Thursday, 15 January, 2026
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Local presence in AO Former Cranbourne Tennis Club junior Petar Jovic earned a spot at the Australian Open 1 Point Slam after winning the Victorian State Final. The 24-year-old former local progressed into the $1 million main draw alongside top players including Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff. Petar said representing Cranbourne and securing a $5,000 grant for the club made the achievement especially meaningful. Story page 6
Former Cranbourne Tennis Club junior Petar Jovic won the Victorian State Final of the AO 1 Point Slam and earned a place in the main draw to play against some of the world’s best players. (Supplied)
Fireline support As catastrophic and extreme fire conditions gripped Victoria last week, Casey’s Country Fire Authority (CFA) brigades were rallied in the statewide emergency response, sending crews, tankers and medical support to multiple firegrounds. Under soaring temperatures above 40 degrees, strong winds and a total fire ban on Friday 9 January, brigades across Casey were deployed north and west to assist overwhelmed regional crews.
In northern Casey, Berwick, Narre Warren South, Narre Warren North and Harkaway brigades were mobilised, with Narre Warren Fire Brigade sending two strike teams to the Longwood fires from 7 January. Berwick CFA crews were also deployed to Victoria’s North East, providing critical on-site medical and coordination support under challenging conditions, treating multiple patients and assist-
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ing with emergency transfers. Narre Warren North crews and tankers were sent on request to bolster Longwood operations. Southern Casey brigades were equally active. Clyde CFA deployed its Field Command Vehicle and volunteers to Longwood, while Cranbourne CFA’s tanker was sent west to the Mt Mercer fire before being redeployed north days later. Tooradin, Hampton Park, Hallam and
Warneet–Blind Bight brigades also undertook repeated deployments across Meredith, Seymour, Alexandria and Longwood. Narre Warren Fire Station served as a staging hub, coordinating strike teams from across Casey. CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan urged all Victorians to remain vigilant and follow emergency warnings as fire conditions continued. Story page 3
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