Volunteers at Transit Soup Kitchen are pictured preparing for their 6pm groceries distribution in Narre Warren. Michelle Pinxt, Transit’s Grants and Community Relations Officer says that turnout for both the dinner service and fresh food distribution has dramatically increased in the last six months and that the cost of living has meant many Casey residents are not able to afford basic food necessities.
(Stewart Chambers: 508538)
By Jensy Callimootoo
outrage online.
The fate of Milly, Murphy’s sister, is also up in the air despite her foster parent claiming she exhibited no alarming behaviour. She is now being monitored by the shelter’s behavioural team in a private home and no decision has been made on her fate. The online community is urging the shelter to
elaborate on why alarms were raised by the Lost Dogs Home’s behavioural assessment team. Purcell ignited attention on Murphy and Milly’s case with a statement from Murphy’s foster parents, saying that they “begged” the shelter to reconsider the decision to euthanise him.
The shelter has released multiple statements since the online attention, saying their decision to put down Murphy “was based on multiple sources of information on an ongoing basis and clear behavioural indicators that made him unsuitable for rehoming”.
More on the story, turn to page 3
By Jensy Callimootoo
Casey Council has hosted a civic event to recognise the emergency food relief providers tackling an entrenched cost-of-living crisis.
The event ties in with the council’s new food security advocacy program for greater funding and support for organisations such as OzHarvest, Transit Soup Kitchen and Casey North Community Information and Support Services (CISS).
It follows the 2024 Annual Household Survey that revealed 40 per cent of Casey’s residents had experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months.
Casey mayor Stefan Koomen called for systemic change to tackle rising cost of living that often leads to food insecurity.
“These numbers are confronting,” he said.
“But Casey has one of the largest and diverse food relief programs.”
Michelle Pinxt, who works at Transit Soup Kitchen in Narre Warren, says the soup kitchen works as both a ‘sit down’ meal service twice a week and fresh groceries distribution which runs three times a week.
The sit down meals aim to combat the isolation associated with food insecurity, bringing a sense of community and the opportunity to form relationships.
“We often have people that are completely isolated, whether they’re homeless… or pensioners who haven’t spoken to anyone else all week,” she said.
“There’s a whole array of people that just need a friendly ear, a table and a three course hot meal with a cup of tea, just to chat.”
Transit has also recently expanded their services in various areas by working with different agencies and organisations.
“Often, the biggest challenge isn’t just knowing what support exists, it’s being able to access it.
“Many of our guests face complex issues like homelessness, domestic violence, mental health challenges, or visa uncertainty.
“By bringing agencies like Centrelink, Monash Health, Peninsula Community Legal Centre, NDIS coordinators, My Aged Care, Optometrists…directly into Transit, we’re able to create a single, trusted point of connection.
“There’s no paperwork to navigate, no red tape, no need to book weeks in advance, people can sit down and have a conversation in a space where they already feel safe and supported.”
But despite the extra support, Pinxt says Tran-
sit has seen a significant increase in demand for food relief assistance in the last six months.
And with the cost of living, the growing need is not being adequately met.
Helen Small, who is chief executive at CISS, also says a lack of funding is the main challenge in food emergency relief as demand continues to grow.
“People are coming in dire need… and the increase in homelessness is frightening,” Small said.
Both Small and Pinxt agree a greater effort is needed to improve the unpredictability of food input and distribution.
Ozharvest’s Melbourne manager Christine Crowley, who was also at the council event, says there needs to be greater transparency in how food relief organisations can help each other.
Pinxt championed this call, saying that there needs to be an “ecosystem of support”, where the strengths, knowledge and expertise of each organisation are able to be platformed and shared with each other.
“Everyone can bring something to the table, no matter what size of a food bank… knowledge and resources combined are much more powerful,” Pinxt said.
Along with awareness raising and urging the State and Commonwealth Government for greater funding, Casey plans to host two roundtable events in 2026 to bring together food relief providers to collectively problem solve.
Nominations for the 2026 Casey Community Awards are open until Monday 20 October.
The Casey Community Awards are a chance to formally recognise the everyday heroes who make our city a better place to live.
These can include a tireless volunteer, a passionate professional, or a dedicated community member – anyone who goes above and beyond.
Nominations for the 2026 Awards are open to all Casey residents across the following categories:
- Casey Citizen of the Year
- Casey Young Citizen of the Year
- Casey Senior of the Year
- Casey Woman of the Year
- Casey Environment and Sustainability Champion
- Casey Equity and Inclusion Award
- Lindsay King Art Award
- Casey Community Group of the Year
For more information and to submit a nomination, visit casey.vic.gov.au/casey-community-awards
If you need assistance with writing your nomination, call 9705 5200.
A much-hyped underground rail service will open with a soft-launch timetable before moving to turn-up-and-go trains.
Melbourne’s $15 billion Metro Tunnel will open to the public in early December, with 240 extra services to run alongside the existing timetable for the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
Extra services in the “summer start” period will run every 20 minutes from 10am to 3pm between Westall and West Footscray on weekdays.
Weekend services will run every 20 minutes from 10am to 7pm between Westall and West Footscray, every 40 minutes from East Pakenham and 60 minutes from Sunbury.
Regular Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham services will continue to run through the City Loop until the full turn-up-and-go timetable takes effect on Sunday, 1 February.
Those lines will ripped out of the loop at that point, with trains running through the Metro Tunnel three-to-four minutes apart during peak times.
Frankston services will return to the loop as the entire network’s timetable is overhauled. The state government has been tight-lipped on the exact opening date for months, only willing to say it would be later in 2025.
Addressing Labor faithful and media, Premier Jacinta Allan said the summer start was key to the tunnel opening safer, smoother and sooner.
“It’s been the honour of my life to see this project through,” she said on Tuesday.
The project features five new underground stations and will connect through twin nine-kilometre tunnels under the city.
The Metro Tunnel was originally costed at $10.9 billion when it was first announced in the 2016 state budget, but several escalations have pushed the price tag for taxpayers to $13.48 billion.
But the total construction bill is beyond $15 billion after factoring in extra payments from builders.
Another $727 million was set aside in the May budget to operationalise the project.
Early works construction on the mega project began in April 2017, with tunnelling getting underway in August 2019.
The final two completed stations at Town Hall and State Library were unveiled on Sunday and Monday.
Major construction on the Anzac, Parkville and Arden was completed in 2024. Test trains have been running through the tunnels since June 2023. Drivers were stranded for hours in September after electromagnetic interference led to a shutdown.
Sydney Metro opened to much fanfare in August 2024 and the Allan Labor government will be hoping for a similar boost before heading to the polls in November 2026.
By Jensy Callimootoo
The decision to euthanise a 12-week-old Staffordshire cross puppy, Murphy, by the Lost Dogs Home has sparked an online campaign to save Murphy’s sister, Milly from the same fate.
The protest online was sparked when Animal Justice MP, Georgia Purcell, revealed that Murphy was put down despite his full health and the pleas of his foster parents.
The shelter has since released two statements saying their decision to put down Murphy was based on several behaviour assessments undertaken by experts that indicated Murphy was unsuitable for rehoming.
Under the Victorian Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds, “we cannot rehome animals who are aggressive, anti-social, or who have known vices,” the statement said.
“We would not be meeting our obligations regarding community safety if we transferred an animal who we consider unsuitable for rehoming based on our expert behaviour assessment processes.”
It is unclear what qualities Murphy demonstrated that led to the outcome, but the shelter has stated the risks identified were considered “too significant to responsibly transfer him to a rescue group.”
In a new statement released on 3 October, the shelter said Murphy’s behaviour was examined across various circumstances including “shelter intake, medical history, veterinary handling and structured behavioural assessments”.
Milly is being assessed under the same criteria as Murphy, but the shelter has stated she is currently staying at a private home.
And that information is being collected from her past caregivers to best assess her outcome.
“We’ll continue to monitor and review her behaviour. Our aim will be to understand more about her personality, temperament and motivations.”
The shelter hasn’t released a timeframe for when Milly’s outcome will be released, stating each case is context-specific. Isabella Gabriele, who lives in Langwarrin, fostered Milly for six days and has been a foster carer to 17 dogs prior, said that Milly, during her stay, exhibited no alarming behaviour that would indicate she was aggressive.
Gabriele brought Milly back to the Cranbourne shelter due to her teething on electrical wires.
She was concerned about Milly’s safety when left alone during working hours and decided it was best to contact the shelter. “The other puppies that I’ve had would chew on toys or beds… whereas Millie was adamant on the fact that
she liked electrical cords… but it was all puppy chewing. It wasn’t aggressive,” she said.
But Milly’s teething raised concerns for the behaviouralist at the shelter.
“Now the Lost Dogs Home is calling that fear anxiety or fear aggression…” Gabriele said.
Gabriele also had two other dogs in the home, a male golden retriever and a female Bull Arab cross, who she says got along well with Milly.
The shelter told Gabriele that 60 per cent of genetics related to aggression is inherited by the offspring, which is why all three of these puppies have raised particular concern.
Both Murphy’s mother and an unnamed brother have also been put down due to behavioural issues.
The unnamed brother raised alarms when he killed a kitten during his foster stay.
Gabriele says that The Lost Dogs Home’s pathway team has been cooperative and “have been lovely” in keeping her updated but it’s still unclear how much longer Milly’s assessment will be.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
who had fallen out with a Hallam couple and set fire to their home has been jailed for up to eight years.
Father-of-four Jagath Mallikarachichi, 52, formerly of Clyde North, was sentenced at the Victorian County Court on 2 October after pleading guilty to arson.
A hoodie-clad and heavily drunk Mallikarachichi broke into his sister-in-law and husband’s rental house, pouring petrol in two bedrooms and setting it alight about 9.10am on 15 April 2024.
He destroyed most of their possessions, valued at $174,516, including irreplaceable items such as a wedding dress, valuable jewellery and cricket trophies.
About $90,000 of cricket gear, imported from India in order to sell, perished in the blaze.
The uninsured couple’s finances and plans to buy a house were scuttled.
The brother-in-law stated to the court that he didn’t understand why someone would want to take everything away from them.
The property’s landlord submitted it would cost nearly $42,000 to demolish the dwelling and another $407,000 to rebuild.
In sentencing, judge Gabriele Cannon commended a passer-by who bravely burst into the flaming house, yelled out to anyone who might have been trapped inside and called triple-0.
At the time of the arson, the home was va-
cant due to the couple holidaying in Sri Lanka - as Mallikarachichi well knew.
He had argued with them after they declined his request to take certain items to Sri Lanka on his behalf.
He was said to be jealous of the husband’s cricketing achievements. A violent outburst had forced his sister-in-law to move out of the family home and he was snubbed from the couple’s wedding invitations.
When arrested, Mallikarachichi was living in
a motel.
He lied to police that he was possibly at a doctor’s appointment or restaurant during the fire. His guilty plea came at a late stage, after Judge Cannon ruled his previous arsons were admissible evidence in front of a yet-to-be empaneled jury.
Mallikarachichi had been convicted for starting a diesel fire outside his ex-partner’s bedroom window, causing it to explode in 2009.
After drinking heavily, he set fire to a Lilydale
shopping centre in 2014 after losing his job as a cleaner.
Breaching intervention orders, thefts, unlawful assault and handling stolen goods were among his other past offending.
Judge Cannon said Mallikarachichi’s arsons were part of a pattern of “extremely concerning behaviour”.
She rated his rehabilitation prospects as “guarded”, with drinking a continual problem. He’d since shown little remorse for his victims, she said.
Judge Cannon dismissed a defence submission that his latest arson was an “impulsive” act fuelled by drunkenness and his ADHD.
He had pre-meditated committing a criminal offence, she stated.
As shown by parking his car some distance away from the couple’s home and covering his face with a hoodie before breaking in. It was unclear whether he’d brought the petrol used in the fire. His behaviour was disinhibited due to his intoxication, but he was aware of his tendency to commit such offences when drunk, Judge Cannon said.
In future, his intoxication could be considered an aggravating factor if it was part of any further offending.
Mallikarachichi was jailed for eight years, with a five-year-and-three-month non-parole period. His term includes 484 days of pre-sentence detention.
By Corey Everitt
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale has announced she will not recontest in 2026.
Ms Crugnale has served the seat of Bass since 2018 and now joins several current Labor MPs who have announced their intention to step away from Parliament after the next state election, including Pakenham MP Emma Vulin.
Taking to social media on Thursday 2 October, Ms Crugnale said her term has been a “privilege” and thanked the many local groups she has worked with over the years.
“You are the sustained sparks of positive change that have enabled so much to be delivered: new and upgraded schools, expanded hospitals, road reconfiguring and duplications, new sporting pavilions, oval lights, nets and courts, boat ramps galore, inter-town trails, community hubs, more gigs in pubs, early parenting centres, new and upgraded emergency services brigades, units and stations, more social housing and support for vulnerable people, improved planning outcomes and protections for our beautiful environment,” she said.
Ms Crugnale is the first Labor member for Bass, having achieved an upset victory in 2018 with a 6.9 per cent swing against the Liberal incumbent. She successfully retained her seat in 2022 for a second and now final term.
Today, the Bass electorate covers over a thousand square kilometres from Phillip Island, Wonthaggi, through Kooweerup to Clyde.
Before 2022, the seat also covered areas of Pakenham and Officer where she saw the completion of the Cardinia Road bridge and the start of the level crossing removals through the rest of town.
Premier Jacinta Allan said Ms Crugnale embodies Labor values.
“Every day, she has been guided by her values, and her strong sense of community,” Premier Al-
lan said.
“I hope she’s incredibly proud of her contribution as the Member for Bass.”
Prior to Spring Street, Ms Crugnale was a councillor for Bass Coast where she served as mayor in the 2015-16 term.
In her career outside politics, she held a number of different roles in a variety of areas, including education, aid, the arts and mental health.
Ms Crugnale is the daughter of a working-class Italian family; her parents migrated from Abruzzo, in central Italy, in the early 60s, where her dad worked as a builder and her mum taught Italian in schools.
She will remain in office until the November 2026 state election, where she will not nominate for preselection.
In her announcement, she thanked her party colleagues and the support of her family, including her two boys, Luciano and Augustus.
“To the people of Bass, right across the electorate past and present – from Pakenham and Clyde North through to our coastal villages, Pearcedale and Devon Meadows, Kooweerup and surrounds over to the Bass Coast - thank you for trusting me with this extraordinary responsibility. Serving you as your local member has been an honour and a joy,” Ms Crugnale said.
The seats of Pakenham and Bass are two of the most marginal seats in Victoria, held by a 300 and 200-vote margin, respectively.
Both will see new candidates seeking to maintain Labor’s hold next year.
By Corey Everitt
Local electorates look set to host some of Victoria’s fiercest battles at the next state election, as mortgage belts like the South East are becoming key targets for victory in 2026.
Last week, both Pakenham MP Emma Vulin and Bass MP Jordan Crugnale announced they would not recontest their respective seats. This leaves the two most marginal electorates in Victoria without incumbents.
Held by just over 300 and 200 votes respectively, these contests will see both major parties prosecuting their platforms with a new slate of faces.
The latest polling by Redbridge, conducted in September, shows Labor still holds a lead in the two-party preferred vote, 52 to 48.
However, the primary vote results suggest that both major parties have an opportunity to regain public sentiment. Voters are continuing to shift toward third parties, which now account for nearly a fifth of the primary vote in current polling.
Traditional heartlands are changing.
One Liberal MP, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the South East and outer Melbourne more broadly are emerging as critical opportunities for the party.
“The key indicator of whether or not a seat is going to be Liberal is not actually wealth anymore. It’s home ownership, because home ownership has become just so out of reach,” they said.
“What that shows is our heartland is shifting away from the inner suburbs to places where people can actually aspire and get ahead. In my opinion, and in the view of many others, that includes areas like the West, the South East and the East.”
The Werribee by-election in February this year showed that even Labor strongholds can be vulnerable. The 10 per cent margin held by the retired Tim Pallas in 2022 was reduced to less than one per cent.
The 16 per cent swing against Labor only translated into a 3 per cent increase for the Liberal Party in the primary vote.
Pakenham and Bass electorates are said to be must-win seats for the 2026 state election. Pictured: Premier
A third of the vote went to third parties, and Labor narrowly retained the seat through preference flows.
The Liberal Party would need to win 16 more seats to form government in 2026.
Head of Politics at Monash University, Dr
A Beaconsfield man’s attempts at a roadside repair have cost him an $814 fine from EPA Victoria, after his van dumped fuel on someone’s driveway.
fuel
and
Zareh Ghazarian, said seats like Pakenham and Bass are “must-wins” for the opposition.
“Looking at the outer metropolitan electorates, that’s where the marginal seats are,” he said.
“A lot has to go right for the Coalition to win, but the resignation of the Pakenham and Bass MPs does, you would think, level the playing field somewhat.”
By Violet Li
Applicants behind a proposed Hindu temple in Cranbourne South have questioned the state tribunal for rejecting the permit.
Last week, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) overturned Casey Council’s decision to grant a permit to a Hindu temple at 104 Browns Road in Cranbourne South’s green wedge zone. Tribunal member Cassandra Rea believed it was not the right location for a temple.
Sandeep Gupta, a volunteer with the temple applicant Shri Ram Janaki Charitable Trust Melbourne, stated that he was not comfortable with the judgment on a point-by-point basis, especially with the findings on the traffic management plan.
The access point for cars changed several times during the hearing.
Initially, the applicant proposed an access from Kelly Road for its 17 parking spaces. Casey Council then approved the permit with the site’s existing Browns Road access.
However, towards the end of the hearing, the council changed its position, supporting a new crossover back to Kelly Road.
Member Rea rejected both options.
Member Rea reasoned that during her site inspection, she observed “vehicle movement along Browns Road moving very swiftly and efficiently at speed“, convinced the access would not be safe.
Member Rea noted that the road was earmarked to become a four-lane arterial under the Botanic Ridge Precinct Structure Plan. She further found that using the existing farm gate on Browns Road without a properly formed crossover was inappropriate for the expected traffic level, coupled with nearby residential growth, while the Kelly Road access could disturb the amenity of nearby semi-rural properties, especially during evening activities.
Member Rea also pointed out she “did not
have the benefit of any traffic engineering evidence“ as the traffic report that accompanied the hearing was based on access from Kelly Road, not Browns Road.
In response to Member Rea’s reasoning, Mr Gupta said: “If they think 17 cars are too much of a traffic to deal with on the Browns Road, God bless them.“
Mr Gupta claimed that, given there are so many developments happening on Browns Road, including a future housing estate right
opposite their site, the current speed limit of 80km/h will likely be reduced in the future.
He said the logic Member Rea applied in the ruling gave them the impression that she would not allow any development piece in that entire area.
“If the traffic is beyond these many cars, probably we need to have a reduced speed limit. Instead of 80km/h, it becomes 70km/h just to make it much safer,“ he said.
“There are ways to deal with it, rather than
outright rejecting the entire application.“
Mr Gupta was also disappointed at the VCAT’s ruling that the proposed temple would not be of “net community benefit“ due to the “poor locational attributes, traffic issues, and the visual impact of the car park“.
He said the temple would be a community service that helps people with their mental issues.
Rajesh Tiwari, president of Shri Ram Janaki Charitable Trust Melbourne, said they had spent more than $100,000 plus efforts on this temple application.
They purchased the five-acre land in 2023 and proposed converting a shed, hidden behind a multi-storey house, into a temple.
Casey Council initially approved the permit in September 2024, but neighbouring residents challenged the decision at VCAT.
The green wedge in Casey South, also known as Western Port Green Wedge, has seen several temple applications in recent years, prompting local community opposition.
Mr Gupta said temple applications vary on an individual basis.
He noted that Mornington Peninsula Council rejected the $4.5 million Pearcedale temple after they did their due diligence and figured out that it was not the right place, while they secured the Casey Council’s approval in the first place.
“When this land was bought, we learned that it was not forbidden for the temple. It says the temple can be constructed,“ Mr Gupta said.
The Trust now plans to consult town planners and lawyers to determine the next steps following the VCAT rejection.
VCAT was contacted for comment, but it is not standard practice for VCAT Members to provide additional comments in respect of a matter outside of their rulings.
To read the previous story on the proposed Cranbourne South temple, visit cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au/news/2025-1001/second-temple-rejection-in-two-months/
By Violet Li
Casey residents have expressed mixed reactions to the Federal Government’s new 5 per cent deposit scheme, with some calling it a lifeline for first home buyers and others warning it could drive property prices higher and worsen affordability.
From 1 October, eligible first-time buyers can purchase a home with as little as a 5 per cent deposit, without the need for Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). The government provides a guarantee to participating lenders if a default occurs.
The new scheme removes the income cap, offers unlimited spots, and raises the property price caps.
In Victoria, the cap is $950,000 for Melbourne and regional centres and $650,000 elsewhere.
Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said in a media release that it was really tough for young people trying to get into the housing market, and expanding this scheme meant thousands more Australians could stop paying off someone else’s mortgage and start building equity in their own home.
“That will cut the average time it takes to save a deposit from 11 years down to just 2 or 3, which will mean the difference between being stuck renting in your thirties or owning your own place,” she said.
Hampton Park father of two Insaf Wazeer hoped the program would help his family buy their first home in the surrounding area, but said borrowing limits and high housing prices still remained the biggest obstacles.
“I just calculated our borrowing power, and borrowing was only like $500,000,” he said.
“The housing prices are skyrocketing. For a budget of $600,000 to $700,000, you could have gone for a house before if you’d been buying a few years ago in the area. But now I think all your options are to go for a townhouse or a unit.
“I think this new scheme will bring people into the market earlier. Other than that, the price can go up as well.”
However, Cranbourne resident Emily Bushell, who purchased her first home in 2022 under the same scheme, said the scheme made home own-
ership possible when saving a 20 per cent deposit nowadays felt out of reach.
She said getting into the market was the biggest struggle.
“The issue we had when we were purchasing was actually all the investors. So, we would get priced out immediately because of the investors, because they would overcapitalise,” she recalled.
“When we were going through purchasing a property, we purchased something that wasn’t even our, let’s say, dream property, if that’s the right word.
“It was simply: Let’s get into the market. Otherwise, these house prices keep going up.
“We have to get in at some point.”
She said the default risk was always there, no matter how much deposit you put in, and the banks still applied strict assessments to ensure borrowers could meet repayments and warned buyers to plan for extra fees like conveyancing and inspections.
As of December 2024, Housing Monitor reports the median house price in Casey at $736,000 and the median unit price at $550,000, with house prices rising 4.2 per cent annually over the past five years, compared to 2.6 per cent in Greater Melbourne.
On the income side, the median weekly household income, reported by the 2021 census, is $1,918.
Berwick father Wes Smith has been digging into the numbers because his three children will be looking to buy their first homes in the next few years.
“On the surface, it sounds like a game-changer, but once you look at the actual numbers — the repayments, the costs on top of the deposit, and what banks will actually lend on an entry-level wage — it quickly becomes clear that affordability is still the major hurdle,” he said.
Mr Smith calculated that a $650,000 house on a 30-year loan at 6 per cent would cost about
$3,700 a month, with total repayments of $1.33 million on a roughly $615,000 loan.
It means over the life of the loan, his children would pay the bank more in interest than the original loan itself.
“I just feel like it’s a massive trap being thrown out by the government and also a policy that is going to drive current house prices far higher again,” Mr Smith said.
“I’ve been looking at how house prices in areas like Casey and Cardinia have grown over the last 20 to 25 years compared with wages and the cost of living. Back then, you could buy a typical house for three or four times the average income.
“Now it’s closer to seven times. That difference really highlights why, even with a smaller deposit requirement, it’s still such a stretch for young buyers to get in.”
For Dingley Village resident Steve Adams, the new scheme is likely to make housing affordability worse while adding to the structural imbalance between first home buyers and investors.
“In fact, anytime we try and help first home buyers, it tends to have this perverse idea of increasing house prices, which then encourages other investors to actually buy houses,” he said.
“When house prices are going up six, seven, eight per cent a year, that then becomes enticing to bring people into the housing market who are not necessarily first home buyers.”
Mr Adams likened the effect to past grants, such as the early 2000s First Home Owner Grant, which coincided with house prices jumping up to 15 per cent a year.
“Governments have this dilemma, and the dilemma is that they believe that if house prices go down, then the economy will go bad,” he said.
Monash University associate professor Duncan Maxwell of the Art, Design and Architecture faculty said addressing housing affordability also requires bold action on supply.
“However, demand-side schemes alone won’t fix the shortage,” he said.
“Without urgent supply-side innovation within the sector, affordability pressures will continue, and the benefits of home buyer assistance will remain short-lived.”
By Afraa Kori
Housing targets are falling behind in our own backyard, putting families at risk and threatening affordability and local infrastructure.
It comes after The Age reported that three-quarters of Melbourne councils are falling behind their quotas, with the city projected to be 500,000 homes short of its 2051 target of 1.7 million dwellings.
Premier Jacinta Allan first announced the quotas in 2024 as part of Labor’s plan to build 800,000 homes over the next decade, but approvals have slowed sharply.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics expects fewerthan45,000homestobeapprovedin2024—
well below the government’s 80,000-a-year target.
In the 12 months to June 2025, Cardinia Shire approved 1,425 new dwellings, while building surveyors approved 3,627 new dwellings in Casey.
Both councils remain well short of their 2051 targets, with Cardinia forecast to reach 7,050 homes against a target of 30,000, and Casey projected to deliver 7,172 homes against a target of 87,000.
According to Casey Council, new dwelling approvals are dependent on a number of factors, including economic conditions and available zoned land supply, and will vary year to year.
Casey is awaiting the release of the State’s Housing Capacity Assessment Platform tool be-
fore the end of the year, which will assist in understanding and implementing their housing target.
Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen said Casey is confident it could meet its housing targets with the right support and reforms from the State Government and continued investment from the housing sector.
“We want Casey to be a welcoming, affordable city, especially for first home buyers and young families, and we continue to call for a more co-ordinated way to work together to unlock new homes in Casey.”
Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Cr Jack Kowarzik also warned residents would be left behind without significant infrastructure funding.
“We support the objective of creating housing
choice where there is existing and planned infrastructure, public transport, jobs and services,” Cr Kowarzik said.
“However, to accommodate the housing targets for Cardinia, additional investment and support is needed to ensure new and existing residents have the same quality of life as people in more established local government areas.
“This requires State and Federal government investment in infrastructure to keep up with demand for new roads, parks, sporting facilities and other amenities.”
The State Government and housing advocates told The Age it is too early to judge the program, while critics said red tape and taxes on developers are stifling construction.
Wellsprings for Women have extended their advocacy towards justice and equality through the launch of its very first Reconciliation Action Plan.
The organisation, led and ran by women for women, particularly empowering individuals from refugee and migrant backgrounds, have formally launched the first stage of RAP which is Reflect.
The milestone event was held at Barton Primary School in Cranbourne which featured a Welcome to Country with a smoking ceremony by the Bunurong Land Council.
Wellsprings CEO Dr Dalal Smiley said the RAP reflects the organisation’s long-term commitment to reconciliation. Since Wellsprings first opened its doors in 1994, it’s welcomed women of all walks of life and Sister Ann Halpin worked closely with Aboriginal women, recognising the importance of linking the past with the present and the future.
“Our RAP formally commits Wellsprings to embedding reconciliation in every part of our work, and ensuring migrant and refugee women connect with and learn from the world’s oldest continuing culture.
“It is important for us to be reminded that
even if, as migrant wome,n we were not directly involved in the process of colonisation of this country, nevertheless, we are complicit in living on unprecedented land and we need to do our part in being positive and constructive allies to our First Nations sisters.”
The launch was widely attended by MPs such as Pauline Richards, Belinda Wilson, Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples The Hon Christine Couzens MP, City of Casey councillor Jennifer Dizon and the school’s principal Ben Vevers.
They all commended the organisation for taking on the first step in recognising the significance of reconciliation.
Christine Couzens MP congratulated Wellsprings on its leadership.
“RAPs are a powerful way for organisations to walk alongside First Peoples in respect and partnership.
“Wellsprings’ work with migrant and refugee women adds a unique dimension to reconciliation.”
The Reflect RAP commits Wellsprings to a series of actions over the next 18 months, including cultural awareness training for staff, partnerships with Aboriginal organisations and businesses,
and programs that strengthen connections between Aboriginal and multicultural communities.
The Reflect stage is considered the “groundwork” of listening, building trust and ensuring respectful and sustained actions are carried throughout.
Robyn Erwin, who chaired the RAP Working Group, outlined the process of developing the plan and the actions Wellsprings is taking.
“Our Reflect RAP focuses on building relationships, showing respect, creating opportunities,
and strengthening governance.
“This is not a tick-box exercise – it is about genuine learning, solidarity, and change.
“Already, we are embedding reconciliation in practical ways, such as a new playgroup that introduces Aboriginal culture and activities for children from multicultural backgrounds.”
Also endorsed by reconciliation Australia, the Reflect stage allows organisations as this one to build foundational relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, develop cultural understanding, reflect meaningfully on Australia’s true history and what reconciliation looks like in practice and much more.
Mr Vevers, principal of Barton Primary School, reinforced the importance of reconciliation in education and community life.
“We can’t really be talking or working with other cultures before we reconcile with our own. I congratulate Wellsprings on the RAP as a very important milestone in their journey of reconciliation.”
Wellsprings also acknowledged Gunditjmara artist Mila Austin, who gifted original artwork for the RAP, symbolising women’s journeys, resilience, and solidarity.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A 20-year-old armed robber’s allegation of being ferociously assaulted during a citizen’s arrest in Dandenong South has been dismissed by a Victorian judge.
Andrya Oshla, of Clyde North, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to the armed robbery of two children aged 13 and 14 on their bikes on Gladstone Road on 4 November 2024.
Backed by Oshla’s phone footage, a defence lawyer argued that Oshla was unreasonably restrained by passers-by.
But the submissions of Oshla “being struck with ferocity appeared to be something of an overstatement”, sentencing judge Michael Tinney stated on 25 September.
Oshla suffered no injury during the arrest, but for a possible cut lip and some “transient discomfort”.
The judge noted that a passer-by took a “couple of short swings” against a struggling Oshla, which was “not greatly, if at all, out of order”.
“I do not regard them as an assault in any fashion at all.
“The better view of it is having committed a serious crime, you were very swiftly apprehended, firstly by a couple of pretty burly civilians using some physical force and then by police, leading in to a night in custody for you.
“This all up unpleasant experience was one that may play a role in deterring you in the future.”
Oshla’s “brief aggression or non-compliance” at the scene, included claims of “lunging or pushing” or “spitting”.
He disabled location services, told the boy to sign out of iCloud and threatened the pair with harm if they “snitched” on him.
Soon after, the boy’s fathers and a step-mother tracked the phone’s last known location and confronted Oshla, who was at a bus stop on Brady Road.
After his arrest, the “youthful first offender” spent a night in custody and had been released on bail since then.
At the time, he possessed a bottle of merlot –though it was unclear whether it was empty. He was also found with cannabis.
At the age of 3, Oshla migrated with family to Australia in 2007. He was born in Egypt where his mother settled to escape civil war in South Sudan.
A talented basketballer and Australian citizen, Oshla had represented Australia at junior level and had a college sporting scholarship in the ACT.
Judge Tinney noted Oshla’s guilty plea as well as his letter of apology as evidence of remorse. He rated Oshla as “quite a low” risk of reoffending, with no prior convictions, and “favourable” rehabilitation prospects.
Judge Tinney described the knife as a “sizeable, nasty-looking weapon”.
“They had seen or were aware of one knife. Might you have had another? How could they know? They were acting on reports that you had committed armed robbery.”
During the robbery, Oshla wore a ski mask as
One of the witnesses picked up a knife that spilled from Oshla’s pocket and held it behind their back.
he approached the two boys who had stopped on their bikes on a footpath about 2.41pm.
Judge Tinney rejected the “vague, if not forlorn, suggestion” by Oshla’s lawyer that the robber was wearing a mask because he might have been cold that afternoon.
Oshla snatched one of the boy’s phones and demanded the passcode while flashing part of the knife in his pocket.
Noting the “clamour” for punishing youth crime, Judge Tinney said it could be counter-productive to incarcerate a youthful offender for the community’s protection.
“You are plainly not inherently criminal, though you have committed a serious crime.
“You are not a member of some gang.” Oshla was placed on a three-and-a-halfyear supervised community corrections order, including 350 hours of unpaid work as well as mental health and drug-and-alcohol treatment.
By Afraa Kori
Graffiti defacing the Clyde Road overpass in Berwick will be removed, following advocacy from the Casey Residents & Ratepayers Association (CRRA), Opposition Leader MP Brad Battin and Casey Council.
They welcomed the Department of Transport and Planning’s (DTP) commitment to remove the graffiti.
CRRA vice-president Anthony Tassone described it as “another little win for the community”.
“It’s a much-needed outcome that local residents have long been calling for, and it demonstrates that community voices can lead to real action,” he said.
In August, the CRRA wrote to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams MP calling for the removal of graffiti on the relatively new rail bridge, which had been vandalised extensively and negatively impacted the community’s appearance and sense of civic pride.
This situation has left a visible eyesore—one
that Berwick MP and Victorian Opposition leader Brad Battin cautioned against as a symbol of the State Government deprioritising protection of public property.
Casey Cr Scott Dowling initially raised concerns with Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) and Public Transport Victoria (PTV), who responded that non-offensive graffiti on state-owned structures is not required to be removed.
Despite the council’s “zero-tolerance“ stance on vandalism and their offer to assist with removal, they have reportedly been refused permission.
Earlier this month, DTP confirmed in a letter that Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) have been working through this process and the graffiti at this location will be removed.
The letter initially said the graffiti would be removed by 10 October, however, a later email clarified that it would be expected in the ‘coming weeks’.
Mr Tassone criticised the policy that only graffiti deemed “offensive” is prioritised.
“For too long, there has been an acceptance of only removing what is deemed ’offensive’
graffiti as needing attention,” he said.
This approach contributed to delays, leaving graffiti visible for an extended period at the Clyde Road overpass.
DTP explained in a letter that: “MTM is required to remove offensive graffiti in the rail reserve, outside of station precincts, within seven days of the graffiti first being reported.“
“Removal of non-offensive graffiti is undertaken following monthly assessments of graffiti across all 21 rail corridors. Priority is given to rail assets in accessible locations and where large areas of graffiti can be removed with the resources and time available.”
CRRA strongly supports the City of Casey’s broader call for the State Government to urgently expand graffiti removal across state-controlled infrastructure.
“While we’re pleased with this result, our attention remains on ensuring other state-owned roads, sound barriers, and rail infrastructure aren’t left as visible blights on our communities,” Mr Tassone said.
“Any unauthorised graffiti on public assets should not be tolerated and should be re-
moved.
“This is a win for Berwick residents, but the real goal is clean, respected infrastructure across Casey — for all residents.”
Cr Dowling reassured residents that several other sites remain on the council’s cleanup schedule and hopes DTP “will follow suit.”
“Our ratepayers deserve better from our major infrastructure providers, and we will continue to call out offensive criminal activity when it appears,” Mr Dowling said.
“Casey Council have a no tolerance policy with graffiti on our assets, and have it removed within three business days or one day for offensive graffiti.
“This lessens the impact of the nefarious activity and restores our assets to an expected community standard. Of course, it would be wonderful if it didn’t occur at all.”
City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen said for many months, Cr Dowling has actively advocated on behalf of the Berwick community regarding graffiti on the Clyde Road rail overpass. “I thank him for his efforts and it’s great to see the graffiti is getting removed.”
Mid-Autumn Festival lit up one of Doveton’s halls with pageantry, dance, lanterns and Chinese foods.
The lunar calendar tradition was celebrated by Casey Friendship Association at John Pandazopoulos Hall on Friday 3 October.
It featured offerings of the round-pastry mooncakes alongside a sumptuous lunch and a spectacular costumed performance from Casey Gigi Dancers.
Meanwhile in another part of the hall, South Eastern Chinese Senior Citizen Association members put their table tennis, karaoke and rummikub skills to the test.
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By Sahar Foladi
Supernatural thriller film, ‘Sunny’s Mansion’ is set to premiere at the Drum Theatre on Sunday 19 October making its Dandenong creator’s childhood dream come true.
Herman Perera’s drama script was banned by the Sri Lankan Government before he migrated, but he remained determined to chase his dreams.
Since living in Australia in 2008, Mr Perera was driven by his passion making a switch from a professional hotelier role to train and dedicate himself to creative arts.
“I sacrificed my profession to get into this, did some research and thought I’ll start from scratch and do short films.
“As an individual, I liked to create all the time.
“So when I was in the hotel business, I thought about doing something different every time no matter what role, especially in the food and beverage section.
“My creative thoughts always clashed with my hotel work.”
The script took two years of perfecting, shooting the film in 27 days and post-production another two years.
He even shared his script to a few top Hollywood script developers WeScreenplay, Bulletproof, and Script Reader Pro, who gave him the green light calling it a “unique story.”
“Most horror films, they go for jump scares. In mine, I didn’t touch that at all.
“My wife and two daughters are too excited than me.
“I feel very lucky to have known the people I had associated during my lifetime because, especially the rejections helped me a lot.”
As someone who thinks outside the box, his horror film, Sunny’s Mansion is the first big breakthrough for the passionate filmmaker after he worked tirelessly on three short drama
fiction films.
He directed, produced and wrote, Deeper (2019), Unpredictable (2016), and Flat Grey Sky (2013).
His ‘The Owl’ script earned the Script of the Festival award at the Catharsis Film Festival, Belgium in 2020, and the Best Short Script award at the Indo Global International Film festival, India in 2019.
The script was written during his last semester at the Deakin University in Bachelor of Creative Arts in Film.
Tickets are available at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ev_30f64f9918fe4285ac9bcb5adace8784
Get a sneak peek of the lifestyle you could enjoy at our free Open Home event. Explore our community, inspect our display home, discover our social activities, chat with our friendly team and find out if retirement living will suit you.
Edrington Park 6 Melville Park Drive, Berwick Wednesday, 15 October (10-11am)
AFTER six years, Gunlom Falls is back on the tourist trail.
The falls - one of the Northern Territory’s most iconic travel destinations - reopened earlier this year, marking the first time the tourism drawcard has been accessible to the public since 2019.
Located on Jawoyn Country in the southern region of the UNESCO World Heritage dual-listed Kakadu National Park and a much-loved location featured in classic Australian film Crocodile Dundee, Gunlom Falls offers iconic cascading falls, a breathtaking natural infinity pool with sweeping views across the escarpment, crystalclear plunge pools and shaded picnic areas.
As the jewel in the crown of Kakadu National Park, Gunlom Falls’ reopening is being welcomed by visitors from around Australia and around the world.
Gunlom Falls’ campground is also operational again and works on a first-come, first-served basis. For many, camping is a highlight when visiting the area with relaxing walks in nature, incredible birdwatching, swimming in cooling plunge pools and opportunities to share stories around the campfire beneath endless starry skies.
The journey to Gunlom Falls is all part of the adventure. To get there, it’s about a four-hour drive from Darwin or two hours from Jabiru, with sealed roads leading to the turn-off and an unsealed stretch into the campground and falls. The drive itself sets the scene: wide skies, red earth, and the changing colours of the Territory landscape.
Visitors can also choose to witness the full magnitude of Kakadu National Park from above with a scenic helicopter flight during the wet
season, when waterfalls cascade at full force against ancient landscapes below.
Gunlom Falls also sit within a landscape rich in Aboriginal culture, where stories stretch back tens of thousands of years. Visitors are reminded
they are on Jawoyn Country, and taking time to understand this cultural context adds invaluable depth to the experience.
For those who remember Gunlom Falls from yearsgoneby,thechancetoreturnfeelslikerecon-
necting with an old friend. For first-time visitors, it’s an opportunity to discover one of the Northern Territory’s most magical places. Either way, a visit to Gunlom
is the kind of experience that stays with the
Paris to Avignon or vice versa
15 DAYS | 1 COUNTRY
13 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: MAR-NOV 2026; MAR-NOV 2027
From $10,795pp in Standard Stateroom
From $14,095pp in Veranda Stateroom
LYON &
Avignon to Lyon or vice versa
8 DAYS | 1 COUNTRY
7 GUIDED TOURS
SAIL: MAR-NOV 2026; MAR-NOV 2027
From $6,495pp in Standard Stateroom
From $8,295pp in Veranda Stateroom
PARIS & THE HEART OF NORMANDY
Roundtrip from Paris, France
8 DAYS | 1 COUNTRY
6 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: MAR-NOV 2026; MAR-NOV 2027
From $6,395pp in Standard Stateroom
From $8,195pp in Veranda Stateroom
8 Nights
5 February 2026
Your Holiday Includes
Full-Board River Cruise
4 night Murray River cruise on board PS Murray Princess with all meals and sightseeing
Burke Salter Boutique Winery tasting
“Murray River Cup”
Event Experience
Ticket to Franco Zeffirelli’s legendary production of Aida at the Adelaide Oval Fully Escorted
Barossa Valley Tours
Walking tour of Swan River
Swan Reach Museum (gold coin donation on entry)
Sunnydale Woolshed Show
Sunnydale Native Wildlife Shelter
Aussie Barbecue – cooked and served in a bush setting on the banks of the Murray River
Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park tour
Scenic tender boat ride
Hotel Stay
4 night four-star stay in Adelaide at the Stamford Plaza Adelaide with breakfast
Full day Barossa Valley tour with lunch and wine tastings including: Saltram wine estate, lunch and wine tasting at Lambert Estate, visit to Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, photo stop at Menglers Hill Lookout, vineyard tour & wine tasting at Jacob’s Creek visitor centre, stop at Beerenberg Farm and free time in Hahndorf to explore the historic German settlement
All Flights, Taxes & Transfers
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 mentors, 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, offer-
ing coping strategies, and helping them develop interpersonal skills crucial for healthy relationships.
Career Exploration and Skill Development:
Mentoring programs often include componentsfocusedoncareerexploration.Mentorscan 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 hands-on experiences, students gain practical in-
sights 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, influencingstudents’lifelonglearningjourneysand 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.
To find
At Minaret College, our students benefit from a well-rounded education that nurtures both academic excellence and personal growth. Our curriculum is designed to inspire intellectual curiosity, encourage creativity, and develop critical thinking skills, while our co-curricular programs provide opportunities for students to explore their passions beyond the classroom in all areas, from sports, arts, and leadership initiatives to community service and faith-based activities. Across three campuses in Melbourne’s southeast, and from pre-school to VCE, our students are empowered to become capable, compassionate, and contributing members of society. We welcome you to a showcase of our aca-
demic and co-curricular programs at the Minaret College Open Day at our Officer Campus on Saturday, 11 October 2025 from 9am to 4pm.
Enjoy a variety of engaging activities, interactive displays, and vibrant demonstrations highlighting the talents and achievements of our students.
It’s the perfect opportunity to explore our facilities and experience the dynamic learning environment that makes Minaret College unique. In addition, our campus will transform into a lively fairground, complete with thrilling rides for all ages, a petting zoo, mouth-watering food trucks, and an array of retail stalls.
Nine out of 10 Victorian government primary schools are already using a new phonics program to teach reading, two years ahead of schedule.
The Victorian approach to reading includes daily systematic synthetic phonics instruction as part of reading programs.
Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll said schools had jumped at the chance to introduce the system into schools well ahead of the 2027 deadline for implementation.
“We’re grateful to see such a promising response so early on as we make best practice common practice in every Victorian classroom,” he said.
“It’s fantastic to see 93 per cent of primary
schools delivering daily phonics instructions, despite providing a two-year transition period – schools are getting on board, and we’re excited to see schools embracing change.”
A Department of Education survey found 88 percent of the sampled schools had engaged with Phonics Plus and 37 percent were using the Phonics Plus resources.
The Year 1 Phonics Check will be piloted in schools through term two this year, ahead of optional use by schools in term three, and full implementation from next year.
About 80 per cent of schools are choosing to deliver the test in term three. It takes about 10 minutes, compared to the current 40 minutes per student, saving teachers about 12 hours in assessments.
By Violet Li
Casey Council is introducing new timed parking restrictions at the Casey Complex, following the alleged undersupply of car parks at the neighbouring Cranbourne Community Hospital.
But users of the busy local sports hub say the new rule is incompatible with the nature of sporting events and their usage habits.
Around Casey Stadium, about 135 spaces will remain unrestricted, while more than 200 will have 2P or 3P limits.
The restrictions apply Monday to Saturday from 6am to 6pm. No time restrictions will apply on Sundays.
Local basketball figures have been quick to push back against the new timed-parking rules, arguing they are unworkable for families and clubs.
Mary-Anne Valla, a long-time team manager with the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) and a concerned mum, said when she heard about the news, it was clear that no one who worked at, played at or had experience with basketball had been involved in the decision and the repercussions it would have in the basketball community.
She explained that VJBL teams typically arrive 30 to 60 minutes before games, which often run over an hour and behind schedule, making it impossible to stay within 2P or 3P limits.
“As coaches and team managers, we have a duty of care to stay with the kids, so we won’t be able to leave them to attempt to move parking spots,” she said.
“On top of this, Casey regularly runs basketball tournaments that run all day. There is just no way that this parking change will work for
the basketball community.
“All it will do is force cars to park over on the grass of the opposing side, which regularly gets swamped by rain and has cars get stuck on it.
“Many families have multiple children playing games back-to-back, also, and multiple days through the week. It’s clearly a money grab towards families just trying to do the right thing, keeping kids in sport and off the streets.”
In a media release, Council states the restrictions are not about revenue but about managing demand, with the new Cranbourne Community Hospital expected to add pressure.
Council says it has worked with the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) and Monash Health, but only recently learned key details about the hospital’s opening, parking and hours.
“Unfortunately, the project’s plans for car parking and operating hours are likely to add extra demand in the nearby area, demand that we weren’t made aware of earlier,” it states.
“This puts us in a challenging position, as we now have a limited timeframe to put a plan in place to manage this extra demand, and most importantly, protect the nearby streets and our community’s access to parking.
“Our top priority is to ensure that our community can access important services like health and sport as they need.”
Daniel Phillips, former president of Casey Basketball, agreed with what Ms Valla said, and also pointed out that this carparking situation was not very well thought out in the first place.
He recalled that when Casey Council, under administration, sold the land to the State Government to build the hospital in 2023, all the objections that were raised were that there was
not enough car parking for the basketball or the stadium.
“And adding a hospital would only put more pressure on the parking spaces,” he said.
“They just continue to make one problem worse.
“When NBL’s game is on, you basically can’t get a car back, like, Saturday afternoon, Saturday night. It’s terrible. It’s really bad.
“And that’s without the hospital really being in operation. It’s going to be a nightmare.”
Anthony Tassone, vice president of the Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association (CRRA), said Council can’t solve hospital parking shortfalls by freezing out locals from their own community facilities.
“Feedback from residents has already been strong. Parents are asking how they can manage when they have multiple children playing over different time slots, or when tournaments and gymnastics sessions run for half a day,” he said.
“Others worry that referees, coaches, and volunteers will be forced to move cars midshift. This shows the restrictions are not fit for purpose.”
He said that rather than shifting the problem onto community facilities, CRRA believes Council and Monash Health should work together to ensure the hospital provides sufficient on-site parking, while being transparent with residents about demand forecasts and future policy.
Casey Council states in its media release that they are working closely with VHBA and Monash Health to formalise a parking management agreement.
“This will help ensure hospital users prioritise designated parking, reducing pressure on nearby community spaces,” it states.
When Clyde Grammar welcomed its first Foundation students in 2020, Principal Leanne Evans was there to greet them at the gate. Five years on, her leadership continues to shape the school’s strong sense of purpose, community, and care.
Now offering classes from Foundation to Year 5, Clyde Grammar has steadily added a new year level each year since its opening. Under Leanne’s guidance, the school continues to grow with purpose, expanding its offerings while maintaining a clear focus on respect, perseverance, and community spirit.
“We’ve always had a vision to offer a comprehensive and high-quality education from the early years right through to Year 12,” says Mrs Evans. “We are now making that vision a reality, and we’re thrilled to be preparing for our first Year 7 students in 2027.”
The journey to becoming a Senior School is already well underway. Construction of a new Collaborative Learning Centre has begun, set to include modern classrooms, a sessional music room, a basketball court, an assembly hall, and a purpose-built space for before and after-school care.
As the school grows, so too does the sense of community that Leanne and her team have nurtured in the Junior School. From Harmony Day parades to Book Week celebrations, and even the inaugural Colour Run, Clyde Grammar’s calendar is rich with experiences that bring students, staff and families together.
One of Mrs Evans’ personal highlights each fortnight is sharing her lunch break with the student who has earned the most House points through consistent positive behaviour, respectful interactions, and outstanding efforts in the classroom.
“It’s a simple but powerful tradition,” she says. “These students model the values we encourage every day at Clyde Grammar. Having the chance to sit with them individually, hear about what excites them, and recognise their achievements is something I look forward to.”
Leanne believes that the real heart of the school lies in its relationships – between teachers and students, families and staff, and among the students themselves.
“Clyde Grammar’s mission is to empower each young person to face challenges, believe in themselves and become the best version of themselves,” she says. “That mission lives in every classroom, every playground interaction, and every small act of kindness.”
The road ahead includes many exciting milestones for the school - new facilities, new year levels, and their first Year 6 graduates next year. But for Mrs Evans, the greatest achievement is seeing students grow into confident, respectful and compassionate individuals.
“We are building something truly special here. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this journey –and even more excited for what’s to come.”
By Sahar Foladi
The prominent Hazara community in the south east gathered to mark the 133rd anniversary of the Hazara genocide at the Drum Theatre in Dandenong.
Organised by the newly established Hazara Cultural Association, the first of its kind memorial in Greater Dandenong received an overwhelming positive response.
It served a crucial reminder and historical education into the bloodbath of one of the largest ethnic groups, the Hazara people in Afghanistan (1888-93) at the hands of 19th century Pashtun leader Abdur Rahman Khan.
The 1888-93 genocide erased 2.4 million Hazara population (60 per cent) to ethnic cleansing and even resulted in enslavement, land pillaging and forced migration.
The Hazara community and the president of the organisation Barat Batoor urged the importance of educating the younger generations and wider community of the Hazara genocide, which he and many others advocates consider to be “one of the longest-running genocides.”
“Events like this also raise awareness beyond our community, especially among policymakers, service providers, and human rights organisations,” Mr Batoor says.
“Hazaras have sought refuge in Australia after generations of oppression and persecution.
“It is vital for the younger generation to learn about their history - not only the experiences of their parents but also the struggle of their ancestors dating back to the 1880s.
“These continuing human rights violations make events like this all the more important.
“They serve not only as a form of remembrance but also as a platform for advocacy—to bring attention to the plight of the Hazara people and to push for action to end the ongoing atrocities in Afghanistan.”
Hazara people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Afghanistan, a minority Shia Muslim living within a Sunni-Muslim majority.
They have historically faced severe persecution and discrimination due to their ethnic and religious identity, forcing them to flee the country.
The significance of the event was shown by a filled Drum Theatre auditorium of 360 people. Many others watched live on a small TV screen at the foyer.
Along with Hazara families, youth, commu-
nity leaders and elders were international guest speaker Mohammed J Gulzari from United Kingdom, an author, archivist and historian, founder of Hazara Archives and Grace Sultani a social worker and researcher from Newcastle, New South Wales.
A renowned figure in the Hazara community worldwide, Mr Gulzari presented facts from the Hazara Archives after spending 37 years researching and preserving the past.
Quiz winner on the night, Najibullah Mukhlis shared the story of his wife Basira Naibi who worked at the hospital in Kabul’s Dasht e Barchi on the day when terrorists attacked the hospital in May 2020 killing at least 24 new mothers, nurses and two newborn babies.
Basira Naibi worked at the laboratory within the maternity ward, recalling the day of the attack which led to her being wheelchair bound today.
She hid behind a cupboard which saved her life. She called the hospital owner, letting them know of her location and the attack before she passed out for at least three hours amidst the violent mayhem.
“The hospital gates were locked with security
guards inspecting everyone coming in. No one would be allowed without inspection.
“Two terrorists threw a bomb inside the courtyard of the hospital from outside the gate and as the guards fled shouting for everyone to run for their lives, the gate was left unoccupied.
“They entered running straight for the maternity ward.”
Dasht e Barchi is a location made up of majority Hazara people and its hospital was a facility supported by Doctors Without Borders who were forced to withdraw after the militant attack.
“There was nothing left of the hospital.
“One of our colleagues Maryam, hid inside an ambulance, they threw bombs, and she was martyred.
“They reported 24 people killed on that day, but a lot more passed away after that day from their injuries.”
Six-months in Australia, she can see a bright future for her small family somewhat moving on from the trauma.
Supported by 14 community organisations and groups, Bolaq Analyst Network showcased long banners which displayed the names and
photographs of the Hazaras martyred in Afghanistan and Pakistan from the 1990s to 2025. The data included the dates and locations, which have been compiled over decades by the analyst group and also portrays the photo and name of Maryam-Ms Naibi’s colleague at the hospital.
Based in New South Wales, Huma Media contributed emotionally moving documentary films on the Hazara genocides screened at the program which saw many in tears.
By Sahar Foladi
The Hazara Genocide Memorial event was organised by the Hazara Cultural Association, whose members controversially proposed to rename Afghan Bazaar precinct in Thomas Street, Dandenong as Little Bamiyan.
HCA president Barat Batoor says it’s crucial for the wider community to learn of the history of the Hazara genocide and ongoing severe persecution in Afghanistan.
The group claim the term ‘Afghan’ translates to Pashtuns and symbolises the oppression to the Hazara community.
This caused a strong backlash from the wider Afghan community, who defended the Afghan Bazaar marketing name as an inclusive term.
In their collective letter to the council, they called the HCA proposal “divisive,” “self-serving” and “dangerous”.
It argues the term ‘Afghan’ is a nationality not an ethnic identity, as claimed by the Hazara petitioners.
Mr Batoor says the Hazara community in Australia has felt underrepresented for many years.
“But since the launch of the Little Bamiyan campaign, there has been a renewed sense of hope and visibility,” Mr Batoor says.
“The history of Afghanistan is often misrepresented or misunderstood, and without context. Even well-meaning actions can unintentionally cause harm.
“For example, the broad use of the term “Afghan” can be distressing for many in our community, as it erases their specific Hazara identity and lived experiences.”
Batoor says the organisation’s vision is for a future where Hazaras “can live without fear of persecution or discrimination—whether in Afghanistan or elsewhere in the world.”
New South Wales social worker and research-
er Grace Sultani says unity cannot be sought without acknowledgment of the Hazara genocide.
“I often hear of calls from other communities of Afghanistan for there to be unity, for Hazaras to not divide themselves from others by calling themselves Hazaras, but instead to identify through a term that carries historical and intergenerational trauma.
“The problem with this is that unity cannot be built on the silencing or denial of persecution.
“It can be built on justice, on truth, and on recognition of the persecution as Hazara people have experienced and how they continue to suffer today.”
She attended the memorial event in Dandenong, sharing some of her PhD research into the post-traumatic growth (PTG) among Hazara refugees at the University of Newcastle.
Seeking participants for her research, her social media posts were flooded with Hazara geno-
cide deniers, creating what she calls a “secondary wound” - the first being the genocide and the latter the ongoing denial of it.
She only hopes that the remarks come from a place of lack of education.
“The evidence of the Hazara genocide is just overwhelming and when you know that, you can’t deny it.
“Despite the numerous systematic attacks of ethnic and cultural erasure, Hazara people are here today and are thriving.
“Then once that education is sought out, hopefully they can better understand the historical and intergenerational trauma that that term carries for the Hazara community.”
Her research found those levels of PTG were higher among Hazara refugees than any other population ever recorded in any literature.
In her interviews of the participants involved in the research, she identified historically located aspirations, meaning their goals and future mo-
tivations weren’t limited by individual capacity but more on a community level.
“PTG is important because it acknowledges that suffering and growth can co-exist,” Ms Sultani says.
“From what I’d seen and heard firsthand, this concept felt essential to better understanding Hazara experiences in Australia.
“That’s why I felt it was so important to explore it—both to fill an important research gap, and to help tell a more complete and empowering story.”
Whilst Afghanistan suffers under Taliban rulers carrying out human rights violations against girls and women, the concerns and fears for the long-persecuted Hazara people are much greater.
This has been advocated by former Hazara refugees Sitarah Mohammadi and Sajjad Askary, who are lawyers and co-founders of the Australian Hazara Legal Network in the south east.
They were quick to act after the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021, expressing grave concerns for Afghans and the Hazara minority.
Their opinion piece to Al Jazeera stated the Hazara people were at “risk of ethnic cleansing and even genocide” and urged human rights organisations internationally to take action.
“All Afghans face precarious and dangerous circumstances in their country, but the situation is particularly desperate for the Hazaras, who have been historically marginalised, dispossessed and massacred.”
The organisation is said to remain dedicated to celebrating Hazaragi culture, language, traditions, and identity, while advocating for the safety and rights of Hazaras globally.
In September, Greens senator Steph HodginsMay raised a recent incident in Federal Parliament where 25 Hazara families were forcibly evicted from their ancestral homes by Pashtun nomads, with the support of the Taliban.
By Violet Li
It was another year of Lynbrook’s landmark Lantern Festival, and once again, Banjo Paterson Reserve came alive with colour, music and light.
Hosted by the Lynbrook Residents Association (LRA), the much-loved community event drew thousands of people from everywhere across Melbourne who gathered to celebrate culture, creativity and connection under the spring evening sky on Saturday 4 October.
Residents painted paper lanterns while food trucks filled the air with the scent of sizzling skewers.
After the sun went down, the lake shimmered with reflections of glowing lanterns, each one carrying a wish and a memory.
The night’s highlights included a dazzling fire-twirling show and the ever-popular LED Chinese dragon dance. Local performers and volunteers also kept spirits high.
LRA president Scott Watson talked with Star News and recalled how the idea of Lantern Festival came into being about 15 years ago.
“About 15 years ago, we wanted to have a festival which would initially celebrate the lake. The idea came up with a couple of different lanterns,” he said.
“The first one was the floating lanterns on the lake of the nighttime, and that looks spectacular. And then we had our painted lanterns, so the kids just love painting lanterns and stringing them up through the trees here.
“Initially, we actually had the flying lanterns as well, but they became illegal, so we couldn’t do those anymore.”
When LRA first launched the Festival, only about a hundred people turned up, and rain forced everyone to huddle together under the pergola.
But that humble beginning marked the start of something special.
Each year since, the festival has grown steadily, adding more market stalls, food trucks, and family activities.
According to Scott, what began as a small community gathering has now expanded across
the entire park, transforming it into a vibrant hub of lights, flavours, and celebration that continues to bring Lynbrook residents together year after year.
“It’s a safe environment,” Scott said.
“Locals can be proud, and that’s why we do it. People come here, feel safe for their families, and have a good time with their community.”
Star News photographer Rob Carew attended the night and captured the wonderful moments of joy.
By Sahar Foladi
A single male foster carer in Doveton has had his doors open for children and teenagers in need of a safe and stable home since 2017.
In a world where foster carers are usually couples or families, Sean has proven he can single handedly provide basic human need and has remained dedicated to provide that long-term care.
He signed up to become a carer both out of demand and choice after his colleague mentioned a young boy who needed immediate care but no one would take in the special-needs child.
“One of my colleagues at work is a foster carer and during lunch free time, we’ll have conversations.
“I didn’t realise he was a single dad and I thought being single meant you can’t do fostering but he told me more,” he says.
“I thought I could do that. Most kids just need a place to live with structure, a bit of love.
“He said there was a boy that really needed foster caring and no one will take him in. He told me the circumstances and I said I could do that, it sounds alright.
“He wouldn’t be easy but raising kids isn’t easy too.”
Sean went through the required training and interviewing process to house the young boy immediately.
His current foster son has been in the family for seven years, since the age of 10. Prior to that, he was bounced around between homes 32 times.
He was brought to Sean for weekend-respite multiple times before Sean asked the question, “Has this kid got a long-term home?”
During the respite weekends, the two bonded well and four years later Sean became his longterm carer granted by the court.
It was only after that, that his foster son gained stability, started to make plans and move on with his life.
“I didn’t have that expectation (that he’d stay long term). I wasn’t sure if Child Protection could move the kids on or they could be reunited with their family.
“He started to make friends at school, he at-
tended school, started to personalise his room, became like a normal kid, he wasn’t ready to leave anymore, his moods were more calm.
“He was able to plan his life like go to the movies with his friends. Before that he lived day to day.
“It took a lot of coaching on how to keep your friends, he had sleepovers or had friends over, and after an hour he’ll walk off and not engage with them.
“All those years he didn’t know how to have long-term friends.
“It was always short-term friends in shortterm foster cares. Sometimes they don’t even have friends or allowed to have friends come to their house.”
Sean is supported by his parents and siblings in raising his foster son and they have formed their own relationships with him like any other family.
Jacqui Bance, foster care recruitment specialist at Uniting, says having teenagers in long term placement is “difficult by anyone’s standard” .
But Sean’s calm, steady nature, patience and
knowing he can’t fix everything allow the teenagers to be themselves without any pressure.
“He’s a laid back kind of guy, works in the community centre. He wanted a family around him, he cares and that goes a long way.
“The young person he had is now part of his family, his extended family look at him as family.
“He is very settled and happy he’ll probably end up staying with Sean after he turns 18.”
She says there’s a shift in the complexity of each cases, a rise in children with extreme behavioural issues, who are emotionally dependent with no emotional regulation. It makes it difficult for schools and carers and a lot more disability or physical developmental issues.
Victoria’s Foster Care Week this month is an annual celebration recognising the vital role of foster carers in supporting children and young people.
This year’s theme ‘Time to Care’ celebrates the valuable time that foster carers dedicate to supporting children and young people and celebrates how much each and every one of those moments matter.
Get your zumba shoes and pickleball racket ready as Casey’s U3A will be showcasing more than 75 different activities offered to its senior community on 26 October.
Residents are welcome to come along to the free event and have a glimpse at U3A Casey’s activities such as dancing, discussion groups, tai chi, pickleball, and zumba.
The showcase is part of City of Casey’s Ageing Positively Festival that takes place every October with a range of celebrations hosted every week.
Casey’ mayor Stefan Koomen will be attending this year’s showcase and presenting the U3A Casey Tutor Recognition award to Noel Barlow, who has contributed his expertise in genealogy and tech for 21 years.
This year’s event will also provide some delicious refreshments, catered by Casey’s Indian and Sri Lankan communities.
The event will be hosted at Fiddlers Green Retirement Village, 57 Gloucester Avenue, Berwick on 26 October, 11am-4pm.
The application is for
The removal, destruction or lopping of a canopy tree (other than a boundary canopy tree) if the site is developed with an existing dwelling.
The applicant for the permit is: F Zaffiro
The application reference number is: PA25-0398
You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the Responsible Authority.
https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/viewplanning-applications
You may also call (03 9705 5200) to arrange a time to look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the responsible authority, Casey City Council. This can be done in office hours and is free of charge.
made to the Responsible Authority in writing to, Manager Planning, P.O. Box 1000, Narre Warren 3805 or emailed to caseycc@casey.vic.gov.au
•include the application number and site address
•include the reasons for the objection, and •state how the objector would be affected.
The Responsible Authority must make a copy of every objection available at its office for any person to inspect during office hours free of charge until the end of the period during which an application may be made for review of a decision on the application. application. The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before: 24 October 2025
If you object, the Responsible Authority will advise you of its decision.
permit is required under the
The application is for a permit to: Removal of Restrictive Covenant (Single Dwelling Covenant) Planning Scheme Clause No. Matter for which a permit is required
52.02 Pursuant to Clause 52.02, Easements, Restrictions and Reserves, a planning permit is required before a person proceeds under Section 23 of the Subdivision Act 1988 to remove a restriction on title
The applicant for the permit is: Smart Town Planning Pty Ltd
The application reference number is: PA25-0079
You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the Responsible Authority.
City of Casey Bunjil Place
2 Patrick Northeast Drive NARRE WARREN
Documents can also be viewed on Council’s website or by scanning the QR code.
https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/viewplanning-applications
You may also call (03 9705 5200) to arrange a time to look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the responsible authority, Casey City Council. This can be done in office hours and is free of charge.
Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the Responsible Authority.
An objection must: •be made to the Responsible Authority in writing to, Manager Planning, P.O. Box 1000, Narre Warren 3805 or emailed to caseycc@casey.vic.gov.au
•include the application number and site address •include the reasons for the objection, and •state how the objector would be affected.
The Responsible Authority must make a copy of every objection available at its office for any person to inspect during office hours free of charge until the end of the period during which an application may be made for review of a decision on the application.
The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before: 27 October 2025
If you object, the Responsible Authority will advise you of its decision.
Forget Me Not cafe
Carers and loved ones living with dementia in rural Casey are invited to connect over music, morning tea and gentle activities. Held at Blind Bight Community Centre, this welcoming event introduces the bi-monthly program by Koo Wee Rup Regional Health Service. Morning tea included.
• Thursday 9 October 10am-12pm at Blind Bight Community Centre, 42 Anchorage Drive, Blind Bight; free event. Details: casey.vic.gov.au/ageingpositively-festival
Casey Pacers walking group
Relaxed, self-paced walk around the outside of Fountain Gate Shopping Centre. Meet outside Casey ARC, 10 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren.
• Thursday 9 October 10.30am-11.30am; free event. Details: casey.vic.gov.au/ageing-positivelyfestival
Myuna Farm walks
Join us for a walk around the Myuna Farm wetlands this Walktober. Free admission to Myuna Farm is included with your ticket.
• Thursdays during October 11am-12pm at Myuna Farm, 182 Kidds Road, Doveton; free event Student-seniors exchange
An afternoon of connection between seniors and students from Cranbourne West Secondary College. Share skills like knitting or playing the ukulele. Swap stories, and enjoy refreshments.
• Thursday 9 October 12pm-2pm at Cranbourne West Community Hub, 4 Flicka Boulevard, Cranbourne West; free event. Details: casey.vic.gov. au/ageing-positively-festival
Active mat Pilates
A light-paced session for older adults with warmup, simple exercises using weights or bands, and a relaxing cool down.
• Friday 10 October 8.20am-9.10am at Casey ARC, 10 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren; free event. Details: casey.vic.gov.au/ageing-positively-festival
U3A open day
Meet our talented tutors and group members as they showcase their skills and lead engaging activities. Light refreshments available.
• Friday 10 October 10am-1pm at 20-22 Bowen Street, Cranbourne; free event. Details: casey.vic.
gov.au/ageing-positively-festival
Spring Plant Sale
A large variety of Australian native plants will be available. A plant list will be available on our website approximately a week before the sale. EFTPOS is available. Hosted by the Growing Friends group of the Cranbourne Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
• Saturday 11 October and Sunday 12 October, 10am-4pm at Royal Botanic Garden Victoria –Cranbourne, cnr Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne (near the kiosk at the northern end of the Australian Garden).
Yarn-making mandalas
Create vibrant Mandala designs using hula hoops and colourful yarn in this intergenerational activity. Kinders, schools, and aged care groups are invited to connect through storytelling, relaxation, and shared creativity. Finished artworks will be displayed across participating venues.
• Saturday 11 October 10am-1pm at Akoonah Park, 2 Cardinia Street, Berwick; free event. Details: casey.vic.gov.au/ageing-positively-festival
Work ready skills
Free two-hour session to help you prepare for the workplace and thrive in your career. Learn to succeed in job interviews, build confidence and resilience, create a positive workplace, tackle bullying, set a growth mindset and change workplace culture for the better. Guest presenter is corporate consultant, CEO and author Dr Jamel Kaur Singh.
• Saturday11October,5pm-7pmatHouseofRefuge,25MelvertonDriveHallam.Bookings:https:// www.eventbrite.com.au/e/work-ready-skills-cqtickets-1740583033709?aff=oddtdtcreator Details: 0426 254 647 or info@CulturalEducation. com.au
Diwali festival
Enjoy a day of shared sweets, delicious food, and vibrant performances including folk dance and Punjabi Bhangra.
• Sunday 12 October 11am-3pm at 25 Boland Drive, Lyndhurst; free event. Details: casey.vic.gov. au/ageing-positively-festival
Baby and kids market
Bumble Bee Baby and Children’s Markets hosts up to 65 stalls with bargains on new, handmade and preloved baby and children’s goods for all ages. Coffee van on hand.
- Sunday 12 October, 9am-12pm at Berwick Fields
Primary School 35 Gwendoline Drive; $2 adults, children under 12 free. Free parking. Details: info@thebumblebees.com.au, 0410 043 549 or thebumblebees.com.au
Community dance
Bringing together people of all ages and nationalities from across our community. Everyone is welcome.
• Sunday 12 October 1pm-5pm at Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club, 1 Codrington Street, Cranbourne; free event. Details: casey.vic.gov.au/ageing-positively-festival
Live at Home for Longer morning tea
Join Latrobe Community Health’s presentation to learn about retirement, super, pension eligibility and housing options while enjoying a relaxed high tea.
• Monday 13 October 10.30am-12pm at Balla Balla Community Centre; free event. Bookings essential at balla.balla.com.au or 5990 0900.
Recycling tour
Come and visit the new Recycling Education Centre based at Cleanaway in Hallam. Learn what happens to your recycling once it leaves the kerb, and what goes into which bins at home. No parking at the site, shuttle bus running from Hallam Senior Citizens Centre.
• Monday 13 October 10am-1pm at Cleanaway Education Centre, 2 Princes Domain Drive, Hallam. Free event, bookings essential. Details: casey.vic.gov.au/ageing-positively-festival
Record your family history
In this one hour workshop Nina will take you through what to include, why your life story and family history matters, the legacy of recording your story, in your voice for the people who love you. Every participant comes away with enough information to get started on a do-it-yourself family recording project.
• Monday 13 October 11am-12pm at Cranbourne Library, 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East; free event. Bookings essential. Details: casey.vic.gov.au/ageing-positively-festival
Walking group
A relaxed, self-paced walk indoors, and a great way to stay active and social – rain or shine!
• Tuesday 14 October, 7.45am-8.45am at Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre, Matthew Flinders
Avenue, Endeavour Hills (meet at Kmart entrance); free event. Details: casey.vic.gov.au/ageing-positively-festival
Family history group
Narre Warren & District Family History Group general meeting. Our librarian and research officer will be demonstrating how to use TinyCat to find books and magazines and Victorian collections for everything else in the Lorraine Taylor Research Room. All welcome.
• Wednesday, 15 October 7.30pm at 110 High Street Berwick; $5. Details: Jane 0412 084 671 or president@nwfhg.org.au
Creative mosaics
Create a beautiful mosaic tile for your home or garden over a three-week period. Learn essential techniques including design, glass cutting, tiling, and grouting. Participants must attend all three sessions.
• Wednesdays 15, 22 and 29 October, 9.30am12pm at Endeavour Hills Neighbourhood Centre, 10 Raymond McMahon Boulevard, Endeavour Hills; free event. Bookings at casey.vic.gov.au/ ageing-positively-festival
Country western
Marcia Rae will perform your favourite country western hits, accompanied by a light lunch and plenty of fun.
• Wednesday 15 October 11.30am-2pm at Narre Warren Seniors, 192-196 Centre Road, Narre Warren; $5. Details: casey.vic.gov.au/ageing-positively-festival
Bridge club
Berwick Bridge Club is offering a free introduction to bridge.
• Wednesday 15 October 1pm-3pm and 22 October 1pm-3pm at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House, 21a Bemersyde Drive, Berwick; free event. Details: Maree Thorpe, 9702 2348 or admin@bridgevictoria.au
Slot-car racing
Relive childhood memories, share laughs, and enjoy the thrill of the track with fellow enthusiasts.
• Thursday 16 October, 10am-12pm at Mr Slot Car, 3/42-46 Hallam South Road, Hallam; free event. Details: casey.vic.gov.au/ageing-positivelyfestival
By Blair Burns
Narre Warren has signed Box Hill captain and former Officer junior Callum Porter to play for the Magpies in 2026 in a huge coup for the club.
When Narre recently signed returning twotime premiership player Tom Miller back from a stint at Wodonga, they had no idea that one would bring two.
Porter is best mates with Miller and once he found out about his return to Narre Warren, he also was enticed to join the club, stepping away from his VFL duties and making Kalora Park his new destination.
The 26 year old said the opportunity to play alongside Miller was a huge drawcard for him to sign on with the Magpies.
“We went to school together and we are very close, so the prospect of playing with him is really exciting for me,” Porter said.
“He has been a big driver in getting me there and I’m just really keen to experience a different environment, enjoy my footy and try to be a bit of a difference-maker for them.”
The Porter name is synonymous with the local region and Callum will forever be a self-proclaimed Officer person at heart.
The versatile midfielder was drafted to the Western Bulldogs in 2017 before he was delisted in 2020 and began to establish himself at the Hawks in the VFL.
“They really supported me, to be captain for three years, to win a best and fairest and clubman awards, I was very lucky,” he said.
“I still had the want to play AFL footy, I just didn’t have enough interest or people willing to take a chance on me … I felt I was playing good enough footy, but you still need some luck and someone to back you in.
“The fact that there weren’t bigger and better opportunities ahead at AFL level wasn’t the end of the world because of the amazing environment I was in at Box Hill.”
Porter said he had undergone a “mindset shift” and wanted to prioritise some other areas of his life.
“As I have gotten older, I have got different perspectives on what is fulfilling and what is going to be beneficial for me enjoying my time, and this was a really attractive opportunity to play with mates but also contribute to a club which is really driven to perform,” he said.
“It had been on my mind in the back half of the year, I am only 26 and have plenty of good footy left in me, so it was my football life pulling me in one direction and my personal life pulling me in another.
“I have played high level footy for the best part of the last 10 years and just in a different phase of life now where I am sort of transitioning and I think Narre Warren is a great place for me.”
Having spent years working alongside some of the best midfielders in the AFL, Porter has plenty of experience that he hopes to pass onto the plethora of young talent at the club.
Luke Beveridge and Sam Mitchell are just two of the amazing coaches Porter has learned from throughout his journey at AFL/VFL level, not to mention players like Marcus Bontempelli and Josh Dunkley.
“In that Bulldogs midfield, which I was lucky enough to work with, it probably meant that there was less opportunity at AFL level, but it also meant
I had some of the best teachers in the game,” he said.
“If I can impart a bit of that onto the younger boys at Narre Warren, even just to connect with them and help them mix into the club a bit, almost in more of an off-field mentor role, those are things I am really passionate about.
“I just finished a teaching degree last year as well, so I feel like I have a lot of the skills whether it is around coaching, teaching or mentoring.”
Porter is a 183cm contested midfielder who provides plenty of grunt work and has a heavy focus on clearances and tackling pressure, looking to combine well with Miller and the other midfielders.
“Being able to be a strong inside midfielder is my strength, with a lot of fast and skilful outside midfielders, I think I will be able to complement them well,” he said.
“A guy who I spent a lot of time with was Tom Liberatore,heisaguywhoItrytoemulateandplay like … that’s what I want to bring to Narre Warren.
“I know me and Tom will have great chemistry on field, hopefully both of us can stand at a centre bounce next to each other.”
Not to mention other stars like Kurt Mutimer who also has AFL experience, Tom Toner who won theEllisMedalafewweeksagoandHaydenDwyer who came runner-up in the club best and fairest.
“We have so many guys who can go through
By Blair Burns
Devon Meadows has boosted its midfield stocks ahead of 2026 as the club prepares for its first season in Division 1 of the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League (MPFNL).
The Panthers have signed two midfield guns from Drouin in the Gippsland League, with Jarrod Marshall and Kye Quirk both signing on at Devon Meadows.
Marshall was the captain at Drouin for three seasons and will offer plenty of leadership and experience to the young and emerging Panthers squad, playing as a midfielder/forward.
While Quirk is coming off a strong season with Drouin which saw him named in the best in 15 out of 18 matches, the star midfielder also
played a season at Northern Bullants in the VFL in 2021 and has also won two best and fairests at the Hawks.
Devon Meadows coach Ryan Hendy said both of the recruits were excited to play at the top level of the MPFNL.
“One of the past players at Devon Meadows had a bit of a relationship with Kye and with us going up into the premier division, he wanted to play as a good a standard of footy as possible,” he said.
“We had a chat to him and looked at his resume which was fantastic, so we were very excited to get him on board.
“Jarrod has captained Drouin for a few years and is pretty close with Kye, once he found out that Kye was going to come over and better his footy, he decided to come across as well.”
Hendy said the addition of the two big-bodied midfielders would be vitally important to help the team compete, combining with stars Joel Hillis and Nick Battle.
“We had a good look at some of the midfields that run around in Division 1 and we realised that we had two or three mids as good as their blokes, but the midfield needs to run deeper,” he said.
“So we have targeted a few strong bodied mids and now we are really confident that we have enough good midfielders that can hold us in good stead and help our young blokes like Ky Williams and Jack Wilson develop further.
“We are not going up to Division 1 to make up the numbers, we are going to go up there full steam, to crash in and see what comes from it.”
there, I am fortunate to go to a place where there is a lot of talent there already,” Porter said.
Narre Warren wanted to play finals last season and coach Steve Kidd said there was a feeling of a disappointment in missing out on that goal, but Porter was driven to make that a reality in 2026.
“Even most of their losses last year, they were leading at half time or three-quarter time and we just want to add to the hard work they have already done … they are an amazing footy club, which is led incredibly well,” he said.
“I want to help them get back to where they belong and at the same time, develop personally, enjoy my football and strike a really good balance with that.”
By Blair Burns
The cricket gear stayed in the kit bag for another week as the Dandenong District Cricket Association’s (DDCA) turf competitions were called off due to unprepared turf wickets.
It would’ve been a lovely day for cricket with the sun shining, but the scheduled two-day games in Turf 1 were instead changed to one-day matches which are now set to go ahead this weekend.
The match of the round will be between Springvale South and Hallam Kalora Park as the two strong sides face off in a preliminary final rematch from last season, kicking off from 12.30pm at Alex Nelson Reserve.
When they last met, the Hawks were damaging with the bat to post a big score of 7-359 off 80 overs, thanks to scores from Mahela Udawatte (92), Jagveer Hayer (82), Damith Perera (71) and Leigh Booth (57).
The Bloods bowlers had no answer for the batting brilliance, with Jarryd Straker the only bowler to place any sort of pressure back on Hallam Kalora Park, with 0-27 off his 14 overs – every other bowler had an economy of at least four.
There was some unluckiness in part for Springvale South as the second week of the final was washed out, stripping them of the chance to try and chase the big total – the Hawks progressed as a result of their second-place finish.
In years gone by, it has been the Bloods who have had the better of the Hawks, establishing dominance over them to hold an impressive winning record.
But under coach Matt Cox, Hallam Kalora Park changed that narrative last season and got the better of Springvale South on all three occasions, in a couple of one-dayers throughout the season and a final.
This clash will be a blockbuster, with both teams determined to start the season on a positive note and post a big score in the 40 overs. Springvale South captain Cam Forsyth said his troops were looking forward to the test against a side which will be around the mark once again this season.
“Hallam is a team we have historically had success against over the past five years, but they beat us pretty comprehensively last year,” he said.
“They beat us twice during the regular season last year and while we were somewhat unlucky in the final to get washed out, they finished higher for a reason and put up a very big score which would’ve been hard to chase.
“Disappointing for our season to end that way, but I think all of our boys were of the view that
Hallam deserved to go through having beaten us during the season and finished higher.”
Forsyth said the key to beating the Hawks was getting through their fast bowing attack and finding ways to restrict their scoring when they get the opportunity to bowl.
“It will definitely be a challenge, their fast bowling attack is one of the best, if not the best in the competition with their three seamers from last year and then adding in Jawid (Khan) as well,” he said.
“Under Coxy, they play quite an aggressive brand of cricket, they really took it up to us with the bat and ball last season.
“They played differently to how they had in previous seasons and it probably caught us a bit unaware.”
Ryan Quirk will be a player to watch for the Bloods, after returning from last year’s wrist injury and putting together a solid pre-season.
“He will be going back to his usual spot open-
ing the batting, we are very much looking forward to him coming in,” he said.
“The last full season he played with us, he made the team of the year and was one of the favourites for the Wookey Medal, so we are hopeful that he can find his best form this year.”
While on the other side, eyes will be on new recruit Jawid Khan (from Dandenong in premier cricket), who is likely to hit bombs and bowl rockets.
Khan will be a key player for Hallam Kalora Park this season, especially in the absence of Mahela Udawatte, who departed to Dingley in the off-season.
“We will make sure we are up for the fight, and we are looking forward to a pretty hotly-contested game,” Forsyth said.
In other games, Buckley Ridges will hope to start its premiership defence and three-peat quest with a win over Beaconsfield at Perc Allison Oval.
Opening batsman Jake Cronin doesn’t have to wait long to face his former teammates after making the move from the Bucks to the Tigers in the off-season.
Cronin was part of the past two premierships at Buckley Ridges, but has now made the move to Beaconsfield and the Bucks boys will, without a doubt, greet him with a fierce opening spell.
Tigers captain Andrey Fernando will look to have a big say in the outcome of this game, and will also be hoping his many international recruits can provide the spark that the team needs.
The two newest teams in the Turf 1 competition wil l face off at Greaves Reserve 1 as Dandenong West hosts Parkmore Pirates.
The Bulls, led by skipper Riley Siwes, are looking to build on last year’s fifth-place finish, while the Pirates are out to upset a few teams in the top division.
Joel Zietsman was a big inclusion for Dandenong West in the off-season and you get the sense that he could rip through the Parkmore top order if he can get a few early wickets.
However, the Pirates did plenty of their own recruiting and will look to their many new faces to deliver and get them off to a perfect season start.
Berwick will go into its clash against Narre South as favourites after a strong 2024-25 season where they finished third on the ladder and fell short to Springvale South in the first final.
Jake Hancock was seriously impressive last season and scored 109 when these two teams last met, not to mention other scores throughout the year including 121, 94, 90, 86 and 50 – he puts a price on his wicket and wears down the bowlers.
While the Lions finished seventh on the ladder last season and avoided relegation by the barest of margins, they will be out to channel their 202324 form where they made a preliminary final.
Jeevan Mendis is the captain of Narre South and is the heart and soul of that club – if the Lions are to cause an upset, you would expect that Mendis will contribute well with bat and ball.
TURF 1 FIXTURE
Round 1 (One-dayers): Berwick v Narre South at Arch Brown Reserve, Dandenong West v Parkmore at Greaves Reserve 1, Springvale South v Hallam Kalora Park at Alex Nelson Reserve, Beaconsfield v Buckley Ridges at Perc Allison Oval –all matches to start at 12.30pm.
TURF 2 FIXTURE
Round 1: (One-dayers): Coomoora v Parkfield at Coomoora Turf, Cranbourne v Narre Warren at Casey Fields 2, Silverton v HSD at Springvale Reserve, North Dandenong v Lyndale at Lois Twohig Turf.
WITH DAVE NAGEL, JONTY RALPHSMITH, JUSTIN SCHWARZE AND BLAIR BURNS
JUSTIN: Well boys, one word has dominated the weekend for different reasons and that’s cricket. For some of us there was action and for others there wasn’t with some grades being called off. We’ll go to best action right away and Dave, can you kick us off?
DAVE: Boys, I didn’t watch any cricket on the weekend. I’m not sure if you boys are interested in horse racing or not but the Spring Carnival really kicked off on Saturday. The Turnbull Stakes is sort of a big guide to the Melbourne Cup so that was exciting watching the really great horses come back. There’s a horse called Sir Delius, put your money on it now boys, it’s going to win the Melbourne Cup. It might be favourite but had a really good run on the weekend. Another thing that ended up being worst action; I backed a horse because of the job we do, it was called Fearless Writer. It got beat by half an inch which cost me a couple of hundred bucks. The best action that I saw from a sporting perspective from the weekend was the performance of Broncos full back Reece Walsh in the NRL. I’ve never seen a bloke have such an influence on a game, if you took him out of that team I reckon Storm win by 20 points. He gets best action for his creativity going forward and also his defensive tackling, one of the all-time great efforts.
JONTY: From my point of view, it was great to see Jindivick get a win on the weekend. I was having a good chat with their incoming coach and he talked about the fact that one of the players that has played a really influential role across recent seasons decided he wasn’t going to play this year because he’s had four wins across the past four seasons. They’ve been a club that’s really struggled in recent times and they dropped from three teams to two and their top side dropped a division to give them the opportunity to reset and rebuild. But they were able to get a really convincing win in round one which is really positive to see. Hopefully it lays the foundation for a strong season and they’re able to build on it.
BLAIR: Obviously DDCA didn’t go ahead so my coverage had to hold on so it was a pretty quiet weekend. But something that caught my eye was Harjas Singh up in New South Wales Premier Cricket. He scored 314 from 142 balls, a knock for the ages. He played in the Under-19 World Cup for Australia in seasons gone by, so he’s pretty young still, but he hit 35 sixes. That’s 210 runs from sixes and his knock was at a 221 strike rate. A few of the bowlers in the game got hit for a ton so here’s some of the figures: 0/71 from four overs, 1/123 off 10 overs and 2/104 off 10 overs. To add a little bit more, reportedly $2,000 of cricket balls were lost from his 35 sixes. So best action to him.
JUSTIN: Boys I was at the local cricket on Saturday and it wasn’t exactly a super entertaining game at Cardinia against Tooradin. Cardinia was struggling to score and desperate for runs, so Bradey Welsh tried to rush a single and Russ Lehman had one stump to aim at and knocked it over, running him out. Tooradin was able to keep the reigning premiers to 131 so it was a pretty good effort on a day where runs were hard to come by.
DAVE: As you’ll get to know Juzzy, the Cardinia cricket ground can sometimes be painfully slow. You can hit a cracking cover drive there and you’ll only get a single out of it.
MATCH WINNERS
JUSTIN: Something that caught everyone’s attention over the weekend was Dale Tormey, a very well-known and respected player around the region who’s currently with Buckley Ridges, played for Pakenham under a permit. It was approved by all parties but it inspired me to ask you boys, if you could bring one player in to win a game of cricket, who would it be?
DAVE: When I saw Dale’s name, I thought what’s going on here? Now it makes perfect sense, he’s an unbelievable bat, moves his feet better than anyone, gets into position early and hits the ball hard. The bloke that I would have is Luke McMaster. He won the league medal last year and then came out on the weekend and made 101 opening the batting. He’s also an opening bowler who bowls rapidly. He’s such a talented cricketer who can turn a game. When the two-day cricket starts
he’ll bowl 25 overs and take 5/30, then he’s dangerous with the bat. Brad Butler from Tooradin is another one, he’s a really quick bowler so for some intimidation I’d pick him and Dale Tormey is probably the man with the bat. But for the overall package, Luke McMaster.
BLAIR: I’ll go with Buckley Ridges star Ishan Jayarathna, the Wookey Medal winner. His batting and bowling are elite, last year he made 366 runs averaging about 52 and took 37 wickets. So if he doesn’t win you the game with the bat, he can win it with the ball. His run home last year to lead them to back-to-back flags was really impressive.
JONTY: I would definitely have Gamini Kumara who has been a real staple of the top order at Drouin in the last couple of seasons. He led the run scoring last year and they really missed him on the weekend as they were upset by the team that came eighth last year, that’s how big a hole he leaves. He really holds the top order together so he would be the one, and he also took two wickets in round one for Hallora, he’s really hard to get away from all reports. You want to have someone that can impact in both facets of the game and in his first game for Hallora he was really impressive. From an international perspective, I think there’s one man and one man only, Glenn Maxwell. He can do it in all three formats of the game, we know how destructive he is with the bat and can be with the ball as well. Also, his fielding with some of the boundary line acrobatic catching is elite.
JUSTIN: If I was picking a local one, it would also be Luke McMaster coming off the league medal. For an international batting pick, I’d go Dave Warner, he’s a match winner. When he gets hot, he can’t be stopped. In tests he averaged 44.6 with a strike rate of 71 and in ODIs he averages 45 with a 97 strike rate. He bats fast, which is what I like. With bowling, Brett Lee is the choice even though he’s slightly before my time. He bowls absolute thunderbolts with 310 test wickets and 380 ODI wickets. I’ll never forget his last-ever game in the Big Bash grand final, two clean bowls in the last over to nearly drag the Sixers over the line.
JONTY: Missed the last run out though!
PREGAME PERFORMANCE
JUSTIN: As Dave mentioned earlier, the NRL grand final took place over the weekend and Teddy Swims was the pre-game entertainment. We’ve had an American flavour over the last fortnight with Snoop Dogg in the AFL and now Teddy, so if you boys had to pick, who would you have for your pregame event?
JONTY: I’m not too much of a Snoop Dogg fan so I’d take Teddy Swims over Snoop Dogg pretty comfortably. Dead or alive, I’d go INXS though if I got to choose. I’d also like them to roll out Mike Brady for more than just one song. He could sing all three of his footy anthems that he’s got, why do we always only hear one of them? He’s got ‘One day in September’ and ‘That’s the Thing About Football’ which are great songs.
DAVE: I’ve got to be honest with you, I didn’t watch any of Snoop before the game, but I have heard of him. I’ve never heard of Teddy Swims. I was waiting for someone to come out with a swimming costume on, but I thought he was alright. Boys, you don’t know how devastating it was for me when Meatloaf stuffed up his grand final performance. I was brought up on Meatloaf and when they said he was going to perform I was so happy but he was horrible. For me though it can only be one person, she was born in the same year as me, 1968. It’s the one, the only, Kylie Minogue. She’s got some great content to sing and she would rip the MCG a new one on grand final day.
JUSTIN: I’ll go off the back of you, Jonty, I also had INXS written down. They performed at the 2010 draw, so is that something to take note of? I’ll throw out Midnight Oil as well, who have stated that they haven’t performed a grand final because they want a night slot to bring the vibes. Maybe that’s a conversation starter because who wouldn’t want to hear ‘Beds Are Burning’, ‘Power and the Passion’, and ‘Blue Sky Mine’; that would get me going before the first bounce, or ball-up now.
BLAIR: Pretty short and sweet from me. I also didn’t see Snoop or Teddy, but I’ve heard great things about Snoop. I think he’s got an aura that Teddy doesn’t have. The way he’s impacted the Melbourne footy scene while he’s been down under, you’ve got to go with him. I enjoyed watching his media work and the interviews with Richo and Cal Twomey. If I had to pick, Paul Kelly’s got some absolute bops.
DAVE: Where does Teddy Swims rank in world music? Is he high?
JUSTIN: No idea.
BLAIR: I think he’s come from nowhere, he must be now though. I think he’s a bit of a late riser.
LOOKING AHEAD
JUSTIN: Alright boys, with a lot of grades starting up this week, what are we looking forward to with
this week’s action?
BLAIR: I’m keen for the DDCA Turf 1 matchup of Springvale South vs Hallam Kalora Park, a prelim final rematch from last year. In that game last season, Hallam Kalora made a huge score of 359 but the second week was rained out. There’s a couple of moving parts too, Hallam Kalora have lost Mahela Udawatte who was the leading runscorer in the comp but got in Jawid Khan from Dandenong. Springy gets Ryan Quirk back who will probably open the batting and put up some big scores. I’m looking forward to seeing how that goes and I reckon both sides will be in the top four come the end of the year. I’m also keen to see Jonty Ralphsmith get started with Mt Eliza in the MPCA lower grades this week (boys laugh).
DAVE: Boys, forget about cricket fields this week. It is finals time in the local darts comp. The Predators have made their way through to the grand final, and the prelim is a matchup between Cheers and Just Social. What a matchup! It’s going to be a big contest but I’m going with Cheers. I’m going Hank, Ant, Liam and the boys to get the job done and take on The Predators in the big dance next week. Get down to the Nar Nar Goon Hotel on Tuesday nights, so by the time people have read this on Wednesday the prelim will have been run and won. My tip for the flag is The Predators, they’re looking strong.
JONTY: For me, it’s Drouin vs Catani. Drouin, grand finalists from last year, are coming off a surprise loss to Trafalgar and they’ll be desperate to bounce back and how the top order responds will be an area of real note. Catani had a very strong opening round performance, getting over the top of Hallora, so I’m looking forward to what comes of that matchup. Either way there’s a fair bit of interest. Either Catani, who came sixth last year and really struggled, will be 2-0 and Drouin will be 0-2 or it will go the other way and Drouin will bounce back for a strong win.
JUSTIN: I’ll finish it off with Pakenham visiting Tooradin. It’s at Rutter Park because the normal ground is not suitable at the moment but it’s a real test for Pakenham. They got the job done comfortably against Devon Meadows but it’ll be interesting to see how the batting holds up without Dale Tormey. Tooradin got the win over Cardinia but maybe it wasn’t as convincing as they would’ve liked so it will be a real gauge to see where the competition lies in Premier this season. With that, thanks for the chat boys and we’ll be back next week!
