Dandenong Star Journal - 26th October 2021

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Tuesday, 26 October, 2021

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Tuesday, 26 October, 2021

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DANDENONG

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Tuesday, 26 October, 2021

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Residents objections dismissed

Home grown Halloween park

Sri Lankan cricket star signs

PAGE 3

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SPORT

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Beloved egg farm folds

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Second go at life

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Twanny Farrugia has made it his mission to make the most of 50 years of his ‘second life’.

On 22 October, the Springvale man marked the 50-year anniversary for his transplanted kidney.

He is Australia’s second-longest surviving transplant recipient.

The ‘new’ kidney is now an extraordinary 90 years’ biological age.

“I’m one of the lucky ones,” he says.

Despite many tribulations, Mr Farrugia is a role-model of positive thinking.

At 68, he has lost all vision but for light sensitivity, and battles acute fatigue and nerve pain from fibromyalgia.

He depends on carers, his Guide Dog Annabelle, text-to-voice reading technology and medicinal cannabis.

“I’ve slowed down a bit. Basically I can’t do a thing for myself anymore.

“I know it sounds bad but I’ve always accepted my life is a trade-off.

“I’ve been fortunate to be given another shot at life. I could have been dead 50 years ago.”

In 1971, just two weeks after his 18th birthday, Mr Farrugia received his life-saving transplant.

At the time, he was 10 months on the transplant organ waiting list, close to death and petrified.

He was given a 50-50 chance to survive the operation.

Organ donation was little known, and transplant surgeries were in their infancy. He was chosen ahead of four others on the wait list due to being a closer organ match.

“The family were so altruistic to give away organs of their loved ones.

“I don’t feel guilty but I try to make the most of the life I’ve been given.”

Mr Farrugia’s late father also gave the gift of life as an organ donor. It brought home the

complex grieving process for donors’ families.

“Out of one person, you have seven transplant organs as well as tissues.”

From six months old, he was stricken by glomerulonephritis – inflammation of glomeruli within his kidneys.

“The way my specialist explained it to me was my kidney was keeping all the toxins in my body and getting rid of all the nutrients.

“So I was slowly being poisoned.”

By 15, the condition worsened to renal failure. At 17, he was one of the first to use haemodialysis machine in Victoria.

“I looked 12 years old in size and weight. I was about three foot eight (1.12 metres) and weighed under four stone (25 kilograms).

“I’d throw up most of my food.

“Up to that point I didn’t have energy and I couldn’t keep up with my friends or school. I couldn’t run. I was anaemic.”

After surgery came renewed life. It was a case of making up for lost time.

Suddenly all-night parties were the go. He took up ballroom dancing for 30 years, travelled overseas, and became a full-time customs worker.

On massive doses of cortisone steroids, his appetite was voracious. He put on size – growing to 1.5 metres and 83 kilos.

However, like many transplant recipients of his era, his health may have paid the price for massive doses of cortisone.

It was part of overcoming the “war” between Mr Farrugia’s immune system and his new organ.

As his sight started to wane at 28, Mr Farrugia studied and became a social worker and counsellor. He retired at age 57.

Continued page 9 Twanny Farrugia, with his Guide Dog Annabelle, makes the most of his ‘second chance’ as one of Australia’s longest-surviving kidney transplant recipients. 254839 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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Tackling compost stench

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A liquid organic waste company in Ordish Road, Dandenong South has been given until 31 March to control its offensive odours.

Argus Recycling had appealed against a pollution abatement notice (PAN) issued by the Environment Protection Authority in July 2020.

At the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in May, Argus agreed to implement controls under an odour management plan.

“The PAN was amended to reflect this and Argus Tallow must comply by 31 March 2022,” an EPA spokesperson said.

EPA officers attended the site in 2019 and 2020 in response to odour reports from the community, the spokesperson said.

“Odour is an issue that can cause great discomfort for many people and EPA takes it very seriously using its powers to require re-

Argus Recyling was the subject of odour complaints to the EPA in 2019 and 2020. 228758 Picture: GARY SISSONS mediation by offending organisations.

“EPA will continue to monitor the site.”

Nearby manufacturers and a shopfitting business backed the EPA’s PAN at the VCAT hearing.

The PAN originally stated that Argus’s activities caused or were likely to cause air pollution that was harmful or potentially harmful to human health, welfare, safety or property, according to a VCAT report in December.

The amended PAN, along with the VCAT decision in May, has not been published.

Argus Recycling has been at the site next to Dandenong Creek since 1967. Its open-air compost yard sits just inside the border of Dandenong’s increasingly notorious industrial 2 zone. The industry two zone – home to the state’s most offensive industries such as the Lyndhurst toxic waste dump – was established in 1976.

It has been steadily encroached by light industry, housing estates, sports fields and schools in Keysborough and Dandenong South. Some homes are within the zone’s supposed 1.5-kilometre buffer zone.

Residents as close as 3 kilometres have complained about odours, and opposed a recently-approved waste-to-energy plant in Ordish Road.

A lawyer for Argus Recycling said: “My client has no comment”.

Fatal outbreaks in Greater Dandenong aged homes

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

home quarantine. All staff were vaccinated, and all but three residents were doublevaxxed. “All residents who have opted to be vaccinated have received both doses; at the time of this report, three of our residents exercised their choice to remain unvaccinated.”

According to Belvedere, a “regular visitor” attended while infectious with the Covid Delta-variant on Tuesday 5 October.

They had complied with Belvedere’s testing requirements, providing a negative result within 48 hours prior to arrival.

The visitor contacted Belvedere on 7 October that they later tested positive.

The home, which is under “restricted access”, was then deep-cleaned, Belvedere stated.

“Staff cohorts work in designated wings to minimise the risk of transmission and the facility remains under restricted access.

“Strong infection controls are in place and a deep clean of the facility has been ongoing.”

Belvedere stated it was the first instance of Covid entering the home.

Greater Dandenong’s Covid cases continue to soar with 159 new cases reported on 24 October and 943 in the past week.

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Three people have died with Covid-19 during outbreaks in three aged care homes in Greater Dandenong.

As of 22 October, an 100-year-old and an 88-year-old resident have died among 35 residents and eight staff infected with Covid at Belvedere Aged Care in Noble Park.

Four residents were also in hospital, with all other residents isolated in their rooms at the 60-bed facility.

A resident at Regis Aged Care in Dandenong North has also died with Covid. Twentyone residents and three staff members had

been infected, according to Department of Health figures on 24 October.

At Arcare Keysborough, 20 residents and 10 staff have been infected.

Another Covid cluster has been reported at Shawlands Caravan Park, Dandenong South (15 active cases).

“We are deeply saddened by the death of two of our residents, an awful consequence of the Covid pandemic,” Belvedere stated in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones at this sad time.”

Three of the eight infected staff have been cleared to return to work. Five remain in

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Tuesday, 26 October, 2021

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NEWS

Doc’s lewd conduct

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Founding poultry farmer George Scaunich.

A recent shot of the Keysborough Egg Farm team.

Beloved farm folds

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Starting from a chook farm in Chandler Road more than six decades ago, an iconic Keysborough family business has closed its doors.

Keysborough Egg Farm owner David Scaunich held a “heavy heart” as he closed the business started by his parents George and Rosina.

“It’s my life. Closing this was the hardest decision that I and the family has made.”

The move was made for “family reasons” but accelerated by Covid lockdowns in the past 18 months, Mr Scaunich said.

Shopping habits changed as customers were shut out by the five-kilometre rule. Supermarkets “made a killing” while the egg farm’s trade was ravaged.

Last year, the business closed for two weeks’ quarantine as eight staff tested Covid-positive.

Another staff member was infected on the week before the farm called it quits.

“It would have been a big effort to get the business up again.”

In between these famines, there were still some feasts, such as long lines of panic-buyers before a lockdown in mid-2020.

The farm’s fridges would be cleaned out by 3pm.

Sometimes more than 400 queued at the gates due to empty shelves at nearby supermarkets.

“Our butcher was leading them through like the Pied Piper.”

Mr Scaunich has been steeped in the business and family farm since he was 5.

And seen it grow to the impressive eggprocessing facility, butcher and shopfront on

Greens Road and Pacific Drive.

At its peak, up to 25 smiling staff prepared meats, packed eggs and served customers.

It has supplied to cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, grocers and small retail.

The egg farm shunned the trend to prepacking eggs and produce. It instead favoured a fresh delicatessen and packing eggs in front of customers.

“The major thing has been serving customers. It comes at a cost though.”

More than 60 years ago, Mr Scaunich’s father and brother started a poultry farm near the railway line at Chandler Road.

It was a time when the area was coated in market gardens, dams and farmsteads.

A chemist now stands on the site.

They shifted to Dingley then to Chapel Road, Keysborough before opening a shop on Perry Road, Keysborough in 1973.

Some of its original customers have stayed the entire 48-year journey. Many reacted with shock and sadness after its demise was announced on 15 October.

One wrote that there was “nothing good left in Keysborough now”, another how they made 70 kilometre round trips to buy their eggs.

“The stuff of legend” was how the customer described the eggs.

Now, Mr Scaunich is looking forward to a rest. A Christmas with the family, without the frantic pre-festive orders for pork, chicken, turkey and eggs.

“Christmas was bigger than a Grand Final for the effort that we’d put in.

“We were always about quality and about serving customers.”

Keysborough Egg Farm has closed after 48 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS years. 158710

The former egg farm shop on Perry Road, Keysborough.

Violent serial robber cops jail sentence

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A man’s 12-day violent spree of armed robberies, assault, stolen cars, petrol drive-offs and an aggravated burglary while on bail has landed him in jail for more than three years.

Travis Smith’s offending in November 2019 included robbing and holding a knife to the throat of a teenage boy walking on Webb Street, Narre Warren. He also “gratuitously” broke a back-yard bungalow resident’s skull with a tyre-lever during an aggravated burglary with four other masked intruders in Narre Warren.

He and his fellow intruders barged in and “jumped on” two brothers late at night.

They stole “low-value” items from the alleged drug-dealing occupants, such as a electronic tablet, Bluetooth headphones, watch, a portable speaker, toiletries bag, nail clippers and $50.

Smith was topless and armed at the time, while his mates wore hoodies and shirts covering their faces. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Their attack would have been “highly intimidatory and frightening, as it was intended to be,” Victorian County Court judge Carolene Gwynn said in sentencing on 22 October.

The then 23-year-old also pointed a boxcutter knife at a Dandenong North bottle-shop attendant as he and and an accomplice stole 10-packs of Jack Daniels pre-mix cans.

In the meantime, the unlicensed Smith swapped between three stolen cars and stole petrol from four servos in Dandenong, Noble Park North and Hampton Park.

During that time he failed to answer bail at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court. He was taking booze, ice and cannabis during his crime wave.

Upon his arrest in Bairnsdale, he was found by police hiding under blankets in a bedroom.

In sentencing, Judge Gwynn noted Smith’s long criminal history of similar offending and “guarded” rehabilitation prospects.

Severe childhood deprivation also reduced

his moral culpability, she said.

His upbringing was blighted by domestic violence, learning difficulties, constant interstate moves and exposure to substance abuse.

Smith was admitted to hospital with alcohol poisoning at age 10. He left school at about the same time, illiterate.

However, a psychologist found that his drug-taking a more major factor in his offending than his cognitive deficits.

While in remand, Smith became a father and inspired to be a positive role-model. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, he had yet to meet his son face-to-face.

“You’re still relatively young and with considerable motivation it can’t be said you’re beyond rehabilitation,” Judge Gwynn said.

Smith was jailed for up to five years and eight months. He’ll be eligible for parole after three years and three months.

His term included 570 days already served in pre-sentence remand.

A former Monash Health gynaecologist has been reprimanded over lewd remarks to a patient and long-term sexual harassment of a midwife.

Rudolph Gerad Lopes, 50, was found to have engaged in professional misconduct by a three-member panel at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on 19 October.

He had made a series of sexualised remarks to a female patient during an internal examination at Monash Medical Centre in December 2017.

Dr Lopes wrote a letter of apology to the complainant, who reported the matter to police.

He was fired by the hospital as a result of the incident.

In March 2018, a female midwife complained of six years of Dr Lopes’s sexualised comments and groping at a South East hospital and his private clinics.

Dr Lopes conceded that his comments to the patient were “completely inappropriate”.

He stated that his “silly” remarks were an “attempt at humour to try to keep the patient at ease”, according to the VCAT members’ report.

Dr Lopes also conceded he’d been “inappropriate, unprofessional, crass, vulgar” towards the midwife.

VCAT members Jonathan Smithers, Dr Peter McNeill and Dr Angela Sungaila described his conduct as “unacceptable workplace sexual harassment”.

“From his point of view, the interactions have the appearance of being regular flirtatious innuendo, a constant reminder by comments, physical contact and texts, of his interest in having sex with her.

“From her point of view, the impacts were profound, both in psychological and practical terms.

“We also think it is relevant that the specialty practised by Dr Lopes is obstetrics and gynaecology – is one which calls for particular attention to the sensitivities concerning a practitioner’s conduct towards women.”

Dr Lopes had been suspended by the Medical Board of Australia since March 2018. In that time, he’d lost his private practice.

He’d been previously reprimanded over similar conduct toward a patient in 2015.

A psychotherapist’s report stated Dr Lopes was a changed man who’d gained insight and remorse.

In 2018, he completed a course on professional and sexual boundaries.

He’d also finished a Master of Public Health and been accepted for a PhD at the Burnett Institute on maternal health in the Pacific.

Dr Lopes was also part of the Department of Health’s Covid response team.

At the VCAT hearing, the Medical Board of Australia agreed he had been banned for long enough.

But the Board’s submission for the cancellation of Dr Lopes’s registration was “punitive”, VCAT found.

“We conclude here that Dr Lopes is now a suitable person to practise, subject to appropriate conditions, therefore we will not order that his registration be cancelled.”

The VCAT members found Dr Lopes had “paid a heavy price”. The adverse publicity made it “unrealistic” for him to return to private practice in the medium term.

“The whole process has been a humiliating experience for him.”

VCAT stated that Dr Lopes must be required to work in a supervised environment under specific conditions.

It is yet to decide on those conditions.

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Tuesday, 26 October, 2021

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Objections ignored

Refugee housing needed

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Residents are riled by a council recommendation to introduce townhouses into their idyllic single-storey neighbourhood in Endeavour Hills.

A Casey Council planning officer has recommended the proposal for three double-storey townhouses at at 10 Haverstock Hill Close, despite 16 public objections.

One of the objectors Ranleigh Moldrich lives in the quiet, mainly single-storey street.

The neighbourhood, lined with native trees, gardens as well as public reserves, has so far been untouched by townhouses or subdivisions.

But this project’s approval may be the “thin edge of the wedge”, Mr Moldrich says.

He and his neighbours fear that more houses will clog the street with cars as well as an already overburdened sewer that has flowed into his garden.

“The sewerage has had to be cleared three times in five years. I don’t think it will be able to take it.”

His son Matthew Moldrich says the proponent’s application was riddled with errors, including several times referring to the proposed units as single-storey.

He argued that the council has misapplied its own housing guidelines.

The neighbourhood is beyond 800 metres from the Endeavour Hills Major Activity Centre – a zone set aside for ‘incremental change’ in Casey’s Housing Strategy.

In its planning report, Casey Council states the site is “within walking distance” – within 1.6 kilometres - of Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre.

It also notes bus routes within “reasonable proximity”, as well as Chalcot Lodge Primary School about 300 metres away.

According to the council, the proposal was consistent with the Casey Planning Scheme, including the General Residential 1 Zone.

Ranleigh Moldrich, centre, with neighours opposing the Haverstock Hill Close’s first townhouses Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS at the site behind them. 254389 “As such, it is not considered an overdevelopment of the land.

“The proposal aligns with the intended change in (neighbourhood) character.”

The report noted just three multi-dwelling developments within 180 metres away. They were in nearby streets but not in Haverstock Hill Close.

The council report dismissed concerns about creating a precedent for medium and high-density development in the street.

“An application must be considered on its own merits with consideration of the site context and requirements in the Planning Scheme at the time.

“Council cannot comment on any sewer issues as it is under the authority of South-East Water.”

According to the council’s planning register, it has issued a notice of decision in favour of the townhouses.

Final approval has yet to be granted.

Long-term housing is required for about 650 airlifted Afghanistan refugees in the South East, a settlement agency says.

AMES Australia is seeking interest from property owners to rent to some of the 2000 refugees evacuated from Kabul last August are in Victoria.

A third of them are seeking to settle in the South East, where there’s an established Hazara community.

Just out of hotel quarantine, they are in short-term accommodation – such as units normally used by international students, an AMES spokesperson said.

“The majority are families – some of them up to 10 people - so they are seeking large-ish family homes.”

The rental housing market was difficult due to the impact of Covid-19, the spokesperson said.

“There is an added complication because some do not have full ID documentation – making it more difficult to get a real estate agent to lease a home.”

Recent arrival ‘Hamid’ and his family said he wanted to settle and find work in Dandenong “close to our community”.

“We are very grateful to have found a safe place in Australia and we want to move into our own home.”

To help, call AMES on 9938 4031.

Big battery proposal for solar farm

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A controversial solar farm in Springvale South may include a battery storage supply to power 287,000 homes in an hour.

Australian company Progress Power’s 54,000 photovoltaic panels are set to be installed on a former 47-hectare landfill at Clarke Road after Greater Dandenong Council approval on 9 September.

It is touted as one of Australia’s largest urban solar farms.

Progress Power claims the farm will produce 39,000 mega-watt hours of renewable energy a year.

It’s enough to power up to 25,000 homes and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 116,000 tons annually.

Managing director Craig Carter said the 115 megawatt battery bank will allow a quick supply of electricity on the grid during high-demand times. It would help reduce black-outs, he said.

The farm, including the battery, doesn’t present a fire risk. It had complied with CFA checks and regulations, he said.

The project will create 50 full-time and part-time jobs during construction and ongoing operating and maintenance jobs.

“Progress Power shows how we can give new life to old landfills and make them productive for the whole community,” Mr Carter said.

“We know that many residents are dedicated to protecting the environment.

“Progress Power not only provides a clean source of energy, but ensures that energy coming into the grid is effectively stored and released, thereby providing more reliable, affordable and clean power.”

The company is preparing its final landscaping and stormwater management plans for City of Greater Dandenong.

“If things go to plan, we’ll look to start con-

struction mid-to-late next year.”

Neighbours and Defenders of the South East Green Wedge were among 162 objectors, who say the site was long promised as public parkland with footpaths and bike trails.

The site will be fenced off from the public.

The solar panels on a five-metre-tall plateau and landfill cap will be screened by vegetation.

In September, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) ruled that Progress Power did not have to provide a public park on the site’s perimeter.

Greater Dandenong Council stated it was “disappointed with this outcome”.

VCAT found the farm was of “relatively low impact” with “minimal or no potential” for glint, light spill, vibration or electromagnetic interference.

It was a sensible, productive use and compatible with the Chain of Parks concept, the VCAT members stated.

Newly-arrived refugee ‘Hamid’ is seeking a home in Dandenong for him and his family to settle.

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STAR JOURNAL 5

LOOKING BACK 100 years ago 27 October 1921 Busy Sunday for Dr Last Sunday afternoon was signalised by no less than three accidents all of which were tendered to by Dr Langley. A little girl named Foster was brought in from Keysborough, suffering with a broken arm which was set by the doctor and the child was allowed to return home. Later a child named Asling was brought in from Narre Warren also suffering from a broken arm and was similarly treated

by Dr Langley. A very serious motorcycle accident also occurred on the Melbourne Road near Oakwood Park. The victim of this accident was Mr Harold Thornton Grimwade of South Yarra. Mr W A Gibson, a witness of the occurrence, went to the assistance of the injured man, whom he placed in his own car,

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

and conveyed him to Nurse Fink’s private hospital in Dandenong. After an examination of the injuries Dr Langley summoned the assistance of two prominent Melbourne medical men. At time of publication, the unfortunate young man is, though not yet out of danger, in a fair way.

50 years ago 21 October 1971 Row on library scheme Angry parents accused the government of bungling delays and lost correspondence over a proposed library classroom for the Foster St Primary School in Dandenong. Said parents were particularly angry with the minister of education Mr Thompson. He is accused of ignoring their representations. He has also, according to parents, broken his word regarding a school library. The mothers club

have been agitating for a school library space since 1967. Given the proposed financial terms between the mother’s club and the government, it would take another 12 years to raise the necessary funds

20 years ago

said. Ms Brown oversees the Springvale and Dandenong branch, where there is a staff of about 60. Ms Brown was born and bred in Dandenong and attended St John’s Regional College.

5 years ago

22 October 2001 New chapter in her career Natalie Brown, the acting customer service co-ordinator at the City of Greater Dandenong library has won the Margery C Ramsey Scholarship – a $15,000 study tour of libraries in North America. Ms Brown, 26, will visit Phoenix public library association and libraries in Vancouver next year. She will be away two months. “You had to apply for the scholarship and state what benefits such a trip would be to the City of Greater Dandenong libraries and public libraries in Victoria,” she

24 October 2016 Jubilee crowd delights traders More than 28,000 people flocked to Dandenong Market to celebrate its 150th birthday.

The Dandenong icon hosted Jubilee celebrations on Sunday 16 October featuring food, rides, entertainment and more. Louise Nay was among the revellers and was pleased to see a “very big crowd“ show up for the occasion. Her family was involved in the journey from livestock market to the huge variety of stalls on offer today.

NEWS

Role-models of resilience help keep families together

By Jasbir Singh Suropada* As I am writing this article, I am mindful of the very long lockdown we all have been through and are now coming out of.

My prayer and thoughts go out to the many who have endured and persevered to try their best to hold their lives and families together.

There are also many who suffered physical/ mental health, social isolation from loved ones, economic, financial setbacks, family violence and more.

Despite all these, as long as there is still breath in us there is still hope. There is always a new day that we get every day. We can grab the day in positivity and make the best out of it. To help us to move to a more positive space, let’s try to start looking at the little things we have in our lives. For example, looking at what we have as compared to what we don’t have.

Experiences can sometimes make us stronger

MESSAGE OF

HOPE and resilient survivors who learn to adapt and improvise.

We need to role-model resilience so we can become the beacons of hope for our children.

As much as we are always talking about the adults’ issues, we need to focus on our children and youths who are also going through challenges and are struggling.

Take time out and talk to your children.

Just a simple R U OK can make a huge difference. Let’s make it a habit to check in with fam-

ily and friends regularly. We never know whose life we could be touching positively or saving.

It heartens me with hope when I see the Sikh community and many other communities coming together to serve free meals, essentials and groceries not just to their own but anybody and everybody as one human race. It has helped build bridges among people from various communities.

This has humbled many to come together in times of crisis to connect as humans regardless of race, religion or traditional backgrounds - Unity in Diversity.

Being a Sikh, my faith has taught me the concept of “Chardi Kala the Positive Attitude”, 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 daily prays in Ardas (Supplication)- “Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Tere Bhane Sarbat dah Phala” (Oh Lord may everyone in the world prosper, be well and in peace).

This philosophy is grounded in the belief that, with a firm belief in Waheguru (Divine), our worldly worries can be eradicated.

Kindness is Gentleness, Gentleness is Strength Strength is Faith, Faith is Assurance Assurance is Hope, Hope is Divine Divine is God. * Jasbir Singh Suropada is Chairperson Of Sikh Interfaith Council Of Victoria.

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

Pictures: HAS MEDIA

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

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

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sponsors of Afri-Aus Care.

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

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

The not-for-profit provides mental health

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

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

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

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

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

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

Affordable and Compassionate

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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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NEWS

‘Venomous’ office

Lotto luck

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A former staffer at a Labor MP’s ministerial and electorate offices says about 80 per cent of her work time was consumed with party-factional politics, an IBAC hearing was told.

A self-described ‘non-politicised’ public servant Ellen Schreiber says she was initially reluctant to join then-Local Government and Small Business Minister Adem Somyurek’s ministerial office in early 2019.

This was due to Mr Somyurek’s “reputation“, she told the Operation Watts inquiry on 12 October.

At the time, she couldn’t tell the difference between Liberal and Labor.

But soon she was signed up as a Labor member, embroiled with the Moderate Right faction.

She was setting up meetings with ALP faction “stakeholders” such as union officials and federal MPs, as well as sitting on ALP membership and admin committees.

“When the branch stacking, I guess, had ramped up, the workload, it was almost like 80 per cent of my day was going through memberships at times, but that was not every day.

“It was just at times that’s all we’d be doing.”

Ms Schreiber told of Mr Somyurek “screaming down the phone” at her after she deferred memberships at an ALP membership committee meeting.

“I had a friend who’s not political at all in the car next to me. I got off the phone and she said, ’How does your boss speak to you like that? How is that acceptable?’”

During her secondment as Mr Somyurek’s executive assistant, she was assigned to “fix” his non-communicative electorate office in Dandenong.

“I think out of my pure frustration.

“I would send out emails, I wouldn’t get anything back.”

Former executive assistant Ellen Schreiber told an IBAC inquiry of being screamed at by thenMinister Adem Somyurek.

The electorate office was “for some reason” moved into the CBD in mid 2019.

When she raised the office’s culture with Mr Somyurek it was “swept under the carpet”.

“I was told ‘I’m an Upper House member, that’s not how it works, I don’t need to do events’.”

She said Mr Somyurek did the “bare minimum” as Small Business Minister.

Ms Schreiber continued “Labor party activities” for Mr Somyurek after she was hired at federal MP and factional ally Anthony Byrne’s office for a month.

She was then offered a role by Mr Somyurek at the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining And Energy Union (CFMEU) to sign up union members to the ALP, she said.

Her role was couched as CMFEU state secretary John Setka’s “right-hand woman” because “John was going through bad media and

it was ideal to have a young female in that position”.

Mr Somyurek reacted with “venom” when she refused it.

“He was mad like a cut snake.

“He spat venom at me and, ’You’re a f***ing idiot. Why are you working for a backbencher?

Anthony (Byrne) does nothing out there. He’s lazy. You’re not going to go anywhere with your career.’

“I got off the phone, called my direct manager hysterically crying because I had just been effectively abused, verbally abused over the phone.”

After turning down the role she was “put in the freezer”.

“Adem didn’t want to speak to me. I wasn’t involved with anything.“ She soon after left the ALP, she told the inquiry.

A Springvale South couple are keen to share their $3.3 million TattsLotto windfall with family, friends and charities.

They were among the six division-one winning entries across Australia sharing a $20 million superdraw prize on 16 October.

“I just kept thinking ‘Oh God, oh please let it be real!’” one of the couple said.

“My wife was so happy; she definitely cried a lot.

“It’s incredible. It’s changed everything for us. We are still so blown away.

“We couldn’t eat our dinner after that, we were too excited.”

The instant multi-millionaires have plans to buy a small home, take a holiday to see family as well as to help relatives and friends “doing it tough”.

“There are a few charities that we would like to donate to. There are so many people in the world who need help and now we are in the position to be able to do that.

“We just want to help as much as possible.”

The couple’s entry was bought at Southvale Newsagency in Springvale South.

The newsagency’s owner Samuel Zeng said the win marked his first week owning the outlet.

“This is an especially big moment for me, and all of my customers think we are extra lucky now.

“There hasn’t been a division one win here in over six years.

“This store has sold 12 division one winning entries over 30 years, so it is amazing to add another to the list.”

In 2021, there have been 19 divisionone winners in Melbourne’ South East.

They have collected more than $26.8 million in total.

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STAR JOURNAL 7

MELBOURNE CUP QUIZ Are you a true punter?

1.

2.

3.

4.

What year was the Melbourne Cup race first run?

What body first introduced the event?

In what year and where was the trophy as its known today made?

What prize was awarded to the winner of the 1861 Melbourne Cup?

5.

6.

7.

0-10: Group 3

Since what year has the Melbourne Cup been run on the first Tuesday in November?

When did Michelle Payne become the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup? What was the name of the horse that she rode to victory?

8. Which of Lloyd Williams’ horses won the cup in 2020?

9. The horse Kingston Rule set the record for what in 1990?

10. When did a female jockey first compete in the Melbourne Cup race?

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

11-20: Group 2

How many metres is the Melbourne Cup run over?

In what year did Makybe Diva win the first of it’s three Melbourne Cups?

What age were the trio of the oldest winners (Toryboy, Catalogue and Twilight Payment) when they won the Melbourne Cup? In 1962, what offfield race day event was first held?

Who in 2013 became the first Australian female trainer to train the race winner?

What horse won the first two Melbourne Cups?

What day of the week was the race run during the war years of 1942–44?

21-30: Group 1

18. 2010 winner Americain was trained in and ridden by a jockey from which European country?

19. How many horses ran in the 1863 Melbourne Cup? 20. At what time of day is the race always run?

21. Which jockey rode Makybe Diva on its historic three-peat of victories?

22. On what day of the week was the first Melbourne Cup held?

23. The strapper of the winning horse is given an award named after which person?

24. The total prize purse for the 2020 race was how much?

25. In 1890, how many runners contested the race?

26. Which horse placed the last three years without actually winning the race?

27. In the 2015 race, the winner Prince of Penzance started at what odds?

28. Which successful trainer collected 268 Group 1 wins, in addition to numerous Melbourne Cups?

29. Which horse, named after an Eastern European country, won the race in 1946?

30. What barrier number is the only one yet to have a Melbourne Cup winner?

1. 1861 2. The Victorian Turf Club 3. 1919, Melbourne 4. A gold watch and 710 gold sovereigns 5. 1875 6. 2015 7. Prince of Penzance 8. Twilight Payment 9. Fastest winning time 10. 1987 11. 3200 metres 12.

2003 13. Eight years old 14. Fashions on the Field 15. Gai Waterhouse 16. Archer 17. Saturday 18. France 19. Seven 20. 3pm 21. Glen Boss 22. Thursday 23. Tommy Woodcock 24. $8,000,000 25. 39 26. Prince of Arran 27. 100/1 28. Bart Cummings 29. Russia 30. 18

9-LETTER WORD

WORDFIND Can you find all of the words listed below? The leftover letters will spell out a secret message.

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list?

BARRIERS

The centre letter must be included, and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

BLINKERS CUP

M O T

FASCINATOR

G I

A P

E

C

HORSES JOCKEY RACE

N

SADDLE SILKS SPECTATORS STRAPPER 17 words: Good 26 words: Very good 35 words: Excellent

TRAINER WINNER

SOLUTIONS: COMPETING, cope, coping, epic, gimp, incept, inept, mope, moping, open, opine, optic, opting, pectin, pent, peon, picot, pigeon, pigment, pimento, pine, ping, pint, pinto, pitmen, piton, poem, poet, poetic, point, tempi, tempo, tope, topic, toping

WINNING POST Secret message: The race that stops a nation

A. Australia B. New Zealand C. England D. United States

A. First B. Second C. Third D. Last

2. What year was he born?

A. 1926 B. 1936 C. 1916 D. 1956

8 STAR JOURNAL

|

Tuesday, 26 October, 2021

4. How much did his heart weigh in kilograms?

A. 3.25 B. 5.81 C. 6.35 D. 4.68

EDGEWORD Place each of the tiles of letters into the blank jigsaw to create four six-letter words going across and down.

3. Where did Phar Lap place in the first race he ran in?

ANSWERS: 1B, 2A, 3D, 4C

1. In what country was Phar Lap born?

PHAR LAP

NT MA EN EL IT SU ES ID ANSWER: MANTEL, MAIDEN, ELITES, ENSUES

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW...

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NEWS

Just be a decent person

By Tracey Matthies The night explodes with the spitting fury of a man’s voice spewing an angry stream of vile abuse heard clearly across the ward.

I can’t see what’s happening but I instantly envision those damning television advertisements about violence and abuse in the workplace.

It’s happening again.

I became a Tier One close contact simply by attending the emergency department of the Warragul hospital a couple of weeks back.

It was sheer bad luck that I was sick enough to present in the ED at the same time as a Covid-positive patient was there.

I’ve since had two negative Covid tests but am still in hospital and still in quarantine. That means I’ve spent the last week confined to a hospital ward, on my own, no visitors, just hospital staff for company.

Heck, since being transferred to a south eastern hospital - by two lovely ambulance officers dressed in full PPE - I can’t even see out of my tiny ward. The windows are cov-

Thank you cards in a hospital ward... a welcome sign of appreciation and tolerance. ered, the door is shut.

It would probably be four paces from end to end, side to side if it was possible to walk in a straight line instead of zig zagging around all the medical equipment in here.

But please, don’t feel sad for me. I’m grateful to be getting the care I need.

I’m grateful for the staff - nurses, doctors, housekeeping - who must go through an ardu-

ous process of donning and doffing full PPE simply to set foot in my room for even a minute or less.

They’re sweating under those gowns, N95 masks that bite into their faces, face shields and gloves.

Doffing - getting that gear off properly to leave my room - requires them to sanitise their hands twice, as far as I can see. I can see the toll it’s taking on their skin. Then they have to redress - don - to enter another iso room.

And this has been going on since the start of the pandemic for them, with no end in sight even with the lifting of lockdown restrictions.

They are exhausted.

But not once have I heard them complain, not once. The staff looking after me have been kind, caring and professional every single time.

Yet that attitude is not always returned.

There are other patients in isolation rooms on this ward and I’ve heard them, men and women, young and old, screaming abuse at nurses. I’ve heard them refuse to stay in their room as if they have a right to risk exposing staff and other patients.

Twanny embraces second chance at life From page 1 Before he had a Guide Dog, he was struck by a car on Heatherton Road while walking home from a visit to a medical clinic.

“I learnt to fly that day. Any landing you walk away from is a good landing.”

He was hospitalised for three months.

Several times in the past decade, he has publicly named-and-shamed restaurants that illegally denied him entry due to his Guide Dog. He was also part of a successful campaign for transplant patients being eligible for health insurance.

“It’s up to ourselves as individuals when we see something is wrong to say this is not right.”

He still volunteers at Monash Medical Centre as a source of comfort for patients with “complex” issues.

Mr Farrugia credits his resilience to his “wonderful parents and siblings” who included him in rough and tumble play even while a sickly child.

“They loved me warts and all – and there were a lot of warts.

“They were a helicopter family but at the same time they made me stand on my own two

Postcodes well short of vax mark

feet. They made me participate.

“They treated me like they treated each other.”

He says the ‘gift of life’ has taught him not to give up.

“There’s something inside of me. So many people along the road have put so much work into keeping me alive.

“There’s always hope that tomorrow is going to be better than today.”

In Victoria, there were 131 deceased organ donors in 2020. They enabled 212 kidney, 84 liver, 73 lung, 45 heart and 13 pancreas lifesaving transplants.

However during Covid, deceased organ donation and transplant rates dropped – in part due to border closures, flight reductions and hospital logistics.

There are 1800 Australians waitlisted for an organ transplant, as well as 12,000 on dialysis who would benefit from a kidney transplant.

To register as an organ and tissue donor, go to donatelife.gov.au

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Transplant recipient Twanny Farrugia, and Guide Dog Annabelle, says he’s one of the lucky ones.

255006

Impounds on the Princes Highway

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Two utes were impounded during an reported outbreak of hooning at Princes Highway Springvale.

Police seized a Holden ute allegedly speeding at 167 km/h in the 80km/h zone about 12.35am on Friday 22 October.

Its driver, a 22-year-old man from Hughesdale, allegedly told police he was out celebrating his freedom.

The following midnight, a ute driver allegedly spun tyres and lost traction in heavy

traffic near Springvale Junction.

The learner driver had owned the ute for just two weeks, police say.

He was issued a defect notice for four unroadworthy tyres.

Both utes were impounded for 30 days, and both drivers expected to front a magistrates’ court.

Meanwhile a neighbouring resident reported constant loud revving and cheering during a mass hoon event along Princes Highway Springvale between 10.30pm 22 October until 5.30am the following day.

“I can’t sleep. It’s like a big echo chamber.

There’s loud revving, the backfiring cracks for 10 seconds “All night they were going up and down the highway up to the (Sandown) bridge.

“Something’s got to happen. It’s got to cease.”

Police have been targeting hoon drivers in the South East as part of operations Achilles and Sumatra.

Under new Greater Dandenong bylaws, police also have powers to fine spectators at hoon events.

Waste giant’s big move into rooftop solar A rooftop solar installation in Dandenong South is part of waste company Cleanaway’s $5 million national rollout of solar power systems.

Installed in December, the 220 photovoltaic panels at the company’s Perry Road depot are expected to reduce the site’s grid-power use by 23 per cent.

The 99 kilowatt system generates up to about 140 megawatt hours of energy annually – enough to power 21 homes.

Cleanaway chief operating officer Brendan Gill said it was part of a national solar energy program across 23 sites in Australia such as dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Coolaroo and Perth.

In all, 2.4 megawatts of PV panels will be installed by the end of 2021, generating enough power for 547 Australian homes.

Cleanaway will save more than $500,000 a year on electricity, as well as reduce its power usage from the grid by about 20 per cent.

“It makes economic sense to reduce our exposure to volatile electricity prices by generating our own power,” Mr Gill said.

“Solar PV is a proven technology with little risk, and we look forward to realising the benefits of this investment immediately and over many years.”

I’ve heard more abuse in one week in hospital care than I’ve heard in almost six decades.

It’s got to stop or we will all pay the price as healthcare workers leave the industry in search of safer workplaces.

A young nurse, early in their career, visibly flinched when a code grey was called as they were tending to me.

Is that a serious one, I asked.

No, they replied, it means a patient is attacking staff, either verbally or physically.

And I wondered at the toll these attacks were having on their chosen career of caregiving. How long could they, would they, endure this disgusting, unnecessary behaviour?

The saddest thing I’ve heard since being admitted was a nurse thanking me for not abusing them when they had difficulty with a procedure!

Is this what it has come to? Must our incredible healthcare workers really live in fear of being abused by the people they are here to help?

No! It takes just as much effort to be a decent person as it does to be a nasty one.

Try it. You’ll even feel better about yourself.

The project draws on a $90 million Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) corporate loan for the waste management sector.

CEFC chief executive Ian Learmonth said the solar project was a “positive” step towards zero greenhouse gas emissions.

“The waste management sector generates significant emissions through landfill and energy use.

“CEFC finance is driving real innovation in the sector by giving Cleanaway the flexibility to look beyond the waste and landfill component of its emissions, and introduce more clean, renewable energy.”

Doveton and Dandenong postcodes continue to lag well behind the state’s 70 per cent Covid double-vaccination milestone.

Victoria’s pandemic restrictions start to ease from 22 October, in line with meeting the 70 per cent target.

But double-vax rates for 16-andover residents are just 45-50 per cent in Doveton and 50-55 per cent in Dandenong, as of 18 October.

Also behind are Endeavour Hills, Hallam and Noble Park on 55-60 per cent.

Springvale (60-65 per cent) and Springvale South (65-70 per cent) are ahead of the Greater Dandenong average of 57.4 per cent. Both postcodes have more than 90 per cent single-dose coverage.

Double dose coverage in Greater Dandenong has soared by 9.4 per cent in a week, and nearly doubled in the past month.

Health authorities are targeting vaccine reluctant pockets within Dandenong and Noble Park, where active cases continue to rise.

“What we’re finding is people are turning around,” public health researcher and Greater Dandenong councillor Rhonda Garad recently said.

“People who were six weeks ago flat against it are now seeing close contacts falling really ill.

“That 10-15 per cent of resistors is dwinding fast.”

On 20 October, 142 new cases were recorded in Greater Dandenong including 49 in Dandenong and 35 in Noble Park.

There are 1334 active cases in the council area.

To book a free Covid vaccine at Sandown Racecourse, call 1800 675 398 or go to https://portal.cvms.vic.gov.au/.

Walk-up vaccines - with no need to book - are available at Palm Plaza popup clinic in Dandenong.

Vaccines are also delivered at participating GP clinics and pharmacies.

Details: www.health.gov.au/resources/ apps-and-tools/covid-19-vaccine-clinic-finder

Tuesday, 26 October, 2021

|

STAR JOURNAL 9

NEWS

Home grown Halloween

By Cam Lucadou-Wells The horrors of lockdown have been turned into a home garden Halloween treat in Narre Warren North.

Over months, Brooke McGowan-Grills has toiled on her macabre art park that sprawls across the Fontaine Terrace front yard.

A playground/graveyard, a haunted dollhouse, a lit-up spider, witches, giant pumpkins, gnomes and a skeleton cooking on a barbecue are among the head-turning attractions.

She has been inspired by her childhood passion for the Goosebumps series, as well as the need to give neighbours a “pick up”.

“It gave me something to focus on rather than wondering what to do.

“I watched the old movies and the series, and just got carried away.”

A visual-arts graduate, Ms McGowan-Grills has made good use of everyday materials.

Making a witch out of trash bags and a tomato-growing cage, or a fence out of an old cot.

“People love it. I get lots of people do really slow drive-bys – they drive here because they see it online.

“I let the kids run amongst it. I made it to be enjoyed.”

On Halloween, Ms McGowan-Grills will don a costume, face-paint and hand out lolly-bags for trick-or-treaters from her Goosebumps park.

“I might have to make a few extra this year.”

The sprawling installations in the Narre Warren North front yard. 254875

Brooke McGowan-Grills with her Goosebumps-inspired Halloween set. 254875

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Freedom Friday blooms large at Dandenong Market A splash of floral colour returned to Dandenong Market during ‘Freedom Friday’ on 22 October.

Under eased Covid-19 restrictions, florists and nurseries were back open for outdoor trade, as were seated service at restaurants and hairdressers.

Cafes, food stalls, fresh produce, delis, bakeries, grocery, meat and fish stores are also open.

“We can’t wait to see rows and rows of pansies, daffodils, tulips and gerberas in a rainbow of colours,” Dandenong Market general manager Jennifer Hibbs said in the lead-up.

“Everyone is itching to grab their tomato and herb seedlings and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”

It’s been a long 580 days for the market’s 200-plus traders since the first lockdown in mid-March 2020.

The rolling closures, visitor restrictions and supply issues caused by state border closures.

“These are circumstances many small business have been unable to survive,” Ms Hibbs said.

“We’d like to thank the hundreds of thousands of loyal Dandenong Market customers who chose to support our very special small businesses during these tough times.

“You’ve kept Mum and Dad in a job, you’ve put food on the table after every long day at work and made the hard days a little easier.”

About 130 non-food stalls remain closed under Victoria’s sixth lockdown, including the Bazaar, key cutters, pet supply shops and the auction.

They’re expected to reopen when 80 per cent of Victoria’s 16-and-over population is fully vaccinated – by 5 November or earlier.

10 STAR JOURNAL

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Anna from M&C Co Sweet Treats with Halloween goodies. 254945

Ali re-opening Market Blooms florist at Dandenong Market on 22 October. 254945 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Mani with the Halloween display at Dandenong Market. 254945

Alan from Galaxy of Plants nursery at Dandenong Market. 254945

Halloween display at Dandenong Market.

Tuesday, 26 October, 2021

Anant from Quality Plants. 254945

254945

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

12519463-SN44-21

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Tuesday, 26 October, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 11

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Professional Services

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Applications open 1 October 2021 Applications close 5:00 pm 12 November 2021 The Casey Cardinia Foundation Ltd is a philanthropic community foundation, raising funds for local community groups throughout the City of Casey and Cardinia Shire, with funds dispersed through an annual grants program.

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The Foundation aims to support the social, community and general welfare of those living in the City of Casey and Cardinia Shire region. The Foundation provides grants to projects that support the growing needs of its communities, now and into the future.

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Our cat has gone missing from corner Lodge St & Fintonia Road, Noble Park, missing since 25 July 2021. He is a male tuxedo cat, medium hair length and is approx. 1 year and 7mnths old. If you have any information or have a possible sighting of Remy please call Vicki on 0411 259 289.

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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.

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Call benn 0418 998 263 or email resume to: admin@collier mechanical.com.au Contact: Benn Collier 0418 998 263

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SPORT

Sri Lankan star signs on

By Nick Creely The competition keeps going from strength to strength.

Yet another high-profile name has joined the ranks of the Dandenong District Cricket Association Turf 1 competition, with former Sri Lankan Test batter Mahela Udawette signing on for Buckley Ridges.

The 35-year-old has moved to Australia, arriving in late September and has linked up with the DDCA powerhouses in a major coup, with the left-handed top-order batter having permanent residency.

While Udawette has been in bubbles with the Sri Lankan international set-up in recent months, he has retired professionally from the game.

Udawatte played two Test matches for Sri Lanka - his last coming in June, 2018 against the West Indies - as well as nine ODIs and eight Twenty20 international matches.

At First Class level, Udawatte has notched up close to 10,000 runs with 14 centuries, eight List A centuries and a Twenty20 century, and in the recent 2020/21 Sri Lankan one-day competition he scored the most runs for Moors Sports Club with 354 at 50.57 with a century and three half-centuries.

Buckley recruiter Chris Rattle said the club was delighted about the signing, believing that

Ex-Sri Lankan batter Mahela Udawatte has signed at Buckley Ridges. the aggressive opener will be a massive addition both on and off the field.

“It’s good for the club, and we see him as a long-term player for Buckley Ridges, he’s moved to the area,” he said.

“It’ll make a huge difference, and with Manjula (Munasinghe) coming on as coach we really hope he sticks around.

“We believe he can be really similar to what David White did for us, so we see him as a bit of a replacement for him.”

Rattle added that the club just “got lucky” in securing the Sri Lankan star, with the batter re-

lated to club president Sonny De Silva through marriage.

The Bucks have also previously announced that former Glamorgan batsman and England Under 19 player Ben Wright has signed on at the club, with the pair expected to open the batting in what should provide bowlers with a few sleepless Friday night. Wright has also been announced as Buckley’s Turf 1 skipper this season.

“Ben and him will open if DJ doesn’t come back - from everything we’ve seen on Youtube he’s really attacking,” Rattle said.

“So he should definitely like our ground he’s going to fit in well and is keen to get here.”

Rattle also confirmed that champion Bucks all-rounder Daniel ‘DJ’ Watson is still weighing up his future in the association but wouldn’t come back until after Christmas if he was to return, while West Indian Jerome Jones’ hopes of returning this season has been dashed, but was hoping to return for the following season.

Buckley have also snared experienced Berwick batsman Josh Holden where he will add plenty of depth to the club, while impressive seamer Nimesh Kariyawasam has crossed over from North Dandenong and will be a crucial part of the bowling attack.The Bucks have also lost a few, with Chanaka Welegedara returning to Strathmore, while overseas pair Ian Cockbain and Benny Howell won’t return,

with Cockbain joining Mornington Peninsula powerhouses Langwarrin. Club stalwart Susa Pradeep has departed for Endeavour Hills.

“We are thrilled to have Mahela playing for us,” Buckley president Sonny De Silva said.

“I had been watching him for a while given our family links (his uncle is married to Sonny’s first cousin) but didn’t realise he wanted to leave the Sri Lankan set-up.

“I got on the phone as soon as Richie (Hope) got wind of his availability, and convinced Mahela to (come to Melbourne) and play for Bucks.

“He will no doubt dominate in the DDCA. “We welcome Mahela, his lovely wife and three kids to the Buckley family,” Sonny said.

It’s been a massive off-season for one of Victoria’s most well-regarded local competitions, with the likes of former Tasmanian quick Andrew Perrin (Berwick), Jersey star Jonty Jenner (Narre South), ex-Victorian quick Jayde Herrick (Springvale South), former Premier Cricket gun Blade Baxter (Springvale South) and ex-Casey South Melbourne paceman Josh Dowling (Springvale South), as well as Mordialloc champion Damith Mapa Ralage (Berwick) all confirmed for 2021/22 in what is going to be once again a fiercely competitive Turf 1 grade.

Keep your eyes peeled in coming weeks for Star News’ full DDCA Turf 1 season preview.

Turf cricket gets the go ahead for season 2021/22

By Nick Creely The Victorian Premier Cricket competition is set to begin on the weekend of 13 and 14 November, with Cricket Victoria confirming the start date last week.

Cricket clubs and associations were given the all-clear to begin their pre-season training on Friday with Metropolitan Melbourne’s lockdown officially coming to a close, with preparations now well and truly underway for what is expected to be an uninterrupted summer of cricket.

For Victoria’s highest standard of club cricket, the men’s competitions will play 16 one day matches this season, played in white ball/ colours including finals, while the women’s season is set to feature 14 one-dayers and finals, with the women’s second and third XI competitions will play 10 one-dayers and six Twenty20s.

In pleasing news, the VicSuperSlam Twenty20 competition is making its return this season, with three pools of six teams to play five games and finals, commencing Tuesday 30 November.

The Slam will run a little differently, with a West, Central and East pool, with games scheduled on Tuesday nights at 5.15pm. The

The DDCA has locked in a season start. 231908 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

semi-finals will be played on Tuesday 18 January with the top team in each pool plus the highest placed second team to compete.

The final is scheduled to be played on the evening on Tuesday 25 January.

Dandenong finished runners-up in the 2019/20 tournament Stars Conference, going down to Richmond, but were the Grand Slam champions in the Slam’s first season of 2018/19.

The Dandenong District Cricket Association has also locked in its season start date, with the seniors to begin on Saturday 13 November, while juniors will make a start from Friday 12 November.

Like Premier Cricket, the DDCA’s highly-regarded Twenty20 competition will return this season, but after Christmas, with 24 sides to be broken into eight groups.

Eight clubs will randomly be selected to host the first round triple header games on Sunday 9 January, with the the quarter finals on Tuesday 18 January, semi-finals on Tuesday 25 January and the grand final on Wednesday 2 February.

Buckley Ridges are the current title holders of the Twenty20 tournament, with the Bucks defeating Springvale South back on 3 March 2020 at Shepley Oval.

James Pattinson roars in delight after taking a wicket for his beloved Dandenong. 164416 Picture: ROB CAREW

Patto’s national departure

By Nick Creely After a sublime and entertaining career as an Australian Test cricketer, Dandenong favourite son James Pattinson has called time on his international career.

The right-arm pace bowling dynamo, who plays with an immense passion that has adhered himself to fans across the globe, played 21 Test matches, 15 ODIs and four Twenty20s for Australia, taking exactly 100 international wickets along the way.

Although hampered by injuries for the majority of his career, the 31-year-old originally from Doveton, and came through the Dandenong Cricket Club where he’s still a beloved mate and player, gave everything in the Baggy Green when given the opportunity.

But now the paceman will continue plying his trade for Victoria when he overcomes his latest injury, while for fans of Premier Cricket, the Dandenong Cricket Club will be hoping to see more of its favourite son moving forward.

James - alongside his older brother Dar-

ren - has an extensive history with the Panthers out of Shepley Oval.

He debuted for the club in 2006/07, made his Victorian debut in 2008, before he made his Test debut against New Zealand in 2011, where he burst onto the scene with 5/27 and man of the match honours.

Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins, congratulated Pattinson on his achievements for Australia in what has been a fascinating journey.

“James continues to be a fantastic ambassador for Australian and Victorian cricket and we congratulate him on a fine career at international level,” Cummins said.

“Throughout his career, he has consistently challenged the very best batters in the world.

“James’ journey has included injury hurdles and setbacks, which he has shown the determination to fight his way back from.

He always took great pride in representing his country and was the ultimate competitor every time he stepped on the field for Australia.”

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Rebellious the real deal

By Jason Adams Boom youngster Rebellious issued a fierce statement with a scathing win at Sandown Park on Thursday night.

He began cleanly then accelerated to lead and at that point it was game over. He set hot splits and won in a scorching time of 29.10 – the sixth fastest this year.

“When he wasn’t really shaking Gypsy Bun up the back straight I thought he was on track for 29.25 or so but then 29.10 came up, that’s

what we’d thought he’d go coming into today,” said Luke Thompson, son of trainer Jason Thompson.

It was the way that he handled himself that was most notable. His first two races at the track in August he swung wide at the turn and didn’t handle it as well as you’d expect for one his ability.

“In those first two starts he didn’t handle that first turn at all. He’d be up there early in the race then lose two or three lengths. He’s

had a couple of trials here since and handled it a lot better and again today.”

Rebellious, or ‘Danny’ as he’s known, has won 14 of his 20 starts and is timing his run well as we snowball towards the world’s greatest greyhound race, the TAB Melbourne Cup. “I’m not too sure where his next run will be, possibly here in a Prelude.”

Greyhounds must compete in a Prelude or win an exemption race to be eligible for TAB Melbourne Cup heats on Friday November 19.

Click here for TAB Melbourne Cup information and merchandise.

Rebellious also suits the profile of a Shootout runner – a four-dog $25,000 winner-takeall event made up of greyhounds best suited to the high speed format. All runners are exempt into Cup heats. The Shootout will be run on Thursday November 11 – click here for conditions. In the race following Rebellious’ win, iron sprinter Riccarton Rick came from nowhere to claim the Free-For-All – less than one length covered the first four past the post.

Panthers are raring to go

By Nick Creely With the announcement that the Victorian Premier Cricket season will begin on the weekend of Saturday 13 November, Dandenong’s men’s and women’s teams have been busy preparing for another bumper season.

The Panthers are the reigning Women’s champions, while the Men - despite a hectic off-season - will be hoping to go one better after finishing as runners-up last season.

Here’s a brief snapshot of how the Panthers are looking ahead of Round 1: Men Captain: Brett Forsyth Coach: Warren Ayres Ins: Brodie Eccles (Frankston Peninsula), Matt Wilson (Carlton), Aryaman Bhardwaj (Northcote), Visura Fernando (Kingston Hawthorn), Sam Wetering (Springvale South), Adam Wylde (Knox Gardens), Sam

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Newell (Kingston Hawthorn), Andrew Jones (Kingston Hawthorn) Outs: James Nanopoulos (Frankston Peninsula), Jacques Augustin (Frankston Peninsula), Peter Cassidy (Brighton), Comrey Edgeworth (Mentone), Suraj Randiv (Edinburgh), Jack Fowler (Dromana), Ed Newman (St Kilda), Lincoln Edwards (Elsternwick), Dasun Opanayaka (Elsternwick), Zac Grundmann-Perera (Elsternwick), Mirch Forsyth (Springvale South) Women Captain: Nicole Faltum Coach: Andrew Christie Ins: N/A Outs: Maryam Omar (Carlton), Yashoda Senarathne (Box Hill) **Keep your eyes peeled for the Panthers’ in-depth season preview in the week leading up to the first ball of the season.**

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Brett Forsyth will captain Dandenong’s men’s team this season. 225296

Dandenong downs Kilsyth to win fourth title in six years

By Jarrod Potter LOOKING BACK TO 14 SEPTEMBER, 2015..

“I think these girls will go down forever as one of the best SEABL teams and I think they deserve that.”

These were the simple words of a proud Dandenong coach Larissa Anderson after her SEABL juggernauts shone in a 76-63 triumph over Kilsyth, to win their fourth championship in six years.

It was a night to be in green and gold as Dandenong fought off every Kilsyth fight-back - every Rosie Moult (14 points) inspired runon and anything else the visitors could muster.

Amelia Todhunter - who spent 13 weeks on the sidelines earlier this year with a knee injury - displayed her SEABL class, stepping up to the big stage to rattle off 19 points, while constantly creating headaches in the backcourt with long-time guard partner Aimie Clydesdale (12 points).

The Cobras didn’t bow down to Rangers’ pressure though - retiring SEABL great Sarah Parsons (4 points, 16 rebounds) toiled under the ring while Steph Cumming (13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists), and Cassandra Sant (12 points, 7 rebounds) pushed on even as the gap increased.

Kilsyth claimed the lead through the second term - powering to the front off Parsons and Chantella Perera (10 points) - but Dandenong didn’t let it stay that way for long.

Long-time SEABL team mates Todhunter, Clare Papavs (11 points), Alison Downie (8 points) and Faith Probst (3 points, 7 rebounds) ensured Kilsyth had no room to breathe defensively - clamping down to keep the Cobras to 32 after half-time.

Dandenong de-fanged the Cobras’ inside game while powering through its own as the Rangers pulled away in the last term - holding onto a 10-point lead throughout most of the clash.

“I would not choose anyone else to go to war with except these girls,” Anderson said.

“In six years - and really it’s five years as one year I didn’t coach - it’s four out of five with us together.

“I was just a blubbering mess when the siren went - but I don’t know when it will sink it, probably don’t have time to let it sink in, we’re straight into (WNBL) training again on Monday.

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SEABL women’s champions - the Dandenong Rangers - notched their spot in the history books with a fourth title in six years. 144027 Picture: ROB CAREW “Let it sink in tonight (Saturday) and then it’s back to business.”

Todhunter earned her second Barbara Barton Medal as the grand-final MVP and Anderson believed for her to get back on court this season is testament to her fighting spirit.

“She might only be a tiny little thing but her heart is absolutely... whatever, you can fill in the blanks there, but she never stops,” Anderson said.

“She’s so persistent and determined and

Tuesday, 26 October, 2021

professional. “She’s worked her little butt off to get back to this and credit to her and well done, it’s amazing.”

Dandenong farewelled one of its absolute champions - captain and club mainstay Faith Probst - who retired after her 223rd and final SEABL match.

In a fitting end - Probst reeled in one of her textbook, lunging rebounds late in the clash, before powering to the post to earn two free throws - what would turn out to be the last

shots in a storied SEABL career.

“Faith announced that today (Saturday), so we’ve all been very teary and I was a bit worried - do I tell them, do I not tell them - but someone of that calibre deserves to be celebrated, so I sent that out today so they could be warned,” Anderson said.

“We’re going to miss Faith - she’s been an amazing person for the league and for us.”

It was Dandenong’s seventh women’s SEABL championship. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au