News - Berwick Star News - 19th October 2023

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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Long cancer battle

Saluting fallen servicemen

Howell finishes on a high

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SPORT

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Fighting childcare centre

Dive into history The stories of some of the notable families across Casey will be coming to life as part of an upcoming cemetery tour in Dandenong.

More than 30 tales of early settlers in the South East will be revealed in a historical tour at the Dandenong Community Cemetery this month.

Story page 14 Narre Warren and District Family History Group president Jane Rivett-Carnac and publicity officer Lyne McGregor at the Mary Sime gravestone in Dandenong Cemetery. 365856 Picture: ROB CAREW

‘Horrendous’ raid

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A man has been sentenced over an armed teen group’s “truly horrendous” invasion of a sleeping family’s home, in which one of the residents was stabbed in the chest.

Duop Leek, then 18, of Clyde North, roamed with three other males aged 15-17 looking for a car to steal in Berwick in the early hours of 12 July 2021.

About 2.10am, they kicked in the front door of a family of five’s home.

They stormed into the main bedroom, held up the residents and stole the family’s BMW X5 vehicle, three phones and $70.

An awoken resident was told at knifepoint

to “stay in bed or I’ll cut you”.

He was later slashed in the upper arm by one of the teens and had a knife pushed through his chest muscle by another intruder.

As the chest wound bled, the man thought: “I hope I’m not in too much trouble here.”

He was later treated at The Alfred for nonlife-threatening wounds.

One of the residents, 19, tried to call triplezero but had trouble speaking so his mother took over the call.

“I can only imagine the fear and the trauma that the family experienced,” sentencing judge Stewart Bayles said on 12 October.

The family had been “over-powered and

outnumbered by people with weapons”, the judge said.

They had told the court of being “haunted” by the night’s events, with the parents saying they would never forget the looks on their children’s faces.

“This is a truly horrendous incident for the victims,” Judge Bayles said.

“To invade a family home in this way in the middle of the night, kicking the front door open, entering the bedroom of otherwise sleeping people with children in the house and the parents no doubt fearful for themselves and their children…”

On that night, the intruders picked up

three female companions waiting in a nearby park and drove the stolen BMW across Melbourne.

They evaded a set of police stop sticks before hitting another set. All seven fled on foot and were arrested by police in Melbourne’s west.

Now 20, Leek pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to aggravated home invasion, armed robbery, causing injury recklessly and theft.

It was not alleged that Leek was armed or that he inflicted any of the injuries, Judge Bayles noted.

Continued page 3

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Council Elections 2024

City of Casey encourages parents to vaccinate young people against HPV The City of Casey is urging parents and guardians to safeguard their children’s health by ensuring they have received the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation.

This call to action is being reinforced via a free catch-up program for any adolescents who missed their 2020 and 2021 secondary school vaccinations, which includes a Council-run after hours immunisation event in Narre Warren. This event will take place from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturday 28 October at Bunjil Place, making it easier for working parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated.

Bookings can be made via our website.

Next year the City of Casey will return to elected Councillors when local Council Elections take place across Victoria in October 2024.

Over the next 12 months, Council will undertake a range of measures and support the efforts of the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) to ensure a successful transition back to elected officials for the community and our organisation.

Council has put together some information regarding the key dates for the community and potential election candidates over the next 12 months on our website.

We’ll also be hosting three Role of Council Candidate Information Sessions, with the first to be held on Tuesday 28 November from 6.00 pm at Eliston Family and Community Centre, Clyde.

To find out more and register to attend, visit the ‘Council Elections 2024’ page on our website.

Permit to burn applications to close 31 October It’s that time of year again where the weather is warming up and moisture on the ground is drying off.

This spring and summer has been officially declared an El Nino weather event by the Bureau of Meteorology. This means hotter and drier seasonal conditions between November and April.

As a result, our Fire Management Officer will transition to property inspections for fire hazards commencing from 1 November. Applications for a permit to burn will close by 31 October, with the permit expiring 30 November (unless the Fire Danger Period for Casey commences before 30 November).

We will be receiving and processing permit to burn applications up to 31 October. No applications to burn off will be processed from 1 November as property inspections will have commenced at this time.

For more information, please visit the 'apply to burn off' page on our website.

Art studios in the south east open their doors for free tours Talented artists and makers from across the south east region will open their doors for visitors to take free selfguided tours through their studios, workshops, galleries and gardens as part of the Open Studios Weekend.

Eleven spaces across Casey, Cardinia and Dandenong will be open between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm on Saturday 21 October and Sunday 22 October. No bookings are required. For further information and to view the digital program, visit the 'Casey Arts' page on our website.

Have your say and help shape Casey’s future Provide feedback on a number of consultations currently open on our community engagement platform, Casey Conversations.

• •

Complete our Exploring Safety in Casey online survey until Friday 27 October.

Have your say on our Proposed Community Local Law 2023 until Monday 23 October.

Head to the Casey Conversations website to find out more or scan the QR code.

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home Push for protection Family raided

By Emily Laing and Matthew Sims

Local history and heritage buffs are concerned about the outcome of Casey’s Heritage Strategy, currently under review by the council, fearing changes could exacerbate the insufficient resources allocated to heritage conservation.

Former Casey Council heritage management staff member David Westlake said the upcoming review of Casey Council’s Heritage Strategy needs to represent a shift in how local governments value its heritage properties.

“A sense of place and belonging are essential for both council staff and community to understand where we have come from,” he said.

“Council needs to wake up and take rich local heritage seriously - both Aboriginal and European.”

Mr Westlake said there are a number of things local history enthusiasts want out of the updated Heritage Strategy, including a Caseywide Aboriginal heritage study, an Aboriginal liaison officer role, a full-time heritage planner and stakeholder engagement via events and forums.

“A dedicated, full time heritage officer is a must to do justice to the education and community engagement on heritage - a role far beyond the planning role, “The expected position of council in the new Heritage Strategy will be no different to that taken in recent years.”

Mr Westlake said the State Government needs to take action to ensure heritage properties were not left to be demolished.

“Planning compliance is unfortunately of little assistance once a heritage property is demolished,” he said.

“Maintenance is not covered in the planning controls.”

A former Casey Council heritage officer, who requested to not be named, said there are

Treeby is a heritage listed building in Casey.

353661 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS a number of properties within Casey which are being allowed to fall into disrepair as a method of ‘demolition by neglect’.

“Council would find it difficult to justify forcing them to keep the building,” they said.

They said neglected sites included Menenia Park at 71 Craig Road in Cranbourne North and Treeby at 31-35, Robinson Road in Narre Warren North.

The former heritage officer said heritage properties are more valuable than heritage properties in the CBD. “Once you lose one place, it’s not like there’s another one around the corner,” they said.

“The pressure on heritage is coming from the housing demand.”

The former heritage officer said there needs to be more legislative protection put into place by the State Government to give local governments more power to be proactive instead of reactive.

“It really comes down to a lack of legislative power,” they said.

“You need to identify and protect your heritage and then you know where to go with development.”

Casey Council planning and building manager Tania Asper said the council has a number of procedures in place to protect heritage places.

“The City of Casey employs a Heritage Officer and utilises a panel of heritage consultants to help landowners manage heritage places across the municipality,” City of Casey manager planning and building Tania Asper said.

“Council’s Planning Compliance team monitors and investigates any concerns over breaches of the Casey Planning Scheme as it relates to heritage places.

“Landowners are encouraged to take advantage of our free Heritage Advisory Service or apply for funding to assist with the conservation of their heritage places via the Victorian Heritage Restoration Fund.”

Ms Asper said the council will consult with the local community regarding any significant planning scheme amendments to the Casey Planning Scheme relating to heritage places.

“Council is preparing a planning scheme amendment to update the Casey Planning Scheme to include reference to a new local heritage policy that will require due consideration be given to heritage conservation, in addition to current planning scheme requirements,” she said.

Last updated in October 2017, the City of Casey Heritage Strategy provides an action plan to identify, protect and maintain heritage places, support and assist owners of heritage places, and educate and promote Casey’s history and heritage assets for the benefit of current and future generations.

More than 180 places in Casey are controlled under heritage legislation (Casey’s Heritage Overlay).

Of these, three are precincts and three are included in the State heritage register.

For more information about heritage in Casey, visit casey.vic.gov.au/heritage-at-casey

From page 1 The sentence must “make a statement” about the seriousness of this type of crime, the judge said. A mandatory jail term would normally apply.

However, Leek was instead sentenced to detention in a youth justice centre due to “exceptional and rare circumstances”.

Judge Bayles noted Leek’s low-to-borderline IQ range and Attention Deficit Disorder, which made him more susceptible to undesirable influences in adult prison.

His mental illness would also make prison a greater burden for him, and put him at risk of being entrenched in the criminal system.

He was also at a young age and with no prior convictions.

Since the incident, Leek had been on supervised bail without similar offending for two years.

He had engaged positively with Youth Justice supports, despite committing a minor shop theft.

Unlike Leek, the most serious cooffenders were sentenced in a children’s court.

They have been since detained in a Youth Justice Centre.

Judge Bayles rejected a defence submission for a community corrections order.

He ordered Leek to be detained in a Youth Justice Centre for three-and-ahalf years.

His term included 33 days in adult remand.

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Breaking music barriers

By Afraa Kori A group of South East South Sudanese independent artists are ready to take their music to the next level and put their country on the map.

Dandenong-based artist Mike Wang, Cranbourne artists Prez, 700Kae, YTS Gucciboi, Mobstah and GS Phantom and Pakenham’s Yung Baddie represent the world’s youngest nation, South Sudan.

Despite pursuing music for more than five years and being a citizen of a multicultural country, 700Kae said the path to getting wider recognition from the Australian public is still inaccessible in many ways.

“If you look at America, the biggest musicians are black, same with the UK,” he said.

“But you look at Australia and there’s not one big black artist, it doesn’t make sense because the talent I see in my area from South Sudan artists blows my mind.”

Prez said there is often a disconnect between both sides to allow South Sudanese artists to reach mainstream success.

“Maybe if they could relate to us, see that what we’re building is actually something worth supporting, while we engage with them and stay connected, then a bridge could be formed,” he said.

Prez said South Sudanese independent music artists also face financial barriers to finding success in Australia’s mainstream music industry.

“The biggest struggle of being a South Sudanese artist is gaining more exposure in spaces such as radio, and the lack of access to funding and resources,” he said.

“Many artists do not have the support of a major label, which means that they are often responsible for financing their own music production, promotion, and touring.”

Yung Baddie said a number of South Sudanese independent artists are starting their own wave and are demanding more support.

“I do believe that there are many talented and gifted South Sudanese artists in this city,” he said.

“We just need to do a better job.”

700Kae, Prez, Mike Wang and YTS Gucciboi are based in the South East but dream of having a local and global impact through their music.

Picture: RAMBANG PHOTOGRAPHY YTS Gucciboi said there a number of ways the industry can support local South Sudanese artists.

“We can start by hosting events for the musician artist or connecting them with the resources that they need, having a studio, community centre and any type of ways that can help us get to where we heading or even having to fund the artist so that they pay off music-related payments,” he said.

700Kae said their struggle to reach success

is part of their story.

“If we showed our artists the love that these other communities show their artists, we would have gone a long way in the music industry a long time ago,” he said.

“This is what makes our stories even better, we have to work harder for it so when our time comes success is gonna be sweet.”

Prez said more engagement within the community is key to achieving success.

“When people are really involved with the shows, supportive of the releases and projects that come out, and share the music with their friends and family, that does a lot for the independent artists here in Melbourne,” he said.

Wang said while a number of South Sudanese artists recognise there has been improvement, there is still a long way to go in embracing these artists into the mainstream.

“As of recent years, I have seen more leniency towards young artists from parents than it was when I started and others that I know of, but that’s because parents are now starting to understand what it is that we are doing,” he said.

“To be seen and recognised for our greatness is something that is starting to happen and only God knows where it can lead.”

Prez said he believes the industry is on a tipping point.

“Though the mainstream media hasn’t covered much of it, I really think the dynamics will change very soon,” he said.

“Given that more and more talented young Sudanese people are becoming known whether in sports, modelling and the fashion industry, it shines on the Sudanese diaspora as a whole, especially in Australia.

“I do believe the chance needs to be given, not only due to the talent and potential within the arts for a lot of young Sudanese people, but also to give them purpose, something to strive for.”

Yung Baddie said while the challenges exist, their visions have always been clear and their goals have never wavered.

“In the end, you got to prove people wrong because a day will come when the underdogs end up ruling the world,” he said.

Prez said he is looking forward to the future of the South Sudanese music industry in Australia and beyond.

“I plan to take over the music industry and set changes within the foundation for the next generations of creatives and artists, so that it may be easier for them to dream and accomplish than it was for us,” he said. * Afraa Kori is a currently studying a Master of Journalism at Melbourne University.

Casey electoral structure under review An electoral representation advisory panel is conducting a review of Casey Council’s electoral structure, with all residents encouraged to have their say.

Appointed by the Local Government Minister, the panel will make a recommendation to the minister on electoral structures for councils under review.

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) provides technical and administrative support to the panels.

Under the Local Government Act 2020, the council must adopt a single-councillor ward

Funeral Director

...the little things make a difference

structure, with the panel set to consider the appropriate number of councillors and wards for the council, the location of ward boundaries and the name of each ward.

People interested in making a response submission to the preliminary report can map the ward boundaries for their proposed electoral structure online using the public submission tool available on the VEC website as part of their submission.

Online information sessions are being held on Microsoft Teams to find out more about the review from noon on Monday 30 October and 6pm on Tuesday 31 October.

Casey Council is also preparing to host its election of new councillors next October, with an in-person candidate information session scheduled for Tuesday 28 November from 6pm to 8pm at the Eliston Family and Community Centre in Clyde, an online session scheduled on Tuesday 27 February from 1pm to 3pm and a final in-person session on Tuesday 26 March from 6pm to 8pm at Bunjil Place.

For more details on the review, visit vec. vic.gov.au/electoral-boundaries/council-reviews/electoral-structure-reviews/casey

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People interested in making a response submission to the preliminary report can map the ward boundaries for their proposed electoral structure online using the public submission tool available on the VEC website as part of their submission. 238145

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House pact denial

By AAP Singer-songwriter Vanessa Amorosi has emphatically denied she ever agreed to hand over full ownership of a Narre Warren home to her mother.

The property is central to the 42-year-old’s legal case against her mother Joyleen Robinson, which has gone to trial in the Victorian Supreme Court.

Amorosi claims the $650,000 used to purchase the home in 2001 came from a trust account set up to receive all of her earnings as a singer-songwriter.

She is seeking full ownership of the property, which currently has her and her mother listed as joint-owners.

But Mrs Robinson claims Amorosi agreed to hand over full ownership of the Narre Warren home if her mother paid her $650,000 when she asked.

During her evidence, Mrs Robinson could not remember the date the agreement was made although her lawyer previously stated it was in February 2001.

“I’m not good with dates,” she told the court.

She maintained the agreement was made during a conversation in the kitchen of their former family home.

“She paid for the whole amount of the property and when she needed money, I would sell my McKenzie Lane property and give the money to her,” Mrs Robinson said.

She told the court she handed over $710,000 to Amorosi in 2014 for the loan she took out on her American home.

Mrs Robinson maintained she fulfilled her end of the agreement so the Narre Warren property should be in her name alone.

During cross-examination, Amorosi repeatedly denied any agreement was made.

Earlier on Friday, Mrs Robinson’s barrister

Brazen armed robbery Daniel Harrison suggested to Amorosi she did not have a good memory and the agreement did take place.

He also put to her that she bought the Narre Warren home for her mother and she never considered it her own property.

Amorosi denied that assertion, saying it was the first home she bought for herself and she always thought of it as hers.

“My mum wanted that property from day one, no matter what,” Amorosi told the court.

“She made it very clear it was her dream property.”

Mr Harrison also suggested Amorosi had launched the legal proceedings because she was in a difficult financial situation, which Amorosi denied.

Police have arrested and charged a 30-year-old Berwick man with armed robbery, possessing a weapon and various assault offences after he allegedly entered a pharmacy on O’Shea Road on Monday 16 October with a speargun, baton and knife, damaging shop fittings and stealing medicine.

Police received a call at about 1.15pm and wasted no time in attending a nearby address on Haverbrack Drive and arresting the man at about 1.30pm.

Police took the man into custody without incident, seizing spearguns and medicine, which was allegedly stolen from the pharmacy.

There were no injuries in the alleged offending.

The man was in hospital being treated under police guard, police said on Tuesday.

The barrister told Justice Steven Moore that Amorosi’s recollections were unreliable, not from malice but simply because she had a poor memory.

Mr Harrison said it ultimately came down to two people with very different accounts of what did or didn’t happen.

Justice Moore should see that Mrs Robinson’s recollection was the only sensible one, Mr Harrison said.

Amorosi’s former manager Mark Holden was among the people in court supporting the 42-year-old on Friday, while her siblings and step-father were there for Mrs Robinson.

Mrs Robinson’s evidence is set to continue, with Amorosi’s barrister Philip Solomon to cross-examine her.

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions Until 23 Oct

Dandenong to Cranbourne

Western Port Highway, Skye

20 Oct to 8 Nov

Cranbourne Line

Between Hall and Thompsons roads

Cranbourne and Pakenham lines

From 8.30pm to last train 29 Oct

Caulfield to Westall

Racecourse Road, Pakenham

23 to 31 Oct

At the level crossing

Cameron Street, Cranbourne

29 Oct to early 2024

South of BerwickCranbourne Road

Rochester Parade, Cranbourne East

Late Oct to late Jan 2024

At Narre WarrenCranbourne Road

Bellarine Drive and Sunbird Avenue, Cranbourne

Late Oct to late Mar 2024

At Narre WarrenCranbourne Road

Hall Road and Western Port Highway, Skye

8 Nov to 20 Dec

At the intersection

Road disruptions: Closed lanes and roads South Gippsland Highway, Cranbourne

Until mid Dec

Lane closed near Cameron Street, in each direction

Narre WarrenCranbourne Road, Narre Warren

Each night, until 23 Oct

Between Fullard Road/ Saxonwood Drive and Princes Highway

Camms Road, Cranbourne

Until late Nov

At the level crossing

Find a detailed list of disruptions at bigbuild.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

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We’re building big near you and there will be transport disruptions

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Historical abuse inquiry info session open to all

Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association president Brian Oates was among the local Yes Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS volunteers during early voting. 365325

Divided on Voice votes Pockets of Casey defied the national mood against the proposed Voice to Parliament in the 14 October national referendum. Nationally, the majority of voters in every Australian state emphatically chose ‘No’ to enshrining an indigenous advisory voice to Parliament in Australia’s Constitution.

Overall, 60.5 per cent voted against the proposal. Victoria recorded the highest ‘Yes’ vote across the states with 45 per cent.

Voters in Bruce voted 42 per cent in favour of the Voice while the more inner-suburban Hotham (49 per cent ‘Yes’) and Isaacs electorates (50 per cent ‘Yes’) were evenly divided. In Bruce, there were a number of booths which were marginally pro-Voice, including 52.9 per cent Yes votes at Doveton College, 50.9 per cent Yes votes recorded at the Timbarra Com-

munity Centre booth in Berwick and 50.8 per cent at Hallam Primary School. Across Bruce, the majority of booths recorded strong No vote proportions, including at Narre Warren North Primary School (69.2 per cent), Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre (62.7 per cent) and Southern Cross Primary School in Endeavour Hills (56.7 per cent) In Holt, 43.9 per cent voted in support of the Voice while 56.1 per cent voted against the Voice.

Majority ‘Yes’ votes were recorded at booths in Lyndhurst (54 per cent), Casey Fields (52.2 per cent) and Cranbourne North (51.9 per cent).

The strongest pro-No votes were at booths in Tooradin (73.5 per cent), Pearcedale (68.5 per cent) and Botanic Ridge (61.5 per cent).

Labor MPs Julian Hill and Cassandra Fernando also publicly backed the ‘Yes’ campaign.

The Board of Inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary and certain other government schools is hosting a drop-in information session for community members to learn more about its work.

Six additional schools and two further alleged perpetrators are identified as part of an investigation into historical child sexual abuse at Victorian Government schools, with the Beaumaris Primary School inquiry recently expanding to include Drouin South Primary School, Warragul Primary School as well as Bundalong South (now closed), Chelsea Heights, and Cowes and Kunyung Primary Schools.

The session will be held at Bunjil Place’s Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri meeting room on Thursday 19 October from 3pm to 5pm.

The inquiry is investigating child sexual abuse by multiple staff members at Beaumaris Primary School during the 1960s and 1970s, and alleged abuse that they perpetrated at other government schools.

Former teachers Grahame (Graham) Harold Steele and David Ernest Keith MacGregor have also been newly named as two more alleged perpetrators.

Gary Arthur Mitchell has been already named as an alleged perpetrator.

The inquiry is investigating 24 schools

including Beaumaris, Beaconsfield Upper, Cranbourne, Dandenong North, Dandenong West, Emerald, Mirboo (now Mirboo North), Moorabbin (Tucker Road), Moorabbin West and Warragul Technical School.

The inquiry has extended its submission deadline from victim-survivors from the 24 schools until 31 October. Private sessions are also available to speak to the inquiry in Melbourne’s CBD in October and November. To make a submission or register for a private session, go to beaumarisinquiry.vic.gov.au

Hearings begin next week Public hearings for an inquiry into historical child sexual abuse at 24 Victorian Government schools are set to begin next week.

The Board of Inquiry will hear from victim-survivors who experienced abuse by staff at Beaumaris Primary School in the 1960s and 1970s.

Inquiry chair Kathleen Foley SC will also hear evidence from victim-survivors from other schools where those staff members were employed.

The first week of hearings will take place from Monday 23 October-Thursday 26 October.

Among the investigated primary schools are Beaumaris, Beaconsfield Upper, Bunyip, Cranbourne, Dandenong North, Dandenong West, Drouin South and Emerald.

OPINION

The first week of public hearings will focus on understanding the effects of historical child sexual abuse in government schools, the Board of Inquiry stated.

It will also focus on the individual and shared experiences of victim-survivors, secondary victims and impacted community members.

“The hearings will be an opportunity for victim-survivors and their families, friends and supporters to have their experiences publicly recorded and acknowledged.”

Submissions are still open for victimsurvivors of sexual abuse at Victorian government schools.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings in person or watch the webstream on the Inquiry’s website.

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

LENSCAPE

Thumbs up To Mia at Telstra Cranbourne looking after elderly customers with great kindness and respect - thank you.

Thumbs down To the state of our roads.

Thumbs up To finally playing turf cricket on Saturday. It was a cold day but rain kept away.

Thumbs up To everyone who completed the Melbourne Marathon yesterday - be it 42, 21, 10 or 5km, it was an amazing effort by all.

Thumbs down To Casey Council. Revenue raising at its finest...$192 for a parking ticket on Kangan Drive. What an absolute disgrace.

Thumbs up Coda keeps a lookout in Cranbourne North. 367846 6 STAR NEWS

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Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

To no voters, overwhelming result against all odds. berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Childcare centre, not here

By Matthew Sims

Highgrange Estate residents are concerned about the traffic and safety impact of an approved 110 place early childhood education centre in Narre Warren North. 332556 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS “The entry to this childcare centre is going to be in Drysdale Avenue as soon as residents turn into the estate.

“This will detrimentally impact traffic trying to get in or out of the estate.”

Bounded by Belgrave-Hallam Road to the north and west, the Princes Freeway to the south and Tinks Road/Ernst Wanke Road to the east, the land has been covered by the Cell ‘K’ Development Plan, which was first adopted on 6 August 1996 and last amended on 24 March 2009.

Under the development plan, a Development Plan Overlay (DPO) also applies to this area, which makes an application exempt from notice and review, as well as appeals via VCAT, if it is generally in accordance with a development plan.

Casey Council completed a review of the

Casey Planning Scheme in 2022, with the report into the review adopted at a council meeting on 13 December 2022.

The review included a progress update on recommendations made in the 2018 review, with one of the priorities listed as removing all redundant Development Plan Overlays (DPO) where they have been identified as no longer being required to guide development within a specific area.

While this review of DPOs was scheduled as part of the 2022/23 strategic planning work program, Casey Council planning and building manager Tania Asper said the review was currently underway and was expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

“Any recommendations made as part of the review may require actioning via new planning scheme amendments to the Casey Planning

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A group of residents in a Narre Warren North housing estate have proposed launching a class action to fight Casey Council’s approval of a childcare centre to be developed on 154 Drysdale Avenue in Narre Warren North.

Casey Council approved a planning permit for the use and development of a childcare centre on the land on Tuesday 3 October, with the demolition of the $1.9 million house at the property expected soon.

The plans outlined a $2.9 million early childhood education facility at the site, which would accommodate 110 places.

The residents’ grievances with the development’s approval included the impacts it would have on traffic, amenity and overall neighbourhood character and the over-saturation of similar childcare centres in the area, as well as the development being exempt from notice and appeal via VCAT. In a joint letter to Casey Council administrators chair Noelene Duff PSM, Highgrange Estate residents said they believed the council’s decision to not bring the application before a public meeting reflected incompetence by the council.

“There clearly has been no communication in a fair and just way,” the letter read.

“We stand by our educated and informed opinion that given the rights to a VCAT appeal, a judge would have overturned council’s approval.”

In a further letter to Ms Duff, Highgrange Estate resident Sylvia Plaggemars said the development would create a number of issues for amenity and traffic in the area.

“The plan to put a double-storey 110-place childcare centre in this location is absolutely absurd and also considering one has also been built less than 300 metres away on the next corner is a lack in duty of care when assessing ‘oversaturation’ of a particular service,” she said.

Scheme,” she said.

“These amendments may then be required to be placed on public exhibition prior to being submitted to the Minister for Planning for final approval.

“As the review recommendations are not yet finalised, the timing and detail of any planning scheme changes are unknown at this point in time.”

Ms Asper said council placed 34 conditions on the planning permit issued, including modifications to the design , landscaping, drainage, traffic, use and development, and expiry.

“An assessment of the application for a childcare centre at 154 Drysdale Avenue in Narre Warren North was made against all relevant legislation and relevant policies within the Casey Planning Scheme, and this resulted in the approval of the application,” she said.

According to the 2021 Census, there were 356 children aged zero to four years in Narre Warren North.

A newly constructed and operational centre has been operating less than two kilometres away from the proposed planning permit at 1 Capra Court, accommodating more than 130 children aged six weeks to six years, while another centre accommodates more than 100 children at 280-283 Belgrave-Hallam Road, about 3.5 kilometres away from the proposed development.

Other centres were currently operating in Narre Warren, Narre Warren North, Endeavour Hills, and Hallam, with all centres confirming they were not operating to full capacity and had vacancies available in 2023/2024.

South-Eastern Metropolitan MP Ann-Marie Hermans once again raised the issue in Parliament on Tuesday 17 October.

“It is in an area where the roads are narrow and residential people live,” she said.

“There is one way in and one way out, and there are not the children for the childcare centre.”

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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STAR NEWS 7

NEWS

Decade-long cancer battle

By Violet Li Cranbourne North resident Tracey Ryan has just had her 60-year-old birthday in October and she has been in more than a decade’s battle with stage four breast cancer.

She was diagnosed in February 2010 and had her left lung removed five years ago due to a new primary lung cancer.

On top of that, she’s now been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) where her pain level is greater than expected and even water touching her skin could make her cry.

Trudging into the second decade of her survival battle, Tracey has stayed tough, trying to do everything she can, but everything takes a lot longer these days.

“I’m struggling a lot. I need a walking stick now every day, and I’ve got a wheelchair for my really bad days,” she said.

“Once you hit stage four, you will always be in stage four. They can keep you comfortable, but there is no way you can be cured.

“It is part of my life every single day. It is always in the back of my mind when I wake up in the morning.”

Families keep Tracey happy and get her through.

“They go above and beyond and tried to make me comfortable,” she said.

She said it was hard for her family to process everything.

Having two grandsons aged five and eight, Tracey recalled the five-year-old kid sat on her lap the other week giving her big cuddles and the eight-year-old told his younger brother to be careful because grandma was sick.

“And he turned around to me and he said grandma when you die, I won’t be able to sit on your own lap and get cuddles anymore,

Cranbourne North resident Tracey Ryan has been in more than a decade’s battle with stage four Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS breast cancer. 366834 will I?” she said.

“He looked at me and he’s got tears in his eyes and he said but I’ve got your hope and

your love in my heart, haven’t I? “And I just said to him you remember grandma will be looking down on you and

looking after you when you need grandma.”

Tracey had to go to the toilet, have a cry, wipe her eyes, and pull herself together after the conversation.

Following her diagnosis, Tracey has been actively engaged with charity work to promote breast cancer awareness.

She is a speaker for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and non-profit organisation Pink Hope.

Tracey and her friend have been involved in a charity called Young Pink Sisters and they pay up to $600 medical bills of young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Tracey said she wanted more people to be aware breast cancers can hit anyone at any age.

“Men, women, children can get breast cancer. And doctors unfortunately put you in a little box saying you are too young to get breast cancer,” she said.

“And I just keep telling people if you’re not happy with your doctor, you can get a second opinion or a third opinion. Just keep pushing until someone actually listens to you.”

Tracey first found out her cancer when she was at the hospital with her son.

She felt pain in her breast and there was a big lump.

“I thought it was stress. It wasn’t. It was cancer,” she said.

She’s strongly encouraging people to get a test done on their lumps before things go sour.

Tracey wants to send a message to people in her shoes.

“Just live your life to the best you can,” she said.

“And for people who aren’t sick, don’t wait to get sick to enjoy your life.”

Offender’s medication monitoring ‘suboptimal’: Report A State Coroner has found there was a suboptimal level of monitoring of the long-term painkiller prescription for a Cranbourne North resident who murdered his partner.

Daniel Eckersley stabbed his 36-year-old partner Amanda Jane Harries to death under an allegedly drug-induced psychosis at their home on 7 July 2018.

He mistakenly believed Ms Harries tried to poison him.

The couple had three children together at the time of the fatal incident.

Mr Eckersley had been prescribed tramadol for his knee injury pain for at least 22 months, with his dose stable within the recommended maximum range of 200mg long-acting and 300mg immediate-release tramadol for seven months prior to the fatal incident.

The inquest by the State Coroner John

Cain revealed Mr Eckersley reported overusing tramadol with 700-800mg daily for an unknown period prior to the fatal event with a recent increase in use.

His GP Dr Van Rheede told the inquiry they were not aware of the substance abuse.

Mr Eckersley was also found to have an extensive substance abuse history with alcohol and cannabis use until three weeks prior to the killing.

Psychiatrist Dr Enrico Cementon gave expert evidence for the investigation.

He is a fellow of Royal Australasian College of Physicians Chapter of Addiction Medicine and Victorian director of Addiction Psychiatry Training in the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).

He said the tramadol-induced psychosis was a very rare complication of the medication with very few reports of the syndrome.

He opined that it was more likely a tramadol-withdrawal psychosis, with the possibil-

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He also suggested referrals should have been made to specialist clinicians such as a pain management specialist and a psychiatrist.

“The level of monitoring that occurred for Mr Eckersley was suboptimal in circumstances where he was prescribed multiple medications with potential for abuse in the years prior to the fatal incident,” he stated.

The inquest showed there is no available study investigating the safety and efficacy of tramadol treatment beyond six months.

The tramadol treatment information indicates when tramadol is required long-term, careful and regular monitoring should be carried out to establish whether, and to what extent, ongoing treatment is necessary.

Mr Eckersley was convicted of the murder of Ms Harris and sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of 14 years on 30 January 2020.

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ity that Mr Eckersley had abruptly reduced his intake of tramadol following the commencement of antidepressant desvenlafaxine three days before the murder when he was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression.

“Possible recent abrupt cessation of tramadol use, high-dose use, prolonged use, recent cessation of heavy cannabis and alcohol use, the addition of desvenlafaxine and significant social stress may have been risk factors to Mr Eckersley developing psychosis,” he stated in the inquest report.

Coroner Cain made several comments in regards to prescribing tramadol in Mr Eckersley’s pain treatment.

He stated with Mr Eckersley’s tendency for alcohol and drug abuse or dependence, a referral for a formal substance abuse assessment should be required given he was prescribed high doses of multiple medications over a long period of time.

Thursday 7th December 11.30am

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STAR NEWS 9

NEWS

Lilian and Werner Kerber were married for more than 70 years.

Werner Kerber was the last stationmaster at Berwick.

Werner and Lilian Kerber on their wedding day.

Werner Kerber (bottom left) with his family in Berlin.

Tribute to stationmaster The final stationmaster of the Berwick railway station, Werner Kerber, has been remembered as a loving and caring man.

The 93-year-old died on Friday 29 September in Port Fairy alongside his wife Lilian, shortly after they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

The pair moved to Berwick in October 1967 before moving back to Port Fairy in 2019 after 52 years living in Berwick.

Werner was born to Arthur Kerber and Eva Bernhardt in October 1929 in a small secondfloor apartment in a small district within central Berlin called Lindenhof.

When World War II began, Berlin became a significant target for air raids, with a bomb once coming through the flats above his family’s apartment, hitting his mother’s marble dressing table and exploding, burning out the apartment.

A lot of his memories from this time were of hiding under the house in the cellar.

Werner had to move around a lot to avoid the worst parts of the war, including being shipped out to a family of strangers in the eastern part of Germany.

At the age of 14, he began an apprenticeship as an industrial businessman with the Kauffman factory, manufacturing perfumes, toothpaste and face creams.

When the Berlin Blockade began in June 1948 with the Soviet Union stopping all road, rail and canal access to West Berlin, Werner spent the next year working at the airfield helping to unload planes and working with American servicemen.

He then joined the Berlin police force, meeting his wife Lilian at the annual police ball.

Werner was then stationed as a constable at Schöneberg, with his duties including patrolling the Berlin Town Hall, traffic and night shifts.

His life shifted once again when he saw an advertisement in the Berlin Morning Post for personnel to join the railways in Victoria.

Arriving at Station Pier in Melbourne on

Berwick stationmaster Ray Wilton and assistant stationmaster Werner Kerber. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Lilian Kerber at the Berwick railway station after it won the Railway Garden of the Year award.

“I also remember a few briquettes flying out of the trucks sitting in the yard and filling up hessian bags for our home heater.

“A few pine trees were also watched by Dad as they grew in the railway cuttings and were absconded with at Christmas time.”

Werner was also the Berwick Scouts treasurer and the financial auditor for the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Dandenong.

Sabrina said her father enjoyed watching and participating in sports during his retirement.

“Dad took great pleasure in retiring from the railways on his 60th birthday in 1989 and took up golf at Pakenham with clubs from me and a bag and cart from his railway mates,” Sabrina said.

“I taught him to play and that natural sporting instinct ended up in him winning the monthly medal and a pewter mug.

“I sometimes wonder just how good he could have been at any sport had shift work not got in the way.”

Sabrina said they had a number of firm friends in Berwick during their 52 years living there.

“In Berwick, they added Dick and Marj Fenton for Chinese dinner nights, card playing and drinks,” she said.

“At times, the Fentons, Harrisons, Stosics and Zerowsys came together for special events.”

Sabrina said the pair wanted to spend the rest of their life by the beach watching the whales and enjoying the fresh sea air.

“Berwick would have been a lovely town to continue living in after 52 years,” she said.

“However, the lure of Port Fairy was always there, so in March 2019, he and Mum and I bought a house overlooking the Southern Ocean and George Dodds Reserve where many years have been spent with their friends and sisters, reminiscing and enjoying the surf club and the East Beach.”

Sabrina said her father was an “easy-going, friendly and gentle man”.

“I don’t ever recall a harsh word, voice raised or anything bad to say from him about others and vice versa,” she said.

“He was the ultimate gentleman, kind, considerate, quick-witted, handsome, happy to hand newly made friends a penny from his collection from the year of their birth and always remembered to send birthday cards and letters to Germany and around Australia.

“My Dad had a wonderful nature, he was nearly always cheerful, quick with a homemade joke, loving adventurous and carefree.”

1 April 1952, his first few months in Australia were spent in an immigration camp in Ararat learning the duties of a railway man.

In July 1952, Werner was posted to Port Fairy railway station as a porter and quickly became a vital part of the community, eventually helping to form the Port Fairy Surf Life Saving Club in 1953.

Promotions eventually took the family to Warragul in 1956, where their daughter Sabrina was born, followed by their son Stephen who died at birth and their son Linton.

The Kerbers met other railway families in Warragul including the Stosics and the Zerowysys.

The next move took the family back west, with Werner becoming the assistant stationmaster at Glenthompson.

At his funeral service at the St Johns Anglican Church in Port Fairy on Monday 9 October, his daughter Sabrina spoke about her father’s time in Berwick as the assistant stationmaster to Ray Wilton.

“The two of them kept the station immaculate, winning Railway Garden of the Year,” she said.

“As a kid, I remember spending Sundays chopping up newspaper and punching holes in the top to put in the toilets as paper.

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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STAR NEWS 11

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Major General Jim Barry. 363420

National Servicemen’s Association state president Robert McIvor. 363420

South Eastern Metropolitan MP Ann-Marie Hermans. 363420

Salvation Army public relations secretary Warren Elliott. 363420

Saluting fallen servicemen South East servicemen and local MPs have come together to commemorate all of those lost during and after national service.

The National Servicemen’s Association South East branch held its annual commemorative march in Buchanan Park, Berwick on Sunday 15 October, with Australian Army, Air Force and Navy cadets in attendance.

National Servicemen’s Association South East branch president Mike Smith said the weather held off for the event.

“It was a pretty near-perfect day,” he said.

Great War Association representatives also attended to provide a rifle volley, while the Dandenong Brass Band accompanied the march.

Attendees included Major General Jim Barry AM and National Servicemen’s Association state president Robert McIvor OAM, as well as Bruce MP Julian Hill and South Eastern Metropolitan MP Ann-Marie Hermans.

Commonly known as ‘Nashos’, the association was founded to champion veteran health, welfare, and legacy for almost four decades.

Between 1951 and 1972, almost 300,000 young men were called into two separate schemes for compulsory training in the navy, army, and air force, where 212 died in active service in Borneo and Vietnam.

Last year marked 50 years since the last intake of men were conscripted to join the National Service Scheme before it was abolished by a newly-elected Whitlam Labor government in 1972.

Star News photographer ROB CAREW helped capture the service.

Great War Association representatives provided a rifle volley during the service. 363420

Pictures: ROB CAREW

The catafalque party. 363420

Major General Jim Barry and National Servicemen’s Association state president Robert McIvor laid wreaths during the ceremony. 363420

MPs Julian Hill and Ann-Marie Hermans laid wreaths during the ceremony. 363420

Cadets. 363420

The Dandenong Brass Band.

The march included cadets from the Australian Army, Air Force and Navy.

Flags flew proudly in the strong wind. 363420

363420

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Hall set for creative twist Casey Council is getting ready to transform the under-utilised Narre Warren Mechanics Institute Hall to create its new Emerging Artists Creative Hub, thanks to a commitment from the latest round of the State Government’s Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support Program.

Part of the State Government’s $6 million Creative Spaces and Places program and supported by the Community Support Fund, the grant program is supporting local councils to provide artists and creative practitioners with fit-for-purpose, accessible and secure facilities where they can develop their work and careers, and opens up creative spaces for local communities across the state.

With opportunities for every community across metro, suburban and regional Victoria, the grants will ensure more creatives have the opportunity to showcase their work and celebrate their artist flare alongside other local creative practitioners.

Casey Council administrators chair Noelene Duff PSM said the council welcomed the State Government’s funding towards the project, thanking them for their continued investment in the region, which is one of the fastest growing regions in the state.

“The Emerging Artists Creative Hub will provide a working studio space in the heart of the Narre Warren business precinct,” she said.

“The Hub will be a place where artists can develop their practice in a dedicated arts space, collaborate and network with other artists and hold exhibitions and performances.

“The Hub will be able to accommodate two to three emerging and youth-focused art and culture organisations concurrently for a threeyear residency pilot program.”

Ms Duff said the new space could be utilised to cover a number of creative endeavours, including design, visual arts, performing arts, film, literature and dance.

Narre Warren Mechanics Institute hall, pictured during its 125th birthday in 2016, is set to become an art hub. 161948 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS “The proposed infrastructure upgrades to the Narre Warren Mechanics Institute Hall will allow greater flexibility in the range of creative industries,” she said.

“Expressions of Interest are expected to open in early 2024.”

Creative Industries Minister Colin Brooks said the new spaces will allow all local artists to create and exhibit their work in their own community.

“This program is all about unlocking and improving the spaces available for creative

work across every corner of Victoria,” he said.

“Whether you’re a creative professional in metro or regional Victoria, we are giving more local communities access to facilities that enable high quality productions, exhibitions and other creative offerings.”

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Jane Rivett-Carnac and publicity officer Lyne McGregor at the unmarked plot of cursed couple Robert and Sarah Auhl. 365856

Narre Warren family history society president Jane Rivett-Carnac and publicity officer Lyne McGregor at the murdered Edward Sangal’s unmarked grave. 365856

Learn about early settlers

By Cam Lucadou-Wells In something of a paradox, touring a cemetery can really bring history to life.

More than 30 tales of early settlers in the South East will be revealed in a historical tour at Dandenong Community Cemetery this month.

Tour guides Lyne McGregor and Jane RivettCarnac, from the Narre Warren & District Family History Group, are conducting their 15th tour of the region’s historic graveyards.

As they sit down next to the dead, they pat the gravestones out of respect.

“When you are researching, you get very attached to the people,” Rivett-Carnac says.

She pulls out an apt quote that going to a cemetery is like going to a library, with each grave a book.

“Every one of these people here have a story.”

She talks about the myriad of “rabbit holes” that the pair have explored.

They found the story of a heroic woman who reached into a housefire to save a boy but who succumbed to her injuries.

And the 16-year-old house-keeper found dead in a burnt-out dwelling, with unexplained injuries to her body.

The newspapers of the time told of a community petitioning for an inquest, their suspicions aimed at the girl’s employer.

Ultimately the case “fizzled out” unsolved.

McGregor and Rivett-Carnac didn’t just delve behind the weathered monuments and gravestones in the four-hectare cemetery.

They tell of the magnificent avenue of gnarled sugar gums that were believed to be planted at the site’s inception in 1857.

And also through their intrepid research, they unearth the tales behind the many unmarked graves – the great voids of earth between the headstones.

In an unmarked plot under a gum tree, there lies Edward Sangal whose body was found at a bottom of a well in the Lyndhurst district in 1902.

Sangal’s wife and her boyfriend were later convicted for his murder.

The wife was on death row when her sentence was commuted to life in prison; her lover – a worker on the Sangal’s farm - was executed.

With the Harkaway-born wife indisposed, there was no one to organise a headstone for the late Sangal.

“It would have been a huge scandal at the time,” McGregor says.

“You wouldn’t expect a wife to do in the man with her boyfriend.”

In another empty patch of grass lie the seemingly cursed couple Robert and Sarah Auhl.

While living in Euroa, three of their children die within 10 days from diptheria. He soon loses his business, and then their fourth child dies as a new-born.

They move to the Dandenong Ranges’ town of Cockatoo, where their house burns down.

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

Narre Warren family history society president Jane Rivett-Carnac and publicity officer Lyne McGregor at the Mary Sime gravestone in Dandenong Pictures: ROB CAREW Cemetery. 365856 “How could they keep going after that?”

Rivett-Carnac mused. “But they did. They stayed in Cockatoo and just kept going.”

The cemetery bug started for the two historians in 2011.

They have since researched the 500 World War I soldiers buried in Berwick, Pakenham, Harkaway, Bunyip, Lang Lang and Cranbourne.

“We’ve got a good understanding of the types of people in these communities. You tend to get people with the same religion in the same area,” Rivett-Carnac says.

At Cranbourne, there are a lot of Protestant Scots buried, Pakenham has Irish Catholics, and at Dandenong there’s many Church of England and Protestant burials.

The Dandenong cemetery opened in 1857, around the same time as others in Cranbourne and Berwick.

Interred in this yard are families across what was the vast West Gippsland farming dis-

trict, including Koo-wee-rup, Skye, Keysborough, Longwarry and Narre Warren.

Some of the notable family names of CaseyCardinia include Frawley, Hanley, Harbrow, Sime and Weist. “The people who were the foundation of those communities,” RivettCarnac says.

At a pair of monuments, McGregor tells of Mary Sime – whose husband and daughter died a week apart in 1889.

“She never missed putting in a memorial notice in the newspaper for them. She did it every year up to the day she died (in 1913).”

Mary was ultimately buried by their side.

The family had owned 880 acres in Bangholme – now the site of Bunurong Memorial Park cemetery, McGregor adds.

The guides tell of other hard-worn lives, World War I and II soldiers. They also dug into the women, often unheralded, who raised children and took over the farms when their husbands died.

“While the men get all the notoriety, the women would get just one little line in the local paper,” Rivett Carnac says.

Much of their research was found in old newspapers such as the Dandenong Journal and Pakenham Gazette.

There were a wealth of obituaries – not just for civic leaders but for many in what were smaller, more connected towns.

Rivett-Carnac laments that this research will be harder in future due to the dearth of death notices in newspapers these days.

The Dandenong Community Cemetery Walk is held by Narre Warren & District Family History Group on Sunday, 29 October, 10am at Kirkham Road, Dandenong; $10 adults.

Light refreshments included at the end of the 90-minute walk. A book of the walk is available on the day.

Bookings: cemeterytours@nwfhg.org.au or treasurer@nwfhg.org.au berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Nuer spreading the word

By Nyibol Gatluak The Nuer Language School (NLS) is a non-forprofit program founded from growing concerns that the younger generation is out of touch with its cultural roots.

South Sudanese elders are addressing this by promoting their native language through the literacy school.

The NLS, a non-for-profit program designed for South Sudanese youth in Melbourne’s south-east, offers teachings in one of the most common languages in South Sudan.

Thok Naath, commonly known as Nuer, translates into “the people’s language”.

Nuer has two million speakers in South Sudan and the western Ethiopian region of Gambella, with one-and-a-half million speakers.

NLS president David Tut Kuiy, a former treasurer of the Sudanese Community Council which was founded in 1988, also undertakes several committee roles.

He is NLS’s lead tutor, chairperson and secretary.

Mr Kuiy spent most of his childhood in Itang Refugee Camp in Gambella, Ethiopia.

He arrived in Australia in the 1980s and was one of the first South Sudanese people to settle in Australia and obtain Australian citizenship.

“There has always been a demand for the Nuer Language School from the community elders,” Mr Kuiy said.

“There was a lot of disengagement by the youth and a program like this enables us to unify our community.”

When Mr Kuiy first started the program, 60 students had registered but only two had showed up.

Despite his challenges, Mr Kuiy has always been determined to continue NLS. He restarted the program in January this year.

The program not only assists youth in reconnecting with their roots but also offers

Nuer Language School students and teachers.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

David Tut Kuiy teaches students how to write in Nuer at NLS.

adult classes where they aim to improve their literacy skills, so they can read their mother tongue.

NLS operates across three campuses in Cranbourne, Dandenong and Doveton.

There are roughly 25 children and 10 adults that are consistent attendees every week.

“I am doing this so we can preserve the Nuer language because once you learn your language, it gives you an identity,” Mr Kuiy said.

Bichok Gony Guandong, a NLS volunteer tutor, echoed Mr Kuiy’s message.

Mr Guandong’s involvement in the program stems from his motivation to give young people the impetus to stay connected to their cultural roots.

This includes his own children who are all raised in Australia and have not visited his family overseas.

“One day, I want my children to be able to

visit their relatives back home and have the ability to communicate with them — even if they struggle, I want them to at least be able to understand their language,” Mr Guandong said.

All academic staff at NLS believe that the program empowers the broader South Sudanese community.

Pal Deng Pur, a volunteer tutor at the Cranbourne campus, believes that expanding the program creates opportunities for others to learn the Nuer Language outside their tribal diaspora.

Mr Deng Pur is from the Gaatjaak clan of the Nuer tribe.

He was forced to flee his village as a teenager to Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya after the Civil War. He resettled again to Australia in 2003 on a humanitarian visa.

“We are doing volunteer work on weekends,” Mr Deng Pur said.

“The funding we get from the government

only covers the renting of the buildings, but we are still struggling for school materials such as textbooks and stationery.”

As the program expands, NLS plans to purchase a bus to encourage students throughout Melbourne’s south-east to attend, particularly if they struggle with transport.

Mr Deng Pur said he aspired to see the program’s future growth.

“We would like to expand in the future, and open more centres because Nuer speakers are not just in Melbourne’s south-east but regional Victoria, including South Gippsland, Geelong and Ballarat,” he said.

All tutors emphasise the importance of maintaining cultural lineage through this program.

“At the end of the day, your language is the epitome of your identity. If you do not revive it then it will be lost forever,” said Mr Kuiy.

Nyibol Gatluak is a student journalist at Monash University

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www.lghomebattery.com.au/isyourbatterysafe 12641110-JC42-23

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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STAR NEWS 15

FOCUS ON … MEDICALLY SPEAKING

Podcast helping patients

For expert advice on foot and leg pain, you can consult with Dr. Dowie at Foot and Leg Pain Clinics in Berwick.

Knee and shin relief Knee pain and shin splints often share the spotlight in discussions about exercise-related discomfort, however they affect a wide range of individuals of all ages and lifestyles. Recognising their prevalence and causes can empower you to tackle these common issues effectively.

Dr. Paul Dowie, one of Australia’s most experienced Musculoskeletal Podiatrist’s, from Foot and Leg Pain Clinics, sheds light on these common concerns and potential solutions.

“Knee pain knows no boundaries, impacting people of all ages and activity levels,“ notes Dr. Dowie. “Whether it’s a sharp stab, a persistent ache, or discomfort that hinders your mobility, knee pain is a universal issue.

Shin splints, on the other hand, primarily affect active individuals like runners, dancers, long-distance walkers, and high-impact sports enthusiasts”. According to Dr. Dowie, understanding the common causes is crucial.

Common contributors to knee and shin pain include: 1. Overuse and Overexertion: Pushing the limits without adequate rest can strain joints, tissues and surrounding structures resulting in repetitive stress syndrome.

2. Muscle Imbalances: Weak or unbalanced muscles can disrupt kneecap alignment, increase stress and overload tissues, leading to pain.

3. Injuries and Degeneration: Accidents or

wear and tear over time can cause injuries or degeneration, like arthritis, to joints and surrounding tissues, resulting in pain and impacting mobility.

4. Biomechanical and Anatomical Factors: Anatomical variations or biomechanical issues can affect how the body functions, contributing to pain in the knees and shins.

But here’s the good news: these discomforts need not derail your active lifestyle. Dr. Dowie suggests practical strategies for managing these conditions: Choose appropriate footwear tailored to your activity.

Gradually build up your exercise levels to prevent overloading tissues and structures, avoiding sudden increases in intensity or duration.

Consult a skilled Musculoskeletal Professional if your pain persists or worsens. They offer a thorough assessment, diagnosis, uncover underlying issues, causes and contributing factors and provide targeted treatment tailored to your specific needs.

Your path to pain relief and improved mobility starts with understanding your shin and knee pain and addressing the root causes. For expert advice on foot and leg pain, you can consult with Dr. Dowie at Foot and Leg Pain Clinics in Berwick by calling 1300 328 300.

· ·

·

A new podcast is assisting those affected by breast cancer to live well, their way.

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) has teamed with popular podcaster and clinical psychologist Dr Charlotte Tottman to create five top tips for managing your mental health alongside a breast cancer diagnosis.

Dr Tottman’s podcast Upfront About Breast Cancer – What You Don’t Know Until You Do has been downloaded over 100,000 times. It offers a valuable resource for those with breast cancer, especially amidst the current wait times for mental health and healthcare services.

“I have to thank you for perhaps saving me and my marriage,” said listener Nikki.

“Not only has it been the most validating and informative tool for me, I have asked my husband and daughter to listen so that they can better understand my struggle and theirs.

“This has really changed everything.”

Give yourself time to adjust “After a cancer diagnosis, it’s normal to struggle through a period of adjustment as you come to terms with change,” Tottman says.

“How you navigate these changes can depend on who you are as a person, your previous experience of adversity, and your resilience.”

Anxiety is worrying about the future and fearing things that haven’t happened. It is a normal response to a diagnosis and comes in many forms.

“An appropriate level of anxiety can be a good thing because it helps you to develop strategies to deal with the physical, practical, or emotional challenges you’re facing.”

Understand your anxiety to manage it According to Tottman, learning to sit in the discomfort that comes with anxiety is a powerful skill to develop, along with an understanding that it is temporary and will pass.

“Anxiety will peak and then start to dissipate, so once you recognise this and learn how to sit with it, you are back in the driver’s seat,” she said.

“The anxiety may still happen, which is normal, but it will no longer destabilise you.”

Understanding what triggers your anxiety and anticipating what symptoms you might encounter can also help you manage it, because you know what to expect.

“You might experience physiological symptoms, such as a racing heart, a sick feeling in your stomach, light-headedness, or tightness in your chest.”

Seek professional support Cancer treatment itself can affect your normal functioning, so ask yourself whether you are struggling because of your mental health or physical health.

According to Tottman, it is common for

Dr Charlotte Tottman, clinical psychologist, is Australia’s go-to specialist in cancer-related distress and a popular podcaster. those with cancer to experience emotional isolation, where you feel like no one else understands what you’re going through.

“Generally, I recommend seeking help if your anxiety or struggle to adjust is getting in the way of your functioning, impacting your sleep or relationships, or causing you a high level of distress,” she said.

“Your GP – or therapist if you see one – can help assess where you are in terms of your struggle.”

An ongoing relationship with a therapist, a psycho-oncologist, or clinical psychologist can offer a safe environment.

“Speaking in an unfiltered way can help you feel heard, seen and validated.

“Talking to others who have a similar experience can also be valuable in helping you feel understood.”

Check in on ALL those affected While someone may look outwardly well, they may still be struggling emotionally, so regularly checking in is important.

“People tend to flock in the early stages of a diagnosis and then vanish down the track,” Tottman says.

“That’s when the person who’s been diagnosed may feel the most isolated, so check in and ask how things are really going for them.”

It’s also important for carers to look after themselves. Tottman said carers often feel invisible or put their own needs last.

“Remember, if you are exhausted or unable to continue caring, it affects you and the person you’re caring for,” she said.

Stay active and engaged Moving helps your physical and mental health.

“The silver bullet in all of this is exercise, so I recommend you stay mobile and active,” Tottman said.

Upfront About Breast Cancer – What You Don’t Know Until You Do Season 2: Unlimited with Dr Charlotte Tottman is available on the BCNA website, SoundCloud, Apple podcasts and Spotify.

·

Sore Feet or Legs?

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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FOCUS ON … MEDICALLY SPEAKING

Ensuring the best results At South East Orthodontics, we are deeply committed to enhancing your smile through the very best orthodontic care.

Our practice in Berwick is dedicated to providing the highest quality treatments tailored to your specific needs.

We use a variety of advanced techniques to personalise your orthodontic experience.

Our highly trained staff, in collaboration with our experienced orthodontists, work diligently to deliver exceptional results.

Continuous learning is an integral part of our practice, with a strong emphasis on ongoing education for all team members.

By staying updated with the latest developments and techniques in orthodontics, we ensure that you receive the best possible care.

At our practice, we merge cutting-edge technologies with personalised services, catering to patients of all ages.

We take pride in creating a warm, caring, and friendly environment where excellence is delivered with enthusiasm.

We pride ourselves on delivering treatment for you and your family that is thorough, accurate, reliable, and effective orthodontics and have a genuine dedication aimed at improving your smile.

We provide consultation, prevention, and treatment for a range of dental health disorders – correcting jaws and aligning teeth with a variety of braces including invisible types and aligners.

We understand the importance of listening to your concerns and desires.

By paying close attention to your needs, we develop customised treatment plans that promote long-lasting dental health.

Our passion lies in providing you with the highest standard of orthodontic care, utilising the latest technologies and draw-

The team at South East Orthodontics: Lauren, Jo, Talisa, Poppy, Adam, Kip, Jemma, Teaghan and Bree. 354448 ing upon years of professional expertise to achieve outstanding outcomes for our patients.

Choose South East Orthodontics for a smile transformation journey that is as unique as you are.

South East Orthodontics situated at Suite 5, Level 1/18-24 Clyde Rd, Berwick, 9330 0702. https://seortho.com.au/

Elevating your health and wellness journey In the realm of holistic healthcare, Dannielle stands as a beacon of knowledge and expertise, armed with an impressive array of qualifications that make her a true authority in the field.

With a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Osteo) under her belt, Dannielle’s educational foundation is robust. Adding to her repertoire, she holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Naturopathy) and a Diploma of Naturopathic Nutrition, showcasing her comprehensive understanding of natural remedies and nutrition.

What truly sets Dannielle apart is her unwavering dedication to women’s health. Her

passion shines through her certifications as a Women’s Health & Nutrition Coach, along with her expertise in pregnancy-related concerns. Moreover, her credentials as a certified Myofascial Dry Needling & Cupping practitioner underline her commitment to providing effective and innovative treatments.

Dannielle’s commitment to continuous learning is evident in her pursuit of further professional development.

Her upcoming qualification in Internal Pelvic Floor assessment and treatment speaks volumes about her dedication to enhancing her skills and providing the best pos-

sible care for her clients.

For those seeking Dannielle’s expert guidance, her availability is structured for convenience. Operating on Monday and Tuesday from 2.30pm to 7pm, as well as Wednesday and Saturday from 9am to 1pm, she ensures her clients can access her services during both weekdays and weekends.

Dannielle’s qualifications, coupled with her genuine passion for women’s health, make her a trusted ally for individuals looking to embark on a journey towards holistic well-being. With her guidance, the path to optimal health and wellness becomes clearer, empowering her clients to lead healthier,

BACK INTO ACTION

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WE MAKE CASEY CARDINIA SMILE

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• Headaches • Shoulder Injuries • Acute Neck Pain/Whiplash • Tennis/Golf Elbow • Scoliosis Postural Problems • Back Pain/ Disc Problems • Repetitive Stress Injuries • Sciatica • Arthritis • Muscle Strains • Carpel Tunnel Syndrome • Knee Pain/Sports Injuries • Foot Pain • Shin Splints

Dannielle stands as a beacon of knowledge and expertise at Casey Osteo.

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5.30 pm

Suite 5, Level 1/18-24 Clyde Rd, Berwick Phone: (03) 9330 0702 | info@seortho.com.au www.seortho.com.au Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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STAR NEWS 17

FOCUS ON … MEDICALLY SPEAKING

Screening van on the way Casey residents aged between 50 and 74 are encouraged to participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program following new data which shows the percentage of eligible Victorians who have completed a free bowel screening test has declined.

The Cancer Council Victoria campaign van is visiting the Casey Aquatic and Recreation Centre from 8.30am to 3pm on Friday 20 October and Casey RACE from 9am to 3pm on Saturday 21 October to provide bowel screening information and promote the importance of early detection and bowel screening, with teams on site to deliver take-home information, answer questions, and help set a reminder or reorder a screening test kit.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), fewer than half (43.9 per cent) of eligible Victorians aged 50 to 74 participated in the NBCSP in 2020-2021, representing a 2.6 per cent decline from the participation rate achieved in the 2019-2020 reporting period.

This decline in bowel screening coincides with data from the Victorian Cancer Registry, which reported 3800 fewer cancer diagnoses than what was expected in Victoria over 2020 and 2021, with the greatest decline in missed cancer diagnoses occurring in bowel cancer.

Cancer Council Victoria chief executive Todd Harper AM said it is critical for people to check for bowel cancer early before symptoms show up.

“In 2021, 1281 Victorians died from bowel cancer, and over 3713 people were diagnosed,” he said.

“If participation in bowel screening continues to decline, the number of deaths could increase due to diagnosis of bowel cancer at a later stage.

“However, over 90 per cent of bowel can-

A bowel cancer test kit.

Picture: SUPPLIED

cers can be treated successfully if found early.”

In partnership with the Victorian Department of Health, Cancer Council Victoria are addressing these figures and increasing bowel screening participation via a state-wide campaign featuring the inspiring story of Laurie Cronin, whose life was saved by doing the free bowel screening test.

A father of two, he was only 52, didn’t have any symptoms and felt fine when the bowel screening test came in the mail in 2021, so he ignored it and put it away until his wife strong-

ly encouraged him to make time for it.

To his surprise, Mr Cronin’s test results came back positive, and after further testing, he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

“I would have been dead by now if I hadn’t done the test, the cancer could have spread quickly based on where it was located and there would have been nothing the doctors could have done for me,” he said.

Laurie’s latest check-up in June 2023 showed he is cancer free.

“I urge everyone to do their bowel screen-

ing test as soon as they get it,” he said.

“Do not risk it, it saved my life, and it could save yours too.

“I look back on everything I have been able to do because I did the test, including seeing my daughter graduate, celebrating 30 years of marriage with my wife, taking a road trip with my son, going fishing and watching footy with my mates.”

For more information about bowel cancer screening, visit cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/screening/bowel-screening.

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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Casey residents aged between 50 and 74 are encouraged to participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

OPINION

Big opportunity missed Like many Australians, I am very disappointed about the missed opportunity to recognise our First Nations people in the national Constitution and establish a Voice to advise Federal Parliament on policies and issues affecting First Nations people.

Australians have clearly rejected the proposal by over 60 per cent and this would be a hard-to-comprehend result for many of our First Nations people in particular.

There have now been 45 attempts via a referendum to make changes to the Constitution but only eight have been successful with bipartisan support. This means that getting Australians to vote ‘yes’ for a two-in-one proposal to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia and establish a Voice to Parliament was always going to be a challenging task from the start.

Unfortunately, the Voice became vulnerable to politics and the no campaigners undoubtedly capitalised on the uncertainty and unsubstantiated fear of the “unknown” surrounding the proposal.

There was hope and momentum in having an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. The Voice would have acted as a conduit between the government and the Indigenous people to ensure that Indigenous people are better engaged and consulted when making decisions and policies about them.

Let’s now take some time to reflect and listen back to some of the positive messages and reasonable arguments from both sides during the campaign. There was unity in changing the status quo in how we as a nation should relate and work with our First Nations people but unfortunately, how and in which format were problematic.

It is important to note that many people, when they have made up their minds, would not listen to those with opposing views and this would have been the case in what was a very intense referendum campaign.

Now let’s come together and hear each other’s views on the way forward.

There was hope and momentum in having an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, says Andrew Gai. Picture: SHANE ZAHNER Despite the unsuccessful yes result, there is Housing crisis in remote towns. a renewed energy to improve the lives of our Over-representation of Indigenous children First Nations people by addressing the thirdand young people in juvenile justice system world-like disadvantages that many First Naand out-of-home care due to unaddressed tions people are experiencing today, particuchallenges facing Indigenous families. larly in the remote parts of Australia including In order to have a meaningful reconciliathe central and Northern Territory. tion with our First Nations people, appropriThe disadvantages that have created a gap ate and concrete actions need to be taken to between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous address the above disadvantages and ensure Australians include: progress is being made in all of the Closing the Poorer health outcomes which contribute Gap target areas. to shorter life expectancy - currently eight Having a Voice to Parliament was one way years’ gap. but there are other ways that the government Higher infant mortality rates due to limited at all levels can partner with Aboriginal and maternal child health services - pre and post Torres Strait Islander peoples. For instance, the birth. government can engage directly with commuLower socio economic mainly due to unem- nity-led organisations that are already working ployment. at the grassroots level. There are many of these Lower rate of engagement in education and organisations across the country with credible training among young Indigenous Austra- track records and initiatives informed by local lians. knowledge.

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To our First Nations people, may the spirit of determination and your inspirational resilience sustain you all at this time while our political and community leaders figure out the way forward post the Voice referendum outcome. Your resilience and determination have been integral in how far you have come and the many great things that you have achieved to date, including the land rights and to be counted as citizens of Australia.

To fellow non-Indigenous Australians, it is now up to all of us to set our national records straight and do what is right and necessary in order to achieve meaningful reconciliation with our First Nations people. Australia stands alone as the only country in the first world with a constitution that does not recognise its first peoples. We should not give up on amending the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first people in Australia.

We also need to acknowledge that our First Nations people are still dealing with the longlasting emotional scars and trauma caused by colonisation and the sequence actions such as dispossession of land and stolen generation.

These can be addressed by taking concrete actions towards closing the gap but also, by having a treaty which will enhance self-determination for the First Nations people as well as giving them control over matters that impact their lives. It is encouraging to see Australian states leaders now taking actions towards having a treat with the First Nations people but there is still a need for leadership at the national level.

Let’s write the next phase of our nation’s history by acknowledging the truth about our nation’s past and doing what is right and necessary to ensure that every Australian feels belonged, empowered and is given the opportunity to have a go at reaching their full potential.

Andrew Gai, Co-founder of the South SudaneseAustralian Academic Society

NEWS

Fears grow as lives lost in ongoing Gaza conflict

By Sahar Foladi South East protestors joined a pro-Palestinian rally of more than 10,000 people who gathered in front of the State Library in Melbourne on Sunday 15 October.

Bukjeh organisation founder, Aseel Tayah was there with a heavy heart as she lost three members from her organisation based in Gaza which had established multiple toy libraries for children.

“They are my family and now they’re dead, gone,” she said as tears flowed down.

“None of them were even 30 years old. They had so much more ahead.”

Ms Tayah is an artist, singer and a performer living in City of Casey, telling stories of ‘Bukjeh’ meaning the small belongings carried by refugees as they escape war-torn countries for a better future.

A Palestinian, her entire family is in Palestine in the occupied West Bank - a situation that keeps her awake day and night.

“I’m worried for my family and whoever of my friends is left in Gaza.

“My brother and sister work with an Israeli organisation and now they’re a target (of Israeli settlers).

“I tell my sibling don’t you dare set a foot outside the house, even for work.”

Israel continues striking Gaza, home to more than 2 million Palestinians, as a reprisal to Hamas’s deadly attacks which killed an estimated 1400 Israelis on Saturday 7 October.

So far, Palestinian health ministry states more than 2600 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 720 children.

According to Ms Tayah, no one is safe anywhere.

“All the Muslims even outside Gaza are a target of the angry Israeli settlers.”

Ms Tayah had sent donations collected by berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

Tens of thousands poured out onto the streets in support of Palestinians.

Picture: AHMED BARAKAT the community for the orphans in Gaza on Saturday morning, which a member of her team went to pick up.

She received the money just as the war broke out.

“She found little electricity to charge her phone to tell me. She’s sorry for failing to fulfill her responsibility as she hasn’t delivered the amount to the orphanage.

“She said, if I live, I’ll deliver the amount but if I die the money will go with me, I will not use it.”

Federal and state MPs attended a community vigil at Caulfield on 13 August for Israeli victims of the Hamas terror attacks.

Among them was Isaacs MP and federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus who posted: “Tonight I stood with my community.

“Together we mourned the greatest loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust.

And we stood united against the ongoing atrocities of Hamas.

“Australia stands with Israel. We stand with the Jewish community.

“And we always will.”

Hotham MP and Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil posted that it was “an incredible evening at a peaceful and deeply sad vigil for the victims of the Hamas terrorist attack”.

“As one rabbi said to me, the wound is still open.

“My heart goes out to this beautiful community. They are deeply, deeply suffering and Australians stand with them in their grief.”

Executive Officer for the Jewish Christian Muslim Association of Australia (JCMA), Helen Heath says the loss of lives is tragic.

“There aren’t any words. We share with them their pain and suffering.

“As people of faith we can hold everybody in our prayers and hope for the best and peace.”

Ms Heath is also a development officer at the City of Greater Dandenong’s Interfaith Network and on the board since 2000.

She wishes for the world leaders to engage in “peaceful talks” for a solution.

“We have so many people from all faiths living in City of Greater Dandenong and everyone is affected.

“It’s just very sad that it’s happening, people here are unsettled, and it has created tensions here.”

Dayla Sabawi, a restaurant owner in Greater Dandenong, has family members in Palestine.

She says the impact on her and her family here is unbearable.

“We’re very frightened and very worried.

“Every day the situation escalates and it’s harder to reach them.”

Ms Sabawi’s husband’s family are impacted directly by the war as his uncle’s house was bombed.

“It’s scary. Gaza has experienced bombings from Israel, but it was never this bad and constant.

“This time it’s the worst ever we’ve all seen especially when Israel has cut off water, food,

aid and electricity.

“We are in contact with them every couple of hours whenever we can reach them.”

However, they’re only able to reach out if the generator or the emergency power box continues. Once it stops it’ll be hard to make get through to them, furthering increasing anxiety for Ms Sabawi’s family.

“We’re not eating well, we’re crying and shaking every time there’s a call from home.

“We’re all on the news and on the phone.”

President of Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, Nasser Mashni says the situation in Gaza is the result of 16 years of an air, sea and land blockade.

“We’re hearing from people in Palestine, the most horrible stories of death, survival, children dying, families choosing to huddle together in one room because they want to die together.

“The fact that all this is happening and we’re begging the world to do something for us, stand up for us, speak up for us.

“Our pleas are falling on deaf ears.”

He says the international community are complicit in the atrocities the world is seeing against Palestinians.

“They’ve allowed Israel to get to this point.

“They’ve not pulled Israel out. There’s absolute complicity on behalf of the West in allowing Israel to go unchecked for 75 years and that’s why Israel is like this now and we’re suffering,” he said.

The impact of the war especially on Palestine-Australians has not helped with Israel’s white and blue colours lit across Australian landmarks in solidarity.

“I’m disgusted. I feel completely othered,” Mr Mashni said.

“This is the first time I’ve felt I don’t belong in Australia.

“I’ve experienced racism in my life, but this is the first time I felt like I don’t belong.”

Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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STAR NEWS 19

WHAT’S ON Casey Halloween Fright Walk at Wilson Botanic Park on Saturday 28 October is sold out.

Tickets are still available to Halloween at the Old Cheese Factory on Tuesday 31 October.

This event is suitable for children 12 years and under.

To book, visit tickets.bunjilplace.com. au/8929/8930 Tickets are also available to a Halloween Film Party showing ‘Beetlejuice’ at Bunjil Place on Saturday 28 October.

This event is suitable for people aged 15 and over.

To book and for more information, visit bunjilplace.com.au/events/halloween-film-party

Garden Club 50th anniversary The Cranbourne and District Garden Club meets every second Thursday of the month. Meetings are held at the Cranbourne Public Hall on the corner of South Gippsland Highway and Clarendon Street. Meetings begin at 1.15pm and afternoon tea is served afterwards. On Thursday 9 November, the club is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special meeting. Previous members and new members are welcome - come along and join the club for a special afternoon.

Contact Julie 0417 718 846 or Jean 9704 6242.

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Rotary Club of Casey Interact Bingo Night The Rotary Club of Casey has started an Interact Club with Year 10 students at Foundation Learning Centre in Narre Warren. The Bingo Night looks at music through the decades - guests are encouraged to dress inspired by their favourite music decade. Silent auction, raffle and prizes.

All funds raised support Foundation Learning Centre and Doctors Without Borders.

For tickets, visit trybooking.com/events/landing/1117899 Wednesday 25 October from 6.30pm to 9.30pm at Foundation Learning Centre at 1 Malcolm Court in Narre Warren, with tickets available for $30 for six rounds.

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Combined Probus Club Berwick If you are looking for new and exciting activities and a chance to make new friends, Probus can provide the opportunity to join a social club within your community. The Probus club offers activities such as trips and tours, movies at Cameo Cinemas in Belgrave, theatre events, morning tea and lunches, craft, tenpin bowling, golf, entertaining speakers and much more. The club meets at the Old Cheese Factory on 34 Homestead Road in Berwick on the first Tuesday of the month at 10am with morning tea, followed by a guest speaker. At noon, most members adjourn to the Berwick Springs Hotel for lunch.

Vacancies exist and you are welcome to contact

the club for an invitation to attend a meeting.

The club is celebrating its 30-year anniversary and some celebratory events are planned, including a special Melbourne Cup Day event at the Old Cheese Factory on Tuesday 7 November and the presentation of service awards by Berwick MP Brad Battin at the Christmas meeting on Tuesday 5 December at the Beaconsfield Football Club.

For more information, contact Merilyn Carroll on 0418 536 202 or merimick3@bigpond. com or Ron Lowery on 0439 343 989 or ron.f.lowery@gmail.com or visit berwickcprobus.wixsite.com Old Cheese Factory on the first Tuesday of the month at 10am.

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Dandenong Community Cemetery Walk The Narre Warren and District Family History Group will present stories of Casey-Cardinia’s early settlers and others who followed them to the district, who are remembered in this cemetery. Cost is $10 for adults, with light refreshments included at the end of the 90-minute walk, while a book of the walk will be available for sale on the day.

To make a booking, contact cemeterytours@

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nwfhg.org.au or treasurer@nwfhg.org.au Sunday 29 October from 10am at Dandenong Community Cemetery, Kirkham Road, Dandenong.

Seated Movement Sessions (Chair Dancing) Would you enjoy exercising from the comfort of your chair? Join the Berwick Activities Group for some seated movement sessions including fun and uplifting songs and different styles and eras of music. An opportunity to get moving and enjoy the company of others. Timbarra Community Centre, 20-26 Parkhill Drive, Timbarra Way, Berwick. $8 per session.

Contact admin@berwicknc.com.au or phone 9704 1863.

Wednesdays from 10.45am to 11.30am.

· · Craft Classes

Do you enjoy craft making?

Join Berwick Activities Group’s Elizabeth to discover the world of papercraft and have a chat with like minded people. You will be introduced to a range of papercraft techniques through a new project each week. Casual attendance is welcome. Timbarra Community Centre 20-26 Parkhill Drive, Timbarra Way, Berwick

$5 per class, all materials supplied.

Contact admin@berwicknc.com.au or phone 9704 1863.

Tuesdays from 10am to noon.

· · Berwick Springs VIEW Club

Affiliated with The Smith Family, the Berwick Springs VIEW Club is a not for profit organisation, with the aim to fundraise to support Learning for Life students.

The club currently supports seven students of varying ages with their education expenses and are about to take on an eighth student.

Throughout the year, the club has a couple of special fundraisers, as well as casual morning tea and lunch for interested ladies.

The club is always looking for new members in all age groups.

For more information, contact Shirley on 0419 878 481 or email berwicksprings.viewclub@ gmail.com The club meets on the first Monday of each month in the Berwick Springs Hotel function room from 11.30am, where members enjoy a lunch and then host a guest speaker.

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Tom Gleeson’s Gear Hard Quiz Overlord, Master of Tasks and Gold Logie Winner Tom Gleeson has taken the Brass Mug on the road for the past two years with Hard Quiz Live.

Now he’s giving audiences around the country an opportunity to see a master stand-up at work with his new live show Gear.

Thursday 7 December 2023 from 7.30pm at Bunjil Place. Tickets from $54.90.

For more information and tickets, visit cmdy. live/GLE23NarreWarren

·

Bush Diwan In Bush Diwan, six contemporary artists respond to a pivotal moment in Sikh history in Australia by exploring the reclamation of identity, forming, gathering and laying foundations of community.

Illuminating two significant, yet little known, moments in Australian history, this project centres on the story of Siva Singh, an early 20th-century regional Victorian resident, Sikh community leader and civil rights campaigner.

Bunjil Place Gallery until Sunday 12 November from 10am to 4pm from Tuesday to Sunday.

·

NEWS

Team effort for fun fete

By Matthew Sims From face painting to a petting zoo and everything in between, Foundation Learning Centre’s Narre Warren campus had something fun for people of all ages earlier this week.

Students from all year levels from the community based education and human services organisation helped organise the family carnival on Tuesday 17 October, which also welcomed students and parents from the Frankston campus.

Learning and curriculum team leader Daniella Maloney said the event was a “huge success”.

“I’m incredibly proud of the students,” she said.

“They really showed what they’re capable of.

“It gave them a chance to shine.”

Delivered thanks to a Victorian Curriculum And Assessment Authority grant towards the school’s applied learning program, all students had a part to play, from Year 11 students meeting with Casey Council to Year 10 students manning the sausage sizzle.

The carnival also featured an art show open to all local schools, giant board games and mini golf.

The Foundation Vogue Academy students also strutted their stuff as part of a hair and fashion show.

Half of the funds raised would be fed back into the centre, while the other half would go towards local charity Find a Penny.

Ms Maloney said the event marked the last major assessment for the students before the end of the year.

“It’s definitely a credit to the kids,” she said.

“It was nice to finish in such a positive way.”

20 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

Art student Sal with her artwork. 366726

Charlee and Shahana with the raffle prizes.

366726

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Art student Sasha with his artwork. 366726

Young artists Baneen and Minha from Cranbourne. 366726

Former students Josh, Chloe, Krystal and Layla playing mini golf. 366726 berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Our gems among Berwick Berwick MP Brad Battin has celebrated the best of the electorate last week as part of his annual Berwick Community Awards.

For the first time since COVID, he hosted the awards at Rosanove Auditorium at St Margarets Berwick Grammar on Monday 9 October, with more than 120 community members in attendance.

Akoonah Park Committee of Management chairman Andrew Fyfe received the Local Champion Shield, with a record 35 community members nominated to receive a Berwick Community Award.

2022 Local Champion Shield winner Milinda Dasanayaka addressed the crowd about the importance of the awards.

All awardees received a handmade wooden medallion made by local woodworker Chris Drysdale, while Clyde North baker Sweet Like Alya made custom-made biscuits for the event.

Mr Battin said Mr Fyfe was an invaluable member of the Berwick community.

“Everyone in the community knows when Andy is involved, he always gives his all, he is always willing to give a hand and the community would be lost without him,” he said.

“It was wonderful to see how diverse our awardees were, each coming from different community backgrounds, from sporting clubs, charities, temples and disability services.

“This year, we had a record number of nominations which demonstrates how much the Berwick electorate is growing for the better each year.”

Mr Battin said the awards celebrated members of the community who always worked hard for their community organisation or club.

“The Berwick Community Awards is a time to celebrate the best in our community,” he said.

A record 35 awardees received nominations as part of Brad Battin’s annual Berwick Community Awards.

Akoonah Park Committee of Management chairman Andrew Fyfe received the Local Champion Shield from Berwick MP Brad Battin during the presentation ceremony.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

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Rex name shame

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“They need to have their plaques removed

Rex name shame

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

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

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

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

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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

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

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

EXPERTS IN FAMILY LAW

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

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

12481470-NG07-21

a registered worldwide organization with a long history both in Australia and globally.

“Narre Warren Girls’ Brigade is designed to support and encourage girls as a whole, while celebrating each individually as they discover their skills, gifts, spirituality, selfimage and strengths and, at the same time, learning strategies and techniques to manage and overcome any weaknesses,” she said.

“Narre Warren Girls’ Brigade is equipping today’s young girls to be tomorrow’s leaders in their community as they are taught to be independent and confident women.

“Narre Warren Girls’ Brigade offers its members a range of opportunities to participate in educational programs, art and craft activities, bush walking opportunities, kayaking opportunities, horse riding experiences, leadership seminars and camps both nationally and internationally, bike riding experiences, a wide variety of opportunities and experiences, camps and so much more.”

For more information on Girls’ Brigade, visit girlsbrigade.org.au

12425088-FA36-19

The Narre Warren Girls’ Brigade has completed its annual fire safety training and assessment.

The Narre Warren North CFA brigade hosted the members on Thursday 14 September.

Narre Warren Girls’ Brigade captain Cheree Hemmings said the members learnt about the importance of being fire safe, learnt how to identify fire hazards and practised their fire drill.

“Tamara and her team gave the Girls’ Brigade members opportunities to explore the fire truck and have a go at holding a fire hose and turning it on, seeing the fire volunteers in their firefighting outfits, meeting Captain Koala and asking questions,” she said.

“This was a great community initiative and partnership between Narre Warren Girls’ Brigade and Narre Warren North CFA.” The Narre Warren Girls’ Brigade meets every Thursday evening at the Narre Warren Baptist Church during school terms from 6pm to 8pm.

Ms Hemmings said the Girls’ Brigade is

Scan this QR code to subscribe Narre Warren Girls’ Brigade member Ivy Hughes with Captain Koala. berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

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STAR NEWS 23

THE LOWDOWN Q&A

with Star News intern Ethan Benedicto

What do you love about working as a journalist?

Being able to write stories about people and their experiences has always been my favourite part of me being a journalist. The other part is the investigative side of the role. I like finding out about things and talking to the people involved who would be able to tell me more; I’m always curious.

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

Probably a chimpanzee, I like holding things.

What would your last meal be?

Marble 8 Wagyu steak, medium rare with some fries and creamy mushroom sauce.

What has been your most memorable moment so far?

As a journalist, being published in my first newspaper, which I’ve always thought was cool since I was little. In general, doing my first pull-up ever.

What was your favourite subject in school?

Definitely history, we learnt about revolutions.

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

Linsanity in-person and courtside, that twoweek stretch of Jeremy Lin cooking up the league. Or the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

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

Jay-Z, Aristotle, Zendaya, Mark Wahlberg - his character from the movie The Departed specifically - and Lisa from Blackpink.

What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?

Currently reading Red Rising by Pierce Brown and watching One Piece.

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

Chicken Adobo with rice most likely.

Children’s Week is a national celebration that recognises the talents, skills, achievements and rights of children.

Children’s Week runs from Saturday 21 October to Sunday 29 October, with thousands of Victorian children taking part in the festivities.

Ethan Benedicto. 365648

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Livestream available via smct.org.au/funerallivestream BREMBER FAMILY FUNERALS 0429 920 241

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Beacon Family Healthcare located at 49 Wallace Street, Beaconsfield will be closing their practice permanently on the 22nd of December 2023 due to workforce shortages and rising costs of running a medical practice.

Open 7 days 48 Davies Avenue, Sunshine North 9364 0770 SWA6566B

If you are a patient of Beacon Family Healthcare, you may request a copy of your records to be sent to another medical practice to continue your care. To make a request, please email reception@beaconfamilyhealthcare.com.au and include a signed authority to transfer your medical records.

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12643370-MS42-23

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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Socialise with others Bringing children from different backgrounds together enables them to form connections and gain an early cultural understanding of one another.

Positions Vacant

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

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

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

Take the next step in your education career within an innovative pedagogy, where students are not only eager to learn but take ownership of their learning.

Together with a healthy work/life balance, smaller class sizes, and strong engagement from the school’s leadership and school community, our teachers are supported to be the best educators they can be.

Globally, OneSchool has 125 campuses, 9,000 students, and 2,000 staff and volunteers, across 20 countries… a world of opportunity awaits you at OneSchool Global!

We have an opportunity for a Learning Support Teacher to join our amazing Berwick team on a full-time, permanent basis. This position will be responsible for running interventions for students, providing program support to teaching staff, and coordinating our learning aides in both our primary and secondary departments from Years 3 to 12.

About You: All applicants will need an excellent understanding of the Australian Curriculum and Syllabus. You must be a VIT registered teacher, and have relevant teaching and tertiary qualifications.

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

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SPORT

Howell finishes on a high

By Jonty Ralphsmith A strong Para Championships event in Spain has Officer triathlete Jack Howell well positioned to qualify for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

The teenager finished sixth, just behind Brazilian Ronan Cordeiro in a photo-finish, ahead of Australian teammate David Bryant, who he overtook in a strong run-leg to finish.

His time of 59:05 is his best since the World Triathlon Para Series in Yokohama in May. By admission, Howell’s series races at Swansea and Montreal, and Para Cup test event in Paris on next year’s Paralympic track fell below expectation.

But his result at the Championships in Spain in late September has kept his Paralympic ranking at nine, with the top nine as at 30 June 2024 qualifying for Paris.

“I think one of the factors of having such a good race was that the ride had a significant hill,” Howell reflected.

“A third of the bike course was going up a gradual hill, which is my ticket to hang on to the top guys who tend to ride away from me when it is a chill, flat ride about raw power.

“I would’ve liked to have been closer to the podium...I had a really good run, my fastest ever.

“That allowed me to overtake a few people and get a photo finish.

“The more I talk about it, the more I think it is was a great race for me – I was excited I could have a sprint finish like that and even though I came out on the wrong end of it, I was still very

Local teen Jack Howell running at the World Championships in Spain. 367359 excited I was racing that style.

“I’ve never been in a sprint finish before and to come from 40 seconds behind him at the start of the run, to just being done by a photo finish was something I was rapt with.”

Reflecting on the Paris event, where he had minimal acclimatisation period compared to the Para Championships, he’s now more conscious of what the course holds.

The bike leg is largely ridden on cobble-

Pictures: SUPPLIED

A steady upwards slope allowed Howell to stay with the more powerful cyclists.

stones, while the aquatic leg is swum in a river, with the strong currents posing challenges.

Illness saw him finish last of the nine competitors – the first time that has happened – following a fourth-placed finish in Swansea and sixth-placing in Montreal.

After a gruelling 10 months of racing, Howell is currently enjoying some rest, ahead of important races early in 2024 to cement his spot on the start line in Paris.

Howell was born with an absence of the left hand and shortening of the left forearm, known as symbrachydactly.

Thus, his left hand sits in a cup-like device during the cycle, allowed in the PTS5 category where athletes race with mild impairments and are permitted to use supportive devices.

In September, Howell received a Sport Australia Hall of Fame scholarship.

Cruickshank’s credentials on show with five-wicket display

By Marcus Uhe A five-wicket haul in his first game in Australian conditions has put Narre South quick Alex Cruickshank on the map in DDCA’s Turf 1.

With just 118 runs to defend against St Mary’s, Cruickshank settled extremely quickly into his rhythm with an outstanding line and length to challenge his opposition time-aftertime, finishing with 5/21 from his nine overs in the 33-run win.

His accuracy and pace combined beautifully with the attacking line that Callan Tout offered at the other end with the new ball as the visitors crumbled to 7/28 in the 12th over.

The 22-year-old is fresh from a breakthrough season in the UK where he made his Minor Counties debut for Suffolk, following impressive performances for Bury St Edmunds in the East Anglian Premier League.

And when we say fresh, we mean very, very fresh.

“We didn’t finish until 16/17 September and then I flew out on the 22nd,” Cruickshank said.

“We had a bit of rain in early April so our first game moved to the back end (of the season).

“It was quite a quick turnaround, but there’s lots of cricket, which is good, and I’m loving it.”

Wintry, English-like conditions on Saturday helped the right-armer acclimatise, despite having barely bowled in the lead up to round one due to a minor issue with his back.

With not much of a score to play with, he said his familiarity with the conditions presented, helped to devise a game plan for the Saints’ top order.

“It’s one of those low scoring games where you’ve just got to be on it,” he said.

“Lots of energy is key, and on a more English pitch, trying to keep it nice and full, target the stumps and let the pitch do the rest, really.

“There were a few showers about so we were trying to be really disciplined and not chase wickets too much, just hit the top of off stump as you would in England.

“We obviously bat really deep but it was more about team energy.

“Even though it’s week one we’ve bonded really well as a group and that energy, especially in tricky conditions when it’s cold and wet, berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

Alex Cruickshank claimed the match ball after a five wicket haul on Saturday. 367224 Picture: MARCUS UHE we stuck together really well and we managed to get over the line and get a good win.”

Living just down the road from the Lions den of Strathaird Reserve, Cruickshank’s new teammates have welcomed their new frontline weapon with open arms, while the bond he’s already struck with senior coach Matthew Brooks is already reaping benefits for both player and club.

On a cricketing front, Cruickshank is soaking up as much as he can from a summer down under, while not shirking from what he believes is capable for his Lions.

“The goal is to fulfil my potential and see where that leaves me and take the opportunities where they come,” he said.

“I’ve had my whole life in playing club cricket in England and a bit of minor counties stuff now, so I’m trying to trust myself and keep developing with bat and ball.

“Looking at the news I think we’re scheduled to have quite a hot summer, I’m sure the decks will get faster and quite a bit more bouncy, and then will come a bit of learning for me to try and adjust my lengths and things like that.

“I just want to press on, experience a new club and conditions and get more experience under my belt that I can take under my belt next season.

“We’ve got a really good group together and there’s a really good energy about them, so why not?

“We’ll try to win every single game and take it a game at a time, and hopefully win the league.”

Dandenong suffered defeat at the hands of Melbourne on Sunday. 95435

Picture: SUPPLIED

Pathania fires but Panthers no match for the Demons

By Jonty Ralphsmith Dandenong women’s team has fallen 37 runs short of Melbourne in its Victorian Premier Cricket T20 clash at Kardinia park on Sunday.

Bhanu Mahendran helped give Dandenong a strong start with the ball, striking with her first delivery, and then again in her second over to reduce Melbourne to 3/19 in the fourth over.

But Melbourne’s middle-order rebuilt well, losing just one wicket in the subsequent nine overs to wrench a level of momentum back.

But, led by Nilakshi Perera and Vanchica Pathania, the bowling attack helped ensure that Melbourne was restricted to just

five boundaries across its last seven overs, keeping the target to a manageable 123.

Dandenong struggled to turn the strike over early in its innings, with Jess Bohn, Jess Caron and Perera all dismissed cheaply.

Pathania showed ticker in scoring 31 off 31, while Sophie Strickland was positive from the get-go, but Melbourne’s disciplined bowling ultimately left them with too much catching up to do as wickets continued to fall.

There were two rounds of cricket played on Sunday, but Dandenong had a bye in the morning fixture, with the loss consigning them to bottom spot on the ladder.

Next up, Dandenong play a one-day fixture against a Ringwood side with one win from its first three games.

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It’s all about the netball

By Marcus Uhe There’s a wind of change sweeping across the South East’s netball landscape with the creation of a new competition for netball teams unshackled from the traditional ties of a football club.

The South East Premier Netball League (SEPNL) will begin in 2024 for both junior and senior netball players, from under 11 to four levels of A, B, C and D grade - outdoor netball on a Saturday afternoon.

Among the clubs to have already committed to the competition’s first season in 2024 are Berwick, Beaconsfield, Hampton Park and Berwick Springs, which operates as a separate entity to the Berwick Springs Football Netball Club in the Outer East Football Netball League, with conversations well-underway to bring more local clubs into the fold with a resemblance of the old South East Football Netball League.

Founding member of the SEPNL and Berwick Netball Club President Lani Mannays said the competition will allow clubs and players to get back to netball, without the distractions of league and administrative politics.

“It’s giving us another option in the South East where you don’t have to have a netball

The South East Premier Netball League is Picture: SUPPLIED coming in 2024. 367482 club attached to a football team, but you’re still able to play home and away netball,” Mannays said.

“It’s something that we’re really keen to do and probably wanted to do for a while, because every year it was a case of, ‘Are Outer East going to keep us?’, ‘Do we have to look for something else?’, ‘What are our options?’, to the point where we decided that we don’t have

to rely on other people anymore, let’s just get this up and running and make it happen, and get back to netball.

“Focus on netball, that’s what it should be about.”

Berwick and Beaconsfield were both recommended to find other netball competitions to compete in after Outer East clubs voted with overwhelming support in favour of removing standalone netball clubs from the competition, due to the fixturing issues presented with having different football and netball clubs involved on the same day.

Both club’s football affiliate departed the Outer East in previous seasons to play in the Eastern Football Netball League, however netball is played on a Friday night in those competitions rather than a Saturday afternoon, which was seen as an unfavourable option.

Southern Football Netball League netball fixtures, meanwhile, are largely played at a centralised location of Dingley’s Rowan Road Reserve.

By contrast, the SEPNL will fixture games as often as possible at venues to coincide with football clubs, in order to maintain a footballnetball atmosphere without the strains of a fixed connection.

For Mannays, having a new league in place

for the Berwick players to sign up for immediately as an alternative to the Outer East was crucial in securing the necessary numbers to participate.

“I think we probably would have ended up like Cranbourne, where we had no participants anymore,” she said.

“None of our girls are interested at playing down at Dingley on a Saturday in a place where we can’t use our own facilities and have that home crowd, none of them are definitely interested in playing on a Friday night.

“We know for sure that we probably wouldn’t have had the seniors.

“We would have had juniors but you can’t grow the club if that’s all you’ve got.

“We want people to realise that you don’t have to run out of options and only play on a Friday night, or down at Dingley Village on Saturday, if you don’t have a football club, which is the main reason why we started this.”

The groundswell of support means the competition is looking likely to begin in 2024 with administrators welcoming expressions of interest from local clubs.

Those interested in joining the revolution are encouraged to check the league’s Facebook page.

Lions roar to life as weather intervenes in DDCA again

By Marcus Uhe Inclement weather made for a subdued second attempted start to the Turf 1 season for half of the competition, with one game completed, one finishing frustratingly premature and two unable to unfold.

Play was abandoned in North Dandenong’s clash with Springvale South and Hallam Kalora Park’s visit to Buckley Ridges before a ball was bowled in both contests, meaning Narre South’s 33-run win over St Mary’s was the only live action on Saturday afternoon.

An excellent performance with the ball, on a tricky batting wicket, had the Saints in poll-position to claim an important victory early in the season but the heroics could not be matched with the bat.

Narre South could only manage 118 as tight bowling made the scoring extremely challenging.

Englishman Callum Nicholls top scored with 29 off just 73 deliveries, such was the challenge in getting the ball away.

His dismissal shortly after that of captain Kyle Hardy saw the Lions fall to 5/62 in the 26th over, and could have been six down had Riley McDonald not survived an appeal for caught behind off just his second delivery.

His want and his side’s need for boundaries saw him chip a simple return catch to Saveen Nanayakkara, before Brad Parker was dismissed off the next ball off the bowling of Toby Wilson under controversial circumstances.

The Saints’ new wicketkeeper Safaras Moahomad took a catch diving down the leg side but despite the Saints’ celebrations, the umpires were unsure if the ball carried into Moahomad’s gloves.

The two men in charge conferred before sending Parker on his way, to his visible frustration.

The Lions were eventually dismissed on the final ball of the innings as the buoyant Saints left the field of play in great spirits to prepare for the chase.

Wickets were shared among the bowling group as Saveen Nanayakkara (three), Keppler Fernandez (two), Resandu Thilakarathna (two) and Deeshan Umagiliyage (two) each

Kyle Hardy’s Narre South was the only side to score a win in Turf 1 this weekend. 321196 Picture: ROB CAREW grabbed multiples, while five catches to Moahomad behind the stumps made an excellent first impression on his new teammates.

What they could not have prepared for, however, was the quality spell from the new ball pairing of Callan Tout and Alex Cruickshank.

After sharp work in-close from Hardy saw Raveen Nanayakkara run out with a direct hit, Tout and Cruickshank set about running through the remainder of the top order to have the visitors reeling at 7/28 in the 12th over.

Tout went right through Sarfaras and had Wendyl Pires adjudged LBW in consecutive balls to close the seventh over, and came centimetres away from claiming a hat trick on the first ball of his next as he beat the bat of Susantha Pradeep.

Tout brought the energy and hustle to the crease while Cruickshank settled into Australian conditions almost immediately, bowling an immaculate length and challenging the outside edges of the St Mary’s batters as the two bowlers forced a handful of timber rearrangements.

Reprieves came for the Saints when Hardy rotated his bowlers, but the damage had well and truly been inflicted.

Fernandez top-scored with 31 off 50 balls and provided some frustrating lower order resistance as the men in green and gold crawled to 85 before Cruikshank and Mendis combined to wrap-up the tail.

Cruickshank finished with a five-wicket haul in an ominous warning for opposing sides who would not have seen the English import bowl.

Attention then turned to Sunday’s Battle of the Creek between geographical neighbours in Berwick and Beaconsfield at Perc Allison Reserve.

The contest carried significant weight for both sides, as Berwick welcomed back a handful of former stars and premiership players, while Beaconsfield were making their Turf 1 debut after a Turf 2 premiership.

Like the Saints the day before, the Tigers held the advantage after the first innings, having kept Berwick to just 124.

Only Jarryd Wills (41) made a significant contribution for the Bears, with seven batters

dismissed for single-figure scores.

Jake Cutting’s accuracy forced a handful of rash shots, the most effective bowler to the top order with three scalps in the top four.

Relative stability at 3/70 crumbled to 124 all out after 43 overs as left-arm tweaker Ashan Madhushanka ran through the Bears’ lower order.

A number of Bears will not look back on their dismissals with pride, having tried to force balls through or over the infield unsuccessfully on a number of occasions.

Matthew Hague spooned a catch to mid off from the bowling of Kevin Seth, Jake Hancock was caught off-guard by a Cutting short ball to lob a pull shot straight to square leg, and Matt Robertson skied a pull shot for Cutting to swallow in his follow-through.

Jordan Cleland too offered a high catch to mid off, while Jarryd Wills was visibly shocked at being given out caught behind, thanks to a juggling catch from Michael Dunstan.

Madhushanka finished with 4/23 off his 10 overs and Cutting 3/11 from six as the Bears’ innings came to a close in the 44th over.

Mark Cooper and Tyler Clark made a promising start to the run chase, reaching 32 without loss before a calamitous mix-up between the pair on a single saw Clark run out at the beginning of the 11th over.

Cooper joined Clark back in the sheds for 23 just a few balls later when he edged to Hague at first slip off Corey Bevan’s bowling to leave the home side with two new batters at the crease.

One combined run from Yohan Arumadura, Madhushanka and Seth at three, four and five respectively saw the hosts receive a rude awakening to life in Turf 1.

Jesse Busacca and Riley Clark were forced to occupy time at the crease before Hague took a stunning one-handed catch at slip to remove Clark for just two off 23 deliveries as the hosts fell to 6/47.

When Trishane Silva perished in the 26th over to the spin of Elliot Matthews, the home side had lost 7/22 in 15 overs.

Rain disrupted the contest in the evening, with play eventually called with the Tigers at 7/74 after 30 overs as the points were shared.

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Outer East outlines plan

By Marcus Uhe Outer East Football Netball League Chief Executive Brett Connell “absolutely” believes subjectivity will be eliminated when determining promotion and relegation between Premier Division and Division One in the coming years as a result of the competition’s structural review.

Officer, Berwick Springs and Emerald will be promoted to a 12-team Premier competition after they were considered to be Premier clubs based on a series of criteria.

The division grows from nine teams to 12 in order to provide stability and surety for competing clubs, should clubs choose to pursue competing in other leagues.

Narre Warren and Pakenham both had applications to join the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League in 2024 rejected back in August.

While Emerald shaped on paper as the most appropriate fit for the top flight, having won the Division One football premiership, Berwick Springs and Officer were also chosen to make the leap, despite one falling short in the decider and one missing finals, respectively.

Connell explained that the decision to move the Titans and Kangaroos up was data-driven.

“We drew a matrix across various areas of the business, football, netball, you name it, and we arrived at what we consider to be our best 12 clubs, based on football and netball,” Connell said.

“The Premier clubs were locked away, the nine that are already there.

“We had Emerald who were promoted, and earned the right to play in Premier in 2024,

then we ran the tape over every club that exists over Division One. “Relegation and promotion, the structure for that, won’t be announced until next year before we start the season.”

Promotion and relegation will be subject to club composition, with a to-be implemented bench-marking exercise evaluating all aspects of a club’s operations to guide decision making.

In doing so, clubs will understand what is required to be considered for life in the top Division, should they aspire to reach it.

“It’s going to be a pretty big exercise but that will be (for) future years and it’s probably more giving clubs a sighter on, if they wish to be Premier clubs, here’s the average marker that they need to get to, so that they’re more prepared and they’re not going to be going up and down,” Connell said.

“We’re always looking to improve, so anything we can do to assist our clubs to say ‘What do the top four clubs spend in terms of salary cap, do they spend all up to $110,000 or do they spend $80/90,000, what’s the average player points that they use, netball, what’s the average player points they use, how many grades of netball do they have, how many junior teams do they have, do they have under 18s, under 19s, do they have both, what’s their club finances looking like and what’s their turnover for the year.

“It will be based on hard, raw data, rather than saying ‘we think they’re good.’”

The development of a new Strategic Plan is next on the administration’s agenda to cap Connell’s first 12 months in the role as Chief Executive.

Berwick Springs and Officer will go toe-to-toe again in Premier Division next season. 356292 Picture: GARY SISSONS

Dream Wish almost a reality New sides and tight games for Moody-Coleman team in first rounds of softball

By David Nagel

The richest prize in Australian thoroughbred racing came tantalisingly close to returning to Pakenham on Saturday after I Wish I Win ran a magnificent second in the $20million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick.

Co-trained at Pakenham by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, and ridden by Luke Nolen, I Wish I Win was looking to make it a perfect three-from-three in visits to Sydney - having previously taken out the $10million Golden Eagle and Group-1 TJ Smith Stakes.

I Wish I Win drew barrier one for the world’s richest race on turf, and was camped midfield on the fence throughout the journey.

Nolen had trouble extricating him off the fence in the straight, but rattled home late to finish second to Joe Pride’s star-galloper Think About It, with his stablemate Private Eye finishing in third place.

Moody said I Wish I Win was magnificent in defeat.

“The winner is a good horse,” he said.

“He’s a winner…all credit to him…and our bloke ran super.”

Under jockey Sam Clipperton, Think About It enjoyed a dream run just behind the leaders before making his winning run in the home straight.

I Wish I Win burst through between runners late but Think About it prevailed by a long neck.

Pride has won 17 Group-1 races in a training career spanning just over two decades, but said, “That’s the big one, that’s the one we wanted to tick off”.

“I don’t think I’ll feel pressure anymore in any race after that,” Pride added.

“You feel like Edmund Hillary - once you’ve climbed Mount Everest, what do you do after that?

“I’d love to climb it again, but it’s not going to feel as hard next time.”

Pride said he was convinced the MoodyColeman-trained I Wish I Win was the main danger to his stable’s pair and that’s the way it played out in front of a crowd of 46,498.

The news was better for the Moody-Coleman combination at Caulfield on Saturday, with their talented four-year-old mare She berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

Linda Meech drives She Dances to victory in the Group 3 Northwood Plume Stakes at Caulfield. 367285 Picture: SCOTT BARBOUR/RACING PHOTOS Dances making a one-act affair of the $200,000 Group-3 Northwood Plume Stakes (1200m).

Ridden by Linda Meech, She Dances camped just off a hot speed set up by race-favourite Red Card before gobbling her up at the 200 and racing clear for victory.

The daughter of Street Boss/Charleston Dancer has now won six of her 12 races and amassed career earnings of $650,000.

“This horse and Linda (Meech) they just gel so well together; thrilled for Linda to get this win and also for the connections of this horse,” Coleman said.

“She’s a really tough little mare, she’s got a great record over 1200 and when the race panned out the way that it did, I thought ‘this has really worked in our favour.”

Meech said the step up to 1200, after a firstup run at 1100, was the key to a winning formula.

“She’s done really well on her break and I thought she just carried a bit of excess last start, but getting to the 1200 takes the pressure off,” Meech explained.

“She can dictate to them, she can relax, she gets to a really good cruising speed.

“She’s got a high cruising speed anyway and over 1200 she really relaxes.”

Meech said Moody and Coleman had prepared the mare perfectly for the race.

“A huge thanks to Peter (Moody) and Katherine (Coleman) and all the team back at Pakenham because they’ve done a great job with her,” she said.

“She’s a horse that can spring of a really good tempo…she’s just a little rocket.”

The season has kicked off in fine style across the past two weeks in the Casey Softball Association.

A new-look Berwick Chickasaw team took on Berwick Geronimo in the social women’s competition.

Geronimo first base Merrelee Mackey had a great game in her team’s comfortable 20-1 win.

On diamond one, last season’s premiers, Penguins White, took on Cobras.

Both teams welcomed new players, and while Cobras started well, holding a 5-1 lead, the experience of the Penguins was too much for Cobras with a come from behind 19-6 win, led by Jess George.

MVP’s clash with Cranbourne Comets was a thriller, with Miah Taylor and Lisa Lever shining.

Comets had a fast start, and just managed to hold off a fast finishing MVP, with pitcher Lisa Lever making a double play to shut down MVP, helping her team win 9-8.

Cobras enjoyed a cracking start to their season with a stellar performance taking down Cranbourne Goldstars 22-5.

Doveton women’s SEMR team travelled to Dandenong to take on Southern Knights, with Doveton’s Melissa Spencer, Elisabeth Collins and rookie Kasey Davies batting well.

Southern Knights hit the gaps with some hot bats to take home the win.

Arapaho played Cobras Grey in the men’s competition, with the game deadlocked after four innings.

Cobras pitcher Alec Chapman had struck out six batters, hit a double, and then a huge hit over the fence for a home run.

Arapaho pitcher Nathan Mackey finished the game with seven strike outs.

Good team batting and fielding from Kane Bell, Josh Mackey and Jack Grattidge was enough to get Arapaho their first win of the season 7-3.

Cobras Black won the other game 8-3.

Meanwhile, round two kicked off with a grand final replay in the social women’s

Softball is back for another season. 367067 Picture: SUPPLIED between Narre Warren Penguins White and Berwick Geronimo.

Geronimo’s 17-run first innings blew the Penguins off the park and set the scene for a 23-5 win.

Cobras’ Ana Saleshis’ triple, and Maddie Wingraves’ catches at shortstop helped Cobras over the line for a 10-9 win against MVP on diamond one.

There were two games in women’s BGrade: MVP defeated Cranbourne Gold Stars 18-6 and Cobras outplayed Penguins 14-5.

Rounding off the day were two open men’s games.

Two Cobras teams - Maroon and Black went head-to-head with Jordan Stockdale coming out of retirement to catch the fast pace of Shane Harrison’s pitching in Black’s 15-9 win.

The second game saw men’s competition newbies Berwick Arapaho and MVP face off for the first time.

Arapaho’s batting was too strong for MVP in a 21-7 win, with Nathan Mackey and Ethan Chavasse hitting home-runs, and Kevin Petersen backing up with a triple.

The Young Guns and Doveton played out a thrilling 3-3 draw under lights in the A-Grade competition.

If you’re interested in finding out more about softball please contact Casey Softball via Facebook or Instagram.

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