News - Cranbourne Star News - 13th November 2025

Local star shines again

Botanic Ridge resident Jack Maillard, 22, has claimed back-to-back world titles in the individual adult male category at the FISAF International Sport Aerobics & Fitness World Championships, winning in Belgium in 2023 and again in Prague in October 2025. Under immense pressure after a shaky semi-final, he pulled together a routine featuring 16 international-level moves and walked away relieved and ecstatic. His feat reflects years of dedication, discipline and mental resilience.

By Violet Li

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

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”.

Nod to school principal

By Violet Li

Cranbourne Primary School principal Lachlan Yeates has been recognised nationally for his work in “transforming a school through evidence, trust and community”.

He was named a recipient of Jane Hansen’s 2025 Teach For Australia Alumni Award for his leadership as both a Teach For Australia (TFA) alumnus and principal at Cranbourne Primary School, where student results and attendance have climbed above state averages since his appointment in 2021.

“It had gone through a period of some quite challenging times. Over the last 15 years, student numbers have dropped from 900 to 600, down to about 200 students,” Lachlan recalled when he first joined the school in 2021.

“There’d been some challenges with student learning data, and some challenging student behaviour.

“For ten years, the school had attendance levels lower than the state average and similar schools, and our NAPLAN results had been lower than state averages and similar schools.

“And as a smaller school, many students coming to the school had additional needs. The school worked really hard to support those students, but that also led to quite a few challenges in terms of student behaviours.”

Since taking the helm, Lachlan has steered the school through a remarkable turnaround.

Attendance rates, student engagement, and

learning outcomes have all risen sharply, with 85 per cent of Year 5 students achieving “strong” or “exceeding” NAPLAN results in all areas, which Lachlan believed is an “outstanding result” given the school’s high proportion of students from disadvantaged and additional language backgrounds.

He credited the school’s improvement to evidence-based teaching, high expectations, and a strong emphasis on well-being, introducing programs such as a therapy dog, sensory room, and extensive family outreach.

“In Maths, we typically teach students almost a year ahead of where they should be in the curriculum, and so set very high expectations,” Lachlan said.

“Our teachers are constantly checking to see whether students understand what’s being taught and then adjusting their lessons as they go to teach them.

“We also use some innovative approaches, such as daily reviews, to make sure that we’re constantly rehearsing old information, so students don’t forget, and it really sticks in their long-term memory.

“Because of those successes, according to PAT, which is a standardised maths assessment, our students improve twice as fast as students in a typical school across Australia. They’re learning about two years of learning in a single year, based on that data from last year.”

Under Lachlan’s leadership, Cranbourne Primary has also become a hub for community con-

nection, securing multiple grants and partnerships with groups including Headspace, Monash Health, and Community Hubs Australia.

The school’s in-house after-school care service, English classes for parents who speak additional languages, and cultural programs have strengthened local ties.

Originally planning to be an investment banker, Lachlan joined Teach For Australia more than a decade ago and said the experience reshaped his life.

“Teaching wasn’t really on my radar. When I heard about the program and decided to teach just for two years, and absolutely loved it, and then ended up staying in education, and the rest is history,” he recalled.

“Teach For Australia identifies high-performing people and puts them in schools. I feel very honoured to be kind of amongst some great company.”

Having been teaching for about 15 years, Lachlan still loves it and thinks he really found his place.

“I think programs like Teach for Australia are a great way to identify people from other areas, bring them into education,” he said.

“While I had lots of learning to do in teaching, and I’m still learning a lot about education, I think I was able to bring in skills around data management and strategic thinking and planning into education. And I think that that has enabled me to kind of add some extra value to the schools that I’ve worked in in a range of different areas.

“That has been really helpful, not just for my career or my school, but also for the broader system.”

Financial relief for ratepayers as monitors conclude terms

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 re-

build trust, strengthen governance, and reconnect with our community”.

“From day one, we’ve been committed to improving 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.

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

“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

“They inherited a situation not of their making, and the monitors’ appointment was intend-

ed 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.“

Veolia fined $1 million for breaching operating licence

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 land-

breaches

fill 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

Local council mayoral election approaches

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.

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.

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

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.

“We were shocked about what happened and 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.

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.

We’re planning for an upgrade to the western side of the Thompson Road and Mornington Peninsula Freeway interchange, in Patterson Lakes. The upgrade aims to improve safety and traffic flow.

Have your say

We want to hear your views on safety, traffic flow and what we should consider when planning the construction approach. You can have your say in person or online.

bigbuild.vic.gov.au/roads 1800 105 105 (call anytime)

For languages other than English please call 9209 0147

In person

Saturday 22 November, 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm Patterson Lakes Community Centre, 54/70 Thompson Rd, Patterson Lakes Online

Have your say online by 30 November

Scan the QR code or visit engage.vic.gov.au/trmpf

Tunnel is almost ready...

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

How to navigate Melbourne’s

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

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

$13.5

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.

billion Metro Tunnel

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 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 “turnup-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.

Health equity push

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

If

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 Governments.

“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

Giving Machine is coming back to Fountain Gate

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.

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.

‘Adult

time for violent crime’

By Matt Male

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.

TheCountyCourtcanimposejailterms 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”.

Premier Jacinta Allan said “there are too many victims, not enough consequences”.

“We want courts to treat these violent children like adults, so jail is more likely and sentences are longer.

“This will mean more violent youth offenders going to jail, facing serious consequences.”

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.

“Victoria is in a crime crisis because Jacinta Allan is weak on crime.”

Evans Road Upgrade

We’re upgrading Evans Road from two to four lanes between Duff Street and Central Parkway in Cranbourne West, to reduce travel times and improve safety.

Key activities to progress planning include developing a detailed project design, traffic modelling and investigations to understand site conditions. We expect our initial planning work will be complete in 2026. Construction timelines will be known once our planning has progressed further.

Site investigations

To help inform our planning, a range of site investigations will be undertaken which may require us to implement traffic control measures. Traffic disruptions will be kept to a minimum and busy periods will be avoided, where possible.

Subscribe for updates

We encourage you to visit bigbuild. vic.gov.au/roads-subscribe and sign up for email and SMS updates, so we can keep you informed as our planning progresses.

Botanic Ridge local goes back-to-back

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.

Heartbroken owner loses kitten despite heroic efforts

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’.

“I feel like my whole life I’ve just had to be a 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 then, 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.”

Family mourns mother, son

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 News 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 one-yearold kids, husband Hamid Hussainzada, mother, sisters and a large extended family.

“My father (Fariba’s uncle) is very strong. I’ve never seen his tears, he always tells me to

“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

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.“

three-year-old boy at Dandenong Park in 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.

You’re invited to Summerset Cranbourne North to enjoy morning tea and a tour around the village.

Explore the beautiful brand-new homes, thoughtfully designed with ease and comfort in mind.

Enjoy a complimentary cuppa and take the opportunity to get to know our team.

Come and envision your life at this vibrant, welcoming village. When you move to a Summerset village, you’re not just moving house - you’re joining a community.

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Love the life you choose.

Morning tea and a village tour

Thursday 20 November, tours at 10am & 11:30am

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

Morning tea and tour

Conversation, not conflict

By Violet Li

Despite the rain, the Pearcedale community turned out in strong numbers to honour the Remembrance Day service at the Public Hall.

According to the president of Pearcedale Public Hall committee, Tony Vagg, it was a last-minute decision to move the annual service indoors due to the weather conditions.

He said the turnout would have been bigger.

“We normally have about 400 people at Remembrance Day, and about 800 to 1000 at ANZAC Day,” he said.

“The kindergarten and the primary school kids are excellent, well-behaved kids, representing the new generation.

“People who come say our service is very good and simple, and everybody enjoys it. It’s a good community thing.

“One thing to talk about is that we don’t have any vandalism in here. The hall didn’t get touched, which is unusual. The cenotaph was left alone. The memorial at the back is left alone.”

The Pearcedale Public Hall Committee, made up of about eight local volunteers, meets several times a year to plan the town’s two major commemorations.

Multiple guest speakers delivered speeches on the meaning of Remembrance Day to the nation, including Holt MP Cassandra Fernando and Casey Councillor Michelle Crowther.

Warrant Officer Damian Collins talked first on the stage and traced the origins of Remembrance Day to the end of World War I, when the guns fell silent on the Western Front at 11am on 11 November 1918 after more than 1,500 days of warfare.

“Today, Remembrance Day is not just about the men and women of 1918,” he said.

“It is a day to commemorate the sacrifices made by all who have served and died in every conflict since World War I, from World War II,

Free event!

Korea, Malayan, Vietnam, the Middle East and peacekeeping operations worldwide.”

He reflected on the red poppy as a lasting symbol of remembrance and resilience, growing in the devastated battlefields of Europe.

“It serves as a reminder that even in the harshest devastation, life, though delicate, is yours,” he said.

Calling Remembrance Day “a moral contract with those who serve”, Mr Collins urged those gathered to see the day as more than a moment of silence.

“Remembrance is not a passive act. It rep-

resents a conscientious commitment. This act goes further than simply wearing a poppy or maintaining silence,” he said.

“It is about taking the lessons of the past and applying them to the present.

“Every story we read, every name we honour, every life that was lost is a stark reminder that war is a failure of humanity.

“Remembrance Day is fundamentally an anti-war day. It urges us, our generation, to dedicate ourselves to creating connections, fostering understanding and emphasising conversation rather than conflict.”

Berwick Waters

Christmas Craft Market

With Christmas just around the corner, the Lifestyle Communities® Berwick Waters Craft Market is the perfect place to find unique, handmade gifts crafted by our homeowners.

Browse the stalls, enjoy a guided Clubhouse tour and explore homes open for inspection. See what makes community living at Berwick Waters so special.

RSVP to 1300 50 55 60 or walk in on the day!

Saturday 29 November 10am to 12pm

Lifestyle Communities® Berwick Waters 10 Skylark Boulevard, Clyde North

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.

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Visit our sales suite Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm

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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

With a bit of creative nous, almost anything around the house can be turned into a decoration.

Used coffee pods, for example, make a creative adornment for presents or even the Christmas tree.

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.

Unleash your Curiosity

Would you like to be part of a friendship club with a purpose?

If so, Inner Wheel Club Cranbourne invites you to join. We are like-minded women in action, working together both locally and globally, to make a difference and improve lives.

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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.

Casey’s young leader wins

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.

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 of completing 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.

ing 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 fi-

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80 years of volunteerism

By Violet Li

Warneet Association celebrated its 80th anniversary on Sunday 9 November.

About 200 locals gathered at the Warneet Motor Yacht Club, where about 19 photographic displays, including old maps and pictures of the old days, were put up to present the history of the association and the contributions volunteers had given to the community over the 80 years.

President Chris Groves said they were trying to tell the story of the volunteerism around Warneet.

“Warneet has only got 500 people, but it’s a town full of volunteers, so we invited all those groups (Lions Club, CFA) to contribute, and they’re all there on the day,” he said.

“That was really the story we’re trying to tell, not just about our organisation but about volunteers.”

Warneet’s long tradition of community-driven progress dates back to 27 December 1945, when a small group of locals banded together to form the Warneet Progress Association, now known as the Warneet Association Inc.

In its early years, the fledgling group laid the foundations of the coastal village.

Members helped establish Warneet’s first shop in 1950, campaigned for telephone lines in 1951, and oversaw the construction of the yacht club in 1952.

Their advocacy also secured connection to the state power grid in 1956 and mains water by 1969, milestones that transformed Warneet from a weekend retreat into a thriving residential community.

The momentum carried through the 1970s,

when the Association championed a string of improvements: a boat club at the north slipway, new playgrounds and pedestrian crossings, dredging of the inlet to boost boating access, volunteerled jetty repairs, and upgraded car parking at the

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south jetty.

One of its proudest achievements came in 1976-77 with the formation of the town’s own fire brigade — today the Warneet-Blind Bight CFA — after residents raised funds and purchased their

first trucks.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, members continued to shape the town’s landscape, creating a BMX track, sealing the ring road, and restoring boat sheds and cricket pitches at the recreation reserve.

Since 2000, the Association has kept that community spirit alive, hosting snake-safety days, installing defibrillators and public seating, distributing free native plants, adding bike racks at bus stops, managing the recreation reserve, and continuing to lobby council and government for better facilities.

Looking into the future, Mr Groves said members of the association would still do physical work within their capability, and if it’s something larger, they would advocate for the community. At the moment, they are hoping to get the town’s toilets refurbished.

“We do lots of work around town. We physically get out there. But it’s also advocacy to the State Government, the Council, and the Federal Government,” Mr Groves said.

“We have a larger voice as a group to advocate for some large infrastructure things like building a new toilet or putting in a new playground.”

After talking with a local historian, Mr Groves shared that the Warneet Association had been one of the oldest continuous community organisations in the area.

“Obviously, there are some really old sporting clubs, but as in a not-for-profit community organisation, the librarian thinks,” he said.

“Not saying we’re the oldest, but she doesn’t think there are too many that have been going longer than 80 years continuously.”

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Disability homes ‘at risk’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Thousands of people with complex disabilities are at risk of eviction from group homes that may close due to a looming funding crisis, say workers.

As of 31 December, an eight-year, $2.1 billion state government wage subsidy to Supported Independent Living (SIL) home providers in the private sector comes to an end.

The subsidy covered a shortfall between federal NDIS funding and the Disability Services Enterprise Agreement Victoria.

With its imminent end, about 580 group homes were at jeopardy, and 4900 residents and families were at risk of eviction and losing their support workers, according to Health & Community Services Union.

Thirty group homes in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia Shire were reportedly at risk.

The change also spells a 33 per cent pay cut for disability-support workers such as ‘Chris’, who has worked at a Noble Park group home for 18 years.

It would force workers to consider moving to other care sectors such as mental health and aged care, he says.

“I’m just wondering where I would go. I could step into another position but I don’t want to betray the work that I’ve done here.

“Will I have to work two jobs? With the difficult hours we do (including night shifts), it will break people.

“We’ve got 55 days to get enough money to keep paying us properly.

“It’s a bit of a crisis.”

Also gone would be a “gold standard” of staff-

Embrace

By Tracey Matthies

ing ratios and mandatory training, according to the HACSU.

Chris says he’s worried it will water down the two support workers with a house supervisor required to care 24/7 for residents with profound disabilities.

“The NDIS isn’t enough to support the things we need to have proper supervision and care.”

In 2019, government-operated SIL accommodation was transferred to private providers Scope, Melba Suppot Services, Aruma, Life Without Barriers and Possability.

Not-for-profit provider Scope stated that inadequate NDIS plans and “real and problematic” pricing gaps had contributed to closures.

“Most urgently, there are participants in supported independent living arrangements whose plans do not adequately fund the critical supports they require.

“This shortfall has had a direct impact on some providers being able to continue to offer services under the current arrangements.”

There was still demand for shared living but people were also choosing other options, Scope stated.

“These emerging options, disability housing standards, and people’s preferences sometimes mean an existing house no longer meets the needs of people.”

In 2025, Scope has closed 10 SIL homes in NSW and Victoria but also partnered with Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) providers to open 13 new homes for 28 people living with SIL support.

It stated it plans to open 26 further homes with

Health and Community Services

73 places over the next 18 months.

“We want to reassure everyone in the Scope community that no person living in Scope SIL accommodation will be left without a place to live on 1 January.

“Our focus remains on supporting people to live well, with the right supports, in a home that works for them, now and into the future.”

HACSU has met with Federal and State MPs, as well as staged rallies, to shore up funding for “quality care” in disability group-homes.

South Eastern Metropolitan MP Rachel Payne called for the State Government to extend the wage subsidy.

“I have a member of my staff who has a child with a disability. It took this child 18 months to adjust to the presence of a support worker in her own home.

“Imagine that child as an adult facing the pos-

sibility of losing their home and their supports.”

Payne said the state’s “centre-left female Premier” should make the issue an “absolute priority”.

“The disability sector is a female-dominated workforce and carers are overwhelmingly older women.

“If not this government, then who? Honestly, sometimes I wonder what on earth we are all doing.”

The State Government argues that SIL support is funded by NDIS and the responsibility of the Federal Government.

A State Government spokesperson said it was advocating for the Commonwealth to adequately fund NDIS plans to “provide the supports that NDIS participants need”.

“Funding decisions such as Supported Independent Living services for NDIS participants are the responsibility of National Disability Insurance Agency.”

Providers were also negotiating a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, according to the Government.

An NDIA spokesperson said the agency was working closely with SIL providers to ensure participants continued to receive the required supports.

“The NDIA has processes in place to manage participant safety if their providers cease services, particularly for participants in supported living.

“If required, specialist NDIA teams can help affected participants transfer to new SIL and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) providers.”

the opportunity: Bargains while supporting towns

The op in op shop is short for opportunity - an opportunity to help others by supporting charity shops, and an opportunity to find a bargain.

My husband and I have settled on the formula for calculating the correct number of op shops to visit when we are on holidays.

That formula is N plus one, where N is the number of op shops we have already visited on that particular day. In other words, there’s always time for just one more.

Some people hunt out cathedrals, magical views, historic sites, festivals or other traditional tourist attractions.

So do we, but op shopping is a much bigger itch to scratch.

Not only do we find bargains, quirky little items, but we’re also contributing funds to community groups and charities supporting their local communities.

There’s always room in the car for just one more amazing find, just like there’s always space in my home office/craft studio to put that find when we get home.

I had never tried, nay, even heard of loom knitting before that day I found a pack of three long plastic looms in an op shop down in the Rosebud area, just before Covid hit our shores. Now I have about a dozen looms of different gauges, shapes and sizes, plus loom knitting books, and favourite YouTube channels. Not to mention a great excuse for hanging on to all that wool that came out of mum’s house when she moved into a nursing home.

As an added bonus, I now regularly donate loom knitted beanies to my local oncology centre after discovering first hand just how cold it is without hair.

We don’t go into op shops looking for specific items. Instead, we let the thrill of the hunt drive us.

Often we walk out with nothing but in recent months, my husband completely restocked his winter wardrobe of long sleeve shirts. Many were brand new, still with tags, but sold at op shop prices.

We like to wander every aisle, whether it’s a cramped little church or small town op shop with every corner and shelf overflowing with donated goods, or colour-coordinated displays in Vinnies or Salvos.

A good craft section will keep us picking through boxes and shelves for ages. My husband has picked up many a bargain for his scrapbooking hobby while I’m a sucker for stationery and almost any sort of craft… like loom knitting.

Earlier this year, holidaying in Bendigo, Victoria, I made my single most expensive op shop purchase to date and it was still a great bargain.

I spent $99 on a brand new Cricut Mug Press (RRP$299) with four Cricut mugs (RRP $13/ pair). The volunteer serving me asked whether lockdowns, I knew exactly what I had scored! Now I can print as many crafty

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

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.

Locals in Academies

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Four Dandenong Stingrays and two Gippsland Power players have been included in the 2026 AFL/W Academies.

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)

Eliminate messy multiples

CRANBOURNE BOWLS

Midweek Pennant took centre stage at Cranbourne Bowling Club over the last seven days with wet weather on Saturday denying the weekend warriors their chance to shine.

Wednesday’s weather was also wet and cold in the morning, but picked up sufficiently for the Pennant round of matches to take place.

Playing on the back grass green, Cranbourne 1 Div 1 took on Dandenong Club 1 and for a while the game was going along nicely until the Dandenong Club started to pull away slowly from Cranbourne and eventually went on to win by 15 shots.

However, we had two rinks give their very best to only go down by six shots and nine shots respectively.

Best rink was skipped by Phil Nielsen, with Chris Stevenson (3), Peter Elgar (2) with Lead Brian Turton winning their rink by nine shots (23-14).

Second best rink was skipped by Nick Arnold, with Stephen Bentley (3), Lois Brock (2) and Lead Dennis Tomlin by his side.

The team fought hard all day, but couldn’t just close the gap, going down 14-20 in the final wash up. The final rink, skipped by Steve Hickson, Bill Sherriff (3), Karen Hickson (2) and Lead Vic Butera had a tough day, going down by 18 shots; 12-30.

A big thank you goes to one of our favourite members in Peter Elgar who jumped in last year and this year to help our top team get off to a good start.

However, being a retired gentleman with a wife and family, Peter is going back to his true midweek love, fishing on his boat.

This follows some serious refurbishment and just getting the boat back.

On behalf of everyone at midweek, thank you very much Pete for helping us out.

• Cranbourne 1 Div 1 def by Dandenong Club 1 (49-64) -15 shots and 2 points. Cranbourne 2 Div 3 took on Ferntree Gully 1 on their slick synthetic green.

Up until the break all Cranbourne rinks were well in the game, but after the lunch break the synthetic had dried considerably and the wind became a big factor.

It was swirling and blowing gusts and the

Ferntree Gully players, knowing their rink well, took advantage to slowly pull away to record a three rink win by 23 shots, and 16 points.

The best rink was skipped by Derek Maguire, with Chris Sharpe (3), Bruce Harper (2) and Lead Liz Hughes.

After leading early, the rink gave away three rinks of five in the second half of the game to be beaten by six shots (21-27).

Next best rink was skipped by Harry Van Soest, who with Dermot McConville (3), John Kent (2) and Lead Tom De Pradines went down by eight shots (15-23).

Last, but by no means least, was the rink

by Cheryl Wright, who with Allen

(3), John Anstiss (2) and Lead Frank Verco went down by nine shots and with zero points; 15-24.

This team has started to jell more and improve.

The three rinks went down by single figures, but now have to eliminate the multiples that they’re giving away.

• Cranbourne 2 Div 3 def by Ferntree Gully 1 (51-74) -23 shots and 0 points.

Cranbourne 3 Div 5 playing on the front synthetic green took on Mordialloc 2.

Best rink was skipped by David McMaster, who played a great game alongside Rod Challis

Next best team was skipped by Steve

and Lead Jeanne Tomlin went down by five shots, (18-23).

The rink skipped by Fritz Helle, with Denise Meulman (3), Peter Margiannis (2) and Lead Helen Blake were steamrolled by their Mordialloc opponents losing by 24 shots and claiming zero points.

• Cranbourne 3 Div 5 (9) def by Mordialloc 2 (33) -24 shots and 0 points.

Toughest test for first round of ‘clubbies’ at Lang Lang

LANG LANG GOLF

There was plenty of excitement in the air at Lang Lang Golf Club this week as players tuned up their games for the opening round of the Club Championships which began on Saturday.

Playing stroke format, Jye Kruyer (+1) led the way to take A Grade Gross honours at -1, with Tom Bishop (+3) finishing second on +1 on a countback, just ahead of junior Levi Perkins (3), also on +1.

In the concurrent daily stroke event, Andy Forbes (24) was the overall winner with -4.

The A Grade went to Tom Bishop, ahead of Levi Perkins, while B Grade was claimed by Tim Winter (22) on +1 c/b, from Craig Venville (14), also on +1.

Tuesday’s Stableford competition saw Roger Parker (13) in top form, taking A Grade with 41 points, ahead of Rick Falcone (14) on 36 points.

B Grade went to John Scales (24) with 38 points on a countback, edging out Tim Maskew (21), also on 38.

On Wednesday, Sophie Elliot (36) played steadily to win with 38 points, followed by Maria Warburton (25) on 33 points.

A large field turned out on Thursday, where Matthew Skinner (7) topped A Grade with 38 points, closely followed by Michael Foote (4) on 37.

B Grade went to Vern Hall (29) with 37 points on a countback, just ahead of Patrick Farrell (22), also on 37.

The sun finally broke through during Sunday’s Stableford event, where Neil Stafford (22) took the win with 37 points, ahead of Russell Swan (20) on 36, and Kevin Greenland (13) on 35.

It’s been a massive week at Lang Lang; with a superbly prepared course, testing conditions, and some impressive play across all grades.

We look forward to seeing how the action unfolds over the next two rounds as the 2025 Club Champions are decided.

-Caroline Clarke

Final Homes. Forever lifestyle.

Two beautiful homes. One inspiring lifestyle.

This is your last chance to join Officer Lifestyle Estate a thriving over 50’s community.

The Colorado - built for entertaining, designed for living. Step inside The Kansas and feel the magic for yourself.

Visit our displays this Tuesday or Thursday.

Tours run at 10am, 12noon and 2pm – pop by and find your perfect fit. Homes open for inspection