Sughra Haidari performed on stage as part of a SisterWorks celebration of refugees and asylum seekers at Springvale City Hall on Sunday 15 June.
The event kicked off Refugee Week by showcasing the stories, music, art and food of newly-arrived communities. The theme continues with a documentary screening of Batoor: A Refugee Journey featuring photojournalist Barat Ali Batoor, an inspiring bike journey by asylum-seeker school founder Muzafar Ali and the opening of the HOME art exhibition this week.
Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/refugee-week
Show of strength Ride for schools
A Hazara former refugee has embarked on an inspiring 4000-kilometre cycling journey to raise funds to school stricken refugees and Afghan women.
Muzafar Ali has begun pedalling from Maleny, Queensland to Adelaide, South Australia, stopping on the way in Dandenong on World Refugee Day on Friday 20 June for a morning tea hosted by
Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti.
It is one of a series of brief stops for Muzafar’s team on their Ride for Education, including in several rural communities, to raise $250,000 to support eight schools, 130 teachers, and more than 2000 students across seven countries.
The refugee-led schools are run by Cisarua Learning, a refugee-led organisation that Muzafar
co-founded while he was an asylum seeker with no rights to work or education in Indonesia in 2014.
He, his wife, sister and sister-in-law became the first teacher volunteers.
“When we started our first refugee school in Indonesia with just $200, we never imagined it would grow into what it is today.
“This ride is about connecting with the com-
munities who have supported us along the way and raising awareness about the critical situation facing women’s education in Afghanistan.”
Muzafar had worked as a as a UN political analyst in Afghanistan actively engaged in promotion of human rights among other critical works before fleeing threats from the Taliban in 2012.
More on the story, turn to page 2
(Gary Sissons: 483998)
4000km ride underway
By Sahar Foladi
A Hazara former refugee has embarked on an extraordinary 4000-kilometre cycling journey to raise educational funds for refugees and Afghan women.
Muzafar Ali has begun pedalling from Maleny, Queensland to Adelaide, South Australia, stopping on the way in Dandenong on World Refugee Day on Friday 20 June for a morning tea hosted by Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti.
It is one of a series of brief stops for Muzafar’s team on their Ride for Education, including in several rural communities.
“The cycle has a special place from my childhood when my father used to take me to school an hour away for eight years of my life.
“This cycle is very symbolic to me and helped me continue my education.
“This time I want to use it to raise awareness and raise funds for refugees stuck in Indonesia and women in Afghanistan.”
The ride, which coincides with Refugee Week 2025, is part of a campaign to raise $250,000 to support eight schools, 130 teachers, and more than 2000 students across seven countries through Cisarua Learning, a refugee-led organisation co-founded by Muzafar in Indonesia in 2014.
It is named after the Indonesian town Cisarua, which is also the staging post for asylum-seeker boats headed for Christmas Island.
Muzafar worked as a as a UN political analyst in Afghanistan actively engaged in promotion of human rights among other critical works before fleeing threats from the Taliban in 2012.
As a refugee in Indonesia for two years with no rights to work or education, he co-founded the
first refugee-led school in West Java.
He, his wife, sister and sister-in-law became the first teacher volunteers.
“When we started our first refugee school in Indonesia with just $200, we never imagined it would grow into what it is today.
“This ride is about connecting with the communities who have supported us along the way and raising awareness about the critical situation facing women’s education in Afghanistan.”
What started as a school has grown into a holistic refugee pre-resettlement support organisation that provides education to refugees from many war-torn countries, all based in Indonesia.
The school is running strong with nine schools in Indonesia, six of them supported through Cisarua Learning by not only providing English classes but also psycho-social activities such as sports, to minimise the mental health issues, sense of
purpose and belonging.
According to Muzafar, the school consists of students aged four to 68 years, including women who have not previously attended school and having a go at learning English.
“When they attend school a lot of them don’t know English and we use English as a common language to learn and use the Australian curriculum.
“When resettled they go to their age-appropriate classes straightaway, they don’t need to attend to EAL.”
Capable students become teachers after Year 9 or above and teachers can move up to become managers, providing a career pathway.
The school may be the only normal aspect of their lives as they wait in limbo.
During Musafar’s ride, the film ‘The Staging Post directed by director and Cisarua Learning
Risking all for a higher cause
By Sahar Foladi
This is not the first time Muzafar has taken a stance on education.
He setup a school within a prison in Afghanistan, saw them learn and even graduate High School while still in prison through the help of his human right activist colleagues.
He came to a full circle more than a decade later when he visited Afghanistan in 2024 where he witnessed young girls and women risking their lives to attend underground schools after Taliban banned high school and higher education for them.
The risky re-visitation that too with a smuggled camera, to tell the raw stories as a humans right activist and photographer was far greater than anything, including leaving his comfort, family behind in Australia and potentially his life.
“It was heartbreaking to see girls the same age as my daughter begging for support to continue their education.
“I promised them I would do whatever it takes. I’m alive for a purpose maybe”.
He visited several underground schools run by several Hazara women in Australia.
Through sharing their stories he wanted to debunk the rumours by social media influenc-
ers, YouTube travel bloggers and Western journalists who reported calm and peace on the streets under the Taliban rule.
“Lack of war doesn’t mean peace.
“The same terrorists who killed innocent people, killed women and babies in maternity wards, commit suicide attacks in bazaars, target schools-they cannot bring peace in Afghanistan.
“That perspective was very challenging and
confronting for me.
“I went there to tell their story and this is what I’m doing in Australia through my bike ride.”
He says social media influencers and travellers are usually assigned to one soldier to guide their actions and visibility of the country often directing them to touristy locations such as Band-e-Amir.
co-founder Jolyon Hoff is being screened in several stop-off points.
The film follows Muzafar’s life in Indonesia, the community and school.
This is one of a series of three films following Watandar, My Countryman with an upcoming release in October, We are not Powerless.
Teens arrested
Two teens have been arrested after a 70-yearold man and a boy were seriously injured in separate attacks on Friday evening, 13 June.
Police say two boys assaulted the elderly man at a chemist at Parkmore shopping centre in Keysborough about 4.55pm.
The Dandenong North man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The same day, a 16-year-old boy waiting at a bus stop on Centre Dandenong Road, Dingley Village was approached by allegedly the same pair of boys about 7.15pm.
The teen was stabbed in an unprovoked attack, police say.
He was hospitalized with serious injuries.
A 16-year-old boy from the Kingston area was charged in relation to both incidents after handing himself into police the next day.
He was remanded to appear at a children’s court on Sunday 15 June.
Greater Dandenong CIU detectives had also earlier arrested a 19-year-old man at a Bonbeach address on Saturday 14 June.
Cisarua Learning in Indonesia provide psycho-social activities and sports for refugees.(Supplied)
Muzafar Ali on his journey to cycle 4000 km to raise funds for refugees and Afghan women’s education.(Supplied)
Muzafar Ali takes a stop in rural Australia during the 4000-kilometre trip.(Muzafar Ali)
Girls walking home after school in Nili, Daikundi province. (Hamish)
Killers avoiding scrutiny
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A State coroner has highlighted the oft-underestimated “fatality risks“ posed by coercive, controlling men after the violent murder of an Endeavour Hills woman by her obsessively jealous partner two years ago.
Mother-of-two Monique Anita Lezsak, 39, died from multiple stab wounds inflicted by Sven Lindemann, including to her neck and chest, at her Kassan Gardens home on 30 May 2023.
In hearing loud screams, Lezsak’s daughter ran to the bedroom to see Lindemann stabbing her mother with such force that the knife broke.
Despite her and her grandmother’s courageous efforts, Lindemann resumed his attack with four other knives – including another one that he broke in the assault.
“I am deeply troubled by the circumstances of this matter but note that unfortunately it is not unique,” Judge John Cain stated in his report on 12 June.
It remained a challenge that perpetrators like Lindemann didn’t come to attention of authorities or family violence service providers until the fatal incident - despite a record of concerning behaviours, Judge Cain said.
“While a victim, family and friends, may notice controlling behaviours, with good intentions they often seek to manage them, and are unaware of the significant risks these men pose, due to the lack of physical violence.”
Days beforehand, Lezsak had broken up with Lindemann and told a friend that she was nervous about returning home and that Lindemann would do “something stupid”.
Lindemann had told the same friend he felt like “necking herself” and that he’d “put a spell on her”.
He’d also discovered Lezsak had been seeing another man. He messaged the man, telling him he’d destroyed their family and that he was lucky he was living interstate.
During the relationship, friends noted Lindemann’s controlling behaviour such as threatening suicide if Lezsak tried to leave him and preventing males approaching her in the gym.
He also required Lezsak to “walk on eggshells” around him to ensure her children didn’t disturb him.
Judge Cain said research found often domestic-homicide perpetrators were employed or running a business, middle aged and with little or no criminal record.
More than half of the offenders used a knife to kill, and most were older than the victim by an average of eight years.
Obsessive jealousy, controlling behaviours and separation were well-recognised risk factors.
Judge Cain recommended a public campaign to better inform the community of the risks posed by perpetrators in the absence of physical violence.
“The campaign should enhance awareness of fatality risks posed by those who use coercive and controlling behaviour, factors that may increase risk (such as in the context of separation) - and should include clear information to victims, friends, family and bystanders as to services available to help keep them safe.”
The coroner praised Lezsak’s daughter who “bravely and persistently” intervened in the face of “such horrendous violence”.
elbow and shoulder as tried vainly to save her mother.
He recommended that Victoria funds a support service specifically for the “invisible” children bereaved by domestic homicide.
Currently, families were accessing specialist services interstate because they had no other option.
“Until we are able to prevent these acts (of domestic homicide), we must certainly do everything in our power to support children who experience them.”
“The period of acute escalation for many of these offenders … is typically very short, creating challenges for disruption or intervention.”
In 2024, Lindemann pleaded guilty to murder as well as recklessly causing injury to Lezsak’s daughter.
He was jailed for up to 31 years, including a 25year non-parole period. (File)
She had suffered knife wounds to her hands,
Students’ health in mind
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A ground-breaking mental health first aid course has been rolled out to 100 students at Lyndale Secondary College.
The course gave practical skills to Year 10 students to help their classmates, including to detect the early signs that their peers are struggling.
Some of the early signs include changes in behaviour and attitude, such as becoming less interested in their hobbies.
“Research shows young people are more likely to tell their peers things are not OK than an adult,” course trainer Pauline Neil of MH Training said.
“So it makes sense to arm the peers with this type of information.”
Rotary Club of Dandenong and Endeavour Hills as well as the Rotary district funded and initiated the project. It’s believed to be the first time the course has been rolled out to a Victorian government school’s year level en masse.
The next step is an intensive course for teachers and staff at the school.
“It’s not about students solving their friend’s troubles themselves or offering therapy, but moving it to a trusted, responsible adult,” Ms Neil said.
Regardless of age, current world events and social media are challenging mental wellbeing, she says.
“Imagine being 14 and watching the news, what are you taking away from that ... when you’re just working out where you’re sitting in life, who you are, what you believe in.
“But there’s also amazing stories to be told and light to be shone.”
One of the participants David Popescu says the course has already helped students to seek support and to talk about any problems.
The group was taught how to approach peers with care and empathy, and to have supportive, non-judgemental conversations around mental health.
They’re also drilled in how to respond to a crisis, such as when a friend is at risk of harm.
Student Nargas Mohammad says the course underlines the importance of mental health.
A key part of the course was reducing stigma – to encourage students “not keep emotions to yourself and to seek out someone you know and trust”, David says.
“Our mental health matters. It affects everyone around us.”
After the course’s success, Rotary Club of Dandenong and Endeavour Hills youth chair Leanne Byron said she hoped to roll it out to other schools.
Early Learning Victoria Enrolments now open for 2026
• We celebrate each child’s unique strengths and interests, helping them grow and learn.
• Our high-quality programs, run by qualified staff, let children explore and learn through play and in nature.
• Our centres are welcoming, inclusive and are a part of the local community.
• Many centres also provide additional support services, like maternal and child health, allied health, and playgroups.
Rotarian Leanne Byron with Lyndale Secondary College students David and Nargas, who took part in the mental health first-aid course. (Stewart Chambers: 484004)
Ban on pokies call
A pair of Greater Dandenong councillors have proposed advocating for a ban on further local poker machines as well as gambling ads in response to massive gambling losses in the council area.
Councillors Rhonda Garad and Lana Formoso pitched for stronger action at a 10 June council meeting after the tabling of Greater Dandenong’s Gambling Policy report which estimated nearly $340 million of annual gambling losses in Greater Dandenong.
The item was deferred for further discussion.
Cr Garad proposed that the council writes to Bruce federal MP Julian Hill and “push” federal and state government to ban gambling ads - one of the recommendations in a 2023 House of Representatives Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs report (the Murphy Report).
In response, Hill says the Albanese Government has already undertaken the most “significant national gambling harm reduction measures in Australia’s history”.
“The parliamentary inquiry into online gambling was an important and ambitious contribution driven by my friend and colleague the late Peta Murphy.
“The Government is continuing to work through the 31 recommendations of the inquiry to ensure further reforms are effective at minimising harm and protecting communities.”
He listed the establishment of mandatory ID verification for online gambling, a ban on credit card use for online gambling, launching BetStop amongst many other things.
The national advocacy organisation, Alliance for Gambling Reform has also escalated its campaign to push for an ad ban on gambling.
The report, ‘You win some, you lose more,’ was chaired by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy filed in 2023.
It made 31 recommendations including the appointment of a minister responsible for online gambling harm reduction and to fund an ongoing public education campaign on online gambling.
Cr Rhonda Garad. (423823)
Cr Formoso suggested to advocate for an immediate cessation of the 61 unused electronic gaming machines (EGM) under the Greater Dandenong region’s pokies cap.
There are 928 electronic gaming machines in 14 pubs and clubs in the municipality, less than the cap of 989.
Before the item was deferred, the council’s chief executive officer Jacqui Weatherill said they can advocate for that however they have no power to “immediately cease” the installation of more EGMs.
Despite being a low socio-economic area, City of Greater Dandenong has the second-highest pokies losses per adult in Victoria, with gamblers spending $138 million on EGMs in 2023’24, according to the council report.
This is equivalent to $1,089 per adult, or losses of $378,000 a day. It is also equal to the cost of adequately feeding 46,000 children for a whole year.
Problem gambling was causing financial
hardship, poverty, personal stress, family conflict and violence, deceptive actions to obtain money, distraction from work responsibilities, and homelessness in Greater Dandenong, according to the report.
“Gambling problems tend to be most prevalent among younger people, those with limited formal education, on lower incomes or in menial occupations.”
Fueled by prevalent advertising, there was also concern about the rise of sports betting on smart phones especially among young adults.
“The gambling industry claims that it supports the community and creates jobs.
“However, studies conducted by the State and Federal Governments have shown that jobs created in the gambling industry are matched by reduced employment in other businesses.”
In 2023-’24, just 1.6 per cent of Greater Dandenong venues’ gambling revenue was donated to the community as gifts, donations, sponsorships and support for veterans, the report stated.
Companies charged after driver death
Two companies have been charged after a driver died following a fall from a truck’s tailgate at Dandenong South two years ago.
The 55-year-old man suffered serious head injuries when he fell 1.2 metres from a live edge of an elevated tailgate while loading linen trolleys into the truck on 21 June 2023.
He later died in hospital.
WorkSafe subsequently charged a transport company and a commercial laundry operator.
It’s alleged that Rodrigues Transport Pty Ltd failed to install safety rails on the truck’s tailgate, and failed to implement a procedure requiring their use.
The company was charged with failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace, and with failing to ensure a workplace under its management or control was safe and without risks to health.
Laundry operator Ensign Services (Aust) Pty Ltd allegedly failed to install swing gates at the loading dock for use with trucks without tailgate safety rails. It was charged with failing to ensure a workplace under its management or control was safe and without risks to health.
Rodrigues Transport is listed to appear at a filing hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 30 July.
Ensign Services is listed to appear at a committal mention at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 2 September.
Youth crime - the causes
By Dr Jamel Kaur Singh and Dya Singh
We are watching our headlines fill with stories of home invasions, carjackings, gang violence, and a
disrespect towards police and authority from our youth that we never thought we would see.
And while many are quick to blame “bad kids” or demand more police, here is our honest, intergenerational, and culturally grounded take:
This is a parenting crisis, a community failure, and we are at a cultural crossroad. The Ghetto Mentality Is Real Let’s call it what it is. We are breeding a ghetto mentality.
Public housing zones are neglected.
Families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are dropped into communities without support or integration pathways.
And then we wonder why youth form cliques, join gangs, and stop caring about social norms. The issue is that ethnic crime grabs the media attention more often than not.
If you constantly hear, “you’re not welcome here”, if your parents are struggling with English, if your teachers misunderstand your culture, and if the streets raise you - what do we expect?
This is not about race. This is about responsibility - collective, cultural, and structural.
From “Spare the Rod” to “Call the Police” Let’s talk parenting.
Many migrant parents come from cultures where discipline is synonymous with physical correction.
A whack from a slipper, a rap on the knuckles, a raised voice - that was normal.
But here in Australia, those same parents are now scared.
They fear their children will call Child Protection or threaten deportation.
But here is the real issue: nobody taught these families the alternatives.
We have taken away the rod, and we have not given them the replacement tools.
So now we have children raising themselves through TikTok algorithms and peer pressure.
Parents are confused, helpless and frustrated.
Teachers are overwhelmed and society is pointing fingers instead of asking deeper questions.
Cultural silence and shame
In many communities - especially South Asian,
What is Truth Be Told?
By Dr Jamel Kaur Singh and Dya Singh
As a turban-wearing Sikh man and a secondgeneration Australian woman of colour, we have lived in, led, and loved this country across every sector for half a century from grassroots to corporate, to education and government.
We have witnessed firsthand, the deep fractures forming beneath the surface.
We believe in Cultural Intelligence (CQ) as the bridge.
We believe in values-based education as the compass.
Let us stop paying lip service to the slogan, “Unity within Diversity”. The diversity should be a ‘fair go’ for ALL – “First Nations”, the “white tribe” and the “ethnic minorities”.
We believe truth must be told - respectfully, but fearlessly.
We are not here to play nice or sugarcoat the issues, nor echo the latest trending opinion pieces.
TRUTH BE TOLD
DR. JAMEL KAUR SINGH & DYA SINGH
We are here to speak a third truth - the one that doesn’t make headlines; the one politicians sidestep; the one you feel but do not know how to express.
This is not ‘Left’ nor ‘Right’. It is not ‘for’ nor ‘against’.
It is not ‘black’ nor ‘white’.
This is the third view - Truth Be Told.
What’s Really Going On?
Every week, we are bombarded with news and commentary about youth crime, domestic violence, housing unaffordability, religious division,
Middle Eastern, African and Pasifika - talking about parenting struggles is taboo.
You don’t admit your kid has a problem. You don’t ask for help. That is considered “shameful”.
But silence isn’t helping.
Shame is not a solution.
What we need is courage - to unlearn and relearn, and build new cultural blueprints for parenting and youth development in Australia. The village is missing
Remember the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”? We have lost that village.
How many people know their neighbours? How many parents show up to school events and get involved with the wider school community?
How many community leaders are visible, accessible, or even trusted by youth?
We need to bring back village-thinking.
• Introduce your kids to your neighbours.
• Hold cultural parenting forums - in every language.
• Run local Cultural Intelligence (CQ)-based youth mentoring programs, not just more policing.
• Equip migrant parents with real tools: communication, boundaries, consequences, love. When kids know they are seen by a whole community - not just one or two tired parentsthey behave differently. They feel accountable.
Australia Needs a Cultural Reset
Let’s stop dancing around the real issue.
If we want to reduce youth crime, we need to:
• Stop racial stereotyping and tokenistic multiculturalism.
• Embed values-based education early - respect, resilience, responsibility.
• Train our teachers, the police, coaches and community workers in Cultural Intelligence.
• Fund parent education, not just punishment. Our country is full of good people raising good kids. But without support, these kids are lost. And when they fall, we all pay the price - economically, socially, and morally.
This isn’t about blame. It’s about belonging. It’s time to bring the village back.
• What do you think?
Let us know at dailyeditor@starnewsgroup. com.au
mental health crises, toxic workplaces, rising bills including groceries and broken systems.
We are constantly told what to think, who to blame, and which solution will supposedly fix these problems.
But let us stop and ask – what is the root cause?
What is driving our society to become so angry, divided, reactive, and cynical?
Why are we seeing such a collapse of care, compassion, and common sense?
It is not just inflation. It is not just “the youth.” It is not just politics. It is a systemic decay of shared and equitable values.
It is the absence of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) at every level - policy, parenting, education, media, community.
We have created a society where we throw funding at festivals but not families; where religious institutions are funded but cultural values are forgotten.
Multiculturalism is celebrated through costumes and curry - but never through real conversation, collaboration, and connection.
We have taught generations to read, write, and code, but not how to listen, disagree without becoming disagreeable, build self-worth, or see the world through someone else’s lens.
The ‘Maslow’s hierarchy of needs’ teaches us that people need certain things before they can thrive - food, safety, connection and dignity.
Strip these away, and we are left with disharmony and discontent.
You get reaction, rebellion and rage.
When people feel unseen, unheard, and unprotected - they do not feel ‘included’ or ‘respected’. They feel abandoned.
That is a root cause that can be changed.
We are Not Afraid to Say It…
We are watching dangerous patterns like ghetto mindsets, neo-Nazism and racism emerging.
Politicians turn up at events to tick the box, and avail themselves for photo opportunities.
They are not listening.
Underneath it all is a smouldering turmoil of jealousy, fear, misinformation and anger.
When government handouts go to visible cultural groups, and others are left behind, resentment grows.
When communities build walls instead of bridges, division festers.
When “diversity” means some voices are amplified and others ignored unity dies.
What This Column Will Be…
We will tackle the topics most people are too cautious to address.
We will ask the hard questions, for example:
• Why are our schools afraid to discipline children?
• Why do parents no longer parent?
• Why is youth crime on the rise?
• Why are we turning diversity into division?
• Why do we fund celebration but ignore integration?
• Why do we protect feelings more than we protect futures?
• Why is our mental health deteriorating? And we will offer grounded, practical tools:
• How to raise respectful children in a modern society.
• How to embed values in business culture.
• How to strengthen our neighbourhoods and communities.
• How to train our institutions in Cultural Intelligence that works. We are not here to please everyone. We are here to speak our truth.
Let’s Talk
If you feel something is wrong but can’t quite name it - this column is for you.
If you are ready to do more than complainthis column is for you.
If you are a parent, teacher, policymaker, business owner, student, or just someone who wants to be part of a stronger and better Australia - this column is for you.
Do you feel like you are treading on egg-shells, feel ignorant or racist and are too scared to ask?
If you have pressing questions and constructive comments, let us know.
Let us rebuild, rethink, and re-value Australia. We are not journalists or politicians, we are social raconteurs, commentators and educators.
Truth be told… it is time for the third view.
Authors Dya Singh and Jamel Kaur Singh are teaming up for a regular opinion column in Star News. (Gary Sissons: 482286)
Tension in the Hub builds
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Residents continue to ask why a proposed Dandenong Community Hub lacks a “major playground” despite multiple neighbouring lots of council-owned land.
The DCH’s detailed designs are expected to be released by the council this year for the long-awaited centre, which would front Clow Street between Sleeth Avenue and Stuart Street. Dandenong Community Association spokesperson Siliva Mastrogiovanni says a large playground would make the hub and nearby Dandenong Market a “destination for families and young people”.
However, residents have not been told why the Council land bordering King St and a parcel of land next to the Dandenong Community and Learning Centre were “out of scope” as possible playground sites, she says.
“We are passionate about combining the hub
with a playground for the same reason it has been done with the Springvale Community Hub and is being done with the Keysborough South Community Hub.
“It is how you make a hub intergenerational”
At a council meeting on 10 June, city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam said the hub’s site and size were identified in a council decision in 2021.
Any expansion of the land to include sites to the north was a decision for councillors, he said.
However, Mastrogiovanni says the 2021 report didn’t set the “northern extent of the hub site” and so still left space for a larger playground.
At a February co-design workshop, residents suggested moving the early years services “90 degrees” to combine the courtyard and small play area to create a larger playground, she says.
“Despite this making more efficient use of
land, residents were told in February that this wasn’t within the current scope and would need to be discussed by councillors first.”
Dandenong raid linked to arson attack
Police have raided a Dandenong home as part of their investigation into a fatal arson attack in Truganina in January.
Arson and Explosives Squad detectives seized several mobile phones from the home on 12 June but no arrests were made.
The phones will be forensically analysed, police say.
The raid follows anonymous reports to Crime Stoppers, including a caller who gave the name of a pseudonym or nickname.
Police are urging that caller to provide further information.
House-sitter Katie Tangey, 27, of Hoppers Crossing, was killed in a fatal house fire in Dover Street Truganina about 2am on Thursday 16 January.
According to police, it’s believed to have been
a targeted attack linked to an illicit-tobacco dispute but at the wrong address.
Tangey was also innocent of having anything to do with the illicit tobacco trade, police say.
Detective Inspector Chris Murray of the Arson & Explosives Squad said: “We are absolutely determined to provide what closure and justice we can to the family of Katie Tangey.”
“I would like to thank those who have already provided information to us via Crime Stoppers, but please, we need you to come forward with additional information.
“We know this is solvable, and we know we are getting closer.
“If you know absolutely anything, I cannot implore you enough to find it in yourself to do the right thing and come forward.”
CCTV depicts two men getting out of a
dark-coloured vehicle similar to a BMW X3 or X5 parked outside the three-storey townhouse.
One of the men was carrying what appears to be a jerry can.
After a significant explosion at the home, the pair leave the area.
Tangey, who was inside house-sitting for one of her relatives, called triple zero (000) to say the home was engulfed in fire.
She and the family’s golden retriever, died at the scene and the home was completely destroyed.
The dark coloured vehicle was captured on CCTV travelling north on Forsyth Road in Truganina at approximately 2.12am.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Sue Smith, also from the DCA, called for the residents co-design group to be part of forming the council’s Dandenong Market Precinct Plan.
“They both need to be worked on together so why isn’t the resident co-design group involved in the finalisation of the Dandenong Market Precinct Plan as well?
“We can get on with creating the heart that the community, young and old needs, and also a drawcard that will attract shoppers to the Dandenong Market and people to the Dandenong Community Hub.”
In 2021, councillors voted for the DCH’s draft concept plan to specifically include a kindergarten, child-care and playground. It would include maternal and child health, community meeting rooms, maker’s spaces, community lounge, kitchen and outdoor space, multi-use flexible spaces for all ages and abilities, co-work spaces and technology hub and a cafe.
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Silvia Mastrogiovanni and Sue Smith with the Danenong Market in the background (484035)
Arson and Explosives Squad detectives seize mobile phones from a Dandenong home on 12 June. (Victoria Police)
OzHarvest’s new hub is up
By Ethan Benedicto
A new OzHarvest hub has officially opened in Hallam on Thursday, 12 June, with crowds gathering at 21-22 National Drive for the launch, and volunteers eager to spread the love.
Before 8am, the guests began to arrive wth breakfast being served, followed shortly after by welcome speeches, the acknowledgement of country, and finally, a tour of the hub at 8:30am.
Christine Crowley, OzHarvest’s Melbourne manager, said that she “feels great, it’s nice to see it all come together”.
“We’ve known this area, and we’ve been here for a while, so we all know that more support is needed.
“So, it’s great to finally be here to develop this hub, to make more connections in the community, and further our impact.”
Founded in 2004 by Ronni Kahn AO, OzHarvest is Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, collecting quality surplus food from more than 2600 businesses.
These include supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, hotels, retailers, airports and other retail food outlets.
The new hub is essentially a repurposed warehouse, able to fit three OzHarvest vans, a large cool room for perishables, and rows upon rows of other goods.
James Goth, OzHarvest’s ceo, took some time to address the crowd, delivering both good and bad news.
“The bad news is that food insecurity in Australia is a big problem, and it’s getting worse,” Goth said.
“We have more and more agencies coming to us, saying we want more people, so our waiting list used to be 800.
“On the good news, we have a model; Australia produces way too much food, and we have this food so close to the people, that they need to find one little way to pick it up at a certain place.
“Because of the people in this room, we’re now bringing that model into the workforce, we’ve got
supermarkets willing to give us more food, we have our partners, food banks, and councillors who support us.”
In Victoria, 81 per cent of the charities OzHarvest supports saw an increase in demand for food relief, and 77 per cent of charities need more food to meet demand.
According to OzHarvest’s 2025 Community Needs Survey, it revealed that there is a national hunger emergency, with a 54 per cent increase in people being turned away by the 1500 charities that OzHarvest serves across Australia.
Also present was the City of Casey’s mayor, Stefan Koomen, accompanied by the neighbouring Cardinia Shire Mayor Jack Kowarzik, as well as Narre Warren North MP Belinda Wilson.
From Koomen’s point of view, “there are a lot of people doing it tough in our community”.
“Cost of living is a major - probably the biggest issue here, so to have a hub that’s bringing more food relief and more support for those in need is absolutely vital.
“Not only is it extra support, it’s about coordinating within Casey the limited resources that we’ve got and making sure it’s getting to the right people,” he said.
Lisa Milkovic, the food and supplies donations coordinator from Narre Warren’s Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support, was also present, being that the food drive is one of the beneficiaries of the new hub’s donations.
“It’s incredible that OzHarvest is delivering to us; they make a huge difference in the amount of food we get to give out,” Lisa said.
“It’s the deliveries that are crucial, the need is incredibly high now, and it’s growing every week, so it’s a huge impact in helping us to deliver the food to those that need it.”
James English, a volunteer from OzHarvest, gave guests the rundown of how the trucks operate, taking the audience through the daily routine, the integrated cool room in the back, as well as the progress OzHarvest has made in the last few months.
“Three months ago, we had nine trucks leaving Port Melbourne every day, from Monday to Friday,” English said.
“The next truck would pick up an average of 1000 kilos, between supermarkets, farmers, food donors, and it’s that simple.
“Our whole model is, if we can find food on the road, even at a Woolworths store, we can feed the people that need it the most.”
He also expanded that currently, there are 13 agencies and or organisations that come to the warehouse, signalling in the future an even bigger expansion of their operations.
Touching on the growing food insecurity in the community, Narre Warren North MP Belinda Wilson said that seeing it come to life, especially
following the $200,000 grant funded through the Victorian Government’s Regional Food Security alliance for OzHarvest, “was amazing”.
“The [state] government has contributed to this as part of our program, and I think the other great thing is that there are already three trucks coming out of here.
“So we’re going to see some really great relief and grant programs coming out of this new hub,” she said.
A hearty breakfast was served to those who attended, and, at the end of the event, OzHarvest drivers took the trucks out of the warehouse to make their rounds, with the attendees cheering, gleeful after a successful launch in one of the busier hubs in Casey.
From left to right: OzHarvest drivers Ben Tubbs and Tony Ashmore, with CEO James Goth, next to the three trucks that operate outside of the Hallam Hub. (Ethan Benedicto: 484068_01)
Authorised by Rachel Payne MP, 384a Nepean Highway, Chelsea VIC 3196
Why over-50s are rethinking
Why over 50s are rethinking downsizing
Thousands of Victorians who over 50 are rejecting the ordinary, cookie-cutter approach to downsizing their home. Whether you have an empty nest, retirement on the horizon, or looking to free up $100,000s in cash and live on your own terms, this next chapter doesn’t have to feel stale and restrictive. Lifestyle Communities offer a fresh approach to living, designed thoughtfully for over 50s. You’ll be surrounded by like-minded people, enjoy lowmaintenance living, and have more time to focus on your health, wellbeing and the things that matter most.
Take Sue and Mark, who now call Lifestyle Riverfield home. After leaving their beloved family home in Somerville where they raised their children and lived for 26 years, they found a new place that feels like home. Initially, the move felt impossible for Sue, who wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the neighbours, memories and the life that they had built over decades. But now? Sue and Mark are making the most of everyday, spending time in the Clubhouse, swimming, enjoying the sauna, staying active in the gym and meeting new friends along the way.
The days of dull, one-size-fits-all downsizing is over. Instead, you can enjoy resort-style amenities, low-maintenance homes and a feeling of security in a community where you know your neighbours. Are you ready to join over 5,800 homeowners who have made the move to Lifestyle Communities? Explore the possibilities to downsize in Clyde at our next Open Day on June 28th from 10am to 12pm at Lifestyle Meridian and 12pm to 2pm at Lifestyle Riverfield. Visit lifestylecommunities.com.au/events or call 1300 50 55 60 to learn more.
Explore the possibilities to downsize.
OPEN DAY
Downsize and free up
$100,000s in cash
Imagine a life with more freedom, more time and more money in your pocket.
Discover why so many over 50s are making the move to Lifestyle Communities® at our Open Day in Clyde. Grab a free coffee and tour our modern homes and Clubhouses. Chat with our friendly homeowners and immerse yourself in a lifestyle of fun, connection and endless possibilities.
Saturday 28th June 2025
Lifestyle Meridian 10am – 12pm | 9 Twynam Road, Clyde North
Walk in on the day or RSVP to 1300 50 55 60. Scan the QR code for more.
Lifestyle
ENROLMENTS FOR 2026 Free breakfast
All Victorian government school students will soon receive free, nutritious breakfasts for the first time.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Education Minister Ben Carroll announced $21.1 million in the State Budget 2024/25 to expand the School Breakfast Clubs Program.
An extra 150 schools will be invited to join the program at the start of next year – expected to support up to 200,000 students.
One thousand schools already participate in the program, which provides healthy breakfasts for students as well as lunches, snacks, and takehome food packs for students experiencing disadvantage or financial strain.
“School Breakfast Clubs make a huge difference to students whose families need a little extra support to give their children nutritious meals that power their school day,” Mr Carroll said.
Going to school hungry has a big impact on children’s learning, affecting their behaviour, ability to concentrate, and ability to retain information.
“Kids can’t learn on an empty stomach,” Ms Allan said.
Food provided through School Breakfast Clubs meets Healthy Eating Guidelines, prioritises fresh foods, and caters for different preferences, with menu options like cereals, fresh fruit, soups, and rice dishes.
“This program has made a big difference to thousands of students who need a bit of extra support to have a nutritious, delicious meal every morning – and we’re proud to roll the program out to every government school from next year,” Mr Carroll said.
Schools embrace phonics
Nine out of 10 Victorian government primary schools are already using a new phonics program to teach reading, two years ahead of schedule.
TheVictorianapproachtoreadingincludes daily systematic synthetic phonics instruction as part of reading programs.
Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll said schools had jumped at the chance to introduce the system into schools well ahead of the 2027 deadline for implementation.
“We’re grateful to see such a promising response so early on as we make best practice common practice in every Victorian classroom,” he said.
“It’s fantastic to see 93 per cent of primary
schools delivering daily phonics instructions, despite providing a two-year transition period – schools are getting on board, and we’re excited to see schools embracing change.”
A Department of Education survey found 88 percent of the sampled schools had engaged with Phonics Plus and 37 percent were using the Phonics Plus resources.
The Year 1 Phonics Check will be piloted in schools through term two this year, ahead of optional use by schools in term three, and full implementation from next year.
About 80 per cent of schools are choosing to deliver the test in term three. It takes about 10 minutes, compared to the current 40 minutes per student, saving teachers about 12 hours in assessments.
Meet the School Principal & Leaders
Susan joined Dandenong High School as a graduate teacher and was appointed Principal in 2012. Since then, she has embarked on leading the community through a period of intense cultural change and continuous school improvement.
A committed and innovative educator, Susan has held additional leadership roles as the Network Chair for the Greater Dandenong Principal’s Network and as an Executive Principal supporting other schools in the Southern Region, both positions she accepted to facilitate her drive and passion for making a difference within her community and the broader community of schools across Victoria.
Apart from three decades as a high achieving educator, Susan is a parent and grandparent
with a deep connection to young people and thorough knowledge and understanding of the challenges teenagers face in today’s world. With a firm eye to the future, Susan believes nothing is more empowering than education and recognises that learning best occurs when students feel connected, happy and supported at school. This is the culture Susan and her dedicated team have worked tirelessly to create during her tenure as Principal. Susan’s advice to her students is always to meet their challenges head-on, make the most of every learning opportunity they are offered and focus on being the best they can be in all aspects of their life. She remains privileged to lead the diverse and unique Dandenong High School Community.
a profound understanding and passion for knowledge.
Investing in both learning and well-being, we empower students with the tools to navigate current challenges and cultivate the innovation and leadership needed for tomorrow. Our Advanced Challenge and Enrichment (ACE) program offers high-achieving students a rigorous curriculum, individualized support, and guidance from
and
We extend a warm invitation for you to explore Lyndale Secondary College by
Free breakfast for all government schools.
ENROLMENTS FOR 2026
Student-centred learning
At Hampton Park Secondary College, we’re committed to delivering student-centred learning.
Our approach empowers young people to take more ownership of their learning.
Our learning structure—Explore, Enhance, and Excel—caters to the unique needs, interests, and abilities of each student.
Our values of Respect, Learning, and Working Together are at the heart of everything we do.
We aim to grow lifelong learners who are globally aware, curious, and confident problemsolvers, prepared to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
A multi-million dollar injection of funds have provided state-of art learning spaces. From a cutting-edge STEAM Centre, modern multi-purpose classrooms, a Wellness Centre with a project room and counselling rooms, new Science labs and outdoor learning spaces have all added to the learning environment at HPSC.
Over the past few years, we have implemented many structures, processes and strategies to engage, challenge and enhance leaning outcomes for our students. This combined with high expectations has resulted in the college recently achieving the highest senior school results of all local secondary colleges.
This is attestment to the hard work of our students, and to the outstanding work of our dedicated teaching and support staff.
With a passionate leadership team and dedicated staff, we are proud to lead a school that is fast becoming the first choice for local families.
We invite you to discover all that Hampton Park Secondary College has to offer.
Wayne Haworth, Principal Hampton Park Secondary College invites you to discover all that they have on offer.
ENROLMENTS FOR 2026 Treating them as our own
At Lyndale Secondary College we recognise that every student is an individual and ‘treat every child as our own.’ We set high standards, encourage hard work and support our students to achieve their very best. This is what make us such an engaging learning community.
Lyndale has a proud history of serving the Dandenong and broader community and the principal team are committed to leading a school community that builds on the strong culture already established.
We aim to see all our students flourish and complete Year 12 with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to achieve their ambitions in the future.
Our college community has high expectations of our students in performance, attendance and behaviour and our excellent results in all these areas are a reflection of our commitment.
To ensure that our students reach their full potential we provide extensive student support services that focus on course and careers planning and student welfare support.
Our college has an enrolment of approximately 900 students and our students enjoy the benefits and opportunities that flow from a large size school.
The college offers great advantages in the breadth of curriculum offerings.
There is provision for specialist learning areas and facilities, extensive staff professional development and a wide range of co-curricular programs which contribute so much to the fullest development of the student’s academic, cultural, artistic, social and sporting achievements, while still maintaining a sense of belonging essential in all great schools.
We welcome your interest in our college and I warmly invite you to contact the school on 9795 2366 to book a tour.
2026
The incredible benefits of chess in the classroom
Children who play chess might be better versed to take risks than their peers, as well as aiding their arithmetic and rational thinking.
Researchers from Monash University and Deakin University conducted an experiment to examine the effects of intensive chess lessons with more than 400 Year 5 students who had no previous exposure to the game.
Students participated in a 30-hour chess program, endorsed by the World Chess Federation, across a three-week period.
They were assessed on their cognitive and non-cognitive behavioural changes, including risk, time management and ability to focus, for nearly a year after the training had ended.
What it showed was fascinating.
Playing chess from a young age could decrease risk aversion by exposing kids to win/ loss scenarios and competition, as well as teaching children about strategic risk-taking.
In a survey conducted with students 10 months after the chess program, 99 per cent said they wanted more chess lessons, 94.5 per cent had played chess with a classmate in the previous week, and 87.5 per cent said they played chess regularly with friends or family.
The study was led by Professor Asad Islam (Director, Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability, Monash Business School), and supported by Dr Wang Sheng Lee (Fellow, Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability, Monash Business School) and Dr Aaron Nicholas (Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics, Deakin Business School).
Professor Asad Islam said it could help model good risk taking behaviour.
“Risk and reward is a concept that is articulated well in the game of chess. Players often sacrifice pawns, knights and bishops if it helps checkmate the opponent’s king and win the game. Such sacrifices are inherently risky because if one’s calculations are faulty, the sacrifice could prove to be fatal, eventually leading
has shown.
to a quick loss,” Professor Islam said.
“Children need to know how to take calculated risks. If children are too risk averse it might prevent them from swimming at the beach, going to a public park or participating in contact sports for risk of injury.
“Later in life, this could also extend to adolescent behaviours such as drugs, smoking, truancy, involvement in crime and in romantic relationships.
“In many life situations, it is also the case that with great risk often comes great reward. However, the line between necessary calculated risk-taking and reckless behaviour is sometimes difficult to determine. Learning chess can help bridge that gap.”
The researchers believe it could show the potential benefits of schools across Australia integrating the teaching of chess in the classroom to help young people deal with risk and reward later in life.
Interestingly, Armenia and Poland have already made chess instruction compulsory in their primary-school curriculum.
Schools could consider teaching chess, research
Turning up the winter fun
AMY CLARK, QUEENSLAND COUNTRY TOURISM
WHEN the temps dip and the cardis come out, it’s time to embrace the countryside at its wintery best (you know you want to!).
From garden fairs bursting with colour to vintage cars rumbling through quiet country towns, and jazz festivals where the jumpers are only outshone by the warm country hospitality -there’s something for every kind of traveller, here in Queensland Country (queenslandcountrytourism.com.au/).
Here is your guide to some of the cosiest, quirkiest and most colourful events warming up the cooler months.
Esk Garden Fair 21 June, Pipeliner Park, Esk
The Esk Garden Fair is a perfect day out, and only a little over an hour from Brisbane. Stroll through stalls bursting with native plants, exotic blooms, and handmade garden decor. Pop into a workshop and pick up a few tricks from gardening gurus or simply bask in the laid-back country atmosphere.
Lockyer Powerfest
27 - 29 June, Lake Dyer, Laidley Fast boats, country eats, and non-stop action — Lockyer Powerfest brings the heat to Lake Dyer this winter. Across three big days, powerboats tear up the water while crowds tuck into food truck favourites, browse market stalls and enjoy live entertainment. Pack the thermos, grab a seat by the water, and let the racing do the talking.
Snowflakes in Stanthorpe 4–6 July, Stanthorpe Showgrounds
Dreaming of a white winter? Stanthorpe’s got the next best thing. Snowflakes in Stanthorpe brings three days of wintry fun with toboggan rides, faux snow, mulled wine, and toasted marshmallows. Browse artisan markets, enjoy live music, and settle in at the International Food Fiesta with a glass of local wine or craft beer. Jumpers and Jazz in July
17 - 27 July, Warwick Quirky, colourful, and completely charmingJumpers and Jazz in July is the perfect winter festival. The streets of Warwick turn into a yarn-lover’s paradise, with trees, bollards, and bikes wrapped in colourful woolly art. But it’s not all about the crochet, there is live jazz music around every corner, boutique markets, and you’ll find art exhibitions and food vendors adding extra colour (and flavour) to the festivities.
Gemfest – Festival of Gems 8–10 August, The Gemfields (Anakie, Sapphire, Rubyvale)
If you’re partial to a little sparkle (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), make your way to the Central Queensland Highlands for Gemfest. This isn’t just a market, it’s a whole world of glittering stones, from rough-cut sapphires to the kind of bling that’d make the Crown Jewels blush. Bring the caravan or book a cosy cabin, then fossick, browse, and bargain to your heart’s content. Historic Leyburn Sprints
23 and 24 August, Leyburn
Start your engines – or at least your travel plans –for this classic country motorsport event.
Set in the charming town of Leyburn, the Historic Sprints celebrate the golden age of racing with pre-1950s cars, vintage caravans and a whole lot of character. Whether you’re there for the nos-
talgia, the cars, or just to dip into the local pub, you’ll find yourself swept up in the atmosphere, that’s for sure.
TOP TIP: If you’re all about that caravanning and camping life (queenslandcountrytourism. com.au/itineraries/get-set-for-7-days-on-theroad-
and-the-ultimate-caravan-adventure), these events make the ultimate pit stop (or two!) on your road trip adventure.
The cooler months are anything but quiet (or disappointing) across the region and we invite you to explore, by visiting What’s on in Queensland Country.
Fun in the man-made snow at Snowflakes in Stanthorpe - local farmers get up at 2am the day of the festival to start making the snow field. (Qld Country Tourisme)
Grab the winter woolies and head to Warwick for Jumpers and Jazz in July. Where there is oodles of country hospitality and colourful yarn spread throughout the region.
The ever-popular Gemfest.
The Historic Leyburn Sprints - every year vintage car enthusiast gather in the tiny town of Leyburn to race their cars and remember when Queensland hosted the Australian Grand Prix in the town just after the war.
Something a little more sedate - Esk’s beautiful Garden Fest.
A need for speed? Head to Lockyer Power Fest.
GREENLAND, ICELAND, NORWAY & BEYOND
Bergen to New York City or vice versa
29 DAYS | 5 COUNTRIES | 17 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: JUN 2025; JUN-AUG 2026; JUN, AUG 2027
From $25,495pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $31,795pp in Penthouse Veranda
ICONS OF THE VIKING AGE
Bergen to Copenhagen or vice versa
22 DAYS | 8 COUNTRIES | 17 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: MAY-SEP 2027
From $19,595pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $24,695pp in Penthouse Veranda
SCANDINAVIA & BALTIC CAPITALS
Copenhagen to Oslo or vice versa
15 DAYS | 8 COUNTRIES | 10 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: MAY-SEP 2027
From $12,895pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $16,295pp in Penthouse Veranda
Full-Board River Cruise
3 night Murray River cruise on board PS Murray Princess with all meals and sightseeing
Tour of Murray River Bridge and historic Roundhouse
Guided nature walk of Salt Bush Flat
Taste Riverland food and wine
Dragon-Fly flat-bottomed boat wildlife tour
Hotel Stays
3 nights four-star hotel stay in Adelaide with breakfast
1 night four-star hotel stay in Kangaroo Island with breakfast, lunch and dinner
Fully Escorted Barossa Valley Tours
Full day Barossa Valley tour with
lunch and wine tastings including: Saltram wine estate, lunch and wine tasting at Lambert Estate, visit to Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, photo stop at Menglers Hill Lookout and Vineyard tour & wine tasting at Jacob’s Creek visitor centre
Fully Escorted Kangaroo Island Tours
2 day Kangaroo Island tour including: Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, Clifford’s Honey Farm, In-Flight Birds of Prey Display at Raptor Domain, Seal Bay Conservation Park guided beach walk, lunch at Emu Bay Lavender Farm, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park and Flinders Chase National Park
All Flights, Taxes & Transfers
Rescue bid deferred
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Greater Dandenong councillors have deferred a motion to save the home of Dandenong Little Athletics Club as well as $200,000 of council funds earmarked for possible destruction.
On 10 June, Cleeland Ward councillor Rhonda Garad tabled the alternative motion to secure little athletics at Robert Booth Reserve, which is walking distance for neighbouring Casey suburbs Doveton and Eumemmerring as well as Dandenong.
The motion was designed to counter a council report proposing the 53-year-old club stays for one more summer while a $100,000 masterplan weighs up the closure of the grass trackand-field facilities.
The masterplan funding would come from $240,900 originally allocated by Greater Dandenong to decommission the Robert Booth facility this year.
Under a 2019 athletics development plan, the council had planned to relocate DLAC to the upgraded $6.6 million Ross Reserve athletics centre in Noble Park after 2024-’25.
In front of a gallery of DLAC children, parents and volunteers, Cr Garad instead proposed to keep the club at Robert Booth, spend $40,000 to repair the track’s sprinkler system and to reinstate the club’s public signage.
The reamining $200,000 would be returned to council general revenue.
Cr Garad paid tribute to the “extraordinary impact” made by club president David Daff and the club for the community.
She pointed out that during last summer, children were regularly doing “bucket runs” to water the track last summer due to broken sprinklers that should be repaired “without delay”.
Backed by a majority, Cr Sean O’Reilly
moved to defer the item so it can be “fully considered” at a future council meeting.
“It’s more diligent that the council takes time to consider all the issues and come up with a motion that’s not drafted in a rush, but properly.
“(It) will absolutely touch on all of the points ... for the good of the club and all involved.”
Addressing the club’s members, mayor Jim Memeti said the deferral meant that the DLAC was “at the table” to make decisions with the mayor, chief executive and council directors.
The council would ensure the proposal was “what (the club was) happy with”.
“We really appreciate what you do for the kids of Dandenong.”
DLAC president David Daff had addressed the meeting, asking them why the council was trying to shut down a “local, accessible, budget-friendly activity”.
He argued that relocation would destroy the club, estimating that half of the families and members would drop out due to not having the time or means to travel to Ross Reserve.
Many of the kids live close to Booth Reserve, walking and riding their bikes down to the track after school.
Ross Reserve is about a 90-minute roundtrip by public transport.
The reserve’s lush grass running track, long jump pits, discus, shot put and javelin fields have been home to DLAC for the past 40 years.
Since the 2019 council plan to close Robert Booth, the club’s membership had more than doubled in the past two years to 69 at present.
Community strengthening director Peta Gillies told the meeting that the 2019 plan was to invest in Ross Reserve to bring it “up to standard” and amalgamate DLAC with Springvale Little Athletics Club.
Keeping a second facility at Robert Booth was “difficult to justify” at the time due to its lower usage rates, ageing assets and not having a female and junior-friendly pavilion, Gillies said.
Booth Reserve presents “significant financial, safety and reputational risks” in its current state, according to a council report.
Gillies said the council officers recommended allowing the club to operate but with lower-risk “modified activities” next summer.
The council estimates about $416,000 is required to fix the “high-risk” areas and $250,000plus to fix the track’s drainage.
A full track reconstruction was estimated to cost $2 million-plus in 2019, according to the council.
Daff says the costs are over-stated, arguing the council’s assessment was based on international adult standards. Requirements such as a 33-metre javelin run-up were not applicable for little aths, he says.
In order to stay at Booth Reserve, the DLAC has offered to help maintain, upgrade and repair the facility, or to share the venue with other sports.
The club will seek sponsors to help fund the repair effort, Daff says.
About $100,000 would fix the most urgent need – the track’s broken sprinklers, which the council had declined to fix, he said.
Gillies told the meeting that the standards were based on national risk standards, and were not adult standards “in their entirety”. There was no plan to bring the facility up to “world standards”, she said.
According to the council, it will cost $23,000 to keep the centre open for another season.
Refugees shine in the spotlight
Club fights
By Sahar Foladi
Dandenong Little Athletics Club says its future has been jeopardised ever since a “biased” council report’s findings in 2019.
DLAC president David Daff attended a Greater Dandenong Council meeting on Tuesday 10 June to contest a proposed $100,000 masterplan that would weigh up whether to close the 53-year-old club’s facilities at Robert Booth Reserve.
During public question time, Daff stated the club was never consulted in 2019 on a report that recommended its amalgamation and relocation to Ross Reserve in Noble Park.
He denies the council’s claim that workshops were conducted with all City of Greater Dandenong athletics clubs.
“I have so many issues with the whole report, which is extra biased,” Daff later told Star News.
“They spoke to us, I would not call it consultation. They asked the things we would like to see and the changes but reframed it in such a way to make everything look negative.
“Every comment we made they spinned it to make it favourable to close the facility down.
“Regardless of what the history has been, we look towards continuing to be working with local community, multiple ethnic backgrounds, age groups, and gender diverse groups.
“We are the easiest physical activity for kids to get involved in because there are no pre-requisites.
“Everyone get a go because they get to make improvements - we have a personal-best system and everyone has equal opportunity of improving themselves.”
As a result of the 2019 report, the council decided to invest in Ross Reserve, base Springvale and Dandenong athletics clubs there and to use Robert Booth Reserve for something else.
An assessment was carried out by Sporteng in 2024 which identified “substantial deficiencies” at the Robert Booth facility, requiring “remedial actions” and upgrades.
The report also identified drainage issues with the grass track.
Mr Daff argues that the local club’s facilities were unfairly measured against a world and adult standard which weren’t applicable to little athletics.
Council’s executive director community strengthening Peta Gillies and mayor Jim Memeti acknowledged the Dandenong Little Athletics Club’s impact on the community and willingness to work together with the club “at the table”.
Despite this, ward councillor Rhonda Garad - who supports the club remaining at Robert Booth - says the council has been “hell bent” to get rid of the club.
“They’re speaking out of the two-sides of their mouth.
“On the surface they say we support the club but in practise they are doing everything they can to stop this.
“I have been fighting this since before the (October 2024) elections and still they are going ahead of this strategy.
“The club needs to be doing sports, not wasting their time and energy fighting council.
“The club will fight back twice as hard, so I don’t know why they just don’t stop reassess and change the strategy?
“Its bloody-minded bureaucracy.”
Cr Garad calls it “death by thousand cuts” to force the club to move.
She says there is no drainage issue at the club, they just require an inexpensive machine pump which the council has refused, to remedy the puddles pooling on the fields when it rains.
The sprinkler system for the fields don’t work as well and there’s been no signs from council to fix that.
Instead the children, parents and the club staff have bucket watered the field over the past season.
The club is a tenant at the reserve, paying rent to the council, as well as paying electricity bills for lighting (including the car parks lights).
Councillor Garad says the club is “too scared” of being kicked out to complain about the council’s “negligence” over a long time.
The club remains hopeful and looks forward to having discussions with the council to maintain serving the community at its current location.
Dynamic dance, workshops and market stalls festooned Springvale City Hall for a Refugee Week celebration on Sunday 15 June.
The day presented by SisterWorks and the City of Greater Dandenong highlighted the strength of refugee and migrant communities with food, music, art, and storytelling.
Dancing on the stage was Sughra Haidari. (Gary Sissons: 483998)
An array of cultural dances were performed at Springvale City Hall. (Gary Sissons: 483998)
Falun Dafa performing at the Refugee Week celebration. (Gary Sissons: 483998)
Life Without Barriers’ John Saiyuah and Piero Rotteglia. (Gary Sissons: 483998)
MEDICALLY SPEAKING
It’s winter - time for the jab
With winter settling in, cold and flu season has well and truly arrived—and this year, it’s hitting harder than usual. Across Melbourne, including here in Springvale, we’re seeing a noticeable spike in cases, with many people falling ill earlier and more severely than in previous years.
After a few quieter years of mask-wearing and social distancing, our immune systems haven’t had as much exposure to seasonal viruses. Now, with colder weather keeping people indoors and closer together, it’s much easier for infections to spread. The good news? There’s plenty you can do to protect yourself and your family.
Start with prevention. The flu vaccine is one of the best tools we have. It’s safe, quick, and available right now at most pharmacies and GP clinics. It’s also free for eligible groups, including children, people over 65, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions. Talk to your pharmacist or GP to check if you qualify. Stay hydrated. It’s easy to forget to drink water in winter, but hydration is especially important when you’re unwell. Fluids help loosen congestion, soothe a sore throat, regulate body temperature, and prevent dehydration—especially if you have a fever.
Manage flu symptoms safely. For cough, congestion, body aches or fever, a range of medicines can help—like decongestants, cough suppressants, or pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Supporting your immune system with supplements like vitamin C, zinc or echinacea can also be beneficial—particularly when taken early. But not all products suit everyone, so always speak to your pharmacist to check what’s safe, especially if you’re on other medicines or have a health condition.
And don’t push through! Rest is essential for recovery. Taking time off work or school helps you get better faster and protects others around you. Pharmacies and GPs can provide medical certificates if you need time to rest at home.
Head pharmacist Heba - Pharmacy 777 Springvale.
Beloved supervisor retires
By Ava Cashmore
For nearly four decades, rain or shine, Rhonda Hampton has stood faithfully on Chandler Road in Keysborough, guiding generations of children safely to school with a warm smile and a cheerful wave.
In 1986, at just 29 years old, the Dandenong North resident put on the fluorescent vest for the first time as a School Crossing Supervisor for the Greater Dandenong City Council.
Thirty-eight years later, Rhonda has become a beloved part of the local community, smiling at many who once walked past her intersection with a backpack, now returning with children of their own.
What started as a job became a daily routine, not only for Rhonda, but for her daughter, Krystal Farkas, too, who spent every school day morning and afternoon with her mother on the crossing.
“It was just part of our life,” Krystal said. “I never caught the bus. I never walked alone. Mum was always there — every day.”
LOOKING BACK
100 years ago
18 June 1925
DANDENONG
WEST SCHOOL
Mr Branston reported having written to Mr Brockie in regard to the foundation stone and the flagpole at the school and also written to Mr Groves MLA on the subject. He also stated that it would be advisable for the association to convene a meeting of residents at Dandenong West, in order to make the necessary arrangement in connection with the official opening of the school. Mr Walden intimated that it was the wish of the State School Committee to arrange a picnic for the children on the day of the opening ceremony. He thought that trees should be planted in the school grounds as soon as possible,
50 years ago
19 June 1975
A cold start …
It was a cold, cold morning when a dozen people or so turned up to see the first sod being turned on the site of Berwick’s new hospital. President of the hospital committee N. Stephenson declared it a great day. The 100-year-old weatherboard building which had been part of the hospital for so many years was finally demolished and a 15-bed extension will be added to the existing brick building, making a total of 20 beds. The whole project is estimated to cost $705,000, of which the Victorian Bush Nursing Association will give $529,000 and the Hospital committee must raise $150,000. The public can contribute to the building appeal by way of donation. For example, a single ward can be furnished for $500 and the donor’s name is put on the wall of the ward and on a plaque.
INTERFAITH
Over the years, Rhonda’s bright presence and genuine care has built a remarkable bond with the local community.
Ventura bus drivers honk in greeting, parents wave, and children smile when they see her familiar face.
She’s received countless thank-you notes, drawings, and heartfelt gifts.
“She has this bubbly personality that lifts everyone’s day,” said Krystal.
“She wasn’t just helping kids cross the road. She was brightening lives.”
To her, these kids are more than just pedestrians.
They are “her kids,” and many now greet her with updates on their lives and families.
“I’ve been here 38 years. I came out at 29 and I’ve watched them grow up, all the kids,” Rhonda said.
“Getting wheeled in their prams and then growing up and going to high school and everything.”
She never left her post. “Yeah, I’ve never left this crossing,” she says. “That’s why everybody knows me here. I love the job.”
Rhonda is at the crossing Monday to Friday, 8-9am and 2.45 to 3.45pm.
Despite hoping to reach her 40-year milestone, Rhonda has made the difficult decision to retire early due to recent health challenges.
“I’ll be broken when I go,” said Rhonda.
But she has no intention of disappearing from the community entirely.
“I’ll come past and see [the kids].”
Her final shift will be on Friday June 27.
If any local recognition is due, Krystal, and hundreds of school children can agree it is surely for a woman who turned a job into an act of community love and care.
For 38 years, Rhonda Hampton has been a welcoming presence at the Chandler Road crossing in Keysborough. (Stewart Chambers: 484009)
20 years ago 20 June 2005
Kennett talks the blues
As a politician, Jeff Kennett was either loved or hated. Now, he heads up beyondblue – and commands respect from all. As a politician, Mr Kennett was never short of a word or two, and was recognised as one of the most powerful speakers of modern times. You could have heard a pin drop in Dandenong on Wednesday night when the former premier spelt out the frightening reality of depression to more than 100 diners at a special dinner organised by the Rotary Club of Dandenong and held at the Grand International. Mr Kennett said that depression could strike anyone
at any stage. “It’s a fact that one-in-six men and one-in-four women will experience depression at some stage in their lives.” He said that people did not get better on their own – they needed help and encouragement to be involved socially, to seek help and make sure they continued with treatment.
5 years ago 16 June 2020
Big build underway at high-tech orchard Construction is powering ahead on a new community engagement, packing and export distribution centre at Montague Orchard. Covid-19 has not gotten in the way of the Narre Warren
Torah and Lactaid: A match made at Sinai
By Kathy Caplan OAM, Jewish Faith
It wasn’t quiet when the Jews received Torah at Sinai.
Lightning flashed, thunder rolled, the shofar sounded, the mountain shook and divine words boomed from the mountain.
It was an audio-visual spectacle of such magnitude that Hollywood still struggles to replicate it.
Each year, around this time, Jews remember that moment of revelation through the holiday of Shavuot.
Unlike other Jewish holidays, Shavuot has no fixed rituals: no sukkah to build, no menorah to light.
But it does come with a defining Jewish custom: food.
Every Jewish holiday has its particular flavours: for Shavuot, it’s cheesecake, blintzes and all things dairy.
The irony? Jews, specifically those of Ashkenazi descent, have one of the highest rates of lactose intolerance in the world.
MESSAGE
Shavuot, then, equals Torah plus cheesecake with a side of Lactaid.
But beyond the cheesecake, Torah wasn’t given as a frozen-in-time rulebook.
It was given as a living document to be studied, questioned and wrestled with.
So Shavuot isn’t just about remembering; it’s about re-engaging with ancient texts and applying them to the complexities of modern life.
At its core, Shavuot is all about covenant.
Not just between God and the Jewish people, but between all people regardless of religion, ethnicity or culture.
It’s about how we treat one another, it’s about how we can build societies grounded in dignity,
fairness and shared purpose.
All religious traditions have stories of wisdom received and of ideals tested in real life.
North orchard’s plans, with parts of the facility on track to be opened in November 2020. Although the Federal Government has not committed any funding to the project, La Trobe MP Jason Wood, praised the Montague family for having the drive to get the project off the ground. “It’s a huge credit to the Montagues to have a vision and passion and keep going forward,“ he said, adding he was disappointed at the lack of federal funding so far. The facility will incorporate a community engagement space, including mountain bike hire, a pick-your-own orchard, educational hub and cafe . It has been designed with sustainability in mind, with solar panels and recycled water to be utilised in the finished building.
Shavuot asks: How do we stay open to awe? How do we respond to the quiet voice calling us to do better, to be better?
In an age of noise and division, Shavuot reminds us to listen — really listen — to tradition, to conscience and to each other.
Revelation is unlikely to come again with thunder, lightning and a big booming voice, but it can come frequently, even multiple times in a day, in acts of kindness, in study and in connection.
Whether it’s Torah or cheesecake or both, Shavuot is a reminder that sacred moments are not always easy to digest.
They may challenge us, stretch us and may even require a little support to absorb.
But they also nourish, guide and renew. So here’s to a holiday of wisdom, wonder and, probably, a good dose of Lactaid.
Enquiries regarding the Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong: administration@ interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662 Visit interfaithnetwork.org.au
Kathy Caplan OAM.
Montague GM intellectual property and business development Rowan Little, La Trobe MP Jason Wood, Ray Montague and Scott Montague take a tour of the orchard facility in 2020. (Stewart Chambers: 209451)
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
WHAT’S ON
World Refugee Day at Dandenong
Celebration featuring Muzafar Ali, a former refugee, humanitarian, and education advocate, who is cycling 4,000 km to raise funds for refugee and women’s education. Organised by Cisarua Learning and supported by Greater Dandenong Council.
Launch of HOME 25: Invisible Cities a new roving exhibition, coming to the streets and sites of Dandenong, showcasing works of a selection of refugee, asylum seeker, First Nations and migrant artists.
· Saturday 21 June, 2pm-5.30pm at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Free event, bookings required at greaterdandenong.vic.gov. au/greater-dandenong-council/events/home25-invisible-cities-opening
Broadway Legends concert
Cranbourne Chorale presents “Broadway Legends” with guest artists Teresa Ingrilli and Stephen Coutts. Afternoon tea included and served after the performance.
· Sunday 22 June 2.30pm at Cranbourne Community Theatre, Brunt Street, Cranbourne. Tickets: cranbournechorale.com.au/events, 0438 358 032 or at the door; $25/$20/under 12 $5. Free hearing checks
Take a free 15-minute hearing check, offered by the experts at Hearing Australia.
· Monday 23 June, 10am-2pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. No bookings required.
HomeBiz Expo
Designed to empower and connect home-based businesses within Greater Dandenong. Showcase your products or services to a local audience, gain exposure and grow your business network. Organised by Greater Dandenong Council.
· Tuesday 24 June, 10am-12pm at Springvale City Hall, 18 Grace Park Avenue, Springvale. Free event, registrations essential. Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greater-dandenong-council/events/greater-dandenong-homebiz-expo
Somerfield Reserve planting
Bring your family along to plant some seedlings at Somerfield Reserve. Traditional Custodians will welcome attendees onto Bunurong Country and share a Smoking Ceremony. Includes free lunch. Bring drinking water, a pair of gloves and a hand towel to wipe your hands with.
· Public notice: Waverley Gardens Combined Probus Club has voted to discontinue from 30 June.
Soccer meet-up
Keen for a kick after school? Come down to the Dandenong City In The Community (CITC) Blue Pitch to improve your skills, make new friends and have fun. Free program from South East Community Links and CITC Melbourne City FC.
· Tuesdays and Thursdays 3.30pm-6pm until 5 July at corner Cadel and George streets, Dandenong
Free mental health support
Mental Health and Wellbeing Local are offering free support at the Springvale Community Hub if you would like to talk to someone about your mental health and wellbeing. For people aged 26 years and over. You don’t need a referral, Medicare card or visa. Interpreters available. Walk-ins welcome.
· Mondays, 10am to 2pm at Springvale Community Hub (Meeting Room 2), 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event. Details: 8908 1800 or dandenonglocal@mindaustralia.org.au
Online banking for beginners Workshop designed to help learners understand how to make online payments and manage your bank accounts through apps and websites.
Mondays 6.30pm-8.30pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; $20 per term.
Homeschool Enrichment Class
This class is designed to provide additional learning experiences outside of the standard homeschooling curriculum, with a focus on specific subjects and skills.
· Tuesdays 11.30am-1pm at Noble Park Com-
munity Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; $5/ session.
Citizenship Test Preparation
We will help you to improve your English and understand the questions and answers in the citizenship test.
· Thursdays 6.30pm-8.30pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; $20/term.
“WE” Women’s
Empowerment
Workshops
Developed for disadvantaged women in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in Dandenong. The workshops are designed to enhance social cohesion and self-advocacy in a fun and supportive environment. Topics around personal welbeing such as fitness, nutrition, finance, mindfulness, and creative art.
· Wednesdays 10.30am-12.30pm at Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18-34 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Free event. Details: Rachel, 0491 144 836 or rachelw@adec.org.au
· Register at greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greater-dandenong-council/events/we-womens-empowerment-workshops
Multicultural Anxiety Support Group
Inclusive and confidential space for people of varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds who experience persistent anxiety. Regular meetings held online on Zoom, with friendly volunteers.
· First Monday of each month, 6pm-7.30pm. Free event, register at greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/ greater-dandenong-council/events/multicultural-anxiety-support-group
Conversation Corner
The Conversation Corner is a safe space to share stories and build new connections. Anyone is welcome to join, no bookings required, and newcomers are welcome anytime.
· Wednesdays 1pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive. Free event.
All Abilities Garden
Become a part of the team that cultivates our brand new All Abilities Garden. You will plan, grow, and take care of the wonderful garden designed by members of the disability community for people of all abilities.
· Tuesdays 1pm at Noble Park Community Cen-
tre, Memorial Drive. Free event.
Sandown Probus
Are you retired or semi-retired and would like to stay engaged and connected with others? Come along and see if you would like to join Sandown Probus Club. Enjoy the opportunity to make new friends, expand your interests, participate in the variety of activities and hear guest speakers on a wide range of subjects.
· 2nd Monday of each month at Club Noble, Moodemere Street, Noble Park. Details: probussouthpacific.org/microsites/sandown or Marion, 0458 660 016.
Soccer registrations open
Expressions of interest open for new players across all age groups at Springvale City Soccer Club Miniroos 7-12, Juniors 13-16, Boys and Girls Youth 17-23, as well as mens and womens’ thirds, reserves and seniors. Miniroos and juniors training powered by No Limits Aquila Academy. Details: springvalecitysc.com.au/
Come Dance with Me Line Dancing
Come along and learn tips and techniques to this line dancing activity. Learn it well and learn from scratch from patient instructor. Suitable and tailored for all ages. No partner necessary. Wear casual clothing, bring water bottle, closed shoes and positive attitude.
· Tuesdays from 5.45pm-6.30pm (school terms only) at Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough; $10 prepaid classes / $15 casual attendance a five-week package that can be repeated. Details: 0412 296 827 or mariepietersz@hotmail.com
Noble Park Probus
A warm invitation is extended to anyone in the local community who is aged 55 and over, not working full time to visit us with a view to becoming a member at Noble Park Combined Probus Club. Meets monthly for morning tea and an interesting guest speaker. Also special lunches, day trips and extended trips such as to Bright. We make sure we promote the Probus core values of ’Friendship, fellowship and fun’.
· First Monday of the month, 10am at Club Noble. Details: Roslyn, rgrassham07@gmail.com or 0410628249.
A club forged in adversity
One of Australia’s newest soccer clubs was forged in the crucible of war-torn Afghanistan and amid the precarious and dangerous days that saw the return of the Taliban.
When hundreds of thousands of Afghans who had worked with allied militaries or governments were airlifted out of Kabul in September 2021 as the Taliban returned to power, the boys from the Etihad Afghan FC were among them.
Over the next four years, the boys have forged new lives and careers in Australia.
Now, they have formed Etihad Afghan FC, whose bonds run much deeper than standard sports club camaraderie.
“When we came to Australia from Afghanistan it was difficult to find a team to play in. We tried to play with several clubs but there was a lot of travel, and the culture wasn’t right for us,” said Abdul Samad, the club captain and former Afghan air traffic controller.
“So, we decided to come together and play as a team. We share the same experience of having to leave our homeland and that is something that binds personally, and on the pitch.”
Theclub,basedaroundDandenongandSouthEast Melbourne, now has 45 members but with plans to grow and add women’s and junior teams.
The Etihad Afghan boys play in tournaments and casual games but are looking for financial support to be able to join a regular league. They train and play at a borrowed ground in Doveton.
“Eighty per cent of our players are refugees from Afghanistan who came to Australia after the Taliban took over the country,” Abdul said.
“They are all educated guys with university degrees, and some worked with the Australian embassy.
“We all played football in Afghanistan, and it is great to be able to reconnect as a team here.”
The team is coached by Wahidullah Wahidi, who was coach of the Afghan women’s soccer team.
The Etihad Afghan team played in a recent Melbourne Afghan Soccer Association (MASA) tour-
Trades & Services
nament which hosted Afghan exile teams from across the country and overseas and is planning to play in a similar tournament in Sydney.
“Our short-term goal is to compete in the tournament in Sydney and our longer-term goal is to
grow the club, make it all gender and with different age groups,” Abdul said.
“We are trying to build the financial sustainability of the club into the future.”
Abdul, 30, is studying and working in carpentry,
and also works in tiling and bathroom renovations.
“Lots of our boys are working in the trades. We are all moving on and building our lives in Australia.”
Abdul’s connection with the Australian military as a translator meant he was eligible for a visa.
But actually, getting out of Afghanistan was not so easy.
“When Taliban came, it was crazy and a bit scary. Everyone was rushing to the airport trying to get out.
“We got a message from the Australian embassy to go to a specific gate. But it took all day to get in and then I was helping the Australian army with translating for people who had visas.
“We spent a night at the airport as the army took our documents and visas and checked them. We were held in a specific area and the next day we got on an air force plane, and we were taken to Abu Dhabi.
“We spent three days in Abu Dhabi before we were flown to Adelaide.”
Abdul and his family, along with hundreds of other Afghan evacuees, spent two weeks in Covid quarantine.
“It was a strange time. We had been forced to flee with just our clothes and a few belongings… there was chaos and people everywhere... and we were flown across the world.
“Then we were in quarantine, and everything was quiet, and no one was going anywhere. But at least we were safe.”
When Covid restrictions were lifted, he and his family moved to Melbourne to be near friends who had also fled their homeland.
More than 120,000 people were evacuated by military aircraft from Kabul International Airport between August 13 and 30 2021 after the fall of the Afghan government of Ashraf Ghani and the return of the Taliban.
Led by the US, the operation also included the air forces of the UK, Australia, Germany, Canada, Korea, India and a host of European nations.
One of Australia’s newest soccer clubs, Etihad Afghan FC, is comprised of exiles evacuated from Afghanistan during the rise of the Taliban regime four years ago. (Supplied)
Magpies at the crossroads
By Blair Burns
Narre Warren’s season is at the crossroads in Division 1 of the Southern League and the Magpies desperately need to get back on the winners’ list to turn their season around.
The Magpies’ last six matches have resulted in five losses and a draw after they fell short by 15 points against St Paul’s McKinnon on Saturday.
While Narre Warren was missing plenty of key personnel including both captains Trent Papworth and Joel Zietsman, the Bulldogs were too strong.
St Paul’s McKinnon has surprised many people in recent weeks and now sits second on the ladder with an impressive 7-2 record.
After a competitive effort against Dingley, Cranbourne came crashing back down to earth against Cheltenham as they were pumped by 57 points.
At quarter time, the margin was already 34 points but could’ve been much worse for the Eagles if the Rosellas had kicked straight, with the scoreboard reading 4.11 to 0.1.
Cranbourne’s Matt Alister (four goals) was a shining light in the loss as he managed to kick almost half of his team’s score.
A dominant second half led Dingley to its ninth consecutive victory, defeating the ninthplaced Port Melbourne Colts by 68 points.
The Dingoes had 11 goal scorers on the day as Christopher Horton-Milne had leather poisoning, while Michael Hibberd was consistent for the Colts.
Bentleigh ended Springvale Districts’ fivegame winning streak in a two-point thriller, which put the Demons into the top four.
The victors are no stranger to playing in close games this season, with the victory over Springy their fourth match decided by two points or less.
East Brighton bounced back from a shock loss to Port Melbourne last weekend, as the Vampires preyed on Murrumbeena to win by 38 points.
Sean Downie continues to be one of East Brighton’s best players this season with four goals in the win, while Dareo Rogers (three goals) led
Positives despite brave loss
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Dandenong Stingrays lost its first game since round six on Saturday night going down 7.14(56) to 12.13(83) against Oakleigh at Frankston’s Kinetic Stadium.
The match wasn’t without its standout for the hosts though, with Vic Country midfielder Callum Smith continuing to supercharge his draft stocks, while Gus Kennedy played arguably his best game at the level.
Smith was too strong around the contest and proved tough to tackle, allowing him to dish off quickly and pull away from contests, while his intercepting and defensive work was also sound, finishing with 29 disposals and seven tackles.
Kennedy, meanwhile, relished the opportunity to play in the Stingrays midfield, with the bottom-ager’s polish at ground level, attack on the footy and clearance-winning all characterising a breakout 18-disposal, 11-tackle performance.
Vic Country winger Toby Sinnema used his incisive left foot well going forward and was prominent throughout for the ‘Rays.
The Stingrays were competitive in the first quarter but managed just the one goal from seven shots, which forced them to play catch up thereafter.
A strong second quarter allowed them to find
the lead, with Lochie Commons having a hand in three of their four goals that quarter, but Oakleigh then pulled away in the second half, thanks in part to their marking inside 50.
Meanwhile, Dandenong’s girls were upstaged by Oakleigh’s powerhouse side to kick off the Frankston double header.
The ‘Rays led by 10 points with less than 10 minutes remaining, but conceded the last three goals to go down 6.5(41) to 7.7(49).
The gallant performance was underpinned by high pressure throughout, with every Stingray laying a tackle as the hosts laid 111 tackles to Oakleigh’s 89.
The Stingrays game-high lead of 11 points came early in the third quarter, but the margin was largely within a kick throughout the contest.
Kiara Triep scored multiple goals for the second consecutive week, while Alice Cunnington’s pressure and liveliness was also critical forward of the footy despite a rare goalless performance, alongside Nalu Brothwell.
Matilda Argus continued her strong form, and was well complemented by Indi Sherritt, while Gabriella Merhmann built on a promising performance in the backline last week.
The Stingrays next Sunday face Murray Bushrangers in a double header at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton.
first half against Keysborough set up a 30-point victory.
The Redbacks, thanks to captain Liam Myatt (five goals), established a 42-point half-time lead and looked like they were on for a big victory, but to the Burra’s credit, they fought back.
Simon Marchese booted four goals and Keysborough managed to outscore Hampton Park 2822 in the third term, and 26-20 in the final term.
East Malvern came out against Doveton Doves and had a point to prove after falling three points short of Keysborough the previous week, and the side did just that.
Isaac Morrsiby came back from injury and kicked three goals for the Panthers, while Charlie McGaw also kicked three.
For the Doves, Jake Calvert kicked three goals while Luke Daidone and Jake Ingaliso were impressive on the day.
Endeavour Hills was no match for Caulfield Bears as Lynden Dunn’s men won by 39 points.
The first quarter was evenly contested before the Bears took control of the game, kicking 10 goals to five after the first break.
Poor kicking gave Frankston Dolphins no chance of defeating Highett as they kicked 6.14 in windy conditions to lose by 34 points.
Highett captain Sam Jackson produced a best on ground performance with three goals and plenty of the football, while Chaise Mitchell (three goals) and Jacob Apted also impressed.
In the final game of Round 10, Mordialloc defeated Chelsea Heights for the second time this season as the Bloods stake their claim as premiership contenders to sit third on a closely contested ladder.
The Demons had won five consecutive matches prior to the weekend, while Mordialloc’s results had fluctuated.
the way for the Lions.
In Division 2, Hampton Park resumed from its week off in style as the Redbacks’ impressive
Connor Shaw was impressive for the Bloods, while Joshua Gibbins and Caoimhin O’Donnell kicked three goals each.
Thunder not quite at level
By Justin Schwarze
Dandenong Thunder’s hot form was halted by table leaders Heidelberg at Olympic Village in round 18 of the NPL.
Thunder were shown the benchmark of the competition with Heidelberg moving eight points clear of Dandenong in the standings after its 2-0 victory.
United broke through with the first goal of the evening when Jamal Ali dribbled on the right hand side.
He got confident in his ball control, dazing the Thunder defence with some step-overs before firing his shot low and on target.
It took a deflection that caught Jamie Young off guard and ultimately rattled the back of the net to put the hosts 1-0 up after 26 minutes.
Heidelberg absolutely dominated the first half, applying constant attacking pressure and keeping the Dandenong defence on its toes.
United had fired 10 shots away at goal in the first half, with three on target, while Thunder managed just one inaccurate attempt for the first 45 minutes.
In the 60th minute, Dandenong turned it over in a dangerous position, immediately launching the hosts on a counter attack.
A lovely squaring ball found its way to the feet of Bul Juach who calmly tapped it home to double his side’s advantage.
Heidelberg was able to control the tempo of the game and keep the match completely on its own terms.
Thunder couldn’t manage a shot on target for the game with the host defence standing strong and tall to withstand the usual highpowered Dandenong attack.
The win was significant for multiple reasons for Heidelberg, with the club further widening the gap between itself and third-placed Thunder.
But also, the result marked its 17th game in a row unbeaten, knocking off the 65-year club record.
For Dandenong, the loss was just its fourth for the season, still two points clear of Oak-
keep up with topplaced Heidelberg. (Supplied: 459720)
leigh with eight games remaining. It will be back to the drawing board for Adam Piddick and Thunder as the club has another away game in round 19, this time a visit to South Melbourne.
Thunder just couldn’t quite
The Stingrays were defeated by Oakleigh in Saturday’s double header. (Gary Sissons: 481255)
Narre Warren’s Tom Toner returned from injury and was among his side’s best. (Gary Sissons: 484172)
Stacky earns Hayes praise
By David Nagel
Mutual admiration was flowing for owner, trainer and jockey at Sandown Hillside on Saturday after promising four-year-old gelding Aztec State made a successful return to racing after almost a year away from the track.
The son of Pierro/Arizona Belle last raced when successful at Flemington on 22 June last year, with the patience of owner (Yu Long Investments), Pakenham trainers (Ben, Will and JD Hayes) and jockey (Daniel Stackhouse) all coming together on the weekend to score a soft victory in a Benchmark 78 Handicap ran over 1600-metres.
Trainer Will Hayes was full of praise for both owner and jockey after Aztec State came from last on the turn to make it back-to-back wins; albeit almost 12 months apart.
“Today was a terrific effort, it was 357 days between runs; we’d just like to thank Yu Long for being so patient,” Hayes began.
“He’s a horse that has tremendous x-factor and we’ve just had to be patient building him up and producing him when he’s right.
“He’s had his management issues that we’ve had to stay on top of, but the ride that he got from Stacky today, cutting the corner and saving all the ground, was awesome; he showed a great turn of foot at the top of the straight and really surged to the line.
“Not many horses can win, 357 days between runs, so he certainly has a lot of upside.”
Hayes said Aztec State had been put away to the paddock, spelled for 37 weeks, after winning a jump-out at Kilmore in August last year.
“He was just giving us signs after that jump-out
that we just needed to back off him, so we did the rightthing,weputhimawayinthepaddock,webuilt him back up, we brought him back in and he spent a month on our water walker,” Hayes explained.
“He’s done a great job coming through; he’s ready to go now at the races and that was a great win.
“Thanks to Yu Long for being so patient and it was a great reflection of the team we have around us; putting in all the hard work.”
Stackhouse was delighted with the performance which gave the all-conquering Hayes camp a winning treble in the opening six races on the day.
Stackhouse rode Hello Romeo to victory in race one before in-form jockey Ben Allen piloted Stylish to the winning post in race four.
“That’s the benefit of riding for the Hayes camp, they’re absolutely flying at the moment,”
Stackhouse said.
“A big credit to them, three hundred and something (357) days this horse hasn’t raced for and he goes out and wins like that; very impressive.
“We drew an awkward barrier but got the right run, we were just quiet and then finished off strong.
“I probably pushed the button too early because he really quickened up with that speed and just got the gaps at the right time.
“It was a pretty soft win in the end.
“He’s obviously a good horse and just going through his grades and been placed very well, but I just like the way he switches off and then you ask him to go; he just picks up and knows his job and gave me a great feel.
“He’s in for a great campaign.”
Contenders now set in Mountain Dart League
By David Nagel
The stage is set for a magnificent finals’ series in Division 1 of the Mountain Dart League this Friday night after an extraordinary display of accuracy was shown in the final round of the season.
An incredible seven 180s were thrown on the night while four 100-plus finishes added to the quality of round 14.
In a huge display of scoring power, teammates Jack, Rod, and Tennessee - from Clayton Bowls Club – all threw maximums on the night, matched by D. Sherson and N. Cass from Bullseyes, Jamie Wolff from Bad Boys and Chris Richardson from Noble Park 1.
Jack from Clayton Bowls Club and G. Rondinella from Redbacks 1 completed legs with 110 finishes, but were outgunned by Chris Richardson with her magnificent 122 peg out, and D. Sherson from Bullseyes who brought the crowd to its feet with an amazing 154 checkout!
In week one of finals, the top two teams – High 5’s and Bad Boys – will battle it out for a direct path to this year’s grand final, while MDDA Bulls Eyes and Noble Park 1 will look to keep their premiership dreams alive in the third versus fourth elimination final.
In Division 2, James from Spectrum was the standout player on the night after hitting a 180 and a clutch 116 peg out in a 14-7 win over The Night Trawlers.
Fourth-placed Outcasts gave themselves a huge confidence boost heading into finals after a 14-7 victory over top-of-the-table Bandits. Bandits take on Spectrum in Friday night’s preliminary final, while Black Bulls and Outcasts go head-to-head in the cut-throat elimination final.
In Division 3, Charles Andrews provided the individual highlight of the night, throwing a sparkling 180, while the top two teams, Redbacks 2 and Madarras, will take winning form into this week’s preliminary final after comprehensive victories over Clayton Bowls Club and The Goodies. The Goodies take on Vales 3 in the elimination final on Friday night.
• DIVISION1
RESULTS: Bad Boys def Rebels 12-9, MDDA Bulls Eyes def Noble Park (1) 11-10, Clayton Bowls Club def Redbacks (1) 17-4, High 5’s def V.I.P. 18-0. LADDER: High 5’s 52, Bad Boys 36, MDDA Bulls Eyes 36, Noble Park (1) 32, Rebels 20, Redbacks (1) 20, V.I.P. 16, Clayton Bowls Club 16. HIGH SCORE: B. Richardson (Noble Park 1) 177, Jacob (Bulls Eyes) 177, Paul James (Redbacks 1) 174.
HIGH FINISH: D Sherson (MDDA Bulls Eyes) 154, J. Johnson (MDDA Bulls Eyes) 147, T. Tapara
Players are finely tuned for finals in Division 1 of the Mountain Dart League after seven 180s were thrown in the last round of the season on Friday night. (Supplied: 321684)
(Rebels) 137.
MOST WINS: J. Wolff (Bad Boys) 31, B Simmonds (High 5’s) 30.
MOST TONS: J. Wolff (Bad Boys) 102, D. Sherson (MDDA Bulls Eyes) 96.
MOST 180s: T. Hyland (Noble Park) 7, J. Pollock (Clayton Bowls Club) 6.
FINALS WEEK 1: Preliminary Final (1 v 2) High 5’s v Bad Boys. Elimination Final (3 v 4) MDDA Bulls Eyes v Noble Park 1.
• DIVISION2
RESULTS: Spectrum def The Night Trawlers 14-7, Outcasts def Bandits 14-7, Black Bulls def Stingrays 14-7.
LADDER: Bandits 36, Spectrum 32, Black Bulls 32, Outcasts 28, The Night Trawlers 20, Stingrays 12.
HIGH SCORE: Ash (Bandits) 174 x 2, Adam (Outcasts) 171, Andrew (The Night Trawlers) 171, Brian (Spectrum) 171.
HIGH FINISH: Kevin (Spectrum) 117, James (Spectrum) 116, Mark (Outcasts) 114.
MOST 180s: Bernie (Bandits) 3, Mitch (The Night Trawlers) 2, Ash (Bandits) 2, Jay (Spectrum (2), James (Spectrum) 2.
FINALS WEEK 1: Preliminary Final (1 v 2) Bandits v Spectrum. Elimination Final (3 v 4) Black Bulls v Outcasts.
• DIVISION3
RESULTS: Redbacks (2) def Clayton Bowls Club 16-5, Madarras def The Goodies 13-8, Stingers def Vales (3) 17-4.
LADDER: Redbacks (2) 52, Madarras 44, The Goodies 28, Vales (3) 20, Clayton Bowls Club 20, Stingers 16.
HIGH SCORE: J. Russell (Madarras) 177, R Leister (The Goodies) 177, Steve Evans (Stingers) 174, B Wright (Madarras) 174).
HIGH FINISH: Damien Hammond (Redbacks 2) 142, Michael Stanton (The Goodies) 120.
MOST WINS: Steve Clarke (Madarras) 35, M. Bignall (Madarras) 29.
MOST TONS: Steve Clarke (Madarras) 60, Damien Hammond (Redbacks 2) 46.
MOST 180s: Terry Faragher (Madarras) 2.
FINALS WEEK 1: Preliminary Final (1 v 2) Redbacks 2 v Madarras. Elimination Final (3 v 4) The Goodies v Vales 3.
City survive with draw
By Justin Schwarze
A slow and defensive minded game at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex saw no goals and no winner as Dandenong City and Green Gully shared the points in round 18 of the NPL.
In the first half, City couldn’t get a shot on target despite having three attempts at goal and seven corners.
Gully registered four shots, with three on target, but couldn’t find the back of the net either and the score remained at 0-0 as the teams entered the dressing rooms. Dandenong were much better in the second half but couldn’t capitalise.
The hosts fired nine shots with six on target but failed to trouble the scorers and find a breakthrough.
The visitors reeled and defended well to not concede, with the sides both salvaging a point from the scoreless affair.
The result meant City remained ahead of Green Gully in the table, one point better to sit at seventh.
After 18 games, Dandenong have posted a clean triple of six wins, six draws and six losses in the 2025 campaign.
In round 19, City are back home again to face Altona Magic in a good opportunity for points.
Pierce Clark kept a clean sheet for Dandenong City. (Supplied: 459721)
Daniel Stackhouse pilots Aztec State to victory at Sandown Hillside on Saturday. (George Sal/Racing Photos: 484418)
