecting” the donation.

“I felt I was sending a message that I was not interested in the campaign receiving such a large amount and that I felt I wanted him to understand that it ought go somewhere else.

“That I wanted him to take the pressure off and that I wouldn’t submit.”

A few days before the meeting, Planning Minister Richard Wynne had announced deferring the C219 decision to undertake an industrial land supply review.

She said she twice declined a letter handed to her by Mr Woodman, which he requested to be passed on to Planning Minister Wynne.

She said she told them the letter should be handed to Cranbourne’s retiring MP Jude Perera.

“I twice pushed with my hand away and said, ‘This is not my part of the ship.’”

On the third occasion, she conceded she may have taken the letter but “never submitted it”.

Ms Richards told IBAC she frequently used the phrase “not my part of the ship” to deflect any talk of planning issues.

She had kept in mind a “very forceful and explicit instruction” by someone from Mr Wynne’s office in early 2018 that candidates should stay away from planning issues.

By 2019, the ALP regarded Mr Woodman as “personae non grata” due to corruption allegations involving Casey councillors and him.

Mr Staindl reports after a “cuppa” with Ms Richards in April 2019 that she is “eternally grateful” for Mr Woodman’s election support but can’t raise his matters with Mr Wynne’s office.

“I can’t imagine that I would be saying I’m eternally grateful to John Woodman,” she told the inquiry.

“I may have said to Mr Staindl that I was grateful to him for his support, but I wouldn’t imagine that I would be wishing Mr Woodman any good wishes.” pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

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Thursday, 3 December, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 13

NEWS

IBAC INQUIRY

MP copied C219 lines

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Cranbourne MP Jude Perera’s formal submission in favour of a land rezoning was effectively written by developer John Woodman’s planning consultant, IBAC has heard.

At the Operation Sandon inquiry, Mr Perera agreed that his signed submission to Casey Council in 2017 was “predominantly if not wholly a simple replication of Megan Schutz’s points”.

“It really was spectacularly inappropriate, is it not, that what is being put forward as a submission by you was in fact a submission by the representative of the developer,” counsel assisting IBAC Michael Tovey said.

Mr Perera said: “When you look at it that way, yes.”

In July 2017, Ms Schutz emails Mr Perera’s electorate officer Sammy Argiriou to request Mr Perera make a formal submission to Casey Council on Amendment C219.

Mr Argiriou replies: “Will do - email me some lines Ms Schutz (smiling face emoji)”.

Ms Schutz responds with nine dot-point paragraphs - a “complete submission”, Mr Tovey said.

The submission states the purportedly strong community support for rezoning though Mr Perera conceded he knew that the Save Cranbourne West Residents Action Group was linked to developers.

“The developer would have been the main engine room behind that or funded that,” Mr Perera told the hearing.

“But, after that, it has developed into the residents’ concern.”

Around that time, Mr Argiriou was largely running the MP’s electorate office due to Mr Perera being chronically ill.

“He was on top of everything,” including contacts with Ms Schutz, Mr Perera told IBAC. “He kept me informed. Even if I was in hospital, he sent me emails keeping me up to date.”

Mr Tovey noted that Ms Schutz reported several times on interactions between Mr Argiriou and Mr Perera or Mr Wynne in “very fine detail”.

They included inside information from Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s office on Amendment C219, as well as a private conversation between Mr Wynne and Mr Perera at a visit to Cranbourne West in 2015.

Mr Perera said he’d report back on Mr Wynne’s indication of the timing of the C219 decision.

“So I pass that to Sammy, and if Megan wants to know an update my understanding was Sammy would give that.

“It’s just a matter of when a decision is going to be made or whether it has not been made, nothing beyond that.

“It’s not delicate information.”

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

Reg $18 lrg $30

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

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

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

Reg $20 lrg $32

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

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

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

FRESH PITA BREAD Only the best $4

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

SEASONED CHIPS Mixed herbs seasoned hot chips $12

EXTRAS Tangy bbq sauce, matinia’s chili sauce or house made garlic sauce

IBAC budget ‘cuts’ don’t add up, says Opposition

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A fiery political row erupted over funding for the state’s Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC).

Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien told Parliament on 25 November that IBAC’s funding had been slashed by $4.4 million in the 2020-’21 state budget.

“IBAC is currently conducting major investigations into branch-stacking by Labor Party MPs, the dealings of Labor donor John Woodman and your government’s association with the United Firefighters Union.

“Premier, is it a mere coincidence that the year IBAC is investigating the Labor Party is the same year it is having its budget slashed?”

Premier Daniel Andrews said IBAC had received “$49 million and indexation for each of the out years - exactly what IBAC sought”.

The future funding included IBAC keeping its unspent funds from previous years, Mr Andrews said.

“You are wrong,” he told Mr O’Brien.

“I say to you again: you are not much good at writing budgets, and you are no better at reading them.”

Mr Andrews said Mr O’Brien omitted the “members of the Liberal Party who were bribed, it would seem” investigated by IBAC.

The commission is investigating Casey councillors, state Labor MPs and developers over alleged corrupt land deals as part of Operation Sandon.

Later, shadow Special Minister of State John Wells doubled down.

“Not only has Daniel Andrews cut IBAC’s funding, now he’s lying about it.”

A State Government spokesperson said IBAC was receiving an extra $27.1 million a 20 per cent rise - over four years. it was continuing to ensure IBAC had the resources needed to “investigate corrupt conduct and fulfill its statutory obligations”.

“The additional funding will allow IBAC to expand its important work - and to assist with the agency’s transition to budgetary independence.”

A month before the budget, IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich stated IBAC faced serious constraints due to its “current, perilous budgetary position”.

Its core funding had been “largely static” since it was founded eight years ago, despite a significantly growing workload.

“IBAC cannot investigate a significant number of complaints of serious misconduct which may warrant our investigation.

“Exposing and preventing corruption cannot be adequately done on a static, inadequate budget.”

12457581-SN33-20

14 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 December, 2020

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

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Thursday, 3 December, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 15

NEWS Berwick-Pakenham

Keep up with all the local news from across the region... read the Gazette!

Win a $500 gift card We know 2020 has been a year like no other and many families are doing it tough, so the Pakenham Gazette is giving you the chance to be a star and treat your family this Christmas.

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Tiger army rules

By Mitchell Clarke

Pakenham man Brendan

Short decked out

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219443

Picture: STEWART

Not even a grand final in isolation could dampen the of the local Yellow spirits and Black army.

Self-confessed Tiger tragic Brendan any normal year Short, who in would be cheering on his boys at the watched the game G, from could be better described his Pakenham garage - which as a Richmond refuge.

“You can’t head down to Punt Road, that much, I just so I didn’t really had a couple of beers after the game,” do laughed. he “I have re-watche d the game a couple and I tuned in to the club Brownlow of times though, which was good.” on Monday night Inspired by his late mother Kath, who ger, Brendan had was a devoted Tino choice but to follow her lead.

Like many long suffering supporters, 32 year member, is still pinching himself Mr Short, who is a success. at the club’s recent “I’ve seen some bad, bad times, so I never to see a time like thought I’d get this,” he explained .

“When I could afford to buy a members go every week but hip, I used to we watched Gary Ablett were hopeless, so I just sat there and Snr kick 10.

Now, he’s just making the most of the good “Richmond supporter times. s have copped years, so I’m just heaps over the enjoying it while it lasts,” he said.

For our full Grand Final coverage, turn to pages 18-19.

Getting rid of ri CHAMBERS

By Mitchell Clarke

shire from strict Relief is finally metropolitan restriction in sight for fed s has up Cardinia been welcomed by former Shire rural residents, mayor Jeff Spring- somewhere and they’ve chosen who have for months field. to use local government boundari been pleading with es, but I’ve always the State Governm “I think it’s well advocating for be reclassified as been ent to overdue, it’s great further considera regional. those communities news tion around but I think it’s a shame for the unique mix of metropol The ‘ring of steel’ further considera itan and regional separating metropol that in our shire,” he tion wasn’t given Melbourne and said. itan said. earlier,” he regional Victoria “I would hope this is set to be scrapped for good comes into conversat from Mr Springfield, if we come under ion who was elected provided case numbers Sunday 8 November, attack from a third to repre- wave.” continue on a down- sent the largely rural Ranges or fourth wards trend.

Ward for the next term, said he didn’t From believe 11:59pm the metropolitan The announcement on classification of struggling hospitalit Tuesday 27 October, the to finally “unlock” many towns was appropriate. the “I do understand were given the green y and retail industries they need to draw light to reopen again. the line But Premier Daniel Andrews’ decision to

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“We think the virus bourne and regional picture between MelVictoria will be closely aligned by that time,“ he said.

“I know personall y - deeply - just how this will mean for much thousands of Victorian haven’t been able s who to see loved ones for far too long. It will mean families are whole again. Our state is whole again.”

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Have you tried using social media to market and promote your business? If so, I wonder what level of success you have had?

Between 2002 and 2006 Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn all launched and with this came a buzz of excitement around what platforms like these could do for your business.

I also remember reputable marketing experts in the business sector saying categorically that unless you had a presence on social media, your business was doomed.

Was this true? Well there are very many successful businesses around that either have little or no social media presence and still continue to do well, and plenty of companies that have grown directly as a result of their social media promotions.

The fact is that it really is ‘horses for courses’ and there is no single rule for social media that governs whether your business will be a success or not.

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn were all created to achieve different ends and tend to attract different membership bases.

Let’s have a look at each.

Perhaps surprisingly, first cab off the rank was LinkedIn which was founded in December 2002 primarily as a platform for professional networking. This facilitated companies advertising for new staff as well as enabling its membership to publicise their employment appeal through a summary of their skills, qualifications and experience. Today LinkedIn is still seen as the most professional of the social media platforms and recognising this, Microsoft bought LinkedIn on 13 June 2016, for US$26.2 billion!

Facebook came next in February 2004 when Mark Zuckerberg, along with a number of fellow Harvard University students developed it as a social networking platform.

The forerunner to Facebook was Facemash which, now somewhat controversially, was built as a website to allow visitors to compare two female student pictures side by side and provide their opinion on who was more attractive.

These days, Facebook tends to be used a lot to simply share visually what people are doing and its business use is often to promote events or special offers.

Businesses that appear to be particularly

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IAN ASH suited to Facebook are small companies or sole traders that have a strong social aspect such as the provision of arts and music services, products and services for children and just about anything that has a ‘fun’ component. It is less used by businesses with a more serious focus.

Twitter was originally conceived as a purely SMS-based communications platform that used a limit of 140 characters to enable members to “tweet” what they were up to.

Although the limit as now doubled, it still functions as simple and fast way to let people know what you are up to.

These days, apart from individuals, it tends to be used by businesses in the social and retail sector that, like Facebook business users, want to provide swift and ready visibility of special offers and promotions.

It is also used by those who want to promote themselves personally such as film stars, musicians and politicians.

So the ‘horses for courses’ rule applies.

You are unlikely to see many accountants promoting their business using Facebook or Twitter generally unless it is around tax return time when this might not be such a bad idea.

Notwithstanding whichever platforms you decide to use, the true value of any of these as a marketing media really comes down to the message you want to send.

You may have a jumpy castle business that ought to be perfect for Facebook or Twitter, but if the message is confused or unclear, chances are that it won’t help anyway.

The good news is that none of these platforms is expensive to use so, if you can craft the right message, may be worth giving it a try anyway.

Ian Ash is the Managing Director OrgMent Business Solutions - www.ombs.com. au

12468562-JW45-20

16 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 December, 2020

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pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 3 December, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 17

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Exciting times for the Crew

atWork works collaboratively with you to ensure your success.

Working for clients atWork Australia service those with an experience of disability, injury or a health condition to find meaningful work.

When you choose atWork Australia as your Disability Employment Services (DES) provider, we start delivering the services you need straight away. We work together to meet your goals with a truly individual approach, putting your needs front and centre. We are your job coach, your advocate and your partner as you find the job that is right for you.

We support you by identifying work oppor-

tunities that reflect your interests and goals, match your abilities and skills, and which help you get what you want out of life. Your appointed job coach will spend quality time with you to develop your resume, your interview techniques and build your confidence. We will be with you each step of the way on your journey.

The atWork Australia employment engagement team have strong employer relationships within the Monash-Peninsula area that provide many opportunities for our clients. Our

employers are supportive, flexible, inclusive and will work collaboratively to ensure your success. Once your employment commences, our support will continue to ensure your transition into work is a smooth process. We will be here for you as you settle into a long term and meaningful position and celebrate your employment milestones with you.

We would love the opportunity to tell you more about the atWork Australia Disability Employment Services journey and would welcome your enquiries. We look forward to working with you soon to assist you in achieving your goals.

‘Outlook provides me with a 1:1 mentor who helps me work through my stuff.’

Demi

The Cassidy Crew are excited to announce the opening of their new location - 52 Main Street Pakenham.

In celebration of International Day of People with Disabilities, The Cassidy Crew are holding an opening event at their Pakenham location. Join them at the new office from 9am on Thursday 3 December for a fun morning of activities, give aways, music, Triple M flags and more!

With the lifting of Covid restrictions, The Cassidy Crew are offering new group programs, support coordination and home care services from their Pakenham office. The new group activities include arts and crafts, coffee and chat, music groups, social and community groups and more.

As a Registered and Accredited Disability Service Provider The Cassidy Crew provides quality, meaningful and flexible supports to people with disabilities, aged care or people just needing assistance. The Cassidy Crew understand that everyone’s disability is unique, and the support we provide is individual to assist your needs and abilities.

For more information on The Cassidy Crew’s services, call 1800 60 10 20, or find them on Facebook.

‘Outlook helps me keep on top of funding and speak to my manager. This part time job is a start.

I plan to become a teacher’s aid.

I want to help kids out.’

Travis

We are here to help.

Our free Disability Employment Services support people living with disability, injury or health condition to find sustainable work, and employers to access great talent and hire a diverse workforce.

Find out more today!

1300 080 856

Your personal goals are just as important as your NDIS goals During the week we celebrate International Day of People with Disability, let Outlook team up with you to find your spark and talk to us about how we can support you to reach your personal goals.

At Outlook, we focus on you. Because your life is unique, we take the time to get to know you and explore all the possibilities that will spark your passion. Our well-established, progressive organisation provides customers with a wide range of options to build their confidence and ability to be active members of their community.

Outlook’s valuable outcomes include connection to community, employment and volunteering, friendships, recreation activities, good health, and wellbeing and life skills.

atworkaustralia.com.au/register VISIT US at our offices in: Cranbourne and Frankston, Pakenham, Narre Warren, Endeavour Hills, Carrum Downs, Frankston North, Seaford, Hastings and Rosebud

12472383-DL49-20

12471941-NG48-20

18 STAR NEWS

Call Gabby today on 0418 145 723 and find your spark!

|

Thursday, 3 December, 2020

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Helping kids stay mobile Little Warriors Physio for Kids is a new and growing kids physiotherapy clinic in Beaconsfield.

The clinic provides physiotherapy services to children between the ages of 0-18 years. As the clinic develops they aim to broaden their services to offer intensive physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and group therapy in 2021. Little Warriors has a special interest in animal therapy and intensive therapy.

The clinic is run by physiotherapist Lauren Stent and business manager Jodie Milnes.

Their inspiration is Jodie’s 12 year old daughter, Keira. She has an undiagnosed physical disability and has been completing physiotherapy since she was born. This is how Lauren and Jodie met; Lauren as Keira’s physio at school, now bonded as business partners. This bond birthed their vision and this is why they became Little Warriors together.We all have a dream, to provide our children with access and more opportunities to meet their goals - to inspire, to empower, to persevere - to become Little Warriors.

Little Warriors are movement specialists for babies, infants, children and adolescents.

They have expertise to help children who have a range of conditions that affect their physical development, mobility and their ability to participate in their daily life.

They help children through the use of various methods such as strengthening, exercise, stretching, splinting, intensive therapy, assistive equipment, functional practise, motor learning, play and education.

They treat children of all ages and of all abilities.

They aim to offer quality programs including assessments, maintenance, community access, school visits, home visits, dog therapy, hydrotherapy, and intensive therapy.

They work together with the child’s family/carers and their community to develop individually tailored programs to achieve your child’s goals and dreams.

They aim to make the impossible, possible.

They are the difference.

Little Warriors looks forward to meeting you on your journey. Email info@littlewarriorsphysio.com.au for more or visit 25 Woods Street, Beaconsfield.

Celebrating disabilities with a positive Outlook Outlook celebrates people with disabilities every day.

The work they do is driven by their vision of creating and supporting inclusive communities where people with disability can live, work, play and participate fully in community life. With a strong history and presence of over 50 years, they strive for everyone’s full and equal participation in all aspects of society.

This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities theme is “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post Covid-19 World”, and that is exactly what they have been doing at Outlook.

Gabriella Browne, general manager community services said: “During lockdown, the Disability Services team re-designed our centre based and community based programs and now, more than ever, Outlook has a range of programs and activities to suit all abilities. Of course we’ve kept

the favourite activities Outlook customers have always enjoyed.

“Whether people with disability in our community are looking for further education, employment, social interactions or just plain fun, there’s something for everyone at Outlook.

“We’ve also introduced enhancements to our supported employment services and we have new sustainable long-term work opportunities for school leavers. The new programs have had tremendous uptake and response,” she said.

“We are looking forward to rolling out a range of new and exciting initiatives in 2021 including recreation and leisure activities “, Elaine De Vos, disability services manager at Outlook said.

Outlook invites the community to get in touch and speak to their knowledgeable and friendly team to work out a path that is the perfect fit for a rewarding and inclusive community experience.

GROWING KIDS PHYSIOTHERAPY Disability Employment Service

n

Job Guidance

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Onsite support & training

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Personalized service

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Employer Incentives

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Providing physiotherapy services to children between the ages of 0-18 years

E: info@littlewarriorsphysio.com.au A: 25 Woods Street, Beaconsfield Ph: 0423 763 535

Tel: 1300 385 738 | Website: www.dvjs.com.au

Little Warriors are movement specialists for babies, infants, children and adolescents.

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Registered NDIS Provider

New Location 52 Main Street Pakenham Warragul, Pakenham & Bairnsdale pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

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A fresh approach to disabilities

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New location – 52 Main Street Pakenham Pakenham – Warragul – Bairnsdale info@custodia.com.au 1800 002 062 custodia.com.au

NDIS Plan Management Thursday, 3 December, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 19

NEWS

Eric Guthrie from Berwick Woodworkers with Courtney Banks from Windermere. 222669

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Courtney loads up the toys. 222669

Ready to share the cheer?

By Mitchell Clarke With the festive season fast approaching, the team at Windermere is on the hunt for donations to bring some Christmas cheer to people in need.

For over 10 years, the Merry Mission Appeal has been providing gifts and helping hampers to local families doing it tough.

But in these trying times, the organisation has found that families are increasingly turning to them for assistance to find safety from escalating family violence and trauma situations.

With hundreds of local families out of work and struggling to make ends meet, Windermere CEO Dr Lynette Buoy said the need in the community would be greater than ever before.

“This year, more than ever, more families have faced more challenges, they are in desperate need and experiencing crisis like never before,” Dr Buoy said.

She added the 2020 appeal had been launched at the end of a year that many would rather forget.

“Even without the aftermath of a pandemic, many people in our community find Christmas to be a particularly tough and lonely time of year,” she said.

But it’s hoped the community will get behind the Merry Mission Appeal and spread some festive joy by donating to the organisation.

“These are undoubtedly tough times, but together we can keep the magic of Christmas alive and make this festive season that little bit

Brian Crowe from Berwick Woodworkers. 222669 brighter for families in our community who are doing it particularly tough,” Dr Buoy added.

“We are so grateful to all our supports, and especially thankful to the Toy Workshop and Marco’s IGA for partnering with us to deliver the appeal in a Covid safe manner.”

With the pandemic posing its own challenges, this year’s drive has been digitalised in line with the need for contactless food and gift deliveries.

To donate to Windermere’s 2020 Merry Mission appeal, call 1300 946 337 or visit windermere.org.au/merry-mission-2020.

Eric and Bill Bradshaw with the wooden toys. 222669

Win gift card We know 2020 has been a year like no other and many families are doing it tough, so the Star News is giving you the chance to be a star and treat your family this Christmas.

Enter the draw for your chance to win a Woolworths gift card to take your loved ones shopping for scrumptious food and delicious treats to enjoy on the big day … on us.

There are four $500 gift cards up for grabs to help ease the burden this festive season and bring a smile to everyone’s face.

But you have to be in it to win it!

To enter, head to starcommunity.com.au/ competitions and register your details.

But be quick as entries close on Friday 18 December at noon.

And, don’t forget to spread the Christmas cheer by inviting your friends to enter too!

20 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 3 December, 2020

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … REAL ESTATE

WHEN ‘ONLY’ THE BEST WILL DO

BY DANIELLE KUTCHEL

Esmail Namdar is honest and ethical in his dealings.

FOR honesty and excellent results in your next property sale, contact Esmail Namdar from Only Estate Agents.

Esmail has been working with Only Estate Agents for over 12 months and is their residential sales specialist for Narre Warren South. He has over 15 years’ sales experience and a background in business ownership as a former owner of a Fountain Gate cafe. He has been working in the area for over 10 years.

Despite the restrictions on real estate during the Covid lockdown, Esmail was able

to sell close to 30 properties remotely, including house and land packages and established properties.

Within the company, he was awarded top salesperson of the year for the 2019-20 financial year. He’s also been recognised by clients, earning 37 five-star reviews from previous customers in a testament to his ability to achieve high results.

In fact, Esmail has been able to achieve results two to six percent above vendors’ expected ranges, often in less than 30 days.

His current average turnaround is 22 days, compared to an area average of 37 days.

He has specialised knowledge of established properties in different communities. Esmail is heavily involved with the Afghan community, for interstate and overseas owner-occupied buyers. He is able to speak a number of different languages so he can communicate with clients from diverse backgrounds.

Esmail is known for being honest and ethical in his transactions and is always available seven days for his clients.

Contact Esmail on esmail@onlyestateagents.com.au or call 0498 577 554. ●

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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.

12466250-SN43-20 12451848-NG25-20 12452901-SG27-20

2 Bedroom - $349,950 3 Bedroom, - $399,950 2 Bedroom, plus study - $ 374,950

* Images are for illustration purposes only.

Thursday, 3 December, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 21

FOCUS ON …

REAL ESTATE

2 TITLES ZONED INDUSTRIAL 1 THIS site is to be seen! Where the main traffic flow enters or exits Warragul where industrial and commercial land has been highly sought and developed into the most prominent sites for big business such as Monacellars, Super cheap, Intersport and more.

A high exposure, large site with large commercial showroom, office, kitchen and bathroom facility and extensive shed plus parking and more space to be developed. A car wash could be perfect here!

53A is 1091m² with Factory. 53B is 427m2 Vacant Land. A total of 1518m²!

Exceptional frontage and high traffic

exposure assured. Entering or leaving Warragul CBD, located between the railway, old and new industrial area of town and the Freeway this land is at the heart of it all!

Where new industrial/commercial preference has been shown and is rapidly establishing this position is not one that can be replicated.

A sensational opportunity to invest in a rapidly growing area and aquire yourself a prosperous future today.

Auction on site, Friday, 18 December, 2020 at 4pm. Terms: 10% on signing.

Settlement 30/60/90 days. View more at www.sej.com.au ID: 21297594 ●

HOME ESSENTIALS 12472080-SN49-20

Address: 53A & 53B Alfred Street, WARRAGUL Inspect: By appointment Auction: Friday, 18 December, 4pm Contact: Miranda Pike, 0404 193 205, SEJ REAL ESTATE, WARRAGUL, 5622 3800. VIEW MORE AT WWW.SEJ.COM.AU

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

22 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 3 December, 2020

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

A decade in Parliament

By Mitchell Clarke One of the most recognised MPs in the region has reached a political milestone.

Gembrook MP Brad Battin officially celebrated his 10th anniversary in government on Friday 27 November, and the long-standing politician has no plans to step away just yet.

The Liberal MP was first elected to Parliament in 2010, knocking off former Labor MP Tammy Lobato. He won again in 2014 and 2018, but said the most recent election was the most difficult, after he only just beat Labor candidate Michael Galea.

“It’s been an absolute privilege,” Mr Battin told the Gazette, reflecting on the past decade.

“I came in with the vision that I would do a term and go to the next election and see what happened. I never got ahead of myself. To win once was great, to win twice was fantastic and to win again in such a tight race was special.

“I guess this (anniversary) is an opportunity to sit back and reflect on some of the great things that have happened in our community - big and small.”

Among the highlights for Mr Battin - the Officer Specialist School and Officer Secondary College builds, the rebuild at Emerald Primary School, and more recently, works beginning on the new Emerald SES station and the new health and wellbeing centre at Berwick College.

A former police officer, he originally joined politics to be afforded the chance to make some changes, particularly around youth crime.

“I still haven’t achieved everything I wanted to but I’ve got a genuine opportunity to make those changes,” he said.

“I would love to see some changes in youth justice where we have a focus on the prevention model, working with young people as they enter the justice system.”

With two years to go in this term, Mr Battin has ruled out the possibility of being directly involved in a leadership spill.

“I definitely will not be putting my hand up for opposition leader during this term,” he said.

“I think leadership chooses you as much as you choose it. Never say never, but it’s certainly not in my discussions at the moment.”

But he has confirmed he’ll run in the next election, and will be hoping it’ll be a fourth time lucky.

“If the party choose me again and the community want me, I’ll absolutely stay. The best thing about this job for me is helping someone with something small. It’s not a public thing, not a front page, but when you know you’ve made a difference in someone’s life. That’s the ultimate for me,” he said.

When asked if he thought the Liberal party’s “politicisation” of the pandemic could affect his chances of being re-elected, Mr Battin said he believed the next election would be fought and won based on the state’s recovery, rather than Covid itself.

“I think it’ll all come down to where we are as a state in two years time,” he explained.

Brad Battin with the Gazette front page 10 years ago.

Brad Battin has been in Parliament for 10 years. 157590 But he hope the rapport he’s built with the community will lead him to another victory.

“Thank you to the community for putting their trust in me over the years. I hope I’ve repaid the trust,” he said.

“I want to continue in this role until I feel I have no more to give or until the community decide to take a different path.”

Brad with his wife Jo and their two daughters Chloe and Mikaela.

WIN

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 3 December, 2020

|

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24 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 3 December, 2020

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

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Thursday, 3 December, 2020

|

STAR NEWS 25

SPORT

He’s going out a winner

By Lance Jenkinson Hard Style Rico will retire to stud after climbing greyhound racing’s Mount Everest.

Pearcedale-based trainer Luckie Karabitsakos confirmed that his superstar local dog will go out on a high after racing into immortality with 2020 TAB Melbourne Cup glory at Sandown Greyhound Racing Club on Friday night.

“It was probably the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Karabitsakos said.

“The biggest race and the biggest achievement is the Melbourne Cup, and once you conquer the Melbourne Cup, it’s like climbing Everest, you’ve done it, there’s nothing left to prove.

“Now it’s off to relaxing and let everyone else enjoy some Hard Style Rico puppies.”

Hard Style Rico produced one of the great Melbourne Cup runs.

The brindle dog, known as ‘Bruiser’ in the kennel, broke the track record over 515 metres, winning by five-and-a-half lengths in a time of 28.91 seconds.

It was Hard Style Rico’s start - his first sectional of 4.99 was the best of his career - that set up a dominant display.

“He just showed his power,” Karabitsakos said.

“He put the foot down.

“It was a bit like going to Calder Park and looking at the drag racing over 400 metres.

“The race is won off the line, reaction time, bang, gone.”

Starting in Box 5, Hard Style Rico was able to slice through the middle of the field like a hot knife through butter.

That box can often encounter argy bargy from all angles, but Hard Style Rico was so confident and assured that he left all others in his wake and led most of the way.

“They call that the squeeze box,” Karabitsakos said.

“I think he used the box to his advantage, came out and did everything right from start to finish.

“As soon as those lids came up mate, he was off and gone.

“You have to do that from Box 5, otherwise you’re going to find it very hard.”

Hard Style Rico not only won the star-studded race, he won it running away.

All that trailed him when he crossed the finish line was daylight.

It was a jaw-dropping performance that will

Pearcedale trainer Luckie Karabitsakos celebrates with Melbourne Cup winner Hard Style Rico. be spoken about for a long time.

“The line up in this Melbourne Cup, a lot of people were saying it’s the best they’ve ever seen,” Karabitsakos said.

“There’s probably six dogs in that line up that are potential stud dogs and he’s made a mess of all of them.”

Karabitsakos and his connections knew from a long way out that Hard Style Rico was a special greyhound.

There was only ever going to be one destination for Bruiser - the event they call the world’s greatest greyhound race.

“I bred the dog, I whelped him, I pre-trained him, broke him in, I’ve done it all with him,” Karabitsakos said.

“During his pre-training stages at 16 months old, I looked at my mates and said to them ‘Jesus Christ boys, we’ve got ourselves a Melbourne Cup dog here’.

“From that day on, I said the main race I want to go for is the Melbourne Cup.

“It’s just a dream when you start saying all that because you’ve got the dog, but you’ve still got to win the race.

“He’s done it now, he won his heat in fine style off the pink, which is hard to do and he’s come off the yellow and just made a mess of a quality field.”

No matter how much work he put into Hard Style Rico’s preparation and how much belief he had in his star dog, Karabitsakos was in shock when his dream of winning a Melbourne Cup became a reality.

He was overcome with emotion as he embraced his brother Anthony, a Group 1 winning trainer, after scooping the $435,000 first place prize.

“I’m only coming back down to earth now,” Karabitsakos said.

“He’s just made me proud, he’s made the whole family proud, he’s a superstar.

“Winning a Melbourne Cup changes your life.”

Pictures: COURTESY OF SANDOWN GREYHOUNDS

Hard Style Rico crosses the line in emphatic style.

One of Karabitsakos’s best mates, Mario Briganti, was also a Group 1 winner on the night.

Briganti’s dog Manila Knight took out the Bold Trease in a thriller over 750 metres.

“To have best mates win two Group 1s on the same night is something else,” Karabitsakos said.

This promises to be a Pakenham Cup day like no other

By Lance Jenkinson There is no escaping the fact it will be a bittersweet 2020 Sportsbet Pakenham Cup on Saturday that somewhat mirrors the transition of society at large from Covid hell to Covid normal.

The Cup will not be the same as the glorious occasions of past editions, but it will present a slow return to normality for both the racing club and the local community.

There will be 500 patrons in attendance separate from jockeys, trainers and stewards - a number that would have been unfathomable a little over a month ago.

Society is slowly but surely finding its Covid normal and for the lucky people who can attend the Cup, it will be a strange but unforgettable experience as they get to watch history unfold.

Pakenham Racing Club general manager of racing and commercial Wade Calderwood preferred to take the glass half-full approach to the Cup, knowing a safe and successful meeting will be the best tonic for even bigger crowds into the new year.

“The chances of us even having a crowd this early before Christmas was unlikely, so we’re delighted,” he said.

Racing clubs across the land have executed Covid protocols to the nth degree.

Strict adherence, universal buy-in and 26 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 3 December, 2020

some sacrifices have kept the industry going and people in much-needed jobs throughout the pandemic.

Adding crowds to the mix will present another challenge, but one that Calderwood is confident the Pakenham Racing Club will rise to.

The message to patrons from the moment they set foot on the Tynong course will be that now is not the time to let your guard down.

Extra measures will be in place for the safety of all patrons and to safeguard the racing industry.

Aside from the crowd cap, the most noticeable change will be the lack of personal interaction between spectators and stars of the turf.

Jockeys, trainers, officials and horses will be kept separate from the crowd.

“They will be kept completely separate through fences,” Calderwood said.

Owners have drawn the short straw in recent months, not being allowed to watch their horses on track.

It has been agonising for them, but they will now get the chance to be there to watch their horse race live.

However, there’s a catch.

“Within the 500 people, it’s 470 patrons who have pre-booked and the 30 owners race

by race, so we need to rotate them through,” Calderwood said.

“The ones I’ve spoken to say it is a double edged sword.

“It’s great to finally have an opportunity to come and see their horse, but unfortunately can’t stay the whole day to enjoy all the atmosphere of a Sportsbet Pakenham Cup. “They’re very excited about the fact they can get to the races though if you think where we were several months ago.”

The spectators will have to play their part to make it a safe Cup experience.

They will be required to use the QR code system on arrival for contact tracing in the event of a Covid break out and social distancing will be policed by Covid marshals.

“There’s a few logistics that we normally wouldn’t have to do on a race day to accommodate everybody under the strict Covid protocols,” Calderwood said.

It is shaping as an exciting field for the 2020 Sportsbet Pakenham Cup. Calderwood has been impressed by the strength of the nominations, which suggests the Cup is highly sought-after by trainers and owners.

If included in the final acceptances, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Knights Order would have strong claims on race favouritism.

“It’s exciting that she’s looking to put a class horse like that into the field,” Calderwood said.

Past winner Our Big Mike, a New Zealandborn horse trained in Mornington by Brett Scott, wants to return as an eight-year-old.

Double You Tee, trained by Patrick Payne at Plumpton, is looking to atone after a sixthplaced finish at the Ballarat Cup. The best lightweight chance could be Tralee Rose, trained by Symon Wilde in Warrnambool, who has won her past three starts.

“There’s a bit of form in the race,” Calderwood said.

The Sportsbet Pakenham Cup is the standalone race meeting on Saturday, so it will get the full racing.com coverage, including on-track reporting by Simon Marshall, a former jockey and now racing expert.

“We’ll get the full media coverage and Simon Marshall will be here out on the track doing special coverage on the day in a studio set up for him next to the mounting yard,” Calderwood said.

“Racing.com and Sportsbet will enhance the coverage for those punters who are offcourse and aren’t able to get to the track to watch in person.”

Gates will open at 11.30am for those lucky enough to have secured a ticket. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

They’re setting sail

Former champion Gippsland greyhound Sennachie with - from left - trainer Steve White, Steve Clark (Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club), Peita Duncan (Greyhound Racing Victoria chair), Tony Mitchell (Warragul GRC) and Rob Popplestone (Sale GRC).

Off and racing...

Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) launched its 2020/21 ‘Gippsland Festival of Racing’ on Sunday.

The festival will incorporate more than half a million dollars in prize money across six spectacular nights of greyhound racing throughout December, January and February.

Set to attract the most talented greyhounds from all around Australia, the ‘Gippsland Festival of Racing’ kicks off with heats of the Sale Cup on 20 December, with the final to be run on Boxing Day. From there the festival moves to the Warragul Cup series in January, before concluding with the Cranbourne Cup in early February.

Sunday’s launch was broadcast live on greyhound racing’s free-to-air television series, ‘Thrill of the Chase’ on 7TWO, drawing at-

tention from tens of thousands of sports fans across Australia. GRV Chair Peita Duncan said the ‘Gippsland Festival of Racing’ is the second leg of a series of festivals being run across the state from November to May. “We kicked off with the Metro Festival of Racing, which ran throughout November and concluded with the TAB Melbourne Cup, which was won in track record time by Hard Style Rico, who is trained by Luckie Karabitsakos in Pearcedale, right on the cusp of Gippsland,” she said.

“The Gippsland Festival will flow into a second Metro Festival in late February, highlighted by the Australian Cup, and we’ll then host our first ever ‘Western Festival of Racing’ which will run throughout March, April and May. “Right now it’s all about Gippsland, how-

ever, and we look forward to seeing the very best greyhounds take on local superstars such as Catch The Thief, trained in Briagolong by Matt Clark, and exciting youngster Dr. Tucker, trained in Darriman by Bill McMahon. Both of those greyhounds have made their presence felt on the group racing circuit in 2020.”

Traralgon won’t be a part of the 2020/21 ‘Gippsland Festival of Racing’ as it is currently undergoing a redevelopment.

Greyhound racing has long been a pivotal economic pillar for Gippsland, generating more than $40 million annually for the region.

The sport boasts more than 1000 participants across the region (breeders, owners, and trainers), and employs more than 350 people and has almost 200 volunteers throughout Gippsland.

The Cardinia Waters Bowls Club is thrilled now that the restrictions are easing.

The club has been able to complete the building of its much-needed shade umbrellas, thanks to the community grants program provided by the Pakenham Racing Club (PRC).

The PRC has enjoyed building strong relationships with various community groups throughout the Cardinia Shire and it has assisted with various initiatives via its ‘Clubs Community Grants program’.

In early 2020 a grant was provided to the bowls club, which has enabled it to install these much-needed shade umbrellas.

Grants such as these are invaluable to clubs such as Cardinia Waters, which has enjoyed the support it has received in the past.

The past six months has provided the opportunity for the PRC to review the program guidelines and this will be relaunched on 1 January next year. They’re looking forward to partnering with many more organisations.

Mick Knight and Jenny Edmonds celebrated the new shade sails at the Cardinia Waters Bowls Club with Tanya Ritson, the PRC’s general manager of people and community. 221966 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Local associations unite to form girls competition

By Nick Creely The West Gippsland Cricket Association and Dandenong District Cricket Association will combine to form an under-17 girls competition this season, further strengthening female cricket in the region.

The season - which will kick off on Monday 7 December or Tuesday 8 December - will see DDCA clubs Berwick, Silverton and Narre Warren South and WGCA clubs Nyora, Carlisle Park and Officer do battle in what is certain to be an exciting competition.

WGCA female cricket coordinator Rob Hansen told the Star News that the competition will provide another crucial pathway for female cricket in the region.

“It’s on the basis of us developing a pathway for female cricket,” he said.

“We’re into our fourth year of running a girls comp but that started as a stage one for young girls between 10 and 14 years old.

“And we realised once they get to 14 we’re aware there is a discrepancy with the experience and all that sort of stuff, so having an open age comp doesn’t necessarily work very well.

“So the logical thing is to develop a pathway where the next age group can come through, and that’s our stage two.

“It’s probably going to be similar to under 12 boys, where the rules are a bit more competitive and played with a hard ball.”

Hansen said that joining forces with the DDCA made logical sense as it looks to continue its rapid growth.

“We’ve now got three clubs that have a team in West Gippy, and Officer is on the verge of having two teams, but we’ve struggled to get a fourth team so we’ve had conversations with the DDCA,” he said. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

The DDCA and WGCA will combine to form an Under 17 girls competition this season. 205548 “So it’s not logical to try to go alone at this point in time, so we’ll work together so we’ve got a viable competition, and this may be in the short-term and we split at some point and go at it alone.

“But, it’s taking off, just like girls’ footy, so it’s great.”

DDCA vice-president Steven Richards said it was the right decision to make to help grow female cricket further in its competition, with both associations in similar positions in terms of female participation and teams.

“Emma Gallagher, our regional manager, hinted that they were in the same boat and some discussions should happen,” he said. “(And) it makes sense to do the merger if we went alone, we would have had three teams, and that’s just not beneficial.

“So six teams makes sense, we play against different strength sides, and they have some strong sides entered.”

With the fixture expected to be released shortly, with confirmation of teams and venues still being worked through, Richards said

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS everything was all but sorted in terms of season structure.

“We’re looking at around a nine to ten week season, and having a final four after the home and away season, that seems to be the best thing, but we want to try and be as flexible as possible” he said.

“We’re also looking at having a couple of people from each association getting involved in the competition sub-committee, and we’re looking to get more female involvement at committee level.

Thursday, 3 December, 2020

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