Tuesday, 6 May, 2025
Phone: (03) 5945 0666 Trades & Classifieds: 1300 666 808
starcommunity.com.au FREE
Shops affray charges
Casey Citizen of Year
Olympian’s RSL tribute
Thunder, City on a roll
PAGE 2
PAGE 13
PAGE 15
PAGES 18, 19
Jobs galore Students are getting a foot-up into aged care work, thanks to a redesigned program at Keysborough Learning Centre. Skills and TAFE Minister Gayle Tierney and Clarinda MP Meng Heang Tak, pictured with staff and students, visited KLC to unveil the revamped program on Wednesday 30 April. Since 2023, more than 90 students have completed or are nearing completion of the course. Almost 80 per cent have already secured jobs in aged care as a result. KLC, in partnership with industry, revamped its course to deliver work-like experience for students from diverse cultures who largely speak languages other than English. This included a simulated workplace with equipment and devices loaded with the tools and software used in the sector. The Supported Pathway to Employment begins with State Government-funded training in core foundation skills such as Occupational English for Aged Care Workers as well as Digital Essentials. The second step is to finish a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing or Disability). The third stage, funded by Greater Dandenong Council, provides support to get a job. This includes mentoring and advocacy, work-ready training or volunteering and connections with local employers. KLC is one of 200-plus Learn Locals across the state, supporting nearly 30,000 Victorians to overcome barriers to training and to access essential skills.
(Gary Sissons: 475043)
Positive plans Victorious Labor MPs say voters rejected “fear, hatred and division” in the Federal Government’s landslide election win in the South East and across the nation. Incumbent MPs in Bruce, Holt, Hotham and Isaacs gained huge swings, especially Bruce’s Julian Hill whose marginal seat gained an extraordinary 10 per cent. The rejection of “American-style negative, divisive politics matters enormously for our com-
munity”, Hill said. “There was not a single coherent, costed policy (from the Coalition) or idea to make the country or community better.” Voters backed a Government “focused on cost of living, on the health system and the issues that matter most”. “And whilst not perfect of course, was having a real crack at making life better with positive plans for the next term.”
As of election night, La Trobe MP Jason Wood appeared to be the only federal Liberal left in Melbourne. Postal votes are however boosting prospects for several inner-city Liberal colleagues. Amid the carnage, Wood was only holding onto his seat by a bare 2.6 per cent margin and lamented the Trump presidency being a “wrecking ball” for the Coalition. “I’m not saying we ran a great campaign, we
didn’t, but that really hurt. “Our policy on working from home was one of the dumbest policies ever and that really hurt.” When asked about Bruce candidate Zahid Safi’s heavy defeat, he said: “I never kick a person when they are down, that is my view, and he has given it the best he could.” More on the Federal Election, turn to pages 3-5
12743930-FR03-25