News - Berwick Star News - 13th November 2025

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Casey mayor Stefan Koomen, pictured right with Labor MPs Belinda Wilson and Lee Tarlamis at Arifest in Berwick on Sunday, could be potentially elected as mayor for a second successive term next week. So far, Cr Koomen has been the only councillor to confirm they may run for the 18 November mayoral election. More on the story, turn to page 3

(Gary Sissons: 515404)

of the landfill.

The court judgment delivered on 11 November by Justice Michelle Quigley has revealed additional breaches beyond those previously reported in the Anderson case.

tice, complete landfill works to address gas and leachate issues and pay $75,000 in EPA legal costs.

The $1 million fine will be paid into the EPA’s Restorative Project Account to fund community environmental projects near the landfill site. Veolia must also publish a 120-day public no-

The court noted that Veolia’s early admissions to the breaches and the action it had taken to remedy the breaches demonstrated “contrition, insight, and remorse”.

Full story page 3

Monitors out of Casey

By Jensy Callimootoo

The 12-month term of Casey Council’s State appointed municipal monitors, Peter Stephenson and Cameron Boardman came to an end on November 6.

The monitors were appointed by the State government to oversee the council in ensuring good governance under the Local Government Act 2020.

According to the Act, the monitors observe governance processes and report back on issues, provide advice to councils that are experiencing governance issues and make recommendations to the Minister for further action.

The role also includes observing and overseeing the functions of a council as well as the mechanisms of its operation and aiding them in getting back on track.

The monitors will now provide a report to the local government minister, MP Nick Staikos who will decide what happens next.

It is unclear when this report will be made public.

When State Monitors are assigned to a council, local levels in governance are expected to pay for the cost, meaning the salary and associated costs are covered by ratepayers.

At the beginning of the monitor’s term, Star News reported that ratepayers would be charged $1335 a day plus expenses for the monitors.

In a statement released by the council, Mayor Stefan Koomen said that over the last 12 months, the twelve councillors have “worked hard to rebuild trust, strengthen governance, and reconnect with our community”.

“From day one, we’ve been committed to im-

proving transparency in our decision-making,” said Koomen.

“We have made it a priority to listen and respond to the needs of our residents.

“This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Casey. We are proud to serve our community. With the support of our residents, we are excited about the many great things we can achieve for the Casey community.”

Anthony Tassone, Vice-president of Casey Ratepayers and Residents Association (CRRA) also says that the end of term of municipal monitors marks a “new chapter for the City of Casey”.

“[A new chapter] where our elected councillors can now get on with representing the community without state-appointed supervision, and where ratepayers no longer have to foot the bill for daily oversight,”

For context, back in 2020, the previous council including former Mayor Sameh Aziz and fellow elected councillors were dismissed by the State Government after allegations of corruption and poor governance.

An investigation began by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and was prompted by allegations of “serious corrupt conduct in relation to planning and property development decisions at the City of Casey council.”

The watchdog investigation, termed Operation Sandon, began in 2017 and allegedly found that there had been over $1 million in political donations from developer, John Woodman, which influenced the decisions of planning and development.

The investigation and revelations prompted the Victorian government to implement reforms

to the planning system to increase transparency and accountability.

Back in September, Aziz faced charges for five offences, including receiving secret commissions, misuse of position and misconduct in public office.

Woodman was also charged with giving secret commissions to Aziz between 2017 and 2019.

Until 2024, the council was run by an interim State instituted panel, made up of chairperson Noelene Duff PSM, and administrators Miguel Belmar and Cameron Boardman, who became one of the two monitors.

The three administrators were in place up to the Council elections in October 2024, wherein12 new council members were elected.

One year on, Tassone says that it’s up to the monitors and assessments to decide the “real outcomes” of the current council, but that ultimately, ratepayers are tired of copping the charge.

“Monitors were brought in because of governance failures from a previous council that was dismissed following Operation Sandon – not because of the current group of councillors,” said

Tassone.

“They inherited a situation not of their making, and the monitors’ appointment was intended to help ensure good governance and stability during their first year back.

“Whether that intention translated into real outcomes is for others to judge, but what residents do know is that they’ve paid enough already.

“Ratepayers shouldn’t have to fund another layer of bureaucracy to keep watch over elected representatives – that’s what democracy and community scrutiny are for.”

But Tassone also says it’s now up to the new councillors to shape the reinstated local governance.

“As for whether this truly is a ‘new chapter’ – that’s up to the councillors themselves,” says CRRA’s vice-president.

“They are the ones holding the pen now, and it’s their responsibility to properly represent the interests of residents, to lead the organisation, and not the other way around.

“The community expects the council to lead , not to be led by its administration.

“The tail can’t wag the dog.

“The community doesn’t need reassurance from state government spies that councillors are doing the right thing, they expect it.

With the removal of State oversight, he now calls for “ transparency, accountability and sound decision-making, not supervision”.

“The CRRA looks forward to working with and seeing our councillors demonstrate renewed confidence, transparency and independence in every decision they make to best represent our residents.”

Council to have another go at bringing back PRIME

By Sahar Foladi

City of Greater Dandenong Council has committed to advocate for the reinstatement of the Program for Refugees Immunisation Monitoring and Education.

The notice of motion tabled by councillor Lana Formoso was passed unanimously at the council meeting on Monday 10 November, which also requested a meeting with the Minister for Health.

“This one we’ve really stood together to stand for a stronger immunisation access public health equity and the wellbeing of every family in Greater Dandenong and beyond,” she said after the motion was passed.

The PRIME program was a Government-funded initiative to support catch-up immunisations in the refugee and asylum seeker communities which first began in 2016.

The award-winning program’s cessation was announced in 2023 and transitioned to the primary care system despite organisation services like, Southern Migrant Refugee Centre (SMRC), Greater Dandenong Council and councillors urged against it.

They cited limited appointment availability, lack of GP expertise, cultural and language barriers, and high rates of vaccine administration

and data errors.

The motion also expressed council’s deep concerns with the exclusion of Meningococcal B strain from the Victoria’s immunisation schedule, referencing 16-year-old Levi Syer’s tragic passing within a day due to sepsis, which could’ve been easily preventable with the vaccination.

Distraught mother, Norliah Syer is supported by a large number of advocates, including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) to include the crucial B strain under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

“Despite her unimaginable grief, Norliah has channelled her pain into purpose advocating tirelessly so no other family has to endure what they have gone through and the heartbreak.

“This motion is a testament to her advocacy and Levi’s legacy,” Cr Formoso said.

Prior to Monday’s meeting, Cr Formoso urged neighbouring councils, City of Casey and Kingston Council to take action and potentially “collaborate on a united local government response.”

City of Casey mayor, Stefan Koomen said council is considering Cr Formoso’s request.

“Adding Meningococcal B to Victoria’s vaccine schedule is important, along with ensuring fair and reliable funding for immunisation across all councils from both State and Federal Govern-

ments.

“City of Casey Councillors are considering Cr Lana Formoso’s request and working to shape Casey’s advocacy approach on this issue ahead of the next Council meeting.”

Meningococcal B protects against meningococcal disease which can lead to severe illnesses lie meningitis and septicaemia and most commonly affects infants, children, adolescents and young adults.

It can cause brain damage, limb loss, hearing loss or death.

Private prescription of Meningococcal B vaccine is anywhere between $110-165 per dose, with infants required three doses, two primary doses and a booster dose.

RACGP Victoria Chair, Dr Anita Muñoz, has long urged the Victorian Government to act, citing costs as the reason the B strain is excluded from the schedule.

“If we don’t boost vaccination rates, more lives will be at risk, including young people like Levi with their whole life ahead of them.

“By providing the Meningococcal B vaccine free of charge for at-risk groups we can save lives across Victoria.”

Dr Muñoz said it was time to offer Victorians the same protection already being offered in other states and territories.

Two extra points were also added by Cr Formoso which requests the state government’s health department to release any internal review of the PRIME program before it was ceased, provide the uptake of immunisation for 2023-2025 for refugees and asylum seeker population within Greater Dandenong and surrounding municipalities.

The motion also notes the reduction in immunisation coverage and increased risks of preventable disease outbreaks post cessation of PRIME by service providers like Royal Children’s Hospital Immigrant Health Service. Since it began, vaccination coverage for refugee and asylum seekers rose from 24 per cent to 84 per cent.

Just two weeks before the program was ceased in December, PRIME won its second award, Multicultural Excellence Award for Health from the Multicultural Commission of Victoria in December 2023.

Previously, it won the GSK Immunisation Award at the 2023 Public Health Association of Australia conference.

Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams provided Star News with a statement on the cessation of the PRIME program in 2023. The Minister for Health was contacted for comment.

Breach sees Veolia fined $1m

By Violet Li

The Supreme Court of Victoria has fined Hallam Road landfill operator Veolia $1 million for various breaches of its operating licence and failure to comply with the general environmental duty.

In late August 2024, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria commenced the civil proceeding against Veolia, shortly after the Supreme Court found Veolia breached its licence and the general environmental duty at the Hallam Road landfill in the case against its neighbour Winsome Anderson, who owned a 38-hectare property east of the landfill.

The court judgment delivered on 11 November by Justice Michelle Quigley has revealed additional breaches beyond those previously reported in the Anderson case.

Between July 2022 and September 2023, Veolia breached its operating licence by failing to take all practicable measures to prevent emissions of landfill gas from exceeding the action levels prescribed.

Although Veolia did implement several practical measures to prevent landfill gas emissions, there were five practical measures that Veolia failed to implement, including a consolidated Risk Management and Monitoring Program, adequate daily cover of waste in the active cell on 28 August 2023, regular inspection and maintenance of gas wells, a Landfill Gas Remediation Action Plan, and two response measures when the landfill gas levels exceeded limits at the landfill’s perimeter bores.

In the same period, Veolia was also found to have failed to implement odour source controls required under its licence and best-practice landfill guidelines, resulting in odours escaping offsite and impacting neighbouring land.

The EPA received more than 1,300 community

complaints between January 2022 and December 2023, with officers detecting offensive odours during multiple inspections.

The company also breached two licence conditions related to leachate management, the contaminated liquid generated from decomposing waste.

Between July 2022 and June 2024, Veolia contravened a condition of its operating licence by failing to extract leachate on occasion from a number of the high cells such that the depth of

leachate above the lowest point of the drainage layer does not exceed 300mm.

Between January and June 2024, Veolia contravened a condition of its operating licence by failing to ensure on occasion that leachate levels in the low cells were maintained at least one and a half metres lower than the groundwater as measured at the nearest downgradient bore.

The court revealed that Veolia struggled to maintain compliance with the two leachate level conditions due to the capacity constraints of its

leachate management and treatment system, and the lack of an available market to accept leachate of the type generated by the Hallam Road landfill for disposal.

Veolia has sought and obtained expert evidence in relation to managing this leachate compliance issue. It has been working towards minimising any risk of harm to human health and the environment as reasonably practicable through a range of measures, including updating its leachate management infrastructure and developing and implementing its Leachate Management Plan.

According to the judgment, the $1 million fines will be paid into the EPA’s Restorative Project Account for the purposes of funding one or several restorative projects that benefit the community in the vicinity of the Hallam Road landfill.

In addition to the fines, Veolia has been ordered to publish a written adverse publicity notice on its website for a period of no less than 120 days, and on a newsletter of the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association Australia.

It has been ordered to undertake certain works at the landfill and to provide reports to the EPA to address matters concerning the management of landfill gas and leachate generated at the Hallam Road landfill.

Veolia has also been ordered to pay EPA the proceeding costs of $75,000.

The court noted that Veolia’s early admissions to the breaches and the action it had taken to remedy the breaches demonstrated “contrition, insight, and remorse”.

It also noted that the company self-reported the breaches at “the earliest opportunity”, which was required to do by its operating licence, and co-operated with the EPA in its investigation and throughout the proceeding.

Youth leader Kuol is Young Australian of the Year

By Sahar Foladi

The Victorian Young Australian of the Year 2026 is based right in City of Casey, recognised for his impactful positive changes in the South East communities.

Abraham Kuol, a respected South Sudanese youth leader who co-founded the popular Black Rhinos and volunteers at Sandown Lions Club leads young people through sports pathways.

He was announced as the state winner at the evening of Thursday 6 November in a grand ceremony also attended by his family and partner.

“I didn’t even sleep that much, I feel very good,” he says.

“You never know what to expect, you just go into these moments. I was honoured to be there and nominated.

“I made amends with all possible outcomes, but it was incredible to experience that with my family and partner.

“My mum was tearing the whole time, it’s a testament to their resilience.

“With most migrant children in Australia, that’s the greatest thing you can do, showing their sacrifice and hard work was something.”

Born in a Kenyan refugee camp, his family fled the civil war in South Sudan to Australia for safety, where Kuol struggled with his identity and belonging.

Gradually, being part of the sports community he saw and heard a lot from people from all walks of lives who also mentored him.

Following the same pattern, that teenager has now won for his immense contributions amongst a competitive pool who were also nominated under the same category.

resident, PhD student and youth leader Abraham Kuol won the Young Victorian Australian of the Year award for 2026. (Supplied)

Other finalists were a scientist and disability advocate from Gnarwarre, a doctor and innovative scientific researcher from Craigiburn and a public policy advocate from Kew.

Kuol wants to be the one to lead by example and calls onto others in the community to do the same and “lookout for each other.”

“I’m passionate about my work because I

want to see the South Sudanese community to do well, to feel there isn’t a goal or dream, too big for them.”

He is in the last stages to complete his PhD in Criminology at Deakin University.

His interests include youth violence, risk, and protective factors for offending, and culturally and linguistically diverse young people.

Kuol has helped raise over $3.5 million for programs to support African-Australian families and justice-involved youth. He is one of the 10 recipients of a Westpac Social Change Fellowship scholarship 2025. The fellowship provides up to $50,000 funding towards personal development for conferences, coaching, as well as overseas learning trips for professional development.

Out of all the 16 nominees across four categories, Mr Kuol was one of two South East finalists. The other was Springvale-based refugee support advocate Be Ha in the Victorian Senior Australian of the Year category.

Mayoral position up but tight lipped on candidates

By Jensy Callimootoo

Casey Mayor Stefan Koomen appears to be the only councillor publicly putting up their hand for next week’s mayoral election.

The City of Casey will elect a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor to lead the municipality at its next council meeting on 18 November.

The meeting will be held at Bunjil Place and will begin at 6pm.

Last year, Cr Koomen, a Labor member, was unanimously voted in by his fellow councillors to be mayor and Cr Melinda Ambros of the Kalora Ward was elected to be deputy mayor for a 12-month term.

Star News attempted to contact Cr Koomen this week, but received no response.

Up to that point, it had been years since Casey had a mayor, after the previous council was dismissed by the State Government due to allegations of corruption and poor governance. In September he told Star News that it was certainly something he would consider.

Other councillors, when asked by Star News, were also tight-lipped about next week’s election and their potential candidacy. Cr Lynette Pereira and Cr Carolyn Eaves however have said that Cr Koomen had done a good job as mayor.

For Cr Koomen, good governance and building a culture of trust within the community was his priority over the last term.

In addressing the meeting in which he was voted in as mayor, Koomen touched on the previous dismissed council.

“Wewereshockedaboutwhathappenedand we have to be upfront about that, and I think our job is to bring back that trust and we’re ready to do that,” he said at the time.

While the meeting is opened to the public and also livestreamed, those who would like to attend in person must register.

In-depth $13.5b tunnel tour

By Violet Li

The city’s mega-project, the $13.5 billion Metro Tunnel, will fully launch on 1 February 2026.

A partial opening will begin in early December.

Hailed as the biggest network change since the City Loop 40 years ago, the Metro Tunnel links the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines in the south east with the Sunbury line in the north west.

Trains on these lines will no longer travel through the City Loop, instead running through a brand-new underground corridor with five new stations: Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac.

Why is the Metro Tunnel being built?

Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams said the City Loop is at capacity.

“What that means is that it’s effectively a significant barrier to us being able to add services around the network for generations to come, which is where the Metro Tunnel comes in,” she

said.

“At any given point in time, there is a range of different infrastructure projects that we could do, just about every train line in the network. We’re always looking at what the next wave of projects is.

“But until you address the problem of the City Loop, the fact that that was at capacity, none of those other projects would really deliver the value that you’d want to see from them because they’re always going to hit that choke point at the City Loop.

“Now that we’ve done this and freed up that choke point, it then makes possible a lot of other things.”

When the tunnel opens to passengers on 1 February 2026, it will offer more frequent services on those lines: over 1000 new weekly services for the Sunbury line, and over 100 new weekly services for the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines. A “turn-up-and-go” service.

By then, as the City Loop has been freed up a bit, the Frankston line will return to the City Loop, running via the loop stations such as Parliament Station, Melbourne Central Station, and Flagstaff Station.

According to Victoria’s Big Build, this increase in services means passengers from West Footscray to Dandenong will have a train at least every 10 minutes all day, every day of the week. Peak services will be on average every 3 to 4 minutes for passengers between Watergardens and Dandenong.

Full timetables will be available ahead of February 2026, so commuters can plan their journey.

Ms Williams said the Metro Tunnel stands apart from other major rail projects around the world, even from Sydney Metro or London’s Crossrail, because of how deeply it is woven into Melbourne’s existing network.

Unlike those standalone systems, the Metro Tunnel is a fully “integrated network”, sharing

tracks with suburban, regional, and even freight services.

“You can’t timetable it on its own,” the Minister said, noting that key interchange stations like Footscray and Caulfield link multiple corridors. This means that when the State flips the switch on 1 February 2026, it won’t just be introducing a new timetable for one line. Instead, it will be retimetabling almost the entire metropolitan network, including buses, to align with the new rhythm of train services.

The project’s cost is $13.48 billion, excluding extra funding from the project’s major contractor. The cost has increased by around 23 per cent from its original budget ($11 billion) in 2016. The planning work first started in April 2015, and the major construction began in August 2019.

Ins and outs for navigating new metro line

By Violet Li

The Metro Tunnel, the city’s $13.5 billion mega-project, will open to the public in two phases: a partial opening in early December, and a full-service launch (called The Big Switch) on 1 February 2026.

It links the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines in the south east with the Sunbury line in the north west.

Trains on these lines will no longer travel through the City Loop, instead running through a brand-new underground corridor with five new stations: Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac.

Star News is aware that a new network could be confusing at the beginning, even the Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams admitted that when she conducted a site tour for the media, so for those who use the Cranbourne/ Pakenham line, this is the ultimate guide for you to navigate it.

Suppose you are a commuter who works within the City Loop:

Your Cranbourne or Pakenham train will no longer pass through the City Loop. Instead, it will enter the Metro Tunnel before South Yarra Station (bypassing South Yarra), stopping at the new stations: Town Hall and State Library.

If you usually get off at Flinders Street Station, you’ll now need to change at Town Hall Station using the Degraves Street Subway to Flinders Street Station.

If you usually get off at Melbourne Central Station, you’ll now need to change at State Library Station using the concourse to Melbourne Central Station.

If you usually get off at Parliament, Southern Cross, or Flagstaff, you’ll now need to change at Caulfield or Malvern Station for a Frankston line service that still runs through the City Loop.

Alternatively, you can get off at Town Hall or State Library Station and walk through the underground pedestrian connections to Flinders Street or Melbourne Central, where you can easily transfer to Loop services on other lines.

Suppose you are a Melbourne University student: Congratulations, the time of getting off at Melbourne Central Station and tapping on trams will be gone. The last mile problem is effectively solved. Now, you can hop off at the new Parkville Station, right under the university precinct. Suppose you want to visit your relative in the West, let’s say Sunbury:

Before, you’d have to switch at Flinders Street or Southern Cross. Now, your Cranbourne or Pakenham train will continue straight through the tunnel and on to the Sunbury line — making it the first time the south east and north west are directly linked by train without a transfer through the City Loop.

Suppose you have a game to watch at

The tunnel alignment and the new five stations.

(Victoria’s Big Build)

MCG:

You’ll need to change at Caulfield or Malvern Station for a Frankston line train to Richmond Station, since Cranbourne and Pakenham trains will bypass Richmond once they run through the Metro Tunnel. According to the Transport Minister, the transit will only take “a few extra minutes” with the upcoming “turn-up-and-go” services.

Suppose you are going to the south side of the Yarra River:

Anzac Station puts you within walking distance of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Shrine of Remembrance, and Royal Botanic Gardens. It also connects to trams for St Kilda, Albert Park, or South Melbourne Market for pre-show dining.

Suppose you have a hospital appointment

You can now use Parkville Station, which connects directly to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital, and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

This is a huge change for medical staff and patients who previously had to catch trams from Melbourne Central or Flinders Street. For the partial opening from early December to 1 February, here’s the schedule.

Monday - Friday Services through the Metro Tunnel will run between Westall and West Footscray every 20 minutes from 10am to 3pm Weekends Services through the Metro Tunnel will run about every 20 minutes between Westall and West Footscray from around 10am to 7pm. Services through the Metro Tunnel will run about every 40 minutes from East Pakenham and about every 60 minutes from Sunbury. All public transport will be free on weekends until 1 February 2026.

Hussainzada family mourn

By Sahar Foladi

The Hussainzada extended family are grieving for a beloved mother and seven-year-old son who drowned in Dandenong Creek’s stormwaters while visiting a Doveton park.

The pair were found more than a kilometre downstream near Allan Street bridge.

Saleha Hussainzada, cousin of the 33-yearold Fariba Hussainzada, has told Star Journal that Farzad, the eldest of Fariba’s three children, sprinted out the car as his mother opened the door.

“She told her mother to look after her other two children and she will go after Farzad.

“Her four-year-old is asking for her mother, questioning she went to the hospital why isn’t she back yet?”

As Fariba’s mother looked on, she lost sight of the two after the bushes near Dandenong Creek.

She called her other daughters, oblivious to the incident, relaying what had happened.

Ms Saleha says her cousin, an extremely caring and loving mother, sacrificed herself for her son.

They were pulled unconscious from the water at Allan Street.

Police officers performed CPR at the scene, but the pair could not be revived.

Victoria Police believe that the woman had “went to the aid of the child and also got into difficulty”.

Both Fariba’s mother and sister had to be taken to the hospital as they fell unconscious, stricken with unexplainable grief.

Fariba’s sister, in shock and unable to speak, had forgotten what had happened.

Fariba leaves behind her four and oneyear-old kids, husband Hamid Hussainzada, mother, sisters and a large extended family.

“My father (Fariba’s uncle) is very strong.

crying every day,” Ms Saleha says.

“They are like his own daughters, since their father passed away in Afghanistan before they came to Australia.”

Ms Saleha says this tragic incident “shouldn’t have happened.”

“It’s got nothing to do about not knowing how to swim. I know a lot of people in our Af

this is a wider safety issue.”

She says the Doveton park, without any fences to the creek, should be reviewed by City of Casey Council.

“The area (near the creek) is very steep so even without rain, anyone can easily slip and fall.”

A further three people have drowned at

2014 and a 12-year-old boy in 2008.

In 2016, a cyclist on Dandenong Creek Trail near Eastlink crashed and drowned in the waterway.

City of Greater Dandenong Council installed a tall 25-metre fence at the Dandenong Park after the drowning of the three-year-old Ishnael Baqaie, but it was later said to be not long enough by then-councillor Matthew Kirwan, as reported previously.

Other areas surrounding the large Dandenong Park remain without a fence, including a walking trail just above the creek.

Dandenong SES unit controller Daniel Pastean has filmed videos warning people to stay well clear of the waterway, even when it appears to be a benign trickle.

“I filmed those videos when the creek was at high volume. But generally it’s not a safe place to play or be near.

“I urge people not to go near the water’s edge or the levee banks, which have been engineered to keep the water within the banks and not into streets and people’s homes.

“When you go down near the edge, people are putting themselves at risk.

“The banks are mostly grass, sodden with water, with unstable footing – it’s easy to get caught up in and to fall over as well.

“The water is not exactly fresh either.”

Greater Dandenong Council held a minute’s silence at its meeting on 10 November, hours after what mayor Jim Memeti termed a “terrible tragedy”.

The community, Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams and La Trobe federal MP Jason Wood passed their condolences to the Hussainzada family in social media posts.

Police will prepare a report for the State Coroner.

Any information on the incident to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.

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Back-to-back world titles for Jack

By Violet Li

Botanic Ridge’s Jack Maillard has taken home back-to-back world titles in sport aerobics and fitness, a feat that reflects years of dedication, discipline and mental resilience.

The 22-year-old claimed the individual adult male category at the FISAF International Sport Aerobics & Fitness World Championships, first in Belgium in 2023 and again this October in Prague.

Winning the 2023 world title in Belgium was, in Jack’s words, “a complete utter shock.” Coming into 2025, expectations were much higher from himself and from others.

“People were expecting me to win this time, and there was a lot of pressure on me,” Jack said.

“In my semifinal’s routine, I crumbled under the pressure a little bit. And I stumbled, and I was sitting in third after the semifinals, which was quite disappointing as I had all that pressure and so many emotions going into it.”

That disappointment after the semifinals, Jack said, you just can’t think about it.

“You just have to get over it, and you’re like, okay, that wasn’t my best routine, and I just have to do a better one tomorrow. That’s it.

“I did three routines at Worlds. I also had my trio in teams, so I couldn’t really be thinking about my placement for solo and let it affect everything else.

“And then going into day two, it was like, get my shit together and do a better routine, essentially. You have to forget and focus.”

That focus paid off.

He executed a one-minute-45-second routine of 16 international-level moves to a sped-up remix of Spandau Ballet’s Gold, earning him the gold again.

“When I did win, it was almost like a big relief more than anything,” Jack recalled.

“I was over the moon and extremely happy,

but also really relieved that I lived up to what other people expected of me, but also what I expected of myself.”

Jack’s story began with hip-hop at age five before moving into cheerleading and aerobics.

By age 13, he was already competing in his first world championship.

“Looking back, I’ve basically lived in the gym or studio my whole life, always training, always competing, always performing,” Jack said.

While his family wasn’t particularly “sporty”, their support has been unwavering.

“At the start, it was a lot of explaining because it’s such a niche sport. So not many people know what it is or have heard of it before, unless they did it at primary school,” Jack said.

“My mum and dad have always been my number one supporters, taking me to training, helping financially.”

Jack’s daily schedule this year would rival that of a full-time athlete.

Between six nights a week of training, coaching five days a week at schools and clubs, and studying toward a future master’s in osteopathy, his routine leaves little room for rest.

“Some nights I train for two hours, other nights it can be up to seven,” Jack said.

“It’s pretty intense training because I’m at the top level of the sport. It’s a lot of hard work and not much rest.

“Honestly, it was very difficult. I’ve never had this much on my plate before. It was definitely very challenging and mentally taxing at times, but I’m glad I stuck through it and did the whole year.

“It’s really taught me a lot about time management and when to push myself and when to let myself have some slack and have a rest day.”

Despite the relentless pace, Jack spoke with enthusiasm and little exhaustion.

“I feel like my whole life I’ve just had to be a

Kitten gone despite

Benji the kitten, who only one week ago was fighting for his life at an emergency clinic has sadly passed away at his home overnight on Wednesday 5 November.

Jess Mead, Benji’s owner who adopted him on 22 October said that the two month old kitten “lost his fight to stay” despite the impression that he was slowly recovering.

Just the week before, Mead, who’s a single mother and relies on a pension, had made online pleas for donations to help with Benji’s $5000 vet bill after he presented at an emergency clinic in a ‘collapsed and comatose state’ with ‘respiratory distress and hypothermia’.

very resilient person,” he said.

“I’ve always been very outgoing. I’ve always been happy to say yes, and with the mental side of everything, like I definitely have my days where I feel like I don’t want to do anything, and I just want to stay in bed all day because I need to rest.

“But at the end of the day, I always look back and think, what would little Jack think of me?

“I just want to make myself proud more than anything else. I know that not getting up and doing things, I won’t reach my end goal that I’m looking for.”

Jack’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks, multiple injuries, including torn hamstrings and a broken knee, yet his drive hasn’t dimmed.

“I’m really bad at keeping myself from injuries,” he said.

“Now I just make sure I warm up properly and try not to do any dumb things.”

Still, what keeps him returning to the stage is pure passion.

“I like the fact that it’s something other people can’t do, which is kind of egotistical. And as an athlete, you always want to be better than other people, I guess,” Jack talked about what he likes most about sport aerobics.

“It’s nice to be able to do things that no one else can do. And also, the fact that going on stage and performing, you kind of turn into a different person.

“You just let everything out and leave your heart on the floor, and you’ll see it in every other form of dance as well.”

*What is sport aerobics?

Think of sport aerobics as a high-energy blend of dance, gymnastics and strength-based movement. Athletes perform explosive pushups, jumps and flexibility skills in choreographed routines that must be both technically precise and entertaining.

Significant measures were taken to save Benji, including a blood transfusion from another cat named Teddy in Sunshine, who travelled to Casey after a social media call out for Benji’s blood type. He also needed an IV, oxygen mask and numerous medications.

Following a “miscommunication” Mead was under the impression her insurance would cover the costs but due to a 30-day waiting period of her pet insurance policy this was not the case.

After numerous exchanges with those involved, a resolution was met with the insurer and vet clinic.

Wherein according to Mead, the insurance covered $800 of the bill out of “good will”.

And just yesterday, with Mead’s efforts of crowdfunding on GoFundMe along with help from the vet staff, they were able to close the balance.

Now, Mead says that a Cheltenham-based pet charity will be covering the over $200 associated costs involved in losing a pet, including collection and cremation.

Despite the account closure at the vets, Mead says she’s hoping extra donations from the GoFundMe will help her with the gap payment she had to fork out through a loan during the original emergency visit.

As well as help her with a memorial piece.

“We are beyond upset and hurt from losing our baby miracle,” said Mead “Hopefully the GoFundMe gets enough to cover a memorial piece for him.”

Think more time for quality time

At Summerset Cranbourne North, our assisted living apartments offer the perfect balance of independence and support – ideal for those who value their autonomy but appreciate a helping hand with daily tasks.

We take care of the everyday essentials, like cleaning, laundry, and nutritious meals, so you can focus on the important stuff, like making lasting memories with family and friends.

With independent living, supported living and residential aged care located within the same village, Summerset’s unique continuum of care offering enables aging in place with care and support that can adjust with the resident’s needs.^

Visit our sales suite

Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm

Summerset Cranbourne North 98 Mannavue Boulevard, Cranbourne North 03 7068 5642 | cranbourne.sales@summerset.com.au

These apartments also come with exclusive access to a private lounge and dining space reserved for assisted living residents, as well as the full range of resort-style communal facilities including a bar, café, swimming pool, recreational bowling green, and more.*

Think this sounds like you or someone you love? We’re here to help, contact us to book an appointment today.

Love the life you choose.

Christmas from the heart

The festive season for us is all about sunshine, family and giving — and you can still create those magical wow moments, whether it’s a thoughtful gift under the tree or a welcoming Christmas wreath at the door.

DECORATIONS

Withabitofcreativenous,almostanythingaround the house can be turned into a decoration.

Used coffee pods, for example, make a creative adornmentforpresentsoreventheChristmastree.

Simply clean them, cut a hole in the top and thread through some ribbon or twine, and you’ve got yourself some crafty little Christmas bells, ready for hanging on a tree or decorating a gift.

Cut-up soft drink bottles can be arranged into a boot shape and covered with Christmas-themed fabric to create stand-up stockings, ready for filling with presents.

Create one-of-a-kind wreaths using the leaves and flowers you pick up at your local park or in the garden.

The kids are sure to love getting involved in putting it together, and the majority of the materials used will breakdown naturally in the garden or compost after the season is over.

WRAPPING

There’s no need to cut corners on your gift wrapping for the sake of the planet, because there are plenty of eco-friendly ways to wrap up a gift in a way that shows your love for both the planet and the recipient.

Thinking about the context of the gift can help.

Gifts for the kitchen can be wrapped in a Christmas-themed tea-towel; the wrapping then becomes part of the present and can be used over and over again, rather than being thrown into landfill on Christmas night.

Otherwise, try wrapping presents in cloths, like scarves or bandannas.

Again, it’s a beautiful way to incorporate the gift into the wrapping.

Add some leaves or flowers from the garden under the ribbon for a simple, cheap decoration.

Old shoe boxes make terrific gift boxes and are a good way to reuse something you would normally just throw out.

Wrap it in newspaper to increase your recycling credentials, or ask the kids to draw their best festive pictures on the box for that personal touch.

If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can pick up fabric scraps or old clothes from the op shop and turn them into Santa sacks, ready to fill with presents to gift to the ones you love.

GIFTS

You could also try your hand at making your own gifts for loved ones.

Everyone loves home-cooked treats like jams, brownies, gingerbread or Christmas-themed slices.

Decorate jars with a scrap of vintage fabric and twine for that old-fashioned feel.

CASH FOR UNWANTED GOLD & JEWELLERY!

Turn your unwanted jewellery and gold and precious items into CASH

Your Questions Answered

HOW DO I DO THIS?

Show your items to our expert buyers. After we have calculated the price based on its resale value, you can then decide to sell them to us or just walk away with a free assessment of your jewellery!

WHY SELL?

Is it worth keeping old jewellery that you will never wear again? The extra cash may help now or in the future rather than unwanted jewellery sitting in your drawer!

We buy all gold Jewellery, Antiques & Contemporary Jewellery Diamonds, Silver Jewellery, Gold Sovereign Coins and other coins, Precious Stones, Including Broken Jewellery and Watches and unusual Items.

“Your Jewellery maybe worth a lot more than what you think!”

‘Nordic Wonders’ voyage

By Lee McCarthy

Discover nature and culture with Viking’s brand new eight day ‘Nordic Wonders’ voyage from Bergen to Oslo or vice versa.

Sail the dramatic Norwegian fjords and explore the serene shores of Denmark to discover a region shaped by the sea.

In Norway, deep inlets and towering cliffs reveal a landscape both powerful and peaceful.

Once guests have arrived in Bergen it’s time to settle into one of the wide varieties of stunning staterooms on offer from Veranda Staterooms to the abundance of extra perks and amenities in the spacious Explorer Suites.

There is no finer way to travel, and whichever stateroom travellers choose, it will be beautifully designed in the understated elegance for which Viking is known.

Bergen is home to the Hanseatic League’s only kontor (trading enclave) still in existence. Bryggen wharf, a row of timbered Hanseatic warehouses along a quaint quay, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Narrow wooden walkways are flanked by parallel rows of small, vibrantly painted buildings overlooking the picturesque Vågen Harbor.

This is perhaps the most charming district of Bergen and a delight to explore, from its tight-knit community of workshops where artisans sell their wares to its cafes where freshly prepared smørbrød, or open-faced sandwiches, are on the menu.

During the cruise guests can enjoy tours including the Secrets of Cider guided tour of the farmlands of Norway and witness magnificent fjord landscapes, fruit orchards, family-owned traditional farms and the famous Hardangerfjord.

The Hardanger Juice and Cider Factory, located on a fruit farm where first-rate juice, cider and apple brandy are made offers a guided tour of the farm to learn about its production methods, with a chance to sample Norway’s freshest nectar with stunning views of the orchard.

For those seeking more activity, perhaps a kayaking adventure through stunning scenery with a chance to get closer to wildlife may appeal.

Take in the scenery from the water, on board a two-person kayak on a tour of the Eidfjord considered one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway.

An experienced guide will run through a full safety briefing, before those keen to participate can climb inside the kayak and paddle through the fjord.

Paddlers will be captivated with the amazing wildlife and striking sights that surround the kayak and take the chance to learn about

the history and nature of the fjord during several stops along the way.

Each activity available for guests, includes information such as the duration of the tour, the fitness level required and guides are on hand to help ensure each sightseeing tour is enjoyed to its fullest and safest.

For those with moderate fitness an excursion to Ravnedalen Park along with a panoramic coast drive to coastal villages and a leisurely stroll through the gardens is recommended. The tour passes through Kristiansand’s old town, Posebyen where guests marvel at its colourful wooden houses.

In Denmark, minimalist design and a strong sense of well-being reflect a culture grounded in simplicity and slow living as embodied in the concept of hygge.

A visit to Clausholm Castle, the well-preserved Baroque-style manor house is one his-

tory buffs will love. The castle is one of the earliest and most complete examples of baroque buildings in Denmark. Surrounded by bucolic park and lush gardens the stately Clausholm embodies the ideals of the baroque movement in its beautiful symmetry.

Passengers can choose to take the included tour of the small, picturesque fishing village of Skagen, Denmark’s northernmost town. Its origins can be traced back to the thirteenth century, and it is a chance to discover its treasures, journeying along the waterfront and past traditional fishing boats as your guide shares stories of Skagen’s maritime heritage. At Kystmuseet, the Museum of Local History, uncover more of the village’s past and explore its exhibits

Together, these Nordic neighbours offer a journey rich in natural beauty and cultural depth.

Viking’s inclusive value includes everything

you need, such as a guided excursion in every port, all onboard meals including alternative dining venues, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, unlimited Wi-Fi, 24-hour specialty tea, coffee, and bottled water, access to the stateof-the-art Nordic spa, self-service laundry, and all tipping.

With no kids, no casinos, fewer than 1,000 guests, and all veranda staterooms, Viking’s award-winning ships take you as close as possible to each destination.

The Nordic Wonders cruise is priced from $8,695 per person in a Veranda Stateroom and for those who book before 1 December 2025, your companion flies free up to the value of AU$2,500 per couple.

Don’t miss the chance to tour the Nordic Wonders is style with Viking. Contact today on 138 747 or find out more at www.viking.com.

WIN AN 8-DAY FRANCE RIVER VOYAGE

plus a Highclere Castle extension

Viking is offering you the chance to win an 8-day Paris & the Heart of Normandy river voyage plus a 3-night pre-cruise extension for two people, departing 2 November 2026, valued at over $20,000.

Begin your journey with three nights in the historic city of Oxford where you will enjoy exclusive access to Highclere Castle, the filming location of Downton Abbey, and a visit Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then board the Eurostar to Paris to embark on your elegant Viking Longship. Enjoy a guided excursion in every port, the Gothic beauty of Rouen, the gardens of Monet’s Giverny, and the poignant history of Normandy Beaches.

Rail Journey

1 night rail journey on board

Spirit of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns in a lie-flat railbed with all meals

In-seat wine and dine service and entertainment

Hotel Stays

1 night four-star hotel stay in Brisbane at The Point Brisbane Hotel

5 night five-star hotel stay in Cairns at the Crystalbrook Bailey

All hotel stays include breakfast

Escorted Tours

Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway tour including^:

Village

Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience

Tropical Fruit Orchard

Dreamtime Walk

Koala and Wildlife Park

Amphibious Army Duck tour of the rainforest

‘Reef Magic’ Great Barrier Reef cruise, including: Air-conditioned catamaran transfers

4

Marine

Underwater observatory

Fish

FOCUS ON … EDUCATION

Smoothing the transition

The move between primary and secondary school happens alongside the transition from childhood to adulthood.

With this comes many changes – changes to bodies, emotions, behaviours and attitudes.

Teachers and staff understand these changes and can provide information and support.

Friendships developed during secondary school can provide peer support and help children develop social skills and self-esteem.

Making new friends and feeling comfortable is especially important when children start secondary school.

It is important to remember, however, that your child’s friendships may change as they develop a sense of themselves and make sense of the world around them.

A child’s relationship with their parents and family may similarly change. Students adapt to transition in different ways.

If you feel that your child is having difficulties, it is important to discuss your concerns and ask for help if needed.

Parents have an important role in supporting their children’s progress at school.

It is also important to know that there are staff with specific roles to support student well-being and student learning available in schools.

Health and fitness are all about making healthy lifestyle choices, such as walking or cycling (instead of using the family car) to help reach the target of at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.

Also, only eating takeaway food occasionally, getting a good night’s sleep (which for teenagers can be up to 10 hours a night), restricting computer, TV, and video games to a maximum of two hours, and encouraging your child not to do these activities in their bedroom, are all good choices.

Diet is also important, and eating a variety of fresh and healthy foods every day, aiming for five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit a day,

can help your child to achieve their best.

Cigarettes, alcohol and drugs must play no role in the life of a 12-year-old.

As parents, we have a responsibility to ensure that our children understand that.

We also need to model responsible behaviours ourselves.

While it is the responsibility of your child’s school to support a healthy lifestyle, at the end of the day it is you as parents who need to take the ultimate responsibility for the behaviour of your child.

Many children start secondary school expecting to make new friends.

We encourage every student to pursue excellence in all endeavours and aim to ensure every student achieves their best potential so they are ready - not just for the completion of their final exams but for life!

To find out more, book a tour and apply please visit our website or use the QR Code.

At the same time, they are concerned that they may lose contact with their current friends, particularly if they’re changing schools.

For some children, the desire to stay with their group of friends influences where they would prefer to go to secondary school – and if they move to a different school they wonder how they will keep in touch and sustain their friendships.

Friends help each other make the transition from primary to secondary school easier.

Friends are people that your child can talk to, share things with, confide in and sometimes argue with. Remember, conflict is a normal part of growing up.

Conflictisnotnecessarilybullying,eventhough

it may be upsetting and need resolution.

Parents and friends play different roles in the lives of children.

You influence your child’s long-term decisions to do with values and morals.

Your child’s friends are more likely to influence short-term choices, such as the way they dress and their interests.

Strong relationships with you and your child’s friends help your child grow into a well-adjusted adult with strong social skills.

Right now, your child’s friendships will tend to be based on sharing similar interests, acceptance and sharing.

FOCUS ON … EDUCATION

Celebrating culture, creativity and community

Kaleidoscope 2025 at Oakgrove Community Centre Celebrating Diversity, Creativity, and Community Spirit.

The Oakgrove Community Centre in Narre Warren South is all set to host its vibrant community event, Kaleidoscope 2025, on Saturday, 22 November, from 12.00 pm to 3.00 pm.

This exciting afternoon promises to be a celebration of colour, culture and creativity, bringing together residents, families, and friends from across the community.

Kaleidoscope will feature a lively mix of performances, cultural showcases, food and interactive activities that reflect the rich diversity and talent within our local area.

Visitors can look forward to:

Live performances – Enjoy music, dance, and cultural presentations by local artists and community groups.

Cultural stalls – Explore stalls featuring traditional crafts, clothing, handmade goods, and cultural displays from around the world.

Food stalls – Taste a variety of delicious cuisines representing different cultures.

Family fun and kids activities – Jumping castle, pony rides, reptiles show, face painting, balloon twisting, engage in games, workshops, and entertainment for all.

Kaleidoscope aims to strengthen community connections, celebrate local talent, and foster a spirit of inclusion and joy.

It’s a perfect opportunity to come together, meet new people, and enjoy a colourful afternoon filled with laughter, creativity, and com-

munity pride.

Join us at Oakgrove Community Centre, Narre Warren South, on Saturday, 22nd November 2025, from 12.00 pm to 3.00 pm — and be part of the Kaleidoscope experience!

Testimonial - ’Celebrating communities’ event 2023 was such an entertaining event bringing different cultures together. As a stall holder myself I got the opportunity to promote my Art and Craft business while enjoying vibrant cultural performances, variety of food such as sausage sizzle, hot food packages, ice cream and coffee. There were also plenty of fun activities for kids to enjoy from pony riding, balloon twisting to jumping castle which made the event so much more fun’ - Manasi Dhamankar

Testimonial - ’Celebrating communities’ event 2023, I had the wonderful opportunity to be part of the BBQ, and it was such a fun and memorable experience! I got to meet so many amazing people from different cultures and backgrounds, which made the day even more special. The centre was so well organised, and it was great to see all the staff and volunteers working together in such a united way. We had plenty of discussions leading up to the event, so everyone knew their roles and everything ran smoothly.

A big thank you to entire team for your hard work and dedication — it truly showed on the day! – Sandra Tomkins

Exceptional Care

Every family deserves a village, a place where they are understood, supported, and surrounded by people who genuinely care.

At Aspire Early Education & Kindergarten, that is what we create every day.

We are not just an early learning provider, we are a community built on connection. From the moment you walk through our doors, you will feel it, the warmth of educators who know every child by name, the joy that fills each classroom, and the calm assurance that your child is safe, supported, and thriving.

A day at Aspire is filled with discovery. Morning play brings giggles in the garden and new friendships forming over sandcastles. Indoors, children paint, build, and explore ideas that spark imagination and confidence. Storytime becomes a moment of calm connection, while cooking, music, and movement turn learning into laughter. Every experience is guided by educators who see the potential in every child and nurture it with care and encouragement.

Our philosophy is simple. Children learn best when they feel loved, valued, and inspired. That

is why everything we do is centred around our four pillars.

Exceptional Care, Every Day – nurturing spaces where every child feels seen and celebrated. Joy in Every Moment – discovering the magic of childhood through play, laughter, and belonging. Learning That Sparks Curiosity – turning everyday moments into meaningful learning experiences.

Together, We Grow – families and educators united to build strong, confident, and capable children.

Because these early years matter most, and at Aspire, we make them extraordinary. We go above and beyond to empower young minds with curiosity, confidence, and compassion that lasts a lifetime.

With 2026 enrolments now open, there has never been a better time to begin your Aspire journey.

Come and see the difference genuine care makes.

Telephone 1800 978 429, Scan the QR code to book a tour or enquire now.

Empowering Young Minds

Everychild’sstorybeginswithcuriosity-thosefirststeps,firstquestions,and firstfriendships.AtAspireEarlyEducation&Kindergarten,webelievethose momentsshapewhotheybecome.

Our centres are places of discovery, joy, and connection, where children feel known, supported, and inspired to explore the world around them. Through play, meaningful learning, and the care of passionate educators, every child grows in confidence, creativity, and capability.

ExceptionalCare,EveryDay

Where safety meets belonging, and every child feels valued.

JoyinEveryMoment

Celebrating childhood through play, discovery, and connection.

LearningThatSparksCuriosity Turning everyday moments into meaningful learning.

Together,WeGrow Families, educators, and communities united for brighter futures.

Culture celebrated

The Sunday rain did not deter the celebrations at Casey’s African Food and Music Festival.

Those who attended were able to revel in the live music with a musical performance utilising traditional Zimbabwean instruments including the Mbira and Hosho.

Tariro Mavondo, a key member of the Zimbabwean community, artist and poet also gave a spoken word highlighting African heritage.

Visitors were also able to enjoy the range of African street food and market stalls.

The festival was designed to honour and enhance cultural heritage and community ties as well as encourage cultural appreciation.

MP Belinda Wilson, MP Lee Tarlamis and City of Casey’s Mayor, Stefan Koomen were also in attendance.

Mayor Koomen said it was great to see the community come together and celebrate the culture.

“It was great to see people from all parts of our community come together at the Casey African Food and Music Festival to celebrate and share culture,” he said.

“Events like this give us the chance to enjoy amazing food, music, and traditions while learning about different parts of our community.

“Even with the tricky weather, the turnout was fantastic. Council is proud to have supported this event because bringing people together through culture is what makes Casey special.”

Time to give

In the spirit of giving, this holiday season, the Giving Machine will be coming back to Fountain Gate Shopping Centre for its second year in providing essential services to those in need.

Last year, across Fountain Gate and Highpoint shopping centre, the Giving Machines accumulated $55,592 in donations for their charity partners and made 2323 donations across Melbourne.

With hundreds of meals being donated by the community and hundreds more amenities like hot showers, hygiene packs, backpacks filled with clean clothes and warm blankets or necessities for refugees.

The Giving Machines involves a vending machine like process, but rather than receiving a sweet treat or can of drink, participants have the opportunity to donate a specific amenity or several services from a range of selections.

Similar to last year, the donation options are extensive, ranging from filling a household’s empty pantry or covering the costs for a certain amount of meals for an elderly person.

Associated costs involved in establishing the machines are funded and organised by The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, which ensures that all donations go directly to the charitable partners.

Shar Balmes, the Church’s communication director says that as well as contributing significantly to those who are struggling to make ends meet, the machine also aims to bring a sense of fulfilment to those who want to do more to help, but ultimately don’t have the time.

“[Donors] get the opportunity to have that feel good moment of ‘I’ve helped someone in a time-poor society,’” said Balmes.

From her time volunteering at the site last year, Balmes reflected on the moments of generosity from children and parents that left a lasting impact on her.

“Parents had these teaching moments to be able to show their children ‘this is something that we can do, what would you like to do for someone today?’”, she explained.

The church has locked in the same six charities and organisations from last year’s Giving Machine such as Foodbank, UNICEF, Blaze AID, Backpacks 4 VIC Kids, One Voice Mobile Showers and West Welcome Wagon.

But this year, they’ve also worked tirelessly during the year to add on two more charities, including Mummy’s wish, who support mums with cancer and Guide Dogs Victoria.

The launch will take place at Bunjil Place on Thursday 13 November at 7pm where charity partners, Casey Councillors and interfaith networks have been invited to celebrate this ongoing initiative.

The Giving Machines will be officially open to the public from 21 November in Fountain Gate Shopping Centre during opening hours and will run until December.

Berwick honours fallen

As rain poured down on the morning of November 11, Berwick residents gathered alongside MP Julian Hill and Cr Scott Dowling to commemorate the fallen soldiers on Remembrance Day.

It marked 107 years since the end of World War I, a battle that took the lives of 60,000 Australians.

Berwick RSL president Pam Phillips delivered a heartfelt address, reciting the poignant Ode of Remembrance, followed by a solemn moment of silence in honour of those who served.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them, nor the years

condemn. We will remember them,” she recited.

Reverend Elwyn Sparks from Berwick RSL also began the short service with a prayer.

“We give thanks for all who gave their lives, and those who were affected by injury and emotional distress,” Reverend Sparks said.

“We remember and honour them all…

“We remember the families, friends and loved ones who were, and are still, affected by their loss.

“We remember those affected in the present day areas where there is fighting and devastation; and we pray for peace and an end to pain and senseless killing.”

Mortgage stress hits hard in Casey suburbs

By Jensy Callimootoo

New data from Digital Finance Analytics (DFA) has revealed that almost 52.4 percent of Victorians are struggling financially as they try to meet their mortgage obligations.

In the Casey region, Berwick and Narre Warren topped the list revealing that thousands of households are facing significant mortgage stress.

The DFA report highlighted that 100 per cent of 18,324 Berwick households are struggling with their mortgages; while, in Narre Warren, 94.4 per cent of 19,385 households are facing mortgage stress.

DFA data analyst Martin North says this is due to a combination of new trends in the housing market.

Including a significant increase in new purchases from first time buyers as well as “high loan to value loans” from home and land packages.

“(Mortgage) stress shows households have cash flow pressure, so they cut back on spending, and hunker down, leading to lower economic ac-

tivity,” North told Real Estate.

“If this continues some people may eventually default on their mortgage, but this process takes a long time, and banks try to ‘extend and pretend’ by extending loan terms or offering interest only,

Vice president of the Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association, Anthony Tassone, has echoed the concerns in light of the DFA report.

“Right now, many families across Casey are doing it tough - really tough - with households cutting back on essentials just to keep up with their mortgage,” said Tassone.

“Mortgage stress isn’t just a statistic; it’s sadly becoming part of everyday life for too many local families.”

The City of Casey Mayor, Stefan Koomen says the council recognises that many in “the community are experiencing housing and mortgage stress” but that the council is “committed to supporting residents through these difficult times”.

“Mortgage stress is complex and is usually underpinned by a multitude of challenging issues,” said the Mayor.

Earlier this year the CRRA called for a rate

freeze in the City of Casey’s 2025/26 Budget.

“[CRRA] noted that 38 per cent of households were already experiencing rent or mortgage stress and that 40 per cent had faced food insecurity,” said Tassone.

“Unfortunately, the Council still chose to lift rates by 3 per cent.

“In times like these, even a small increase hits hard and can push some households closer to the edge.”

Rather, the council has encouraged those struggling with their rate payments to reach out for flexible instalment plans.

“We understand that paying rates can be challenging for some households, and we’re here to help,” said Mayor Koomen.

”Council offers flexible payment options and encourages anyone facing financial hardship to reach out early so we can work together to avoid rate debt and interest charges.”

As people struggle to keep up with growing costs, North warns that this may encourage the rise in crime and family violence.

“More people (are) working more jobs, more

social pressure, and eventually higher crime and family violence,” said North.

Over the last quarter, Casey has already seen a 23.4 per cent rise in crime from last year, according to the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA).

Likewise, the same CSA report revealed that family violence incidents in Casey have increased by 13.6 per cent from the previous year.

The CRRA says they welcome the State Government’s $4 million boost to Mortgage Stress Victoria who provide free legal and financial counselling to Victorians.

But ultimately, “more needs to be done in partnership with local councils, with local outreach, hardship support and early-intervention programs targeted to areas feeling the greatest pain”.

“We can’t just sit back and hope the Reserve Bank will ease the pressure through interest-rate cuts, hope is not a strategy,” said Tassone.

“Families need practical, coordinated action now from all levels of government to help them stay in their homes.”

Insecurity growing

By Jensy Callimootoo

The 2025 Foodbank Hunger Report has revealed that 3.5 million Australians have struggled with food insecurity in the last 12 months.

While 20 per cent have reported being ‘severely food insecure’.

This includes skipping meals or going whole days of not eating.

This marks a one per cent increase from 2024, in which the report states that the “positive momentum from the previous year has not been sustained”.

In Victoria, 31 per cent of metro households have faced food insecurity.

The report also highlighted that certain groups and households continue to face ongoing vulnerability that contributes to an increase in food insecurity.

For example, single-parent households have had a five-percentage point increase in severe food insecurity, with 46 per cent of these households facing severe challenges in comparison to last year’s 41 per cent.

Similarly, 48 per cent of households living in rented accommodation and 48 per cent of those on low incomes faced ongoing pressures to meet food security levels.

While, 67 per cent of those living with disabilities also face extreme challenges in securing pantry necessities.

The cost of living continues to be a major contributing factor as well as changes in the housing market impacting the management of budgets.

As a result many have had to adjust their spending, with those most vulnerable having to reduce the purchasing of fresh produce, protein and dairy.

The report noted a positive development in the continued increase of awareness surrounding food relief services, but said that this has not translated into higher access

rates.

Despite this, OzHarvest, one of Melbourne’s leading food rescue organisations with a new hub in the City of Casey, reported that 77 per cent of charities they support have seen a significant increase in demand over the past 12 months.

And that 31 per cent are a new clientele.

For Casey North Community Information and Support Services (CNISS), major house hold cut backs on food necessities has put pressure on their organisation.

CNISS recently released an urgent online appeal for donations for household necessities after their food relief pantry laid nearly empty.

Helen Small, Chief executive of CNISS said she had “never seen the pantry” that bare.

“People used to get a bag of food a couple of times a week, now they’re needing one a day,” said Small.

While demand has increased, social stigma is still existent, inhibiting outreach from those who need it.

The Foodbank report highlighted that 45 per cent of individuals cited embarrassment and 35 per cent believed that others are in greater need of these services.

Christine Crowley, OzHarvest’s Melbourne manager, says through their work, OzHarvest aims to focus on reducing these social stigma.

“We are committed to upholding the values of dignity and respect in all our interactions,” said Crowley.

“As our food rescue drivers serve as a vital point of contact within vulnerable communities, they understand the importance of showing care and compassion wherever and whenever they can.”

The Foodbank Hunger Report also highlighted the systemic and physical barriers that are evident in the findings. Including a lack of transport to services or cost and accessibility of public transport.

Back in October, The Casey Council said it was committed to addressing the root causes of food insecurity by working more with local food relief organisations such as Transit Soup Kitchen, OzHarvest and CNISS.

As well as advocating for greater investment in food rescue and food relief programs in Casey, the council also made promises to fund emergency relief programs through ex

Adult time for ‘violent crime’

In response to a youth crime wave, the State Government is seeking to force juvenile offenders to face ‘adult time for violent crime’.

It plans to introduce the reforms in a Bill this year.

They will apply to children 14 and over accused of violent home invasions or armed assaults to face the Victorian County Court, rather than the Children’s Court.

According to the Government, this will significantly increase the likelihood of jail sentences as well as increasing their likely periods in jail.

The County Court can impose jail terms of up to 25 years for aggravated home invasion and aggravated carjacking, and up to 20 years for intentionally causing serious injury through gross violence.

Sentencing in the Children’s Court would also more clearly prioritise community safety and remove the rule of jail being a “last resort”.

PremierJacintaAllansaid“therearetoo many victims, not enough consequences”. rious consequences.”

Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said adult courts place more emphasis on “victims, violence and community safety”.

Opposition Leader Brad Battin said Allan had “no credibility when it comes to fighting crime”.

“Today’s announcement is the Premier chasing another headline with no plan to follow through and deliver.”

Pollinator Night

Learn about and take a close-up look at our pollinators, big and small. Includes a Myuna Farm train ride to the grey-headed flying fox wetland colony, planting a seed and making an insect hotel. Optional dress code - dress up as a pollinator such as a bee, bird, butterfly, bat, possum and lorikeet.

• Thursday 13 November 4.30pm-6.30pm at Myuna Farm, Kidds Road Doveton; free event. Register: trybooking.com/DGQCU

Mega community garage sale

Warneet-Blind Bight CFA present lots of garage sales and plenty of bargains. Buy a map of participating garage sale addresses from CFA volunteers for a gold coin donation. Also breakfast sausage sizzle, egg and bacon rolls and coffee at Blind Bight Community Centre and Warneet Fire Station.

• Saturday 15 November. Maps available from 8am at the corner of Warneet and Blind Bight Roads, Blind Bight Community Centre and the Warneet Fire Station on Rutherford Parade.

Details: Patricia, 0474 453 260.

Silent Disco in the Park

Break out your best dance moves and Spring into Summer at our silent disco at Wilson Botanic Park. Three music channels to choose from. Presented by City of Casey.

• Saturday 15 November 10am-2pm at Wilson Botanic Park Berwick; free event. Register at trybooking.com/DFTGH

Clyde North Dad Squad

For all fathers, grandfathers, father figures and their children. Bring your kids along for a free coffee and catch-up, and have fun with your children on the Banjo Park playground including a water play area. Meet at the public BBQ next to the Smiths Lane Hub building.

• Saturday 15 November 10am-11.30am at Banjo Park, 30 Grazing Way, Clyde North. Bookings: trybooking.com/DFZTN Gardens for wildlife.

Enjoy a guided walk through the Australian Garden to learn all about the endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot. Learn how to transform your own garden into an oasis for wildlife including native bees, butterflies, birds. Includes a complimentary wildlife gardening booklet.

• Saturday 15 November 11am-12.30pm at

Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne (meet at the visitor centre); $15/$12/$8 and $40 family (2 adults & 2 children)

Christmas cardmaking Workshop with Elizabeth from Passion for Papercraft. Experiment with techniques such as stamping, die cutting, paper punching.

• Saturday 15 November, Sunday 23 November & Saturday 29 November 10am-2.30pm at Timbarra Community Centre, 26 Parkhill Drive, Berwick; $35/$30 includes materials and a festive morning tea. Bookings essential: 9704 1863 or admin@berwicknc.com.au

Family history group

Narre Warren & District Family History Group hosts guest speaker Paula Taylor, who will speak on famous Australian botanical illustrator Ellis Rowan - the aunt of Lord and Lady Casey. All welcome.

• Wednesday 19 November, 7.30pm at 110 High Street Berwick; $5. Details: Jane 0412 084 671 or president@nwfhg.org.au

Christmas Sweets with Chef Jodie Create festive treats to share or gift. Week 1: Strawberry and Almond Tart. Week 2: Profiterole Wreath. Contains dairy, nuts, eggs, gluten and sugar. BYO apron & container.

• Wednesday 19 and 26 November 7pm-9pm at Balla Balla Community Centre. Bookings: balla. balla.com.au or 5990 0900.

Casey Carers Cuppa

Meet other carers and talk to our carer peer support team who all have lived experience. Ask us about what services and supports are available. Presented by Different Journeys, specialists in the neurodivergent space.

• Fridays 21 November and 5 December 10am12pm at Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Road, Berwick; free event. No bookings necessary. Details: 0490 774 068

Textile, E-Waste and Soft Plastics Drop-Off

In celebration of National Recycling Week, City of Casey residents can recycle old clothes not suitable for the op shop, unwanted electronics, and soft plastics for free at this special drop-off event. Items must be clean, dry, and sorted into textiles, e-waste, and soft plastics. Household quantities only.

• Saturday 22 November 9am-2pm at Casey Works Centre, 30 Vesper Drive, Narre Warren; free event. Bookings essential at casey.vic.gov.au/ events/textile-e-waste-soft-plastics-drop-off-event

Bumble Bee Baby and Children’s Market

A regular market held around the South East featuring preloved, new and handmade baby and childrens goods.

• Sunday 23 November 9am-12pm at Berwick Fields Primary School, 35 Gwendoline Drive, Berwick; $2 cash/children free. Details: info@thebumblebees.com.au or 0410 043 549 The Forum for Men and Fathers

For all men 16-plus (young men, middle men, elder men, fathers, grandfathers and father figures) in Casey. Delicious free buffet dinner. Hear from our panel members. Be part of an important conversation about your life experience. We will be discussing strong relationships, men’s wellbeing and fatherhood.

• Monday 24 November 7pm-9.30pm at Bunjil Place Function Room, 2 Patrick NE Drive, Narre Warren; free event. Bookings: trybooking.com/ DFUMO

Bunjil Place Christmas Market

Up to 60 stalls with delightful stocking fillers and unique Christmas gifts. Live music, roving entertainment, food trucks, licensed bar and the lighting of the Bunjil Place Christmas tree at 8pm.

• Saturday 29 November 3pm–9pm at Bunjil Place Plaza; free entry. Stall items and food at vendor prices.

Indoor Social Pickleball

Casual, indoor social pickleball sessions. All equipment provided during this coach-free session.

• Mondays 5.30pm-6.30pm and Wednesdays 10am-11am at Olive Road Sporting Complex, 2 Frawley Road, Eumemmerring; free cost, or Sundays 12.30pm-2.30pm at Vickerman Building, Casey Stadium, Cranbourne; $6.20 for two hours. Bookings: trybooking.com/events/landing/1343237 (Olive Road) or 5996 6052 (Casey Stadium). Try booking in for Olive Road (Monday and Wednesday sessions). Scrabble in Berwick Fridays 9.30am-12.00pm at Berwick Neighbourhood Centre, 112 High Street, Berwick. Details: David, 0433 566 456.

U3A Casey – Activities for Seniors

With over 580 members and 75 different classes, U3A Casey offers you a wide range of activities including Arts & Crafts, Music, Book Clubs, Social Clubs, Low-Impact Sports, Fitness, Cooking … and many more.

You can attend up to three classes for free to see if you like the classes before registering to join U3A Casey.

Membership from January to December is $60, or from July to December is $30, which allows you to choose to join any of our classes (subject to available vacancies).

• Details: u3acasey.org.au, 0493 280 458 or caseyu3a@gmail.com

U3A Cranbourne

Social group for people over 50 with many interesting and creative activities. Gardens group, art and craft groups, calligraphy, scrabble, singing for fun, quilling, resin making, and card making, beginner ukuele and guitar, line dancing. Our membership fee of $50 per year entitles you to join as many classes as you wish.

• Details: www.u3acranbourne.org.au or 0493 991 919

Men’s Shed Junction Village Inc.

Retired men are most welcome to visit the Shed and have a chat/cuppa to check out our fully equipped Shed (lots of “toys” to play with!) and see what we do for the community. They do not need any woodwork experience as Shed members are happy to pass on their experience in an enjoyable and friendly atmosphere.

• Mondays 9am-11.30am and Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am-2.30pm at 41 Craig Road, Junction Village. Details: Garry, 0408 141 734. Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club

We meet weekly for a range of different events, including bus trips, community days, games, coffee and chat, bingo, dancing and carpet bowls. Weekly activity times - Line Dancing Mon.10am12pm, New Vogue and Old Time Dance Tue. 1pm3:30pm, Carpet Bowls Wed. & Sat. 11:30am2:30pm, Bingo Thur. 11am-2pm.

• 1 Codrington St, Cranbourne. Details: Marilyn, 0432 107 590 or facebook.com/ groups/487808127399953

Locals in Academies

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Four Dandenong Stingrays and two Gippsland Power players have been included in the 2026

The Stingrays are the equal most-represented club in the AFLW Academy, with the following girls included: Alice Cunnington, Ruby Geurts and Sophie White.

All three girls were part of the U18s Vic Country squad in 2025.

Cunnington splits her time between football and netball and proved herself as a smooth-moving, strong-marking, athletic midfielder-forward across 14 Coates League games, kicking 25 goals.

Geurts is an athletic utility with x-factor while White showed excellent ruck craft through 15 Coates League and two Vic Country games and has plenty of upside.

Like the three girls, Szerszyn was part of the Vic Country squad in 2025 and impressed with his athleticism and ability to lockdown, while he played 13 games for the Stingrays off halfback.

Tall swingman Xavier Ladbrook and forward Wil Malady are the Power’s two representatives.

Ladbrook has shown upside as a mobile marking player across all thirds of the ground in 2025, while Malady impressed with a five-goal haul in the U17 National Futures game.

For the first time since 2018, the AFL Academy program will feature an overseas trip, with both the boys and girls programs to spend stints in New Zealand during December.

It is the first time the AFLW Academy will have travelled overseas.

The holistic Academy program combines football performance and personal growth in a highperformance environment by providing unique opportunities and learnings that differ from other football programs they are involved in.

Content is delivered across multiple football camps, with the 2026 program to commence with a high-performance camp at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS) in December.

The Wellington-based facility is the official training base of New Zealand Rugby, including the All Blacks and Super Rugby club the Hurricanes, along with A-League outfit the Wellington

It has also been visited by a host of international sporting organisations, including Wrexham FC, the Barca Academy and Melbourne’s AFLW team, who visited the facility during their 2025 pre-season campaign.

The Marsh AFL National Academy will also come together for football camps in Melbourne during the 2026 season.

Those camps will feature talent showcase matches where the National Academy squads will represent their country when they compete as the Australia U18 team.

In addition to the Academy camps, players will also take part in AFL and AFLW club experiences and will have the opportunity to train with an AFL and AFLW club.

AFL National Academy Manager Tarkyn Lockyer congratulated the AFL Academy squad members.

“One of the aims of the National Academy is to provide new experiences to our up-and-coming stars outside of what is already delivered at their state talent program to best prepare players for the next step in their football journey,” Lockyer said.

“We are thrilled to be able to include a camp at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport as part of our 2026 program.

“The camp will provide a unique experience for our participants and will give them the opportunity to challenge themselves at an internationally acclaimed facility.”

New rooms brighten up Strathaird

A new modern and inclusive pavilion has been unveiled in Narre Warren South.

On Thursday 6 November, City of Casey Mayor Stefan Koomen and Casuarina Ward Councillor Kim Ross were joined by Member for Narre Warren South, Gary Maas MP to officially open the new pavilion at Strathaird Reserve.

Home to Narre South Cricket Club, Narre South Saints Football Netball Club and Narre South Saints Junior Football Netball Club, the existing pavilion was extended and upgraded to include female-friendly and accessible amenities, a new servery and a covered spectator area.

There is also a dedicated social room space, allowing clubs to hold functions, team dinners and fundraisers.

“The new pavilion will be a place to gather, celebrate and build community through sport,” Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen said.

“Council is proud to support projects like this one that not only improve facilities but also strengthen community connections and encourage more people to get active, get involved and feel part of something bigger.

“Thanks to all of the clubs for their patience throughout the construction period and congratulations to everyone involved in the project.”

The $1,585,613 project was delivered in partnership with the State Government.

Council received $1.5 million in funding via the Local Community Sport and Recreation Projects program, while Council contributed $85,613.

Grand final rematch headlines delayed DDCA action

By Blair Burns

Last week’s Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) matches were called off due to rain, so all teams will be raring to get back on the winners’ list this Saturday.

Springvale South was the big winner from the weekend, having played its round five match against Dandenong West the week prior on Sunday, winning by 82 runs.

Therefore, the Bloods were the only team to have won in round five as all other matches were abandoned due to the inclement weather.

Cam Forsyth and his team have started with a 4-1 record, only falling short against Berwick as they continue to ride a wave of momentum.

Two-day matches return this weekend and there are some huge clashes locked in, headlined by a grand final rematch between Hallam Kalora Park and Buckley Ridges at Hallam Recreation Reserve.

The Bucks have started the season beautifully and are yet to lose a game, winning convincingly against Beaconsfield, Dandenong West and Parkmore.

The Hawks, on the other hand, have strug-

gled this season being bowled out for 86 against Springvale South in the season opener, before losing outright against Berwick. But winning their most recent game against Narre South will give them some momentum and confidence as they look to take it right up

to the Bucks. In other games, Berwick will look to continue its undefeated run when it hosts Dandenong West at Arch Brown Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

Springvale South will host Beaconsfield

at Alex Nelson Reserve this weekend, as both teams look to carry their strong recent form into this encounter.

The Bloods made a huge 309 in their most recent game against Dandenong West, while Beaconsfield posted 280 last match – also against the Bulls.

Either Parkmore or Narre South will win its first game of the 2025/26 DDCA season this weekend when they battle it out at the recently upgraded Strathaird Recreation Reserve.

DDCA ROUND 5 FIXTURE

TURF 2 (Two-day)

TURF 3 (Two-day)

Time for dip with Calamari

By David Nagel

While it certainly wasn’t the greatest highlight on a magnificent Champions Day at Flemington; you get the feeling that Ciaron Maher’s two-year-old filly Calamari Ring will have plenty of time in the spotlight after her debut win on Saturday.

The daughter of Street Boss/Excelsior Island showed class and grit in equal doses, beginning Champions Day with a bang to take out the $400,000 Listed Inglis Banner (1000m).

While Group 1 glory went to Giga Kick (1200m), Ceolwulf (1600m) and Via Sistina (2000m) on a day at the track to remember, Calamari Ring looks set to make her mark in the autumn, with a start in the coveted Blue Diamond Stakes a distinct possibility.

The Cranbourne trainer thinks Calamari Ring is up to the mark after an impressive debut at the track and could be the horse to give him his first Blue Diamond success.

“She’s got a lot in front of her,” Maher said post-race.

“I didn’t think she would be at the races this early, but she’s just done the right things and kept progressing, and that’s what good horses do.

“The (Blue) Diamond could be on the cards with natural improvement.

“To do that at her first look down the straight, she’s got a lot of upside.

“The Blue Diamond series has got a nice ring to it.

“We haven’t won that yet, so we would like to tick that off.

“She’s got a bright future.”

Jockey Ethan Brown had Calamari Ring well positioned throughout the five-furlong sprint, on pace and down the middle of the track in the soft7 conditions.

“I wanted to come down the middle,” Brown explained after the win.

“We drew perfectly to hold a line and it was the right part of the track to hold our rhythm.

“She trialled against the older horses on a wet track, the track’s very wet today, but she handled it well.

“She was well prepared by Ciaron, as per usual and is only going to improve and furnish into a lovely three-year-old.

“You can’t debut a horse in much better fashion than that.

“I thought anywhere up the middle of the track would be fine.

“Hard on the rail would be worse.

“Once she let down she let down nicely.”

Calamari Ring held off the Clinton McDonaldtrained Streisand by a neck on the line, with Streisand now running two close up seconds at her first two career starts.

Price preaching as promising Sabaj set for higher honours

By David Nagel

Cranbourne co-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are considering a trip across the Nullarbor after their exciting four-year-old prospect Sabaj made a one-act affair of the $150,000 Ronald McDonald House Charities Mile (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Sabaj gave jockey Mark Zahra the seventh of his eight wins for the carnival, and possibly his easiest, with a soft two-length victory.

Zahra settled Sabaj last in the 14-horse field before peeling out seven wide on the turn and making a meal of his opposition in the straight.

Experienced trainer Price was thrilled with the performance, with Sabaj proving himself versatile on the heavy ground.

“We’ve seen him on top of the ground and he’s been very impressive and we’ve got a good opinion of him, but you never know in this sort of ground,” Price explained.

“I would say, from my experience, most of the times I say ‘hail Mary, please can I handle this ground’, she says ‘no you can’t’.

“But he’s a horse destined for better races.”

Those better races could include the $1.5m Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on November 22, or his home-town Cranbourne Cup on the

same day.

“I heard them (owners) talk about the Railway,” Price said.

“He’s obviously fit and a 1600-metre race… we mightn’t have to do a lot with him.

“It might be a nice race for him with his rating and a handicap mile at Ascot.

“That is one thing I’d think about…he’s clean winded and sound.”

If the trip west doesn’t proceed, then the

$500,000 Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup could be the back-up plan.

“He’s a big long striding horse and I don’t know where he should position over a mile; but it is $500,000 so I guess we’d have a punt at it, yeah.”

Zahra was also impressed with the Manhattan Rain/Bouzy gelding who now has ownership of a four win and two placing record from his seven career starts.

“They were worried about the wet track, but I had a nice wet track run,” Zahra said post-race.

“I drifted back but it was a good effort.

“Second-up at the mile, he had to put in the fight in the last furlong.

“It’s hard work in the straight into the headwind on the wet track and the rain.

“It’s a tough track, so it was a good effort.

“He definitely handles the conditions well.

“To handle that second-up at a mile in those conditions was impressive.

“Today he had the choice to give up when the horse came up inside him, but he decided to put him away.”

The win of Sabaj was the eighth and final win by Cranbourne-based trainers across the four days of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Let’s Talk Sport

WITH DAVE NAGEL, JONTY RALPHSMITH, JUSTIN SCHWARZE AND BLAIR BURNS

McNiff, Melham and mates

DAVE: Hi boys, it’s my first day back after three weeks on holidays and well done on keeping the ship afloat while I was gone. The Steve Smith of the Pakenham Gazette, Jonty Ralphsmith… JONTY: Sorry?

DAVE: …was the interim leader in my absence.

JONTY: Okay, I wondered where you were going with that.

DAVE: Don’t worry Jonty…there’s no sandpaper involved. Let’s get into it boys. Jonty, what was your best action from a wet and soggy weekend of sport?

JONTY: My best action is a little bit left of centre, but the most significant piece of action is Cricket Australia’s swift action to ban ‘side-arms’ for junior cricket. It needed to happen and will hopefully lead to more safety and more conversations around the appropriate use of them. Also, a big shoutout to the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club after naming Ben Austin as its 12th man in all grades for the rest of the season.

DAVE: It was a shame the rain came on the weekend because there had been so much effort put in to paying tribute to young Ben.

JONTY: And Cricket Australia has announced an Australia-wide Ben Austin Round for the weekend after next I believe.

DAVE: Jonty, your point last week was spot on. When something like this happens at the elite level it sort of doesn’t feel real, but when it happens at a level that all community cricketers play on a weekly basis; it really hits home. It’s just so sad what happened. Blair, your best action please mate?

BLAIR: I watched a bit of AFLW and WBBL on the weekend, with the WBBL starting its season. The Hobart Hurricanes chased down the highest score in their history, a target of 182 in a T20, and best action goes to English player Danni WyattHodge, who smacked 90 off 52 balls. She put on a 143-run partnership with Nicola Carey and hit the ball to all parts. It was some really good hitting and it was great to have the WBBL back up and running.

JUSTIN: (Chuckles in anticipation) Boys, we all rubbed our eyes and looked twice this morning after seeing the Pakenham Warriors CBL score against Sale. The headline could read “Cal McNiff 42, defeats Sale, 40.” The actual score was Pakenham 154 to Sale 40, one of the biggest wins I have ever seen in basketball. Pakenham scored 46 and 45 in two quarters, scoring more than Sale did for the whole game. It’s probably the equivalent of losing a cricket match by 500 runs in an innings, or winning a footy match by 50 goals. And when we talk about Josh Giddey we’re normally talking best action, but he was on the receiving end of one of the nastiest cross-overs I’ve ever seen. From a basketball point of view, it was definitely best action…just unfortunate that our boy Josh Giddey was on the receiving end.

DAVE: Hey Juzzy, when you saw the Pakenham v Sale score, 154-40, were you thinking someone might have scored 80 or something like that? 42 to McNiff, 36 to Mitch Zeunert, and five others scoring double figures…that’s a pretty even spread! When a cricket team goes large with a huge score, or a footy team does the same, I always want an individual to have dominated.

JUSTIN: I was…and it’s probably the only disappointing thing from a scoreline like that; a big individual score would have been brilliant!

BLAIR: One of the Ararat boys scored 68 against my Hamilton not long back, and a Hamilton boy had 48 in the same game. But the total score was nowhere near as high as what Pakenham’s was; that’s a really nice spread across the board.

DAVE: Boys, my best action was the four days of the Spring Carnival at Flemington. I’ve had a few weeks off so really got to immerse myself in the carnival more than I usually would. There are people like commentator Francesca Cumani and trainer Willie Mullins that have been to just about every big race meeting in the world, and they rate the Melbourne Cup Carnival as the best there is in the business. My best action goes to Jamie Melham, formerly Jamie Kah, who became the second female to win the Melbourne Cup and

the first female to take out the cup’s double; the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup, when she booted home Half Yours for the Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable. Jamie has always been a gun jockey, but she lost a lot of admirers when she, her now husband Ben Melham, Ethan Brown and Celine Gaudray, who are also now partners, got caught having a party in Mornington during Covid. They all copped lengthy suspensions, three months if I remember correctly, and it just came across as not passing the pub test. Since then she has also been in a coma after a horrific fall, and she’s fought back magnificently from that, because a lot of people thought she was done and dusted. She’s back where she belongs now, truly recognised as one of the greatest riders in the country and she’s thoroughly deserved that accolade. It was a brilliant ride, one of the best ever in a cup, and is my best action for the week.

JUSTIN: There are two big local cups coming up too shortly Dave; the Cranbourne and Pakenham Cups.

DAVE: There sure are Juzzy; the Cranny Cup is on Saturday 22 November, coming up real quick, and the Pakky Cup is on Saturday 13 December. It’s a great time of year if you love your horse racing, with Cranbourne and Pakenham trainers doing well during the Spring Carnival.

UPDATE ME

DAVE: Juzzy, what’s been happening in CCCA premier while I’ve been away?

JUSTIN: I spoke to Clyde captain Trevor Bauer last week after a massive win over Pakenham, where he scored a century, and he believes the fourth spot is really up for grabs this year. Tooradin, Cardinia and Kooweerup are almost locks, but Pakenham is the team that usually fills the top four and they’ve started terribly…they’re seventh right now. Clyde is excited by that proposition and if Bauer keeps batting like that, they’re a huge chance of playing finals. A win against Pakenham was a 24-pointer for Clyde; a bit like we have crucial ‘eight-point’ games in footy. It’s a huge boost for them and gives them the advantage right now.

JONTY: Even though Pakenham is seventh, is the last finals place between Clyde and Pakenham right now?

JUSTIN: Absolutely…

JONTY: There’s no way Upper Beaconsfield, Officer or Devon Meadows can make it?

JUSTIN: Upper Beaconsfield got absolutely thumped by Cardinia last week; beaten outright and it was over and done with early on day two. Officer is winless and Devon Meadows’ only win was against Officer last week. I see it between Clyde and Pakenham for fourth place.

DAVE: Good summary mate. Blair, fill me in on Turf 1 in DDCA?

BLAIR: The top teams are the ones to be expected so far, but the one that I’ve been going on about for a while now is Hallam Kalora Park. It was a surprise to see them start the season with an outright loss against Berwick, and getting bowled out by Springy for 86, but they bounced back with their first win of the season last week to sit just outside the four, and you’d expect them to continue on, although they’ve got Buckley this weekend.

JONTY: Buckley’s chance of winning! (Boys laugh)

JUSTIN: You’re on fire with the one-liners today Jonty.

BLAIR: Apart from that, Berwick has really impressed me so far, they’re on top of the ladder, yet to lose, and brothers Jarryd and Toby Wills have started the season on fire. Toby had a 10-wicket match and has taken 14 wickets at 7.93…

JONTY: Willed his team to the top of the ladder (boys laugh again).

BLAIR: Another dad joke from Jonty!

JUSTIN: Hallam Kalora Park must have read LTS a couple of weeks ago because Blair was not kind to them at all.

BLAIR: I was a bit hard on them, I will admit that, but it was pleasing to see them get their first win on the weekend. It will be a really good test for them this week against Buckley Ridges, the backto-back champions who will take a lot of beating again this year. Beaconsfield have also started well.

DAVE: How’s Mr Tormey been travelling?

BLAIR: Very well; started with an 89 and has been consistently good…just like the rest of the Bucks’ top order.

JONTY: In Warragul and District Dave…Catani is undefeated!

DAVE: You said that with some shock and excitement in your voice.

JONTY: Well, they missed finals last year; they were expected to potentially take a step forward this year, they’ve picked up some recruits, Cody Miller from Kooweerup being one of them, and their one-day form has been absolutely sensational, even though we all understand that upsets happen more frequently in one-day cricket. But they legitimised their credentials as a contender with their first day against Western Park. They bowled them out for 134 and Catani was 0/51 in pursuit overnight, before it got washed out. Unfortunately they didn’t get the win they so richly deserved, but I think they are a team to take seriously. Their bowling attack has held them in good stead, but they probably haven’t had a batter yet

who has torn apart a match. But the spread of talent to get batting time in the middle has been quite impressive to start the season. The other big talking point at this stage in WDCA is Drouin, the 2024/25 runners up who have just one win from four games. They have struggled in the one-day format but their coach Norm Berry has put a strong emphasis on playing two-day cricket, and that marries up with their results where they have not put enough runs on the board but batted in a way that would have given them a strong foundation to launch if there were more overs. I think the way the ladder sets up, they’ll find a way into the top four once the grind of two-day cricket begins. But their start leaves them with very little room for error.

WASHOUT PROTOCOL

DAVE: Blair, back in the old days I used to jump for joy when there was a washout at the cricket. You start cracking cans early, the form guide comes out, maybe a deck of cards as well, and some blokes would even rub an old cricket ball on their whites while playing cards so their wives thought they’d spent a bit of time in the middle. Please tell me the modern-day cricketer still has the same thoughts?

BLAIR: Absolutely we do, not much has changed for us. Being captain of the threes, I can’t outwardly show my excitement at a washout, but we’re all pretty keen to get down to the pub. The general rule is; a 12.30 start at the cricket means a 12.30 start at the pub; a parma and fair few beers, the horse races are on, and a few of the boys were winning a bit of money.

DAVE: What pub?

BLAIR: The Harp of Erin in Kew, so a shout out to them for looking after us. A fine establishment with a few pokies out the back if you’re that way inclined as well.

DAVE: Jonty, your first thoughts when you found out you had a washout? Extreme disappointment or…

JONTY: Yeah, I was disappointed because I didn’t play Melbourne Cup weekend either, I wanted to play, but I think this post on our club Facebook page sums it up quite well. “Games today are declared washouts, all players can choose from the following options. 1) Go to the club; beers, races, darts, kelly pool. 2) Go home and spend quality time with your partner. 3) Go home and catch up on jobs around the house. 4) Go to the club; beers, races, darts, kelly pool. 5) Go to the club; beers, races, darts, kelly pool. Note: If you land on options 2 or 3…roll again!”

DAVE: (Laughing) Love it…that’s exactly what I wanted to hear. It’s great to be back with you boys; let’s do it all again next week!

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