News - Pakenham Officer Star News - 6th July 2023

Charity dump rise

By Corey Everitt

The Pakenham Op Shop is calling on people to stop dumping their unusable trash at the op shop as they continue to fork out hundreds of dollars to get rid of rubbish that shouldn’t be their responsibility.

Op shops are built off the reusing of one’s unused goods, but some people seem to think op shops are a free tip to dump their unusable rubbish.

On Tuesday morning, the Pakenham Op Shop volunteers were greeted to just that, as various large, unusable items were left overnight in the back alley of the shop.

Things like broken furniture and mattresses are not ideal items for them to resell, so now the burden falls on them to dispose of the trash that is not theirs.

Bev Burley and Jan Taylor are used to these happening occasionally, but they have ramped up recently.

“It’s happening too regularly now, a lot of it if we can smash it up and put it in the skip bin,” Bev explained.

“But that’s just too big to handle that.”

Jan added: “There is no way we can lift the mattress into the skip and it probably wouldn’t fit anyway.”

The items, in this instance a mattress and a disassembled bed frame, are too large for the volunteers to move around and are either broken or not suitable to be able to sell at the store.

Now the op shop has to spend over $100 to get a waste disposal company to get rid of it.

“That’s the annoying part, we’ve now gotta pay the tip people to come and get it because we have to keep the place tidy,” Bev said.

“It just costs money and it’s very frustrating.”

This isn’t the first time.

Many items over the years get dumped at the op shop that clearly can’t be used or sold leaving the the volunteers to be responsible for it.

“It’s just rubbish, we can’t sell it, we can’t repair it,” Jan said.

Bev added: “It’s the fact that some people feel they have a right to use this place as a rubbish dump.”

This burden affects the ability for the Op Shop to give to the community.

“The more rubbish we have to get rid of, the less we can give to the fire brigades and the other charities around here,” Jan said.

“It all gets distributed to them at the end of the financial year, every year, but if we are paying $100 this time and $100 in a week’s time, we just can’t do it all.”

It’s more puzzling to them when doing it the right way is seemingly easier.

“It’s harder work putting it in your car and bring it in down here, than it is putting out front of your place and calling the council,” Jan said.

Every household in Cardinia Shire can book up to two free collections a year for hard rubbish pick-up at their property.

For a single pick-up, a pile must not take up more than two cubic metres of space, you can make a double booking which puts the two free bookings into one where a single pile can take up an area of four cubic metres.

The Pakenham Op Shop has been around for 60 years as of this year, as a staple of the town they hope residents do the right thing with what they donate.

These items were dumped at the Pakenham Op Shop over Monday night. The mattress and its frame can’t be sold by the shop.

Bev Burley and Jan Taylor of the Pakenham Op Shop are frustrated with having to pay for the disposal of people’s rubbish. Pictures: COREY EVERITT

Homelessness help

By Emily Chapman Laing

Casey based charity Kids Under Cover received $100,000 from social enterprise Homes for Homes as part of this year’s funding grant.

This is the first time Homes for Homes has put funds back into the City of Casey.

Kids Under Cover (KDU) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preventing youth homelessness for the past 33 years.

The new grant will fund the construction of two new studios in Casey, offering a safe space for four vulnerable youths each night.

“Youth homelessness can be prevented, we can intervene early, and if we do that it will absolutely change the life course for young people who otherwise could fall into all kinds of difficulties,“ Kids Under Cover CEO Stephen Nash said.

“Preventing and intervening early means people can grow up and get on with a bright future.“

KDU supports vulnerable young people between the ages of 12 and 25 years who are either already homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The team build relocatable, one and two bedroom studios, complete with a bathroom, in the backyard of a family or carer’s home.

KDU has 20 studios operating across Casey, housing 30 young people each night.

AcorssVictoria, they have 652 studios housing over 1000 young people each night.

“They don’t have kitchens in the studio, so there’s the encouragement for families to still eat meals together,“ Mr Nash said.

“But when it’s time to study or chill out, they’ve got somewhere safe to go.“

The extra room relieves overcrowding, eases tension and provides young people with a secure and stable environment.

The studio remains in place for as long as it’s required, averaging 13 years, according to Mr Nash.

Kids Under Cover will relocate a studio up to four times during its lifetime to help other families in need.

The portable housing is then complemented with scholarships for education or job training, offsetting basic education costs and empowering young people to achieve their goals.

The scholarships aren’t just offered to young people housed in the studios, their siblings living in the main home of the property are able to receive educational support as well.

“We’re often working with families that are really up against it, so we try to help as many young people in the house as we can and give them all a brighter future,” Mr Nash said.

Homes for Homes raises funds for homeslessness prevention through people making a tax deductible 0.1 per cent donation from the sale or rent of their property.

These funds are combined with others who have donated, then used to build social and affordable housing.

In choosing which organisation receives the grant funding each year, Homes for Homes employs an “independent housing advisory board“ to review all applications and allocate the funds to those with the greatest need.

This year, Homes for Homes received ten applications.

“We use an independent housing advisory group because we know that we’re really good at being able to bring people together to raise funds, but we’re not the experts on knowing where the need is greatest,” Ms Longo said.

“Then the board’s recommendation goes off to our investment advisory group, so there’s three layers of governance.”

Ms Longo said Homes for Homes’ “set and forget“ approach to charity donation sets them apart from other organisations.

““A lot of charities, when you’re asked to donate you’re asked to do it on the spot but with Homes for Homes, it’s a set and forget,“ she said.

“When you hold a home over time, it generally builds some sort of equity, and the payment comes straight out of the disbursement of that settlement.

“It’s money you’ve been able to accumulate over time and that you don’t actually see because it’s disbursed straight out of the settlement proceeds, so it’s just like paying your rates.“

According to Homes for Homes, there is a deficit of over 600,000 social and affordable homes in Australia, with this number set to reach over one million within the next 13 years.

“Please get involved, it’s such an easy concept,“ Ms Longo said.

“You’re making a promise today but you’re not delivering on the promise until you sell your home.

“It’s just a small drop but small drops create pools of little drops and become an ocean over time.“

Ms Longo has been the COO of the organisation since 2018, and said the most exciting part of what Homes for Homes does is “actually handing over the funds“ to charities who can use the money to continue

their important work.

“For us it’s about being able to provide a solution that everyone can be involved in,“ she said.

“Coming together and being able to see that money being disbursed to organisations that really do some amazing things in the space of providing solutions is incredible to see.“

Homes for Homes has established a goal to become the second largest funding body for homelessness prevention behind the government, and they are on track to raise $1 billion by 2050.

“It’s about changing the narrative around what homelessness means,“ Ms Longo said.

“I think a compassionate community can really make a significant difference to changing people’s lives.”

Over 40 property developers have partnered with Homes for Homes, alongside individual landowners and renters.

Balcon Group, who are the land developers behind the Orana estate in Clyde North are one such example.

Balcon Group Manager Jason Shaw said the pervasive rise in homelessness in Casey is starting to affect more and more residents.

“It’s at a point where people with good jobs can’t afford housing,“ he said.

Mr Shaw explained the brilliance of the Homes for Homes approach to raising funds, with almost all Orana homeowners signing up to donate.

He went on to mention the usual lifespan of home ownership is seven years before selling, meaning a Homes for Homes donation can be made with each “property turnover“.

So far, Homes for Homes has granted $1.4 million to fund 17 projects, providing crucial assistance to over 300 people.

Donations to Homes for Homes are tax deductible and can be claimed when you lodge your return.

Pedestrian hit by bus

Police are investigating a fatal collision in Berwick on Wednesday 28 June.

It is understood a bus and pedestrian collided at the intersection on Clyde Road and Enterprise Avenue about 4.15pm.

Emergency services treated the female pedestrian, who is yet to be formally identified, but she was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female bus driver was not injured and stopped at the scene.

No passengers on the bus were injured.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Child sexual assault charge

Police have charged a 25-year-old Warragul man following an alleged sexual assault at the Westfield Fountain Gate shopping centre at Narre Warren in April.

Police arrested the man on Tuesday 27 June and charged him with two counts of sexual assault of a child under 16, one count of sexual assault, two counts of stalking and five counts of committing an indictable offence while on bail.

He was remanded to appear at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 28 June.

The charges followed the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl inside a store at the Westfield Fountain Gate shopping centre on Friday 21 April.

Seven teens charged

Seven boys and girls have been charged after two alleged stolen cars were travelling at high speeds early on Friday 30 June, according to police.

A 16-year-old Hallam girl, a 16-year-old Pakenham boy and a 17-year-old Pakenham boy were all charged with car theft and committing indictable offences on bail.

They and a 14-year-old Springvale boy were remanded to face a children’s court at a later date.

A 17-year-old Fraser Rise girl, a 17-year-old Noble Park boy and a 17-year-old Cranbourne girl were bailed.

An Operation Trinity police patrol alleged that it spotted a white BMW wagon with stolen plates travelling at high speed on the Monash Freeway, Dandenong about 2am on Friday 30 July.

Air Wing tracked the vehicle, which was joined by an allegedly stolen grey Mercedes at Narre Warren and reached speeds up to 150 km/h, police say.

The BMW was dumped in Mullum Mullum Tunnel at Ringwood and the occupants continued in the Mercedes.

Despite stop-sticks being activated in Heidelberg, the car continued travelling on two wheels towards the Eastern Freeway in Kew.

The car came to a stop, and all seven occupants were arrested.

Police say the two vehicles were stolen in recent aggravated burglaries.

Southern Metro Crime Team officers and local police teamed up for the arrest.

Homes for Homes COO Tracy Longo and grant recipient Stephen Nash with the Kids Under Cover cheque. 344838 Picture: EMILY CHAPMAN LAING

‘Phantom’ death mystery

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

The killer of a “major” drug dealer known as ‘The Phantom’ who was found dead in his burnt-out car in Eumemmerring in 2015 is still unknown, a State Coroner has reported.

Dung Tri Pham’s badly-burnt body was found with a large knife in his neck in the Olive Road Reserve car park in Frawley Road early on 27 March 2015.

Police believed he’d died in a drug deal “turned violent”, was fatally stabbed in the neck and his red Commodore set alight.

After a “thorough and extensive” police investigation, no one has been charged over Mr Pham’s demise. The circumstances leading to his death were still unknown, Coroner John Cain stated on 28 June.

“I am satisfied that no investigation which I am empowered to undertake, would be likely to result in the identification of the person or persons who caused Mr Pham’s death.”

Mr Pham, 40, ran a drug trafficking business in the Dandenong region that turned over between $40,000 and $60,000 a week, Judge Cain stated.

His criminal history spanned 22 years and several jail terms including for heroin trafficking.

He had spent most of the day before his death at Crown Casino before driving in his red Holden Commodore to his apartment in

Frawley Road Eumemmerring.

At 11.18pm, he drove to the reserve and parked behind a small stadium building near netball courts.

CCTV footage showed an unidentified person leaving the area on foot and discarding an item in a stormwater drain.

An unknown vehicle arrived at speed, left five minutes later with the vehicle then seen catching on fire.

According to a police forensic expert, Mr Pham’s car was likely doused inside with petrol and ignited.

Mr Pham’s body was found lying across the back seat.

Heroin metabolites, methylamphetamine, amphetamine, diazepam, temazepam and oxazepam were found in his system.

Due to a delay in getting CCTV footage, police didn’t conduct a search of the drain until more than a month later.

The discarded item has not been found, nor the person leaving the reserve identified.

At his home, police seized a large amount of cash suspected to be trafficking proceeds.

There were no signs of struggle or that Mr Pham was stabbed there.

In their investigations, police established that Mr Pham had recently severed ties with two drug couriers after cash and drugs were stolen from their Dandenong North home.

Police couldn’t identify who Mr Pham was buying heroin from, Judge Cain stated.

“There was also no evidence or intelligence to suggest a falling out, any bad debts or trouble with a competitor which might have brought about his death.”

A drug runner recalled that hours earlier, Mr Pham sounded drug affected over the phone while telling him: “I’ve f***ed up, I’ve got to do something and then I’ll come and see ya.”

They’d arranged to meet at 10pm that night to balance the daily takings and re-supply the drug runner. But there was no evidence it took place, Judge Cain found.

The drug runner alleged that Mr Pham told him at 8.32pm that “I’m still coming, I’ve just got something to do.”

Mr Pham’s last known conversation was with an associate wishing to buy drugs that night but he didn’t follow through on the deal.

New office space a welcome addition to Blairlogie

By Emily Chapman Laing

Twenty-three years after their doors opened, disability support network Blairlogie has welcomed the addition of a new, sorely needed office space to their Cranbourne South site.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Wednesday 28 June, with Blairlogie board members Ken Scott and Carol Pollard doing the honours.

The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in 2013 saw a boom in the number of people seeking support from Blairlogie’s services.

“Blairlogie experienced massive growth under the NDIS and the building that was opened in 2000 was, to say the least too small for us,” Blairlogie CEO Carolyn Carr said.

“I am not exaggerating when I tell you that, as we needed to grow our administration team to meet the requirements of the NDIS we were looking at any space that we could convert into an office.

Anywhere that could fit a desk and chair was considered.”

The team resorted to converting a first aid room into an office, a bathroom into an office, bringing in portables and turning single offices into two person offices.

“When we employed someone on a part time basis we needed to roster them to work on days where there was a spare desk,” Ms Carr said.

“We pioneered work from home arrangements way before they were part of a pandemic order.

“For a long time many of our staff worked

under, well let’s just say, less than ideal conditions.”

The team considered leasing office space off-site to house some of the administrative staff, but the tought was“quickly abandoned” as the team didn’t feel an off-site space would align with their community values.

“Having one office allows us to be nimble in our decision making, it allows us to collaborate in a unique way,” Ms Carr said.

“It allows us to look out the window – or better yet, wander the grounds and see firsthand why we are here, we can interact with our staff and clients so very easily, we can adapt immediately when we need to.

“This building project was born out of necessity for more space, but it was also born out of an unwavering commitment to maintain that unique sense of community and unity and an absolute resolve to uphold what

we know is special about Blairlogie.”

The team at Blairlogie engaged with MSM Architects, with a very clear design in mind for their new space.

“We wanted the built environment to reflect our organisational values of integrity, respect, engagement and innovation,” Ms Carr said.

“We wanted it to reflect how we aim to make people feel when they engage with our organisation – welcome.”

In 2019, the initial design briefs were agreed upon, but by 2020 the pandemic had brought the plans to a standstill.

“It didn’t take long, however, for the Blairlogie fortitude and resolve to shine through,” Ms Carr said.

“We had a planning permit by 31 March 2021 and by August 2021 the project was issued for tender.”

Harris HMC were awarded the contract and took possession of the site on 21 February 2022.

Just over a year later, the project was completed.

Ms Carr said the story of Blairlogie is centred on people.

“It is the people that make Blairlogie, it is the 208 people that choose to work at Blairlogie, it is the 330 people with a disability that we support across our services, it is the families and carers of those 330 people that trust us to support their loved ones,” she said.

“We are incredibly lucky to have so many people that love what we do here and want to support us.”

Visit networkclassifieds.com.au

Email sales@networkclassifieds.com.au

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L-R Blairlogie Board Members Ken Scott and Carol Pollard. 344231

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Police next to Dung Pham’s burnt car in Olive Road Reserve, Eumemmerring in March 2015.

136842 Picture: ROB CAREW

Victims’ legal help

South-East Monash Legal Service (SMLS) has launched a campaign to promote free legal assistance to those who have experienced sexual harassment at work.

The Advocacy against Sexual Harassment (AASH) campaign will appear in multiple locations online and throughout the City of Casey, City of Greater Dandenong, and Shire of Cardinia.

SMLS said they believe the program will offer reassurance, and they urge affected individuals to reach out for free, confidential support.

Workplace sexual harassment is alarmingly prevalent.

About 7 per cent of women employed by City of Casey have reportedly experienced sexual harassment at work, according to official audit data.

Only one of them submitted a formal complaint.

The audit also shows 5 per cent of male employees at the council say they experienced sexual harassment.

Beyond council walls, the numbers are even more striking.

Over the past five years, Casey has averaged 370 sexual offence victim reports per year, with 399 reports already filed for the year ending in 2023.

With only one in five people taking the step to report sexual harassment, the true numbers are likely substantially higher.

According to SafeWork Australia, one in three people have experienced sexual harassment at work in the last five years, and only 6 per cent of those approach a lawyer for help.

“The sad fact is, people at higher risk of sexual harassment are often already experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage,“ Kristen Wallwork, Executive Director of SMLS said.

“They are less able to manage complex sexual harassment litigation on their own.

“That’s why this free, confidential legal assistance is so vital. We’re experts and we can help navigate the legal processes.“

In particular, young women and women from a culturally diverse background are at greater risk of workplace sexual harassment.

According to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) people aged 18 to 29 experience the highest rates of workplace sexual harassment of all age groups (45 per cent).

Women of CALD backgrounds report experiencing sexual harassment at twice the rate of the surveyed population, according to AHRC.

To help reach women from diverse cultural backgrounds, the campaign has been translated into Mandarin, Sinhalese, Vietnamese, Punjabi and Hindi, reflective of the local population.

Pursuit boys charged

Three boys have been charged after a police pursuit of an allegedly stolen vehicle across several South East suburbs.

A 13-year-old Hampton Park boy, a 13-year-old from Doveton and a 14-year-old from Dandenong were all charged with car theft.

The former was also charged with aggravated exposure of an emergency services worker to risk by driving, reckless conduct endangering life, unlicensed driving and dangerous driving whilst being pursued by police.

The Doveton boy was also charged with committing an indictable offence on bail.

The vehicle was seen being driven erratically on the Monash Freeway in Chadstone about 10.15am on Sunday 2 July, police say.

SMLS said there is inadequate community understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment under the law.

The campaign, SMLS said, explicitly calls out the behaviours that constitute sexual harassment, including comments/jokes, intrusive questions, staring/leering, unwelcome touching and inappropriate physical contact.

“Our aim with this campaign is to inform people that what they are experiencing is sexual harassment,“ Ms Wallwork said.

“Then we want to reassure them – we will believe what they say, and we can help.“

For anyone who is interested in more information or wants support, you can call 9545 7400 or 9038 8002 between 9am and 4:30pm, or email info@smls.com.au

It was monitored across suburbs until it stopped in Notting Hill more than four hours later.

The three occupants allegedly fled on foot and were arrested in Scenic Boulevard, Clayton.

No one was injured, police say.

The trio were bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.

One in three women have reported experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace in the last five years. Picture: GENERIC

How to ‘grow around grief’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A ground-breaking, free tool kit clearly shows how people bereaved by suicide can “get good help” and how others can “give good help” in the South East.

Author and lived-experience advocate SuRose McIntyre told the 4 July launch that she wished the Growing Around Grief kit existed when she lost her son Carl to suicide 14 years ago.

“So alone” in her grief, McIntyre felt like she was “space walking” and that a “huge hole” was gouged out of her and her universe.

She had no idea where to turn for help. Her local library had just one“unhelpful” and“triggering” book on the topic.

Things had since improved, McIntyre said. There was more talk about anxiety, depression, existential crisis, isolation, worthlessness, suicidal ideation and suicidal loss.

“This strangely is a good thing. This is being real.”

Yet suicide is still an “embarrassing” and “uncomfortable” topic talked about in“hushed tones”.

And while it gets little attention, death by suicide in Australia doubles the road toll.

And Melbourne’s South East has the second-highest suicide rate in the country.

The Growing Around Grief resource was produced by South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) in collaboration with Jesuit Social Services, Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) and people with lived experience.

It is downloadable online for free.

And it’s organised in clear, easy-to-read sections on helping children, young people, first responders, veterans, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally or linguistically diverse background and LGBTQIA+SB communities.

McIntyre said it was vital to “shine a light” on grief, particularly for suicide. The kit needed to be shared in schools, businesses, factories, Mens Sheds and homes.

“This kit holds everything I wish I had access to 14 years ago.

“We need to know how to get good help and how to give good help.”

Jesuit Social Services general manager Louise Flynn said the kit “sends a message that there are people that understand and that there are people that care”.

“It also sends a message that life isn’t over, however much it feels it is. That it is possible to live meaningfully after such a tragedy.

Flynn said at the heart of suicide grief response was about restoring a sense of self and self-worth, rebuilding relationships and connection with communities.

People remove themselves from a bereaved

person or a family and so lives “immeasurably change”.

“Perhaps because they don’t know what to say, they don’t know how to be with someone at that level of suffering and being so close to such a tragedy is more than they can bear.”

‘Growing Around Grief’ acknowledges the loss is always felt, it’s always real and the person lost continues to be loved.

But also that people can lead satisfying and fulfilling lives again, and not just surviving, Flynn said.

They gained some “hard won” changes including increased compassion and empathy.

South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network chief executive Quinn Powson said “wise counsel”, “deep insights” and “lived experience” were deeply embedded in the kit.

It was designed to be accessible for those struggling to find support.

“This kit is for us to share with those we love, with those we share work with, with those we play with, with those we care about.”

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Parliamentary Secretary Tim Richardson noted that those bereaved from suicide were at greater risk themselves.

That’s why postvention was recognised as so important in the recent Royal Commission into Mental Health, he said.

Richardson said the State Government was set to release its Suicide Prevention Strategy after 240 public submissions, noting one in two people lost to suicide had never interacted with a mental health and well-being service.

“That’s the stigmatism in our community... We have a lot of work to do.”

The ‘Growing Around Grief’ booklet is at bit.ly/43Fc6Dv

Lifeline 13 11 14, 24/7

Su-Rose McIntyre told of being “so alone” after her son died from suicide 14 years ago.

Showered with $1.25m

A Cranbourne man’s morning shower was interrupted in the best way imaginable after he received a phone call from lottery officials confirming his $1.25 million TattsLotto win.

The Melburnian held one of the eight division one winning entries in TattsLotto draw 4377, drawn Saturday 1 July 2023.

Each division one winning entry pocketed $1,250,000.00.

With $1.25 million about to land in his bank account, the long-time player was too stunned to make any concrete plans but had an interstate holiday in mind.

“I haven’t even thought about it. It’s such a blur,” he said

“Perhaps get out of Melbourne.

“Maybe a little holiday to the Gold Coast, it’s nice and hot there.”

The Casey local said he had been playing lotto since he was “about 18 years old”.

“I’m now in my 60s,” he said.

“I received an email from The Lott on Sunday morning about a win.

“I thought it was division two or three – not division one! It’s very unexpected.

His winning 12-game QuickPick was purchased at Cranbourne Authorised Newsagency, 105 High Street, Cranbourne.

OPINION

MP pay-rise ‘inexcusable’

I am writing this to register my dismay and disgust at the announcement of another ‘pay rise’ for our impoverished State politicians.

It would be nice if they lived on the same planet as the rest of us.

Especially given the current circumstances, that is the housing shortage and lack of rental properties, ever-rising interest rates, the cost increases in food, gas, water and electricity, under-employment and its friend income insecurity.

The result of the above, as being seen in people from all backgrounds having to seek

Building climate resilience

The City of Casey has released a draft plan to increase tree canopy cover and build climate resilience across the region, with residents now being asked to provide feedback.

City of Casey Director City Planning and Infrastructure James Collins said the draft plan sets out how Council aims to increase tree canopy cover across the city, which areas will be targeted for more planting and how trees and vegetation in the city will be monitored and managed into the future.

“We listened to what our community told us as part of the extensive community engagement undertaken in 2021, and we used this feedback to help inform our vision to achieve healthy and resilient tree canopies along our streets and in our parks that will benefit our community for many years to come,” he said.

“It became evident through the engagement process that our community sees the benefits of trees in their streets, parks and reserves – and recognises the important responsibility that Council has to invest in planting more trees and vegetation.

“Our urban forest, comprising trees and vegetation on public and private land across the city, is one of the most efficient and cost-effective tools for helping us adapt to climate change, so we believe it is worth protecting, enhancing and investing in.”

A Cranbourne man was shocked to find out he had won $1.25 million. Picture: SUPPLIED

The Cranbourne Authorised Newsagency team said they were overjoyed for their division one winner and wished them all the best with their million-dollar win.

Currently, the council manages more than 203,000 street trees and 179,000 trees in parks within the Casey region.

“In addition to providing shade and reducing urban heat, trees improve the land-

The plan aims to build climate resilience in Casey. Picture: GENERIC

scape and increase property values, create a healthier environment and provide habitat for wildlife and animals,” Mr Collins said.

Mr Collins said there were a number of challenges that left vegetation vulnerable and in need of protection, including climate change, population growth and urban heat.

“The Greening Casey draft plan will help inform the future of the natural environment in Casey, including building our climate resilience,” he said.

The draft strategy provides direction and a vision to grow and enhance tree canopy cover in the City of Casey.

It includes details on best practice management of trees to ensure they thrive well into the future, as well as the protection and growth of trees on private property across the city.

To view the Greening Casey draft plan and provide feedback, visit Casey Conversations by 5pm on Wednesday 26 July.

help, food, clothing and money, etc.

For many this is their first shattering experience of this circumstance. Some will become homeless, sleeping in their cars if they still have one.

By any method of reasoning, the above mentioned ‘pay rise’ is an inexcusable, insensitive, arrogant decision.

Worse than that it is wrong or just plain bloody immoral.

Shame on all of them - Labor, Liberal, Greens, Nationals.

Again, shame on all of you.

Geoff Cain, Endeavour Hills

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs up

Thanks to Casey Hospital Staff for saving my life. Outstanding care and ongoing support given.

Thumbs down

For the disgusting crime that goes on and the police catch them and courts let them go.

Thumbs down

For the pothole on the entrance behind Red Rooster and United Cranbourne.

Thumbs down

To Council for still not putting a finish line on the Criterium track at Casey Fields.

Thumbs down

To Cranbourne Centro - the UP escalator opposite Kmart has NOT been working every time I’ve visited for at least a week.

Thumbs up

For all the caring people out there who just go out of their way to make a strangers life a little better. Thank you.

Thumbs down

To Casey RACE pool yesterday. Took a family of six there. Nobody told us the heater for the kids pool was broken. It was too cold to stay there. Had to bring the children home. Would of been nice to be told before l paid for the entry, plus $71.00 for goggles for the children. Only to go home as they were too cold to swim... great job.

Thumbs down

To those who park across from schools then walk children across avoiding the safety of school crossings.

Thumbs up

To the Lynbrook Community Centre this week for starting a community pantry.

Thumbs up

To all the kids participating in MS Readathon this year! Have fun finding all the “magic” in your books, and your visits to your local library. Happy reading!

SOCIALLY SPEAKING

Four more teens have been arrested over an alleged robbery spree across Melbourne’s East and South East, including in Beaconsfield, Keysborough and Eumemmerring. Here’s what our readers had to say.

Michael Rogers

Just another normal day then in the socialist republic of Victoria!

A Cranbourne man’s morning shower was interrupted in the best way imaginable after he received a phone call from lottery officials confirming his $1.25 million TattsLotto win. Here’s what our readers had to say.

Sue Stride

That’s awesome.

Victorian Northern Metropolitan MP and Liberal Party Member Evan Mulholland has accused the Andrews’ Government of “hoarding“ funds and withholding infrastructure contributions from growth areas like Casey. Here’s what our readers had to say.

Travis Mitchell

The only way to get the cars off the road is simple.. extend the current rail terminus. Restore Rup Rail! To Clyde will not do!

Major works are now complete on the new signalised intersection at CranbourneFrankston, Hall and Evans roads. Here’s what our readers had to say.

Mark Carlson

Great work see it wasn’t that bad after all.

Smoking ceremony opening the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne NAIDOC Week events. 345547

Picture: EMILY CHAPMAN LAING

AI fears over jobs

By Emily Chapman Laing

Berwick has been listed fourth in the top ten Victorian suburbs facing automation shifts in the workplace, according to suburb-data provider Suburbtrends.

An estimated 12,092 people in the area will be facing an increasingly artificial-intelligence-dominant conversion in the workplace.

Pakenham placed seventh on the list, with 11,393 workers expected to be impacted by shifts towards automation.

A recent report from the University of Melbourne Work Futures Hallmark Research Initiative reveals Australian workers are largely unprepared for “future workplace challenges driven by automation and artificial intelligence“, though they aren’t showing much concern.

“We found that most Australians aren’t too worried about being replaced by AI and automation at work, and believe that their skills are adequate to meet the challenges ahead,“ report co-author and human geographer Professor David Bissell said.

“However, our research shows that Australians are cautious adopters of new technologies in the workplace.

“One-in-five say they only adopt new technologies in the workplace when they are forced to, so we need to understand the reasons behind this and facilitate technology use that is inclusive to all.“

Global technology research firm Forrester has warned 1.5 million Australians will be forced out of work as automation technology evolves.

City of Casey Manager Growth and Investment Kathryn Seirlis said the City of Casey “supports“ a “culture of innovation“.

“Our local business community can establish pathways for start-ups to collaborate with the existing industries, and explore new opportunities,“ she said.

“Council has been working with strategic sectors across Casey to identify ways we can help them respond to future trends, including AI.

“We are committed to increasing digital equity to future proof participation in community life, and will continue to work with local industry, education and employment providers to ensure systems are updated accordingly to service the job seekers that need the most assistance.“

Australia’s job market is anticipated to shrink by 11 per cent before 2030.

Those most affected by the change, according to the report, are cubicle workers.

Office clerks, accountants, human resources workers and bookkeepers who perform repetitive tasks are predicted to see a 58 per cent decrease in job availability by 2030.

Middle management roles are also expected to be affected and face concerns over their continuing value in the workplace.

Forrester anticipate a drop of 22 per cent due to displacement from automation.

Conversely, those who specialise in technology can expect an upward trend in job availability, with software and app developers, network and systems administrators, mathematicians and information security specialists needed to maintain and enhance AI performance.

Forrester reported Australia’s high minimum wage as a contributing factor to many businesses opting for automated operations, especially since the cost of intelligent automation reduces over time.

“Understanding the potential ramifications of AI and automation at a granular level is crucial for planning, whether at the policy level, in business strategy, or for individual career development,“ Kent Lardner, the founder of Suburbtrends said.

“These numbers underscore the need for Australia to prepare for a future where AI and automation will undoubtedly play an increasingly pivotal role.

“This transformation could be as profound as the industrial revolution, but with the right preparation, Australia can navigate this change effectively.“

Blaze arrest

A man has been arrested and a dog rescued at the scene of a suspicious housefire in Doveton on 3 July.

Emergency services were called to the Rebecca Street house after reports of smoke and flames about 6.52pm on Monday 3 July.

FRV crews arrived within five minutes, finding the building “fully alight”.

Firies found the dog at the otherwise unoccupied single-storey house.

Lort Smith Animal Hospital was called to provide “health care and wellbeing support” for the dog.

Officers discovered a suspected ‘drug lab’ at the site - but that has not been verified by police. “The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined; however the fire is being treated as suspicious,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said. A 33-year-old Doveton man was arrested and is being questioned by police.

Casey Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating.

“FRV breathing apparatus support was provided and Ambulance Victoria was requested for firefighter welfare,” the FRV stated.

Retire to Pakenham...

345545

Police officers investigate the scene of a suspicious fire in Rebecca Street, Doveton.

Over 12,000 Berwick workers are expected to be affected by automation in the workplace.

Picture: GENERIC

Q&A

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

When I was young I won an effigy competition held for Guy Fawkes night.

The winner of the competition got to light the bonfire.

Unfortunately someone who was in charge of making sure the bonfire would light was a little heavy handed with the accelerant and the moment the match hit the bonfire it erupted in massive flames and I had to jump the safety fence to avoid being set on fire.

What do you love the most about your job?

I love so many things about my job, I am known for saying that I have the best job in the world, but what I love most about it is seeing the people we support experience and participate in things that they would not have been able to if they did not have the support of Blairlogie.

Two standouts would be seeing someone go on an aeroplane for the first time and seeing people move into their own homes after years of dreaming about having their own space.

If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

An eagle or a dolphin.

They both get to enjoy the world from a different perspective, they are both curious.

I would like the fearlessness of the eagle and the playful, protectiveness of the dolphin.

What was your most memorable moment?

Well apart from the bonfire lighting, it would be my 39th birthday party.

I had chefs from O.MY restaurant in Beaconsfield come to my house and prepare an eight course meal for six dinner guests. It was like being in a fancy restaurant but in your own home.

It was an incredible evening.

O.MY is now a two-hatted restaurant and has won a host of awards.

What were you like as a kid?

My Mum tells me I was a bit of a mother hen, always wanting to look after people, but I was also pretty stubborn and strong willed – I fought a lot with my sister as a kid but now we

with Blairlogie CEO Carolyn Carr

are adults we are pretty close. I loved school and I have always had an unquenchable love of learning and a curiosity that I think helps me in my role at Blairlogie. What event, past or present, would you like to witness?

I would like to live in a world where people do not experience homelessness, where every person has access to safe and affordable housing.

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

Louis Theroux, Bruce Springsteen, Barack and Michelle Obama, Urzila Carlson and Michael Parkinson.

What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?

I love listening to peoples stories so when I struggle to sleep I will put Conversations, a podcast from ABC.

Every episode is the story of a person who may or not be famous bot they are always amazing. What three words would your friends use to describe you?

I think they would say I am determined, compassionate and a little unconventional. Where is your happy place?

My happy place is not a specific location, it is linked to the company.

I am happiest when I am with like-minded people, my tribe, those that ‘get me’.

I am very lucky to have many such people in my life.

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

I think I would make creamyTuscan prawn linguine – its delicious.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

Airlie Beach – I just love it.

The weather is fantastic and I love everything that the Whitsundays has to offer.

THREE … tips for Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July is a global movement helping millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution to create cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Here are three ways you can reduce the plastic waste your home produces.

1 Straw solutions

Skip the (plastic straw) or buy stainless steel straws to reduce plastic waste caused by used straws.

2 Boot the bag Swap plastic bin liners for newspaper or certified compostable ones instead.

3 No packaging

Avoid pre-packaged foods by choosing bulk or loose food.

Carolyn with Brett De Lany – one of the original clients that started at Blairlogie in 1987. Picture: SUPPLIED

New JPs needed in Casey

By Emily Chapman Laing

The Cranbourne and Narre Warren Justices of the Peace are encouraging local residents to consider becoming a certified Justice of the Peace (JP).

“For people that are already involved in community activities, becoming a JP is just an extension of that volunteering,” Cranbourne Justice of the Peace Group Secretary Garry Luxford said.

“We all feel good about helping one another.

“JPs are trusted and respected people in the community.”

The primary roles of a JP are to witness a person making a statutory declaration or affidavit, and to certify copies of original documents.

As the population of Casey continues to grow, the JP groups have noticed an “overwhelming” need for their services, with the current number of JPs “struggling to meet the demand” of the community.

Cranbourne Justice of the Peace Group are hoping the recruitment of new JPs in the south Casey area will “ease the load” and help to meet the needs of new growth areas that currently don’t have a Justice of the Peace representing them.

Mr Luxford said he noticed a rising need for JPs over two years ago.

“Especially in Clyde North, Clyde and Cranbourne West,” he said.

Casey’s JPs work from four designated Document Signing Centres.

“The biggest thing about the recruitment is that we encourage prospective JPs to visit a Document Signing Centre and see what’s involved,” Mr Luxford said.

Mr Luxford said while the training to become a JP is mandatory, it doesn’t show the

“magnitude” of the documents JPs are responsible for signing.

He said the best way to see what the role is really like is to visit a Document Signing Centre.

“We welcome all new Justices of the Peace to our City and hopefully will join your local Justice of the Peace groups and join the rosters at the Document Signing Centres.”

Wendy Cantwell, Coordinator of Bunjil Place Library Document Signing Station, has been a JP for over 25 years.

“We have a really diverse group of JPs at Casey,” Ms Cantwell said.

“It’s a wonderful way for people to put back into their community.”

Ms Cantwell said being a JP is about “being accessible to the community” at a Document Signing Centre, even just for a couple of

hours each month.

Local JP Lloma Shaw has been a practicing JP for nearly 20 years.

“As part of my contribution to our community it fits in well with my work with Rotary and the Boards of Balla Balla Community Centre and the ACE (Aiding Casey Education) Foundation,” she said.

“JP work is always interesting and varied and I enjoy meeting people from many cultural backgrounds and also assisting them with their documentation.

“We are ordinary people from many backgrounds and experience but all wish to support our community. “

President of the Cranbourne Justice of the Peace Group, Peter Hooper says working at the Document Signing Centres has been “so rewarding”.

“People often arrive confused by legal documents and language barriers, under stress and even in tears,” he said.

“Seeing them leave smiling is really rewarding. Cranbourne JPs now service the community six days a week in three locations but we’re ageing and need support to share the load in a growing community.”

Mr Hooper said JPs are essential “to release police for their more crucial roles”.

People of all cultural and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Attendance at an information session is mandatory as part of the application.

The next information sessions are available online on Tuesday 11 July and Thursday 13 July at 6pm.

“I admire anyone thinking about becoming a JP because this is a great way to give back to the community and you will have a great sense of pride in volunteering,” Mr Luxford said.

Local Justices of the Peace are available to discuss the role throughout the week at the following Document Signing Centres:

· Balla Balla Community Centre.

· Unit 7/9 Selandra Blvd, Clyde North.

· Monday-Friday 12pm-3pm and Tuesday 12pm-6pm.

· Cranbourne West Community Centre.

· 4 Flicka Blvd, Cranbourne West.

· Monday 12pm-6pm, Wednesday 5:30pm6:30pm and Thursday 5pm-7pm.

· Connected Libraries Cranbourne.

· 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Rd, Cranbourne East.

· Saturday 10am-12pm.

· Bunjil Place.

· 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren.

· Monday-Friday 10am-12pm and Tuesday 4pm-6pm.

Cranbourne Justice of the Peace Ian Robottom at the Document Signing Station in Balla Balla Community Centre. 345552 Picture: EMILY CHAPMAN LAING

FOCUS ON … SENIORS ENJOYING LIFE

Tour Local experience

Tour Local is a locally based, family run, coach tour business of 14 years - specializing in seniors group travel, both for days tours and extended tours all throughout Australia.

The mother and son duo, Joanne and Ray, along with their small team of hand-picked driver-guides, have a passion for touring, and for providing enjoyable, memorable, and immersive experiences to all who board their buses.

With their Small Group Touring Guarantee, you can rest assured that with Tour Local, you’ll be travelling as a name, not a number.

As Ray puts it, “we never fill our coach - we know how much people like to travel as part of an intimate group, which fosters new friendships and leads to more enjoyable experiences - this is why on our 41 seat coach, we’d rarely have more than 20 people on board”.

Not only this, but being local and still slightly old-fashioned, Tour Locals prides themselves on their Home Pickup and Returns for any Extended Tour with them, meaning that a traveler embarking on their tour is picked up right from their front door and returned there at tours end.

This is only available for those in Metro Melbourne, Gippsland, and the Mornington Peninsula at the moment, however, they have plenty of methods in place for those coming from out West or even interstate, to still join them on tour!

With tours ranging from short 5 Day holidays around Victoria, such as their Silo Art Trail, or the longer journeys venturing up through the Red Centre and even up to Broome, there is something for everyone with Tour Local.

Tour Local also provides private group travel, for either day tours, or on an extended tour

- so if you are part of a Probus Group, Village, Garden Group, or Social group, make sure you get in touch with the family team atTour Local,

and let them take care of ensuring your next journey is one to remember.

Tour Local also have a special for $250pp off

all Extended Tours for 2023. Contact Tour Local on 5941 8800 or bookings@tourlocal.com.au

Tour Local’s Joanne and Ray have you covered.

Down-sizing made easy

For 20 years, Lifestyle Communities has lived and breathed the wants and needs of the downsizer homeowner; consistently refining our approach, communities and homes to not only meet your needs - but exceed them! And with two decades of experience behind us, our focus on giving our homeowners what they want; and what they need, has never been sharper.

We build beautiful, downsizer-centric homes across Melbourne, Geelong, the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas and Regional Victoria, complemented by stunning amenities that engender connectivity and wellbeing.

You can choose to live where the holiday never ends. At Lifestyle Communities, you can spend your days soaking up the serene surroundings or spruce up your daily grind with access to stunning amenities a short stroll from your front door.

Located at the heart of your community, the Clubhouse is architecturally designed with plenty of space for you to relax, recharge or reenergise.

An extension of your own home, you’ll have a host of lifestyle-enhancing facilities* at your fingertips, including:

· BBQ Area

· Billiards

· Business Centre

· Electric car

· Cinema

· Community Shuttle

· Croquet Court

· DogWash

· Electric Bikes

· Fishing boat

· Gym

· Indoor Pool

· Library

· Makers Studio

· Micro Brewery

· Orchard

· Outdoor Pool

· Pickleball Court

· Spa

· Tennis Court

Across our communities, we’ve designed, installed and delivered a range of resort style amenities and surrounds for our homeowners to call their own.

If there’s one thing we’ve always stayed committed to in our two decades of business, it’s helping our homeowners upsize their lifestyles when they downsize to a Lifestyle Community.

Our world class amenities give‘staycation’ a whole new meaning.

Call us to discuss your downsizing dream today 1300 50 55 60. *Facilities may vary depending on the community location.

High tea for CALD youth

On Saturday 1 July Emma Vulin MP attend the ‘Changing Narratives High Tea’ in Officer as the keynote speaker along with Victorian Multicultural Commissioner Viv Nguyen.

The event was organised by Africa Australia: Inspire Lead Educate Advocate for Change (AfriAus Ileac), the overall aims of the afternoon were to celebrate contributions of CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse)/multicultural youth towards promoting gender equity, creating awareness of active bystander behaviours and challenging drivers of violence against women.

Approximately 100 people attended the high tea, which also helped promote the GirlForce program, which aims to support and provide leadership opportunities for young women.

Mercy Akango, the founder of This Life Foundation in Uganda, spoke of her incredible journey and her passion to have an impact and

empower the lives of women and girls as part of the workshop.

“She was an inspiration,” Ms Vulin said.

“We discussed passive bystander prevention and how important it is that girls recognise their worth and continue to stand up for women and girls.

“Many thanks to Rabecca Mphande from AfriAus Ileac who organised the event and all the partner agencies and volunteers in particular, Khatija Halabi and the Girlforce participants.”

Participants also received a LUVPACK of culturally appropriate food relief.

The 2023 Changing Narratives High Tea: Passive Bystander Prevention & GirlForce Awards was supported through a Victorian Government Grant though the Department of Families Fairness and Housing (Multicultural Affairs Office).

The ‘Changing Narratives High Tea’ celebrated contributions of our CALD multicultural youth towards promoting gender equity. Pictures: SUPPLIED

The event was organised by Africa Australia: Inspire Lead Educate Advocate for Change.

Wamarra builds for works

Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV), Symal and Wamarra earlier this year completed the building of the site compound for Princes Freeway upgrade on Bunurong land in Pakenham.

An Aboriginal-owned and operated civil contractor based here in Victoria, Wamarra works with Aboriginal people and their communities, helping them to get into the construction industry and create long-term career opportunities.

In only three years in operation, Wamarra, which derives its name from the Wiradjuri word meaning ‘to build’, has grown substantially and now works across several MRPV and Victorian Big Build sites.

Working alongside MRPV and Symal in that

time has enabled Wamarra to expand to 90 employees, including 55 Aboriginal employees, and be part of MRPV projects in Victoria including the Pakenham Roads Upgrade.

The recently completed Monash Freeway Upgrade and Hallam North and Heatherton Roads Upgrade and also the Narre Warren North Road Upgrade include construction by Wamarra in site compounds and landscaping.

The Pakenham Roads Upgrade is a Federal Government initiative being delivered by Major Road Projects Victoria which involves adding extra lanes, interchange upgrades and walking paths along Princes Freeway at the McGregor and Healesville-Kooweerup Road exits.

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

• Officer - High Horse Cafe Cotswold Crescent

• Officer - 7-11 Service Station Officer Princes Highway

• Officer - Officer Bakehouse Princes Highway

• Officer - Chelles Soul Food Princes Highway

• Officer - Officer Post Office Princes Highway

• Officer - Arena Cafe - Arena Shopping Centre Princes Highway

• Officer - Arena Shopping Centre Princes Highway

• Officer - Cardinia Shire Council Office Rix Road

• Officer - Chathlys Kitchen Siding Avenue

• Pakenham -Pakenham Heights Cafe & Milk Bar Ahern Road

• Pakenham - Pakenham Produce & Saddlery Bormar Drive

• Pakenham - Deep Creek Reserve Cafe Cameron Way

• Pakenham - Foodworks Henry Road

• Pakenham - Pakenham Health Centre Henty Way

• Pakenham - Stellas Cafe and Takeaway Hogan Court

• Pakenham - Pakenham Central Marketplace John Street

• Pakenham - Four Seasons Cafe John Street (Pakenham Central Marketplace)

• Pakenham - The Coffee Club John Street (Pakenham Central Marketplace)

• Pakenham - Punjab Street Chaat Corner John Street

• Pakenham - Pakenham Library Cnr John Street & Henry Street

• Pakenham - Gloria Jeans Koo Wee Rup Road

• Pakenham - Frankies Cafe Lakeside Boulevard (Village Lakeside SC)

• Pakenham - Cardinia Cultural Centre Lakeside Boulevard Cnr Waterford Rise

• Pakenham - Pakenham Hills General Store Leigh Drive

• Pakenham - Homestead Cafe @ The Heritage Livingstone Boulevard (Heritage SC)

• Pakenham - The Heritage Shopping Centre Livingstone Boulevard

• Pakenham - Pakenham Place Shopping Centre Main Street

• Pakenham - NewsXpress - Pakenham Main Street

• Pakenham - Vanille Bistro Main Street

• Pakenham - Bakery 127 Main Street

• Pakenham - Twisted Sista Cafe & Gelateria Main Street

• Pakenham - Kebabs Pakenham Main Street

• Pakenham - The Great Australian Bakehouse Main Street

• Pakenham - Robert Gordon Pottery & Kitchen Mulcahy Road

• Pakenham - Pakenham YMCA Olympic Way

• Pakenham - Spill the Beanz Coffee Shop Princes Highway

• Pakenham -

Wamarra has also worked on Monash Freeway Upgrade and Hallam North and Heatherton Roads Upgrade and also the Narre Warren North Road Upgrade.

Wamarra is an Aboriginal-owned and operated civil contractor based here in Victoria working with Aboriginal people and their communities. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Wamarra completed construction of site compound for the Pakenham Roads Upgrade Bunurong land in Pakenham.

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WHAT’S ON

NAIDOC Kids Craft

Join Westfield Fountain Gate for free kids art & craft activities on Tuesday 4 July and Friday 7 July. To celebrate NAIDOC Week, participants will be decorating their favourite Australian animal or a boomerang.

· Westfield Fountain Gate, 25/55 Overland Drive, Narre Warren on Tuesday 4 July and Friday 7 July, 10am to 1pm.

Christmas in July

The Christmas in July Night Market is back for 2023! Head to Akoonah Park on Friday July 28 to enjoy a magical Christmas-themed night market experience. Try some delicious food and drinks, browse a huge range of exciting stalls, listen to some live music, and take in the unique local market atmosphere.

· Akoonah Park, 2 Cardinia Street, Berwick on Friday 28 July, 4pm-9pm.

Winter Plant Sale

Join the Cranbourne Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Growing Friends Group for their winter plant sale. This event is a great opportunity to purchase some gorgeous greenery while taking in the stunning Australian Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. A large variety of Australian native plants will be available. A plant list will be available on the Growing Friends website approximately a week before the sale. EFTPOS will be available. The plant sale will be held at the northern end of the Australian Garden. Parking and entry is available nearby (look for the large red banners). Plant sale dates: Saturday and Sunday 22nd and 23rd July, 2023

Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, Cnr Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July from 10am-4pm.

· Times: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on both days

Native American-Style Flute Workshop

Discover the native American-style flute a sacred sound instrument with medicine drum and rattle to evoke healing music within you… creativity is waiting to be explored. In this free 90 minute workshop, you will find hands-on experience with a professional musician, how the flute can be played for sound healing and how to connect to your creativity through sacred sound. No musical experience required – great for total beginners. You’ll be guided by musician/teacher and coach Peta Minter, who provides a safe learning environment for all. Boost your confidence, creativity and wellness through the power of music.

Tickets available via Facebook and Eventbrite.

· Positive Music home studio Narre Warren on Friday 14 July, 11am-12:30pm.

The Lost Dogs’ Disco

Calling all dog lovers! This winter a pack of dogs are moving into the Bunjil Place Plaza to have some fun.

The Lost Dogs’ Disco is a temporary sculpture that celebrates the place of dogs in our lives. Visitors journey through an immersive installation of 16 dogs, some up to 5.5m tall, all in various states of repose – curled-up, standing, even touching noses. There are four distinct characters, inspired by three dog breeds: Poodles, Bull Terriers and Dachshunds. As visitors journey through the happy pack, the dogs’ coats light up and they greet passersby with happy grunts to celebrate each new person’s arrival. The Lost Dogs’ Disco is a hallowed place for dogs and every newcomer to the disco is greeted as a fellow disco dog. The installation features a custom sound design of electronic music that captures the beauty and pathos of a dog’s life including a chorus of barks, growls, howls and all kinds of doggie hullabaloo. FREE and family friendly.

· Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Warren from Saturday 24 June - Sunday 16 July, 10am-10pm.

Woodworkers Expo

Presented as part of the City of Casey Winter Arts Festival, the Berwick District Woodworkers will open their doors to the public to showcase the incredible work of members, including furniture, woodturning, carving, pyrography, scroll saw work, rocking horses, toys, and a range of other aspects of woodworking.

The expo will feature work at all skill levels from beginners to national award winners, with live demonstrations of various woodworking techniques throughout the weekend.

There will also be a raffle, activities for children, an opportunity to purchase pieces for sale, and the Farmers Market on the Saturday morning. You can also watch the second chain saw carving sculpture come to life. Last year was the Powerful Owl … can you guess what it will be this year? The Berwick Woodworkers Club welcomes visitors of all ages and interests to at-

Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody

Without a doubt, Queen is amongst the greatest rock bands of the twentieth century and Freddie Mercury is hailed by many as the most charismatic and flamboyant performer in contemporary rock.

Now, fresh off the heels of the successful Bohemian Rhapsody movie, comes an all new Queen tribute show from well-known Australian Freddie Mercury impersonator Thomas Crane.

Thomas, with his hot band Bohemian Rhapsody, bring back to life the visual excitement, sound and stage energy as witnessed at a Queen concert.

See all your favourite Queen hits like We Will Rock You, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Are The Champions, Radio Ga Ga, A Kind of Magic, I Want To Break Free, Another One Bites the Dust and of course Bohemian Rhapsody.

Come and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of supergroup Queen at Bunjil Place Theatre.

· Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren on Friday 28 July, 8pm10:20pm.

tend this free event.

· Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Road, Berwick, Friday 7 July 5pm-8pm, Saturday 8 July 9am-5pm and Sunday 9 July 9am-5pm. Berwick Farmers Market

The Berwick Farmers Market at The Old Cheese Factory is held every 2nd Saturday monthly. You’ll find fresh fruit and vegetables, free range eggs and meats, olives and oil, honey, nuts and grains, dairy and cheeses, breads and pastries and much more!

There’s coffee and tea, loads for brekkie or to take home for lunch. Entry is by voluntary gold coin donation. Well behaved dogs on a leash are permitted at the market.

· Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Road, Berwick on Saturday 8 July, 8am-12:30pm.

Pioneer Girls and Flappers:

Australia’s early female munitions workers

The Narre Warren District Family History Group will be hosting their July meeting with a presentation from historian and archivist Katie Wood. During World War Two, tens of thousands of Australian women found work in the munitions industry in a period when women’s industrial employment was regarded as a novelty. Many don’t realise that women’s work in munitions began far earlier, all the way back to the 1880s.

Their story is a rollicking tale of explosions, strikes, politics, picnics, and more.

In this talk, Katie Wood will bring to life this fascinating history, which has touched so many families.

· L’Arte Central Social Enterprise Cafe Training Room 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne on Saturday 15 July at 2pm.

‘Enchanted beneath the Bluff’ book meeting

Local history author Heather Arnold has a new book telling an inspiring Australian tale.

Called ‘Enchanted Beneath the Bluff, Agnes & Geraldine’s Pursuit of Elwood’s Elusive Black Diamonds’, the book takes you on the spiritual journey of two Elwood women trying to prosperity to Colonial Victoria of the 1890s.

Heather Arnold is a local historian who is the President of the Kooweerup Swamp Historical Society, she will be speaking at the event on her new book.

· The event will be at 5.30pm, Wednesday 19 July at the Berwick Mechanics Institute & Free Library, 15 High Street, Berwick.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Registered Nurses (RN) - Permanent full time and part time positions available Fancy a sea change?

Banfields Aged Care is part of a familyowned Australian Aged Care Group Pty Ltd (AACG), which prides itself on imagination and innovation in caring for the aged. We are located at 192 Thompson Avenue, Cowes, Phillip Island a short stroll into town for the local beach and shops. Set amongst beautiful landscaped grounds. Banfields Aged care is a 90 bed residential care facility which provides an extensive range of services.

We are seeking motivated and dedicated Registered Nurses to be part of our team. Your responsibilities will be to provide nursing care guided by the Director of Care including medication management, clinical practice and supervision, documentation, wound management, and palliative care. The successful candidates will have:

-Registered Nurse qualifications and current AHPRA registration.

-Previous experience in residential aged care essential.

-Ability to lead, motivate & educate staff.

- Strong communication skills.

- Team player qualities.

Additionally, you will need:

- Current influenza vaccination.

- Three COVID-19 vaccinations.

- Current Police Check.

- Current Victorian Drivers Licence. Successful employee benefits:

-Competitive Remuneration Package (above award wages).

- Travel allowance.

- FREE onsite parking.

-Career development and progression within a growing organisation. We are a non-smoking facility.

If you believe you have the qualities and skills we are looking for please forward your resume to Reception via email reception@banfields.com.au

Paint to donate to charity

This July, Annie Sloan stockists across Australia, including Pakenham, are invited to partner with not-for-profits (NFPs), charities and organisations in their local community to paint – and then donate – furniture for them to use, pass on to those in need, or sell for fundraising.

Aprile Remmali is a Pakenham Lakeside local who has been painting for years and recently became an Annie Sloan stockist.

Aprile was quick to jump on board the charity drive.

“I have been painting for seven years and I am passionate about up-cycling,” she said.

“I have mainly been painting and giving to friends and family, then there was this opportunity become a stockist to help and influence people locally, so I put my hand up.”

The idea behind the paint to donate drive is that community organisations that recieve local donations, often end up with shabby furniture that is tired looking and sometimes unsafe.

Paint to Donate Australia’s objective is to work together to give new life to donated furniture with paint.

The initiative is also has sustainability in mind, wishing to reduce the approximately 30,000 tonnes of furniture that makes its way to Australian landfill each year.

It means that community groups, schools, charities, or not-for-profit (NFP) organisations receive donated furniture that is useful and safe.

Aprile hopes to bring this message to the local area.

“I am the first Annie Sloan stockist in the Pakenham area, I want to influence and teach others to take up painting, you can help others and it’s fantastic for the environment and for mental health,” she said.

Exactly which community group each of the Annie Sloan stockists supports for Paint to

Donate Australia is up to them.

Stockists will start by liaising with their favourite local charity or community not-forprofit group, while some will hold their own Paint to Donate Workshop to create greater connections with their local community as well.

While the efforts will continue over the next months, Aprile has a planned figured out, she will be working with Bless Collective, a charity in Pakenham which has been providing food,

Part-Time Telesales Representative

Star News Group is an innovative and dynamic media company located in Pakenham, Victoria. As a leading publisher of print and digital news, we are looking for a part-time Telesales Representative to join our team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for increasing revenue by selling our products and services to potential and existing customers via phone call. This is a part-time role with flexible hours.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of existing customers and develop relationships with new customers.

• Conduct outbound telesales calls to promote our products and services.

• Achieve and exceed sales targets and KPIs.

• Keep accurate and updated records of customer interactions and sales leads.

• Coordinate with the sales and marketing team to align sales strategies and campaigns.

• Telesales or cold-calling experience is preferred but not essential.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

• Results driven and target-oriented mindset.

• Strong organisational and time management skills.

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

• Strong attention to detail.

The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.

Send your application letter and resume to:

Advertising Sales Manager

Mandy Clark

mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au

clothing and supplies for those in need since 2016.

“The plan is to paint in July and then in August it will be donated to blessed collective where it will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to their work,” Aprile said.

While Aprile will also be holding a class for those to get into painting.

“I will also hold a class to teach people painting and upcycling, where I hope others will get involved too,” she said.

Annie Sloan encourages all its stockists to check their garages and homes for old furniture items that are gathering dust – or scout for a free roadside find they can help improve and donate.

Paint to Donate Australia will be held over July and August, it will culminate with finished painted pieces being handed over to NFPs, charities and community groups in need during Keep Australia Beautiful Week from 7 to 13 August.

Print and Online Sales Executive Star

Star News Group seeks an enthusiastic sales executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms.

Star News Group is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future.

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.

Sales skills/experience:

• Ability to maintain existing professional relationships and to create new ones

• Ability to meet defined sales and activity targets

• Excellent listening skills

• Accuracy and attention to detail

• Effective time management to meet deadlines

• Ability to operate in a team

• Demonstrates initiative and flexibility

• Effective oral and written communication

Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.

The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.

Send your application letter and resume to:

Advertising Sales Manager Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au

Aprile with one of her paint classes.

Local Aprile Remalli is participating in Annie Sloan’s Paint to Donate. Pictures: SUPPLIED

SPORT

Chemistry at Magpies core

By Marcus Uhe

Brad Scalzo, Tom Miller, Kurt Mutimer.

Big sized players, big game players.

From low external expectations to begin the season, Pakenham has established an identity as a resilient, hard-working bunch of plucky youngsters unafraid of challengers thrown at them.

But identities don’t get much more formidable than premiership stars, a tight group who have faced many a battle together over the years in the black and white jumper.

A stoppage at halfback early in a stagnant third quarter saw Lachlan Benson combine with Miller to put Tom Toner in space, who verbally demanded a lead from Will Howe and put the Sherrin in his outstretched hands.

While only a fleeting moment in the contest, you could see the chemistry flowing from within the home side that you simply can’t include on a team sheet.

Despite being pushed for large periods by Pakenham at home on Saturday, the class, experience and cohesion from Narre Warren allowed them to turn their best footy on when it was required in the 65-point win, 15.18 108 to 6.7 43.

Whether the beginning of Wimbledon on Monday played into their thinking is a mystery, but both sides engaged in a game of tennis early in the match.

Narre Warren would win a clearance and put the ball deep into their forward line, before Pakenham’s backs would rally and repel the footy from defensive 50.

Their reward? A quick breather and the chance to settle their feet, before gearing up for another foray.

Without full back Jackson Berry, the Pakenham defensive group were overwhelmed at times by the weight of numbers coming into its territory.

The Magpies had two goals and led 15-0 before Pakenham even went inside 50 for the first time in the seventh minute.

Before long the reigning premiers had five on the board, as Howe joined the party with two of his own.

The disparity in skill level and execution between two sides was vast, and poor accuracy in front of goal saved the visitors from a firstquarter mauling.

As the first term came to a conclusion, the emergence of sunlight brought with it some attacking flair from the visitors.

The influence of Jake Barclay grew, and his willingness to take an inside option to find Matt Vaiano in the middle resulted in a shot on goal for Jake Thompson to put them on the board late in the quarter, finishing the

term 29 points down.

The aggressive ball use late in the quarter seemed to spark some dare, and flowed into the second term with some ballsy switches.

Where Narre Warren wanted to play almost exclusively on the scoreboard side of the ground, Pakenham was prepared to chop up the facilities side where the conditions were sodden.

Barclay and Vaiano would combine again for Pakenham’s second, but this time the roles were reversed, as the bullocking forward found his captain in a nest of Magpies at centre-halfforward.

But for all the success they were having, Narre Warren was able to answer with brute strength and numbers when it mattered.

The experience and wisdom of Scalzo and Mutimer in particular in the middle was evident around stoppages, combining with ease against an inferior midfield group.

When Pakenham was forced to kick long to a contest, it was often to an outnumber, configured through constant communication from Trent Papworth, Joel Zietsman and co behind the ball.

Pakenham had definitely weathered the early storm, and adjustments at the first break were having an influence as it held Narre Warren to just a single goal in the second term to keep the contest alive.

Critically, an incidental blow to the head

in the dying stages of the quarter saw Barclay come from the field in what would be his last effort for the contest, not returning in the second half.

The halftime break allowed for a reset of both teams and the conditions, but the first few minutes with the ball trapped in the waterlogged pocket instantly transformed the footy into a cake of soap.

Locking the ball in its half of the ground for the early stages of the quarter did not translate to scoreboard ascendancy, however, as Pakenham could only manage one behind.

At the other end, NarreWarren’s first forward foray was clinical, finishing with Howe kicking his third, and soon enough the margin grew to 50 points midway through the third term, thanks to another off the boot of Mutimer.

Now with a reputation to defend as a second-half, come-from-behind team, Pakenham’s persistence was facing its hardest challenge to date.

They responded with the next three goals, lifting their output around the contest despite the absence of its inspirational captain and chaining with handballs thought the middle of the ground.

Thompson added a second, Tyrell Bignoux nailed Narre Warren ruck Benson with a brilliant tackle deep in the pocket and slotted the resulting kick, before Thompson kicked his third to return the contest to a five-goal margin.

Kicking consecutive goals for the first time in the contest meant Pakenham entered the final quarter with wind in its sails, and on the back of three come-from-behind wins, there was anticipation at the prospect of whether they could do the unthinkable once again.

But darkness descended over Kalora Park as Narre Warren flicked a switch.

Three goals in the opening 10 minutes to the Magpies quickly put the game beyond reach for Pakenham, under immense pressure from a side with a better understanding of how to win than most.

Much like in the opening stages of the game, the Magpies locked the ball in the front half through forcing turnovers and allowed Howe and Jessie Davies to go to work.

Both kicked two in the final term as the margin grew, punctuated with a spectacular torpedo after the final siren from Miller in a near-identical location to Dan Houston’s later on Saturday night for Port Adelaide, the cherry on top of a 108-43 cake.

Despite not getting the result, Pakenham won’t lose any respect from its league counterparts, now able to boast that they have kept the reigning premiers to two of its four lowest scores in the campaign to date.

Leaders in James Harrison and Jordan Stewart continue to set an excellent example, as do fellow senior players Jaiden Camenzuli and Vaiano.

It all comes down to this as finals fever hits the oche

By Marcus Uhe

Finals action has arrived in the South West Gippsland Dart League following an exciting conclusion to the regular season.

With Just Social’s position atop the mountain assured, the seedlings in the remaining spots in the top four was the major source of intrigue as anticipation built at the Cardinia Club in Pakenham.

Three teams finishing tied for second meant percentage was required to separate the trio for the right to play the ladder leaders.

Despite falling to 26ers 7-8, Warriors’ far superior percentage ensured they were able to stay in second place, to claim the doublechance in next week’s first final against Just Social, and the chance to progress straight through to the grand final.

While in third and fourth, a win to Snipers 9-6 over Gembrook, and Paky One’s bye saw the two trade places.

The winner of Paky One and Snipers will face the loser of Warriors and Just Social for the second spot in the decider.

In the bottom half of the eight, the four to

Hank and the Warriors will need to be at their best against Just Social this week. 342065

play-off for the Don Brown Memorial Trophy was also settled, with Rebels and 26ers locking themselves into the prime positions.

Rebels thrashed The Hoodies 13-2 while 26ers pulled off the aforementioned upset over Warriors.

In the knockout finals, 26ers will battle seventh-placed Gembrook and Rebels will face Bullseyes, who finished eighth, with the winner of both matches progressing straight to the big dance.

Bullseyes don’t come into the clash with winning form, having dropped their final game of the season to Fore 10-5, and without a win since round 15.

Dean from Snipers finished the season atop the tons list with 127, ahead of Terry from Just Social on 101 and Ant from Warriors on 85.

Dean also topped the 180s count with five for the season.

Results R22: Just Social 12 v Mud Rats 3, Snipers 9 v Gembrook 6, Fore 10 v Bullseyes 5, Rebels 13 v Hoodies 2, 26ers 8 v Warriors 7. LadderR22: Just Social 68,Warriors 60, Snipers 60, Paky One 60, Rebels 52, 26ers 52, Gembrook 28, Bullseyes 20, Fore 20, Mud Rats 16, The Hoodies 0.

Fixture Finals Week One: Just Social (1) v Warriors (2), Snipers (3) v Paky One (4), Rebels (5) v Bullseyes (8), 26ers (6) v Gembrook (7).

Picture: SUPPLIED

Jordan Stewart gets a handball away as Jake Richardson applies the pressure. 344555

Picture: ROB CAREW

Bunyip wins rivalry round

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Bunyip Districts has handed Pakenham a brutal reality check in the local football rivalry with a 7-0 win.

The hosts led 3-0 at halftime, before it gotuglyinthe20minutesafterthebreakas the margin blew out to six goals, increasing further in the 84th minute at Heatherbrae Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

Kevin Heaney slammed through the first via a penalty, eight minutes in, to net an important win for the fourth-placed Strikers, which has them equal on points with second-placed Aspendale.

That demoralising loss follows three wins in the last four games for Pakenham, who will now have a week off before facing Mount Eliza, one point above them on the ladder.

Hampton Park United Sparrows remains undefeated after 14 games, easing past Rosebud 2-0.

Results: Mount Martha 4 v Barton 0, Bunyip 7 v Pakenham 0, Mentone 1 v Aspendale 0, Hampton Park United Sparrows 2 v Rosebud 0.

Rovers roll Wandin

By Marcus Uhe

Mt Evelyn has done what no side has been able to do all year, throwing a cat amongst the pigeons with a one-goal win over Wandin at the kennel.

Previously undefeated heading into the contest, you’d be hard-pressed to find a challenge in A-Grade netball bigger than not only beating Wandin, but doing it on the Bulldogs’ home court.

Having only fallen by five goals in the round one encounter and entering the contest as one of the form teams of the league, wining their last four, the Rovers were primed to do something big, and they delivered in spades.

Leading at every break, the Rovers withstood a final quarter flurry to secure the vital 52-51 victory that will resonate across the competition. Kaitlyn Black did a superb job on Wandin star Emmalia Blake, restricting her to her second-lowest goal-scoring total of the season with 35.

The loss brings Wandin to only two points clear on the table of its conquerors and Narre Warren, in third and second respectively.

The Magpies thrashed Pakenham 66-28, thanks largely to a breathtaking 20-2 opening quarter.

The under-strength Lions, featuring four

players from their first A Grade contest of 2023, were no match for the rapid and decisive ball movement Narre Warren could offer.

Jemma Osborne was on fire under the ring for the Magpies, barely missing a shot in the opening half as a chief benefactor of the slick ball movement.

After Pakenham were able to regroup at the first break, the Lions offered considerably more resistance to the Magpies’ ballistic movement, and had a renewed focus to maximise the height of Ashwini Nadarajah under the post.

But for every win Pakenham had, Narre Warren was a step ahead, able to answer back regularly when required.

The lead extended at every break, and a typically ruthless Magpies even saved one of their best quarters for last in a 17-7 close to the game.

Lupe Fonua continues to impress for last year’s runner up, having earned promotion from the 17-under squad earlier in the campaign, as did Pakenham pair Abby Curtis and Elayne Schneider.

Narre Warren can jump Wandin and take top-spot if they can inflict a second consecutive defeat on the Bulldogs at home next week, in what shapes as a mouth-watering contest.

At Holm Park, Beaconsfield snapped its

two-game losing streak with a five-goal victory over Monbulk.

The Eagles trailed at the opening break but outscored the Hawks 37-29 for the remainder of the contest to finish 48-43 in the ascendency.

Elizabeth Murphy made a welcome return for the Eagles, nailing 42 goals in her first game since round four.

At Upwey Tecoma, 30 goals off the bench on A-Grade debut from Sophia Bloch helped Olinda Ferny Creek thrash the Tigers.

Bloch stepped-up in the absence of Hayley Howard and filled the vacancy with aplomb in the 60-35 victory.

The reigning champions outscored the Tigers 50-26 after the first quarter in a muchneeded percentage boost as they endeavour to remain in-touch with the top four.

Berwick is back on the winners list, having thrashed Gembrook Cockatoo by 35 goals at home.

Needing a win after dropping its last six, a resolute defensive performance kept the Brookers to a miserly five goals across the second and third quarter, including just one in the third, where the home side added 16 of its own.

An even spread of contributors saw Emma Clarke add 24, Brooke Abu-Jaber 15 and Darcy Utber 17, while Chelsea Ingram added 14 for the Brookers.

Ladder: Hampton Park United Sparrows 38, Aspendale 25, Rosebud 25, Bunyip 25, Mentone 24, Casey Panthers 22, Seaford 22, Mount Martha 16, Mount Eliza 10, Pakenham 9, Barton 1.

Fixture: Mount Eliza v Mount Martha, Aspendale v Casey, Seaford v Hampton Park United Sparrows, Rosebud v Barton, Mentone v Bunyip District. Pakenham - Bye.

There was no celebrations for Hamza Ahmed and his team this weekend.

Titans still in the hunt after turning up the heat at Toomuc

By David Nagel

Berwick Springs has kept its faint finals hopes alive in Outer EastWomen’s Division One football with a commanding 7.3.45 to 1.4.10 victory over Pakenham at Toomuc Reserve on Sunday.

The composition of the six-team competition means all teams front each other three times throughout the season, and this was the third meeting between the Titans and Lions this year.

Pakenham prevailed in the opening two contests in hard-fought affairs, but it was theTitans who took hold of this one from the outset.

The Titans played strong, hard, team football, winning the clearance battle and putting immense pressure on the Lions’ defensive unit.

The visitors thoroughly deserved their 14-point lead at quarter time, with Jess George, Georgia Kristalyn, Megan Witchell and Felicity Jouvelet building that margin to 18 at the major interval.

Pakenham had the better of the third quarter, cutting the margin to 11 at three-quartertime and threatened a last-quarter comeback.

But the Titans put the foot down even fur-

ther, finishing off in fine style with a 4.0 to 0.0 final term to walk away with a much-deserved 35-point victory.

The Titans spread the load evenly up forward with Abbey Worland kicking two goals and George, Sheridan Holland, Jouvelet,Witchell and Kim Emile chiming in with a goal apiece.

Courtney Stephens kicked the only sixpointer for the Lions, who had Courtney Karayannis, Chloe Nagel, Amanda Hobba and Tianah Vandesteeg in good form around the ground.

The Titans are now just two games outside the top four, and play fourth-placed Olinda ferny Creek this week.

Pakenham, now with some injury concerns, take on bottom-placed Monbulk at Monbulk.

Olinda Ferny Creek has claimed its biggest scalp of the season, rolling reigning-premier Upwey-Tecoma by six points in a tense battle at Upwey.

The Bloods burst out of the blocks, kicking 3.1 to 2.0 in a high-scoring first term, before the Tigers fought back to lead by two points at half time.

Olinda regained ascendency in the third, kicking 1.4 to 0.0, to take an eight-point lead to the final change.

The Tigers gave everything they could, but the Bloods held on to score their biggest victory of the season.

Olivia Edwards, Olive Kelly, Amalija Kostich and Claudia Pitts kicked a goal each for Olinda,

while Dakota Roach snagged two for the Tigers. Claire Hyett, Chloe Kanally, Anja Hulston and Anna Hughson were best for the winners. And Healesville remains undefeated after a 63-point victory over Monbulk.

The ladder leaders were brilliant early, kicking 4.3 to 0.0 in the first term to stamp their class on proceedings.

Star-performer Paula Pavic was terrific for Healesville with three goals, while Ishka-belle Stock kicked two and Cassy Wilsmore was in fine form around the ground.

Maddi Dodd, Josie Ford and Indy Bakker were best for the bottom-placed Hawks. OE Women Results R11: Healesville 8.15.63 def Monbulk 0.0.0, Upwey Tecoma 3.5.23 def Olinda Ferny Creek 4.5.29, Pakenham 1.4.10 def by Berwick Springs 7.3.45.

Ladder: Healesville 44, Upwey Tecoma 32, Pakenham 24, Olinda Ferny Creek 20, Berwick Springs 12, Monbulk 0.

Fixture R12: Healesville (1) v Upwey Tecoma (2) - 10.30am, Monbulk (6) v Pakenham (3)4.45pm, Berwick Springs (5) v Olinda Ferny Creek (4) - 4.45pm.

338700 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Berwick Springs proved too good for Pakenham in their big clash at Toomuc Reserve on Sunday. 345144 Picture: EUAN POULTON

Narre Warren centre Brittany Mashado looks for a teammate during the Magpies’ win over Pakenham. 344555

Picture: ROB CAREW

Make FiRST Early Learning your FiRST stop!

have lots of time to give them cuddles and help them have a happy day.

Sometimes we go and visit our little friends because we want to make sure they are having a good time, just like us big kinders. Some of my friends have baby brothers and sisters and it’s so much fun visiting them throughout our busy day.

FiRST early learning — ‘About Children, being Children’ (Suostei tae anak sokh sabbay te).

Hello, how are you? My name is Savina and I am 3 years old. Did you know, I’m a big kinder girl and I’m from Cambodia.

I love FiRST early learning because the teachers are so nice and kind. They always smile when I arrive in the morning and sometimes if I am sad to leave Mummy or Daddy, my teacher gives me a big hug, holds my hand, and says, “It’s okay Savina, we have plenty of fun things for you to do when you are ready”, now that’s kind, don’t you think?

We have smaller children and babies in our centre as well, they all go and play in other rooms because they’re little, but so cute. They’re rooms are small, so their teachers

We have lots of excursions and incursions and my Mummy says I get to go to something every week. My friends and I go on a big bus to bush kinder, and my favourite is going to swimming lessons with all, my friends. It’s a big indoor pool so we get to swim all the year through, did you know I can even put my head under water and kick my legs to swim with my kick board, now that’s clever. My Mummy can’t believe it when I tell her, so my teachers show her photos, yep! my Mummy and Daddy believe it now.

We would love to invite new friends to come and play with us. Our early learning centre is truly the best, ever! Our garden is amazing, you’ve just got to see it. We’ve got bikes, swings, slides, a HUGE climbing forte that I call our palace and the biggest sandpit.

Please, please, please come and meet me and my friends, I promise you’ll really like us at FiRST early Learning, and I know you’ll love our natural and beautiful rooms, they look amazing!

I hope you can bring along more friends for us to play with and you can meet the best teachers in the world.

Thanks for reading my letter, it took me a long time to write with my teacher and

my teacher said “Savina, you are sooooooo clever”.

See you all soon, I hope!

Leahaey. Goodbye, Saum Arkoun. Thank you, Lots of love and sparkles, Savina xx

Oh, I forgot to tell you, we need some more beautiful teachers to take care of us, if you would like to know more about that, please email my friend Emma on info@firstearlylearning.vic.edu.au