News - Pakenham Officer Star News - 1st September 2022

PAKENHAM OFFICER

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

/pakenhamstarnews

@StarNews_SE

40¢ Inc. GST

National award nomination

A Pie for Amanda

Weekend woes for Warriors

PAGE 2

PAGE 3

PAGE 7

SPORT

12496498-DL22-21

Celebrating local businesses

Path to success

By Shelby Brooks

Start, Run and Succeed in Business participants Sabreena Taqi, Jodie James, Lakshina Amith, Bukky Olaluwoye and Neda Khan. 296971 Picture: SHELBY BROOKS

Low Dose CT, Digital X-ray, Comprehensive Ultrasound Dental X-ray, Dexa or Bone Densitometry, Echocardiogram

WE ARE NOW LOCATED AT SHOP 10, 1 HUNT WAY, PAKENHAM

BULK BILLING OPEN 7 DAYS

OPEN FOR BUSINESS !

Now in office consultations U2, 1 Stephenson Street PAKENHAM

12514155-BL41-21

(03) 5922 2072

Online Consults still available Pakenham Drouin, Narre Warren and Yarra Junction Offices | P 5941 5166

INTRODUCING OUR NEW DOCTOR ICARUS SKIN CANCER CLINIC

Dr. Bruce Lim

352 Rossiter Road, Koo Wee Rup

Call 1800 422 787 or book online at icarusskincancerclinic.com.au

NO REFERRAL REQUIRED

12563856-AV33-22

12552371-AI23-22

Local entrepreneurial women have been inspired to take steps towards establishing their own businesses, thanks to a program held at Living and Learning Pakenham.

The first of its kind program on microbusiness is being taught to a group of multicultural women from Pakenham and surrounds.

Having started in early August, Start, Run and Succeed in Business provides an opportunity for participants to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed as business owners and entrepreneurs.

The course has been co-designed by Abiola Abjetombi and LLP for women from culturally diverse and marginalised backgrounds and will explore microbusinesses in Australia, including developing a business plan and understanding the legal requirements of running a business along with the mentor support to succeed.

“This course is looking to understand microbusiness in Australia and how they can market their business and align it with Australian context,” Abiola said.

“Participants will learn how to turn an idea into a successful business and how to work with other local businesses.

“It’s a hands-on program – not only are they in class but they’ll also have field participation to ensure they have the skills and support they need to establish themselves and thrive.”

Abiola is facilitating the 10-week program and is passionate about supporting women to increase their economic participation.

“I’m very excited. I’m also from a migrant background myself so I’m very passionate about enabling other women to have opportunities,” she said.

A graduation ceremony will be held in November at the end of the program which will have participants market their local businesses to the community.

NEWS

Inaugural event to celebrate business Cardinia Shire Council is hosting its inaugural Celebrate Cardinia Business 2022 event to recognise and acknowledge the recovery and hard work of local businesses throughout the past two years.

The event aims to support and celebrate local businesses that have supported their customers and the community during an extremely challenging few years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The council is inviting Cardinia Shire businesses to submit a short 30 to 45 second promotional video including what their business does and their greatest achievement over the past two years.

Video entries are open until Sunday 6 November.

The video submissions will be shown at the event, where business owners and their staff will enjoy dinner, door prizes, and the opportunity to network.

Businesses that enter will automatically receive two tickets to the evening celebration.

Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Jeff Springfield said he was pleased to be able to provide these events for the local business community.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our business community to share ideas, connect, and collaborate,” Cr Springfield said.

“Businesses have and continue to feel the effects of the pandemic. This event will give them the opportunity to celebrate what they have achieved and gives council the chance to acknowledge their hard work and thank them for all they’ve done for our community over the past couple of years.”

It’s time for local businesses to prepare submissions for the Cardinia Business Celebration 2022.

Picture: SUPPLIED Following input and conversations with local business owners, the new event replaces the former Casey Cardinia Business Awards ceremony and will provide businesses of all sizes and stages the chance to network with others and showcase their brands through short videos, in a relaxed atmosphere.

The event will be held from 6.30pm to 11pm

on Thursday 17 November 2022 at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham.

For more information and to register to attend this event, visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/celebratecardinia or contact the Economic Development team by email to mail@cardinia.vic. gov.au or by calling 1300 787 624.

Red Cross donation drop-off Cardinia Shire Council has joined with the Australian Red Cross to host a donation drop-off event in September.

Residents are invited to load up their car boots with quality pre-loved clothing and homewares, and use the drivethrough contactless collection point where Council’s Waste Management Team and Australian Red Cross volunteers will unload the goods.

Donations will be accepted from 9am to 2pm on Saturday 10 September at IYU Reserve, 165 Henry Road, Pakenham.

Donations of clothing, accessories and homewares will be taken to the Australian Red Cross warehouse for distribution to their stores and programs to help those in need.

Donations of furniture, books, electrical items, and dirty, damaged, or unwearable items will not be accepted.

Don’t forget that Future Recycling Pakenham can accept electrical items (e-waste), batteries and scrap metal for free, any time of year.

Residents can also dispose of larger items such as furniture, electrical items and whitegoods or appliances by booking a hard waste collection for their property, at a time convenient to them throughout the year.

To register for the event and for more information about council’s waste dropoff events, visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/ dropoff or call the council’s Customer Service Team on 1300 787 624.

Only 5% deposit on land lots. Limited time.

Build your future legacy near Pakenham.

Over 200 home sites sold, with playground and park under construction.

With a wide choice of lot sizes, including some with elevated views, our building partners are ready to help you bring your dream home to life, be it a house and land package or a modern townhouse.

Rare, architecturally designed homes from renowned luxury home builder Glenvill now available exclusively at Averley. Prices start at $697,270* for 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage home.

Living well starts at averley.com.au

*Lendlease is responsible for the sale of the land and a builder is responsible for the construction of the home. Availability of products and price is subject to change without further notice. Whilst Lendlease takes care in preparing this leaflet, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy. Pricing is correct as at 24 August 2022 and subject to availability. Artist’s impressions are for illustration purposes and are indicative only.

12555630-MS35-22

2 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Mum up for national award South-East mum and founder of an innovative start-up, Chrissy Dupe is a finalist in the Product Award, Product Innovation, and One To Watch categories for the 2022 AusMumpreneur Awards.

The awards celebrate and recognise Australian mums in business achieving outstanding success in areas such as business excellence, product innovation, and digital services.

Chrissy’s three-year-old daughter is the inspiration behind her business Gigi Bib. When she was a baby, Gigi was really difficult to settle and the only way to get her to sleep was to feed her, but taking her bib off would always wake her again.

There was no bib on the market that was easy and quiet to remove with one hand while nursing her in the other, so Chrissy set out to design her own unique ‘one-handed, wakeproof’ baby bib.

“I had always been interested in inventing things and coming up with new solutions to existing problems. And that’s how Gigi Bib was born,” she said.

“Gigi was born with a very rare genetic condition called Mosaic Trisomy 20 - so I want to use my business as a platform to raise awareness and advocate for people living with rare diseases, like our one-in-a-billion girl.”

Ten cents from each Gigi Bib sale is being

donated to Rare Voices Australia - the national body that advocates for the two million Australians living with a rare disease.

Chrissy was delighted to be named as a finalist and is proud of building her business from the ground up, including two and a half years of research and development, design, testing, patenting and production, while raising her daughters.

She said there were many benefits to balancing business and motherhood.

“It’s just such a great feeling knowing that you’ve built something that’s truly yours — and being able to create a unique product that has the potential to help not only your own child, but many other people too.

That’s really exciting.

“The journey of an entrepreneur can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also get pretty lonely, and the obstacles can seem insurmountable at times. But if you have a genuine desire to make a difference for people through the work you do, you’ll find the courage to push forward and make your vision a reality.”

The winners of the AusMumpreneur Awards will be announced at the Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 1 September.

Chrissy and her daughter Gigi.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Police urging all to enjoy footy finals celebrations safely Victoria Police is warning young people about dangers of miscalculating their alcohol intake during local footy final celebrations, with one in five drink drivers detected in Victoria aged 25 and under.

Police analysis shows 20 per cent of drivers who were detected over the prescribed limit between April 2021 and March 2022 fell into the younger age bracket.

Miscalculation of alcohol consumption has been identified as one of the most common reasons given to police by detected young drivers.

Road Policing Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Goldsmith said the message was simple – drinking and driving don’t mix.

“We need young people to recognise this and separate the behaviour,” Mr Goldsmith said.

“Far too often we hear from drivers that they thought they’d be okay to drive after one or two drinks.

“The safest option is – if you’re going to drink, don’t drive; or if you’re going to drive, don’t drink.”

The trend suggests many are opting to risk having a few drinks before getting behind the wheel rather than remaining sober or using alternative transport when drinking.

As end-of-season football celebrations kick off across the state, police are actively

A large crowd enjoyed the perfect weather as Tooradin took on Phillip Island on Saturday. 296137 engaging with Victorian football clubs and leagues to ensure precautions are in place so that players and supporters enjoy the celebrations safely.

“End of football season celebrations are commonly associated with social events and alcohol consumption, so if you’re planning to drink, just leave the car at home and ar-

DOPPIOZERO

range a designated driver or utilise alternative transport methods,“ Mr Goldsmith said.

“We’re also appealing to parents to speak to their kids about planning safe ways to get home before going out, so they’re not tempted to drink and drive.“ Clubs and parents in local football communities are being encouraged to arrange alternative transport options so players can celebrate with their teammates and travel home safely from end of season functions, reducing the risk of driving whilst impaired.

Drivers aged under 26 or subject to zero blood alcohol content conditions receive an on-the-spot $555 fine and six-month licence disqualification for a first offence, while novice drivers receive an on-the-spot fine of $462 and a three-month licence disqualification.

More serious drink driving offences can result in further penalties including vehicle impoundment, licence cancellation or extensive disqualification, hefty fines, and even jail time.

The warning comes as 161 lives have been lost on Victorian roads this year - trending well above the five-year average of 153.

Drink and drug driving will be targeted in the lead up to Operation Scoreboard, a statewide road policing effort set to take place over the AFL Grand Final long weekend in September.

CALL NOW For a FREE measure and quote

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN RESTAURANT NOW IN BEACONSFIELD

12564351-SN34-22

5940 2166 FOR BOOKINGS CALL: (03) 9768 9609 10 Brunt Rd, Beaconsfield VIC 3807 www.doppiozerobeaconsfield.com.au

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

12522838-BL47-21

2 Tango Circuit Pakenham (off Commercial Drive)

www.clarksblinds.com.au

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

|

STAR NEWS 3

THE LOWDOWN Q&A

with Mushficur Rahaman from La Baguette Cafe in Berwick

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I’m often described as jovial with a dry sense of humour! I am passionate about my customers and welcoming them to the cafe. I believe it is my unique sense of humour which enables customers to feel relaxed, happy, enjoy a banter, and have a consistently positive experience when dining with us.

What are you most passionate about?

I am passionate about getting to know people and am motivated by creative thinking and helping others. I believe our community has a rich source of culture, skills and giving people a voice to hear their wisdom, can bring positive changes to humanity.

What would your last meal be?

My last meal would be anything nutritious in which my body and wellbeing can appreciate.

I know I would not like to disappoint myself for something I always wanted to have and not being able to eat it when it is in front of me.

What was your most memorable moment?

There are so many memorable moments in my life, and it is hard to pick one! If I had to choose, my most memorable is when my beautiful twin daughters Shahreen and Mahreen were born.

What was your favourite subject in school?

I was never extremely academic in my school years and childhood, however, business and commerce always interested and motivated me to succeed.

What event past or present would you like to witness?

I wish I could attend a Michael Jackson concert.

Which three dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?

Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Gandhi. I would love to pick their brains about business, technology and building community.

Mushficur Rahaman from La Baguette Cafe in Berwick. 296016 What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?

Due to the nature and hours of my work, the only chance I get to listen to music is the radio when I am in the car and my kids are with me.

They love the song “New Rules” by Dua Lipa.

I do not have any other options! I never liked gaming, but recently I am trying to spend more time with my kids and playing games together, hoping to add more quality time together into our lives.

If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?

Lemon Chicken Curry. I used to cook this when I was a student, and everyone loved it.

Some people still request me to cook this dish, even though I don’t remember the last time I cooked anything at home! My wife is an excellent cook though.

What is your dream holiday destination?

I will ask my wife and find out where she would love to go. I want her to be in my dream and if she doesn’t like the place, my dream

THREE … facts on ‘September’

by Earth Wind & Fire

1

Release date ‘September’ was first released in November 1978 as a feature on ‘The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1’.

2

Night reference Member of ‘Earth Wind & Fire’ Maurice White said the reference to the night of 21 September was not chosen due to the significance of that particular date, but rather it flowed with the rhythm of the song. In 2019, the Los Angeles City Council declared 21 September ‘Earth, Wind and Fire Day’.

3

Writers The song was co-written by band members White, Al McKay and songwriter Allee Willis. It was the first song that Ms Willis had written for the band.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

will not be a dream anymore.

What were you like as a kid?

I have always been a very kind and compassionate person, considerate to all humans and animals. I remember as a child, I brought so many injured birds home. Once I brought home an Indian parrot which had fallen from a tree and named him Tony. Later on, Tony used to sleep with me and became my pet.

What was your first job?

My first job was with Nandos. I used to work at Nandos Pitt Street Mall and used to cook lots of delicious chicken.

What’s one question you have never been able to get the answer to?

What I want or what would make me happy – essentially my life purpose. Achieving the best outcomes for myself and my family, to be happy and healthy for the rest of our lives with positive relationships with others. I would definitely appreciate any opportunity to bring positive change to our community or humanity.

12559634-HC35-22

4 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Battery storage approved

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A massive Cranbourne West battery storage unit larger than South Australia’s ‘Big Battery’ has been approved by the State Government.

The State Planning Minister granted a permit on 12 August for the 200 megawatt/400 megawatt hour lithium ion Rangebank Battery Energy Storage System at 280 Evans Road.

The 3.9-hectare facility is proposed for pasture land, which will become the south-east corner of the emerging 20-hectare Rangebank Business Park.

According to a planning permit submission, it was estimated to cost $80.2 million.

The proponent Macquarie Corporate Holdings declined to comment.

According to a planning report on its behalf, the BESS was touted as helping to “stabilise the State electricity supply” during high demand periods by providing additional storage capacity to next-door’s Cranbourne Terminal Station. The storage system would smooth renewable energy input into the grid and help lower electricity prices, it was claimed.

It would also “achieve significant environmental benefits related to energy storage”.

“This will ensure stability of supply for businesses across Melbourne including the important south-east employment precincts, as well as households, particularly during peak summer demand periods.”

The proposal is larger than the 150 MW/194 MWh Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia “credited with reducing power supply costs … including increased competition”.

An illustration of the battery cubes as part of the Rangebank BESS design.

“It is a comprehensive and innovative proposal with wide ranging benefits”, the report stated.

The planning report submitted in September 2021 stated works could start as soon as “early 2022”, with a completion in “late 2022”.

When asked about the project’s timing, a Macquarie spokesperson said “we don’t have a comment”.

About 80 jobs would be supported

during its construction.

The modular design of ’battery cubes’ will be shielded by an 4.5-metre acoustic wall, which will help ensure no “unacceptable noise impacts for neighbouring residential areas”, it was submitted.

“The landscaping design has been carefully considered to ensure that the facility is screened and presents as a visually appealing development.”

The fire management plan to contain potential battery cell fires included three accessible fire hydrants and a 10-metre firebreak.

The battery was to be supplied and made

by US energy storage technology firm Fluence, the report stated. “(Fluence) places high priority on safety management with fire detection mechanisms incorporated throughout the various levels of operating systems.”

One last major milestone

By Shelby Brooks The 50-year anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War was held 10 years ago and with it the first of many ceremonies to commemorate milestone events of Australia’s involvement.

This year, veterans recognised the 50th anniversary of Australian troops withdrawing from Vietnam, signalling the last major ceremony event held by the Victorian Vietnam Veterans Association.

Pakenham veterans Gary Elliot and Henry van Diemen have been at most services in the last 10 years but say they are ready to scale back the ceremonies moving forward, without forgetting their mates who didn’t make it home.

“The first anniversary was 10 years ago of the deployment, this year it’s the 50th anniversary of our withdrawal,” Pakenham RSL president Gary Elliott said.

“The last 18 years, the Vietnam Veterans Association has been running a big day on the 18 August on the Shrine of Remembrance.

“Next year there will be something on at the Shrine but it won’t be at the calibre of the last 15 years. We’re old enough that it’s time to stop that kind of organisation.

“It won’t be forgetting, it’s just reducing the incidence of the major events.”

Mr Elliott said as the Vietnam veterans get older, big commemoration events needed to slow down.

“Our generation is coming to the end of its turn, just like those in the Second World War is, it’s no different,” he said.

“It’s been a busy time, it is time for a break.

“But we’re appreciative of being acknowledged.”

There will be plenty to keep Vietnam veterans busy, with $10 million announced earlier this month from the State Government to go into a new purpose-built site to house the National Vietnam Veterans Museum on Phillip Island.

The investment will support the museum to modernise its exhibitions, increase visitor capacity and improve visitors’ understanding of the Vietnam War and its impacts. It will also enable the museum to better engage with the veterans’ community and its volunteers.

Mr Elliott, who is a founding board member of the museum said the recent announcement was just the first step.

“It’s just a fifth of what we need,” he said.

Pakenham RSL president Gary Elliott is a Vietnam War veteran. 187417

NOW MELBOURNE’S LARGEST AQUARIUM STORE Imagine your own Aquarium NOW! Come & talk to us about setting up a fish tank today...

(03) 8738 7549 Open 7 days 10am-6pm NOW 9pm Thurs & Fri pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

94-96 VICTOR CRES NARRE WARREN

www.lotsoffinsaquarium.com.au

Aquarium MEGA STORE Over 300 variety of fish.

HUGE range of aquariums Thursday, 1 September, 2022

|

12559637-JW29-22

A piece of NATURE IN YOUR HOME

STAR NEWS 5

NEWS

OPINION

Teen arrests

LENSCAPE

Three teenagers from the South East have been arrested by police after they dumped a stolen car in Cranbourne on Sunday night, 28 August.

Police were notified that an allegedly stolen car, which was reportedly travelling at approximately 150km/h in an 80km/h zone, had been seen driving at high speeds on the Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road shortly after 11.30pm.

The trio, aged 15-years-old, from Narre Warren, Clyde North and Cranbourne are all assisting police with their enquiries. Police investigations are ongoing as to whether there were more people in the car at the time.

September is footy finals fever time. 296323

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Attention all VCAL and VET Students and Parents

Call Cher Spratt on 0428 335 555

SOCIALLY SPEAKING

12562269-AV32-22

Youth trainee vacancies are now open for our 2022 MID-YEAR intake and our 2023 FULL YEAR year intake in Warehousing/Logistics, Hospitality and Food/Catering Operations. These are part-time PAID positions available to school students in year 10, 11 and 12 only. Spaces are limited.

Book your interview now.

Hopeworks Community Solutions Ltd – a youth training and community organisation www.Hopeworks.com.au

The City of Casey ranked substantially lower than the state average for the appearance of public areas in the annual Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey.

Our Facebook readers shared their thoughts on why this might be the case.

Ric Stewart: Casey was at one time the benchmark for maintenance and upkeep of road reserves and parklands and was the envy of surrounding municipalities....The sooner we elect a new council with responsible people local to the area and who care

about the future of the city, without vested political interests, the earlier we may be able to regain some pride in our area!

Kenny May: And some want more parks in the area yet the council cannot look after the parks in the area we have now.

Gaye Guest: Once again gross over-development of housing stock is putting pressure on blocks that were once farm land. It is a poorly drained area but some sensitivity should have been shown on how much was

built on the land as we encroach our food bowl boundaries. Residents need to learn to compost and work with their blocks of land in a sustainable way. Some of the upgrades to their play reserves have been amazing for the surrounding estates. You know “Friends of” for local reserves should be formed to work with council for better outcomes. Everyone expects someone else to do it these days without rolling up their sleeves and helping out. So maybe instead of saying “we want”, maybe say “how can we help and be proactive for better outcomes”.

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

Funeral Director

...the little things make a difference

Pakenham

190 Princes Highway Ph: 5941 4888

12540394-JW11-22

www.davidwbull.com.au

com.au

|

To the dangerous state of the roads and the lack of action being taken to fix the problem . Signs saying ‘Rough road ahead’ does not prepare anyone for the dangers ahead.

Thumbs up To AFL finals starting tonight.

Thumbs up To all the Dads out there. Happy Father’s Day!

Thumbs up To the Horse Show in Clyde - what a fantastic event.

NEWS

By Eleanor Wilson

12452305-LN26-20

REAL ESTATE Email seren@starnewsgroup.com.au

6 STAR NEWS

To the beginning of spring and end of winter.

Thumbs down

Century of progress

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

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

To allowing dogs to go to the Akoonah Park Markets.

Thumbs up

Drouin

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

Thumbs up

To heyfever kicking in again.

To Janette’s Mum’s passionfruiticed sponge cake.

6 Brunt Street Ph: 5996 6822

Assuring personal attention and care at all times for our local community.

Thumbs down

To the state of Clyde Road. I play dodgems as the holes are massive.

Thumbs up

Cranbourne

2 Porter Place Ph: 5625 2571

Thumbs down

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

For 100 years, Hampton Park Progress Association has been advocating for the people of Hampton Park.

On Sunday 11 September, members of the Hampton Park Progress Association will celebrate the centenary milestone with a tree planting ceremony.

Planting one tree for each year of progress, secretary Tania Sacco is encouraging families from across the suburb to “be the voice of Hampton Park”.

“Hampton Park often gets a bad wrap, but it is such a wonderful community,” Mrs Sacco said.

“It’s really more like a village - there is such a strong sense of community.”

After 100 years, the association is turning over a new leaf, in more ways than one.

For many years, the driving force of the association was community advocate Vanassa Gerdes.

Vanassa Gerdes (back, right) with other Hampton Park Progress Association members Joan Bowen, Elaine and Russell Barnes and Joy Reedy. 205385 Described as the cornerstone of the association, Mrs Gerdes tragically passed away several months ago after a long battle with cancer.

She is survived by her husband and two young children.

“She wanted to make Hampton Park the best place possible for her children because she knew she wouldn’t be there to bring them up,” Ms Sacco said.

“She was one of the main driving forces. She was so geared up for our 100 years’ Tree Planting Day and even though she can’t be there, I’m not going to let her down in making sure that happens.”

Ms Sacco hoped the tree planting day could become a generational project.

“There are 100 trees to adopt and there are no costs involved,” she said.

“A family can adopt a tree and they can visit the tree, take their kids and grandkids to the tree for generations to come,” she said.

Hampton Park Progress Association is holding its Tree Planting Day on Sunday 11 September at River Gum Creek Reserve between 9am and 12pm.

Register for the event at tinyurl.com/yvfnjuv6 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Pete’s zoo dream realised

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Pete’s birthday trip to Taronga Zoo in Sydney had long been on the to-do list of his late mother and Casey former mayor Amanda Stapledon.

Before she died, Ms Stapledon’s planned for her adult son, who has a disability, to enjoy a ‘Roar and Snore’ sleep-out at the zoo. But the plan had been twice thwarted due to Covid lockdowns.

In August, the dream finally became a reality, thanks to the efforts of Ms Stapledon’s many friends and supporters.

One of them was Anthony Cheeseman, director of L’Arte Central Social Enterpise Cafe.

His Cranbourne cafe staged a ‘Pie for Amanda’ day in February – donating 20 per cent of pie sales for the day to Pete’s trip.

“It was one of our busiest ever days at the cafe,” Mr Cheeseman said of the outpouring of community support.

The fundraiser was part of the healing process – it was something small that meant so much, he said.

“It’s like beauty rising from the ashes.”

As mayor, Ms Stapledon had long supported and been instrumental in finding a home for the cafe, which trains and employs 18 people with a disability.

The cafe plans to name one of its coffee blends ‘Amanda’ as a lasting tribute.

Red Energy also got on board the fundraiser.

Its large donation to help fund Pete, his mate Shane and two carers from Blairlogie Learning and Living to embark on the six-day trip.

Leaving on Pete’s 30th birthday, there was a stop-over at the famous Ettamogah Pub in NSW, and visits to Pete’s family in Sydney.

“They had an amazing time. Obviously Pete adores anything to do with animals,” Blairlogie chief executive Carolyn Carr said.

“It was a pretty sensational trip. It made

Manager Claire, middle, with staff Cody, Tara, Tyson and Kiara at L’Arte Cafe, which staged a pie fundraiser for Pete’s trip to Taronga Zoo. 296712 Picture: GARY SISSONS

Snapshots of Pete, Wayne and Blairlogie carers Ebony and Jo during the Sydney trip.

memories that neither Pete or Shane will forget.

“It makes me proud to be part of an organisation that will go that extra mile.”

Ms Stapledon – also a strong supporter of Blairlogie - cared for her son Pete as a single parent.

She died soon after the release of a draft IBAC report into alleged land deals involving property developers and Casey councillors.

Pete is living independently at home with support from Blairlogie workers.

“After Amanda’s passing, Blairlogie made an absolute commitment to make sure Pete was always loved and safe, and would have every opportunity to live the best life that he could,” Ms Carr said.

“It seemed like the right thing to do and the only thing to do.”

Pete feeds a giraffe at Taronga Zoo.

L’Arte Cafe participant Tyson Powell and head chef Tim Mollenhauer. 296712 Picture: GARY SISSONS

Pot holes to be addressed

By Marcus Uhe

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Have your say Help shape the Pakenham Roads Upgrade

We’re planning for the future construction of three key roads in Pakenham.

• Princes Freeway, Pakenham • McGregor Road, Pakenham • Racecourse Road, Pakenham The first stage of works will upgrade the Princes Freeway and the interchanges at McGregor and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup roads to reduce congestion and make it easier to access the freeway.

accordance with the Casey Community Local Law 2018.”

The shopping centre has multiple owners responsible for different sections of the precinct.

Centre management of that section of the precinct said they would investigate the issue and take action to repair the potholes.

We invite you to participate in our online engagement during August.

Your feedback will help inform the planning for this upgrade.

Visit engage.vic.gov.au/pakenham-roads-upgrade.

12564250-AV35-22

Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas wrote to the City of Casey regarding improving the Hampton Park Shopping Centre. 296753 Picture: SUPPLIED

roadprojects.vic.gov.au 1800 105 105 For languages other than English please call 9209 0147

4668

A flurry of complaints regarding the condition of the Hampton Park Shopping Centre has prompted Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas to take action.

Mr Maas, whose office is located at the shopping centre, wrote to City of Casey CEO Glenn Patterson on Tuesday 23 August seeking advice on how the shopping centre, old Food Market area, site roads and parking could be improved to meet community standards.

Of primary concern to shoppers and Mr Maas’ constituents is the condition of the road surface around Commercial Drive, and potholes in the car park itself.

In a statement, Mr Maas said he fully understppd locals’ “civic pride” in their local shopping precinct.

He called on those responsible to show some “civic pride“ by taking action to improve their property.

“I have written to City of Casey to raise local concerns and I am seeking their advice on any action that might be taken,” Mr Maas said.

“The area around the old Food Market that was demolished a few years back is in particular an eyesore and a nuisance for vehicles.”

Manager growth and investment at the City of Casey, Kathryn Seirlis said the council shared Mr Maas’ concerns.

“Council has worked with the landowner for a number of years to facilitate development of the site,” Ms Seirlis said.

“A planning permit was issued in 2018, however, there has been no commitment on timing for its commencement.

“Council has, in recent years, requested that the owner improve maintenance of the site. This includes fixing potholes, which they have undertaken.

“We will continue to encourage the landowner to appropriately maintain and ensure the safety and amenity of the site in

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

|

STAR NEWS 7

NEWS

EPA puts landfill on notice

By Marcus Uhe “Significant odour issues and compliance concerns” has forced the EPA to take further action against SBI Inert Landfill.

SBI has been issued with a notice of intent to suspend its operating licence and has been requested to explain why they should be allowed to continue operations.

Locals were informed of the action at a community meeting at the Mayone-Bulluk Family and Community Centre in Cranbourne West on Tuesday evening.

This process can lead to a suspension of licence, one of EPA’s strongest regulatory tools when it comes to ensuring compliance and protection.

SBI has the opportunity to respond to EPA’s notice by 13 September.

Rachel Gualano, EPA’s Director of Melbourne Metropolitan Area Operations, said the 10 business days would allow SBI to consider the notices and to make submissions of any information the EPA would need to take into consideration when making a decision to suspend the licence or not.

“What (the notice of intent) does is, it’s for companies that are licensed or permitted under EPA and it says, ‘We (the EPA) don’t believe you are complying with your license conditions, and we have concerns about that’,” Ms Gualano said.

“We really don’t want the community to be experiencing this type of odour for an extended period of time. It’s not acceptable and we’re taking every action possible to eliminate that situation.

“We’re holding SBI to account and looking at what are the best ways of doing that, and constantly doing that based on what information we have.

“If we’re not seeing any improvements, we’ll continue to escalate that approach.”

The EPA has issued SBI Inert Landfill with a notice of intent. 289985 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS The action follows a recent prohibition notice which stopped SBI accepting any new waste, which was lifted on Friday 26 August.

However, since then, new data demanded an escalation in regulatory action.

Ms Gualano said she does not believe the lifting of the notice contributed to the increase of complaints.

“At a particular point in time, there was a reduction in pollution reports, in fact there were some days where we didn’t have any,” she said.

“We also looked at odour surveillance and didn’t detect any off-site odours at that time.

We identified that at that point in time, some

of the issues that we thought were creating that immediate risk onsite had been fixed.

“Stopping the acceptance of waste in and of itself, we don’t think is creating hydrogen sulphate straight away.

“We did want to allow the company to pause and reassess and spend their energy on fixing the problem, rather than try and run the operation at the same time when we saw that.

This notice of intent really seeks to get them again to think about how they’re going to comply with their licence conditions.”

While this action does not mean the odour will be immediately stopped, it does mean that

EPA is continuing to use all available options to resolve this issue.

In other actions, EPA has also told SBI that by 30 September, it must review and update their Risk Management and Monitoring Program (RMMP) to demonstrate compliance with the General Environmental Duty and have the updated RMMP reviewed by an EPA appointed auditor.

SBI must also complete an audit of the landfill operations and ensure compliance with the updated RMMP by 30 November 2022.

Brookland Greens estate resident Cheyenne detailed the lengths that she and her husband undertake to combat the “pungent” uninvited guest taking-up residence in their home.

“We’re trying block little gaps in our windows with cotton buds and things like that,” she said.

“You can’t open your windows, you have to try and rush through your front door as quickly as possible just so no smell gets in, and homes aren’t completely solid, so air comes in through the home.

“You get woken up in the middle of the night because your house smells like rotten eggs.

“It has been really difficult to try and live with it because it comes and goes without much warning.”

SBI’s director Simon Williamson said they would work with the EPA to comply with all directions given, including the notice on intent and improvement notice.

“Addressing the odour issue at the SBI landfill remains the highest priority for the site,” Mr Williamson said.

“Landfilling activities remain closed at the site while additional works are undertaken this week.”

For more information on the actions taken by the EPA, head to their website at epa.vic. gov.au

Advertisement

Save with solar.

It’s that simple.

Households save more than $1,000 every year when they make the switch.

Apply for a rebate at solar.vic.gov.au/apply

Eligibility criteria apply.

Find out how to take control of your energy bills by switching to solar.

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.

12565038-MS35-22

8 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

12559979-HC35-22

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

|

STAR NEWS 9

NEWS

L’Arte Cafe participant Tyson Powell and head chef Tim Mollenhauer. 296712

Pete feeds a giraffe at Taronga Zoo.

Snapshots of Pete, Wayne and Blairlogie carers Ebony and Jo during the Sydney trip.

Pete’s zoo dream realised

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Pete’s birthday trip to Taronga Zoo in Sydney had long been on the to-do list of his late mother and former Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon.

Before she died, Ms Stapledon’s planned for her adult son, who has a disability, to enjoy a ‘Roar and Snore’ sleep-out at the zoo. But the plan had been twice thwarted due to Covid lockdowns.

In August, the dream finally became a reality, thanks to the efforts of Ms Stapledon’s many friends and supporters.

One of them was Anthony Cheeseman, director of L’Arte Central Social Enterpise Cafe.

His Cranbourne cafe staged a ‘Pie for Amanda’ day in February – donating 20 per cent of pie sales for the day to Pete’s trip.

“It was one of our busiest ever days at the cafe,” Mr Cheeseman said of the outpouring of community support.

The fundraiser was part of the healing process – it was something small that meant so much, he said.

“It’s like beauty rising from the ashes.”

As mayor, Ms Stapledon had long supported and been instrumental in finding a home for the cafe, which trains and employs 18 people with a disability.

The cafe plans to name one of its coffee

blends ‘Amanda’ as a lasting tribute.

Red Energy also got on board the fundraiser.

Its large donation to help fund Pete, his mate Shane and two carers from Blairlogie Learning and Living to embark on the six-day trip.

Leaving on Pete’s 30th birthday, there was a stop-over at the famous Ettamogah Pub in NSW, and visits to Pete’s family in Sydney.

“They had an amazing time. Obviously Pete adores anything to do with animals,” Blairlogie chief executive Carolyn Carr said.

“It was a pretty sensational trip. It made memories that neither Pete or Shane will forget.

“It makes me proud to be part of an organisation that will go that extra mile.”

Ms Stapledon – also a strong supporter of Blairlogie - cared for her son Pete as a single parent.

She died soon after the release of a draft IBAC report into alleged land deals involving property developers and Casey councillors.

Pete is living independently at home with support from Blairlogie workers.

“After Amanda’s passing, Blairlogie made an absolute commitment to make sure Pete was always loved and safe, and would have every opportunity to live the best life that he could,” Ms Carr said.

“It seemed like the right thing to do and the only thing to do.”

Manager Claire, middle, with staff Cody, Tara, Tyson and Kiara at L’Arte Cafe, which staged a pie Pictures: GARY SISSONS fundraiser for Pete’s trip to Taronga Zoo. 296712

‘A win-win’ for everyone: Jobs boost from eco-homes

Bass MP Jordan Crugnale, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green and Ecoliv owner/director Ashley Beaumont.

Picture: SUPPLIED 10 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

The Gurdies will soon be home to a new ecohome facility which is set to bring in 14 jobs to the area.

Bass MP Jordan Crugnale and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green announced their support of EcolivTM and the development of The EcoHub - Sustainable Living Centre and Off Grid Construction Facility located at The Gurdies.

“Backing Ecoliv’s project is a win-win for the region and The Gurdies community – boosting local manufacturing, creating more local jobs and bringing more visitors to this beautiful part of the Bass Coast,” Ms Crugnale said.

The EcoHub will showcase technologies for achieving a low carbon and ecologically sustainable approach to living for the future through prefabricated modular construction.

“It will be a place for people to see firsthand how to reduce water usage, energy consumption and waste to decrease the costs of living, make a home comfortable and how to reduce our impact on the environment,” EcolivTM founder and director Ashley Beaumont said.

The first of its kind in Australia, The EcoHub will showcase three prefab modular display homes including a new carbon positive home and an Off-grid Construction Facility in one single location.

This will increase production efficiencies,

construction capacity and importantly support local employment growth to the Bass Coast and surrounding area.

“Many new homes built in Australia are oversized, energy intensive, have high running costs and have large carbon footprints.

Our residential housing industry is ripe for disruption, innovation and improvement and the EcoHub can demonstrate and educate how we all can make small changes which collectively result in impacts on a global scale,” Mr Beaumont said.

A Regional Development Victoria grant will assist in transforming a previously baron industrial site into an Australian first, world-class facility that demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to creating positive change in the residential construction industry by inspiring innovation and improvement.

The grant will help accelerate the full project implementation forward by approximately 18 months.

The project is anticipated to support 14 jobs within the building and construction phase of the project.

On completion of the Off-grid Construction Facility, Ecoliv is exploring technologies in advanced offsite manufacturing via stateof-the-art automated construction systems to support State Government projects such as the 2026 Commonwealth Games Athletes Village and Workforce Accommodation projects. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Ray Dalli’s house will become part of the 500-metre buffer zone as part of the Hampton Park Hill Draft Development Plan. 296590

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Blindsided by buffer zone

By Marcus Uhe If Ray Dalli lived two doors down from his current property on Sugarloaf Avenue in Lynbrook, he wouldn’t find himself in the 500-metre landfill buffer zone proposed by the City of Casey regarding the Hampton Park Hill Draft Development Plan.

Unfortunately, he and his family own one of the 1350 properties set to be impacted by the proposal.

Mr Dalli has lived there for 20 years and until July, he was under the impression that the council would turn the site into public open spaces and parkland, and residential properties.

The extension of the buffer zone will mean there will be extra hurdles to clear if he wants to conduct any extensions or renovations to his property, due to the risk of gas migrating through the ground, and should he choose to sell, he expects value of the property to substantially fall.

He and his neighbours will also be subject to vehicles and trucks passing through the area between 12am and 6pm on weekdays, and 12am to 4pm on Saturdays, should the

plan be approved.

On top of years of Covid-19 frustrations and difficulties, he said this is not what the community needs.

“To say that I’m guttered is an understatement,” Mr Dalli said.

“This has enormous ramifications for my neighbours and their families, for the new families that have just purchased and moved into the area, for my non-English speaking neighbours that work extremely hard to support their family and mortgage, and for my own family.

“The mental anguish that this is causing is enormous. I have spoken to some of the new families and they are on edge; three years of pandemic restrictions, high housing prices and rising interest rates and cost of living, and now to contend with this proposal, is very depressing to witness.

“This is a major failure of all levels of government.”

Mr Dalli has also criticised the timing and communication of the proposal, claiming that the three weeks given to residents to submit an objection was insufficient.

“Council knew we would be opposing this.

To only give us three weeks is deplorable.”

Manager planning and building at the City of Casey Duncan Turner said the council extended the due date for submissions due to the “significant interest” from the community, however the period has now closed, as of Tuesday 30 August.

“Council officers are reviewing all submissions received during the consultation period and may recommend changes to the draft development plan in response to submissions.

Officers will take a report to council in the future to consider the submissions and adopt a development plan.”

Liberal candidate for the seat of Narre Warren South in November’s State Election, Annette Samuel recently undertook doorknocking in the area to speak to residents about their concerns.

“The Development Plan will ensure residents’ house values, quality of life and health will be negatively affected as a result of future activities on the site,” Ms Samuel said.

“I have been working closely with Gembrook MP Brad Battin on this issue and together we are fighting on behalf of the community

for the State Government to intervene.“ Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas declined to comment when contacted by Star News.

When asked if he would consider uprooting and moving away from Lynbrook, Mr Dalli said the impact of the plan on property values and the home he has created would make moving difficult, both financially and mentally.

“I have established gardens with fruit trees and a vegetable garden as many other residents do in the area,” he said.

“I love this area, it’s a great community but this is going to impact the area not just ours but the surrounding suburbs as well.”

Instead, he is considering a class-action lawsuit.

“The (City of Casey) administrators, who aren’t democratically elected, and were installed by the State Government need to understand the residents’ concerns, and consider those concerns very carefully before irreversible decisions are made.

“Their tenure expires in 2024 and we could be left with an unacceptable plan.

“At the end of the day, residents pay the price for this. It’s not fair.”

Comfy knits raise money for Cranbourne-based charity

By Marcus Uhe Tooradin Primary School students took ‘casual Friday’ to a new level on Friday 26 August, but it was all for a good cause.

The students from all year levels attended school in their comfy and colourful pyjamas in a fundraising initiative for Backpacks 4 Vic Kids, a Cranbourne-based charity initiative that provides essential supplies to children in need.

Each child provided a gold coin donation in what was a student-led initiative, as they were treated to hot chocolates and Tim Tams.

“Students snuggled down into their learning for the day knowing that their efforts would contribute to the comfort of members of their community who needed extra care and consideration,” assistant principal Rachel Davis said. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

From left, Noah, Zoe, Jai, Audrey, and Luke in their finest pyjamas at Tooradin Primary School. 296264 Thursday, 1 September, 2022

|

STAR NEWS 11

NEWS

Skills shortage fix

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Regional manufacturers’ body South Eastern Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance has hailed the success of its welding school in tackling the ‘skills shortage’.

President Peter Angelico told the SEMMA AGM at Federation University in Berwick that 93 per cent of its trainee welders were matched to workplaces.

Many had been unemployed with no prior welding experience. Some have since been offered apprenticeships.

Covid had helped local manufacturers in a “bizarre sort of way” due to sovereign risk, Mr Angelico said.

But the biggest issue faced by firms was a lack of skills, and the welding school was a “proven” solution.

“The vocational training system was not providing the skills needed and our members were screaming out for staff at all levels.

“And like all progressive manufacturers, SEMMA in close collaboration with Hilton Manufacturing, developed a practical solution to this industry-wide problem.

“Micro-credential courses are a success story that SEMMA will shout from the rooftops and one that we ask policymakers to embrace as the way forward.”

SEMMA chief executive Vonda Fenwick said the alliance was an advocacy body, not a registered training provider.

But it was keen to push for the industry-led welding school to receive ongoing State Government’s funding.

“There is still a strong demand for welders amongst our membership and the broader manufacturing community in the South East so we are hopeful that we will be able to see the SEMMA programme run again in the future.”

It would also push for more education and skills training designed to meet industry needs, she said.

SEMMA has been in talks with Federation University about further micro-credential training.

The speed humps will be installed in the next two to three years, the council said.

139508

Speed humps a high prority

By Marcus Uhe

A welding demonstration event staged by SEMMA. The university’s Berwick campus head Kathy Racunica, who has joined SEMMA as a co-opted board member, said the university was rolling out a co-op education model to meet industry needs.

It would feature across its courses by 2025.

“We need to see and hear what is needed in our regions. It’s what we believe will be a real differentiator for us,” Ms Racunica said.

“A co-op feature that enables students to have a substantial amount of real experience working and studying.”

As an example, the university had a 25-year relationship with IBM. Its Bachelor of Information Technology (Professional Practice) in Ballarat included an internship, with 1600 hours of paid work.

As a result, IBM employed 300-plus of Fed-

eration’s graduates, with 90 per cent of IT graduates finding work in the region.

In a statement, Federation University Australia Vice-Chancellor Duncan Bentley said co-op education brought “industry into the tent to co-design and co-deliver programs so together we can build a workforce to address skills shortages in regional areas”.

“They gain the practical skills you as employers are looking for, every student will complete accredited learning in a workplace, start up or consultancy, with options for paid cadetships, internships, or working on real projects on campus to deliver practical outcomes for industry.”

“We know the majority of those who study in the regions tend to stay working and living in the regions.”

The City of Casey has confirmed they will install two flat-top speed humps in Lesdon Avenue in Cranbourne.

The humps would be completed “within the next two to three years” according to manager city and asset planning at Casey, Keri New and come as part of the council’s annual Capital Works Program. Ms New said the move has come on the back of the street being identified as an issue with regards to dangerous driving, despite the presence of chicanes already on the road.

“Vehicle speeds and crash history have highlighted this street being a high priority for additional speed calming devices to help slow traffic and improve safety,” Ms New said.

Construction challenges as supply costs continue to rise TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IAN ASH Spare a thought for those working in the construction industry.

According to the Construction Index, published by the Master Builders Victoria in July 2022, the following price increases were seen over the period 1/1/21 to 31/3/22: Timber, board and joinery – 25 per cent.

Steel - 53.5 per cent.

Other metal products – 23 per cent.

Electrical equipment – 17 per cent.

Add to this the impact of delays to supply caused by the pandemic, the lack of skilled staff (the severe weather conditions caused a very high demand for trades’ skills in floodaffected areas) and increasing staff costs and inflation, and you have a perfect storm for the industry.

You may well say these issues were not unique to construction and indeed they were not, these also impacted manufacturing as well as a host of related industries.

However, the major difference for the construction sector is whereas other companies may be able to pass on these price increases to the consumer directly, in the building industry, once a contract price is agreed, it is fixed and cannot legally be increased.

Of course, every sensible builder would be making a provision for raw material price increases in their contract pricing at the start, but increases such as those listed above are far from normal and it is highly unlikely that any builder foresaw these coming.

The net result has been a record number of builders going bust.

Since the start of this year, at least 18 high-

· · · ·

12 STAR NEWS

|

The construction industry has had a tough time recently. profile builders have gone into liquidation including Probuild, Geelong-based Waterford Homes that went bust at least $600,000 in debt and most recently Oracle Homes which went broke owing $14 million.

The worse news is we are not out of the woods yet, since data from the ASIC Australian Insolvency Statistics shows an increasing trend in bankruptcies in the construction sector as a percentage of all administration activities.

In addition to the 18 high-profile builders, there are bound to have been dozens of smaller builders as well as suppliers to the construction industry that would have suffered

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

significantly as well.

Failing businesses aside, there is also a massive consequence for the poor unfortunate people that had signed building contracts with the builders that went under as it would not be clear if and when their homes would be completed.

In amongst all this pain and anguish, there is some positive news.

I am privileged to work with a number of smaller, bespoke builders in my own business and I am delighted to say that all these businesses are going well.

Why? Well the common theme amongst

them all is that they really know their numbers, so as soon as the price rises started to hit, they were able to react to this quickly and ensure that there were not constructing buildings at a loss.

They also developed some other creative ways to maintain cash-flow and profitability.

It tends to reinforce the general belief that even when things get tough, the strong will survive and become stronger and those that are not able to quickly adapt may not stick around for long.

Ian Ash is the managing director of OrgMent Business Solutions pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Drive for Liberal diversity

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has told a Dandenong event that his compassion as a former Immigration and Home Affairs Minister had been ignored by the media.

“Yes we have to make tough decisions,” Mr Dutton told a ‘multicultural morning tea community event’ with La Trobe MP Jason Wood at Victorian Tamil Community Centre on 30 August.

“But working with many community leaders here in Victoria … and right around the country we were able to help in many cases where we needed to apply compassion.”

These cases included “special circumstances” particularly where women and young children were at risk, Mr Dutton said.

“Those cases were never reported – never reported - but I’m very proud of the fact that we have been able to make Australia home for countless people.”

While the previous Defence Minister, the government evacuated 4000 people from Afghanistan’s capital Kabul after the Taliban took over the country last year, he said.

Mr Dutton also noted Australia welcoming evacuees from Ukraine over recent months.

“There is more, much more that a country like ours can do and always will need to do, because it’s an uncertain world, as we see in the Ukraine.”

He would work closely with the current government in a bi-partisan way to “support good decisions that they’re making for people from war-torn countries”.

At the event, Mr Dutton told the diverse community leaders he was on a “recruiting drive” for “more diversity” in the Liberal Party at a local, state and federal level.

He wanted Federal Parliament to be “more representative” of the range of communities in Victoria.

“I want to see more multicultural faces in those positions of authority and leadership

Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and MP Jason Wood met Hope Australia Soccer Academy’s Coach Neto at the event on 30 August. 296704 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS because your communities demand it and you have skills we require.

“Your country will be the better for it if you were sitting amongst us in the Federal Parliament.”

Mr Dutton also outlined his priorities as part of reshaping Liberal policy ahead of the 2025 election. First was for his front and back benchers to listen to “your views” and understand the “concerns you have in your community”.

Others were the welfare of aged care residents from non-English-speaking backgrounds, and support for small business startups.

Mr Dutton also said it was important for Australia to support “our friends in the region

and around the world” – to “support those who support us”.

“Australia is a respected country and people have made the decision for hundreds of years to make Australia home.

“We want to make it a welcoming place for many more over the next generation.”

In response to the event, Bruce Labor MP Julian Hill labelled the Liberals a “sick joke” and said “Dutton can bugger off from Dandenong and not come back”.

“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at Peter Dutton in Dandenong now sucking up to multicultural communities and pretending to care.

“Peter Dutton and the Liberals implemented blatantly racist and discriminatory visa

policies hurting thousands of Australians and their loved ones.”

Mr Hill said Mr Dutton closed the immigration office in Dandenong and “refused to even meet with the community when he was the Minister”.

The previous government “broke Australia’s visa system with nearly one million backlogged applications when they left office”, Mr Hill said.

“Peter Dutton and the Liberals condemned hundreds of thousands of Australians to years separated from their husbands, wives, children and those they love and cruel citizenship delays.

“The Liberals are a sick joke and should apologise for the mess they made.”

FOCUS ON … FATHER’S DAY

‘Pull my finger’: Dads can always make us laugh He fell in love the first time he held you, and cocked the shotgun when your first date arrived.

He teaches, protects and loves unconditionally, but never misses an opportunity to “stir you up”.

They’re the characters who teach you to

laugh at yourself, and particularly enjoy when you laugh at them.

This is for the new Dads - to learn from.

For the current Dads - to gain new material from.

And for the Dads we’ve lost - to always remember the joy they gave us.

Top 10 Dad jokes: When driving past a cemetery, “You know, that is the dead centre of town!”

“Pull my finger!”

Me: “Dad I’m hungry!” Dad: “Hi hungry, I’m dad!”

Anywhere with stuffed and mounted animal heads - “It must have been going pretty fast when it hit that wall!”

When Dad drops a pea off of his plate “Oh dear I’ve pee’d on the table!”

· · · · ·

“Should I put the kettle on?” Dad: “Do · Me: you think it will suit you?” driving past black and white cows · When - “Wow, it must be cold out there, those cows are Friesian!”

“I’m off!” Dad: “I wondered what the · Me: smell was!” someone in a restaurant drop· Hearing ping glasses or crockery - “Sack the juggler!”

being offered a hot towel in a Chi· When nese restaurant, “No thanks, I’m full!”

The Great Australian Bakehouse, Pakenham

12511584-AV36-21

145 Main Street, Pakenham

FATHER'S DAY SALE

Forget the socks!

Give Dad sweet treats this Father’s Day

20% OFF ALL MENSWEAR From now until Father's Day www.tradingstables.com.au 5943 2444

Show your Dad how much you love him this Father’s Day. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

1 Tivendale rd Officer 12564623-JC34-22

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

|

STAR NEWS 13

NEWS

Coaching staff: Ronnie King (assistant coach), Andrew Johnston (president), Anthony Scolyer (coach) and Lachlan Scolyer (assistant coach). 296116

Kane King launching a kick inside 50. 296116

Inclusive Gators take cup

By Marcus Uhe The combined forces of the Fountain Gate Gators and Eltham Panthers capped off a sensational season in the Football Integration Development Association (FIDA) Division 3 Reserves competition with a grand final victory on Sunday 21 August.

The Gators defeated the Cranbourne Eagles Open Mixed Reserves side 56 to 26 at Livingstone Rec Reserve to win their first premiership in their first completed season, after winning the minor premiership in the home and away season.

The team is made up of players who suffer physical and intellectual disabilities aged between 14 and 45. It was formed during 2020 as an initiative from Gators president Andrew Johnston.

“We’re known as family club but I wanted us to be an inclusive club as well,” Mr Johnston said.

“Through Covid-19, I looked at ways to expand the club because the juniors weren’t doing it on their own. I looked at women’s seniors to give the girls pathways.

“Some kids that I coach have siblings that qualify for this team but couldn’t play in the other sides. I thought, ‘How do I get them to play football?’

“They were my inspiration to look into it.”

One of those siblings Mr Johnston referenced is Matthew Scolyer, son of the team’s coach, Anthony and brother of assistant coach and runner, Lachlan.

Matthew’s disability has prevented him from participating previously and, as such, this was the first time he was able to play in organised team sport.

“He has two brothers, both of whom actively participate in sports,” Anthony said.

“His younger brother is captain of the under 14s.

“Matthew was always going along to watch his brothers and cheering the loudest but felt excluded.

“It’s absolutely amazing that the club came together to build a foundation for him and colleagues to be able to play.”

Anthony said it took some time for Matthew to feel comfortable in the environment but since clearing that hurdle, he had seen a marked improvement in his personal development.

“It’s been great for him to build his confidence socially, communicate, bond and work in a team environment. He’s got more confidence and he’s more capable in the community.”

Anthony has coached at local level before but this was the first all-abilities side he had taken the reigns of.

He said he was forced to alter his coaching style but his players want to learn and improve, and their passion for the game made his job easy.

“We had kids from all walks of life with all types of disabilities,” he said.

“What I found is the deeper connection you get from coaching kids with a disability.

“It’s the understanding of what it takes for them as an effort to achieve personal goals and individual goals.

14 STAR NEWS

|

Premiership players, from left, Matthew Scolyer, Darcy Hamilton, Nick Ford, Daniel O’Regan, Kane King, Anthony Scolyer (coach), Jordan Fife, James Pictures: LIAM SCOLYER Hampton, Lachlan Scolyer (assistant coach), Julian Sim. 296116

Darcy Hamilton taking a set shot for goal. 296116

James Hampton and Lachlan Wadsworth lifting the premiership cup.

296116

“Part of that is around their social interaction because for some it’s difficult to socially connect with others. To build their capabilities and see their confidence grow to become a broader member of community is heart-warming.

“That’s as big a success as winning the grand final.”

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

Mr Johnston said the team’s spirit and success had reverberated throughout the club.

“It’s hard to describe the vibe and support around the club at the moment,” he said.

“We had 120 people come out and support them on Sunday and it was a pretty amazing atmosphere for the team.

“It’s quite inspiring.”

Anthony said he expected the victory to live on in the players’ minds for quite some time.

“It’s Thursday now and the game was on Sunday but most of these guys, I’m still seeing them go to school or work with medals around their neck this week!” pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Need A Ladder?

The Amazing, Portable, Easy to Use Ladder System Margann. | “Best Ladder on the market” Simply the best ladder I’ve ever used, it’s everything it’s cracked up to be and the little extras such as the work platforms, leg adjusters and wall standoff make it incredible value.

• Certified Safety Rating up to 180kg • Use it on Stairs Safely • Create your own Scaffolding System • Versatile, Compact and Telescopic

Free * Gifts Worth

Free

Free

$660.00 *Ts & Cs Apply 12565467-JW35-22

Free *1 x Wall Standoff + 2 x Work Platforms + 2 x Leg Levellers

Call Now! 1800 440 440 *Call for Terms & Conditions

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

|

STAR NEWS 15

NEWS

Lakes stocked up Fishers will have more opportunities to cast a line thanks to the stocking of 1000 rainbow trout into waters across Greater Melbourne.

Minister for Fishing and Boating Sonya Kilkenny this week visited Berwick Springs Estate Lake, Caulfield Racecourse Lake, Navan Park Lake and Spavin Lake – which have all shared in the rainbow trout stockings.

The stockings have been funded by recreational fishing licence fees and form part of the State Government’s $35 million Go Fishing Victoria plan to get more people fishing, more often.

“We’re continuing to stock our waters with rainbow trout and now families and kids have even more opportunities to head to Berwick Springs Lake to try catching their first-ever fish,” Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas said.

Stocked waters in the South East include Berwick Springs Estate Lake, Casey Fields Lake, Emerald Lake, Garfield Lake and Pakenham Lake.

Rainbow trout formed part of the recordbreaking stocking effort of 10 million fish released right across Victoria over the past year – a national record.

The stockings come ahead of free introductory fishing clinics, which will be held across the state this spring.

Clinics will be held in Casey Fields, Lilydale, Seymour, Shepparton and Bendigo, and are part of the State Government’s Go Fishing Victoria plan.

Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards welcomed the stocking of the lake and the opportunity it provided to try the sport.

“It’s great to have these free introductory fishing clinics located so close to home – including in Cranbourne East – so families and kids can try fishing and enjoy time together outdoors,” Ms Richards said.

VicFishKids events are designed especially for children keen to learn the basics in a safe

Truck and trailer blaze Firefighters responded to a fire in Pakenham following a call to Triple Zero (000) just before 2.30pm on Monday 29 August.

Firefighters arrived to the Exchange Drive scene to find a parked truck and trailer on fire within a factory property, Fire Rescue Victoria said.

Firefighters worked quickly to make the scene safe and extinguish the fire, with the incident declared under control at 2.52 pm.

Fuel from the truck was safely disposed of by firefighters and WorkSafe.

Drugs seized Fishing and Boating Minister Sonya Kilkenny and Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards releasing some Rainbow Trout into the lake at Casey Fields on Wednesday 24 August. 295804 Picture: GARY SISSONS and supported environment with help from experts. Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Ambassador Lee Rayner will join Fisheries Officers and the Education Team to chat with participants and share tip and tricks.

VicFishKids events are run with the help of local fishing clubs and Fishcare, ensuring participants learn from experienced fishers about knots, casting, bait selection and what to do when they land their first fish.

Children who pre-register for clinics will receive a free fishing rod to take home, with 120 up for grabs at each event.

Casey Fields Lake will also hold a filleting and cooking demonstration, and tips on how and where to catch your target species on Saturday 15 October between 10am and 4pm.

More information about the stockings can be found online at vfa.vic.gov.au/metrostonkers

A Narre Warren South man is in custody after police intercepted an unregistered truck containing more than 100kg of cocaine near Wallan, about 50km north of Melbourne’s CBD. The truck was pulled over heading north on the Hume Freeway shortly after 8am on 24 August after police identified the NSW registration had expired.

A search of the truck was then conducted and police located a quantity of frozen chickens as well as a dozen boxes of a white powder substance.

While the substance is still in the process of being forensically tested, it is believed to be approximately 120kg of cocaine.

The drugs, chicken and vehicle have all subsequently been seized. The driver of the truck, a 23-year-old Narre Warren South man, is currently in custody. The investigation, which will be conducted by Crime Command, is ongoing.

Subscribe to the

Pakenham Officer Star News

Digital Edition

NEW

FREE

sports balls that float

PAKENHAM OFFICER

Thursday, 28 January, 2021

PAKENHAM OFFICER

@StarNews_SE

/pakenhamstarnews

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Pakenham CFA undergoes facelift

Montagues goes next level

A big day for bowling club

PAGE 3

PAGE 5

PAGES 8-9

PAGE 11

@StarNews_SE

40¢ Inc. GST

SES veteran named top citizen

Pakenham CFA undergoes facelift

Montagues goes next level

A big day for bowling club

PAGE 3

PAGE 5

PAGES 8-9

PAGE 11

SIGN UP NOW!

12476975-LB02-21

SES veteran named top citizen

SIGN UP NOW!

PAKENHAM OFFICER

Thursday, 28 January, 2021

40¢ Inc. GST

Stirring trouble

By Mitchell Clarke

Stirring trouble

By Mitchell Clarke It was the initiative that dished up smiles during lockdown, but now a decrepit looking Spoonville site in Pakenham is providing any-

It was the initiative that dished up smiles during lockdown, but now a decrepit looking Spoonville site in Pakenham is providing anything but joy.

During the one hour exercise limit - which is now a distant memory - Spoonville sites across Cardinia Shire were the most popular place to visit.

Despite the fad having died down entirely, the Cardinia Lakes community was understandably upset at news their local site appeared to have been targeted by cruel vandals.

Estate resident Laksika noticed the destroyed site during her daily walk on Sunday 24 January.

“I think someone has just walked over it or kicked them all over. It’s very sad to see it. We always used to stop there and have a look for new ones,” she wrote on Facebook.

The reaction from her neighbours was similar.

“Absolutely disgusting. The highlight of our walk is our toddler stopping to look and admire the spoons,” one local woman said.

“That’s so disappointing. My kids had spoons in there,” another woman added.

Pakenham Hills Ward councillor Jack Kowarzik said the news was “really frustrating”.

“Spoonville was created by locals for the enjoyment of local children and to see it vandalised is disappointing,” he said.

Cardinia Art Society president Jillian Ronald described Spoonville as an “amazing initiative” during Melbourne’s lengthy lockdown.

“It’s given joy and positivity in some very dark times and I just think it’s really disappointing that, when the community put together a project to support each other during a difficult time, that someone would take the trouble to destroy it. They’d be better off going home to create a spoon and putting it with

In happier times - Maci, Willow and Aubrey at a Pakenham Spoonville site. 214450 the rest,” she said.

“I’d suggest there’s much better things they could do with their time.”

The ‘Spoonville’ trend was born out of Winnersh, England, in an attempt to improve mental health by simply making people happy as they were out and about during daily exercise.

The quirky saga soon made its way to Cardinia - after Australia’s first ever site was constructed up the highway in Longwarry.

Within weeks, the site had spread to Pakenham, Officer, Garfield, Nar Nar Goon, Emerald and Beaconsfield.

Ms Ronald acknowledged the Spoonville craze had now hit a dead end.

“They’re getting a little bit tired, so maybe it’s time for the spoons to come home,” she said.

Ms Ronald, who commissioned the two local sites at Lakeside in Pakenham, encouraged community members to collect their spoons from their local sites.

She added that in mid-February she’d look to clean up all remaining Spoonville’s and relocate any leftover spoons to an “undisclosed location”.

The once popular Spoonville trend appears to have hit a dead end.

Picture: FACEBOOK

Since 1989

SAVE UP TO

Interlux

12470667-SN47-20

12425088-FA36-19

Understanding your home’s value is W H AT A R E YO U WA I T I N G F O R ? as important as ever, that’s why we’re Ray White Pakenham • 1/11 John Street, Pakenham VIC 3810 continuing with our virtual appraisals.

03 5940 8355 • raywhitepakenham.com

12481578-JW06-21

/pakenhamstarnews

12467549-HL46-20

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

and

•

Scan this QR code to subscribe •

Or visit pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au/subscribe/ 12554701-DL24-22

16 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

$9 million hub backhander

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A gold-winning table tennis association has been left “disappointed” after Greater Dandenong Council scrapped a proposed $9.1-million regional facility.

Baulking at the cost, Greater Dandenong councillors narrowly voted down plans to start $440,000 detailed design work for the facility at Springers Leisure Centre in Keysborough.

The centre was to be the new home of Greater Dandenong Table Tennis Association – which is near capacity at its 40-year-old facility at JC Mills Reserve, Dandenong.

Its current base is set to make way for the council’s $82.3 million Dandenong Oasis aquatic and wellbeing centre.

The GDTTA venue has hosted a long lineage of international players.

They include 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Qian Yang and Dandenong’s underage national champ Connie Psihogios, who was selected to try-out for Australia’s 2020 Olympic team at age 11.

It runs a junior academy, high-performance programs, blind table tennis, tournaments and weekly competitions.

In a statement, the GDTTA responded: “Whilst our club is disappointed with the council voting against our replacement stadium, the club remains hopeful that we can continue to work constructively with council to achieve a replacement centre which is suitable for the club’s current and future needs. “(We hope) we can continue to provide a facility that has many health and other benefits for our vibrant and inclusive table tennis community.”

After a feasibility study, council officers recommended a new 24-table centre equipped for international tournament standards.

The study found “strong demand” for a regional facility, with GDTTA membership num-

bers forecasted to grow from 300 to more than 600 at the new centre.

It estimated more than 94,000 visits a year including school use, casual hire and tournaments, generating $6.44 million over the next 10 years.

In opposition, Mayor Jim Memeti told Star Journal the council was already building enough regional facilities, such as the new Oasis and the $110 million Dandenong Sports and Events Centre.

He expected the project cost would blow out to up to $12 million by the time it was built.

“Do we need to be carrying the region with everything we do?

“Consider how many are using the centre, and if we’d get bang for our buck - maybe we should look for the council officers to bring back something smaller.”

Councillor Tim Dark said the council was “substantially rate-capped”, had posted only a small surplus and was committed to other large projects such as the Keysborough South Community Hub. He argued it was “fairyland stuff” for the council to “throw” $440,000 at a project and

hope the state and federal funding would follow.

With less than 100 of the GDTTA’s membership living in Grater Dandenong, there were many other sports clubs that could do with the funding, Cr Dark said.

“It is fundamentally bad, bad, bad policy, a bad framework and a very bad project.”

Cr Rhonda Garad supported the concept of replacing the Mills Reserve centre, but on a smaller non-regional scale.

Spending on the $9.1 million centre equated to about $30,000 per member – an “outrageous sum of money” on a “very small group of people”.

In favour, Councillor Sean O’Reilly said the detailed design work was required to help attract state and federal funding for the building, so it wasn’t funded solely by the council.

“This group has been extremely patient, extremely successful… I don’t think it’s much for them to at least ask council to progress this rather than nipping it in the bud.

“If we’re going to talk about per-head spend… let’s run a rule over Dandenong basketball stadium, let’s run a rule over other sports.

“You can’t say that table tennis is not as important. We have to give it a fair chance to attract other funding.”

When voted down, the possibility of a regional facility “won’t see the light of day”.

Table Tennis Victoria chief executive Gen Dohrmann said the proposed regional table tennis facility was of “great importance… to replace the home that the Greater Dandenong Table Tennis Association currently have that will be demolished”.

“We will work with both the association, the local council and the State Government to ensure there is a plan for the future for one of our biggest associations in Victoria.”

GET YOUR FAVOURITE REGIONAL NEWSPAPER DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR! Have all the news, sport and information delivered to your home each week.

Simply call (03) 9792 2557 or email admin@sedist.com.au to find out how...

Berwick-Pakenham

12557202-DL27-22

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

|

STAR NEWS 17

NEWS

Shire keeps online talks

By Marcus Uhe The City of Casey will continue to hold online administrator meetings following the passing of new Governance Rules at a special administrator meeting on Tuesday 30 August.

In 2020, under the Victorian Government’s Covid-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020, mechanisms were introduced to allow councils to conduct virtual meetings in order to ensure the continuance of local government decision-making during the pandemic.

The adoption of the new rules, which come into effect on Friday 2 September, allow for virtual representation of panel members, in what administrator Glenn Boardman described as a “common sense approach” to local governance.

“This is not just an initiative that has been associated with the recent changes to meeting procedures across all aspects of government as a consequence of the pandemic but it is a process which brings meeting procedures of this council and other municipalities into a very common set of practices,” Mr Boardman said.

The proposed rules were exhibited on the Casey Conversations website for four weeks between Monday 22 July and Monday 22 August, where members of the public were invited to provide written submissions in response to the proposed rules.

Four submissions were made, which Mr Boardman addressed during the special meeting on Tuesday.

“We do acknowledge that feedback has been provided to us,” Mr Boardman said.

“Council officers are in the process of detailing responses to that and ensuring that we do meet community expectations in a reason-

able, professional and consistent manner.”

Officers recommended a further review of governance rules, and a revised draft be considered by council in November 2022, following which a final round of consultation would be undertaken.

Administrator Miguel Belmar said conducting meetings by electronic means “absolutely work” and the flexible approach was fundamental to good governance.

“It provides for very flexible participation in meetings,” Mr Belmar said.

“It ensures that members of council and future councillors are able to arrange their affairs in a way that means they can attend. If by chance they need to make arrangements at short notice, the rules provide that can be done even on the day.

“Being able to attend by electronic means should not become the ordinary course and it will always be, from my point-of-view, best to do it in an public setting in the council chambers.

“There’s no reason why, going into the future, under appropriate circumstances and with appropriate notice that electronic meetings are not able to occur.”

Other topics covered in the Governance Rules include the form and availability of records, the conduct of council meetings, an elected period policy and the procedures for a conflict of interest by a councillor, member of delegated committee or member of council staff when providing information.

To view the rules, head to the council’s website and view the agenda for Tuesday 30 August’s Special Council Meeting.

The City of Casey will continue to hold online council meetings with virtual representation. 238145

Need local staff?

Then give us the job...

Star News

Need local staff?

12544970-HC15-22

Then give us the job... we will advertise it in our employment section and attract local staff

18 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Rizkallah lists his kicks and his reverse punch as two of his main strengths. 295055

Leonardo Rizkallah is off to the World Karate Championships in Turkey. 295055

Pictures: MARCUS UHE

$5000 was raised in two weeks to support his trip to Turkey. 295055

Rallying around Leonardo “I’m so overwhelmed with all the support and love received,” the 15-year-old said.

“From the bottom of my heart I thank you all for your generous donations and I will fight my heart out to bring a medal back home to Australia.”

Leonardo’s Father, Andy, said he was grate-

Find out all the local news for Pakenham & Officer. Pick up the Pakenham Officer Star News from local outlets listed below or subscribe to our digital edition and have it sent to your device each week.

To read all the in depth news, sport and information from across the region buy the Pakenham Gazette from supermarkets, services stations and outlets. Just $2 and worth every cent!

PAKENHAM OFFIC

ER Thursday, Thursday,24 3 March, 2022

pakenhamnews.starc

ommunity.com.au

Sikhs Pathways plant for girls in service

/pakenhamstarnews

School Belated camps honours presented are back

PAGE 6

PAGE 8

@StarNews_SE

Harmony Berwick Day Showunites returns

40¢ Inc. GST

5-0 Welcome start for withUnited open arms

PAGE 18 11

SPORT

Shift in focus

Show is back on track

Exhibitors, volunteers, sponsors and spectators were Changes are being thrilled to be back made to the Casey at P.B Ronald Reserve Foundation, which Cardinia for klea Pakenham Show the 111th Parsolely as the Cardiniawill potentially be known on Saturday.

Foundation.

Spoiled with sunny The foundation weather, the is making the show was the first to transition to decision a Cardinia-only Covid-19 shutdownsone back since body to strengthen not for in 2020 and profit organisations help 2021. community. in the It was a bumper Director Paul Thomas tainment with plenty day of entersaid the board yet to approve has of high qualthe new direction ity poultry, sheep transform the foundation. that will and exhibits, reminiscent horticulture “Throughout the of the district’s pandemic, like rural roots.

Casey Cardinia Foundation ganisations that director Paul Thomas are philanthropic, most or- says the foundation dation has had the founmay be shifting its little focus to carry out fundraising to no opportunities to Cardinia only. 198803 COVERAGE PAGES - we have continued 16-17 grants process so our the out, but we haven’t funds have been going their own organisation. really had monies ing in because The foundation comJunior Ambassador our fundraising was mainly grants process and currently has an annual through events,” of the Parklea Mr Thomas Pakenham Show is Sheridan Venables per cent of its assets. required to give back four “We took the opportunitysaid. (left) with Senior Ambassador Indi to go strategic review If approved by the Skehan. 271091 over the last couple through a board, the foundation Picture: ROB CAREW years. only give out to Cardinia “The review indicated will based organisations. we need to fund organisation properly Beaconhills College Mr Thomas said the to ensure we’re once the changes fundraise to the Class for VCE Dance.student Ruby Thornton-Mackay has able to proved, the foundation are aplevel we need to, been chosen will and ultimate- at a whole be able to operate to perform at Top ly give out significant new level. funds Picture: SUPPLIED “We will have significantto the community.

“It will mean we support from the Cardinia can make a difference Cardinia Shire.” to organisations through Cardinia Shire our grants process,” Mr Thomas councillor Jack said. said it was important Kowarzik “There was an

By Jonty Ralphsmith to continue to provide Ruby Thornton-Mac the foundation spreading ourselves argument that we were with financial support. too thin and this Casey also recorded training has paid kay’s 13 years of dance outstanding The“By City reinvigorating us in will hone of Casey recorded off, to a smaller territory. the the foundation of the best students being named one who have VCE performing arts students the third we work withofphilanthropist with 5174 – 231 fewer most family incinumber highest can dents Houses criminal offences completed; who undertook “Cardinia than in 2020. the s in the is growing at such Dance inwere VCE Music Investigation, Music Performance, incommunity.

2021 of any we In better news, Victorian 2021. top location for offences “With the a rapid rate so with 5833 offences localcompletion governmentofarea. deception offences, Music Style can concentratethe number occurring in the of criminal this strategic re- cidents view, Ruby has been some significant public order and position, VCE household. offences, it would inThe the City ofon ects thatinreally Criminal and Combe short Stealing selected to perform VET Music Industry, security Casey was sighted to wrap from a motor Statistics can make the Melbourne down 17.2projfoundation.” vehicle was the most at Drama justice procedures Dance, cent from 2020 to a difference up the community.” its released 2021 data on Thursday Agency Recital in per the common 2021.

Centre later this fences. and Theatre Studies. - except drug ofmonth offence, 17 March, revealingCasey as part followed by breach family Caseyjoined Ruby said she was of Top Class The highest number recorded violence order, Cardinia the 19,680 foundation Shire Council Hampton of Excellence, criminal Season ceived offences, of will in 2013 offences only is choosing Park (1868grateful damage,VCE have rebehind Greaterto but cial occurred managed in Cranbourne provide in 2020tocompared Geelong honour make an support to the finan- andCurriculum theft 1453 inthe by theother common assault.

(20,018) withfoundation performing exit as Victorian 1863, followed and they 2021), Narreof Melbourne (1629), (33,597). ate their focus her skills- to based dance and by first for the Warren (2627 in Berwick and undergo changesreevalu- years, solo which Narre with five theWarren In Berwick, total Assessment Authority as 2020, 2123 she in 2021), (VCAA). goal to grow (1533), within (1022) theHampton part ofNarre offences were down Warren Northchoreographed foundation a pointand her extermination Park where to to 2157 (352 Cranbourne it will be able 2475 last 2020, 323 in 2021) for withseason theinsubject The North a decrease in all to (999). year.and Narre Warren South run on its own. offence 11 concerts divisions – crimes against presents also recorded the person, property by decreases in the annual number Read moreof and oncrimes. page 2 Continued page 3

Crime concerns

Dancer takes centre stage

Low Dose CT, Digital X-ray, Comprehensive Ultrasound Dental X-ray, Dexa or Bone Densitometry, Echocardiogram

Will &

Deceased Estate Lawyers

NEED HELP WITH AN INTERVENTION ORDER?

BULK BILLING OPEN 7 DAYS

Preparation of Wills

U2, 1 Stephenson

Street PAKENHAM

12514155-BL41-21

(03) 5922 2072

and

Power of Attorney FOR BUSINESS Prompt OPEN and expert Kit ! preparation of probate Now in office consultations applications Online Consults still available

Pakenham CALL 0419 Drouin, 993 Narre 800 Yarra Junction Offices

|

Warren and P 5941 5166

CONTESTED WILLS

Hundreds of successful cases on no win–no fee basis

www.nealcollinlawyers.com

.au

JASON WOOD MP

12454762-DL38-20

Local news from Pakenham & Officer...

ful for the backing his son has received. ”We really appreciate all the support and we thank everyone who has donated so far,” he said.

“Every dollar counts and will go a long way.”

The championships will be held in Konya, Turkey, October 26-30.

12497982-JW24-21

Clyde’s Leonardo Rizkallah has achieved his fundraising goal of $5000 to support his trip to Turkey later in the year.

As profiled in last week’s Star News, Mr Rizkallah has been selected to represent Australia at the WKF World Karate Championships

in October, having qualified via the Australian Karate Federation Championships in August.

A GoFundMe page established to cover costs associated with the trip, including competition entry, airfares and accommodation, raised more than $5000 in two weeks.

Leonardo wished to thank everyone who contributed.

12496498-DL22-21

By Marcus Uhe

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LA TROBE 03 9768 9164 JasonWood.Updates

12517231-SG43-21

Authorised by J.Wood, Liberal Party of Australia, 3/16 Langmore Ln, Berwick VIC 3806.

Pick up your Star News newspaper from these local outlets...

• Officer - The Timber Mill Cafe 4 Cotswold Crescent

• Pakenham - FoodWorks Shops 5 & 6, 106 Henry Road

• Officer - 7-11 Service Station Outbound Officer 397 Princes Highway

• Pakenham - Cardinia Shire Council Office 2 Henty Way

• Pakenham - NewsXpress - Pakenham 99 Main Street

• Pakenham - Stellas Cafe and Takeaway 2 Hogna Court

• Officer - Officer Bakehouse 412 Princes Highway

• Pakenham - Tea for 2 Cafe 58 John Street

• Pakenham - Century 21 Real Estate - Pakenham 103 Main Street

• Officer - Chelles Soulfood 20/445 Princes Highway

• Pakenham - Pakenham Central Marketplace 50-54 John Street

• Pakenham - Vanille Bistro 116 Main Street

• Pakenham - Milk Bar Jun-58 Racecourse Road ( Cnr Cameron Way )

• Officer - Peake Real Estate Lvl.2, 439 Princes Highway

• Pakenham - O’Brien Real Estate - Pakenham Shop 3 & 4 /11 John Street

• Pakenham - Bakery 127 127 Main Street

• Pakenham - Cardinia Club 71 Racecourse Road

95 Main Street • Pakenham - Arena Cafe Shop 8 Princes Highway and Cardinia Road (Arena Shopping Centre)

• Officer - Officer Post Office Princes Highway and Cardinia Road (Arena Shopping Centre)

• Pakenham - Four Seasons Cafe Shop 5, 50 54/5 John Street

• Pakenham - Neilson Partners 1st National - Pakenham 130 Main Street

• Pakenham - Lollipop’s Playland & Cafe 01-Mar Southeast Boulevard

• Officer - Arena Shopping Centre Princes Highway and Cardinia Road

• Pakenham - The Coffee Club Shop 6, 50-54 John Street (Pakenham Central Marketplace)

• Pakenham - Twisted Sista Cafe & Gelateria 131 Main Street

• Pakenham - The Cornerstone 2 Station Street

• Pakenham - Pakenham Heights Cafe & Milk Bar 3810/28B Ahern Road

• Pakenham - Elders Real Estate - Pakenham 1140 Koo Wee Rup Road

• Pakenham - The Great Australian Bakehouse 137-145 Main Street

• Pakenham - Lakeside Square Shopping Centre 9 Village Way

• Pakenham - Gloria Jeans Shop 1/1280 Koo Wee Rup Road

• Pakenham - Bendigo Bank 105 Main Street

• Pakenham - Frankies 5 Lakeside Boulevard

• Pakenham - Pakenham Place Shopping Centre 67-69 Main Street

• Pakenham - Cardinia Lakes Shopping Centre Windermere Boulevard

• Pakenham -Stockdale and Leggo Real Estate - Pakenham Shop 9, 22-26 Bald Hill Road • Pakenham - Deep Creek Reserve Cafe Cameron Way PAKENHAM OFFICER

• Pakenham - Cardinia Cultural Centre Lakeside Boulevard • Pakenham - Pakenham Hills General Store 1 Leigh Drive • Pakenham - Homestead Cafe @ The Heritage Shop 5/1 Livingstone Boulevard

• Pakenham - Robert Gordon Pottery & Kitchen 114 Mulcahy Road • Pakenham - Pakenham YMCA 4 Olympic Way

• Pakenham - Urban Hype Cafe 9/140 Windermere Boulevard

• Pakenham - Grants Estate Agents - Pakenham Mar-51 John Street • Pakenham - Ray White Real Estate - Pakenham Lcl.1, 11 John Street

• Pakenham - The Heritage Shopping Centre 1 Livingstone Boulevard

• Pakenham - Spill the Beanz Coffee Shop 825 Princes Highway • Pakenham - Salvos Stores 895 Princes Highway

• Pakenham - Harcourts Real Estate - Pakenham Lvl.1, 48 Station Street

• Pakenham - Alex Scott and Staff Real Estate - Pakenham

• Pakenham - Wild Bean Cafe 92-96 Princes Highway

• Pakenham - Outlook 24 Toomuc Valley Road 12562287-MS32-22

• Pakenham - Kebabs Pakenham 137 Main Street

• Pakenham - Village Way Cafe 15-Sep Village Way

Scan this QR code to Subscribe now!

Or visit: pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au/subscribee pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

|

STAR NEWS 19

networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services V Deadline

V Trades Business Profile

V Furniture Removals

LEIGH HUNTER REMOVALS

Placing your classified advert is so easy...

Online: networkclassifieds.com.au (24/7) Phone: 1300 666 808 (Open 8.30-5pm Mon-Fri) Email: sales@networkclassifieds.com.au

Grow your business with

(include your name, address and phone number)

We accept payment by:

PHONE FOR OBLIGATION FREE QUOTATION

TRADES & SERVICES

VISA/MASTERCARD/EFTPOS (1.5% credit card processing fee applies. Cheques and money orders can be posted in or hand delivered to our local office)

C62885-BG24-8

AND STORAGE • Local, Country & Interstate • Antiques & Pianos a speciality • Cartons & Porta-robes for hire or sale • Full packing available

9707 5700, 9768 9153 V Guttering

ICE Rec : 17824 24 HshmOentUsR SERV

฀

฀ ฀

฀ ฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀ ฀ ฀

฀ ฀

฀฀

฀

Call James 0419 158 660

1161589-LB44-14

฀

all Specialising in efurbi • Entensions/R ations y Switches Electrical Install Upgrades /Safet • Switchboard E QUOTES FRE small • House Rewires CC TV No Job too big or & • Phone /Data/ TV Repairs l.com.au ica ctr te ele Pla utt t jlh Ho ww w.

• Oven & ce Repairs • Hot Water Servi s • Security Alarm s • AC Installation

GUTTER CLEANING POWERFUL VACUUM LEAVES NOTHING BEHIND Pressure Cleaning/Solar & Window Cleaning Satisfaction Guaranteed from $165

Call Jeff on

0411 314 104 V Heating

NEED A LOCAL HEATING AND HOT WATER REPAIRER? Steve on 0407 704 213 BRIVIS / VULCAN / BONAIRE / BRAEMAR Specialising in air conditioning and heating • Service and repairs to ducted heaters and evaporative coolers • Gas ducted heating changeover units • Carbon Monoxide testing • Installations & supply of split system heating & cooling • Service, repairs and replacement of hot water services

4 698 Jason 1300 64

12550148-RC20-22

trical J.L. Hutt Elec

QUALIFIED CARPENTER/ HOME MAINTENANCE ฀

1152285-PB36-14

V Carpenters

Exterior Window Cleaning with any Gutter Clean

“Since advertising in the local News our enquiries have increased immensely and we continue to get great results” ă 'DPLDQ

Speak to our classified team and find out how easy it is to advertise. Start building your brand today and be seen every week in Network Classifieds Trades and Services.

12435765-SN02-20

Deadline for all classifications is 11am Wednesday

20% off

12564021-MS34-22

From plumbers to pest control, carpet cleaning to building services, dry cleaning to computer repairs, lawn mowing and more, Network Classifieds has been connecting local businesses with the local community with our Trades and Services each week.

Ask about our discounted ongoing advertising rates and how choosing more newspapers gives your advertising more impact and saves you money...

34 years experience

12463531-SG40-20

V Concrete Products & Services

A & F CONCRETING

CARPORTS - VERANDAHS PERGOLAS - DECKS - PATIOS Timber - Steel - Colourbond

1231663-PB24-16

V Carports

Plans & Permits organised for you! We custom build to your budget.

Call for a free measure & quote

1800 889 043

www.artpergolas.com.au

L&L ELECTRICS

• SPECIALISING IN ALL TYPES OF CONCRETING/ CONCRETE PATTERN, SLABS • FOUNDATIONS ETC. • ALL DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL

฀

฀

Andrew Craven Concreting www.andrewcravenconcreting.com.au

A GRADE ELECTRICIAN

★

MEB & SON CONCRETING

0408 585 508, 5998 1127 Support your local tradesman for ALL your concreting needs!

J.L. Hutt Electrical

12390512-ACM24-18

section of Network Classifieds.

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

฀

24 HOUR SERVICE ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀

Over 20 Years’ Experience 12355550-ACM25-17

V Painters/Decorators

฀★

PAULS PAINTING & SON Qualified & Licensed For prompt & reliable service.

No job too small.

Lights, Power Points, NBN, Phone, & TV Points. CCTV. Rec 23156.

Call for a free quote Mark 0401 523 330

฀

฀

฀

SAXON FENCING Palings, Pickets, Colorbond Fences & Gates

• Fully qualified • Over 30 years experience

• Domestic • Commercial • Interior • Exterior • Driveways Free quotes, by the hour, the day or by the job

Call Paul 0432 044 875

฀ ฀ ฀

Jason 1300 644 698

Interior/ext High quality Free quote

Commercial/Domestic Decking/pergola/driveways ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

฀

www.proudpainting.com.au

M: 0 4 3 0 3 5 3 0 8 0 Ben

Prompt and Reliable Service

฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

when you present this voucher

V Fencing & Gates 12438941-CG04-20

V Electricians

Ring Jim for a free quote 0417 054 198

General Notices

C1085227-JO32-13

Phone Andrew on

฀

Call DOUG AMOS Receive 10% off

฀

Call Chris: 0416 079 689 - 5940 7264

t 6OJU 4JUFT t (BSBHFT t %SJWFXBZT t 1FSHPMBT t 1MBJO $PMPVSFE t 4MBUF *NQSFTTJPO t 'BVY #SJDL t &YQPTFE "HHSFHBUF

Footings, garages, v crossings, drives, paths & patios.

In plain, colour, slate or stencil. Also drainage, saw cutting, 3T excavator, bobcat & tip trucks.

NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL

All Types of Domestic & Commercial Work ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL FREE QUOTE ANY TIME RING 9700 4378 C63804-BG25-8

V Concrete Products & Services

DOMESTIC COMMERCIAL AUTOMOTIVE

V Electricians

12473880-DL49-20

644 780

LIC. 33033

V Locksmiths

12367795-LB41-17

Contact Trevor: 0403

Call 1300 666 808 1198421-ACM37-15

Discounts apply

PLUMBING & HEATING

www.settlementplumbing.com

12362669-EPJ34-17

ON TIME, EVERY TIME

12511858-CG36-21

• Deckings • Pergolas • Renovations • Bathrooms • Small Excavation Work • Repairs • All aspects of building

Credit Card Welcome

Sൾඍඍඅൾආൾඇඍ

Fully Licenced Builder/Carpenter

Phone 0419 775 259 or 8751 4016

C1101420-JO46-13

Employment section of Network Classifieds.

with us and get better results

12514849-JW40-21

ADVERTISE CALL 1300 666 808 20 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

WHAT’S ON Historical guest speaker Author Alan Doyle will be the guest speaker at BPHistorical Society at 8pm Friday 2 September.

Doyle’s book is Lasseter: A gold legend begins in Colac 1870-1896. Visitors welcome.

Enquiries: 0497 901 965.

Weed swap Do you have troublesome weeds on your property?

Why not trade them in for some free, locally native plants?

Cardinia Shire Council and the Friends of Emerald Lake Park are hosting a ‘Trees for Weeds’ swap day at Emerald Library.

Residents are invited to come along with a sample of weeds to swap for a free native plant.

Our experts will be happy to help with identifying weed species and offer advice on ways to control weeds on your property, as well as some free indigenous plants to take home.

Everyone welcome! Don’t forget your weeds!

Saturday 3 September 10am– 2pm at Emerald Library, 400B Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald.

·Friends of Cardinia Creek

Friends of Cardinia Creek Sanctuary will be having a meeting to plan its future starting at 2pm on Saturday 3 September 2022, at the Men’s Shed at Akoonah Park, Gate 4, on Cardinia Street, Berwick.

A Chorus Line CPAC presents one of Broadway’s longest-running musicals about dancers vying for a spot in the chorus of a Broadway show. A Chorus Line portrays a reflection of what it is like to be a dancer and the trials and tribulations of a career in the arts.

At Cranbourne Community Theatre 2 and 3 September. Tickets at trybooking.com/BSKJK

·

·

Tynong Post Office opening An open afternoon will be held on Saturday 3 September from 1pm with free food, drinks, kids activities and Father’s Day raffle to celebrate the move of the post office into its new building.

The Post Office will officially begin trading out of the new premises on Monday 12 September, so we are giving everyone a chance to have a look through the building before we begin.

Music Trivia night Casey-Cardinia Rotaract Club is proud to be hosting a Music Trivia Night on Saturday 3 September to raise money for End Trachoma. It’s a battle of the bands as you try to top the trivia charts so gather your bandmates and join in the fun!

The venue we will be rocking out to is Beaconsfield Community Complex Hall. Doors open at 7pm so we can kick off at 7.30pm. Make sure to get your tickets for the hottest event of the year.

Tickets are $20 each or $150 to reserve your own table for you and 9 of your groupies for a max of 10.

For more information, please feel free to visit endtrachoma2020.org.au

· ·

Coffee with a Cop Pakenham Central Marketplace and the Pakenham Police have teamed up to host Coffee with a Cop in a bid to increase community engagement and provide an opportunity to build meaningful connections between local police and residents of the Pakenham region.

The event invites members of the Pakenham community to come along to Pakenham Central Marketplace and share a complimentary coffee

in the Four Seasons Cafe with police officers to discuss community issues.

Coffee with a Cop, Tuesday 6 September from 10am to 11am at the Four Seasons Cafe.

·

Red Cross donation event Load up your car boot with pre-loved clothing and head to our contactless collection point where Council’s Waste Management team and Red Cross Volunteers will unload your boot for

Trades & Services V

Tree Lopping/Surgery

V

12482787-SG08-21

WEIGHTMAN PLUMBING PTY LTD

1300 414 299 SEWER BLOCKAGES – MACHINE CLEANED฀

฀

฀

฀

฀

฀ ฀ ESTABLISHED 30 YEARS ฀ ฀ STANDARD RATES ON WEEKENDS ฀ ฀ ฀฀฀ ฀ ฀ gjlawplumbing.com.au 7 DAYS 0419 136 181 - 0419 136 151

V

Phone Geoff 0418 340 825 Fully Insured

General Classifieds Adult Services

V

Massage Therapists

ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.

ANTENNA MAN

V

SAME DAY SERVICE

SN1090434-PJ37-13

DIGITAL ANTENNAS AMPLIFIERS TV OUTLETS

12469374-CG46-20

Tiling

All Bathroom Renovations • Bathrooms • Toilets • Kitchens • Decks • Water proofing • Walls and Floors

C1072232-JJ4-13

V

ECONOMY TILING Free Quotes

Call 0432 550 066 or 8707 5522

Pets & Services

Positions Vacant

Stablehand Dressage stables in Clyde Vic. Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings starting 8am. Preparing three horses for riding, cleaning stables and stable area, cleaning tack.

Experience handling horses necessary.

Contact: Judy Smith 0421 522 734

Professional

Positions Vacant

OWNER DRIVERS

The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Looking for a new start or Career?

We require white late model: 1 & 2T Vans & Trays 4T - 12T Trays / Tauts Minimum guarantees Work in all areas No experience required Full training Early starts

Call today

9775 0201 12523621-JW48-21

For Sale"

BOOKCASES (two) Ikea, professionally assembled, medium brown, 90cm Wx198cmH, $300 for both. Phone 5940 3309.

Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number.

It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice.

For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

General Classifieds section of Network Classifieds.

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

V

V

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

0409 888 228 V

12561517-JC35-22

Employment

Pruning Removal Stump Grinding

Television/Video/Audio

HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS ANTENNA SERVICE ALL AREAS

ptem Sunday 4th Se es • Chips • Scon le zz Si e ag t Street • Saus et nn | 15 Be

Oakfern Tree Care /L

V V

Gymnastics Coach Perm. Part/Full time considered. Are you committed to delivering excellence with insight & passion? This could be the role for you!

Contact: Kristine Ash 0412 399 001https://ww w.seek.com.au/job/5823 4471

1ST SUNDAY ecember) ONTH (March-D OF EVERY M ber 158 946 Contact: 0419 Rules Apply vid Co *Current

Positions Vacant

The longer you advertise the cheaper your ad!

Fulton Hogan are currently looking for people experienced in Sewer and Water Construction for the following positions:

CREW LEADER/FOREMAN (SEWER/WATER) EXCAVATOR OPERATORS (SEWER) PIPELAYER (SEWER) SEWER MAINTENANCE LABOURER Please note that we only consider applications from skilled applicants with South East Water experience in new land development water/sewer reticulation & sewer outfall construction.

Please send Resume and cover letter to: ashlee.davenport@fultonhogan.com.au PO BOX 690 DANDENONG VIC 3175 Or phone Ashlee Davenport on 0419 741 584

Call 12556172-DL26-22

฀

V

Markets

P

12423634-SN31-19

฀

฀

1158529-PB42-14

1 HOUR EMERGENCY PLUMBING ฀ ฀

Contact us 1300 301 678 ÜÜÜ°ÌÀii >Ã °V °>Õ C316291-KK18-5

Domestic Industrial Commercial

12449547-FA21-20

Contactless Quotes & Services Available!

UÊ/ÀiiÊ- >« }Ê UÊ i`} } UÊ-ÌÕ «Ê,i Û> UÊ Õ ÞÊ+Õ> wi`Ê « Þi` UÊ Õ ÞÊ ÃÕÀi`ÊUÊ ÀiiÊ+Õ Ìià GIPPSLAND UÊ ««Ã > `Ê V> Êv À UÊ/ÀiiÊ,i Û> ÊUÊ/ÀiiÊ*ÀÕ } ÊÊÊ ÛiÀÊÓÇÊÞi>ÀÃ

Employment

LONGWARRY FIRE BRIGAD COUNTRY CR E AFT & PRODUC E MARKET REFER TO FA CEBOOK FO R DETAILS*

Pensioner discounts available

฀ ฀ ฀

·

General Classifieds

Plumbing

V

you! Donations of clothing, accessories and homewares will be taken to the Australian Red Cross warehouse for distribution to their stores and programs who need it most. Unfortunately, donations of furniture, books, electrical items, and dirty, damaged, or unwearable items cannot be accepted.

To register for the event on Saturday 10 September and for more information about visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/dropoff

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

|

STAR NEWS 21

SPORT

Weekend woes for Pakky

By Jonty Ralphsmith It was a forgettable weekend for the Pakenham Warriors.

The men’s side went down 1-0 in their grand final playoff series against Gippsland, and the youth league succumbed to a 2-0 defeat from Keysborough in their big dance.

The division two men’s side went down by 11 points at Cardinia Life on Saturday night.

Regrettably, it is the only home fixture Pakenham have in the playoffs, meaning Rob Roberts’ men will need to get two consecutive wins on the road to taste the ultimate success this weekend.

It was all square at halftime, before Gippsland exploded in the third quarter.

Gippsland have a high-scoring reputation and landing their shots, which is what they did in the third quarter, sinking 32 points and keeping Pakenham to 18.

Keeping Gippsland to 84 points for the game was a fair effort, particularly given that onslaught, but it was ultimately in vain.

“We thought we had the right game-plan and for three and a half quarters it was right, but we had a six-minute period in the third which ended up being the difference in the game,” Roberts said.

“The fact we did keep them to a pretty low score means we just have some moves we need to make offensively to make sure we stay in the game.”

In the last 2:39 of the third quarter, the margin blew from five points to 14 points as the visitors scored 15 points in that period.

Pakenham got on a roll in the final quarter with 25 points, but could not stem Gippsland’s attack and close the significant three-quartertime margin.

“We still had the energy and our guys were fit, there is no doubt about it, and I probably could have made some more moves in the last quarter, but we were looking for offence rather than defence.

“Going deep into the game it would have

Alistair Parker drives to the hoop for the warriors against Gippsland. 296143 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS been handy to have someone else there and I think it showed we were probably the fitter team, it was just hard to make up the difference.

“It’s hard to keep most teams motivated when you’re 21 points down but not this one.

“To keep fighting and lose by 11 was a good comeback.

“One thing I repeat to them is 15 up or 15 down, we run (the game) out.”

Usual suspects Joshua Dow (19 points, six rebounds) and Joe Davis (20 points, 11 rebounds) played their part as Pakenham backed their best six men for the majority of the contest.

Trent Lee’s 10 points, six rebounds and four assists spread the load, pleasing the coach.

An injury to Elias Kafrouni limited him to fewer than six minutes but the club is optimistic he will return.

Roberts encouraged fans to get down to Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday night at 7pm to support, after about 750 people packed into Cardinia Life last week.

Meanwhile, the Warriors youth men’s needed to win on Saturday night at Keysborough to send the playoff series to a decider the following day after losing the previous weekend.

A 14-point Keysborough win was set up by a 26-16 second quarter.

Pakenham trainer Michael Huglin believes there are more wins in store for Lulu Darling. 296280 Pictures: PAT SCALA/RACING PHOTOS

Trent Lee’s contributions pleased coach Rob Roberts. 296143 Despite leading narrowly at quarter time, Pakenham never seriously threatened thereafter, briefly getting within six points in the last stanza but unable to close the margin any more.

Michael Johns produced his usual output with 22 points and Jackson Grey scored 16 points.

Johns was awarded league MVP on the night and Braden Venning was named coach of the year.

While that result ends the Warriors’ youth season on a sour note, it is expected the bulk of the squad will return to give the premiership another shake next season.

Jolting canters to victory for jockey Jack Hill and local trainer Reece Goodwin. 296280

Pakenham trainer Huglin puts full faith in his Darling

By David Nagel Stick with Lulu Darling.

That’s the advice of Pakenham trainer Michael Huglin after his five-year-old mare took out the $37,500 BenchMark-58 Handicap (1400m) on her home track on Friday.

Ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, Lulu Darling was given a perfect run throughout before peeling out in the straight and surging clear for a soft two-length victory.

Huglin said the addition of blinkers has given the mare more focus.

“She’s obviously got her fair share of ability, and with the blinkers she’s a lot more switched on,” Huglin said.

“She was sharp today, even though she had the right run she still kicked and was 22 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

strong through the line.

“She’ll be winning again, which is great for good owners and good people.”

With the synthetic season at Pakenham now complete, Huglin is assessing his options.

“She’s had a long preparation, she had a couple of weeks off at the farm after her run at Moe, where she was going too fierce,” he said.

“We’ve done a good job to get her back relaxed, and now she’s had three runs back in, and she won like that, you don’t like tipping them out when they win that way.

“We’ll see what Adelaide’s like, it’s a bit drier over there, but if not, she might be back at the farm for a few weeks, use the facilities we’ve got, and then back into the summer because

she’s a pretty good Moonee Valley night horse.

“She’s got a pretty low rating, so there’s plenty more wins for her in store.

“We’ve been a little bit quiet the last couple of months but we’ve got a lot of nice horses coming up, so it’s good to get a bit of a stocking filler in the meantime.”

Pakenham trainer Reece Goodwin finished off a great day for locals when his fiveyear-old gelding Jolting continued his great form by winning the BenchMark-64 Handicap (1600m) The five-year-old gelding - Shocking/ Pirinitete – has now won three on the trot from just four starts for the Goodwin stable.

Jockey Jack Hill praised Goodwin after the race.

“He had really good form before he left the

Paul Preusker camp, but he’s come to Reece at Pakenham and Reece has got him going really good,” Hill said.

“To go from a (BenchMark) 58 to 64, and up a furlong from his last two starts, and he powered away to the line again, he’s in good shape, he’s in good order…Reece is doing a great job with him.

“He’s racing pattern is back, that’s where he’s comfortable, and he’s got that real electric turn of foot for a furlong and he can hold it for another furlong.

“I think around the Valley, mile, even 2000, where they skip along, you can just ride him for luck because of that electric turn of foot late.”

Goodwin only has a small team, but is a trainer on the rise! pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Synthetic season finale

By David Nagel A thrilling season of racing on the Pakenham Racing Club’s freshly-laid synthetic track came to an end on Friday with the running of the Sprinter and Stayer Series Finals.

The new track has been well accepted in the industry after the previous synthetic track at Pakenham was criticised for the excessive amount of kickback, particularly on wet days.

The new track, dark brown in colour due to the selection of sand, has contained the kickback brilliantly and been praised by trainers and jockeys alike.

Pakenham-trainer Phillip Stokes claimed the first big prize for the day when his fiveyear-old mare Unique Artist won the $50,000 BenchMark-70 Synthetic Stayers Series Final (2200m).

The daughter of Ivawood/Shamarlane has now won four races, with two of her three previous wins coming over the 2000-metre trip at Flemington.

Jockey Daniel Moor gave Unique Artist a gun ride throughout, settling on the fence before extricating himself on the turn.

Moor took the lead at the 200, but rolled in late, with Billy Egan, the rider of runner up Sous Les Nuages, firing in a protest.

But the one-length margin proved sufficient enough for Unique Artist to hang onto the prize and take her stakes earnings to a tick under $250,000 after just 15 career starts.

“She’s a pretty handy mare,” Moor explained post-race.

“I won a race on her at Flemington one day where she cantered up to them and put them away and won really convincingly.

“But she’s very quirky, in a sense that she really doesn’t like to lengthen inside runners, and she definitely needs to be ridden with cover.

“Last start was a forget run for her, she led and it was too much work for her, but today I thought she was very brave with the 59-and-ahalf for sure.”

Moor said Unique Artist has the talent to win many more races, but things need to be on her side.

“She’s that type of horse, if a decent race came by and she had the conditions to suit she can be effective, but I just said to Phillip (Stokes) before the race that she’s a bit of a

Billy Egan returns to scale aboard the Gavin Bedggood-trained Field of Roses.

The Phillip Stokes-trained Unique Artist wins the Synthetic Stayers Series Final at Pakenham.

296280 Pictures: PAT SCALA/RACING PHOTOS Goldilocks horse, it has to be just right for her, but she was brave with that weight today.

“I wouldn’t mind her stepping up in grade, but lower in weight, I think she’s got a really nice turn of foot with a lot less weight.

“She had to do it the hard way today, but I’ve ridden her before with less weight and she’s shown an electric turn of foot.

“I think we tentatively step her up in grade and probably at this trip.”

The stayers then handed over to the sprinters, with Cranbourne-trainer Gavin Bedggood taking out the $50,000 BenchMark-78 Synthetic Sprint Series Final (1200m) with Field of Roses.

The five-year old gelding - Deep Field/La Tikka Rosa – has only been with the Bedggood camp for three runs, after switching to Cranbourne from the Stokes’ barn at Pakenham.

Field of Roses has now won two races for

Bedggood, who has had a quiet start to the season.

“It was a $50,000 race and after a frosty few weeks for our stable, we haven’t had a winner this season, it was good to get the monkey off the back and get the ball rolling again,” Bedggood said.

“We’ve had a lot of horses run really well, and run close placings, but we haven’t been able to get one on the board.

“It was nice to break the ice with this bloke who has been a really good pick up for the stable.”

Bedggood said he would now need to reassess the ideal distance range for his horse.

“I’ve always had him pegged as a horse who is probably going to be better at 1400, but the way he’s been travelling in 11 and 1200 metre races, I don’t really think there’s any need to stretch him out at this point,” he said.

Daniel Moor returns Unique Artist to the winner’s stall at Pakenham.

“He’s a horse where probably ‘less is best’ work wise with him, and we’ll just keep him fresh and keep his runs spaced, he’s had a long campaign.

“We’ll just have a look at the calendar and find a suitable 78 and go from there.

“He’s not that good on wet ground I don’t think, so we’ll just keep trying to place him well.”

Celebrations for jockey Billy Egan were short lived, with the in-form hoop falling in the last race on the card from the Andrea Leektrained Tagomago.

Despite being cleared of suspected fractures or breaks, Egan had surgery on Sunday to repair nerve damage in his left arm.

After a busy winter season, the Pakenham Racing Club will now have a break from racing before the night racing season begins on the turf on the Friday 14 October.

Big guns right on target

By David Nagel

The top-four teams were right on target in round 10 of the SWGDL. 296279 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Picture: BBDARTS

It was a case of the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ in round 10 of the South West Gippsland Dart League (SWGDL) with the top-four teams all extending their lead at the top of the table.

Just Social, Snipers, Warriors and Paky One all produced impressive performances, while Mud Rats made the biggest improvement in ladder position after a thrilling victory over Gembrook.

With scores locked at seven-all, Mud Rats won the last leg of the night to claim an 8-7 triumph and make the steady climb from eighth to fifth on the ladder.

Mud Rats can make an even bigger statement in round 11 when they take on thirdplaced Warriors.

The remaining four matches in round 10 all went pretty much according to script, with Warriors forced to work hardest in a 9-6 victory over Wizards.

This wasn’t the Warriors most impressive performance of the season but banking the victory keeps them equal on eight wins with second-placed Snipers.

The Snipers were in incredible form in their game against Fore, with Aaron throwing nine tons for the night, and Dean eight, in a 14-1 demolition of the bottom team on the ladder.

Dean leads the competition with 64 tons for the season, while Aaron has now climbed to third place with 47.

Splitting the pair on 48 is Tim - another Sniper – proving they’re the obvious team to present the greatest challenge to undefeated ladder-leaders Just Social.

The team from Kooweerup made it 10 wins on the bounce with a 10-5 victory over Rebels, with Terry once again leading the way for Just Social.

And in the final game of round 10, Paky One retained their comfortable advantage in fourth place with an 11-4 win over Bullseyes.

Pakenham’s triumph ended an impressive four-game winning streak for the Bullseyes, who lost their first five games for the season.

Spectators are most welcome to visit the Cardinia Club in Pakenham on Tuesday nights to witness some red-hot darts action.

Matches commence at 7.30pm.

SWGDL RESULTS – ROUND 10 Bullseyes 4 v Paky One 11, Gembrook 7 v Mud Rats 8, Snipers 14 v Fore 1, Rebels 5 v Just Social 10, Warriors 9 v Wizards 6.

LADDER Just Social 40, Snipers 32, Warriors 32, Paky One 28, Mud Rats 16, Bullseyes 16, Rebels 12, Wizards 12, Gembrook 8, Fore 4.

FIXTURE – ROUND 11 Mud Rats v Warriors, Paky One v Gembrook, Wizards v Fore, Snipers v Rebels, Just Social v Bullseyes.

MOST TONS – TOP FIVE Dean 64, Tim 48, Aaron 47, Terry 43, Thom 35.

180’s Dale (2), Damo, Dean (2), Glenn, Peter, Terry, Thom, Tony, Troy, Shane and Jamie W (2).

100+ PEG OUTS 129 – Anthony (Warriors), 122 – Thom (Rebels), 114 – Jamie W (Just Social), 112 – Jamie B (Snipers).

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

|

STAR NEWS 23

VISIT OUR VIRTUAL SCHOOL TOUR TODAY Our virtual school tour allows you to experience Berwick Lodge Primary School spaces as though you are physically there.

Using emerging technology, we have mapped spaces across the school to create 3D tours and 360-degree walkthroughs.

Immerse yourself in the spaces, move around, explore and look out for LODGIE BEAR along the way.

For more details visit: www.berwicklodgeeps.vic.edu.au Please call for your personal tour.

Berwick Lodge Primary School welcomes out of neighborhood enrolments.

Kevin Heinze Best School Garden Award 2018 P: 9709 6700 F: 9796 2198 E: berwick.lodge.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Visit our website to check out the virtual tour www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au 12565958-SN35-22

24 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 1 September, 2022

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au