News - Berwick Star News - 3rd February 2022

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BERWICK

Thursday, 3 February, 2022

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berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

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Coping with Covid

Midsumma proud

Quinn cracks the 500

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SPORT

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Mates cooking up a storm

New beginning By Shelby Brooks Students, parents and teachers alike were thrilled to return to the classroom from Monday 31 January for a new school year. Hardly a tear was shed as prep students at Pakenham Hills Primary School began their educational journey, principal Dale Hendricks said. “It’s nice to have them back, remote learning was difficult, so this is lovely,” he said. “The kids are happy to be back. What has come out of remote learning is that kids have become more independent, it’s the new norm.” As part of a plan announced on January 23 to keep education settings open, the Victorian Government delivered more than 14 million rapid antigen tests to schools and early childhood education and care services. Rapid antigen testing will be in place for at least the first four weeks of Term 1. Testing twice-weekly at home will be recommended for all primary and secondary school students and staff, and early childhood education and care staff. Mask wearing will continue, with students in Grade 3 and above required to wear masks indoors. More photos page 7

Pakenham Hills Primary School prep teacher Stephanie Jennison with student Patience. 266504

Cut density limits 12497981-NG23-21

Pakenham, Drouin, Yarra Junction and Narre Warren Offices | P 5941 5166

vid-19 rather than more restrictions and being reminded. “Let’s put the trust back into people, rather than a government dictating it to them.” Cafe Revival owner Peter Lumley has struggled with staffing shortages and said the change would help speed things up for his business. “It would make it as it used to be and give customers the opportunity to come back,” Mr Lumley said. “At the moment I think there’s too much fear, everyone around here is feeling it and we’re not the only ones.”

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forward with our lives.” Mr Battin said removing density limits and QR codes would renew confidence for businesses and customers alike. “If we can get rid of density limits and QR codes, the two things it does is allow businesses to go back to full capacity and puts back into people minds that confidence in going out and socialising again, and if we don’t do that, we’re going to start to lose businesses,” Mr Battin said. “I think more and more people want less restrictions and ways to learn to live with Co-

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Hospitality venues across Berwick are calling for density limits and QR codes to be scrapped in a bid to bring more customers through their doors. On Monday 31 January, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, Gembrook MP Brad Battin and local business owners met at Berwick’s Circa 1884 to discuss how the changes would allow venues to fill back up again. Mr Guy said the plan to remove density limits focused on getting life back to normal. “Other states have been providing strong

support for businesses coming out of Covid-19, and we need to see support like that for Victoria,” he said. “Businesses have done it exceptionally tough over the past two years. Other states are providing support but Victoria is too slow when it comes to supporting businesses. “I would hope the government gets off their backside and supports small businesses - they need our help now. “One of the ways they can be helped is scrapping density limits the government has been putting on these businesses and moving

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By Jamie Salter

Authorised by B. Battin MP 3/445 Princes HWY Officer 3809. Funded from the Parliamentary Budget.


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