News - Pakenham Officer Star News - 3rd August 2023

Climb for a mate

By Eleanor Wilson

Six daring Pakenham CFA members will step up to face a daunting challenge next month as they take on the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb.

The 10th annual climb will see firefighters and emergency services personnel tackle 28 gruelling floors of Melbourne’s Crown Metropol Tower to raise funds for cancer and mental health research.

Climbers will take on the step challenge on 2 September weighed down by 25kg of kit - including heavy uniform, a cylinder and breathing apparatus, representing the physical and emotional health challenges faced by first responders and their families.

Pakenham CFA Lieutenant Natalie Morgan will tackle the climb for the second time this year.

“It’s definitely hard and it’s definitely a mental game more than a physical game,” she said.

“You get fatigued pretty quickly in a staircase and you’ve got people overtaking you as you go, but I think the adrenaline and motivation kicks in quickly.

“[Last year] I got up a lot quicker than I expected, I think the adrenaline and knowing what you’re doing it for gives you a good motivation to get to the top.”

Lieutenant Morgan said the challenge has a personal meaning for the local brigade this year, with one of the members recently diagnosed with bowel cancer.

“It’s been a pretty big shock to their family and our CFA family as well, but it’s giving us a bit more of a push and a bit more motivation to get to the top of those stairs,” Lieutenant Morgan said.

So far, the Pakenham brigade has raised over $2300 for the cause, which will be split between the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, Lifeline and the 000Foundation.

Lieutenant Morgan said she’d love to see

the team raise between $5000 and $10,000 for the causes.

“Every cent counts. We’re all in hard stricken times with inflation at the moment, but to be able to even spare $5, if they can give up a coffee, to give back to incredible beneficiaries that do a lot of hard work for people would be very encouraging and motivating for us as well.”

The Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb has set itself a $700,000 fundraising goal, already drumming up close to $258,000.

Lieutenant Morgan, who also joined the organising board for this year’s Stair Climb, said the 000Foundation, which is dedicated to the welfare of emergency services personnel and their families, was another organisation close to her heart.

“Going through my own mental issues, it’s great to know there’s that support service there that gives support the whole way through, not just after a traumatic incident.

“[$700,000] is a big number that’s for sure, it is a huge goal but it’s also something that potentially is achievable.

“It could be a game changer for families they could support and services they could support as well.”

The Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb is set to take place at Crown Metropol on Saturday 2 September.

To donate to the Pakenham CFA’s stair climb fund, head to firefighterclimb.org.au/ donations/donate/cfa/pakenham

Help is available. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Pakenham CFA stair climbers Russell Cotterell, Brayden Carr, Jarrod Mann, Chris Poulton, Nicholas Raca and Natalie Morgan. Picture: SUPPLIED

Cardinia champions change

By Eleanor Wilson

An inspiring family violence survivor story led Cardinia Shire’s 2023 White Ribbon event and awards ceremony, held at Cardinia Life onWednesday 26 July.

In collaboration with Aligned Leisure and Outlook, the annual event works to raise awareness about family and domestic violence, which remains a sobering issue in the shire.

The event also recognises local pioneers in the family violence prevention space through the Tony Fitzgerald and Gary McQuillan Awards.

The 2023 awards were presented to Purton Place founder Angel Chichi and Cardinia Shire Maternal and Child Health Care team leader Catherine Mills for their work to prevent family violence and support its victims.

Family violence survivor and campaigner Kristy McKellar was invited as guest speaker to share her inspirational story of advocacy and change.

Ms McKellar opened up about her experience working in the domestic violence prevention industry, while secretly suffering “horrific violence” at home for many years.

“I had been a trained professional in the sector but then I also came across having a lived experience, I’m the pinnacle to show that it can happen to anybody,” she said.

“I knew signs, I knew what to look for but I didn’t see my experience coming at all.”

She said her aim was to equip workplaces with the skills to help victim survivors of domestic and family violence, after her own employer suggested she “keep quiet” about her abuse.

“A workplace’s reaction will determine whether a victim survivor will have the confidence to seek assistance.

“My workplace had so much potential to support me at the time when I was going through domestic and family violence, but they didn’t have any of the mechanisms in

place and they certainly didn’t have any of the culture to support that change.

“Workplaces play a pivotal role in empowering employees to maintain their independence and remain in meaningful employment and support their choices in how they wish to transition to a life free of abuse and violence.”

In the aftermath of her experience, she has championed reform in the sector, engaging with community organisations, government and sporting clubs to achieve social change and gender equality within workplaces.

She is responsible for developing the Carlton Respects initiative, in partnership with the Carlton Football Club, which has educated almost 10,000 school students, generated 4.9 million impressions from awareness raising campaigns and has engaged

with 24 workplaces.

Attendees also heard from Victoria Police local area commander for Cardinia Inspector Scott Brennan and Southern Metropolitan region divisional family violence training officer Senior Sergeant Darren Hedge on the steps the police force is taking to ensure appropriate responses to family violence incidents.

In recent years the force has established a dedicated and trained Family Violence Liaison Officer (FVLO) at every station in the SD3 region, covering Cardinia, Casey and Greater Dandenong, to better handle domestic and family violence cases.

While other parts of the state employ FVLOs on a part-time basis, those in the South East are needed on an almost fulltime basis due to the prevalence of the issue

in the region.

Senior Sergeant Hedge said the SD3 region continues to experience the highest level of family violence inVictoria.

Across the state, incidences of family violence continue to rise, but higher reporting rates and population growth could also contribute to the grim statistics, he said.

Data from the Crime Statistics Agency showed that breaching a family violence order was the top offence in the municipality in the last year.

There were over 1500 incidents of family violence in Cardinia Shire last year.

Cardinia Shire Council mayorTammy Radford said reducing family violence has been identified as a key outcome of Cardinia Shire Liveability Health and Wellbeing Plan 201727.

“This is a statistic we are working hard to change, through the collective efforts of the community led Together We Can initiative,” she said.

“Together We Can is a whole community approach.

“It is committed to taking action to reduce rates of family violence in Cardinia Shire to create safer and more peaceful communities for families to live, work, learn and play.”

The event concluded with a panel discussing the role community sport can play in helping to eliminate family violence.

Gipp Sport gender equity expert Michelle Harris, Officer City Soccer Club equity and inclusion officer Radmila Dyson and Melbourne City FC community program and events coordinator Josie Mirarchi discussed how clubs can increase gender equity in sport, how to encourage male ally ship toward gender equity and how sport can be used as a mechanism to promote healthy behaviours and attitudes.

Funds raised from a silent action went towards the Cardinia Foundation, which offers financial support to emergency relief organisations within the shire.

White Ribbon stakeholders with award winners Angel Chichi and Catherine Mills, pictured with their awards.

Picture: CARDINIA SHIRE COUNCIL

Victoria Police Southern Metropolitan region divisional family violence training officer Senior Sergeant Darren Hedge and Cardinia local area commander Inspector Scott Brennan spoke on family violence trends and training tactics.

Picture: ELEANOR WILSON

Melbourne City FC community program and events coordinator Josie Mirarchi, Officer City Soccer Club equity and inclusion officer Radmila Dyson and Gipp Sport gender equity expert Michelle Harris.

Guest speaker Kristy McKellar has dedicated more than two decades advocating for the prevention of domestic and family violence.

Picture: CARDINIA SHIRE COUNCIL

Blitz nabs quick 103

More than 200 offences, including 103 speeding drivers, were detected in a police blitz on the South East’s major arterial.

Operation Hammerhead targeted speeding on the Monash Freeway, Princes Highway, and surrounding roads over two nights on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July.

Seventy-three of the speeding drivers were detected travelling between 10km/h and 25km/h over the speed limit during the State Highway Patrol’s blitz.

A further 28 drivers were caught at high speeds of 25km/h or more over the speed limit.

Six motorists were caught drink driving from 166 preliminary breath tests and a further seven drug drivers from 87 roadside drug tests.

Other offences detected during the operation included 13 disqualified/suspended/unlicensed drivers, eight disobey traffic signs/signals, seven vehicle impoundments and three mobile phone infringements.

A total of 230 offences were detected.

“Speeding drivers on Melbourne’s major freeways and highways pose a significant risk to themselves and other road users - particularly those choosing to travel at excessively high speeds,” Road Policing Operations and Investigations Division Superintendent, John Fitzpatrick said.

“It is evident these drivers have a blatant disregard for the road rules and the safety of others.

“State Highway Patrol will continue to run operations like Hammerhead to ensure we are catching and removing these dangerous drivers from our roads.”

Supt Fitzpatrick said speeding was a major contributor to serious injury and fatal collisions this year.

“The likelihood of being involved in a collision increases significantly when travelling at higher speeds.

“We need people to slow down and adhere to the speed limits, and those that do not will be held to account.”

Chairo kids plant trees

With great excitement, Prep to Year 4 students at Chairo Christian School’s campus on Bald Hill Road between Pakenham and Nar Nar Goon recently planted 700 native trees, shrubs, groundcovers and grasses to regenerate their wetlands area as part of Planet Ark’s Schools Tree Day Program.

Under the direction of staff member Fiona Driehuyzen, students thoroughly enjoyed this memorable, educational and impactful event.

up

In addition to the physical planting, the students also participated in sustainability lessons and learned about environmental stewardship.

Established in 1996, Planet Ark’s National Tree Day has grown into Australia’s largest community tree planting and nature care event.

The program is a call to action for all Australians to get their hands dirty and give back to their community.

Planting trees at Chairo. From Left: Preps Joshua and Leila, Lydia Tweedie - Head of Junior School, Junior School captains Joel and Layla and Chairo’s program coordinator Fiona Driehuyzen. Picture: SUPPLIED

Students’ work celebrated

By Eleanor Wilson

Officer Primary School’s youngest learners celebrated a special milestone on Friday 28 July, marking 100 days in the classroom.

Superheroes, doctors, race car drivers and astronauts represented big career dreams for the pint-sized pupils, while other students chose to represent their veteran efforts at school by dressing as 100-year-olds.

Donning glasses, grey hair, walking sticks and even a walking frame, students participated in counting activities which demonstrated how far they have come in their primary school journeys.

Foundation teacher Amber Augustus said the day celebrates a milestone in foundation students’ first year of school.

“It gives our school the chance to come together as a community and spend quality time throughout the day to show the preps how proud we are as a collective of everything they have achieved so far,” she said.

“The prep year is crucial for children to develop positive dispositions for learning and 100 days of prep recognises all of their hard work and determination.”

Pakenham MP Emma Vulin dropped into the prep classroom to congratulate the learners on the occasion.

“One hundred days celebrates how far they’ve come since they started prep and this signifies half of their school year so I wish them all the best for the next hundred days,” she said.

“We have a growing community so it’s imperative that we have state of the art facilities for our littlest Victorians to go to places that will set them up for life.

“We know that not just the schools that are coming along, but our kindergartens, we’re trying to set up our youngest people to have a great education to set them up for success.” Joel,

Juanita and Archer with Penelope, who was proud to reach the milestone.

Twins Zain and Amira wore their ‘100 days’ capes with pride.

Steele and Zain were happy to mark the achievement with their classmates.

Archer and Joel channelled their elders for a fun 100th day at school.

Steele, Rylan and Tory have big dreams for their future careers.

Tory places 100 Froot Loops in a row.

Hitansh with a sweet reward for his hard work this year.

School captains Mackenzie and Isabelle with Mikail and Vada.

Penelope and Juanita work on a counting activity with Froot Loops.

Housing crisis hits hard

By Emily Chapman Laing

Casey South has the highest proportion of distressed property sales in the state, according to Domain data.

Distressed property sales come from homeowners needing to sell their homes urgently, usually at a discounted price.

Cranbourne West resident Courtney Blakey is among those urgently trying to sell their properties, as mortgage rate increases go beyond what she can viably afford.

“My fixed rate expires this month, I was on a 1.89 per cent interest rate, my repayments were only $1235 per month, cheaper then most rentals,“ she said.

“My payments have gone from $1235 per month to $1926 as of August, hence the rush to sell my house as I cannot pay $1926 per month.

“I have had to borrow money off my dad who should be retiring and have moved to a rental property.“

Ms Blakey said while her new rental

payments are still expensive as a single parent, they are cheaper than what she would be paying after her mortgage payments

increase next month.

The inflated housing costs have not only cost her the ability to own her own home, but have affected the wellbeing of her family.

“We can no longer go and do fun things, I have to watch every cent,” she said.

“We haven’t had a holiday for around 5 years.

“Even just the little things of going to a movie every now and again, the cost of living and interest rate is killing everyone, but especially harming single parents.”

Casey South has seen the highest percentage point rise in the state over the past year, increasing from 3.1 per cent of total listings in June 2022 to 4.6 per cent in June 2023.

“We are finding that several investors and home owners are struggling with the continuing interest rises and cost of living and this is causing financial hardship for many families which in now resulting in them having to sell their homes as they have no choice,“ said Victorian House and Land Specialists Rental Department Manager Courtney Shaw.

“The City of Casey is the home of many young families as it was an affordable option to buy when rates were lower.

“With the rates rising the repayments are now not manageable for many.”

Mrs Shaw said the average mortgage has gone up by around $1500 per month since the rates starting rising.

“We will continue to see many more properties coming on the market in coming months.”

While Casey South is seeing more urgent property listings, Casey North has shown a 0.2 per cent decrease in distressed listings in the past 12 months.

Cardinia and Dandenong are trending upward, with Cardinia showing a 1 per cent increase in distressed sales and Dandenong totalling a 0.1 per cent increase.

According to the data, the region with the largest decrease in distressed listings is the Mornington Peninsula, which dropped from 2.2 per cent in June 2022 to 1.1 per cent in June 2023.

Land acquired for new Clyde North primary school

Students across the South East will soon have better access to a great education, with the Andrews Labor Government acquiring land for a new primary school in Clyde North.

With an interim name of ThompsonsWest Primary School, the new school will be situated on Thompsons Road and will provide up to 650 local students with a place to learn, prosper and make lifelong friendships.

Opening in 2025, the new school will support local families by increasing capacity for

growing student numbers in the area and relieving pressure on existing schools.

With construction set to start in October 2023, the school will be built with a share of $573.2 million invested in the 2023-24 State Budget.

Education Minister Natalie Hutchins said they were proud to secure the land to provide local families with access to modern facilities and world-class education.

“We’re continuing to build and upgrade

schools across the state, so our students have the best spaces to learn, our classrooms have the best teachers, and every child gets a great education close to home,“ she said.

South-Eastern Metropolitan MP Lee Tarlamis said the land acquisition was a “fantastic milestone“ for education in the South East.

“As Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs grow, we need more educational options for our children,“ he said.

Picture: GENERIC

Mortgage interest rate increases are costing many Casey South residents their homes.

Picture: GENERIC

Path2Home

By Sahar Foladi

A drug and alcohol support program, Path2Home, is to launch in Cranbourne West on Monday 7 August for the community.

Nas Recovery Centre, a community based alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and mental health treatment in Greater Melbourne has brought the Path2Home project to Cranbourne, specifically targeting the African communities.

The eight week program, Path2Home is targeted to support the vulnerable population, African youth from 15 years of age and up along with their families.

Managing director, Nyachan Byak said they’re excited to accommodate the community at this launch.

“We would be honoured to have locals join this significant day and be part of a noble cause.

The launch will provide everyone the opportunity to network with our partners, clients and community members.”

Participants of the program are able to attend three days a week to participate in group therapies as well as individual support.

“We provide comprehensive assessment and intake services, education, information

OPINION

Dementia rehab launch

and advocacy to consumers of substance use disorder and associated mental health challenges.”

The program also delivers social events for clients to re-integrate with the community in healthy ways.

Path2Home will be launched with the help of Department of Justice and Community Safety to provide tailored rehab program, necessary resources and therapeutic guidance to the youth struggling with alcohol and other drugs (AOD)related issues.

“We are dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space where individuals can overcome substance disorders and mental health challenges,” Ms Nyak said.

“Our treatment services are culturally sensitive, community-based and are targeted to improve outcomes, reduce offending rates and foster the overall well-being of African communities.”

The program will help individuals to regain stability and security in their lives to level out the current situation in the African communities.

NAS also offer family support, case management, drugs and alcohol intensive day programs, counselling, road safety behaviour change and much more.

LENSCAPE

We failed them

I was pleased to hear Tasmanian Greens Senator Nick McKim calling for a Royal Commission into Australia’s off -shore detention policy when speaking on ABC RN on 26 July. He spoke of the allegations of corruption linked to detention of refugees on Manus Island and Nauru over the past 10 years and of how both Liberal and Labor governments had policies that deliberately harmed adults and children alike. Senior Home Affairs officials who knew of the extent of the harm and cruelty did nothing to intervene despite the Government Audit office criticising the polices and processes. Our Prime Minister at the time Scott Morrison knew full well what was happening.

Our “Christian” Prime Minister let this continue on his watch as did our now Leader

of the Opposition, Peter Dutton.

We should all be ashamed that our country behaved so inhumanely toward people who came here seeking safety and help. By far the majority of those who arrived by boat and were thus destined to spend up to 10 years in offshore detention, were found to be genuine refugees. Our country had an obligation as signatory to the Human Rights Convention to provide sanctuary, but instead inflicted torture and deliberate harm from which many of them will possibly never recover. Amnesty International, after a rigorous assessment of Australia’s off shore detention regime found it akin to torture. This was on the watch of Mr Morrision and Mr Dutton who used it as a message to asylum seekers that they should not try and enter Australia.

As well as making these centres a living hell for detainees we are now reading reports

Casey residents over the age of 65 who are living with dementia can now access rehabilitation activities to support independence and wellbeing.

Aged care provider and home care provider Encara is offering the Dementia Rehabilitation Program free of charge to eligible participants. Fully funded by the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN), the program will combine therapeutic interventions, education, and personalised care, integrating allied health with holistic modalities including art therapy and music therapy.

Across the South East, about 11,000 people are living with a diagnosis of dementia, with about a third of this group residing in the Mornington Peninsula and Casey local government areas. The Dementia Rehabilitation Program will run over 12 weeks and offers personalised care, evidence based interventions, and a collaborative approach led by a team of allied health professionals.

The program aims to empower individuals with reablement and engagement activities whilst supporting their families and care partners with education about living with dementia.

The program will include:

· Personalised interventions to promote independence;

· Home visits by occupational therapists to assess and support daily living activities;

· Podiatry assessment and ongoing therapy for comfortable footwear and overall foot care’

· Physiotherapy sessions to improve balance, strength, and mobility;

· Access to additional allied health services, including dietetics and speech therapy, aromatherapy, art therapy and music therapy; and

· Ongoing education and support for participants and their families.

For more information on the program, visit www.encara.com.au, call 1300 761 965 or email dementia@encara.com.au.

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs up

Casey Council thumbs up for upgradingtheBlindBightplayground; thumbs down for not opening it up for a couple of weeks and leaving it for kids to look at only.

Thumbs up

I give a thumbs up to Emojis that allow me to take a short cut in communication when texting.

Thumbs down

To Casey admin council who approved the Hampton Park Hill proposal despite over 1000 residents saying no. Useless.

Thumbs up

To the community activities over the school holidays. They definitely keep my kids entertained!!

Thumbs down

To all the drivers around Casey. They all drive like they don’t wanna see tomorrow

Thumbs down

To the rude Casey ARC staff member that spoke down to an adult customer like she was child and stupid.

Thumbs down

The council administrators for not supporting the residents and rejecting the Hampton Park Development Plan and for wasting everyone’s family time and groundwork to write submissions to gauge if

in the media about the levels of corruption linked to the outrageously high amounts of money our taxes spent on inflicting this harm.

Payments to members of the Nauruan Government and to staff in our Home Affairs department from shonky security companies. These policies were paid for by the hard-working Australian tax payers- literally billions of dollars! It is a shameful story and it is time we saw a Royal Commission held into offshore immigration detention and the associated corruption.

Margaret Edwards, Berwick

Tarnished by greed

I can’t believe I was a Casey councillor in these troubled times of the IBAC findings. I was always an independent councillor, not

we supported or opposed the plan when they knew that they must endorse the plan in the first place. This was totally misleading and meant that ratepayers don’t have a voice in this, shame on the council.

Thumbs up

www.U3Acranbourne.org.au - a great place to meet new people and learn new skills for the over 50s.

Thumbs down

To all the pot holes. Despite every route I need to go being under road works, the roads are full of holes.

Thumbs down

For the intersection of Wellington and the Berwick Roads - another serious accident.

Thumbs down

For lack of phone service in Clyde and Clyde North and horrible peak hour traffic on roads that simply cannot service the traffic from the new estates.

Thumbs down

To potholes - another car rim damaged due to hitting one on Clyde Road!

Thumbs down

To lack of phone reception - it’s beyond a joke!

Thumbs up

To The Ten Tenors playing at Bunjil Place, love Bunjil.

supporting any political party.

I never knew or met John Woodman and I certainly was not a part of any bloc which a few of the ex-councillors denied and voted on supporting a certain councillor. Following the IBAC inquiry I could put two and two together and realised what they had done. I will never forgive their arrogance on bringing down such a great City of Casey, which has now become tarnished by greed. I was never sacked, once I learned about the inquiry I resigned as I was having nothing to do with the alleged corruption.

If any of the bloc think about running in the 2024 council elections, think again because I will work my hardest so you don’t get in.

Rex Flannery, Narre Warren South

Boots at FRV Cranbourne. 349063

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

A ‘culture of avoidance’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Casey chief executives had “misgivings” about councillor conduct but felt limited in what they could do, the IBAC Operation Sandon report found.

A “culture of avoidance” and a lack of “adequate safeguards” at Casey Council allowed developer John Woodman’s “improper” influence over councillors to “flourish unchecked”, IBAC reported.

Mayors Geoff Ablett and Sam Aziz received about $1.15 million in benefits fromWoodman while ushering through council planning decisions in favour of Woodman’s interests, the report found.

Councillors repeatedly failed to declare clear conflicts of interest, manipulated decision-making processes and bullied council officers and other councillors.

“‘I can’t get up and say, “Mr Mayor, I don’t agree with the council, it’s not urgent”,” former chief executive Mike Tyler told the inquiry.

“It’s not up to me [as CEO] to debate, I didn’t have that [authority]’.”

This was in relation to what Tyler termed an “unusual” ‘urgent business’ motion rushed onto the agenda of a 2014 meeting by Aziz, before council officers could review the idea and give advice to councillors.

It started the push for Amendment C219 to rezone industrial land for housing in Cranbourne West and represented a $35 million windfall gain for developer Leighton Properties, who hired Woodman as a consultant.

However, the proposal was rejected as “lacking strategic justification” by local and State planning officials.

Tyler, who opposed C219, was later pushed to resign by then-mayor Ablett.

With the support of Aziz and Cr Amanda Stapledon, Ablett cited councillors had lost confidence in him.

Among their‘serious issues’ was councillors being separated or “locked out” of the administrators’ wing at the new Bunjil Place offices.

“CEOs have done the right thing and asserted themselves around all sorts of matters with councillors, and haven’t – the outcome

hasn’t been positive for them in terms of their continued employment,” current CEO Glenn Patterson told the inquiry.

Councillors elected Aziz as mayor weeks after a misconduct finding against him for a “pattern of bullying” another councillor in 2015.

“The panel process not only delivered an inadequate outcome, but was fraught with personal or political risks for the complainant, who withdrew part of their application – which sought a finding of gross misconduct – in order to bring the matter to a close,” the report stated.

IBAC quoted the Municipal Monitor’s report into Casey Council in 2020 that there was an ‘avoidance culture’ among councillors.

“There is an overriding view that if one or both councillors, at the centre of the investigation to date, were removed everything would be all right and that the remaining councillors have ‘done nothing wrong’,” the Monitor reported.

The Sandon report stated that councillors repeatedly failed to declare or fulling disclose conflicts of interest.

Aziz “blatantly failed” to declare conflicts involving his personal interests and councillor duties.

Ablett, Stapledon and councillors Wayne Smith and Susan Serey claimed ignorance of

the parties affected by a planning decision or the source of donations to them.

“As Councillor Aziz’s conduct and explanations make clear, his failure to disclose conflicts of interest was not due to a lack of understanding of what constitutes a conflict of interest or how a declaration should be made,“ the report read.

“Rather, he did not perceive the environment in which he operated as likely to lead to exposure of his conflicts or to preclude him from exerting influence on decisions in which he had a clear conflict of interest.”

IBAC recommended supporting council chief executives to mandatorily report councillors’ serious misconduct such as breaches of conflict-of-interest.

It also called for stronger and universal Model councillor codes of conduct, governance rules and transparency policies for meetings across all councils.

They included more stringent reporting of donations and conflicts-of-interest, stronger punishments and more effective ways to deal with councillor misconduct.

Casey Council – whose councillors were sacked during the Sandon inquiry – has been under a Panel of Administrators since 2020.

“Operation Sandon focused on very specific planning and developer matters and highlighted alleged impropriety and conflicts

Former councillors ‘vindicated’ by report

By Matthew Sims

Former councillor and Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association (CRRA) chairperson

Brian Oates say Casey desperately needs “good candidates“ at the next council elections in the wake of IBAC’s anti-corruption report.

IBAC tabled its special report in Parliament on Thursday 27 July following action spanning back to November 2017 as part of Operation Sandon.

The investigation centred on four planning proposals involving John Woodman and his clients, including one to rezone land in Cranbourne West as residential to increase its value.

IBAC found former Casey mayors Sam Aziz and Geoff Ablett accepted more than $1.15 million in payments and in-kind support for promoting developer John Woodman or his clients’ interests on council,

Under state law, IBAC is barred from publicly stating people engaged in criminal, corrupt conduct.

However, the anti-corruption watchdog is able to refer alleged criminality to the Office of Public Prosecutions, which would decide whether to pursue charges.

Mr Oates said the report and the investigation was “narrowly focused“.

“There was no mention of corruption,“ he said.

“I think the community wants to see some reimbursements.“

Mr Oates joined Casey Council as a councillor in 1997 and as mayor in 2005, and served until he decided to not run for reelection in the 2008 election.

“I could see where things were going,“ he said.

“People didn’t seem to understand what

fiduciary responsibilities did.“

The State Government dismissed all councillors on 19 February 2020 and appointed a Panel of Administrators.

Mr Oates said the community needed a council with elected councillors to seek support and advice.

“A lot of the people are very upset,“ he said.

“Really, there’s no big initiatives.“

Mr Oates said the CRRA had already started canvassing and mentoring potential candidates in the elections for next year.

“We want to increase the understanding of what councillors do,“ he said.

“We also want to get good candidates.“

Mr Oates said he was hopeful a new Casey Council could rebuild the momentum Casey had before the council was sacked.

“We were one of the fastest growing municipalities,“ he said.

“We were at the top of the list.“

Former Casey councillor and deputy mayor Rex Flannery resigned from the council in February 2020, a week before the entire council was sacked.

Speaking in the wake of the report’s release, he said he always acted independently and did not support any political party.

“I can’t believe I was a Casey councillor in these troubled times of the IBAC findings,“ Mr Flannery said.

“I never knew or met John Woodman and I certainly was not apart of any bloc which a few of the ex-councillors denied and voted on supporting a certain councillor.

“While following the IBAC inquiry I could put two and two together and realised what they had done.

Mr Flannery said he would oppose any former councillors from running in the 2024 elections.

“I will never forgive their arrogance on bringing down such a great City of Casey, which has now become tarnished by greed,“ he said.

“I was never sacked, once I learned about the inquiry, I resigned as I was having nothing to do with their alleged corruption.“

Former councillor Steve Beardon resigned during his second term in March 2017.

Speaking on the report, he said he finally felt vindicated.

“I worked so hard to be elected and represent Casey and most importantly the wonderful community of Cranbourne,“ he said.

“It was very very difficult to resign.

“However, resign I did rather than be part of Casey Council.“

of interest by former councillors, not Ccouncil officers,” the council stated in response to the IBAC report.

“At no time has the conduct or professionalism of council officers been called into question.”

It states it has delivered reforms in conflicts-of-interest, governance, councillor protocols in land-use planning and a policy to guide strategic planning scheme amendment requests from developers.

Casey also launched a Community Leadership Program for emerging and existing community leaders.

“Council has been delivering on the reform recommendations set out in the Municipal Monitor’s Report and is committed to undertaking any additional work necessary towards improving Governance at Casey, in line with the IBAC recommendations,” chair of administrators Noelene Duff said.

In his response to the report,Woodman denied acting improperly or illegally.

Ablett also rejected IBAC’s inferences of corrupt, illegal or unethical behaviour.

IBAC stated it rejected both submissions. Aziz didn’t formally respond to the report but has publicly denied any wrongdoing.

Chief executives Tyson and Patterson were clear of “any adverse comment or opinion“, the report stated.

‘Incapable’ of planning

FROM PAGE 1

He said this was an opportunity to improve transparency and accountability in the planning system.

“With the report clearly stating that corruption risk cannot be resolved by transferring responsibility from elected councillors to a minister, it would be a travesty for the Andrews Government to use the findings to centralise planning powers within the backrooms of Spring Street.”

Greater Dandenong mayor Eden Foster defended the council’s “vital role” in planning decisions.

“Greater Dandenong City Council feels strongly that it has a vital role to play in the decision-making process on town planning matters within its municipality and is the most appropriate level of government to know and represent the interests of its community.”

Since 2020, Casey has endorsed a new protocol and policy for its councillors’ role in land-use planning.

Other changes include:

· Reviewing governance and integrity systems at the City of Casey .

· Setting out a clear governance audit and action plan .

· Developing a new policy to guide strategic planning scheme amendment requests from proponents/developers.

· Reviewed delegations to ensure they are appropriate.

· embedding conflict of interest obligations.

Casey stated that its formal response to the IBAC report and recommendations will be tabled at a future council meeting.

Former Casey councillor Brian Oates. Picture: SUPPLIED

At the official opening of Bunjil Place in 2017 was Casey Counicl CEO Mike Tyler, Cr Rex Flannery, Cr Amanda Stapledon, Cr Timothy Jackson, Cr Milla Gilic, Cr Susan Serey, Mayor Cr Sam Aziz, Jason Wood MP, Cr Wayne Smith, Cr Geoff Ablett and Cr Damien Rosario. 174129 Picture: ROB CAREW

Disability support opens

A new disability support hub has opened its doors in Pakenham, improving access to NDIS supported community and employment opportunities in the Cardinia area.

The Bridge opened its latest multi-purpose centre in Slattery Place in late July, with the aim to provide support services to the growing Pakenham East community.

The new facility is fitted with large kitchen facilities, multi-purpose rooms, art and craft rooms, a a fully equipped sensory room, laundry facilities, outdoor recreation areas and multiple meeting and consultation rooms.

The hub is currently focused on providing disability day services and transition to employment services, but hopes to expand to provides full range of community and employment related services for people with disabilities.

Cardinia Shire Council mayor Tammy Radford said the new services come at a great time considering the development of the area.

“As Pakenham and its surrounding areas continue to develop and grow, there is a real need to provide services to its increasing number of residents,” she said.

“We welcome registered NDIS providers like The Bridge who can help bring this muchneeded support to the area and provide long term community gain.

“We are delighted with the new activities and increased opportunities that The Bridge will offer.”

The Bridge chief executive Mary-Jane Stolp said the shared location allows a more integrated approach for the NDIS services.

“Participants and staff have assisted with the design and fit-out of the new facility which

will better meet our needs into the future and ensure quality service delivery in a contemporary setting,” she said.

“We are excited about what we can offer

new and future participants as we support them to achieve their goals.”

The Bridge operates across the South East, with locations in Berwick, Narre War-

ren, Cranbourne, Dandenong, Springvale and Frankston.

For more information, head to thebridgeinc.org.au

Artists with a disability showcase works in exhibition

Cardinia Shire Council is holding a new exhibition at Cardinia Cultural Centre featuring artwork created by people with disability.

The exhibition, titled Expression, is open from Friday 4 August to Thursday 24 September.

It is an opportunity for people with disability to showcase their creative talent and express themselves in their own way.

The exhibition features an exciting range of artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, mosaic, collage, woodwork, mixed media, and more.

Not only were works created during art workshops with local art therapist, Nazia Wasif, we also received many wonderful submissions from local artists.

Cardinia Shire Mayor, Councillor Tammy Radford, who is a member of the Cardinia Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, said she is proud that the council has presented an exhibition which enabled people with disability the opportunity to showcase their talent.

“Being creative is such a valuable part of life and supporting the creativity of local artists with disability is extremely important for council,” Councillor Radford said.

Cardinia Shire Council is proud to have collaborated with the Cardinia Access and

ThenewexhibitionopensFriday4August. Picture:SUPPLIED

Inclusion Advisory Committee and local disability organisations to deliver this exhibition.

Expression is available to see at the Cardinia Cultural Centre on Tuesdays to Sundays between 10am to 3pm, 4 August – 24

September.

For more information visit cardiniaculturalcentre.com.au or call 1300 887 624.

Free green waste drop-offs return for Cardinia residents

Residents are encouraged to prepare for the 2023-24 fire season with Cardinia Shire Council’s free green waste drop-off events this September and October.

The council’s green waste drop-off events are a free service accepting residential amounts of green waste including garden prunings, tree branches and trunks that are up to 30 centimetres wide and 1 metre long, weeds, grass clippings, leaves, and flowers.

Residents must present photo ID as proof of residence within Cardinia Shire to access the free service.

Waste will only be accepted from residential vehicles and trailers; commercial business operators cannot use this service.

Free drop-offs will occur at two times and locations

· Pakenham – Friday 1 to Monday 4 September

Future Recycling Transfer Station 30-32 Exchange Drive, Pakenham

· All days: 9am to 4pm

· Lysterfield – Friday 13 to Monday 16 October

Cleanaway Resource Recovery Centre 840 Wellington Rd, Lysterfield

· Friday: 8am to 4pm

· Saturday and Sunday: 8am to 12pm (noon)

· Monday: 8am to 4pm

For more information about Council’s waste drop-off events, visit www.cardinia. vic.gov.au/dropoff or call Council’s Customer Service team on 1300 787 624.

Have your say on parks

Cardinia Shire community members are invited to have their say on the renewal of the following playspaces and parks:

· Village Green, Beaconsfield

· Waterford Rise Park, Pakenham

· Jim Parkes Reserve, Beaconsfield

Feedback is open now until Sunday 20 August.

Cardinia Shire Council will use community input on the playground upgrades planned for Village Green and Waterford Rise Park to inform the initial concept designs.

These playspace designs will be presented to the community for additional feedback before they are finalised later this year.

Community input on Jim Parkes Reserve will inform the final design of the park. This follows initial community consultation that took place to implement the Beaconsfield Structure Plan. Cardinia Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Tammy Radford, encourages community members to give their feedback.

“Input from people who use these playgrounds and parks is incredibly valuable, your ideas will help shape the design of the renewed spaces,” said Mayor Radford.

“We want to hear about how you use these spaces, what you do or don’t like about them, and what you’d like to see as part of the renewals.

“We know our community values Cardinia Shire’s open spaces and parks. The renewal of these neighbourhood play spaces supports the wellbeing of our community, making our shire an even better place to live, work and play.“

Community members can provide input and feedback in several ways:

· Have your say online at cardinia.vic.gov.au/

BUSINESS PROFILE

haveyoursay.

· In person at the Civic Centre, 20 Siding Avenue, Officer.

· Byemailatmail@cardinia.vic.gov.authrough

Dignity and compassion

At Lang Lang and District Funeral Services, we are a dedicated team of compassionate death care professionals.

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

We take care of your deceased loved one from pick up to preparation and to their final resting place. Our service is personalised to respect and take care at every step of the journey. Celebrate the life of your loved one the way you want. Make it personal at home, a park, the beach or another special place. Create a send-off to remember.

Mission and Vision

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

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

Contact Michelle Brown 0449 220 652, visit lldfs.com.au

1 Westernport Road, Lang Lang.

the subject: Playspace Renewals.

· By post a PO Box 7, Pakenham VIC 3810.

· There will be a Jim Parkes Reserve Drop-In Session on Tuesday 8 August at 3:30-5pm at

Jim Parkes Reserve, 4-6 Souter Street, Beaconsfield.

For more information visit cardinia.vic.gov. au/haveyoursay.

Cardinia Shire Council is inviting residents to have their say on three local playground and park renewals.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Faithful friends reunited

An American memoirist once said that “Family isn’t always blood, it’s the people in your life who want you in theirs: the ones who accept you for who you are, the ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.“

This is no more true than for a group of former Hampton Park playgroup members and their children, who have celebrated 40 years of friendship and love.

The group of six families came together to reminisce and catch up at the Pink Hill Hotel in Beaconsfield on Sunday 30 July.

The group’s former Maternal Health Care Sister Mary Garrett also joined the cohort to celebrate the special occasion.

Lyndhurst resident Jill Pattison organised the event, which involved three generations reuniting after the six families first met in 1983.

“We’ve all sort of stayed very close,“ she said.

“We’ve still kept in contact.

“The kids have all grown up.“

A number of the members have remained in the South East, including members based in Lyndhurst, Drouin, Berwick, Beaconsfield and Emerald.

Ms Pattison said their friendship had remained a constant throughout their and their children’s lives.

“I think it’s worth celebrating,“ she said.

“It’s nice to see some things don’t change.“

Erin with a picture of her playgroup friends. 349518

Lynne Hobbs with a photo of Carly and Erin. 349518

Tara Martin, Erin Pattison and Carly Daley at nine years of age. 349518

The original babies, Tara Martin, Casey Waltham, Ashley Hall, Erin Pattison and Carly Daley and their Maternal Health Care Sister Mary Garrett celebrated 40 years of friendship. 349518

Two of the original babies Tara Martin and Erin Pattison. 349518

Tara Martin, Erin Pattison and Carly Daley re-enacted a pose from an old photo. 349518

Lynne Hobbs and Jill Pattison’s friendship has only grown stronger over the past 40 years. 349518

The original group has continued to blossom over the years. 349518

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Planting hope in wetlands

Keen gardeners and environmental warriors from across the South East came together to introduce a little more green to the Grasmere Creek wetlands in Berwick over the weekend.

On Sunday 30 July, community members of all ages enjoyed the sun and planted about 12,000 new trees at the wetlands as part of the Casey Council event.

Located in Berwick’s Cardinia Creek Parklands North, the Grasmere Creek wetlands were established in 2020 through a collaborative effort between Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria and Casey Council.

The joint project aimed to enhance water quality, foster floodplain connectivity, and create valuable open spaces for local residents.

The Cardinia Creek Catchment has been renowned for its diverse flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species such as the Dwarf Galaxias fish and the platypus downstream in the Cardinia Creek.

The event also hosted representatives from the Platypus Education Group to educate, engage and excite children, and the community, about the platypus that live in local creeks.

Children saw and learned more about the endangered resident Dwarf Galaxias fish in the creek.

For more information on NationalTree Day, visit treeday.planetark.org

Covid mental health wounds still cutting far and wide

By Matthew Sims

Sydney’sWestmead Hospital has just recently overcame the struggles of the Covid pandemic.

However, according to Associate Professor of Psychiatry and director of clinical science Greg de Moore, the mental scars and the impact it had on the health system as a whole would take a lot longer to heal.

Dr de Moore will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Healthy Minds mental health forum on Tuesday 15 August from 6.30pm to 9.30pm at Lyndale Secondary College at 14 Halton Road in Dandenong North.

Held by the Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills, in conjunction with Casey-Cardinia Rotaract, the event is suitable for adults and young people from 12 years and over and is a fundraiser to support Australian Rotary Health’s mental health research.

Dr de Moore has worked as a clinician, teacher and researcher in the fields of neuropsychiatry, general hospital psychiatry, deliberate self-harm and the history of medi-

cine, overseeing the psychiatry education of young doctors as they work towards becoming psychiatrists.

Dr de Moore said the Covid pandemic

presented an array of issues across the mental health space.

“The last four years have been the most difficult,“ he said.

“The impact of Covid on the community was just extraordinary.

“Things over the last six months have improved significantly.“

Dr de Moore said the effects of avoidance and lockdowns would continue to be seen across Australia’s health system.

“It’s not just the patients, it’s the welfare of our staff,“ he said.

“It’s still a factor in running a service.“

Dr de Moore said while the public health system was prepared for a pandemic, the system was not prepared for the impacts it would have on the broader community’s mental health.

“We saw a significant increase in young people presenting and increasing self-harm,“ he said.

“We are always planning for the next pandemic.

“If you have someone who’s psychotic, to

what degree are you impinging on their personal freedom?“

Dr de Moore said one of the most significant changes he has seen to the field of psychiatry over the years has been the narrowing of accessibility, including growing costs.

“I think it’s one of our real weaknesses,“ he said.

“This is a potential growth area.“

Dr de Moore said the topics of discussion which would feature during his presentation would include the achievements of John Cade, an Australian physician who introduced lithium to the practice of psychiatry in 1949 by accident and one of the founders of Australian Rules Football Tom Wills, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and committed suicide by stabbing himself in the heart.

If you or someone you know need help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Help Line on 1800 55 1800.

For tickets, visit events.humanitix.com/ healthy-minds-mental-health-forumaolt3xx5

Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Westmead Hospital director of clinical services Greg de Moore will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming mental health forum. Picture: SUPPLIED

Sahas with his mum Ramya from Cranbourne. 350013

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Danielle from Berwick. 350013

Ethan and his dad Minki planting a tree. 350013

Ned, Bel and Paige from Narre Warren. 350013

Aiden, Heddy, Minki and Ethan from Clyde North. 350013 Todd and Gemma from Hallam. 350013

Brigid and Eileen. 350013

Fred and Daniel from the Cranbourne Lions Club. 350013

Businesses look to 2050

The inaugural South East Business Conference (SEBC) on Wednesday, 30 August is expected to help foster growth and advocate for the Victorian region as the country’s most dynamic business hub.

Themed ’Towards 2050’, SEBC will be held at Bunjil Place in Narre Warren and will bring together hundreds of local businesses with business groups and chambers of commerce located across Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM).

The growing South East produces more than $90 billion in gross regional product and supports 628,000 local jobs annually.

Delegates will represent a broad cross section of SMEs worth $5 million-$100 million in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, wholesale, professional and technical services, transport and logistics, retail, hospitality, accommodation,tourism, leisure and wellbeing, health care, and education and training.

SEBC representative Ross Raymond says that by opening up collaboration between these businesses, SEBC will promote discussion and consideration of the big issues for Victoria’s South East region from infrastructure and supply chain requirements to labour force and skills gaps (training and education) as well as funding and investment.

“Uniting forces between these groups aims to stimulate stronger economic growth, promote cross-sector connectivity, drive innovation and boost employment opportunities through a vibrant and healthy ecosystem,” he said.

The highly respected speakers are GSEM chair Simon McKeon AO, best-selling demographer Bernard Salt, Carmen’s Kitchen founder Carolyn Creswell and Port of Hastings stakeholder manager Todd Trimble.

Major businesses are supporting the conference as event partners, including KLM

Spatial as a Strategic Sponsor, Waterman Workspaces and Scot Pac as Platinum Sponsors as well as many others.

SEBC will also act as a launch platform for the Victoria South East Chamber Council

(VSECC), a collective representative body to unite businesses through their local business group or chamber.

The ’collaborative ecosystem’ is hoped to address future needs together heading

towards 2050.

Full program tickets start at $159 pp or $99 pp for local chamber members.

Details: vsecc.com.au

The South East Business Conference aims to connect and advocate for Victoria’s south east as Australia’s future business hub.

Highly respected speakers: Bernard Salt AM, Simon McKeon AO, Carolyn Creswell and Todd Trimble will share stories and insights to inspire connectivity.

Best-selling demographer Bernard Salt is among an impressive roll-call of speakers at the SEBC conference on 31 August. 188054

Picture: GARY SISSONS

WHAT’S ON

25 Years of Song

The Casey Choir Spring Concert is being held at the Lakeview Room in the Cardinia Cultural Centre on Lakeside Boulevard in Pakenham on Sunday 27 August from 2pm. Songs from shows, from around the world and from Australia with guest artists Out of Hand. A little bit of everything. Music to suit everyone.

· Tickets: cardinia.sales.ticketsearch.com/ sales/salesevent/107682

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

This year’s theme is ‘Little Voices, Loud Futures’. Activities include rock art, boomerang painting, Map of Australia workshop, Ganaga performance, face painter, BBQ, Bandok Tati performance and Blacksnake productions.

Hosted by City of Greater Dandenong in partnership with VACCA and the Casey Aboriginal Gathering Place.

· Free, Friday 4 August from 4pm to 6.30pm at Myuna Farm at 182 Kidds Road in Doveton. · Register at greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/ greater-dandenong-council/events/nationalaboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-childrensday-event

Leaving Jackson: The Johnny Cash and June Carter Show

Relive the moments that captured the life of a legend. A life story played out through some of the greatest songs ever written.

Featuring all the hits including; Folsom Prison Blues, Jackson, Walk the Line, Man in Black, Boy Name Sue, Ring of Fire, The Man in Black, San Quinten, Big River, Hurt, Get Rhythm, Sunday Morning Coming Down and much more. Starring Jeff Carter and Melanie Lewin with full backing band.

· Bunjil Place, Friday 11 August from 7.30pm.

· Tickets: tickets.bunjilplace.com.au/8141

Australian Poetry Slam Heat

Are you the next Australian Poetry Slam Champion? This is your call to listen, watch and cheer. Australian Poetry Slam pops up stages near you. The door is open. The mic is on. Push into the crowd and find your spot. Audience! You may be chosen as a judge. Poets! You have two minutes to spit, howl, dance, whisper and dream out-loud. Perform your original work; no props, no costumes, no music.

· Bunjil Place, Thursday 17 August from 6pm and Friday 18 August from 7.45pm.

· Tickets: tickets.bunjilplace.com.au/overview/8716

Casey Pet Expo 2023

Pet lovers: You’ll be barking mad if you (and your furry friend) miss the 2023 Casey Pet Expo!

Set for an exciting year, pet lovers to this year’s event can expect to wolf down some tasty treats, roar in laughter at the exciting roving entertainment and shake their tail feathers with joy at the live music. There will also be an abundance of exciting market stalls, showcasing the latest in pet products, such as food, clothing and unique accessories to make your non-human bestie stand out from the pack! With no need to book, you can just head to Wilson Botanic Park’s iconic amphitheatre - with or without your pet - to join the action! Wilson Botanic Park is a animal friendly space, we ask that all pets brought into the park are kept on leads. Expression of Interest is currently open. Interested stallholders please register below.

· Saturday 26 August from 11am to 2pm at the Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick.

Dad’s Little Builders

Build a woodwork project with your children. Meet other dads and grandfathers.

Mondays (during school terms) at the Arbourlea Family and Community Centre in 75 Wheelers Park Drive on Cranbourne North from 6pm to 7.30pm.

· While the sessions are free, registration is essential. Email dadsmatter@casey.vic.gov.au

Hiccup

It’s a perfect, balmy night in the outback. A sleep-deprived camper, a cheeky quokka and an emu with a penchant for creating wild inventions, awake to discover that a koala has come down with a stubborn and ear-shatteringly loud case of the hiccups. The three embark on an epic journey through the night that sees them frantically eat, sing and invent their way towards a cure before the sun comes up.

Hiccup is a hilarious rocking musical extravaganza about working together, finding friendship and how to, once and for all, stop the hiccups.

David Williamson’s ‘The Perfectionist’

David Williamson’s ‘The Perfectionist’ is another fast-paced and witty play written by Australia’s best-known playwright.

Renowned for his ability to hold a mirror to our flaws and foibles, Williamson outdoes himself

· Bunjil Place, Tuesday 22 August at 10am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm and Wednesday 23 August at 10am and noon.

· Tickets: tickets.bunjilplace.com.au/overview/8200

Littlefoot & Company’s Spoken

Word Night

These nights are for all types of performances; spoken word artists, story tellers, musicians, comedians and even first time performers! If you’re interested in spoken word but haven’t been to one of the events, come down and check it out. You’ll see artists, storytellers, poets, musicians, comedians and first time performers in a friendly and welcoming environment. Whether you want to take to the stage yourself or just hang out and enjoy the vibes, all are welcome. Registration for open mic spots are free and will be available on the night, but if you’re interested in performing you can also contact the event organisers at littlefootandcompany@gmail.com.

· Thursday 28 September from 7.45pm, Thursday 26 October from 7.45pm and Thursday 30 November 2023 from 7.45pm.

· Tickets: tickets.bunjilplace.com. au/8305/8317

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Children’s Day Event

Join the Casey Aboriginal Gathering Place at Myuna Farm for an afternoon full of fun. There will be lots of activities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids to enjoy, including cultural games, face painting, the Casey 360 bus, food and entertainment!

· Myuna Farm, 182 Kidds Road, Doveton on Friday 4 August, 4pm-6:30pm.

Berwick Activities Club

As the club heads into its 31st year it wishes to welcome new members to join in the many activities on offer such as New Vogue Dancing, which will see you moving in no time. Social Wednesdays where you can join in Carpet Bowls, cards, Scrabble and Table Tennis. Take the opportunity to make new friends and enjoy yourself. Mem-

in this modern story about whether women really can ‘have it all...’

Having brought up her three sons, with her career taking the sidelines, Barbara wants to finish her thesis.

The only thing standing in her way is her husband, Stuart, who has taken the better part of a decade trying to finish his thesis.

bership is only 10 dollars with a $5 weekly attendance fee which includes morning tea.

· For more information phone David on 0433566456 or Bruce 0447554475

Conversational English

Improve your confidence in reading, writing, and speaking English in this small friendly class each Tuesday afternoon during school terms. $5 per term (10 weeks).

· Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd, Clyde North on Tuesdays, 12:30pm-2:30pm

Weekly badminton

Badminton for ladies or retired. All welcome.

· Mondays 7pm-9pm and Wednesdays 12pm2.30pm at Hallam Badminton Club, Frawley Road Recreation Reserve; $5.

Pilates

Do you want to improve your posture, increase your core strength, increase your energy, improve your flexibility and mobility and decrease stress? Pilates focuses on increasing core strength and tone of abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and buttocks. Classes held Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. $90 per term (10 weeks).

· Hall 2, Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd, Clyde North on Tuesdays 1pm2pm and Wednesdays 7:30pm-8:30pm

Beginners Yoga

Balla Balla holds a beginners yoga class that incorporates gentle exercise, breath control and meditation. The health benefits of regular yoga practice may include lowering blood pressure, improved posture and circulation, and a sense of wellbeing.

Classes available on Thursday afternoons and Thursday evenings. $85 per term (10 weeks).

· Hall 1, Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd, Clyde North on Thursdays, 5:30pm-6:45pm and 7pm-8:15pm.

As a tug-of-war ensues between husband and wife, we see what the consequences of actually ‘having it all’ could be.

· Bunjil Place, Friday 4 August from 7.30pm and Saturday 5 August from 1pm and 7.30pm.

· Tickets: tickets.bunjilplace.com.au/overview/8592

velop your child’s confidence and enhance their creative ability in producing their own unique art work. Children’s Art will explore colour theory, mixed media, simple printing techniques, watercolour painting and so much more. Classes held after school on Monday afternoons. $96 per term (8 weeks).

· Hall 2, Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd,Clyde North on Mondays,4:30pm5:45pm

Cranbourne U3A

Classes are back in full swing for Term 3 with some exciting new classes about to commence. U3A has a lovely craft called “quilling“ where members make beautiful cards and notelets using rolled paper.

They also have Scrabble, playing cards and Tai Chi groups about to begin.

Tutors available to teach art using various mediums. A variety of crafts can be enjoyed including knitting, patchwork and sewing, card making, and calligraphy. Chess, line dancing and table tennis are operating too.

The Open Singing group has been happily running this year and always welcomes new voices. If you would like to play the Ukelele, the group are playing beautiful music on Monday mornings from 10am. There is also have an Italian class. If you would like to tutor a class, contact U3A with details of your talents, new opportunities are welcome.

· For more information visit: wwwu3acranbourne.org.au or contact Helen on 0423 623 337.

Zumba

Do you want to burn calories and blast away fat?

Do you want to de-stress, improve your co-ordination, boost your heart health and meet others wanting to improve their fitness levels? Zumba is aimed at all ages and fitness levels. Classes held Tuesday evenings. $80 per term (10 weeks).

· Hall 1, Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd, Clyde North on Tuesdays 6:30pm7:15pm

The Casey Choir performing at Christmas in Berwick celebrations.

Picture: EWAN ARNOLDO

THE LOWDOWN

Q&A with Community Information & Support Cranbourne executive officer Leanne Petrides

What do you love about your work?

That’s easy – it’s the people! Even when the days are tough, we try to always support each other, and we love to laugh. And, of course, the satisfaction that the work we do can really make a difference in people’s lives.

How has the work changed due to the Covid pandemic?

We were considered an essential service, so we operated throughout Covid with a small team on-site. Despite that, we have certainly become more reliant on technology to operate which has given us a bit more flexibility. With more people coming to us for support, we are having to be more creative with what we are able to offer.

What would your last meal be?

A baked potato with sour cream, cheese, and coleslaw, with a beautifully cooked piece of pork belly on the side.

What has been most memorable moment?

Frankly, there are far too many to choose from – from wonderful days like my wedding day 35 years ago, to snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef. Sadly, some moments are memorable because of great loss, such as holding my father’s hand as he passed away.

What was your favourite subject in school and why?

I loved studying politics in high school, but English and history came close seconds. I really enjoy learning about our past in order to consider how we might improve our future. What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?

I’m watching the third season of ’Fisk’ on the ABC – Kitty Flanagan’s writing and acting is just so good. I’m trying to read ’Dune’ but for some reason I can’t quite get into it – I’ll keep persevering.

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

Every single cat I’ve ever owned. Yes – I am the quintessential crazy cat lady!

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

I’d probably go for something simple but popular – I make a great hummingbird cake. Where is your dream holiday destination and why?

I have always wanted to go to Machu Picchu in Peru. I would stay a few nights and make sure I am there to see the sunrise before most of the tourists arrive. Then I’d go to the Galapagos Islands to walk and swim with the incredible wildlife. I think it will remain an unreachable dream though – I might have to stick with watching documentaries.

What was your first job and what did you love about it?

My first job was waitressing at The Hub Coffee

THREE … ways to Homelessnesssupport Week

1 Join the free online event

Hear from the Housing and Homelessness Minister Julie Collins MP, followed by Aboriginal social justice commissioner, June Oscar AO and an expert panel of leaders in First Nations homelessness. It will take place on Monday 7 August from 11am.

2

Share stories about homelessness

Lounge in Dandenong. I started when I was 16 and I was hopeless for the first three months. Then something just clicked, and I became good at it. I loved the interactions with different people every day and making them feel happy with good food and coffee. What were you like as a kid?

I was a very good kid and rarely got into trouble – a dream child!

What is your favourite colour and why?

I wear a lot of different colours – especially autumn tones of brown and green because I think they suit me, but my favourite colour would be purple. Or green. Maybe purple. What’s one question you have never been able to get the answer to?

Why do we continue to struggle with homelessness in this country?

3

In the lead-up to and during Homelessness Week, you can host an event to highlight how to end homelessness. Use data from your service, write a report about ending homelessness, or the impact of the work you do and engage the media in reporting on homelessness.

Share the petition calling for an end to homelessness

Homelessness Australia, together with Everybody’s Home, have developed a petition to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for the Federal Government’s 10-year housing and homelessness plan to aim to end homelessness. By sharingthepetitionwithyournetworks and promoting it on social media you can help the action grow .

Community Information & Support Cranbourne executive officer Leanne Petrides. 149771

Picture: GARY SISSONS

The art of planning

Why is it that some people seem to be able to achieve so much whereas many of us find it so hard to simply keep up with all the day-to-day stuff that needs to be done?

A key reason is that those that achieve a lot are very effective at prioritising their workload so that time is put aside for important tasks. However, this is just part of the answer, since prioritising is all well and good but action needs to be taken as a result.

As the Japanese proverb states: “Vision without action is a daydream, action without vision is a nightmare.”

A subtle point behind the second part of this proverb is that we better have a pretty clear idea of where we want to end up before we start doing anything and this is where the art of planning comes in.

Winston Churchill amongst many others recognised this when he said “he who fails to plan is planning to fail”.

Naturally, this starts with stating as clearly as possible what we want to achieve, by when, and writing this down.

Something magical happens when we take what is in our head and commit it to paper –it becomes more real, tangible and definitive and can then be readily shared with others who may also be involved in the activity.

The timeframe is really important here, since an objective without one is highly unlikely to ever complete.

The next step is to break our objective into all the tasks that need to be done to achieve it.

This is key to how big or complex objectives are achieved and starts to give a better sense of what is really involved.

Every task will require time and resources associated with it and there will necessarily be constraints associated with each.

Some tasks can only be done by certain people, and some tasks may need to complete before others, for example.

Understanding this at a high level, at least, is critical to ensuring that we don’t embark on an impossible task.

In projects, this is called a ‘feasibility study’.

With all the tasks identified (and assuming that the project is feasible!), the next step is to estimate the effort required for each task, define who will be responsible for doing it

and identify dependencies between the tasks themselves.

It is not usually necessary to estimate each task to the minute (a ball park estimate is often good enough), but it is important to plan in time for stuff to go wrong.

This is where many plans can come unstuck since ‘sunny day’ planning (which assumes that everything goes right) very rarely actually happens, so plan in some time for the unexpected.

Once all this information is captured, now you are in a position to create a visual representation of your plan.

Imagine that this is captured in a table, then the rows should contain the tasks that need to be done in sequential order and the columns will be dates which could be days, weeks or months.

By simply drawing a horizontal line for each task where the start of the line corresponds to the start date column and the end of the line is where the task is supposed to complete (again visible in the associated column), you can visually see what needs to be done when and ensure that all these tasks can be completed before the end date.

If you do have other people that need to action tasks within your plan, it is a very good idea to share the plan with them so that you can get agreement for their availability in the timeframe that you require them.

There are many planning tools that can be used for this which you can find on the web and many of them will automatically create the visual representation for you based upon the information you provide for each of the tasks.

Ash ACC AIECL AInstIB Managing director, OrgMent Business

•All advertisements must be pre-paid. For $29.00 you get a 4 line, ONE ITEM ONLY advertisement, restricted to “For Sale” or “Motoring” items only for private advertisers, run initially for 13 weeks or until sold. Additional lines will be charged at $3 per line per publication.

•After your advertisement has run for 13 weeks you must call us each fortnight to renew it for a further 2 week period AND reduce the price of your item by a minimum 5% for items in the “For Sale” section or 3% for items in the “Motoring” section. This process may continue until you have sold your item. If we do not hear from you we will assume you have sold your item and your advertisement will not appear.

• The sale price must be included in the advertisement and the only alterations you may make are to the PRICE of your item.

• Business advertisements, rental hire, pets & livestock and real estate are not included in the offer.

• The publisher reserves the right to decline any booking for the purpose of ongoing gain.

RETAINING WALLS

LANDSCAPING

All

General Classifieds

Are you experienced in sales and enjoy dealing with customers over the phone?

INBOUND/OUTBOUND TELEPHONE SALES

Network Classifieds is offering a motivated and talented individual the opportunity to join our Telephone Advertising Sales Team.

This position involves advertising sales across print, digital and social, servicing the needs of local businesses, working closely with clients to achieve and exceed customer expectations, maintaining and developing an extensive client base whilst seeking out new business opportunities.

Administration requirements which include bookings, copy and layout are an important aspect of the job as are internal and external communication and teamwork.

If you have:

1. A background of demonstrated achievement in a sales related environment;

2. A desire to work closely with clients in achieving their objectives;

3. A fundamental belief in the value of advertising;

4. A sound understanding of business principles;

5. An empathy for customer service and a desire to provide solutions;

6. High level of communication and negotiating skills, both oral and written;

7. Knowledge and needs of the market and the ability to develop new opportunities;

8. Great telephone skills. Then we want to meet you!

To apply send your resume with covering letter to: Classified Advertising Manager sales@networkclassifieds.com.au

Telesales Representative

DieselMechanic WeareseekingaDiesel Mechanictojoinour teamanda3rd/4th yearapprenticeDiesel Mechanic. Thecorrectapplicant willneedtoholdskills suchas;Theabilityto workindependentlyand asateam.Youneedto beapunctualandan organisedteam member,takepridein theworkyoudoandan eyefordetailisan asset.Abletoorder yourownpartsandthe abilitytoadaptand learnwhenneeded.The workwedoisvery rewardingandweare passionateaboutour industry.Wehavea greatteamofpeople thatallworktogether toachieveagreatresult forourcustomers. Ifyouwanttoworkfor agreatcompanyplease callBenn0418998263

Contact:BennCollier 0418998263

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

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

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

•Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills

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

12623034-SM30-23

Warriors roll ‘Bool’

By Jonty Ralphsmith

A big second quarter proved decisive for Pakenham in a 14-point defeat of Warrnambool.

In front a sellout Warriors-heavy crowd at Cardinia Life, Rob Roberts’ men roared to life in the second quarter after conceding the first 10 points of the game to go into quarter time behind.

A 31-14 stanza put the hosts on the front foot in the second half in an 83-69 win.

Joe Davis shot his two pointers at 75 per cent, while Matt Berkec, Elias Kafrouni and Kasseka Mpota also made good of their opportunities.

Michael Johns, coming off the bench, was impressive with 14 points and five defensive rebounds.

“It’s something we discussed with him during the week,” said Roberts of Johns hitting the scoreboard.

“He is a genuine shooter and that was part of the reason we brought him into the team.

“We need him to go out and hit those buckets, and especially the big threes we know he’s capable of.”

The coach felt like his team effectively combated the threat of Jamal Pollydore, who finished with 17 points, one rebound and two assists.

“He didn’t worry me too much,” Roberts said.

“He is going to get off the leash and do some scoring, but we played a good lockdown role on him for most of the game.

“‘Norto’ (Josh Norton) was on him at one stage, Ned (Weideman) had him for most of the game and even MJ (Michael Johns) went to him.

“We rotated the boys through him and we think that frustrated him a little bit and played into our hands.”

Next up for Pakenham is fierce rival Gippsland, which will be looking to bounce back from a 94-55 humiliation at the hands of RMIT Redbacks.

Pakenham lost to Gippsland 76-66 on 15 July, with Stephen O’Brien scoring 20 points.

“We think we’re right in it with Gippsland,” Roberts said.

“It generally is only a quarter or so that it gets away from us.

“We’ve got to tidy up some things overall.

“O’Brien seems to play his best games against us, that’s something we’ve got to manage.

“Defensively, we do very well on him but we struggle to score against him.

“We’ve got to find ways around that so Joe (Davis) can do what he does and get help from the other boys.

“They will want to be proving they should be there, so the hope is we’ve got the energy

and legs to go through.

“We know we’ve got the talent, but they will want to show everybody that Gippsland still has it over us and that’s something for us to overcome.”

The game is at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday at 7pm.

Balancing act in finals race for the Storm

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Cardinia has gone down 3-1 to St Bede’s as the race for the top four heats up.

It was a hard fought match, with the Storm gallant despite being limited by injuries.

Randeep Kaur, RubyWilson and goal keeper Jordan McDonald were crucial in halting St Bede’s and preventing a blowout to the visitors.

Despite being on the back foot in patches, Lauren Welsh, Matilda Dillon and Maddy Reincastle fed the strikers well when afforded opportunities.

They were rewarded when Rebecca Gregory found Bridie Dillon in the attacking circle who converted.

Meanwhile, the under-12s had a 3-2 loss to KBH Brumbies and the under-10s were also defeated.

It’s a local rivalry in the under-12s on Saturday, with Cardinia taking on Casey, while the under-10s play Southern United.

Results: Cardinia 1 v St Bede’s 3, Waverley 2 v Knox 0, MCC Hockey Section 1 v Hawthorn 1, Mentone 1 v Monash University 2

Ladder: Waverley 28, St Bede’s 27, Mentone 26, Monash 22, Knox 21, Cardinia 21, Hawthorn 8,

5

Fixture: Cardinia Storm v Hawthorn, St Bede’s v Monash University, Waverley v Mentone, MCC Hockey Section v Knox

Under-12s ladder: Hume 6, Toorak East Mal-

Tayla Sbisa will be a key player for Pakenham when the Lions begin their finals campaign against Upwey-Tecoma on Sunday.

Finals fever for women

By David Nagel

The stage is set for a bumper two weeks of finals in Outer East Women’s football after the home-and-away season came to an end on Saturday.

Healesville, Upwey-Tecoma, Pakenham and Olinda Ferny Creek will battle it out for division one glory, while Belgrave,Wandin, Seville andYarra Junction will hit the Healesville footy ground on Sunday to begin their quest for the division two title.

It’s all cut-throat from here, with first taking on fourth, and second playing third, with the two winners to play in the grand final at Healesville on Sunday 13 August.

Pakenham will head in as underdogs against Upwey-Tecoma this week after the Lions succumbed to the Tigers for the third time this year in a Saturday night showdown at Upwey.

TheTigers just made the most of their chances, winning by 26 points - 10.2.62 to 5.6.36 - despite having just one more scoring shot at goal.

Alex Bantock kicked three for the winners, while Haylee Deichsel and Bec Thompson snagged a couple each in impressive performances.

Bianca Moody, Emily Devine and Tayla Sbisa were rock-solid for the Lions, who will need to be at their defensive best to turn things around on the weekend.

Healesville has remained undefeated during the home-and-away season after an 8.4.52 to 5.3.33 victory over Olinda Ferny Creek.

Healesville dominated early, but Olinda kicked four goals to one after half time to give it some confidence heading into this weekend’s rematch.

Scarlett Potter slotted three goals for Healesville, and Perry Byron two, while star midfielder Grace Belloni kicked two goals for Olinda.

And Berwick Springs has signed off its maiden season in style, thumping Monbulk by 99 points at Mick Morland Reserve.

Kim Emile kicked five for the Titans, and Sheridan Holland three, while Filiz Lang, Zara Strang, Chloe Romanoff and Danielle Shedden were others to hit the scoreboard.

OUTER EASTWOMEN’S

Results

Division One

Round 15: Berwick Springs 14.15.99 def Monbulk 0.0.0, Olinda Ferny Creek 5.3.33 def by Healesville 8.4.52, UpweyTecoma 10.2.62 def Pakenham 5.6.36.

Final Ladder: Healesville 60, UpweyTecoma 40, Pakenham 29, Olinda Ferny Creek 28, Ber Springs 24, Monbulk 0.

FINALS FIXTURE -WEEK ONE

Sunday 6 August at Healesville

9.30am Div 2: Wandin (2) v Seville (3) 11.15am Div 2: Belgrave (1) vYarra Junction (4)

1.10pm Div 1: Upwey-Tecoma (2) v Pakenham (3)

2.55pm Div 1: Healesville (1) v Olinda Ferny Creek (4)

350851

Picture: EUAN POULTON PHOTOGRAPHY

MCC

vern 6, KBH Brumbies (2) 6, KBH Brumbies 14, Croydon Ranges (2) 4, Greensborough 3, ECHO (1) 1, Melbourne High School Old Boys 1, Croydon Ranges (1) 1, Doncaster 1, Cardinia

0, Casey 0, ECHO (2) 0 Under-10s ladder: Casey 6, Mornington Peninsula 4, Frankston 4, Greater Dandenong 3, Southern United 0, Cardinia Storm 0.

Rebecca Gregory set up the Storm’s goal. 332064

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Stephen O’Brien (right) is a threat that Matt Berkec and the Warriors know they will have to overcome. 333511 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

SPORT

Lions scorch a big chance

By Marcus Uhe

Silence filled the Pakenham rooms as a disconsolate Ash Green searched for answers.

Pakenham players avoided eye-contact, sitting with slumped shoulders as the reality began to dawn.

Sitting a game clear of Upwey Tecoma, a win would have given Pakenham a stranglehold on fourth place, and breathing space in the battle for a place in the five.

Having beaten their hosts in round five, there was every right to be confident with arguably their strongest side of the year.

The first quarter went to plan, kicking four of the first five goals of the contest.

Goals to Jake Barclay, Matthew Vaiano and Bailey Stiles were each reward for exceptional pressure in the forward half.

But extra numbers behind the ball and a suffocating forward press presented Pakenham with obstacles in moving the football quickly.

Three goals in five minutes early in the second quarter gave the Tigers the lead as pressure began to set in.

The run left Green in a tricky position with regards to how to counter the charge; Jordan Stewart is his trump card that can play at either end of the ground, providing an aerial target.

But he was needed behind the ball as a steady head in the backline to help relieve Tom Gamble, Stephen Morey and co in the eye of the Upwey Tecoma storm.

The margin reached 22 points before a trademark running goal from Tyrell Bignoux late in the half put the brakes on the Tigers.

Green pulled the Stewart trigger to begin the second half with his key swing-man starting forward and Josh Haggar swung to the back half.

His physicality and strength at the contest provided early dividends as he nailed the first of the quarter, beating two defenders in his goal square to cut the lead to 10, as the rampant hosts became stuck in a goalless drought of their own.

He repeated the dose minutes later, this time halving a two-on-one before Pakenham’s smaller forwards combined leading to a snap from Jake Thompson, cutting the margin to under a kick.

Daniel Waters and Nathan Waterman then provided steadiers for the home side as Pakenham struggled to convert its midfield dominance.

A reticence to take a risk and comfort in sticking to the drier surface on the far wing

made its ball movement predictable for the spares behind the ball to prepare for, as the visitors faced a spatial battle on the smaller playing surface to what they’re accustomed to at home.

D’Angelo Taito and Vaiano combined at a boundary throw-in deep in the forward line for a another major late in the term, reducing the lead to a manageable 10.

A heavy bump on Barclay from Ben Hinton and a dumping tackle on Tahj De La Rue from Ned Park Jenkinson saw emotions flare late in the term in both sets of jumpers, as the stakes raised with every minute that passed.

The three-quarter-time siren diffused tensions with theTigers nine points ahead, setting the scene for an epic finale.

In round five’s corresponding clash, the Tigers led by six before Pakenham came home with a wet sail, the first in what would become a series of trademark come-from-behind wins.

Green asked his side for a fast start but it was the Tigers who struck first, as slack defending from the Pakenham midfielders allowed Rory Sinclair to goal on the run without pressure after 30 seconds.

A free kick against Jake Thompson at half back and a 25-metre penalty brought Lachlan Hughes to within goal scoring distance, an

opportunity he duly pounced on, and within three minutes Pakenham had conceded two goals to trail by 19.

The Lions needed spark form their leaders, and an instant reply from James Harrison offered just the tonic.

A strong mark from Lochlan Menzel at half back and a more acrobatic effort from De La Rue in the middle of the ground led to Stewart’s second, and it was suddenly back to a 10-point ball game after six minutes.

But like they had all day, any sniff of Pakenham scoreboard pressure was quickly extinguished by the hosts before the contest got out of hand.

A desperate Haggar was caught holding the ball on the goal-line under extreme duress, before a pair of goals to livewire forward Carmine Porcaro pushed the margin to 29, the largest it had been all afternoon.

Like Collingwood the night before against Carlton, a side that had built an identity on resilience and never saying die, the magic just wasn’t there for Pakenham.

The Tigers were the more desperate side, executing the spoils, the tackles and the blocks where required as they sniffed a much-needed victory.

Vaiano added two more as the minutes

Magpies flying high above the commotion

By Marcus Uhe

Victories to Beaconsfield and Olinda Ferny Creek over fellow contenders in round 14 have further congested the pointy end of the A Grade netball ladder with four weeks remaining before finals.

Just two points separate Mt Evelyn in second position and Beaconsfield in fifth, with Olinda Ferny Creek and Wandin sandwiched between the two in third and fourth respectively.

Beaconsfield inflicted Wandin’s fourth loss in its last five contests as it endures a brutal period in the fixture against a series of league heavyweights.

The Eagles held the competition’s leading goal scorer in Emmalia Blake to just 34, her equal-lowest total of the season, in the 45-39 victory.

It was comfortably Beaconsfield’s most significant win of the campaign to date, having struggled to beat the sides above them on the table, their closest previous result being a draw when they last faced the Bulldogs.

Elizabeth Murphy’s 36 goals meant she got the better of the two shooters, leading the way alongside Gabrielle Stinear.

Olinda Ferny Creek have stretched its winstreak to six matches, accounting for Mt Evelyn by four goals 51-47.

The Bloods extended its quarter time lead

from four goals to 13 at the long break, a margin the Rovers were unable to reel-in despite winning the second half 26-17.

Hayley Howard delivered another dominant performance scoring 42 goals for the Bloods, engaging in a gripping contest with Kaitlyn Black, with Ava Van Leemput adding a spark off the bench.

Rory Barr scored 37 for the Rovers.

Watching the commotion unfold from the top of the table is Narre Warren, now two games clear in pole position thanks to Mt Evelyn’s loss.

The Magpies ensured Gembrook Cockatoo’s torrid season continued, inflicting a second 100-goal total on the Brookers in three weeks.

Erin Bell’s side were at their brutal best, saving their most dominant quarter for last, scoring 32 goals to four to finish 102-25 winners.

It’s the biggest margin of victory for any team in 2023, having eclipsed Mt Evelyn’s 75goal defeat of the Brookers two weeks earlier.

Clare Vearing nailed 75 goals for the Magpies, one of the highest individual returns of the season, while Jemma Osborne highlighted their side’s ridiculous depth by scoring 25 off the bench.

Mary Miles and Jordan Reynolds tried their hardest in defence for Gembrook Cockatoo as Chelsea Ingram scored 17 goals.

At Thompson Reserve, Upwey Tecoma got the better of Pakenham thanks to a strong first half.

The Tigers led by five at quarter time and eight at the half, on the back of some excellent defence.

Pakenham were often forced go backwards from its centre pass and found it difficult to penetrate the goal circle as Upwey Tecoma pushed players into the back thirds.

Scoring became easier for Pakenham as the game went on, recording its second highest total for the season, but it wasn’t enough to get the better of the Tigers, who claimed a 49-44 victory.

Mia Lui (24 goals) and Molly Argoon (18) shared the scoring duties for the home side, offering a dual threat in attack that was too much for the Pakenham defenders to stop.

Wing attack Emma Jones was among Pakenham’s bests.

At Monbulk, Peri Reid’s second half-century of goals for the season led Monbulk to a 22-goal win over Berwick.

From quarter time onwards the Hawks outscored the visitors 49-29 to record a sixth win of the campaign.

Reid starred with 51 on the back of pristine service from Nicole Macdowell and Sophie Stubbs in the mid-court.

Brooke Abu-Jaber nailed 20 goals for Berwick who languish in third-last.

ticked down, before Park Jenkinson but the full stop on any chance of a comeback.

Despite Upwey Tecoma’s Matt Szczesny being forced form the ground under the blood rule and affording the Lions extra time to set up from a kick out of its forward half, Park Jenkinson found space where there should never have been, before kicking long to an unguarded goal square.

Bignoux and Thompson attempted to make up for lost ground and get a touch on the kick, but it was to no avail, as the Sherrin painfully bounced through the big sticks, and with it Pakenham’s grip on fourth place.

Vaianofinishedwithfourgoalsonhisreturn to action after injury, but he was just one of six goalkickers where the Tigers finished with 10, offering more threats ahead of the football.

De La Rue continues to dazzle at senior level, while Gamble and Haggar held their own in the back half of the ground.

For the Tigers, Sam Wicks and Andrew Bartils led the way in the middle of the ground, as did Declan Forbes.

The beers will taste better for the Tigers on next week’s bye, having given their chances of qualifying for finals a major shot in the arm. Pakenham, meanwhile, face the unenviable task of rebounding against Wandin at home.

Clare Vearing was unstoppable for Narre Warren against Gembrook Cockatoo, scoring 75 goals. 350354 Picture: GARY SISSONS

Tahj De La Rue continues to impress for Pakenham. 348938

Picture: GARY SISSONS

St Clare’s Catholic Primary School, Officer

Our Faith leads to Wisdom and Courage.

Our faith leads to wisdom and courage.

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

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

Helen Staindl School Principal