Thursday, 27 March, 2025
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In harmony Foods, costumes and music drummed in Harmony Day across the South East on Friday 21 March. Seniors clubs at John Pandazopoulos Hall in Doveton, as well as students, parents and staff at schools across the region proudly paraded in national garments. Among the dance acts at Doveton were Xin Jiang Chinese Group, Filipino Younger Generation Group, Sri Lankan Welfare Association, Mauritian Silver Edge and South Eastern Chinese Association. Meanwhile, St Anthonys Primary School in Noble Park thundered with Taiko drumming. A feast of delicious world cuisines was served in the Southern Cross Primary School quadrangle at Endeavour Hills. “Students, teachers, and the parent community admire the beauty of traditional and special cultural outfits that reflect our rich heritage,” a school spokesperson said. “The uplifting voices of our school choir amaze us as they sing songs of harmony and togetherness. “We celebrate the strength of our diverse community because we all belong.”
Students from Endeabour Hills Southern Cross Primary School showed out in their best garments for Harmony Day. From left to right: Tawba, 7 years old; Maksym, 10 years old; Ananda, 11 years old; Ella, 9 years old; Mary Jean, 9 years old; Connor, 8 years old; Carlen, 9 years old. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 461396)
Housing relief call While the 2025 pre-election federal budget introduces a package of cost-of-living measures, including tax cuts, energy bill relief, medicine cost reductions, and an expansion of bulk billing, the Casey South community highlighted the need for more housing-focused relief. From 2026, tax rates for incomes between $18,201 and $45,000 will drop from 16 per cent to
15 per cent with further reductions planned for 2027. An average earner of $79,000 will save $268 in 2026-27 and $536 from 2027-28. The government will also extend the $150 energy rebate to all households and small businesses, starting in July 2025, helping to ease rising electricity costs. Medicine costs for non-concession Medicare cardholders will drop from $31.60 to $25 per
prescription in 2026, the lowest in 20 years, with pensioners continuing to pay $7.70. Additionally, the government aims to expand bulk billing, saving patients an estimated $860 million annually. While welcoming these measures, Leanne Petrides, Executive Director of Community Information & Support Cranbourne (CISC), point-
ed out the increasing number of people facing homelessness and rising rent costs in the community. She called for higher rent allowances and an increase in the Jobseeker Payment to address these growing challenges and support those struggling with housing insecurity. Story page 3
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