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SPORT
Milestone in students’ journey Casey Grammar School’s Foundation students marked their 100th day of school with a nostalgic celebration filled with creativity, connection and old-fashioned fun. Dressed as 100-year-olds, the school’s youngest students took part in a variety of activities themed around the number 100. From making crowns and badges to playing classic games like hopscotch, quoits, hula hoops and skittles, the day provided a memorable way to reflect on all they have learned and achieved so far. Head of Early Years Vanessa Hodgkiss said the milestone was a testament to the personal and educational growth students had experienced since their very first day of school. “The most rewarding part of watching this year’s Foundation students grow over the past 100 days has been seeing their self-confidence blossom,” she said. Full story page 13
100 days of Foundation for Kaihan, who was happy to rest on his watching stick. (Stewart Chambers: 493412)
Temple rejection The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has rejected a $4.5 million proposal for a Hindu Temple in Pearcedale’s green wedge, marking a milestone in a three-and-a-half-year community campaign. The tribunal upheld Mornington Peninsula Shire’s opposition, finding the project did not meet the zone’s purpose of supporting agricul-
ture, protecting biodiversity, and conserving the landscape. First lodged in 2021 by non-profit multilingual Hindu organisation Melbourne Ayyappa Seva Sangam (MASS), the plan for the DandenongHastings Road site included a main temple complex, dining hall, lake, and parking for 150 daily visitors, plus two annual 24-hour events. It drew
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over 300 objections and was referred to VCAT after the council failed to decide within 60 days. The hearing, spread over 14 days, examined impacts on biodiversity, vegetation, built form, amenity, wastewater, and traffic. VCAT found moderate to high Strategic Biodiversity Value vegetation would be lost, including all on-site Swamp Scrub patches, and warned of
unassessed hydrology impacts. While satisfied with traffic, dust, light, and noise controls, the tribunal said the temple’s design would appear incongruent in the rural setting. Locals welcomed the tribunal’s decision, citing thousands of volunteer hours and funds raised for legal costs. Full story page 4
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