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Thursday, 14 April, 2022
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The battle is on for La Trobe
Good Friday close to home
Second Stephenson for Smith
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SPORT
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Councils’ election pitch
SE housing crisis By Shelby Brooks and Cam Lucadou-Wells
Wayss new chief executive Wayne Merritt. Picture: SUPPLIED
experiencing homelessness. Mr Merritt praised the State Government’s recent $5.3 billion Big Housing Build announcement. In what is touted Australia’s largest-ever investment in social and affordable housing, it will supply 12,000 new homes and 10,000 jobs a year over the next four years. Cardinia Shire Council’s research into the nature and extent of homelessness, risk of homelessness and financial vulnerability in Cardinia Shire (September 2017) revealed homelessness is a hidden and significant issue in Cardinia Shire. “ABS Census 2016 data showed that around 1,300 Cardinia Shire households (4 per cent of all households) have an unmet need for afford-
able housing and more than 4,600 households across our community are living in ‘housing stress’,” Cardinia Shire Council’s manager community and family services Stephen Sparrow said. “This means they are spending more than a third of their income on housing costs and they can’t always meet other costs of living such as transport, bills, food, education, and medical expenses. “The council’s research also indicated homelessness disproportionately impacts women, single people, sole parent families, younger and older residents, people with mental illness and people with a disability.” Mr Sparrow said those affected often face other obstacles as well, which keep them stuck
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in insecure housing; obstacles such as unemployment, poor physical or mental health, drug, alcohol or gambling addiction, family and relationship breakdown, and family violence or abuse. “The private market is not delivering housing options for everyone; there is a lack of smaller dwellings for rent or purchase by single and couple households, and appropriate housing for people with special needs,” he said. “The council works with several services that provide housing assistance. The council is also working collaboratively with registered housing agencies, housing industry, other tiers of government, and the community to address the urgent need for increased social housing and a more effective, integrated, and supported homelessness service system.” The council is also advocating to the Victorian Government for an increase in investment in social and affordable housing in the growth areas and to mandate social and affordable housing for all future residential development.
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.
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A homeless person who used the War Memorial site in Cranbourne as a temporary shelter was referred to a City of Casey partner organisation for support last week. Picture: MARCUS UHE
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Rentals are increasingly out-of-reach for many in what is a “housing crisis” in the South East, according to the region’s leading housing and homelessness service provider. Wayss chief executive Wayne Merritt says house prices and rentals are on the “fastest growth trajectory on record” across the region and the whole of Victoria. “This puts even rental properties in our region out of reach for so many people, especially those on low incomes and those who are dependent on government benefits. “People end up staying in short term crisis accommodation and other sub-standard living environments because there is simply no other option.” The looming challenge for Wayss is in the post-pandemic - to find ongoing private rentals for those families. In the South East, the average weekly rent of a one-bedroom apartment costs at least threequarters of a JobSeeker recipient’s meagre income. Nearly nine out of 10 clients supported by Wayss are on government benefits. They are being squeezed out by “fierce competition” in the rental market, Mr Merritt says. Anecdotally, an average of 30 people were applying for every affordable property in the South East. Some applicants were offering several months’ rent in advance, he said. “We’re seeing huge numbers attending all rental inspections and fierce competition from people who are earning a wage.” There was also “huge rental stress” among tenants who do have roofs over their heads. “Here at Wayss we have seen more people than ever before seeking assistance to pay their rent, including people who would not normally access our services.” Wayss is calling for more government-funded social housing and an “appropriately-resourced” early-intervention model for people
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Thursday, 14 April, 2022
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NEWS
Council members speak on the south-east region By Jonty Ralphsmith
Mayors Jeff Springfield (left, Cardinia Shire Council) and Jim Memeti (second from right, Greater Dandenong Council) and Noelene Duff (third from left, Casey Chair of Administrators), were among those in attendance. Picture: MEREDITH O’SHEA
GSEM reports on priorities By Jonty Ralphsmith The Greater Southeast Melbourne (GSEM) council group held its election platform launch at Mount Waverley on Thursday 7 April, outlining key advocacy areas. Speaking on behalf of GSEM, Steve Staikos, Kingston Mayor, told community and business leaders from within the region which encompasses Greater Dandenong Council, Casey City Council, Cardinia Shire Council, of the priorities. Mr Staikos emphasised transport infrastructure, employment and the South East Airport as areas GSEM advocate strongly for ahead of the federal election. The GSEM region is home to nearly 30 per cent of Melbourne’s total population and 68 per cent of employed residents in the City of Casey, the most populous LGA in Victoria, leave the municipality for work each day. To unlock this gridlock, GSEM is asking for federal support for the following projects: Dandenong Bypass, Westall Road Extension, Thompsons Road extension, Glasscocks Road extension, Lang Lang Bypass. Melbourne’s southeast also has the highest unemployment rate, seven per cent, with construction, agriculture, administration and support services recording the greatest decline. With a decade-long reduction in school leavers taking up VET-related programs, GSEM sees a need to match employer de-
mand with course offerings. 130 billion litres of water per year from Carrum Downs’ treatment plant is currently pumped into the Bass Strait which Mr Staikos said should be recycled. Speaking after the event to Star News, he highlighted that each of Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia would benefit from a recycled water scheme. “Businesses in Greater Dandenong, farms in Cardinia and Casey and new subdivisions and growth areas [would be] able to be irrigated with (recycled) purple pipes,” he explained. “Having a small investment from the Federal Government to direct that water back inland and into those uses is such a small amount of money for such a big community and environmental benefit. “We keep hearing from the government that they’re tech focussed when it comes to climate change adaptation – well here is a technology they could invest in and they’re not investing in it.” The proposed South East airport in Cardinia is a project GSEM has long supported, as it will create jobs in construction, tourism and agriculture, support international freight and preserve agricultural land. Bruce MP Julian Hill and Andrew Giles, Shadow Minister for Cities and Multicultural Affairs were in attendance but no Liberal-National Coalition members attended.
Labor did not provide any election commitments at the GSEM election platform launch, but Shadow Minister for Cities and Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles expressed his party’s strong desire to restore a greater relationship with local governments and bring local issues to the discussion in Canberra. Members of the Federal Government and local liberal candidates were invited and the ALP was represented Bruce MP Julian Hill and Mr Giles. “Scott Morrison has cut local government out of the national cabinet process – we’ll bring it back in,” Mr Giles said. “We know that local government is the level of government closest to the people. We know the perspective that local government officials have particularly about the impact of the pandemic on their communities is vitally important. “We need to bring that into the centre of national decision making. That’s one thing we’ll do very early on if we have the opportunity to form government. Mr Hill criticised the Liberal-National Coalition’s absence and broken promise after they did not deliver on the city-deal they promised in the lead-up to the last federal election. “The southeast is a fast-growing dynamic region heading towards 2 million people and it needs and deserves serious attention and partnership with the Federal Government,” Mr Hill said. “Growth brings opportunities but also challenges on the infrastructure and liveability side and it’s absolutely disgraceful that Scott Morrison and the Liberals turned up before the last election, made a whole bunch of promises that they haven’t kept - frankly they lied. They didn’t have the guts to show up today, not a minister, not even a representative, had the guts to show their face to the (1.5) million people in SE Melbourne who they’ve abandoned and neglected.” A GSEM spokesperson told Star News: “all lower house federal MPs whose electorates cover any part of the GSEM region were invited to attend the launch event.” They were also advised that they could extend the invitation to any candidates in surrounding electorates. The exact words on the invitation were: “you are very welcome to pass this invitation to candidates in surrounding electorates.” When asked about his absence, La Trobe MP Jason Wood accused Labor of acting as “puppet-masters” with the Casey Council.
Andrew Giles MP was in attendance at the GSEM launch. Picture: SUPPLIED ““It is bizarre to have these comments made by Labor MP’s when they never supported the $250 million to upgrade Clyde Road, the $64 million for Berwick Train Station and when I announced the Monash FWY, they attacked that also,” Mr Wood said. “Labor also claimed last election that funding for Berwick Football and Netball clubs was ‘funny money’…. These projects have now been delivered, I urge them to visit the state of the art facilities! “The truth is, Labor is acting as puppet masters with the CEO and administrators at Casey Council, as they have never dared to attack Labor with failing to deliver Clyde Road upgrades despite being the major proponent of the project. They have gone silent! “My question to the Labor Party is, what did they announce in their budget for the South East? “Nothing.” GSEM is a group of eight southeastern Melbourne councils, including Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia, that takes in a population of more than 1.5 million and advocates for regionally pertinent issues. At its launch on Thursday 7 April, transport infrastructure, employment and the south east airport were among the issues raised.
Liberals cop flak for no-show at GSEM platform By Eleanor Wilson Casey Council and a Federal MP have expressed their disappointment at the lack of Liberal presence at Wednesday’s Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) 2022 Federal Election Platform. The Wednesday meeting saw eight councils in greater Southeastern Melbourne, including the City of Casey and Cardinia Shire, join to promote the priority projects they would like to see the incoming government support. Shadow Minister for Cities and Urban Infrastructures Andrew Giles and Federal Member for Bruce Julian Hill attended the event and spoke of their intention to support
a partnership between GSEM and the government, but a representative for the Liberal party was noticeably missing. “It’s absolutely disgraceful that Scott Morrison and the Liberals turned up before the last election, made a whole bunch of promises that they haven’t kept. Frankly they lied,” Mr Hill said. “They didn’t have the guts to show up today. Not a minister, not even a representative, had the guts to show their face to the two million people in Southeast Melbourne who they’ve abandoned and neglected.” The Liberal Government made a promise to deliver the GSEM City Deal in the lead up to the 2019 election, but has since revealed
it will not go ahead until the North West City Deal has been completed. City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff concurred it was ‘disappointing’ to see there was no Liberal candidate at the platform launch, but said she was pleased to “have the alternative perspective and know what we’re working with.” A GSEM spokesperson told Star News “all lower house federal MPs whose electorates cover any part of the GSEM region were invited to attend the launch event.” In response, Liberal Federal member for LaTrobe Jason Wood argued the Liberal party has funded several key upgrades for Casey which were not supported by Labor.
“it is bizarre to have these comments made by Labor MP’s when they never supported the $250 million to upgrade Clyde Road, the $64 million for Berwick Train Station and when I announced the Monash Freeway, they attacked that also!” he said. “My question to the Labor Party is, what did they announce in their budget for the South East? Nothing.” Mr Wood also accused Labor of “acting as puppet masters with the CEO and administrators at Casey Council.” “[Casey Council] have never dared to attack Labor with failing to deliver Clyde Road upgrades despite being the major proponent of the project. They have gone silent!”
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NEWS
Key battleground emerges By Cam Lucadou-Wells La Trobe could be one of the key battleground seats in the upcoming federal election, says a Monash University political expert. Senior politics lecturer Dr Zareh Ghazarian also expects the economy, jobs, infrastructure, schools and hospitals to be crucial issues for voters in South East electorates such as Holt and La Trobe. Hip-pocket issues like housing affordability and cost-of-living are high on the agenda in the growth belt and its new estates. They play a part in the crucial question of which party is seen as the better economic manager, Dr Ghazarian says. “In the new housing estates, it will be important that the messaging around housing affordability will be where those electors are tuning in.” Long-time Liberal MP Jason Wood’s seat, which encompasses parts of Berwick, Clyde North and much of the growing Cardinia Shire, is held on a less than 5 per cent margin. He’s successfully defended the often marginal seat five times since 2004, with the exception of the 2010 election. In 2019, he defied a Victorian swing against the Liberal party to increase his margin. This time, Mr Wood faces off against firsttime ALP candidate Abi Kumar. “La Trobe could be a key battleground for the state, though it is safer than Higgins or Deakin. It is close to where Flinders is at, in terms of margin,” Dr Ghazarian said. “We’d expect the Liberals to hold onto these seats.” Meanwhile, Anthony Byrne, the long-time Labor incumbent in Holt, has retired leaving fresh-faced candidate Cassandra Fernando to protect a 9 per cent margin. Among her opponents will be Mr Wood’s former electorate officer Ranj Perera for the Liberals. The seat covers much of the City of Casey including Hampton Park, Narre Warren South, Cranbourne and the Western Port townships. “I can’t imagine Holt changing,” Dr Ghazarian says.
Labor candidate Abi Kumar, right, with MP Catherine King, needs a 5 per cent swing to claim La Trobe. “Even though when an incumbent goes, there’s a section of the vote that they take with them. It will affect the vote. “But looking at the history of the seat, the Liberal party hasn’t won it in the past 40 years.” In Victoria, it’s more likely than not that Labor holds its seats - though marginals like Dunkley (2 per cent) and Corangamite (1 per cent) are in play. “It’s going to be hard to see a party going for its fourth term in government winning these seats back. “If Labor starts losing seats like Dunkley, they’re going to be struggling to win the election.” Dr Ghazarian is wary of bullish predictions of a Labor win, given pollsters were “burnt” by the Coalition’s ‘miracle’ win in 2019. “Labor is in an election-winning lead and we’d expect it to be the case on election night. “But that’s what we were expecting in 2019.” Much will be decided in the campaign’s early weeks – before about 30-40 per cent of voters start to cast pre-poll votes. “For many voters, it will mean the campaign ends for them two weeks before the actual election day. “So the next three to four weeks are the crucial weeks for the campaign.” The Federal election is on 21 May. For information, go to aec.gov.au
La Trobe MP Jason Wood fronts up for his seventh election in the often marginal seat. 205113 Picture: GARY SISSONS
Pearcedale family’s gratitude ahead of Good Friday By Marcus Uhe When Pearcedale’s Ryley Jakstas first started climbing into his mum Brooke Skilton’s bed as a three-year-old complaining of headaches, doctors put it down to a simple case of separation anxiety. Little did his family and the staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital anticipate the root cause of distress and chain of events that would follow, as the family became alltoo familiar with the one hour-plus journey from the outskirts of Western Port Bay into Parkville. An eagle-eyed doctor noticed that he was struggling with his right eye at the time and suggested an eye-test, where a pale optic nerve was identified by the optometrist, and a trip to the Children’s was determined as the best course of action. “They did an MRI (on Ryley) and told me they had found a mass behind his eyes that needed surgery,” Ms Skilton recalled. The growth of the craniopharyngioma had damaged his optic nerve and robbed him of vision in his right eye, and the resulting operation to remove the tumour would become “the longest nine hours of my life” for Ms Skilton, who felt like she was part of a movie scene. “It was like a time-lapse where you see people in the waiting room come-and-go. “We waited for nine hours and there were no updates or anything because it was a Saturday. “They did say, ‘It’ll be five or six hours but don’t worry if it’s longer.’” As a result of his surgery he spent 10 days as an in-patient at the Children’s, and had his pituitary gland, which produces vital hormones, removed, requiring establishing a regime of hormone injections and the onset of diabetes insipidus. 4 STAR NEWS
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Thursday, 14 April, 2022
Brooke Skilton and her son Riley Jakstas at their Pearcedale home. 276231 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Months later, when the tumour on his brain resurfaced, he underwent a second delicate craniotomy in six months, this time on the opposite side of his head, to compliment his first scar. Add 30 rounds of radiotherapy at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre as a five-year-old to his already bountiful resume of hospital experiences and Ryley had spent more time in hospital in his short time in the world than many do in a lifetime.
Aside from giving himself growth hormone injections since the age of six, only utilising his left eye and missing days of school here-and-there for appointments, Ryley, now 16, has been able to live a regular childhood largely uninhibited by his condition, having played Auskick, junior football, cricket and recently, golf. He is an accomplished saxophonist, and is currently looking to apply for a learner’s permit, vision permitting. “It (my right eye) doesn’t effect me too much,” Ryley said. “I have every now and then wondered what it would be like to see out of my right eye but I’ve learnt to live with it.” Biannual MRIs and quarterly appointments with his endocrinologist to manage Ryley’s hormones have become fixtures in the Skilton family calendar and served to strengthen the relationship between the family, staff and hospital. “The RCH has been amazing,” Ms Skilton said. “The staff on the endocrinology ward, I just ring them and say ‘Hi I’m Ryley’s mum’ and they know who I am. “They must deal with so many people and the girl that answers the phone, she’s been there since we started going there. “It could be three in the morning and I’m on call to the call registrar and the endocrinology team because I don’t know what to do, and they’ve always provided that support. “It’s great having that continuity and it’s great knowing that you can ring and they know who you are, who you need to speak to, how urgent it is and you don’t have to re-tell the story every time.” On Friday 15 April the hospital will be running their annual Good Friday Appeal, raising vital funds for research, equipment,
technology, training, patient and family care. As a result of her experiences in and around hospitals during the course of Ryley’s treatment, Ms Skilton left her 20-year career as a public servant in the public housing department behind to undertake a diploma of nursing, allowing her to better understand and administer Ryley’s medication and injections. As the mother of a regular patient and a medical professional herself, Ms Skilton is better placed than most to understand the complexities and stresses of hospital life, particularly having worked on the frontline throughout the pandemic in all-manner of personal protective equipment, to keep herself and her family shielded from the virus. She sung the praises of those at the RCH and everything that they have provided for her family over the course of Ryley’s journey. “The fact that we’ve had access to everything along the way and it hasn’t been difficult to find information, we’re just so grateful. “Being a parent, I could never work with kids, it would be too hard. “Anyone who works in that kind of setting, to me, is a hero.” Rebecca Cowan, the Good Friday Appeal’s executive director, thanked Victorians for their bigheartedness once again. “We’re beyond grateful to the generosity of all Victorian communities and beyond who have donated to this year’s Good Friday Appeal,” Ms Cowan said. “Thank you to everyone who has come together once again to support The Royal Children’s Hospital to remain a world-class facility helping sick Australian children and families.” To donate to the appeal head to goodfridayappeal.com.au or call 1300 APPEAL (277325) between 9am and midnight. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Wild pursuit ends in jail By Cam Lucadou-Wells A drug-driving Dad who fled from police and crashed into a Lighthouse Christian College school bus in Pakenham has been jailed. Timothy Maggs, 41, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to charges including dangerous driving whilst pursued by police, speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road. On 21 October 2020, police saw Maggs driving a Mazda 2 hatch at a fast speed on Racecourse Road. At the time, his licence was suspended, he was on bail and a community corrections order, and with cannabis in his system. Police followed him on Princes Highway
and Atkins Road, activating their lights and sirens. Maggs failed to stop but instead overtook vehicles and drove on the wrong side of Fallingwater Drive. An oncoming driver had to take evasive action at an intersection. Back on Princes Highway, Maggs crossed a median strip and drove towards incoming traffic. Police at that stage called off the pursuit. About 4pm Maggs failed to give way at a Tintersection and crashed into the front of the school bus at the corner of Dunbarton Drive and Pommel Street. Part of the bus’s front was caved in. There were no injuries to the children and driver on the bus. Maggs and a female fled from his car. Maggs
jumped fences while he carried a black duffle bag with a home-made firearm and cartridge ammunition. He was captured by police, and resisted arrest. Sentencing judge Gavan Meredith on 7 April said Maggs’s driving was “fraught with risk for other road users”. Judge Meredith was concerned that Maggs – who was prohibited from having a firearm – could provide no clear reason for the gun made of pipe. Maggs was hospitalised for two weeks at Monash Medical Centre due to “blood on the brain”. It wasn’t clear if he was injured in the crash or during the arrest, Judge Meredith said. Maggs’s abusive, violent upbringing in
Wagga Wagga, as well as long-time substance abuse and mental health issues were noted by the judge. At the time, Maggs relapsed into smoking up to 1 gram of ice a day, with cannabis and alcohol, to relieve Covid-lockdown anxiety and boredom. His criminal history stretched more than 20 years including unauthorised driving, assaulting police and breaching bail. Maggs was jailed for two years, three months followed by a therapeutic community corrections order. The order includes supervision, drug and alcohol treatment, and mental health services. His jail term includes 535 days in pre-sentence custody.
Drivers on notice after ‘shocking’ start to school holidays Victoria Police is warning motorists to take care this Easter after a shocking start to the April school holidays with five fatalities on the weekend of 9-10 April. Operation Compass, launched at midnight Wednesday 13 April, will see police flood roads and highways across the state in a major effort to reduce road trauma. The operation will be extended to coincide with Easter and Anzac Day public holidays, which fall over consecutive weekends this year. Following the lowest number of lives lost for March on record last month, police are warning motorists not to be complacent during April. Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Glenn Weir said last weekend’s deaths show how “easily” trauma can occur if road safety
is not made a priority. “Easter is a high-risk period on our roads – it’s a major holiday weekend that attracts significant travel across the state,” Assistant Commissioner Weir said. “We cannot be complacent. “We’ll be doing everything we can to prevent more lives being lost. “Expect to see lots of police, lots of police vehicles and plenty of alcohol and drug testing during this period.” There have been 11 lives lost already this month, including five fatalities which occurred over the first weekend of the Victorian school holidays. Police are anticipating widespread travel across the state and will be targeting areas deemed high-risk. Motorists travelling to regional areas will
be a focus, with fatalities on regional roads up almost 40 per cent on last year. Police issued more than 9000 infringements over a five-day Easter operation in 2021 and will again be on the lookout for speeding and impaired drivers. Motorists are encouraged to use VICSES Driver Reviver sites across the state to manage fatigue on longer trips. Operation Compass commences at 12:01am Thursday 14 April and will conclude at 23:59pm on Monday 25 April 2022. For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads visit police.vic.gov.au/roadsafety-0 Police will run operation Compass from Thursday 14 April until midnight Monday 25 April. 253041
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Thursday, 14 April, 2022
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STAR NEWS 5
NEWS
OPINION
Work together Members of Casey Cardinia for Refugees joined the Palm Sunday Rally for Refugees in Melbourne on Sunday 10 April. We marched from the State Library to the Park Hotel, from where the eight remaining refugees and asylum seekers detained there were released on Friday. Another 12 were also released from other centres around the country. This leaves about 10 people, transferred to Australia from offshore detention for medical treatment, still in detention centres after nine years. Locking up innocent people indefinitely is the worst cruelty. The Government has provided no reason as to why the remaining 10 people are held against their will, while 230 others, in almost identical situations, are in the community. These people were rushed from PNG and Nauru for emergency medical attention on the advice of doctors under the shortlived Medevac legislation. They came with various debilitating conditions. They were supposed to receive medical care but, since the Medevac legislation was repealed after they arrived, they did not receive any. These are the people the government is releasing into the community; they are left with a completely inadequate support system that has prevented refugees from accessing mainstream social services and keeps them on precarious temporary visas, leaving it to charities and advocates to make up what is not available. Whilst we celebrate their release, this is just the beginning – they need permanent protection visas. They cannot rebuild their lives on a temporary visa. The Minister for Home Affairs, Karen Andrews, says that those in Australia on health detention will not be resettled in Australia. They have the option to return to Nauru, seek resettlement in the US or NZ (limited places) or return to their home country. We should be ashamed of this. After nine years of misery and uncertainty, they deserve a home here with permanent protection and all the support they need to start again. Let us work together to make this happen. - Casey Cardinia for Refugees
LENSCAPE
A Bird of paradise flower, which is closely related to the banana plant, blooms at Narre Warren’s Bunjil Place.
Unlikely union Who would have thought I would support Federal Liberal MP Jason Wood over comments made towards the City of Casey council administrators? Mr Wood stated the administrators have
gone missing in action regarding applying for funding from the Victorian State Government for infrastructure for building better roads within the City of Casey. He claims the administrators have gone quiet due to the fact they were put into their position by a Labor government.
Picture: LINDA WATSON
I only hope these administrators prove him wrong and do the right thing by our residents and ratepayers, while receiving their huge administrators payments. Rex Flannery, Narre Warren South
SOCIALLY SPEAKING
Funeral Director
...the little things make a difference
One Cranbourne resident lodged a complaint with Monash Health following her experience at Dandenong Hospital last month. The patient said she was left untreated for five hours despite presenting to the emergency ward with breathing difficulties. Our Facebook readers shared their experiences with the current health system.
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Kate P Freeman: Start of March my son waited 10 hours to be seen after having an asthma attack and ventolin not working. There were about 3-4 others in same situation. Horrible horrible horrible!!! Adam O’Halloran: Welcome to the south east growth corridor.
Linda Hogan: On a separate matter my brothers quadruple bypass was classified as elective surgery and unknown whether it would even go ahead on the day. The staff do a wonderful job but resources are stretched to the limit. They’re all doing it tough. Joanne Van Rijn-Portelli: Doesn’t matter which hospital you go to the waiting time is so long Jennie Range: Before Covid I had to wait 10 hours in Casey ED with my daughter to be seen so five hours is nothing really. Also two days after being discharged from Casey still in lots of pain I had to wait over five hours
to be seen at Monash hospital then was put into the short stay area and had to wait hours before even seeing a doctor or given any pain relief. Then was in for a week waiting to have my appendix removed. So five hours during covid isn’t to bad. Michelle Hobson: I took my daughter to Warragul ED last week with chest pains and breathing issues and unexplained bruising in her chest, we were told at minimum six hour wait, drove to Casey to be told six hour wait as well. Left after four hours as my daughter’s anxiety was high due to all the Covid positive people coming through the ED, next day doctor called us and sent us back to ED and she is now awaiting surgery.
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To the Grand Prix. Waste of taxpayer money.
To Nic Martin, a great story of perseverance and really making an impact at Essendon.
To Shanikas in Berwick, they have ridiculously good take away pasta.
Thumbs Down To day one of political advertising.
Thumbs Down To people who can’t watch TV unless the volume is on an even or odd number. Grow up.
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Thumbs Down To the speed signs through the road works in Kooweerup. They go from 40 to 80, back down to 60 in the space of metres. Most drivers have found solace in going 50, but the council is going to be invoiced if we’re all fined.
Thumbs Down Thumbs Up To all the amazing Cranbourne and surrounds community that continue to support the hospitality industry. All our staff appreciate you.
To the death of footy records at local games, how hard is it to print some player names with a couple photos?
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To hayfever and allergies.
To the City of Casey for finally sealing Soldiers Road in Clyde North over the weekend.
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Thumbs Up To whichever party will do more for our local community.
To all the parkruns in City of Casey who bring so much joy to their communities every Saturday morning. Thank you
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.
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Knife info was ‘critical’ By Cam Lucadou-Wells A police shooting of a 53-year-old Narre Warren North father-of-four may have “unfolded differently” if not for an inadvertent omission by Triple-0 staff, a state coronial inquest has heard. Counsel Assisting the Coroner, Susan Locke, submitted to the inquest on 30 March that police officers had not been alerted to a Triple-0 call that the man – identified as XY – had a knife. During an attempted arrest on the Monash Freeway in Dandenong North on 28 May 2020, XY was fatally shot after he charged with a knife at a police officer. Police relied on the “critical information” being broadcast by ESTA over their radio, she said. “No information about the knife was broadcast over police radio communications to the attending police units at any stage during the incident that unfolded,” Ms Locke said. “There is ample evidence that had police
been aware of the information … regarding the knife, their risk assessment and response would have been different.” The weight of evidence supported a finding that the incident “may have unfolded differently”, Ms Locke said. “Whilst it cannot be said that XY’s death would ultimately have been averted, he would not have died at the exact time and manner in which he did, had that information been known to police.” Before the attempted arrest, a school wellbeing officer had called triple-0 warning that XY left the home carrying a knife. The Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) call-taker, who was in the “consolidation phase” of training, recorded the information ambiguously and inaccurately, Ms Locke said. “Believes M may have had a knife – not confirmed – nil sighting,” the call-taker recorded in his comments. An ESTA quality improvement investigator later told the court that it should have been
recorded as “Male left home in possession of a knife”. The call-taker’s error was attributed to his inexperience. To compound the error, an ESTA police dispatcher inadvertently failed to see the knife comment. “It appears that this oversight was the result of human error,” Ms Locke said. There was no evidence that the “very experienced” police dispatcher’s oversight was caused by “high radio channel occupancy” at the time. Since then, the upgraded dispatch platform records terms like ‘knife’ and ‘aggressive’ in bold font and colour – which was likely to reduce the chance that critical information is missed, Ms Locke said. Training has been modified for ESTA calltakers and police dispatchers. Based on the available information, police were “reasonable” to assume XY was unlikely to be armed – though the possibility was “not entirely discounted”, Ms Locke said.
His demeanor was relatively calm, he’d made no threats of violence and had no history of violence or police involvement. The police officers’ actions and use of force were “appropriate”, Ms Locke concluded. In its submission, ESTA argued there was no need for “adverse findings” against it. There was no consistent evidence from police officers on how their response would have differed if warned about the knife, its lawyer Rosyln Kaye submitted. “Unfortunately, it is impossible to say whether XY’s death would have been prevented with a different police response.” In any case, police had been planning for the potential presence of a knife at the scene, Ms Kaye said. ESTA accepted the call-taker’s note was inaccurate and ambiguous, and the information on the knife should have been broadcast to police. The errors did not indicate “systemic issues”.
Pay your respects and remember the fallen on Anzac Day City of Casey residents will be invited to pay their respects to those who gave their lives or served at war on Anzac Day, Monday 25 April across a series of events. Dawn services will be held at Greg Clydesdale Square in Cranbourne, Bunjil Place in Narre Warren, Arthur Wren Hall in Hampton Park and the Pearcedale Public Hall, from 6am. The service in Cranbourne will be followed by march down High Street to Sladen Street later in the morning from 10.40am.
There will also be a march held in Berwick, on High Street, from 10.30am. The events are supported by the City of Casey. For locations of the services head to casey. vic.gov.au/news/commemorating-anzacday-casey There will be a number of events on Anzac Day across the City of Casey for those looking to pay their respects. 276618 Picture: SUPPLIED
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Good Friday is close to home By Eleanor Wilson For some, Good Friday is a time for religious worship, and for others it is the start of a long weekend of indulging on chocolate and hot cross buns. But for thousands of parents, like Narre Warren’s Tara Kviesitis, the Easter holiday has added meaning, owing to the work of the charitable Good Friday Appeal. “I’ll never feel the same on Good Friday because its personal for me now, I understand what it’s like being on the other side,” she said. Like many mothers of premature babies, Ms Kviesitis said she “hadn’t even organised a hospital bag” when she was rushed to the hospital to give birth at 29 weeks. Before baby Malakai was born weighing just over one kilogram, doctors notified Ms Kviesitis that the family would have a long health journey ahead of them. “They detected his first heart condition in the womb, which was Coarctation of the Aorta and Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD),” she said. “On day three he got really unwell and ended up on a ventilator and that’s when they detected the second heart condition.” Diagnosed with two congenital heart defects, Malakai was rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital, and at seven days old had his first of several heart operations. Ms Kviesitis described the time as “pretty terrifying”, but said the support of the staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital was invaluable. “Everyone there is amazing. They aren’t just about what they can do for the children,
Tara Kviesitis in hospital with son Malakai, who was born at 29 weeks and six days. they’re there for the families too,” she said. “When you leave the hospital, you have to trust these people to keep your child alive, and I just don’t think I understood how dedicated they are until I was on the other side experiencing it.” Now 16 months old, Ms Kviesitis said Malakai is doing much better thanks to the work of heart surgeons at the Royal Children’s. “He’s not on par with other children of his age, but he’s developing all the time,” she said, “He recently got his feeding tube out which has been a huge struggle for him in the past, so he has come so far.” “We took him out yesterday for lunch and I was able to feed him in public without the need for a tube and it was so special.” Each year, The Good Friday Appeal raises money for research, equipment and technology, education & training and patient and family care at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.
After Malakai underwent multiple lifesaving surgeries at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Tara can finally enjoy family life with her son.
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$1.6m for green lighting including consultant fees, project management costs, installation and materials costs. Whilst the replacement of mercury vapour street lighting is mandatory, significant external funding support will assist with its implementation. Council will fund $912,000, assisted by funding from other organisations including AusNet Services, the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program, and Victorian energy efficiency certificates (VEECs). The replacement of the lights will lead to annual energy cost and maintenance savings of approximately $143,000. Councillor Brett Owen said the upgrade would quickly save on maintenance and operational costs. “Replacements will change the look of some lights and communication with residents will
By Jamie Salter About 1900 mercury vapour lights in Cardinia Shire are set to be replaced with an energy efficient alternative this year as a result of negative impacts on human and environmental health. Mercury vapour lighting was one of the main technologies traditionally used for street lighting in Cardinia. In 2021, The Minimata Convention on Mercury banned the import, export and manufacture of mercury vapour lights. At the Monday 11 April council meeting, authority was granted to the chief executive officer Carol Jeffs to enter into agreements to purchase an estimated $1.6 million of materials for the Mercury Vapour Street Lighting Replacement Project. The total cost of the replacements in Cardinia Shire has been estimated at $2.25 million,
be planned to explain the upgrade and why it’s required,” Cr Owen said. “Mercury vapour lighting is not good at lighting open spaces so this upgrade will also have crime prevention benefits. “It’s a six year period of payback council’s investment, so in six years we’re back at zero and we’ll make those savings every year after we’ve paid off our investment.” Councillor Jack Kowarzik said he saw the upgrade as “a really big win”. “Street lighting electricity is shifting to a 100 per cent renewable contract from July 1, 2022 so the energy used will not generate carbon emissions,” Cr Kowarzik said. “This old technology is no longer a viable option as it gets phased out.” The project must be completed by the end of 2022.
About 1900 mercury vapour lights in Cardinia Shire are set to be replaced with LEDs. Picture: UNSPLASH
Motorcyclists set to be skilled up as first responders By Jamie Salter A first of its kind program is being launched in conjunction with Road Safe South East, Victoria Police and Cardinia Shire Council in an effort to reduce motorcycle accidents. In the past 10 years, more than 414 motorcycle riders and passengers have lost their lives, and more than 10,000 have been injured - representing 18 per cent of all lives lost and 17 per cent of hospitalisations. A new program aims to build a motorcyclist’s confidence to competently act as a first responder at a road crash through accredited, internationally recognised training in motorcycle first aid. Cardinia Shire Council’s manager of community and family services Stephen Sparrow said the program aligns with the shires commitment to improving the local road network and road safety as part of our Road Safety Strategy, Safety Action Agenda and Better Local Roads Programs. “It provides an opportunity to engage and bring together like-minded motorcycle riders to discuss their riding habits and experiences and encourage further discussions about the importance of wearing suitable protective clothing, riding in groups, and installing and maintaining safety features and equipment on their motorcycles,“ Mr Sparrow said. Cardinia Shire Mayor Jeff Springfield joined Cardinia Shire Council’s Safer Communities Officer, City of Greater Dandenong Councillor Lana Formoso, Local Area Commander Acting Inspector Hafiz Mayar, Department of Transport representative Margaret Walpole, members of RoadSafe South East, and participants from the Monarchs Motorcycle Club at the Motorcycle First Aid at a launch event at the Dandenong Civic Centre on Saturday 2 April. The TAC Motorcycle Monitor 2019 identified up to 78 per cent of recreational riders travel with one or more passengers, and 37
Mayor Jeff Springfield (centre), City of Greater Dandenong councillor Lana Formoso, local area commander acting inspector Hafiz Mayar, Department of Transport representative Margaret Walpole, members of RoadSafe South East and participants from the Monarchs Motorcycle Club at the launch. per cent of motorbike riders received assistance after a crash - meaning most riders travel in familiar areas of other riders or travel in a group. Fatalities recorded for the same period across the region include nine males and one female in the Cardinia Shire. Motorcycles represent almost four per
cent of registered vehicles in Victoria and account for less than one per cent of vehicle kilometres travelled, showing an over representation in Victorian road crash statistics. Motorcycling has become an increasingly popular form of transport post Covid-19 lockdowns as many commuters look for an
alternative to public transport. The Department of Transport’s Motorcycle First Aid program is a Victorian Government initiative funded through the Community Road Safety Grants 21/22 program. To register for the program, email roadsafesoutheast@gmail.com
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Cardinia Life Proposed Redevelopment
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Tell us your ideas We want your feedback to help inform the redevelopment planning of Cardinia Life and to help us seek funding. Tell us about your ideas for the future of Cardinia Life. To find out more, scan the QR code, visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay or call 1300 787 624. Feedback closes Sunday 15 May 2022. National Relay Service (NRS) TTY: 133 677 (ask for 1300 787 624) Speak and Listen (speech-tospeech relay): 1300 555 727 (ask for 1300 787 624).
5940 2166 Translator Interpretation Service 131 450 (ask for 1300 787 624)
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Translation information If you need an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 to speak to an interpreter. Ask them to phone Cardinia Shire Council on 1300 787 624.
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STAR NEWS 9
FOCUS ON … EASTER HOLIDAY GUIDE
NEWS
Hop in for a fresh feed
Those of you in business that are currently looking to hire more staff would already be well aware of the present difficulty in finding great people. With the unemployment rate in Victoria at around just 4.5 per cent (and bearing in mind that there will always be a percentage of the working age population that are either not willing or not able to work), there is bound to be a shortage of talented people. This means that the age-old economic theory of supply and demand will inevitably ensure that market salary rates in many sectors will go up and availability of great staff will go down. Now, more than ever, it is important for businesses to not only attract the right staff but also to be able to retain the existing valuable staff that they have. If you think about it, solving both issues amounts to exactly the same thing and I believe that the five methods of doing this identified by Morgan McKinley in late 2020 are spot on. 1. Provide meaningful and challenging work 2. Improve employees’ lives 3. Recognise contribution 4. Ensure adequate compensation and benefits 5. Create the right culture Dealing with these in order: I truly believe that in general employers do not ask enough of their staff. I am not talking about increasing workload here, I mean assigning real responsibility. There may be a variety of reasons this does not happen (lack of trust, perceived staff workload, lack of thought etc), but staff perform best when they feel they have a level of control over what they are asked to do. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution to improving employees’ lives as each of us has different needs and requirements, but understanding what these are is a must. For many of us, work/life balance is a constant struggle 10 STAR NEWS
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TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IAN ASH so enabling flexibility in people’s schedules is highly likely to be well appreciated. Recognition for a job well done is a fundamental human need that always figures in the top three staff motivators for work. Everyone wants to feel that the work they are doing is worthwhile, that they are contributing to something meaningful so the more opportunities leaders can take to do this, the more satisfied their workforce becomes. It is well known that money is typically not a good motivator, but paying below market rates can mean that even the most dedicated staff member gets tempted. While it should not be the only criteria, many recent articles on employee satisfaction indicate benefits are becoming an increasingly important factor and the current job market, rising prices and anticipated interest rate increases mean that this will become a major consideration for employees thinking of leaving or joining a company. This past week I spent some time with the excellent Narre Warren Business Group talking about the importance of company culture. When staff are asked about what keeps them at a particular company or part of a certain team, many will say that it is the people that they work with that matters most. This sense of camaraderie often stems from the sharing of similar values and purpose and the more this is supported and shared within a business, the more stable the workforce tends to become. Ian Ash is the managing director for OrgMent Business Solutions
Father and daughter fishmongers Michael and Makayla from MC Quality Seafoods at Dandenong Market. “Of course, must-not-forget items include those tasty hot cross buns, thoughtful Easter gifts and cute baskets for the kids’ Easter egg hunt.” To help customers beat the busy Easter rush, or for those planning on going away this Easter, the Market will be open next Thursday from 7am to 4pm. Parking is free until 10am then just $1 for three hours. The Market will be closed on Good Friday then reopens again on Saturday and Sunday.
Experience Walhalla today Spend an unforgettable day with the family at Walhalla Goldfields Railway. Relax and take in the breathtaking views as the train winds its way through the spectacular Stringers Gorge on what is considered one of the country’s most picturesque rail journeys. Departing the historic Walhalla Station on your one-hour journey, you will travel through the station yards with the sheer, stunning cliff face on one side and the winding Stringers Creek on the other side. Winding through the gorge past Happy Creek Station on your way towards Thomson Station you cross seven bridges - which are a marvel of engineering - before reaching the spectacular Thomson River bridge. Upon arrival at Thomson Station, passengers disembark and have the opportunity to peruse the station and surroundings before re-boarding for your return journey.
For young train buffs we also offer a Ride in the Cab Experience for a small extra fee. Get up front and experience a different perspective from the vantage point of the locomotive cab. See the amazing track work and bridges and chat to our knowledgeable crew along the way. Make Walhalla Goldfields Railway your next family day out. Trains depart Walhalla at 11am, 1pm and 3pm Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday weekly. During school holidays the railway operates daily, except Christmas Day. Bookings can be made at www.walhallarail.com.au. Call 5165 6280 for more information. Please note that due to current restrictions, all passengers over the age of 18 years must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of this when checking in.
Walhalla Goldfields Railway
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Get all your eggs in one basket at Dandenong Market on Thursday 14 April. It’s an extra trading day to make Easter easy for shoppers. “Our three seafood shops will be fully stocked with calamari, prawns, crayfish, whole snapper, cuttlefish, flake, flathead and rockling,” Dandenong Market general manager Jennifer Hibbs said. “With three fishmongers open from 7am next Thursday, you won’t find fresher or cheaper seafood anywhere else.” Food is central to all Easter celebrations, regardless of ethnicity, and Dandenong Market is a one stop food destination for Easter delicacies, treats and gifts with a great range and prices. “Not only do we have the freshest seafood,” Ms Hibbs said. “We have a large selection of local and imported chocolates, plush toys, delicious hot cross buns straight from the oven, spring lamb, an abundance of seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables, a new outfit, and so much more. “By opening an extra day next Thursday, shopping for Easter traditions, egg hunts, decorations and treats means you can relax and enjoy this Easter long weekend.
OPEN DAILY DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Trains operate 11am, 1pm & 3pm Please note: due to restrictions bookings must be made online and all passengers over the age of 18 must provide proof of vaccination.
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EASTER HOLIDAY GUIDE
Shopping local made easy As we start to emerge from lockdowns, masks and the weirdness of the last two years, the friendliness and familiarity of your local centre is a great place to start. The food options are varied and delicious, with delivery and takeaway options still available, you can now get back to dine in options too. The wonderful team at Sugarcoat Nails & Beauty are well-equipped to help you feel fabulous for the remainder of sandal season. Pizza Fellas has a great range of pizzas and can be ordered online so they are ready for you when you pop in to pick up your dinner.
From their delicious salads to their tasty chicken, Uncle Sam’s Charcoal Chicken is a firm favourite in the neighbourhood for a quick and healthy meal. Cardinia Lakes Fish & Chippery has delicious burgers, along with crispy chips and tasty fish for a favourite takeaway option. Wok to Go rounds out the takeaway options with tasty Asian dishes galore to tempt your tastebuds. At Caremore Pharmacies, the staff are dedicated to their customer’s well-being and will help you make the right choices about main-
taining good health. Their gift range is outstanding as well, and you’ll be able to find the perfect gift, or maybe something extra special for yourself. Great breakfast and lunch options are on the menu at Urban Hype Cafe. Come and meet the friendly staff and grab something for lunch or morning tea. Their coffee is just divine. Stay up to date by following the Centre on their Facebook page. Cardinia Lakes Shopping Centre.
Get ready to Croc and roll at the Playcentre Pakenham By Elle Cecil
Leigh, Jasmine and Swati of the Croc’s Playcentre in Pakenham. 276007
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With play facilities designed by specialists to accommodate children of all ages, Crocs Playcentre Pakenham is the place for kids, parents and family to hang out and have fun. As a successful party venue and daytime activities for kids, Crocs Playcentre has a dedicated soft play section for babies as well as a toddler area separate from the big kids’ main play area. The exciting range of kids’ themed party rooms include exclusive interactive party options, and party packages that can be tailored to your child’s specific hopes and dreams.The onsite Muffin Break cafe will provide parents with that much-needed caffeinated drink while the kids play, and also provides a large range of freshly made food items, providing wholesome, healthy options for the whole family. A few of the younger staff members have
been welcomed into the world of employment with Crocs, working at the centre as their first job after school or on weekends. Driven by the smiling faces of both big and small customers, the Crocs Playcentre team strives to make every visit to the centre a happy and memorable experience. “We provide a safe and clean environment for the little ones - our friendly staff are there to ensure that they accommodate your needs and make your visit a joyful one,” says owner Swati Siotia. We continually look at ways we can improve our services - we appreciate feedback and implement changes whenever possible.” Crocs Playcentre hosts special events and social nights for sporting clubs and education providers, and is always open to assisting with fundraising. For more information or to book a party, visit www.pakenham.crocsplaycentre.com.au or phone (03) 5902 3674.
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STAR NEWS 11
ADJUSTABLE MASSAGE BED by
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By Eleanor Wilson Indigenous students and community members gathered at Berwick College’s Wominjeka Centre on Wednesday for a collaborative conversation about Aboriginal self-determination in the Victorian Education system. Initiated by the Victorian Department of Education and Training, Campfire Conversation invited Koorie students and community members to discuss changes in the education system to increase agency and success for Indigenous community members. Throughout the conversation, Indigenous students from the college discussed ways they can be better supported in the school community, and how Indigenous culture and history can be amplified in Victorian curriculum. Former student and Indigenous woman Ashlee Hyde said she would like to help future generations of Koorie students be “proud to be Indigenous.” “It means I can help determine what the younger generations are going to be doing and how they’re learning and what they’re pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
going to learn in schools,” she said. “The more that [Indigenous students] learn, the more they can teach and the more that we can all come together.” Berwick College Assistant Principal Alison Birkett said implementing further Indigenous education into the school would not only benefit Koorie students in their education journey, but the entire community as a whole. “For me it’s not just about the 20 Indigenous students we have at the school, we need to be teaching Indigenous culture and creating that sense of inclusion and respect and reconciliation for all students,” she said. “Because the non-indigenous students at the school are also going to be in government, and policymakers and teachers etcetera, so they need to be just as aware of the issues that Aboriginal people are facing.” Campfire Conversation is part of a Department of Education and Training reform, with key points from conversations at Victorian schools fed back to the Department to contribute to change in the space.
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KINDNESS IS KEY - LOCAL FAVOURITE - BE KIND COMMUNITY - KINDNESS IS KEY - LOCAL FAVOURITE - BE KIND COMMUNITY - KINDNESS IS KEY
Indigenous students gather around The Learning Stone, acknowledging the Bunurong and Wurundjeri people as the traditional owners of the land.
Are you holding a
KINDNESS IS KEY - LOCAL FAVOURITE - BE KIND COMMUNITY - KINDNESS IS KEY - LOCAL FAVOURITE - BE KIND COMMUNITY - KINDNESS IS KEY
A Dandenong drug-fueled and disqualified driver who “dangerously” and “reprehensibly” led police on a hair-raising chase through the south east has been jailed. Jack Audino, 24, pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to a raft of charges arising from a five-day crime spree in October 2020. They included five thefts, making a threat to kill, robbery, reckless conduct endangering life and a prohibited person with an imitation gun. In that time, he’d stolen two cars left running in home driveways in Dandenong and Hallam, taken an EFTPOS machine from a Dandenong outlet, used stolen credit cards and robbed an Uber driver of an Hawaiian pizza. He also broke into a car at Dandenong Seventh Day Adventist Church, stealing $50,000 cash and cameras. In the late morning of 10 October 2020, Police Air Wing followed Audino as he erratically drove a stolen VW Golf in Cranbourne and across the South East for about an hour. Audino reached 172 km/h in an 80 km/h road-works zone on Monash Freeway. Several times, he ran red lights, drove the wrong way into traffic, swerved in and out of lanes, and almost caused several crashes. A woman pushing a baby in a pram crossed a road just before the stolen Golf approached. In Armadale, Audino was seen holding an imitation handgun on the vehicle’s dash before he ran a red light. He and a co-accused were arrested by police in a multi-level car park at South Wharf shopping centre in Melbourne’s CBD. Audino threw away an imitation handgun
from his pants as he was brought under arrest. He was holding $28,355 cash – believed to have been stolen from the car in Dandenong the day before. His co-offender held $17,100. The stolen camera equipment was found in the Golf. Audino was taken to The Alfred hospital due to drug intoxication. He’d told police he’d taken six Xanax that day. In sentencing on 31 March, Judge Patricia Riddell noted Audino’s serious, extensive criminal history. She said Audino’s “dangerous” and “reprehensible” driving at high speed while under the influence warranted significant punishment. The “serious spate” of offending, including violent robbery and a threat to kill, must be met by a jail term, she said. However, the sentence was moderated due to Audino’s intellectual disability, as well as complex mental health issues including ADHD, anxiety, a substance abuse disorder and psychotic episodes. Judge Riddell noted Audino suffered posttraumatic stress from an attempted kidnapping as a child and a serious motorbike accident. Audino was jailed for 19 months followed by a 12-month community corrections order, with supervision, drug and mental health treatment, NDIS support and judicial monitoring. His jail term included 537 days spent in presentence custody. He was disqualified from driving for 18 months.
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Wild driving ends in jail
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Thursday, 14 April, 2022
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STAR NEWS 13
THE LOWDOWN Q&A
with St Francis De Sales Primary School music teacher Kristy Galea
Tell us a fun fact about yourself! I’m a Music teacher who loves baking loaded cookies, riding my bicycle and going on walks. What do you love about what you do? The thing I love most about being a Music teacher is that I get to work with children (prep to Grade 6) who are constantly enthusiastic and have absolutely no apprehension to say what they feel. They love having a laugh and they bring me so much joy! Who is the best person you’ve worked with? The best people I work with are the crew at St. Francis de Sales Primary School, Lynbrook (better stay safe with this question!!!). A shout out to Imasha and Rosie in LS1 - they’re great to work with and always love banter and to have a good laugh. What would your last meal be? The last meal I would have would be a Banh Mi with extra sauce from Tabac in Springvale, topped off with a Raspberry Panna Cotta (keep it classy). What is your most memorable moment? My most memorable YEAR would be 2015. I travelled to over 35 countries with no plans or a functioning phone. I travelled wherever and whenever I wanted to go. Not a care in the world! I was able to experience and learn a lot during my travels. What event past or present would you like to witness? I would’ve loved to have witnessed Freddie Mercury and QUEEN perform at the Live Aid Concert in 1985. Which three guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner? Three guests, dead or alive, I would invite to dinner include Bradley Cooper, Leonardo Di Caprio and Brad Pitt. What are you currently listening to, watching or reading? I’m currently listening to 90s classics on the
THREE … facts about Easter
1
Coles shoppers in Berwick are amongst the top five in regional sales of Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Bun in Victoria this year, with more than 152,000 packs sold since landing o shelves on Boxing Day last year.
2
While the exact origins of the Easter Bunny remain unclear, one theory is that the symbol of the bunny comes from a pagan, or German festival of the goddess Eostre, who was the goddess of fertility. Since rabbits are very fertile and eggs represent fertility, that’s how the bunnies and eggs came into play.
3
In Eastern European countries such as Slovakia and Czech Republic, there is an Easter Monday tradition where men drench women in ice cold water and hit them on the legs with thinly braided branches of a willow tree to symbolise youth, strength and make women healthy for the upcoming Spring season.
Kristy Galea. 275566 drive to work - from Britney to The Vengaboys. I don’t tend to watch much TV, but when I do, it’s a fantastic episode of Home and Away. If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook? If I had to compete on MasterChef, I’d bake one of my glamorous Nutella loaded cookies! Where is your dream holiday destination? Vietnam and Malta have been my favourite holiday destinations thus far, but I would love to travel to Scandinavia. Antarctica would be pretty cool too (pun intended). What were you like as a kid? As a child, I was a complete ratbag and a comedian. Not much has changed since!
What was your first job? My first job was teaching piano in my studio at home. I continued this for many years until I found the position I currently have as Music Teacher at St. Francis de Sales Primary School, Lynbrook (8 years later!) What are the three most used apps on your phone? The three most used apps on my phone include Gmail, Messages and Safari. What’s one question that you have always wanted answered? A question that I’ve always wanted answered is are there more than the five senses that we are able to access? If so, what are they?
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can personal story Sharing your Pakexperience but be a daunting ther Wade and mo es Mil s am’ enh n that leap to help e to Simone have take and acceptanc bring awareness dren. transgender chil hopes by writing he said es Mil re he can bring mo down his story, com to the wider understanding der and identity. gen munity about st audience of mo “I feel like the just people who are newspapers are maybe not teene, chilling at hom somey could learn agers, and the said. thing new,” he ing by hop also is Mum Simone be erience, she will to e sharing her exp fort or guidanc com r offe to able same position. the in s ent other par help others,” Sim “I just want to one said. ple to know peo t wan I “And or special or unique there’s nothing nor us. We’re just a ut different about re just going abo mal family. We’ to.” our life as need are our People Miles and Simone k. in Profile this wee ir story, You can read the and 11 on pages 10 in their words
ad support a bro ted to better , In a move tou service groups community and the range of local will re-establish ncil Cou e . Cardinia Shir tion nda Fou ia Cardin philanthropic withdraws City of Casey It comes as the Cardinia Foundation afCasey mas said the from the joint Tho l Pau ctor Dire new direction ter nine years. to approve the . board has yet m the foundation e that will transfor t that we wer men argu an “There was this will hone and thin too es spreading ourselvterritory,” he said. us in to a smaller rapid rate so wing at such a “Cardinia is gro on some significant projtrate ce in the eren we can concen diff a e can mak ects that really community.” STORY PAGE 13
CCTV spies arcade fire
to help idenng to the public Police are appeali ed to August’s arson attack link tify offenders in Pakenham. ade Arc rt Cou on the Centre d of three inhas been release ing fires to CCTV footage sett nown offenders s. cidents of unk th East suburb Sou the in es tobacco stor of a woman erated image d. A computer gen ase rele n e also bee and a vehicle hav es in Paks at tobacco stor The series of fire Patterson Lakes caused k and inesses. bus to enham, Deer Par age dam lion in more than $4 mil STORY PAGE 5
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N SOLVE Thursday, 14 April, 2022 & l il W ased Estate Dece
12497981-NG23-21
ir letterbox.” note left in the the issue ts read it in a also brought up r to the residen dents e advised prio Ms Burnett-Wake which the resi the media wer rs, s . offe ner on said eow t some hom uisitions,” she of compensati buy a comtha to acq m life ent the is the of liam w ty has told Par uiring proper would not allo rknocking ocwere acq y her doo of the told the toll cess n s al e whe “The pro lateted that way. Thi and the emotion were not hom notified via a parable home should be trea By Shelby Brooks the news. changing and sory curred and were instead happening. hbours found n cannot keep ing after hearing E3 cess of compul neig atio feel ir PAG pro the sult RY the le con STO whi rm of , beir homes s the lack Calls to refo n heard in the night phone call read about the the newspaper homes has bee not “They must not the “outra- out via the front page of acquisition of and they must ent, inspired by d in the media uire acq Victorian Parliam of several Pakenham East next morning. ing y is that g g about their stor geous” handlin r. “What is shockin yea properties last nett-Wake MP Cathrine Bur Eastern Victoria
Berwick-Pakenham
12539752-NG10-22
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GRAND, LUXURIOUS AND PERFECT YOU will find total quality throughout this stunning lifestyle property on 2578m2 with this truly grand home providing ~67squares under roofline. Designed and completed to create an easy lifestyle to enjoy the finer things in life while being low maintenance so creates this blissfully easy lifestyle! Summers by the pool, entertaining in total privacy of your own outdoors, knowing the kids are safe as every inch has been meticulously planned this way. The outdoor spa with a view, relaxing fountains, firepits, pergola including the pendulant lights imported from Italy, limestone pavers and not to forget the ever so tranquil Japanese garden…. You’ve worked hard… Relaxing should be made easy as this… Run your business from home with large office, additional studio/garage, separate guest accommodation if you wish and additional parking. The home itself leaves you wanting for nothing. With four large bedrooms all with ensuite facilities, balconies, study areas and oodles of storage. The sophisticated master bedroom captures the sunset which can be enjoyed from indoors, the private balcony or from the formal lounge adjacent. Oh, and the walk-in robe/dressing room is indeed a ladies next best friend. A kitchen and open plan family area that you’ve only dreamt of awaits your inspection. Fine meals are easily prepared here. Located just minutes to the freeway, hospital, railway station and all Warragul CBD yet this private rural property in excess of half an acre awaits. The best of all worlds is now on offer to you at 49 Cason Crescent Warragul. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 49 Cason Crescent, WARRAGUL Description: 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 5 garage Inspect: By appointment Auction: AUCTION - Friday, May 6, at 11am. TERMS: 10% on signing. Settlement 90/120 days. ONLINE & ONSITE AUCTION COMBINED - 49 Cason Crescent, Warragul Contact: NUTRIEN DELANEY LIVESTOCK & PROPERTY, 5622 3800
GRAND, LUXURIOUS & PERFECT!
IO N
5000m2 GRZ1
AU
CT
You will find total quality throughout this stunning lifestyle property on 2578m2 with this truly grand home providing ~67sq. Blissfully easy so the finer things in life can be enjoyed! Summers by the pool, entertain in total privacy outdoors & in. A spa with a view, relaxing fountains, firepits, pergola inc pendulant lights from Italy, limestone pavers & not to forget the ever so tranquil Japanese garden. Run your business from large home office + studio / garage, separate guest accommodation & additional parking. Everything is on a large scale! All bedrooms inc ensuite facilities, study nooks and decks. 3 living rooms plus alfresco, gym & totally grand kitchen! More than just a home - a magic lifestyle. AUCTION - ONLINE & ON-SITE FRIDAY 6TH MAY @ 11:00AM
14 ODDY STREET, DROUIN
Walk through the park, to the station, the supermarkets, restaurants & more from this exceptional location with a rare parcel of 5000m2, zoned GRZ1, with 2 road frontages & all services available! Ripe for development though inc a sound 4 BR home with spacious lounge, formal dining, rustic alfresco & what a lovely view! Rare opportunity! Price: $1,650,000 Contact Miranda Pike - 0404 193 205
TERMS: 10% DEPOSIT - SETTLEMENT 90/120 DAYS CONTACT: MIRANDA PIKE 0404 193 205
03 5622 3800
71 Queen Street, Warragul 12544641-SG15-22
12543137-AI15-22
0356 223 800 | 71 QUEEN STREET WARRAGUL
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PRIME DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY! 5000M2
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STAR NEWS 15
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Thursday, 14 April, 2022
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STAR NEWS 17
SPORT
Smith makes it a double By David Nagel Pakenham champion Chris Smith has stamped himself as one of the great players in the modern era of WGCA cricket after claiming his second Terry Stephenson Medal on Sunday at the Cardinia Park Hotel. Smith polled 17 votes to win by two from Kooweerup skipper Chris Bright, with Demons’ all-rounder Luke McMaster and Carlisle Park-gun Ravi Kodithuwakku polling 12 votes to finish in equal third. Tooradin opener, and premiership skipper, Cal O’Hare, rounded out the top five on 11 votes. Smith added a second Stephenson Medal to the one he secured in 2015/16 - after a magnificent season where he compiled 515 runs at an average of 57.22 from just 11 games. Round one of the 14-game season was a wash-out; while the elegant right-hand opener also missed a further two games, in rounds four and 11, both against Kooweerup. Smith polled in seven of the 11 games he played, compiling four three vote performances, two twos, and a single vote effort in round 13. In other highlights of the night, Devon Meadows skipper Lucas Ligt polled 12 votes to take home the District Division Player of the Year. Ligt narrowly edged out Pakenham Upper/ Toomuc pair, Nick Kyval and Rajith Ranaweera, who polled 11 and 10 votes respectively. Ligt made 460 runs at an average of 38.33 to take out this year’s award. The Clyde Cricket Club had a successful night, with Trevor Bauer taking out the A Grade Player of the Year, and Shem Smith (B Grade) and Shane Jack (E Grade) winning the same award in their respective divisions. Bauer made 288 runs, at an average of 28.80, and took nine wickets as well. Smith made 174 runs, at 17.40, but also took 17 wickets at the highly respectable average of 14.12 with the ball. Jack compiled 335 runs, at a clip of 37.22, to share the E Grade award with Officer’s Skeeta Vangeninden.
Kooweerup spinner Matt Bright made a clean sweep of the bowling awards in the top-flight WGCA Premier Division. 271940 ing 19 votes to be a runaway winner of the F Grade Player of the Year Award. McDonald, who made 446 runs at an average of 49.56, polled more votes than any other player in West Gippsland cricket this season. Batting and bowling averages were also handed out on the night, while the Lang Lang Cricket Club was announced as the Best Administered Club for season 2021/22. Kooweerup spinner Matt Bright made a clean sweep of the Premier Division bowling awards, with Ranaweera doing likewise in the batting awards in the second-tier District Division.
Pakenham star Chris Smith has claimed his second Terry Stephenson Medal as the best player in Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS the WGCA Premier Division. 270044 Merinda Park all-rounder Brenton Huyskens made 191 runs (27.29) and took 16 wickets (19.44) to take out the C Grade award, while Tooradin skipper and power-hitter Kane
Latham smashed 483 runs at 48.30 to win the D Grade Player of the Year Award. And Pakenham Upper/Toomuc also had a winner on the night with Mark McDonald poll-
TERRY STEPHENSON MEDAL MOST RECENT PAST WINNERS SEASON PLAYER CLUB VOTES 2021/22 Chris Smith Pakenham 17 2020/21 Jake Prosser Cardinia 16 2019/20 Russell Lehman Tooradin 26 2018/19 Dale Tormey Pakenham 19 2017/18 Jess Mathers Kooweerup 22 2016/17 Mark Cooper Kooweerup 23 2015/16 Chris Smith Pakenham 18 2014/15 Russell Lehman Pakenham 21 2013/14 Aaron Avery Tooradin 15 2012/13 Callum O’Hare Tooradin 17
Perfect weekend for Warriors as teams go six-from-six By Jonty Ralphsmith The Pakenham Warriors have produced one of the best weekends in recent memory with the club’s four Big V teams combining for six wins across all competitions. Things started at the top with Ebony Sans leading the Championship Women’s team to an 89-63 victory over Southern Peninsula on Saturday night. After showing glimpses of her talent in the opening rounds, her 17 points and 11 rebounds was a performance that caught the eye of her coach. “Ebony Sans came out of her shell and had a breakout game,” Coach Simo Pajdic said. “She’s had a few roadblocks so far and we’ve seen glimpses from her at training, but it was good to see her put it all together.” The Warriors were on top from a 20-10 opening quarter but the hosts had worked their way back within three points at the final break, before Pakenham pulled away. “We needed a win and came out and played a really good game,” Pajdic said. “We got better as the game went along and we blew them out in the last quarter which was nice.” The coach was also complimentary of Shannon Patterson and Tess Young who combatted the influence of Tanarly Hood, who managed just eight points in over 31 minutes of court time. “It was a good defensive effort from those two girls – they did really well to limit Tanarly Hood’s scoring,” he said. The game also saw import Haille Nickerson return from injury earlier than expected, playing on managed minutes and scoring 18 points in the 26-point victory. 18 STAR NEWS
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Thursday, 14 April, 2022
Warriors women’s coach Simo Pajdic was thrilled with his team’s performance. 275013 Ebony Sans was at her brilliant best for the Warriors against Southern Peninsula on Saturday Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS night. 275013 Pakenham, who now has a 3-3 record, and sit fifth on the table, next take on fourthplaced Chelsea in a big game at Patterson River Stadium on Saturday 23 April. The Warriors also won both of their games in the Division Two Men’s competition. The Warriors defeated Whittlesea by 21 points on Saturday, 90-69, and backed that up with a 73-58 victory over Mildura at home the following day. Pakenham extended its lead at every break on Saturday, with a 29-19 final quarter putting the exclamation mark on a comprehensive victory. Joe Davis and Ned Weideman carried on their strong form, with 85 points and 38 re-
bounds between them across the weekend. On Sunday, Pakenham were forced to overcome a six-point halftime deficit but came out firing after the main break in a 4322 second half to overwhelm Mildura, 73-58. The Warriors, who sit top of the ladder with a five-one record, next host third-placed Mornington at 1pm on Sunday 24 April. The Warriors Youth League One Women’s team was commanding in a 113-58 victory over Craigieburn – built on a 51-13 first half. Tyla Scorah (32 points), Ebony Sans (25) and Rhiannon Gallagher (210 hit the scoreboard hard for the Warriors, while Alahna Arnason dragged in an impressive 15 rebounds. And the Youth League Two Men’s team
made it a perfect weekend for the Warriors with a double-header win over Chelsea and Maccabi. Down by 10 points at halftime, the Warriors worked their way back to within three points at the final break and got over the line against Chelsea, 77-75. Michael Johns (22 points), Jackson Grey (19) and Hayden Melsen (14) were instrumental in the victory. And the Warriors rounded things out with a crushing 113 to 77 win over Maccabi. The Warriors had scoring options everywhere with Ethan Small (17 points), Jarred Small (16), Grey (15), Melsen (12), Matthew Stevens (12) and Johns (10) sharing the load beautifully. All teams now have a well-deserved break for the Easter weekend. pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
SPORT
United overcomes very early deficit By David Nagel Pakenham United has continued its inconsistent start to the Men’s State League 5 South season with a dour 1-1 draw against lowly Endeavour Hills at IYU Recreation Reserve on Saturday. United began the season with a bang, scoring a thumping 5-0 victory over Rosebud, but has since found the going a lot tougher. A 2-2 draw with White Star Dandenong in round two was followed by a controversial 1-0 loss to local rivals Bunyip. Those results meant Saturday’s game against the Fire was an important fixture in getting things back on track. But any hopes of a quick kill against the Fire were quickly doused when the visitors struck the first blow in just the third minute of play. The game’s opener came courtesy of Kevin Yu, who proved too elusive for United’s defence…banging home his first goal for the season. United was down, but certainly not out, and fought back hard in the seventh minute of play. Sash Saric, who scored a hat-trick on debut for United in round one, equalised from the penalty spot and the home side had regained momentum. The exciting start, which saw both teams score within the first seven minutes of play, then transformed into an arm-wrestle, with United’s Harry Wightman and the Fire’s Josh Permal both keeping a clean sheet from that point forward. United manager Liam McCafferty swung the changes late, replacing Leroy Almenara, Nickhil Kumar and Albert Mambo with Shanuka Kulasekara, Mark Howard and Nigel Vythilingum as the home side poked and prodded for a late winner. But the Fire held firm, emerging from Pakenham with their first point for the season. United faces a tough task this Saturday, taking on top-of-the-table Mentone, before a home game against fifth-placed Aspendale on Saturday 23 April. We’ll find out a lot more about United’s prospects this season over the next challenging fortnight. Pakenham’s conqueror in round three, Bunyip, gave up an early lead on its way to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of South East United. The Strikers could not have started better, with Dion Pavlic bringing the home-crowd to its feet with a goal in the opening minute of play.
Great darts keep getting thrown in the South West Gippsland Darts League Picture: SUPPLIED (SWGDL). 276378
Taking aim By David Nagel
Pakenham United keeper Harry Wightman conceded an early goal…but then produced a fine Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS performance in his team’s 1-1 draw. 275008 But Strikers fans had barely returned to their seats when Salim Semsedinovski equalised just a minute later to give South East renewed hope. And when Semsedinovski struck again, in the 55th minute, the visitors had done enough to hold the Strikers at bay. Bunyip was a man down for the last 10 minutes on the clock, with Ed Walker being showed a yellow card. South East’s Burhan Abdi was also given his marching orders in a tense last minute of regulation time. Bunyip faces a tough assignment this week, travelling to second-placed Barton United. MEN’S STATE LEAGUE 5 SOUTH Results – Round 4 Pakenham United 1 v Endeavour Hills 1, White Star Dandenong 0 v Barton United 0, Aspendale 0 v Mentone 2, Bunyip 1 v South East United 2, Mount Martha 3 v Hampton Park United 4, Rosebud 1 v Casey Panthers 6. Fixture – Round 5 Mentone v Pakenham, Barton United v Bunyip, Aspendale v Mount Martha, Endeavour Hills v South East United, Casey Panthers v White Star Dandenong, Rosebud v Hampton Park (8pm). Ladder Mentone 12, Barton United 9, Hampton Park 9, South East United 7, Aspendale 6, Bunyip 6, Pakenham United 5, White Star Dandenong 4, Casey Panthers 4, Mount Martha 1, Endeavour Hills 1, Rosebud 1.
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Pakenham’s Albert Mambo tried hard to break the deadlock against Endeavour Hills on Saturday. 275008
Warragul Cup set down for Easter Sunday A great day of family friendly entertainment, alongside quality racing action, will occur at Logan Park on Easter Sunday for the Warragul Cup trotting meeting. The event has been staged on the Easter weekend since 2006, and Warragul Harness Racing Club officials have again organised a day which should draw a big crowd through the turnstiles. Racing action will be highlighted by the $35,000 Downtowner Warragul Pacing Cup, and the $20,000 Eddie Evison Memorial Trotters Cup, which is being run this year for a record stake. The Pacing Cup was first staged in 1955, making it one of Victoria’s oldest country trotting features, while this year is the 25th anniversary of the first staging of the Eddie Evison event. A strong support program of racing is assured, and patrons can wager on local, Melbourne and interstate events via the on-course TAB. A bookmaker will also field on local races. The Punters Club, which in the past has produced a profit for ticket holders, will also operate for those looking to let the experts look after the betting. Raffles and lucky racegoer giveaways will be another highlight, while traditional attractions for the children will return, include balloon twisting, face painting, playground and a visit pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
A great day is assured at the Warragul Cup on Easter Sunday. 233461 from the Easter Bunny. There will also be a live radio broadcast from 3GG on course on raceday. Spectators can relax on the lawns or in the Barn Bar, or dine from the indoor bistro, which will also serve takeaway food during the day. Warragul’s recently redeveloped facilities
Picture: SUPPLIED
are among the best in Victorian trotting, and can comfortably accommodate a big crowd, whatever the weather. Entry is free for patrons on Sunday, with action to commence around noon. For further enquiries call the Warragul Harness Racing Club on (03) 5622 2008.
The top-four teams in the South West Gippsland Darts League all had wins in round nine opening up a nice little gap between themselves and the rest of the competition. Just Social continued their brilliant unbeaten run, defeating Warriors 10-5, while second-placed Snipers kept the pressure on with the same score line over the bottom-placed Mud Rats. The Rebels maintained their third ranking on the ladder with a convincing 11-4 victory over Middels, while Paky One have set up a crunch round-10 clash with the Warriors after scoring a 10-5 win over Gembrook. Paky One currently sit in fourth place on the ladder, one game clear of the Warriors in fifth. A win by Paky One will basically shut the door on the top four, while a Warriors victory will keep things very interesting in the run home to this year’s finals series. The regular sharp-shooters continue to dominate this season, with Dean from Snipers hitting 55 tons in the first nine rounds of the season. His Snipers teammate Aaron (43), and Thom from the Rebels (41) are his closest pursuers in the race for the most tons thrown this year. Ant and Thom lead the way with two 180’s this season, while an early 158-peg out from Pez from Just Social is holding up as the best three-dart finish this year. LADDER R9 W L F A % PTS Just Social 9 0 93 42 221.43 36 Snipers 8 1 84 51 164.71 32 Rebels 6 3 72 63 114.29 24 Paky One 5 4 79 56 141.07 20 Warriors 4 5 76 59 128.81 16 Gembrook 2 7 45 90 50.00 8 Middels 2 7 41 94 43.62 8 Mud Rats 0 9 50 85 58.82 0 Round 9 Results Paky One 10 def Gembrook 5, Just Social 10 def Warriors 5, Snipers 10 def Mud rats 5, Rebels 11 def Middels 4. Next Two Rounds Round 10 – Tuesday, 12 April, 7.30pm Warriors v Paky One (Cardinia Club), Just Social v Gembrook (Kooweerup Hotel), Snipers v Mud Rats (Cardinia Club), Rebels v Middels (Railway Hotel Warragul). Round 11 – Tuesday, 26 April, 7.30pm Paky One v Snipers (Cardinia Club), Middels v Just Social (Middels Restaurant – Drouin), Mud Rats v Warriors (Cardinia Club), Rebels v Gembrook (Railway Hotel – Warragul). SEASON BESTS Most Tons 55 – Dean (Snipers), 43 – Aaron (Snipers), 41 – Thom (Rebels), 36 Terry (Just Social), 32 – Scott 9Mud Rats). 180’s Troy, Liam, Shane, Aaron, Ant (2), Thom (x2), Dean, Nugget and Dale. 100+ Peg Outs 158 – Pez (Just Social), 151 – Thom (Rebels), 121 – Ant (Warriors), 117 – Shane (Paky One), 117 – Glenn (Middels), 101 – Nugget (Gembrook), Aaron (Snipers). Thursday, 14 April, 2022
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VISIT OUR VIRTUAL SCHOOL TOUR TODAY Our virtual school tour allows you to experience Berwick Lodge Primary School spaces as though you are physically there. Using emerging technology, we have mapped spaces across the school to create 3D tours and 360-degree walkthroughs. Immerse yourself in the spaces, move around, explore and look out for LODGIE BEAR along the way. For more details visit: www.berwicklodgeeps.vic.edu.au Please call for your personal tour. These will commence in Term 2. Berwick Lodge Primary School welcomes out of neighborhood enrolments.
Kevin Heinze Best School Garden Award 2018 P: 9709 6700 F: 9796 2198 E: berwick.lodge.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Visit our website to check out the virtual tour www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au 12543659-JW13-22
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Thursday, 14 April, 2022
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