Thursday, 1 October, 2026
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Crime still rising
Data centre diesel shock
Fed Uni visa threat
Growth spurt for Goerlitz
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SPORT
Annual Berwick blooms The rain and gloomy weather was back for Saturday’s annual Berwick Orchid Show, but inside, orchids bloomed and the smell of florals filled the air marking the start of spring. The second day of the anticipated show was a little brighter however, with the colours of the orchids matching the spring atmosphere. Up to 1500 orchids filled the room at the Berwick Senior Citizens Centre with many orchardists displaying their hard work and dedication to the massive and diverse family of Orchidaceae. Many were also recognised for their commitment. Among the winners was Julie Huskic (pictured), who took home the title for Champion Miniature Flowered Orchid and Champion Orchid by a Novice Grower. For more pictures go to page 12
Julie Huskic with her cascading Orchid. (Rob Carew: 580553)
Hospital horror A car thief who sped off after running over the car’s owner outside Casey Hospital’s emergency department has been jailed. Adam Barry, a 25-year-old disqualified driver on bail and homeless at the time, stole the victim’s Ford Territory after she left the car to push her ailing husband in a wheelchair into the ED in April 2025. In her attempt to stop Barry, she tried to grab the ignition keys through the open driver’s-
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side door. Barry tightly grabbed her hand and accelerated, dragging her several metres until he let her go at speed. She fell forcefully on the bitumen, and was run over by the car’s rear tyre – which narrowly missed her head. The victim was taken to The Alfred hospital ICU with critical injuries, including a collapsed lung, multiple rib and facial fractures, and
a torn shoulder. Barry then made the “completely selfish” and “morally reprehensible” decision to drive away, abandoning a victim that he ought to have known was seriously injured, Judge Anthony Lewis said in sentencing. Later that day, Barry found the victim’s bank card in the car and used it to buy cigarettes and McDonald’s food. He stole some petrol and was found hiding in a shed in Pioneer Bay by police
that evening. Barry, now 26, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to dangerous driving causing serious injury, failing to render assistance, as well as two counts of theft and three counts of obtaining property by deception. He was jailed for three years and nine months, including a non-parole period of two-and-a-half years. More on the story, turn to page 5
NEWS
$40m program working? By Cam Lucadou-Wells A South-East agency has defended its youth crime prevention efforts after the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO) found “no evidence” that the state’s $40 million Youth Crime Prevention Program is reducing crime. In its analysis, VAGO found 70 per cent of YCPP participants offended for the first time or reoffended within six months of starting the program. As of April, the program worked with more than 2700 young people in 14 priority areas across Victoria, including Casey and Greater Dandenong. Between 2022-’25, juvenile offender incidents in Victoria increased by 40 per cent. VAGO found that it was unclear whether the YCPP placements reached the “right” people. The report also found data and accountability gaps – with 51 per cent of participants completing the program. Youth Support & Advocacy Service (YSAS), which works with at-risk youth in the South East as part of the YCPP, welcomed the VAGO findings. YSAS chief executive Andrew Bruyn said a “commitment to evidence” should be applied across a “very diverse set of programs”. Some programs intervene early to work with young people at risk, others for those already in the justice system, he said. “Investment in innovation needs to be matched by investment in rigorous evaluation into what works for young people to desist from involvement in crime and invest in positive future that is realistic and achievable.” YSAS received more than $2 million in YCPP funding – the most in the state – to cover Greater Dandenong, Casey and Frankston in 2022-’25. Its cost per participant was $17,599 – compared to $7304 a day per person in youth detention.
YSAS staff based in Melbourne’s South East in 2024. (Stewart Chambers: 410079) On the other hand, 57 per cent of young people in custody will reoffend and return to detention within a year of release. VAGO found that of 146 YSAS participants, 106 were alleged offenders. The other 40 were part of an early-intervention pilot program ePIVOT for young people at “clear risk” of entering the justice system. Bruyn said the pilot was “innovation working as intended”. “It deserves proper evaluation, not exclusion.” YSAS also runs a PIVOT program in partnership with Windana, Jesuit Social Services,
Mission Australia and Kids First Australia in the South East. Bruyn said of the 25 current PIVOT clients, 84 per cent had improved family relationships, 56 per cent hadn’t reoffended and 80 per cent were in education or a job. “For this group, every young person who stops offending is a real gain for community safety,” Bruyn says. Liberal youth justice, crime prevention and victim support opposition spokesperson said the VAGO report confirmed “Labor’s total failure on youth crime”.
“Across ten years, Labor has wasted $40 million of taxpayer money on a crime prevention program that has failed to prevent crime.” Crime Prevention Minister Paul Edbrooke has pointed to reduced youth offending in the past year, as well as giving police the powers to “tackle serious and repeat offending”. In November 2025, the government announced a $27.5 million Violence Reduction Unit, to ‘stop crime before it starts’. Major initiatives so far include $7.7 million for youth mentoring and $5.6 million for early intervention officers in 23 targeted schools.
Crime rising in Casey despite slight statewide decline By Jensy Callimootoo Serious family violence assaults in Casey have jumped 17 per cent in a year, with new Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) figures revealing a rise in violence against family members as overall crime in the municipality also climbs. Going against the statewide trend youth offending in Casey has risen by more than 10 per cent in addition to car theft incidents. New data from the CSA shows 802 family violence-related serious assaults were recorded in Casey in the year to June 2026, up from 676 in the previous year. That represents 126 additional serious assault incidents, an increase of 17 per cent. The figures come as Casey recorded 23,311 criminal incidents, up from 22,291 the previous year — an increase of 4.6 per cent. Offences recorded have increased by 6.1 per cent — up to 31,583. The rise stands in contrast to the broader Victorian trend, with the state’s overall recorded crime rate falling by 3.8 per cent over the same period.
Family violence is emerging as one of the most concerning features of Casey’s latest crime figures, with serious assaults occurring alongside high numbers of breaches of family violence orders. The data paints a picture of family violence continuing to place significant pressure on police and the local community, even as some categories of offending move in the opposite direction. Across Casey, the most frequently recorded offences included theft from motor vehicles, criminal damage, breaches of family violence orders and retail theft. The municipality’s most frequently recorded crime locations included houses, driveways and public areas such as streets, footpaths and lanes, as well as shopping centre complexes. Narre Warren records highest number of incidents The figures also identify the suburbs recording the highest number of criminal incidents. Narre Warren recorded the most, followed by Cranbourne, Berwick, Clyde North and Doveton. Motor vehicle theft has also moved against
(On file) the statewide trend. While motor vehicle theft across Victoria has fallen by more than five per cent, Casey recorded a 6.4 per cent increase. The latest figures highlight a mixed picture of crime across the municipality — with theft and property offending continuing to feature heavily. The 802 serious family violence assault incidents recorded in Casey mean that, on average, more than two such incidents were recorded every day during the year. State and police response Across Victoria, youth offending is down 8.1 per cent. In Casey 1404 alleged incidents were
carried by the 12-17 age group, up 12 per cent from last year. While the state government and Victoria Police have announced some positive trend shifts in the data, it has underscored that crime is still “too high” in Victoria. Victoria Police described the data trends as “encouraging signs”, but said there was more to be done. “Crime levels remain unacceptably high and continue to sit above historical norms,” it said. “Despite the year-on-year reduction, recorded crime remains 13.2% higher than three years ago.” “Victoria Police will continue to focus on prevention where we can, enforcement where we must, and maintaining the visible, proactive policing presence that communities in this state rightly expect and deserve,” said Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Bob Hill. The CSA data records incidents reported to and recorded by Victoria Police. As with all recorded-crime statistics, the figures represent incidents known to police and do not capture every instance of violence or offending that occurs.
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324 diesel generators, 7 million litres of fuel By Violet Li A proposed Clyde North data centre campus would install 324 diesel backup generators and store more than 7.2 million litres of diesel on site, planning documents has revealed. The generators are intended to provide backup power and would also undergo regular testing. A Preliminary Risk and Hazards Assessment confirms that the development would hold 7,284,000 litres of diesel across generators, day tanks and bulk diesel storage tanks within fuel tank rooms. Generator fuel tanks would be underground beneath the footprint of each data centre. The development would also involve lithium-ion battery storage with a mass of 541,926kg. The report says the quantities of dangerous goods proposed would exceed fire-protection thresholds. The regulatory requirements are triggered for placards, dangerous-goods manifest and written advice from emergency services authorities on fire-protection systems at the premises. Proposed safeguards include separated fuel tanks, two-hour fire compartments, hydrants, flame and heat detection, water-mist suppression, ventilation and an emergency management plan.
Architectural render of the view from the south east. (Galileo) Noise has also been assessed, with the project’s noise report identifying 10 nearby residential properties as sensitive receivers. For routine testing and maintenance, the report says generators would operate only between 7am and 6pm from Monday to Saturday, with no more than two generators tested simultaneously.
The assessment predicts the proposed mitigation measures would keep noise within applicable limits during the modelled testing scenario. According to the Greenhouse Gas Assessment report, the facility would contain 240 2.8MW generators, 72 2.4MW generators and 12 2MW generators, giving a combined installed capacity of
about 868.8MW. Each generator is assumed to be tested at full load for 30 minutes in each of the first three quarters of the year and for 60 minutes in the final quarter, followed by a five-minute cool-down period. That testing regime is estimated to consume about 586,510 litres of diesel each year. In the first year of operation, using projected 2028 emissions factors, the assessment estimates diesel consumed during generator testing would produce about 1594 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The $1.1bn data centre campus is proposed on a 16.24-hectare site within a new 53.15-hectare subdivision in Clyde North, in an area identified for employment and commercial uses under the Croskell Employment Precinct Structure Plan. The development applicant is Galileo Group. Plans show two four-storey data centre buildings, known as DC-A and DC-B, each rated at 244MW and reaching a maximum height of about 30.5 metres. Each building would contain 40 data halls across its ground, first and second floors, with plant rooms, electrical equipment and generators also incorporated throughout the buildings. The facilities are proposed to operate 24 hours a day, with each data centre also including a three-storey front-of-house section accommodating up to 120 operational and tenant staff.
Clyde North data centres’ power demand revealed By Violet Li A proposed Clyde North data centre campus could consume up to 13 per cent of Victoria’s total operational electricity use in 2024-25. The proposed two data centres at 585 Berwick-Cranbourne Road could consume up to 5476 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity a year when fully operating, according to a Greenhouse Gas Assessment that models a maximum scenario rather than the project’s expected year-byyear power use. A Greenhouse Gas Assessment Report by engineering consultant HDR shows the site’s maximum 488-megawatt (MW) IT capacity could consume about 4278 GWh a year through tenants’ servers and other computing equipment alone. A further 1198 GWh a year could be required for building operations, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, internal and external lighting, and ancillary building services. The number was calculated by using a proposed Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.28, which means for every unit of electricity consumed by IT equipment, another 0.28 units would be required for the infrastructure supporting it. Together, the two sources of electricity demand would bring the maximum annual consumption to almost 5476 GWh. The figure is a maximum estimate for when the data centre is fully operating at 488 MW continuously, 24 hours a day for an entire year, rather than what it is expected to use when it first opens. For comparison, Victoria recorded about 41,087 GWh of operational electricity consumption in 2024-25, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator. The data centre’s maximum annual consumption would therefore be equivalent to about 13 per cent of that statewide figure. The total figure would also be equivalent to annual electricity consumptions of about 1.2 million average Victorian households. For a data centre, most of the electricity consumption would come from tenants’ computing equipment rather than from running the building itself. A data centre provides the buildings, electricity, cooling, backup power and internet connections needed to keep large numbers of computers running. Its tenants, such as cloud providers and technology companies, use the site to run the servers and other computer equipment that store and process data The same greenhouse assessment also mod-
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A drone shot of the northern end of the 585 Berwick-Cranbourne Road site for the proposed data centres. (Gary Sissons)
A drone shot of the southern end of the 585 Berwick-Cranbourne Road site for the proposed data centres. (Gary Sissons) els a more typical operating scenario based on 90 per cent occupancy and a 60 per cent IT equipment loading factor. Combined, those assumptions mean the data centre would be using about 54 per cent of its maximum IT capacity once the entire campus was available. While the report calculates greenhouse emissions under that operational scenario, it
does not state the corresponding electricity consumption. The greenhouse assessment report also presents a table that shows the data centre’s IT capacity would be added gradually rather than reaching its full 488 MW from the start. The report shows 125 MW of IT capacity in 2028, with further capacity added each year until the site reaches its maximum 488 MW by 2034. That staged ramp-up means the data centre’s electricity use would also be expected to grow over time rather than immediately reaching the maximum consumption figure. The greenhouse assessment report states Galileo intends to procure 100 per cent renewable electricity through GreenPower-accredited retailer agreements for electricity under its operational control. However, Galileo does not have control over the electricity consumed by tenants’ IT equipment, the largest component of the site’s potential demand. For tenant IT electricity, the report says Galileo would engage with tenants to support
renewable electricity procurement and notes that many prospective tenants have their own renewable-energy targets through mechanisms such as large-scale generation certificates and power purchase agreements. Galileo has said the development would fund its own grid connection and a new terminal station, with the company’s website stating the station would have 1000 MVA of capacity, of which about 720 MVA would be required for the data centre. Galileo has not publicly disclosed any number in relation to the proposed Clyde North data centres’ expected annual electricity consumption. *The Greenhouse Gas Assessment Report establishes the theoretical upper limit but does not provide a year-by-year forecast of the electricity Galileo expects the proposed data centres to actually consume as the staged development comes online. The project’s ultimate electricity use would depend on how quickly tenants occupy the campus and how heavily their equipment is used.
Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | STAR NEWS 3
NEWS
Drug mix-up tragedy By Afraa Kori A 69-year-old woman’s death after she was given another resident’s medication at an aged care home was preventable, a coroner has found. The elderly resident was mistakenly given 300mg of the antipsychotic drug clozapine at Monash Health’s Mooraleigh Hostel in Bentleigh East on 4 August 2024. She died at Casey Hospital in Berwick 11 days later. Coroner Ingrid Giles found the medication triggered the resident deterioration and ultimately contributed to her death. “I find that (resident’s) death was preventable,” she said. The error happened during an evening medication round when a psychiatric services officer became distracted and placed clozapine from another resident’s medication pack into the victim’s pill cup. She noticed an unfamiliar tablet after taking it and alerted the staff member, who reported the mistake. A doctor examined her later that night, and staff continued to monitor her at the hostel.
She was found beside her bed after an unwitnessed fall early the next morning. About an hour later, her level of consciousness had fallen sharply and staff called an ambulance. Coroner Giles found that Mooraleigh Hostel “failed” to appropriately escalate her care, and that ‘000’ should have been called “immediately” following the misadministration of clozapine. “The failure to do so meant that the treatment she needed to address the effects of the clozapine – in relation to which she had a known adverse reaction – was unnecessarily delayed.” The facility’s medication records also failed to flag that the resident had previously experienced myocarditis related to clozapine. An alert might have prompted an earlier transfer to hospital, the coroner said. The resident had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was being investigated for ischaemic heart disease. The coroner accepted the pathologist’s finding that she died from a worsening of those conditions in the setting of clozapine administration. She found the resident’s care at Casey Hospi-
tal was reasonable and appropriate, but that at that stage, “her clinical trajectory was sadly irreversible”. Monash Health told the court it had implemented changes across its residential aged care facilities following a review of the death. Only registered nurses now administer clozapine, staff receive medication training, and changes have been made to reduce distractions during medication rounds. Mooraleigh Hostel has since closed. Coroner Giles investigated three deaths in 2024 and 2025 involving aged care residents who had been given another resident’s medication. She grouped the cases as the “RACF Medication Error Cluster” and found the errors preceding all three deaths were preventable. “The fact that these fatal medication errors occurred in relation to a cohort of older persons, in the twilight of their lives, does not lessen the seriousness of the outcome; given their dependence on others for their care, it amplifies it.” Coroner Giles called for the Federal Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to urgently develop national medication safety standards
Man charged following Narre Warren carjacking A man has been charged following a carjacking in Narre Warren on Wednesday 23 September. It is alleged a man approached a woman who was standing next to her vehicle on Webb Street and pushed her about 10.30am. The man allegedly got inside the victim’s car before members of the public stopped him from driving off. They restrained him until police arrived. The 23-year-old Dandenong man was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for assessment under police guard. He has now been interviewed by detectives and charged with carjacking, theft of motor vehicle, common law assault, aggravated assault, possessing a drug of dependence and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. He was expected to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.
Casey, Dandenong emergency departments record contrasting results Patients arriving at Dandenong Hospital’s emergency department were significantly more likely to be treated within their required timeframe than those at Casey Hospital with the latest figures revealing a 10 per cent gap. Figures for the April to June 2026 quarter show 93.2 per cent of patients at Dandenong Hospital were treated within the timeframe required for their triage category, compared with 83.2 per cent at Casey Hospital.
The Victorian Agency of Health Information figures come as both hospitals continue to manage thousands of emergency presentations each quarter. Patients arriving at Victorian emergency departments are assessed and assigned a triage category from one to five according to the urgency of their condition. Category 1 patients require immediate treatment, while Category 5 patients are clas-
sified as non-urgent and should be treated within two hours. At Casey Hospital, 19,914 patients were treated in the latest quarter, with 16,567 receiving treatment within their applicable timeframe. That compares with 20,144 patients treated in April to June 2025, when 16,851 were treated within time — a rate of 83.7 per cent. Casey’s emergency department activity dipped to 19,459 patients in January to March 2026 before recovering in the latest quarter. Despite the fluctuations in patient numbers, the proportion treated within time has
remained relatively steady. Dandenong, meanwhile, recorded 17,474 patients treated between April and June, up from 17,262 in the same period last year. Of those patients, 16,278 were treated within their required timeframe, compared with 15,884 a year earlier. The latest figures highlight the pressure facing busy emergency departments, with the opposition blaming the Labor government. “Victorians deserve a government that works. It’s time for a fresh start in November to fix the problems in our health system,” said Shadow Minister for Health Georgie Crozier.
Monash Casey Hospital.
Man dies after multivehicle crash in Cranbourne A man died following a multi-vehicle collision in Cranbourne on Sunday 27 September. Police will prepare a report for the coroner. It is understood three vehicles collided on Sladen Street near Stevensons Road just after 10am. Emergency services worked on one of the drivers. However, he died at the scene. It is believed the man died due to a medical episode. Another driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The third driver sustained minor injuries and was assessed at the scene. Anyone who witnessed the collision, with dash cam, vision or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
The crash happened on Sladen Street Cranbourne towards Stevensons Road. (Gary Sissons: 581209)
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Jail for car thief By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Adam Barry in Casey Hospital, shortly before stealing a car in front of the emergency department on 23 April 2025. (County Court of Victoria)
The victim lies on the roadway as Adam Barry drives off in her Ford Territory outside Casey Hospital. She was run over by the right rear tyre, which narrowly missed her head. (County Court of Victoria) pain. In her victim impact statement, she told of being unable to perform day-to-day tasks without pain or assistance. She endures significant stress and anxiety, with ongoing psychological treatment. Barry, now 26, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to dangerous driving causing serious injury, failing to render assistance, as well as two counts of theft and three counts of obtaining property by deception. In sentencing on 29 September, Judge Anthony Lewis noted Barry was on a community corrections order and under a bail condition not to drive at the time. Two days before the theft, Barry had arrived by ambulance at Casey Hospital after people called triple-zero due to his erratic behaviour. He complained of chest pain, short breath, blurred vision and dizziness. Clinicians thought that Barry’s goal was to remain in hospital due to his homelessness, and so he was discharged. Shortly before the victim and her husband
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parked their car, Barry was escorted outside by hospital staff. He later claimed he was frustrated by his discharge and stole the victim’s car in order to have somewhere to sleep. Barry has been diagnosed with PTSD stemming from a traumatic upbringing, likely ADHD and major depression. Judge Lewis noted Barry’s extensive drug and mental health issues, with a long criminal history, including driving offences and breaching court orders. It was clear that Barry’s lack of community supports and stable housing was a “criminogenic” risk, the judge said. He would need supervision and help in housing and employment when released on parole. Barry was jailed for three years and nine months, including a non-parole period of twoand-a-half years. His term includes 524 days in pre-sentence remand. He was disqualified from driving for eight years.
The victim rushes to her vehicle as Adam Barry opens the driver’s side door. (County Court of Victoria)
Shortly before stealing the car, Adam Barry sits on a bench as the victim wheels her hospital into Casey Hospital’s emergency department. (County Court of Victoria)
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A car thief who sped off after running over the car’s owner outside Casey Hospital’s emergency department has been jailed. Adam Barry, a 25-year-old disqualified driver on bail and homeless at the time, stole the victim’s Ford Territory on the morning of 23 April 2025. She had left keys in the ignition as she pushed her ailing husband in a wheelchair into the ED. She returned to find Barry climbing into the drivers’ seat and she tried to grab the ignition keys through the open driver’s-side door. Barry tightly grabbed her hand and accelerated, dragging her several metres until he let her go at speed. She fell forcefully on the bitumen, and was run over by the car’s rear tyre – which narrowly missed her head. Barry then made the “completely selfish” and “morally reprehensible” decision to drive away, abandoning a victim that he ought to have known was seriously injured, Judge Anthony Lewis said in sentencing. Later that day, Barry found the victim’s bank card in the car and used it to buy cigarettes and McDonald’s food. He stole some petrol and was found hiding in a shed in Pioneer Bay by police that evening. Police deemed him as unfit for interview. The victim was taken to The Alfred hospital ICU with critical injuries, including a collapsed lung, multiple rib and facial fractures, and a torn shoulder. She required life-saving treatment - a drain inserted in her rib cage as well as blood transfusions to correct her plummeting blood pressure. She underwent facial surgery, including an inserted metal plate and screws that are likely to remain for life. A medical expert declared she was at high risk of spontaneous lung collapse, her fractures failing to heal and to suffer ongoing shoulder
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NEWS
Councils seek safeguards By Ethan Henson Outer Melbourne councils, including Casey and Cardinia, are calling for clear rules on data centres’ energy and water demand, traffic, noise, heat, emergency management and community benefit. Outer Melbourne Councils (OMC), which represents municipalities including the City of Casey and Cardinia Shire Council, welcomed parts of the State Government’s new Sustainable Data Centre Action Plan but said stronger safeguards and earlier council involvement were needed. OMC states that data centres could place major demands on land, electricity, water, roads and council resources, particularly in outer suburbs where industrial areas often sit close to fast-growing residential communities. OMC said the plan needs clear rules on energy and water demand, infrastructure, traffic, noise, heat, emergency management and community benefit. OMC acting chair Cr Naomi Joiner said OMC is not opposed to data centres, but they must be in the right places on the right terms with the right safeguards. “Councils must be involved early before sites are selected, fast-track pathways are triggered and communities are left reacting to decisions already well advanced,” she said. “Community benefit cannot be a vague promise. It should mean local jobs, skills, infrastructure, open space, energy resilience or environmental improvements, “Data centres should pay their way. Network upgrades, road works, planning, compliance and engagement costs should not be shifted onto councils, households or small businesses.” OMC said they’re also seeking protections for valuable environmental, green wedge and agricultural land, with similar requirements for Battery Energy Storage System proposals. They added the Local Investment Guarantee must be developed with councils and host com-
The proposed site on Berwick-Cranbourne Road. (Stewart Chambers) munities, so benefits are meaningful, locally directed and enforceable. The data centre issue has become particularly relevant in Casey, where a major data centre has been proposed in Clyde North and has prompted community concern about issues including noise, energy and water use, traffic and consultation. Cardinia Council has not received a proposal but is expecting one to cross its desk in the future. It recently unanimously agreed to move a mo-
tion, to plan its stance on the matter, along with requesting more transparency on the topic with residents and other community members. The State Government set a list of new rules for data centres on 22 September. However, the new rules will not apply retrospectively to the proposed $1.1 billion Clyde North data centre. Under the new rules, data centres will be prohibited on residentially zoned land, and a 150-metre buffer must separate a residential
building from a proposed data centre building. Developers must also ensure comprehensive community notification. New data centres will also be expected to offset their operational electricity consumption through investment in new renewable generation and storage, while paying for connection costs and network upgrades caused by their projects. Facilities using water-intensive cooling will be expected to use recycled or other non-drinking water.
Data centres: Stop fighting the future Opinion by Dr Jamel Kaur Singh, Saffal Dhillon and Dya Singh Apparently data centres are the latest thing we’re supposed to be frightened of. They’ll drink all our water. They’ll steal all our electricity. They’ll take our tradies. They’ll hum. AI will take our jobs. And, presumably, somewhere inside one of those giant buildings, a robot is plotting the end of humanity. Meanwhile, we’ll lodge these complaints on Facebook, from a smartphone, using cloud storage, internet banking, Google Maps and perhaps a little ChatGPT to make the complaint sound better. Where exactly did we think “the cloud” lives? The proposed data centre in Clyde North has understandably generated debate. Good. Ask questions. Challenge the developer. Demand evidence. But let’s distinguish between a legitimate concern and a reason to be pessimistic. Australia’s next gold rush may not be gold at all. It may be computing and data. CommBank estimates Australia’s data-centre pipeline could generate around $150 billion in investment by 2030. Victoria already has more than 50 data centres. Australian-born AirTrunk has become an Asia-Pacific data-centre powerhouse and plans billions more in Victorian investment. These companies create construction, engineering, electricals, cybersecurity, technology and ongoing operational jobs. In short they create infrastructure. They attract capital. Most importantly, they put Australia within an industry the entire world increasingly depends upon. So, let’s look at what we’re frightened of. ‘But they’ll use all of our water!’ Yes, some data-centre cooling systems use substantial amounts of water. Modern data centres can use closed-loop liquid cooling, air cooling, recycled water and increasingly sophisticated technologies that dramatically reduce potable-water consumption. Australia’s most water-efficient facilities are already demonstrating extremely low water usage.
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Good luck to that. The problem isn’t that electricians are earning too much. We don’t have enough electricians. We’re trying to build hundreds of thousands of houses, transform the electricity network, build renewables, expand transmission and construct data centres using overlapping skilled This isn’t 1995. Technology evolves. Set stringent water-efficiency requirements. Protect drinking water. Encourage closed-loop systems. Reward innovation. Then let the engineers do their jobs. “But they’ll break the electricity grid!” Now this one deserves a serious conversation. Data centres use enormous amounts of electricity. Nationally they accounted for around two per cent of electricity supplied through the National Electricity Market in 2024, with demand expected to increase significantly. Our response? Why not turn the problem on its head? If you’re building a hyperscale data centre, don’t simply take from the grid. Help build the grid. Create incentives for operators that bring additional generation and battery storage with them. Encourage development around existing high-capacity transmission infrastructure. Explore partnerships with hydroelectricity and pumped hydro. Saffal loves his electrical engineering and has co-authored this article. He has written an entire white paper exploring this problem, including hydro-integrated free-cooling architecture. His proposition is essentially: stop treating enormous energy demand purely as a burden and use private investment to help finance the energy infrastructure Australia needs anyway. There’s a novel idea. Solve the problem. ‘But they’ll take all of our electricians’ This one makes us chuckle. If an electrician can earn considerably more working on a data centre, what exactly do we want them to do? Say: “No thanks, I’d rather earn less for the good of the nation”?
workforces. So train more people. Government already provides substantial incentives for housing apprenticeships. Great. If taxpayers subsidise an apprenticeship specifically because we desperately need residential tradies, perhaps attach an appropriate residential-service period to that particular incentive. Two years? Three? Let government and industry work it out. Then let that electrician go wherever opportunity takes them and earn as much as their skills command. And while we’re at it, stop telling every 16-year-old that university is the definition of success. For the right young person, an electrical apprenticeship can lead to an exceptional career. ‘But they hum!’ Seriously? Set a noise limit. Measure it. If the development exceeds it, make them fix it. We’re capable of regulating noise from factories, roads, shopping centres, restaurants and entertainment venues. Surely the technological sophistication required to measure a humming building hasn’t escaped us. Which brings us to the real issue. We increasingly seem to confuse consultation with leadership. Consultation means listening to people. It doesn’t mean that whoever becomes angriest on Facebook gets veto power. A government should listen to the concern, obtain the evidence, determine whether the risk is real, establish an appropriate standard and make a decision in the broader public interest, not motivated by voters’ fear. Water problem? Solve it. Energy problem? Solve it.
Noise problem? Solve it. Skills shortage? Train people. Infrastructure problem? Make the development contribute to it. But if the objection eventually becomes simply “I don’t like it”, the government has to be capable of saying: we’ve heard you, we’ve investigated it, we’ve addressed the legitimate risks, and we’re moving forward because… That’s leadership. And here’s what worries us. Capital doesn’t have feelings. AirTrunk, NEXTDC and international operators don’t have to build their next facility here. Singapore wants investment. Malaysia wants it. India wants it. Queensland wants it. New South Wales wants it. If Victoria becomes too difficult, too expensive and too unpredictable, capital doesn’t organise a protest march. It just leaves. Then we’ll hold another inquiry into why investment is falling, why talented Australians are moving overseas and why productivity isn’t growing. Good luck trying to pay down our ever-increasing debts. Perhaps we’ll even commission a very expensive report about it. Casey and Cardinia have an opportunity to think differently. We don’t want our future to be endless rooftops, longer commutes and our brightest young people leaving the south-east every morning to find opportunity somewhere else. Why shouldn’t we produce electricians, programmers, technicians, entrepreneurs and cybersecurity specialists? Why shouldn’t serious technology businesses want to locate here? And why shouldn’t major developments be expected to leave behind better energy infrastructure, better skills and better opportunities than existed before them? That’s the deal we should be negotiating. Not development at any cost. And certainly not no development because somebody frightened us on Facebook. Responsible development. Set the rules. Protect the community. Demand something in return. Then let people build.
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Christmas ‘pitch’ made By Afraa Kori One Nation candidate Michael Piastrino has vowed to transform Berwick’s High Street into a major festive destination if he wins the seat at November’s state election. Mr Piastrino accused his opponent Liberal MP Brad Battin of failing to support Christmas celebrations in the precinct. “You look on High Street last Christmas — where was the Christmas vibe? It wasn’t here,” Mr Piastrino said. Mr Piastrino promised to seek funding to expand the celebrations and attract more visitors to the shopping strip. “If I win this seat in Berwick, I’ll make High Street an attraction for Christmas and Easter,” he said. “We can bring people from other communities here to spend money in local businesses, whether it’s at the ice-cream shop, the pizza shop or the local restaurant.” He also pledged to “put the Christ back in Christmas”, saying the celebrations should recognise the birth of Jesus Christ. However, High Street underwent a major festive transformation in December 2025 through a collaboration between the City of Casey and local trader Bodega. Speaking to reporters at the time, Bodega director Leroy Fletcher said he and his business partners had spent more than $300,000 on a towering Christmas tree, life-sized nutcrackers, candy canes and a large “JOY” sign. The display was accompanied by a community event, featuring a visit from Santa, face painting, roving performers and activities designed to draw visitors into High Street. The private investment followed a City of Casey decision to allocate $50,000 between the Berwick and Cranbourne shopping precincts as part of a Christmas pilot program. Berwick’s $25,000 share funded red bows and wreaths, while Bodega and its business partners paid for the larger display. At the time, Mr Fletcher told reporters the initiative was a way to give back and provide a local destination for families who might not have the time or money to travel into Melbourne. Mr Piastrino, a business owner and celebrity hairdresser, said he entered politics after becoming concerned about the direction of his community. “I never wanted to become a politician. I’m not a politician,” he said. “I’m just a normal bloke, business owner and celebrity hairdresser.
Berwick One Nation candidate Michael Piastrino vows to revive Berwick’s Christmas spirit. (Picture: Stewart Chambers) “I love life and I love my community. But I’ve sat back for too long and I’ve seen the community destruct.”
Mr Battin has served in State Parliament since 2010, initially representing Gembrook before the electorate was abolished.
He retained the seat of Berwick at the 2022 state election with 54.7 per cent of the preferential votes.
Don’t tarnish effort just for political gain Opinion by Brad Battin MP I was disappointed to read comments talking down last year’s Christmas in Berwick (Michael Piastrino makes his Christmas pitch, Berwick Star News, 26 September 2026). Anyone who was here saw the effort our traders and community put in.
People came out, shopped locally and supported Berwick. It’s also important to remember that many of our local traders are already facing significant financial pressures, yet they still chose to invest their own time and money into making Christmas special for our community.
That effort should be recognised, not tarnished for political gain. It’s worth being clear: decorations and street presentation are primarily council matters, not state. But whichever level of government is involved, my approach is simple: work with the community, back our traders and build
things up. Politicians can disagree on plenty, but we shouldn’t diminish the hard work of local people who are investing in our community. Brad Battin MP Liberal State Member for Berwick.
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NEWS
Panda Mart fined $80k By Cam Lucadou-Wells Cranbourne budget-retailer Panda Mart has been fined $80,000 after stocking hundreds of defective electrical products, including dangerous lamps that put shoppers at risk of electric shock. The company pleaded guilty at Frankston Magistrates’ Court to 15 charges of offering to supply electrical equipment that didn’t meet mandatory safety requirements. An Energy Safe Victoria investigation uncovered portable lamps with inadequate insulation and exposed electrical parts that could deliver an electric shock if touched. Nine lamp models were deemed as unsafe. A lawyer for ESV told the court that AC voltages of up to 240V were detected – which were potentially lethal. Other defective products included adaptors, power boards, extension cords, USB chargers, LED globes and powered recliners. Some equipment did not display the required Regulatory Compliance Mark. The investigation in March 2025 came days after the store first opened in Cranbourne. It was prompted by a tip-off from a New Zealand regulator, the court heard. ESV officers seized suspected non-compliant electrical products from its Cranbourne store and Dandenong warehouse, including more than 900 lamps across 52 models. Panda Mart’s lawyer argued that the store’s locally-based owner-operator was unaware of the safety requirements at the time. But they had cooperated with the investigation, and thereafter acted to ensure safety compliance, the lawyer told the court. A recall notice was issued for the defective products, but no customers returned the items, the court heard. Magistrate Charles Tan said there was “no justification to say ‘I only know what I know’. The retailer should have sought help if it wasn’t in the know, he noted. He said the offending was “serious in na-
A defective lamp stocked by Panda Mart. (Energy Safe Victoria)
A defective downlight was found to deliver a potentially lethal voltage of 240V. (Energy Safe Victoria) Exposed wires found at the base of a lamp stocked by Panda Mart. (Energy Safe Victoria) ture” given the risk of “death or physical harm” to consumers. The court must “send a message that there has to be a level of diligence because people’s safety is at risk”. Mr Tan noted Panda Mart had no relevant prior convictions. Energy Safe CEO Leanne Hughson said the outcome should serve as a reminder to retailers to take their electrical safety obligations seriously. “Electrical safety isn’t optional. Every retailer has a responsibility to make sure the
electrical products they sell meet Australia’s safety requirements before they reach consumers,” Ms Hughson said. “Those requirements help protect people from electric shock, burns and house fires, and Victorians should be able to trust that the electrical products they bring into their homes are safe.” Ms Hughson advised shoppers to check for the Regulatory Compliance Mark, which indicates that an electrical product meets Australian standards.
Exposed wires found at the base of a lamp stocked by Panda Mart. (Energy Safe Victoria)
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‘Balanced’ intervention needed By Jensy Callimootoo For Sam, who lost his vision to cancer as a child, smart glasses have become a “revolutionary” assistive tool. But as concerns around privacy grow, so too does the call from people in the disability community for clear guidelines that protect privacy without restricting access to technology they rely on. What are smart glasses? Sam Valavanis, who lives in Casey, first heard of the device about 18-months ago, but since then the technology has evolved. The device uses AI-powered wearable technology with audio, cameras and heads-up display (HUD) screens, and has become ultra accessible in the Australian retail market. Sam says he was recently gifted a Meta pair for his birthday and while he hasn’t personally utilised them yet, he is “excited” for what they can help with in his day-to-day life after seeing his friends, who are also visually impaired, use them. “I trialled it with my orientation and mobility instructor, so someone was teaching me how to navigate different environments and she was showing me how to use it in terms of looking at train station signage and other things when I’m out on public transport,” he said. “I’ve heard they’ve come in handy for other things as well, like reading menus or navigating around environments or seeing who’s in front of you.” Similar to IPhone users’ ‘Hey Siri’, smart eyewear works similarly. Smart-glasses wearers can ask ‘Hey Meta, what’s in front of me?’, with the audio function describing and answering the user — a function that can be very helpful for those with vision impairments to navigate their daily lives. Sam says the glasses will allow him to have a greater sense of independence and he’s now considering using the tool at his cafe volunteer job. “I think that could help me in terms of not having to rely as much on other people,” said Sam. Meta first released the glasses in 2021, but the newer generations of smart-glasses gained
Popularity of smart glasses exploded earlier this year following a promotional ad by Meta. But the discreet recording device has now prompted concern. (Picture: Creative Commons)
Sam Valavanis backs clearer guidelines, while highlighting the benefits smart glasses offer the disability community. (Stewart Chambers: 564388) online popularity following a new release and promotional commercial. The Meta Ray-Ban display goes for over $400 a pop, but alternatives and cheaper dupes have hit the market with Temu currently selling them for $69. AliExpress has them for less than $18 and Kmart, where the device is currently out-ofstock, sells them for $89. A need for balance With the device becoming more accessible and popular, many are calling on the government to act swiftly to mitigate online harm — but others, including researchers, are urging for a balanced approach to any intervention. The City of Yarra has been one the of first councils in Victoria to ban smart glasses in any council-owned leisure centre, childcare centres and playgrounds. Yarra’s decision was driven in part by con-
cerns that the devices can discreetly capture images, video and audio in places where people have a strong expectation of privacy, including swimming pools and other recreational facilities. But a Monash University professor who has researched how digital assistive technologies can support people with disabilities says there is a need to balance privacy concerns with the device’s life-changing benefits for people with vision impairment. Professor Kimbal Marriott recently investigated the use of smart glasses and how it can help people with Cerebral Vision Impairment understand and interact with their environment. “Clearly, we need policies to protect privacy and safeguard against predatory behaviour,” he said. “But we also need to balance this with ensuring access to and recognising the life-changing benefits smart glasses can provide for people
who are blind and other people with disabilities.” In doing so, Prof. Marriott says more conversations are needed with disability groups such as Vision Australia and Blind Citizens Australia. “My initial suggestion would be that there needs to be clear audio and visual indicators when these devices are recording and if needed strengthening of laws prohibiting covert recordings,” Marriott said. “I also think that it is reasonable to have bans on where smart glasses can be used such as swimming pools by the public but there should be a legally binding exemption for people who are using them as assistive devices.” Like the professor, Sam and his peers are excited about what this tool can do for them, but they understand that some people have abused the tool’s functions. “People are trying to take advantage of the technology and it’s ruining it for everyone else,” he said. “There should be some sort of regulation, but at the same time, I feel like a lot of people can benefit from them. “I think there should be some safeguarding around it, but also not too much so that the people that need it can’t access it.”
AFCS celebrates 35 years By Jensy Callimootoo The Australian-Filipino Community Services (AFCS), based in Casey, celebrated its 35th anniversary on 18 September, marking more than three decades of service, connection and support for the community. Over the past 35 years, AFCS has grown into an important community hub in Casey, providing a range of services for older members of the Filipino community while creating opportunities and pathways for young people across the Filipino-Australian diaspora. The milestone celebration brought together members of the community, along with local and state politicians, government officials, service partners, volunteers and supporters, to reflect on the organisation’s journey and the impact it has had since its establishment in 1991. Former Casey Deputy Mayor and long-time friend of the Filipino community, Damien Rosario, delivered the keynote address, sharing a message that captured the heart of AFCS and the community it serves. “There’s something deeply special about the Filipino heart,” Rosario said as he began his speech. He reflected on the history of AFCS and its beginnings, when the organisation was established to support women escaping family violence and experiencing serious hardship. While AFCS has since grown to provide a much broader range of services, Rosario highlighted that its founding purpose remains at the heart of the organisation — supporting those who need it most. Across its many programs, it now has over 70 staff and over 50 regular volunteers reaching across Victoria and recently, NSW. The evening also provided an opportunity to recognise the people who have helped shape AFCS over the years. Certificates and acknowledgements were presented to founding members, past and present board members, staff, volunteers, community leaders, service partners and friends of AFCS.
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Attendees of the event marking the 35th anniversary of AFCS.
Monash Mayor Stuart James, CEO Corina Dutlow, Cardina Shire Mayor Brett Owen, Casey Mayor Michelle Crowther, AFCS’ chairperson Gerry Ocampo, Dandenong Mayor Sophie Tan and Phillippine Consul General Gary Domingo. (Supplied) The recognition highlighted the decades of dedication, collaboration and community spirit that have contributed to the organisation’s growth and its continued role in supporting the Casey community. Closing the celebration, AFCS Chief Executive and Casey’s Citizen of the Year, Corina Dutlow, addressed the organisation’s future and the opportunities that lie ahead. “We’ve only just begun,” she said. The message reflected AFCS’ ambition to continue growing its services and expanding its impact, with its sights set on supporting communities across Australia for years to come.
Philippine Consul Gary Domingo, CEO Corina Dutlow, Silva Renda OAM, SMRC’s Perla Mazie, SBS Filipino’s Maridel Martinez-Andanar, AFCS’ Maria Smith, Doveton Show’s Jenny Robson, Demetria Reyes, Damien Rosario and AFCS’ Baljit Dhillon.
Cake cutting with CEO Corina Dutlow front and centre and politicians from all levels of government.
Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | STAR NEWS 9
NEWS
Cuts could hit universities By Jensy Callimootoo Federation University has warned that proposed Federal Government changes to international student visas and enrolment arrangements could have consequences for universities and communities in Melbourne’s south-east, including its Berwick campus. It comes after the Government announced major overhauls to student visas including a ban on secondary visas and crackdowns on “course-hopping” and “visa-hopping”. What does this mean? With universities across Australia facing changes to international education policy and pressure to reduce the growth of overseas student numbers. Net overseas migration (NOM) has become a hot topic of discussion over the last year, with the coalition and far-right parties like One Nation fuelling the discourse. On September 17, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, announced the major overhaul in hopes of reducing migration numbers and easing housing pressures impacting Australians. Through its new reforms, Labor plans on cutting NOM by 65,000 by the 2027-28 period. Burke announced a ban on dependents accompanying visa holders on secondary visas. Under the proposed changes, partners and children would no longer be eligible for visas, with exemptions for PhD and postgraduate students, as well as applicants from Pacific and ASEAN countries. There will also be a tightening of course hopping meaning students will need to move upward on qualifications. For example from a Bachelor degree to Master degree. Finally, there will also be restrictions to onshore visa applications for visitors who want to apply for student visas. But with these changes the peak body for universities across Australia has shared its concerns over funding, arguing that it could do lasting damage to one of Australia’s great economic
Federation University, Berwick campus. success stories. How will this impact Australian universities? Federation University, which has campuses across Victoria including Berwick, Melbourne, Ballarat and Gippsland told Star News that it has long supported a “sustainable” intake of international students and backed action against non-genuine students who exploit loopholes to change courses, or “course-hop”. However, the university said it remains concerned about proposals to significantly reduce
international student numbers, arguing that the way universities are funded means cuts could have flow-on effects for domestic students. “Currently, Federal Government funding does not adequately cover the cost of delivering education to domestic students, requiring universities to use international revenue to cover the gap,” the university spokesperson said. Adding that its international student program helps it maintain places, campuses and courses for local students across regional Victoria and Melbourne’s south-east.
That includes its Berwick campus, which serves a growing population in Melbourne’s south-east and Casey region. The spokesperson said international students contribute to the university community in ways that extend beyond tuition fees, describing their economic, cultural and social contributions as “vital” to local communities. The university also pointed to the role international students can play in the local workforce. “International students also make vital economic, cultural and social contributions to our communities – helping local businesses fill jobs when they cannot find the skills locally,” the spokesperson said. According to the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the international education sector is currently worth $54.7 billion annually. $24.3 billion of which is from student fees. 10 per cent of carer and aid jobs such as child carers and aged care workers are held by current international student graduates. The university said the effects of reduced international student places are already being felt across the sector, with regional and outer-metropolitan universities particularly exposed because they generally lack the scale and financial resources of larger metropolitan institutions. “Regional universities need fair, sustainable funding and policy settings that recognise the unique circumstances of our communities,” the spokesperson said. The university is calling for greater recognition of the cost of delivering education outside capital cities and the broader role universities play in supporting regional and outer-metropolitan communities. For the Berwick area, the issue extends beyond university enrolment numbers. With reshaping of the international education sector, changes to funding and student numbers could ultimately affect the range of courses, campus operations and opportunities available to domestic students in the south-east.
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Route 836 axing worries residents By Violet Li
Etta Nadjmeljkuti was awarded three sashes. Australasian Native, including Specimen, Hybrid Orchid and Species Orchid.
Hanh Truong earned 4 sashes, including Specimen any other Genera, Masdevallia Orchid of the Show, Species Orchid any other Genus, Orchid any other Genera Hybrid.
The winning team of Colin and Karen Gillespie (not pictured) were awarded Champion Laeliinae Orchid. 580553 03
Julie Huskic won Champion Miniature Flowered Orchid and Champion Orchid by a Novice Grower.
Berwick Orchid Show blooms By Jensy Callimootoo The Berwick Orchid Show has returned for another year, with hundreds of visitors turning out to admire the colourful displays and celebrate the work of local orchid growers. For more than 20 years, the annual spring show has given orchid enthusiasts an opportunity to showcase the time, patience and skill involved in growing the flowers. This year, growers brought a range of orchids to the show, with the displays featuring flowers in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes. The event also saw growers recognised for their efforts, with a number of exhibitors receiving sashes and new titles across the various competition categories. For those involved, the show is about more than simply putting their orchids on display. It provides growers with an opportunity to meet others who share their interest, exchange advice and learn more about growing and caring for orchids. Visitors were also able to speak with experienced growers and take a closer look at the plants on display. The annual event has become a fixture of the local spring calendar, attracting both long-time orchid enthusiasts and people who simply want to see the displays.
12 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 1 October, 2026
A long-time Berwick resident fears proposed changes to bus routes 836 and 846 will leave some passengers with longer walks and fewer direct connections to shopping centres and Beaconsfield. Under Transport Victoria’s proposed overhaul of the Casey bus network, Route 836 would be discontinued, while Route 846 would be altered and extended to cover parts of its existing catchment. Berwick local James O’Loughlin said he discovered the proposed changes after noticing information attached to a bus stop and was concerned the scale of the restructure was not immediately clear. “Finding out about it in a way by accident was frustrating,” he said. The existing Route 836 travels from Berwick Station through Berwick township and Beaconsfield before continuing through residential estates to Eden Rise Shopping Centre. From Eden Rise, the service effectively continues as Route 846, travelling via Clyde Road, Berwick Waters and O’Shea Road before returning towards Berwick Station. Mr O’Loughlin said the proposed Route 846 would cover some of the current 836 corridor but would no longer directly serve Eden Rise. Instead, he said the revised route would extend further through growing areas towards The Avenue Shopping Centre. He was particularly concerned about passengers who currently use Route 836 to reach Berwick, Beaconsfield and Eden Rise on one service. “One bus route that can cover three different shopping precincts [is] being totally taken out,” he said. Mr O’Loughlin said he uses Route 836 three or four days a week, generally in the morning, and values being able to travel directly to Berwick, Beaconsfield and Eden Rise. Although the service currently runs about once an hour, he said it remained useful for older residents, students and others without access to a car. He said some passengers could instead use Route 831 to reach Berwick Station, but argued this was not an equivalent replacement for people wanting to reach Berwick’s shopping precinct because the bus interchange was some distance from the shops. “If you’re older or disabled, it’s a long walk from the Berwick Station to the Berwick shopping centre,” he said. Mr O’Loughlin also said students regularly use the affected services, including students travelling via Beaconsfield Station to St Francis Xavier College. One of the reasons Transport Victoria proposed to remove Route 836 is low patronage. However, Mr O’Loughlin questioned whether low patronage figures captured the full demand, noting that passenger numbers varied and that school students may not always be reflected in the same way as paying Myki trips. Casey Bus Consultation is on until 19 October. To submit your feedback, visit engage.vic.gov.au/casey-bus
James Kremer won “Champion Intermediate Orchid” with his Cymbidium Canaliculatum “Sparkesii”.
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Intersection works done The much-awaited and needed Thompsons Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road Intersection Upgrade is now open to traffic. The “biggest traffic bottleneck” has been replaced with a new intersection with traffic lights, additional lanes and new walking and cycling paths seven months ahead of schedule. It will improve safety for the booming Clyde suburb and neighbouring residents and is said to improve traffic flow for around 47,000 drivers each day.
Federal Member for Holt Cassandra Fernando MP says she constantly heard from families about the frustration of the roundabout during her first term. “The biggest traffic bottleneck in our community is now a thing of the past.” Federal Member for Bruce Julian Hill says it was one of South East’s “worst intersections.” “Local residents have highlighted this unsafe choke point for years, and this smooth new road is another example of the Federal Labor Government treating Victoria fairly after
years of being screwed over by the Liberals.” There’ll be lane closures and speed reductions at times as finishing touches are added to the new intersection. The project has also delivered additional approach lanes and upgraded bus infrastructure, providing safer travel options for pedestrians and cyclists. The upgrade saw more than 120 direct jobs and 297 indirect jobs created during construction. The $83.5 million project is equally funded
by the Albanese and Carroll Labor Governments. The nearby Clyde Road Upgrade is also on track to also seven months ahead of schedule. It will widen the Princes Freeway overpass from six to 10 lanes, easing travel for 30,000 vehicles using the road each day. The upgrade adds to a run of completed projects across Melbourne’s south east, including O’Shea Road, Thompsons Road, Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, Hall Road and Western Port Highway.
(Credit: COTA Victoria)
Discussion group seeks new members for 2027
Bidya and Atiya with some of food on offer in the food truck area. (Gary Sissons: 580915)
By Jensy Callimootoo
Shiner Wright Music is supplying some live music at the market.
Tavish and organiser Ebony Kinna
Darcie is driving an electric Mercedes and having a great time.
Clyde turns out for new community market By Violet Li Hundreds of residents turned out for the first Gathered in Clyde community market on Sunday 27 September. Organiser Ebony Kinna estimated at least 800 people attended the market between 9am and 2pm at Eliston District Park Playground in Clyde North, with more than 100 stallholders taking part. She said about 85 per cent of the stallholders were local, giving their businesses an opportunity to showcase their products to their own community. Ms Kinna said she launched the market after seeing what she described as a gap in community events in the growing Clyde area. “We wanted all the community to come out. We wanted to meet our neighbours. We wanted to meet local businesses. And they all responded really well, which is amazing,” she said. Ms Kinna said the turnout exceeded her expectations, particularly because the market was self-funded and she had organised most of it herself, with help from family members on the day. Planning began around April, followed by the council permit process from about June. Following the response to the first event, Ms Kinna plans to make Gathered in Clyde a monthly market. The next market is scheduled for Sunday 25 October, with further events planned for Novem-
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Tavish is having fun on the electric cars. ber and 13 December. “(I want to say) thank you for showing up. I think it was amazing. We all deserve a pat on the back and supporting each other,” Ms Kinna said.
A men’s discussion group in Berwick intended to provide support while deconstructing rigid ideas among older men are seeking new members for the 2027 period. Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI), provides a safe space for men aged 50 and over to meet each other in an informal and social environment to share their knowledge and experiences, It now marks more than two decades since the initiative kicked off, with OMNI groups located all over Victoria. The Berwick group meets on the last Thursday of each month, from 9:30am to 12pm at the Timbarra Community Centre (28 Parkhill Drive, Berwick). Ken McMaster has been a part of the Berwick group for 15 years following a friend’s recommendation. He now facilitates the conversations and discussions within the group. He says it’s been an essential part of his routine — and something that has helped him long-term, fighting both boredom and isolation. “It makes it less lonely when you know you have someone to talk to at the end of the month,” Ken said. The topics discussed during the informal catchups varies, with Ken highlighting that an utmost priority is that each person feels equal and that privacy is honoured. According to the seasoned facilitator, the meetings are described as “informative and fun” and each man is made to feel welcome. For more information, you can contact Ken on 0419 574 865 or the Timbarra Centre on 9704 1863.
“There are hundreds of businesses in our backyard that we’re not aware of, and it really gave them an opportunity to showcase what they’re doing.”
Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | STAR NEWS 13
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Get set to love your new life For Anastasia Oakes, choosing Summerset Cranbourne North was a “no brainer”. As a brand-new retirement village, it offered something she valued straight away - homes that feel fresh, bright and beautifully designed, set within a safe and secure community. Today, her beautifully appointed villa is ideally positioned within the village, with easy access to the village centre and all the resort-style facilities. Since moving in, life has opened up in all the right
ways. With fewer worries and more freedom, she now spends her time doing the things she truly enjoys. “I love the gym, because I like keeping fit. Happy hour is very inviting… there’s a lot of laughing!” The cafe is another favourite, where residents gather most mornings for a coffee and conversation, a simple pleasure that has quickly become part of daily life. One of the biggest changes Anastasia has no-
ticed since moving into the village is the sense of connection that comes from being surrounded by like-minded people. When asked what she would say to someone considering retirement living at Summerset, Anastasia doesn’t hesitate. “I would invite anybody to come in,” she says. “Just do it!” Looking around at the life she has built since moving in, it’s easy to understand why.
With a beautiful new home, a welcoming community, modern facilities and the freedom to spend her time doing what she enjoys most, Anastasia feels she has found exactly where she belongs. “I love Summerset,” she says. “It’s absolutely lovely to live here.” Enquire today and find out why Anastasia and so many others love living at Summerset Cranbourne North.
At Summerset Cranbourne North, we believe your retirement years should be filled with the things that bring you joy. That’s why we’ve designed our villages to make everyday living easier, so you can spend less time worrying and more time doing what you love. Our brand-new village centre is the heart of the community, offering resort-style facilities that make it easy to connect, stay active and enjoy life. Start your morning with a swim in the indoor pool, meet friends for coffee at the café, relax in the spa, or enjoy a social game of lawn bowls or pool. Don’t just take our word for it - book an appointment with our friendly team, or join us at one of our free upcoming events and experience life here for yourself. With independent living villas, assisted living apartments, and residential aged care available now,* there has never been a better time to visit Summerset Cranbourne North. Love the life you choose.
Book an appointment today Open 7 days, 9am to 5pm Summerset Cranbourne North 98 Mannavue Boulevard, Cranbourne North 03 7068 5642 | cranbourne.sales@summerset.com.au
*Homes are secured by purchase of the licence to occupy and are subject to availability and entry criteria. Rental options not available. Care is subject to availability and entry criteria.
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Think more time for what you love
Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | STAR NEWS 15
CONNECT • CREATE • CELEBRATE
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Victorian Seniors Festival 2026
Care creates connection At Belvedere Aged Care, we believe that every senior deserves to feel valued, respected and supported. Our approach to care goes beyond meeting daily needs; it is about creating a welcoming environment where residents feel heard, connected and empowered to enjoy life. Listening to Our Residents Every resident has a unique story, personality and set of preferences. We take the time to listen to what matters most to them, whether it is their daily routine, favourite activities, food preferences or simply having someone to talk to. Through regular conversations, meetings and feedback from residents and families, we continue to learn how we can improve their experience and make Belvedere feel like home. Activities That Bring Joy Meaningful activities play an important role in supporting wellbeing and social connection. From music and creative activities to outings, celebrations and opportunities to spend time with others, we encourage residents to participate in activities that reflect their interests and abilities. We also recognise that some residents prefer quieter moments, and we respect their choice to enjoy their day in their own way. Food That Feels Like Home Food is more than nutrition; it is comfort, culture and connection. We value our residents’ feedback about meals, including their favourite dishes, cultural preferences and dining experience. By listening to their suggestions, we aim to make
It’s the people and sense of connection that make the biggest difference.
Discover lifestyle you’ll love Listening, caring and connecting: Supporting seniors at Belvedere Aged Care. mealtimes enjoyable, nutritious and a time for residents to come together. Supporting Social Connection Feeling connected is essential at every stage of life. Our team encourages friendships, family visits and opportunities for residents to engage with the wider community. We understand that everyone has different social needs, and we provide support that respects each person’s choices. At Belvedere Aged Care, our commitment is simple: to listen, to care and to make a difference every day. By placing our residents at the heart of everything we do, we strive to create a community where seniors feel safe, respected, included and truly at home.
One Day. 25 Communities. Discover a lifestyle you’ll love. On Saturday, 17 October from 10am to 2pm, Lifestyle Communities will open the doors to all 25 communities across Victoria, inviting visitors to experience firsthand what life in a community designed for over-50s is really like. While display homes and resort-style amenities often capture attention, many homeowners say it’s the people and sense of connection that make the biggest difference. The statewide Open Day offers an opportunity to step beyond the brochure and hear directly from those who have already made the move. Whether they were looking to downsize, free up time for travel, build new friendships or enjoy a more connected way of living, every homeowner has a story to share. Explore low-maintenance homes, including brand-new display homes at Lifestyle
Communities’ newest locations, while also discovering established communities across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. Along the way, they can meet the team, ask questions, and gain an authentic perspective on everyday life at Lifestyle Communities. Visitors can also experience the amenities that help bring communities to life, including clubhouses, swimming pools, gyms, wellness spaces, bowling greens, cinemas and social hubs designed to support an active lifestyle. A complimentary barbecue will be available throughout the day, providing an opportunity to relax, connect with homeowners and learn more about the homes, locations and communities across Victoria. Register online for updates and information or simply walk in on the day. Visit lifestylecommunities.com.au or call 1300 50 55 60 for more information.
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16 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 1 October, 2026
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Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | STAR NEWS 17
NEWS
Explore Christmas on the Southside and book your end-of-year celebration.
Southside Christmas! BUSINESS PROFILE
Rosemary Miota-Duncan, Berwick Artists Society Secretary with her Beach Scape. (Rob Carew: 579857)
Artists Ellyn Thomson and Sheila Daniells with Cats, Owls and Horses.
Magnificent Landscapes by Artists Fiona Trzeciak and Helen Anderson.
Works by Artists Dione Tiernan and Matthew Dunstan. (579857)
Exhibition showtime By Jensy Callimootoo Berwick Artists Society kicked off their annual art exhibition on the evening of Monday 21 September, with over 50 artists displaying their unique and creative pieces. The special opening night marked the three week display which will be held at the Cranbourne Library until Saturday 10 October. This year, each piece depicts the themes of ‘Our Big World in Small Details’ with over 100 framed postcard size artwork and 100 larger paintings that cover an array of themes, subjects and mediums. The participating artists are longtime members of the society group, some who have been meeting at the Old Cheese Factory for over 30 years. The exhibition has been running yearly for “many years”, says Secretary of the Society and artist Rosemary Miota-Duncan, with the opening night event becoming a special feature and a popular attraction for families and
The end of the year calls for a proper celebration – and Southside Racing is ready to host yours. Whether you’re organising the office Christmas party, thanking your team for a big year, bringing clients and colleagues together or simply gathering your favourite people for a festive night out, Christmas on the Southside has an experience to match. Across four Friday nights at Southside Pakenham and Southside Cranbourne, Christmas on the Southside brings together night racing, festive dining, live entertainment and a range of experiences designed for groups big and small. The celebrations begin at Southside Pakenham on Friday, 27 November before heading to Southside Cranbourne on Fridays 4, 11 and 18 December. From premium trackside dining and private spaces to relaxed group celebrations and lively cocktail-style experiences, there are plenty of ways to make the night your own. Whether it’s the whole office, a smaller team, clients, friends or family, simply choose your experience, gather your group and let the celebrations begin. With live racing adding to the atmosphere throughout the evening, there’s always something happening – giving everyone a reason to dress for the occasion, stay a little longer and raise a glass to the year that was. So, send the calendar invite, start the group chat and give everyone something to look forward to. MAKE MERRY. MAKE MISCHIEF. It’s a Southside kind of Christmas. Explore Christmas on the Southside and book your end-of-year celebration at www. southsideracing.com.au
Shells and the Sea, Artists Monica Ross and Sha Yamin. the general public. For Rosemary, opening night is always a time to reflect on the hard work each member has put in across the year — and to see the awe in the eyes of gallery-goers. “I look forward to opening night, where the fruits of our efforts are our reward when we
see the delight on the faces of the audience as they wander around our art displays,” she said. The exhibition is now opened to the public and will be accessible and free to the public during the library’s opening hours. Many pieces will also be on sale.
Make Merry, Make Mischief. It’s a Southside kind of Christmas.
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18 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 1 October, 2026
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WHAT’S ON
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Saturday 3 September, 11am at Casey Fields Playspace and Village Green, 160 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East; free event. Registrations required at https://www.trybooking.com/ events/landing/1443443
Summerset Showcase Learn the basics of lawn bowls with U3A, get creative in a watercolour workshop with local artist Jessie Ford, and enjoy live music. Grandkids are welcome too, with a movie and popcorn in the theatre. Thursday 1 October, 10am-12pm at Summerset, 98 Mannavue Boulevard, Cranbourne North; free event.
In conversation with Michael Robotham
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Michael Robotham will chat about his 20th published novel, Tell Me Something True, set in a small Australian town (his first Australian-set novel). Saturday 3 October, 2pm-3pm at Bunjil Place Library, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren; free event. Bookings required: https://events.connectedlibraries.org.au/event?id=244068
Little Chefs
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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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Harmony Sessions Join MUAH for a gathering for multicultural seniors. Gentle wellness activities such as line dancing and Tai Chi, along with cultural music, karaoke, and live entertainment. Culturally-appropriate lunch provided. Sunday 4 October 10am-3pm at Autumn Place Community Hub, Doveton; free event. Bookings required: 0450 003 025
U3A Cranbourne Open Day Meet tutors, group leaders and members, view all of our beautiful work and learn about the fun activities that we enjoy on and off the premises. Refreshments provided. Friday 2 October, 10am-1.30pm at Cranbourne U3A, 20-22 Bowen Street Cranbourne; free event. No bookings required. Details: admin@u3acranbourne.org.au or 0493 991 919.
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Open Studios sneak peak See works from the South East artists, creatives and makers who will be opening their doors to the public for the Open Studios Weekend 2026 on 17-18 October. Thursday 1 October - Wednesday 28 October (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm and Open Studios Weekend, 10am-4pm) at Bunjil Place customer service centre, Narre Warren. Details: https:// www.casey.vic.gov.au/events/open-studios-weekend-2026-0
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Connection, Movement & Wellbeing Enjoy gentle seated movement with a physiotherapist, practical everyday tips from an occupational therapist, an informal Health & Wellbeing Hub offering non-clinical information and advice, and the opportunity to meet new people over complimentary morning tea and light refreshments. For ages 55 and over. Friday 2 October, 10am-2pm at Cranbourne West Community Hub, 4 Flicka Blvd, Cranbourne West; free event. Bookings essential: info@caringheartsinhomehelp.com.au or 5993 5999.
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Free Pickleball - Seniors Festival Free drop-in sessions during October. No bookings required. Equipment supplied. Fridays 10am-11.30am and Sundays 10.30am-11.30am at Olive Road sporting complex, Eumemmerring.
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Zine-making workshop for teens Create your own zine (pronounced zeen) - a small self-published book or mini magazine that can be
about poetry, art, music, books, gaming, fashion, your favourite fandom, latest obsession or anything in between. For ages 13-17. All materials provided. Friday 2 October 2pm at Hampton Park Library, 26 Stuart Ave, Hampton Park; free event. Bookings: https://events.connectedlibraries.org.au/ event?id=242369
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Kids craft workshops Free ‘Under the Sea’ kids activities - a different activity each day. daily until Friday 2 October, 11am – 2pm at Kmart mall, Endeavour Hills shopping centre, cnr Matthew Flinders Avenue and Heatherton Road, Endeavour Hills; free event. No bookings required.
•
Art of Conversation: Blind Bight For older adults to connect, share stories and build new friendships. Meaningful conversations guided by experienced facilitators. Morning tea provided.
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Tamil music and dance items staged by professional artists. Morning tea and special Tamil traditional lunch served. Saturday 3 October, 10.30am-1.30pm at Berwick Senior Citizens Centre, 112 High Street, Berwick; $10. Bookings required by 1 October: info@ caseytamilmanram.org.au or 0491 149 113.
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Walktober family fun day Walkers will complete the 4km loop of the Casey Fields fitness trail, with exercise zones and interactive signage along the way. The event is wheelchair, pram and dog friendly. Music, food, stalls, activities, giveaways and prizes.
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Afternoon Melodies Live entertainment and afternoon tea. Part of Ageing Positively Festival. Sunday 4 October 1.30pm-3.30pm at Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club, 1 Codrington Street, Cranbourne; free event. Bookings required: 0466 623 210
•
SEWA Festival Day Join other Sri Lankan elders at a Sri Lankan Elders Welfare Association (SEWA) social community day. Open to anyone. Join us for entertainment, refreshments and the chance to meet new people. Part of Ageing Positively Festival. Monday 5 October, 10am-2pm at John Pandazopoulos Hall, 78 Power Road, Doveton; free event. Bookings required at sewa.78pwr@gmail. com or 0401 287 475.
•
Employment POSITIONS VACANT
MASSAGE THERAPISTS
Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au
12423634-SN31-19
$110/ 30mins
Tamil Musical and Dance Concert
Family activities such as fastest serve, target boards, coaching, free play, as well as live music. All invited, equipment provided. Sunday 4 October 12pm-4pm at Hampton Park Tennis Club, 87 Somerville Road, Hampton Park (Robert Bruce Reserve); free event. No bookings required.
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Join one of Victoria’s leading independent community media organisations. Star News Group is seeking an enthusiastic, results-driven and customer-focused Print & Digital Sales Representative to join our dynamic sales team.
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With a proud history of delivering trusted local news across print, digital, newsletters and social media platforms, Star News Group connects businesses with highly engaged audiences throughout Melbourne’s south-east and regional Victoria. About the Role : This is an exciting opportunity to manage an established client portfolio while actively developing new business opportunities across our diverse media platforms. The successful applicant will work with local businesses to create effective advertising campaigns incorporating: • Newspaper advertising • Digital display advertising • Sponsored online content • Email marketing campaigns • Digital Newsletter Key Responsibilities : • Maintain and grow an existing client base. • Identify and secure new business opportunities. • Develop tailored advertising and marketing solutions for clients. • Prepare proposals, presentations and campaign recommendations. • Work collaboratively with editorial, design and digital teams to deliver outstanding client outcomes. About You: You will possess: • Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills. • Strong organisational and time management abilities. • A positive attitude and a passion for helping local businesses succeed. • A current driver’s license and reliable vehicle. What We Offer : • An established territory with existing clients. • Competitive salary package including base salary and commission. • Supportive team environment. • The opportunity to work with a respected and trusted community media brand. • If you are passionate about sales, enjoy working within your local community and thrive in a fast-paced media environment, we’d love to hear from you.
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Saturday 3 October, 9am-12.30pm at Blind Bight Community Centre, Anchorage Drive, Blind Bight; free event. Bookings required at cindy@ kintsugiheroes.com.au
Tennis Club Open Day
The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme. Send your application letter and resume to: Advertising Sales Manager Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au
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Goerlitz glides into second By Blair Burns Narre Warren’s Julian Goerlitz turned heads in Southern Division 1 footy this season, earning a Casey Demons six-month contract off the back of a blistering start to the year. While he was hampered with injury in the second half of the season, the 19-year-old midfielder still polled 18 votes to place second in the Ellis Medal. Just 12 games of footy had been enough for Goerlitz to poll 18 votes, 17 of those coming inside the first 11 matches - he still remained in first position even after round 14. But Dingley’s Chris Horton-Milne eventually caught him and won the medal on 22 votes. “I watched it online and I didn’t think I was much of a chance,” Goerlitz said. “I knew I had missed about six or seven games all up and thought that would be too big a margin, so I was pretty surprised.” Remarkably, the young gun who is destined for a higher level, has almost polled as many votes as senior games he’s played, with 18 votes across his 20 career senior games. He also managed to sneak forward and hit the scoreboard this year with seven goals, while being named in the best on five occasions. “I was pretty flat that I couldn’t play the whole season, but I was proud to put together 12 good games,” Goerlitz said. “I missed footy big time while I was out and just watching from the sidelines.” It was hard to watch on for the young gun who suffered a hamstring injury at an inopportune time this season, shortly after he had put pen to paper with Casey Demons’ VFL side. That not only delayed hopes of a VFL debut, but it hurt Narre Warren as the side’s form wavered in the back half of the season before going out in straight sets. He faced a poor run of luck as he suffered a finger injury at work which required surgery just as he was about to return for the Magpies in the finals. For a player just starting out in his senior career, Goerlitz could be forgiven for playing the odd quiet game, but it was his consistency that impressed. Even with a tag from the opposition, he managed to get his hands on the football and make an impact, using his speed to drive him out of the contest. The most consistent players in the AFL like Nick Daicos, Bailey Smith and Errol Gulden all have one thing in common…yes, they are very talented, but they can run all day. “I try to base my entire game off work rate,” Goerlitz said. “If I am working hard enough, I allow myself to get to a lot more contests. “I got tagged a fair bit through my juniors so I am kind of used to it a bit, so I just try to keep working through it - the boys help out a fair bit too.” Speaking of the other boys, Callum Porter is a pretty handy role model to have helping you out
Julian Goerlitz came runner-up in the Ellis Medal this season. (Rob Carew: 549000) in the engine room. “It is pretty cool having someone right there who you want to kind of try and become,” Goerlitz said. “He helps me a lot with the mental side of things, and even away from footy, he is someone I can just talk to.” After the back end of this year didn’t pan out the way he had hoped, Goerlitz will venture down to pre-season training at Casey in a bid to earn another contract. If the Demons do not sign him up, you’d expect there will also be some interest from elsewhere.
JULIAN GOERLITZ: 2026 BY THE NUMBERS · Rd 7 v Springvale Districts – 21 disposals, one 1 v Hampton Park – 22 disposals, one goal, goal, five marks, 78 ranking points. · Rd four marks, 87 ranking points. Rd 8 v Cheltenham – 26 disposals, four marks, · 2 v Port Melbourne – 17 disposals, two goals, · Rd four tackles, 100 ranking points. 84 ranking points. Rd 9 v St Paul’s McKinnon – 29 disposals, four · 3 v Dingley – 26 disposals, six marks, 94 · Rd marks, six tackles, 120 ranking points. ranking points. Rd 10 v Hampton Park - 35 disposals, four · 4 v Cranbourne – 32 disposals, one goal, · Rd marks, seven tackles, 137 ranking points. eight marks, six tackles, 134 ranking points. 11 v Port Melbourne - 42 disposals, one goal, · Rd 5 v Murrumbeena – 28 disposals, one goal, · nine marks, seven tackles, 170 ranking points. Rd eight marks, 193 ranking points. · Rd 6 v Bentleigh – 20 disposals, three marks, 87 · Rd 18 v St Paul’s McKinnon - 16 disposals, one ranking points.
mark, one tackle, 48 ranking points.
Ioelu stars for Magpies and claims league leading medal By Blair Burns Narre Warren netball star Mercy Ioelu capped off a stellar season in the South East Precinct Netball League (SEPNL) A grade competition, winning the premiership and league best and fairest. The goal shooter scored 719 goals for the season and was by far the most damaging shooter across the competition. She finished the A grade count with 23 votes, winning clearly from Hampton Park’s Hannah Tiaiti who came runner-up on 14 votes. Ioelu said it was a special season for a number of reasons; also winning a flag with her younger sister Grace, who dominated for the Magpies last year before making the move to Mornington. “It has been such an amazing season, this has been my first official A grade season…I was mainly a fill-in for A grade in past years,” she said. “I was not expecting the best and fairest since there were so many amazing players who
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Mercy Ioelu capped off a special season with the SEPNL A grade best and fairest. (Rob Carew: 549000) did well, but I’m beyond grateful and pretty happy with how I went this season. “I just want to thank God for the opportunity I’ve been given.” The humble Narre Warren netballer said capping off the season with a premiership was the real delight.
“Winning the flag was an unreal feeling which I enjoyed so much and I am beyond proud of my team for pulling through,” Ioelu said. “Also winning a flag with my younger sister Grace just made it more special since it was our first one together. “It meant so much to me and for her to come in and smash it out made me more proud.” It was a family affair for the Ioelu’s, with the pair’s younger sister also experiencing grand final success on the day. “My other younger sister Love made us so incredibly proud with the way she played, always giving it her all and leaving everything out on the court,” she said. “Being both her coach and older sister has been such a true blessing, and sharing this win together made the moment even more special.” Grace, who played at Mornington this year, was able to play finals for the Magpies and she was awarded with best-on-court honours in the big dance.
Having played mainly B grade in the past, there were some nerves about stepping up into A grade given the fact that Narre Warren was in a new league. “I didn’t know what to expect but luckily my coach and team helped with nerves and being able to bring out the best in one another,” Ioelu said. “Having Chelsea (Tonna) as our captain was honestly so amazing. “She was such a great leader and player, always making sure the girls were pulling their weight and ensuring everyone was having a great time.” The two-goal grand final victory over Beaconsfield gave Ioleu a feeling she hopes to replicate in future seasons. “I love playing the sport, my goals are to maybe learn different positions and I hope to win more flags in the future,” she said. Narre Warren will head into next season as the hot favourite to go back-to-back in the SEPNL A grade competition.
Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | STAR NEWS 21
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Back-to-back for Bears? By Blair Burns Cricket is back as the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) kicks off this weekend with some exciting two-day matches fixtured. Berwick won the premiership from third last season, and led by captain Michael Wallace, the Bears will look to be a threat once again. Springvale South made the big dance but was unfortunate to come off second best in the biggest game of the year. With a similar side to last year and a familiar fast bowler having signed with the Bloods after a stellar season for a rival, the vibes are high within Cam Forsyth’s camp. Buckley Ridges didn’t like the unfamiliar taste of defeat in the preliminary final and is clear that its only goal this year is to win the flag. Hallam Kalora Park has lost some key players but will hope some new recruits can fill the void and keep the Hawks in the finals frame. The rest of the chasing pack continues to bolster their line-ups, hoping to surge up the ladder.
Beaconsfield Coach: Brad Erasmus Captain: Andrey Fernando Last Year: Fifth (5-7) Most Runs: Ashan Walgamage (371) Most Wickets: Mitch Tielen (24) Key Player: Brad Erasmus - Will bring a lot to the team from experience level, he is also a quality batsman. Surprise Packet: Trishane De Silva - A talented bowler with a bit of flair. Very competitive and loves the big moments. Ins: Tyler Clark (back from a year playing in England), Brad Erasmus (South Caulfield), Jacobus Hynes (Cardinia), Trishane De Silva (Cardinia). Outs: Sam Read, Abaseen Taniwal, Alex Nice, Jake Cutting. Beaconsfield was only a couple of wins away from finals last year but ultimately fell short of fourth as Hallam Kalora Park snuck into the finals. The Tigers have had a bit of change within their side, losing power-hitting centurion Sam Read and opening bowlers Jake Cutting and Alex Nice. But the club welcomes Brad Erasmus as its new coach and the hope is that he will not only add some class to the batting order, but lead Beaconsfield to finals. Erasmus made headlines a few seasons ago when he combined for an unbeaten 428-run opening partnership with Channel 7 journalist Tom Morris for South Caulfield. The Tigers have added Trishane De Silva and Jacobus Hynes from Cardinia. Two of Beaconsfield’s five wins came against the now relegated Parkmore, and the Tigers were embarrassed in a heavy defeat against Dandenong West which dampened finals hopes last season. The challenge for the side is to take the next step and turn itself into a real finals contender, and to beat some of the big sides like Berwick, Springvale South and Buckley Ridges.
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DDCA
DANDENONG DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION
SEASON PREVIEW - TURF 1 karsh Srivastava (top-order batter - USA), Tevyn · Captain: Michael Wallace Walcott (wicketkeeper/batsman - Barbados), · Last Year: Third (9-4) - Premiers Yousaf Iqbal. · Most Runs: Jake Hancock (663) Outs: Dale Tormey (Pakenham), Ben Wright, · Most Wickets: Toby Wills (34) · Michael Davies. · Brand of Cricket: Team-first. A shock-loss at the hands of Berwick in last Player: Vinuda Liyanage - Dynamic player · Key with bat and ball, second year in the competi- year’s preliminary final ended Buckley Ridges’ tion.
Packet: Chad Imbulagoda - Had a · Surprise great first season last year and can take the game away from the opposition.
Andrew Jones (McKinnon), Tommy Rex · Ins: (England). · Outs: Jordan Cleland, Toby Wills, James Trodd. The reigning premier capped off a stellar run towards the finals last year after a third-place finish and shocked some of the best sides with some high-level cricket to win the whole thing. The run through the finals was particularly impressive as the Bears preyed on the big three, Hallam Kalora Park, Buckley Ridges and then Springvale South in the big dance. Star batter Jake Hancock was the man of the match in the grand final with 79 not out and will once again be one of the best batters in the competition after belting 663 runs at an average of 82.88 last year. Not only did Hancock score bulk runs, once he got himself in, sides had no answer to getting him out, as he got plenty of red ink with only two dismissals in his last seven innings. Toby Wills produced some scintillating spells last year to take 34 wickets at 12.56, but the Bears will be without him this year due to travel. He shocked the league when he took a combined 10/48 against Hallam Kalora Park in a twodayer before taking 6/8 against Narre South a few weeks later, he also took nine wickets in the team’s three finals. There is no doubt that Wills is going to take some serious replacing, as will James Trodd who is another notable out. But skipper Michael Wallace will look to inspire his troops once more and call upon fastbowling recruit Tommy Rex to cause carnage early with the new ball. Wallace also had a strong season batting at four last year, narrowly falling short of a century on two occasions with a 99 and a 95 not out. Much like Hancock, he is very hard to dismiss and showed his composure with a crucial knock in the grand final. The batting line-up should look pretty similar, but the watch will be on the bowling and whether the Bears can restrict big scores like they did last season.
Buckley Ridges Captain/Coach: Roshene Silva Last Year: First (11-2) Most Runs: Dale Tormey (670) Most Wickets: Harry Snowden (34) Brand of Cricket: We are playing to win the championship and nothing else. Key Player: Ishan Jayarathna is one to watch, then we have some West Indies players who look really good. One is a good seamer and the other is a wicketkeeper-batter, we also have Yousaf Iqbal from Tasmania. He looks like a class player, and there is another English kid coming which I have heard good things about. Ins: Ray Jordan (fast bowler - West Indies), Ut-
· Coach: Cooper Foakes 22 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 1 October, 2026
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Dandenong West Coach: Malinga Bandara Captain: Riley Siwes Last Year: Sixth (5-9) Most Runs: Shaun Weir (464) Most Wickets: Joel Zietsman (18) Brand of Cricket: We want to play an exciting and fearless brand of cricket with the bat, while being ruthless and disciplined with the ball. Our theme for the season is connection. We want every player to understand their role within the team and how it contributes to our success. Building that connection will be particularly important within our bowling group, allowing us to work together, build pressure and execute our plans for longer periods. We want to be a side that plays positive cricket, competes hard and stays connected regardless of the situation of the game. Key Player: Nipunaka Fonseka - He showed glimpses of his ability with the bat last season, and with his first season back in cricket now under his belt, we’re excited to see what he can produce this year. He has taken on the role of vice-captain and now has a much stronger understanding of the DDCA competition, its grounds and conditions. We’re looking forward to seeing him take another step forward this season and fingers crossed, produce plenty of strong performances. Surprise Packet: Mohit Mandora - Mohit can take a game away from the opposition in a blink of an eye with his powerful, exciting and fearless approach to batting. After Christmas last season, he was one of the competition’s leading run-scorers and showed just how damaging he can be. Has has worked extremely hard throughout the off-season to continue building on that form and prove it was no fluke. We’re excited to see what he can produce this season. Ins: Yashan Samarasinghe (middle-order bat/ off spin - Longwarry), George Compton (fast bowler - English import), Danuja Sheehan (fast bowler - Sri Lankan import). Outs: Joel Zietsman (Narre South), Anthony Brannan (Long Island), Brad Sheean (Glen Waverley). Dandenong West is looking to take the next step this season after a solid season which saw the side finish sixth on the ladder. Under captain Riley Siwes, the Bulls worked hard and made a habit of posting big scores. The team’s offensive power was so strong that the side scored 2912 runs for the season, which ranked them third in the league, even above Berwick. But the trouble came in defending those totals and it was a familiar story throughout the year, with the team conceding 3204 runs against which was almost 400 runs more than any other team. The Bulls didn’t have a wicket-taker inside the top 20 in the league and the one they did have, Joel Zietsman, has now left and signed with his former club Narre South. Siwes was the next best with 16 wickets. But the need was identified and Dandenong West went out and signed two fast bowlers in George Compton (England) and Danuja Sheehan (Sri Lanka). The pair will lead the bowling attack and will have the big job of picking up early wickets. On the batting side of things, the likes of Shaun Weir (464 runs) and Mohit Mandora (404 runs) will look to set the tone at the top of the order. Nipunaka Fonseka is another who finished the season in style with a 95 and 41, looking to pick up from where he left off. The theme for the side is connection this season and if they can replicate their batting performances, and perform better with the ball, they are every chance to sneak into finals.
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Coomoora Captain/Coach: Jarrod Munday Last Year: First (9-2) - Turf 2 Premiers Most Runs: Krishan Alang (707) Most Wickets: Malan Madusanka (44) Key Player: Krishan Alang. Ins: Dulara Bandulasena, Johan Cronje, Freddie Cartwright, Charlie Eaton, Lewis Shean, Rowan Snell. Outs: Malan Madusanka, George Davey, Dean Krelle. It was a special season for Coomoora as the Roos went all the way in Turf 2 and earned a promotion to the top grade. The side clearly had the best batter in the league and the best bowler in the league. Krishan Alang scored almost 200 runs more than his nearest opponent at a ridiculous average of 78.56. He scored three big centuries for the season and showed he can go at above 100 strike rate or grind out a crucial knock like he did in the grand final against Parkfield with an important half century. He won the Charles Gartside medal by a landslide, with his teammate Malan Madusanka claiming third. While the club has lost Madusanka’s bowling prowess, they have retained Alang and you can expect him to rise to the level that Turf 1 has to offer. Outgoing captain Dean Krelle and George Davey round out the departures. Wicketkeeper Jarrod Munday has stepped into the captaincy role this season and probably went under the radar in 2025/26 due to Alang’s dominant campaign, but Munday still made 492 runs, averaging almost 50. Parkmore was the most recent Turf 2 premiers before Coomoora and they were relegated last season, so the Roos will be firstly hoping to remain in Turf 1. Sam Wetering will be one to watch with the new ball, while Nick Suppree was a reliable opener with more than 400 runs for the year. Can the Roos have an impact in Turf 1 and claim some scalps? Only time will tell but they have enough talent there.
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Berwick
three-peat dreams as the Bears posted 385 at Park Oval before bowling the Bucks out for just 175. The comprehensive defeat seemingly ended an era at Buckley, with players such as Dale Tormey (Pakenham), Michael Davies (retired), Triyan De Silva (HSD) and Harry Snowden (England) departing. However, the Bucks look well and truly set to compete again with a list of recruits as long as the Flemington straight. Just because the team will be very different does not mean the results will be much different for last season’s minor premier. Roshene Silva will take over the captaincy from Jayson Hobbs after three years of service, while Ishan Jayarathna will again be a big threat with bat and ball. Ray Jordan will bring some genuine heat to the bowling attack, while Tevyn Walcott and Utkarsh Srivastava will strengthen the batting order. It is a big year for the Bucks as the club celebrates 100 years of existence, and they will be determined to go a couple better than last year and get back to their premiership-winning ways.
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Berwick heads into this weekend as the hunted after winning the DDCA Turf 1 premiership last season. (Gary Sissons: 542062) tasted victory just once against Parkmore, and lost the other four - two of those were outright defeats. The two-day format will have to improve as the side deals with the loss of their leading runscorer from last season Damith Perera, and leading wicket-taker William Whyte. To maintain its spot inside the top four, Hammond will have to be at his best, as will new recruit Lochlan Scott, who comes across from Frankston Peninsula in the Vic Premier competition, having played three matches in the Second XI last season.
Hallam Kalora Park Coach: Matt Cox Captain: Jordan Hammond Last Year: Fourth (7-6) Most Runs: Damith Perera (494) Most Wickets: William Whyte (30) Key Player: Aasrith Kanuganti. Ins: Lachie Scott (all-rounder - Frankston Peninsula), Kieran Pell (wicketkeeper/batter - England), Imran Laghmani (all-rounder - North Dandenong) Outs: Leigh Booth (retired), William Whyte, Damith Perera (Narre South). Hallam Kalora Park managed to snag fourth spot on the ladder last season, but they were never a realistic threat to go all the way, beaten easily by Berwick in the first final. The Hawks came runner-up the year prior, but with some poor losses early last season, the challenge quickly turned from winning the premiership, to making finals. Life was a bit harder without star batter Mahela Udawatte who departed prior to the season. Without skipper Jordan Hammond, the side would’ve been in trouble but to his credit, he was brilliant with the ball and got breakthrough wickets when nobody else could, also finishing the year nicely with the bat as he made 52 and 49 in his last two hits. The Hawks showed they were still one of the toughest teams to beat in the one-dayers with a 6-2 record, but they let themselves down in the longer format. Of the five two-day matches, they
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Narre South
· Coach: Matt Brooks · Captain: Cal Tout · Last Year: Seventh (2-10) · Most Runs: Oshadha Ariyadasa (379) · Most Wickets: Jeevan Mendis (18) of Cricket: We want to be competitive · Brand this year. Obviously only winning two games · ·
last year was less than ideal, so we really want to improve on that. Key Player: Damith Perera - Obviously has proven run-scoring ability and we are really keen to see him go to the next level with us this season. Surprise Packet: Joel Zietsman - I believe he’s gearing up for a big year with the new ball in hand, fresh off footy season, so he’s fit, firing and ready to go.
Damith Perera (wicketkeeper/batsman · Ins: Hallam Kalora Park), Sakidu Wijerathne (leftarm orthodox - Donvale), Joel Zietsman (seamer - Dandenong West). Outs: Kyle Hardy (retired), Deeshan Umagiliyage. Rise up the ladder and be competitive, that is the goal for Narre South as Cal Tout leads the Lions into the 2026/27 season. The club’s two wins came against Parkmore and Hallam Kalora Park last season, and despite posting some strong totals in the back end of the season, they conceded too many. That is where returning recruit Joel Zietsman will come in handy, set to take the new ball and have a big impact for the side. Narre South comes into this season with potentially the biggest recruit in the entire DDCA, former Wookey Medallist and star batter Damith Perera. The top-order batter is a bonafide star and is coming off a season where he scored 494 runs for Hallam Kalora Park, but he was just scratching the surface. The year before in 2024/25, he made three Turf 1 centuries including a 111 off 54 balls in a T20 match. He also made two 80s and a 70 in that season, among other half centuries, finishing second in the league medal count to Buckley Ridges’ Ishan Jayarathna. He holds the key to a surge up the ladder and if he can set the tone and bring along some others with him and star Jeevan Mendis, the Lions are on their way to a much-improved year. Sakidu Wijerathne is another to watch, a left-arm spinner who will cause problems for some of the league’s best batters this year - he also has first class experience back in Sri Lanka.
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Springvale South Captain/Coach: Cam Forsyth Last Year: Second (12-2) - Runner-Up Most Runs: Jordan Wyatt (582) Most Wickets: Jarryd Straker (37) Brand of Cricket: Positive. Key Player: Blade Baxter - Contributes in all facets of the game and is a relentless competitor. Surprise Packet: Brad Newton and Matt Jameson. Brad is a talented all-round cricketer with Premier Cricket experience in SA. Matt had a fantastic year last year helping the boys win a Turf 3 flag, and will be looking to lock in a spot in Turf 1. Ins: Harry Snowden (UK), James Butler (UK), Brad Newton. Outs: Nick Boland (retired), Josh Dowling, Chathuranga De Silva. Springvale South fell short at the final hurdle last year as Berwick claimed the premiership it was the second time in the past three seasons that the Bloods have finished runner-up. It was another brilliant season from Cam Forsyth and his men with Dasun Opanayaka taking out the Wookey Medal. Jordan Wyatt had another strong year with the blade, with a blistering 131 off 97 balls against Dandenong West, a season highlight for the power-hitter. The Bloods are always around the mark and they want to get back to the top of the food chain in the DDCA. With a similar team to last year, they are well poised to be among the best couple of teams in the Turf 1 competition. While Nick Boland has retired, Springy has poached English fast bowler Harry Snowden from Buckley Ridges, who was second for wickets last season with 34 to his name. A 6fa performance against the Bloods in the first week of finals was enough to make a big impression on his future teammates. Brad Newton is another important inclusion for the side. Ryan Quirk will be another to watch…he posted some big scores last season and if he can continue that form, I am backing him to receive a deserved Wookey Medal at long last. Springvale South has retained most of its side and will likely have good depth in its batting order once again.
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Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | STAR NEWS 23
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