Tuesday, 14 January, 2025
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New generation
Matulec looks to Senate
Passion for the garden
Proud Panthers on the prowl
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Inspiring leader’s enduring legacy After 42 years at Harrisfield Primary School, principal Meredith Iaconese was farewelled with a standing ovation at her final assembly on 20 December. Students, families, staff, alumni, colleagues and long-time friends celebrated what the school described as a “legacy of teaching excellence, compassionate leadership and unwavering commitment”. Story page 6
Meredith Iaconese with past students Luke and Leahna and current day students Ganicus and Melody. (Stewart Chambers: 451137)
Shops up in smoke Taskforce Lunar detectives are investigating a fire at two tobacco shops in Springvale. It’s believed offenders arrived at the Buckingham Avenue stores just before 2am on Thursday, 9 January in a white Toyota Hiace van.
The exact circumstances are still being established, however two neighbouring stores were set alight before the offenders left the scene. A resident of one of the apartments above the stores called triple zero (000) with police and Fire
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Rescue Victoria attending shortly after. All residents of the 20 apartments above the stores had to be evacuated as a result of the fire. An arson chemist attended the scene and it was understood the building had sustained sig-
nificant structural damage. No one was physically injured during the fire. Investigators believe an attempted arson at the same stores on 7 October last year is also linked. Story page 3
Ann-Marie Hermans MP Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region Shadow Assistant Minister for Education
1/31 Princes Hwy, Dandenong VIC 3175 ann-marie.hermans@parliament.vic.gov.au
Ann-MarieHermans.com.au AnnMarieHermansMP
03 9794 7667 12742323-JV02-25