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Loving that winter wonderland The famous snowfalls are gone, but Springvale’s award-winning snow festival returns in ‘spirit’ this month. In a Covid-safe form, the Spirit of Snow Fest is lit up with 15 neon light displays and projection lighting along Buckingham Avenue every Saturday and Sunday during August. There’s also a selfie opportunity with an illuminated Springvale globe. The festival had in the past attracted crowds of more than 40,000 to enjoy snow delivered from Mt Buller to Springvale’s streets. Sadly, no snow falls will feature at this year’s event. Among its awards were two Global Ex trophies in 2020 for best municipal event and best Australian/Oceania region event. Details, turn to page 8
Snow is a no-show but Vivianna is still enjoying the bright lights in this year’s Springvale winter festival Spirit of Snowfest.
‘Cat’ burglars hit Gone in 60 seconds. That’s how long it’s taking thieves to saw off and steal away a car’s catalytic converter in a new form of crime wave.
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Police are investigating a spate of about 15 brazen thefts from outside factories, workshops and even a shopping centre car park in Greater Dandenong in the past month. Many of them have been in a tight block of streets around Dingley Avenue, Dandenong
Street, Brooklyn Avenue, Station Street and Cheltenham Road on Dandenong South. The first time a hapless victim discovers the theft is when they start their car and hear a long bang, says MK Automotive owner Rob Monea said.
He’d repaired a Commodore that was hit at Parkmore shopping centre car park in Keysborough on Monday 2 August.
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By Cam Lucadou-Wells
NEWS
Don Simpson, who turned 98 on 2 August.
From left, Brett Batcheldor, Maureen Smollen and Don Simpson, with a Picture: ROB CAREW Silver Blue Wheaten Modern Game bird. 124758
Show champion cracks 98 Agricultural Society of Victoria, Oakleigh and Cheltenham poultry clubs, Wyandotte Club of Victoria and Victorian Poultry Fanciers Association. Mr Simpson also holds a Presidents Medal from the RASV for his services to agriculture. More than 70 years ago, he caught the show poultry bug after buying 10 point-of-lay hens – or pullets – from a local breeder. He got interested in pure breeds, bought some golden legbar eggs and joined a local poultry club. At his first show, a judge told him that his Australorp was better put in the cooking pot. Undaunted by the blunt advice, he honed down on the finer points and soon broke through for the first of many show wins over more than half a century.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells For a poultry show breeder and judge, it certainly matters what is first out of chickens and eggs. Don Simpson, who celebrated his 98th birthday at Belvedere Aged Care on 2 August, has been well known for his fine eye for purebred poultry and eggs. The Noble Park grandfather of five and great-grandfather of five often appeared in Dandenong Star, The Journal and other newspapers during showtime. He grew up feeding the chooks in his family’s backyard henhouse, and became a qualified all-breeds judge who travelled to shows across Australia. In turn, he is a life member of the Royal
His first winning golden legbar pullet is one of many breeds rarely seen these days. The Journal’s great journo Marg Stork reported over a decade ago that Mr Simpson had “lost count of his awards”. He’d collected three cases of ribbons, more than a dozen medallions, silver tea sets and about 80 rosettes. In 2005, Star News recorded one of his wins at the Berwick Show. Then 82, he took out first prize for a duckwing pullet – a breed that was “easy for an old bloke to handle”. He reflected on how young people weren’t interested in agricultural shows so much this century. “They’ve got their cars, girlfriends, tennis, basketball, cricket and football (instead).” As a meticulous judge of eggs, he looked
for the perfect proportions and uniformity – a semi-circle base with wider middle that gradually tapers to the top. Peering with a candle, he’d also consider the way a yolk hung inside the egg. His son Ian said the father of two worked hard to support and provide an education for his kids at the family home in Fintonia Road “Outside his family, Dad has two passions which are the Geelong Football Club and the exhibition and judging of purebred poultry.” He and his now-late wife for 65 years Pauline moved out to Parkglen aged care centre for 10 years. “Above all the family is so grateful that Dad has been able to celebrate his 98th birthday and under these current circumstances, we are very grateful to Belvedere,” Ian said.
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IN BRIEF
18-39yo up for jabs AstraZeneca vaccines are now open for 18-39-year-olds at Sandown Racecourse hub in a push to accelerate vaccination rates. From 9 August, children aged 12-15 with specific medical conditions are also eligible for Pfizer. The South East area has been among Victoria’s slowest for vaccine take ups, with 36.4 per cent jabbed with at least one dose as of 1 August. It lagged well behind neighbouring parts of Melbourne such as Outer East (43.9 per cent), Inner South (49 per cent) and Inner East (47.7 per cent). Premier Daniel Andrews said opening vaccines to younger cohorts was sparked by Victoria’s recent Covid outbreaks as well as advice from Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). The group advised that two doses of AstraZeneca reduces the risk of symptomatic infection by at least 67 per cent and the risk of hospitalization by 92 per cent. “More than 1.7 million vaccine doses have been administered at Victorian vaccination centres and we want to see that number continue to climb - vaccination is our only way out of this pandemic.” Keys Health Service in Keysborough is one
of the first GP clinics to offer Pfizer – starting from 16 August. It’s already booked up for several weeks in advance, with plans to deliver about 80 doses a day. The clinic had already been administering AstraZeneca for months. Vaccine demand was “picking up” - with the clinic’s phones running hot at the start of the state’s lockdown No.6, clinic manager Riekie Jooste said. The clinic was considering security guards in response to patients abusing staff. “During lockdowns, people’s mental health is not doing well.” Ms Jooste said the inconsistent rules around vaccine eligibility may be stalling take-up rates. Pfizer is currently the preferred vaccine for people aged 16 to 59 years, but AstraZeneca vaccine can also be provided, according to recent ATAGI advice. AstraZeneca only is available for 60-plus. Some patients had been waiting to become eligible for Pfizer, Ms Jooste said. However others were preferring AstraZeneca due to word-of-mouth about Pfizer’s severe side effects, especially on second doses. Only three AstraZeneca patients at Keys Health Centre had reported side-effects – none had died from the rarely-contracted but fatal thrombosis.
Professor Rhonda Stuart, director of Monash Health South East Public Health Unit, said there was “really high demand” at its hubs at Sandown and Cranbourne Turf Club. More than 400,000 doses had been delivered in its catchment area. “As more supply of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine becomes available, we’re able to make more and more appointments available for the Pfizer vaccine, and these slots are still going fast.” In Victoria, the largest fully vaccinated age group are in their 40’s – about 400,000 – and have been largely eligible for Pfizer. About half the numbers are fully vaccinated in their 50’s or 60’s. Professor Stuart said this reflected the longer waits between first and second doses for AstraZeneca. “Over the coming months, we should expect to see the rates of full vaccination and protection against Covid-19 even out across age groups. “The most important thing is for anyone who is eligible to be vaccinated is to make a booking and to get vaccinated as soon as possible.” To book for vaccines, go to https://portal. cvms.vic.gov.au or call 1800 675 398.
Frustrated: Lockdowns sour dining trade By Cam Lucadou-Wells The latest Covid snap lockdown has thrown restaurants into a new round of turmoil. With just three hours’ notice, stay-athome restrictions resumed across Victoria at 8pm on Thursday 5 August to try to curtail a spate of mystery Delta-variant cases. Dandenong restaurant owner Minid Patel was left holding $3800 of worthless food that had been prepped for the coming weekend. His business was just trying to recover from previous lockdown No.5, which had been lifted eight days earlier. “This one is the worst, coming in at 8pm tonight,” the Honest Restaurant proprietor said. “It’s really frustrating. I’m not sure what we’ll do with all of this food.” He ended up giving it away to family and staff, who yet again were required to apply for Commonwealth Covid-19 disaster payments. Honest Restaurant was eligible for one of the $2800 grants announced for 90,000 eligible businesses in Victoria the following day. Licensed hospitality venues were eligible for payments between $5000 and $20,000. Mr Patel said the grants were small help as his business lost about $100,000 a month during lockdown. He and his business partners had invested $500,000 setting up the restaurant just weeks before Covid struck in early 2020.
It’s the hospitality and retail sectors that are bearing the brunt of continuous lockdowns, he says. “We just have to keep digging in our own pockets.” The business aid package followed $400 million the week before, and another $950 million paid by the State Government to businesses since June. Industry Support and Recovery Minister Martin Pakula said “decisive action is required to tackle this incredibly infectious strain of coronavirus, but we know it doesn’t
come without a cost”. “This support will help the worst-affected businesses pay their bills and plan for a strong recovery.” Mr Patel, who threatened to defy Covid no-dining orders last years, says he’s lost faith in both the State and Federal governments. “It’s really frustrating because there’s no end to it. “Someone needs to announce when there will be no more lockdowns – but no one can answer this question.”
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Police are seeking information to solve a holdup of a Keysborough bottle shop eight months ago. A man carrying a gun threatened a male staff member during the robbery at the corner of Corrigan Road and Kingsclere Avenue about 6.25pm on Saturday 19 December. The robber ripped the cash register from the counter and fed in a grey 2010 Toyota RAV4. The vehicle was found set on fire in Springvale South a short time later, police say. The offender was described as 180 centimetres with a solid build and wearing black clothing. Dandenong CIU Detective Senior Constable Sherry Cahir said the robbery had been extensively investigated without an arrest so far. “We continue to investigate this case are hopeful someone in the community is now ready to come forward with information.’ “The victim involved in this incident deserves justice and we hope to make that happen.” Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
A learner driver has been allegedly clocked at 36 km/h over the speed limit on Princes Highway in Springvale. The 20-year-old Noble Park man was detected at 116 km/h in an 80 km/h zone by an unmarked Cardinia Highway Patrol police vehicle about 8.50pm on Saturday 31 July, police say. The driver neither displayed L plates nor was he accompanied by an experienced driver at the time. He was fined $1682 on the spot, lost four demerit points and had his learner permit suspended for three months. Police were targeting high-risk driving as part of the ongoing Operation Sumatra.
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Speeding in Springvale Minid Patel, right, with staff just after the state’s sixth Covid lockdown was announced on 5 August.
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A man has been critically injured after a crash between a truck and a car on Thompson Road in Bangholme. Police say his car crashed into the back of a truck at the corner of Frankston-Dandenong Road about 7am on Thursday 5 August. The truck then crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The injured man was trapped inside the car, which was “partially wedged” under the truck. He was extracted by emergency crews and flown by air ambulance to hospital. Neither the truck driver or the driver of the second vehicle were injured. The road is closed to traffic in both directions between Eastlink and McCormicks Road. The Department of Transport advises drivers to avoid Thompson Road, and instead use Hall Road to the south or Abbotts Road to the north. Somerville Highway Patrol officers are investigating the crash. Any information or dashcam footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
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Rental doors closed By Cam Lucadou-Wells Less than 20 rental dwellings in Greater Dandenong were affordable to households on income support, according to a recent report. Anglicare Victoria’s 2021 Rental Affordability Snapshot found 19 listings (or 2.9 per cent) were affordable to people on income support on Saturday 27 March. For minimum wage earners, 225 rentals (about 34 per cent) were considered affordable. The study defined an ‘affordable’ home as costing less than 30 per cent of income without over-crowding bedrooms. Despite the stark statistics, Greater Dandenong was rated among the top-10 most affordable council areas in Melbourne. But the tragic plight of an asylum-seeking family who lost their four-year-old son Rithish Kirushnaneethan in a house fire in Dandenong on 25 July has highlighted ‘slum’ housing in the region. The family says no smoke alarm was installed in the house at the time, and believe that either a gas leak or heater were involved. The cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed. They’d also recently moved out of a ‘slum’ apartment in Stud Road two weeks after arriving from Perth. Support agencies have reported many “deteriorated” houses being offered for rent in the region, including potential “death traps” rented directly from private owners. Some dwellings reportedly lacked heating and hot water. This is despite landlords being legally required to meet minimum standards, such as to
Sleeping rough in Dandenong Park earlier this Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS year. 229381 install smoke alarms, ensure two-year heating service checks and undergo urgent repairs. Since the tragedy, Star Journal has received alerts from readers of several dangerous homes. One told of an emergency accommodation with a leaking roof, unreliable hot water, unrepaired broken window and a 40-year-old heater – “no glass in the front, only one burner works and throws flames out, so of course it is never used”. Asylum Seeker Resource Centre services and advocacy director Anastasia Magriplis said the lack of affordable housing was “diabolical”. It caused “unscrupulous” owners to offer sub-standard housing that “shouldn’t be on the market”. “Even when you’re working it’s incredibly difficult to have suitable housing, let alone if you’re on welfare.
“For people seeking asylum who don’t have access to the welfare system – and in some cases don’t have work rights – they have very few options.” The State Government’s 9300 new social housing homes in four years would “take time” to rectify the situation, Ms Magriplis said. She called for asylum seekers to have access to the “mainstream” social housing program as well as support such as rental bond loans. Wayss chief executive Liz Thomas recently said asylum seekers confront issues that are “all too common” for people on very low incomes looking for “safe, secure housing” in the South East. “The real problem is lack of affordable, suitable housing options, especially multi-bedroom homes for larger families. “There is also very little emergency accommodation for families.” In the 2016 ABS census, more than 2100 people were homeless in Greater Dandenong. Greater Dandenong Council – with a coalition of 12 other councils - has been calling for more social housing to combat rising homelessness. Mayor Angela Long said Covid-19 had “complicated the situation”. In its snapshot report, Anglicare Victoria stated an “overheated” rental access was drifting further away from low-income households even in rural and regional Victoria. The recent $25 rise in Commonwealth fortnightly income support was insufficient, it stated. The report also called for federal affordable-housing intervention, and more options for people fleeing family violence.
‘Cat’ thieves strike, gone in 60 seconds From page 1 At first he thought the muffler must have blown before he jacked up the vehicle and inspected the neatly sliced damage. After he posted the incident on Facebook, similar reports flooded in – including a Dandenong business reporting three of the same thefts that night. “I’d never seen it before. But it looks like we’re going to start seeing it a bit more now,” Mr Monea said. Catalytic converters are reportedly sought for their precious metals platinum, palladium and rhodium, which are used to defuse a car’s toxic exhaust fumes. On online marketplaces, each part is worth at least several hundred dollars. There are several buyers in the South East advertising for the parts on forums like Facebook Marketplace. For the victims, there’s a hefty repair bill of between $600 and $2200. A Commodore was targeted outside a workshop on Cheltenham Road, Dande-
nong, about 12.20am on Tuesday 27 July. Among several others hit in the vicinity was a Honda Accord Euro outside a workshop in Dingley Avenue, Dandenong South about 3.50am on Monday 2 August. A few weeks earlier, at least seven Toyota Hiace delivery vans were hit from two businesses in the same avenue. “They took the sensors, wires and the cats – they ripped out the whole thing,” a business owner told Star Journal. First Constable Gabriel Bonicelli, of Dandenong Transit Divisional Response Unit, said police were investigating the links between up to 15 such thefts. Using either a cordless power saw or hand saw, the thieves were taking catalytic converters in less than 60 seconds, he said. The car parts had been targets for years in the US and UK. But this was the first time 1st Const Bonicelli heard it occurring in Melbourne’s South East. During Covid, the parts were more valuable due to a mining slowdown and hence
A Commodore’s catalytic converter was cut and stripped from the undercarriage. metal price hikes, he said. “That’s the attraction we think. They’re recycling them for a higher price.” Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Unknown fate for family By Cam Lucadou-Wells The Federal Government won’t comment on pleas for a grief-stricken asylum seeker family to stay in Australia. The local community has been swift to help the Tamil family who lost their four-year-old son Rithish Kirushnaneethan in a house fire in Leonard Street, Dandenong on 25 July. More than $100,000 had been raised on a Go Fund Me page for the family, who had left homeless and without any belongings. Grief counselling, clothes and basic supplies have also been provided. The family is still living under threat of deportation since arriving by boat from Sri Lanka in 2012. They had been detained on Christmas Island and in Adelaide, and remained on a bridging visa for nine years, according to the Go Fund Me page. In 2018, the family was last interviewed by Department of Home Affairs as part of their application for permanent protection. They are still awaiting the department’s decision. Tamil Refugee Council member Aran Mylvaganam said the “unacceptable” long wait was tormenting the family – especially knowing that “90 per cent of Tamil claims are rejected”. “It’s had a huge impact on the mother’s mental health, even before the fire accident happened. “We’re really worried about their wellbeing.” The mother, who had desperately broken a bedroom window to try to save Rithish from the flames, was still in shock at his funeral service on 3 August. “She’s finding it hard to believe she’s lost her son. She’ll have to go through the natural grieving process and we have to keep an eye on her.” The uncertain visa status was impacting on the father’s ability to find work, especially during Covid lockdowns. They are surviving on Status Resolution Support Services payments – which are less than the dole. “Employers don’t want to employ a person if they mightn’t have a visa in six months,” Mr Mylvaganam said. Supporters were focused on helping find the family suitable accommodation and schools. “We want the family to have a place to settle down and not have to worry about the financial side of things.” Tamil asylum claims were in the vast majority rejected due to “watered down” reports stating that Sri Lanka was safe for Tamils. Visa limbo was common to thousands of asylum seekers in Australia, says Asylum Seeker Resource Centre services and advocacy director Anastasia Magriplis. “Just the time this process takes is unreasonable and unfair for them.”
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LOOKING BACK
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
lowed for competition for each prize is six months. A football match was played recently between teams representing the 4th Malvern scouts and Dandenong scouts which the latter won by 7 points
100 years ago 11 August 1921 Boy Scouts A very enjoyable evening was spent by the parents and boys at St James’ Hall Dandenong on the 26th July. Mr James, Gen Sec, was present for the purpose of swearing in the boys as scouts, and to distribute certificates and badges. He spoke very highly of the boys of the Dandenong Troop. Supper was partaken of, after the Sec had given an address. Mr Andrew SM of the 4th Malvern scouts kindly offered a prize for the boy who obtains his 1st Class badge first. Mr Harris has also donated two prizes: (1) for the boy who attends most regularly and (2) for the one who received the most proficiency badges. Mrs Owen has also offered one for the scout who brings along the largest number of recruits. The time al-
50 years ago 10 August 1971 What o’ the weather? When Ron Wiggerman came to Australia from Holland in 1954 he brought his rain gauge with him. He had always been interested in meteorology and atmospheric conditions but had not been able to “break into” that type of work. Now Ron an employee of H J Heinz Dandenong factory quenches his thirst for weather information by taking twice-daily official readings for the Bureau of Meteorology. The coded data he phones through to the bureau plays a part in determining weather
forecasts. About 11 years ago the bureau set up a weather station in the yard of Heinz Dandenong factory and daily readings have been taken since. The Dandenong station is one of 12 in the metropolitan area checking the weather phenomena at 9am and 3pm seven days a week. Before becoming official “weatherman“ for Dandenong Mr Wiggerman was given specialised training by the bureau inspector.
20 years ago 13 August 2001 Help at last A $500,000 high dependency unit in the psychiatric ward of the Dandenong Hospital. The much needed and long-awaited intensive care unit is designed to help treat and manage severely mentally ill patients and help cut the number of patients absconding from the hos-
pital. It is believed the unit could house up to six beds in the psychiatric ward of 30 and will feature an open courtyard and other areas for patients to roam.
5 years ago 8 August 2016 Bin Stickers drive safety Greater Dandenong residents can make streets safe through stickers on their wheelie bins. The Australian Road Safety Federation has produced stickers with images of children skipping towards the road and speed limit signs. They’re designed to provide motorists with a strong visual road safety reminder. The images are based on research that found signs depicting motion resulted in faster reaction times and increased vigilance.
NEWS
The state of thankfulness
Dining value to a ‘tea’ Taiwan in 1992. Its bubble-teas include dairy-free options, smoothies, fruit-based options and milk teas. The teas are grown on Taiwanese farms, with other ingredients sourced from Australia and Taiwan. “Sharetea is a great addition to our multi-cultural and family-friendly dining precinct,” plaza retail manager Priska Budiman said. “Our dining precinct offers great value and a diverse range of in-dining and takeaway options.” Details: armadadandenongplaza.com. au or facebook.com/dandenongplazashopping
Great value meal deals are on offer as Dandenong Armada Plaza welcomes international bubble-tea retailer Sharetea to its dining precinct. The plaza has launched a campaign across its entertainment venues and 31 food retailers from 9-15 August. Meal-deal discounts are available across a range of cuisines including halal burgers, vegan lunches, sushi, Pho soup or chicken parmigiana. The campaign features a Facebook competition where up to five winners receive prize packs of a $100 Reading Cinemas voucher and Tunzafun tokens. The recently-opened addition Sharetea has grown to 70-plus locations and 1000plus stores worldwide since its inception in
By Kamalpreet Kaur from Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria
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Selba Luka, centre, receives her award from Mayor Angela Long and Deputy Mayor Sophie Tan.
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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
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sponsors of Afri-Aus Care. Born in Malawi, Ms Luka often says her heart is in South Sudan as she works closely with the south-eastern South Sudanese community. Afri-Aus Care was born of her experiences when she arrived in Australia, where she experienced difficulties and hardship in her first years in the country. The not-for-profit provides mental health
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African women who are new to Australia and need assistance to find employment and learn English. Many of these women are survivors of domestic abuse, and Afri-Aus Care provides mental health support too as they build a new life. Speaking at the Australia Day ceremony, Ms Luka said she was honoured to have received such a prestigious award. “May we continue to be united. Dandenong is a great city to be,“ she said.
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support, outreach and skills development for members of the African and CALD communities. It works closely with youth offenders, providing them with a pathway out of these behaviours and into a more positive contribution to society. During the pandemic for example, ex-offenders helped create food hampers and deliver these to the most vulnerable in society. Afri-Aus Care also works with “the mamas“,
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City’s top citizen
Humans are social creatures with an inbuilt yearning to connect with others. Ever since the spread of coronavirus, its reverberations have been felt in the entire world as it has resulted in lockdowns, social distancing, and quarantine in extreme cases. Suddenly, life has become shallow, like living in a survival mode rather than living normally as we are accustomed to. As the virus forces us to socially distance, we all as a society have started showing signs of its impact. We are missing the ability to visit, have conversations, go out, travel, or spend time with dear and near ones by socializing. This loneliness is being experienced on a scale as never before and can produce unfavourable outcomes for both physical and mental health. However, there is another aspect of being alone, connected with the inner self without the negative feeling of being lonely. The person might be physically alone and yet not feel isolated if there is a connection with the inner self. Being alone gives us an opportunity to go deeper within, by practising mindfulness, to know ourselves better and to search and explore techniques to respond positively to appreciating oneself. This solitude could be inspiring, invigorating and nurturing. It can even evolve us higher, giving rise to a feeling of being connected with the Almighty, when one is all by oneself. As per the Sikh beliefs, everything that happens in one’s life is the will of God. An afflicted mind may harbour negative thoughts but meditating upon God’s name has a therapeutic effect. Through contemplation and listening to religious hymns and keertan (music), the feeling of blissfulness can be attained. Connecting with the gurduaras and congregation via online streaming to do prayers, meditation, reading of scriptures and devotional singing enables peace and joy. The more we start to appreciate what we have instead of focussing on what we don’t have, it creates a sense of gratitude which will result in a positive attitude towards life. The Sikh faith practices the concept of “ChardiKala”, the positive attitude which is an equivalence of a mind that never despairs, never admits defeat and refuses to be crushed by adversities. It is the cherished ideal mood which the gurus have preached and for which a Sikh individual daily prays saying “Oh Lord, may everyone in the world prosper and be in peace”.
MESSAGE OF
HOPE
Kamalpreet Kaur practises a positive mindset. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Soiled cells By Cam Lucadou-Wells
City of Greater Dandenong’s overall performance rating hit a record high. 238996
Picture: GARY SISSONS
Survey points to a safety ‘gender gap’ By Cam Lucadou-Wells The gender gap was widened over perceived safety walking at night in Greater Dandenong, according to a recent survey. In the 2021 Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey, women recorded a minus 21 in net perceived safety – eight points worse than 2020. In contrast, men recorded a +37 net perception of safety – up six points from 2020. Overall, there was a + 9 point rating for safety across the municipality. Noble Park and Keysborough were rated the safest suburbs (+13), followed by Springvale (+10) and Dandenong (+2). In the survey of 400 people, the council hit a record-high overall performance score of 68 – one point higher than the metro Melbourne average. It rated highest with 65-plus year olds, Noble Park and Keysborough residents, and men. The age groups 35-49 and 50-64, and Dan-
denong residents scored the council slightly lower. On climate change, the council’s progressive agenda – including declaring a Climate Emergency - was seemingly endorsed. Seventy-nine per cent of residents were concerned about the issue and 86 per cent stated the council had an important role responding to climate change. Greater Dandenong’s top performing area was waste management – rated well above the metro average – and sealed local roads. The most important council services to residents were waste management, disaster management, elderly support services, footpaths and sealed roads. The least important were business development/tourism, lobbying, cultural, arts centres and libraries. Greater Dandenong residents identified diversity as the best thing about their community, closely followed by parks and gardens, libraries, customer service, community sup-
port services and recreational and sporting facilities. “Areas of improvement” were maintaining roads, waste management and parking availability. Other ratings included community consultation a 60, compared to a metro average of 59. Greater Dandenong mayor Angela Long said: “It is pleasing to see such positive results, and importantly it is great to see our community satisfaction score improve across several areas.” Recently, women and gender-diverse people identified a list of unsafe spots in an innovative YourGround crowd-mapping survey. Most notable were unlit spaces such as Dandenong, Noble Park and Sandown Park stations, Dandenong Park, car parks in Thomas Street and Parkmore shopping centre, and Springvale’s Newcomen Street and Warner Reserve.
A drug-fueled man stealing chips has assaulted PSOs and later flung his soiled pants at officers in Dandenong police cells, a court heard. Haydon Tannahill, 31, was arrested after stealing packets of chips and assaulting a kiosk worker at Dandenong railway station about 11.40am on 7 July. He held the 57-year-old female worker’s arm as he reached inside the kiosk and grabbed the chips. The attack caused her “significant emotional trauma”, a police summary tendered at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court stated. According to the summary, the “violent, disrespectful and aggressive” Tannahill exerted himself so much during his arrest by four Protective Services Officers that he “defecated unintentionally”. He tried to spit at one of the officers and kicked them in the torso, as well as verbally abusing and threatening the members. In the police cells, Tannahill rubbed his faeces on the walls of the showers in the police cells, and threw his soiled pants toward custody officers. The cells later required an “extensive bioclean”, according to police. In January, Tannahill was evicted from a Quest apartment in Dandenong due to straying into an adjoining room. In rage, he yanked the reception’s sliding door off its lodgings. He was arrested after refusing to leave. He was charged with causing $600 damage to the door Tannahill told the court on 21 July he was very sorry to “the community” for his actions. Magistrate Julie O’Donnell told Tannahill he should apologise to police and custody officers in Dandenong police cells for his “extraordinary” behaviour. “That behaviour is not something they should have to deal with.” Ms O’Donnell noted that mixing drugs appeared to underlie his offending. Tannahill had a “lengthy history” of drug abuse but no criminal history as an adult, she said. He was placed on a 12-month supervised CCO including 100 hours of treatment and unpaid work. He’d served 13 days in pre-sentence custody.
Police appeal for information By Danielle Kutchel
Jamming for joy In a Covid context, ‘donut days’ have proved agonisingly brief. But not so for Jodie O’Connell, who takes home a year’s supply of donuts from the legendary Dandee Donut truck at Dandenong Market. The prize was part of the market’s National Donut Day celebration. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
Detectives from Casey Crime Investigation Unit are appealing for information as part of an investigation into a series of incidents in Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs. Investigators are currently looking at links between a number of incidents over the past six months, including kidnappings and extortions. A warrant was executed at a residential property in Tongola Court on Thursday 5 August in connection with an incident in May, in which a 21-year-old male sustained lifethreatening injuries. The man was stabbed, bashed and burned in what police have likened to torture. He spent several weeks in intensive care in the Alfred Hospital and is not yet fully recovered. Police initially believed the man had been kidnapped and taken to a park, but now understand he was taken to a house where he was held captive and seriously assaulted for several hours before being released. The Tongola Court property is being examined by police to determine if it is a potential crime scene. No arrests have yet been made in connection with the assault, and police said the occupants of the property have been cooperating with their investigations. Speaking to media on Thursday 5 May, Detective Senior Sergeant Glen Cruse from Casey Criminal Investigation Unit said the exact circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear, but that information received by police had led them to execute the search warrant. He said there had been an increase in a type of offending that he described as “torturous assaults” in the area. “Generally speaking, these types of incidents are linked to drug trafficking networks,
Police searched the property on Thursday 5 Picture: DANIELLE KUTCHEL August. 246504 syndicates or other organised crime,” he said. “We believe that to be a likely motivating factor.” Det Snr Sgt Cruse said the incidents occurred around Cranbourne and Dandenong. Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who may have further information about the incident in May or who has witnessed any suspicious activity linked to the property in Tongola Court. This includes anyone seen attending the property or any vehicles regularly parked at the address. “We believe there are people with information about this incident that are out there, that may be considering supplying information to us,” Det Snr Sgt Cruse said. “We can provide a level of protection for those people that come forward; they can come forward anonymously if they like. “Any information is useful, it may well provide us with a piece of that puzzle that we’re looking for.” Police stressed that the incidents are believed to be targeted in nature and confined to a particular network of people, and there is no reason for the general public to be concerned. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au Tuesday, 10 August, 2021
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STAR JOURNAL 7
NEWS
The ‘Springvale’ snow globe light display - built for selfies.
Magic lights the streets The famous snowfalls are gone, but Springvale’s award-winning snow festival returns in ‘spirit’ this month. In a Covid-safe form, the Spirit of Snow Fest is lit up with 15 neon light displays and projection lighting along Buckingham Avenue every Saturday and Sunday during August. There’s also a selfie opportunity with an illuminated Springvale globe. The festival had in the past attracted crowds of more than 40,000 to enjoy snow delivered from Mt Buller to Springvale’s streets. Sadly, no snow falls will feature at this year’s event. Among its awards were two Global Ex trophies in 2020 for best municipal event and best Australian/Oceania region event. In 2020, the event was cancelled due to Covid restrictions. Spirit of Snow Fest is on between 5pm-9pm on Saturdays and Sundays until 29 August. Details: www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov. au/spirit-of-snowfest or 8571 5090.
A tribute to snow-filled Snowfests of the past.
A snowman - one of 15 neon light displays at Spirit of Snowfest.
The neon figures will also be complemented with light projections during the event. 8 STAR JOURNAL
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Tuesday, 10 August, 2021
Lights line Buckingham Avenue during August. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
FOCUS ON … LOCALS SUPPORTING LOCALS
Try Sharetea dining Armada Dandenong Plaza are thrilled to announce international beverage retailer, Sharetea has now opened at the centre. Sharetea have expanded to 70 plus locations around Australia and 1000 plus stores worldwide since their inception in Taiwan in 1992. Sharetea’s popular range of bubble teas includes; dairy-free options, smoothies, fruitbased options as well as milk teas. Sharetea teas are grown on farms in Taiwan and the company sources the best ingredients in Taiwan and Australia. Sharetea is located on Level 3, near the Commonwealth Bank at Armada Dandenong Plaza. Armada Dandenong Plaza currently has 31 food retailers offering takeaway and in-dining options so you can now enjoy your favourite meals as you work from home or to enjoy as a family. The centre will be launching a Dining and Entertainment campaign from 16-22 August 2021 with great value discounts across their food retailers. The campaign will run concurrent with a Facebook competition where up to 5 winners will receive a prize pack of a $100 Readings Cinemas voucher and Tunzafun tokens. So whether you are looking for a halal burger, vegan lunch options, healthy sushi, Pho soup or a satisfying chicken parmigiana August will be a great time to grab a delicious meal deal. “Sharetea is a great addition to our multicultural and family-friendly dining precinct. Our dining precinct offers great value and a diverse range of in-dining and takeaway options. ” says Armada Dandenong Plaza Retail Manager, Priska Budiman. For more information visit: www.armadadandenongplaza.com.au or facebook.com/ dandenongplazashopping
Wen and Anna from the newly opened Sharetea.
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Tuesday, 10 August, 2021
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STAR JOURNAL 9
NEWS
Drug rider armed to hilt By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Narre Warren man with a cache of high-powered guns under his bed claims he sold drugs to recoup $900,000 lost in a loan scam. Ben Joe Cao, 32, who grew up in Dandenong, pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to trafficking ice and heroin as well as possessing a trafficable amount of guns. During a police intercept, Cao was carrying six packets of meth – each weighing one ounce – as well as $9466 and three mobile phones on an unregistered motorbike on Pound Road in late 2019. His home was raided by police members, who seized five unregistered guns from under his bed. The weapons were two semi-automatic pis-
tols, a six-shot revolver, and two pump-action rifles. Police also found an unregistered, homemade 12-gauge shotgun in pieces in Cao’s wardrobe, as well as knuckledusters, numerous rounds of ammunition and gun parts. An ounce of heroin was found in his dresser, and a further ounce of ‘ice’ in the garage. In total, police seized 192.5 grams of “high purity” meth – a commercially trafficable amount divided into seven lots of one-ounce packages, sentencing judge Carolene Gwynn noted on 27 July. “It is trite to say it is extremely serious offending.” Prosecutors, however, conceded there was no further evidence that Cao was dealing.
There were no tick-lists or messages to suggest he was trading drugs. The long-term drug and gambling addict claimed he had wanted to recoup more than $900,000 lost in an elaborate loan scam. A so-called businessman absconded with money acquired from Cao and his relative’s properties. The victims were left with “considerable” debts, and Cao’s successful Chinese-decorative import business Prosperity Developments unravelled. However, Judge Gwynne noted that Cao was also using drugs at the time of his trafficking. The accused had claimed he collected the guns out of a fascination for them. He’d started to collect martial arts weapons
as a response to school bullying. They made him feel “cool and powerful”, and later made him feel more secure in a “child-like” way, according to a psychologist’s report. There was no evidence that Cao had plans to use the guns, Judge Gwynn noted. Cao’s remorse, early plea of guilty and limited criminal record were also noted. In custody, he’d developed a “genuine” adherence to Christianity and completed an array of rehabilitative courses. Cao was jailed for up to four years and two months – including 624 days already served in pre-sentence custody. He will be eligible for parole after two years and four months.
Man held on five charges after Springvale stabbing A man was charged over an alleged stabbing in Springvale early on Saturday 7 August. An injured 41-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries after being stabbed at Lascelles Street about 1.10am, police say. After a search of the area, Dandenong police arrested two men at the corner of Buckingham and Windsor avenues. A 22-year-old Springvale man was charged with five offences including intentionally causing injury, assault with a weapon and possessing a controlled weapon. He was to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later that day. The other man, a 35-year-old from Springvale, was arrested and later exonerated, police say. Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Police searching for evidence in Lascelles Street. 246633
Police at the crime scene on Lascelles Street, Springvale. 246633
Picture: GARY SISSONS
FOCUS ON … LOCAL SUPPORTING LOCALS
Gifts of good taste: Hampers capture nation’s heart A Dandenong South online business has struck on the perfect Covid-19 survival food. In 2019, husband and wife Ash and Sasha Hewawasam took over the Taste Buds business, which specialises in indulgent chocolate bouquets and edible gift hampers. The savvy pair quickly refined and struck on a thriving formula, increasing annual revenue from $800,000 to $3 million. With 40 per cent market share, it’s the second-largest online food hamper business in Australia. In the process, they cut some of the less trendy products, and got a feel for what was popular. They tinkered with products’ colours, sizes and prices, and spent up on marketing on Google and Facebook. Gift hampers are tailored for ‘him’ and ‘her’, with Father’s Day offerings including combos of chocolates and snacks with tawny port, beer, bourbon or Scotch. Peak times are the indulgent events on the calendar such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter and Christmas. Half-metre chocolate Christmas trees are particularly sought, Mr Hewawasam said. The business was a brave new venture for the couple. Mr Hewawasam, a former accountant and Dulux chief financial officer, said his wife suggested they make a change and carry out their own business. “She said why should you work seven days a week making other people rich. “Why don’t we work for ourselves?” Brokers presented a few options for businesses to take on. They latched onto Taste Buds because they “loved the idea” and thought they could “take it to the next level”. During Covid-19 lockdown, they have branched into further online companies Hampers Galore and Healthy Essentials Australia 10 STAR JOURNAL
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Taste Buds staffer Nat with an appetising chocolate-heart bouquet. 246286 from their Dandenong South base. Hampers Galore offers luscious gift packages of snacks, chocolates with wine, champagne, beer or Moscato.
Tuesday, 10 August, 2021
They target a range of tastes and occasions, with products as lockdown survival kits, tradies snack hampers, and Moet Lovers pack. Healthy Essentials Australia delivers 1400
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS healthy foods and supermarket items including vegan hampers, gluten-free hampers, household cleaning and laundry products, baby food, nappies and wipes. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
Australia's biggest local news survey show readers' passion for print The biggest national survey of local news audiences in Australia, reveals the passion people have for their local newspaper, including the Star Journal and has found they want a much bigger say about its future. The survey asked almost 4200 Australian country press newspaper readers in rural, regional and outer suburban areas about the role of local newspapers within their communities. Results reveal... Readers overwhelmingly view a printed copy of their newspaper as a essential service for the community
Readers are FIVE times more likely to go directly to a local news website rather than Google or facebook and 10 times more likely than a council website Readers are 2.6 times more likely to read their local newspaper in print than in a digital format
67% of readers felt the role of newspaper was to run investigative news stories - 60% info on local events 47% celebrate people's success - 30% local opinion
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59% of readers believe the role of a local newspaper is to act as a community hub
More reasons why your local newspaper is the best way to connect your business with the community!
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*SOURCE: Media Innovation and the Future of Australia's Country Press - National Report 2021
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STAR JOURNAL 11
NEWS
The site for future green space beside and below the road bridge. 246089 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS
An artist concept of future green space below the road bridge. Picture: LEVEL CROSSING REMOVAL PROJECT
Clear run on Sth Gippy road A level crossing at South Gippsland Highway in Dandenong South has been officially removed. The road overpass and new intersection at Princes Highway has opened today after a 19day construction blitz since 16 July. The project crews laid 3500 tonnes of asphalt, 500 metres of kerbside guttering and planted 45 trees as part of the state’s 47th level crossing removal since 2015. The Government plans to create a landscaped green space at the former crossing, including shared-use paths between Princes Highway and Dandenong South Trail. New seating and lighting will also be installed. The former boom gates held up traffic during 31 per cent of the morning peak. In the past 10 years, there has been one fatality and four serious-injury crashes at the excrossing. According to the State Government, it will relieve traffic congestion for about 31,000 drivers a day on one of Melbourne’s busiest manufacturing routes. It connects to 40 per cent of the state’s manufacturing industry, which supports 92,000 jobs and $12 billion in economic activity. Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said the boom gates’ removal meant “less time stuck in traffic and more time working towards Victoria’s economy”. “We’d like to thank the community for their patience while the road was closed as crews worked to deliver faster, safer freight routes to ensure Dandenong remains one of the most
The new intesection at South Gippsland Highway and Princes Highway, Dandenong South. 246089 efficient manufacturing centres in Australia.” Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said more than 50 level crossings would be removed by the end of the year. Last week, she announced the closure of the
crossing at Progress Street, Dandenong South. “We’re not done removing level crossings in this area – we’re getting rid of 22 crossings on the Pakenham line and making the Cranbourne line crossing free as part of our works to benefit
commuters in Melbourne’s south-east.” The Pakenham rail line is projected to be level-crossing free by 2025, enabling extra train services and 121,000 extra passengers to use the line.
No more ‘pay’phones as Telstra makes calls free Telstra has announced that all Australians can now make calls right across the country for free on its network of more than 15,000 payphones. In the past year, about 11 million calls were made across Australia from Telstra payphones. This included more than 230,000 calls to critical services like ‘000’ and Lifeline, proving a crucial service for some of the country’s most vulnerable people and communities, especially those in regional and remote areas. Telstra CEO Andrew Penn said this decision meant everyone could now use payphones to make a free local or national call to a standard fixed line or a call to an Australian mobile, when they needed to. “They are an iconic and critical part of our community, and for many Australians, the availability of a payphone is a vital lifeline, especially for those vulnerable including the homeless, people who are isolated or someone escaping an unsafe situation,” he said. “During Covid-related lockdowns, we’ve seen domestic and family violence agencies report a 60 per cent rise in new clients seeking help for the first time, and an increase in abusive behaviours overall. “It’s not always easy for people in these situations to use a home phone or their mobile to get help, so I hope making payphone 12 STAR JOURNAL
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The most used Telstra payphone in Victoria is located on King St, Dandenong. 246265 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS calls free might play a small part in helping them get the assistance they need.” Previously, payphones have been made free for communities hit by natural disasters. Mr Penn said Telstra had also made domestic calls free across nearly 600 payphones in remote Indigenous communities last year.
The initiative also builds on Telstra’s fiveyear program providing free national calls on its payphones during the Christmas and New Year period, which it works closely on with the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army’s Major Brendan Nottle welcomed Telstra’s news, saying: “This is
an absolute game changer for many of the people we work with across the nation. The reality is this piece of infrastructure is absolutely critical because a lot of Australians either don’t have a mobile phone, lose it or the phone’s charger, or simply run out of credit. “Connection is absolutely vital for every human being, but particularly for those who are vulnerable. It’s really important for them to break down that sense of social poverty, social isolation, and to connect with a friend or with support services.” There are more than 2,800 payphones across Victoria. The most used Telstra payphone in Victoria is located on King St, Dandenong opposite the entrance to the Dandenong Market. Standard national calls and SMS from Telstra payphones will be free from Tuesday 3 August. International and calls to premium and satellite numbers will still incur a cost, while Telstra Air remains free to eligible Telstra customers. Payphones will also become coinless from 1 October 2021 with Telstra Phonecards recommended for dialling international and premium numbers. To find your nearest payphone, visit http://envinsaonline.mapinfo.com.au/ppol/ dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Tennis pro courts trouble By Cam Lucadou-Wells A former tennis ace has landed in court for speeding in Springvale South after a hit of ice. Dino Dattoli, 41, was intercepted by police after driving at 97 km/h on the 80 km/h Westall Road about midnight last August, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court was told on 4 August. Meth was detected in his system at the time. He told police he’d had a small amount of ice at a friend’s place a few hours before driv-
ing across from Thomastown. Defence lawyer Jennifer McGarvie told the court that Dattoli was a “talented” former tennis pro who competed at Australian Open juniors. His career was cut short by injuries at 23, she said. In 2014, he spiralled into heavy meth use after he and his brother’s construction business collapsed with significant debts. Then followed drug and driving offences
such as disqualified driving, drink driving and driving at dangerous speed. In February this year, Dattoli was convicted for drug trafficking in the Victorian County Court. He was sentenced to ‘time served’ in jail and a two-year community corrections order. Magistrate Costas Kilias said Dattoli led a “fairly unblemished” life up until his “fall from grace” in 2014. The judge noted Dattoli was “doing well”
on his County Court CCO while attending drug counselling and judicial monitoring as well as working full-time. “It appears you’re getting your life back in order,” Mr Kilias said. “You’re still a young man at 41 and have achieved a fair bit of success in your previous life.” Dattoli was convicted, fined $600 and disqualified from driving for the mandatory minimum 12 months.
Rev avoids jail after defying Covid laws between states By Danielle Kutchel A Casey motivational speaker has avoided jail after flouting WA’s quarantine laws. John McMahon, known as ‘The Rev’ and for his work with youth organisation Motov8, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday 23 July after being charged with one count of giving false or misleading information, and two counts of failing to comply with a direction. The former school chaplain flew into Perth in June after giving a presentation in Queensland and then driving back to Victoria via New South Wales. Upon entering WA, McMahon was told to self-quarantine for 14 days – but when officers went to check where he was staying, he wasn’t there. McMahon instead held presentations in Rockingham and Fremantle before being arrested by police. Police alleged he also gave false information when entering WA, stating that he had not travelled further than 30km from his home before flying west. He pleaded guilty to all three charges and
was refused bail at a court appearance on Friday 25 June. Bail was granted after a further appearance on Thursday 8 July, subject to a number of conditions. Appearing for sentencing on Friday 23 July, McMahon’s lawyer Damien Cripps said his client had not self-isolated in part because he hadn’t paid attention to what he was told at the airport. But Magistrate Evan Shackleton heard McMahon had made a number of Facebook posts expressing disdain for Covid restrictions. Mr Shackleton said it appeared that McMahon had “arrived in WA with an attitude of complete defiance”. The Facebook posts have since been deleted. Mr Shackleton accepted that McMahon felt remorseful about his behaviour and no longer held the views he had expressed on Facebook. McMahon received an eight-month suspended sentence and was fined $5000 for providing false information.
John McMahon, pictured in 2011. 66533
Unity in diversity: City declared a ‘home for all’ By Cam Lucadou-Wells In joining City of Greater Dandenong’s people’s panel, Crystal Moon wanted to raise a voice for its young, vulnerable and disadvantaged. Ms Moon, of Springvale South, found many allies among her panellists as they forged a vision for the city for 2040. “When there’s a common goal, it’s amazing how well diverse people can work together,” she said. “We’re relatively the same at the crux of who we are. We all want to have a happy life, we all want to be valued, we all want to contribute.” The vision that was formed declares City of Dandenong as a “home for all”. It describes a “healthy, vibrant, innovative and creative” city that enjoys celebrations and embraces equal opportunity, multiculturalism, the individual and environmental sustainability. The panellists were randomly selected from the community to represent the city’s diverse demographics. Over several days, they workshopped in a large circle to mould the vision. The panel reviewed community responses, heard expert presentations on the city’s challenges and prospects, and balanced the city’s diverse needs. Ms Moon spoke glowingly of the knowledge and insight in the room. ““It really showed that to find really robust solutions you have to take into account a lot of different voices. “It’s a matter of just getting the right people together and having the space and time to listen. “And trusting people that they know what’s good for the city.” The topics were challenging. Like how to tackle the city’s reputation as a safe place, how to address asylum seekers’ intergenerational traumas and how to inspire options for higher training and education. Art was seen as an important way for comdandenong.starcommunity.com.au
People’s panellist Crystal Moon said robust solutions were found by listening to diverse voices. munity members to tell their stories. The city’s energy efficiency goals were endorsed. Ms Moon says by 2040, Australia’s must multicultural city could build off its manufacturing industry to become a “super city”. “That’s where we want to see it over the next 15-20 years.” She would welcome the panel reconvening for progress checks on the vision – which is said to influence the council’s future planning. Mayor Angela Long said the vision built on
the council’s previous iteration to be a “safe and vibrant city of opportunity for all to visit, work, live and play”. “We are extremely grateful for the input of the panel, who represent our diverse community. This new vision reflects who we are, and who we want to be in the future,” Cr Long said. Under the state’s Local Government Act 2020, all councils are required to develop a long-term vision with its community. The vision reads: “The City of Greater Dandenong is a home to all.
“It’s a city where you can enjoy and embrace life through celebration and equal opportunity. “We harmonise the community by valuing multiculturalism and the individual. “Our community is healthy, vibrant, innovative and creative. “Our growing city is committed to environmental sustainability. “Welcome to our exciting and peaceful community.” Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/council-plan-2021-25
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Heatherton Road • Endeavour Hills Ocean Blue Milk Bar 90/92 John Fawker Drive • Endeavour Hills Nicholls Gledhill Real Estate 2 Raymond McMahon Boulevard • Eumemmerring Atura Hotel May-17 Doveton Avenue • Eumemmerring Caltex Woolworths Service Station 40/44 Princes Highway • Eumemmerring BP Service Station 60-64 Princes Highway • Hampton Park Hampton Park Library 26 Stuart Avenue • Keysborough Caltex Keysborough 248 Cheltenham Road • Keysborough Parkmore Shopping Centre 317 Cheltenham Road • Keysborough Barry Plant Real Estate Shop 1,320 Cheltenham Road • Keysborough 7 Eleven Keysborough 309 Cheltenham Road & Cnr Kingsclere Road • Keysborough Woolworths Supermarket 317 Cheltenham Road (Parkmore Shopping Centre) • Keysborough Coles Supermarket 317 Cheltenham Road (Parkmore Shopping Centre) • Keysborough O’Briens Real Estate Shop 6, 317 Cheltenham Road (Parkmore Shopping Centre) • Keysborough City of Greater Dandenong Shop A07, 317 Cheltenham Road (Parkmore Shopping Centre) • Keysborough Michaels IGA 466 Cheltenham Road • Keysborough Keysborough Learning Centre 402 Corrigan Road • Keysborough Foodworks Keysborough 285-289 Corrigan Road • Mulgrave Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre 271 Police Road • Noble Park Sandown Park Hotel Corrigan Road • Noble Park Coles Supermarket 1 Douglas Street • Noble Park Noble Park Newsagency 22 Douglas Street • Noble Park Harvey Real Estate 26 Douglas Street • Noble Park Century 21 Real Estate 38 Douglas Street • Noble Park Ray White Real Estate 42 Douglas Street • Noble Park Caltex Woolworths Heatherton Rd & Chandler Highway • Noble Park Noble Park RSL 1128 Heatherton Road • Noble Park Lucky Star Lotto 1268 Heatherton Road • Noble Park Cellarbrations 3 Leonard Ave • Noble Park Noble Park Aquatic Centre 9 Memorial Drive • Noble Park Noble Park Community Centre Memorial Drive (Ross Reserve) • Noble Park Noble Park Bowls Club 56 Moodemere Street • Noble Park Barry Plant Real Estate 390 Princes Highway
• Noble Park Harrisfield Milkbar 519 Princes Highway • Noble Park North Halton Road Milk Bar 65 Coolavin Road • Noble Park North Jan Wilson Community Centre Halton Road (Barry J Powell Reserve) • Noble Park North Jacksons Road Service Station 139 Jacksons Road • Springvale Century 21 Real Estate Shop 5-6/64 Buckingham Avenue • Springvale Springvale Shopping Centre 46-58 Buckingham Avenue • Springvale KFL Supermarket 46-58 Buckingham Avenue (Springvale Shopping Centre) • Springvale Waltzing Matilda Hotel 856 Heatherton Road • Springvale Springvale Learning & Activities Centre 1 Osborne Avenue • Springvale Springvale RSL 23 Osborne Avenue • Springvale Caltex Woolworths Springvale 102 Police Road • Springvale Aobao Milk Bar 106 Police Road • Springvale Savemore Supermarket 774 Princes Highway • Springvale Coles Supermarket 825 Princes Highway • Springvale Sundowner Caravan & Cabin Park 870 Princes Highway • Springvale Springvale Neighbourhood House 46-50 Queens Avenue • Springvale Biggin Scott Real Estate 363 Springvale Road • Springvale Raine and Horne Real Estate 236 Springvale Road • Springvale Woolworths Supermarket 302 Springvale Road • Springvale Springvale Newsagency 321 Springvale Road • Springvale Springvale Library 411 Springvale Road • Springvale City of Greater Dandenong Customer Service Centre 397-405 Springvale Road • Springvale South Southvale Newsagency 565 Springvale Road • Springvale South Koh’s Marketplace 162-170 Athol Road (Athol Road Shopping Centre) • Springvale South BP Service Station Springvale Road & Clarke Road • Springvale South Springvale Plaza Pharmacy and Tattslotto 3/800 Heatherton Road (Springvale Plaza) • Springvale South BP Springvale 974 Heatherton Road • Wheelers Hill Mulgrave Country Club Wellington Road & Jells Road
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The application reference number is:
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The date this Notice was erected on the land:
25th August 2021
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Call Pauline on 0466 921 547 or email pauline.byne@vt.uniting.org to express your interest. 12501151-NG26-21
section of Network Classifieds.
Fill your position online
section of Network Classifieds.
In this role, you’ll support young people who are living in out of home care at Uniting Residential Care houses in Traralgon and Moe.
OPEN 7 DAYS • 9132 5073
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V Medical
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Use code: EMPDISC
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Pruning Removal Stump Grinding
www.windows1.net.au
Existing Monopole, 22-24 Abbott Road, Hallam VIC 3803 Vodafone Ref: 340717, www.rfnsa.com.au/3803012 1. The proposed facility consists of the addition of new 5G equipment and associated works as follows: r Replacement of three (3) existing 4G panel antennas (2.68m long) with three new combined 4G and 5G panel antennas (2.72m long) at a height of 33.5 metres r New ancillary equipment including remote radio units, cabling and antenna mounts r Reconfiguration of existing equipment on the facility and within the equipment shelter 2. Vodafone regards the proposed installation as a low-impact facility in accordance with the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 based on the description above 3. Notification is being undertaken in accordance with Section 7 of Industry Code C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment 4. Members of the public may obtain further information on the proposed work, and we invite you to provide written comments about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to Vodafone’s representative c/- Elliot Nelson, Catalyst ONE Pty Ltd; phone: 0433 347 309; email: consultation@catalystone.com.au and post: PO Box 1119, Crows Nest NSW 1585 by 5:00pm 25 August 2021.
V Taxation/ Accounting
Oakfern Tree Care P/L
Member HIA and MBA
• Minimum Medium Rigid License required. • Minimum 12 months experience driving a heavy vehicle essential. • Concrete agitator experience an advantage but can learn on the job. • Must be prepared to undertake duties other than driving and to maintain vehicle to a high standard. • Monday to Friday work only. Above award wages. Overtime.
Real Estate
Professional Services
• No Fuss • No Mess • No Stress
Window Replacement Service Timber or Aluminium Windows Free Measure and quote
A busy concrete and garden supply business based in Cranbourne is seeking a full-time concrete agitator driver who is punctual, reliable and hard working.
ROOMS AVAILABLE, Single rooms. Gents only. 48 Hammond Road/45 Hemmings Street, Dandenong. Ph Daniel 0417 336 906.
PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE A VODAFONE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION WITH 5G AT
12506917-DL32-21
Concrete Agi Driver MR or HR
V Accommodation
12469374-CG46-20
ECONOMY TILING
Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au
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12507792-LB33-21
HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS ANTENNA SERVICE ALL AREAS
ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE
PLACE YOUR
The Advertised Material submitted in support of the proposal for Council’s consideration is available through Council’s online Advertised Applications register mygreaterdandenong.com or you can visit in person at Greater Dandenong Civic Centre, Level 3, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong to view the Advertised Material between 8.30am and 5.00pm on business days. If you wish to make a submission/objection, your submission/ objection will be made available to any person for the purpose of consideration as part of the planning process and: • Must be sent to the Responsible Authority in writing; • Must include the above application reference number; • Must include the reasons for the submission/objection; and • Must state how you, the submitter/objector, would be affected by the proposal.
V Television/Video/Audio
This position is full time. You will be required to pass a both a pre-employment medical and drug and alcohol screen. Forklift licence essential. Resumes to jobs@robotbuildingsupplies. com.au or call 0499 301 606
V Pets & Services
V Garage Sales
12507853-SN33-21
12386255-DJ19-18
The applicant for the permit is:
V Firewood
This application is in the process of being considered. The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application until at least 14 days after the date of this Notice.
V Rubbish Removal
C316291-KK18-5
The removal of restrictive covenant AD298633U registered on Lot 3 PS444753V pursuant to Section 23 of the Subdivision Act 1988.
Under the Planning & Environment Act 1987, Council as the Responsible Authority is giving notice to any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit that they may make a submission/objection.
10 year Guarantee. Call now for a FREE quote: 0405 817 173
$20 MILLION INSURANCE
The application is for a permit to:
48 Davies Avenue, Sunshine North 9364 0770 SWA6566B
• Picking and packing of orders for pick-up and delivery; • The loading of customer vehicles; • The loading/unloading of company trucks; and • Receipt of incoming goods. • Forklift licence essential
12400545-LB38-19
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1-19 South Park Drive DANDENONG SOUTH VIC 3175
- FULL BODY CARE Full body relaxation massage by young and mature asian female therapist. Shower facility. Vanity Crt, Room 33, 249 Lonsdale St, Dandenong. Katie 0402 420 986. 0431 156 192. Open 7 days.
Please also visit our website: www.unitingvictas.org.au/careers/
Employment
section of Network Classifieds.
12505926-JW31-21
Roof Restoration Specialists
One call, We do it all!
12447720-LB18-20
V Roofing
The land affected by the application is located at:
Robot Building Supplies Notting Hill requires a store person for an immediate start
MY SPACE
12400498-CG38-18
No Job Too Small
Open 7 days
NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT
9796 8621 0418 367 017 Hot Water Specialists Blocked Drains
$100/ 30mins
V Positions Vacant
V Massage Therapists
G5855585AA-dc11Mar
Lic 24754 • New Houses • Factories • Blockages/Machine and Camera • Same Day Hot Water Services • Domestic and Commercial Maintenance • 3.5 Ton & 12 Ton Excavator • Bobcat and Tipper
Employment
12507682-HC33-21
General Notices
12423634-SN31-19
Trades & Services
Motoring V Caravans & Trailers
Motoring
CARAVAN 15FT 4 berth, with annexe, very good condition. $6,000 ono. Please ring 0424 448 221.
Tuesday, 10 August, 2021
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STAR JOURNAL 17
SPORT
Bears bring in the big guns By Nick Creely It’s been one seriously impressive off-season for Dandenong District Cricket Association powerhouses Berwick. The Turf 1 runners-up, who will be smarting after a loss in last season’s grand final to Hallam Kalora Park, have made three massive signings as they look to bolster their list and stay in contention for more silverware as the 2021/22 season draws closer by the day. It comes off the back of re-commitment of several of their star players, including Jarrod Goodes, James Wilcock, Brodie Emmett, Jordan Cleland and many more. It has been previously announced that the Bears have signed ex-Tasmanian paceman Andrew Perrin, who retired from Premier Cricket after a memorable premiership with Prahran. The speedster last had a stint with the Bears in season 2011/12, where he snagged 31 wickets from just 13 games and will make for some sleepless nights for opposition batters. Over his career at Premier level, Perrin collected 205 wickets for his four clubs, CaseySouth Melbourne, Dandenong, Fitzroy Doncaster and finally Prahran. Perrin’s 205 scalps at Premier level came at an average of just 19.86, where he also collected eight five-wicket hauls. He will help fill the void left by paceman Brendan Rose, who will make his return to Premier Cricket. “We’re really conscience to have an even spread - we know what Perrin brings, and he’s a replacement in a way for Rosey - but more importantly off the field he’ll offer a lot for the young blokes,” Berwick vice-president and head of recruiting Andrew Mazzagatti told Star News. “He’s really excited and keen.” With the departure of Wookey Medal champion - leg-spinning all-rounder Ruwantha Kellepotha - also to Premier Cricket level, the Bears have signed prodigiously talented spinner Riley Siwes, who took 22 wickets at Turf 2 level for Dandenong West last season. Siwes - the son of Westers great Greg - has also played a handful of lower level games for Dandenong. Mazzagatti said the club was ecstatic to secure the youngster - bullish about what the young leggie can produce at the Bears. “Riley Siwes, we obviously know the surname, his Dad (Greg) is a legend at Dandy West, so we’ve been speaking about him for a couple of years and about the potential to have a crack with us,” he said. “We thought we’d ask him and ask him if he wanted to take that next step at local level - he’s
Riley Siwes has signed with Berwick, with the leggie crossing over from Dandenong West. 229048 excited and keen, not just to play, but he wants to take wickets - his attitude is magnificent. “With Roey (Ruwantha Kellepotha) going, he’ll step into that role. “But we feel he’s a long-term player for us, and who knows, he could captain one day he’s 20, but played at a really high level.” But more recently, the Bears announced the signing of reigning Mordialloc premiership skipper Damith Mapa Ralage, who has crossed over to the club for a new challenge. Having guided the Bloodhounds to premiership success in the Cricket Southern Bayside competition last season, the champion keeper-batsman - who played a tick under 100 DDCA games with the club before the switch of competitions - is a serious addition to the Bears.
Mapa Ralage played in Turf 1 premierships for Mordi in 2014/15, 2016/17 and 2017/18 the latter in which he scored a superb 63 not out to guide the Bloodhounds to premiership glory. “We needed to strengthen our batting a little bit, and felt we needed some experience to fill that role, and Mapa does all that,” Mazzagatti said. “He’s been a star at Mordi for eight years, winning about four flags, so we needed someone to stablise that middle order. “We see him playing a big role, so we’re rapt to have him on board. “For him, he just needed a change, a new challenge and somewhere closer for him.” While Mapa Ralage is a champion gloveman, he’s unlikely to keep for the Bears.
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS “Never say never,” he said of Mapa Ralage’s chances of taking the gloves. “But he offers a bit of off-spin so we’re looking to explore that, particularly in the two-day stuff.” The Bears are still in talks with skipper Matthew Chasemore, with the hope the champion batsman re-signs with the club, but Mazzagatti said the club’s list was in good shape, with a strong mix of new recruits and stability already within their ranks. “We always want to add talent, but as a club we’re conscious to keep local blokes, and give them opportunities,” he said. “The mix is really good, keeping our local blokes and adding a bit more on top of it.”
Clark proud as Kuro Kismet begins staying campaign By Jason Adams Kuro Kismet made the perfect start to his staying campaign with a grinding win at Sandown Park last Thursday night. He was fair to begin then found himself in a sticky position under pressure and handled it well. He was in pursuit of leader Nikoli Bale and eventually passed him in the closing stages to win by just over a length. “He had to work really hard for it. I thought as long as he got to the flag (Australian flag half way up the home straight) cleanly he was going to be alright. During the race I thought we’re not making any ground on this dog, but he just kept coming,” said proud trainer Matt Clark. Clark plans to keep ‘Sox’, as he’s known at home, racing over the 600m distance range but does have ambitions to step him up further. “To win the big sprint races you need that explosive early speed and he hasn’t got that so it was time to step him up. We’ll keep racing over this trip, I won’t be rushing to get him over ‘700’ but we hope to get there.” Kuro Kismet is owned by Mel Mayle and her father Bruce Waugh who have become 18 STAR JOURNAL
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Tuesday, 10 August, 2021
very close friends with Clark and his wife Bianca over the journey. “She’s rapt. They’re really good people, we just love them. “Mel was at Warragul this afternoon with a dog that’s not blessed with a lot of ability. She’s got one at that end of the scale and at the other end with a city win tonight, she absolutely loves them both.” Kuro Kismet has been the shining light of the Clark team this year highlighted by his Launching Pad win in April, however he was open in saying that it hasn’t all been smooth sailing behind the scenes. “People often say to us that we’re having a good run but there’s been some tough moments this week that people don’t see. As recently as midnight last night Bianca was at the vet with Dani Thrills as she needed to have pups by cesarean which fortunately went well.” Kuro Kismet is likely to race at The Meadows on Thursday in Grade 5 heats over 600 metres. The card will also see Victorian finals of the National Sprint and Distance series. With racing at The Meadows next Thursday the Sandown Park meeting will be on Saturday August 14.
Kuro Kismet made the perfect start to his staying campaign with a grinding win. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
SPORT
Tom Ryan brings Social Element back to scale after their big win in the Crisp Steeplechase. 246644
Will McCarthy on Wil John on their way to a dominant win in the Grand National Hurdle. 246644 Pictures: BRETT HOLBURT/RACING PHOTOS
Social Element takes a big leap the first time around in the Crisp Steeplechase. 246644
With no sport played on the weekend we thought we’d take a brief look back to last Sunday’s Grand National Hurdle Day at Sandown, where trainers CIARON MAHER and DAVID EUSTACE built the platform for what could be a unique racing double.
Wil John set for stardom By David Nagel Wil John could be set for a rare jumps-race double after the six-year-old gelding scored a dominant victory in the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown. The son of Reset has made a huge impact on the jumps racing scene since scoring an eight-length victory in his first attempt over the flights at the three-day Warrnambool carnival in May this year. Wil John then secured his ranking as one of the most promising hurdlers in the state with a 20-length triumph – again at Warrnambool – on July 4. He has now stepped up to the big time, claiming one of Australia’s greatest jumping prizes with a superior leap guiding him to a four-length victory over the Paul Preuskertrained Inayforhay. Co-trainer Ciaron Maher suggested Wil John was an exciting talent that could now be set for the $350,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat on Sunday, 22 August. “For a big horse over hurdles he really finds his jumps well and he just jumped his way into the race going up the back straight,” Maher told Racing.com after the race. “He could switch to the bigger fences and go to the Grand National Steeplechase, in three weeks. “It’s just a massive team effort to get these horses ready, they take a lot of work, and there’s a lot of passion there for them. “We had three in the race and they’ve all run well, it was a really good race, and I was pretty excited about coming to the races today.” Maher said he would sit down with the major-owners, Colin and Janice McKenna, before mapping out a future program for jumps racing’s new kid on the block. “He’s a very impressive stayer, just so special, Col and Janice are great friends and massive supporters, they bred the horse, so it’s just fantastic,” Maher said. “He placed in a Jericho (4600m) down at Warrnambool and I know they would really love to win an Annual, so it’s very special and I can’t thank them enough.” The win on Wil John was the first for Irishjockey Willy McCarthy since he started working for the Maher-David Eustace team just three months ago. McCarthy knew there was something brewing when he saw the nominations for the race. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
Will McCarthy was a happy man after riding his namesake Wil John to victory in the Grand National Hurdle. 246644 “It’s super to ride a winner for the boss,” McCarthy said. “I came out to ride for him in May and this is my first winner for him so it’s a good way to kick it off. “I knew as soon as the entries came out it was meant to be. My middle name is John, so it’s Willy John with Willy John…it was perfect really.” McCarthy said Wil John had enormous potential and could be anything over the jumps. “He’s a super animal, he’s probably one of the best I’ve sat on, he travelled really strongly all the way and he jumped beautifully from hurdle to hurdle,” McCarthy said. “I had to pull him back at times going up the hill, almost telling him to wait. It was a strong field but with his weight, and being such a strong horse, we kicked from the bot-
tom of the hill to the winning post. “I’d love to stick with him. I know Steve (Pateman) couldn’t make the weight today, but I was glad to get a day on him and I’m glad I made it count.” Earlier in the day, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Social Element scored an eight-length victory in the time-honoured $125,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4200m). The eight-year-old gelding, from Cox Plate winner Savabeel, gave nothing else a chance after a tardy start had jockey Tom Ryan a little worried. “He jumped very well, but I was worried when we jumped out of the gates,” Ryan explained. “It is so much heavier up the back straight, and I know he’s handled heavy at Warrnambool before, but he was labouring early, and I
thought we might be in trouble here. “But then he came on to the course proper the first time around and he just came alive. “Just because of that better ground, and then he was happy enough in front so I left him there and then he just kept himself in it by winging fences up the back…he was so good up the back. “We got to the top of the hill and we just let him roll on from there.” There were three jumps races on the ninerace card with champion trainer Eric Musgrove preparing Tamarack for victory in the $50,000 Ladbrokes Hurdle (3400m). Tamarack scored a solid two-length victory over the Brett Scott-trained Zedstar. Racing returns to Sandown this Wednesday, 11 August.
Tuesday, 10 August, 2021
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STAR JOURNAL 19
Coffey Ford
We’ll look With cars in stock and more arriving this month, now is the time to grab one of the Australia’s favourite 4X4’s at Coffey Ford.
RANGER FX4
RANGER WILDTRAK
AUTO 3.2L DIESEL STARTING FROM
AUTO 3.2L DIESEL STARTING FROM
$
59,880
DRIVE AWAY*
$
67,880
DRIVE AWAY^
Coffey Ford | 85 Lonsdale St, Dandenong VIC 3175 9767 0600 | www.coffeyford.com.au *Recommended driveaway price at Coffey Ford while stocks last. Price shown are available to Private and Blue, Silver and Gold Business Fleet customers only. 12507875-JW33-21
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Tuesday, 10 August, 2021
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au