LOOKING BACK 100 years ago 27 February 1919 The Public Hospital Question At a meeting of the Dandenong hospital committee on Monday evening last Dr Langley emphasised the need of a public hospital being established in Dandenong. He thought that if the people were prepared to go into the matter, the government would help them. To give the movement a start he would be prepared to give #50 towards it. The doctor remarked that the money that the council paid to the Infections Diseases' hospital annually would also be the means of assisting. Cr Abbott thought now was the opportune time to consider the question which was an important one. It was decided that the proposal should be discussed at the next meeting of the committee and Dr Langley was asked to obtain
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
all particulars so they might be placed before the meeting for consideration.
50 years ago 27 February 1969 Topping claim at Market A report of "topping" among fruit and vegetable stallholders at Dandenong Market were made to Dandenong Council on Monday. Cr W Titcher passed on the complaint of a housewife that a "swiftie" had been put over her at one of the stalls. She had bought goods on the strength of front row displays. On examining them later she found a big proportion were not front row quality. Cr Titcher said he understood that if such a practise were detected at the Victoria Market the stallholder could be prosecuted. The Town Clerk Mr C A Elliott, said buyers at Dandenong Market were protected in
the same way as at Victoria Market. Regular visits were made to produce markets by Government Officials who personally checked stalls. "Anyone who has a complaint should contact the municipal office and it would be promptly investigated" Mr Elliott said.
20 years ago 22 February 1999 College to admit girls Next year Hailbury College will make history in time for the new millennium. The school will smash its previous 'all boy' barrier to admit girls to year 3 for the first time in what will then be 109 years of tradition. Already enrolments are being taken to admit girls to the early learning centres at the Keysborough, Berwick and Brighton campuses. The reminder of the college, years 4 to 8 will retain the 'all boys' status. New
Principle Dr Robert Pargetter said "Society changes and so must great schools."
5 years ago 24 February 2014 Cooling off a community Greater Dandenong's public 'cool rooms' could automatically open at a trigger temperature in the future. A heatwave in January prompted City of Greater Dandenong to activate its heatwave plan and open designated air-conditioned spaces to the public for the first time. Springers Leisure Centre in Keysborough, Dandenong Oasis, Jan Wilson community centre in Noble Park North and Paddy O'Donoghue Centre in Noble Park all welcomed hot and bothered residents and served up cold water as the temperature roared above 40 degrees on consecutive days.
Climate change hits home COMMUNITY
VOICE MATTHEW KIRWAN GREATER DANDENONG COUNCILLOR
One Dandenong resident, who suffers from a heat-affected condition that causes her heart-rate to soar when she moves, has told me that she is effectively wheelchair-bound for most of summer. And if we don't take urgent action to tackle climate change, it's only going to get worse for the disadvantaged people living in our city. Because let's be honest here - this is an is-
sue that hits our poorest residents the hardest. For those who can afford to do so, it's easy enough to ride out a heat wave in air conditioned comfort. Tree cover, open space and building types make a huge difference to heat levels. As we face the prospect of a future of hotter summer temperatures fuelled by climate change, local governments - particularly in disadvantaged areas - need to step up to protect our most vulnerable. There is plenty we can do. In our fast-growing outer suburbs, urban trees, shade and greenery need to be planned into the fabric of our streets. A well-placed tree can save a resident up to 58 per cent on air-conditioning costs. We also need to accelerate the switch to re-
newable energy, to slam the brakes on climate change. Switching to solar power doesn't just help our climate - it's a way for residents to beat escalating power bills and effectively cool their homes during extreme heat conditions - and local governments can help them to do it. A popular Melbourne program, Solar Savers, helps pensioners install solar systems in their homes with no upfront costs. It's simple, practical actions like this from local government leaders that could potentially save lives in extreme weather conditions. We're living on the climate change frontline in the outer suburbs - it's time for local governments to step up to fight the battle for our future.
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The recent scorching heat in Melbourne has made life difficult for everyone - but for vulnerable residents in some of the outer suburbs, extreme heat can have potentially deadly consequences. As a councillor for Greater Dandenong, one of Victoria's poorest and most ethnically diverse local government areas, I see first-hand how extreme heat affects local residents. Many people have told me that they're afraid to turn on the air-conditioner at home, even on the hottest days, due to soaring power bills. This can have huge impacts on their physical and mental health, with health services data showing a spike in hospital visits and ambulance calls in the area during heatwaves.
6 STAR JOURNAL
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Monday, 25 February, 2019
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au