Dandenong Star Journal - 15th June 2021

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Tuesday, 15 June, 2021

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Reading through Covid

Storm chaos

Durdin’s dedication rewarded

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SPORT

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Chipping in for Doveton

A Guide to others

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

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For more than 65 years, Dianne Paterson has been a Guide in more ways than one.

In the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours list, Ms Paterson is named an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) recipient for her unwavering service to Girl Guiding and the community.

The humble and inspirational Springvale South resident said she won’t believe it until she sees her name in print.

“I’m gobsmacked.

“I’ve just had so much fun doing what I’m doing.”

Along the way, as a long-standing leader of Brownies, Guides and Rangers, she has tried to instil into her proteges that they’re “people of value”.

“They’re to value themselves and they’re to value each other.”

Service has been a large part of her life – it’s part of taking the Guide’s ‘Promise’ to serve God and the Queen, the same Promise that is now sworn to ‘our country and to develop our beliefs’.

From the time Ms Paterson started Brownies as an eight-year-old in 1956, she never left the movement.

She has led units in Noble Park, Springvale South and Footscray, served on the Girl Guides Victoria state council executive, been a Guides’ state trainer and a volunteer and chaplain on four International Guide Camps.

On the international camps, Ms Paterson led ‘Amazing Faith’ activities – focusing on the similarities between various faiths.

Recently, Girl Guides Australia awarded Ms Paterson the Grey Kangaroo and 50 Years’ Membership awards.

Currently, girls have a lot of alternative activities to Guiding – many more than in the ‘golden years’ when Ms Paterson started out.

But the Guides’ values such as showing care, support and valuing teamwork remain timeless.

Continued page 6

Guides leader Dianne Paterson has been announced as an Order of Australia Medal recipient. 240261

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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NEWS

ANoM app murder links

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Two unsolved murders of innocent men in Keysborough and Narre Warren may be unlocked by the massive joint-police sting Operation Ironside.

State and federal police on 7 June thwarted a global criminal network of “drugs, guns, violence and murder” using intelligence from an encrypted app ANoM. The app used by criminals with links to the Mafia, Middle East crime figures and outlaw motorcycle gang had been set up and monitored by the FBI. Police believe the app’s contents will help solve the murders of Muhamed Yucel in Keysborough and Zabi Ezedvar in Narre Warren in 2017.

Both were believed to have been shot by Comancheros as a result of mistaken identity.

During Operation Ironside, eight Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang patch members and a Comanchero sergeant-at-arms were arrested among 46 alleged offenders in Victoria.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Rob Hill said police would “meticulously” analyse three years of data from the ANoM app to solve at least four Comanchero linked murders.

Another innocent man Ikenasio Tuivasa was shot dead by Comancheros outside a Ravenhall pool hall earlier this year, police say.

Such crimes incited fear in the community.

They were particularly dangerous due to the killers’ lethal mistakes, Asst Comm Hill said.

He implored those involved to “be the first to come forward and present your case because … these people will start tumbling like dominoes when they know we have evidence.”

“Those who believed they were beyond the reach of law enforcement have faced a day of reckoning.”

As of 8 June, the operation arrested 224 people, netted 3.7 tonnes of drugs, 104 firearms –

Mohammed Yucel was murdered by a shooter in Keysborough in 2017. some military-grade - and spoiled 21 murder plots across the country, according to the Australian Federal Police.

In Victoria, 46 people were arrested during 70 raids in suburbs including Keysborough, Dandenong North, Narre Warren, Cranbourne West and Hampton Park.

More than 500 kilograms of illicit drugs such as cocaine, ice, cannabis, and more than $13 million of cash, property, luxury cars as well as a gold bullion were seized.

About 120 devices were seized for forensic analysis.

They face charges such as drug importation, commercial drug trafficking and manufacturing, money laundering, weapons and proceeds of crime offences.

Australian Federal Police say five murder plots were also disrupted in the state.

AFP rapidly alerted Victoria Police to one alleged plot, in which two stolen cars with fake plates were found close to their target’s address.

Zabi Ezedyar was shot dead in Narre Warren as a result of mistaken identity, police say.

A person who was about to use the cars was arrested, and firearms were seized, Asst Comm Hill said.

The plot was mainly linked to a “turf” dispute between outlaw motorcycle gangs, he said.

AFP Southern Command Assistant Commissioner Bruce Giles said the operation cleaned out a significant portion of the Comancheros and derailed drug importation syndicates.

“Thanks to our teams processing more than 22 million text messages on this platform, we have prevented significant harm to the community – including credible threats of violence and threats to life.

“Operation Ironside should serve as the strongest warning to criminals yet – we will continue to be relentless in our pursuit to target and disrupt your illicit operations and to bring you to justice.”

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the seized firearms, drugs and “unexplained wealth” were “cornerstones of serious and organised crimes”.

“Victoria Police sees first-hand the devastation this offending causes our community, so I want to ensure everyone that while criminals continue to find new ways to offend, law enforcement will also be evolving to find new ways to catch them and hold them to account.”

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Tuesday, 15 June, 2021

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NEWS

IN BRIEF

Sick killer released

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Noble Park man who stabbed his wife to death while he was afflicted with severe dementia has been released from custody.

In 2019, Dragan Stevanovic was found not guilty by a Supreme Court jury of murdering 65-year-old Radmila due to his mental impairment.

On the morning of 2 February 2018, persistent and very loud screaming was heard from the couple’s Dunblane Avenue unit.

A “slightly shaken” Stevanovic walked to his friends’ house nearby and told them he’d “murdered” his wife with a “big knife”.

He said that she was “always taking my money”.

The couple had emigrated from Serbia together, been married for 45 years and shared two sons.

Ms Stevanoic had been her husband’s fulltime carer since his first stroke in 2008.

At the time of the killing, Stevanovic had severe dementia as well as heart disease, cancer, anaemia and stroke.

In 2019, Justice John Champion ruled for Stevanovic’s imprisonment pending a custodial supervision order.

However in later hearings, it was submitted that Thomas Embling Hospital wasn’t suitable for dementia patients.

It was a secure facility designed to treat mentally ill patients who’d committed serious violent offences.

On a three-month trial basis in late 2019, Stevanovic was placed under supervision in an acute mental health ward specialising in dementia care at Monash Health.

The trial was extended for 12 months while a care plan was formulated.

On 9 June, Justice Champion ordered for Stevanovic’s release on a 25-year non-custodial supervision order under the direction of Monash Health.

While in custody, Stevanovic’s “irreversible” cognitive impairment had “significantly declined”.

“There is no practical alternative in the circumstances.

“The evidence that has been put before the Court establishes to my satisfaction that Mr Stevanovic is an elderly, ill man and is a low risk to the community.

“Further, it is not envisaged that his physical and mental health will improve over time, but rather that he will continue to deteriorate in these respects.”

Teens rescued from lake A pair of allegedly offenders got into ‘deep water’ while fleeing from police during stormy, wild conditions.

The 18-year-old Dandenong North man – along with a 17-year-old Glen Waverley boy - fled from an allegedly stolen car that was stopped by police in Maeve Court, Clyde North about 8.15pm on Wednesday 9 June.

The man tried to swim away in a lake at the nearby Cascade on Clyde wetlands.

But unable to swim, he soon called out to police before disappearing under the water several times, police say.

Gang Crime Squad detectives plunged into the lake and rescued him.

About 20 minutes later, the second teen was found face up in shallow water in a semiconscious state.

He was treated by paramedics at the scene.

Both teens were hospitalised for hypothermia and other injuries, police say.

The Dandenong North man was charged with car theft and drug possession.

He was expected to face Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 10 June.

The Glen Waverley boy was charged by Cardinia CIU detectives with an aggravated burglary in Koo-wee-rup on 4 June.

He was bailed to appear at a children’s court.

The under-construction school in Endeavour Picture: GARY SISSONS Hills. 237281

School name survey The public is invited to have its say on the name of a new specialist school in Endeavour Hills.

The state government has released two possible names: Endeavour Hills Specialist School, and Casey Specialist School.

The school is set to open in 2022.

Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said community input was sought for a name to reflect the school’s unique identity, inspire local pride and make the school easy to locate.

“This is an exciting step for our local community and marks a milestone in establishing an identity for this brand- new state- of-theart specialist school.”

Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said the aim was to give communities a “meaningful role” in shaping the school’s identity and future.

People can vote for their preferred name, add alternative suggestions and provide feedback via an online survey on Engage Vic: engage.vic.gov.au/.

To complete the online surveys, visit: 2022 New Schools naming: engage.vic.gov.au/2022new-schools-school-naming The surveys close on June 25.

Concern Hub ‘shortchanges’ Dandenong Size – and site - matters for the upcoming Dandenong Community Hub, residents say.

And according to them, the council has so far come up short.

In a recent community consultation, the council unveiled four possible sites on the west side of Stuart Street – each site was about 2000-square metres.

Dandenong Community Association however say more than 14,000-square metres is required.

It has proposed the vast stretch of council-owned property on the opposite side of Stuart Street – a tract of about 17,000 metres.

DCA spokesperson Silvia Mastrogiovanni said the council’s “handkerchief-size” offer was “shocking bad news”.

It was much less than the 14,500-squaremetre Keysborough South Community Hub, despite serving a larger population, she said.

By 2030, Dandenong’s population was projected to be 52,000 – four times the size of Keysborough South’s 12,000.

“Dandenong needs a site that is even bigger than the Keysborough South Community Site so that a quality, welcoming community hub can be built for Dandenong residents.

“One that like Keysborough South has a one-storey (building) surrounded by outdoor green space and a playground.”

Ms Mastrogiovanni said a one-storey building was more “homely” and didn’t hide different uses on different levels.

“Perfectly placed between Dandenong Plaza and the Dandenong Market, it wouldn’t impinge on the market car park and would allow ample open space,” Ms Mastrogiovanni said.

Councillor Jim Memeti said the hub needed to be “at least as large” as Keysborough South’s.

But he was undecided on the best location before hearing the community consultation findings.

He didn’t think the hub would occupy the east side of Stuart Street, as preferred by DCA. The council had been slowly acquiring and “sitting” on properties on that “valuable” stretch of central Dandenong land, Cr Memeti said.

“It might play a huge part in council’s plans in the next 10-15 years.”

Greater Dandenong community services director Martin Fidler said the consultation findings will be discussed at a councillor briefing on 15 June.

“A precise building footprint and construction costs have not yet been finalised and will be informed by feedback in the next stage of development, which includes the production of draft concept plans.”

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By Cam Lucadou-Wells

STAR JOURNAL 3

NEWS

Gyms under the pump

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Financially-crippled gyms say they are wrongly targeted by prolonged Covid lockdowns.

Dandenong Genesis Health & Fitness owner Sean Whitaker has owned his gym in Scott Street for nearly nine years, helping thousands get fit, stronger, learn to swim and keep healthy with a #GetDandyMoving campaign.

But the start-and-stop lockdowns are devastating his business.

More frustrating is that indoor venues such as cafes re-opened in Melbourne on 11 June, but indoor gyms remained shut.

The latest three weeks have cost “tens of thousands of dollars” with rent, insurance, rates to pay still , Mr Whitaker said.

He’s little helped by the state’s $2000 top-up support during the Covid ’circuit-breaker’.

Many of his 20 staff – cleaners, fitness instructors, swim teachers, managers and personal trainers - have gone without an income and without federal government support.

The gym’s income is also zero because all memberships are on hold.

Mr Whitaker said the gym industry was been among the last to re-open after lockdowns.

“Even then it was with heavy restrictions,” he said.

“In our first week back in November 2020, we were allowed a maximum of 20 customers on site – in a venue that is more than 2500 square metres.”

Once those restrictions eased, Genesis lost

In brighter times, Sean Whitaker, right, with Genesis CEO Ian Jensen-Muir and Hasina, the winner of a new car in 2015. 146614 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS 20 per cent of its members and had to work hard in early 2021 to try to restore its numbers to “near pre-lockdown” levels.

The gym industry argues it is Covid-safe with 6.4 million Victorians checking in without one Covid transmission in recent months and that it provides a vital service for physical and mental health for customers.

It argues it provides “gold standard” protocols such as arrival check-in, CCTV, social distancing and sanitation.

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said gyms were “high-risk environments” with “significant opportunity for spread”.

Even with cleaning and social distancing, the “aerosol spread” was “very hard to mitigate”.

Dandy’s a ‘global’ village With a special 360-degree camera lens, Journal Star photographer GARY SISSONS took a new view of familiar landmarks in Dandenong. The image captures Harmony Square and surrounding buildings.

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NEWS

More relief

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Police arrest a man during an anti-lockdown protest at Morwell Avenue and Kirkham Road, Dandenong South on 26 August. 214056 Picture: GARY SISSONS

‘Unaware’ of rules

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Dandenong man arrested during anti-Covid lockdown street protests in Dandenong South last year has received a good-behaviour bond.

The 44-year-old father pleaded guilty to failing to comply with Chief Health Officer directions and breaching bail at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 9 June.

He was one of 10 people arrested by police during highly-charged 5pm walks and protests in George Andrews Reserve, Kirkham Road and surrounds in late August.

At that stage, walkers gathered en masse in defiance of a strict stage-4 lockdown while Melbourne reeled from a rising Covid death toll.

Dandenong and Dandenong South was the state’s Covid-19 hot-spot with up to 137 active cases.

Under the lockdown, police enforced stayat-home orders, night curfews, masks in public, 1.5-metre social distancing, and shopping and exercising within 5-kilometre limits.

On 23 August, the accused man sat at a pic-

nic table whilst police broke up an “anti-mask protest” of about 50 males in George Andrews Reserve.

He told police he’d left home to get “some fresh air”.

When asked why he didn’t wear a mask, he said: “I don’t think there is a reason to wear one”.

“My business has been shut down and I’ve lost everything, so yeah, I’m aware (of the CHO directions),” the disability pensioner said.

Three days later, he was stopped in a group of five adults by police at Morwell Avenue during a 100-strong “planned anti-lockdown and anti-masking” protest.

This time wearing a mask, he told police he was out to exercise with family members.

He refused twice to provide his name-andaddress, was arrested and later released on bail.

On 1 September, he was stopped by police walking within 1.5 metres of his cousin and neighbour in Renfree Street.

He was in breach of intentionally gathering with more than one person in a public place –

and so also his bail condition of obeying CHO directions.

A defence lawyer told Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 9 June that the “deeply remorseful” man had not set out to intentionally disobey the rules.

He was related to the protest’s alleged organizer but was “in no way involved with them”, the court was told.

Nor had he been aware of the nearby protests, or intended to take part in them, the lawyer said.

The man needed to walk as exercise and to manage his schizophrenia during the “challenging” lockdown period, the lawyer said.

He’d been out walking alone or with his family at the time, then “ran into people he knew” within the “large Albanian community”.

The accused man refused to give police his name and address because he didn’t believe he was breaching restrictions at the time, the court heard.

Magistrate Tony Burns placed the man on a 12-month good-behaviour bond without conviction.

Homeless surges during lockdown

By Cam Lucadou-Wells The latest lockdown has plunged the South East’s most vulnerable into turmoil, a homelessness agency reports.

Within the shudown’s first week, Wayss has reported nearly a 300 per cent surge in requests for crisis accommodation.

There were 42 new clients including 16 women and 15 children. In the week prior to lockdown, there were 11.

Wayss chief executive Liz Thomas said the amount of children without a roof was of great concern.

Family violence continued to be a rising factor in homelessness.

In May, nearly 800 family violence reports were referred by police to Wayss.

That’s up 20 per cent compared to a year ago.

It comes on top of a rise in family violence reports to Wayss over the past three years.

According to a Wayss report in May, survivors and perpetrators’ mental health was suffering due to the strain of Covid and lockdown.

Financial strain was being caused by the dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

reduction of JobSeeker, the halting of JobKeeper and the end of the rental moratorium, it stated.

A Wayss spokesperson described the situation as “the culmination of a horrible year that doesn’t have a light at the end of the tunnel right now with the current lockdown”.

Ms Thomas said extra State Government emergency housing funds were required – as occurred during last year’s Covid restrictions.

According to the State Government, more than 450 people were “supported” in hotels at the start of lockdown. Homelessness service providers were reimbursed for accommodation in that time.

Housing Minister Richard Wynne said the Government acted “quickly” at the start of lockdown to “ensure rough sleepers are safe by offering them accommodation”.

The Government has committed $5.3 billion for its Big Housing Build - more than 12,000 social and affordable homes over then next four years.

In the 2021-’22 budget, it allocated more than $193 million on housing and homelessness support.

Wayss chief executive Liz Thomas says more emergency accommodation was needed.

Greater Dandenong’s massive Covid food-relief program has been extended at least six months.

The council’s material aid program had distributed more than 730,000 kilograms of food and 260,000 sanitary items to aid agencies between April 2020 and March 2021.

The $555,000 program was extended thanks to State Government partnership funding, Greater Dandenong community services director Martin Fidler said.

It would provide direct payments to aid agencies for food, material aid and vouchers until at least 15 October.

The State Government contributed $230,000 to the program, including the sixmonth extension.

Meanwhile the council’s Covid hotline has fielded an “upsurge” in calls for help during the latest lockdown.

“Material aid agencies have reported an initial, small increase in demand, due in part to the short lockdown and 5-kilometre radius.

“However this is increasing the longer lockdown extends and without Federal Government (JobKeeper) support.”

Mr Fidler said agencies were reporting demand “far higher” than pre-Covid times – though not yet at peak 2020 Covid levels.

One agency reported up to 50 per cent higher demand, he said.

Calls for help were rising from people who just lost their jobs, Kay De La Rue from agency Community Creating Opportunities (CoCos) in Dandenong.

The op shop was closed during the twoweek lockdown, but still provided food parcels.

She said clients included new arrivals, the newly unemployed with young kids to feed.

Some were living on the streets, some in sharehouses, she said.

“We’re definitely seeing a lot of people in need, and with very sad stories as well,” CoCos manager Manuella Guillemain added.

Springvale Benevolent Society president Joe Rechichi said he was starting to see new faces desperately seeking food.

“It takes a lot of guts for people to say ‘can you help me?’. We don’t refuse anyone.”

During 2020, the charity’s main clients were unemployed asylum seekers and refugees who were denied JobSeeker or any type of welfare.

Mr Rechichi expected a spate of new employed households needing help, with the winding back of JobSeeker, abolition of JobKeeper and the rental moratorium.

“The lockdown is not nice. I think the state and federal govenrments should get together and consider a lot of people who lose their jobs.

“Donations have been very low this year.

I’m glad the City of Greater Dandenong extended its (material aid) program to October.”

Asylum Seekers Centre founder David Spitteler said about half of his usual families came into the charity during the latest lockdown’s first week.

He believes his clients mistakenly thought they weren’t allowed to venture beyond the five-kilometre limit – even though the centre offers exemptions.

With 500 clients “on the books”, the ASC gave food parcels to up to 100 families a week in recent times. This dropped to 48 in the first week of the latest lockdown.

Donations from churches also dropped off when their services were restricted to online.

Mr Spitteler, who turns 80 within a week, has been running the ASC for 25 years.

He runs it like a one-man-band, so there’s no one to take over when he stops.

“I’m prepared to be able to do this as long as I’m able to.”

The above agencies welcome donations of money and food for those in need.

CoCO’s Manuella Guillemain and Christine Hermawan prepare food parcels. 240309 Picture: GARY SISSONS Tuesday, 15 June, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 5

NEWS

Inspector honoured

Elaine and her dog, Flora. 240742

Friend of refugees

By Danielle Kutchel A lifetime of serving those keen to make Australia their home has seen a south-eastern treasure earn one of the country’s highest honours.

Narre Warren South resident Elaine Smith can now add the letters OAM to her name after being listed in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List on Monday 14 June.

She received the honour for her services to refugees.

There have been many services over the years, but it all stems from her passion for ensuring everyone has access to a safe and welcoming home.

“I always thought Australians were generous people who would save others in need,” she explained.

“It was a shock when our policies seemed to be so opposed to that – so that’s why I started taking action.”

She began by calling nearby refugee agencies and asking how she could help them, and soon was hosting those waiting on confirmation of their refugee status in mini-holidays in the small town she lived in at the time.

Then, she began writing letters to those stuck in detention centres, particularly on Nauru.

She would send them gifts of the things they needed, like shoes or watches.

“I tried to be a friend and communicate to the people because they were isolated,” she said.

“People needed a way that their humanity was restored, because it was being cut away by the detention system.

“I wanted that person to know there was another person that did recognise him or her as a human being and they were not forgotten, and they have our respect.”

She even housed refugees in her own home, offering her rooms as their official place of detention to get them out of the cold, clinical and isolated system, which she said had traumatised the adults and children she had dealt with.

Ms Smith and her husband soon moved from the mid-north coast of NSW to Victoria, settling near Dandenong, intending to be closer to the burgeoning refugee community so they could better provide assistance.

Once there, Ms Smith became involved in various causes around the Greater Dandenong area. She’s been a volunteer at Friends of Refugees in Springvale since 2012, and at Springvale Community Aid Advice Bureau, Wellsprings for Women, Catholic Care, AMES and the Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre, at various times, since 2008.

Turning her attention to families, she recognised the need for a space for women to make friends and access assistance if needed.

She collaborated with the Hampton Park Community House to create the Women’s Friendship Cafe in Hampton Park in 2012.

“It’s not for one particular culture. It’s for everybody, a spot where we can make new friends and at the same time there is some-

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Tuesday, 15 June, 2021

Cardinia Inspector Chris Major, right, with Sgt Fiona Tolmie, Deputy Premier Peter Ryan and Gembrook MP Brad Battin at the site of the Emerald police station in 2012. 85951 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Paterson’s Guide Promise lasts for rest of her life

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body there who can be sensitive enough to hear if there is an issue that needs addressing and assist that woman to find whatever she needs,” Ms Smith explained.

With Australia’s treatment of refugees firmly back in the headlines, Ms Smith said she continued to support causes like Friends of Refugees to help feed, educate and support asylum seekers.

“It’s only through groups like Friends of Refugees providing food and assistance that they manage to survive,” she said.

While it’s not been easy – and while in many respects Ms Smith said she feels that Australia’s policies around refugees have deteriorated – she is comforted by the knowledge that she has made a difference to many people’s lives.

She fondly recalled a man whom she helped to obtain a new prosthetic leg when he was released from detention.

At a celebratory event in Fitzroy, the man danced in her honour as a special way of saying thank you.

But she said all of her achievements had been a team effort, won by many people working together.

“I am happy with the [OAM], but I consider it an award that’s shared because anything I did was because somebody gave me courage and showed me how to do something, and somebody did something courageous and wise that I could follow,” she said.

“This award is for the group really – it’s for the people who work on this issue.”

A Victoria Police inspector has been awarded an Australian Police Medal for a 45-year career of outstanding frontline service.

After being announced as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, Inspector Christopher Thomas Major was described as gaining “high levels of respect and trust” among colleagues and the community.

He first served at Dandenong police station in 1978, three years after graduating and being stationed at Russell Street.

He was promoted to Senior Constable at Berwick police station in 1980, Sergeant at Moorabbin police station in 1985 and at Dandenong in 1988.

In 1991, he was promoted as Senior Sergeant at Training District then Narre Warren police station for two years.

He was Officer in Charge of Moe police station for a further two years.

In 1997, Insp Major was promoted to his current rank. For the following 20 years, he was Local Area Commander in various Police Service Areas, including Cardinia.

In 2017 he took on a key role in the police’s Capability Management and Engagement Division.

Insp Major had “has demonstrated an outstanding ability to engage and build relationships with the community,” according to a Victoria Police statement.

“He has driven significant work to achieve a safer community and has earned high levels of respect and trust among colleagues and the community during his police career of 45 years.”

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton praised Insp Major among eight other recognised colleagues in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

“I believe today’s recipients reflect the excellence within Victoria Police.

“Their passion for service and helping the community has rightly earned them these national accolades for policing and the public service.”

From page 1 “When you work as a team, you achieve,” she said.

“It happens when you go on camp – if you work together you have a successful camp. If someone doesn’t pull their weight, the camp isn’t as balanced.”

Even with a leadership hierarchy, everyone is regarded equal. Everyone pitches in side by side. Often on camps, leaders including Ms Paterson are the ones who clean toilets and rubbish bins.

“They do it because it needs to be done.

“There’s nothing quite like the fun of going to a tip during a camp and talking to the guys at the tip.”

There’s no five-star treatment, she said– recalling a Rangers event at Norfolk Island

where they bunked in a hall crawling with cockroaches - though she adds there were also cockroaches in the “five-star” hotel at the time.

Guides has connected her to “amazing people” across the world.

“I venture to suggest I don’t know what my life would be like without it.”

For the past six years, Ms Paterson has been Supply Minister at Black Rock Uniting Church.

She also works in pastoral care at Glen Waverley Uniting Church.

She is a member of Girl Guides Australia’s Trefoil Guild – the adult chapter that fundraises to help Guides pay for uniforms.

“I’m still paid up and passionate,” she says.

“Once you’ve volunteered and once you’ve been involved, the commitment never finishes.

“It goes on for the rest of your life.” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Brendan Browne says public opinion supports Doveton pool’s retention. 174589

Picture: CAM LUCADOU-WELLS

Council has pool ‘agenda’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A ratepayers’ group has accused Casey Council of “pushing an agenda” to demolish Doveton’s outdoor pools.

Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association (CRRA) secretary Brendan Browne told a council meeting on 8 June that the proposal to replace Doveton Pool in the Park “ignored” public opinion.

In particular, a 2019 public survey that found a swimming pool was the “most popular option”.

In March, a Casey report proposed replacing the pools with parkland and water-play areas – a move that was put on hold by Casey’s administrators in favour of further community consultation.

“We wonder about the worth of that (2019) engagement… It ignored that the public wanted a pool,” Mr Browne said.

The online public survey in May was “particularly disappointing”.

“It seems to be written in a strategic way so that the end result won’t point to the public wanting a pool.”

The council’s proposal for ‘no pool’ seemed to be swayed by “finances” with “little detail”, he said.

One of the justifications was the cost of repairing the historic building’s roof – which would be retained as part of the council’s plans anyway, Mr Browne said.

Mr Browne warned Casey not to ignore

“valuable local knowledge”.

For example, that the nearest alternative pool at Casey ARC was so crowded on hot days that it created a “never again” experience for patrons.

The CRRA was “critical” of the council’s proposed 1.5 per cent rates increase, but “pleased” that most other fees and charges were not rising.

Mr Browne praised the council’s administrators for ending Casey’s China “engagement” and halting its “substantial” funding of the racing industry.

Those “one-off interventions” didn’t address the “integrity in the engagement process, particularly where the City of Casey has

an agenda”, Mr Browne said.

At the meeting, administrator Miguel Belmar said community engagement on the pool was “continuing”. A “careful” and “considered” decision would be made.

Administrator Cameron Boardman said the future of Doveton pool was “not a foregone conclusion – far from it”.

The decision would be “evidence-based”, “factual” and “transparent”. It would involve the “exemplar” of consultative processes, Mr Boardman said.

“There is no decision on any of the options for the Doveton pool. That’s why we’re going through such an extensive and targeted process.”

Brothers back their community by taking on an ‘icon’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Two Doveton brothers say they loved their local fish-and-chippie so much, they bought the business.

With no retail or culinary experience, Graeme and Ross Noonan jumped in when Doveton Avenue Fish & Chips went on the market last year.

They were fuelled by a strong sense of nostalgia and pride in a community.

Graeme points out a few elderly residents who have lived in Doveton all their lives.

It’s the “place to be”, Graeme says.

He bristles at the thought that another “community icon”, the Doveton pool, may be bulldozed.

The shop kept a petition on the counter urging Casey Council not to remove the historic pool - a place that holds golden childhood memories for Graeme.

Like putting 30 cents into the entry gate slot, buying a 5-cent Sunny Boy from the tuckshop, school carnivals and plunging off diving boards.

In summers past, the pool was “packed every day”.

It wasn’t all about swimming, but “life lessons”, Graeme says.

“I remember the lifeguards made you pick up papers if you stood out of line.

“You learnt how to be part of the community. The 12-year-olds stood out of the way of the 15-year-olds who stayed away from the dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Graeme Noonan and Ross Noonan keep the tradition of hand-made chips at Doveton Avenue Picture: GARY SISSONS Fish & Chips. 240297 18-year-olds.

“I never saw any trouble. It held you in good stead for the rest of your life.”

Meanwhile, the brothers have kept alive a shop that is also a “priceless community icon”, Graeme says.

“The shop had the same owners for the last 25 years, then it closed – the area was devastated.

“Not just by the shop closing but those two people were out of our lives.”

Beforehand, Graeme was away for weeks on end installing NBN, Ross was in demolitions and looking for a career change.

A five-day-a-week customer, Ross saw the ‘For Lease’ sign about to go up.

That night, he had a chat with Graeme and the pair of lifelong Doveton lads decided to “go for it”.

The former owners Jim and Voula stayed on so Graeme and Ross could learn how to cook in the “old school way”.

That includes hand-making the hamburgers and souvlaki.

Carving chips and potato cakes from fresh spuds, not from frozen packets.

And learning the art of double-cooking the chips – pre-cooking in the deep fryer for three minutes, then another three minutes when the customer orders.

With the help of Jim and Voula, the pair have taken to it like a chip to batter.

“Because we’ve always lived here, we have so many contacts. Some friends that I haven’t seen for years,” Graeme says.

“I had an ex-girlfriend who broke my heart in Year 7. Her sister brought her in on Friday – she said I didn’t know I broke your heart!”.

Tuesday, 8 June, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 7

LOOKING BACK 100 years ago 9 June 1921 Improved railway service required at Dandenong At a recent meeting, convened for the purpose of giving the residents an opportunity of forming a town improvement committee, there were over a score of residents assembled and the outcome was that an organisation was inaugurated, to be known as the Dandenong Improvement Association.

Of paramount importance were the train facilities between Dandenong and Melbourne.

Speaking on the matter the Rev E Veal stated that if they wished to have people come and live in the town, they could never expect them to do so with a poor railway service. He pointed out that according to the new timetable they were to have only 12 trains daily to and

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

from Melbourne, instead of 14 as previously, while on the Oakleigh line were there were something like 50 trains daily. He noticed by the timetable, that the one very convenient train had been cut out altogether - the 10am from Dandenong. Another matter he alluded to was the action of the railway authorities in preventing Dandenong passengers from travelling on the 4.45pm Eastern Gippsland train from Melbourne. He also referred to the break that existed in the local services during the afternoons, when no trains were scheduled from or to Dandenong between 1.30 and 4.30 - a space of three hours.

50 years 10 June 1971 Lawns flooded with blood from drains Residents near the corner of Power Rd and Lacebark St Doveton woke up last Sunday

morning to find that the green grass in their backyards had turned red. A blocked drain in Power Rd had allowed blood and offal from the nearby abattoirs to flow into their yards.

Mrs Duncan of Lacebark St said that on early Monday morning, areas of her yard had been flooded up to 6 inches deep. It is terrible to be flooded like that. If we hadn’t installed a drain in the backyard last year, heaven knows what would have happened. Dandenong Sewerage Authority workers who began to flush the drain Monday morning said the probable cause was accumulated rubbish and dirt.

20 years ago 11 June 2001 Rates to increase Greater Dandenong ratepayers will be slugged with an increase of $25.00 in the city’s 2001-2002 budget. The budget, which

is expected to be adopted at tomorrow night’s council meeting, also forecasts an overall rate revenue increase of 5.9% ensuring existing services are maintained, while 3% of the predicted rate increase will be allocated to upgrading vital infrastructure such as roads and drains.

5 years ago 13 June 2016 Robots are reaching for success Keysborough business Robotic Automation and Dandenong’s PGM refiners, Lorex Plasters and Bombardier Transportation have been named among the state’s top manufacturers . These awards celebrate those businesses and individual who are shaping the future of this important sector said Industry and Employment Minister Wade Noonan and manufacturing has a bright future in Victoria.

NEWS/OPINION

Reflecting on lockdown’s lonely connections

By Cam Lucadou-Wells For a writer who delves into loneliness, segregation and isolation, these Covid times definitely suit her.

Pakenham poet and short-story author Penny Smits is among five spoken-word performers who will appear via a livestream event After Dark at the Emerging Writers’ Festival this month.

She says during lockdown she’s had “no shortage of inspiration”.

Her recent work connected with a wide audience in “communal” segregation and isolation.

“I tell about how I live in the suburbs but I long for that noise of the city, the dealing with the coming-and-going of people.

“That really resonated with people. That was a time and opportunity to build a community and to build collective understanding something we were all going through.”

Smits draws on her Maori and Aboriginal cultural heritage to explore the themes of segregation, inclusion and the loss of language.

Her work looks at how they intersection with loneliness, she says.

The versatile creator, who started writing at a NZ community newspaper, crafts radio scripts, press releases, poems, short

stories and micro-fiction.

She describes her work as even “micro, micro-fiction” – a form that perhaps suits a fast-paced society with miniature attention spans.

At the After Dark spoken-word performance, Smits will perform her short-form work with up-and-coming writers Wai Mun Mah, Jesse Oliver, Wallis Prophet and Christy Tan on Thursday 17 June, 7.15pm.

As part of the Emerging Writer’s Festival, Greater Dandenong also hosts online the Short n Sweet Short Story Workshop on 17 June from 6.30pm.

The workshop is presented by A Constant Hum author, Alice Bishop.

Author Sam Van Zweden will also host an online workshop A Body of Writing that discusses writing about food and the body and how they intertwine with memory on 24 June, 6.30pm.

The festival promotes new writing talent as well as seminars, panel discussions and workshops on the craft.

Due to the latest Covid lockdown, all EWF events have been moved online.

The Emerging Writer’s Festival is staged wholly online from 16-26 June. To register, go to greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/emerging-writers-festival

Cultivate a better world

By Anita and Peter Davine of St John Vianney’s Parish, Mulgrave A great Christian, Pope John XXIII, once profoundly stated that “we are not here on this earth to guard a museum, but rather to cultivate a garden flourishing with life and destined for a glorious future”.

We are part of this garden regardless of faith, culture, gender or race, along with the Earth and all its awesome beauty.

We are all kin to God, to each other and all of creation, one family, called to create a beautiful tapestry as God intended.

The Earth is sacred, and ours to nurture, to 8 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 15 June, 2021

gratefully cultivate and respect.

If we fail to love each other then we do not know or love God. If we fail to love and care for the Earth we have turned our backs on God and on each other.

Today as never before, the world and all its inhabitants are at great risk.

The earth has been ravaged, plundered and despoiled by our lust for power, wealth and material possessions.

It is time to awaken and finally heed the message of Pope John XXIII, and choose a brighter and more hopeful future where the Earth and all its inhabitants are valued and respected.

We are all one family called to live in harmony, peace and striving to create a better world.

Let each of us build a safer and happier world where we are all treated justly and compassionately, remembering to choose the Golden Rule as a way of life.

Pakenham writer Penny Smits appears in the After Dark spoken-word event. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

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Tuesday, 15 June, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 9

NEWS

A novel way to pass time During Melbourne’s latest lockdown, the Casey Cardinia Libraries (CCLC) was fortunate to continue its ‘click and collect’ and delivery service which was available during 2020. The Star Journal caught up with Doveton librarian JADINE MACCUAIG to learn more about why the availability of library services are important during a pandemic.

Working in the library is such a privilege and I am always excited and energised before starting a shift.

My favorite part of working for CCLC is the ability to connect with my community and engage with a variety of individuals, which in a lockdown feels even more special.

It is great we can offer click and collect and delivery of books, especially for those who live further than a 10km radius or experiencing some vulnerability.

The main component of my role is “customer service”, and no day is the same as we adapt to support each member.

In the current restrictions this involves the click and collect service and home deliveries.

Members can request specific titles or a binge bag, and throughout the day we will prepare them.

Binge bags request are especially fun to pack as we search the collection to find items most suited to the individual’s needs and wants.

Most requests will provide some information such as “3-year-old that loves dinosaurs and trucks” or “mystery books like Agatha Christie” or “vegan cookbooks”, but recently I packed one that simply said “suprise me” which allowed me to showcase the range of our collection and hopefully helped the member finds items she didn’t even realize she wanted.

Patrons can also click and collect printing which is very useful as it is a service that is very well used when we are open.

Jadine MacCuaig packing a box of children’s books for click and collect. 239746 The community can also reach us via phone with staff working from home answering all inquiries and happy to simply have a chat.

With many feeling isolated during a lockdown, having someone to call and have a friendly chat with while you arrange some entertainment (a binge bag) for home is really quite important.

Staff working from home have also continued some of the programs, so families at home can still take part in a storytime or two (we also keep several videos on our YouTube channel which you can enjoy at any time).

Our online resources are available at any time but feel extra handy during a lockdown.

Why not start investigating your family tree with free ‘Ancestry’ and ‘FinfMyPast’ access, or get your children help with their homework on Studiosity, or learn a new skill on Linkenin Learning?

During normal operation customer service is still the key component and that will vary greatly, from helping someone print their concert tickets, to recommended their child’s next read to chatting with our knitting club about their current projects.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS I am also involved with a program called Tech Time which members can book an hour session and receive technology related assistance.

Being able to empower our members with new skills and confidence is my greatest pleasure.

The week before lockdown I was also fortunate to step in and help run a Lego Club session which was a complete blast.

We had set up ramps and built lego to race down them, with the children, parents and myself really enjoying the high spirited fun.

Inclusive volunteering project

Hazara Trade Shop co-owner Isa Zarkari, Goulburn Valley Afghanistani Association leader Zahra Haydar Big, Cr Jim Memeti, Hossein Danish, Hayat Rahimi and co-owner Irfan Mohammadi.

Springvale Hazara Trade Shop launched Dignitaries cut the ribbon at the opening of Hazara Trade Shop in Springvale on 21 May. Co-owners Isa Zarkari and Irfan Mohammadi hosted the ceremony at the new saleshouse of construction tools and materials.

Among the hundreds at the launch was Greater Dandenong councillor Jim Memeti and Australia’s first Afghan female council 10 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 15 June, 2021

election candidate Zahra Haydar Big from Shepparton.

Cr Memeti said the owners were “a fantastic story” - two refugees who initially took on any type of jobs across Melbourne, such as tiling.

“It is unbelievable to hear these kind of stories which are so inspirational for many

people particularly with Covid which has caused many people to struggle.

“Yet these gentlemen have continued to work hard and now have opened up their own business which is so fantastic.”

Migration agent Hayat Rahimi, as well as Hossein Danish and local business representatives were also present.

A City of Greater Dandenong project aims to help more volunteer groups recruit people with a disability.

The Disability Inclusive Volunteering Project aims to help groups – and the wider community - understand the abilities and needs of people with disabilities, says its coordinator Sarah Kelly.

A recent State project Victoria ALIVE highlighted the benefits of volunteering for people with disabilities – but also the barriers against them being included.

“Currently organisations are unsure on how to adapt to meet disability needs and they are fearful that they will ‘get in wrong’,” Ms Kelly said.

“Our workshops and in house support will provide the information to the organisations so that they can be confident to offer a volunteer role to a person with a disability.”

Volunteering can range from events, health and aged care, libraries, sport, environment, animal welfare, arts and emergency services.

The project is seeking people with a disability to join its Lived Experience Advisory Group, which will help develop and present the workshops.

Carers and family members of a person with a disability are also invited to contribute.

The project is funded by the City of Greater Dandenong, and delivered by South East Volunteers and the Greater Dandenong Volunteer Resource Service.

To join the project’s Lived Experience Advisory Group, contact Sarah on 0413 743 718 or s.kelly@sev.org.au dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

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STAR JOURNAL 11

NEWS

A large tree uprooted.

Greater Dandenong SES were called out to 76 trees felled during the wild storms.

Greater Dandenong SES member Chris Potts.

Trees felled, power cut

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Severe storms downed dozens of trees and cut powerlines leading to 120 SES callouts in the Greater Dandenong area in a 24-hour period.

Southerly and south-easterly winds gusting more than 100km/h lashed the state on 9-10 June, cutting power to more than 2300 properties in Springvale North, Springvale, Noble Park North, Dandenong North, Dandenong, Dandenong West, Dandenong South, Doveton and Endeavour Hills.

The hardest hit were Endeavour Hills (nearly 700 properties), Springvale North (478), Noble Park North (374), Doveton (336) and Dandenong (251).

Meanwhile, winds propelled insecure property such as polystyrene blocks from a building site at Chapel Road, Keysborough.

The busted foam parts were strewn through neighbouring residences, with hopes that the developer would perform the challenging clean-up.

In Apex Street, Dandenong North, an eightmetre corrugated iron sheet blew from a carport roof and crashed into a neighbouring yard.

The exasperated neighbour Ram said there had been long-standing issues with the roof covering “tied down with bricks and rope”.

“The whole thing flew back to my backyard, landing near my kids’ room.

“There was a big noise and damage to some of our things.”

Greater Dandenong SES controller Daniel Cooksley said “wild winds” had felled more than 70 trees on homes, roads and cars.

Many requests for help had to wait until the dangerous weather eased.

“It was one of the most difficult nights for a long time. The wind was just relentless.

“It’s a timely reminder not to park cars under trees during wild weather.”

There were 27 reports of building damage, such as loosened roof tiles, windows and fences, as well as 17 reports of loose debris, he said.

Greater Dandenong SES members had worked across three days, receiving scores of callouts in Casey and Greater Dandenong. A crew also travelled to flood-wrecked Traralgon on 10 June.

“We will most likely be deploying crews further afield over the weekend to assist in Eastern Melbourne and Gippsland as well as assisting in the Incident Control Centre at the CFA facility in Dandenong South,” Mr Cooksley said.

A flood watch was active for Dandenong Creek, particularly at Heatherton Road between Stud Road and Monash Freeway.

On 10 June, rail commuters experienced delays after a tree branch fell across railway lines at Dandenong, according to the Department of Transport.

Trains didn’t stop at Sandown Park due to flooding. Shuttle buses were instead deployed between Noble Park and Springvale stations.

Across the state, SES reported more than 4000 call-outs for help. More than 200,000 homes and businesses in Victoria suffered electricity outages.

About 162,000 were in the AusNet Services distribution area, which includes the Dandenongs, the outer East and South East suburbs.

12 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 15 June, 2021

An eight-metre corrugated roof sheet crashed into a neighbour’s yard, Apex Street, Dandenong North.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

A tree down over Cheltenham Road - between Chandler Road and Eastlink, Keysborough.

Pictures: GREATER DANDENONG SES

Insecure polystyrene blocks creates a mess at a building site on Chapel Road, Keysborough.

A large gum tree downs powerlines at Eagle Drive, Noble Park North.

A main branch splits from a tree on Bottlebrush Drive, Doveton. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

People power at Atura

By Danielle Kutchel At Atura Hotel Dandenong, it’s always been all about the people.

And that has never been clearer than during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions of 2020, according to sales manager Lucy Symons.

“The way our business has survived the last 12-18 months is purely by the grit of our people,” she explained.

When the pandemic hit, forcing a severe reduction in business for the hospitality and tourism industry, Atura acted quickly to ensure it could keep its staff on.

Team members were upskilled to different departments, allowing them to learn new skills as well as keep their jobs.

Atura hired a brand-new housekeeping team comprised of locals and employed directly by the hotel.

“It was working out how we could keep our team employed and on-site, even if that is in a reduced or different capacity, how can we do that so they can keep putting food on the table for their families,” Ms Symons said.

Nevertheless, the first few weeks of the pandemic were scary, she said.

The hotel remained open to essential travellers, but there were few of those.

Fortunately, Atura secured the bookings of ADF personnel who were helping at Covid testing sites, which Ms Symons called a “great opportunity”.

Staff were called back to their former roles with just 40 minutes’ notice before the ADF teams walked through the doors.

The kitchen was fired up again and rooms that had been closed for weeks were quickly made ready for new occupants.

“I’m so proud of how agile our team was.

Our people were ready to jump back on

Adam Joyce and Frank Andrews of Berwick Physiotherapy. 236511

2020 was a big year for Berwick Physiotherapy, and not in the ways you might expect.

The veteran allied health business celebrated its 40th anniversary and saw its growth continue despite the raging of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Berwick Physiotherapy was even able to grow its staff by around 10 per cent.

That’s not to say the year was without its challenges, as spokesperson Adam Joyce – a musculoskeletal physiotherapist and hand therapist – explained.

Requirements on businesses were subject to change quickly and often required interpretation, he said.

Berwick Physiotherapy quickly committed to providing telehealth services where available, however they were also one of the few allied health providers who remained open through all of Covid, he said.

Patients aches and pains fit with the times, as working from home and taking up new forms of exercise saw new injuries and bodily complaints.

“We saw our place as not only to help people continue their work but take on new leisure activities safely,” Mr Joyce said.

The clinic has also demonstrated leaderdandenong.starcommunity.com.au

board and do what it took to get ready,” she said.

Reflecting on that experience, Atura entered the 2021 Casey Business Awards in the Employment category and has been named as a finalist.

Ms Symons said the hotel’s team was excited to have been named as a finalist.

“A hotel is a building with a couple of bedrooms – but the hotel experience is our people. We can’t do it without them,” Ms Symons said.

The winners of the Casey Business Awards will be announced at a gala event in late June.

Picture: GARY SISSONS

40 years of helping heal Over the next few weeks, STAR NEWS is profiling the finalists in the Casey Business Awards. In the lead up to the announcement of the winners in each category later in June, we’ll feature stories of these inspiring businesses and the secrets to their Business Awards success.

Lucy Symons from Atura at the Casey Business Awards finalists’ breakfast. 236511 Picture: GARY SISSONS

ship in another way by establishing a graduate training program.

Berwick Physiotherapy seeks out local physiotherapy students and mentors them over the duration of their course. These students are then given priority in the hiring process, and the majority of the company’s staff are or have been residents of the local area.

Berwick Physiotherapy was recently named as a finalist in the Business Leadership category of the 2021 Casey Business Awards and Mr Joyce said that’s a testament to the company’s place in the community.

“One of our strengths is that despite the challenges our mission as a group is to provide first class healthcare to everyone in the community, and once we saw in a practical sense how we could continue doing that it was pretty simple and everyone was very keen to continue doing what we do every day, which is see our patients and meet their needs and help them with what their health care goals are.”

It’s now onwards and upwards for Berwick Physiotherapy, which recently opened a new site in Clyde North to take advantage of client growth across Casey.

“We’ve been in the community for a long time … and as Cardinia and Casey have grown we’ve grown very much in the same way,” Mr Joyce said.

“One of our strengths has been being able to adapt and change with what the needs of the community are and Covid is no different.

“We see ourselves being a big part of the community over the next 40 years.”

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As part of a national upgrade project, Optus plans to upgrade the telecommunication facility on an existing monopole site at the address above: 1. The proposed work includes the installation of three (3) panel antennas including Active Antennas Units (AAUs) variants; five (5) new radio remote units (RRUs); associated new cabling (internal and external); and removal or relocation of existing equipment; works within existing ground level shelter; and any other associated works necessary for the operation of the facility.

2. Optus regard the proposed installations as Low Impact in accordance with the Telecommunications (Low-Impact Facilities) Determination 2018 based on the description above.

3. Further information can be obtained from Mel Tuangthong, 0414 166 870, melt@cpsglobal.com, and at www.rfnsa.com.au, RFNSA reference number 3174020.

4. Written submissions should be sent to: Level 9 – 256 Queen Street Melbourne VIC 3000 by 5.00pm on Wednesday 30 June 2021.

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Keep pets warm in winter As temperatures drop around the state and Victorians prepare for even colder weather, RSPCA Victoria is urging pet owners to think about how the coming winter months might affect their animals.

Regardless of whether you have dogs, cats, horses or small animals such as guinea pigs or rabbits, they all need to be considered during cold weather and owners may need to adjust the way they care for them to ensure they stay happy and healthy.

RSPCA Victoria’s CEO Dr Liz Walker said that while many of us are aware of the risks that come with hot weather, sub zero temperatures in some areas of Victoria posed a real welfare risk, particularly for animals who spend time outdoors.

“Winter is a busy time for our Inspectorate. We receive an influx of reports from concerned individuals who are worried about an animal’s welfare during the cold months. It’s important pet owners consider any additional requirements needed during winter, such as extra bedding, more food and adequate shelter away from the wind and rain.

“Like many of their owners, our more vulnerable pets often suffer in cold weather, especially those who are very young, elderly, live outdoors or suffer from health conditions such as arthritis.”

Dr Walker explained there are a number of ways to protect animals from suffering in the cold, though ultimately, the best protection is to bring them indoors where possible.

This is especially important for small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs whose body temperatures can drop dangerously low in cold weather.

“In addition to making sure indoor pets have a warm place to sleep away from drafts, also make sure heating units are safe and have guards so that pets don’t suffer burns.

Always ensure outdoor pets have proper shel-

Keeping pets safe and warm this winter. ter and a place to sleep away from the elements.

“Animals may require more food during cold weather as it takes more energy to regulate their body temperature in the cold. Consult your veterinarian on what is right for your pet. And remember that access to water during cold weather is still important, so make sure to check outdoor water bowls and troughs aren’t frozen and provide more than one water source where possible.

“If your pet suffers from arthritis, the winter months can be more difficult to manage so make sure to speak with your veterinarian

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dog spends a lot of time indoors, make sure to provide them with enrichment, such as games and food dispensing toys, to keep their minds active and consider taking them for walks with other dogs.

“When exercising in the dark, we want dog walkers and horse riders to keep themselves and their animals safe. Consider reflective clothing or lights to alert other people and traffic,” Dr Walker said.

For more information about caring for pets in cold weather, which dogs need jackets and whether to rug your horse, visit RSPCA’s Knowledgebase.

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about how to best manage this condition in cold weather.”

RSPCA Victoria also encourages owners to think about the welfare of their farm animals in cold weather.

They should be able to move from their paddocks into three-sided shelters to escape the cold, rain and wind. Chickens will need extra bedding to keep them warm.

Dr Walker also talked about the importance of exercise for animals, even in colder weather.

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SPORT

A right royal honour

By Tyler Lewis Mark Durdin has achieved many things within the football community.

And now, he has received the highest of honours awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).

The honour – established in 1975 – recognises Australian citizens for outstanding service or commitment, an honour Durdin is very worthy of.

It was a simple reaction for Durdin when he received the news that he would be honoured on Queen’s Birthday.

“Speechless, (I was) very honoured when I received the news, I didn’t really know what to say,” he joked.

It’s hard to put a finger on which particular service pushed Durdin into the running, as he has done so much over the years.

Starting way back in his playing days, Durdin was monumental in the community of deaf football and has continued that loyalty through to today.

In addition to the countless hours of work he has put in to the deaf football system, Durdin is also a well-known Noble Park figure, fulfilling the role as senior team manager for almost a decade.

While it has been a long and brilliant journey, Durdin took a trip down memory lane – back to where it all started.

“I first played with South Australia (SA) in 1980 as a 17 year old in Nhill,” he said.

“They’d just re-formed as a team after being closed for a few years.

“I played 13 games and captained SA in 1988 at Punt Road Oval, we lost, but made new and old friends, which is the most important part of Deaf Community,” Durdin said.

As memories were created on the field, when it was his time to stop playing, there was

still plenty of time for Durdin to create some off the field.

So he did.

“I retired from playing to become the national secretary, I was only excepting to stay in the role for two to three years, but it ended up being 15 years,” he said.

“The delegates decided to have a president, I took the role for 10 years.

“I retired in 2016, I still attend the games no matter where the game is played and am an advisor when needed.

“I still love supporting deaf footy,” Durdin said.

After his decades of work at the heartbeat of deaf football, Durdin was welcomed into Noble Park – where he has now also contributed a mountain of work.

But as all great servers of sporting communities do, Durdin put it down to luck.

“I am very lucky that they welcomed me with open arms,” he said.

“They’re very supportive; the players, the committee and the supporters are very good to me.

“I am privileged to be with such a great club.

“After I retired, the club asked me to stick around and I haven’t left since.

“They’re very good to me, I love the club, it is my second home.”

Over many years of football involvement, it is hard to put one memory down as the favourite.

Durdin was no exception, but he couldn’t overlook a special three.

“I can’t pick one, I will pick three,” he said. “(number 1) my only flag with Gaza reserves in Adelaide in 1990 before I moved to Victoria. “(number 2) Noble Park’s success and premierships. “(and number 3) South Australia Deaf’s fa-

Mark, right, with his good mate Mick Fogarty when the now Beaconsfield coach was in charge Pictures: SUPPLIED of Noble Park. 240707 mous – and only – win over Victoria at Dawson Reserve in Glen Iris in 1986,” Durdin said.

As for receiving the honour, Durdin is very pleased he joins not only great company that have received OAM’s in the past, but a select few who are also deaf.

“I feel very different (after receiving the OAM),” he said.

“I knew of some deaf people that have received the honour.

“I am very privileged to join them.”

Mark’s Football Resume Noble Park Football Club Senior Team Manager, since 2012.

Reserves Team Manager, 2009-2011.

Under 18’s Team Manager, 2006-2008.

Junior President, 2009.

Player, 1990s.

Junior Life Member, 2009.

Life Member, 2014.

Deaf Australia Football President, 2007-2016.

Former Board Member.

Inaugural Hall of Fame Inductee, 2019.

Life Member, 2016.

South Australia Deaf Football Club Player, 1980-1992.

Former Administrator.

Former Coach.

Hall of Fame Inductee, 2006.

Life Member, 2014.

Gaza Football Club Player, 1974-1990.

Life Member, 1991.

Deaf Sport Other Inaugural National Secretary, National Deaf Football Association, 1992-2007.

Co-founder, Allies Deaf Football Team.

President, Deaf Darts Australia and Deaf Darts Victoria, current.

Awards and recognition include: Club Person of the Year, Noble Park Football Club.

· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Local Dandenong star excited to captain the ‘Gades

By Nick Creely Dandenong star Sophie Molineux has come a long way since walking into the club out of Bairnsdale as a teenager in 2013/14.

At just 23, the all-rounder has quickly established herself as not only a star of the Premier Cricket competition with the Panthers, but in the country, with over 30 international matches for Australia and a strong domestic record making her one of the most sought after talents going around.

And now the prodigious talent who is a two-time ICC T20 World Cup winner and Dandenong premiership player has been named the youngest captain in the Melbourne Renegades’ history in the WBBL. With 74 WBBL matches next to her for the Renegades - and being part of the squad since the inception of the competition - it’s only fitting that she takes over from Amy Satterthwaite.

“It’s a real honour to be appointed captain of a club I love so much and follow in the footsteps of some high-quality leaders that I look up to,” Molineux told the Renegades website.

“Amy Satterthwaite has had a massive influence on the group and on me personally. Her wealth of knowledge and ability to stay composed is what I’ve always admired. Jess Duffin is such a competitor and leads by example and I’ve also had the privilege of playing under Meg Lanning in the Victorian and Australian teams.

“I am really excited to be able to take what I’ve learnt from each of them, combine it with how I approach the game and continue to grow and learn along the way.

“It’ll be great to work alongside Simon Helmot and the other senior players in the squad. I’m grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to step up into a leadership position and I hope we can have a really strong season.”

While the Panthers haven’t seen much of Molineux in recent seasons due to international and domestic commitments, the allrounder has an imposing record at club land, with 1041 runs at 31.55 and 39 wickets at 16.15 18 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 15 June, 2021

Sophie Molineux has come a long way since her early days with Dandenong. 149894 from 36 matches across her career.

She is also the face of the Molineux Academy, which is run by the Dandenong Cricket

Club and is designed for talented female players from the region from 15 to 17 years of age.

The program is ran over eight weeks during the

Picture: GARY SISSONS off-season with players occasionally invited to continue training with the senior squad during the summer. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Bedggood delivers double

By David Nagel Cranbourne trainers thoroughly enjoyed the journey to their closest metropolitan track on Saturday with the Casey-clan dominating proceedings by training six of the nine winners at Sandown Hillside.

Unique winning doubles to Gavin Bedggood and Mick Kent were the standout performances on the day, while John Price and Richard Laming didn’t miss out on the Cranbourne-party with their own individual triumphs.

Bedggood’s training career reached a new high on Saturday, scoring a winning metropolitan double, with great mates No Effort and Sir Kalahad making the most of an on-pace bias to score impressive all-the-way victories.

No Effort gave Bedggood and jockey Carleen Hefel their first taste of success when the six-year-old mare put on a dominant display in race five, leading throughout and holding on late in the $125,000 Open Handicap (1800m).

Hefel showed great courage to kick clear and build a strong lead at the top of the straight before staving off the fast finish of race favourite Bedford in the shadows of the post.

Hefel and Bedggood then repeated the dose in race eight, landing a massive betting plunge with six-year-old gelding Sir Kalahad running his rivals ragged to score by five-and-a-half lengths.

Hefel and Sir Kalahad made the $125,000 Three-Year-Old Handicap (1300m) a oneact affair, using the preferred conditions of a heavy track and light weight to give nothing else a chance.

Sir Kalahad raced one off the fence, outside the early leader Alsvin, before dashing clear at the 400-metre pole for a dominant victory.

Bedggood said the metropolitan winning double was certainly one of the milestone days of his training career.

“Right up there with winning a grand annual or something like that,” Bedggood explained to Racing.com after the race.

“To train one city winner on a Saturday is a big thing, but to get two is great, especially these two horses.

“They live together, they sleep side-by-side together, they go to the track every morning together, they do everything together, so it’s great.”

Bedggood wasn’t sure whether to take on the quality Saturday-class field or leave his steed to prosper four days later. Six scratchings from the race helped with the decision-making process.

“I knew he’d be a red-hot chance with 51 and a half on a heavy track, but I was umming and ahhing about running today and going to the benchmark 70, 1200 (metres), at Sandown on Wednesday, only because there looked to be really good pressure in this race today,” he said.

“He’s best when he finds the front and gets a couple of cheap sections, and then skip away, and I knew that wasn’t going to happen here with a full field.”

Bedggood said Sir Kalahad had now provided great value after originally putting a strain on his coffers.

“This horse, I had to go and buy him with

Sir Kalahad races clear in race eight at Sandown on Saturday. 240710

Carleen Hefel returns to the mounting yard after her winning ride on No Effort. 240710 money I didn’t have, and I actually got left with half of him when I sold him, I couldn’t find owners for him,” Bedggood said.

“That’s his second win in town now since we’ve had him, his fourth win in 18 months.

When he gets his conditions to suit, with no weight, he’s a big threat.”

Hefel, who does little or no work for the Bedggood yard, said the on-speed tactics were the key to their winning double.

“Yeah, pretty much, we just had to ignore the leader on the inside, do our own race, and he was too strong again.” Hefel said of Sir Kalahad.

“I have to brutally honest I haven’t done any

Pictures: BRETT HOLBURT/RACING PHOTOS

Gavin Bedggood takes it all in after his winning double at Sandown.

240710

work for Gavin but I really appreciate the rides he has given me today, especially as they have both gone so well.

“I know Gavin puts a lot of effort into his horses, they always look so well, and I know there’s a lot of hard work behind the scenes.”

Kent, a veteran of the Cranbourne training ranks, broke a four-year drought when he trained Comica and Falls to victory in races three and six respectively.

The double for Kent, who last struck twice on a metropolitan track at Caulfield in 2017, was never in doubt with Falls giving his rivals a galloping lesson in the $75,000 Benchmark 78 Handicap (1600m).

The five-year-old gelding was nursed perfectly by gun-jockey Damian Lane before streaking clear of his opposition for a fourlength victory.

Price made his contribution when Chassis won the fourth race on the card, while Laming sent punters scurrying for their race books when his despised outsider, Sarodec, won the second leg of the quaddie.

The three-year-old son of Kermadec is working through his grades nicely, with Saturday’s win his third from just eight starts.

Sandown’s next two meetings will be both be on the Lakeside track, this Wednesday 16 and then Wednesday 30 June.

Breakthrough city winner a dream for Toner and team

By Jason Adams Young trainer Maddison Toner snared her first city win at Sandown Park on Thursday night.

It came courtesy of Dreamers Lie who took out the opening race of the program.

Not only was it Toner’s first city class win but also her first at Sandown Park.

“It’s been a long time coming!,” Toner said after the race.

“He hurt his stopper tendon after his first start which resulted in six months off, so to get him back and winning on a Thursday night is great,” she said.

Like a lot of greyhounds after a race, the all-important stop at McDonald’s on the way home was on the agenda. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Maddison Toner, right, with Aiden Andrews and Dreamers Lie at Sandown on Thursday Picture: SUPPLIED night. 240706 “He might get the full spread tonight, ice cream, a burger and nuggets,” she said.

Toner, 22, also owns and bred ‘Archie’ who she trains from the property of Glenn Rounds.

“I got my trainers license when I was 19, but I just dabbled with it here and there before I got a little more serious with these guys (Dreamers Lie’s litter). It’s a pretty big investment to breed a litter, so it’s nice to start seeing the results.”

She helps out every day at Rounds’ kennel as well as working three days a week at Walnut Vet Clinic in Cranbourne which makes for a pretty busy lifestyle.

“I’m happy just training two at the moment,” she said.

“With work I think it’d be too hard to train a bigger team. It’s hard enough with these guys.”

Later in the night Providence Bale upstaged star sprinter Tiggerlong Tonk to claim his seventh win on-the-trot. While Tonk was

defeated, kennelmate Yozo Bale stood up in the following race to win comfortably.

The standout win of the night was from Jarick Bale who put together an all-round brutal performance. He set hot splits to win in an impressive 33.87 over 595m.

Trainer Mark Delbridge hinted that Jarick Bale could follow in the footsteps of older brother Christo Bale.

The night’s Vic Bred final was won by Time To Roll, or ‘Barry’ as he’s known at home.

In the final event on the card Weblec Eagle was dominant in his first race after 230 days on the sidelines.

His trainer Matt Lanigan expressed his emotion on Twitter after the win – “Could not be prouder of our boy. This is something special!”

Tuesday, 15 June, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 19

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