Dandenong Star Journal - 28th July 2020

DANDENONG

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Tuesday, 28 July, 2020

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Waste debate fires up

Art has echoes of HOME

Shima Shine’s blistering pace

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Hospital hostage

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A terminal cancer-patient has won a fight to be visited by his children despite ever-tightening restrictions on hospital visits.

Bradley Scicluna, 43, from Lynbrook, had been further suffering from not seeing his wife and two daughters for two weeks under the South Eastern Private Hospital’s strict Covid-19 ban.

“It is so wrong, especially for the patient’s mental wellbeing,” he said as he recovered from surgery for secondary bone cancer at the Mulgrave hospital’s rehab unit.

“It’s like prison.”

The last straw was the family being unable to celebrate Bradley’s wife Catherine’s birthday together last week.

But eventually the pleas bore fruit - with Catherine allowed one hour a day access and the children for 30 minutes on 26 July.

However the engineer at Dandenong bus manufacturer Volgren points to many other isolated patients, including intensive-care, denied visits from loved ones.

It’s not the first time he’s battled against the odds. Three years ago, he was diagnosed with stage-4 gall bladder cancer.

A regular jogger, he’s run on with the help of a clinical immunotherapy trial - even finishing the Melbourne Marathon in 2018.

He’s also battled for more patients to get access to life-saving but prohibitively expensive medication under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

His daughter Olivia had earlier written a distraught plea to Star Journal, in response to her father’s worsening condition: “Can you help me get to see my Dad?” “Due to the strict Covid-19 regulations no children are allowed in the hospital.

“My sister and I are missing our Dad so much.

“Nobody reports about how hard it is for children that can’t see their parents if they are in hospital during these times.

“Cancer doesn’t stop or go away even during a pandemic.”

On 15 July, the hospital temporarily banned in-person visits - a ban beyond state health department guidelines.

Even under tightened rules on 22 July, the DHHS recommends one visitor for up to one hour a day. The hospital imposed the stricter limits due to a “significant increase” in community transmission and re-introduction of stage 3 Covid-19 restrictions.

“Family and patients are encouraged speak with hospital management to discuss their individual circumstances in order to accommodate visitation for compassionate grounds where possible,” a South Eastern Private spokesperson told Star Journal.

There are exceptions for palliative or end-oflife circumstances, or for specialist care givers.

This allowed Catherine to visit Bradley alone.

Based on its own risk analysis, the hospital was able to introduce “additional measures” on top of DHHS-recommendations.

As of 24 July, the hospital had no known links to Covid-19 cases. However Greater Dandenong as well as large parts of Melbourne have suffered alarming rises in Covid-19 cases in recent days. In the past 14 days, active cases have soared from four to 87 in Greater Dandenong. At the same time, Casey’s active cases have swelled from 22 to 157.

“South Eastern Private Hospital, like a number of other private and public hospitals in the region, have implemented a nil visitor policy to maximise the safety of patients, staff and doctors,” the hospital spokesperson said.

A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said “unprecedented measures” were being taken to protect hospital staff, patients and visitors.

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NEWS

Aged care cluster climbs

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Covid-19 outbreak at Dandenong North aged care centre Outlook Gardens is among an alarming spike of cases in Greater Dandenong.

As of 26 July, 11 cases have been linked to the facility.

They are among a rapidly rising 560 active cases linked to Victorian aged care facilities.

Meanwhile in the past two weeks, active cases have soared from four to 87 in Greater Dandenong, including students and staff at schools, factories and warehouses.

The total cases in the council region stood at 122, as of 26 July.

In neighbouring Casey, active cases have risen from 22 to 157 over the past 14 days.

There have been 4302 new cases in Victoria - chiefly metropolitan Melbourne - over the same period.

Dandenong High School has remained temporarily closed since a student tested positive on 22 July.

As of 27 July, two Covid-19 cases were linked to the school. Its VCE and VCAL students have resumed remote learning in the meantime.

The school’s initial 72-hour shutdown for deep cleaning was extended due to the “very complex” contact tracing process.

“Contact tracing is not yet complete and may take a while due to the size of our school population,” the school’s website stated.

“Susan Ogden, our Principal, will be informed when contact tracing is completed by DHHS and the school is able to re-open.”

Gleneagles Secondary College in Endeavour Hills was closed on 23 July. At least three cases have been linked to the school, according to the DHHS.

Outlook Gardens in Dandenong North is linked to 11 Covid-19 cases.

Other outbreaks have occurred at Woolworths Distribution Centre in Mulgrave (21), TD Cabinets in Dandenong South (7), Australian Pharmaceutical Industries in Dandenong South (6), Keysborough Egg Farm (4) and Endeavour Hills shopping centre (3).

Keysborough Egg Farm re-opened on 27 July after 10 days waiting for staff test results.

Victoria’s death toll has climbed to 71, with 228 Covid patients in hospital and 42 in intensive care. There are 4233 active cases.

On 26 July, seven of Victoria’s 10 Covid-re-

lated deaths were aged-care residents.

Stage three ‘stay at home’ restrictions remain in place, with mandatory mask wearing enforced since 23 July.

The Star Journal has requested comment from Outlook Gardens.

Home-destroyer proves to be more than a Payne

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Bangholme man who twice broke into an ex-partner’s house, destroyed her furniture, cut all electrical cords and spilled yellow paint on her new carpet has been jailed.

Anthony John Payne, 54, described the crime as “an act of vandalism” and “an annoyance” in what was a “self-pitying” police interview, County Court judge Frances Hogan said in her sentencing remarks on 17 July.

Payne broke windows to force entry, deeply slashing two lounge suites, a bedhead, a bed quilt, clothing and a rug.

He also cut out sections of carpet, and deeply scratched timber furniture.

“Finally, you cut the cord of every piece of electrical equipment in the house,” Judge Hogan stated.

A living area’s heater, dryer, fridge and electric lawnmower were thus “rendered inoperable”.

On the evidence, Judge Hogan said the

police investigation should have proceeded “more expeditiously”. Charges were laid six months after the burglaries were first reported to police in July 2018.

The burglaries in April and May 2018 were reported after Payne pelted rocks at the victim’s house.

A family violence intervention order was issued against Payne in August.

At his first police interview in December 2018, he denied responsibility but made “some admissions” while being driven home by police.

“Somewhat surprisingly” it wasn’t until January 2019 that Payne was arrested and charged by Carrum Downs police.

His police interviews gave no “strong impression” of remorse.

“In my view, you minimise your offending and deny what appears to be your uncontrollable anger which was behind it.

“It manifests an attitude of making your

victim responsible for the way that you behaved.”

The crimes psychologically scarred the victim and children for life, and cost about $20,000 in earnings, Judge Hogan said.

Aside from $13,900 of damage, the victim spent days off work for counselling, as well as more than $5200 in home security upgrades.

The judge rejected Payne’s claims that the attacks weren’t “meaningfully” planned.

“It was a deliberately-targeted form of menace to your victim, which involved childishly and pointlessly desecrating the amenity of her home in a deeply disturbing way.”

In 2020, Payne was diagnosed with a major depressive disorder, requiring treatment to address his “emotional dependency” and relationship issues.

He had also made a “very serious suicide attempt” and remained a suicide risk, according to a psychological report.

A defence lawyer submitted that Payne, with a limited criminal history, should serve

a community corrections order in the interest of his rehabilitation and the community.

Judge Hogan noted that jail risked a “significantly adverse impact” on Payne’s mental health. It would likely cost Payne’s rented home and job.

“Your depression, alone, in my view, does not explain your uncontrolled, vengeful actions in repeatedly offending against your victim and desecrating the new home which she had worked hard to make comfortable, attractive and secure for her children.”

Payne’s personality traits - his high emotional dependency, and his “obsessive and possessive” relationship with the victim were significant factors.

The accused who pleaded guilty to counts of burglary, intentionally damaging property and trespass was jailed for 30 months, with a non-parole period of 15 months.

He was ordered to pay the victim $1400 compensation - the insurance excess for the damaged property.

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Tuesday, 28 July, 2020

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STAR JOURNAL 3

NEWS

Support during lockdown

By Denis Green - convenor, South Eastern Prostate Cancer Support Group Prostate Cancer and support groups for other types of cancer normally meet face-to-face on a regular basis.

They provide information, friendship and support to people suffering from the effects of cancer and the treatments that they may be going through.

Up until February this year, the South Eastern Prostate Cancer Support Group was meeting every month at the Dandenong RSL. It is important not only for the men themselves, but also for their carers and partners to have access to support mechanisms when they need them.

As we all know in Victoria, our first round of Covid-19 Lockdown brought an immediate end to community meetings of any kind, including cancer support groups.

In fact, staying at home was even more important for people with cancer than for the general population, because some of us are at considerably higher risk of contracting coronavirus.

This is due to the fact that many people undergoing cancer treatments have a compromised immune system as a side-effect (for example chemotherapy or radiation therapy).

Added to that, even without treatment sideeffects, many men in prostate cancer support groups are aged 70 or higher, so are already at higher risk of coronavirus.

And then, just as we were beginning to see a possibility for recommencing face-to-face meetings, we in Melbourne are back in Lockdown - and for a longer period!

So, what are we doing to continue to provide support to our members during this time?

In some ways it’s even more important than ever, as being forced to stay at home can aggravate some of the emotional and mental

Up until February this year, the South Eastern Prostate Cancer Support Group was meeting every month at the Dandenong RSL. stresses on people living with cancer.

First, our group leaders make phone contact with our members on a regular basis to provide encouragement and see if there are any specific needs that we may be able to help with.

We find that our members are generally looking after themselves and their health needs well, but always appreciate hearing a friendly voice on the phone.

Second, coronavirus lockdowns and forced work-from-home situations has seen a massive rise in the use of online meeting technologies - such as Zoom.

South Eastern Prostate Cancer Support Group - along with many other prostate and

different cancer support groups - quickly seized on this as a way to maintain contact and provide ongoing information and resources to members.

So far, we have held Zoom meetings each month from April to July and we will continue doing so until it is safe to recommence face-toface meetings.

As with our normal meetings, we’ve been fortunate to get willing support from expert speakers who do their presentations in the Zoom meeting, showing slides or videos on the screen just as they would if presenting in a normal meeting and with a question-andanswer session also.

Some prostate cancer support groups have not been able to hold online meetings and so

our group has invited their members to join our Zoom meetings if they wish - a really easy thing to do when it’s online, as opposed to having to go to a physical meeting location.

So we’ve had people joining from other parts of Melbourne and as far away as Bathurst, NSW. The feedback from these meetings has been very positive, which makes it all worthwhile.

If you are a man with prostate cancer or the partner/carer of someone with prostate cancer, and would like to get more information about prostate cancer support groups, or just join our online meeting to have a “looksee”, please feel free to get in touch with Denis on 0459 609 619 or Steve on 0407 954 600, or email: southeasternpcsg@gmail.com.

MELBOURNE AND MITCHELL SHIRE STAY HOME Stay at Home restrictions are now in place for Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.

There are only 4 reasons to leave home.

Shopping for food and supplies that you need

Care and caregiving

Exercise

Work and study if you can’t do it from home

And if you have symptoms, get tested

For all current restrictions go to vic.gov.au/CORONAVIRUS 12455888-DL31-20

4 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 28 July, 2020

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NEWS

IN BRIEF Dope crops seized

Plant gets the nod A controversial waste-to-energy plant in Dandenong South has been granted works approval by the state’s pollution watchdog Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA).

The applicant Great Southern Waste Technologies was granted approval for the 70 Ordish Road gasificiation incinerator with “stringent conditions”, according to an EPA statement on 21 July.

The project still requires planning approval - a matter which will be heard at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on 27 July.

GSWT is also required to apply for an EPA licence. In its findings, the EPA stated the “potential air emissions ... pose negligible risk to human health”.

The proposed air emission, odour and noise pollution controls were “consistent with international best practice standards of the European Union”.

The EPA found that the plant’s 800-metre distance from the closest residents and 1.4 kilo-

metres from Mt Hira College was “acceptable”.

The site is in an industrial 2 zone, the home to the most offensive industries.

Within five kilometres are two primary schools, two colleges, three kindergartens and a maternal and child health centre.

During the protracted nine-month approval process, GSWT was several times requested to supply more information to the EPA, including on the issue of emissions.

Schools and residents in Keysborough, including a 280-signature petition, strongly opposed the plant due to pollution and health concerns.

Keysborough resident Helen, of the South East Environment Group, said she was “shocked” by the EPA ruling.

“We saw the EPA were getting very cautious about the project.”

GSWT director Bill Keating said that he was “pretty neutral” about the decision. He was unsure how it would impact on the upcoming VCAT case.

“We’re just following processes and we’ll see where that takes us.”

The plant would process 100,000 tonnes a year of municipal household solid waste, commercial and industrial waste to produce 7.9 MW of electricity to the grid.

Municipal household waste, which would be diverted from landfill, was estimated to make up 80 per cent of the feeder material.

In June, GSWT missed the shortlist for a 16-council consortia’s tender for advanced waste solutions.

The consortia included Greater Dandenong Council, which deferred a planning-permit decision on the plant until EPA had assessed the project.

The EPA’s works approval is subject to an audit of the plant’s final detailed design and meeting “world’s best environmental practice standards”.

The plant’s air emission pollution controls must be “upgradable” to meet stricter emission limits in the future, according to the EPA’s conditions.

Deferral plea put to VCAT

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

‘We deserve fresh air’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Leaders of a Keysborough school and a cultural centre say their students and members will be endangered by an EPA-approved waste-to-energy plant.

Mt Hira College and Keysborough Turkish Islamic and Cultural Centre (KTICC) lie within the 1.5-kilometre buffer zone for the project in Ordish Road, Dandenong South.

KTICC board member Muhammed Sezgin said the EPA’s works approval was a “big disappointment”.

He said “many existing religious and cultural centres, schools” nearby would be impacted by air emissions and pollution.

“Our children deserve to live in a safe place and breathe fresh air.”

The project would impact on KTICC’s plans for facilities in the vicinity, such as an early learning centre, a function centre, a youth centre and aged care centre, Mr Sezgin said He hoped that VCAT, which will consider a planning permit for the plant, would “do

the right thing”.

A “shocked” and “quite frankly disappointed” Mt Hira College chairperson Tugrul Usta said his school and a soon-toopen early learning centre were just 1.4 kilometres from the plant.

“This is worrying as you can imagine a building of this sort would have within a certain radius a negative impact on the air quality and consequently on human health.”

Mr Usta noted the EPA’s finding of “negligible” risk to human health.

“Regardless, it seems there is potential risk to human health.

“It is also important to note that local schools, residents and the Greater Dandenong Council all strongly oppose the construction of this incinerator in Dandenong South.

“Therefore, we hope VCAT will take into consideration the proximity of the schools and homes when deciding on the outcome of this project.”

The VCAT hearing is scheduled to start on 27 July.

‘No plan’ to move zone

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Mayor Jim Memeti’s call to move away Greater Dandenong’s ‘offensive’ industry zone is not supported by the council or State Government.

After the EPA approved a waste-to-energy plant in the industry 2-zone, Cr Memeti said the location was too close to homes and schools in Dandenong South and Keysborough.

Residents, the South East Environment Group and Mr Hira College are some of the vocal opponents to the project at 70 Ordish Road.

Greater Dandenong city planning, design and amenity director Jody Bosman said: “There is currently no consideration being given to any changes to the Industrial 2 zone.”

A Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning spokesperson said the project was within a State Significant Industrial Precinct.

“There are no plans to change the industrial dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

zoning in Dandenong South.”

In its submission to the EPA in April, the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group (MWRRG) noted need for “extensive buffer zones” from the plant’s location in the Ordish Road precinct waste and resource recovery hub.

“Ordish Road Hub is one of only three locations in Victoria zoned Industrial 2, a zone reserved for heavy and/or offensive industries requiring extensive buffer zones.”

It stated the precinct’s zoning made it a “suitable location for future waste and resource recovery activities”.

The MWRRG - with the support of Greater Dandenong and 15 other councils - created a procurement focusing on long-term residual waste processing needs in Melbourne’s South East and East.

The plant’s proponent Great Southern Waste Technologies did not make the procurement short-list.

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An Endeavour Hills man has been violently robbed at his home after advertising a phone for sale on Facebook.

A male, who contacted the victim asking to see the advertised Apple iPhone, visited the home on Chalcot Drive on Monday 13 July about 3.20pm.

He inspected the phone, then after a short time tried to run away with it, Casey Crime Investigation Unit detectives say.

In a struggle with the robber, the victim was thrown to ground. He was later taken to hospital with a serious arm injury.

The robber escaped in a nearby blue grey Suburu station wagon.

He was described as African appearance, 17-20 years old, 180 centimetres with a thin build and a distinct 2.5-centimetre cut or scar above his left eye.

He wore a black or navy hoodie, athletic pants and blue runners with a white sole.

Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

Burglars snared in motel raid Two alleged serial burglars were arrested while hiding in a motel room on Wednesday 22 July.

The 52-year-old man and 36-year-old woman from Glen Waverley are accused of a spate of burglaries, thefts and deceptions in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Eastern suburbs, police say.

Responding to a tip-off, Operation Tidal police units searched motels in Mont Albert.

At the seventh motel, police allegedly discovered the pair and a “large amount” of stolen property inside a room.

The man was found “quietly hiding” inside a floor space under the room, police say.

The pair were remanded in custody.

Ratings up for CGD Greater Dandenong Council is rating higher than the metro council average, according to the latest Victorian Government community satisfaction survey.

The council surpassed its previous record, scoring 69 - which is 11 points higher than the 2020 statewide average.

Its highest-rating area was customer service (73). Less than half of residents felt safe in their local area (46 per cent) but the figure was up from 2019 (40 per cent) and also 2018 (26 per cent).

The council rated higher than average for community consultation, advocacy and overall council direction.

Greater Dandenong residents stated diversity was the best thing about their community.

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KTICC board member Muhammed Sezgin and Mt Hira College chairperson Tugrul Usta stand against the proposed waste-to-energy plant.

Greater Dandenong Council will seek deferral of a VCAT hearing on a proposed waste-to-energy plant in Dandenong South after the project won environmental approval.

The VCAT hearing, which will decide on whether to grant a planning permit for the facility at 70 Ordish Road, is set for Monday 27 July.

Only six days earlier, the state’s pollution watchdog Environment Protection Authority Victoria granted works approval.

Greater Dandenong city planning, design and amenity director Jody Bosman said the council would seek “deferment” of the VCAT hearing.

It would “allow time for Council to consider the outcomes of and reasons for the EPA decision, and if that has any impact on the position of Council”.

Mr Bosman said the council remained opposed to the plant.

“If a deferral is not granted, Council and its legal team are prepared to argue its case in opposition of the granting of a planning permit.”

In late 2019, the council deferred making a planning decision until the EPA’s assessment.

In the meantime, proponent Great Southern Waste Technologies referred the matter to VCAT, due to the council failing to decide the matter within the statutory 60-day limit.

Mayor Jim Memeti said he wasn’t sure of the impact of the EPA’s decision on Greater Dandenong’s opposition to the project at VCAT. He hoped VCAT would take into account the proximity of schools and homes, as close as 800 metres away.

Facebook seller robbed at home

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Tuesday, 28 July, 2020

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12452271-SN26-20

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

More than 300 cannabis plants have been seized during two police raids in Keysborough and Narre Warren South.

Springvale Divisional Response Unit officers discovered a hydroponic crop and an electrical bypass at a premises in Parkmore Road Keysborough on 21 July.

They seized 207 plants from the address.

At a property in Lennon Court, Narre Warren South, police found 130 plants and an electrical bypass.

No occupants were at the addresses at the time, police say.

Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

STAR JOURNAL 5

NEWS

Call for industrial rethink

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti says the council’s industrial-2 zone for the most hazardous industries should be moved out of residential suburbs.

His comments come after a controversial waste-to-energy plant in the Dandenong South zone was granted works approval by the Environment Protection Authority Victoria.

The plant - which was assessed as posing “negligable” health risks - will incinerate 100,000 tonnes of waste a year within 1.4 kilometres of Mt Hira College, 800 metres from homes and 150 metres from Dandenong Creek.

The separation distance was assessed as acceptable by the EPA despite a mandated 1.5-kilometre buffer between the industrial-2 zone and homes, schools and other sensitive uses.

Within five kilometres are two primary schools, two colleges, three kindergartens and a maternal and child health centre.

The EPA found “highly conservative” modelling showed “negligable” health risks, and dust emissions within acceptable limits.

Cr Memeti said he shared residents’ concerns about the plant’s location.

“It’s too close to the Mt Hira school and the residents in the Keysborough South estates and Dandenong South.

“I think the State Government seriously needs to look at relocating the industrial-two zone out of Melbourne metro suburbs.”

In the past, the Government has rejected calls from Greater Dandenong Council and residents to relocate a toxic-waste dump from Lyndhurst.

The Government argued it was too expensive to transport waste into regional areas, Cr Memeti said.

Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti says the industrial-2 zone is too close to schools and Picture: CAM LUCADOU-WELLS homes in Keysborough and Dandneong South. 200886 “We have to weigh up how close we have these industries to people.

“When that industrial-two zone was mapped out, the population of Greater Dandenong was only 100,000.

“With the population growth, we probably shouldn’t have allowed schools and residences to come so close.

“And we are now 165,000 people and still

growing - these are the concerns I have.”

Cr Memeti wasn’t sure of the impact of the EPA’s decision on Greater Dandenong’s opposition to the project at a planning hearing at VCAT on 27 July.

“I haven’t yet read the EPA report, so I don’t know.”

He hoped VCAT would take into account the proximity of schools and homes.

Cr Maria Sampey, who led the council’s resistance to the plant, said the EPA’s support appeared a “done deal from the start”.

“I’m just disappointed in them because they’ve never got back to (Greater Dandenong Council) about our concerns. And now they’ve made an announcement that there’s not a problem.”

In its findings, the EPA stated the “potential air emissions ... pose negligible risk to human health”.

The proposed air emission, odour and noise pollution controls were “consistent with international best practice standards of the European Union”.

As part of “stringent conditions”, proponent Great Southern Waste Technologies must monitor emissions such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, volatile organic compounds, dioxins and furans.

It must also monitor carbon monoxide, mercury, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride and oxides of nitrogen emissions.

The plant would process 100,000 tonnes a year of municipal household solid waste, commercial and industrial waste to produce 7.9 MW of electricity to the grid.

Municipal household waste, which would be diverted from landfill, was estimated to make up 80 per cent of the feeder material.

The EPA’s works approval is subject to an audit of the plant’s final detailed design and meeting “world’s best environmental practice standards”.

The plant’s air emission pollution controls must be “upgradable” to meet stricter emission limits in the future, according to the EPA’s conditions.

Greater Dandenong city planning, design and amenity director Jody Bosman said there were no plans to move the industrial 2 zone.

12453345-SN30-20

6 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 28 July, 2020

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Inspiration through flora

By Danielle Kutchel Quince Frances has always been a maker.

“I love using my hands to create. I have a clear memory of sitting at a craft table at around age five and saying I was going to be an artist when I grow up!” they said.

Quince also works on a flower farm and is passionate about education and gardening so the upcoming Flora exhibition is the perfect intersection of all of their pursuits.

Drawing inspiration from the natural world, the artist works mostly with watercolour and gouache across two different practices.

One is more illustrative and informational with a focus on plants, ecosystems and gardening.

“I make a moon gardening calendar every year, I’m currently working on a home vegetable garden crop rotation guide and last year I made an image of a riparian ecosystem for Threatened Species Conservancy. These all need to be clear, engaging images, with a design focus,” they said.

“My other practice is more emotional emotive responses to the landscape.

“Where I live, the Castlemaine region on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, the area was completely destroyed by the Goldrush and whilst the bush that has regrown is beautiful, you can see the long term impacts that mining has had - so my landscape paintings are an expression of my love for the beauty and a lament for what was lost.”

Quince was shortlisted for the City of Greater Dandenong’s Remote Artist Residency, and while they didn’t receive the residency, they applied for the Flora exhibition and submitted an EOI to run a workshop with MPavilion, where participants will learn about botanical illustration and threatened flora species.

In a perfect demonstration of the collaborative ethos of Flora, Quince hopes the outcome of the EOI, if it’s successful, will be greater collaboration between participants.

“The participants [will] have the option to contribute to a collaborative work which will be included in the Flora exhibition,” they explained.

Quince will also exhibit their own work ‘Over the Fence’, a watercolour and gouache work on paper based on their observations of the bush block next door to their home near Castlemaine.

The piece focuses on the light in the coffee bush featured in the image.

“Coffee bush is a pioneer plant, it grows in poor soils and its role in an ecosystem is to improve the soil and provide shade for saplings,” the artist said of the inspiration for their work.

“It grows prolifically in this area, which is an indication of the state of the ecosystem, which I would describe as “attempting to recover”.”

Quince finds creating work about flora “very grounding”, and hopes visitors to Flora will find some sort of similar connection to the

Over the Fence Earth and its traditional custodians through the exhibition.

“I hope people will feel inspired by the beauty of flora and the country we live on, the importance of protecting and conserving natural spaces,” they said.

“I hope they feel inspired to know more about the history of the country they inhabit.

The more I contemplate the plants that grow where I live, the more connected I feel to the history.

“People have been working with the plants and making art on this country for time immemorial.”

View more of Quince’s work at quincefrances.bigcartel.com or on Instagram @quince. frances To find out more about the upcoming Flora exhibition, visit www.greaterdandenong.com/ document/32758/arts-opportunities

Pictures: QUINCE FRANCES

Bush Flora

Short queues for test A Covid-19 drive-through testing site in Dandenong is reporting maximum waits of 10 minutes - a fraction of the usual one-hour queues at testing stations across the city.

Innovation Health Centre spokesperson Kylie Payne said the clinic was keen to ensure more people utilised the service.

“There’s minimal waiting time and it’s very safe.

“Given the increase in transmission we want to make sure people know they can be tested here.”

Most results are available in 24 hours, she said.

People exhibiting symptoms of the virus who wish to get tested are advised to call the centre to book a time.

Calling ahead will reduce the wait time, with visitors tested as soon as they enter the carpark.

Staff in full PPE will conduct the tests through car windows, meaning drivers and passengers don’t need to leave their car.

As of 23 July, more than 1.4 million Cov8 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 28 July, 2020

id-19 tests have been conducted in Victoria.

In recent weeks, tests have topped 20,000 a day.

The Government is urging people to be tested swiftly upon noticing the first symptoms such as a sore threat, fever and a runny nose.

People are also expected to self-isolate from that time until their test results are known.

The Innovation Health Centre station is open Mondays-Fridays 8.30am-3pm at 38 Herbert Street, Dandenong. Bookings: 8725 0380.

Other drive-through stations include Carroll Lane car park, off Cheltenham Road, Dandenong. It’s open seven days a week, 9am-4pm.

A drive-through station at Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Dandenong is open seven days, 9am-5pm.

There is a walk-in Monash Health testing clinic at 169 Cleeland Street, Dandenong. It’s open daily 9.30am-4pm.

Shorter queues are forming at a Covid-19 testing station in Herbert Street, Dandenong. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

BUSINESS PROFILE

Main Street masks up It was masks on last week for the residents at Main Street Village in Pakenham along with all other Melburnians. And it was masks-on for a totally different group of Village People in Main Street Village as well!

These creatively carved Coleonema (common name - Golden Diosma), shaped into solitary souls standing along a pathway, donned masks as a visible reminder for residents to wear their masks from today to help stay healthy.

“Try not to laugh out loud when you stroll along the path past the ‘Village People’. I bet you will crack up in stitches” said one resident.

“Our gardener, Murray, shaped what were just these ordinary looking bushes, Golden Diosma I think he calls them, into this gaggle of golden girls and boys.”

Di McKellar, the village manager said “They are such great fun amongst the doom and gloom at the moment and they are a fun way to convey the serious message to us all to mask up as well.

“Murray created them from these ordinary looking shrubs. This area was a bit overgrown and untidy previously. He didn’t tell me initially, he just started shaping them up when he came to work with us recently. He’s given some punk haircuts up.

“Apparently, he saw the sculpture potential and began creating this little tribe with an end in mind. He’s very creative as well as highly skilled with a great sense of humour too!

“Murray also co-opted Frank, one of the residents who loves wood working, to help him fashion the stakes he attached the eyes to.

“Yesterday when he showed me the photo on his phone I laughed out loud! I asked him to please prune another shrub tomorrow so we can put a mask on it. It will lighten everyone’s day! It’s a fun way to reinforce the important health message for our residents. Little did I know that he had already shaped more than 8

other shrubs. This morning I gave him my bag of dress up things with bandanas and crazy sunglasses and a mask to put on them. You can see the results in the photos,” said Di. “Yes, I know these Village People aren’t the correct 1.5m social distance apart and so that’s why they all have masks and/or face coverings.

It was too much to ask Murray to move them all! And again, it’s a wonderful way to reinforce the Covid Safe health message in our village to help keep our residents healthy. If plants can be Covid Safe so can people!”

The village sculptor come horticulturist, Murray Christmas (yes he says his birthday is

25th December) said it was a “fun little project”.

“There are heaps of these Golden Diosma (Coleonema pulchellum aurea) planted throughout the village. When I started six months back the majority were amorphous blobs. Some had hints of previous shapes but this group needed work. I was guided by each plant’s form, location and my imagination.

“Gardens, like art, impact us in ways we don’t understand and lots of times in ways we don’t even realise. Gardens have a huge impact on us, from our food to our feelings, so why not make them fun and interesting?!” said Murray.

“So I created some different sculpture shapes. Some got “punk haircuts”, so I added eyes and mouths with leaves and twigs. Of course, they blew off, so I found some goggle eyes and Frank skilfully shaped some stakes for the eyes.

“They looked great! When I showed Di the ‘Diosma Dioramas’, she laughed and suggested some masks and dress up glasses to bring some cheer to the residents. There’s eight or so dressed up now. The results are fun. There’s a pic of me with the ‘Where’s Wally Diosma Diorama’. My kids saw the pic and asked, “Which one’s the Wally?”

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NEWS

Appletons reap and sew

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Sewing machine needles started zipping into action when Melburnians were ordered onto Covid-protective masks.

The hot trend hasn’t escaped 74-year-old Kevin Appleton and wife Janiab Appleton, whose Noble Park business Maxisew Data EZY is doing a roaring trade in sewing-machine repairs.

Both have adapted to the times. She is making her line of handmade masks, and he making keenly-sought elastics.

Mr Appleton’s elastic-making machine didn’t stop as he spoke with Star Journal.

“They’re all coming out of the woodwork now,” he said of the parade of new customers who’ve turned to mask-making.

“They all want their machines fixed to make masks - and I get them for elastics on the way out.”

Mr Appleton has been selling sewing machines for 55 years.

He last appeared in the Journal 25 years ago when he ran a sewing-machine outlet at the corner of Warrigal and Centre roads.

These days, his main activity is repairs for all brands of machines.

“It’s because I’ve got the parts and I can source them,” he said - referring to his unique and self-built database of about 32,000 parts.

“I usually know what’s going on with the machines before they come in the door.”

Kevin Appleton with a machine he is using to make elastic for Covid-19 masks. 211738

Jainab Ali Appleton and Kevin Appleton inside their shop Sewimax Data EZY in Noble Park. 211738

Pictures: GARY SISSONS

FOCUS ON … TAX TIME

The tax professionals look after their clients amid Covid from accounting and tax, setting up a Company or Self-Managed Super Fund to business growth and advisory.

The firm prides itself on its high ethical and practice standards, and every client is treated with professionalism and respect whether they are individuals or small, medium or large businesses.

“We have an in-depth knowledge of all accounting and financial matters which is beneficial for any circumstance,” said director Terry Zimsen.

“Zimsen Partners wouldn’t have been able to keep growing over the last 20 years without exceptional service and satisfied clients. We have a deep understanding and consideration

for our clients which is a testament to our success over last two decades.”

Zimsen Partners is an industry leader throughout Greater Dandenong as well as wider Melbourne.

The firm is based at 7 Keysborough Close, Keysborough. Email clientsupport@zimsenpartners. com.au or phone 9798 6622.

Individual Tax Returns Property Investors Companies & Trusts Self Managed Super Funds Tax Returns Online The team at Zimsen Partners from left, Thaminda Peris, Dancy He, Brad Mur, Lauren Tran and Jacky Chan. 210396 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

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The firm’s team of accountants and financial advisors are highly experienced and qualified and are ready to cater to clients’ every need. This includes a full range of services

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Tuesday, 28 July, 2020

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STAR JOURNAL 11

LOOKING BACK

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

100 years ago 29 July 1920 The St Kilda Comedians There was a fair attendance at the Dandenong Town Hall on Thursday night when the above company made their first appearance before a local audience. The company consisted of a dozen artists and the first half of the programme took the form of bathing scenes, at the beach interspersed with songs and dances, the item

by D H Cliff “On the sands” being very good, as was also Miss H Bromfield’s “turn”. The stage was set out as a ballroom for the second part and the effects of the performers met with approval. Should the company return they are sure to be greeted with a bumper house.

50 years ago 28 July 1970 School crossing ‘death trap’

The crossing outside Dandenong High School on Princes Hwy is a virtual death trap, according to the principal Mr K B Mitchell. Mr Mitchell who has written to Dandenong City Council seeking representation “for something to be done and quickly,” he said an overhead bridge had been approved for the crossing “two or three years ago.” Mr Mitchell said: “I know the work is low priority but we have 1020 students at the school and we fear it will become a death crossing.”

20 years ago 31 July 2000 Torch of Glory The birthplace of the Olympics may be in Greece, but like thousands of Australian before them, the residents of Greater Dandenong who lined the touch relay route today embraced the Games as their own. Despite the early morning

start and a chill in the air, onlookers gathered outside Dandenong Town Hall and at vantage points along the way to cheer and applauded those special members of our community selected to carry the flame that embodies not the Games, but the spirit and ideals of a better world forged through sport.

5 years ago 27 July 2015 Survey reveals residents feel safer on the streets Greater Dandenong residents are feeling safer in their neighbourhoods. But the State Government survey discovered that Noble Park and Springvale residents are the least happy with their council’s “direction”. In the Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey 2015, less than half of respondents answered positively to the council’s tailored question “How safe do

you feel waking alone in your local area after dark?” Its score of 48% was however markedly up on 40% feeling safe in 2014. Other findings include:

•฀ Young adults 18 to 34 years old, were most ‘favourably disposed’ to the council but 35-49 year olds were the least favourable.

•฀ Springvale residents were most positive about the council’s community consultation and making decisions in the community interest, but were the least pleased with customer service; •฀ Dandenong residents were the most positive about the council’s direction and Noble Park and Keysborough residents the least so. Residents rated the council highly for its community facilities, parks and gardens, street maintenance, diversity, waste management and customer service.

Life raft for Covid’s storm

By Ursula Aruma, of the Sathya Sai International Organisation Right now everyone is dealing with emotional adjustments in our daily lives.

It becomes harder to do our daily activities.

The anxiety, depression and emotional stress is huge and it will take long to understand, accept and adjust to these changes.

This has been an overwhelming experience of anxiety and frustration for many of us.

Sometimes there’s anger and confusion in the early stages of isolation as to why you cannot see your loved ones.

Today, we come to say we care about you and pray that there be a message of ‘hope’.

With unified prayers from all faith leaders, and meditating on love, we can change the world.

You are not alone nor separate from others.

Life is precious. Look around you, open your heart, and believe in love.

of joy, peace is the interlude between two wars.

You have no rose without a thorn, but the diligent picker will avoid the pricks and gather the flower.

There is no bee without the sting. Cleverness consists in gathering the pollen, nevertheless.

Troubles and travail will follow you, but you must not allow them to deflect you from your tidy mind, your disciplined life, the established patterns that carry you forward day by day with self-confidence and self-respect.

I earnestly pray that as a community we will unite together for the upliftment of all people and commit ourselves to good deeds.

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Challenges and ups and downs come up in life because of a reason. Nothing happens by chance.

We have to learn from them and live a life with no regrets.

Life is a gift within your heart, a joy from nowhere.

The ocean of life is a vast mystery. It is boundless and as old as time.

It has in its womb chaotic whirlpools, raging currents, and today, it has the face of a mysterious pandemic that respects no one.

Hope comes in the form of a tidy mind, a disciplined life, the embedded patterns we follow - day in and day out - that get us from dawn to dusk.

A tidy mind, a disciplined lifestyle provides the sturdy boat of confidence to cross the ocean of life, with its ever-changing ups and downs.

Humans, by their nature, have to engage themselves in some action or other.

They have to be active, either physically or mentally or both.

The message is: “We can do this together”.

Light the lamp of love in your hearts and send it to others with your thoughts of love; impart courage and confidence to others in need.

The ups and downs of life make it impossible for you to live happily without any anxiety or bother. Life is a mosaic of pleasure and pain; grief is an interval between two moments

12 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 28 July, 2020

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Art brings migrants home

By Danielle Kutchel Arriving in Australia in 1982 at the age of 17, Dr Dacchi Dang recalls a rush of activity: of being bundled into a car from the airport and driven to Springvale’s Enterprise Migrant Hostel.

That was his first taste of Victoria, his new home.

As a refugee from Vietnam, everything was alien to him - new sights, a new tongue, and even new sport.

“It was an absolutely new experience, we felt unsure but excited about the future ahead,” he recalls.

He and his siblings attended English classes to get a handle on the new language, and older arrivals went to find some work while their children went to school.

“At that time, I didn’t speak much English at all, but at the same time I just wanted to look at how to learn as much Australian culture as possible every weekend,” he says.

Cricket and AFL helped introduce him to Australian culture - although he says they were tricky to learn at first.

They maintained their connection to Vietnam through food, which Dr Dang says can have a major impact on how comfortable people feel in their new homeland.

He says migrants have to strike a balance between the inside and outside space: their home, and the external community they need to integrate with.

“They have memories about their homeland, but then when you’re out in the public you have to try and integrate,” he explains.

“Especially for migrants when they don’t have much understanding of culture and language, it’s always challenging.

“That’s why they create their own community centres, to be able to feel comfortable and familiar.”

Dr Dacchi Dang hopes to record migrant’s experiences in his art. Picture: JANELLE EVANS

Bike.

His own experiences have fuelled an interest in the Vietnamese diaspora and the experiences of migrants more generally, which has taken form in his artwork.

Dr Dang works primarily in photography, although he has tackled larger projects too.

In 2000, he made a replica of a refugee boat so that visitors could walk inside the boat and “experience how fragile, how tiny it was in the big ocean.”

“It’s a boat maybe 10 to 15 metres max, now imagine that in a big ocean - basically it’s a drop of sand,” Dr Dang says.

“On those kinds of vessels, people tried to find freedom, a new home.”

Picture: DR DACCHI DANG He feels that it’s important to record the experience of migrants and refugees through art so that generations to come can understand their history.

Dr Dang is exhibiting some of his photographs in the City of Greater Dandenong’s HOME exhibition, which started this month online and runs until 15 August.

The series of black-and-white photographs retrace his steps through his old neighbourhood of Springvale.

“I hadn’t been back to that neighbourhood for a long time,” he says.

“My reason for getting involved with this exhibition was because it is interesting to see how other migrant communities experience

life when they come to this country as well.

“This series of work is kind of retracing the environment and documenting some of the details of how the next culture has integrated into our society.”

Dr Dang says he was fascinated by the changes and the contributions that new migrants have made, and by the level of support now offered to new arrivals from NGOs, community networks and the government to create a sense of belonging.

“Each migrant community contributes to the Australian landscape, changing it into a more diverse, multicultural society. In the 70s and 80s, it was Asian migrants and before that the Greeks and Italians after World War Two. “We cannot deny that part of our identity.”

He hopes that his pictures will bring back memories for other members of the migrant community, and remind them of their contributions.

“Hopefully, even in isolation people can look at these and reflect on their past and go forward from there,” Dr Dang says.

To find out more about the HOME exhibition, visit www.greaterdandenong.com/home

The sights, sounds and feeling of HOME The City of Greater Dandenong’s annual HOME exhibition is on again, until 15 August.

The exhibition supports and promotes artists seeking asylum or with a refugee background, allowing them to submit pieces that celebrate and explore the concept of home.

This year the exhibition is being held online, with viewers able to navigate the gallery of work virtually - from the comfort of their own home.

Take a look at some of the works being exhibited this year.

Artist Saidin Salkic in front of one of his pieces. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Still from a work by Elham Eshraghian titled ‘The end is glorious if we only persevere’.

Untitled.

Excellence in Faith.

Riding a Wombat on the Beach.

Picture: SAIDIN SALKIC

Picture: MIRELA CUFUROVIC

Picture: MASTANEH AZARNIA

Tuesday, 28 July, 2020

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STAR JOURNAL 13

NEWS

Golden anniversary in iso

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Things were very different in 1970, when 450 guests feted Joe and Teresa Rechichi’s wedding.

Fifty years on, thanks to a certain pandemic, the Springvale couple’s golden anniversary was a more solitary affair.

Covid-19 has scuttled many plans in 2020, and the Rechichi’s international holiday was sadly one of them.

The dream of three weeks in Europe - including their Italian homeland, Germany, a cruise in the Baltic Sea - has turned to home isolation.

The couple were unable to invite friends on their special day on Saturday 25 July.

Nor even their children Grace and Domenic and grandchildren Christian, Nicholas, Marissa and Lucas.

“It was just me and Teresa cuddled up in the corner,” Mr Rechichi said.

“No one else is with us today, not even our own flesh and blood - it’s a bit sad but we’ll catch up later.

“The biggest celebration would be for Covid-19 to disappear.”

The couple is accustomed to celebrating their marriage in special ways.

In 2008, they renewed their vows at Cana in Galilee, Israel - the site of the first miracle.

“That was the highlight of our journey to the Holy Land,” Mrs Rechichi said.

Recently, Pope Francis sent them his apostolic blessing marking 50 years of their marriage.

Both Italian born, carpenter Giuseppe Rechichi and law clerk Teresa Arena were living in Springvale when they first met.

They wedded in an “impressive” ceremony at St Joseph’s Church in Springvale, reported the Dandenong Journal at the time.

“An elegant fur head dress and matching

fur muff lent accessory charm to the bride’s simple white sheath frock, which was topped by a guipure lace bell-sleeved coat.”

Fifty years later, Mrs Rechichi reflects on her “soul mate”.

“We’ve got to a stage when we don’t have to say anything because we know what each other are thinking.

“The key is understanding each other.

“We all have our faults, and we all have to cope with them.

“Through the ups and downs for me, the children and grandchildren, he’s always there for me - like he’s done for the community.”

A former City of Springvale councillor, Mrs Rechichi has lived most of her life in Springvale.

While growing up, her parent ran a shop in Buckingham Avenue.

“We’ve seen all the migrants come through “The changes we’ve seen in Springvale has really been beautiful.”

The Rechichis are renowned for their charitable deeds.

They’ve worked together as volunteers driving the Springvale Benevolent Society for more than 30 years.

Their deeds have extended to the Italian Club, school fetes and St Joseph’s parish council.

Mr Rechichi, still the long serving president of the benevolent society, tirelessly provides food to families who have no income support during Covid-19.

Hundreds of visa holders and asylum seekers out of work, who receive not a cent of Job Seeker or Job Keeper from the Federal Government, he says.

“It’s not an easy task. It takes a lot of time away from your family.

“But you can’t neglect your own family. I’ve done my best to fulfil my marriage.

“It doesn’t come from the sky. People have to work at it.”

Joe and Teresa Rechichi celebrate a “low-key” 50th wedding anniversary. Picture: GARY SISSONS

The happy couple at their wedding in 1970.

Joe and Teresa Rechichi with an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis. 211510 Picture: GARY SISSONS

Farm-fresh market stall Undaunted by the pandemic, a certifiedorganic produce stall has quickly cultivated a ready following at Dandenong Market.

Peninsula Organic Farmgate opened at the market weeks ago, offering fruit and vegetables harvested from owner Tash Fields’ family farm in Baxter on the Mornington Peninsula.

Their crops include unusual varieties of heirloom carrots, beetroot and cauliflower as well as a spread of crisp lettuce varieties and Romanesco.

The stall also offers locally-grown and Australian-made dairy, eggs, bread and groceries.

Ms Fields started the farm in 2009 and opened the business in 2013.

She pressed ahead with expansion plans despite Covid-19, knowing that a stall at

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Going for goal in the world game

Going for goal in the world game A soccer showcase in Dandenong will kick things up a notch in the race for an A-League team. Gach Chuol, Greater Dandenong Councillor Jim Memeti and Sukart Alex got in some practice ahead of the Saturday 16 June event. See page 7 for the full story. 181655 Picture: GARY SISSONS

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Property Lift out

A soccer showcase in Dandenong will kick things up a notch in the race for an A-League team. Gach Chuol, Greater Dandenong Councillor Jim Memeti and Sukart Alex got in some practice ahead of the Saturday 16 June event. See page 7 for the full story. 181655 Picture: GARY SISSONS

His life for others

By Casey Neill

Lee Tarlamis.

Lee Tarlamis says his older brother’s cancer battle inspired him to spend his life helping those less fortunate.

His service culminated in a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, announced on Monday 11 June.

The Noble Park man and former state Upper House MP received the nod for service to the people and Parliament of Victoria “I’m extremely humbled. It’s not something that I’d expected,” he said.

“I didn’t do it to get acknowledgement.

“It was about wanting to provide assistance and help to people.

“It’s a view that I formed very early on.”

Mr Tarlamis said his brother fought cancer for two years before dying at age 17.

“The trouble and the stress that the family went through, I saw how positive he was

throughout those two years,” he said.

“It instilled in me that as tough as I think I have things, there are always people out there who are doing it a lot worse than me.

“That’s why I got involved in the local community.”

Initially that was through the Keysborough Learning Centre.

“The centre loaned me a computer for me to do my school work,” he said.

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“I wanted to repay the favour so I was volunteering time with them.”

There he met then-politician Eddie Micallef and became his electorate officer.

“That’s how I got into the politics world,” Mr Tarlamis said.

“That opened up a lot of opportunities to provide assistance to community groups.”

He never intended to run for parliament, but “one thing lead to another which lead to another” and he was a South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP from 2010 to 2014.

“That was such an honour as well, when you consider the fact that very few people get to hold that position and represent that large number of people,” he said.

Mr Tarlamis was a Springvale Benevolent Society volunteer from 2002 to 2012, a Noble Park Community Action Forum member for many years, a founding Springvale Multicultural Men’s Shed committee member, and more.

He’s now a senior advisor to Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings.

The world of politics is not where he thought he’d end up.

The Tarlamis family moved from Oakleigh to Keysborough when he was eight months old.

He went to Wallarano Primary School in Noble Park and to Chandler Secondary College, where Keysborough College’s Acacia campus now stands.

Mr Tarlamis went on to study an associate diploma of business.

“I grew up working with dad in the family businesses,” he said.

“I thought it would be logical that I would go into the business world and maybe into management or something like that.

“I really enjoyed the community stuff.

“Politics became that vehicle to do it.”

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Dandenong Market would be the “next step”.

“Much of what we grow is based on customer feedback,” Ms Fields said.

“I love talking to customers and letting them know where their food comes from.”

Dandenong Market general manager Jennifer Hibbs said the stall presented an opportunity to reach and serve new customers.

“We are pleased to see Peninsula Organic Farmgate offer these new shoppers the most competitive possible prices on the organic foods they love.

“Those who support our small businesses will likely advocate for locally sourced produce too. There are so many positives in this story.”

VISIT

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Tash Fields at the freshly-opened Peninsula Organic Farmgate stall at Dandenong Market. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Kerty’s horror day

Delays at new hub

By Brendan Rees

In a statement read out by Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards on behalf of Mr Godon at a Victorian Parliament sitting in November, 2019, it said: “Each day, I was getting more and more depressed; in a state of shock; on the verge of losing my sanity. I was going mad with the persistent recurrent nightmares.”

“I kept reliving the attempts of my colleagues trying, in a desperate move to resuscitate him but to no avail,” his statement read.

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Ms Richards said the impact on Mr Wu’s colleagues and family “cannot be underestimated” and every worker “should be safe at work” “This law shines the spotlight on that. I know Dillon’s case is still being investigated so I won’t go into specifics but it’s clear that it’s a really tragic example of why workplace safety is so important,” she said.

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Springvale Community Hub’s opening will be “softer” and later than originally anticipated, says Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti.

The $50 million-plus project, whose works had already slowed during Covid-19, was slated for a “soft” opening in July.

However, the recent ‘stay-at-home’ statewide lockdown - which bans public gatherings - has caused further postponement. Doors won’t open until the lockdown’s end - mid-August at the earliest.

Cr Memeti said a formal opening would then follow in early September by which time the project’s outdoor features will be complete.

Cr Memeti, who features in a council-filmed walk-through, said the community would be “so impressed” by the “state-of-the-art facility”.

“It will be an absolute gem for the community of Springvale - it will be here for the next 100 years.

“I can’t wait to open its doors to the community for the first time.”

The superseded Springvale Library will make way for the hub, which includes a more spacious and modern library, art gallery, cafe, meeting rooms and customer service centre.

Outside will be a landscaped parkland, playground and sports courts.

Cr Memeti predicted a surge of library patrons from 10,000 a week to up to 40,000, mirroring the popularity of the new Dandenong Library.

Kerty Godon says his life has become a “complete wreck” since the death of his work colleague.

211463 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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Kerty Godon says he wakes up most nights reliving the horror day he lost his workmate nearly two years on.

Mr Godon was working as a welder at a Cranbourne West factory when his workmate, 21-year-old Dillon Wu of Lynbrook, died after succumbing to fumes while working in a confined space.

Mr Wu had just been two weeks into a metal engineering apprenticeship with the training arm of The Australian Industry Group while at the factory when he was found unconscious at the bottom of a large metal tanker about 10am on 4 October, 2018. He vividly recalled managers at the work site raising the alarm, shouting “Stop, stop, stop working, someone in a confined space”.

Mr Godon, 41, who now works at a factory in Dandenong, decided to speak publicly about the incident in the hope that Victoria’s new workplace manslaughter laws would send a clear message to employers that putting lives at risk would not be tolerated.

Under the laws introduced on 1 July, negligent employers now face fines of up to $16.5 million and individuals face up to 25 years in jail.

A WorkSafe Victoria spokesman said investigations were continuing into the Cranbourne West factory incident.

Meanwhile, Mr Godon, who described Mr Wu as “friendly“ and a “really, really good guy”, said he was still struggling to comes to terms with Mr Wu’s death, and had become a “complete wreck”.

“I can’t sleep sometimes. All the time when I see the trailers, all the tankers on the road ... just straight think about the incident.”

He said he wanted employers to be held accountable and not to “cut cost at the expense of safety”.

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Tuesday, 28 July, 2020

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STAR JOURNAL 17

SPORT

Shima Shine is blistering

By Jason Adams Shima Shine set Sandown Park alight last Thursday night with a blistering 28.95 win, becoming the second fastest greyhound ever to grace the circuit.

Anticipation throughout the week was high with the run set to be his first on a metropolitan track since the Easter Gift in April. He began like a rocket and set splits of 4.93 (0.03 off the record) and 18.43 (0.07 off the record), which are reserved for the absolute elite.

His overall time was officially 28.949 - just a hundredth off Hooked on Scotch’s (28.939) track record set last November.

“I’m more surprised about the first split that he set. I expected him to go well and set a fast time somewhere in the low 29s, but that’s amazing,” said Korie Heinrich, handler and daughter of trainer Andrea Dailly.

This time last year Shima Shine began his career in a blaze of glory and, in just his seventh start, broke the long standing 450m track record at Ballarat. For the early part of 2020 he battled setbacks, however returned to form in

late May and has since won six of his past seven outings, including recording another track record at Bendigo in a heat of the Cup. Shima Shine is bred and owned by great friends David Gleeson and Bob Cummings.

Gleeson was understandably over the moon with the performance.

“The run was that good it’s hard to explain!” he said.

“He’s had a lot of setbacks since he was crunched in the Topgun last November. It’s taken some time to get him right but this is what he can do when sound.

“Bob and I have bred this line for a long time. We’ve been successful, but this is the most outstanding greyhound we’ve had.”

It’s expected Shima Shine will head towards the Victorian Sprint heats, which will be held at Sandown Park on Thursday, 6 August.

Shima Shine’s first split was the seventhfastest ever recorded and his second split the fifth fastest. Fernando Bale and Black Magic Opal hold the first split record at 4.90, with Fernando also holding the second split record at 18.36

Korie Heinrich with Shima Shine last Thursday night.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Champion pair to lead the Dandy District academy

By Nick Creely Two of the region’s most highly-regarded cricketing figures, Craig Slocombe and Matthew Chasemore, are set to head up a DDCA junior cricket academy this season.

The pair have been appointed as the Junior Academy coaches, with the DDCA hoping to start its program in September, despite the recent Covid-19 outbreaks in Melbourne.

Slocombe is a highly-regarded coach who has led the Under 21 VMCU group to great success.

He has recently joined Premier Cricket outfit Dandenong as a senior assistant coach after his role as the Pattinson Academy coach last season.

After a legendary career for Springvale South in the DDCA, he will continue to bring the next generation of youngsters through the south-east after recently retiring from Turf 1 cricket.

Chasemore - aside from his feats as a champion Premier cricketer, Victorian Second XI player and reigning Turf 1 premiership captain with Berwick - also has an illustrious history from a coaching perspective, with a stint at Frankston Peninsula, and has kick-started the Peninsula Cricket Academy with ex-state player Jayde Herrick.

Chasemore has long been regarded as one of the most successful development coaches in Victoria after a long career where he has been considered as one of the most unlucky cricketers not to play First Class cricket.

The age groups of the academy will be under 12s, 14s, 16s, 18s and girls, which aligns with the recent move from the DDCA to even age groups for the upcoming season.

DDCA vice president Steven Richards said the association was thrilled to land two names synonymous with south-east cricket after an independent selection panel received a large volume of applications and selected the pair as the best fit for the academy moving forward.

“The panel determined that Slocs and Cheeks were the best fit for what the DDCA are trying to achieve,” he told the Journal.

“I have no doubt with the knowledge and skill set that both champions have they will greatly increase the development of the young kids in our association.

“We are very pleased with the dual announcements.

“We are extremely excited with these appointments and we are in great hands.”

With some of the region’s most talented young cricketers - which have been invited based on last year’s performances and representative experience - set to be benefit from the expertise of the champion pair, Richards said that the DDCA academy was an im18 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 28 July, 2020

Matt Chasemore batting for Berwick last season. 201130

Pictures: ROB CAREW

portant part of maintaining the standard of cricket in the region.

He hopes it can draw more juniors to the game.

“To be able to continue to develop the local talent over time we believe will draw attention to local players being recruited,” he said.

“We have felt that the standard of cricket in the region had been declining, and especially at representative level.

“By creating this academy we are hoping that this will not only improve clubs’ juniors but also the DDCA at representative level.”

Right: DDCA great Craig Slocombe. 178822 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

No football

By Nick Creely

The Dandenong Stingrays will have to wait a little longer to get back on the park in 2020. 195006

Picture: GARY SISSONS

NAB League gets the green light

By Nick Creely The AFL has announced that the premier under 18 competition in the nation, the NAB League, will get a late August start in a reduced capacity, however the Dandenong Stingrays are not at this stage expected to take the field.

Victorian draft prospects in country regions not impacted by the current lockdowns imposed on metropolitan Melbourne will get a chance to strut their stuff in front of AFL recruiters with a return on 22 August locked in, however despite the Stingrays - who are based out of Shepley Oval in Dandenong - forming part of the Country conference, the club will not feature with the lockdown in place until at least Wednesday, 19 August.

It leaves the Greater Western Victoria Rebels, Gippsland Power, Bendigo Pioneers, Murray Bushrangers and Geelong Falcons to battle it out as part of the Country conference.

While the AFL remains optimistic that the Metro clubs - Calder Cannons, Eastern Ranges, Northern Knights, Oakleigh Chargers, Sandringham Dragons and Western Jets - can get some sort of season in later in the year, the

league is desperate to get the regions unaffected by the current restrictions back on to the field in a big boost for next year’s draft.

The AFL has also announced that regional players undertaking schooling or board in Melbourne will be unable to play for their country-based NAB League side as per advice from the Victorian state government.

AFL head of talent and state league competitions Tristan Salter said in a statement that, despite the current Covid-19 situation impacting on talent pathway programs in Victoria, the AFL is committed to getting boys and girls back playing in a safe envrionment.

“All levels of the game across the country have been impacted by the health pandemic this year,” Salter said.

“Throughout this season we have anchored every decision in-line with the advice of the respective government and relevant medical authorities. Our return to play plans and our timings is evidence of that.

“The evolving situation across Victoria has meant we have had to make decisions based on geographical locations of players and clubs to ensure we give as many players the oppor-

tunity to play NAB League games this year.

“While we would prefer to provide a standard season of NAB League football for girls and boys across the entire state, this outcome ensures an opportunity for many players to continue their journey in the talent pathway.”

Salter also said that they will continue to work hard to ensure those in the Melbourne and Mitchell Shire regions - which includes the Dandenong Stingrays, despite it being a Country side - can get back on the field at some stage this season.

“We maintain our commitment to all players that we will continue explore arrangements including return-to-training and competition in consultation with the Victorian State Government for players located in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire,” he said.

The NAB League girls season will also recommence on Saturday, 5 September, with a further three matches for each side to complete a six-game season after three rounds were able to be squeezed in prior to the season shutdown. At this stage, there has been no announcement as to whether the Dandenong Stingrays’ girls side will be able to compete.

Big V basketball season abandoned

By Russell Bennett Due largely to the Covid-19 restrictions currently in place for metropolitan Melbourne - and the Mitchell Shire - this season’s Big V basketball competitions have officially been abandoned.

Basketball Victoria issued a series of key announcements earlier this month, with updates on a number of its major competitions.

The 2019/20 VJBL Championship season has been cancelled, along with the eagerly awaited Big V season - set to feature local asdandenong.starcommunity.com.au

sociations including the Keysborough Cougars and Casey Cavaliers.

“With the re-introduction of Stage 3 restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne, we unfortunately have no alternative but to cancel the 2020 Big V season,” Basketball Victoria announced on its website.

The Australian Junior Championships have also been abandoned.

“Basketball Australia, in consultation with the state and territory associations, has determined the Australian Under-18 Championships, Under-16 Championships, and Kevin

Coombs Cup will not proceed for 2020,” Basketball Victoria stated on its website.

“While significant efforts have been made to reschedule these events, the fluid and unpredictable nature of the current situation surrounding Covid-19 has made it impossible for Basketball Australia to make a firm commitment to dates.

“Basketball Australia would like to thank everyone who was involved in the preparation of these tournaments, and looks forward to the 2021 championships.”

Football Victoria (FV) has officially cancelled all senior competitions in metropolitan Melbourne this season in the wake of a spike in Covid-19 cases.

With metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire back into Stage 3 lockdown, FV has announced that all senior metropolitan competitions, including NPL and community leagues, will not proceed or resume as fixtured - with alternative competitions and football options over the spring and summer to be discussed, but based on an opt-in basis with clubs.

At this stage, junior NPL competitions are set to resume in a modified form, with FV targeting a start date in September, subject to Government restrictions.

Community junior competitions will also target a similar return date.

“Following the Victorian Government’s decision to reintroduce lockdown restrictions due to the number of active coronavirus (Covid-19) cases, Football Victoria is announcing a series of changes to its competition structures for the remainder of 2020,” an FV statement read.

“The decisions made by FV have always been made with the intention of enabling football to be played by as many people as possible. However, despite the best efforts of our amazing clubs and their volunteers, FV staff and every one of the game’s stakeholders, it will be impossible to run complete competitions for every age group and level.

“As such, FV has made a series of decisions to establish which competitions can proceed as fixtured, which can be altered and which we have been forced to cancel. These have been incredibly difficult decisions to make in a challenging and complex environment.

“On the whole, we are incredibly disappointed that we have not been able to host a complete season for every participant who wishes to play football, however the health and safety of community remains our number one priority.”

FV said that despite a lockdown forcing senior football in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire to be cancelled, it is still committed to seeing the sport played in regional Victoria.

“In regions that are not facing lockdowns, junior (18 and under) football can continue to be played, and we intend to create a schedule that allows for competition to take place, noting that some of those competitions are fixtured

by FV and some are managed by the local association,” FV said.

“FV is still working through a vast number of issues related to fixturing, including those pertaining to regional clubs who participate in metropolitan competitions, or where there is significant crossover with clubs who are marginally outside the boundaries of affected regions.

“We are also cognisant that there will be players in affected areas who play for clubs outside those zones, and vice versa. Issues of club and player eligibility will be clarified in the coming days.

“For those players currently in lockdown zones who want to play later in the year, Football Victoria will operate modified competitions and other football options on an ‘opt-in’ basis, giving as much of our community as possible the opportunity to step onto the pitch.”

The NPL season has been cancelled in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

177940 Picture: GARY SISSONS Tuesday, 28 July, 2020

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STAR JOURNAL 19