Tuesday, 7 October, 2025
Truckie regretful after tragic bus crash
Bushfire survivor’s plea to ‘get ready’
Perfect seasons and cricket return
See Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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Toasting to 99 active years A life-long adventurer, from travelling the world at sea as a newlywed, to keeping her independence, 99-year-old Dawn Rooke shows no signs of slowing down. Celebrating her 99th birthday surrounded by friends, companions and fellow croquet players on Tuesday 30 September, Ms Rooke has many a tale to tell. Having played croquet in Lilydale for 20 years, she’s an integral part of the club, which was showcased in the spread and showering of attention she received on her birthday. Read Ms Rooke’s story on page 12
The celebration called for a birthday champagne, with Craig McCracken offering a toast to the birthday girl. (Mikayla van Loon: 508165)
Crucial funds lost By Callum Ludwig Uniting Vic.Tas has been forced to close its emergency relief services in Melbourne’s outer east after missing out on crucial Australian Government funding. The organisation did not secure a grant in the latest round of the Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity (FWC) program, the results of which were distributed on 1 October. Since the program is a five-year contract, Uniting cannot
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reapply until 2030. Senior Manager for Homelessness in East Victoria Maidie Graham expressed disappointment over the “significant reduction” in Federal Government funding, including the complete loss of all funding for their eastern Melbourne services. The Ringwood office alone had assisted nearly 1300 people last financial year with the now-lost government funding. As a direct result of the cut, Uniting has had to close the public emergency relief program at its Ringwood office and has
stopped offering food vouchers from its Blackburn office. While they acknowledge that other not-forprofit organisations in the region did receive grants, Uniting is disappointed to have missed out. The funding cut comes despite the government awarding over 300 grants nationally and increasing the total FWC budget from $120 million to $150 million a year. Social Services minister Tanya Plibersek stated in July that the government was “increasing
funding for these vital services by 25 per cent, to ensure all Australians can find a helping hand.” Despite the setback, Ms Graham confirmed Uniting will attempt to continue offering food relief to people already engaged with their homelessness and family violence support services in Ringwood. They are urgently appealing for community support and donations through their Food For Families campaign to deliver this vital aid. Turn to page 5 for the story
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