Dandenong Star Journal - 8th December 2020

DANDENONG

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School flies high

Recipe for support

Carols go online

His Luckie day

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Tuesday, 8 December, 2020

Huge hiring drive

By Mitchell Clarke

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Two of Dandenong’s most notable manufacturers are in desperate need of staff, as they reinvigorate their businesses and attempt to break the industry’s stigma.

Todd Hartley, of Hilton Manufacturing, and Simon Whiteley, of Corex Plastics, need to fill up to 55 positions between them, in a bid to meet demand created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hilton Manufacturing, a sheet metal fabricator, which supplies to various sectors including the bus, caravan, defence, health care and truck industries, has already noticed a huge boom.

“We’re looking really busy for the next year and a half to two years,” Mr Hartley explained.

“The caravan industry, in particular, has gone gangbusters because no one thinks they can travel overseas for the next few years.”

It’s a similar story with the rail industry ramping up major projects, meaning Hilton’s workload has also skyrocketed.

Mr Hartley, who has 30 positions needing to be filled immediately, said approximately 15 of the roles could be occupied by unskilled workers looking for employment on the assembly line.

The other 15 positions are targeted towards skilled workers, specifically those with experience in welding and robot welding operating.

Continued page 10

Hilton Manufacturing managing director Todd Hartley with Corex Plastics Australia managing director Simon Whiteley are on the hunt for employees.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Pictured at Hilton in Dandenong South. 222685

Casey Grange Village extends our best wishes to our community of retirees as the year draws to a close.

May you all enjoy a happy, healthy and peaceful Festive Season and New Year.

Call in during summer and visit Beau in the clubhouse to discuss your retirement future and inspect the range of established homes available, weekdays 9am–5pm.

Freecall: 1800 998 900 75 Evans Rd, Cranbourne West caseygrange.com.au

Return this form to receive your:

2021 Calendar

I also wish to receive (Please tick): Phone call from an Casey Grange Village representative.

Wyndham Casey Village Brochure.

Mr,

Mrs,

Ms (Please tick)

First Name ................................Surname .......................................

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Reply to: RCA Villages Unit 1/39-43 Duerdin Street, Notting Hill Victoria 3168 DEC, 2020. DANDENONG JOURNAL + JOURNAL NEWS + BERWICK NEWS + CRANBOURNE NEWS

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Tuesday, 8 December, 2020

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NEWS

Live music compromise

By Gabriella Payne Dandenong Market will host live music over summer, despite the concerns of nearby residents.

A proposal before Greater Dandenong Council to allow live music at the Dandenong Market until 11pm most nights of the week was met with public outcry and 11 objections.

Resident concern centred on noise, antisocial behaviour, non-compliance with the existing planning permit and fears the market would become a “nightclub disguised as a food venue”.

To accommodate residents’ concerns, the council’s planning team came up with a compromise, with Councillor Sean O’Reilly pushing forward an alternative motion which will introduce live music performances at the venue on Friday and Saturdays only for the next

12 months, at which point the decision will be reviewed again.

Cr O’Reilly said the decision was “a good win for the applicant, as well as the surrounding residents”.

“There has been quite a bit of discussion on this and I take other councillors’ viewpoints that one of the things that this council should be doing front and centre is supporting local business, particularly in the time of Covid recovery,” Cr O’Reilly said.

“But I’m glad that this council has decided tonight to balance that against the surrounding residents of Dandenong Market.”

The decision allows performances to take place on Fridays and Saturdays between the hours of 11.30am to 2.30pm and 5pm to 11pm, “to ensure that the primary focus of the business is on the serving of meals”.

Cr O’Reilly said that he understood the views of those residents who had complained.

“They live there, they expect it to be a market,” he said, adding that live music was something that “they didn’t envisage” as part of the market.

“The recommendation we have now balances that out and allows live music, including karaoke, to happen two nights a week as a starting point and then be reviewed,” Cr O’Reilly said.

The council recognised “that live music is an important part of the state’s culture and economy,” and hoped that this decision would provide a good compromise for both parties.

The live music site is located on the south eastern side of the market, approximately 170 metres from the nearest residential dwelling on King Street, according to the council.

Changes to the food and drinks premises in the new proposal will see an increase from 96 patrons allowed onsite to 164, and an increase in the area used by the venue growing by 150 square metres.

To keep noise down, a noise management plan will be implemented.

According to the council, the noise management plan “must outline the type of entertainment or acts, speaker height, position and the direction the speakers will face, the direction the stage will face, methods and procedures for measuring and monitoring noise, details of the complaints register and phone number”.

The council hopes that “the playing of live music will further encourage and support the existing use of the land for retail use” within the market and help stimulate and support local businesses as they recover from a tough year.

Man critical after stabbing A man was critically injured after being stabbed in the stomach in Hurlstone Court, Dandenong North.

Police were called to the scene about 6pm on Wednesday 2 December, a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

The man in his 20s was treated by paramedics and taken to The Alfred hospital.

As of 4 December, he was in a critical, stable condition.

The Star Journal has been told that the man was stabbed with a screwdriver-like weapon during a fight in the street.

A female and two males were reportedly seen fleeing in a blue Suburu sedan.

COREX

A pair of runners at the scene of a stabbing in Hurlstone Court, Dandenong North.

Police forensics services in Hurlstone Court on 2 December.

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We are looking for immediate starts in the following roles; Day Shift • Production admin officer. (Computer literate, ERP and planning exposure valued) • Graduate Production Engineer • Forklift operator – Packaging & fabrication production • Machine operator – Packaging & fabrication production • Customer experience officer • Industrial electrician / Automation apprentice to develop Industry 4.0 • Trade qualified extrusion setter (High technical skill to take lead technical role) • Sales Admin Officer/Clerk • Pre Print Design & Preparation • Digital Media Management.

Afternoon Shift • Maintenance Fitter • Materials Handling – Packaging & fabrication production • Machine operator – Packaging & fabrication production Night Shift Trade qualified extrusion setter (High skill to take lead technical role, electrical background valued) If you’re interested we look forward to hearing from you. Applications can be made to; recruitment@corex.net.au

Corex Plastics (Australia) Pty. Ltd. 261 Frankston Dandenong Road, Dandenong 3175 www.corex.net.au www.correx.com.au Phone: +61 3 9238 1300

• Located in Dandenong, Hilton Manufacturing is one of the largest sheet metal manufacturing companies in Australia.

• Family-owned local business with 45 years of outstanding performance.

• We manufacture state-of-the-art products for all truck brands, military hardware, rolling stock providers around the world and bespoke parts for major industries.

• To cope with our increased demand, we are on the look-out for experienced professionals who are willing to learn latest processes and technologies in manufacturing.

POSITIONS: Day Shift • Robot Welding Setter & Operator • Boiler Makers/Welders • Tool and Jig Maker– Tool Room • Quality Technician – Engineering/Process Quality • Saw Operator Production Worker • Powder Coating Line Production Worker • Inwards Goods Materials Handler/Supply Chain • Machine Operators – Assembly Department • Aluminum Welders – Truck Fuel Tank line • Press Shop operators • CNC Laser Cutting Operator • Metal Polishing • Supervisor – Welding Department • Purchasing Officer – Sheetmetal experience • Tool Design Engineer – Toolroom/Engineer • Machine Operators – Press Shop, Bending, Blanking Afternoon Shift • Robot Welding Setter & Operator • Caravan Chassis Welders • Production Supervisor • Machine Operators – Assembly Department • Metal Polishing • Truck Fuel Tank line – Aluminum Welders • Machine Operators – Press Shop, Bending, Blanking Contact Tamara Reid at careers@hiltonmfg.com.au 110-116 Bangholme Road, Dandenong South, VIC 3175 | www.hiltonmfg.com.au 12473698-NG50-20

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Tuesday, 8 December, 2020

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STAR JOURNAL 3

NEWS

Lyndale Secondary College’s STEM teacher Monique Lenehan-Moustafa with a molecular model of graphite. 222409

Lyndale Secondary College student Dena in the flight simulator. 222409

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

STEM teacher Monique Lenehan-Moustafa with students at Lyndale Secondary. 222409

Lyndale upgrade in flight Lyndale Secondary College is set to receive a State Budget boost of $10.8 million, to complete stage four of a $27.6 million upgrade that began in 2015.

The school’s acting principal, Pam Robinson, said they were “very excited” to hear the news and that “it was like Christmas come early”.

“Since 2015, the school has been transformed, including a state-of-the-art library with indoor and outdoor reading areas, STEM and arts buildings as well as a flight simulator for VET Aviation students,” Ms Robinson said.

“The latest stage will create a new senior school, middle-school and sports centre facilities,” she added, with works expected to be completed by 2022.

Emerson College, Carwatha P-12 College and Kingswood Primary School in Dingley Village will also share $24 million to go towards various building projects.

Alex Cheatle, left, teaching a year 8 drama class in the Lyndale Secondary College auditorium.

Students Mahir and Dena with library manager Mary Koutras at Lyndale Secondary College.

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Three local schools will also share $776,910 fast-tracked from the Minor Capital Works Fund.

Chalcot Lodge Primary School in Endeavour Hills will receive $351,665 for covered walkways and shaded areas.

Yarraman Oaks Primary School in Noble Park receives $369,125 to upgrade its senior building.

Rosewood Downs Primary School in Dandenong North will also receive $56,120 to upgrade its senior playground.

Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said the funding ensured students had access to “the best school facilities and a great education”.

“This investment is vital to Dandenong’s economic recovery and creating jobs in the Education State.”

School community lights the way around Australia

By Gabriella Payne Melbourne’s tough lockdown restrictions saw many people turn to the comfort of their couches during winter, but staff, students and families at Lighthouse Christian College Keysborough had bigger plans in mind.

Over the past few months, the school community have worked together to trek their way around Australia, collectively completing the 14,000 kilometre journey from the comfort of home.

The ‘Lighthouse Goes Around Australia’ initiative was an idea sparked by the PE department and the whole school events coordinator, Aniela Lamott, in a bid to promote physical health and wellbeing during lockdown.

Miss Lamott said that the event was a huge success, with students, families and staff banding together and completing the mammoth task on Wednesday 25 November, where those involved celebrated the finale by making their way through an inflatable arch on the Lighthouse Cricket Ground.

“It was such a great way to come together and just really encourage each other through the year,” Miss Lamott said.

Students of all ages, staff and entire fami4 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 8 December, 2020

The school community celebrates. 222119

Left to right: Olivia, Avril Howard (executive principal) and Selah at the finish line. 222119

lies participated in the event by either walking, running, cycling or swimming (once restrictions lifted) their way to the finish line.

“The finale was spectacular,” Miss Lamott said.

“Because of restrictions we couldn’t have everyone there, but the ones who participated were representing all those that contributed.”

The initiative began on Tuesday 18 August, as Melbourne was grappling with the second Covid-19 lockdown and students were conducting remote learning.

The virtual community event took just

over three months to complete.

Miss Lamott said that the college is “very big on building health and wellbeing” among students, staff and families and this event was able to promote this message, whilst also continuing a sense of community spirit throughout this difficult year.

“We didn’t want to make it a competition, because every contribution added value to the team, whether it was one kilometre, five kilometres or 100 kilometres, with our principal, Avril Howard contributing over 100 kilometres to the activity,” she said.

Now that restrictions have eased in Mel-

bourne, Miss Lamott said it was “wonderful” to see students, families and staff come together on Wednesday on the school oval to celebrate their combined achievement from a safe social distance of course.

Parents and staff cheered on as excited students ranging from prep to secondary age walked, ran or cycled through the finale arch, celebrating their 14,000 kilometre journey.

Along the way, a variety of awards were given out to keep motivation levels high, including a ‘staff consistency’ award, ‘collective family entry’ award and a ‘most creative cyclist’ award, after a staff member tracked their route on the fitness app Strava, riding in the shape of an animal.

Miss Lamott said that along their virtual journey, the team celebrated reaching fun milestones such as different destinations around Australia.

“Our school community is just amazing and commendations to our PE department for this community activity,” Miss Lamott said.

The event allowed Lighthouse Christian College to stay connected to “the special community atmosphere” during lockdown and Miss Lamott said that everyone was excited to do it all again next year. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

IN BRIEF Appeal for witnesses

‘Conduit’ jailed over ex’s bashing

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A woman has been jailed over a violent home invasion by two males at her ex-partner’s Dandenong North home.

Her ex was repeatedly punched, struck with a hammer, stood upon, choked with an electrical extension cord and dragged around by his attackers in Francesco Drive about 2.15pm on Monday 25 March 2019.

The accused woman, 38, was a “conduit” and “catalyst to the violent events” - what was likely an attempt to get money, County Court of Victoria judge Howard Mason said during sentencing.

She had rang the victim earlier, driven to the area with the two intruders, given directions to the house and waited in a silver BMW around the corner during the attack.

The alleged main attacker, 43, was her partner of about eight weeks.

She noticed he was wearing a backpack as he got out of the BMW, but prosecutors couldn’t prove she knew there was a hammer inside the bag, Judge Mason noted.

Judge Mason said the woman knew the males would be “confronting” the victim and asking him for money.

But it could not be proved that she conspired for her lover to commit a home invasion and injure her ex-partner.

She was breaching a family-violence intervention order granted to the victim at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court four weeks earlier.

The order barred her from being within 200 metres from the victim’s house, having any contact with the victim and getting others to either harm him or make him fear for his safety.

The woman pleaded guilty to contravening an intervention order, bail offences and com-

mon-law assault - on the basis that she could anticipate the victim would experience fear.

There was always potential for the confrontation to “get out of hand”, Judge Mason said.

Her “extensive” criminal history “bloomed” with 10 court appearances for dishonesty, driving, weapons and drug offences in the past five years.

She’d breached all four community corrections orders and a suspended sentence, and served stints in jail.

In the past, she’d suffered several abusive relationships with men and descended into heroin and alcohol abuse. She’d been treated with methadone.

She required plastic surgery after being bashed on a train at age 19.

The woman was jailed for eight months, including 80 days in pre-sentence detention.

Her lover - the alleged main attacker - has pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Bid to save Yarraman Village trees

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong Council is seeking to save a stand of river red gum trees by offering to buy them from Yarraman Village’s developer.

The Village Building Company (VBC) won a permit at VCAT in October to fell a pocket of about 25 mature trees to make way for eight more townhouses in the 158-dwelling estate in Hanna Street, Noble Park.

Greater Dandenong Council city planning director Jody Bosman told a council meeting on 30 November that the council, through its lawyers, had made an approach to the VBC for a “possible purchase”.

The negotiations were still ongoing, he said.

Mr Bosman ruled out a Supreme Court appeal against the VCAT decision.

“There is no legal basis which such a challenge can be made.

“That option has been fully investigated

by Council’s legal team and I can confirm it is not an option open to Council.”

Mr Bosman said the council had “consistently opposed” several quests by the developer to remove the trees.

“The council remains unequivocal in its desire to see the trees retained and it will continue in its negotiations with the developer.”

The council is being backed by a chorus of the estate’s residents.

Some have described the small reserve in the north-eastern corner as “the only trees

Gordon Dann, Shawna Lavis, Simon Smith, Jess Brown and Alannah Smith among the river red Picture: GARY SISSONS gums at Yarraman Village. 218917 in the village”, and a major selling-point that attracted them to the estate.

Residents say it is the only public open space within the “cramped” village with streets too narrow for municipal garbage trucks.

The alternate public open space at the top of the adjoining Mile Creek’s banks was described as an “insult”.

The developer The Village Building Company denies making representations to prospective buyers that it would retain the trees.

“The contracts of sale and marketing documentation for the first three stages of development clearly display Village’s intention to develop this land with housing,” state general manager Tom Maidment said.

Mr Maidment said the homes, directly opposite a train station and near Greaves Re-

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward after a vehicle was robbed by three men in Keysborough on Monday morning.

A wallet and tool kit were stolen from the parked vehicle, which was sitting in a driveway on Ondine Court at about 6am on Monday 30 November.

It is alleged that the three men were disturbed mid-robbery by the victim’s daughter, when they proceeded to run down Elmbank Drive, onto Chandler Road and Festival Crescent. They were last seen on Claremont Crescent and investigators have released images of three men they believe may be able to assist with enquiries.

According to police, this incident may not be isolated and further thefts may have occurred at the same time. Any residents from within the vicinity of Ondine Court who believe they have had property stolen on Monday morning are encouraged to get in contact with police.

Any witnesses or people with information are urged to call the Frontline Tactical Unit on 9767 7444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Witnesses can also submit a confidential report, if they prefer, at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Newcomen Road funding booost A Springvale road’s upgrade has received $290,000 funding from the federal Roads to Recovery program.

Greater Dandenong Council received the funds the project at Newcomen Road between Springvale Road and Regal Drive. The project is currently under construction and due for completion in March 2021.

Senator David Van said the $171 million funding enabled 344 local councils to progress “high priority projects” on local roads. Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Kevin Hogan said the Australian Government committed an extra $100 million per year to the Roads to Recovery Program from 2019-’20.

“We are investing in infrastructure nationwide in order to lay the foundations for economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Assisting local councils to maintain and improve roads under their jurisdiction is a big part of that, which is why we have also funded a new $1.5 billion Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program and brought forward $1.3 billion of the 2020-21 Financial Assistance Grant payment.”

Hunt for kidnappers

serve, would provide “much needed affordable accommodation which is exceptionally serviced”.

He said council officers initially supported the planning application including an extra nine dwellings in 2015.

In the VCAT decision, it was noted the council had issued a subdivision permit in November 2017 that included the “townhouse land” as within ‘Lot S7’ instead of public open space.

“The Council could have ensured the creation of POS (public open space) if it had certified an amended plan showing Lot S7 as POS,” VCAT Senior Member Geoffrey Code said.

Mr Bosman told Star Journal that the endorsed plan for the subdivision permit shows the land to be a “Council reserve”.

Two armed men are at large after kidnapping a 26-year-old man in Dandenong North on Thursday 3 December.

The victim from Dandenong was forced into his own vehicle by the offenders in Rhoden Court about 9.40pm, police say. The men demanded money before leaving the hostage at an address in Clyde North and driving off in his white Toyota Prado with New South Wales registration CSU 14B. The victim was not seriously injured, police say. Police tried to stop the stolen Prado on Narre Warren North Road about 1am on 4 December. The vehicle escaped at speed.

Greater Dandenong CIU detectives are investigating. Anyone who sees the Prado is advised to call triple-0. Any other information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

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Tuesday, 8 December, 2020

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STAR JOURNAL 5

NEWS

Sharing the joy of food

By Danielle Kutchel As the child of migrants, Ashvina understands better than most the sorts of struggles that new arrivals to Australia face.

Her parents were lucky enough to have money when they arrived, but others who came with them did not, and subsequently struggled to make it through.

After investigating the subject for a report at university, Ashvina realised that the supports that were in place when her parents arrived hadn’t changed all that much in the intervening years, leading to social isolation, exclusion and food poverty.

Searching for information online about what support was available for migrants - and finding very little - something clicked for Ashvina: “if there were gaps in links online, there had to be a gap in services for all these communities.”

She set about creating COOK4CALD, to provide food to the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community in Casey and Dandenong.

The passion project soon bloomed from an idea formed at the dining table into an organisation of 50 volunteers.

Starting on Sunday December 6, the group will begin cooking meals each Sunday at the Casey Youth Hub on Webb Street, Narre Warren. The summer program will run until February, and Ashvina hopes it will bring some joy to those who may struggle to celebrate the festive season.

All ingredients are sourced from local supermarkets, are drawn from different cultures and are tailored to people’s dietary requirements. The meals have been designed by nutritionists to be as healthy as possible.

CALD communities can fill out a Google Form to provide details or dietary requirements, or they will be able to call the organ-

Ashvina, founder of COOK4CALD. isation to explain what they need if the form is inaccessible. The meals will then be delivered directly to the family in need.

“We want them to understand they have

the community backing them, and that they can ask for help if they need. The whole point of this is to make the community unify in their diversity,” Ashvina explained.

Cook4CALD will cater to all families, no matter how big or small, but will be relying on community donations, at least to start with.

It’s been driven in part by Covid, with the pandemic resulting in many of the community’s most vulnerable - migrants and refugees - among the first to lose their jobs.

“Most people were getting [support] from the government for the hassle Covid brought, but for a lot of international students, migrants and refugees, they weren’t getting anything and that made it that much harder,” Ashvina explained.

Through her own personal connections, she knows that many newcomers struggled in silence, ashamed of asking for assistance.

“The thing about asking for help is it’s a vulnerable thing to go, especially in a foreign land,” she said.

To try and encourage them to reach out, Ashvina has set up social media accounts for COOK4CALD, and has placed fliers about the organisation in high-traffic areas like public libraries and supermarkets.

A crowdfunding page has been set up to gather donations for ingredients and materials for the meals as well as kitchen hire.

Ashvina hopes her organisation can partner with other like-minded community support networks to deliver more assistance to those who need it.

“One meal a week isn’t going to tackle food poverty, but it’s a start,” she said.

“If we can alleviate that in any way, one free meal is a good way to start.”

To donate to Cook4CALD, visit https:// www.mycause.com.au/page/237556/cook4cald To connect with Cook4CALD or to ask for help, find them on Facebook and Instagram, @ COOK4CALD.

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Tuesday, 8 December, 2020

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NEWS

Pokie sleep

By Gabriella Payne In a bid to minimise gambling harm in the community, the City of Greater Dandenong Council is calling on the Victorian Government to reduce the maximum number of hours gambling venues can be open, asking for the pokies to be “put to bed” overnight.

The council’s proposal asks that hours of operation for gambling venues be lowered from 20 hours per day to 14 hours, a move which it believes will help gamblers retain money and benefit the community in the long run.

Under the current laws, venues can apply for permits which allow them to remain open for 20 hours per day, with many closing at “4am or 5am, before reopening again at 8am” according to the council.

Director of community services, Martin Fidler, said that the current hours of operation could be harmful and by enforcing the pokies to shut between midnight and 10am, gamblers could save plenty.

“Being able to use gambling machines as late as 4am, or as early as 8am, harms vulnerable residents,” Mr Fidler said.

“We want to reduce the risk of harm, particularly as our community recovers from the pandemic.”

According to Mr Fidler, in the 2018-19 period, “Greater Dandenong residents lost $119 million to gambling machines, or ‘pokies’, at local hotels and clubs”, but since the enforced lockdown in late March 2020, losses had “declined by $76 million”.

With the easing of restrictions and the reopening of gambling venues on Monday 9 November, Mr Fidler feared that many gamblers would return to old habits.

He said that by reducing opening hours at venues, the council could “ease the hardship that will once again be inflicted upon many

residents and families”.

“This is an opportunity to protect those with gambling problems from incurring the level of gambling losses they experienced before lockdown,” Mr Fidler said.

The Dandenong RSL Club runs a number of gambling machines and its president, John Wells said that he felt that “the council has a limited role to play” in making decisions in relation to gambling licensing.

Mr Wells said that the proposed changes by the council “won’t affect our operations very much” as the club didn’t “use the full number of hours we’re allowed”.

“Even so, I think it’s people’s own business when they gamble and if they want to gamble.

We have a very strong, responsible provisionary gaming program in place as many others do,” Mr Wells said.

“Council should leave the operation as it is, how it was all licensed in the first place.”

As well as proposing to “put the pokies to bed”, Greater Dandenong City Council urging the Victorian Government to enforce a two hour limit upon the time patrons can use gambling machines, “to lower the risk of transmission” post-lockdown and simultaneously “ease the impact of an expected surge in local gambling losses”.

Mr Fidler believes that by implementing both these changes, many people in the local community would be better off.

“These two steps would help reduce hardship gambling causes for many local families, helping them put food on the table and pay their bills,” he said.

The car is towed away by police.

Dad’s car impounded as learner gets a lesson

By Gabriella Payne A 21-year-old learner driver may be grounded for a long time after a reckless speeding stint in his dad’s car saw the vehicle impounded by police on Saturday 28 November.

The young hoon was caught driving at speeds of 160km/h in an 80km/h zone and doing multiple burnouts along FrankstonDandenong Road at approximately 8.30pm.

The Police Airwing was patrolling known hot spots for hoon driving in the Dandenong South area when it spotted the Ford Falcon travelling at excessive speeds.

The vehicle was intercepted a short time later by members of the Dandenong High-

way Patrol on Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road.

The culprit, a 21-year-old Cranbourne North man had to break the news to his Dad that the car had been impounded, and that he could only reclaim it after 30 days at a cost of $1008.

The young man will most likely be making it up to his Dad for a while to come and having been caught committing a litany of offences.

The young driver will be charged on summons with improper use of a motor vehicle, driving in excess of the speed limit, learner driver unaccompanied, failing to display L plates and using an unroadworthy motor vehicle.

A defect notice was also issued.

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Tuesday, 8 December, 2020

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STAR JOURNAL 7

NEWS

‘Wall’ of units approved

By Cam Lucadou-Wells VCAT has approved a four-unit, two-storey building on a single-dwelling block in Dandenong, despite Greater Dandenong Council declaring it a “blight“ on the neighbourhood.

The council had refused the 7 Robert Street proposal by WCL Development Pty Ltd, describing it as like a 12.8 metre long “flush double-storey high wall”.

Due to the roof form and lack of setback, the building loomed as though almost three storeys high, the council argued.

The proposal received no objections from neighbours but the bulk would be a “blight” to properties to the north, south and rear, the council argued.

It was not in keeping with the ‘incremental-change’ General Residential Zone, which was installed in place of a more dense Resi-

dential Growth zoning in 2017.

In a 2 December appeal, VCAT member Sarah McDonald overruled the council.

Ms McDonald disagreed with the “wall” description due to the plan’s varied roof forms and building heights as well as other design details.

She said the visual bulk wouldn’t adversely affect the area’s future character - which would include more two or three storey townhouses and units.

“The predominant pattern of housing in the surrounding area is of multi-dwelling developments through the depth of lots.”

She dismissed the council’s argument against a double-storey rear dwelling - despite nearby multi-dwelling lots having single-storey rear units.

The WCL rear unit’s impact would be soft-

ened by a 2.4 metre hedge.

There were no issues of overlooking or overshadowing next-door properties, Ms McDonald stated.

“There is no sense of a spine of open space along the rear of (neighbouring) properties.

“In fact, eight of the eleven properties along the eastern side of Robert street have multi-dwelling developments that including dwellings sited close to the rear/eastern boundary.”

The block’s landscape plan included seven canopy trees in the front, north and south.

It would make a “positive contribution” given the neighbourhood had few canopy trees or well landscaped side and rear yards, Ms McDonald said.

Ms McDonald said private open space was sufficient, taking into account the balconies on units 2 and 3.

A single-storey dwelling in Robert Street Dandenong is set to be replaced by a doublestorey apartment building.

Green Wedge housing decision divides councillors

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Councillors were divided on a proposed double-storey home in Keysborough’s Green Wedge A zone.

On 30 November, Greater Dandenong Council approved the 8.77-metre-high dwelling in front of the existing house on the 2.23-hectare site at 76 Keys Road.

Four neighbours objected to the plan, citing the removal of nine non-native trees, the impacts on views and vistas, its height and its proximity to the front and side boundaries.

The existing house will be converted to an outbuilding.

City planning director Jody Bosman said

the original plan had a “fairly high degree of compliance” with the Green Wedge Management Plan.

The home’s minor issues would be a “small incursion” within 5 metres of the eastern boundary, and its “pitch of the roof” exceeding the preferred 8-metre building height limit by 0.7 metres.

He rated the council’s prospect of fighting the proposal at VCAT as “50-50”.

Councillors voted down an alternative motion to move the home back 30 metres from Keys Road, in-line with the existing dwelling.

Cr Rhonda Garad proposed the motion,

citing the objectors impacted by the home’s siting in the front corner of the block.

She sought to protect at least two of the proposed trees for removal. They were mature trees “of most concern” to neighbours.

“The applicants will be able to build their dream house.

“We’re just asking that they consider the environment and the needs of those around them.”

In opposition, Cr Tim Dark argued that moving the home back would lead to the loss of trees behind it.

The original proposal complied with “99.95 per cent” of the GWMP, Cr Dark said.

“To be out by 0.7 metres is nothing.”

A council planner’s report recommending approval of the original proposal stated most residences in the area were single storey.

The two-storey dwelling with “significant” frontage vegetation reflected the “rural living character of the area”.

The “substantial” 20-metre setback from Keys Road and neighbouring dwellings would “minimise the visual impact”.

“The proposal is not expected to impact any significant views or ridgelines.”

No planning permit was required to remove the non-native trees, despite a vegetation protection overlay on the site.

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STAR JOURNAL 9

NEWS

Huge hiring drive needed From page 1 But hiring skilled workers is easier said than done, according to Mr Hartley, who said there was simply “not enough” skilled workers in the state.

“I think what you’ll find with industry at the moment is that Victoria really lacks the numbers in skilled work force,” he said.

“We’ve stopped immigrations because of the pandemic, and a lot of those migrants were skilled workers.”

It’s the same story at Corex Plastics, who as a leading plastic manufacturer supplies industry with packaging and industrial products.

Corex managing director Simon Whiteley said he believed the staff shortages could be linked to people feeling unmotivated to return to work.

Mr Whiteley has about 20 to 25 roles that need to be filled immediately. Those job opportunities vary, with positions ranging between customer service and digital media to machine and forklift operators.

“In the wake of Covid we have been in-

vesting in new plant and machinery that is demanding re-skilling and new staff to allow us to meet the re-surging growth in the years ahead,” he explained.

“We’re very much a bespoke. We listen to our customers and their needs. We don’t just sell the product and that’s the end of it, we want to see it through.”

Located in the central employment hub of Dandenong, both men are targeting residents across the south eastern suburbs, who could be looking for an alternative to the draining CBD commute.

“I think people associate manufacturing with making cars, which many people think is dead here, so it’s about overcoming that stigma,” Mr Whiteley explained.

“The reality is, there’s a vibrant manufacturing community in Dandenong and we provide that opportunity to do something and make a difference while doing it.”

For more information, contact belindas@ hiltonmfg.com.au or recruitment@corex.net. au. For a full list of jobs see page 3.

Corex Plastics Australia employee Zainal is looking for new colleagues. 222685

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Todd Hartley said his business was looking busy for the next two years. 222685

Simon Whiteley at Corex. 222685

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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

property

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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STAR JOURNAL 11

LOOKING BACK

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

100 years ago 2 December 1920 Liquor Referendum Official Results The final figure for the local option poll shows that the absolute majority in the State for Continuance was 30,428.

The result of the voting was as follows: Continuance 278,707 No Licence 212254 Reduction 36025 Nunawading and Boroondara were the only licencing districts to go “dry.”

50 years ago 3 December 1970 Getting away from it all VW style Camping out is more “in” than ever Volkswagen’s latest Campmobile puts its owner and

his family right into the swing of things even if they never before spent a single day travelling the road to outdoor adventure. By turns it becomes kitchen and living room as well as sleeping quarters for up to four adults and two children. This is made possible by an optional “pop up” top which laterally raises the roof to provide 7fdt of headroom and a 6ft long upper berth. The Campmobile is furnished with practically everything to be found on any luxury -loving camper’s list of “most wanted,” including a full-sized double bed.

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20 years ago 4 December 2000 View point - Gwen Jarvis Dandenong resident ‘What changes lie in store for the Town Hall?’

As one of the many who were born in Dandenong, I have seen the vast changes over the 20th Century which have seen my town from a prosperous centre for Gippsland, into a thriving city of modern buildings. Our city’s present population hail from all corners of the globe to make this a multicultural interface community. There are now so many amenities already in place and I have been lucky to share the progressive history of Greater Dandenong and I appreciate all those past and present who have contributed whole-heartedly to make Dandenong a unique place. So many of the people who have resided here

have walked tall in professions, business, music and the arts, carers, sportspeople and most importantly workers who have given freely of their time and money. Change is always with us and so let us move forward and hope that the wonderful cultural diversity of people here will take up the challenge to keep this a special place. I urge you to embrace your community activities as you will find that there is something for everyone.

5 years ago 7 December 2015 Carols by Candlelight The 69th Greater Dandenong Carols by Candlelight will include traditional and contemporary carols, an appearance from Santa, food stalls, and fireworks. Bring a rug, a candle and a picnic to the free annual Christmas celebration at Harmony Square Friday 18th December 6.30 pm.

Celebrate with 2020 hindsight

By Helen Heath OAM, Interfaith Network of the City of Greater Dandenong development officer As this year with all its challenges ‘winds down’ I have been reflecting on what that means following a year of high sprung tension and feelings of despair and anxiety.

What have I learnt - what 2020 hindsight do I now have?

Like a year drawing to a close, a mechanical clock ticks time away, the internal spirals slowly become less bound, relax and release energy and if not rewound - stop.

We are not clocks so how do we wind down after such a year and find that sacred space to refresh and renew?

As 2020 was not a year of perfect vision containing many emotions clouded with COVID-thinking, what wisdom do I ponder that will re-imagine a new year of resilient hope?

MESSAGE OF

HOPE

We approach another expected hot summer with all the challenges of bushfire season and I reflect on what absolute destruction and heartache this can bring.

Yet the bush itself stubbornly springs forth in little bits of greenery in spite of blackened earth and destroyed life.

There are little bits of greenery in my life that I will ponder in my heart as I wind down.

Time ticks by so quickly so I will contemplate what really matters.

Being able to finally see the people who

matter most to me.

Hearing the laughter of my friend in the same room as me.

The welcome bark of my neighbours’ dog Beans.

The smell of freshly mown grass; a cuppa.

Witnessing the joy on people’s faces as they go about their daily lives at the local shops.

Bumping into friends not-seen for so long at the local shops The bird that sings to the dawn while it is dark.

At dusk, the first star of summer’s night... and more.

Musician poet Leonard Cohen in his song Anthem sings “Ring the bells that can still ring; forget your perfect offering; there’s a crack in everything; that’s how the light gets in.”

Helen Heath will celebrate the “gift of a new year”.

I will reflect that as 2020 winds down, in spite of many cracks throughout, the light still got in and the bells will ring to celebrate Christmas and the gift of a new year.

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For every order Dollar Curtains and Blinds receives in December they will be planting a tree in Australia to recover our forests affected by the bushfires in 2019/2020.

Dollar Curtains + Blinds, a leading window coverings company, recently announced a partnership with One Tree Planted an organisation that aims to plant 50,000 trees for landscape restoration in 2020.

For every order received in December, Dollar Curtains + Blinds will plant a tree on their customer’s behalf as part of One Tree Planted’s reforestation project within Australia.

“Working with One Tree Planted is a great fit for Dollar Curtains and Blinds,” said Dollar Curtains + Blinds Marketing Manager, Danielle Crosby.

“We are always looking for ways to reduce our environmental footprint and give back and what better way than giving Australia more trees?”.

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IT’S BEEN A GRINCH OF A YEAR, SO LET’S BRING ON SOME CHRISTMAS CHEER! SANTA SNAPS & PET PICS Until Thursday 24 December

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STAR JOURNAL 13

NEWS

Online carollers on song Rehearsals for Greater Dandenong’s Christmas Carols have been in full swing.

Dandenong Primary School students as well as guest stars Denis Walter, Rhonda Burchmore and Mary Ann Van Der Horst are part of the talented lineup.

The carols will be streamed virtually into viewers’ homes due to Covid restrictions.

The event includes online activities like a Christmas storytime, giftwrap-making workshop, a Jingle Bell disco room and Funky Festive games room.

Local restaurants will offer discounts on the night.

Registrations are required for the free online event.

Greater Dandenong Carols is on Friday 11 December. Workshops start at 6pm, followed by the concert at 7.30pm-8.30pm.

Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/carols

Dandenong Primary School singers rehearse for Greater Dandenong Carols on Friday 11 December.

Carols host Denis Walter will return for Greater Dandenong Carols.

Rhonda Burchmore and Denis Walter in rehearsals.

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Rhonda Burchmore in rehearsal for Greater Dandenong Carols.

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STAR JOURNAL 15

NEWS

Ms Smiley said many migrant women were trapped in abusive relationships during lockdown.

Call to fight the silence

By Gabriella Payne A new campaign launched by the State Government is encouraging people to speak out and take a stand against family violence, as they urge people from all backgrounds and corners of the state to “unpack what respect means” over 16 days of activism.

The Respect Women: Call It Out campaign was launched on Wednesday 25 November and will run until Thursday 10 December, hoping to spark discussions about domestic violence and get help to those in need, many of whom were housebound throughout the 2020 lockdowns.

Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, said that the initiative “illustrates the importance of leading with respect and equality in all relationships”.

“This is how we drive down family violence - and how we acknowledge the role each of us must play,” Ms Williams said.

The campaign will span TV, radio, print and digital media and be translated into six different languages, to spread the message far and wide throughout our diverse communities.

Dandenong not-for-profit and family violence support centre, Wellsprings for Women, noticed an “unprecedented” number of women being referred to them for support during the pandemic, many from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

Wellsprings for Women’s CEO, Dalal Smi-

ley, said that the organisation was concerned that migrant and refugee women were often “under-serviced, overlooked and sidelined” when they disclosed their experiences of family violence.

Ms Smiley said that it had “been quite tough” this year as “the lockdown and restrictions meant that women already in abusive relationships became trapped with no avenue for relief”.

The team at Wellsprings had acted as a support network for these women during lockdown, regularly calling up to check on them and ensuring that they were safe.

“During the lockdown they just had no respite, no relief,” Ms Smiley said.

“If they used to go out and attend classes, or do things outside the home, they suddenly couldn’t - and that had provided them with some way of coping with their situation.”

Due to the forced Covid lockdowns, Wellsprings had to learn to adapt to provide services for these women remotely, and so in March, they began transitioning most of their classes online.

Ms Smiley said that many of their clients were from migrant or refugee backgrounds and had low literacy and numeracy levels in English, as well as low digital literacy skills.

This inspired Wellsprings to quickly apply for grants, allowing the organisation to help over 90 women obtain laptops and PCs and train them in how to get online and use Zoom, so that they could still join their classes, which were avail-

able in many languages, whilst stuck at home.

“It kind of pushed them to learn more about technology and become confident, and at the same time it’s pushed us as an organisation to consider this as a future way of delivering programs on an ongoing basis,” Ms Smiley said.

As part of the 16 days of activism campaign, Wellsprings for Women will be running two online seminars in the coming weeks; one about ‘dowry abuse’ on Thursday 3 December and another on ‘migrant and refugee men speaking out on migration and gender roles’, being held on Thursday 10 December.

Both seminars will be run online and give attendees the chance to hear from different experts and survivors on each separate topic, with spaces still available for each session.

Whilst dowry abuse is a complex form of family violence that targets a specific community, Ms Smiley said that the second seminar for men was more broad and will take a deeper look “at the impact of migration on migrant and refugee men and how they understand gender and gender equality”.

Ms Smiley said that when Wellsprings took a look at what kind of programs were available to men in relation to family violence, they found most were aimed at rehabilitation and there was a gap in the market for preventing and addressing the issue early.

“We found that no one is talking to the men about these issues,” Ms Smiley said.

“That’s when we did this research and talked to migrant and refugee men about what

their understanding of gender equality was before coming to Australia, and what it meant for them when they came here in adjusting.”

Ms Smiley said that it was important to be discussing these issues on a wide scale with campaigns such as the 16 days of activism and bringing awareness to the community, especially for those from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

“It’s not that straight forward or easy for a woman to leave. There are a lot of barriers that she faces in making that decision - and especially amongst migrant and refugee women,” she said.

Whether it’s because of her visa, losing her support network, having no job and relying solely on her partner financially or because she’s being threatened, Ms Smiley said that “it is much more complicated and fraught with risks” for women in abusive relationships from migrant backgrounds.

To join one of the seminars or to get in contact with the team at Wellsprings, visit https:// www.wellspringsforwomen.com/ for more information.

If you are experiencing family violence, contact Wellsprings for Women on 9701 3740 or Safe Steps 24/7 on 1800 015 188, safesteps@ safesteps.org.au or by webchat at safesteps. org.au/chat The Men’s Referral Service is available on 1300 766 491 to assist those concerned about their own behaviour.

In an emergency, call 000.

Wildflower meadow proves to be blooming marvellous

By Gabriella Payne A newly created wildflower meadow in Pultney Street, Dandenong is set to bring a burst of colour to the area in coming weeks, as Greater Dandenong City Council’s Parks team continues to sow seeds for all to enjoy.

More wildflower meadows will be popping up over the city, following the overwhelming popularity of this concept which was initially trialled in the lawn area of Settlers Square, near Dandenong train station.

The initiative aims to bring a smile to peoples’ faces as they pass by, adding a joyful touch to small, often overlooked spaces around the area.

Mayor of Greater Dandenong, Councillor Angela Long, said the wildflower project was a wonderful idea and encouraged all members of the community to come down and enjoy the blooms while exploring the city 16 STAR JOURNAL

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streets post-lockdown.

“With Covid-19 restrictions easing, the wildflower meadow is perfectly timed to welcome shoppers, visitors and traders back to Lonsdale Street,” Mayor Long said.

“The seeds at Settlers Square are currently in bloom and looking fantastic. We expect the Pultney Street meadow to begin to bloom in early December.”

Compared to regular lawn grass, wildflower meadows require less maintenance, are bird and insect attracting and are bursting with colour and visual appeal.

Mayor Long and the city council hope that initiatives like this will help increase the diversity of flora in the urban area and be a step towards creating a greener future.

“With concerns about climate change, urban areas heating up and how to improve plant diversity in built up areas, the wildflow-

Tuesday, 8 December, 2020

er meadow connects us with the joy nature brings,” she said.

“They help balance the amount of hard surface, granite and road asphalt with greenery and naturally cool areas.”

The Pultney Street wildflower meadow is located at the intersection of Lonsdale Street in Dandenong, near MKS Spices and the Cheesecake Shop.

The meadow is well protected from cars and traffic and offers visitors a relaxing resting area filled with colour in a high profile location.

The Greater Dandenong City Council is currently developing a Biodiversity Action Plan, hoping to bring more native flora and fauna to the area and are calling out to the local community to help form the plan.

To have your say, visit www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au

The flowers in bloom. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

‘Million dollar’ benefits

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Former Casey mayor Sam Aziz failed in “the most profound way” to disclose more than $1 million of alleged “private benefits” he received as a councillor, an IBAC inquiry into alleged Casey councillor corruption has heard.

IBAC’s assisting counsel Michael Tovey told the Operation Sandon hearing on 1 December that Mr Aziz gained the benefits from “taking advantage of your position as a councillor and selling your influence”.

Mr Aziz disputed “all of that”.

“It’s great to be pulling figures out of the air, but all he’s doing is trashing my reputation.

“This will be all over the media tomorrow and I’ll be accused of taking a million dollars of bribes as usual.

“You know, I’d love to know where all that money is if that’s in fact what I had done.”

According to IBAC, the $1 million of benefits included allegedly $660,000 of “benefits” from property developer John Woodman.

There was the $240,000 or “40 per cent interest” returned to Mr Aziz after he provided $600,000 in a suitcase to Mr Woodman.

Sam Aziz denied he’d received $1 million-plus in private benefits as a former Casey councillor.

Mr Woodman also allegedly paid him consultancy fees for Spicer Thoroughbreds ($22,500) and a Smart Cities project ($298,000).

Mr Aziz received about $250,000 from property firm director Andrew Nehme, and about $45,000 from developer Vlad Kostic - an associate of Jim Group’s former CEO Tino Grossi, Mr Tovey said.

Mr Aziz allegedly gained $150,000 from buying discounted shares from tech company Lodex, which pitched a digital payment platform to Casey Council.

Tech firm IPsoft allegedly paid him $30,800 soon after it signed a contract with Casey to trial an AI robot, Amelia.

Mr Tovey added there was also about $250,000 cash that Mr Aziz “can’t explain”.

“I don’t know where you got that from,” Mr Aziz said .

IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich said there was a similar repeated “modus operandi” in which Mr Aziz entered into “sham” loans with people who had matters at Casey Council.

“What’s being put to you is that each of those commercial arrangements is a sham and that they have been used by you in order to conceal corrupt payments.”

Mr Aziz said: “I understand that’s the allegation and I totally reject that absolutely. Absolutely.”

Apart from the “very small” $25,000 loan from Mr Grossi, he had “written contracts” to cover the other arrangements, he said.

Mr Aziz said $600,000 of the Woodman money was “my own money being returned to me”.

The interest from Mr Woodman was part of a “legitimate” mezzanine financial arrangement, he said.

MP’s copied submission

Signs of SCWRAG’s funding were clear

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Ex-Cranbourne MP Jude Perera revealed he knew at an early stage that Save Cranbourne West Residents Action Group (SCWRAG) was being sponsored by developer John Woodman.

Mr Perera says he still submitted SCWRAG’s purported petitions and documents to Planning Minister Richard Wynne and Casey Council, he told an IBAC hearing on 26 November.

In 2015, Mr Wynne visited industrial land which Mr Woodman and SCWRAG are lobbying to rezone for housing.

The minister made a “casual comment” that the residents group in support for rezoning Cranbourne West land had “erected such big posters”, Mr Perera told IBAC. “I can vaguely remember his making a mockery of that because ... we both hold the view that residents may not fund something like that.”

Mr Perera agreed that the link between SCWRAG and Mr Woodman’s company Watsons and his planning consultant Megan Schutz was known.

“In conversation we both - the minister and myself both understood it was the case.”

IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich noted that Mr Wynne seemed “alive to the risk that that might have come via the developers”.

Mr Perera said he had no difficulty submitting SCWRAG’s documents after that realisation.

“One thing is the issue and the process is a different thing.

“The process of, you know, hyping up was the role of the developer, but the core issue

SCWRAG’s president Ray Walker in 2015.

146818 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS lies with the local residents about the air pollution.

“As a human being I would not like to live next to an industrial estate.”

In an email by Ms Schutz, she relays details about Mr Wynne’s private conversation with Mr Perera during the visit.

Her source is allegedly Mr Perera’s electorate officer Sammy Argiriou.

“Sammy says that the Minister asked about the signs and said that clearly it had not been the community who paid for them.

“Sammy was unwilling to provide his direct view to me on whether he thought the minister supported the rezoning.

“But then pretty much said that his office would win on this matter ... It is about what the local community wants.”

At the inquiry, Mr Perera said he was unaware of Mr Argiriou’s disclosure. He agreed it was inappropriate.

IBAC has alleged that SCWRAG was funded $193,000 by Mr Woodman’s company Wat-

sons and Ms Schutz’s firm Schutz Consulting.

Ms Schutz told IBAC in March 2020 that State Government ministers would have known the connection between SCWRAG and Mr Woodman.

“Community groups can’t pay for huge signs to be erected...

“There was such a huge amount of money that was spent resourcing the community group, the minister must have known that the community group and the developers’ interests were aligned.

“I don’t think that was hidden.”

Ms Schutz helped set up SCWRAG. She was financed to do so by another developer Leighton Properties, which owned the land and would gain a windfall from the rezoning.

Mr Woodman was offered a $2 million success fee.

Ms Schutz told IBAC “we were using the community as a basis for my client’s commercial interests”.

IBAC was told of Ms Schutz helping Mr Walker write a letter to lobby Casey councillors as part of a “political planning strategy”.

It was boosted by traffic reports paid for by Watsons.

Developers had also paid for a barrister to give advice to SCWRAG on the legality of a Casey Council motion on Hall Road, as well as about $30,000 for a lawyer to represent the group at a Planning Panels Victoria hearing.

Mr Walker - as well as his wife Valerie was being allegedly paid monthly retainers.

The IBAC Operation Sandon hearing into alleged corrupt land deals involving developers, councillors and MPs continues.

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

IBAC budget ‘cuts’ not adding up

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A fiery political row erupted over funding for the state’s Independent Broad-based AntiCorruption Commission (IBAC).

Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien told Parliament on 25 November that IBAC’s funding had been slashed by $4.4 million in the 2020-’21 state budget.

“IBAC is currently conducting major investigations into branch-stacking by Labor Party MPs, the dealings of Labor donor John Woodman and your government’s association with the United Firefighters Union.

“Premier, is it a mere coincidence that the year IBAC is investigating the Labor Party is the same year it is having its budget slashed?”

Premier Daniel Andrews said IBAC had received “$49 million and indexation for each of the out years - exactly what IBAC sought”.

The future funding included IBAC keeping dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

its unspent funds from previous years, Mr Andrews said.

“You are wrong,” he told Mr O’Brien.

“I say to you again: you are not much good at writing budgets, and you are no better at reading them.”

Mr Andrews said Mr O’Brien omitted the “members of the Liberal Party who were bribed, it would seem” investigated by IBAC. The commission is investigating Casey councillors, state Labor MPs and developers over alleged corrupt land deals as part of Operation Sandon.

Later, shadow Special Minister of State John Wells doubled down.

“Not only has Daniel Andrews cut IBAC’s funding, now he’s lying about it.”

A State Government spokesperson said IBAC was receiving an extra $27.1 million - a 20 per cent rise - over four years.

“I totally dispute your calculations. You have made many mistakes in your calculations.”

Mr Redlich told Mr Aziz that the Commission was still giving “due deliberation” on whether the payments were “corrupt”.

“You’ve made clear you don’t accept that they were corrupt.

“But regardless ... what is clear is that you have in the most profound way failed to meet your integrity obligations as a councillor in terms of your obligations to disclose the private benefits that you were receiving.”

It was difficult to understand Mr Aziz’s “outrage and indignation” about the allegations given Mr Aziz had admitted to failing to disclose private benefits, Mr Redlich said.

Mr Aziz replied that he was “outraged” because his “achievements” at Casey Council “speak for themselves above and beyond any other municipal government not just in Victoria but in the whole of Australia”.

“Sure I failed to declare a conflict of interest on a few occasions.

“But my intention was not malicious nor was it intended to profit from my job.”

It was continuing to ensure IBAC had the resources needed to “investigate corrupt conduct and fulfill its statutory obligations”.

“The additional funding will allow IBAC to expand its important work - and to assist with the agency’s transition to budgetary independence.”

A month before the budget, IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich stated IBAC faced serious constraints due to its “current, perilous budgetary position”.

Its core funding had been “largely static” since it was founded eight years ago, despite a significantly growing workload.

“IBAC cannot investigate a significant number of complaints of serious misconduct which may warrant our investigation.

“Exposing and preventing corruption cannot be adequately done on a static, inadequate budget.”

Cranbourne MP Jude Perera’s formal submission in favour of a land rezoning was effectively written by developer John Woodman’s planning consultant, IBAC has heard.

At the Operation Sandon inquiry, Mr Perera agreed that his signed submission to Casey Council in 2017 was “predominantly if not wholly a simple replication of Megan Schutz’s points”.

“It really was spectacularly inappropriate, is it not, that what is being put forward as a submission by you was in fact a submission by the representative of the developer,” counsel assisting IBAC Michael Tovey said.

Mr Perera said: “When you look at it that way, yes.”

In July 2017, Ms Schutz emails Mr Perera’s electorate officer Sammy Argiriou to request Mr Perera make a formal submission to Casey Council on Amendment C219.

Mr Argiriou replies: “Will do - email me some lines Ms Schutz (smiling face emoji)”.

Ms Schutz responds with nine dot-point paragraphs - a “complete submission”, Mr Tovey said.

The submission states the purportedly strong community support for rezoning though Mr Perera conceded he knew that the Save Cranbourne West Residents Action Group was linked to developers.

“The developer would have been the main engine room behind that or funded that,” Mr Perera told the hearing.

“But, after that, it has developed into the residents’ concern.”

Around that time, Mr Argiriou was largely running the MP’s electorate office due to Mr Perera being chronically ill.

“He was on top of everything,” including contacts with Ms Schutz, Mr Perera told IBAC. “He kept me informed. Even if I was in hospital, he sent me emails keeping me up to date.”

Mr Tovey noted that Ms Schutz reported several times on interactions between Mr Argiriou and Mr Perera or Mr Wynne in “very fine detail”.

They included inside information from Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s office on Amendment C219, as well as a private conversation between Mr Wynne and Mr Perera at a visit to Cranbourne West in 2015.

Mr Perera said he’d report back on Mr Wynne’s indication of the timing of the C219 decision.

“So I pass that to Sammy, and if Megan wants to know an update my understanding was Sammy would give that.

“It’s just a matter of when a decision is going to be made or whether it has not been made, nothing beyond that.

“It’s not delicate information.”

Tuesday, 8 December, 2020

|

STAR JOURNAL 17

NEWS

Music breaks the stigma

By Gabriella Payne Mental health struggles are often taboo in conversation and hidden behind closed doors, but for one Melbourne musician, the Covid-19 lockdown inspired him to try and break down these barriers - and what better way to spread the message than through the universal language of music?

‘Raw Intense Pain’ is the debut EP from Endeavour Hills artist Tanila De Silva; a record that combines catchy riffs and urban beats with powerful lyrics taking a deeper look at mental health issues and discussing struggles openly.

Mainly written and produced whilst in lockdown, this EP is a “Covid cross collaboration” with other artists from all corners of the world, featuring London-based rapper, Vithun and including talents from America, Canada and The Netherlands.

Tanila said it was a “cool and unique experience” to be able to collaborate on this record with many other artists and that it was the perfect opportunity to spread the message of mental health awareness.

“I think music works as a platform for every person on this planet to relate to,” Tanila said.

“It’s the perfect way for people to be more aware that these types of issues do exist and they can’t just be swept under the rug.”

Instead of typical songs about love and heartbreak, Tanila decided to think outside the box and take this opportunity to tackle issues including anxiety, depression and suicide.

“I really wanted to open up my own musical journey with something a bit more important and dear to my heart,” Tanila said.

“These topics are often both taboo in life and in music. You’re not meant to really talk about this, specifically from my ethnicity or background which is South East Asian... you know, mental health doesn’t really ‘exist’ per se, which is wrong.”

Tanila’s unique approach to songwriting throughout this EP raises important discussions amongst listeners, especially after a year that has left many reeling and facing challenges that are all too real.

Tanila tackles mental health through the lyrics on his debut EP. According to Beyond Blue, “one quarter of Australians will experience an anxiety condition in their lifetime” and “one in seven Australians will experience depression” at some point - and after the difficulties that 2020 brought, these numbers are only expected to increase.

With many of us forced into isolation and the looming threat of the pandemic in the air, anxiety and depression have been apparent in society this year more than ever and Tanila believes that many Australians “weren’t aware of the dangers and implications of not looking after your mental health”.

Tanila openly discusses his own experienc-

es with mental health issues, in day to day life but now also through his music, and encourages others to do the same.

“I think it’s imperative that the conversation be spread,” he said.

“I personally had a friend commit suicide, coincidentally while this was in production just a few weeks ago, which caught all of us by surprise. She was just such a bright, bubbly character and for her to go through these things and the fact that no one even saw it coming is just terrible.”

Tanila hopes that by spreading the message that it’s OK to talk about personal struggles openly, that he can “help people to under-

stand that they’re not the only ones who may be going through a rough patch in their life and there’s always going to be other people out there that can potentially help”.

“I think it’s very important that the message is sung and spread across anyone and everyone and that people can open up about their feelings and it’s not weak to do so,” he said.

The EP is out now on all streaming services and has recently been uploaded to ABC’s Triple J Unearthed radio page, where Tanila hopes to gain some airplay in the future and spread the message further.

To listen to his music, search ‘Tanila’ or visit https://ditto.fm/raw-intense-pain

Music lives on through ‘extraordinary’ year

By Gabriella Payne Musicians have arguably been some of the worst hit by this year’s pandemic outbreak, with gigs, concerts and tours coming to a halt during Melbourne’s strict lockdown period but despite this, they’ve found a way to play on.

Dandenong based RnB artist Trilagy has just released his latest single titled ‘Extraordinary’, a song that seems only fitting for this unprecedented year.

Infused with elements of hip-hop and neo-soul, ‘Extraordinary’ is a catchy, feel good track and according to Trilagy, “one of those songs that sort of wrote itself”.

Having performed the song at Dandenong’s Drum Theatre pre-lockdown, Trilagy said he is excited to be properly launching it now that things are looking up for Melbourne.

“I had the single ready to go just before Covid hit, so I ended up just really promoting it digitally and doing radio and more marketing during lockdown,” Trilagy said.

At the beginning of the year, the singer was looking forward to touring both here in Australia and internationally, but with the spread of coronavirus, that all came to a sudden stop.

“I guess like a lot of other artists, when Covid hit, everybody’s shows got shut down and cancelled,” Trilagy said.

“So hopefully if everything goes well and the numbers continue to be at zero, then we can get into organising shows for next year.”

Trilagy said his plans to travel interstate and to the U.S. are currently on hold, as are gigs here in Melbourne, while musicians wait for “the green light” to begin performing in 18 STAR JOURNAL

|

The song has an appropriate title for 2020. venues again.

The singer said he was keen to get back to performing and doing what he loved, but at the same time it was important “to be safe” and “to wait for the restrictions to be lifted”.

As well as featuring his new track on Melbourne’s 3RRR FM and Canberra’s 2XX FM, Trilagy said he has used this time to collaborate with other artists and write some new material, with new work planned to “drop before the end of the year”.

If restrictions continue to ease around Australia, Trilagy hopes to reignite his national tour in 2021, but for now you can listen to ‘Extraordinary’ on streaming platforms such as Spotify.

To stay up to date with his music, go to www.iamtrilagy.com

Tuesday, 8 December, 2020

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STAR JOURNAL 19

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STAR JOURNAL 21

SPORT

Going out on top

By Lance Jenkinson Hard Style Rico is retiring to stud after climbing greyhound racing’s Mount Everest.

Pearcedale-based trainer Luckie Karabitsakos confirmed that his superstar local dog will go out on a high after racing into immortality with his 2020 TAB Melbourne Cup glory at Sandown Park.

“It was probably the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Karabitsakos told the Journal.

“The biggest race and the biggest achievement is the Melbourne Cup, and once you conquer the Melbourne Cup, it’s like climbing Everest, you’ve done it, there’s nothing left to prove.

“Now it’s off to relaxing and let everyone else enjoy some Hard Style Rico puppies.”

Hard Style Rico produced one of the great Melbourne Cup runs.

The brindle dog, known as ’Bruiser’ in the kennel, broke the track record over 515 metres, winning by five-and-a-half lengths in a time of 28.91 seconds.

It was Hard Style Rico’s start - his first sectional of 4.99 was the best of his career - that set up a dominant display.

“He just showed his power,” Karabitsakos said.

“He put the foot down.

“It was a bit like going to Calder Park and looking at the drag racing over 400 metres.

“The race is won off the line, reaction time, bang, gone.”

Starting in Box 5, Hard Style Rico was able to slice through the middle of the field like a hot knife through butter.

That box can often encounter argy bargy from all angles, but Hard Style Rico was so confident and assured that he left all others in his wake and led most of the way.

“They call that the squeeze box,” Karabitsakos said.

“I think he used the box to his advantage, came out and did everything right from start to finish.

“As soon as those lids came up mate, he was off and gone.

“You have to do that from Box 5, otherwise you’re going to find it very hard.“ Hard Style Rico not only won the starstudded race, he won it running away.

All that trailed him when he crossed the finish line was daylight.

By Lance Jenkinson

Pearcedale trainer Luckie Karabitsakos celebrates with Melbourne Cup winner Hard Style Rico.

Pictures: COURTESY OF SANDOWN GREYHOUNDS It was a jaw-dropping performance that will be spoken about for a long time.

“The line-up in this Melbourne Cup, a lot of people were saying it’s the best they’ve ever seen,“ Karabitsakos said.

“There’s probably six dogs in that line up that are potential stud dogs and he’s made a mess of all of them.“ Karabitsakos and his connections knew from a long way out that Hard Style Rico was a special greyhound. There was only ever going to be one destination for Bruiser - the event they call the world’s greatest greyhound race.

“I bred the dog, I whelped him, I pre-trained him, broke him in, I’ve done it all with him,” Karabitsakos said.

“During his pre-training stages at 16 months old, I looked at my mates and said to them ’Jesus Christ boys, we’ve got ourselves a Melbourne Cup dog here’.

“From that day on, I said the main race I want to go for is the Melbourne Cup. “It’s just a dream when you start saying all that because you’ve got the dog, but you’ve still got to win the race.

“He’s done it now, he won his heat in fine style off the pink, which is hard to do and he’s come off the yellow and just made a mess of a quality field.“ No matter how much work he put into Hard Style Rico’s preparation and how much belief he had in his star dog, Karabitsakos was in shock

Hard Style Rico crosses the line in emphatic style. when his dream of winning a Melbourne Cup became a reality.

He was overcome with emotion as he embraced his brother Anthony, a Group 1 winning trainer, after scooping the $435,000 first place prize.

“I’m only coming back down to earth now,“ Karabitsakos said.

“He’s just made me proud, he’s made the whole family proud, he’s a superstar.

“Winning a Melbourne Cup changes your life.“ One of Karabitsakos’s best mates, Mario Briganti, was also a Group 1 winner on Melbourne Cup night. Briganti’s dog Manila Knight took out the Bold Trease in a thriller over 750 metres.

“To have best mates win two Group 1s on the same night is something else,“ Karabitsakos said.

Phoenix is set to soar into bright lights

By Lance Jenkinson South East Melbourne Phoenix can finally step out of the realm of the unknown.

While the Phoenix’s destination is to be determined, they at least now have a starting point after the opening five rounds of the NBL21 schedule were revealed recently.

It will be an exciting start to the campaign for the Phoenix, tipping off in a blockbuster ‘away’ game in the much-anticipated local derby against Melbourne United on 10 January.

Can the Phoenix score their first win of the season over United like they did in their inaugural season last year?

South East Melbourne’s first home fixture of the season will be against a revamped Illawarra Hawks four days later.

The Hawks are now coached by Brian Goorjian, who needs no introduction around these quarters.

The six-time NBL title-winning coach led the South East Melbourne Magic and South Dragons to championships.

“To be opening our season with a crosstown Throwdown, followed by hosting the Hawks and former NBA player Deng Adel, is a perfect start to the season,” Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer said.

“We can’t wait to get the games under way.”

While the delay to the start of the season due to Covid-19 has been difficult to swallow, the patience of the players and fans will be rewarded with a glut of basketball early in 2021.

22 STAR JOURNAL

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Putting their best Fut forward

South East Melbourne Phoenix players Kyle Adnam, Mitch Creek and Cam Gliddon model the club’s new road white uniforms.

Picture: SUPPLIED There will be 39 games played in the first 37 days of the season with the Phoenix and United doing the honours of opening the season in a Sunday night game on 10 January.

In that span, the Phoenix will play nine games - three at home and six away.

Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell is delighted to have some clarity over the starting point of the season.

“I think all of the players and staff welcome confirmation of a starting date,” he said.

“It’s great to know what we’re preparing for now and how we will schedule our year.

“I love that we are kicking things off with a grudge game against United.

Tuesday, 8 December, 2020

“Obviously we have great memories from last season’s kick-off.”

South East Melbourne star Mitch Creek and his teammates are ready for a return to competitive action.

Like all NBL teams, the Phoenix have endured a long preseason as they waited for Covid-19 numbers to dwindle.

“We’ll be raring to go,” Creek said.

“It’s going to be a very exciting time for basketball across Australia and especially in Victoria.”

NBL21 - Rounds 1-5 South East Melbourne Phoenix fixtures Round 1 Sunday, 10 January: Melbourne United (away) Thursday, 14 January: Illawarra Hawks (home) Saturday, 16 January: Illawarra Hawks (away) Round 2 Thursday, 21 January: Brisbane Bullets (away) Sunday, 24 January: Brisbane Bullet (home) Round 3 Sunday, 31 January: Cairns Taipans (away) Round 4 Wednesday, 3 February: Illawarra Hawks (home) Saturday, 6 February: Adelaide 36ers (away) Round 5 Saturday, 13 February: Sydney Kings (away)

· · · · · · · · ·

The impact of Covid-19 has been devastating for the sport of futsal.

A form of indoor soccer, futsal has experienced a growth boom in recent years, but that came to a screeching halt in 2020 due to the pandemic.

One club it has impacted has been the Dandenong Sharks, a club that caters for both indoor and outdoor soccer participants.

The Sharks would normally be midway through their futsal season, but they had to pull the pin on their competitions to ensure the health and safety of their players and continuity for their program.

“The season usually runs from term four to term one of the school year, so it should be well in progress right now,” Sharks spokesman Blair Brydon said.

“We couldn’t guarantee the indoor because anything indoor with Covid was always under scrutiny because of the restrictions.

“We made a decision to leave it this year and we’ll review it after Christmas.”

On top of the weekly games lost to Covid-19, Dandenong players missed out on the tremendous experience of tournament futsal.

The Sharks were only weeks away from a trip to Singapore in March when the pandemic first hit and they decided to withdraw.

They also had the Kanga Cup to look forward to in Canberra, but that competition also fell victim.

“We had some quite good competitions entered and even paid for, so it was disappointing,” Brydon said.

“What do you do?

“Everyone is in the same boat.”

Futsal will eventually bounce back.

It has become such a popular strand to the world game that it will undoubtedly thrive in the future.

The short term, however, is a little cloudy, and the financial impact on indoor sports centres will be felt for some time.

Having struck the right balance between indoor and outdoor soccer, Dandenong has no intentions of turning its back on the indoor game.

“It’s definitely a key part of our program now,” Brydon said.

“All of our kids who are playing it have been progressing fantastically.

“They all love it, so hopefully we can get back to it next year once all the councils ease their restrictions.”

The silver lining for Dandenong has been the ability to play five-a-side soccer outdoors again.

After such a long lockdown period, the Sharks’ youngsters have lapped up the chance to catch up with their friends and play their favourite sport.

“There was a smile from ear to ear when they got out there and started kicking balls again,” Brydon said.

“They’re loving it.

“It’s still five-a-side, about the same sized courts and the kids are probably getting the same amount of activity, so that’s why we took the outdoor option for now.” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Jordan Hammond on the attack for Hallam Kalora Park. 223305

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Lions bank vital points

By Nick Creely On a day in which only one match was completed in-full due to the wild weather that swept across Melbourne late on Saturday, Narre South’s victory against Heinz Southern Districts, in context, may well prove vital as the year goes on.

It was a win that the Lions simply had to walk away with.

After an incredibly difficult opening two rounds for the highly-touted Lions, it could be the igniter for a side that both excited, and surprised the Turf 1 grade last season.

But with storms looming, there was a sense of urgency from the Lions from the outset at Strathaird Recreation Reserve.

After winning the toss and sending the Cobras in to face the music, seamer Tim Phillips (3/6) was on song early, in fact he was virtually unplayable, and in the process snared a memorable hat-trick for the Lions.

After trapping dangerous opener Udara Hettige, Phillips then also brought about the undoing Nishita Weerakoon the next ball, before ripping through the gate of skipper Brent Patterson to cap off a remarkable, and game changing three balls.

With the seamers in control, the Cobras crumbled for just 92, with Scott Phillips (2/1), Kaushalya Weeraratne (2/17) and Morteza Ali (2/10) also doing plenty of damage in a dominant bowling effort.

But it was with the blade that the Lions did the most damage.

Sensing the urgency, seasoned pros Kaushalya Weeraratne (56 not out off 26 balls) and Scott Phillips (32 not out) muscled their way home in just 10.1 overs and with the loss of only one wicket to bank a crucial six points.

Weeraratne, one of the prized recruits for the Lions this season, is building into some ominous form in a format he has excelled in for many years, and now has 122 runs at 61 as well as three wickets at 21 across his first three matches for the club.

A depleted Buckley Ridges, meanwhile, dodged a bullet at Park Oval against Hallam Kalora Park in a draw.

With champ Daniel Watson, as well as stars Ian Cockbain and Benny Howell unavailable, the in-form Hawks sensed the opportunity to inflict a loss on a premiership contender after winning the toss and batting. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Hussain Ali steamed in for Buckley Ridges.

Leigh Booth scored 42 at the top of the order for Hallam Kalora Park before the weather set in.

223305

223305

Leigh Booth (42) and Jordan Hammond (34) got among the runs in the early stages, before Matt Cox (77) struck his second consecutive half-century and Ben Hillard (53 not out) flayed the ball to the boundary to give the Hawks an imposing 6/253 off its 45 overs.

Despite copping some tap, coach Chanaka Welegedara (3/69) battled hard with the ball, while Michael Davies (2/83) took some important wickets.

With plenty of momentum on their side, and a Buckley batting line-up that looked completely different, skipper Jordan Hammond (3/22) tore through the top-order, leaving the home side 5/50 and in desperate need of some unsavoury weather.

Fortunately for the Bucks, the storm descended onto Park Oval with the Hawks still requiring the five wickets for an early-season scalp, and the points were shared.

It was also a draw down at Alex Nelson Reserve in what was looming as a fascinating blockbuster between Springvale South and Berwick.

With both sides in ripping form, the Bloods won the toss and elected to bat, and it was skipper Nathan King that took to the Bears’ seamers, crunching a typically entertaining 67

from 61 balls.

King’s knock featured eight fours and three sixes.

But after a cracking start, which saw King combine with Ryan Quirk (18) for a 79-run opening stand, it was again the brilliant work from spinner Ruwantha Kellepotha (4/31) that changed the course of the contest.

Snaring four wickets, including that of King, Ryan and Dylan Quirk, as well as Sam Wetering at the end of the innings, the leggie alongside Cory Bevan (3/21) and the ever-reliable Jarrod Goodes (2/45) restricted the home side to just 174 from 43 overs.

After Nathan Pilon (23 off 14) came out with ominous intent, launching three early sixes, the Bloods - through the work of quick Matt Wetering (3/22) - managed to make a dent into the Bears’ top-order, with Pilon, and dangerous duo Jordan Cleland and Brodie Emmett back in the sheds.

But just as the game looked to be heading to an interesting finish, with the Bears 3/79 off 18.4 overs and skipper Matt Chasemore building nicely on 19, weather intervened once more.

And in the final game of the round, St Mary’s

and North Dandenong also split points with the game also looking to go to a tense finish.

After batting first, the Saints were in fine touch with the blade, and off the back of captain-coach Archy Rajapakse (72), the home side crunched 5/205 off its 45 overs.

Wendyl Pires (54) was also in the runs for the Saints, while Junaid Kari struck 35, while with the ball Nimesh Kariyawasam (2/47) once again impressed to be the only multiple wicket taker.

The Maroons were in the dire trouble early in the run chase, quickly falling to 4/28 with Keppler Fernandez (2/15) doing some early damage, but the visitors clawed its way back.

Off the back of skipper Clay McCartney (58 not out) and top-order bat Nanayakkarawasam Kalumshehara (40 not out), the Maroons got to 4/126 and with 19 overs remaining and 80 to win, rain had the final say in what was destined to be a fascinating conclusion in a clash both sides would have fancied themselves in.

Berwick, Hallam Kalora Park, Springvale South and Buckley Ridges still occupy the top-four positions on the Turf 1 table with two rounds to play before Christmas.

Tuesday, 8 December, 2020

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STAR JOURNAL 23

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24 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 8 December, 2020

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