Thursday, 17 September, 2026
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Candidates unveiled
Data centres survey
Rough roads
Rays book ticket to dance
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SPORT
Mural unveiled in Berwick Longtime artist Arina Apostolova helped to unveil her mural honouring aviator, artist and author Lady Maie Casey last week at the Berwick Senior Citizens Centre. Titled The World Through Lady Casey’s Sketchbook, the mural paid tribute to women connected to Casey and was pitched by Year 10 Students through Project Respect. Based on an old picture, the painting depicts Lady Casey writing and sketching at her desk while also adding references to her writing, travels and love for aviation. The mural was officially exhibited on Wednesday 9 September, with the ceremonial event touching on the lack of representation for women specifically in public art. For more photos, go to page 7
Mural Artist Arina Apostolova. (Gary Sissons: 574320)
‘Smart’ to ban? The City of Casey has no immediate plans to ban camera-equipped smart glasses from its pools, playgrounds, childcare centres or leisure facilities, despite growing concerns about covert recording. The decision comes after the City of Yarra moved to prohibit smart glasses at councilowned leisure centres, childcare facilities and
playgrounds, citing privacy concerns in places where people have a strong expectation of being left alone. Casey says it does not need a technology-specific ban, arguing existing rules already cover inappropriate, unauthorised or unlawful recording. A Casey spokesperson said there was currently no policy specifically targeting smart glasses or other wearable recording devices.
Instead, Casey relies on conditions of entry, facility rules, staff oversight and existing procedures to protect patrons, particularly in sensitive areas such as change rooms and childcare facilities. But the technology is becoming harder to distinguish from ordinary eyewear. Devices such as Meta’s smart glasses can capture audio, photos and video without the obvious appearance of a phone or traditional camera.
Cheaper alternatives are also rapidly emerging, making the mostly AI-facilitated device more obtainable with little regulations or oversight. Casey says any future restrictions would need to balance privacy and safety with accessibility and legitimate uses of wearable technology. Adding that it would continue monitoring community expectations, technological developments and changes to legislation. For more on this story, go to page 3
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By Jensy Callimootoo
NEWS
Businesses unite
Smart-glasses ban off the table
By Violet Li
By Jensy Callimootoo
Berwick and the surrounding business owners came together at a gathering to strengthen local connections as traders navigate rising costs and weaker consumer spending. The event at 81 Bar & Grill was organised by the venue, independent liquor retailer Let’s Unwine Berwick and Warragul’s Wild Dog Winery, bringing together about 80 people for an afternoon of local food, wine and networking. Let’s Unwine owner Leon Horaczko said organisers expanded the gathering several times after tickets repeatedly sold out. “We sold out three times. We found a bit more room and kept expanding, but we’re at our limit,” he said. “It’s about supporting each other, all the businesses in the area, and all our patrons and members have come along in support.” Mr Horaczko said they planned to hold similar gatherings every two months at different Berwick restaurants, allowing participating businesses to support the venues that support them. Mr Horaczko has operated his family-run Berwick business for 21 years and said the past two years had been the most difficult he had experienced. He said the pressure was being felt across different parts of Berwick’s business community as operating expenses increased and customers reduced discretionary spending. “Whether you’re selling ties, selling pork chops or selling wine, everyone’s having a difficult time at the moment,” he said. “People aren’t coming out as often or spending as much. Operating costs are going up and spending is going down.”
Casey Council has stopped short of fully banning the use of smart glasses in council-owned facilities, stating that existing rules already target inappropriate recording. The council’s position follows a recent decision by the City of Yarra to ban smart glasses in council-owned leisure centres, childcare centres and playgrounds. Yarra’s decision was driven in part by concerns that the devices can discreetly capture images, video and audio in places where people have a strong expectation of privacy, including swimming pools and other recreational facilities. But the City of Casey says it has no immediate plans to restrict camera-equipped smart glasses in its pools, leisure centres, playgrounds or childcare facilities, despite growing concerns about covert recording in public spaces especially around children. City of Casey Manager of Connected Communities Shannon Maynard said the council currently has no specific policy governing the use of smart glasses or other wearable recording devices. “Council does not currently have a specific policy restricting the use of smart glasses or other wearable recording devices in its facilities, and no decision has been made to introduce restrictions specifically relating to wearable smart glasses at this time,” Maynard said. Rather than regulating smart glasses specifically, Casey says its existing rules are aimed at inappropriate or unauthorised recording, regardless of the device being used. “Council’s focus is therefore on inappropriate, unauthorised or unlawful recording behaviour, rather than on any particular type of technology. The council said existing conditions of entry, facility rules, staff supervision and operational procedures are intended to protect patrons, particularly in locations where privacy expectations are higher. Those measures apply to sensitive environments including change rooms and childcare facilities. Unlike traditional cameras or mobile phones, some wearable devices like Meta’s smart glasses, can record while looking like ordinary eyewear, potentially making it less obvious to people nearby that they are being filmed. Most recently, dupes of the Meta glasses have hit the market, making the eyewear more accessible and inexpensive. For example, Temu currently sells ‘AI smart glasses’, with a built in camera for $69. AliExpress has them for less than $18. And while currently out-of-stock, Australian-owned Kmart, sells them at $89 a pop with the glasses marketed as a ‘handsfree’ device, ‘with smart Camera Glasses that blend stylish eyewear with built-in camera technology’. This in comparison to the Meta’s price of $469 AUD or Ray-Ban’s price of $629. Casey says any move towards tighter restrictions would need to balance privacy and safety with the legitimate uses of wearable technology. “Council recognises that any policy response must be lawful, proportionate and practical to enforce,” Maynard said. Maynard also pointed to accessibility and assistive applications for wearable technology, saying future policy would need to consider “privacy, discrimination and human rights obligations”. For now, Casey will continue monitoring developments across local government, changing community expectations and legislative or regulatory changes. “As with any emerging technology, Council will regularly review its policies and practices to ensure they remain fit for purpose and appropriately balance privacy, accessibility, safety and community use of public facilities,” Maynard said. The council added that if a future policy review is undertaken, stakeholder and community consultation would form part of the process. But as digital safety concerns amplify, many question if existing privacy rules are keeping pace with the increasingly discreet recording technology.
Berwick MP Brad Battin, Gillian and Let’s Unwine Berwick owner Leon Horaczko, 81 Bar & Grill owners Jess and Ben Dadswell, and Luke Surman from Wild Dog Wines. (Violet Li) However, new Bar & Grill owners Jess Dadswell and Ben Dadswell said they had received a positive response since taking over the longstanding venue in January this year. The couple has placed a greater emphasis on live music, renovated its outdoor space and created an upstairs private function area. The business is also strongly family-operated, with several relatives working at the venue. “We’re owners who work in the business,” Jess
said. “We work alongside our staff, and we’re always here working with them.” Jess said collaborating with other Berwick traders was an opportunity to promote local businesses and build a stronger business culture. Berwick MP Brad Battin, who attended the gathering, said many businesses were reporting similar customer numbers but lower spending as households had less disposable income.
One Nation Berwick candidate Michael Piastrino (right) with his friend Michael Harvey (left).
Community member John Turnell and One Nation Dandenong candidate Glenda Wright.
One Nation Narre Warren South candidate Trevor Hammond. (Violet Li)
The campaign was held at Circa 1884 in Berwick.
One Nation candidates launch campaigns By Violet Li One Nation candidates Michael Piastrino and Trevor Hammond have officially launched their campaigns for Berwick and Narre Warren South. They promised to focus on cost-of-living pressures, crime, small businesses and community consultation. Mr Piastrino said about 250 people attended the Berwick launch on Sunday 13 September, describing the turnout as evidence that voters wanted political change. He said attendees had raised concerns about crime, living costs, taxation and the challenges facing small businesses. “They want change,” he said. “The orange wave is not coming anymore. (It is) the orange tsunami. We will make the electorate of Berwick a much better place to live and do business.” The Berwick candidate, owner of a hair salon in Albert Park, will contest the seat held by longtime Liberal MP Brad Battin. Asked how he would distinguish himself
2 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 17 September, 2026
from the incumbent, Mr Piastrino pointed to the campaign to restore the original name of Berwick Springs Lake. “I would fight nail and tooth, which I will be, to make sure that the springs lake name is changed back to originally to what it was,” he said. He claimed the Liberals were “all bark, no bite” and said he would strongly advocate for residents across the electorate. “Me, myself, I’m all bark and I’m bite,” Mr Piastrino said. “I will protect and fight for every single resident in any way, or form. as long as it’s done right.” Mr Hammond said the gathering had given him confidence as he began campaigning for Narre Warren South. “The sheer support and acknowledgement for us running as candidates is just overwhelming,” he said. “It makes you teary eyed. “Getting up and doing a speech in front of everyone was probably my biggest worry, but I was received well.
“I actually think I’ve done a good job after all, and I’m happy. I couldn’t ask for a better day. This was just fantastic.” Mr Hammond said his next step would be attending Akoonah Park Market with Mr Piastrino and campaign volunteers to speak directly with residents. “I don’t want to be out there telling people what I want,” he said. “I want input from the people. We’ll work on what we hear, and if we get our job, we’ll be in there batting for the community.” Mr Hammond said communities including Narre Warren South, Hampton Park and Clyde had been overlooked. He also raised the proposed Clyde North data centre as an example where he believed residents had not been adequately consulted. “People aren’t getting input onto what’s going on,” he said. “We’ve got rid of the waste transfer station (in Hampton Park). Another thing, no advocate, no communication with the public. Try to ram through.”
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NEWS
Consultation on centre By Violet Li Casey Council will consult residents about their views and concerns on data centre development, but not about the proposed Clyde North data centre. Councillors also unanimously called for clear statewide planning policy framework and mandatory public notice for all data centre applications. The decision was made after councillors unanimously backed a relevant motion on Tuesday 15 September Council Meeting. The notice of motion, moved by Cr Shane Taylor, calls for at least 21 days of community consultation to be completed by 30 November. It notes that the Victorian Planning Provisions contain no specific state planning policy for data centres and that applications in precinct structure plan areas can be exempt from public notice. Cr Taylor said data centres were expanding rapidly across Melbourne’s growth corridors,
bringing investment and employment while also affecting noise, land use, local amenity, and energy and water infrastructure. “This leaves a critical gap in our planning framework, locking local residents out of decisions happening right in their backyard,” he said. He said data centres should be treated as high-impact developments requiring full transparency. Council’s chief executive will write to the State ministers responsible for planning, energy and resources, water, and jobs, industry and advanced manufacturing. The council will ask the State Government to develop a clear statewide planning framework informed by approaches elsewhere in Australia, including the NSW Data Centre Guidelines released in August 2026. It will also seek public notice requirements for all data centre applications, consistent with the type-three application process introduced under recent State planning reforms. Council officers will advocate through organ-
isations including the National Growth Areas Alliance, Municipal Association of Victoria and Outer Melbourne Councils. Cr Melinda Ambros, who seconded the motion, stressed that the consultation would not influence the planning assessment for the proposed data centre at 585 Berwick-Cranbourne Road in Clyde North. The proposed consultation would instead allow residents to inform future planning rules on data centre developments. Cr Stefan Koomen said the Clyde North application had been called in for a decision by elected councillors, while the new motion focused on creating a broader policy framework. Cr Kim Ross said legislation was lagging behind technological change. “At the moment, it feels a little bit like the Wild West,” she said. Cr Jennifer Dizon said the debate was not about being for or against data centres, but ensuring developments were appropriately planned and communities were heard.
Cr Carolyn Eaves raised concerns about noise, water availability, wastewater discharge and electricity demand, while Cr Dave Perry encouraged residents to examine community experiences around existing facilities, including a data centre in West Footscray. Details of the consultation are expected to be published on the Casey Conversations website before engagement begins in October. The data centre backlash in the City of Casey started after a mega-size development was proposed for Clyde North. Casey Council previously stated that the application is not required to undergo formal public notice under the planning rules applying to the land. Council said those requirements were set by the State planning framework rather than by Casey. But it also confirmed it is legally able to voluntarily notify residents about the proposed large-scale development but says doing so would create unnecessary delay and uncertainty.
Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association president Anthony Tassone said Galileo Group’s new website provided useful information but did not independently verify the developer’s claims and it could not replace genuine community consultation. (FILE)
A second community rally against the proposed Clyde North data centre outside Bunjil Place on Tuesday 18 August. (Facebook)
Architectural render of the view from the south east. (Galileo)
Calls for scrutiny of Clyde North data centre information By Violet Li Community members say Casey councillors should not decide on the proposed Clyde North data centre (Casey Data Park) until independent evidence about its electricity use, water demand and noise impacts is made public. Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association president Anthony Tassone said Galileo Group’s new website provided useful information but did not independently verify the developer’s claims and it could not replace genuine community consultation. “The more information that comes out about this proposal, the clearer it becomes just how significant this development is and why independent scrutiny and community consultation are needed,” he said. The group recently launched the website. Mr Tassone said the proposal to use Class A recycled water offered some reassurance, but the supply had not yet been secured. Galileo has requested access from South East Water, expects network upgrades will be required and says potable water may be needed during the first six to 12 months. Mr Tassone described the absence of an expected average electricity load and annual consumption figure as a significant information gap. Galileo says the campus would use 720MVA of a proposed 1000MVA terminal station, leaving
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280MVA available for the surrounding region. It says the developer-funded connection means residents’ electricity bills would not increase because of the project. “We aren’t saying this project will increase electricity bills,” Mr Tassone said. “We’re saying a categorical claim that it won’t should be independently substantiated.” He also called for closer examination of the noise part of the application. Galileo’s modelling predicts noise of 39 to 41 decibels at the nearest homes, below the applicable 46-decibel night limit. “This is proposed to be a 24-hour operation. The assessment needs to consider not only the overall noise level but also tonal and low-frequency characteristics and how noise may be experienced at surrounding homes, particularly at night,” Mr Tassone said. “We want to see the EPA response, not just what the applicant’s modelling says.” Mr Tassone also questioned how the project’s employment benefits compared with the objectives of the broader Croskell employment precinct. Galileo estimates the completed campus would support 350 direct ongoing jobs and another 570 flow-on jobs in the wider economy. The Croskell Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) forecasts 6867 jobs across the entire precinct. Mr Tassone acknowledged the figures were
not directly comparable because the precinct forecast covered a much larger area, but said the comparison raised questions about how effectively the data centre would contribute to the PSP’s employment goals. “A multi-billion-dollar investment figure does not automatically translate into a proportionate local employment benefit,” he said. Cranbourne Greens candidate Annalise Mercer said the website had raised further questions. She questioned the difference between the application’s previously reported $1.1 billion development value and Galileo’s new $10 billion estimate. Galileo states on the website that $1.1 billion represents the buildings and works figure used for the planning levy, while $10 billion covers the full eight-year construction program, including electrical and cooling equipment and utility connections. “It is known that data centres increase power costs for residents in surrounding areas due to the increased demand. Are our power bills going to rise from this build? How will the community be compensated if they do?” Ms Mercer said. “The developers website states that data centres are critical infrastructure. It is reported that the Clyde North Data Centre will be an AI data centre which is not critical to our society and is
creating a whole issue of its own. “A lot of people dislike the plan more because it is going to support AI.” Ms Mercer said she was upset to see them trying to put a PR spin on the data centre by calling it a data park. “Parks are a place to enjoy being in nature and data centres that are going to have such a large environmental impact should not be associated with our beautiful outdoors,” she said. Mr Tassone noted that the community would be engaged during detailed design. “But if that happens after the planning decision, residents are being consulted on the design of a development they were never consulted on approving,” he said. “Residents deserve an opportunity to have their say before Councillors decide whether the development should proceed and what conditions should apply, not simply afterwards when the discussion may be limited to how an approved development is designed and implemented. “Consultation after the planning decision cannot be a substitute for consultation before the planning decision.” The application is exempt from statutory public notification and third-party review rights under the relevant planning provisions. Casey councillors will decide upon the application in a future council meeting.
Thursday, 17 September, 2026 | STAR NEWS 3
NEWS
Kept guns for ‘self-protection’ By Cam Lucadou-Wells An ex-Hells Angels member has been jailed over a hidden stash of guns and ammo he claimed were for his self-protection. Dennis Basic, 46, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to charges including firearm theft, possessing a traffickable amount of firearms and suspected proceeds of crime as well as breaching a firearm prohibition order (FPO). At the time of offending, he was subject to a 10-year FPO. In late 2024, Basic had asked to ‘borrow’ a Croydon victim’s Templeton Arms T2000 shotgun, stating he’d return it in a few days. The victim told police he felt like he didn’t have a choice. Despite repeated requests, Basic didn’t return the shotgun to its owner. In April 2025, Basic was arrested in Brunswick, leading to a firearm detection dog searching his ute. Police seized red capsicum spray, an extendable baton, two folding knives, a flick knife, a slingshot, four phones and $7500 cash from the vehicle. A faraday bag – which blocks wireless signals and is said to prevent detection by police – was also found. Police searched Basic’s home garage in Narre Warren South, finding the stolen shotgun and a handgun (with its serial number scratched off ) hidden between the wall and the backing of the tool bench. Also found were a holster and six firearm magazines. The grip of the shotgun had been modified to a handgun grip, which is often done to make it shorter and more concealable, according to prosecutors. Also in the garage, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, grips and other “firearm related items” were hidden in a heating unit. In sentencing on 11 September, Judge Fiona Todd noted Basic’s “relentless” criminal
A handgun found hidden at the home garage. (County Court of Victoria)
The stolen Templeton Arms T2000 - modified with a handgun grip - found at Dennis Basic’s home. (County Court of Victoria) history since 2005, including violence and multiple counts of possessing firearms as a prohibited person. He’d also been convicted of armed robbery, assault, possessing explosives, causing injury and striking a police horse during a Covid lockdown protest. She noted that past jail terms and other sentences had not been enough to deter him from reoffending. Basic had left Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang in 2014. He’d recently joined the Free Palestine group, which attested that he was a
reliable and trusted member. His defence lawyer submitted that Basic told police at the time that he’d stashed the firearms for self-protection. That in itself was not a crime, the lawyer argued. He had a history of mistrust and self-reliance in the face of perceived threats, his defence submitted. The guns weren’t stored securely as required by law, but neither were they easily found or produced, the lawyer had argued. Judge Todd said Basic’s “fear of violence from others, whether founded or unfounded”
A handgun with a scratched-off serial number and a stolen, modified shotgun found hidden in Dennis Basic’s home garage. (County Court of Victoria) didn’t give him a legal excuse to possess the weapons. The punishments get higher as he continues to offend, she noted. Basic was jailed for three years and four months, with a two-year-and-two-month non-parole period. His term includes 401 days in pre-sentence detention.
Security stepped up at Fountain Gate car parks By Jensy Callimootoo
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Security measures have been strengthened across the car parks at Westfield Fountain Gate following concerns about a series of vehicle thefts reported at the shopping centre over the last year. The shopping centre has increased patrols and introduced additional customer signage in an effort to deter offending and improve safety for shoppers using its extensive car park network. A Westfield Fountain Gate spokesperson said the safety of customers, retailers and staff remained a priority. “We continue to work closely with Victoria Police to address crime within the community, including through Operation Pulse and other initiatives,” the spokesperson said. “We have strengthened security measures across our car parks, including through increased patrols and customer signage to help deter crime in these areas.” The measures come after concerns were raised earlier this year about a number of vehicle thefts at Fountain Gate, with some shoppers telling Star News they were increasingly worried about leaving their cars at the centre. Most recently, in July, a man’s teaching vehicle was stolen in a Fountain Gate carpark, bringing his business and livelihood to a “standstill”. The latest response from Westfield does not specify when the additional patrols began or how frequently they are being conducted, but confirms the shopping centre has responded to the concerns by increasing security activity across its car parks. The move comes amid a broader rise in technology-assisted vehicle theft across Melbourne’s south-east. Victoria Police has identified Narre Warren and Berwick among suburbs experiencing high levels of vehicle theft involving key-cloning technology, which can allow offenders to bypass vehicle security systems without obtaining the owner’s physical keys. In August, Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) said a car was stolen or broken into every 43 minutes in Victoria, adding up to more than
The centre is taking extra measures to deter car thieves as concerns rise. 12,000 vehicle theft insurance claims recorded across the state in the past financial year. With the ICA calling for urgent action to address the rising car thefts. Previously, police have warned that popular vehicles with push-start ignition systems are increasingly being targeted, while advising motorists to lock their vehicles and consider additional anti-theft devices. For Fountain Gate shoppers, the strengthened measures provide an additional layer of security, but motorists are still being urged to take precautions themselves. Police advice includes ensuring vehicles are locked, removing valuables from sight and reporting suspicious activity. The increased security presence also continues a longstanding partnership between Fountain Gate management and police, with the shopping centre having previously been the focus of heightened police patrols in response to theft and other offending through Operation Pulse. Westfield said it would continue working with Victoria Police as part of its efforts to address crime and keep customers safe.
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NEWS
1300 potholes in two years By Sahar Foladi and Cam Lucadou-Wells
More than 1300 potholes have surfaced in Casey in the past two years. However, all but 16 had been fixed, according to VAGO data.
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Almost half of the state’s government-managed roads were in poor or very poor condition - including nearly 30 per cent of state arterials in Casey, a report has revealed. The report from the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO) on 9 September portrayed Victoria’s roads’ deterioration as outpacing repairs, and government funding was insufficient to maintain or improve state roads. “This has meant it focuses more on reactive and safety-critical repairs rather than preventative works,” the report read. In Casey, nearly 30 per cent of state roads were in poor or very poor condition in 2024. This was nearly double the 15.4 per cent recorded in 2022. Poor condition is defined as having up to 15 years of remaining useful life, ‘very poor’ is less than five years. Since July 2024, there have been 1320 potholes identified on state roads in Casey. All but 16 had been fixed. It compares favourably with Greater Dandenong, where 544 of its 647 potholes had been rectified in the same period. Cardinia Shire was home to nearly 2900 potholes, rectified at a rate of 99.6 per cent. Around 48 per cent of state roads were in poor or very poor condition in 2024, a jump from 39 per cent in 2021. Across Victoria, the gap between the number of defects recorded and the number of defects repaired more than doubled between January 2025 and June 2026. Funding The major arterial roads are owned and managed by the Department of Transport and
Planning, spanning 23,000 kilometres. The department’s business case 2026-‘27 stated $3 billion a year is required to maintain road conditions at current levels while replacing ageing assets. However due to “fiscal constraints,” minimal funds will be sought. The recent state budget saw $1.04 billion dedicated to road maintenance, but that figure was bumped up by $352 million recently by the Carroll government to double the potholes repair this year. The opposition has their own $5 billion, four-year plan to “get maintenance back on track.” Shadow roads minister Danny O’Brien has reportedly not committed to the department’s $3 billion a year request. “This ($5 billion plan) is a 25 per cent annual increase on the current spend, and we’ll take action to get more accountability from contractors and ensure value-for-money for taxpayers.” Report Recommendations Four out of six VAGO recommendations were accepted by the transport department including further transparency around site selection criteria for planned maintenance works, improved oversight of its contractors, and to develop, implement and integrate “fitfor-purpose” data on drainage assets that impact pavement conditions. Two recommendations were accepted in principle: to improve public insight into road conditions by updating public reporting metrics which better reflect road pavement conditions, and to track and publicly report the road maintenance backlog.
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Thursday, 17 September, 2026 | STAR NEWS 5
OPINION
No English, no payment? Opinion by Dr Jamel Kaur Singh and Dya Singh For the past few weeks, I have been filling in teaching English to adults while their regular teacher undergoes medical treatment. I expected to teach vocabulary, pronunciation and conversation. I did not expect the experience to fundamentally challenge the way I think about integration, parenting, welfare and government responsibility. One morning we practised, through role play, making a doctor’s appointment. Nothing complicated. Four questions: What is your name? What is your date of birth? What is your address? What is your phone number? Most students struggled to answer them, or at least understand what I was asking and be able to answer me in a way I could understand. That stopped me in my tracks. Not because they were unintelligent. Not because they did not want to learn. They did. What baffled me was discovering that some had lived in Australia for five, 10, even 20 years! I started asking questions. The answers were complicated. Some had arrived and settled immediately into communities where almost everyone around them spoke their first language. Shopping, friendships, family life and social networks could function without any English. Then I heard something more confronting. I was told some women had spent years giving birth to, raising four, five or six children and were only now getting the opportunity - or perhaps finally felt allowed to come out and learn English. That is where this becomes bigger than language. Because language is independence. If you cannot confidently communicate in English in Australia, how easily can you communicate privately with your child’s teacher, read the school newsletter, understand an excursion form, make a medical appointment, question a bill, navigate Centrelink, understand
your finances, explain something to police or ask for help without another person speaking for you? And here is where we are going to say something that some people will dislike. If you receive Parenting Payment in Australia, we believe there should be a minimum functional English literacy and numeracy standard attached to it. Not perfect English. Not university English. Not Shakespeare. Functional English. Australia already accepts the principle that welfare can come with responsibilities. Single Parenting Payment recipients generally face mutual obligation requirements once their youngest child turns six, and failure to meet agreed requirements can have consequences. We also already fund free English tuition through the Adult Migrant English Program, including flexible study options and free childcare for eligible people attending face-to-face classes. The program assists around 70,000 eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants each year, and AMEP study can already count towards some Centrelink mutual obligations. So, taxpayers are already paying for these services, for example adult English classes and childcare. Why are we not connecting the two? This proposal would be straightforward. Anyone applying for Parenting Payment who does not meet a basic functional English and numeracy benchmark would enter a compulsory supported pathway. Give them perhaps two years. Provide the classes. Provide childcare. Provide online learning. Recognise disability, genuine learning difficulties, trauma and exceptional circumstances. But make participation compulsory and make reaching a reasonable standard an expectation of continuing to receive the payment. For new applicants, assessment could occur when they enter the system. For existing recipients with very low English proficiency, introduce the requirement gradually and give them the support and time needed to
reach the benchmark. And yes, eventually there should be consequences for someone who is capable, has been given the teaching, childcare, time and opportunity, but simply refuses to participate. That is the part we seem increasingly frightened to say. Rights come with responsibilities. A social safety net should catch people when they need help. It should not become a system that asks absolutely nothing in return when the very capability being developed would benefit the parent, the child and society. And before somebody labels this anti-migrant, let me save you the trouble. We are emphatically pro-multicultural Australia. Keep your culture. Speak your mother tongue. Teach your children another language. Celebrate your festivals. Practise your faith. Cook the food your grandmother taught you to cook. Tell your stories. Our diversity is one of Australia’s great strengths. But multiculturalism should never mean parallel lives in which people can spend decades in Australia without being able to independently participate in mainstream Australian society. That is not integration. And we are increasingly convinced that lowering expectations in the name of inclusion is not kindness. Sometimes it is abandonment. Our Australian Curriculum is taught in English.
Our health system operates predominantly in English. Our courts, police, government agencies, workplaces and civic institutions operate in English. Anyone choosing to build a permanent life here knows this. Why are we paying millions of taxpayer dollars in interpreter services? Services Australia defines the principal carer as the person with the greatest responsibility for a child’s day-to-day care, welfare and development. If government is paying someone on the basis that they are undertaking that responsibility, surely government can also ask whether that person has the basic English fluency to engage with the institutions responsible for that child’s health, safety and education. Teachers across Casey have repeatedly spoken to me about the challenge of parent engagement. Schools cannot do everything. Teachers should not have to educate children while simultaneously carrying the entire burden of family communication. And children should not routinely become translators between their parents and the adult world. Think about the power imbalance that can create. A teenager brings home a detention notice and tells Mum it is a permission slip. A partner controls every interaction with Centrelink because the other cannot understand the correspondence. A woman experiencing family violence needs her husband or child to translate conversations with institutions. A parent signs something they do not understand. A teacher is trying desperately to explain that a child is falling behind, but meaningful communication cannot happen without organising an interpreter. English does not solve family violence. It does not solve educational disadvantage. It does not magically create good parenting. But independence matters. Communication matters. And language gives people power.
Whose trees are they, exactly? Opinion by Het Patel Walk a kid home from school in Clyde North on a February afternoon and you will understand Melbourne’s tree problem faster than any report can explain it. The asphalt comes up through your shoes. There is nowhere to duck into. You do the last four hundred metres at a pace that has nothing to do with being in a hurry. Canopy cover in parts of Clyde North and Cranbourne West sits between 1 per cent and 5 per cent. Not a typo. One to five. The reflex is to point at the council. Councils control the streets, the parks and the reserves, maybe a third of the land in any suburb. The other two-thirds is your backyard, my backyard, the school oval, the shopping centre car park.
In some council areas more than 70 per cent of canopy loss has happened on private land. A council could do everything right and still miss Victoria’s 30 per cent canopy target. The land it needs is not its to plant. The canopy was never a government asset. It is a shared one, held in about a million small pieces, and most of them are ours. Which would be fine, except that a tree is a terrible investment. You water the thing through two summers while it stands there looking dead. The payoff is usable shade, around 2045, on a street you have very likely left. So of course, you think to yourself - let someone else go first. So what actually gets a tree into the ground? Watching somebody else do it. One person cannot rationally carry a 20-year payoff.
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sea putting 2,500 trees in the ground the same season. Every big number here is made of small mornings. None of this fixes anything, and nobody involved is pretending it does. What it produced is 218 Victorians who now know how to plant a tree properly, and who will notice next time a tree quietly disappears from their own street. That may matter more than the trees did. Nothing planted this winter will throw real shade until the 2040s. Most of the people who put those trees in will have moved on by then. But somebody else’s kids will walk home under them, at a normal pace, in February. *Het Patel is a volunteer with BAPS, a Hindu socio-spiritual organisation with centres across Victoria.
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A community can, because it is still standing in 20 years after its members have moved on. It holds obligations that are too long for any one person to hold on their own. This winter, volunteers from the BAPS community across Victoria spent their weekends putting trees in the ground alongside their local councils: Casey, Whittlesea, Monash, Greater Shepparton and Melton. Six planting days, 218 volunteers, more than 3,800 trees. And then there is Melton. Six people. Fifty trees. They gave up a Sunday morning for shade that will not arrive until they are old, in streets most of them do not live on. That is the most useless thing you can do on a Sunday. It is also the whole ballgame, because the same instinct scaled up to 70 people in Whittle-
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NEWS
Narre Warren North Liberal candidate Shemane Nathanielsz, centre, with Narre Warren Sth candidate Norliah Peterson and Berwick MP Brad Battin at a Krishna Janmashtami festival in Cranbourne. (Norliah Peterson/Instagram)
Electorate officer runs for Narre North
Attendees in front of the mural. (Gary Sissons: 574320)
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Students from Hampton Park Secondary College Mariah Gittens, Maddie Gittens, artist Arina Apostolova and Keira Dekrell. (Gary Sissons: 574320)
Mural artist Arina Apostolova. (Gary Sissons: 574320)
Lady Casey honoured Casey, whose husband, Lord Richard Casey, served as Australia’s governor-general from 1965 to 1969 and gave his name to the municipality. The couple lived at Edrington, their estate on High Street in Berwick. Based on an archival photograph, the mural depicts Lady Casey writing and sketching at her desk. It also incorporates references to her aviation, writing, travels and life at Edrington. The mural was unveiled on Wednesday 9 September by representatives from Casey
Council and Women’s Health in the South East, alongside community members. The event also included a discussion about the underrepresentation of women in public art, local histories and place names. According to figures published by Casey Council, women are represented in about one in 10 commemorative place names and public artworks in Victoria, while only 3 per cent of commemorative public art honours women. A Project Respect toolkit documenting how the student proposal became a permanent public artwork was also launched at the event.
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A new mural honouring aviator, artist and author Lady Maie Casey has been unveiled at the Berwick Senior Citizens Centre. Local artist Arina Apostolova painted the mural, titled The World Through Lady Casey’s Sketchbook, following a proposal developed by Year 10 students through Project Respect. The Council and Women’s Health in the South East initiative asked students to research women connected with Casey and pitch ideas for a permanent public commemoration. The successful proposal focused on Lady
A Liberal electorate officer has been pre-selected to contest Narre Warren North in the 2026 state election. Shemane Nathanielsz is believed to have been selected for the party on Saturday 5 September – just over two months out from the November election. Narre Warren South Liberal candidate Norliah Peterson declared Nathanielsz’s status in a social media post about the Krishna Janmashtami festival in Cranbourne. As of 10 September, no candidate was announced on the Liberal Party website. Nathanielsz is an electorate officer for Berwick MP and ex-opposition leader Brad Battin. She also serves as a Beaconsfield District Community Bank director and is a former president of St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar School’s parents association. The Narre Warren North electorate has been held by Labor since its inception in 2002. Incumbent Labor MP Belinda Wilson, who was first elected in 2022, is running again in 2026 on a safe 9 per cent margin. Other endorsed candidates for the 2026 election are small-business owner Hayley Perry (Greens) and construction general manager Sebastian Crutchfield (One Nation).
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Thursday, 17 September, 2026 | STAR NEWS 7
BUSINESS IN FOCUS
Live your day, your way Looking for an aged care experience that’s truly special? With district views stretching to the horizon, Clyde North Terrace Care Community offers a warm, welcoming environment nurtured by our dedicated team. Clyde North Terrace Care Community provides high-quality residential aged care, but not as you know it. We take the time to understand the big and the little details about how our residents like to live, so you can enjoy your day, your way. And registered nurses are on duty 24/7, providing compassionate, personalised care tailored to each resident’s individual needs. Our contemporary living spaces are designed to help residents live with meaning - where you’re free to folow familiar routines, pursue your interests and discover new ones, surrounded by care, comfort and companionship. The Nest cafe is a social hub, with indoor and outdoor seating where residents, friends and family can enjoy barista-style coffee and freshly baked treats. Our two Men’s Sheds are for making, mending and enjoying good company. Our hair salon, The Canopy, is popular for pampering so you can look and feel your best. And our green-thumbed residents wil love tending to our raised garden beds, including spaces for growing fresh produce. Residents enjoy nutritious, tasty meals created by our inhouse chefs every day and a lifestyle that encourages independence, welbeing, and participation in activities and pursuits that matter to them. Clyde North Terrace Care Community is a warm, family-oriented environment, designed to encourage a sense of kinship. We encourage residents to keep the connections they’ve built within their local community, as wel as making new friends. Book a tour to learn why living at Clyde North Terrace could be your best move yet, or visit opalhealthcare.com.au/clydenorthterrace. Clyde North Terrace Care Community 1300 247 061 13-17 Selandra Boulevard, Clyde North, VIC 3978
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Live your day, your way at Clyde North Terrace Care Community.
Clyde North Terrace Care Community
Come by and visit us anytime, call 1300 362 481 or visit opalhealthcare.com.au 13-17 Selandra Boulevard, Clyde North, VIC 3978
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8 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 17 September, 2026
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NEWS
Thousands join project An initiative in Casey aiming to enhance the way we think about belonging has garnered over 2000 student entries across 17 different schools, marking an impressive demonstration of student engagement across the region. Dubbed ‘Belonging in Casey’, the program was created to give young people an opportunity to explore what it means to belong. Led by community leader Jamel Kaur Singh, the competitive initiative was open to primary and secondary students across Casey. Each student was invited to create a unique piece of art or written work exploring the themes of respect, inclusion, stereotypes, discrimination, youth leadership, social cohesion and their role in belonging. Two months on since the competition began, colourful posters, stories, essays and sculptures have now revealed what inclusion and respect means to them. Now, following a serious selection process of the final contenders by a panel including Singh, Casey Mayor Michelle Crowther and members of the Casey Multi-Faith Network, 35 semi-finalists have been selected and will be invited to a presentation ceremony to be held at the start of October. Monetary prizes ranging from $100 to $250
Current Gray Street Workshop partners Lisa Furno, Sue Lorraine, Jess Dare and Catherine Truman. (Connor Patterson)
Contemporary craft time Students submitted colourful posters, stories, essays and sculptures outlining what inclusion and respect means to them. (Supplied) will be awarded to four students and the school will also be awarded $1000 for participation and achievement. The public is invited to take part in the celebrations on 9 October from 6:30pm. The event will be held at Serbian Cultural Club Nikola Tesla, 214 Power Road Doveton. Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.com. au/e/belonging-in-casey-competition-awardnight-tickets-1997800855137
A new exhibition celebrating four decades of contemporary jewellery and object making is coming to Bunjil Place Gallery in late September. Beautiful Tensions: Gray Street Workshop celebrates forty years showcases new work by current Gray Street Workshop partners Catherine Truman, Sue Lorraine, Lisa Furno and Jess Dare. The arts exhibition will run from Thursday 24 Sep to Sun 15 November. Established in Adelaide, Gray Street Workshop is one of Australia’s most influential and longest-running collectively operated studios dedicated to contemporary jewellery and object making. The exhibition’s collection explores memory, the environment, connection and creativity. Visitors will also be able to participate in free public programs, including hands-on activities in the gallery and a special conver-
sation with the workshop’s current partners hosted by Anne Brennan. City of Casey Mayor Cr Michelle Crowther said the exhibition gave the community an opportunity to experience contemporary Australian craft and design. “I encourage residents and visitors alike to explore the exhibition, take part in the public programs and discover the inspiring stories and artistry behind these extraordinary works,” she said. The exhibition is presented through a partnership between Bunjil Place Gallery and contemporary craft and design organisation JamFactory Adelaide. It is supported by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia touring program. Exhibition program, details and bookings are available at: bunjilplace.com.au/events/ beautiful-tensions-gray-street-workshop-celebrates-forty-years
FOCUS ON … MEDICALLY SPEAKING
Foot and leg pain relief Foot and leg pain has a way of creeping in — slowing you down, changing how you move, and making even simple daily activities difficult. Too often, people try to tough it out. They assume the pain is just part of aging, a side effect of long hours on their feet, or a strain that will just go away. Unfortunately, ongoing or recurring pain will usually be persistent, if left unattended. But ongoing pain isn’t normal and doesn’t have to be permanent. Getting to the root of the problem — not just masking the symptoms is key to healing but the right help is not always easy to find. Expert musculoskeletal podiatrist Dr. Paul Dowie, at Foot and Leg Pain Clinics, explains why foot and leg pain can be difficult to rectify. “The demands on our lower limbs are constant and extremely varied from person to person so there is never a one-size-fits-all answer. But by using advanced diagnostics, personalised treatments plans and by adapting to feedback from each individuals’ body, we can address foot and leg concerns successfully.
With the right tools and expertise you can conquer everything from knee pain to neuropathy, plantar fasciitis to arthritis or tissue injuries to joint pain. Whether your discomfort is mild or severe, chronic or sudden, common and complex there is usually a non-surgical way to assist pain, increase mobility, and get you moving freely again.” With over 25 years experience Dr. Dowie has assisted everyone from elite athletes to children and seniors. So don’t let foot or leg pain interfere with your life. Contact Foot & Leg Pain Clinics in Berwick today to schedule a consultation. Call 1300 328 300
Contact Foot & Leg Pain Clinics in Berwick today to schedule a consultation.
ONE LOCATION FOR YOUR HEALTHCARE NEEDS Online Bookings Available through www.betterhealthfamilyclinic.com.au, hotdoc.com.au or healthengine.com.au -select Hampton park
We will resume Bulk Billing from 1st November, 2025.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU OPEN EXTENDED HOURS Monday to Friday: Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays: 9 am – 2 pm
For all enquiries : phone 9702 9300 Book online at : https://betterhealthfamilyclinic.com.au/contact/online-booking
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127-129 Somerville Rd • Hampton Park • Ph 9702 9300 • www.betterhealthfamilyclinic.com.au
FOOT & LEG PAIN CLINICS trusted experts . proven solutions Cnr Clyde Rd & Moondara Dr, BERWICK
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• Men, Women and Children’s Health • Respiratory problems • Physio and Podiatrist available • Sleeping disorders • Patients with complex health issues • Weight Loss Programs • Everything under the one roof, good doctors, great services, new clean facilities with plenty of parking on site • Refugee and Assylum seekers welcome at our practice
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FOCUS ON … SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Top magic is coming
CIRCUS ROYALE – NARRE WARREN Opening: Friday, 18 September 2026 Season: 18 September – 11 October 2026 Location: Westfield Fountain Gate, Brechin
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10 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 17 September, 2026
Drive, Narre Warren Tickets ON SALE NOW! Advance bookings are recommended, particularly for weekend and school
holiday performances. Tickets & information: Circus Royale Facebook: Circus Royale on Facebook Instagram: Circus Royale on Instagram
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Roll up, roll up! One of Australia’s longest-running travelling circuses is heading to Westfield Fountain Gate, Narre Warren, bringing the magic, excitement and spectacle of the Big Top to Melbourne’s south-east these September school holidays. After more than five decades entertaining audiences across the country, Circus Royale is back under its famous name with an action-packed live production featuring breathtaking circus acts, daring performers, incredible displays of balance and skill, plenty of laughs and edge-ofyour-seat entertainment for the whole family. And for those who like their circus with an extra dose of adrenaline, prepare for the heartstopping Globe of Death – a spectacular crowd favourite that has to be seen to be believed! Circus Royale has been entertaining Australian families since 1971, and today the magic of live circus remains just as special. From children experiencing their very first circus to parents and grandparents who remember the thrill of visiting Circus Royale when they were young, it’s an experience designed to bring generations together. There’s nothing quite like stepping inside a genuine travelling Big Top, watching the lights come up and seeing incredible performers take to the ring right in front of you. It’s the energy, skill, comedy, thrills and atmosphere of live circus at its best – and an experience the whole family can enjoy together. The Circus Royale Big Top opens at Westfield Fountain Gate on Friday, 18 September, just in time for the Victorian school holidays, with performances continuing until Sunday, 11 October 2026. With shows throughout the holiday period, Circus Royale is the perfect family day or night out and a chance to put down the screens, step inside the Big Top and create some unforgettable memories together.
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FOCUS ON … SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
DinoFest roars back into Melbourne for Spring school holidays.
DinoFest roars back again Showing at Nortons Park: 19 September – 11 October 2026 More dinosaurs, more prehistoric fun and two adorable new arrivals will stomp back into Melbourne this spring, when DinoFest returns to Nortons Park at Wantirna South following a sellout season last year that proved a huge hit with local families. The travelling DinoFest experience showcases at a different venue each school holidays and has now been enjoyed by thousands across Australia. Bringing the prehistoric world to life, DinoFest features more than 30 massive, walking and interactive dinosaurs in an immersive and fun-filled outdoor setting especially designed for children aged nine and younger. This spring, two baby robot dinosaurs will make their DinoFest debut. Smaller, speedier and seriously cute, the pint-sized newcomers are nimbler than their fully grown prehistoric counterparts, adding an extra dose of fun and excitement to the DinoFest adventure. DinoFest Melbourne Spring 2026 will run throughout most days of the school holidays, from 19 September to 4 October (excluding 23, 28 and 29 September), with an additional weekend of shows from 10–11 October to meet demand. With three 90-minute sessions daily at 10.30am, 1pm and 3pm, DinoFest features a
spectacular line-up of prehistoric creatures, including a life-size, walking Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Spinosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus and Ankylosaurus, along with a host of baby dinosaurs that young visitors can touch, pat and meet up close. The Dino Trail stars a towering Brachiosaurus and, of course, a huge T. Rex. The 45-minute Dinosaur Encounter live show is another highlight; and DinoFest includes a range of educational and engaging kids’ activities like a Dino Dig, themed arts and crafts and ‘feel a fossil’ with real dinosaur bones. DinoFest Founder Laurence Taylor says returning to Nortons Park was an easy decision following the response from Melbourne families last year. “Last year showed us just how much Melbourne loves getting up close to dinosaurs, and Nortons Park proved to be a fantastic setting for DinoFest. Our dinosaurs seemed to love it too, surrounded by the park’s established trees, lush greenery, natural landscape and wide-open spaces,” says Mr Taylor. “We’re excited to give Melbourne families another chance to step away from their screens, get outdoors and experience the wonder of dinosaurs. “A fascination with dinosaurs is a wonderful way to spark children’s interest in science and the
natural world. We want kids to have an incredible time that’s full of fun but also leave knowing something they didn’t know before. “We try to bust some of the dinosaur myths created by Hollywood and inspire a genuine sense of awe about these amazing animals that ruled the Earth for tens of millions of years. “We have a cap on participant numbers per session at DinoFest not just for safety reasons, but also because we’re conscious of giving everyone an up-close and magical experience to remember forever,” adds Mr Taylor. Families are strongly encouraged to pre-book online via Humanitix as DinoFest Melbourne Spring 2026 will sell out faster than a Velociraptor can run! A single ticket costs AUD $29.50 per adult and $26.50 per child, with FREE entry for children younger than two years. Family and Group Admission tickets are available, with special discount fees for seniors and people with physical disability. For more information, visit dinofest.com. Also check-out DinoFest on Facebook and Instagram. DinoFest Melbourne Spring 2026 An immersive outdoor dinosaur experience for families featuring life-size, walking, and interactive dinosaurs and a range of kids’ themed activities.
· WHEN: 19 September – 4 October (excluding
23, 28 and 29 September) and 10-11 October 2026. Three 90-minute sessions daily, from 10.30am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm WHERE:Nortons Park on Nortons Lane, Wantirna South, Melbourne (FREE parking within walking distance) COST: AUD $29.50 per adult, $26.50 per child and entry is FREE for children younger than two. Family and Group Admission tickets available. Discounts for seniors and people with disability. INCLUDES 45-minute Dinosaur Encounter with walking dinosaurs. Kids’ activities including Dino Dig, arts and crafts and ‘feel a fossil’ with real dinosaur bones. A Dino Trail with 30+ dinosaurs including a lifesize Tyrannosaurus Rex. NEW: Two adorable baby robot dinosaurs making their DinoFest debut. INFO: dinofest.com for full info and link to Humanitix page for online bookings. Pre-bookings strongly encouraged as attendee numbers are capped per session.
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Inclusive holiday fun awaits at Clip ’n Climb Berwick 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 (or shorter/longer if necessary for your child), the holiday program
is packed with exciting activities including Clip ‘n Climb wall challenges, SkyTrail, flying fox, the Leap of Faith, Giant Drop Slides, Spider Tower games and interactive GameWall experiences. Children will also enjoy an epic Nerf battle, pizza-making, craft activities, and a fun scavenger hunt. Activities
are adapted to suit different ages and abilities, ensuring every participant can get involved. Please call 03 9769 9966 to book an amazing Holiday Session on one of the following dates: Tuesday 22nd, Thursday 24th and Monday 28th September, and Friday 2nd October 2026.
Engaging Autism Therapy and School Holiday Programs by occupational therapists. Suitable for NDIS funding. THE COMING HOLIDAY PROGRAM DATES ARE Tuesday 22nd, Thursday 24th & Monday 28th September and Friday 2nd October 2026
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Fitness and Motor Coordination and Skills Proprioception
Increased Self-Esteem
Improved Social Interactions
Exciting and Fun
MindClimb is a full body workout that improves strength and functional fitness whilst improving fine and gross motor skills.
Participants gain a wonderful sense of achievement and enhanced self-esteem when they climb higher and better.
Improved Emotional Regulation MindClimb often improves participant’s focus, behaviour and emotional regulation.
Participants learn improved communication strategies and often make friends at MindClimb.
Participants really engage and enjoy the MindClimb sessions. Many say it’s their happiest time of the week.
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Exercises on the climbing walls and SkyTrail high-ropes course improve coordination and proprioception (spatial awareness).
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MindClimb Benefits
39-51 Intrepid St. Berwick 03 9769 9966 www.clipnclimbberwick.com.au/MindClimb
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Thursday, 17 September, 2026 | STAR NEWS 11
FOCUS ON … EDUCATION
Student’s very own app At just 17, St Francis Xavier College Year 11 student David Mazzeo has already achieved what many aspiring developers only dream of, publishing 15 apps, winning two global Apple competitions, and building an app now used by commuters across Victoria. The self-taught young developer first became interested in coding in Grade 2, with that curiosity deepening after receiving his first iPad. Instead of using it mainly for games, he found himself watching Apple keynotes and then becoming fascinated by how apps were made. “I was really interested in tech, as work got published, I realised I had a skill to make things useful for people.” That realisation has since led to an impressive string of achievements. His apps, including games and practical tools, are all available on the Apple App Store. He has also won the Apple Swift Student Challenge in both 2022 and 2023, an international competition that selects just 350 students each year based on technical complexity, social impact and innovation. He has been invited to Apple’s head office four years in a row. His flagship app, Shuttle for Melbourne, is designed to give commuters a smoother and more reliable travel experience than the public transport app many Victorians currently rely on. He said he created it after repeatedly hearing complaints about the existing PTV app, which users described as slow, clunky and out of date. “I kept hearing complaints,” he said. “So, I designed one with a nicer layout that tells commuters when a train line is suspended and shows disruptions more clearly.” Shuttle includes features such as live tracking while using other apps, lock screen updates, notifications, wake-up alarms linked to your destination, and even calendar integration for upcoming journeys. It is aimed at new and regular commuters of all ages, with plans to expand it to major
Australian cities. While many young developers learn through classes or formal training, he taught himself completely through online resources and experimentation. David’s journey has not been without challenges. In Year 9, he discovered that one of his income-generating apps had been cloned. He had to gather evidence and work through the issue with Apple himself. The experience pushed him to learn about copyright law and sparked a broader interest in law and politics. Which he hopes to pursue after Year 12. “It made me realise how important it is to protect your work,” he said. Behind the success is a strong support network. His family, teachers and friends have all encouraged him, with his mother even travelling with him to Sydney for events. He said friends regularly share his posts on social media, while user feedback has helped shape the development of his apps. As he balances VCE with coding, he says app development now happens mainly during holidays and after school if he doesn’t have homework, while weekends are for socialising with his friends. His advice to other students is simple: start early. “It’s more accessible than ever to develop apps, there are more resources, AI can help answer questions, it’s never been a better time to start.” His greatest lesson so far? Listening to users. “Feedback is everything, positive or negative, it helps improve the user experience.”
St Francis Xavier College Year 11 student David Mazzeo - student behind successful VIC transport app making a mark.
Head of Campus
Talk & Tour 13 October 2026 9.30am - 11.00 am Join us for a Talk and Tour with the Deputy Principal – Head of Campus at our Berwick, Officer and Beaconsfield Campuses
Register at www.sfx.vic.edu.au
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12 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 17 September, 2026
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Weddings
Make your forever story shine Your wedding day is one of life’s most meaningful celebrations, and the jewellery you choose becomes a lasting reminder of the love, memories and promises shared on that special day. At Berwick Village Jewellers, couples can bring their vision to life with beautiful jewellery designed to reflect their unique love story. Proudly family-owned, the business has a long-standing history in the local community, with Anthony and Sylvia bringing more than 30 years of experience in the jewellery and watch industry to every piece they create. For those searching for the perfect engagement ring or wedding bands, Berwick Village Jewellers offers a beautiful selection of jewellery, along with the opportunity to create something completely bespoke. Whether you have already imagined your dream ring or need a little inspiration, Anthony and his experienced team can guide you through the process, helping you select the right design, gemstones and precious metals to create a piece that feels truly yours. Their custom design service is particularly popular for engagement and wedding rings, with designs created using a combination of modern 3D technology and traditional jewellery-making techniques. You can even incorporate your own gold or diamonds into a new design, giving treasured pieces a beautiful new chapter. And the care doesn’t stop once you say “I do”. With jewellery repairs completed on the premises, along with professional cleaning services, Berwick Village Jewellers can help keep your treasured pieces looking their best for years to come. From the moment you say “yes” to celebrating your wedding day and every anniversary that follows, choose jewellery that tells your story. Visit Berwick Village Jewellers at Shop 2 Blackburne Square, Berwick, and discover how your dream piece can become a lasting symbol of your forever.
Make your forever story shine at Berwick Village Jewellers - the team Sylvia, Jen, Michelle and Anthony.
Make your wedding day look unforgettable Your wedding day is one of life’s most memorable occasions, and looking your best is all part of the celebration. At Harry’s Clothing, finding the perfect look for the groom, groomsmen, fathers and wedding guests is made easy with a stylish range of menswear designed for those special moments. Whether your vision is classic and timeless, modern and sophisticated, or something a little more relaxed, Harry’s Clothing offers a fantastic selection of suits and formalwear to help you create a wedding-day look that reflects your personal style. From traditional black and navy suits through to contemporary colours, tailored styles and elegant dinner suits, there’s something to suit every wedding theme. It’s not just about finding the right suit – the finishing touches can make all the difference. Complete your wedding look with shirts, ties,
bow ties, cufflinks, pocket squares, belts, shoes and other accessories, with plenty of options available to coordinate the entire wedding party. Harry’s Clothing understands that every wedding is different, which is why their range caters for everything from sophisticated blacktie celebrations to relaxed cocktail and daytime weddings. With a focus on quality, fit and style, their experienced team can help you put together an outfit that looks fantastic and feels comfortable throughout the big day. Planning ahead is also important when it comes to wedding attire. Giving yourself plenty of time to select your suits, coordinate colours and organise fittings can help ensure everything comes together seamlessly when your special day arrives. So, whether you’re the groom preparing for your big moment or part of the wedding party,
make Harry’s Clothing part of your wedding plans. Step into your special day with confidence, style and a look you’ll be proud to see in
the wedding photographs for years to come. Harry’s Clothing, 20 Gloucester Ave, Berwick, (03) 9796 2777.
CLOTHING
Remember our Location
20 Gloucester Ave, Berwick VIC 3806 berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au
Shop 2 Blackburne Square Berwick VIC 3806 www.berwickvillagejewellers.com.au ENGAGEMENT RINGS | WEDDING BANDS | CUSTOM DESIGNS | EXPERT ADVICE
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Thursday, 17 September, 2026 | STAR NEWS 13
NEWS
Clyde man jailed By Violet Li A Clyde man who helped invade and rob a South Yarra apartment and carried out a violent carjacking months later has been jailed for four years and nine months. Rawlin Laile, 33, pleaded guilty in the County Court to home invasion, robbery and aggravated carjacking, as well as a summary charge of driving while disqualified. The court heard Laile and his then-partner met a man at Huntingdale railway station on 19 February 2023 and accompanied him to his South Yarra apartment, where they smoked cannabis and drank coffee. They returned that evening and Laile’s partner left the apartment and met three other men in the basement car park. The men forced their way inside the apartment and surrounded the victim. One intruder displayed what appeared to be a handgun, although prosecutors did not allege Laile knew the weapon was present. The victim was ordered to empty his pockets and show his bank account. Laile then pulled the victim into the bathroom and stood in front of the door while the group ransacked the apartment, stealing assets valued at about $4500. Before leaving, Laile smashed a vase and warned the resident that the offenders were “bikies” who would return if police were called. In December the same year, Laile and co-offender Jamie Frederikson arranged through Facebook Marketplace to inspect a Mitsubishi Lancer being sold in Preston. After giving the seller a $1000 deposit, Laile test-drove the car with its owner in the passenger seat. He later stopped and claimed the vehicle was smoking, asking the owner to get out to have a look. The owner refused. Laile lied to the owner to get him out of the car, but the owner busted his trick and secured the keys. Laile started to repeatedly punch the owner in the head.
A CCTV footage of Laile. (County Court of Victoria)
CCTV footage from the lift of the South Yarra apartment showed Laile went up to level 13. (County Court of Victoria) Frederikson also punched the man through the passenger window until the victim escaped and ran for help. Laile drove away in the Mitsubishi, which has never been recovered. The victim suffered facial swelling, lacerations, jaw pain and a loss of consciousness. In a victim impact statement, he described sleeplessness, fear of retribution and living in “a constant state of fear and panic”. “The victim was lured to the location under the pretense he may have a buyer for his car. The level of violence was absolutely outrageous. Your conduct was appalling,” Judge Tara Hartnett said.
“Your offending was callous and cowardly, and no doubt, terrifying. “The (first) offending took place in the victim’s home, a place where he was entitled to feel safe.” The court heard the Laile had a serious recent criminal history and was subject to a community corrections order when he offended. Since 2020, he had received jail time and community correction orders for offences including aggravated burglary, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, drug possession, violence, weapons and property damage. His crimes were largely connected to heavy methamphetamine use.
The court heard Laile lost his mother at the age of four. He then lost his older brother and his grandmother, who he was very close to. Laile’s life unravelled at the time he commenced heavy drug use at about the age of 27. “It is a depressingly familiar tale. You have been a heavy drinker since the age of about 15, and you started using methamphetamine in your early twenties after arriving in Australia,” Judge Hartnett said. “Your drug use escalated, and you prioritized it over your family and work commitments. You lost both.” Judge Hartnett also said Laile’s sentence would trigger mandatory visa-cancellation because he would receive more than 12 months’ imprisonment. Laile, who was born in New Zealand, moved to Australia at about 20 and regards Australia as his home. His children live here, although he had not seen them for about four years, and he hoped to rebuild a relationship with them. Judge Hartnett said Laile’s rehabilitation prospects were reasonably good but depended on him remaining drug-free after his release. Laile was sentenced to a total term of four years and nine months, with a non-parole period of three years and six months. He already served 535 days of pre-sentence detention.
Free net-swap to save wildlife Casey Council has joined a ‘net swap’ program to help protect wildlife such as the threatened grey-headed flying-foxes colony in Myuna Wetlands, Doveton. The council is a partner with the state’s Conservation Regulator in the campaign for residents to exchange illegal fruit-tree netting for wildlife-safe netting for free. Wildlife continues to be trapped in illegal tree nets, with Wildlife Victoria attending 320 rescues in the past 12 months. In Victoria, netting on household fruit trees must have a mesh size of 5 millimetres by 5 millimetres or less. Larger mesh can entangle birds, possums and bats, causing serious injury and death. The rule-ofthumb is if your finger can pass through the mesh, it’s too big. The Net Swap helps residents comply with the
law and avoid a $395 on-the-spot fine. Offenders can also face a maximum penalty of $2,964 if prosecuted in court. It follows a successful pilot program in five metropolitan councils, in which 614 illegal fruit nets were surrendered and 395 legal nets distributed. It is part of a broader Check Your Nets campaign delivered by RSPCA Victoria, Zoos Victoria, Wildlife Victoria and Animal Welfare Victoria. “After the success of the pilot program, we’re pleased to expand Net Swap to more councils, helping even more Victorians make the switch to legal fruit tree netting,” Chief Conservation Regulator Callie Donaldson said. “Every illegal net removed from circulation is one less risk to birds, possums and threatened grey-headed flying-foxes.” Greater Dandenong Council, which borders the Myuna wetland bat colony, is not part of the
RSPCA Victoria Head of Prevention, Rebecca Cook, Chief Conservation Regulator Callie Donaldson and Zoos Victoria’s Dr Sally Sherwen with illegal netting, left, and compliant netting, right. (Conservation Regulator) latest round of 18 councils supporting the netswap. The Net Swap program is understood to have been an opt-in partnership program for local councils. Wildlife found entangled in fruit tree netting
should only be handled by experienced wildlife rescuers. Contact 136 186 to find a rescuer or use the online Help for Injured Wildlife Tool at www. wildlife.vic.gov.au/injured-native-wildlife/wildlife-tool
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14 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 17 September, 2026
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Berwick Orchid Club president Murray Harding with a Dendrobium Cosmic Gold.
Berwick Orchid club president Murray Harding and his wife Di Lester are holding a Dendrobium Cosmic Gold in preparation for the upcoming Berwick Orchid Club Spring Show, 26, 27 September. (Rob Carew: 577504)
Dendrobium Dunokayla Peach.
Blooms set for Orchid Show By Violet Li Up to 1500 orchids, including several particularly rare varieties, are expected to fill the Berwick Senior Citizens Centre for the Berwick Orchid Club’s upcoming two-day show. The annual Berwick event Spring Orchid Show has been running for more than 20 years and has grown in popularity in recent years, attracting more than 600 visitors across two days in 2024. Club president Murray Harding said the final
selection would not be known until members arrived with flowering plants from their private collections. “I do know that there’s going to be a couple, at the very least, because a friend said to me that he’ll be bringing them,” he said. “He said this is something that’s very rare, so I look forward to seeing that.” Visitors will be able to browse the displays, buy orchids from a large sales area and seek growing advice from experienced club members through-
out the show. Mr Harding said many visitors headed to the sales tables first to secure their preferred plants before exploring the exhibition. The club is also offering membership for the remainder of the financial year for $10. Anyone joining at the show will be invited to an orchid workshop on the first weekend of October, where members will demonstrate repotting and answer questions. Mr Harding developed his passion after inher-
iting his father’s orchids about 40 years ago. He has since spoken about the plants in every Australian state and overseas, including at the World Orchid Conference in Taiwan. His own Devon Meadows collection has grown to almost 10,000 orchids, housed in a purpose-built orchid house almost as large as his home. The show will be held at the Berwick Senior Citizens Centre, 112 High Street, Berwick on 26 & 27 September from 9am to 4pm daily.
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WHAT’S ON Family Fun Night Come along and bring a neighbour or two to our family-friendly neighbours’ evening. Free sausage sizzle (halal options available), Bolani and kid’s activities. All welcome. Thursday 17 September, 4pm-6pm at Autumn Place Community Hub, Autumn Place, Doveton; free event. No bookings required.
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Multicultural Family Day Fun activities, face painting, stalls and food, entertainment and community celebration. Saturday 19 September, 10.30am-1.30pm at Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre, 141-147 Endeavour Drive, Cranbourne North; free entry.
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Mooncake Masterclass Celebrate traditional mid-autumn festival with expert chef, Lillie Giang, the Food Affectionist, as she creates delightful pastries with sweet or savoury fillings. For ages 16-plus. Saturday 19 September, 11am-12pm at Endeavour Hills Library, 10 Raymond McMahon Boulevard; free event. Details: https://events.connectedlibraries.org.au/event?id=228173
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Five Farms Fair Face painting, kids’ activities, live music, stalls from local creators including children’s book author and candle maker. Saturday, September 19, 12pm-2pm at Silo Park, A Livvi’s Place all-abilities inclusive playground, Cavern Blvd, Clyde North; free event. RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/fivefarms-fair-tickets-1999444237538?aff=oddtdtcr eator&lid=bmfjw2d090oi&uid=0050568E33421 ED7B3FAA4DE074300DE
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Doveton Show A day of family fun. Thrill and family rides, food and market stalls, animal shows, kids activities and showbags. Sunday 20 September, 10am-4pm at Myuna Farm, 182 Kidds Road, Doveton.
•
AFL fun day For all dads, grandfathers, father figures and their children (under 7 years of age). Join the Clyde North Dad Squad for a morning of AFL footy fun. Kick a ball, score a goal with your child, and meet other local father figures. Sunday 20 September, 10am-12pm at Orana
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Primary school children can explore different art techniques, experiment with a variety of materials and let their creativity shine. All materials provided. Tuesday 22 September, 10am-11am at Lynbrook Community Centre, 2 Harris St, Lynbrook; $10. Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DNNFS
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Plant and Paint Kids paint their own pot, plant a seedling, and take it home in this fun, hands-on workshop. Suitable for primary school ages, with parents and siblings welcome. Thursday 24 September, 11am-12pm at Autumn Place Community Hub, Autumn Place, Doveton; free event. Bookings required: https:// www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1597309 Details: 9792 7382 or autumnplacech@casey.vic. gov.au
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Spring Orchid Show Berwick Orchid Club’s annual show features Australian and exotic orchid displays, as well as growing advice, and orchids, growing accessories and light refreshments for sale. Saturday 26 September and Sunday 27 September, 9am-4pm at 112 High Street, Berwick; $5/$3.
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Gathered in Clyde market Clyde’s first community market is coming. 100plus local makers, food trucks and unique finds. Family-friendly fun for everyone. Sunday 27 September, 9am-2pm at Eliston District Park Playground, Clyde; free entry. Details: https://www.facebook.com/gatheredinclyde
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Night Safari – Moths and Spiders Come along on a night safari and discover the moths, spiders and other nocturnal insects in
Little Chefs Learn easy, tasty recipes, explore new flavours and make delicious dishes to take home. Suitable for primary-school ages. Parents and siblings welcome to join. Thursday 1 October 11am-12pm at Autumn Place Community Hub, Autumn Place, Doveton; free event. Bookings required: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1597313
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U3A Cranbourne Open Day Meet tutors, group leaders and members, view all of our beautiful work and learn about the fun activities that we enjoy on and off the premises. Refreshments provided. Friday 2 October, 10am-1.30pm at Cranbourne U3A, 20-22 Bowen Street Cranbourne; free event. No bookings required. Details: admin@u3acranbourne.org.au or 0493 991 919.
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Connection, Movement & Wellbeing Enjoy gentle seated movement with a physiotherapist, practical everyday tips from an occupational therapist, an informal Health & Wellbeing Hub offering non-clinical information and advice, and the opportunity to meet new people over complimentary morning tea and light refreshments. For ages 55 and over. Friday 2 October, 10am-2pm at Cranbourne West Community Hub, 4 Flicka Blvd, Cranbourne West; free event. Bookings essential: info@caringheartsinhomehelp.com.au or 5993 5999.
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Zine-making workshop for teens Create your own zine (pronounced zeen) - a small self-published book or mini magazine that can be about poetry, art, music, books, gaming, fashion, your favourite fandom, latest obsession or anything in between. For ages 13-17. All materials provided.
•
Friday 2 October 2pm at Hampton Park Library, 26 Stuart Ave, Hampton Park; free event. Bookings: https://events.connectedlibraries.org.au/ event?id=242369
Art of Conversation: Blind Bight For older adults to connect, share stories and build new friendships. Meaningful conversations guided by experienced facilitators. Morning tea provided. Saturday 3 October, 9am-12.30pm at Blind Bight Community Centre, Anchorage Drive, Blind Bight; free event. Bookings required at cindy@ kintsugiheroes.com.au
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Tamil Musical and Dance Concert Tamil music and dance items staged by professional artists. Morning tea and special Tamil traditional lunch served. Saturday 3 October, 10.30am-1.30pm at Berwick Senior Citizens Centre, 112 High Street, Berwick; $10. Bookings required by 1 October: info@ caseytamilmanram.org.au or 0491 149 113.
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In conversation with Michael Robotham Michael Robotham will chat about his 20th published novel, Tell Me Something True, set in a small Australian town (his first Australian-set novel). Saturday 3 October, 2pm-3pm at Bunjil Place Library, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren; free event. Bookings required: https://events.connectedlibraries.org.au/event?id=244068
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SEWA Festival Day Join other Sri Lankan elders at a Sri Lankan Elders Welfare Association (SEWA) social community day. Open to anyone. Join us for entertainment, refreshments and the chance to meet new people. Monday 5 October, 10am-2pm at John Pandazopoulos Hall, 78 Power Road, Doveton; free event. Bookings required at sewa.78pwr@gmail. com or 0401 287 475.
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Introduction to Bridge Join Berwick Bridge Club for a free introductory session! Bridge is a fun, social card game that keeps your mind sharp and memory active. Monday 5 October, 1pm-3pm at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House & Community Centre, 21A Bemersyde Drive, Berwick; free event. Bookings: info@berwickbridgeclub.au
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With a proud history of delivering trusted local news across print, digital, newsletters and social media platforms, Star News Group connects businesses with highly engaged audiences throughout Melbourne’s south-east and regional Victoria. About the Role : This is an exciting opportunity to manage an established client portfolio while actively developing new business opportunities across our diverse media platforms. The successful applicant will work with local businesses to create effective advertising campaigns incorporating: • Newspaper advertising • Digital display advertising • Sponsored online content • Email marketing campaigns • Digital Newsletter Key Responsibilities : • Maintain and grow an existing client base. • Identify and secure new business opportunities. • Develop tailored advertising and marketing solutions for clients. • Prepare proposals, presentations and campaign recommendations. • Work collaboratively with editorial, design and digital teams to deliver outstanding client outcomes. About You: You will possess: • Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills. • Strong organisational and time management abilities. • A positive attitude and a passion for helping local businesses succeed. • A current driver’s license and reliable vehicle. What We Offer : • An established territory with existing clients. • Competitive salary package including base salary and commission. • Supportive team environment. • The opportunity to work with a respected and trusted community media brand. • If you are passionate about sales, enjoy working within your local community and thrive in a fast-paced media environment, we’d love to hear from you.
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bushland. Photograph and record the insects you find for the 2026 Biodiversity Blitz. For all ages and experience. Children need to be supervised by parent/guardian at all times. Run by Entomological Society of Victoria and The Arachnid Academy. Tuesday 29 September, 7pm-10pm at Morning Mist Recreation Reserve, 45 Langley Road, Cranbourne South; free entry. Bookings required at www.eventbrite.com.au/e/night-safari-mothsand-spiders-tickets-1996424901623?aff=odcle oeventsincollection
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Thursday, 17 September, 2026 | STAR NEWS 17
SPORT
Stingrays stars in decider By Blair Burns It all comes down to this weekend for a star-studded Dandenong Stingrays Boys side which was dominant in its preliminary final against Eastern Ranges on Sunday, winning 14.18 (102) to 7.12 (54). The 48-point win was reflective of just how good this Stingrays side is, with a classy defensive unit which includes several Vic Country players, a strong engine room, and a forward line which just keeps getting the job done. Much like its grand final opponent Gippsland Power, Dandenong Stingrays has just one premiership in its history which came in 2018. It was a drought-breaking victory, ending years of heartbreak after falling short at the final hurdle – the Stingrays lost five grand finals before its breakthrough in 2018. The side most recently made the final day in September in 2022, but fell short at the final hurdle against Western Jets. This time, Dandenong is out for redemption and comes into this clash in red-hot form after beating GWV Rebels by 31 points in the qualifying final and Eastern Ranges by 48 on the weekend. Dylan Linden has kicked 10 goals in the past two matches and has hit a rich vein of form at the right time of the year, leading the charge up forward with four goals in the win over the Ranges. On Sunday, the first quarter was an even battle and both sides didn’t make the most of their chances at times. But the second quarter is where Dandenong punched its ticket to the grand final with 14 scoring shots to one in what can only be described as a bloodbath. The Stingrays, led by Linden and Toner who each bagged two for the term, kicked seven goals to zero as they buried the Ranges to lead 64-17 at half time. The second half was a bit more even as Eastern fought hard and the Stingrays cruised through preparing for next week. “The boys really turned it on and I saw myself sitting in the box thinking we are playing pretty good at the moment,” coach Nick Cox said. “It was on the back of understanding our role and executing it really well. We were really sound with the fundamentals and executed well when we got in front of the sticks. “It was very pleasing for all of the hard work
Dandenong Stingrays forward Marcus Prasad will look to provide some highlights like this one on Saturday. (Gary Sissons: 570551) that they’d put in, that they were able to put in a performance like that, particularly in the second quarter.” Cox lauded the form of Linden, along with other forward threats Marcus Prasad, Mitch Toner and Corey Ah Mu, also reflecting on the growth of the group. “Obviously we’ve got some players that are highly touted and getting looked at, but there are a lot of players who have improved from the start of the year,” he said. “That is the reason why we’re performing so well as a team, so it’s a credit to our program and our region for the amount of work that has been put in to make all of the players better.”
In terms of the week leading up to the game, the goal was to make sure all of the players were fresh and connected. “It’s an exciting week, it’s really about the boys enjoying the week, connecting and getting right to do what we do on Saturday - it’s going to be a really good spectacle,” Cox said. “(Getting to play on grand final day) means we get more draftees possibly, but at the same time, it puts a smile on the face of all of the people who have been around for a long time and do a heap of work that no one sees. “As a region, we get that opportunity to play and possibly win a grand final, and then those memories are there forever with the playing group wherever they go with their
football journey.” Cox was also the head coach of the Vic Country side at this year’s Under-18 National Championships and was pleased to see two country sides reach the decider. “We have a close association with Gippsland and really look at their program, Kris (Pendlebury) and Scotty (McDougal) have done a great job to get them up too - they’ve got some really good players,” he said. “I think there’s about 12-14 players playing on the weekend that have a really good opportunity at national level. There are some really good bottom-agers playing and some that are still vying to hopefully get on an AFL list or even get a VFL opportunity.”
Dandenong girls chasing maiden premiership triumph By Blair Burns Dandenong is chasing history in the Talent League Girls competition as the Rays hunt a first premiership against Oakleigh Chargers at Whitten Oval. The side is hoping to go one better than last year where it fell short against Eastern Ranges by 38 points in the big dance. The Rays have enjoyed a week off and are fresh as they head into the decider off the back of two hard-fought finals matches. With a plethora of bottom-age talent and a really strong structure, the side made light work of most of its challengers throughout the homeand-away season with 14 wins, one draw and zero losses. But finals are a different contest and the two matches have seen the Stingrays tested, but they have stood up both weeks to get through to the big dance unscathed. The first was a thrilling five-point victory over Geelong Falcons, and the next was by 21 points over reigning premier Eastern Ranges. Having progressed through the entire year undefeated, coach Nathan Boyd and his side will be looking to cap off the perfect season as the players dream of etching their name into the history books as the first girls premiership side for Dandenong Stingrays. “Our group has done a really good job this year to keep playing good footy and continue to compete - there is a real sense of accomplishment and excitement,” he said. “We came into the season not sure about what we were going to have, but fairly early in the year, we put some good form together. “The drawn game against GWS where we were able to come back from about 20 points
18 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 17 September, 2026
Dandenong ruck Sophie White will play an important role on Saturday morning. (Gary Sissons: 576446) down and battle with one of the more accomplished academy sides was a little bit of a beliefsetter. “We just keep ticking away and working to get better … It has been a really fun journey and the girls are really keen for the opportunity to make history.” The finals match-ups have not been new for Dandenong, meeting the same two sides it did in the final two games last year, just in a different order. “It is always nice to measure ourselves against the Metro sides like Oakleigh and Eastern, so to get it done against Eastern Ranges on the weekend was another big tick for the belief,” Boyd said. “The girls genuinely believe that when we
play our best, we are in any game.” The huge opportunity to make history as the first girls premiership side for Dandenong Stingrays will not be lost on the players. “There will be an element in sharing what the story could mean to them as individuals, but the biggest one is another opportunity for the girls to showcase their abilities,” Boyd said. “We are in the market of showcasing talent and we want to see as many of our girls playing good games of footy and having good moments on the big stage. “But it will be important to share what it could mean for our program, and for the players, this could be the pinnacle of their junior footy.”
The fire has been lit in those top-agers who felt the heartbreak of a grand final defeat last year, with the experience to hold them in good stead. The Stingrays will embrace the occasion, with some key match-ups set to have a say on the outcome. Oakleigh possesses the number one prospect for this year’s draft, damaging tall forward Bailee Martin, who has kicked 22 goals in seven matches. She also made headlines when she kicked seven goals for Vic Country in the Under-18 Championships. Gabrielle Mehrmann will get the job on Martin, and will hope to replicate her performance from last year in the preliminary final where she kept the star to just one goal. Leaders within the Stingrays side like Scarlett Marsh, Marlee Black and Jasmine Whitten have stood up throughout the finals series, but the strength of the side is its even spread. “We look at our collective as being our strength, so it is very hard to pinpoint one or two key players,” Boyd said. “Sophie White stands up and dominates around the stoppage, while we have some wingers who may not get a lot of the footy, but hold their width well in Indy (Busuttil) and Eb (Stevenson).” The ruck battle will be another intriguing one with AFL Academy player White battling against Oakleigh bottom-ager Cleo Barbakas, who is fresh off a best on ground medal from the Academy Futures match. The game will be at Whitten Oval on Saturday with the match starting at 10:45am, followed by the boys’ match at 1:15pm.
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SPORT
Roos ready for Bloods test By Blair Burns A blistering five-goal first quarter from Officer in the Outer East Under-18s Premier Division set up a comfortable win against Mt Evelyn and propelled the Roos into another grand final, winning 10.9 (69) to 3.4 (22) at Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve. It was a 2025 grand final rematch between the two sides and it was Officer who prevailed once again, as the dream of going back-to-back becomes closer to reality. The victory sets up an exciting rematch between Officer and Healesville, and the Roos will be out for redemption, hoping to make amends for their first loss of the year which came against the Bloods in the second semi-final a couple of weeks ago. Any frustration that the Officer players may have felt after their first loss of the year had been turned into fuel and the Roos came out as determined as ever in the preliminary final. Jordan Smith has put together an impressive season up forward and after a couple of quieter games against Mt Evelyn this year, he got off the chain and booted four majors. And he did a lot of his damage early, guiding the Roos to a dominant first quarter which basically secured them a spot in the grand final. At the end of the first term, Officer was up 31-2 and the game was all but over with the Rovers needing to produce a near miracle to turn this game around. The game followed a similar suit in the second quarter as the Roos continued to take the game away from the challengers. The pressure was relentless and midfield dominance was impressive as Blake Faliszewski and Anhadpal Singh Kang led from the front. The team’s defensive unit was impressive and managed to not only restrict scoring, but springboard out of defence and generate attacking chains from the back half. And unlike last match when the side kicked 2.8 (20) for the day, they were taking their chances in front of the big sticks to kick 8.3 (51) to 1.4 (10) at half time. The 41-point margin at half time looked ominous for the Rovers, who were desperate to finish the game with some respectability after coming into the clash with high hopes.
Officer’s Elias Temba was at his best in the preliminary final victory on Saturday. (Rob Carew: 576453) And to Mt Evelyn’s credit, it fought hard in the second half and both teams only managed to add another two goals each for the rest of the game as it fizzled out. The Roos are through to the big dance for the third consecutive year, as they look to defend their title. Officer will battle it out against Healesville at Don Road Sporting Complex at 10am Saturday as
Bryce Klenner, Riley Mollison, Jordan Norton, Beau Potter, Harrison Tivendale. Best: Blake Faliszewski, Anhadpal Singh Kang, Jordan Smith, Jai Bearder, Elias Temba, Riley Mollison. Mt Evelyn Goals: Darcy Cooper, Tyson Cooper, Jaxon Murphy. Best: Jay Parkinson, Patrick Murphy, Darcy Graham, Austin Leonard, Campbell Southwick, Cooper White.
both sides strive for the ultimate success. The Roos will also be in action during the reserves grand final against Mt Evelyn, which kicks off after the Under-18s at 12:05pm. • OUTER EAST PREMIER - U18 OFFICER 5.1 8.3 8.7 10.9 (69) MT EVELYN 0.2 1.4 3.4 3.4 (22) Officer Goals: Jordan Smith 4, Hunter Beaumont,
Narre Warren chasing fifth flag in decider against Eagles By Blair Burns The grand final has finally arrived in the South East Precinct Netball League (SEPNL) A grade competition, with Narre Warren and Beaconsfield set to battle it out. Both the Magpies and the Eagles have been the clear best two sides this season and both of them have tasted victory against one another throughout the regular season. Narre Warren heads into the clash as the favourite, leading the head-to-head battle 4-1, but Beaconsfield will be throwing caution to the wind and hoping to replicate its earlier-season performance when it won by six goals in round 11. Under the guidance of new coach Kealeigh Brown, it has been another brilliant season for the black and white, managing to make it one hurdle further than last year where the side fell short in a Southern Football Netball League preliminary final. It was a completely new-look side this year, but the young and energetic group has been gelling together nicely and is now looking to win a fifth A grade premiership for the club. “We are all really excited to have made the grand final this year, and I especially, am so proud of the team and the achievements we have made so far,” Brown said. The Magpies have dropped just one game for the year which came against the Eagles, and Brown said the side learned a lot from that loss. “It was an opportunity to work on some flaws we had as a team and gave every player a great chance to reflect on where to improve their game, as individuals and as a team,” she said. “The key to beating Beacy is simply to play four quarters of netball; lapses in control and
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Narre Warren’s Suria Viane will play a key role in the decider. (Rob Carew: 560616) Beacy will make us pay for it – they’re incredibly mature and composed as a team, so we need to be able to grind it out for the full 60 minutes.” After a lot of uncertainty in the off-season, Narre Warren found its home in the SEPNL and there is only one thing that can make the debut season better…the premiership cup. “I’m so chuffed with my team. 12 months ago, we had no idea what Narre netball would look like in 2026, and I can wholeheartedly say that this has been a season just like old times,” Brown said. “Vibes are high, all teams work and get along well together and as a footy netball club, the camaraderie amongst both the boys and girls has been nostalgic.
“The young ones in particular are certainly the next generation coming through and it’s so exciting to watch.” Having been at the club since 2012 when she started playing juniors, coaching the girls this season had been an honour for Brown. “This year has been incredible and I am so honoured that the NWFNC gave me this opportunity,” she said. “My partner and I welcomed our gorgeous boy back in May, so starting the year off heavily pregnant and then being able to make a return to playing and coaching has been something I am incredibly grateful for.” Brown has played B grade since her return, allowing her to play and coach on a Saturday
and is hoping to cap off the season with some silverware. “We’re so excited to have the opportunity to bring home another A grade premiership for the club,” she said. “We’ve put in the work, so I’m confident in the girls to get the job done.” The game will be played at 3:05pm on Saturday at Edwin Flack Reserve, with the B Grade game also Narre Warren v Beaconsfield. EAGLES TOO GOOD FOR REDBACKS To earn its spot in the grand final, Beaconsfield had to overcome Hampton Park on the weekend, winning 46-33 in the preliminary final. The Eagles made it 4-1 against the Redbacks this season and despite a strong back half of the season from Hampton Park, Beaconsfield was always going to be tough to beat. The Redbacks came in with some belief having knocked off the Eagles on one occasion earlier in the year. Beaconsfield’s strength has always been its scoring spread and having both Sophie Stinear and Suzie Bourchier score 23 goals each released some pressure. Emily Pupuke fought hard but was limited to her lowest goal tally in six weeks as she finished with 28 of the Redbacks’ 33 goals. SEPNL- OTHER GRADES B GRADE: Beaconsfield 48 def Hampton Park 41. GF: Narre Warren v Beaconsfield at 1:50pm. C GRADE: Narre Warren 44 def Beaconsfield 26. GF: Hampton Park v Narre Warren at 12:50pm. D GRADE: Beaconsfield 26 def Narre Warren 18. GF: Hampton Park v Beaconsfield at 11:50am.
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Thursday, 17 September, 2026 | STAR NEWS 19
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20 STAR NEWS | Thursday, 17 September, 2026
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