News - Pakenham Officer Star News - 2nd November 2023

PAKENHAM OFFICER

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Thursday, 2 November, 2023

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Stride for stroke

Aspiring promoter avoids jail

Terrific Tormey then torment

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SPORT

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Pushing for road upgrade

Treat for the kids To celebrate Children’s Week 2023, Living & Learning Pakenham Inc (LLP) hosted a free, fun and educational morning for children and their families on Tuesday 24 October.

The theme this year was “Children have the right to relax, play and to take part in activities they enjoy” and so keeping with the theme, it was a fun-filled event with a farmyard animal nursery along with a range of activities.

Story page 7

Living & Learning held their first event for Children’s Week last Tuesday.

Picture: SUPPLIED/ROB CAREW

Golf set to swing Cardinia Shire Council has entered into an agreement with Golf Services Management (GSM) to operate and maintain the golf course at Deep Creek Reserve in Pakenham.

Golfing ceased at the reserve in April after Deep Creek Golf Club went into voluntary administration. In June the council called for expressions of interest for a new operator.

Under GSM’s stewardship, the golf course, which was previously known as Deep Creek Golf Club, will be rebranded as Pakenham Golf

Course, a name which pays homage to the venue’s original naming convention.

Cardinia Shire mayor councillor Tammy Radford welcomed the new agreement with Golf Services Management to revitalise and reopen the 18-hole golf course and manage the Deep Creek Reserve Centre.

“We know our community values the golf course at Deep Creek Reserve, that’s why we’ve worked hard to find a new partner to bring golf back to Pakenham,” Cr Radford said.

“We’re confident that Golf Services Management will breathe new life into this marvellous course and offer great services for our local community.”

Ian Denny, managing director of GSM, said the company was proud to take on a course so central to the local area.

“We are delighted to be working with Cardinia Shire Council and look forward to the challenge of reopening what we acknowledge to be notable centrepiece and a central hub, for

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the Cardinia Shire community,” Mr Denny said.

“We believe the venue holds immense potential and are excited to introduce a range of initiatives in the coming months that will be valuable additions to the local community as well as to GSM’s extensive existing local customer base.”

GSM said they will now embark on an extensive works program associated with restoring the golf course and driving range to a playable standard after an extended closure period.

Continued page 2

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NEWS

Mural brightens pavilion Cardinia Shire Council unveiled a new mural at Comely Banks Pavilion in Officer on Saturday 28 October.

Commissioned by local arts organisation, Melbourne’s Murals, the new public artwork is painted on the exterior of the pavilion and highlights diverse representation and inclusivity in sport.

Cardinia Shire mayor councillor Tammy Radford attended the community event and was proud to unveil the completed mural.

“Our public artworks help nurture a sense of community and shared history in Cardinia Shire,” Cr Radford said.

“The new Comely Banks Pavilion mural promotes a safe and inclusive environment, representing people of all abilities, as well as bringing a creative flair to the surrounding facilities and amenities at Comely Banks Reserve.”

The community were invited to have their say on the colours, representation, and the sports included in the mural earlier this year, and the feedback informed the final design.

For more information on the artwork, please visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay Cardinia Shire mayor Cr Tammy Radford attending the Comely Banks mural unveiling, alongside Cr Jack Kowarzik, Cr Jeff Springfield, Cr Graeme Moore, Melbourne Murals and community members.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Golf set to swing: Course to reopen under new name From page 1 They stated golf operations are expected to resume in phases from early December which will include the reopening of the Deep Creek Reserve Eco Centre featuring a retail space, cafe, bistro, functions rooms as well as shared spaces utilised by various Cardinia Shire community groups.

A comprehensive recruitment drive is now underway to establish a new team for

the next chapter of the venue.

A range of job opportunities, spanning golf operations, hospitality, and maintenance, are now listed on the newly launched Pakenham Golf Course website at pakenhamgolf.com.au/jobs For the latest news and updates on the reopening, GSM invite you to subscribe at pakenhamgolf.com.au/subscribe

The council has procured Golf Services Management to operate and maintain the golf course.

Golf is set to return to Deep Creek Reserve.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

The reserve has been closed to golfers since Deep Creek Golf Club went into voluntary administration in April.

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NEWS

Road key to Officer South

By Matthew Sims The South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) has called for the upgrade and development of Thompsons Road to be made a priority as part of the Victorian Planning Authority’s (VPA) Officer South Employment Precinct Structure Plan (OSEPSP).

Covering about 1069 hectares, the precinct comprises a State Significant Industrial Precinct (SSIP) and Regionally Significant Commercial Precinct (RSCP), as well as residential land.

It stretches by Cardinia Creek to the west, the Princes Freeway to the north, Lower Gum Scrub Creek to the east and the Urban Growth Boundary to the south.

The precinct identifies land for major industrial development linked to the principal freight network and transport gateways, allowing for continual growth in freight, logistics and manufacturing investment.

The proposed plan will also deliver more employment opportunities in service industries, office and commercial activity, research and development and retailing.

The VPA has been leading the preparation of a structure plan for the Officer South Employment precinct, working in partnership with Cardinia Shire Council, State Government agencies and service authorities.

As the peak industry association representing more than 200 leading manufacturing companies located across the South East, SEMMA provided a submission to the plan which supports South East Economic Corridor’s (SEEC) Strategic Context Report to 2060.

The report’s highlights included stating the South East Economic Corridor would be a nationally significant region for advanced manufacturing and engineering, the Casey/Cardinia Officer Pakenham State Significant Industrial Precinct (SSIP) would evolve to replace the Southern SSIP as the most significant indus-

SEMMA chief executive Honi Walker. trial precinct in the South East and key health and education opportunities and transport gateways would support the region’s prosperity, such as a potential airport in the South East.

SEMMA chief executive officer Honi Walker said increasing the opportunities for Officer

South was key to creating real and long-term jobs.

“Upgrading and developing Thompsons Road is essential as it represents a critical piece of infrastructure that can open up Officer South to encourage investment in manufac-

turing and other essential services,” she said.

The SEEC report outlined a 40-year timeframe and sought to address uncertainty by promoting flexibility via a Three-Horizons approach, comprising of consolidating the existing hierarchy and support long-term options through flexible planning; reinforcing a maturing regional economy by enhancing existing infrastructure, diversifying land use, creating amenity; and transforming the economy through innovation, major investment, and new opportunities.

SEMMA also outlined its support for advocacy body Greater South East Melbourne’s (GSEM) research into the net benefit of the Thompsons Road upgrade and extension would have on local jobs and population growth.

GSEM commissioned SGS Economics and Planning to research employment in the South East in September 2022, with its Greater South East Skills and Employment Analysis report showing that male, female and youth unemployment rates were higher in the Cardinia region compared to the Greater Melbourne average, lower female participation and fewer local jobs per working resident in Cardinia compared to the Greater Melbourne average.

Ms Walker said the Officer South Precinct and the development of the industrial land needs to be prioritised.

“There are many skilled workers in the region unable to find jobs at their qualification levels, consideration should be given to the innovative ways this Precinct could be developed to attract high-value high skilled industries that can bring a wider range of employment opportunities to the South East,” she said.

Reviews of submissions into the OSEPSP would continue until early next year, with the plan set to be approved late next year.

For more information, visit vpa.vic.gov.au/ project/officer-south-employment

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Thursday, 2 November, 2023

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STAR NEWS 3

THE LOWDOWN Q&A

with Chess Republic Australia coach Madu Mudalige

What do you love the most about your job?

Spending time with kids.

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

I would definitely be a cat.

What would your last meal be?

Rice and curry.

What was your most memorable moment?

When my father came home after working abroad.

What were you like as a kid?

Free-spirited.

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

The birth of my niece.

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

My husband, my colleague Alex, my husband’s friend Adem, my friend Tran, my mother-inlaw who passed away in 2021 and singer AnneMarie.

What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?

Marco Polo.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Sensitive, confident and hard-working.

What would you do on your perfect day off?

Sleep.

Where is your happy place?

Home.

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

A fish curry.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

Norway.

THREE … biggest Melbourne Cup shock wins With the race that stops the nation rounding the final corner, with Melbourne Cup Day falling on Tuesday 7 November, here are the three top upsets and winners over the years.

1

Prince of Penzance Now a well-known tale within the history of the race, Michelle Payne beat the odds to become the first female jockey to win the race in 2015.

2

Rimfire In the first victory decided by a photo finish, the 1945 race was won by 15-year-old jockey Ray Neville, with some arguing that the camera was not properly aligned.

3

Makybe Diva The only horse to win three Melbourne Cup races and the only mare to win it more than once, the three-year streak of wins in the 2003, 2004 and 2005 races saw this unusual name gallop into the history books.

Samriddhi and Madu (coach) at Chess Club.

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STAR NEWS 5

NEWS

Journey of healing

By Violet Li Cranbourne resident Tina Monserrate went on an emotional ride as she looked back on the stroke that hit her, a day that turned her life upside down.

The last thing she remembered was having dinner with her husband, who noticed her face was dropping down and she was slurring words.

When Tina recovered some consciousness, she was already in the hospital, hearing her husband talking with the doctor and watching friends and family members surrounding her sickbed.

It was March 2020, an unfortunate time to be hospitalised when the Covid pandemic just started.

Families were not allowed in the ward and nurses were working flat out.

Without anyone assisting her for the toilet, Tina got out of the bed alone and fell, which added to a prolonged recovery.

Three years after, Tina still endures the aftermaths, with impaired peripheral vision, speech, and cognitive function.

But she believes things happen for a reason and maybe her story could remind other people to protect their bodies and treasure the most important things in their lives.

Since her incident, Tina has been actively engaged with promoting stroke awareness.

She is taking part in the Stride4Stroke challenge and raising funds for the Stroke Foundation throughout November to help prevent stroke, save lives and enhance recovery.

“I keep doing the fundraising and Stride4Stoke is the one that I keep on promoting,” she said.

“But now since I cannot get out by myself, I have to wait for somebody to assist me to go to those activities.”

Stride4Stroke sees entrants set an activity goal to increase their daily moving minutes to lower their stroke risk, while fundraising to prevent stroke, fund research and support survivors and their families at all stages of their recovery journey.

According to the Stroke Foundation, an Australian has a stroke every 19 minutes.

And many of the one million strokes per year globally are linked to physical inactivity.

In any given week, 12 per cent of Australians say they won’t be exercising.

Research shows just 30 minutes of exercise five times a week can reduce your stroke risk by 25 per cent.

Cranbourne resident Tina Monserrate is a stroke survivor and she is taking on the Stride4Stroke challenge this year to raise funds for the Stroke Foundation. 369988 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Stroke Foundation chief executive officer Dr Lisa Murphy said one of the benefits of Stride4Stroke was that participants could set their own activity goal for walking, running, cycling, dancing or swimming with endless other options.

“You could raise some much-needed funds all while lowering your own stroke risk,” she said.

Tina believed stress was one of the reasons she developed stroke.

Driving every day to her intensive job, she had to finish projects and manage a team of people while sacrificing sleep and rest.

“My message to those who had a stroke is keep healthy and, at the same time, look after yourself,” she said.

“The stroke can happen at any age. But keep moving.”

More than 1000 individuals and 200 teams across Australia have signed up for Strike4Stroke, contributing more than $120,000.

Every dollar raised from Stride4Stroke will help prevent stroke, fund research and support survivors and their families at all stages of the recovery journey.

If you want to engage, to register as an individual or to join a group, visit stride4stroke. org.au To support Tina in her fundraising, visit stride4stroke.org.au/fundraisers/TinaMonserrate3508

Moving to one person per ward Casey council is undergoing an electoral structure review with a preliminary report available and submissions open.

The Local Government Act 2020 introduced several changes, including that all metropolitan, interface and regional city councils – including Casey council – must now have single-councillor ward electoral structures.

The review is being conducted by an electoral representation advisory panel appointed by the Minister for Local Government.

Throughout 2023–24, 39 Victorian local councils are undergoing electoral structure reviews.

Under the Act, Casey council must move to a single-councillor ward electoral structure.

The panel’s preliminary report considers the appropriate number of councillors and wards for the council, the location of ward boundaries and ward names.

Casey council currently sits on six wards with a total of 11 councillors.

A public hearing will be held following the response submissio n period for submitters who request to speak.

The Electoral Representation Advisory Panel encourages all Victorians in the councils under review to contribute to the review process and have their say.

People interested in making a response submission to the preliminary report can map the ward boundaries for their proposed electoral structure online using the public submission tool available on the VEC website at vec.vic.gov. au/casey Submissions close at 5pm on 22 November.

OPINION

LENSCAPE

Under the Act, Casey council must move to a single-councillor ward electoral structure.

Picture: SUPPLIED

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN Thumbs up To my Halloween haunt ‘Lanah’s Spooky Manor’.

Thumbs down To roadworks all over Casey.

Thumbs down To the drivers that have no idea how to drive with flowing traffic.

When lights change, move, don’t wait for an invitation.

Thumbs up Joshua Swainston with his son Koby showed their love for cricket and footy at Pearcedale Recreation Reserve on Saturday 28 October. 369918 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS 6 STAR NEWS

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To the beautiful weather last weekend. Perfect to show our international guests around. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

The theme was ‘Children have the right to relax, play and to take part in activities they enjoy’.

The day was organised by Living & Learning Pakenham.

Pictures: ROB CAREW/SUPPLIED

The day included a range of fun activities.

Fun-filled event for kids To celebrate Children’s Week 2023 Living & Learning Pakenham Inc (LLP) hosted a free, fun and educational morning for children and their families on Tuesday 24 October.

The theme this year was “Children have the right to relax, play and to take part in activities they enjoy” and so keeping with the theme, it was a fun-filled event with a farmyard animal nursery along with a range of activities provided by Cardinia Shire Council, McKillops Family Services with the support of the State Government.

The event was opened by Pakenham MP

Emma Vulin who welcomed families from over 38 nationalities, many of whom attend programs at Living Learning Pakenham.

A delicious lunch was also kindly donated

by Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar Officer and thoroughly enjoyed by all the families attending.

It was Learning Learning Pakenham first Children’s Week event and a resounding success with a community led partnership making a positive impact on the lives of many children and their families.

Children and their families enjoyed a day of fun activities and good food.

Police officer Sharon Patterson taking photos with local kids.

The South East Business Awards Recognition for outstanding business achievements Learn more at www.greaterdandenongchamber.com.au/awards/sebusiness-awards pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

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STAR NEWS 7

NEWS

Increasing sales success TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IAN ASH What does business growth look like to you?

This could be measured through number of customers, number of staff, company net operating profit, etc., but increased revenue will almost certainly lie at the heart of all of these.

Increased sales are typically the key impetus behind growth and are the most obvious way to measure it. So how do you go about increasing sales?

Talk to any business leader and chances are that they will focus on the need for more customers as the primary way to increase sales.

However, whilst this should indeed increase income, it is actually the hardest way to go about it. To increase the number of customers, you will need to increase your presence in the marketplace and this implies marketing. What may not be immediately apparent though is that marketing can be both time-consuming and expensive. Anyone who has ever done any cold calling of customers in the past will know just how character building this can be (!!) and how ineffective such a method is as well. Acquiring a good market presence will usually require an engaging online capability so creating or enhancing a website (which may also include ‘search engine optimisation’ (SEO) if customers search via the web) may be required, social media advertising and so on.

Not cheap! This is why you will often hear people say that ‘it is far easier to keep an existing customer than acquire a new one’.

A potentially more effective way of increasing sales is to ensure the people doing the selling are trained as well as possible. In ad-

To increase the number of customers, you will need to increase your presence in the marketplace and this implies marketing, Ian Ash says.

Picture: PATRICK TOMASSO ON UNSPLASH dition to an improved understanding of the company’s products and services, training in the areas of relationship building, negotiation skills and sales management (i.e. the ability to create Sales Plans, manage sales pipelines,

track and report on sales performance) will all provide real benefits. The net result is an increased chance of converting a prospect engagement into a real sale and hence improve what’s known as the ‘sales conversion rate’.

But wait, there’s more! Even easier than the above two methods (and often more effective still) is what is known as ‘the upsell’. Walk into any McDonald’s store and order just a burger and what’s the first thing you will be asked?

Assuming the person behind the counter has been properly trained, you will be asked if you “want fries with that?” or perhaps offered a meal deal. If you have bought a new car in the past few years, you will almost certainly be asked if you want your windows tinted or paint protection, etc. All these are good examples of ‘the upsell’. They rely on the fact that for an apparently small (by comparison) cost, the purchaser will spend more but add these up over multiple customers and significant extra dollars can be contributed to a company’s sales with little extra effort.

So what do you think is the simplest and easiest way to increase sales? Surely this has to be an increase in price! Now I am not advocating a wholesale mass mark-up on all products and services, but I have found on many occasions in my dealings with businesses that prices have not been increased for several years even when the cost of raw materials and wages have gone up over the period. So even if the sales remained flat, in real terms, this has meant year-on-year reduced margins on the product or service. With the current inflation rate of 5.4 per cent, if you have not increased your prices by this amount over the past year, you will have gone backwards in real terms.

In practice, price increases do need to be considered carefully since other factors will come into play such as your competitive position and value for money, but smaller, more frequent rises generally don’t have a major impact and are a simple and easy way to ensure that sales income can be gradually increased.

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

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NEWS

Promoter avoids jail time

By Emily Woods, AAP Navishta Desilva claims he felt trapped by “hype and expectation” after promising to bring high-profile international cricketers across to play in a Dandenong-based competition.

When he could not secure investors to pay for the players, who included West Indies’ veteran batsman Chris Gayle, he turned to crime to raise funds for the Twilight T20 cricket series.

Over 16 months, the part-time DJ stole more than $240,000 from Omnivision, his then-employer where he worked as a warehouse assistant.

But Desilva avoided prison over the fraud on Monday, after a judge found he was remorseful and handed him a community work order.

“What comes through is that you are desperate to avoid a jail sentence,” County Court Judge David Brookes said.

After working in a number of jobs, Desilva developed a passion for events and went to work at Live Nation as a promoter.

He then decided to set up his own cricket promotion business, Global Talent Entertainment, and planned to host an international Twilight T20 series at Dandenong.

When he struggled to find enough investment for the event, he started stealing from his employer by falsifying invoices to inflate prices and directed the funds to his own bank account.

Between March 2021 and July last year, he stole $241,439.75, which equated to a loss of $189,125 to his employer after some of the purchase orders were not fulfilled.

He used the stolen money to pay cricket players - including Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan and Lahiru Thirimanne - more than $70,000.

Navishta Desilva departs the County Court of Victoria in Melbourne, Friday, 20 October, 2023.

The competition at Endeavour Hills Cricket Club was cancelled on the second day after Desilva was charged.

He pleaded guilty to dishonestly obtaining financial advantage and has since paid Omnivision back the stolen money, after his family helped him.

The 36-year-old is now working two jobs to pay his relatives back.

Desilva told a psychologist he felt pressured to raise the money because “so many people were relying on me to make it happen”.

“I was under a lot of pressure and I didn’t want to let anyone down,” he said.

Judge Brookes said Desilva “felt trapped by the promises you had made and the hype and expectation that publicity of these events had gathered”.

Picture: AAP IMAGE/CON CHRONIS “Once you had failed to secure the sponsorship funding ... you resorting to the offending to secure the required money,” he said.

Desilva also admitted using some of the money on luxury holidays and designer clothing. He walked free from court after being handed a three-year community corrections order with a requirement to perform 200 hours of unpaid work.

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STAR NEWS 9

NEWS

Election rivalry 40 years on

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Back in 1983, Narre Warren neighbours Rob Wilson and Ray Bastin weren’t expecting to go head-to-head for their first of many council elections.

Both teachers and mates, they lived just five doors from each other on Sweeney Drive.

Active in his local church and the community, Wilson decided to run for the first time.

He recalls seeking Bastin’s help on his campaign for the then-City of Berwick polls.

“I had it in the back of my mind I’ll give it a run because I know that Ray is into politics.

“So I went down to see him and he said: ‘That’s funny because I’m running too’.”

The then long-haired 28-year-old Bastin – fired up about sealing some local roads - had been thinking of getting Wilson to authorise his election material.

“That was my idea but you came down to my place and said you were running too,” Bastin said.

They ran independent campaigns but preferenced each other second on the how to vote cards.

On election day - Saturday 5 November 1983 - it was Bastin who came out on top in an extraordinarily close three-way battle.

Bastin polled 1195 first preference votes, narrowly in front of Bob Johnson (1117) and Wilson (1054).

Garnering 80 per cent of Wilson’s preferences, Bastin ended up finishing 704 votes ahead of Johnson.

Wilson wryly notes that candidates were listed in alphabetical order on the ballot paper.

“When you look at the donkey vote, he (Bastin) scored it hands down.”

Both kicked onto long careers and mayoralty reigns on local council. Bastin served nine years with City of Berwick including as mayor in 1989-’90.

Friends and former mayors Rob Wilson and Ray Bastin faced off in a City of Berwick council Picture: GARY SISSONS election 40 years ago. 367614 He topped every poll except in 1986 when he had two candidates against him, he says.

His name adorns the popular Ray Bastin Reserve, which is set for a $3 million revamp.

Meanwhile, Wilson won a seat on Berwick the next year. He served on both Berwick and Casey councils for 19 years including as Casey mayor.

Wilson had no political affiliations but Bastin never shied away from declaring he was a “Labor man”.

“Most of the time you’re dealing with local issues that have nothing to do with politics,” Bastin adds.

Council debate was mainly “pretty civil”.

But sometimes “vitriol” came with the job – not least when one of the councillors hurled a glass of milk in anger.

Bastin recalls the ratepayers “loved” him for opposing a proposed feed lot in Narre Warren South. But they were out to get him for supporting a residential drug rehab centre nearby.

“You’re always going to upset somebody but you just think what’s the best for the community.”

Wilson remembers his wife got a “threatening phone call” over the rehab issue. He named the culprit during the council meeting.

“Twelve months after he came and talked to me. And we’ve been the best of buddies since.

How does that work?

“They are against the issue, but not necessarily against the person. And you can’t take it personally because you’re a public figure.”

Council elections are set to return to Casey next year – the first since its councillors were sacked amid an IBAC Operation Sandon corruption probe in 2020.

Looking back, Wilson says he’s relieved that he lost his final council election in 2008.

“I always hated losing elections but I’m glad I wasn’t elected that year and becoming besmudged by the actions alleged by IBAC.” He welcomes the prospect of elected councillors in charge, rather than State Government-appointed administrators.

“Because (councillors) care more about the city. They’re closer to what people are saying and thinking,” Wilson says.

“I hope we get some good people in. That’s the main thing.”

Terrifying treats for locals as old factory hosts night of fun One of Casey’s oldest sites, the Old Cheese Factory, became a Halloween heaven for kids and families on Tuesday 31 October.

Entertainment on show included an outdoor disco and DJ, face painting, roving performers, a reptile and creepy crawly show, a spider lair, a slime workshop and a spooky maze in the vegetable garden, while robots, princesses and a mad science show took over the main stage.

A team from Connected Libraries also hosted Storytime sessions throughout the evening, The ghouls and goblins enjoyed visiting the trick-and-treat stations across the factory grounds, with lots of sweet treats from Fyna Foods, while the older monsters enjoyed offerings from food trucks and a coffee van.

In Hallam, the Halloween spirit was well and truly alive, with one house on Kilberry Crescent covered in spooky skeletons, gravestones and a giant spider.

Star News photographer Stewart Chambers was out and about this week capturing all of the Halloween celebrations.

Lillian, one of The Shining twins greeting trick or treaters at her home in Berwick.

A demon showed their dark side at The Old Cheese Factory. 369764

Simone, Sakara, Scarlett and Tori from Pakenham.

10 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 2 November, 2023

Ivy, Michael, Bron and Harrison from Cranbourne North.

Elysia from Connected Libraries. 369764

Lillian, one of The Shining twins greeting trick or treaters at her home in Berwick. 369764 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

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NEWS

Reducing waste at home

By Violet Li It’s a recyclable paper tape, bright in yellow and black.

It is for marking out space in shelf or fridge where everything needs to be used first.

Food rescue organisation OzHarvest distributed the Use It Up tapes to 132 households in Casey to help reduce food waste in May this year, as part of a trial funded by council’s Circular Economy Living Lab Grant.

After a four-week experiment, for those who held on to the end, they reduced their food waste by an average of 84 per cent.

OzHarvest sustainability project manager Ruby Wake believed cutting food waste at home might be the future of the country.

“Over a third of food waste in Australia is from houses,” she said.

“If we want to meet Australia’s target to reduce food waste by 2030, we need to be working with households.

“We can’t rescue food from people’s homes, but we can encourage them to reduce their food waste, so that’s what this program is all about, encouraging people to waste less food at home.”

The theoretical foundation of the program was rooted in a 2021 research from Monash University that identified the most useful behaviours for people to do at home to help them waste less food.

One of them was to designate a shelf in the fridge or pantry for foods that needed to be used up.

Despite the action being relatively easy, the research found few Australian consumers had done that.

Experts suggested a weekly use-it-up meal should be the most effective behaviour in reducing food waste.

“The tape is a communication tool for everyone in the household to see everything on

Ozharvest sustainability project manager Ruby Wake (right) is at the Casey Innovation Summit with Casey innovation officer Nicky Stecca (left).

Picture: ROB CAREW that shelf needs to be used first and it helps them plan what to cook first and what to eat first,” Ruby said.

“It is about embedding the habits. It’s also about having that behaviour once a week where you check everything you have.

“We’ve had that tape for circulation for a few years now. We’ve distributed [it to] almost 60,000 households in Australia.”

Another research with Monash University last year tested people’s food waste before and after using the tape, and it found that people

who use the tape are reducing their food waste by an average of 40 per cent.

Ruby said the program was more than delivering tapes as people also get tips and tricks.

The organisation did a survey around Casey to hear about what residents would like to learn about food waste.

The result showed people wanted to receive really short tips and tricks, videos, emails, and some hard copy materials.

OzHarvest took the information and sent everyone a pack through the mail with recipes that use up commonly wasted ingredients, some activities, a fridge magnet and tapes.

Participants also received an email every week for four weeks that took them through different tips and tricks, little videos, and links about reducing food waste.

A Facebook group was created for anyone who wanted to join so they could share ideas together.

Ruby said a structured program as such was about making simple changes for people.

“Working with the City of Casey in this kind of experimental living lab gave us the opportunity to do the trial and see what parts of it worked,” she said.

“We will do them again with other councils across Australia.”

OzHarvest also collects and delivers food in Casey.

According to the organisation, so far in 2023, it has rescued more than 110,000 kilograms of food from 10 donors, and delivered around 210,000 kilograms to eight agencies in Casey.

If you want to order the free tape, visit events.ozharvest.org/shop/viewitem/use-itup-tape For more food waste information, visit ozharvest.org/food-waste-facts

BUSINESS PROFILE

Lang Lang’s Bendigo Bank branch celebrates 25 years It’s a community success story like no other.

It was the late 1990s and the big banks had all shut up shop on Lang Lang’s main street and the community was left without a bank to service the community.

That was until the town rallied together to raise $750,000 to change that.

A quarter of a century later, Lang Lang’s Bendigo Bank branch celebrated 25 years of service on Friday 27 October, surrounded by staff, customers and the community members that made it all possible.

Bendigo Bank Lang Lang branch manager Cheryl Clasby said she was proud to be part of a passionate, tight-knit community.

“We’ve had a lot of successes here, we got Branch of the Year, so that was really exciting for us,” Ms Clasby said, “We just love supporting the community and giving back and I think providing fantastic customer service is what makes all the difference.”

Operating as part of Bendigo Bank’s community banking model, the bank has been able to reinvest $5 million back into the community over the last 25 years through sponsorships and grants.

That includes the purchase of the Lang Lang Community Recreation Precinct, which was then donated to the community.

Our Community Company chairman Gordon Smale said the anniversary was a significant milestone for the organisation which now owns six branches across Casey and Cardinia under the same community model.

“The visionary for a couple of farmers from Lang Lang to have enough foresight to be able to grab a hold of this model, the Bendigo Bank community bank model, to open a bank, it is significant and it was an amazing thing that we had to raise funds to get us started,” Mr Smale said.

“It’s been such a win for everybody and 12 STAR NEWS

|

Lang Lang Bendigo Bank staff celebrate a quarter of a century. 368389 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Chairman Gordon Smale with branch manager Cheryl Clasby. 368389

Shelby with Laura Healey. 368389

Amanda De Winter with Ian Grantion from the Lions Club Kooweerup and District. 368389

Original directors Tania Hansen and Glen McGregor cut the cake. 368389

banking is still such an important part of rural or semi-rural towns.

“It’s a very significant quarter of a century

and we’re going strong so congratulations to the community here.”

The milestone was celebrated with a cel-

ebration of sweet treats, egg and bacon rolls cooked up by the Lions Club of Kooweerup and a cake cutting ceremony.

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STAR NEWS 13

WHAT’S ON Housing Support and Advice Are you experiencing homelessness? At risk of having no safe place to live? Living in low-cost accommodation with no support?

Visit the Pakenham Library and have a chat with a support worker to discuss available options and resources.

Every Wednesday between 2pm to 4pm.

Bookings are not required. If you require more information, please phone Pakenham Library on 5940 6200.

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

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

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

·

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

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

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.

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

·

Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club Are you newly retired, or new to the area, or just 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/flights), 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! We welcome all you gentlemen out there with time on your hands! Ladies, come along, this is your time to meet like minded people and make those new friends.

Come along and get to know us by visiting

·

· Bush Diwan co-curator Amrit Gill with Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa’s ‘Fence sitting’ photographs. 360360 us on a Thursday at 2pm at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House or join us on a Wednesday at 10am for a Coffee at Little Sparrow Fountain Gate. Or for more information contact Enquiry Officer Gloria 0468 363 616.

Join Probus The Probus Club of Casey Combined would be pleased to welcome new members. Short meeting, morning tea, guest speaker and good fellowship. Enquiries: 0406 468 285 (Magda).

The club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 9.45am at the Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Road, Berwick.

·

Berwick Activities Club As the club heads into its 31st year it wishes to welcome new members to join in the many activities on offer such as New Vogue Dancing, which will see you moving in no time.

Come along on Social Wednesdays where you can join in Carpet Bowls, cards, Scrabble and Table Tennis.

Take the opportunity to make new friends and enjoy yourself.

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

For more information phone David on 0433 566 456 or Bruce 0447 554 475.

·

The Royal Australian Navy Band The Royal Australian Navy Band is coming to Cardinia Cultural Centre to play all of your favourite swing songs. From Michael Buble to Glenn Miller, they will have everybody grooving in their seats.

The Royal Australian Navy’s Big Band is based at HMAS Cerberus in Victoria. Made up of 18 of the Navy’s finest jazz and commercial musicians, the ensemble performs a diverse repertoire of vocal and instrumental big band music, from dance band classics through to contemporary jazz orchestra compositions.

The event is on Wednesday 8 November at the Cardinia Cultural Centre starting at 10am for morning tea and the performance starting at 11am.

Tickets are $15 per person and can be booked at cardinia.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/108900 Companion Card holders can attend at no charge when accompanying a client.

Wednesday 8 November.

·

Bula Cup Festival The Fijian Community Association Victoria Inc proudly presents its inaugural Bula Cup Festival which is supported by the State Government

and Cardinia Shire.

In Officer, for the very first time ever, the two codes of Rugby Union and League are coming together into a one day tournament.

It will be a day to remember with something for the entire family.

From fast-paced, action-filled rugby to delicious food stalls, from kids face painters to live cultural performances.

This free event will be hosted at Comely Banks Recreation Reserve on 25 November starting at 9am and running through to 5pm.

·

Lawn bowls tournament Come and explore Officer Lifestyle Estate by Lincoln Place, and cheer on our resident bowls team as they take on local rivals Pakenham Bowls Club and Berwick Bowling Club for the coveted Officer Cup! Residents will be serving up a delicious sausage sizzle and there will be a complimentary coffee van on site. Have a look around the Estate and stock up for Christmas with items from our residents’ craft stalls.

The event will be on Friday 24 November, 10am to 3pm at Officer Lifestyle Estate, 34 McMullen Rd, Officer.

·

NEWS

Swords and knives seized

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Police have seized more than 400 prohibited weapons including samurai swords, zombie knives and butterfly knives during raids in the South East.

The Dandenong Youth Gang Team raided two shops in Vesper Drive, Narre Warren and Dorset Road, Boronia about 10am on Wednesday 25 October as part of an investigation into the alleged sale of weapons including knives and machetes to local youth gang members.

A subsequent search was also conducted at a factory on Marni Drive, Dandenong South.

During the searches, police seized: 402 prohibited weapons, including three imitation handguns, butterfly knives, zombie knives, axes, miniature samurai swords, daggers, flick knives, and knuckle dusters.

111 cartons of illegal cigarettes and approximately 2kg of dried loose-leaf tobacco.

Quantities of methylamphetamine, cannabis and prescription medication.

17,525 vapes – some containing nicotine – worth $461,000.

Laser pointers.

A 52-year-old Cranbourne North man was arrested at the shop in Narre Warren, before being released pending further enquiries.

He is expected to be charged with offences such as selling prohibited weapons to a person without authority; possess, carry, use prohibited weapon without approval or exemption; and purchase prohibited weapon without an authority.

·

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Stirring trouble

By Mitchell Clarke

Stirring trouble

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

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

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

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

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

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

The reaction from her neighbours was similar.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A second man, aged 34 from Narre Warren North, was arrested at the factory, however, was also released pending further investigations.

Senior Sergeant Josh Milligan from Dandenong Youth Gang Team said police were reminding retailers about their responsibility of selling weapons to youths.

“We know the harm that illegal weapons can cause in our community, especially when they’re in the hands of young people.

“There is no place in our community for adults who prey on, or take advantage of, local youth, by equipping them with weapons that will ultimately lead to further crime.”

The warrants were part of Victoria Police’s ongoing operation targeting youth gangs – Operation Alliance.

Operation Alliance has led to 440 youth gang members being arrested a combined 1,630 times over the past year.

Since Operation Alliance was formed in September 2020, Victoria Police has reduced the number of known youth gang members in Victoria from 747 to 598.

A core group of recidivist offenders - 84 gang members - have been arrested more than ten times over the past year.

Illicit tobacco is also targeted by police under Taskforce Lunar.

Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

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Thursday, 2 November, 2023

An imitation handgun seized by Dandenong Youth Gang Team police. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

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NEWS

Major milestone for road The Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade will reach a major milestone with the new southbound carriageway on track to be complete in late 2023.

The Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade will deliver improved traffic flow, travel times, and safety for the 33,000 motorists who use this key road every day by adding extra lanes in each direction between Thompsons Road and the South Gippsland Highway, while also upgrading 11 intersections that will include eight new sets of traffic signals.

Workers on the project recently chalked up more than 400,000 labor hours as they got on with upgrading several key intersections.

The upgraded intersection at New Holland Drive re-opened before term 4 to improve safety and access to the nearby education and recreation precinct.

At the Linsell Boulevard intersection, workers have been widening the road to allow for extra lanes along Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, which will improve traffic flow and make it easier for locals to access shops and homes in Cranbourne East.

Workers are also set to build the northbound carriageway and upgrade the service lane.

The key Berwick-Cranbourne Road intersection works will see workers replace the roundabout with a new safer intersection with traffic lights while adding extra lanes in all directions to provide better traffic flow.

The new intersection at Berwick-Cranbourne Road will be built in two stages, which will allow traffic to travel east-west throughout the entirety of these works. This is the predominant movement through this roundabout, with approximately 35,000 vehicles traveling in an east-west direction each day.

Pedestrians and cyclists will also benefit from new paths and safer crossing points to the education and recreation precinct and

With several major construction blitzes planned for the remainder of the year, drivers are advised to plan ahead and travel outside of peak periods if they can to minimise delays.

Picture: SUPPLIED nearby High Street shops when this intersection is complete.

During stage one of these vital works, Cameron Street at Berwick-Cranbourne Road will be closed until January 2024.

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ABOUT US Since 2003, the Cardinia Foundation has been fundraising and supporting local communities.

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ABOUT THE ROLE Our fundraising strategy to raise funds focuses on bequests, donor and corporate giving and workplace giving. The Fundraising and Partnership Manager will work strategically with businesses, local, state and federal government, philanthropic organisations, and community leaders to realise investment through effective and sustainable public-private partnerships and individual and corporate giving programmes. This strongly public-facing, highly influential role is focused on delivering tangible financial and community outcomes in ways that build a strong, healthy and diverse community and resilient environment within Cardinia Shire.

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Detours will be in place via South Gippsland Highway and Sladen Street or via Camms Road and South Gippsland Highway.

Delays of up to 20 minutes are expected.

Safe access to businesses on Cameron and

Sladen Streets and Cooper Court will be maintained throughout these works.

Major Road Projects has been working closely with each trader in the area and will provide targeted business support measures, including increased signage and access maps.

Works also began earlier in October to upgrade the intersection at South Gippsland Highway and Cameron Street, where workers have been installing traffic lights, adding extra lanes, and changing the intersection layout so Narre Warren–Cranbourne Road becomes the ‘straight through’ movement for vehicles traveling north towards Narre Warren and the freeway network.

There will be ongoing lane closures along South Gippsland Highway from north of Cameron Street to Lineham Drive until early 2024 before the completion of work.

In January 2024, stage two of works at Berwick-Cranbourne Road to upgrade the northern half of the intersection will commerce, while Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road at Berwick-Cranbourne Road will be closed for approximately eight weeks.

With several major construction blitzes planned for the remainder of the year in Cranbourne, including the Hall Road Upgrade, Camms Road Level Crossing Removal, and City of Casey projects on South Gippsland Highway and Ballarto Road, drivers are advised to plan ahead and travel outside of peak periods if they can to minimise delays.

The Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade is expected to be complete by 2025 and is part of the Suburban Roads Upgrade – a $2.5 billion package of road upgrades across the northern and south-eastern suburbs jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian governments.

For information on all planned traffic disruptions on the Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade visit big.build.vic.gov.au.

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STAR NEWS 17

SPORT

Demons weather the Torm

By David Nagel For those who just look generically at cricket scorecards…the CCCA Match of the Round between Kooweerup and Pakenham would appear evenly balanced after day one.

The Lions, winning the toss and batting first, made a competitive total of 217…and have the Demons 2/31 in reply.

Good game of cricket, hey?

But for those of us who love the great game, there was so much more intrigue than that, with Saturday’s battle at Denhams Road going down as one of the more remarkable days play in recent times.

Lions skipper Dale Tormey won the toss and elected to bat first.

“Batting time” was the Lions’ key focus as the dynamic Tormey (116), and rock-solid Rob Elston (55) produced a masterclass performance before tea.

Tormey was at his creative and free-flowing best, 91 off 90 at the break; while Elston the technician did what he does better than most; making it impossible to find a weakness.

The left-handed Tormey was awesome for the Lions on the weekend.

He hit the brisk pace of Adam McMaster over the backward-square-leg boundary rope for three sixes before the dinner break.

The first, in the 11th over, made a chilling sound off the middle of Tormey’s beautifully wielded willow, while two further sixes, in a very similar direction, reeked of class.

It was the free-minded and free-spirited Tormey that we all loved and admired when he burst onto the CCCA scene six years ago.

Tormey and Elston then continued to “bat time”, with Tormey bringing up his century with a straight shot down the ground, while Elston ticked through the half-century mark at the end of the 47th over.

Just six balls later, the score was 1/187 off 48; with 32 overs remaining; at five runs per over…the Lions were looking at something in the vicinity of 350!

When we look back at the events of day one, the gamesmanship that took place between Tormey and Demons’ off-spinner Matt Bright (13-2-35-1) - off the first ball of the 49th - will be a key talking point.

Bright delayed the start of the over, meticulously setting his field, with Tormey left waiting to continue his glorious knock.

When Bright was ready, Tormey delayed for a second; before a key battle resumed.

Twenty seconds later, Tormey was on his way, edging a full Bright delivery to his brother Chris behind the stumps.

The score was 2/187…the Lions still on top…but the key man had been dismissed.

What transpired from that point forward was incredible; the Lions losing 9/30, including their last eight wickets for just nine runs…

A batting masterclass! Pakenham skipper Dale Tormey raises his bat after his magnificent century. 369691 yes nine runs…to release their stranglehold on the match.

The Lions lost their last five wickets for nought!

Stuart Johnson (19) and Jason Williams (3) would love to have their time again, but apart from those loose shots; the Lions were decimated by a wonderful spell of bowling from “Brothers McMaster Incorporated”.

Johnson tried to smack Adam McMaster (12.5-3-53-5) over the mid-wicket boundary, but holed out to Rob Maskiell, before Elston edged a rearing delivery from Luke McMaster (12-2-39-3) to Mitch Davey at slips to end his 160-ball vigil.

Over the course of the next six wickets…10 balls would be the maximum gap between scalps.

Adam trapped Dom Paynter (3) in front with a full nut, before enticing Williams to drive at a wide one and hit to Lachie Ramage at point.

Three balls later, Nick Sadler (0) was on his way, his castle disturbed by Luke; before Marcus Martini (0) fell to a similar fate next ball.

Luke narrowly missed his hat-trick, beating the outside edge of the bat.

Six balls later, debutant Sendhil Naidu (0) sparred at a quick one from Adam, and edge through to Chris Bright, before James Close (0) was cleaned up by Adam just three balls later.

Adam had five; and Luke three; the Lions losing their last seven wickets in 38 balls.

Remarkably, the Lions had 19 overs to bowl with Tormey (6-1-11-2) claiming two scalps to end an incredible day of cricket.

Ramage (9 not out), still to lose his wicket this season, and Luke McMaster (17 not out) will resume the run chase on Saturday.

“It’s not the first collapse that I’ve been a part of, and it’s not nice watching it unfold, but there’s nothing that you can do about it,” he said.

“I don’t like to use the word, but ‘embarrassing’ comes to mind; losing 9/30 is not ideal when we’re looking at posting 300 to 350.”

Tormey’s innings was magnificent, a glorious breath of fresh air on his battling season to date.

“It’s a little bit of everything, but the mind-

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

set of being freer was the key,” he said.

“I spoke to a few boys during the week; I’ve been thinking about things too much, but on Saturday I had the mindset to just go out there and bat.

“Cricket can be a simple game when you strip it all back…just bat and the runs will come.”

In other games this week, Tooradin (8/256) has the upper hand over Cardinia after openers Cal O’Hare (85 off 181 balls) and Josh Lownds (22 off 91) laid the platform for 80 overs at the crease at Gunton Oval, while Merinda Park (2/85) is closing in on victory after Tyson Bertrand (5/26) put Carlisle Park (107) to the sword with a five-wicket haul.

And late runs from Daniel Lever (24 not out) and Max Adams (14 not out) have given Clyde (9/156) something to bowl at against Devon Meadows at Ramlegh Reserve.

Trevor Bauer (44) was the only influential figure at the top-of-the order for the Cougars, as Lucas Carroll (4/28) and Jakeb McVicar (3/36) shared a great slow-bowling partnership with the ball.

CCCA cricket fields are not ‘boxing rings’, says Hansen

By David Nagel and Marcus Uhe Casey Cardinia Cricket Association president Rob Hansen is confident that behavioural issues plaguing the competition’s opening rounds are isolated and does not represent the spirit in which the majority of the competition’s players play the game.

Police were called to Officer’s D Grade contest with Pakenham Upper Toomuc at Starling Road on Saturday following reports of an assault after an altercation between two men.

No formal complaint was made as of Monday 30 October and no injuries were reported, police say, but Hansen said that at least one player from the incident will face the league’s tribunal.

“Officer Cricket Club has taken action so that on day two of the current match, that player isn’t playing,” Hansen said.

“In both instances over two different weekends, the clubs have reported the incidents.

“At least they’ve taken that responsibility.

“And of course, we’re urging players to re18 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 2 November, 2023

member that they should be playing in the spirit of the game, not becoming involved in arguments and that sort of thing.”

Last weekend’s altercation comes on the back of one player suspended for six matches and another for three due to an incident the week before in Kooweerup’s clash with Officer in E Grade.

It is understood that both incidents arose from players disputing umpiring decisions.

Hansen said the responsibility of player behaviour falls with clubs and said that those who do not conform to the playing rules can expect to receive sanctions.

“For years we’ve said that clubs are responsible for the maintenance of behaviour on the ground, and they’ve got to abide by that, and there are penalties associated with not doing that,” Hansen said.

“One club at the moment has been offered a $500 suspended sentence already for player behaviour, so we can only hope that players play in the spirit of the game.

“Even in Test Cricket, the penalty is quite severe for misbehaviour, but this is local cricket where most people play to enjoy the game, not carry on like it’s some sort of boxing ring.

“The cricket association represents a spectrum of our own society and unfortunately you get a minority of people that don’t control themselves and forget that it’s a sport and it’s recreation; they’re playing to enjoy themselves and get carried away.”

The league employs professional umpires in Premier and District levels but the remaining grades are officiated by club volunteers and players.

“We have a limited number of umpires at the present moment,” Hansen said.

“We’ve got enough to cover the top two grades but not too much below that.

“It’s not only our association that struggles to get umpires.

“The neighbouring ones have exactly the same issue.”

CCCA President Rob Hansen has defended his playing cohort after a handful of behavioural incidents involving umpiring decision disputes in recent weeks. 198877 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Just Social will have its eyes on silverware once again when finals begin this week. 348512

Picture: DAVID NAGEL

Molly Walters poses after her six-wicket haul and hat-trick. 370114 Picture: SUPPLIED

Snipers sneak home Mayhem as

By Marcus Uhe Eleven weeks of precision, accuracy and meticulous athleticism has shaped the South West Gippsland Dart League top five that will begin the next quest for a coveted premiership this week in the finals series.

The final week of the competition saw Just Social return to its winning ways to secure top spot on percentage from a plucky Snipers outfit snapping at their heels.

Just Social comfortably took care of business against Mud Rats, 12-3, and secure safe passage to the second week of the finals, while Snipers just snuck home against Gembrook 8-7 to ensure a second-placed finish.

Much of the attention was drawn to a headto-head battle in the Snipers-Gembrook contest between Tim and Doug.

Tim from Snipers threw six tons to secure the ton-throwing title but Doug kept the pres-

sure on with his third 180 of the Summer season. Gembrook’s loss put it in a nervous position, with the Rebels closing fast, but early season thrashings against Hoodies and 26ers ensured its percentage was strong enough to hold the Rebels at bay, despite a 14-1 victory over Hoodies.

Warriors secured third place, on the back of a seven-ton performance from Liam, with a 10-5 defeat of 26ers, with Paky One in limbo with its bye, stuck in fourth place and unable to grasp the double chance.

Bullseyes, meanwhile, got the better of Fore in just its second win of the campaign, while consigning Fore to a winless season in the process.

In the top division, the winner of Snipers v Warriors will face Just Social in the second week of finals, while the loser gets a reprieve in the form of a battle with the winner of the elimination contest between Paky One and

Gembrook. Likewise in the bottom half of the table, Rebels will put their feet up and prepare for the winner of 26ers’ tussle with Mud Rats, with Bullseyes and Hoodies to face off in the sudden-death match-up.

All finals will be played at the Nar Nar Goon Hotel.

Results R11: Warriors 10 v 26ers 5, Snipers 8 v Gembrook 7, Rebels 14 v Hoodies 1, Bullseyes 9 v Fore 6, Just Social 12 v Mud Rats 3.

Ladder: Just Social 36, Snipers 36, Warriors 32, Paky One 28, Gembrook 20, Rebels 20, 26ers 16, Mud Rats 16, Bullseyes 12, Hoodies 4, Fore 0.

Finals week one: Top division (1-5) Snipers (2) v Warriors (3), Paky One (4) v Gembrook (5).

Just Social (10 – Bye. Finals week one – Don Brown Memorial Shield (6-10): 26ers (7) v Mud Rats (8), Bullseyes (9) v Hoodies (10). Rebels (6) – Bye.

Cardinia Storm establish a men’s team

By Jonty Ralphsmith Local hockey club Cardinia Storm has confirmed that it will field a men’s team for the 2024 winter season.

The Storm was established as a women’s and juniors only club in 2023, with seasoned campaigner and former Casey Cannons player Peter Turner now set to head up the men’s team.

Turner has 250 games of experience across Metro, Vic League and Pennant competitions, winning multiple best-and-fairests during his career.

Cardinia is looking to compete in the men’s Metro B competition, and has a strong catchment of potential players to find given the south eastern growth corridor, a critical consideration in the start-up club.

Former Tasmanian state hockey player Dan Thorp is the first confirmed signing for the club.

While some players are currently competing in summer competitions, the club has started unofficial preseason training as Turner looks to build on the strong culture of the women’s side.

“I’m all about unity,” Turner said.

“We need to put the foundations down and get the unity across the group and then we’ll start challenging them.

“We want to establish a men’s unit and have multiple teams in the next couple of years and help grow the unity across the men’s and women’s so everyone is included.

“Hopefully in a few years time, there are several junior and senior teams with a pathway for everyone into hockey.”

Cardinia hopes to have multiple men’s teams in the medium term future. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Cardi is building its club quickly. 351681 Picture: GARY SISSONS The club has also sourced a running coach who will assist in running preseason sessions and offers a resource for individuals within the club aspiring to take their hockey or high performance further.

The women finished their inaugural season in sixth place on the Pennant D ladder, with seven wins and four draws from its 18 matches, while there was also five junior teams in 2023.

The club is on the hunt for more players to join the ranks.

Dan Thorp has committed to the club. 370528 Picture: SUPPLIED

Molly takes a hat-trick

By Jonty Ralphsmith Officer 17-year-old Molly Walters took a hat-trick and finished with figures of 6-1 after a bowling masterclass on Saturday against Merinda Park.

Playing in the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association Under-16s mixed competition, Walters bullied the visiting batting attack, taking six of the seven wickets as Merinda Park was bowled out for 12.

The medium-pacer’s hat-trick capped off her wizardry, with consecutive bowled dismissals setting up her second opportunity for a hat-trick in the game.

Merinda Park’s Hamdi Nadeem had his outside edge beaten, with Cody Lucas thinking quickly to whip the bails off of an unaware batter.

Walters bowled just 17 balls – six of them were wickets.

Walters previous hat-trick attempt came in the 10th over of the 12-over innings.

After finishing her first over with a wicket, she started the 10th over with a wicket, and bamboozled Christian Crawford first ball, but the LBW appeal was adjudged not out.

Walters would, however, get him not long thereafter.

A stump-to-stump bowler, Walters’ nifty variations make her a tricky matchup, with those who have watched her noting the late dip she is able to get on her deliveries.

As well as holding her own in male junior competitions across recent years, Walters is also the skipper of the club’s female First XI which competes in the Ringwood District Cricket Association (RDCA).

To further her personal development, she is currently completing a short Cricket Victoria girls leadership program.

The program explores on-field roles in cricket, public relations, marketing and media and operational roles as they apply in a cricketing context and is delivered in four workshops across the summer.

The club nominated her for the program, with those in the Bullants’ inner sanctum noting her willingness to help out juniors and develop others, while noting the speed of her improvement.

Thursday, 2 November, 2023

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STAR NEWS 19

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Thursday, 2 November, 2023

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