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Lifting more than weights
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Lions on the charge
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SPORT
Grinding victory Pakenham showed admirable grit in grinding out a 51-44 triumph over Yarra Glen at Toomuc Reserve on Saturday August 2. After the Lions held a 14-8 advantage at the first break, a stifling defensive quarter from the River Pigs saw them hit the front in the second for a short period
but ultimately fall behind by one at the main break. Pakenham regrouped to push the difference back out to six goals at the last change, before getting on top in an arm-wrestle fourth to claim the four premiership points. READ MORE IN SPORT
Pakenham’s Emma Jones makes a pass as Yarra Glen closes in. (Rob Carew)
Time to level up reneeheathmp Renee’s message to Pakenham residents
ficer followed with 1,169 incidents, a significant rise from 783. While Beaconsfield saw a decline, dropping to 422 from 783, other areas experienced increases. Emerald recorded 185 incidents, up from 125, and Kooweerup rose slightly to 216, up from 182. Offenders are increasingly targeting vehicles with keyless entry and push-start systems, using devices that mimic or override factory settings. Makes such as Holdens, Toyotas and Subarus are being stolen at three to four times the rate recorded five years ago.
Your happiness. Your smile.
Renee HEATH MP
MEMBER FOR EASTERN VICTORIA
12784747-JO29-25
It makes sense to feel frustrated Suite 5, Level 1/18-24 Clyde Rd, Berwick Phone: (03) 9330 0702 info@seortho.com.au | www.seortho.com.au
While police are actively pursuing offenders, vehicle owners have an important role to play in prevention. The campaign encourages the use of straightforward anti-theft items such as OBD port locks, steering wheel locks, Faraday pouches, and antitheft number plate screws, which are small investments that can make a big difference. Stella Smith, Chief Executive of Crime Stoppers Victoria, said vehicle crime is no longer just random or opportunistic. FULL STORY PAGE 2
Low Dose CT, Digital X-ray, Comprehensive Ultrasound Dental X-ray, Dexa or Bone Densitometry, Echocardiogram
LOCATIONS PAKENHAM, WARRAGUL, LEONGATHA, MOE
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51 James Street Pakenham VIC 3810 renee.heath@ parliament.vic.gov.au
year to March 2025, 31,551 vehicles were stolen in Victoria, a 47.1 per cent increase year on year. Thefts from vehicles also rose sharply, reaching 82,414 offences, a 39.3 per cent jump from the previous year. Cardinia Shire has not been spared. The latest crime data shows that stealing from motor vehicles was the most common offence, nearly doubling from 589 to 1,149 incidents in just one year. Pakenham recorded the highest number of criminal incidents, with 3,782 offences in the year to March 2025 up from 2,999 the year before. Of-
12658988-AV32-24
Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police are urging Cardinia residents and all Victorians to take an active role in protecting their vehicles, as part of a new statewide campaign targeting a sharp rise in car thefts driven by thieves using new sophisticated technologies The “Level Up Against Car Theft” campaign empowers the community with practical steps to reduce their risk of car theft and to report suspicious activity to Crime Stoppers. The campaign responds to dramatic increases in motor vehicle crime across the state. In the