News - Pakenham Officer Star News - 30th March 2023

PAKENHAM OFFICER

Thursday, 30 March, 2023

SHOWCASING CARDINIA Our Showcasing Cardinia 16 page wrap has plenty of local businesses to check out. Open up and take a look!

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The inaugural West Gippsland Railtowns Food and Wine Festival drew a 1500-strong crowd to Garfield on Sunday 5 March, helping to put the area on the map.

Adrian and Vince Raffa working away at 65 Harewood Mains Road, Tooradin. 243431

Winner of the 2022 Pakenham Cup. #6 ‘Kissinger’ Jockey Damien Oliver. 311010

Everything Cardinia has to Though Cardinia Shire residents are undoubtedly aware of the many perks of living in the region, this feature showcases the best aspects of life in Cardinia Shire, from its natural wonders and the myriad of tourist attractions to the great education options, local businesses and industries that provide local employment, the leisure and sporting options and the area’s growing retail and entertainment sectors.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 130,000 people called Cardinia Shire home in 2022. That number is forecast to hit 200,238 by 2041, a staggering increase.

There were 33,220 local jobs in 2022, with the largest number of people being employed in education and training at 4473. Other main employers are construction at 4145, retail trade at 3657 and agriculture, forestry and fishing at 3098.

Many of the businesses are locally owned.

In 2021, there were 9559 businesses in the Shire of Cardinia and the Gross Regional Production in 2021 was $4.43 billion.

One of the fastest growing sectors of the local economy is tourism.

Tourism Cardinia Shire offers wineries, potteries, restaurants, cafes, working farms, adventure playgrounds and iconic tourist attractions like Puffing Billy, Emerald Lake Park and Gumbuya World.

Cardinia Shire is an easy day trip for people living in the vast majority of Melbourne’s suburbs.

The reestablishment of Gumbuya World in 2016 produced a surge of tourists flocking down the Princes Highway with the kids loaded in the car.

Tourists are also drawn to the northern part of the municipality, affectionately coined ‘The Hills’ by locals, including the villages of Emerald, Gembrook, Cockatoo and Upper Beaconsfield. This area sits at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges and offers tourists attractions such as Puffing Billy, Cardinia Reservoir, Bunyip State Park and Emerald Lake Park.

The shire’s central area includes the towns of Beaconsfield, Pakenham and Officer, and also includes the railway towns of Nar Nar Goon, Tynong, Garfield and Bunyip.

These areas are home to easily accessible restaurants, old style country pubs, shopping and new sporting venues. They mark the divide between town and country that Cardinia Shire does so well.

The southern coast area includes world acclaimed RAMSAR wetlands, the townships of 2W STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

Full steam ahead for Puffing Billy.

Kooweerup and Lang Lang and further afield Pearcedale and Tooradin. This area is especially rich in asparagus growing, supplying most of Australia’s asparagus crop and there are several working farms that attract tourists from home and abroad.

Elsewhere, the $20 million Puffing Billy Railway Lakeside Visitor Centre is an all-weather facility providing unique cultural interpretations of the relationship between the Dandenong Ranges and Puffing Billy, as well as a new cafe, function spaces, upgraded toilet facili ties, and retail, food and beverage options.

Education Cardinia Shire has a network of great education options that includes private schools

such as St Clare’s Primary School at Officer, St Francis Xavier, Beaconhills, Chairo Christian School and Lakeside College.

The shire’s government schools include Pakenham Hills Primary School, Cardinia Primary School, Pakenham Primary School, Pakenham Consolidated, Bridgewood Primary School and Pakenham Springs.

There are also numerous Catholic Primary Schools including St Patrick’s, St James and Columba Primary at Bunyip. State-run high schools in Pakenham, Kooweerup, Officer and Emerald are also preparing young people for the future.

For those students struggling in mainstream education, Pakenham’s ECG College

gives students a second chance at education, focusing on their wellbeing and welfare. ECG College offers VCAL qualifications and classes are hands-on with students doing rather than theory.

The shire is also lucky to have Officer Specialist School, which is a purpose-built school providing educational programs for students with mild to severe intellectual and associated disabilities.

The dedicated team of staff includes special education teachers, a physiotherapist, speech therapists, occupational therapists, a social worker, specialist teachers, and Education Support Staff, working collaboratively to provide outstanding learning programs. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

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In late 2022, Gumbuya World chief executive officer Ron Weinzier provided thrillseekers with a glimpse of the $40 million rollercoaster project.

The level crossings at Main Street in Pakenham is being replaced with a rail over road design.

offer residents and visitors Real estate The corridor from Beaconsfield through to Pakenham has seen an explosion of building activity in the past decade as former farmland has been transformed into planned communities such as Timbertop, Heritage Springs, Lakeside and Cardinia Lakes.

The shire’s building boom is set to continue in coming years when the huge Pakenham East development comes online. The development area comprises approximately 630 hectares bounded by Princes Freeway to the south, Mount Ararat Road to the north and south to the east, and Deep Creek and Ryan Road to the west.

Local developer Parklea is playing a huge role in Pakenham East with its Ridgelea Estate, a self-sustaining community with plenty of local facilities and open space. Pakenham East is expected to become home to over 9000 residents and hold approximately 3000 residential lots.

Residents will also be provided with a town centre, convenience centre, sporting reserves and recreation centre, a government primary school, a non-government primary school, a government secondary school, parks and waterways, and a Lifestyle Village.

Health Residents are serviced by a network of healthcare providers led by general practitioners and allied health professionals such as radiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, psychologists, audiologists and podiatrists.

Sport Cardinia Shire has long been a hub of sporting activity in Melbourne’s south-east.

Its football and netball clubs - including the likes of Beaconsfield, Officer, Pakenham, Nar Nar Goon, Kooweerup, Garfield and Bunyip have long fought ferocious battles in their respective leagues, with some of the best playing talent around stemming from those clubs.

Outer East and the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition draw bumper crowds on a weekly basis as the Cardinia-based clubs compete with those throughout Casey and, in the case of West Gippsland, right down to tourist hotspots Inverloch and Phillip Island.

Pakenham is one of Outer East’s biggest clubs, and its proud history of premiership wins spans through the generations.

Pakenham Racing Club’s showpiece venue, Racing.com Park in Tynong, is not only the home of local racing, but has forged a reputation as one of the best facilities in the counpakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

The Puffing Billy Railway Lakeside Visitor Centre is an all-weather facility providing unique cultural interpretations of the relationship between the Dandenong Ranges and Puffing Billy. try. Some of Australia’s leading trainers have already relocated their stables to the Tynong facility.

On the basketball and netball courts of Pakenham’s Cardinia Life stadium, players of all ages and abilities put their all into the nightly competitions; while other indoor sports such as floorball also take pride of place within the shire.

Cardinia also has a number of hugely-pop-

ular bowls and golf clubs that many throughout the region proudly call their sporting home.

Looking forward The future looks bright for the growing shire as new road, school and level crossing removal projects progress over the next few years.

Meanwhile, in the growth areas of Pakenham and Officer, congestion busting projects

are well underway, with the removal of the Cardinia Road level crossing completed in late 2020.

Level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road in Pakenham will be replaced with a rail over road design, expected to be completed in 2024, while level crossings at Brunt Road and Station Street in Beaconsfield are expected to be removed in 2025.

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Shopping local is easy The friendliness and familiarity of your local centre is a great place to start your local shopping.

The food options are varied and delicious at Cardinia Lakes Shopping Centre, with delivery and takeaway options still available, you can now get back to dine-in options too.

The wonderful team at Sugarcoat Nails & Beauty are well-equipped to help you feel fabulous for the remainder of sandal season.

Pizza Fellas has a great range of pizzas and can be ordered online so they are ready for you when you pop in to pick up your dinner.

From their delicious salads to their tasty chicken, Uncle Sam’s Charcoal Chicken is a firm favourite in the neighbourhood for a quick and healthy meal.

Cardinia Lakes Fish & Chippery has delicious burgers, along with crispy chips and tasty fish for a favourite takeaway option.

Wok to Go rounds out the takeaway options with tasty Asian dishes galore to tempt your tastebuds.

At Caremore Pharmacies, the staff are dedicated to their customer’s well-being and will help you make the right choices about maintaining good health.

Their gift range is outstanding as well, and you’ll be able to find the perfect gift, or maybe something extra special for yourself.

Great breakfast and lunch options are on the menu at Urban Hype Cafe. Come and meet the friendly staff and grab something for lunch or morning tea.Their coffee is just divine.

Stay up to date by following Cardinia Lakes Shopping Centre on Facebook.

Cardinia Lakes Shopping Centre.

140 Windermere Boulevard Pakenham

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Consistently outstanding Property isn’t sold by companies; it’s sold by people.

Our team is passionate about connecting people with property, and we strive to bring the ultimate real estate experience to today’s modern consumer. Family-owned and managed, the team at KR Peters is committed to our foundational values of knowledge, dedication, integrity, teamwork, community and opportunity.

As a locally owned boutique agency in operation for over 40 years, integrity and client-first service are our guiding principles.

We find the right buyers for your property by combining old-fashioned hard work and the latest cutting-edge marketing techniques. As an award-winning agency, we believe that maintaining an uncompromis-

Lang Lang and District Funeral Services.

Send-off to remember At Lang Lang and District Funeral Services, we are a dedicated team of compassionate death care professionals.

Our team has over 45 years of combined experience in the funeral industry.

We take care of your deceased loved one from pick up to preparation and to their final resting place. Our service is personalised to respect and take care at every step of the journey.

Celebrate the life of your loved one the way you want. Make it personal at home, a park, the beach or another special place.

Create a send-off to remember.

Mission and Vision Our mission is to provide your loved one with the respect, love and dignity they deserve following their passing, treating them as if they were our own family member - ensuring remaining family and friends are able to celebrate and remember their loved one free from stress and worry.

Our vision is to celebrate life as it was, remembering the good times and providing a tailored farewell for your loved ones.

Contact Michelle Brown 0449 220 652, visit lldfs.com.au 1 Westernport Road, Lang Lang.

ingly honest and professional approach to our work and striving to deliver positive outcomes for all stakeholders is the key to our consistently outstanding results.

Our superior insight into buyer behaviour, coupled with our years of experience in real estate, contributes significantly to the results we achieve for you.

When you sell with KR Peters, we work closely with you to ensure your home is advantageously positioned for maximum appeal to buyers, and you can be assured that we will do our utmost to achieve the optimum sales price for your property.

KR Peters Real Estate 432 Princes Hwy, Officer, phone 5943 1111.

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Community’s love of sport Sport has played a huge part in the community of Pakenham ever since the first Post Office was opened in town in 1859.

In a lot of cases…sport has provided the town’s identity.

The Pakenham Football Club, formed on 16 March, 1892, is one of the most successful clubs in Victoria.

Famous names like Bourke, Jackson, Monckton and Young built their glowing reputations on the sporting fields around the region.

Given the history of this great club…imagine pulling on a Pakenham jumper and what that would mean!

The Lions have a long and proud tradition, and they’re more than excited to welcome the community to their home to share the enjoyment of watching the mighty Lions roar again this season.

For lovers of sport, both participants and spectators alike, there’s a never ending source of enjoyment to be had around town!

The Pakenham Racing Club (PRC) has been another staple of the Pakenham community, ever since 1926 when the old course on Racecourse Road was officially opened for the first time.

That old track created legends, with Pakenham-trainer Ray ‘Darby’ Webster providing the highlight for locals when his mighty steed Dark Felt won the Melbourne Cup of 1943.

The move of the PRC to its brand-new facility in Tynong has seen modern-day legends emerge, with now Pakenham trainer Peter Moody winning the 2021 Caulfield Cup with Incentivise.

The PRC now hosts more than 40 meetings a year and is widely regarded as one of the best racing surfaces in the land.

There’s no excuse to not get down to Tynong and check this magnificent and growing facility out!

The Pakenham Cricket Club has recently completed its 2022/23 season in the West Gippsland Cricket Association (WGCA).

The Lions have a magnificent history, with players like the legendary Eddie Lewis making the Lions the team to beat for many a long year.

Just where do you stop when talking about sport in Pakenham?

Three of our sporting clubs aim for the back of a net, with the Pakenham Warriors competing in the high-level Big V basketball competition from their home court at Cardinia Life.

The Warriors have a solid junior and senior set up, with the senior Warriors attracting good crowds to Cardinia Life during the winter months of the year.

The Pakenham Netball Club will also aim for the net when the Lions begin their winter season campaign.

And not to mention the biggest soccer club in town – Pakenham United.

The Deep Creek Golf Club, formerly Pakenham Golf Club, provides a public golf course for the community that is kind on beginners,

Kooweerup premiers. 324390

Action from the Pakenham Eels. 291242 but also ready to test the very best of players.

For those who love their lawn bowls, the Pakenham Bowls Club owns one of the great facilities in the region, with its major rink now covered and completely protected from the weather.

Get in touch with club…because barefoot bowls – with equipment provided by the club – is a great experience!

Tennis players are also spoilt in Pakenham,

Pakenham Lions’ Zac Stewart. 293976 with the Pakenham Regional Tennis Centre (PRTC) the number-one complex in the region.

Players, young and old alike, have embraced the facility, with great courts, lighting, and a friendly atmosphere making it a great place to enjoy.

And there are many other sporting clubs in Pakenham as well.

The Silverbacks play gridiron, and the Eels

play rugby league, while the Pumas are about to enjoy a fabulous upgrade to their baseball facility at Toomuc Reserve.

Floorball, darts or swimming, they’re all available for Pakenham residents to enjoy!

Junior sports, little athletics, and a multitude of gymnasium’s…there’s a great opportunity to get involved in sport in Pakenham.

There’s no excuse – get out and enjoy your local sporting club today!

Enrolling for 2024 and 2025 Join us for a school tour to find out how we aspire to grow great people through our approach to holistic education.

Apply to enrol your child in 2024 or 2025 (ELC - VCE) via our online application.

Non-Selective | Non-Denominational Smaller Classes | Co-Educational ELC and Junior School Dedicated Senior Girls and Boys Schools

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Celebrate as a community What an incredible beginning to the school year for the students of St Patrick’s Primary School.

Our students have had so much to celebrate this year and it makes me so proud as the principal to see how well we do Inclusion!

So far this term we have gathered numerous times to celebrate as a whole community.

We began with our whole school mass and then we acknowledged the beginning of Lent; a very holy time in the Catholic Church where we talk about change and new opportunities to be the best people we can be.

Then on 17 March, we celebrated our very special feast day that gives us our namesake, St Patrick’s Day. Our students and staff came dressed in all shades of green and we enjoyed a magical morning tea.

Once again, we gathered as a whole school for mass where each child then received their own prayer cross they can use for individual prayer time.

On Tuesday 21 March we enjoyed Harmony Day and delighted in seeing our students come to school in their traditional clothes.

What a truly brilliant way to showcase the very special nature of their backgrounds.

This term also, we have seen our Grade 2,

3 and 4 students go swimming at Splashes swimming pool. Each year level has an intensive program for two weeks.

We have had pancakes and icy pole days.

Next term we look forward to welcoming popcorn days.

In the next few weeks, we have Cross Country which is done by the whole school.

The fire brigade has visited our Foundation students and they loved every minute of it.

We have also welcomed many visits to our school who have worked with our students in understanding Democracy and how it works.

Our Grade 2s had an incredible experience with their Minibeasts incursion, discovering all sorts of creatures and in particular a very hairy huntsman spider.

On 23 March, we had our first Open Day of the year, where people came along to experience the wonderful school that is St Patrick’s.

Meg Escalante, Principal

All smiles at St Patrick’s Primary School.

There’s no place like it: Take time out to explore Cardinia With green space aplenty, get out and about to enjoy the fresh air and autumn colour with family and friends.

From picnics to playgrounds, rail trails and bush walking, quaint heritage shopping villages, gourmet food and coffee galore, discover some of Cardinia Shire’s hidden gems.

Popular attractions such as Mount Cannibal and Emerald Lake Park are always favourites for kids and adults alike.

Mt Cannibal Flora and Fauna Reserve, located in Garfield North, is a 2.3 kilometre bushwalking loop with beautiful scenic views and landscapes.

Listen out for the yellow-breasted robin, the grey fantail and the little brown and striated thornbill singing.

At the southern lookout, you can view a range of landmarks using the directional dial as a guide, looking over open grass and farmland and out to the bay.

With barbecues, a playground, public toi-

lets, seating, picnic areas and plenty of parking, visit Mt Cannibal these school holidays for a fun afternoon.

Covering approximately 52 hectares of land, Emerald Lake Park has features such as Lake Nobelius and Lake Treganowan, as well as a variety of wonderful flora and fauna.

The natural bushland is complemented by exotic and native plants with fern gullies, ornamental trees and open eucalypt forests.

Some wildlife you can spot at the park includes lyrebirds, echidnas, black wallabies and other interesting animals.

Emerald Lake Park features roughly 10 kilometres of walking trails, a cafe, barbecues and picnic tables, a playground, a model railway, exercise equipment and a variety of other facilities.

Puffing Billy also stops at Emerald Lake Park as the halfway point between Gembrook and Belgrave Stations.

There are a range of indoor and outdoor spaces that members of the public can hire

for meetings and events.

Emerald Lake Park is accessible for people with limited mobility, with many wheelchair and pram-friendly ramps and paths, including the loop walk to Lake Nobelius.

The park has two car parks which are accessible via Emerald Park Lake Road.

For a bit of history, with beautiful gardens and walking trails, try the state significant Nobelius Heritage Park which connects to Emerald Lake Park and the Eastern Dandenong Ranges rail trail.

Emerald Museum, located within the park, is staffed by a dedicated team of volunteers. For opening hours, visit the Emerald and District Museum Facebook page.

If you have visited these sites a few times in the past, why not take the road less travelled and discover something new?

The gentle and meandering 20-minute Toomuc Creek Trail starts at the Princes Highway before heading north along Toomuc Creek. Look up and spot birds of all shapes

and sizes in this beautiful and tranquil semirural setting.

For something well loved by those locals in the know, Eastone Reserve is a popular spot for dog walking, with friendly wetland birds to boot.

Take a picnic or work up a sweat running the stairs and using the outdoor exercise stations located around the perimeter of the lake.

Or, grab a coffee and lunch from a local cafe or take a picnic before letting the kids run wild at the playground.

With a swimming pool, barbecue and picnic facilities, bowling green, tennis courts and skatepark, there’s plenty on offer at Cochrane Park Reserve in Kooweerup.

If something with all things park and skate is what you’re looking for, head to the Gembrook Leisure Park.

With a flying fox, giant climbing pyramid, trampoline – this playground is hard to beat.

We pride ourselves on being a Catholic, welcoming school where everyone is valued and respected. Our committed and professional staff provide a safe, caring environment where we aim to engender a love of learning in every student.

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ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN FOR 2024 Ph: 5943 9000 or email office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au to book a school tour 136 Princes Highway, Pakenham | www.stppakenham.catholic.edu.au | (03) 5943 9000 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

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Something High-quality residential care for everyone

By Erth Visual & Physical Theatre Inc ERTH’S DINOSAUR ZOO Date: Thursday 20, Friday 21 and Saturday 22 April, 2023 Time: 10am, 1pm, 3pm and 6pm Tickets: $16 adult, $14 child and $55 family for four Venue: Theatre at Cardinia Cultural Centre Erth’s widely acclaimed show, Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo, takes audiences into a new dimension of theatre.

Meet awesome prehistoric creatures, from cute baby dinos to some of the largest carnivores and herbivores that have ever walked the planet! Erth’s dinosaurs are unmistakably ‘alive’ and mostly friendly in this fun, educational and unique performance.

SWAN LAKE The Victorian State Ballet Date: Wednesday 12 April 2023 Time: 10am morning tea, 11am show and 1.30pm (morning tea not provided for second show) Tickets: $22 per person Venue: Theatre at Cardinia Cultural Centre We are proud to present this timeless and superb classical ballet. With a cast of internationally recognized artists, this year’s SWAN LAKE will bring the superb ballet technique of Petipa’s original choreography re-staged by Victorian State Ballet’s director Michelle Sierra.

Don’t miss the unforgettable White Swan

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Hillview was established in 1994 as a 30 bed low care (hostel) facility. We now boast 58 beds, for all aged care requirements. We also have a memory support wing known as Shelley House for 12 residents. Hillview is able to offer the full range of residential aged care services.

Hillview is a not-for-profit community owned facility which is governed by a voluntary Board of Management. There is a strong connection with the local community which ensures that the primary focus of the facility at all times is high quality residential care.

Hillview prides itself on being one of the premier Aged Care facilities in West Gippsland.

Hillview has 56 single rooms, all with

private ensuites. We also have one double room which caters for married couples.

There are lounge and dining areas for residents as well as several “nooks” situated throughout the facility where some privacy with family and friends can be enjoyed.

A feature of Hillview is the magnificent Hill Centre - a large multi-purpose space which is used for a range of activities including carpet bowls, bingo to Church services. Another feature of Hillview is the extensive garden areas, putting green including shaded court yards which allows residents to enjoy the outdoors and participate in some gardening.

22 A’Beckett Road, Bunyip, telephone 5629 6096, fax: 03 5629 5842, email: info@ hillviewbunyip.org.au, web: hillviewbunyip.org.au

Phill celebrates his birthday at Hillview.

Resident Wilma won the Rollerball competition recently at Hillview.

Coming to the Cardinia Cultural Centre - Erth’s widely acclaimed show, Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo, takes audiences into a new dimension of theatre. pas de deux and the world-famous Act II Four Cygnets’ Dance! Swan Lake is one of the world’s most famous ballet to the famous and timeless score by Tchaikovsky. An absolute spectacular sight of a beautiful sea of white tutus that is unforgettable.

This is the perfect ballet for everyone! Bring family and friends along to experience the sheer delight and beauty of Classical Ballet.

BOOK NOW: cardinia.sales.ticketsearch.com/ sales/salesevent/91553 Dates and times: Wednesday 12 April, 10am - 12pm and Wednesday 12 April, 1.30pm 2.30pm.

Price range - standard $22.

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at Cardinia Cultural Centre

Swan Lake The Victorian State Ballet Wednesday 12 April

Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo

By Erth Visual & Pyshical Threatre Inc Thursday 20, Friday 21 & Satruday 22 April

Free Kids’Art Workshop Every Tuesday

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For more than 45 years, the family-run team at Rawdon Hill have been delivering quality homes to Melbourne’s South East.

Prathyusha “Trish” Vadla New Homes Consultant.

Rawdon Hill hits milestone This year Rawdon Hill Homes announces an impressive milestone: achieving 45 Years of Membership with the Housing Industry Association (HIA). The strong relationship is a reflection of our commitment to quality and the enduring value of our business, which has proudly completed over 5000 exceptional homes across almost half a century.

Feels like home For more than 45 years, the family-run team

at Rawdon Hill have been delivering quality homes to Melbourne’s South East, now extending as far as the Bayside and Gippsland regions and the Mornington Peninsula. We have a reputation for high quality workmanship and professional, friendly service. Our team also includes our ‘extended family’; a local network of talented tradespeople and suppliers, some of whom have been working with us for more than 40 years. It comes as no surprise that our well-connected group

of professionals continues to provide an exceptional product and a timely, finely-tuned service.

A significant milestone The long-standing association with HIA is a significant one in Rawdon Hill Homes business journey and is a testament to our continued success and ability to meet the standards year after year. Our dedication to use high quality materials is another factor as to why

UP TO

our homes last the distance. Furthermore, our clear and simple design and construction process, allows our customers to easily follow the progress of their build. We take pride in our customer service, craftsmanship and management, to ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients.

Ready to build your new dream home now?

Contact one of our friendly Home Consultants on 1800 314 737.

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Speak to a Home Consultant today, call 1800 314 737 or visit our display homes.

Saturday 1 April 2023 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

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Reaching their potential Every school has a motto or mission statement that outlines how each member of the community can benefit from being part of the school community. St Clare’s Primary School, Officer, has the following school motto: Faith leads to courage, wisdom and compassion.

In order to live out this motto, all members of our community are asked to follow our school wide expectations which are Respect, Optimism, Courage, Kind and Safe - ROCKS. Our students follow these in their daily actions at school by doing their job, having a go, making positive choices, seeking help when needed, modelling and practising kindness and keeping themselves and others safe.

At St Clare’s these expectations are modelled and explicitly taught and reinforced in an ongoing way. Our student awards are based on living out ROCKS and we link these expectations to scriptures in the Bible. Our hope is that all members of our community will leave St Clare’s with our school wide expectations and our motto instilled in their minds as they go through life.

Student achievement is measured not only by academic growth but by each child’s emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing.

We look to nurture the holistic development of each child at our school. For the St Clare’s family, numeracy and literacy skills are core elements of education; but so is Religious Educa-

tion - developing empathy, social justice and a strong moral compass. We encourage active play and healthy bodies; understanding other cultures through learning languages; and the

confidence that comes with developing creativity through the performing and visual arts.

Student achievement is measured not only by academic growth but by each child’s emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing. Being part of faith-filled community instils our students with a sense of identity, a feeling of belonging and above all, a powerful sense of self-worth.

At St Clare’s our aim is to have each child reach their potential; to be a well-rounded individual - within a supportive and caring learning environment.

Visit our website stclaresofficer.catholic. edu.au and tour our “virtual tour” to get a real feel for our school. School Tours are also available, please contact the school on 5940 6777 to book a time. Or come visit us on our Open Day - Saturday 1 April from 10am to 12pm. If you are looking to enrol for 2024 we ask that you contact us now as we are now accepting enrolments for next year.

For all enquires or to receive our enrolment documentation, please phone 5940 6777 or email enrolments@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu. au

Students leading the way Meet the St James Student Leadership Team.

Students in Year Six are invited to apply for and then interview for leadership positions at St James. In their applications, students articulated their commitment to St James and how they could give of themselves and their own time to support younger students and various initiatives in their school.

They have already demonstrated their passion for leadership in supporting their Foundation Buddies as they navigated their first weeks at school and worked to support all students both on the yard and with their learning. The Student Leaders meet with their Principal and Deputy Principal regularly, as student voice is an essential element to contemporary learning and child safety. While the students work as a team, they are responsible for two distinc-

tive portfolios - Catholic Identity and Sport.

The Catholic Identity leaders work with their Religious Education Leader to support school Masses, prayer and Catholic Social Justice initiatives, while the Sport Leaders will play an active role in planning for and coaching in preparation for a variety of sporting events.

As a collective, the Student Leadership Team also supports the school’s many community activities.

Both staff and students are looking forward the work of this newly reimagined way of being leaders and there is no doubt that this group’s leadership aspirations will not be limited to just their time in Year Six. St James Catholic Primary School, Nar Nar Goon - 60 Nar Nar Goon Rd, Nar Nar Goon, telephone 5942 5404.

St James Catholic School Committed to your child’s academic, spiritual & emotional development Where every student is known, nurtured & respected.

Personalised School Tours AVAILABLE NOW | 5942 5404

60 Nar Nar Goon Rd, Nar Nar Goon The St James Student Leadership Team.

www.stjamesnng.catholic.edu.au/ 12595202-JW13-23

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … SHOWCASING CARDINIA

Downsize, live a bigger life Top 10 reasons to downsize to Lifestyle Casey fields: 1. Location, location, location Located in Cranbourne East, Lifestyle Casey Fields is situated in the heart of Melbourne’s Southeast, an hour from Melbourne and just 30 minutes from the Mornington Peninsula.

2. Endless amenities The community is equipped with state-ofthe-art amenities, including a bowling green, heated indoor pool, gym, and clubhouse. You can participate in regular social events and activities, such as yoga classes, wine tastings, and movie nights.

3. Freedom to travel One of the greatest benefits of downsizing to Lifestyle is the freedom to travel without worrying about the upkeep of a larger home. The lock-and-leave lifestyle means you can take extended trips without worrying.

4. Downsizing without compromising Lifestyle Casey Fields offers modern homes that are designed for downsizers who want to maintain high standards of living. The homes are equipped with the latest features and technologies, making them both comfortable and convenient.

5. A sense of community One of the most significant advantages of downsizing to Lifestyle Casey Fields is the sense of community. We are friendly and welcoming, with plenty of opportunities to socialise and get involved in events and activities.

6. Low-maintenance living Downsizing means you can say goodbye to the hassle of maintaining a larger property. Lifestyle Casey Fields provides low-maintenance living, with garden maintenance taken care of for you.

Lifestyle Casey Fields provides lowmaintenance living.

Downsizing to Lifestyle Casey Fields allows you to live a bigger life.

Enjoy the state-of-the-art amenities Lifestyle Communities has to offer.

7. Pet-friendly environment Pets are part of the family, and at Lifestyle Casey Fields, you don’t have to leave your furry friends behind. We are pet-friendly, allowing you to bring your beloved pets.

8. A sustainable lifestyle Lifestyle Casey Fields features solar power, water-saving devices, and energy-efficient appliances that are integrated into the homes and infrastructure.

9. Easy access to healthcare We are located close to medical services, hospitals and specialist practices.

riety of native birds, mammals, and reptiles.

And if you’re a foodie, you’ll love the quality of the pubs, restaurants, and cafes in the area.

Shopaholics will appreciate the nearby shopping centres, while sports enthusiasts can fish, cycle, walk, run, or golf to their heart’s content.

Downsizing to Lifestyle Casey Fields offers a range of benefits. From the location to the amenities to the sense of community, we provide a supportive environment that fosters social connections and encourages a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle. Book a tour to view the community: 1300 50 55 60.

10. A bigger life Ultimately, downsizing to Lifestyle Casey Fields allows you to live a bigger life. With less time spent on household maintenance and more time to enjoy your passions and hobbies, you can embrace new experiences and create a fulfilling lifestyle. Whether you’re a nature lover, a foodie, a shopaholic, or a sports enthusiast, there’s something for everyone in and around Lifestyle Casey Fields.

The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne is a nature lover’s delight, with heathlands, wetlands, and woodlands that are home to a va-

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STAR NEWS 11W

FOCUS ON … SHOWCASING CARDINIA

Go for a walk in Cardinia There’s no better time to enjoy nature than over the Easter break.

And who knows... you may even come across a bunny!

For a quick walk, explore Aspect Wetlands.

A 1.2km loop walking track that is located at Bridge Road in Pakenham, it takes about 15-20 minutes to complete with views of a lake and birds. There is a boardwalk that is flat and fully enclosed.

The Beaconsfield Flora and Fauna Reserve, on Beaconsfield-Emerald Road in

Beaconsfield, features a 2.5km walk.

It takes about 25-30 minutes to complete and is mostly flat bush land. There are bridges, birds and a view of Cardinia Creek.

Then for something longer, check out Bunyip Sanctuary.

The sanctuary is located on Doran Road in Bunyip. It is 3km long and it loops around. During the 35-45 minutes it takes to complete, you will come across bridges, a river and wildlife. It is a flat grass track and prone to flooding during winter.

Ebony from the Health Barn Pakenham can help you out with all your health and wellness products.

Wellness essentials

SEE US AT PAKENHAM OR DROUIN WHERE IS YOUR CLOSEST STORE?

Herbalist/Iridologist now consulting in store.

Call us to book appointment

128 Main Street, Pakenham | Ph: 5940 1233 49 Princes Way, Drouin | Ph: 5625 4344

12594962-RR13-23

JOIN OUR VIP FOR 20% OFF STOREWIDE TWICE A MONTH

The Health Barn - Pakenham and Drouin - is a health hub providing all of your health and wellness needs.

With stores in both Pakenham and Drouin, we service a huge customer base from communities in Gippsland all the way through to the city.

Proudly stocking all of your health and wellness essentials; supplements, foods, gluten free, keto, sugar free, vegan, skincare, makeup, homewares, gifts, baby and much more. Pak-

enham and Drouin are both lucky enough to have a brilliant Herbalis /homeopath consulting on site - bookings can be made by calling our store.

If you need a rest from shopping, grab a coffee, brewed chai, ceremonial cacao, raw treat or smoothie from our cafe. Become a member with us and enjoy our 20 per cent off discount days twice per month.

For further information, contact Pakenham 5940 1233 or Drouin 5625 4344.

Retire to Pakenham...

Villa 251

Villa 54

$480K $475K 2

2

1

2

Villa 87

$310K 2

1

1

2

1

Book a tour with our sales specialist Andrea on 0458 603 047 to discuss your retirement future in these friendly and welcoming communities.

MAIN ST VILLAGE > 11 Main Street

Villa 86

$535K 2

2

2

Sales 0458 603 047

Freecall 1800 112 955

Availability and pricing correct at publication date. 3..2023

CARDINIA WATERS > 36–40 Racecourse Road

From time to time selected refurbished villas become available for sale to new residents of Cardinia Waters and Main Street villages.

For more information about our range of retirement communities, visit: rcavillages.com.au 12596265-ET13-23

12W STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … SHOWCASING CARDINIA

Benefits of shutters Plantation Shutters are an ideal choice for thermal insulation which is a must in the everchanging Australian climate.

Open the louvres to stream light into rooms and close to insulate, offering you a more energy-efficient home all year round.

Along with their timber Plantation Shutters, they also offer a PVC option which have the added benefits of being UV, water and moisture resistant, making them ideal for all high use areas and wet areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. Extremely practical, you will have excellent control of light and airflow and also peace of mind with no cords, making their Shutters child and pet safe.

Adding Shutters across your home’s front windows can also make a huge impact to your home’s facade and curb appeal. Along with these aesthetic benefits, shutters also add sound insulation from outside road and traffic noise. A must if you’re now working from home or find yourself being woken up early!

Dollar Curtains + Blinds has specialised in manufacturing custom window coverings for over 50 years. Ensure you opt for true custommade Shutters like those from dc+b which are designed, and hand crafted specifically to fit your window dimensions for a high quality, durable Shutter that will last for many years to come.

Contact their Warragul or Pakenham teams today for your free design, measure + quote.

If you’re building a new home, then dc+b can also provide expert advice and a free quote off your house plans.

We grow through connection

Plantation Shutters are an ideal choice for thermal insulation.

Dollar Curtains + Blinds Warragul

· Phone 5623 8100. · 146 Queen Street, Warragul.

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Sat· Open urdays 9am to 2pm.

Dollar Curtains + Blind Pakenham Phone 5940 0395.

4 O’Brien Parade, Pakenham.

Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9am to 5pm.

· · ·

Thinking about a secondary school enrolment for 2023? The new Principal of Pakenham Secondary College, Mr Aaron Smith, invites you to consider Pakenham Secondary College for your child next year and beyond.

“Our excellent reputation in the local community in best supporting our students with their learning and wellbeing continues to grow - we are a school that is ‘on the move’,” Mr Smith said.

“We have made a number of changes in 2022 which will further benefit our students moving forward’.

“Our new College Motto, ‘We Grow Through Connection’ will best support our College Community in the years to come.

“Growth and improvement are linked to the positive relationships and connections we have with others. At Pakenham Secondary College, ‘We Grow Through Connection’, valuing the strong sense of community and teamwork that exists between students, families and staff’.

“Our new Motto aligns well with our SOAR Values of Social and Personal Responsibility, Opportunities for All, Achieving Personal Best and Respectful Relationships.”

At Pakenham Secondary College, we are committed to positive relationships. We understand that student growth is linked to the positive and meaningful connections they have with others. As a College, we are dedicated to further improving the learning and wellbeing outcomes of all of our students by building respectful, positive and productive connections with our College Community.

Pakenham Secondary College strives to provide opportunities in areas important to our College Community - Growth in Learning and Wellbeing, Sport, the Performing Arts, Student Leadership and Our Com-

The new Principal of Pakenham Secondary College, Mr Aaron Smith, invites you to consider Pakenham Secondary College for your child next year and beyond. munity. With a hardworking and dedicated staff, we are committed to working with our families to provide as many opportunities as we can for our students in these important areas of the College. Importantly, our students are achieving some great results. In 2022, our VCE Overall Study Score increased, and many of our NAPLAN results improved.

Many of our student survey results reflect that students are positive about their experiences at Pakenham Secondary College.

With a rich 50-year history in our region, we are well placed to offer a personalised approach to teaching and learning ensuring that we work with all of our students to tailor individualised pathways that are important to them. We provide outstanding opportunities for our students in the classroom and as part of our co-curricular program.

“I welcome families to the Pakenham Secondary College Community. I very much look forward to showing prospective families around our great school as part of a College Tour,” Mr Smith said.

Please visit our College website at pakenhamsc.vic.edu.au or contact our General Office on 5945 1433.

Come along to our

Open Night Tuesday 9th May 5pm - 6:30pm

Social & Personal Responsibility Opportunities For All Achieving Personal Best Respect & Relationships

12593414-JC13-23

Meet our dedicated staff * Learn about our programs & pathways * Visit Key Learning Area displays

Please visit our website at pakenhamsc.vic.edu.au for more information

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STAR NEWS 13W

SMALL BUSINESS THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

Campbell Allman from Yallourn North with his Brahma Chicken at the Lang Lang Show. He was very proud of his chicken.

Helene Newton recently at the Garfield Bowling Club.

Do you know what Sleep Apnea is?

• Snoring • Depressed Moods • Headaches • Forgetfulness • Poor Concentration • Tiredness • Lack of Energy • Mood Swings

· ·

Many People have sleep apnea, but may not even know it!

12581389-DL50-22

Call in and speak to Peter today

55 Main Street, Pakenham Phone 0413 731 278 *subject to Medicare requirements

Easter is around the Corner!

Sleep help is at hand Getting a good night’s sleep is important for everyday function, from performing tasks right through to feeling happy and healthy.

Sleep apnea is a very common and serious sleep disorder where breathing throughout the night repeatedly stops and starts. Thankfully, Pakenham’s very own Sleep Apnea Clinic is on hand to help you get your sleeping on track and diagnose sleep apnea.

Offering in-home sleep studies, the Sleep Apnea Clinic takes away the inconvenience and uncomfortable experience of undergoinga hospital sleep study.

The free sleep test will then lead to a diagnosis, which the clinic will help monitor through direct online remote access to sleep apnea machines known as CPAP and other treatments.

The clinic is located at 55 Main Street, Pakenham, Tuesday to Friday, 11am to 6pm and Saturdays 10am to 1pm.

To book an appointment, call 0413 731 278.

·

We have a great selection, Something for everyone.

112 Main Street, Pakenham 3810

Ph (03) 5941 7165 www.thechocolateshoppakenham.com www.facebook.com/thechocolateshoppakenham 12594961-HC13-23

FURNITURE OUTLET UP TO 70% OFF RRP

Services provided by Bond Radiology General X-ray: State of the art direct digital capture low dose x-ray imaging available.

Bone densitometry: Our BMD software allows us to calculate probability of patients developing major osteoporotic fractures.

Dental X-ray: Digital OPG and Lat cephalogram dental X-ray available at Bond Radiology.

Comprehensive Ultrasound: Our state-ofthe-art ultrasound machine produces high quality images together with our experienced sonographers you are with the best team.

Low dose CT scan: Our low dose CT scan leverages on the most advanced CT dose reduction technique to give you the best possible outcome.

Echocardiogram: Echocardiogram is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to produce a moving image of the heart. This test can indicate heart chamber or valve abnormalities.

2 Stephenson Street, Pakenham.

Telephone 7037 3102, visit bondradiology.com.au

· ·

Foodstore & Cafe

In the Heart of Garfield

· ·

Brewsters Cafe At Brewsters Cafe, not only do you get over 30 years’ experience with your morning coffee, homemade goods and high quality catering, but service from a family owned business that makes it their mission to have direct involvement and engagement with the Garfield community.

Our new addition to the menu is The Brewsters Home Made Gelato - a taste sensation!

Open seven days a week, this busy little cafe caters for everyone and loves seeing regular faces.

81 Nar Nar Goon-Longwarry Road, Garfield.

Phone 0407 151 202 or search ‘Brewsters Foodstore and Cafe’ on Facebook.

Try our Vegan Mango Gelato Handmade instore

OPEN 7 DAYS • Breakfast • Lunch • Catering 81-83 Main Street, Garfield Phone 0407 151 202

· ·

Carlisle Furniture and Bedding Carlisle Furniture and Bedding is locally owned and operated business, which supports locally made furniture and mattresses.

The store recently joined with Furniture House Group, which has more than 30 years’ industry experience and is part of more than 30 independent stores in Australia. FHG is always bringing new, elegant, stylist and trendy furniture at affordable prices to customers.

Their top-quality furniture at very affordable prices comes with warranty, ranging from one to 20 years, and some of their Australianmade sofas are backed up with lifetime warranties.

The furniture store provides the following, both imported and Australian made: sofas, recliners, bedding (bed frames, bedroom settings), mattresses and outdoor dining. In addition, the store has rugs (including handmade) and homewares.

Owner Mohammad Misbah Uddin said they’re focused on ensuring customer satisfaction, with very low prices in general.

Further, they’re always offering extra discounts, such as their 20 per cent off online sale, with the promotion finishing on 31 March, 2023.

30 Osullivan Street, Pakenham, open 9.30am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

Email info@carlislefurnitureandbedding.au or call 0420 756 001.

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

BULK BILLING OPEN 7 DAYS

(03) 5922 2072 U2, 1 Stephenson Street PAKENHAM 12594955-KG13-23

· ·

Supporting

Doors and bar open at 6:00 ~ Show starts at 7:30 Light supper provided at interval ~ Tickets $66 www.garfieldpicturetheatre.com.au General enquiries call Fred: 0408 584 633

All brand new furniture Up to 5 to 10 years warranty on some items

12595205-JB13-23

12595980-ET13-23

Lounge • Dining • Bedroom • Living • Outdoor • Home Office • Rugs

Brewsters

H09579

WE OFFER FREE SLEEP TESTS*

Garfield Picture Theatre For a great night out!

The Strzelecki String Busters are performing at the unique venue, Garfield Picture Theatre. Whether you’ve seen the show before or it’s your first time, this is a can’t-miss show playing on Saturday 13 May. Don’t wait to buy your tickets, the show is selling out fast!

47-51 Nar Nar Goon-Longwarry Road, Garfield.

Phone Fred on 0408 584 633 or visit garfieldpicturetheatre.com.au

12594953-AI13-23

The Chocolate Shop Pakenham With Easter approaching, you cannot go past the Chocolate Shop in Pakenham for all your eggs and other goodies.

With something for everyone in the family, the Chocolate Shop stocks a huge range of goods including gluten free and vegan products, and also makes custom hampers.

112 Main Street, Pakenham.

Phone 5941 7165 or visit thechocolateshoppakenham.com

30 O’Sullivan St. (Off Bald Hill Rd.) Pakenham

0420 756 001 www.carlislefurnitureandbedding.com.au

14W STAR NEWS

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Looking over Pakenham.

Thursday, 30 March, 2023

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … SHOWCASING CARDINIA

We’re going on an egg hunt Easter is coming to Pakenham Central Marketplace with a range of in centre Easter and School Holiday activities and advertising planned to attract shoppers and centre over this busy retail period.

GIFT WITH PURCHASE – HOT CROSS BUNS Promotion dates: Wednesday 29 March and Thursday 30 March, 2023.

The first 100 customers per day on 29 and 30 March who spend $10 or more at food and beverage retailers, $30 or more in specialty stores or $50 or more at Big W or Woolworths can present at the Hot Cross Buns Station near Baker’s Delight to receive a free six-pack of hot cross buns.

Customers present at the Hot Cross Buns Station, scan the QR code on the signage, and follow the link to enter their details and upload their receipt. They will receive a confirmation tick message on their phone once complete which they show to the staff at the station to claim their free hot cross buns.

Campaign details, terms and conditions will be available at pakenhamcentralmarketplace.com.au EASTER EGG HUNT Promotion dates: Saturday 1 – Saturday 8 April, 2023 Campaign details: A hunt through the Centre to find the coloured eggs displayed with a chocolate prize for every child.

Children collect their hunt cards, follow the clues to find the coloured eggs displayed at the Retailers listed on the hunt card, then return their completed entry to Smiggle to collect a small Easter Gift.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ACTIVITIES Pizza Making Workshop – Thursday 13 April (10am – 2pm). Kids are welcome to participate

Go on an Easter egg hunt at Pakenham Central Marketplace. in a pizza making school holiday workshop.

More information will be available on the website shortly.

Origami Workshop and Face Painter/Balloon Artist – Wednesday 19 April – Friday 21 April (10am – 2pm). Kids have the opportunity

to join our school holiday origami workshop.

More information will be available on the website shortly.

Coffee with a Cop – Thursday 20 April (10am – 2pm). Pakenham Central Marketplace and the Pakenham Police are teaming up once

again to host Coffee with a Cop, a community event inviting residents to come along for a coffee and a chat with members of the Pakenham Police, Thursday 20 April 2023 from 10am -11am. More details available on the website shortly.

12595373-ET13-23

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STAR NEWS 15W

St Clare’s Catholic Primary School, Officer Our Faith leads to Wisdom and Courage.

Our faith leads to wisdom and courage.

This motto is the energising source of all that happens at St Clare’s and is embedded in the ethos of the school, the curriculum we offer and the relationships we develop within our school and wider communities.

If you are reading this as a prospective student, parent, guardian or family, I invite you to visit us at St Clare’s and discover this dynamic learning environment and start the beginning of, what I hope will be, a life-long learning partnership.

Enrolment Enquiries email enrolments@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au 16W STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

12595945-HC13-23

Helen Staindl School Principal

St Clare’s Primary School Officer 95 Majestic Drive (PO Box 362) Officer 3809 Phone 03 5940 6777 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

PAKENHAM OFFICER

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 30 March, 2023

/pakenhamstarnews

@StarNews_SE

40¢ Inc. GST

Fed Uni graduates flying high

Free school holiday activities

Warriors continue winning ways

PAGE 3

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SPORT

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Teenagers injured at work

Tribute to student

By Shelby Brooks

Nick’s classmates Nyakuong Kuok, Charli Growcott, Darci Dixon and Nyabol Rock pay tribute to their friend. 325603

WE MAKE CASEY CARDINIA SMILE Orthodontic Treatment for children and adults utilising the latest technologies including SureSmile, Invisalign, lingual and clear appliances.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS !

Now in office consultations 12529889-CG02-22

Suite 5, Level 1/18-24 Clyde Rd, Berwick Phone: (03) 9330 0702 | info@seortho.com.au www.seortho.com.au

FIXED PRICE CONVEYANCING • CONTESTING A WILL WILLS AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY PROBATE AND LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION

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

BULK BILLING OPEN 7 DAYS

Online Consults still available

(03) 5922 2072

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

U2, 1 Stephenson Street PAKENHAM

12514155-BL41-21

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5.30 pm

Picture: GARY SISSONS

12588394-AI05-23

Lakeside College Pakenham will “today and forever” remember Year 12 student Nick Maan, who tragically passed away at Mordialloc beach on Boxing Day last year.

In a touching ceremony, the college officially unveiled Nick’s Court - a brand-new outdoor basketball space - at a school assembly on Wednesday 29 March.

An AFL football, Hot Wheels car and photo of Nick formed part of the tribute. Teacher Amanda Trewin explained the football represented Nick’s love of sport.

“He was so excited about the prospect of playing football for Gippsland Power this year,” she said.

“It wasn’t just footy he loved, he loved all sports. We know he would have been out here shooting baskets at every opportunity.”

The Hot Wheels car represented his vibrant personality.

“Nick had a famous bright smile. He was fun and an entertaining person to be around - a symbol of this was his beloved Hot Wheels’ cars,” Ms Trewin said.

“Nick loved buying these cars, even as a teenager - it was something he was paid out for by his mates but something we really treasured about him.”

The photo of Nick represented his friendship he shared with his classmates.

“Nick was a very loyal friend, he knew how to make people laugh and he knew how to get alongside and support people,” Ms Trewin said.

“The profound sense of loss that so many have experienced since his passing demonstrates how many people in the community counted Nick as a friend.

“It is fitting then that this place of sport, friendship and fun is being named in Nick’s honour today.”

Principal Tom Brennan remembered the 17-year-old’s “cheeky smile and the energy he brought to our classrooms”.

Continued page 2

NEWS

Early morning unloading sheep for judging. 323968

Indigenous dancers were part of the multicultural celebration. 323968

African drummers. 323968

Windy day out for the show

By Shelby Brooks Pakenham’s rural heritage was on display for the 112th Agricultural and Horticultural Show on 18-19 March.

The Parklea Pakenham Show saw strong crowd numbers in the morning before Mother Nature had other ideas.

Unfortunately at 1pm, due to the increasing wind and the unfavourable forecast, the decision was made to close the outdoor section of the show for safety reasons. Some of the attractions were able to be moved into the hall and library but space was limited.

Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show president David Young said he was happy with how the day unfolded.

“Apart from the declaration of the total fire ban the day before and high winds from 9am onwards, it went very well,” he said.

“There was a good crowd early on despite the conditions. If only the wind had held off for a few more hours.”

Mr Young said a highlight for him on the day was seeing younger members of the community actively involved in the show’s traditions.

“It was certainly a highlight to see young people actively involved with the sheep and pavilion. So many people were engaged in a positive way with the show,” he said.

Another highlight Mr Young said was the “multicultural flavour” the Living Learning Centre Pakenham brought with performances in the morning.

Floum and Xylom entertained the crowd high in the sky on their stilts. 323968

Indi Skehan from Mayfield Casper Corriedale Stud in Pakenham. 323968

Pictures: ROB CAREW

Kooweerup CWA’s youngest member is Abigail (8 months) with Sue Morgan and Caroline Munckhof. 323968

Nick remembered forever From page 1 “To have this permanent reminder of Nick brings some comfort to us,” he said.

“In this place we know his memory will not be forgotten and all who play on this court will know a little of who Nick was and what he stood for.”

Mr Brennan explained why a rock was chosen to form the tribute.

The memorial plaque next to the court. 325603

“God is like the rock, always steady, always where you expect him to be, always ready to listen,” he said.

“For this reason it is no accident that the plaque for Nick’s court is on a rock.

“This rock and these verses remind us that in these times God is indeed with us.”

Nick’s Year 12 classmates laid candles around the memorial after the ceremony.

Pictures: GARY SISSONS

Students placed tea lights around the memorial. 325603

In memory of Nick Maan. 325603

Principal Tom Brennan unveils the memorial.

Teacher Amanda Trewin reflects on Nick’s impact on the school community. 325603

325603

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NEWS

New bins still a while away Cardinia Shire Council is unsure when its glass or organics bins will be implemented shirewide, as part of the State Government’s socalled kerbside reforms.

However, the State Government has set 2027 as the deadline for each council to have a glass waste service and 2030 for an organic waste service.

The New Action Plan for Cardinia’s Waste was initiated in 2022 and set to cover rubbish management until 2026.

This is the second part of a 10-year transition of waste management.

The biggest change is the council adapting to the State Government’s so-called Kerbside Reforms.

The new reforms involve a four-stream waste system for households.

Waste will be distributed at the household level between food and organics, glass, combined paper, plastic and metals and non-recyclable waste.

The new system will have four bins per household, residual general waste in a red-lid bin, glass in a separate bin, recyclables in another and one for green waste.

The timeline for the change was updated for Cardinia at the council’s March meeting, with red-lid bins expected to be fully rolled out between late 2023 and early 2024.

While the times for both the separate service for glass and organic waste have not been set. The motion said a service for organics was delayed due to “industry capacity issues”.

A spokesperson for the council stated: “Specific details regarding a separate glass service and acceptable items for each stream are yet to be finalised by the State Government.

Cardinia Shire Council has not made any decisions regarding these services. Community consultation and councillor endorsement will be completed in due course.”

While the spokesperson said Cardinia is in

The Macdeon Ranges Shire Council implemented the four-bin system in 2021. already a good position for the transition.

“Cardinia Shire Council is in a fortunate position of having bin lid colours that already closely align to required standards: yellow lid

Picture: SUPPLIED

for recycling, and lime green lid for food and garden waste,” the spokesperson said.

“Since January 2019, all new and replacement rubbish bin lids in Cardinia have been

red, rather than the previous dark green, as part of a gradual change-over.”

The motion was moved by Cr Jack Kowarzik and seconded by Cr Stephanie Davies.

‘Celebration turns to tragedy’: Teens injured at work 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 con-

cerns 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.

WorkSafe executive director health and safety Dr Narelle Beer.

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THE LOWDOWN Q&A

THREE … facts about dinosaurs

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.

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

Register now to secure a kindergarten place in 2024 Cardinia Shire Council encourages residents to register for 2024 kindergarten places by 30 June 2023, to be considered for first-round offers.

Children who attend educational playbased kindergarten develop lifelong skills that build their confidence, enhance their social and language skills, expand their physical abilities, and prepare them for schooling.

Kindergarten is free at Cardinia Shire’s community kindergartens, following the State Government’s announcement of the expansion of the Best Start Best Life program.

Cardinia Shire Council provides a central registration portal for kindergarten programs offered in council facilities.

“The changing landscape of early years education is a fantastic opportunity to offer our Cardinia Shire Council families a unique

Offers for three-year-old kinder will be sent to residents from September. kindergarten experience, encompassing playbased, nurturing educational practices and experiences that help shape their future,” Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Tammy Radford said.

For a child turning three by 30 April 2024, they are eligible to attend their first year of a funded kindergarten program. This is funded by the Victorian and Federal Governments for

Picture: SUPPLIED

a minimum of five hours per week. Currently, kindergartens across the shire are offering between five and 15 hours per week.

Offers for 2024 places for three-year-old kindergarten will be sent to residents from September 2023.

For a child turning four by 30 April 2024, they are eligible to attend their second year of

a funded kindergarten program. This is funded by the Victorian and Federal Governments, providing 15 hours per week of early years education for every child.

Offers for 2024 places for four-year-old kindergarten will be sent to residents from August 2023.

You can register online using council’s Central Registration Portal Online Kindergarten Registration Portal.

Registrations received from residents by 30 June 2023 will be included in first-round offers.

After 30 June 2023, registrations will be processed in second, and later, offer rounds.

Registrations received from non-residents will be processed from mid-November 2023.

For more information about kindergarten registration, visit council’s website at cardinia. vic.gov.au/kindergarten or call 1300 787 624.

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NEWS

‘Vile’ threats cancel event

By Eleanor Wilson 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

Drag performer Belial B’Zarr co-created the now cancelled Art of Drag workshop series for adolescents in Casey to learn about the art of drag.

Picture: OSCAR SAUNDERS 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 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 com-

ing 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.”

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 hatespeech 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.

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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

|

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. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Fundraiser backs research

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.

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.

Maurice Browne with a photo of his son, also Maurice, who died from Huntington’s at age 49. 325602 “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

Picture: EMILY CHAPMAN LAING 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.

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Stirring trouble

FREE ENTRY

By Mitchell Clarke

Stirring trouble

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

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

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

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

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

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

The reaction from her neighbours was similar.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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STAR NEWS 7

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.”

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 8 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

Graduate nurses Cory Williams and Alysha Smith. 325582

The ceremony was one of several across the university’s campuses.

Students in their graduate hats and gowns at the ceremony. 325582 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Free activities for the kids Cardinia Shire Council has listed free and fun activities they will be hosting during the April school holidays.

On Easter Sunday, 9 April, from 11am until stock runs out, the council will be running the Emerald Lake Precinct Easter Egg Giveaway.

Free chocolate Easter eggs will be given away to customers at the Emerald Museum, Emerald Lake Park Cafe, Model Railway, Lakeside Paddleboats.

For more information about Emerald Lake Precinct, you can visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/emeraldlakepark The council has partnered with the YMCA to deliver their first BMX event.

The event will be at Alma Treloar Reserve, Cockatoo on Wednesday 12 April starting at 12pm and ending at 2pm.

For more information about the skate, BMX and scooter facilities in the shire, you can visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/skatebmx or call the Active and Connected team on 1300 787 624.

The council will be supporting a Footy Fun Day to celebrate the return of AFL. Residents are encouraged to be dressed in your team’s colours for a session of free and fun activities run by coaches from AFL South East.

Non-footy players are welcome; the aligned leisure street team will be there. The Jeep is fully equipped and boasts an awesome range of sports equipment.

Residents are reminded to bring hats, sunscreen, coats, and appropriate footwear.

Footy Fun Day will be held at James Bathe Reserve in Officer on Thursday 13 April between 1pm to 2.30pm.

The council’s partner in Cardinia Leisure, Aligned Leisure has a street team that will be delivering an event taking the leisure programs and services out to the wider community.

Council is holding free events across the school holidays.

The street team have a Jeep that is fully equipped with a variety of health and wellness pieces, including sporting and fitness equipment and games.

The activities of Aligned Leisure will be run at the Multi Use Games Area at James Bathe Reserve on Thursday 13 April between 1pm and 2.30pm.

For more information, email parks@cardinia.vic.gov.au Aligned Leisure will also hold an exercise

Picture: SUPPLIED

class in the park to bring fitness to the community in the council’s Active April month.

The event will be centred around public exercise equipment that has been established across Cardinia’s parks.

If you have ever wondered how to use the exercise equipment in parks, this is your chance to learn how to benefit from this free space with the expertise of a personal trainer.

A trainer will walk you through the correct process and use of equipment and run a short

class afterwards. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The event will be held on Tuesday 18 April starting at 11am and running until 12.30pm.

The location is Eastone Reserve, Cardinia Lakes Estate, Pakenham.

Aligned Leisure’s street team will be within the vicinity of the exercise equipment so if the kids don’t wish to use the exercise equipment, they can have some fun with the games and sports equipment from the Jeep.

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

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STAR NEWS 9

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 10 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.” pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

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

Khloe, Theresa, Kayla-Rose, Imahni, Ava and Lu show off their traditional Samoan, Cook Islands and Maori dresses.

Mia’s traditional Chinese outfit came complete with an elaborate braided hairstyle.

Cultural dresses on show

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Harmony Berwick Day Showunites returns

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5-0 Welcome start for withUnited open arms

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SPORT

Shift in focus

Show is back on track

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

Foundation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Crime concerns

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Local news from Pakenham & Officer...

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

12497982-JW24-21

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

12496498-DL22-21

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.

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STAR NEWS 11

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

William, Harrison and River pose in front of a firetruck. 325415 12 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Sue Hall from Narre Warren SES with Kaya and Ariya from Narre Warren.

There was a large turnout to the open day.

325415

325415

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

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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STAR NEWS 13

NEWS

Andrew (left) and Jay. 324338

Alexis covered in colours and water from the sprinklers. 324338

Anvi (left) and her Mum Kshipra wait for the sprinklers to come on. 324338

Colours complement Holi Lynbrook locals recently enjoyed a most colourful weekend.

The Lynbrook Residents Association (LRA) hosted its annual Festival of Colours on Saturday 18 March.

LRA president Scott Watson says the event has been a tradition for the past decade.

“There is a very strong Indian community within Lynbrook and the event has been extremely popular for years,” he said.

The event complements Holi, a popular and significant Hindu festival celebrating the eternal and divine love of the god Radha and Krishna.

Mr Watson said over 1500 people attended the event.

“The colours area this year featured a water area, [attendees] enjoyed a performance by the Bollydazzlers while the kids enjoyed an inflatable slide,” he said.

There were multiple food options, face painting and market stalls on the day.

“The event is a colourful celebration of the Indian tradition with spontaneous dancing breaking out to the DJ’s music.

“It is amazing to see that the event brings the entire community together with many cultures enjoying the day with family and friends.”

Shanvi Venkatesh Babu and Jay Hari. 324338

Hailey and Dean. 324338

Anvi with her spectacular colours. 324338

Roopashri Krishna, Anitha Suryanarayana and Venkatesh Babu Govindappa. 324338 14 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

Pictures: ROB CAREW

Shaina in magnificent colour. 324338

Families gathered to celebrate the colour festival. 324338 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

WHAT’S ON Heritage Springs Coffee with a Cop In partnership with Cardinia Shire’s Safer Communities Partnership Committee, Victoria Police will host a Coffee with a Cop event at Heritage Springs Shopping Centre. All community members are invited to attend the Coffee with a Cop event. Agencies at the event will include Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, council, Crime Stoppers, and representatives from the Level Crossing Removal Project.

Tuesday 4 April 10am at Heritage Springs Shopping Centre, 1 Livingstone Blvd, Pakenham

·

Harewood Heritage Day Harewood House will be open for tours for the annual Harewood Heritage Day event. Other local historical displays, traditional trades and craft demonstrations, period costumes, vintage cars and live entertainment will also feature on the day.

Sunday 2 April from 10am to 3pm, 3300 South Gippsland Highway, Kooweerup (next to the Tooradin Airfield).

·

Yakkerboo Festival A family-friendly event held each year that includes fun parades, carnival rides, food trucks and market stalls. It goes over Saturday and Sunday, starting with a carnival on Saturday evening, while Sunday will be the main day of fun parades, food and stalls that will take over the park.

PB Ronald Reserve, Saturday 29 April from 5pm, Sunday 30 April from 11am.

·

Mindfulness sessions at Pakenham Library Join us for meditation, relaxation and yoga every Wednesday night from 6.30pm. Practise meditation, relaxation and yoga with Sharon from South East Yoga. Enjoy the inner peace and personal transformation that yoga and meditation will bring to your daily life. You will learn Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, breathing techniques and relaxation methods that will help to relieve stress and anxiety.

Every Wednesday evening from 6.30-7.30pm.

Bookings are required. BYO mat.

Pakenham Rotary Dance Enjoy old-time dancing? The Rotary Club of Pakenham dance is held on the first Saturday of each month. The dance features either the

·

Akoonah Park Easter Night Market We are pleased to announce that we are hosting an Easter-themed night market on Friday 31 March. Come and enjoy our community-focused market in the heart of Berwick with some delicious food and drinks and browse our huge

range of indoor and outdoor stalls.

Friday 31 March 4pm to 9pm.

·Nobelius Heritage Park guided walking tour Join us for a one-hour guided walking tour of the

Silhouettes or Len McGill’s Trutones. Dancing starts at the Pakenham Public Hall in John Street at 7.45pm on Saturday 1 April and goes through to the 11.30pm close. lush Nobelius Heritage Park, presented by Barrie Gallacher. This event is part of the Australian Heritage Festival. In 1886, Finnish horticulturalist Carl Axel Nobelius purchased 63 acres and established Gembrook Nurseries, more com-

Entry cost is $20. For further information or bookings, contact Rotarian Ian Wake on 0417 112 500.

Saturday 1 April at 7.45pm.

·

monly known as the C. A Nobelius and Sons Nursery.

Wednesday 19 April 1pm to 2pm. Head to emeraldmuseum.org.au/events/guided-walkingtour for more information.

·

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STAR NEWS 15

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Why it’s Greased Lightnin’ 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

The students have enjoyed the learning process.

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

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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

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Frame & Lenses Jake Cini, who owns dog training + business ir o n d P aPooches, F R E E S e cPower said preventing

dog attacks from occurring “has to start with education”.

He said the wave of ‘pandemic pets’ who had not been socialised as puppies was an issue that couldn’t be ignored by owners or council.

“I can’t believe there has been no mention

STORY PAGE 5

US HILL EAM

Au

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

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

The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business.

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

@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

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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 students Two dogs were seized by Casey

Council7ofPAGE

PAGE 2

City of Casey manager of safer communi10 PAGE ties Daniel Osborne said the matter remains

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if they SPORT find selves not contained to their property, themwhich 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

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-

in schools on safety around animals.

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.

GP Run cancelled Mr Osborne added that registrations

fees

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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 Nth & maybe alchoosing a mode of transport that Lauderdale Rds Tuesday, 9 August, 2022 Fitzpatrick lows them to (avoid) that,” Supt said on Saturday 23 July. on motor“We’re seeing many more people bikes than we’ve seen ever before. a bike, it’s “Driving a motorcar and riding a shared responsibility about understanding what’s around where you are on the road and sensible about you. We ask people to please be they ride mothe way they drive and the way torbikes.” of President of the Cranbourne Chamber to decision Commerce Jeremy Dart said the the given “short-sighted”, cancel the event was to take missed opportunity for local traders /DandenongJournal @StarJournal_SE of the increased patronage. advantage 40¢ Inc. GST feedback While the Chamber has received aligning with from some retailers in the region to the Casey’s hypothesis that the disruption was problematic, riders and roads and their businesses options ness of the relationship between he was disappointed that alternative vehicles. approved. to see how had not been to the “We need to encourage people “It does bring significant numbers a valid form of transport. two-wheelers arePAGE the specific precinct,” Mr Dart said.

9 road-user region and SPORT would “We’re the most vulnerable “To allow a different model to exist with pathThere are plenty of group. Pedestrians are protected bike lanes. be a much better option. High Street) that ways and crossings; cyclist have back (of the traffic but facilities out the festival still.

We’re out there in the middle of would allow them to still have a congestion).” road (to solution a it would we are such “Had there been some foresight, focus in re The issue has come into sharp

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Cranbourne High Street shopping precinct in Gippsland before proceeding down the South Highway for the big race.

PatterCity of Casey chief executive Glenn a number of son said the council attributed was not made factors to their decision, which lightly. the signifi“Council has taken into account the disruption cant costs of running the event, aware of the to local traffic and we are also of Cranfrustration experienced by a number disbourne businesses, who face considerable seeing ruption due to the road closure, without said. an increase in patronage,” Mr Patterson dandenong.starcommun budget and ity.com.au “We will be retaining this event another comare investigating options for area that ofmunity event in the Cranbourne to benefits more fers greater enjoyment and to be anresidents and ratepayers, with details 199533 The last Cranbourne GP Run in 2019. nounced at a future date.”

60 per The City of Casey said approximately and they’ll be spendwas required will be at Phillip Island, cent of the $93,000 event budget money down there instead.” of the PAGE 2 South Gippsland ing their to manage the closure that4Casey would have PAGE He said he hoped Highway for the event. too late, allowing the Motorcycle a “re-think” before it’s Victorian the from Eacott John two-year absence. “extremely event to proceed after a VictoCouncil (VMC) said the council was decision.

“It’s not just locals and people within disappointed” with the City of Casey’s thing. Peoconstantly ria who attend - it’s a nation-wideSouth Wales, “The VMC had years of working Queensland, New from come ple said. get-towith the City of Casey,” Mr Eacott South Australia. The GP is an annual

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

Thursday, 4 August, 2022

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

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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

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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The end of an era

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Husband and wife, principal and assistant principal.

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

“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.

WINTER 2022

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 the newly-appointed over have staff here that care about many years, Jenny’s experience has them – they’ll principal Mr Mackay In their time, the school has built helped 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 – whether it’s job is to get the best teachers I possibly of They of course later married, and doing things. were to can to work with the children. Jenny is one of Continued page 10

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Warriors unbeaten

By Jonty Ralphsmith Pakenham’s Big V men’s side are two from two to begin their new season!

The Warriors won a see-sawing affair against Shepparton on Sunday, in an afternoon where there were as many lead changes as loud cheers at Cardinia Life.

Joe Davis sunk 25 points to go with nine rebounds, and had two plays in the last 30 seconds which got the Warriors over the line.

Trailing by two points, Davis tipped one in with 28 seconds to go to give Pakenham the lead, before executing a three-pointer with seven seconds left which gave Pakenham a two-point lead.

Shepparton then had one crack to tie the scores, but missed the jump shot, cuing vocal celebrations on-court and in the stands.

Young point-guard Michael Johns continues to impress, playing more than 25 minutes, having also played the previous day in the Youth League.

Joshua Dow also contributed with 16 points.

Next up is a trip to Doncaster to battle Bulleen, which currently sits at 1-2.

The Warriors’ women are still looking for their first win of the season after an 84-74 loss to Bulleen.

The Warriors fell behind by nine at the main break and despite periods of ascendancy, were only able to break-even in the second half on the scoreboard.

Haille Nickerson got 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists while skipper Mel Prior and Samantha Romanowski also had moments in what was an even team performance — though no-one was able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and get them over the line.

The women are still adjusting to a new game plan and method of moving the ball under first-year coach Robertus Dielemans, who brings a wealth of experience.

They’ll get the opportunity to bounce back this week with a pair of home matches: against McKinnon, which has won one of its two matches, and Hume, which is one from three.

The Youth League men recorded a win and a loss from their two matches on the weekend.

On Saturday, they were pipped in the last

By Marcus Uhe

Joe Davis was immense for the Warriors in a tight affair at home. 296143 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS second by two points against Mornington.

They trailed by five points with 40 seconds to go after Cooper Lanting committed a personal foul and Mornington converted both their free throws before a timeout.

Jarred Small then executed a three-point jump shot and Johns sunk two, to get it back to level-pegging in the last 20 seconds.

In an error-laden frantic final few seconds which saw all three free throw attempts across the two sides miss, it was Mornington’s Mitchell Bates Webb who got the last points of the game after a Hayden Melsen turnover in the dying seconds. The following day, Pakenham put on a clinic against Wangaratta.

A 36-7 start gave Pakenham an unassailable

lead and they kept the foot to the throttle long after.

Jackson Grey scored 25 points and Small 21 in the confidence-boosting victory where 12 players got court time.

The women, meanwhile went down 73-59 to Coburg.

The Warriors were always playing catch up after a weak first quarter while a third-quarter lapse made sure of the result for Collingwood.

Tyla Scorah bucketed 17 points while Chloe Zielinski got a team-high eight rebounds.

They got as close as nine points away in the final stanza but never looked like reeling the lead in, after slipping too far behind.

Next up for the girls is McKinnon.

Tormey the tip for a second Stephenson

By David Nagel Pakenham captain Dale Tormey looks a great chance to become the third cricketer in the last decade to win dual Terry Stephenson Medals when the winner of the prestigious award is announced at Holm Park Reserve on Sunday.

The Casey Cardinia Cricket Association’s (CCCA) highest individual accolade has been won twice in the last eight years by all-rounder Russell Lehman - Pakenham 2014/15 and Tooradin 2019/20 - and Pakenham gun Chris Smith, who triumphed in 2015/16 and again last year.

Tormey won his first Terry Stephenson when he burst onto the scene for the Lions in 2018/19, taking 23 wickets and making a staggering 960 runs.

The Lions leader has had nowhere near a good a season as that with the blade, making 454 runs at an average of 56.75, but his bowling has been the most impressive of his five seasons at the club.

The bustling right-arm medium pacer snared 32 wickets during the home-and-away season at an average of 14.88.

He claimed a best of 6/37 against Officer in round five, and claimed back-to-back fivewicket hauls in the last two rounds of the season.

Tormey finished as the leading wicket-taker in the competition and finished top-three in batting.

Confidence in Tormey polling well stems from the impact he had with either bat or ball in multiple games this season.

If our predictions are correct, he could poll in eight or nine of the 13 games that the Lions played in 2022/23.

If we are off the mark, and Tormey doesn’t win the ‘Tezza’, it could be a big fortnight for Kooweerup all-rounder Luke McMaster who celebrated his first grand final win with the 18 STAR NEWS

|

Thursday, 30 March, 2023

Gibbs shows his greatness

Dale Tormey is our top-tip to claim a second Terry Stephenson Medal when the winner is announced at Holm Park Reserve on Sunday.

322123 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS Demons on March 19.

The gun all-rounder is in the thick of the action from the start, in both facets of the game, opening the batting and bowling!

He is sure to poll well with innings of 193 against Clyde in round five, and backing that up with 98 against the Cougars in the first game after Christmas.

McMaster made only one other half-century for the season, but did some serious damage with the ball in hand as well.

He took his best of the season 7/44 against Officer in round 14, and is sure to have grabbed the umpires’ attention with a devastating 6/12 against Merinda Park in round 12.

McMaster made 459 runs at an average of 38.25, and took 26 wickets at 14.43.

He looks set to poll well in six games…and could easily claim three votes in all six!

Little could separate Tormey and McMaster when the final votes are tallied.

The other serious contender appears to be Tooradin all-rounder Josh Lownds, who had a brilliantly consistent season for the Seagulls.

In the same mould as Tormey – left-hand bat, right-arm bowl – Lownds had a purple patch with the bat either side of Christmas, making an even 100 against Kooweerup in December before carving 104 against Carlisle Park in the first game of 2023.

He only made one other half century, but had a solid mid-season period with the ball.

He could poll ‘heavy’ votes in four consecutive games – between rounds five and eight – and should claim the three votes in round 11.

Lownds finished with 451 runs at 37.59, and claimed 23 wickets at 12.96.

He should poll strongly, but may not have the voting ‘firepower’ of the top-two.

Other players to keep an eye on this Sunday include Cardinia skipper Jake Prosser, Clyde’s Michael Vandort, Pakenham keeper-bat Rob Elston and Tooradin all-rounder Brad Butler, who should poll in up to half-a-dozen games.

Kane Hawkins will finish strongly after a great end to the season for Officer, while Kooweerup’s Gamini Kumara and Pakenham off-spinning all-rounder Jason Williams should also attract attention.

The CCCA Presentation Event begins at 3pm on Sunday 2 April at the Beaconsfield Football Club headquarters at Holm Park Reserve.

TERRY STEPHENSON MEDAL – PAST WINNERS PREMIER PLAYER CLUB VOTES 2021/22 Chris Smith Pakenham 17 2020/21 Jake Prosser Cardinia 16 2019/20 Russell Lehman Tooradin 26 2018/19 Dale Tormey Pakenham 19 2017/18 Jess Mathers Kooweerup 22 2016/17 Mark Cooper Kooweerup 23 2015/16 Chris Smith Pakenham 18 2014/15 Russell Lehman Pakenham 21 2013/14 Aaron Avery Tooradin 15 2012/13 Callum O’Hare Tooradin 17

Dean Gibbs produced a performance for the ages in round nine of the South West Gippsland Darts League last week, in match of the round against Bullseyes.

His eight tons, including his second and third 180s of the season, helped power his side to a 9-6 victory, to put them back on the winners list after last week’s bye, and have them knocking on the door of the top three.

PakyOne’s trouncing of The Hoodies wasn’t enough to leap Just Social on percentage at the top of the ladder.

PakyOne recorded a 15-0 victory in what was a healthy percentage boost, and the third time the winless The Hoodies had suffered that same score line this season.

Tony led the way for Just Social, throwing his first ton for the season on the way to a 12-3 thrashing of Fore, their sixth consecutive win of the season.

In what was a common theme in this week’s competition, many of the contests proved to be extremely one-sided.

Rebels defeated Gembrook 11-3, while Mud Rats came crashing back down to earth with an 11-4 loss at the hands of Warriors.

Anthony Lawler’s Warriors needed to rebound after a tight loss to PakyOne last week, and were comprehensive in their victory.

Next week will see a critical contest between Just Social and Snipers, where they, Warriors, and PakyOne will be waiting with bated breath with the chance to move up the ladder, should Snipers provide the upset.

At the other end of the table, The Hoodies will take-on Fore in an opportunity for both sides to grab their first win.

Gibbs’ ton total now sits at 52, with Lawler second on 41 and PakyOne’s Shane on 36.

LADDER - R9: Just Social 28, Warriors 28, PakyOne 28, Snipers 24, 26ers 24, Rebels 20, Gembrook 12, Mud Rats 8, Bullseyes 8, Fore 0, The Hoodies 0.

FIXTURE – R10: Snipers v Just Social, Gembrook v Bullseyes, Mud Rats v Rebels, 26ers v Paky One, Hoodies v Fore.

PakyOne thrashed The Hoodies in round nine of South West Gippsland Darts Picture: SUPPLIED League. 321895

The mighty Warriors, from left, Ant, Jaz, Liam, Hank and Etty. Picture: SUPPLIED pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Picks of the Power Southside lose grand final series

By Jonty Ralphsmith With the Gippsland Power kicking off their campaign last weekend with a win over Murray, below is a list of players from the Gazette coverage zone who might be seen representing Gippy this season.

JASPER ALGER (Warragul) – Splits his time between Gippsland and Caulfield Grammar.

Pre-Christmas, he was really good. He played on the wing on the weekend and shows a lot of promise after representing Vic Country’s under-16s last year.

COOPER BROWN (Longwarry) – Young guy who had a good preseason and stood out in some trial runs so will be an intriguing watch - might sneak in for some games in the middle of the season.

JESSE CRAVEN (Tooradin) – Currently recovering from a hip injury which he sustained off the back of a knee injury as part of an injuryriddled preseason. Was, however, near fullfitness at the preseason testing and ran a sub three-second 20 metre sprint, so there is excitement about what he will offer one he’s on the track.

LIAM SERONG (Warragul) – Got mighty close to being AFL-listed, having trained with Fremantle for a supplementary spot in preseason.

Returned very fit but a quad injury and illness has since set him back, despite having a solid foundation. The club want to ensure he is at 100 per cent before playing him in the Talent League as a half-forward and half-back.

LACHIE GILLIAM (Warragul) – Played some good footy at Haileybury College last year.

Played as a defender on the weekend and had some really good moments especially late in the game. He’s a good endurance runner and very coachable.

TOM STERN (Warragul) – A really exciting over-aged prospect - good height, strength and skills. The Power will be keen to push him to a higher level of footy this season.

VINCENT KUOL (Warragul) – A developing type of athletic half-back. It is hoped this year can provide a real springboard for his footy into the future – he’s only been playing footy for about part of two seasons.

HARRISON CANNING (Berwick) – An athletic high-leaping forward who had some good mo-

By Marcus Uhe

There’s plenty to like at Gippsland in 2023. 311256 ments on the weekend. Showed some signs and was a Vic Country under-16s player last year.

PATRICK IRELAND (Warragul) – A decorated junior, a really good size who can play forward or back. A smart user of the football who makes good decisions.

ALIX TAURU (Warragul) – A Hawthorn Next Generation Academy prospect. Quick across the ground for his frame, 191 centimetres..

He’ll have some good moments when he’s fit but currently has an ankle injury.

SAM HOGHTON (Officer) – Comes to the club off the back of a preseason at Casey. Played some good footy for the club last year before breaking his thumb playing seniors for Officer. A really athletic player who won most of Gippsland’s preseason testing. Can play in all three lines of the ground and played half-forward primarily last year.

JEHI ESLER (Tooradin) – Has come along in leaps and bounds. A nice size and natural forward who leads well and is currently developing his ruck craft at the moment. Will likely come in for some games in the middle of the year.

TEX MARSHAM (Nar Nar Goon) – Played some really good senior footy at Nar Nar Goon.

Strong, has poise as a key defender, and is also on Box Hill’s academy list.

LACHLAN SMITH (Warragul) – A developing

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Jasper Alger is a name to listen out for in 2023. 290038 key-position player who has had the expertise of former AFL-listed Trent Knobel to tap into.

The top-ager played 11 games of Talent League last year when the Power also had to expose Max Knobel, now at Fremantle, and Harvey Howe, who got a state combine invite. That he got a run underlines his potential and he’s around the mark for Vic Country selection.

LANE WARD (Warragul) - A bottom-ager who has generated some talk in preseason, he’ll get a run through the midfield. A small player who ran out for the Power five times last year, expect him to be a staple in 2023.

From further abroad, Foster midfielderforward Zane Duursma, the brother of Port Adelaide’s Xavier and Inverloch-Kongwak key-position player Archer Reid will also attract plenty of headlines, with both in the AFL academy.

Tiger trouble prompts last-minute switch

By Marcus Uhe Discussions are underway at the Outer East Football and Netball League board level in relation to conducting a complete review of competition structures and other associated matters for season 2024 and beyond.

It comes after the Yea Tigers threw a late curveball at adminstrators, after they were forced to withdraw from Division Two in the senior men’s 2023 football season last week due to having insufficient player numbers.

“The Yea Football Netball Club would like to publicly announce, that depsite our best efforts this year to attract football players and rebuild our playing group, we have had little luck,” the club said in a statement last week.

“As a result we were unable to field or submit any football teams to the OEFNL for the upcoming 2023 season.”

The Tigers will be replaced by Yarra Glen, who requested a move down from Division One for both their senior football and netball programs.

Yarra Glen President Vincent Erickson said the request was made on the back of numbers for football “severely struggling”, and that the proposal to move divisions was supported at club committee level, following consultation with football and netball playing groups.

“After meeting with the footballers last Tuesday 16 March and a poll of them over the weekend, it was clear that the football side of the club would much prefer to play in Division Two,” Erickson said on Wednesday 22 March.

“Our netballers also held a poll and discussions, with the main consensus there being that they were happy to go down to Division Two if it meant our football could survive.

“Before our meeting last night, we received correspondence from the league that due to Yea’s decision not to field any football sides for 2023, that there would be a spot for us pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Yarra Glen will compete in Division Two of the Outer East Football Netball League in 2023. 290938 in Division Two. “At our (committee) meeting, both the football manager and netball manager presented the results and overall findings among the respective playing groups to the committee and with a vote, the committee unanimously voted 13-0 in favour of applying to go down to Division Two.” Division One clubs such as Officer will now have a bye in the 2023 season due to the odd number of teams as the fixture undergoes an alteration ahead of round one on 15 April.

Division One will now field seven teams, while Pivision two and Premier will remain at six and nine, respectively.

Yea’s senior netball team will compete in Division One, filling the vacancy created by Yarra Glen.

“This allows all their netball teams to remain together on a Saturday, which is important in keeping the club moving forward toward 2024 and beyond,” Outer East Football Netball Chief Executive Brett Connell said.

“Other fixturing options will also be considered to assist with the extra travel for both existing Division One clubs and Yea. “These will also be confirmed following consultation with all Division One clubs.”

Further details of the competition review will be forthcoming once finalised, Connell said.

“In closing, while disappointed we must advise of these changes, we firmly believe that this option will minimise the impact structurally on both Division One and Division Two, with a focus overall on the long-term club sustainability of clubs across both divisions.

“Outer East Football & Netball have committed to support Yea FNC and will work closely with the club to put in place plans to return to the field with senior football teams in 2024.”

While Yea’s senior football season will not go ahead in 2023, the club called on the community to rally behind their netball and junior football programs, who need the support “now more than ever.”

“It is imperative that we keep this family football netball club running for years to come, so our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to experience the same community spirit and divine sportsmanship that we all have as young people and adults,” the club said in a statement.

“We are now reaching out to the community and asking for help in any way possible, whether it be watching our teams play, volunteering on game days, purchasing a membership/merchandise or attending a social function.

“Without the support of local communities, small town football clubs such as the Yea Football Netball Club struggle to thrive and every little bit really does help.”

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.

Picture: SUPPLIED Thursday, 30 March, 2023

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STAR NEWS 19

St Clare’s Catholic Primary School in Officer

Enrolments now open for

2024 Open Day Saturday 1 April 10am to 12pm Please contact the school now to make a booking Ph 5940 6777 St Clare’s Primary School Officer 95 Majestic Drive (PO Box 362) Officer 3809 Phone 03 5940 6777 Email enrolments@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au 12595944-HC13-23

20 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 30 March, 2023

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au