Dandenong Star Journal - 1st September 2020

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Tuesday, 1 September, 2020

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Spoon full of colour and cheer

Masks made ‘in house’

Floral tour of Oz

The DDCA continues to build

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Cops crack-down

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

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During a week of tense lockdown protests on Dandenong streets, a 48-year-old man described by police as an “event organiser” has been arrested at his Dandenong home on Friday 28 August.

The man was charged with breaching bail conditions and breaching Chief Health Officer directions, police say.

He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court the next day.

Police had arrested 10 people and issued 72 fines as they cracked down on the mass 5pm walks in George Andrews Reserve, Kirkham Road and surrounds.

Numbers peaked at more than 80 on one of the nights, as streams of walkers marched with the national anthem played over speakers.

Videos were posted on social media of a man being tackled to ground by several police on 26 August.

Soon after, a police officer armed with pepper spray instructed the crowd to “back off”.

The crowd heckled, booed and yelled a torrent of abuse at police.

On another video post, a man filmed police and taunted them to “say cheese for the camera”.

As he’s issued a $1652 fine, he tells the officer he is “exercising his right to exercise”. The officer says he didn’t believe the man was there for a “lawful purpose”.

By the weekend, the activity had noticeably calmed. There were just five fines issued on Sunday 30 August, and none on the day before.

On Monday 24 August, a successful businessman who has run a long-running and selffunded youth centre was arrested by police at George Andrews Reserve.

He was charged with incitement, fined for disobeying Chief Health Officer directions and

A man is taken to ground by police officers on Kirkham Road, Dandenong South on 26 August. 214056 released on bail. His arrest was filmed and went viral on social media.

The next day, he posted a video reading aloud his bail conditions to comply with CHO directions, to not incite others and not to use electronic devices to organise rallies or public meetings.

On the video, the man directed his ire at the state’s stage-4 lockdown by Premier Daniel An-

drews - or who he termed “Dictator Dan”.

According to the man, Victoria or the world should not be shut down because of Covid-19 it was not worth destroying the economy.

The virus was killing mainly elderly people, many in palliative care, he said. The flu had killed twice as many people last year.

Meanwhile the Covid lockdown was also “killing our youth” through suicide and de-

Picture: GARY SISSONS pression, the man argued.

“They don’t know what to do with themselves.”

A 76-year-old Windsor man has been charged with incitement over the promotion of a Melbourne CBD rally on 5 September, police say, Continued page 12

NEWS

Chemist’s bold bid

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Well-known pharmacist and philanthropist Richard Lim is running for council. 213935 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS school camps, as well as schools to be built in Cambodia.

“It’s part of my mother’s attitude. She was a very kind person who was really well known in her home town.”

Sadly, she and Mr Lim’s father died through a lack of food and medication under Pol Pot’s murderous regime in his Cambodian homeland in 1975-’79.

Many of his family, including siblings, were “wiped out” as were most of Mr Lim’s youth group.

Aside from murder, torture and starvation, some of the 1.2 million Cambodians killed suffered from a lack of Western medicine.

It was outlawed in favour of ineffective herbal treatments. “This was to ensure that only high profile members of the regime had

access to these medications.”

In 1980, Mr Lim escaped by riding a bike for weeks to cross the Thai border. He lay for three days in a pineapple field to avoid open fire between Vietnamese soldiers and the Khmer Rouge.

He also worked for the Red Cross and Medicins San Frontieres as a doctor and nurse in Khao I Dang refugee camp.

In 1980, he gained refuge with his brothers and sisters in Australia.

Within a year, he formed Cambodian Youth Association of Victoria to tutor and help assimilate young refugees.

“After 30 years in Springvale, I feel like my customers and members of the community are my family.”

Long-serving Greater Dandenong councillor Youhorn Chea is retiring due to health concerns.

The four-time mayor and councillor for 23 years will bow out ahead of the October council elections.

Cr Chea, who fled from Cambodia’s ‘killing fields’ as a refugee, became the first Cambodian-born mayor in Australia in 2001.

He also served as mayor in 2007, 2012 and 2018.

A former social worker and current president of Cambodian Association of Victoria, Cr Chea said he’d had a long belief in serving the community.

“Not just for Cambodians, but for everyone - and for refugees because that’s my background.”

Cr Chea said he’d continue working in community welfare, particularly with many losing jobs and lives in Covid-19.

“Since the coronavirus, a lot of elderly people in the Cambodian community passed away and a lot of people have tried to contact the Cambodian Association.

“Some can’t do things by themselves, some have lost their jobs and others have come as overseas visitors and can’t return because their flights have closed.”

The CAV was assisting the stranded visitors applying to extend their expiring visas. It was also providing multilingual information on Covid restrictions and health advice.

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A philanthropic pharmacist has launched a heavyweight bid for a seat on Greater Dandenong Council.

Richard Lim OAM will be seen as a strong chance in succeeding the retiring four-time mayor Youhorn Chea in Springvale Central ward in October’s election.

Like Cr Chea, Mr Lim has been active in the Cambodian Association of Victoria as well as an Australian Labor Party member.

But he insists he is “independent” with a suite of ideas to build on Springvale’s cultural identity and drawcard shops and eateries.

Mr Lim envisages more tidy, modern shopfronts, cleaner public toilets, playgrounds and an immigration museum, Cambodian-style gateway and a cultural New Year event in April.

But the number one issue is parking.

He shares Cr Chea’s bugbears about the under-utilised multi-level car park at 8 Balmoral Avenue - at odds with the congestion at street level.

“People don’t like driving in there,” Mr Lim said - citing the narrow corners, darkness and confined spaces within.

“Glen Waverley is growing so fast. We lose a lot of customers from Springvale to Glen Waverley because of the parking.”

An engineering solution may be expensive but would pay for itself if the car park filled to capacity, he says.

A generous sponsor and benefactor, Mr Lim has long donated widely and organised fundraisers such as $1 million for Monash Health recently.

His causes include Monash Childrens Hospital, The Salvation Army, Springvale Rise Primary School, Cambodian Vision, Cambodian Youth Association of Victoria and Save Cambodian Childrens Fund.

He has sponsored local students to go on

Ex-mayor won’t seek re-election

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Market ‘feathers ruffled’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells In a fiery debate, Greater Dandenong councillors have backed Dandenong Market’s ban on Cr Maria Sampey attending its board meetings.

Cr Sampey - the council’s elected representative on the market - was stood down by the market board over a series of “potential allegations” by two of its managers.

According to Cr Sampey, the complaints were deemed “vexatious” and “frivolous” by council’s legal advice. The Market says that the complaints are “neither“.

The allegations included Cr Sampey addressing an employee as “she” and asking another employee “who are you?”.

Other complaints were that Cr Sampey allegedly claimed market employees had bullied stallholders and that she didn’t have complete faith in the management.

“You’re opening up a can of worms,” Cr Sampey warned councillors at a council meeting on 24 August.

“So anybody can be taken off the board for the mere frivolous thing of referring to someone as ‘she’.

“It’s not as if I called her a bitch or anything like that.

“I’m not a yes person, I ask questions - that’s what the issue is.”

According to the market, the complainants don’t feel “safe” attending board meetings with Cr Sampey online or in person.

Cr Sampey was also accused of a conflict of interest for advocating for a stallholder in relation to his treatment by the market.

Refuting the conflict, Cr Peter Brown said Cr Sampey didn’t gain “personally or politically” from advancing the stallholder’s cause.

Cr Sampey had done a difficult job well, independently representing stallholders “badly treated” or “ignored” by market management, Cr Brown said.

The issue was perhaps that she’d “ruffled some feathers”, Cr Brown said.

Cr Brown noted that Cr Sampey uncovered “substantial criminal misconduct” by a stallholder’s associate.

While the market managers refused to act, Cr Sampey approached Victoria Police. The matter was resolved by police, he said.

Cr Brown later told Star Journal that Cr Sampey was “collateral damage” as councillors

pressed for a financial and governance audit of an “underperforming” Dandenong Market.

“This OH&S is just a furphy. We’re going to council elections in two months’ time - we’re talking about two more board meetings.

“There’s a bigger stake involved.”

In opposition, Cr Tim Dark said Cr Sampey had done a “stellar job” but Dandenong Market had a responsibility to protect employees who didn’t feel safe or felt at risk.

“When we receive a formal complaint we must ensure we follow the right rules and protocols.”

Cr Zaynoun Melhem said it was “quite embarrassing” to be debating the matter publicly.

For her own wellbeing, Cr Sampey should be stood aside until the matter was resolved, he said.

“We can clearly see how Cr Sampey is emotional about this. She doesn’t have a level head or (acting) without bias.”

In a statement, Dandenong Market interim chair Tim Cockayne said the complaints were “neither frivolous nor vexatious and that is why they are being treated seriously”.

Mr Cockayne noted there were “several al-

legations of improper conduct” under investigation.

The market had not received an “adequate” formal apology to resolve the matter, and its request for mediation wasn’t accepted by Cr Sampey, Mr Cockayne said.

“While the complaint remains unresolved, it is inappropriate for Cr Sampey to be in the same workplace as Market staff,” he said.

“The Dandenong Market Board considers the health and wellbeing of its staff a paramount responsibility as well as a legal duty.”

In a narrow 5-4 vote, councillors voted against Cr Sampey re-asserting her position on the market board.

Those opposed were Crs Youhorn Chea, Tim Dark, Angela Long, Zaynoun Melhem and Sophie Tan. In favour were Peter Brown, Matthew Kirwan, Sean O’Reilly and Maria Sampey.

Mayor Jim Memeti didn’t vote due to a conflict of interest. He is a director of a stall at Dandenong Market.

Cr Dark was affirmed by councillors to attend the market’s board meetings as their alternate representative.

Digging in for fun as Spoonville adds lockdown cheer A ‘Spoon-ville’ family has dug its home into a log at a Keysborough parkland during recent weeks.

As part of this organic campaign, people have been invited and enthusiastically added to the motley collection of wooden spoons at Roth Hetherington Reserve.

Among the members was an orange-helmeted item of cutlery donated by Greater Dandenong SES. Resident Gaye Guest welcomed the “community-uniting” movement - that had brought smiles and “helped heal rifts” in the council area.

Greater Dandenong Council staff had “stumbled” on the installation during their work, council director Paul Kearsley told a council meeting on 24 August.

Workers had been directed not to alter or remove the spoon collection, he said.

The council was seeking to place information about more community-engaging activities, such as a joint “biodiversity blitz” app with Casey Council.

The app will invite residents to record flora and fauna in their backyards and neighbourhood walks.

The council “acknowledged the benefits these community initiatives can have in our community”, Mr Kearsley said.

A community-led Spoonville at Roth Hetherington Reserve. 214057 Picture: GARY SISSONS

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Officers cited for bravery

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A pair of police officers who were attacked by a radicalised teen at Endeavour Hills police station have been cited for bravery.

In the August Australian Bravery Awards, the men known only as Officer A and Officer B were listed as recipients of the Bravery Medal.

The medal is awarded for “considerable bravery” in “hazardous” circumstances.

On the night of 23 September 2014, the pair had pre-arranged a meeting with ‘person-ofinterest’ Numan Haider, 18, in the police station car park.

Officer A advised Haider that a pat-down body search was required before entering the station.

Without warning, the man drew a knife, lunged and cut the officer’s left arm. The officer fell to ground with serious injuries.

Officer B then approached Haider and was stabbed several times to the head and neck.

After the officer fell to ground, Haider crouched over to stab him in the stomach.

Officer A regained his feet and fired a shot that fatally wounded Haider.

A State Coroner later found the cause of Haider’s death was his own dangerous conduct.

“I find that Numan engaged in a course of conduct that involved radicalisation and behaviour that was increasingly dangerous, ultimately causing his death,” the coroner John Olle stated.

Officer A, who had fired the single fatal shot, was left with no other realistic option.

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

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

Police gather at Endeavour Hills police station on 24 September 2014 - a night that two attacked police officers showed considerable bravery. 127959 Picture: GARY SISSONS Before his attack on police, Haider had made several Facebook posts supporting “extremist views”.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

At age 7, Haider and his family had fled Afghanistan from persecution by the Taliban. He attended Southern Cross Primary School in Endeavour Hills and Lyndale Secondary College in Dandenong North.

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

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

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

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NEWS

Napping addict jailed

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A drug-addled disqualified driver has waved an imitation gun, weaved dangerously through traffic and then fallen asleep at the wheel on Springvale Road Keysborough.

Rickie King, 24, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to a raft of drug, driving, theft and weapon charges, as well as the mandatory jailable offence of exposing an emergency worker to risk.

High on GHB, he waved the silver automatic imitation gun outside the driver’s window at another motorist on Springvale Road Mulgrave in the mid-afternoon of 11 January 2019.

As he headed south, he eratically weaved his stolen Hiace van from lane to lane.

King slowed down briefly, then sped a winding course through traffic in Springvale.

He came to rest, slumped at the wheel in a bus lane near the Governor Road intersection in Keysborough.

Police found him seemingly asleep. They removed the gun from his lap, and tried to turn off the engine - however there was no key and the ignition barrel was damaged.

Officers placed a stop-stick under the front left tyre, and hemmed in the van with police vehicles at the front and rear.

When he woke, King frantically moved the gears and repeatedly rammed the police cars until he freed the van.

He sped off, swiping the rear of another driver’s car near Waterways.

King didn’t stop at the scene of the collision, but rather at a Subway outlet in Chelsea where he stole a drink from the fridge.

He was soon arrested by police, who seized

heroin and ice from his pockets, two knives from the van as well as other people’s IDs and bankcards.

In a police interview at Dandenong, King said he’d taken GHB 45 minutes beforehand and couldn’t remember the events since.

At the time, he was a disqualified driver and on bail for car theft and handling stolen goods.

In a neglected upbringing, King was introduced to heroin by his father. At 19, he’d sold drugs to pay the rent after his dad went to jail.

In sentencing on 24 August, Judge Liz Gaynor noted his dangerous, drug-affected actions behind the wheel.

It came on the back of a long criminal history of repeated drug, weapon and dangerous driving charges, she noted.

She had deferred sentencing so King could do drug rehab at Odyssey House.

However, 42 days in, he was ejected for breaching the house’s strict protocols - though there was no suggestion that he’d used drugs.

Judge Gaynor accepted King had made a “creditable attempt” and wanted to reform. He spent a drug-free period in productive work and engaged well with a Corrections officer before he seriously relapsed.

In July, he was remanded and charged with armed robbery, unlawful assault and being a prohibited person with a firearm. Those offences have yet to be tried.

“You still have to fully commit to a drug-free lifestyle,” Judge Gaynor said.

“Until you do nothing will change.”

King was jailed for 10 months - most of which was already served in 206 days of presentence detention.

Urban forest plan revived as council plants the seed

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong Council has re-planted the seed for a proposed ‘urban forest strategy’ that restricts tree removal on private land.

After axing the proposed policy in December, the plan to protect large canopy trees will be put to public consultation.

Cr Matthew Kirwan said tree shade was the “most effective weapon” against climate change and the worsening ‘urban heat island effect’.

“Trees draw down emissions from the air and cool our cities with their shade, saving older people’s lives from heat stress.

“Currently we have an average of about eight days a year above 35 degrees Celsius.

“By 2050 we are currently on track for up to 21 days a year above 35 degrees.

The council area has among the lowest rates of tree canopy (9.9 per cent) in metro Melbourne, Cr Kirwan told a 24 August council meeting.

“Greater Dandenong is being stripped bare of trees which is bad for climate change and makes our city ugly as well.

“No amount of street or park trees can make up for this loss in one of the local government areas in Melbourne that already has the worst tree canopy cover.”

Cr Kirwan said residents would still be able to cut down trees if there were justifiable reasons such as drainage blocks or safety issues.

As an indication, the policy would protect healthy trees of at least 40 centimetres diameter and 7 metres height that weren’t dangerous or weed species.

That affected between 2 to 5 per cent of properties in Greater Dandenong, according to a council report.

In opposition, Cr Tim Dark said the council would potentially intervene in more private properties than estimated.

Cr Matthew Kirwan outside a denuded front yard in Noble Park. 202371 Many properties had “double-storey”high trees, which would be covered by the proposal, he said.

The proposal would require ratepayers to lodge permits to remove trees, at the cost of their time and money.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Also opposed was Cr Zaynoun Melhem, who said he was a “major supporter of more canopy cover in Greater Dandenong”.

He also endorsed the council’s climate emergency strategy, the push for zero-carbon environmentally sustainable building

design and opposed the removal of Springvale street trees.

But the urban forest strategy went “too far”.

The council shouldn’t “dictate” what people do in their own yards, he said.

Street trees face the chopping block Street trees may be replaced by parking bays in central Springvale - despite the council exploring a possible urban forest strategy.

Greater Dandenong Council will prepare a report on the impacts of removing about six trees in Buckingham Avenue between Balmoral and Windsor avenues.

The proponent Cr Youhorn Chea questioned why the council had planted trees between parking bays in an area short of parking.

He said shoppers would at times search up to an hour for on-street parking. Six extra parking bays would cater for up to 70 cars a days.

Cr Chea noted that he’d long supported more tree planting in parks, but more parking was “very important” for businesses and residents.

“I’m not in any way opposed to planting trees,” he said.

In support, Cr Tim Dark said the trees - “or dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Springvale’s roadside trees may be relocated in favour of more parking spaces. 214157 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS I should say sticks” - were still small enough to be relocated to a park.

The bike racks next to the trees were also under-utilised, he said.

Opposed was Cr Sean O’Reilly warned that the proposal would become a council election issue.

His online petition to ‘save the Springvale trees’ had attracted 149 signatures, his Facebook post about 10,000 views.

“With less car traffic and parking required at the moment, this motion should not be a priority.

“In these challenging times of Covid, let’s focus on issues that matter most, and not remove trees and bicycle racks.”

The idea was also at odds with the council’s desire for more users of the multi-level car park in Balmoral Avenue.

“It doesn’t pass the general public test in my opinion,” he said.

Cr Peter Brown, also opposed, noted the trees were only recently planted to beautify the area.

Cr Matthew Kirwan, although in favour of the trees, said he supported consulting the community on the matter.

He was similarly seeking councillors to support public consultation on a possible urban forest strategy.

As part of the report, the council will consult with businesses and the wider community.

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By Cam Lucadou-Wells

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Rail risk-takers warned

By Brendan Rees From distracted pedestrians to a car slamming into a train, alarming footage has emerged of recent near misses on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.

While less people are travelling due to Melbourne’s stage-four restrictions, the Transport Department has urged people to be alert and pay attention to crossing signals and signs.

It comes as the Department released shocking video during Rail Safety Week to highlight the risks people take with recent close calls recorded at Dandenong, Beaconsfield and Cardinia Road.

Metro train driver Stephen King knows all

too well the “far reaching effects” of peoples risky behaviour on the railway.

“I personally know of colleagues of mine that have been involved in one incident and have been forced to resign from their roles,” he said. “They’ve actually had to move on and find another career.

“The impact of these incidents isn’t just for that one person who is up the front, which is the train driver, but it is to absolutely everybody - family, friends, colleagues and everyone else concerned.”

The Department has documented a number of dangerous acts including people ignoring pedestrian gates to run across the tracks and driving through boom gates when traffic

has banked up, which “can have devastating consequences resulting in deaths and serious injuries”.

Near misses and trespassers on the network result in delays to services and can cause significant distress to train and tram drivers and other witnesses.

On average there were 328 trespasser incidents each month on the metropolitan network in the year to July. On the regional network, there is a near miss every four days on average.

Train drivers who are exposed to near miss incidents often require trauma counselling, and in the most extreme circumstances, don’t return to work.

The State Government has committed $10 million to installing fencing at key metropolitan and regional locations across the rail network, to help improve safety and protect lives.

Although Rail Safety Week finished on 21 August, the Department has stressed rail safety was all year round.

“Serious incidents and near misses on our rail network can cost lives and have devastating impacts on drivers and other passengers so please take care when around trains and trams,” a Transport Department spokesperson said.

“Please put away your mobile phones when at rail crossings, only cross at marked crossings and stay behind the yellow line at platforms and tram stops.”

Jail for drug supply duo

By Brendan Rees

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A pair of uni drop outs have been sentenced to jail for their part in an elaborate drugs supply operation at a Narre Warren home.

Toan Vu, 23, was sentenced to two years and six months in jail while Son Pham, 29, was sentenced to 12 months’ jail after both pleaded guilty to cultivating a narcotic plant at the Victorian County Court sitting on 19 August.

In his sentencing remarks Judge George Georgiou said while the roles they had “performed was at a low level it was still, an important role and one which must be denounced”.

The court heard police uncovered the “sophisticated” cannabis set-up after swooping at a Wood Road home in Narre Warren just before noon on 12 August, 2019.

Officers initially knocked on the front door but when no one answered they activated their siren and spooked the pair, causing them to run through the garage along with a third man.

All three were arrested before police raided the home, seizing almost 200 cannabis plants including seven garbage bags full of dried cannabis buds totalling more than 136kg, the court heard.

Police also found lamps and ballasts, two fluorescent lamps, carbon exhaust fans, water pumps, electrical transformers and an electrical bypass controlled by timing devices.

Investigators interviewed the duo through a Vietnamese interpreter where Pham told police he had been living with Vu for two months and at the time of his arrest had been cutting plants for about 10 hours for a payment between $500 and $1000 over two days, the court was told.

Vu told police he met a person at Springvale shops who offered him work cutting plants for a payment of $1000 as he struggled on his savings of $150 a week.

The court heard Vu and Pham, who came to Australia from poor families in Vietnam in 2015 and 2014 respectively, had met at a Victorian poultry company where they had worked.

After struggling with his studies Vu dropped out of his English and business courses before his higher education visa was cancelled in December 2018.

However, three months later he was granted a bridging visa but at the time of his offending was unemployed and in a “desperate, emotional and financial state”, the court heard.

Pham, who was also struggling for cash and keeping up with his uni fees, had his student visa cancelled without him knowing, the court was told.

Judge Georgiou said the duo, who had no prior convictions, were not involved in the set-up of the crop and told them he accepted “neither of you entered the country to commit crimes to which you pleaded guilty to“.

When sentencing Judge Georgiou took into consideration the pairs youth, that their pleas of guilt were “indicative of some remorse”, and their prospects of rehabilitation was “at least good”.

But he noted the charges were “serious given the quantity involved and the sophisticated nature of the operation.”

The court also heard the pair would be placed in immigration detention after jail. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Freight rail to help bust congestion A $28 million rail track connecting a Dandenong South freight hub to Port of Melbourne is expected to bust truck congestion on local roads.

The Federal ($18.3 million) and State ($9.7 million) funded project will be part of the $1 billion Cranbourne railway line duplication and upgrade works.

Rail shuttles will connect directly from the Salta Properties’ $50 million-plus freight hub to Port of Melbourne’s $125 million on-dock rail project.

It is expected to take up to 300 truck trips off South East roads each day and cut freight transport costs by up to 10 per cent.

The hub will be built on Salta Properties’ 180-hectare Nexus Dandenong South Intermodal Estate.

Works are expected to take 24 months from early 2021, including laying 800 metres of rail track on the private land and a working apron.

It’s expected to support 1000 direct construction jobs and on an ongoing basis, 1600 direct jobs and 4500 indirect.

Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Michael McCormack said the “vital freight rail connection” would help the post-Covid economic recovery.

“We are backing this ... . to support Melburnians through the pandemic and unlock private sector investment and economic growth into the long-term.

“As part of the Port Rail Shuttle Network it will help cut the number of trucks on inner Melbourne roads by up to 100,000 each year and support hundreds of jobs during construction and as part of the terminal’s ongoing operations.”

Victorian Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne said the shuttle network was a “massive win for both motorists and industry”.

“We’re making rail freight a more attractive option for businesses, and this investment means containers can be transported by rail the entire way from the Port of Melbourne to Dandenong South.”

“It will reduce congestion at the port gate and cut the high cost of the last mile that so often disadvantages containers moved by rail.”

Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said the construction and operation of the intermodal freight hub would create hundreds of “needed” jobs in the South East.

“It will build on the strengths of Dandenong South as one of the largest manufacturing and employment hubs in Victoria.”

Salta founding director Sam Tarascio Snr

Steep rise

said the government agreement comes after the company invested $200 million for land, road and infrastructure works in anticipation of the terminal.

“Over the past 15 years, Salta has developed plans to increase freight capacity in the outer Melbourne area.

“Operations at Port of Melbourne are limited by the availability and capacity of trucks to transport freight via road causing serious congestion in and around the (port).

“Salta’s new rail freight terminal will provide opportunities for operators to switch freight transport from road to rail.”

Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti said the “much needed infrastructure” would provide many benefits for “years to come”.

“It will provide a welcome boost to our business economy.”

South East Melbourne Manufacturers’ Alliance chief executive Vonda Fenwick said it would take container transport vehicles off the Monash Freeway and arterial roads.

“The construction of the rail tracks and container terminal will generate employment in the area with a positive economic flow-on to the broader Dandenong community.”

Covid-19 cases have risen more steeply in the past week in Greater Dandenong, with another Dandenong South factory under investigation.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced it was investigating the plastic injection moulding business Quality Blow Moulders as well as four further aged care homes in Melbourne.

Over the past week, the cluster at truck manufacturer Vawdrey Australia in Dandenong South grew to 42 cases.

The Outlook Gardens aged care home outbreak has climbed to 115 residents, staff and contacts.

As of 28 August, eight residents and eight staff at the Estia Health aged care facility in Keysborough were infected.

Hallam Coles continues to be listed as a “high risk location” by the DHHS, with an exposure period between 15 and 17 August.

The weekly rise of 45 was steeper than the 34 recorded over the previous seven days. The council area’s active cases dropped from 112 to 110. In the same period, the state’s active cases totalled 2830 - a weekly decrease of 90.

The 3175 postcode, which includes Dandenong and Dandenong South, remains the South-East hotspot with 77 active cases. Noble Park/Noble Park North has 16 active cases, Endeavour Hills 15, Keysborough 14 and Lynbrook/ Lyndhurst 10.

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Tuesday, 1 September, 2020

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STAR JOURNAL 7

NEWS

Covid ‘ambo’ cops a fine

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong Council has withdrawn a parking fine for a St John ambulance transferring a Covid-positive patient from central Dandenong apartments.

Mohammed Alam, an “absolutely shocked” St John volunteer, had parked in a no-standing zone at the front entrance of Quest Apartments for about 15 minutes on 5 August.

At the request of the Department of Health and Human Services, Mr Alam was picking up a patient to transfer to a quarantine hotel in the CBD. He says he chose the no-standing zone to limit how far the patient had to carry their own luggage and to limit the risk of infection.

More than two weeks later, Mr Alam was informed that St John received a $165 parking fine in the mail.

In a letter to the council, Mr Alam sought a review of the fine.

“I am absolutely shocked and disbelieving that during this pandemic a marked ambulance vehicle is fined by your city parking officers while we continue to offer our service for the humanity and to the most vulnerable people in our community.”

Mr Alam told the Star Journal that he was grateful that the council waived the fine.

He said it was the first time he’d known a St John ambulance copping a parking ticket “and it’s probably the last time too”.

Normally, parking inspectors would probably seek out ambulance drivers first before issuing a ticket, he said.

However, he was told that inspectors were doing their job without leaving their own cars due to Covid-19 infection fears.

Councillor Peter Brown said he was “more

than disappointed that one of our staff showed such a high degree of lack of judgement or consideration to a critical response unit”.

“This is truly embarrassing for Council.

“I was always of the understanding that marked critical response vehicles could park safely as required to assist in the performance of their duties.”

As it turns out, St John ambulances are not defined emergency vehicles under state road rules, says Greater Dandenong Council’s city planning, design and amenity director Jody Bosman.

“As part of their training all St John’s ambulance drivers are made aware of this.

“When contacted by Council, the driver did acknowledge that he knew it wasn’t an emergency vehicle per se and that the provisions available to emergency vehicle drivers didn’t apply to him in these circumstances.”

Mr Bosman said the parking inspector saw the ambulance unattended for a “period of time” in the ‘red zone’.

“The parking management officer saw no paramedic nor activity on the scene to indicate that there was a drop-off or pick-up in progress.

“It is important that everyone appreciates and understands the importance of maintaining a safe road environment and that our officers are similarly committed to the safety, health and wellbeing of the community.”

It’s the second recent case in which the council has reversed a parking fine for an essential worker during the pandemic lockdown.

A student nurse at Dandenong Hospital had incurred $660 of fines for parking in a nearby school zone, assuming the school was closed due to stage-4 restrictions.

Covid-19 strikes another Spotless Laundry worker

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A worker at Spotless Laundry Dandenong has tested Covid-positive one month after the factory’s first pandemic outbreak.

In a statement, Spotless announced the worker last worked at the facility on Sunday 23 August. They displayed on symptoms on the day, Spotless stated.

“As a precautionary measure the facility has undergone an extensive deep clean prior to commencement of the afternoon shift on 25 August and we have followed all DHHS requirements.”

On 30 July, the Spotless factory went into 12 days of quarantine shutdown after three workers tested positive. A further worker was infected before the laundry re-opened on 11 August.

United Workers Union executive director Godfrey Moase said there were still two “critical safety concerns”.

“First, there is still COVID linen coming from hospitals that is not clearly marked or packed into its proper packaging.

“The employer needs to step up here and make sure it is pushing its clients to not endanger laundry workers.”

Mr Moase said too many of the workers

A worker at Spotless Laundry in Dandenong has tested Covid-positive, a month after the first outbreak. 212210 were casually hired and so had to work multiple jobs to support their households.

“These workers are providing an essential service and they should have a secure job.”

Since the first outbreak, there were “signif-

icant” improvements in safety protocols and “much better” consultation from managers, he said.

During that time, Spotless abandoned legal action to force reluctant staff back to work

Picture: GARY SISSONS

during the first outbreak.

It also relented to United Workers Union calls for paid pandemic leave for staff during the quarantine shutdown.

FOCUS ON … TAX TIME

Tips for investors to avoid unforeseen consequences

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quences can be forgotten or misunderstood.

Covid-19 has significantly affected stock markets, property investments and pension incomes. A CPA Australia-registered tax agent can help you navigate the often-complex tax rules and concessions related to investments, including capital gains tax.

CPA Australia’s tax policy adviser Elinor Kasapidis said “Covid-19 has significantly disrupted the rental property market, with landlords deferring or reducing rent or simply being unable to rent out their properties.

The nature of how a holiday home is used may have changed and adjustments will need to be made to tax deductions. The ATO will continue its focus on rental properties so it is important to get this right.”

“The instant asset write-off is not available to rental property investors and holders of vacant land should check their entitlement to deductions for the costs of holding that land, as the rules changed from 1 July 2019.

“Keep in mind that the ATO’s data matching and information exchange capabilities continue to evolve and now cover many capital transactions and investment revenue streams in Australia and overseas. It is therefore more important than ever to report investment income, including from abroad, maintain accurate records, correctly calculate capital gains

Tuesday, 1 September, 2020

or losses on disposal and to ensure your tax affairs are in order,” Ms Kasapidis said.

Top tax tips for investors:

your expenses for rental properties, · Claim such as interest on investment loans includ-

· · · · ·

ing deferred payments, land tax, repairs and maintenance, agents’ commission, and don’t forget depreciation and capital works deductions Account for the impacts of Covid-19 on the availability of the property for rent, especially for properties such as holiday houses Ensure you report any gains or losses from cryptocurrencies, especially as the ATO is now data-matching information from digital exchanges Ensure you report any income, expenses, gains or losses from foreign investments if you are an Australian resident for tax purposes. Also check your entitlement to any foreign tax credits for tax you paid overseas If there are multiple owners in an investment, ensure that income and expenses are correctly apportioned For capital gains tax, make sure that you kept the asset for the 12-month holding period before you claim the discount, check your tax residency status and seek advice to ensure the gain is calculated correctly

proper records for all your investments · Keep and ensure that you keep them for at least five years after a capital gains tax event occurred Watch out for investments being promoted as ‘tax effective’ and seek independent, professional advice before making a decision.

Further information go to www.cpaaustralia.com.au/professional-resources/taxation/ tax-tips/investors

·

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Tuesday, 1 September, 2020

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STAR JOURNAL 9

NEWS

Support Market traders Fires, floods and now coronavirus - small business owners at Dandenong Market are doing it tough.

“Add in the complexities resulting from Covid-19, including more than half of our market closed due to Government directives,” marketing manager Judy Robertson said.

“And it’s clear that businesses need to embrace new solutions and new ways of thinking to survive and thrive into the future.”

The pandemic has dramatically impacted the market as the community knows it, with the temporary shutdown of around 120 general merchandise businesses from late March.

The closure of all dining areas severely affected the popular street food businesses.

All of the market’s large-scale festivals including World Fare, the largest free event on the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s calendar, were also cancelled.

To help the market adapt and innovate, Mrs Robertson was invited to a COVID-19 industry response recovery program supporting a wide range of businesses.

The program is a joint initiative between La Trobe University’s renowned MBA team and early-stage business investment firm Investible.

“The program is designed to give business owners the mindset, resources and network needed to make confident decisions in this changing world,” Mrs Robertson said.

“It’s offered clarity during some of the confusion.

“Working with industry experts, the program is providing me with the commercial framework to validate what the Market needs to focus on to future-proof the business.

“In turn, this will help support the 200 small family businesses at the market.”

It’s all about ‘pivoting’ in the face of unprecedented change, according to Mrs Robertson.

Jade and Bianca from Taylors Orchards at Dandenong Market. 212260 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS “We’ve already spoken to our traders about making swift transitions to online shopping and new delivery models.

“It’s clear that businesses will need to em-

brace new solutions and new ways of thinking to survive and thrive into the future.”

There have been upsides to the pandemic.

“Although we have many loyal customers

who continue to shop with us, we’ve seen even more people coming to support small businesses at the market,” Mrs Robertson said.

“We have customers shopping for elderly family or neighbours.”

She said many traders had donated to local charities or provided free meals for those in need.

“Recent months have stressed the importance of acting with kindness and compassion - especially when it comes to supporting our local communities at a time when most small businesses are struggling.”

Dandenong Market has remained open for the community through World War 2, recessions and The Great Depression.

“In many ways, community is at the heart of what we do and who we are,” Mrs Robertson said.

“We have tried our best to stay true to our mission amid many difficult decisions and uncertainties over the past few months as we’ve watched many businesses forced to close and many customers needing to stay home.”

During the initial stages of Covid-19, market traders were granted free rent for three months, thanks to $1.5 million from City of Greater Dandenong.

“This has allowed those traders who have been allowed to open the opportunity to build a reserve so they can continue to trade while customers slowly return.”

Ms Robertson said it was more important now than ever to support the local traders.

“What we are asking is simple. Continue to shop at the Market.

“Buy a takeaway meal while you’re here.

Buy an extra one for a neighbour or relative or to take home.

“Buy local. On behalf of our small family businesses, we thank you.”

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Dandenong Star Journal Digital Edition

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An illustration of the new proposed wing of NPAC, as part of a $6.6m redevelopment.

NPAC design unveilled

DANDENONG

Monday, 11 June, 2018

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Rugby star Oneata shines

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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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Tuesday, 1 September, 2020

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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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Plans for Noble Park Aquatic Centre’s stage-1 facelift have been released for public comment.

The $6.6 million two-storey extension will include a large gymnasium, three group fitness rooms, changerooms, administration and storage areas and 24/7 access.

The gym was adopted after “extensive community consultation”, Greater Dandenong Council stated.

The ‘shovel-ready’ project has been fasttracked for an early 2021 start after receiving a $3.3 million Covid-19 stimulus grant from the State Government.

The latest design has a more compact footprint - to minimise the impact on the surrounding area, including lawns around the 50-metre pool.

Stage two of the upgrade will expand the indoor pool hall including a dedicated learn to swim pool, water play/leisure pool and a redeveloped warm water pool.

The council stated that Dandenong Oasis’s redevelopment remained a high priority, with a detailed design to come in 2021.

“Despite our focus on Dandenong Oasis, Council was able to move ahead with the NPAC project after receiving immediate funding under a State Government stimulus program - which required projects to be completed in a short timeframe.”

Public feedback is open until 5pm on Wednesday 9 September.

Details: https://greaterdandenong. com/document/33956/noble-park-aquatic-centre-npac-redevelopment dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

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Tuesday, 1 September, 2020

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STAR JOURNAL 11

NEWS

Cops crack-down as protestors vent anger at lockdown From page 1 As crowds swelled in Dandenong, Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius took aim at “selfish” and “foolish” lockdown protesters trying to dress up their disobedience as “exercise”.

“We all know it’s not, so stop playing us and the wider community for fools.”

“Just for one moment, stop thinking about yourself but spare a thought for the loved ones of nearly 500 Victorians who have died so far (due to Covid-19).

“Stay at home and stop the spread.”

Asst Comm Cornelius also savaged the “the tin-foil hat-wearing brigade” and its “bat-s*** crazy nonsense”.

“They’re taking every opportunity to leverage the current situation to serve their own ridiculous notions about so-called sovereign citizens, about constitutional issues and about how 5G is going to kill your grandkids.

“The wider community is awake up to you and you need to stop it.”

Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti called for “calm and compliance” from residents in response to daily anti-lockdown protests.

His statement issued on 27 August was headed “Dandenong Protests” - a backdown from his assertion days earlier that the mass gatherings were not protests.

“We must all accept that we are in this together and that we will only maintain the positive improvements that have been achieved

by Victorians, if we all adhere to the restrictions.”

The gatherings had noticeably “settled down” over the weekend, with more “doing the right thing”, he later told the Star Journal Cr Memeti urged people not to stop exercising but just to ensure they’re wearing masks and keeping 1.5 metres from other exercising pairs.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams have also called the

Photo taken at Morwell Avenue and Kirkham Road looking toward Langley Crescent. Protesters walking along Kirkham Road. Police arrest some of the protesters. 214056 Dandenong protestors for compliance.

Ms Williams said it was also important to ensure access to “accurate information”.

“Unfortunately there has been a lot of deliberate misinformation being circulated.

“It’s important people only take advice from properly informed and credible sources, such as DHHS and the Chief Health Officer.”

The 3175 postcode, which includes Dandenong and Dandenong South, is the South-

East’s Covid hotspot.

However, active cases have dramatically dropped in recent weeks. As of 30 August, there were 77 active cases, down from 137 two weeks ago.

Where to pick up a printed copy of your FREE Dandenong Star Journal!

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A man is led away by police during the protest in Dandenong South on 26 August. 214056 Picture: GARY SISSONS

A police officer wields pepper spray as he tells a crowd to back off during the arrest of a man on Kirkham Road on 26 August.

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Tuesday, 1 September, 2020

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LOOKING BACK 100 years ago 2 September 1920 Landing place for aeroplanes At the Dandenong Shire council meeting, on Monday Cr Harris referred to the fact that owing to buildings on the former landing place for aeroplanes at Dandenong, it was desirable to obtain a fresh site. He favoured the park being adopted, which could be made suitable by the removal of a couple of red gum trees. It was agreed that council inspect the proposed site after lunch - when the subject was resumed, it was eventually decided to defer the matter until next meeting.

50 years ago 1 September 1970 Banned book ‘will be sold’ Copies of the banned book Portnoy’s Com-

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

plaint by Phillip Roth will be sold by three of seven district newsagents and booksellers contacted by the Journal. They are the Monash University Bookshop, Dandenong Authorised Newsagency in Lonsdale St and Jockels Bookshop of Thomas St Dandenong.

They expect to receive copies of the book either today or Wednesday. By selling the book they will be virtually defying the Government to prosecute them. The book is banned by the Customs Department. The book has been described by some people as humorous, but according to Mr A Gatley proprietor of Gatley’s Newsagency in Lonsdale St Dandenong, it is “pure and utter filth.” Asked if his store would stock Portnoy’s Complaint, Mr A W Carlye, of Carly’s Newsagency in Springvale said: “Isn’t that the filthy book?” Adding that his business had always tried to keep on the

“straight and narrow” and was not interested in anything “too suggestive.”

20 years ago 4 September 2000 Curtain falls on town hall When the curtain falls on the old Dandenong Town Hall, a local choir will sing to its hearts’ content. Presenting a last concert before the town hall renovations, Dandenong Choral Society members will have a tinge of sadness.

To choir member Mrs Marion Trigg, performing for the final curtain call at the historic venue will be significant. “I can’t deny the fact that we are sad so many people including our choir have entertained locals in the hall” she said. The final performance in November will be a collection of comedy musical numbers ranging from Oklahoma and Suwannee River.

5 years ago 31 August 2015 We dips our lid The Dandy Pig tipping his top hat used to welcome traffic to Dandenong from Gippsland.

Now the neon sign will make its mark around the county. The Victorian Bacon Company relic will feature in a new Australian Post stamp issue celebrating three heritage listed iconic signs from Australian’s neon advertising golden age. The Dandy Pig was first erected in the 1950’s and doffed his top hat until the factory known locally as Dandy Bacon closed in 1983. The City of Greater Dandenong officially reinstated the Dandy Pig at the Dandenong Market in August 2013 to acknowledge the sign’s social cultural and district significance.

From 1 September the pig will appear on the $1 .40 stamps.

NEWS

How to elevate your pitch Ever heard the term “elevator pitch”? If not, this is an American term given to the short time (less than 30 seconds) that you may have to pitch your business.

It derives from the scenario in which you and someone else enter an “elevator” (lift) on a high level floor and as the doors close the other person asks you what you do for a living.

The intent is to gain interest from the other person so that by the time the elevator reaches the ground floor, they continue the discussion with you about your business.

In practice, having an elevator pitch is very useful since you never know when you might get asked about your business, e.g. networking functions, conferences, promotional events etc and having a practical way to gain interest in your company within a very limited timeframe can be very valuable indeed. Most business owners when asked about their business will tend to focus very much on what they do, e.g. “I run a manufacturing business that produces high quality steel products” or “ I run an accounting company that maximises tax returns” and whilst these may well be statements of fact, they are unlikely to result in any

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IAN ASH particular interest in their products or services, so why bother?

Well, the reason both these (and similar) statements provide little value is that neither is inspiring or unique (there are many businesses that can claim to “produce high quality steel products” and many accountants that will assure clients that they can “maximise tax returns”). Why? Because statements like these focus on what the business does, not why they do it and according to Simon Sinek, “people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it”.

To illustrate the point, if you currently source products and services for your business, ask yourself whether you could purchase any of these cheaper elsewhere? I am sure that for most businesses the answer would be yes, but

the reason people are prepared to pay more for goods or services from one particular supplier is that they trust and value what they do, i.e. they understand why this business does what it does (e.g. provides a better level of customer service/support, supports local charities, takes care of its staff etc). Contrary to popular belief, price is not always the primary consideration especially if making a larger purchase.

A good elevator pitch should contain words, ideally contentious, that actually differentiate the business from the competition. Words like “quality”, “cheapest”, “great customer service”, “best” etc are not true differentiators and will be used by many (competing) businesses. The reason I suggest that you include something contentious (but true!) in your elevator pitch is that you actually want people to challenge you about this because then the dialogue on your business has started!

Many years ago I worked with an electrical manufacturing client that derived an elevator pitch along the following lines: “We use our agility, expertise and experience in electronics to provide enduring, high quality, innovative solutions for industry – worldwide”. The one

word that really stands out in this statement is “enduring” meaning long-lasting in a positive sense, you rarely see this stated. They actually wanted people to challenge them on this since they sold products worldwide including into New Zealand and when the first major earthquake struck in Christchurch back in 2010 (my wife and I were actually there at the time, quite an experience!), when their competitors’ products fell over, theirs were still able to function.

This was therefore a great example of how they could genuinely claim to make “enduring high quality, innovative solutions for industry” and use this as a key differentiator.

Obviously, if they started to talk to someone about their product sales into New Zealand, few would bother to listen attentively, but with a carefully crafted elevator pitch that invited a challenge, it paved the way for the business to provide a unique story to attest to their unique abilities.

If you would like to find out more about how to create a great elevator pitch, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Ian Ash is the Managing Director or OrgMent Business Solutions - www.ombs.com.au

Running out the Covid marathon with stamina

By Rev. Graeme Peters, St James Anglican Church, Dandenong Health authorities have been warning us right from the start of the pandemic that our race against Covid-19 would be more like a marathon than a sprint.

We will need reliance and stamina to stay the course and we will need hope in order to not get discouraged.

But how can we build hope and resilience?

Here are some suggestions that I have found helpful in my own life.

Find strength from the example of former generations.

Remember that we are not the first people to face a pandemic. Generations before us have battled the Spanish Flu pandemic and fought against polio and AIDS. We stand on their shoulders, and we can arm ourselves with lessons that they learned the hard way from their experience.

We are not the first or the only ones to have faced a pandemic.

Secondly, practise gratitude.

Consciously giving thanks for little things each day helps us to acknowledge the good things in our lives and not be dragged down or overwhelmed by the bad things.

I thank God each day for so many little and big things that the silver lining on the dark clouds starts to shine very bright.

Focus on the needs of others.

Focussing on yourself and the things you are dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

MESSAGE OF

HOPE missing out on can have you spiralling into self-pity.

We are more blessed when we give than when we receive, and we can find more joy in helping others than in helping ourselves.

Why not call someone today to encourage them!

Set short-term goals and achieve them.

We may have lost control over many things in our lives, but we will be strengthened by setting achievable goals and reaching them.

It might be to walk for the full hour that we are allowed to exercise. It might be to weed a whole garden bed.

Successes in the areas where we still have some control in our lives will strengthen our hope and resilience.

Finally, discipline your daily life.

Set routines for eating, sleep, work, exercise and prayer. Find a balance in your life and stick with the discipline.

Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, worship, acts of charity, mindfulness, silence, and meditation will help strengthen your mind and your spirit.

I hope you find hope and resilience as you try these simple suggestions.

Rev. Graeme Peters lists strategies to build hope and resilience.

Tuesday, 1 September, 2020

|

STAR JOURNAL 13

NEWS

Casey backs pokie reform

By Brendan Rees and Tess Kelly

Jack Lacey and Russell Lacey with some of the masks, which come in different colours. 208262

Masks with a task

By Danielle Kutchel A Dandenong South manufacturer is hoping that its pivot to Covid-normal will pay off, as they roll out a range of highly-protective, highquality reusable face masks.

And Micro Plastics is hoping to play its part in the pivot to Australian-made, as consumers and governments look to bring manufacturing and production back ‘in-house’.

As restrictions bit into the business earlier this year, Micro Plastics moved quickly to develop a series of reusable face masks - but unlike most of those flooding the market, these masks are certified to a P2 level, meaning they are even more effective at protecting wearers against particulates.

The masks have attracted plenty of interest from major distributors, like Bunnings, Total Tools and Officeworks.

Managing director Russell Lacey says the retail giants love his masks for a number of reasons, including that they are Australian-made, reusable and well-designed.

They are also cheaper than their overseasowned competitors.

Now, they’re falling into production and stock is ready to go - but customers don’t have to wait for stock to appear in their local trade store to get their hands on one.

For the first time in its history, Micro Plastics has taken a bold step into selling directly to the retail market via a new website, www.

Jack Lacey wearing one of the masks. 208262 mpaussieproducts.com.au They also began running ads on Facebook to promote their products - but hit a snag when Facebook deemed the ads to be unacceptable and cut them from the platform.

“It stopped us right in our tracks,” Mr Lacey said.

The excuse given by the social media behemoth was that Micro Plastics was using the pandemic to sell products.

“Whilst that could be seen as true, we’re just

trying to give people who are looking for face masks a local option,” he said.

He’s since been able to have their advertisements reinstated but must not mention the most attractive selling point: the masks’ P2 certification.

The masks are suitable for a range of purposes, making them a useful accessory even beyond Covid-19: for tradies, home projects like painting, or even as a guard against smoke during bushfire season.

“We’re in it for the long game,” Mr Lacey explained.

“We’ve got new designs we’re looking at for larger and smaller masks as well, and we’re tooling up for the larger one as we speak.”

The masks are especially useful for tradies as they can be washed on-site or wiped down with hand sanitiser.

The environmental credentials of these masks are also impressive - being reusable, they already contribute to less waste.

Currently, the company recommends filters be replaced after a full day of wear, however Micro Plastics is seeking CSIRO confirmation of whether or not they could be reused.

Meanwhile, the company is also looking to make the filter materials recyclable, so that they could take back used filters and recycle them into more products.

To find out more or to purchase a mask, visit www.mpaussieproducts.com.au

Casey Council says it supports a campaign calling for pokies reform after a former gambling addict pleaded with council to introduce changes to reduce the harm associated with pokies.

Casey Council manager of city and asset planning Keri New said gambling was a “key issue” in Casey and was currently reviewing its Electronic Gaming Machine Strategy to identify “key directions moving forward, including if we need further external support for advocacy”.

While Ms New said council was “happy” to become an Alliance for Gambling Reform supporter - a collaboration of organisations and local councils that aims to reform the gambling industry to reduce the harm it causes, particularly in local communities - it would review over the next 12 months whether this should increase to become a financial member.

It comes after Star News published an article of ex-pokies addict Carolyn Crawford who begged Casey Council to join the Alliance for Gambling Reform after her habit led her to being jailed in 2016.

Ms Crawford was charged with stealing $400,000 from her previous employer over a period of seven years and used the money to play the poker machines in the Casey area.

By joining the alliance, Ms Crawford said the council would have more power to slow and stop the increase of poker machines being installed at gambling venues.

Ms New reassured the community that gambling was a key issue for the City of Casey as identified in their Municipal Public Health, and Wellbeing Plan and Electronic Gaming Machines Strategy 2015-2020.

“Advocacy is a key focus within our gaming work,” she said, which was through submissions, letters, conversations with local MPs, as well as partnerships with local government areas, local government bodies, and local services and community members, adding council had a dedicated advocacy and engagement team to support this critical work.

“Council has been proactive in reviewing gaming applications, seeking feedback from the community and expert consultants to guide decisions.

“Until this time, council is happy to become an Alliance for Gambling Reform Supporter and will review over the next 12 months whether this should increase to become a financial member.”

The latest figures from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation for the 2019-20 financial year revealed pokies machines swallowed $98.6 million at 913 gaming machines at 13 venues in Casey.

But since gambling venues have remained shut since March due to Covid-19 restrictions, $53 million has been saved from being swallowed by poker machines.

Burglars strike twice at service station and ATM Police are investigating a burglary at a Lysterfield service station that is believed linked to an attempted ATM theft in Dandenong in July.

Two male offenders allegedly forced their way into the Lysterfield Road servo about 5.40am on 5 July, stealing a number of confectionary items before fleeing.

On this occasion, the males were using a blue early to mid-90s E-Class W210 Mercedes Benz with no front bonnet ornament.

Police believe the pair also tried to allegedly steal an ATM from a market on Clow Street about 3am the following day.

They were unsuccessful and left the scene empty-handed, police say.

Investigators from Greater Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit have released photos and close-circuit television of two males they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries, along with pictures of the Mercedes.

The first male is perceived to be Caucasian, tall with a thin build, large nose and has dark features.

He was wearing a black jacket, dark jeans 14 STAR JOURNAL

|

Police are appealing to the public with any information about this Mercedes Benz. and black and white shoes The second male was described as having a solid build and had his face covered with a surgical mask.

He was wearing a camouflage hoodie, blue over black jacket, dark pants and tan footwear.

Police are also releasing a photo of two men from the Dandenong attempted burglary.

The white Toyota Hilux utility used during the Dandenong burglary has not yet been found.

Tuesday, 1 September, 2020

Police are hoping to identify this male.

Anyone who recognises the men or the vehicle or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

CCTV of a male police believe may be able to assist their inquiries.

Pictures: VICTORIA POLICE dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

“Crossing’’ Bass Strait. 214057

Pictures: GARY SISSONS

A “happy wanderer’’ vine drapery. 214057

Under Covid lockdown, maybe this is your option to walk across the border. The winding paths in Roth Hetherington Native Botanical Garden in Keysborough lead walkers through flora from Australian state to Australian state. On the brink of Spring, there are flowering gums among a tranquil, spectacular array of vegetation.

Travel is a state of mind

The off-leash dog walking area. 214057

Gum blossoms. 214057

Acacia. 214057 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Bottlebrush. 214057

Growing nuts. 214057

Smooth trunks. 214057

Grevillea. 214057

Happy wanderer. 214057 Tuesday, 1 September, 2020

|

STAR JOURNAL 15

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Tuesday, 1 September, 2020

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PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE OPTUS MOBILE PHONE BASE STATIONS AT DANDENONG WITH 5G M0093 Dandenong North: Dandenong TAFE, 121 Stud Road, Dandenong VIC 3175 (RFNSA 3175011) The proposed facility consists of the addition of new 4G and 5G equipment and associated works as follows: r Installation of four (4) new panel antennas, 0.59m long, on an existing headframe r Installation of new ancillary equipment, including sixteen (16) Remote Radio Units, cabling and antenna mounts r Reconfiguration of existing equipment on the facility and within the equipment shelter, including removal of existing Remote Radio units M0553 Dandenong East: 18 Hilton Street, Dandenong VIC 3175 (RFNSA 3175032) The proposed facility consists of the addition of new 4G and 5G equipment and associated works as follows: r Installation of three (3) new panel antennas, 0.59m long, and replacement of one (1) existing antenna, 2.69m long on an existing headframe r Installation of new ancillary equipment, including fifteen (15) Remote Radio Units, cabling and antenna mounts r Reconfiguration of existing equipment on the facility and within the equipment shelter, including removal of existing Remote Radio units 1. Optus regards the proposed installations as Low-impact Facilities under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) or permissible under A Code of Practice for Telecommunications Facilities in Victoria, based on the description above 2. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2018 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Should you require further information or wish to comment, please contact Chan Chen at Axicom, 02 9495 9000, community@axicom.com.au or Level 1, 110 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065

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STAR JOURNAL 17

SPORT

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

The development of the DDCA Junior Girls competition has been exciting for the south east. 187437

The excitement in the air

By Nick Creely While there remains so much uncertainty around exactly when the first ball of the cricket season will be bowled in 2020/21, the continual development within the junior ranks of the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) gives plenty of reason for excitement into the future.

The DDCA this season will expand its evergrowing Junior Girls competition to two separate age groups - 13 and under, as well as 17 and under (using Stage 2 formats) - in a sign that the competition, which only kicked off in the 2018/19 season, is not only popular but absolutely flourishing.

DDCA vice president Steven Richards said the idea of expanding the junior girls competition will benefit everyone involved as it continues to grow at a rapid rate, with the Stage 2 formats meaning the girls will get to play on proper synthetic wickets.

“The idea’s been floated around clubland for a few years, and we’ve probably been a little

bit hesitant - it was just the unknown,” he told the Journal.

“And in the first two years we’ve had heaps of people attending and we felt we needed, even in its infancy stage, to grow the competition and expand it.

“At some point in time we had 15, 16-yearold girls bowling to nine-year-olds, so we needed to bridge that gap a little bit, and introducing that age group is the way to do it.”

With the DDCA previously announcing that its junior competitions will move to even age groups of under-10s, 12s, 14s and 16s, Richards said that the introduction of an under-18 competition - which is planned to be played on turf pitches - is a massive step forward for the development of cricket within the region.

“About 10 or 11 years ago, we had even age groups and finished at 16s - then we obviously moved to the odd age groups,” he said.

“But moving back to the even age groups not only align with the rep cricket, it just allows us to get that extra year of cricket in for those

kids and get some exposure.

“And the idea of having the 18s on turf helps give them a bit more exposure to turf cricket, and that’s a good thing for the continual development of our competition.”

The DDCA has also locked in association greats and revered cricketing personalities Matthew Chasemore and Craig Slocombe two renowned development coaches - to head is junior cricket academy, which will also align itself with the even age groups as it develops the best talent in the region to higher honours.

“I have no doubt, with the knowledge and skillset that both champions have, they will greatly increase the development of the young kids in our association,” Richards said.

“We are very pleased with the dual announcements. We are extremely excited with these appointments and we are in great hands.”

While the DDCA is still working hard to lock in a proposal to get the junior and senior seasons started at some point this year, Richards said there was genuine optimism that cricket

- which is likely to be allowed to resume under Stage 2 restrictions - will be back sooner rather than later.

“We’re in close contact with Cricket Victoria, and our regional manager Emma Gallagher - I’ve had a few meetings with her, personally, and we’ve also had a rules and affiliations meeting with all the clubs on Wednesday night,” he said.

“We’ve got some proposals to put in place and then we hope to release it to the clubs by 13 September (when Stage 4 is expected to end), so we’re still working through the finer details of that.

“We’re hopeful of probably late November (to start), if all the restrictions go down, and that’s the best case.

“But we’re preparing for at the latest, a late January start.”

If anyone requires further information on how to get involved in any of the DDCA’s junior competitions, they can contact Steven on 0430 599 387 or junior@ddca.com.au

Change is on the cards for the elite football landscape

By Nick Creely There are set to be drastic changes made to some of Australia’s premier football competitions, with the VFL and NAB League to be majorly overhauled in 2021.

With both football competitions - which provide the bulk of AFL draftees each season - cancelled due to the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic in Victoria, the AFL last week announced a series of key changes to help steer it through the pandemic and move forward into the future.

The VFL, which sees south-east club Casey Demons compete, will merge with the NEAFL in 2021 - the league that hosts nine teams across Queensland, New South Wales, and the ACT - with AFL clubs Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and GWS all invited to join the competition and field teams.

Described by the AFL as “a year of transition”, the NEAFL will be absorbed into the VFL in a major change as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to take a toll on the football industry. It will mean that there will be just one state league competition in Australia’s eastern seaboard from next year.

Meanwhile, the elite junior competition, the NAB League, which hosts local outfit the Dandenong Stingrays, will switch from under-16 and under-18 competitions to under17s and under-19s.

However, the AFL has confirmed that the draft age for both the AFL and AFLW will remain at 18, while the VFLW model is under 18 STAR JOURNAL

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There will be some significant changes to the NAB League in 2021. 195934 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS review with a revised model to be announced in due course.

In a statement, the AFL said it was vital that it aligned itself more with community football, while also focusing on developing the next wave of footballers to be drafted into the AFL and AFLW.

Tuesday, 1 September, 2020

“Following a review undertaken over the past few months, the AFL Talent Pathway Programs have been remodelled to further align and simplify the talent pathway calendar, to provide boys’ and girls’ programs with the same opportunities for elite development, while also increasing their connection to community football,” the statement read.

“The talent programs will continue to focus on identifying and developing players from across Australia and best preparing them for AFL and AFLW competition with the age groups for all AFL Talent Pathway Programs, including the NAB League girls and boys and the NAB AFL/AFLW National Championships, to be re-focussed from U16 and U18 levels to U17 and U19 in 2021.”

The revised VFL model, which includes the merger with the NEAFL, leaves just five state league competitions in the country from next year: the VFL, the South Australian National Football League (SANFL), the West Australian Football League (WAFL), the Tasmanian State League (TSL), and the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL).

“The AFL will continue to work towards ensuring greater alignment across all secondtier competitions across the country and also increase the alignment with talent programs in each state and territory,” the AFL said.

“Second-tier football in 2021 will be a year of transition that will see the AFL take into consideration the impact of a reduced AFL soft cap, the level of AFL club investment and resource allocation across men’s and women’s football programs, any Player CBA revisions, and any associated impact on player list sizes.

“The model for second-tier women’s football in Victoria is currently still under review, with the AFL to finalise this model in due course.” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

CLASSIC MATCHES REVISITED

With community sport currently on hold indefinitely across Dandenong and the wider south-east region, the Journal is going back through the archives to revisit some classic matches from a range of sports over the years. This week, we take a look at the Dandenong Stingrays’ maiden TAC Cup (now NAB League) premiership win - from a thrilling grand final against the Oakleigh Chargers at IKON Park back in 2018...

Dandy celebrates victory

By Hayley Wildes The Dandenong Stingrays are the 2018 TAC Cup premiers.

After 27 years and five grand final losses, the Stingrays finally claimed their maiden TAC Cup Premiership at IKON Park on Saturday afternoon.

With the rampant Oakleigh Chargers standing between them and the trophy, the Rays rose to the occasion when it mattered most.

Dandenong’s Riley Bowman was clunking marks and making his presence felt across the ground, while Lachlan Young was a man on a mission in defence in the first quarter.

Bowman booted the first goal of the game, courtesy of a tremendous second effort tackle for which he was rewarded with a shot on goal after a holding the ball free kick.

Zac Foot came to the fore at the 15-minute mark when he snapped through a major, but at quarter-time, Oakleigh held a seven-point lead.

The second quarter was when the Rays made their premiership move. Of course, it was co-captain Campbell Hustwaite who led from the front.

He was on the bottom of packs, running out of packs and tackling as if his life depended on it.

Bailey Williams put through his first major of the day at the four-minute mark, and then the speedy Jai Taylor inspired his teammates with a chase down tackle in the middle of the ground, leading to a Toby Bedford goal.

Just two minutes later, Hustwaite ran through the middle of the ground, drove the ball deep forward and Ned Cahill snuck through another Dandenong major.

It was a four-minute stretch of football that gave the Rays momentum and belief.

With Bedford, Cahill, Hustwaite, Bowman and Young patrolling their respective lines, the Rays held a 14-point lead at half time, 38-24.

Oakleigh kicked a goal just one minute into the third term, but the Rays responded.

Finlay Bayne got on the scoreboard, and then just 40 seconds later, Lachlan McDonnell slotted a beautiful running goal to have Dandenong 21 points in front.

The third quarter turned into a complete arm-wrestle and with 25 minutes of football left in the season, the Rays had a 23-point lead.

Sturt kicked his second goal of the game just four minutes into the fourth term and the Rays seemingly had one hand on the trophy with a 29-point lead.

But the Chargers weren’t done. Oakleigh’s

The Dandenong Stingrays won their first ever TAC Cup (now NAB League) premiership back in 2018.

Noah Anderson goaled at the 13-minute mark, cutting the lead to 23 points and suddenly, the Chargers were full of life and run.

With five minutes left to play, a Jack Ross goal had Oakleigh just 12 points adrift and possessing all of the momentum. Oakleigh’s Dylan Williams snapped a goal with two-anda-half minutes remaining and it was just a goal the difference.

The final couple of minutes were frantic and Dandenong’s defence - which had stood up all season - had two minutes to defend for their lives.

With it all on the line, the Rays held on for a thrilling six-point win, 12.8 (80) to 11.8 (74).

The likes of co-captain Campbell Hustwaite, Ned Cahill, Riley Bowman, Sam Fletcher, Bailey Wiliams and Zac Foot were sublime on the biggest day of the year.

The defence was steadfast against a dangerous Oakleigh forward pack. Lachlan Young simply wouldn’t be beaten, while Daniel Frampton, Lachlan Stenning and Will Hamill were absolutely crucial down the stretch.

But in fairness, it was a total team effort - all 23 players played their role and now they are all premiership players.

Picture: COURTESY OF AFL VICTORIA

Campbell Hustwaite walks off IKON Park with the premiership cup.

Picture: HAYLEY WILDES

Whiskey Riot is officially greyhound racing’s top dog

By Gerard Guthrie Anthony Azzopardi has achieved just about everything greyhound racing has to offer since moving to Victoria in 2016, and he celebrated another major accolade when Whiskey Riot was named 2019/20 Victorian Greyhound of the Year on Sunday night.

Azzopardi relocated from New South Wales to test himself in Australia’s greyhound racing capital and says the depth of competition makes Melbourne Cup hero Whiskey Riot’s achievement even more satisfying.

“It’s quite an achievement by the dog,” said Azzopardi at Sunday’s announcement.

“The best dogs are down here in Victoria it’s very hard racing - and to have a top dog to win this (Greyhound and Sprinter of the Year) you’ve got to be mighty proud.”

Azzopardi’s sense of pride was echoed by owner/breeder Sandra Camden-Bermingham. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

“We were just blown away; to be honest I’m even tearing up now,” she told GRV’s Molly Haines.

“We were absolutely thrilled with the news and so happy for him to get the accolades he deserves and also for Anthony, Kylie and Kayla because of all the effort they put in to make him such an incredible performer.

“He was super-consistent throughout his career and he’s given us some absolutely amazing moments of joy and celebration. We couldn’t be prouder of him.”

A son of 2015/16 Victorian Greyhound of the Year and Hall of Fame inductee, Fernando Bale, Whiskey Riot won 11 of his 24 starts during the 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 eligibility period.

The undisputed highlight came at Sandown Park in the Melbourne Cup, and he was a two-time winner at Group 1 level, also defeating the best sprinters in the land in the Temlee invitational.

Whiskey Riot was denied a third Group 1 trophy by the barest of margins in the Adelaide Cup, when edged out by fellow Victorian Hooked On Scotch; while he also ran second in the Maturity and third in the Topgun and Australian Cup. Two wins and seven minor placings from 10 appearances in Group finals underlined Whiskey Riot’s consistency at the elite level; however there was absolutely no doubt about his standout moment arriving on the sport’s greatest stage, Melbourne Cup night.

“Most definitely,” Azzopardi said.

“It’s the greatest race in the world. It’s one of those races everybody aims for and I’m very proud he won it, especially this dog.

“I’m very close to the dog and for him to win a Melbourne Cup he’s certainly fulfilled my dreams.”

As was the case with the previous Greyhound of the Year, Orson Allen, Whiskey Riot claimed the award in retirement, having gone

out on a winning note on 2 April at Sandown, fittingly the scene of his career-defining Melbourne Cup triumph.

“It was a hard decision but I was relieved,” Azzopardi said.

“I think he deserved to go out as a winner - he went the Best of Night. It couldn’t have been a more perfect ending than that.”

Whiskey Riot brought an end to the Wheeler family’s four-year Greyhound of the Year domination via Fernando Bale, Fanta Bale (2017/17 and 17/18) and Orson Allen (18/19).

The Victorian Greyhound of the Year is based on performances during the racing year (1 July -30 June) as adjudged by the Victorian Greyhound of the Year panel.

Whiskey Riot took out the prestigious award from (in no particular order) Sennachie and Simon Told Helen.

This article first appeared on the Greyhound Racing Victoria website.

Tuesday, 1 September, 2020

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Tuesday, 1 September, 2020

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