Dandenong Star Journal - 31st January 2023

DANDENONG

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Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

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Debate over Ross Reserve

Operation Amity in full force

Forsyth leads win for Springvale South

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SPORT

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New citizens welcomed

A proud volunteer

By Sahar Foladi

Bozena Iwanowski, who migrated to Australia from Poland in 1989, has been awarded an OAM. 316602 the Polish community ever since she arrived in Australia and has also been an active member of the Polish Community Council of Victoria.

She’s been a coordinator at the Marshal Jozef Pilsudski School, member of the Eastern Districts Polish Association, vice-president of Association of Polish Professionals in Australia, and deputy chair at the Polish Education Commission in Australia.

“Ever since I came to Australia, I’ve been

volunteering and I love working with children, with the community. I think it’s nice to have other people from the community,” she said.

In 2011, the Polish Community Council only had 100 clients and now they have 700.

Ms Iwanowski also has her husband involved in volunteering and helping her organise events for the community.

One of her proud moments was when the Polish president visited Australia and Ms

Picture: GARY SISSONS Iwanowski organised an event with more than 150 Polish students and their families in attendance. The event saw students perform and have a great time connecting with the leader of their homeland.

“It was so nice, everybody was so happy and I was very proud,” she said.

Ms Iwanowski has been a vital part of the vast Polish community in Victoria and her volunteer works truly deserve recognition.

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There are many reasons why people migrate to Australia, for Bozena Iwanowski her reason was her sister.

In 1989 Ms Iwanowski came from Poland to help her sister who was a single mother of an autistic son.

From then on she spent her life volunteering in the Polish community.

Little did she know she’d be recognised for her work with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2023 Australia Day Honours.

Ms Iwanowski has been teaching at the Polish Community Council of Victoria and is now chief executive officer at Polish Community Care Services.

“I’ve been working for more than 30 years in the Polish community. Thirty years ago we had a lot of students learn Polish in our ethnic school, now we’re teaching second and third generations,” Ms Iwanowski said.

According to the 2016 Census, Victoria has the largest Polish population with 14,706 people, followed by New South Wales.

The history of the Melbourne Polish community goes back to 1940. Aside from immediately post-World War II, the second largest influx occurred in the 1980s.

“There were a lot of Polish people migrating to Australia. There were a lot of Polish students enrolled at the time, around 200 and the school needed teachers,” Ms Iwanowski said.

“I was an economics teacher in Poland so when they asked me, I just went to help them.”

Ms Iwanowski has been heavily involved in

Free Kinder is here!

Three- and Four-Year-Old Kinder is now free across Victoria at participating services — saving families up to $2,500 per year per child.

Over the decade, we’ll also transition Four-Year-Old Kinder into Pre-Prep to become a 30-hour a week program, and establish 50 Victorian Government-owned and affordable childcare centres.

FSA/DETS1330

Learn more at vic.gov.au/kinder

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Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

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NEWS

Businesses rally for crossing

By Sahar Foladi

Businesses are united against the closure of Progress Street in Dandenong South as part of a Level Crossing Removal Project. ready congested South Gippsland Hwy with the proposed solution “We have got the VicRoads statistics on the South Gippsland Highway and we will be adding 18 per cent to the traffic in an already congested highway. It’s a mess and we’ll be adding 18 per cent to that traffic.”

According to Mr Hamer the gates are barely down for 40 seconds on Progress Street.

Australia Post is among the many other businesses impacted by the decision, he says.

“Australia Post biggest distribution centre in Australia is in this cul-de-sac.

“Every letter and post in Melbourne has to go through this level crossing. You’re going to divert it down to Fowler Road into an already congested road?”

Colin from manufacturer JDN Monocrane says their vehicles with long and heavy loads will be diverted on a road which is not designed to take on those vehicles.

“We’re arguably the longest of any vehicle

load carrier in this country. It sounds exaggerative but we move items up to 45 metres in length, done under special permit conditions.

“We build to whatever the client needs, we’ve even made 60-metre long items.”

He holds serious safety concerns for its items and drivers.

“It’s going to kill but these people don’t care.”

Human resource manager, Saffron from Cosmax says their staff would be looking elsewhere to work.

“Some of our staff has already said if it’s going to take them extra 20 minutes to work they’ll be looking elsewhere for convenience.

“With staff shortages already in Australia that’s going to impact us greatly just because of a decision being made to remove this level crossing.”

Program Director, Level Crossing Removal Project Travis Edmonds said each of its level crossing design solutions across Melbourne

Teacher’s child porn connection freed

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Noble Park man who swapped “depraved” child sex abuse images with a Narre Warren school teacher has been released on a four year supervision order.

Jarrod Lyons, 28, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to transmitting, soliciting and possessing child abuse material.

He’d exchanged images and videos online with former Fountain Gate Secondary College teacher Benjamin Heels, who pleaded guilty last year to sexual assault of a child and sending child abuse material.

“It appears that real children were abused in order to create the videos and images,” sentencing judge Helen Syme said on 17 January.

“I accept that you weren’t an abuser of those children but the fact was that real children were abused by someone else.”

The pair communicated “extensively” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

and explicitly on messaging apps Telegram and Kik while swapping a “relatively small” amount of child abuse material.

Some of the “particularly depraved” images included “adult males penetrating young or very young children”.

Lyons was arrested after police raided his home and seized two phones on 14 September 2021. He was on a community corrections order at the time but didn’t receive a level of supervision that was of “little use to you”, Judge Syme noted.

Judge Syme said Lyons’s offending was linked to a “tragic” and “significantly” deprived, abused and disrupted childhood.

His culpability was reduced by his “myriad” of intellectual, drug and mental health issues.

These included fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, depression and borderline personality.

His risk of reoffending was assessed as be-

ing linked to a relapse into substance abuse.

Judge Symes said the community’s protection was best served by Lyons being supervised and assisted under a “rigorous” treatment regime.

His cooperation with police and his early guilty plea entitled him to a 40 per cent sentencing discount, the judge said.

She also took into account Lyons’s 16 months in remand since his arrest.

Lyons was sentenced to 32 months jail but released immediately on a four-year recognizance release order.

Under the order, Lyons must attend treatment for drug, alcohol and mental health issues, as well as sexual offender therapy.

He was ordered to report as a sexual offender for life. Meanwhile, Heels and boyfriend Tristan Cullinan-Smythe are in custody awaiting sentence.

was “determined after extensive engineering assessments to deliver the best possible outcomes for each community”.

“We’ve been in touch with local residents and all the businesses in the area and appreciate their feedback on the project so far, and we’ll continue to engage with them throughout the planning and construction phases of the project.”

However manufacturers say that LXRP has refused to meet with them as a community but insist on one-on-one discussions only.

Saffron from Cosmax said there were no consultation with them prior to the decision was made.

“Consultation with the businesses in the area would’ve been much better approach so that we could’ve come up with something that’s suitable for everybody,” she said.

AusPost and VicRoads were contacted for comment.

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Businesses are rallying against the State Government’s plans to close road access at the Progress Street level crossing in Dandenong South.

A road bridge is proposed by the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) which will create a new connection between Progress Street and Fowler Road in the busy industrial precinct.

According to the LXRP, the new design creates safer access for businesses to Princes Highway via an upgraded, signalised intersection at South Gippsland Highway.

Progress Street, Nathan Road and Fowler Road are made up of manufacturers such as Vulcan, Pakaflex, Simmonds Lumber Group, JDN Monocrane and also Australia Post.

Access across the rail line at Progress Street would be closed permanently and the businesses in the area are just not having it.

Managing Director of Pakaflex, Andrew Hamer said he plans to file a petition as soon as possible.

He intends to speak with the State Opposition to see if they will support the petition in Parliament.

“Truth is, a decision has been made here and it’s a bad decision. All I’m trying to do is say we shouldn’t accept a bad decision,” Mr Hamer said.

“Someone’s had a look at the map and said build that bridge there, we’ll close this one and that be all right.

“It’s not a good enough solution. As a community we’re being told, you’re not worth the crossing.”

Traffic from the south of the existing level crossing would link directly to Fowler Road via the new bridge over Eumemmering Creek.

The one-kilometre detour will take about four minutes for drivers, according to the project report.

“You ask me is that a safer better solution and a less congested option? It’s not even a debate. It’s more congested, more unsafe,” Mr Hamer said.

“I mean (Australia Post) bikes, B-doubles going down Fowler Road. It’s mind boggling how you can take a perfectly safe crossing that’s non-congested and try and shunt us down sideways.”

According to Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) there were five near misses on Progress Street where the gates were down for nearly a quarter of the morning peak, “causing congestion for the 5,200 vehicles that use the crossing each day”.

“The data will not be released by the LXRP to say what the actual incidents were,” Mr Hamer said.

“My office looks directly at the crossing and the last five years I haven’t seen no incidents or aware of any incidents whatsoever in the last five years.”

Manufacturers in the area also say there’s no congestion and the level crossing on Progress Street is not a dangerous one.

Rather there’ll be traffic added to the al-

STAR JOURNAL 3

Know the COLOURS TAKE THE ACTIONS TO SURVIVE

Across Australia, the Fire Danger Rating system has changed.

Using real-time scientific data, it now gives you a more accurate rating of the risk level if a fire was to start in your area. Each colour represents the actions you need to take to stay safe. If it’s orange, the fire risk is Extreme, so you need to take action now and be ready to go. The safest option is to leave early.

Plan. Act. Survive.

For more information on the new simpler and smarter Fire Danger Ratings, search Fire Danger Ratings.

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne 12581784-ET05-23

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Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

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NEWS

Manpreet Singh and Prapapron Sarnsri, front, who arrived in 2009.

Clare O’Neil speaks with citizenship candidates.

Faizan Malik and his family with Hotham MP Clare O’Neil.

Proud day for new citizens

By Sahar Foladi Citizenship ceremonies are always filled with excitement and pure joy but it’s the hard work and struggles of migrants that make it worthwhile.

Sixty citizenship candidates and guests were present in City of Greater Dandenong on Australia Day to attain their citizenships.

City of Greater Dandenong mayor, Eden Foster and councillors were there, along with state and federal MPs such as Julian Hill, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil.

Some of the new citizens shared their stories with Star Journal: Manpreet Singh and Prapapron Sarnsri Mr Singh and Ms Sarnsri arrived in Australia in 2009 to study and later applied for their permanent residency.

“It’s been a difficult and long journey but now it’s good. I feel fantastic,” Ms Sarnsri said.

They’ve both lived in City of Greater Dandenong ever since arriving and love the area.

“When we first came it used to be so quiet, now it’s busy and vibrant,” she said.

The couple were ecstatic about their achievement.

“We got married last year, we got a baby on the way, we got a house and now citizenship.

We can’t complain everything is going nicely,” Mr Singh said.

Ms Sarnsri plans to open her own restaurant in the Pakenham area after having her baby.

Faizan Malik Mr Malik migrated to Australia in 2017 from Pakistan along with his family.

“I had been looking to move from Pakistan for a better career and future for my family so I had applied for immigration under (the) skilled migrants (category),” Mr Malik said.

Mr Malik studied in industrial engineering in Pakistan and has been working in a supply chain field.

He now works for Johnsons Control.

His family of four, with two children, have been living in City of Greater Dandenong and they love it.

“It’s been a good five years living in a multicultural community.

This day is very important to us because that’s what we’ve had been looking forward to and it’s a very proud moment for us.”

Abdullah Shakeel It was a joyous day for Abdullah Shakeel, his four children and wife.

Mr Shakeel migrated to Australia in 2018

Faizan Malik with his family, who arrived from Pakistan in 2017. along with his family and had been living as a permanent resident.

While he struggled to find employment for a few months, everything slowly set in its places.

“Since we moved here it was hard to find a job, fortunately we found a job in a couple of months, started our lives here and since then it’s upwards.

“Basically it has been good and we are really enjoying our lives here.”

The family moved to live in City of Greater Dandenong a year ago and grew to love the area.

“It’s been very good living here because you can easily find whatever needs you have. There are a lot of mosques here, which is good for us and there are a lot of restaurants of your taste.

“There are good schools also so everything is positive since we’ve moved here.”

There are many obstacles migrants have to endure to finally experience this day.

We congratulate each of the new Australian citizens and wish them the very best for their future.

Pictures: OSKAR LIM

Faizan Malik and his family pose for a photo with City of Greater Dandenong mayor, councillors and state and federal politicians.

Victoria Police deem Lynbrook scrubfires ‘suspicious’ Victoria Police are investigating two suspicious scrubfires started within days near Lynbrook Primary School.

Hampton Park CFA units as well as FRV crews responded to the second bushfire at Patterson Drive about 3.47pm on 26 January.

The 40-metre by 40-metre fire was burning behind the school and near a train line, a CFA spokesperson said. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

“The incident was declared safe by 4.18pm and handed to Victoria Police to investigate.”

Police were also called to investigate a grass and scrubfire in wetlands next to the train line and near the school about 1.18pm on 22 January.

Six CFA units from Hampton Park, Casey Group, Cranbourne, Hallam and Narre Warren took several hours to extinguish the blaze.

It was declared under control at 1.59pm and safe at 3.36pm.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said no one was injured and no structures were damaged.

“At this stage the fires are being treated as suspicious.”

CFA incident controller Lieutenant Joe Show said residents can ensure their safety this fire season by checking emergency

smoke and fire warnings, available at emergency.vic.gov.au “A couple of helpful pieces of advice would be to keep your distance from emergency services while they do their job and if you find yourself near a grassfire, walk at least two streets back,” Lt Shaw said.

Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.vic.gov.au Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

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STAR JOURNAL 5

NEWS

Dandenong’s best honoured

By Sahar Foladi

Mayor Eden Foster with Cr Richard Lim, MP Lee Tarlamis and newly-inducted Living Treasure Jack Ma. Picture: HILTON STONE

The array of Greater Dandenong Australia Day award winners.

2006 and she is also a community visitor with the Office of the Public Advocate. She has chaired the Positive Ageing Committee since 2016, and during the pandemic helped address social isolation with involvement in several council programs.

Community Group of the Year Friends of Refugees Friends of Refugees is a volunteer-led grassroots community organisation which advocates and takes action to support refugees and vulnerable new arrivals in Greater Dandenong. Every year the group distributes 120 tonnes of donated food and operates a fresh food kitchen six days a week for refugees and people seeking asylum.

Corporate Citizen of the Year Peter Angelico Peter Angelico is the founder and Managing Director of the ABECK Group which employs about 20 people. He also volunteers for a number of organisations and is President of South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance,

Picture: SAHAR FOLADI

which is also a voluntary position.

Sportsperson of the Year Award (joint winners) Sean Francis and David Swierzbiolek Sean Francis is the President, Operations Manager and Life Member of the Springvale Districts Football Netball Club and works tirelessly to promote not only the club, but also participation in sport for multicultural communities, women, children and people of all abilities.

David Swierzbiolek is President of the Parkfield Cricket Club and has helped adopt a strong family-friendly culture at the club, engaging with multicultural communities and junior players. He is assistant coach of the women’s team and was influential in supporting the Parkfield Master Plan.

Sustainability Award Zoe Mohl Zoe Mohl initiated the Friends of Victoria Avenue Reserve Group to plant native garden and create habitat. She also hosts regular gath-

Sent – 15th Feb

Sent – 23rd Feb

Getting there.

Glad I’m back!

Eliza (work) – 1st Feb

Eliza (work) – 20th Feb

How are you?

See you soon.

erings to recycle and trade items among community members and has initiated monthly clothing swaps at Springvale Community Hub. Living Treasure Award (joint winners) Colin Huth, Agnes Kean, Jenny Mackay and Jack Ma Colin Huth grew up in Noble Park and joined Victoria Police at 18 years. He has worked in Springvale and Dandenong since 1994 and is an active member of Council’s Community Safety Advisory Committee.

Agnes Kean is a key foundation member of the Interfaith Network of Greater Dandenong, which started in 1989. She still plays a proactive role in its various activities and is a previous Volunteer of the Year.

Jenny Mackay has been a teacher for more than 45 years. As Assistant Principal at Dandenong North Primary School she implemented a ground-breaking English language program for students and a support group for Afghan mothers across Dandenong.

Jack Ma arrived in Australia from Vietnam in 1978 and has committed to giving back to the community ever since. He spearheaded construction of Springvale’s Quan Thanh Temple in 1990 and supports overseas communities. He is a recipient of an Order of Australia Medal.

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The annual Greater Dandenong Australia Day Awards brought out the sunshine, recognising the hard work of individuals for the betterment of the community.

At a special ceremony in Dandenong Park on Thursday 26 January, mayor Eden Foster said what an honour it was to present the 2023 awards.

“Today is a special day where we recognise exceptional people who have made such a significant contribution to our local community,” Cr Foster said.

“We have a vibrant, diverse and welcoming municipality and the people we honour today continue to go above and beyond to support and serve others.

“Their passion is inspiring. We are honoured to duly celebrate our local Australia Day Award winners for 2023 and look forward to working with them to enhance our community in the year ahead.”

The day was filled with joy, a sense of unification, plenty of happy tears and proud moments.

Citizen of the Year Joe De Souza JP Joe De Souza has dedicated his life to the community, including years of service to the Springvale Youth Club (now the Springvale Leisure and Activity Centre), and The Bridge adult disability service. He is also the co-ordinator of the Justice of the Peace document signing service at the Springvale library.

Young Leader of the Year Danya Daoud Danya Daoud volunteers with the Greater Dandenong Youth Services and with the Centre for Multicultural Youth. She took part in the 2022 state Youth Parliament. At her school she founded a newsroom and podcast, is a community engagement ambassador, STEM committee member and school captain for 2023.

Volunteer of the Year Julie Klok Julie Klok has volunteered with Council since

The sooner you get in touch after an injury, the better the return to work journey.

If you’re recovering from a psychological or physical workplace injury, or if you are an employer supporting an injured worker, make contact as soon as possible. It just takes a few simple words to make a big difference.

The sooner, the better. worksafe.vic.gov.au/thesoonerthebetter

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Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

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NEWS

Joseph’s time to give back

By Sahar Foladi

Young Leader of the Year award winner Danya Daoud.

Pictures: HILTON STONE

Young Leader of the Year Danya is a shining light

By Sahar Foladi Danya Daoud is an example of hard work paying off and a role model for every young person.

Ms Daoud won the Young Leader of the Year award at Greater Dandenong’s Australia Day Awards in recognition for her advocacy for youth voice.

She was only three months when she migrated with her family in 2006 from Egypt.

It was not only a proud moment for her mother to watch her walk up the stage to receive her award but it also paid off her hard work to ensure her daughter was supported.

“My mother is my biggest support I wouldn’t be able to do anything without her,” Ms Daoud said.

Ms Daoud held back tears during her speech while recognising her mother’s hard work and major role in her life.

Her journey began in school when she

took up leadership roles in Year 9 in 2020.

While taking part in debates and the STEM committee, her desire to advocate for youth voice was ignited.

Ms Daoud extended this passion outside of her school and joined the Greater Dandenong Youth Services and the Centre for Multicultural Youth.

She took part in the 2022 State Youth Parliament. At her school she founded a newsroom and podcast, became a community engagement ambassador and School Captain for 2023.

Now in her final year of High school, how will Ms Daoud juggle the pressure of VCE and keep up with her volunteering work outside of school?

“I definitely want to keep up volunteering and contribute to the community but at the same time I need to focus on my studies so that’s my priority for this year.

“It’s just a matter of finding the balance for me.”

Greater Dandenong’s Citizen of the Year Joseph De Souza is quite a personality.

With humility and humour, Mr De Souza made the audience laugh as he gave his acceptance speech on the Dandenong Park stage on 26 January.

Mr De Souza has dedicated his life to the community which includes years of service to the Springvale Youth Club (now the Springvale Leisure and Activity Centre), and The Bridge adult disability service.

He is also the co-ordinator of the Justice of the Peace document signing service at the Springvale library.

“Like a lot of people in Dandenong I’m a migrant. I was born in Burma so Burmese by birth, Anglo-Indian by ethnicity and Australian by choice,” Mr De Souza said.

He left his country with his wife, three children and three suitcases.

The fact that Australia welcomed them with open arms gave Mr De Souza motivation to give back to the country.

Mr De Souza said the satisfaction of helping others is how he benefits from his works.

“They come to me nervous and frightened and they go away smiling but I won’t stop yet until my time comes.”

Mr De Souza is loved by everyone and his family were evidently proud of him as he received warm hugs.

A few happy tears were also shed by his daughter.

“Dad has done everything for the community,” his daughter Gaile said.

Citizen of the Year Joseph De Souza receiving his award. 317181 Picture: SAHAR FOLADI

Community Grants Program Greater Dandenong City Council offers the opportunity for community clubs and organisations to apply for funding to support activities and projects that benefit the Greater Dandenong community.

Community Support Grants Program Round 1 of 2023 opens on Wednesday 8 February and will close on Monday 27 March. All applications must be made online through Council’s website greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/grants

Danya Daoud and her family celebrate her award. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

To book an appointment for personalised support with the Community Funding Team and to reserve a place at an information session, please email commgrants@cgd.vic.gov.au or phone 8571 1432.

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Grant information sessions and personalised meetings will be offered in person and online.

Please check the Council website for more details of the dates and options available.

STAR JOURNAL 7

NEWS

Ex-MP reveals Andrews rift

By Cam Lucadou-Wells In a just-released autobiography, former Cranbourne MP Jude Perera has revealed a falling out with Premier Daniel Andrews played a role in his retirement.

The four-term Labor MP’s life, political and health battles are detailed in his just-released autobiography Challenging Incomplete Democracy.

The 69-year-old, who was the first Sri Lankan-born and -educated MP elected to a lower house of parliament in Australia, retired in 2018 after a long battle with renal disease and two kidney transplants.

In his book, Mr Perera describes then Opposition Leader Mr Andrews dumping him as an opposition parliamentary secretary after missing a division during Parliament in 2014.

It resulted in the Opposition “losing a vote we should have won”.

He would not regain a Cabinet or parliamentary secretary role.

Mr Perera, one of Mr Andrews’s “very loyal supporters”, wrote that colleagues thought his demotion was “very unfair”.

“I was sick as a dog and was disappointed with how Daniel Andrews had treated me, a loyal supporter.

“This event coupled with my health issues led me to consider retirement.”

Mr Perera told Star News that Mr Andrews was a “tough cookie”.

“He knows what he has to do to maintain his support in the electorate.”

He was not surprised by Labor’s decisive state election win in November.

“There was a large silent vote that supported Labor because of its handling of the coronavirus issue.”

In his book, he writes that Mr Andrews “seems to put his personal survival first and foremost and is very good at it”.

He described previous Premier Steve Bracks as “appealing to the electorate” who “swept under the carpet” controversial issues like abortion law reform.

Caucus meetings were “stage-managed boring affairs” without “serious policy debate”.

Former Premier John Brumby was “forthright in dealing with tough topics” but not as electorally appealing as Mr Bracks, the book states.

Growing up in rural Sri Lanka, Mr Perera was steeped in left-wing politics in what was a turbulent environment.

His father Edmund, a coconut plantation manager, was a leader in the Marxist party Lanka Sama Samaja and hosted meetings with activists around his kitchen table.

After dabbling in politics and struggling to make ends meet, he left Sri Lanka with wife Iranganie and two small children for

Retiring incumbent Jude Perera handing out how-to-vote material at the 2018 state election. 188079 a “better life”.

In Australia, he joined the ALP in reaction to the Kennett Government.

In 1998, his political know-how helped him to build local support for ALP preselection in the seat of Cranbourne.

In his book, he says many Sri Lankans were intially surprised at his preselection in what was then a heavily Anglo Saxon electorate.

“Many asked questions such as, ‘Did they easily give it to you?’,” Mr Perera writes.

“What they really meant was, ‘How come a dark-skinned Asian migrant has been selected by the white skin majority to stand for parliament?’”

His memoir delves into great detail into his political philosphies.

“A lot of (candidates) don’t have a (political) belief,” Mr Perera told Star News.

“They think that because there aren’t enough people with ethnic backgrounds, they think they should be in Parliament.”

In his book, Mr Perera details recruiting Sri Lankans to join ALP branches as well as the battles for control of the South East between Left and Right factions.

“I came to know that if you have a permanent support base, you are a force to be reckoned with,” he wrote.

“If you want to be recognised in the Labor

Party, you need to have a membership base under your control; your power base.”

He told Star News that the branch-stacking involving former Labor Minister Adem Somyurek, which was recently investigated by IBAC, went “too far”.

Mr Perera defined branch-stacking as recruiting members who weren’t involved with activities at the branch or in support of the local candidate.

“Adem Somyurek went too far. He thought he could be the king-maker around the ALP.“ Mr Perera appeared as a witness in the IBAC Operation Sandon inquiry into alleged corrupt dealings between property developers, MPs and Casey councillors.

Mr Perera told Star News that he agrees that Victoria should follow NSW’s lead and ban political donations from developers.

“The issue is that people should not give donations for personal favours.”

The Sandon report, which investigated possible law reforms, has yet to be publicly released.

Reflecting on his tenure as an MP, Mr Perera is most proud that he helped many with immmigration and visa issues.

He says he went beyond the call of duty.

And in many cases his intervention helped people migrate to Australia.

LOOKING BACK

through the proposed marina development to the beach.

The proposal is to widen Thompsons Rd on the north side through the city between Frankston and Wells roads. The City Engineer Mr Roy Boyd, successfully recommended that the CRB be advised that the council agreed in-principle to widening Thompsons Rd. However, he considered that the construction of a two-chain road with a divided carriageway was of a higher standard for what was envisaged by the council as an unclassified road and should be treated by the board as main road acquisition.

25 January 2023 Cricket Catering A pleasing feature of the cricket match between the South Melbourne Club and the team representing the Dandenong and Berwick Cricket Association at Dandenong, was the excellent catering by the ladies.

Mrs McQuade of the Albion Hotel catered for the excellent luncheon. Tea was prepared and admirably served by the Misses McQuade and Nesbitt and Mrs Nesbitt and Mrs Duff. The visiting team were very complimentary in their remarks about the catering, and they evidently realised that, whilst Mart McQuade scored heavily against them with the bat, the lady members of the McQuade family also “scored well” as caterers – as they usually do.

20 years ago

50 years ago

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Then-Cranbourne MP Jude Perera on the steps of State Parliament in 2002.

However, Mr Perera says his health is “not the best”. After two failed kidney transplants, he is back on three dialysis treatments a week.

He says he’s listed for a third transplant, but unlikely to receive it due to his age and the extra antibodies he’s acquired from previous transplants.

The book Challenging Incomplete Democracy is available at judebiography.au

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

100 years ago

23 January 1973 Thompsons Rd a dual highway?

Springvale Council has received plans from the Country Roads Board indicating that provision should be made for the future widening of Thompsons Rd to a width of two

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Maria Mastroianni was named Greater Dandenong’s Citizen of the Year in 2018.

chains. Thompsons Rd would then become a divided carriageway linking the South Gippsland Hwy to Wells Rd and eventually

Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

27 January 2003 To charred Canberra a delivery full of love While the horrendous Canberra bushfires have destroyed more than 400 houses leaving four people dead and thousands homeless, human spirit still has a name – David Burgess. Mr Burgess, of Endeavour Hills, decided to use his one-week leave form driving Grenda’s buses to transport a bus of donated toiletries up to Canberra. “I rang up four charities in Canberra and they all said they needed toiletries more than anything.”

Grenda’s generously donated a bus and the fuel for Mr Burgess’s trip. Endeavour Hills Pharmacy, Amcal and Sigma donated boxes full of toilet paper, toothbrushes, deodorant, nappies, and other pharmaceuticals. Big Time clothing company donated $6,700 of clothing.

5 years ago 29 January 2018 Retired but helping still Maria Mastroianni says 25 years of volunteering has helped her to stay mentally and physically active. The 79-year-old has been giving her time to the community since she and husband Ernie retired in August 1992.

On Friday 26 January she was recognised as the volunteer of the year at the Greater Dandenong Australia Day Awards presentation in the Dandenong Park.

Over the years she’s volunteered her time for St Vincent de Paul, Monash Health, U3A, Meals on Wheels, local nursing homes, Heritage Hill Museum and gardens, Neighbourhood Watch, St Marys Church, the Doveton Show and more. “I like volunteering because it makes me feel good,” she said. “Its not only what you give but what you share with the people.” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Track revamp hits hurdle

By Cam Lucadou-Wells After a near-triple cost blowout, a plan to rebuild Ross Reserve’s dangerously dilapidated athletics track has come under fiery debate.

Tenant sport clubs have long pleaded for an upgrade of the 40-year-old track, with several lanes closed due to the hazardous surface.

In 2021, two Masters runners broke their arms tripping on loose flapping sections.

Both elderly women were hospitalized.

On 23 January, Greater Dandenong councillors voted in favour of a $6.7 million track reconstruction despite concerns about the project’s spiralling cost.

The decision was then put on hold for two weeks in await of further information, as part of a recission motion by Cr Tim Dark.

Cr Dark says the councillors were led to believe the new synthetic rubberised track would cost $2.5 million, which was allocated in the council’s 2022-’23 budget.

They were “blindsided until late in the piece by council officers” about the project’s $6.7 million price-tag funded over two years.

“That’s a phenomenally high amount for a track replacement,” Cr Dark said.

Council major projects acting director Craig Cinquegrana told the meeting the project’s original cost was $5.5 million, blown out partly to a lack of competition in tender submissions.

The project’s scope goes beyond the track to upgrading the venue for regional championships, by adding new facilities such as hammer throw, pole vault and steeplechase.

This doesn’t include a much-needed upgrade of the ageing clubrooms.

Armed with an email from Springvale Little Athletics Club’s president, Cr Dark said the new facilities were not required by the club.

Regional-standard venues were already available in Oakleigh, Mentone, Frankston, Casey Fields and Pakenham, Cr Dark said.

However, in a separate statement, Springvale Little Aths upgrade subcommittee appears to be at odds with its president.

The subcommittee stated to Star Journal it was “appreciative” of the extra funds to get its “full upgrade”. “(It) has been a long process from the start of talks almost five years ago with pre-planning and investigation through till the final design given last year.

“The works to the athletics track will ensure we have a certificate 2 IAAF standard, which allows junior and senior level competitions to be held at Ross Reserve.”

The club was looking forward to an upgrade of its rooms at “a later stage”, the subcommittee stated.

“This project will not only be beneficial to the three athletic clubs that currently use this facility but also to our local school/community groups and other recreational users.”

Dandenong Springvale Athletics Club and Springvale Masters Athletics Club also supported the full project.

“Cost is not really the No.1 consideration.

As far as we are concerned, safety is No.1,” Springvale Masters spokesperson Claudio Riga said.

“If we are to get a new track, get it to a regional level. The cost between getting it to a local level and a regional level would not be much extra.”

Dandenong Springvale Athletics Club coach Nic Geerdharry said “only a couple of lanes are useable” at Greater Dandenong’s only synthetic track.

“It’s a health and safety hazard at the moment. There’s no way we can currently hold competitions there.”

Little Athletics Victoria chief executive Anthony McIntosh supported the “overdue” track upgrade.

He also supported the venue’s upgrade for regional meets, including extra new trackand-field facilities for senior athletes.

“It won’t be of immediate use for Springvale little athletes but it will encourage them to proceed to senior athletics.”

Mayor Eden Foster said the plan would benefit all three tenant clubs, which had each received “extensive consultation” on the design.

“The redeveloped facility will accommodate all levels of athletics to allow for the growth of the sport from junior to senior ranks.

“Some field events are not suitable for Little Athletics activities, however they are required for the seniors and masters clubs, in addition to secondary school-aged children.”

Cr Foster said 8000 primary and secondary school students competed at the venue in 2022, in addition to the three clubs.

The track would continue the transformation of the venue, included an upgraded football pavilion and funding for a $2.3 million synthetic soccer pitch.

The council’s 2022-’23 budget also provides $860,000 for three electronic scoreboards and renewed lighting on oval 2 and basketball court at Ross Reserve.

Claudio Riga says runners have tripped and broken bones on the unsafe track. 200784 Picture: CAM LUCADOU-WELLS

An uplifted section of the Ross Reserve track that has caused runners to suffer serious falls.

Repaired sections of track are plainly visible.

Greater Dandenong

Rates cap hits 3.5 per cent

Sunday 26 February 10am-3pm, Dandenong Market, Corner Clow and Cleeland Streets, Dandenong

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong Council is yet to decide whether to pass on the full 3.5 per cent rates cap for 2023-’24.

In December, the State Government announced a doubling of the ‘fair go’ rates cap – up from 1.75 per cent last year and the highest setting since it was introduced in 2016.

Last year, Greater Dandenong residential ratepayers were charged an extra $14, paying on average $1491 in rates and waste charges.

Greater Dandenong chief executive Jacqui Weatherill said the council was set to soon decide the coming year’s rates increase.

“Development of the Council 2023-24 Budget and review of the Long-Term Financial Plan is currently underway.

“Therefore the determination of the rate increase in line with the rate cap will be decided by Council soon.”

Local Government Minister Melissa Horne said the Government set the rates cap lower than recommended by the Essential Services Commission due to the cost of living pressures facing rate payers.

The ESC recommended a marginally higher 4 per cent in line with the Consumer Price Index.

A track pothole.

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Greater Dandenong Council will soon set the size of its rates hike for 2023-’24. 238996 Picture: GARY SISSONS “The rate cap for the next financial year takes into account higher inflation and the need to protect Victorians from uncontrolled rate hikes, while ensuring councils can continue to deliver vital community services,” Ms Horne said.

Each council was responsible for setting their own rates level within the rates cap “based on the needs of the community”.

“Community members have the chance to engage with their local councils as they make decisions about rate rises through their budget process each year.”

The Fair Go Rates system was introduced in 2016 to curb rates rises.

In the decade before its introduction, council rates rose on average by 6 per cent a year.

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Endeavour Hills-Bayside batters Rob Wilson and Billy Allsop cross for a run. 316737

Rob Wilson, from Endeavour Hills-Bayside, faces the bowling. 316737

Rob Wilson, from Endeavour Hills-Bayside. 316737

Vets bowling up a storm Over 70s veteran cricketers defied time, but couldn’t beat the elements in a washed-out match at Syd Pargeter Reserve.

A tight battle between home side Endeavour Hills-Bayside and Warrandyte was nearing completion until play was abandoned due to storms on Wednesday 24 January.

“There was a huge bolt of lightning and thunder close by. It was not safe to stay on the field,” Endeavour Hills player Rob Wilson said.

Warrandyte was 6/97 after 30 overs, in pursuit of the home team’s 7/127 from 40 overs.

The sport was a fun way for seniors to stay fit and active, Mr Wilson said.

“We don’t play for sheep stations. We all just like to play.

“It’s better than sitting at home watching telly.”

The 10-round Veterans Cricket Victoria competition is held weekly up until March.

Soon after, Endeavour Hills will a team of over 60s for a 32-team national tournament in Echuca.

Endeavour Hills-Bayside’s Joe McMaster cuts to third man. 316737

Endeavour Hills-Bayside over 70s veteran cricketers, rear from left, Rob, Bill, Howard, Ron, centre from left, David, David, Bruce, Raynor, and front Picture: ROB CAREW from left, Rob Wilson with dog Sophie. 316737

Endeavour Hills-Bayside batsman Ron Kasputtis hits out but is dismissed. 316737

A threatening storm cloud looms over Syd Pargeter Reserve. 316737 10 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

Billy Allsop with the bat against Paul Denton’s bowling. 316737 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Casey’s finest recognised The City of Casey recognised and celebrated a record number of outstanding individuals and groups for going above and beyond in their contribution to the community at the 2023 Casey Community Awards on Wednesday 25 January.

Council held a special gala celebration event to announce the recipients of this year’s awards and acknowledge all the worthy finalists across the eight categories.

Jo Ann Fitzgerald was named the 2023 Casey Citizen of the Year, Peter Cahill the Casey Senior of the Year, Tanisha Dooley the Casey Young Citizen of the Year, Liesel Kippen was named Casey Woman of the Year, dance group Bandok Tati was the winner of the Lindsay King Art Award, Melanie Bramble was named the Environment and Sustainability Champion and the winner of the Casey Diversity and Inclusion award was the Afghan Australian Philanthropic Association.

Not-for-profit organisation Food Pantry was announced the 2023 Casey Community Group of the Year. They were awarded this for their work in supporting Casey residents with food, supplies, and essentials.

Maggie Ma’s art program with young Casey girls and women on the spectrum was awarded Highly commended in the Equity and Inclusion award, as was The Friends of Wilson Botanic Park, whose work supporting Berwick’s Wilson Botanic Park was highly commended in the Environment and Sustainability Champion award category.

City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM announced the winners and congratulated all the nominees for the welldeserved recognition.

“It’s fitting that we celebrate the individuals and community groups who give so much to our community and make Casey such a wonderful place to live,” Ms Duff said.

“Today we celebrate the many people who give their time, passion and energy to help build a better community here in Casey.

“I’d like to congratulate our 2023 Casey Citizens of the Year, along with the award winners and all the nominees for these prestigious awards. Thank you for the contribution you all make to our community.”

2023 Casey Community Award recipients: Casey Citizen of the Year – Jo Ann J Fitzgerald Jo Ann is the heart and soul of Neighbourhood Watch Casey (NHW) which has flourished under her leadership. A lifelong public servant, she works tirelessly to ensure the group grows, stays together, is relevant and meets regularly.

Jo Ann has established good partnerships with council, police and local businesses to ensure

Melanie Bramble’s dedication to sustainability and recycling has earned her Casey Environment and Sustainability Champion at the City of Casey 2023 Community Awards. 280796 the best outcomes for the community.

She manages the group and its community events, including Safe Plates Day, community safety information, and the group’s Facebook page, sharing timely and relevant safety information with Casey residents.

She also sits on Council’s Casey Community Safety reference group to ensure NHW has a voice and is represented.

Casey Young Citizen of the Year – Tanisha Dooley Tanisha is a mentor with the Casey Youth Action Committee making positive contributions to the group, showing exemplary leadership and a willingness to give her time and support to others.

She also tutors on a weekly basis at the Aboriginal Gathering Place in Doveton, using her teaching skills to support young community members with homework assistance. She makes a positive contribution to the lives of young people in Casey.

Casey Senior of the Year – Peter Cahill Peter has been a volunteer English language tutor with the Adult Migrant English Service for 17 years. He is a star volunteer and always goes above and beyond developing material to ensure his students can continue practicing and learning.

During lockdown and social isolation, Peter ensured his students were engaged and encouraged to participate. He created various activities via Zoom and Facetime to help his learners continue to practice and grow even

under difficult conditions. He also workshops ideas with his students to get the best out of them and ensures he is using the right tools to support them.

Casey Woman of the Year – Liesel Kippen Liesel is a teacher by profession and serves as an inspiration to others by making a difference in people’s lives. She raised over $17,000 for the homeless. Liesel also coordinated a care day for the vulnerable in our community before Christmas, offering hot meals, food hampers, clothing, blankets, toiletries and gifts for those who would otherwise go without.

She consistently volunteers with a soup kitchen, raises funds for homelessness, collects and distributes warm clothing, has a voice on the Casey Council Libraries group and supports overseas charities too.

Liesel demonstrates compassion and positivity in everything she does for our community.

Casey Environment and Sustainability Champion – Melanie Bramble Melanie takes recycling seriously, at home and in the community. She funds many different hard-to-recycle recycling options for the community, with her house being the drop-off point. She is passionate about recycling, and coordinates with her children’s school and her workplace to make sure everything that can be recycled is recycled. She also promotes other recycling programs available to Casey residents.

Melanie runs a Facebook page promoting local recycling options available

to Casey residents.

She has reduced waste in her own home and is keen to learn more about waste and recycling so that she can improve on her efforts, promote the services she offers, and share her wisdom.

Casey Diversity and Inclusion Award – The Afghan Australian Philanthropic Association (AAPA) The AAPA provides support and information about education, health, police, housing, and employment to newly arrived Afghan migrants and refugees.

Older members of the community are encouraged to stay connected and young people are engaged through sport, specifically soccer, as well as music and dance that enables Afghan culture and heritage to be celebrated.

The group supports diversity and inclusion for all, in particular women, who under the Taliban regime were forbidden education, medical support and employment opportunities.

Lindsay King Art Award – Bandok Tati Bandok Tati is an Aboriginal dance group based in the City of Casey - Boonwurrung/ Bunurong Country.

They are a group of young men aged from 8 to 21 years old who aim to bring more awareness to their culture through song and dance.

They pride themselves on their authenticity and power to share their personalities and smiles with everyone they meet.

They hope to inspire the broader community, and eventually the world, to learn more about the beauty of the oldest surviving culture in history, Aboriginal culture.

Casey Community Group of the Year – Berwick Church of Christ Food Pantry Food Pantry volunteers have been providing crisis care to the community in the form of fresh and non-perishable food, toiletries and nappies for the last ten years.

The Food Pantry team have created an environment where clients are respected, valued, accepted and cared for during their time of need.

As well as the practical support they provide, the team works to brighten the lives of those they serve emotionally.

Their dedication is demonstrated by providing a comfortable waiting space, ensuring privacy is upheld, and supporting specific dietary requirements.

The volunteers show their exceptional service and commitment to those going through financial hardship in our community daily.

Golden outcome for resident’s jewellery collection

By Sahar Foladi When Frank Lumanovski accidentally threw away a bunch of his wife’s gold worth up to $10,000 in the garbage, he was absolutely shattered.

That’s where Cr Jim Memeti together with the council and Lisa Fox from JJ Richards came to save the day.

A distressed Mr Kumanovski called Cr Memeti who he also happened to go to school with.

“I’ve known Frank since we were little kids. I just told myself wow how will we help Frank now? I put him on to Jo, our personal assistant, and she went on to our local staff and put it into action,” Cr Memeti said.

Thanks to the council’s great relationship with JJ Richards, they were able to pull together a team effort to find what seemed like impossible.

CEO Jacqui Weatherill and acting director of engineering services said they’d do everything possible to help Mr Lumanovski.

Contract manager Ms Fox from JJ Richards said, “I’ve had similar events but usually it’s too late and ticked off in the waste facility and long gone.

“As soon as someone says I’ threw off something I shouldn’t have’ we say I’m sorry if that’s the case because most times it’s too late.” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

The rubbish which was emptied to find the bag with gold in it.

However, in this case timing was also valuable. Cr Memeti’s swift actions led to getting a hold of the truck before it could’ve been too late.

The truck was quarantined so they could go through it all.

“We coordinated in a hot morning with rubbish that was left overnight,” Ms Fox said.

The rubbish was then dumped onto council property.

“I drove the truck, we unloaded it and we had 500 bins on board which were threequarters full and tipped it out.

“Based on where the resident lived I was able to estimate whereabouts in the load we

Pictures: SUPPLIED

should be looking,” Ms Fox said.

Cr Memeti said he thought they’d be there for days looking for the gold but to everyone’s surprise, the gold was found within five minutes.

Mr Lumaovski recognised the clipping to his garbage bag and discovered the gold within.

Everyone included in the hunt for gold was relieved that the hard work paid off.

“From the first touching base with me, me contacting the contractors and rest of the team it was unbelievable about how we found it and it had a great outcome,” Cr Memeti said.

The gold was retrieved within five minutes of digging in.

It’s mind-boggling how the gold was retrieved within five minutes of searching.

“The chances to recover were zero. There’s been nothing like this where we had the opportunity to recover anything,” Ms Fox said.

Mr Lumanovski was overwhelmed with joy and forever grateful to Cr Memeti who made it happen.

“He’s so grateful. He was broken, to be able to out a smile on his face was unbelievable,” Cr Memeti said.

That’s a happy ending to Mr Lumanovski’s nightmare, but a warning to others to be mindful of what is thrown away.

Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

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Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

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NEWS

Op Amity out in full force

By Sahar Foladi Operation Amity was in full force over the Australia Day long weekend with police issuing a stern warning to those getting behind the wheel when they shouldn’t be.

Police across the state were increasing their use of automatic number plate recognition technology (ANPR) to detect and prosecute drivers who were unlicensed, suspended and disqualified.

Unauthorised drivers were involved in 31 fatal collisions last year, a 29 per cent increase on the previous year.

Assistant Commissioner for road policing, Glenn Weir said, “We’ve seen an unacceptable road trauma at the start of 2023.

“We can’t continue to have people lose their lives by making poor decisions so we’ll be out there trying to ensure that people comply with road laws, that people aren’t speeding, driving whilst impaired and particularly aren’t driving when they shouldn’t be.”

There are 239 highway patrol vehicles across Victoria fitted with the ANPR technology as well as additional police cars in regional and specialist areas.

Additionally, there are unmarked police cars with the new technology on the roads as well.

“They might be a marked patrol car, a motorcycle or an unmarked car people will not know which vehicle is detecting for driving them when they shouldn’t be.

“So I want to make it clear to people, if you run gauntlet of driving when you shouldn’t be, you will be detected.”

The ANPR technology also detects stolen cars and unregistered vehicles as it scans up to 76 million number plates a year or 8675 number plates an hour.

“We have a focus on broader law enforce-

A display of the types of ANPR-fitted police vehicles in action. 316738 ment, we can input a whole lot of data on the list that can check people who are wanted, people who are person of interest for whole range of criminal activity as well,” Asst Comm Weir said.

The ANPR technology can scan up to 76 million number plates a year or 8,675 number plates an hour with that, there are more ANPRfitted police vehicles on Victorian roads than ever before.

During a pre-Christmas blitz operation police detected more than 1000 unlicensed, suspended and disqualified drivers up more than 33 per cent from the previous year.

“We saw levels of speed and levels of driving impairment, people were over the limit of alcohol or who had drugs in their system, but the one that really stood out was people detected for driving when they shouldn’t have been,” Asst Comm Weir said.

He spoke at a media opportunity at

Peter Rabbit

Senior Constable B. Kovac and Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir with an ANPR-fitted Pictures: ROB CAREW motorcycle Endeavour Hills on 24 January. 316738 Churchill Park Drive, Endeavour Hills, identified as a road trauma hot spot in 2021.

“Last year we ran a lot of operations in around this particular area and saw real reduction all the local police state-wide resources came together really well to reduce trauma.”

He urged drivers to slow down and plan their journeys.

“We can’t be everywhere at all time I really want people to take responsibility for their own actions.

“Wake up, grow up and arrive safely, that’s what we want.”

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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

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

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

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

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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WHAT’S ON the Cafe Vita deck at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

From 12pm-3pm on 29 January, 26 February, 26 March at Springvale Botanical Cemetery, 600 Princes Highway, Springvale. Details: 8558 8238 or info@cafevita.org.au

Tai Chi & Awareness Meditation Tai Chi is a form of physical exercise aiding health and relaxation. We follow Shibashi instructional DVDs to stretch the body and move into a state of calmness followed by Awareness Meditation. Meditation harmonises the body, brings stillness and connects the soul to meaning. All welcome to join us for one or both of these workshops.

Mondays 2pm-2.20pm (Tai Chi) and 2.30pm3.30pm (Awareness Meditation) at The Open Door, 110 Ann St, Dandenong. Gold coin donations welcome. Bookings: Jo or Tayla, 9791 8664 or theopendoor@ssjg.org.au

·

Men’s Shed Keysborough Men’s Shed is a group based on old-fashioned mateship. It provides a place where men can feel included and safe, and is a tonic for their health and wellbeing. Activities include woodwork projects, cooking for lunches, welding, maintenance around the place and assistance to the community.

It’s in the reserve outside the rear of Resurrection Primary School, 402 Corrigan Road, Keysborough (enter driveway opposite 16 Loxwood Avenue).

Fridays 9am to 2pm. Details: Michael Howlett, 0408 545 196.

·

Interfaith breakfast The Interfaith Network of Greater Dandenong’s annual breakfast will host lawyer and human rights advocate Nyadol Nyuon as guest speaker.

Registration and payment essential by 2 February at www.eventbrite.com.au/e/interfaithbreakfast-2023-tickets-463937197647 Saturday, 4 February, 7am – 9am at The Supper Room, Springvale City Hall, 397-405 Springvale Road, Springvale. Details: executive@interfaithnetwork.org.au

·

Fun for retirees

·

Australian Animal Protection Society- Feline Pity Party Meet n Greet day for the long-termer cats at the ‘Feline Pity Party’.

AAPS is offering waiving off the adoption fee for their senior cats only for the feline party event as well as ongoing veterinary support to pity party attendees who are successful with their application.

5 February, from 11am-2pm at 26 Aegean Ave, Keysborough VIC 3173

·

Free Fun Day at Noble Park Enjoy a day of free entertainment for the whole family at the Noble Park Community Fun Day 2023.

For people of all ages and abilities, this event will have something for everyone to enjoy – from live music and cultural performances, rock climbing and circus skills, to free workshops, sports, and art activities. Come along and celebrate all that Noble Park has to offer!

Enter via Corrigan Road. There will be limited parking available along Memorial Drive.

·

Saturday 4 March, 11am - 3pm, Noble Park Skate Park Memorial Drive, Noble Park.

Afghan women focus group Bakhtar Community Organisation is organising a women focus group to be held every two weeks.

The group has a key focus on developing and supporting Afghan women, especially the new arrivals to get connected in the community, receive relevant information to access the government services, overcome day to day challenges and integrate into Australian society. A light refreshment will also be provided.

Every second Sunday at 23 – 47 Gunns Road, Hallam. Details: info@bakhtar.org.au or 9703 2555 (Thursdays and Fridays).

·

Free Games Night Come down to Drum Theatre for our monthly table top games night. Meet up with other players in the community, try new games, paint some minis, trade cards, all ages welcome. We’ve got space for war gamers as well. There will also be some game demos hosted by our friends at

Next Level Games.

Games featured are, Pokemon TCG, D&D, Magic: The Gathering Warhammer, Free play (BYO games or try our collection) and Mini painting tables.

Drum Theatre, Corner Walker Street and Lonsdale Street, Dandenong.

·

Food drive Hallam Friends of Red Cross and Hallam Community Learning Centre are working together on a food drive for refugees in our local community.

Anyone can make non-perishable food donations, which will be delivered to needy locals.

Donations can be dropped off Mondays to Fridays 10am-3pm at Hallam Community Learning Centre, 56 Kays Road Hallam. Details: 9703 1688 or 0455 566 570.

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Sunday Jazz Enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon filled with great food, coffee and the smooth sounds of the Jennifer Salisbury Jazz Duo performing on

Waverley Gardens Combined Probus Club is seeking new members from Dandenong North, Noble Park and Springvale North. In addition to other activities, members meet for coffee and listen to a guest speaker.

From 9.45am to noon on the last Tuesday of the month at Southern Community Centre, 27 Rupert Dr, Mulgrave. Details: Don, 9560 6046.

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Conversation circle Join the Conversation Circle at Dandenong Library and make new friends whilst practising English in a friendly, relaxed and safe environment. This program is suitable for adults. Low to intermediate levels of English language skills are required.

When: Every Thursday during school terms 6-7.30pm.

·

Jobs Victoria Advocate Drop-in employment information.

Monday from 10am–4pm at Springvale Library; Wednesday from 10am to 4pm at Dandenong Library; every Thursday fortnight at CoCO’S, 2-3/48 McCrae Street Dandenong; Tuesday and Friday from 10am to 4pm at Springvale Learning & Activities Centre.

Contact Ali Abd Ali. Phone: 0452 647 522.

Email: pathways@springvalelac.org.au

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PAGE 11

1249649

EVERY WEEK

DANDEN

SPORT

Photos te your stor ll ies

Valour r ewarded

Wyndham to enter an residents are being invited which aims amateur photo comp to showcase etition toget

By Cam Luca

dou-Wells

her durin how local A quick-thin s came Non-profi g the COVID-19 driver out king hero who pulled a for Australast group, Bridge Buildpandemic. nong Southof her burning vehicle in dazed Wyndham ia (BBFA), is runn ers tion for Bravehas been awar ing the ded a Com DandeConduct.

Stronger 2020 & Beyond, You, mendaChris Wilto Together Me, n, from comp

by Manor his way to Rowville, Lakes Com etition, supported had been initia 2015 - “halfwork about 6.20a muni tive ty Fund, on of the m on asleep and an BBFA presi Dennis Family needing 3 September When the Corporatio dent Melb the group car crash mechanical engin coffee”. n. a Waug eer saw a Hammon on Dandenong document organised the phot h said multid Bypass o contest how Wynd went from Road intersectio near the a community to ham stood n, thing “zero to s quickly 100”.

He spott The comp during the pand strong as ed a wom that had residents etition, for Wynd emic. slammed an, ‘Emily’, still aged 18 ham in and moun into to images and older ted the medi the back of anothher car , whic is open er car an strip.

“I saw flame hope, coura h tell a visua l story of s coming Mr Wilto or patience ge, innovation, resili out of the n said. and must ence bonnet,” “I This between was photo Marbie, taken yellingofout January 2020have been taken get out of of my wind in a Hopp No digita the car.” and Marc ers Cross ow for her l phot Emily was to ing backyard, Cash prize o editing is allow h 2021. shocked, has been vated airba on March s are on offer. Entried. submitted g as fire spreafrozen under to the comp 31. an acties close Mr Wilto d under etition. (Suppl Details: the vehic was jamm n tried to open ied) wixsite.co https://bbfaustralas the car door le. ed. m/mysite ia. but it The car Australas , ia on Face Bridge Builders for presence was in drive. Mr wynd book of mind Wilton had ham@gmai or email to to pull on bbfa. l.com the the hand lean through the brake. window “Come on, we’ve got he By Ales urged to get out theha Cap drive of the car,” r. one He mana ged to unco herSome undeWyn “is behaving r herdham counuple her seatb fire elt, grab and lift like cillor fortestheirarms Minu hersfree haveofcome Others liken a petulant child behathe later, viour the car. at as.publi flame under show ”. ed the meet cardurin Just cbefor meeteing wasg aengu heate .

“Som ing d last on the the emer to deba lfed eone Coun their Tuesd acquisitio genc scene in te pass the popc cillor favourite ay. y servi . s have been The deba like governmen n of the site for orn”. te Mr Wilto childnren describedces arrived reme and as behaving Szatkowski attemerupted when cars mber byaroun Education t school; and for couna future state being viewe ed there Cr Robe a “petu pted drs motion, put splitt Mini at the watch werelant other time. ing The a lotchild broad It also stated ster James Merl cil to write to Cr ing the motion forward by to split a notic rt the drive cars of ” five cast meetrsing were live stand ino. and e separ on Faceb Szatkowsk of as it the bypa ing ook. two At one on the other the was ChrisThe ate motions for Cr Josh Gilligan, of support for the that council shou ss, havin i has “receraised concerns that dollars point into g amayo ld reiterate councillor site Wilto chat.r moti force “No d n on conc one its Tarn of donations from ived thousands s to vote on. that council shou to remain a site Adele Hege side of to inter the inters else ject.

Road, whicnear erned land was awar for a eit linked of the car,” the state dich ld remain the over relian n’sat 203 h was earm ectio The he member of debat said. “concernedschool; e Woo of atofutur medids e deterioratee that Emily was inwas have Cr Szatk to this motion”. think arked for centr ce of the priva “I was the e abou landwhere abou non-gover owsk pron constructi an strip t it – Inmen d and tryin into uncia Trug just “It deliv he g bicke to tion rescu acted anina wave outaccus er schools te sector to acqu t a matter of publii stated the dona ring over hope was likePreci t schoo of a down the fire, . l unde on to consi I saw councillor ire Gillig ationbut nctsome tions are work’s utes in Wyn der how ed a dazed Strucone driverdham of abusi no one r the stage nameto, and would tureneed an to “pron c record. He then from ”;a and this may Rega pulled over.” ve langu Mr“I’m putan haveAsit repor Plan. tedbebywhat rdles ed help.

Wiltoappa burni s of age s, relate ounc ng asked n’s the Star the the being done car. clear e my surna After Schools4W lled by Weekone saved 272006 event was to any futur Victo in rian thinkbeha trying to ging for Mr the same some comm ly inelse woulI’d chanThe Emily ing may used. me corre Cr yndham persp ents’s made motion Wilto Civil life. posit It turne mber d , Pictu advocacy. ion.”AdmSepte ective- e twice, Cr Gillig say Cr Szatk and naldhas also n. re: owsk tone and Tribu by some viour,well “It just “As soon GARYi’sSISS ctly”. viewe out given unde called the the rtake r stated an make people tonig have a large inistr as I .saw some crash for brave to divid ONS first the had the coun ative happ a sstrate you think part me ry. comm instead addressed surna develbeen name e the fallin ht”, lookenatat how oper cause one in the “Communi site endation. that ing g from any point gic plann permdission him by his into 227 anything cil to “Speaking road. the the resid car, I didn’one the by CathAs it could backentia .” canto was As the farEduc olic He’s ing to conti deba like adults” ty are interested plann of a ltruck as Mr kept contr put in placereview over lots, after Wilto ation indthe rightteher in touch in adults behav t and its drive agree on her the, years raise wrote anoth nued n know Offic mentrtohave not ols with a point place Cr Saha stron e pulle , it’sna forwelfa s, d around er, and that the just like I Emilsites non-regover ing of order at the right in the been ident outtruck y, checking ger ofMr a schoo of an they Cr Gillig build Wilto one councillor mon “usin esh nmen accus time. Ram l thereified. g nabusi was ve infratext on for Austr t ths nated schoo after the desig onelangu each struc of 46 peoping Cr ”Gilligan Sarah Connan’s motion called . chamber”. crash alian Brave sary each ture.other on the ls and comm, and age inle anno for unity olly to be Cr ry decoration year. the coun unced Two asked to publiTarneit MP origi Gillig an She nominaterescue’s anniverThe mayo bravery cil s this mon lists r said Gove nal notic described cly support Mr Wilto thed chan th. sheare was rnordidrecomhear said,Gene mend “but ral tofor He quest e of motion as “ridic ges n ed ly by the not his Deco exact if there towhat ration the you Austr ioned Cr ulous was s pleas Coun alian any languBrave ”. e refraincil Szatkowsk each year. ry from age, can i’s moti Coun using

Council ‘soap op era’

We’re op it again en to ke ves for separatecillor s on Cr Szatk ”. ep your motions.voted owski’s five All were passe PURCHA car ru SE ONLIN nnind. g.

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• 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

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Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

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STAR JOURNAL 15

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Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Casey a capital of growth

By Eleanor Wilson

The analysis found Australians continue to flock to ‘greenfield’ suburbs, with the fastest growing areas being suburbs where detached housing is common.

Picture: UNSPLASH “That is why council is committed to advocating to the Federal and State Governments for the top three areas in which the community wants to see more investment: roads and public transport, local job opportunities, and health services and facilities.

“Our $125.45 million 2022/23 budget allocation demonstrates council’s own commitment to providing the community with the services and infrastructure it needs, exemplified by projects like the $4.7 million Clyde North Family and Community Centre, and the $2 million Cranbourne West Sports Reserve.”

In the past 18 months, developers have delivered over $50m of arterial road and inter-

section projects to service Casey’s new growth areas, Ms Duff said.

“Council is also committed to engaging, facilitating and partnering with landowners and the development sector to deliver connected, sustainable and highly productive employment precincts, for example ESR’s Green Link Estate in Cranbourne West, which promises to create significant local job opportunities.”

The council’s Shape Your City community engagement program, which identified the key community priorities for the future of the city, will also support the population growth Ms Duff said.

“These priorities are central to the Vision

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Real Estate section of Network Classifieds.

Massage Therapists

ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.

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Pets & Services

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ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number.

It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice.

For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

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Accommodation

ROOMS AVAILABLE, Single rooms. Gents only. 48 Hammond Road/45 Hemmings Street, Dandenong.

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RECEPTIONIST

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Successful applicant will have good interpersonal skills with patients and other staff, computer competency, willingness to learn and good attention to detail. Permanent part-time position, including Saturdays.

Send resumes to: Ms R. Wilson, P.O. Box 65, Narre Warren, 3805 or email to martinwilsoney ecare@bigpond.com.

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Professional

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Trades & Services

and Council Plan and have informed our strategic approach in five key areas – economic development; infrastructure; the environment; health and wellbeing; and transformation - to ensure Casey remains a thriving community going forward.”

Despite the strict international border closures through the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia has added more than 1 million new residents since December 2019.

The annual growth rate nationally for 2022 was 1.7 per cent, the highest since March 2017, with Australia’s population exceeding 26 million people for the first time.

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9703 2011

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Mechanical Fitter

12587165-ET04-23

Casey is the third-fastest growing region in the country, according to new data from KPMG Australia.

The report, released last week, analysed the fastest growing regions across Australia since 2019, focusing on areas which had experienced an influx of new residents.

It showed ‘Casey South’ had grown at an annual rate of 4.5 per cent since 2019 - welcoming 29,400 new residents.

Blacktown (North), in New South Wales, posted the second largest increase in population over the 2019-2022 period, with 30,100 new residents, while Wyndham, in Victoria’s South West, came out on top with 34,500 new residents since 2019.

The analysis found Australians continue to flock to ‘greenfield’ suburbs, which describe former rural land areas that are being developed for housing, typically with detached houses.

Greater Melbourne’s greenfield areas has seen significant growth over the past three years, although growth rates have slowed compared to the previous period, according to KPMG demographics expert Terry Rawnsley.

“The growth areas have offered new residents affordable housing compared to most established parts of Melbourne,” Mr Rawnsley said.

“Affordable housing, quality amenities and access to local jobs and services has driven this level of growth,” Mr Rawnsley said.

In response to the report, City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff said the council is committed to taking the adequate steps to support the municipality’s continuing population growth.

“Providing the supporting infrastructure and services in a growth area is crucial,” Ms Duff said.

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Employment

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section of Network Classifieds.

Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

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STAR JOURNAL 17

SPORT

Semmler paddles his way to 500th

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Long day for Dandy against Uni

By Marcus Uhe

Greater Dandenong Table Tennis Association player Danny Semmler will have to find the puff to extinguish 50 birthday candles later this year.

But, if his endurance with paddle in hand is anything to go by, he’ll blow them out easily and have plenty of reserves in the tank for his upcoming 500th game.

Since starting out as a casual player in 1991, Semmler has won 50 leading player awards for Dandenong, bringing up the milestone late last year.

A leading player award is granted to the player with the greatest number of home-andaway singles wins in a season.

No-one has come close to that mark.

To put it in perspective, across his 32-year career, there have been three or four seasons per year.

Throw in a brief retirement for a couple of years leading into the pandemic, and then the pandemic-ruined seasons, plus occasional seasons missed along the journey for personal reasons, his class becomes apparent.

When eligible for the leading player award, he’s won it far more often than he’s lost it.

“That’s the achievement I hold dearest,” Semmler said ahead of game 500.

His response is telling of how much the club means to him.

Also in the proverbial pool room is a senior nationals title and eight nationals veterans titles.

His best win came in 2005 over Brett Clarke, who won silver for Australia at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, while Semmler also hit frequently with another Australian representative, Heming Hu. During that time, Semmler was a top-five Victorian ranked player.

At his prime, Semmler was on the table for up to 25 hours per week, but that has whittled down to about eight recently as his age catches up with him, ‘only’ at the club for four days per week instead of up to six.

Nowadays, he enjoys playing with team members John Salem, a long-time Dandenong player, and Sam Palmer, also a coach at the club, while Semmler also assists the next generation of players.

“They stick together and they’re generally our top team,” Association secretary Terry Saundry said of the trio.

“Danny comes week-in week-out and as

Picture: SUPPLIED

Danny Semmler looks to launch a forehand. 317378 good a player as he is, that’s probably why he wins best player award as much as anything.

“He’s a heavy topspin (player) and his game is based around that.

“He’s not like modern players who attack from both wings, but he’s so good at it, if you look at him play you’d think he’d be hampered (because of his preference for his forehand).

“He’d rather win the point than protect himself,” Saundry added, referencing a thumb injury that knocked him about in 2022.

And that competitive streak coupled with the class of his teammates has him primed to continue performing.

The first season of 2023 just kicked off for Dandenong, with Semmler’s team, called the ‘Hitmen’ taking a 9-2 win over La Otra – Brian Alvos, Cristian Cosea and Chris Dobrovic.

Ping Kombat – David Segal, Rafael Lay and Tom Tomasevic also won, defeating Medical Engineers – Paul Roy and Sergey Voronov 9-2.

Phoenix – Herman Pekel, Greg Robbins and Vay Yip defeated Sour Power – Parleen Kour, Connie Psihogios and Winuk Rathnasinghe, 7-4 in the other fixture.

Danny Semmler serving.

Each player has three singles matches and the team plays in two doubles matches per tie.

Dandenong Journal will continue to report results throughout the season.

Dandenong will have its work cut out in the second day of its Premier Cricket fixture next week against Melbourne University after a long day in the field on Saturday.

In the heat at Shepley Oval, the visitors finished the day 7-345 from their 90 overs, as none of the Panthers’ bowling group were able to make major inroads.

Fresh off their drought-breaking win last week against Greenvale, their rejuvenation under new coach Glenn Marinic looked set to continue as Braden Taeuber nabbed Uni opener Blake Reed with his second ball in the second over of the day.

But that was about as good as it got for the Panthers, who quickly found themselves leaking runs at more than four per over.

Four Melbourne Uni batters passed 50 as they ponder a declaration ahead of next weekend’s second day.

Ben Allison’s 2-48 off 17 were the standout figures, while Sahan Perera sent down 27 overs for 2-92.

With the students sitting in ninth and only four points ahead of Casey South-Melbourne on the ladder, the men in red will be hoping the Panthers can get the chocolates and do them a solid in return.

Harish Kannan’s excellent season for Casey South-Melbourne continued with an unbeaten 90 against Northcote at Bill Lawry Oval, on an otherwise tricky day for batting.

Like last week, the Swans found themselves in early trouble at 3-22, as Luke Manders, Atharv Deshpande and Ashley Chandrasinghe were all dismissed in a three over period.

Kannan and captain Michael Wallace (60) once again rescued the innings but not to the same heights as last week’s record-breaking stand.

Should the Swans continue to bat on next week, Kannan will be joined by Luke Shelton at 6-252 as he eyes a second consecutive Premier cricket hundred.

Flyers strike-down Lightning in South Australian thriller

By Marcus Uhe A contested layup from Kayla Thornton has extended the Southside Flyers’ winning streak to three games, prevailing in a thriller against the Adelaide Lightning in South Australia on Saturday night.

Thornton’s return to the starting line-up was crucial in the tense victory, registering another double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead all players in scoring, as the Flyers claimed the 73-72 win.

After forcing her and Lauren Jackson’s defender’s to make a choice, between leaving the all-time great open on the three-point line and staying with Thornton for a potential drive to the basket, Thornton used that crucial slip-up from the Lightning defender to gain a half-step on her opponent.

With Jackson having dragged her opponent away from the hoop, it left plenty of space for a potential cutter to get to the rim without going past one of Adelaide’s taller defenders, which is precisely what the American did.

She faked setting a screen for Maddison Rocci, cut to the basket and flipped the running-shot one-handed off the glass, giving the 18 STAR JOURNAL

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Flyers a one-point lead with 15.8 seconds remaining.

Steely defence from Sara Blicavs on Lightning captain Stephanie Talbot resulted in a missed three-point shot to win the home side the game, clinching the victory for the Flyers.

Southside had been shaken by the Lightning early in the contest, as Adelaide started the game on a 15-4 run halfway through the opening quarter, but Thornton’s presence on the inside kept them in the hunt and closed the gap to five by the end of the first.

Her three-point shot tied the game at 35 late in the second term, off an assist from Rocci, but Adelaide pulled-away late in the quarter to restore that five-point buffer at the half.

Two quick buckets in the first 30 seconds of the second half showed that the Flyers wouldn’t be going anywhere, and it was here where Jackson began to take over.

She had nine points in the quarter and stayed on the court after appearing to hurt her ankle, having had her legs tangled under some Adelaide defenders down low.

Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

A pair of free-throws to Monique Conti gave the Flyers an eight-point margin with 3.30 left in the quarter, but Southside’s inability to close-out a term hurt them yet again as they only took a one-point lead into the last change.

The two-sides exchanged buckets throughout the quarter, as the lead never grew beyond three points for either team.

Trailing by one with 42 seconds remaining, a turnover from Jackson shaped as costly, giving the Lightning an opportunity to make the game a two-possession contest as time tickedaway.

But the Flyers regrouped, and forced a shot clock violation, granting them the ball back with 24 seconds left, leading to the Thornton game-winner.

Veterans Blicavs and Jackson both added 15 points, while it was winning the battle on the glass that proved critical for the Flyers, outrebounding the South Australians by 10.

Saturday’s contest puts the brakes on a marathon road-trip for Southside, who return to Melbourne for their game at John Cain Arena on Saturday 4 February against the Sydney Flames.

Sara Blicavs was critical in the Southside Flyers’ win over Adelaide on Saturday. 211194 Picture: SUPPLIED dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

How’s that for openers...

By Marcus Uhe A Mitch Forysth masterclass set the tone for a thumping Springvale South victory over St Mary’s in DDCA Turf 1 on Saturday at Carroll Reserve, maintaining their buffer on the rest of the competition at the top of the table.

Opening the batting with his captain Ryan Quirk, Forsyth (149) hit his maiden hundred as part of a 248-run opening stand that killed the prospect of a contest early, before the Bloods bowlers made short work of the St Mary’s batting line-up.

The openers were near flawless in their new club-record partnership, rotating the strike with ease as they manipulated the field at will.

Forsyth made the running early, but it was Quirk who reached both his 50 and 100 milestones first, before he was bowled by Deeshan Vimukthi on 111 off 115.

His second hundred of the 2022-23 campaign continues a stellar season for the Bloods skipper, bolstering his average to 73.67 and leaving him 133 runs clear of his nearest competitor for leading run scorer, in, coincidentally, Mitch Forsyth.

Forsyth’s season had contained plenty of starts (28, 16, 21, 10, 30, 36 and 19) but no big score to capitalise on those foundations.

Carrying his bat and collecting four sixes and 12 fours along the way, he and his teammates will be hoping for more of the same as they look to defend their Turf 1 title later in the season.

A quick 28 from Jordan Wyatt rubbed salt into the gaping St Mary’s wounds as they finished 2-300 from their 45, comfortably too much for their opponents, who weren’t able to carry their momentum from last week’s victory over Parkmore.

Captain Wendyl Pires’ 21 top-scored for the home side who were rolled for 94 in the 38th over.

Josh Dowling and the returning Matt Wetering took three wickets each, with Wetering also contributing a run out.

The crushing result means Buckley Ridges could barely gain any ground on their rivals, despite themselves recording a solid win over Berwick.

In similar scenes at Park Oval, Buckley too racked-up a mammoth total thanks to Daniel Watson and Jayson Hobbs’ contributions up top.

The two added 121 for the first wicket, as Watson (85) registered his second consecutive half-century and Hobbs (72) his second score of 50-plus for the season.

Watson in particular took to the Berwick bowlers, reaching 50 off 23 balls and bludgeoning 68 runs in boundaries as the fielders grew accustomed to the surrounds of Dandenong Park.

A sturdy 65 from skipper Ben Wright and contributions from their bevy of allrounders pushed their total to 7-297.

Riley Siwes, Lachlan Brown and Andrew Perrin all grabbed two wickets each for the visitors, and Perrin also striking Hobbs on the hand, who was forced to attend a medical clinic after the game.

Mitch Forsyth salutes his teammates after scoring his hundred on Saturday. 317207 Needing something big from their opening pair, Berwick could hardly have gotten off to a worse start, as Lachlan Brown was sent packing for a globe in the opening over.

Captain Jake Hancock and veteran Matt Chasemore added a valuable 67 runs for the third wicket, but Chasemore’s dismissal triggered a collapse of 8-97.

Watson’s contributions with the bat were matched by his efforts with the ball, grabbing 4-28 to make it seven wickets in his last two games and 12 for the year.

Left arm spinner Sanka Dinesh grabbed three, including the wicket of Hancock for 71.

Hallam Kalora Park’s seven-wicket victory over Narre South may look comfortable on paper, but the Hawks were made to grind out the winning runs by an economical Lions outfit.

A boundary off the bat of Kevin Kean at the end of the 44th over sealed the result for the Hawks, who crawled their way past the Lions’ total of 177 at home.

Narre South were left reeling at 2-2 thanks to William Whyte’s destructive first over, with Kyle Hardy and Jonty Jenner both removed without troubling the scorers.

Superstar Jeevan Mendis could only add 24 before he became one of Sachith Jayasingha’s two victims to retain his status as the competition’s leading wicket taker.

Harsha de Silva top-scored for the visitors with 50 as the Lions were strangled by the Hawks’ bowling group.

In reply, Hallam got off to a hot start as Leigh Booth found gaps in the offside with regularity, looking rather untroubled by

Picture: ROB CAREW

Berwick’s seamers.

The introduction of Hardy’s medium pacers and Mendis’ leg-spinners to the bowling crease, however, presented a change in pace, both on the ball, and the run rate.

The two bowled 10 overs together unchanged, dropping the run rate from above five after nine overs, to just above three after 27, when Mendis had Matthew Cox edging to Hardy at first slip.

Jagveer Hayer’s 23 off 70 epitomised the difficulty in scoring, but in “Lethal” Booth, they had a steady head at the other end.

Booth would be dismissed nine runs short of a hundred, but some lusty blows from Kean, and captain Jordan Hammond saw the Hawks home in the second last over.

Muhammad Dawa Khan and Sushant Gupta ensured Parkmore’s miserable season continued, combining to take all 10 wickets in North Dandenong’s four-wicket win at Wachter Reserve.

Gupta (4-47) removed Chirath Uralagamage (one) Dulan Waduge (eight) and Johann Brohier (one) in quick succession to have the Pirates in trouble at 3-17, which saw Amal Athulathmudali join Mohomad Safras for a 80-run partnership.

Both passed 50 on their way to their side’s 207 as Khan cleaned-up the lower order and tail to grab career-best figures of 6-39.

Ramneet Dhindsa continued a consistent season for the Maroons with 56 at the top of the order, his second 50 of the season and fourth score above 40, to steer the chase home in the 39th over.

Spirngvale South’s Mitch Forsyth and Ryan Quirk embrace after Forsyth scored his maiden hundred on Saturday. 317207 Tahsinullah Sultani and Rajitha Ranaweera both scored 37 for the visitors, while Ammar Bajwa was the pick of the Pirates bowlers with 1-35 off his seven overs.

With all top-four sides winning, it means no change to the ladder positions at the end of round 10.

Springvale South still lead Buckley Ridges, Hallam Kalora Park and North Dandenong in the following four finals positions, with Narre South, St Mary’s, Berwick and Parkmore all on the outside looking in.

‘Modern’ gets with the times in dominant sprint win

By Luke Corda On a picturesque Australia Day evening it was Modern Collinda who shined brightest as she took out one of the two feature events held at Sandown Park on Thursday night.

The latest star in the Jason Thompson kennel at Pearcedale was a class above in the Australian Sprint special event, bursting away to win in 29.39s ahead of a strong field that included the likes of Zippy Tesla, Dynamic Prince and My Neo. The win makes it three straight at city level for Modern Collinda and she is yet to miss the podium in 2023.

Owner Steph Tyler couldn’t be happier with her form.

“It’s lovely to see her string a few good runs together, and it’s especially nice to win a feature event like the Australian Sprint,” she said. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

“When you know they’re as strong as she is, you think to yourself ‘we’re going to catch this dog, we’ve got a chance’. It’s a real thrill.”

Modern Collinda made a name for herself when chasing down Melbourne Cup runnerup Fernando Mick to win in 29.25s just two weeks ago.

She is yet to take her paw off the gas.

This quick rise to stardom comes as no surprise to Steph.

“We’ve known from the start what she’s capable of doing,” she said.

“Her confidence is really high at the moment.

“I reckon she can take it to the big boys, she’s shown that she’s able to compete with the best of them.

“We spoke to Jason (Thompson) about taking her to the Temlee, but whether she’ll get a start or not, we’re not sure.

“She only made her mark very recently so it might be a little bit late.

“If she doesn’t get the run, we’ll look for another strong race for her to step up to the challenge again.

“Hopefully she can keep taking on these challenges and win a Group race soon.”

Earlier in the night, Black Sail was an outstanding winner in the Maidment Memorial special event over the 595m.

He left cleanly from the inside draw and exploded down the back to lead by 10 lengths over Mepunga Warrior and Chic, recording a breathtaking 22.99s second split in the process!

He crossed the line in 33.99s and brought home the trophy for trainer Ned McDonald.

Black Sail has proven hard to beat over the middle distance, winning two of his three 595m runs at Sandown.

Modern Collinda is a star on the rise for the powerful Jason Thompson team at Picture: SUPPLIED Pearcedale. 317347

Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

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STAR JOURNAL 19

NPAC Gym Opens Tuesday January 31

Scan the QR Code for Membership Specials

BRAND NEW FACILITY INCLUDES: Large Gym Floor Latest Strength and Cardio equipment 5 dedicated group fitness rooms Reformer Pilates studio 12586358-ET05-23

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Tuesday, 31 January, 2023

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au