News - Pakenham Officer Star News - 14th August 2025

Zahra on the big stage

Local sports lover and Geelong Cats fanatic Zahra Reilly will be a part of the AFL’s Grand Final Auskick team this year, where she will play alongside her sister on the big stage at the G. Team NAB AFL Auskick named its 19th recruit of the year, with seven-year-old Zahra from Officer Auskick Centre joining the team.

The team is be coached by footy stars Nick Daicos and Katie Brennan.

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Officer’s Zahra Reilly after her interview with Joel Selwood on Friday night. (Michael Willson/AFL)

Targeted again

A Pakenham Secondary College student has had his bike stolen for the third time in just 10 weeks, totalling $4000 in losses, sparking outrage and renewed concerns about school security.

The $2800 Merida One-Sixty 500, purchased to replace another stolen bike just weeks earlier, was taken from the school grounds despite being secured with a heavy-duty lock.

It is alleged that the thief used a battery-powered angle grinder to cut through the lock and chain, leaving behind metal shavings.

Grandmother Carole Maybus warned that the thefts have escalated from property crime to safety risks.

“This has devastated us yet again. Last week, another student’s bike was stolen,” Maybus said.

“Having unauthorised persons entering school grounds is not acceptable and dangerous.

“The thought that this thief could have been approached by any student is frightening. A thief armed with a battery angle grinder could be extremely dangerous and put that student at risk.”

Victoria Police are actively investigating a recent string of bike thefts reported at Pakenham

Secondary College, occurring on 28 May, 20 June, and 12 August.

Cardinia’s Senior Sergeant Brendan Summers confirmed a 28-year-old Narre Warren man was arrested and charged with handling stolen goods in connection with the 28 May incident.

STORY PAGE 5

Zahra ready to shine

Local sports lover and Geelong Cats fanatic Zahra Reilly will be a part of the AFL’s Grand Final Auskick team this year, where she will play alongside her sister on the big stage at the G. Team NAB AFL Auskick named its 19th recruit of the year, with seven-year-old Zahra from Officer Auskick Centre joining the team. The team is be coached by footy stars Nick Daicos and Katie Brennan.

Zahra is among eleven lucky winners who will be announced during match broadcasts. She is the latest winner to join the team where she was announced at halftime of Friday’s match between Geelong and Essendon accompanied by an interview with Cats’ great Joel Selwood.

Selected Auskickers will have the opportunity to invite an Auskick teammate of their choice

to join them and Zahra chose her younger sister Ella.

Zahra and Ella will join their fellow Auskick recruits at the MCG in Melbourne for a oncein-a-lifetime Grand Final experience, where they will take centre stage and present the winning team with their premiership medallions.

Zahra is a sports lover; she loves the competition and is a great team player. She really enjoys running and wakeboarding but especially loves her football!

She is a big Geelong Cats fan, with Jeremy Cameron and Bailey Smith being her favourite players. She’s loved ‘Jezza’ ever since she met him on a family holiday in Bali and he was such a nice guy.

Zahra and her family recently travelled around Australia and her favourite memory

was seeing baby turtles hatch on the beach.

Zahra chose her little sister Ella as her teammate because Ella loves Auskick, especially getting to play with her best friends.

Like her sister, Ella is very adventurous and loves playing sport and being outdoors.

Both girls are some of Jeremy Cameron’s biggest fans, insist that they make a banner for him to bring to every game they attend.

As part of being selected as a team recruit, Zahra has the chance to be crowned the AFL Auskicker of the Year which will be announced during Grand Final Week.

The lucky winner will receive a remarkable $5,000 prize money thanks to NAB and will have a year full of unique experiences, including meeting AFL and AFLW players and attending AFL games and special events.

Single home code

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny has announced the ‘Single Home Code’, a statewide amendment to Victoria’s planning schemes that will streamline approvals for single homes and small second dwellings on lots under 300 square metres.

Under the current system, homeowners often face delays and uncertainty due to inconsistent council processes, complex paperwork and lengthy appeals – making it harder to build more homes.

If a home meets the updated standards – including requirements for setbacks, tree canopy, solar access and street amenity – it will be ‘deemed to comply’ meaning it can be approved without further assessment. Neighbours will still be notified and can provide feedback, but if the standards are met, there’ll be no VCAT appeals or costly delays.

The changes improve the existing 10day VicSmart fast-track process by simplifying what applicants need to submit and clarifying how councils assess it. It will apply across all residential zones in Victoria and will ensure clearer, more consistent assessments for single and small second dwellings, adhering to good design while streamlining approvals.

This update builds on the Townhouse and Low-Rise Code introduced earlier this year.

The new standards also include stronger sustainability protections – such as limiting overshadowing of rooftop solar –supporting greener, more energy-efficient homes.

Reform is also underway on a new set of standards for mid-rise residential developments between four and six storeys, with targeted consultation on the standards with industry peak bodies and all 79 councils to begin soon.

“The Victorian government’s Single Home Code is another small, but important step, towards improving the Victorian planning system,” stated HIA executive director, Keith Ryan.

“Importantly, the Single Home Code removes the need for owners of smaller lots to face unnecessary delays caused by third party reviews to VCAT.”

Local students set for the big ‘spectacular’ stage

By Corey Everitt

Pakenham Consolidated School’s choir will sing on the big stage for the first time, having been selected alongside other local schools for this year’s Victorian State School Spectacular.

Students from five schools in Pakenham and Officer will perform at John Cain Arena in September, showcasing the best of local talent.

Pakenham Consolidated’s dance team has been a regular participant at the spectacular, but this year it is the choir that is set to steal the show for the first time in the 30 years of the spectacular.

A delightful addition for the students to be selected for the mass choir, as well as the hardworking choir leaders Julie Moulds and Marie Wigzell and the many other staff who have assisted.

Just next door, Pakenham Secondary College will have many students contributing in dance and song.

Student Joice has been selected as one of the principal singers for the main ensemble choir, while fellow student James Nimaya’s audition was also successful for the role of one of the main dancers for the night.

Officer Secondary’s Willow and Sarah were also selected for roles in the main choir and dancing, respectively.

Pakenham Springs Primary School will join Pakenham Consolidated in the mass choir.

Teams from Pakenham Secondary and Officer Primary School will join the mass dance.

Students enjoyed a trip to the city to rehearse at the Melbourne Town Hall on Wednesday.

The 30th Victorian State School Spectacular will be held over two shows on Saturday 13 September at 1pm and 6.30pm.

You can purchase tickets at ticketek.com.au/spectacular

Zahra having a run on GMBHA Stadium during half-time Auskick on Friday night. (Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Pakenham Consolidated School choir. They will join this year’s Victorian State School Spectacular. (Supplied)

Golf return viable: report

By Corey Everitt

An independent review of Deep Creek Reserve has concluded a result in favour of the continuation of golf, determining that the course is not only economically viable but in demand.

Consultancy firm Nova Ratio Publica have reported to Cardinia Shire Council the conclusions of their feasibility study into Pakenham Golf Course, with councillors to vote on adopting its three options for public consultation at the upcoming August council meeting next Monday.

The first option suggests the continuation of a golf course up to 18 holes, favourably determining that golfing can “expect to increase” and could come “at no cost” to the council.

This option presents the “least impact” and “maximum flexibility” with the inclusion of other considerations of investment in such facilities as mini golf or an expanded driving range to boost participation and revenue.

Options two and three suggest creating Deep Creek into an active sporting reserve with ovals and soccer fields or a passive reserve for amenity and environmental conservation.

Continuing with golf would require the replacement of a degraded irrigation system on the greens and other maintenance repairs at a cost of $1.7 million.

This would be the least costly of the three to council, the report said, and is the only option that could involve a private investor.

Turning the course into a space akin to Toomuc Recreation Reserve, as per option two, would assist the council in servicing a shortage in sporting facilities in the shire’s urban corridor, but it would be the most costly and least timely, costing an estimated minimum of $20 million in public funds over a 10 to 15 year period of development.

Pakenham currently has a provision of open space above the required benchmark, if Deep Creek were to follow option three it would become the largest passive open space in the area, increasing the abundance by 15 per cent.

Furthermore, option three would come at a cost to the council, likely greater than continuing golf.

With assistance from Golf Australia, the report found that participation in golf has grown since the pandemic.

In Cardinia, 7,268 people participate in golfing and Golf Australia estimates that the number has the potential to grow in excess of 12,000.

Well Played Golf Business Consultancy informed the report regarding the regional importance of Pakenham Golf Course and determined it has a “definite catchment” as the only course with full public access in a central location between the existing clubs and driving ranges in Garfield, Beaconsfield and Upper Beaconsfield (Lang Lang Golf Club resides in Bass Coast Shire).

Golf Australia said Pakenham Golf Course could have an annual benefit of $2.1 million in

economic, social and environmental values.

This was determined by assuming the continuation of an 18-hole course, as well as the possible further investment stipulated in the additional variations of maintaining golf.

“Option 1a” considers the development of facilities like mini golf, an expanded driving range, simulators and golf entertainment.

More off-course development to boost community engagement is detailed in “option 1b.”

The determination of continuing golf was

‘Naughty list’ unreasonable, says CRRA

By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Violet Li

Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association has criticised Casey Council placing mother-ofthree Jillian Nambu on “an orchestrated ’resident naughty list’“ after she sent five emails to council managers and councillors in a week .

“(The register) should be reserved for only the most extreme and overly persistent complainants,“ CRRA vice-president Anthony Tassone said.

“On the one hand we have individual councillors inviting residents to contact them directly to hear their concerns and queries, and on the other hand we have Council management demanding residents go through central Customer Service and not contact councillors directly.

“It’s a reasonable expectation that residents can engage with their ward Councillor directly in the appropriate way, and the council’s use of the ’unreasonable complainant’ register appears unreasonable.

“The council should also offer to reach out to residents directly and guide them through the best way to engage with the City of Casey to have queries resolved rather than just red-flagging them and putting them on a list.“

Ms Nambu told Star News last week that she was “just there trying to bring up issues that I think are important, that the community cares about, and I care about“.

“And then it made me feel like I had done something so horrible that I must be put on a register.”

Meanwhile, the neighbouring Greater Dande-

nong Council has confirmed it does not have any resident complainants on an exclusion list “at the moment“.

Greater Dandenong chief executive Jacqui Weatherill told a council meeting on 11 August that she didn’t want to comment on Casey’s approach.

“It’s fair to say that City of Greater Dandenong being the most multicultural municipality in Australia, we do try really hard with our residents to understand their concerns.

“We do encourage residents with repeated concerns to use the Ombudsman.

“I think the team has done an excellent job because we haven’t had anyone that we’ve had to undertake any restrictions with.”

Under Greater Dandenong’s complaints policy, the council can exclude complainants from having access to staff in “rare instances” of “unreasonable persistence or demands”.

This includes behaviour that’s “inappropriate” and “unacceptable” which raises health, safety, resource and equity issues.

The policy is due for renewal by January 2026.

In a notification letter to Ms Nambu on 20 June, a Casey council officer notified her that her conduct had been found to be “unreasonable” under the following two categories:

■ Unreasonable persistence – directly emailing the executive leadership team and councillors on numerous different occasions, rather than directing communication to Customer Service for processing

■ Unreasonable demands – making demands

weighed against possible risks such as a lack of return on investment, impacts to the surrounding neighbourhood or the loss of public control of the course.

The report will be presented to councillors in the next council meeting on Monday 18 August where they will decide upon the adoption of its recommendations.

If successfully adopted, a four-week consultation will commence where residents can express their preference among the three options.

for council staff to change processes or expectations around council operations, such as the council meeting registration process or public questions

The council advised her to contact Casey via its customer service department, and not to contact executives and all of the councillors directly.

“Failure to cease these behaviours may result in Council implementing additional measures in line with our Unreasonable Complainant Conduct Policy, such as taking more direct action regarding any further communications you have with Council.”

Casey’s communications and corporate governance manager Chloe Casey said the council’s UCC policy endorsed in 2015 aimed to reduce impact of “unreasonable” behaviour from complainants on staff and resources.

“Each case is looked at carefully. People are told in writing if any restrictions are placed on them, why it’s happening, and how they can ask for a review. Being on the register usually lasts for a year and is reviewed annually.”

When asked how many people are placed under the UCC Register, Casey did not share the number.

Deep Creek Reserve. (File)

Jillian Nambu, with daughter Akari, has objected to being placed on Casey’s Unreasonable Complainant Conduct register. (Stewart Chambers: 494114)

WFH consultation opens

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

The State Government has opened public consultation on proposed work-from-home laws that a South East manufacturers group warns are “impossible” for the $54 billion sector.

Enshrining the right to work at least two days a week at home was good for families and the economy, according to the Government.

“One of the reasons work from home is at risk because there are no rules – and workers don’t know where they stand,” Premier Jacinta Allan stated in a release on 12 August.

“Work from home works for families and it’s good for the economy.”

“If you can do your job from home, we are making it your right – because we’re on your side.”

The consultation will consider the types and sizes of businesses to be covered under the law, as well as the definition of remote work.

It will include a public online survey and a roundtable discussion with industry bodies and unions.

However South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) chief executive Honi Walker says the proposal “threatens the viability of the manufacturing sector,” .

“It will deter investment and drive away innovation, employment and economic growth,”

Walker said manufacturers can’t make their products from home

“As manufacturers, we are simply asking the government to allow private industry to negotiate directly with our employees – as we do now.

“No changes to current legislation are required – just common sense.

“If this work-from-home policy is enacted and applied to manufacturing – there will not be a manufacturing sector in Victoria.”

The Government expects to introduce the legislation next year.

According to the Government, WFH saves

workers an average of $5308 a year, cuts commuting congestion and time, and supports working women with children, carers and people with a disability.

WFH workers also work nearly 20 per cent more hours than those in the office full-time, the Government argues.

According to SEMMA, Victoria’s $54 billion

manufacturing sector employs 283,000 people and includes more than 200 manufacturers in the South East. Details: engage.vic.gov.au/wfh

Interest rates cut welcomed against rising costs

By Erle Levey

Mortgage holders are the winners with the Reserve Bank of Australia announcing its third cut in interest rates for the year.

Homeowners with a $500,000 mortgage are set to save $2884 per year if the 0.25 percent cash rate is passed on in full.

This equates to $74 off their monthly interest payments, bringing the total drop this year to $272.

It was expected the RBA would cut rates from 3.85 percent in July but has had to juggle rising costs of living and a spike in house prices.

The decision to deliver the cut to 3.6 percent comes as the nation’s economic indicators point to weaker growth and reduced inflationary pressure.

This builds on the RBA’s February and May reductions, creating a clear path to support households and stimulate broader economic activity.

Macquarie Bank was the first to announce the 0.25 percent cut that would come into effect from 15 August.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) was first of the Big Four, announcing a cut within one hour of the RBA’s decision.

The CBA will decrease home loan variable interest rates by 0.25 percent, with the variable rate changes effective from 22 August.

Speaking of the change CBA’s retail group executive Angus Sullivan, said with three rate cuts this year, Australian borrowers would be getting some breathing room back in their budgets.

“It will be very welcome for those with a home loan,’’ he said.

“We can see people are responding to lower interest rates in different ways - some are covering everyday costs a little more comfortably, others are getting ahead on their home loans.”

Writing for The Guardian, Patrick Commins said the unanimous decision by the RBA’s mon-

etary policy board was widely anticipated, and, while welcome, there would be some who believed rate relief was overdue.

A third cash rate cut for the year is a timely and necessary move by the RBA, with the inflation rate now well within the board’s target band of 2-3 percent. The annual CPI inflation is at 2.1 percent in the June quarter of 2025 and annual trimmed mean ‘core’ inflation at 2.7 percent – the lowest in almost four years.

The cash rate was held firm last month, with RBA governor Michele Bullock explaining the decision was about “timing rather than direction”, and was waiting on more data to confirm the decreasing inflation.

At the end of July, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) published its quarterly inflation figures, which fell from 2.4 per cent to 2.1 per cent between March and June.

Trimmed inflation, also known as underly ing inflation, also dropped from 2.9 per cent to 2.7 per cent.

Both headlining and underlying inflation rates are now within the RBA’s 2-3 per cent target band, indicating inflation is low enough for the RBA to move forward.

Record high home values were recorded in July, with property prices now 4.9 percent higher than this time last year.

Canberra was the only capital city not to have recorded a price growth in July at -0.1 percent, compared to the 0.1 percent through to 0.9 percent in other capitals.

turn to any hints on if – or when – there will be further cuts over coming months.

RBA governor Michele Bullock has made it clear the board only makes assumptions about productivity for a two-year forecast period.

SEMMA chief executive Honi Walker.

Teen’s bike stolen again

By Afraa Kori

A Pakenham Secondary College student has had his bike stolen for the third time in just 10 weeks totalling $4000 in losses, sparking outrage and renewed concerns about school security.

The $2800 Merida One-Sixty 500, purchased to replace another stolen bike just weeks earlier, was taken from the school grounds despite being secured with a heavy-duty lock.

It is believed the thief used a battery-powered angle grinder to cut through the lock and chain, leaving behind metal shavings.

Grandmother Carole Maybus warned that the thefts have escalated from property crime to safety risks.

“This has devastated us yet again. Last week, another student’s bike was stolen,” Maybus said.

“Having unauthorised persons entering school grounds is not acceptable and dangerous.

“The thought that this thief could have been approached by any student is frightening. A thief armed with a battery angle grinder could be extremely dangerous and put that student at risk.”

Victoria Police are actively investigating a recent string of bike thefts reported at Pakenham Secondary College, occurring on 28 May, 20 June, and 12 August.

Cardinia’s Senior Sergeant Brendan Summers confirmed a 28-year-old Narre Warren man was arrested and charged with handling stolen goods in connection with the 28 May incident.

The stolen bike, recovered and returned to the student that month, was unfortunately stolen again on August 12.

All bicycle thefts reported to police are investigated.

“Police would like to encourage bicycle owners to ensure the serial number, a good photo, and/or a detailed description of their bicycle is held by the owner to assist police with their enquiries and/or for insurance purposes should their bicycle be lost or stolen.”

The teen’s mother, a single parent and fulltime carer, has worked tirelessly to replace her son’s stolen bikes and support his mountain biking dream, but the repeated thefts are taking a heavy toll.

“The police could not believe this had happened for the third time,” she said.

“This is getting ridiculous! My son’s recovered bike was stolen again from Pakenham Secondary yesterday. 3 bikes in 10 weeks for us.”

Maybus’ family questioned the Department of Education’s failure to act, expressing deep concern that families are unfairly forced to shoulder the cost of stolen student belongings.

“The Education Department encourages students to ride to school but takes no responsibility for the safety of their bikes.”

The teen, who lives with autism and PTSD, needs 13 hours of downhill mountain biking to earn his Duke of Edinburgh Award.

His journey has also been marked by traumatic events over the years that have tested his strength.

“When my son was six, he witnessed me being assaulted by our next-door neighbour. We had to move quite quickly to escape that situation,” his mother recalled.

“Approximately 4 years ago, our home was broken into via his bedroom window. He slept with a cricket bat for weeks after this incident. He was 11.

“2 years ago, after moving into our forever home (I was finally able to buy a house using the government single parent scheme), he was attacked by two older teens for his bike, the big nine 100.”

Determined to move forward, the family launched a fundraiser to help purchase a new bike so he could complete the required 13 hours of downhill mountain biking for his Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The Department of Education was approached for comment.

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Stolen bike. (Supplied)

From promise to presence: First Ridgelea residents moving in, park construction underway

There’s plenty happening at Ridgelea Estate right now, with construction milestones transforming the estate from a vision on paper into a vibrant community.

The first residents are preparing to move into their homes from August and September 2025, marking a major milestone. Around the same time, the land sales office will open on Saturday 30 August, with display homes beginning to open their doors later in the year. A larger display village launch is planned for early 2026, giving visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in what life at Ridgelea will look and feel like.

One of the biggest achievements this winter has been the completion of the new intersection, with lighting and traffic signals due to be switched on shortly. Entry boulevard landscaping, featuring tens of thousands of new plants, has already transformed the look and feel of the estate.

“People aren’t just buying a block of land anymore. They can now drive in and see the quality of Ridgelea for themselves,” says Tim Jacobs, General Manager at Parklea Developments.

Sales and settlements have been moving quickly in this highly sought after estate. Ultimately Ridgelea is a 3,000-lot community, with over 200 lots now sold and over 100 having settled.

Parklea has invested over $20 million in infrastructure for Ridgelea so far, setting the foundations for a connected and thriving community.

“We’ve always envisioned Ridgelea as more than an estate; it’s a future town,” explains Jarod Mills, General Manager Corporate at Parklea Developments.

“With retail, childcare, and community spaces on the horizon, we’re creating a place people can feel proud to call home.”

Perhaps most exciting for families is the construction of the first of Ridgelea’s parks, now underway and expected to be completed by December 2025. Designed by Senior Landscape Architect Greg Naylor, the park embraces a mountain-inspired theme that reflects Ridgelea’s alpine outlook.

“The park is designed as the ‘base of the mountain,’” Mr Naylor says.

“It includes adventurous climbing slopes, a split basketball court, shaded BBQ spaces, and even a rare five-way swing. There aren’t many of those around Melbourne, so it’s something special for families here.”

The park also features three-phase power to host future community events, along with robust materials and repurposed logs to ensure longevity and sustainability.

With five parks planned across Ridgelea over the next eight years, this is just the start of a much bigger vision.

As Mr Mills put it: “The roads are in, the intersection’s finished, the landscaping’s in, and our first residents are moving in. The community we’ve imagined for so long is now becoming a reality.”

Stay up to date with progress at Ridgelea Estate on social media or at ridgeleaestate.com.au

From promise to presence: First Ridgelea residents moving in, park construction underway.

Women celebrate Teeyan

The spirit of Punjabi tradition lit up Beaconhills College on Saturday 10 August, as the 5th annual Teeyan Pakenham/Officer Diyan drew hundreds of women together for an afternoon of music, dance, and community.

Organised by Sidhu Events and Riwaaz Events, this year’s ladies-only celebration was made even more special with the first-ever Pakenham performance by renowned Punjabi singer Deepak Dhillon, whose vibrant live set

had the crowd singing and dancing along.

The event showcased the richness of Punjabi culture, with spectacular gidha performances, energetic solo acts, children’s showcases, and enthusiastic audience participation. Traditional games such as musical chairs brought laughter and friendly competition, while a live DJ kept the beats flowing throughout the day.

Teeyan, a festival traditionally celebrated by women to mark the monsoon season and

honour sisterhood, has become a much-anticipated date on the local calendar, offering migrant and multicultural communities a space to connect with heritage while making new memories.

Organisers thanked the community for its support and promised an even bigger celebration next year, ensuring the vibrant colours, rhythms, and joy of Teeyan will continue to flourish in Pakenham.

Crowd. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 495199)

Pavnoor 7.

Ahana 9, Sanvi 5.

Mehar 7, Jasbir Kaur and Mehar 11.

Mehar 7, Jasbir Kaur and Mehar 11.

Jas Grewal, Puneet Kaur receiving a sponsor award, Manu Sidhu.

Baljinder Kaur, Mehar 7, Mehar 11, Jasbir Kaur and Manu Sidhu.

Performance.

If

Come

100 days of learning!

Casey Grammar School’s Foundation students marked their 100th day of school with a nostalgic celebration filled with creativity, connection and old-fashioned fun.

Dressed as 100-year-olds, the school’s youngest students took part in a variety of activities themed around the number 100.

From making crowns and badges to playing classic games like hopscotch, quoits, hula hoops and skittles, the day provided a memorable way to reflect on all they have learned and achieved so far.

Head of Early Years Vanessa Hodgkiss said the milestone was a testament to the personal and educational growth students had experienced since their very first day of school.

“The most rewarding part of watching this year’s Foundation students grow over the past 100 days has been seeing their self-confidence blossom,” she said.

“Students who were once hesitant are now bounding into class with big smiles and a love of learning.

“They are proud of their achievements, and we are just as proud of them.”

Students also took part in creative projects and numeracy games throughout the day, including skip counting to 100, sharing writing about their favourite memories, and making fairy bread with hundreds and thousands.

Families joined in the celebration during a special morning event that included co-

lourful banners, photo boards and plenty of smiles.

Principal of Casey Grammar School Fiona Williams said the day was an important tradition in the Junior School calendar.

“This milestone is a joyful reminder of how much growth can happen in just 100 days,” she said.

“It’s always a delight to see how our Foundation students develop friendships, embrace new routines and discover the joy of learning. Today was a moment for all of us to reflect on how far they’ve come.”

A highlight of the Foundation year so far has been the Nature Navigators program, where students explore and learn through play in natural environments outside of the school.

“It is wonderful to see the curiosity, wonder and creativity of our students as they learn, play and explore the beautiful natural environments in our wider community,” Ms Hodgkiss said.

A Foundation class.

Ayuki and Lewis. (Stewart Chambers: 493412)

Daisy.

A Foundation class.

Elly.

100 days of foundation for Kaihan, happy to rest on his watching stick. (Stewart Chambers: 493412)

FOCUS ON … EDUCATION CHOICES

More schools on the way

The State Government says it is making sure kids and families in every corner of Victoria get access to a world-class education close to home with 100 new schools opening by 2026.

The schools include 15 new schools in growth suburbs like Clyde North, Kalkallo and Cobblebank, one in Geelong and another in Wodonga. The Victorian Budget 2025/26 also invested in two new schools in Aintree and Officer, that will open in 2027.

This includes scholarships, paid placements for pre-service teachers and employment-based teaching degree programs for undergraduates. The government also offers targeted financial incentives for hard-to-staff roles and more support for early-career teachers.

on-site or nearby.

Parliamentary Secretary for Education Nina Taylor added: “We’re delivering new schools right across Victoria so that growing families can access world-class schools closer to home.”

Victoria’s school workforce continues to grow and programs are in place to support education staff.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll said: “Our priority is – and has always been – that every child, no matter where they live, has access to a world-class education for free in a Victorian government school. These new schools follow more than a decade of record investment in the Education State, which means every child has access to a world-class education at no cost in a Victorian government school.”

“We know that kindergartens at or near school sites help more families ditch the dreaded double dropoff and make a child’s transition into primary school smoother,” the government said.

“That’s why every Victorian primary school that has opened since 2021 has a kindergarten

“More than 145,000 children and their families are saving up to $2,600 per child each year through the Labor Government’s Free Kinder program, which is available at 97 per cent of funded kindergartens across the state.

“The government has invested a record $18.5 billion to build new schools and deliver more than 2,300 school upgrades - supporting more than 30,000 jobs in construction and associated industries.”

Mentoring programs help shape student growth

Mentoring programs in schools play a pivotal role in shaping the academic, social, and emotional development of students.

Recognising the significance of positive role models and personalised guidance, schools around the world are increasingly implementing mentoring initiatives.

Here we explore the importance of mentoring programs in schools, examining how they contribute to student success, foster a sense of belonging, and empower individuals to navigate the complexities of academic and personal growth.

Academic Success and Goal Achievement:

One of the key advantages of mentoring programs is the provision of personalised support.

Mentors work closely with students to understand their unique strengths, challenges, and learning styles. This personalised attention enhances academic performance by tailoring strategies to meet individual needs, fostering a sense of confidence and competence in students.

Mentoring programs empower students to set and pursue academic and personal goals. Through regular discussions with their men-

tors, students can identify their aspirations, create action plans, and receive guidance on overcoming obstacles. This goal-setting process not only enhances academic achievement but also instills valuable life skills such as time management and perseverance.

Social and Emotional Well-Being:

Positive mentor-student relationships contribute significantly to the development of confidence and self-esteem. Mentors serve as supportive figures that encourage students to recognise and embrace their strengths, fostering a positive self-image that extends beyond the academic realm.

The school environment can be socially challenging, especially for students facing issues such as peer pressure, bullying, or a sense of isolation. Mentors provide a reliable and empathetic ear, guiding students through these challenges, offering coping strategies, and helping them develop interpersonal skills crucial for healthy relationships.

Career Exploration and Skill Development:

Mentoring programs often include components focused on career exploration. Mentors can introduce students to a variety of career paths,

share insights about their own professional journeys, and provide guidance on educational pathways that align with students’ interests and goals.

Mentors play a vital role in nurturing the development of essential life skills, including communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

Through real-world discussions and handson experiences, students gain practical insights that extend beyond the classroom, preparing them for future academic and professional endeavours.

Sense of Belonging and Community:

Mentoring programs contribute to the creation of a supportive community within the school. The mentor-student relationship fosters a sense of belonging, as students feel valued and understood.

This support network can be particularly crucial for students who may face challenges at home or in their personal lives.

Promoting Inclusivity:

Mentoring programs have the potential to promote inclusivity by pairing students with mentors who may share similar backgrounds

or experiences. This connection helps bridge gaps and creates a more inclusive school environment where diversity is celebrated, and students feel acknowledged and accepted.

Resilience and Coping Skills:

Life is filled with challenges, and mentoring programs equip students with the resilience and coping skills necessary to navigate adversity. By fostering a growth mindset and providing strategies for overcoming setbacks, mentors empower students to face challenges with determination and a positive attitude.

The impact of positive mentor-student relationships extends far beyond the classroom, influencing students’ lifelong learning journeys and personal growth. By recognising the importance of mentorship and investing in these programs, schools create environments where students not only thrive academically but also develop the skills, resilience, and sense of community needed to navigate the complexities of life beyond the educational setting. As we continue to prioritise the holistic development of students, mentoring programs stand as invaluable tools for guiding the future leaders, thinkers, and contributors of our society.

Helen Staindl School Principal

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll. (Stewart Chambers: 396247)

On Wednesday the 30th of July, our Foundation (prep) students celebrated 100 days of school. It is hard to believe that 100 days ago, they entered into our wonderful community of St Patrick’s Pakenham. The day was full of fun, learning, and creativity!

To mark this special milestone, students dressed up in themed outfits and took a step back in time to experience what school was like in the olden days. They watched classic cartoon clips from Walt Disney, made delicious cookies, and danced to the famous song, “The Twist” with great enthusiasm.

The children especially loved spending the day in our bright and colourful classrooms, which their teachers had spent many hours getting ready, and this only added to the excitement.

Each week, it has been an enormous pleasure to watch as these students have taken risks in their learning, made friends, faced challenges, been brave and become independent learners. It is always a privilege to watch our students take the steps they need in order to be successful and achieve the very best in life!

Thank you to our wonderful parent, grandparents, carers and guardians of these amazing children. This year we have welcomed many new families to St Patrick’s as well as continued to embrace our existing families.

A big Thank you goes to our Foundation teachers, Katherine Gronek and Geraldine Wilmann for their tireless work they do with the children every day. This thanks is also extended to our incredible support staff of Melissa Britt, Tania Parmley and Lorraine Johnson. It was a joyful celebration, and we are incredibly proud of how far our students have come. We look forward to watching their bright futures unfold!

Nowhere to hide from VIPER

Almost 1500 offenders involved in serious and organised crime at all levels across Victoria have been charged by the VIPER Taskforce with more than 2600 offences in its now three years of operation.

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, Middle Eastern Organised Crime Groups, youth gangs and those involved in serious and organised crime linked to the illicit tobacco activity have all felt the sting of VIPER’s disruption strategies since the taskforce was launched in 2022.

Unveiled on Monday 4 July, 2022, the tactical unit – the first of its kind in Victoria – was launched as Victoria Police’s new approach in the fight against criminal entities with the flexibility to be deployed anywhere in the state at short notice.

In that time, the taskforce has conducted regional deployments to almost every corner of the state.

The 80-strong innovative unit combines police from a wide range of specialist roles, including Public Order Response Team (PORT), State Highway Patrol, general duties, intelligence officers and detectives from a wide range of backgrounds, including the Armed Crime Squad, Echo Taskforce, Criminal Proceeds Squad, Illicit Firearms Squad, Vehicle Crime Squad, Major Drug Squad, Clandestine Laboratory Squad, Gang Crime Squad and various others.

Using this diverse mix of specialist skills and experience, VIPER has processed 1422 offenders and issued 2637 charges in its first three years.

Since its inception, VIPER has also:

· Conducted over 1000 Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) searches and served 70 FPOs;

· Seized more than $5.1M in cash and $3M in gold bullion;

· Made 172 proceeds of crime seizures;

· Seized 190 firearms and imitation firearms, as well as 314 prohibited weapons, including conducted energy devices, knives, swords, knuckle dusters, ASP batons and explosives such as

power gel and detonators;

· Undertaken 236 seizures of ammunition and firearm parts including 3D printed firearm equipment and firearm parts;

· Made over 1294 seizures of illicit drugs of varying quantities and types, and

· Intercepted in excess of 636 traffic penalty infringement notices and impounded 122 vehicles.

With the workforce rotating on a regular basis, over 262 members of Victoria Police have now donned the VIPER patch.

Employing the highly diverse range of experience and expertise of members force-wide allows for VIPER to conduct both proactive and reactive investigations, which target organised crime from every possible angle.

Day to day, their work involves a range of enforcement and prevention actions such as proactively targeting known criminals, including those involved in incidents such as homicides, arsons and shootings.

The taskforce also supports the work of specialist investigation units and regional police by providing further resources to assist with investi-

gation tactics and enforcement actions.

Over the past two years VIPER has worked closely with Taskforce Lunar in particular to target the organised crime groups involved in significant and violent criminality linked to the trafficking of illicit tobacco and vapes.

The VIPER Taskforce has worked to proactively target known members, associates and facilitators of these groups to ensure police are doing everything possible to create a hostile environment for those involved in this criminality.

Critically, the work of the VIPER Taskforce has also contributed enormously to the contemporary intelligence Victoria Police has on organised crime groups and those involved or associated with them.

The unit has worked closely with a range of other state and federal law enforcement agencies such as the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Taxation Office, Sheriff’s Office and Therapeutic Goods Administration in order to take advantage of contemporary organised crime intelligence from across the country.

This also includes a number of operations on the Victoria-NSW border working in collaboration with their counterparts at NSW Police’ Raptor Squad.

VIPER is an acronym for visibility, intelligence, prevention, enforcement and reassurance.

The taskforce was recommended following the completion of the Crime Command review in 2021. It was the first time Victoria Police has created a taskforce of this nature, which was developed following an examination of similar type models across Australia and internationally.

Notable operations and results from VIPER’s first three years of operation include:

2023 saw VIPER investigate a series of burglaries throughout Melbourne’s northern suburbs. As a result, approximately 2kg of methylamphetamine, $35,000 cash, a rifle with an abundance of ammunition and luxury goods were seized.

In February, an investigation into Asian organised crime resulted in the seizure of cannabis, methylamphetamine and MDMA, five imitation firearms, $10k in cash and a variety of prohibited weapons.

February was also a month of action targeting members and associates of the Hells Angels OMCG. 15 FPO searches were conducted, three FPOs were served, and six offenders were processed.

March saw a cross-border operation in Albury and Wodonga with NSWPF’s Raptor Squad. Sixteen FPO compliance searches and ten warrants were executed, firearms, drugs, explosives and stolen goods were seized, and 18 were arrested for a range of criminal and road safety offences.

In April, eight offenders were arrested and 135kg of cannabis (with a street value of approx. $700k) and over $200k cash were seized following an investigation into Albanian organised crime.

In May, a search warrant was executed following an investigation into the alleged trafficking of steroids through the mail. A sophisticated clandestine laboratory was located, and in excess of 80kg of liquid, powders, and chemicals (with an estimated street value of $500k) utilised in manufacturing illicit substances were seized.

2024 saw VIPER utilising Commonwealth Organised Crime legislation to investigate the widespread illicit tobacco industry operating in Victoria. As a result of this investigation, 27 search warrants were executed across the state. Approximately 400,000 illegal cigarettes, 74kg of loose-leaf tobacco, a large number of illicit vapes, approximately $70,000 in cash, and a number of luxury items believed to be proceeds of crime were seized.

In October, VIPER arrested three people and seized over $1.5M cash, at least $500,000 worth of luxury handbags, over $3M worth of gold as well as illicit cigarettes as part of an investigation into the supply and distribution of methylamphetamine in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Meet the School Principal & Leaders

ST. PATRICK’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

My name is Meg Escalante and I am the Principal of St Patrick’s Primary school, Pakenham since 2022. I began at St Patrick’s in 2019 as Deputy Principal and Student Wellbeing leader.

In 2021, my role also included Learning Adjustment Leader where I worked closely with staff, students and families in creating Individual Learning Plans for those students with particular learning needs; be that academic, behavioural or social and emotional. A role I thoroughly enjoyed as I could truly see where teachers can make that difference in students’ lives.

Throughout my time as Principal, there have been many positive changes made to our wonderful school. We have had 2 refurbishment building projects with another one to start this year. We have joined forces with Melbourne University and the Grattan Institute to provide a teacher

dedicated to the Mental Health and wellbeing of our students. We have fully trained therapy dog named Zahli who works with our students and is a wonderful calming influence for any anxious children.

At St Patrick’s we have over 68 cultures represented, and we work closely with Foundation House and are part of the Refugee Education Support Program to help support our families that come from non-English speaking backgrounds. We are a school that is child first, a school that is safe and welcoming and inclusive; where we value dignity and respect for all no matter where we are from.

136 Princes Highway, Pakenham office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au www.stppakenham.catholic.edu.au (03) 5943 9000

Jodie Mallows - St Clares Primary School, Officer

I am Jodie Mallows and joined St Clare’s as Deputy Principal in Term 2. I am passionate about education and improving outcomes for students.

My strengths include communication and building positive relationships with staff and students. I have been a Deputy Principal for 10 years and have a strong commitment to Catholic education. As a Deputy principal I have worked closely with those around me in a supportive way and to also develop their skills. I have recently completed my Masters in Education

and Theology, graduating at St Patrick’s cathedral in Melbourne. My family includes my husband Sean and 3 adult children who are off doing amazing things and building their careers. I love traveling, spending time in the outdoors, cooking and reading. I barak for the Geelong Cats and enjoy watching AFL.

I am excited to join the St Clare’s community and look forward to getting to know everyone.

A man being arrested by a VIPER Taskforce police officer in Cranbourne North. (File)

Those in need growing

By Sahar Foladi

Erin Harper is a devoted volunteer of nine years for Vinnies South Eastern Soup Van in Dandenong sharing the importance of human connections and community.

As demands grow for free hot soup, fresh produce, blankets and other items, so does the need for real conversation, kindness and compassion.

“Once you get involved…you don’t want to stop,“ Ms Harper says.

“You see the impact you make on the people, not just in giving them soup or vegetables - it’s the emotional support and to be a listening ear to them when needed.

“A lot of people don’t have a big network support so it’s a really nice position to be there so that we can provide that support to people.”

Ms Harper, born and raised in Greater Dandenong, is one of the charity’s long-serving members.

The soup van is operated by at least 50 volunteers on a weekly basis with anywhere between five to 10 volunteers a night juggling between work and life demands.

A long line of at least 140 people in need gather at the corner of Clow and Lonsdale Street opposite of the Dandenong Market, within one hour of the soup van’s arrival.

Apart from Dandenong, the service is currently being served in Berwick.

To accommodate and streamline the service, a new soup van hub in Hallam is soon to be completed late this year to gain better reach all over the south east.

Currently, the soup van operates out of the St John Regional College kitchen in Dandenong preparing and packing the food.

Ms Harper echoes the massive outcry over cost of living pressures, saying the van is serving many people “who can’t make ends meet”

“They’re very appreciative for the most part. We’ve see a lot of change in five years in the kinds of people we are serving.

“Pre-Covid it was people sleeping rough.

“Now we’re getting people who can’t make ends meet but also we’re seeing a large influx of new arrivals.

“They let us know if we weren’t able to provide this service they would have to make the decision in feeding their family, having running water and so on.”

She says they are fortunate if they receive novelty items such as chocolate biscuits for their clients. They make sure to provide culturally appropriate items so clients are comfortable to cook with it.

It’s not just about feeding or providing items to those in need, Ms Harper says.

The bigger picture is also taking their burden away and giving them freedom to decide what they can provide for their families.

The soup van also donates whatever they receive from their partners like the stallholders from the Dandenong Market, many of whom are new arrivals themselves.

Lentils, rice, pasta, canned food, cereal, milk, infant consumption snack, tune, crackers and other toiletries, nappies for babies, blankets during winter, if they are fortunate and so on.

Frontline organisations like South East Community Links (SECL) have long spoken on the rising demands for their services such as financial counselling in light of rising cost of living pressures and housing crisis.

Initiatives like Kathy’s Auction of second-harnd items and SECL’s Bring Your Bills Day are growing in popularity as a result.

There are 45 rough sleepers in City of Greater Dandenong according to the Dandenong Zero website, a project partnering Greater Dandenong Council and Launch Housing since 2022.

Overall, there’s 70 listed as homeless including nine in temporary stable housing, eight in respite or hotels and eight unknowns.

In April, Greater Dandenong had 53 rough sleepers, the highest amount since the beginning of 2025.

Soup Van Street Services

Every Tuesday DANDENONG

• 6.16pm – 7.15pm Dandenong Plaza Corner of Clow & Lonsdale Streets – opposite Dandenong Market

THURSDAYS – Berwick & Surrounds

• 6:30pm – 7pm Narre Warren IGA Car

At least 140 people make their way to the soup van every Tuesday evening from 6.15pm.(Supplied) Vinnies South East Soup Van is set to receive a new hub in Hallam to help streamline their operations.(Supplied)

Erin Harper along with a companion Jonathan in Dandenong during their Soup Van run on Lonsdale Street. (Supplied)

Open day coming up

This Sunday, 17 August, Berwick will be buzzing with music, food and inspiration as Federation University throws open its doors for Open Day.

The campus will be alive with activity as future students, families and friends explore, ask questions and imagine themselves starting an exciting new chapter.

It’s the perfect opportunity to get the inside storyonwhatlifeatFederationislike,andtohearcurrent students talk about their study experiences.

It’s not just an event – it’s a day out. Visitors can wander the campus with a free taco in one hand and a BBQ plate in the other, enjoy pastries and sweets, and soak in the sounds of live music.

Between bites, there’s plenty to see – from stilt walkers, balloon twisting and a caricature artist, to a reptile expo and petting zoo.

Information sessions run throughout the day, giving insight into study areas like Nursing and Midwifery, Education, Psychology, Exercise and Sports Science, Allied Health, Science and IT, Arts, Social Work and more.

Visitors can join ‘A Guide to Starting Uni’, explore nursing and science labs, or take a campus tour departing every 30 minutes.

Academics, current students and industry partners – including Melbourne City Football Club – will be there, ready to answer questions about courses, careers and pathways.

Whether you’re curious about paramedicine, fascinated by criminology, or passionate about community work, there’s a session to match your interests.

With free entry, great food and hands-on ac-

WHAT’S ON

Discovery Day

Narre Warren & District Family History Group as part of History Month are having a free Discovery Day and all are welcome at 110 High Street Berwick.

Thursday 21 August 2025 we have four speakers scheduled and the topics are:- Crime and Punishment and family research at 10am Occupations and work with Heather Arnold at 11am

BYO Lunch break at noon

Old Magazines & Newsletters at 1pm Hands on digitisation and scanning with the project team at 2pm

• Come to any or all sessions on the day. for more information contact Lynne 0413 182 551 or research.officer@nwfhg.org.au

Banksia Festival

Join the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and the Cranbourne Friends for an exciting series of lectures, workshops, art and craft exhibition, book and plant sales, guided walks, to celebrate the Banksia.

• Saturday 16 August to Sunday 24 August at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.

Berwick Bridge Club

Enjoy playing cards? Are you looking for some exercise for your brain that is both fun and challenging?

Berwick Bridge Club is looking for new members. There are two free beginner’s courses.

One starting Friday morning 5 September from 10am to 12pm and the second one on Monday night starting 8 September from 7 to 9pm. Both courses run for 10 weeks. Lessons are held at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House, 21A Bemersyde Drive, Berwick. No partner is required.

• To reserve your place, please phone Maree on 9702 2348.

Scrabble in Berwick

- Fridays 9.30am-12.00pm at Berwick Neighbourhood Centre, 112 High Street, Berwick. Details: David, 0433 566 456.

U3A Casey – Activities for Seniors

Are you a senior, aged over 50, who is semi or fully retired?

Are you looking to keep your body and mind in top shape?

Then … U3A Casey is for you!

With over 580 members and 75 different classes, U3A Casey offers you a wide range of activities including Arts & Crafts, Music, Book Clubs, Social Clubs, Low-Impact Sports, Fitness, Cooking … and many more.

You can attend up to three classes for free, to see if you like the classes before registering to join

tivities, Berwick Open Day is the perfect opportunity to get inspired about study options while enjoying a relaxed day with family and friends.

There’s even $2,500 up for grabs for domestic students who register, attend and share their feedback.

To find out more and register to be in the running, head over to the Open Day website: federation.edu.au/openday

with U3A Casey.

Membership from January to December is $60.00 or from July to December is $30.00, which allows you to choose to join any of our classes (subject to available vacancies).

• For more information on classes, or to join using the online enrolment form: Visit our website – www.u3acasey.org.au

• Phone our office – 0493 280 458

• Email us - caseyu3a@gmail.com

Balla Balla Community Centre

Health & Wellbeing at Balla Balla

Feel good this winter! Join us at Balla Balla Community Centre for Term 3 Health & Wellbeing classes starting in July.

Choose from:

Yoga/Pilates/Zumba/Mindfulness Meditation & Compassion/Music & Guided Imagery Workshop

• Move, relax, and recharge – all in your local community! Term 3 enrolments open 30 June online https://ballaballa.com.au/health-wellbeing/ or phone 5990 0900.

Morning Melodies

Are you young at heart, looking for some company, or just want to enjoy a lovely morning out? Join us at Morning Melodies for heartwarming performances filled with the songs you know and love!

Enjoy live entertainment, a cuppa, and a freshly baked scone with jam and cream - all while making new friends along the way.

Book early to secure your spot! You won’t want to miss this uplifting morning of music and connection. Morning Melodies is held on 2nd Tuesday each month and bookings can be made online www.balla.balla.com.au or by phoning 5990 0900

U3A Cranbourne 20 - 22 Bowen Street, Cranbourne

We are a social group for people over 50 with many interesting and creative activities. We have recently started a garden group as we have lovely gardens where we can plant vegetables, herbs and flowers and enjoy a tea or coffee outdoors when the weather is nice.

We also have lots of art and craft groups, calligraphy, scrabble, singing for fun, quilling, resin making, and card making are popular classes.

On Thursday afternoons from 1 - 3pm we have a lively group of table tennis players. New players welcome, no past experience needed, come along and join in the fun.

We run a beginner ukulele and guitar group. Ray leads the ukulele group, and Maurie assists our beginner guitar group on Monday mornings.

We are a not-for-profit group, assisted by Casey Council to run our programs. Our membership fee of $50 per year entitles you to join as many classes as you wish.

Line dancing is held at Clyde Public Hall on Monday mornings, and a gold coin donation covers hire of this venue.

• Check out all our classes at www.u3acranbourne.org.au or phone 0493 991 919 for more information

Men’s Shed Junction Village Inc.

The Men’s Shed provides a facility for men’s mental health where men can come and enjoy each other’s company in a non-judgmental environment. Men are able to share ideas and life experiences, plus learn new skills which benefit themselves and the local community.

Our members are proud of their efforts in producing wooden toys to donate to the Salvation Army Toy Fund. However, making wooden toys is not a requirement of membership, and you can make your own projects if you prefer.

Retired men are most welcome to visit the Shed and have a chat/cuppa to check out our fully equipped Shed (lots of “toys” to play with!) and see what we do for the community. They do not need any woodwork experience as Shed members are happy to pass on their experience in an enjoyable and friendly atmosphere.

Shed members can also be seen cooking a sausage at Bunnings, displaying our projects at Botanic Ridge Village, or heading off to visit other sheds around the state (All good fun!)

We are located at 41 Craig Road, Junction Village and open on Mondays from 9.00 am to 11.30 am and Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.00 am to 2.30 pm.

• For more information and a tour of our Shed, contact Garry on 0408 141 734.

Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club Community Day - Social Day - Cuppa, games and chat - Lunch included. 11am-3pm, Friday 4th July.

Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club meets weekly for a range of different events, including bus trips, community days, games, coffee and chat, bingo, dancing and carpet bowls.

Not a member? Doesn’t matter, come along and join the fun.

• Weekly activity times - Line Dancing Mon.10am-12pm, New Vogue and Old Time Dance Tue. 1pm-3:30pm, Carpet Bowls Wed. & Sat. 11:30am-2:30pm, Bingo Thur. 11am2pm.

• For all enquiries or bookings contact Marilyn mobile 0432 107 590.

• Find us on facebook https://www.facebook. com/groups/487808127399953

Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre

• Sewing Classes – Thursdays during school terms- 9:30-11:30am - Learn the basics of sewing and make bags and simple garments. Sew for

charity. - $5 per session.

• Conversational English Classes – Thursdays 9.30am-11.30am during school terms - Come along to practice and improve your English skills in a relaxed environment comfortable, casual classes with a friendly, patient tutor - $5 per class.

• Intermediate Computers for Work - Thursdays during school terms 1-4pm - Build on your current computer skills and learn workplace apps such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook email – Contact us for fee information.

• Thee Coffee Table - Welcoming women’s community group - Every Friday - 11am-2pm - Free

• Career & Employment Counselling for Job Seekers – alternate Wednesdays starting 7th May 9:00 am – 1:00 pm - Career counsellors from Chisholm Skills and Jobs Centre are available to work with you on writing your resume, support you to apply for jobs or help you identify your next steps in looking for work. Fortnightly by appointment –Free

• New Day Care Hours - NOW OPEN - 9am until 3pm. We have spots available in our nurturing and fun Day Care, which prioritises the wellbeing and growth of every child. Children from 2 months to 5 years can now attend from 9am until 3pm up to 5 days a week.

• Call 03 5996 9056 or email mpcs@merindapark.com.au for more information or to register your child.

• Volunteers are welcome to come and help maintain our community garden

• All the above are held at Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre, 141 - 147 Endeavour Drive, Cranbourne North 3977

• For more information and bookings, call - 5996 9056

Narre Warren Senior Citizens Centre

If you are over 55 years, newly retired or new to the City of Casey and looking forward for something to do, come and join us. The Narre Warren Senior Citizens Centre is a friendly seniors Club and we can offer you many activities. Our main Club Day is on Wednesdays from 9:30am to 3:00pm. On the first Wednesday of the month we enjoy socialising with our many members and, on the next three (3) Wednesdays we have live entertainment wherein you can do some dancing or line dancing and if you wish, with an afternoon cup of tea and biscuits. We also hold weekly activities on other days during the week which include the Garden Group, Indoor Carpet Bowls, Table Tennis, Line Dancing, Gentle Exercises and friendly Card Games.

• We are located at 192-196 Centre Road near the Narre Warren Station. Phone us on 9783 7112 or on Mobile 0426 736 467 or you can email us at: narrewarrenseniors@gmail.com for more information

Federation University Berwick this Sunday, 17 August, will be buzzing with music, food and inspiration as it throws open its doors for their Open Day.

Shooting for the top

By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Justin Schwarze

There’s a frenzy of energy on the boards at Dandenong Stadium, as two teams of teen talent prepare to fly across the Nullabor to vie for national titles.

On a Tuesday training night, the Dandenong Basketball Association Rangers Under 14 girls and boys sides show off their speed, athleticism and skill.

There’s a focus on “selfless” basketball during an intense pressure-defence drill.

Usually hungry for scores, the Rangers boys are right up in each other’s faces and trying to stifle free-flowing play.

“Everyone wants to be (NBA star) Steph Curry and shoot threes,” assistant coach Brett Poulton says.

“It’s a bit unfashionable to be playing defence.”

One of the side’s strengths is the cohesive teamwork, he says. And that all 10 players on the squad are capable of scoring.

“We don’t rely on one player.”

Girls coach Peter Newton instructs his team to start a “20, 20, 20” drill.

As the basketballs and players whirl about the court, he is asked what stands out about his team. Extreme talent and athleticism, he says.

Also the focus is on collective leadership. There is not a single captain – instead leadership is shared and instilled throughout the group.

Both teams have been forged with much the same players over the past two years. Both have built close teamwork, with most players top-agers.

The two representative sides are the cream of the crop in the region and among Victoria’s top-5 sides in their age group.

Both have won a clutch of state and national trophies.

And so they have won the right to compete with 23 other sides in the National Junior Club Championships in WA next month.

Parents and supporters are digging deep, raising more than $80,000 for air fares and other travel expenses.

Some of them will be joining their kids on the interstate mission.

No one doubts the players and families’ dedication to the cause.

They play or train four-five days a week, regularly travelling across Melbourne, Geelong and the regions as well as interstate.

A brother and sister make their way from Traralgon, others from Frankston and all over the South East.

Three of the boys also play for the Vic Metro side, one for Vic Country and others even manage to fit in school football.

“Success comes from buying in,” Brett Poulton says. “It’s a fair commitment to go interstate – and that commitment breeds success.

“It wouldn’t be possible without the family support.”

Boys coach Kieren Poulton is overseeing the team defense drill, as they prepare for a key match against a heavy-scoring Diamond Valley side.

He also keeps up a brutal schedule, assisting and travelling with Dandenong men’s NBL

1 side and the Vic Metro underage squad.

Kieran says his focus is on teamwork.

“It’s about having the right mindset and energy, and wanting to play for each other – for one goal.”

Fielding sides in both the boys and girls brackets is a massive achievement for the club as a whole.

Dandenong Basketball Director of Coaching Tamie Harvey says it’s a major milestone for the club.

“It’s a testament to the level of athletes we have playing and the coaches we have working with our athletes,” she said of the achievement.

“We’re so proud of both teams going, it’s such an unbelievable feat.

“It’s such a great learning experience as well.

“We’re really proud of the program we’re building at Dandenong.

“It just shows the pathway of development and how good our coaches are.”

The 2025 Under 14 Club Championships in Willetton, Western Australia are on Sunday 28 September - Friday 3 October.

Dara is set for the national club championships in September. (Stewart Chambers: 491963)

Zali at training for the Under 14s DBA girls. (Stewart Chambers: 491963)

Dandenong Basketball’s under 14 Boys team, back from left, Kieren Poulton (coach), Harry, Blake, Cadel, Cruze, Hamish and Brett Poulton (assistant coach), front, Nathan, Aiden, Keegan, Hugo, Zayne and Cooper. (Stewart Chambers: 491963)

Dandenong Basketball’s under 14 Girls team , back from left, Payton, Charlize, Olivia, Elesha, Dara and Zali, front, Sibella, Zofia, Cheng and Lexi. with coaches Evie Curtis and Peter Newton. (Stewart Chambers: 491963)

Payton takes aim during training. (Stewart Chambers: 491963) Elesha springs into attack. (Stewart Chambers: 491963)

Lethal Lions looming large

By Justin Schwarze

The minor premiership is well in sight for Pakenham after the Lions outclassed Warburton Millgrove to regain top spot in round 17 of Outer East Division 1.

A determined Pakenham outfit was ready to redeem its last performance against the Burras, a 66-point drubbing back in round eight.

An arm-wrestle of a first term saw both sides kick just one goal each with Liam Westlake slotting the first of the game before Chris Cardona nailed one for the Lions.

Pakenham then flicked a switch, owning the second term by booting five goals to one in the period.

At halftime, the Lions led 6.5(39) to 2.3(15).

Star Warburton forward Bailey Humphreywho had been incredibly quiet up to that point - slotted the first goal of the second half just 30 seconds into the third period to bring the margin back to three goals.

But two majors in the term from Mason Hall ensured the Lions still held a 8.6(54) to 4.5(29) buffer at the final intermission.

Timothy McKail kicked truly to make Pakenham senior coach Justin Stanton raise an eyebrow before the Lions booted the last four goals of the contest to win 12.9(81) to 5.8(38).

“It was a good standard, not high-scoring because both teams are really good defensively,” Stanton said of the game.

“We were pleased.

“We wanted to make amends for our performance last time (against Warburton Millgrove), we were really poor.

“Whether we won or lost on the weekend, it was about setting better standards and playing a better brand of football than the last time we played them.

“It was a good team effort.

“It’s handy, it also means we’ve split the points with them this year.

“It was good for the young list with the hard work they’ve displayed during the season, it’s a nice reward for them.”

The second quarter was where Pakenham separated itself, opening up the game and creating scoring opportunities.

An area that Stanton cited last week proved to be important.

“We started to get a little bit of advantage in the midfield at the clearances,” he said of what worked in the second.

“We used the footy really well going inside 50, we took our opportunities and that enabled us to get a bit of a gap on them at halftime.”

Having Tanner Stanton back has unlocked the midfield group for the Lions, with the big-bodied

inside mid helping win clearances and burst through stoppages.

Since returning in round 15, Stanton has led Pakenham in disposals every game, including 30 possessions and a goal on Saturday.

“He’s been terrific, his leadership really helps our young midfield,” coach Stanton said of Tanner.

“He just plays his role consistently.

“We’ve been really impressed with how Luke Ryan’s been going, also Rhys Clacy, Ben Green, Bailey Stiles and Finn Nicholas, that’s our core midfield.

“Those guys have been really good all year long but they all have a point of difference and they all complement one another really well.”

Limiting Warburton Millgrove to just 38 points was another highlight for the Lions, by far the Burras’ lowest total for 2025.

Despite a good chunk of the backline personnel being quite young, the defence stood tall and restricted the high-powered forward presence of Warburton Millgrove.

This included holding Humphrey (second in league goalkicking) to just one goal.

“I thought our young defenders really stood up again,” Stanton said.

“When they’ve been challenged this year against top teams, they’ve really stood up which is pleasing.

“They (Warburton Millgrove) are number one for offence in the competition and for us to keep them to five goals, that was a terrific effort from the young defenders.”

Hall finished the afternoon with a bag of five goals in a season-best outing, but no other Pakenham player kicked more than one major.

Options were aplenty inside forward 50, with

usual-prominent forwards Sam Cachia only kicking one and Josh Haggar going goalless.

However, the spread is exactly what the coaching staff loves to see.

“To kick 12 goals for the game and have eight individual goalkickers, that was pleasing,” Stanton said.

“Planning to nullify our forwards is challenging for oppositions.

“We don’t have an obvious standout and statistically it shows that way.

“If we’ve got six, seven or eight different goalkickers each week, we’re going to be tough to beat.

“It’s certainly one of our strong attributes.”

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Belgrave punched its ticket to the finals with a monster performance against Yarra Junction, rolling the Eagles 23.16(154) to 7.9(51).

Nathan Power booted six goals while Kyle Nunn and skipper Liam Pemberton both slotted four majors.

Alexandra just got over the line against a streaking Yea to claim an important 9.2(56) to 7.12(54) triumph.

Skipper Edward Watkin put on a captain’s performance for the Rebels, booting five goals.

Yarra Glen got a comfortable 15.13(103) to 8.12(60) scalp over Powelltown with both sides set to play their final games for the season this weekend.

Seville had the bye.

Tigers and Bloods shake up ladder in hot sprint to finals

By Justin Schwarze

Everything is on the line with two rounds to go in the Outer East Premier Division.

The only certainty is Wandin will have the week off in the first round of finals with the Bulldogs disposing of Officer 26.18(174) to 11.13(79) at home in round 16.

A seven-goal first term from the hosts put the game out of reach early but Wandin showed no mercy by piling on 10 majors in the fourth.

Cody Hirst was the best afield for the Bulldogs with 44 disposals, six tackles and a goal.

Brodie Atkins nailed six majors and Aaron Mullett kicked five in return.

Lachie Ward provided a bright spot for the Kangaroos with the half forward producing a season-best output of five majors.

Emerging Officer youngster Diesel De Santis was yet again impressive, notching 19 possessions and two goals.

A desperate Emerald side gave Monbulk a real scare, leading at halftime before eventually falling 9.11(65) to 7.11(53) at Chandler Reserve.

The Bombers hit the front at the four-minute mark of the final term but the Hawks booted the final three goals of the match to claw out the victory.

Emerald must beat Upwey Tecoma this week to avoid being officially relegated to Division 1.

Woori Yallock put Gembrook Cockatoo to

Officer’s loss. (Gary Sissons: 486761)

the sword in the second quarter to keep the door open for the Bombers.

The Tigers slotted five goals in the second to lead 7.8(50) to 2.3(15) at halftime.

After Woori Yallock narrowly won the third, it got a very handy percentage boost by stringing together nine goals to none in the last, winning 20.16(136) to 5.9(39).

Taylor Gibson brought his season tally to 78 goals with a bag of five in the victory.

Healesville and Upwey Tecoma provided the competition with unexpected finals twists, as both sides shuffled the ladder by knocking off postseason-hopeful clubs.

Healesville came out on top in the battle of the Bloods by pulling out a 12.8(80) to 12.7(79) thrilling win over Olinda Ferny Creek at home.

The hosts came back from three goals down at halftime, grabbing the result to move back into the fifth and final postseason spot.

The ladder standing was also thanks to Upwey Tecoma handling business against Mount Evelyn, causing the Rovers to slide to sixth.

The Tigers trailed by four points at three quarter time on the road before booting three goals to one in the fourth and outlasting the hosts 10.12(72) to 9.8(62).

Round 17 holds some of the biggest matchups of the season, starting with second-placed Woori Yallock visiting Olinda Ferny Creek.

Mount Evelyn will look to return to the finals positions with a trip to fourth-placed Monbulk, but the Hawks are far from safe themselves.

Finally, Officer will host Healesville in what might seem like a business-as-usual result for the Bloods, but the Kangaroos secured a draw the last time the two met.

Pakenham hunted down first place on the ladder by knocking off the Burras. (495024)

Rhys Clacy fends off Warburton Millgrove’s Thomas Baker. (Rob Carew: 495024)

Lions eye first-place finish

By Justin Schwarze

Pakenham enjoyed a day of celebration and winning as the Lions commemorated multiple senior milestones with a win over Warburton Millgrove in round 17 of the Outer East Division 1 A Grade Netball competition.

For the last time this season, Pakenham took to the court at Toomuc Reserve and held off a very strong Burras side 41-33.

After leading by just one goal at quarter time, the hosts widened the margin to eight at halftime and 10 at three-quarter time.

In a low scoring contest, defence was crucial according to Lions head coach Matt Cooke.

“I think our defensive pressure was good, we’re a good defensive side in terms of turnover ball,” he said.

“We just had to focus on a far different defensive game in terms of pressure right on the very first pass they had.

“The girls certainly know they played because it was a grind from both sides, but it was a really good game.”

Despite generating a lot of turnovers in the first quarter, Pakenham couldn’t convert against a well-rounded Warburton Millgrove resistance.

Some on-court changes from Cooke were key to unlocking avenues to find options going forward.

“It was about the attacking mids identifying that Warburton had set up a really good defence system in the back third,” he noted.

“We had to change the way we brought the ball into the front third deliberately and it took a bit to get the girls on board with that consistently.

“We just stitched up and played a slightly different game and we actually put some smalls into the front half off the line.

“We normally have size to play a steady game but we needed some speed to get through that first line of defence.

“We had to prep more and be more efficient with the ball because it was low scoring.”

In the last matchup between the two, the Burras comfortably got the job done 54-36.

The victory means the Lions can still finish first on the year and earn a bye in the first week of finals.

“We were disappointed with the way we played

Outer East Netball Scoreboard

PREMIER

AGRADE

Healesville56vOlindaFernyCreek63,Emerald45vMonbulk56,MtEvelyn71vUpweyTecoma31,WooriYallock 58vGembrookCockatoo26,Wandin61vROC48.

BGRADE

Healesville14vOlindaFernyCreek82,Emerald50vMonbulk60,MtEvelyn61vUpweyTecoma24,WooriYallock 61vGembrookCockatoo41,Wandin38vROC66.

CGRADE

Emerald36vMonbulk26,MtEvelyn62vUpweyTecoma 14,WooriYallock34vGembrookCockatoo36,Wandin 35vROC33.Bye:OlindaFernyCreek.

DGRADE

Emerald21vMonbulk36,MtEvelyn29vUpweyTecoma 20,WooriYallock33vGembrookCockatoo26,Wandin15 vROC31.Bye:OlindaFernyCreek.

17UNDER

MtEvelyn51vWooriYallock26,Emerald26vMonbulk24, Wandin23vROCBlue55.Bye:ROCWhite.

15UNDER

WooriYallock17vROCWhite24,PakenhamMaroon25v MonbulkGold28,PakenhamGold20vMonbulkMaroon 43.Bye:ROCBlue.

DIVISION1

AGRADE

Pakenham41vWarburtonMillgrove33,YarraJunction 54vBelgrave35,Yea32vAlexandra58,YarraGlen83v Powelltown30.Bye:Seville.

BGRADE

Pakenham46vWarburtonMillgrove31,YarraJunction 31vBelgrave39,Yea38vAlexandra50,YarraGlen77v Powelltown33.Bye:Seville.

CGRADE

Pakenham34vWarburtonMillgrove22,YarraJunction 37vBelgrave27,Yea34vAlexandra43,YarraGlen68v Powelltown11.Bye:Seville.

DGRADE

Pakenham34vWarburtonMillgrove22,YarraJunction 24vBelgrave18,Yea17vAlexandra30,YarraGlen42v Powelltown11.Bye:Seville.

17UNDER

Powelltown24vAlexandra17,PakenhamGold34vWarburtonMillgrove18,PakenhamMaroon14vSeville44.

Warburton last time we played them,” Cooke said.

“We’ve had to change things across the year and set our trainings to make sure we peak at the right part of the year.

“We’d love a week’s break.”

Yarra Junction’s postseason bid was boosted with the Eagles taking down Belgrave 54-35.

However, Alexandra remained hot on Yarra Junction’s tracks as the Rebels dealt with Yea 5832.

Yarra Glen has fourth spot locked up and the River Pigs smashed Powelltown 83-30.

Seville had the bye.

In round 16 of the top flight, Emerald was handed its fifth loss of the season at the hands of Monbulk.

The excellent efforts from Brodie Smith, Krista Tomlinson and Erin Anzin weren’t enough for the Bombers as the Hawks led at every change and took the four points.

ROC put up a very admirable fight against second-placed Wandin, eventually going down 61-48.

Mitzi Henry, Isabella O’Shanassy and Leah

Mibus were all noteworthy in defeat. Gembrook Cockatoo was no match for a surging Woori Yallock with the Tigers claiming a 58-26 scalp.

Mary Miles, Jordan Leskie and Brylee O’Neil were best on court for the Brookers.

Olinda Ferny Creek just snuck by Healesville 63-56 on the road.

Mount Evelyn has one hand on the minor premiership as the Rovers rolled Upwey Tecoma 71-31.

Eliza Molino played a big role in Pakenham’s key victory over Warburton Millgrove. (Rob Carew: 493635)

Pakenham creates history

By Jonty Ralphsmith and Justin Schwarze Pakenham’s

ascension to champions

of Youth

League One was impressively rapid.

After coming up short in the big dance in 2024 in Youth League Two, the Warriors earned a spot in the qualification series to potentially earn a berth in a higher tier.

Braden Venning’s men won the qualification series in February, reaching the next flight of Big V basketball and creating a new challenge.

The season began on an incredible note, with Pakenham sending a message to the new competition landscape by winning its first three games with a point differential of plus-154.

Those wins included a 60-point thrashing of Westgate at its flag unveiling ceremony, a sign that the Warriors were not to be messed with in 2025.

The first hurdle came following that, with Ethan Small going down with a torn ACL and the team dropping its next three games.

But from there, different players emerged and the depth of the squad paired with Venning’s trust in his guys boosted Pakenham to win 14 of its next 16 games.

“We had lots of early challenges,” coach Venning said.

“Winning three then losing three, losing a guy like Ethan who has a high IQ.

“We learned a lot from the last year.

“Nothing massively changed but it lit a fire under the boys and made me a better coach.

“There’s no way in hell they were going to taste defeat again, we left no stone unturned.

“All the hours my coaching staff and players have put in, to see it pay off, especially after last year’s heartbreak, stepping up a division and having the same success and going one better is even better given it’s against better players, better coaches.

“To be part of Big V’s first championship winning team for Pakenham is something that will always be remembered, so I’m ecstatic.”

A dominant finals run ensued, beating Camberwell by 16 in the elimination final before dominating McKinnon by 26 and knocking off Ballarat by 22 in the grand final.

Aaron Small, Mitch Zeunert, Kaleb Beveridge and Mason Fraser were all named finalists for All Star Five, with Small also a finalist for Youth League One defensive player of the year.

Venning was also nominated as a finalist for coach of the year for the division, capping off a brilliant campaign.

GRAND FINAL GLORY

A dominant defensive effort aided Pakenham to hang its first ever Big V Championship banner in the rafters of Cardinia Life.

In the biggest game of the season, the Warriors stuck to their roots and changed nothing, feeding back into their DNA of defensive disruption and high pressure to knock off Ballarat.

The Miners trailed by just two at quarter time despite shooting the ball poorly, but the subpar shooting continued and high turnover rates in the second saw Pakenham take advantage and the margin ballooned to 22 at the half.

Ballarat seemed to wrestle back some mo-

mentum in front of a hostile crowd late in the third, boosted by Will Hynes, cutting the deficit to 14 after Jack Hexter capitalised on a Pakenham turnover.

Joseph Buckle pulled up and cashed out from deep early in the fourth to have the difference at 12, but timely shot making and a tightened mindset saw the Miners go scoreless over the next four minutes.

By that time, some Mason Fraser excellence from beyond the arc had swelled the Warriors’ buffer to over 25; and the celebrations began.

Pakenham eclipsed the title with a 93-71 triumph, holding Ballarat to below 34 percent shooting while forcing 24 turnovers.

The visitors especially struggled from downtown, going just 9/38 from three-point range.

Fraser led the champions in scoring with 25, while Aaron Small scored 18, Kaleb Beveridge provided 10 and Jarred Small popped for 15 off the bench.

Pakenham caught fire from deep in the contest, shooting 12/25 for the game with Jarred Small and Fraser combined going 8/13.

Another highlight defensively was limiting the impact of dynamic duo Hynes and NBL1-listed Ethan Fiegert.

Hynes got going in the second half, finishing with 28 points, eight rebounds and nine steals, but he shot below 50 percent from the field and recorded just one assist.

Fiegert was especially quiet, knocking down his first and only bucket very late in the third to end the night with just five points on 1/9 shooting.

“We wanted to keep Hynes and Fiegert out of

it,” coach Braden Venning said.

“Hynes got away in the second half but he only had one assist for the game which was huge.

“We focused on little things like disrupting opponents and having confidence that while we work hard to stop them, they have to stop us, so good luck when we come out and shoot 48.5 per cent from three.”

MASON’S MOMENT

Forty-four seconds of Mason Fraser magic broke the Pakenham curse and secured the Youth League 1 chip.

With 4:23 remaining, the grand final tension belied the relatively comfortable 16-point margin as Ballarat pressed with nothing to lose.

Enter Fraser, whose poise and confidence aroused teammates and arose the full house.

He bucketed a trio of threes in 44 seconds to extend the margin to an insurmountable 25 points, sending the crowd into raptures.

“When I saw the first one, I thought ‘that’s beautiful execution through their press’ then he immediately got a steal and I saw it happening I was like ’he’s gonna pull up on this one’ because that’s the confidence we have in him to do those things,” Venning said.

“When you have a guy like Mason, he has the ultimate green light so while it may not be the most fantastic shot you can create, it’s some of the most open shots you’ll get.”

Prior to the threes, Fraser got a driving layup to extend the margin from 14 to 16 points, an important stabiliser against the momentum, which laid the foundation for what followed.

“It was amazing,” Fraser said.

Clutch Small leads Pakenham to glory

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Pakenham’s Aaron Small took out the Grand Final MVP for his role in the Warriors 93-71 triumph over Ballarat at Cardinia Life on Saturday night.

Small finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and four steals, particularly influential in the first half as Pakenham opened up a match-winning lead.

“He was unbelievable all game and particularly early,” coach Braden Venning said.

“He had a point to prove early on, he was going straight at the rim, getting open shots everywhere.

“It felt like he barely missed a shot.

“He orchestrates our offence. He’s a hard guy

to guard.

“He does everything for us.”

It continued a trend of excellent finals performances for Small, who had 25 points and six rebounds in the semi final against McKinnon after an equal game-high 16 points in the first final against Camberwell.

At the business end of the season, Small always stood up when his team needed points or a big play.

“We’ve known this all year, his stats for the full year might not be the highest on the team but we’ve always known that in those big moments against the big teams, he’s the guy who steps up,” captain Kaleb Beveridge said.

“And he’s so deserving of the MVP award, I’m so proud of him.

“I think back to when I played with him at u18s, he was a role player coming off the bench and now he’s coming into a star.

“Next year, I’m so excited to see what he does.”

Small indicated that while not an ultimate goal, the accolade was a nice achievement and a result of his increasing self-belief.

“Taking the next step up to Youth League 1, you have to play that little bit different to youth two,” Small said.

“It was a work in progress to start the year but I feel like through effort and training, my confidence grew and it showed in games as well.

“My shots were dropping at the right time of year so I couldn’t be happier.”

“The crowd really helped and my teammates did too.

“They pushed me all year and to get the nerves out in this game and hit some shots helped me ease into the game and I took it all in.”

When he got a steal and a fast break layup in the third, it felt like Pakenham had broken Ballarat - the margin, given the Miners’ offensive impotency to that point, felt too great.

But Ballarat got within 12 in the last quarter before Fraser sealed it, those crucial points taking him to a team-high 25 points to complement brave defending which wasn’t reflected in the box score, and was a big reason Ballarat was kept to just eight second quarter points.

“His defence was changing the game,” Venning said.

“He was making (Ky) Swards and (Joseph) Buckle uncomfortable every time they were on the court.

“He plays really smart, physical defence and he disrupted a lot of their offence.”

It came after a brilliant semi-final performance in a season where he’s grown arguably more than any other Warrior in 2025 to lead the league in threes.

Having made the step up to Division 1 seamlessly and earned more minutes, Fraser’s progress has mirrored the team’s which has them just one qualification series win away from Youth League Championship Division.

“I said to him, that’s the first time I’ve seen him smile on a basketball court,” captain Kaleb Beveridge said.

“He’s a serious guy and works so hard so it was so cool to see him get that moment.”

Aaron Small took home MVP with an outstanding all-around performance. (Melissa Sudero)

The moment the Pakenham Warriors wrote themselves into the history books and became Big V Champions. (Melissa Sudero)