The City - May 2015

May 2015 Rates challenge page 3

Dob in a dumper page 7

Volunteer Week pages 8–9

Electric car trial page 14

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRES

MAYOR’S MESSAGE

Dandenong office 225 Lonsdale St Dandenong

Hello and welcome to the May edition of The City.

Council is facing some big changes as the State Government considers introducing a cap on rate rises.

Read about how our rates are spent and how a cap may affect service delivery on page 3.

Springvale customer service 397–405 Springvale Road Springvale

This month we celebrate the volunteers who make such a positive difference to life in the City of Greater Dandenong. National Volunteer Week will be held from 11-17 May, and recognises the invaluable work volunteers do. Read about the work of volunteers in Greater Dandenong on pages 8-9.

Keysborough customer service Shop A7 Parkmore Shopping Centre Keysborough Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 18–34 Buckley Street Noble Park All correspondence to: The City PO Box 200 Dandenong VIC 3175

Greater Dandenong is one of the most multicultural communities in Australia, with residents coming from more than 140 different countries. Our Interfaith Network has been conducting tours of places of worship since 1991. Read about their partnership with Victoria Police on page 15.

Thanks for reading and have a great month.

Email: news@cgd.vic.gov.au Phone: 8571 1000

Fax: 8571 5196

Mayor Sean O’Reilly

www.greaterdandenong.com

@greaterdandy facebook.com/greaterdandenong cityofgreaterdandenong youtube.com/citygreaterdandenong TY: 133 677 T Speak and listen: 1300 555 727 Internet: www.iprelay.com.au TIS: 13 14 50 council@cgd.vic.gov.au

IMPORTANT NUMBERS Emergency calls Police/Fire/Ambulance.................... 000 Street lighting faults/ non-operational United Energy ........................ 13 20 99 Traffic signal faults/ non-operational................... 8571 1000 Hoon Hotline.................. 1800 333 000 Hard waste collection WM Waste Management Services......... 9721 1915 Australian Animal Protection Society............... 9798 8415

Correction: This photo appeared on the front cover of last month’s The City magazine with an incorrect caption. The caption should have read: “Dandenong RSL Vietnam Veteran John Wells, Noble Park RSL Vietnam Veteran Michael North (back row) and Springvale RSL WWII Veteran Geoff Charters prepare to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings”. We would like to apologise to Mr Charters and Mr Wells for incorrectly identifying them. We would also like to apologise to Michael Vaughan who was incorrectly identified as a Vietnam Veteran.

Cover photo: Mr Jasbir Singh Suropada, Senior Constable Maha Sukkar, Reverend Father Robert Stickland, Reverend Dr Phyllis Gorfine, Mr Rajadurai Varendran and Venerable Thich Thien Tam, have taken part in the public Interfaith Network Tours.

RSPCA................................ 9224 2222 Nurse on Call.................. 1300 606 024 This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.

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RATE CAPPING T

he City of Greater Dandenong will watch closely as the Essential Services Commission carries out an inquiry into capping local government rate rises.

Greater Dandenong’s Director Corporate Services Mick Jaensch said he was unsure how a rate cap would affect service delivery by Council in the long term.

He said there remained much that Council did not know about

the State Government’s plan to implement rate capping and it was premature to speculate on the impact for Council programs, services and infrastructure.

Council has prepared future financial models which compare our previous long term financial plan with an assumed 2.9 per cent cap on rates starting in 2016-17.

This potential cap follows years of cuts to State and Federal Government grants, which has shifted the cost of many programs to Council.

The gap in revenue created by rate capping would mean Council would have to cut expenditure by $3.5 million in the first year, $7 million in the second year and $10.5 million in the third year.

Forecasts show the gap would grow by $3.5 million each year.

The only avenues available to Council to reduce its expenditure will be to reduce the level of operational services provided to the community and/or reduce spending on asset renewal and new capital works.

Council is concerned that potential rate capping will impact on its ability to deliver key future infrastructure projects such as the renewal/replacement of Dandenong Oasis and community hubs for Keysborough and central Dandenong.

Council will further communicate the future implications of rate capping as they become known later in 2015.

HOW YOUR RATES ARE ALLOCATED Each year your rates help to provide a huge range of local services and projects. Council works hard to deliver a budget that is financially responsible, maintains existing services and does not place a financial burden on the community.

Your rates bill is determined by the value of your property. More specifically Council takes the Capital Improved Value of your property and multiplies it by the rate in the dollar, which is set each year.

Capital Works Program

$30.42 million

Health, Aged and Community Services

Rates can be paid via a range of plans, including quarterly payments or direct debits spread over nine payments.

Greater Dandenong offers support for ratepayers experiencing financial hardship, with deferred payment plans or rates waivers in exceptional circumstances.

Visit www.greaterdandenong.com for more information.

Here is how your rates were spent in the 2014-15 Budget.

Library, Arts, Culture and Community Engagement

Waste Collection, Street and Public Facilities

$13.23 million

$14.57 million

Parks, Community Facilities, Sport and Recreation

Family, Children and Youth

$12.32 million

Buildings, Roads, Traffic Management and Drainage Maintenance

$15.28 million

$12.84 million

Planning, Building and Regulatory Services

Greater Dandenong Business, Activity Centre Revitalisation and Economic Development

Risk Management, Property and Insurance

$12.63 million

$3.18 million

$3.84 million

$22.10 million

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your COUNCILLORS COUNCILLOR CONTACTS Lightwood Ward Cr Youhorn Chea Ph: 9547 5745 Fax: 9547 3586 0417 320 645 ychea@cgd.vic.gov.au Lightwood Ward – Mayor Cr Sean O’Reilly 0422 523 258 sean.oreilly@cgd.vic.gov.au

Lightwood Ward Cr Loi Truong Ph: 0466 004 618 loi.truong@cgd.vic.gov.au

Paperbark Ward Cr Roz Blades AM Ph: 9701 5821 Fax: 9798 5927 0417 053 612 roz.blades@cgd.vic.gov.au Paperbark Ward Cr Peter Brown Ph/Fax: 9584 5149 0408 138 939 peter.brown@cgd.vic.gov.au Paperbark Ward Cr Heang Tak 0403 072 291 heang.tak@cgd.vic.gov.au

COUNCIL MEETINGS Council meetings are held on the second and the fourth Monday of the month, at 7pm.

All Council meetings are held at the Dandenong Civic Centre at 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong.

The May meetings will be held on: • Monday 11 May • Monday 25 May Did you know you can watch Council meetings live online via our web-cast service?

You can keep up with all the latest decisions, hear questions from residents and find out the many ways your local councillors are serving the community.

To view meetings online simply go to www.greaterdandenong.com and look for the ‘Watch Council Meetings Live’ page in the Your Council section.

RECENT COUNCIL DECISIONS • Council has supported plans to demolish the former Dandenong Library and turn the site into car parking for the Dandenong Market. It also decided to retain the Clow Street offices and relocate the Maternal and Child Health Services and Toy Library from their former site at the corner of Clow and Stuart streets. Other services including the Volunteer Resource Service and Interfaith Network will also relocate to Clow Street.

• Council voted to send a $10,000 donation to UNICEF to help support the victims of Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu.

• Council has ordered an urgent report into the purchase of land in Keysborough South for use as a future primary school. The report will consider suitable sites in the area that could be purchased by Council and offered to the State Government should they decide to build a primary school in the future.

Red Gum Ward Cr Angela Long Ph: 9795 6574 Fax: 9795 4412 0466 004 616 angela.long@cgd.vic.gov.au

Cr Peter Brown, Mayor Sean O’Reilly and Cr Matthew Kirwan at the City of Greater Dandenong’s Sustainability Festival.

Red Gum Ward Cr Matthew Kirwan 0403 072 295 matthew.kirwan@cgd.vic.gov.au

Red Gum Ward Cr Jim Memeti Ph: 9792 4683 Fax: 9792 4683 0434 560 239 jim.memeti@cgd.vic.gov.au Silverleaf Ward Cr John Kelly Ph: 9793 1777 Fax: 9706 0186 0418 350 743 john.kelly@cgd.vic.gov.au Silverleaf Ward Cr Maria Sampey Ph: 9790 1291 Fax: 9790 6104 0438 800 027 maria.sampey@cgd.vic.gov.au

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Mayor Sean O’Reilly and Cr Matthew Kirwan celebrate at Dandenong Library’s first birthday party. Photo courtesy of Dandenong Journal.

Silverleaf Ward

Paperbark Ward

Cr John Kelly

Cr Heang Tak

I

have served on Council for more than 19 years and lived in Greater Dandenong all my life.

My own family has long been associated with Dandenong, with my grandparents moving from the western districts in 1919 to settle here.

The family bought 20 acres of land that now forms Lois Twohig Reserve and the storm water holding basin.

My father was fond of telling stories about his own time growing up, including the 3-4km walk to school.

Sometimes he only made it half way as there were so many distractions. He was also charged with closing the gates to the family property as the drovers were bringing their cattle to market down Stud Road.

I

have lived in Greater Dandenong for 16 years and as well as being a councillor I work as a lawyer and SBS radio broadcaster.

My priorities are low rates, aged care for migrant seniors, improving child care, library services, community safety, and protecting and enhancing our open spaces.

I am proud to be a part of this Council as we work on various projects to upgrade the local amenity.

One of the significant projects is the Douglas Street streetscape upgrade project. The project consists of: • reinforcing Douglas Street as a pedestrian priority shopping street

It was a very different time and dad clearly remembers helping milk the family cows, using the milk to make butter and selling eggs from the chicken and geese on their property.

• integrating the Noble Park Civic Space with Douglas Street

My father Jack and his brother Bill joined the World War II effort, leaving my grandmother Irene to run the farm, but they both returned to life in Dandenong.

• improving street activation by stimulating business expansion of outdoor dining by existing food premises

My own memories also tell a story of a different time. I recall a time before the Dandenong Basketball Stadium was in place and having vast open paddocks to chase rabbits, or playing along the creek and getting told to ‘move along’ by the locals. You can see some of my family photos at Lois Twohig Reserve.

• reinforcing the pedestrian crossings with defined paving and extending out the pavement kerb lines to allow for trees, landscaping and seating.

I first started out in politics as a spectator in the council gallery, where I would spend time watching and learning how things worked. I became politically involved because I wanted to contribute something back to the community. I feel it’s an absolute privilege to be able to represent the ratepayers of the City of Greater Dandenong in the right spirit.

If you have any Council concerns phone me on 0418 350 743.

John Kelly and his father Jack Kelly both grew up in Dandenong and their family has been recognised on an information board at Lois Twohig Reserve in Dandenong North.

• the introduction of more landscaping and advanced tree planting

• providing seating that contributes to supporting the social role of the street for informal gatherings

The outcome of the works has greatly assisted in strengthening and establishing a consistent design approach and visual appearance in the area.

I believe my role as your local Councillor is to act with integrity and stand up for what you believe in.

It is important for Council to listen, engage and consult with the community in an open and transparent manner.

I am always available to discuss local issues with residents. You can email me at heang.tak@cgd.vic.gov.au or phone me on 0403 072 291.

Cr Heang Tak.

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working FOR YOU

Quality kindergartens A

Productivity Commission report has backed up a campaign by the City of Greater Dandenong to give every child access to 15 hours of kindergarten each week.

Students from Springvale Rise Primary School work on their new garden.

GARDEN NETWORK T

here are many learning opportunities to be found in the garden, and an informal network of like-minded organisations has helped put gardening on the map in Greater Dandenong.

The Garden Network, which is open to schools, early childhood services and other community organisations meets regularly to share tips and ideas.

As well as promoting a healthy environment for the whole community, the network is also encouraging organisations to make good use of vacant land across the municipality.

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There are 25 community gardens across Greater Dandenong, including 19 that are run by schools.

Community gardens open to the wider community include ones at Noble Park Community Centre and Pop Up Park Dandenong.

Council has joined with other local government bodies and the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) to lobby the Federal Government to continue its commitment to the Universal Access to Early Childhood Education program beyond 2015.

Currently the State Government funds 10 hours of four-year-old kindergarten per week, and the Federal Government covers another five hours. But this arrangement is set to end in December.

Data collected by the MAV shows that parents and preschool committees already contribute 35 per cent of the cost of kinder programs. That contribution would have to increase, or kindergarten hours would have to drop, if Federal funding does not continue.

The Garden Network will hold its next meeting on Tuesday 19 May, at Springvale Park Special Development School. The meeting runs from 12pm-1.30pm and includes lunch.

The City of Greater Dandenong has shown its commitment to providing quality and accessible funded kindergarten places, with major renovations to kinders in Canberra Avenue, Dandenong South and McFees Road, Dandenong North.

Email healthandwellbeing@cgd. vic.gov.au to register your interest in the Garden Network. Or visit www.greaterdandenong.com for a full list of community gardens.

Both facilities have doubled in size, offering bigger and more inviting learning spaces as well as Maternal Child Health and Allied Health consulting suites.

DOB IN A DUMPER at Greater Dandenong Reserves Greater Dandenong residents can dob in rubbish dumpers who are putting the health of our open space at risk.

R

ubbish dumpers who leave household, building and green waste at Greater Dandenong reserves are threatening the health of our parks.

The discovery of a parasite that can cause tree death in surrounding municipalities has put Council’s Parks and Gardens team on alert.

The Giant Pine Scale is an insect that feeds off the sap of pine, fir and spruce trees. It has only recently been recorded in Australia and has this year been found in Monash, Casey, Yarra Ranges and Cardinia municipalities.

Aside from the Giant Pine Scale threat, garden waste including ivy, couch grass, asparagus fern, succulents, deciduous leaves, grass clippings and soil can have a detrimental effect on native plants in bushland areas.

It is not only garden waste that has been dumped at public reserves, Council has found everything from household waste to building materials and general litter.

Council thoroughly investigates instances of dumping and can use

FOLLOW Y UR WASTE H

ave you ever wondered what happens to your recycled waste, household rubbish and green waste once it gets emptied by the trucks?

The free tour will be held on Tuesday 19 May, and leaves from the old Dandenong Council building, on Clow Street, at 9.30am.

Learn more about reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and how to become a better recycler on a Follow your Waste tour.

The tour finishes with lunch and a tour of Alex Wilkie Reserve with the bus returning to Dandenong by 3pm.

Bookings on 8571 1702.

surveillance cameras to catch people dumping in local reserves. The maximum penalty for illegally dumping waste exceeds $5900.

If you see someone dumping rubbish anywhere in Greater Dandenong you should take notes about the incident, such as car registration or company names, and contact Council on 8571 1000.

Visit www.greaterdandenong.com for more information about how to dispose of waste correctly.

The City in your inbox Did you know that you can now get The City emailed directly to you?

Visit www.greaterdandenong.com and fill in the form to receive the City of Greater Dandenong’s monthly enewsletter, which includes information on Council’s latest projects, news and events, as well as an online version of The City. the CITY 7

volunteer WEEK

Community Hall of Fame:

Merle Mitchell B

orn in Dandenong, Merle trained as a kindergarten teacher and in the early 1960s she was involved in a campaign to create a kindergarten place for every child. She was also part of a group which successfully lobbied for a school at Sandown Park.

Merle helped to establish unique community services such as the Springvale Community Aid and Advice Bureau, and the Springvale Neighbourhood House.

It was this experience of community that she brought to her work with the Victorian and Federal Councils of Social Service which helped influence government social and economic policies.

Her commitment to the community was recognised this year when she was awarded the inaugural City of Greater Dandenong Community Hall of Fame Award.

“Volunteering for me has always been about strengthening a community, it gives you a real sense of belonging to a community,” Merle said.

Over the years Merle has received many awards for her community work, including a Medal of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1991, and entry to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2001.

The one she treasured most, however, was being named the Free Person of The City from the then City of Springvale, which she said signified a recognition of the contribution by all volunteers.

Merle continues to be active in the community and in recent years has spearheaded The Enterprise Group which honours the legacy of the warm welcome the community gave to new arrivals at the Enterprise Migrant Hostel in Springvale. The project also recognises the important contribution refugees and migrants have made to the development of this area.

Merle Mitchell has been inducted into the City of Greater Dandenong Community Hall of Fame.

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VOLUNTEERING IN GREATER DANDENONG

Asylum Seekers are helping recreate a native garden in Keysborough.

T

here are many opportunities for volunteers in the City of Greater Dandenong.

Just find where your passion lies and sign up to help out.

Be an ambassador: Be part of Council’s festivals and events by offering visitors a warm welcome.

Ambassadors also provide information and conduct surveys at public events.

Support elderly residents: Deliver meals or library books to isolated seniors, or just make social contact and have a chat. Council also has volunteers to support Planned Activity Programs.

ROTH HETHERINGTON

Administration: Use your reception or computer skills to support a community organisation.

GARDEN RENEWAL PROJECT

Support children: Volunteering at a local playgroup can help young families in Greater Dandenong.

A

Support the arts: Volunteer with the Drum Theatre or Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre.

City of Greater Dandenong project is helping asylum seekers build their skills and rebuild community pride in a Keysborough park.

In the 1970s the Roth Hetherington Reserve was created as a showcase of native flora, with plants representing each state and territory set out in a botanical map of Australia.

But over the years state lines were breached and plants were allowed to migrate wherever they wanted, until last year a plan was hatched to revitalise the park.

The Garden Renewal Asylum Seeker Project (GRASP) offered meaningful volunteer jobs for asylum seekers unable to take on paid work.

Volunteer co-ordinator Trish Roche said six asylum seekers from Afghanistan and Iran were engaged through AMES and Red Cross to work on the project for three months. Later in the year a second group, from Tamil and Pakistani backgrounds, continued the project.

The project was recognised last year with a Father Bob Maguire Angels of the Street Award, and recently a third group began work on the next stage of the renewal.

“This project has exceeded our expectations,” Mrs Roche said.

“The participants thoroughly enjoyed and valued the experience and the park is looking refreshed for the local residents to enjoy.”

Preserve history: Volunteer at Heritage Hill to host tours or catalogue heritage items.

Protect the environment: Help Council gardening staff maintain Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve.

Other opportunities include helping primary school children learn to read, or helping teenagers learn to drive.

If you are a young person, aged 1225, and want to help organise music events for your peers then join the FReeZA committee.

Visit www.greaterdandenong.com to see what volunteer positions are available.

GREATER DANDENONG VOLUNTEER RESOURCE SERVICE

E

very year thousands of Greater Dandenong residents volunteer their time to support the community.

A one-stop-shop to help match volunteers with jobs recently opened in Dandenong and is providing a personalised service for volunteers and organisations with positions to fill.

The Greater Dandenong Volunteer Resource Service is a joint initiative between South East Volunteers and the City of Greater Dandenong.

Outreach Coordinator Melissa Mahoney said the service screened and matched volunteers for placement with local community organisations.

the environment, health, emergency services and sport.

The service also offers managers who work with volunteers training opportunities, so that volunteers receive strong support.

The service is based at 10 Langhorne Street, Dandenong. Phone 9562 0414 to make an appointment.

Volunteers can work across a wide range of positions, including roles related to arts and culture, education,

Volunteers can also be involved in research, retail sales, home maintenance and food preparation.

Find out more about the service and what volunteer positions are available at sev.org.au/Dandenong-volunteerresource-service the CITY 9

community CALENDAR

MAY MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Submit your community event online at www.greaterdandenong.com

4 Combined Probus Club of Noble Park Club Noble, Moodemere Street Noble Park 10am Ph: 9546 2346 Ballroom Dancing Burden Park Bowling Club 6.30pm (every Monday) Ph: 9798 1784

11 Council Meeting 225 Lonsdale Street 7pm

Top Cat Dancers Rock & Roll Edinburgh Hall, Springvale 7.30pm Ph: 0413 393 345

Citizenship - Our Common Bond Dandenong Library 6.30pm Ph: 1300 630 920

Keysborough Freedom Club’s Ladies Night Keysborough Golf Club 7pm Ph: 0412 548 065

Healthy & Deadly Ystop Dandenong 4pm (every Tuesday)

18

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19 Top Cat Dancers Rock & Roll Edinburgh Hall, Springvale 7.30pm Ph: 0413 393 345 Follow Your Waste Tour Dandenong Council building, Clow Street 9am-3.30pm Ph: 8571 1702

25

Springvale View Club Greyhounds Entertainment 6.30pm Ph: 9700 1976

12

Noble Park Community Action Forum Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 6pm

Drum Struck Drum Theatre 7pm Ph: 8571 1666

13

Digital Literacy introduction to mouse and keyboard Dandenong Library 9.30am Ph: 1300 630 920

14 Kelly Drum Theatre 8pm Ph: 8571 1666

Social Knitwork Dandenong Library 10.30am (every Wednesday)

Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch Public Forum Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 7.30pm Ph: 0407 325 030

20

Digital Literacy introduction to the computer Dandenong Library 9.30am Ph: 1300 630 920

26

7 Youth Think Tank meeting YStop Clow Street, Dandenong 5pm Ph: 9793 2155

The Social Knitwork Dandenong Library 10.30am

Are you feeling blah? two week seminar Jan Wilson Community Centre 1pm-2.30pm (second session 19 May) Ph: 9795 9279

Ballroom Dancing Burden Park Bowling Club 6.30pm (every Monday) Ph: 9798 1784

6

51 Shades of Maggie Drum Theatre 7.30pm Ph: 8571 1666

Composting with Sam Ondrus Heritage Hill 10am Ph: 9793 4511

Dandenong Art Series Dandenong Library 6.30pm Ph: 1300 630 920

Noble Park Country Women’s Association Craft Day Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 10am Ph: 9547 7261

Council Meeting 225 Lonsdale Street 7pm

5

Dandenong Food Lovers Tour 9.50am Ph: 8571 1377

27

Digital Literacy introduction to email Dandenong Library 9.30am Ph: 1300 630 920 National Simultaneous Storytime Dandenong and Springvale libraries 11am

Heritage Hill Garden and Picnic in the Gardens 12pm Ph: 9793 4511

21

Burmese Women’s Alliance Friendship Group Noble Park Community Centre 10.30am-12.30pm (every Thursday) Ph: 9547 5801

28

Heritage Hill House and garden tour with Devonshire Tea 12pm Ph: 9793 4511

www.greaterdandenong.com/Calendar

2015 FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Both Sides – with David Hobson & Rachael Beck Drum Theatre 8pm Ph: 8571 1666

SUNDAY

1

2 Ballroom Dancing Burden Park Bowling Club 8pm Ph: 9798 1784

Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve Open Day Mackay Street, Springvale 9am

Greater Dandenong Environment Group 3 Dandenong Wetlands, Heatherton Rd 10.30am, Ph: 8571 1702 Introduction to Hand Embroidery With Holly Gordon Heritage Hill 12pm, Ph: 9793 4511

City of Greater Dandenong 8571 1000

Artist in Residence Studio Day Heritage Hill 1pm, Ph: 9793 4511

8

9

Dandenong & District Orchid Club Meeting Greaves Reserve 7pm Ph: 0412 188 263

Springvale Computer Market Swap Meet Springvale Town Hall 10am

10

Springvale Rotary Sunday Market Springvale Railway Station 8am

Live cooking demonstration: winter warmers Dandenong Market 12pm-1pm

Mother’s Day

15 Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve Open Day Mackay Street, Springvale 9am

16 Me and My Dad Natural Disasters Dandenong Library 1pm-4pm Ph: 1300 630 920

Live cooking demonstration: hearty stews Dandenong Market 12pm-1pm

22

23

Drum Theatre 8571 1666 Dandenong Library 1300 630 920 Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens 9793 4511

17 Jan Wilson Community Centre 9795 9279

Australia’s Wildlife: Tooth and Talons Dandenong Market 11am-3pm Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve Open Day Mackay Street, Springvale 10am

Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 8571 1436

24 Environmental Awareness Day Fotheringham Reserve, Dandenong 10am

Springvale Botanical Cemetery historical walking tour 2pm Ph: 8558 8210

Baby Bounce Springvale Library 10.30am Ph: 1300 630 920

✆

Australia’s amazing reptiles display Dandenong Market 11am-3pm

Springvale Library 1300 630 920 Springers Leisure Centre 9701 5900 Walker Street Gallery 9706 8441

29 Tour of Dandenong with Artist Eddie Botha Heritage Hill 11am Ph: 9793 4511 Live cooking demonstration: winter fruits Dandenong Market 12pm-1pm

30

31 Dandenong Market 9701 3850 Cultural Tours 9771 5777

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Ned Kelly’s story will come to life at The Drum.

Wendy Stapleton will revisit the 60s at The Drum.

Kelly myths explored at The Drum T

he Queensland Theatre Company production of Kelly is set to shine a light on one of Australia’s most infamous stories when it plays at The Drum on Thursday 14 May 8pm.

The acclaimed production is set in a prison cell, where bushranger Ned Kelly awaits his trip to the gallows.

Swinging Stapleton A

ustralian songstress Wendy Stapleton takes a trip back to The Swinging Sixties in her latest musical offering at The Drum.

One of this country’s favourite performers, Wendy has had an amazing career that has seen her perform shows across the nation.

Ned is visited by his younger brother Dan, who was supposedly killed at the siege of Glenrowan. The last time the brothers were together Dan tried to kill Ned, but now he wants forgiveness before moving on to start a new life.

The Swinging Sixties features legendary hits from The Chiffons, The Crystals, The Ronettes, The Shirelles, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Petula Clarke, Lulu, Dusty Springfield and many more.

The production explores the myth that surrounds the bushranger legend, and questions whether those involved were cowards, murderers or heroes.

The not to be missed show will rock out The Drum on Wednesday 3 June at 8pm, and Thursday 4 June at 10.30am.

Box Office Drum Theatre Box Office is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and one hour prior to ticketed events.

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK G

reater Dandenong Libraries will celebrate Library and Information Week (25-31 May) with an emphasis on two new learning resources.

The instructional video and tutorial based resources Atomic Learning and Iynda will give library users access to world class experts and learning opportunities, anywhere at any time.

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Booking You can book in person or over the phone during open hours, or online 24 hours a day.

Atomic Learning has more than 40,000 tutorial videos which can help users of all ages become more proficient on basic computer applications.

Iynda, which focuses on business resources and improving job skills, includes short tutorials for immediate learning solutions, or users can engage in more comprehensive online courses.

Both programs can be accessed in library branches or through The Vault with your Greater Dandenong Libraries’ membership card.

In March the Dandenong Library celebrated its first birthday at the new Civic Centre and announced more than

Find Drum Theatre Corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong 8571 1666 drumtheatre@cgd.vic.gov.au www.drumtheatre.com.au

875,000 people had visited the library in its new location.

With up to 50 computers available for public use, bookings jumped from 2000 per month to 9000 per month during the last year.

Users also made the most of Wifi services, with bookings jumping from 2500 per month to more than 20,000 per month.

Explore the new online learning resources through activities and drop-in sessions during Library and Information Week.

Visit www.greaterdandenong.com for more information.

Learn about composting and worm farms in a workshop at Heritage Hill.

The free City Shuttle Bus makes 10 stops in central Dandenong.

SHUTTLE BUS Worm your way SERVICE to waste reduction T D

id you know that by composting food scraps and garden waste you can cut your household waste by half?

Up to 50 per cent of the rubbish created by Greater Dandenong residents is organic waste – that is paper, food scraps and green waste that can be diverted from landfill.

To celebrate International Composting Awareness Week, and to encourage more sustainable practices City of Greater Dandenong is hosting a beginner composting workshop.

The workshop will also cover worm farming and bokashi, a method

where food waste is covered by microorganisms to reduce the smell.

Composting is nature’s way of recycling organic matter and setting up your own systems at home can help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, which in turn can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Composting can also improve the quality of your soil by adding important minerals and nutrients, and by helping water retention in garden beds.

The workshop will be held at Heritage Hill, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong on Tuesday 5 May, 10am-1pm. Cost is $10.

Bookings essential on 9793 4511.

he City of Greater Dandenong’s free City Shuttle bus service will introduce new hours of operation from 1 May. The service will operate Monday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm.

The free bus commences at the Dandenong Railway Station and makes 10 designated stops during the 30 minute round trip, including Dandenong Market, Dandenong Hospital and Dandenong Plaza.

The bus, which has been operating since 1996, seats 32 passengers and has two doors and a low lying floor allowing easy access for prams, shopping jeeps and wheelchairs.

IMMUNISATION TIMETABLE – MAY 2015 The Immunisation Timetable for the City of Greater Dandenong is available from Council’s customer service centres or Maternal and Child Health centres and online. Phone Council on 8571 1000 or visit www.greaterdandenong.com for more information on the upcoming immunisation sessions: DATE 4 May

TIME 5pm-6.30pm

LOCATION Springvale Service for Children, 23-28 Lightwood Road, Springvale

12 May

10am-12pm

Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18-34 Buckley Street, Noble Park

14 May

10am-11.30am

Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong

19 May

10am-11am

Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough

20 May

4.30pm-6.30pm

Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong

23 May

10am-12pm

Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong

26 May

10am-11am

Jan Wilson Community Centre, BJ Powell Reserve, Halton Road, Noble Park North

27 May

10am-12pm

Springvale Service for Children, 23-28 Lightwood Road, Springvale

the CITY 13

business NEWS

Electric car trial C

ity of Greater Dandenong staff were all charged up to take part in a trial of an electric car recently.

Dandenong Nissan loaned one of their electric Leaf cars to Council for a two week trial.

The whisper-quiet car was charged at the Council Operations Centre overnight and was used by Local Laws officers for field work each day.

Council is always looking for ways to reduce its environmental impact and will consider the results of the trial before deciding whether to include any electric cars in our fleet.

Things such as charging time, charging locations, cost-efficiency and benefits beyond the obvious environmental ones will be weighed up.

Mayor Sean O’Reilly with the Nissan Leaf electric car that was trialled by City of Greater Dandenong staff.

TAX OFFICE GETS DANDENONG SHOPFRONT

G

etting help with your tax issues is easier with the Australian Tax Office (ATO) setting up shop in central Dandenong.

The ATO has opened a shopfront with the Department of Human Services, in the Government Services Building, Level 1, 27-29 Robinson Street.

You can talk about general enquiries with ATO staff, or access phone services for more specialised tax and superannuation information. Self serve computers connecting to the ATO website and online services including myGov, are also available.

Phone the ATO on 132 861 to see if

the services you need are provided at the shopfront or make an appointment.

Translation and Interpreting Services can also be accessed on 131 450.

Visit ato.gov.au/otherlanguages to access information about general tax and superannuation in 25 different languages.

Atura Hotel opens a gateway to Dandenong Atura Hotels has opened its third property on the border of Greater Dandenong.

right on the doorstep of Dandenong’s thriving corporate and business park precincts.

Atura Dandenong (formerly Chifley Doveton) offers unique accommodation with character and style, and is looking to attract tourists and business people to the region.

Atura, which also has hotels in Albury and Blacktown (NSW), aims to offer travel experiences that are outside of the usual tourist hot spots.

Situated next to the Monash Freeway and South Gippsland Highway, it is 14 the CITY

Atura Hotels is part of the Amalgamated Holdings Limited hotel group of companies, which also

operates Rydges Hotels, QT Hotels and Resorts, and Art Series Hotels.

As well as the in-hotel Brownstone Microbrewery, the hotel has a Roadhouse Bar & Grill and a Grab & Go shop of treats, offering a great dining and drinks experience for locals.

Visit www.aturadandenong.com.au to find out more.

community NEWS

Interfaith Network tours

Promote your group T

he City accepts submissions to promote local community groups on the Community News page.

The Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network runs public tours to local places of worship.

Send us no more than 200 words along with a JPEG photograph (around 1MB) to share your story.

T

he City of Greater Dandenong is home to the oldest Interfaith Network in Australia.

the Southern Metro Region will see two police officers attend each public tour this year.

Established in 1989 the Network began hosting tours of local places of worship in 1991.

Inspector Ron Gardner said police officers who took part in the tours would then bring their experiences back to the workplace.

Content – which must be sent six to eight weeks in advance – may be edited and we cannot guarantee publication due to high demand. Priority will be given to items lodged early.

“It’s about exposing them to different cultural practices,” he said.

Email news@cgd.vic.gov.au with your submissions.

This year the group will run five public tours and up to 20 private tours, which visit several sites including a Hindu temple, a Sikh Gurdwara, a mosque, a Buddhist temple and a Christian church.

Interfaith Network development officer Helen Heath said the tours were very popular and directly contributed to the promotion of peace, harmony and understanding within the Greater Dandenong community.

A partnership with Victoria Police in

Public tours to Places of worship will be held on 10 June, 12 August, 14 October and 9 December. Tours leave from outside the Springvale Council offices at 397 Springvale Rd, at 8.30am.

To book a seat on the bus or enquire about a private group tour email tours@interfaithnetwork.org.au or phone 0408 571 483.

Volunteer profile Peter Bates H e might be retired, but Dandenong North resident Peter Bates has never been so busy.

A volunteer with the City of Greater Dandenong, Peter is also the chairman of the Jan Wilson Community Centre (JWCC) reference committee.

His interest in the JWCC dates back to its inception more than 20 years ago, when his children played and he coached in a junior basketball competition.

Peter has always taken a hands-on approach to supporting the centre and said many people would not know how much work volunteers did to keep the community running.

“A lot of it is just done quietly in the background without any fanfare, but you will find most volunteers are like that,” Peter said.

Peter also volunteers each year to help out at the Take a Swing for Charity golf day.

He joined the committee before Council took over the community asset, and has stayed involved in one way or another ever since.

Now his two grandchildren attend a playgroup at JWCC, which he says has evolved to cope with the changing population in Greater Dandenong.

From mowing the lawns, fixing play equipment and doing odd jobs,

Visit www.greaterdandenong.com to find out more about volunteering.

the CITY 15

WHAT’S ON AT HERITAGE HILL

SUNDAY 3 MAY, 12-2pm Introduction to Hand Embroidery with Holly Gordon

THURSDAY 21 MAY, 12-2pm Heritage Hill Garden Tour and Picnic in the Historic Gardens

SUNDAY 3 MAY, 1-3pm Eddie Botha Artist-in-Residence Open Studios

TUESDAY 5 MAY, 11am-1pm Composting workshop

THURSDAY 28 MAY, 12-2pm Heritage Hill House and Garden Tour with Devonshire Tea

Proudly part of

FRIDAY, 29 MAY 11am-12.30pm An Artist’s Tour of Dandenong with Heritage Hill’s Artists-in-Residence

greaterdandenong.com/arts

To find out more visit heritagehill.com.au | Bookings are essential, phone 9793 4511