Issuu

PAKENHAM OFFICER

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

/pakenhamstarnews

@StarNews_SE

40¢ Inc. GST

Cardinia elects a new mayor

New clue in bush murder mystrery

The big guns fire at Pakenham

PAGE 2

PAGE 3

PAGE 4

SPORT

12496498-DL22-21

Extortion arrests across district

Cleo inspires gift By Shelby Brooks

up the layby so you can pay if off by Christmas and work out the budget for each week.” Dale said he wished he could personally

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

thank the anonymous philanthropist. “I’d just want to say thank you so much, it really helps us out. It’s a big relief,” Dale said.

Low Dose CT, Digital X-ray, Comprehensive Ultrasound Dental X-ray, Dexa or Bone Densitometry, Echocardiogram

NEED HELP WITH AN INTERVENTION ORDER?

BULK BILLING OPEN 7 DAYS

OPEN FOR BUSINESS ! Now in office consultations U2, 1 Stephenson Street PAKENHAM

12514155-BL41-21

(03) 5922 2072

Online Consults still available Pakenham Drouin, Narre Warren and Yarra Junction Offices | P 5941 5166

“It’s been tight for everyone after Covid so this is absolutely fantastic. “We can’t thank her enough.”

JASON WOOD MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LA TROBE 03 9768 9164 JasonWood.Updates Authorised by J.Wood, Liberal Party of Australia, 3/16 Langmore Ln, Berwick VIC 3806.

12454762-DL38-20

Sandra and Melissa, of Pakenham Toyworld, celebrate the good news.

12497982-JW24-21

A Lang Lang woman has paid off over $3000 worth of laybys at Pakenham Toyworld, inspired by Cleo Smith’s safe return home. The anonymous woman emailed head office, offering the act of kindness Monday morning, 8 November. It follows last year’s anonymous ’Christmas angel’ who paid off laybys in December 2020. It is understood this is not the same person. The anonymous email, shared by Pakenham Toyworld owner Sandra Evans, explained the generous offer was in celebration of the missing WA girl who was found last week, alive after 18 days missing. “I’m a senior lady in Lang Lang, Victoria, and I have rejoiced in the wonderful news of Cleo being found,” the email said. “I would love to purchase something for her, as well as paying off the layby for your Christmas shoppers. “This is not a hoax or a prank, just a lady who loves magic to happen.” Sandra said she couldn’t believe it when she found out. “It’s amazing,” she said “I told her to come in and introduce herself to us. “It’s amazing for the customers. We rang the first customer and she just burst into tears.” This is the second year in a row regular customer Dale Barnes has had his Christmas laybys paid off. He’s feeling particularly lucky and grateful. “Sandra called this morning and said ’guess what?’ and I said, ’not again!’” Dale said laughing. “We are rapt- so ecstatic. It’s been hard from Covid and not being able to get to the shops to layby presents for Christmas. “You start to panic a bit, got to quickly set

NEWS

Extortion arrests Three men from Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs have been charged by police as part of an investigation into an alleged extortion linked to the Comanchero Outlaw Motor Cycle Gang (OMCG). Detectives from the Echo Taskforce executed warrants at three residential properties in Narre Warren, Hallam and Cranbourne East, as well as a gym in Hallam from 6am on Tuesday 9 November. Three men were arrested and charged with numerous offences. A 49-year-old Narre Warren man, who is a patched member of the Comanchero OMCG, was charged with extortion, blackmail, threat to kill and theft of a motor vehicle, while a 19-year-old Hallam man was charged with extortion, possessing steroids, failing to provide information pursuant to a 465AA order and weapons offences. Both men were expected to face the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court that same afternoon, on Tuesday 9 November. The third culprit, a 25-year-old Cranbourne East man, was also charged with extortion, possessing steroids, possessing proceeds of crime, failing to provide information pursuant to a 465AA order and weapons offences. He was expected to be bailed to appear before court at a later date. While executing the warrants, detectives also seized a number of items from the addresses including cash, weapons and steroids. The three arrests form part of an investigation by the Echo Taskforce into an alleged extortion and subsequent threats made to two victims over the past 12 months. Detective Inspector Dan Ryan from the Echo Taskforce said the motorcycle gang was notorious for its criminal activity and these arrests were a great outcome for the investigation. “The Comanchero OMCG is a group historically linked to offences of immense commu-

Detectives from the Echo Taskforce arrested a man in Narre Warren on Tuesday for extortion charges linked to the Comanchero OMCG. Pictures: SUPPLIED, VIC POLICE

Police escort the hand-cuffed Hallam man to their vehicle.

nity harm such as extortion, so to arrest three people today as part of this investigation is an excellent result,“ Det. Insp. Ryan said on Tuesday afternoon. “We also understand how difficult it can be for victims to engage with police in these matters. “It’s important that community is aware of the support police can provide when they are a victim of offending such as this, and that we will do everything we can to ensure those who purposely intimidate the public in this way are held to account.” Anyone with information about OMCG activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to crimestoppersvic.com.au

Police arrested a 25yo Cranbourne East man on Tuesday and later charged him with numerous offences.

The 49yo Narre Warren man being escorted to a police vehicle by detectives on Tuesday morning.

Did you know bushfires kill from 200m away? The ﬂames of bushfires can reach temperatures of up to 1100°C. Long before the ﬂames reach you, the wave of radiant heat can kill you from 200 metres away. Planning for bushfire is the only way to survive it.

Plan. Act. Survive. Go to vic.gov.au/knowfire

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

12520317-DL46-21

2 STAR NEWS

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Cr Springfield addresses his fellow councillors after successfully winning the mayoral election for 2022. Picture: GABRIELLA PAYNE

Springfield mayor again By Gabriella Payne The Cardinia Shire Council has new leaders at the helm, after the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2022 were elected at Monday night’s annual statutory meeting. Ranges Ward Councillor Jeff Springfield was voted in as the shire’s new Mayor on 8 November, narrowly beating out Henty Ward Councillor Carol Ryan for the position with a 5-4 vote. This will be the second time that Cr Springfield has stepped into the top role, having served as Mayor for the year 2020 and Deputy Mayor for 2021. He said he was excited about the appointment and was looking forward to the year ahead. “I am thrilled to be leading this council as Mayor over the next 12 months,” Cr Springfield said. “The year ahead will be an important year for our residents as we recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. “We have seen so much social and economic disruptions recently and we must assist

our community where we can as their elected community leaders.” Cr Springfield expressed his gratitude to his fellow councillors for their votes of confidence, and said he was looking forward to working as a “united team“ in the year to come. Officer Ward councillor Tammy Radford will also be stepping into a leadership position, after successfully being voted in as the new Deputy Mayor for 2022, again beating out Cr Ryan with a close 5-4 vote. Cr Radford said she saw the role of Deputy Mayor as being an extremely strong support and sounding board for the Mayor, and she was grateful and excited to take on this new challenge. “I look forward to taking on this role and have the full support of my family to take on this exciting position,“ Cr Radford said at the meeting. “As Deputy Mayor I will continue to provide one hundred per cent commitment to supporting our community recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Cardinia Shire Council’s new Deputy Mayor Tammy Radford and Mayor Jeff Springfield are excited for the year ahead. Picture: SUPPLIED

This will be the second time that Cr Springfield has been the Mayor of the Cardinia Shire Council.

New transport business gets off the ground By Shelby Brooks Coinciding with the reopening of interstate and international borders, a Pakenham driver is hoping to help locals with the first leg of their journeys. Steve Davies has launched his new business The Paky Express, which will provide a bus service from Pakenham, Officer, Beaconsfield and Narre Warren to Melbourne Airport. After working as a ride share driver for six years, Steve said he saw the need for a shuttle service originating from the Cardinia area. “There’s nothing here for people to get to the airport,“ he said. “Not unless you want to pay over $150 for an Uber, $250 for a taxi or get someone to

Hop aboard the Paky Express. 255712

drive you which could cost them at least $50 in petrol. “Getting the Paky Express has got to be a no-brainer for people.“ Steve will charge $55 for a one way trip and $99 return. For every extra person in your party, the price lowers by $5. “So for the second passenger, they’ll be $50, the third $45,“ he said. The brand new commercial passenger vehicle is ready to go and Steve is hoping as travel ramps up, so will his new business. “We’re catering for affordability and convenience for transport to the airport for this side of town,“ Steve said. To learn more, head to thepakyexpress. com.au.

Why wait for medical imaging appointments? SERVICES INCLUDE:

• X-Ray • Ultrasound

MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9AM - 5PM

PAKENHAM 23 John St 5941 7812

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

• CT Scan • Dental • X-Ray

OFFICER Arena S. Centre 5941 8544

CRANBOURNE 2 Woodbine Road 5991 7368

KOO WEE RUP 291 Rossiter Rd 8352 4299

www.gigradiology.com.au 12493824-DL20-21

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

STAR NEWS 3

NEWS

Police have released this image of a blue four-wheel drive and trailer that they believe could hold the key to solving the case.

Pictures: SUPPLIED, VIC POLICE

New bush mystery clues By Gabriella Payne For almost two years now, detectives have been working tirelessly to solve the mystery of missing campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill - and now a new and promising clue has emerged in the investigation. On Sunday 7 November, detectives from the Missing Persons Squad released an image of a vehicle and a trailer they believe may be able to assist in their enquiries to locate the missing pair, who disappeared while on a camping trip in the Wonnangatta Valley early last year. Detectives have been unable to eliminate the blue four-wheel drive – believed to be a mid to late 1990s model Nissan Patrol - and its trailer from their enquiries, and are keen to speak to the driver of the vehicle or any witnesses who may have seen the vehicle in the area at the time. Ms Clay and Mr Hill’s disappearance in early 2020 sent shock waves through the local community, and police have been working around the clock in an effort to solve the mystery ever since. The pair were last heard from on 20 March 2020 via HF radio, when Mr Hill stated he was in the Wonnangatta Valley in the Victorian Alps - a remote and vast alpine area. That was the last contact the pair had before seemingly disappearing into thin air leaving behind only a burnt-out campsite and Mr Hill’s empty, fire damaged vehicle.

Anyone who may have seen this vehicle in the Wonnangatta Valley on 20 March 2020 or thereabouts is urged to contact police. Since that time, police have conducted significant, meticulous and protracted searches of the area in the hope of discovering even the smallest clue as to Ms Clay and Mr Hill’s disappearance - and detectives hope this new clue will bring them one step closer to solving the case. It is still yet to be fully determined whether the pair’s disappearance is suspicious, however investigators have long believed it is likely a third party was involved. Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said that detectives had not been able to eliminate this mystery vehicle from their investigations as yet, and he urged anyone with information to come forward.

“Throughout our extensive and significant investigation over the last 20 months, we have not been able to eliminate this blue four-wheel drive from our enquiries,“ Det. Insp. Stamper said. “We have witness statements that put this blue vehicle and its trailer in the valley at the time Russell and Carol were there, and indeed near the spot that they had set up their camp. “Detectives have also been given information that a vehicle attempted to leave the valley late at night on the evening of Friday 20 March, but the Myrtleford gate was closed because of the bushfires, meaning that the driver had to make a complicated turn back in the direction from which they had come.

“That same vehicle is also spotted on two cameras at the top of Mount Hotham, consistent with where a vehicle would exit the valley given the closure of the Myrtleford gate,“ he said. “We understand that initially, given the confusion around Covid-19 and state-wide lockdowns that people may have been reluctant to come forward, or that someone may simply have missed our repeated appeals for information. “But if you are the driver of this blue Nissan Patrol, or you know who is, we would urge you to come forward – if nothing else, so we can eliminate you from our enquiries and move forward. “Both families are still desperate for answers about what happened to Russell and Carol and why, and I know our investigators are doing all they can to try and get those answers for them. “If you do know something or have heard something, no matter what it is, then I urge you to come forward and hopefully we can continue to fill in all the pieces of this puzzle until we get the result and answers both families deserve,” he said. Anyone who sights Russell Hill or Carol Clay is urged to contact triple zero (000) immediately. Anyone with any other information regarding their disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or log onto www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

CHEAPEST FLOORING/DECKING 5941 4888 9707 5755 5996 6822 5625 2571

www.davidwbull.com.au

STOCK LIQUIDATION SALE

Australian owned family business since 1979. 4 STAR NEWS

1213066-EPJ04-16

David W Bull Funeral Directors Provide understanding care and personal service.

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

ALL NEW TIMBER

9708 5055 0411 515 158 registrar@hillcrest.vic.edu.au

03 9702 2144

www.hillcrest.vic.edu.au

11 Windale St, Dandenong Mel Ref: 90 G10

12463621-SN06-21

Pakenham Berwick Cranbourne Drouin

• DECKING: Merbau, Spotted Gum, Royal Reds, Blackbutt, Tallowood 70x19 from $2.30p/m, 86 x 19, 90x19 from $2.80p/m 130 x19, 140x19 from $4.50p/m • FLOORBOARDS: Jarrah, Blackbutt, Ironbark, Brush Box, Spotted Gum, Tallowood, Bluegum, Turpentine, Tasmanian Oak 80x19, 85x19, 108x19, 130x19, 130x14 from $2 p/m

12479614-AV27-21

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

District’s orange dawn By Cam Lucadou-Wells A new welcoming hub for family violence services in Dandenong and the South East opened its ‘orange door’ on Tuesday 9 November. The state’s 12th Orange Door Network will be a “game-changer” for the region, said Dandenong MP and Prevention of Family Violence Minister Gabrielle Williams. The bright, warmly hued hub in central Dandenong is expecting about 1000 referrals a month. It will bring together 148 full-time equivalent staff from a suite of family violence and family wellbeing services under the one roof. This was a key recommendation of the recent State Royal Commission into Family Violence – to stop services working in “silos”, to catch families from falling through cracks. Under this system, victims won’t have to tell their story more than once. It also relieves them from navigating the complex maze of services, Ms Williams said. “We’re ensuring families can access all the help they need to rebuild and recover through the one door because we know navigating multiple services can be hard – especially in times of great stress and trauma. “These different workforces are learning from each other, working in a way to ensure holistic care and tailored care. “The information sharing is the greatest enabler.” The hub combines services from Anglicare, Dandenong and District Aborigines Co-Operative, Uniting, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, Wayss and the State Government. They provide crisis assistance, help for families under stress, risk assessments and safety planning. Long-term support is also offered, such as case management, financial counselling and legal assistance.

Dandenong MP and Prevention of Family Violence Minister Gabrielle Williams at the Orange Door Pictures: CAM LUCADOU-WELLS entrance. 256849

Gabrielle Williams in one of the sensory spaces. 256849

Inside the building’s orange door, there are no sterile, forbidding offices but local floral imagery and Aboriginal floral names on doors and glass. A glass wall states ‘welcome’ in about 20 different languages such as Punjabi, Farsi, Hindi, Spanish, Filipino, Somali, Cantonese and Aboriginal – reflecting the city’s cultural diversity. There are sensory spaces for young people, pantries of hot and cold meals, and a chill-out kitchen/dining area for staff. Crucially, a remote courtroom link will be provided at the hub so survivors don’t have to front a courthouse. The all-encompassing CCTV security and duress buttons are discreetly embedded through the building.

GPs and child-and-maternal-health nurses are also being encouraged to make referrals to the hub. So far at other Orange Doors, there’s also been reportedly a growing number of self-referrals walking in from the street. “The biggest measure of success is if people access this themselves,” the Dandenong hub’s manager Shelley Mullens said. Further Orange Door ‘access points’ will open in Pakenham later this year and Cranbourne in 2022. The Orange Door network hub is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Details: orangedoor.vic.gov.au.

In the latest 12-month crime statistics, there were about 10,000 police call-outs for family incidents across Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia Shire – about 200 a week. While general crime was reportedly down during Covid lockdowns, family violence was up about 20 per cent. The next crucial step is awareness and cultural change, says Ms Williams. Research found gendered inequality was a key driver of family violence. “We have to create more equal societies to have a hope of seeing family violence end.” The Orange Door is being promoted across the region’s diverse ethnic communities through an multicultural advisory group, online forums and dedicated workers.

We’re building big near you and there will be transport disruptions As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing 85 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 47 already gone. We’re also building the Metro Tunnel, creating space in the City Loop to run more trains to and from the suburbs. Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions Cranbourne and Pakenham lines

From 1am 20 Nov to 21 Nov

Flinders Street to Cranbourne and Pakenham

Until 9pm each day, 22 to 25 Nov

Westall to Cranbourne and Pakenham

9pm to last train each night, 22 to 24 Nov

Flinders Street to Caulfield Westall to Cranbourne and Pakenham

8pm 26 Nov to 1am 27 Nov Caulfield to Dandenong From 1am 27 Nov to 28 Nov

Flinders Street to Dandenong

Road disruptions: Closed roads and lanes At times, until late 2021

Road or lanes closed

South Gippsland Hwy, Dandenong South

At times, until late 2021

Road or lanes closed

Clyde Road, Berwick

Until early 2022

Lane closed southbound between Reserve Street and Enterprise Avenue Lane closed northbound between Sir Gustav Nossal Boulevard and Jane Street

MTIA6574

Princes Highway

Find a detailed list of disruptions at bigbuild.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

12510890-NG46-21

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

STAR NEWS 5

NEWS

OPINION

White Ribbon Art Gallery

LENSCAPE

The Cardinia Casey White Ribbon Group will celebrate White Ribbon Day with an online art gallery and exhibition at the Cardinia Cultural Centre on Friday 19 November. Artists have been invited to create works in line with this year’s theme - Domestic Violence is isolating. The Cardinia Art Society has partnered with the White Ribbon Group to collect and curate the artworks. “The response from artists has been very enthusiastic and a diverse collection has been created,“ president Jillian Ronald said. “I would like to thank the artists for their input to create this unique exhibition.” The White Ribbon Group leader April Whitelaw thanked the Cardinia Shire for their sponsorship support. “It will make an interesting exhibition which helps connect the community raising awareness about domestic violence and all forms of abuse,“ Ms Whitelaw said. “After the lockdowns of Covid-19, we are all valuing the reconnections we have made but acknowledge the ongoing isolation felt by some woman due to domestic violence.“ White Ribbon Australia’s vision is to have a nation where every woman is free from all forms of men’s violence and abuse. To keep up to date on the White Ribbon Facebook page, visit: https://www.facebook. com/WhiteRibbonCardiniaCasey A selection of the artworks will be exhibited at the Cardinia Cultural Centre in the foyer space from Friday 12 November. If this article raises any concerns for you contact 1800Respect.

Young trees sprouting at the Dandenong Christmas Tree Farm in Tynong. 256595

Honouring their service ‘Remember to Remember’. This is what the RSL would like us all to do on the 11th day of the 11th hour of the 11th month. A minute of silence to remember those who served our country and fought for the foundations of what we have today. Taking the time to reflect can be challenging in today’s busy climate and as we return to our lives, some of us even having to rebuild amidst the myriad of restrictions, please remember to acknowledge the importance of that one minute of reflection. This is an opportune time to set that reminder to pause for a minute and remember our service men and women who have fought in wars and conflicts around the world and have come home injured or ill, some facing a long mental health journey towards recovery. It is also a time to remember those men and women who are currently serving our country. Our local RSL clubs have had an extremely challenging 20 or more months, with lock-

downs and restrictions impacting their revenue stream, funds which go back to helping our men and women who have served our country. Where you can and restrictions allow, please support these clubs and the people who volunteer to provide a service to our community. This year, the Poppy appeal celebrates 100 years, from its beginnings in Horsham to now being an integral part of fundraising for the RSL. If you can, please remember to buy a Poppy or donate to the Poppy appeal to show your support to the RSL. When we stand together to honour those before us, we share and show a level of support that only comes from being there for one another. This is our community, a community I believe in and support as we all ‘Remember to Remember’ on the 11th of November. Brad Battin, Gembrook MP

The tables have turned I resigned as a Casey councillor back in 2020

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

due to the alleged corruption within our council. As you may be aware I played no part in the demise of our council. Two State MPs who did play a major part in our sacking were the outspoken State Liberal MP Tim Smith, who led the charge for our sacking, and the other was Adem Somyurek, the Labor Party Minister for Local Government at the time. How ironic is it now to see both these MPs dealing with their own demons, and their parties now wanting nothing to do with them? To Mr Smith and Mr Somyurek, the pain of my resigning as a councillor back in 2020 has now been made a lot easier by reading all about your indiscretions while holding public office. I understand only the public can sack you both, so sit back on the backbench and enjoy your spoils as an MP, while I wait for the IBAC report to be finalised and published for all to see. Rex Flannery, Narre Warren South

SOCIALLY SPEAKING An Upper Beaconsfield resident detailed her harrowing experience at the hands of hoons rampaging up a rural road. Here’s what our Facebook readers had to say about it. Sarah Krol: That’s really sad that the authorities won’t do anything. It’s always been such a beautiful place to ride horses. Plus allowing damage to the creek area is awful. Mick Ott: Seriously, do you really think lowering the speed limit is going to change their behaviour?

Rainbow Tears by M. Cleland will be featured at the exhibit. Picture: SUPPLIED

Thumbs Up! To Katy and all the other carers who go to peoples’ houses and look after us golden oldies. They are doing a bloody terrific job and fantastic work!

com.au

Thumbs Down!

REAL ESTATE Email seren@starnewsgroup.com.au

6 STAR NEWS

To the low lives who use handicap peoples’ parking spaces - get a life!

Thumbs Down! 12452305-LN26-20

Published by Star News Group Pty Ltd ACN 005 848 108. Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas. All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. Distribution PROUDLY numbers, areas and coverage are estimates AUSTRALIAN OWNED & only. For our terms and conditions please visit INDEPENDENT www.starcommunity.com.au

one person in the neighbourhood who likes to conflict more drama than necessary. I wish you went and door knocked on local properties of fellow neighbours and asked their opinion before posting only this lady’s opinion. As that’s all it is at the end of the day, not a story just someone’s opinion. Ray Campbell: Beautiful spot and I spent time at the creek. Clint Allen: It’s been that way for the 30 years I’ve been going there.

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

starcommunity.com.au CONTACT US Phone: 5945 0666 ADVERTISING Visit starcommunity.com.au/advertise Email advertising@starnewsgroup.com.au Phone 5945 0666 EDITORIAL Email dailyeditor@starnewsgroup.com.au

Visit networkclassifieds.com.au Email sales@networkclassifieds.com.au Phone 5945 0600

Charlie Bianchi: I live on Foot Rd and I understand where she’s coming from with people thrashing on the road but don’t come on to a road and act like you’re boss of it when people have been living there 20 years+ before you and yelling at kids that ride motorbikes. Stephanie Evans: This actually annoys me. I used to live on Chadwick Rd right near the creek and never once had I endured what this lady states. But as always there is that

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

To the roads. Seriously, how bad do they need to get before they fix them?

Thumbs Up! Casey Cardinia Libraries for being awesome. Kept our family sane during Covid and continue to provide outstanding resources. Wonderful how they posted/delivered books for us all.

Thumbs Up! To hearing excited school children walking past my house going back to school! They are all little heroes after being kept away from school and their friends for so long.

Thumbs Down! To councils having different recycling rules. If you visit people in different municipalities, you can’t work out what goes into recycling and what doesn’t.

Thumbs Up! For the community support by those affected by Covid.

Thumbs Down! To Facebook admins that block people correcting wrong info (politely).

Thumbs Up Thumbs Down is your chance to have your say. Malicious or defamatory submissions will not be accepted. All submissions must include a full name address and daytime phone number. Contributions over the phone will not be accepted. Contributors will not be identified. The Star News reserves the right to edit submissions. To submit a Thumbs Up Thumbs Down email to dailyeditor@starnewsgroup.com.au fax to 5945 0777 or post to P.O. Box 9 Pakenham 3810.

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Refreshing new venture By Jamie Salter Berwick could soon be home to a brand new brewery thanks to a bold venture by two local entrepreneurs. Master brewer Lachie Fyfe knew he had to get involved in the project when his childhood friend and chef Zac Pattison said he wanted to launch his own business. Lachie is a fourth generation Berwick resident, an electrician by trade and former stunt man at Universal Studios Singapore. Zac was recently head chef at Beaconsfield’s O.M.Y restaurant and helped open O.MY’s wine bar to the public. He has been dreaming of bringing his culinary skills as a chef to life under his own brand. The pair saw a gap in the market in Berwick and jumped at the opportunity to launch Thirty-Eight 06 Brewing – the name inspired by the suburb’s postcode. The microbrewery will be located at 12 Enterprise Avenue. “We got lucky with this location. We’ve been waiting about 18 months to get it,” Lachie said. “In that time, we brewed a lot of beer and started doing tasting nights just out of the garage.” Lachie has been brewing beer in his parents’ garage for about two and a half years now, exploring a wide range of recipes. “We’ll serve our core range of beers and have new beers coming and going, as well as seasonal beers,” he said. Initially, Thirty-Eight 06 intends to install a 500-litre brewing system which will be capable of producing more than 40,000 litres of beer varieties annually. The venue will seat about 70 to 100 patrons with head chef Zac at the helm offering a seasonal menu. “It’s a bit surreal but it’s going to be great,” Zac said.

The duo aims to offer good food and relaxed vibes at the new venue. 256356 “We’re going for a nice pub vibe without all the pokies.” The duo will embrace the paddock to plate mentality, bringing fresh produce from the Fyfe family farm into the restaurant. “This is for the locals, built by locals,” Lachie said. “At Thirty-Eight 06 we will bring a culinary experience of beer, mateship and food that will leave our guests smiling, refreshed and wanting to come back for more.” Live music may also be on the horizon to bring the space to life. Local trades will be working on the project, which is expected to open in April 2022.

The microbrewery will be located at 12 Enterprise Avenue. 256356

T 8P_

VESPER HIGH COUNTRY RETREAT

AU CT IO N

Away from it all with views forever, 56 acres prime chocolate soils (~15 acres bush) Vesper & Stoney Creeks flowing through. An extremely well presented property with home & farm buildings in very good condition. Carries 20 breeders. Home built 1975 with extension 2006, 2 internal br plus 2 external detached br, two car garage, machinery, hay sheds & more. Excellent stockyards plus spring fed dam. Located 15 mins from Noojee. ENQUIRIES: MAX CANOBIE 0429 858 384

41 FORTUNA ROAd VESPER AUCTION: SATURdAY 4TH dEC 12 NOON TERMS: 10% deposit Settlement 90 days

5622 3800 Cnr Smith & Queen St, Warragul

Opening 22 November, 2021

I-MED Radiology Pakenham I-MED Radiology – bringing our trusted brand and premium service to the Pakenham community in a modern purpose built facility opening 22 November, 2021! Why choose I-MED Radiology Pakenham? • • • • • •

Bulk Billing available for most Medicare-funded examinations Off street underground parking for all patients State-of-the-art equipment No appointment necessary for general x-ray On-site radiologist specialist expertise to supervise and tailor examinations Comprehensive service includes CT, ultrasound, general x-ray including dental OPG, 3D tomosynthesis (mammography), MRI, bone mineral densitometry (DEXA) and interventional procedures. PRINCES HW

I-MED Radiology Pakenham

Mc G R

We accept all referrals

EGOR R

Y PRINCES HW

S AS

Address: 20 Main Street, Pakenham VIC 3810 T: 03 5947 7000 F: 03 5947 7055 Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9.00am - 5.00pm Parking: Off street underground parking for all patients.

12519910-DL45-21

For appointments call

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

03 5947 7000 i-med.com.au 12520129-HC46-21

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

STAR NEWS 7

NEWS

‘Toxic’ faction feud: IBAC By Cam Lucadou-Wells Former ALP powerbroker Adem Somyurek says he and Premier Daniel Andrews initiated a 2002 peace deal to end the party’s branchstacking war in the south east. Mr Andrews and Mr Somyurek discussed ending the “toxic” war between their rival factions Left and Right respectively, Mr Somyurek told an IBAC inquiry Operation Watts on 8 November. The genesis of the accord was that the pair “wanted to go into Parliament and pursue our career”. It was to stop a repeat of “really bad things” happening in the preselection battle for the safe federal seat of Holt in 1998. At the time, council and government “largesse” was used to win votes and “key people” over to each side. “People would have ended up in jail had that culture persisted,” Mr Somyurek said. He claimed Mr Andrews was “organising” the Left to get control of Holt. Leading the Right’s effort was confessed branch-stacker Anthony Byrne, who employed Mr Somyurek as an electorate officer at the time. Mr Byrne, who ultimately won preselection, was “leading the charge … basically invading or raiding the Left branch”, Mr Somyurek said. Mr Somyurek recalled “raiding” Left branch meetings, such as walking with a “whole bunch of Albanians” to then-Dandenong MP John Pandazopoulos’s office. About 80 “Bosnians” turned up to a Left branch at Noble Park Community Centre. “The Left followed suit at the Albanian soccer club where they had lined up all their Sri Lankans, about 100 of them lined up, before the Albanians were able to become members. “Raiding of the branches in particular was

Adem Somyurek described initiating a factional ‘peace deal’ with future Premier Daniel Andrews. very toxic, tempers were frayed, and it got nasty.” The Left and the Right were divided along ethnic lines, Mr Somyurek said. According to him, former faction overlord Stephen Conroy adopted “conservative”, “antiCommunist” communities to the Right – Turkish, Bosnian, Albanian, Vietnamese and Cambodian communities. The Left specialised in “ethnic minorities within nation states who had a grievance“ – the Balkan Muslim, Balkan Christian, Serbs, Greeks, Kurds, Alawite Turks, Sri Lankan Tamils and Burghers. Mr Andrews and Mr Somyurek’s factional bosses Alan Griffin (Left) and Mr Byrne (Right)

“ticked off” on the 2002 peace deal, he said. Before the accord, there were more than 1000 members in Holt. It dropped to 200 by 2019. The south-east had become a “model of interfactional cooperation” with “no branch stacking” for 17 years, Mr Somyurek said. None of his electorate office staff were “recruiting (members) for me”, though they could “potentially recruit”. “I don’t have a problem with them doing factional work from my office… But that’s got to have limits. “I would insist that they turn up for work.” Mr Somyurek admitted to a scheme where MPs paid for numerous others’ renewed mem-

berships – in breach of party rules. When Mr Somyurek became an MP, he was asked by Mr Byrne to contribute. He estimated paying $2000 a year but didn’t know what happened to the money. “That’s Byrne’s operation. “Even after my factional sort of star rose, Byrne was still in charge of the South East. He was still the boss.” He claimed Mr Byrne was going to a “Vietnamese gentlemen” for $7000 for renewals. “I’m not sure what he promised him, but I’m sure he got it under false pretences. “I recall him trying to beg, borrow and steal to pay memberships.” The deal collapsed after the Left “unilaterally” broke it in late 2019, Mr Somyurek said. He hadn’t been interested in messages of the Left “running amok” until 24 December when learning of about 350 new recruits, he told the inquiry. In Mr Byrne’s texts in late 2019, which were earlier tabled at IBAC, he described Mr Somyurek as a “vandal” trying to “ramp up branch stacking in the south east”. At the time he believed Mr Somyurek was seeking to replace sitting Labor rival-faction MPs Gabrielle Williams (Dandenong) and Pauline Richards (Cranbourne) with Moderate Labor members. The party was being taken over by Mr Somyurek “whose sole objective was power and power alone,” Mr Byrne told IBAC on 11 October. “I had really hoped when Adem had become a Minister in 2018 that he would stop the factional activity. “The branch stacking wasn’t stopping … it actually started accelerating, and then started coming towards the South East. “As Adem was getting more and more power, it was almost becoming an existential threat for the Labor Party.”

Hampton Park student scores ABC Traineeship RMIT Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) student Shantal Hayden has been selected by the ABC to undertake a traineeship for culturally and linguistically diverse students. The ABC’s Asia Pacific Newsroom will host Shantal for 20 days early next year, with an immersive experience across television, radio and digital. Shantal will then be considered for a paid role as an ABC journalist for a semester. The Hampton Park resident said she was delighted to receive the opportunity. “I feel incredibly privileged and honoured to be a part of the CALD internship program for 2022, and I am extremely excited to be working with ABC’s Asia Pacific Network,“ she said. “I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can in the industry and growing both as a person and a journalist.“

Asia Pacific ABC News managing editor Matt O’Sullivan said he was looking forward to bringing Shantal on board. “Our partnership with RMIT provides us with access to talented emerging journalists who can bring a new perspective and experience to our newsroom,“ Mr O’Sullivan said. “We are really excited to work with Shantal, who impressed us with her passionate approach, strong ideas, and deep connections to her local community.“ RMIT professional placement lecturer Sonja Heydeman said RMIT enormously values its close industry partnerships. “This internship program provides lifechanging opportunities for our students to develop key skills, experience and networks, while working with and learning from a team of incredibly talented journalists,” Ms Heydeman said.

Shantal Hayden has been selected for the 2022 ABC CALD Traineeship.

Picture: SUPPLIED

WE WILL BE BACK SOON!

White Ribbon Art Gallery

While our showroom is closed check out our socials

19th November 2021 Australia White Ribbon Day

Online at Connecting Cardinia

5940 2166

Exhibition Cardinia Cultural Centre

12522182-SG46-21

8 STAR NEWS

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

12516604-HC41-21

2 Tango Circuit Pakenham (off Commercial Drive)

www.clarksblinds.com.au

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Claim of ‘red shirts rort’ By Cam Lucadou-Wells Premier Daniel Andrews has been explosively accused of prior knowledge of the ALP’s $388,000 ‘red shirts’ rort at an IBAC inquiry. South Eastern Metropolitan MP Adem Somyurek, in evidence on 8 November, said he expressed misgivings to then-Opposition Leader Mr Andrews prior to signing up to the “extraordinary”, “gold-standard rort”. The “centralised” scheme was designed by upper house MP and former state treasurer John Lenders to use taxpayer-funded electorate officers to campaign for Labor prior to the 2014 state election. “I went to the Premier (Mr Andrews). I said, ‘Do you know what John’s doing?’,” Mr Somyurek said. “He said, ‘Yes.’ “Words to the effect, ‘Well, you’re either going to - you know, if you want to win an election or not,’ basically.” Mr Somyurek nonetheless signed up to the scheme, in which MPs signed pre-filled time sheets to allow their electorate officers to “sit in a campaign office somewhere and campaign all day”. Mr Andrews has consistently denied knowing about the rort. A Victoria Police investigation has cleared more than a dozen Labor MPs of wrongdoing. At the IBAC Operation Watts hearing, Mr Somyurek said an Ombudsman report into the scandal didn’t “smack it down sufficiently”. Ombudsman Deborah Glass labelled the rorting of MP’s casual office staff as an “artifice” but could have used “stronger language” such as “corruption”, Mr Somyurek said. “She could have referred it for charges. She didn’t. “The Ombudsman had the gold standard rort and didn’t actually smack it down

Then-opposition leader Daniel Andrews on the 2014 state election hustings. 128287 Picture: GREG WANE

Adem Somyurek told an IBAC inquiry of an alleged exchange with then-Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews about the red-shirts rort.

sufficiently, we all thought, ’Wow, it is carte blanche.” Mr Somyurek was subject to “adverse comment” in the March 2018 report. Within a month of the report, he gave directions to his electorate office staff to do “factional work”, he admitted at the inquiry. During their working time, they harvested and filled in members’ ALP national conference ballot papers to benefit Mr Somyurek’s Moderate Labor faction. Text messages showed that Mr Somyurek was directing this “party-political” work.

“What a terrible indictment, Mr Somyurek,” IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich said. “Is not the public entitled to look to parliament as the first place to ensure that not only members of parliament but their staff confine their activities to compliance with and discharging their public duties?” Mr Somyurek said it was “entirely consistent with legislation”. “However, Commissioner, I do understand your point. “There’s got to be some limit to it, otherwise … you can employ people to wash your car all day.”

“I was sticking to the principles of how I’ve always done things, right?” Mr Somyurek told the inquiry. “That, you know, it’s acceptable to do some party-political stuff as long as it wasn’t silly. “It was proportionate, not disproportionate like Red Shirts was.” Mr Somyurek said all state political parties then deliberately legislated in 2019 to continue “party-political activity” by MP’s electorate officers. “There was a unity ticket in parliament – MPs protecting themselves.”

From time to time selected refurbished villas become available for sale to new residents of RCA Villages. These are not brand-new units and, on occasion, have additions and/or improvements included.

Established homes now available.

12521696-SN46-21

Retirement living but not as you know it. Villa 213

Villa 126

$405K $460K 2

Call 1800 112 955

Call 1800 770 222

36–40 Racecourse Rd, Pakenham cardiniawaters.com.au

11 Main Street, Pakenham mainstvillage.com.au

For more information about our range of retirement communities, visit: rcavillages.com.au pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

STAR NEWS 9

Come in and grab a cuppa before you walk around the lake.

Are you holding a

GROUP FUNCTION OR EVENT? Cardinia Cultural Centre CAN CATER AND HOLD YOUR NEXT BIG EVENT. • Weddings and Engagements • Corporate Functions • BIRTHDAYS • SCHOOL EVENTS • SPORTING CLUB EVENTS

AND MORE..

40 LAKESIDE BOULEVARD PAKENHAM (CARDINIA CULTURAL CENTRE) BOOKINGS/INQUIRIES:

5940 8994

12513672-DL38-21

Speak to the friendly staff at the Vista Café to turn your plans into an event in one of Cardinia’s most prestige venues.

KINDNESS IS KEY - LOCAL FAVOURITE - BE KIND COMMUNITY - KINDNESS IS KEY - LOCAL FAVOURITE - BE KIND COMMUNITY - KINDNESS IS KEY

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

BUSINESS PROFILE

The Pakenham clinic is Bond Radiology’s newest location, joining its counterparts in Cranbourne and Endeavor Hills. 255820

Radiology clinic opens By Elle Cecil In October, a new radiology clinic opened in Pakenham to service locals in the region. Bond Radiology has been in operation in Australia since 2017, and has opened a new centre in Stevenson Street Pakenham. Bond Radiology Pakenham offers a wide range of services, including comprehensive ultrasounds, dental and low dose general xrays, low-dose CT scans, echocardiograms and DEXA scans. The clinic also provides patients with 24-hour ECG Holter monitors and 24-hour blood pressure monitors. Most of the services provided at Bond Radiology are bulkbilled. With the aim of maintaining their reputation of delivering excellent imaging services and the highest standard of imaging safety and customer care, Bond Radiology employs a range of experienced and trained professionals to deliver services using cutting edge diagnostic technology. The team of dedicated specialists is highly trained and will ensure that patients leave highly satisfied with the service and care they receive. Some of Bond Radiology Pakenham’s specialists include Dr Shashi Ranjan and Dr Raad Findakly. The department is headed by Michael Abosi. An Australian-trained cardiologist, Dr Ran-

jan has over a decade of experience working in hospitals and dealing with chronic medical and cardiac conditions. Actively involved in teaching and research, Dr Ranjan is currently a senior lecturer at Griffith University. Dr Findakly was trained in New Zealand and has more than 40 years of general radiology experience. Specializing in US guided diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and all CT scan examinations, Dr Findakly welcomes discussions with referring doctors to provide any medical or radiological experiences sought after by doctors for patients at Bond Radiology. Michael Abosi is the head of medical imaging at Bond Radiology, and was trained in both Nigeria, Canada and Australia. He has a special interest in cardiovascular imaging and clinical education, his experience in medical imaging spans over a decade and three continents. Phone (03) 9132 5073 or visit www.bondradiology.com.au for more information or to book an appointment. Bond Radiology Pakenham has a wide range of dates and times to book appointments for patients’ convenience, and walk-ins are also accepted. Located at 2 Stephenson Street, the Pakenham clinic’s opening hours are 9am to 7pm on weekdays and 9am to 12pm on weekends. Bond Radiology also has clinics in Endeavor Hills and Cranbourne.

Bond Radiology offers a wide range of imaging services, many of which are bulk-billed. 255820 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … HOMES & GARDENS SUMMER

Lifestyle Communities

communal electric car and charging stations are practical inclusions. Lifestyle Meridian will be the company’s 19th community in Victoria, and its fifth with-

in the south-east growth corridor, adding to its existing portfolio of communities in Berwick Waters, Kaduna Park, Officer and Casey Fields. Lifestyle Communities Co-founder and

Managing Director, James Kelly said the company’s newest development equalled 19 communities and 20 years of providing the homes, services and amenities that make downsizing easy and affordable. “Lifestyle Meridian is built on a strong foundation of experience, innovation and expertise, and a laser-like focus on the downsizer market,” he said. “With features that promise sustainable, smart and convenient living, Lifestyle Meridian redefines traditional downsizing while keeping our empathetic, non-salesy approach to making sure our homeowners have exactly what they want and need.” Lifestyle Meridian will be located within Meridian Central - 2/S Twynam Road, Clyde North. Stage one and Stage two homes have been released for sale, starting from $370,000 up to $597,500. While the community is under development display homes can be viewed at Lifestyle Kaduna Park at 45 Heytesbury Road, Officer South. For more information, head to lifestylemeridian.com.au or phone 1300 50 55 60.

12503030-DL46-21

Lifestyle Communities is combining smarts with sustainability in the newest downsizer community to land in Melbourne’s expanding south-east growth corridor. Located within the Meridian Central precinct in Clyde North, Lifestyle Meridian has 274 brand new, affordable and contemporary homes as well as a multi-million-dollar Clubhouse designed by DKO Architecture. Construction is due to start this month and Lifestyle Meridian is expected to be welcoming homeowners in mid-2022. This flagship community offers retired, semi-retired and working downsizers the next generation in housing design. It has a first of its kind community solar and battery grid which means cheaper electricity for all homeowners. Homeowners will also be more connected than ever with high speed fibre to the home, two months free internet usage and ongoing internet market-matched rates, plus one year free subscription to Netflix. The sleek Clubhouse has well designed recreation spaces with a pizza oven, bowling green and croquet court, indoor and outdoor pools and a fully equipped gym. A dog wash,

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

STAR NEWS 11

NEWS

Cranbourne racing royalty, from left, trainers Mick Kent and Robbie Griffiths speak to RSN’s Matt Stewart at Wednesday morning’s Cranbourne Cup barrier draw. 257278

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Cranbourne set to shine place in the world of racing. RSN’s Matt Stewart described the CTC Training Complex as the equal of the famous Chantilly racecourse in France, or the widely regarded Newmarket in England. “It’s hidden away from the public, but the rolling hills and sand tracks have a natural beauty that would be well placed anywhere in the world,” Stewart said. CTC chief executive officer Neil Bainbridge

By David Nagel The stage is set for the biggest and best Cranbourne Cup in history with Saturday’s standalone meeting adding further lustre to the Cranbourne Turf Club’s (CTC) growing reputation as one of the meccas of Victorian racing. Wednesday morning’s Cranbourne Cup barrier draw created huge interest at the club, streamed live on RSN radio, with some huge statements being made about Cranbourne’s

feels lucky that Cranbourne will welcome back crowds to the Cup after the empty stands of last year. “Obviously we’re disappointed with no crowds for a long period of time, however, we feel absolutely blessed that the Cranbourne Cup finds its way into the middle of November, prime racing time, and we’ll be able to have a crowd of 4000 people on track,” Bainbridge said.

“Most of the Spring Carnival events have been held without crowds, so we feel very fortunate to be in this position.” Cranbourne Cup Day 2021 is going to be special for a number of reasons. Not only will crowds return, but the day will see the richest running of the Cranbourne Cup in history with $500,000 on offer and an overall purse for the program of $1.6million in prizemoney.

r, 2021 obee, OctJun y, 30 y, 27 sdasda dnedne WeWe

ham

Berwick-Paken

ickGazette

/PakenhamBerw

munity.com.au

berwick.starcom LATIONS

CLASS OF

Pictur ents Saluting studOU T

All roads

PAGES 50 -5

8 PAGE LIFT

Wednesday,

27 October,

2021

PAKENHAM

GAZETTE

SPREAD THE LOCAL NEWS...

$2.00 Inc. GST

eldltoto Glenmac Farewlea Tokyo 1

Refugees making

2021

left to of exams a few weekshope you are as We With just on through. and passion. have powered perseverance 12 students commitment, but our Yearstudents for their no other, 12 all Year a year like It’s been are! like to congratulate as we go, we’d your achievements proud of

CONGRATU

tte @PakenhamGaze

unity.com.au pakenham.starcomm

Cafe kindness

Covid cases soar higher

Surprise a friend and have the Pakenham Berwick Gazette delivered to their home each week.

of es, random acts nt challenging tim During these and more prevale become more their imkindness have munity - and com l loca . throughout the ated tim eres be und pact shouldn’t doing it tough back to those faWanting to give supporting her t nity while also iness owner Cai in the commu bus l loca , cafe un ond to put a bey vourite family-r and ve to go abo ard Benton decided faces recently, by paying forw a ’ smile on peoples plete strangers who could use 50 coffees for com up”. es and tim y little “pick me craz se team in the the “We are all a unate deserve e not been as fort ton said - and those who hav Ben possible,” Ms a lot of locals’ support where turn ed help bt she’s ture. there’s no dou her generous ges days around with STORY PAGE 5

Shire have both ey and Cardinia 9 The City of Cas active Covid-1 sive jumps in e recorded mas th East continu Sou the in ns cases as infectio the North West as the state’s ing to soar, overtak epicentre. ia experiOctober, Cardin On Sunday 24 the number of est increase in 69 new with enced the larg ks 9 cases for wee active Covid-1 24 hours. active cases in cases were id Cov new y 19 Thankfully, onl r, with a total nday 25 Octobe recorded for Mo of 1155. rded for Monreco es cas new e Casey saw 166 total active cas r, bringing the day 25 Octobe 7. 261 to number STORY PAGE 2

Simply call (03) 9792 2557 or email admin@sedist.com.au to find out how...

Freedom joy

ay morning as shining on Frid to the streets The sun was k ired locals too many shaggy-ha ir step. the with a spring in ir lockdown living with the After months of many people flocked on place locks, the first their local hair was r obe Oct 22 air was plain the morning of excitement in the dresser, and the to see. wick’s New the owner of Ber that peoMario Fallachi, Fallachi Hair, said York Barbers and ng up outside his business lini ple had begun open at 8am, ir doors swung well before the ing to see. edibly heartwarm and it was incr welcoming life, ng back into Cafes also spru advantage. k too y man 4, 10 diners and STORIES PAGES

T CHAMBERS

g a smile to ture helped brin

a few peoples’

l community. 2549

faces in the loca

Picture: STEWAR

es that her ges

Cait Benton hop

k a e r b t r a Fire he

12 STAR NEWS

LVE Thursday, 11 November, 2021 N S O & l il W ased Estate Dece

or small. matter how big and family no to reach le to friends undme page it was incredib started a Gof to ers in need and some k “We oth bac eve ng reli help to givi to nity and try people were y me page set mu und man com Gof the how a to r, just said, but out Octobe raise over see now. ulders,“ the pair on Thursday 14 has managed to supsix years stress on their sho them ch nds for mu frie ir ily as ily the fam ive fam on up by wn the d it to rece Tulloch family “We have kno ng, caring and they never expecte By Gabriella Payne to support the of kindof the most lovi met,“ ied together to $10,000 d to recovery, and messages and they are one we have ever munity has rall 2-3 port as it has. ES g roa ilies e lon fam PAG wak S ate the RIE in. in The local com STO ily ding compassion Pakenham fam have been floo and Kaitlyn, they said. ir help a beloved ly destroyed ness nds Monique g to help the fire, which sad Close family frie ld do anythin e, said that the injuries g pag wou of a devastating tlin me ey bat “Th und er Gof left the fath who set up the ve and beyond their home and always going abo Tullochs were in hospital. their house e raged through Since the blaz

US HILL EAM

Berwick-Pakenham

12520781-HC45-21

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Debbie and Sean Clarkson.

From left, David Cook, Geoff Whiffin and Scott Brown. 257278

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Cranbourne trainer Trent Busuttin has a laugh with the team from RSN.

Build up to Cup begins By David Nagel The build up to Saturday’s $500,000 TAB Cranbourne Cup (1600m) ramped up to exciting new levels on Wednesday morning with the Cranbourne Turf Club (CTC) hosting the barrier draw for the club’s biggest race on the calendar. And this year’s cup – the richest ever at half a million dollars – look set to be just the beginning of a great era for the Cranbourne Cup, with CTC chief executive officer Neil Bainbridge confirming the club had dreams of hosting a million-dollar cup in the next five years. And that $1million race could be run under the bright lights at Cranbourne…what a wonderful spectacle that would be! The News was at Cranbourne on Wednesday to capture all the action.

From left, Mick Kent, Robbie Griffiths, Matt Stewart and Gareth Hall on the RSN Racing Panel.

Cranbourne trainer Robbie Griffiths fronts the media after Wednesday morning’s barrier draw.

RSN’s Gareth Hall hosted Wednesday morning’s barrier draw.

Sign of the times. A Covid-friendly Cranbourne Cup barrier draw on Wednesday. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Cranbourne Turf Club Chairman Geoff Whiffin.

Cranbourne Turf Club CEO Neil Bainbridge, left, with Matt Stewart and Gareth Hall from radio RSN. Thursday, 11 November, 2021

STAR NEWS 13

NEWS

Selba’s living up to award By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Selba-Gondoza Luka and ‘mama’ Rita Padang. 256278

Selba-Gondoza Luka, second right, with member of Empowering African Women - Ubuntu in Picture: SUPPLIED Practice. 256958

Subscribe to the

Pakenham Officer Star News

Digital Edition

FREE PAKENHAM OFFICER

Thursday, 28 January, 2021

PAKENHAM OFFICER

@StarNews_SE

/pakenhamstarnews

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Pakenham CFA undergoes facelift

Montagues goes next level

A big day for bowling club

PAGE 3

PAGE 5

PAGES 8-9

PAGE 11

@StarNews_SE

40¢ Inc. GST

SES veteran named top citizen

Pakenham CFA undergoes facelift

Montagues goes next level

A big day for bowling club

PAGE 3

PAGE 5

PAGES 8-9

PAGE 11

12476975-LB02-21

SES veteran named top citizen

PAKENHAM OFFICER

Thursday, 28 January, 2021

40¢ Inc. GST

Stirring trouble By Mitchell Clarke

Stirring trouble By Mitchell Clarke It was the initiative that dished up smiles during lockdown, but now a decrepit looking Spoonville site in Pakenham is providing any-

It was the initiative that dished up smiles during lockdown, but now a decrepit looking Spoonville site in Pakenham is providing anything but joy. During the one hour exercise limit - which is now a distant memory - Spoonville sites across Cardinia Shire were the most popular place to visit. Despite the fad having died down entirely, the Cardinia Lakes community was understandably upset at news their local site appeared to have been targeted by cruel vandals. Estate resident Laksika noticed the destroyed site during her daily walk on Sunday 24 January. “I think someone has just walked over it or kicked them all over. It’s very sad to see it. We always used to stop there and have a look for new ones,” she wrote on Facebook. The reaction from her neighbours was similar. “Absolutely disgusting. The highlight of our walk is our toddler stopping to look and admire the spoons,” one local woman said. “That’s so disappointing. My kids had spoons in there,” another woman added. Pakenham Hills Ward councillor Jack Kowarzik said the news was “really frustrating”. “Spoonville was created by locals for the enjoyment of local children and to see it vandalised is disappointing,” he said. Cardinia Art Society president Jillian Ronald described Spoonville as an “amazing initiative” during Melbourne’s lengthy lockdown. “It’s given joy and positivity in some very dark times and I just think it’s really disappointing that, when the community put together a project to support each other during a difficult time, that someone would take the trouble to destroy it. They’d be better off going home to create a spoon and putting it with

In happier times - Maci, Willow and Aubrey at a Pakenham Spoonville site. 214450 the rest,” she said. “I’d suggest there’s much better things they could do with their time.” The ‘Spoonville’ trend was born out of Winnersh, England, in an attempt to improve mental health by simply making people happy as they were out and about during daily exercise. The quirky saga soon made its way to Cardinia - after Australia’s first ever site was constructed up the highway in Longwarry. Within weeks, the site had spread to Pakenham, Officer, Garfield, Nar Nar Goon, Emerald and Beaconsfield.

Ms Ronald acknowledged the Spoonville craze had now hit a dead end. “They’re getting a little bit tired, so maybe it’s time for the spoons to come home,” she said. Ms Ronald, who commissioned the two local sites at Lakeside in Pakenham, encouraged community members to collect their spoons from their local sites. She added that in mid-February she’d look to clean up all remaining Spoonville’s and relocate any leftover spoons to an “undisclosed location”.

The once popular Spoonville trend appears to have hit a dead end. Picture: FACEBOOK

•

Scan this QR code to subscribe •

Or visit pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au/subscribe/ 14 STAR NEWS

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

Since 1989

SAVE UP TO

Interlux

12470667-SN47-20

12425088-FA36-19

Understanding your home’s value is W H AT A R E YO U WA I T I N G F O R ? as important as ever, that’s why we’re Ray White Pakenham • 1/11 John Street, Pakenham VIC 3810 continuing with our virtual appraisals. 03 5940 8355 • raywhitepakenham.com

12481578-JW06-21

/pakenhamstarnews

12467549-HL46-20

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Selba-Gondoza Luka hasn’t wasted her platform as Greater Dandenong’s Citizen of the Year 2021 This year, momentum and long hours have only grown for Ms Luka – the founder and chief executive officer of Afri-Aus Care Inc, and cofounder of the Black Rhinos Basketball Club and Empowering African Women - Ubuntu in Practice. Yet when nominated for the award, she gave herself little chance of winning. In her eyes, she was still a “marginalised“ leader whose work was “on the ground“ and not on “social media“. “Many people are saying that I deserve the award. “My reply is do the same. Do good. When you’re in pain, help others in pain. Hold each other’s hands. Along the way, change other people’s lives. “This is a good thing for African people to see – it gives people hope.“ Since the “big surprise“ of the award on Australia Day, Ms Luka has continued to build on her work based on the African philosophy of Ubuntu. It’s founded on connection. Strong relationships between people, their families and communities. ’I am because we are’, seeing yourself in other people. At 50, Ms Luka was suicidal, depressed, homeless and feeling like “nothing without a husband“. She now sees herself in the mother whose child is in jail, or the wife who’s suffering violence at home and is at risk or is homeless. She sees the urgent need to spread Ubuntu to save people, and to provide platforms and opportunities for people to be their best. She wants more African women to rise and become citizens of the year like her. “Before I had this award, I was not comfortable enough to approach some of the stakeholders. “But with the award I’ve been able to introduce myself and the work I do. “And I can tell them there’s a lot of African people who are working so hard at the grassroots, doing great work for their communities but nothing much is known about them. “In the African community, we’re hard workers. The only thing we’re lacking is resources and a platform to express our experiences.“ Ms Luka’s group at Afri-Aus Care helped create a safe place for women to share their most heart-breaking stories, grow organic African vegetables, cook and share meals at the community village in Springvale South. Within a year, the Ubuntu Empowering African Woman project has supported more than 75 mothers and their families in Melbourne’s south east as well as the west via phone hookup. They hail from diverse South Sudanese tribes Neur, Dinka, Chollo, Anuak as well as other parts of the continent - Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia and Ethiopia. Through story-telling, there’s a means to share taboo topics such as marriage breakdown, depression, anxiety and family violence. Through their pain, they find a way to help others who are suffering, Ms Luka says. “A woman without a husband is regarded being on the lower end of the scale. You’re seen as a failure. “Most of the women shut down, they don’t talk about their issues because that’s what we are taught. “We don’t have the elders here, you come here by yourself ... so we’re creating our own Ubuntu Community Village in Springvale South and soon to go to other suburbs.“ The women learn not to be ashamed, to forgive the gossipers who bring them down and they understand they can seek mental health support. They need good mental health to care for their children, Ms Luka says. As well as to use careful and active listening to improve their relationships.

“Traditionally, children are raised using strict African family values, unfortunately we have seen a lot of young people not listening to the elders. “At the Community Village, mothers learn to balance using African family values with love. To treat their children as friends. “The women need to know what to do when their children are facing discrimination or are depressed. “Rather than go back and do what’s done to you, they need strategies to tell their children.“ Many of the women have found paid employment through the project, such as agedcare, disability care and customer care service. In a bid to “employ the unemployable”, conversational English was taught, resumes were created and employers were cold-called. Kew-based Ability Works is one firm that’s providing work for the women. A shuttle bus will ferry the women from the south east, with culturally-appropriate packed lunches provided by the Ubuntu Community Village. There are hopes of Ability Works setting up an office in the south east. The Ubuntu project is the focus of University of Melbourne research through The African Research and Engagement in Australia Initiative (AREiA). This collaboration is developing an Ubuntu resource kit, with Ms Luka an advisory board member of AREiA. The best programs come from a “bottomup” and “strength-based” approach, Ms Luka said. “Everyone else wants a small bit of what the Ubuntu has done for the women. “We are boosting the economy. The women are working and paying tax. Their kids who ran away are coming home. “How much money is otherwise spent on people in prison or living on social security?“ The project was funded as a community crime prevention project through Crime Prevention Minister Natalie Hutchins and the Department of Justice and Community Safety. “The staff and the Mamas express their gratitude to Ms Hutchins for trusting a grassroots organisation assisting African women. “(Dandenong MP and Prevention of Family Violence Minister) Gabrielle Williams has been supporting our women who were affected by domestic violence. “It is great to see that our leaders are interested in knowing the issues that are affecting the marginalised community members (youth at risk and their families), and they are offering real solutions.” At a secondary college at Greater Dandenong, Ms Luka was invited to help address escalating racism and cyber bullying. She worked to empower African-Australian students, imploring them to be “ambassadors for change“, leaders of today and strong. Meanwhile, the Black Rhinos Club and Soccer Team programs for African youth continues. Last April its MMBL team won a trophy. Ms Luka also works as a South East regional advisory member for the Victorian Multicultural Commission. A staggering amount has been achieved in 2021 but not without Ms Luka working a punishing schedule. “In a 24-hour day, I don’t have enough hours. “Especially during lockdown, when the community in isolation needed a lot of support either food or culturally-appropriate counselling, people could call after hours and I had to be there for them. “One cannot work like this unless you love what you do and I am driven by real results. “I’m a woman motivated by change.“ Afri-Aus Care is seeking a warehouse in Dandenong to “create more opportunities for the community”. Vans are also needed for distributing food aid, its gardening enterprise and work as an NDIS provider. To help, go to afri-auscare.org or contact 0433 526 553. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

THE LOWDOWN Q&A

THREE … facts about picnics

The word ‘picnic’ originally stems back to 1794, exactly 100 years after ‘pique-nique’ first appeared in the French language. The French were the people who first introduced the modern idea of picnics when they opened their royal parks to the French public after the revolution in 1789.

One of the first accounts of picnicking comes from tales of Robin Hood. Robin, joined by his Merry Men would informally dine on bread, cheese, and beer under the shelter of the trees.

John W Bratton was the man responsible for the tune for the famous children’s song The Teddy Bear’s Picnic, which was composed in 1907. It was originally called The Teddy Bear’s Two-Step but was changed to Picnic in 1930 when the lyrics were added.

Star News journalist Jamie Salter is ready to serve the community.

FREE EVERY WEEK

PAKENHAM OFFIC

ER Thursday, 4 March,

2021

pakenhamnews.starc

ommunity.com.au

Pick up your favourite local newspaper, the Pakenham Officer Star News from local outlets listed below or subscribe to our digital edition and have it sent to your device every week!

/pakenhamstarnews

Clubhouse opens at Kaduna Park

@StarNews_SE

Financial help at hand for women

PAGE 4

PAGE 5

40¢ Inc. GST

Celebrating life of a sporting legend SPORT

12476975-LB02-21

Pakenham people are fighting fit PAGE 3

Dir ty on dining

By Gabriella Payne

Pop-up dining spaces sprang up throughout the city last year as Covid safe practices restaurants and forced cafes to turn to the streets for space, and after a successful summer initiative is set to run, the be months - a decisionextended over the coming that has left some munity members comvery unhappy. The pop-up outdoor dining program originally developed was as a way for businesses to adapt to the ever-changing Covid ronment and saw temporary platformsenviseating areas quite and literally “pop up” Cardinia, with seating around spaces in many areas, taking over car parking including in Pakenham’s Main Street. Whilst many people are enjoying making use of the new al fresco spaces, longtime enham local and Pakactive community Jack Mitchell said member that the lack of cleanliness and maintenance of the Main Street was “an absolute disgrace” and neededspaces addressed by the to be council. “I travel all over the state and I have seen a main street never in as bad a shape Street, Pakenham,” as Main Mr Mitchell said. “It’s just dreadful, everywhere, there’s there are cigarette butts bird and the street pavementspoo all over the place Outdoor dining spaces are falling apart. are proving quite “Why anybody divisive along Pakenham’s would want to Main Street now go to the Main Street. is beyond me,” Mr Mitchell said. Picture: CARDINIA The other, less glamorous SHIRE COUNCIL view of the Main Street outdoor dining Mr Mitchell has be going anywhere lived in the area area. anytime soon, as since 2004 dinia Shire and said he has the Carraised Picture: JACK MITCHELL dinia Shire Council this issue with the Car- sions of Council are now calling for expres- dining spaces had proved popular interest for businesses mer and helped over many times, but avail. to support businesses sum- the shops - but it’s to no new, free “parklets” to apply mainly the dirtiness after a the problem,” - hoping to see more for difficult year. that’s “They told me porary outdoor he said. temthat they’ve got seating areas spring “Outdoor dining but it’s just getting big plans, Cardinia. “We have this big, certainly brought up across the worse,” he said. low-hanging tree a buzz to and streets of the shire outside all these parrots following a tough “Taking away the Cardinia Mayor keep coming along year. It’s great to see parking out the Brett Owen said making a mess. of the shops for and the community front a successful summer that after Cardinia some embrace venues and show trial of the parklets, unbelievable - most outdoor seating is just council Yesterday the council them some much the needed love,” were excited of the seats can’t came because she said. used.” complained to even be ing areas installed to see more outdoor dinwe them and they But the owner and throughout the area. said ‘yes, it’s very dirty’, but Mr Mitchell said “We trialled the they told us that Kebabs, Sam Bayraktar operator of Pakenham clean that the council parklet concept we should sending “someone should be mer in it up.” told over Star News that he sum- and other business Pakenham and we’re down there to clean as the council are owners on Main now on the look- that it up” out for new Mr Bayraktar said Street felt “accountable” for the restaurants, cafes that the area had the spaces are worthwhile ensuring the shire ly become “a dumping recentand bars across saster outdoor seating areas had been that would love to “a difor us”. ground” for people and usable if they are going to be taking leave rubbish and host a parklet from to March onwards,” Cr Owen unwanted junk as up car parking spots. “It’s a total mess,” said. that he didn’t have well, and Mr Bayraktar said. However, the pop-up Councillor Tammy the resources or “We can’t even use dining spaces won’t to be cleaning up the time the seating, it’s so highly of the concept, Radford also spoke less. the “ridiculous” point- side. mess outstating that the al fresco First of all we lost “It’s become more our car parks in of a dumping ground front of and an eyesore than something nice,” he said.

“About Children, Being Children”

202102197591_1-SN09-21

Tell us a fun fact about yourself! I have a twin brother! I’m one minute older, so I always got the front seat and bossed him around. What are you most passionate about? Family! Spending time with the people I love is very important to me. What do you love about journalism? I love meeting new people every day and hearing their incredible stories. What is your experience in journalism? I moved to Shepparton after graduating from Deakin University where I worked for the Country News and the Cobram Courier for two years. What would your last meal be? Pasta! Give me all the carbs! What was your most memorable moment? Driving the streets of Tokyo in a go kart dressed as Princess Peach. What was your favourite subject in school? I loved literature and geography, which is reflected in my love of books and desire to travel the world! What are you currently listening to/watching or reading? I’m reading Catcher in the Rye at the moment, and re-watching New Girl for a bit of fun. If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook? I’m actually a terrible cook, so I would never make it on MasterChef. Where is your dream holiday destination? My grandparents came to Australia from Croatia, so I’d love to see the village where they met and fell in love. What were you like as a kid? I was always singing and dancing. ABBA was an old favourite of mine.

with Star News journalist Jamie Salter

GS OUR HILLS, HASTIN arten PAKENHAM, ENDEAV • Childcare and Kinderg SOUTH AND FRANKSTON

For all enquiries please phone 5922 or email info@fel.vic. 2040 edu.au

DIVORCE OPEN FOR BUSINESS! For in office consults. Online consults still available.

Pakenham, Drouin, Yarra Narre Warren Offices Junction and | P 5941 5166 12474850-DL50-20

Pick up your FREE newspaper from these local outlets... • Officer - The Timber Mill Cafe 4 Cotswold Crescent

• Pakenham - Stellas Cafe and Takeaway 2 Hogna Court

• Officer - 7-11 Service Station Outbound Officer 397 Princes Highway

• Pakenham - Tea for 2 Cafe 58 John Street

• Pakenham - Century 21 Real Estate - Pakenham 103 Main Street

• Pakenham - Pakenham Central Marketplace 50-54 John Street

• Pakenham - Vanille Bistro 116 Main Street

• Pakenham - Arena Cafe Shop 8 Princes Highway and Cardinia Road (Arena Shopping Centre)

• Officer - Officer Bakehouse 412 Princes Highway • Officer - Chelles Soulfood 20/445 Princes Highway

• Pakenham - O’Brien Real Estate - Pakenham Shop 3 & 4 /11 John Street

• Pakenham - Gerard Collins Real Estate - Pakenham 119 Main Street

• Pakenham - Milk Bar Jun-58 Racecourse Road ( Cnr Cameron Way )

• Officer - Peake Real Estate Lvl.2, 439 Princes Highway

• Pakenham - Four Seasons Cafe Shop 5, 50 54/5 John Street

• Pakenham - Bakery 127 127 Main Street

• Pakenham - Cardinia Club 71 Racecourse Road

• Officer - Officer Post Office Princes Highway and Cardinia Road (Arena Shopping Centre)

• Pakenham - The Coffee Club Shop 6, 50-54 John Street (Pakenham Central Marketplace)

• Pakenham - Neilson Partners 1st National - Pakenham 130 Main Street

• Pakenham - Lollipop’s Playland & Cafe 01-Mar Southeast Boulevard

• Officer - Arena Shopping Centre Princes Highway and Cardinia Road

• Pakenham - Elders Real Estate - Pakenham 1140 Koo Wee Rup Road

• Pakenham - Twisted Sista Cafe & Gelateria 131 Main Street

• Pakenham - The Cornerstone 2 Station Street

• Pakenham - Pakenham Heights Cafe & Milk Bar 3810/28B Ahern Road

• Pakenham - Gloria Jeans Shop 1/1280 Koo Wee Rup Road

• Pakenham - Lakeside Square Shopping Centre 9 Village Way

• Pakenham - Frankies 5 Lakeside Boulevard

• Pakenham - The Great Australian Bakehouse 137-145 Main Street

• Pakenham -Stockdale and Leggo Real Estate - Pakenham Shop 9, 22-26 Bald Hill Road

• Pakenham - Cardinia Cultural Centre Lakeside Boulevard

• Pakenham - Bendigo Bank 105 Main Street

• Pakenham - Pakenham Hills General Store 1 Leigh Drive

• Pakenham - Cardinia Lakes Shopping Centre Windermere Boulevard

• Pakenham - Deep Creek Reserve Cafe Cameron Way

• Pakenham - Homestead Cafe @ The Heritage Shop 5/1 Livingstone Boulevard

• Pakenham - Pakenham Place Shopping Centre 67-69 Main Street

• Pakenham - Cardinia Shire Council Office 2 Henty Way PAKENHAM OFFICER

• Pakenham - The Heritage Shopping Centre 1 Livingstone Boulevard

• Pakenham - Urban Hype Cafe 9/140 Windermere Boulevard

• Pakenham - Grants Estate Agents - Pakenham Mar-51 John Street

• Pakenham - Robert Gordon Pottery & Kitchen 114 Mulcahy Road

• Pakenham - Ray White Real Estate - Pakenham Lcl.1, 11 John Street

• Pakenham - Pakenham YMCA 4 Olympic Way

• Pakenham - Alex Scott and Staff Real Estate - Pakenham 95 Main Street

• Pakenham - Spill the Beanz Coffee Shop 825 Princes Highway • Pakenham - Salvos Stores 895 Princes Highway

• Pakenham - Harcourts Real Estate - Pakenham Lvl.1, 48 Station Street

• Pakenham - NewsXpress - Pakenham 99 Main Street

• Pakenham - Wild Bean Cafe 92-96 Princes Highway

• Pakenham - Outlook 24 Toomuc Valley Road 202103044781_1-SN11-21

• Pakenham - FoodWorks Shops 5 & 6, 106 Henry Road

• Pakenham - Village Way Cafe 15-Sep Village Way

Scan this QR code to Subscribe for FREE now! Or visit: pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au/subscribee pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

STAR NEWS 15

networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services

Place your ad in print and online

V Deadline

www.networkclassifieds.com.au

V Trades Business Profile

V Furniture Removals

LEIGH HUNTER REMOVALS

Placing your classiﬁed advert is so easy...

TRADES & SERVICES

RVICE ME DAY SE

Be cool this summer

• Brivis Evaporative Cooling • Daikin & Rinnai Splits • Pensioner discounts • Evap & Split Service Specials 12522605-AV46-21

228 0409 888

ON TIME, EVERY TIME Discounts apply

Contact Trevor: 0403 V Carpet Cleaning

12468782-FA45-20

0401 234 672 or 9799 7229

12393415-RA30-18

DBU 6442

Reg. Builder CDB-U52728 & DBU 6442

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

V Concrete Products & Services

Footings, garages, v crossings, drives, paths & patios. In plain, colour, slate or stencil. Also drainage, saw cutting, 3T excavator, bobcat & tip trucks. NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL

QUALIFIED CARPENTER/ HOME MAINTENANCE ฀

฀ ฀

฀

Call James 0419 158 660

฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀ ฀

฀ ฀

฀

SEWER BLOCKAGES – MACHINE CLEANED฀

฀

฀ ฀ ESTABLISHED 30 YEARS ฀ ฀ STANDARD RATES ON WEEKENDS ฀ ฀ ฀฀฀ ฀ ฀ gjlawplumbing.com.au 7 DAYS 0419 136 181 - 0419 136 151

WEIGHTMAN PLUMBING PTY LTD Domestic Industrial Commercial

Jason 1300 644 698

฀

1300 414 299

SUPPLY ONLY TRADE & DIRECT TO PUBLIC

12390512-ACM24-18

Unbeatable Prices on:

Andrew Craven Concreting www.andrewcravenconcreting.com.au Phone Andrew on

0408 585 508, 5998 1127

section of Network Classifieds. Thursday, 11 November, 2021

Support your local tradesman for ALL your concreting needs!

C1085227-JO32-13

Motoring |

24 HOUR SERVICE ฀

1 HOUR EMERGENCY PLUMBING

V Fencing & Gates

t 6OJU 4JUFT t (BSBHFT t %SJWFXBZT t 1FSHPMBT t 1MBJO $PMPVSFE t 4MBUF *NQSFTTJPO t 'BVY #SJDL t &YQPTFE "HHSFHBUF

16 STAR NEWS

฀

Ring Jim for a free quote 0417 054 198

฀฀ 1161589-LB44-14

฀

฀★

J.L. Hutt Electrical

section of Network Classifieds.

MEB & SON CONCRETING

฀ ฀

฀

★

฀

Call Chris: 0416 079 689 - 5940 7264

Real Estate

V Carpenters

฀ ฀ ฀

All Types of Domestic & Commercial Work ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

504483

HBL CONSTRUCTIONS PTY. LTD.

฀

Fully qualified and insured

www.professionalcarpetclean.com.au

Phone Harry 0412 107 629, 9796 9988

฀ ฀

L&L ELECTRICS ฀

15 years experience

0417 382 700

No Job Too Small

V Electricians

✔ Steam and dry cleaning ✔ Tile cleaning ✔ Upholstery cleaning ✔ Leather cleaning

Let us take the worry out of extending your home with over 30 years’experience

฀Hot Water Specialists ฀Blocked Drains ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL FREE QUOTE ANY TIME RING 9700 4378 C63804-BG25-8

CASEY CARPET CLEANING We bring our own electricity Truck Mounted Machine

NEAT PLUMBING SERVICE Lic. Number 27186

• SPECIALISING IN ALL TYPES OF CONCRETING/ CONCRETE PATTERN, SLABS • FOUNDATIONS ETC. • ALL DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL

24/7 Flood Water Damage Restoration

AFFORDABLE HOME EXTENSIONS

V Plumbing

A & F CONCRETING

1198421-ACM37-15

www.settlementplumbing.com.au LIC. 33033

฀

www.proudpainting.com.au

M: 0 4 3 0 3 5 3 0 8 0 Ben

12438941-CG04-20

33 years experience

V Builders & Building Services

฀

644 780

Commercial/Domestic Decking/pergola/driveways ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

Interior/ext High quality Free quote

V Concrete Products & Services

• Deckings • Pergolas • Renovations • Bathrooms • Small Excavation Work • Repairs • All aspects of building

• Evaporative cooling / ducted heating service and repairs • Installation and supply of split systems, cooling and heating • Installation of evaporative cooling • Hot water service installs and repairs

฀

Call Paul 0432 044 875

Fully Licenced Builder/Carpenter

BRIVIS / VULCAN / BONAIRE / BRAEMAR / BREEZE AIR Specialising in air conditioning and heating

฀

Free quotes, by the hour, the day or by the job

Call 1300 666 808

12511858-CG36-21

12464078-CG40-20

฀

• Domestic • Commercial • Interior • Exterior • Driveways

6-20 12469374-CG4

V Carpenters

NEED A LOCAL COOLING & HEATING REPAIRER?

฀

• Fully qualiﬁed • Over 30 years experience

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

฀ ฀

฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀

A H FENCING & TIMBER PTY LTD ฀

฀ ฀

฀ ฀฀

฀

AFFORDABLE PLUMBING

l Specia on Pricesers Sleep

฀ 1167287-PB50-14

5998 7796

12355550-ACM25-17

PAULS PAINTING & SON

12479050-JW04-21

www.fairbairns.com.au

Over 20 Years’ Experience

V Painters/Decorators

12367795-LB41-17

REC 17042 PIC 38148 AU 06212

฀

TENNAS DIGITAL AN S AMPLIFIER S TV OUTLET

D PERIENCE HIGHLY EX ANS TECHNICI E IC SERV ANTENNA S ALL AREA

when you present this voucher

12473880-DL49-20

AN TENNA M

Call DOUG AMOS Receive 10% off

1172347-DJ07-15

V Air Conditioning

DOMESTIC COMMERCIAL AUTOMOTIVE

“We advertise in the local paper to reach the local community - and it works for us!!!” - Richard

Speak to our classified team and find out how easy it is to advertise. Start building your brand today and be seen every week in Network Classifieds Trades and Services.

12435765-SN02-20

Deadline for all classiﬁcations is 11am Wednesday

3ODQV DQG SHUPLWV DUUDQJHG %DWKURRP PDNHRYHUV ZLQGRZV DQG GRRU UHSODFHPHQWV ,QWHUQDO ZDOOV UHPRYHG SODVWHULQJ DQG EULFNOD\LQJ

V Locksmiths

From plumbers to pest control, carpet cleaning to building services, dry cleaning to computer repairs, lawn mowing and more, Network Classifieds has been connecting local businesses with the local community with our Trades and Services each week.

Ask about our discounted ongoing advertising rates and how choosing more newspapers gives your advertising more impact and saves you money...

PLUMBING, HEATING AND COOLING

9707 5700, 9768 9153

1158529-PB42-14

VISA/MASTERCARD/EFTPOS (1.5% credit card processing fee applies. Cheques and money orders can be posted in or hand delivered to our local ofﬁce)

Sൾඍඍඅൾආൾඇඍ

PHONE FOR OBLIGATION FREE QUOTATION

12482787-SG08-21

We accept payment by:

Steve on 0407 704 213

• Local, Country & Interstate • Antiques & Pianos a speciality • Cartons & Porta-robes for hire or sale • Full packing available

Grow your business with

(include your name, address and phone number)

C62885-BG24-8

AND STORAGE

Online: networkclassiﬁeds.com.au (24/7) Phone: 1300 666 808 (Open 8.30-5pm Mon-Fri) Email: sales@networkclassiﬁeds.com.au

Lic 47089

฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀ ฀

฀

10% discount on hot water service installations if you mention this ad.

Call Now 0417 128 536 12355821-ACM25-17

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Professional Services

Employment

V Medical

V Positions Vacant

FOUNTAIN GATE PLUMBING

Unit 2, 1 Stephenson Street, Pakenham info@bondradiology.com.au • www.bondradiology.com.au

General Classifieds

FAST AND RELIABLE

V Massage Therapists

Lifetime Warranty!

ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.

ADVERTISE with us and get better results

Senior discount Cards welcome

9988 9159 Lic No. 116785

V Roofing

CALL 1300 666 808

12518896-SN43-21

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

section of Network Classifieds.

• All leak repairs • Roof Washing • Roof Painting • Flexi-pointing • Ridge tile re-bedding • Valley changing • Gutter cleaning from $120 • All types of rooﬁng and carpentry

10 year Guarantee | Pensioner Discount Call now for a FREE quote: 0405 817 173 V Television/Video/Audio

V Garage Sales

EXCAVATOR OPERATORS (SEWER) PIPELAYER CSE/SEWER MAINTENANCE LABOURER

PO Box 690 Dandenong VIC 3175 or pipelines.vic@fultonhogan.com.au

PLACE YOUR 12400498-CG38-18

12517108-BL42-21

One call, We do it all!

Fulton Hogan are currently looking for people experienced in Sewer and Water Construction for the following positions:

Please note that we only consider applications from skilled applicants with South East Water experience in new land development water/sewer reticulation & sewer outfall construction. Please send Resume and cover letter to:

Frock and awe

Step into Paradise with Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson

MOVIE GUIDE INSIDE

Looking for love search for Brooke Blurton’s on love breaks boundaries Australia The Bachelorette

REE DIGITAL ED

REE DIGITAL EDITION

SIG N U P N O W !

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

9775 0201

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

Pakenham

Sweet treats a cool hit

■

V Pets & Services

General Classifieds

ROOFING SPECIALIST

PAGE 3

We require white late model: 1 & 2 T Vans & Trays 4T - 12T Trays / Tauts Minimum guarantees Work in all areas Full training No experience required Early starts

Call today

12423634-SN31-19

12450405-AM23-20

LOCAL PLUMBER

Looking for a new start or Career? 12501151-NG26-21

C695870-JM11-9

OPEN 7 DAYS • 9132 5073

PAKENHAM OFFICER

Slowly getting back to normal

12496404-AV22-21

Bulk Bill Low Dose CT, Digital X-ray, Ultrasound, Digital Dental X-ray & Dexa Scan QR code for easy online booking system

9796 8621 0418 367 017

Roof Restoration Specialists

OWNER DRIVERS

NON CORPORATE RADIOLOGY IMAGING CLINIC ESTABLISHED BY A CARING & COMPASSIONATE TEAM

12496404-AV22-21

Lic 24754 • New Houses • Factories • Blockages/Machine and Camera • Same Day Hot Water Services • Domestic and Commercial Maintenance • 3.5 Ton & 12 Ton Excavator • Bobcat and Tipper

V Positions Vacant

12496498-DL22-21

V Plumbing

12514744-CG39-21

Trades & Services

We are seeking experienced journalists to assist the production editor and liaise with our reporters both here in Victoria and also with our reporters interstate. You will assist reporters with their story lists, allocate stories to pages, ensure deadlines are met, provide feedback to reporters and ensure daily online story targets are met. Ideally you will be based in our Pakenham ofﬁce with part time and full time positions available. Star News Group produces a number of news media titles across Melbourne and interstate with weekly printed newspapers and digital content. Star News Group focuses on the local news and information that affects the lives of our community, and broader issues that directly impact our regions. The Company is operated by experienced independent publishers and a local team of experienced media professionals. Please send your resume to garry.howe@starnewsgroup.com.au

Employment

12520043-NG44-21

section of Network Classifieds.

V Positions Vacant

ANTENNA MAN SAME DAY SERVICE ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS ANTENNA SERVICE ALL AREAS

Employment

DIGITAL ANTENNAS AMPLIFIERS TV OUTLETS

0409 888 228

V Positions Vacant 12469374-CG46-20

CASUAL BEACONSFIELD

V Tiling

Afternoon Shift: 20 - 40 hours per week Please contact Brenda on 0435 923 662

12504533-JW29-21

All Bathroom Renovations • Bathrooms • Toilets • Kitchens • Decks • Water prooﬁng • Walls and Floors

BUTCHER SHOP ASSISTANT

C1072232-JJ4-13

ECONOMY TILING

Do you like talking on the phone?

General Notices section of Network Classifieds.

C316291-KK18-5

V Tree Lopping/Surgery

Oakfern Tree Care P/L Pruning Removal Stump Grinding

Phone Geoff 0418 340 825 Fully Insured

V Positions Vacant

Machinist with CNC experience

Recruiting Now Civil Labourers Plant Operators

This Permanent full-time position, located in South Gippsland, offers a lifestyle alternative compared to the nearby city environment. CNC programming and setup experience desirable Email resume to mick@leveyengineering .com.au

It is essential that the candidate possesses the following; - 5+ years experience within the construction industry - OH&S Card - Is COVID 19 vaccinated - Current Victorian drivers licence - OHS/HSE knowledge and commitment to maintain a culture of safety

Pensioner discounts available

12449547-FA21-20

Contactless Quotes & Services Available! UÊ/ÀiiÊ- >« }Ê UÊ i`} } UÊ-ÌÕ «Ê,i Û> UÊ Õ ÞÊ+Õ> wi`Ê « Þi` UÊ Õ ÞÊ ÃÕÀi`ÊUÊ ÀiiÊ+Õ ÌiÃ GIPPSLAND UÊ ««Ã > `Ê V> Êv À UÊ/ÀiiÊ,i Û> ÊUÊ/ÀiiÊ*ÀÕ } ÊÊÊ ÛiÀÊÓÇÊÞi>ÀÃ

Bayport will provide the opportunity to be a team member of a successful & reputable company with excellent wages and working conditions.

V Windows

Member HIA and MBA www.windows1.net.au

1238899-CG33-16

WINDOWS 1 Window Replacement Service Timber or Aluminium Windows Free Measure and quote

9703 1530

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

Bayport is seeking a reliable, skilled and experienced full time labourers and operators for a backhoe, excavator and compactor to work predominately within the south-east suburbs.

Buy & Sell in the

Motoring section of Network Classifieds.

Please lodge your CV with our office; Email: bayport@bayport.com.au Ph: 9770 3700

12502007-DL27-21

Free Quotes

Call 0432 550 066 or 8707 5522

WE ARE RECRUITING INBOUND/OUTBOUND TELEPHONE SALES sales@networkclassifieds.com.au

with us and get

ADVERTISE better results

CALL 1300 666 808 Thursday, 11 November, 2021

STAR NEWS 17

SPORT

Tarryn Wilkin and her Warriors teammates will attract some elite competition to Cardinia life in 2022. 236624

Coach Simo Pajdic will lead the Pakenham Warriors in the elite Big V Championship next year. 236624 Pictures: ROB CAREW

Warriors on the charge By David Nagel Cardinia Life will play host to some of the highest quality basketball outside of the NBL in 2022 after the Pakenham Warriors were elevated to the elite Big V Championship Women competition for next year. Basketball Victoria’s announcement comes hot on the heels of some more great news for the Warriors, with the club locking in its four head coaches for the 2022 Big V season. Simo Pajdic will continue his impressive role as Head Coach of the Senior Women roster, while Aaron Miles will support Pajdic in his role as Head Coach of the Youth League Women squad. Braden Venning will hope to continue the rise of the Youth League Men, while former Warrior Rob Roberts returns - after stints at

Sherbrooke, McKinnon and Melbourne Uni – as Head Coach of the Senior Men. Roberts was previously involved with the Warriors a decade ago, winning a championship with the 18.1 girls and is a former president of the club. The elevation of the Warriors women – from Big V Division One to Championship – and the Youth League Women’s team – from Division Two to Division One – is great reward for the Warriors female program, with both teams being highly competitive in their respective competitions over the last few years. The Pakenham men’s team will remain in its current competition, men’s division two, with the Youth League Men also commencing from where they left off in 2021 - in division two. Big V basketball continues to grow with two

new associations joining the ranks amongst 142 teams entering the 12 divisions next year. Senior representative basketball will return to Gippsland in 2022 with the announcement of Gippsland United joining the Big V Division 2 Men’s and Women’s competitions. Also joining Big V in 2022 will be Surf Coast, with the Chargers men and women set to shine in their first winter senior representative season, adding further strength across the league throughout regional Victoria. While there was no promotion and relegation from the 2021 season, some reshuffling of teams was required to achieve desired team numbers following associations being accepted for NBL1 or withdrawing from the competition for 2022. “We’re excited to see Big V return in 2022 with Chelsea and Pakenham rising to Champi-

onship Women, adding further south-eastern flair to the Big V Women’s top competition,” said Big V Manager Jeff Downes. “It’s been a challenging two years across Victorian basketball, but our associations, officials and teams are thrilled to get back and battle it out for the championship next year. “On behalf of Big V and the Senior Representative Commission, I would like to welcome Gippsland United and Surf Coast to the league and we wish them the best of luck at the start of their senior basketball journeys. “Casey and Keilor have been granted NBL1 South licences for 2022 and we would like to wish the senior teams of those two long-serving Big V associations the best of luck in their new competition.” The Big V 2022 season will commence on the weekend of 19-20 March 2022.

Guns fire as Pakenham Cup looms large on the horizon By David Nagel A crowd-friendly Pakenham Cup is getting closer and closer by the day with huge excitement building for the biggest day on the Pakenham Racing Club (PRC) calendar on Saturday, 4 December. With the cup now on our doorstep, two of the biggest guns in the training ranks of the PRC decided to fire on Friday night with Phillip Stokes and Peter Moody training winners on their home track. Stokes trained a double, with Design Artist and Impressive Lass both saluting the judge, while Moody prepared his three-oldfilly Allegretta for victory at just her second race start. The Freedom Friday night meeting was the beginning of a huge month for the PRC, with the build up now in full swing for the $300,000 Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m), run as a standalone meeting on the first Saturday in December. Limited crowds, fully vaccinated, are allowed for this year’s cup, with packages and pricing now available on the club’s website. It will be great to see crowds back enjoying themselves at one of the great social events on the local calendar. There are two night-racing meetings scheduled for Pakenham ahead of this year’s cup, with the barriers springing back on Thursday 11 and Thursday 25 November. 18 STAR NEWS

Allegretta greets the judge for jockey Brian Higgins and Pakenham-trainer Peter Moody. 256938

Impressive Lass, centre, digs deep to hold off the Busuttin-Young pair of Laundy, outside, and Pictures: ROSS HOLBURT/RACING PHOTOS Mister Me at Pakenham on Friday night. 256938

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

Pakenham-trainer Phillip Stokes scored a home-track double on Friday night. 256938 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Emerald eye on the future By David Nagel Emerald Cricket Club will field a young and exciting team in the WGCA District competition this season – looking to be competitive but with one eye firmly fixed on the future. Captain Owen Thorne is hoping to inject some youthful enthusiasm into his team, in what’s sure to be a tough competition against Devon Meadows, Lang Lang, Officer, Pakenham Upper-Toomuc and Upper Beaconsfield. Thorne, an Emerald junior, who left the club and returned a few seasons back, is excited about the season ahead. “We’ve lost a few senior players but it gives the opportunity for the young guys that were fringe players to put their hand up and come through the system,” Throne said. “They’ll get the opportunity to make some runs and hopefully cement their spot in the ones. “It’s very exciting to be back on the paddock and playing cricket again…just seeing mates again…it’s awesome.” Thorne said Emerald had made a deliberate decision to focus in on its juniors. “The young guys coming through the ranks is probably the most exciting thing for the club,” Thorne said. “We’ve sat down as a committee and coaching group and our strong focus is on pushing the younger players coming through the under-16s into senior cricket, and giving them the opportunity to rise as high as their talent and commitment will take them. “It’s also about giving them the right guidance so they take over leadership roles from blokes like myself and Marshy (Clinton Marsh).” Thorne said he was confident his team would adapt better to the challengers of oneday cricket this season. “Our batting is suited more to two-day cricket, we have players who like to stay at the crease and take their time. “The change needed to happen, so we need to adapt, but I’m more worried about just playing cricket rather than worrying if it’s a one or two-dayer.

Owen Thorne will lead a young and talented Emerald into battle this season. 257221 “Everyone is in the same position. As a club we decided to have a good net session on Saturday, instead of playing a practice match, so we could get together as a club and all get a hit and have a bowl.”

Thorne said that despite being young, he was more than confident of being competitive. “You go into every season hoping to play finals and that’s what we’re pushing for, so hopefully we get up and about early and snag

a place in finals,” he said. “But we also understand that we have a very young squad and it’s about being patient and developing those young ones this season.”

Storm stars back on course Cricket bouncing back to the sporting spotlight The Gippsland Storm Elite Development Netball Club 13-under squad will make its longawaited grand final appearance at the Waverley Netball Centre on Sunday morning. The final, delayed for five months because of the Covid-19 lockdown, will take place at 10am against Valley. Storm coach Christina Rigoni said she was thrilled with the players commitment to training over the last five months. “We had zoom training sessions each week, with 100 per cent participation,” Rigoni said. “I’m just so proud of the girls in the way they applied themselves to the task during a very difficult year in elite sport. “Because of the lock-down eventually easing, we’ve only been able to get in three training sessions before the final. “I’m lost for words as to how well the girls have come together as a squad, given the adversities they faced during the course of this year.

“We come up against Valley in the grand-final, we have played them twice, each winning one game. “It’s very hard to predict how the final will go, both teams are very evenly matched. “In the final, it’s anyone’s bet, it will come down to the team that is focused, with a very deep commitment to each other and to come together as a squad.” Gippsland Storm would like to wish Rigoni and the 13-under squad the best of luck during the final on Sunday morning. This same Sunday, 14 November, and the following Sunday, 21 November, Gippsland Storm will hold their annual tryouts for next season, for all age groups from 13-unders up. Details and application forms are on the Storm’s Facebook page. To register go to https://netballtrials. com.../gippsland-storm-netball-club/

Storm’s 13-under squad preparing for its long-awaited grand final. Back row: Kya Smith, Sienna Morey, Isla Armstrong, Christina Rigoni (coach), Kira Wilson, Ashleigh Stibbard and Katie Strickland. Front row: Chloe Kerr, Charli Lambert, Nikita-Jaye Faoa, Lorelai Cordtz and Taylah Picture: SUPPLIED Burgmann. 256951 pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au

By David Nagel West Gippsland Cricket Association (WGCA) President Rob Hansen is absolutely thrilled that – weather permitting – hundreds of cricketers will return to the game they love this weekend. “There’s been so much uncertainty about getting cricket up and running,” Hansen said. “In early October it was like, here we go again, but now with vaccination rates up it allows cricket to go ahead, for people to play alongside their mates and that’s what it’s all about. “It’s a privilege to play the great game of cricket.” Hansen was speaking from the WGCA’s first ever Media Night, where leaders from all 16 clubs congregated on Monday to launch the season via live stream and create digital content to be used throughout the season. “It’s great to see the clubs getting together, they get along well off the field, and that’s great to see,” Hansen said. “Tonight is all about raising our profile, a part of our strategic plan, and events like tonight do exactly that. We’re producing a product that all clubs can utilise to raise their own profile as well.” Hansen asked humbly for some simple pleasures as the upcoming season unfolds. “I hope the weather is kind, the cricket gods smile, and there’s really good competition throughout the grades,” he said. “I think we have all missed cricket…and to be so close to having it back is amazing.”

WGCA President Rob Hansen at the association’s first ever Media Night. 257221

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

STAR NEWS 19

Own today 3.98% p.a. comparison rate± on Audi A1, A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8 models*.

3.98%

P.A. COMPARISON RATE ±

DEPOSIT

UPFRONT FEES

With Audi Choice Guaranteed Future Value^ Take advantage of an exceptional finance offer on Audi A1, A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8 models*. For a limited time, receive a 3.98% p.a. comparison rate± with Audi Choice Guaranteed Future Value^. Maximum term 60 months. Offer ends 31st December, 2021.

Test Drive at Audi Barry Bourke 755 Princes Highway, Berwick | Tel. 9707 2222 | audibarrybourke.com.au

± For approved applicants of Audi Financial Services (AFS) ABN 20 097 071 460, Australian Credit Licence 389344 for new and demonstrator Audi A1, A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8 models with Audi Choice. *Excludes RS models and any other offers. While stock lasts. Fees, charges, T&C’s apply. Comparison rate based on 5 year secured consumer fixed rate $30,000 loan. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. AFS reserves the right to extend, withdraw or change all offers at any time. ^ Audi Choice consists of an option to return your vehicle to AFS at the end of the term and requires AFS to purchase the vehicle at an agreed price determined by AFS, known as the Guaranteed Future Value (GFV). At the end of the term, you can elect to: (1) trade-in; (2) return; or (3) retain the vehicle by paying the GFV, which is a lump sum owed to AFS at the end of the loan term after all repayments have been made. You will be liable for any loan contract deficit and additional charges if you exceed the nominated kilometre allowance and/or the vehicle is not in an acceptable condition. Fleet, government, rental buyers, hire car and chauffeur companies excluded. Overseas models with optional equipment shown. Visit audibarrybourke.com.au. LMCT7522

12521276-SG46-21

20 STAR NEWS

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au