Dandenong Star Journal - 2nd February 2021

DANDENONG ENDEAVOUR HILLS HALLAM DOVETON

Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

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Living treasures named

Oasis marks 30 years

The Dry actor in profile

City’s historic clash

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Selba Luka, centre, receives her award from Mayor Angela Long and Deputy Mayor Sophie Tan.

Pictures: HAS MEDIA

Selba (front) and volunteer Veronica in the Afri Aus-Care veggie garden.

The organisation provides cooking classes for vulnerable members of the community. 213664

City’s top citizen A tireless champion for African and CALD communities has been named Greater Dandenong’s Citizen of the Year.

Selba Luka, founder of Afri-Aus Care, received the award at an invite-only event at Springvale City Hall on Tuesday 26 January.

She admitted the award was a total shock, but a welcome one, and dedicated it to the community, staff, volunteers, supporters and

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sponsors of Afri-Aus Care.

Born in Malawi, Ms Luka often says her heart is in South Sudan as she works closely with the south-eastern South Sudanese community.

Afri-Aus Care was born of her experiences when she arrived in Australia, where she experienced difficulties and hardship in her first years in the country.

The not-for-profit provides mental health

African women who are new to Australia and need assistance to find employment and learn English. Many of these women are survivors of domestic abuse, and Afri-Aus Care provides mental health support too as they build a new life.

Speaking at the Australia Day ceremony, Ms Luka said she was honoured to have received such a prestigious award.

“May we continue to be united. Dandenong is a great city to be,“ she said.

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support, outreach and skills development for members of the African and CALD communities.

It works closely with youth offenders, providing them with a pathway out of these behaviours and into a more positive contribution to society. During the pandemic for example, ex-offenders helped create food hampers and deliver these to the most vulnerable in society.

Afri-Aus Care also works with “the mamas“,

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By Danielle Kutchel

NEWS

Daniel Andrews and Alf Goldburg OAM get on the beers.

Pictures: CJNEWSAU

Local councillors enjoy Australia Day at the Noble Park RSL.

Mr Meehan said Daniel Andrews knows many of the VIPs by name.

Veterans enjoyed the day.

Queues for a photo with Daniel Andrews.

Premier drops into RSL

By Danielle Kutchel There was a famous face amongst Noble Park RSL’s Australia Day celebrations last week.

Premier Daniel Andrews dropped by to mark the occasion with attendees on Tuesday 26 January, even indulging in a post-pandemic brew - he was photographed “getting on the beers“ with locals celebrating the day, including Alf Goldburg OAM. Noble Park RSL president John Meehan said the premier, whose electorate of Mulgrave takes in Noble Park, had long been a supporter of the branch.

He said Mr Andrews knows the names of the RSL’s VIPs and visitors and has attended functions in the past.

“Daniel recognises a lot of people from the area and he could remember a lot of the

people in the crowd that came to the event on Tuesday.

“He’s very interested in a lot of the military side of what we do in the RSL, and he’s been very supportive over the last several years,” Mr Meehan explained.

On Australia Day, the premier gave a speech about the values of the day, ahead of the main event: a flag raising.

This was followed by the signing of the anthem, food and dancing.

Mayor Angela Long, an honorary member of the RSL, was also in attendance and gave a speech after Mr Andrews.

Mr Meehan said visitors made sure it was a good day.

“We’re all old soldiers, and we know how to have a good time!” he said.

“We’ve had a very tough 12 months with lockdowns, but the ex-service population, they’re back and they’re fully supporting us again at the RSL.” He added that staff, led by manager Mark Wilkinson, had done an excellent job in catering for all the visitors on the day.

Mr Meehan also reiterated the call for exservicemen and women to join the RSL, including contemporary veterans.

Besides lunches, dinners and dances, the RSL can provide important welfare support too.

“We have a fantastic welfare and pension organisation that will look after them. Any that need help with the Department of Veterans Affairs, please come down and we’ll assist them in all their problems,” Mr Meehan said.

Mayor Angela Long, second from right, gave a speech.

Covid-safe elbow shakes were the order of the day.

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NEWS

IN BRIEF Armed robbery in Noble Park

Kids on a mission

Greater Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit arrested a 42-year-old man from Mildura following an armed robbery in Noble Park on Thursday 28 January.

It is alleged the man attended a supermarket and jumped the service counter, taking a number of packets of tobacco and a mobile phone.

Staff tried to stop the offender but he produced a knife before fleeing from the store, leaving all the items behind.

Detectives were able to identify the man from CCTV and fingerprints left at the scene.

He was located a short time later and arrested.

He has been remanded to appear at the Magistrates Court at a future date.

By Danielle Kutchel When Mission Australia needed new logos for its Communities for Children program, the organisation knew exactly where to turn: to the children who are so pivotal to its work.

In partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong Children’s Advisory Group, Mission Australia conducted an artwork contest for more than 30 children to come up with new logos that represented the four key priority areas of Communities for Children (CfC).

The activity also aimed to nurture and support the confidence of local children, and assist children to learn key skills to communicate with others.

Mission Australia’s Communities for Children is an early intervention and prevention program aimed at improving the development, health and wellbeing of children aged 12 and under by addressing local needs and encouraging community participation.

The winning entries were decided by the Children’s Advisory Group, a platform for local children to express their ideas and share their experiences.

Since 2017, the group has worked with Mission Australia’s CfC on several projects, such as planning for a children’s forum and providing feedback on the city’s council plans. The group has also contributed to the Community Strategic Plan review and has impacted the program’s direction moving forward.

It followed a similar successful competition in 2017 in which children designed the CfC logo.

And now, Mission Australia’s CfC coordinator Lisa Banfield said, the four individuallydesigned logos will sit alongside those four priority areas, proudly displayed for all to see.

The creation of the logos was a collaborative process, with Ms Banfield presenting at an advisory group meeting on the work Mission Australia does with children’s voice.

Dandenong South Primary School, where the winning entries came from, had a discussion with its children about the goals of CfC. And while students were guided by criteria around the size and what tools to draw with, the idea of what they thought that key priority looked like was up to them.

The competition was open to all schools in Greater Dandenong, but it so happened that all four winning entries came from Dandenong South Primary School.

Ms Banfield said she visited the school last year to give the children their prizes, and all entrants received a certificate of participation too.

She added that Mission Australia and the Children’s Advisory Group were blown away by the creativity and quality of the entries.

“We were amazed, the entries were so wonderful,” Ms Banfield said.

“You can see the amount of effort and thought that has gone into them.”

Rona and Simrat, the two youngest winners of the competition, dedicated many sessions of their time - including lunchtimes - to getting their designs just right.

Motorcylist nabbed

Simrat, Yogita Rai and Rona get to work on some new drawings.

The four winning artworks from Dandenong South Primary School.

Leonie Fitzgerald, Rona, Simrat and Yogita Rai display the winning entries.

Rona, now in grade two, won for her depiction of the ‘My Happy World’ goal.

“I was interested in drawing so that’s why I decided to ask my teacher, ‘can I be in the art competition’, and she let me,” Rona explained.

Part of her drawing depicted her family, including her little brother.

Rona enjoyed being able to colour and draw with her teacher, Yogita Rai, who she said was “the best teacher in the whole school”.

Meanwhile, Simrat’s drawing focused on the goal to create a world for children to enjoy and do well at school.

“I drew me painting and me and my friend outside, and my teacher doing writing with my class,” the grade three student explained.

She said the most fun part of the competition was being able to draw with her friends.

Neither student expected to win, but both were very happy with the news.

Ms Rai, their teacher, said she was impressed by the ideas that all four of her winning students came up with.

“I didn’t have to give them suggestions, they got it right,” she said.

She had full confidence in her students’ work too, and said she would have chosen them as winners.

The other two winners were in grade six and

have since graduated from the school.

Ms Rai said she was glad her students had the opportunity to compete.

“What I like about having art competitions is it makes them feel like their talent also counts.

“I know that in schools the focus is on academics, reading, writing and maths. But other kids have other talents, and when through this competition they shine and bring glory to their parents, themselves and the school, they think, ‘my talent has worth and I can use it in future as a professional and study more about it’,” she explained.

Leonie Fitzgerald, principal at the school, said she was proud of her students for using their talents and showing their creativity, and thanked Ms Rai and Mission Australia for the opportunity.

Tilla Buden, acting director of community services at the City of Greater Dandenong, said the initiative was “a great example of our commitment to ensuring local children have opportunities to share their vision for our local community”.

“We are pleased to work with Mission Australia on this project, and would like to congratulate all of the local primary schools and students on their involvement,” she said.

A motorcyclist has been arrested after allegedly evading police at high speeds across Melbourne’s south-eastern and western suburbs.

Officers were initially called to Commercial Drive in Dandenong South to reports a large crowd had gathered for an illegal hoon event at about 10pm on Wednesday 27 January.

A man riding a black and green Kawasaki motorbike with no plates approached a responding police vehicle in the Rowville area and allegedly kicked it several times before performing a ‘mono’ and taking off.

The police Air Wing quickly responded and followed the motorcyclist who returned to the hoon event in Dandenong South.

Officers on the ground attempted to intercept the motorbike on two occasions but it failed to stop and took off at high speeds.

The police helicopter followed the rider who entered the Monash Freeway and reached alleged speeds of 180km/h while travelling through roadwork areas across Melbourne.

The rider exited the Western Freeway and got off his motorbike on Smith Street in Melton and was arrested by members from the Dog Squad and the Critical Incident Response Team.

An 18-year-old Melton man has been charged with 26 offences including conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, dangerous driving whilst being pursued by police, commit indicatable offence whilst on bail, criminal damage to a police vehicle, speed/manner dangerous and other traffic offences.

He was set to face Sunshine Magistrates Court on Thursday 28 January.

Police catch “reckless“ drivers Highway Patrol members working Operation Sumatra were left shaking their heads after nabbing a string of reckless drivers over the unofficial Australia Day long weekend.

Officers intercepted a 29-year-old suspended driver near Springvale Junction. He tested positive to methylamphetamine and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.

The same night, the unlicensed driver of a Honda Accord also tested positive to methylamphetamine in Springvale. His vehicle was impounded for 30 days.

In the early hours of Tuesday 26 January, a 20-year-old learner driver was stopped for driving without headlights on. Neither he, nor the P plate passenger “teaching him”, had any idea the vehicle’s lights were off.

Operation Sumatra targets intentional high-risk driving in the Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia areas.

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Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 3

LOOKING BACK

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

100 years ago

50 years ago

3 February 1921 Dandenong Shire Inspector’s Report On Wednesday January 26 at a meeting of the Dandenong shire council, Mr Geo Clark Inspector reported having received complaints regarding J Potts neglect to remove sanitary pans.

“I think the time has come, when some penalty should be inflicted, or some other ways adopted to guarantee the proper performance of the contract.”

The contractor will be notified that if there was any further breach of the contract the full penalties would be enforced. The Inspected further reported that he had warned persons in Lonsdale and Foster Streets selling ice cream and cordials against breaches of the Health regulation re the washing of glasses.

2 February 1971 Battle on Libraries One of the most vital decisions made by city councillors during the past decade has thrown the limelight away from road construction and sporting developments toward cultural pursuits. Although economically it will be a burden for 40 years, priority of financial commitment has been given to the establishment of a municipal library. Before the 7/5 voting on January 25 irrevocably pledged Dandenong to join a regional library system provisional in about two years’ time, the city’s only female ward representative had this to say. Cr Lois Twohig said. “This is what the people want.

Ratepayers are prepared to meet the costs and while the rate will rise residents will say ‘we won’t mind’ With a library will come not only the finest books, but the chance to bor-

row recordings, obtain language instruction and enjoy a host of other benefits.”

20 years ago 5 February 2001 Drug Vigilantes Greater Dandenong council last week launched its biggest and boldest offensive on the city’s drug problem. The council will receive $2.7million from the state government during the next three years to implement its municipal drug strategy, which includes the establishment of a mobile overdose response unit. Mayor Councillor Angela Long said the strategy was developed in response to community concerns and feedback. “It’s taken Greater Dandenong a long time and a lot of hard work to get these much needed funds so we can really start to work on the drug problem” she said. “Our residents said ’no’ to an injecting facility last year, believing

it would have a negative impact on the area.

I’m sure they will be happy to see we now have the money to work on education, preventive strategies, and saving lives.”

5 years ago 1 February 2016 Parking meters set for a tweak Greater Dandenong council is considering “tweaks” to it controversial Springvale parking meters, less than three months since their installation. The parking meters have been the target of vandals and have been fiercely criticised by trader groups. Springvale Asian Business Association has blamed the parking meters for drivers deserting Warwick Avenue carpark. At a council meeting on 25 January Councillor Youhorn Chea called for a change of strategy, such as reducing the $1.20 an hour charge in the “mostly empty” carpark.

NEWS

Never give up hope

By Sister Jacqueline Russell, Brahma Kumaris “Being hopeful is being spiritually powerful OR being spiritually powerful is being hopeful”.

One may think of this as how HOPE is perceived i.e.: if you have spiritual power you can be and remain hopeful of a positive outcome; if you are hopeful (optimist) all good things will happen because you have the inner strength to keep going despite the situation.

How then to generate, retain, sustain and use the spiritual power of hope.

It is important to see a golden lining in all situations. For some people this is easy as they are hopeful by personality / nature. They have the inner strength to see good in all situations and keep progressing: “Too easy”.

For example: Make it personal; own it and move forward.

Imagine the outcome and the joy of the success Feel compassionate towards self and others; don’t judge.

Practice acts of compassion and kindness.

Keep going. A good method is to involve another person with you in your hope journey.

Someone who will cheer you on. Someone who will have that faith in you.

Have a beneficiary; someone who will benefit from your hope. This will motivate you.

Hope needs feeding. Be the radiating “Light house”; lead the journey of hope. Share your story; share your success; inspire others who are struggling. The more you give, you gener-

· MESSAGE OF · · · ·

HOPE

When you have not experienced many success stories, have not realised your inner power and potential and are dragging your feet through almost every situation: “Too hard”.

Generating Hope is consciously seeking a reason to remain hopeful.

· ·

ate, receive and sustain.

· Hope is the greatest resource for the spirit.

In spirituality you relate to God, a source that is full of love, energy and soul power. Be mindful of your thinking. Never lose hope in life. Consider nothing is impossible in life.

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NEWS

Rex Flannery, pictured in late 2015, wants his name stripped from council. 148005

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Mr Flannery wants his name removed from plaques within Bunjil Place.

Rex: ‘Remove my name’

By Mitchell Clarke Almost one year since alleged corruption was exposed within the City of Casey, a former councillor is still fighting to clear his name.

Former Springfield Ward councillor Rex Flannery, who resigned as deputy mayor just days before the State Government sensationally sacked the entire council in February 2020, says the events of the past 12 months are still “eating” him up.

He has now officially requested that his name is removed from both a councillor honour board in the customer service centre and a wall plaque in Bunjil Place.

“I have never had any involvement into this alleged corruption scandal and therefore I do not wish to have my name associated with past or former councillors who may have brought our City of Casey into disrepute,” he told the Star Journal.

“People look at your name and they see that you’re from Casey Council and immediately they put you in that same mould, which couldn’t be further than the truth.

“It’s just horrible to have been a councillor in that term. It gives you a sickening feeling in your gut and now I have to live with that.“ Mr Flannery argues his name should never have been placed on the plaque celebrating the $126 million Bunjil development because at the time he didn’t support the project.

“I guess I’ve eaten a little bit of humble pie with Bunjil Place. I’ve been able to see the value that place brings to the community but at the time I was against the development and I wasn’t once consulted (about having my name included),” he said.

He also claims former ex-ward partner, Sam Aziz, stated to him that he “wished he never had my name added to the plaque”.

“That was the only time I agreed with him,” Mr Flannery said.

While Mr Flannery hasn’t accused any former councillor of committing wrongdoing, he said anyone found guilty from the IBAC hearing should immediately have their honours stripped.

“They need to have their plaques removed from anywhere within the City of Casey ... whether it’s a plaque in the botanical gardens or in Bunjil Place, I want them removed so they have absolutely no recognition anymore,” he said.

“They’ve disgraced themselves and they’ve disgraced the council. They’ve taken something away from me that I totally enjoyed. I loved serving the Casey community. I just want some clarity as to what way it’s going to go.”

Since his resignation, Mr Flannery has been working in an operating theatre at a local hos-

pital. He said he has every intention to run for council again in 2024.

“I want to get back into serving the community again. I want to run again and I want to get my name back on the honour board for the right reasons. At the moment it’s a dishonour board,” he said.

Star News understands Mr Flannery has put forward his request to be heard by the administrators at the next council meeting, slated for Tuesday 2 February.

“It’s up to them now but a year later, this is still eating at me. I need closure and this is one way that I can get it,“ he said.

“I played no part in any downturn or sacking of the council and I feel it’s my duty to say that I don’t want to be a part of or in any way associated with the 2016-20 term.”

The City of Casey has been contacted for comment.

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Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

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NEWS

IN BRIEF

Bridging the gap

By Danielle Kutchel When Covid-19 hit in March 2020, disability support organisation The Bridge was forced to suspend its face-to-face operations and find a new way of working.

But when your model revolves around faceto-face support, that pivot is not an easy task.

Fortunately, The Bridge’s community coordinator for Dandenong and Noble Park, Karina James, stepped up to the challenge as staff sought new ways to support their potentially vulnerable client group and their families.

Ms James and her Dandenong and Noble Park teams adapted their services to a combination of online support and reduced numbers in group activities.

Her leadership and ‘we can do it’ approach led her staff team - Phil, Krystina, Fahria, Adrienne, Maryse and others - and her client base to switch to new ways of doing things almost overnight.

These actions acted as a lifeline for The Bridge and its clients - connecting people, reducing isolation and building new skills and confidence in program participants.

And for her remarkable efforts, Ms James was presented with the Sustainability Award in the City of Greater Dandenong’s 2021 Australia Day Awards.

The Bridge acting CEO Mary-Jane Stolp had supported the nomination and congratulated Karina on her well-deserved award.

“All The Bridge staff across our eight locations have adapted our programs to best sustain hundreds of our clients with disabilities,” she said.

“Communication and connection have been terribly important through Covid. Karina has done a terrific job and The Bridge is thrilled with her Australia Day Award from the City of Greater Dandenong.”

On the day, Ms James humbly thanked her

Police thwart freeway ’race’ Two drivers are expected to be charged over an alleged race at speeds more than 200 km/h on Monash Freeway, police say.

A pair of speeding cars allegedly overtook an unmarked police vehicle about 7.10pm on Friday 29 January.

The white Mercedes coupe and grey Mitsubishi Lancer weaved in and out of traffic, reaching speeds of 201 km/h in an 80 km/h zone, police say.

The Mercedes driver - a 30-year-old Keysborough man - was intercepted by police and blew a blood-alcohol reading of 0.065. The man’s licence was immediately suspended.

His car was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $932.40.

The Lancer driver failed to stop for police and continued to drive away at speed.

The driver was later identified by police as a 25-year-old Carrum Downs man. He was interviewed by police on Saturday 30 January and served a notice to surrender his vehicle.

Both drivers are expected to be charged on summons with speeding, and driving at a speed and manner dangerous.

The Mercedes driver also faces a drink-driving charge.

Body found in creek

Karina accepts her award from Mayor Angela Long and Deputy Mayor Sophie Tan. Picture: HAS MEDIA team of 30 helpers, all her program participants, their families, and Dandenong council for her Sustainability Award.

The success of The Bridge in sustaining participants with disabilities through the challenges of Covid lockdowns, PPE, distancing and other measures through 2020 and beyond has been a big team effort, and very rewarding for the team involved.

Karina and Councillor Rhonda Garad.

Picture: SUPPLIED

A man’s body has been found in Dandenong Creek, Bangholme.

Police were called to the scene at Dandenong Creek Trail about 7.40pm on Saturday 30 January.

The man is yet to be formally identified and the cause of his death is yet to be determined, a Victoria Police spokesperson said. The death is not been treated suspicious at this stage.

JP changes From Monday 1 February, Springvale Justice of the Peace will be moving to the Springvale Library. Justice of the Peace (JP) services will be available from 10am-1pm and 4pm-7pm Monday to Friday at the new location at 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. There will no longer be a JP at the Dandenong Police Station.

For more information phone 1800 630 820 or visit www.justice.vic.gov.au.

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NEWS

Teresa earns a top gong

By Danielle Kutchel One of Springvale’s most prominent advocates for the less fortunate, Teresa Rechichi, has been named a Living Treasure of Greater Dandenong in the city’s 2021 Australia Day Awards.

The recognition follows the awarding of an OAM to her husband, Joe, in the national 2021 Australia Day Honours.

Together, the couple have devoted hundreds of hours of time and energy to the community of Springvale.

At the award ceremony on Australia Day, Mrs Rechichi was described as “a tireless advocate for the underprivileged [with] the tenacity to get other people involved.”

Born in Italy as one of ten children, Mrs Rechichi has lived in Springvale for 58 years.

She migrated to Australia with her family when she was just two years old.

As an adult, she quickly threw herself into community work and has been involved with the Springvale Benevolent Society for 34 years.

She’s also been part of the Springvale Italian Senior Citizens Club for 32, and was secretary there for 24 years.

As a member, she helps organise activities like lunches and weekend trips.

Mrs Rechichi said the club aims to “get the elderly out of their homes, to socialise, provide companionship and cultural traditions and update them on local issues”.

“It’s important that the elderly are not left behind,” she added.

In 1988, Mrs Rechichi became a councillor for what was then known as the City of Springvale. During her time as councillor she served as a board member of the then-Dandenong Water Board as well as other organisations.

Mrs Rechichi said receiving the Living Treasure Award was “a great privilege and honour”.

“I have only lived in Springvale and over the

Teresa Rechichi receives her Living Treasure Award from Mayor Angela Long and Deputy Mayor Sophie Tan. years Springvale have seen many changes, all for the better. I take an interest in all that goes on in the City of Greater Dandenong, and where possible try to have some input,” she explained.

“My husband and I work tirelessly for the Springvale Benevolent Society, as we see first-

hand the need that families require especially to ensure that children do not go hungry.

“The Springvale Benevolent Society is 100 percent voluntary and the society has a group of excellent volunteers devoted to helping the less fortunate in the community.”

Picture: HAS MEDIA

Describing herself as a quiet achiever, Mrs Rechichi said she plans to continue to contribute to Springvale to ensure that “all gets done”.

She and Joe have two children, Grace and Domenic, and four grandchildren, Christian, Nicholas, Marissa and Lucas.

Former councillor Roz Blades named a Living Treasure Having migrated to Noble Park at the age of just 20, Roz Blades AM’s story is a familiar one: a migrant who came to Australia for a better life and devoted her time to making sure the community was the best it could be.

She dedicated her life to serving others, becoming a councillor at the City of Springvale in 1987 and eventually becoming mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong.

Ms Blades has long been one of Greater Dandenong’s best champions, promoting its diversity, multiculturalism and strength.

And on Tuesday 26 January, the city Ms Blades loves so much awarded her one of its highest honours: Living Treasure.

The local legend accepted the honour, presented at an invite-only Australia Day event at Springvale City Hall, with characteristic humility.

“I feel very humbled and very proud to be

recognised by the council,” Ms Blades said.

“For a lot of years I have been acknowledging the wonderful work that goes on in the City of Greater Dandenong, the most multicultural of all cities ... never really dreaming or thinking that I would become part of the fabric of the city I love by being called a living treasure.

“I’m going to have to adjust to that but I’m very humbled and very honoured to be aligned with all the other living treasures.”

Ms Blades said her proudest achievement over the years had been “promoting the City of Greater Dandenong - promoting its multiculturalism, its vibrance, and being able to be a voice for those people who came here without one.”

She said she felt fortunate to have been able to make a contribution to Greater Dandenong for so many years, and plans to continue to lend her experience and knowledge to those who need it.

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Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 7

NEWS

Milestone for swim Oasis Thirty years ago, the Royal Life Saving Society Australia Victoria Branch (RLSSA-V - now Life Saving Victoria) took a step in a new direction, entering a partnership with the City of Dandenong to manage the operations of the Dandenong Oasis Indoor Aquatic Leisure Centre, and establish the Australian Water Safety Education Centre (AWSEC).

This week Life Saving Victoria (LSV) and the City of Greater Dandenong celebrated the significant contributions that the AWSEC made toward public pool safety by marking the 30th anniversary of the centre’s establishment.

City of Greater Dandenong mayor Cr Angela Long joined LSV President Paul James and a number of previous RLSSA-V staff members and volunteers on Monday 25 January, including Clive Patrickson, former chairman of AWSEC and Norman Farmer AM ESM, former state secretary and volunteer board member of AWSEC, to mark the occasion.

Established on 26 January 1991 the centre provided a practical environment for RLSSA-V to develop and refine best practice pool safety guidelines and lifeguard training.

This approach played a significant role in connecting RLSSA-V with the aquatic industry and positioning the organisation at the forefront of developing industry best practice.

During its operation AWSEC marked many achievements in water safety, including: August 1991 - Publication of the first edition of the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation 1992 - Publication of the first edition of Lifeguarding - The Manual July 1996 - Publication of the second edition of the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation Late 1996 - Promotion of Safety Risk Management and Safety Assessments for Swimming Pools The centre also celebrated the Centenary of the Royal Life Saving Society in Australia in

· · · ·

Mayor Angela Long met with representatives of LSV, RLSSA-V and AWSEC to mark the occasion.

1994, by hosting both the National and AsiaPacific Lifesaving Championships at Dandenong Oasis, which were attended by HRH Prince Michael of Kent, President of the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth.

LSV President Paul James said that it was an important occasion to celebrate the progress that has been made in aquatic safety over the past 30 years.

“Today LSV is recognised as a key pillar in the aquatic industry and this has been built on the foundations established by the AWSEC,” he said.

“Swimming and water safety skills are a critical component in drowning prevention.

“With more than 560 public pools in Victoria, attracting more than 70 million visits each year, swimming and aquatic recreation provides a lifetime heath contribution estimated at $1.1 billion.”

Mayor Long said that the council was proud to have been a partner in RLSSA-V’s venture to improve aquatic safety.

“Many swimmers who visit our pools did not grow up in and around water, but they can feel safe knowing there are expert eyes

watching over them. This dates back to the establishment of the Australian Water Safety Education Centre and the role they played in establishing clear safety guidelines for aquatic facilities.

The City of Greater Dandenong is proud to have been the home of AWSEC and to have worked in partnership with the RLSSA-V to help make great changes in the field of pool safety. Their legacy lives on today.”

Dandenong Oasis is now managed by the YMCA, after the partnership with RLSSA-V ended in 2006.

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Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Casey Senior Citizen of the Year Ajantha Weerakkody.

Jawed Niazi was awarded Highly Commended in the Citizen of the Year category.

Casey Young Citizen of the Year Livinia Walden.

Casey Local Hero of the Year Subhashini Singhal.

Casey’s top Australians The City of Casey recognised and celebrated several outstanding individuals and groups for going above and beyond in their contribution to the community at the 2021 Casey Australia Day Awards.

Council held a special, Covid-safe ceremony at Bunjil Place on the eve of Australia Day to announce the recipients of this year’s awards, and to acknowledge all the worthy finalists across the five categories.

Sumandip Kaur, a qualified fitness instructor, was named the 2021 Casey Citizen of the Year, for her inspired commitment and selfless dedication to serving the community throughout Melbourne’s 2020 lockdown. When gyms and other fitness facilities were closed, Sumandip started running free online fitness classes, seven days a week. She welcomed anyone to join, including senior citizens, those with mental health challenges and families.

Ajantha Weerakkody was named the Casey Senior Citizen of the Year, Livinia Walden the Casey Young Citizen of the Year and the inaugural winner of the Casey Local Hero of the Year was Subhashini Singhal.

Not-for-profit organisation Multicultural Youth Support Services was announced the 2021 Casey Community Group of the Year. The service was awarded for its work in supporting young Casey residents from new migrant families to participate in activities and settle into life in Casey.

There were also two Special Mentions awarded. The Lions Club of Cranbourne was awarded Highly Commended in the Community Group of the Year category for its great contribution to the Casey community, and Jawed Niazi was awarded Highly Commended in the Citizen of the Year category for his work in language translation and family violence support in the community.

City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff congratulated all the winners and nominees for the well-deserved recognition.

“It’s fitting that on Australia Day each year we celebrate the individuals and community groups who give so much to our community and make Casey and our country such a wonderful place to call home,” she said.

“Today we celebrate our nation, our people and what it is to be Australian. Most importantly, we celebrate the many people who give their time, passion and energy to help build a better community here in Casey.

“I’d like to congratulate our 2021 Casey Citizens of the Year, along with all the nominees for these prestigious awards. Thank you for the contribution you all make to our community.”

Casey Citizen of the Year - Sumandip Kaur Sumandip is a qualified fitness instructor who promotes healthy eating and exercise as key to feeling happier and mentally stronger no matter what life brings.

During Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdowns, Sumandip began running free online fitness classes, seven days a week, and welcomed anyone to join. Offering online classes seven dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

A representative of not-for-profit organisation Multicultural Youth Support Services accepts the 2021 Casey Community Group of the Year award. days a week for all ages and abilities required many hours in preparation but it has brought Sumandip’s clients huge rewards.

Senior citizens, those with mental health challenges and families have been connected and engaged by Sumandip’s generosity of spirit and real enthusiasm to keep everyone positive and achieving their goals during Covid-19 and beyond.

Casey Young Citizen of the Year - Livinia Walden A recognised leader at school, in scouting and in her volunteer work, Livinia has immense energy and an ability to embrace change, foster inclusion and support people in times of need.

In 2020, Livinia completed the highest youth award in Scouting - The Queens Scout.

Also, after 10 years of service to the Australian Girls’ Choir, she was selected for the Performing Choir - the highest level a chorister can achieve in their time with the Australian Girls’ Choir.

Livinia has consistently excelled in her hobbies, her commitment to volunteering and her real desire to help others. She always looks for ways to mentor younger people, support peers, protect animals and encourage others to achieve their potential and build a healthier and happier community.

Casey Senior Citizen of the Year - Ajantha Weerakkody Ajantha established the Sri Lanka Community Services Association in 2019 to support senior

Casey Citizen of the Year Sumandip Kaur. citizens in Casey and continues as their active secretary and organiser. She recruits volunteers to help raise funds to support their excellent work and projects.

With over 50 members, Ajantha leads with clarity and a dynamic energy to ensure that life is joyful, meaningful, healthy and active for everyone. She organises excursions, language classes, singing and art sessions and concerts.

Casey Local Hero of the Year - Subhashini Singhal Subhashini is a wonderful role model in her approach to life and lights the way for other

young people who aspire to make a real difference in the world.

In 2020, while doing exceptionally well at school (achieving an ATAR of 96.5) Subhashini was an active member of the Casey Youth Action Committee, where she led projects such as Health Minds Arts Evening and Casey in Colour Run, which both raised funds for charities. She was a youth ambassador at citizenship ceremonies, assisted teachers and supports students with different needs at Berwick Lodge Primary School, and tutored local high school students for maths and accounting, especially those struggling during the lockdown.

Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 9

NEWS

FEM-aFFINITY on display A new exhibition on display at Bunjil Place will place female artists and the female identity in the spotlight.

FEM-aFFINITY - an exhibition of female artists from Arts Project Australia (APA) and wider Australia whose work share an affinity of subject matter, technique and process - is now on display at Bunjil Place, in partnership with National Exhibitions Touring Support (NETS) Victoria.

The exhibition’s curator, Associate Professor Catherine Bell from the Australian Catholic University, seeks to uncover related variations of female identity and perspectives on historical feminist concepts by situating these female artists alongside each other.

Drawing upon interdisciplinary approaches, such as painting, printmaking, drawing, performance and photography, the exhibition also considers how artworks are a complex and nuanced way of thinking about embodied knowledge and how it aligns with identity politics explored in contemporary art.

The 14 exhibiting artists are Fulli Andrinopoulos, Jane Trengove, Dorothy Berry, Jill Orr, Wendy Dawson, Helga Groves, Bronwyn Hack, Heather Shimmen, Eden Menta, Janelle Low, Cathy Staughton, Prudence Flint, Lisa Reid, and Yvette Coppersmith.

“I’m a regular visitor to the Arts Project Australia gallery and have a particular interest in the work of the female artists who attend their studio,” says Ass. Prof. Bell.

“I have often considered the uncanny connections their work has with other female contemporary artists.

“I’m interested in highlighting the affinity.

Curating a selection of past works by each artist demonstrates a sustained line of enquiry.

The opportunity for the artists to collaborate and develop new work for the show celebrates these ongoing themes and connections.”

Claire Watson, director of NETS Victoria,

said: “NETS Victoria is delighted to tour FEMaFFINITY. Through the considered pairings by the curator Associate Professor Catherine Bell, new perspectives of the selected artists’ practices are offered. Importantly, the project has fostered ongoing relationships between the artists involved.”

Exhibiting artists Yvette Coppersmith and Lisa Reid have painted portraits of prominent figures in the arts. Meanwhile, abstract artists Helga Groves and Wendy Dawson share a similar creative process of layering pigment and surface detail; their works in metallic mediums explore abstract patterns.

Heather Shimmen and Bronwyn Hack are inspired by gothic narratives, famous women in history, and the natural world. Their collaboration has produced a series of lino prints that incorporate depictions of the body, flora and fauna.

Other collaborative responses are between artists Jane Trengove and Fulli Andrinopoulos, Janelle Low and Eden Menta, and Prudence Flint and Cathy Staughton. Seminal art works by veteran artist Dorothy Berry, curated from the APA permanent collection, and renowned artist Jill Orr, on loan from institutional collections, are also included. This pairing explores their shared interest in birds as symbolic motifs.

FEM-aFFINITY is an Arts Project Australia exhibition, touring with NETS Victoria. Arts Project Australia is a studio and gallery that supports artists with intellectual disabilities, promoting their work and advocating for inclusion within contemporary art practice.

FEM-aFFINITY is showing at Bunjil Place Gallery from 30 January - 14 March 2021, at 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren.

Eden Menta and Janelle Low - ‘Eden and the Gorge’ 2019. Ink-jet print: 50 x 40 cm.

Picture: COURTESY OF THE ARTISTS, EDEN MENTA IS REPRESENTED BY ARTS PROJECT AUSTRALIA

Celebrate Lunar New Year Armada Dandenong Plaza will celebrate the 2021 Lunar New Year, Year of the Ox on Friday 12 February with Lunar New Year themed activities for the whole community to enjoy.

A traditional Lion Dance performance featuring double Chinese Lions and live Chinese drummers will roam around the centre bringing good luck to all and welcoming in the Lunar New Year 2021. The live colourful performance will commence at 11.30am on Level 2, near Daiso and finish in Centre Court on Level 2 at Armada Dandenong Plaza.

Collect your free fortune cookie from one of the Armada Dandenong Plaza promotional staff roaming around the centre

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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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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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between 4pm – 7pm.

Want to create a delicious Lunar New Year dish for the family to celebrate? Head to the facebook.com/dandenongplazashopping where you can find recipes featuring heaps of healthy fresh food ingredients that can be found at the Fresh Food Precinct in Armada Dandenong Plaza on Level 2.

Fresh Food ideas and specials will be presented by a spruiker within the Fresh Food Precinct from Friday 12 February to Sunday 14 February, from 11am to 2pm.

To find out more about the Lunar New Year 2021 activities at Armada Dandenong Plaza visit www.armadadandenongplaza. com.au

VISIT

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Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

Don’t miss the traditional Lion Dance. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

The truth about The Dry

By Duncan Evans Every actor dreams of appearing in a major film or theatre production. With it comes the possibility of fame and a pathway to secure employment. But more than that, to appear in a great film, one that takes a hold of the public’s imagination and enters the cinematic canon to be watched and re-watched for decades to come, is surely the mountain-top for any creative artist dedicated to the craft of film.

James Frecheville, a 29-year-old actor from Melbourne, can claim to have struck magic twice already in his short career with his small but crucial performance in this year’s remarkable Eric Bana-headlined film The Dry, which comes some 10 years after his breakout performance in the now-canonical Australian crime film Animal Kingdom.

The Star Journal was lucky enough to speak at length with Frecheville in a wide-ranging conversation about his latest role in The Dry, why the film has been so well received by the public and critics alike and how he successfully navigates the tough and precarious world of acting.

The Dry The Dry is based on the debut novel by Jane Harper and Frecheville credits the popularity of the book in part for the film’s astonishing success.

“I think it’s a combination of the success of Jane’s book, and it having a sort of pre-established place in people’s heads. But also, last year was pretty terrible, on many fronts. And I think people just are eternally optimistic. I think people are really excited to get out of the house and do something that they were nostalgic about.

Which sounds insane, to say that you’re nostalgic about going to the cinema, but nobody had any of it, for such a long time,” he said.

With critical acclaim and domestic box office receipts breaching $10 million, The Dry is the hit film for the month of January and suggests that there remains in people an entrenched desire to retain the full cinema experience, even in an age characterised by isolated online streaming.

“It’s all about a shared, disruption-free experience,” Frecheville said.

“Being a part of a community, whether you know anybody or not, just in that kind of setting, it’s pretty important.”

Locked in a darkened space before a massive screen, cinema-goers are treated to an entrancing mystery film that unfurls carefully around two shocking events events separated by decades. The film has about it the smack of greatness. Though ostensibly a police procedural, it builds to become a haunting meditation on the power of memory and the majesty of friendship, precisely acted, written and photographed across the desolate beauty of regional Victoria.

“It’s looks great and the film’s great, and it’s as simple as that,” Frecheville says.

Frecheville plays the role of Jamie Sullivan, a gruff young farmer struggling to keep his farm afloat while also looking after his grandmother.

Like the film itself, there is a degree of manipulation involved in how the audience perceives Sullivan, a product of Mr Frecheville’s acting abilities and the careful planning of director Robert Connolly. Sullivan appears to us in a certain light at the beginning of the film, and then our perception of him shifts and changes as the film progresses.

“The trick wasn’t really up to me,” Frecheville said.

“That’s in the coverage, that’s in the editing and the sound, and most of that falls on to Rob. What I tried to focus on was taking as much from the script and from the book as I could to find something to anchor the idea of Jamie Sullivan around. There was a part in the book where it said that he had his fists stuffed under his armpits. And I kind of thought that was interesting, just because, like many people within the film, they’ve all got secrets.

“He just had a pretty high guard. It’s not really a nice place to live. But, you know, he’s not one to complain.”

Initially, Frecheville auditioned for the role of Sergeant Greg Raco, played by Keir O’Donnell.

“I wasn’t right for that part, but my name got thrown into the hat for Jamie Sullivan, and that was it.” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

James Frecheville as Jamie Sullivan in The Dry Asked whether he can sense a film’s potential for greatness from the script alone, he responds by saying that while a script may be redolent of something, it is always difficult to know how a film will turn out given the medium’s tendency to morph and shift across the multiple stages of the creative process.

“You do get a sense. A good script should convey imagery and thought. And then, you’re on set, and things change constantly. It’s just blueprints layered on blueprints until the edit, at which it could even change quite violently again. Sometimes I’ve seen that with films that I’ve done where the tone of what you thought you were being involved in just becomes completely different.”

Breakout Ten years before he would take on the role of Jamie Sullivan, Frecheville auditioned as a high schooler for the seminal role of Joshua Cody in David Michod’s operatic Animal Kingdom. Listed by Quentin Tarantino as one of his favourite films of the decade, it has since become the source material for a popular television show set in Southern California and is regularly listed by critics as one of Australia’s greatest films.

Frecheville’s stunning performance as an impressionable young man thrown suddenly into a dangerous world and then trying, in his limited way, to extricate himself from an escalating hurricane of violence anchors the film and imbues it with a complex moral code. The film isn’t nihilistic, but it’s brutally jaundiced about human nature and the reach of justice in this world.

The Dry, by contrast, offers a somewhat more hopeful view about the possibility of securing justice, despite the shocking acts of violence that open and close the film and the shadow of abuse that permeates the story. A degree of clarity, at least, is granted to the audience by the end of the film, whereas Animal Kingdom leaves us in a more troubled state.

We are as unsure of Frecheville’s Cody at the end of the film as we are at the beginning. His method of closing out the story is as much a recognition of terrible failure as it is an act of brute righteousness.

Australian Cinema Frecheville lists Wake in Fright, Bad Boy Bubby, Chopper, Two Hands, Babe, Happy Feet and Mad Max as some of his favourite Australian films.

“Australia makes great films. I just hope that the frequency of telling Australian stories can kind of speed up the more the borders open up.”

He is optimistic about the future of the Australian film industry.

“People need stories. I’m interested with what sort of emerging technologies can start making different sorts of stories possible. It seems to me that the Australian industry is just absolutely booming. In the sense that a lot of international productions are coming there because they know that people work well and that it’s suitable to make big movies on a sort of world-class level.”

What’s more, alongside Australia’s worldclass human capital and technological sophistication, our relative success in containing the virus also makes us an increasingly attractive destination for film production. This year will

James Frecheville in Black 47

James Frecheville.

Picture: DANIEL ARCHER

see a number of major Hollywood productions shoot in Australia, including the Liam Neesonhelmed action blockbuster Blacklight.

From LA to the UK Frecheville spoke to us from Wales via Zoom, ‘trapped’ in Britain’s extended lockdown restrictions.

“My partner and I came up here for Christmas and then Boris Johnson put the lockdown issue out, so we’re now sort of up here for series two of lockdown, because we were up here most of last year as well.”

When not in lockdown, Frecheville lives in London, having moved there from Los Angeles for a change in scene.

“I spent a lot of time in Los Angeles and ultimately wanted to try out a different setting. I didn’t really want to spend all of my twenties there. And Europe’s great and I’ve got a lot of friends in London. And I have a very soft spot for Ireland.”

Asked whether he thinks the deep friendships that anchor The Dry are still possible in the age of Zoom, Mr Frecheville replies: “I think it’s too early to say. I think sustaining deep friendships is easy. In a way, not much has changed for the way that I sustain my friendships, because I’ve got friends in all these different places.”

“But I’m just optimistic that things will get better. I can’t really see us holding into a sort of new lockdown paradigm for the next 10 years.

And thinking that a whole new generation of kids never go to school. I’m more optimistic than that. But maybe not, maybe this virus just keeps mutating forever and ever.”

A Natural Optimist Though The Dry and Animal Kingdom are perhaps his most widely-known contributions, Frecheville has appeared in an impressive roster of well-received films in a career that now spans more than 10 years. In 2018, he took on the lead role of Feeney in Black 47, an historical drama set in a famine-ravaged 19th century Ireland and in 2015, he appeared alongside Billy Crudup in the critically acclaimed Stanford Prison Experiment.

In regards to his own creative future, he hopes at some point to pursue writing and directing in addition to acting.

“But when I was writing when I was younger, it wasn’t ready or suitable enough to sort of get it to a point where it was fleshed out and out there,” he said.

“And tonally it’s quite different from my acting work. I’m kind of into a bit surreal, madcap comedy, sort of insane stuff. But yeah I’d totally want to explore that. But it’s just slowly

Animal Kingdom slowly catchy monkey, is my idea the older I get, because I’m still learning. I’m still learning a lot.

“I came into it having done youth theatre.

Animal Kingdom was a baptism by fire. And ever since then I’ve just sort of been a journeyman. I haven’t gone to a school. I didn’t go to university. I’ve sort of gone all in on this trade, and I’m just learning as much as I can. Seems to be working, somewhat.”

The acting trade has a well-established patina of glamour, full of red carpets and flashing cameras. For many though, it’s a tough and precarious way to make a living, and Frecheville knows both sides of the coin; the struggle involved in simply making one’s way in the trade, and also its possibility for grandeur and genuine achievement.

“I’ve been living by the skin of my teeth for years, it feels like. There’s nothing stable about it, but there’s also much victory and revelries as well,” he said.

For other young Australians who love cinema and hope one day to be involved in something permanent, Mr Frecheville has some advice.

“Be bold. Find like-minded people. Team up and make things. No one is going to sort of hand it to you. It’s always a great tip to be active. If you want to be an actor, start finding some friends that want to be actors and write silly movies and make them. And keep it fun, I’d say, because you don’t want a learning experience to be too serious or hard-core. I think consume as much media as you can. If you want to learn how to do things technically, you could watch a film and then watch it right back immediately after you’ve finished watching it the first time and pick it apart. Just be bold and be active, that’s what I’d say.”

The Dry is playing now in cinemas and Animal Kingdom is streaming on Stan.

Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 11

NEWS With the sun shining and the birds chirping, Lysterfield Lake Park has proven to be the go-to spot this summer. Star News photographer GARY SISSONS took a walk on the wild side and explored the popular park and all its inhabitants.

A spot for summer A Pied Cormorant dries it’s wings. 225477

Sunrise over the lake. 225477

Pictures: GARY SISSONS

Lake views. 225477

A Musk duck enjoying a paddle. 225477

A kayak rests on the shoreline. 225477

A track though the trees. 225477

A rabbit escapes the company of people. 225477

Looking down over the lake. 225477

A kangaroo is snapped at Lysterfield Lake Park.

Looking up at a large gum. 225477

Picnic tables are the perfect spot to soak up the outdoors. 225477

An old visitor centre still stands proud. 225477

A skink is just one of the many weird and wonderful species that call the park home.

The man made beach is the perfect place to escape the summer heat. 225477

One of the tracks through the gum trees around Lysterfield Lake. 225477

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A Crested Pigeon explores its surroundings.

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GET 2021 started!

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Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

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Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 13

Trades & Services

General Classifieds V Tree Lopping/Surgery

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PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE OPTUS MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT NOBLE PARK WITH 5G M0886 Noble Park South: Noble Park Reserve, 46-56 Moodemere Street, Noble Park VIC 3174 (RFNSA 3174006) 1. The proposed facility consists of the addition of new 4G/5G equipment and associated works as follows: r Installation of three (3) new 5G panel antennas, 0.59m long, on an existing headframe r Installation of new ancillary equipment, including twelve (12) Remote Radio Units, cabling and antenna mounts r Reconfiguration of existing equipment on the facility and within the equipment shelter, including removal of redundant equipment and replacement of Remote Radio Units 2. Optus regards the proposed installations as permissible under A Code of Practice for Telecommunications Facilities in Victoria, based on the description above

V Television/Video/Audio

Employment

Region.

arjacking spree Car berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

By Kyra Gillespie

$3m sports windfall

PAGE 3

PAGE 5

C1072232-JJ4-13

Rainbow Dolls $100/ 30mins Open 7 days

Call 0432 550 066 or 8707 5522

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48 Davies Avenue, Sunshine North 9364 0770 SWA6566B V For Sale BLACK marble kitchen counter top with double sink. 876mm x 3000mm x 20mm. Brand new. $500.

Call 0434 092 131

Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

lucky; had “It was very frightening, I was very commuDue to the immediate threat to the ahead I would’ve been hit. to give chase, pursu- I been going straight nity, police were authorisedMassive car he had “I looked behind and saw bits of ing the offenders into Cranbourne. the hit flying in the air, and I was thinking ‘God, I police, evade to clash kick In a further attempt to wrong side of High haven’t been killed and hope no one behind me speedsters crossed onto the things com.au real estate off headsplitting is killed.“ Street, disobeying red lights and Highway.

20 to 30 cars would on traffic on the South Gippsland SPORT with three Robin believes around Property Lift out The car was involved in a collision by the reckless driving. the Cardinia have been impacted vehicles, after which members of people just “There must have been so many males and one Highway Patrol apprehended two probably 20foot. affected by the accident; there were female, who attempted to flee on intersection.

Ford. the at stolen cars the 30 in A rifle was found the interthe “He must’ve been in the middle of Robin Dzedins of Lynbrook, witnessed the traffic. He section because there was a gap in dramatic pursuit. going to“I was on South Gippy Highway was swerving like a maniac. at Settlement Continued on page 12 wards Cranbourne, turning left Hotel in Camms Road,“ she said. ✃ By ✃Brendan Rees ✃ L E T E

Cultures celebrated

P C O MBerwick's C A L Park Primary School O Brentwood M U L ThasI Fcelebrated S richness in diversity S E their G L AwithSa spectacular show of cultural perfor-

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back of the car.

129

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mances. $259 Grade 6 REG teacher Melissa Butcher said the SAVE day was hailed as $130 a success with the school recognising their

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THURSDAY, 11 APRIL, 2019 BERWICK, NARRE WARREN AND

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Star News Group seeks an enthusiastic sales executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms.

Star News Group is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future.

The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business.

By Brendan

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

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

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

A 21-year21-year-old Dandenong woman was ing straight ahead I would've been hit," The driver, a 26-year-old male from Chel- charged with ttwo counts Ms was seen getting out carrying a rifle, which was of theft of a motor Dzedins said. tenham, tested positive to methamphet- vehicle. used to carjack a Ford ute in Carrum Downs.

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

"I looked l behind and saw bits of car he had Highway Anyone one with information is urged to conin Cranbourne. tact Crime ime Stop Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Trees ‘need to go’

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have been Members of Cardinia Men’s Shed truck for hard at work, building a small fire the CFA. at CFA The bright little truck will be used around open days and recruitment drives the Cardinia catchment. the CFA’s Lisa The craftsmen met with th at PakenHicks for an official handover on Thursham’s Living and Learning Centre day 28 March. it will “They did such a wonderful job; to athelp with volunteering, something we are dotract the families and kids when ampaigns “ Ms Hicks said. ing recruitment campaigns,“ of $300 “We were able to secure a grant project. the complete to for the Men’s Shed in myThursday, 4 April, 2019 “I went down there with a vision it had to fit mind and they made it happen; enough in the back of the Ranger, be light the kids. for two people to carry and safe for and “It has working lights, a little ladder a fire hose. It’s amazing.“ CFA’s the through secured was The grant South East Volunteer Sustainability Team,

BERWICK

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3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 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 by Thursday 18 February 2021. Further information may also be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3174006

NEW STAFF?

Star News Group

Property Lift out

Cardinia Mens Shed members Geoff Fluck, CFA's Lisa Hicks, Vin and Nichols,Roy Orman Ken Hordern John Buckley with Levi Mountney, giving the truck a spin. 191696

NEED

Print and Online Sales Executive UHDO HVWDWH

com.au

PAGES 14-15

PAGE 4-5

PAGE 3

25-35 Narre Warren Cranbourne Rd, NARRE WARREN

ECONOMY TILING

Silver lining for Hillview anniversary

Call to arms for Blaze Aid effort

$1 Inc. GST

@PakenhamGazette

/PakenhamBerwickGazette

berwick.starcommunity.com.au

Gumbuya joins push for new airport

L

DIGITAL ANTENNAS AMPLIFIERS TV OUTLETS

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14 STAR JOURNAL

Wednesday, 3 April, 2019

Berwick-Pakenham

✃

SAME DAY SERVICE

0409 888 228

section of Network Classifieds.

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Must have an ABN. GIVE IT A GO – GET FIT AND EARN EXTRA $$$$$ AT THE SAME TIME. Email: kerri@mrad.com.au or call 0429 214 229 for further information.

S

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General Notices

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berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au/subscribe

1235322622-PB22-17

Reg No 082 1317E

ROOF RESTORATION

Caravan & Cabin Park

DIRECTORY DISTRIBUTORS WANTED

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12386255-DJ19-18

Office Hours Mon-Sat 8am-6pm.

Sunday 10am-4pm 870 Princes Highway, Springvale

General Notices SERVICING DANDENONG AREA FOR OVER TEN YEARS

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Please forward resume to: sales@fletchertintgroup.com.au or phone 03 9796 2166

section of Network Classifieds.

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Contact us 1300 301 678 ÜÜÜ°ÌÀii >Ã °V °>Õ 1158529-PB42-14

SEWER BLOCKAGES – MACHINE CLEANED฀

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Motoring

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Buy, & Sell in our

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No Job Too Small

The Tint Joint Berwick is looking for a full-time automotive and flat glass tinter with experience - ability to cut and fit tint efficiently and with exceptional attention to detail. Team player, hard-working and reliable, good customer service skills, well presented, trustworthy and reliable.

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KEYBOARD/PIANO lessons in your home, all ages and styles, exp teacher. 0408 382 955.

Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number.

It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice.

For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

Sales skills/experience: • Ability to maintain existing professional relationships and to create new ones • Ability to meet defined sales and activity targets • Excellent listening skills • Accuracy and attention to detail • Effective time management to meet deadlines • Ability to operate in a team • Demonstrates initiative and flexibility • Effective oral and written communication

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ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

HIGH TREE Summer Special

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Send your application letter and resume to: Advertising Sales Manager Mandy Clark salescareers@starnewsgroup.com.au

LATEST INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS

com.au

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

City set for historic clash Melbourne City FC will make its first official foray into South East Melbourne this Thursday night when its W-League team takes on Perth Glory at Dandenong City Soccer Club.

Less than two months after the shock announcement that it is relocating its headquarters to Casey Fields, Melbourne City is quickly making good on its promise to bring top level football to the south-east by hosting multiple W-League games in Dandenong this season.

It may be a forerunner to bigger things to come, with speculation rife that City’s relocation will lead to construction of a 15,000-seat rectangular stadium next to Dandenong Train Station, as was proposed to be the case in the event of “Team 11” gaining an A-League and W-League licence.

Thursday’s all-important W-League game is open to the public, albeit at a reduced capacity due to Covid-19 restrictions, and will be broadcast live on Fox Sports.

Kickoff is at 7.05pm and tickets must be pre-purchased online.

It comes in the middle of a busy week of activities in the south-east for the club.

On Wednesday night City’s junior academy teams will commence training at Casey Fields and on Sunday they will play their first Junior Boys National Premier League matches at Casey Fields as well.

City is the defending W-League champi-

Melbourne City’s Jenna McCormick, Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams, Greater Dandenong mayor Cr Angela Long, Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards and Melbourne City’s Sam Johnson.

Picture: SUPPLIED on and the winner of four of the last five WLeague titles.

Greater Dandenong Mayor Cr Angela Long said the upcoming games made last year’s relocation announcement all the more exciting.

“It will serve as a huge inspiration to young girls across Greater Dandenong and the re-

gion,” Cr Long said.

Star American import Sam Johnson said she and her Melbourne City teammates were itching to play their first games in amongst their new community.

“Everyone is really excited,” Johnson said.

“We can’t wait to play in front of everyone in

South East Melbourne and really want all the football fans in Dandenong and Casey and the region to come out and support.”

Following the game against the Glory on Thursday, Melbourne City’s next W-League game in Dandenong will be against the Newcastle Jets on Saturday, 13 February at 5.05pm.

Local stars selected

The Springvale Lions Baseball Club are holding its ‘Diamond Girls’ program in March.

Picture: SUPPLIED

‘Diamond Girls’ set to return in 2021

By Nick Creely The Springvale Lions Baseball Club will run its second ‘Diamond Girls’ baseball academy program in March, aimed at bringing secondary school aged girls from various schools, backgrounds and areas together to enjoy the sport.

The club is hoping to draw more players from diverse backgrounds into not only the club, but also the sport in general through its free four-week, Friday night program at K.H Wearne Field in Dingley Village, which will begin on 5 March and conclude on 26 March.

With the sessions to start at 6pm, dinner will be provided each Friday night, as well as a free hat and t-shirt. All equipment needed to play will be fully provided by the club at no charge.

The program is aimed at having fun and helping create some more social networks for secondary aged girls between 12 and 18 years of age, with an all-female coaching staff, including current and former Australian level players set to lead the way. All participants will then enjoy a free dinner.

In a huge boost for budding female baseballers in the region, the program’s coaches included Australian Baseball Hall of Famer Simone Wearne, Australian player Shae Lillywhite, Youth Women’s state coach Siobhan Taylor, and two-time World Cup player Sinead Flanigan. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

The sessions are going to be a modified version of baseball, 45 minutes to one hour, with suitable equipment, music and a focus on participation.

Lions committee member Gabby Bevan said it was exciting for the club and the local community to have the program run again, after it was interrupted in 2020.

“We did the program in 2020 and it was really successful but unfortunately we had to shut it down due to Covid,” she said.

“So hopefully this year we won’t have to shutdown.”

Bevan said that the focus on bringing the program to the local community, and for free was about encouraging teenage girls to give baseball a go - regardless of skill, athletic ability or experience.

“It’s all about promoting the sport of women’s baseball, it’s largely unknown in Australia,” she said.

“We found that it’s the perfect age to start at 12 or 13 years of age - you don’t need to be athletic, we just want the girls to have fun.

“It’s a great opportunity to learn the basics, like throwing and hitting, but also to make some great friends.”

The Lions have a successful female program already in place, and Bevan said that the idea to attract secondary school girls was about not only introducing them to

baseball, but to ensure the future of their club was in good stead.

The club is hoping for 30-plus participants to take part in the program over the course of the four weeks.

“Women’s sport is on the rise, so we thought we’d jump on board and help promote the game,” she said.

“We’ve got three female teams, and have done for quite a few years.

“But we want to stay successful, and bring in future generations, and that’s targeting local schools.

“We usually rely on word of mouth to get players, but we’ve now decided to start targeting schools.”

Bevan said that baseball was the perfect sport for girls looking to have fun without expectation.

“It’s accessible for everyone, when I look at our teams at Springvale, we’ve got people of every background, shape and size, and when you chuck them on the field you make it work,” she said.

“As long as you give it a go you can play baseball.

“That’s what makes it such a great sport, you can just rock up and play which is great.”

For more information, you can go to the Springvale Lions Facebook page and contact the club through there, or head to bigcatswomensbaseb.wixsite.com/diamond-girls

Basketball Victoria has announced its Under 16 and Under 18 boys and girls State Development Program (SDP), with a host of emerging Dandenong Basketball stars selected.

It’s certainly been a different year for all athletes across the state, with the majority of basketball being restricted to backyards.

Basketball Victoria’s basketball operations manager, Grant Wallace said the talent displayed at tryouts across the state showcased a solid commitment from athletes who are dedicated to perfecting their game and developing their skills in the SDP. “It’s always wonderful to see the talent at these tryouts and picture the heights many of these athletes may reach,” he said.

“The SDP is all about developing their skills and improving their basketball knowledge in a challenging and enjoyable environment.

“We have a considerable depth of talent in the athletes we have selected for the 2021 SDP.” In total, 22 Dandenong Rangers have been selected in the SDP - nine boys and 13 girls.

Here’s a list of the locals set to take part in the program.

Under 16 Boys Tullan Chimyong Sebastien Khan Henry Sewell Ryan Baker Luke Fennell Noah Mraz Landon Purcell Under 18 Boys Mitchell Simmons Daniel Mazur Under 16 Girls Isabella de Jong Tayla Galucho Dakota Kirikiri Kailey Neave Manuela Pouch Under 18 Girls Jessica-Belle Catheray-Harvey Georgia Taylor Paige Galuncho Milly Kumbara Georgia Sewell Meg Robertson Grace Montgomery Sophie Palmer

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Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 15

SPORT

Bucks surge into top-four

By Nick Creely What a season of Turf 1 cricket it’s shaping up to be.

The final make-up of the DDCA’s top-tier is anyone’s guess, with around round of fascinating results, and an untimely washout for two finals fancies having a major impact.

Buckley Ridges are now back inside the top-four, in a dominant win against St Mary’s at Park Oval.

It was very nearly another washout for the DDCA powerhouse, with the club working tirelessly throughout the morning to eventually get the pitch ready for play after a wet spot emerged on the deck on Saturday morning after Melbourne’s Friday downfall.

Sending the Saints in to bat, the Bucks turning to plenty of spin - restricted the visitors to 145 from 42 overs, with Prabath Hewage (35) ensuring his side would have something to bowl at.

But it was a disciplined performance from the Bucks, with DDCA champ Michael Davies (3/10) continuing his strong form, while spinner Wes Nicholas (3/24) was in complete control in an excellent spell of slow bowling.

The home side wasted little time in running down the target, and despite the early loss of Daniel ‘DJ’ Watson, a rapid 18-ball 41 from Benny Howell and a classy half-century to Ian Cockbain (63) - the two Gloucestershire recruits - saw a seamless seven-wicket win.

Howell also snared 1/15 with the ball as he builds into some ominous form ahead of the pointy-end of the season.

Buckley’s win was particularly costly for Narre South, who have dropped out of the topfour due to the clash with Springvale South being abandoned due to the Strathaird Reserve pitch being vandalised.

In a disappointing result for both clubs, play was not possible with the two sharing points, however in such a tight race for finals positions, it could be a costly weekend for the Lions who are in fifth position now on percentage only.

North Dandenong very nearly pulled off an upset against Hallam Kalora Park down at Frawley Road, but the Hawks did enough in its 10-run win.

Needing a win to continue solidifying its position within the top-four, the Hawks were sent in by the Maroons.

A strong 50-run opening stand from Leigh Booth (22) and Rob Parker (18) ensured the home side would build a platform for the middle order, and despite some excellent bowling from the returning Javed Khan (4/34) - playing his first Turf 1 game since 2018/19 - the Hawks had enough class and experience through the

Benny Howell goes long for Buckley Ridges during his rapid knock on Saturday. 226905 middle to continue ticking the score along.

Matthew Cox’s excellent season continued with a well-made 32, while skipper Jordan Hammond whacked 43 as the home side posted 7/189 from its 45 overs.

Imran Laghmani was also outstanding for the Maroons, snaring 3/45 from his 11 overs.

Seamer Will Whyte (1/36) removed aggressive opener Syed Mehmood after the Maroons enjoyed a rapid start, and it sparked a top-order collapse with the visitors suddenly finding themselves 3/42 and with its most dangerous batters back in the pavilion.

Nanayakkarawasam Kalumshehara (43) ensured the Maroons would stay in touch, linking with skipper Clay McCartney (33) for a 49run stand that saw the visitors draw closer.

But the Hawks were served by a ripping spell from Leigh Booth (3/41), who removed

the pair and swayed the game back in the home side’s favour.

The Maroons took the game to the brink, but were eventually dismissed for 179, with skipper Jordan Hammond (3/35) capping off an outstanding match with the final wicket.

And Berwick bounced back from a rare loss last week to dominate Heinz Southern Districts at Reedy Reserve.

The reigning premiers found its groove with the bat once again, winning the toss and not looking back.

The dominance came in the form of wicketkeeper bat Jordan Cleland - who spanked 95 from 124 balls - as the Bears racked up 7/211 from its 45 overs.

Cleland belted seven fours and two sixes to almost bat through the innings, while Ruwantha Kellepotha (33) once again provided handy

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS middle-order runs and Lachlan Brown (29 not out) continued some strong form.

A rapid start from quick James Wilcock (2/12) ensured the Bears would have the early advantage, with the visitors continuing on the momentum to roll the home side for 72.

Jarrod Goodes (1/3 from seven overs) was remarkably consistent, fellow seamer Brendan Rose (3/17) put together his most impressive performance of the season, while leggie Kellepotha (3/10) once again took wickets at will as he moves to 23 for the season.

The action continues this Saturday, with Springvale South and Berwick in a blockbuster clash at Alex Nelson, Hallam Recreation Reserve hosts a top-four clash between Hallam Kalora Park and Buckley Ridges, Narre South will need to bank the points against HSD, while North Dandenong and St Mary’s face off at Lois Twohig Reserve.

McMaster fires up for Dandy in an impressive display

By Nick Creely Dandenong paceman Adam McMaster returned to the Panthers’ first XI side for the first time since 2017/18 only just over a week ago, and with a bundle of wickets to his name in the seconds.

In that stretch of time - across the Victorian Premier Cricket’s cricket frenzy of three matches in seven days - it’s been a remarkable return to the grade.

It’s also been a profitable period for the Panthers, who notched up its third win on the trot on Saturday against St Kilda at Shepley Oval, as Tommy Donnell’s group continues to build momentum.

But the form of McMaster should have rivals worried.

Before departing the club at the end of 2017/18 and spending some time with Melbourne, the quick had a strong first XI record at Shepley Oval - 72 wickets from 44 games at a strong average in the 20s.

With McMaster once again firing up for the Panthers, he could well be a weapon of tremendous value at the pointy-end of the season.

On Saturday, the right-armer snared another 4/29 against the Saints, to go with hauls of 4/36 against Footscray and 4/19 against Camberwell Magpies only days prior - that’s 16 STAR JOURNAL

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Brett Forsyth cuts one during his 47 not out. 226906 12 wickets at the incredible average of just seven, and 30 in total at just 9.7 including seconds’ cricket.

After sending the Saints’ dangerous batting line-up in after a barrage of rain around

Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Melbourne the day prior, ex-Test spinner Suraj Randiv (2/21) was the star early, removing openers Michael De lacovo and Ben Davies - who survived a testing early spell from Australian quick James Pattinson and Mc-

Master - to have the visitors 2/47.

A strong bowling effort - led by McMaster, who removed Josh Manning for 30 during the Saints’ middle order collapse - saw the visitors bundled out for just 106, with Pete Cassidy also causing concerns with his stumpto-stump line to snare 2/12.

James Pattinson also bowled with plenty of sharp pace to capture 1/16 from 8.3 overs, but it was McMaster’s 4/29 that once again led the way for the in-form Panthers.

The Panthers then showed its ruthless edge in a seamless chase towards the points.

Skipper Tom Donnell and Brett Forsyth raced away to yet another 50-run stand in their storied career, racking up 66 before Donnell fell victim to talented Victorian spinner Todd Murphy for a classy 41.

It mattered little, with Forsyth ensuring his side would run away with a dominant eight-wicket win, and in the process bank a bonus point.

The Ryder Medalist finished unbeaten on 47 from 101 balls as his season continues to go to another level, with the champion right hander now with 377 runs at the astonishing average of 94.3. He hit six fours in his composed knock.

The red-hot Panthers travel to take on Melbourne Uni on Saturday. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au