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Cultures on show Clyde Grammar burst into a sea of colour, music, and cultural pride for Harmony Day on 21 March. Students and staff dazzled in traditional attire, sharing stories, dancing, and celebrating their diverse heritage. Principal Leanne Evans highlighted the school’s commitment to inclusivity, wrapping up the day with an inspiring assembly where Year 5 students shared cultural facts and heartfelt poems. Story pages 12-13
Ishkirat, Rubani, Lincoln, and Sehaj were celebrating Harmony Day. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 465971)
Housing help 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
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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 In-
formation & Support Cranbourne (CISC), pointed 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 4
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