News - Cranbourne Star News - 21st December 2023

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

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Barbecue for the community

Green Living honour

Draft success for locals

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SPORT

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Students aim high

All smiles for carols return

Will

By Violet Li The much-anticipated Gethsemane’s Annual Clyde Carols by Candlelight landed on the lawns of Hillcrest Christian College Oval on Saturday 16 December after three years of rest.

The carol featured a brilliant lineup of singers, entertaining families’ activities, and free giveaways, cheering up the community with its carnival atmosphere.

Story page 12

Isabelle with her Mum Renee from Berwick at the carols. 376968 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Blocked cop cars

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A foul-mouthed man who allegedly blocked police cars and threatened officers at two hoon hotspots in Pakenham and Springvale has been spared jail.

Declan Adam Bailey, 22, of Cranbourne North, was offered a community corrections order for more than 30 offences during a sentence indication at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 15 December.

Police agreed that a “lengthy and stringent” CCO was within range if Bailey pleaded guilty.

In October 2022, Bailey was on bail at the time when he stood in front of a police patrol car and refused to let it pass on two occasions at a high-revving car meet at Springvale Mega Mart on Princes Highway.

“You hit me b****, see what happens,” he told an officer in the car.

Police described him as pacing back and forth in a menacing way, “smiling and laugh-

ing” and demanding to see the regional police supervisor of the anti-hoon Operation Achilles.

“He knows me,” Bailey told them.

After police back-up arrived, he was arrested.

In a similar stand-off in Hogan Court, Pakenham three nights later, Bailey leaned on a police car bonnet in an “aggressive” manner, appearing to film them as he shone his phone’s torch into the officer’s eyes.

“I can still see your face, f***stick,” he told an officer.

While standing in front of the car, he called out to the patrol car officers that “you’re f***ing hitting me, bro” and to “stop driving, c***”.

Other associates illegally parked two cars nearby, hemming in the police car as Bailey threatened them: “Are you going to keep going or are you going to get out?” and he launched himself on the bonnet.

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2024

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NEWS

College joins VCE 30 club

By Violet Li Lyndhurst Secondary College (LSC) in Cranbourne has just joined the prestigious VCE 30 club following two years of hovering around the gate.

This has been the first time LSC reached the benchmark, and it is one of only four schools to get the club ticket this year.

Achieving a median study score of 30 indicates the school’s solid academic performance.

Principal Eloise Haynes said they were very excited and proud to get to the 30 club.

“It’s actually been a goal since 2014, and I think it shows the importance of having a goal and then backing it up with a solid plan and hard work,” she said.

Over the years, LSC has worked on several practices to align with the academic ambition.

“Some of the things that have been successful are raising the expectations that we have of our young people that they can achieve and succeed, and supporting our students to aspire to achieve in their programs,” Ms Haynes said.

She stressed that the school made sure many potential barriers were removed to maximise students’ chances to improve.

“For a lot of our young people, they may be the first in their family to come to school in Australia,” she said.

“We help them develop the understanding of the Australian education system or the understanding of what’s required to do well within the Year 12.

“I’ve been a lot of work we’ve done with our students, but also with our parents and carers around how the education system operates to

Front row (left to right): students Sarah Noble, 2023 VCE Dux Azada Qasimi and Zainab Muradi.

Back row: Legal Studies teacher Nada Bitar and English and EAL teacher Josephine Gibbons.

380372 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS make sure that students can be supported to succeed.”

Dedicated teachers have been the backbones of the 30 milestone, according to Ms Haynes.

“They know and understand the study designs they teach, and they also give students feedback on what they need to improve, why it needs to be improved and how they can make

the next steps,” she said.

LSC is also celebrating 24 per cent of its students achieving an ATAR of 80 or above and 7.1 per cent of its study score being over 40.

The 2023 VCE Dux Azada Qasimi achieved an ATAR of 97.6 with three subjects study scores of over 40 and a perfect score of 50 in Legal Studies.

Ms Haynes said the school was also proud

Legal Studies teacher Nada Bitar with student Azada Qasimi who achieved a full study score of Legal Studies. 380372 of their VCE Vocational Major students.

Many of them managed to secure great apprenticeship at the end of their studies.

“I want to say a very big congratulations to our class of 2023, and we are incredibly proud of what they have achieved, and we know that they will have every success in their bright futures,” she said.

Local high achievers recognised: Bright futures ahead

By Ethan Benedicto As ATAR scores were released on Monday 11 December, Hampton Park Secondary College saw 21 graduates attain a score of 80 or above.

Additionally, 87 per cent of the graduating body also attained ATAR scores above 50, something Sally Carruthers, the college’s cultural diversity and community engagement coordinator, said was a “testament to the college’s dedication to nurturing not just academic but holistic growth as well”.

According to Better Education, the college achieved a median VCE score of 29 out of 50, which is an improvement from their previous four years which sat at 27, and before that moved between 24 and 26 between 2012 and 2018.

“As the college celebrates these remarkable accomplishments, it acknowledges the hard work, determination, and resilience displayed by each student throughout their academic journey,” Ms Carruthers said.

Leading the cohort was Jessica Dekazos

Students Jessica Dekazos and Foo Souye Chan.

The Year 12 students celebrated their achievements.

Pictures: SUPPLIED who secured an ATAR of 96.35, intending to get into biomedical science at Monash University.

However, this was a feat that she didn’t

think she was capable of, but according to her was achieved by “trying my best and believing in myself”.

“I was happily surprised and shocked, I did not expect to do that well,” she said.

Joining the ranks of high achievers was Foo Souye Chan, who scored an ATAR of 96.00.

“When I first saw my ATAR, I was shocked and I couldn’t believe it, but I was very relieved.

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“I achieved what I did with the support and help of my teachers, friends and my family,” Ms Chan said.

Raymond Ly was another high achiever, achieving an ATAR of 90.65 with which he hoped to study a bachelor of commerce and biomedical science at Monash University.

“I believe I achieved the scores I did by attempting to improve myself after each assessment and after being provided feedback,” Mr Ly said.

Ms Carruthers said the exceptional results were a reflection of a collaborative effort by the students, teachers and the support they gained from the local community.

“The outstanding results are a testament to the commitment of the educators, the support of families, and the dedication of the students themselves,” she said.

For her, the success of the Year 12 high achievers was a source of pride for the college, where the institution looked forward to witnessing the continued success of its graduates in their future endeavours.

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NEWS

Free barbecue a success

By Violet Li It was a normal working day getting up at 6am for charity Find a Penny Foundation director Beata “BB” Stednik.

She soon met young participants from a NDIS program and seven aged care residents at the Hampton Park Junior Football Club oval who volunteered to prepare and repackage fresh produce every Tuesday.

A day quickly passed by without her even noticing.

Towards the end of the day, BB would bring boxes and boxes of food home, cook in her own kitchen, and get everything ready for the upcoming street programs in the week, where the charity handed out cooked meals to people in need.

For BB, every day was another day of waking up early, collecting from food banks, packing meals, cooking, and distributing food.

It has been the 15th year she dived adamantly into the cause. She did not show any sign in stopping.

It is hard to imagine this powerful woman had the energy to pick up the strenuous physical work right after running an annual free community barbecue for thousands of people across Dandenong, Casey, and Cardinia at at the Hampton Park Junior Football Club oval on Sunday 17 December.

The workload was so gigantic that BB and her husband William, alongside more than 300 volunteers, served mashed potato, halal chicken kebabs, salads, and other food nonstop.

BB said her mission was to make sure everyone had food for Christmas.

That was why she did not advertise the barbecue as just for ‘the disadvantaged’. She wanted everyone who had a need to come and participate in.

“Our aim is to mingle everyone together and to bring old people that are lonely, low income, refugees, to come together, sit down on the grass to sing music in a friendly environment,” she said.

“And that’s what we achieved.

“I was extremely happy with the amount of people that turned up.”

In addition to food, the venue offered free

Beata “BB” Stednik (left), Kay, Dana, and David are repackaging food for the charity’s street Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS programs. 380564 activities for children.

“It was nice to see kids doing activities and the parents not being stressed that they have to pay for it,” BB said.

“It was just simple, like painting butterflies.

But kids love it.”

BB was surprised and moved that many people came in and did donations, which was beyond her expectation.

“We had free coffee, and people just said they were happy to pay the five dollars,” she said.

“They know the money they donate will be for the community.”

Despite it being a day teeming with cheerful atmosphere, BB could not help but notice that the community was going through a difficult time given the cost of living.

She said the turnout was way bigger than previous years with more than 3000 people showing up.

“I was so busy running and checking stuff.

At one point when a photographer took the photo for me and my husband, I finally got to pause and look around, and I said wow, that’s a lot of people,” she said.

“The difficult thing is that if there is only one income for a family, they could hardly make ends meet with rent.

“We had about three or four families that had to sell the house and moved to the country just to have a roof over their heads.”

BB recalled meeting single parents who skipped meals to get food for the kids.

“I had one mother coming with three kids, and she said ‘if it wasn’t for you, I would have no food for my kids for the week’. She’s got $5 left in her wallet,” she said.

“We just wish that no one goes hungry to bed.

“I believe it’s human rights that everyone can afford a loaf of bread. But that is so far from the truth.”

Keeping the charity going has never been

an easy job when the source of income relies solely on donation and grants.

But BB was grateful that it was much better this year with the grant from Casey Council.

“We received the grant for the event that helped us to have the proper music stage,” she said.

“And we have to hire refrigerated trucks and freezer trucks to keep our veggies and fruits fresh till Sunday.”

Though the free community barbecue shined a great deal of spotlight on her, BB did not have any time to dwell on it.

“I hardly got time for myself. My husband takes my phone and computer away because if I’m not doing physical work, I will do some paper work, like applying for grants,” she admitted.

Over the years, BB has put on different programs that cater to the need of the community.

“We saw that there’s a need for aged care residents because they’re locked up in the facility, and they’ve got nothing to do,” she said.

“We bring them to us. You can see the changes in their lives. They’re happier. They love coming. They feel that they are still needed.

“We also create activities for young participants from NDIS. They are so focused. They know what they are doing here.”

One thing that kept BB awake at night was that the small kitchen at the football club could not fit all the volunteers and food.

She had to bring the food from the club to her house and prepare there.

“Our primary goal is to have a commercial kitchen where we could do all that stuff from one place as opposed to one place preparing and one place taking to cook and bringing it back,” she said.

“It’s just tiring.

“I’ve been doing that for the last 15 years, so it’s really draining on me.”

A local business has intended to lease its warehouse for the charity, while there is still a gap of $600,000 for equipment installation that the charity is seeking to raise.

Find a Penny Foundation is also aiming to create a life skill program for NDIS participants.

Bin lid colours are changing Blocked cop cars: Man sentenced to CCO

By Violet Li

Casey Council has endorsed changes to its waste management services to comply with the Victorian Kerbside Reforms during a council meeting on Tuesday 12 December.

The changes include the standardisation of bin lid colors and bin contents, introduction of a separate glass collection service, and expanding the existing food and garden waste service.

The State Government requires all Victorian councils to commerce using the standard colours for waste bins: red for garbage, yellow for commingled recycling, lime green for food and garden organics, and purple for glass.

Casey currently has three types of bins with lids of red, yellow, and lime green, and there are approximately 250,000 to 265,000 lids in old colours that require a changeover, which will take up to six months to deliver.

It is estimated that the lid replacement will occur in 2025/26.

Casey Council will consult counterpart councils at Wyndham, Yarra Ranges, and Knox.

The kerbside reform mandates councils to provide a glass service by 2027, which Casey does not provide currently.

Glass accounted for about 18 per cent of all kerbside recyclables collected by Casey in 2021 and 2022, equating to 5316 tonnes.

The Container Deposit Scheme (CDS), introduced in Victoria on 1 November 2023, is expected to redirect roughly 28 per cent of the glass from the current commingled stream, which would leave the annual volume of glass for Casey to drop to 3827 tonnes and an average household collection of 31 kilos.

Council officers believed an additional glass bin would be unnecessary, but the reform would be statutory.

Council has not decided upon the collection frequency, but it is suggesting every four weeks would be optimal.

The reform also stipulates all households must have access to food and garden waste bin unless they can prove they practise home composting.

Around 12,000 to 15,000 households in Casey do not house such bin and council is considering delivering the rest of the bins in the fourth quarter of financial year 2025/26.

The kerbside reform is expected to cost Casey Council $17.1m, including the cost of staffing, infrastructure, collection, and disposal of collected material.

The State Government requires all Victorian councils to commence using the standard colours for waste bins: red for garbage, yellow for commingled recycling, lime green for food and garden organics, and purple for glass. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

From page 1 Bailey also damaged the police car’s front bumper as he tried to peel off its number plate.

Police eventually spotted an opening and escaped in their car.

Bailey’s charges included intentionally obstructing police, using intimidation against a police officer, affray, damaging a police car’s bumper and indecent language.

He also faced multiple counts of disqualified driving across the South East, using a phone while driving and stalking.

Other offences were breaching a familyviolence intervention order, taking a sex tape of a woman without her permission and sharing the intimate image on group chats.

He also used a victim’s licence details exchanged after a car crash to buy a SIM card and to access the private emails of his girlfriend’s ex-partner.

There were other charges of breaching night curfew bail conditions, riding a motorbike without a helmet, illegally recording a court hearing and texting screenshots.

His defence lawyer said Bailey was prone to manic or hypermanic episodes, and to “attention-seeking and stupid behaviour” in order to be liked.

Bailey had since “genuinely changed his life” after spending a night in custody earlier this year, the lawyer said.

He had “stabilised” on psychiatric medication for the first time in his life, as well as other therapy for borderline personal-

ity disorder, bipolar, ADHD and high-functioning autism.

He’d not reoffended, was working six days a week and cut off “all negative peer groups”.

Magistrate Tony Burns noted Bailey’s “extensive” mental health issues, and that Bailey’s friends were “laughing at him and not with him”.

Bailey was sentenced to a 30-month CCO with 300 hours of unpaid work and treatment.

He was disqualified from driving for six months, and ordered to compensate Victoria Police $1762 for the damaged bumper.

Thursday, 21 December, 2023

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STAR NEWS 3

NEWS

Smoke sparks air warning

By Cam Lucadou-Wells More than 500 residents and staff in a retirement village were under threat of clouds of toxic smoke from a recent industrial blaze in Dandenong South, according to EPA Victoria data.

Willow Court Mobile Home Village residents and others as far away as Lyndhurst were urged to shelter indoors as the area was blanketed by thick black smoke from a massive fire at a paint factory on 8 December.

EPA Victoria took air quality readings using mobile air monitoring equipment, particularly downwind to the south of the fire.

“Results showed that in residential areas which were further away from the fire around Sandhurst, air quality was good,” an EPA spokesperson said.

“However, closer to the fire in the industrial area and in the Willow Lodge Mobile Home Village, the situation was much poorer.

“If you are sensitive to air pollution or are concerned about the impacts of smoke on your health you should contact your health care provider for advice.”

Willow Court Village Residents Association secretary Carmel Perkins said the mainly elderly residents were vulnerable to the toxic plumes but were quick to take emergency action.

Under an emergency plan, residents took refuge and closed doors, windows and shut down air-cons.

“The smoke came directly on us. It was a horrible smell that hit you down the back of your throat.

“I went out to water about 8pm (eight hours after the fire started). The smoke had gone but you could still smell it.

“It wasn’t until the next day that the smell went away.”

Earlier this year, the group opposed a proposed waste-to-energy incinerator at Taylors

Black smoke looming over Willow Lodge retirement village on 8 December. 378624 Road Dandenong South.

And Ms Perkins says the village is plagued by noxious smells from the industry-2 zone – one of just two in the state reserved for the most offensive, toxic industries.

“This is why we’re petitioning against anything else being built around us.

“The people living down the back of the village get a few different smells and ring up and complain.”

There have been long-held concerns about health impacts from the foul odours emitted in the heavy industrial precinct with an EPA

forum held at Springers Leisure Centre on 16 December.

At a 11 December council meeting, Cr Jim Memeti said emergency warnings about the smoke didn’t reach his neighbours in Dandenong South.

He has advocated for the closure of a toxic waste dump in Taylors Road as well as for the industry-2 zone’s relocation. The pleas have been rejected by state governments.

“I think we need to take it a step further and invite the minister and even the Premier to our community and look at what’s happening here

Picture: GARY SISSONS and what our residents have to suffer.

“This is not right. This is not safe for our community – the houses and the schools are very, very close to these facilities. Something disastrous is going to happen.”

Cr Rhonda Garad concurred.

“It’s never acceptable for any industry to be releasing any toxic fumes or any toxic substances.

“We need to get to the point where we have enough regulatory oversight of these businesses where they’re not releasing any toxic substances into the environment.”

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Wishing you all a Joyous Festive Season EPA drones to target tips

Photo @Aussie Santa Koo Wee Rup

and a year fil ed with Kindness & Good Health As the year draws to a close, I want to thank our amazing community for showing your continued generosity of spirit, valuing all our volunteers; as to our first responders and health care workers, supporting local fundraisers, our local clubs, groups and organisations and checking in with those you love and cherish.

The collective kindness exemplifies our community is at the heart and our true community colours keep on shining through.

Sadly, we have community members doing it tough or facing the first Christmas without that beautiful someone by their side. If this is you, please reach out and let others know - you are not alone. My team and I are here to help too.

The state’s pollution watchdog is set to use drones to prevent fires at landfills and waste recovery businesses over summer.

EPA Victoria announced random drone flyovers using thermal imaging technology to check for hot spots and to ensure waste piles were managed.

“We’ve seen in the past that fires at waste and recycling facilities are potentially devastating,” EPA acting executive director of operations Rachel Gualano said.

“They represent an unacceptable risk to Victorians, the environment and industry, and could result in clean-up costs in the millions of dollars.”

Gualano said the program would target “high risk sites” by inspectors on the ground and drones in the air.

“We’re sending a message to waste and recycling operators; there’s no excuse for failing to properly manage their fire risk and if they haven’t or won’t, EPA will use its powers to enforce compliance with the regulations.”

Between November 2022 and October 2023, the EPA’s fire prevention inspectors fined five waste facilities and issued 117 remedial notices and four official warnings as well as providing advice on 400 occasions.

The authority has six active prosecutions against facilities where fires occurred needlessly because they had not taken the pre-

ventative measures they should have.

Some of the hazards and unsafe practices found include the improper management and storage of combustible and recyclable waste, failing to identify risks on site and inadequate maintenance of fire suppression equipment.

In some instances, non-compliances were issued for failure to maintain controls in good working order.

“EPA’s teams found that despite regular contact, up to 60 per cent of operators were not fully complying with environmental regulations in some way.

“Where appropriate, advice for minor non-compliances was given but legally enforceable orders for the more serious hazards have also been issued, to ensure each business is addressing any issues on its site.”

Under Victoria’s new environment protection law, duty holders must understand fire risks and use appropriate measures to eliminate or reduce them.

“When EPA says it has zero tolerance to fire hazards, we mean fire is not an option,” Gualano said.

This year, fires have been reported at SBI Landfill at Ballarto Road, Cranbourne and Veolia landfill at Hallam Road, Hampton Park.

This is the true spirit of Christmas.

As we reconnect with family and friends to celebrate the festive season, please look out for each other, support your local businesses, show appreciation for our retail and hospitality workers and please take care on the roads and in our waters. A reminder to also be bush fire prepared and download the VicEmergency app.

My family and I wish you and those you cherish a joyous reuniting season and a year filled with kindness, positive experiences and good health.

T: 5672 4755 jordan.crugnale@parliament.vic.gov.au 9 McBride Ave, Wonthaggi 3995

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

A fire at the SBI landfill in Ballarto Road Cranbourne in November. 371172 Picture: GARY SISSONS cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

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STAR NEWS 5

NEWS

Students lead tree design

By Emma Xerri As a cherished tradition in the local community, deciding on the design of the Bunjil Place Christmas tree is no small feat, and in past years Bunjil Place has worked with a variety of different creatives to celebrate the holiday.

This year was no exception.

Calling on the help of 23 talented little helpers from Fountain Gate Primary School, this year’s tree is representative of the way a portion of Casey’s youth perceive Christmas.

From the tree’s decorations to the colour of the tree itself, the children’s imaginative ideas have brilliantly captured the Christmas spirit.

“This year, we wanted a community-led tree and what better way to bring out the spirit of Christmas, than to bring the ideas of children to fruition,” said City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff.

The children’s designs ranged from innovative snow globe creations to heartfelt depictions of the students’ cultural backgrounds, and it was the role of Bunjil Place’s production designer Kirsten Macalpine to combine the creations and produce a tree each of the students and the wider Casey community can be proud of.

“Christmas looks different to everyone and is celebrated in all sorts of ways - something that can be interpreted in the children’s artworks,” Ms Duff added.

“The tree design shares what a section of our youngest community members think about Christmas time, and what this time means to them.

“The students were able to be part of a memorable experience that contributed to their development as artists and designers of the future. The creativity, thoughtfulness and consideration of the designs developed by students rivalled that of some design firms!”

And this sentiment was certainly shared by the students, with one student noting “I think people will be jealous. I think they’ll be like, ‘that’s the best tree I’ve ever seen.’”

You can view the Christmas Tree at Bunjil Place anytime until Monday 1 January 2024, from 10pm nightly.

Casey residents gathered at the tree lighting event to celebrate the creative work of the students.

OPINION

That’s a wrap for 2023

LENSCAPE

Thanks for reading Star News this year!

Our next edition will be available to grab on Thursday 11 January and will be the annual favourite Year In Review edition, looking back on the highs and lows of 2023 – newsmakers, best pictures, our favourite quotes, front pages and more.

On behalf of everyone at Star News, we hope you enjoy the festive period however you choose to celebrate and have a happy and safe new year.

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN Thumbs up For Jesus, who brings light into this world. That’s what Christmas is all about and it’s for everyone everywhere.

Thumbs up To the Clyde Carols by Candlelight.

Thumbs up

The two running Santas raising money for charities on High Street, Berwick. 379165 6 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

To drivers today - no accident yet on the Cardinia Road ramp this afternoon. I am pleased I come home on time. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Green Living honour Guilty plea to fatal breach

By Violet Li Abbie Lane is far too modest to shed any spotlight on herself, so her coworker had to break the news in the Green Living Casey Facebook group that the busy bee had just been recognised by Casey Council for her 15 years of valuable contribution.

“Our Facebook group star has been keeping Casey people entertained and informed for 15 years. She truly lives green and we’re proud to work alongside her,” the congratulation post wrote.

“That’s probably why she attracts crowds of adoring acolytes at any event. We’re fans as well.”

Hundreds of members in the group celebrated this milestone and thanked Abbie for her devotion to the green cause.

Serving as Casey’s environmental education officer, Abbie adores and enjoys her job to a certain extent that she did not even notice how time flied.

“It is constantly changing. There’s so much change in this realm with different information and knowledge,” she explained why she disregarded time.

“You’re constantly learning. There are constantly new challenges.”

The biggest change has to be the birth of Green Living Casey Facebook Group in 2018, which started as an experiment and evolved to glue the like-minded people.

Realising they were limited in how much eco-friendly information and education they could put out there, Abbie and her coworkers ventured into more online avenues.

“We run sessions, and we go out to events.

But we were trying to look for other ways that we could potentially get all the messages out there,” she said.

“There’s only so much we can get on the main Casey page. We wanted to create something that was a bit more useful to the community.”

Another driving force was the people.

Approached by a lot of women during the green events she run, Abbie found out they were eager to bond with those who shared the same values.

“Their friends, children, and families just don’t get what they are doing. They are all saying, why are you bothering with this green thing? Why would you bother sorting your recycling?

“These women have this overwhelming feeling that they are surrounded by people who are not interested.”

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Abbie Lane in her work centre. 378860 “That made me wonder how I could find them the right people.”

The start-up phase was hectic for Abbie to juggle with different layers of responsibilities.

She had to make sure members were following the regulatory rules, answer questions with scientific minds, and discover what topics mattered to the community by trial and error.

She recalled grabbing her work laptop in a flurry on a Saturday night after seeing an impolite post.

Five years later, the group has matured into a haven for green conversations with more than 3000 members.

There are all ranges of people active in the space, from those who are just dipping their toe in the water to incredibly eco and green kinds.

Every week Abbie coordinates posts, answers questions, and leads the conversation.

She noted that the most frequent question usually revolved around what could be recycled and what could not.

“When people are questioning things, it’s usually about what’s topical at the time, like soft plastics, waste recycles,” she said.

“They want to know why they can’t do cer-

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS tain behaviour and why they can do the others.

“We provide them with that extra information, and hopefully to change those behaviours.”

Messages are getting across, as Abbie found that many members would volunteer to help with questions with spot-on answers.

“People are understanding the knowledge.

They’re questioning things as opposed to just accepting on face value that something is recyclable or eco-friendly,” she said.

In retrospect, Abbie said the connection with the community motivated her along the road.

She recalled meeting a nice lady in the group who had just repainted the kitchen years ago, and in just the blink of an eye, the lady got grandchildren and was now telling her about the stories with the kids.

“I really like talking and having these conversations. I like engaging with people, hearing their stories, and following their journeys,” she said.

“I also get paid to talk to people and write to people about the things that I like to talk and write about.

“It’s a win-win situation for me.”

Beloved truckie killed at level crossing

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A 30-year-old Frankston father of three has been killed after his truck was struck by a train at a level crossing in North Shore last week.

Johnny Stubbs, who worked for Dandenong South-based Membrey’s Transport and Crane Hire, was towing a low loader trailer and became stuck on the railway crossing about 12.15pm on Monday 11 December.

WorkSafe is investigating the crash.

Tributes have flowed for Mr Stubbs, including a Go Fund Me page raising more than $31,000 for Mr Stubbs’s bereaved partner Georgie and children.

His youngest son is just weeks old.

“Johnny’s family was his true love that he idolised and adored,” the page stated.

“Tragically we lost the big fella just going about his business at work getting the job done, no doubt just itching to get home and be with his family and brand new baby.

“Tragic is an understatement, life simply can be so cruel and unfair.”

His employer Craig Membrey paid tribute to a “hardworking, loyal, loveable family man”.

“It’s really shocked the Membrey family. It shouldn’t happen – you should go to work and go home to your family.

“What a horrible Christmas… we were having a Christmas party on the Sunday and then who would have known that this happens the next day?

“Life can change that quickly.” cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

A gate repair business has pleaded guilty to a workplace safety charge over a truck driver being fatally crushed by a falling gate in Dandenong South.

Gate Automation Systems Pty Ltd however failed in its submission to face lower penalties by being sentenced in the magistrates’ court.

Instead, magistrate Belinda Franjic ordered on 19 December that the case be heard at the Victorian County Court.

It means GAS faces a potential maximum fine of more than $1.6 million – rather than up to $450,000 in the magistrates’ jurisdiction.

Truck driver Stuart Baker, 59, had been killed while attempting to manually close an automatic gate that was being repaired by GAS at Membrey’s Transport and Crane Hire depot in April 2022.

WorkSafe alleged that GAS had left the 12-metre wide sliding gate in an unsafe condition by removing a component without addressing the risk of it falling off the rails and crushing a person.

A GAS worker had removed the gate’s drive-motor to work on off-site. It meant the gate could be opened and closed manually, with the risk of running beyond its stop-close limit and falling off the rails.

Ms Franjic noted that the specialist contractor’s offending was of “high” gravity.

It had not installed an “obvious” control measure - a restraining chain with ‘lock out, tag out’ system to ensure the gate was safe, the court heard.

An expert submitted to the court that this would have been a “standard response” by industry participants.

GAS’s “administrative” control measure to tell the workplace’s general manager to secure the gate with a chain lock and not use the gate was “manifestly inadequate”, Ms Franjic said.

GAS showed a disregard for the unsuspecting workers who would not know of the grave dangers in using the gate.

It was not a “flagrant” disregard but still a serious breach, the judge found.

A defence lawyer submitted that there were doubts whether GAS’s breach directly caused Baker’s death.

The fatal incident occurred three days later and “you don’t know what happened in those 72 hours” that may have broken the chain of causation, the lawyer argued.

Ms Franjic however disagreed, finding there was no evidence of any intervening acts.

She noted GAS’s early plea and lack of prior criminal history.

But given the seriousness, GAS may not be adequately penalised within the magistrates’ court, she found.

GAS pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to ensure persons other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks.

It will appear at a plea hearing at the Victorian County Court in March.

Johnny Stubbs, 30, was killed after being struck by a train at a level crossing at North Shore.

It’s been a tragic two years for the company, with a 59-year-old driver fatally crushed by a falling gate in April 2022.

Gate Automation Systems Pty Ltd was charged by WorkSafe with failing to ensure persons other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks.

WorkSafe alleges that the repair company left the gate in an unsafe condition by remov-

ing parts so it could only be moved manually and not addressing the risk of the gate falling off its rails.

Gate Automation Systems is scheduled to appear at a committal mention at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 19 December.

The Go Fund Me page is at gofundme. com/f/johnny-stubbs

Stuart Baker, 59, was fatally crushed by a falling gate due to a workplace safety breach by a repair business, a magistrate has found.

Thursday, 21 December, 2023

|

STAR NEWS 7

FOCUS ON … MEDICALLY SPEAKING

Your hearing is a priority In a world that’s constantly buzzing with activity, it’s very easy to take our hearing for granted.

However, for the founders of Always Hear, Gerald Liew and Jacqueline Coyle, hearing is a precious gift that deserves utmost care and attention.

With a shared vision of transforming the audiology industry, they founded an independent audiology clinic that is not just about hearing aids and assessments, but about providing expert care that breaks down the stigma surrounding hearing loss.

Always Hear was born out of the belief that audiology can and should be done better and is committed to helping people stay connected with their loved ones.

What sets Always Hear apart is its comprehensive range of services. From free hearing assessments to wax removal via the latest micro-suction technology, they cover all aspects of hearing health to ensure each client’s hearing solution and aftercare is tailored to their needs.

Additionally, they provide diagnostic and employment assessments, doctor referral assessments, and custom ear plugs, catering to various needs and situations.

Always Hears’ commitment to accessibility is evident through their accreditation under the government health services program, which allows them to provide services and devices to eligible pension holders.

Starting from a single location in Scoresby, Always Hear has rapidly expanded to include a second site in Officer.

Their success reflects the growing demand for their premium care and service.

What truly makes Always Hear stand out, however, is their team of passionate and empathetic professionals that understand hearing loss is not just a medical condition but a personal journey that deserves respect and support.

They are champions of better hearing and are here to ensure that everyone can hear the world more clearly.

With expertise, passion, and integrity, the team at Always Hear is dedicated to making

a difference.

Always Hear provides in-home care at retirement and aged care villages surrounding our Scoresby and Officer clinics.

We visit regularly to look after all the residents’ hearing health and current hearing aids at no charge as part of our partnership program.

The whole team at Always Hear love what we do, and every client is our VIP. We are always here so you can Always Hear.

Always Hear is at Shop 4, 1333 Ferntree Gully Road, Scoresby and Level 1, Suite 8, 437 Princes Highway, Officer. Telephone 9131 3212. www.alwayshear.com.au

Night shift workers need support to manage lifestyle Work based policies must be designed to target barriers that night shift workers face when managing weight and metabolic health conditions, a Monash University-led review has found.

Making up 13-27 per cent of the workforce, there are no systems in place to assist night shift workers to make healthier lifestyle choices, despite having an increased risk of weight gain, and a higher risk of weight related conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Published in Obesity Reviews, the mixedmethods systematic review which was led by the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food at Monash University, investigated the barriers that night shift workers face in enabling them to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Such barriers identified in eight studies in Australia, Sweden, Nigeria, the USA, and Botswana include: Personal - time constraints, fatigue, stress.

Social - work routines and cultural norms.

Organisational - work-related fatigue, lack of routine, limited healthy food options at night, lack of meal breaks.

Community - limited healthy food options surrounding work at night.

First author Corinne Davis, PhD candidate from the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food at Monash University, said: “The fatigue and disruption to routine that often accompanies working at night is challenging for night shift workers and we need to make it easier for them to choose healthier food options.”

The review also analysed the data from 12 intervention studies in Europe, Australia and Canada.

It found the studies targeting weight management behaviours for night shift workers demonstrated limited weight loss results, with only one intervention reporting a clini-

· · · ·

The review investigated the barriers that night shift workers face in enabling them to make healthier lifestyle choices. cally significant weight loss result. The existing interventions had largely focussed on addressing only a limited number of barriers faced by night shift workers.

Senior author Professor Maxine Bonham, from Monash University’s Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, said: “Night shift workers are critical to our 24hour society, yet interventions to improve their health fail to acknowledge the physi-

ological and behavioural challenges of their work schedule.”

The authors called for more research that takes into consideration the complexities of shift work and consideration of weight loss approaches that account for timing and quality of food intake as well as exploring the impact of sleep quality for night shift workers on weight management.

Future interventions should also focus on eliminating the key barriers faced by night shift workers such as facilitating the availability of healthier food options within the workplace at night, it was noted.

“It is critical that interventions for night shift workers are designed to target the known enablers and barriers identified by night shift workers,” they wrote.

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8 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … MEDICALLY SPEAKING

Antibiotics for the future Going ‘back to the future’ to understand how natural antibiotics evolve could unlock new and effective treatments for potentially deadly superbugs.

Co-led by researchers in Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) and the Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections” (CMFI) at the University of Tübingen in Germany, the project has for the first time characterised a type of antibiotics that includes last-resort drug vancomycin.

Researchers are confident that the vital new information, published in Nature Communications, will enable the development of next generation superbug treatments.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top global public health and development threats according to the World Health Organisation*. Research led by the BDI and the University of Tübingen has taken a novel approach to reinventing ancestral antibiotic production.

The paper’s co-senior author, Professor Max Cryle, said that most antibiotic substances came from nature, including vancomycin.

“Vancomycin is a really interesting antibiotic,” Professor Cryle said. “While antibiotic development is fraught, we took heart from the fact that vancomycin and derivatives of it have remained in clinical use for over 50 years.

How come these compounds are so successful?

“Before we can fully answer that question, we need to understand how nature has evolved the compounds themselves and their natural production pathways. Knowing how these pathways and strategies work is crucial in order to be able to synthesise new antibiotics.

“Then we can focus our efforts on understanding how we can use those approaches together with our engineered enzymes to produce new antibiotics.”

Professor Cryle likened synthetic biology to the Roman invention of concrete.

“Once upon a time we had to build structures with stones from nature,” he said. “And then we figure out what’s the composition of the stone and how to replicate that synthetically, and then suddenly boom! You can build really fast.

“Similarly, what we want to do with antibiotic production is understand how nature works, understand that diversity and their processes, but then use it in ways that nature simply hasn’t done. We can win the game because we’ve got more playing cards than nature originally dealt us.”

The research team is interested in the glycopeptide antibiotics [GPA], of which vancomycin is the best known. Vancomycin is produced naturally by bacteria, biosynthesised by a long ‘assembly line’ process during which various amino acids are linked to form the peptide involved.

“The GPAs are a good class to focus on because there’s something about how they work that makes it hard for bacteria to bypass them,”

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top global public health and development threats, according to the World Health Organisation.

Professor Cryle said. “The compound structure is rigid, which makes it good at binding its target. But, they are also hard to synthesise.”

Professor Cryle said their group had characterised the evolution of GPAs and tested the process computationally and experimentally. “We looked at the GPA assembly line biochemically, structurally, and through altering the strain that actually produces these compounds, to produce our own production pathway,” he said.

“Now that we understand how this works, we can use these design principles ourselves to change these antibiotics to make new compounds to fight antimicrobial resistance.”

Engineering large natural product assembly lines is a key goal of synthetic biology. Professor Cryle said that this would allow scientists to exploit the massive natural diversity in these assembly lines to produce designer molecules in an environmentally friendly way.

“We as a society are badly in need of new antibiotics to overcome resistance,” he said.

“Almost all clinical antibiotics come originally from natural sources, and producing new ones at scale requires us to invest in engineering the complex assembly lines that make these antibiotics.

“Our techniques would allow the production of derivatives of this class that also use current industrial production processes, thus greatly reducing the time it takes to commercialise such molecules.

“While purely synthetic efforts can show the way antibiotic development should go, we

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are now trying to find ways to take this knowledge and to integrate it effectively into natural production pathways.

“We have identified the multiple methods that nature has used in evolving vancomycintype antibiotics, and we can start to apply these to change the assembly lines to produce new antibiotics.”

*World Health Organisation, Antimicrobial Resistance (who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/ detail/antimicrobial-resistance) Read the full paper published in Nature Communications, titled Resurrecting ancestral antibiotics: unveiling the origins of modern lipid II targeting glycopeptides (nature.com/ articles/s41467-023-43451-4)

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STAR NEWS 9

THE LOWDOWN Q&A

THREE … underrated Christmas movies to watch

with Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) president Anne Bellavance

Tell us about yourself and your job!

I am a Maths/Science teacher by profession.

However, in my community work, I am the National President of the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP). An international NGO in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN (ECOSOC). I also sit on the WFWP International Board representing our region of Oceania and SE Asia. To date, there are only 143 organisations worldwide with this status.

What do you love the most about your work?

I love working with the WFWP team of volunteers in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and in our region. I love the projects and activities that we do to support emerging women leaders and connect with women leaders through the Global Women’s Peace Network. I love our partnerships, especially through the Way2Happiness and Peace Building seminar series. I love our Global Development and Aid projects within the Pacific Islands that change the lives of women and their families. I love the way WFWP is able to connect and make friends with our Pacific Island communities through the Melbourne Pasifika Festival.

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

I don’t see myself as an animal. I see myself as a tree, the beautiful Grey Mountain Gums.

What was your most memorable moment during your current job?

The most memorable experiences I have had in my position as International Vice-President representing our region are my visits to the Pacific Island nations to support the WFWP teams in our sister chapters, and to run the Pasifika Micro-Credit workshops for women entrepreneurs in these nations.

What were you like as a kid?

I guess the best way to answer this is that I was always a good student, I loved learning and saw education as the means to achieve ones dreams.

Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) president Anne Bellavance.

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

I would love to have seen the birth of a star. Unrealistic I know, but the images from the voyagers of Star Trek have always fascinated and inspired my imagination. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could actually witness these cosmic events.

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

Jesus, Buddha, Confucius, Muhammad, my husband, and Dr Sun Myung Moon.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Organised, passionate, happy and positive.

1

Klaus This Oscar-nominated animation tells the story of failing postman student Jesper, who befriends local toymaker Klaus when he is stationed at a small frozen village named Smeerensburg.

2

Happiest Season Planning to propose to her girlfriend at her family’s annual Christmas dinner, Abby’s plans are turned upside down when she learns her girlfriend’s family doesn’t know she’s gay.

3

While You Were Sleeping This story about love at second sight follows Lucy, who saves Peter, the man of her one-sided affections, from certain death only to be mistaken for his fiancee at the hospital. Unable to tell the truth to his family, an unforeseen romance with Peter’s brother further complicates matters.

Picture: SUPPLIED

What would you do on your perfect day off?

Go to a Korean style spa.

Where is your happy place?

My garden and in nature, especially on water kayaking with my husband.

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

I don’t really enjoy cooking and I am not a great cook. I do love eating delicate and new dishes, but I don’t have the patience to cook it. I am pretty good at cooking soups from scratch and roasts.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

Australia, a one-year road trip with kayaking in crocodile free waters.

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Contact Brendan from Harcourts Warragul for more information M: 0467 617 340 | P: 03 5622 3333 E: brendan.wetherall@harcourts.com.au 19 Queen Street Warragul Vic 3820 SEEN4380012

12658178-MS51-23

10 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Merger’s moving ahead

By Matthew Sims An overwhelming majority vote by both committees of the Cranbourne Turf Club (CTC) and Pakenham Racing Club (PRC) has approved a merger between the two esteemed clubs, paving the way for a ’Super Club’ in the South East to take shape.

Both of the clubs passed special resolutions to merge the two clubs during their respective annual general meetings on Monday 18 December.

Supported by Racing Victoria (RV) and Country Racing Victoria (CRV), the merger would create a new club, to be registered as the Cranbourne Pakenham Racing Club Inc, with a more marketable brand to be announced soon.

The club would conduct more than 60 race meetings annually across three tracks - Cranbourne, Pakenham Turf and Pakenham Synthetic - all of which are lit for night racing.

The club would also oversee more than 1500 horses in training each day across its facilities and deliver 30 per cent of all Victorian starters.

Inaugural chief executive Neil Bainbridge said the club was already working to achieve the required regulatory approvals and commence the transitional process, including receiving approval from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), Racing Minister Anthony Carbines and new liquor and racing licensing.

“It’s a significant day for racing in the southeast,“ he said.

“It’s a wonderful result.

“We look forward to getting the regulatory approvals in place in early 2024 and hitting the ground running for the benefits of our members, our trainers and the wider Casey and Cardinia communities.“ Bainbridge said there was a “very high“

Members have approved a merger between the Pakenham Racing Club and Cranbourne Turf Club, Picture: RACING PHOTOS forming a new ‘Super Club’ in the south-east. 369454 number of members from both clubs who voted, with each vote “comfortably“ surpassing the 75 per cent majority needed.

“It’s great that the members have shared in our vision to create this ’Super Club’,“ he said.

“This is going to pave the way for racing in the south-east to grow at a rapid rate.“ With the CTC formed in 1857 and the PRC formed in 1875, Bainbridge said honouring both of the clubs’ long and storied history in Victoria’s racing industry would be among the new club’s priorities.

“It’s important that we recognise and retain the strong history that both clubs have,“ he said.

While the Pakenham Cup would be retained in 2024 as a night meeting on Thursday 29 February, Bainbridge said the Pakenham Cup

would move back to its former regular Saturday day schedule, with a date to be confirmed for a meet in November or December 2024.

The committees of both the PRC and CTC acknowledged and expressed gratitude for the contributions of outgoing members of both the CTC and PRC management committees.

In addition, the PRC committee thanked outgoing PRC chief executive Blair Odgers, who chose not to join the new entity and instead elected to pursue a new opportunity outside the racing industry.

The first Committee of the Cranbourne Pakenham Racing Club Inc constituted of chairman Sean Clarkson, deputy chairman Rick Tyrrell, honorary treasurer Julian Christian, committee members Scott Brown, Judy Cain, Adam Cattach, Trevor Iverach, Michael

Phillips, Rick Singh, and Michelle Webster.

Country Racing Victoria chief executive Scott Whiteman said the merger would represent a positive outcome for racing in Victoria.

“We are delighted that the members have endorsed the merger of the two clubs,“ he said.

“It has been tremendous to work closely with each club as they have grown to become a Super Club in Melbourne’s south-east.

“While we have long held a dream that these clubs could merge into a powerhouse, it would not have been possible without the support and awareness of the long-term benefits from Racing Victoria, headed by Andrew Jones, his management team and the Board.

“Everyone involved with the Cranbourne and Pakenham Racing Clubs should feel proud today.”

Racing Victoria chief executive Andrew Jones said the decision to merge the two clubs was a historic moment for Victorian racing, which would solidify the new club as a racing and training powerhouse.

“Everyone is a winner today,“ he said.

“We commend Cranbourne Turf Club and Pakenham Racing Club members for approving this merger.

“The combined club offers members two tracks for the price of one.

“Trainers can realise a future where more facilities and options are available to them.“ Jones said club leaders could drive economies of scale across all elements of the clubs, including racing, training customer services, commercial operations, finance, administration, gaming and property.

“On behalf of Racing Victoria, I want to thank the committees, managers and members of both clubs for embracing the future,“ he said.

“It will be bright in Melbourne’s southeast.“

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cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 21 December, 2023

|

STAR NEWS 11

NEWS

Successful return

By Violet Li After a three-year break, Gethsemane’s Annual Clyde Carols by Candlelight found its way back to the lawns of Hillcrest Christian College Oval on Saturday 16 December to spread festive cheer.

Organised by Gethsemane Church and Charity, the show staged performance by local celebrities, pastors, charity founders, Kerrigan La-Brooy, the Sola Rimoni Sisters, Studeo, Eddie James, David Zhang, and The Curls.

Holt MP Cassandra Fernando, Narre Warren MP Gary Maas, Clyde CFA and the Cranbourne Lion’s Club were among the special guests for the event.

There were food vendors, craft stalls, raffle prizes, and giveaways, and fun activities for kids on site.

Around 2000 people attended the carols.

Gethsemane Church founder Kerrigan LaBrooy was happy with the turnout as the carols had been regathering momentum.

He said the show once had 8000 attendees at its peak in 2019 and he had confidence to make that happen again.

In addition to the outdoor event, Clyde Carols By Candlelight also had a Television Spectacular Premiers on Channel 31 as well as Gethsemane TV on 18 Monday December, where singers and musicians from America, Canada, Europe and other countries joined the celebration.

Mr La-Brooy said he first started the livestream during Covid and decided to keep the channel due to how popular it became.

“There’s over billions of views,” he said.

“You don’t have to worry about the weather, and you can include so many more people who can’t travel to Casey.”

Currently Gethsemane Charity is focused on wrapping over 1000 Christmas gifts for kids.

Blaze, Tamra, Matilda, Damien, Saydee and Seth from Berwick. 376968 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Christine and Jemery Stork (Band Studeo).

376968

Gethsemane Church founder and carols organiser Kerrigan La-Brooy. 376968

Christine and Jemery Stork with Eddie James (centre). 376968

Tanjil, Sienna and Jasper (The Curls). 376968

Aspire Church band.

Carols by Candlelight spreading cheer

12 STAR NEWS

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Serious collision Police are investigating after a serious collision in Berwick on Sunday 17 December.

Emergency services were called to the outbound lanes of the Monash Freeway near Narre Warren North Road to reports a white Toyota Corolla sedan had collided with a Kia Sportage SUV about 5.05pm.

The Kia rolled as a result of the impact and came to rest on its side, off the edge of the road.

The driver of the Kia, a 30-year-old Clyde woman, was flown to hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries.

Three passengers from the Kia were also taken to hospital. A 31-year-old Clyde man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A 54-year-old Berwick woman was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A 15-month-old girl from Clyde was not seriously injured and taken to hospital for observation.

The driver of the Toyota, a 16-year-old Clyde North boy, sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.

The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing. Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage to come forward.

Four teens charged with fast-food robberies

Damien Rosario, Kaitlyn Thomas, Pastor Julie Shand, Paster Graham Shand, MC Louise Berkelmans, MC Wayne Smith, Graham Trapnell at 2023 Hampton Park Carols by Candlelight.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Hampton Park embraced its 23rd Annual Carols by Candlelight at Cairns Road Reserve on Friday 15 December.

Hosted by Aspire Church, the event featured country rock singer and songwriter Kaitlyn Thomas, and many local performers, with over 12,000 residents joining the festive cheer.

Fireworks lightened up the sky and wrapped up the celebration towards the end of the night.

Aspire Church Pastor Julie Shand said the Carols by Candlelight had been a gift to the Hampton Park community for 23 years.

“It has become a community tradition that many families look forward to each Christmas,” she said.

Pastor Graham Shand thanked volunteers, supporters, performers, and the community for celebrating with the church.

“Seeing Hampton Park unite in harmony each year is truly a blessing,” he said.

Over 100 volunteers were involved in the event.

The event is supported by Hampton Park Progress Association, City of Casey, Harvest Realty, Grill’d Casey Central, and Lions Club of Casey.

IN BRIEF

Four boys have been charged over a series of alleged armed robberies at fast-food outlets across Melbourne’s South East.

South Metro Regional Crime Squad detectives laid charges following an aggravated burglary and theft of motor vehicle on Shirley Avenue in Glen Waverley on 9 December; an armed robbery at a fast-food restaurant in Springvale on 15 December; an armed robbery at a fast-food restaurant in Dingley on 15 December; an armed robbery at a fast-food restaurant in Chelsea Heights on 16 December and n attempted armed robbery at a fast-food restaurant in Keysborough South on 18 December. There were no physical injuries during the incidents, police say.

Two of the teens were arrested last weekend as part of the investigation.

A 15-year-old Springvale South boy was charged with two counts of armed robbery, three counts of theft and three counts of committing an indictable offence on bail.

A 16-year-old Pakenham boy was charged with multiple offences including aggravated burglary and car theft, disqualified driving and committing an indictable offence on bail.

Two more teenage boys were arrested on Monday 18 December.

A 13-year-old Doveton boy was charged with two counts each of armed robbery and car theft as well as aggravated burglary, unlicensed driving and committing an indictable offence on bail.

Another 13-year-old Doveton boy was charged with five counts of armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, criminal damage, aggravated burglary and two counts of car theft.

They will all face a children’s court at a later date. The vehicle which was allegedly stolen from Glen Waverley was recovered by police in Springvale South.

Fatal collision in Cranbourne West

Aspire Church choir.

Casey Highway Patrol officers are investigating a fatal collision in Cranbourne West on the afternoon of Friday 15 December.

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in Cranbourne-Frankston Road just before 5pm.

Paramedics worked on the woman, but she was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The female driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene and is assisting police with their enquiries. She did not sustain any injuries.

The circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established and the investigation remains ongoing.

Berwick locals win big

Country rock singer and songwriter Kaitlyn Thomas is performing.

Thursday, 21 December, 2023

Dance school performers.

Four Berwick residents woke up on Friday 15 December as multimillionaires after a more than lucky draw in a recent Powerball draw.

Each Berwick shopper pocketed a share worth $3.7 million after their syndicate scored division one. Called Million Everyday, the fourshare store syndicate held one of the two division one winning entries in Powerball draw 1439 on Thursday 14 December, where each division one winning entry scored $15 million. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

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Thank you for all the support in 2023 and we look forward to continuing to improve the health of our wonderful community in 2024!

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SPECIALS ON SALE UNTIL THE 31ST DECEMBER 2023 OR UNTIL STOCK SOLD OUT. FAILURE BY SUPPLIER TO DELIVER OR OTHER UNINTENTIONAL CAUSES MAY RESULT IN SOME ITEMS IN THIS ADVERTISEMENT BEING UNAVAILABLE. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CORRECT PRINTING ERRORS. ALL PRICES ARE GST INCLUSIVE. SELECT LINES ONLY INCLUDED IN SALE. ^ SAVINGS CALCULATED BASED ON SUPPLIER SUGGESTED RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE AND NOT NECESSARILY PREVIOUS IN STORE PRICE.

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

|

STAR NEWS 13

CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED UP

Let there be light . . .

By Erle Levey Christmas lights … let’s think about the concept.

Why is Australia so big on them?

Most people, if you ask them, mention children when thinking about why they go to the effort of decorating their house with Christmas lights.

Of course, we want our kids to have the wonderland that we remember as a child at Christmas time. But what else lies beneath this Australian tradition?

And is it Australian or, like Halloween, has our culture been influenced by American culture when it comes to Christmas light displays?

When I asked one lights enthusiast how long he’d been working on setting up his display, he said they started about a month ago.

Wow! That’s a lot of time invested in decorating your house for a temporary amount of time only to pack it all away again in a few weeks.

Imagine landscaping a garden for more than a month ... and then after three weeks ripping it all out again.

What makes people do this?

It has to be psychological. A labour of love.

The passion has to come from within - an intrinsic motivation to want to provide an experience - or make something useful out of one’s home, that others can appreciate.

And not just the children.

Does it go back in time and a matter of testing one’s upper limits?

How many lights? How treacherous a position can I place myself in?

Then again, most genuinely want to bring great joy and happiness to their kids.

Vaughan Court, Pakenham. 380302

Waterford Rise, Pakenham. 380302 A colleague confided she did it for that purpose.

“We decorated our house so beautifully for several years ... until Santa delivered new Beagle puppies and they ate all the wiring for the Christmas lights in one afternoon when we left them in the courtyard.

“The cost for replacement made us reflect about the on-going commitment.

Picture: MATT MALE

Merry Christmas to all!

Picture: JAMES WHEELER/UNSPLASH

“Nope. More important things to spend money on ... and the boys were growing up.

“Grinch-like thinking really.’’

And people with Christmas house light displays are the antithesis of The Grinch aren’t they?

They’re showing everyone that they are willing to invest hard-earned cash and many hours of their creative labour to make the

world a better place for a few weeks.

Like an architect friend said on Saturday morning: “It’s so nice to focus on something positive for a change.’’

And that’s his motivation for wanting to decorate his place.

He said that, especially over the past few years, people need this.

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14 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED UP

Gullquist Way, Pakenham. 380302

Vaughan Court, Pakenham. 380302 We all need something enjoyable and uplifting to experience.

I love the mums and dads that really have done it for their kids though.

One couple with a two-year old was immersed in his experience.

They even brought his dinner outside so they could sit among the fairy lights and get on with life amid the magic.

Picture: MATT MALE And they were working on the lights.

There was another whose wife was away with work, and he told me they set up the display together.

They have been decorating for six to seven years and renewing items over the time, upgrading and developing themes.

All the while they have been doing it for the children and others in the street.

Picture: MATT MALE

It’s Christmas lights galore this time of year.

So it’s also a bonding experience - creating something rewarding and beautiful with your partner or family.

Although I did laugh when we asked one dad if the kids helped.

He laughed and said ’’they try to.’’

Maybe one of the children will become a sparky in the future.

Imagine that - passionate parents inspiring their kids with a career in either design, architecture, electrical ingenuity or theatre and movie set construction, all through building the Christmas light display year after year.

It could spark something deep inside them that they keep coming back to - year and year again.

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cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 21 December, 2023

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STAR NEWS 15

FOCUS ON … CHRISTMAS CHEER

Bloomin’ beautiful

Christmas tree winner Lilies work well on their own or in an arrangement with other festive colours.

Floral arrangements are a perfect way to add some colour to your Yule-time table.

Ensure your house is looking its festive, floral best with these popular blooms: Lilies Lilies and amaryllis are always a popular choice at Christmas in a variety of colours.

Many varieties have a beautiful scent that will perfume your home.

They can be placed in an arrangement with other flowers or in a vase on their own and prefer to be kept away from direct sunlight in a cool environment.

Remember though that lilies are extremely toxic to cats, causing acute renal failure, so

The poinsettia has come to symbolise Christmas.

think twice before gifting them to your cat-loving friend and keep them out of reach of your own felines.

Poinsettia The poinsettia has come to symbolise Christmas, and with its bright red and green foliage it’s not hard to see why.

They are commonly found in pots, ready to adorn a table or bench in your house.

However, they can be finicky; they don’t like too much water, but take care also to not let them dry out.

If the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off, you may not be watering it correctly.

They’re native to Mexico, so they also prefer warmth and light, and make sure to protect them from wind and draughts to keep them happy for the Christmas season.

Rosemary It might not be the first plant that comes to mind when you think of Christmas, but this Mediterranean herb is actually perfect for an Australian Christmas.

It’s easy to grow and care for, and fills the air with a mouth-watering perfume.

It can be pruned into a Christmas tree shape if desired, and best of all, pairs deliciously well with the Christmas roast.

Pakenham resident Kahlia Marsh was so excited to pick up her winning Christmas tree from Dandenong Christmas Tree Farm, 336 Brown Road, Officer.

The competition has been running in the South East papers over the recent weeks and through our social media.

With an overwhelming response, Kahlia was so excited to be the lucky winner as she’s never had a real Christmas tree for Christmas.

If you are looking for a real Christmas tree to liven up the holiday season in your home, visit the team at Dandenong Christmas Tree Farm to pick out your very own tree.

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16 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

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STAR NEWS 17

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cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Mangroves restored Witness appeal

By Violet Li A Western Port project delivered by Melbourne Water has restored native recreational fish habitats across one of Victoria’s internationally recognised Ramsar wetlands.

Named The Reel Big Fish, the project coordinated community groups, volunteers, and fishing groups to restore mangrove forests at priority locations along Western Port intertidal zone, including Churchill Island Marine National Park, French Island Marine National Park, Lang Lang Foreshore, Grantville Foreshore, and Hastings Foreshore.

Found in tropical and subtropical tidal areas, mangrove forests are rooted in salty sediment, often underwater, with their upper trunks, branches, and leaves living above the water.

They provide important nursery habitats for many species of fishes and invertebrates and protect the coastlines from erosion induced by waves, storm surges, currents, and tides.

Mangrove populations in Western Port have been threatened by harvesting, vegetation removal and fragmentation, according to Melbourne Water.

The Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Victoria also found that sea level rising had been affecting mangrove encroachment along Western Port.

Started in 2020, the Reel Big Fish project saw over 10,000 mangrove seed planted across the span of three years.

Utilising a method refined by the Bass Coast Landcare Network, the seeds were tied to bamboo stakes and planted among established mangroves for added protection, ensuring they thrive.

Melbourne Water senior asset planner of land and catchments Andrew Morrison said the restoration had increased the critical habi-

By Violet Li

Restored mangrove seeds. tat for recreational juvenile fish species including Snapper, Flathead, King George Whiting, Gummy Shark, and Calamari.

“Juvenile fish will utilise a mangrove forest network of woody material and pneumatophores [breathing roots] for protection against predators, for the provision of shade, and as a sanctuary for insects and invertebrates,” he said.

“This approach ensures the ongoing establishment of a healthy coastal ecosystem for fish and provides the greatest opportunity for plant survival.”

Mangrove population has been anticipated to increase by 3 per cent as a result of restoration.

The project also engaged local fishers and educated them on what they could do to con-

Picture: SUPPLIED tinue the restoration work currently being undertaken.

Western Port has been identified as a highly preferred fishing location according to a survey of recreational fishing license holders.

The Mangrove Restoration Fishing Group of Western Port was established in 2021 by OzFish, helping to train and connect recreational fishers, increase their knowledge on the needs of fish, and inspire program advocacy.

Over 200 recreational fishers will be engaged in events, workshops, and participated in on-ground restoration works.

This project was supported with funding from the Australian Government in partnership with the Bass Coast Landcare Network, OzFish, and Mornington Peninsula Shire.

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

And congratulations to our Dux of the school Rachel Chen in Senior Girls with an ATAR of 99.50; and Logan Ridoutt in Senior Boys with an ATAR of 98.75.

Cranbourne Police officers are appealing for witnesses to a theft and assault in Cranbourne North on Thursday 7 December.

It is understood that a 13-year-old boy was riding an e-scooter along Courtenay Avenue Reserve just after 6pm.

Officers were told a man riding a bike approached the boy before assaulting him.

The man fled the scene on the boy’s e-scooter whilst pushing the bike.

The boy did not sustain any injuries during the incident.

At this stage in the investigation, it does not appear the parties are known to each other.

The boy’s mother told Star News that her son was heading along Hoysted Ave towards Ballanee Grove before the assault. She said the man knocked his son off the e-scooter, held him down, and repeatedly punched him in the shoulders.

The offender then took away the boy’s Segway Ninebot Kickstarter scooter and fled towards the corner of Hoysted Ave and Ballanee Grove, she said. “It was a brand-new scooter. It cost me $1200,” the mother said.

“My son was still sad and did not feel safe around the neighbourhood. I’m not letting him out now really to do anything now because I don’t feel safe at all.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, with dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

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cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 21 December, 2023

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STAR NEWS 19

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20 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Micky G performs a night time set at the 2023 World Fare at Night.

Phat fried ice cream.

World food sizzles at night The Dandenong Market ‘World Fare at Night’ returns this January offering a vibrant hub of culinary activity and entertainment.

Running over three consecutive Thursdays from 11 January, the Market will transform into a foodie and live entertainment paradise, celebrating an amazing patchwork of nationalities all under the one roof.

Visitors can delight in freshly-cooked hawker options from around the world including South East Asian street food, Columbian, Polynesian, European, Tibetan and

African to name a few, along with a great selection of sweet treats and desserts.

Visiting stall-holders include St Gerry’s Greek Doughnuts, Little Yarra Creperie, Flamin’ Cambodian Skewers, The Juicy Momo Dumplings and Phat fried ice cream.

The free all-inclusive entertainment has something to keep everyone in a great mood - African dance (Soukous), Japanese Pop, Bollywood, Scottish Highland dancing with the popular Afghan-born Nasheet Brothers set to bring their high energy to conclude the fi-

nal night. There’ll be face painting and giant games including larger-than-life Connect 4, Jenga, and Noughts and Crosses to entertain children of all ages.

Must-try Market trader dishes include Piqnic Hut’s Sri Lankan Kottu Roti, made of shredded roti bread, vegetables, egg and choice of curry.

There’s also Sansan’s Dumpling House’s mouth-watering selection of daily handmade Chinese dumplings by owner Xian Lan Chen.

The Market’s newest trader Peanut Market

Roasting Room will also be on-hand to treat visitors to on-site freshly-roasted Aussie nuts topped with a range of add-ons.

Dishes on the night start at $6 and can be paired with a selection of beverages from pop-up bars including The Prosecco Van, and bubble tea from Black Pearl Melbourne, along with cold brews and wine from The Tavern.

The World Fare @ Night is on Thursday 11, 18 and 25 January, 5pm-9.30pm at Dandenong Market, corner Clow and Cleeland streets, Dandenong. Free entry.

SUMMER 2023

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Clyde’s new park

Why Hamish Blake is

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cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 21 December, 2023

|

STAR NEWS 21

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

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WHAT’S ON Cranbourne U3A Cranbourne U3A has commenced Term 4 with lots of fun activities planned for its members.

The club recently had a busy Open Day and have welcomed some new friends to its Tai Chi and Art classes.

New members are welcome to come along from 10am to 2.30pm on weekdays for lots of fun and laughter.

Classes in calligraphy, art, chess, sewing, knitting and card making are also running.

Members and tutors will be available to show attendees through the rooms and assist you.

Light refreshments, tea and coffee will be served.

Cranbourne U3A’s rooms are in the admin building of the Cranbourne Library, entering from the Casey Radio entrance.

Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club

Picture: PRISCILLA DU PREEZ/UNSPLASH

Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre

Craft Classes

Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre is a not-for-profit community managed centre, with a volunteer Committee of Management that provides strategic direction and oversight.

For more than 30 years, the centre has provided a range of high-quality childcare, community services, educational classes and spaces for hire.

Explore diverse activities and engage with fellow community members at their open day this weekend. Lots of free family fun, sausage sizzle, animal nursery, popcorn, and fairy floss.

For more details, visit merindapark.com.au or facebook.com/MPLandCC

·

Seated Movement Sessions (Chair Dancing)

Do you enjoy craft making?

Join Berwick Activities Group’s Elizabeth to discover the world of papercraft and have a chat with like minded people.

You will be introduced to a range of papercraft techniques through a new project each week.

Casual attendance is welcome.

Timbarra Community Centre 20-26 Parkhill Drive, Timbarra Way, Berwick $5 per class, all materials supplied.

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

Tuesdays from 10am to noon.

·Berwick Springs VIEW Club

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.

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

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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).

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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

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All welcome.

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

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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.

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

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

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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.

The club is also hosting a formal Christmas lunch on Tuesday 5 December at Dandenong Club.

Come along and get to know us by visiting 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.

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

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

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STAR NEWS 23

SPORT

Local load in AFLW Draft

By Jonty Ralphsmith Berwick junior Meg Robertson headlined four local girls to have their dreams realised on Monday night at the AFLW Draft.

Carlton snaffled the father-daughter prospect at pick 31 after a consistent 2023 in the talent pathway, representing Dandenong Stingrays and Vic Country.

The contested ball-winner will play for the same club her Dad, Ben, played three games for in 1992.

“We’re delighted to welcome Meg as a Blue, making her our second father-daughter selection,” Head of AFLW Ash Naulty said.

“Meg was in great form consistently throughout season 2023, and that was on the back of her fundamentals: she’s clean, she’s quick and she gets the role done for her team on a weekly basis.

“Meg has already developed a high-level work ethic which will help her easily slot into our program.

“She’s going to really benefit from working closely with the likes of Mimi Hill, Abbie McKay and Keeley Sherar at Carlton.”

Robertson was one of three Dandenong Stingrays selected, with Mikayla Williamson and Sophie Butterworth both heading to Hawthorn, at pick 17 and 45 respectively, while Gippsland’s Amber Schutte was taken by Collingwood at pick 32.

Nominating for the state draft only, Williamson slipped further than some expected, having been linked to Melbourne’s pick 5, but was rapt to find an AFLW home.

The Vic Country co-captain was invited to the draft at Marvel Stadium, watching on with those closest to her, and Dandenong coach Josh Moore and talent lead Toby Jedwab.

“It means so much,” Williamson said on the AFL livestream.

“I get it’s everyone’s dream here, but it was a big shock to me.

“I play more of an outside role and (my running) has a massive impact on my game and it’s my strength and my style.

“I probably (see myself) on the wing, that’s where my strengths help the team the most.”

She was presented with her Hawthorn guernsey by skipper Tilly Lucas-Rodd.

An athletic midfielder who covers the

Mikayla Williamson poses with Stingrays coach Josh Moore in her new colours. 380669 Picture: MICHAELA ADAIR

Sophie Butterworth with new teammate Mackenzie Eardley. 380669 Picture: HANNAH ADAMS

ground excellently, the AFLW Academy member shone at every level she played at in 2023.

She topped it off with a fine showing at the AFLW Draft Combine, breaking the time trial record with a run of 7:09 minutes and also recording top five finishes in the agility and standing vertical jump.

Butterworth, meanwhile, watched the event from home and was visited by Hawk Mackenzie Eardley following her selection.

Eardley skippered Dandenong last year and was a development coach at the Stingrays in 2023.

A key forward, Butterworth’s production this season was exceptional, averaging more than two goals per game for the Stingrays as a physical forward.

The key-position Vic Country representative battled bilateral popliteal entrapment syn-

A competitive defender with composure and a long kick, those who have seen her in the talent pathway system note that her preparation will hold her in good stead in a professional environment.

Like Williamson and Butterworth, Schutte nominated for the state draft only.

The Vic Country representative averaged 17 disposals, three tackles and four rebound 50s for Gippsland in 2023.

Meanwhile, Rays skipper Jemma Ramsdale, linked with a move west after a stellar finish to the season as an intercepting defender, and athletic AFLW Academy player Bianca Lyne were both overlooked despite strong interest.

Others to miss out included Stingrays Ruby Murdoch, Felicity Crank and Abbey Tregellis and Gippslanders Charlotte Waller, Lydia Gudgin, Indiana Makai, Emily McGovern, Ahlee Penry and Taylor Sowden.

drome all year, initially misdiagnosed as compartment syndrome, but is now back training at 100 per cent and ready for the challenge of the next level.

“We’re so excited to see what Mikayla and Sophie can produce in the brown and gold,” AFLW list manager Mitchell Cashion said.

“Both players have unique strengths and fill positional needs for us as a club, which will only enhance our young and developing list come 2024.

“In the midfield, Mikayla is set to provide explosiveness and impressive running power while with Sophie, we can expect to see some strong marks and scoreboard impact come 2024. “ Schutte will boost the Pies athletic stocks, shining at the AFLW Draft combine with her speed and leap.

Evenly matched in close encounters of the third kind

By Jonty Ralphsmith The last day of Turf 2 action in the Dandenong District Cricket Association highlighted the tightness of the competition.

A 69-run eighth-wicket partnership helped Lyndale sneak home against Keysborough, Dandy West edged Narre Warren by two wickets, Parkfield upset Heinz Southern Districts and Cranbourne smashed Parkmore.

Lyndale bowled the Knights out for 137, usually well under par at Rowley Allan.

But Keysborough was on the front foot for most of its bowling innings, reducing Lyndale to 7/73, before number nine Faraz Rahman backed his stroke play in an unbeaten knock of 49 to guide the Dales out of trouble, alongside Sushant Kashyap (20).

At Sweeney Reserve, Dandenong West’s Shaun Weir and Anthony Brannan continued their fine form, but Narre Warren’s batting lineup will be ruing an inability to get a big score and bat the ladder-leaders out of the game.

Each of the Magpies’ top six got starts, but no-one reached 50 which limited their ability to pounce on the death overs.

A counter-punch from Bevan Radhakrishnan (41 off 53) helped Narre reach 6/172 off its 45.

On a slow pitch, Dandy West closed out with the spin of Malinga Bandara (2/36 off 11) who bowled to the conditions perfectly, while Riley Siwes bowled with excellent control in a 10-over spell of 2/38.

24 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

Zaron Chanel batted through injury for Picture: ROB CAREW Parkfield. 379819 Shaun Weir smashed a second over six over the midwicket fence which set the scene for a birthday knock to savour for the Turf 2 leading run-scorer.

With a century and two half-centuries already under his belt, he continued his brisk stroke-play, helping the Bulls go at a run-rate of 6.7 in the first 10 overs en route to 61 off 59.

Weir’s dismissal brought the chase to a grinding halt, as Clarke, John Mentiplay and T Shahzad wrestled momentum back to Narre Warren.

In the 13.3 overs following Weir’s dismissal in the 17th over, the Bulls scored 3/37 at a run-rate of 2.7, a period which included four consecutive maidens.

The cool head of skipper Anthony Brannan (42 off 70) guided them towards victory and, while they got across the line, the bot-

tom five was exposed as brittle for the second consecutive week.

The form of Brannan and Weir has shielded them from much responsibility so far, but while that pair sit one and three in the league leading run-scorers, the Bulls have only one other batter - Nuwan Kulasekara - in the top 20.

Parkfield, meanwhile, upset HSD by 23 runs with a steady batting performance.

After electing to bat first, each of the Bandits’ players batted with positive intent led by a 93-run opening stand between Dishan Malalasekera (36) and Nathaniel Cramer (52), while Zaron Chanel stood and delivered, batting through injury to make an important 27.

The visitors’ ability to build partnerships quickly kept the Cobras from sustaining any pressure.

In response, Mackenzie Gardner was the big threat, but had minimal support and was eventually dismissed for 53 with his team still 70 runs in arrears.

Ryan Patterson played well for an unbeaten 35 at number nine but, like Gardner, didn’t get the help he needed to make an assault for the target.

Experienced seamer Stephen Cannon shut the game down through the middle with a frugal six-over spell which contained the scalp of Triyan De Silva, while spinners Travis D’Souza and Nick Jeffrey combined for five wickets.

In the other game, Cranbourne smashed Parkfield by 106 runs to maintain its spot in the top four, while separating the Pirates

from the four by two games.

The game was set up by a series of cameos from Cranbourne, with different names helping the Eagles reach 9/177.

While much of the batting reliance has fallen on Harsaroup Singh and Sajana De Silva so far, that pair combined for just 17.

Chenutha Wickramasinghe worked hard for 41 after Cam Kelly played another innings of spark up the top, while Justin Dickinson was dropped down the order and played his best knock of the year.

Having been sparingly used with the ball so far this season, Ammar Bajwa challenged the Cranbourne batters from his first overs and took 6/35 off 10 in a plucky display against the tide.

Cranbourne promoted usual first change bowler Tim Fathers to open the bowling in place of Jakeb Thomas and it proved a masterstroke.

The reliable medium-fast bowler bowled 12 straight upfront and finished with 6/33 to make a mess of Parkmore, eventually dismissed for 71 in the 26th over.

Results: Lyndale defeat Keysborough by three wickets, Dandenong West defeat Narre Warren by two wickets, Parkfield defeat HSD by 23 runs, Cranbourne defeat Parkfield by 106 runs Ladder: Dandenong West 41, Cranbourne 30, Lyndale 30, Parkfield 30, HSD 27, Parkmore 18, Narre Warren 15, Keysborough 9 Fixture (Saturday 6 January): Dandenong West v Keysborough, Parkmore v HSD, Parkfield v Cranbourne, Lyndale v Narre Warren cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Trophy to Buckley Ridges

By Marcus Uhe Buckley Ridges are champions of the Dandenong District Cricket Association’s inaugural Women’s T20 competition after a 31-run win over Springvale South in Tuesday night’s grand final at Greaves Reserve.

An inspired fightback from Buckley Ridges saw them take the final nine wickets of the Bloods’ innings for just 12 runs, keeping Springvale South to 72 in defence of a first innings total of 103.

The target was largely set up by opener Karina Diaz, who hit 31 in a steady role at the top of the order.

When her captain and opening partner, Amy Yates, departed early in the innings for five, much responsibility fell on the shoulders of Diaz, who handled the pressure well, rotating the strike in a 51-run partnership with 15-year-old Limansa Thilakarathne.

When Diaz departed in the 16th over, the remainder of the batting card struggled to match her feats, as Springvale South captain Teaghan Parker cleaned up the final batters to finish with 5/13 off three overs.

Speedster Indigo Noble opened the match with consecutive wides, but found her feet as the innings continued, taking 3/21.

Buckley Ridges needed early wickets if they were to be any chance of defending the total and Yates got them off to a perfect start, snaffling a return catch in the second over to dismiss opener Mia Gouws for one.

Playing on a torn calf muscle, Yates dove forward to complete the catch in the follow through of her leg spin delivery to light a spark in her side’s defence.

Gouws’ departure brought the Melbourne Cricket Club pair of Noble and Parker together, who shaped-up to be the key union in the Bloods’ chase.

The partnership lasted only 23 runs, how-

The victorious Buckley Ridges women’s cricket team with their new silverware. 380005 Picture: MARCUS UHE ever, as Parker fell to the spin of Thilakarathne, stumped in a sharp piece of play from wicketkeeper Jessica Bohn.

From there, Buckley sensed blood in the water and went for the kill, with Meera Hyderabad and Grace Barnes combining to race through the middle and lower order.

72 was Springvale South’s lowest team total for the tournament, having excelled with the bat in the preliminary rounds, with three scores in excess of 100.

Hyderabad took 4/7 from her four overs and Barnes 2/11 from three, their economy rates critical in building pressure.

Diaz was awarded the Cathryn Fitzpatrick

Early winners and losers

By Marcus Uhe Pakenham, Gembrook-Cockatoo and Upwey Tecoma have been handed favourable draws for next season’s Outer East Football Netball League, while the going will be tough for the newly promoted sides in Berwick Springs, Officer and Emerald.

Upwey Tecoma faces just one side that qualified for the Premier Division’s finals series in 2023 in repeat fixtures, in Woori Yallock, while Pakenham and Gembrook Cockatoo face only two from that bracket.

However, all three will play a second fixture against all three sides that received promotion from Division One, in Berwick Springs, Emerald and Officer.

Narre Warren’s fixture also appears beneficial, with two repeats against finalists and two doubles against the new sides.

By comparison, the second Division One grand final rematch will be the only fixtures Berwick Springs and Emerald face against other promoted sides, with both scheduled for repeat fixtures against four Premier Division finalists.

Officer, meanwhile, will only see the Ti-

tans and the Bombers once, and will see four Premier Division finalists twice.

The league released the senior men’s and Open Netball fixtures on Thursday 14 December.

Among the highlights of the Premier Division fixture include a blockbuster Anzac Round on 27 April, with rivals Gembrook Cockatoo and Emerald, Upwey Tecoma and Olinda Ferny Creek, and Pakenham and Officer all going head-to-head, while Narre Warren hosts Wandin in a grand final rematch.

The return grand final rematch will be held at Wandin in round 15.

Berwick Springs and Emerald will play their grand final replays in round nine and 18, with the Bombers set to unveil their 2023 Division One football and A Grade netball premiership flags at Chandler Reserve in round two on 20 April.

Round one begins in a staggered format, with Narre Warren hosting Pakenham on Saturday 6 April and Wandin welcoming Mt Evelyn to the kennel on Sunday 7 April, before the remainder of the fixtures take place on the following Saturday, 13 April.

Pakenham and Officer will go head-to-head again in 2024 after the two clubs were split Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS between divisions this year. 287930

Medal as player of the match in the final for her 31 at the top of Buckley Ridges order, but was unable to field after suffering cramping issues during her innings.

Fitzpatrick, an ICC Hall of Fame member for her feats in Australian colours and Buckley Ridges life member, presented the medal named in her honour to Diaz, having been invited to attend the match by the DDCA. The cup will sit proudly in the trophy cabinet at Park Oval alongside the five premiership cups won by Buckley’s women’s sides of yesteryear.

Yates, the first-ever premiership captain of the DDCA’s newest competition, said the sig-

nificance of the occasion was not lost on her.

“This is the first women’s competition so it will be in the history books forever, which is awesome, and for me to be captain, it means the world to me,” she said.

“I haven’t been a captain in a really long time and it’s good to see that I can still do it, which is pretty awesome.”

Buckley Ridges was forced to earn its place in the decider the hard way, having lost to Springvale South in the competition’s opening round and being pushed in the semi final by Noble Park/Monash University.

From the opening night’s celebration at Park Oval to the crowning moment on the hot, sunny evening at Greaves Reserve, Yates saw marked improvement from her side, many of which had to go to school the next day, such was the youth on show.

“The girls just keep improving and they’re willing to learn and listen, which helps,” she said.

“It’s crazy, I felt like a lot of the other teams we played were quite older than us as well, but we held our nerve. “ Yates is no stranger to making history, having represented Melbourne Cricket Club in the first ever women’s Victorian Premier Cricket match held at the MCG in late November, but had no hesitation in signing on to play for Buckley Ridges in the midweek competition.

The former Melbourne Renegade in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) believes the competition will offer an excellent platform for the growth of female cricketers in the region.

“I think this is going to be a great starting point if girls want to try cricket and see if they like it, then maybe want to go on to higher honours,” Yates said.

“We’ve got some really good young players, and I don’t think I was that good at that age.

“I feel like the standard in a couple of years is going to be phenomenal.”

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

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STAR NEWS 25

SPORT

Master blaster McMaster

By David Nagel Just a week after being teammates in Casey Cardinia’s confidence-building win over Mornington Peninsula – two captains of their respective CCCA Premier Division teams used the final Saturday of 2023 to highlight their individual brilliance.

Kooweerup (4/246) captain Luke McMaster was the shining light in round eight, blasting a magnificent 145 not out from just 106 balls to lead the Demons to victory over a competitive Cardinia (199) at Gunton Oval.

McMaster hit 16 fours in his brutalising knock, with five balls sailing over the leg-side boundary fence for good measure.

Meanwhile, just a short drive away at Glover Reserve - headquarters of the Devon Meadows Cricket Club – Panthers’ left-handed opener Lucas Ligt (107 not out) continued one of the more remarkable runs of form in recent memory.

Ligt hit 10 fours and one six in his 102-ball innings to chalk up his third century of the season.

Devon Meadows (4/216) won its fourth game for the 2023/24 campaign against Merinda Park (177) on Saturday…with Ligt making centuries (107, 125 not out, 107 not out) in three of those four matches.

The term ‘match-winner’ doesn’t get thrown around here lightly; but McMaster and Ligt are certainly two of the best ‘game-breakers’ in CCCA cricket right now.

The century of McMaster not only propelled him to fourth (313 runs) on the CCCA Premier Division run-scoring list this season… but capped off another successful calendar year for the dominant club in the competition.

The Demons won a remarkable eighth premiership in 14 years; defeating Cardinia back in March, and are showing no signs of slipping off the pace.

They turn the ‘Christmas’ corner this season with an undefeated record; with a tantalising run-chase (246) against Tooradin being thwarted before it began – due to the weather gods prevailing on day-two of their round seven clash at Tooradin.

Day one certainly lived up to the pre-game hype, with the two undefeated giants of CCCA cricket not conceding one single inch of ground.

Kooweerup star Luke McMaster strikes the ball crisply on his way to 145 not out against Cardinia. 379817 If anything; respect grew for each other that day, with Kooweerup bowling strongly and Peter Sweeney showing his resolute class for the Seagulls in the top order.

But if winning premierships is number-one on the Demons’ hit-list, then defeating Cardinia at least twice during the season is right up there at number two.

They achieved that on Saturday against their great rivals, backing up a comfortable round-one victory over the Bulls.

McMaster was well supported by Gamini Kumara (43) and Chris Bright (29), before Cody Miller (4/23) and Matt Bright (3/36) cashed in late with five wickets falling in the last 11 balls of the Bulls reply.

At Pakenham, pre-tea innings from Rob Elston (63 not out), Dale Tormey (47), Chris Smith (37) and Jack Anning (31) led the Lions (3/201) to victory over bottom-team Clyde (93).

Jordan Seers (3/15) was the best of the bowlers for Pakenham after the break, while James Close (2/18) also claimed multiple wickets.

At Devon Meadows, Ligt’s magnificent innings was rubber-stamped by fine knocks from Nathan Worsteling (44 not out) and Arthur Churchill (33) as the Panthers total proved too much for Merinda Park.

Bevin Corneille (61) made a solid fist of things for the Cobras in reply, but three wickets to 250-gamer Lucas Carroll (3/31) made sure

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

the Panthers celebrated joyously with victory.

And Tooradin (1/114) trounced Carlisle Park (1/113) at Tooradin.

Josh Lownds (4/14) starred with the ball for the Seagulls, before top-scoring with 48 not out in a very modest run chase.

Cal O’Hare (30) made runs in his 250th for the Gulls, while Dylan Sutton (14 not out) went at a run-a-ball to finish off the job.

Ladder: Tooradin 90, Kooweerup 90, Pakenham 54, Devon Meadows 54, Cardinia 42, Merinda Park 30, Carlisle Park 18, Clyde 6.

Fixture- R9 (Jan 13): Pakenham (3) v Carlisle Park (7), Kooweerup (2) v Tooradin (1), Clyde (8) v Merinda Park (6), Cardinia (5) v Devon Meadows (4).

One short of a handful in strong finish for Cranbourne CRANBOURNE BOWLS Four out of five Cranbourne teams had good wins against formidable opponents in the last weekend of Pennant matches before the Christmas break.

Cranbourne 1 (Div 1 Sec 4) travelled to Clayton to take on their number-two team.

Three out of the four rinks had close games, while our fourth team was outplayed going down by 11 shots. The side can now enjoy a rest over the Xmas break. They can regroup; re-focus on winning as many games after the break as possible and finishing their year on a high.

Cranbourne 1 (73) was defeated by Clayton 2 (96). - 23 shots and 0 points Cranbourne 2 (Div 2 Sec 8) hosted near neighbours Keysborough 2 on the front grass green. Playing some excellent bowls, the home side won three rinks comfortably and lost one by eight shots after being down early 17-2. It was a great fight back, and despite still losing they were well and truly covered

by Steve Hickson’s team who won by 14 shots.

Nick Arnold’s team won by 11 shots and Doug Boggie’s rink won by 10 shots. This was a great effort against the team sitting second on the ladder.

Cranbourne 2 (96) defeated Keysborough 2 (79). + 27 shots and 16 points Cranbourne 3 (Div 4 Sec 8) travelled to Pakenham to take on the Retirement Village team Cardinia Waters (1). In a tough encounter, as it always is at Cardinia Waters, our Cranbourne 3 team enjoyed a thoroughly deserved win by three rinks to one. Best rink of the day was skipped by Tristan Vorbach, with Neil Drummond, Brian Biasci and Louis 26 STAR NEWS

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

Cranbourne 3 was a happy team of bowlers after combining for a tough win at Cardinia Waters. 380963 Picture: SUPPLIED Magri winning by 16 shots, followed by the teams skipped by Tony Collins and George Ljepojevic. Any win at Cardinia Waters is a great win.

Cranbourne 3 (80) defeated Cardinia Waters 1 (67). + 13 shots and 16 points Cranbourne 4 (Div 6 Sec 8), playing at home, took on the wily players from Cheltenham 4 on the synthetic green. When these teams played in round two at Cheltenham, nothing separated the two teams at the end of 84 ends. Saturday was another cracker after 84 ends. Steve (Zac) Bakker, playing second for skip John Kent, played the shot of the day, taking the jack back into the ditch with the touching bowl very close. This gave John’s team one shot for the end, but it also gave Cranbourne 4 the point it needed to win the match overall. In a tussle all day, and dealing with tricky winds, both teams finished winning two rinks each, but Cranbourne took the

overall win. Best rink of the day was skipped

by Tony Whalley, with Hans Worsteling, Bob Pyne and Monica Peers winning their game by 18 shots. We had one rink go down by 17 shots and one team by two shots, but the team of Cheryl Wright, Derek Maguire, Bob Bellamy and Lesley Deal had a great battle with their opponents but came out on top to win by two shots. This was a great game played in good spirit and humour, but a great effort all around.

Cranbourne 4 (81) defeated Cheltenham 4 (80). + 1 shot and 14 points Cranbourne 5 (Div 8 South/East Sec 4) took on Berwick 7 on the back grass green at Cranbourne. In another epic game, Cranbourne 5 won two rinks to Berwick’s one and this gave Cranbourne the overall win. The teams skipped by Stephen Muhi and Rob Sorensen had wins by four shots each. The team skipped by Stuart Walters, playing one player short, did a great job, with Davina Bobetic and Helen Blake only losing by six shots. This was enough to give Cranbourne 5 the win.

Cranbourne 5 (51) defeated Berwick 7 (49). + 2 shots and 14 points MIDWEEK PENNANT: 12 DECEMBER Cranbourne Bowling Club had two teams playing away at Mulgrave CC and Churchill Waverley Golf, while we also hosted two clubs in Berwick and Upwey Tecoma at home.

Cranbourne 1 travelled to Mulgrave Country Club to take on their number-two team and the game was close in two out of the three rinks but, after winning one rink each and sharing one each, the difference was Mulgrave winning the third rink comfortably. However, we’re still tinkering with

the side to try things and the team is working hard to stay out of relegation danger.

Cranbourne 1 (53) was defeated by Mulgrave CC 2 (66). - 13 shots and 3 points Cranbourne 2 took on local rivals Berwick 3 and in a very challenging day, with weather and green conditions, it was the home side that prevailed winning all three rinks and taking maximum points. These three rinks are building a lovely rapport and gelling as cohesive happy teams. Well done one and all.

Cranbourne 2 (66) defeated Berwick 3 (45). + 21 shots and 16 points Cranbourne 3 took on Churchill Waverley Golf 2 on their home ground and worked very hard, but just fell short.

Tony Whalley’s team went down by a single shot and Dermot McConville’s team went down by three shots in a very good game. Try as they might, unfortunately, Ron Fenton’s team went down by nine shots and Churchill Waverley Golf 2 ran out winning all three rinks.

Cranbourne 3 (55) defeated by Churchill Waverley Golf 2 (68). - 13 shots and 0 points Cranbourne 4, our hard trying 6-a-Side team, took on top-of-the-ladder Upwey-Tecoma 2 and gave it their all. The rink of Jo Alsop, Helen Blake, and skipped by Rob Sorensen, had a great battle with opponents to only go down by three shots. While the team of Bruce Canavan, Janet Monger, skipped by injured Mick Feeley, tried very hard, they were outplayed in the end to the tune of 13 shots.

Cranbourne 4 (27) defeated by Upwey Tecoma 2 (43). - 16 shots and 0 points - Derek Maguire cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au

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Thursday, 21 December, 2023

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