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Thursday, 27 January, 2022
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Elective surgery ban cuts deep
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Snooksy’s lasting legacy
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A refugee’s perspective on Australia Day
Cream of the crop Community service by locals across many areas and spanning decades has been recognised on Australia Day. Virtual and in person ceremonies were held to honour Cardinia’s best and brightest citizens, including Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipients Carmel McKenna of Beaconsfield, the late Margaret Hall of Emerald, Pakenham’s Clive Stebbins and Drouin’s Lorraine Kinrade, with Xinhua Wu of Lysterfield who was bestowed the Member of the Order (AM). Read more on page 5
Beaconsfield’s Carmel McKenna joins her late husband Des as a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia. 266018 Picture: MARCUS UHE
OMNI knife blitz A police blitz on illegal weapons in the South East has uncovered Fountain Gate shopping centre and bus stops as a particular problem area. With extraordinary search powers, Operation OMNI police members arrested 37 people and seized 23 knives and other weapons including a billiard ball in a sock at Dandenong station, Dandenong Plaza, Fountain Gate and Pakenham central business district and station between 20-22 January. Also seized were 300 grams of illicit drugs such as cannabis and ice.
Low Dose CT, Digital X-ray, Comprehensive Ultrasound Dental X-ray, Dexa or Bone Densitometry, Echocardiogram
Among the charges were possession of drugs and prohibited weapons, as well as 11 people wanted on outstanding warrants. An alleged outlaw motorcycle gang member was charged with possessing steroids. In total, 105 offenders were identified with 17 cautions and 26 infringement notices issued. Under the proactive operation, police were given extra powers to detect illegal weapons in designated search areas. Police checked more than 650 people and 800 vehicles, leading to searches of 501 people and 59 vehicles.
Acting Inspector Dean Grande said the aim was to detect illegal weapons in “high risk locations” and “get them off the streets before they cause any harm in our community”. “Overall, we can say the operation was a success. “It’s certainly good to get (those knives) out of the community. “Those knife offences in particular are a real problem for us and a real strong focus.” Most OMNI offences were detected at Fountain Gate shopping centre and bus stops, Act Insp Grande said. Continued page 3
Acting Inspector Dean Grande signalled OMNI operations will become more frequent. 266202 Picture: CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
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By Cam Lucadou-Wells