PAKENHAM OFFICER
pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
Thursday, 25 May, 2023
/pakenhamstarnews
@StarNews_SE
40¢ Inc. GST
Hesitations in Harkaway
Community goes orange for SES
Pakenham Cup under lights
PAGE 2
PAGE 7
PAGE 9
SPORT
12496498-DL22-21
Hats off to top volunteer
Medal search By Eleanor Wilson A service station attendant has located a precious World War I medal during a routine clean of an Officer truck stop. In the early afternoon of Friday 12 May, Debbie Stewart located the medal inside the Officer BP service station in Officer, located off the inbound lanes of the Princes Freeway. It is understood the medal originates from the First World War and is engraved with the name of the recipient. Despite a call out on local Facebook groups to find the owner of the medal, the owner is yet to come forward to retrieve the medal. It is currently in the possession of Pakenham RSL secretary John Stitt, who attempted to trace the medal back to its rightful recipient based on the name printed on it, but has been unsuccessful. If you believe you could be the recipient of the medal, get in touch with John Stitt on 0407 766 494.
Budget promises nity with a “front door” to mental health and wellbeing professionals and facilities. Also delivered will be a $400,000 upgrade of the Officer District Dog Park, which was another of Pakenham MP Emma Vulin’s election commitments. A comprehensive women’s health clinic at Casey Hospital will be one of 20 across the state. In addition, $320 million has been earmarked to help deliver upgrades to six different Victorian hospitals and health centres through to 2027, including the West Gippsland Hospital. But the healthcare investment has attracted criticism from the opposition, with Narracan MP Wayne Farnham questioning the integrity of the cash pool. “The big concern is there is $320 million al12588394-AI05-23
The State Government has retained a number of its election promises and prior investments across the South East in the 2023-24 State Budget. Released by Treasurer Tim Pallas on Tuesday 23 May, the conservative budget presented a focus on recovering from the financial impact of the Covid pandemic. While tax hikes and public sector job cuts will slice more than $10 billion in debt over the next four years, Victoria’s debt will continue to rise from $135.4 billion in 2023-24 to $171.4 billion by 2026-27. Locally, the budget will follow through on last year’s election commitments to invest
$8.77 million for Emerald Secondary College, $20.7 million for Clyde Secondary College and an $11.3 million upgrade to facilities at Pakenham Secondary College. There is also $573 million for building nine new schools pledged in 2022 including Clyde North Primary School and Clyde North Secondary School, Pakenham North West Primary School, Thompsons West Primary School – all to open in 2025. However, there was no mention of three other new schools promised at the 2022 election - Clyde Creek North Primary School, Clyde Creek North Secondary School and Ballarto Road Primary School. A new mental health and wellbeing local will be built in Officer, providing the commu-
Low Dose CT, Digital X-ray, Comprehensive Ultrasound Dental X-ray, Dexa or Bone Densitometry, Echocardiogram
FIXED PRICE CONVEYANCING • CONTESTING A WILL WILLS AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY PROBATE AND LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION
BULK BILLING OPEN 7 DAYS
OPEN FOR BUSINESS ! Now in office consultations U2, 1 Stephenson Street PAKENHAM
12514155-BL41-21
(03) 5922 2072
located over six hospitals, the problem is our hospital costs between $610 million and $675 million,” Mr Farnham said in a Facebook video. “So out of this $320 million that is being allocated, we don’t know if we’re being given $2 million, or $20 million or $100 million.” A question mark also remains around the future of the McGregor Road and Racecourse Road Upgrades in Pakenham and the Clyde Road Upgrade in Berwick, after the Government last week announced these projects would be put on hold while the Federal Government undertakes an Infrastructure review of key projects. Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said the budget delivers on every election commitment made to the Bass community.
WE MAKE CASEY CARDINIA SMILE Orthodontic Treatment for children and adults utilising the latest technologies including SureSmile, Invisalign, lingual and clear appliances.
Online Consults still available
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5.30 pm
Pakenham, Narre Warren and Yarra Junction Offices | P 5941 5166
Suite 5, Level 1/18-24 Clyde Rd, Berwick Phone: (03) 9330 0702 | info@seortho.com.au www.seortho.com.au
12529889-CG02-22
By Eleanor Wilson