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Thursday, 7 January, 2021

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2020 - THE YEAR THAT WAS A special look back at one of the most difficult years on record

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Covid heroes By Danielle Kutchel When we turned the page on the calendar at the start of January 2020, full of hope and optimism about this new decade, few of us, if any, had an inkling of what was to come. What followed was a year of turmoil, a dramatic upheaval of our lives’ routines, as Covid-19 spread rapidly throughout the world. While Australia has largely avoided the tragedy seen in other parts of the globe, we still dealt with our own struggles over two waves of the deadly disease - and our frontline workers rose to the challenge. Risking their own health, frontline workers in hospitals, clinics, testing stations, aged care homes and elsewhere showed us what they’re made of. From nurses and doctors to caterers and cleaners, maintenance staff and pastoral care workers, the myriad of health care workers are Star News’ People of the Year for 2020. Of course, frontline workers also include the supermarket staff, police, paramedics and teachers who bore the brunt of the public’s frustration (and strange obsession with toilet roll) as we ‘pivoted’ in our new world - and they deserve our respect and recognition for their efforts, too. In Berwick’s hospital precinct, preparations for Covid-19 got underway early in the year as the situation quickly ramped up. Reporter Danielle Kutchel caught up with St John of God nurses Karen Ward and Janet

2020 PEOPLE OF THE YEAR McAllister and Sally Webster from Casey Hospital to find out what really went on behind the hospital walls. They’re refreshingly honest and have somehow found the positives - from the uptake of Telehealth, to the ongoing community support for their work - in what was no doubt one of the most challenging years of their careers. We salute them for their service during an extraordinary time as Star News’ People of the Year for 2020. Turn to pages two and three for an inside look behind the Covid frontline Janet McAllister, nurse at St John of God Berwick Hospital, one of the many local frontline workers who were vital during the pandemic. 224455 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS 12476975-LB02-21

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2020 - THE YEAR THAT WAS …

NEWSMAKERS

Inside the Covid fight By Danielle Kutchel

Sally Webster from Casey Hospital played an important role in community Covid screening during Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS the pandemic. 224627

Last January, it seemed the whole world waited with bated breath as news of a new virus outbreak in Wuhan, China, reached our shores. The first case in Australia was identified on 25 January, 2020. And although no one could have predicted what was to come, behind the scenes, our frontline health care workers were quietly preparing. It wasn’t just in-hospital wards that had to get ready. Hospitals are complex, with multiple units to deal with the health challenges of the public. At Monash Health Casey Hospital, Sally Webster was grappling with the challenge of delivering care to people outside of a ward in the middle of a pandemic. She’s the nurse unit manager of Hospital in the Home, which delivers hospital care to admitted patients in their own home. Stringent infection control procedures are, of course, always in place - but when it’s an environment you have no control over, concerns can arise. “Safety was paramount,” she says, for both her staff and the patient. Risk screening of patients was in place before staff went to visit, so that precautions could be put in place if needed. With the niggling worry of carrying the virus home everpresent, Sally and other managers ensured staff were supported emotionally and that they knew they would go home safely each day. Across town Janet McAllister, nurse unit manager at St John of God’s Langmore Centre Shepton Aged Care Unit, recalls working in intensive care as the first Covid cases arrived,

and realising how little clinical knowledge there was around this new pathogen. “I don’t think at that time we realised how virulent it was and how quickly it spread,” she says. “We knew it was aerosol generated, that you need distance and masks, good hand hygiene and cough etiquette.” She and her colleague Karen Ward, nurse unit manager for aged care in St John of God Berwick Hospital’s Covid-19 ward agree that they had never seen anything like Covid-19 in all their decades of nursing. Nevertheless, plans began for what would eventuate: a pandemic that would infect thousands across Victoria. It was expected to hit hard, as it did overseas. For Karen and Janet, working in the private sector, they knew that the public sector - in Berwick, Casey Hospital - would take on the bulk of the Covid-related work - but St John of God staff still needed to stand ready for anything. Karen says the plan initially was for some of the private hospitals to be kept “clean” - that is, Covid-free - to provide vital backup for daily medical care and surgery in the event that patients needed to be transferred out of the public system to make way for infected patients. Or, as Janet explains, “making sure you kept the health system going”. There were simulations and mock practises of patient transfers. Nurses from across the hospital were quickly upskilled with basic intensive care skills, in case they were needed should the worst happen. “We expected ICUs to be really full,” Karen says.

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Thursday, 7 January, 2021

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2020 - THE YEAR THAT WAS … “All the planning right from the beginning was around ICU - working out what areas we could expand if we needed more beds.” Thankfully, she adds, the first wave was relatively mild and hospitals didn’t fill as expected. Then the second wave arrived. “It was clear pretty soon that in this second wave, the ones who’d been hit were some of the most vulnerable in the community, and that was aged care,” Janet remembers. “I don’t think any of us expected it to be hit that hard. It took a huge toll.” Karen agrees: “it happened so quickly, we thought we were getting better”. This was where their unit came to the fore. One morning, Karen was pulled from a meeting and told the news: nursing home residents were en route, some of them positive, and the ward needed to be prepared immediately. The hospital swung into what Karen describes as “organised chaos”. Porters, allied health assistants and physios arrived on the floor and began moving patients, who were allocated to any available bed in the hospital. The maintenance team rushed to put up new shelving, doors and plastic tarp. Rooms were converted into changing areas for nurses. An executive assistant bought shower gel, shampoo and conditioner so Covid ward nurses could shower on site before going home. Any surplus equipment was moved to a different part of the hospital, to be brought back if required. Pastoral care staff hit the phones to alert family members of where their loved ones were. And, as the last patient left the floor, the first nursing home resident was coming up the lift to be admitted. “It was very close,” Karen recalls. “When they came, we had no idea who was positive and who was negative.” Of the residents who arrived, 24 were positive and six negative. Those six remained negative for the duration of their stay at St John, and no staff caught Covid from the patients. But looking after patients with dementia, with Alzheimer’s, with little understanding of English, presented challenges. Residents had to be bathed everyday instead of showered, with showering considered an aerosol transmission risk. They were confused about the nurses looking after them, who were necessarily covered in head-to-toe PPE, and about why they needed to be swabbed. “When you can’t explain or comfort them properly because they can’t see your face, don’t understand, or can’t speak English, it felt like you were violating people,” Karen says. “It was heartbreaking.” Staff worked 12, 14 and 16 hour shifts in those first few days, with ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’ sections of the hospital kept entirely separate and different teams assigned to tasks like paperwork and running errands and messages. For the floor staff, it was some of the most challenging work they’d ever done. Wearing full PPE constantly was uncomfortable, but as Karen says, “you just did it”. Some of her staff were concerned about the infection risk and the possibility of bringing

Covid home to their families. But Janet says their training and preparation - their knowledge of infection control, of donning and doffing - stood them in good stead. “A part of both our roles was helping staff with that, reassuring them ... that if you follow the procedures and practises ... your chances are minimised,” she says. Karen agrees: “We’re exposed to infections all the time and we don’t take them home, so if you’re doing the right thing, following the training, it will keep you as safe as possible.” Meanwhile, Sally was out in the community working at Covid screening clinics. She started at Pakenham Health Care Centre, seeing around 150 people a day until that number climbed rapidly with an outbreak of Covid in the town. From April to September, her role revolved around educating staff, making sure IT processes were followed and documentation was done correctly, and patients received their Covid results quickly. In July as the second wave gathered momentum, she moved to IYU Reserve in Pakenham and began working with the ADF to run the testing station there, at some points seeing over 1000 patients a day. It was a gloomy time for many of us, but despite the ever-present risk of a virulent virus, Sally says Covid has had its positive moments. Working with health workers from different departments and from the ADF was a highlight, she says, and the widespread take-up of Telehealth has been beneficial for timely patient care. And of course, there’s the kindness that was evident in the community throughout the pandemic. “You saw people going through some really stressful and quite frightening times in some instances, and people were really kind and respectful to each other,” she says. “I’m really proud of our community.” It’s a sentiment that’s echoed by Karen and Janet at St John of God. Nurses from across the St John of God Victorian network put up their hands to help out as Melbourne struggled through its high numbers of cases, and businesses and individuals alike donated care packs to patients at the hospital, and food to the nurses. We’ve come out the other side now thanks to that team effort, they say - from environmental staff, caterers, maintenance and infection control teams in the hospitals, to cleaners, paramedics, teachers, family members and, of course, the doctors and nurses. While recent weeks have seen community transmission return to Victoria, the nurses say that if we persevere together, the virus risk will be minimised and we will see it run its course. Thankyou cards now line the walls of the tearoom at what was the Covid ward at St John of God Berwick Hospital - but Karen and Janet laugh at suggestions that they are ‘legends’. “You don’t expect to be in a pandemic, but you do it because it’s your job, what you’re trained to do, and you know that you’re there to help,” Karen says. “It was an experience. Hopefully I don’t ever have to do it again, but I’m glad I did it. You come into nursing for a reason.”

NEWSMAKERS

Public hospitals were expected to take on the bulk of the Covid work. 224627

Thank you cards line the walls at St John of God Berwick Hospital. 224455

Janet and Karen from St John of God Hospital are proud of the work they’’ve done. 224455

Cluster in church: Pastor’s sad journey through Covid By Brendan Rees A Berwick pastor was fighting the coronavirus in hospital in May following a trip to South Africa in March - which also led to the death of a family member who contracted the virus. Pastor Michael Rojales was in a coma for two weeks upon his return to Australia after travelling to Cape Town for a study tour with four other pastors from the Berwick Church of Christ, according to a source from the church. “His kidney basically closed down and at one stage he only had two per cent,” the source said, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “(He’s) still in corona wards - he hasn’t been let out to go to rehab yet.” The source also revealed Pastor Michael’s cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

mother-in-law died after contracting Covid-19 while his mother was also infected but had since recovered after being admitted to hospital. “The funeral was happening while he was still in a coma so I believe, which is pretty tough, and he’s got an 18-year-old-daughter,” the source said. The wife of Pastor Mat Daniels, who was “least affected” by Covid-19, also contracted the virus. Asked whether other members of the church had contracted Covid-19, the source said: “Not that I’m aware of.” Of the five pastors who travelled to Cape Town, four are back working at the church two of whom were infected with the virus, the source said. It comes as Pastor Braam Botha spoke of

his “desperate physical state” after being diagnosed with Covid-19 following the trip to Cape Town with the group of pastors. Speaking in a video streamed to the Berwick Church of Christ Facebook page, Pastor Braam revealed Pastor Michael “was doing it tough” on their return flight home. Information about the virus at this stage, he said, had been “still a bit sleepy” following their trip from 8-19 March. “At that stage we could really see Michael was doing it tough and we are still trusting in god for Michael’s miracle,” Pastor Braam said, adding “thank god he has been healing up and it’s going better with him”. “Then I had some symptoms that wasn’t the typical symptoms,” Pastor Braam said. “I had the headaches which was quite severe. I could feel that something in my chest

wasn’t right, but there was no cough, there was no phlegm produced, it was just the headaches and the fever that was intense. “I suspect on our way back on the second leg of the flight we were exposed to the coronavirus in the airplane. “A few days after coming back we started to present some symptoms that was relating to the coronavirus.” Upon returning to Australia, Pastor Braam said he had three visits to hospital but due to his lack of symptoms at the time, medical staff suspected his condition was “something else”. On his third trip to hospital, he said staff took some x-rays and diagnosed him with “a typical pneumonia with 50 per cent of my one lung left functioning normally and 25 per cent of the other lung.” Thursday, 7 January, 2021

STAR NEWS 3

2020 - THE YEAR THAT WAS...

NEWSMAKERS

Teen’s brave fire rescue A Cranbourne teenager was hailed an unsung hero after running into a smoking house to rescue a mother and her two young children. Tenaia Salesulu, 16, was at a park on Bellarine Drive, Cranbourne with her five-year-old cousin Aysher on Monday morning, 12 October, when she heard a smoke alarm going off at a nearby house. As smoke began to billow from the property, Tenaia heroically ran into the house, despite not knowing who or what was inside. “Nothing really was going through my mind at the time. I just knew they were in need of help,” she told Star News. “I couldn’t see much but it was really smoky. It was filling up with smoke quickly.” The teenager brought a baby and a child to safety outside before running back to rescue a woman, presumed to be the young children’s mother. “I could tell the mum was scared,” she recalled. After bringing the trio to safety, Tenaia returned to Aysher who watched on from the park. “I don’t really feel anything, I’m just happy that the family is safe and that I was there to help out,” she said. Tenaia’s noble action went relatively unnoticed, as she had left the house before emergency services arrived on scene. Tenaia’s proud mother Michelle Salesulu said she couldn’t believe what had happened

Members of the Bomb Squad at the Clyde property.

Homemade bomb arrest

The scene of the drama in Bellarine Drive, Cranbourne. when she received a call from her daughter. “I’m extremely proud. I couldn’t actually believe that she was so fearless to make that split decision. I think she was running on pure instinct to be able to do that,” Ms Salesulu said.

A 32-year-old man was remanded in custody after the Bomb Squad was called to a property in Clyde during a late-night raid in October. Owen Butler was charged by police with six offences including manufacturing a bomb. According to a Victoria Police spokesperson, an explosive device was allegedly found by officers who were executing a search warrant at a house on Kosciuszko Circuit, off Berwick-Cranbourne Road, at about 7pm on Tuesday 27 October. The Bomb Response Unit was called in to respond to the “suspected improvised explosive device”, which was later understood to have been detonated in a nearby secluded area at Casey Fields. Narre Warren SES crew leader Andrew Gill said volunteers were tasked with forming a makeshift sandbag bunker for the bomb.

“After setting up around 30 sandbags it was then just a matter of waiting for the bomb squad to arrive with the blast chamber,” he explained. Police say they were carrying out the search warrant as part of an “ongoing investigation”. According to court documents obtained by Star News, just days prior to his arrest, Mr Butler allegedly broke into a land sales office at Kaduna Park in Officer South on 25 October. It’s alleged he stole a grey two and a half seater couch and cushions which belonged to development giant Parklea. Mr Butler has since been charged with six offences including manufacturing an unauthorised explosive device, burglary, theft and handling stolen goods. Mr Butler was remanded in custody and is set to appear again on 3 February.

EVERY TEST HELPS US KEEP DOING THE THINGS WE LOVE Every test keeps us on top of this virus. And keeps us doing the things we love. So even if your symptoms are mild, or you’ve been tested before, every test helps.

For testing locations visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

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Thursday, 7 January, 2021

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2020 - THE YEAR THAT WAS …

Morgan Koegel of 3000 Acres, left, joined Endeavour Hills Neighbourhood Centre manager Trudy Buchanan at the launch of the community garden. 204328

Cranbourne Primary School preppies Ivy, Thapelo, and Zion embraced their first day of school. 203860

IN PICTURES

Aveo Botanic Gardens residents were proud of their contribution to firerecovery efforts. 203940

Nevillene Harrower celebrated her 100th birthday. 204505

Uber driver Mohamed Ashik said he was lucky to be alive after he had a knife and gun pointed at him while on a shift in January. 203507

Corinne Larkin, Yvonne Bannon, Ann Laws, Taneesha Ireland, Sue Cooper and Nancy Leonard of the CWA Casey Dinner Branch at the Berwick Show. 2204762

Brooklyn Davis of Cranbourne enjoyed the day’s entertainment at Devon Meadows Cricket Club’’s annual family event in January. 203117

Greg Matthews created some beautiful Aboriginal art to sell at the Berwick market. 204281

Life members from left, Barry Fisher, Doung Fisher, Joan Fotthergil, Shirley Moon, Albert Bertonello, Reg Roswell celebrated Berwick Bowling Club’s 90th anniversary. 205221

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Thursday, 7 January, 2021

STAR NEWS 5

2020 - THE YEAR THAT WAS...

NEWSMAKERS

Queen’s honour for stalwart Clarkson Volunteer Joy with donated food.

New food bank opens With demand for food relief skyrocketting in 2020, We Care Community Services opened a new food bank in Lynbrook. We Care project coordinator Jenner Ramasima said the organisation was responding to gaps in community support in the Cranbourne area with the opening of the new food bank. “We’ve noticed there is an enormous needwith international students and visa holders who are unable to access federal funding at the moment, and we felt that branching out to Lynbrook would help the community out there,” she explained. Ms Ramasima indicated that demand was expected to be high, given that the Dandenong food bank has seen demand for its services triple during the pandemic. We Care is working closely with Foodbank and the City of Casey to remain stocked with pantry essentials, including flour, sugar, baked beans, rice and pasta. We Care’s Lynbrook food bank is located at factory 11/2-8 Northey Road, Lynbrook.

Pakenham Berwick Cranbourne Drouin

Cranbourne business identity Judy Clarkson, 80, was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Mrs Clarkson received the honour for her significant service to business through child and aged care projects, and to the community. When told of the honour, Mrs Clarkson said: “I didn’t know anything about it until two months ago” after being informed of her nomination. “I thought ‘Oh my god’. I said: ‘Oh I don’t even deserve it’ ... it’s very exciting.” Her popular Cranbourne Day Care and Kindergarten Centre business of which she is the founder and company director began from humble beginnings. In 1967 she and her husband moved to a house in Cranbourne Drive where they ran their first childcare centre - initially with just four children so their daughter had a “playmate” while her older brother started school. As the numbers quickly grew, Mrs Clarkson said: “We got a little flat down the road and lived there with three kids for two years and then we built our own home.” The original house on Cranbourne Drive is still owned by Mrs Clarkson and remains as the Cranbourne Day Care and Kindergarten Centre - which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. The Clarkson’s expanded their childcare

Judy Clarkson was awarded an OAM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. business which now includes six centres in Casey - with another in Clyde due to open in September. All up the centres service some 900 families across Casey. They also went on to develop Blue Hills Rise

and Blue Hills residences as well as the Shopping on Clyde centre Mrs Clarkson shows no signs of slowing down: “I love people and I love children and I want the very best for them.”

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John Follett, pictured in 2017, on the farm that has been sold to Stockland.

Off the land: Last farm sold for growth

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Visit networkclassifieds.com.au Email sales@networkclassifieds.com.au Phone 5945 0600 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

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Thursday, 7 January, 2021

The City of Casey lost one of its last pockets of farmland with the sale of a 131 hectare land parcel in Clyde to Stockland. The $180 million sale was announced on Tuesday 3 November. The land, off Ballarto and Pattersons Roads, will “restock [the] residential pipeline” according to the property developing giant. The site is close to Stockland’s Edgebrook housing project and is within the approved Cardinia Creek South Precinct Structure Plan.

Owner John Follett said it was an emotional day for his family, which had farmed the parcel of land for nearly 60 years, running cattle and calves. His reasons for selling were varied, he said. “It’s in the urban growth corridor, it’s the last parcel of land, and there have been a number of years where we were in a position where we with council rates and so forth, which are astronomical, where we couldn’t make the rates let alone anything else on the

farm,” Mr Follett said. Mr Follett said he planned to continue farming - but somewhere further out in the country. “We’ll find somewhere else for cattle and so forth - well and truly further out than the City of Casey!” he said. Subject to finalisation of the acquisition and planning approvals, Stockland expects pre-sales to commence in March 2021 with civil works planned to commence in mid2021. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

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STAR NEWS 7

2020 - THE YEAR THAT WAS...

The year in front pages...

FOCUS ON … JOIN YOUR LOCAL CLUB

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Rockn’ Suzies dance classes are now in their 18th year teaching at Pakenham and Cranbourne. Pakenham classes are held in the library complex on the corner of John and Henry streets. The Cranbourne class is held at the Senior Citizens Hall on the corner of Codrington Street and the South Gippsland Highway Both nights offer beginner and advanced rock ‘n’ roll classes open to all with no partner required. The program also includes a special class at the end of the night for partners only to learn some of the different styles associated with rock ‘n’ roll including swing, west

coast, jive, triples, line and partner dances and cha cha. The classes are designed to be fun and easy to follow for those aged 10 upwards. Dancing is great for fitness, co-ordination, balance and memory, with many people forming great friendships through the classes. Rockn’ Suzies also runs a monthly charity dance at the Pakenham Hall which has been running for 14 years. A different band plays each month. Everyone in the community is welcome and encouraged to attend. For information call Sue on 5940 9791 or 0400 216 670.

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Thursday, 7 January, 2021

Join the Cathy-Lea Community in 2021 Since 1991, Cathy-Lea has been training students in performing arts including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary Dance, Hip Hop, Drama, Singing, Musical Theatre and Instrumental Music. Many have gone onto careers on the stage in Australia and abroad and thousands have gained confidence, co-ordination, fitness, friendships and a love of performing arts from their experience at Cathy-Lea. Renowned for its high standards, disciplined classes, and friendly, expert staff, Cathy-Lea encourages students of all abilities to shine, training through recognised syllabi and affiliated with professional associations including Cecchetti International Ballet, The Australian Teachers of Dancing, AMEB and Trinity Guildhall. For our pre-schoolers we offer the highly awarded “Ready Set Dance” and “Ready Set Ballet” programs as featured on television on Nick Jnr. These classes are for boys and girls aged 2-5 and teach confidence, co-ordination and creativity in classes that are jam-packed with engaging music, bright props and some great routines! Cathy-Lea graduates have studied at the Australian Ballet School, the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, Patrick Studios Australia, Melbourne City Ballet Company, Ministry of Dance, Kelly Aykers Studios and Dance Spectrum, as well as performing professionally in Australia and overseas. Four CathyLea students have been offered places in full time dance courses in 2020 with two gaining scholarships to the renowned Brent Street Studios in Sydney. The Elite Training Program at Cathy-Lea features tuition by professional performing artists, highly qualified coaches and master teachers from around the world. Over a hundred young dancers and performers engage in this program each year experiencing the high-

With over 100 classes per week on offer in Dance, Music and Drama Cathy-Lea is sure to have a class that meets your needs. 224685 est standards of conditioning, technique and performance training, producing outstanding dancers who are well-equipped to pursue careers in dance and performance. Recreational classes are offered in all styles including Hip Hop, Contemporary Dance, Drama, Singing, Musical Theatre, Acrobatics, Commercial Jazz and Broadway Jazz for those seeking confidence, fun and fitness. Students of all ages and abilities are welcome and special discounted fee packages are available for students taking multiple classes! Students of all abilities have the opportunity to perform in concerts and soirees with exams and eisteddfod work optional. With over 100 classes per week on offer in Dance, Music and Drama Cathy-Lea is sure to have a class that meets your needs. Please contact Cathy on cathy-lea@cathy-lea.com or 9704-7324 or visit the website www.cathy-lea. com to find out more. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

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Thursday, 7 January, 2021

STAR NEWS 9

2020 - THE YEAR THAT WAS...

Our face of Covid By Mitchell Clarke A Berwick man who almost lost his life to Covid-19 became the face of a statewide campaign to warn Victorians about the deadly virus. Michael Rojales, 46, spent 72 days in hospital fighting coronavirus after first contracting it on the plane trip back from South Africa. Mr Rojales arrived home on 19 March and tested positive four days later. Within two days, his condition worsened and he presented to hospital. By 29 March, he had been placed into an induced coma. His inspiring story caught the attention of Premier Daniel Andrews, who shared his journey as part of the ‘Staying Apart Keeps Us Together’ campaign. “I had a temperature and a mild cough and I thought I’d just go to the fever clinic to make sure I didn’t have corona ... I thought it was unlikely but I wanted peace of mind,” Mr Rojales told Star News. He got tested at the Gibb Street facility and was advised the following day that he did, in fact, have the virus. “I couldn’t believe what I heard. How could I possibly have corona?” Mr Rojales isolated at one end of the house, away from his wife, daughter and mother in law, but as his symptoms progressively worsened, he was taken to hospital. “I just had this non-stop cough which I’ve described as like drowning. It’s almost like when you’re underwater and you’re struggling for air. You basically can’t breathe and when you get out of the water, you gasp for air but you fall in again,” he said. “It was a horrible cough and it went on for one to two minutes before I could get air, but somehow breathing tickled my throat and I started coughing again. That was just happening over and over - it was a vicious cycle.” Mr Rojales was taken to Casey Hospital before being transferred to Monash Clayton. At this point, the virus was still fairly new in Australia. “There were a lot of things still unknown. Doctors said to me ‘for now, the best treatment is to put you into an induced coma’,” he said. “I didn’t really know what that meant and I wasn’t sure how long I’d be in that state, so I was just hoping for the best.” For the next two weeks, Mr Rojales remained in an induced coma. He had stopped breathing on his own, which meant the ventilator was working at 100 percent. Doctors thought he had 24 hours to live. “I had no idea what was happening, I was in dreamland and didn’t know the seriousness of

Rachel and Michael Rojales. 212041 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS what was going on,” he said. He eventually woke on Easter Sunday to one of the nurses saying: “Hey Michael, your wife and many people are praying for you”. He didn’t fully understand why. “Two weeks after I woke up, my wife told me exactly what happened. She said I almost died and the doctors told her to prepare for the worst and prepare to say goodbye to me,” he recalled. While Mr Rojales fought for life, wife Rachel, was dealing with an unimaginable situation. She had also contracted the virus, as did her mother, Gely Constanilla, who tragically passed away on 6 April, after being admitted to hospital on 31 March. “I was in the midst of my induced coma when she passed away,” Mr Rojales explained. “On the day she died, the nurse called my wife. My mother-in-law was feeling a bit distressed, so my wife spoke to her as the nurse held her hand. “My wife said: ‘Mama, I love you, be strong. Let me pray for you’. As soon as she said that, my mother-in-law peacefully passed away. “One of the things that is very hard with corona, when people die, they don’t have their loved ones around them.” Mr Rojales own doctors were getting prepared to tell Mrs Rojales that she’d lose her husband too, but called The Alfred hospital in search of a last minute solution. “They said ‘we’ve done everything we can, but nothing’s changed’,” Mr Rojales recalled. “The Alfred doctors suggested to lie me on

my stomach, which sounds simple and also very weird, but amazingly I started to breathe again at 50 percent, straight away. “As the days went by, I just got better and better. We’re people of faith, so I can only attribute breathing again to the prayers of my church.” Throughout his hospital stint, Mr Rojales developed pneumonia, anaemia, acute kidney failure and nerve damage. After 72 days, he was finally deemed well enough to be discharged from hospital on 5 June. “It was great to be home and in a different environment. I felt like furniture in the hospital,” he laughed. “I’m still very immobile. I’m not able to walk or stand for long periods and my left leg is not weight bearing, but it was just great to be back with my family again.” Having Mr Rojales home was the best possible outcome for 19-year-old daughter Megan, who witnessed the virus affect the people closest to her. “For my daughter to see everyone she loved taken to hospital and not knowing whether they’d come back or not, that broke my heart,” he said. Mr Rojales said the power of faith has allowed his family get through their darkest days. “My faith in God has become even stronger. He’s given me a second chance at life and I don’t want to waste it. I want to help people as much as I can,” he said. Prior to his hospital stay, Mr Rojales had never seen the inside of a ward. He was a healthy person and didn’t fall into a high risk category. By sharing his story far and wide, he hoped to bring much needed awareness to the deadly virus, which continues to wreak havoc across the globe. He said he “didn’t know how to feel” about being the face of the State Government’s campaign - which ran across social media and television - but said people needed to understand the seriousness of the situation. “I do know I have a story to tell and I just want to help our community and our fellow Victorians be caring and careful through this interesting period of history,” he said. “We know that this virus is real but there are people out there that think this is just a cold, but different people are impacted in different ways by the virus. Some only get mild symptoms but some die. “We don’t want anyone else to go through what we’ve been through.”

Mum’s heartbreak: Legal threat after loss By Brendan Rees A young pregnant woman who lost her unborn child claimed she was “purely neglected” by Casey Hospital after being turned away five times. Kristy Watson of Blind Bight said she experienced “textbook” symptoms for pre-eclampsia when she was six months pregnant in June 2018. However, the single mum at the time said the condition went undiagnosed and was sent home with Panadeine Forte and told to “come in if it was worsening”. The then 19-year-old said she started experiencing symptoms of swelling in her face, feet and hands, blurry vision and bad headaches. For the next three weeks Ms Watson attended the hospital a further four times with her symptoms worsening, including protein in her urine and high blood pressure before her unborn son Kaycen died in her womb at 33 weeks. Ms Watson, in July, launched legal action against Monash Health. “It wasn’t just one mistake made,” she said. “I had my whole family telling me to go back, go to different hospitals but I trusted the hospital in what they were saying. “Obviously no money is going to put a price on my child but I’m hoping this will be the clo10 STAR NEWS

Thursday, 7 January, 2021

Kristy Watson, lost her baby, Kaycen, at seven months pregnant from what she claimed was hospital negligence. 210614 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS sure of my journey.” At one stage she said she was turned away because her doctor was in “a meeting”. “I just wished they had listened more.

“My mum’s first reaction was ‘she’s been in here so many times, how the hell have you not picked up on this?’” When she was eventually admitted on 27 July, Ms Watson claimed staff told her “that I was going to have him” but when they did the ultrasound “they didn’t realise he wasn’t alive anymore”. “I was just in so much pain all the time. I could barely move; I could barely get out of bed. Pregnancy towards the end was absolutely horrible for me.” Ms Watson, now 20, said for the past two years she had been trying to fall pregnant but had been experiencing “many complications”. She’s now in the process of going through IVF but admitted it’s a 50-50 chance of working. “I do believe what actually happened to me is the reason why I haven’t been able to conceive again.” In a statement at the time, Monash Health said: “We are sorry for the loss suffered by the family. “Monash Health undertook a detailed review of the circumstances surrounding this matter,” the statement read. “Monash Health has also met with and has spoken with the family. “As the matter is now the subject of legal action, we will not be providing any further comment.”

In their own words “It’s not just against the organisation - it takes away from the whole community.” - Clyde fireftighter Ian Earle said after heartless thieves made off with their fire helmet used to collect donations at a shopping centre in February. “I was shocked and annoyed there was nothing left for people that needed it especially people who live week to week or pensioners.” - Aleksandra Burska of Narre Warren South said she stood looking at empty shelves at Aldi Supermart in Hampton Park after it was cleared out of toilet paper at the beginning of coronavirus lockdown. “I did not lie.” - Former Casey mayor Sam Aziz denied that he lied under oath about the extent of his $600,000 ‘investment’ with developer John Woodman. “I just had this non-stop cough which I’ve described as like drowning. It’s almost like when you’re underwater and you’re struggling for air. You basically can’t breathe and when you get out of the water, you gasp for air but you fall in again.” - Berwick resident Michael Rojales, 46, who was diagnosed with coronavirus in July. “This week has been one of the scariest times of my life.” - Berwick mother Nikki Jane said when her six-month-old baby tested positive to coronavirus. “All of us who work in retail anywhere in metro Melbourne are suffering because of it, through no fault of their own. We’re receiving government handouts to survive.” - Berwick businessman Harry Hutchinson said while businesses were closed throughout lockdown. “This is what he wanted. He always said ‘tell the world my story to ensure it never happens again’.” - The Tattooist of Auschwitz author Heather Morris in reference to Holocaust survivor and the book’s main character Lale Sokolov. “It just didn’t cross our minds to think you would never think that it would happen to you.” - Madee Vos, a young mum of four, was devastated to find her car stolen just metres away from her doorstep in Cranbourne East. “I wanted to do something good, I didn’t want to be looked at as the bad kid that steals cars, because that wasn’t me and I didn’t do it for that reason; I had personal reasons why I did what I did. It was nice to be able to come to a place where I felt safe and not judged.” - Calliopeia came from a rough background but turned her life around when she became involved in an organisation called Hand Brake Turn. “I’m trying to do everything right that I could.” - Mungo Andrew who was living peacefully in his caravan at Casey Fields was ordered to move on by six council staff and four police officers. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

2020 - THE YEAR THAT WAS...

Marching orders issued By Cam Lucadou-Wells The State Government, backed by the Opposition, moved to sack Casey Council in February 2020 and put it under the rule of administrators until 2024. It came on the back of an ongoing IBAC investigation of serious corruption allegations involving chiefly Casey councillors Geoff Ablett and Sam Aziz and property developer John Woodman. However an explosive report by the State appointed Monitor Laurinda Gardner found more widespread “governance failures” and a bullying culture across the council. Failings included councillor conduct, disclosure of conflicts of interest and decision making. Her report recommended dismissing the council and appointing administrators beyond the 2020 election. On 18 February, the government moved a Bill of Parliament to dismiss the councillors in the hope it would pass both Houses by the end of the day. “Our intention is to see this matter resolved for the Casey community as quickly as possible,” government MP Jacinta Allen told Parliament. Opposition local government spokesman Tim Smith, in supporting the Bill, noted he would prefer a shorter administration period until March 2023. He labelled Cr Aziz as “the Christopher Skase of local government” who should immediately return to Melbourne to “face the music” at IBAC. Instead, Cr Aziz was staying in Egypt “next to a river called Denial”. Greens MP Sam Hibbens, also in support, called for reform to ban political donations from property developers. In her report, Ms Gardner found councillor bullying, intimidation and exclusion flourished due to an “embedded “avoidance culture”. She stated that amidst the IBAC Operation Sandon allegations, councillors prioritised their own reputations rather than the City of Casey. She singled out the council’s special council meeting on New Years’ Eve to establish a special planning committee out of councillors’ belief that it would help restore public confidence. The timing and the concept was of “significant concern to the community members I spoke to as an example of poor process and little regard for the community”, Ms Gardner said.

Former Casey councillors Tim Jackson, Geoff Ablett, Wayne Smith, Rex Flannery, Susan Serey, Gary Rowe, Amanda Stapledon, Damien Rosario and Picture: BRENDAN REEES Rosalie Crestani... minus Sam Aziz, after the mayoral election in late 2019. 199882 “The establishment of the Special Committee indicates a willingness to pass responsibility onto another body rather than taking up the challenge of demonstrating how they can govern well, and restore community trust and confidence.” Councillors had taken an overriding view that if either one or both councillors in the middle of the IBAC investigation were removed that “everything would be all right”, she reported. It was an “inadequate” response that showed a lack of understanding by councillors on the “poor governance practices” exposed by the IBAC allegations. Ms Gardner noted that no councillors had sought refresher training on conflict of interest and governance issues. She reported on councillor cliques based on “one or more dominant personalities”, and

read “disrespectful” and “inflammatory” email exchanges between councillors. “(The) unwillingness of councillors to call out unacceptable Councillor behaviour and hold each other to account appears to be motivated by a fear of conflict or further intimidation that has enabled inappropriate behaviour to go unchecked.” Ms Gardner also observed councillors “stumbling” in declaring conflicts of interest at council meetings, and failing to inform the gallery of the reasons for conflicts of interest. There was too much ‘en bloc’ voting by councillors with a lack of questioning and a low standard of debate contributing to meetings of less than an hour. Casey Council had suffered “serious damage” to its reputation and public confidence, Ms Gardner said.

“I do not have confidence in the ability of the Casey City Council to meet its statutory obligations under the Act for the foreseeable future, particularly in relation to its ability to ‘act in a way that secures and preserves public confidence in the office of councillor’.” Former Local Government Minister, Adem Somyurek, who was sacked in June following explosive branch stacking allegations, said the Monitor reported “clear evidence” of governance failures. “Victorians expect and deserve the highest standards of governance and integrity from their local council - the monitor’s report has found clear evidence Casey has fallen short of those standards,” Mr Somyurek said. “This a very serious measure but it’s essential that Casey residents get a council that works in their interests.”

Luck on his side: Pokies rejected after long campaign By Brendan Rees A bid to install 100 pokies machines at a proposed $36 million hotel in Clyde North was knocked back by the state’s gambling regulator. The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation rejected the proposal after concluding the application had the potential to increase the impact of problem gambling within the City of Casey. The application by Castello Daisy’s Hotel, which is to be located on the corner of Matterhorn Drive and Thompson Road, planned to be the first venue of its kind in Clyde North. The development proposed to offer a 10pin bowling complex, a bistro, a sports bar with TAB, function rooms, a beer garden, a kids’ play room, a cafe, alfresco dining terrace, a virtual entertainment and E-sports area, and a gaming lounge. The Commission said there was evidence which indicated a “negative community attitude” towards the application, with a social impact assessment undertaken by City of Casey receiving 68 opposing submissions. There are currently 13 gaming venues operating across the municipality with approvcranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

Tom Cummings of Berwick in 2017 after objecting to gambling regulator’s decision to approve extra poker machines at Zagame’s Berwick Springs Hotel 169118 als to operate more than 900 electronic gaming machines. Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello said the application’s rejection was a “big win” for the community. “People in Casey already lose $362,000 ev-

ery day on the 913 poker machines currently in the municipality,” Mr Costello said. “This application would have taken the city to well over a staggering 1000 poker machines ... in an area that is already experiencing mortgage stress, that would have been a disaster.”

Casey Council’s administrator Noelene Duff said the result was a “fantastic outcome” for Casey and a “great example of council officers and community members working together to build a safe community”. “Gambling machines can have detrimental effects on local communities and it is council’s responsibility to ensure our community’s wellbeing,” Ms Duff said. “I wish to thank and congratulate the community members who provided their feedback.” Council is still in the process of assessing the planning application for the Castello Daisy’s Hotel. It’s the second time Casey Council has successfully opposed against a licence for electronic gaming machines after opposing an application for an additional 20 poker machines at the Lynbrook Tavern in 2018. Ex-gambling addict and Berwick resident Tom Cummings, who had submitted an objection, welcomed the news. “As someone who has worked hard to overcome a gambling addiction, I couldn’t stand the thought of another venue opening up on my doorstep ... I know how many people this would have hurt,” he said. Thursday, 7 January, 2021

STAR NEWS 11

2020 - THE YEAR THAT WAS …

ute beaut summer series Celebrating Summer at Marriott Waters! Saturdays in January from 5pm to 8pm.

Mr Mammone with his three children.

Much-loved dad is taken

We’re highlighting our foodies and adding some Summer tunes too. The Ute Beaut Summer Series line-up: n n n n n

Sat, 2 Jan: Totally Elvis Music Tribute Sat, 9 Jan: 50s, 60s & 70s Rock & Roll Sat, 16 Jan: Latin Tunes Sat, 23 Jan: Songs of Aussie Legends Sat, 30 Jan: Summer Sounds

Make a booking or grab some takeaway at one of our Foodies in January. A Bite in Time 7021 1077 Burgur 8594 4377 Coffee Barn Bar & Bistro 0411 789 209 Domino’s 8768 7844 Earthy Eating Café 0450 825 524 Crust Pizza Lyndhurst 8594 4326 Marriot Waters Charcoal Chicken 0470 593 420 Marriott Waters Thai 8743 0149 Nando’s 8738 5199 Shark Bite Fish n Chippery 8738 9134 Subha Sandhya Indian Restaurant 8738 9392 Subway 8738 9140 Wok’d 9541 8887

Cnr Thompsons Rd & Marriott Blvd, Lyndhurst marriottshopping marriottwaters marriottwaterssc.com.au

The family of much-loved Cranbourne East man Michael Mammone was devastated when his body was found dumped next to Rangebank Primary School in June. His daughter Brodie remembered her dad as a “very quiet, compassionate soul”. The 47 year old’s body was found by passers-by in a carpark at the Donnelly Reserve car park on Lesdon Avenue, near Rangebank Primary School, about 7am on Friday 26 June. “The overwhelming amount of devastation our family is feeling through this traumatic event is something so hard to fathom and explain,” Brodie said. “They’ve not only taken away a man, but someone who had their whole life ahead of them, with many memories to fulfil.” Rangebank Primary School was closed on Friday 26 June as police swarmed the scene following the grisly discovery of his body. Homicide Squad detectives initially released im-

ages of Mr Mammone’s car, a silver 2008 BMW 118i sedan to the public in the hope to piece together his final moments. That car was found on Miller Court in Cranbourne about 7.30pm on Saturday 27 June and towed away for examination. Ms Mammone said she couldn’t understand why someone would want her father killed. “We love and miss our father dearly, it’s terrifying to know that the monster who did this is still out there. “The pain in not knowing his final thoughts, his suffering and his last moments is unbearable. “They’ve taken away a man who needed to be here to witness first steps, birthdays, marriages and Christmases.” Police later charged 42-year-old Christopher McEachran of Carrum Downs with Mr Mammone’s murder.

Fatal 15 seconds: Driver jailed for killing parents A Cranbourne West man whose elderly parents were killed after he took his eyes off the road for at least 15 seconds was jailed for 18 months in September. Dimin Wan, 53, pleaded guilty to two charges of dangerous driving causing death during a Victorian County Court sitting on 25 September. In her sentencing remarks, Judge Rosemary Carlin told Mr Wan: “You failed to notice any of the warning signs or indications of an impending intersection” after his Mitsubishi wagon drove into the path of a truck, killing his 86-year-old father and 85-year-old mother in the back seat on the Mornington Peninsula in May 2019. The court heard Mr Wan had taken his parents, who were visiting from China, on a day trip and were heading from Arthurs Seat to Hastings about 1.30pm. Mr Wan was travelling 80km/h to 90km/h when he took his eyes off the road to check on his father who began to groan. But Judge Carlin said Mr Wan then “failed to notice any of the warning signs or indications of an impending intersection”, which he drovethrough and collided with a truck. “You did not slow down, let alone give way,” Judge Carlin said. “You were not pay-

ing proper attention to the road ahead for at least 15 seconds.” Judge Carlin added there was “absolutely no opportunity for the truck driver to take evasive action,” after his dash-cam captured the incident at the Coolart Road and Myers Road intersection. Judge Carlin acknowledged Wan was a “devoted son” and had not intended his parents’ death, and that the “consequences of your actions haunt you every single day”, revealing he now suffered post-traumatic stress disorder. Judge Carlin took into consideration Wan’s plea of guilt, his “profound remorse”, and good character when sentencing. His driver’s licence was also cancelled and disqualified for 18 months.

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Thursday, 7 January, 2021

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2020 - THE YEAR THAT WAS...

NEWSMAKERS

Well-known trainer violently murdered Tributes flowed for greyhound racing identity Karen Leek, who was found dead in her Devmon Meadows home on Tuesday 26 May. One friend described Ms Leek on social media as a “wonderful person” and “so generous”. “Tragic news,” the post read. “Such a great loss to the greyhound fraternity. Condolences to her family. “She will be greatly missed.” The Greyhound Owners Trainers and Breeders Association said it was “deeply saddened” by the news, describing Ms Leek as a “greatly respected and successful trainer”. The association said she “provided support and guidance to many others making their way in greyhound racing.” “Karen loved her dogs, was a selfless friend and mentor to many and will be greatly missed by her many friends and colleagues.” In a statement on its website, Greyhound Racing Victoria said Ms Leek the industry had been “devastated” to learn of Ms Leek’s sudden death. “Karen was one of the most respected people in greyhound racing, recognised for her success as a breeder, rearer and trainer,” the statement read.

“Karen had an outstanding reputation as a commercial rearer, having raised many champions including Bewildering, Brokenwood, Extreme Magic, Godsend, Moreira and Nolen.” The statement also said Ms Leek was a “major contributor” to greyhound racing administration, including volunteering her time on various panels for the betterment of the sport. According to The Greyhound Recorder’s website, Ms Leek “meant so much to so many” and left “an indelible mark on the greyhound racing industry Australia wide.” “Throughout her hugely successful career, pioneering the female training ranks, Leek’s Devon Meadows property has been the breeding ground for some of the superstar’s of Australian greyhound racing, including Bewildering, Moreira and Nolen just to name a few,” The Greyhound Recorder stated. In 2010, Karen landed her first group race victory with Din’s Son in the Shepparton Cup, 12 months after finishing runner-up in the event with her prolific winning chaser. “Her desire to help and educate young aspiring participants another of her glowing attributes, always one to volunteer her time for the betterment of the sport,” the Grey-

Karen Leek. hound Recorder stated. A 25 year old Berwick woman was later charged with Ms Leek’s murder.

Under fire Afghan community leaders hit out at comments made by Victoria’s Chief Health Officer in September, after Brett Sutton pinpointed Casey’s Afghan community in a Covid-19 cluster. The community leaders said the comments were “offensive” and “inappropriate”. It came as Hallam, Clyde and Narre Warren were identified as hotspots by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). However, Victorian Chief Health Officer professor Brett Sutton came under fire after saying on Monday 14 September that the outbreaks had occurred within Casey’s Afghan community and was a “priority for engagement and a priority for testing for us”. “They do the right thing but they have some vulnerabilities in terms of where they work and how they need to work,” he said, adding he had offered to speak directly to the Afghan community. Having previously travelled to Afghanistan, he said people had a “universal motivation” to protect their families. “I know their motivation is to get on top of this as much as anyone.” On 14 September, the Hallam postcode had recorded 16 cases in the past week, and Clyde/ Clyde North/Cardinia with 18 - including nine on 14 September.

FOCUS ON … SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Family fun at the Grand Prix circuit these holidays Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is the destination for the whole family with many hours of entertainment and enjoyment on offer and over these school holidays is the ideal time to visit. Go Karts and Tandems Strap yourself into the all-new Sodi Go Karts for an exhilarating session on the 750-meter track - a replica of the world-renowned Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Push out a series of hot laps and try to set the fastest time. With 9 horsepower Honda GX 270cc engines, the French-made karts provides an ultimate karting sensation and are tested to meet the stringent Australian standards. The RT8 Evo2 single karts can reach up to 65k/mph and feature a high front blade for greater safety and a roll bar with all-round protection to avoid wheel-to-wheel contact. While the harness seatbelt and easy to use seat adjusters allow for greater comfort and custom fitting.

The 2Drive tandem karts allow the whole family to get involved as the twin seats provide children the thrill of go karting. The dual steering allows children to get involved while under the safety and supervision of an adult driver. Bookings are recommended. Grand Prix Motorcycle Collection at the Circuit The star exhibit in the History of Motorsport Display is the superb collection of 25 Grand

Prix winning motorcycles from the two famous Italian marques, Aprilia and Cagiva, with the two-wheel treasures permanently installed in the display at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Visitor Centre. In total these sleek racing machines have won 9 World Championships, 51 Grand Prix wins and 106 Podiums. Make the time these holidays to take in these magnificent pieces of racing history. Slot Cars - The Best Fun for all Ages Race your family or your mates and experience the fun on Australia’s largest four-lane GP Slot Car Track - an exact replica of the circuit. Racing Simulators Test your skills or challenge your mates to a simulated race on the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Go flat out down Gardner Straight, through ultra-fast Doohan Corner, slide through Stoner Corner, thread your way through Siberia and slip stream up the back straight. Watch out for the hairpin at the bot-

tom of Lukey Heights. Who will get the bragging rights? Champions Cafe After all the excitement, the Champions Licenced Cafe delivers with its fresh menu with plenty of choices. Fantastic coffee and delicious scones, cakes, slices, muffins, pastries, sausage rolls and pies hit the spot Our gift shop at the Visitor Centre has a wide selection of stylish apparel, merchandise and souvenirs to choose from so you can take a memento home with you. COVID-19 Operating Conditions Due to current restrictions Guided Circuit Tours and Hot Laps will not be available. Push Bike Ride Days will also not be running over the Summer. We are aiming to have these days return for the Easter School Holidays. For further information call 03 5952 9400 or visit www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au and www.phillipislandgokarts.com.au

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Thursday, 7 January, 2021

STAR NEWS 13

FOCUS ON … REAL ESTATE

IMPRESSIVE CONTEMPORARY RESIDENCE THIS impressive contemporary five bedroom residence sits perfectly on approx. 1.5 acres located in the prestigious Robinhood Estate in Drouin. With excellence on every level, the whole family will enjoy the four living areas including a formal loungeroom, media room, open plan dining and living zone plus the fully enclosed entertaining and barbecue area. The entrance hall welcomes visitors with beautiful porcelain floor tiles and high ceilings that follows through to the centre of the home; the stylish kitchen with dark Caesarstone benchtops and white glossy vinyl wrap doors and cupboards bring to life this beautiful gourmet and entertainers kitchen, high quality appliances and the convenient butlers pantry adding to the easy flowing floor plan of this hub area. The home covers approx. 68 squares under roofline and 36 squares of total living space starting with the generous size master bedroom with double walk in robes and very stylish ensuite including double shower with double shower heads, double vanity and large bathtub, there is the second spacious family bathroom, plus two separate powder rooms (three toilets in all) while the remaining four large bedrooms offer multiple built-in-robes. From the kitchen area we enter into the enormous fully enclosed north facing entertaining and barbecue area, huge in size yet offering plenty of diversity and enjoyment for many different uses for both adults and children alike. On the outside we explore the further

magnificent features of this stunning property, including established manicured gardens, shrubs and trees, several garden gazebos, an abundance and variety of fruit and nut trees, large vegetable patch and a fantastic choice of different berry varieties, all this almost all year round. Vehicle and car accommodation is truly

Additional features include ducted heating, evaporative cooling, ducted vacuuming system, low energy lights, six water tanks, 6.6KW - 22 panel solar electricity system and the list goes on and on. This stunning property offers a lifestyle of comfort, style, open space and privacy, inquire today. ●

impressive with an oversized triple car garage able to comfortably accommodate 3 cars plus extensive storage capacity, which is attached to the house with internal access into the home; double car portico at the entrance of the home, plus the 18m x 9m x 4.2m industrial size color bond shed and workshop.

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 2 John Street, DROUIN Description: 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 5 garage Price: $1,550,000 - $1,650,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Vince Di Grazia, 0433 921 581, RAY WHITE, DROUIN, 5625 1033 Newsprint HP

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CRANBOURNE EAST

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1 Josie Lane

5 Janice Terrace

4 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 2 GARAGE SPACE

2 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 2 GARAGE

0 BEDS | 0 BATHS | 0

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Build your own dream home ! A choice block in an amazing location ! Huge block at 502sqm - Be part of a new stylish and vibrant neighborhood in One Village. Located to nearby shopping centers, schools, medical facilities and a local library for your convenience.

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Brand New ! Located in One Village Estate. This brand new house that is being built - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, 2 toilets, 2 garage space. Separate living room. Kitchen with walk in pantry, overlooking open meals/family area.

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CLYDE NORTH

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11 Tiller St

232 St Germain Boulevard

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5 BEDS | 2 BATHS | DOUBLE GARAGE

4 BEDS | 2 BATHS | DOUBLE GARAGE

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Great potential in prime suburb ! Sitting on approx. 667sqm, this much loved home is ready for a new chapter. Rebuild or redevelop or just renovate to suit your family needs. Highly sought after location & easy access to CBD via trams or M1 and EastLink Freeways.

Brand New Property ! Brand new four bedroom with WIR & master with FES. Kitchen fitted with 20mm stone benchtops & 900mm appliances and a walk in pantry. Modern open living from kitchen to meals/family area. Alfresco for outdoor entertaining & double garage with convenient internal access.

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Travis Chong 0433 409 764

Harry Goh 0431 400 889

CALL OUR AGENTS TO INSPECT 14 STAR NEWS

Thursday, 7 January, 2021

Vincent

0411 363 322

Jerry

0402 741 611

Travis

0433 409 764

Josh

0423 903 985

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Thursday, 7 January, 2021

STAR NEWS 15

2020 - THE YEAR THAT WAS …

Sporting hub completed A brand new $8 million sporting hub at Casey Fields was completed in August as part of an effort to boost female facilities and further foster community sport in Casey. Stage two included a new indoor training facility as well as a strength and conditioning centre. Features include: a 40-metre-long by 20-metre-wide syntheticsurface of AFL standards two large folding glass doors (10m by 4m) that open out on to the oval large nets from floor to ceiling at either end a gymnasium and associated fitness equipment, including weight and cardio areas a foyer area and three accessible toilet areas future proofing for a mezzanine level down the track Casey Council chair of administrators Noelene Duff said the facility was the beginning of some exciting new opportunities for sportspeople across Casey, and the city itself. “The facility improvements will enable Casey to attract elite level competition that brings financial benefits to Casey, and provides opportunities for the Casey community to have a first-hand experience of elite sport in their municipality,” Ms Duff said. “This facility will also create more exciting pathways for young women in the area.”

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SPORT YEAR IN REVIEW

City of Casey CEO Glenn Patterson and Melbourne City FC chief executive Brad Rowse at Casey Fields on Wednesday morning.

Pictures: ROB CAREW

Big league: A dream win By Cam Lucadou-Wells The South-East’s A-League dream was revived in December, with Melbourne City set to relocate its A-League, W-League and Academy teams to an elite training facility at Casey Fields. In what’s been labelled a “game-changer” for the region, Melbourne City’s relocation from Bundoora will be sealed by a signed Heads of Agreement with the cities of Casey and Greater Dandenong. From 2 January, the club’s W-League side will play the first of four home games for 2020‘21 at Dandenong City Soccer Club. A W-League derby clash with Melbourne Victory is set for 28 January. The news comes two years after Team 11’s A-League and W-League license bid was rejected by Football Federation Australia. Greater Dandenong mayor Angela Long says it reignites the push for a stadium in Dandenong’s CBD. “The Dandenong Sports and Events Centre was an important part of (the Team 11) bid and today’s announcement marks a step forward in bringing that idea to life.” The City move was “incredible reward” for four years of hard work by people in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia Shire, Cr Long said. “In Melbourne City FC we have found an established and well-loved partner with the same long-term and sustainable approach to development, a deep-rooted passion for community and a global network through its owners City Football Group. “To be able to welcome Melbourne City’s extraordinary W-League team within a matter of weeks makes today’s announcement all the more exciting and will serve as a huge inspiration to young girls across Greater Dandenong and the region.” Melbourne City’s training base is already cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

City of Casey CEO Glenn Patterson and Melbourne City FC chief executive Brad Rowse on the eve of an exciting new era for the A-League club in the south east. part-built at the 84-hectare Casey Fields precinct in Cranbourne East. It features four full-size floodlit pitches, clubrooms and offices that will be home to the Etihad City Football Academy as well as the club’s schools and community work.

An elite training tablet pitch and a twostorey elite performance and HQ building are expected by early 2022. There is space for a future 4000-capacity mini stadium as part of Stage Three. Melbourne City’s charitable arm City in the

Community will also be based at Casey Fields. The precinct is already home to Melbourne Demons’ AFL, AFLW and VFL teams, the Casey-South Melbourne Premier Cricket Club and grassroots sports clubs. City of Casey chief executive Glenn Patterson said the move was a “game changer” for the region. “Melbourne City is a club that shares our community-first ethos and will be a wonderful addition to our growing and diverse region,” he said. “Thanks to Melbourne City, we will be able to co-develop world class facilities that the community will also be able to enjoy. “But just as importantly, we will be introducing amazing male and female role models into our community, who will not only inspire a new generation of potential Matildas and Socceroos stars but who will also encourage our residents to be active and lead healthy and happy lives.” Mr Patterson said welcoming 250 players and more than 100 staff would have “wideranging economic and social benefits” as well creating much-needed construction jobs. Greater Dandenong councillor Jim Memeti has lobbied for a south-east based national league team since raising the issue in the Journal News in early 2016. He urged South East Melbourne to get behind Melbourne City with “equal enthusiasm”. “We must take this moment to thank everyone who supported the Team 11 bid - our board, our investors, local members of parliament, ambassadors, council staff and all of the grassroots football players and volunteers,” Cr Memeti said. “We are now looking forward to watching Melbourne City’s men’s, women’s and junior teams represent us all with pride for many years to come.” Thursday, 7 January, 2021

STAR NEWS 17

SPORT YEAR IN REVIEW

Future Score claimed the $400,000 TAB Cranbourne Cup in impressive style with Fred Kersley piloting him home.

Picture: RACING PHOTOS

Sport has its triumphs By Nick Creely and Lance Jenkinson 2020 has been a year of challenges in Melbourne, Victoria and the entire country but from a community sport perspective, there is still plenty of local achievements that are not only worth celebrating, but give added optimism that 2021 will be something to look forward to. One of the major stories of 2020, coming in the back-end of the year was the announcement that A-League club Melbourne City would be relocating to an elite training facility at Casey Fields - something expected to bolster the football-loving region and open even greater pathways for boys and girls to pursue their dreams of playing professional soccer. After persistent rumours, the club announced in December that it would be moving its administration and training facilities to the south east region after years of Team 11’s presence in the area, and City CEO Brad Rowse said it was a win-win for all involved. “One of the things we’ve found, is that a lot of our members reside in the area - we also at the time, when Team 11 were submitting their bid for the region, knew it was a powerhouse of an opportunity for a club to be based there,” he said on the morning of the announcement. “If you look at the facts, there is 1.6 million people living there, and I think 1.9 million when you factor in Gippsland. “It’s been one of the fastest growing areas in the country for the last 10 years, its multicultural, residents from 160-odd nationalities, and there are 115 grassroots clubs. “The biggest one for us, its probably rare in Victoria, is that football is the number one code - there’s only one professional sporting club in that entire region, compared to in and around Melbourne where there is a proliferation of sporting teams. “So its very attractive to be the sole club representing the south east.” Another major story was Future Score, who lived up to the name as one to watch for future races, with the $18 outsider storming home to claim the 2020 running of the now $400,000 18 STAR NEWS

Thursday, 7 January, 2021

“

It’s absolutely fantastic - he’s such a lovely horse. He’s only small, but he’s a real tryer and he seems to get better and better with each prep.” Trainer Matt Cumani after Future Score won the Cranbourne Cup.

Cranbourne Cup in sensational scenes in October. The Matt Cumani-trained horse stormed home from Odeon and Dr Drill rounding out the places. “It’s absolutely fantastic - he’s such a lovely horse. He’s only small, but he’s a real tryer and he seems to get better and better with each prep,” Cumani said. “I thought when he was 20-1 to one it was a bit wide of the mark - 15 was a bit more where I thought - but I was quietly hopeful he’d at least run a place. “But to win that well - it was an impressive performance from the horse, and a beautiful ride. He just did it so well that it bodes well for the future.” There was plenty of local recognition in 2020 at the Victorian Sports Awards, with both the Victorian Sikh Games and the City of Casey taking out prestigious honours. The Victorian Sikh Games took out the Community Sporting Event of the Year for its outstanding event at Casey Fields in 2019, toppling a large group of very strong finalists. The City of Casey also took out the Local Government Initiative of the Year with its work in transforming Casey Stadium into a world class multi-sport stadium, equipped with new gymnastics, indoor cricket, indoor soccer and wheelchair sports programs. Parliamentary secretary for sport, Danielle Green, said it was incredible to see so many boys and girls take part in sport across the state, and to be honoured for their achievements. “We’re seeing growing numbers of girls and boys, women and men signing up to play sport at local clubs. Home-grown heroes play a big

part in inspiring that growth,” she said. “Congratulations to all the achievers recognised in the Victorian Sport Awards. The hard work and dedication of athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and volunteers at all levels of sport is truly outstanding.” Adrian Little was another to shine in his field, with the Berwick local shining in the 262-kilometre Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic on 15 February - one of the most iconic sporting events in Victoria and the second oldest one day cycling event in the world winning the A Grade event with an impressive time of 6:25:48, and with a phenomenal average speed of 40.8 kilometres per hour. “I wanted to just do my best, and I was lucky enough to come away with a win,” he said. “Coming into the race, the forecast wasn’t great, there were really big head winds, which isn’t good for a really long race, so I was pretty hesitant not knowing how it’d pan out.” Tiggerlong Tonk showed why he’s regarded as one of the country’s most exciting young sprinters with a comprehensive victory in April’s star-studded edition of the Group 3 Easter Gift at the Sandown Park greyhounds. Here’s Tears also became the Victorian National Distance Champion after a superior staying performance at Sandown Park in August.Pearcedale-based trainer Luckie Karabitsakos confirmed that his superstar local dog Hard Style Rico will go out on a high after racing into immortality with 2020 TAB Melbourne Cup glory at Sandown Greyhound Racing Club in late-November. Ex-St Kilda AFL player, from Hallam and Beaconsfield, Arryn Siposs was signed by the Detroit Lions in the NFL after an eye-catching

punting stint at US college powerhouse, the Auburn Tigers. “I didn’t expect this to happen in my wildest dreams,” Siposs admitted. “It has been an amazing journey so far and it really is just the beginning of it...I just wanted to play AFL for 10 to 12 years and have a great career doing that, but that didn’t work out, so having the opportunity to do this is amazing and hopefully I can have decent career in the NFL.” Peter Moody returned to training the way he left it - with a winner - thanks to a dominant display by Shepard at Ballarat in May. The man best known as the trainer of former champion sprinter Black Caviar celebrated victory with his first runner in more than four years. In more racing triumphs, Rachael Cunningham, who trains out of Sportsbet Pakenham in Tynong, was in awe of her nine- year-old as he crossed the line with her great mate Lee Horner on board to claim the time-honoured Grand National Steeplechase over 4500 metres at Ballarat in August. Attorney then laid down the law for Matthew Smith in December as jockey Nash Rawiller powered home the six-year-old bay at the head of a bumper field to claim the $300,000 Sportsbet Pakenham Cup for 2020. In the baseball and softball scenes, young local baseball player Kendra Rutgers oozed potential. Rutgers, a student at Kambrya College in Berwick and member of the Southern Mariners, was selected to represent Australia at the IBA Under 12 World Championships. The 12-year-old was excited to follow in the footsteps of her older brother in being selected to represent her country and be the first female selected in this team. Softballers rejoiced after the Sweeney Reserve softball pavilion was officially opened. The $2.59m pavilion is the headquarters of the Casey Softball Association, which is home to 37 teams across nine clubs and 390 participants. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT YEAR IN REVIEW

Upper Beaconsfield product Jack Le Brocq claimed his maiden Supercars race win. It was also a big year in basketball, and one of the first teams impacted by the dreaded Covid-19 was Berwick College’s budding young basketballers. After winning the School Sport Australia national title, the school was invited to represent Australia at the World Schools Championships in Croatia. The dates were set for 15 to 22 March , a time when the pandemic was beginning to wrap its tentacles on every corner of the globe. Much to the disappointment of the Berwick students, the school made the tough decision to cancel the trip. Club and association basketball was next to hit hard by Covid-19. Our headline - ‘When Hoop Dreams Deflate’ - summed up the feelings of players, coaches and fans of Casey Cavaliers, Pakenham Warriors and Dandenong Ranges in the Big V and NBL 1 competitions. Warriors women’s coach Simo Pajdic summed up a strange situation unfolding due to the pandemic in April. “Obviously it’s been postponed and we’re not allowed to have any contact with players in regards to training sessions,” he said. Organised basketball, outside of the professional competitions, was cancelled for 2020. The talents of Cranbourne West’s Nyadiew Puoch were recognised with a scholarship to the world renowned Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. Australian superstar Liz Cambage was unveiled as Southside Flyers boom recruit for shortened 2020 season. The WNBL was played in a hub in Queensland due to Covid-19 and Cambage led the Flyers to the premiership. Upper Beaconsfield product Jack Le Brocq will certainly remember 2020 for positive reasons. Le Brocq took out his maiden Supercars win for the Tickford Racing team in Sydney. After an impressive inaugural season that saw them reach the grand final, Casey Demons were eager to step back out onto the court and try to go one better. Unfortunately, Covid-19 wiped out the Victorian Netball League season in what coach Robynn Pym described as a “bummer”, leaving the Demons disappointed and seeking a one cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

Picture: COURTESY OF SPEEDCAFE.COM

Berwick sport shooter Sergei Evglevski year extension to the VNL licence with Netball Victoria. Hard working Pakenham Lions president Marg Jones was recognised for her efforts with Netball Victoria’s prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award. In Rugby League, The City of Casey played host to the Storm Harmony Nines competition in February. Some of the best players from across the state featured in the fast-paced nine-a-side game that has become a traditional warm up event for rugby league competitions the world over. Melbourne Storm players Tui Kamikamica and Ryley Jacks, part of the NRL championship winning squad later in 2020, was on hand to launch the event, which featured 12 teams, six

Picture: SUPPLIED men’s and six women’s. The Storm also played a preseason game for local fans against the North Queensland Cowboys. Storm CEO Dave Donaghy described the event as “a celebration of rugby league” in the lead up. Of course, it was a pro-Storm crowd, and they went home happy after the Purple Army beat the Cowboys 22-14. Berwick shooter Sergei Evglevski had his preparations for Tokyo 2020 meticulously planned. In his dreams was a gold medal in the 25-metre rapid fire pistol. Unfortunately, it was his nightmares that played out in 2020, with the Olympics post-

poned due to Covid-19. Amidst the lockdown, Evglevski turned to juggling, drawing, puzzles and study to keep his mind sharp. “I kind of just assumed it [Covid] would be one of those things that would come and go, but this has become a much more serious thing,” he said. It was a similar story for Laetisha Scanlan, who, instead of competing in the green and gold in shooting, she was picking apples alongside her dad on their Tynong orchard. Despite the many obstacles and challenges faced by clubs and athletes in 2020, there has been plenty to celebrate and remember. And Star News looks forward to covering even more fantastic local achievements in 2021! Thursday, 7 January, 2021

STAR NEWS 19

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