The City - July 2015

July 2015 Budget breakdown page 7

Drum Theatre pages 8–9

The Hive page 12

Fight graffiti page 13

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRES

MAYOR’S MESSAGE

Dandenong office 225 Lonsdale St Dandenong

Hello and welcome to the July edition of The City.

The City of Greater Dandenong is attempting to reduce our energy bills by replacing 5000 street lights across the municipality. The new lights should help cut energy consumption by 77 per cent. Read more about the changeover on page 3.

Springvale customer service 397–405 Springvale Road Springvale Keysborough customer service Shop A7 Parkmore Shopping Centre Keysborough

The Hive Creative Network is connecting artists and art lovers from all over our city. Read an interview with one artist who is exhibiting locally on page 12.

If theatre is your interest, turn to pages 8-9 and see a preview of all shows coming to Drum Theatre for the remainder of the year.

Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 18–34 Buckley Street Noble Park All correspondence to: The City PO Box 200 Dandenong VIC 3175 Email: news@cgd.vic.gov.au

Graffiti is a huge problem for communities all over Australia, and here at Greater Dandenong we are trying to work with residents and businesses to prevent the problem on our streets. Read about an animated video that is spruiking our message on page 13.

Enjoy reading this edition and have a great month.

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

my CITY A common site at Springvale Shopping Centre is the men playing Xiangqi through the day. Often several games are going at once and interested onlookers take sides as the men battle it out in this traditional game. Picture by Ewen Bell.

Cover photo: This young princess enjoyed snow falling in Springvale as part of Snow Fest 2014. The icy event is on again this year on Sunday 19 July at the corner of Buckingham and Balmoral avenues. Picture: Hilton Stone.

Australian Animal Protection Society............... 9798 8415 RSPCA................................ 9224 2222 Nurse on Call.................. 1300 606 024 This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.

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Students from Athol Park Primary School prepare seedlings for planting.

is good for your health, great family time and you are helping to plant habitat for all the wonderful fauna of Greater Dandenong,” he said.

“Last year the community managed to plant more than 25,000 indigenous seedlings in our reserves and parks.”

NATIONAL TREE DAY W

ould you like the opportunity to connect with nature, meet others in your community and help beautify your neighbourhood?

City of Greater Dandenong will hold two planting events, on Saturday 25 July at Tatterson Reserve and Sunday 26 July at Fotheringham Reserve.

National Tree Day is a perfect opportunity to achieve all these things.

Mayor Sean O’Reilly says that by taking part, you’ll be contributing to Australia’s largest community tree planting event and joining thousands of others in inspiring positive environmental change.

The Planet Ark initiative will be held over the weekend on 25-26 July, and this year’s theme You Can Grow So Much, focuses on the many opportunities that come from engaging with nature.

“There are so many benefits from participating at one of these events – it

Other community planting days will be held across Greater Dandenong: • Saturday 4 July at Falkiner Reserve, Dandenong North • Sunday 9 August at Tirhatuan Park, Dandenong North • Sunday 23 August at Coomoora Woodland Flora and Fauna Reserve, Keysborough • Saturday 5 September at Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve, Springvale South All planting events start at 10am and are followed by a free BBQ lunch.

For catering purposes, bookings are essential. Please phone 8571 1702.

LIGHTING UP DANDENONG

Families enjoyed last year’s Snow Fest on the streets of Springvale.

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he City of Greater Dandenong is looking to address the rising cost of electricity by replacing street lights across the municipality.

In partnership with the Australian Government’s Community Energy Efficiency Program and United Energy, Council will replace more than 5000 inefficient mercury vapour lights with LED (light emitting diodes) lights in residential streets.

Snow Fest

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he third annual Springvale Snow Fest will create a chilled out vibe in Greater Dandenong this month.

More than 25,000 people are expected to attend the free community event, which will see 40 tonnes of real snow transported from Mt Buller to the streets of Springvale.

As well as snow play, visitors can enjoy the street festival, including live music and performances on the main stage, roving performers, ice sculpting, art and craft activities, Leyton Real Estate’s Cubby Town, food and market stalls, family rides and fireworks.

Mayor Sean O’Reilly invites visitors to

experience the fun of the snowfields in the heart of Springvale.

The energy efficient lights are expected to reduce energy consumption by 77 per cent, in turn cutting operating costs and greenhouse emissions. LED lights can last up to 20 years, which also cuts maintenance costs.

“This is the third annual Snow Fest, and it promises to be a fun day for big and little kids,” Cr O’Reilly said.

Mayor Sean O’Reilly said the lights would improve visibility and the perception of safety across the city.

“This spectacular, award-winning event will finish with a bang, with a fireworks display set to go off at 6.50pm.”

“Greater Dandenong Council is committed to reducing its footprint on the environment,” Cr O’Reilly said.

Springvale Snow Fest will be held on Sunday 19 July, from 12pm-7pm. Road closures will take place during the event in Windsor, Buckingham and Balmoral avenues. Parking will be available at the Number 8 multi-deck car park.

Works to replace lights started in May, and are expected to be completed by June 2016.

Visit www.greaterdandenong.com for more information.

Disruptions to street accessibility are expected to be minimal, but visit www.greaterdandenong.com/lightup to keep up to date on when the crews will be in your neighbourhood. the CITY 3

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

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 July meetings will be held: • Monday 13 July • Monday 27 July 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.

COUNCILLORS Mayor Sean O’Reilly, Cr Matthew Kirwan and Cr Angela Long joined members of the Inter Council Aboriginal Consultative Committee (ICACC) for a tour of Aboriginal sacred sites in and around the City of Greater Dandenong in May. Cr Long co-chairs ICACC with John Murray. The tour included a visit to the Dandenong and Districts Aboriginal Cooperative and Dandenong Park, as well as Dandenong Police Paddocks for a Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony.

Paperbark Ward Cr Heang Tak 0403 072 291 heang.tak@cgd.vic.gov.au Red Gum Ward Cr Angela Long Ph: 9795 6574 Fax: 9795 4412 0466 004 616 angela.long@cgd.vic.gov.au 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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Silverleaf Ward Cr Maria Sampey was one of three councillors recognised by The City of Greater Dandenong for 15 years of service to the Greater Dandenong community.

Councillors Angela Long and Peter Brown were also presented with a certificate for 15 years of service.

Councillors Roz Blades and John Kelly were also recognised recently for serving 20 years with local government.

Paperbark Ward

Cr Peter Brown

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he commencement of grade separations of railway lines has been recently announced by the State Government.

The first contracts were signed midMay. The Heatherton Road, Noble Park, crossing is included in the future works program. When completed the positive flow-on effect for Noble Park will be substantial.

Linked in with this, is the adjacent Ross Reserve Skate Park.

It will become a regional attraction, set in landscaped surrounds, for which money has been allocated in Council’s 2015-16 Budget for landscaping and beautification works.

The project has attracted a great deal of interest from young residents.

Further works for Ross Reserve are being staged in accordance with a Master Plan.

Noble Park resident Sandrino Vokic and Cr Peter Brown are photobombed by a tradesman while inspecting the finishing stages of the Noble Park Skate Park.

The future of this area of Noble Park is exciting. We can all look forward to a much needed boost to our town centre and the works of the State Government and Council should provide it.

Red Gum Ward

Cr Matthew Kirwan R

ed Gum Ward is the largest and most diverse council ward in Greater Dandenong. For this ward profile I am concentrating on the new estates of Keysborough and Dandenong.

KEYSBOROUGH Over 250 people took part earlier this year in the consultation for the proposed Keysborough South community hub. It was great for me to speak to so many residents personally about their ideas.

In the 2015/16 budget $3 million has been allocated for the purchase of land in Keysborough South for the purposes of establishing the hub. To find out what people said and to keep up to date on the project as it evolves visit www.greaterdandenong.com/ document/28622/keysborough-southcommunity-hub DANDENONG By the time you read this article the new shade sail in Hemmings Park will either be installed or soon will be. Thanks to those parents who suggested the idea to me so their families can make more use of the park.

You may have noticed some improvements to the Hemmings Street shopping strip as well – new brighter white street lights and new bike hoops. But there is still a way to go with revitalising the shopping strip and improving community safety in this part of Dandenong.

Based on residents asking for it I have organised a Dandenong West Community Safety Forum

on Tuesday 21 July, from 7.30pm-9pm in the Multi-Purpose Room of Dandenong West Primary School, corner Birdwood and Benga avenues, Dandenong.

Please come and have your say and invite others too.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns or ideas please email matthew.kirwan@cgd.vic.gov.au or phone 0403 072 295. the CITY 5

working FOR YOU

Federal funding for Tatterson Park

Tatterson Park will become a sporting and community hub.

Commonwealth commits to kindergartens

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campaign run by the City of Greater Dandenong and other Victorian local government bodies to secure kinder access has 840 million reasons to smile, but families are not celebrating yet.

The Federal Government announced it would continue funding the Universal Access to Early Childhood Education program in Victoria for another two years.

The Universal Access program gives all four year old children access to 15 hours of kindergarten programs each week.

The $840 million, two year commitment gives security to families going through kindergarten in the short term, but Council will continue to lobby to see the agreement extended further into the future.

Under the current agreement the State Government funds 10 hours of four-year-old kindergarten each week, and the Federal Government covers another five hours.

Without an ongoing commitment from the Commonwealth, kinder fees would have to increase or hours would decrease, placing a greater burden on families.

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T

he Tatterson Park sport and community hub is one step closer following the delivery of a $4.865 million grant from the Federal Government.

The money matches the commitment

by Council, and will help turn the park into Greater Dandenong’s premier sporting and community hub, including facilities that will cater for everyone from grass roots sports clubs to elite level competition.

Plans feature a state of the art multipurpose community pavilion, which will include unisex change rooms, community meeting and function rooms, offices, a commercial kitchen, kiosks and a spectator viewing area.

A synthetic playing field and floodlights will also be developed in accordance with FIFA guideline suitable for high level sports competition and grass roots participation.

Sporting groups won’t be the only ones to benefit from the project, community groups and agencies will also be able to access facilities for a range of activities.

The project will make best use of the 52 hectare parcel of open space in Keysborough South and will complement the existing facilities, including Springers Leisure Centre, wetlands and playgrounds.

SOCIAL COHESION FUNDING T he City of Greater Dandenong will use a $100,000 grant from the State Government to promote harmony, tolerance and understanding.

The grant will be used to fund four programs including: • Schools Introducing Difference – multi-faith and multicultural education programs in primary and secondary schools;

backgrounds to come together to share their experiences through the sharing of food; and

• Multicultural Breakfast and Lunchbox series – forums for local businesses to meet with community leaders and hear speakers from different cultural groups.

• Interfaith Network Tour Program – for local asylum seekers and refugees to volunteer as tour guides;

These initiatives provide an excellent opportunity to bring people of many different backgrounds together to share information and learn a little about each other.

• Engaging Women Through Food and Conversation - for women of all

To find out more about the programs contact Council on 8571 1000.

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

2015-16 C

ouncil’s 2015-16 Budget aims to find a balance between the needs of the community, the maintenance of existing assets and the provision of high quality ongoing services.

This promises to be another significant year for capital investment with works commencing on the Springvale Civic Precinct Master Plan and early planning works (including land acquisition) for the Keysborough South Community Hub. Greater Dandenong’s Chief Executive Officer John Bennie said this year’s budget continued to build a solid foundation upon which Council would grow.

“Our priority has always been to ensure our ratepayers continue to have access to the best possible facilities and services,” Mr Bennie said.

“Whilst Council has delivered significant new facilities in the past five years we are mindful that there remains other critical projects to

Budget highlights • $3 million to purchase land in Keysborough South to establish a future community hub • $1.5 million to commence work on the Springvale Civic Precinct project • $5.125 million for a range of works to renew Council buildings

complete to meet future community needs.

“These include the completion of the Springvale Civic Precinct which will provide a new library, community centre and upgraded Springvale Town Hall, the provision of a community hub in Keysborough South, the future redevelopment or replacement of Dandenong Oasis and a community hub for central Dandenong.”

Mayor Sean O’Reilly said Council’s history of financial responsibility had allowed it to keep rates low, while continuing to deliver high quality projects and providing exceptional community services.

He said this year’s 5.5 per cent rate rise was in-line with Council’s overall strategic and long-term financial planning framework.

“The average increase for residential properties would be an additional $45.62 per year,” Cr O’Reilly said.

• $1.545 million in drainage works • $1.012 million for the replacement of street lighting ($469,000 from government grant funding) • $1.025 for completion of works at Ross Reserve, Noble Park • $500,000 towards the signalisation of Robinson Street and Princes Highway intersection, Dandenong

• $450,000 for refurbishment works at the former Clow Street Council office, which will accommodate the relocation of the Maternal and Child Health Centre and Toy Library

• $300,000 towards floodlights for the Noble Park Junior Football Club at Ross Reserve

• $1.7 million for the renewal of footpaths and kerbs and channel networks

• $330,000 to upgrade cricket net facilities at Noble Park and Wachter Reserve

• $400,000 for playground renewal works

• $1.173 million for new books and equipment for the Dandenong and Springvale libraries

• $300,000 for streetscape upgrade works in Douglas Street, Noble Park

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JULY

The Australian Ballet presents

The Dancers Company – Classical Triple Bill Friday 17 July 7.30pm Saturday 18 July 1.30pm and 7.30pm

DRUM THEATRE SEASON

2015 Drum Theatre is enjoying one of its busiest years yet and in the coming months will welcome some of the biggest names in entertainment.

Touring shows from The Australian Ballet, Opera Australia, Circus Oz and the Russian National Ballet Theatre perform alongside musical tributes, pantomimes and dramatical productions.

Drum Theatre Season 2015 has something for everyone.

Opera Australia presents

Hansel and Gretel Wednesday 1 July 10.30am and 1.30pm Children and families will be captivated by the bewitching characters met by Hansel and Gretel on their journey of hardship, forgiveness and self discovery. The morning show includes Auslan Shadow Interpreting.

AUGUST Graeme Connors-North, 25 years on Saturday 1 August 7.30pm See Australia’s greatest storyteller, live on stage with his legendary band in a two hour performance, celebrating 25 years since the release of his pioneering hit album North.

Box Office

The Beggars Sing the Seekers

Drum Theatre Box Office is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and 1 hour prior to ticketed events.

Thursday 6 August 10.30am

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

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

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A musical homage to The Seekers.

Experience word class ballet live on stage with this stunning classical triple bill featuring Swan Lake Act III, Paquita and Rimbombo.

SEPTEMBER Flinders Christian Community College presents

Oliver!

Thursday 3 September 7.30pm Friday 4 September 11.30am and 7.30pm Saturday 5 September 1pm and 7.30pm

The Wizard of Oz – Young Performers Edition Thursday 24 September 1pm and 7pm Friday 25 September 1pm and 7pm Saturday 26 September 7pm Sunday 27 September 3pm

OCTOBER Sleeping Beauty Thursday 1 October 10.30am and 1.30pm

Circus Oz: But wait... there’s more Friday 21 August 8pm Saturday 22 August 2pm and 8pm

Jane Rutter – French Kiss Thursday 8 October 10.30am and 8pm Following the success of her film An Australian in Paris, internationally acclaimed darling of the flute and number one recording artist, Jane Rutter demonstrates her incomparable classical and cabaret artistry in French Kiss.

Australia Day Friday 2 October 8pm The country town of Coriole is getting ready for Australia Day, but nothing is sacred as the national identity is put through the ringer in this thoroughly modern ripper of a comedy. Written and directed by acclaimed playwright and Sydney Theatre Company satirist Jonathan Biggins.

Stunt-jumping acrobatics, cuttingedge juggling, virtuosic hoop diving, elegant flying trapeze, cheeky impersonations, ridiculous knockabout and multi-skilled human physical exuberance – this show is an exhilarating two-hour spectacle for audiences of all ages.

Bookings on 8571 1666 www.drumtheatre.com.au

NOVEMBER The Spirit of Christmas 2015 with Roy Best Wednesday 25 November 10.30am Thursday 26 November 10.30am

DECEMBER Russian National Ballet Theatre – Swan Lake Monday 7 December 7.30pm

Led by compere Chris McKenna and starring one of Australia’s most popular tenors Roy Best alongside singer/ actress Michelle Fitzmaurice, this show features a mix of traditional Christmas blended with some well known contemporary Christmas songs and plenty of good comedy along the way. the CITY 9

community CALENDAR

JULY MONDAY

TUESDAY Nocturnal

Combined Probus Club of Noble Park Club Noble, Moodemere Street 10am, Ph: 9546 2346

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Ball games and face painting Jan Wilson Community Centre 10am-noon, Ph: 9795 9279

13 Library Toddler Time Springvale and Dandenong libraries 10am Ph: 1300 630 920

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Cheeky Little Monkey’s 14 Playgroup Noble Park Community Centre 2.30pm, Ph: 9547 5801

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

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Live cooking demonstration: shepherd’s pie Dandenong Market 12pm-1pm

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School Holidays Lego Club Dandenong Library 2pm-3pm

Make your own bird watching kit Heritage Hill 10am, Ph: 9793 4511

Home/Here/Now opening night Walker Street Gallery 6.30pm, Ph: 9706 8441

School Holidays Lego Club Springvale Library 2pm-3pm

Koala Gymnastics Heritage Hill 10am, Ph: 9793 4511

Noble Park Community Action 8 Forum Annual General Meeting Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 6pm, Ph: 9701 5821

Making healthy snacks (age 5-10) Jan Wilson Centre 10am-noon, Ph: 9795 9279

School Holidays The Sand Dragon’s Tail Dandenong Library 11am

Nocturnal Harmony Square (Dandenong Council offices) 5.30pm-9pm

Digital Literacy Intro to Email Springvale Library 9.30am-11.30am

Character Archaeology Heritage Hill 10am, Ph: 9793 4511

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

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16 Burmese Women’s Alliance Friendship Group Noble Park Community Centre 10.30am Ph: 0432 021 888

Baby Bounce Dandenong Library 10.30am Ph: 1300 630 920

22 Digital Literacy Intro to the Internet 1 Springvale Library 9.30am-11.30am

23 Heritage Hill Garden Tour and Picnic Heritage Hill 12pm Ph: 793 4511

The Social Knitwork Dandenong Library 10.30am (every Wednesday)

28 All Sports Fun Day Edinburgh Reserve 10am Ph: 0423 020 054

THURSDAY

Hansel and Gretel Drum Theatre 10.30am and 1.30pm Ph: 8571 1666

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Dandenong West Community Forum Dandenong West Primary School, corner Birdwood and Benga avenues 7.30pm

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

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School Holidays The Jungle Book Springvale Library 11am

Art Series – Rubaba Haider Dandenong Library 6.30pm

Library Toddler Time Springvale and Dandenong libraries 10am Ph: 1300 630 920

Springvale View Club Sandown Greyhounds 6.30pm, Ph: 9700 1976

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

Indigenous Weaving Workshop – Native Grass Baskets Heritage Hill 10am, Ph: 9793 4511

Council Meeting Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street 7pm

Noble Park Country Women’s Association General Meeting Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 10am, Ph: 9547 7261

Drum Theatre

Dandenong Evening View Club Dandenong RSL 7pm, Ph: 9560 9717

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

Council Meeting Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street 7pm

WEDNESDAY

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Digital Literacy Intro to the Internet 2 Springvale Library 9.30am-11.30am

Springvale Snow Fest

www.greaterdandenong.com/Calendar

2015 FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

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Flash Twinkle Toes Dandenong Library 11am

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

Kids in the kitchen Dandenong Market 12pm-1pm

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Robotics with Robogals Dandenong Library 12pm-1.30pm Springvale Library 2.30pm-4pm

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Springvale Computer Swap Meet Springvale Town Hall 10am

Marsupial masks workshop Heritage Hill 10am, Ph: 9793 4511

17 The Australian Ballet Presents the Dancers Company Classical Triple Bill Drum Theatre 7.30pm Ph: 8571 1666

Me and My Dad: Insectomania Dandenong Library 2pm Ph: 1300 630 920

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Dandenong Library 1300 630 920 Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens 9793 4511 Jan Wilson Community Centre 9795 9279

Chand Raat Eid Festival Tatterson Park 2pm Ph: 0412 881 597

25 Shabe Tarannom 2015 – Hazaragi Cultural Celebration Drum Theatre 8pm Ph: 8571 1666

Live cooking demonstration: Christmas in July Dandenong Market 12pm-1pm

Drum Theatre 8571 1666

19 Springvale Snow Fest Buckingham Ave, Springvale 12pm-7pm

The Australian Ballet presents The Dancers Company Classical Triple Bill Drum Theatre 1.30pm and 7.30pm Ph: 8571 1666

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12 Springvale Rotary Sunday Market Springvale Station 8am Ph: 0425 806 006

Crazy Creature Animal Craft Dandenong Market 11am-3pm

✆ City of Greater Dandenong 8571 1000

Crazy Creature Animal Craft Dandenong Market 11am-3pm

Bush Toys Heritage Hill 10am, Ph: 9793 4511

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

5 Greater Dandenong Environment Group Dandenong Wetlands 9.30am, Ph: 8571 1702

Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 8571 1436

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Kattimoni performs live Dandenong Market 11am-2.30pm

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

31 Dandenong Market 9701 3850

U3A Dandenong Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 1pm Ph: 9546 2997

Submit your community event online at

Live cooking demonstration: leftover love Dandenong Market 12pm-1pm

Cultural Tours 9771 5777

www.greaterdandenong.com The Social Knitwork

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RUBABA HAIDER

my paintings and come out of the exhibition taking something with them.”

Haider encourages emerging artists to work hard at their craft and stay honest to themselves.

“You will have hurdles and hardships, but that’s what life is. When I first came to Australia I didn’t know anyone, I had zero contacts and peers but slowly and gradually I am finding my way here,” she said.

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ubaba Haider is a contemporary artist based in Melbourne. Her work will be displayed at Walker Street Gallery as part of the Home/Here/Now exhibition.

A Hazara woman, Haider studied miniature painting in Pakistan at the prestigious National College of Arts, but was forced to seek refuge in Australia due to the persecution of her people.

Go to thehivegreaterdandy.wordpress. com to read a full transcript of our interview with Rubaba Haider.

For more information on The Hive and all things creative visit greaterdandenong.com/arts

Historically the Hazara women were expert weavers of rugs, and young girls are expected to master the techniques of sewing, knitting, stitching and weaving to become a ‘whole’ woman.

“Fearing that these skills would tie me to a restricted womanhood I resisted learning the traditional Hazara crafts as a child, I spent all of my time playing with paints and colours,” Haider said.

While she did learn the basic skills for weaving, Haider now finds herself trying to redefine the traditional techniques and uses traditional materials in an unorthodox way.

For this exhibition Haider’s paintings show the fragility of relationships, and how a mere thread binds everything.

Home/Here/Now at Walker Street Gallery Haider’s own experience of resettling informs the works that explore how relationships are built and then broken when someone is constantly moving.

“In a practical context it (a thread) is something that can be used to mend fabrics and used for sewing, but in a lateral context it is a thread of human affairs and relationships,” Haider said.

“I want my audience to experience all of the abstract emotions hidden within

NOCTURNAL: ONE NIGHT ONLY N octurnal 2015 is Dandenong’s much loved celebration of night, light and life on our streets.

For one night only thread your way through a shimmering world of oceans, rivers, moons, forests, galaxies, stars and the creatures that dwell there.

A hive of artists weave the urban environment into a luminous dreaming inspired by the natural world, and your whole family is invited – even your pets.

Nocturnal is a one night event based in and around Harmony Square (Dandenong council offices), on Thursday 9 July, from 5.30pm-9pm.

It includes public art installations, interactive work, images on the Big Screen and gathering spaces around fire pits. Visit www.greaterdandenong. com /nocturnal for more information.

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An installation from last year’s Nocturnal.

Rubaba Haider (our featured artist) is one of six artists exhibiting as part of the Home/Here/Now exhibition at Walker Street Gallery this month.

Other artists include Kosar Majani, Khaled Sabsabi, Hossein Valamanesh, Guan Wei and Gosia Wlodarczak.

Home/Here/Now is an exhibition which aims to celebrate the vision and voices of now established Australian artists who arrived in Australia as refugees.

The City of Greater Dandenong will be celebrating the contribution of artists from a refugee background with an annual art prize, beginning in 2016. The new art prize will be launched at this exhibition, with the first exhibition of entrants’ work held at Walker Street Gallery in 2016.

Home/Here/Now is on at Walker Street Gallery from Thursday 2 July to Saturday 1 August. Visit walkerstreetgallery.com.au for more information.

GRAFFITI PREVENTION VIDEO

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he City of Greater Dandenong is committed to keeping the municipality clean from graffiti and residents can play a part.

Instructional videos and free graffiti removal kits are offering simple tips to help clean up the city.

Graffiti is a world-wide problem that affects the visual appearance of communities and influences perceptions of public safety. Its removal and prevention is costly, in fact about $387 million is spent on removing graffiti in Australia every year.

In the City of Greater Dandenong, 77,000sq m of graffiti vandalism have been removed in the past five years with 80 per cent of all the graffiti removed being tags or graffiti vandalism.

Council’s Community Development Unit, in partnership with Victoria Police, has produced two videos to assist residents and businesses in the City of Greater Dandenong prevent and remove graffiti from their property. A $9550 grant from the State Government’s Community Crime Prevention Program was used to produce the videos.

An instructional video and brochure demonstrates how to remove graffiti from various surfaces using Council’s graffiti removal kits.

A second video is an engaging animation providing tips on how you can prevent graffiti from occurring on your property. The animation will be played on the Big Screen in Harmony Square (Dandenong Civic Centre) and

Reading challenge C hildren are being encouraged to discover the magic of books while challenging themselves through the Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge.

The Challenge is not a competition, but an opportunity for children to

develop a love of reading with the support of parents and teachers.

The 11th annual challenge has a list of 9000 books grouped into age appropriate categories, and Greater Dandenong libraries have a great selection of books in stock.

Since the Challenge began, nearly 2 million children and young people across Victoria have turned the pages of more than 34 million books.

Go to www.greaterdandenonglibraries. com/thevault to sign up for the challenge and keep an online record of the books you read.

at customer service centres throughout the municipality.

The videos can be viewed at www.greaterdandenong.com/graffiti and free kits can be obtained from Springvale and Dandenong Council offices.

Tips for graffiti prevention • Reduce available solid wall space with things like shrubs and trellis • Remove climbing objects, such as bins, that could be used to jump fences or paint up high • Call 000 when you see vandals • Keeping your property tidy and free from clutter can deter vandals • Install sensor lights to deter vandals at night

Top books from last year’s challenge • The Fault in Our Stars – John Green • Divergent – Veronica Roth • The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins • Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck – Jeff Kinney • Matilda – Roald Dahl • Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. Rowling • The 39-Storey Tree House – Andy Griffiths • Deenie – Judy Blume • Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck! – Kyle Mewburn • Scarygirl – Nathan Jurevicius

IMMUNISATION TIMETABLE – JULY 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 6 July

TIME 5pm-6.30pm

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

9 July

10am-11.30am

Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong

14 July

10am-12pm

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

15 July

4.30pm-6.30pm

Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong

21 July

10am-11am

Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough

22 July

10am-12pm

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

25 July

10am-12pm

Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong

28 July

10am-11am

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

the CITY 13

business NEWS A dish at Dandenong’s Tengri Tag restaurant.

H

ungry visitors have helped promote Greater Dandenong as a true foodie destination.

and food bloggers, in a bid to share our suburban gourmet delights with media outlets.

Greater Dandenong is widely recognised as one of the most culturally diverse communities in Australia, and as such offers some of the most diverse taste experiences in the country.

Council has also revamped the Great Bites booklet, which is an A5 pocket guide offering details on a range of food outlets across Greater Dandenong.

Council is doing its bit to encourage food related experiences and is working closely with businesses across the municipality, including food tours and the updated Great Bites booklet.

FOOD TOURISM

Food tours run throughout the year at Dandenong’s Afghan Bazaar, Little India and through a range of Polish businesses, as well as through the South East Asian delights found in Springvale.

Celebrity foodie Maeve O’Meara recently led her own tour for journalists

Stunning photography is a feature of the new booklet which combines listings for Dandenong, Noble Park and Springvale in one easy to carry book. The book will be released soon and is available for free from Council’s customer service centres, libraries and from businesses themselves.

Whether you work, live or play in Greater Dandenong, there is a snack, meal or feast to suit every tastebud.

Visit www.greaterdandenong.com/visit for more information about food tours or Great Bites.

MONASH STUDENTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN INDUSTRY

A

n Australian-first program is helping Monash University students get realworld experience in problem solving.

Monash University’s director of External Engagement Madeleine McManus said the Monash Industry Team Initiative (MITI) matched multi-discipline teams of students with businesses to help solve real world problems.

“The partners for this year included recognised leaders in industry,

engaging 18 teams across Victoria,” Ms McManus said.

“All student teams delivered above expectations, resulting in commercial innovation and financial benefits.”

Greater Dandenong-based Hilton Manufacturing’s product launch engineering manager Darren Williams said they asked students to design and build an innovative new product.

“Partnering with universities like Monash is vital in helping develop the next generation of engineers, the industry experience they gain helps them develop skills and experiences that cannot be learnt in the classroom.

We look forward to being involved in future programs,” Mr Williams said, Find out more about the program at www.miti.monash.edu or businesses interested in participating can contact Ms McManus on 9905 6870.

TRAM CONTRACTS A

Dandenong manufacturer will help get Melbourne moving following a $274 million order from the State Government.

Twenty new E-Class trams will be built at Bombardier’s Dandenong factory, and should be completed by 2018.

The order formed part of a $20 million commitment to train and tram manufacturing in the State Budget announcement in May, and came in the wake of the Dandenong on Wheels event held in the civic square in April.

Dandenong on Wheels celebrated the amazing amount of vehicle manufacturing businesses who call the region home, and was attended by industry leaders and State Government representatives.

14 the CITY

community NEWS

Big Brothers Big Sisters W

hen George Mondon decided to do some volunteer work, it was the idea of changing one life that most appealed to him.

While researching different charities he came across Big Brothers Big Sisters, which matches children with adults who can offer positive role modelling.

“I thought I could do something for a bigger charity but in what way would I be helping? When I thought about actually changing a person’s life and how that would reach to others in the future, I knew that was what I wanted to do,” George said.

The charity aims to positively change the course of a young person’s life by helping build resilience, and a sense of self-worth. The idea is to help keep children at school and improve their relationships with their own family.

George Mondon volunteers as a big brother.

With one older brother and three younger half-siblings, George knows about the influence big brothers can have.

“I was not sure what to expect when I started, but I can already see that the friendship is a positive for both of us,” he said.

The program asks mentors to commit to quality time with a young person for a minimum of 1-2 hours per week for a year. The service is seeking more male volunteers in Greater Dandenong.

“If you want to volunteer this is a small contribution of your own time, but it is so rewarding,” George said.

At just 22, George’s childhood is not that far behind him, so it is probably no wonder he connected with his 12-yearold ‘little brother’ almost instantly.

While the pair base their visits around a sporting activity, like soccer or basketball, George said travel time in the car made for good conversation.

LIBRARY LEGACY AN ACHIEVEMENT A

“Places like the Noble Park English Language School provide new migrant with a very firm basis for their education in Australia,” he said.

Noble Park English Language School principal Enza Calabro said Eric and his wife Merle had both dedicated their lives to the community.

“It is a very special school and the people who run it are there because they want to be there. They are doing what they want to do and the children respond enthusiastically.”

She said Eric had particularly focussed on disadvantaged youth and immigrant families.

s a former teacher and school headmaster, Eric Mitchell knows the value of books.

It is for this reason that the honour of having a library named after him sits atop his list of life achievements (alongside his time as the final Mayor of the City of Springvale).

Eric said school life revolved around the library, and once a child could read all the information they could ever need was available.

Visit www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org. au to find out about becoming a big brother or sister.

“He is such a positive person and has been an absolute pleasure to work with over the years. He has created a wonderful legacy and naming the library after him was the absolute least we could do,” Ms Calabro said.

The Noble Park English Language School has named its library after Mr Mitchell, who was a member of the school board for more than 20 years, 17 of those as president.

Eric said as a teacher and principal at Westall Primary School he taught many migrant children and recognised the importance of getting these children off to a positive start in their education.

The Noble Park English Language School called for community members to form a school council, and Eric proudly answered that call.

Noble Park English Language School principal Enza Calabro with community stalwart Eric Mitchell inside the library that has been named in his honour.

the CITY 15

SUNDAY 19 JULY 2015, 12PM-7PM

Cnr Buckingham and Balmoral avenues, Springvale www.greaterdandenong.com, 8571 1000

Springvale

Real sn e nt m ow p in ta lay r Rides & area Live ente act $6 ivit $2 s i e n s Ride toke Foo d&

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

m

arke Fir t stalls ewo rks 6 .50pm