Tuesday, 24 March, 2026
Outer east teachers go on strike
Schools face mixed fire messaging
New emergency relief service in Cockatoo
Real estate lifout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Hungry 4 Success By Shamsiya Hussainpoor Hungry 4 Success celebrated its latest retail program graduates at Eastland on Thursday, 19 March. The course, run in partnership with Kmart and Target, gave participants practical, hands-on experience in retail. One of the graduates said the program boosted their confidence and skills. “It made me more aware of what retail involves,” Angelo Pezzimenti said. While April Saaghy said it helped her “come out of my shell.” Jessica Kelly said she now feels “confident…on the next steps in study and job interviews.” Glen Park Community Centre, chief executive officer, Heidi Butler-Moore said the graduates’ success showed the impact of Learn Local programs and community partnerships. Read more on page 14
Hungry 4 Success graduation. (Stewart Chambers: 541730)
Fuelled by crisis By Oliver Winn The escalating conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have sent Australian fuel prices skyrocketing, leaving households, small businesses, and volunteers in the outer east already struggling to cope. Since late February, average petrol prices in major cities have surged by nearly 50 cents per litre, prompting the Federal Government to release
700 million litres of fuel from reserves to combat regional shortages. Residents in the Yarra Ranges report that the spike is devastating local operations. Nicki Shea, a local farmer, noted that her business has been forced to implement fuel levies to survive. Similarly, Red Relish Cafe owner Ms Cordina warned of a “butterfly effect” where rising freight costs are driving up food prices.
The rapid price hikes have sparked allegations of price gouging. In response, ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb confirmed a preliminary investigation into major suppliers, including Ampol and BP, regarding anti-competitive conduct. “We are closely watching market conduct... and will not hesitate to act,” she said. The crisis has also triggered panic buying, which Associate Professor Devika Kannan warns
“worsens local shortages faster than the underlying disruption itself.” This tension has unfortunately boiled over at service stations, with staff in Wesburn reporting verbal abuse from frustrated customers. Experts urge the public to prioritise essential trips to conserve fuel for critical sectors like agriculture and emergency services. Turn to page 4 for more
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