EHD Star Journal - 21st December 2021

ENDEAVOUR HILLS HALLAM DOVETON

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Dumped MP says he’s grateful

Bright smiles on Tommy’s Day

Women celebrate respect

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Inland port well on track

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Lifeline for pool

By Cam Lucadou-Wells In what is sure to be a popular backflip, Casey Council has requested a business case to retain Doveton’s historic 50-metre pool.

It came after widespread community uproar against plans to replace the 52-year-old outdoor pool with parkland.

The public had sent a “very, very clear message”, Casey administrator Cameron Boardman told a 14 December council meeting.

Fellow administrator Miguel Belmar successfully moved for a business case for the retention of an outdoor pool with a “year-round accessible” park, including splash play area.

“One issue clear to me is the site is in many respects under-utilised through the year.”

The business case will also explore redeveloping and fencing the outdoor pool, upgrading changerooms and removing the ageing water slides, three smaller pools, Gambetta Room and portable building.

The heritage-listed front building would be retained.

According to a council report, an indoor pool was not feasible in the next 10 years due to the $40 million estimated cost and its proximity to Dandenong Oasis aquatic centre.

Mr Belmar said he was “in no doubt” that “the community has a strong regard and strong belief that a pool is required in Doveton”.

He noted the telling feedback from Doveton College student leaders – who were profoundly in favour of improving the pool.

Administrator chair Noelene Duff said it was now “time to narrow down the options” to “something we can realise and we believe we can deliver”.

The council would also seek funding from state and federal governments to support the project, she said.

In March, furious MPs, community, sports and user groups said they were “blind-sided” by a council officer’s recommendation to replace the outdoor pool with “public open space”.

Casey Council launched a business case to retain Doveton Pool with a year-round accessible park.

The 52-year-old Olympic-size pool is only open on 30-plus degree days. 231126 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS It prompted further community consultation, which emphatically endorsed keeping the pool.

Despite an allegedly “skewed” community survey and draft concept plan that omitted the outdoor pool, 94 per cent of respondents still nominated retaining the pool under ‘other comments’.

There were reported concerns about low swimming competency, local drownings and young people instead using Eumemmerring Creek.

Among the public’s suggestions were full or partial roofing over the pool, improved heating and changerooms and year-round opening, rather than only opening on 30-degree-plus Celsius days.

In 2019, the then-councillors approved $24 million for upgrading Doveton Pool as a high priority.

However according to a council report in March, the outdoor pool was an “over provision of aquatic facilities and services” for a small local population.

There were sufficient “accessible” facilities at Dandenong Oasis, Casey ARC and Noble Park Aquatic College.

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

On 14 December, Mr Boardman said the report had in “no way” considered the “comprehensive sentiment, attachment and quite significant long-standing expectation of the community”.

Armed with a “comprehensive” business case, he was confident Casey would deliver in the “community’s best interest”.

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

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

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

The business case is expected to be presented to council administrators in early 2022. * A win for people power, page 6

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Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

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NEWS

Inland port’s well on track

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Seventeen years in the making, a rail link to a $150 million inland freight terminal in Dandenong South is becoming reality.

Works have started on a $28 million, 862-metre spur rail track branching off the Cranbourne line as part of the Victorian Port Rail Shuttle Network.

It is a key link in delivering up to 840 cargo containers a day between the Port of Melbourne and Salta Properties’ massive freight terminal under construction off Bayliss Road.

This will remove more than 300 truck trips off Monash Freeway and congested local roads each day – or 175,000 trips a year.

Salta will build two 650-metre rail tracks to connect the spur line to its 500,000-square metre terminal and warehousing area.

The terminal will be capable of handling 560,000 containers annually.

Managing and founding director Sam Tarascio has pushed the vision for 17 years, presenting it as an answer to increasing road freight and congestion.

“We had a logistics company at the time.

That’s why we understood it was what the state needed.

“It’s a big project with big benefits in this area.

It will make everything more cost-effective.”.

It would be a “major god-send” for a precinct filling with importers, exporters and major distribution centres such as Amazon, Bunnings and Woolworths.

The rail option would be 20 per cent cheaper than by road, he said.

Salta recently announced a $50 million upgrade to make its $150 million terminal fully automated.

Technology would ensure “optimum efficiency around container tracking, leading to fast turnaround times”, Mr Tarascio said.

Trucks and trains’ cargo will be photographed with high-definition cameras, so to allow them to enter and leave the terminal without stopping.

“Salta is planning for five (return) train trips per day to service stevedores at the Port of Melbourne, and each leg will transport up to 84 import/export containers.”

He paid tribute to the support of Greater Dandenong Council - who “couldn’t have been more cooperative” - and Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams – a “star performer”.

Salta estimates its 185-hectare Nexus Industrial Estate to be worth more than $1 billion over the next three to five years.

Freight and Ports Minister Melissa Horne, who inspected the rail track site on 14 December, said the project was “critical to drive prosperity in the South East”.

“Salta’s vision, partnering with the state government, to deliver this project will transform the South East.

“It will get thousands of trucks off roads,

Dom Carydias, Steve Nounes, Tony Hedley, Melissa Horne, Sam Tarascio, Michael Mongan, Georgina Day, Clarenzo Perna and Praveen Reddy. 262395

The gravel path for the spur line, running parallel to the Cranbourne line, Pictures: CAM LUCADOU-WELLS right. 262395 cement the future of this area as a freight logistics hub and create hundreds of local jobs.”

The spur line, jointly funded by the state and federal governments, is expected to be built by the end of 2023. The Salta rail freight hub is expected to be up and running in 2024.

Its construction is at the same time as the parallel duplication works on the Cranbourne rail line, which will increase metro passenger train frequencies to every 10 minutes.

Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister

Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne with Western Program Alliance and Level Crossing Removal Project representatives. 262395

Barnaby Joyce said the project would capitalise on the existing rail network, support industry and create South East jobs.

“Once complete, the new spur line will build on the strengths of this region as a freight and logistics hub.”

Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said the “highly anticipated upgrade” would generate jobs for workers and suppliers. “(This is) in addition to hundreds of workers already employed on projects such as major upgrades to the Monash Freeway and Cranbourne line.”

Recently, the State Government announced a $125 million Port Rail Transformation Project, including a new rail terminal at Port of Melbourne to connect with Dandenong South by 2023.

By 2050, the Port Rail Shuttle Network is predicted to move 30 per cent of Melbourne containers by rail to terminals in Dandenong South, Altona and Somerton.

The Federal Government invested $18.3 million and the Victorian Government $9.7 million in the spur line project.

Killer’s ‘vicious over-reaction’ a senseless act: Court

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Dandenong man has been jailed after fatally stabbing a 20-year-old Springvale man in central Oakleigh last year.

Lindim Aliti, now 19, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court of Victoria to manslaughter – a downgrading of the original murder charge.

His unarmed victim Thomas Tran was stabbed once in the hip and once in the heart after a brawl between two rival groups of young men on the evening of 29 June 2020.

Mr Tran had given up chasing Aliti’s associates and was walking back to join his friends when Aliti attacked him in a “senseless act of violence”.

It was “hard to fathom why (Aliti) overreacted so viciously to his fear”, Justice Michael Croucher said in sentencing on 13 December.

“While Mr Aliti was frightened and in a state of panic at the time of the stabbing, Mr Tran had given up the chase moments before, was unarmed, was showing no aggression and posed no actual threat to him.

“Horribly, this all ended in an irretrievable tragedy. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

“Within minutes, Mr Tran died where he fell.”

It all started with the trading of “innocuous” and “puerile” middle-finger gestures between three young males.

Within an hour, the males got back-up.

Two groups aged 15-20 years faced off in the car park, with an outnumbered group armed with poles, machete and a knife being chased by their rivals through the streets.

Mr Tran, a “cherished only child”, died while his “adult life was just beginning and was so full of promise”, Justice Croucher said.

His loved ones were “devastated – they still are and always will be”.

It was “heartbreaking” to describe Mr Tran’s mother tending her son’s grave, or Mr Tran’s father putting on his son’s clothes and lying on his son’s bed to feel close to him.

“Yet it must be another thing altogether for his family to live this awful reality.”

Meanwhile, Aliti, “in many ways, still just a boy”, was “marred forever” by the consequences.

At the time, the gifted student and son of

Albanian migrants had been unemployed, smoking dope and playing video games at home.

But he was a “capable young man with a supportive family” with insight, remorse, prior good character and “outstanding” prospects for reform, Justice Croucher said.

“While he has done a terrible thing, he is not a monster.”

Justice Croucher noted Aliti’s “heartless” remark to a friend less than an hour later: “That’s one down now … confirmation.”

It sprung from “immature bravado” rather than “innate nastiness”, the judge said.

Also to his detriment, Aliti fled the scene without offering help, disposed of his clothes and destroyed his SIM card at a Dandenong South shisha lounge and pool hall that evening.

The knife was never found.

Justice Croucher said he “agonised” over the “especially difficult” sentence – balancing the “terrible” act with Aliti’s rehabilitation.

Due to his epilepsy, Aliti was at risk of “poorer seizure control” and “harm” in custody.

“I know that there is nothing this Court can say or do to salve, let alone heal, the grief and pain suffered by Mr Tran’s loved ones.

The sentence I must impose is not a reflection of the worth of his young life.

“I must not impose a sentence that is more severe than that which is necessary to achieve the purposes for which the sentence is imposed.”

Justice Croucher rejected a defence submission for Aliti to be sentenced to a youth justice centre. That would have constrained Aliti’s custody to a “disproportionate” maximum four years.

He jailed Aliti for up to six-and-a-half years in adult prison, including non-parole of three-and-a-half years.

Justice Croucher recommended to the Adult Parole Board for Aliti’s transferral to a youth justice centre “as soon as may reasonably be possible”.

This would better foster Aliti’s rehabilitation, who was “so young, immature, impressionable and likely to be subjected to undesirable influences in adult prison”.

“His ultimate reform is as important to the community as it is to Mr Aliti.”

Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

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NEWS

Lockdowns stall crime

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Covid restrictions have continued to help reduce overall crime in Greater Dandenong and the rest of Victoria, according to Victoria Police.

Recorded offences dropped 14 per cent in Greater Dandenong in the year up to September 2021, according to official crime stats released on 14 December.

The calm was recorded across all suburbs, except for an 80 per cent rise in Dandenong South.

One of the biggest drops was in public health order breaches (down from 1835 offences to 486) – with police enforcement of Covid restrictions peaking last year.

Bike theft, which massively spiked in 2020, was back to 2019 levels.

Also significantly down was car theft (down 21 per cent), theft from cars (20 per cent) and aggravated home burglaries (8 per cent) – which were attributed to people being lockeddown at home.

Bail breaches (44 per cent), dangerous driving (30 per cent), sexual offences (13 per cent) and drug offences (26 per cent) also dropped.

The latter fall was due to licensed and entertainment venues being shut due to Covid restrictions, Victoria Police stated.

On the rise were thefts other than cars, retail and bikes (up 42 per cent) and graffiti (80 per cent).

Paradoxically, home non-aggravated bur-

glaries were also up 11 per cent despite residents spending more time at home during lockdowns. It was still much lower than 2019 levels.

Family violence assaults were steady but comprised more than half of total assaults.

Victoria Police was particularly concerned by breaches of family-violence intervention orders, up 11 per cent to 1758 in Greater Dandenong.

“Heading into the Christmas and New Year period, which is traditionally a worrying time for family violence, Victoria Police is retaining its focus on proactively monitoring and engaging with members of the community who are subject to family violence orders,” it stated.

Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said

the overall drop in crime and victims was “really pleasing” though acknowledging Covid restrictions were a factor.

“As we move into the festive season and head into the new year, every Victoria Police officer will be doing everything in their power to keep the crime rate low and community safe.

“This will be achieved through a number of ongoing state-wide and local operations to detect and deter crime before it can occur, monitor known persons of interest before they offend, and bring those who commit crimes before the courts.”

Dep Comm Nugent reminded drivers to travel safely and holidayers to secure their property from would-be thieves.

Corruption reforms sought

By Cam Lucadou-Wells IBAC and the Victorian Ombudsman have written to Victorian political party leaders for recommendations on how to stop MPs’ alleged misuse of public funds.

The watchdog authorities jointly stated they will recommend law reforms to strengthen Parliamentary accountability, particularly for breaches of MPs’ code of conduct.

At the recent IBAC Operation Watts hearings, it was alleged some Victorian MPs were directing taxpayer-funded electorate officers and ministerial advisers to do party-political work during work hours.

Among the people of interest were SouthEast based MPs and former ALP factional allies Adem Somyurek and Anthony Byrne.

State Ombudsman Deborah Glass said

despite a package of reforms by Parliament after her ‘Red Shirts’ report in 2018, the existing laws and rules were “not robust enough” to prevent the misuse of public resources.

The inquiry heard that Parliament deliberately omitted reference to “party specific” work during the reforms.

IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich said “much of the evidence heard at the public hearings spoke about how taxpayer funds were directed to ministerial and electorate office staff to perform party-political during work hours, rather than the job they were hired to do in performing ministerial or electorate work”.

IBAC and the VO are also “seeking clarity” on the MPs’ appointment process of electoral and ministerial staff, and whether the staffing allocation and electorate office budgets

IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich at the Operation Watts hearings in October. should be reduced.

The Operation Watts joint investigation by IBAC and the VO is ongoing, though public

hearings have ended.

The report is expected to be released in 2022.

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Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

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NEWS

An exchange of fortunes

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Sri Samy. 195119

Comestic aid for refugee group’s truck quest

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Springvale not-for-profit Friends of Refugees has received a Christmas boost from a skin care company.

DECIEM is pledging towards FoR’s quest for a reliable, brand-new truck to deliver food and furniture to South East refugee and asylum-seeker families.

So far, FoR has raised $64,000 in private donations and a Fareshare grant to replace its current worn-out second-hand vehicle.

The cosmetics company is donating 8 per cent of its sale profits between 11-24 December to the cause.

An “excited” and “grateful” FoR chief executive Sri Samy said the truck was needed to help feed and furnish homes for up to 6000 refugees from Afghanistan in 2022.

“We all need to work together to create

real social change and it’s great to connect with companies like DECIEM who share our values.”

DECIEM chief executive Cheryl Poon was proud to support FoR’s “meaningful work” as part of a We’re All Good campaign.

“If the last year has taught us anything, it is that the world has changed so much.

“Many things have not gone to plan. But we also know how many good things have happened.”

With more than 100 volunteers, Friends of Refugees has provided food and material aid to more than 220 families a week at the height of the Covid pandemic.

It also holds literacy and education classes, work-related training and friendship outreach.

Details: givenow.com.au/foodaidtransport

The manager of a Dandenong international money exchange has faced court for defrauding hundreds of thousands of dollars from customers to pay off debts.

Saranya Mahendran, 33, of Pendle Hill in Sydney NSW, had stolen $307,365 from 46 purported money transfers at EMS International in 2017.

She pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to gaining financial advantage by deception, and creating false documents to prejudice another.

Mahendran used various methods to ward off her victims’ enquiries, including sending three false emails purporting to be from Bank West.

All the while, she was paying off debts and trying to preserve her failing business’s value, in order to sell it off.

Her scamming started in order to pay off $449,800 debts from money transfers that went missing overseas in 2016.

One of her victims lost $60,000, which he sought to assist his mother and critically sick father to move to Colombo, Sri Lanka for better health services.

It represented eight years of savings. As a result of the loss, he subsequently suffered great financial strain by taking out a loan to support his parents.

Another victim entrusted $120,000 to support his disabled brother-in-law and ailing mother in Sri Lanka.

In both cases, Mahendran stalled them with fake emails from Bank West requesting more

details in order to release their funds.

She would also delay victims with excuses such as their money being frozen, or was held by the bank or that the money would arrive the next day, Mahendran’s now-separated husband was a director of EMS International’s parent company - which liquidated in November 2017.

At one stage, her victims visited the EMS shopfront in Pultney Street only to find it was permanently closed.

Sentencing judge Gabriele Cannon said on 13 December that Mahendran failed to take proper responsibility after sustaining the alleged original debt.

She instead stole “substantial” money from customers to keep the company afloat while the business was failing, Judge Cannon said.

“The impact on them and those they were to support has been significant.”

In mitigation, it was a case of her “robbing Peter to pay Paul”.

Mahendran had not been funding a lavish lifestyle, not been motivated by greed and had tried to set up a legitimate business.

Her “very good” rehabilitation prospects were shown by her early guilty plea, remorse and insight.

Judge Cannon also noted Mahendran was awaiting surgery for severe endometriosis. She was recently diagnosed with major depression.

“I can’t see the utility of imposing a jail term on you.”

Mahendran was put on a three-year community corrections order requiring her to stay in Victoria, including 150 hours of unpaid work as well as mental health treatment.

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A Mulgrave man has been charged after police allegedly seized a commercial quantity of ice hidden in a toilet cistern.

After a one-month investigation, Victoria Police made the discovery while raiding a premises in Hansworth Street, Mulgrave on Wednesday 15 December.

The officers also allegedly seized $171,600 and prohibited weapons including a samurai sword, extendable baton, two tasers and a knife.

Detective Sergeant Wesley Bryant of Box Hill Divisional Crime Team said police removed a commercial quantity of drugs from reaching the streets as well as a “bevy of dangerous and illegal weapons”.

“We know illicit drugs cause a devastating

ripple effect throughout the entire community - with drug-fuelled violence, burglaries and thefts committed to support an addiction, drug-related road trauma, family violence and sexual assaults.

“Police will leave no stone unturned when it comes to weeding out drug traffickers – community safety is our number one priority and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure is the entire community is safe.”

The 48-year-old man was charged with commercial trafficking, drug possession, proceeds of crime, weapons and ammunition offences, breaching a firearm prohibition order and committing an indictable offence on bail.

He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 21 December.

Rescue from water tank

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A man has been rescued from a water tank after fleeing from police in Springvale.

Police say they were originally called to a reportedly substance-affected man at a toilet in Springvale Reserve about 11am on Wednesday 15 December.

While police tried to speak with the man, he allegedly produced a syringe and grabbed a metal racket. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

“Police deployed OC spray in an effort to arrest the man but he fled on foot,” a spokesperson said.

The man climbed into a water tank at a nearby factory area in Parsons Avenue.

He refused to come out for some time.

When he eventually complied, police rescued him from the tank, the spokesperson said.

He was taken to hospital for observation.

The investigation is ongoing, police say.

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Man charged over big ‘ice’ stash in the toilet

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Healthy marriage leads to healthy nation: Author

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Marriage celebrant and life coach Suresh Chandra says marriage is not his profession but his passion.

Mr Chandra, 75, of Endeavour Hills, has released a book ‘Are You Interested in Marriage and Family?’ out of his belief in the “marriage institution”.

“I believe a happy marriage adds value to the family, community and is an asset to a country.

“It is this belief in the marriage institution that I have written this book and hope it will add value to people’s lives.”

Mr Chandra, who’s been married to his wife for 52 years, has conducted more than 800 marriages.

As a Justice of the Peace, he’s also signed affadavits for couples seeking divorce.

There’s a lack of education about how to live a marriage, he says.

“I was completely awed that most young people today have no idea of day to day married life.

“Young couples with beautiful families which could be an asset to the country being torn apart by divorce.”

His book states what to look for in a prospective partner, how to use your words, how to respect each other and the importance of family.

“No one, neither priests, parents or teachers talk or discuss this very important subject and reality of marriage.”

Chandra wrote his book during Covid lockdown – a stressful time that broke many families.

“It was a shocking thing to be locked up

Doveton Eumemmering Township Association chair Sean Balfour, front, with residents soon after Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Casey proposed Doveton Pool’s demolition in March. 231126

Power of the people

Suresh Chandra with his guide to a healthy marriage.

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

in the house because we’re outdoor people.

You could see things triggered by it.

“As a human, there’s no answer to it – you have to cop it.”

There are values that partners must live by, he says. Such as, to look after and cherish one another in good times and bad.

“Their children look at how the mother and father respect each other.”

‘Are You Interested in Marriage and Family?’ is available on Amazon, Booktopia, bookshops as well as www.sureshchandramarriagecelebrant.com

It’s hard to argue against 94 per cent.

That was the overwhelming size of community-survey opposition after Casey Council tabled the demolition of the historic 50-metre Doveton outdoor pool in March.

The “clear message” was heeded by Casey’s three administrators, who voted to pursue a business case to keep the pool with a yearround accessible park on 14 December.

Doveton Eumemmerring Township Association chair Sean Balfour watched the council vote from a near-empty public gallery.

“I was elated but there was no one to celebrate with. Still, it was pretty good.”

DETA organised heavily-supported petitions to save Doveton pool, with schools, sports clubs and traders joining the grassroots campaign.

“We’re winning,” Mr Balfour said.

“We’ve got to hope the business model gets us across the line.”

Another vocal campaigner was Greg Pargeter, son of the late former Berwick Shire mayor Syd Pargeter who led the creation of the pool 52 years ago.

He described the council’s back-flip as a “Christmas miracle”.

“It’s a significant win. The people have spoken.”

Doveton, being among the most disadvantaged Melbourne suburbs, could not afford to lose its pool, Mr Pargeter said.

“To take away a source of community pride would have just ripped the heart out of the Doveton community.

“It’s a phenomenon around the country at the moment with local governments trying to divest themselves of recurrent expenses.

“But they have to look at the intangible out-

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Second go at life

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

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Twanny Farrugia has made it his mission to

Pictures: HAS MEDIA

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

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

City’s top citizen

complex grieving process for donors’ families.

“Out of one person, you have seven trans-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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comes that you can’t really put a dollar value on.

“Like community connectedness and engagement, and driving lower crime figures.”

Doveton was a popular training pool for Casey Sharks swimming club and a triathlete group, Mr Pargeter said.

And increasingly vital for recreational and sporting swimmers as Casey’s population reaches an expected 500,000 in the next 20 years.

Mr Pargeter called for the immediate scrapping of the pool’s ’30-degree rule’ – in which it only opens in summer on 30-plus degree Celsius days.

“It would create certainty for when the pool would open – this would provide job certainty and greater usage of the pool.

“The pool is actually heated. They just need to dial it up a bit.”

With state and federal elections in the next 12 months, it was time for Casey to secure funding for the project, he said.

“We’ve seen the federal support for Dandenong Oasis, and Casey has heavily invested in Casey ARC and Casey RACE – it’s now the turn for Doveton pool.”

Bruce MP Julian Hill had sharply criticised the council’s original plan to “kill” Doveton pool “with no community consultation”.

“It’s thanks to the community that Council is now looking seriously at retaining the 50 metre outdoor pool,” he said in response to the pool’s reprieve.

“If Council decides to save the pool I will certainly fight for a federal funding contribution.”

Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said it was “positive to see that Council listened to community feedback”.

“I look forward to seeing the outcomes of Council’s next stage of planning.”

Palm Plaza pop-up Covid vaccination clinic will be closed from Sunday 19 December.

The clinic will be re-opened in early January at a nearby location, a Monash Health spokesperson said.

“The new Dandenong pop-up clinic site will continue to support the high-demand for Covid-19 vaccinations, including boosters.”

Sandown and Cranbourne vaccination clinics will also be shut over the Christmas period from 24 December. They re-open 9am on 4 January. At the same time, the State Government has urged people to join a pre-Christmas booster shot blitz at Sandown and other state vaccination hubs.

The Palm Plaza walk-up marquee was opened by Monash Health in late September in response to concerns about rising Covid cases and lagging vax rates in Greater Dandenong. At the time, just over 30 per cent of eligible Greater Dandenong residents and 34 per cent of Casey residents were fully vaccinated. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Dumped MP says he’s ‘grateful’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Labor MP Luke Donnellan says he will possibly stay in Parliament for the remainder of his term after being sensationally ousted from his Narre Warren North seat ahead of the 2022 state election.

“I’ve been very fortunate and lucky to represent the community for 20 years. And I’ve had the support of the community for 20 years.

“The lasting memory I’ll always have is the people and the care they showed one another.

“The party has made its decision. I don’t necessarily agree with the decision – but that’s life.”

As part of a ‘clean out’ of seven Labor MPs, Mr Donnellan was defeated by Belinda Wilson in a preselection contest decided by the ALP national executive on 13 December.

Former factional allies and Ministers Marlene Kairouz and Robin Scott were also disendorsed.

Local branch members were excluded from the vote due to a branch-stacking scandal currently being investigated by IBAC. The same inquiry exposed Mr Donnellan’s role in a Labor branch-stacking operation in the South East – which led to him resigning as Child Protection, Disability, Ageing and Carers Minister in October.

He and ‘Moderate Labor’ factional allies Adem Somyurek and federal Holt MP Anthony Byrne admitted paying for other people’s party memberships and membership renewals, contrary to party rules.

An MP for the seat since 2002, Mr Donnellan spent the past seven years on the Govern-

Disendorsed MP Luke Donnellan says he’s grateful for the opportunity to represent Narre Warren North for the past 20 years. ment’s front bench.

He had recently expressed confidence he’d hang on to the seat again.

“Maybe my assessment was incorrect,“ he told Star News after his shock disendorsement.

“I’ve been there for 20 years so I can’t complain. Much of my life has been spent serving the community of Narre Warren North and I’m terribly proud and privileged.

Fireworks will be launched to celebrate the New Year in Dandenong. 202393 Picture: ROB CAREW

“Ninety-nine per cent of the time, it has been incredibly enjoyable. I’ve been able to watch the area grow and pursue my interests along the way.

“I certainly did not expect to have that opportunity for 20 years.”

His personal highlights were the “marvellous people I’ve met” in Government and Narre Warren North, such as Doveton Special Soccer School head Juan Carlos Loyola.

He thanked his staff and family for their “great support” over two decades.

As a Minister, he was proud of his reforms in child protection, early intervention and child support.

He also nominated the “enormous amount of infrastructure” initiated as Roads and Ports Minister from 2014-‘18.

Mr Donnellan wouldn’t be drawn on how many other Labor MPs would be guilty of the same party breaches.

“I’m not Robinson Crusoe but that’s life.

“I didn’t think it was appropriate - as I indicated at the time - to be Minister if I breached the rules.

“I’ll leave it to others to make their own decisions.”

Over the next 12 months, Mr Donnellan said he’d “keep doing the work I’ve done” as a Narre Warren North back-bencher.

“I plan to continue on until November (2022) - well, as certain as I can be at this stage.

“I don’t know where I’ll go next. I’ve got interests in transport, possibly one of those areas.

“I’ve got ample time to think about it.”

New Years’ fireworks return New Years’ Eve fireworks are returning in a blaze of glory to Dandenong.

The fireworks explode at 9pm on 31 December at Dandenong Park.

In the lead-up there will be light music and roving performers, with a fireworks countdown conducted on the Stan Prior Stage.

Spectators are invited to bring their own picnic or graze from food stalls. Alcohol is not permitted.

Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti said the family-friendly event traditionally attracted thousands.

“So I’m glad we’re hosting it again.”

He said it follows the council spending $210,000 on lavish Christmas decorations, including a giant Christmas tree in Springvale.

The free event runs from 7.30pm9.15pm on Friday 31 December at Dandenong Park, Lonsdale Street, Dandenong.

SEASON

Tuesday 21 December:

7am – 4pm

Wednesday 22 December:

7am – 4pm

Thursday 23 December:

7am – 4pm

Friday 24 December:

7am until SOLD OUT

Saturday 25 December:

CLOSED

Sunday 26 December:

CLOSED

Tuesday 28 Dec (public holiday):

7am – 4pm

Friday 31 December:

7am – 4pm

Saturday 1 January: Sunday 2 January:

The Mayor, Councillors, Management and Staff of the City of Greater Dandenong wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy 2022.

CLOSED Council buildings and facilities will be closed on the main public holidays. We look forward to welcoming you back in the New Year.

9am – 4pm

Arrive early & avoid the queues this festive season

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Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 7

NEWS

Big smiles at Tommy’s Day

By Cam Lucadou-Wells The sun and more than 1000 fun-lovers were out for the ‘Tommy’s Day’ spectacular.

Ten-year-old Tommy Hood met his heroes from Victoria Police, fire-fighting crews as well as St Kilda AFL star Jack Steele at the fundraiser in his name at Melbourne Cable Park on Saturday 11 December.

More than $14,000 was raised for the keen and skilful wakeboarder, who faces months of long, gruelling therapy for T-cell lymphoma.

It will help support him and his single mother Le-Anne Hood, who lost her admin job while caring for her son full-time.

The Tommy’s Day extravaganza included live music, an outdoor movie and aqua park, wakeboarding, high ropes activities, silent auction and police helicopter fly-overs.

It was a “great buzz” for Tommy, who was soon due back in hospital for another twoweek stint of chemo, Ms Hood said.

“I expected he’d only last two hours but he lasted until 6.30pm.

“He was just so happy to be with all his friends – he hadn’t seen them for months and months.”

Some of the highlights included Steele presenting Tommy with a player-signed St Kilda Football Club jumper, and Tommy blaring the sirens in a police car.

Rip Curl executive Nichol Wylie drove from Torquay to present some free towels, hats, Tshirt, lunch box and other goodies.

Family friend Danny Innes raised money while running the Melbourne half-marathon on 12 December.

Greater Dandenong councillor Lana Formoso attended with her family, praising the “huge turnout” for Tommy’s cause.

Meanwhile, Tommy’s treatment regime may extend several years. Ms Hood was hopeful he’ll be back at school by April but “everything is so much an unknown”.

“We can have a good phase and next thing he might get an infection or other complications and be back in hospital.”

A Go Fund Me page ‘Tommy Hood’s Fight’ is at https://www.gofundme.com/f/tommyhoods-fight

Tommy Hood, front centre, with his mum Le-Anne, and brother George, front left, Kobie, Charlie, Hayden and Charli. 261824

Le-Anne Hood, front centre, with participants Asher, Cooper, Massimo, and Melbourne Cable Park staff Ian, Todd, Jerzie and Tom ahead of a silent auction. 261824

Tommy Hood prepares for wake-boarding at his fund-raiser ‘Tommy’s Pictures: ROB CAREW Day’. 261824

Victoria Police Senior Constable Caroll Runnalls shows Tommy how to operate a police vehicle. 261824

St Kilda footballer Jack Steele and Tommy Hood.

Tommy Hood, right, and brother George. 261824

Wakeboarding buddies Cale Mills, Hayden Smith, Caitlyn Smith and Tommy Hood.

Danny Innes, who raised money for Tommy while running the Melbourne half-marathon on 12 December.

Tommy Hood meets a local fire-fighter who brought along fire trucks for the day.

Rip Curl executive Nichol Wylie presents gifts to Tommy Hood.

Tommy Hood with AFL star Jack Steele.

8 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

Tommy Hood and brother George learn how to operate police sirens and lights.

Tommy Hood, in his signed St Kilda jumper, tries out a Channel Nine News camera. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

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‘Respect is ... Celebrating Women’ attendees. 259275

The Well Singers choristers Phillipa, Moira, Helen, Heather-Mae and Charni. 259275

Women celebrate respect Human Rights Day was celebrated with gusto at an entertaining food and music event at Wellsprings for Women.

The ‘Respect is … Celebrating Women’ afternoon on Friday 10 December was the first face-to-face event at the Dandenong centre since the latest hard lockdown.

Wellsprings Women’s Choir, an African dance workshop, a coffee ceremony, graphic recordist Cat Drysdale and a Cultural Cuisines-catered dinner were part of the packed program.

It coincided with the culmination of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Greater Dandenong deputy mayor Eden Foster told a council meeting on 13 December said the “uplifting“ event demonstrated the “benefits of empowering women“.

Among the participants, “you feel the warmth, the energy and community spirit,“ Cr Foster said.

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‘Celebrating Women’ was the theme of an entertaining event at Wellsprings for Women in Dandenong. 259275

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Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

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NEWS

Hub set for re-design

By Cam Lucadou-Wells The proposed Dandenong Community Hub has gone back to the drawing board after criticism of its double-storeyed design.

Armed with a 238-signature petition, Dandenong Community Association took aim at the plans for children’s services and playgrounds on the top floor.

It also called for the expansion of the groundfloor community playground into vacant council-owned land to the north of the site.

“Everyone we spoke to was appalled that Council would consider building a secondrate facility that has children’s playgrounds on balconies,” DCA spokesperson Silvia Mastrogiovanni recently said.

The hub’s current footprint, bounded by Clow and Stuart streets and Sleeth Avenue, was endorsed by Greater Dandenong councillors on 13 September.

Mayor Jim Memeti said the council requested architects to create an alternative one-storey design following the petition’s tabling on 29 November.

It would include all of the same services of the current concept, but require a “much bigger” footprint, Cr Memeti said.

“We haven’t made a decision yet. We want to make sure we explore all the options.

“Silvia (Mastrogiovanni) and the Dandenong Community Association think it’s great that we’re looking at another option. They were happy.”

The concept and business case had been planned to be finalised by December 2021.

Cr Memeti said the delay would not impact on the expected completion of the hub, with works due to start in 2023-’24.

Silvia Mastrogiavanni with families at the site of the proposed Dandenong Community Hub. 242731 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS According to Greater Dandenong Council’s concept plans, the two-storey Dandenong Community Hub would provide early childhood services, maternal and child health services as well as two outdoor playgrounds on the first floor.

The ground floor includes an outdoor community space and playground as well as community and youth lounges, makers spaces, active studio and community kitchen.

Community services director Martin Fidler recently said that a multi-storey building was required to “incorporate all aspirations and needs” on the endorsed site.

“Children’s services such as kindergarten and childcare have been placed on the first floor in order to ensure adequate security and access control is provided alongside the publicly accessible facilities on the ground floor.

“There are many examples of high quality and best practice childcare and kindergarten facilities that have been developed on multilevel buildings in Melbourne across Victoria and around the world.”

He told a 13 December council meeting that “additional work was being undertaken to address councillors’ questions and queries prior to a final endorsement”.

Dandenong West mural sparks street joy

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A bright, fun mural by school students is another step to transforming a troubled Dandenong West shopping strip.

Dandenong West Primary School students, who worked with well-known illustrator Bec Orpin, unveiled their funky public art at 102 Hemmings Street on Thursday 16 December.

The art with a message ‘Nourish Creativity And It Grows’ is part of the council’s Hemmings Street upgrade project.

It was co-funded by the Federal Government.

Mayor Jim Memeti said the mural responded to a 2019 community survey’s findings.

“An overwhelming response supported engaging the local community in the artmaking process as well as bold abstract colours and designs and integration with gardens and landscaping.

Dandenong West Primary students, councillor Angela Long, mayor Jim Memeti, Bruce MP Julian Hill and artist Beci Orpen unveil the Hemmings Street mural.

Picture: HILTON STONE “Council sought the expertise of wellknown illustrator Beci Orpin, who developed a co-design process to transform the artworks of local students from Dandenong West Primary

School into world-quality public art; the result speaks for itself.”

The collaboration prospered despite Covid restrictions.

Select students were hand delivered craft supplies and tasked with creating kooky pet rocks and pebble creatures.

The works were photographed and sent to Orpin, who made them into the mural totems and sculptural pieces.

The council is seeking to improve the street’s amenity and appearance between Jones Road and Purdy Avenue.

This year, Greater Dandenong unveiled a draft action plan to tackle crime and anti-social behavioural issues in the Dandenong West precinct.

It includes extra CCTV cameras, an electronic message board, better street lighting, streetscaping, syringe disposal bins and three community “space activation” events.

Facebook users believe in newspapers More than half of people who do not read local newspapers believe they are essential to their communities, a national survey has found.

Findings from the survey show that 64.5 per cent of respondents consider a printed copy of a local newspaper an essential service to their communities. Further, 48 per cent, or just under half, state that if they ever did read a local newspaper, they prefer to do so in print, compared with online (33 per cent) or via social media (13 per cent).

The survey, conducted in July and August this year, sought the views of 400 Facebook users, who do not read a local newspaper, about the role of local news within their communities.

The research targeted participants in areas that were being served by independent local newspapers within the Country Press Australia (CPA) network.

The findings come as many local newspapers have struggled to survive during the pandemic.

Deakin University Associate Professor Kristy Hess, who is leading the research, said the Facebook survey supported findings from a previous national study of local newspaper readers, her team conducted last year, highdandenong.starcommunity.com.au

lighting a passion for the printed product.

“The fact that social media users examined here (in the latest survey) also indicate a preference for print is perhaps especially profound,” she said.

Cost and accessibility were the key reasons these Facebook users did not engage with a local newspaper in print or digital format, said Dr Hess.

“Many participants highlighted that the absence of a home-delivery service or easy way to access the paper created an impediment to accessing the physical copy. They also indicated that they resisted paying for local news and would engage if it were free.

“This resonates with findings from our first survey of newspaper readers – that is, the existence of a culture of ’free’ where people believe local news content should be readily available without cost to audiences.”

Bruce Morgan, Executive Director, for CPA, said the survey results were not surprising and reinforced the mood of many regional communities.

“It is not just about the survival of local independent (newspaper) businesses, but that it

is fundamental to community well-being, and to basic democratic notions of accountability within those communities,” he said.

“Issues around accessibility and cost are also not surprising and reflect swings in community expectation in recent generations.

Most independent publishers are adapting to that, having learned from the mistakes of the big corporate players who are now deserting the regions.”

Both surveys are part of a national threeyear Australian Research Council-funded project involving researchers from Deakin and RMIT universities, with support from Country Press Australia, the peak media body for independent news organisations. The project is about to enter its third year.

Associate Professor Hess said the voices and perspectives of everyday people were often missing in policy discussion about the future of local media.

Almost 30 per cent of Australia’s population, close to 8 million people, live outside major cities in rural and regional areas, and are lesswell serviced than their urban counterparts.

A copy of the survey report can be found here: www.localnewsinnovation.org

Cr Lana Formoso successfully moved for Greater Dandenong to scrap hard-copy meeting agendas and minutes.

Council meetings paperless

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Paper agendas and minutes will be phased out from Greater Dandenong council meetings.

Councillor Lana Formoso, who introduced the motion, said Greater Dandenong was one of few councils still using hard-copy agendas.

“This is a very important (notice of motion) for our environment, for our members of the community, for our children.”

The council estimates the simple change to electronic-only copies by 30 June 2022 will save $33,000 a year.

This will be initially offset by the costs of existing machinery leases, new equipment and possibly software.

In Cr Formoso’s preamble to the motion, she stated that the agendas were “significantly large documents”.

“The printing of them not only takes up significant time and resources, it also uses a vast amount of paper when in fact, we can all use electronic devices and tools as an alternative.

“The courier delivery of these documents every week to Councillors is also a significant cost to Council.”

Cr Sean O’Reilly said the change was analogous to the shift to remote meetings during Covid lockdowns.

“We would have thought it was impossible but we did what needed to be done when it was needed.”

Meeting agendas and council documents had at times filled half of his household’s recycling bin, Cr O’Reilly said.

“It didn’t make sense.

“Think of the number of trees used to generate the paper that we use when there are so many other technologies available.”

The move might also lead to other benefits such as greater online collaboration.

Cr Rhonda Garad listed three benefits – saving money, saving trees and greater data security.

The meeting agendas will continue to be found on the council’s website and accessible in electronic format at its libraries.

A hard-copy agenda summary on recycled paper will still be available for members of the public at council meetings.

Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 13

LOOKING BACK

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

50 years ago 20 December 1971 Traders don’t want meters in Dandenong The Dandenong Chamber of Commerce and industry and local traders are against the introduction of parking meters in Dandenong.

In a survey taken by the Journal on Thursday following the raising of the controversial subject by Cr Ian Fotherringham at Dandenong City council’s meeting on Monday night the traders interviewed were all against meters.

Mr Len Thompson president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: “The chamber is opposed to parking meters. Members’ main reason is they feel meters drive people

away to other centres if they have to pay to park their cars in Dandenong.”

20 years ago 17 December 2001 Springvale Football Club intends meeting AFL Club Hawthorn and the developers of Waverley Park to discuss the possibility of playing at the heritage–listed ground next season. Under conditions for the $16 billion housing development for Waverley announced last week, the ground and six bays of the grandstand that Hawthorn will use as its headquarters will be retained. The Hawks will use the ground which was retained under heritage conditions placed on the 80.37ha

site for training. Springvale resident John Sharkie said while it appeared hopes of playing AFL games at Waverley, which was the Scorpions’ home ground in 2000, were remote, he would meet Hawthorn to discuss the possibilities of playing there as soon as possible.

5 years ago 19 December 2016 In Tight Corner Cornerstone has helped countless homeless and desperate people in Dandenong and now finds itself without a home. The Journal first learned of the situation on 25 November but met a plea from new Cornerstone CEO Ste-

phen Barrington to hold off on breaking the news until he’s personally delivered it to the Cornerstone family because it was likely to trigger anxiety in many service users. He did so on Wednesday 14 December. Mr Barington said the Rado family members had provided the site rent free for 25 years and praised their generosity. Cornerstone Contact Centre was established in 1991 and is a safe haven for disadvantaged people of all ages and backgrounds. It offers a drop-in facility and free meals for those suffering from family violence, drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness, poverty, mental illness, and social isolation. “We’re not finished yet!” Mr Barrington said.

NEWS

Christmas timing perfect

By Reverend Father Jean Mawal* He came at the right time, and at the right time He came.

Having just come out of what felt like a lifetime of lockdowns, finally, we get to celebrate the most joyous time of year, the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Christmas, as we have always wished and planned.

It is so joyous to hear elf radio playing in the car, streets decorated with nativity scenes, tinsel and Santa, and the illuminous lights brightening up the dark skies across the front of people’s houses shining through their windows adorning the Christmas trees, planning our family gatherings and gift buying at an all-time high.

He came at the right time, and at the right time He came.

In every year that we have had the opportunity to celebrate this feast, we are reminded and have been reminded for over 2000 years, that He came at the right time.

MESSAGE OF

HOPE Our daily struggles, our pains, our weaknesses, issues in our families and communities, political problems and a world never perfected is something that has always been.

Every year the birth of Jesus is a reminder of why He came and how He lived.

His birth so humble, yet so cosmic.

Gifts presented in the cave yet fit for a king.

Simple shepherds give praise yet joining an angelic choir, a tyrant and army threatened by The Child’s presence, yet unable to silence Him. He lived serving the other and paid the ulti-

mate price to save the other.

His message was simple yet everlasting.

His message was His way of life, to love, unconditionally, without expecting in return, without discrimination, and selflessly, because love never fails.

In the joys of this blessed festal period, let us be reminded of the message and hope that love brings. Not just for those who love us or our family and friends, the love that Jesus taught extended even as far as our enemies.

We hope that this Christmas every soul can feel the joy of love.

He came at the right time, and at the right time He came. * Reverend Father Jean Mawal is from St Paul’s Antiochian Orthodox Church and Dandenong Interfaith Network president.

Reverend Father Jean Mawal. 253264 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

To all our valued clients and friends, Thank you for your support throughout 2021 We look forward to celebrating future success for many more years to come.

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fine food

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Photos te your stor ll ies

Wyndham to enter an residents are being invited which aims amateur photo comp to showcase etitio together how local n durin s came Non-profi g the COVID-19 for Australast group, Bridge Buildpandemic.

Wyndham ia (BBFA), is runn ers ing the Stronger 2020 & Beyond, You, Together Me, comp

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31. es close Details: wixsite.co https://bbfaustralas m/mysite Australas , Bridge ia.

Builders ia for wyndham@ on Facebook or email bbfa gmail.com .

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• Dandenong Coles Express 61-65 Cheltenham Road • Dandenong United Service Station (Pie Face) 100 Cheltenham Road • Dandenong Dandy Mart 17 Cleeland Street • Dandenong Dandenong Market 40 Cleeland Street • Dandenong Dandenong RSL 44-50 Clow Street • Dandenong India Bazaar 77 Foster Street • Dandenong Dandenong Oasis Heatherton Road & Cleeland Street • Dandenong Dandenong IGA 78-84 Hemmings Street • Dandenong Dandenong Neighbourhood House 34 King Street • Dandenong Well Springs for Women 79 Langhorne Street • Dandenong Remax Real Estate Shop 14, 30-32 Langhorne Street • Dandenong Bestway Supermarket 200-208 Lonsdale Street • Dandenong City of Greater Dandenong 225 Lonsdale Street • Dandenong Creston Real Estate 264 Lonsdale Street • Dandenong Hall & Partners First National 254 Lonsdale Street • Dandenong Drum Theatre Lonsdale Street & Walker Street • Dandenong Dandenong Plaza 23-55 McCrae Street • Dandenong Coles Supermarket 23-55 McCrae Street (Dandenong Plaza) • Dandenong Rockyz Mini Mart 10 Princes Highway • Dandenong LH Fresh Supermarket 169 Princes Highway • Dandenong Caltex Dandenong 154-156 Princes Highway • Dandenong Coles Supermarket Dandenong 23-26 Princes Highway • Dandenong Genesis Fitness Club Dandenong 63 Scott Street • Dandenong Valley Village Mews 112 Stud Road • Dandenong Dandenong Basketball Stadium 270 Stud Road • Dandenong Caltex Star Mart Stud Road & Heatherton Road • Dandenong Dandenong Lotto 308 Thomas Street • Dandenong Gulistan Supermarket 187-189 Thomas Street • Dandenong Quest Hotel 2-Oct Walker Street • Dandenong McLennan Real Estate First floor, 126 Walker Street • Dandenong North Foodworks Dandenong North 42-44 Brady Road

• Dandenong North Dunearn Pharmacy 11a Dunearn Road • Dandenong North Coles Express 166 Heatherton Road & Stud Road • Dandenong North BP Service Station Heatherton Road & Stud Road • Dandenong North Dandenong North Senior Citizens Club 41a Latham Crescent • Dandenong North FoodWorks Menzies Cellars 52 Menzies Avenue • Dandenong North Menzies Milkbar 64 Menzies Avenue • Dandenong North IGA Friendly 54 Outlook drive • Dandenong North Liberty Fuel 182 Stud Road • Dandenong South Georges Lunch Box 22a Amberley Crescent • Dandenong South BP Service Station 175-187 Greens Road • Dandenong South Lunchmaster 3/491 Hammond Road • Dandenong South Kirkham Road Milk Bar 102 Kirkham Road • Dandenong South Woolworths Supermarket 81-125 Princes Highway • Dandenong South Shell Service Station 50 South Gippsland Highway • Dandenong South United Petroleum 314 South Gippsland Highway • Dandenong South Caltex Service Station 275-295 South Gippsland Highway • Dingley Village Dingley Village Newsagency Shop 2/79 Centre Dandenong Road • Doveton Doveton News and Lotto 7 Autumn Place • Doveton Platinum Realty - Doveton 27 Autumn Place • Doveton Bottle O 2-Apr Linden Place • Doveton Shell Service Station 48 Princes Highway • Endeavour Hills Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre Cnr Heatherton Road & Matthews Flinders Avenue • Endeavour Hills Woolworths Service Station Cnr Heatherton Road & Matthews Flinders Avenue (Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre) • Endeavour Hills O’Brien Real Estate Shop PS 5A Cnr Heatherton Road & Matthews Flinders Avenue (Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre) • Endeavour Hills Coles Supermarket Cnr Heatherton Road & Matthew Flinders Avenue (Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre • Endeavour Hills Woolworths Supermarket Cnr Heatherton Road & Matthew Flinders Avenue (Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre • Endeavour Hills 7 Eleven Endeavour Hills Cnr Heatherton Road & Power Road • Endeavour Hills Endeavour Hills Milk Bar 13 Gleneagles Drive • Endeavour Hills Endeavour Hills Medical Centre 61 Heatherton Road • Endeavour Hills Liberty Service Station 13-17

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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STAR JOURNAL 15

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16 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Graham, Faye, Sergeant Ray de Reus, Garry and Carol.

Santa and Romy the Christmas Elf with Senior Constable Timothy Howell and Acting Senior Sergeant Paula Linford. 260283

Acting Senior Sergeant Paula Linford and Lorraine at Coffee with a Cop.

Santa cops a cuppa Coffee with a Cop returned with a Christmas flavour at Armada Dandenong Plaza.

Victoria Police members were joined by members of the public – as well as Santa – to discuss issues and queries over a free cuppa from Muffin Break.

The event has been a regular event since 2016.

“Our Coffee with a Cop events have been well received by customers and retailers, in particular young families and senior members of the community,” plaza centre manager Anne Johnson said.

Santa with Acting Senior Sergeant Paula Linford. 260283

Trades & Services

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Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 17

SPORT

Panthers back on track

By Nick Creely Showcasing the grit and determination that Dandenong has become synonymous with, the Panthers’ season is well and truly back on track.

The Panthers haven’t been the underdogs much in recent history, but entered Saturday’s Men’s Premier Cricket clash with just one win and against the undefeated Melbourne Uni away from home.

The odds were stacked against them.

Brett Forsyth’s group proved that not only do they have the ability to play high standard cricket despite the many departures from last year’s grand final side, but when they’re at the top of their game, they’re as dangerous and talented as any side in the competition.

Alarm bells - however - would have been ringing after champion pair Tom Donnell and Brett Forsyth fell in the opening exchanges, leaving the visitors 2/6 and in a dire position.

But slowly and surely the Panthers found some fluency, and momentum - and it was through Josh Slater and Cameron Forsyth.

Slater, described by another coach recently as a “formidable player”, was once again a shining light, seeing off a probing spell, particularly through Simon Mackin.

He is easy on the eye - a simple yet effective technique, and one that will flourish with the more exposure he gains at the level.

In a game-turning 123 run stand with Forsyth, the pair showed plenty of class and rhythm, finding the boundary but also crucially ticking over the strike with clever shot selection and placement.

While Slater eventually departed for a wellmade 59, his second half-century of the season, the Panthers had swung the game in their favour.

Forsyth - who has actually been batting well this season but been the unfortunate recipient of three run-outs - was finally rewarded with a half-century.

Falling just 19 runs shy of a century, the right-hander proved vital as the visitors pushed towards a total far exceeding 200.

His knock featured six fours and plenty of clever cricket shots in the gap, using all of his

Cameron Forsyth was instrumental for the Panthers on Saturday with 81.

173 minutes at the crease to stamp his authority as the club’s number four moving forward.

The impressive Matthew Wilson struck his maiden half-century for the club at the backend of the innings, whacking an unbeaten 51 from 48 balls to guide the Panthers to a highly competitive 6/253 from 50 overs, with handy cameos from Gehan Seneviratne (17) and Aaron Fernando (18 off 7 balls) helping the cause.

Fernando - who has ditched the keeping gloves this season in a quest to add to a different element with ball in hand - was the firestarter with the new-ball.

In a shrewd, yet surprising captaincy move that was in the end a masterstroke, Fernando removed the dangerous Noah Croes early, before trapping Andrew Young just moments later to have the home side 2/40.

Despite the feeling that with the Students’

quality batting group that it was always in the game, the Panthers were disciplined and gave little away.

Harrison Emms threatened during his 49 from 60 balls, class duo Andrej Yaksender (20) and skipper Fergus McKenna (34) were fluent, but the Panthers - after getting ahead of the game early - always had the answers.

The home side eventually tumbled out for 197 in the 47th over, with keeper Sam Newell flicking off the bails with a stumping to clinch the points.

With Fernando impressing during his 2/29 from 10 overs, rising quick Braeden Tauber (2/29) once again impressed, and Josh Sawrey (1/33) managed to claim the key scalp of skipper Fergus McKenna.

But a man described by skipper Brett Forsyth as capable of going to the higher level, as

Picture: TYLER LEWIS one of “the better spinners going around”, leggie Gehan Seneviratne starred with 4/42.

The spinner was vital through the middle, picking up key wickets and providing plenty of energy for his side on the way to victory.

While his numbers don’t tell the full story of what he’s capable of just yet - 7 wickets at 26 and 112 runs at 56 - the rising Panther is one to watch.

“Everything you want from a leg-spinner, he’s got. Control, variation, competitiveness and he is a really good fielder and a batter as well,” Forsyth said.

Dandenong sits in 11th position on the Men’s table, and will enjoy the Christmas break before returning to the field on Saturday 8 January with a clash against the in-form Ringwood at Shepley Oval.

Melbourne City to host FFA quarter-final at Casey Fields Melbourne City FC will play its FFA Cup quarter-final against Wellington Phoenix at Casey Fields this Wednesday night.

The match will be the first competitive game City’s senior men’s team has played in Greater South East Melbourne and comes almost a year to the day since the club announced it was relocating its training and administration headquarters to Casey Fields.

The FFA Cup is the national men’s knockout competition, bringing together professional clubs with grassroots clubs across the country.

Patrick Kisnorbo’s side qualified for the last eight by defeating South Melbourne in the Round of 32 and Hume City in the Round of 16.

Wellington moved into the quarter-finals with a 4-1 win against local Victorian side Avondale last week.

The match will take place on the Casey Fields Main Oval, where the Melbourne Demons play AFLW and AFL pre-season matches and where the Melbourne Storm hosted an NRL pre-season match in 2020.

The match will be free to enter, with fans just required to check-in at the gate as per Covid-19 protocols.

Melbourne City’s move to Casey Fields forms part of a 30-year partnership entered into by the club and City of Casey and its wider commitment to the South East Melbourne region via a heads of agreement with the City of Greater Dandenong.

Despite the short notice and coming just days before Christmas, the match will be an interesting test case in light of the Victorian Government’s ongoing business case study 18 STAR JOURNAL

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Melbourne City will play at Casey Fields on Wednesday night. into the feasibility of a new rectangular stadium next to Dandenong Train Station.

Construction on City’s new training and

Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

administration facilities at Casey Fields commenced in mid-2021 and are expected to be complete in late-2022.

City won the FFA Cup in 2016 courtesy of a Tim Cahill-winner in the final against Sydney FC. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Four aim for pole position

By Tyler Lewis Springvale South convincingly returned to the winners list on Saturday, making it four teams on equal points atop of the Dandenong District Cricket Association table heading into the Christmas break.

The Bloods got off to a flyer in their clash with North Dandenong, with Mitch Forsyth (37) and Ryan Quirk (29) piecing together 57 for the first wicket, before Forsyth and Jordy Wyatt combined for a further 45.

Wyatt found some form in his new threads, notching his first half-century with the Bloods - 55 from 73 deliveries.

The kicker for the Bloods – and a factor in the downfall of the Maroons – was that seven of the 11 batters that took guard reached double figures; a small token, however in a shortened innings, a one percenter that can shift 210 to 240.

And that’s exactly what occurred, the Bloods – who were 7/193 at one stage – posted a more than competitive 9/236 from its 45.

The depth of the Springvale South bowling unit was on show in the second innings, as all four bowlers that bowled collected at least one wicket.

The Bloods castled the visiting side for just 132 in the end, completing the job at hand in the 35th over.

While it was a complete performance with the ball, spinner Jarryd Straker bowled brilliantly, collecting 4/35 from 12 with two maidens.

Though in equal first, the Bloods sit second on the ladder, while North Dandenong are placed in sixth.

Hallam Kalora Park, meanwhile, completed an impressive all-round display to conclude the calendar year.

The Hawks never appeared tested throughout its bout with St Mary’s, comfortably getting

Kaushalya Weeraratne was brilliant for Narre South. 262691 away with the stick in the first innings, before bowling tremendously in the second dig, Seasoned openers Ben Hillard (51 from 66) and Leigh Booth (79 from 114) set up the match, putting on 103 before the loss of the opening wicket.

A dashing 35 from 29 by skipper Jordan Hammond accelerated the Hawks to 5/242.

The St Mary’s outfit never loomed as a threat in the run chase, as consistent wickets held Wendyl Pires’ side at bay.

William Whyte was the pick of the bowlers, snaring 3/34 from his ten overs.

A splendid captain’s knock from Kyle Hardy

Picture: STEW CHAMBERS

held his Narre South unit inside the top four for the holiday break.

The Lions restricted its co-town rivals to just 9/189 in the opening innings, with Kaushalya Weeraratne (3/31 off nine) and Morteza Ali (3/33 off seven) the main headaches for the Maggies.

Lions skipper Kyle Hardy handled the rest of the task at hand brilliantly, controlling the innings from the very first ball to the winning moment, finishing unbeaten on 83.

Harsha de Silva also got amongst the runs, striking 42.

The Lions passed the target in the 43rd over,

with just four casualties.

The win has Narre South in third position on the DDCA ladder.

Coming into the final round of the year, Berwick travelling to Park Oval to take on Buckley Ridges was a mouth-watering proposition.

But it was the Bears who took the sting out of the contest, continuing its scintillating form.

While high scores are synonymous with the venue, Berwick pushed its way to 7/264.

Lachlan Brown (39) and Jordan Cleland (44) managed to combine for yet another top notch stand, this week: 86.

The pair are now in fact averaging 83 together this season before the loss of a wicket.

Though it was the opening duo that got the Bears off to a sensational start, plenty of terrific knocks came thereafter to set up the big win.

Matt Chasemore (40), Damith Mapa Ralalage (86 not out) and James Wilcock (33) all contributed to the Bears big total.

Though a gettable score on Park – especially for Buckley – putting away Berwick’s bowling attack was always going to be a difficult conundrum.

James Wilcock’s men made light work of the total defence, dismissing the home side for just 119.

Not one of the five bowlers used went for more than five an over and four of the five collected a wicket.

Andrew Perrin added another two poles to his season collection of 12, while Nick Shirt (3/13 off five) and Jarrod Goodes (3/39 off nine) were the two main wicket getters.

For Berwick, the win sees the Bears stride into the break atop of the ladder with a wonderful percentage.

For Buckley Ridges, the Bucks still remain as one of the four teams on 18 points, chasing that all too familiar premiership success.

The DDCA will return on 8 January.

Early-season contenders begin to emerge Presutto’s Idolize an epic victory

By Tyler Lewis

Beaconsfield sustained its scintillating form in Turf 2 on Saturday, downing Dandenong West in a strong win.

The Tigers posted 6/225 with Michael Vandort striking his first half-century for the year (79) With the ball it was Ashan Madushanka once again sending batters back to the shed, this week with another 4/33 from ten.

Madushanka now has 15 wickets at just 8.27 this season.

Lyndale, meanwhile, snared its first win of the season, overcoming Keysborough in a tight run-chase.

Chasing Keysborough’s 8/130, Lyndale were 7/71 in reply; before a brilliant 30 from skipper Ben Montgomery guided his side home.

A Triyan de Silva-led Heinz Southern Districts have caused an upset, knocking off the highly-touted Cranbourne outfit.

The left-armer claimed 4/26 as his side restricted Cranbourne to just 124.

In reply, Brent Patterson (52) steered HSD home, chasing the total with a handful of overs to spare and four wickets in the shed.

Parkmore Pirates, meanwhile, finished on the right side of a high scoring game at Watcher Reserve.

Parkfield had just four batters reach double-figures, but still managed to post 7/173.

Matt Goodier was the main contributor with 70.

The Pirates steadily reeled in the total, passing the Blues with three overs and change to spare.

Abhinav Bhatia was the pick of the bats, crunching a well-needed 75.

There were few close games in the Turf 3 competition, with strong wins to Doveton, Springvale, Fountain Gate and Lynbrook.

Fountain Gate’s win over Coomoora was the highlight of the round, with the home side defending its 175 in style, bowling out Coomoora for just 115.

Mandeep Premi took an impressive 4/23 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

By Luke Corda

Ashan Madushanka hasn’t been short of wickets so far this year... 261695 from his 4.5 overs, while Jasdeep Singh also got amongst the wickets.

Lynbrook’s win over Narre North was quite the statement, with the match all over in just 44 overs.

Narre North could only manage 91, before the home side chased it down with just three casualties and more than half of the innings to spare.

Springvale, meanwhile, completed a somewhat carbon copy of its opponent’s (Hampton Park) innings.

The visitors restricted Hampton Park to 7/172, before finishing the run chase on 7/173.

Picture: ROB CAREW

35 extras cost the Redbacks outfit, particularly the 23 wides, leaving no batter from Springvale was required to pass 50 to reach the target.

A complete performance by Doveton’s Adam Read was the highlight of the match between Doveton and Silverton.

After walking to the middle at 3/38, Read compiled 60, steering his side to 173.

But he didn’t stop there.

Read then tore the Silverton top order to shreds, sending the first three batters back to the sheds.

The all-rounder finished with 3/22 from his eight as the Doves won by 24 runs.

Idolize gave the Presutto family a night to remember when taking out the Group 2 Laurels at Sandown Park on Thursday night.

After overcoming a box eight draw in last week’s heats, Idolize repeated the performance and speared out flawlessly from the wide draw again.

She assumed control of the race with a lap to go and, despite a late challenge from Gracie Bale and Loxton Bale, was able to hold on for a 1.5 length victory in 29.55.

Trainers Natalie and Peter Presutto were overcome with emotion and left in tears after the race.

“She flew out, and I was hoping she would,” said Peter.

“This is the best win we’ve had. I’ve wanted to win this for a long time and it makes even better that we were able to do so in front of family and friends.”

Idolize improves her record to seven wins from 14 starts and her impressive box manners give every sign that she is going to be a serial winner.

Gracie Bale and Loxton Bale filled the minor placings after bumping into each other in the run home. Red-hot favourite Devine Empress found no luck after colliding with Inka Bale on the opening corner.

Idolize gave the Presutto family a night to remember.

Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 19

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20 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

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