DJ
Connecting people and communities
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
YOUR VOICE FOR 150 YEARS
DANDENONG JOURNAL
In line to support my paper LONG-TIME reader Lynette Crouch wrote to the Journal about her how important the paper has been in her life. “I was born at the Dandenong Hospital on Anzac Day 1943, Lynette wrote. “I lived opposite the showgrounds in King Street. I went to Dandenong Primary School 1403, then Dandenong High School. “I went to the Dandenong dance in the town hall every Saturday and Wednesday night. I met my husband there. “My father was a motor mechanic at Brown and Andrews Garage in Lonsdale Street. “He was in the Dandenong Fire Brigade for 45 years. I moved to Noble Park in 1965 when I got married. “I remember waiting in a queue in Scott Street at the Journal office after work on a Wednesday for the paper to be printed. “The queue would be up to Thomas Street. My son and I delivered the paper for a few years in the 1980s. “I have got a few cuttings from the paper over the years – my wedding photo, birth notices of my four children and death notices and write-ups. “I have been reading the Journal all my life and I still look forward to receiving it on a Monday.�
Monday, 10 August, 2015 Page 67
Merle’s on a roll
What do you love about Greater Dandenong?
â?š Narelle Coulter
DIONYSIOS LIOSATOS
THROUGH rain, hail and shine, Merle Leak ensured her neighbours received their weekly copy of the Journal for more than 20 years. Merle was a familiar sight around her Noble Park neighbourhood pushing her ‘jeep’ full of newspapers and catalogues. In 1991 Merle was featured in the Journal in the lead-up to delivers’ day. According to the paper, the day was held annually to “pay tribute to all those who deliver suburban newspapers�. Although Merle can’t remember anything special happening on delivers’ day, she does look back fondly on her days of slipping Journals into letterboxes around her Page Court home. Merle arrived in Melbourne from South Africa in 1984 and in June of the same year started working as a ‘walker’ for distribution company Salmat. He patch was the area around Dunblane, Jasper, Bowmore and Callander streets, Noble Park. Merle pushed a shopping ‘jeep’ taking her one-year-old daughter along with her when there was enough space in the jeep. “Eventually I got to know people in Callander who used to look after her,� she said with a laugh. “The Journal was heavy at that time and I couldn’t fit them all in the jeep so I’d have to make three trips, walking home each time to fill up with papers. “You had to go out whatever the weather. I didn’t like it when there was a storm, I’d often have to shelter
South Springvale soccer player “Dandenong Centre is being revitalised for shopping – with its multicultural citizens it brings a cosmopolitan feeling.�
GACH NYUON Dandenong Stingrays footballer “The reason I love Greater Dandenong is because of how friendly and culturally diverse it is and not only that, I also enjoy being able to come in to Dandenong anytime for a feed or to shop and there’s always a lot on offer!�
COREY WILKINSON Keysborough 300-game footballer
Merle Leak was featured in the Journal in 1991. on people’s front porch.� Merle delivered the Journal on a Monday and catalogues on the weekend. She remembers Christmas being “the worst�. She would work for six to eight hours a day, folding catalogues then delivering them. A repair man in Mornington serviced her jeep every couple of years and replaced the wheels. “I was lucky that I was never sick.
In all those years I only took four days off.� She eventually retired her jeep when arthritis meant she could no longer handle the physical demands of the job. Merle is still an avid reader of the Journal and was delighted to hear of its milestone anniversary. “I’ve been very lucky,� she said. “I knew everybody. I saw their kids grow up. I just liked being out and walking.�
“I’ve worked half my life and played my whole football career and Greater Dandenong has changed a lot over the 10 years and I’ve met great people here.�
CRAIG SLOCOMBE Springvale South Cricket Club captain “I’ve always loved Greater Dandenong for the opportunity it provides young kids to play a range of sports – its facilities and council support is fantastic.�
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