News - Pakenham Officer Star News - 9th October 2025

Cricket is back

Strategy changes in more ways than one have fuelled Pakenham to the perfect start in the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA) Premier Division.

New approaches to bowling and bringing in Buckley Ridges and former Lions star Dale Tormey proved to be the difference makers for Pakenham against Devon Meadows.

In the opening game of the season at Toomuc Reserve, the Lions won the toss and opted to take the bat.

Despite opting for the crease, the innings got off to an awful start with skipper Jack Anning (1) being struck on the pads by Mitch Kleinig and given out just four balls into the season.

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History on show

Many may know the Salvation Army today through their numerous op shops, but behind that lies a rich history that has impacted countless lives for over a century, and Pakenham was no exception.

A new book from the Berwick Pakenham Historical Society chronicles the many lives connected to the Salvation Army Home between 1892 and 1919.

A launch for ’When the Army Came to Pakenham: Salvation Army Home Pakenham 1892–1919’willbeheldthisweekendtomarkitsrelease.

Attendees will have the chance to hear firsthand from the author about this prominent institution in early local history.

Historical Society member Penny Harris Jennings researched extensive documentation to profile the many individuals who passed through the Salvation Army Home in Pakenham, including both those who received their service and those who provided it.

Some had well-documented histories.

Others were patchy across the various itera-

tions of the Army Home, which ranged from rehabilitating ex-convicts and addicts to housing the elderly.

“There are some really sad stories, but there are also others that are really beautiful,” Ms Jennings said.

Pakenham’s Jason Williams. (507555)

Spotlight on history for book launch

By Corey Everitt

Many may know the Salvation Army today through their numerous op shops, but behind that lies a rich history that has impacted countless lives for over a century, and Pakenham was no exception.

A new book from the Berwick Pakenham Historical Society chronicles the many lives connected to the Salvation Army Home between 1892 and 1919.

A launch for ‘When the Army Came to Pakenham: Salvation Army Home Pakenham 1892–1919’ will be held this weekend to mark its release. Attendees will have the chance to hear firsthand from the author about this prominent institution in early local history.

Historical Society member Penny Harris Jennings researched extensive documentation to profile the many individuals who passed through the Salvation Army Home in Pakenham, including both those who received their service and those who provided it.

Some had well-documented histories. Others were patchy across the various iterations of the Army Home, which ranged from rehabilitating ex-convicts and addicts to housing the elderly.

“There are some really sad stories, but there are also others that are really beautiful,” Ms Jennings said.

The most well-known person to pass through those old walls was adventurer Harold Lasseter (1880–1931), famous for his claim of discovering a large gold reef in Central Australia. His quest to rediscover “Lasseter’s Reef” ultimately led to his death.

Many biographies have unearthed details of his early life, including a previously hidden period of institutionalisation as a young man. This included a year at the Pakenham Salvation Army Home after he was convicted of burglary at the age of 17.

Ms Jennings also cherishes the quieter stories. Her personal favourite is that of a young woman named Jesse Cuthbert.

She resided at the home around the turn of the century, and documents described her stay as “idle and disorderly.”

After leaving in 1898, she moved to Western Australia, where she married a Chinese man named Frederick Ah Wing.

They both changed their names and were later referred to as “Mr and Mrs Washing.” Jesse defied her supposed disorderliness to become a beloved mother.

The book weaves the history of the home together with the early beginnings of the town of Pakenham. The institution was established on land that is today located along Army Road.

Flyer to book launch of ‘When the Army Came to

1892–1919’. (Supplied)

Register your pets

From Friday 10 October, licensed RegiCheck ambassadors will be visiting households to educate pet owners on the importance and benefits of registering their pets.

Trained and licensed Regi-Check ambassadors, operating on behalf of Council, will be visiting selected households, from 10 October and throughout the month, reminding pet owners to register any new pets or re-register their pets. Regi-Check ambassadors will not ask residents for money or issue fines. They will be wearing hi-vis vests, will carry official identification and will inform residents of their purpose for visiting. Signage will also be placed in areas where the door knocking is being carried out.

In Cardinia Shire all cats and dogs must be microchipped and registered with Council as soon as they are 3 months old.

Animal registration is a critical component of responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. Having your pet registered with Council and ensuring they wear a registration tag with up-to-date contact details, allows us to easily and quickly reunite lost or roaming animals with their owners. Roaming pets pose a major threat to the wildlife in their local areas by disturbing natural habitats and potentially spreading diseases.

Pet registrations must be renewed by 10 April each year. Registration and payment can be made online, over the phone or in person at Council’s Customer Service Centre.

Founded during the 1890s depression, the Army Home served as a Prison Gate Brigade, then successively as a boys’ reformatory, girls’ reformatory, and finally an aged men’s retreat before being sold.

this Saturday 11 October, from 2pm at the Pakenham Railway Hotel.

You can get a copy of the book and hear more from Ms Jennings at the book launch

Upon conclusion of Regi-Check’s door knocking, all properties with animals identified will be followed up by Council’s Compliance Officers.

Pakenham: Salvation Army Home Pakenham

Cardinia Shire Council is launching a door-knocking campaign to help residents register their pets. (Supplied)

Extreme measures

By Afraa Kori

Some parents of African descent are sending their children to boarding schools in Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, Egypt, Rwanda in an attempt to keep them safe or steer them away from becoming involved in crime according to sources in the Sudanese-Australian community.

Founder of Centre for Migrant and Refugee Health Mabor Chadhoul said, “What we are witnessing is a form of voluntary exile, parents sending their children overseas in hopes of reform or protection”.

“While this may be within their rights, it is not a solution that guarantees safety or success.

“It risks creating a lost generation, children born in Australia, disconnected from both their homeland and their adopted country, with disrupted education and fractured identities.”

Retired gang member turned activist and mentor Mar Riek (known as Marbarrose) understands the fear driving these decisions.

“Australia is the country our parents came to for a greater, free and opportunistic life yet they find themselves constantly burying their kids,” he said.

“The deaths of Dau Akueng and Chol Achiek have had a massive impact on the South Sudanese community, it has caused a lot of discussion, heated arguments and change.

“I do not fault parents for sending their children to the motherland but I feel it is an extreme measure to keep their children safe, which shouldn’t be the first step.”

While Mr Riek was not sent overseas for his criminal past, he believes it might have made him more appreciative of the opportunities available in Australia.

However, he warns that relocation can also backfire.

“I’ve had friends and family get sent back and in return came back to Australia worse than before due to a feeling of neglect and blame,” he said.

“Children sent back could grow resentment towards their parents, siblings and families.

“I feel it is a case-by-case choice for children to be sent back. Not all Australians of South-Sudanese heritage can survive and live in Africa at their best.”

He added that some of the countries young people are being sent to pose serious safety risks.

“Children can be neglected in Africa, whether it’s financially, emotionally or physically,” Mr Riek said, adding locals may view Australian children as privileged and take advantage, steal

or in some cases kill them due to jealousy, envy and general hate for the west.

Chair of the South Sudanese Community Association Andrew Ohide warned that sending children abroad to live was fraught with problems.

“You cannot just take a child abroad, even if they are your own, they are still Australian citizens,” Mr Ohide said.

“If something goes wrong, you will be struggling with the embassy and government. Getting help can be hard and delayed.”

Mr Chadhou said the relocation of some young people has been driven by safety fears following the recent far-right protests, political rhetoric, lingering stigma from the Apex gang era, and negative stereotypes linking African-Australians to crime.

“This creates pressure on families and communities, leading some to believe that sending children away is the only way to protect them,”

Mr Chadhoul said.

“However, we must also acknowledge that safety concerns are real and sometimes come from within the community itself.”

African leaders believe the answer lies not in escape, but in engagement.

“We must invest in local solutions, strengthen family and community support systems, and ensure that young people have the tools to thrive in Australia,” Mr Chadhoul said.

“If children are failing here, we must ask why? What systemic or community-level failures are contributing to their disengagement? Sending them away does not address these root causes, it merely shifts the problem elsewhere.”

Mr Ohide agreed that community debate on this issue is widespread and growing, adding that it is difficult to convince some parents to change their minds.

“My community is talking about this all the time. They tell me face-to-face.”

Battle against graffiti far from over

By Afraa Kori

A longtime Berwick resident, Leigh Lox has spent more than a year advocating for action against graffiti across Southeast, but the issue remains largely unresolved.

Leigh Cox began raising concerns in 2024, contacting multiple government departments, only to be met with “generic responses or being redirected from one agency to another”.

“It’s frustrating. The problem of graffiti is still being treated as a joke,” Cox said.

“I’ve made at least four calls just about road sign graffiti and the response has always been an email saying it’s been allocated to contractors. It’s October 2025, and still nothing.”

Leigh highlighted widespread graffiti across Berwick, Clyde, Narre Warren, Dandenong Pakenham, including major spots like the Monash Freeway, Chadstone shopping centre, local train stations, and factories along the train line.

One of his major concerns is that graffiti is spreading towards airport-adjacent freeway areas, with signs and infrastructure often defaced or faded, creating both safety and visual concerns.

Cox has reached out to several government offices in pursuit of action. His attempts included:

- The Office of Gabrielle Williams MP, Minister for Government Services, Consumer Affairs, and Public Transport who referred him to Minister for Police.

- The Municipal Association of Victoria, which referred him to the Victorian Ombudsman.

- The Victorian Ombudsman, which directed him to VicRoads and the Department of Transport and Planning.

Last year, Transport Victoria replied that his reports had been allocated to contractors and

prioritized among other hazards, explaining their inspections and graffiti management obligations under the Road Management Act.

In a letter from Police and Crime Prevention Minister Anthony Carbines, the government outlined initiatives including investments in Victoria Police, CCTV cameras, and graffiti removal programs across the state, but Cox says the impact has been limited in his local area.

Despite these challenges, Cox remains determined.

“At least now community groups are voicing my concerns,” he said. “By working together, we can make a positive impact and create a safer,

Bass MP will not recontest

By Corey Everitt

Most of Cardinia will see entirely new faces nextstateelectionasBassMPJordanCrugnale hasannouncedshewillnotrecontestin2026.

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.

cleaner, and more beautiful environment for everyone.”

He welcomed the recent announcement that graffiti defacing the Clyde Road overpass in Berwick will be removed by 10 October, following advocacy from the Casey Residents & Ratepayers Association (CRRA), Opposition Leader Brad Battin, and Casey Council.

Cox urges a collaborative approach to address graffiti, combining community engagement with government action.

“Graffiti not only defaces public spaces but creates a sense of neglect and unease in our community.

“It can impact property values, local businesses, and the overall aesthetics of our neighbourhoods.”

Cox proposes several initiatives:

- Community mural projects: Working with local artists and residents to transform graffiti-prone walls into vibrant public art.

- Graffiti art programs: Offering workshops or classes for aspiring street artists in legal, supportive environments.

- Graffiti cleanup initiatives: Organizing volunteers to regularly remove unwanted graffiti and replace it with approved community artwork, such as promoting local sports clubs or businesses.

- Engaging graffiti artists: Providing opportunities for street artists to showcase their work legally.

- Education campaigns: Raising awareness of the negative consequences of illegal graffiti on property, safety, and public perception.

“By approaching graffiti with proactive solutions, we can transform it from a nuisance into a meaningful aspect of urban life,” Cox said.

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 Allan 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 sixties, 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.

The seats of Pakenham and Bass are two of the most marginal seats in Victoria, held by a 300 and 200-vote margin, respectively.

Retired gang member, turned into activist Mar has hope there is a brighter future, despite rising calls for ‘voluntary exile’ (Stewart Chambers: 508348)

Leigh. (Supplied)

Bass MP Jordan Crugnale. (File)

‘Soft launch’ for tunnel

By Callum Godde, AAP

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

Land affordable in south east regions

By Nick Sinis

Cardinia and Casey council areas have been described as offering buyers the chance to purchase land at ’relatively affordable prices’ according to a national property report by Herron Todd White*.

The report breaks down key areas across each state including Victoria, noting that while vacant land in the south east varies, the growth corridors of Cardinia and Casey are the most affordable options for land.

“These areas are particularly attractive to first-homebuyers including newly arrived migrants from overseas. With continued development of schools, amenities and transport options, they are expected to thrive in the future,“ the report highlights.

However, it notes that more developed areas, such as the Mornington Peninsula, come at a ’premium’ due to limited supply.

“While land prices in these regions are higher, the introduction of a new vacant land tax in Victoria in 2026 could lead to an increase in supply and a potential drop in prices for vacant land in areas

Land in Clyde North as well as Casey and Cardinia overall was noted as being affordable for buyers. (File)

like Mount Martha, Brighton and Bentleigh,“ the report notes. Clyde North was noted for having ’plenty of opportunities’ to purchase land for under $1000

per square metre.

“A recent example is the sale of 5 Chimay Street, Clyde North, a 512-square-metre block that sold for $510,000 in May 2025. This highlights

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

government will be hoping for a similar boost before heading to the polls in November 2026.

how buyers can secure a larger lot of land at a reasonable price in today’s market.“

Clyde North has also seen more than 115 vacant land sales in the past three month, compared to Mount Martha with only 18 sales.

Data from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) also revealed that house prices climbed 2.7 per cent and 2.5 per cent in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria respectively, with unit prices also recording 2.1 per cent and 1.4 per cent increases.

The quarterly median data for the period ending 30 September 2025 highlighted that metropolitan unit and apartment price growth was driven by significant gains in outer (3.4 per cent) and middle (2.5 per cent) Melbourne, with a record-setting median auction price of $804,500.

Jacob Caine, REIV Interim CEO, said the latest quarterly data reflects an ongoing improvement

Labor

A test run in the Metro Tunnel, due to open for service in 2025. (Supplied)

Community kitchen a reality

By

Living and Learning Inc, in Pakenham have been successful in obtaining a large grant from the Andrews Foundation to develop and operate a community kitchen, which is such an exciting opportunity for the centre and the community.

The Andrews Foundation is devoted to improving the quality of life in the South-East region of Victoria. They support grants and organisations with innovative ideas that help create a positive and long-lasting impact on the communities.

Living Learning Pakenham (LLP) support a wide range of communities and groups and throughout the year, we hold special events including Harmony Day, World Refugee Day and hold a celebration for our English Language and Computer class students at graduation ceremonies and community lunches.

The initial concept was to develop a program for the community where you use what you have sown in the garden to make nutritious, inexpensive meals for your family and community. We aim to support LLPs’ sustainability and waste reduction by providing a space to cook surplus food from the community garden and promote practices, such as compostingandresponsiblesourcingofingredients. This program will provide education in food security and healthy eating.

LLP want the community kitchen to be a gathering place where the community and its residents can cook together and build relationships, strengthen social ties, and create a sense of belonging by overcoming language and cultural barriers.

LLP will be consulting the community and centre users, as we want to incorporate as many ideas as we can on how we can promote and use the community kitchen; we aim to open the kitchen in the middle of 2026.

LLP is excited to be developing a community kitchen thanks to a grant. (Supplied)

Living Learning Pakeham CEO, Audra Fenton

Clock ticking on car parks

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 de-

mand 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 mid-shift. 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.

New park for Clyde North in heart of Smiths Lane

To celebrate the milestone, a community

residents

fourth park.

Key features include sheltered BBQ areas, ideal for weekend gatherings with family and neigh-

bours, play zones for younger children, a basketball court with a netball ring for sport enthusiasts, and a multi-sport hit-up wall, catering to cricket,

and more. Glen Greening, development director for

Masterplanned Communities in Victoria at Mirvac, said: “More than just a park, Clara Park has been designed as a place where residents can connect, unwind, and enjoy the outdoors right on their doorstep.

“The opening of Clara Park marks another important milestone for our growing neighbourhood and offers essential amenities for the fast-developing south-east community.”

Smiths Lane is already home to around 3,000 residents and will ultimately deliver over 3,000 additional homes across the next decade.

Mirvac recently announced the sale of the Smiths Lane Town Centre site to Coles, who will also become the major tenant of the future town centre.

Side of Casey Race has 2-hour parking.

Cranbourne Library gravel car park, looking up to the new Cranbourne Community Hospital, has 3-hour parking spaces.

New timed parking restrictions at Casey Complex.

By Violet Li

A new park has opened in Clyde North. Developer Mirvac announced the official opening of Clara Park in late September, a new green space located in the heart of its 260-hectare Smiths Lane master planned community in Clyde North.

event was hosted, where

explored the newly completed park with activities including play zone adventures, basketball games, and family-friendly entertainment, as well as treats from Humble Merchant Cafe.

Located on Clara Drive, Clara Park is Smiths Lane’s

tennis

The planned town centre will include a fullline Coles supermarket, a mix of specialty retailers and dining options and inviting public spaces to relax, gather, and connect, subject to relevant authority approvals.

Residents at the community event for the opening of Clara Park in Clyde North. (Supplied)

Residents at the community event for the opening of Clara Park in Clyde North. (Supplied)

Experience lifestyle living

In a world of endless to-do lists, unfamiliar neighbours, and days that we rush through, the search for community feels more important than ever.

For some, connection means staying active through sport, a book club, or a shared hobby. For others, it’s about more me time, slowing down, finding time for yourself, or enjoying a chat over coffee with a close friend. No matter what it means to you, the essence of community living is choice and the freedom to live in a way that feels right just for you.

That’s the idea behind Lifestyle Communities, neighbourhoods designed with people, connection, and wellbeing in mind. It’s about finding your way to live, without needing to fit a mould.

This October, Lifestyle Communities is inviting the public to experience the joy of community first-hand. On Saturday 18 October, from 10am2pm, all 25 Lifestyle Communities across Victoria will open their doors for one day only. You are welcome to explore the Clubhouse, our homes, meet homeowners, and experience what life could look like at Lifestyle Communities.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about where you live but about how you live, and who you share it with.

Learn more or find your closet community at www.lifestylecommunities.com.au/all-lifestyleopen-day.

On Saturday 18 October, from 10am-2pm Lifestyle Communities is inviting the public to experience the joy of community first-hand.

FOCUS ON … EDUCATION CHOICES Discover and explore

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-

Helen Staindl School Principal

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.

Discover, Explore, and Celebrate at Minaret College Officer Campus Open Day!

Civilians arrest robber

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”.

One of the witnesses picked up a knife that spilled from Oshla’s pocket and held it behind their back.

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 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.

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 con-

fronted 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.

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-half-year supervised community corrections order, including 350 hours of unpaid work as well as mental health and drug-and-alcohol treatment.

Meet the School Principal & Leaders

St Clares

My name is Jodie Mallows and I am passionate about education and improving outcomes for students. My strengths include communication and building positive relationships with staff and students. I have been a Deputy Principal for 10 years and have a strong commitment to Catholic education. As a Deputy principal I have worked closely with those around me in a supportive way and to also develop their skills. I have recently completed my Masters in Education and Theology, graduating at St Patrick’s cathedral in Melbourne. My family includes my husband Sean and 3 adult children who are off doing amazing things and building their careers. I love traveling, spending time in the outdoors, cooking and reading. I barak for the Geelong Cats and enjoy watching AFL.

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

ST. PATRICK’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

name

in 2019 as Deputy Principal and Student Wellbeing leader.

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

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

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

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

136 Princes Highway, Pakenham office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au www.stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

My

is Meg Escalante and I am the Principal of St Patrick’s Primary school, Pakenham since 2022. I began at St Patrick’s

County Court of Victoria.

Scheme help or hindrance?

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 ownership 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,butonceyoulookattheactualnumbers—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.”

Major sewer upgrades underway at Ballarto Road

South East Water has kicked off investigative works on two major infrastructure upgrades in Clyde: the Ballarto Road Pump Station and Rising Sewer Main projects. Investigative works are now underway in partnership with industry partners Abergeldie, BMD, KBR (ABK) and Beca, Fulton Hogan, and Interflow (BFHI).

ABK has conducted the investigative work for the emergency storage tank at Ballarto Road Pump Station.

This is part of the first phase of upgrade works to increase the capacity of the pump station to meet the growing demands of the Clyde area.

Major future upgrades include con-

struction of new above-ground infrastructure, including a new pump station building, chemical dosing plant and vent stack, as well as underground storage.

BFHI has completed investigative works for the Ballarto Road Sewer Rising Main set to deliver 16 km of new pipeline connecting Clyde to South East Water’s Pakenham Wastewater Treatment Plant.

According to South East Water, together, these projects will boost sewerage capacity, reduce spill risk and future-proof wastewater services for thousands of new homes and businesses in the area.

South East Water general manager Liveable Water Solutions Charlie Littlefair said

the upgrades were essential to meet the growing demands of the Clyde community and ensure the network continued to operate safely and reliably.

“We’re investing in infrastructure that supports one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing communities while meeting the challenges of a growing population,” he said.

“We’re proud to support Victoria’s housing priorities by building essential wastewater networks that enable sustainable development in growth corridors like Clyde.”

Delivered by ABK and BFHI under the utility’s Integrated Planning and Delivery model, Ballarto Road is among the utility’s

top 10 projects outlined in its Price Submission 2023–28.

South East Water is also progressing the Tuckers Road Recycled Water Main Project in nearby Clyde North, which will deliver 2.5 km of new pipeline to meet rising demand for recycled water in the area.

Investigative works are underway to support the design phase, with construction expected to follow.

For more information, visit: southeastwater.com.au/faults-and-works/works/ upgrades/

Hampton Park father of two Insaf Wazeer hoped the 5 per cent deposit scheme would help his family buy their first home in the Hampton Park area, but said borrowing limits and high housing prices still remained the biggest obstacles. (Stewart Chambers: 508239)

Lynbrook shines bright

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.

The fire show drew the largest crowd. (Rob Carew: 506918)

Hundreds of shining flowers drifted onto the lake.

Hundreds of shining flowers drifted onto the lake. Freddie helped decorate the gardens with paper flowers and colour.

“Flash Twinkletoes” commanded the night. Glowing paper lotus on the lake.

A mystical moonrise cast a silvery light over the park. The fire show drew the largest crowd.

Daniel with Dad Seyed.

The Mermaid Story and Meet was one of the highlights of the day.

Remi reached for a lantern as the sun went down. Mum and daughter team Jessica and Mia capture the spirit of the evening with shining

Multicultural celebration

Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre held Multicultural Family Day on Saturday 4 October.

The event featured a traditional Welcome and Smoking Ceremony, followed by cultural performances and presentations that showcased the diversity of the community.

Guests enjoyed a variety of activities, including free fairy floss, popcorn, and a classic sausage sizzle.

There was also face painting, temporary tattoos, stalls, a petting zoo, an emergency

vehicle display, as well as a selection of food trucks.

A spokesperson of the centre said the event truly highlighted the spirit of community, with something for everyone to enjoy, making it a memorable day for all who attended.

“Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of our special guests who visited, as well as the incredible volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this event such a huge success,” they said.

Facepainting was very popular, from left, Malikah, Anaya, Sarah, Bec (staff), Sarah, Zainab.

Rowan Grant, Sylvio Seeboruth and Keith Grant and from SES Narre Warren.

Smoking Ceremony.

Neighbourhood Watch Casey, Tony Hanna, Jo-Ann Fitzgerald and Damien Rosario.

Karen and Mini Lop Rabbit “Buggs” from “Animals on the Move”.

Free Food, Sikh Volunteers, Volunteers Niranjan Singh, Jaswinder Singh (CEO Sikh Volunteers) and Shehnan Singh were joined by Casey Cr Michelle Crowther, Robin Dzedins, Ian Wood (Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce President), Damien Rosario (Neighbourhood Watch Casey).

Ambulance Paramedics Amelia, Rebecca and Kathryn with Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas were promoting “Shocktober” along with the Heart Foundation.

Staff from Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre, from left, Lotti, Cassandra, Lucy, Luke, Bec, and Ferdousi.

Young Generation Filipino Senior Citizens Club of the South East performed Folk Dancing. (Rob Carew: 502814)

Abbie Lane from the City of Casey Environmental Education Office.

Young Generation Filipino Senior Citizens Club of the South East performed Folk Dancing.

Young Generation Filipino Senior Citizens Club of the South East with family and friends.

Campaigning for food relief

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 Transit 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

Transit volunteers ready for their 6pm grocery distribution service (Stewart Chambers: 508538)

Volunteers Joe and Rajitha preparing for dinner service at Transit (508538)Michelle and Dot with fresh grocery produce (508538)

Errol working away for the 5pm dinner service (508538)

Chanchal Kumavat, Cr Carolyn Eaves, Cr Melinda Ambros, MP Belinda Wilson, Helen Small, Christine Crowley, Michelle Pinxt, Leanne Petrides, Mayor Stefan Koomen, Cr Anthony Walter, Cr Kim Ross, Cr Michelle Crowther and Anthony Hanna at a Casey food-relief event at Bunjil Place.

WHAT’S ON

Thursday Lounge live entertainment

Share a unique, relaxing evening of live entertainment at the Brewing Bliss Cafe in Pakenham. The sessions run on 16 and 23 October from 6pm9pm.

Crafty crocheting!

Join the workshop to learn crochet basics or bring your crochet project. Get making in a room of like minded crafters. The sessions run on 16 and 23 October from 10am-12pm at Cardinia Cultural Centre.

Grandparents and caregivers playgroup

Join a joyful day of intergenerational bonding. Fun activities including painting, nature walks and more. Kids can explore the life size garbage truck. Free barbecue. All carers welcome. The event is held at Deep Creek Reserve Pakenham from 10am-1pm.

Pakenham Woolcraft Day

Victorian Black & Coloured Sheep Breeders Association of Australia Inc is bringing their annual craft day at Pakenham Library Community Hall on October 12 from 9:30am-2pm.

Lakeside Market Pakenham

Meet, talk, spend and eat at this family friendly street food truck and handmade makers market with over 70 stalls, set by the side of Lakeside Lake and out the front of the Cardinia Cultural Centre. The market will be held on Sunday October 19 from 9am-2pm

21st Pakenham National Exhibition

The Pakenham Camera Club will once again be hosting the 21st Pakenham National Exhibition at the Cardinia Cultural Centre during the month of October.

Photos and images have been arriving from all over Australia, creating a stunning display of print and digital images. The Exhibition is open during the cultural centre’s opening hours daily. As well as viewing the best of the chosen entries, visitors are invited to select their favourite image for the best in show.

Trivia Night

Lakeside Scout Group will be hosting a Trivia Night on the 25th of October at 60 Everly Cct, Pakenham 3810. Grab your smartest friends and family for a great night of laughs, drinks and mind-bending trivia. Help our group raise funds for Cuboree 2026! Grab tickets via https://www.trybooking. com/DDEKP

U3A Casey – Pyrographic Art

Calling all seniors to try this unique craft. Also known as Woodburning Art, Pokerwork or Wood Burning, this artistic craft can be done on most things from wood, leather, cork to canvas. Designs can be burnt onto a wide range of practical items, such as coasters, trays, cheese boards, boxes, house signs, key ring tags, framed pictures, to name a few.

In the Pyrography Art class each member selects their own projects and works at their own pace, often exploring various techniques, which can include line art, shading and colouring of designs. If you’d like to give Pyrographic Art a try, then come along. It’s easy to do, it’s creative and it’s practical and versatile. Wood is provided for free and a pyrography tool is available for use during the first session. After your first try out, U3A membership is $30 (July to Dec) to continue with Pyrographic Art, or to take part in any of our other 75 classes.

When: Monday from 10am to 12noon. Where: Lynbrook Community Centre, 2 Harris St, Lynbrook.

• Enquiries: Visit website at www.u3acasey.org. au or phone office on 0493 280 458 Inner Wheel Club of Pakenham

The Inner Wheel Club of Pakenham is inviting new members to join its vibrant community focused on “Fun, Friendship and Service.”

The club meets on the first Thursday of each month at 10:00am, with a variety of activities and events planned in the coming months. Regular gatherings include Movie Days, Coffee Mornings, craft days, and outings to special events.

A highlight on the calendar is the Pink Ribbon Breakfast, taking place on 21st November 2025, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.

In the lead-up to the festive season, the club will also be running its annual Christmas Trailer Raffle, with tickets available at local shopping centres. Community members are encouraged to participate for a chance to win a fantastic prize while supporting local initiatives.

Additionally, during November and December, the club will be promoting the “Orange the World” campaign with displays and events aimed at raising awareness to help end violence against women and girls.

• For more info visit http://innerwheelaustralia. org.au or contact a local club at iiw.au.pakenham@ gmail.com if

Little learner’s playgroup

Join Aspire Pakenham centre every Friday morning from 10:30-11:30am for free playgroup sessions for your little one. It’s the perfect opportunity for children to play, explore and make new friends, with a new theme every week. Hosted by Anglicare Victoria, the event will be held at the community centre, 75 Army Rd in Pakenham.

Cardinia Dads 2025

Are you a dad living in Cardinia Shire with a child aged between 0-6 years?

Cardinia Dads is hosting a free program for dads to meet, connect and share parenting experiences in an informal and supportive setting.

Each group runs for 6 weeks. The remaining date is 22 October from 5pm-7pm.

Cardinia Prostate Cancer Support Group

Meeting on the first Thursday of each month at Outlook Community Centre, 24 Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham

All are welcome. For more information please contact Span Hanna on 0422917386 or email spanetc@hotmail.com

Berwick Bridge Club

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

Berwick Bridge Club is looking for new members. For more info please phone Maree on 9702 2348. Get Involved with Pakenham

Central Probus

Looking to stay social, active, and connected in retirement? Pakenham Central Probus is a vibrant and welcoming club for retired or semi-retired locals seeking fun, friendship, and fresh experiences. Enjoy a wide range of activities including Dine Outs, day trips, coffee mornings, a walking group, craft group, ten pin bowling, concerts, and theatre outings.

Monthly meetings are held in Pakenham on Thursdays with reports on the Club’s activities, interesting speakers and opportunities to socialise and sign up for any of the activities that interest you. For more info contact membership officer, Jenny on 0419 421 950 or email pakenhamcentralprobus@gmail.com

Garfield Exercise Group

As part of the Bunyip Friendship Hub, they meet at the Garfield Football Club rooms on Tuesdays at 10am.

Garfield Sewing Club

Come along with your sewing machine or use one of ours and join a group of sewers creating clothes, quilts, crafts, repairing and upcycling. All skill levels welcome but a gold coin donation. This event is held every Tuesday during the school term at Garfield Scout Hall.

Food Relief with Vegetables and Fruit

Available every second Wednesday at 2pm at MoyYan Neighbourhood House in Garfield.

Inner Wheel Club of Berwick

The Inner Wheel Club (IW) Berwick is a ladies international friendship club which raises funds to support local charities and other worthwhile causes.

They have a dinner meeting on the first Monday of the month and enjoy a range of activities including

guest speakers, morning teas, book club and craft afternoons

• For more information, visit their Facebook page or contact iiw.au.berwick@gmail.com

Berwick Springs VIEW Club

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

The club currently supports 10 students of varying ages with their education expenses.

The club meets on the first Monday of each month in the Berwick Springs Hotel function room from 11.15am, where members enjoy a lunch and then host a guest speaker.

Throughout the year, the club has a couple of special fundraisers, as well as casual morning tea and lunch for interested ladies.

The club is always looking for new members in all age groups.

• For more information, contact Shirley on 0438 191 759 or email berwicksprings.viewclub@ gmail.com

Probus Club of Pakenham East

The Probus Club of Pakenham East is encouraging new members to join the Club.

Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Cardinia Club, 71 Racecourse Road Pakenham. Meeting commences at 10:30am. A short meeting is followed by morning tea and the opportunity to get to know members prior to the introduction of the guest speaker.

Various activities are held throughout the month

• For more information, please contact President Pamela on 0418584913 or contact SecretaryDorothy on probuspakenhameast@gmail.com

U3A Casey

Did you know that U3A Casey now has 471 members and operates out of multiple venues acrossthe Casey area?

It offers 65 different classes, ranging from exercise/movement/dance groups to literature, crafts,music, discussion groups and more.

• If you want to keep both your mind and bodyactive after retirement, then visit u3acasey.org.au

Uniting Church Pakenham Regional Mission Area

“Our vision as a Christian community is to honour each individual’s experience of God, while sharing the love of Jesus in a positive, safe and inclusive environment.”

Sunday’s communion service was conducted by Rev. Tony Duncan, one of the Regional ministry team. The focus of the service was a little mustard seed can have lots of faith. Tony told the story of an injured man who was injured with machinery. He had a permanent limp and his arm was badly injured. He didn’t believe he had enough faith as he had not had aa religious conversion and needed more faith. He learnt that faith can’t be measured. A little faith goes a long

way. The Disciples believed that they didn’t have enough faith. On our own we can’t believe. Faith is not about quantity. We only need the faith of a mustard seed and it doesn’t need to be measured.

We look at injustice and in Psalm 137 written by David when in exile in 587BC This psalm ends with anger but we must not stay in anger. Offer it to God and convert it. We should share anger and grief and move forward.

Things to remember:

· Homework Hub Tuesday in recess for school holidays. Returns 14th October 3.30 – 5.30pm

· Playgroup Wednesday mornings. In recess for school holidays Returns 15th October

9.30 – 11.00am

· Church Council Next meeting 16th October. 7.30pm

· Beehive Craft in recess for October

· Elder’s Gathering – no meeting in October. Next meeting Friday 7th November

· Friendship Group Wednesday 5th November 1.30pm

· St Andrews Berwick fete Saturday 25th October 9am – 2pm Sunday 9th November. Rev Chang-bae will be inducted by Presbytery at Beaconhills Berwick at 11am. This is a huge event with all of the 6 congre-

gations joining together to welcome Chang-bae. We will then share lunch together. Make sure this date is in your diary.

Please ensure that the doors are locked when you leave the building and the heating/cooling and lights are off.

Please continue to contribute to the Lazarus Food Relief which is being run by the COPTIC church who are providing hampers for the community which they distribute each Saturday at 2.00pm. A box is in the foyer for donations. Psalm 137 V1 “By the rivers of Babylon – there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion”

Seniors. (Supplied)

Summer start up for Pumas

While they only chalked up one win from six games on the weekend, the Pakenham Pumas showed some promising signs in the opening round of the summer baseball season.

The Women’s Black team were the standouts, scoring a rampaging 20-7 victory over Waverley Reds, while all other teams showed the grit and resilience that has defined the Pumas over the years.

It’s shaping as a wonderful season of baseball, with juniors joining the party with their openinground fixtures this week.

PREMIER FIRSTS

Pakenham Pumas put up a spirited fight on Sunday but couldn’t quite claw their way past Ormond GH, going down 5-2 in a tough contest on the road.

Ormond came out firing early, opening the scoring in the first inning with an RBI double.

Despite the early setback, Pumas starter Rhys McKenzie battled hard across six and two-third innings, keeping his side in the game.

McKenzie struck out four batters and gave up just four earned runs from 11 hits, showing plenty of grit on the mound.

At the plate, Kyler Rinehart set the tone from the top of the order, picking up two solid hits from his four at-bats.

Max Hunter was the key offensive spark for the Pumas, driving in both of the team’s runs with a clutch hit through the middle.

While Ormond’s pitcher held the Pumas scoreless through five innings, Pakenham never stopped pressing, showing strong teamwork in the field and turning a tidy double play to keep momentum alive.

It wasn’t the result they were after, but the Pumas showed plenty of fight and promise; a performance they’ll look to build on as the season continues.

PREMIER RESERVES

Pakenham Pumas came out swinging on Sunday but couldn’t hold back a determined Ormond side, going down 10–3 in a challenging road game.

The Pumas got off to the perfect start in the opening inning when Wayne Porter laced a single to bring home the first run of the day.

But Ormond quickly hit back, levelling the scores at one apiece after a catcher’s interference call in the bottom of the inning.

Pitchers Lance and Ollie shared the duties on the mound for Pakenham, both working hard against a patient Ormond lineup.

Lance struck out three across two and twothird innings, while Ollie added another strikeout in relief.

At the plate, the Pumas kept the bats working, with Cooper Porter, Wayne Porter, Ollie, and Scott Dale each collecting a hit.

The scoring was shared around, with Wayne Porter, Ollie, and Flick Clissold all driving in a run apiece to keep the visitors in the hunt.

While the final score didn’t fall Pakenham’s way, there were plenty of positives to take away; from the early energy at the plate to the fighting spirit shown right through to the last out.

The Pumas Reserves will be looking to bounce back stronger next week as they continue to build momentum in their Premier 2 campaign.

STATE LEAGUE 3

WAVERLEY OUTGUNS PAKENHAM IN OPENING ROUND SHOOTOUT

In a high-scoring season opener, Waverley proved too strong for Pakenham, powering to a 15-7 victory in a game that swung wildly in the early innings.

Pakenham came out swinging but couldn’t capitalise in the top of the first inning, leaving runners stranded.

Waverley wasted no time in seizing control, pushing across three runs in the bottom half of the inning to take an early lead.

The second inning turned into a slugfest, with Pakenham roaring back with a massive seven-run surge to snatch the lead.

However, Waverley answered emphatically in their half of the inning, matching Pakenham’s output with seven runs of their own, reclaiming the lead and sending a message that they weren’t done yet.

Pakenham’s bats cooled off in the top of the third, failing to add to their total.

Waverley then sealed the game with another three-run burst, cementing their dominance and closing out the match with a convincing 15-7 win. Despite the loss, Pakenham had some bright spots.

The match marked the debut of Jesus Camacho, who showed promise in his first outing with the club.

James Darcy turned in a solid performance on the mound to open the game, with Mathew Howden coming in to relieve close.

In the field, Brad Bugeja was a standout in right field, making several critical catches to keep Pakenham in the contest during the early innings.

Pakenham will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture, taking the positives from a tough opening round and aiming to tighten up defensively against high-powered opposition.

STATE LEAGUE 4

Pakenham Pumas showed true fighting spirit on Sunday, falling just short in a nail-biting 7–6 loss to Ormond Glenhuntly at EE Gunn Reserve.

Despite trailing by four runs midway through the fifth inning, the Pumas refused to roll over, mounting a spirited late-game comeback that had the home crowd on edge right until the final out.

The visitors made their intentions clear early, with Daniel Kirby driving in the first run of the game in the opening inning.

Ormond responded quickly to tie things up, before taking a narrow 2-1 lead on an error in the fourth.

The Pumas hit back hard in the fifth, with Travis Hough stepping up to deliver a clutch single that plated two runs and pushed Pakenham back in front 3–2.

But in a game of momentum swings, Ormond struck back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring five runs to regain control.

Still, Pakenham wasn’t done.

A pop out, a defensive error, and a disciplined walk saw the Pumas claw their way back within one run; showcasing their determination and ‘never-say-die’ attitude.

On the mound, Brad Jones was strong across five innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out six.

The Pumas’ aggressive base running was another highlight, stealing an impressive seven bases for the game, with Andrew Hemmes and Gregg McCormick leading the charge.

Travis Hough was again a key contributor in

the middle of the order, driving in two runs and finishing the day 1-for-3, while Kirby, Hemmes, and McCormick also added hits to round out a balanced offensive effort.

It may not have been the result they wanted, but the Pumas can hold their heads high after pushing Ormond to the brink in a gutsy, hardfought contest.

WOMEN’SBLACK

PUMAS POWER PAST WAVERLEY IN A 20–7 SHOWCASE OF STRENGTH AND TEAM SPIRIT

Pakenham Pumas put on a masterclass of hitting and hustle on Saturday at Toomuc Recreation Reserve, storming to a 20-7 victory over Waverley Red in a game packed with big bats, quick feet, and plenty of heart.

Leading the charge was Katherine Walton, who drove in four runs on two clutch hits.

Walton’s consistency at the plate helped fuel the Pumas’ early dominance, with a two-run single in the second inning followed by another key hit in the third that pushed home another run. Waverley made an early statement, scoring twice in the opening frame after a ground out and a walk brought runners home.

But the Pumas were quick to flip the script. In the bottom of the first, Pakenham exploded for five runs on five hits, taking control of the game for good.

A perfectly timed single from Jade Taylor, with two strikes against her, drove in a pair and set the tone for what was to come.

The Pumas’ offense only grew stronger as the game went on.

Six more runs crossed the plate in the second inning, with contributions from all across the lineup; Holly Lunn and Olivia Garcia each drove in a run, while Walton added two more with a line drive to left, and Taylor and Kirby Cannizzaro chipped in with RBI groundouts.

By the third inning, Pakenham’s bats were unstoppable.

Another seven-run burst saw Beatrice Carreras earn an RBI walk, Lunn smash a two-run double, Emily Devine follow with another double, and hits from Walton, Carni Dowsett, and Taylor continue the onslaught.

On the mound, Emily Williams opened the game for Pakenham, holding Waverley to just two hits across two innings, while Garcia stepped in

later to close things out with composure.

When the dust settled, the Pumas had tallied an impressive 19 hits and a staggering 12 stolen bases; proof of the team’s aggressive, confident style.

Garcia, Devine, Lunn, and Dowsett each finished with three hits apiece, while Walton, Sofia, and Dowsett each swiped multiple bags in a display of smart, fearless base running.

It was a day where every Puma played their part, and the result spoke for itself…a dominant 20-7 win that showcased the team’s chemistry, power, and relentless determination.

WOMEN’S PINK

PUMAS PINK SHOW GRIT AND SPEED DESPITE TOUGH LOSS TO CHELTENHAM

Pakenham Pumas showed plenty of fight and flashes of brilliance on Saturday, but couldn’t quite keep pace with a strong Cheltenham White outfit, going down 15–3 at Toomuc Recreation Reserve.

While the scoreboard didn’t fall their way, there was no shortage of effort, energy, and team spirit from the Pink crew.

Jessica Moulding took the ball to start and battled hard across three innings, striking out four and keeping her composure against a heavyhitting Cheltenham lineup.

At the plate, Karlee Brady led the way, going 1-for-2 and driving in the Pumas’ first run of the day. Joanna Blackler also added a solid base hit, with both players showing good patience and presence in the box.

But where the Pumas really shone was on the base paths, turning every opportunity into a chance to pressure their opponents.

Brady, Codie Sell, Moulding, and Kaylee each nabbed multiple stolen bases, helping the team rack up an impressive 12 steals for the game.

The Pumas also showed their discipline at the plate, drawing six walks and forcing Cheltenham’s pitchers to earn every out.

It was one of those games where the effort was there from start to finish, the kind that builds character and chemistry for the season ahead. With their trademark hustle, determination, and a few more hits falling their way, this Pumas Pink side will be one to watch as the season rolls on.

-Jessica Moulding-

Katherine Walton led the charge for the Pakenham Pumas Women’s Black team; her consistent hitting fuelling a dominant win over Waverley Red. (Stewart Chambers: 441370)

Busy build up for Villagers

Cardinia Waters has begun a busy pre-season with practice games almost every week until the Pennant season starts on October 25.

This week saw a midweek game against Garfield and a Saturday game against Blue Hills Retirement Village in Cranbourne.

At Garfield, the Village team lost heavily to the home side, who led on most rinks all day.

The Saturday game against Blue Hills was the reverse with Cardinia Waters controlling play all day at home, winning on four of the five rinks played. The final score was 138-58, with Blue Hills struggling to control their bowls on the fast Cardinia Waters surface.

Several rinks had substantial wins, the best being Ray Naylor (skip), John Moore, Jill Naylor and Ron Seamer who won 40-2.

Not to be outdone veteran bowler John Van Vugt skipped a winning rink including Kel Smith, Robert Mitchell and Lorraine Devine who won 396.

Ashley Graham’s rink won their game but claimed the highlight of the day scoring a perfect eight on end 13.

Ashley played with Jim Barrie, Del Dance and Val Moore; the final score being 25-14.

Michele Bondfield’s rink won by three shots, to round off a good day.

She played with Gary Bondfield, Marion Stevens and Ian Kitt.

Cardinia Waters still has practice games against

Interestingly the practice game against Pakenham will be the only time this season that the two local clubs play each other.

The local derby has been part of the lawn bowls scene for many years.

These games were sternly contested as bragging rights were important.

All ready for another special season at Cardinia Waters

A very cool day greeted Cardinia Waters bowlers recently when they celebrated the opening of the new bowls season.

The traditional part of the event was moved indoors, where Club President Michele Bondfield welcomed all present and spoke briefly of the anticipation of the new season.

Everyone stood for a moments reflection of bowlers who passed away, and Michele then led a rousing version of Advance Australia Fair.

Club stalwart and reigning David Blake medallist John Cleland then took command, raising the club’s flag, before the first jack and bowl were rolled.

Last season’s singles champions Keith Lewis and Cathy Swinkels did the honours before the bowlers took part in a game of fours organised by the Match Committee.

Back in the clubrooms after the game, a delicious afternoon tea was enjoyed by all.

Cardinia Waters has entered two Saturday and two midweek teams in the Metropolitan Competition for the upcoming Pennant season.

The Saturday sides will play in Division four and eight.

Midweek side one has been promoted to Division two for season 2025-26, and side two remain in Division five.

The season begins on Saturday, October 25.

Celebrating their “perfect” eight last Saturday are Jim Barrie, Val Moore, Del Dance and Ashley Graham. (508325)

Checking scorecards are Els Van Soel (Blue Hills) and Jill Naylor (Cardinia Waters).

Kerry Lewis played in the practice game at Garfield last week.Cheryl Breteler played for Garfield in the practice game against Cardinia Waters.

John Moore

John Cleland unfurls the Cardinia Waters Bowls Club flag on season opening day. (508325) Cathy Swinkels and Keith Lewis got to bowl the first jack and bowl on season opening day.

Kooweerup, Lang Lang and Pakenham before the new season commences.

The promotion of Cardinia Waters midweek side one to Division two means - for this season at least -that the two clubs won’t meet in competition.

John Moore

Lions off to a flying start

By Justin Schwarze

Strategy changes in more ways than one have fuelled Pakenham to the perfect start in the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA) Premier Division.

New approaches to bowling and bringing in Buckley Ridges and former Lions star Dale Tormey proved to be the difference makers for Pakenham against Devon Meadows.

In the opening game of the season at Toomuc Reserve, the Lions won the toss and opted to take the bat.

Despite opting for the crease, the innings got off to an awful start with skipper Jack Anning (1) being struck on the pads by Mitch Kleinig and given out just four balls into the season.

Recruit Imesh Jayasekara and emerging youngster Jackson Luka then steadied, adding 40 runs before Jayasekara became Kleinig’s second victim after being caught down the ground playing an ill-advised shot.

Lessthantwooverslater,JordanJanszgrabbed a wicket on debut by rattling the stumps of Luka (29).

From there, the partnership of Tormey and Dominic Paynter guided Pakenham through the middle overs and gave the upper hand back to the hosts by continuing to pile on the runs.

Tormey was finally dismissed when he chopped on a Ben Marsh delivery after posting 74 off 63 balls.

The next man in was Zach Flaxman, a promising young keeper-bat from the UK, but he showed there’s a lot of growing to do when he was caught after facing just three deliveries without scoring.

Paynter (43) was then removed by a cracker as Nathan Kleinig knocked over his off stump, leaving the Lions at 6/166.

Pakenham batted out the full 40 overs, reaching 9/196 with Jason Williams (16) the only other bat in double figures.

After the break, Pakenham implemented its new strategy with full effect.

The new ball was given to rising talented quick Marcus Martini and Tom Tyrrell.

The pair were impressively tidy before Zac Shepherd skied one that was caught by Flaxman for Tyrrell’s first.

Ethan Wood then snicked off a Martini delivery and suddenly the Panthers were 2/25.

Skipper Nathan Worsteling (1) didn’t stick around for long and Nathan Kleinig (20) was dismissed the next over as he was caught off James Close’s bowling.

Zach Bates’ slog of Williams fell short and was caught by Martini near the boundary after managing 13 runs.

At that point, Devon Meadows was 5/55. Lucas Carroll (41) and Marsh (11) then provided a strong resistance for a near 40-run stand before Marsh took a risky single and was run out when he was left short thanks to a direct hit.

The Panthers’ bottom order struggled to hold up as the visitors posted three ducks from their remaining four wickets.

Close came very close to a hat-trick, taking three poles in four balls to close out the innings at 108 for Devon Meadows, marking an 88-run victory for the Lions.

“I was really happy with how we bowled,” Pakenham captain/coach Jack Anning said.

“We changed our attack a little bit not so much by the type of player but more so how we structured it.

“Marcus and Tom took the new ball where a lot of last season James had taken it.

“I changed James’ role slightly over the offseason to that first change bowler and I got Jordan Seers into the attack nice and early.

“I really like what he (Seers) does as a deep thinker about the game with his ideas and how to use them.

“He bowled really well with 1/18 which is tidy figures for a spin bowler.

“It was a credit to him to keep it tight.

“I thought we fielded really well, we hunted the ball in the field with good intent, we got a run out which is always a bonus.

“Overall, I was really happy with our bowling, we only needed to use five bowlers as well, we had other options there but only using the five was handy, it means all five of them have done their job.”

Close finished with figures of 5/23 on just under seven overs bowled, which was the young quick’s career-first five-fa.

CASEY CARDINIA CRICKET ASSOCIATION PREMIER REVIEW - ROUND 1

Taking on a new role as Pakenham’s firstchange bowler, he flourished in the opening round.

“It was a great effort,” Anning said of Close’s performance.

“He’s a late bloomer to cricket and pretty much all his cricket has been at Premier level.

“That was his first five-fa at any level so I was pumped for him.

“He’s a lovely young man, he works hard and he’s got a great attitude so to see him have success was great.

“It was set up off the back of Tom and Marcus’ work with the new ball and Jordan and James were able to capitalise.”

The comfortable result fills the Lions with confidence but they will be quick to set their attention to this week where a massive test awaits.

In round two, Pakenham will visit 2025 runners up Tooradin.

But for now, Anning was stoked with the signs his team showed on Saturday.

“It just solidifies what we’ve done over the off-

season and the fact that it matters,” he said.

“Our intent between the wickets was great.

“One thing we focussed on over the off-season was being able to rotate the strike.

“Boundaries are a by-product of the good work that we do, we want to build a little bit of pressure that way.

“I was really impressed by Jackson Luka who opened the batting for us, it was only his second game of Premier cricket and his intent between the wickets really early was terrific.

“It opened the game up for us and it created boundary opportunities.

“I thought he set us up really well and that allowed Dale and Dom to do their thing.

“Getting the result from it early gives the confidence to be able to know we’ve shifted things over the off-season and we’ve got a new gameplan so it reinforces that what we’ve been doing does work but at the same time we’ve got a massive challenge this week away at Tooradin.

“There’s no bigger test than playing them away from home and we’ll find out where we’re at.”

Dom Paynter provided a strong innings of 43 for Pakenham. (Stewart Chambers: 507555)

Devon Meadows leg-spinner Ben Marsh took the key wicket of Dale Tormey.

Marcus Martini moves between the wickets. (507555)

Seagulls draw first blood

By Justin Schwarze

Tooradin’s determination and grit willed it past Cardinia in the grand final rematch in the opening round of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA) Premier Division.

In a battle of the heavyweights, the Seagulls did not let any ghosts of last year haunt them in their return to Gunton Oval.

Tooradin kept its bowling attack extremely tidy, restricting the Bulls on a deck that was tough to bat on.

The outfield was incredibly slow, limiting boundaries and applying pressure at the crease.

Top order bats Morteza Ali (5) Travis Welsh (5) and Matt Welsh (8) couldn’t provide much damage before a solid stand from Bradey Welsh (24) and Yohan Arumadura (25) got the innings back on track.

After Bradey Welsh was run out by a brilliant throw from Russell Lehman, Travis Wheller (10) came and went before Jacobus Hynes settled nerves and held his ground.

He provided 28 not out for the hosts and his composure was important to Cardinia seeing out the 40 overs and posting a modest but competi-

tive score of 7/131.

The Seagulls looked well on their way to chasing the target until Cal O’Hare (10) was dismissed by Josh Grogan.

However, Josh Lownds and recruit Lahiru Jayakody added a 50-run partnership before Lownds (44) was trapped in front by Matt Welsh.

Dismissals in quick succession of Praveen Perera (1), Lehman (2), Jayakody (37) and Jack Mannix (0) saw Tooradin go from 1/88 to 6/101 and suddenly some tension was injected into the contest.

But a brave 29 not out from Tyler Evans lifted the visitors to their maiden win of the summer.

Lachlan Volpe was a standout for Cardinia, grabbing figures of 3/11 off eight overs.

“I thought we were pretty well disciplined but we probably didn’t execute perfectly,” Tooradin coach Luke Sibley said.

“We executed reasonably well bowling but there’s a little bit to work on there.

“To restrict them to the score we did, we were rapt.

“We thought 160 was par so we were pretty happy with that.

“With some new guys in the team, it was good

for Russ to get a look at them and see what they can do, we’ll learn more from that.

“The bowling depth was good.

“We identified it as a really important game because we think we’ll be fighting with Cardy for similar ladder positions.

“To get the season off to a start like that, it was good.”

At Clyde Recreation Reserve, the Cougars cruised to victory over Upper Beaconsfield thanks to a deep batting effort with contributors across the board.

Skipper Trevor Bauer top scored with 81 whilst Shamil Samarasinghe also raised the bat as he posted an unbeaten 66 off 57 deliveries.

Ramneet Dhindsa provided a handy 42 and Ryan Adams made 39 not out in the middle order, helping the hosts reach 4/267.

The visitors batted out the full 40 overs but struggled to keep the pace, ending their innings at 9/149.

Dominic Evans looked impressive in his first game in Maroon, scoring 76.

Young opener Josh Westra was also productive as he posted 31.

For Clyde, Nick Shannon and Dhindsa both

took three poles each.

Newly-promoted Officer was taught a lesson by Kooweerup as the Demons were uplifted by reigning league-medallist Luke McMaster’s ton.

The Bullants won the toss and elected to bowl and McMaster and Chris Bright got to work.

Bright posted 40 before he was bowled by Jack James but McMaster smashed 17 fours on his way to raising the bat.

When he was dismissed for 101, Kooweerup were at 5/187.

Ayden Mills (22), Adam McMaster (20) and Brannon Harrison (25 not out) all rounded out the innings well as the Demons brought up 6/236.

Opener Bill Carlyle made a half century for the hosts but wickets began to fall around him, leaving Officer well short.

The Bullants were knocked over for 101, giving Kooweerup the 135-run triumph.

Skipper Charith Keerthisinghe and Shiran Rathnayake both bagged three-wicket hauls.

In round two, Tooradin hosts Pakenham, Clyde visits Kooweerup, Officer welcomes Cardinia to Rob Porter Reserve and Devon Meadows travels to face Upper Beaconsfield.

Lions look to make statement in matchup with Tooradin

By Justin Schwarze

A massive test awaits Pakenham this weekend as the Lions head to Rutter Park to take on CCCA powerhouse Tooradin.

Jack Anning’s side looked convincing against Devon Meadows but a matchup with the Seagulls will prove to be a major gauge on Pakenham’s ability to contend this season.

Both sides were impressive with the ball in the first hit-out but both coaches would probably be disappointed with the efforts at the crease.

However, Tooradin’s pace and ability to restrict runs allowed for patience with the bat, a factor which could decide Saturday’s result.

The Lions will be hoping to see more out of Imesh Jayasekara, who got himself out against the Panthers, and recruit Zach Flaxman.

Pakenham’s new approach to bowling seemed to work in round one but it may run into some growing pains against one of the most experienced batting lineups in the competition. Finding consistency in partnerships and reliable run scoring for the Lions will be crucial without Dale Tormey, meaning someone will need to step up in his absence.

Pakenham’s prospects look very promising this summer, but Tooradin will have the upper hand at home this early in the season while Anning experiments with batting orders and bowling attacks.

Kooweerup has its first home game of the campaign when Clyde comes to town in an intriguing clash of two fast-tempo batting teams.

The duel of Trevor Bauer and Luke McMas-

CARDINIA CRICKET

ter and Chris Bright at the top of their respective orders will be exciting with all ready to build on a scorching start to the summer.

But the difference will be made in the bowl-

ing, an area where the Demons looked imposing in the first round.

Kooweerup on its home deck boasts a deep attack that has multiple players capable of tak-

ing a bag of wickets.

Four players took multiple wickets for the Demons on the weekend; and that’s without Luke McMaster even bowling a ball.

Clyde kept it tidy against Upper Beaconsfield but failed to bowl over the Maroons which will be an interesting part to watch.

Cardinia, the reigning premiers, will look to bounce back away at Officer after the Bullants really struggled in the first round.

Officer never looked comfortable against one of the competition’s top dogs in Kooweerup meaning Cardinia will be fully confident it can return to winning ways.

The Bulls will have one key thing on their mind: their batting.

It was simply not up to par against rivals Tooradin, but they are the reigning premiers for a reason.

Look for Cardinia to get rolling with the bat in hand on a quick deck to jump back on the winner’s list.

Devon Meadows and Upper Beaconsfield will do battle in the Maroons’ season home opener.

Upper Beaconsfield was brave against Clyde but lacked aggressiveness throughout the match, leaving the door open for the Panthers.

Devon Meadows were decent with the ball against Pakenham but let itself down at the crease with some bad shots.

The Panthers seem primed to get their season off the mark.

Tips: TOORADIN v Pakenham, KOOWEERUP v Clyde, Officer v CARDINIA, Upper Beaconsfield v DEVON MEADOWS

Luke McMaster and Chris Bright will be ready to light up Kooweerup Recreation Reserve against Clyde on Saturday. (Stewart Chambers: 507558)

Shiran Rathnayake took figures of 3/4 for Kooweerup. (Stewart Chambers: 507558)

Shamil Samarasinghe raised the bat with 66 in Clyde’s win over the Maroons. (Rob Carew: 507562)