News - Pakenham Officer Star News - 19th October 2023

PAKENHAM OFFICER

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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Long cancer battle

Charles accepts challenge

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SPORT

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Jobs bonanza

Garden delight

Pakenham Library literacy librarian Moira Eveleens with Millie Ross from Gardening Australia. 362768

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Myli’s Pakenham Library hosted an event with renowned horticulturist, garden designer, writer and broadcaster Millie Ross on Saturday 14 October.

With an impressive turnout of over 130 attendees, Millie shared her refreshing perspective on gardening, emphasising the importance of ‘having a go’ and letting nature be your guide on your gardening journey.

The event featured a photographic showcase of Millie’s experiences in landscaping various garden types and pictures of people and places from her travels overseas.

Story page 8

Feral deer fight

By Ethan Benedicto The Cardinia Deer Management Coalition has made big strides in its work to curb the feral deer population in the area but stresses the importance of community action.

The quarterly report shows the efforts are being backed by sections of both the community and State Government.

A $34,000 grant was received by the CDMC from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, as well as an additional $5000 from the Upper Beaconsfield Conservation Group.

Founder and former president Mike Hall said while the new equipment is helpful, “most of the money in that grant went to the facilitator to help us with community education and property outreach”.

Geoff Lockwood, the CDMC’s part-time facilitator is responsible for conducting further local neighbourhood meetings and spreading awareness on the impacts of feral deer.

The funds had partially been put towards new thermal imaging technology for the organisation’s controllers, providing them with better vision and a safer process for controlling deer.

Hall said that education and awareness for the local community would provide the CDMC with an easier process in tackling the rising population of feral deer.

“Our work is to basically spread the word, we set this organisation up with a focus on the Cardinia Creek Catchment hoping that other catchments would do the same,” he said.

“Since if there were only a little part of us eradicating deer and it’s not being controlled in the next catchment, the deer will just move over.”

The report also showed collaboration with Deakin University where 42 volunteers and

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researchers conducted a faecal scat survey which revealed the extent of vegetation damage that deer cause, having more impact on indigenous plants than native wombats and macropods.

This gives the CDMC a basis to study the effectiveness of their strategy regarding humane deer reduction.

Since Victoria is one of the only states in the country that still labels deer as protected game and not pests, keeping their population in check has been challenging for the CDMC. Continued page 4

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NEWS

Business park brings jobs

By Eleanor Wilson Construction of a $323 million business precinct in Officer South, which will provide 240 jobs annually, is officially underway.

Treasurer Tim Pallas joined McMullin developer chairman Peter McMullin AM, Cardinia Shire mayor Tammy Radford, council chief executive Carol Jeffs and Pakenham MP Emma Vulin to turn the sod on the ambitious Cardinia Road project.

One quarter of the land plots in the 92-hectare precinct are already sold, with stage one of the project expected to be completed in 12 months’ time.

Mr McMullin said the industrial precinct was a fulfilment of the family-owned business’ vision to bring Victorian communities closer together through innovative and quality projects.

“From our point of view this is a really important project and it’s something that we at McMullin are very proud of,” he said.

“It’s a culmination of a lot of work by a lot of people, including Winslow, SMEC, NAB, all our partners have been vital in getting us to the point we’re at today.”

Mr Pallas stressed the importance of establishing jobs in growth corridors like Cardinia.

“It’s important that we recognise that we shouldn’t be transporting communities to jobs, we should be transporting jobs to communities.

“It has massive economic benefits, but it also has profound societal benefits as well.”

Currently, about two thirds of Cardinia Shire residents leave the municipality to travel to work each day.

Mayor Tammy Radford said she hopes the business park will help provide closer employment for the shire’s blue collar workers, which make up about 40 per cent of the region’s workforce.

“There has been a desire for some time to

Pakenham MP Emma Vulin, Cardinia Shire Council mayor Tammy Radford and McMullin development manager Ashley Keys analyse the sitemap for the business park.

Treasurer Tim Pallas turns the sod on the Officer South project. create more industrial opportunities for the shire, which is why I’m so pleased that we’re here to celebrate the beginning of the Kaduna Business Park journey,” Cr Radford said.

“This business park is a much needed new

Pictures: ELEANOR WILSON

Pakenham MP Emma Vulin, Treasurer Tim Pallas and McMullin chairman Peter McMullin.

asset for the area and will be a wonderful addition to the local businesses that we’re already so lucky to have here in Cardinia Shire.”

An eight-year vision, Kaduna Business Park is set to join Pakenham’s South East Business

Park in McMullin’s business portfolio in the shire. Local property developer Parklea has also been engaged on the project, alongside engineering company SMEC and Winslow construction.

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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STAR NEWS 3

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.

THREE … ways to celebrate Children’s Week 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

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

What is your dream holiday destination?

New York in autumn or winter.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Nice, funny and thoughtful.

What would you do on your perfect ‘day off’?

Probably hang out with my girlfriend, play video games, have some takeout, have a nap, then have more takeout, and binge a series or movie series then sleep.

1

Congratulate your kid Applaud your children’s achievements, whether that be in school, in play, at home with their chores, or even their toys and creations! Encouraging your kids in their efforts, whether they are young or hitting their teen years is crucial for reinforcing positive behaviour.

2

Take the kids out This year’s theme is all about kids having the right to relax, play and take part in activities they enjoy.

With free events all over the South East, it’ll be easy to take your children for a fun day out.

3

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

NEWS

Feral deer fight in Cardinia From page 1 Cardinia, being a peri-urban zone, meant that helicopters weren’t allowed, and luring and trapping were prohibited by law. “Victoria had failed to declare deer a pest,” he said. “I’d love to put in lures to encourage deer to come to a certain area so you could cull them, but since they’re a protected species you’re not allowed to do that legally.”

Neighbourhood meetings have been one of the primary ways the CDMC has been able to spread awareness. The Harkaway meeting in May of this year had seen tremendous success, with multiple landowners being involved and with over 30 deer culled in the participating properties.

Hall was adamant on providing landowners with the option of the CDMC’s controllers, instead of hired hunters. “That’s one of the issues and one of the educational things that we try to explain to people that’s really critical,” he said.

“Hunters want to go there three to four times a year and they only shoot the males, whereas it’s seven times more effective in getting deer numbers down if you target the females instead and that’s what our controllers focus on.”

When the CDMC first began their work in 2018, Hall recalled landowners refusing the organisation’s help but have since changed their minds. “The work is spreading more and this is happening quite frequently, where people have changed their minds and decided that what

they didn’t consider to be a problem is now affecting them personally,” he said. Ultimately, Hall is hopeful that in the future more properties and farms will allow their controllers access. “Just getting into farms is the critical thing, we’ve got a number of controllers who are working for us and we could probably do with twice as many properties with the people we’ve got.”

He also encouraged landowners and locals who are experiencing deer trouble to reach out to the CDMC, explaining that while they can offer options and methods of help, they are largely educational. “One of the reasons we put ourselves out there is because people get confused as to what they are allowed to do and what they’re not, this is why we set the group

Funeral Director

up so we could give that sort of advice,” he said.

The organisation’s annual general meeting will be held this November and while no specific date has been set yet, Hall said a speaker will be present at the event. “This is really about an assessment of what’s happened in the previous year, as well as the grant we received from DEECA to see how it’s going and whether it’s achieving what we want it to achieve,” Hall stated. “It’ll be about spreading out our work and focus on the issue of getting more properties on board.”

If you are in the area and come across wild deer, or are experiencing trouble in your property, you can visit their website at cardiniadeer.org. au or contact them through info@cardiniadeer. org.au.

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NEWS

‘Horrendous’ raid

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A Pakenham teenager was among those charged. 137393

Five teens arrested The County Court of Victoria. 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.

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”.

Picture: AAP IMAGE/CON CHRONIS 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 co-offenders 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-a-half years. His term included 33 days in adult remand.

Five teens from the South East were arrested in Pakenham and subsequently charged over an alleged home invasion and car theft in Hawthorn East.

Police say five intruders gained entry to a house and stole a 2019 Mercedes GLC350 wagon and personal items in Tower Place between the night of 16 October and morning of 17 October.

Investigators arrested five teenagers on Princes Highway, Pakenham about 10.45am on Tuesday 17 October.

The allegedly stolen vehicle was recovered in Springvale later that morning.

A 13-year-old Seaford boy, a 15-yearold Springvale South boy, a 15-year-old Cranbourne North boy, a 13-year-old Doveton boy and a 16-year-old Pakenham boy were all charged with home invasion, theft of a motor vehicle, theft and bail offences.

They will face a children’s court at a later date.

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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

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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STAR NEWS 5

NEWS

Historical abuse inquiry info session open to all

Dylan, Sarah and Grace building positive recycling habits.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Recycle right The community is encouraged to brush up on their recycling knowledge and attend local events on offer as part of National Recycling Week.

Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week kicks off Monday 13 November, with the aim of educating the community to take up better recycling habits.

In recognition of the week, Cardinia Shire Council is running a Rethink Recycling education station, community pop-up sessions, and a clothing swap event for the local community.

Cardinia Shire mayor Tammy Radford encourages the community to show they care and do their share for National Recycling Week.

“According to council’s last recycling bin audit, nearly 29 per cent of items found in an average kerbside recycling bin didn’t belong in that bin,“ Mayor Radford said.

“When we place incorrect items in our recycling bins, it often means everything in the recycling bin is sent to landfill.

“By building better recycling habits and refreshing your knowledge on what goes in your recycling bin, you’ll help reduce waste and keep valuable materials out of landfill.”

National Recycling Week activities across Cardinia Shire include: ‘Rethink’ Recycling’ education station. The community can access educational resourc-

·

es to rethink their current recycling habits and submit these new habits to the pledge board at Pakenham Library from Monday 13 November to Sunday 19 November.

Recycling pop-up stalls. Speak to council’s friendly Waste Services team about all things recycling at the community pop-up stalls.

These sessions are being held on Monday 13 November, 2-4pm at Village Lakeside Shopping Centre (9 Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham) and Friday 17 November, 10am-12 noon at Pakenham Marketplace (50, 54 John St, Pakenham).

Clothing swap event. Community members can refresh their wardrobe in a thrifty and fun way at the Clothing Swap event. This free event will be held on Saturday 18 November, 11am-1pm at James Bathe Community Hub (67 Caversham Drive, Pakenham). Participants can bring up to six items in total of pre-washed clothing or accessories. These are then traded in for tokens to use as ‘currency’ for the swap.

To learn about how to recycle better and dispose of your household items go to the shire’s A – Z waste guide at cardinia.vic.gov.au/ atozwasteguide For more information about the upcoming events for National Recycling Week go to cardinia.vic.gov.au/wasteworkshops

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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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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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STAR NEWS 7

NEWS

Clint and Penny with Carly and Abby completing a gardening activity at Myli Pakenham Library. 362768

Benjamin, Neethu and Grace get stuck into a gardening activity at Myli Pakenham library. 362768

Thrifty green thumbs unite Myli’s Pakenham Library hosted an event with renowned horticulturist, garden designer, writer and broadcaster Millie Ross on Saturday 14 October.

With an impressive turnout of over 130 attendees, Millie shared her refreshing perspective on gardening, emphasising the importance of ‘having a go’ and letting nature be your guide on your gardening journey.

The event featured a photographic showcase of Millie’s experiences in landscaping various garden types and pictures of people and places from her travels overseas.

Her presentation was not only inspiring but also informative and the audience was delighted with her tales and practical advice.

Adding to the event’s success were stallholders from local garden and sustainability groups.

Among the participants were the Cardinia

Shire environmental education and waste management teams, as well as representatives from the Cardinia Community Gardens network, encompassing Pakenham, Garfield, Cockatoo, and Kooweerup community gardens.

Local independent grower Jo was also present, providing valuable insights and resources for the gardening community.

Millie also spent time chatting with stallholders and attendees, enthusiastically joined in the little green thumbs club activity and explored Pakenham Library’s discovery garden.

Patrons left the event with newfound gardening knowledge and a renewed enthusiasm for nurturing green spaces.

If you’re interested in learning about upcoming events and programs at Pakenham Library, don’t hesitate to call in to chat with the friendly team or visit myli.org.au

Jimmy Gardner-Gaskin from Cockatoo with some plants. 362768

Cardinia Shire Council environment education officer Charlotte Fletcher and Garfield Community Garden’s Meg Platte. 362768

Max Godber promoting local grassroots food initiatives. 362768

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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, 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.”

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

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The affected ESS Home Batteries may overheat and catch on fire and cause injury or death and/or damage to property. Incidents have occurred and caused damage to property.

If you have an LG battery or SolaX or Opal Power solar/battery system, please contact us at 1300 677 273.

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

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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STAR NEWS 9

FOCUS ON … MEDICALLY SPEAKING

Diagnostic imaging focus

By Bond Radiology CT and Ultrasound guided injections overview INTERVENTIONAL PROCEDURES Ultrasound Guided Biopsy What is a CT Guided Injection?

CT Guided Injections are procedures where a CT scanner is used to guide a needle to a location in the body, so that a medication (usually steroid and local anaesthetic) can be given directly to help treat a number of conditions.

CT Guided Injections in the spinal region may help to confirm that compression or irritation of a particular nerve is responsible for your symptoms, and aims to provide relief from neck, back, leg or arm pain.

Why consider CT Guided Injections?

CT-guided injection procedures may be particularly beneficial to patients who have: A history of spinal surgery with instrumentation, such as screws or rods, or bone grafts that may obscure or distort spinal anatomy.

A focal problem such as an inflamed joint or muscle/tendon that needs imaging guidance to ensure the medication is accurately delivered.

· ·

Bond Radiology - Excellence in diagnostic imaging. will be required to fast (not eat or drink anything) before the procedure, and a short stay hospital admission will be necessary.

·

On the day of a CT Guided Injections It will be necessary for somebody to drive you home but you may eat and drink normally.

Before the procedure, you may be asked to change into an examination gown for your comfort, and to ensure clothing does not affect the images.

You may also be asked to remove jewellery, eye-glasses and any metal objects that might interfere with the imaging.

Preparation for a CT Guided Injections If you: Have previous X-Ray, CT or MRI films available, please bring these with you if you have them.

Are on any medication or have diabetes and are on insulin, take your usual medicines and diet.

Use any medication to thin your blood (eg.

Warfarin, Aspirin or Clopidogrel), please advise us.

Have an iodine allergy, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, please advise us, Your doctor may request this procedure to be performed with sedation, in which case you

During CT Guided Injections A CT Guided Injection normally takes around 15 minutes.

You will lie on the CT table.

Your skin will be cleaned with antiseptic where the needle will be given, A local anaesthetic will be injected The radiologist inserts a fine needle into the location that your doctor has asked us to inject using an aseptic technique (strict infection control practices).

The CT machine is used to guide the placement of the needle safely and accurately into the correct position, A small amount of X-ray contrast or air may be injected to help confirm the correct location.

·

· · · ·

· · · · · ·

During the injection procedure you will undergo high-resolution, cross-sectional diagnostic CT, which may reveal other sources of pain or disease in adjacent discs or facets that weren’t recognized on routine scans.

A long-lasting anaesthetic and a long-acting steroid are usually injected together.

After CT Guided Injections Recovery after a CT Guided Injection should last only for a few hours.

For those patients that undergo a nerve root injection, numbness in the legs or arms may occur for several hours, but will resolve once the local anaesthetic in injection wears off.

The local anaesthetic may give pain relief initially but will wear off after a few hours and the pain may return.

The effect of the steroid can last for a week, several months or years.

Sometimes there is no pain relief from the injection.

It can take several days for the steroid to begin to work and may take up to two weeks for it to have maximum effect.

Avoid strenuous activity for at least 48 hours after the injection.

If required, a simple analgesic such as paracetamol (Panadol) or anti-inflammatory should be sufficient.

An ice pack may also provide some relief.

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5943 5509

Thursday, 19 October, 2023

Make an enquiry Bond Radiology can help in numerous ways if you have experienced a sports injury. You can book for a CT and ultrasound guided cortisone injection or enquire about other procedures that might help relieve you of pain and inflammation following a sports injury.

Bond Radiology, 2 Stephenson Street, Pakenham, 5922 2072.

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Possible risks with a CT Guided Injections Infection is a potential and serious side effect.

If you notice any fever or redness, swelling, or increased pain at the injection site after the first 2 days, notify your referring doctor or immediately call the clinic where the injection was performed.

Side effects may include: Worsening of symptoms and weakness for 24-48 hours.

Increased blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Insomnia, flushing and palpitations.

Local bruising and soreness. Infection is an uncommon, but serious side effect.

Serious side effects causing permanent neurological damage can occur extremely rarely.

If X-ray contrast is given, there is a small risk of an allergic reaction, which may include flushing, hives and difficulty breathing. Severe reactions are rare, and a life-threatening reaction is extremely rare (1 in 170,000).

03 9131 3212 12629874-MS34-23

Monday 9am-5:30pm Tuesday 9am-5:30pm Wednesday 9am-5:30pm Thursday 9am-5:30pm Friday 9am-5:30pm

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Kerri Sawdon Dental Prosthetist

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What are the benefits of CT Guided Injections?

The anti-inflammatory is long lasting - with the effects up to three months - however it may not begin working for several (two-toseven) days following the injection.

CT-guided injections offer several advantages compared to the technique most commonly used to guide injections, called X-ray fluoroscopy. Some injections are given with no guidance, reducing the probability the medication is delivered to the correct location.

Your radiologist is able to: More accurately visualise anatomy - bones, nerves, joints, discs, soft tissues and surgical instrumentation - that can’t be seen using X-ray-based fluoroscopy, often down to millimetre accuracy.

Inject smaller smaller amounts of medication into the targeted area with unparalleled precision and safety.

No 2 McGregor Road Pakenham

5940 8055 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … MEDICALLY SPEAKING

High-quality dental care

Kelsey De Luca (reception), Bridgett Scott (nurse manager), Dr Ehab Mostokly and Tayla Cook (practice manager). 365985

All welcome Rossiter Road Medical Centre is a newly established medical centre situated in the Hollander House Building in Kooweerup.

The medical centre is proud to join Diverse Dental, Icarus Skin Clinic and The Wellness Room at Hollander House.

The clinic has a state-of-the-art fitout completed by Medifit Design. The practice is proud of its well-designed waiting and reception area, kids space and medical facilities.

The practice has a welcoming vibe and peaceful ambience.

The clinic is a bulk billing practice.

The practice is owned by a team of four experienced GPs. Current opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. The practice hours will increase to include after hours in the future.

We have a team of Allied Health Professionals also offering services, including Podiatry, Dietetics and Audiology. Additional Allied Health

Services will commence in 2024. Radiology will also be developed at the rear of the practice in the future, making this area a health hub.

Online appointment bookings can be made via HotDoc. New patient registrations can also be done online via the practice website at rossiterroadmc.com.au. Pathology services are also located onsite. Clinical Labs is open Monday to Friday, 9am-1pm.

We have a friendly team of reception and nursing staff.

The team are very happy to be joining the Kooweerup community.

The goal, vision and mission is to offer a quality bulk billed medical service to the community.

Rossiter Road Medical Centre is located at 352-354 Rossiter Road, Kooweerup, phone 5997 9888.

Now open in Koo Wee Rup

Pakenham Shine Dental is a modern dental clinic which is committed to providing highquality dental care in a friendly and welcoming environment.

Pakenham Shine Dental offers a wide range of dental services, including general dentistry and preventive dentistry.

The clinic is equipped with state-of-theart technology, including digital X-rays and intraoral cameras, which allows for more accurate and efficient dental treatments. The dental team at Pakenham Shine Dental is comprised of experienced dentist and dental assistants who work together to provide personalised dental care to each patient.

Some of the services offered at Pakenham Shine Dental include dental exams and cleanings, fillings, root canals extractions, teeth whitening veneers, and custom mouthguards. The clinic also offers emergency dental services for patients who require immediate dental care.

Pakenham Shine Dental is committed to providing excellent Dental Services to Pakenham communities and the surrounding suburbs. We can help you with a wide range of dental work including, Professional Cleaning, Teeth Whitening, Root Canal Treatments (RCT) and many more.

If you are looking for an experienced dentist in Pakenham and other nearby suburbs, you can find them at Pakenham Shine Dental. We are proud of becoming part of these respected and supportive communities. Our friendly and experienced staff members are committed to making your dentist appointment as relaxed and comfortable as possible.

Our mission is to deliver high quality dental care with emphasis on an integrated multidisciplinary comprehensive approach to dental problems. We offer our patients all information required to fully understand the

Dr. Rose Mathew. treatment required to treat all dental conditions. You can find our dental clinic in Pakenham at Shop 2/1 Hunt Way Pakenham, which has ample parking. We have wheelchair access entrance and operatory. If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us today - 5943 5509.

Graduated with Bachelors of Dental Surgery in 1996. With 25 years of experience, Dr. Rose Mathew has practised around the world. After moving to Melbourne from New Zealand in 2011, she worked full time with a private practice in Narre Warren, in the South East of Melbourne, till she started managing Shine Dental Group in 2016.

She is passionate about all aspects of dentistry and focuses on delivering high quality dental works and greatly values overall patient care and comfort. She is known for her gentle and caring nature and brings years of experience and wealth of knowledge to the practice.

She is a member of ADA (Australian Dental Board) and maintains continued professional development to ensure she is up to date with her knowledge and skills.

Dr. Rose Mathew is currently the Principal Dentist of Shine Dental, Cranbourne West.

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Located in: St John of God Berwick Hospital Suite 2.1B, 55 Kangan Dr, Berwick VIC 3806 Phone: 1300 702 811 Appointments: melbourneurologycentre.com.au Visit: www.melbourneurologycentre.com.au Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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Hollander House 352-354 Rossiter Road Koo Wee Rup Ph: 5997 9888

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We look forward to welcoming you to our new Bulk Billing Medical Centre.

STAR NEWS 11

NEWS

A great pitch can pay off TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IAN ASH What would you say to a prospective customer if you had less than 10 seconds to engage their interest?

Now you may be thinking that this is an artificial scenario, but according to ‘The Treetop Therapy’ the average attention span for a human is just 8.25 seconds.

That is less than that of a goldfish which comes in at a whopping nine seconds!

The reality is that these days, we are all so busy, if you are going to make someone stop and take notice, you have to pitch with something that is going to grab their attention.

In marketing parlance, this is known as ‘the hook’ and is the first step in beginning to acquire interest.

If you believe the assertion that 8.25 seconds is typically the amount of time required to attract attention, then the best way to do this is via an image.

It is very true that a picture paints a thousand words and in marketing, less is more.

It doesn’t matter whether you are surfing the web, looking at a magazine or passing by a newspaper stand, it is most likely an image that will determine whether you decide to look further or not.

A newspaper is a good example of this. Look at most papers and you will see that what takes up at least 60 per cent of the front-page real estate is a picture along with a very large three to four word headline.

If this is of interest, then you may be inclined to read the next bit which is usually a short paragraph or two to three sentences in big bold print that tempt you to find out more.

You read this and before you know it, you are reading the smaller print at the bottom right-hand corner, which does not finish on the front page but instead directs you to turn to page four to find out more and now you’re in.

You are committed to finding out more now

The elevator pitch is an important skill to master when networking. that you have got this far and so are then compelled to buy the newspaper.

In business marketing, the ‘elevator pitch’ is the term used for the situation in which you have a limited amount of time to talk to someone and attract their interest in your business.

The term derives from the American word for a lift (elevator) where you have stepped into it at the top of a tall building and the other person there asks you what you do.

You have from the time the lift starts to when it reaches ground level (possibly 8.5 seconds or less) to gain their interest in your business so that they want to find out more (the personal equivalent of ‘turn to page four’).

While this situation may sound wholly artificial, it is directly analogous to attending a networking function or meeting with a prospective customer for the first time - you have

limited time to get their attention and continue the dialogue.

So where do you start? First off, I recommend that you don’t state the obvious.

Rather than just simply say what you do, it is often more useful and interesting to state the ideal end result of your work.

For example, instead of saying ‘I landscape properties’, a landscaper might say something like ‘I transform the surroundings of people’s homes’ or a personal tutor might say ‘I maximise the knowledge of the next generation’.

In both cases, since the specifics of the job have not been declared through each ‘hook’, the next most likely question might be “how do you do that?” and now the conversation has started from which your vocation will gradually become clear.

When you begin to talk about your business,

Picture: UNSPLASH it is important that your own personal passion comes through illustrated by one or two personal examples of how you have been able to demonstrate the sort of results achieved.

Key to success here is not to talk for too long (remember, less is more).

Asking the person to whom you are talking for their perspectives is essential to an engaging conversation since this should necessarily be two-way.

If the conversation continues well, you should also get an opportunity to talk to why you do what you and as Simon Sinek has clearly articulated, this is what brings about real engagement and interest.

Happy pitching!

Ian Ash ACC, AInstIB Managing Director OrgMent Business Solutions - ombs.com.au

Hall set to be transformed into creative hub for artists 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 12 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

Narre Warren Mechanics Institute hall, pictured during its 125th birthday in 2016, is set to become an art hub. 161948 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS and culture organisations concurrently for a three-year 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.

“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.” pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … FAMILY RUN BUSINESSES

Pakenham’s pizza spot If you are looking to find your next regular pizza joint, Pakenham’s new Antica Woodfire Pizza should be the next place to check out.

Only starting three months ago, Antica wishes to give Pakenham the unique option of classic woodfire pizza with only the most fresh and flavourful ingredients.

Couple Sree and Sravani run the business using only produce from local businesses and using no processed ingredients, believing supporting the local economy is essential.

The new venture is backed by Sree’s long career in the food industry. He says what drives him is, “to serve the best food to my customers and put a smile on my customer’s face”.

Alongside authentic woodfire pizza, Antica serves juicy burgers and gyros straight off a charcoal grill, while also providing a selection

of focaccias, salads and various sides.

Currently, you can choose from a range of deals where you can get various free additions for dinner, with whole meal deals at the low price of $16.99.

Antica is excited to see the already warm reception they have received from the community.

As a passionate business, a happy customer is their top achievement.

They will love for you to stop by and grab a meal, they are happy to hear suggestions and ideas for their menu and build more connections with the community. If you are in the mood for pizza, you can stop by 897 Princes Highway in Pakenham after 5pm any day of the week to try out the newest pizza joint in town.

Owners Sree and his wife Sravani are excited to open Pakenham’s latest pizza spot - Antica Woodfire Pizza.

Turn to Van Steensels for all your building requirements A stalwart of the building supply industry, Van Steensel Timbers in Officer has been supplying householders and tradespeople in the south east for more than 50 years.

The green building on the corner of the Princes Highway and Tivendale Road in Officer is a familiar sight to those passing through and evokes memories in even retired tradesmen of its extensive range and warm service.

Van Steensel covers pretty much all building materials, with the exception of bricks and roof tiles. No matter what product you need, if you can’t find it elsewhere, it’s likely Van Steensel stocks it - and if they don’t, they’ll do their utmost to get it in for you.

It’s not just a mecca for tradies - home handymen will revel in the range available too. From timber to general building supplies, paint to tools, customers are sure to find what they are looking for.

And, Van Steensel offers something that chain stores can’t match: friendly, one-on-one service, and an unparalleled record of experience.

The business was started by Jan Van Steensel 59 years ago and has been passed down now to his sons, generating well over a century of combined experience in the building industry - not just on the shop floor, but on site as well.

It all adds up to extra assistance for customers who need it.

In addition to the massive range of products, Van Steensel has a machine shop and staff can provide expert advice on building structures like pergolas and decks, offering a close, personal level of service that is not limited by the barrier of a shop counter.

Support your local hardware store: visit Van Steensel Timbers at 421 Princes Highway, Officer or visit online via website: www. vansteenseltimbers.com.au

David Van Steensel , Shaara Horin, Bruce Spence and David Cray of Van Steensel Timbers.

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pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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STAR NEWS 13

NEWS

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.

14 STAR NEWS

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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 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

‘Suboptimal’ monitoring

By Violet Li 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

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.

Picture: SUPPLIED 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 possibility 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.

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.

Students gain a chance to shine at family carnival

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.”

Art student Sasha with his artwork. 366726

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Art student Sal with her artwork. 366726

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

The hair and fashion show participants. 366726

Former students Josh, Chloe, Krystal and Layla playing mini golf. 366726

Young artists Baneen and Minha from Cranbourne. 366726

Charlee and Shahana with the raffle prizes. 366726

Punya and Saj with Shanoaya, Talia and Tiffany. 366726

Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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STAR NEWS 15

WHAT’S ON GLE23NarreWarren

Casey Halloween

Bush Diwan

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

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.

· · · ·

·

Seniors and Active Retirees in Casey and Cardinia

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.

· ·

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

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 afterSprings 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.

· ·

Dandenong Community Cemetery Walk

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Stirring trouble

By Mitchell Clarke

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Picture: FACEBOOK

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By Mitchell Clarke

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

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

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

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

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

The reaction from her neighbours was similar.

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

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

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

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

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

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

12467549-HL46-20

Stirring trouble

16 STAR NEWS

· ·

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.

· ·· · Berwick Springs VIEW Club PAKENHAM OFFICER

PAKENHAM OFFICER

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

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.

Pakenham Officer Star News

/pakenhamstarnews

·

· · · Craft Classes

Subscribe to the

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

wards.

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.

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.

Are you newly retired, new to the area, wanting to enjoy your freedom, or expand your social life?

Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club can offer you stimulating activities such as weekly social/ chat activities with low key in line dancing if you want to tap your feet and great afternoon teas, day/short and long trips away via coach and flights, a weekly morning coffee club, monthly Saturday country pub Lunches, monthly evening dineouts, weekly table tennis club, walking groups, seasonal daytime musical theatre outings, and more!

Come along every Thursday at 2pm at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House in Berwick or every Wednesday at 10am for a coffee at Little Sparrow Fountain Gate.

For more information, contact enquiry officer Gloria on 0468 363 616.

· ·

DnD at Orana Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) is an inclusive tabletop, fantasy, role playing game.

Participants work together with other players to go on adventures in the DnD world.

You can act, explore, instigate, solve problems, and tell stories as you bring their chosen character to life within the game world.

Second Saturday of each month, 1pm to 9pm, Orana Community Place, 16/18 Playwright St, Clyde North.

For enquiries and to book a spot at the table, reach out to Jonathan Whelan at thestoryweaver.dnd@gmail.com

· ·

Gridiron in the South East The South Eastern Predators Gridiron Club is welcoming people of all ages to come and learn a new sport in an inclusive and friendly environment.

No experience necessary.

1 Newport Road, Clayton South. For more information, visit sepredatorsgridiron.com.au Weekly badminton Badminton for ladies or retired.

All welcome.

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

·

Pilates Do you want to improve your posture, increase your core strength, increase your energy, improve your flexibility and mobility and decrease stress?

Pilates focuses on increasing core strength and tone of abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and buttocks.

Classes held Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. $90 per term (10 weeks).

Hall 2, Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd, Clyde North on Tuesdays 1pm2pm and Wednesdays 7.30pm-8.30pm.

·

Beginners Yoga Balla Balla holds a beginners yoga class that incorporates gentle exercise, breath control and meditation.

The health benefits of regular yoga practice may include lowering blood pressure, improved posture and circulation, and a sense of wellbeing.

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

Hall 1, Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd, Clyde North on Thursdays, 5.30pm-6.45pm and 7pm-8.15pm.

· ·

·

Tom Gleeson’s Gear

Zumba

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/

·

Do you want to burn calories and blast away fat?

Do you want to de-stress, improve your co-ordination, boost your heart health and meet others wanting to improve their fitness levels?

Zumba is aimed at all ages and fitness levels.

Classes held Tuesday evenings. $80 per term (10 weeks).

Hall 1, Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd, Clyde North on Tuesdays 6.30pm7.15pm.

·

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STAR NEWS 17

SPORT

Charles accepts challenge

By Marcus Uhe Daniel Charles is bullish about Officer’s prospects in Outer East’s top division of football next season and wants his players to embrace the opportunity afforded by the league’s structural review.

Officer joins 2023 Division One grand finalists Emerald and Berwick Springs in making the leap to the 12-team Premier Division for both senior football and netball, with the league selecting the Kangaroos on the basis of a “number of measures, including but not limited to, football and netball, facilities, junior club pathways, geographic, economic and growth factors.”

Officer was relegated from Premier Division at the end of 2022 on the back of a onewin season, before finishing fifth in 2023 in Division One in Charles’ first season as senior coach to narrowly miss finals.

While the ladder may suggest the Kangaroos are not up to the standard, Charles is confident that the evolution and growth of his side, plus a handful of senior heads from other clubs, will hold his club in good stead.

“It did not worry me one bit,” Charles said when he learned of the decision.

“We’ve got enough development in the squad to actually improve and grow with the league.

“Once we found out, we knew where we needed to recruit from so we’ve done pretty well with our recruiting so far.

“We’ve got natural improvement from some of the kids who played senior football this year in Ryan Hutton, Taj Beddows, Brodie Snooks, Tyler Canute.

“It’s going to be tough going, but that’s why you play football, you play for the challenges.

“There’s a lot of positives at the club, so I’m excited for next year.”

Among the new names in the door at Starling Road include two-time Cora Lynn premiership player Jeremy Monckton and versatile tall Jake Gains from Noble Park, while Brenton Hillard’s return will be a homecoming of sorts, having played his junior football with the Kangaroos before before plying his trade at both Casey and Frankston VFL programs, along with Noble Park.

Inside midfielder and much-loved club stal-

Officer coach Daniel Charles is excited to coach his side in the Outer East’s Premier Division next season. 341626 wart Anthony Bernardo, however, has signed with Seville, on the back of a season in which he was named in the Division One Team of the Year and finished fourth in the club’s best and fairest count.

Officer got the better of finalists Seville (twice) and Healesville this season, while its biggest losing margin to Berwick Springs in the three times they played was just 27 points back in round 11, to show that in a clustered jumble in the lower rungs of the top four, they were not far away from the benchmarks.

In a year of many firsts and learnings under

Charles, the club learned plenty, and even saw Luke Smaluch tie for the league best and fairest award.

Charles said his timeline for the club’s future doesn’t change despite the promotion, keen to build on the foundations set in place in 2023.

“This year we had a new coach and a whole new team learning a new structure,” he said.

“I spent pretty much the whole year teaching 70 blokes how I needed them to play.

“Next year we’ve got 60-70 blokes teaching

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

5-10 blokes how we need to play, (who are) senior heads with a lot of experience that know that the stuff I’m teaching.

“It isn’t new to them, because when you play at a higher level of football, it’s what you get taught.

“Are we going to get it right 100 per cent of the time? Hell no, but I think we’ve got enough experience there with the recruits we’ve picked up, enough enthusiasm with the playing group that’s excited, and if nothing else, it’s going to be an exciting year.”

CEO Connell provides Outer East competition clarity

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 datadriven.

“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.

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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

SPORT

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 club attached to a football team, but you’re still able

The South East Premier Netball League is Picture: SUPPLIED coming in 2024. 367482 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.

Seagulls take the points as Hussey winds back the clock

By David Nagel It was just one run above his career average at Tooradin (6/162) …but Tom Hussey’s 44 not out wound the clock back and was the highlight performance of the Gulls four-wicket victory over Pakenham (7/159) in CCCA Premier Division on Saturday.

Now in his tenth season at Tooradin – either side of a three-year stint at Langwarrin – Hussey has now made 5116 runs at the elite average of 42.99 to stamp himself as one of the great batters of the competition over the last decade.

Throw in 12 centuries - including a matchwinning grand final ton - and 27 half centuries, and we’re talking a player with serious credentials.

But his 2022/23 season was the least productive of his Seagulls’ career, scoring 334 runs at an average of 23.86.

Most mere mortals would be very happy with that statistic – but for ‘Huss’…it was an output that was modest to say the least.

He looked hungry for runs on the weekend, with teammate Kallan Braid-Ball summing things up perfectly as Hussey guided his team to victory.

“Where’s this Huss been for the last two years,” Braid-Ball said with a grin and a chuckle, and tongue firmly planted in cheek.

Hussey’s innings was the highlight of a contest that didn’t really deliver on its ‘match of the day’ status.

After winning the toss and batting, Lions’ skipper Dale Tormey was part of a top-order that failed to gain impetus against a disciplined Tooradin attack.

Openers Rob Elston (28 off 62) and Chris Smith (28 off 42) compiled a solid and patient 51-run stand, before Tormey (25 off 56) and Jack Anning (13 off 27) struggled to up the run-rate.

The pair attempted to ramp things up, taking 19 off the 28th and 29th overs, but Tormey’s dismissal off the first ball of the 30th brought that hard-fought momentum to a halt.

Josh Lownds (7-4-23-2) was sensational for the Seagulls, bowling four of the eight maidens for the match.

Peter Sweeney (8-1-22-0) was also important before tea, while two wickets each to Russ Lehman (8-0-32-2) and Braid-Ball (80-44-2) had the Seagulls well placed heading into their run-chase.

After a crunching lofted-cover drive for four, the Seagulls lost Cal O’Hare (4) early, with Lownds (25) and Mick Sweeney (13) then putting on 31 for the second wicket.

Sweeney was next to go, trapped in front

by Tormey (8-1-22-2), although a faint second noise seemed to be apparent. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Tooradin keeper Ben Parrott stumps Pakenham’s Jack Anning off the bowling of Josh Lownds Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS on Saturday. 366809 Pete Sweeney (36) then arrived at the crease and continued to ride his luck from last weekend.

Sweeney was dropped four times by Carlisle Park in round one, and gave a couple a guilt-edged chances against the Lions.

Sweeney was put down by Chris Smith, to a difficult chance, in the 17th over, with Lownds departing next ball after Anning took a low-down catch in the gully off the bowling of Tormey.

The Gulls were 3/57, with Hussey joining Pete Sweeney at the crease.

Pakenham continued to create chances, but a simple drop by Jordan Seers at mid-on - from Sweeney - summed up the effort in the field.

Off-spinner Jason Williams (6-0-24-1) bowled beautifully for the Lions, and deceived Sweeney…with Elston whipping off the bails.

At 4/97, it was still game on!

The Lions continued to do themselves no favours, with Marcus Martini misjudging a

high-ball, and Anning calling in Smith when the former seemed to have the easier path to the ball.

Hussey, meanwhile, was gradually finding his touch and became the key player in the chase.

He played some beautiful shots of his pads and played with the freedom that has seen him become a menace to bowlers over the years.

Lehman (12 off 11), Brad Butler (10 off 9) and Tyler Evans (8 not out) played cameos, but it was Hussey who led his team to victory with two overs left to spare.

The Premier Division push of Devon Meadows (3/225) is officially up and running after Lucas Ligt (107) made a magnificent century to steer the Panthers to a 79-run win over Carlisle Park (146).

Fresh off a freakish 916-run season in a successful District Division campaign, Ligt has wasted no time announcing to the CCCA fraternity that he is the ‘real deal’.

A first-up 46 against Merinda Park; and a

century against the Vikings; Ligt is now stepping up to the plate, taking on all challengers in the top flight of the league.

A premiership; and now bestowed with captaincy for the first time at Glover Reserve, the target on the back of the 32-year-old is growing bigger and bigger by the minute.

“Even during the pre-season, part of me was thinking ‘that was a fluke of a year, everything went my way’, but then I got the captaincy, we lost a couple of experienced players, (Chris) Cleef getting injured, it’s sort of made me change my mindset a bit,” Ligt explained.

“Now I’m thinking, ‘no, it wasn’t a fluke, I need to step up and make that the norm’, the standard I’m trying to set, and I think the hundred on the weekend has confirmed that belief.

“It gave me the belief that I can lead this team to success and we can get the results that we’re chasing.

“I’ve gone from thinking it was a fluke to be really keen to take on the challenge now.

“The knock on the weekend has solidified that for me.”

Ligt and Steve Robinson (85) set up the victory on Saturday with a stunning 170-run partnership that was almost perfectly balanced.

Both players belted six fours, with Robinson whacking one over the ropes: with Ligt marching on to an incredible eighth century since the beginning of the 2020/21 season.

Early wickets to Jamie Cape and Coby Podd (4-0-12-2) had the Vikings on the back foot in reply, before Riley Worsteling (6-1-333) and Jakeb McVicar (7-2-19-3) came in for the kill.

Hasintha Jayasuriya (46) and Suranga Kulasinghe (42) were the only Vikings to offer any resistance.

In other games this week, Travis Wheller (105) and Josh Browne (5-21) were instrumental figures in Cardinia’s (5/206) thumping victory over Merinda Park (131), while a sublime 82 not out from Steven Dillon piloted Kooweerup (5/169) to a hard-fought fivewicket win over Clyde (8/167) at Denhams Road.

Rounds three and four will both be played this week in a weekend one-day doubleheader.

CCCA PREMIER FIXTURE ROUND 3 - Saturday 21 October Devon Meadows v Tooradin, Pakenham v Cardinia, Merinda Park v Kooweerup, Clyde v Carlisle Park.

ROUND 4 - Sunday 22 October Devon Meadows v Kooweerup, Pakenham v Merinda Park, Tooradin v Clyde, Cardinia v Carlisle Park.

Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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Thursday, 19 October, 2023

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