NEWS DESK
Dooley leaves Labor
Making a point: NBA all-star and Miami Heat player Luol Deng gives basketball tips at a training session at the Frankston Basketball Stadium. Picture: Gary Sissons
Slam dunk for basketball comp BASKETBALL royalty visited Frankston last week when NBA two-time all-star Luol Deng gave a training masterclass to South Sudan born youngsters at the Frankston Basketball Stadium. The 30-year-old Miami Heat player, a six feet eight inches “small forward”, was at the Seaford stadium on Friday before the weekend’s South Sudanese Australian National Classic featuring 35 teams from across the country. Deng also formally announced the signing of NBL club Melbourne United’s first ever South Sudanese Australian player, Majok Majok.
Majok was born in South Sudan, and moved to Perth with his family as a boy. After playing high school and college basketball in the US and a pro season in Europe, Melbourne United has added the 22-year-old to their roster. Multicultural Affairs Minister Robin Scott said Majok can be “a great role model and inspiration” for Victorian youth with South Sudanese and wider Horn of African origin. “The South Sudanese community in Victoria is a very proud one. They love their sports, particularly basketball, and I’m told that our young South Sudanese players are some of the most athletic in the state.”
LONG-TIME Labor Party member Cr James Dooley has let his party membership lapse and has decided he can best represent Frankston as an independent councillor. The North-West Ward councillor said it is vital to be able to speak to both sides of politics to get the best possible outcomes for Frankston. “I need to be able to talk to both sides and they need to know they’re not going to be compromised when they talk to me [but] I need to be very frank and fearless in what I say and not have to worry about other agendas and all that stuff. “It’s really about doing the best for the people of Frankston.” Cr Dooley missed out on pre-selection to Paul Edbrooke as Labor’s candidate to contest last November’s state election after initial candidate Helen Constas dropped out amid revelations that bullying allegations against Constas by a former work colleague had been settled out of court. Former firefighter Paul Edbrooke was a surprise candidate out of left field and narrowly won the seat of Frankston for Labor in November. Mr Edbrooke’s former Labor comrade Cr Dooley noted the state government has not yet allocated money for major Frankston projects such as the train station precinct redevelopment in forward budget plans. He hopes major progress on the $63 million redevelopment of the station and Young St can be seen soon. Neil Walker
Joe in for Allan JAZZ pianist Allan Zavod has been replaced by Joe Chindamo for the masterclass and concert program at
Monash University’s peninsula campus on Sunday 13 September. Chindamo has been described as a musical polyglot in the tradition of Bernstein and Previn, and one of the best jazz pianists in the world. He has composed concertos, chamber music and film music; and recorded 23 CDs; collaborated with artists such as James Morrison, Ray Brown (of Oscar Peterson fame) and the Brecker Brothers. For more information and tickets, call 9568 7190.
Four more years COUNCIL has formally reappointed CEO Dennis Hovenden for a further four years. Councillors unanimously decided to give Mr Hovenden a new contract when his existing deal ends at the end of October. The reappointment was flagged earlier this year (‘Longer stay for CEO under contract plan’, The Times 25/5/15) and comes after Mr Hovenden received a near 10 per cent pay rise, up from $297,000 to $325,000, in April. Mayor Cr Sandra Mayer said Mr Hovenden, who joined Frankston Council from Swan Hill Rural City Council in September 2012, is “a huge asset” to the municipality and his extended stay provides “stability” for council. “Mr Hovenden has saved the organisation millions of dollars through his sound financial management, creating opportunities for advocacy and community engagement, along with overseeing $180 million dollars in construction projects.” The CEO’s remuneration of $325,000 which includes superannuation and the use of a council vehicle remains unchanged.
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