Cranbourne and surrounds had a memorable 2010.
The methane fumes may have long disappeared at Brookland Greens, but the problems at the former landfill site lingered throughout the year.
Faced with a massive clean-up bill, the City of Casey slugged a massive rate rise on residents, before easing the pain with a reduced impost.
By the end of the year, Ted Baillieu rode into town like a white knight, promising Coalition cash if elected.
Presuming it comes good on the promise, the new Liberal/National Government could be the best Christmas present Casey residents receive this year.
Tooradin’s long quest for a medical clinic came to an end – but only after a battle with Federal bureaucrats.
Dr Sunil Kumar is now treating patients in the coastal village. Hopefully he has no cases of mosquito-borne disease after a warm wet summer and spring created swarms of the insects.
Police were concerned during 2010 about ethnic gangs in Melbourne’s far south east.
One gang called FOBS – “fresh of the boat” – saw Pacific Islander teenagers involved in unprovoked attacks in the Hampton Park area.
Casey councillor Kevin Bradford was called upon to resign after an Ombudsman’s report revealed that he improperly disclosed confidential council tender information to a media outlet. Cr Bradford refused to stand down.
The year started badly for the local Sikh community when their Lynbrook temple was torched.
Despite heightened tensions over attacks on members of Melbourne’s Indian community, temple-goers believed it was not a racially motivated arson.
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Berwick’s Simon Day had a sour trip to Maccas in February when he was viciously attacked by two men.
Mr Day walked into the Narre Warren McDonald’s in the early hours of the morning and was attacked by two men in the car park, leaving him with bruises to his face. Picture: Kim Cartmell
The much-anticipated $37.9 million Casey RACE opened in June, and Charlotte was among the first to get a taste of Cranbourne’s treasure
The leisure and aquatic centre features an Olympic-sized pool, gymnasium, warm water exercise pool, slides and a tipping bucket.
Picture: Kim Cartmell
Young Cranbourne boy Zachary had life-saving surgery to remove his right eye after he was diagnosed with retinoblastoma – a severe tumour in his eye that needed to be removed immediately. Picture: Kim Cartmell
Cranbourne West Primary School student Chantelle played with some green tree frogs in August to celebrate the school’s new frog pond.
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Cranbourne’s Youth Girl’s football team celebrated its first premiership with a win over Noble Park in September.
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Zaneb, from Fountain Gate Primary School, proudly wore her Afghani cultural clothes to school during April’s Harmony Day celebrations.
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Principal Mark Robertson ponders the future after ICA Casey College was put into voluntary administration in November.
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Berwick man Robert Bailey is lucky to be alive after falling 25 feet from a balcony and suffering severe head injuries. Mr Bailey was twice declared dead after the April fall, but recovered to enjoty a Christmas with his family.
pic Alive (in digi pics adjust)