Cr Kim Ross. Casuarina Ward, City of Casey.

Last week was refugee week.

Back Your Neighbour advocates for asylum seekers. For those in the community waiting on a process that stretches years. It calls for fairness in process through quicker resolution. For providing access to work visas and basic support such as access to universal medicare services.

Back Your Neighbour was started by City of Greater Dandenong in 2018, and Casey is one of the 48 Local Governments supporting this campaign.

I acknowledge that this is an issue that can quickly divide people and bring up strong opinions.

So, let's take a moment to step outside politics and see the person, the child, the mother, father, sister, Uncle, cousin.

Let's take the time to think kind and act kind.

We are all in this world together.

Update

We lost ☹️.

But much better second half.

Thanks to all the residents that turned up!

See you next game. 😊

———
Here at Bunjil Place for USA v AUS.

USA just scored ☹️

Do you have a business in Casey?

Whatever your size, industry or journey, the Casey Business Awards could be your opportunity to shine.

This week I stopped by Butlers Kitchen at 55 Victor Cres, Narre Warren, to film some promotion for the Casey Business Awards.

A huge shout out to the quality of their coffee. It was 10/10, and their coffee art was on point.😁☕️☕️☕️☕️. Low fat, super hot, small cappuccino if anyone is interested 😁

More importantly (back to the real reason I was there....) Butlers Kitchen plays host to a number of local business groups who meet to connect and network over coffee (and other food).

And I was lucky enough to return on Tuesday morning to attend one such meeting - Casey Women in Business (thank you to Jamel Kaur Singh for the invitation.

Other business groups that meet there include Friends of Business and Fresh networking.

All links in comments.

Go ahead, fill out the application form. You have nothing to lose.

** DUE TO WEATHER THIS IS BEING RESCHEDULED**

Let's talk election🙂

WHERE & WHEN:
I will be at Narre Warren Train Station between 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm tomorrow (Saturday 13 June) to talk to the community about Council's State Government Election advocacy campaign, Building a Better Casey.

As one of the fastest-growing areas in Victoria, Casey needs state investment to keep pace with the infrastructure and services our residents rely on.

Our priority projects for this election focus on:
🚆 Better Transport & Roads - improving rail and road connections to support jobs and movement
🏛️ Community Infrastructure - investing in libraries, recreation centres and service hubs
🌱 Safe & Thriving Communities - supporting wellbeing, early years infrastructure and active transport

Can't make it there on Saturday? You can explore the full list of projects and show your support online at:

👉

Building a Better Casey Support Council’s advocacy campaign, calling for clear commitments from candidates and political parties to support Casey’s priority projects.

🌿 Grants now open to support Casey’s environment 🌿

Council’s Biodiversity Incentive Scheme Grant is now open, helping local landowners and community groups take action to care for Casey’s unique plants and wildlife.

Eligible residents can apply for up to $2,000 for conservation projects or receive indigenous plants to help restore native vegetation. Funding can support practical projects like planting native species, controlling weeds and pests, or protecting important habitat areas.

👉 Applications close 30 June – don’t miss out!

Biodiversity Incentive Scheme Grant now open to protect and enhance Casey’s natural environment | City of Casey The City of Casey is encouraging local landowners and those who volunteer on public land to play an active role in protecting and enhancing our City’s natural environment, with applications now open for Council’s Biodiversity Incentive Scheme Grant.Casey is home to a significant range of plants ...

QUICK UPDATE
Here are some of the things I've been up to this week.

IN YOUR WARD: If you live in Narre Warren South, it's possible you use one or both of the Reserve Spaces that are currently open for consultation - The Common Reserve and nearby Trenton Court basketball court (link in comments).

Consultation is open until the 10th.

AT Bunjil Place
Last night I attended the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra event. Everyone I spoke to loved the venue and the event and asked for more. It was wonderful to see multi generation attending and enjoying all the original compositions, including those developed through MSO’s First Voices program.

REGARDING COUNCIL DECISIONS
Regular Tuesday briefings were had on a range of topics. It's a time to ask questions, digest information and encourage deeper thinking.

FAMILY VIOLENCE
Discussion about the wicked nature of this problem and what we can do about it as a Council came up in a number of events I attended this week. Including:

On Monday night, City of Casey Youth Services held a get together for All In - Reconciliation Week, at the Youth Hub at 52 Webb Street on Monday night. Whilst in attendance I spoke to Officers present regarding a range of topics, including family violence.

On Tuesday I attended the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Forum in Melbourne. It was hosted by Celebrate Ageing and Elder Rights Australia and they launched the BluePrint on Respect for Older Women, in Victoria (link in comments).

We also talked about the stereotypes of wearing cardigans and having grey hair....

I went in by train - with all this now entails - with Cr Gary Rowe.

And then Deputy Mayor Cr Michelle Crowther and I met with CEO, Dr Dalal Elhage Smiley from Wellsprings for Women Inc. who share our concern about the impact of Family Violence in Casey.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Speaking of public transport, on Wednesday night I attended the monthly zoom meeting of the Metropolitan Transport Forum as one of your Councilor representatives.

And, of course, in between there has been time responding to resident emails, discussions on a variety of topics with Councillors and residents and beginning to read for next week's briefings.

And coffee....

always coffee.....

If you have something that matters to you that you would like to discuss, or you'd like me to attend your community event, simply email [email protected].

What’s better than a workout for health and wellbeing?

Coffee after with friends, in a non-disposable mug (good initiative Casey ARC).

Last night was 'All In' at Bunjil Place. Start of Reconciliation Week.

Highlights were the Djarlo Dance Group with world-renowned yidaki player Ganga Giri, and Uncle Lionel from Living Culture.

His words of the plants being our brothers and sisters and the symbiotic relationship we share are powerful.

As was the reminder that too often we look and don't see.

It's crucial we open our eyes and hearts to our common humanity and our interdependence on each other and our living world.