News - Cranbourne Star News - 25th June 2026

Push for more police

A parliamentary petition sponsored by Libertarian MP David Limbrick is calling for more police and specialist support staff in Casey after criminal incidents rose 9.1 per cent to 23,284 in the year to March 2026.

At a Casey community crime forum, residents and traders raised concerns about police visibility, with as few as 12 officers on shift, and Clyde North Police Station was closed to the public after opening last year.

For more,go to pages 3 and 6

Dumping ground

Dumped mattresses, clothing and household waste have become a familiar sight at Hampton Park Centre, leaving residents and traders frustrated, embarrassed and worried about safety. The long-running issue was raised at the June Casey Community Meeting, where Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen called on landowners to better maintain their properties as Council endorsed the new Hampton Park Central Development Plan.

Council said many concerns had been linked to clothing donation bins once located on private land at the Hallam Road frontage of the old Coles site, near McDonald’s. Even after the bins were removed, people continued leaving unwanted goods behind.

Local residents said rising tip costs could be one reason people were dumping waste, but warned the rubbish could pose risks for children

walking through the area.

Mayor Cr Koomen said he was disappointed by the state of the old Coles site, but noted fencing had since been installed and the waste removed.

He said Council had also received complaints about rubbish left at other parts of the shopping centre, including near the Salvos, where dumped items could block access.

“It can actually impact residents,” he said.

“There’s a gentleman, Peter, who has a wheelchair, and he can’t get through because of that.”

Landowner of the old Coles site, Sandra Le, said she had spent nearly $10,000 cleaning the site and believed high disposal costs were helping fuel the problem.

“When you make it too expensive, where are people going to dump the rubbish?” she said.

Full story page 2

Dumping frustration boils over

By Violet Li

Hampton Park residents and traders are frustrated at the regular illegal rubbish dumping at their business centre.

The issue was highlighted at the June Casey Community Meeting by Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen when a new Hampton Park Central Development Plan was endorsed. He noted community concerns about rubbish dumping and unsightly private land in the Hampton Park Centre, and he called on landowners in the centre to maintain their properties.

Casey Council has advised that illegal rubbish dumping concerns have largely been linked to clothing donation bins previously located at the Hallam Road frontage of the old Coles site (65 Hallam Road), on private land near McDonald’s.

These bins attracted large volumes of donated items, as well as other household goods, which continued to be left behind even after the bins were removed.

Local resident John Butterworth said the dumping had become more frequent over the past six months.

“It’s definitely an eyesore. It’s not a good look for the community, and us as locals, we don’t appreciate this sort of stuff,” he said.

“People need to take their rubbish with them, be responsible and respectful to other people in the community.”

Mr Butterworth said he believed the rising cost of disposing of bulky items was one reason people were dumping waste illegally.

“I think a lot of it’s to do with the costs of removing things like concrete. Even a mattress or something is like $50 to take to the local tip now,” he said.

“People just can’t afford it. It’s economics. It’s a sign of the times. People are battling a bit more financially.”

However, he said the waste created safety concerns, especially for children walking through the area.

“You could get anything, like needles, and you don’t know what’s amongst this,” he said.

“I’ve got three daughters, and they regularly walk around this area. It’s a central area, so from a security point of view and just so they are safe physically, it’s a concern.”

Chingu Cafe owner Sangkyu, who has been running his business in the centre for about five months, said rubbish had been appearing regularly near the site.

“Probably twice a week, three times a week. A lot,” he said.

He said customers had also raised concerns about the condition of the area over the past two months.

“Our regular customers are all from the neighbourhood. They all know each other, so they just kept on mentioning it,” he said.

Sangkyu said the dumping was not limited to one spot, with people also using shop skip bins in the area.

He said more action was needed to stop illegal dumping.

“Council should actually take action,” he said.

“Someone who does it in the wrong way has to cop a hefty fine.”

Mayor Cr Koomen visited the old Coles site during the week of 15 to 19 June, and he said he was very disappointed by the amount of dumped rubbish.

But he noted that following the notices to comply, fencing had now been installed, and the rubbish had been removed.

Mayor Cr Koomen said Council had also received complaints about rubbish left at other parts of the shopping centre, including near the

Salvos, where dumped items could block access.

“It can actually impact residents,” he said.

“There’s a gentleman, Peter, who has a wheelchair, and he can’t get through because of that.

“Creating a better Hampton Park Central requires a shared effort, and Council is calling on property owners to take greater responsibility for maintaining clean, safe and welcoming spaces.”

Sandra Le, the landowner of the old Coles site, said she had acted after becoming aware of the dumping and had spent close to $10,000 cleaning the site.

She had contacted the Council to ask whether any support was available because she paid rates on the land but was told the rubbish was on private commercial land.

She said the high cost of rubbish disposal was contributing to illegal dumping.

“When you make it too expensive, where are people going to dump the rubbish?” she said.

Ms Le said she had always complied with Council notices when they had been issued.

“They have to give you a Notice to Comply. That’s how the process is. If I don’t comply with it, then they can give me a fine,” she said.

“But every time they have given me a Notice to Comply, obviously because I’m not down there all the time, when I do get a Notice to Comply, I have always complied.

“It’s costing me thousands and thousands of dollars to rectify these problems. I want to keep the place clean too.”

Ms Le said fencing would remain around the area while she worked through planning matters for the site.

She said she had already received a planning permit but was now seeking to amend it, including for another fast-food business, after construction costs increased.

She said the earlier endorsed permit process

had taken about 10 months, which she believed was too long.

“We’re in the process of lodging that amendment, and now let’s wait and see how long that’s going to take for them to issue that permit,” she said.

Council has advised its Litter Enforcement and Local Laws teams were aware of litter hotspots across Casey and used a range of approaches to address illegal dumping, including proactive patrols, covert cameras and witness statements.

Council encouraged residents to manage waste responsibly at home, including by donating good-quality items through appropriate channels and disposing of excess clothing correctly.

Residents are encouraged to report littering or illegal dumping via Snap Send Solve or through the Council’s online reporting form at: casey.vic. gov.au/litter.

No state election commitment, but door remains open

By Jensy Callimootoo

Casey’s mayor Stefan Koomen has responded to state-election candidacy rumours, telling Star News that he is focused on his second term as mayor and representing the City of Casey as a councillor.

While he dismissed the whispers, he did say that if an opportunity arose to participate in the upcoming election, he may consider it.

The growing speculation comes as Labor is lining up possible candidates in the region.

The current Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas recently announced he would not recontest the seat in the next election for various reasons, including his commitment to his two daughters.

Koomen ran for councillor as a self-described

independent in 2024.

At the time however, he was transparent that he had been a longtime Labor member and previously worked with Dandenong MP, Gabrielle Williams, now Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Public and Active Transport.

Shortly following Koomen’s election win for the Waratah ward, Koomen was unanimously voted into the position of the first Mayor in over four years. In 2025, he was again voted in for his second term as mayor by all 11 councillors.

A central aspect of his campaign was his advocacy to save and revitalise the Doveton Pool. An achievement he continues to take pride in.

Maas has held the seat for two terms since 2018. Prior to that, since 2002, the seat has been a Labor stronghold.

When Star News enquired about his possible successor following his resignation, Maas said he had his suspicions of the possible candidate but “didn’t know for sure”

“But look, whoever it is, I will be there,” he said.

“Whoever the party selects, I will be there supporting them and helping them to win Narre Warren South.”

While Koomen reiterated to Star News that there was no weight to whispers of him running as a candidate for the upcoming state election, he did emphasise the importance of local representation in Parliament.

He stated that it was crucial that a candidate understood the region as well as addressing what mattered to the community they represent.

“They [the candidate] need to be a voice for residents, “ he said.

Five months out until the November election, despite the building anticipation, Labor is yet to announce official candidates for the region.

Call for more police

By Afraa Kori and Jensy Callimootoo

A petition calling for greater police resources in the City of Casey has been sponsored and is now seeking further community backing amid growing concerns about crime.

Sponsored by MP David Limbrick, the petition calls for an increase in police presence in Casey as crime numbers have spiked 9.1 per cent compared to the previous year with 23,284 criminal incidents reported from April 2025 to March 2026.

The petition calls on the Victorian Government to “substantially” increase the number of police officers and specialist support staff deployed in Casey.

This would work to level the number of working officers to align with Casey’s population size and crime rate.

It also asks for a public report on minimum deployment levels.

While crime numbers are rising at a slower rate than previous years in Casey, according to the petition, the Police Service Area across the city has operated with as few as 12 officers on duty at any one time.

It comes as the police force in Victoria continues to grapple with staffing shortfalls, reporting vacancies of 1500.

At a Libertarian Crime forum that took place in Casey on Monday 22 June, Casey Residents and Ratepayers (CRRA) president, Anthony Tassone said that police visibility and resources have not kept pace with the growth of crime.

Calls for additional safeguards for the community come at a time of heightened concern, as Clyde North Police Station remains closed to the public.

The long-debated facility opened up late last year, and while officers are deployed from the station, the community is advised to attend the neighbouring Cranbourne Police Station.

“CRRA has been raising this since the station first opened. Our position has not changed: residents were promised a working police station, not

just a building with a closed door,” Tassone said.

“This has never been about politics. It’s about a fast-growing community getting the level of policing presence and access it was promised.”

Newly released crime data revealed that Clyde North is among Casey’s top five suburbs for crime incidents in the last year.

Cranbourne, Narre Warren, Berwick and Hallam are also included in the top five.

The figures also revealed that motor vehicle theft, family violence incidents, including serious assault, as well as ‘other thefts’ are some of the top crimes in Casey.

Prior to the release of crime statistics and a parliamentary petition, a VicPol member revealed at last month’s council’s crime forum, that there are only 12 police officers available on shift to cover the City of Casey.

The “shocking” figures were shared in front of local traders, community safety officers from the council, Neighbourhood Watch and Crime Stoppers representatives.

Other attendees included Federal Bruce MP Julian Hill, Berwick MP and Shadow Minister for Police and Corrections Brad Battin, and Libertarian MP David Limbrick.

“I was rather shocked…The idea that there are only 12 police officers there just seems incredible to me,” Mr Limbrick said.

“To put that in context, one of the things they said was that the population of the City of Casey is not far different to that of the entire state of Tasmania.

“A lot of them (retailers) said people (offenders) would just come in, especially to liquor shops, steal their products and walk out the door. They do not care that there are CCTV cameras there.

“They know that the police will not turn up in time. It is too dangerous for the staff to intervene.”

Victoria Police declined to comment on local police numbers. The petition is at parliament.vic. gov.au/get-involved/petitions/increase-policedeployed-in-the-city-of-casey

Break-ins, theft surge in Casey suburbs

By Violet Li

Casey’s crime rate has surged by 9.1 per cent, defying Victoria’s first overall drop in crime in the past four years.

Burglary and break-ins jumped by 53 per cent in Berwick, and theft surged by 44 per cent in Hallam, as Casey’s latest crime figures show crime pressures spreading across major suburbs.

The latest Crime Statistics Agency Victoria figures for the year ending March 2026 have shown that Berwick recorded one of the most striking rises with burglary and break-ins up 53 per cent compared with the previous year, from 219 to 335.

Among its offence subgroups, the number of residential aggravated burglaries has increased by 113.6 per cent from 59 to 126, and non-residential non-aggravated burglaries by 80 per cent from 50 to 92.

The suburb also recorded a 22 per cent increase in theft, driven largely by motor vehicle thefts and thefts from motor vehicles.

Hallam also stood out in the latest figures, with theft rising by 44 per cent, with thefts from motor vehicles and thefts from a retail store accounting for much of the rise.

In Narre Warren, theft rose by 27.2 per cent, and in Cranbourne, 14.8 per cent.

Statewide, Victoria Police noted that aggravated home burglaries have steadily declined by 19.9 per cent.

However, they remain well above traditional levels for the State (23 per cent increase over the past three years).

Car thefts have stabilised year-on-year with only one per cent increase statewide, but the Victoria Police stated that the overall number is far too high (24,424) and is more than double what it was four years ago.

Berwick MP and Shadow Police Minister Brad Battin noted that there was a 9.1 per cent increase in crime in Casey and a 25 per cent increase in theft from a motor vehicle.

“People talk to me about this every day. They are concerned about vacancies on the police rosters, no police at the Clyde North Police Station, and the general feeling of a less safe place to live,” he said.

Mr Battin said if the Liberals are elected in the upcoming November State Election, they will deliver 3000 more police, break bail, face jail and real consequences for offenders.

“We will always put the victims’ rights first. Our plan will reduce crime,” he said.

The latest figures also show a broader increase in breaches of orders across Casey’s top five crime suburbs: Cranbourne, Berwick, Narre Warren, Hallam and Clyde North. In Cranbourne, the breach of orders soared by 61 per cent from 262 to 422.

Clyde North has seen a 50 per cent increase in the same category from 132 to 199.

According to the Victoria Police, breaches of orders can include offences such as breaches of bail conditions, family violence contraventions and other court-imposed orders.

Victoria Police said breaches of orders were one of the top three contributors to overall crime across the state in the year to March 2026, alongside theft from motor vehicles and assaults.

Police said the increase in breaches of orders reflected, in part, proactive police intervention, including the detection of bail breaches and family violence contraventions.

The statewide figures showed more than 625,000 criminal offences recorded in the 12 months to March 2026, a slight decrease of 0.2 per cent.

Quick snapshot: Crime in the City of Casey

The Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) has released its quarterly figures for the year ending in March 2026 with crime in Casey rising by 9.1 per cent.

The newly released data covers the period of 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

There were 23,284 criminal incidents in Casey, with the top offences being stealing from a motor vehicle, criminal damage, breach of family violence order and motor vehicle theft.

While the numbers have risen, the rate of criminal incidents has risen more slowly than the

previous 12 months, which rose by 22 per cent.

Over 58 per cent of incidents remain unsolved, 15.6 per cent have no charges laid and 26.1 per cent have charges laid.

While ‘other theft’ is one of the most common crimes, these types of incidents have decreased from 2138 in the year to March 2025 to 2035 in 2026.

The most common crime areas were houses, driveways or public areas such as the street, footpath or lanes and shopping centre complexes.

Top suburbs are Cranbourne, Narre Warren, Berwick, Clyde North and Hallam.

Hallam recorded 1311 criminal incidents in 2026, taking the place of Hampton Park.

Serious assaults during family violence incidents have risen to 763 cases. Along with incidents of common assault to 1148.

Motor vehicle theft has risen from 1272 incidents in 2025 to 1545 incidents in 2026.

Theft from a motor vehicle has significantly increased by over 20 per cent to 4475 incidents.

The crime rate, which takes population growth into account, fell by 1.9 per cent to 8690.8 offences per 100,000 people.

However, Victoria Police said overall crime remained 26 per cent higher than three years ago, with cost-of-living pressures, recidivism, organised crime, drugs and technology-enabled offending continuing to drive crime.

Minister for Police Anthony Carbines said there’s more work to do, but crime is down, youth offending is down, and more people are being jailed, not bailed.

“We give police what they need to keep Victorians safe – more powers, tougher laws and stronger consequences,” he said.

Consultant fees to double

By Violet Li

Consultant fees at the Casey Council are set to more than double in the 2026-27 financial year, with the council to roll out a major new technology system.

The Council’s 2026-27 budget, which was endorsed at the June Council Meeting, shows that consultant costs are expected to rise by 124.2 per cent to about $19 million, mainly driven by “higher expected costs for consultants reflecting continued progression through the implementation stages of the enterprise resource planning system”.

Casey Council has advised that it is moving its operating systems to TechnologyOne’s OneCouncil platform, an enterprise resource

planning (ERP) system designed for local government.

The implementation is being delivered in two phases. Phase 1 was completed on 1 July 2025, while Phase 2 is underway and expected to be completed in 2027.

An ERP system is a large integrated technology platform that brings together core business functions into a single system, such as finance, HR, payroll, supply chain management, and asset management.

Council has also advised that the new platform will replace fragmented legacy systems and reduce manual processes, resulting in more streamlined operations.

The new system will create a single, consistent source of information across council

services, allowing for faster decision-making, more efficient service delivery and improved visibility of works and programs.

The system will also include a new customer portal, which Council says responds to community feedback calling for more self-service options and easier ways for residents to interact with Council at times that suit them.

City of Casey chief executive officer Glenn Patterson said external consultants were needed because of the scale and complexity of the project.

ERP consultants are usually brought in to help design, configure and test the system, migrate data from old platforms, connect different council functions, train staff and troubleshoot problems during the rollout.

“ERP implementations are complex, largescale, multi-year programs that require specialised technical and configuration expertise,” Mr Patterson said.

“External consultants have been engaged to provide some of that specialist expertise and additional delivery capacity, augmenting Council staff project resources who focus on designing the system to meet current and future service and community needs.

“The increase in consultant costs reflects the intensive delivery phase of the ERP program.

“As implementation is completed in late 2027 and the system transitions to business-as-usual operations, our engagement of external consultants will decrease.”

‘If it spreads, it will reach Victoria for sure’: H5N1 concern

By Violet Li

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park has urged residents not to touch sick or dead birds as concerns grow over the possible spread of H5N1 avian influenza.

The Pearcedale wildlife park has spent more than a year preparing for the possible arrival of the virus in Australia.

The warning follows the recent detection of H5N1 avian influenza in Western Australia and South Australia.

ABC reported on Monday 22 June that two cases of the H5N1 variant of avian influenza had been confirmed in migratory seabirds that washed up on a remote beach in Western Australia.

It went on to report two dead subantarctic seabirds found in South Australia on Tuesday 23 June.

Moonlit Sanctuary founder and director Michael Johnson said the virus was particularly concerning because it was highly infectious and had spread across multiple species overseas, including some mammals.

Overseas, the virus has been linked to major wildlife losses, including deaths among penguins and seals.

“Thousands upon thousands of seals died in South America... Every continent has had huge numbers of deaths from animals that have been infected,” Mr Johnson said.

“Most recently, Heard Island, which is Australian territory in the middle of the Indian Ocean, has seen thousands of seals die there.

“Wherever you look in the world, it’s been a problem.”

Mr Johnson said Australia had been fortunate to avoid the virus until now, but the detection in Western Australia showed the risk had changed.

“We’ve been very lucky up to this point, but it looks like our luck might have run out,” he said.

“We don’t know yet if it’s spread from those

than a year preparing for the possible arrival of the H5N1 virus in Australia. (Supplied)

two cases or whether they were the first cases, or whether they just happened to be the ones who were found dead. This is the problem.

“Of course, you’re dealing with very remote areas in Western Australia where there aren’t a lot of people, so you don’t necessarily come

across dead birds before they disappear.

“If it’s just those two birds, we’d be very lucky, but if it spreads, it will soon spread across Western Australia, then across the continent, and it will eventually reach Victoria for sure.”

Mr Johnson said birds that fed on the ground

or in water, as well as scavenging species, were among those most at risk.

He said infected birds could also expose other animals if carcasses were eaten by birds of prey or small mammals.

Moonlit Sanctuary had reviewed and strengthened its biosecurity procedures over the past 12 months, including response plans, enhanced hygiene and quarantine protocols, staff training, public signage and monitoring of bird health.

Mr Johnson said the sanctuary had also worked to make aviaries more secure, including measures to reduce the risk of wild birds contaminating enclosures.

“One of the dangers is an infected duck sitting on top of an aviary and pooing into it,” he said.

“You’re trying to keep animals away from that.”

He said the sanctuary had trained staff in how to respond to potentially infected birds but warned members of the public not to handle sick or dead birds themselves.

“Members of the public should never pick up a dead bird now, or a sick bird for that matter,” he said.

“It can be passed to humans, and you want to be very careful.”

Mr Johnson said the sanctuary’s threatened species were a top priority, particularly birds involved in conservation breeding programs.

“Protecting our birds, particularly threatened species involved in conservation breeding programs, is a top priority,” he said.

“Bird flu is a complex issue that affects not only agriculture but also wildlife conservation.”

The sanctuary is home to critically endangered native birds, including orange-bellied parrots and regent honeyeaters.

Residents who find a sick or dead bird or animal are advised not to touch it and to call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Man jailed for ramming store fronts and stealing ATMs

By Corey Everitt

A Cranbourne North man who was involved in a spate of thefts, including the use of a crane truck to drag an ATM out of a Longwarry supermarket, has been jailed for more than four years.

Richard Longley was sentenced to four years and five months’ imprisonment in the Country Court of Victoria for a series of thefts from businesses in 2024.

Longley pleaded guilty to 20 charges, 16 of which related to theft, burglary and property damage.

The offending spanned five incidents in which Longley, alongside other individuals, used stolen trucks to ram store fronts and extract ATMs containing up to a hundred thousand dollars, as well as breaking into busi-

nesses and stealing thousands from safes.

Judge Tara Hartnett said the offending was “purely for financial gain” and that Longley showed “no evidence of any insight” into the gravity of the incidents.

The offending began in January 2024 when Longley was one of three men who stole a standalone ATM from a Kilsyth tobacco store after a stolen truck was backed through the front of the premises and used to dislodge the machine, which was then loaded onto the tray of the truck.

The ATM was then taken to an industrial area in Kilsyth, where CCTV captured the men using power tools to break it open.

Two incidents in the middle of 2024 followed, in which Longley was among a group of men who again used stolen trucks to ram

two stores, a Longwarry supermarket in June and a Clayton South laundromat in July.

In these incidents, the offenders used a crane truck to extract the ATMs installed near the entrance of each store. The Longwarry ATM contained $101,930 in cash at the time, and the Clayton South ATM held $97,500.

Within one week in September 2024, Longley and another man broke into a Mount Eliza cafe and a Grill’d restaurant in Heatherton.

They stole $3,550 from the business’s safe in Mount Eliza. In Heatherton, they removed and stole a safe containing $3,000 using an Isuzu D-Max ute

Police arrested Longley in October 2024. An Isuzu D-Max ute was found in his possession.

While in custody, Longley denied any knowledge of, or involvement in, the incidents.

Police placed him in a cell with two covert operatives, where he admitted his association with ATM thefts across multiple locations, using his vehicle in the incidents and other details, including a claim of using jaws of life to open the ATMs.

Included among Longley’s charges were four relating to possessing a drug of dependence, counterfeit money, an item contrary to a firearms prohibition order and a radiocommunications device without a licence. Judge Hartnett ordered a non-parole period of three years.

Police found licence plates stored in the back of the vehicle, as well as a “Grizzly Bar” similar to that used to break into the Mount Eliza and Heatherton premises.

Clyde North man dies following alleged serious assault

A Clyde North man has died following an alleged serious assault last week on Friday 12 June.

The 63-year-old was allegedly assaulted by two men on Straithaird Reserve in Narre Warren South about 3:15pm. A 21-year-old man of

no fixed place of address and a 22-year-old man from Narre Warren South were charged on Monday 15 June and Saturday 13 June respectively. Both were charged with recklessly causing serious injury.

Following the assault, the victim was transported to hospital with critical injuries. He died on the morning of Thursday 18 June.

The investigation remains ongoing with both men in custody.

Detectives from the Homicide Squad will assume primacy of the investigation and will consider alternate charges following the results of a post-mortem. Police believe the parties involved were known to each other.

Case for frequent buses

By Violet Li

Only about one in 10 Casey residents live within 800 metres of a high-quality metropolitan bus service, a new Auditor-General’s report has found.

The Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO)’s latest independent report on Improving Bus Services looked at the transport conditions of five outer metropolitan councils, including Casey.

The report has found that Casey has roughly about 80 per cent of residents within 400 metres of a metropolitan bus service, but only around 9 to 12 per cent within 800 metres of a high-quality metropolitan bus service or high-quality public transport service.

In the report, a high-quality bus service is defined as a bus route that runs at an average frequency of 20 minutes, or better, between the hours of 6am and 8pm Monday to Friday, until at least 9pm Monday to Friday, and on both Saturday and Sunday.

High-quality public transport is a train, tram or bus service that runs every day, with services until at least 9pm on weekdays and an average frequency of 20 minutes or better between 6am and 8pm.

Among the five outer-growth councils examined, Hume performed best, with about a quarter of its population living within 800 metres of a high-quality metropolitan bus service or high-quality public transport service.

Whittlesea followed, with almost one in five residents within 800 metres of a high-quality metropolitan bus service.

Wyndham recorded the lowest access to high-quality bus or public transport services, with fewer than one in 10 residents within 800 metres of a high-quality metropolitan bus service.

Across Melbourne, 87 per cent of house-

holds were within 400 metres of a bus service, but only 26 per cent were within 800 metres of a high-quality bus service.

“Communities without nearby access to tram or train services rely heavily on bus services to get them to work, education, community and social activities. When their bus service is of poor quality, it limits transport options for young people, the elderly, people with disabilities, or those who cannot afford to run a car,” the VAGO report states.

Public transport advocate and former Department of Transport bus planner Peter Parker said the audit was a fair description of Casey’s bus network and its lack of access to frequent services.

“Yes, the audit fairly calls out the lack of access to frequent bus services in the Casey area,” he said.

“Better route directness, frequency, operating hours and coverage are all essential to a high-quality network.”

Mr Parker said bus service levels varied greatly across Casey, with parts of Cranbourne and Hampton Park receiving a relatively high level of service, including some routes running every 20 minutes seven days a week.

However, he said established suburbs such as Narre Warren South, Narre Warren and Berwick were served by a complex network of indirect and infrequent routes.

“Forty-to-60-minute gaps between buses are common, operating hours can be limited, and there may not be easy access to key employment areas such as Dandenong South,” he said.

He said Fountain Gate was a major seven-day destination, but still lacked a single all-week frequent bus route.

Mr Parker said its route to Endeavour Hills ran infrequently on weekdays only, while the connection to Belgrave operated on weekends only, with some Friday evening services.

“These network shortcomings, which have ex-

isted for years, make Fountain Gate less accessible by public transport than similarly sized shopping centres in other parts of Melbourne,” he said.

Mr Parker noted there had been significant recent investment in buses for Clyde North through growth-area funding, but many routes remained infrequent, overlapped with each other or stopped short of major destinations.

He said there was still no direct bus route between Cranbourne and Berwick stations, no direct bus connection between Hampton Park and Dandenong South, and limited connections from Fountain Gate to destinations such as Endeavour Hills and Belgrave.

He noted the State Government had announced a proposal in the May 2026 State Budget to upgrade, extend and realign bus services across Botanic Ridge, Casey Fields, Clyde, Junction Village and Devon Meadows, but said full details were yet to be released.

Mr Parker said the State Government’s first priority should be improving frequencies and operating hours on existing direct routes, particularly on weekends.

“This would improve connections to major destinations in Casey, such as Fountain Gate, as well as to the wider PT network,” he said.

“Many such upgrades are possible by working the existing bus fleet harder all week.

“Because it connects people to Fountain Gate and many jobs in the south-east, I would nominate a seven-day Route 828 as top priority, closely followed by improvements to other routes such as 791, 841, 893 and 926.

“Also desirable would be the introduction of simpler and more frequent routes in the Hampton Park/Narre Warren/Berwick area, as these areas have gone years without a bus network review, yet travel needs have changed. The work here could possibly be done alongside the bus network review proposed for Clyde.”

Mr Parker said better public transport could

improve access to jobs and opportunities and help households avoid the cost of buying an additional car.

“Households who can delay buying an additional car for a year have an extra $10,000 in their pocket due to foregone car running expenses,” he said.

Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) spokesperson Daniel Bowen said the latest report is a reminder that while most of Melbourne has public transport, many of the routes in the outer suburbs, including around Casey, are not high-quality, frequent services that make it convenient for people to switch from driving.

“People who are within walking distance of a station generally have a pretty good service. But for most other areas, it’s buses only, and most bus routes run infrequent services. Nobody wants to wait 30 or 40 minutes or even longer for a bus, but this is the only public transport option for most people in Casey,” he said.

“Lack of good public transport means most people are stuck with driving, stuck in the traffic and at the pointy end of high fuel prices.

“The State Government should be upgrading more routes to run every 20 minutes or better, cutting waiting times and providing better connections to train services.

“At present, most people moving into the area will look at their options and conclude that a car is the only viable way to get around. More and better public transport, along with better walking and cycling options, is key to providing more locals with real options.”

The findings came as Casey Council’s 2026 State Election advocacy campaign, Building a Better Casey, calls for $50 million to investigate and improve bus services. Among the commitments the Council is seeking are more frequent bus services to reduce waiting times and improve reliability, including increased service frequency on Route 828 and 893.

What bus network changes are coming to the Casey region

Family violence surges while support question lingers

By Afraa Kori

The Liberal and Labor parties have not, as of yet, committed to additional Alexis workers ahead of the state election, as rising family violence offences pressure frontline services across Melbourne’s south-east.

New data from the Crime Statistics Agency shows Casey recorded 3,963 breaches of family violence intervention orders and 6,796 family violence incidents in the year ending March 2026.

In Greater Dandenong, there were 2,132 breaches of family violence orders and 2,984 family violence incidents.

Cardinia Shire recorded 1,268 breaches of family violence orders and 2,011 family violence incidents.

Additionally, police responded to 161 callouts over a seven-day period in April, including 85 in Casey, 45 in Greater Dandenong and 31 in Cardinia.

The investigation unit arrested 95 alleged perpetrators, and charged 58 of them with 290 family violence offences.

More than half of the offences (57 per cent) related to perpetrators breaching family violence intervention orders and 26 per cent related to assaults against victims.

The latest data comes as police reveal just one specialist family violence support worker is assisting victim-survivors across Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong.

“One person dealing with three LGA areas is just not enough,” Family Violence Investigation Unit officer-in-charge Jason Iles said.

“We have an embedded Alexis worker at our office who is invaluable, and we would love to have another 10 of them.”

At the crime forum earlier this month, Cardinia Shire Councillor Jack Kowarzik ques-

tioned why three growing municipalities share a single embedded specialist worker, given family violence remains the most commonly reported offence category.

Sen Sgt Iles responded that funding constraints were the key barrier.

“We’re obviously trying to get more than one,” he said.

“It’s not a lack of trying that we haven’t got any. That comes back to dollars and cents.

“Which is unfortunate, because it shouldn’t but that’s what it does. That’s what it boils down to.”

The 2026–27 State Budget has not outlined additional funding for more Alexis workers in the south-east LGAs.

When asked if a re-elected Liberal government will commit to increasing Alexi workers, Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, MP Eildon Cindy McLeish said the Labor government “spruiked” that the program “embeds two” specialised family violence workers in these units and therefore “needs to come through on this commitment”

However Ms McLeish only reassured that they have “a clear commitment” to community safety, pledging to recruit an additional 3,000 frontline police officers across Victoria to help restore police numbers, reopen stations operating on reduced hours and ensure communities receive the response they deserve.

“The feedback that I’m getting from those working in the sector suggests the Alexis Family Violence Response Model is making a real difference,” she said.

“Where the model is operating, it is widely regarded as an example of the benefits that come from closer collaboration between police and specialist services.”

Labor Government was contacted for a comment.

Machetes a real concern

By Afraa Kori

Premier Jacinta Allan’s $13 million machete bins are under fresh scrutiny, with new data showing weapon offences are still rising in Melbourne’s south-east.

Last year, the Labor Government announced a suite of measures aimed at tackling knife crime, including a push for a national ban on the sale and possession of machetes and the rollout of machete disposal bins across the state.

Failure to comply with the laws carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment or a fine exceeding $47,000.

Minister for Police Anthony Carbines previously said the machete ban is “working to dry up the supply of these dangerous weapons on our streets”.

However, Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) data released last week, suggests weapon offending has not eased locally.

Casey recorded an increase in weapons and explosive offences, rising from 790 in 2025 to 851 in March 2026.

Cardinia offences also increased from 294 to 302 over the same period.

Knife crime remains a key concern for police and the community, following several incidents and tragedies reported across Melbourne.

Casey-based Bail Justice Wayne Smith said he continues to see aggravated burglary and machete cases coming before him despite the government’s crackdown.

“The machete stuff really does concern me,” he said.

“That’s been reflected in what you hear (for example, in the media). I’m seeing it on the ground. Unfortunately, it’s still there.”

Mr Smith said young offenders often admit to carrying machetes but insist they would never use them.

“As much as they say to me, I would never use it, I can’t accept that,” he said.

“You can say that you wouldn’t. I’d hope you wouldn’t, and you probably hope you wouldn’t.

“If push comes to shove – if you’re caught, threatened and confronted.

“To protect yourself to get out of there, you (offenders) would use it. I truly believe that.”

He said the presence of a machete can quickly escalate offending, particularly during aggravated burglaries when residents unexpectedly confront intruders.

“As soon as they break in and there’s someone in the house, that’s aggravated very quick-

ly,” he said.

“So it escalates it to the highest level.” He said, “fortunately” most offenders committing aggravated burglaries are not confronted in the act and are only caught afterwards, usually through CCTV.

Asked what he enjoyed most about being a bail justice, Mr Smith said he believed he was playing a role in “keeping the community safe”.

“I do about 200 hearings a year and I might grant bail in less than 5 per cent of cases,” he stressed.

“The majority of people we see are remanded. I don’t have a guilty conscience about it at all. I am tough, but I’m only applying the law.

“If I can do my bit to keep someone off the street and out of harm’s way, I’ll do it. But I do it knowing the powers are limited to one night.”

He added that many offenders and their families have later thanked him for keeping young people in custody.

A decade of community

For the past decade, Shopping on Clyde has been more than just a convenient retail stop at 280 Berwick-Cranbourne Road; it has grown into the very heartbeat of our local community. To mark this incredible 10-year milestone, the precinct is throwing an unforgettable birthday bash packed with family-friendly entertainment, giveaways, and major town announcements.

The celebration spans from early July, kicking off with an impressive lineup of free school holiday fun.

Families can look forward to meeting an animatronic dragon, alongside dedicated dragon crafts for kids and vibrant face-painting sessions.

If you are feeling lucky, the “Lucky Spinning Wheel” will be active from Wednesday to Saturday across consecutive weeks, giving shoppers the chance to win a slice of over $1,500 worth of voucher giveaways. Additionally, a free-to-play soccer kick-off competition will keep the energy high.

The atmosphere will be further elevated by a curated selection of roving entertainers. From

balloonists and stilt-walkers to live jazz and musical duos, there is something to capture everyone’s attention. Shoppers can also take home a piece of the milestone with free calico shopping bags distributed during select peak hours.

Beyond the anniversary festivities, the precinct is looking firmly toward a vibrant future with three major additions anchoring its newest development phase. Health and wellness enthusiasts can look forward to the opening of Anytime Fitness Clyde, a premier 24/7 fitness facility. Right inside the new building is Tigo (sports bar and restaurant) a wonderful place to experience delicious food, good vibes, and great company.

Located on the ground floor is Kesari restaurant offering a delicious range of Indian food in a large spacious environment. This powerhouse combo promises to elevate both the lifestyle and social landscape of the area.

Whether you are coming down for the dragon, the music, or the chance to score a voucher, join us in celebrating a decade of local business, community spirit, and exciting new beginnings. Here’s to the next ten years!

Celebrating

10 YEARS

Yoga helps celebrate unity

More than 100 people from multicultural backgrounds gathered at Lynbrook Community Centre to mark the International Day of Yoga. The event, organised by local community organisation Saathi Multicultural Association of Australia Inc. on Sunday 21 June, brought families and community members together for a morning focused on wellbeing, inclusion and cultural connection.

The yoga session was led by instructor Komal Ghai, with participants of all ages taking part.

After the session, attendees shared meals prepared and served by Saathi member Bharti Agrawal from Maru Bhoomi Ro Swad.

Saathi founder and president Chanchal Kumavat said the celebration reflected the organisation’s broader work in supporting health

and social connection across the south east.

The not-for-profit organisation runs free yoga, meditation and wellbeing programs five times a week across Hampton Park, Lynbrook, Narre Warren and Clayton, including weekly meditation sessions on Saturdays.

City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen and Cr Carolyn Eaves attended the celebration, which opened with a traditional lighting of the

Certificates were also presented to volunteers Anusha Srinivasan, Komal Ghai and Neha Sharma.

FOCUS ON … SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Get up close with reptiles

As families prepare for the winter school holidays, St Germain Central is excited to bring a unique wildlife experience to the local community with a free Reptile Encounters Stage Show and Wildlife Meet and Greet.

Taking place on Monday 29 June from 10am to 12pm, the event promises an engaging and educational morning for children and adults alike. Designed to entertain while inspiring curiosity about Australia’s incredible wildlife, Reptile Encounters offers visitors the chance to learn from experienced wildlife educators and meet some remarkable animal ambassadors up close.

Guests will enjoy an interactive stage show featuring fascinating native animals, while learning fun and informative facts about reptiles and wildlife conservation. Following the presentation, families will have the opportunity to participate in a meet and greet experience, providing a rare chance to get closer to these creatures in a

safe and supervised environment.

At St Germain Central, creating memorable community experiences is an important part of what we do. Events such as Reptile Encounters not only provide free entertainment during the school holidays but also encourage learning, exploration, and family connection.

With many families seeking affordable activities during the holiday break, this free event offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy a fun day out while supporting local retailers and businesses throughout the centre.

Whether your child is a budding wildlife expert or simply loves animals, Reptile Encounters is sure to be a highlight of the school holidays. We invite the community to join us on Monday 29 June from 10am to 12pm and experience the wonder of Australia’s wildlife right here at St Germain Central.

Inclusive winter holiday fun

Families seeking an exciting and supportive school holiday experience can discover the perfect mix of adventure and inclusion at Clip ‘n Climb Berwick’s specialised holiday program.

A key feature of the program is the high level of support provided to participants. Participants are supported by Therapy Assistants at a ratio of two participants to one Therapy Assistant, as well as two qualified Occupational Therapists supervising each session. This personalised approach helps children build confidence, develop social skills and enjoy a fun, active day in a safe environment.

The program is also claimable through the NDIS, making it an accessible option for many families during the school holidays.

As Australia’s largest Clip ‘n Climb venue,

Clip ‘n Climb Berwick is home to an incredible range of world-class attractions designed to keep children active, engaged and entertained for hours. With climbing challenges, adventure activities and interactive experiences, there is something for every interest and ability.

Running from 9am to 3pm, the holiday program is packed with exciting activities including Clip ‘n Climb wall challenges, SkyTrail, SkyRail, the Leap of Faith, Giant Drop Slides, Spider Tower games and interactive GameWall experiences. Children will also enjoy an epic Nerf battle, pizza-making activities, craft creations and a fun game of Climb Cluedo. Activities are adapted to suit different ages and abilities, ensuring every participant can get involved.

FOCUS ON … SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Saltbush adventure awaits

“Children’s theatre doesn’t get any better than this. This inspired array of Italian and Aboriginal artists is the perfect fusion of dance, art and breathtaking digital design.” - “Sunday Mail”

Looking for a school holiday experience that will spark your child’s imagination, curiosity and creativity?

Saltbush is a captivating interactive theatre experience that invites children and their families on an unforgettable journey across Australia’s diverse landscapes and First Nations Countries. Combining storytelling, dance, music and cutting-edge digital technology, Saltbush transforms young audience members from spectators into active participants.

Saltbush follows the adventures of two friends and their spiritual guide, as they travel on foot across First Nations Countries, passing rivers, cities, desert, and the sea.

Using innovative sensors and infrared technology, children can move, play and interact directly with the performers and digital environments, creating a truly immersive experience unlike any other.

Performer Luke Currie-Richardson says one of the most rewarding aspects of the show is watching young audience members embrace the experience.

“I’ve been lucky to have a 15-year performance career that has taken me across the world and for me there’s nothing more rewarding than sharing Saltbush with the children of the world and teaching the next generation a tiny bit of Aboriginal culture and methodology. The openness and imagination our children have, allows them to embrace our culture and helps with reconciliation.”

Beautiful, engaging and inspiring, Saltbush is a theatre experience that will leave children talking long after the curtain falls. Only showing at Bunjil Place these school holidays.

The Megaphone Project

BU

Across the school holidays, The Megaphone Project at Bunjil Place on Sat 27 June. Our Plaza will come alive with 25 megaphones for kids of all ages to explore, play and discover. Each megaphone has something different to hear – what will you learn?

Explore the full program of locations and dates across Casey on our website.

How

The team behind The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s

ON … SCHOOL HOLIDAY

Celebrate winter magic

Melbourne families are set to embrace the magic of winter when FROSTED – A Winter Spectacular arrives in Narre Warren this June and July, transforming the south-east into a festive wonderland unlike anything seen before. Running from June 19 to July 19 under the heated Big Top opposite Westfield Fountain Gate, the event promises a month of entertainment, creativity, and unforgettable family memories.

Designed especially for young families and children aged 10 and under, FROSTED brings

together the enchantment of Christmas and the excitement of winter in an immersive indoor experience. Guests will step into a frost-filled world featuring interactive attractions, live performances, themed activities, and plenty of opportunities to create lasting memories.

Among the highlights are PAW Patrol character meet-and-greets, live shows featuring favourite characters, winter-themed mini golf, an artificial ice-skating rink, inflatable play zones, creative craft activities, and the chance to meet

while families can enjoy a range of winter-

food and drinks throughout the venue.

With general admission, VIP experiences, and family ticket packages available, the event has been designed to make the magic accessible to everyone. Organisers say the spectacular aims to deliver a heartwarming escape from the winter chill, combining festive fun with a unique indoor environment where imagination can flourish.

As Melbourne settles into the colder months, FROSTED offers a welcome opportunity for families to come together, celebrate the season, and enjoy a magical winter adventure close to home. Whether it’s skating, crafting, meeting beloved characters, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, visitors can expect an experience that truly captures the wonder of winter.

Find us on social media @frosted_awinterspectacular and secure your bookings now at www.frostedawinterspectacular.com.au

One culture? One race? One Australia?

At the National Press Club, Senator Pauline Hanson declared that Australia should be a “monocultural” rather than multicultural society.

Truth be told... we’re not entirely sure which Australia she is talking about.

Because the Australia most of us live in is wonderfully messy, diverse and interconnected.

The doctor treating your child may have trained in India.

Your local cafe may be run by a Greek, Vietnamese or Lebanese family.

Your children’s classmates may speak another language at home.

Your neighbours may celebrate Eid, Diwali, Lunar New Year or Christmas.

And on Anzac Day, they all stand side by side, wearing a sprig of rosemary and remembering those who served this country.

That is Australia.

The problem with this debate is that people often confuse ‘multiracial’ and ‘multicultural’ as though they are the same thing. They are not.

A multiracial society simply means people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds live in the same country.

A multicultural society means those people are also able to maintain and express aspects of their cultural heritage while participating fully as Australians.

Australia is already multiracial. That ship sailed a long time ago.

The real question is whether we become fearful of our diversity or intelligent in how we manage it.

Because monoculturalism sounds simple until you actually ask what it means.

Whose culture exactly?

First Nations culture?

British culture?

Irish culture?

Italian culture?

Greek culture?

Post-war Australian culture?

Modern Australian culture?

Australia has never been one thing. We’ve always been evolving.

Our food, music, sport, language and traditions have all been shaped by wave after wave of migration, adaptation and contribution.

It is easier to find the best Banh Mi as opposed to a good meat pie these days (though we

still swear by our Balfours).

Even Christmas, now considered quintessentially Australian, looks very different here than it does in England.

Culture evolves. That’s what cultures do.

The answer is not to pretend difference doesn’t exist.

The answer is to create belonging that is bigger than our differences.

This is also where we often confuse assimilation with integration.

Assimilation expects people to abandon or forget their own culture and adopt one dominant way of being.

Integration is different. It means participating fully in Australian life, learning English so we can communicate effectively, respecting our laws and democratic values, and contributing to society, while still being able to celebrate and maintain aspects of our cultural heritage.

Australia has never asked people to stop being Greek, Italian, Chinese, Sikh or Sudanese. It has asked them to become Australian too.

The Socceroos showed us exactly what that looks like.

The squad includes players from refugee backgrounds and families originating from all corners of the globe.

Some have parents born overseas. Some speak more than one language. Some practise different faiths.

Yet when they wear the green and gold, nobody asks where their grandparents came from.

Nobody questions whether they are Australian enough. The nation simply cheers.

Why?

Because they belong.

They represent something bigger than themselves.

Perhaps that is the lesson our politics keeps missing. Unity does not require uniformity. In

fact, trying to force uniformity often creates exactly the divisions we claim to fear.

The more we insist that everyone must fit one mould, the more people retreat into their own corners and become defensive of their identity.

Fear creates division. Belonging creates unity.

This is why values-based education matters so much.

We spend enormous amounts of time teaching literacy and numeracy, yet very little time teaching young people how to live together in increasingly diverse societies.

How to disagree respectfully. How to navigate difference. How to build trust.

How to develop pride in being Australian while also appreciating the stories that have shaped their families.

Programs like Belonging in Casey are small but important examples of what this can look like.

The Casey-wide competition invites young people to explore what belonging means to them and to celebrate both their diversity and their shared identity as Australians.

Because the future of Australia will not be determined by whether we celebrate our different cultural or religious festivals.

It will be determined by whether we can celebrate these things while still feeling part of this great nation.

The challenge before us is not choosing between multiculturalism and national identity.

The challenge is creating a stronger Australian identity that has room for all of us.

A confident nation does not fear diversity. A confident nation knows exactly who it is.

Perhaps the conversation Australia really needs is not whether we are multicultural.

That debate was settled generations ago. The real conversation is how we intentionally create belonging, civic responsibility and pride in being Australian.

Because truth be told... Australia’s greatest strength has never been that we all look the same or celebrate the same things.

Our greatest strength is that despite our different stories, cultures and journeys, we still choose to stand under one flag and call ourselves Australians.

Our greatest strength is that somehow, despite all our differences, we still call ourselves Australians.

Australia must denounce Pauline’s toxic politics

By

Senator Pauline Hanson’s recent National Press Club address was a stark reminder of how easily fear can be weaponised in politics.

And how urgently Australia needs leadership grounded in human rights, racial equity, and social justice, not division.

Her speech attacked multiculturalism, dehumanised and demonised Muslim communities, dismissed transgender Australians, and framed migrants as a “crisis”

It represents a worldview fundamentally at odds with the inclusive, pluralistic nation we aspire to be.

But the problem on that stage did not begin and end with Senator Hanson.

It was compounded by the failure of the National Press Club and the journalists present to challenge, interrogate, or contextualise her most inflammatory claims.

In a moment that demanded moral clarity and journalistic courage, the questions at the Press Club failed to hold her to account and did not go far enough.

Senator Hanson’s speech did more than express an opinion.

It deployed a familiar and dangerous political tactic of othering.

By framing migrants, Muslims, and transgender people as threats to “Australian values,” she positions entire communities as problems to be solved rather than people deserving dignity and rights.

The National Press Club is not just a venue.

It is an institution that claims to uphold the highest standards of public interest journalism.

Yet during Hanson’s speech, those standards were conspicuously absent.

By giving Senator Hanson an unchallenged national platform, the Press Club allowed harmful narratives to be broadcast with the veneer of legitimacy.

A platform is not neutral; it confers authority.

Journalists had the opportunity to interrogate her claims about migrants, Muslims, and transgender people.

Instead, the questions largely skirted the harmful impact of her rhetoric.

When racism and dehumanisation go unchallenged, they are normalised.

The Press Club could have pressed Hanson on how her call for a “monocultural” Australia aligns with international human rights obligations.

It did not.

Silence in the face of discriminatory rhetoric is not impartiality; it is complicity.

This is not an isolated incident.

Australian media has a long history of amplifying divisive voices under the guise of “balance” or “free speech”

But free speech does not mean freedom from

Why is One Nation on the rise?

I am writing in response to the recent opinion piece regarding Pauline Hanson and One Nation (Australia must denounce Pauline Hanson’s toxic politics — and demand better from its press, Star News, 19 June).

While the article argues that the political press and the public need to firmly reject her platform, it completely misses the broader context of why a growing number of Australians feel compelled to support One Nation in the first place.

The reality is that the political pendulum has been swung incredibly far to the left by activist groups, mainstream media narratives, and major political parties.

For many everyday Australians, the traditional centre no longer feels like the centre.

When mainstream political discourse continuously alienates working-class citizens by prioritising niche ideological debates over practical economic and social issues, people feel completely abandoned.

Many voters do not support One Nation out of “toxic” malice, but rather because they feel left with no other choice.

When the political left pushes policies and cultural changes too far and too fast, a corrective pushback is inevitable.

Dismissing or censoring this political movement as purely harmful completely ignores the genuine frustrations of everyday people who feel locked out of the current political consensus.

If we want a better press and a better political landscape, we need to stop ignoring the reasons why voters are turning to alternative parties.

Rather than simply denouncing One Nation, the media should look more closely at how the excesses of the far-left have created the very environment they are criticising. Ragnarr Rasmusson Dandenong

****

I am writing to respond to the recent opinion piece on Australian identity. (One race? One culture? One Australia?, Truth Be Told, 18 June)

Your article highlights the confusion surrounding what “Australian culture” actually means today.

But to understand why people are turning to One Nation, we need to look at how drastically our cultural landscape has been artificially shifted.

Many of us remember a pre-Kevin Rudd Australia where identity was simple and unifying.

Growing up, we were explicitly told that it didn’t matter where you or your parents came from once you were here, we were all the same.

We were all Australians.

scrutiny.

Journalism’s role is not to provide a megaphone; it is to provide context, challenge misinformation, and protect the public from harm.

Human rights frameworks, from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to Australia’s own anti-discrimination laws, are built on the idea that every person is equal in dignity and worth.

Senator Hanson’s speech violates the spirit of these principles by suggesting that some cultures, religions, or identities are less legitimate than others.

But when the press fails to challenge such rhetoric, it undermines these principles too.

Human rights are not upheld only by courts and parliaments. They are upheld by public discourse, by the media, and by the willingness of institutions to call out injustice.

We deserve leaders who build bridges, not walls. And we deserve journalists who hold them to that standard.

Senator Hanson’s speech may resonate with those who feel unheard or frustrated, but it offers no real solutions.

Instead, it deepens divides and undermines the shared values that allow us to live together with respect.

But the media’s failure to challenge her rhetoric is equally concerning.

Democracy depends on a press willing to confront harmful ideas, not simply broadcast them.

Australia can choose a different path, one rooted in justice, empathy, and human rights.

An Australia where we are mature enough as a nation to recognise and honour the unique status of First Nation People, the contributions of waves of migrants to this country, and the dignity of all creation.

That is the Australia worth defending.

In school, everyone brought a different packed lunch reflecting their heritage, but the curriculum focused on what brought us together.

We were taught to love our country, love each other, and focus on our shared future, not our different pasts.

Today, that unifying message has been completely flipped.

Everywhere you look, people’s differences are put front and centre.

The modern system makes a point of categorising and treating people differently based on their race, sex, or orientation under the guise of progress.

This constant hyper-focus on division is exactly why so many earlier migrants are now voting for One Nation.

They came here to integrate into a cohesive, fair society, and they are completely baffled by the current climate.

Recent arrivals who expect society to bend to their grievances don’t understand the Australia that came before them.

The deep division we see today wasn’t caused by malice; it was caused by a system trying to do too much “goodwill” , leaving cultural destruction in its wake.

If people today don’t know what true Australian culture looks like, it isn’t their fault.

The systems of today have actively dismantled it.

People are voting for One Nation because they want to return to an Australia where we are individuals united under one flag, rather than factions divided by identity politics.

Ragnarr Rasmusson Dandenong

Affordable housing push

By Violet Li

Casey Council will review its own land for potential affordable housing sites by the end of November, under a strengthened policy designed to turn housing promises into measurable action.

At the 16 June Casey Council Meeting, councillors unanimously endorsed a new Affordable Housing Policy with an amendment by Cr Lynette Pereira.

The amendment requests that an Affordable Housing Implementation Plan be developed for the Council by 30 November 2026, including actions to increase affordable housing supply, opportunities to secure affordable housing through the planning system, consideration of social and crisis housing needs, and clear annual targets, performance measures and reporting arrangements to track progress in increasing affordable housing supply in Casey.

Councillors will also be briefed by the same date on council-owned land that may be suitable for affordable housing or partnership opportunities.

Cr Pereira said the focus on council-owned land and partnership opportunities was ‘groundbreaking’

“The fact of the matter is, people need housing, and not everyone can afford to just go into the open market. People can find themselves losing a job and being evicted, or being victims of family violence, all sorts of things,” she said at the meeting.

“It can happen to anyone. You can find yourself homeless at any time.

“We’re going to have increasing numbers of people who need homes. They’ve got to live somewhere. We’ve got to help alleviate this problem.

“And it’s not even going to be acceptable to not have these houses. We have to do it. We can’t have people living on the street and in parks.”

Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen also showed his support for identifying council-owned land for potential affordable housing.

“We have a lot of land, and this is not about giving land away. It’s a lot of land that’s just not

used and hasn’t been used for so many years,” he said.

“The opportunity to utilise that in the short term and make the most of it and give to good without giving up the land, I think, is a great opportunity.”

A Community Engagement Summary Report on the draft policy also shows that about 66 per cent of the respondents supported the use of council lands.

A council officer report notes that the Council’s preferred approach for using its land would be through long-term leases, allowing the Council to retain ownership and reduce future financial risk.

Any proposed use of council land would still be subject to detailed financial assessment.

The amendment further requires six-monthly updates to councillors throughout the life of

the policy, including progress on the implementation plan, housing outcomes achieved through planning, partnerships and council-led initiatives, and key opportunities, constraints and risks affecting delivery.

Cr Pereira said she added the amendment to make the policy “more robust”

She was concerned policies could otherwise “sit on a shelf” without a clear framework to drive action.

“I’m fearful that we’ve had policies in the past, and while it’s stated in the policy that work will be done, unless you have a proper framework around it, it’s a bit wishy-washy,” she said at the meeting.

“So, as a council, I want to make sure that we are progressing. We have proper reporting back, and we see progress. And at the end of all this, we actually see numbers of affordable housing,

Casey Australian-Filipino non-profit goes global

By Jensy Callimootoo

A community leader from Casey, Corina Dutlow, has used her international address at the 2026 Filipino Diaspora Summit to issue a key goal to Filipino organisations worldwide to involve more young people in shaping the future of the global Filipino community.

Speaking in Pasay City during a panel session dubbed ‘Igniting the Passion: Engaging Filipino Youth and the Young Diaspora’, Dutlow shared her personal journey as a second-generation Filipino with numerous cultural identities including Romanian and Australian.

She also highlighted the role of Australian-Filipino Community Services (AFCS) in helping young Filipinos connect with their heritage and develop leadership skills.

“Let’s make sure our young people are part of the conversation,” she told the room of more than 350 delegates, noting that only a handful of overseas attendees at the summit appeared to be under the age of 35.

Dutlow, chief executive at AFCS, described how the organisation has evolved from a community support service into a hub for youth engagement, cultural connection and leadership development.

AFCS, which was founded in the City of Casey and has since expanded into New South Wales, serves Filipino families across generations through social services, aged care, cultural programs and youth initiatives.

A key focus of her presentation was the organisation’s youth engagement model, built around three pillars, including, engagement, celebration and experience.

These include community festivals celebrating Filipino culture, a youth development program, and the Experience Filipino cultural immersion initiative, which takes young Australian-Filipinos to the Philippines to strengthen their understanding of their roots.

Dutlow said AFCS deliberately frames leadership as an outcome of service rather than an end goal.

“First serve, then lead,” she said, explaining the philosophy behind the organisation’s

youth programs.

Dutlow’s leadership has recently received significant recognition in Australia.

In March 2026, she was named Citizen of the Year by the City of Casey, while AFCS was awarded Community Group of the Year for its contribution to multicultural families and community wellbeing.

To go along with her speech, Dutlow gave the audience a 10 minute teaser of a youth-led documentary which will soon be released.

not just a tokenistic sort of couple of things.

“I want to see the growth. I want to see us reaching our targets.”

Cr Kim Ross, who voted for the entire policy, was the only councillor opposing the amendment itself.

She believed that the policy was already robust and that many outcomes would depend on partnerships and state government advocacy.

“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done prior to any actual homes being built,” she said at the meeting.

“I’m just a little bit concerned we’re raising expectations of residents in the short term above what we’ll be able to provide in the short term.”

Speaking later on the broader policy, Cr Ross said Casey’s biggest housing challenges included transitional housing for family violence victim-survivors, including young adults who could not live at home, insufficient housing stock for one- or two-person households, and social housing.

“In addressing this wicked problem, we do need partnerships. We need collaboration, not just with all levels of government, but with the private sector, superannuation, and private individuals,” she said.

The updated Affordable Housing Policy comes as Casey continues to grapple with worsening housing affordability.

A council officer report notes that the proportion of private rental properties affordable to low-income households had fallen to 28 per cent in December 2024, about one third of the level recorded in June 2020.

The report also says only 2.5 per cent of properties for purchase were affordable to low-income households in December 2024.

In 2021, an estimated 7421 Casey households had an unmet need for affordable housing, up from 5655 households in 2016.

Cr Dave Perry said the policy is just the first step, and implementation is much more important.

He said the implementation plan should be a public document and should include input from residents and community service organisations.

Man charged with alleged carjacking spree

A man has been charged over two alleged attempted carjackings and one carjacking across the South East this month.

The alleged carjacker, 30, of no fixed address, allegedly opened the rear passenger door of a Hyundai Sante Fe and demanded the driver hand over the keys on High Street, Cranbourne about 4pm on Thursday 18 June.

The 45-year-old male driver refused the demand and was reportedly assaulted by the attempted carjacker.

He suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The would-be carjacker then allegedly fled on foot.

A short time later, he allegedly entered the front passenger door of a Nissan Qashqai and again demanded the keys on New Street, Dandenong.

The driver, a 32-year-old woman, exited the vehicle before the man fled in the Qashqai.

Police will allege he then left the vehicle at a carparkonMcCraeStreetbeforefleeingonfoot.

During a patrol, officers located and arrested the man on Clow Street.

The documentary follows the importance of language to diasporas in Australia specifically among the Filipino community and the discovery of identity.

Concluding her address with farewells in Filipino, Romanian and Australian vernacular, Dutlow left delegates with a clear message; the future strength of the Filipino diaspora depends on ensuring young voices are not only represented but empowered to lead.

Police will allege the man also stole a set of car keys from a man at a car park on McCrae Street on Tuesday, 9 June.

Officers have been told the man demanded vehicle keys from a 35-year-old man as he exited a nearby gym.

He then fled on foot.

Greater Dandenong CIU detectives interviewed and charged the man with offences, including attempted carjacking and carjacking. He was remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Friday 19 June.

Health’s ‘forgotten workforce’ marches

By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Afraa Kori

Monash Health workers were among an estimated 4000 allied health professionals at a public rally for better pay and conditions in Melbourne’s CBD on Tuesday 16 June.

Medical scientists, hospital pharmacists, psychologists, dietitians, radiographers and occupational therapists from across two unions went out on strike, seeking at least a 28 per cent wage rise over four years.

According to the HSU Victoria No.3 and No.4 union branches, it was the first time that the state’s allied health workforce had taken 24hour strike action.

Hundreds of staff from the Monash Health network, including hospitals in Casey and Dandenong, reportedly joined the rally.

On display, were an array of witty placards and slogans such as “no more band aids: fix allied health” and “worked to the bone”

It follows a smaller rally of about 1000 members marching in a stop-work protest rally on 1 April.

Casey pharmacist delegate Chris Sharp said the second protest was necessary because the workforce had “completely lost trust” in the government’s willingness to treat them “fairly or take them seriously”

“After the April 1 action, we were strung along with ‘any day now’ promises every week for nine

weeks,” he said.

He said workers were frustrated that a deal remained “six months overdue” , and disappointed that a post-April 1 offer had failed to meet expectations.

He said it ignored professional development costs, excluded proper reproductive health leave, and attempted to strip back long-standing weekend penalty arrangements.

“There is also hurt at being undervalued, balanced by optimism and determination as I watch this dispute bring my colleagues closer together,” Mr Sharp said.

“I expect my Government to treat us better than the worst cliche of a used-car salesperson.”

Most hospital pharmacists are women, and his members have been negotiating from an inappropriately low base rate since 2018 “simply because of their gender” , he said.

“The ‘for women’ Allan Government needs to actually act on its stated values.”

An HSU Victoria No.3 branch member from the South East said “hospitals are being plastered with posters and writings on walls to bring attention to our cause”

She said the 24-hour stop work was designed to disrupt non-urgent patient services, such as imaging, physio, occupational therapy and social work.

“We are in a tricky situation as health professionals.

“We are bound to cause minimal disruption to patients and there are plenty of exempt groups we have to keep seeing.”

Up until that point, work bans had included not scheduling patients, wearing union protest merchandise, and billing disruptions to “spread the word for our campaign”

The workers were part of either Health Services Union Victoria No.3 branch – otherwise known as Victorian Allied Health Professionals Association (VAHPA) – and the HSU Victoria No.4 branch comprising Medical Scientists Association of Victoria, Victorian Psychologists Association and Association of Hospital Pharmacists.

VAHPA Executive Officer Andrew Hewat said allied health professionals were the “engine room of our public hospitals”

“They test, treat, scan, diagnose, rehabilitate, and discharge patients. Yet, we remain the largely forgotten workforce.

“The Allan Government has offered nothing to address critical workforce shortages, dangerous workloads, or the years of gender undervaluation identified by the Fair Work Commission.”

Monash Health did not respond to Star News’s enquiry.

A Victorian government spokesperson reportedly told other media outlets that negotiations between the parties were continuing in good faith.

Weapon stash found after Lynbrook collision

Casey Highway Patrol officers uncovered a cache of weapons after a driver allegedly collided with a wheelchair-accessible taxi in Lynbrook on Sunday 21 June.

Police say the driver’s Toyota Prado and the taxi collided on South Gippsland Highway just before 10.30am

The occupants of the taxi were not injured.

The Toyota fled the scene and was dumped at a shopping centre car park on Lynbrook Boulevard.

Police patrolled the area and arrested the alleged driver, a 34-year-old Somerville man, walking along South Gippsland Highway.

During a search of the man, police allegedly found an imitation firearm, several large knives, an axe and a baseball bat.

The Toyota was allegedly stolen from a Cranbourne West address on 6 June, police say.

The man was also driving whilst unlicensed, according to police.

He was set to be interviewed by police.

Teachers reject pay deal citing workload concerns

By Jensy Callimootoo

ABerwickteachersaysVictorianpublicschool staffareatriskofburnoutunlessworkloadand

wellbeing concerns are addressed, after union members rejected the state government’s latest pay and conditions offer.

The teacher, who requested anonymity, said he was not surprised that members of Australian Education Union (AEU) Victoria voted down the proposed agreement despite the pay rise on offer.

“I’m not surprised it didn’t get up as it didn’tlooklikeagooddealforEducationSupport staff, and there’s been a couple of groups pushing the no vote,” he said.

The AEU Victoria branch announced on Friday19Junethatamajorityofmembersvoted to reject the Victorian Government’s latest offer of a 28 to 32 per cent pay rise over four years. On the basis that it did not adequately address excessive workloads facing teachers, education support staff and school leaders.

While the majority of the teacher’s own colleagues supported the offer, ultimately, he says the concerns about working conditions outweighed the wage increases for many educators.

“Most concerns are with conditions, class sizes, school funding, work-home balance. I spent many hours at home doing reports,” he said.

“They can pay as much as they want, but if they don’t improve conditions then they risk burning education staff out. There’s also the problem of teacher wellbeing, which wasn’t addressed.”

AEU Victoria branch president Justin Mullaly said members had sent a clear message to the government.

“Victorian public school teachers, education support employees, and school leaders are undervalued and overworked, averaging 12 unpaid hours per week, and our public schools are the lowest funded in Australia,” Mullaly said.

“AEU members have sent a clear message to the Premier and her government that the in-principle agreement and current levels of public school funding do not go far enough to address their concerns,” he said.

The Berwick teacher said he had ultimately voted in favour of accepting the agreement, largely because of concerns about prolonged negotiations and the possibility of dealing with a new government after the next state election.

“That was mainly because of concerns with potentially negotiating with a new government and losing public support by refusing what, to outsiders, looks like a great deal,” he said.

Despite that position, he said conditions remained the key issue.

“I don’t see class sizes changing. If we reduced class sizes by three, we’d need another 10 or so classrooms to cope, as well as more teachers,” he said.

“But there are other ways of reducing the load.”

The AEU Joint Primary and Secondary Council will now meet to determine the next steps in its campaign for improved pay and conditions, including how to secure a funding agreement between the state and federal governments that would fully fund Victorian public schools.

With the offer rejected, further industrial action is considered likely. However, the approaching Victorian state election places pressure on both the union and government to reach a resolution.

“My personal feeling is that I’m tired and want it over; however, I do support the majority and will continue,” the Berwick teacher said.

New kit celebrates NAIDOC

By Jensy Callimootoo

Aboriginal artist Koorrin Alinta Edwards-Wanganeen has designed a new kit for the Casey De-

Netball

to celebrate NAIDOC round in July.

Edwards is a proud Gunai, Gunditjmara, Mutti Mutti, Yorta Yorta and Bunurong woman who herself has a deep history with the sport.

“Netball, for me, has been something that builds its own families, its own communities and its own safe environments for young people to thrive.” said Edwards.

Edwards’ design for the Casey Demons dress features Bunjil the Eagle which represents the creator spirit and the spirit watching and protecting over them.

“The symbols and designs are a depiction of the strength, unity, coming together and belonging” said Edwards.

She says that it was an honour the local team reached out to her and handpicked her to design the NAIDOC round dress.

“A lot of our history as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has been taken from us and there are small ways we are able to express ourselves safely within wider society,” she said.

“Art is our way of holding on to history and holding on to those storylines that have been imperative in our existence as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“My passion comes down to, if you’re not go-

Cranbourne braves weather

Local volunteers braved cold, wet weather in Cranbourne Vinnies on Saturday 13 June to raise money for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout.

The fundraiser drew support from SES Cranbourne Unit, Cranbourne CFA and Neighbourhood Watch Casey, with community members turning out to back efforts to help people expe-

riencing homelessness.

Sponsors included Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce, Hampton Park Progress Association, Hanna & Friends Food Recovery, Lynbrook Residents Association and Cranbourne Village Community Group.

ing to hear us, you’re going to see us, and then the storyline will continue from there. I want to change things for the better, for the future.

“People do want to learn. People do want to be connected. People do want to understand or empathise. I do want to educate with my platform, and that’s the beauty of art and of netball.”

Rebekah Bogos, the Demons’ Chairperson along with team captain Holly Stephens said they were determined to see a Casey dress designed by the talented artist following her design for the 2024 Suncorp Super Netball’s First Nation Round.

The pair believed Koorrin’s art resonated strongly with the team’s values of community, inclusivity and resilience.

“I knew straight away that Koorrin was the artist we wanted for our Aboriginal dress,” said Bogos.

“She has a strong affinity with netball, and her love of the game is palatable. Community was at the core of that artwork and community and connection is at the core of our netball association.

“Netball is for all. It has the power to unite and netball, like all sports, can be a powerful tool for reconciliation.

“We have been fortunate to have our young leader, Holly Stephens guide us on the journey of

learning about reconciliation and to understand the role we can play as an ally for young athletes and our community.”

Like all Indigenous artwork, every detail holds a special meaning. In addition to Bunjil the Eagle Edwards explains that the three circles and symbols represent the gathering spaces, the players and spaces that hold significance to where the community come together.

The blue lines and white symbols around the 3 circles represent the strength of the club, the strength of the women and how they come together and the cultural diversity of the club.

The Netball court pays homage to the club. While the circles in the background represent the collective community.

And the small white dots are a representation of all of the community and volunteers that are an important part of the club.

Casey Demons will debut their new dress when they play the Gippsland Stars in the NAIDOC round on Wednesday 1 July at 7pm at Casey Stadium.

All Aboriginal persons will be offered free entry and there will be a free netball clinic for Aboriginal children on Tuesday 30 June from 9:30am to 12:30pm at Casey Stadium.

Crime is off the rails and needs solutions

Some of us catch public transport for a footy game or a night out. For many others, it’s an essential part of our daily commute. But what do we do when the buses and trains we depend on are no longer safe?

Crime on public transport hit a 10-year high with criminal offences rising by 13 per cent in just the last year according to the latest data from the independent Crime Statistics Agency.

You may be tempted to brush this off and say that this only happens in the city.

Unfortunately, you would be very wrong.

Earlier this year, a local contacted me about a terrifying experience, involving an assault on a bus which resulted in a head injury.

The reality is that I hear these kinds of stories all the time now. Since Jacinta Allan became Premier in September 2023, crime on public transport has doubled in our local area. The number of criminal offences have shot up by over 56 per cent in Casey and over 47 per cent in Cardinia.

At recent crime forums in the City of Casey, it also became apparent that nearly half of the crimes befalling are currently not being reported as people feel it is futile to contact police. However, police have urged residents to report all crimes to increase local resources. People can also call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 if they wish to remain anonymous in their report.

Under Labor, we have less police, less PSOs at

train stations and reduced hours at police stations. It’s not rocket science – if there are fewer police on the beat, crime will increase. This is no way to keep our community safe.

That is why, if elected in November the Liberals and Nationals will:

· Deliver 3,000 more police

· Reopen police stations

· Recruit 200 additional PSOs

So that every person gets home safely every day.

Ann-Marie Hermans MP, State Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region Shadow Assistant Minister for Community Safety

Submissions

Public Notice

NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING

PERMIT

18 Jasper Court HAMPTON PARK VIC 3976 Lot 82 LP 212399

The application is for a permit to:

Removal of Restrictive Covenant P092714F and Development of a Second Dwelling

Planning Scheme Clause No.

32.08-7

52.02

Matter for which a permit is required

Construction and extension of two or more dwellings on a lot

Create, vary or remove a restriction

The applicant for the permit is: Smart Town Planning Pty Ltd

The application reference number is: PA25-0574

You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the Responsible Authority.

City of Casey Bunjil Place 2 Patrick Northeast Drive NARRE WARREN

Documents can also be viewed on Council’s website or by scanning the QR code.

https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/view-

You

made for review of a decision on the application.

The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before: 13 July 2026

If you object, the Responsible Authority will advise you of its decision.

Climb for women’s education

By Sahar Foladi

The South East community gathered to celebrate Zakia ‘River’ Ahmad, the first Hazara female from Afghanistan to summit Mt Everest.

The Melbourne resident and former refugee was internationally recognised by the diaspora Afghan community, media, TV news channels, becoming a social media star.

The celebrations were brought to the South East on 14-15 June by organisations like the Baba Mazari Foundation (BMF) and Victoria Afghan Australian Network (VAAN).

Ms Ahmad is the ambassador of the BMF’s ‘1000 Women 1000 Futures’ campaign to raise $200,000 for practical support to women in Afghanistan.

“I had this fire inside me. I was thinking about women back home in Afghanistan, and also about mental health, as I was suffering from mental health a lot,” she says of her ground-breaking climb.

“I thought I have to do different things.

“When I was very tired, cold, my body would tell me it won’t be able to do it anymore. But I kept telling myself, you have the chance to try, but women back home in Afghanistan, they don’t have this chance.

“That was my motivation to keep walking and get to the top.”

She dedicated her climb to mental health after she lost her brother to suicide, and to be the voice for the voiceless women of Afghanistan, to advocate for their education, work and basic human rights.

Before the Taliban took over, before she was forced to leave Afghanistan with her family and live as refugees in Delhi, India and then Australia, she grew up surrounded by the natural beauty of mountains in the Ghazni province, a predominantly Hazara neighbourhood.

With a great passion for education and books, little Zakia would travel two hours each way to

WHAT’S ON

Neighbourhood BBQ

Come along and bring a neighbour or two to our family friendly evening. Have fun and connect with others in a casual setting. Free sausage sizzle (halal options available) and free kids’ activities.

• Thursday 25 June 4pm-6pm at Autumn Place Community Hub, Autumn Place, Doveton; free event.

FIFA World Cup at Bunjil Place

Screened live on the Bunjil Place outdoor screen in all weather. Bring your own seating, rugs, and/ or picnic. No alcohol.

• daily until Sunday 19 July at Bunjil Place, Narre Warren; free entry. No registration required. Details: bunjilplace.com.au/news/fifa-world-cup-onbig-screen

First-time Dads Catch-up

For all first-time fathers who have a baby under 6 months of age. A great way to ask questions, get some inside tips, and find out that what you are going through is pretty normal.

• Saturday 27 June 9.30am-11am at Orana Community Place, 1 Fresco Place, Clyde North; free event. Bookings: eventbrite.com. au/e/dads-group-community-catch-up-coffee-dads-playground-city-of-casey-tickets1986393387093?aff=erellivmlt

Oracle Bone Script and Calligraphy

Learn about Oracle Bone Script, one of the earliest known forms of Chinese writing. You will also explore the history and the art of calligraphy with hands-on practice. All resources supplied. For ages 16-plus.

• Saturday 27 June 1pm-3pm at Cranbourne Library, Casey Complex, 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne; free event. Bookings: events. connectedlibraries.org.au/event?id=190169

The Megaphone Project

Twenty-five giant megaphones in a range of shapes and sizes will be travelling across Casey. Visitors are invited to explore, play and interact with the installation.

• Saturday 27 June - Sunday 12 July, 10am-4pm at various locations. Details: casey.vic.gov.au/ events/megaphone-project

Drag Bingo

Put on your glitter and sparkles and join us for some sassy and hilarious bingo fun with fabulous

and from school, almost 500 kilometres, no matter the circumstance or the weather.

She has been climbing ever since.

“I loved the school all the time, because of education and books. I love reading. I just wanted to be able to read more and to do different things.

“When I was in base camp, I kept telling my friends, it’s like my hometown.

“It was so rocky, hills, big mountains, rock and snow.”

Ms Ahmad became the symbol of hope for Afghan women as her social media was flooded with heartfelt messages from girls in Afghanistan.

She trained hard, five times a week, to run 26 kilometres in six hours at the gym from 4am.

The expensive quest cost $110,000 USD, while she raised $12,500 through GoFundMe, sponsors and organisations like the Baba Mazari Founda-

tion and VAAN.

“We believe if women are deprived of their basic human rights and education, that generation in the community won’t have a bright future,”

CEO of BMF, Besmellah Rezaie says.

“She has brought collective pride for us, and as a community we have a collective conscious responsibility to support her endeavour. Through Zakia’s endeavour, we will be supporting the women of Afghanistan

“Many people ask how they should help the women. Well, we have a practical platform in front of us, they can support these programs, consider a donation, spread the word to their friends, colleagues and families.”

Women and girls in Afghanistan put their lives at risk to study quietly, in hidden spaces, underground schools and with the help of the diaspora

hosts Della Katessen and Miss Bobbee Pinn.

• Saturday 27 June, 6.30pm-9.30pm at Clyde Public Hall, 30 Railway Rd, Clyde; $5. Bookings: trybooking.com/events/landing/1566512

Light Up the Lane: Under the Neon

Sea

Smiths Lane is transformed into an immersive underwater world of neon light, a live mural, music, food and drinks.

• Saturday 27 June, 6pm-8pm at Banjo Park, 20I Grazing Way, Clyde North; free event. Bookings: eventbrite.com.au/e/lightup-the-lane-under-the-neon-sea-tickets1989188770159?aff=oddtdtcreator

Crafty Creatures - Night Events

Family-friendly celebration of Aussie wildlife, craft, cubby houses, hands-on reptiles and live music. Cafe and sausage sizzle.

• Saturday 4 and 11 July, 5.30pm-8.30pm at Wilson Botanic Park Berwick; $8pp, children under 2 free. Bookings: events.humanitix.com/ crafty-creatures-night-events

Yarning By The Fire

Acclaimed musicians Mark Atkins and Erkki Veltheim bring Mungangga Garlagula (Yarning by the Fire). Music, sound and storytelling inspired by the landscapes of Western Australia.

• Saturday 4 July, 7pm-8.10pm at Bunjil Place, Narre Warren; tickets on ‘pay what you can’ basis. Bookings: tickets.bunjilplace.com. au/11357/11358

Crafty Creatures - Daytime Sessions

Creative craft stations, large-scale animal lan-

outside the country. They also study online, striving for scholarships.

Together with BMF, Ms Ahmad aims to raise $200,000 to offer scholarships to universities to those eligible, including vocational training (handicrafts and e-commerce) and remote learning, underground and online schools to provide computers, internet access, electricity, and women-led learning circles, where women are empowered to teach, mentor and support one another.

“She wants the culture within our own communities to demonstrate that a woman can do it. Even with very little, they can achieve great things.”

Mr Rezaie is also a principal solicitor of Beena Rezaee (BR) Legal and Migration and a registered migration agent.

The local celebrations coincided with VAAN’s Refugee Week event, where Ms Ahmad was hosted as the special guest.

“It means a lot for the community as the first woman to summit Mt Everest from Afghanistan and from the diaspora here,” VAAN president Zabi Mazoori says.

“Everyone is very motivated that something as big as that can be achieved.”

Her summit coincided with peaceful protests by women in Afghanistan for education, which led to the Taliban opening fire at the crowd.

While the women and girls in Afghanistan have been stripped of their rights, including the right to education, they haven’t been stripped of their hope, dreams and resilience.

Now, she is preparing to summit 14 Peaks, zoned as the ‘death zone’. Each of the mountains rises over 8,000 metres above sea level in the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges of Asia.

Human life cannot be sustained for extended periods, and climbing all 14 is mountaineering’s ultimate challenge.

Fewer than 100 people in history have climbed the 8000-metre peaks.

Rose Pruning Workshop

Hands-on workshop where you’ll learn the best times and techniques for pruning your roses. Practical tips on tackling pests and diseases. For beginners and green thumbs alike.

• Thursday 25 June 10am-12pm at Old Cheese Factory, Homestead Road, Berwick; $5.Bookings: events.humanitix.com/old-cheesefactory-rose-pruning-workshop

terns, immersive bush soundscapes and a fossil dig sandpit.

• Daily from 4 July-11 July, 9am-2pm at Wilson Botanic Park Berwick; $8 for ages 2-17, $2 supervising adults. Bookings: events.humanitix.com/ crafty-creatures-night-events

Clyde North Dad Squad

Soccer World Cup fun for dads, grandfathers, father figures and their children (under 7 years of age).

• Sunday 5 July, 11am-12.30pm at Orana Community Place, 16-18 Playwright St, Clyde North; free event. Bookings: trybooking.com/DLFWJ Casey Demons Community Round

Free entry to Casey residents for VFL and VFLW double-header of Casey Demons v Port Melbourne. VFLW kicks off at 11am, VFL at 1.30pm. Features an AFL Victoria activation with handball and kicking games, and free giveaways.

• Sunday 5 July, 11am-4pm at Casey Fields, 160 Berwick-Cranbourne Rd, Cranbourne East. To obtain free entry, download a flyer at casey.vic.gov. au/media/6366.

NAIDOC Week - art for kids

Cultural Nature art and storytelling for kids, led by Skyla Lauch (Living Culture).

• Tuesday 7 July, 10.30am-12pm (art) and 1pm3pm (storytelling) at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne kiosk; free event.

NAIDOC Week - Yidari and dance

Performance by world-renowned yidaki player Ganga Giri with the Djarlo Dance Group. Also dropin kids craft activities from 10.30am.

• Wednesday 8 July, 10am at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, Ian Potter lawn precinct; free event

NAIDOC Week - Dance Workshop

Indigenous Outreach Projects Hip-Hop (IOP) presents an interactive dance workshop.

• Wednesday 8 July, 2.30pm at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, Ian Potter lawn precinct; free event

NAIDOC Week - Bushfood Walking Tour

Hudson Fraser from Living Culture will lead a guided walk through the Australian Garden, highlighting native plants that are important sources of bushfood for our First Peoples.

• Thursday 9 July, tours at 11am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne; free event. Bookings essential at rbg. vic.gov.au/cranbourne-gardens/whats-on-cranbourne/naidoc-celebrations/ NAIDOC Week - Bushfood Truffles

Join First Peoples artist Sammy Trist to make some delicious bushfood inspired no-bake truffles. A family-friendly, kids activity.

• Thursday 9 July, drop-in sessions 10am-11am, 11.30am-12.30pm, 1pm-2pm at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne kiosk; free event.

Berwick District Woodworkers exhibition

Annual expo marking the club’s 40th anniversary, including a biennial exhibition of the Australian Scroll Saw Network in the Hayshed Studio. Woodworking demonstrations, timber sales, a chainsaw artist demo, farmers market and kids’ corner.

• Friday 10 July, 5pm-8pm; Saturday 11 July, 9am-5pm; and Sunday 12 July, 9am-5pm at Old Cheese Factory, Homestead Road, Berwick; free event.

Berwick Farmers Market

A no craft market – only farm fresh fruit and veggies, open range ethical eggs, honey, baked goods, artisan breads, vegetable seedlings, ethically raised meats, jams and preserves, dairy, wine, nuts, ready to eat goods.

• Saturday 11 July, 8am-12pm at Old Cheese Factory, Homestead Road, Berwick; gold coin entry.

Magpies shake off Spiders

By Blair Burns

Hampton Park took it right up to Narre Warren for three quarters in wet conditions at Kalora Park on Saturday night but it was the Magpies who prevailed by 38 points at the final siren, 12.11 (83) to 7.3 (45).

A huge crowd ventured to Kalora Park for a big clash between two old rivals and spectators were treated to a much more entertaining game than the previous encounter.

Rain poured down as the spectators attempted to find some cover and windscreen wipers were flat out on the opposite wing as people packed into cars to escape the wintry conditions.

It was a much better contest than second versus ninth would reflect and Luke Bull’s side had the Magpies under real pressure for most of the game, but the quality of Narre Warren’s side shone through as the Redbacks ran out of legs.

The final margin was 38 points and with key players missing, the black and white did what they had to do … sometimes that is just finding a way to win the tough games.

Coach Steve Kidd was pleased with his team’s response in the fourth term and ultimately a fourth consecutive win.

“There was a great crowd in and there was plenty of support, so it was awesome to come away with the win and have a lot of our younger guys stand up,” he said.

“I think we had seven players out of last year’s Under-19 premiership team playing, so it was quite a young side, but they are really stepping up and sharing the load a bit with some of the older and more experienced guys on the sidelines.

“We don’t really talk about the injuries at all, we are just focused on getting on with what we’ve got to do and having a good attitude towards that.”

Despite Hampton Park just winning two games this season and Narre Warren only losing two, there was genuine optimism from both teams throughout the night.

It was a hot footy early, but it was Narre Warren who settled best out of the two teams with Jett Kearney finding some Socceroos inspiration to kick one off the ground to open the scoring.

Trent Thomas is one of the most in-form players in the Southern Division 1 competition at the moment and started brilliantly for the Redbacks.

He earned an early holding the ball free kick in the middle of the ground and had the first two shots of the game for his side, one touched off the boot and the other a nice drop punt goal.

But at the other end, it was Dejan Janjic who got busy around goal to kick two majors in the first quarter, with skipper Joel Zietsman also slotting a set shot.

But inaccuracy plagued the home side in the second term and Hampton Park took its chances with three late goals just before half time.

Mason Hawkins stood up in some big moments and kicked two for the term, while Declan Brunell ran into an open goal … the margin was back to just five points at the main break as Narre Warren went goalless, managing just 0.5 in the second quarter.

“I felt like we started well and then they probably started to play the conditions a little bit better,” Kidd said.

“We were unable to make the most of our opportunities and then they got it up the other end and scored.

“Once they got a sniff, they came out of half time and played well against it in the third quarter.”

Just four minutes into the third term, Liam Hasler found some space forward and kicked a running goal to put the Redbacks in front by one point - their first lead of the game.

However, the response was swift from Narre Warren.

Clayton Taylor, who otherwise performed well for Hampton Park, turned the ball over while kicking out from full back as Zietsman cut it off before snapping it back to the top of the square.

Enter Riley Siwes, a smooth left-footer who sneaks a goal or two every week, he picked up the ball from the ground and snapped truly for a quick reply.

It was game on as Trent Thomas slotted the

next from a vacant goal square to tie the scores at 37-37 before Aaron Firrito gave the Magpies back the lead with a nice snap from close range on his reliable left.

On the eve of the three-quarter time siren, the old rivalry delivered as Thomas Russell was given a yellow card for a high hit on Makaio Haywood, which started some spot-fires.

After a series of momentum swings throughout the game, the teams regrouped at their three-quarter time huddles.

The margin was less than a kick, and the Redbacks were on the edge of causing a massive upset.

“I feel like we were overusing it a bit at times, while they were playing more of a surge mentality and just knocking it forward,” Kidd said.

“I think we adapted well in the last quarter and it was about getting some territory, getting our running game going a bit and getting it forward.”

The Magpies kicked six final-quarter goals which decided the game as they almost doubled their score in a dominant fourth term.

It was a free kick out of the ruck and an important set shot from Jesse Davies which set the tone for the home side in the fourth term, before Siwes added another couple to lead the team home to safety.

A highlight late in the game was a Hamish West inside-out banana in wet conditions as he capped off the Magpies’ hard fought-victory.

“I said to Jesse after the game that his goal was clutch and really important, it was a big moment,” Kidd said.

“Riley stepped up, he is such a skilful player in the wet conditions, and I thought the rest of our small forwards were good too with young Dejan and Luca getting busy up there.”

Liam McGuiness (11 disposals, 20 hitouts) worked hard in the middle, as did Julian Goerlitz (35 disposals, seven tackles) who brought his own footy through the engine room.

Goerlitz was Narre Warren’s best with his speed and cleanliness making him a standout, gathering 12 disposals more than anyone else on the ground in a certain three-vote performance.

Jye King was exceptional in defence for Hampton Park, spoiling everything and doing a strong job on Will Howe to keep him goalless, just a week after he bagged seven.

Deakin Pereira probably played his best game for the Redbacks with six disposals and 67 hitouts, while Thomas (16 disposals, two goals) and Hawkins (two goals, 10 hitouts) worked hard.

Hayden Dwyer is a strong chance to return to the Narre Warren’s side for this weekend’s match against Port Melbourne, before spectators are treated to another rivalry against Cranbourne the following round.

A couple of tough matches sit in front of Hampton Park, with the side set to take on

Bentleigh this weekend, and Dingley in round 12.

Narre Warren

Crucial wins for Cavaliers

By Justin Schwarze

A bounce-back weekend for the Casey Cavaliers Women saw them pick up a pair of wins in round 11 of the NBL1 South.

The Cavaliers survived a massive scare from a near-miracle comeback by Diamond Valley on Saturday night.

On the road, Casey trailed by one at quarter time before exploding in the second and going 6/8 from downtown in the period to take the term 31-14 and swing into a 16-point halftime advantage.

The hot shooting continued on the other side of the break, with Chelsea D’Angelo and Vanessa Tavete knocking down two threes each and the team hitting five to win the term by five and establish a 82-61 advantage heading into the fourth.

Tavete connected on her sixth three of the game early in the fourth before the Eagles went on a 10-0 run to draw the difference back to 11 points.

Kassie Boorer splashed a settling three for Casey, but Diamond Valley again responded with another surge, scoring seven more unanswered points to trim it to single-digits.

But the Cavaliers stayed composed, with Dallas Loughridge and Tavete providing clutch shotmaking to drag out the 101-96 triumph.

Loughridge was unguardable all night, finishing with 40 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals on 13/20 shooting to power her team to victory.

Tavete’s seven threes led her to scoring 21 points, while Samantha Bowman notched another double-double of 12 points, 17 boards and six dimes on 5/8 shooting.

Casey rode the momentum on Sunday to record a wire-to-wire win over Geelong at home on the second leg.

The Cavaliers established a double-digit advantage in the first quarter and never looked back, winning three out of the four terms for the game.

The hosts went on to win 98-78 with Loughridge again starring as she had 29 points

and four assists on 50 percent shooting.

Bowman added 17 points and 14 boards and D’Angelo came close to a triple-double with 15

points, six rebounds and seven dimes. Casey moved back into the top four with the pair of victories, sitting fourth with a record of 125.

The Cavaliers Men brushed off a feeling of ‘here we go again’ after being defeated by Diamond Valley on Saturday to rebound and take down Geelong on Sunday.

In the Eagles matchup, Casey struggled to score and shot just 36.7 percent from the floor as a team.

The shooting woes were especially felt in the first term, where the Cavaliers were forced to play catch-up for the rest of the game after finding themselves down 14 at quarter time.

Diamond Valley got out to a 20-point lead in the second and Casey fought all the way back to momentarily lead in the fourth, but the Eagles had the answers to eventually prevail 90-80.

Jesse Ghee and Patrick Ryan each scored 16 in the loss.

Young gun Joel Robinson was a shining light, providing a double-double off the bench with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

A back-and-forth game on Sunday saw Casey dig deep and pick up one of the most valuable wins of the season, an 89-83 triumph over Geelong.

The game was close the entire way with a three-point Cavaliers halftime lead turning into a two-point deficit at three-quarter time.

But a huge late rally, led by Ibrahima Diallo and Ryan helped their side erase the margin and execute efficiently down the stretch.

Ryan scored 24 points, while Ghee continued to flourish in the starting position as he finished with 16 points and four rebounds.

Casey stayed in touch of the finals picture with the split weekend as the Cavaliers are placed seventh, holding a record of 10-7.

In round 12, both Casey outfits will travel up to face Bendigo on Saturday.

Lethal Lions show no mercy on injury-ravaged Eagles

By Blair Burns

Murrumbeena won the eight-point match against Cranbourne as they made a big statement and staked an early claim for fifth spot with an impressive 54-point win, 16.9 (105) to 7.9 (51).

The Lions played their ground well and came out of the blocks with some firepower, kicking six goals to one in the first term to set up the victory.

With no Zak Roscoe, Jake Stephens or Lewis Robbins, it was an uphill battle for Angelo Soldatos and his side as they were forced to move around some magnets.

A few weeks ago, the vibes were high after the Eagles travelled to Souter Reserve and returned with the upset of the season against Dingley.

But since the bye, that feeling of elation has been elusive and replaced with bitter disappointment as the Eagles have lost by 40-plus points in the past two matches against teams they would’ve hoped to beat.

The Lions were hungrier on the weekend and by quarter time, they were already up 38-8. Cranbourne responded in the second term and managed to narrowly outscore the home side, but the floodgates opened in the third.

Murrumbeena kicked seven goals to one and put the game to bed as they extended the margin significantly.

Mitch Lewis was Cranbourne’s best with two goals from the midfield, while Lachlan English was important for the Lions.

The Eagles now head into a must-win clash against St Paul’s McKinnon this weekend.

Dingley showed just how ruthless it can be as it thumped Springvale Districts by 141 points at Souter Reserve, 28.13 (181) to 6.4 (40).

It was a huge offensive display from the ladder-leader who put the foot down after quarter time to demolish the Demons.

At the first break, the Dingoes led by just six points but they kicked 24 goals to three after that and boosted their percentage.

Current Sandringham VFL player Jack Fer-

38 goals for Bentleigh this season and cannot be stopped as he added another five to his tally in a 77-point win over

St Paul’s McKinnon, 20.19 (139) to 10.2 (62). With 39 scoring shots to 12, the margin could’ve been far worse if the Bulldogs didn’t kick so straight, or if the Demons kicked straighter.

At quarter time, St Paul’s actually led 25-21 with Daniel Plotkin (four goals for the match) finding his range early.

But from that point on, it was all one-way traffic as Bentleigh kicked 6.8 to 1.0 in the second quarter - four of the six belonged to Racunica.

Port Melbourne went with reigning premier Cheltenham for a half, but the Rosellas’ class came to the fore in the second half as they put the foot down and won by 41 points, 14.11 (95) to 8.6 (54).

Cheltenham would’ve been out to do things a bit better against the Colts this time around after a narrow four-point escape in round one.

Ben McDonnell booted four goals in the win, while it was a good day to be a Davis as Max and Tom kicked three majors each.

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Murrumbeena Goals: Xavier Joyce 4, Edward Adams, Lachlan Browne, Ed Standish 3, Samuel Michael, Travis Ogden, Haris Orfanos. Best: Lachlan English, Xavier Joyce, Pat Bannister, Samuel Michael, Louis Nousis, Harry Boontjes. Cranbourne Goals: Marc Holt, Mitch Lewis 2, Trent Marotta, Adrian Russo, Brock Van Loon. Best: Mitch Lewis, Glenn Osborne, Jarrod Hocking, Nicholas Darbyshire, Will Nisbet, Luca Bellinvia.

Ladder: Dingley 36, Narre Warren, Cheltenham 32, Bentleigh 28, Murrumbeena 22, Cranbourne 16, St Paul’s McKinnon 14, Springvale Districts 12, Hampton Park 8, Port Melbourne 0. Fixture R11: Cheltenham v Dingley, Hampton Park v Bentleigh, Port Melbourne v Narre Warren, Springvale Districts v Murrumbeena, Cranbourne v St Paul’s McKinnon.