Dandenong Star Journal - 03rd September 2019

DANDENONG

Tuesday, 3 September, 2019

Park of the people

Red Roos take off

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Jack’s on the right path

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Fence fresco Students from Wallarano Primary School's Art Academy have given more than a good lick of paint to a neighbouring kindergarten. The 22 students, including Elwin and Elena, pictured, livened up a boring steel fence at Good Start Learning Centre with their stunning hand-painted mural. 196974 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Attack of speed

By Cam Lucadou-Wells An 87-year-old military-tank enthusiast in a Ford GT sports car has blazed through a Princes Highway amber light at 125 km/h, a court has heard.

John Belfield, the owner of Melbourne Tank Museum in Narre Warren North, was once dubbed as 'Australia's oldest hoon' a decade ago. On this occasion, a speed camera at the South Gippsland Highway intersection snapped the east-bound car at 45 km/h over the speed limit just after 10am on a Sunday last September.

His lawyer told the Dandenong Magistrates' Court on 27 August that Belfield was not "hooning".

On Belfield's way home from a Dandenong trash-and-treasure market, he had just given the car a "squirt" as the lights turned amber, the lawyer said.

He'd been surprised by the power of what was his first-ever brand-new car, bought after his wife had died a year earlier, the lawyer said.

"He put his foot down, gave it a squirt and that particular car and engine goes from 80 to 120 (km/h) in 2.2 seconds," the lawyer said.

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"Within five seconds he's exceeded the speed limit by 45 km/h."

Magistrate Jack Vandersteen said that two seconds would have been "ample time" to stop the car at the lights.

"Rather than stopping, he gave it a squirt."

Mr Vandersteen rated Belfield's risk of returning to court as low, though noting "I'm surprised by the type of car that you're driving in the circumstances".

He took into account Belfield's "significant costs" to subpoena traffic-camera photos to support his case.

Belfield was convicted and fined $750, on top of a 12-month driving disqualification.

According to his lawyer, Belfield - isolated from public transport or even footpaths - had bought himself a mobility scooter for his disqualification period.

Belfield had not been charged since 2009 when his Nissan Pulsar was detected at 170 km/h in Warragul.

The car was impounded on that occasion. Belfield was regarded as Australia's oldest hoon and branded by then-Premier John Brumby as an "idiot".

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NEWS

Fake gunman pulled up

By Danielle Kutchel A toy gun being carried through Melbourne that scared civilians and led to police being called was intended as a gift, a court has heard.

Abraham Konyise, from Dandenong North, was found carrying the imitation weapon late last year.

On December 21 2018 at 4:40pm, police received a number of 000 calls relating to a man with a firearm heading into the Melbourne CBD. Fifteen minutes later police found him walking along Olympic Boulevard carrying what looked to be a 60cm black long arm

assault rifle.

The police drew their weapons and told the accused to drop his own.

After Konyise's arrest they found that he smelt of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet, and a search revealed that the firearm was a toy imitation. He was also found to be carrying nitrous oxide and alcohol.

Konyise allegedly told police the toy was a present for his cousin.

He appeared in Dandenong Magistrates Court on Tuesday 27 August after being arrested at 11:08 that morning.

The accused was found boarding the 901 bus at Zenith Road and Frankston-Dandenong

Road without a valid ticket.

Konyise told authorities at the time that he had lost his wallet and had no valid ticket, and was travelling to play the pokies in Dandenong.

He was arrested, searched and taken to Dandenong Police Station. Police found outstanding warrants for his arrest.

A lawyer for Konyise told the court the 28-year-old was living in Dandenong North with his cousins and came to Australia as a refugee from South Sudan in 2006.

He is a qualified mechanic but has not worked for a few years, the court heard, relying on the kindness of The Salvation Army to

get by as he was no longer receiving Newstart.

Konyise has also been diagnosed with depression, had taken responsibility for his crimes and was happy to comply with the conditions of a community corrections order, the lawyer told the court.

Magistrate Pauline Spencer was satisfied Konyise was keeping himself out of trouble for the most part, but acknowledged that the toy gun incident was serious given police and civilians didn't know it was a fake.

Konyise was placed on a 12 month good behaviour bond, conditional on his attending Afri-Aus Care to help him obtain an income and work.

Push for cycling track after demolition of velodrome

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong Council will form a working group to explore the need for a regional cycling facility, such as at Greaves Reserve, Dandenong.

In the wake of controversially demolishing Maurice Kirby Velodrome in Noble Park this year, Greater Dandenong will partner with neighbouring councils to develop a regional cycling strategy.

It will aim to increase opportunities for competition and social-level cycling.

The plan will cost an estimated $60,000 shared by councils and hopefully a Sport and Recreation Victoria grant, according to a council report.

Community services director Martin Fidler told a 26 August council meeting that the strategy was required because cycling peak bodies

The former Maurice Kirby Velodrome in Parkfield Reserve, Noble Park. had limited data about "cycling as a sport" in the region.

Councillor Zaynoun Melhem said it was incumbent on the council to at least explore the need for the facility - either in Greater Dandenong or elsewhere in the South East - after removing the municipality's only velodrome.

In opposition, councillor Tim Dark point-

Picture: BRIANA MONDON

ed to a drop in cycling participation rates in Greater Dandenong - down from 15 per cent to 8 per cent.

The funds were better used to support tennis, soccer and cricket clubs - sports with a "substantial" rise in participation.

Cr Dark noted Cycling Victoria and Bicycle Network took "such an aggressive standpoint"

against the Maurice Kirby Velodrome removal despite not having supportive data.

Cr Kirwan, in support of the study, said the point of the strategy was to collect the data from a South-East regional view.

It could lead to a "different result altogether" on participation rates.

He said a collaborative approach with other councils was likely to receive State support.

The State Government had identified cycling as a high priority across Victoria, Cr Kirwan said.

He later told Star Journal that he supported Cr Maria Sampey's idea of Greaves Reserve as a possible regional venue.

"Given it's so close to EastLink, Monash Freeway, Dandenong railway station and bus hub, and the Djerring and EastLink bike trails, it would be a central and accessible location.

"It would be an ideal one we could consider."

Forward-looking innovation succeeds in the IT space

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Cutting-edge technology, business success stories and an inspiring rise from adversity by an IT student were the talking points at a Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce showcase event.

At Atura Hotel on 28 August, the latest round of the 2019 business award nominees was unveiled - Aus Group Alliance, AA Electroplaters, Future Recycling Metals and PACT Heating & Cooling.

VCE Year 12 student Koryom Gatluak was announced as the Chamber's 2019 youth enterprise winner.

Mr Gatluak had come from a war-torn country, family breakdown and scrapes with the law to put himself on track for a university placement.

He used to have a "turbulent relationship" with education, he said.

"This last six or seven months, I've learned a lot but I've also developed as a person.

"Every single day I look to get better."

He now focused on hard work and selfimprovement - and on mastering the difficult, such as Maths Methods. He viewed his Chisholm studies as a "beginning, not an end".

Chisholm Institute's Kathrin Coglan told the event that Mr Gatluak realized the "power of education".

With the support of his case manager James, Mr Gatluak was upfront about wanting to change his life, Ms Coglan said.

He had persevered, shown positive attitude and problem-solving to rise to the top-percentile in his Chisholm classes - and "often ahead of the teachers".

The next step for Mr Gatluak is hopefully a computer science degree at Monash or Melbourne universities.

Green innovation was very much the theme among the business award nominees.

Future Recyling Metals, with plants in Pakenham and Dandenong, is a carbon-neutral business that diverts 70 per cent of collected waste away from landfill.

Brick and concrete rubble was transformed into road base material, green waste and timber into mulch and PVC cable into granulated copper.

Hand-sorting is used to overcome the high2 STAR JOURNAL

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Business award nominee Tyone Landman, of Future Recycling Metals, with Jason Ashton of Macpherson Kelley. 197280

Kathrin Coglan and Youth Enterprise winner Koryom Gatluak. 197280 Pictures: CAM LUCADOU-WELLS

Steve Atkinson, of PACT Heating and Cooling, with Jason Ashton of Macpherson Kelley. 197280

Nick Marandos, of Aus Group Alliance, with Paul Wood of NAB. 197280

Business award nominee Mark McHale, of AA Electroplaters, with Paul Wood from NAB. 197280

ly-contaminated household recycling waste, founder Tyrone Landman told the event.

He told of dismantling 180-tonne transformers from power sites - retrieving copper and steel and other waste for recycling.

PACT Heating & Cooling was more than its name suggests - a solar installation specialist in an industry blighted by "cowboys".

Owner Steve Atkinson, who took over the Dandenong South business founded by his

father, has an eye on hydrogen power as the energy source of the future.

Aus Group Alliance has supplied and built noise walls for major roadways such as EastLink, Peninsula Link and the Tullamarine Freeway.

Surprisingly the walls, with a concrete appearance, are formed from recycled plastic. A kilometre of panels would consume two million milk bottles.

"We can solve the recycling problem overnight," owner Nick Marandos told the audience.

AA Electroplaters has meanwhile started a program to provide computers for disadvantaged students. It has since been backed by Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce.

Meanwhile the Chamber re-elected Paul Broom as president. Other office-bearers are vice-presidents Roy Sanderson and Peter Helmore, and treasurer Svetlana Basman.

Tuesday, 3 September, 2019

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NEWS

IN BRIEF

Council goes green

By Cam Lucadou-Wells City of Greater Dandenong plans to use 100 per cent renewable energy by the 2020-21 financial year.

The goal will be met when the council's two Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) come into place, corporate services director Mick Jaensch told a council meeting on 12 August.

The first PPA conducted by Procurement Australia covers the council's public lighting about 48.6 per cent of the council's electricity needs.

The other will cover the remaining energy used at the council's sites.

It is conducted by the Municipal Association of Victoria and the council coalition Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action, Both PPA's renewable energy sources were unknown at this stage, Mr Jaensch said. They are expected to start in 2020-21.

"Once both PPAs are operational, one hundred percent of Council electricity will come from renewable energy," Mr Jaensch said.

"With both PPAs, we do not know what the impact will have on our carbon emissions at this point. This will only be known at the conclusion of the tender process."

Cr Matthew Kirwan said the bulk power agreements with the purchasing power of several councils would help encourage renewable energy.

"PPAs have the broader market impact to encourage renewables to be built to meet the demand you are creating by signing up. So that will actually help with supply issues."

Cr Kirwan said the council was installing energy efficient LED street lights and largescale solar panel installations at both our Dandenong Civic Centre and the under-construction Springvale Community Hub.

"Council generating our own energy provides energy security.

"Purchasing renewable energy is vital too, to save residents money as renewable energy rapidly becomes cheaper than coal-based power.

"It will reduce emissions and move us as fast as possible to a zero net emissions Council to tackle climate change."

The fossil fuel industry, through its vested interests, were manipulating doubts over power supply with "baseless attacks" on renewable energy, Cr Kirwan said.

"While there are concerns about threats to our power supply on individual very hot days this summer, this is a failure by the Federal Government to come up with a viable National Energy Policy to create a national approach to drive energy efficiency and renewable energy generation."

Life breathed into livestock market

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A pillar of Dandenong's rich history as the Gateway to Gippsland could so easily have been lost.

The livestock market on Cheltenham Road was a weekly tradition for decades, drawing farmers from across the South East until it closed just before Christmas in 1998.

A committed group from the Show committee didn't allow the market to dissolve in time.

For posterity, they have preserved its auction sale ring, signs and relics under the roof of Jack Rae OAM Pavilion at Dandenong Showgrounds.

The sales ring is still used to train budding livestock auctioneers Lining the walls are more than 110 perpetual signs with the names of the region's great farming families, as well as the market's milking plant, milk cans, butter churns and holding yards.

Graeme Marriott was one of the original group who saved the old stalls, ultimately donated by Greater Dandenong Council.

"It was all going to be destroyed, no one wanted it so we stepped in," Mr Marriott says.

"Seven of us pulled it to pieces and transported it here."

He surveys the museum with some relish such as a photo of a plump prize-winning pig entered by his great-uncle at the 1939 Dandenong Show.

A poster advertises a Clearing Sale of a former Narre Warren farm, with a tractor, plough, 35 cows and 15 springers up for grabs.

Asked for a highlight among the collection, Mr Marriott says: "All of it - it's a wonderful collection of memorabilia.

"It's our pastoral heritage. A lot of people don't know it's here."

Many of that group have departed, including the late Graeme Allan, Rob Bowman, Geoff Carson and Alex Morgan.

Alex Nelson Pavilion ransacked Burglars have swiped booze, food and equipment from a sports pavilion in Alex Nelson Reserve, Springvale South.

The multi-purpose pavilion off Harold Road was broken into between 7.30pm on Tuesday 20 August and 2.30pm on Wednesday 21 August.

Among the loot was a substantial amount of alcohol, a defibrillator, a games machine, chocolates and soft drinks, electrical speakers and a pair of fire extinguishers Police say the intruders took two trolleys from the clubrooms to transport their heist across a playing field to a nearby car park.

Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au, or Greater Dandenong CIU on 9767 7487.

Two teens charged with railway robbery Two females have been charged over a violent robbery outside Dandenong railway station.

A 29-year-old Dandenong woman was allegedly approached by the pair near the Foster Street entrance about 4.40pm on Wednesday 21 August.

Without warning, the victim was felled by a strike to the face, police say.

The teens then continued to beat the victim on the ground, took her purse and run away.

They were followed across several streets by a witness, who called triple-0.

An 18-year-old and a 17-year-old, both from Dandenong, were soon after arrested.

They were charged with robbery and assault.

The pair were remanded to face a court on 22 August.

Stolen car explodes A loud explosion was heard by residents after a stolen car was set alight in Nockolds Crescent, Noble Park.

The red 1989 Nissan Pulsar had been stolen from a home in Wheeler Court, Wheelers Hill overnight on 13 August.

The car was then abandoned and exploded about 1am on Monday 25 August.

A second vehicle was seen leaving the fire scene.

Any information to Greater Dandenong CIU on 9767 7487 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Graeme Marriott and Alan Collier standing up at the auction stall.

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

An original Stock Market sign. 196631

A piece of pastoral history. 196631

Jim Ferris and his son Ricky - the current Dandenong Show president - as well as many who were part of the Dandenong Show committee were also involved.

This month is a chance to step back into the history at a Back to Dandenong Saleyards Day. Recreating the auctions of yesteryear, all sorts of general items will be put under the hammer for the public.

Pastoral families, who mingled at the stock markets every week, are invited back to reconnect.

Back to Dandenong Saleyards Day is at Greaves Reserve, Bennet Street, Dandenong on Saturday 14 September, 11am-2pm. Includes a free sausage sizzle and a fun auction.

All welcome.

Get connected to the GRID Emerging artists and bands from south-east Melbourne are being offered the chance of a lifetime, with the 2019 GRID program now accepting applications.

GRID - or Grass Roots Indie Development - offers four successful applicants the opportunity to work with some of the music industry's leading experts to help them in their career.

Participants will receive business mentoring with leading music industry experts Millie Dwyer and Neda, and have a one-on-one songwriting session with genre-bending powerhouse Ecca Vandal and singer, pianist and producer Allysha Joy. Having worked on their songs, the participants will then record their track with either Ecca Vandal x Kid Not, or Ariel Blum. The single will then be released and participants will get the chance to perform it at a Melbourne launch event.

For more information, visit www.gridseries. com.au.

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Tuesday, 3 September, 2019

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STAR JOURNAL 3

NEWS

Repeat offender: no bail

By Danielle Kutchel A 20-year-old repeat offender has had his bail application denied and been deemed an "unacceptable risk" to the community after allegedly committing more burglaries - while on bail for previous offences.

Dandenong North man Tommy Merrall had been bailed in April this year after being charged with a vehicle theft, subject to a curfew and a fixed address, Dandenong Magistrates' Court heard on 27 August.

But police say that on August 17, CCTV identified Merrall as one of the offenders who broke into a home stealing jewellery, watches and alcohol.

The owners of the home were alerted via their home security system and returned in

time to intercept the four thieves.

Merrall was among those who fled in a black 2018-model Audi, which had also been allegedly stolen during a residential aggravated burglary two days prior.

On Tuesday 27 August at 7.15am, police executed a search warrant at a Dandenong North address. They say that they found Merrall along with clothing identical to that captured on CCTV at the burglary, as well as keys to various vehicles, knuckledusters and a .22 calibre hunting rifle, identified as having been stolen during a burglary in Rosanna on August 3.

Other firearms were also stolen during that burglary but these are still outstanding, prosecutors told the court.

During his interview at Dandenong Police

Station, Merrall denied committing any offences and said he was unaware of the vehicle keys in his house.

A rap sheet of previous offences dating back to 2014 was also tendered to court by the prosecution.

In 2017 he was a passenger in a car involved in a fatal collision with a motorcycle in Wantirna. He and a co-offender had fled on foot from the crash scene and stole another car in an aggravated burglary, the court heard.

Merrall, who represented himself in his bail application, told the court he had recently lost his job as a roof tiler with his brother, and hoped to get his job back if he was bailed.

He also said he hoped to see his brother, whom he hadn't seen in five years and who al-

legedly has autism.

Merrall's mother, who was also present in court, told Magistrate Pauline Spencer she would support her son if he was allowed to come home - but Ms Spencer disagreed.

"That hasn't happened so far. I think you've done as much as you can to help, which is not great, frankly," Ms Spencer said.

She refused Merrall bail, citing his prior offences which she said were "all a repeat of the same stuff".

She said she considered him an unacceptable risk of reoffending and endangering the public, with his offending deemed all the more serious given the stolen firearms.

Merrall was remanded in custody and will reappear on September 25 via videolink.

Energy costs, local content headaches: SEMMA

By Cam Lucadou-Wells There's a changing of the guard at the peak body for South East manufacturers.

Vonda Fenwick was announced as the incoming executive officer of South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) at its AGM at the Australian Synchrotron on 27 August.

A founding SEMMA board member with 30 years in manufacturing, Ms Fenwick starts her tenure on 3 September.

Her successor of six years Adrian Boden told the meeting that SEMMA had ongoing concerns about local content levels in major government projects and the absence of a national energy solution.

But he pointed to continuing healthy signs.

Manufacturing was in the top 3 job growth sectors, with 40,000 extra jobs according to 2017-18 ABS Trend figures.

"The continuing investment of both State and Federal governments in infrastructure can only be a good thing," Mr Boden said.

"The challenge is to introduce manufacturing as a serious job opportunity at the earliest possible age and to ... reinforce the opportunity through the educational cycles."

Mr Boden said delays on the High-Capacity Metro Trains showed the need for greater oversight over major projects.

"As we indicated (in 2016-17) we have major doubts on the local content claims for HCMT. "The steel issues with the (West Gate Tunnel) project are another example of how local content is not being achieved."

His one disappointment was the "increasingly focalised" political landscape.

"Collaboration is absolutely critical and we need our Governments and Opposition to demonstrate their willingness to do so."

In other AGM developments, Peter Angelico replaces Greg Northrop as SEMMA president.

"One of the biggest issues that keeps manufacturers awake at night is the cost of energy," Mr Angelico said.

"The ball has been well and truly dropped when it comes to energy and the volatility and uncertainty is having a detrimental effect on many of our members.

"What was once a competitive advantage for manufacturing in Victoria has now become a disadvantage."

Bruce MP Julian Hill, outgoing SEMMA executive director Adrian Boden, incoming director Vonda Fenwick and president Peter Angelico. 197281 Pictures: CAM LUCADOU-WELLS

Craig Moulin, of Tycab Australia, Barry Pinder, of Pump Technology, and James Sturgess, of Macpherson Kelley Lawyers are awarded for 15 years' SEMMA membership. 197281

Paul Lutz, of Britannia Metal Industries, Henry Wolfkamp, of Australian Rollforming Manufacturers, and Paul Konig, of Chisholm Institute, are awarded for 15 years of SEMMA membership. 197281

Dandy teachers strike diamond of love

By Cam Lucadou-Wells An enduring, happy 60 years of marriage started with a chance encounter on the beach of Phillip Island.

Summer 1955, the Scottish-born Alex Forbes was on holidays with his Morwell mates. It was there where his future bride and Phillip Island local Gloria was on life-saving duty.

"When I met her, I said that I'm going to marry her," Alex, 83, says.

Four years later, they wed on the island's Presbyterian Church. They moved to Lilac Avenue, Dandenong North that year, bringing up three children Lisa, Avril and David.

Sixty years on, the diamond wedding milestone is the "norm" for their group of friends, 4 STAR JOURNAL

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Gloria, 82, says.

Alex migrated as a 14-year-old with his family from Edinburgh in 1950. It was the best decision his father made, escaping post-war rations, he said.

Alex worked on the Snowy River hydroelectric scheme, did National Service, and moved to Dandenong as a fitter-and-turner with GMH before responding to an ad for trade teachers at Dandenong Tech School.

He stayed in the vocation for 30 years, as well as 13 years in the Army Reserve including as lieutenant in the Dandenong-based 15th Field Regiment.

He's been a Freemason for the past 50, including at the former lodge in Mason Street Dandenong.

Alex was proud of introducing "self-learn-

Tuesday, 3 September, 2019

ing" courses tailored for a diversity of students - male, female and of different year levels and rates of learning.

It broke from the mould of a "lock-step" generalised curriculum that was taught the same across all tech schools.

"That's what is the trouble with the high schools and universities," he says.

"The high schools are locked into teaching for examinations - they don't take into account that kids have different learning styles."

Gloria, a retired kindergarten teacher, said she found overseas families were more aware of the importance of education, including preschools.

"They put more stress on education for improving their children's futures."

Alex and Gloria Forbes celebrate 60 years of marriage. 197036 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS She was one of the first adult students completing a Higher School Certificate at the former Cleeland High School before going to kindergarten training college in Kew. This month, the couple are celebrating their 60th anniversary with family and friends at the Dandenong Club. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

‘Unguided missile’ bailed

By Cam Lucadou-Wells An accused drug-driver who allegedly led a fast late-morning police pursuit through a supermarket car park and the wrong side of the road in central Noble Park has been granted bail.

Travis Smith, 22, with a long list of prior convictions, was likened to an "unguided missile" by magistrate Daniel Muling during a hearing at Dandenong Magistrates' Court on 27 August.

In opposing bail, police regarded Smith as an "extreme risk" of re-offending.

Police say they parked behind Smith in a stolen 1998 Skyline coupe at the 7-11 service station at the corner of Douglas and Heatherton roads about 10.30am on Thursday 1 August.

Smith then allegedly accelerated at a fast rate through the busy rear car park of Coles Supermarket.

The coupe allegedly sped up to 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on Frank Street, and crossed on the wrong side of the road into incoming traffic at a roundabout at Noble and Buckley streets.

An hour later, the same car was allegedly screeching a burnout and "hooning up and down the street, driving backwards and throwing things out the window" in Banksia Street, Doveton.

Smith was soon after arrested after allegedly running from police, jumping fences and hopping on a stolen mountain bike in Tarata Drive, Doveton.

He allegedly tested positive for meth and cannabis, the court heard.

At the time, Smith was wanted for failing to appear at court for charges of attempted car stealing and attempted theft from a vehicle in Fitzroy North.

He also faced charges of two alleged petrol drive-offs and a theft of a beer slab from a bot-

tle shop - although CCTV images from one of the drive-offs didn't appear to feature Smith, his lawyer said.

Smith's prior convictions included armed robbery, robbery, aggravated burglary, intentionally causing injury, affray and bail offences.

He had more than 20 previous convictions for theft and 30 for car theft.

Mr Muling noted that the "driving in the middle of the day in a suburban area is as bad as it gets, particularly given you were affected by drugs when this took place".

"You can expect that a court will consider that a jail sentence is open because of the danger that you caused.

"It seems that on every occasion (at court) you've received a sentence of detention so it's fair to say you've been an unguided missile over a period of time."

Mr Muling however said Smith had met the "compelling reasons" test for bail.

He noted Smith's young age, his substancefree stint in remand for the past 26 days, and that he'd never received intensive support under the CISP bail program.

With the help of CISP, Smith's "real risk" of re-offending could be reduced to an acceptable level.

"From almost 24 years' experience sitting as a magistrate I'm well aware of the positive results that CISP have been able to achieve for persons like yourself with significant drug, alcohol and mental health issues.

"You know if you were to go back on the gear, all bets are off."

Smith was bailed on a night curfew, to live with a close relative and her three young children in Endeavour Hills.

His conditions included not to drive or use illicit drugs.

Smith was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates' Court on 24 September.

Plenty of Space for dessert Science and gastronomics collided in a seismic week of events at Lyndale Secondary College, Dandenong North.

Science Week started with liquid nitrogen for snap-freezing lollies and flowers, and for creating instant ice-cream with custard and mint chocolates.

It ended with a Great Science Cake BakeOff for staff and students. With the theme of 'Space', some stellar bakes included a homage to the first Moon landing and a diagram of the Solar System.

Shraddha, Suha, Rivindi, Ayesha and Hitanshi took out the first prize for students.

In the staff category, Gayana Weerasinghe took the honours.

Other activities included a paper-plane engineering comp with student Prany's plane soaring 19 metres, a science quiz and a Jeans for Genes fundraiser that collected $150.

Arnin, Sara and Ayesha with their Spacethemed cakes. 196484 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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STAR JOURNAL 5

LOOKING BACK

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

4 September 1919 The New Bridge

at £150, and the formation of the metalling on the Main rd leading to the bridge meant an outlay of £1000, which makes the total of £4435.

of the hall but found no trace of any bomb.

They asked Mr Gordon if he wanted to continue with his speech and he said he did. It was Mr Gordon's first official visit to Dandenong.

Visit by the premier Mr Lawson

50 years ago

20 years ago

5 years ago

The ceremony of officially opening the bridge recently erected across the creek on the Main Road, near Dandenong, took place on Friday last in the presence of upwards of a thousand people. Perfect weather conditions prevailed, and the function passed off most successfully. Portions of the bridge were gaily decorated with red, white and blue streamers. The large attendance included Mr Lawson, the State Premier, Mr F Groves MLA; Mr Calder of the Country Roads Board, and representatives of adjoining municipalities. The bridge it may be stated, will cost £3285, whilst additional works are set down

2 September 1969 A Bomb scare didn't faze Gorton

6 September 1999 Not guilty for crimes of a few

1 September 2014 Tasting a rich culture

"There has been a bomb scare there tonight, but I thought you would rather hear me speak"

A series of recent police drug raids have tainted the image of Springvale's Vietnamese community, says the director of Springvale Indochinese Mutual Assistance Association, Mr Phong Nguyen. Mr Nguyen encouraged the police's hard line on drug traffickers. "Vietnamese drug dealers, like all drug dealers, are not a welcome part of our society. When 12 Vietnamese Australians were arrested over an alleged heroin distribution ring in the western suburbs last month the impact hit Springvale. "Good students are being

Guided tours are helping visitors and residents explore Greater Dandenong's rich cultural precincts. Springvale tour takes participants through arcades and laneways to expose them to cultural traditions, alternative medical practices and food from across South East Asia. The Afghan Bazaar tour covers cultures in fashion and music and concludes with a meal at an Afghan restaurant. The Little India tours explores Indian culture through clothing, jewellery, food film and music. An African Food tour visits traders as they prepare a feast with spices.

100 years ago

This is how Australia's Prime Minister , Mr Gorton, dismissed threats that a bomb had been planted in the Dandenong Town Hall on Friday night. Many of the 300 people at the dinner, thought Mr Gorton was joking. It was later found, however, that police received two calls, one at 7.50pm and one at 8pm that a bomb was planted in the town hall. Commonwealth and local police made a thorough check

called drug traffickers at their schools and the general public perception is getting to the stage where people are being looked at as guilty until proven innocent" Mr Nguyen said.

NEWS

Rotary donation helps out

By Brendan Rees A Casey school's dream of opening a health training hub is one step closer thanks to the generosity of Rotary Club of Berwick.

A donation of about $50,000 in medical equipment including five hospital beds will go towards Hallam Senior College's allied health training centre which is due to open next year.

Other items include bed side tables, over bed cupboards, day chairs, wheels chairs, transfer boards, body lifters, crutches, physio tables, and disposal gloves.

Community Services and Allied Health VET courses will be delivered at the new training centre with more than 40 students expected to participate.

The school will also transform part of a building into a simulated hospital in a $20-$30 million refurbishment project.

Rotary Club of Berwick members joined school staff and local politicians to discuss the project on Thursday 22 August.

Hallam Senior College executive principal

Rotary Club of Berwick members Rob Wingrave and Mark Caulfield, , with South East Local Learning and Employment Network Mary Tresize-Brown (back row) and Year 12 health student Arben, Rotary Club of Berwick president Isobel Caulfield , trainer Lizl Tregidga, and Hallam Senior Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS College partnerships manager Keith Pimblett. 196465 Greg McMahon said the donation was warmly welcomed, adding the program would ensure students were job-ready.

"In a first for the College, the growing allied

health - health services sector needs are being addressed with resources provided through a direct partnership with the Rotary Club of Berwick," he said.

President of the Rotary Club of Berwick Isobel Caulfield said the donation was a joint effort with Rotary Donations in Kind who donate essential items to organisations around the world.

"That's what Rotary is good at - is actually connecting people and joining the dots," she said.

In another first, the College will team up with the South East Local Learning and Employment Network (SELLEN) to provide a program of study for young parents who would otherwise not finish school.

"It's a very exciting time for young people who are pregnant and/or parenting to be able to return to their education and bring their baby with them," SELLEN partnerships facilitator Mary Tresize - Brown said.

In the past four years since trialling the Young Parents Education Program more than 60 young parents have completed Year 12 education and are now in employed or undertaking tertiary study.

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The firm's qualified advisors and accountants offer a comprehensive suite of services to clients ranging from various industries. Services include strategic business advisory, taxation, accounting, audit and compliance, superannuation, due diligence, and financial planning.

Understanding that clients' needs vary significantly, Ashfords professional staff prioritise

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CEO Greg Cusack said in his experience a tailored approach to each client works best.

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NEWS

Overdose deaths soar Janine Bray and Geoffrey Daniel return to the playground they helped found. 197013 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Park for people, by people

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

John Ryan, chief executive of the Penington Institute. bilise as deaths due to illicit drugs like heroin, fentanyl and methamphetamine skyrocketed.

"Reducing access to prescription drugs without addressing the underlying causes simply changes the types of drugs that are abused - with fatal consequences."

The much-loved timber-tower playspace in Burden Park, Springvale South owes everything to community spirit.

Opened 25 years ago, it was built by an army of up to 1500 residents and some of the local Army Reserve over five days of toil.

The 'childrens castle' theme was based on the customised Leathers playground concept, and remains unique in Greater Dandenong.

Supporters' names are still enshrined on the playground's palings to this day.

The project was largely paid for by two years of fundraising - raffles, a rock-n-roll night and donations totalling $120,000.

Janine Bray and Geoffrey Daniel were among a determined committee of about six residents who led the project from start to finish.

"It was special because it was community built," Ms Bray said.

Many businesses and club got behind it with donations and supplies, Ms Bray said.

The City of Greater Dandenong supplied a Mazda for the committee to raffle off for funds.

Mr Daniel remembers the masses of volunteers fed with free breakfasts and lunches onsite. Food and drinks were provided from markets, market gardens, the then-Victorian Milk Board, hospitals, frozen food suppliers and cake shops.

Tools, paints and building supplies came from hardware stores.

Once it was built, it felt like there was true ownership by the community, Mr Daniel said.

"It was one of those things where someone had a great idea, and it brought people together in a big way.

"We needed something for Springvale.

"It was a community giving back to each other."

The space has become a meeting area, a place for a barbecue, to shoot hoops or to explore the timber maze.

"It's not intimidating, it's not all concrete, no bright lights and no advertising," Mr Daniel says.

"It's just a community meeting place."

A 25th anniversary barbecue will be held in Burden Park on Sunday 8 September 11.30am1pm. All welcome.

12424381-CG34-19

Unintentional drug overdoses are killing a soaring number of people in the Dandenong region, according to new research figures.

Research body Penington Institute released the figures with its Australia's Annual Overdose Report published on 27 August.

It found that 71 people died from overdoses from illicit and prescription drugs in the Dandenong region in a five-year period between 2013-17.

It was up by 31 per cent from the death toll in 2008-12.

The increase is less than the Greater Melbourne rise of 40 per cent and Frankston (77 per cent).

Penington Institute chief executive John Ryan said overdose deaths across Australia had reached "crisis" point. More than 1600 had died in 2017.

About 71 per cent of the deceased were aged between 30 and 59 years old.

"We must treat overdose deaths as preventable.

"We know what works in saving lives and reducing the harms from overdose deaths.

"We're just not doing enough of it."

Underpinning the rise is a significant increases in deaths involving 'anti-depressants' or benzodiazepines, pharmaceutical opioids, and illicit substances such as 'ice' and heroin.

There was also a rise in deaths involving four or more substances.

"When it comes to opioids, we're careening down a similar paths as America.

"About seven years ago, their overdose deaths from prescription opioids began to sta-

The Metro Tunnel will make your journey easier no matter how you decide to travel Some of Melbourne’s busiest train lines – Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham – will run exclusively through the new Metro Tunnel. It will untangle the City Loop, Melbourne’s biggest bottleneck.

The Metro Tunnel will create room for additional passengers during peak times on the Cranbourne, Pakenham, Frankston and Sandringham lines and cut travel times to Parkville and St Kilda Road by up to 50 minutes a day.

With more frequent trains carrying more people to destinations across Melbourne, the Metro Tunnel will also help take cars off our busy roads.

From 2 September, Flinders Street eastbound will be closed between Elizabeth Street and Swanston Street for up to three years. Thanks for your patience as we build the Metro Tunnel.

For more information about road disruptions in the CBD, visit metrotunnel.vic.gov.au

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 3 September, 2019

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STAR JOURNAL 7

NEWS

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We all heard about the Boomers besting the USA in a basketball exhibition match in Melbourne recently.

On 21 August, there was another set of international friendlies hosted in Dandenong.

The locally-based Red Roo Sports mens and womens teams took on the best players from Hawaii at Hoops 24/7 courts in fast, entertaining games.

It comes on the back of several on-court and off-court achievements by this club led and bankrolled by businessman James Kerr since 2015.

The club has snared a host of local and international trophies. The most recent being Red Roo's Under 16 boys who won the South Sudanese Australian National Basketball Association championships in Sydney in July.

The Star Journal also recently featured some of the Red Roo players, Oyiti Amum and Daniel Akuei, that have been awarded US college scholarships.

com.au

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WHAT’S ON ness. Everyone is welcome, no bookings are necessary - just bring an open mind and an open heart.

When: every Wednesday 7-8pm. Where: Dandenong North Senior Citizens Club, Latham Crescent, Dandenong North. Cost: free. For more information, visit freemeditation.com.au or call 0497783946.

Starlight Tour de Kids Tour de Kids kicks off this Sunday 1 September and runs until 21 September. It is Australia's first-ever virtual bike challenge and will help raise money and support Starlight's life-changing hospital services.

From cycling pros to beginners, if anyone wants to take part simply need to register via tourdekids.org.au, select a distance to cycle, choose a fundraising goal and get riding.

Rotary helping out Greater Dandenong Rotary in conjunction with Headspace is running a support group morning for family and friends of those suffering from mental illness, and anyone who is going through their own personal mental health issues.

Where: Headspace Dandenong, 211 Thomas Street. When: Wednesday 4 September, 10.30am.

Morning tea is provided. Email leannebyron59@gmail.com or call 0402 242 743.

¡

¡

Arj Barker: We Need to Talk

¡ ¡

Annual U3A Art and Craft Display Our U3A Dandenong Art and Craft Display is on Monday 23rd September 2019, at Jan Wilson Centre Halton Road North Dandenong 3175.

Starting at 10.30 am-4.00 pm. Hope to see you there!

Australia's adopted son of comedy, Arj Barker, returns with his brand new comedy show 'We Need To Talk' at your Drum Theatre.

8pm, Friday 18 October at the Drum Theatre.

Book tickets at http://www.drumtheatre. com.au/event/5252/arj-barker-we-need-totalk/26364

¡

Looking for company and activity?

The Dandenong Over 60's Club, a SubClub of the Dandenong Club, corner of Heatherton and Stud Roads, meet every Monday at 12.30pm until 4pm. You can play Rumikin, cards or indoor bowls in a relaxed, jovial atmosphere and partake of afternoon tea with your fellow players.

Come and join our very friendly group.

For more information ring Tess Moss on 0427594051 or just come along and check us out.

¡

Back to Dandenong Stock Market Anyone who remembers being a part of, or visiting, the Dandenong Stock Market which closed in December 1998, is invited to this free event.

Come and catch up with old friends, and enjoy memorabilia on display.

Where: The Jack Rae OAM Pavilion, Dandenong Showgrounds, Bennet Street, Dandenong. When: Saturday 14th September 2019 from 11am - 2pm. Call 9794 0562 for more information.

¡

Dinner with a VIEW Dandenong Evening VIEW Club will meet on Tuesday 3 September, for dinner at the Dandenong RSL, 44-50 Clow Street, at 7pm. Guest speakers this month are David and Yvonne Spitler. They will speak about refugees and asylum seekers. VIEW stands for voice, interests and education for women and the club supports the Smith Family's Learning for Life Program.

New members and guests are always welcome.

Bookings essential. Call 9795 1222.

¡

Beginners computer classes The Open Door Book Club

Songs of Paul McCartney

Join The Open Door Book Club as we discuss our current book over a cuppa. It is a great opportunity to open up to genres you may not have read before, and make new friends along the way.

Thursday 5 September 11am-12pm. Where: 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Ph: 9791 8664 E: Theopendoor@ssjg.org.au. Suggested donation: gold coin. Current book: 'Working Class Boy' by Jimmy Barnes. We also run an Evening Book Club: call Trish or Jo for more details

Wingspan will take you on a magical mystery tour from Paul McCartney's years of Beatlemania to his blockbuster solo career, and of course, through the Wings mega hits of the 1970s. Morning tea and free parking voucher included in the ticket price of all Encore programs.

Thursday 19 September 2019 10:30am. Duration: approximately 75 minutes. Location: Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Tickets at www.drumtheatre.com.au.

¡

Check out chess Dandenong chess club seeks players! Check them out at The Albion Hotel.

Wednesday evenings from 7pm. Contact Paul for more information on 0406786242.

¡

Scams and frauds Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch Public Forum & AGM. Guest speakers: manager CBA Tim Doughty & local police.

When: Wednesday 18th Sept 2019, 7.30 pm at the Paddy O`Doughue Centre, 18 Buckley St Noble Park. Enquiries to Dawn on 0407325030.

¡

The 6 O'Clock Hop Tour Don't miss out this chance to rock and roll with Herman's Hermits at The Drum Theatre Dandenong!

Thursday, 5 September 2019 6:00pm. Tickets from www.drumtheatre.com.au/event.

¡

Trading hours at Dandenong Market are set to change from Sunday 1 September.

Sundays will extend trading from 9am-4pm, while Fridays close one hour earlier at 4pm.

Trading hours on Tuesdays and Saturdays remain the same.

¡

Mental health support Depressed? Anxious? Grow offers support. Meet weekly with a group of young adults (18-35yrs) who have similar experiences and want to help.

When: the group meets weekly Monday 1:00pm at the Springvale Neighbourhood House, 46-50 Queens Ave Springvale. Come along and join or call Dishni on 9528 2977.

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By Brendan Rees hit flying in the air and I was thinking 'God, I Ms Dzedins said: "It was very frightening, I counts of obtain property by deception haven't been killed and hope no one behind A Casey resident has described the moment and was very lucky." a eight counts of theft. driver "hurtled" towards her after an alleged me is killed.'"

"I could see bits of car flying up into the air, A 22-year-old Pakenham man was charged stolen car wound its way through Hampton It came as police were led on a two-hour like I think mirrors or I don't know; door han- with aggravated Park on Monday 1 April. carjacking, four counts of wild pursuit which began about 12.30pm after dles, something like that," she added. theft of a motor vehicle, arson, two counts Robin Dzedins of Lynbrook said she was a four-wheel-drive was allegedly stolen of "There must have been so people just af- burglary, obtain from property by deception, two turning left into Camms Road from South Cranbourne. fected literally by the accident." counts of theft.

Gippsland Highway about 2.30pm when The vehicle was later set alight, police say, she Cardinia Highway Patrol arrested two men Both men were remanded to appear at the saw a car "swerving like a maniac." before the speedsters fled in a station wagon and a woman who attempted to flee on foot af- Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 2 "I could only see it head on hurtling straight and later hijacked a ute ter their ute crashed into a truck on the South April. in Hampton Park. at me. e. Luckily I was turning left, had I been goThe ute crashed where police say the driver Gippsland Highway.

A 21-year21-year-old Dandenong woman was ing straight ahead I would've been hit," The driver, a 26-year-old male from Chel- charged with two Ms was seen getting out carrying a rifle, which t counts of theft of a motor was Dzedins said. tenham, tested positive to methamphet- vehicle. used to carjack a Ford ute in Carrum Downs.

"I thought he was going to hit the side of my amine and had his licence disqualified. disqualified He Witnesses say they saw the vehicle driv She was bail bailed to appear at Frankston Magdrivcar. iing on the wrong side of the South Gippsland was charged with aggravated carjacking; istrates' s' Court on 3 September.

"I llooked behind and saw bits of car he had Highway in Cranbourne.

Anyone one with information is urged to contact Crime ime Stop Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Wednesday, 3 April, 2019

The Hallam Community Learning Centre on Kays Avenue, Hallam, has vacancies in our Tuesday quilting classes and in our morning and afternoon painting classes.

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Tuesday, 3 September, 2019

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STAR JOURNAL 15

SPORT

Season over for Stingrays

By Tyler Lewis A blistering final term from the Calder Cannons has halted the rampaging Dandenong Stingrays, edging them out of their premiership defence in Sunday's elimination final.

The Cannons slammed home six goals in the last term to run away with the 11.9 (75) to 5.9 (39) victory.

After slugging it out for the opening stages of the match, Ned Cahill tumbled a ball to a leading Clayton Gay who ran around onto his trusty left boot to kickstart the Rays.

It was a scrappy affair with only one major either side to the first interval, but late in the term it threatened to open up with the swift ball movement from the likes of Lachlan Williams and Will Lewis driving Dandenong forward.

The second term saw the Rays extend their margin to three goals before the Cannons bit back with back-to-back goals including one on the half-time siren.

For the third term, the sides were inseparable - Kobi George nailed his first from a smooth moving rove while Luca Goonan and Jack Toner continued to find the footy at will.

Leading by only three points at the final break, a thriller loomed.

Unfortunately for the Rays, the Cannons found another gear and kicked away with the six-goal victory.

For many of the top age Stingrays, the most important time of the year will begin - for the bottom agers it is time to prepare for the allimportant draft year.

In the meantime in the Eastern Football League, Rowville went down in its elimination final to South Croydon, 7.8 (50) to 12.15 (87).

A best afield performance wasn't quite enough for the Hawks as a goalless second term kept them at bay for the remainder of the match.

A five-goal premiership term clawed Rowville back into the match but the Hawks seemed to have given it all as the Dogs burst into a semi-final next week.

In the qualifying final, Ex-Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade guided his Balwyn side into a semi-final clash against Vermont with a 15.10 (100) to 10.10 (70) victory over Blackburn.

Blackburn will take on South Croydon in

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Luca Goonan was everywhere in the Stingrays' loss on Sunday. 192826 another do-or-die match-up.

In Southern Football League Division 2, the Doveton Eagles have knocked Keysborough out of the finals race in straight sets.

The Eagles kicked five unanswered majors in the second term to storm away to a handy buffer, before being tested in the final term by the fast-finishing Burras.

The Beers, Matt and Nick paired for a finals winning performance while Nick Battle and Adam Read both converted twice.

For the Burras, although only booting the one major, Chris Bryan was best afield.

Matt Carnelley booted three majors as he put another triple to his name for the 10th

time this season.

The Eagles will now play Murrumbeena in the preliminary final on the weekend with a full head of steam from back-to-back finals wins.

In Division 3, Endeavour Hills will be ruing letting Clayton off to the start it did in the preliminary final as the Hills were unable to claw back the quarter-time margin.

Clayton booted six goals to the Hills' four behinds in the first stanza and the margin remained similar for the remainder of the match as the Clays booked a spot in the big dance, 14.9 (93) to 7.11 (53).

Sam Delosa slotted three for the Hills while Chris Morrison was the best for Clayton. Clay-

Dandy District cricket fixtures released

By Nick Creely The start of a new cricket season is only a month away, and the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) has released the official fixtures in what looms as a massive year.

As one of the most successful and revered turf competitions anywhere in Victoria, the DDCA is set for yet another exciting season, with the Turf 1 grade one of the most impressive in recent memory, with each side capable of winning the premiership and stamping its authority as the champion side of the association.

The opening day of Turf 1 season on 5 October will begin with an absolute blockbuster between Berwick and Springvale South at Arch Brown Reserve in what will be a two-day game ending on 12 October, while newcomer Narre South will be welcome into the top tier with an away clash against Heinz Southern Districts at Reedy Reserve.

Last season's grand finalists, Springvale South and Buckley Ridges, will meet for the first time in a white-ball clash in Round 5, with the Bloods looking to turn the tables on the champion Bucks side, which has seemingly gone from strength-to-strength after an impressive new batch of recruits.

In Turf 2, Beaconsfield and Lyndale are set to test themselves in their new grade in the opening round, taking on Dandenong West and Dingley respectively, with the revamped grade - sparked from exits to different associations by Mordialloc and St Brigid's/St Louis - looking to be one of the most even yet, with Turf 2 runners-up last year, Narre North, tak16 STAR JOURNAL

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ton will now face Hampton Park in the grand final in attempt to cause a boil over.

The Redbacks and Clays met only two weeks ago where the Redbacks won by seven goals.

And in Division 4, the second term separated the Frankston Dolphins and South Yarra.

The Lions kicked five unanswered majors in the second term and it consequently proved the difference in the 9.8 (62) to 6.8 (44) victory.

The win for South Yarra has set up a top-ofthe-table grand final clash between the Lions and Lyndhurst, which played in the qualifying only two weeks ago where the Lightning won by 23 points.

A big thrill for Joe Abela

By Mick Floyd One Thrill gave 79-year-old trainer Joe Abela another thrill in a lifetime spent in greyhound racing, winning the final race on Thursday night.

The 25-month-old pup was backed from $3.80 into $2.60, and the punters' confidence proved well founded after One Thrill jumped straight to the front to win by 5.5 lengths.

"Yeah, I had something on him, he likes the inside box." Abela told RSN Central.

"I had a quicker step this morning."

Abela began training in 1968, making him one of the state's longest licensed trainers. He has his team of two racing dogs, keeping him fit and active.

"It's my life, I like getting up in the morning and they're happy to see me," he said.

Buckley Ridges and Springvale South will do battle in Round 5. 191688 ing on Parkmore Pirates.

In Turf 3, Berwick Springs will make the jump after an impressive Turf 4 season last year, taking on Keysborough on the opening day of the season, while Springvale will also

Tuesday, 3 September, 2019

Picture: ROB CAREW

test themselves by making the plunge up a grade and taking on Silverton in the opening round.

To view the full fixtures, head to ddca.com. au

Trainer Joe Abela enjoyed a big thrill on Thursday night. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Jack is setting the tone

By Tyler Lewis

Dandenong Stingray Jack Toner is as determined as they come. 194400 integral part of the school.

"A lot of money is put towards it - we all have a GPS in our jumpers and heaps of staff.

"My best achievement was winning the flag with Haileybury last year and that was one of the best times on a footy field - we had 10 games with a great group of mates and great coaching staff.

"We would just do anything for each other and when football is like that it is just seriously enjoyable.

"And Lloydy was awesome for me, he did

Picture: ROB CAREW

a lot of work with me one-on-one on Tuesday mornings, we would work on midfield craft.

"A guy that experienced being able to teach a bunch of 17, 18-year-old kids is invaluable."

Graduating from Haileybury College a year before his draft, Toner has had the year to set up his life outside of football and learn from his classmates who went it onto an AFL list in 2019.

"I finished school, graduated last year as a 17-year-old and this year have been working at my dad's business and doing a uni degree part

Talented youngsters are heading north

By Nick Creely A handful of Dandenong Cricket Club's most talented youngsters have been named in the final 14-player Vic Country and Metro squads in this year's Under 17 National Championships, to be held in Mackay, Queensland.

Angus Newman - the younger brother of Victorian rookie Ed - headlines the list of Panthers selected in the Metro squad, with the talented batsman impressing in his first season in Premier Cricket last year, scoring 314 runs at 52.3 mixed between the thirds and the fourths.

Selected in the Country squad, fellow Panthers, Raheel Bostan and Boopa Munasinghe, have also been selected, with the pair also showcasing their talents in club cricket last season.

Bostan in particular made a splash and will be pushing hard for a first XI debut this season, with the young spinner showing excellent signs and even cracking in for four games in the seconds, taking 3/37 against Camberwell

Magpies. Munasinghe, a fellow spinner developing in the lower level, is also a player on the rise.

The annual carnival pits the best young talent from each state in a round-robin tournament, with the squads selected after training sessions across winter, with some held at CitiPower Centre.

Cricket Victoria high performance head coach Jarrad Loughman told the Cricket Victoria website that there was plenty of talent to choose from after a grueling trial process.

"It was very pleasing to see so many young cricketers showcasing their talent over the past few months," Loughman said.

"The squads have been working hard over winter and the breadth of talent that we have seen from both those trialing for Metro and Country has been promising. It shows us that the future of elite Victorian cricket is in a good place.

"Congratulations to all selected. We can't

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Dandenong youngster Raheel Bostan has been named for Vic Country. 197338 Picture: GARY SISSONS wait to see them get underway in September."

The Under 17 National Championships will be held from Monday 30 September to Thursday 10 October, and can be followed live on the MyCricket app and the Cricket Australia Pathway Twitter account.

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Jack Toner is synonymous with the word 'determination'.

The youngster from Narre Warren and the Dandenong Stingrays has accomplished plenty from a very young age and will stop at nothing until he reaches his dream.

Toner - like many - began as a young kid in the backyard before pulling on the black and white stripes at Narre Warren where his dad Chris is a club icon.

"I started my juniors at seven-years-old right through to under-12s at Narre Warren," he said.

"We won a flag in 11s and 12s, and I moved off to East Brighton and played in the interleague teams in that time and played at the Victorian team when I was at Narre.

"I had a pretty good junior career, a few accolades I am proud of.

"Dad's been huge for me, from a young age he had me out in the backyard, and we were just training my craft as they say, having a kick.

"Even little things like 'If you drop this mark Narre will lose the premiership this year' and I wouldn't want to drop the mark.

"All the little things like that have held me in good stead - I can't thank him enough for all he has done for me."

Toner moved into the Associated Public Schools (APS) system when he pulled on the famous Haileybury jumper during his time at school, an experience that has boosted his chances come the pointy end of the year, earning the praise and time of AFL legend Matthew Lloyd.

"Last year I was playing school footy for Haileybury so I was in the APS system and when I was available I was playing at Dandenong or Narre Warren," he said.

"The academics definitely are prioritised a lot more but the school footy is definitely an

time," he said.

"I am at Deakin but I am just doing it online so, doing Bachelor of Business and Sport Management, and working part time for my dad's plumbing business in an admin role.

"I am pretty close mates with Max King from St Kilda, Liam Stocker (Carlton) and even Matt Cottrell who got picked up in summer to Carlton.

"Whenever I can I like to catch up with those boys, or shoot them a message and ask them 'how did you handle this and what are some things that I should be trying to put forward to try and put my name in lights."

Sitting tight waiting for his opportunity, Toner is strong-minded and is passionate about achieving his dreams, idolising some of the sport's best - he is open to expressing his talent whatever it takes to get the ultimate individual goal if it doesn't go to plan after his brilliant year at Dandenong.

"I love watching Jack Billings from St Kilda and I love the tenacity of Trent Cotchin, they both go about their footy the way somewhere down the track I would love to be like," he said.

"I have been consistent across the board, pretty proud of my year thus far and hopefully can keep going deep into the finals and showcase what I can bring to the table.

"I think sometimes you have to be determined each quarter to get the best out of yourself, and you can't just rest and say 'I have had a good quarter that quarter'.

"You have to drive and keep working into the next because it is never enough - you can never be doing too well to not go for more possessions or not keep working on your game.

"I'm never satisfied until the end result come November.

"I would definitely keep my local club as Narre, but I would explore all options - VFL or NEAFL, I will give myself the best chance, and stay determined until I get what I want."

Dandenong Stadium - 270 Stud Road Dandenong 3175 Phone: 9794 7192 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Open Mon – Sun 9am – 11pm Tuesday, 3 September, 2019

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STAR JOURNAL 17