Dandenong Star Journal - 16th March 2021

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Tuesday, 16 March, 2021

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Dumping disgrace

Food Fare is back

Gardens go global

Finals fever hits DDCA

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DETA chair Sean Balfour with outraged residents after the proposed closure of Doveton’s pool. 231126

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Pool ‘bombshell’ “Shocked” and “angered” residents say they had little warning that Doveton’s historic public pool has been slated for destruction.

Casey Council administrators are set to vote on Tuesday 16 March on a recommendation to replace the 52-year-old Olympic-sized outdoor pool with “public open space”.

Bruce federal MP Julian Hill said he hoped the administrators “represent the community’s views and don’t accept the council officers’ recommendation”.

“I was shocked to hear that with no community consultation the unelected administrators are planning to kill the Doveton Pool.

“The council must do the right thing and actually engage with the community. They

should go out and hear what the community thinks about the pool.

“If they fail to do so then it should be no surprise if the community fights back.”

Even a member of the pool redevelopment committee Keith Pimblett says he was blindsided on the “bombshell” move after hearing nothing for months.

“The pool was always to be there. It’s an in-

tegral part of the Doveton community.

“In all our discussions with council officers the whole concept was to keep the pool and build a learning and community centre around it.”

Mr Pimblett said that with the spate of drownings in Victoria, “taking away pools and learn-to-swim in the community is crazy stuff”.

Continued page 11

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By Cam Lucadou-Wells

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Tuesday, 16 March, 2021

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Calls to fix M1 ‘blackspot’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Two drivers have died in nine months on what Star Journal readers have described as a “dreadful” and “dangerous” section of Monash Freeway.

A 28-year-old Cranbourne East man was killed after a crash with a truck in the outbound lanes between Heatherton Road and South Gippsland Freeway about 4pm on Tuesday 9 March.

Moments earlier, his car had been involved in a minor crash with another vehicle.

The man died at the scene.

In June, a man died when his car and two trucks crashed in the same section of freeway.

In both cases, Star Journal readers criticized the roadway.

“My heart goes out to all involved. This is a dreadful section of road and it is unsurprising that such a tragedy has occurred,” a reader wrote after the most recent fatality.

“That section of freeway is dangerous.

Something ought to be done before it happens again,” another said.

“I hate that location of the freeway. Very dangerous for everyone,” was another comment.

In June, other readers commented on the difficulty in merging onto the outbound lanes from Heatherton Road.

“You have to negotiate getting across two lanes of traffic to merge onto the freeway while others are cutting across you to get to the (South Gippsland Freeway) exit.

“There is a very short amount of road for everyone to find their lane. It needs a solution ASAP.” According to Department of Transport statistics, there had been two fatalities and 26 serious injuries on the section since 2015.

There had been 51 other minor crashes.

A Department of Transport spokesper-

Traffic is diverted around the fatal crash scene.

231049 Pictures: GARY SISSONS son said: “Our hearts go out to the family and friends affected by this tragic incident.”

“We are working closely with Victoria Police to investigate the factors that contributed to the incident.”

An extra lane in both directions had been added in this section as part of Stage 1 of the Monash Freeway Upgrade.

Police are investigating the crash.

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

Traffic congestion ahead of the crash scene.

231049

Eight males arrested over multiple party stabbings Eight males in the South East were arrested over six stabbings at a party at a short-stay rental in Melbourne’s CBD. Gang Crime Squad detectives raided 11 properties in Dandenong, Langwarrin, Pakenham, Berwick, Dandenong North, Cranbourne, Clyde North and Doveton from 6am on Friday 12 March.

A 19-year-old Langwarrin man, an 18-year-old Dandenong North man, a 20-year-old Cranbourne man, an 18-yearold Clyde North man, an 18-year-old Dandenong North man, a 19-year-old Dandenong man, an 18-year-old Doveton man and a

16-year-old Pakenham boy were arrested and interviewed.

Police say serious criminal charges are expected to be laid.

Commander Mick Frewen of Victoria Police Crime Command said the arrests were a “great result”. “(They) highlight to the community that we will do everything we can to hold those involved in violent incidents of this nature to account.

“We understand there is immense public concern when an incident like this occurs, especially in the CBD area that many people

travel to regularly and expect to be safe in.”

The arrests sent a “strong message” that “violent offending of this nature will not be tolerated”.

On Monday 8 March, six people were stabbed at a Spencer Street property.

Police were flagged down by a 19-yearold Dandenong North man who walked to Southern Cross Station about 2.20am.

He had been stabbed several times to the upper body during a fight at the short-term rental, police say.

A 19-year-old Langwarrin man, a 20-year-

old Berwick man, two 17-year-olds from Truganina and a 17-year-old from South Melbourne were also stabbed.

Police from the Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit, Melbourne Embona Taskforce, Melbourne Divisional Response Unit, Casey Crime Investigation Unit, Southern Metro Division 3 Frontline Tactical Unit and Southern Metro Regional Crime Team assisted in the raids on 12 March.

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

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Tuesday, 16 March, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 3

LOOKING BACK

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

100 years ago

50 years ago

20 years ago

5 years ago

17 March 1921 Cranbourne Shire Motor Car The new shire motor car has been duly installed, and already ratepayers are quarrelling as to who is to have the use of it and upon what conditions. Some are of the opinion that it is for the Engineer to do his work with, but others hold that the favoured among their number may use it provided they pay for the petrol. Probably this latter opinion has arisen through a belated parson asking a Clyde rustic to drive him into the Engineer’s so he could be motored in the new shire car to Cardinia, to preach to the Cardinia rustics, and (incidentally) telling the Clyde rustic that of course, when the Engineer used the shire car to drive persons about, he paid for the petrol.

18 March 1971 ‘Vitality’ is the key Today’s role for art galleries is not to produce static displays but to contribute a vital and active force in the community.

Determined to back up his claim, the newly appointed director of the McClelland Art Gallery and Culture Centre at Langwarrin will purchase nothing dated before 1900.

Fired with the desire to make the entity a compelling drawcard 31 year old Carl Andrew is already pitting the 20-acre Studio Park property on the map, although it won’t be open for some months. The art centre was the long time dream of the late Nan McClelland, of Frankston, and her late brother Harry Nan bequeathed $208,000 for this purpose.

19 March 2001 MP slams town hall refit critics Some previous Greater Dandenong councils have been accused of “lacking vision” by State Labor MP for Dandenong Mr John Pandazopoulos. He was responding to criticism in last week’s Journal from five former Dandenong and Springvale mayors of the council’s proposed $14 million redevelopment of the town hall. “The problem with Dandenong is that there hasn’t been any real vision by the majority of mayors or councillors over the past 10 years” he said. The community could criticise previous Dandenong councils on their lack of performance. “It’s fair to say this (the town hall redevelopment ) is a much better vision than what has been around Dandenong for a long time.”

14 March 2016 Honour Roll for Be Ha Springvale’s Be Ha has been inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. The Vietnamese refugee was among 20 women to join the list at Federation Square on Monday 7 March, the day before International Women’s Day. Women’s Minister Fiona Richardson presented the awards to acknowledge and celebrate the extensive and lasting contributions of women in Victoria. Ms Ha fled Vietnam on a 12 metre fishing boat in 1979 and survived attacks from pirates and near starvation on her journey to Darwin. “We were so grateful how Australia welcomed us and provided us with a second chance in life” Ms Ha said

Listen with heart

By Anita Davine of St John Vianney’s Parish, Mulgrave Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary offers us many opportunities to see the ‘good news’ around us, that is, finding God in all things, in all people.

Mindfulness or listening with the heart to what is happening in our daily lives can be a means of hope if we take the time to see, hear and feel what is occurring NOW! “What have you seen or heard recently that has brought you hope?”

I asked this question during a shared dinner with friends recently and thankfully each person had a story to share which filled me with hope for a seemingly troubled world.

These were a few of the experiences remembered and shared.

A church council meeting ending with a person acknowledging and thanking another member for new insights into a contentious issue.

Another offered his skills and expertise to help asylum seekers find a home.

A pastoral care worker offered a listening ear to a distressed mother in hospital.

A mother comforting her sick adult child before surgery.

A retired man smiling and speaking to all the people he met in the shopping mall.

A neighbour assisting with computer skills.

A friend bringing a meal to a neighbour who had just come out of hospital.

Friends giving non-drivers a lift to church on Sundays.

Nurses and doctors caring for the sick.

Workers in aged-care facilities creating a ‘home’ for residents.

Writing letters to people who are isolated.

People ringing each other and/or texting to keep in touch and offering support.

A neighbour cutting the nature-strip for an elderly couple.

Volunteers offering their time and skills to bring help to those in need.

Teachers going the extra mile to support students.

Lawyers supporting and counselling young people at risk of custodial sentences.

Advocates for climate change working to save our planet Earth.

Indigenous people teaching us how to care for our land.

Spiritual leaders sharing their wisdom to help us see that we are all connected.

These are a few of the happenings that come to mind as I look for signs of hope in my local

Anita Davine makes a long list of ‘signs of hope’. neighbourhood and which have a lasting ripple effect.

Let’s work together to be messengers of hope in our homes, workplaces, schools, sporting venues, shopping centres and communities by our small acts of kindness.

May each of us because beacons of hope for each other.

WHAT’S ON Outdoor cinema Free and family-friendly outdoor cinema is set to return on Friday nights in Greater Dandenong.

The Open Air Movies nights alternate each week between Springvale and Harmony Square in Dandenong until mid-April.

Registrations are required.

Patrons are advised to bring a rug or a chair.

Some chairs are provided.

CovidSafe guidelines will be followed, with trained marshals to ensure social distancing.

Details: www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/ open-air-movies

·

Floral art Flora is a series of exhibitions, programs and events across the City of Greater Dandenong, offering new perspectives and renewing our wonder for the plant world. It is staged across Greater Dandenong including Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, Heritage Hill Museum and

Historic Gardens, Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve, Connection Art Space and the Garnar Lane Display Boxes.

Thursday 25 March - Saturday 1 May at multiple sites. Details: www.greaterdandenong. vic.gov.au/flora

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Mens Shed re-opens Keysmen Shed is place for men to talk, joke, work, play and socialise in a fully-equipped kitchen and workshop. New members welcome.

Fridays 9am-1.30pm behind Keysborough Learning Centre, Caribbean Drive, Keysborough. BYO lunch.

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Talks On ... Spirituality Join The Open Door for its next ‘Talks On ... Spirituality’ with guest speaker David Spitteler from The Asylum Seeker Centre.

Wednesday 17 March 5.30pm - 6.30pm at The Open Door, 110 Ann St, Dandenong; suggested donation $5. Bookings: Jo or Tayla on 9791 8664 or Theopendoor@ssjg.org.au

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Butcher’s ‘Kojak moment’ There’s good personal reason why Dandenong butcher Rob Boyle has put himself on the line for the 2021 Good Friday Appeal.

The owner of Rob’s British & Irish Butchers was locked in a Melbourne Star observation wheel’s pod, needing to raise $5000 to escape on Friday morning, 12 March.

Mr Boyle said the cause was close to his heart, with his granddaughter Stevie being the first baby hospitalised with Covid-19 in Australia last year.

And the grandson of a close friend also regularly in hospital to treat a stomach lymphoma.

The ‘Escape from Neil’s Wheel’ fundraiser was conceived by 3AW radio host Neil Mitchell.

A dog park, where two dogs fell ill after suspected baitings. 213486

It aims to raise money towards an ultrasound machine that will help 250 patients a week at Royal Children’s Hospital.

Mr Boyle told 3AW that this would be his “Kojak moment”.

“We’ll find out who loves ya, baby.”

Some might donate to keep him locked up in the pod, he later quipped.

The afternoon before, Mr Boyle put the call out to his 8000 Facebook followers to help the cause.

In less than a day, his friends and suppliers had already pledged more than $2000.

To donate, go to https://fundraise.goodfridayappeal.com.au/s/618/1142

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Poison fears at dog parks A pair of dog poisonings at Tatterson Park has sent shudders through pet owners in Keysborough South.

Two dogs fell ill after eating unknown substances in the Villiers Road dog park in mid February.

Vets concluded that one ingested an anticoagulant poision such as rat bait.

Around the same time, a nearby resident found dog-baited meat in their back yard presumably flung over the back fence.

Cristina Hughes from Springvale South says both her dogs have been poisoned in parks in the past six months.

She’s warning other pet owners to be vigilant for these “inhumane” acts.

Her Lagotto Romagnolo dog Bianca sniffed out and nibbled a suspected rat-poison bait in grass at Villiers Road on 17 February.

“She is not normally the type to stop and sniff something.”

A short time later, her eyes were dilated and she constantly jerked and twitched. She was successfully treated for internal bleeding at a vet.

Another dog was reportedly poisoned in the same park that day.

In November, Ms Hughes’s Labrador, Molly, fell into a paralysis after visiting a park in Kingsclere Avenue.

She had to be revived with two shots of Narcan - a treatment for drug overdose patients.

“I had seen her sniffing and eating something (in the park).

“She couldn’t move. She was stumbling on her back legs and couldn’t hold her head up.”

During a $3500 treatment and observation

period, an emergency animal hospital vet concluded Molly ingested heroin or another illicit drug.

Ms Hughes now avoids the Kingsclere Avenue park, with its toilets attracting frequent drug users.

She and her dogs have returned to Tatterson Park because there’s no other nearby dog parks. But some regulars have stopped visiting the park since the poisonings.

“It’s a bit disheartening.

“I just follow (my dogs) around to see if they go sniffing after anything. You just have to be vigilant.”

Councillor Rhonda Garad said there was concern that a dog baiter was “obviously still out there”.

“They may have stopped for now because there’s a community focus.

“Keysborough South has such a strong dogloving community - for some people, dogs are like their children.

“People were in tears and so distraught across the whole community.”

Greater Dandenong council rangers and parks-and-garden officers patrolled the park for several days afterwards, and “no evidence of any bait”, Greater Dandenong city planning director Jody Bosman said.

“This was a very limited, localised incident and no further action was required.

“This is the only case of alleged dog baiting at a public park in the City of Greater Dandenong that Council has been aware of in recent years.”

The council uses email, SMS alerts and the Lost and Found Facebook page to alert park users of “any potential issues”, Mr Bosman said.

Rob Boyle chops in for the Good Friday Appeal. 173791

Picture: GARY SISSONS

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Living treasures named

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City’s historic clash

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By Cam Lucadou-Wells

DANDENONG

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

Our priority is you

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

By Danielle Kutchel 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

NOW OPEN

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

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“,

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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Tuesday, 16 March, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 5

NEWS

Jim Memeti with Dandenong Community Association members after the council agreed to fund concept plans for the hub last year. 215804

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Trust ‘lost’ on hub project

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong Council needs to restore community “trust” that it will deliver the longawaited Dandenong Community Hub project, Cr Jim Memeti says.

In response to a 406-signature residents petition, Cr Memeti proposed a community working group including residents, the mayor, councillors and council officers.

“At the moment the residents have lost a little bit of trust in the council,” he told Star Journal.

“They’re very happy with forming a meeting group ... and we can step out how to achieve this hub.”

Petitioners called on the council to deliver on $80,000 concept plans by the end of June - as budgeted in 2020-’21. They also called for community consultation on the hub’s loca-

sidered first. He declined to give a time frame.

“The time frame will be determined over the next few months through the business case.”

He said any unspent portion of the $80,000 would be carried to the next financial year.

Despite Covid pressures on the budget, Cr Memeti said now was the time for building community infrastructure.

“There will be potentially larger grants than you normally have from the state and federal governments.

“Plus, money has never been cheaper.

Council can borrow money at lower than 1 per cent (interest rates).”

He said the council’s first priority was the $60 million Dandenong Oasis redevelopment by 2023-’24.

But the hub would closely follow - poten-

tially approved by 2022, built in 2022-’23 and opened by 2024. Resident Silvia Mastrogiavanni said the working group was a good step to give the community a “voice”.

“We’re still looking for the council to stick to what they said they’d do.

“To me, it looks like they’ve been stalling.”

A feasibility study showed strong community support for the hub. It would cater for a mix of ages in a growing Dandenong population, forecast to swell from 37,000 to 52,000 by 2030.

That includes children between 0-4 doubling to about 5000, and a similar number of residents over 65.

The council has also identified the need for a welcoming, supportive community place for young people, especially migrants. And to help them navigate education and employment pathways.

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

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Y R E V E E FRE TUESDAY

tion, including the option of the Dandenong Market precinct in Clow Street.

Cr Memeti told councillors at a council meeting on 9 March that petitioners had been “very loud and clear” for several years.

Dandenong was the council’s fastest-growing suburb yet had waited behind similar hubs being built in Noble Park, Springvale and Keysborough South.

“I can understand their frustrations. We need to deliver this community hub.”

The council has insisted the project is not delayed. In a strategic meeting for 13-14 March, the council will discuss whether to pursue the concept plans, or first do a business case.

Community services director Martin Fidler said a business case, a location and suitable design options for that location had to be con-

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NEWS

Driver ‘sleepy’ and on ice

By Cam Lucadou-Wells An ice-addled truck driver had hardly slept for days before fatally running down four police officers in a freeway emergency lane in 2020, the Supreme Court of Victoria has heard.

Mohinder Bajwa Singh, 48, of Cranbourne pleaded guilty to four counts of culpable driving causing the death of Victoria Police officers Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Constable Glen Humphris, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constable Joshua Prestney.

He also pleaded guilty to three counts of trafficking illicit drugs - ice, cannabis and 1,4-butanediol.

At up to 80 km/h, Singh’s prime mover drove into two police vehicles and Richard Pusey’s intercepted Porsche stopped by the Eastern Freeway, Kew about 5.36pm on 22 April 2020.

Numerous passers-by gave assistance but the four police officers died at the scene.

In his opening summary on 11 March, prosecutor Brendan Kissane QC told the court that Singh used and trafficked drugs, spoke often of being stalked by witches and taking little time to rest.

According to phone activity records, Singh had the opportunity to rest for just five hours in the 72 hours before the crash, Mr Kissane said.

Hours before the crash, an associate was told by Singh that “the witches are coming and we have to leave.”

“I had never seen anyone as drug f***ed in my life,” the associate later told police.

“He hadn’t slept for eight days”.

About 4.30am that morning, Singh told his son that “a witch was messing with his head, that a witch was following him, that a witch was pulling him towards her”.

Before Singh set out on the fateful journey, a work colleague told Singh’s supervisor at Connect Logistics’ depot in Abbotts Road Dan-

Concerns about Mohinder Singh’s fitness to drive were raised at his workplace in Abbotts Road, Dandenong South. denong South that Singh shouldn’t be driving.

The supervisor spoke at length and prayed with Singh before Singh agreed to deliver a load to Thomastown.

He signed a ‘fitness to drive’ form, and left the depot just before 5pm - only stopping to supply ice to an associate in Abbotts Road.

During the next 38 mintues, the truck was observed several times “dipping and veering out of its lane” on Eastlink and Eastern Freeway, including repeated “dips” into the emergency lane.

“This dude’s going to f***ing kill someone,” an observer told his mother minutes before the crash.

An expert opinion found Singh’s prime mover was wholly in the emergency lane at impact, Mr Kissane said.

“There was no reactive braking until the time of impact” - despite the activation of the truck’s collision warning system two seconds earlier.

There was no evidence of contributory faults in the truck’s braking, steering, suspension or tyres.

According to a toxicologist, Singh was so impaired on ice he was incapable of properly controlling a vehicle.

His level of sleep deprivation was equivalent to driving with a 0.3 blood-alcohol reading, another expert found.

Police found 83 grams of cannabis and 3 grams of meth in the truck, three cannabis plants being grown at his house and 23 diazepam tablets in Singh’s Camry and home.

Singh was taken to hospital and initially deemed unfit for interview. He later told police that he didn’t want to work because he was “sleepy and tired”.

“I can still see them in front of my truck and I tried to slam the brakes on ‘em and I couldn’t stop it, I couldn’t stop it.”

Over the days before, Singh sold and used drugs on several occasions, including a 12hour bender on ice and 1,4-butanediol with a

Mohinder Bajwa Singh has pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing the death of four police officers.

Picture: FACEBOOK female in a Dandenong Motel room.

He was observed by some of his drug associates as “off his head”. One of whom told him “he would kill someone if he didn’t get some sleep”.

The hearing continues.

12483987-SN12-21

We’re building big near you and there will be transport disruptions As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing 75 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 46 already gone. We’re also easing congestion by building better roads and bridges across our suburbs.

Cranbourne Line

Until 17 Mar Dandenong to Cranbourne

Road disruptions: Closed lanes Greens Road, Dandenong South

9am to 3.30pm, 16 to 18 Mar

Lanes closed between South Gippsland Highway and Kitchen Road

Monash Freeway

Nights in Mar

Lanes closed between Warrigal Road and EastLink MTIA5263

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions

Keep in mind, there are other transport disruptions over autumn.

Find a detailed list of disruptions at bigbuild.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 16 March, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 7

NEWS

Keysborough gardener Heather Louis and Rhonda Garad with “worm tea” - the product of worm farms. 230365

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Keysborough gardener Heather Louis and councillor Rhonda Garad. 230365

Garden boosting rebates

By Cam Lucadou-Wells In good news for green thumbs, Greater Dandenong Council will introduce a home-composting rebate scheme from July.

Resident ratepayers will be able to claim 30 per cent of the cost of a compost bin, compost tumbler, worm farm or a kitchen compost bin (bokashi).

The scheme will limit each household to one subsidy per year - the same as neighbouring Monash and Casey councils.

Total rebates are capped at 200 compost bins, 50 tumblers, 100 worm farms and 50 bokashi.

The scheme complements the council’s

FOGO (food waste and garden organics) collection service starting in April.

Cr Rhonda Garad, who proposed the scheme, said home composting turned food and garden clippings to healthy garden soil rather than landfill and harmful methane gas.

“Covid has shown us all how important our environment is to our health and happiness, and this scheme will improve the skills of Dandenong’s gardeners to create beautiful gardens.”

Cr Garad said the rebate and its FOGO green-lid food bins showed the council was “seriously delivering on its sustainability strategy”. “(The council) is showing welcome leader-

ship in incentivising the community to work together to create a healthier, cleaner environment.”

Greater Dandenong will also run workshops on composting and creating a community of composters and gardeners to share knowledge.

A council report stated the compost rebate will divert from kerbside collection, and reduce waste and recycling processing costs.

The scheme’s annual cost of about $20,000 could also be recovered with a minimal rise in the residential garbage levy, the report stated.

Food makes up an estimated 35 per cent of household waste, according to the state’s waste and resource recovery infrastructure plan.

Home compost equipment will attract 30 per cent rebates from July.

FOCUS ON … MEDICALLY SPEAKING

Caring community offering support and opportunities My name is Andrew Mackie. The past three years of my life have been something of a roller coaster following my diagnosis of Schizophrenia which has really impacted my speech, behavior, relationship with family, friends and my immediate environment. No matter how hard my family tried to help, my situation kept on deteriorating.

I was introduced to Blue Heart Community

Care and I met with Kalpesh Shah, the Managing Director to discuss my support options and my first impression of him was overwhelmingly positive. We agreed on rostering a support worker three days a week to assist me with accessing the community, daily chores and other support related activities. My support worker has been dedicated to working closely with me, showing empathy and giving

COVID 19 VACINATIONS AVAILABLE FROM 22ND MARCH

me the reassurance needed to keep me going on my worst days.

My support journey with Blue Heart community Care over the past 6 months has been transformational. My support worker has been a great motivation as he constantly strives to reignite my sense of belonging in the community.

Having a support worker has enabled me

to do things I would never think to do on my own. Blue Heart Community Care has helped me build confidence to go out with less anxiety; to live more independently; form new relationships; and better interpersonal skills. For the next 6 months I hope to develop more coping strategies to manage my disability, return to university to conclude my program, start a new job, and live a more meaningful life.

Live your life the way you want

GO TO OUR WEBSITE FOR ELIGIBILITY AND BOOKINGS

Dr Ravi Wijesekara Dr Priyanthi Gunawardana Open hours: Mon - Fri 8:30am - 7pm | Sat 8:30am - 1:30pm Sat/Public Holidays 8.30am-1.30pm

80 Power Road Doveton 3177 | 03 9792 4060 www.dovetonmedicalcentre.com.au for online bookings.

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Tuesday, 16 March, 2021

Assist to navigate your NDIS Plan and work with you to find the appropriate Services & service providers.

For More Details Ph: call on 03 5995 7709 / 0433 979 780 Or visit: www.blueheartcommunitycare.com.au

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Andrew Mackie and his support worker.

Picture: SUPPLIED dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Hope springs for women

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A cash-strapped family violence service in Dandenong has a “glimmer of hope” after a meeting with Family Violence Prevention and Womens Minister Gabrielle Williams.

Wellsprings for Women recently called for $330,000 to help its case management service to continue supporting more than 100 women and families.

Chief executive Dalal Smiley said the meeting with Ms Williams on 5 March was “very positive”.

“Wellsprings will be meeting next with Family Safety Victoria to discuss our funding opportunities “So nothing is in concrete as yet, but a glimmer of hope is definitely there.”

Ms Smiley said Wellsprings stressed how it was different to other service providers. The service argues that it is able to uniquely reach migrant women, overcome cultural barriers and make them comfortable enough to ask for help.

“The minister was very appreciative and

Family Violence Prevention Minister Gabrielle Williams, Wellsprings CEO Dalal Smiley, Multicultual Communities special adviser Maria Dimopoulos, Wellsprings chair Janet Cribbes and board Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS members Carmel Collins and Georgie Prattis. 229734 supportive of our work.”

A spokesperson for Ms Williams’s office was contacted for comment.

Last week, Wellsprings chair Janet Cribbes said the service had grown due to extra Covid

grant funding such as JobKeeper.

Its five staff provided more than $11 of value for every funding dollar.

Wellsprings’ welcoming women-only environment with a range of programs and ser-

vices felt like “family” to its clients.

“This is a really big thing for a person at their most vulnerable - to feel comfortable.

“It’s the hardest thing to ask for help, even more so in a foreign country with language and cultural barriers. “(Wellsprings) gives them the discretion they need which is not the case if they were attending a dedicated family violence service.”

Ms Cribbes said agencies often referred women with “critical” family violence experiences to Wellsprings.

“People who go to Wellsprings feel a space of not being understood and accepted, not judged.

“It lets them work things out in a gentle sort of way.”

A significant number of migrant and refugee women tell Wellsprings staff that they “are not quite ready to leave” their homes.

“Often they perceive the alternative to staying as worse.

“We support them to look after their kids, look after themselves and keep themselves safe.”

Dandy jobs not for keeps as JobKeeper set to end “Thousands of jobs” will be lost in Greater Dandenong and Casey by the end of the JobKeeper rebate, says Bruce MP Julian Hill.

According to Treasury data, more than 8000 businesses in the Bruce electorate will be affected by the removal of the $27.6 million fortnightly payments from 28 March.

Nearly 31,000 workers will be impacted.

The Bruce electorate includes parts of Dandenong, Dandenong North, Doveton, En-

deavour Hills, Hallam, Noble Park, Springvale and Keysborough.

“Businesses are worried and people will be forced to try and survive on reduced unemployment benefits,” Mr Hill said.

“Scott Morrison has no plan to create jobs and grow the economy. The Liberals’ priority is to pass new laws to make it easier for employers to cut wages.”

Across Australia, about 100,000 workers are estimated to lose their jobs. They are among

more than 1 million who will lose JobKeeper.

Meanwhile, the JobSeeker supplement is being reduced from $75 a week to $25 from 31 March.

The Federal Government announced a $1.2 billion support package including 800,000 half-price airline tickets, cheap loans for businesses and aviation industry grants.

More than 350,000 current JobKeeper recipients are expected to be eligible to the Government’s expanded ‘SME Loan Guarantee

Scheme’ from 1 April.

“This SME Recovery Scheme is part of the next step in our plan to help small businesses stand on their own two feet as the economy recovers from COVID-19,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said.

“The expansion and extension of the loans will back businesses that back themselves and will help businesses who continue to do it tough build a bridge to the other side of the crisis and keep their staff employed.”

The Victorian Government is making it easier for families to find a three and four-year old kinder learning program they can count on.

LED BY A QUALIFIED QUA TEACHER TEA

I highlights kindergartens and It d llong day care centres that o offer play-based programs to h help children learn and grow, b before they start school.

FU FUNDED AND APPROVED BY A THE VICTORIAN TH GOVERNMENT G It a also identifies se services that are ap approved for Victorian G Go Government funding.

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The K Kinder Tick recog recognises kinder prog d programs that are led by a qualifi q r. ed teacher.

P PLAY-BASED LEARNING PROGRAM L M

LOOK FOR THE KINDER TICK

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Find out more at vic.gov.au/kindertick

Tuesday, 16 March, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 9

NEWS

The rubbish strewn on Queens Avenue Springvale. 230954

Pictures: GARY SISSONS

A concrete remnant coated in plastic litter in Dandenong Creek, Bangholme. 230958

City’s dumping disgrace

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Chesterfield-style couch, mattress, suitcases and furniture have formed part of an illegal dumping site in central Springvale.

The pile - one of multitudes in Greater Dandenong - has grown over several days on Queens Avenue opposite Buckingham Avenue.

After being alerted on Monday 8 March, Greater Dandenong Council reported the mess to VicTrack, which owns the site adjoining the city-bound railway line.

The eye-sore shocked councillor Richard Lim, who has publicly pledged to beautify Springvale as a tourist attraction.

“It’s a very bad image for Springvale, and very widespread.”

It’s one of many garbage mounds piled up on roadsides, nature strips, creeks and fields in suburbs and rural parts of Greater Dandenong found by Star Journal photographer Gary Sissons on 10 March.

And it costs what the council has previously estimated as $450,000 a year for clean-ups.

The council did not respond to Star Journal’s questions about the quantities and annual cost of cleaning up illegal rubbish, or the numbers of people fined.

In a recent year, it investigated more than 3800 complaints and collecting 900 tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish on public land.

Councillor Jim Memeti said dumping had plagued Greater Dandenong. A particular dumping zone were nature strips in front of blocks of units.

“I can’t understand why. We offer a free service to come and pick up hard rubbish.

“They don’t even bother to notify the council.”

He said the council cleaned up dumping sites very quickly, when reported by the public.

Its investigations had also uncovered culprits - leading to fines of more than $6000 and court prosecutions.

“You think you’ve saving money but if you’re caught, it’s an expensive exercise for you.”

Resident Gaye Guest regularly reports the scourge of unsightly rubbish piles to the council for collection.

Sometimes, a pile starts with a single item is left out on the nature strip, and then other dumpers pile-on with their discarded couches, mattresses and other rubbish, she says.

In some cases, dumpers were avoiding disposal fees at landfills.

“The tip fees are so high so people aren’t sending so much for landfill. But instead some are driving out to a quiet spot and dumping it.

“We’ve got so many enlightened people now so I don’t know why we’ve got this problem.

“We’ve got to be better than that.”

People could act “smarter” by buying less and donating unwanted items to charity stores and collections, she said.

Greater Dandenong city amenity director Jody Bosman said any items left - without council approval - on a footpath, nature strip or in front of charity stores were classed as illegal dumping.

Prevention measures include a Hotspots program to monitor sites with recurring trash.

Illegal dumping can be reported on the council’s website, Snap Send Solve app or to its customer service centres.

“If you see dumped rubbish or someone dumping unwanted items within Greater Dandenong, it is important to provide as much information as possible, including items that have been dumped, location, date and time, and vehicle registration and description.”

Mr Bosman said residents should follow the five R’s in disposing items - refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle.

“If items cannot be disposed using the five R’s, residents can book a hard waste collection or visit a waste transfer station.”

Rubbish near Dandenong Creek in Bangholme. 230958

A shopping trolley stands by a rubbish pile in Noble Park. 230957

Some of the rubbish piled near railway tracks on Queens Avenue, Springvale. 230954

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Furniture on the nature strip, Heatherton Road. 230964

Tuesday, 16 March, 2021

Dumped rubbish off Pillars and McMahens roads in Bangholme. 230958 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Pool shock

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Jennifer Hibbs is welcoming the market’s loyal shoppers back after a year of lockdowns. 230850

New world for food

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Twelve months ago, as Australia woke to the surreal new Covid reality, Dandenong Market had to close one of its biggest festivals World Food Fare.

General manager Jennifer Hibbs says it’s time now to “get back on track” on the eve of World Food Fare re-opening on 28 March.

“We had a real groove going before Covid hit, especially with festivals and events.

“World Food Fare will be the first event we’ve held since the pandemic.”

Ms Hibbs has had to draw deep on 35 years of experience in markets - including more than five years as CEO of Queen Victoria Market.

In 2014, she joined Dandenong Market as it became a separate corporate entity from its owner City of Greater Dandenong.

When she looks back on her career, some things have changed. A young woman was no

longer expected to make the coffee and teas, she said.

In her case, there has been no ‘glass ceiling’.

“I have to say I’ve been very lucky in business.

“I’ve always had someone who I’ve been working for you has mentored me and encouraged me. To move forward and move to the next level.”

Frustratingly, in 2020, the market was open but not on all cylinders.

The non-food traders were shut for months on end, shoppers living more than 5 kilometres away couldn’t visit.

Even this month’s World Food Fare is restricted to 500 patrons at a time on The Terrace area.

“Our focus is on helping our traders.

They’ve had a tough year, particularly the general merchandise and street food van traders who have been restricted to only take-away.”

“I think with markets, whether it’s traders or

staff, they are really resilient in tough times.”

Last year, City of Greater Dandenong offered initially $1.5 million rent relief to Dandenong Market, which was passed onto traders until the end of June.

The council has continued to subsidise the market as the pandemic lingers.

Looking ahead, Dandenong Market is set to welcome a new chair Donna McMaster and a new-look board.

A Dandenong Market director for four years, Ms McMaster understood the business well, Ms Hibbs said.

Ms Hibbs said the market would “go with the flow” dictated by Covid restrictions.

“We will try to adjust to that and not try to have too high expectations as well.”

International Women’s Day was significant for all women in business, she says. Staff were set to share an event breakfast - the first nonZoom team event for 12 months.

Bodybuilder muscles in for strong win

By Danielle Kutchel Endeavour Hills resident James Lobriza is a living, breathing example of how hard work and dedication pays off.

The 22-year-old has recently picked up a swag of awards for his bodybuilding, after months of sacrifice and commitment to his dream.

On Saturday 27 February, Mr Lobriza took part in the IFBB Juniors Bodybuilding Competition’s Victoria State Qualifiers, where he won the under-23s and under-70s body building divisions.

Just a few days later on Sunday 7 March, at the ICN Rising Star and Rookie of the Year event, he received gold for the Rookie Men’s Bodybuilding U23, Rising Star Men’s Classic Physique and Rookie Men’s Classic Physique, plus a silver in Rookie Men’s Bodybuilding Open.

It’s a remarkable achievement for someone who only began bodybuilding training in March 2020.

Having been going to the gym since he was 17 but not been “100 percent committed”, Mr Lobriza decided to see what he was really capable of, and set himself a target to become a bodybuilder.

Working with coach Kevin Vo, Mr Lobriza said he began adhering to a strict training and diet plan, all of which impacted his lifestyle.

He had originally planned to compete in September, but the competition was cancelled during the pandemic.

“We went back to the drawing board, replanned and decided to go for the March competition,” he explained.

“A quote that stuck with me from my dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

James Lobriza, far left, poses with winners of other divisions. coach was ‘don’t stress over things you can’t control, just focus on the things you can’, like training, diet and nutrition.”

He’s now been adhering to a regimented diet and training program since March 2020.

That means sticking to clean foods, with a focus on chicken, rice, oats and potatoes.

“I’m a really big eater and a foodie. I enjoy going out with my girlfriend and enjoying Italian food, fast food and barbecues. It’s a pretty big challenge to go this long without those!” he said.

His family and friends have been supportive throughout the journey and are “over the moon” to see him now accom-

Picture: CHARLES LOWTHIAN

plishing his goals.

“This lifestyle affects them as well because I can’t go out all the time and I can’t do normal family dinners because of my diet - but for them to be able to see what my goal was and get rewarded for it with the gold medal, that was a big achievement for me,” Mr Lobriza said.

While his awards are impressive, Mr Lobriza isn’t done yet and said he will continue to up his game.

“There’s room for improvement, but this sport is more of a journey, there is no final destination. Moving forward, I’m aiming to get better,” he said.

From page 1 Residents group Doveton & Eumemmerring Township Association (DETA) say they discovered the plan buried within a 679-page Casey Council meeting agenda just five days ahead of the vote.

DETA has called an emergency meeting to work out a response to the bombshell move.

“Doveton and Eumemmerring residents are shocked and angered at the proposal by Casey Council.

“It is expected DETA will formally call on the unelected temporary Casey Council administrators to oppose this recommendation on Tuesday.”

The group stated that the “former democratically elected” councillors adopted a strategy in 2019 to invest $24 million into upgrading Doveton Pool as a high priority.

“DETA look forward to and expect Council to deliver on this much needed and long promised investment in the Doveton & Eumemmerring Community.”

Former Casey councillor Damien Rosario said he and colleague Wayne Smith had previously fought hard for a masterplan for an indoor pool and outdoor pool for all-year use.

“I’m disappointed but I’m not surprised to hear the news.

“When you look at all the different projects programmed in the (Casey Council) budget and now they’re gone.

“It’s just cost-saving to be honest.”

According to a Casey Council report, the Doveton outdoor pool was an “over provision of aquatic facilities and services” which lost $190,000 from July 2019-March 2020.

The report stated that Doveton-Eumemmerring’s 12,347 population was too small to justify a $40 million redevelopment including an indoor pool.

It instead recommended a $4 million option for free water-play equipment in a park and social gathering space.

This would address an undersupply of “district level” parkland in Doveton, including potentially dog off-leash areas, vegetation, barbecues and play space.

“It is expected that there will be considerable community and stakeholder interest in the project, and some may have concerns regarding the proposal to remove the pool.

“It is proposed that Council actively engage with all community members to ensure their voices are heard and seek to develop a draft Master Plan that incorporates elements that will best serve the Doveton community.”

The report also rejected a proposal from Doveton College and Our Place to relocate Doveton Library to the site, with a new 25-metre ‘indoor-outdoor’ pool, fitness centre, kitchen, allied health offices and meeting rooms.

However, there were sufficient council community facilities in Doveton, as well as “accessible” aquatic alternatives such as Dandenong Oasis, Casey ARC and several learn-toswim programs, the report stated.

An outdoor pool at Noble Park Aquatic Centre was within 7 kilometres away.

The report noted that Doveton’s pools were only open during days of or above 30 degrees Celsius in December-March.

It attracted 3717 casual visitors and 15,190 during swimming carnivals in the 2019-’20 season.

By 2026, a further $1.94 million would be required to maintain the pool, let alone upgrade it, the report stated.

The Doveton Pool in the Park - the only outdoor pool in Casey - is listed as a locally significant heritage site.

It was built in 1968 after a spate of drownings in Eumemmerring Creek. Residents reportedly raised funds and lobbied Shire of Berwick for the pool.

The council raised extra funds for the project with a charge on industrial ratepayers.

The pool’s waterplay and waterslides. 231126 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Tuesday, 16 March, 2021

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NEWS

Elias and father Kamil with the za’atar pizza at Why Not? Wooden Bakery. 229979

The za’atar pizza is packed with sumptuous vegetarian ingredients. 229979

Battered oysters and chips is a favourite for New Zealanders. 229979

Kesar chai served in a traditional clay pot.

229979

A fare around the world

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Dandenong Market’s bevy of food traders are cooking up one-off special dishes for the return of Dandenong World Fare festival.

The eye-catching options include a rarelyseen purple yam dough sensation that’s popular breakfast or snack fare in the Philippines.

Served warm, the ‘Ube Cheese Pandesal’ is filled with a sweet yam jam and melted cheese.

The handmade dough is light as a donut’s.

Its creator Catherine from Si Kat Pinoy Eatscetera - known for Filipino street food - says the yam is an easy-to-grow staple used most commonly in poorer, rural areas of her homeland.

But they’re much more expensive in Australia. So she confines purple yam dishes as oneoff specials such as for Dandenong Food Fare.

Two years ago, her purple-yam champorado - or rice pudding - was much sought after.

“So why not make it purple again for this festival?” she says.

During Covid, Catherine was much admired for offering free food to stranded international students.

At NZ Street Food, a special one-off rendition of battered oysters and chips are on offer.

A traditional and popular feed at any New Zealand fish-and-chippery, the generously large oysters are sealed fresh and moist inside the batter coat.

Seven years ago, NZ Street Food started in a food van as the first New Zealand eatery in Melbourne. Its gained a loyal following for its offerings including the traditional hangi - a dish of chicken, lamb and vegies wrapped and heated in a customized oven. As well as for its imported Kiwi chips and other snacks.

Why Not? Wooden Bakery offers a unique take on its traditional za’atar pizza. Za’atar is a traditional green herb mix of sesame, thyme and olive oil with a citric tang.

For Dandenong World Fare, it will stack delicious vegetarian ingredients such as feta, olives, capsicium and tomato and a generous layer of olive oil.

At Kadak Chai, a rare blast of saffron not only permeates its tea’s colour but its taste.

Its co-owner Shabbir is famous for his imaginative and famous cups of pink chai.

He says just two or three strands of the rich red flower are enough to intensify the tradi-

Shabbir from Kadak Chai with his saffronflavoured kesar chai. 229979 12 STAR JOURNAL

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The sweet purple yam jam filling in the ube cheese pandesal. 229979

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

tional brew of cardamon, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and nutmeg.

Other tasty offerings include a cherry burek - usually served as a dessert only at Christmas - from Dandy Burek, and a secret chicken biryani recipe handed down two family generations at Downtown Punjab.

A market spokesperson said the aim of this year’s World Fare was to “hero” the market’s traders after a tough Covid-afflicted 2020.

And to encourage them to offer a unique, one-off dish from their home cuisines.

The festival also offers an all-day program of entertainment such as haka dances, lion dances, African drumming and a reggae band.

Dandenong Market World Fare is on Sunday 28 March, 10am-4pm at The Terrace, Dandenong Market, corner Clow and Cleeland streets, Dandenong. Free entry and free parking.

Filipino Street Food’s Catherine with ube cheese pandesal. 229979

Tuesday, 16 March, 2021

Kesar chai served in a traditional clay pot. 229979 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Car-scam thief faces jail

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Clyde North man with 17 pages of priors used “blank cheques” to steal cars from five private sellers.

Lachlan Tre-Weekane, 22, pleaded guilty to a series of car theft and driving charges at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 9 March.

After meeting on Facebook Marketplace, he transferred blank cheques into the accounts of victims in Dandenong North, Rowville, Broadmeadows, Altona North and Roxburgh Park.

Initially, the accounts showed the money had gone through. Within a few hours, the money would be gone.

And Tre-Weekane had driven away with their vehicles valued at up to $15,000. He was also disqualified from driving at the time.

Tre-Weekane was allegedly involved in and then fled a serious crash on the Monash Freeway in Glen Waverley on 2 December.

Tre-Weekane in a stolen Holden ute tried to overtake in the emergency lane, lost control and collided with an innocent victim’s car.

The victim’s car flipped on its roof. A friend

who’d also been travelling at speed in a stolen XR5 did a U-turn and picked up Tre-Weekane from the scene.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing a Commodore from a Frankston home in May and an unlocked Holden Club Sport with keys in its ignition from a Mornington car yard in July.

The offending started just a few weeks after being released from a 12-month jail term in April 2020.

Defence lawyer Anthony Maselli said TreWeekane’s several mental health issues were exacerbated by ice use.

He needed to stick to a medication regime, engage in “intensive psychotherapy” and move away from his co-accused friends.

All of Tre-Weekane’s friends were in trouble with the law or in jail, Mr Maselli said.

“He’s unable to find anyone about him who’s pure (and) without convictions.

“But youth is on his side. It’s a shame that we have a man of his age before the court so much.”

Tre-Weekane understood that each jail term was leading to a “wasted life”, the lawyer argued.

His rehabilitation prospects were guarded but “not without hope”.

A police prosecutor argued for a lengthy jail term given Tre-Weekane had breached and reoffended on previous corrections orders.

He’d missed phone calls and appointments with Corrections staff despite being guided by an advanced case manager.

Police argued it was important to “send a message” that this offending was “seriously” punished. Especially to his co-offending friends, who were either in jail or facing court.

Corrections Victoria was opposed to a further corrections order.

Magistrate Suzette Dootjes indicated TreWeekane, despite being a “young man”, would be likely jailed for the latest crimes.

“He’s gone beyond a corrections order.

Even a combination sentence is not within the range.”

She noted that the repeated scamming was pre-meditated, rather than opportunistic. It had a big impact on victims.

A Corrections report “starkly” described his “lack of motivation” to engage with corrections officers or modify his behaviour with Corrections support, Ms Dootjes noted.

Tre-Weekane had served 89 days in presentence remand.

He was remanded for sentencing at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 17 March.

Cup raised for 100 years full of love and adventure World traveller Irene Lyall was set to mark her 100th birthday with a teacup filled with gin.

The Welsh-born centenarian turned 100 on Friday 12 March with Hugh, her husband of 67 years. Both still live in their home in Dandenong.

Ms Lyall says the secret to her long life is a good moisturizer - and what she’ll be drinking in a commemorative ‘centenarian club’ teacup gifted by her aged care provider Bolton Clarke.

“I don’t drink tea, so I’ll put gin in my cup,” she says.

Born and raised in the little village of Rhossilli on the southwestern tip of the Gower Peninsula in Wales, she is the third of five children.

“They were very good parents,” she says.

“They were very happy.”

Her father was a fisherman and Ms Lyall and her siblings spent many hours at the beach.

He died while Ms Lyall was still a teenager.

Life became particularly hard on her mother, with “no child support to speak of”.

“The local farmers and community rallied behind her and my siblings and I had to all pitch in to help.

“My job was to look after my two younger siblings.”

Ms Lyall went to the village’s school, comprised of two classrooms - one for junior students and one for seniors.

There was no option to commute to a big city school as the distance rendered it impossible.

“The nearest city was Swansea, which was 18 miles away.

“People didn’t have much money, so you didn’t travel to the big city very often because of the cost.”

When World War II came, Ms Lyall left Wales and worked in munitions.

She made metal parts including screws, nuts and bolts, parts for guns and camouflage nets to cover vehicles and tanks.

“It wasn’t hard, but I came home smelling of tar and creosote.”

Later, she worked as a charge-hand for the Navy Army and Airforce Institute where she cooked, served meals and supported recreational activities.

Her position was second in charge to the manager and eventually she began running the Corporals Club, where she met her future husband Hugh.

He joined the army in 1947. As a Corporal he worked as both radio and gunner operator on tanks.

There was a lot of interest in their relationship.

“I used to have to walk from the main camp to the Corporals Club each day,” Ms Lyall says.

“One of the soldiers asked Hugh if he went dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Irene Lyall and Hugh Lyall on the eve of Ms Lyall’s 100th birthday. out with ‘that old-fashioned girl.’

“He was the only soldier I went out with.”

Mr Lyall says she was different to the other girls around the camp.

“We kept each other on the straight and narrow,” he says.

They courted for nine months before Hugh left the camp in 1950 for Hong Kong and Kenya an then nine weeks of leave in Germany.

The couple’s love continued to blossom even though they were apart.

“We kept in touch via letters and the phone,” Mr Lyall says.

“It cost five shillings for the phone call and we didn’t get much phone time each evening.

“The girls on the switch used to put me through last because I was a regular, so if everyone else was done, I’d get more time.”

He left the army in 1953 and the pair married on 6 February 1954.

“I didn’t get down on one knee,” Mr Lyall says. “We just decided we’d get married.”

They rented a flat in London before a friend urged them to go to Australia.

They boarded the P&O SS Iberia passenger liner on 13 March 1956, paying 124 pounds each for a one-way ticket.

“We met people on the ship who were very nice and looked after us when we first arrived,” Mr Lyall says.

“They became our Australian family.”

Noureen, a Bolton Clarke nurse, presents a commemorative teacup to Irene Lyall The plan was to travel onto New Zealand or Canada if they didn’t like Australia.

But they did and they stayed, eventually building a home in Glen Waverley.

“We’ve never regretted it,” Ms Lyall says.

“The best thing we ever did was move to Australia.”

They travelled extensively, visiting 18 different countries, including Canada several times and a round the world trip in 1982.

They also explored their own backyard, including 6000 miles in a rental car from Perth travelling through Western Australia and a yearly trip to Queensland to escape the Melbourne winter.

“We also took a six-month holiday to Britain in 1972, visiting friends all over and Hugh’s old soldier buddies,” Ms Lyall says.

“We have no regrets; we’ve had a good life.”

Irene Lyall with her commemorative teacup.

Tuesday, 16 March, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 13

NEWS

The team from Gumbuya World celebrate being named the 2019 Business of the Year.

SJD Homes won the 2018 Business of the Year.

Business awards back on The Casey Business Awards are returning in 2021 with a brand-new format to recognise and celebrate the wonderful and diverse businesses across the City of Casey.

The awards open on Friday 5 March and close on Thursday 8 April and businesses, both large and small, are encouraged to get involved and be in the running to win cash prizes, promotion for their business and the opportunity to network with other local business people.

As part of the refreshed format, the City of Casey will recognise achievement in four categories: innovation, business leadership, employment, and resilience.

All applicants will have exclusive access to an exciting range of business development programs, including free mentoring and a series of invite-only workshops focusing on award category themes. Winners will also receive cash prizes and valuable exposure for their business.

City of Casey’s chair of administrators, Noelene Duff, said after what was undeniably a challenging year, it was important to recognise the achievements of Casey’s businesses.

“There are so many local businesses doing amazing things and it’s wonderful to be able to showcase and celebrate the contribution and value they add to our city,” Ms Duff said.

“We understand many businesses are time poor, so we have made the application process quick and easy with only five assessment questions to respond to.

“I encourage all local businesses to participate in this fantastic program, not only for the promotion and recognition that they can receive, but also for the valuable opportunities to connect more broadly with Casey’s business network and gain feedback from industry experts.”

Finalists will be announced at a Business

Successful Endeavours has won numerous Casey Business Awards over the years.

Breakfast networking event on 13 May 2021, with the winners to be announced at a special Gala Evening event on 25 June 2021 at Bunjil Place.

The Casey Business Awards 2021 are proudly supported by major sponsors Zeemo and Bendigo Bank and category sponsors Mirvac, St John of God Hospital Berwick, MatchWorks,

Glow Clinic won the best new business in 2019. and media partner Star News Group.

For more information and to apply, visit businessincasey.com.au/casey-businessawards-2021.

Botanic gardens on display at blockbuster exhibition

By Danielle Kutchel Residents of Casey and surrounding municipalities have long known of the beauty of Cranbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, but that beauty has now been captured for all of Melbourne to see thanks to the work of international artists Fallen Fruit.

Fallen Fruit, comprised of David Allen Burns and Austin Young, took inspiration from the gardens for their exhibit ‘Natural History’, which is now on display at the National Gallery of Victoria as part of the Triennial.

Natural History is an immersive installation spread across three galleries, encompassing vibrant wallpaper prints featuring photos of different varieties of plants paired with selected artworks from the NGV’s permanent collection.

The result is an exhibit that “draws into focus the complex and dynamic relationship between historical and contemporary ideals of beauty and nature, religious ideology, and narrative themes of colonialism and how they function as storytelling in Western art,” the artists explained in their artist statement.

One piece of the triptych, titled ‘Native Plants’ features a pattern of flora native to Australia, constructed from photographs taken at the Cranbourne gardens.

The artists said they were encouraged to visit the gardens on their research trip to Australia in February 2020.

“We were really impressed with the beautiful contemporary garden. It’s as much an installation artwork as it is a garden,” they said.

Returning home to Los Angeles with pho14 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 16 March, 2021

‘Native Plants’ by Fallen Fruit, using photographs taken at the Cranbourne gardens. tos of the Cranbourne gardens as well as other flora around Melbourne, the duo began creating their artwork during LA’s Covid lockdown.

“The pandemic afforded a great time to be introspective and focus on the meaning of the artwork both historically and in terms of contemporary framing,” the duo said.

“Originally, we were supposed to return to Melbourne to install the artworks and for public programming.

“But as it became clear we couldn’t travel to Australia, the team at NGV worked hard to make sure our artwork was installed as we envisioned.”

The artists used architectural drawings of the room to digitally sketch the installation, and then coordinated with curators and installers over Zoom and FaceTime to get it just right.

The Cranbourne gardens have left an impression on the duo.

“The Cranbourne Gardens are spectacular

Love is blind (Amore Accieca) (c. 1875). Donato Barcaglia, in front of Fallen Fruit’s pattern ‘sketches and notebooks’.

Pictures: FALLEN FRUIT in every way. The designs for the gardens are fantastic,” they said.

“The site lines create spaces for the public to explore botany and geography like a museum for native plants. It is not only beautiful, it is diverse and full of the unexpected.

“We had an incredible experience making the photographs and walking the property.

We also love the food at the restaurant!”

With the pandemic also highlighting the impact of art on people’s mental health, the artists also noted the power of art to heal.

“Artwork is healing. It connects people.

Our art is an experience and it’s often very social,” they said.

Fallen Fruit is about to launch its next collaborative project, titled ‘Endless Orchard’.

Another global project, the artists invite anyone to participate by “planting a fruit tree in front of your home, business, school or community centre”, and sharing it with the world by mapping it on endlessorchard.com Visit the Natural History exhibit at the National Gallery of Victoria’s Triennial, showing until Sunday 18 April. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

FOCUS ON … CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK

Student voices important St Anthony’s promotes the message that students’ voices are firmly based within values that reflect the Catholic tradition.

When schools give students the agency and the tools to speak out, the effects can resonate across students’ lives. Engaging students as active partners can give young people a set of strategies they can use to create positive change in the future. When authentic partnerships are formed the stage is set for lasting bonds and important mentoring relationships.

St Anthony’s is a school where students’ voices are at the forefront. Students work closely alongside teachers, leadership and the wider community in decision making processes. From the early years students are guided and mentored to take on leadership roles in the school.

Students are elected by their peers to form the Student Representative Council and Catholic Social Teachings Group. These teams work with a teacher to survey their peers in order to make decisions that affect the school and the wider community such as: Informing school policies e.g. sunsmart, physical activity and healthy eating Leading staff meetings Partnering with local aged care and kindergartens for reciprocal visits Student led community Masses Student voice into school curriculum Student led lunchtime activities Grade 5/6 Prep Buddies Mentoring Program Researching and identifying needs within the community and organising necessary supports Student led school tours for new enrolments Members of the City of Greater Dandenong

· · · · · · · ·

St Anthony’s is a school where students’ voices are welcomed.

· ·

Children’s Advisory Group (in 2020 the School Captain was elected Junior Mayor) All students are leaders within the school,

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taking on responsibilities in the classroom, in their year levels, on the playground and in the wider community.

Leadership is encouraged and acknowledged and all students have an opportunity to take on these roles and responsibilities.

St Anthony's School Noble Park 90 Buckley Street, Noble Park 3174 www.sanoblepark.catholic.edu.au

St Anthony's Catholic Primary School, Noble Park, is a strong, diverse, community-driven school with a warm heart, which welcomes families, students and staff from all around the world.

St Anthony's provides inclusive learning opportunities for students through exploring deep questions of life linked to the Catholic faith.

We promote high expectations for all, foster wellbeing and ensure the full flourishing of each person.

St Anthony's is a school where everyone is known.

Open Days MONDAY MARCH 15 2.30PM - 5.30PM TUESDAY MARCH 16 9.00AM - 11.00AM MONDAY MARCH 22 9.00AM - 11.00AM WEDNESDAY 24 MARCH 9.00AM - 11.00AM FRIDAY 23 APRIL 9.00AM - 11.00AM

Please Contact School Administration Email: principal@sanoblepark.catholic.edu.au Phone: 03 95460044

Pr e Ye par 6

St Paul Apostle South Primary School St. Paul Apostle South Primary School is a Prep – Year 6 Catholic school with children from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

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STAR JOURNAL 17

SPORT

Ruwantha’s record season

By Nick Creely Record-breaking Alan Wookey Medal winner Ruwantha Kellepotha arrived at Berwick in 2019/20 with a quest for premierships and to play in a really strong team.

The 29-year-old ex-Sri Lankan first class allrounder was already one of the DDCA’s biggest stars prior to making the move across from St Mary’s, but his game has gone to another level at Arch Brown Reserve.

A memorable premiership in his first season, combined with brilliant individual results, suggest it’s been the right move.

He’s added a different dynamic to a Berwick side that already has a glittering of stars.

It’s safe to say he’s turning heads with his excellent leg-spin - which has bamboozled batsmen - and game-breaking batting through the middle order, often coming in with his side in trouble and steering them home.

On Sunday, 7 March, Kellepotha snared the prestigious Alan Wookey Medal as best and fairest player in the Turf 1 season, polling a record 45 votes after carving 353 runs and taking 34 wickets.

He has taken a wicket every 20 balls this season.

“I’m really happy with the achievement,” he told the Journal of winning the top award in the DDCA. “I don’t try to do too much, just the basics - I have a good team, so I just want to be consistent.

“I didn’t expect that many votes - in previous seasons I’ve performed well but haven’t won the games, but this year I played well and won games at Berwick.

“So that’s one of the reasons I got more votes.”

But the stunning season hasn’t come out of nowhere - he’s been a consistent force of the association for over half a decade.

Kellepotha arrived for a half-season in 2013/14 as Springvale South’s overseas player, spending two seasons at the Bloods at Turf 1 level, crossing to Keysborough for two seasons in Turf 2, before returning to Turf 1 with two more years at St Mary’s.

These experiences - he believes - have shaped him as a cricketer, and he is thankful for being given the opportunity.

“I want to thank my past clubs, because I

Berwick star Ruwantha Kellepotha. 203008 had good experience with them - I got to start my career with them (in Australia),” he said.

“And Berwick, I want to thank them - especially my captain (Matt Chasemore) he trusts me all the time, so I want to thank all of the clubs and DDCA.” Kellepotha’s numbers in the DDCA make for some remarkable reading - in 95 total first XI matches, the all-rounder has 2599 runs at 34.19, with a further 266 wickets at 13.12.

“I came in 2013 for a half-season in earlyDecember, so it’s my eighth season in DDCA - I enjoy playing here,” he said of playing in the association.

“It’s a good competition.”

His move to Berwick for 2019/20 was one of the biggest off-season moves of recent years, and for the star all-rounder it was a simple

Picture: GARY SISSONS reason why he decided to continue plying his trade with the Bears.

“I played six seasons in Turf 1 but I didn’t get any premierships, so I decided for my career I wanted a premiership, and that’s why I went to Berwick,” he said.

“I decided to go there because they have a good side, good facilities and everything.”

Kellepotha also plays in the Victorian Sunday competition for Eastern Maroons, where he scored 100 more runs than anyone in the competition, finishing with 441 from his 11 matches, while finishing in the top 10 for wickets with 15.

There is chatter surrounding Kellepotha potentially taking on the challenge of Premier Cricket next season - he would make a strong addition to most clubs.

He has experience playing with the Frankston Peninsula Heat in the Twenty20 Vic SuperSlam, where he snared six wickets from five matches and impressed.

“Competition wise, it’s the best in Victoria, so it was a good experience - at the time, Keith Jansz was coaching over there, and he coached me at Springvale South so I know him,” he said.

“He asked me to play, so I enjoyed it a lot.”

But with his Berwick premiership coach, Will Carr, taking over as head coach of CaseySouth Melbourne, there is a potential opportunity there for the taking, however Kellepotha remains sternly focus on delivering his club back-to-back flags.

“I’ll try to finish this season first, and then I’ll decide what to do,” he said.

“So we’ll see how it goes.”

Aston Fastnet simply sensational in Sandown opener

By Mick Floyd Aston Fastnet scorched around Sandown Park in 29.114 on Thursday night, the fastest time recorded since Hard Style Rico set the track record in last November’s TAB Melbourne Cup. A litter brother to 2021 TAB Melbourne Cup favourite Aston Rupee, Aston Fastnet stepped cleanly from Box 8 and mustered pace strongly to assume the lead past the post the first time and power to a sevenlength victory. It was the third fastest ever win by a Grade 6 greyhound and the fastest time ever recorded in the opening race of a card. “(I’m) very happy. To come out and run that time in the first race of the night is very special,” said handler Seona Thompson.

“When the box draw come out and I saw he had Box 8 - Box 8 at Sandown isn’t our favourite box - I was hoping that he would have enough pace to clear them. He didn’t fly out but he did enough to get across going past the winning post the first time and once he was in front I knew that he was going to carve out a fast time.”

Trained by Seona’s husband Jason, the Thompsons had to be patient with their star prospect. Making his debut in November 2020, he was placed just once in his first three starts - beaten by a cumulative 20 lengths before spending almost three lengths on the side lines.

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Aston Fastnet scorched around Sandown Park last Thursday night. really putting it together.

He had a couple of niggling injuries so we gave him a spell and since he’s come back to the race kennel he’s a different dog, he’s re-

ally grown up and is starting to put the racing thing together.

“He went super at Ballarat last start (winning in 24.78) and obviously to get him here

over 515 metres was the aim and he showed that he can definitely match it in the big races to come.”

The obvious target for Aston Fastnet is the Launching Pad, a slot race series for greyhounds with 1-6 wins and no more than 30 starts, the heats of which will be run next Thursday. However Thompson was not willing to commit him to the $420,000 series just yet.

“I know Ray (Borda, owner) has a couple of tickets and we have one. There’s some big races in Sydney coming up so I do know that Jason is going to split some of the younger dogs. I don’t know which are going where, I’m not sure he’s decided yet. But when the dog has come out and run that time tonight it’s going to be hard not to come back next week.”

It was a big night for leviathan South Australian owner Ray Borda, who completed a race to race double with Aston Livinia - also Launching Pad eligible - scoring in 29.31 for Jessica Sharp.

“Ray deserves it,” Seona continued.

“He puts a lot of money and time and effort into the dogs and he deserves every fast dog he gets.”

Later in the night Destruction secured his Launching Pad ticket via a determined victory in the Launching Pad qualifier, running 29.68 to win for the fourth time in five starts.

The heats of the Launching Pad will be run on Thursday, 18 March with the $210,000 final to be run on Thursday, 1 April. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Ben Hillard’s half-century was vital for Hallam Kalora Park. 231263

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Brendan Rose celebrates an early Berwick wicket. 231263

Rain can’t dampen finals

By Nick Creely With expected rain wreaking havoc upon Melbourne on Saturday and forcing games to be dragged into Sunday, it was certainly a weekend full of plenty of drama and anticipation.

But two crucial things are known as the quest for the DDCA Turf 1 premiership heats up - Hallam Kalora Park is through to the grand final as it chases Turf 1 glory for the first time since 2001/02, and Springvale South advances to the preliminary final with the Bloods once again right up in the thick of it.

At Frawley Road, the semi-final clash between the Hawks and reigning premier Berwick lived up to its billing.

The winner straight through to the big dance, and the loser needing to quickly pick itself up off the canvas and go again in a prelim.

It was a stunning start for the Bears on Saturday after sending the minor premiers into bat, with star opener Leigh Booth falling early to quick Brendan Rose (2/19), before the ex-Casey-South Melbourne bowler prized the edge of Sachith Jayasingha four balls later.

Ben Hillard - who hasn’t opened the batting all season - got the chance at the top, and did what he does best, soaking up the pressure and bringing the game back to level-pegging in a vital 56-run stand with Matthew Cox (23).

While Cox was stumped off the bowling of Ruwantha Kellepotha (3/49), skipper Jordan Hammond and Hillard dug in with the rain eventually making its way to the south-east, forcing an early finish at 3/82 - Hillard unbeaten on 39.

The next day, the Hawks upped the ante, with Hillard’s fine 64 coming to an end after being run out, with skipper Hammond showcasing his power with a run-a-ball 47 to lift the home side to an impressive 6/171 from its 45 overs.

Hillard soaked up 132 balls in his knock, showing plenty of grit against the star-studded Bears bowlers.

If there was ever a player that the Bears couldn’t afford to lose early it was the dangerous Jordan Cleland, with seamer Will Whyte (3/33) removing the right-hander first ball.

It was a wicket that ultimately the visitors struggled to recover from.

Nathan Pilon (35) battled hard at the top, while the middle-order struggled to get any ascendancy, falling to 6/66 after a stunning burst from Leigh Booth (3/3) completely broke the game open.

Some late fight from James Wilcock (10), Brendan Rose (17) and Jarrod Goodes (21) saw the Bears lift themselves to 128 in the end.

But with the Hawks now enjoying the week and preparing for a grand final, the champion Bears will return to Arch Brown Reserve for a prelim on Saturday as they seek to defend their 2019/10 title. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Brad Vantwest charges in for the Parkmore Pirates in the Turf 2 semi-final. 231262 It was a tense showdown between Springvale South and Buckley Ridges at Alex Nelson Reserve in a cut-throat semi-final, with the Bloods ultimately advancing to the preliminary final against Berwick.

There was certainly plenty of different elements to the clash between the two great rivals.

It’s a match always highly anticipated by DDCA onlookers.

On day one, the Bucks were in a strong position after restricting the home side to 5/108 before rain ultimately called the shots.

Despite a blistering start from skipper Nathan King (27), and a typically classy hand from Ryan Quirk (45), seamer Hussain Ali filled the void left by Benny Howell by snaring 4/13 and leaving the Bloods vulnerable.

His wickets included Quirk, the dangerous Clint Tomlinson and Jack Sketcher, as well as reliable keeper-batsman Paul Hill.

But if day two was going to be smooth-sailing, it was anything but.

Due to the rain and complicating factors surrounding wet patches, the game was delayed until 4pm, with the Bloods then permitted to bat out its remaining 18 overs.

Off the back of Dylan Quirk (24), Akshat

Buch (33) and Tim Ford (27 not out), the Bloods were lifted to 7/190 from their 45 overs, putting the home team in a dominant position.

With time lost, it made the task for Buckley an incredibly difficult, yet not impossible one chase down 191 in 21 overs, or it’s season over.

With the club the region’s most dominant Twenty20 force, it was likely that if its biggest stars could find some boundaries early, anything could happen.

That was until left-arm tweaker Akshat Buch took control.

The Bloods spinner came to the club through Dandenong this season, and has been a revelation for the team, combining smarts with the ball and power with the bat to be a tough task for opposition sides.

He will - undoubtedly - be a major key in Saturday’s prelim blockbuster.

But the spinner ensured the Bucks could never really mount a charge, opening the bowling and removing Daniel Watson early.

It was always going to be hard work from there.

With the visitors going with the attitude of just ‘go for it’, Buch used all of his skill to knock over the Bucks, snaring 5/26 from 7.4 overs his best figures of the season.

The Bucks ultimately were rolled for just 68 with the home side winning by a whopping 122 runs, with Matt Wetering (2/24) and Jarryd Straker (2/9) also getting in on the act.

It remains to be seen whether Buckley Ridges - who have been a powerhouse of the association for a long time - have played their last game in the DDCA, after signalling an intention to depart at the end of this season.

But it sets up an intriguing, mouth-watering clash between Berwick and Springvale South both with plenty of star-power and hunger for premiership success.

The two sides drew in Round 3 at Alex Nelson Reserve, while in Round 10 the Bears got the better of the Bloods with a sparkling batting performance.

Very little has separated the two powerhouses in 2020/21, who are both well-suited to the white ball game, have star spinners, quality quicks, blistering opening batsmen and rocksolid middle-order batters.

With the clash to begin at 12.30pm at Berwick’s Arch Brown Reserve, it’s one not to be missed.

In the Turf 2 semi-finals, Narre Warren and Dandenong West have advanced through to the grand final after equally thrilling results against Cranbourne and Parkmore Pirates respectively.

At Casey Fields, the Westers and Eagles clashed, with the visitors sent in to bat.

With rain looming, there was still plenty of cricket played on Saturday, with the Westers finding their groove to push to 4/133 before the weather hit.

Despite being 2/27 at one point, a fine knock from opener Matt Collett (45) was vital, while Dylan Diacono (45 not out) was rocksolid through the middle.

The Eagles fought back strongly early on Sunday, restricting the Westers to a chaseable 8/162.

It took another fine partnership between the Sweeney brothers, Mick (42) and Pete (59), but the home side fell short in the last over, bowled out for 144.

The Magpies, meanwhile, held off a brave Parkmore Pirates outfit at Sweeney Reserve to book its ticket to the big dance.

The Pirates had the upper hand after day one was restricted due to the weather, holding the dangerous home side’s batting lineup to just 7/125, with Brad Vantwest (2/16) bowling superbly.

On day two after a delayed start, the Maggies managed to claw to 8/164 from 45 overs, with Bevan Radhakrishnan’s 37 not out a game changer.

Given just 27 overs to make the 165, the Pirates battled until the end, but were bowled out for 141 in 26 overs.

Spinner Cam Dinger was the star with the ball, snaring 4/32.

Tuesday, 16 March, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 19

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