Dandenong Journal Star - 07th August 2017

7 August 2017

3

A Star News Group Publication

All boats rise with the Amazon tide

SPORT

Thunder on the verge of avenging last year’s pain

Gotta show for snow Snow Fest brought a winter wonderland into Springvale, delighting tens of thousands of people. Suki and her daughter Kavia were among those to enter a giant snow globe. 171059 n See page 8 for the full story.

Picture: GARY SISSONS

n Police step in at the last moment to stop asylum seeker’s…

Petrol fire suicide A Noble Park man has been convicted after threatening to self-immolate with a canister of petrol at an asylum-seeker service in Dandenong.

Hamed Aeini, a 28-year-old Iranian asylum seeker who now faces likely deportation, forced the AMES Australia offices in Thomas Street into lockdown on 3 May, a court heard.

The day before the incident, he threatened to “set myself on fire” in an interpreter-assisted phone call to his AMES case manager.

The next morning, he texted his case manager to say that office staff had “yesterday... treated me like an animal”.

“I am coming soon to buy petrol, I’m coming soon.”

Aeini filled a red plastic fuel can with $3 of petrol at a Noble Park service station, caught a train, and bought a razor blade from an Afghan store in Dandenong.

He was arrested by waiting police as he arrived in the foyer with the petrol, a lighter and the razor blade - as well as $2500 cash. He was observed with recent razor cuts to his arm.

The accused was then taken to Dandenong Hospital. He was assessed as not requiring involuntary admission, but would be treated in the community by the Crisis Assessment Team (CAT).

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At a police interview at the time, he was described as of “good demeanour” and “co-operative”.

Aeini pleaded guilty to carrying a dangerous article in a public place and using a phone to harass at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 31 July.

He had been struggling on a bridging visa that prohibited him from working for the past four years, the court heard.

According to an agreed police summary, Aeini’s English speech was basic, his social contacts limited and his mental health poor with 13 recorded self-harm incidents.

Previously, he had texted his case manager

stating he was “tired of life” and his problems were due to his “bridging visa”.

He told police he intended to self-immolate if he didn’t get the desired response from AMES staff. He would have done it in a room away from children, he told them.

“He didn’t accept or believe that through his actions that he may have endangered anybody,” the police summary stated.

“He simply stated that his intention was to commit suicide and he couldn’t understand why he had been arrested by the police.”

Continued page 6

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By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Abuse apology reaches out

Amazon flow-on effects may bubble up benefits

By Casey Neill Amazon’s move into Dandenong South could bring more than just jobs to the region.

Committee for Dandenong spokesman Jamie Sturgess said it should prompt the State Government to follow through on infrastructure investment.

“Amazon is just a great mountain for us to sing this from,” he said.

“It’s the exact same thing that we’ve been saying for a bloody long time.”

On Thursday 3 August, the US-based online shopping giant confirmed that a 24,000 square metre site in Pellicano’s M2 Industry Park would be its first Australian warehouse and distribution centre.

Amazon said the move would create hundreds of new jobs and it was recruiting operations managers, pickers, packers, systems technicians and HR specialists.

Mr Sturgess said Amazon’s arrival was a great advertisement for Dandenong South.

“It will draw other businesses into the area if

Amazon is a roaring success,” he said. “For that to happen, the State Government’s got to make moves on infrastructure.

“Urgent, practical and strategic action is needed to make sure the south-east of Melbourne is not left behind or loses it competitive advantage.”

He said key projects included an overpass to connect Remington Drive to Pound Road West, the Abbotts Road level crossing removal, a Bangholme Road EastLink exit ramp, the Port of Hastings, the long-planned Dandenong South Inland Port project and more.

“Imagine if the Dandenong Bypass doesn’t stop at South Gippy Highway but goes onto the Monash?” Mr Sturgess said.

“The pendulum’s shifting.

“It’s a domino effect. The first domino is Amazon.

“It’s in the hands of the State Government now.

“We met with the premier late last year and he is acutely aware of the economic, social and political advantages of investing in the region’s transport infrastructure.

“He knows that road, rail and inland ports are

key to job creation, high growth industries, industry transformation, economic stimulus and a long-term Labor Government in Victoria.”

Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said the State Government was boosting local transport infrastructure to boost the success of local industry and make travel easier for local workers.

“I will continue to make the case for more investment and even more jobs growth in our region,” she said.

“There is always more to do.”

In April Amazon announced its intention to bring retail sales to Australia.

“This new fulfilment centre will stock hundreds of thousands of products which will be available for delivery to customers across Australia when we launch our retail offering,” Amazon’s Australian operations director Robert Bruce said.

“We are thrilled to be creating hundreds of new roles in Dandenong South.

“This is just the start.”

Amazon already has almost 1000 employees in Australia. Details on available jobs are at www. amazon.jobs.

A Dandenong church is reaching out with an apology in a bid to reconnect with lapsed members.

St James’ Anglican Church has been a community fixture for more than 150 years and is holding Back to Church Sunday on Sunday 3 September.

Vicar, Archdeacon Jeff Parker, said on Thursday 3 August that the event was a day to welcome back those who had drifted away from church.

He hopes attendees will just say hello again or think about making a new commitment to being part the church and living the Christian life.

Fr Parker said the day would also address the issue of abuse within the church more broadly.

He said it was important for people to know that the church was very sorry for whatever abuse had occurred in the past.

It should not have happened, he said, and the church had taken many actions to make sure it did not happen in the future.

“There have been no incidents of abuse of which I am aware during recent years at St James,” Fr Parker said.

He’s served there since 2009.

“I have four children myself and if any of them had been abused at any time it would have been a shocking matter to deal with,” he said.

Fr Parker said the church also did not accept or condone family abuse inside or outside its membership.

He said such cases should be dealt with by the church and secular authorities.

“The overriding message of the Bible is one of mutual love and care,” he said.

“There is no place for family violence in the Christian home.

“Our regular services on 3 September will look closely at these issues and we will reinforce our commitment to pursue the values which protect children, strengthen families and welcome back those who have gone astray.”

St James’ Anglican Church is at 53 Langhorne Street, Dandenong, and can be contacted on 9793 3898.

In Brief Party turns into street brawl

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Native botany strikes a chord with Planet Ark crowd Greater Dandenong students dug deep to plant native trees for Schools Tree Day. The Planet Ark event on Friday 28 July led into National Tree Day, on Sunday 30 July.

Isaacs MP Mark Dreyfus planted a tree with students at Dandenong South Primary School.

“I was very pleased to donate an indigenous tree to each of 42 schools in the Isaacs electorate,” he said.

“It is great that so many young local students have shown an interest in native botany, and I 12360159-DJ32-17

thank all of the students who helped me plant the tree.”

The Patterson Cheney Toyota team helped about 40 Grade 2 and 3 Harrisfield Primary School students to add trees to their Noble Park school yard.

National Tree Day manager Debbie Agnew said spending time in nature elevated the human spirit and ignited passion, inspiration and creativity.

“Australia has some of the most unique and

beautiful natural environments in the world, and participating in National Tree Day in your community, school, workplace or backyard is a great way to connect with nature and do something really positive to support our environment,” she said.

“National Tree Day is also an opportunity to help our children develop a lifelong connection to nature, so that they may become the caretakers of the future.”

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Eight police units broke up an out-of-control party in Dandenong and laid armed robbery charges.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the Friday 28 July incident in an abandoned Heatherton Road house.

They received multiple calls from members of the public about fighting in the street and around the house.

Officers arrived about 11pm to find about 100 youths flooding the street and “small spot fights” breaking out throughout the crowd.

As they dispersed the gathering, a Cranbourne 17-year-old told police that a group approached him with a knife stole his phone and wallet.

Police arrested a Springvale 18-year-old and charged him with armed robbery over the incident.

It’s alleged that more armed thieves were involved and that there were more victims but no one else had come forward.

Information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

3 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

Looking Back 100 years ago 2 August 1917 To commemorate the entry of Great Britain into the war, a concert and recruiting meeting is to be held at the Dandenong Town Hall on Saturday evening next.

A first-class programme has been arranged and the public are cordially invited to attend the function and make it a great success - as befits the occasion.

50 years ago 8 August 1967 Special tour in new buses Grenda’s Bus Services operating from Foster Street, Dandenong, hosted a number of local VIPs on a tour last week to introduce new parlour coaches in the existing fleet.

The new coaches feature fully automatic gear boxes, pressurised cabins, adjustable seats, individual lights and air ducts, also air

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society suspension.

The coaches will be available for charters.

Ken and Lance Grenda made the introductory tour.

20 years ago 4 August 1997 Ideal place for leading arts centre Dandenong has been named as the ideal site for a $30 million performing arts centre.

A consultant’s report commissioned by the Ministry for Arts and soon to be released, shows Dandenong as the front runner for a world-class performing arts centre.

It states the south-east needs a “double-A standard” performing arts facility capable of seating more than 500 and providing worldclass facilities for international touring groups.

The report states Dandenong is the only regional centre in Victoria which does not have a significant performing arts centre.

A number of sites were investigated. Dandenong Town Hall was selected as a strong contender.

The proposal is for: a state of the art complex with a 1500-seat recital hall, an intimate theatre with a raked floor and seating for 300.

The centre would be suitable for local professional and amateur performances as well as international and national productions.

The council’s manager of strategic planning, Mr Michael Tierney, said the report showed the government would be most interested in supporting a facility of world class standard.

“If we are going to drum this thing up, it has to be exceptional and far superior to any existing reginal facilities,” he said.

5 years ago 6 August 2012 Your Voice Re: Taxi wheelchair woes for disabled.

I am a country taxi driver who drives a wheelchair taxi and the stories we hear from our customers of their experience with Melbourne taxis and suburbs are just horrific.

When the licence holder actually drove the taxi, there was a lot more care about the business and the customer.

Now the licences are owned by people living in nursing homes who have nothing to do with the service.

The industry giants take their huge profits running dispatch of the taxis, with all profits going to major companies.

At the end of the day there is a pittance left for the driver who gets minimal credit and slave pay.

It is a silly unsustainable system.

The industry has lacked any innovation in providing an affordable transport system.

Church faith in region’s progress The Revitalising Central Dandenong project created the north-south connector between George Street and Halpin Way that’s now known as Moysey Lane.

Greater Dandenong Council agreed to the name in 2013 as part of a plan to reflect Dandenong’s diversity and history.

Dandenong and District Historical Society members and a leading heritage consultant revealed the site’s historic connection to Susannah Brown Moysey, nee Treeby.

Susannah was born in Modbury, England, in 1825.

She married Ugborough-born James Bickford Moysey at age 18 in 1843.

Together with James’ cousin Nicholas they took up an offer from the Port Phillip District,

WHAT’S IN A

NAME later Victoria, to travel to Port Phillip for 18/14/0 each.

They arrived aboard the Sea Queen in April 1844. James was thought to be the first white settler in Beaumaris.

Susannah was a devoted Christian and had for many years dreamed of a church in Dandenong.

In September 1892, failing health forced her to give up her weekly trips to Berwick to meet with fellow Christians.

With help from family members she visited and brought together local people for a Sunday communion service in the old Salvation Army

Susannah Moysey and her fourth son, William.

Citadel at Walker and Langhorne streets until it was burnt down in 1895 - the year of Susannah’s death.

Her efforts, and her family’s, strengthened the Dandenong Church of Christ congregation

and led to a weatherboard church being built on the south-west corner of George and Robinson streets in 1904.

The church opened on 28 August following 11 weeks of construction by builder David Brown for the cost of 500 pounds.

Volunteers added a Sunday school to the church’s rear for £140 in early 1918.

Further working bees lined the hall and built the kitchen.

The church housed numerous religious groups including the Assembly of God (until 1977), the United Pentecostal Fellowship and the Church of the Word.

In October 2000, spiritual movement Sant Nirankari Mission bought the church and hall.

Places Victoria acquired it in 2009 to as part of Revitalising Central Dandenong.

James died in 1889 on his Narre Warren Farm at the age of 80.

Susannah lived with her daughter, Elizabeth, until she died in 1895, aged 70.

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Coroner clears cops

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Numan Haider.

He sought weapons such as a knife and a Taser disguised as an iPhone.

He was believed to have visited an extremist Islamic centre in Bankstown, Sydney, just over a week before the fatal incident.

His passport was also cancelled due to the belief he could join overseas terrorist groups.

Days before, a Facebook post depicted Haider in a balaclava, military camouflage and holding a Shahada flag in the style of “members of terror groups”, and calling police and ASIO officers “dogs” in the wake of large-scale raids on mosques in Sydney and Brisbane.

Officer A and B had not been alerted to the post prior to the meeting. They later told the inquiry this was a significant omission.

Mr Olle said he couldn’t eliminate “hindsight bias” from assessing the post’s significance. He found there was no causal connection between that information and the manner and cause of Haider’s death.

Haider’s radicalisation transformed a “happy go lucky” teenager of a practicing Muslim family.

Haider and his family had fled Afghanistan from persecution by the Taliban when he was seven years old.

He attended Southern Cross Primary School in Endeavour Hills and Lyndale Secondary College in Dandenong North.

In his last months he lost interest in his apprenticeship and playing sport, became obsessed with Middle East issues and spent “inordinate” time with a group of young males.

He met some of the group at Hallam mosque, and with one of them he attended the Al-Furqan centre in Springvale South, which was linked to recruitment for jihadist groups such as Islamic State.

“It is those closest to the individual, such as Numan’s friends and associates in this case, that were best placed to be aware of his increasing radicalisation, but they did not act on it, for reasons which are unclear,” Mr Olle stated.

The Coroner either treated Haider’s associates’ evidence with caution or “very little weight”.

They did not give “full and frank answers” and seemed to serve their own and Haider’s interests, Mr Olle stated.

Haider’s parents, who had determinedly tried to separate their son from the group, were absent for the findings.

The court was told that they were overseas.

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Police and intelligence officers have been cleared of any adverse findings over the death of radicalised teen Numan Haider outside Endeavour Hills Police Station, State Coroner John Olle has found.

A piece of overlooked critical information may have prevented the fateful meeting between the 18-year-old and two police officers on 23 September 2014, Mr Olle stated in his findings on 31 July.

Haider was recorded during a call to an unidentified male that “if I had a knife I would’ve stabbed them” - referring to police who intervened in his Shahada flag-waving protest in Dandenong Plaza a week earlier.

“The police didn’t even search me.”

The call - which didn’t connect - was later uncovered by a Coroner’s investigator, but had not been captured by ASIO monitoring at the time.

It was the one piece of information that was likely to alter the police’s approach, Mr Olle said.

Utimately, though, the cause of Haider’s death was his own dangerous conduct, he said.

“I find that Numan engaged in a course of conduct that involved radicalisation and behaviour that was increasingly dangerous, ultimately causing his death,” Mr Olle stated at the Coronor’s Court of Victoria, Melbourne.

Officer A, who had fired the single fatal shot, was left with no other realistic option after Haider had stabbed him and Officer B with a folding knife, Mr Olle said.

At that point, Haider had repeatedly stabbed Officer B to the head and neck, and had crouched over to stab the fallen officer’s stomach, Mr Olle said.

“Other non-fatal tactical options available to Officer A would not have prevented the potentially fatal injuries being inflicted on Officer B by Numan.”

Mr Olle found the risk assessments and decisions to meet Haider “could not reasonably be subject to criticism”.

Before his attack on police, Haider had made several Facebook posts supporting “extremist views”.

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Locally owned and operated 5 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

Petrol blaze suicide bid From front page

Jake Lyons.

Mahalingam Sinnathamby.

Shiva Chauhan.

Richard Hadwick.

Bring the missing home

By Casey Neill Greater Dandenong could hold clues for four families searching for answers about missing loved ones.

Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police marked the 29th annual National Missing Persons Week from 30 July to 5 August with appeals for information.

Jake Lyons was last seen at his Dandenong North home on Sunday 25 August, 2014.

He’d now be 23 years old. He has not made any contact with his family or accessed his bank account since his disappearance.

He was last seen wearing a blue hooded jumper, green jeans and black runners.

Jake might have been driving a 2006 silver Holden Astra with registration ULC 965, which police recovered in Warner Reserve, Springvale, on 31 August, 2014.

He was described as about 178cm tall with a medium build, brown hair, a fair complexion and brown eyes.

Shiva Chauhan has not been heard from since a text message sent at 11.30pm on Thursday 1

May, 2014. On Friday 2 May he had not completed his delivery run and did not attend an arranged meeting.

His delivery van was found on Hutton Road, Keysborough, and Shiva’s wallet and identification were still inside.

He’d now be 30 years old and was described as about 177cm tall with a dark complexion, slim build and dark-coloured straight hair.

Mahalingam Sinnathamby was last seen in Noble Park on Thursday 25 August, in 2005.

He’d now be 79 years old.

He lived by himself in Noble Park and kept irregular contact with family.

Police attended his home and conducted a welfare check on 24 November but were unable to locate him.

Mahalingam was described as 175cm tall with a slim build and grey hair.

Richard Hadwick told his mother he was heading to Fosters Disco in Dandenong when he was last seen, in Belgrave South on Saturday 19 May, in 1990. He was 21 and had arrived home in a taxi about 12.30am to change his clothes. The cab waited in the driveway for him.

Richard had little money with him and no extra clothes or belongings. He was bailed to attend Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on burglary charges on 24 May 1990 and reports indicated he was afraid he could be sent to prison.

He’d now be 48 years old and was described as 182cm tall with a thin build, blonde hair and blue eyes.

Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana said that despite the time that has passed since some of the disappearances, members of the public were always encouraged to come forward with information.

“We hope that by highlighting cases through campaigns like National Missing Persons Week we can jog the memories of people who may have vital information, offering closure to families,” he said.

“While the majority of missing people are found within a short period, some are not.

“If you can help, please contact police. It’s never too late.”

Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

The court was told the accused had a moderate-to-severe depressive illness and possible post-traumatic stress, but didn’t engage with mental health services.

Aeini’s lawyer argued for a community corrections order sentence without conviction.

If convicted or sent to jail, he faced likely deportation. That would likely lead to persecution in Iran - where he had fled from military service, his lawyer told the court.

The court was told that Aeini would be in any case detained by federal immigration authorities upon his release from custody.

“Where he will end up in the immigration system is unknown,” the defence lawyer said.

Magistrate Jack Vandersteen noted Aeini’s precarious immigration status but said the court needed to “send a message”.

People in AMES’s public building were at extremely high risk of serious harm, he said.

“If you spilled three litres of petrol in this room now, it would put all of us at risk.

“Even the vapour explosion could engulf us, let alone the liquid.”

Mr Vandersteen also noted the number of preparatory steps taken by Aeini, with 24 hours to “cool down” after his first threat.

“It was very fortunate that police were present and were able to prevent a catastrophic outcome.”

Aeini was sentenced to 88 days’ imprisonment, which was already served in presentence custody.

He was convicted and put on an 18-month community corrections order with supervision and mental health treatment.

Anyone who needs help can call Lifeline 24 hours a day on 131 114.

12360346-32-17

6 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

Club Noble hits back on pokies

By Casey Neill

ment proposed in the application would have created more than five jobs and increased amenity for members and guests.

“The board was proud that the proposed redevelopment would have offered many increased opportunities for our local community,” he said.

The VCGLR found that the new machines would increase gaming expenditure in an area where residents “have little to no ability to incur gambling losses without harm”.

The VCGLR also said there was a correlation “between EGM density and incidents of policerecorded domestic violence”.

“If the application is granted, there may be a more acute risk of an increase in gambling-related crime and social disturbance (including family violence),” the report said.

It also said: “The commission considers there is already an ease of access and high levels of consumer choice for anyone choosing to play EGMs.” In May the Journal reported that Greater Dandenong councillors unanimously knocked back the bid, despite a report from Ratio Consultants finding that the project would “have a slightly positive net social and economic impact on the local community”.

During the council debate on the decision, councillor Matthew Kirwan said Greater Dandenong lost more money to EGMs per adult than any other Victorian municipality.

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Knocking back its bid for more pokies denies the people of Greater Dandenong “some much-needed support”, says Club Noble.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) rejected the application for 20 new electronic gaming machines (EGMs) last month because it was not satisfied they would not be detrimental to community wellbeing.

Latest figures show Greater Dandenong pokies players lost more than $118 million on EGMs in the past financial year, $9.8 million in June alone.

Noble Park Football Social Club president Barry Bradshaw told the Journal that Club Noble had decided against challenging the decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

He said the board was “extremely disappointed” with the ruling after investing “many resources and hours into identifying some key community assets that could be enhanced and improved”.

“But, unfortunately, this short-term decision will deny the people of Greater Dandenong some much-needed support,” he said.

Mr Bradshaw said one aspect of the application was funding a drug, alcohol and gambling addiction counsellor at the Cyrene Centre at $75,000 a year for five years.

“For many years, Club Noble has proudly encouraged excellence in many individuals and associations in the area, funding aspirations, providing services and backing dreams,” he said.

“We had forecast that, if successful with the application, we would have been able to provide an additional $1.6 million cash contribution to the community over the next 10 years.

“This contribution would have been in addition to the club’s current annual cash contributions of over $520,000 annually.”

Mr Bradshaw said a $4.75 million redevelop-

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12358232-DJ29-17

Store Locations Springvale Dandenong Noble Park

EATING COMPETITION

SUNDAY 13.08.17 NOW OPEN

340 Frankston Dandenong Rd Crn฀Swift฀Way฀•฀Dandenong฀South฀฀9706฀4486

For event information and how to enter, visit dandenongmarket.com.au 7 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

Dandenong RSL

Sebasjian on a snowboard. 171059

Olivia checks out the snow. 171059

Pictures: GARY SISSONS

A dragon making its way through the crowd. 171059

White Christmas dream

Kelly on a sled. 171059

Jason takes a sled ride. 171059

Families have fun in the snow. 171059

Vishu takes to the slopes. 171059

SENIOR MEAL DEALS Lunch Sun - Fri Dinner- Mon - Fri FULL MEMBERS $14.90 NON MEMBERS $15.50

BINGO

FRIDAY NIGHT 12357733-PB28-17

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See us on our website www.dandenongrsl.com.au 44-50 Clow Street, Dandenong (opp. Dandenong Plaza) PH: 9792 1535 OR 9792 2385 12360158-DJ32-17

8 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

Belvedere Aged Care 41-43 Fintonia Rd Noble Park VIC 3174

(03) 9574 1355 info@belvedere.com.au belvedere.com.au

The voice of the community since 1865 Phone: 5945 0666 Fax: 5945 0777 starnewsgroup@starnewsgroup.com.au www.starcommunity.com.au Star News Group Head Office postal address PO Box 9, Pakenham, Victoria 3810 Telephone General Enquiries 5945 0666 Facsimile 5945 0777 ADVERTISING – advertising@starnewsgroup.com.au Classifieds 5945 0600 Display 5945 0666 EDITORIAL 5945 0666 Editorial journal@starnewsgroup.com.au Sport sport@starnewsgroup.com.au CLASSIFIEDS – sales@networkclassifieds.com.au Phone: 1300 666 808 Fax: 5945 0667 Delivered FREE throughout the City of Greater Dandenong.

Combined Distribution area of the Dandenong Journal and Journal News: Dandenong, Dandenong North, Doveton, Endeavour Hills, Hallam, Keys Estate, Keysborough, Noble Park, Springvale & Springvale South.

Published by Star News Group Pty Ltd ACN 005 848 108.

Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas.

All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. Distribution PROUDLY numbers, areas and coverage are estimates AUSTRALIAN OWNED & only. For our terms and conditions please visit INDEPENDENT www.starcommunity.com.au

1226536-CB18-16

Thousands of people stepped onto a piece of Mt Buller in the middle of Springvale.

Early estimates are that more than 40,000 people enjoyed playing in 80 tonnes of snow fresh from the mountain at the Springvale Snow Fest on Sunday 30 July.

The event at Buckingham and Balmoral avenues gave visitors the chance to sled and snowboard on real and created snow.

They also enjoyed rides, entertainment, fireworks and more.

Councillor Sean O’Reilly and his son were among the visitors.

“It’s definitely been a winner for the area,” he said.

Cr O’Reilly said wait times to access the snow seemed to be down on previous years.

He said traders reported a 30 per cent increase in business on the day.

“People who came into Springvale for the first time, hopefully they come back to do their shopping at other times,” he said.

VLocity’s making tracks

By Casey Neill The 200th VLocity car is headed for Victorian tracks, fresh from Dandenong.

Bombardier Transportation has been building the V/Line vehicles at its Dandenong facility since winning the State Government contract in 2001.

The first three-car system went into service in 2005.

Bombardier celebrated the latest milestone with partner Cummins at Middleman Functions in Scoresby on Friday 21 July.

“Having produced 200 of these magnificent engines, it’s a real feat,” Mr Dudgeon said.

“None of this is possible without strong, committed partnership with our customers, but especially our local supply chain.”

The VLocity train project supports more than 600 Victorian jobs and has peaked at 69.5 per cent local content - the highest in rolling stock manufacture in Australia.

“That truly is a locally-made train,” Bombardier managing director Andrew Dudgeon said.

The trains can travel at up to 160kph and carry more than 200 passengers. The fleet moves more than 1.2 million Victorians each month.

Mr Dudgeon said patronage along regional train lines was growing.

He said the State Government’s order in its

Letters Language of elitism Congratulations to the City of Greater Dandenong council for its stand regarding the changes to citizenship qualifications.

I am an Aussie by accident of birth, I feel like I won the uterine lottery.

The vast number of Aussies who couldn’t get close to passing the English language test, at university level, should consider how lucky they are to hold citizenship.

I spent 45 years working with immigrants from all over the world, with very diverse skillsets, and Australia is lucky to have had them.

Our diversity is one of our greatest attributes.

Mr Dutton belongs in a long past era, one of empire and elitism.

Mark Chadwick, Cranbourne West.

In Brief A VLocity-shaped cake at the celebrations. 171282 May budget for another 39 VLocity cars was testimony to the fleet’s reliability and the partnership between government and local industry.

A 750 horsepower Cummins QSK19 diesel engine powers each train, and each car also has an 85 kilowatt Cummins genset.

Man arrested over car theft Cummins produces and assembles the propulsion and electrical power generation modules at its South Pacific headquarters in Scoresby.

Each module is designed for quick replacement with a standby unit.

Journey to Hell and back Chisholm chief calls it a day

By Casey Neill Chisholm Institute CEO Maria Peters will step down at the end of the year.

She announced her intention to retire on Monday 31 July.

Ms Peters has been the Chisholm chief since 2010, and became one of the leading figures in the vocational and tertiary education sector.

In 2014 Chisholm was named Large Training Provider of the Year at both the Victorian and Australian Training Awards.

Chisholm chair Stephen Marks said the board would start searching for a suitable replacement.

“We are hopeful that this will be completed by the date of Maria’s retirement,” he said.

In 2014, the Journal reported that a chance chat in a Berwick chicken shop led Ms Outgoing Chisholm Peters into TAFE. Institute CEO Maria She told a SEBN Peters. breakfast that she was a secondary school English teacher on maternity leave when the encounter occurred in 1989.

The woman knew Ms Peters’ husband as a

good teacher, assumed she would be too and offered her a job.

She initially planned to learn from TAFE and then return to high school.

“It’s in my blood now,” she said.

Ms Peters became the Chisholm CEO just four weeks before the TAFE sector was turned on its head. “We lost $30 million out of a $140 million business in six months,” she said.

“We’ve been to Hell and back the past four years. If I’d had a crystal ball, I might have reconsidered.”

She made the decision to cut 230-plus jobs from 1400, deciding one fell swoop was preferable to “thousands of little cuts”.

Police have arrested a 35-year-old man over a Dandenong car theft.

Greater Dandenong police were called to reports of men jumping fences into backyards around King George Parade in Dandenong about 2am on Thursday 27 July.

Two men ran from the scene and police chased and arrested one man.

They said he stole a Commodore parked nearby from a Dandenong home earlier that night.

Charges after Boronia siege Noble Park and Dandenong residents were involved in a siege in Boronia about 5am on Wednesday 2 August during which there was a complaint of assault and of a firearm being produced.

They charged a 20-year-old Noble Park man with robbery and he will attend Dandenong Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

A 16-year-old Noble Park boy had a number of warrants executed and a 25-year-old Dandenong man assisted police with their inquiries.

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(03) 9582 4600 | mulgravecc.com.au 10 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

12359303-KC32-17

Greater Dandenong City Council is calling for nominations to the newly endorsed Arts Advisory Board.

The City of Greater Dandenong plays a key role in the planning, development and support of arts and culture throughout the city. The Arts Advisory Board will support the vision for arts and culture across the municipality and provide strategic input and independent advice to Council.

We are looking for Board Members who have demonstrated experience/expertise in performing arts and arts/cultural activities, business and finance, marketing, fundraising and sponsorship, government and tourism.

Appointments of external persons shall be for a three (3) year term and remuneration is offered.

Please refer to the Information Pack for more details, including Nomination Form and Terms of Reference, at www.greaterdandenong.com Enquiries jackie.gatt@cgd.vic.gov.au or (03) 8571 5134 Nominations close Friday 18 August 2017.

12358827-RC30-17

Call for Nominations – Positions on Arts Advisory Board

It’s none of our business but…

The Anytime Fitness Springvale treadmill challenge participants.

Comes to Dandenong CELEBRATING VICTORIA’S FIRST INDIAN CULTURAL PRECINCT The City of Greater Dandenong welcomes the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) this August.

7KH KRPH RI 9LFWRULD·V ÀUVW ,QGLDQ Cultural Precinct will once again be part of the 2017 festival.

Join us for two nights of Indian Film and a celebration of diversity at 'DQGHQRQJ·V 'UXP 7KHDWUH

15 AUGUST

DOCTOR RAKHMABAI With guest actress star of the movie Tannishtha Chatterjee 18 AUGUST

POORNA

Tickets on sale at drumtheatre.com.au

iffm.com.au 12359439-KC32-17

A Springvale gym raised almost $3000 for suicide prevention through a 24-hour treadmill challenge.

Anytime Fitness collected about $1800 in donations at the 28 to 29 July event, plus a further $1000 from Sandown Greyhounds.

Springvale Football Club volunteered its time, and Springvale Woolworths, Mt Eliza Bakers Delight, Subway Keysborough, Supps247 and Springvale Kebab helped to keep the runners fuelled.

Across Australia the event raised about $300,000 for Suicide Prevention Australia.

Donations can still be made at anytimefitnessppp4spa2017.everydayhero.do/.

More than 600 people took a behind-thescenes look at some of Dandenong’s most iconic buildings.

Greater Dandenong Council opened the Drum Theatre, Dandenong Civic Centre and the Heritage Hill precinct on 29 and 30 July as part of Open House Melbourne.

It was the first time the municipality participated in the annual event which has been held since 2008.

Mayor Jim Memeti said the event exposed Dandenong to a whole new audience, with 70 per cent of the attendees hailing from outside Greater Dandenong and 39 per cent of them visiting for the first time.

Overheard in the newsroom: “So should I write that you’re open seven days or that you’re closed on Wednesdays?”

A confusing exchange followed. No one ever did get to the bottom of the restaurant’s exact opening hours.

A Dandenong business is one of the faces of this year’s Victorian Small Business Festival.

Uncle’s Smallgoods has been a Dandenong fixture since 1994. Bert Glinka and Brendan D’Amelio acquired the store in September 2013.

They both had corporate jobs that they hated and decided to sell Uncles sausages at a festival, to huge success.

The elderly Uncles owners were looking to step back and put the duo to the test with a truckload of wood for the smoker before agreeing to hand over the reins.

This year they launched a sausage bouquet for Valentine’s Day and were inundated with demand.

Their online store is now going strong, they acquired a factory in Dandenong late last year to pursue the wholesale market, and opened Sunny and Thor in Harmony Square earlier this year.

Visit festival.business.vic.gov.au for more information.

Our new hospital (located at 75 Kangan Drive, Berwick) will open on January 18th 2018.

We have more than 200 new employment opportunities throughout the hospital including nursing, theatre, food services, administration, environmental services and more.

St John of God Healthcare is an employer of choice offering salary sacriice, purchased leave, lexible working conditions, learning and education.

Work closer to home with a team who love what they do.

Visit our website to register and view available positions

www.sjog.org.au/berwickcareers 14 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

12357485-PB29-17

Now Recruiting

Monday, 7 August 2017

Now open in Keysborough.

Croydon

Hampton East / Moorabbin Endeavour Hills Mentone Dandenong Narre Warren Keysborough

Berwick

Chelsea Carrum Downs Cranbourne

With one of us you get all of us.

Our growing network of offices across Melbourne’s south-east, and a vibrant, supportive inter-office culture, means when you engage an OBrien Real Estate agent to sell your home, you get the strength and experience of our wider team.

Frankston

Langwarrin

Mornington Somerville

Hastings

Rye

That’s the difference.

Now open in our temporary office: 4/320 Cheltenham Road Keysborough

Moving early September to our permanent office: Parkmore Shopping Centre Keysborough

keysborough@obrienrealestate.com.au 9701 8611

Pakenham

Want a career with the best team?

Passionate.

Respect.

Support.

Humility.

Training and development.

Support and recognition.

Prospecting and listing tools.

Brand awareness and visibilities.

We pride ourselves on having the best team of individuals and are committed to providing a solid platform through extensive training to ensure we develop and up-skill every OBrien agent. Our training ensures our agents are prepared for life out in the field.

We are committed to offering unwavering and ongoing support to our people, to ensure they always remain one step ahead.

Every agent is equipped with the tools they require to allow him or her to do their best and to achieve the best results for their clients.

We also value the importance of rewarding and recognising great work and we like to celebrate every win.

We pride ourselves on our exceptional company standards and provide our agents access to the industry’s best listing tools to ensure they remain at the forefront of Real Estate.

Joining the OBrien Real Estate family provides agents with the opportunity to be a part of a fast growing, leading franchise in the Melbourne area. Agents will access multiple benefits when they’re part of the OBrien Real Estate team.

For career applications: contact Darren Hutchins 0419 304 646 or email darren.hutchins@obrienrealestate.com.au

obrienrealestate.com.au 2 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

Connecting people and communities DJ

Monday, 7 August 2017

BUILT FOR SMALLER BLOCKS PAGE 4

DANDENONG, NOBLE PARK, SPRINGVALE, KEYSBOROUGH, HALLAM, DOVETON, ENDEAVOUR HILLS

S TA G E 43 LAND s

f lot o y t e i r a v A 2 up m 0 4 f ro m 2 2 m 5 t o 67

See inside for more.

12360237-32-17

COVER STORY

BUILT FOR SMALLER BLOCKS / DISPLAY: 5 CLOVELLY WAY, OFFICER (TIMBERTOP ESTATE) RMS Homes Macquarie Streamline 220E is a design which has been tailored to suit smaller blocks which are becoming more frequent in land estates.

It is remarkable to think a design that incorporates four bedrooms, including a master bedroom featuring a grand, fully-fitted walk-in robe with a connecting dual vanity ensuite, a butler’s pantry to the kitchen, two living areas, double car garage and an alfresco can fit on a block as small as 350 square metres (12.5m wide by 28m deep).

RMS Homes have found a way to cleverly design the Macquarie Streamline 220E to incorporate all of the above, plus their famous Turnkey Essential Inclusions.

In August, RMS have launched their revised turnkey essential inclusions which now feature: •฀Euro฀567฀litre฀side฀by฀side฀ice฀ dispensing fridge; •฀Euro฀6kg฀front฀load฀washing฀machine; •฀Euro฀7kg฀front฀load฀clothes฀dryer; •฀Euro฀138-litre฀bar฀fridge;฀ •฀20mm฀Quantum฀quartz฀stone฀waterfall฀ ends to Kitchen Island Benches; and •฀Your฀choice฀of฀15฀bricks.

Combine this with their extensive site cost allowances (P Class Waffle Pod Slab), landscaping, concrete path and driveway, fencing, choice of eight decorative facades and฀amazing฀internal฀inclusions;฀stone฀ benchtops, LED downlights throughout the home, 900mm appliances including dishwasher, full wardrobe fit-outs, floor coverings, 2550mm ceilings (and much, much more) and they really are the best offer in town.

Macquarie฀220E,฀price;฀$263,400,฀ Turnkey with premium inclusions.

RMS HOMES, 0409 434 816 WWW.RMSHOMES.COM.AU DISPLAY: 5 CLOVELLY WAY, OFFICER INSPECT: ON DISPLAY PRICE: ON APPLICATION

WE LOVE IT

LANGWARRIN This is for anyone who has ever dreamt of owning their own lifestyle property.

It gives plenty of room to move, for the kids to play and for space to park the boat and caravan, and to not have the neighbours practically living on the front doorstep.

Now dreams can become a reality with this superb 2.5 acre lifestyle block.

Located in the very well sought after leafy suburb of Langwarrin is this great semi cleared blank canvas just waiting for someone to call it home.

With easy access, it is only 40 minutes to Melbourne and not even 20 minutes to the Mornington Peninsula.

This property is well positioned, being only a very short drive to local schools, parks and large shopping centres and surrounded by other large and quality lifestyle properties.

POSTCODE

3910

4 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

With plenty of room for a lovely family home, for the kids to play, a couple of horses and or even to store trucks and machinery, the possibilities are endless.

FINNING FIRST NATIONAL REAL ESTATE, CRANBOURNE, 5996 1200 JASON BROWN, 0423 768 424 1461 DANDENONG - HASTINGS ROAD INSPECT: BY APPOINTMENT PRICE: $649,950 Connecting people and communities DJ

WE LOVE IT

LYNBROOK Providing fine family living on an exceptionally grand scale, this four-bedroom plus study home is set among impeccably manicured gardens and will leave a lasting first impression.

Beautifully presented with multiple living areas upstairs and down, this gracious residence offers immense appeal to those who are seeking a better-than-new home in a thriving family-friendly location.

Featuring formal lounge and dining, open-plan family and meals area, stylish Caesarstone kitchen with stainless steel appliances plus additional rumpus room and upstairs retreat, there is more than enough room for everyone to enjoy.

The vast alfresco patio gives even more space to entertain outdoors.

An opulent master with walk-in wardrobe and en suite offers calming parkland views. The three remaining bedrooms with built-in wardrobes are all well-sized and share a sparkling family bathroom.

Among the many quality inclusions are ducted heating, solar panels, electric gates, split system cooling, water tanks, irrigation and alarm.

A double auto garage with internal access completes an utterly satisfying offering which is wonderfully close to parks, shopping options and schools.

POSTCODE

3975

5

2

2

AREA SPECIALIST, ASPENDALE GARDENS, 8586 6411 LAURA VOINEA 0435 921 730 ADDRESS: 6 CAVERSHAM TERRACE INSPECT: BY APPOINTMENT PRICE: $800,000-$880,000 AUCTION: SATURDAY, 12 AUGUST AT 11.00AM

Parkmore Shopping Centre

Experience the Diference!

“

Bobby is a good person to deal with. He was very professional and sold my property with a record price. He is a genuine person and I would highly recommend him to anyone. He helps people from his heart.

Your vision is our goal …

Let’s talk today!

Happy vendor - Tina Melhem

Buy, Sell, Rent

” 12360242-PB32-17

Raine&Horne Keysborough

Bobby Malhotra

9769 1888 Raine&Horne Keysborough 9769 1888 | rh.com.au/keysborough

DJ

Connecting people and communities

Monday, 7 August, 2017 DANDENONG JOURNAL 5

WE DELIVER...

GREATER DANDENONG

ELITE Property Management Team GREATER DANDENONG

RobERT Iv

NIdda Gov

LEN TRouNG

0401 188 880

0422 808 001

0413 654 882

Property Manager

Property Manager

Property Manager

You can’t argue with the results!

See what we have achieved for our Landlords!

LEASED

LEASED

180 Keylana drive, Keysborough $470 P/W

LEASED

2 Roy Court, Keysborough $420 P/W

67 Princeton drive, Keysborough $780 P/W

Attention Landlords!

It is time for a CHANGE! Does your property manager return your calls?

Is your Property Manager constantly changing?

Are you being given the support you need?

Are you getting the service you deserve?

We deliver... Biggin & Scott Greater Dandenong!

Contact Biggin & Scott PM team today!

Our office speaks 10 languages including three Chinese languages!

363 Springvale Road, Springvale 6 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

858 10 999

bigginscott.com.au Connecting people and communities DJ

WE DELIVER...

GREATER DANDENONG

W G E N TIN S LI

SPRINGVALE SOUTH 25C MaCkay Street FABULOUS FAMILY LIVING WITH CONVENIENCE! • • • • • • •

Four generous size bedrooms, a master with ensuite Brivis Ducted Heating and Evaporative Cooling 4.6 kW – 16 solar panels 2 x 1000L water tank Expansive backyard A single remote control lockup garage with a carport Close to schools, shops and public transport

A4 B2 E2 C2 AUCTION 2nd September @ 12:30pm 10% Deposit, Balance 30/60 Days ESR $780,000 - $830,000 VIEW Wed 5:30 - 6:00pm Sat 12:00 - 12:30pm Photo ID Required CONTACT Tommy Nguyen 0431 644 889 Corey (Khoi) Le 0417 311 491 OFFICE 363 Springvale Road, Springvale Tel: 03 8581 0999

SPRINGVALE 42 VIeW road

A3 B1 E1 C8

HIGH RETURN, BIG PROFIT

PRIVATE SALE

1119m2 approx. (Width=18m and Length=62m) Presenting an extremely rare offering in the heart of booming Springvale is the sale of a beautifully presented and original brick veneer family residence with a substantial sized block of 1119m2 approx.

• 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 toilet • Well designed and easy to maintain gardens • Walking distance to Springvale Central/ public transport • Walking distance to both primary and secondary school • Land 1119m2 (approx.)

Contact Agent By appointment Photo Id required CONTACT Tommy Nguyen 0431 644 889 Corey (Khoi) Le 0417 311 491 OFFICE 363 Springvale Road, Springvale Tel: 03 8581 0999

363 Springvale Road, Springvale DJ

Connecting people and communities

ESR VIEW

NOBLE PARK 11 through road

A2 B1 E1 C1 D

ATTENTION ALL BUILDERS & DEVELOPERS!

PRIVATE SALE

Biggin and Scott greater dandenong is proudly presented another great corner block of land for sale complete with PLaNNINg PerMItS, BuILdINg PerMIt and council stamp approved eNdorSed PLaNS ready to build for 3 double storey townhouses. all ranging from 19 to 21 squares and comprising of 3-4 bedrooms and 2-3 bathrooms and 2 car garages.

• Great access to Princes Highway and Noble Park’s finest schools.

• Close to Eastlink & Monash University.

• Minutes away from the vibrant of NP

$830,000 - $880,000 Contact Agent Photo Id required CONTACT tommy Nguyen 0431 644 889 Corey (Khoi) Le 0417 311 491 OFFICE 363 Springvale road, Springvale tel: 03 8581 0999 ESR VIEW

A4 B2 E3 C8 D

SPRINGVALE SOUTH 527 SPrINgVaLe road

PRIVATE SALE

A FAMILY HOME WITH AN UNLIMITED POTENTIAL – GREAT LOCATION. • • • • • • • •

Westinghouse dishwasher / gas oven cooktop.

Access to Springvale South and Keysborough schools.

Dandenong bypass/ Eastlink.

Cheltenham Road & Lower Dandenong Road.

Bus stop is at your doorstep along Springvale Road.

Less than a minute away to Springvale shopping centre.

Built-in bar on a 1127m2 (approx.) block of land. separate warehouse/entertaining area (150sqm approx.)

858 10 999

$1,150,000 - $1,265,000 Contact Agent Photo ID Required CONTACT Tommy Nguyen 0431 644 889 Corey (Khoi) Le 0417 311 491 OFFICE 363 Springvale Road, Springvale Tel: 03 8581 0999 ESR VIEW

bigginscott.com.au Monday, 7 August, 2017 DANDENONG JOURNAL 7

SALES & RENTALS

118 walker st dandenong p: 9791 5922 F: 9792 2536 NY TTIUORDA C ATUHIS SA

Dandenong

Dandenong

34 macpherson street

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS - CENTRAL DANDENONG!

Situated in a sought after location is this fantastic family home in one of Central Dandenong’s best streets. With charming street appeal and spacious living, it offers three bedrooms all with robes & main with full ensuite, a lounge with brick open fire place & adjoining dining, large kitchen, family area, family bathroom and large laundry with adjoining toilet. Hardwood floors, ‘art deco’ ceilings in the lounge, dining and main bedroom, high ceilings, ducted heating and ducted vacuum. Double garage and large shed.

On a huge block of 980m2 approx - Zoned RGZ1 - ideal Development site. CLOSE TO ALL AMENITIES!

auction: saturday, 12th august, 2017 @ 11:00am (if not sold prior) open: wed 4:45pm to 5:15pm & sat 10:30am to 11:00am

2, 3 & 4/3 high street

BUY OFF THE PLAN!

Looking to live close to all facilities? Well you can't beat this position! Located within walking distance to the Dandenong Plaza, Market, Hospital, Tafe College, train station and High School, these architecturally designed townhouses offer modern kitchens with stainless steel appliances, stone benchtops, glass splashback & dishwasher, floating timber floors, ducted heating, Rinnai instant hot water services, private backyards, water tank, clothes line, car accommodation, landscaping and so much more! Opportunity to utilise the Stamp Duty exemptions and First Home Buyers Grant. SUPER CENTRAL LOCATION!

For sale: contact John ratnam for pricing open: wed 4:40pm to 5:00pm & sat 12:00pm to 12:30pm

D!ANTED L SOER W

H OT AN

Dandenong

Dandenong

PRIME DEVELOPMENT SITE!

Quietly situated at the rear of the courtyard you’ll find this roomy ground floor apartment. Conveniently located close to Dandenong CBD. The accommodation offers two spacious bedrooms with built in robes, a lounge with gas heating and a good size kitchen with gas cooking. The bathroom has a shower over the bath, a toilet and the facility for a washing machine. There’s also on-site parking for resident’s vehicles. With a secure tenant paying $245.00 per week, this is a good investment opportunity or it may suit first home buyers. It’s worth a look! QUIETLY TUCKED AWAY!

12 wedge street

In the Golden Mile of Central Dandenong, close to parkland, schools, station and CBD, on a site of approx 766m2. Plans & Permit are available for the construction of 14 apartments. The existing home is currently let for $300.00 per week.

For sale: $780,000 to $820,000 open: By appointment

Hallam

5/40-42 hemmings street

CONVENIENT LOCATION!

For sale: $220,000 to $229,000 open: wed 4:10pm to 4:30pm & sat 12:40pm to 1:00pm

7/186 princes highway

CONVENIENCE & LOCATION IS THE KEY!

Well built two bedroom unit is a neat development close to shops, transport and all facilities. Featuring two gas heaters, air conditioning, polished floorboards, renovated bathroom, garage and secure rear courtyard.

For sale: $300,000 to $330,000 open: sold!

12360371

Daryl Rayner Director 0411 537 820

Mick Whelan Sales Manager 0416 003 505

John Ratnam Sales Consultant 0414 556 517

Stephen Lamb Sales Consultant 0421 045 460

Frank Holohan Senior Consultant

9791 5922

mclennanrealestate.com.au

Keysborough 151 Chapel Road

Just Listed.

Subdivisional Pot of Gold!

Premium development opportunity brilliantly positioned in highly sought-after location. Close to the prestigious Haileybury College, within close proximity to the new Keysborough South Shopping Precinct, just a short distance from recreational facilities at Tatterson Park and a short drive away from the soft sands of Melbourne’s bay beaches. With such a shortage of remaining land allotments in Keysborough the appetite of buyers remains strong for a piece of this quality neighbourhood. This large 20,970m2 allotment (approx) is ripe for subdivision.

Opportunity exists to secure the entire parcel or one of either of two Lots.

Lot 1: A parcel of land 3,898m2(approx) which could suit higher density townhome development (STCA).

Lot 2: A parcel of land 1.14ha (approx) which could suit a high number of allotments (STCA).

TENDER CLOSING: TUESDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER AT 5PM

CONTACT Chee-ky Dunlop 0422 910 881 Tim Stickley 0409 215 540 Keysborough 8769 1888

PRICE Contact Agent INSPECT As advertised or by appointment

barryplant.com.au/ keysborough

Congratulations LJ Hooker Hampton Park

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

7RS 2IÀFH ² $OO ,QFRPH 7RS 6DOHV 2IÀFH Most Productive Team (Income Earned) Top Community Relationship Award )UDQFKLVH 2ZQHU RI WKH <HDU ² -RKQ 'HR 7RS 6DOHVSHUVRQ ,QFRPH (DUQHG ² =HG 1DVKHHW 7RS 6DOHVSHUVRQ )UDQFKLVH 2ZQHU 1XPEHU RI 7UDQVDFWLRQV ² -RKQ 'HR 7RS 6DOHVSHUVRQ )UDQFKLVH 2ZQHU ,QFRPH (DUQHG ² -RKQ 'HR 7RS %XVLQHVV 'HYHORSPHQW 3URSHUW\ ,QYHVWPHQW 0DQDJHU ² 0LFKHOOH 0XVFDW 7RS %XVLQHVV 6\VWHPV 2SHUDWRU ² *HRUJLQD 'HR ,QGXFWHG LQWR WKH $GPLUDO $GYLVRU\ *URXS ² -RKQ 'HR &DSWDLQV &OXE ² 'LDPRQG 0HPEHU ² -RKQ 'HR &DSWDLQV &OXE ² 'LDPRQG 0HPEHU ² =HG 1DVKHHW

For all your real estate needs, EH VXUH WR VSHDN WR RXU DZDUG ZLQQLQJ WHDP WRGD\ LJ Hooker Hampton Park 03 9702 8388 Sh 20, Hampton Park Shopping Centre 166 Somerville Road Hampton Park VIC 3976 hamptonpark@ljhooker.com.au hamptonpark.ljhooker.com.au

12356760-KC28-17

At the 2017 VIC/TAS LJ Hooker Awards Night, LJ Hooker Hampton Park had another successful year winning numerous awards. Among them the top honours of 7RS 6DOHV 2IÀFH and )UDQFKLVH 2ZQHU RI WKH <HDU IRU 3ULQFLSDO -RKQ 'HR.

*Awarded at the LJ Hooker 2017 VIC/TAS Awards Night © LJ Hooker Corporation Limited. BLSO0352 DJ

Connecting people and communities

Monday, 7 August, 2017 DANDENONG JOURNAL 9

7 dYson road, lYnbrooK

3/111 CloW street, dandenonG Central

AUCTION THIS SATURDAY

AUCTION THIS SATURDAY

N SO D Y D OA R MORRIS WEST CIRCUIT

RARE OPPORTUNITY HERE vacant corner block of 593m2 in a fantastic location only a few minutes walk to shopping centre, transport & schools. Ideal site for your dream home in this prime position. Mortgagee exercising Power of sale. Must be sold at auCtIon!

DISPLAY HOME PRESENTATION IN CENTRAL LOCATION AUCTION SATURDAY 12TH AUGUST AT 11AM TERMS 10% dep-bal 30 days PRICE Contact agent INSPECT direct CONTACT neil butler 0411 637 088 stockdaleleggo.com.au/dandenong

set at the rear of small complex this completely renovated 2 bedroom villa is sure to impress. offers spacious gas heated lounge with rC a/c, quality new kitchen including stone benchtops, Wo, gas hP’s & dW. brand new bathroom with quality tiling & new fittings, sep toilet, & dble bedrooms with bIr’s. landscaped rear garden plus brick garage.

Features fresh paintwork, laminated timber floors, new blinds & light fittings. terrific home close to Plaza & market.

AUCTION SATURDAY 12TH AUGUST AT 1PM TERMS 10% dep - bal 30/60 days PRICE $350,000-$385,000 INSPECT Wednesday 3-3.30pm saturday from 12.30pm CONTACT ben luu 0414 288 763 stockdaleleggo.com.au/dandenong

48 theodore avenue, noble ParK

43 ann street, dandenonG

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

PRIME DEVELOPMENT SITE

this vinyl clad 3 bedroom home has lots of potential. offers a spacious gas heated lounge with a/C, sep dining room adjacent to hostess kitchen with gas cooktop. hardwood floors under carpet. an extra large garage & workshop or storage at rear. an impressive 678m2 approx block of land with potential for unit development(stP) or re-build a home of your dreams. Close to shops, schools & transport. hurry to inspect.

AUCTION SATURDAY 19TH AUGUST AT 11AM TERMS 10% dep-bal 30/60 days PRICE $540,000-$594,000 INSPECT Wednesday 5-5.30pm saturday 11-11.30am CONTACT Chris drieberg 0411 737 303 stockdaleleggo.com.au/dandenong

Fantastic 850m2 approx lot with wide frontage of 18m. Zoned residential Growth there is outstanding potential for townhouse or apartment development (subject to permit). existing bv is let at $420 per week offering excellent return prior to obtaining a planning permit. Great location within easy walk to market & Cbd. (site not subject to Infrastructure levy). rare opportunity here!

AUCTION SATURDAY 26TH AUGUST AT 12 NOON TERMS 10% dep - bal 60/90 days PRICE Contact agent INSPECT saturday 3-3:30pm CONTACT neil butler 0411 637 088 stockdaleleggo.com.au/dandenong

506/80 CheltenhaM road, dandenonG

6/34 ann street, dandenonG

BARGAIN INVESTMENT OR 1ST HOME

FEATURE PACKED APARTMENT

only 2 years old this 1 bedroom apartment is let at $921pcm but possession is available. open plan with lounge & quality kitchen including Wo, gas hP & dW, tiled bathroom with separate shower & euro laundry.

Includes good floor coverings, rC air conditioning, double glazing & private balcony. security intercom entrance & basement carpark. approved for nras scheme which provides approx. $11,000 tax deduction for next 8 years for an investor.

PRIVATE PRICE $280,000-$290,000 INSPECT by appointment CONTACT Jerome Mulholland 0401 060 804 stockdaleleggo.com.au/dandenong

Modern 2 bed apartment on the top level with street frontage plus the convenience of a super central position. offers open plan living with comfortable lounge, quality kitchen including Wo, gas hP & dishwasher, tiled meals area, double bedrooms with bIr’s, tiled bathroom & separate toilet. extras include intercom, secure car park & storage. let at $325 per week but possession is available.

PRIVATE PRICE $300,000-$330,000 INSPECT by appointment CONTACT neil butler 0411 637 088 stockdaleleggo.com.au/dandenong

9791 3177 shop 1, 11 langhorne street, dandenong 10 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

Connecting people and communities DJ

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This is an exciting project for those who want to make their mark on the Springvale market.

Currently on the 869 square metre site are two units earning a solid income.

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With Springvale Home Maker Centre and plenty of shopping and schools close by, this will be a winner for all astute buyers.

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INSPECTION: SATURDAY, NOON - 12.30PM AUCTION: SATURDAY, 12 AUGUST, 12.30PM

Perfectly presented and 100% ready for yourself and family to simply move in and enjoy! This 4 bedroom home includes the convenience & touch of luxury we all desire including ensuite, walk in robe, open plan dining, kitchen and living room plus includes stunning alfresco area you can’t help but be enticed by! A short walk to Schools & Sports grounds or even stroll to the Main Street with Restaurants, Doctors, Railway station & plenty more. Homes are in short supply and inding another available to match this – unlikely.

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New Sales Office Location 9 Murphy Street, Clyde North Open 7 Days a Week 12pm-5pm Ph. 0488 972 703 Information contained herein is subject to change without notice. No responsibility is accepted by the vendor nor the agent for any action taken in reliance thereon. Prospective purchasers should make their own enquiries to satisfy themselves on all aspects. Details herein do not constitute any representation by the vendor or the agent and are expressly excluded from any contract. Images are artist’s impression and for illustrative purposes only. Public open space subject to change.

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12 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

Connecting people and communities DJ

Business profile

Here’s cheers to Nonna and team Nonna Clara Capuzzi is the heart and soul of Hampton Park restaurant Paesano.

At the ripe age of 5 in Abruzzo, Italy, Nonna Clara began learning from her grandmother how to make pasta.

Today, Nonna is at the helm of the busy Paesano kitchen preparing her famous hand-made gnocchi, sauces and desserts daily, many of which follow 19th century recipes handed down through generations.

These incredible home-style Italian dishes are the foundation of Paesano’s reputation.

Nonna’s son, Frank Capuzzi and his partner Angelo LoMonaco founded the Paesano Group, recruiting an exceptional team to support Nonna.

Head chef David has added a modern twist to the restaurant’s traditional menu, ensuring Paesano boasts the freshest produce and finest cuisine in the outer eastern suburbs.

“We are a family-run business and we pride ourselves on providing a welcoming dining atmosphere to your family and friends,” Frank said.

“We went out and head-hunted the best baristas in Melbourne and the result is we have a fantastic team headed up by Aaron Dongsu Shin, who was awarded Australian Latte Art Champion for 2017. We believe we have the best coffee in Melbourne and if you see our Facebook reviews our customers agree."

Paesano’s fresh pasta is all hand-made with double zero flour imported from Italy.

DRIVING FRESH THINKING

INSPIRING

CHANGE

All sauces are made in-store to Nonna Clara’s recipe.

Desserts are produced by award-winning pastry chef Nadeera.

The restaurant’s meat is of the highest grade.

For the stonegrill, the chefs use Darling Downs Wagyu.

Fish is supplied fresh daily and the prosciutto comes from Parma in Italy.

Paesano also offers wood-fired pizza to eat in or take away.

“Come and check out our modern decor and enjoy the friendly ambience," invited Frank.

Paesano is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner at shop 42, 166 Somerville Road, Hampton Park Shopping Centre. For bookings phone 8768 7775.

Restaurant manager Paul Abdo, Nonna Clara, Frank Capuzzi and Angelo LoMonaco toast their new venture.

171003

IPAA Victoria Public Sector Week 2017 is the only event that brings together the entire public sector to drive fresh thinking and create a better future for all Victorians.

If you work in the sector and want to hear IURP RXU PRVW LQɥXHQWLDO OHDGHUV DQG discuss the big issues that our great state is facing then get involved in one of our 30 events, forums and workshops.

14–18 AUGUST 2017 SOFITEL, MELBOURNE

Book Tickets at publicsectorweek.com.au 12359934-CB32-17

LEVEL CROSSING REMOVAL WORKS FROM AUGUST 12 - 13 Upcoming changes to the Cranbourne/Pakenham line.

Between August 12 - 13, works will continue to remove level crossingss along the Cranbourne/Pakenham line, which will affect the way you travel. ravel.

Buses will replace trains and there will be changes to traffic conditions ns with detours in place. The sooner we get this done, the sooner you’ll be on your way.

Buses replacing trains on the Cranbourne/Pakenham line • Between Dandenong and Cranbourne from 12.30am Saturday 12 August to the last service on Sunday 13 August. Please plan ahead and allow up to an extra 40 minutes in travel time.

• Between Caulfield and Oakleigh from 8.30pm on selected nights throughout August. Please plan ahead and allow up to an extra 35 minutes in travel time.

Local traders will be open for business during this time, so please support pport businesses in the area.

Visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au or phone 1800 762 667 for details.

levelcrossings.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne 12359485-CB32-17

27 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

Maintain regular check-ups for health “Everyone is so busy these days that our oral health and visits to the dentist may be forgotten,” Libby said.

“But it only takes a few minutes of brushing and flossing a day to keep our teeth clean and gums healthy.

“Dental Health Week is the perfect time to book a dental check-up and to teach kids about the importance of healthy eating and cleaning their teeth.”

Oral Health for Busy Lives is the theme for this year’s Dental Health Week which runs from 7 to 13 August.

“This year we wanted to emphasize the importance of caring for your oral hygiene every day,” said Professor David Manton, the Chair of the ADA’s Oral Health Committee.

“Dental Health Week acts as a reminder to Australians to visit their local dentist regularly and to imple-

ment healthy oral practices at home.”

Research has highlighted that 68 per cent of the population only visit the dentist for specific problems, rather than for regular check-ups and preventive reasons.

This figure remains high despite more than 40 per cent of Australian children experiencing tooth decay and 30 per cent of Australian adults having untreated tooth decay.

“Our oral health is fundamental to our overall general health and our quality of life, so it is important that we make the time to take care of our oral health despite our busy schedules,” added Professor David Manton.

“Australians should be visiting the dentist proactively, rather than as a reactive measure to fix dental problems.”

For more information on the Australian Dental Association or to book

Oral Health for Busy Lives is the theme for this year’s Dental Health Week which runs from 7 to 13 August. an appointment to see a dentist, visit www.ada.org.au/find-a-dentist.

For more on Dental Health Week, check out: www.dentalhealthweek. com.au.

You can also visit Instagram: @ AustralianDentalAssociation or Facebook: www.facebook.com/ healthyteethaustralia/, using the hashtag #DentalHealthWeek.

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Dr’s Traiforos and Zelmanovich also welcome NEW PATIENTS to the practice.

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Our practice offers all aspects of dental care for children and adults focusing on education and healthy teeth and gums for life.

Dr Alex Zelmanovich is now available for appointments on Mondays and Tuesdays and offers NO GAP for treatment services provided to Children eligible under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.

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As Australians’ lives grow busier, their oral health can suffer.

A national survey by the Australian Dental Association (ADA) has found that 65 per cent of people hadn’t visited the dentist in more than two years, while 16 per cent said they didn’t have time to go to the dentist.

ADA Dental Health Week ambassador and four-time Olympic gold-medal winning swimmer Libby Trickett knows that oral hygiene can be overlooked when people are juggling work, family and other commitments.

With her hands full as a radio announcer, mental health ambassador and mother to toddler, Poppy, Libby is known for her beaming smile and still makes time to floss, brush her teeth twice a day and visit her dentist regularly.

Budget plain speaking

By Casey Neill Greater Dandenong Council will look at ways to boost budget transparency.

At the Monday 24 July meeting, councillor Matthew Kirwan asked for a report on making consultation on the council’s annual plan and budget more meaningful.

“Currently our process with exhibiting the draft budget doesn’t work, and residents have told me that,” he said.

Cr Kirwan said the council received only a small amount of feedback and “often a narrow representation”.

He said that as it stood, officers came up with ideas with input from councillors and asked residents for feedback in May. “Only the tiniest of tweaking is possible at that stage,” he said.

The draft budget and other council documents use bureaucratic terms, he said, and should instead use plain English.

Cr Kirwan said his notice of motion was about identifying options, conceding that keeping costs low must be a focus.

He said the using online feedback resource Our Say a few years ago elicited more feedback from residents and was cost-efficient.

Cr Tim Dark said he’d just been through his first budget and it was “a dry document”.

“There’s nothing better than transparency,” he said.

“There needs to be increased consultation across our budget.”

Cr Maria Sampey said many migrant residents did not understand the current process.

“I did my schooling here in Australia and it’s still hard to understand it,” she said.

Cr Heang Tak said: “I think we should give this notice of motion a go.”

Cr Sean O’Reilly said the motion’s intent was “very honourable”.

“But what I have reservations about is the practicalities,” he said.

“We should have some sort of plan that we come up with... and then we seek individual feedback on our particular plan.

“We should be leaders and we should be coming up with something in the first instance that we can listen to feedback on.

“This motion seems to suggest we should be doing consultation twice - first with the blank piece of paper.”

Cr O’Reilly said everything had a cost and a benefit.

“We’re talking about more council resources to be dedicated to this when the council resource could be better applied actually implementing what the plans are,” he said.

Cr O’Reilly voted against the motion alongside Cr Loi Truong. Crs Kirwan, Dark, Sampey, Tak, Blades, Memeti and Chea voted in favour.

The council is to receive a report on the topic by its Monday 25 September meeting.

Broad brush of entries for art show’s displays Noble Park Community Centre is inviting entries for its annual art show.

It launched the Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October event on Thursday 3 August.

More than 230 people attended last year’s 11th annual event to enjoy hundreds of paintings and sculptures.

Artists can enter at www.nobleparkcommunitycentre.org.au before Thursday 21 September.

Call 9547 5801 for more information.

Right: Judge Jo Reitze, Isaac MP Mark Dreyfus, artist Heather Duggan and Bruce MP Julian Hill. 171065 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

More comforts found at the inn

By Casey Neill Dandenong’s Comfort Inn is adding seven new units.

Greater Dandenong Council approved its application for the two-storey development at the Monday 24 July council meeting.

The new building will be at the 124-126 Princes Highway site’s rear, fronting Gwenda Street.

The application received four objections relating to increased traffic, parking and adding more units to the area.

But the council report said the site was wellsuited for the proposal.

“The development is respectful to the existing and preferred neighbourhood character by way of siting, design and landscaping,” it said.

“The development provides appropriate parking provision, and complies with both the state and local planning policy frameworks.”

Councillor Matthew Kirwan said the built form and number of storeys complied with the zone.

“And while the application requests a reduction in car parking for these particular two storey units, there is an overall sufficient amount of car parking for the whole motel,” he said.

Cr Kirwan said he was concerned that the units could become permanent accommodation.

“But I am reassured that these new units are covered by the overall motel permit for the site,” he said.

He said a motel was “land used to provide accommodation in serviced rooms for persons away from their normal place of residence”.

“This definition would not permit long-term rental, as a long-term rental would be considered a normal place of residence,” he said.

“If the use were to change to long-term rental, that would be a compliance matter for our council.”

What’s on Aeroplane craft fun Every third Wednesday of the month, Dandenong Plaza holds a free kids’ activity.

The next one will involve creating an aeroplane masterpiece.

The first 20 accompanying parents receive a free coffee voucher. n Level one, Dandenong Plaza, inside Holiday XP. Wednesday 16 August, 10am to 1pm.

Visit www.dandenongplaza.com.au for more information.

Watching the ’hood

Spoken word workshops Spoken word artist Abdul Hammoud will host two workshops as part of the [Sub]Urban Studio project.

He’ll help participants to workshop ideas and share tips about performing. n The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Thursdays 10 August and 14 September, 10am to noon. A gold coin donation per session is suggested.

Green thumbs The Springvale Garden Club will celebrate its 37th Birthday in August.

At its AGM, guest speaker Norm Hurrey will talk about Rotary projects.

Visitors are always welcome. n Senior Citizens Hall, The Crescent, Springvale. Wednesday 16 August, 7.30pm for an 8pm start. The $2 entry fee covers door prizes and supper. Call Cheryl Johnson on 9551 3197 for more information.

Silent Reading Party Readers can bring a book or borrow one with a recommendation.

The free session provides a time to read alongside other bookworms and is part of Reading Hour.

Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided. n Springvale Library, 411 Springvale Road, Springvale. Tuesday 15 August, 6pm to 7.30pm. Call 1300 630 920 for more information.

Indian Film Festival The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) will bring and Dr Rakhmabai and Poorna to Dandenong.

Dr Rakhmabai’s fight against her unconsented child marriage, gender discrimination and right to practice medicine in India was isolat-

Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch president Dawn Vernon. ing and ostracising in a highly conservative colonial India.

She pushed back and paved the way for Indian women.

Star of the film Tannishtha Chatterjee will meet fans from 7pm.

In Poorna, Rahul Bose works both sides of the camera to recreate the historic moment that a 13-year-old from Telangana became the youngest girl in history to climb Mount Everest. n Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Dr Rakhmabai on Tuesday 15 August, 7.30pm, and Poorna on Friday 18 August, 7.30pm. Tickets from $5. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or call 8571 1666.

Incredible You Women’s Event Four inspirational speakers will focus on helping women to reflect, reconnect and be renewed and inspired.

There will be market stalls, massages and more. This event is supporting Beyondblue. n Springers Leisure Centre 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough. Sunday 20 August, 1pm to 5pm. $24 per ticket. Bookings are essential. Email gerentedaniella@gmail.com.

Paper craft and relaxation This paper craft and relaxation workshop series will involve various paper products. n The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dande-

Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch has two big events coming up in September.

A fund-raiser at the Noble Park RSL from 6.30pm on Saturday 16 September will feature a six-piece band.

Senior Sergeant Ivan Petrunic will be the guest speaker at its next public forum. n Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Wednesday 20 September, 7.30pm. Call Dawn on 0407 325 030 for more information.

nong. Tuesdays during August, 10.30am to 12.30pm. A $5 donation is suggested. Call Trish or Jo on 9791 8664.

Dance with Chunky Move Chunky Move is offering free dance workshops as part of the [Sub]urban Studio project.

Young people of any experience level can take part. n The Castle, 61 Princes Highway, Dandenong. Mondays 7 August to 25 September, 6pm to 7.30pm. Bookings are essential. Visit www.greaterdandenong.com or call 8571 1666.

VET support A new one-on-one mentoring support program for anyone enrolled in Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses is starting.

Greater Dandenong Libraries and Springvale Learning and Activities Centre are partnering for this program. n Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Wednesdays, 10am to 1pm. Call 1300 630 920 or see library staff.

Shirley Valentine This play is a monologue by a 42-year-old Liverpool mother and housewife, Mrs Joe Bradshaw, before and after a transforming holiday to Greece. Inside Mrs Joe Bradshaw is the former Shirley Valentine longing to emerge.

n Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Thursday 10 August, 7.30pm to 9.40pm.

Tickets are priced from $32. Visit www. drumtheatre.com.au or call 8571 1666.

Alll India Day 2017 The Alll India Day is a cultural event showcasing the traditions of Indian heritage and celebrating Indian Independence Day. There’ll be music, rides, stalls and Indian movies on the big screen. n Harmony Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Saturday 12 August, 11am to 6pm. Call Yogen Lakshman on 0403 337 142 for more information.

Me and My Dad This Animal Life Cycles and Reproduction workshop is designed for kids aged seven to 11 years and a parent or carer. n Dandenong Library, Level 2, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Saturday 12 August, 3pm. Call 1300 630 920 for bookings and more information.

Fun with coding This free hands-on coding program will teach kids aged seven to 11 how to use Scratch. n Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Saturdays, 10.30am to noon.

Bookings are essential, in person or on 1300 630 920.

Indian Textiles Today This exhibition features contemporary Indian textiles from small Indian design houses, generally handcrafted in their own studios. n Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Until Saturday 26 August. Open 11am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 3pm Saturdays.

Vigil State Artist Monica Ianculescu works primarily with drawing and watercolour and her work is focused on concepts including cycles and stages of life, flux and the passage of time. n Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Until Saturday 26 August. Open 11am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 3pm Saturdays.

29 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

BUSINESS SOUTH-EAST

Big door to opportunities

Innovation gives the added spark

By Casey Neill

By Casey Neill

Chyka Keebaugh turned a passion passed on from her grandmothers into an internationallyrenowned events business.

SEBN and the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce hosted the Women in Business lunch at Atura Dandenong in Eumemmerring on Friday 28 July.

“Today is about inspiration and empowerment by hearing from a very successful woman in business,” SEBN manager Sandra George said.

Chyka is a wife, mother and owner of The Big Group.

“There’s nothing I love more than hearing a room full of women talking because it usually means something wonderful is happening,” she said.

She told the lunch that her parents travelled for 10 months of the year so her chalk and cheese grandmothers filled the gap.

“My grandmothers were my most amazing influence,” she said.

Chyka followed her love for food into a cadetship at the now-defunct Australia Hotel in Melbourne.

She tackled every task and when it folded was offered a job in London.

With encouragement from her parents, who didn’t like the boy she was dating, she made the leap overseas - into what turned out to be a secretarial position.

She’d never typed.

She left and signed up for a course at Le Cordon Bleu. It was in French and she didn’t know a word.

Chyka loved every minute of working in the decoration department at Laura Ashley.

She moved home and onto Rowlands for two years, catering parties for magnates the likes of Alan Bond and Christopher Skase.

“It was truly an extraordinary time,” she said.

“People were entertaining like they never had before.”

She met her husband Bruce during this time.

They together started a company called Big and Small.

Their first big job was catering the opening of Melbourne precinct Southgate for 6500 people.

They were 23 years old and roped in family and friends armed with business cards and company aprons to lend a hand.

“The next day the phone started ringing,” she said.

The Keebaughs branched out into retail and expanded their decorating offerings.

Channel 10 offered the pair a cooking show but Bruce “became a robot” while filming a test run. Instead they offered Chyka a weekly segment on Channel 10’s Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton.

“I loved it, it was so much fun,” she said.

She’d never envisaged herself working in television.

Guest speaker Chyka Keebaugh.

“When opportunity arises it’s up to you to decide to walk through that door or to close it,” she said.

But don’t regret whichever call you make, she told guests.

Chyka does, however, carry some guilt about putting her two children into day care.

“Having your own business and having children is so hard,” she said.

“Bruce certainly didn’t have the same guilt I did.”

But they’re now both “independent human beings”.

Chyka’s most recent television foray was on reality show The Real Housewives of Melbourne.

It was pitched to her as a show about seven successful business women.

“I gullibly believed that,” she said.

“It was a doorway that I went through. No regrets.”

She did quickly leave the popular series.

“I didn’t believe you should bring a woman down for the sake of a storyline,” she said.

But it’s given her a “second career at age 48”.

Chyka started a blog four years ago and is focused on her individual brand.

A coffee table book, a homewares range and more are on the cards and she and Bruce are regularly managing extravagant parties in the Middle East.

“Who knows how long it will last?” she said.

She urged guests to take risks and be brave,

Tiffany Murray and Amanda Checken from the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce, SEBN manager Sandra George, guest speaker Chyka Keebaugh, and Greater Dandenong Council’s Marie Dinsdale and Jennifer Ebdon. and to get online and make even a “boring” business appear interesting.

“You just need to embrace it because it’s the way of the future,” she said.

“Who would have thought someone would pay someone to do shout-outs on social media?”

Chyka also told guests to be honest leaders, to empower young people to share their ideas and advice, and to make their personal relationships a priority.

“Don’t let other people judge you because it’s not their place,” she said.

South-east manufacturers are battling rising energy prices but have unique access to opportunities for innovation.

The South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) held its 14th AGM at the Australian Synchrotron in Clayton on Tuesday 1 August.

It welcomed a new president in Greg Northrop from AFL Telecommunications, ABeCK Group’s Peter Angelico as its new vice president, and David Collomb from Bombardier as a new board member.

“I strongly believe that together we are more,” Mr Collomb said.

The outgoing president and vice president, Simon Whiteley from Corex and Hilton Manufacturing’s Todd Hartley, will stay on the board.

“The beginning of supply chains on-shoring that arose in the previous year has improved the outlook of many local businesses,” Mr Whiteley said in his address.

He said that colloquially, data was emerging as the “oil of the future”.

“To meet this development, an improvement in internet connectivity is essential,” he said.

“The continued bias in the south-east NBN rollout towards residential over business continues to undermine our potential.

“It is essential that the next generation of employees are upskilled to support the innovation and keep our overseas rivals at bay.”

The Casey and Cardinia councils were among SEMMA’s new members in the past 12 months.

Executive officer Adrian Boden said there were now six councils on board.

“We are now a truly regional organisation representing manufacturers across the region,” he said.

Mr Boden said skyrocketing electricity prices was a key issue that SEMMA was raising on behalf of its members.

The cost for its negotiated group purchase deal had gone up 250 per cent from its previous threeyear deal.

Mr Boden said there was a need for a national structured energy policy.

“It’s a prime example of where politicians must work together for the greater good,” he said.

“We need a quick and collaborative solution.”

SEMMA and other regional groups will present information session The Future is Now and Always has Been at Dandenong’s Drum Theatre from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Tuesday 12 September.

“Innovation is not something that’s going to happen in five years’ time. It will happen today,” he said.

He said the research and development capabilities and knowledge available to manufacturers in the area was better than anywhere else in the world.

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High-rise plans knocked down

By Casey Neill

Wooranna Park students Daniel and Monique, exchange student Jojo, Wooranna Park's Tavi and Chinese student Tony. 170883

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Across cultural classes

By Casey Neill Students from China and Dandenong North have been learning from each other.

Wooranna Park Primary School hosted 16 students from Grade 2 to Grade 6 from Monday 23 July to Friday 4 August.

Wooranna student Daniel, 11, has helped Chinese boy Tony, 11, to practice his English and understand the Australian way.

“It’s a good chance to get a bit more multicultural minded,” Daniel said.

“It’s hard to communicate with a different language, someone who doesn’t know as much English, and I don’t know any Mandarin.

“It was quite fun and enjoyable communicating with Tony. We’ve used some sign language!

“We also use Google Translate sometimes.”

Daniel said he’d learnt that he could make friends with anyone around the world.

“You don’t have to know the language,” he said.

“You can be friends with anyone no matter what language they speak.

“I was very surprised at how good they were at maths. They were doing Year 11 maths.”

Tony said he’d enjoyed his time in Australia and had made some new friends and learnt new things.

“In China we have eight classes a day,” he said.

“Here it is very free.”

Wooranna student Tavi, 8, hosted Chinese girl Jojo, 10.

“She’s learnt about the Murray River and how the Aboriginals lived there first, but then other

Wooranna Park students with their guests. 170883 people came and took all the Aboriginals away,” Tavi said. “It’s fun and it’s made me make new friends from different cultures and countries.”

Jojo said she liked maths class the best.

Teacher Ivan Xiong said the students hailed from three different cities - Shanghai, Ningbo and Suzhou.

“They’ve had an amazing trip in Australia.

Their parents want their children to study abroad.

“They want to send their children to different cities, different countries, like Australia.

“They want to get involved in the English environment. Everybody speaks English all the time so they learn a lot.”

Mr Xiong said their parents wanted them to have more opportunities in life. He said the chil-

dren also learnt different ways of studying. In China it’s really different. They just focus on doing homework,” he said.

“In the morning we get up so early. At night you have to do more study. Here, they don’t have so much homework. They focus on creative things.

“They can choose their favourite topics and they can do research. When they come back to China they can use this thinking way.”

Mr Xiong said teaching methods were very different. “In China, the teacher stands in a high position. Whatever they say, we just do,” he said.

“I saw the teachers in this school, they’re so kind, they’re free to communicate. If you have any problems, you can just talk to them.”

High-rise plans for Lexington Gardens have been grounded.

Greater Dandenong councillors refused the application from the Springvale aged care village at their Monday 24 July meeting.

The council received five objections to the 114-122 Westall Road proposal, which included 40 independent living units within a five-storey building.

The objections related to concerns about the building height, increased density, traffic, high accident rates in Windsor Avenue and a lack of parking.

“It is considered that the overall net community benefit of the proposed sustainable building within an existing residential village outweighs the potential for visual impact due to the proposed height at this location,” a council report said.

“The visual impact in itself will be regarded as minimal due to the existing development on site, retention of vegetation and enhancement and provision of landscaping.

“As such the proposed development is considered acceptable and should be supported.”

Cr Tim Dark agreed. He said the population was ageing, the development suited the location, it was only another 40 units and “they’ve met most of the guidelines, if not all of them”.

Cr O’Reilly said the site previously housed the Enterprise Migrant Hostel.

“At that time the Enterprise met the needs of South East Asian refugees,” he said.

“Now there’s an increased need for people that are retiring in our community.”

He said the site was on Westall Road, a main carrier road.

“Any problems with neighbouring residents would most certainly be mitigated by this location,” he said.

“This particular demographic and age group is less likely to be driving their own cars and therefore less of a disturbance to surrounding residents.”

Cr O’Reilly said the council had a requirement for open space on the site so “you can only go up”.

Cr Loi Truong said this development would allow older people to stay in the Springvale area, close to their family, friends and culture.

But Cr Matthew Kirwan led opposition to the proposal.

He said he felt a sense of deja vu talking about the application, referring to a discussion at the 10 July meeting about a five-storey proposal for Dandenong North.

“The arguments for this application have little to do with planning or our planning scheme,” he said.

He said that like the Stud Road proposal, this one failed planning policy because it was too tall.

“This is another case of trying to force a fivestorey development into a general residential zone,” he said.

Cr Kirwan said a development like this was designed for an activity centre, not an area zoned for incremental change.

Omid is in tune with the keys to his music talents New classroom’s room to move

By Casey Neill

Omid started playing the piano just one year ago and unearthed a remarkable talent.

The 15-year-old Dandenong High student can’t read a note of music.

“I had a teacher for two weeks and then I couldn’t learn the notes. I left the teacher,” he said.

But he was right at home on stage at the school’s recent choir competition.

The Year 9 student replaced a professional pianist as the accompanying musician for his house’s rendition of The Lion King classic I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.

“I learnt that song in 45 minutes,” he said.

“I felt great. I don’t get nervous, I don’t know why.

Omid said he sits down at the piano and plays whenever he has free time. “I play by ear,” he said.

“When I first started doing it, I got a cheap keyboard from Kmart.

“I brought it home and I started playing it.

“I started learning the chords and stuff on YouTube. That was really helpful. My sister and my brother, they thought I was really good at it.

He studies music at school - at Year 12 level and hopes to continue to learn more and hone his natural skills.

34 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

Omid practices on the piano.

Dandenong North Primary School now has space for 100 extra students.

Education Minister James Merlino and Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams announced on Thursday 3 August that the school had received a new double-storey, four-classroom portable building.

It’s fully-insulated, features double glazed windows and can fit 100 students.

“Dandenong North Primary School is experiencing high growth and these classrooms will give teachers and students more room to move,” Ms Williams said.

Dandenong North Primary School principal Kevin Mackay said he was delighted to take ownership of the new building “which provides us with badly needed extra classrooms for our students”.

The building was delivered through the State Government’s $63.6 million investment in building and refurbishing hundreds of relocatable school buildings.

The program has created more than 190 jobs over the past year.

Building manufacturer ATCO built the Dandenong North classroom at its Hallam factory.

SPORT A rumble over Thunder’s return

By Nick Creely With the Dandenong Thunder destined to return the top-flight of NPL football next year, the excitement around the rooms of George Andrews Reserve can be felt far and wide.

Every challenge that has come the Thunder’s way in 2017, they have risen to the occasion.

Losing their coach Giuseppe Anastasi on the eve of the season shook the club, but the new man, Gianfranco Impellizzeri, has brought a renewed energy to the club.

And with just three rounds of football left to play to decide their fate, the Thunder is once again primed for promotion back to where they believe they truly belong.

But who could forget last year’s pain, with the Thunder falling just a solitary point from promotion, as Kingston City fell over the line in a painstaking learning curve for the club.

With that in mind, star striker Brandon Barnes is refusing to get ahead of himself, knowing all too well how quickly things can change in the game of soccer.

“After last year, I don’t think anyone thinks we’ve won anything just yet - but all the boys are aware that if we win, it’s just about the points nothing’s been said around the club (about promotion) but we need to make sure we just keep winning,” he said.

2017 has seen the Thunder become an attacking powerhouse, with Barnes and Veton Korcari becoming the most dangerous duo in the game, as shown by the stunning statistics that clearly indicate they are the best side in the competition by a long margin.

Add that to the brilliant Simon Colosimo in defence, Kristian Sarkies in midfield and Frazer

It's been all smiles for Dandenong Thunder in 2017, but the greatest challenge is yet to come.

170575 Picture: ROB CAREW Maclaren as goal keeper, and you’ve got a power packed side capable of doing serious damage if they are promoted as expected.

Scarily enough, Barnes - who is arguably the finest striker in the country not on an A-League roster - believes he still hasn’t hit peak form this

Golden girls kicking sand as they roll up the wins Haileybury Year 12 student Carrie Van Rensburg has brought home Gold from the 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games held in the Bahamas last month.

Carrie - who attends the Keysborough campus - and her volleyball partner Rebecca won Gold against New Zealand 21-13, dominating the game from start to finish.

They completed the tournament unbeaten and didn’t drop a single set throughout the games in what is an outstanding achievement.

It all started with a victory over England before victories over the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tabago and Rwanda seeing them face the Kiwi’s for the Gold Medal.

“Going into the match Bec and I were very nervous, we had watched the Kiwis throughout the tournament and knew they would be our toughest rivals,” Carrie said.

“Before our game Bec and I went to the locker room and told each other exactly what we are going to do: be aggressive, be loud and be present.

“Once we got into our warm up all the nerves had disappeared and we were ready to play from the first touch of the ball.”

Carrie explained how there are always ups and downs throughout what was a gruelling tournament.

“Some games were better than others but for the most part I am happy with my consistency,” she explained.

“I knew if I was confident my skills would follow, so it was more trying to get my mindset in the right place more than anything.”

The volleyball guns have been training for the Youth Commonwealth Games for a year.

“Gold was always our goal and its awesome that we were able to achieve it,” Carrie said.

Carrie explained that now the games are over, she needs to focus on finishing Year 12, but after completing her studies she is looking to go to Europe to play on the tour.

“I just want to get as many different experiences playing as possible and what’s better than on the different beaches of Europe,” she said.

season despite sitting over 10 goals in front of the next best in the competition.

Despite enjoying another prolific season as the main man at the Thunder, Barnes has yet to reach his 2016 form, where he scored a remarkable eight goals in a game against Nunawading.

“I look back on this season so far, and I’m probably a bit harsh on myself, but I’m not really happy with how I’ve done - I’ve had a bit of a target that I’ve kept to myself this year and I’m a little bit off at the minute, but there’s still three games to go and I will get back on track and get back to where I should be,” he said.

“I feel like my form has not dropped, but I haven’t got to where I’d like it to be - I’ve obviously had a baby recently so I’ve had a few things on my mind there with my family.

“But I’m obviously the top goal scorer by about 10 goals even though I’m not in the best form which probably shows a lot about myself, so I’m still doing what I can for the boys on the weekends.

“It’s probably a credit to myself really.”

After joining the Thunder at the beginning of 2016, the club at George Andrews Reserve has hardly lost a game with him as the star.

After fielding big money offers at the end of 2016, the man who won the ‘Golden Boot’ last year stuck fat with the club, desperate to get the club back to the top-flight after being relegated at the end of 2015.

“The two seasons I’ve been here now, the combination of players and the team is unbelievable and I feel it edges our team last year,” Barnes said.

“Even the staff behind the scenes and people on the board is just awesome - it’s a great place to be.”

Sticky wickets for new soil In an interesting turn of events in the Dandenong District Cricket Association, all turf wicket tables are set to be replaced in February and March 2018.

The DDCA has advised all clubs - except clubs in the Casey and Kingston areas - that the City of Greater Dandenong no longer has Portland Soil available for the turf wickets.

This means that all wickets with this soil will be replaced by Black Wicket Soil from Hume Turf.

There is set to be an interruption to cricket for the following DDCA turf grounds: February - Coomoora Reserve (Coomoora) and Wachter Reserve (Parkmore Pirates) will have no cricket played for the last three rounds and finals.

March - Alex Nelson Reserve (Springvale South), Parkfield Reserve (Parkfield), Rowley Allen Reserve (Keysborough) and Springvale Reserve (Springvale) will be unavailable for the 2017/18 finals.

All DDCA clubs outside the Greater Dandenong area, for example Narre Warren in the Casey region and Dingley in the Kingston City, will need to replace their turf wickets if they are using the Portland Soil.

In other news around the DDCA, new Turf 1 club St Mary’s have added a star recruit to its ranks, with Sri-Lankan firstclass cricketer Kaushalya Gajasinghe signing on as a playing-coach for 2017/18.

He will replace last year’s premiership winning captain-coach Jake Needham, who will not be returning to the club after securing employment in the UK. Gajasinghe, 25, has played 46 first-class matches as well as representing Sri Lanka at Under-19 level and adds instant star power to the side.

Another DDCA Turf 1 club, Cranbourne, is on the verge of announcing their new captain for the 2017/18 season, after the loss of Steven Spoljaric to Springvale South.

Carrie Van Rensburg after winning Gold at the Youth Commonwealth Games.

35 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

Sport

Aston Dee Bee through Aston Dee Bee forced his way into next Thursday’s Victorian National Sprint final with a professional heat win last Thursday night at Sandown Park.

He jumped at a price of $3.20 in a wide open market that reflected the quality of the field taking part in one of the highlights of the state’s greyhound racing calendar.

Raw Ability led throughout the early stages before Worm Burner made his presence felt up front.

The pair collided turning for home which allowed Aston Dee Bee to take a vital race winning lead.

The final margin was one and a half lengths from kennel mate Bewildering, Vostok and Hit The Highway who also advance to next week’s final too.

Luke Thompson, son of trainer Seona Thompson, said the box draw played a pivotal role in Aston Dee Bee’s win.

“He was lucky he had box one. Worm Burner looked like he was going to be hard to beat but unfortunately there was a bit of trouble,” Thompson explained.

Being on the rail made all the difference for Aston Dee Bee tonight.”

Earlier on, star veteran Bruce Tycoon snared heat one at the lucrative starting price of $27.

A stalwart of the Rob Britton kennel, Bruce Tycoon held firm on the rail through the first turn before he matched motors with the leader Lucky Chap down the back.

Bruce’s position on the fence proved vital as he edged out Lucky Chap late and excelled away to win by 2 and a half lengths in 29.59, the fastest of the two heats.

Runner-up Lucky Chap, Extreme Magic and Black Mumbo also gained a spot in next week’s decider, which will be an exciting spectacle.

The winner of next Thursday night’s final will represent Victoria in the Group 1 National Sprint final at Albion Park on Friday 25 August.

By Nick Creely

Aston Dee Bee with excited handler Luke Thompson after Thursday night’s big win at Sandown.

Top-of-the-table Rangers hold Tornadoes at bay

By Nick Creely SEABL REVIEW - ROUND 18 A dominant 86-58 victory to the Dandenong Rangers Women’s side on Saturday evening has seen the Rangers finish the home-and-away season in top spot.

At Dandenong Stadium, the Rangers clashed with Launceston Tornadoes and were never headed after a dominant 23-13 opening quarter.

That lead grew legs to 23 at half time, and despite some fight in the third quarter the Tornadoes were completely outclassed in a brilliant 19-6 last quarter, with the Rangers shooting hot and finding vital momentum heading into the finals.

The usual suspects in Lauren Scherf (23 points, 15 rebounds), Amelia Todhunter (16 points) and Rosie Fadljevic (10 points, five rebounds) were all in top-notch form for the home side.

The Rangers finish the 22 match home-andaway season with a 15-7 record and a percentage of 115.05, and will now have a big finals series

Dandenong to face the Heat

Amelia Todhunter dropped 16 points in Saturday’s victory. 166958 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS ahead of them starting next week.

Other results saw Melbourne defeat Bendigo 76-65, Hobart beat Frankston 87-74 and Ballarat just edge Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence 94-90.

Meanwhile, Dandenong’s Men team were unable to contain a rampaging final quarter blitz from

the North West Tasmania Thunder, going down 97-108 in their final home-and-away clash of the season on Saturday night.

In what was a bizarre turn of events, play had to be postponed until 9pm due to travel issues for the Thunder, who had their flight delayed.

The game was a preview of next week’s much anticipated final the between the two sides, and it was the home side who started slowly, 20-27.

A more disciplined and sharpshooting Dandenong then turned the screws in the second quarter to hold a narrow half time margin, scores remained level 65-65 heading into the final quarter.

But an inspired 43-32 final quarter from the Thunder, inspired by the monumental efforts of Ahmad Starks (31 points, 11 assists) got the visitors over the line.

Lucas Barker (21 points, six rebounds) played a strong game for the Rangers.

In another strong season for the men in green, they finish with a 16-8 record and in third spot, and will face the Thunder once again in a final next week.

The Victorian Premier Cricket fixtures have been released, with Dandenong set to travel to face Frankston in the opening round on 7 October.

After the Panthers disappointingly lost to Melbourne in the semis last season, they will be desperate to get their season off on the right foot against last year’s 17th placed Heat.

In total, the Panthers will play nine home matches at Shepley Oval - including two Twenty20’s against Prahran and reigning premiers Fitzroy-Doncaster.

It’s been a historic off-season for Dandenong, with both the men’s and women’s sides merging into one club in what has been described as a landmark move for elite cricket in the south-east.

So far this off-season, the Panthers have added St Kilda left-arm quick Jak Jowett, while Darren Pattinson will be returning to the club to assist the bowlers.

Here is the full Dandenong fixture with games in bold indicating a home game: Round 1 - Saturday 7 October, Frankston Peninsula v Dandenong, AH Butler Oval.

Round 2 - Saturday 14 October, Dandenong v Carlton.

Round 3 - Saturday 21 October, Greenvale v Dandenong, Greenvale Reserve.

Round 4 - Saturday 28 October, Dandenong v Casey-South Melbourne.

Round 5 - Saturday 4 November, Melbourne University v Dandenong.

Round 6 - Saturday 11 November, Dandenong v Kingston Hawthorn.

Round 7 - Saturday 18 November, Melbourne v Dandenong, 2.30pm (T20).

Round 8 - Sunday 19 November, Dandenong v Prahran, 2.30pm (T20) Round 9 - Saturday 25 November, Footscray v Dandenong, Mervyn G Hughes Oval 2.30pm (T20).

Round 10 - Sunday 26 November, Dandenong v Fitzroy Doncaster, 2.30pm (T20).

Round 11 - Saturday 2-9 December, Monash Tigers v Dandenong, Central Reserve.

Round 12 - Saturday 16-23 December, Dandenong v Camberwell Magpies.

Round 13 - Saturday 13-20 January, Ringwood v Dandenong, Shepley Oval.

Round 14 - Saturday 27 Jan. and Saturday 3 February, Dandenong v Essendon.

Round 15 - Saturday 10-11 February, St Kilda v Dandenong,.

Round 16 - Saturday 17 February and Saturday 24 February, Dandenong v Northcote.

Round 17 - Saturday 3-10 March, Dandenong v Geelong.

SEMI-FINALS - Saturday 17-18 March PRELIM. - Saturday 24-25 March FINAL - Saturday 31 March, Sunday 1 April and Monday 2 April

Local derby punctuated by persistent Thunder strikes

By Nick Creely NPL2 East REVIEW - ROUND 16 CATCH UP The story may be that the Dandenong Thunder rocked past Dandenong City 2-1 in a powerful second half blitz, but Saturday’s clash at Frank Holohan Reserve was so much more than the final score line suggests.

The Thunder claimed the coveted ‘Jim Memeti Cup’, dedicated to Dandenong’s soccer loving mayor for the second time for the season.

And the healthy crowd also came to witness the moment the Thunder all but assured their promotion into the top tier of NPL football in 2018.

They now surge seven points clear of the City in second, but it was a game that didn’t go all to plan right from the start for both sides.

City were rocked by the late withdrawal of star defender James Kelly - one of their most important players so far in 2017.

Then, only 20 minutes into the first half, the 36 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

City were forced to make wholesale changes with another star, Milicevic, also going down injured and not returning to the field.

But it didn’t stop the City from getting their enthusiastic crowd into the game, with Daniel Visevic finding the back of the net in the 31st minute to send Frank Holohan into raptures.

Some strong defensive work from the City restricted Thunder strikers Brandon Barnes and Veton Korcari from working their magic, and suddenly the top-of-the-ladder visitors looked on the back foot.

Going into half time, the undermanned City were 1-0 off and eyeing off a season defining victory.

With everything on the line for both sides, the first part of the second half was a cracker, but there was always a feeling the Thunder’s strikepower would eventually break the game open.

But everytime it looked likely the Thunder would capitalise on one of their many attacking forays, the brave City defenders stood firm.

But a piece of magic from none other than

Barnes finally got the Thunder on the board in the 70th minute.

Despite looking out of position, Barnes - who was outside the box - used his left boot to crash a ball off the post and into the net, equaling the scores at 1-1.

Desperation crept in for both sides who were eager to land the finishing blow, and once again it was with minutes to play that the Thunder stood up and found the back of the net.

In the 88th minute, Samuel Catherine tapped the ball home to stun the crowd and seal a 2-1 victory.

The City were brave, and with an undermanned and under siege defense, would most certainly walk off the field with their heads held high.

But it appears the Thunder will now return to the top ranks after two years in the wilderness, Dandenong Thunder celebrate a monumental victory and boy do they look like making a splash in 2018. on Saturday. 171304 Picture: ROB CAREW

Sport

Shaky Bulls leave the door ajar

By Nick Creely JOURNAL FOOTBALL REVIEW EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE REVIEW - ROUND 15 Noble Park’s season is now hanging in the balance after yet another agonising defeat on Saturday to Doncaster, 6.8(44) to 7.6(48).

Mick Fogarty’s men - who started the season like a house on fire - now remain in fifth position, only on percentage, with three matches to go, and have lost their past two outings.

Against the wind in the first quarter the Bulls managed to quell the Sharks to an extent, holding them to just three goals, although they failed to kick a goal themselves.

Finding a bit more spark in the second quarter, superstar Sam Monaghan (two goals) helped claw the hosts back into the game somewhat, but still faced a 12-point deficit into half time.

But another goalless quarter meant the Bulls would have to scramble to win in the last, with the Sharks opening up a game high 23-point margin with a quarter left to play.

And despite roaring home with a four-goal to one last quarter, the Bulls fell short of the fourth placed Sharks, leaving the door ajar for a late season swoop by either Blackburn or Norwood.

The Bulls need to respond when they travel to face third placed Balwyn on Saturday.

SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2 - ROUND 17 A rarely troubled Keysborough helped themselves to a workmanlike 15-point victory over Springvale Districts, 9.11(65) to 7.8(50).

The third placed Burras, off the back of another Tim Werner (two goals) special, led at every change despite a plucky Demons’ lineup refusing to go away.

Perennial goal kicker Stefan Feehan (four goals) was outstanding for the visitors, and took his tally up to 34 for the season.

The finals bound Burras travel to play Hampton at Peterson Street on Saturday, while Spring-

Doveton Eagles star Enayte Samadi runs in to kick a goal against Carrum-Patterson Lakes on Saturday. 171303 vale Districts will play Caulfield at Koornang.

DIVISION 3 - ROUND 16 Flicking the switch in a dominant six-goal third quarter, the Doveton Eagles smashed Carrum-Patterson Lakes by 38 points at Power Reserve on Saturday.

After leading by 21 points in an inaccurate first half, the Eagles found another gear in the third kicking 6.2 to just 1.0 to run away with the contest in stunning fashion, 15.13(103) to 9.11(65).

Corrie Wilson racked yet another best-afield performance for the Eagles, while Enyate Samadi (three goals) was equally impressive.

Meanwhile, Endeavour Hills paid for its horrible inaccuracy, losing to Black Rock by 10-points at McDonald Reserve, 8.13(61) to 5.21(51).

Kicking 1.6 in the first quarter, the Eagles were woeful in front of goal, kicking 4.15 in the remaining three quarters.

In other matches, Sandown 1.3(9) were never

Picture: ROB CAREW

going to threaten Hallam 28.12(180), Dandenong 9.11(65) were outplayed by Lyndale 23.13(151), Lyndhurst 11.9(75) scored an away win over Moorabbin 7.6(48) and Ashwood 14.14(98) defeated South Yarra 6.10(46).

With just two rounds left to play the current top five is: Hallam, Ashwood, Doveton Eagles, Endeavour Hills and Black Rock.

Stingrays in a nasty mood against the Pioneers

By Nick Creely TAC CUP - REVIEW - ROUND 15 Back at their Shepley Oval fortress, the Dandenong Stingrays expectedly dispatched the bottom placed Bendigo Pioneers by a whopping 89-points on a windy Saturday afternoon.

After last week’s gut-wrenching two-point loss to Gippsland Power, the ‘Rays - desperate to get their top four hopes back on track - where in no mood to muck around right from the start.

With a six-goal breeze favoring the ‘Rays in the opening term, the home side were on the board almost instantly through big man Bailey Williams.

Quick goals to Finlay Bayne, Jamie Plumridge and Jai Nanscawen, who kicked a ripper out of a forward 50 stoppage, suddenly saw the home side lead 30 to 0 after just 10 minutes of play.

They didn’t stop there, with the ‘Rays banging on another four goals and three behinds in the final twenty minutes to almost ice the game at quarter time - 51-points ahead of a clearly de-

jected Pioneers outfit.

The ‘Rays - off the back of their usual suspects in midfield jet Hunter Clark, Riley D’Arcy (four goals), Nanscawen (two goals) and skipper Josh Bateman - added further pain, slamming on another 10 goals in the next two quarters to take an ominous 81-point lead into the final change.

After a goal early in the final term to young forward Bayne, the feeling was well and truly out of the game, with the ‘Rays significantly taking the foot off the pedal.

But it was a complete performance from a team just building nicely at the right time of the season.

Clark - who was arguably best afield in last week’s thriller - once again starred through the midfield, and showed he can impact the scoreboard with another couple of classy goals.

But apart from Clark, who was clearly the most dominant player on the park, the ‘Rays were well rounded all over the field, with Riley Bowman and Williams dominating the ruck, D’Arcy outmuscling the defenders up forward and sturdy

defender Angus Paterson ensuring there would be no defensive lapses.

The ‘Rays will hit the road in Round 16 with a clash against the Greater Western Victoria Rebels in Ballarat.

The Rebels sit second last in what has been a tough season, with the ‘Rays looking to continue their impressive build into the finals.

STINGRAYS 7.9 11.11 17.14 20.18(138) PIONEERS 0.0 3.3 5.5 7.7(49) STINGRAYS GOALS: R. D’Arcy 4, F. Bayne 3, J. Nanscawen 2, F. Mitropoulos 2, H. Clark 2, J. Plumridge 2, T. Murphy 2, B. Williams, M. Cotter, J. Barker BEST: H. Clark, R. D’Arcy, J. Taylor, R. Bowman, B. Williams, J. Bateman PIONEERS GOALS: B. Kemp, A. Schumacher, L. Fitzgerald, J. Schischka, A. Byrne, L. Davis, K. Farrell BEST: M. Kemp, A. Schumacher, D. Henderson, R. Mutch, B. Kemp, K. Farrell.

Hunter Clark was once again a force through the midfield. 170 572 Picture: ROB CAREW

12359568-ACM31-17

WHAT’S ON this week Summer Domestic 2017/18 Registrations NOW OPEN! Registrations for new and returning teams teams for the Summer 2017/18 Senior Domestic Competition are now open!

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Team spots are available for comp nights Monday-Thursday, with Mixed & Over-35 available on Sunday.

Ready to register your new team or want more info about our Senior Competition?

Contact us today at (03) 9794 7192 or email admin@dandenongbasketball.com.au

www.dandenongbasketball.com.au/domestic-comp/senior-domestic

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Open Mon – Sun 9am – 11pm 37 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017

MOTORING Dual cab love affair is living on

By Vani Naidoo, Marque Motoring The Australian love affair with dual-cab utes shows no sign of losing that fresh flush of romance with the vehicle’s ability to service both work and family commitments a major drawcard.

The segment is highly competitive filled with all manner of temptations including utes that look like utes but drives like cars (well, almost), utes that have such a premium feel you couldn’t imagine getting it dusty, utes that are better off-

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• Check transmission oil level •฀Engine฀oil฀change฀5฀Ltr • Oil filter change •฀Check฀transmission฀oil฀level • Check differential oil level • Inspect Spark Plugs •฀Oil฀ilter฀change • Inspect fuel lines •฀Check฀differential฀oil฀level • New contact points • Grease front end •฀Inspect฀Spark฀Plugs • New wiper blades •฀Inspect฀fuel฀lines • Check all tyres • Check hoses and clamps •฀New฀contact฀points • Inspect brake pads and discs • Pressure test cooling system •฀Grease฀front฀end • Inspect front & rear suspension • Check & adjust all fan belts •฀New฀wiper฀blades • Inspect steering system •฀Check฀all฀tyres • Check PVC Valves •฀Check฀hoses฀and฀clamps • Inspect exhaust system • Inspect battery •฀Inspect฀brake฀pads฀and฀discs • Inspect all seat belts • Inspect charging system •฀Pressure฀test฀cooling฀system • Check all lights • Check clutch operation •฀Inspect฀front฀&฀rear฀suspension •฀Check฀&฀adjust฀all฀fan฀belts • Full mechanical & electrical report • Road test •฀Inspect฀steering฀system •฀Check฀PVC฀Valves •฀Inspect฀exhaust฀system •฀Inspect฀battery •฀Inspect฀all฀seat฀belts •฀Inspect฀charging฀system •฀Check฀all฀lights •฀Check฀clutch฀operation •฀Full฀mechanical฀&฀electrical฀report •฀Road฀test

*4WD, vans, 8cyl, special oil & imported vehicles may cost extra

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The much-improved Holden Colorado dual-cab ute is now likely to catch the eye.

Model range Price: from $52,690 (plus on-road costs)

vents back there though which is an annoying oversight.

Cabin storage is available but not abundant.

The centre console bin, glovebox and deep door pockets are more than useful but the front double cup holders are poorly placed and whatever happened to the retracting cup holders that were fitted just under the air vents?

Remote start, 18-inch alloys and auto headlights and wipers are among the standard fare as well as a reversing camera, powered driver’s seat,

LED tail lights and a soft tonneau cover.

The tray is deep and long - the size dependent on the style of Colorado you choose - with payload in the LTZ dual-cab just over 1000kg.

Towing capacity is 3500kg braked and 750kg unbraked which is in line with competitors.

The LTZ features Holden’s latest generation MyLink infotainment system with an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen with smartphone mirroring through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There is a seven-speaker audio system, DAB+ digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity with USB capability.

Phone pairing is simple and the MyLink system is intuitive and easy to use with a good graphics package. The screen is a bit fuzzy at night though which also affects the picture shown by the reverse camera.

There is only one engine available across the range - a lusty four-cylinder 2.8-litre turbo-diesel paired with a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic for $2200 more.

The combination produces 147kW of power and 440Nm of torque in the manual version and 500Nm in the auto. That most of that torque is available from 2000rpm is one of the reasons the Colorado has the oomph needed when overtaking or hauling a load, even up a steep climb.

Five star safety comes courtesy of, amongst others, seven airbags, traction and stability control, trailer sway control and hill-start assist.

The LTZ also has forward collision alert, tyre pressure monitoring and lane departure warning to help you negate the perils of modern-day driving attitudes.

To arrange a test drive contact Barry Bourke Holden, 755 Princes Highway, Berwick, phone 9707 2222.

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INCLUDING: INCLUDING: • Engine oil change 5 Ltr

road, those that are better on road, utes that can haul heavy trailers, others that would battle with an unbraked trailer, big and small, simple and swish. You get the picture…

It is a lucrative market and Holden’s Colorado was not catching the eye. So the Colorado has received a major overhaul, both inside and out, with the entire range from single cab to crew cab and space cab in between, getting a makeover.

But is it enough to turn the Colorado from a wallflower to the belle of the ball?

We put the dual-cab 4x4 to the test.

This Colorado is bolder and brasher than the one it replaces with a more aggressive stance, better form and a complementary new headlight design.

It is important to Holden that the Colorado appeals to premium pickup buyers too and has styled it accordingly.

The interior is a reflection of that philosophy too, with the new Colorado presenting a more cohesive design and the fit and finish to match.

There is still an abundance of plastic, mind you, just with a softer touch especially at those important touchpoints.

The dash itself is simple but effective with the size of the buttons and dials in keeping with the fact that this is a ute and also considerately placed close to reach.

The steering wheel has the controls you use most but the feel in the hand is more practicality than premium.

The Colorado has never battled with space and this iteration is true to that with plenty of head, leg and wriggle room wherever you sit in the dual-cab ute.

The rear pew is flatter than we like but is happy to accommodate three in relative comfort. No air

38 DANDENONG JOURNAL Monday, 7 August, 2017