BERWICK
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Thursday, 1 April, 2021
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Celebrate African culture
Hands on against bullying
Crowds flock to food, fun
Hawks win a DDCA Thriller
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PAGES 16-17
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Casey ‘on track’ By Danielle Kutchel They say a year is a long time in politics, and it seems local government is no different. According to the City of Casey’s chair of administrators Noelene Duff, much has been done in the council’s first year under administration. In her first sit-down interview with Star News Group, Ms Duff reassured the community that the City of Casey, as an organisation and a council, is functioning effectively. Ms Duff was named chief administrator in February 2020, and was joined in May 2020 by Miguel Belmar and Cameron Boardman. Since the administrators commenced their term, Ms Duff said, there has been plenty of work behind the scenes to address the governance issues raised in the Municipal Monitor Report, which was handed down in February 2020. The first order of business was to look into the governance arrangement within the City of Casey as an organisation, she explained. The administrators conducted a “fairly rapid audit” of decision-making processes, delegation to officers, cultural arrangements, financial issues, legislative compliance and processes within Casey. “That was one of the things that was good to do early on, and give assurances to the community who I think, quite rightly, would have been rattled in terms of their sense of what’s happened here,” she said. But Ms Duff stressed that concerns around corruption were limited to the governance and decision-making processes at the City of Casey, rather than within council officer ranks, saying she had confidence in the ability and fidelity of staff and officers at the organisation. There has been a renewed focus on the role of council too. Staff at the City of Casey have been assured that “we want them to do a lot of good work in the community”. To that end, the Shape Your City consultation program is a particular focus as the organisation aims to hear from as many of Casey’s residents as possible. Continued page 5
Berwick’s day out! After many long months of being cooped up indoors, the Berwick township dressed in its finest and put on a show for residents last weekend. The Berwick Community Food and Fun Day, organised by the Berwick Beaconsfield Chamber of Commerce and the City of Casey, was an overwhelming success with residents jumping at the chance to get out and experience their town again. It was also a boost for local businesses, many of whom faced tough times under Covid restrictions. For more, turn to pages 16 and 17
SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE 12393619-EPJ30-18
NARRE WARREN
• Australian & Victorian FLL Robotics Champions 2013, 2015 • Radio program & filmmaking • Whole school robotics program • Augmented Reality extension program • Comprehensive student wellbeing programs - Better Buddies, You Can Do It & Respectful Relationships • Whole school Mandarin program
Kevin Heinze Best School Garden Award 2018
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P: 9709 6700 E: berwick.lodge.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Visit our website to check out the virtual tour www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au
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Kids chasing bubbles at Blackburne Picture: GARY SISSONS Square. 232748
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