News - Berwick Star News - 30th March 2023

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

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Top honour for young Scout

New business group launches

Excitement for Eagles

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SPORT

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Windmill wins big

Inspiring next generation Families from across Casey got a glimpse of what it takes to be a firefighter at Narre Warren CFA’s annual open day on Sunday 26 March.

It’s estimated 1500 people attended the community event which featured kids activities and other local emergency services.

Story page 10

Harley from Lynbrook behind the wheel of the firetruck at Narre Warren CFA. 325415 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Art of Drag axed A local workshop series teaching young adults drag queen skills and culture has been cancelled by the City of Casey, following “vile” backlash from “alt-right” and “self-proclaimed Christian” groups.

The Art of Drag workshops were due to be held at Bunjil Place for five weeks throughout April and May, where adolescents aged 12 to 25 could learn skills in drag hair, makeup, fashion and performance, created and hosted by professional drag kings and queens including Belial B’Zarr, Linh Uendo, Holly Pop, Lilium and Randy Roy. But the event was cancelled over the weekend “in the interest of community safety”, City of Casey chief executive Glenn Patterson said.

“After careful consideration, consultation with our community partners including Victoria Police, and in the interests of community safety, we have decided to cancel the Art of Drag workshop series that was scheduled to be held at Bunjil Place in April and May,” he said.

While the council did not detail the events that caused a concern for community safety, the drag performers who were due to hosts said they experienced “a barrage of threats and violence from alt-right and self-proclaimed ‘Christian’ groups”.

It is alleged that threatening and harrassing phone calls, emails and physical intimidation, wherein a “queerphobic group forced their way into a council meeting, hurling homophobic and transphobic rhetoric at council

members and security” were some of the behaviours committed by protest groups.

Mr Patterson said the decision to cancel the event “in no way legitimises or validates the actions or statements of individuals, activists or protest groups”.

“Casey is committed to promoting opportunities for engagement, advocacy, events, safe spaces, and partnerships that support our LGBTIQA+ community and doing so with a duty of care, especially where young people are involved.

“The carefully curated age-appropriate content was to provide a safe and inclusive space that young queer people and their parents had the choice of participating in, knowing it was specifically developed for those members of the

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community identifying as LGBTIQA+.”

A recent youth engagement program in Casey revealed that one of the top five challenges facing young people is around “identity”, Mr Patterson said.

“Programs such as the now cancelled Art of Drag workshops serve as a vital affirmation of self-worth to young people who may be coming to terms with their sexual orientation, sex or gender identity without necessarily getting the support they need from their peers or the broader community.

“Casey prides itself on being an inclusive organisation that aims to support people in our community irrespective of their age, ethnicity, cultural heritage, or gender identity.”

Continued page 11

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By Eleanor Wilson

NEWS

Windmill scoops the pool

By Eleanor Wilson South East based Windmill Theatre Company is riding high after sweeping up at the recent Lyrebird Awards earlier this month.

The amateur theatre company took home eight awards for their musical productions of Jersey Boys and Lights, Camera, Music…, picking up a range of honours for best director, most entertaining item, highly commended performance and best set design.

Costume designer Glenda Novotny and daughter Lisa Novotny took out the best costume for a musical over $40,000 for their handy work in the company’s 2022 production of Jersey Boys.

Part of the Windmill family since 1986, Glenda said the sleepless nights spent researching and bringing designs to life are worth it.

“I like designs that draw on ‘60s and ‘70s fashion, because I grew up in that era so I can relate to that,” she said. “[I love that] it’s challenging…it gives you something to do and it’s for the community, that’s the main thing, it’s community theatre.

“You see everyone put in so much effort to perform and you want to make them look good.

“It’s a proud moment when the actors want to wear the costumes home.”

The Hallam-based company was nominated for a whopping 28 awards at this year’s Lyrebird Awards, a “pretty huge” achievement according to the company’s president Sean Van Geyzel.

“I think we were genuinely and very very pleasantly surprised by how many nominations we got,” he said.

“We don’t do it for [the awards]. We do it for the love of it, and then it’s nice to get a little something as a bonus,” he said. “[The awards] do sort of tell us that we’re doing things that people like... but our pri-

Glenda Novotny and Windmill Theatre Company president Sean Van Geyzel with one of Glenda’s award-winning Jersey Boys costumes. 324428 Picture: ROB CAREW mary focus is just trying to keep the audiences happy, entertained and feel like they get good value for their ticket.”

Sean said the company aims to put on a production of quality which rivals that of professional theatre companies.

“A lot of money gets spent to make sure it’s as good as when you go and pay $200 to see a show in the city.

“We want people to get that same sort of experience but for a quarter of the price, and highlighting local talent.”

Sean, Glenda and the rest of the Windmill team are currently preparing for their next production, Seussical - a musical comedy based on the stories of children’s author and cartoonist Dr Seuss.

“It’s probably one of our bigger casts - they

are insanely talented,” Sean said.

It’s a show that gets done a lot by schools, but it’s uncommon for an adult company to do a production of it, so we’re giving it a bit of a different flavour to what usually gets seen.”

The musical is set to play at Bunjil Place Theatre from 9 to 18 June, with tickets available at bunjilplace.com.au/events/windmilltheatre-company-seussical

Calls for cost of living relief Batty inspires graduates

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

“Spending restraint” looks set to overrule calls for further cost of living relief in the upcoming Federal budget.

Australian Council of Social Service is calling for JobSeeker payments to rise to at least $76 a day, as well as more social housing and a “fairer” tax system.

It also submitted for the scrapping of stage three tax cuts, which ACOSS says favours the top 20 per cent of income earners.

Bruce Labor MP Julian Hill said the Federal Government’s plan to bring down inflation was “working” and “we need to stick to it”.

The cost of living “crisis” was mainly caused by “inflation challenges”.

This was an issue affecting nations “all over the world” due to the Covid pandemic and worsened by “Russia’s illegal ware in Ukraine”, he said.

“Key to beating inflation is spending restraint in the budget so that the government isn’t adding to inflation in the economy.

“Scott Morrison and the Liberals spent like drunken sailors, leaving $1 trillion of debt and making the inflation problem worse.

“Labor has stopped this wasteful spending, returning 99 per cent of revenue upgrades to the budget over the next two years compared to the Liberals’ average of just 40 per cent.”

Mr Hill said the government opted for “responsible cost of living relief” including cheaper childcare, cheaper medicines and direct energy bill relief.

“Action is being taken to repair Australia’s broken supply chains and skills crisis including fee-free TAFE and more university places, the National Reconstruction Fund and investing in cleaner and cheaper energy.”

There was evidence that inflation had peaked and would start to “moderate in 2023”.

“After plenty of work, and plenty of sacrifices from Australians… there’s still a long way to go, but the plan is working, and we need to stick to it.”

ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie said the budget needs to make “the right 2 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

Julian Hill, left, says the government will stick to its plan to reduce inflation. 318937 Picture: ROB CAREW choices about who needs more government support”.

“With more than three million people in poverty in Australia, this budget must deliver cost of living relief for those who need it most and help shape a more inclusive society.

“The Labor government came to power promising that no one would be left behind.

“But right now people on income support are skipping meals, foregoing essential medicines and turning off their hot water just to keep a roof over their head.”

Currently, JobSeeker payments start at less than $50 a day for singles without children – not including rental assistance.

This is the second-lowest unemployment payment in wealthy nations and insufficient for an adequate standard of living, ACOSS stated.

It said revenue could be raised by cancelling the $18 billion a year stage three tax cuts, as well as the private health insurance rebate and fossil fuel subsidies.

Leading education and training provider Chisholm Institute held its 2023 Graduation Ceremony at Frankston Arts Centre last week, with 128 students taking to the stage to receive their academic awards.

Students graduated from a wide variety of courses, including Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, Certificate IV in Disability and Bachelor of Engineering Technology.

As part of the ceremony, attendees heard from guest speaker and former Chisholm student, Rosie Batty AO, who epitomises what it means to overcome adversity.

Ms Batty, who was named Australian of the Year in 2015 in recognition for her work as a passionate campaigner against domestic violence, previously undertook a Diploma of Community Welfare at Chisholm’s Frankston campus.

Ms Batty said her experience at Chisholm gave her the foundational knowledge she needed to become a leading voice for victims of family violence, following the tragic death of her son Luke, at the hands of his father in 2014.

“One of the subjects that I studied during my diploma was family violence, and that gave me the theoretical understanding and foundational knowledge to assist me on my journey to raise awareness of family violence, whilst challenging and seeking to change community attitudes.

“My education foundations began at Chisholm, and I have certainly grown and developed enormously since then. Opportunities will become available to you throughout your life as well, and I encourage you to embrace them as they arise.

“I realise that life is a journey, a journey of continuous learning, and I learnt much from the two years I spent at Chisholm,” Ms Batty said.

The 2023 student cohort faced unique challenges as a result of the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and Chisholm’s chief of education, Conor Mullan, said these experiences will hold them in

Former Chisholm student Rosie Batty AO shares her own TAFE story with students.

Picture: SUPPLIED good stead in the years to come.

“Find your passion and have the courage to pursue the job that will fulfill you, and bring you joy. Seek out those who can help and support you along the way, keep your networks strong, and above all, always be true to yourself,” Mullan said.

“It’s important to acknowledge your support networks who have helped you get to this point,” Mullan continued.

“On behalf of Chisholm, I would like to offer each of our graduands our most sincere congratulations on everything you have accomplished,” Mullan said. berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Top honour for young Scout

By Eleanor Wilson Celebrations were ample at the 1st Narre Warren North Scout Hall on Sunday 26 March, as Scout Chelsea Batty received her Australian Scout Award.

The peak award for Scouts aged between 11 and 15, the Australian Scout Award is presented to Scouts who achieve a series of leadership and outdoor activity tasks.

Scout leader for 1st Narre Warren North Scout Unit, Andrew Nyilas said Chelsea completed the requirements for the award very quickly.

“Chelsea managed to achieve this in an extremely short amount of time. Majority of Scouts don’t actually get the peak award and even those who do take three years or so to do so, so that was a really really outstanding achievement,” he said.

To receive the peak award, Chelsea was required to complete a series of special interest areas, outdoor adventure skills and a leadership or personal development course.

This included community work with Narre Warren charity Bk 2 Basics, organising a four night 90km hike with fellow Scouts at Wilsons Promontory, cooking a three-course meal and making a bird box.

Chelsea joined the 1st Narre Warren North Scout unit in April 2021, following in her older sibling’s footsteps.

Scouts is now an even bigger part of the Batty family’s life, with Chelsea’s two younger siblings joining the Cub Scouts, while her father Matt is a Scout leader and mum Penny is on the committee.

Penny said she has enjoyed seeing her daughter’s confidence build throughout her time in Scouts.

“It’s been absolutely brilliant. And all of the opportunities that have come with it, the first aid course, leadership courses, every-

Chelsea (centre) with the 1st Narre Warren North Scout Group leaders, including dad Matt Batty (far left).

Picture: SUPPLIED

Chelsea with parents Matt and Penny, who have both become involved in the Scouts group since Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS their kids joined. 325655

Chelsea with her Australian Scout Award Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS badge. 325655

Penny added Scouts matures kids.

Celebrating her 15th birthday just weeks ago, Chelsea will now move up to the Venturer Scouts, for those aged 15 to 18, where she hopes

to achieve the peak award for that category.

She said the opportunities, memories and lifelong friendships she has made through Scouts are what makes it so enjoyable.

thing,” she said.

“And it’s been a reflection back on school actually, because [Chelsea] has just been voted in as a Year 9 student voice captain.”

‘Extraordinary’ rise in kids, families, without a home Homelessness in Victoria is at alarming levels.

New data shows homelessness is 24 per cent higher in Victoria than five years ago.

In Casey, homelessness has risen 44.7 per cent since 2016.

A 2016 census reported 1280 homeless people in Casey.

Current data shows the number has risen to 1852 people.

Wayss homelessness and housing general manager Shari McPhail said the Census showed an “extraordinary” rise in children in families experiencing homelessness in the South East - up 115 per cent in Casey, 61 per cent in Greater Dandenong and 77 per cent in Cardinia Shire.

On any given night, Wayss has about 35 families, including 80 children, in crisis accommodation in hotels.

“Before now, we could put case management around these families and find longer-term rental accommodation. That’s now becoming more and more difficult,” Ms McPhail said.

“The capacity for us to assist is diminishing.

“We’re using government funds for crisis accommodation more than for getting people in affordable, long-term housing.”

Boarding houses aren’t suitable for families, the 64,000-strong public housing waiting list is growing and affordable rentals are harder to find.

So, hotels were being used for “significant” periods, until families find housing or family and friends to stay with.

“It’s really unsettling for them,” Ms McPhail said.

“These hotels do the best they can but

they don’t have cooking facilities, the family all sleep in the same room and it can be difficult to get children to school.”

Ms McPhail said there was a desperate need for more social and affordable housing.

“Despite the State Government’s Big Housing Build, which has been a terrific investment in social and affordable housing, we’re decades behind in social housing per capita.”

Census data released on Wednesday 22 March revealed 30,660 people are homeless in Victoria.

The numbers confirm the urgent need for a strategy to end homelessness.

Victoria’s 24 per cent increase eclipsed the national rise of 5 per cent.

The numbers are believed to be the state’s most accurate picture of homelessness.

This is because the Census was conducted

during Victoria’s lockdown, allowing more people to be reached and counted.

Council to Homeless Persons CEO Deborah Di Natale said the situation required an immediate response.

“This alarming surge in homelessness must be the catalyst for the State Government to act urgently by continuing to invest, and there are solutions,” she said said.

The Victorian Government committed to build 6000 new social housing properties each year for at least a decade.

They also committed to ensure 10 per cent, or 600, of those properties are owned

by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. The Victorian Government is set to spend $47.5 million in 2023/24 to keep From Homelessness To A Home being gutted on 30 June, with $224.4 million over the next four years to continue and grow the program.

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

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STAR NEWS 3

THE LOWDOWN Q&A

with Casey Radio vice president Leigh Drew

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I am the comedian at a party.

What do you love the most?

My family, wife Maie, daughter Kerryn and son Jason and my five grandchildren and one adorable great-granddaughter.

What are you most passionate about?

Radio and broadcasting.

What would your last meal be?

Chinese.

What was your most memorable moment?

Covering the Queen’s visit to Swan Hill on 7 April, 1970.

What was your favourite subject in school?

Music.

What event, past or present, would you like to witness?

Landing on the Moon.

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

My wife, Hugh Jackman, Barbra Streisand, Tom Hanks, Enid Blyton, and J.K. Rowling.

What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?

Power Book II: Ghost on Stan and reading ‘The Happiest Man on Earth’ by Eddie Jaku.

How would you describe your fashion sense?

Sensible.

Have you ever had a pet that has made an impact on your life?

Miss Penny is my Dachshund, turning two in May. The most beautiful dog, she is almost human at times.

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

Curried prawns with boiled rice.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

Switzerland.

THREE … facts about dinosaurs

1

Pegomastax A dinosaur called the Pegomastax is one of the weirdest dinosaurs known. Described as a cross between a parrot and porcupine, it had a beak with teeth that sharpened themselves against each other.

2

Quick thief The name “Velociraptor” means speedy thief.

3

Footage In the 1993 movie, Jurassic Park, there is only 15 minutes of dinosaur footage: six minutes of CGI and nine minutes of animatronics.

Leigh has been working in radio since 1966, with a career spanning over 50 years.

Picture: SUPPLIED

NEWS

New committee for Probus

By Margaret Luxford* The 22nd annual general meeting of the Probus Club of Casey Combined was held on Tuesday 21 March at the City of Casey Old Cheese Factory.

There were 59 members in attendance to welcome the new management committee for the year as well as presenting certificates to those who had given extra service throughout the year.

After the meeting, a picnic lunch was served consisting of freshly made sandwiches, petite cakes and fresh fruit.

A great way to end off a meeting and enjoy the surrounds of the Old Cheese Factory!

The club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Old Cheese Factory at 9.45am.

After the meeting and interesting speakers, members can join the group who are attending the after meeting lunch at one of the many lovely eating places around the area.

New members will be most welcome. Call secretary Magda on 0406 468 285 if you would like more information. * Margaret Luxford is a member of the Probus Club of Casey Combined.

Marzieh Babakan from Iran, Hafiseh Safari from Afghanistan, AMES teacher Tracey Yuki, AMES case manager Zakia Hassan and Moska Amini, from Afghanistan with the donated laptops.

Laptops boost learning

Executive committee of Casey Combined Probus Club, from left, Dione Tiernan, Sally Cummins, Bert Ainge, Magda Michael and Sue Rundle.

Picture: SUPPLIED 4 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

Refugees and new arrivals may not be aware of the vast services made available to them in the community with a lack of access to the online world.

AMES refugee and migrant clients in Melbourne’s south-east can now connect with critical services, education and employment more easily thanks to the donation of 189 repurposed laptops from 7Eleven.

“It can be incredibly difficult for new Australians to access the support, education, and employment services they need to successfully live, learn and work without access to basic technology,” AMES chief executive Cath Scarth said.

“This is particularly true for our refugee clients including those from Afghanistan and Ukraine who had to flee their homes so quickly and in many cases arrived without resources and technology.

“Being able to provide these laptops through our People in Need Fund makes a huge difference to our clients.

“Trying to do online learning or access services such as healthcare is incredibly difficult using a mobile phone, so the laptops have been amazing.”

Moska Amini, who arrived from Afghanistan in early 2023, said: “We couldn’t bring lots of things when we came and it was so hard for us.

“Now with the laptop I can use it for my lessons and my sisters use it to apply for jobs.”

7-Eleven chief information officer Drew Coffey said the 7-Eleven tech team, and a number of suppliers, worked together to reformat and repurpose the laptops to get them ready for use. berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

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STAR NEWS 5

NEWS

OPINION

LENSCAPE

Police say they’re seeing some concerning behaviour on local roads.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Stepping up for safety A recent spike in pedestrian trauma and several near-misses reported around schools in Casey has led to a new pedestrian safety initiative.

SD3 Highway Patrol is teaming up with local council and road safety partners to make pedestrian safety a priority around schools and kindergartens in Casey.

SD3 Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Matthew Camillo said police are “seeing some really concerning behaviour” on Casey roads.

There has been an increasing number of collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists in the division, with 206 recorded between 30 January 2022 and 5 March 2023.

There has also been several collisions and near-misses involving children and school crossing supervisors reported around schools in the area.

“We will be working with local council and our road safety partners to prioritise pedestrian safety, with an increased enforcement focus around school zones,” Sergeant Camillo said.

“We’ll be targeting motorists who exceed the 40km/h speed limit in school zones, and who are distracted behind the wheel using their mobile phones.

“These behaviours are consistent with road trauma and collisions involving pedestrians.”

It comes as Victoria recorded 44 pedestrian fatalities in 2022, which was a 51 per cent increase on the previous year.

There were 18 fatalities recorded in SD3 territory – a third of these involving pedestrians.

“Pedestrian deaths doubled on Victorian roads last year, and we are doing everything we can to ensure we don’t see a repeat.

“It’s up to all of us to prioritise pedestrian safety.”

Police are working closely with the City of Casey to increase enforcement around local schools and kindergartens that have raised road safety concerns.

Pedestrian safety will be the key priority, with police to target speeding and distracted drivers around school zones, as well as ensuring pedestrians are obeying traffic signals and utilising school crossings.

There will also be an increased focus on educating the community about good road safety practices, with road safety organisation Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation supporting local council and police to educate young children and families about road safety.

“Educating the community on good road safety practices will also be critical, to ensure all road users know how to remain safe around school zones,” said Sergeant Camillo.

“It’s so important that parents and teachers talk to young children about road safety.”

Police are urging motorists to slow down and pay attention, especially in built up areas and in 40km/h school zones where there are more pedestrians.

Motorists who fail to stop and remain stationary at a children’s crossing can be issued a $462 penalty and three demerit points, whilst failing to give way to a pedestrian on a pedestrian crossing can attract a $362 penalty and three demerit points.

“The penalties are significant, but we won’t hesitate to enforce if it means preventing serious injuries or deaths of young children,” Sergeant Camillo said.

“Educating the community on good road safety practices will also be critical, to ensure all road users know how to remain safe around school zones. It’s so important that parents and teachers talk to young children about road safety.”

6 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

The Edrington Great Art Show’s Best in Show by artist Rosemary Todman-Parrant, viewed down the glorious hallways of Lord Casey’s manor in Picture: ROB CAREW Berwick. 325418

SOCIALLY SPEAKING The ongoing roadworks across Casey are creating a cocktail of frustration and exhaustion for locals, with some families abandoning their homes to get away from the chaos.

Here’s what our readers thought about the issue.

Sue Stride Don’t forget they are also building the Cranbourne community so-called hospital that’s not really a hospital if you have an emergency at the same time as all this roadworks adding even more trucks and craziness around here.

Stuart Barkway Took Thompsons Road and Narre North Road less time to be done and usable than this white elephant.

Sandra Roach No surprise there. State and local govern-

ment are never going to upgrade roads before they rake in rates.

Gaye Guest This highlights bad planning. In the good old days infrastructure - roads, reserve and school sites, shops, etc, were installed before housing happened. This is now adhoc building and developers wanting the most “bang for their buck” don’t set aside any land for these community assets. Instead they “pay” a developer’s fee that goes into the coffers of the local government. Planners these days have no imagination or forethought to future projections.

Victorians were labelled the loneliest Australians during the pandemic. Neighbour Day (29 March) is just one way to combat this. Here’s what our readers had to say

about loneliness and disconnection in the state.

Oscar T Grouch No surprise there. Most locked down place in the world.

A pedestrian collision has renewed calls to install lights at the intersection at Wilson Botanic Park (Princes Highway and Coniston Avenue). The collision occurred in the vicinity of the intersection that claimed the life of former Casey mayor and councillor Mick Morland in 2017. Here’s what our readers had to say.

Greg Marsh Try educating drivers to be patient and us their eyes before trying to force their vehicle into on coming traffic.

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN Thumbs up I was at St Michael’s Primary School athletics day on Friday 24 March to see my two grandsons compete. Halfway through the day I had an accident where my chair flipped over on its side, throwing me out on the concrete. I want to give everyone that helped me and asked about me for the rest of the day a very very big thumbs up. All is well, thank you again.

Thumbs up To my dogs who had their first time at a dog park last week and were both so well behaved!

Thumbs down To people who litter in nature reserves and bushland. So tired of seeing garbage in the little amount of natural habitat our local wildlife has left.

Thumbs down To the rising cost of Easter chocolate.

Thumbs down Thumbs down To the dismal autumn we are having.

To the cancellation of the Art of Drag show at Bunjil Place.

Thumbs up Thumbs up To the Narre Warren Berwick Business Group’s launch dinner on Tuesday night. Great to see people getting together again after Covid.

To homemade ANZAC biscuits.

Thumbs down To my car breaking down. berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

New conduct rules Lotto win

By Eleanor Wilson The City of Casey has made a series of changes to its councillor code of conduct, incorporating protocol for councillors in relation to land use planning.

It follows investigations into allegations of serious corrupt conduct in relation to planning and property development decisions at the City of Casey council.

IBAC held public hearings during 2019 and 2020 as part of Operation Sandon. The findings from the final report of the investigation is yet to be tabled in parliament.

The councillor code of conduct outlines core legislative and governance responsibilities of elected councillors and is “reviewed from time to time as operational or legislative requirement changes”.

In a council meeting on Tuesday 21 March, City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff said the updated code will be “of pivotal importance to future elected representatives”. “[This is] a very important and vital document that will be essential for the future good behaviour and conduct of [administrators] and councillors into the future,” Ms Duff said.

Among the amendments are updates to specific conduct obligations between councillors and planning and property development stakeholders.

This includes the obligation for councillors to “not compromise themselves by having meetings, phone calls or other correspondence with parties without council officers or other parties being present”.

Where communication does occur, a record of the discussion is required, the updated code stated.

City of Casey administrator Miguel Belmar said the changes will ensure land use planning and the interaction between councillors and developers “forms an integral part of the code”.

The councillor code of conduct outlines core legislative and governance responsibilities of elected councillors. 238145 “This is an important document that looks to the future looks to creating an organisation that is well-governed [and] well managed, in which people get along and in which, at all times, both ourselves as administrators and future councillors understand their roles and responsibilities when interacting with developers and other organisations which are seeking to undertake development within the City of Casey.”

Administrator Cameron Boardman concurred the amendments represent “a way of moving forward” for the council.

“To separate the issue around engagements and interactions with developers and landowners is critical, we are very familiar with conduct allegations, at this stage, that have unfortunately been the hallmark of past councillors within Casey,” Mr Boardman said.

“But ensuring, again, that there is clarity, there are strict integrity controls and that there are ways of ensuring better decision making and transparency with all decision making now and into the future is undoubtedly the most productive and best practice way of dealing with such matters.”

A merry band of Melburnians will be sporting winning smiles this week after three syndicates each scooped $2.5 million in the weekend’s TattsLotto Superdraw.

Casey News & Lotto were among those to sell the winning division one tickets.

Casey News & Lotto owner Jason Leong said he couldn’t believe his outlet had sold a division one winning syndicate within his first 10 months of owning the business.

“While I had imagined that we would eventually sell a division one ticket, I couldn’t believe it happened so fast!” he said.

“The syndicate was a new one made for the Superdraw, and unlike any we’ve ever sold before.

“Congratulations to our syndicate members and we’re stoked we can help our customers achieve their dreams.”

Shares into the syndicates were purchased at 15 different Tatts outlets across Melbourne. With some of the syndicate members holding unregistered entries, The Lott spokesperson Anna Hobdell said some of the winning group might still be unaware of their good fortune.

“While we will be reaching out to those syndicate members who registered their tickets to their Tatts players card, there are several syndicate members who hold unregistered entries and may not yet know they’re part of this winning group. If you purchased a share in a syndicate for the recent TattsLotto draw, today’s the day to check it.”

Twenty-five members of the aptlynamed ‘Enrich’ syndicate have shared an exhilarating division one prize of more than $2.5 million in the weekend’s TattsLotto Superdraw.

Have your say Share your ideas about your new road bridge

We’re removing the level crossing at Station Street, Beaconsfield by building a road bridge over the Pakenham Line.

Help us to achieve the best outcome for your community by sharing your ideas on design elements including:

Sat 1st April 2023

— landscaping

FREE ENTRY

— colours and finishes on the road bridge.

Your feedback will help shape final designs.

Have your say by visiting engage.vic.gov.au/ lxrp-station-streetsbeaconsfield-and-officer - by 11:59pm Sunday 23 April 2023.

If you would like a hard copy submission form sent to you, please contact us on 1800 105 105 or email us at contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

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STAR NEWS 7

NEWS

Teenagers injured at workplaces AAL chief commissioner Ian Rickards OAM shows eight-year-old Syrus his membership certificate.

Syrus and AAL chief commissioner Rickards exchange a salute.

Berwick Squadron welcomes cadet

By Eleanor Wilson The Berwick squadron of the Australian Air League (AAL) recently welcomed its newest cadet - and despite being just eight years old, he has aviation running through his veins.

Syrus Moffat-Donovan was presented with his membership certificate by AAL chief commissioner Ian Rickards OAM at a ceremony in Berwick on Wednesday 22 March.

Syrus’ grandmother Lucienne and grandfather Ron met in the air league, where Ron rose to the rank of commissioner and was awarded MSA and DSA. He was the federal field commissioner for 21 years and then federal operations commissioner, in total dedicating 46 years to the AAL. Much of his time in the league was spent with chief commissioner Rickards, who reflected on their friendship fondly at the ceremony.

“I first met Syrus’ grandfather Ron at Niddrie squadron in 1968 when he was an 18-yearold warrant officer,” he said.

“He and I became the best of mates and spent many happy hours developing squadrons within the AAL.” So much is Ron’s contirbution to the AAL, that the Victoria Group has named a Moffatt Wing in his honour.

His father, Syrus’ great-grandfather, John, dedicated 50 years to the AAL at the Niddrie Squadron and was the Victorian group council chairman.

Lucienne, who was present at the ceremony to see her grandson carry on the family legacy, joined the Ringwood squadron in 1967 and rose to the rank of Wing Captain, serving as Wing OC and officer commanding Niddrie Girls Squadron for two of her 11 years service.

Together, the Moffatt family have 107 years

Syrus Moffat-Donovan waits to receive his Australian Air League membership certificate from AAL chief commissioner Ian Rickards OAM. Pictures: BRUCE DUSTING of collective experience in the AAL. Syrus’ parents were not formally involved in the AAL, but mum Stacy Moffat said she was pleased to see her children show an interest in aviation.

“Because it was such a big part of [my parents’] lives, I was involved just going along every week, so I never thought to join,” Ms Moffat said.

“Now that I have my own children, it just came up in conversation one day and I thought that’d be great for him to join and I thought he’d really enjoy it.”

Ms Moffat said her son has “fit right in” to the Berwick squadron, which consists of cadets aged eight to 18.

“It’s good to get them in a group of good kids and to have role models, learn about respect and discipline…especially today with all the youth crime.”

Within the Air League, Syrus and fellow cadets learn aviation skills including ceremonial drill, physical training, model aircraft building, aviation theory classes, training in first aid, lifesaving and camp craft.

More than 120 teenagers in the South East were seriously injured at work last year, according to WorkSafe data.

As a result, WorkSafe has launched a safety campaign, WorkSafe 101, to help prepare Year 9 -12 students for being safe in the workforce.

The free, interactive program will be available at high schools across Victoria.

It includes e-learning modules, videos with examples from workplaces where young people are commonly employed as well as teacher-led activities on OHS basics, identifying hazards and the importance of speaking up.

Last year WorkSafe accepted 128 injury claims from workers aged 15-19 in the southern metro region, which includes Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Kingston and Mornington Peninsula council areas.

Across the state, there were 615 claims accepted from this age group.

The most common injuries were cuts and amputations (207), traumatic tendon, muscle and ligament injuries (119), fractures (112), musculoskeletal injuries (88), burns (24), and mental injuries (23).

“This is the age when many young people are starting a part-time job or moving from school to the workforce,” WorkSafe health and safety executive director Narelle Beer said.

“Starting your first job is a huge milestone and a reason for young workers and their families to feel proud.

“Sadly, too many young workers soon find that celebration turns to tragedy.”

Dr Beer said research showed young workers were more likely to accept unsafe work conditions and less likely to raise safety concerns due to a lack of Occupational Health and Safety awareness.

“We owe it to young workers to give them the knowledge to work safely and the confidence to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.”

The program was trialled with 230 Year 9 Braybrook College students last year.

Careers teacher Rowena Archer said she particularly liked the topics on bullying and other mental health hazards.

“We hope that this will help empower students with the skills to be able to say ‘that doesn’t look right’ and to query what’s actually going on in the workplace.”

In 2022, WorkSafe accepted 615 claims from workers aged 19 or younger, including 264 from casual or part-time workers and 185 from apprentices.

‘Everything he touched turned to gold’: Crucial fundraiser

By Emily Chapman Laing A Clyde North man whose family was struck by tragedy is raising funds for life-changing treatments.

Maurice Browne lost his wife and son to Huntington’s disease a mere seven years apart.

His daughter, who also has Huntington’s, is worsening by the day.

“She can’t do anything now,” Mr Browne said.

Now he watches as the disease takes hold of his grandchildren.

Mr Browne’s grandson Phillip now lives in a nursing home, though he is only 34 years old.

His other grandson Mitchell, 31, is also afflicted.

“They did trials on Mitchell but they didn’t help him.

“His movements are absolutely terrible.”

Mr Brown holds annual fundraisers, with money raised going to support research, which Mr Browne hopes will one day lead to a cure.

8 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

Maurice Browne with a photo of his son, also Maurice, who died from Huntington’s at age 49.

325602 Picture: EMILY CHAPMAN LAING This year’s fundraiser will be held at Selandra Rise Retirement Village on Friday 26 May at 2.30pm. This is during the awareness week for the disease.

“We’re going to have raffles, then we will be auctioning off items.

“Hopefully we can get more people to donate items.”

Mr Browne says the fundraiser usually raises around $3000 each year.

This year, the event will feature guest speaker Sally Ferguson, whose family has also battled the disease.

Mr Browne says the disease doesn’t discriminate, even the best people, like his son, can lose their lives to it.

“What people achieve in their life doesn’t make them any more important when they pass away,” he said.

“My son was a teacher and he wrote plays, he would act in them and write the music for them. He just did everything.

“Everything he touched turned to gold, that’s what makes it so hard.”

He says money for research is crucial to finding new treatments, but fears Huntington’s disease doesn’t make the cut.

“Huntington’s is halfway between rare and not rare,” he said.

“If you’re going to have a disease, have

a popular one.”

Huntington’s disease results from a faulty gene responsible for nerve cells functioning correctly.

It is a fatal genetic condition.

The earlier the onset of symptoms, the shorter a victim’s lifespan will be.

The disease results in brain cell death.

Affected functions include motor control, coordination, cognition, personality and emotions.

Onset generally occurs between the ages of 20 and 60 years.

Each child of a parent with the faulty gene has a 50 per cent risk factor of inheriting the disease.

Currently there is no cure and minimal medical interventions to manage the condition.

To donate, contact Maurice Browne on 5991 5526.

All money raised will go towards Huntington’s Victoria. berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

IN BRIEF Man shot in Narre Warren South A man was shot during a home invasion in Narre Warren South last week.

Police have been told a number of people forced entry into a residence on Cherrywood Way about 12.40am on Wednesday, 22 March.

It’s believed there was an altercation inside the property with two male residents physically assaulted.

A 31-year-old man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to his lower body, while a 23-year-old man was treated for a hand injury.

Three women and another man who were also inside the address were not physically injured. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined, however, police believe this was a targeted attack.

Detectives from the Armed Crime Squad are investigating the incident.

Police investigate Berwick death

There has been significant drop in hooning thanks to Operation Achilles.

Hooning crackdown charging, and seizing the vehicles of our worst hoons in record numbers since Achilles commenced.”

Victoria Police had changed their approach to crack down on hoon drivers by their relentless focus on holding high-risk drivers to account.

Previously, the approach centred on disrupting events as they occurred.

“This approach is clearly working, improving safety on our roads and in the wider community,” Mr Maroney said.

However, despite the significant drop, hooning activities still take place.

A Keysborough resident complained of loud hooning noises and “idiotic behaviour“

By Sahar Foladi Operations Achilles was launched in February 2021 to combat hooning offences.

Fast forward to two years later there’s been over an 80 per cent decrease in organised hoon events in the South-East.

Over those years more than 360 hoon drivers were charged with over 2930 offences, more than 375 vehicles connected to hooning seized, and almost 900 un-roadworthy notices issued.

Victoria Police’s specialist investigation and support inspector Rodney Maroney said, “The decrease hasn’t happened simply by chance – Achilles investigators have been arresting,

on Dandenong Bypass on Monday 13 March from after 1am till 3am.

Police responded to multiple calls of vehicles gathered near the intersection of Perry Road and Dandenong Bypass Keysborough at about 2.30am “Police observed the vehicles revving their cars. However all vehicles left the area peacefully and no offences were detected.”

From February 2022- January 2023 there have been 13 hoon events in the Southern Metro policing region - a significant drop from 76 events in 2021-22.

Victoria Police say if they’re unable to make arrests at the time, a full-scale investigation will follow.

Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of a man in Berwick early on Sunday, 26 March.

Emergency services were called after a man was dropped off at Casey Hospital with lifethreatening injuries about 7.30am.

He was treated at the scene, but later passed away. The male victim is yet to be formally identified. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have any information about the man’s death or the circumstances surrounding it.

Five arrested after Air Wing chase Police have arrested five youths in an allegedly stolen vehicle.

The Volkswagen Golf was spotted heading towards Dandenong just before midnight on Sunday 26 March. The Air Wing followed the vehicle from Stud Road through to Casey and Cardinia. Police officers successfully deployed tyre-deflation devices on Cardinia Road.

The car travelled a short distance onto Princes Highway, Officer until officers in vehicles activated lights and sirens.

The males, aged between 17 and 20, are being questioned by police.

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berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 30 March, 2023

|

STAR NEWS 9

NEWS

Tim and Alirra from Ambulance Victoria, Sue Hall (Narre Warren SES), Dan Kraan (Narre Warren CFA), and Cam Atkins (Victoria Police). 325415

Locals Steve, Charli, Kim and Sophie had a great time at the open day. 325415

Fired up for CFA open day Hundreds of people flocked to the Narre Warren Fire Brigade on Sunday 26 March for a glimpse behind the roller door of the volunteer organisation.

The 2023 open day saw about 1500 locals visit the station on Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, in what could only be described as a successful day.

Kids got the chance to see firefighters in action, sit in a firetruck and even hold hoses.

Ambulance Victoria, Narre Warren SES and Victoria Police also played a part in the day.

Star News photographer STEWART CHAMBERS was there to capture the community fun.

Narre Warren Fire Brigade volunteers Cheryl Henry and Peter Van de Laarschot. 325415

Archer with firefighter Tim Oborne. 325415

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

‘We had to diversify’: Company’s out of the box solution

By Emily Chapman Laing A suburban family took matters into their own hands during a nationwide timber shortage.

The Wetere family opened a timber packaging company in 2019.

Australia was hit with a timber shortage shortly after.

The Weteres decided their solution to the shortage would be to just make the timber themselves.

The family bucked the odds of opening a new business during the pandemic and now operate a successful timber packaging company and mill.

Crate n Pack Solutions is located in Dandenong.

The company began making pallets, crates and cases during Melbourne’s first lockdown.

“Everyone said we were crazy,” said sales and marketing manager Catherine Wetere.

The team started with Catherine, her father Clarence Wetere (CEO), her sister Kelly and her brothers Jarred, Chris and Cori.

“My dad was ready to retire and put his retirement fund into the business with the goal of stopping generational poverty,” Catherine 10 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

Kelly Wetere (left), Chris Wetere, Clarence Wetere and Cori Wetere (right). said. The timber shortage was followed by a pallet shortage.

Scarcity caused rising prices from the timber mills.

“With nowhere to get timber, we went into panic mode.”

Catherine recalled “many large companies” not making it through the first year of

Picture: SUPPLIED

the timber shortage.

One company was “forced to close due to the timber shortage”.

This came as a shock since the company had been operating for “around 30 years“.

“It also affected builders nationwide,” Catherine said.

“As a business, like many other business-

es, we had to diversify.”

The family came up with an out of the box solution.

They would simply open their own timber mill.

Sitting on 33 acres in Clyde, the mill was a new journey for the family and the business.

The venture required the team to learn some new skills.

“We purchased 1000 tonne of logs and we milled the logs into timber for use in our pallet production.

“We purchased a 14-tonne front end loader to unload 46 tonne of logs per trip.

“I had never sat in a wheeled loader, but I got my licence to operate it at COVE Training in Dandenong.”

The mill became a saviour for other businesses whom Crate n Pack was able to support, including Visy Dandenong.

“We are so proud to have helped many big name businesses during the pandemic,” Catherine said.

“We are just a small family who never had a business.

“We came into the business world at the perfect time and our business has rapidly grown over the last three years.” berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Art of Drag called off Mia’s traditional Chinese outfit came complete with an elaborate braided hairstyle.

Rewi wore an outfit representing his Samoan background and performed a cultural dance.

Christopher wears an outfit from his Greek heritage alongside Philomena, pictured in a traditional Iraqi dress.

Cultures on show Traditional Samoan puletasi, Iraqi dishdasha and keffiyeh and Afghani Peran Tamban were just a selection of the traditional cultural dresses worn by students at Hampton Park Primary School as they celebrated Harmony Week on Thursday 23 March.

One of the most anticipated days on the school calendar, students were beaming with pride as they filled the school’s assembly hall in their traditional dress for the school’s annual cultural infusion concert.

Students were excited and proud to share their cultural dress and there was a definite feeling of celebration around the school, the school’s performing arts team said.

Several student performers worked hard over the past few weeks to get their acts ready, with dances from New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Greece, songs from Iraq and Samoa as well as a Maori Haka.

It was a lovely afternoon, and the performers were excellent, the performing arts team said.

Benafsha, Yazan, Youseff and Benyamin took full advantage of the school’s Harmony Day celebrations, wearing Afghani and Iraqi culture dresses.

From page 1 But the creators of the workshop series said the “incredibly disappointing outcome” reflects on state and federal governments “failing to protect Queer and Trans young people”.

“Those in power have a responsibility to protect our communities and provide structure and resources to local councils and prevent young people being exposed to an impacted by violent extremism,” they said.

“This includes robust/stricter safety protocols, no-tolerance policies for hate, and thorough community consultation during risk assessments.”

The alleged harassment confirms that there’s an increased need for workshops such as the Art of Drag, the group said.

Since the cancellation of The Art of Drag, many artists involved have experienced hate-speech in the form of derogatory comments, slurs and threats, the group said. Co-creator Belial B’Zarr said The Art of Drag is the third drag event they have organised to be interrupted or cancelled due to backlash.

They said the drag community needs as many allies as possible right now.

“We’ve been battling this for months and months... we are physical at risk at this point and we need every single body writing emails, we are going down a very frightening pipeline right now and if something doesn’t change, one of us may get hurt, or worse,” they said.

The City of Casey is reimbursing all performers and resources costs involved with the workshops, and has refunded all ticket sales, it is understood.

12594325-SM12-23

berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 30 March, 2023

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STAR NEWS 11

NEWS

Business group launches Fountain Gate’s Sporting Globe restaurant was abuzz on Tuesday night, as the Narre Warren Berwick Business Group (NWBBG) celebrated its sold-out launch event.

NWBBG was formed in November last year as an amalgamation of the former Narre Warren Business Group, Berwick Business Group and Berwick and Beaconsfield Chamber of Commerce.

About 100 attendees from various businesses across the City of Casey networked, with Berwick MP Brad Battin, Narre Warren North MP Belinda Wilson, La Trobe MP Jason Wood, City of Casey chief executive Glenn Patterson and City of Casey Director City Planning and Infrastructure James Collins all present on the night to offer their support.

The guest speaker for the night was former VFL player and current commercial and partnership manager for the Casey Demons and Casey Fields facility manager for the Melbourne Football Club, Peter Maynard.

Mr Maynard provided the crowd with a range of insight into fostering a successful business environment and maintaining motivation in the workforce.

He said the Melbourne Football Club’s de-

cision to focus on recruitment as a business strategy was pivotal in the club’s success in the league.

“They put down a list of values and behaviours they wanted to see in every single person they recruited and said ‘this is non-negotiable’ - if you can tick every box, you can come in... that led us to a premiership in 2021,” Mr Maynard said.

Creating a comfortable, safe and positive work environment is becoming increasingly important to employees, he said, noting awards and recognition are becoming “more of an added bonus” among workers.

NWBBG president Dale Munckton said the support and attendance from the local business community for the launch event was fantastic.

“Our launch event was a great kick start for 2023 and with another six networking events scheduled, we look forward to an exciting year ahead,” he said.

“There is clearly a desire for local businesses to connect with each other.”

The NWBBG is holding its second event, the Better Living Festival of Berwick on Saturday, 1 April from 10am to 4pm in High Street, Berwick.

From left, Manjula Ezra, Dale Munckton (president), Michelle Beadle (secretary), Kim Ross, Callen O’Brien (treasurer) and Magda D’Abaco (vice president), Barry Erlenwein. 323315 Pictures: ROB CAREW

Tamara Ekanayake, Mush Rahaman and Brad Battin MP. 323315

The sold-out event attracted 100 individuals from businesses in Casey. 323315

Quocchi Ngheim (left) talks with other business people. 323315

By Eleanor Wilson

Dale Munckton (president) meets with people.

323315

Call for advertising rethink following report’s release Local print newspapers like Star News may survive the onslaught of online media.

A national report into local news sustainability is challenging the perception that print newspapers are dead.

The report is calling on governments to revise their advertising rules to help local news providers and better target regional and rural communities.

“Local and regional newspapers continue to play a significant role for local communities,” said Star News Group managing director Paul Thomas.

“They provide a voice, an opportunity for informed public debate and hold the powerful to account.

“Star News Group is proud to continue to provide quality local news with balance and fairness but the conditions are tough.”

The report Media Innovation and the Civic Future of Australia’s Country Press made 22 recommendations.

The finding was the culmination of a threeyear Australian Research Council project, led

by Deakin University.

Deakin partnered with Country Press Australia, the nation’s peak local news lobby, and RMIT University.

Project lead Professor Kristy Hess, of Deakin’s School of Communications and Creative Arts, said the project’s aim was to examine the local media landscape to identify challenges and opportunities for sustainability and innovation.

“We wanted to examine the challenges facing small-town news providers given the commentary in recent years about the crisis they are facing in Australia and across the world,” she said.

This was the first comprehensive report of its kind in Australia and its recommendations provide a blueprint to preserve and grow rural and regional news for future generations.

Country Press Australia president Andrew Manuel said the Media Innovation and the Civic Future of Australia’s Country Press report should be seen as a beginning and 12 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

A collection of local Star newspapers. 325574 Picture: EMILY CHAPMAN LAING not an end.

Mr Manuel said the report highlights the essential role local papers play in serving their communities and delivering civic journalism.

“This is arguably the most comprehensive study of our industry ever undertaken and the report stands as a beacon for government, for policy makers and for the community to take the appropriate and necessary actions to ensure newspapers can continue to play such a vital role,” he said.

The study began at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The pandemic resulted in the temporary or permanent closure of dozens of local mastheads across Australia and a shift among some to digital-only platforms.

“The first thing we did was conduct a major national survey to find out what people valued about their local mastheads,” Professor Hess said.

“We found people in many regional and rural towns and cities were passionate about their local mastheads but rejected an overreliance on syndicated content, in print and digital, sourced from neighbouring areas or other parts of the country.”

The research team conducted two main national surveys – one with local news audiences and one with those who do not engage with local news.

There were 35 interviews with Australian

news editors and proprietors and seven interpretive focus groups with editors, journalists and advertising managers within the Country Press Australia network.

One key finding was the strain on local mastheads hit with lost revenue from local, state and federal government advertising.

Advertising in recent years has prioritised social media and metropolitan news outlets with a larger digital reach.

“Our research found there is this obsession with digital reach,” Professor Hess said.

“That’s all well and good, but a local masthead, whether in print or online, isn’t designed to reach one million people.

“If we use the digital reach metric as an indicator as to which news outlets should get government advertising, these independent regional and rural outlets are going to lose out every time.”

The report supports a recent Parliamentary Inquiry recommendation that stipulates 20 per cent of all Federal Government advertising expenditure be directed to regional and rural news organisations.

“Communities without a newspaper rarely have a platform that enables them to be fully informed,” Mr Thomas said.

“They no longer have professionally trained journalists providing balance and seeking out the details.

“They become reliant on social media which has no balance, and most often simply coughs up someone else’s bias.”

Data from the study also showed government funding schemes for local news outlets were often tied to digital innovation.

Funding is often given to buy drones and other technologies.

The report describes a ‘digital shiny things bias’ towards digital innovation at the expense of supporting initiatives that may be most beneficial to rural and regional audiences.

A greater appreciation for place-based public interest journalism and the need for collaboration among publishers were other key findings. While what local news provid-

ers needed was financial support to upgrade print infrastructure or to hire more staff.

Professor Hess said print is not dead for many regional and rural communities.

“We need to remember there is a digital divide in Australia that means some communities still struggle with poor-quality and unreliable Internet connections.

“Some segments of the community, including older citizens, find it difficult to use newer technologies.

“Younger audiences also like the look of a printed newspaper.”

The report also recommends better incentives, including pay, to attract seasoned reporters to the regions. Governments are also urged to provide seed funding for journalistled news start-ups to counteract local “news deserts” developing in some parts of Australia.

“Our research shows people in these communities want more local news content, including stories on locals’ achievements, successes and milestones.

“They also want news on local events and more investigative-type pieces.”

The research also found there is more capacity for regional and rural news providers to develop collaborative advocacy and solutions-style reporting campaigns that address important rural and regional issues that span multiple communities.

Mr Thomas said the Victorian State Government is very supportive of the industry, ensuring important government communications are “provided to local communities through the local newspapers”.

However he stipulates that this dedication is not reflected in the Federal Government, who place their announcements solely online.

“Government messages can easily be misconstrued online or end up next to inappropriate material,” he said.

“We call on the Federal Government to ensure that they provide information to local communities across appropriate platforms and commit to the recommendations of this report by Deakin.” berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Endless works for change

By Sahar Foladi An advocate who always works around the clock for refugee and migrants’ settlement, Shabnam Safa has added yet another award to a long list.

Ms Safa migrated to Australia as an Afghan Hazara refugee from Pakistan with her parents and three young brothers.

As a teenager, she saw Australia brimming with opportunities where she could receive basic education, the right to work as a woman, not be targeted for her gender or ethnicity as a Hazara - a minority group in Afghanistan.

“Starting a new life from scratch in a new country is not easy, no matter how much you think you’re prepared for it,” Ms Safa said.

“It was challenging but also exciting at the same time because we didn’t know what was around the corner.

“I wanted to study and take on all the opportunities that would come my way. I didn’t plan the future out but I knew I had to make use of every opportunity and that’s what I did.”

Nearly 14 years later, she’s crowned as Bakhtar Woman of the Year - her most recent award.

She has represented Australia at various international summits including United Nations, serves on multiple government advisory boards at State and National levels, inducted to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, chairs the National Refugee-Led Advisory and Advocacy Group (NRAAG), co-founded two not for profit organisations, works in Community Refugees Sponsorship Australia and so much more.

“It was a journey to give back, looking at the things not possible for my family and I to achieve before and to make it happen here.”

She threw herself into opportunities from within and outside of school, joined karate a year after she settled in Australia, earned her

Shabnam Safa with her parents.

Picture: SUPPLIED black belt in 2013 and represented Australia at multiple international and national championships.

“That has taken a back seat in my life right now but it was a huge instrument of change.

It wasn’t just sport, it helped me become more confident and take on challenges that I otherwise wouldn’t have.”

She also ran for the 2016 City of Casey elections where she finished in the top five out of the 18 candidates.

As a young person then, she’d always been active in the local community from the get-go.

She was also awarded the 2014 Sportsperson of the Year by the City of Casey.

In between everything she does, voluntarily or as a requirement of her work, she’s consistently working whether it’s supporting community advocacy initiatives and conversations or to raise awareness on events surrounding issues in Afghanistan and refugees.

“I feel I’m constantly working and not be-

cause it’s required of my role but just working towards the goal that I have for myself, the future that I want for myself, my community and others around me.

“It’s been a very difficult couple of years for the people of Afghanistan both within and outside and I feel a huge and deep sense of responsibility to use my skills and resources and do something about it.”

Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, she has been a strong advocate as a founding member of the Action for Afghanistan campaign.

The campaign called for concrete action and policy reform in Australia including a special humanitarian intake, the abolition of Temporary Protection Visas (TPV), family reunification, and other key issues affecting the Afghan Australian community.

“I may not be able to help people in Afghanistan but I know I can make a difference here in Australia so I have thrown myself into that completely over the last few years.”

After the suicide attack on the KAAJ educational centre in Kabul in September 2022, which targeted mainly Hazara girls, Hazaras and Afghans around the world united in uproar against the continuous attacks.

The global movement also saw community demonstrations in the heart of Dandenong and across Australia which Ms Safa played a key part in. Like many other Afghans her parents attended.

“It was an emotional event. The community was hurting and there were people who had lost family members in that attack.

“After the event my father said, there were so many things I wanted to do in life which I couldn’t because of the journey I had to take and factors outside of my control.

“Looking at you I feel you’re doing a lot of what I never could do but wanted to do. I see a

lot of me in you.”

Although her family is very supportive and proud of all that she does, they’re concerned about her wellbeing.

However, her parents also know the importance of the work and changes their daughter brings out.

“We have come from a country where generations have been displaced or had to live with war and its consequences. My parents now see another generation go through this.

“But they see the younger generation step up and learn from the experiences of those who’ve come before us.”

After years of advocacy from different organisations across Australia, communities celebrated as the Australian Government announced a pathway towards permanent visas for 19,000 refugees on TPVs and SHEVs. “I’m starting to see a shift in the refugee narrative in Australia. It’s partly because of a change in government and more and more people wanting to do something about this growing worldwide issue.”

She described this moment as “exciting” with much hope to look forward to. However, there’s more work to be done to clear the backlog created in the system.

“I would love to see a larger additional humanitarian intake from Afghanistan. Currently Labor hasn’t indicated anything in that space.

“I would like to see the abolishment of the TPV and SHEV architecture that can’t be used to punish people for seeking safety in Australia.”

Her work has taken her all over the world including volunteering in India for six months and also Greece where she worked in refugee camps.

Ms Safa will strive to become an effective socio-cultural change agent and sees herself continuing to advocate for refugee rights and create changes in Australia and beyond.

Students set to peform Grease the Musical Permanent visas arrive The Performing Arts students at St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar are looking forward to presenting Grease, The Musical.

The musical is the popular story of Danny and Sandy and follows their journey as students in the 1950s.

The show is full of comedy, impressive dancing, and singing movement and will be presented in an arena style.

St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar is a leading institution in the Performing Arts in Australia.

It provides a holistic Performing Arts education for students, including unique co-curricular performance opportunities.

The cast and crew comprise over 120 students from Year 7 to Year 12 and they have been working for just this term. The students have enjoyed this learning process and are excited to share this classic tale with the wider community. Performances are on Wednesday 29 March, Thursday 30 March, Friday 31 March, and Saturday 1 April.

The pre-show arrival time of 6.30pm will feature a classic car display, food trucks, and live dancing, with the musical commencing at 7.30pm each night.

Performance at their Officer Campus, Tivendale Rd, Officer. For tickets, please visit trybooking.com/CFXXE

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar are set to present Grease the Musical.

The students have enjoyed this learning process and are excited to share this classic tale with the wider community. berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

After decade-long waits, the first of thousands of temporary visa holders have been granted permanent visas.

Refugee advocate Wicki Wickiramasingham said at least 20 Tamil refugees in the past week had been approved for permanent protection.

They were among the first since the Federal Government announced a permanent visa pathway for 19,000 Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) holders in February.

Many thousands on temporary visas had been living in limbo in Melbourne’s South East for up to 15 years, Mr Wickiramasingham said.

“They are very, very happy,” Mr Wickiramasingham said of the first 20 approvals.

“We were expecting it would be processed at the end of the year. They can now for the first time invite their wives, their children and their families here.”

He estimated that of the 19,000, about 3000 were Tamil refugees.

Under the new visas, they will be allowed to live, work and study in Australia permanently.

They can access Centrelink and Medicare, travel internationally and sponsor eligible family to become permanent residents in Australia.

Mr Wickiramasingham said he’d continue to fight for 12,000 temporary visa holders not covered by the announcement.

In announcing the move, Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said all people on TPVs and SHEVs were found to be refugees and were owed Australia’s protection.

Thursday, 30 March, 2023

|

STAR NEWS 13

WHAT’S ON For a gold coin donation, members of the community can enjoy a coffee, tea, milkshake or smoothie.

You might even be lucky and receive a cookie or cake.

Show your support for Amstel’s Umbrella Support participants, who are expanding their vocational opportunities as they learn the ins and outs of cafe service.

1000 Cranbourne-Frankston Road, Cranbourne. Running every Thursday afternoon 1.30pm-3.30pm.

Montague Apple Harvest Festival To celebrate the harvest of the new apple season, Montague will be hosting their third festival, Apple Harvest Festival at The Orchard at Montague.

The festival will include a Farmers Market with live music, food trucks, fruit tastings, kids activities, pick-your-own orchard and facility tours and much more!

18 Horswood Road, Narre Warren North, Saturday 1 April from 8.30am-3pm.

·

·

Kaleidoscope of Cultures

Cranbourne U3A

Come along to Casey Fields Playspace and Village Green in Cranbourne East for a celebration of Casey’s culturally diverse communities.

Connect with your local community, while enjoying live performances and free activities such as come and try sport and dance sessions and a kite making and flying session.

There will also be a range of stallholders and food vendors!

Casey Fields Playspace, 160 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East, Sunday 23 April from 1pm-4pm.

·

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Jams for Juniors Jams for Juniors is the perfect way to introduce babies and toddlers to the magic of music!

Children aged 0-5 and their adults can explore, play and join in at this popular 30-minute musical workshops.

Presenter Karen Kyriakou is joined by musicians of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for this popular series of workshops specially designed for children up to aged five and their carers.

Pull up a cushion and explore the music of Romeo and Juliet.

This event will be held in the Bunjil Place Function Centre, with relaxed floor seating.

You are welcome to bring your own cushion to sit on.

Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren, Saturday April 1 from 10am-10.30am.

·

Lynbrook Easter Market Featuring market stalls, great food, specialty retailers, free kids activities, live music, the Easter Bunny and more.

With thousands of guests each year, this is a

Soak in the atmosphere at the upcoming Casey Food & Wine Festival. 186118 Picture: ROB CAREW

Casey Food & Wine Festival The City of Casey is bringing a celebration of good food and wine to the south eastern suburbs.

Gather your family and friends for an afternoon of gourmet food and cheeses and drinks from wineries, breweries and cider houses.

Bring along a picnic rug or camping chairs and sit back and relax on the lawn while listening to some live music. must attend event!

There will be a range of different market stalls so that you can find the perfect gifts, decorations, outdoor items, homewares and treats.

The market stalls will feature hand-made, locally sourced, unique products.

The Lynbrook Easter Market will be an evening

Performers on the day include Dakota East, Mark Jubb, Orlando Jazz Combo and Zak Shepherd.

Tickets are $6 and bookings are essential.

Children under 16 years are free and do not require a ticket.

The first 1000 tickets sold will receive a free reusable glass.

Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Road, Berwick, Saturday 1 April from 1pm-7pm.

·

for the whole family to enjoy.

Lynbrook Village Shopping Centre, 75 Lynbrook Boulevard, Friday 31 March, from 3pm to 8pm.

·

Every 1 Cafe Join the Amstel Club in their new Every 1 initiative.

Make the most of your retirement! Tutors are available to teach art using various mediums.

A variety of crafts including knitting, patchwork and sewing, card making, and calligraphy.

Chess, line dancing, Italian language, table tennis and cycling groups welcome you.

Would you like to play the ukulele, or just singalong for fun? Cranbourne U3A can help.

Our rooms are in the Cranbourne Library building, through the Casey Radio entrance.

Expand your social life and get active for a healthy third age in your retirement.

For more information, visit u3acranbourne. org.au or call Helen 0423 623 337.

·

Lynbrook Neighbour Day The event is designed to help you and your family get to know your community.

Enjoy free pizza and chocolate while watching The Incredibles 2.

Neighbour Day encourages everyone to reach out and make meaningful connections with the people around them - every day.

Lynbrook Community Centre, 2 Harris Street, Lynbrook on Friday 31 March, 5pm-8pm.

·

Cockatoo Country Market Support local, stock up your pantry and catch up with friends and neighbours.

Treat yourself to a yummy morning tea or barbecue lunch.

There’s so many different stalls at Cockatoo Country market.

Support local stallholders while finding perfect items for personal joy or to give as gifts.

77 Pakenham Road, Cockatoo on Saturday 1 April, 8.30am-1.30pm.

·

The Autumn Edition of your favourite family magazine is out now...

Pick up a printed copy of Casey Cardinia Kids Today Magazine from outlets everywhere.

Or, read the full digital edition as it appears in print now!

Scan the QR CODE

OR VISIT: caseycardiniakids.com.au/digital-editions 14 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 30 March, 2023

12594114-MS12-23

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berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Joel Joji, Rivya Tomy and Joel Varghese celebrate their graduation at Bunjil Place on Wednesday Pictures: ELEANOR WILSON 22 March. 325582

Graduates were applauded from the ceremony by members of the academic procession. 325582

Fed graduates flying high

By Eleanor Wilson Graduation hats were flying at Bunjil Place on Wednesday 22 March, as more than 300 Federation University students celebrated their graduation.

Graduating teachers, nurses and accountants were some of the cohort to take to the stage to receive their degrees in the presence of proud staff, family and friends.

Federation University vice chancellor and president Professor Duncan Bentley said the ceremony is a special time for graduates to celebrate their hard work with friends, family and peers.

“It’s fantastic. You see the smiles on their faces…their families are proud, most of them are first-in-family and so they’ve discovered what university education can do and they’ve discovered the future that they can aspire to,”

Mr Bentley said.

Federation University is the number one university in Australia for first generation enrolments, including Berwick Campus Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice student Sarah Wookey, who is now hoping to become a case manager for people exiting the prison system.

“The whole family is really proud, they were all watching it online on the livestream and my mum and boyfriend came to the ceremony,” the 21-year-old from Pakenham said.

“I was interested in becoming a police officer, so I looked into it and Fed Uni had lots of information online and they were pretty local too which was good, especially while trying to balance a job and that sort of thing.

“That was the main reason I went for it and they had a bunch of support for their students.”

Peter Rabbit

Professor Bentley said Wednesday’s ceremony represented “the future of Australia”.

“Its one of the most multicultural parts of the country - this is the future of Australia.

“If you look at the graduates coming across the stage - this is our future and if we can get it right it really does make it a very special place.

“We look forward to seeing all that our students will achieve in their communities as we know they are graduating with the skills and knowledge employers need.”

The Berwick students were among more than 1400 students across Federation University’s campuses in Berwick, Brisbane, Gippsland and Wimmera to celebrate graduation this month.

Bachelor of Criminology student Sarah Wookey was chosen as the graduate speaker for the ceremony. 325582

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Rex name shame

By Mitchell Clarke Almost one year since alleged corruption was exposed within the City of Casey, a former councillor is still fighting to clear his name.

Former Springfield Ward councillor Rex Flannery, who resigned as deputy mayor just days before the State Government sensationally sacked the entire council in February 2020, says the events of the past 12 months are still “eating” him up.

He has now officially requested that his name is removed from both a councillor honour board in the customer service centre and a wall plaque in Bunjil Place.

“I have never had any involvement into this alleged corruption scandal and therefore I do not wish to have my name associated with past or former councillors who may have brought our City of Casey into disrepute,” he told Star News.

“People look at your name and they see that you’re from Casey Council and immediately they put you in that same mould, which couldn’t be further than the truth.

“It’s just horrible to have been a councillor in that term. It gives you a sickening feeling in your gut and now I have to live with that.“ Mr Flannery argues his name should never have been placed on the plaque celebrating the $126 million Bunjil development because at the time he didn’t support the project.

“I guess I’ve eaten a little bit of humble pie with Bunjil Place. I’ve been able to see the value that place brings to the community but at the time I was against the development and I wasn’t once consulted (about having my name included),” he said.

He also claims former ex-ward partner, Sam Aziz, stated to him that he “wished he never had my name added to the plaque”.

“That was the only time I agreed with him,” Mr Flannery said.

While Mr Flannery hasn’t accused any former councillor of committing wrongdoing, he said anyone found guilty from the IBAC hearing should immediately have their honours stripped.

“They need to have their plaques removed

Rex name shame

Rex Flannery, pictured in late 2015, wants his name stripped from council. 148005 from anywhere within the City of Casey ... whether it’s a plaque in the botanical gardens or in Bunjil Place, I want them removed so they have absolutely no recognition anymore,” he said.

“They’ve disgraced themselves and they’ve disgraced the council. They’ve taken something away from me that I totally enjoyed. I loved serving the Casey community. I just want some clarity as to what way it’s going to go.”

Since his resignation, Mr Flannery has been working in an operating theatre at a local hospital. He said he has every intention to run for council again in 2024.

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“I want to get back into serving the community again. I want to run again and I want to get my name back on the honour board for the right reasons. At the moment it’s a dishonour board,” he said.

Star News understands Mr Flannery has put forward his request to be heard by the administrators at the next council meeting, slated for Tuesday 2 February.“It’s up to them now but a year later, this is still eating at me. I need closure and this is one way that I can get it,“ he said.

“I played no part in any downturn or sacking of the council and I feel it’s my duty to say that I don’t want to be a part of or in any way

Bunjil Place. associated with the 2016-20 term.”

Casey’s governance manager Rhys Matulis said: “Given the IBAC investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment on that matter. Council has received and will consider Mr Flannery’s request in due course.”

12481470-NG07-21

Almost one year since alleged corruption was exposed within the City of Casey, a former councillor is still fighting to clear his name.

12425088-FA36-19

By Mitchell Clarke

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

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STAR NEWS 15

NEWS

Keys to financial success TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IAN ASH I have often before mentioned the following anonymous quote: “Turnover is vanity. Profit is sanity. Cash is reality.”

And this turns out to be so true.

According to Business Insider, 82 per cent of small businesses fail because of cash-flow issues.

So let’s start with the latter and most important one first – cash-flow.

Understanding your cash-flow is far more than just looking at your bank statement on a regular basis. It is about being able to forecast with a reasonable degree of certainty how much cash you will have in the account over the coming weeks and months, and whether you might need to dip into savings or a loan account in order to keep in the black.

Cash-flow management is all about understanding what monies will come into your business bank account in the future and what funds will be going out.

Note that the incoming amounts are not necessarily easy to predict since just because you have invoiced a customer for products or services, it doesn’t mean that you will definitely receive the funds soon after (for example, manufacturing businesses typically pay 30 days end of month).

Any cash-flow modelling therefore needs to make a conservative prediction about when the money will actually hit your account.

Typical profit and loss statements do not include tax, but when forecasting your cash position, you must include tax payments (such

Cash flow, profit and a balance sheet are the three keys to financial success. as BAS and IAS) as well as the GST for invoices and receipts. Not forecasting this can lead to some nasty surprises, so always good to put the GST payments by as these are incurred, so that you have the funds available when needing to pay your business activity statement.

Profit is indeed sanity.

If your business is not profitable, you won’t generate the cash to survive and so understanding, and being able to predict, your profit and loss over coming months is invaluable.

The process starts with determining what

you believe your business income and expenses for the forthcoming period are likely to be.

Sometimes I hear business owners say that you can’t possibly predict your sales, but by looking at what happened over previous financial intervals, it is possible to derive reasonable and realistic estimates.

Similarly, expenses don’t tend to vary wildly from year to year so if you have kept a good record of expenses, you can then produce a reasonable approximation for the forthcoming year. When your estimated income and expenses are put into a month-by-month forecast, you can create a budget from which your monthly and annual net profit can be derived.

The third essential key is a balance sheet.

Ask a business owner if they have heard of a balance sheet and most will, but ask them to describe its purpose and what it contains and you are likely to hear the proverbial crickets chirping.

A balance sheet effectively describes a business’ health at a particular point in time.

It is comprised of a list of assets and liabilities and subtracting the latter from the former, gives you what is known as (owners) equity or net assets.

Assets are made up current asset’ (cash and money owed to you) and fixed assets (everything the business owns, e.g. property, plant and equipment, etc).

Liabilities is everything that the business owes, e.g. loans, debts and unpaid bills, etc.

So, if a business sold everything it owned and paid off everything it owed (i.e. assets minus liabilities), what is left over (equity) should give a good an idea of the business’ net worth.

If the equity is negative, then the business is said to be trading insolvently – not good and not legal!

Ian Ash is the managing director of OrgMent Business Solutions.

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Beaconsfield Beaconsfield Tattslotto 55 Old Princes Highway Beaconsfield Kaye Charles Real Estate Shop 2, 6-10 Old Princes Highway Beaconsfield Bendigo Bank Shop 6, 52-62 Old Princes Highway Beaconsfield Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre 8 O Neil Road Beaconsfield Woolworths Beaconsfield 28 Sylvia Road Berwick Brentwood Milkbar 24 Bemersyde Drive Berwick Bemersyde Bakery 6/84 Bemersyde Drive Berwick R and R Real Estate 1 Clyde Road Berwick Century 21 Real Estate 9 Clyde Road Berwick Eden Rise Shopping Village 1 Corner Oshea Rd & Clyde Rd Berwick Coles Supermarket Parkhill Plaza Shopping Centre 1 Corner Oshea Rd & Clyde Rd Berwick Berwick Springs Lucky Lotto Shop 10/1 Corner Oshea Rd & Clyde Rd Berwick Grants Estate Agents 3a Gloucester Avenue

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BERWICK

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Berwick Berwick Newsagency 29 High Street Berwick Ray White Real Estate 42 High Street Berwick Alex Scott and Staff Real Estate 49 High Street Berwick Harcourts Real Estate 20 High Street Berwick Neilson Partners 1st National 57 High Street Berwick Gluten Free and Chocolate 9/48 High Street Berwick O’Brien Real Estate 56-58 High Street Berwick St John of God Hospital 75 Kangan Drive Berwick Chris Peake Real Estate 18 Langmore Lane Berwick Woolworths Shopping Centre 1-9 Lyall Road Berwick Mansfield Street Foodmart 157-159 Mansfield Street Berwick Parkhill Plaza News and Lotto Shop 13, 215-225 Parkhill Drive Berwick Chemist Discount Centre Shop 2, 215-225 Parkhill Drive Berwick Coles Supermarket Parkhill Plaza Shopping Centre Shop 19, 215-225 Parkhill Drive Berwick Coles Berwick Central 2 Richardson Grove Berwick Hocking Stuart Real Estate Suite 2, 16 Langsmore Lane

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Hallam 7 Eleven Service Station 38-40 Hallam South Road Hallam Joes Mini Mart 117 Hinrichsen Drive Hallam Coles Hallam 2 Princes Domain Drive Hallam Raine and Horne Real Estate - Hallam 2 Spring Square Hallam Hallam Square News 42 Spring Square Narre Warren Ritchies IGA Shop 4/14 Webb Street Narre Warren Ritchies IGA Shop 4/14 Webb Street Narre Warren Narre Warren Newsagency 34 Webb Street Narre Warren Fleetwood MiniMart 94-96 Fleetwood Drive Narre Warren Casey Gardens Caravan Park 6 Fullard Road Narre Warren City of Casey 2 Patrick NE Drive Narre Warren Neilson Partners 1st National 418 Princes Highway Narre Warren The Good Food Emporium 15/430–440 Princes Highway Narre Warren Westfield Fountain Gate Shopping Centre 25-55 Princes Highway Narre Warren Coles 25-55 Princes Highway Narre Warren Woolworths 25-55 Princes Highway

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Narre Warren O’Brien Real Estate Narre Warren 25-55 Princes Highway Narre Warren Coles Express 2 Regency Drive & Princes Highway & Lauderdale Road Narre Warren Only Real Estate 13/3 Webb Street Narre Warren Donaldson Martin Real Estate 43-45 Webb Street Narre Warren Coles Express 155-171 Narre Warren North Road Narre Warren North Marcos IGA 2 Oakview Boulevard Narre Warren North Narre Warren North Newsagency 3/1E Oakview Boulevard Narre Warren South Casey Central Shopping Centre 400 Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road Narre Warren South Coles 400 Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road Narre Warren South Woolworths 400 Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road Narre Warren South Ray White Real Estate Shop 20, 400 Narre Warren Cranbourne Road Narre Warren South Casey News and Lotto Shop 156, 400 Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road Narre Warren South Ritchies Amberly Park 245 Ormond Road

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Mr Cini, who started his dog training ness after noticing the need for specialisedbusiservices for his dog Sasha, said he had personally offered to provide free training for dog owners to prevent dog attacks in the municipality, but

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@StarNews_SE /Cranbournestarnews “Most people see a wagging tail munity.com.au and they Power Pooches’ Jake Cini and Sasha, cranbournenews.starcom think of a happy dog, but that who are advocating for increased is not the case at

education for dog owners.

underwent a six-hour operation Exciting 240150 for injuries he dog rushes occur when “I want to be able to walk down Gracious dogs are not contained were also the street sustained in the attack.

Successful used for education programs on Eagles to their property,” he said. reOlympian and not have a fear of dogs rushing us or ownThe school girl and her parents Grigson sponsible pet ownership, including are underroad shows “Dogs that have not been adequately crackdown stood to be mentally shaken by add pace so- and events, the Maternal and Child the attack, but inspires Tooradin backcialised with It comes after a series of dog attacks gives Health other animals are also more likely Centre’s in the are grateful their dog and daughter We Are Family program and education on hoons are alive. to demonstrate aggression if they students Two dogs City of Casey manager of safer SPORT find them- in schools on safety around animals. communi10 selves

PAGE 7

He said pet registration fees help council provide a number of services, including reuniting lost pets with owners, investigating dog attacks, puppy farms, and prosecuting of-

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Husband and wife, principal and assistant principal.

WINTER “It’s a big deal. They really love it,” she says.

2022 “Everyone needs to be acknowledged at least one day a year.”

Her husband and principal Kevin says it goes to how much the school’s team cares.

Next term, the couple will face their own special day – their last day at the school that they have served for such an extraordinary time.

Mr and Ms Mackay have been there for 39 years and 36 years, respectively.

All up, their teaching careers have spanned 60 years and 45 years.

On 4 October, they will mark their retirement with a massive ‘general assembly’ at Dandenong High School hall.

Kevin and Jenny Mackay have served Mr Mackay OAM said it would Dandenong North Primary School be the first as principal and assistant principal assembly since the Covid pandemic’s for nearly four decades. 292591 start.

“It’s been an enormous part, where Picture: GARY SISSONS I get to food parcels or writing to government teach all the kids for half an hour. agen- follow each other to Dandenong We’ve missed cies on their behalf.

North Pri- the best teachers I’ve that, so it will be good to have a met. mary School. last one.

“And that kids know that you like “As the school became more complex “It’s going to be hard to avoid tears.” them. You Alarm bells rang for over have staff here that care about them – they’ll principal Mr Mackay the newly-appointed many years, Jenny’s experience has helped In their time, the school has built adwhen his wife was ap- dress an envi- ask the kids to ‘tell me more’. They go that the complexities. able reputation to bringing out the extra pointed to join the school. mile. best in from more than 50 diverse backgrounds. kids “From the synergies of effort you Mr Mackay worried about how get more “I think all the Dandenong schools to handle bang for your buck do a ter- the potential conflicts Its cutting-edge programs have than just two people. We’re of interest and staff dis- more been docu- rific job at that.” like two-and-a-half.” mented in award-winning films. harmony.

While deputy principal at Clayton Meanwhile, Ms Mackay Primary What makes the school special “We made it work,” he said. “And School in the 1980’s, Mr Mackay thank God cipal as an “incredibly describes the prinmet a first- she was appointed “warmth”, Ms Mackay says. The school is its creative and lateral here. ensures year teacher Jenny. thinker” who will always look for the families get what they need a better way “My job is to get the best teachers – whether it’s They of course later married, and I possibly of doing things. were to can to work with the children. Jenny is one of Continued page 10

Together we are better with

SATURDAY Reach Forklift Drivers

But Mr Cini said he remained sceptical about council’s investment in education for dog owners.

“A lot of people are misinformed about the reasons their dog might have social issues,” he said.

“We have to have proper education programs...why not give [owners] a quick online test or a copy of the legal requirement of owning a dog when they register their pets?”

In 2020/21, there was a total of 237 reported dog attacks in the City of Casey, 151 of the attacks on dogs and 51 attacks on humans.

on the fivethe same period in 2021, and seven year average.

Speaking on those events, Superintendent John Road Policing Operations & Investigation as a “worryFitzpatrick described the increase of the vulnering trend” and issued a reminder abilities of motorcycle riders. some of the “These figures are alarming and coming is that AUTOBARN anecdotal evidence that we see to sitting out of Covid-19, people aren’t used NARRE WARREN and they’re Cnr Narre Warren in traffic for long periods of time Cranbourne Nth & maybe alHigh Street shopping precinct in choosing a mode of transport that Lauderdale Rds Gippsland Tuesday, 9 before proceeding down the South them to (avoid) that,” Supt Fitzpatrick August, 2022 lows Highway for the big race. said on Saturday 23 July.

Patteron motorCity of Casey chief executive Glenn “We’re seeing many more people a number of son said the council attributed bikes than we’ve seen ever before. was not made it’s bike, a riding factors to their decision, which and “Driving a motorcar lightly. a shared responsibility about understanding the signifiwhat’s around “Council has taken into account where you are on the road and the disruption about cant costs of running the event, you. We ask people to please be sensible moaware of the they ride to local traffic and we are also the way they drive and the way of Cranfrustration experienced by a number torbikes.” disof bourne businesses, who face considerable President of the Cranbourne Chamber to seeing said the decision ruption due to the road closure, without Dart Jeremy Commerce said. given the an increase in patronage,” Mr Patterson cancel the event was “short-sighted”, dandenong.starcommun budget and to take ity.com.au “We will be retaining this event missed opportunity for local traders /DandenongJournal com@StarJournal_SE of the increased patronage. are investigating options for another advantage 40¢ Inc. GST area that offeedback munity event in the Cranbourne While the Chamber has received benefits to aligning with fers greater enjoyment and more from some retailers in the region to be anto the residents and ratepayers, with details 199533 Casey’s hypothesis that the disruption The last Cranbourne GP Run in 2019. problematic, nounced at a future date.” roads and their businesses was 60 per options relationship between riders and The City of Casey said approximately and they’ll be spend- ness of the he was disappointed that alternative was required will be at Phillip Island, vehicles. approved. cent of the $93,000 event budget money down there instead.” to see how had not been to the of the PAGE “We need to encourage people 2 South Gippsland ing their to manage the closure “It does bring significant numbers that4Casey would have PAGE He said he hoped a valid form of transport. arePAGE Highway for the event. the specific precinct,” Mr Dart said. too late, allowing the two-wheelers 9 road-user region and Motorcycle a “re-think” before it’s SPORT would “We’re the most vulnerable John Eacott from the Victorian two-year absence.

“To allow a different model to exist “extremely event to proceed after a protected with pathThere are plenty of Victo- group. Pedestrians are Council (VMC) said the council was bike lanes. be a much better option. High Street) that decision.

“It’s not just locals and people within ways and crossings; cyclist have disappointed” with the City of Casey’s but facilities out the back (of - it’s a nation-wide thing. Peotraffic the attend of who ria middle the still. in constantly festival South Wales, We’re out there “The VMC had years of working would allow them to still have a road congestion).” ple come from Queensland, New said. it would get-to- we are such a solution (to with the City of Casey,” Mr Eacott “Had there been some foresight, in re South Australia. The GP is an annual The issue has come into sharp focus

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not contained to their property, which can lead to instances of dog attacks.

“Keeping your dogs securely confined to your property, and ensuring they are always under effective control when out, are key measures to keep your pets and the community

Mr Osborne added that registrations

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V Positions Vacant

PAGE ties Daniel Osborne said the matter remains

GP Run cancelled

1ST SUNDAY ecember) ONTH (March-D OF EVERY M

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PAGE 8

Domain’s June rounding suburbs, according to Quarterly House Price Report. said Ray White Pakenham’s Gavin Staindl in Pakengrowth had declined marginally ham. in Paken“We’re in a very affordable area

A Berwick dog trainer is calling for increased education and training for dog owners and their pooches following a series of recent dog our attacks in the City of Casey.

We come to you or can help through Frame & Lenses Jake Cini, who owns dog training + business contactless pick-up and remote services.

Pair Power F R E E Second Pooches, said preventing dog attacks from occurring “has to start with education”.

He said the wave of ‘pandemic pets’ (03) 9113 4616 who had not been socialised as puppies was contact@synergyitservices.com.au an issue that www.synergyitservices.com.au couldn’t be ignored by owners or council.

“I can’t believe there has been no mention

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area Pakenham is proving to be an appealing prices remain for first home buyers as house suburbs closrelatively low when compared to

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Community rallies around bookshop

has reAn adjustment to policing methods number of sulted in a dramatic drop in the South East, hooning events in Melbourne’s charges laid. and large numbers of arrests and Police From January to July 2021, Victoria events reported 40 to 50 large-scale hooning region, inin industrial areas within the SD3 Areas of corporating the Local Government Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia. @StarNews_SE 40¢ Inc. were just GST In the same period in 2022, there two reported events.

STORY PAGE 7

“We all know people who bought dogs during Covid who couldn’t be socialised due to restrictions, yet our council properly does noth-

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St Clare’s Primary School Officer Foundation students and teachers of are celebrating reaching 100 days learning in the classroom. as Students enjoyed dressing up 100 year olds, with props of pearls, sushair rollers, walking sticks and penders donned for the special day. a The students celebrated with singshindig that involved dancing, berwicknews.starcommu 100. nity.com.au ing, colouring-in and counting to STORY PAGE 18

“They provide no education whatsoever, yet they have thousands of dollars in pet reg-

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art galIn late June, plans to build a $50 million art - alongside lery - with $500 million worth of in the semia restaurant and function centre approved by rural suburb of Harkaway were the State Government. opposed But local residents, who have long say they the development of Rosemaur Gallery, the decision. are “surprised and saddened” by resThe approved plans for the gallery, cater for a taurant and function centre will with up to maximum of 300 patrons at a time, quarterly 580 patrons permitted during large events.

STORY PAGE 3

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STAR NEWS 19

SPORT

Cannons set to fire

By Jonty Ralphsmith The Casey Cannons are set for another season of hockey with the women’s and men’s teams generating plenty of hype in preseason.

The women have moved up a division to Vic League one after romping to a premiership last year, with coach Jim Galanos boldly declaring they may give finals a nudge in their first season at the higher level.

“If we’re prepared to do the hard yards and get fitter, I’m pretty confident we’ll play finals with the squad we’ve got,” the coach said.

“We’ve maintained the majority of our list from last year with the inclusion of a few players so I’m really confident heading into this year. They’re a good bunch of girls who have a bit of fun but know when to settle down and do the hard yards.”

Four clubs reach finals in the 10-team competition, with the Cannons’ depth improving from last year.

Their four additions - Bec Cheater, April Picton, Jenna McLauchlan, Skye McDonald - are all different types of players, bolstering their potency on each line of the field and instilling confidence that they will be consistent across the board.

The focus of preseason has been high-volume goal-shooting to increase their fire-power up forward.

The Cannons are aware that they will have to be smarter with their ball use in facing more rigid and structured defences at the next level.

Naturally, another challenge for a squad which blitzed the competition last season will be their defensive accountability and ability to respond when play goes against them, but it is a challenge that the coach believes they can handle.

The season kicks off with a clash against Brunswick at 3.30pm on Sunday 16 April, with the first home game being the following weekend, on Saturday 22 April at 2pm against PEGS. The men, meanwhile, have the challenge of filling Bryan Young’s shoes.

A scoring machine who scored 35 goals in 18 games last season, he has gone elsewhere seeking opportunities to play at a higher level.

First-year coach Steve Noney was supportive of his decision and wants that to form part of the club’s blueprint under his leadership.

“It’s about developing players to go and enjoy their hockey,” Noney said.

Umpires have the best view of the action, according to Jason McNeice. 293976 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

New recruits Bec Cheater, April Picton, Jenna McLauchlan pose for a photo. 320646 Pictures: SUPPLIED “Players can go off and play at a higher level and know the club will always invite them back, so we want to have players transitioning to the next level.

“We want to make sure they’re enjoying their hockey and getting rewards for the time and effort they put in.”

Nick McPhee is one player who the Cannons will hope can step up in the forward half.

A young striker dedicated to his craft, he worked closely with Young last year and has been a revelation in recent times, with the opportunity to lead the attack now presenting itself.

Recruits Elliot Stephens and Gurdeep Singh will also help to fill the scoring hole.

The evergreen Matthew Light, meanwhile, is stable at fullback and contributes on the offence at short-corners.

The new coach has been team manager in recent years, so is familiar with the way they have setup and is keen to maintain continuity and continue building on that style with his players.

“It takes time to develop a style so we want to introduce the new players into their roles and consolidate that through to the seconds

By Marcus Uhe

Elliot Stephens will plug a hole for the Cannons. team to give us more flexibility at selection,” Noney said.

“Everyone has a role to play and as a unit it is about developing more freedom.”

The coach added that he wanted the players to have a greater understanding of each other’s roles to improve synergy and individuals’ IQ on-pitch.

Coming off the back of some positive results in practice matches, the men’s season kicks off against Brunswick on 16 April at 2pm.

Cavs ready to begin their NBL1 crusade

By Marcus Uhe A pair of US college basketballers and some NBL1 veterans are set to power a new-look Casey Cavaliers squad this season, beginning this weekend against Dandenong.

Injuries and retirement forced the club’s hand in the recruitment space, with 10 new faces to wear the Cavs colours in 2023.

Guard, Jack Perry brings six years of NCAA experience from his stints at Eastern Washington University and University of Portland, while forward Hunter Marks returns to Victoria from four seasons at the University of Hartford, and one at Sacramento State.

The Cavs have also added Jack’s brother, Mason, and between them, Marks, Malcolm Bernard and Preston Bungei, coach David Peters has a crop of ball-handlers he can trust.

“It just takes the pressure off the main one or two scorers that we have, that they don’t have to create for themselves all the time, or have multiple people being able to create for them as well,” Peters said.

“And we’ve got a couple of guys who have come up from Youth League as well, a couple of really good guards who are ball handlers and can play out of pick-and-rolls.”

Having finished 15th in their first season in NBL1, Peters and the Cavs recruiting staff identified the need for malleable players as a necessity to mix it in their new competitive environment.

“For the most part we brought in a number of good individual defenders, something we knew we had to cover-off last year as we almost 20 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

Casey Cavaliers coach David Peters is excited for the upcoming NBL1 season, beginning on Saturday against Dandenong.

Picture: SUPPLIED felt like we were filling holes with our defence,” Peters said.

“We’ve also brought in players that can play multiple positions, so we’re probably a lot more versatile and a lot faster than we were last year.

“At times I felt like we were maybe a little bit big and slow against the more mobile teams, so those are the two main things that we re-

Addressing ‘systemic problem’

ally attacked in the off-season; improving our versatility across positions and improving our ability to have really good individual defenders who can guard both on the perimeter and inside if we needed to.”

The Cavs’ men’s side gets underway against the Ranges at 8pm on Saturday at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium, with the women playing at 6pm.

Increasing the number of quality umpires in the South East is the overarching goal for new Outer East Football Netball League Director of Umpiring, Jason McNeice.

McNeice, who brings 30 years of umpiring experience to the role, said numbers have taken a hit in recent years due to the pandemic, and identified the early 20s as the critical age period in which retention is key.

“We’re just trying to recruit as many as we possibly can,” McNeice said.

“We’ve lost a couple due to age, so we’re just trying to get as many younger people, and also a few of the older guys back into the group.

We want a good mix of young with old.

“There’s a systemic problem in umpiring, in that we seem to get a lot of young kids from 14-20 (years old), but when they hit 20 they tend to leave for a particular reason, so we’re missing that gap of about 20-29 (years old).

“We’ve got to keep them involved in the game, because they’re the future of the game.”

In order to improve the quality of the umpires, McNeice and the umpiring association will invest more time in skill development, vision sessions, theory tests and providing feedback, as well as having coaches attend games to get an up-close view.

To help drive the recruitment process, the AFL’s first-ever female field umpire Eleni Glouftsis has been assisting with running a development program in local schools.

The program sees students taught the basic fundamentals of umpiring skills and procedures, with opportunities to progress further if they choose to do so.

A veteran with the whistle himself, McNeice is encouraging anyone who has considered taking umpiring up, to throw their hat in the ring.

“You don’t know what it’s like until you try it,” he said.

“It’s the opportunity to be in control of the game and have the best seat of the house.

“In five years or 10 years time, you can be umpiring in an AFL Grand Final.”

Those interested in becoming the next Glouftsis or Matt Stevic can contact McNeice at umpires@outereastfn.com. au to find out how they can get started on their umpiring journey. berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Rays sting Falcons Southside

shot-down

By Jonty Ralphsmith The Dandenong Stingrays girls have picked up their first win of the season in a high-standard affair against Geelong at Deakin University.

After a tight first half, the Stingrays held a four-point halftime lead which they never relinquished.

The ‘Rays had 14 fewer inside 50s in the 8.5 53 to 6.7 43 win, but the aptitude of Sophie Butterworth and Brooke Smith in the forward half helped their efficiency.

Butterworth kicked four of her club’s eight goals, with each coming at a crucial stage.

The first came in the opening 30 seconds of the game, as Dandenong won the centre clearance and she was hit up leading away from her direct opponent out of the goal square.

She then kicked two consecutive goals in the third quarter to give her side a handy buffer before nailing an important settler in the last quarter as Geelong mounted a fightback.

Butterworth has long been seen as a footballer with a natural skillset, with coach Josh Moore rapt to see her marrying that up with an excellent work-rate and four quarter effort – a key preseason focus.

The coach also lauded the match of 19-yearold Brooke Smith, who is eligible for the 19-years-and-older AFLW draft next month.

Smith finished with 17 possessions and two goals in her first Talent League game of the season.

She returned to the Stingrays as a 19-yearold this year after an ankle injury curtailed her 2022 campaign.

“We’re playing her in a different role this year as a hybrid forward after she had been a half-back, and she was really good on Saturday,” Moore said.

“She kicked two really classy goals and set up a lot more – she set up Sophie for a fair part of the day and is a sneaky chance for the (AFLW) draft.”

Meg Robertson was the standout in the midfield, collecting 19 disposals before play was stopped for several minutes in the fi-

By Marcus Uhe

The Stingrays are on the board in 2023. 325863

Picture: JAZZ BENNETT MEDIA

nal quarter as she was victim of a nasty head knock which left her concussed.

She was taken to Geelong Hospital and will miss the next two games.

“I’ve seen some quality girls come through the program and she’s tracking in the same direction as them,” Moore said.

“It was a very good game of girls footy in the midfield – her ability to get in and out of traffic, make good decisions and execute really stood out.”

Moore added that her injury tempered celebrations post-game.

Bottom-ager Jemma Reynolds impressed with her cleanliness at ground level while Jemma Ramsdale played a captain’s game, standing up in big moments.

Zoe Besanko won the important ruck battle to give Dandenong first use in the midfield when it mattered, with 16 hitouts and her five tackles were indicative of her willingness to follow-up.

“I was speaking to (Geelong coach) Mel Hickey after the game and we were just in awe of the quality of football they played and how much girls footy has developed – it was a really good hit-out,” Moore said.

The win’s an important one for the fancied Rays, which next Sunday face arguable premiership favourites Eastern Ranges at Kilsyth.

Meanwhile, the boys season got off on the wrong foot, Nick Cox’s men going down to Geelong by 30 points at Colac on Sunday.

After a tight start, the Falcons blew the game open in the second quarter and Dandenong could never wrench back control.

Defender Kobe Shipp led all comers with 28 disposals and seven marks as an intercept defender.

The Vic Country representative is highlyregarded and was an important cog as Dandenong had to repel 51 inside-50s.

Matthew Nelson finished with 24 disposals and five tackles while Beaconsfield’s Kade De La Rue played a well-rounded game to finish with 21 disposals and a goal. Berwick midfielder Sam Frangalas also contributed with 20 disposals and a goal, while Harry DeMattia, sole captain on the day with Cooper Simpson out, kicked three goals among his 15 disposals.

The ‘Rays will next week be tipped to open their account against Brisbane Lions Academy, which was comfortably accounted for by Oakleigh this weekend.

Fogarty’s exciting Eagles ready to launch

By Marcus Uhe The young talent at Mick Fogarty’s disposal has him maintaining his end of season enthusiasm from 2022 about Beaconsfield’s prospects this year.

Having worn some bumps and bruises in their first season in the Eastern Football Netball League last season, the squad now has a better sense of what’s expected from them, and where they need to improve.

Opening their Division One season against Mitcham on Saturday, Fogarty believes an exceptional summer on the track from players such as Matt Wilson, Jack Docherty, Tyler Stokoe, and Hayden Brough will hold them in good stead.

“We’re pretty excited to kick the year off again and I couldn’t be happier with the boys,” Fogarty said.“It takes a bit of time for these guys to find their feet at a really strong division of football.

“They came back fitter than ever last year and they understand what Division One looks like, in regards to competition evenness and staying in the game longer, which gives you an opportunity to really close-out those close games that we lost last year.”

Avoiding those lapses in games where teams could apply scoreboard pressure will be the primary focus for the Eagles.

Where other sides were able to field a collection of more experienced players in their

Mick Forgarty is excited for the season ahead, beginning on Saturday against Mitcham. 277794 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS mid-20s who knew the rigours and rhythms of games, Beaconsfield’s younger crop were made to pay for switching off at stages in their six-win season in 2022.

In former St Kilda players Brandon White and Darren Minchington, Fogarty has a pair of Swiss army knives on his coaching tool-belt that he expects to throw in just about any position if required.

It’s a homecoming for White, a local product returning to the club after a season with Devon Meadows in 2022, in the hopes of recapturing the magic of the 2014 premiership he played in as a teenager at Beaconsfield.

“To have Brandon back is terrific get for our footy club,” Fogarty said. “We obviously

missed him last year but he’ll make an enormous difference to us and the way we’ll be able to set the ground up.

“Darren Minchington, again, it’s just strength around the footy. I think last year around the footy it probably wasn’t great, we got exposed by the opposition’s bigger bodies and we’ve added those two.

“They’ll both go through the midfield at stages, so they’re both going to benefit our footy team through that area that we lacked last year.

“They’ve come from the highest level so they’ve already ingrained good training habits, standards, culture and leadership.”

Other returnees, in Jake Cameron and Josh Mounter, headline the inclusions, and are expected to help the Eagles run their opponents off their feet with their fast, aggressive game style. While in Sam Merrick, Sam Mackiner and Declan Curran, the future is bright.

“I’m really positive and I think this group, going forward, is going to, I believe, challenge,” Fogarty said.

“Last year and this year, we’re just building, and we’re just getting more games into the group.

“They’ll be ready in the next year or two to take their footy to the next level, these kids.

“There’ll be times we might take some hits this year but we understand the evenness of the competition. It’s a really positive outlook for the group.”

The curtain has been drawn on the Southside Flyer’s season, losing game two of their WNBL grand final series against Townsville on Wednesday night.

Needing a win to keep their hopes of a championship alive, a 25-13 fourth quarter from the Fire saw them pull-away to a 13-point to clinch the 2022/23 title in front of a raucous crowd Rowville’s State Basketball Centre.

Needing to bounce-back after a horrorshow in game one, the Flyers matched it with their opponents for much of the first quarter, and held a slender lead with just under three minutes remaining in the term. But the Fire closed the quarter on a 9-2 run to create a seven point lead at the first break.

Defending the paint was proving problematic for the Flyers once again, with the aggressive point-of-attack defence on screens opening driving lanes for the likes of Shyla Heal and Stephanie Reid to take advantage of.

Nyadiew Puoch and Maddison Rocci mounted the comeback in the second quarter before Rebecca Cole lit-up the Fire defence to close the half.

Cole scored 10 points in the quarter including six in the final two minutes as the Flyers rode her hot shooting, and cut the margin to two at the long break.

The second half opened as the first half closed, as Cole set the tone with five quick points. Back-to-back threes from Sara Blicavs and Kayla Thornton saw Southside take a four-point lead late in the term, in what was becoming a true arm-wrestle for ascendency.

Townsville’s tenacious defence kept them in the contest, creating easy baskets off steals when Southside were caught napping.

A lay-up for Reid at the buzzer meant Townsville took the smallest of leads into the final quarter, setting the stage for an epic conclusion.

Southside needed a good start to the quarter and that’s exactly what they got, mounting a 7-2 run to claim a 64-59 lead within the first three minutes of the quarter. From that point forward, however, they would only score five more points, as Townsville withstood the head of the moment better than their opponents in blue.

A pair of free throws to Tianna Hawkins gave the Fire a 13-point lead with 13 seconds remaining, and sent their bench into delirium as they celebrated their achievements with the final seconds elapsing.

Cole finished with 26 points for the Flyers, who can look back on their season with pride, having fallen just shy of clinching a championship.

The season is over for Cheryl Chambers and the Southside Flyers after losing their WNBL grand final series 2-0.

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STAR NEWS 21

FOOTBALL

New year, same Demons

By Marcus Uhe A long summer has done little to stop the momentum of reigning VFL premiers, as the Casey Demons notched a win over Footscray in their season opener at Casey Fields on Saturday.

The Demons led the contest from start to finish, pulling away in the second half to record a 37-point victory, 13.16 94 to 8.9 57.

It was a special occasion all-round for the club, with new coach Taylor Whitford earning his first victory in the head coach’s chair, and fans seeing the unfurling of their 2022 VFL Premiership flag in a pre-game ceremony.

George Grey scored the opening goal of the game for the Dees, holding a strong contested mark and then snapping truly from a tight angle, but wayward kicking for goal meant it was their only major of the term, to go with seven behinds.

Midfielder James Jordon racked plenty of the footy in the first half while Luke Dunstan nailed a miracle snap from hard against the boundary in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs made more of their opportunities inside 50, and three goals in the final five minutes of the half meant the lead was a slender eight points, despite a 14 scoring shots to six disparity in Casey’s favour.

A six-goal-to-three third quarter provided the necessary breathing room for the home side as the key forwards began to flex their muscle.

Josh Schache, Jacob Van Rooyen and Joel Smith all kicked one each, and Oliver Sestan two in two minutes, to create a 24-point buffer at the last break.

Schache proved a handful for his old teammates in his first game in red and blue, kicking two goals and taking seven marks, but took an errant knee to the head in a ruck contest during the third quarter from Buku Khamis.

The Bulldogs broke a 10-minute scoring drought to open the last quarter, cutting the lead to 18 and breathing some life into the contest, but it would prove to be their final major of the game, as Casey kicked the last three to silence their bite.

Joel Smith celebrates with a fan at Casey Fields after his goal. 325648 Sestan showed his smarts, intercepting a risky Footscray kick in their defensive 50 for his third of the game, while AFL-listed pair Jordon and Andy Moniz-Wakefield both kicked their second of the day to finish the contest.

Rebounding defender Michael Hibberd pressed his case for an AFL recall with 36 disposals and 10 marks, as did the midfield trio of Jordon (28 disposals), Dunstan (29) and Bailey Laurie (29).

Picture: ROB CAREW Van Rooyen, meanwhile, took 11 marks to go with his 19 touches and a goal, to put himself in the frame to replace Melbourne captain Max Gawn, who suffered a knee injury in their loss on Friday night against Brisbane.

Star inclusions mean the Bulls aren’t going anywhere

By Marcus Uhe How does a reigning premier become even better in an offseason?

By keeping the majority of their established list and adding two icons of the last decade of local football, that’s how.

Noble Park - the champions of the Eastern Football Netball League’s Premier Division with a steely defence and superstars to boot - will welcome Bonbeach pair Shane McDonald and Jackson Casey into a side already brimming with talent, having set the benchmark in 2022.

McDonald is a two-time league best-andfairest winner in the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League, and both were coached by Steve Hughes during their time at the Sharks.

And the best part? Their motivation for joining the blue and gold.

“Their (McDonald and Casey’s) sole reason in coming across is the aim to win a premiership,” Hughes said.

“Neither of them have. I think Shane’s had four goes at it and Jackson three.

“They’ve come across with a real hunger and great training standards. Jackson in particular, I appointed him captain of Bonbeach eight years ago as a 22-year-old and part of the reason was his professionalism around the club and his training standards.

“Both of them bring that, which only helps our group. We already had good standards to be honest, and they only add to that.”

From the grand final side that turned the tables on Rowville after the Hawks got the chocolates three times earlier in the year, only Ziggy Alwan and Shane Allan have left the club due to retirement.

The rest, including the stars in Kyle Martin, Jackson Sketcher, Ryan Morrison, Ben Marson and Lachlan McDonnell, are all back, 22 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

Noble Park coach Steve Hughes has earmarked Lachlan McDonnell as a big improver in 2023.

299102 Picture: ROB CAREW and raring to go.

“They’re all keen to stick together and do it again,” Hughes said.

“They’re a pretty close group. They made it easy on our footy manager and all took a fair bit less.

“You commence every preseason with the goal that it’s going to be the hardest, and that the players are going to be fitter than they were the year before. I think we’ve ticked that box.

“There’s nothing better for a young bloke

than to win a premiership with your mates and they probably all realise that a large reason for that is the amount of work that they put in.

“I think we’ll get the same again, and I haven’t seen anything over the past four/five months that will make me think that they’ll be anything more than hungry to do it again.

“I don’t think they feel a sense of pressure, I think they’re excited for the year to start again.” Injury forced them to dig deep into

their reserves in 2022, giving 43 players exposure to the senior level, meaning their depth won’t be something that holds them back.

McDonnell, who the club will have firstaccess to, as no-longer part of Collingwood’s VFL program, is one that Hughes has earmarked as a big improver, being able to focus full-time on Noble and not split his duties elsewhere.

Nathan Noblett is another who will bring VFL experience from his time at Port Melbourne last season, in addition to a season with the Gippsland Power Coates League side in 2021.

A utility with a sharp left foot, he’ll be another handy resource to add to the bullpen, in what Hughes expects to be another even playing field across the league.

“I think Rowville will only get better.

They’re very young, so they’ll naturally improve without a doubt.

“I think the likes of East Doncaster, Balwyn, South Croydon, I’d even point-out Park Orchards (will challenge for finals). I thought their first year coming out of Division One, I thought they had a very good year with a very young group that’s talented and play an exciting brand.

“It’ll be an even competition, I know it’s a bit cliche but it generally is in Eastern premier.

“If you’re off a little bit, anyone can get you, that’s for sure.”

Their season gets underway at home in a grand final rematch against Rowville, a contest that should have local football fans in the South East licking their lips in anticipation.

“The reality is, we beat them once last year, played them four times and lost three.

“We were able to get them on the big day, but total respect goes their way from us.

“They’re a terrific young side, really well coached.” berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

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