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Coroner highlights drowning risks
Clyde Road works underway
Nod to Garry’s volunteer service
Express pace exciting for Eagles
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’Tis the season Local church and charity Gethsemane presented its annual Clyde Carols by Candlelight at Hillcrest Oval on Saturday 14 December. Gethsemane Church founder Kerrigan La-Brooy said the annual event attracted more than 2000 people this year. “It was a perfect day. For some reason, everybody loved it. They loved the music. The vibe was so good,” he said. The day featured food vendors, craft stalls, family activities, raffles, and more. The special guests included Holt MP Cassandra Fernando, Casey deputy mayor Melinda Ambros, and Cranbourne Gardens Ward councillor Michelle Crowther. “We had people from all walks of life performing,” Kerrigan said. “We had the choir. We were doing all the songs that the audience could sing along to. And the rest of the songs were special items like duets, rock and roll, country music, Christmas music, of course.” Story, pictures page 8 Spectacular performers Yasmin and Yolanda are live on stage at the annual Clyde Carols by Candlelight. (Rob Carew: 449678)
Merger reflections As the City of Casey had its 30th anniversary on Sunday 15 December, former councillors reflected on the City of Casey’s formation in 1994, when Berwick and Cranbourne were merged amid anger and uncertainty. Casey’s first mayor, Wayne Smith, recalled resistance to uniting two distinct areas with Cran-
bourne’s rural roots and Berwick’s semi-rural identity. Despite the tensions, Wayne said economies of scale made the merger economically viable and gave Casey greater political influence. Neil Lucas, the former chief executive officer of Berwick City, recalled the emotional moments
in the council when Berwick ceased to exist. He said council staff at Berwick City ordered a balloon with a big long string on the end. “All the staff and the councillors came. And I said this is the old City of Berwick now. It’s going to let go of the string,” he said. “Well, people were crying because they loved
the place. They loved working there. And we let go of the string and off went the balloon into the sky. “That was a sort of symbolic thing to try and get them to draw a line in the sand. And, yeah, there we go.” Stories pages 2-3
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