PAKENHAM OFFICER
pakenhamnews.starcommunity.com.au
Thursday, 18 April, 2024
/pakenhamstarnews
@StarNews_SE
40¢ Inc. GST
$100k in funding for Village Way
MP labels hospital delay a ‘betrayal’
New chapter for Friends
Warriors win in overtime
PAGE 2
PAGE 3
PAGE 12
SPORT
Time for Yakkerboo!
Keeper of Mr Yakkerboo, Cr Graeme Moore, giving the town’s beloved bunyip his annual dental check-up.
Picture: MATTHEW SIMS
Pakenham’s PB Ronald Reserve is set to be painted green as the annual Yakkerboo Festival takes over the town this weekend, with the inaugural walking parade among the festival’s highlights. Festival secretary Jeanine Pushman said the committee are excited for the festival. “The festival has been running since 1976 and celebrates the Pakenham community. “The festival has always been run by a volunteer committee, with money coming from fundraising, sponsorship and grants.” Ms Pushman said everyone is welcome to come celebrate the launch of the festival on Saturday 20 April, running from 5pm and culminating in the fireworks display at 9pm. This year will also include the inaugural walking parade along the footpath of the PB Ronald Reserve from 10am on Sunday 21 April, with local community groups, schools and kinders showcasing their displays with the theme of ‘What You Dream Of’, with trophies made by the Cardinia Men’s Shed up for grabs for the best school, best kinder and best in-theme displays. Story page 3
Growing demands By Corey Everitt The Cardinia Shire Council is calling for the State Government to take control of funding more kindergartens in the shire and to prioritise centres on school sites to provide easy access for the burgeoning region and its young families. In the latest council meeting on Monday 15 April, Cardinia Shire councillors considered an extensive report on the future development of childcare in the area amid the ongoing rollout of free childcare in the State Government’s Best Start Best Life reforms. The State Government has been working to meet the increased demand with two major
childcare centres set to be completed this year in Pakenham and Officer, as well as upgrades to existing kindergartens in Nar Nar Goon, Bayles and Avonsleigh. For the council, a key factor of the report was to see more development of kindergartens attached to existing or future school sites to provide an easier ‘integrated service delivery’ for young families. This is called the kindergartens on school sites (KOSS) model. Kooweerup Primary School recently implemented a kindergarten on site; the council said Gembrook and Bunyip were the next possible sites for this development. The report said the council seeks a partner-
ship with the State Government to deliver the infrastructure for the reforms, but also say they should fund the infrastructure need for the reforms ‘fully’ and cover any shortfall. The redevelopment of Cardinia kindergartens will be extensive. The council showed that of the 27 kindergartens they own and manage, 16 of these facilities are between 34 and almost 40 years old. Only two of these 16 have had a redevelopment. The report stated that the council spent an average of $337,000 per year over the last five years on reactive and routine maintenance across these kindergartens. “Currently Cardinia Shire does not operate
kindergartens, but there seems to be a lot of responsibility put on to Cardinia Shire Council on delivery of this service,” Cr Radford said. “This is seeking that the State Government assist with their responsibility, so that we can ensure that all children get the benefit that kinder provides.” The State Government’s Best Start Best Life reforms is a $14 billion program to provide free kindergarten across the state. The reforms aim to implement a universal free 30-hours for four-year-olds and 15-hours for three-year-olds which require a vast expansion of kindergarten infrastructure that includes 50 new early learning centres to be established.
WE MAKE CASEY CARDINIA SMILE
LOCATIONS PAKENHAM, WARRAGUL, MOE
U2, 1 Stephenson Street PAKENHAM
12677106-AP11-24
(03) 5922 2072
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5.30 pm | Suite 5, Level 1/18-24 Clyde Rd, Berwick Phone: (03) 9330 0702 | info@seortho.com.au | www.seortho.com.au
12674012-JB10-24
Orthodontic Treatment for children and adults utilising the latest technologies including SureSmile, Invisalign, lingual and clear appliances. We offer flexible, interest free payment plans to make orthodontics accessible to everyone. Strict hygiene and physical distancing policies in place.
12644899-KG43-23
Low Dose CT, Digital X-ray, Comprehensive Ultrasound Dental X-ray, Dexa or Bone Densitometry, Echocardiogram