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Locals may have noticed that the Pakenham Library has been stocking more than just books in the past month.

Casey Cardinia Libraries have been busy collecting personal hygiene products for females who are struck by poverty and homelessness.

As part of the Share the Dignity drive, pink collection boxes for donated tampons and sanitary pads have been stationed outside the libraries in April.

Casey Cardinia Libraries chief executive Chris Buckingham said it was important that everyone in the community felt respected, welcome and safe.

“Share the Dignity is about helping people who are in real need,” he said.

“Homelessness and family violence are big challenges for our community and people can make a real difference close to home with small acts of kindness.”

Share the Dignity is a charity founded by Rochelle Courtenay.

She said it helped alleviate the undignified dilemma that thousands of women had to endure.

“So many women every month have to forfeit sanitary products because they cannot afford them.”

The donated products will be distributed to registered charities in May and September.

The libraries will run another Dignity Drive in August later this year.

Locals may have noticed that the Pakenham Library has been stocking more than just books in the past month. Casey Cardinia Libraries have been busy collecting personal hygiene products for females who are struck by poverty and homelessness. As part of the Share the Dignity drive, pink collection boxes for donated tampons and sanitary pads have been stationed outside the libraries in April. Casey Cardinia Libraries chief executive Chris Buckingham said it was important that everyone in the community felt respected, welcome and safe. “Share the Dignity is about helping people who are in real need,” he said. “Homelessness and family violence are big challenges for our community and people can make a real difference close to home with small acts of kindness.” Share the Dignity is a charity founded by Rochelle Courtenay. She said it helped alleviate the undignified dilemma that thousands of women had to endure. “So many women every month have to forfeit sanitary products because they cannot afford them.” The donated products will be distributed to registered charities in May and September. The libraries will run another Dignity Drive in August later this year.

A trail-blazing Berwick IT student says she is keeping her options open – after all, the jobs of the future may not even exist yet.

Amy Thompson is one of 35 young innovators to have won Westpac Young Technologist national scholarships.

More than half of the awardees are female – a deliberate push to fast-track more gender and socio-economic diversity into technology.

Ms Thompson is already seeing positive change in her first-year class at RMIT University.

“There’s quite a number of girls in my course, many more than I expected.

“In my view, there needs to be more diversity in gender and more cultures because everyone has so much to offer.

“Having a more diverse mindset in the technology industry will create many more opportunities.”

Ms Thompson has an interest in app and website design, with plans to move into IT management.

She was always encouraged to follow her passion for computing as a student at the all-girls St Margaret’s School, Berwick.

“All of the girls were incredibly smart and had such an idea of what they wanted to do in the future.

“They were driven to go into technology fields.

“We had the largest IT class of girls that the school had so far.”

There’s a lot of options to explore in the dynamically changing IT environment, whether it’s in 3-D printing or in a coding lab.

Ms Thompson isn’t sure of where she’ll land, though it probably won’t be in a “back room” writing computer programs.

Already through her scholarship, Ms Thompson said she’d met inspiring past and present recipients, such as one designing prosthetics for war veterans.

She has lifetime membership to a Westpac100 Scholars Network to collaborate on Australia’s most pressing problems, as well as relevant work experience.

“I’m not really sure exactly what I’ll do. I’m leaving it open.

“In the future there’s going to be jobs that don’t even exist at the moment.”

The scholarship of up to $25,000 will pay off a fair chunk of her HECS bill for her IT course. It not only takes the financial pressure off, it makes Ms Thompson feel others have faith in her.

“It’s pushing me to do my best and take hold of my future.”

Westpac Bicentennial Foundation chief executive Susan Bannigan said the scholarship fast-tracked the development of young people from “all walks of life”.

“The future of work is going to be driven by technology so it’s critical we invest in young, innovative Australians to help build a strong pipeline of talent in the industry for years to come.”

A trail-blazing Berwick IT student says she is keeping her options open – after all, the jobs of the future may not even exist yet. Amy Thompson is one of 35 young innovators to have won Westpac Young Technologist national scholarships. More than half of the awardees are female – a deliberate push to fast-track more gender and socio-economic diversity into technology. Ms Thompson is already seeing positive change in her first-year class at RMIT University. “There’s quite a number of girls in my course, many more than I expected. “In my view, there needs to be more diversity in gender and more cultures because everyone has so much to offer. “Having a more diverse mindset in the technology industry will create many more opportunities.” Ms Thompson has an interest in app and website design, with plans to move into IT management. She was always encouraged to follow her passion for computing as a student at the all-girls St Margaret’s School, Berwick. “All of the girls were incredibly smart and had such an idea of what they wanted to do in the future. “They were driven to go into technology fields. “We had the largest IT class of girls that the school had so far.” There’s a lot of options to explore in the dynamically changing IT environment, whether it’s in 3-D printing or in a coding lab. Ms Thompson isn’t sure of where she’ll land, though it probably won’t be in a “back room” writing computer programs. Already through her scholarship, Ms Thompson said she’d met inspiring past and present recipients, such as one designing prosthetics for war veterans. She has lifetime membership to a Westpac100 Scholars Network to collaborate on Australia’s most pressing problems, as well as relevant work experience. “I’m not really sure exactly what I’ll do. I’m leaving it open. “In the future there’s going to be jobs that don’t even exist at the moment.” The scholarship of up to $25,000 will pay off a fair chunk of her HECS bill for her IT course. It not only takes the financial pressure off, it makes Ms Thompson feel others have faith in her. “It’s pushing me to do my best and take hold of my future.” Westpac Bicentennial Foundation chief executive Susan Bannigan said the scholarship fast-tracked the development of young people from “all walks of life”. “The future of work is going to be driven by technology so it’s critical we invest in young, innovative Australians to help build a strong pipeline of talent in the industry for years to come.”

Pakenham’s highly-anticipated Yakkerboo Festival has been declared a “huge success”.

Thousands flocked to Bourke Park and Main Street to partake in the 43nd annual event, which has ballooned in popularity since its inception.

Yakkerboo committee president Michael Porter said he was extremely satisfied with the outcome and the behaviour of patrons.

He has implored the community to get involved due to the committee’s declining size.

“As the shire grows, the festival has to keep getting bigger and better and with that comes more work,” he said.

“The biggest problem with that is that the committee keeps getting smaller.

“We struggled in manpower this year and we’re really looking for new people to spread the workload.

“Other than the car par incident, the day was very successful and we trust everyone enjoyed themselves.”

According to Mr Porter, James Street’s underground car park entry was closed when it should have remained open – creating congestion for those trying to leave.

However, festival goers have expressed overwhelming praise for the event.

“It was a great day out for the kids and one of the biggest turnouts we’ve seen so far,“ Pakenham’s Sarah White said.

“Hopefully it will continue to grow in the years to come.“

Yakkerboo’s Saturday night entertainment was described as the highlight, boasting the biggest turnout of the weekend.

“The Saturday night was a huge success,“ Mr Porter said.

“This year we decided to put a band on and have some food trucks and it worked.

“The park was just so full, we’ll definitely be doing that again.“

Those who are interested in joining the Yakkerboo Festival Committee can contact admin@yakkerboo.org.au.

Pakenham’s highly-anticipated Yakkerboo Festival has been declared a “huge success”. Thousands flocked to Bourke Park and Main Street to partake in the 43nd annual event, which has ballooned in popularity since its inception. Yakkerboo committee president Michael Porter said he was extremely satisfied with the outcome and the behaviour of patrons. He has implored the community to get involved due to the committee’s declining size. “As the shire grows, the festival has to keep getting bigger and better and with that comes more work,” he said. “The biggest problem with that is that the committee keeps getting smaller. “We struggled in manpower this year and we’re really looking for new people to spread the workload. “Other than the car par incident, the day was very successful and we trust everyone enjoyed themselves.” According to Mr Porter, James Street’s underground car park entry was closed when it should have remained open – creating congestion for those trying to leave. However, festival goers have expressed overwhelming praise for the event. “It was a great day out for the kids and one of the biggest turnouts we’ve seen so far,“ Pakenham’s Sarah White said. “Hopefully it will continue to grow in the years to come.“ Yakkerboo’s Saturday night entertainment was described as the highlight, boasting the biggest turnout of the weekend. “The Saturday night was a huge success,“ Mr Porter said. “This year we decided to put a band on and have some food trucks and it worked. “The park was just so full, we’ll definitely be doing that again.“ Those who are interested in joining the Yakkerboo Festival Committee can contact admin@yakkerboo.org.au.

“Never let anybody say that you cannot do something.”

This was among the advice Basketball star Andrew Bogut shared with Doveton College students on Monday 23 April.

He stopped by to officially open the school’s new outdoor play space, “our big back yard”.

“If you put the time and the effort into anything…you can do anything you want,” he said.

“It doesn’t just come easy. You have to put in the time and hard work.”

Bogut’s visit coincided with news breaking that he was ending his 13-season career playing in the US in the NBA and returning to Australia to play in the NBL with the Sydney Kings.

He told the Journal that he wanted to give the kids something to aspire to.

“It’s not an area that gets a lot of positive attention,” he said.

He grew up in Eumemmerring and went to St John’s Regional College in Dandenong, and his dad went to Doveton Tech.

Bogut has friends in Hallam and Dandenong and said he still spent a lot of time in the area.

He told students to listen to their parents, teachers and principal, to do their homework and eat their vegies.

“Treat the person next to you and the person behind you the way you would want to be treated,” he said.

“If you see one of your classmates that’s a little sad or down, maybe put your arm him and ask him if he’s doing ok.”

He said his most important message for them was to enjoy being kids.

“I would give anything I could to be your age again and just have no responsibilities,” he said.

“This is the best time of your life, enjoy it.”

College benefactor the Colman Foundation funded the “big back yard”.

Founder Julius Colman organised Bogut’s visit.

“We want to show them they can achieve,” he told the Journal.

“I don’t know him. I got a number and called him out of the blue.

“He said yes.”

Mr Colman told the official opening: “Andrew is an example for you that you too can do anything that you want if you really try”.

College principal Greg McMahon said the space would allow kids to actually be kids.

“It’s a great opportunity for our little ones to have this space to run around in and get dirty,” he said.

“We’re really proud of what’s happened here.

“Seeing a local made good is just the inspiration they need.”

 

“Never let anybody say that you cannot do something.” This was among the advice Basketball star Andrew Bogut shared with Doveton College students on Monday 23 April. He stopped by to officially open the school’s new outdoor play space, “our big back yard”. “If you put the time and the effort into anything…you can do anything you want,” he said. “It doesn’t just come easy. You have to put in the time and hard work.” Bogut’s visit coincided with news breaking that he was ending his 13-season career playing in the US in the NBA and returning to Australia to play in the NBL with the Sydney Kings. He told the Journal that he wanted to give the kids something to aspire to. “It’s not an area that gets a lot of positive attention,” he said. He grew up in Eumemmerring and went to St John’s Regional College in Dandenong, and his dad went to Doveton Tech. Bogut has friends in Hallam and Dandenong and said he still spent a lot of time in the area. He told students to listen to their parents, teachers and principal, to do their homework and eat their vegies. “Treat the person next to you and the person behind you the way you would want to be treated,” he said. “If you see one of your classmates that’s a little sad or down, maybe put your arm him and ask him if he’s doing ok.” He said his most important message for them was to enjoy being kids. “I would give anything I could to be your age again and just have no responsibilities,” he said. “This is the best time of your life, enjoy it.” College benefactor the Colman Foundation funded the “big back yard”. Founder Julius Colman organised Bogut’s visit. “We want to show them they can achieve,” he told the Journal. “I don’t know him. I got a number and called him out of the blue. “He said yes.” Mr Colman told the official opening: “Andrew is an example for you that you too can do anything that you want if you really try”. College principal Greg McMahon said the space would allow kids to actually be kids. “It’s a great opportunity for our little ones to have this space to run around in and get dirty,” he said. “We’re really proud of what’s happened here. “Seeing a local made good is just the inspiration they need.”