Thursday, 27 August, 2026
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Lions and tigers and books, oh my! Devon Meadows Primary School celebrated Book Week with colourful costumes, a community book swap and a visit from 50 children from the neighbouring kindergarten. Full story page 10
Maggie as the lion from The Wizard of Oz. (Stewart Chambers: 573410)
Workers struggle More working households are struggling to pay their bills, as revealed at a cost-of-living support event in Hampton Park. More than 800 people attended South East Community Links’ Bring Your Bills event on Tuesday 25 August, where about 1500 people and families received assistance. Organisers said more than $2.2 million in community debt was addressed, including $40,000 waived and almost $100,000 in grants
and concessions accessed. More than half of attendees sought help with gas and electricity bills, while mortgages and personal loans also accounted for significant financial pressure. SECL advocacy and engagement lead Jonathan Elias said the turnout reflected the level of unmet need across Hampton Park and the wider City of Casey.
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“Importantly, it demonstrates that financial hardship is not necessarily confined to people on very low incomes,” he said. “It is affecting working households who are actively looking for ways to reduce bills, access concessions, negotiate debt and make their household budgets stretch further.” One local resident said debt accumulated after mental and physical health problems cost her job
and left her without income for 13 weeks. She sought help with credit-card debt, fines, phone expenses and ambulance bills. “I’m hoping I can just get a few things taken care of so I can just concentrate on my own mental health and not have to worry so much about everybody calling and demanding money that I don’t have,” she said. Full story page 2
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Arabic interpreter Salem came to the event to help with translation. (Stewart Chambers: 571863)
SECL staff Desiree, Charmaine, Emma and Mark.
Mark from SECL, Casey Cr Stefan Koomen, Karen from SECL and SECL CEO Peter McNamara.
AGL sent eight staff to help with the community.
Bill pressures mounting By Violet Li More working households are struggling to pay their bills, as revealed at a cost-of-living support event in Hampton Park. More than 800 people poured into Hampton Park’s Bring Your Bills event at Arthur Wren Hall on Tuesday 25 August. Organiser South East Community Links reported that growing numbers of working households seeking help as cost-of-living pressures spread beyond those on very low incomes. SECL advocacy and engagement lead Jonathan Elias said about 1500 individuals and families were supported throughout the event, including more than 800 people who attended in person. More than $2.2 million in community debt was addressed, including $40,000 waived entirely and almost $100,000 in grants and concessions accessed. More than half of those attending sought help with gas and electricity bills, while mortgages and personal loans accounted for a large share of the financial pressure presented. Mr Elias said the turnout reflected the level of unmet need across Hampton Park and the wider City of Casey. “Importantly, it demonstrates that financial hardship is not necessarily confined to people on very low incomes,” he said. “It is affecting working households who are actively looking for ways to reduce bills, access concessions, negotiate debt and make their household budgets stretch further.”
One local resident, who spoke anonymously, said her bills began piling up after mental and physical health problems caused her to lose her job. She went 13 weeks without income, relied on food parcels and stayed at a friend’s home because she could not afford petrol or other essentials. She attended the event seeking help with credit-card debt, fines, phone expenses and ambulance bills. “It’d be handy to go on to something that would give me a little bit more time to work on my own mental health. There’s not a lot of services out there for free, like psychiatrists and all that,” she said. “You only get six sessions. You talk to somebody about all the help you need, and then you have to go and talk to somebody else and start all over again. It just it keeps bringing back traumas.” The local found events like Bring Your Bills ‘very handy’. “I suffer from anxiety and depression. It’s very hard to talk on the phone or even kinda get myself to make a phone call to deal with things,” she said. “I’m hoping I can just get a few things taken care of so I can just concentrate on my own mental health and not have to worry so much about everybody calling and demanding money that I don’t have.” Pensioner Jennifer White returned after receiving help with about $10,000 in debts at an earlier Bring Your Bills event in Pakenham. “I had been scammed, and I got into a lot of
Services Australia was helping with the community. debt through being scammed and being elderly, and my health was bad. I kept getting debt collectors calling me all the time, and I ignored them because they were pestering me,” she said. “My son said, come here, they’re holding this thing at Pakenham, and you can get a fuel voucher. I had no idea what it was, and I came, and I was astounded by what happened. “I spent hours here talking to people, and it was amazing. “I was able to sleep that night for the first time in months.” This time, she spoke with ANZ about a disputed $5000 loan connected to the scam and received advice about housing options as her son prepared to sell the home where she was living. “I can go home and feel peaceful today,” she said. However, not every attendee left satisfied.
One single mother said she discovered that a housing application she believed had been started at a previous event had never been opened. She nevertheless received help applying for a government utility relief grant this time. The woman, who was raising two children, said financial pressure sometimes left the household eating noodles to get by. South East Water customer-care team leader Avinish Walia described Hampton Park as one of the busiest Bring Your Bills events she had attended. She said many customers were struggling to afford water bills, while others had eligible concessions that had never been added to their accounts. Staff helped attendees register concessions, apply for utility relief grants and establish payment plans. “There is a gap in the knowledge,” Ms Walia said. “Many come here and they have a concession, but it’s not added on the account.” Bring Your Bills events bring financial counsellors, banks, utility companies, telecommunications providers and community services together to offer free, face-to-face assistance. Sikh Volunteers provided free lunch for the Hampton Park event. In 2025, the program delivered $8.1 million in financial relief across four south east events, including $350,000 in debts waived and $550,000 of grants, concessions and hardship payment plans. To know the upcoming events, visit: bringyourbills.org.au/index.html
Outstanding businesses celebrated in the City of Casey Casey Council has announced the 2026 Casey Business Awards finalists. The awards recognise businesses of all sizes and industries and this year, and the calibre of applications was exceptionally high, making it one of the most competitive years to date. City of Casey Mayor Cr Michelle Crowther said as a local business owner, she understands first-hand the dedication, resilience and hard work it takes to run a business. “These awards are meaningful because they celebrate not just success, but the real effort behind it,” she said. Mayor Cr Crowther said she shares the unique experience of being a former Casey Business Awards finalist.
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“I understand the excitement that comes with this recognition. I know how much it means not only to the business owner, but also to their staff, customers, family and supporters who have been part of the journey,” she said. All applicants will receive tailored business feedback from industry experts to support their continued growth and development. Winners will be announced at a special event on Thursday 12 November 2026. The 2026 Casey Business Awards finalists are: Excellence in Access and Inclusion ■ Jala Jala ■ The Bridge Incorporated
■ We Rock The Spectrum Berwick Excellence in Business Innovation ■ Hospo Fresh ■ MasterFix Property Maintenance Pty Ltd ■ Twisted Sista Cafe & Gelateria Casey Central Excellence in Community and Partnership ■ Hoops and Cookies ■ The Whisktakers ■ Waverley Social Enterprises Excellence in Customer Experience ■ Berwick Auto Electrics and Mechanical ■ Primary @ Pioneers Park ■ Sana Skin Clinic Best Eco-Friendly Business
■ A & C Commercial Cleaning ■ Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park ■ St John of God Berwick Hospital Best Micro Business ■ Empowered Business Harmony ■ Keysight Accounting Solutions ■ Rez Architects Pty Ltd Best New Business ■ Five Farms Cafe ■ Game On Entertainment Centre ■ Sigma Rehab To learn more about each of the finalists, visit: businessincasey.com.au/casey-business-awards-2026-category-finalists
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Casey locks in waste plan By Violet Li Casey’s household rubbish will stop being sent to Hallam Road landfill from July 2027, with councillors backing a regional contract extension. The regional contract extension will rely on Cleanaway for waste disposal through to 2029. Casey councillors unanimously endorsed the extension of the regional landfill services contract at their Tuesday 18 August Council Meeting. The contract, managed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action for
south east councils, currently provides access to Veolia’s Hallam Road landfill in Hampton Park and Cleanaway’s transfer stations at Dandenong South and Lysterfield with transport to Melbourne Regional Landfill (MRL) in Ravenhall. The existing extension expires on 31 March 2027, with the final option allowing the contract to run until 31 March 2029. However, Veolia has only guaranteed landfill capacity for another three months, until 30 June 2027, as the Hallam Road landfill approaches the end of its operating life.
Cleanaway has agreed to continue under the contract and has offered to accept all of the south east councils’ municipal garbage, excluding hard waste, after Veolia drops out. Cr Stefan Koomen said the arrangement gave councils certainty over future waste disposal while delivering a significant local benefit for communities surrounding Hallam Road. “What residents will probably notice is far less trucks going down Hallam Road to the landfill which is great because at the moment we see trucks coming all the way from Baw Baw,” he said.
“This will actually mean amenity improvements for our community and also, I think highlights the eventual closure of the landfill there which has been long foreshadowed. “So really excited about what this means. It’s the next step in finding a landfill and waste solution for our council but also our region without having a waste transfer station as well which has also been removed off the table now.” Officers warned a new tender would likely result in the same supplier but potentially at a higher cost.
Vic Roads Customer Service Centre at Greens Road Dandenong South is set to be replaced by a centre in Pakenham on 16 November. (Gary Sissons: 493203)
Trevor Hammond, Narre Warren South One Nation candidate (left) and Berwick One Nation candidate, Michael Piastrino (right). (Credit: One Nation Website)
VicRoads Dandenong centre set to close
Local One Nation candidates announced
Victoria’s largest VicRoads Customer Service Centre is set to open in Pakenham on 16 November. The new centre will replace the Dandenong Customer Service Centre and the Pakenham Licence Testing Centre. Pakenham was selected following analysis of current demand and projected population growth, according to VicRoads. Services at the existing Dandenong and Pakenham sites will continue until the new centre opens. The Dandenong South outlet provides counter services, vehicle type inspections and photos for proof-of-age cards, but no driving tests. The closest other centres are Pakenham, Heatherton, Mitcham and Frankston, meaning customers from Dandenong face at least an extra 30 minutes commute. Cranbourne and Hampton Park customers will have to travel approximately an extra 20 minutes on the road, Narre Warren customers about an extra 10 minutes. Photo point services and registration renewals will continue to be available through Dandenong Plaza Australia Post and Cranbourne Park Post Shop, while heavy vehicle work diary services will continue at BP Dandenong. Located at 33 Exchange Drive, Pakenham, the new centre will bring licensing, registration, testing and vehicle inspection services together in one location - making it easier for customers to complete multiple transactions in a single visit. The centre includes 28 service counters, self-service options and improved accessibility. VicRoads chief executive Giles Thompson said the new facility would deliver a better customer experience while supporting future growth across Melbourne’s south-east. “This is the largest Customer Service Centre
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Vicroads Pakenham 3D Visual. (Credits: WMK)
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The new Pakenham VicRoads hub is taking shape. VicRoads has built and a major investment in delivering better services for our customers,” Mr Thompson said. “We’ve designed the centre around what customers need — bringing services together in one place, improving accessibility and creating a modern, easy-to-use environment. “Whether you’re renewing a licence, registering a vehicle or completing a driving test, the new centre will make it simpler and more convenient to access our services.” The purpose-built facility features modern technology, improved accessibility, comfortable waiting areas and ample parking, with convenient access from the Princes Freeway. “We’ll continue keeping customers informed throughout the transition so they can plan ahead and continue accessing the services they need,” Mr Thompson said. The new Pakenham Customer Service Centre was part of VicRoads’ broader $300 million spend on infrastructure and modernisation of customer services across Victoria.
As the election draws closer, in an attempt to ride the momentum wave, One Nation has announced 10 new candidates for the November state election. Among them are Berwick candidate Michael Piastrino and Narre Warren South candidate Trevor Hammond. Both had formerly been involved in prior elections. Who is Michael Piastrino? As outlined by his One Nation profile, the award-winning hairdresser with “proud” Italian heritage says his life has been shaped by “family, faith, hard work and community”. While it is yet unclear what Piastrino will focus on in his candidacy, raised Christian with “traditional” family values, the salon business owner and boxing enthusiast is not unaccustomed to the political limelight. Piastrino ran as a Liberal candidate for the Mulgrave seat in the 2022 state election, going against former Premier Dan Andrews in a controversial campaign. In a report from 2022 by this masthead, Piastrino maintained his confidence that voters would vote Andrews out in a three-way-contest between himself and independent candidate, Ian Cook. The businessman estimated he had support from 50 per cent of early voters. He finished third on primaries, with 17.19 per cent of the vote. A few weeks before the election, Piastrino apologised for “inappropriate language” relating to Andrews, claiming that a Liberal government would get rid of “all the dodgy policies that Daniel Andrews has put through and he will be brought to justice for the murder of 800 people”. Piastrino was referring to those who died after Covid leaked from ‘hotel quarantine’. In the aftermath of Andrews’ resignation in 2023, a by-election was held to replace him as the Mulgrave MP. However, instead of Piastrino running as the Liberal candidate, long-time Mulgrave resident, Courtney Mann was handed the job. Taking to social media after the preselection, Piastrino expressed his disappointment in the decision. “We will not support the Liberals,” he said on an Instagram story. Former opposition leader and previous party colleague of Piastrino, Brad Battin, currently holds the seat for Berwick. Battin retained the seat following the 2022 election with 54.7 per cent of the preferential votes. He has been a member of Parliament
since 2010, before the Gembrook seat was abolished. While both politicians have crossed paths in the past, Battin has held off on commenting directly on his former party colleague-turned-opponent. Instead, the Berwick MP told Star News that “only the Liberals have a plan to tackle crime, reduce debt and fix crumbling roads.” His Labor opponent will be Rana Khan, a police officer of more than 14 years. Who is Trevor Hammond? In the neighbouring region, Trevor Hammond, a self-employed tradesman who also runs a business, will be running for the Narre Warren South seat. Like his counterpart, Hammond has political credentials following last year’s Federal election where he ran for the seat of Holt. He got 8.72 per cent of primary votes. Over the last year, according to his profile on the One Nation website, Hammond has been involved in opposing the Hampton-Park Waste Transfer Station which was rejected by VCAT earlier this year. The same profile outlines Hammond’s key election objectives to be target crime, reducing the cost of living, housing affordability and strengthening energy security. Locally, he hopes to increase investment in roads, infrastructure upgrades and improve children’s parks in addition to instating more activities for teenagers. No official policies have yet been released by One Nation. He’ll be running against former Casey Mayor, Labor’s Stefan Koomen and well-known local Norliah Syer-Peterson for the Liberal party. Both of his competitors have strong ties to the community, with Peterson making headlines late last year following the death of her son from Meningococcal B. She called for urgent reforms to the accessibility of the vaccine and introduced a petition to the Australian Parliament. Her advocacy has since been commended by health officials and fellow parents following the Victorian Government’s announcement that the strain of vaccine would be free for Year 10 students starting from January 2027. On the other side of the political spectrum, Koomen has been a Casey councillor for nearly two years. Throughout this period, he advocated for key infrastructure development in Casey, specifically for state investment in the Clyde Rail Link, roadwork development and greater community services. Koomen has lived in Casey for more than a decade.
Thursday, 27 August, 2026 | STAR NEWS 3
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Ten-year-olds stepping up By Violet Li A Cranbourne business owner’s 10-year-old daughter will walk 38 kilometres to raise money for The Royal Children’s Hospital. Aneel and her friend Thesara, also 10, will walk from St Kilda Pier to Frankston Pier along Melbourne’s Bayside Trail over the weekend of 17 to 18 October. The endurance challenge, named iSTEP, is expected to take about nine or 10 hours, with the girls planning to start at about 6am. Their mothers will accompany them throughout the journey. The girls decided to support the hospital after reflecting on how fortunate they were to be healthy and surrounded by supportive families. “I want to do this because hospitals who they really need help, and their parents can’t afford it,” Aneel said. “We are able, we’re healthy and we have support. “We couldn’t just sit by around and leave it and not do anything about it.” “I think a lot of people are going through rough times at the hospital, like paying bills and trying to keep track of their studies there. They miss out on a lot of school and education time,” Thesara said. “So I just hope that the doctors can help them better and that’s another way to help them better.” Despite the daunting distance, the friends believed completing the challenge together will help them keep going. “We’ll try to keep each other motivated because we’re doing it together as a team, not just by ourselves,” Thesara said. “Over the weekend, we have training sessions that we’re going to do together. Every Saturday, we’re going to walk 7.5km of training, and on Sunday, we’re going to walk another 7.5km,” Aneel said. “That could be good for us and might train
Thesara, Ana and Aneel with Phil from Camms Road Fish & Chips who has been a big supporter of the walk.
Aneel and Thesara will walk 38km on 17 October to raise money for The Royal Children’s Hospital. (Stewart Chambers: 573730) Aneel and Thesara. our legs.” Aneel’s mother Ana lyengar, who is a Cranbourne business owner, said it was the first major fundraising challenge undertaken by the children, although she had previously participated in community service. She said she wanted the idea to come from the girls and did not want them to feel pressured into taking part. The fundraiser received strong community support within its first few weeks, raising
thousands of dollars well ahead of the walk. “I am very impressed and I can’t believe the community support,” Ms lyengar said. “I didn’t expect people to be so kind and helpful.” The campaign has raised more than $2700 so far through its online page. The target is $3800. Aneel and Thesara hope their walk will encourage other children to recognise that they
are not too young to contribute to their community or support an important cause. “You’re never too young to be a leader,” Aneel said. “We’re just 10 years old, but we’re raising thousands of dollars for kids who need it.” To support the girls’ fundraising efforts, visit: mycause.com.au/page/402418/istep10yearold-aneels-38km-endurance-walk-forthe-royal-childrens-hospital
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Family day care services shut A family day care provider with services in Cranbourne North and Narre Warren South has been ordered to close its entire Victorian network for 90 days after inspectors identified serious risks to children’s safety. The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) suspended Ignite Minds Pty Ltd’s provider approval from 5pm on 21 August until 19 November. Ignite Minds operates family day care services from educators’ private residences, including services advertised in Cranbourne North and Narre Warren South. VECRA said inspections of 30 of the provider’s residences uncovered unsafe sleeping practices, inadequate supervision and hazardous environments. Inspectors reportedly observed children leaving a property unsupervised, a child falling from a highchair and poisons, chemicals
and beehives accessible at some premises. Required medical plans and medications were also allegedly absent at some locations. An emergency notice was issued after a five-month-old baby was found sleeping in a cot containing items that posed an immediate safety risk, according to the regulator. VECRA ordered all 65 Ignite Minds residences across metropolitan and regional Victoria to close during the suspension. Four individual educators were also suspended. The authority did not identify the inspected residences or indicate whether breaches were found at the Casey locations. Victorian Early Childhood Regulator Wendy Steendam said an immediate suspension affected families’ childcare arrangements, but the authority would not compromise on safety.
“It was clear to VECRA that this provider has failed the children and families who rely on its services, as well as the educators who worked for it,” she said. “When families entrust their children to an early childhood education and care service, they expect that they will be safe and not exposed to hazards and dangers.” Ignite Minds acknowledged inspectors had identified “compliance deficiencies” at some locations and said immediate action had been taken where specific concerns were raised. However, the company strongly disputed what it described as a “disproportionate” blanket suspension affecting its entire network. “We believe this disproportionate action disrupts care across our network and does not serve the interests of the children or the families who form this wonderful community,” its statement said.
“We are actively working through our options to address these allegations and are cooperating with the regulator. “We are particularly concerned that this suspension was issued while Ignite Minds was already in the process of submitting evidence of rectification and responding to the VECRA allegations. “It is standard regulatory practice to collaborate with providers to clarify issues before resorting to public allegations, and we hope to restore that collaborative approach.” The company stressed the suspension was a regulatory decision rather than a final judicial determination. “We are exercising our statutory rights to have this decision reviewed,” it stated. Ignite Minds was required to notify every affected parent and carer that it could no longer provide care during the suspension.
Parliament petition push against Clyde North data centre By Violet Li Residents opposing a proposed $1.1 billion data centre in Clyde North are collecting written signatures for a petition they hope will force the issue to be debated in State Parliament. Volunteers collected signatures at Avenue Village Shopping Centre, Selandra Rise Shopping Centre and St Germain Central from 11am to 3pm on Sunday 23 August. Locals can sign at three local businesses in Cranbourne North: The Avenue Fish & Chips, Village India Grocery Store, and Jaggi’s Curry Hut. Anyone who wants to sign the petition can also join the Clyde North Data Centre Community Action Group on Facebook. Community advocate and concerned Casey resident Jill Nambu said the group was aiming to collect 2000 handwritten signatures for a Legislative Council petition. She said collecting signatures in person also gave campaigners the opportunity to speak directly with affected residents. The campaign follows a second community rally outside Bunjil Place on Tuesday 18 August, where Ms Nambu estimated up to 50 people gathered ahead of a Casey Council Meeting. She said attendance had increased significantly since the first gathering, while the community Facebook group had grown to more than 800 members. “People are really upset,” she said. “One of the people that attended was saying that it’s really affecting their mental health. “They’re angry and frustrated with all levels of government, and they’re really keen to stop this.” She said many of those attending lived close to the proposed site at 585 Berwick-Cranbourne Road. “There’s one data centre in West Footscray. Some of our members went there to see what it’s like. There’s still a lot of construction going on, but you could hear the noise, and people were saying that they couldn’t sleep at night,” she said. The planning application was lodged in April and is the first data centre proposal received by Casey Council. The proposed development has previously been estimated to involve investment of up to
A second community rally against the proposed Clyde North data centre outside Bunjil Place on Tuesday 18 August. (Facebook) $1.1 billion. Residents have raised concerns about issues including noise, water and electricity use, the impact on nearby homes and wildlife, and a lack of detailed information about the proposal. Ms Nambu also said some rally attendees had also been frustrated after being unable to enter
the Casey Council meeting because they had not registered in time, despite seats being available. “People were also frustrated with the responses to their questions about the data centre,” she said. She said the campaign would continue beyond the rallies and petition drive.
“We are going to continue fighting it, so it’s not going to be the end,” she said. “I hope that the government listens to the people.” The proposed Clyde North data centre will be decided in a future Casey Council Meeting with the date unannounced now.
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Unions: Win and a strike By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Victorian allied health union is planning to escalate protected industrial action, while another allied health union celebrates a 28 per cent pay offer. After an 18 month dispute, Victorian Allied Health Professionals Association (Health Services Union Vic. No.3) says its members still await a State Government offer that “reflects the value of our members’ work”. They include medical scientists, hospital pharmacists, psychologists, dietitians, medical physicists, genetic counsellors, perfusionists and audiologists. “We are continuing protected industrial action and still waiting for an offer that reflects the value of our members work,” VAHPA executive officer Andrew Hewat said. “We are already planning to escalate the protected actions. The Carroll government needs to fix allied health.” On 20 August, the state’s new health minister Ingrid Stitt announced a pay deal with a separate allied health union, the Health Services Union Vic. No.4. HSU Vic. No.4 declared the deal as a “huge victory” for its members and dropped its industrial action. In recent months, both allied-health unions have organised stop-work protests at public hospitals and health centres across the state, including a joint CBD rally in June. More than 89 per cent of HSU Vic. No.4 members voted in favour of the Government’s offer. It includes a 28 per cent pay rise over threeand-a-half years, plus a one-off payment of $1500, and $3500 a year per worker for professional development. The union says the EBA offer included significant improvements to classification structures and career progression, five days of paid reproductive health leave a year and other improved conditions.
HSU Vic. No.3 allied health workers at a combined rally with HSU Vic. No.4 in the CBD in June. (Supplied) “Our members have been resolute in demanding a fair deal that respects the value of their work,” HSU Vic. No.4 branch secretary Conor Serong said. “The scale of our industrial action campaign has been unprecedented, and this historic outcome reflects that.
“This is a huge victory, not only for health professionals, but every Victorian accessing the world-class healthcare our members provide.” Serong also praised Premier Ben Carroll and Health Minister Ingrid Stitt, who “moved quickly to make us a new offer once they were
in new roles”. Ms Stitt said that “we’re proud to deliver our workforce better pay and improved conditions – it is what they deserve”. “This deal is a win for all Victorians who rely on their expertise and dedication every day.”
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Manufacturers’ skills shortage By Cam Lucadou-Wells South East manufacturers are facing a skill shortage due to a lack of domestic apprentices and skilled migrants, a peak group forum has heard. Two manufacturers from Dandenong told the South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) forum on 20 August about the difficulties. GT and JT Jones Engineering director Mark Jones said his 50-year family business was losing skilled workers to the state’s higher-wage, big infrastructure projects. As an “unintended consequence”, manufacturers were turning away work or delaying projects due to the workforce shortage. Jones said attempting to plug the gaps with skilled migrants was a difficult process. The administrative burden was so great that manufacturers would often “abandon the idea”. First, the company had to demonstrate there were no suitable Australian-based employees before the visa sponsorship costs, processing delays, training, migration agent and legal fees. Jones said he wasn’t advocating for visa workers to replace apprentices, but “genuine shortages exist” and manufacturers should be allowed to solve the problem. Jones Engineering had employed apprentices every year for the past 30 years, he said. Currently, education had “evolved in the wrong direction” and produced apprentices that lacked mastery of skills and practical onthe-job experience. He urged for quality of education, over speed. Work experience, over competency-based learning. “Manufacturing is not an industry where good enough should be considered to be acceptable. “If we get education right, everything becomes easier.” A Braeside-based manufacturer told Star Journal that he was unable to fill a fitter-and-turner vacancy since March. He’d in-
SEMMA chief executive Honi Walker addresses the education forum, watched by former MP Bruce Billson, Conor Mullen (Chisholm Institute), MPs David Limbrick, Dylan Wight and Bridget Vallence, Nick Petrakis (Volgren) and Mark Jones (GT & JA Jones Engineering). (SEMMA) terviewed dozens of applicants, but none were suitably competent. Nick Petraikis, who is national human resources manager at bus manufacturer Volgren, agreed it was hard to find job-ready tradies, welders, auto-electricians, fabricators, painters and engineers for the shop floor. Volgren had to build its own training module for prospective workers fresh from university, for them to understand quality, safety, working in a team and problem solving. With an ageing workforce, the firm was trying in vain to invite schools to visit the factory
and to promote manufacturing as a career. “It’s not sexy but it produces jobs and it makes things. We’re trying to turn it around.” SEMMA chief executive Honi Walker said apprentice enrolments in sheet metal work, engineering and other manufacturing trades were stagnant. “As an industry we need people to undertake and complete their apprenticeships and degrees. “This is not even about TAFE versus tertiary, it’s about attracting people to the industry. “We need to understand where the obstruc-
tion is. What will attract young people into manufacturing? “We know it’s smart, secure and sustainable. But do they know it.” Ms Walker said government policy needed to help by basing its economics on a strong local manufacturing industry. Also at the forum were the State Government’s parliamentary secretary for jobs and industrial relations Dylan Wight, opposition jobs and skills spokesperson Bridget Vallance, Libertarian MP David Limbrick and Chisholm Institute education chief Conor Mullen.
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Students take the lead By Jensy Callimootoo For Narre Warren South P-12 student Grace Alefosio, taking the lead on this year’s cultural showcase has been a lesson in leadership, culture and community — as well as a considerable amount of hard work. The Year 12 student has helped bring together students from across the school for the annual Cultivating Creative Cultures with Communities (4Cs) program, which brings schools and cultural groups together through music, dance and performance. Now in its 20th year, the program will bring together over 20 primary and secondary schools and community groups across four showcase nights at Bunjil Place in August and September. Grace, who has been involved in 4Cs since 2023, was appointed leader of the student group after teachers saw the effort she had put into the program. Her responsibilities have ranged from organising performers and schedules to designing the group’s shirts, arranging quotes and sizes, collecting materials and creating promotional displays for Bunjil Place. The workload has often taken up her weekends alongside her Year 12 studies. “At the start of the year, I thought I wasn’t going to be able to do it or continue the role,” Grace said. Among her responsibilities was encouraging younger and often shy students to get involved, as well as helping teach 22 students three songs for a performance at a nursing home. Despite the pressure, Grace said the more involved she became, the more she enjoyed the experience. “The more I was involved with everything that they were doing, the more I enjoyed it,” she said. The program has also strengthened Grace’s connection to her Samoan heritage. “I’ve learnt more about my own culture,” she said. “I’ve learnt more about our history and where
A 4Cs performance from 2024. (Supplied)
Grace Alefosio, Narre Warren P-12 College VET 4Cs Student Leader. our ancestors came from and the meaning behind the rituals we have.” She said working alongside students from different cultural backgrounds had also helped her understand that people could have very different traditions and values. This year’s 20th anniversary will feature a particularly personal tribute to the program’s history, a traditional Samoan ‘tuiga’ headpiece incorporating hair donated by community members, including head of the program, Laitini Matautia. The piece is being created as a legacy of the cultures that have contributed to 4Cs over two decades and is expected to be featured at Melbourne Museum, with the creation process also being documented. Among the students preparing for this year’s 4Cs showcase are Benjamin Afaese and Chase Gardner, who is helping bring a growing First Nations performance to the stage. For Chase, the 2026 event marks his first year
taking part in the First Nations performance, which will form part of the opening of the showcase. The group has grown significantly since its inception, from an initial six or seven students to about 12 and now around 30 performers this year. The growth represents an important milestone for 4Cs, says Laitini, with the First Nations group moving from a small performance to opening each of this year’s shows. For the students, the opportunity provides a chance to celebrate First Nations culture while working alongside their peers as part of the wider 4Cs program. Benjamin will also be joining Grace on the stage with a performance of the Siva Samoa. While both students were modest about their roles, Benjamin said he was feeling good about his upcoming performance. For Grace, the significance of 4Cs goes beyond one performance.
A 4Cs performance from 2025. (Stewart Chambers: 495897) Her sister previously performed in the program, inspiring Grace to eventually take the stage herself. Now, she hopes to pass that inspiration on. “I don’t want it to just be one day I perform and done,” she said. “I want to continue helping other people, the next generation.” As she prepares to finish school, Grace said she was proud of what she and the student team had achieved, and could even see herself creating a community group of her own one day. “I’m really proud of myself,” she said. The 2026 4Cs showcase will be held at Bunjil Place on four different dates, including the opening night on 31 of August, 1 and 7 September and closing on 14 September. For tickets or more information, go to bunjilplace.com.au/events/cultivating-creative-cultures-communities-4cs
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Name a win of sorts By Jensy Callimootoo A name at the centre of a long-running local debate has finally been given official status, but it’s still not the conclusion some residents had been fighting for. The City of Casey has confirmed ‘Berwick Springs Reserve’ as the official name for the wetland and surrounding reserve south of Greaves Road. Geographic Names Victoria (GNV) gazetted the name following a request from the council, bringing an official designation to the area. The registration covers 20 land parcels making up the reserve, with 13 owned by Melbourne Water and seven owned by Casey Council. Casey councillor Shane Taylor said the decision recognised an established part of the local community’s identity. “This is about recognising a name that is already well established in the community and giving it the official recognition it deserves,” he said. The move also creates a clearer distinction between the name of the broader reserve and that of the lake within it — an important distinction following a divisive dispute over the lake’s name. In November 2024, the Victorian Government announced the lake at the site would be named Guru Nanak Lake, in honour of the founder of Sikhism and to recognise the contribution of Victoria’s Sikh community. The decision sparked strong opposition from some Berwick Springs residents, who argued the community had not been consulted and wanted the long-used Berwick Springs name retained. The dispute eventually reached State Parliament, with petitions and a debate in the Upper House. The State Government has maintained its support for Guru Nanak Lake, while the formal naming of the wider reserve now means both names can sit alongside each other.
The reserve has now been gazetted as ‘Berwick Springs Reserve’.
Michael Ball, President of ‘Save Berwick Springs Lake Name’. The distinction is particularly notable given the role played in the earlier debate by outgoing Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas. Maas attended the 2024 announcement of Guru Nanak Lake and subsequently defended the name, describing it as recognition of the local Sikh and Indian communities. In May, he announced he would not seek
re-election at the November 2026 state election, bringing an end to his parliamentary career after being elected in 2018. Following this, Michael Ball, president of the ‘Save Berwick Springs Lake’ community group, told Star News in June that the absence of Maas’ consultation or advocacy regarding the naming of the lake had been remarkable.
“I have no doubt our issue at Berwick Springs along with the Hampton Park transfer station made Gary’s position untenable,” said Ball. “He failed miserably as our representative to advocate for his community on the Berwick Springs renaming issue.” But his possible successor, current Casey councillor, Stefan Koomen may be left with the debris of the long-standing debate. Commenting as a Labor candidate for the Narre Warren electorate and not as a Casey councillor, Koomen said he was pleased to see the reserve be “formally recognised by Geographic Names Victoria”. “This is something I worked with local residents and the community on during my time as Mayor,” he said. “I’ll continue to meet with and listen to residents and community groups, hear their concerns and work towards the best outcomes for our community.” Ball said the community who object to the name change are “ready to welcome the next candidate to the lion’s den”. The Berwick Springs resident now calls on Victoria’s new Premier Ben Carroll to “reinstate” the name.
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Sally-Anne dressed as a book.
Harli as Thing 2.
Eve and Gracie dressed as Kath and Kim.
Book Week celebrations By Violet Li Devon Meadows Primary School was filled with colourful characters as students, staff and kindergarten children came together to celebrate Book Week on Monday 24 August. This year’s theme, Symphony of Stories, highlighted how different voices, characters and ideas can come together to create one harmonious experience. School Auslan teacher Carrie Butler, who helps organise community events, said students and staff had embraced the theme enthusiastically. “Everyone’s really stepped up with their characters and the thought that goes behind it, including the staff at our school,” she said. “I think the staff were really coming together and putting a lot of effort in has really changed the culture around Book Week and added to all the excitement.” Costumes included characters from The Rainbow Fish, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and the Mr Men series, with awards presented in each year level. The school ensured no student was left out, with teachers arranging costumes for children who did not have one of their own. The celebration also welcomed about 50 children from the kindergarten across the road, who joined the school’s approximately 315 students to experience the festivities. Ms Butler said Book Week supported Devon Meadows Primary School’s strong focus on literacy while reminding children that reading could be enjoyable.
Addi as an axolotl. “We read for the enjoyment, not just because we have to,” she said. The celebrations continued with a book
swap, allowing students to bring a book from home and exchange it for another during lunchtime.
“It’s really great that we can get the community together to be a part of it and celebrate reading,” Ms Butler said.
BUSINESS PROFILE
Exciting transformation at Palm Lake Resort Willow Lodge Have you heard the news? A new era is taking shape at Palm Lake Resort Willow Lodge. Across the grounds of this long-established over-50s lifestyle resort community, a new generation of homes is taking shape, bringing contemporary design, quality finishes and a fresh new look to an address that has been part of the local landscape for almost 50 years. At the heart of this exciting transformation, older, original homes are making way for an increasingly impressive collection of modern abodes, thoughtfully designed for the way today’s over-50s want to live. Offering smart floorplans, stylish interiors, quality fixtures and finishes, established landscaping and low maintenance, these bespoke new homes are helping to write an exciting new chapter in the Willow Lodge story. Importantly, while the resort’s homes may be increasingly modern, the things that homeowners already love about life at Palm Lake Resort Willow Lodge remain exactly the same. There’s the warm and welcoming community. The friendships that develop over coffee, creative pursuits and shared interests. The busy calendar of social gatherings and activities. And, of course, The Lodge Country Club – a truly exceptional facility that sits at the heart of commu-
10 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 27 August, 2026
Palm Lake Resort Willow Lodge. nity life. Here, at The Lodge, homeowners enjoy a heated indoor swimming pool, exclusive Milon Gymnasium, gold-class Cinema, art and craft studio, coffee lounge, dining hall, dancefloor, darts, billiards and more.
The resort grounds also host an onsite medical centre and hairdressing salon, adding another layer of everyday convenience. Whether you enjoy filling your days with social activities and sporting pursuits or prefer a quieter
pace, Willow Lodge offers the freedom to live life your way – it’s always your choice. Australian owned and operated by the Elliott family since 1977, Palm Lake Resort Willow Lodge combines the confidence and connection of an established community with the excitement of a resort that is clearly moving forward. The result is a lifestyle address with history, heart and an increasingly contemporary future. To discover the exciting changes underway and explore the latest collection of new homes at Palm Lake Resort Willow Lodge, phone 1800 974 981 to book your private inspection or visit palmlakeresort.com.au
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WHAT’S ON Junior Chess Club Dandenong Chess Club is looking to establish a junior chess club in Endeavour Hills on Saturday mornings. Two-hour sessions with professional coaches and matches with other juniors. For ages 6-17. Enquiries: Paul, 0451 215 967
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ABC Radio at Bunjil 774 ABC Melbourne is heading to Narre Warren for a series of broadcasts, live from Bunjil Place. Thursday August 27 and Friday August 28 at Bunjil Place, Narre Warren. For times and details: https://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/774 -at -bunjil/106750570
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Kirkwood Market An afternoon/evening of good food, live music, fashion and retail, local businesses, community, and all the market vibes. Saturday, 29 August 3pm-8pm at 52 Kirkwood Crescent, Hampton Park. Details:
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The Offbeat Sari A major exhibition celebrating the contemporary sari from designers, wearers and craftspeople from India. Tuesdays-Sundays until 30 August, (Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat and Sun 10am-4pm) at Bunjil Place Gallery. Register at www.bunjilplace.com. au/events/offbeat-sari
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4Cs Schools Concert Cultivating Creative Cultures with Communities (4Cs) presents its 20th year of outstanding performances from primary, secondary and community participants. Features educational achievements, multicultural and creative storytelling. Monday 31 August, Tuesday 1 September, Monday 7 September and Monday 14 September, 5.45pm-9pm at Bunjil Place, Narre Warren; $23pp. Bookings: www.bunjilplace.com.au/ events/cultivating-creative-cultures-communities4cs
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Cranbourne Seniors Club Dance New Vogue and Old Time Dance with Eileen. Lunch included. Friday 4 September 11am-3.30pm at Cranbourne Seniors Club, 1 Codrington St Cranbourne; $15. Details/bookings: Marilyn, 0466 623 210.
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Threatened Species Night Learn about the threatened species in the local area. Catch the train down to the wetlands to visit
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Adaptation Game Try TAG – a cooperative climate resilience board game created by the City of Casey. Using maps of hypothetical floods, heatwaves and bushfires, players work together to respond to real-world challenges and explore how communities can prepare and protect their homes and neighbours. No gaming experience required. Monday 7 September, 1pm-2pm at Autumn Place Community Hub, Autumn Place, Doveton; free event. Bookings required: (03) 9792 7382 or autumnplacech@casey.vic.gov.au
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3-D Printed Bookends workshop Design your own components for a personalised set of bookends. Best suited for learners with some 3D printing experience. For ages 15-plus. Monday 7 September, 2pm-4.30pm at Endeavour Hills Library, 10 Raymond McMahon Boulevard, Endeavour Hills; free event. Details: https://events.connectedlibraries.org.au/ event?id=240219
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Trash & Treasure market Grab a bargain and support your local community. Sausage sizzle on site. Held by Cranbourne Village Community Group. Sunday 13 September 9am-3pm at Cranbourne Community Hall, South Gippsland Highway, Cranbourne. Stallholder enquiries: https://www.face-
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Mooncake Masterclass Celebrate traditional mid-autumn festival with expert chef, Lillie Giang, the Food Affectionist, as she creates delightful pastries with sweet or savoury fillings. For ages 16-plus. Saturday 19 September, 11am-12pm at Endeavour Hills Library, 10 Raymond McMahon Boulevard; free event. Details: https://events.connectedlibraries.org.au/event?id=228173
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AFL fun day For all dads, grandfathers, father figures and their children (under 7 years of age). Join the Clyde North Dad Squad for a morning of AFL footy fun. Kick a ball, score a goal with your child, and meet other local father figures. Sunday 20 September, 10am-12pm at Orana Park Playground, 1 Fresco Pl, Clyde North; free event. Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/ DLFXM
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Spring into Art Primary school children can explore different art techniques, experiment with a variety of materials and let their creativity shine. All materials provided. Tuesday 22 September, 10am-11am at Lynbrook Community Centre, 2 Harris St, Lynbrook; $10. Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DNNFS
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Plant and Paint Kids paint their own pot, plant a seedling, and take it home in this fun, hands-on workshop. Suitable for primary school ages, with parents and siblings welcome. Thursday 24 September, 11am-12pm at Autumn Place Community Hub, Autumn Place, Doveton; free event. Bookings required: https:// www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1597309 Details: 9792 7382 or autumnplacech@casey.vic. gov.au
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Gathered in Clyde market Clyde’s first community market is coming. 100plus local makers, food trucks and unique finds. Family-friendly fun for everyone. Sunday 27 September, 9am-2pm at Eliston District Park Playground, Clyde; free entry. Details: https://www.facebook.com/gatheredinclyde
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Little Chefs Learn easy, tasty recipes, explore new flavours and make delicious dishes to take home. Suitable for primary-school ages. Parents and siblings welcome to join. Thursday 1 October 11am-12pm at Autumn Place Community Hub, Autumn Place, Doveton; free event. Bookings required: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1597313
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Pilates, Yoga, Zumba Regular exercise has been shown to help boost energy levels and enhance your mood. It may also be associated with many other health benefits, including a reduced risk of chronic disease. Various days and times at Balla Balla Community Centre, 7–9 Selandra Blvd, Clyde North. Enrolments/bookings: in person, 5990 0900 between 9am-3pm or ballaballa.com.au/health-wellbeing/
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Morning Melodies Our featured entertainers will sing the songs you know and love. Enjoy a cuppa, scone with jam and cream, make friends and have some fun. 2nd Tuesday each month at Balla Balla Community Centre, 7–9 Selandra Blvd, Clyde North. Bookings/enrolments: in person or phone 5990 0900 between 9am-3pm.
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U3A Casey Live, laugh, learn with 745 members and 100 classes on offer. Two new classes (recorder playing, Tuesdays) and (Casey Transition Street - environmental awareness, monthly on a Thursday). For seniors, retired or semi-retired. 19 Beldale Court, Berwick; membership $60/ year or $30/now-December. Details: u3aCasey. org.au
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Endeavour Hills Men’s Shed Just retired? Learn new skills and meet new people. Improve mental wellbeing. Have fun and enjoy good company. Mondays-Saturdays 10am-3pm at Sydney Pargeter Reserve, 289 Power Road, Endeavour Hills. Details: John, 9700 1810.
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ROOM AVAILABLE Keysborough area, Suit mature male 40 plus. Bills incuded Phone 0449 967 533 12 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 27 August, 2026
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DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.
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Celebrate Father’s Day with your children and family. Come for fun, kids’ activities, playground and a free sausage sizzle (with halal and vegetarian options). Take your family on the Man with a Pram walk with your pram, stroller, scooter, tricycle, kids’ bicycle or by walking. Orgainsed by the Cranbourne Dads’ Group, the VIC Cobbers father figures’ group, the Clyde North Dad Squad, the Coastal Villages Dads’ Group and The Meetup men’s group. Sunday 6 September, 9.30am-11.30am at Old Cheese Factory, Homestead Road, Berwick; free event. Registration required: https://www.trybooking.com/DKACU
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the threatened Grey-headed flying foxes. Take part in a cake-decorating activity (baking goods provided). Wednesday 2 September, 4.30pm-6.30pm at Myuna Farm, Kidds Road, Doveton; $5. Bookings required: https://www.trybooking.com/events/ landing/1627117
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Eagles win but miss finals By Blair Burns Cranbourne made light work of Hampton Park in the final round of the Southern Division 1 season, but it was other results which had almost every supporter and coach at Amstel Reserve frequently checking PlayHQ in the last quarter. There were huge ramifications for both teams, who needed results to go their way to reach their desired outcomes. Cranbourne won the game 19.12 (126) to 6.4 (40) with Trent Marotta (five goals) and Marc Holt (four goals) dominating up forward, but it wasn’t enough to return to finals with other results going against the Eagles. Rarely do you win by almost 100 points and head into the rooms feeling like you’ve lost, and even rarer would be the feeling of getting thumped and then heading into the rooms with a small win … but that is what happened at Amstel Reserve. For Hampton Park, the desired outcome was to avoid relegation and fortunately for the Redbacks, Dingley did them a favour. After doing so much hard work and winning the Division 2 premiership last year, they pushed into Division 1 but with countless injuries to key players, they have had a season from hell. And during the fourth quarter on Saturday, there were fears that it could get much worse as bottom-placed Port Melbourne was in front of ladder-leader Dingley by four points early in the final term. A win for the Colts would’ve seen them jump the Redbacks and send Luke Bull and his side straight back to Division 2, which would’ve been a big setback. For Cranbourne, the desired outcome was to play finals … and they didn’t quite get there. They were so close to making a miraculous return to Division 1 finals, but as they strolled from the field after an 86-point win, the feeling was more somber. “We played pretty well on the weekend and took care of what we had to, but unfortunately it didn’t go our way,” coach Angelo Soldatos said. “We were definitely checking all of the other games to see what was going on there, and we sort of saw St Paul’s McKinnon kicking away in that last quarter. “We didn’t tell the players, we just wanted them to play out the game but it was definitely a bit of a weird feeling in the rooms after the game.” After winning only three games in 2025 and finishing on the bottom of the ladder, the Eagles were relegated to Division 2 before they were handed a lifeline. And they quickly showed that they deserved it as the inclusion of Trent Marotta and Marc Holt up forward, among other factors, pushed them up the ladder and gave them a shot at finals. They defeated all of the best teams in the league throughout the season but dropped some crucial games which left their fate in the hands of Narre Warren, who needed to defeat St Paul’s McKinnon for the Eagles to play finals – the Bulldogs prevailing over a half-strength Magpies team. Therefore, there were mixed emotions in the Cranbourne rooms post-game. “In that moment, you are probably a bit emotional about it all that you probably don’t see the season as positively as it is, but you’ve got to find a bit of a balance,” Soldatos said. “When you look at it, we played some pretty good footy in the back end of the year and gave ourselves a chance to play finals from where we came from. “At the same time, it is disappointing to put yourself in that position and not make it because we felt like our best footy stacked up. “When you leave it in other people’s hands, that is what can happen, so we don’t want to be in that position again.” The game at Amstel Reserve was a onesided affair and the opening term belonged to the Eagles as they took a 27-2 lead into the first break. Some more end-to-end football in the second quarter saw 11 goals scored, the Redbacks getting on the board with four and the Eagles kicking seven. But after half time, Cranbourne kicked eight goals to two as they ran away with a comprehensive victory over the undermanned visitors. Bailey Buntine was one of the Eagles’ best with 34 disposals and 10 marks, while Zak Roscoe (27
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The ball is thrown up to begin the fourth quarter as Hampton Park’s Mason Hawkins and Cranbourne’s Jake Stephens fly high to win the tap. (Gary Sissons: 573392)
Eagles utility Nicholas Darbyshire takes a strong mark out in the hands. (573392) disposals, two goals), Jarryd Barker and Ryan Jones (both 22 disposals and one goal) performed well. Hampton Park playing coach Luke Bull led from the front with 29 disposals and seven marks, with Liam Hasler and Makaio Haywood also working hard in the loss. Cranbourne went from 3-15 in 2025 to 10-8 in 2026 and the individual improvement in almost every single player is just one thing building great optimism for next year. Brock Van Loon broke into the senior side and played an integral role spending time through the midfield and hitting the scoreboard, Holty is looking as fit as he ever has and skipper Roscoe found his elite form which saw him win the Ellis Medal in 2024. The club unearthed a genuine star off halfback by the name of Will Nisbet – a young gun who is destined to play at a higher level in
Redbacks’ Jackson Dicker kicked two goals for his side in the loss. (573392)
coming seasons. Andrew Green went to another level in defence and should almost be a lock for team of the year, and he is only 22 years old, Marotta is the same age and kicked 55 goals, Tom Freyer, Liam Foggo, Nicholas Darbyshire all improved … the list goes on and on. “We are probably a lot younger than people think,” Soldatos said. “Our Under-19s are strong as well, we are leaving guys out of that side and the twos, and we have more juniors coming through at the end of the year. “We have signed a fair few guys for next year, so there are lots of positives, but we just need to keep looking to improve. “Every team will recruit and get better, and the standard of competition is getting better every year so we need to keep rolling with that too.”
Soldatos is locked in for another two years and the improvement witnessed in 2026 is testament to the stability of the club as a whole. • SOUTHERN DIVISION 1 CRANBOURNE 4.3 11.4 15.8 19.12(126) HAMPTON PARK 0.2 4.3 4.4 6.4(40) Cranbourne Goals: Trent Marotta 5, Marc Holt 4, Zak Roscoe, Adrian Russo, Brock Van Loon 2, Jarryd Barker, Ryan Jones, Nicholas Russo. Best: Trent Marotta, Andrew Green, Zak Roscoe, Jarryd Barker, Jake Stephens, Bailey Buntine. Hampton Park Goals: Jackson Dicker 2, Josh Craig, Liam Myatt, Jackson Philpin, Trent Thomas. Best: Stephen Oreste, Liam Hasler, Mason Hawkins, Trent Thomas, Dylan Morris, Jye King. Final Ladder: Dingley 64, Narre Warren, Bentleigh 48, Cheltenham 44, St Paul’s McKinnon 42, Cranbourne 40, Murrumbeena 38, Springvale Districts 16, Hampton Park 12, Port Melbourne 8.
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Enjoying a 1000-goal Ryde By David Nagel Kilcunda-Bass star Emma Ryde continued her unique affinity with the netball courts of Western Park on Saturday when she chalked up her 1000th goal for the season against Warragul Industrials. Ryde scored 67 goals against the Dusties, roaring past the 24 goals required to reach the magical four-figure milestone. Ryde, who switched across from Warragul Gulls for the 2026 season, also scored 1000 goals in the Gippsland League last year; ironically bringing up the milestone on the Gulls home court at Western Park. Ryde has been the undisputed star of West Gippsland netball this season, guiding the Panthers to an undefeated 18-0 run through the home-and-away matches. The 197-centimetre goaler nailed her 1000th goal after receiving a pass from her Casey Demons and Kilcunda-Bass coach, former Australian Diamond, Erin Bell. Ryde made no mistake with her close-range shot; being swamped by appreciative teammates and supporters after becoming the first player in the history of the WGFNC to reach the remarkable milestone. The star goaler has had a huge impact on netball around the region, at the Casey Demons in particular, last year becoming the first athlete in the club’s history to play 100 Victorian Netball League (VNL) games. A foundation athlete of the club, Emma holds a special place in Casey Demons’ history as the first player signed when the Demons were awarded a VNL license back in September 2018. Emma’s career with the Demons has been filled with memorable moments, none more significant than her key role in 2019, when Casey Demons reached the VNL Grand Final in their debut season.
Teammates flock to Emma Ryde after her 1000th goal drops in. (574139)
Star Goaler Emma Ryde celebrates her 1000th goal of the season with her excited Kilcunda-Bass teammates. (Anna/KBNC: 574139) Ryde, who turns 30 this month, has been destined for stardom since the self-proclaimed, “lanky-kid” hit the courts as a 13-year-old in Frankston. “This is my fourth year in state teams, two under 17s and now this is my second year in the under 19s,” Emma told Star News in 2015. “And I’ve made two Australian squads as well.” Ryde followed her sister Zoe, three years her elder, to the Frankston courts one day, and has never looked back. She represented Australia at the Netball World
Youth Cup in Botswana in 2017 and played for Melbourne Vixens in the inaugural season of the Suncorp Super Netball Series. She has also represented Victorian Fury in the Australian Netball League (ANL). Ryde and her Kilcunda-Bass teammates will enjoy a rest this week before taking on Cora Lynn in the WGFNC A Grade second semi-final at Dalyston on Saturday 5 September. Both teams have the benefit of a double chance; with the winner of the big clash progressing directly to the grand final at Garfield on Saturday 19 September.
EMMA RYDE – 2026 – GAME BY GAME ROUND OPPONENT 1 Inverloch-Kongwak 2 Bye 3 Phillip Island 4 Kooweerup 5 Cora Lynn 6 Dalyston 7 Nar Nar Goon 8 Tooradin-Dalmore 9 Invelroch-Kongwak 10 Korumburra-Bena 11 Phillip Island 12 Warragul Industrials 13 Garfield 14 Nar Nar Goon 15 Cora Lynn 16 Kooweerup 17 Dalyston 18 Bye 19 Korumburra-Bena 20 Warragul Industrials Total
GOALS 63 DNP 68 39 55 57 75 61 73 72 67 64 62 56 53 57 54 67 1043
History complete as Falcons fly highest to a third flag By David Nagel Endeavour Hills is celebrating a historic threepeat in Southern Division 1 women’s football after the Falcons cruised their way to glory with a 38-point grand final success over Bentleigh on Sunday. Having two premierships already tucked under the belt - both achieved against Casey Thunder - the Falcons started warm favourites against the Demons, but had to overcome a strong first-quarter challenge. The Falcons kicked straight with the only scoring shot of the opening term but then nailed the door shut with a 3.3 to 1.0 second quarter. Endeavour Hills then extended its 21-point half-time lead to 38 points at the final change; enjoying a luxurious cruise home to victory. Lainie Krepp and Alyssa Weston kicked two goals each for the Falcons, with Cathleen Vincent, Nicola Weston and Alesha White all chipping in with crucial six pointers. The aforementioned five stars are joined by Bianca Mawdsley, Felicia Doherty, Harmony Thomas, Jess Burke, Juanita Thomas, Stacey Christiansen and Taylah Thomas as the 12 players that have enjoyed the flutter of three-consecutive flags. Four players - Jennifer Scarlett, Jordyn Thomas, Stephanie Mastroianni and Tabatha Jones - became back-to-back premiership heroes, while Courtney De kroon, Ellen Cox, Emily Kearley, Emma McPhillips, Sienna Alievski and Zaalih Robertson added their names to a magnificent journey for the football club. Narre Warren is also soaking in the joy of a premiership win after the Magpies defeated Keysborough by 20 points in the Division 2 women’s decider at Beazley Reserve. Both teams were deadly accurate in the opening quarter, the Magpies leading 12-6 at the break, before making it 30-19 at the major interval. The Burra closed the gap slightly with three points to one in the third term, but the Magpies kicked 2.2 to 0.3 in the finals stanza to bring home the premiership cup. Courtney Siwes was the star up forward for the Magpies, ending the day with three goals, while Isabella Callinan, Isabel Pereira, Holly Sivyer and Chloe Winter also kicked truly at im-
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Endeavour Hills, Southern Div 1 Premiers; Alesha White, Alyssa Weston, Bianca Mawdsley, Cathleen Vincent, Courtney De kroon, Ellen Cox, Emily Kearley, Emma McPhillips, Felicia Doherty, Harmony Thomas, Jennifer Scarlett, Jess Burke, Jordyn Thomas, Juanita Thomas, Lainie Krepp, Nicola Weston, Sienna Alievski, Stacey Christiansen, Stephanie Mastroianni, Tabatha Jones, Taylah Thomas and Zaalih Robertson. (Supplied) portant times. Krystal Williams, Alysha Turfboer, Hayley Woolfe and Rachel Steendam joined Sivyer and Winter on the Magpies list of best players. In Outer East Division 1, Mt Evelyn made it back-to-back flags with a 42-point victory over Warburton-Wesburn, who impressed greatly this season after winning the Division 2 flag last year. And Yea is this year’s champion team of Division 2 after the Tigers scored a hard-fought 13-point victory over a gallant Officer.
An upset looked on the cards after the Kangaroos led by a point at the first change, before Yea took four and six-point leads to the last two change of ends. The Tigers kicked the only goal of a desperate final term to claim a well-deserved victory. Officer can certainly hold its head up high, making its way to the big dance after finishing fourth and defeating Wandin (third) and Seville (second) to make it through to the final day of the season. Ava Cipriani, Shania Turner, Brydie Mitchell, Bella Rob, Madeline Caarels and Emma Sym-
mons were best of the beaten brigade. SOUTHERN DIV 1 Endeavour Hills 7.9(51) def Bentleigh 2.1(13) SOUTHERN DIV 2 Keysborough 3.7(25) def by Narre Warren 7.3(45) OUTER EAST DIV 1 Mt Evelyn 6.11(47) def Warburton-Wesburn 0.5(5) OUTER EAST DIV 2 Yea 4.5(29) def Officer 2.4(16)
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Panthers tamed by Tigers By Blair Burns Devon Meadows’ brilliant debut season in MPFNL Division 1 came to an end on Saturday with the Panthers missing out on finals by just percentage following their 52-point loss against Dromana, 13.14 (92) to 5.10 (40). It was a ‘do-or-die’ final round and unfortunately for coach Ryan Hendy and his young side, the visitors were no match for the Tigers in front of their home crowd as they roared early to set up the game inside the first 30 minutes. When you have belief and show that you can mix it with the top teams and even beat Langwarrin, it is natural for there to be a bit of disappointment, but the year has been a huge positive for the Panthers. Close games became a regular occurrence for the side this year with 10 of the 18 matches decided by 20 points or less (five of those by less than 10 points). Devon Meadows won its first five of those matches in the first half of the year but a few heartbreaking losses were soon to follow. The side went down by three points against Rosebud (round 12), one point against Mornington the following week (round 13) and Sorrento by 11 points in round 16. Both Mornington and Sorrento were two of the bottom three teams and the Panthers had beaten them both the first time around, so losing later in the year proved costly. And despite heading into the game against premiership favourite Rosebud as big underdogs, Devon Meadows put itself in a position where it should’ve held on to win that match. At the end of the year, the Panthers finished their first season in Division 1 with a 9-9 season record and a percentage of 86.78. They were far more competitive than most people expected, winning only three games less than they did in their Division 2 flag season last year. Devon Meadows rose to the challenge of Division 1 football and mixed it with some quality teams. Sure, they recruited Kye Quirk from Drouin and Fletcher McMillan from Kooweerup, along with Hugo Birks from GWS Giants’ VFL for a handful of games, who all contributed really well. But the fact that they had 17 premiership players from last year take the field on Saturday shows that they didn’t need to recruit superstars from elsewhere to be a really competitive side in Division 1. The improvement from within has seen young guns like Jack Wilson, Levi Churchill and Ky Williams take the next step to become valuable players in this senior side. While the “Panther Prince”, Joel Hillis showed he too was among the best players in the league, spending a bit of time forward and kicking a team-high 30 goals for the season. If they can continue to improve and add in a few more puzzle pieces to the side next year, hopes will be high to not only make finals, but to pose a serious threat come September. Travelling to Dromana Recreation Reserve for the round 18 clash against the Tigers, the fate was in the hands of Hendy and his troops on Saturday. McMillan started in the ruck to try and nullify one of the best players in the competition in Billy Geurts and Arnold Kirby started at centre halfforward to pose a scoring threat alongside Hugo
Devon Meadows co-captain Nick Battle is caught by Dromana’s Toby Geurts. (Stewart Chambers: 573389) Birks, who was playing out of the square. As the game got underway, it didn’t take long for Dromana to take a hold of the competition, winning the contest at the coal face as Jake Aarts racked up possessions despite some close attention from Williams. Clayton Gay was slotting goals for the Tigers and the midfield was well and truly on top. Dean Kent turned the ball over by foot out of defence and so did McMillan when he was back there, and with the exception of Nathan Drew, the entire defence was flustered. With the wind, the Tigers kicked seven unanswered goals and despite the defenders working hard to clear the ball, they couldn’t handle the relentless pressure and overwhelming rate of inside-50 entries. At quarter time, the Panthers trailed 45-1 and despite preparing to have the wind at their back in the second term, Hendy said the pressure around the ball and tackling intensity needed to lift … and it did. Small forward Alex Canal was the fire-starter and got his side off to a perfect start in the second quarter after pressuring a Dromana defender who poorly disguised an attempt to get the ball over the boundary line deep in defence.
Deliberate was called and it was Canal who took the kick. He didn’t try to launch the ball or kick it too hard, but carefully kicked a checkside snap which split the middle of the big sticks and the Panthers had their first. The intensity lifted around the ball and Thomas Morley was the other player who was bringing the pressure, forcing big Billy Geurts to turn the ball over by foot kicking across goal deep in defence. Patrick Sinnema took the mark and went back to slot it, the Panthers with two out of the break. Dromana was missing a few chances at the other end and Devon Meadows made them pay 12 minutes into the second when a diving knockon from Morley got the ball to Birks in space, who kicked a nice left-foot snap. The score was back to 48-19 and the Panthers were playing the sort of footy that had them beating some of the best teams in the league. But Dromana responded with the next few goals of the game to ultimately put the result probably beyond doubt at half time, and definitely by three-quarter time with a lead of 51 points. • MPFNL DIVISION 1 DROMANA 7.3 9.5 11.10 13.14(92) DEVON MEADOWS 0.1 3.6 3.7 5.10(40) Dromana Goals: Sam Fowler 5, Jake Aarts 3, Clay-
ton Gay 2, Nick Collier, Josh Geurts, Ethan Johnstone. Best: Jake Aarts, Sam Fowler, Josh Geurts, Jai Taylor, Billy Quigley. Devon Meadows Goals: Joel Hillis 2, Hugo Birks, Alex Canal, Patrick Sinnema. Best: Ky Williams, Dean Kent, Joel Hillis, Nathan Drew, Cody Ray. FINAL LADDER: Rosebud 64, Langwarrin 60, Dromana, Mt Eliza 40, Frankston YCW 36/Devon Meadows 36, Edithvale-Aspendale 32, Mornington 24, Sorrento 20, Pines 8. WEEK 1 FINALS FIXTURE: Qualifying Final – Langwarrin (2) v Dromana (3) at Dromana Recreation Reserve (Saturday 2.15pm). Elimination Final – Mt Eliza (4) v Frankston YCW (5) at Lloyd Park (Sunday 2.15pm). MPFNL DIV 2 RESULTS: Qualifying Final – Red Hill 14.14 (98) def Somerville 6.7 (43). Elimination Final – Frankston Bombers 12.13 (85) def Seaford 10.9 (69). WEEK 2 FINALS FIXTURE: Semi-Final 2 – Chelsea (1) v Red Hill (3) at Crib Point Recreation Reserve (Saturday 2:15pm). Semi-Final 1 – Somerville (2) v Frankston Bombers (5) at Bunguyan Reserve (Sunday 2:15pm).
Magpies get one back on Eagles in grand final preview By Blair Burns In what looks to be a grand final preview in the South East Precinct Netball League (SEPNL) A Grade competition, Narre Warren narrowly defeated Beaconsfield by just three goals in an enthralling encounter, 52-49. It was the Eagles who won by six goals last time the sides met and the Magpies were determined to get one back on their challengers. With 606 goals so far this season, Mercy Ioleu once again showed why she is the best goal shooter in the league, scoring 40 goals in the victory to guide Narre Warren to a win. Despite Beaconsfield’s best efforts, the defenders had no answer for young Ioleu as she continued to shoot efficiently and capitalise off her team’s fast ball movement. An even spread of contributors inside the
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goal circle has been the story of the season for the Eagles, who have relied on a triple threat. Chloe Maas (346 goals), Zara Treweek (211 goals) and Suzie Bourchier (193 goals) have all consistently performed for the side. Maas scored 29 goals in the loss while Bourchier contributed 16. The Magpies’ season record moved to 13-1 with the strong result as they continue to push towards a premiership in just their first year in the SEPNL. In second spot sits the Eagles with a 10-5 record, but they are thereabouts and have shown they can beat the Magpies. In the other match, it was Hampton Park who prevailed against Berwick, 50-42. Berwick Springs and Cardinia Tigers had the bye.
This weekend is the final round of the home and away season and there will be just one A Grade match between Berwick and Narre Warren, to be played at Edwin Flack Reserve on Saturday at 3:05pm. SEPNL – OTHER RESULTS B GRADE: Beaconsfield 54 def Narre Warren 45, Hampton Park 56 def Berwick 43. Byes Cardinia Tigers and Berwick Springs. C GRADE: Narre Warren 35 def Beaconsfield 27, Hampton Park 39 def Berwick 17, Cardinia Tigers 45 def Berwick Springs 33. D GRADE: Beaconsfield 45 def Narre Warren 17, Hampton Park 38 def Berwick 23, Cardinia Tigers 26 def Berwick Springs 19. A Grade Ladder: Narre Warren 52, Beaconsfield 40, Hampton Park 32, Berwick 16, Berwick Springs, Cardinia Tigers 0.
Narre Warren captain Chelsea Tonna finds a teammate. (Rob Carew: 560616)
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