News - Berwick Star News - 23rd April 2026

SHOWCASING CASEY

SHOWCASING CASEY

Casey’s expanding showcase

With buzzing suburban communities, beautiful scenery and coastal towns just a short drive away, what’s not to love about the City of Casey?

While Casey residents are likely to be aware of the many perks and benefits of living in the region, this feature showcases the best aspects of life in Casey. From the great education options and local businesses to leisure services and retail sectors, Casey really has it all.

An estimated 429,000 people call the City of Casey home in 2025. It is the most populous council area in the state, and that number is forecast to hit 614,000 in 2046 (which is 40,000 more than previously forecast).

More than half of this population growth will occur in Clyde and Clyde North.

In 2022, 45 per cent of Casey households were couples with children – compared to 33 per cent in greater Melbourne.

The region has a young demographic – with a median age of just 34 years old and 5540 babies born last year.

The council area is one of the most diverse in Australia with 42 per cent of residents born overseas and spanning more than 150 nationalities. The top three overseas countries of birth are India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

More than three quarters of residents have at least one parent born overseas or were born overseas themselves.

There are more than 100 faiths observed in Casey – the most common being Catholic, Islam and Hindu.

According to Remplan, Casey holds 175,565 employed residents (2021) – topped by 25,769 in health care and social assistance.

Other main areas of employment are construction at 19,977, manufacturing at 18,861 and retail trade at 17,700.

The region’s Gross Regional Production was estimated at more than $17 billion in 2025 – about 2.7 per cent of Victoria’s GRP. GARDENS AND OUTDOOR DESTINATIONS

The City of Casey has an abundance of parks, playgrounds and open spaces to enjoy.

Whether you visit the 1001 Steps at Bayview Park in Narre Warren South, Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick, Akoonah Park Centre, Old Cheese Factory in Berwick, Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne or the Hallam Valley Trail, you’ll have a myriad of options to choose from. From family friendly to physical activities, the City of Casey has all you need.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS CRANBOURNE

Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne offers a natural bushland experience alongside the Australian Garden, an award-winning, contemporary botanic garden of over 100,000 Australian plants from 1,900 plant varieties.

The bushland is a precious remnant of the area’s vegetation, with 10 kilometres of walking tracks, six kilometres of cycling tracks, a lookout tower, picturesque shelters, barbecues and playgrounds.

There is a range of visitor programs, as well as self-guided walks available throughout the year. And entry is free.

WILSON BOTANIC PARK BERWICK

In its vast 39 hectares, the park has more than 1000 native and exotic plant species. It attracts 80 different species of birds as well as turtles, frogs,

lizards and snakes.

The picnic areas and barbecue facilities, playground and walking tracks make this park a popular attraction.

Bird watchers use the Birdhide on the edge of the Basalt Lake as the perfect cover to see some of the vast array of native wildlife.

Frequent events are held here including seasonal festivals, live music, guided nature walks and educational workshops.

EDUCATION

The City of Casey has a network of great education options that include Catholic schools such as St Catherine’s Primary School in Berwick, Mary MacKillop Primary School in Narre Warren and St Paul Apostle North and South Primary Schools

in Endeavour Hills.

The City of Casey also has a range of government schools on offer to parents with the catchment area. These include James Cook Primary School, Oatlands Primary School, Berwick Lodge Primary School and Cranbourne Park Primary School.

Other schools include St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar, Casey Grammar School, St Francis Xavier College Berwick, Beaconhills Christian College, Heritage College, Hampton Park Secondary College and Alkira Secondary College. Casey has welcomed some new schools in the area with Kala Primary School opening in Cranbourne North, Balambalam Primary School in Clyde North and Kulap Primary School in Clyde.

SHOWCASING CASEY

The City of Casey is also fortunate to have Dandenong Valley SDS,a school dedicated to students aged from pre school to 18 years with intellectual disabilities. The purpose-built school caters for every one’s needs, with various play areas including a bike track, sensory rooms and outdoor spaces, multipurpose rooms, paramed offices,a hydrotherapy room and a range of therapists on hand.

Endeavour Hills Specialist School opened in 2022. It caters for up to 288 students with learning neighbourhoods for early years, middle years and senior years, a dry lab for media, drama and physical activities and a wet lab for art, science, home-craft and technology.

The state-of-the-art facility also has a gymnasium, full-size outdoor play court and soccer pitch.

SPORT

activity in Melbourne’s southeast.

Casey Fields is the region’s premier sports and recreation precinct, home to Melbourne City Football Club and the Melbourne Demons AFL/ AFLW teams. It also regularly hosts cricket, rugby, athletics and BMX events televised nationally. Boasting more than 30 fields, tracks and courts across its 87 hectares, there is also a dedicated train station in the works for Casey Fields as a part of the Clyde Rail extension.

In its 2025-’26 draft budget, Casey proposes large-scale works at Springleaf Recreation Reserve, an AFL, cricket and netball facility in Clyde North. It also commits to a new pavilion at Syd Pargeter Reserve and upgrades for pavilions at Tooradin, Strathaird Reserve, Max Pawsey Reserve and Grices Road Recreation Reserve.

In 2019, Rugby Victoria worked with the City of Casey to host the Melbourne Internatinal 7s and is set to return to Casey Fields in 2026.

SHOWCASING CASEY Program for high-achievers

St Francis Xavier College is offering a new opportunity for academically motivated students with its Advanced Academic Achievement (AAA) Program, beginning in Year 7.

Designed for high-achieving students who are eager to challenge themselves, the AAA Program provides enriched learning experiences that go beyond the standard curriculum. The initiative aims to support students who demonstrate strong academic ability, curiosity, and a passion for deeper learning.

The program focuses on developing critical and creative thinking skills through extension activities, collaborative projects, and complex problem-solving tasks. Students are encouraged to explore ideas in greater depth, engage with challenging concepts, and build confidence in their academic abilities.

The AAA Program brings together like-minded learners in a supportive and stimulating environment, allowing students to both challenge and learn from one another. It complements the College’s existing curriculum while giving students the opportunity to further pursue their academic interests.

St Francis Xavier College emphasises that the program is part of its broader commitment to helping every student reach their full potential. With dedicated teaching staff and a strong focus on curiosity, effort, and collaboration, the College aims to develop confident thinkers and lifelong learners within a faith-centred community.

Applications for the 2027 intake are now open, with families encouraged to contact the College for further information 97073111 or access the application form online.

SHOWCASING CASEY

New Gloucester Av Home

For more than three decades, First National Real Estate Neilson Partners has proudly been part of the Berwick community, and today we are thrilled to share an exciting new chapter in our story: the relocation of our Berwick office to a brand new home at 9 Gloucester Avenue, Berwick, just across the road from our former High Street premises.

While the move may only be a short distance geographically, it represents a significant milestone for our team and business as we continue to grow and evolve while staying firmly connected to the community that has supported us for so many years.

Alongside our long-standing presence in Berwick and Narre Warren, our Pakenham office continues to play a key role in servicing the broader Cardinia region, allowing us to support clients right across this rapidly growing corridor.

We officially celebrated the opening of our new office last Wednesday evening, marking the occasion with a ribbon cutting. The celebration was made even more special with delicious catering by Lanterns Viet Kitchen, adding a warm, local flavour to a memorable night.

First National Real Estate Neilson Partners’ history in Berwick dates back to 1994, when we first opened our doors on Langmore Lane.

Since then, we have had the privilege of helping generations of local families buy, sell, lease and invest in property throughout Berwick and up and down the south east corridor.

In 1997, we partnered with Hudson Real Estate and moved to 57 High Street, becoming Frank Facey First National Real Estate, a name the local community has come to know and trust.

Now, 32 years after first establishing ourselves in Berwick, this relocation is both a celebration of our past and a commitment to our future.

Our new office at 9 Gloucester Avenue has been designed to provide a fresh, welcoming and modern space for our clients and team, while continuing the same personal service, local knowledge and strong relationships that have always been at the heart of what we do.

With a strong presence across Berwick, Pakenham and Narre Warren, we are proud to be part of the continued growth of the Cardinia region and to support the communities that make it such a great place to live, work and invest.

SHOWCASING CASEY

Garden program flourishes

At a time when cost-of-living pressures are changing the way locals shop, cook and live, a growing number of people are turning back to something simple and rewarding — growing their own food.

At Berwick Neighbourhood Centre, this renewed interest in gardening is being embraced through a series of practical and inclusive community sessions designed to help locals get started, no matter their experience level. Supported by the City of Casey, the workshops are helping to empower residents with the knowledge and confidence to take control of their own food sources.

Whether you’re planting your very first herbs, returning to gardening after years away, or simply looking to make better use of a small space, these sessions focus on achievable, real-world results. With many households now facing smaller block sizes and limited outdoor space, the program also explores creative growing options suited to different lifestyles.

Participants will learn the fundamentals of soil preparation, organic pest control, seasonal planting, and how to successfully manage gardens through the cooler months. There is also a strong focus on making the most of what you grow, including ideas around food preparation and reducing waste.

Beyond the practical skills, the sessions offer something equally valuable — connection. Attendees are encouraged to share their own cultural knowledge and lived experiences, creating a rich and supportive environment where learning goes both ways. It’s an opportunity to build new skills, deepen understanding of food sources and sustainability, and connect with others in the local community.

Regular garden sessions are held every Thursday from 9.30am to 11.30am at the Berwick Community Garden on Timbarra Way, with dedicated workshop dates on April 23, May 14 and June 11.

For those looking to take a step towards a

Cultivating Community: Berwick Garden program flourishes.

more sustainable and connected way of living, this local initiative is planting the seeds for longterm wellbeing.

To find out more or book a session, contact Berwick Neighbourhood Centre on 9704 1863 or email admin@berwicknc.com.au.

SHOWCASING CASEY

Family dream comes to life

For mother and daughter duo Maria Dimoulas and Janette Karavatis, opening Kool Kidz Narre Warren was the fulfilment of a long-held dream.

Thepassionatepairofficiallyopenedthedoors in February, creating a family-run early learning centre built on experience, care and community connection.

“We’re a family-run business, looking after your family,” Janette said.

Maria brings more than 15 years of experience in early childhood education, holding a degree in Early Childhood Education and a postgraduate qualification in teaching children with special needs.

Her extensive background as a kindergarten teacher across numerous centres has shaped the strong educational foundation of Kool Kidz Narre Warren.

Janette also has more than a decade of experience in childcare, sharing her mother’s passion

for nurturing young minds.

The centre underwent a complete refurbishment before opening, resulting in a light, bright and welcoming environment for local families.

Kool Kidz Narre Warren features seven thoughtfully designed classrooms, including two baby rooms, three toddler rooms and two kindergarten rooms.

Each room has access to spacious outdoor play areas, along with dedicated sleep spaces and a separate kitchen.

A standout feature is the unique Earth Room, where children enjoy lunch, incursions and special learning experiences.

The centre follows the highly regarded Kool Beginnings Curriculum and offers additional programs including Little Sports Heroes, music, yoga and cultural incursions.

With capacity for 130 children aged six weeks to six years, the centre is also deeply connected to the local community, supporting families through initiatives such as a Community Larder, children’s library and fundraising for various charities.

Kool Kidz Narre Warren is open weekdays from 6.30am to 6.30pm at 17 Cranbourne Road, Narre Warren. For enquiries, phone 9705 1532.

Elevating real estate through experience and integrity

In a competitive and ever-changing property market, having a trusted real estate partner makes all the difference. Prominent Estate Agents is committed to delivering a higher standard of service, ensuring every client’s journey is defined by integrity, care, and results.

With a team of experienced professionals, the agency brings extensive industry knowledge and a proven track record of navigating market trends. This expertise allows them to provide clear, informed guidance, helping clients make confident property decisions.

At the core of Prominent Estate Agents is a

strong focus on service excellence. Buying or selling a home is a significant milestone, and the team works to make the process seamless and stress free. By tailoring their approach to each client’s needs, they build lasting relationships based on trust and reliability.

Their values, integrity, compassion, resilience, and strong work ethic, guide every interaction. Transparency and honesty are prioritised, while a commitment to going above and beyond ensures clients feel supported at every stage.

More than just a real estate agency, Promi-

nent Estate Agents is deeply connected to the local community. With a strong local presence, the team understands the unique character of the neighbourhoods they serve, offering personalised insights that truly make a difference.

Prominent Estate Agents continues to set the benchmark for professional, community focused real estate services.

Are you looking to maximise your property sale? Contact Sidhu Balkaran for an obligationfree market appraisal 9020 2688.

Station reopens

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush has defended the operational approach to new and upgraded police facilities in Melbourne’s southeast, as the Narre Warren Police Station reopens following a major renovation.

The station officially welcomed the public again on 21 April after more than a year of upgrades, featuring a redesigned layout, improved public foyer, and new meeting spaces aimed at strengthening community engagement.

In speaking to Star News, the commissioner said the overhaul would boost morale and productivity among officers while reinforcing the station’s role as a community hub.

However, questions remain over the stillclosed Clyde North Police Station, completed last year but not accessible to the public.

Chief Commissioner Bush acknowledged community concerns but maintained there are no immediate plans to open it as a 24/7 facility.

“It’s important that people have certainty around what is a 24/7 police station and what isn’t,” he said, adding that officers and investigative teams are actively deployed from Clyde North despite its limited access to the public.

Amid rising crime rates in Casey, Bush pointed to broader systemic challenges, particularly workforce shortages.

While police recruitment is increasing, with up to 250 applications weekly, only 17 per cent

successfully enter training due to capacity constraints.

Efforts are underway to double training throughput, though Bush warned it could take four to five years to fully address staffing gaps.

He also flagged a push to modernise police technology and reduce administrative burdens, allowing officers to spend more time in the field.

For more on this story, go to page 4

Eyes on Casey budget, plan

In addition to new waste service charges, Casey residents can expect a 2.75 per cent increase to their rates this year meeting the state’s rate cap for the 2026/27 financial year.

According to the council’s budget draft for this financial year, the base average rate for the 2026/27 period is $1776 in comparison to last year’s $1535. Casey’s waste management budget is set to soar 8.9 percent to $75.8 million.Population and infrastructure growth, new collection services and landfill levies which will increase to 2.75 per cent are all factors contributing to the increased budget. With the recent kerbside reforms expected to cost $5.9 million, waste service charges may see an increase with the addition of the mandatory FOGO bins and glass bins coming in effect at the end of the year.

Last year, Casey ratepayers’ waste service charge increased by 12 per cent with the kerbside reform being one of the contributing factors.

The annual report drafts also outlines a key focus on enhancing community safety, amplifying community support services and building social cohesion.

$1.22 million will be invested in community safety initiatives which is a four per cent increase from last year.

In the council’s aim to enhance community safety, it will be partnering with Victoria Police for a mobile CCTV trial; with $3.4 million being allocated to embed safety into infrastructure including public lighting upgrades, safer intersections and accessibility to community facilities.

It will also be providing $150,000 to emergency food relief, supporting community organisations with grants of up to $20,000.

Youth services will be getting a $2.8 million boost, which will aim to deliver free outreach and leadership opportunities.

The council has announced an operating bud-

An action-packed race

The Amazing Race event held at Wilson Botanic Park over the weekend proved a success. As part of Casey’s ‘Active Autumn’ initiative, many Casey locals showed out to participate in the much loved activity.

Running around the mystical park, the inclusive event saw teams travelling on foot through the park and into the centre of Berwick, following a map and solving clues along the way.

At each checkpoint, participants completed a range of challenges, including cryptic puzzles, photo challenges and construction tasks.

get of $549.9 million to go toward essential services for the community, as well as a $141.5 million Capital Works Program to deliver key infrastructure throughout the City of Casey.

Featured budget pressures include the brunt of cost shifting on local councils as the state government shifts responsibilities pertaining to increased kinder demands, kerbside waste collection reforms and the implementation of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund.

“These reforms have resulted in an increased burden on the City of Casey to deliver new infrastructure and support for more kinder teachers, as well as increased costs for our ratepayers…,” it outlined.

“Council is legislated to administer these charges on the annual rates notices and as a result rate payers see a rise in their rates – a revenue that does not benefit Council.”

The draft also outlined the compounding cost

of delivering essential services with restrictions of capped rates as a “key challenge”

The draft budget also highlights the fallout from the ongoing Middle East conflict, with rising costs adding pressure to households and driving up council contract expenses.

“This environment has contributed to volatility across supply chains, fuel prices, and the cost of goods and materials,” the draft highlighted.

“Such conditions have the potential to place additional upward pressure on Council’s operating expenses, particularly in relation to transport and the associated flow on effects across service delivery.”

Following the council meeting, the annual budget draft will be available for public consultation on Thursday 23 April until 14 May 2026. Any submissions received will be considered at a public submissions hearing during the May council meeting.

Kerbside collection reforms set to cost $5.9 million

Casey’s annual budget draft reveals new waste collection reforms will be costing nearly $6 million, with waste service charges expected to see an increase as new services are added.

The council’s kerbside reform mandated by the state government will be implemented and delivered in November-December 2026 and is expected to be costing the council $5.9 million.

Council will be offsetting $3 million of these costs, which reduces the amount that needs to be paid through rates or new charges.

The new service includes a four weekly collection frequency of a purple lid glass bin and the roll out of a compulsory Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bin.

Depending on the size (80L or 120L), the new FOGO bins rollout charges will costs approximately $434 to $480.

The new bin policies in correlation with Waste Service Charges, will bring in approximately $72.8 million for the council in comparison to last financial year’s $66.6 million.

The community recently had a chance to have their say on the four-bin system earlier in March and April, garnering thousands of submissions.

Anthony Tassone, President of the Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association (CRRA), said that the costs of these new waste implementations “raised serious concerns about process and transparency”

Mr Tassone has previously spoken out against the roll out of the glass bins in Casey, stating that residents should be allowed to optout of it if it wasn’t required — a similar policy offered by the Frankston Council.

But this suggestion was ultimately rejected by the council.

“When you are setting aside $5.9 million in the draft budget, including drawing down $3 million from reserves, before the kerbside waste policy has been fully considered and fi-

nalised, it is fair to question whether the outcome has effectively been pre-determined,” he said.

“The community consultation has now closed, but councillors are yet to consider the feedback and any findings.

“That funding allocation should be paused until councillors have had the opportunity to properly consider the policy and the feedback from residents.”

During the April council meeting, Michelle Crowther, noted that she understood the concerns of the community regarding the reforms “that are not needed”

“I understand the community’s concerns about the glass bins, that’s not needed and it’s another cost to Casey families,” she said.

Mr Tassone also cited cost of living pressures currently impacting ratepayers as a compounding reason to push back against this new service.

“Households are already under pressure, and councils across Victoria have been clear that these reforms will come with additional costs that ultimately fall on residents,” he said.

“At the same time, there are very real practical concerns, particularly for people living in townhouses, smaller blocks and higher-density housing, about how they physically accommodate four bins.”

Tassone says waste and recycling reforms are welcomed but that the council needs to ensure their policy design is right.

“If Council is going to proceed, then it needs to move away from a rigid one-size-fitsall model and focus on equitable and practical outcomes for residents,” he said.

“That means recognising space constraints, avoiding unnecessary cost burdens, and ensuring there are fair and transparent options for households where the standard model does not work.”

Jailed over $1 million scam

By Jensy Callimootoo

A Narre Warren man who took part in an online scam costing victims over $1 million has been jailed for more than three years.

Steven Meneghetti, 30 at the time of the crime, was sentenced at Victoria’s County Court on Monday 20 April for his role in a month-long website spoof in 2022.

Sentencing judge Simon Moglia handed Meneghetti three years and one month behind bars with a non-parole period of 20 months.

Between 28 March and 13 April 2022, Meneghetti targeted six people through a spoofed website who were seeking to make large financial investments.

The scam involved fraudulent websites which were created in the name of known investment companies and products that attracted prospective investors.

Once the victim provided their personal details through online forms, other offenders involved in the scam would contact the victims to discuss their proposed investments under different aliases.

They would later lead them through various intermediate steps and provide them with bank account details to which they should forward their funds for alleged investments.

These accounts were connected to One Compass Pty Ltd or CX8 Pty Ltd accounts, which he operated and was the sole operator for.

Meneghetti’s role in relation to these accounts

was to receive the money and to quickly redirect those funds to cryptocurrency accounts.

Five of the victims lost monetary value of over $100,000 while the sixth victim lost monetary value of over $500,000.

Meneghetti pled guilty to recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime, totalling $1,099,095.

He also pled to attempting to obtain property by deception, in which he tried to convince a

victim to forward a further $500,019.99 to his One Compass account.

From the period of 20 April to 28 April 2022, he told one of the victims that his role was to move money into a legitimate ANZ Papal Court investment account and that Meneghetti himself was dealing with the victim’s funds himself.

“By this stage, you knew the circumstances in which the money was deposited and that you

were dealing with proceeds of crime,” Judge Moglia said.

Meneghetti also pleaded guilty to knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, totalling $302,151.99 from four further victims whose investment funds were deposited into accounts Meneghetti controlled.

None of the victims has recovered the money they lost.

While Meneghetti only directly spoke to one victim, “or having knowledge of their circumstances” , the judge said the victims’ statements indicate “the significance of the quantum of the deposits made and the effect on their lives the loss of that money has had”

Following Meneghetti’s arrest in August 2022, he told police that he was talked into participating in the scam and felt pressured to continue. He was also charged for the possession and cultivation of cannabis, adding three months to his sentence.

According to Judge Moglia, the offender allegedly saw “about $200,000” in his “personal accounts that were not transferred on”.

“Given the difficulty of investigating such scams and the harm they cause to members of the community, any sentence imposed must send a message to others motivated to make quick money at the expense of others,” the judge said.

“Such a sentence must make clear the community’s denunciation of your dishonesty.

“It must also reflect just and proportionate punishment of you personally.”

Op Tradie blitz sees dozens of driving offences recorded

Drink drivers and drug drivers have been caught in an early-morning police blitz of industrial areas in Dandenong South and Hallam.

More than 100 vehicles were intercepted by Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol as part of Operation Tradie on 13-14 April, with most

drivers “behaving responsibly”, Victoria Police stated.

However, 40 offences were detected by police, including unlicensed driving, unregistered vehicles, failing to obey traffic control signals, seatbelt offences and using unroad-

worthy vehicles.

Police also allegedly intercepted two drivers with drugs in their system, alongside two other drivers with alcohol readings over .05.

“The two drink drivers had failed to consider the amount of alcohol they consumed

the night before, knowing that they would be driving during the early hours of the next morning,” police stated.

Both drivers face mandatory licence losses, according to police.

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New-look police station

A newly-renovated police station has been unveiled in Narre Warren, promising to enhance police presence, increase morale and boost productivity after more than a year of renovations.

It now includes a redesigned internal layout with a new public foyer, reception counter and public meeting rooms.

The opening also prompted a rare visit from Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Mike Bush and Minister for Police Anthony Carbines.

Crime in Casey has been in the spotlight over the last year, with the city ranking second in crime incidents according to the recent reports from the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA).

Fuelling the conversation has been the newly constructed Clyde North Police Station.

Despite its completion last year, the station still remains closed to the public, with those living near the facility being advised to go to Cranbourne Police Station instead.

But locals in the area have since urged for public access to the station, stating that a lack of resources or accessible presence to officers is fuelling the crime surge.

In speaking to Star News, commissioner Bush reiterated that “at the moment” the plan is not to open the station to the public, but continues to assure the community that officers are still being

deployed from there.

“It’s important that people have certainty around what is a 24/7 police station and what isn’t,” he said.

“So we’re currently revisiting how we configure all our police stations.

“It’s really important for us to have a presence and community.

“We deploy our investigators (from Clyde) and some of our other support staff from there.

“So people should feel confident that they have police working out of that community.”

Chief Commissioner Bush says that despite the inaccessibility to the public, a “good team” is working out of Clyde North station with work extending to investigations involving serious crime.

Just last week, the state’s opposition pledged that they would work to open the station to the public if they won the election in November by filling up vacancies currently impacting the police force.

This would be done by capitalising on the migrant force in New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom and fast-tracking their training.

Commissioner Bush says that already, the agency is working to accelerate the recruitment process.

And despite the weekly “150 to 250 applications” the academy receives, according to the commissioner there’s currently a “success rate of

17 per cent” with training capacities working as a major barrier.

“It’ll take some time, but it’s underway,” he said.

Currently, the police academy is working to double the number of “throughput” that is currently making their way out of the training.

Rather than one squad of police officers making their way through once a fortnight, it’s now twice a fortnight, in order to “quickly as possible backfill those vacancies” , says the commissioner.

By amping up the volume of training to regional areas, Bush hopes to accelerate the amount of people they can get on the ground.

And while the new strategy is in place, Bush says the timeline for filling up these spots may take four to five years.

Looking out to the future, Bush says the sector will have a real focus on advancing the technology used by officers as well targeting administrative work.

“We need to be a lot more contemporary in terms of the technology that enables our people to do their entire job out on the street.

“At the moment, our technology is a little bit dated, so there’s quite a bit of replication and the inability for them to do everything on the street on a device.

“So they still have to come back to the stations and we want to fix that.

“There’s too much bureaucracy in our organisation as well, so we want to streamline a lot of our processes so that our people can get back out on the street and do more prevention and response.”

With the reopening of the Narre Warren Station, he hopes the new renovations help to “improve the working condition” of the staff.

“It’s really important to create a better work environment, not just for them, but also for the community,” he said.

“It’s really important that police stations are here for the community, not just somewhere to go and report crime, but also somewhere where you can meet and feel safe.

“What’s really important is the morale and the productivity that comes out of a station.”

Crime blitz, opening of Clyde North Police Station promised

By Jensy Callimootoo

The state opposition has underscored its plans for a crime blitz, promising to open up Clyde North Police Station to the public if elected in November.

Opposition leader Jess Wilson and opposition police and corrections spokesperson Brad Battin spoke outside Clyde North Police Station on 16 April, introducing a new proposal to address workforce shortages that would help provide resources to the newly-built station as well as stronger reforms to bail laws and youth reoffences.

If elected, the Liberals-Nationals pledge to hire 3000 additional police officers over the next four years to fill what it says is a lack of resources to tackle rising crime levels in Victoria.

By offering relocation allowances of $5000, half of these recruits would be “experienced officers” from the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand.

According to the Coalition, there are currently over 1500 police vacancies within Victoria Police. Due to insufficient personnel to meet operational demands, more than 40 police stations have remained closed.

The $30 million Clyde North Police Station has been a longstanding issue, with many locals left confused about the current functioning of the new structure.

Police began their work from the station in November 2025, but it’s remained closed to the

public since its opening.

Instead, locals are advised to refer to the Cranbourne Police Station, which is about a 10-to-15minute drive from the Clyde North station.

Anthony Tassone, President of the Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association (CRRA) and longtime advocate for the opening of the police station, said that any pledges to deliver a fully operational station are welcomed.

“Clyde North residents were promised a working police station - not just a building with a closed door,” he said.

“This has never been about politics - it’s about making sure a fast-growing community gets the level of policing presence, visibility and access that was originally promised.

“Residents were led to expect a fully functioning local station, not a facility that remains closed to them.”

According to Mr Battin, with Casey’s population exceeding just over 365,000 people, night shift surveillance sees about five to six police vehicles in service.

“That is potentially only 10 to 12 police officers,” he said.

“Because of the consequences of having Victoria Police with 1500 vacancies, we simply can’t put police in the vans to protect the community.”

Earlier this year, a home invasion victim in Clyde North urged for the suburb’s police station to be opened, telling Star News that it would make residents feel safer.

“What annoys me is we’ve got a police station out there. That’s just been built. And it can’t be totally manned,” said the victim.

Mr Tassone echoed these calls, saying that the opening of the station would help to improve community confidence and reassure residents that their communities were safe.

“A visible, accessible police presence is a basic expectation and an important part of preventing crime and strengthening the connection between police and the community - and right now, that connection is clearly lacking.”

Along with addressing the staffing shortfalls, if elected at the end of this year, the Coalition’s latest proposal promises to introduce stricter bail laws and sentencing policy reforms.

Its new policy would see bail applications be-

ing raised to the Victorian County Court, rather than magistrates’ courts, as well as removing existing youth exemptions for bail breaches.

The Opposition also pledged to increase the number of offences that are treated as adult crimes, by including serious assault, attempted murder and burglary.

Already, the state government introduced significant changes to its bail laws and sentencing laws in 2025 and early 2026.

The new bill tightens accessibility for bail, especially for serious and repeat offenders. Breach of bail is now a criminal offence.

Offences like armed robbery, aggravated burglary, home invasions and carjacking are considered under more rigorous bail criteria.

There’s also a two-strike rule, meaning offenders who are already on bail and reoffend, face stricter barrier tests to secure bail again — the coalition wants to make this a one-strike rule.

As the election nears, with the topic of crime at the centre of political discourse, in Casey, Mr Tassone describes the workforce shortages as a “genuine challenge”, adding that a clear and credible plan is needed to deliver what was originally promised.

“The community is looking for certainty, a clear timeline for when this station will be fully operational, with a staffed public counter and a genuine local presence.

“That’s something whichever government is in power needs to prioritise and deliver.”

Waste appeal is ‘unlikely’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Waste company Veolia says it is “unlikely” to pursue its proposed waste transfer station in Hallam Road, Hampton Park.

The WTS, planned within 250 metres of homes, was refused a development licence by Environment Protection Authority Victoria last year.

On 10 April, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) upheld the EPA decision, citing the potential odour impacts on neighbouring residents.

Veolia had 28 days to appeal to the Victorian Supreme Court.

On 22 April, a Veolia spokesperson stated to Star News that “we accept the outcome and an appeal is unlikely”

“As the VCAT decision has only just been made, we are working closely with our stakeholders to determine the best alternative.”

This week, Casey Council issued a statement that Veolia’s proposal has “now ceased”

“Council must now continue to focus on meeting the needs of our growing city. With a large and diverse population, we have a responsibility to ensure our community has a sustainable waste option now and into the future,” mayor Stefan Koomen stated.

The mayor added that councillors were focused on ensuring decisions on the WTS site’s future were “made with the community’s interests in mind”.

In late 2024, Casey administrators approved a planning permit for the WTS – weeks before councillors were elected to office. The EPA had consented to the permit, subject to conditions.

In the wake of the VCAT decision, the planning permit has now become “redundant as it can’t be implemented” , the council stated.

“The planning permit will expire if development does not commence before 4 November 2026.

“Veolia can apply for an extension to their permit, however they would require Council approval.”

The WTS’s rejection is a blow to a South East Metropolitan Advanced Waste Processing (SEMAWP) project, which was to address the looming closure of the region’s last remaining landfill at Hampton Park.

The Hampton Park station was to collect up to 550,000 tonnes of rubbish a year from nine Melbourne councils, including Casey, Cardinia Shire and Greater Dandenong, under what is believed to be 25-year supply contracts.

The waste would then be transferred to a waste-to-energy incinerator in Maryvale.

The State Government has championed waste-to-energy, granting seven operator licences under a total cap of 2.35 million tonnes a year.

Outside of the cap are licences for the Maryvale incinerator and Greater Southern Waste Te-

chonologies plant in Dandenong South, both of which have not been built.

A Government spokesperson didn’t comment on Star News’s enquiries on the future of the SEMAWP waste-to-energy project, nor on what contingencies were in place.

Narre Warren North Labor MP Gary Maas said Veolia should now “seek a more suitable location”

Mr Maas said the neighbouring Hampton Park landfill’s cells would be filled in the next few years, which will allow for “repatriation back to public land”

“Like the whole community, I look forward to this day.”

Opposition energy spokesperson David Davis said the Government’s energy policy was in “chaos” , and it was up to Energy Minister Lily D’Ambo-

sio to “find a solution for this embroglio”.

“The Liberals and Nationals support waste to energy but also support proper processes to ensure environmental impacts on local communities are minimised, of low impact and safe.

“It is for Lily D’Ambrosio to explain how this process went off the rails, leaving the project delayed.”

Legalise Cannabis MP Rachel Payne, who advocated against the Hampton Park WTS, says it underlines the need for the upcoming State Parliamentary inquiry into waste-to-energy in May.

“It marks a real shift in how we manage waste. It really isn’t conducive to the circular economy policy - when Victoria already isn’t even close to hitting its recycling targets (of diverting 80 per cent of waste from landfill).”

Trees, phones push for Clyde North housing plan

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Casey Council will submit for stronger tree canopy coverage and mobile-phone services, as part of a State Government plan for a proposed 1213home, 3760-resident estate in Clyde North.

The Victorian Planning Authority has prepared an amendment to its Cardinia Creek South Precinct Structure Plan, adding a further 104 hectares to the PSP at McCormacks Road.

The ‘Part 2’ parcel was previously Green Wedge land, under consideration to be part of a Clyde Regional Park.

In its submission, Casey Council will push for a minimum 30 per cent canopy tree coverage in streetscapes and open space, as well as the early delivery of mobile phone towers.

The submission was endorsed by Casey councillors at a 21 April meeting.

In support, Cr Anthony Walter noted the “significant” provision of 14-plus hectares of open space for conservation, waterways and drainage, as well as four local parks.

He also noted Thompsons Road’s recent extension to service the future estate, with plans to upgrade McCormacks Road for more access points.

Development in Part 2 will be limited to 18 dwellings a hectare - lower than the 20 dwelling average density for new PSPs.

It will include four new local parks, preserve the St Germain heritage homestead and a 100-metre wide conservation area at Cardinia Creek to protect native vegetation, Aboriginal cultural heritage and habitat for the growling grass frog, Australian grayling and dwarf galaxias.

In opposition, Greens councillor Dave Perry noted the Part 2 parcel was formerly Green Wedge land, which had been rezoned just inside the Urban Growth Boundary in 2010.

A council report states the parcel has been farmed and cleared of native vegetation, except for the bordering biodiversity-significant Cardinia Creek corridor.

“Green Wedge is meant to provide agriculture and food production, which we need to keep closer to population centres, particularly in light

A map of the Cardinia Creek South PSP, including Part 2, centre right. (State Government)

of recent world events,” Cr Perry said.

Cr Kim Ross supported the submission, but said she would have liked stronger environmental provisions in the PSP, such as banning artificial lawn.

“We might not be able to stop the urban sprawl... we can try to toughen the requirements and stand up stronger for our environment.”

Also in support, Cr Lynette Perera added a qualification about the lack of public transport in the region and the need to extend the metro rail network into Clyde.

“Great having people live out here but people are going to have to get around.”

Mayor Stefan Koomen also endorsed the submission.

Public consultation on Part 2 has closed.

Impact beyond the garden

By Violet Li

While its flourishing community garden helped secure the 2026 Casey Environmental and Sustainability Champion Award, Uniting Church Hampton Park’s impact extends far beyond what grows in the soil.

“We were nominated for all of the programs that we do because we do so many different programs,” vice chair of the church council Lynn McBain said.

“The Council is very aware of the number of programs that we run here and how much we help people.”

While the garden is often the most visible symbol of the church’s work, it is just one part of a much broader operation.

Across the week, the church provides many programs.

Volunteers prepare meals. Gardeners maintain the grounds. Community workers coordinate services for people in need.

On Thursday, the busiest day for the church, up to 100 people pass through the church for food relief and social connection.

Locals can collect pantry supplies, access fresh produce, join English classes, take part in arts and crafts, or simply share a meal.

At 12.30pm, a free two-course lunch is served, one of many offerings designed to remove barriers for those doing it tough.

“It’s all free, everything we provide,” Ms McBain said.

External organisations also rotate through the space, providing legal advice, health ser-

vices and wellbeing programs, while initiatives like the Orange Sky laundry bus help meet essential needs.

At the centre of it all remains the community garden, which has been growing alongside the church for about 15 years.

A core group of around 10 to 15 regular gardeners, along with plot holders and volunteers, keep the space thriving.

Some grow food for their own families, while others contribute produce back to the church kitchen and food relief programs.

“The garden is flourishing,” Ms McBain said.

That same spirit carries through the church’s wider programs, which include sewing classes, art workshops, carers’ support groups and playgroups for young families.

Behind the scenes, about 60 volunteers keep everything running.

“There’s a real camaraderie there. People enjoy coming together and working alongside each other,” Ms McBain said.

Despite the scale of its work, the award came as a surprise.

“We did not expect it at all. We were amazed,” Ms McBain said.

However, Ms McBain said that maintaining that level of support remains a challenge. With no guaranteed ongoing funding, the church relies on grants and partnerships to sustain its programs, something Ms McBain said is increasingly difficult as demand continues to grow.

“You can’t keep going like this without ongoing funding,” she said.

When identity starts dividing instead of uniting us...

By Dya Singh and Dr Jamel Kaur Singh

At a recent Sikh community netball discussion, a suggestion was floated: Why not create an “Origins Series”?

Teams divided by where people come fromstates, regions… even overseas heritage.

It was said casually. Almost playfully. But it revealed something deeper.

The question is no longer just about sport. It’s about identity.

Across Australia, we are seeing a quiet shift. Not away from culture - but toward smaller and smaller identity definitions of it.

Regions within regions.

Communities within communities.

Identities within identities.

At some point, we have to ask: Are we strengthening belonging - or fragmenting it?

Let’s be clear, cultural pride matters. Faith matters. Language matters. Heritage matters.

But when identity becomes anchored in labels that no longer reflect lived reality, it stops connecting people.

It starts dividing them.

As an example. When we came to Australia, we noticed that especially the Greek and Italian communities indulged in their Greek/Italian regional divisions, especially in soccer and especially in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.

This had led to foreign regional clashes at games.

To counter this, a strict ban was imposed on soccer clubs using ethnic, national or foreign regional names and symbols in 2014 called NCIP –National Club Identity Policy.

It was replaced by a diversity and inclusion policy after much opposition.

The ban was replaced by a policy in 2019 that aimed to strike a balance between the need to promote ‘openness, inclusivity and diversity’ and allowing clubs to recognise their history and community.

Now take the recent Australian Sikh Games.

An extraordinary success. More than 10,000 participants. Tens of thousands of attendees. Hundreds of thousands of meals served - free, in the spirit of langar. It was generous. It was organised. It was powerful.

And it should be acknowledged.

But it also raises an important question: What are we building next?

When the Games began in 1988, the purpose

was clear.

There were very few Sikh families across Australia.

It created connection. Visibility. A sense of belonging in an overwhelmingly Anglo-Australian landscape.

It served its time - and it served it well.

But Australia in 2026 is not Australia in 1988.

We are no longer a small, scattered minority trying to find each other.

We are established. We are visible. We are part of the national fabric.

Now there is discussion that we should identify in our Punjab regions by naming teams after those regions.

This is where the conversation becomes uncomfortable, because what some call cultural preservation, others experience as separation.

Not intentionally. But structurally.

Do we start to indulge in foreign regional and even political identifications, which could also lead to caste divisions?

The reality is simple.

Cohesion is not built by celebrating separately. It is built by participating together.

Sport should be the easiest place to get this right.

It is where young people learn teamwork, discipline, resilience.

But when we organise sport around cultural or religious lines, we lose one of the most powerful tools for integration.

Real belonging happens when youth from dif-

ferent backgrounds:

■Wear the same jersey.

■Play for the same club.

■Win and lose together.

Not when they are divided before the game even begins.

This is not about abandoning identity. It is about evolving it, because identity that survives is identity that adapts.

Being of migrant heritage (like the majority of Australians), identity began with where we came from.

As a daughter raised here, identity is about what we are building.

And what we are building must make sense for the next generation. Not just the last one.

Our children are not navigating ancestral villages, districts or ancestral land boundaries.

They are navigating Australian schools, workplaces and communities.

If we keep asking them to carry divisions they don’t understand, we risk pushing them away altogether.

We are not losing culture. We are being asked to mature it.

To move from - where are you from? To where do you belong?

The future of multicultural Australia will not be defined by how well we preserve difference but by how well we build unity.

Truth be told… identity should be something we stand in together - not something we keep dividing ourselves by.

Jailed for series of crimes

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A Narre Warren gang member who took part in a brutal armed home invasion and an armed brawl at a servo hours later has been jailed for up to five-and-a-half years.

Changkouth Bidong, 20, pled guilty in the Victorian County Court to 10 offences over three months including aggravated home invasion with a weapon, affray, car thefts, and aggravated burglaries.

In pursuit of a rival gang member, Bidong and several accomplices travelled in two stolen Audis to the target’s home in Cranbourne North in 29 May 2024.

Armed with a wooden plank, a golf club, knives and machetes, the masked group awoke the residents as they smashed and entered a bedroom window.

They demanded to know where they could find their rival, searching room to room. They punched one of the occupants and slashed the target rival’s brother with a knife or machete.

The brother was hospitalised with wounds to his face, thigh, hip and back.

Four hours later, a group of Bidong’s co-accuseds were captured on CCTV at a Bunnings store in Narre Warren North.

The crew requested to know where the machetes were stocked, and were seen placing an

axe into one of the stolen Audis.

At 7.30am that morning, the Audi collided with a Maserati wagon on Narre Warren North Road.

Members of the rival gang, including the targeted male, took refuge in a Narre Warren North servo while pursued by Bidong’s allies.

The trio carried a machete and gas bottles, shouting out for the doors to be closed. They were locked inside the servo while an employee and two customers sheltered in the office.

Three of Bidong’s associates and three other unidentified offenders arrived and smashed the front door with a metal pole and an axe.

Over several minutes, one of the rivals fended them off with a machete through a hole in the front glass.

Bidong drove the stolen Audi to the front of the shop and collected his colleagues.

They drove to a fast-food restaurant at The Strand precinct at Casey Central shopping centre, where they were arrested.

At the time, he was on bail for a series of agg burgs, in which he and a group of five boys broke into homes to steal car keys and cars.

While in remand over the charges, Bidong has grieved for an older brother murdered in November 2024. Bidong was unable to attend the funeral.

He’s been diagnosed with persistent depression and acute stress.

Sentencing judge Caitlyn English on 20 April noted Bidong was reportedly intoxicated on alcohol, cannabis and prescription meds at the time of offending.

Born in Australia and the son of Sudanese refugees, he had felt culturally alienated from not sharing his family members’ traumatic experiences abroad. And he didn’t feel a “true sense of belonging” with peers.

His childhood circumstances didn’t set him up for achievement, Judge English noted.

Aggravated home invasion comprises a minimum three-year jail term unless rare and com-

pelling reasons exist. And none were proffered by Bitgong’s defence lawyer.

Judge English said she wouldn’t impose a “crushing sentence” that would quell his rehabilitation prospects.

As a young offender who had just turned 18 at the time of the crimes, it was possible for him to mature and turn his life around, Judge English said.

A psychologist had stated it would require supports such as pro-social peer influences.

“I don’t accept that you have no realistic prospects of rehabilitation,” Judge English said.

Bitong was jailed for five-and-a-half years with a three-and-a-half-year non-parole period.

His term includes 765 days in pre-sentence remand.

More than 15,000 vape units to be recycled in Casey

Over 15,000 vape units have been disposed across the five drop-off locations across Casey.

In November 2023, the Casey Council and Eco-cycle partnered up to provide safe disposals for vapes with bin locations in Clyde, Cranbourne East, Hampton Park, Endeavour Hills and Narre Warren.

According to the council, the City of Casey was the first Victorian council to establish free vape disposal points.

Since then, approximately 24 other councils have followed suit, either opening their own collection points or hosting vape collection events.

Mayor Stefan Koomen championed this

From the disposal bins, the collected vapes are safely transported, disassembled and processed through a specialised recycling system.

program and the difference it’s making.

“This initiative has helped reduce vape litter across the municipality by providing residents with a safe disposal option, addressing the risks associated with placing vapes in kerbside bins, which can lead to fires in collection vehicles and recycling facilities.” he said.

Here are the drop-off locations:

Casey ARC Customer Service: 10 Patrick

Northeast Drive, Narre Warren

Casey RACE Customer Service: 65 Berwick–Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre: 10 Raymond McMahon Boulevard, Endeavour Hills

Hampton Park Transfer Station: 274 Hallam Road, Hampton Park

Melanie’s Recycle and Community Collection Hub: 13 Pasadena Boulevard, Clyde

Work-from-home benefits

By Jensy Callimootoo

As she entered the later stages of her pregnancy, commuting to work for local Stacey Harding became increasingly difficult.

With two elderly pets to care for at home and no access to a direct mode of transportation other than relying on Melbourne’s public transport, the now first time mum often reflects on the hardship in the months leading up to her baby’s birth.

Her saving grace — the opportunity to work from home.

From September, the state government is promising to deliver a new law that will protect the rights to work from home for at least two days a week.

Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan is expected to introduce the legislation in July and if passed, working from home rights will be officially enshrined in the Equal Opportunity Act.

While the topic of working from home gained rapid popularity during the 2020 pandemic, since then, the decision to allow an employee to work from home lies predominantly on the employer.

In the last six years since the strict state-wide lockdowns that ensued on employees, the impacts of working from home have been studied.

Senior Foundation Fellow from the University of Melbourne, Tanya Gupta, says that legal protection of WFH rights removes the burden of negotiating WFH flexibility — one that often falls on women.

“Victoria is taking a meaningful step forward by enshrining WFH rights in the law, where WFH is feasible,” said Ms Gupta.

“Without legal protection, the burden of negotiating WFH flexibility falls disproportionately on women, who already navigate an uneven power dynamic in the workplace.

“A legal right shifts WFH from a ‘favour’ to a legitimate expectation from employers which reduces the stigma around it.”

She adds that while a greater cultural shift is needed to reduce the existing gender gap, enshrining WFH rights is ultimately a “necessary” legislation.

Stacey, a customer service worker and pub-

lished author who had to commute across Dandenong and Casey, said that the opportunity to work from home in the months leading to her labour was a massive relief.

“I was on public transport and I was carrying a laptop back and forth and any other gear and food I needed for the day,” she said.

“On the days when I was working from home, it gave me a chance to recuperate, get my energy up, and sleep a little bit more when I needed to.

“And that allowed me to work for a longer period of time before having to go on maternity leave.”

For Stacey, her flexible workplace environment gave her a sense of security when asking her employer to work from home.

“That flexibility made me feel supported for sure.” she said.

“It took some of the pressure off and it was just one less thing I had to worry about.”

The findings from Gupta’s and Sarah Dahmann’s study, showed that while time spent doing unpaid domestic work has decreased, on a weekly basis women still spend seven more hours on average doing unpaid work compared to men.

This doubles when a child is present in the household.

Ms Gupta told Star News that allowing at least one work-from-home day helps both women and men, to balance paid work and their domestic activities.

The survey involved in the study, reported

that from just one day of working from home, 34 per cent of men and 26 per cent of women reported enjoying their domestic activities.

“Greater flexibility at work, where the role permits, which helps women to juggle between unpaid and paid work is associated with greater well-being and satisfaction from domestic tasks,” she said.

It can also deescalate the financial pressures many Victorians are currently experiencing.

“Cost of living can absolutely magnify unspoken domestic responsibilities,” she said.

“When families can consider early childhood education and care as a trade off against one parent’s wage, instead of a household cost, it reinforces the gender stereotype in the labour market as well.”

Adding that broader household expenses and demands can intensify the pressure felt largely by mothers.

“Addressing cost of living pressures therefore goes hand in hand with redistributing the domestic load equally,” she said.

“Affordable childcare, flexible work arrangements, and accessible parental leave for fathers are all promising policy avenues, not just to ease financial pressure on families, but for shifting the deeper cultural norms.”

Most recently, the state and federal government urged Australians to work from home if they can, as fuel prices began to soar.

Foreshadowing the prospective economic future, childcare costs and work arrangements are already milestones that Stacey is contemplating.

“With the cost of living at the moment, it can be really difficult,” Stacy said.

“Paying for child care can take up a good portion of just what I get paid for going into the office in the first place.

“As someone who doesn’t drive and also works for a place that I may not be able to get hours that are suitable for school, like pick-ups and dropoffs, (WFH) would make a massive difference.

“There are so many people, not just in my situation, but people who have disabilities or limitations, where working from home where possible does make a huge difference to not just our own quality of life but the support we’re able to give to our loved ones and pets.

From dream to reality, Gertrude’s quest to empower women globally

By Jensy Callimootoo

Inspired by a dream she had nearly two years ago, Gertrude Sarvananthan is determined to build an empire that helps women find their own meaning in life.

The entrepreneur was drawn to justice from a young age and planned to study law, not long after however, the stringent fabrics pertaining to the world of the legal system left her to desert the aspiration.

But the values for righting wrongs still echoes through her life’s work, representing intuition, discernment, and learning to trust oneself.

The same instinct would later guide her through continents, cultures and ultimately into her calling for E-Girl Empowerment.

The initiative which first launched in March 2025, is dedicated to empowering girls and women facing unique challenges in an evolving digital world.

At its core, E-Girl Empowerment is about transformation, rooted in confidence and breaking barriers, Gertrude says.

“If you change a woman, you change a community,” she says.

The program deals with the impacts of online harassment, social pressures, mental health wellbeing and navigating self-expression.

Working with different partners, the organisation aims to provide a safe space to find resources, social support and inspiration with its events expanding to leadership workshops, fitness and dance sessions and networking events.

Originally from Kenya, Gertrude’s life has been shaped by movement and multicultural connection.

She met her husband, Ruben, through a community initiative in her hometown, where he was teaching people how to start businesses.

But it wasn’t until years later, after moving to Australia and raising a family, that she began to question her own purpose.

Life had become routine, then came COVID, a period that forced reflection, says Gertrude.

Through casual work as a film extra and conversations with women outside her usual circle,

she noticed a recurring theme, many felt lost, disconnected and unsure of their value.

That realisation, combined with a vivid and recurring dream, sparked the creation of E-girl Empowerment.

What began as an idea quickly became a movement, she says.

And within months, she had developed a plan, connected with local councils, and launched her first event, drawing 80 attendees, including community leaders.

It now hosts monthly themed events, including high-tea gatherings designed to make women feel valued and seen.

With carefully curated spaces, vibrant decor and symbolic gestures like red carpets, the events go beyond aesthetics.

Rather, they are intentional acts of affirmation for the women involved, says Gertrude.

Between events, online sessions provide ongoing support, creating a consistent and safe environment for women to share, grow, and rediscover their purpose.

Gertrude says that the impact has been tangible with women who once doubted themselves are now starting businesses, reconnecting socially and rebuilding confidence.

Many arrive hesitant, unsure if they belong but Gertrude says that following the event, they often leave feeling seen, heard, and capable.

“We value their presence, we value them feeling valued,” she said.

“That’s what we’re all about and we want them to know their purpose because transformation starts in the mind.

It’s a belief rooted in her upbringing, where community was everything and one that now drives her vision for global expansion.

Looking ahead, she hopes to take the initiative beyond Melbourne, reaching women in cities like Sydney, Brisbane and even internationally.

But her approach remains grounded in organic growth guided by her now found purpose.

“When something is truly aligned, you don’t have to push it,” she says.

“You simply follow it and trust that it will flourish.”

Barrs beat the odds

By Garry Howe

Narre Warren North pioneers Francis and Elizabeth Barr would not have considered themselves lucky at the time, but they did defy the odds during World War I.

They had no less than 11 grandsons enlist in the 1914-’18 conflict and their journeys almost tell the story of the Great War.

Incredibly, only one did not return. Raymond William Barr was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux on 24 April 1917.

Just up the road, the Kents from Narre Warren sent three sons to the front and only one returned and in nearby Officer another pioneering family, the Leckys, lost their only two sons.

So on the weight of numbers, the Barrs were fortunate to have lost only one of their brood.

The eldest of the Barr grandsons to enlist was 41 and the youngest 18. Eight of the 11 were wounded in battle.

One withstood the horrors of Fromelles in July 1916 and saw the war out working in the pay corps.

Another signed up three times, having deserted his navy post initially, signed up again

under an alias to avoid detection and then again under his real name after being wounded to return to the fray.

He was one of three Barr descendants to go ashore at Gallipoli and most of them saw action in France.

One signed up late in the piece and did not make it to battle, yet was dead within two years of peace being declared.

Another was decorated for bravery at Passchendaele when he eventually returned to Australia on Boxing Day 1919 - he landed sporting a Military Medal and a crate full of poultry.

Francis and Elizabeth Barr settled in the district on the Cleveland property in Narre Warren North.

Francis was a member of the original Berwick Roads Board in 1862 and served as its president for a term in 1865-’66.

The roads boards preceded local councils and Francis continued on as an original councillor when Berwick Shire was proclaimed in 1868. His son Harold, who also served on council, worked the family property for a while before disposing of it and leaving the district.

On 10 November 1915 the eight men had embarked on HMAT Ascanius from Melbourne with the 29th Battalion, the seven signallers with the Headquarters Signals, and Pte Fitch in B Company of the battalion. He later transferred to the 5th Divisional Signal Company and was killed in action on 25 September 1917 at Polygon Wood, Belgium.

and

and

and

Where to pay your respects

This year, Anzac day will fall on Saturday 25 April. Across Casey, several dawn services and marches commemorating the lives lost will be held.

HERE’S A LIST OF LOCAL

COMMEMORATIONS IN THE CITY OF CASEY:

Berwick mid-morning March and Service

Time: 10:40 am march, 11:00 am service

Location: Berwick Cenotaph, High Street, Berwick

Bunjil Place Dawn Service

Time: 6:00 am service

Location: Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren

Cranbourne Dawn Service

Time: 6:00 am service

Location: Cenotaph Area — Greg Clydesdale Square, High Street, Cranbourne

Cranbourne mid-morning March and Service

Time: 10:40 am march, 11:00 am service

Location: Cenotaph Area — Greg Clydesdale Square, High Street, Cranbourne

Endeavour Hills (23 April)

Tme: 11am service

Location: Endeavour Hills Peace Memorial,

Heatherton Road, Endeavour Hills

Hampton Park Dawn Service

Time: 6:00 am service

Location: Arthur Wren Hall, 16-20 Stuart Avenue, Hampton Park

Narre Warren North mid-morning Service

Time: 9:30 am service

Location: Narre Warren North Cenotaph, Memorial Drive, Narre Warren North

Pearcedale Dawn Service

Time: 6:00 am service

Location: Pearcedale Public Hall, 45 Pearcedale Road, Pearcedale

Skye Dawn Service

Time: 6am

Location: KCC Park, 655 Westernport Highway. Hosted by Dogs Victoria, dogs welcome.

Tooradin mid-morning Service

Time: 10:00 am service

Location: Memorial Reserve, South Gippsland Highway, Tooradin

ADVERTORIAL

Honouring the Rats of Tobruk

For more than 240 days in 1941, the men of the Tobruk garrison - many of them Australian – weathered the might of German and Italian forces.

Day after day, they held their positions in trenches, in caves, and in dugouts, enduring relentless bombardment from tanks and heavy artillery.

German propaganda broadcasts, including those by William Joyce, mockingly labelled them the “Rats of Tobruk”, attempting to demoralise the Allied forces.

But his efforts failed. Rather than becoming a source of shame, the nickname was embraced as a badge of pride and honour by those who served.

It came to symbolise the resilience, courage and unity of our troops and the tactical skill of their commanders.

Last year, I had the privilege of spending time with my late friend Owen Carlton - a proud Australian, a national serviceman, and the founder of the Rats of Tobruk Project.

Over many years, he worked tirelessly to preserve their legacy, compiling an enormous honour roll containing thousands upon thousands of Australian names.

Every ANZAC day, Owen would present a T-shaped wreath replete with yellow flowers at the Dandenong memorial.

Sadly, this year, Owen will not be with us, but his memory and legacy remain.

We pay tribute to Owen’s work and to the courage of the Rats of Tobruk.

We remember all those who have served in conflicts and peacekeeping operations

over several decades - many of them losing life and limb to protect our nation. And we recognise the men and women in uniform who serve today, stationed across Australia and around the world, to secure our borders and advance our interests.

https://ratsoftobrukassociation.org.au/ Lest we forget.

Ann-Marie Hermans MP

-

ADVERTISEMENT

ANZAC DAY

‘Fragile, but not broken’

By Afraa Kori

Narre Warren artist and educator Janine Farinski has transformed her breast cancer journey into a powerful new exhibition exploring strength, vulnerability and creativity.

Janine was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2025 after a routine mammogram detectedanabnormality,whichwaslaterconfirmed as a Grade 3 invasive carcinoma.

At the time, she had just begun a new year of part-time art tutoring and was determined to

continue working for as long as possible.

However, her treatment soon required a prolonged hospital stay, forcing her to step away from teaching.

Despite this, Farinski has continued her artistic practice throughout treatment and will present a new exhibition titled FRAGILE.

The exhibition will open at SECAN Gallery, Cardinia Street at Akoonah Park, at 3pm on Saturday 2 May, and will run across five weekends throughout May from 10am to 3pm.

She will exhibit alongside fibre artist Jenniemaree Tempest, known for her botanical fibre art and 3D sculptural works, with pieces displayed across both the gallery and refurbished studio space.

Janine said the preparation for the FRAGILE exhibition had been far more challenging than she initially expected when the project was first planned two years ago.

“Yet, it has also become one of the most meaningful goals I’ve pursued during my ongoing cancer treatment,” she said.

“Having this exhibition to look forward to has brought focus, purpose, and strength to my recovery in ways I can’t fully express.”

She hopes visitors will engage not only with the work, but also with the broader message behind it.

“While countless hours go into creating the work, it is the shared experience, the connection, the conversations, and the joy of others engaging with what we love that truly brings an exhibition to life. We would be honoured to share our passion with our community.”

BUSINESS IN FOCUS

Preparing for Prep 2027

Berwick Lodge Primary School is excited to welcome local families to its upcoming Step Into Prep Information Session, taking place on Monday 23 March from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. This informative and welcoming event is designed for parents and caregivers preparing their children for Prep in 2027.

Starting school is an important milestone for both children and families, and the Step Into Prep session aims to make that transition as smooth and positive as possible. During the evening, families will gain valuable insight into what the first year of school looks like at Berwick Lodge Primary School.

The session will provide an overview of the Prep curriculum, daily school routines, and the learning environment that supports young students as they begin their educational journey. Parents will also learn about the range of student wellbeing and support resources available to help children settle confidently into school life.

Importantly, the event offers families the chance to meet the passionate and dedicated team behind Berwick Lodge Primary School. Teachers and staff will be on hand to answer questions, share their approach to early learning, and help families understand how the school nurtures curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning from the very beginning.

For many parents, choosing the right school is a big decision. The Step Into Prep session provides a relaxed opportunity to explore the school community, connect with educators, and discover what makes Berwick Lodge Primary School such a welcoming place for young learners.

Families from outside the local zone are also warmly encouraged to attend; out-of-zone enrolments are most welcomed.

Parents and caregivers interested in learning more about starting Prep are encouraged to come along and step into the beginning of an exciting educational journey at Berwick Lodge Primary School.

From cafe to community cornerstone: Their story Jason’s a local gem

La Baguette’s story is more than a tale of business growth—it reflects how vision, community, and consistency can transform a small cafe into a local institution.

Established in 2013 in Berwick Village, the venue began as a modest French cafe before evolving, under the leadership of Mush Rahaman, into a vibrant French-inspired fusion restaurant in 2017. Today, it stands as a cornerstone of southeast Melbourne’s dining scene.

What sets La Baguette apart is not just its menu, but its philosophy.

A commitment to premium dining, built on high-quality local and seasonal produce, ensures that every dish meets a standard rooted in authenticity and care. This dedication has not gone unnoticed, with multiple awards recognizing its ambience, service, and culinary excellence.

At its core, however, La Baguette is about people. Its guiding principles emphasize respect, inclusivity, and genuine connection.

Guests are not treated as transactions but as part of an extended family, fostering a sense of belonging that keeps the community coming back.

By investing equally in ingredients and hospitality, La Baguette demonstrates that success in hospitality is not only about food— it’s about creating a place where people feel valued, welcomed, and at home.

Meat

tradition and modern flair to the southeast. Atitscore,thisisastoryaboutfamily.Founded by Renato, whose 30 years in hospitality shaped a deep respect for craft and consistency, the restaurant reflects a legacy that continues to evolve.

The next generation has stepped in with fresh energy, reimagining Italian roots for a contemporary dining scene without losing what made it meaningful in the first place.

The Berwick venue is set to deliver more than just a meal. Premium steaks sourced from top Australian producers, handmade pastas and carefully crafted wood-fired pizzas form the backbone of the menu, paired with a thoughtful wine list that bridges Italian classics and local favourites. It’s refined, but never intimidating.

What makes this opening particularly compelling is the resilience behind it. After setbacks, including a devastating fire in early 2024, the team rebuilt, reopening stronger and more determined.

Jason’s Restaurant arrives at a moment when diners crave authenticity and warmth as much as culinary skill.

Tucked into a neighbourhood that’s seen its fair share of openings and closures, Jason’s stakes a claim not with flash, but with a quietly confident menu and service that remembers your name. That combination—comfort with craft—is increasingly rare, and it’s where Jason and Adrianna’s greatest strengths lie.

Food and flavour Jason’s menu reads like the work of a chef who respects classic techniques but isn’t afraid to tweak them. Incorporating an Asian fusion flare to certain menu items, with mains which lean into seasonal and approachable results with restaurant garden in play.

Service and Atmosphere at Jason’s hits the warm, attentive note that many restaurants strive for. Jason’s provide knowledge about dishes and wine pairings.

The main dining room overlooking Port Phillip Bay views provide a cozy and romantic mood, with a mix of tables that suit both date nights and family dinners and even a casual experience. Thoughtful playlist choices and soft lighting complete the scene.

Functions at Jason’s, all functions are welcome at Jason’s Restaurant, from weddings, engagements, birthdays, anniversaries etc, choice of formal seated affairs or cocktail party atmosphere.

That same spirit now fuels their expansion.

In Berwick, Meat Flour Wine isn’t just opening a restaurant. It’s creating a destination — one that brings a city-style dining experience into the heart of the community, with warmth, character and unmistakable heart. Meat Flour Wine brings heart, heritage and heat to Berwick. (548733)

Jason’s Restaurant open Thursday through Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for lunch. (548708)

Jason’s Restaurant is a welcome addition to the local dining scene: competent, hospitable, and quietly sophisticated. Open Thursday through Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for lunch.

Ready to bake a difference

By Afraa Kori

Baking for Brain Cancer 2026 has launched with early momentum, raising more than $2000 in its opening weeks as bakeries and cafes come together to support brain cancer research.

The campaign kicked off at Holmesglen Institute, where students and staff hosted a hot cross bun bake to mark the beginning of this year’s fundraising efforts.

The fundraiser is now building toward its major national event on Saturday 30 May, when bakeries and cafes across Australia will unite to raise money for brain cancer research.

Last year, the initiative raised over $130,000 and involved 80 bakeries and cafes nationwide, with Berwick-based Phil’s Pies & Pastries raising just under $35,000 towards the cause.

For Saturday May 30, 2026, “the sky’s the limit” . Each participating business will nominate specific items (or a percentage of sales for the day), with proceeds being donated to brain cancer research through Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer.

Supporting Baking For Brain Cancer this year is qualified chocolatier and pastry chef, Filip Tibos and celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.

The initiative was originally inspired by the diagnosis of Phil’s Pies & Pastries co-owner Tonie Dalton, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2024.

Almost 12 months after repeat surgery to remove her tumour which had grown again, Tonie says she has regained much of her mobility and strength, and remains positive despite ongoing challenges.

“I feel my life now is like a big tapestry, and God has brought all these people into my life,” she said. “The most important thing is that the Lord is always with me. Even though my family can’t be there 24-7, He will never leave me. I live by John 3:16.”

While treatment outcomes for aggressive brain cancers remain limited, organisers say the growing scale of the fundraiser is helping drive awareness and support for research into better treatments.

With weeks still to go until the main event, Tonie’s family say the early success of this year’s launch has set a strong foundation.

The nationwide bake day on Saturday 30 May is expected to bring together communities across Australia, ”to bake a difference and move closer to a cure”

New home for key non-for-profit CISS

Casey North Community Information and Support Service (CISS) will be getting a new headquarter located in Narre Warren.

Casey North CISS works as a charitable organisation, serving the local community by offering accessible information, referral support and essential services to individuals and families.

Bolstered by driven volunteers, the initiatives by CISS extend to family violence services, counselling, emergency relief support and advocacy information.

It also has a food pantry for those struggling with food insecurity — a rising crisis in Casey many households.

Casey Mayor, Stefan Koomen said that CISS plays a crucial role in supporting the people in Casey who need it.

“Through the dedication of their staff and volunteers, they provide practical help, trusted advice and a welcoming place for residents seeking support,” he said.

“Council is proud to help provide a space where this important work can continue to grow and reach even more people who need it.”

Echoing the mayor’s sentiments, Cr Kim Ross said that as CISS’ services are growing in demand due to the cost of living pressures, once opened, their new location will ensure their services become more accessible.

The works have been funded through Casey council’s Capital Works Program and are expected to be completed by mid-June.

Shopping centre crackdown

There have been over 1000 arrests and more than 2000 charges across some of Melbourne’s major shopping centres in the last four months, including Fountain Gate Shopping Centre.

As part of Operation Pulse, Victoria Police and Protective Service Officers (PSOs) have been patrolling shopping centres and “saturating” food courts and bus stops everyday to deter crime.

Since December 2025, a large majority of the charges have been retail theft, as well as drug and weapon seizures.

Police say that the presence and visibility of officers had led to a significant reduction in violent crimes against other people – with only 3 per cent of charges laid in relation to offences such as assault and affray.

Operation Pulse began on 8 December 2025 as part of its plan to tackle elevated crime incidents across major shopping centres during school holidays, with a focus on youth crime. It’s since been extended to the end of 2026.

Since the commencement of the operation, to 14 April 2026, 1001 arrests have been made.

Of the 2146 charges laid, 993 have been related to theft and 186 have been drug offences.

Police superintendent Matt Bynes, says that the presence of law enforcers around shopping centres are “preventing significant offending”.

Program 2026/27), Draft Financial Plan 2026/272035/36 and Draft Schedule of Fees and Charges 2026/27.

Council will adopt the Annual Action Plan

2026/27, Budget Report (Budget 2026/27, Capital Works Program 2026/27), Financial Plan 2026/27-2035/36 and Schedule of Fees and Charges 2026/27– at the Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday 16 June 2026 commencing at 6.00 pm, subject to the right of any person to make a submission as set out in this notice.

Copies of the draft documents will be available from Thursday 23 April 2026 for inspection online via the Casey Conversations website at https://conversations.casey.vic.gov.au/ Written submissions for any proposal contained in Draft Annual Action Plan 2026/27, Draft Budget Report (Draft Budget 2026/27, Draft Capital Works Program 2026/27), Draft Financial Plan 2026/272035/36 and Draft Schedule of Fees and Charges 2026/27 must be made to Council within 21 days from the start of the exhibition period. The period for receipts of submissions will close at 5.00 pm on Thursday 14 May 2026.

Submissions should be made via the online submission form available on Casey Conversations, emailed to caseycc@casey.vic.gov.au or submitted by mail to:

Chief Executive Officer PO Box 1000 Narre Warren 3805

Any person who prepares a submission may also choose to speak to their submission in front of Council. Submitters may choose to be represented by a person acting on their behalf.

Submissions on the draft documents will be heard at the Council Meeting on Tuesday 26 May 2026 commencing at 6.00 pm. The name and suburb of all submitters will be included in the agenda and minutes at the Council Meeting on Tuesday 26 May 2026. Adoption of the documents will be considered during the Council Meeting on Tuesday 16 June 2026 at 6.00 pm. Council will give public notice of its decision.

WHAT’S ON

Playdaze for Nature Play Week

Interactive wildlife display by Wildlife Xposure, and fun activities for children 0-5 years.

• Thursday 23 April 9.30am-11.30am at Wilson Botanic Park Berwick; free event.

Anzac Day Endeavour Hills

A day to reflect and commemorate the lives lost in the service of Australia hosted by DandenongCranbourne RSL.

• Thursday 23 April 11am at Endeavour Hills Peace Memorial, Heatherton Road, Endeavour Hills

Visible Mending Workshop

Mend your moth-chomped or ropped garments and give them new life. Bring woollen clothing, stretchy clothing and woven clothing (eg jeans), plus take a look at sashiko, embroidery, and weaving mends. Light refreshments provided.

• Friday 24 April 9.30am-12pm at Good Food Emporium, Unit 15/430-440 Princes Hwy, Narre Warren; free event. Bookings required at events. humanitix.com/visible-mending-workshop-24-4

Anzac Day services

March and services are being held by community groups across City of Casey on Anzac Day.

• Saturday 25 April at Berwick: march (10.40am) and service (11am) at cenotaph, High Street; Bunjil Place: dawn service (6am); Cranbourne: dawn service (6am) at Greg Clydesdale Square, High Street; Hampton Park: dawn service (6am) at Arthur Wren Hall, 16-20 Stuart Avenue; Narre Warren North: service (9.30am) at cenotaph, Memorial Drive; Pearcedale: dawn service (6am) at public hall, 45 Pearcedale Road; Tooradin: service (10am) at Memorial Reserve, South Gippsland Highway and Skye (6am, hosted by Dogs Victoria, dogs welcome) at KCC Park, 655 Westernport Highway.

Marvellous Mangroves walk

Coastal Villages Dads’ Group presents a free activity and walk for all dads, grandfathers, father figures and their children. Look for mud crabs and shorebirds as you learn about the mangroves’ amazing ecosystem. Bring hats, sunscreen & drinking water for you and your children. Wear suitable walking shoes and bring insect repellent (for the friendly mosquitoes). Supported by the City of Casey’s Sustainability & Environment team.

• Sunday 26 April 9am-11am. Meet at Blind

General Classifieds

Bight Boat Ramp car park, 28 Anchorage Drive, Blind Bight; free event. Bookings: trybooking.com/ DITYD

Voices on the Tree

A creative community activity that invites local residents to share their thoughts, ideas, and hopes for our neighbourhood. Everyone is welcome to join in.

• Monday 27 April 12.30pm-2pm at Autumn Place Community Hub, Autumn Place, Doveton; free event. Bookings required: 9709 9692.

Melbourne City Football Club tour

Cranbourne Dads’ Group presents an evening behind-the-scenes at Melbourne City Football Club for all dads, grandfathers, father figures and their children.

• Monday 27 April 6.30pm-8pm at Melbourne City Football Club, 369 Casey Fields Blvd, Cranbourne East; free event. Bookings: trybooking. com/events/landing/1558181

Come and try Lawn Bowls

Suitable for all ages, however children need to be accompanied by an adult. Friendly members to assist all participants. Flat-soled shoes or barefeet required on the playing surfaces. Refreshments available to purchase.

• Thursday 30 April 5pm-6.30pm at Narre Warren Bowls Club, 1 Majid Drive, Narre Warren; free event. Bookings: trybooking.com/DKMKQ

Active Autumn

City of Casey presents a full month of free or lowcost activities designed to suit a wide range of ages, abilities and fitness levels. Includes body attack, body balance, body pump, Bollywood dance, casual pickleball, chair yoga, lawn bowls, Les Mills Shapes, Les Mills Thrive, line dancing, park runs, walking football (soccer).

• runs until 30 April at various locations. Details: casey.vic.gov.au/active-autumn

Detox Your Home

Free drop-off for household chemicals such as bleach, pesticides, weed killers and cleaning products, which should never be put in your rubbish bins or poured down the drain.

• Saturday 2 May 9am–3pm at Chisholm Tafe, 2 New Holland Drive, Cranbourne East. Bookings required: eventbrite.com.au/e/detox-your-homecranbourne-tickets-1983835063077?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utmmedium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utmsource=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl Car boot sale

Turn your car boot into a mini-market stall for preloved items at this Pinoy Casey Community Inc (PCCI) fundraiser. Now accepting stallholders.

• Sunday 3 May 10am-4pm at 4/260-276 Abbotts Road, Dandenong South; free visitor entry. Stall bookings: Josiah/Kim, 0468 884 003 or pinoycaseycommunity@gmail.com

Ageing Well at Home Expo

For older adults, families, and caregivers. Explore smart solutions for living well at home - with stalls and expert presentations on assistive technology, social connection, aged care, health and wellness, and in-home services. Morning tea, door prizes.

• Tuesday 5 May 10am-12.30pm at Bunjil Place; free event. Register at tickets.bunjilplace.com.au/ overview/11198

Diversity and Inclusion Workshop

Explore how diversity and inclusion can strengthen community groups. Learn the value of inclusive practices, how to recognise different types of bias and simple strategies to create positive change.

• Tuesday 5 May 6pm-8pm at Bunjil Place, Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri room; free event. Regis-

ter at forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.asp x?id=QimgRFtOCkKLxPYLkSgfLgG35tGJyC1Piboh yteL0KZUMlAwSEU3RkRQUzZLTENUMDBGQ0pC OVAwRy4u&route=shorturl

Berwick Mechanics Institute talk

A talk on The Social History of Mechanics Institutes will be presented by Heather Arnold, a history enthusiast and former local-history librarian. Heather will speak about the 180-plus years of mechanics institutes -  in buildings from the humble to the splendid. Light refreshments to follow.

• Wednesday 6 May 2pm-4pm, 15 High Street, Berwick.

Introduction to Dog Behaviour

RSPCA Victoria offers a free masterclass in dog behaviour and body language.

• Thursday 7 May 6pm-7pm at Clyde Public Hall, 30 Railway Road, Clyde. Bookings: trybooking. com/events/landing/1551216

Berwick Farmers Market

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

• Saturday 9 May 8am-12pm at Old Cheese Factory, Homestead Road, Berwick.

Games Days

Mahjong, whist and darts on second and fourth Fridays of the month (11am-2pm), line dancing on Thursdays (10am-12pm), carpet bowls on Mondays and Thursdays (1pm-3pm), garden group on Mondays (10am-12pm), cards on Saturdays (1pm), bingo first Wednesday of the month (1pm2pm) and table tennis on Saturdays (9.30am12pm). Social days are held every Wednesday 10am-2pm with a live entertainer from 1pm.

• Narre Warren Senior Citizens Club, 192/196 Centre Road, Narre Warren.

Singers wanted Cranbourne Chorale is recruiting for its non-auditioned adult community choir for mixed voices. Our repertoire is a mix of uplifting songs. Feel free to visit us without obligation, the first four sessions are free of charge.

• Wednesday rehearsals 7.30pm at The Factory, Building 5, 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Rd, Cranbourne East. Details: Jenny, 0438 358 032.

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Lions bring down Wickers

By Justin Schwarze

Doncaster East played spoiler and rolled Berwick at Edwin Flack Oval in round two of the Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL) Premier Division.

The Lions got the early ascendancy on the road when Darcy Jones Hughes snapped truly off a step inside the first minute.

Star recruit Kai Owens then got the visitors’ second from the pocket, followed by Josh Schache using brilliant physicality and positioning to juggle a strong mark before making no mistakes from 15 out.

Ashton Williamson got the hosts on the board with a pure strike on a long range set shot, before Sam Woodward intercepted a poor Doncaster East kick-in and quickly found Josh Burgmann.

Burgmann nailed his set shot before he got a second in a matter of minutes, collecting the loose footy and snapping home from close range.

At quarter time, the score was knotted at 3.2 (20) apiece.

The Lions got the jump in the second, starting when skipper Jack Sholakis was found all alone 15 out and he subsequently goaled.

Schache then marked in a strong position but unselfishly played a kick over the top to Joel Papadopoulos for a run-in goal.

Berwick pegged one back when Mitch Walker cleaned up a Jack Lawrence miss, before the ball was spoiled right into Schache’s hands at the other end, leaving him free to put it through around the corner.

Schache bagged his third when he scooped up a deflected kick and snapped through the big sticks to cap off a strong second that saw Doncaster East hold a 7.7 (49) to 4.3 (27) advantage at the main intermission.

Burgmann nailed the first of the second half to attempt to create some momentum for the Wickers, but it was quickly met with a goal at the other end from Mitch Stoneham.

Papadopoulos then got another run-in major after some good transition play.

The hosts produced a highlight when Tahj De La Rue kicked to a one-on-one, and Walker used his pace and some fancy footwork to lose his defender and drill one home.

But Papadopoulos made his mark on the term,

slotting another two majors.

At three-quarter time, the visitors had a commanding 11.8 (74) to 6.3 (39) lead.

Berwick managed 3.5 in the last to bring it back to a five-goal final margin, being defeated 14.8 (92) to 9.8 (62).

Burgmann kicked three to lead the Wickers, while Walker was the only other multiple-goalkicker with a pair.

Lawrence was among the impressive performers in the loss, as De La Rue, Will Arthurson, Burg-

mann and Caydn Lane all brought their best.

Berwick has its first road game of the season in round three, travelling to face reigning premiers Balwyn in the Anzac round.

A smooth-moving and free-flowing Rowville kept its perfect record intact after a highly-impressive 20.9(129) to 6.10(46) victory over South Croydon at Seebeck Oval.

Rowville kicked the last two goals of the opening term to build a 13-point advantage at the first break.

Those two goals would be the first of 10 straight that would ice the game as a contest.

In a magnificent second, Matt Davey and Kyle Stainthorpe hit brilliant set shots from deep in either forward pocket, opening up a 27-point lead with 13 minutes gone by.

The Hawks then kicked four goals in five minutes to showcase the danger they possess.

Tyler Edwards got the roll started before Jordan Jaworski showed his class with a right-foot finish on the run.

The Hawks were rolling now, with Seth Macdonald drilling one through from long range, before Brock Coleclough then made it four in the blink of an eye.

The Hawks showed off a team-first mentality, and an unselfish chip to skipper Anthony Brolic, from key-forward Stainthorpe, gave a glaring example of that approach.

Brolic went back, smashed a long bomb through from the arc, and his teammates celebrated in style.

The Hawks showed no mercy in the last, kicking 7.2 to 2.0 to score an 83-point victory.

Brolic and Lachie Wynd were deadly in front of goal, slotting four each for the winners, while two each to Edwards and Mav Taylor provided further highlights up forward.

The Hawks head to a winless Vermont this Saturday as they look to make it four straight.

The news wasn’t so good for Noble Park, who were steamrolled in the last quarter by Premier Division newcomers South Belgrave.

The Saints led by 13 points at the final break and kicked 7.4 to 3.4 in the final term to race away with a confidence-boosting 20.15(135) to 14.14(98) success.

Both teams had strong avenues to goal, with Tim Smith booting six goals for the saints and Liam O’Rourke matching that total for the Bulls. Smith had more support however, with Zac Greeves, Calvin Daraio, Nick Kelly and Roger Mazzone all hitting the scoreboard on multiple occasions for the Saints.

Noble, still searching for its first win, host second-placed East Ringwood this Saturday at Pat Wright Oval.

Two goals in three kicks condemn Eagles to heartbreak

By David Nagel

Beaconsfield has conceded two goals within the last three kicks of the match to lose a three-point heartbreaker to Boronia in Eastern Division 1 on Saturday.

The Eagles know the highs and lows of Tormore Reserve well, having won and lost some cracking finals matches at the venue in recent years.

But this one will be especially hard to absorb after leading by nine points with less than a minute left on the clock.

The 12.11(83) to 12.8(80) victory for Boronia was snatched from the Eagles grasp with just five seconds remaining with the final kick of the contest.

Beaconsfield won possession of the ball at the final centre-bounce of the match, but a great smother, and resultant clearance to Jordan Church, ended in the hands of former Eastern Ranges goal-sneak Darcy Jamieson, who cleanly gathered crumbs and guided home a high-pressure shot from 30 metres out.

Boronia fans went wild, with the siren sounding just seconds after the Sherrin had penetrated the big sticks.

Beaconsfield had the better of the opening exchanges and an early goal to Dylan Vogrig was followed by two to the dangerous Corey Brown; the Eagles taking a nine-point lead to quarter time.

Jamieson kicked the last goal of the quarter for the Hawks and was already showing signs of being a tough match-up for the Eagles’ defence with his speed and power off the mark.

Boronia settled at the start of the second term, turning that nine-point deficit into a 10-point lead with three goals in 12 minutes.

Mid/forward Kobe Shipp would soon snap that run for the Eagles, cutting the gap back to five points at the 20-minute after a strong passage of play.

Cooper Shipp then capped off a strong finish

Hayden Brown was one of Beaconsfield’s best in a last-gasp loss to Boronia.

to the first half for the family, putting his marking skills to good use in the Beaconsfield forward line.

He gave the Eagles back the lead at the 24-minute mark, before replicating his mark and goal just a minute later; kicking a goal on the half-time siren to give the visitors an eight-point lead…6.6 to 5.4 at the major interval as committee members met for snacks.

Hayden brown was having a huge influence through the middle of the ground for Beaconsfield, but it was his brother Corey that sparked the Eagles into action at the beginning of the premiership quarter.

His set shot was quickly answered by Boronia, but when Ali Kara and Kobe Shipp kicked backto-back goals the Eagles were looking good; 19 points ahead after 21 minutes of the third.

A late goal to Jake Godwin gave the home side a sniff, trailing 9.6 to 7.5 at the orange break.

Beaconsfield looked the clear-cut winners several times in the final term.

That was especially so after Corey Brown was the beneficiary of some terrific follow up work from Cooper Shipp after a marking contest, and when Kobe Shipp kicked a quality set shot after some great set-up play from Kade De La Rue.

The Eagles were back out to 19 points…seven minutes into the last.

Goals to Jamieson and Luke Hannon then cut the margin back to five points at the 18-minute mark.

Kobe Shipp then appeared to put the issue beyond doubt as 23 minutes ticked by; gathering cleanly under pressure and nailing a rightfoot snap from close range to kick the gap back

to two goals.

Boronia had its chances but kept missing, leaving the desperate Eagles nine points ahead with less than a minute left to play.

A great tackle by Kieran Edwards on Beaconsfield youngster Leo Smith-Clark then cut the deficit back to three…with just 23 seconds left when the ball left the umpires hand for the final throw up of the match.

Beaconsfield took clean possession, but a rushed kick was smothered, then gathered by Church, who sent a hurried kick into the forward line.

The ball spilled from a marking contest, straight into the hands of Jamieson, who broke Beaconsfield hearts with the critical last possession of the match.

The Eagles were cooked…behind on the scoreboard for the first time since the 24-minute mark of the second quarter.

Corey Brown and Kobe Shipp slotted four goals each for the vanquished, while Corey Brown, Ali Zijai and defenders Finn Devine and Jake Bowd were among the Eagles’ best performers.

Match-winner Jamieson was the only multiple contributor for the Hawks with three majors.

The Eagles now host undefeated Wantirna South at Holm Park Reserve this Saturday.

• EASTERNDIV1

RESULTSR2: Bayswater 8.8(56) def by Mitcham 23.16(154), Boronia 12.11(83) def Beaconsfield 12.8(80), Montrose 7.18(60) def by Mooroolbark 12.12(84), North Ringwood 11.9(75) def Park Orchards 8.17(65), Wantirna South 20.13(133) def Norwood 10.9(69).

LADDER: Mitcham, Wantirna South, North Ringwood 8, Park Orchards, Montrose, Mooroolbark, Boronia 4, Beaconsfield, Norwood, Bayswater.

FIXTURE R3: Beaconsfield v Wantirna South, Mitcham v Norwood, Mooroolbark v Boronia, North Ringwood v Bayswater, Park Orchards v Montrose.

Team Titans tame Falcons

By Justin Schwarze

Berwick Springs piled on more pain to Endeavour Hills as the Titans handed the Falcons their 16th straight loss in round two of Southern Football Netball League (SFNL) Division 3.

It’s closing in on a full calendar year since Endeavour Hills last tasted victory after coming up short 8.12(60) to 6.14(50) away at Mick Morland Reserve.

It was a game of two halves as the visitors owned the first two quarters, taking a 13-point buffer into the rooms at halftime.

But the Titans slotted four goals to none in the third, hitting the front for good.

Ty Ellison spearheaded the result with a bag of five goals for Berwick Springs, while Kyan Buselli and Hayden Stagg performed strongly.

Lyndhurst was no match for St Kilda City; being knocked off 15.17(107) to 10.6(66) at home.

The Lightning hung around and were within three kicks at the last change, but the Saints recorded four of the five goals in the final term to roll to victory.

Noah East and Jack Hazendonk were terrific forward avenues for the hosts as both notched bags of four goals.

Hallam’s life adjusting to Division 3 has been tough as the Hawks were steamrolled by South Mornington 10.12(72) to 4.7(31).

The Tigers controlled the contest for all four quarters, comfortably disposing of the league newcomers.

But Saturday was Joel Cusack’s day, as the key forward slotted 11 goals to aid Heatherton in smashing Skye 21.11(137) to 12.4(76).

Aaron Cloke’s five goals led Black Rock to an 18.12(120) to 10.7(67) dismantling of Carrum Patterson Lakes.

• SOUTHERN3

RESULTS R2: Berwick Springs 8.12 (60) def Endeavour Hills 6.14 (50), Lyndhurst 10.6 (66) def by St Kilda City 15.17 (107), Hallam 4.7 (31) def by

South Mornington 10.12 (72), Heatherton 21.11 (137) def Skye 12.4 (76), Black Rock 18.12 (120) def Carrum Patterson Lakes 10.7 (67).

LADDER: Heatherton, St Kilda City, Berwick Springs 8, Black Rock, Skye, Lyndhurst, South Mornington 4, Endeavour Hills, Carrum Patterson Lakes, Hallam 0.

FIXTURER3: Endeavour Hills (8) v Hallam (10), St Kilda City (2) v Berwick Springs (3), South Mornington (7) v Lyndhurst (6), Skye (5) v Carrum Patterson Lakes (9), Heatherton (1) v Black Rock (4).

SOUTHERN4

Dandenong West has stamped its authority on

Casey handed heavy loss by sharpshooting Lions

By Justin Schwarze

Casey couldn’t recover after a poor first quarter and was comprehensively beaten by Brisbane 20.5(125) to 13.9(87) in round four of the VFL.

At Casey Fields, the Demons conceded five first-quarter goals, including two to Conor McKenna, but couldn’t find one themselves to trail 32-4 at quarter time.

The Lions’ dominance and straight kicking flowed over into the second, managing 6.0 in the term to the hosts’ 4.3, extending their buffer to 37 points at the main break.

Another six-goal quarter for Brisbane in the third put the game well out of reach and the visitors cruised to the 38-point triumph on the road.

The Lions were clinical in front of goal, booting 15.3 after quarter time, with Will

McLachlan and McKenna bagging four each.

Jack Henderson was impressive for the Demons, posting 26 disposals, six marks, seven tackles and seven clearances.

Riley Bonner finished with 29 touches to lead Casey, while Luke Cheffers and Tairon Ah-Mu slotted three goals apiece.

Officer local Sam Hoghton debuted for the hosts, booting a goal in his first game when he marked strongly and converted from 45 on an angle in the third, while Tooradin’s Jesse Craven was productive by posting 20 disposals, five marks, five tackles and a goal.

Ethan Stanley, Jobe Scapin, Tom Matthews, Luker Kentfield and Louis Hodder were the other goalkickers for the Demons.

The loss sees Casey sink to 19th with a 1-2 record and a percentage of just 79.

Casey is back at home in round five, hosting sixth-placed Richmond.

the Division 4 landscape with another dominant display in round two against Narre South.

The Westerners managed 19 scoring shots in the first half, kicking 8.11, to lead by 30 points at the main break.

A five-goal third from the visitors put the game to bed, despite Dandenong West being wasteful in front of the big sticks in the last, kicking just seven behinds.

But the damage had already been done, as the Westerners claimed a 13.23(101) to 8.10(58) victory.

Harry Lees booted three goals and was among the best, alongside Riley Lawrence and Jamie

Nguyen. St John’s Old Collegians is now two-fromtwo in the Southern League after rolling Lyndale 15.15(105) to 4.6(30) on the road.

The JOCs were clinical in the first half, slotting 10 goals in the first two quarters to open up a 52-point buffer at halftime.

Veteran star Matt Carnelley booted four goals while Tim Edwards also managed a bag of four majors for the Collegians.

A second-half fadeout cost Doveton Eagles back-to-back victories as Ashwood rallied from behind to secure a 12.22(94) to 13.8(86) victory at home.

The Eagles kicked straight and took advantage of the hosts’ inaccuracy to open up a three-goal lead heading into halftime.

Ashwood hit back, slotting five goals to two in the third to hit the front at the final change, before grinding out a shootout in the fourth.

Daven Rosario was best afield for the Eagles, while Leigh Tannahill, Joshua Johns and Tarrant Wallace were also outstanding.

Clayton imposed itself in the second half to cruise to a 15.16(106) to 10.9(69) triumph away at Moorabbin.

The visitors trailed by two points at halftime, but kicked 10 goals to three after the main break to completely flip the contest.

• SOUTHERN4

RESULTSR2: Lyndale 4.6 (30) def by St John’s Old Collegians 15.15 (105), Ashwood 12.22 (94) def Doveton Eagles 13.8 (86), Narre South 8.10 (58) def by Dandenong West 13.23 (101), Moorabbin 10.9 (69) def by Clayton 15.16 (106).

LADDER: Dandenong West, St John’s Old Collegians, Ashwood 8, Doveton Eagles, Clayton 4, Narre South, Lyndale, Moorabbin 0.

FIXTURE R3: Dandenong West (1) v Ashwood (3), Clayton (5) v Narre South (6), Moorabbin (8) v Lyndale (7), St John’s Old Collegians (2) v Doveton Eagles (4).

Wickers win big in womens

By David Nagel

Berwick, Endeavour Hills and Narre Warren were the big winners in women’s football on Saturday after the green flag was waved across all competitions on the weekend.

The Eastern and Southern leagues are now up and running, joining the Outer East competition which began its season last week.

Berwick looks set for an improved season after the Wickers scored a 33-point victory over Coldstream.

The Wickers locked away the win with a 4.4 to 0.3 third term, with Amy and Brooke Watson kicking two each and Kiera Beddows, Cassie Martin and Sami Lane playing key roles in the victory.

Beaconsfield struggles to contain a powerful Blackburn unit, losing by 52 points at Morton Park.

Shae O’Connell kicked two goals for the Eagles and Lauren Hojnacki one, while Ava Stillwell, Abbey Dibben, Zoe Davies and Jemima Sheedy fought the game out well.

In Southern Division 1, Endeavour Hills has held off a fast-finishing Casey Thunder to win by four points at Barry Simon Reserve.

Two goals to Tabatha Jones, and singles to Lainie Krepp and Kiana Te Huia, had the Falcons in front by 21 points at the final change, before the

Thunder made their surge.

Last-quarter goals to Lana Fullwood, Alicia Heins and Natalie Van Dort saw the Thunder close the gap, but they left their run too late.

In other games in Southern, Narre Warren had a magnificent start to the season; winning by 82 points over Mordialloc.

Three goals each to Isabella Callinan and Kiara Harvey, and two to Courtney Siwes, set the Magpies on the right path.

In Outer East Div 1, a shootout between Olivia Edwards and Kasey Exposito ended with Olinda Ferny Creek winning a high-class game against Pakenham by eight points.

Edwards just had slightly more support up forward, with Eloise Taylor kicking two, while the Lions had four single goal-kickers add to the exquisite game of Exposito.

Co-coach Courtney Stephens continued her good form for the Lions while Gippsland Power prospect Maya Crestani was sensational for Pakenham in her debut game for the club.

And Officer has been brought back to earth after last week’s win over Emerald after q 59-point defeat at the hands of Yea.

Despite the heavy loss, Ava Cipriani, Hayley Wood, Stacey Jolly, Brydie Mitchell, Tracey Bird and Madeline Caarels fought the game out strongly for the Kangaroos.