EHD Star Journal - 29th July 2025

$25m golf war

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club is sueing a former developer for a $25 million ‘bonus’ over the sale of its golf course for a controversial housing project in Dingley Village.

The Supreme Court of Victoria lawsuit comes as protesters gathered to oppose plans for a 941-dwelling estate at the former Kingswood Golf Course on Sunday 27 July.\ Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny is expected to make a decision this year.

According to the golf club’s statement of claim, AustralianSuperResidentialPropertiesagreedtobuy Kingswood Golf Course for a $70 million ‘interim payment’ on settlement in 2014.

The ‘final’ $25 million payment was to be allegedly made after the 54-hectare course was rezoned to a general residential zone.

However, the rezoning failed to occur by an agreed sunset date in 2022. As a result, the $25 million was not paid.

Since the 2014 sale, residents, Kingston Council and MPs had opposed the project for 824 dwellings on the flood-prone site.

Arguments included the loss of vast green space, increased flooding risk, and traffic congestion.

Last year, AustralianSuper sold the site to another developer Satterley – which unveiled the current, contentious plan for greater housing density.

Peninsula Kingswood argues in its statement of claim that AustralianSuper didn’t “use its best endeavours” to achieve rezoning “as soon as practicable” and ahead of the sunset date.

The club - which has relocated to Skye Road, Frankston - claims that AustralianSuper delayed preparing draft planning amendments for Kingston Council.

It had also failed to alter the draft amendment in responsetotheoppositionof“themajority”ofKingston councillors and “the number of negative submissions” from the public.

ASRPhadalsofailedtoalterthedraftamendment in response to the opposition of “the majority” of Kingston councillors and “the number of nega tive submissions” from the public, the club alleges. It had also allegedly failed to alter its proposed amend ment for the Planning Minister and a Standing Advisory Committee in 2021 – given it was “rea sonably foreseeable” that the committee was “unlikely to recommend the immediate rezoning … or the grant of a planning permit”.

More on the protest, turn to page 14

Running rings round the rain

Acrobatic entertainer Hoop Sparx kept crowds smiling in glum weather at Springvale Snowfest on Sunday 27 July. Her dazzling hulahoop routine was part of a packed program for

the wintry street festival. More pictures, turn to page 14 (Gary Sissons: 491576)

Casey doubles tree budget

By Ethan Benedicto

The City of Casey has doubled its budget for improving the city’s tree canopy coverage to $3.1 million, with the council aiming to reach a 15 per cent canopy coverage by 2030.

The Greening Casey report detailed that as of

2018, only 16.5 per cent of Casey’s land area is covered by shrubs and trees, while only 11.3 per cent of land in the LGA is covered by tree canopy, which means vegetation over three metres. This is considered to be relatively low compared to the average Melbourne LGA, which re-

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cords 19.26 per cent tree canopy cover.

Casey’s Mayor, Stefan Koomen, said that the council “has a significant investment in trees in the budget, and it’s a real focus of the new councillor group to try and improve our tree canopy”.

“The planting process will begin immediately; we doubled our investment in tree planting to $3.1 million, so we’ll double the number of trees to increase our canopy.”

Koomen added that through the Greening Casey endeavour, there is a goal to curate a roadmap to achieve six key actions that include: protecting and restoring species habitat and improving connectivity, as well as setting targets and tracking progress.

The other four are scaling up greening in the private realm, collaborating across sectors and regions, building a toolkit of resources to underpin implementation, and funding the protection and enhancement of the urban forest.

Looking deeper, Greening Casey aims to achieve a 15 per cent tree canopy cover target throughout the whole of Casey by 2030.

This will, in turn, contribute to the 21 per cent regional tree canopy cover target by 2030 for the Southern Region of Melbourne as documented in the Environment Strategy 2021.

For Koomen, wanting a bigger abundance of trees is as simple as their beauty; he said that “it’s just nice to be out in green space”.

“If you’re at a playground or even looking at nature strips where we all live and come home to, it’s nice to have some green cover, these shaded areas.

“It’s good for families and it’s good for the environment too,” he said.

Looking at 2018 data from Greening Casey on the tree canopy coverage in the LGA, the only suburbs that fall under the 15 to 40 per cent range in coverage were Endeavour Hills, Lysterfield South, Harkaway, Berwick North, Junction Village, Cranbourne South, and Warneet.

Parts of Cranbourne North, Narre Warren North, Cranbourne East, Botanic Ridge, Lynbrook, Pearcedale and Doveton ranged from the six to 10 per cent coverage, with some spots hitting the 15 to 20 per cent coverage mark.

“We want to engage the community, the families, so we can learn about the importance and the need of tree canopies for the people,” he said.

“We have a tree planting day later this month [July] and we’re hoping to have a number of other initiatives over the next 12 months to get the community and community groups involved.”

In order to grow the city’s urban forest, the council will support the delivery of the Biodiversity Strategy Implementation Plan by planting indigenous and habitat tree and vegetation species in strategic, biodiverse locations.

Building on the canopy targets, there is a 20 per cent cover over roads goal by 2050, growing from an 11.8 per cent coverage in 2018.

By the same year, Casey aims to reach a 30 per cent coverage over shared walking and cycling paths, growing from 5.3 per cent in 2018.

Casey previously held a community survey and a series of workshops, reporting that an overwhelming message was that the people wanted more trees and shrubs planted in the municipality.

In summary, 95 per cent of respondents supported more trees being planted in Casey, with 78 per cent wanting a lot more trees, and 17 per cent wanting a few more trees.

“Trees play an important role environmentally, in terms of the heat effects; so it really does impact the quality of life, the surrounding environment and also the liveability,” Koomen said.

“Planting these trees, it’s good for residents, it’s good for homeowners, and it’s good for the environment.”

A strong figure of 95 per cent of respondents also wanted the council to invest in more street and park trees, with the community strongly supporting trees that are resilient to climate change.

The community responses felt that the environmental benefits of trees were the most important to them, such as reducing air pollution, providing habitat, storing and capturing carbon and reducing stormwater to keep the city’s rivers and creeks healthy.

Or call 9705 5200 or email PositiveAgeing@casey.vic.gov.au with your contact details

Clyde and Clyde North stand out the most, including Cranbourne West, Cannons Creek, Tooradin, patches of Narre Warren South, Narre Warren, Cranbourne North and Hampton Park, as well as Berwick South, which held a median coverage of one to five per cent, with some upping the threshold at six to 10 per cent coverage.

In terms of the planting process, Koomen said that the council is using a two-pronged approach, with larger trees that are already established to be handled by contractors and the council’s teams, but will also be combined through community engagement.

“We’re going to look at ways that the community can easily identify spots that maybe could use more trees, whether that’s public areas or nature strips - we want the community to be part of the solution,” Koomen said.

He added that there are different forms of planning, such as regular trees that are more mature - ones that have grown over the last six to 12 months - being planted in areas where they can sustain against harsher weather.

There are also plans to mass-plant seedlings and saplings (which are cheaper), where, since they will be done in abundance, the community will have input on.

From left to right, Mayor Stefan Koomen, Cr Carolyn Eaves and Cr Kim Ross, amongst the trees in front of Bunjil Place; an example of the ideal goal of density and growth throughout Casey. (Gary Sissons: 491539)

Pokies card trial set to roll

By Sahar Foladi

The State Government’s new gambling trial for Greater Dandenong is welcomed by advocates.

But a local councillor says it doesn’t go far enough to curb a “predatory” industry, describing the trial as “lipstick on a pig.”

The new trial requires a mandatory accountbased play on gaming machines with YourPlay.

People gambling at these venues will use the electronic card to set loss limits and the cards can be obtained on-the-spot at the venues.

Venues and their staff will be supported though the trial period with staff training, communication materials and in-venue support.

The trial is set to kick start at 43 selected venues in Monash, Greater Dandenong and Ballarat from September to November.

Greater Dandenong has the second-highest pokies losses per adult in Victoria, with gamblers spending $138 million on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in 2023-’24, according to the council report.

This is equivalent to $1089 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.

City of Greater Dandenong councillor Rhonda Garad urges for real reforms saying while the reform is the beginning, it’s not targeting the “predatory industry.”

“It’s a welcome start, but in some ways it’s just lipstick on a pig-focusing on individual gamblers while ignoring the predatory industry; we also need real reforms to minimise community harm, like banning ads and inducements, redesigning venues with light and clocks, limiting hours, mandating trained staff, and forcing the industry to prove it’s not causing harm.

Rebecca Paterson, Alliance for Gambling Reform director of policy, leaderships council and government engagement, agrees with councillor Garad’s viewpoints but says the card play, together with loss limit is proven to be effective in gambling harm reduction.

“This is something we’ve been advocating for long time so we’re very excited that at least a trial is happening with intention that this will become permanent.

“In terms of reducing the harms to players, we know this is the best way to reduce the impacts of gambling on individuals’ families and communities.

“It’s enough time to trail the technology and get understand of how players respond to it, whether the government needs to provide more training to staff members, additional collateral required to assist players to make the transition.”

Ms Paterson says the trial will impact the gambling industry to an extend through reduction in profits.

In response to Councillor Lana Formoso’s strong stance against any new pokies in Greater Dandenong, Ms Paterson says the alliance would “love to see that happen” but its not something achievable in the near future.

on psychology, rather than the gambler.

She calls for changes to overall venue design, introduction of natural light, restrictions on 24/7 access and trained staff who can “intervene and support individual in real time.”

“This industry has spent millions perfecting the art of destroying people’s lives, they know what attracts people’s eyes, what will keep them sitting there, mindlessly pouring money in when the money return is so miniscule.

“More cynically our state government is the biggest addict of this predatory industry. If you take out what the state government makes out of gambling, its budget would virtually collapse.”

Councillor Garad says she has worked in community health alongside a team of councillors which involved psychological, family, financial councillors that “went in and picked up pieces.”

“As much as that whole team were extraordinary, you never forget the look on the faces of children who haven’t eaten for long time, have watched extreme domestic violence because the financial strains, who are taken away temporarily from family put in foster care, hadn’t had school uniforms to wear.

“All that financial deprivation and others because a parent or both spend their time in gambling centres and these kids have to look after themselves at home.

“In Greater Dandenong, the impact is up to eight times greater than in more affluent areas.

“This is money taken directly from families— often those already struggling—resulting in severe financial distress and life-altering consequences.”

“Electronic gaming machines extract millions of dollars from our community each year, and the harm is not equally distributed.

City of Greater Dandenong Council passed their review into gambling issues at the council meeting on Monday 14 July after it was deferred by councillors Lana Formoso and Rhonda Garad who voiced for real change with impact for Greater Dandenong.

Councillor Formoso pushed for a meeting with Victoria’s Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister to halt any new pokie machines as reported previously.

Meanwhile, Cr Garad calls for overall structural changes to the gambling industry, which relies

“The impact of this is lifelong for them and kids watch-you get this intergenerational effectit’s so utterly destroying.”

Victoria’s Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister, Enver Erdogan says these are “major reforms” towards prevention of gambling harm across the state.

“This trial is an important first step – helping people take control of their gambling and make better choices.”

Clubs trapped in pokie licences need help, say reformers

By Sahar Foladi

Alliance for Gambling Reform advocates for State Government to help clubs divest from pokies machines.

The Alliance is calls for a ‘Surrender Scheme’ as an “ideal solution” for clubs who no longer want to retain their pokies licence and want it taken off the market.

Rebecca Paterson, director of policy, leadership councils and government engagement at the Alliance for Gambling Reform says there are interests from clubs to exit but simply can’t due to lack of systems in place.

“There are definitely a lot of clubs that no longer want to have pokies partly they don’t make enough money, partly it’s because they are concerned about the social impact of gambling, they see it causing harm and don’t want to participate.

“But the way the pokies licence is structured, they have payments they need to continue to the state government- entitlement payments for the machines.

“I think larger venues and owners where they have multiple venues are making a profit and the government receives its shares of fees, taxes which is a reasonably healthy amount for the government.”

According to the Alliance, the state government garnered a whooping $2.28 billion in revenue from gambling taxes which equates to 6.94 per cent of total state tax revenue in the year 2022-23.

That was one of the lowest years in revenue which saw $7.14 billion in total gambling losses in the same year which equates to $1401 loss per adult on average.

Gambling taxes to the state government has been as high as 11 per cent in previous years.

There’s at least one club in every municipality that wants to call it quits Ms Paterson says.

“Clubs tend to take in less revenue in machines than hotels, because club require individuals to give in their license, sign in, don’t have a quiet place with a lot of the members being well known.

“It’s terrible that we don’t have a mechanism

to support that.”

City of Greater Dandenong councillor Rhonda Garad has also called for “real reforms” saying the industry has poured millions to design for “regulation government hits, secluding them (gamblers) from the world”

“More cynically our state government is the biggest addict of this predatory industry. If you take out what the state government makes out of gambling, its budget would virtually collapse.”

While she welcomes the new gambling trial, she sees it as a “charitable pretence.”

The Alliance is also advocating for a review of the Community Benefit Scheme (CBS) associated with the Clubs and the types of expenditure that can qualify for CBS.

The Alliance has found that scheme is being rorted with clubs giving 77 per cent ($241.7 million out of $311.6 million) of all community grants to themselves.

“We did a review of 18 months ago and it showed 77 per cent of the things designated claimed as community benefit are things majority people wouldn’t benefit from-paid tv sub-

scriptions, salaries, insurance, basically anything and everything.

“We would love them to be genuine benefits.”

Under the scheme, clubs can claim a tax deduction of 8.33 per cent by verifying they have invested at least 8.33 per cent of their net gaming revenue back to the community.

The scheme is supposed to share benefits to local communities and offset potential harms of increased gaming machines in the local areas.

Meanwhile, City of Greater Dandenong Council has welcomed the new gambling trial saying it looks forward to the outcome of the trial.

“Our Council has had a strong and consistent commitment to minimising gamblingrelated harm,” deputy mayor councillor Sophie Tan says.

“We remain dedicated to supporting all initiatives aimed at its prevention.

“We also encourage the Victorian Government to reconsider the timetable for poker machine reforms. It is long overdue.”

Rebecca Paterson, director of policy, leadership councils and government engagement for Alliance for Gambling Reform. (Supplied)

NEWS Jail and CCO for predator

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A father-of-three has been convicted for sexually assaulting a heavily drunk victim sleeping rough in Springvale South.

Daniel Hart, 46, pleaded guilty after a sentence indication at the Victorian County Court to three charges of sexual assault of a 52-year-old alcoholic man visiting from Queensland.

The victim had little recollection of the Friday night on 10 May 2024, including sitting down for dinner with Hart in a Springvale restaurant.

The man recalls leaving the restaurant alone, sitting on the ground outside a Springvale South

pharmacy and drinking vodka.

He woke up and couldn’t find his belongings.

In investigating the alleged theft, Springvale Police viewed the pharmacy’s CCTV footage.

The CCTV revealed Hart committing sex acts on his “extremely vulnerable” victim, sentencing judge Trevor Wraight stated on 16 July.

“The complainant was sleeping rough and was extremely intoxicated – so much so that he has no memory of the incident.

“It is clear from the footage that he was unable to resist your advances.

“The victim … stated that he did not give any-

one permission to perform a sexual act on him and that he would not have consented to the act even if he was sober due to his sexual orientation.”

Hart had claimed he was himself intoxicated on meth and alcohol.

But Judge Wraight said Hart’s actions depicted on CCTV were “purposeful and deliberate”.

A psychologist opined that Hart – who had a diagnosed mental illness – would have likely had ‘psychotic symptoms’ at the time due to his in toxication.

The judge didn’t accept there was a relevant link between Hart’s cognitive dysfunction and his offending.

Born in New Zealand, Hart had a “turbulent” childhood and had been married with a wife and three kids.

The relationship deteriorated under Hart’s daily substance abuse and dallying in gay affairs. Judge Wraight noted Hart’s criminal history included family violence but no sexual offences. His rehabilitation prospects were “reasonable” if he has suitable support structures.

Hart was sentenced to 391 days’ jail – already served in pre-sentence remand.

He was released on a two-year supervised community correction order including drug and mental health treatment.

Solidarity call to support the Druze community

By Sahar Foladi

Faith leaders, councillors, MP’s and the wider community stood in solidarity with a Druze community event calling for peace in Syria.

The Druze community predominantly reside in the city of Sweida in southern Syria where sectarian clashes has led to the persecution of Druze people - an ethnoreligious minority - by the Bedouin tribe and government forces.

The Druze community in the Kingston and Greater Dandenong council areas have connections and families in Syria, and are concerned for their loved ones.

Druze Community Charity of Victoria president Sam Raydan says the community is heartbroken and outraged by reports of recent events.

“We echo the pain of the thousands of Druze Australians who are watching helplessly as their families and communities in Syria endure this violence.

“Many have lost loved ones, while others wait in fear for news of those missing or held hostage.

“We are speaking on behalf of real families here in Australia whose brothers, sisters, parents and children are at risk.

“These acts are not only crimes against individuals, they are an assault on our culture, our faith, and our people.”

The solidarity event held on Sunday 27 July by the Druze Community Charity of Victoria at their centre in Keysborough demanded for their voice to be heard.

Former Kingston mayor and a councillor in his second term, Hadi Saab is of Druze heritage.

He is concerned for the Druze community, as well as the safety of his three uncles and his auntie along with their families in Sweida.

“We couldn’t get in contact with one of my cousins for 36 hours.

“We didn’t know where he was, and he was helping in the hospital even though he’s a dentist.

“They went into the hospital and killed some medical professionals. We were scared he was one of them but thankfully he’s alive.”

Two of his other cousins are studying engineering and architecture but they can’t leave

their house now as Druze University students are also targeted.

“There are some people abducted. We don’t know their whereabouts, families here are concerned and unable to get in touch.

“This would be the greatest threat Druze people had to face in modern history in terms of the level of brutality and targeted attacks.”

Councillor Rhonda Garad who also attended the event criticised Greater Dandenong Council for its lack of solidarity.

“Here’s another direct example of how this directly affects our community and yet I don’t see the council talking about this.

“When was the last time council showed any solidarity with people who are losing family

members, living in a state of anxiety about the safety of those they love.”

The Druze community is a minority religious group with a combination of both Islam and Christianity.

While there are Druze people all over the world, the majority reside in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel.

“Druze people practise peace, they have never gone forward as an aggressor but have been persecuted. Which is why we tend to practice assimilation to the nation we tend to reside in,” Cr Saab said.

Since Sunday 13 July more than 850 Druze people have been killed as a result of fierce clashes, field executions and Israeli strikes

according to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

Out of those, 196 individuals, including 30 women, eight children, and an elderly man were executed by gunmen affiliated with Syria’s Ministries of Defence and Interior.

Despite an agreement to ceasefire, SOHR reports that there remains “limited violations.”

The Druze Community Charity in Victoria alongside other communities across Australia have written to meet with Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs Assistant Minister Julian Hill.

The letter pleads for more humanitarian visa allocations for Syrian minorities especially those with ties in Australia.

It also urges Syrian authorities to safeguard religious and ethnic minorities, support establishment of a humanitarian corridor and condemn all violence against civilians among others.

The Federal Government has not responded to the letter, but have heard from Mr Hill, who is also the Bruce MP, on this escalating issue.

“I have a long association with our wonderful Druze community and enjoy visiting their community centre in Keysborough, including speaking at a recent forum,” Mr Hill says.

“The Australian Government is working with the international community to advocate for peace in Syria and has called on the Syrian authorities to respect the rights of minorities including the Druze.”

He says the humanitarian program of 20,000 places a year is in “extremely high” demand and not everyone will be ensured a visa.

“I will ensure the Druze community is included in the formal consultation process to input into the design of this year’s humanitarian program.”

Councillor Saab says they feel their pleas are “falling on deaf ears” and the lack of response from the offices of Penny Wong and Tony Burke speaks for itself.

“The inaction is palpable, we feel disheartened and disappointed but we’re hopeful we can get action, united voice for all Druze communities across Australia.”

Kingston Cr Hadi Saab, who fears for his family persecuted in Syria, speaks at the solidarity event in Keysborough. (Supplied)

Corellas back on the wing

By Dongyun Kwon

Seven little corellas from Springvale were returned back in the wild after a week under the care of veterinary teams at Healesville Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre on Monday 21 July.

Only eight little corellas survived the suspected mass poisoning that led to the death of more than 200 corellas, pigeons and other birds at the Springvale South shopping centre on Athol Road over the weekend between 12 and 14 July. .

Conservative Regulator spokesperson con-

tinue to urge anyone with information to report it to Crime Stoppers Victoria.

Agriculture Victoria ruled out disease including high pathogenicity avian influenza, as the cause of death of these birds.

It encourages the community not to touch sick or dead birds, instead take photos, note the location and report clusters five or more dead birds or wildlife to DEECA on 136 186.

If you have any knowledge of either incident, please report it on 136 186 or call Crime Stoppers Victoria.

Warning as new dead-bird cluster found in Dandenong

Further dead birds have since been found in Dandenong, with still no conclusive cause of death for more than suspectedly-poisoned 150 corellas and other birds at Springvale South this month.

The Conversation Regulator has urged for public information on the incidents.

“It’s illegal and dangerous to poison wildlife, and we’re calling on the community to come forward with any information they might have that will help us to track down whoever is responsible,” a CR spokesperson said.

“We would remind the community to please avoid feeding wild birds because this can potentially promote spread of disease.”

The CR continues to suspect that the birds found in Springvale South on the 12-13 July

weekend were poisoned.

Most of the birds were Little Corella, as well as some Long-billed Corella, Crested Pigeon and non-native pigeons.

Seven little corellas are being treated at Healesville Sanctuary.

Testing by Agriculture Victoria has ruled out the high-pathogenicity avian influenza H5N1.

Toxin testing is under way.

Other dead birds – a long-billed corella and non-native pigeons – were found at Norine Cox Reserve, Dandenong on Thursday 17 July.

An Agriculture Victoria spokesperson warned the community not to touch sick or dead birds, in case they are infected with H5N1.

“Instead take photos, note the location, and

report clusters of five or more sick birds or wildlife to DEECA.

“Report even one sick or dead penguin or pelican, bird of prey, black swan or marine mammal.

“While the H5N1 strain of avian influenza is not in Australia, reporting will be key to early detection and following any reports we will evaluate the need for diagnostic testing or other investigation.”

Any information on the Springvale South and Dandenong incidents to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

Report sick birds or wildlife to DEECA on https://forms.bio.vic.gov.au/wildlife-influenzainvestigation or call 136 186.

Some of the cluster of dead corellas and pigeons collected at Springvale South on 1314 July. (Supplied)

Seven little corellas were returned to the wild in stable condition. (Supplied)

Child intervention woes

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A call to police to help control a juvenile’s outburst at home can often lead to the child being thrust into the family-violence legal system.

To the parents’ shock – and even against their wishes - their child has suddenly been slapped with an intervention order.

Victoria Legal Aid children’s law associate director Elicia Savvas says often the ouburst is triggered by something commonplace as controlling screen time or internet use.

But due to a lack of support services, parents felt they had no choice but to call police in a “moment of crisis”.

“These families said they were seeking de-escalation and support.

“They often didn’t support legal action being taken against their child and said the intervention order didn’t help them get access to support.”

Intervention orders against children and young people are on the rise at home and at school, according to a Victoria Legal Aid report ‘Feeling supported, not stuck’.

In the past six years, 34 per cent more children are seeking VLA legal assistance for intervention orders, the report found.

Staggeringly, a third of its young clients facing intervention orders were 10 to 14 years old.

Victim-survivors of family violence, children living with a disability, neurodiversity or mental

health issues or First Nations children were highly represented.

VLA is calling for law reform so young children are no longer slapped with intervention orders.

Savvas says family-violence and personal-safety intervention orders are designed for adults, not kids.

“We question whether these children, most of whom also live with disability or have faced some sort of trauma, can fully understand and follow these orders.”

A father Luke told the report that his 15-yearold son was likely to lose control and not abide by an IVO – which would then put his son on the wrong side of the law.

New Tech School coming to Dandenong by 2026

By Ava Cashmore

The Victorian Government has unveiled plans for a new Tech School in Dandenong, set to open in the second half of 2026.

Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams released architectural drawings of the Dandenong Tech School, which will be located at Chisholm Institute’s Dandenong campus.

The facility will provide hands-on STEM learning and high-tech programs for around 13,500 students, from 23 local secondary schools. Students will also be receiving free bus transport from their regular schools.

Programs will run alongside standard schooling, allowing students to participate without leaving their current education path-

ways. The Dandenong Tech School is one of six new facilities being delivered across the state.

Others are planned for Brimbank, Hume, Wangaratta and Warrnambool, with the Frankston Tech School due to open next term.

“We are backing students to learn beyond the classroom, keeping them engaged and building the vital STEM skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow,” Ms Williams said.

“Victoria’s Tech Schools provide unique learning environments that inspire students to pursue STEM study and career pathways, and the education centres we’re delivering in Dandenong will be no exception.”

Dandenong Library upgrade

Greater Dandenong Library is set for a major upgrade after securing a $318,550 State Government grant. The $471,858 project, also partly funded by Greater Dandenong Council, will create improved parenting facilities, a multi-faith space and quiet study room.

Greater Dandenong community executive

director Peta Gillies said project designs will be finalised this year, with construction expected to start in mid-2026.

The State Government grant was part of a $4 million-plus 2024-’25 Living Libraries Infrastructure program. It funded infrastructure at 19 libraries across the state.

“He’d be thinking about his anger in that moment.

“What am I supposed to do then? I’m supposed to call the police and have him charged with a crime?”

Savvas says the situation was working against families seeking help and being kept safe.

More resources for “sustainable, wrap-around support” were needed to resolve family disputes and repair harm.

Also of concern to the VLA was rising numbers of personal-safety intervention orders at schools.

Often the VLA clients were retaliating to bullying. As a result of the IVOs, their education was seriously disrupted by changing schools or leaving school completely.

The VLA report recommends the state’s education department provides more resources to mediate peer disputes, as well as restorative options outside the justice system.

It also recommends restorative justice options, outside of the justice system.

IVOs don’t go to the root cause of difficult issues at schools, Savvas says.

Elena Campbell, from RMIT University’s Centre for Innovative Justice, led a national study into responses to adolescent violence in the home.

She says young-person IVO numbers have worsened since her 2020 report.

It coincides with declining mental health in young people and rising social media use, as a re-

sult of the Covid era.

The biggest factor to young people’s violence in the home was them being exposed to family violence. Early intervention was key, Campbell said.

“We step in and remove the adult perpetrator and think our job is done.

“But we don’t invest in recovery - which should be the start point not the end point.”

Campbell agreed more resources were needed to support schools.

At the moment, schools went to “Defcon 5 as soon as something dramatic happens”.

“No one feels they have the tools or the time so we end up defaulting to an IVO very quickly.”

Teachers needed training in managing conflict, student trauma and the issues behind behaviour dysregulation, Campbell said.

Schools needed better-resourced wellbeing teams, as well as strong ongoing partnerships with outside support agencies.

She says family violence laws need to be reviewedtodistinguishbetweenadultsandchildren.

“By taking a zero-tolerance, no-excuses approach to family violence, it’s left us in the ridiculous situation we have with 11 year olds.

“Their developmental age is enough of a limitation but they may have significant trauma or may have an autism diagnosis.

“They can’t possibly understand the order or don’t have a hope of complying.”

The worrying respect deficit

Recently, while driving through Noble Park immediately after school, we witnessed a troubling scene.

Students darting across roads without heed, ignoring the lollipop lady, and showing blatant disregard for traffic rules and drivers, even hitting the cars and scowling at drivers.

In contrast, at Carwatha College, where we pick up our grandson/nephew, there is a palpable sense of order.

Students and parents greet the crossing guard, teachers are present, and respect is evident.

In Japan, children bow to drivers after crossing the road - a gesture of respect and gratitude.

The contrast is startling.

What we are witnessing is not just poor behaviour.

It is a social shift.

Etiquette, manners, and basic decencyonce expected in every home and classroomseem to be vanishing from both.

The word “respect” has become optional.

And when teachers attempt to uphold it, they are often met not with support, but with complaint.

Teachers across Australia are expressing deep frustration.

It is not just about lesson planning or workloads – it is about dignity.

Many speak of being disrespected by students and, more concerningly, undermined by parents.

TRUTH BE TOLD

And what is the government’s response?

The Victorian Government is currently trialling “Teach Today, Teach Tomorrow” and other employment-based fast-track pathways to bring new people into teaching.

While these initiatives may help address shortages, they ignore the bigger issue: Why are good teachers leaving in the first place?

We don’t need more rushed pathways into classrooms.

We need to hold on to the passionate, qualified teachers we already have, by supporting them, training them, and backing them when they uphold values.

The Root Cause

At the heart of this issue lies a lack of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and values-based education. Without teaching young people how to behave with respect - for themselves, for others, and for those guiding them, we risk growing a generation that refuses to listen and a system too fragile to withstand them.

Social media groups for educators are filled with desperate posts: “How do I deal with a student who screams at me?”, “A parent just emailed the principal because I gave homework”, “My leadership team won’t back me up.”

This is not sustainable.

A 2024 survey reveals that nearly half of all teachers are considering leaving the profession within a year, citing burnout, disrespect, and lack of support as top reasons. (bowerplace. com.au, blackdoginstitute.org.au).

What Is Going Wrong?

The erosion of respect in schools is not solely a student issue - it is a societal one.

Parents defending misbehaviour, children emboldened by social media attitudes, inconsistent discipline policies, and a system more focused on appeasement than accountability all contribute.

Meanwhile, when you ask Google why teachers are leaving, the answers are clinical: workload, lack of work-life balance, desire for career change.

These are not lies - but they are only part of the truth.

Let us propose what teachers are really asking for:

• Respect-Based Curriculum: Build emotional literacy and values education into every year level.

• Parent-Educator Partnership: Shift the culture from blame to collaboration - parents must support teachers, not sabotage them.

• Professional Dignity: Create policies that empower school leadership to uphold teacher authority without fear of backlash.

• CQ in Classrooms: Embed Cultural Intelligence training so students and staff alike understand diverse behaviours, expectations and respectful engagement.

There is still hope.

The teachers who remain do so out of love, not for the paycheque.

But love alone cannot sustain a broken system.

Teachers need respect. Students need guidance. And parents need to be reminded: partnership is not permission – it is responsibility. Truth be told… if we lose our teachers, we lose our future.

• What do you think? Let us know at dailyeditor@starnewsgroup.com.au

Elisa Savvas says there’s rising numbers of intervention orders against young children.

(Victoria Legal Aid)

Pair locked up

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Two home-invaders have been jailed after holding a resident at knifepoint while looting his family home and garage in Mulgrave.

Jal Luak, 20, and Tietdong Chuol, 21, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to home invasion and armed robbery for the break-in about 3am on 7 June 2024.

Within an hour, they were arrested by police in one of the stolen vehicles in Cranbourne North.

At the time of the invasion, the victim, his partner andtwochildren,aswellashismotherweresleeping.

Since then, the children have woken crying and afflicted with nightmares.

The family have moved out, with their sense of security shattered, the victim stated to the court.

“No one should suffer what they have suffered,” Judge Peter Rozen stated in sentencing on 17 July.

On the night, a masked Luak and an unknown offender entered, each armed with a serrated knife up to 15 centimetres, while Chuol waited in a getaway car.

They set off a motion sensor, which activated an alert on the victim’s phone.

Awoken, he turned on the hallway light and called out ‘Who’s there?’

Luak pointed his knife at the man, demanding his keys. “Don’t move or I’ll stab you,” he allegedly said.

With a blade pressed against his neck, the man led the intruders to a keys cabinet.

The pair stole keys for a BMW M6 wagon and an Audi RS e-tron GT coupe, as well as two Hermes wallets, two Bvlgari wedding bands and a VCA-branded bracelet.

A Porsche 911 coupe was parked in the garage. The unknown offender made stabbing motions as he demanded the keys.

The victim insisted it was his friend’s car and he didn’t have the keys.

In the driveway, the victim was pushed to ground, while a balaclava-clad Chuol and the unknown offender threatened the victim with stabbing motions.

Luak drove away the BMW in convoy with the unknown offender in the Audi and Chuol in the getaway car.

Within 40 minutes, police tracked the BMW using an app on the victim’s phone as well as the Air Wing helicopter.

Learner-driver Luak, with passenger Chuol, drove over police stop-sticks on Thompsons Road, Cranbourne North.

They continued travelling dangerously on damaged tyres on the wrong side of William Thwaites Boulevard.

Within minutes, Luak lost control of the wagon and crashed into a home’s front garden on Brolin Terrace.

Both men fled and were arrested nearby.

Luak pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and being a learner driver without a valid supervising driver, and Chuol also pled to possessing cannabis.

Luak was sentenced to a youth justice centre for three years and two months.

Too old for youth detention, Chuol was sentenced to two years and three months in adult prison. He will be eligible for parole after serving 16 months.

Their sentences include 396 days in pre-sentence custody.

CCO for illegal abalone ‘recalcitrant’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A “recalcitrant” illegal abalone seller from Springvale has been placed on a community corrections order.

Ke Yern Tran, 57, pled guilty at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court to the unauthorized selling of abalone at three locations between August 2024-January 2025.

He allegedly sold the lucrative seafood at Sandown Greyhounds Racing Club, Boronia and Springvale.

A Victorian Fisheries Authority prosecutor told the court on 24 July that Tran was found with scales, plastic bags and 20 kilograms of abalone – well in excess of the legal catch limit.

Tran was said to have approached a wouldbe customer at a pokies venue, who told him that he shouldn’t be selling the product.

Tran reportedly replied he didn’t care, the prosecutor told the court.

His illegal trading was reported by a citizen on the VFA’s 13 FISH hotline.

The prosecutor submitted for a penalty of a community corrections order with unpaid work hours.

Trafficking and selling of abalone was an “extremely lucrative” trade, meaning that fines alone were not an adequate deterrent, she told the court.

Arguing for a fine payment plan, a defence lawyer said Tran hadn’t been in front of court since being fined for illegally fishing abalone in 2006.

He’d also received substantial infringement fines for abalone offences.

Magistrate John Hardy noted Tran faced a maximum of 12 months’ jail or $120,000 fine for each charge.

He questioned how the Centrelink recipient who was paying off a mortgage could pay a fine.

Mr Hardy – who had earlier asked Tran several times to plead guilty or not guilty - warned Tran about his “recalcitrant” attitude in not answering questions in court “appropriately”.

“I am not interested in your excuses because they are not true.

“You’ve been caught fishing and taking them yourself. You can’t just buy them from anybody.”

Tran was at “high risk” of jail if he was caught with abalone again, Mr Hardy said.

He was advised to go to a restaurant or a licensed fishmonger if he wanted to eat abalone.

“Unless you hold a licence, you’re not allowed to take more than a few abalone.

“Those licences are very few and they cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to obtain.”

International Beer Day

Bold idea turned into reality

At Mad Dream Brewing Co. two mates turned a bold idea into a community favourite — a brewery built on great beer, hearty food, and good company.

Founded by Dave and Ian, Mad Dream is more than just a taproom. Dave, a talented cabinet maker, has transformed the space into a moody, welcoming taphouse — the perfect spot to unwind with friends and family. Ian, an ex-military bloke with a love for bringing people together through food, curates a rotating menu packed with flavour and heart. Together, they’ve created a place where beer and food are more than just staples — they’re experiences.

This International Beer Day (August 1st), join us at Mad Dream Brewing Co. from 12pm for a celebration of flavour from around the world. Enjoy $11 pints, tasting paddles, and delicious food from our fully stocked kitchen. Kids are welcome, merch is available in-store, and if you bring this ad to the bar, you’ll get 10% off your entire order! Our beers are preservative-free, full-flavoured, and brewed with passion. From small batches to big dreams — we invite you to taste what Mad Dream is all about.”

Mad Dream Brewing Co. founders Dave and Ian.

Landmark VET now open

A first-of-its-kind VET program launched this week at Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve, Springvale South is giving Indigenous secondary school students a culturally grounded pathway into careers in conservation and land management.

The six-month pilot, based across southern Melbourne, offers a Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management and is tailored specifically to support Indigenous youth through a blend of traditional knowledge and Western science.

The program is being delivered in partnership with local schools, Indigenous leaders, and environmental experts; and features a mix of in-classroom learning, on-Country experiences, fieldwork and hands-on workshops.

Mentorship from Elders and Indigenous professionals is also built into the curriculum, placing cultural identity and connection to land at the heart of the program.

Debbie Edwards, Student Services Leader at Hampton Park Secondary College, said that “this is more than a pathway into conservation and land management, it’s about creating opportunities, building confidence, and valuing Indigenous knowledge in working on Country”.

Hampton Park Secondary College is one of the participating schools in the program, with principal Wayne Haworth saying the initiative reflects a strong commitment to meaningful and culturally inclusive education.

“This groundbreaking initiative benefits Indigenous youth both locally and more broadly,” Haworth said.

“I am incredibly proud that we are continuously striving to offer exciting new learning opportunities and pathways to benefit our students.”

If successful, the pilot program is expected to expand to more schools in the coming years, offering even more students the chance to learn, grow, and walk in both worlds, environmental science and cultural heritage.

School Principal’s Day

Pam Robinson - Lyndale Secondary College

Lyndale Secondary College, situated in Dandenong North, Melbourne, is a distinguished and forward-thinking secondary college with a proud history since its founding in 1961. Over the years, the college has remained steadfast in providing high-quality education to a diverse student body. Our commitment extends to cultivating a vibrant community that actively champions inclusion and celebrates diversity, fostering collaboration between educators and learners to instil essential 21st-century skills.

Our school takes pride in its forward-thinking approach, boasting state-of-the-art facilities, including the only Victorian Government School Augmented Reality Immersive Technology Laboratory. This innovative space is where inspiration meets cutting-edge technology, shaping the promising futures of our students.

At Lyndale Secondary College, our mission is to inspire and equip the next generation with the skills and knowledge essential for thriving in an ever-changing world. We’ve adapted our classrooms to cater to digital learners, featuring an Augmented Immersive Technology Classroom seamlessly integrating advanced technology into traditional learning environments. Aligned with the Victorian Curriculum and Senior Certificate, this immersive experience transforms abstract ideas into tangible learning, nurturing 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

Russel Praetz - Community College Gippsland

A Place to Belong

As more young people begin to question their place at the mainstream school system, whether it be due to exam pressure, academic overload, poor engagement, low attendance, or simply feeling disengaged, ECG Secondary College is providing a different path, one that is nurturing, inclusive and built around student wellbeing.

Led by Principal Russel Praetz, who took up the role in 2024, with a commitment to helping students re-engage with learning in a way that suits their individual needs and aspirations. The College focuses on holistic education, supporting students’ mental health, wellbeing, job readiness, and life skills. Learning is hands-on, practical, and deeply connected to real-world outcomes.

At ECG, students benefit from:

•A hands-otn, practical curriculum linked to real-

outcomes, • A strong focus on mental health, wellbeing, and life skills, • Small class sizes and individualised support, and • Vocational pathways learning.

In 2025, ECG launched a new senior campus at Pakenham, Toomah Community Centre, to further support students in Years 11 and 12. And the Year 9/10 classes commenced at the Pakenham campus, helping students re-engage earlier in their schooling journey. The Dandenong campus is undergoing a process of being expanded. With campuses in Warragul, Leongatha, Pakenham and Dandenong, ECG offers Years 9–12 through the VCE Vocational Major Certificate, providing students with the tools and

From left to right: Stewart Detez (The Hub Learning), Adelina Carnevale (The Hub Learning), Mariah (student), Debbie Edwards (Student Services Leader), Maddie (student), Kylie Robertson (Eco Skills) and Wayne Haworth (Principal). (Stewart Chambers: 490612)

Andrew Simmons(Chief Executive Officer at South East LLEN) served up breakfast for students and guests as the ceremony came to a close. (490612)

Students took part in the smoking ceremony during the official announcement. (490612)

Kelly Krieg (Assistant Principal), Wayne Haworth (Principal) and Katrina Amon were also in attendance. (490612)

E-bike stolen from retiree

By Sahar Foladi

A retired Doveton man is pleading for the return of his e-bike as it’s his only source of transport.

Krystof Karon used to ride his FIIDO M3 ebike to get about, including the Endeavour Hills Tennis Club where he is a member.

As any other regular day, he rode to the club, parked his e-bike within eyesight so he could observe it every now and then.

Panic crept in when he couldn’t spot his ebike. He was only quick enough to run over and see it driven away on the back of a ute.

LOOKING BACK

100 years ago

30 July 1925

SUCCESSFUL

TWO DAYS FAIR

Noble Park’s new public hall was officially declared open amid a blaze of colour and light on Friday evening by the Hon. Frank Groves M.L.A In conjunction with the opening, a fair was held, organised by the Ladies’ Social Aid committee. The citizens rose to the occasion splendidly and spent money freely, realising it was for a good cause. The hall is under the guidance of trustees and a committee of management. Financial assistance will be necessary for some time to come, as the there are certain liabilities in repayments for the cost of erecting the hall and the furnishings. Mainly due to the efforts of the ’Ladies’ Committee , the debt on the old hall had been wiped off in 6 months and it would be hoped that the ladies would be able to wipe off the debt of the new hall in the same space of time. The ladies had made a start by donating the foundation stone for the

“My only joy was riding the bike and hitting the ball at the tennis club with a couple of friends.

“I forgive this person whoever did this, they don’t know what they’re doing.

“I didn’t expect this to happen because it was in the middle of the day, the space was open, everything is visible, the area was fenced and safe.”

The culprits had apparently cut the tall perimeter fence with pliers to get to the e-bike.

Mr Karon didn’t have his glasses on at the time, so he couldn’t catch the car registration number.

According to him, the club has been request-

new hall.

50 years ago

24 July 1975

New system ‘is pathetic’

The introducing of one-way traffic in Foster, Thomas and Walker Sts., Dandenong, was described as “pathetic for traders in the area” yesterday. The manageress of Just Jeans in Foster St. said “Traffic now travelling through the intersection is going away from Dandenong. Trading on this corner was bad enough before - now it’s going to be worse than ever. I drove through here on Sunday night and nearly had heart failure when I saw what they had done. They should have put lights here.” The manager of a surf gear shop said he had “lost” five five carparking spaces from the front of his shop.

20 years ago

25 July 2005

Homestead artefacts dug up as freeway

ing the site’s owner Casey Council to install CCTV in response to prior incidents.

Casey connected communities manager Callum Pattie said council is aware of the incident and is working to support the club.

“Council encourages tenants of Council facilities to raise concerns relating to CCTV and other community safety matters directly with the Council.

“All criminal matters, such as theft of property, should be reported directly to Victoria Police for investigation.

“Council officers have been made aware of the

approaches.

Historic finds.

reported theft and have referred the matter to the relevant maintenance and safety teams for further action.

“A site assessment will be conducted by the Community Safety team, and Council will continue to support the club throughout the process.” He had the e-bike for three years, a unique style with big wheels valued at $1450 on Pedl site and lower on other sites.

A Police report has been filed.

Endeavour Hills Tennis Club was contacted for comment.

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

Foundations of what is believed to be Dandenong’s oldest homestead have been unearthed by archaeologists working with the Eastlink freeway construction team. Excavations last week uncovered brick foundations, concrete posts and an old well at the site in Heyington Crescent, Dandenong North. Anthony Havers, spokesman for Theiss John Holland, said the archaeologists had uncovered the foundations of the Oakwood Park estate homestead, one of the first properties built in Dandenong dating to about 1860.

5 years ago

28 July 2020

No Football

Football Victoria (FV) has officially cancelled all senior competitions in metropolitan Melbourne this season in the wake of a spike in Covid-19

50 years ago: Havoc at Dandenong Hub

By Philip Salama-West

To mark Dandenong Star Journal’s 160 years of publication, PHILIP SALAMA-WEST is taking a then-and-now look at the people, places and events that have formed Dandenong’s modern history.

This week, the spotlight is on Dandenong Hub retail-office complex, which opened to great fanfare with TV stars, a dixieland jazz band and free drive-in cinema tickets in late 1974. It boasted a list of major retail and Federal department tenants. In recent times, it’s been touted as an anti-social trouble spot - but even within seven months of opening, the arcade was plagued with “louts causing havoc”.

An extract of the Tuesday June 17, 1975 frontpage article in The Journal appears below.

DEATH FEAR AT NEW CENTRE!

Young louts are causing havoc at Dandenong Hub, the city’s latest retail complex.

In two incidents, people narrowly escaped death through the louts’ activities.

Complaints have been made to shop proprietors in the building and to the managing agents, Gordon Norris Real Estate.

A spokesman for Gordon Norris said: “We are so perturbed about the incidents, we have circularised all schools in the Dandenong area

asking principals to appeal to students to refrain from such activities.”

In one incident, a long, thick iron bar was thrown from the top floor of the car park on the roof of the building.

The bar plummeted into the PMG yard next door, narrowly missing to PMG employees.

Had the bar struck either or both, they would have been seriously injured and possibly killed. In another incident, louts got into a locked car and released the handbrake.

They pushed the vehicle to the top of a ramp and let it go.

They watched the car roll forward and gather speed as it went down the incline.

The car smashed into a door of an SEC substation after bouncing twice off a brick wall and was badly damaged.

Luckily no one was hurt.

The management of the centre is understood to be considering employing a permanent car park attendant.

Violence and antisocial activity have unfortunately continued to be associated with the Dandenong Hub in the years since it opened with much fanfare in November 1974.

The $7 million project by Hanover Holdings Ltd opened with the sound of a dixieland jazz

band and TV stars Sue Donovan, Philip Brady and Jimmy Hannan entertained and signed autographs for a large crowd of shoppers.

Public Works Minister Robert Dunstan unveiled a commemorative plaque, and 10,000 free tickets to Village drive-in theatres were given away in the opening week.

At the outset, the arcade’s two retail floors attracted major tenants Walsh’s Pty Ltd, Brash’s, Yamaha Music Centre and A E Moore and Sons.

“The complex has a variety of stores and offers shopping in a quiet atmosphere, air-conditioned comfort throughout and is decorated in subdued colors.

“Escalators and lifts connect all levels.”

The Dandenong Hub’s entire four-storey office tower was initially let to the Federal Government for the Taxation Department and the Health Commission.

Though plans to redevelop and revitalise the Arcade have been proposed across the years, with one notable attempt being launched in 2008, the aging structure is largely unchanged in appearance from the 1970s and 80s.

Violence, theft and antisocial behavior have continued to be common problems around the two-storey shopping complex.

One store owner stated recently “There’s a break-in once every two weeks now, you go up-

cases. With metropolitan Melbourne back into stage 3 lockdown, FV has announced that all senior competitions, including NFL and community leagues will not proceed or resume as fixtured – with alternative competitions and football opportunities over the spring and summer to be discussed, but based on an opt-in basis with clubs. “Following the Victorian Government’s decision to reintroduce lockdown restrictions due to the number of active coronavirus cases, Football Victoria is announcing a series of changes to it’s competition structures for the remainder of 2020” an FV statement read. “The decisions made by FV have always been made with the intension of enabling as many people as possible. However, despite the best efforts of our amazing clubs and their volunteers, FV staff and every one of the game’s stakeholders, it will be impossible to run complete competitions for every age group and level.”

stairs, something’s always getting broken in. It hasn’t been this bad ever.”

Vendors have called for management to implement more substantial security measures.

Currently, a single security guard patrols the premises from 2-6pm, with another guard on duty after midnight.

Likewise, The Hub has continually seen break-ins by Dandenong’s homeless population seeking shelter at night.

Vincent Golf, a real estate agent at First National Hall and partners said: “The homeless people like to be in dark places where there’s no other people around and that’s the Hub at the moment – it’s dark.

“If there’s more activity in the Hub during the day it’s less likely the homeless people will be there.”

Hopes for the rejuvenation of The Hub continue, however, with plans for the construction of a special needs educational facility on the second floor being recently announced.

The facility would occupy a shop adjacent to the second floor food court, which would house culinary facilities to train people with autism and other special needs.

Celebrate all the important things

By Anne Maslin, Baha’i Community

Quote from a Baha’i prayer:

“O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers!”

It is hard to avoid witnessing the tragic events happening in different parts of the world every day.

We experience many mixed emotions while witnessing the conflict, people suffering, the devastation.

We hope for a speedy resolution to the current conflicts causing the tragic loss of innocent lives.

MESSAGE OF HOPE

What can we do?

We can focus on the things around us that matter to us.

We can look at the things that we can actually

influence rather than fretting over political conflict that is engendered by others.

We can celebrate our family and friends, we can work on building our community.

Why not be thankful that we are living in a society based on peace and justice?

Our community is shaped by the recognition that we are all people, that humanity is one.

We can be part of the community around us that is a haven of peace, a place of safety and shelter.

We can focus on our social and religious groups that give us comfort.

We can celebrate the important things to us – family, friends, our social groups, our religious truths and caring for our environment. By concentrating on what we can do for each other we can avoid the pain of worrying about the things we can do nothing about, cannot change and the tragedy we see happening elsewhere. It is known that being an active part of a group not only brings joy to ourselves but contributes to the betterment of society.

Enquiries regarding the Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong administration@interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662. Visit interfaithnetwork.org.au/

Romantic realisation of dream

A lifelong dream to visit Egypt and the Valley of the Kings is now a reality for Carl Green and wife Judy who will embark on a Pharaohs and Pyramids adventure starting in Cairo in March 2026.

Their twelve-day round trip organised by Tamara Tavasci from Helloworld Travel Gympie, is everything they hoped for including a three-day extension in Cairo to see more of the city before they join their cruise.

They will join the state-of-the-art brand new Viking Thoth specifically built to cruise the Nile after exploring Egypt’s exhilarating capital on 28 March.

The boat designed in the clean, elegant Scandinavian aesthetic Viking is known for, offers the ultimate in comfort with only 82 guests, 48 crew, 236 feet in length and only built in 2025.

“I don’t know why we have never got there as it’s a place I’ve always wanted to see, especially the pyramids and pharaohs, the Sphinx, Giza and the Nile,” Carl said.

“I have wanted to do the Nile since I was a kid, and we felt the easiest way was to go on a cruise.”

“I am actually really excited because we are going to lunch at the same place Agatha Christie wrote Murder on the Nile.”

Their itinerary will give the Greens and another couple they are travelling with, the chance to witness the majestic pyramids from a camel, explore the Temple of Karnak’s 136 soaring pillars, visit Queen Nefertari’s tomb in the Valley of the Queens, skim the waters of the Nile by traditional felucca, enjoy the fragrances of Aswan’s spice market.

On board is Viking’s Egyptologists who offers guests their expert knowledge on the history of this fascinating country.

According to Viking, it has been said of Egypt’s exhilarating capital, “He who has not seen Cairo has not seen the world.”

The brochure says “Certainly, the heart of the nation beats with an unbridled passion in this city made prosperous over millennia as a stopover for Sahara caravans on trade routes to Byzantium. Amid the stimulating strum, the insistent beauty of everyday life reigns here, with the serene Nile sliding through like an entrancing serpent. Cairo’s very age mesmerizes; its monuments have stood here for more than 5,000 years.”

“Tamara recommended this trip as it basically did everything we wanted it to do,” Carl said Tamara said she has booked a lot of Viking cruises for people before, and she was confident recommending this particular cruise and company to Carl and Judy.

She said the feedback from her clients has always been positive with most booking further trips with Viking. She believes it is the standard of ship and the destinations that bring travelers back for more.

Carl and Judy are no strangers to international travel taking many overseas trips since their mar-

riage in 1989 but they have only been on one three-night cruise out of Brisbane before.

Carl said these days travel is so much more enjoyable as he has handed the reigns of their com-

pany over to son Jack.

Carl and Judy own Green RV with yards in Forest Glen on the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Toowoomba. Brisbane, Newcastle (Heatherbrae).

They started the business in 1997 in Gympie because there was a gap In the market and now have about 125 staff.

“Now that Jack’s taken over, I can relax straight away instead of always trying to get Wi-Fi reception and taking phone calls,” Carl said. His packing tips are simple too - “get the wife to do it”.

Carl and Judy’s Egyption adventure is called Pharaohs and Pyramids by Viking and is a twelveday cruise starting at Cairo and stopping at Luxor, Qena, Esna, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, back to Luxor and Cairo.

Find out more about this cruise and other destinations at www.viking.com or phone 138 747.

LEE MCCARTHY

Travellers to Egypt become immersed in the past with a visit to three of the most iconic. landmarks of ancient Egypt.

Enjoy a fascinating time exploring Egypt’s capital city and learning about the region’s vast history.

Explore Cairo with a three day extension prior to joining your cruise.

Gain a deeper understanding of Ancient Egypt’s history at The Grand Egyptian Museum.

Carl and Judy Green are making a dream come true with a twelve-day cruise on the Nile with Viking.

The Viking Pharaohs and Pyramids cruise of Egypt is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Gympie couple Carl and Judy Green.

JOURNEY FURTHER

GREENLAND, ICELAND, NORWAY & BEYOND

Bergen to New York City or vice versa

29 DAYS | 5 COUNTRIES 17 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL: JUN-AUG 2026; JUN-AUG 2027

From $26,695pp in Veranda Stateroom

From $32,995pp in Penthouse Veranda

ICONS OF THE VIKING AGE

Bergen to Copenhagen

22 DAYS | 8 COUNTRIES | 17 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL: MAY-SEP 2027

From $21,295pp in Veranda Stateroom

From $26,395pp in Penthouse Veranda

Uncover vibrant Oslo and its fascinating history, viewing iconic sights such as Akershus Fortress and the Royal Palace, and learn about Norway’s rich maritime heritage. Then embark on arguably one of the world’s most scenic train rides, the Bergen Railway, over Europe’s highest mountain plateau.

VIKING HOMELANDS

Bergen to Stockholm or vice versa

15 DAYS | 6 COUNTRIES 11 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL: APR-AUG 2026; MAY-AUG 2027

From $13,395pp in Veranda Stateroom

From 15,895pp in Penthouse Veranda

7 night all-inclusive river cruise on board Mekong Navigator

Visiting: Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Opopel Village - Wat Rokakong, Phnom Penh (overnight in port), Long Khánh Island - Mỹ An Hưng A, Sa Đéc - Cái Bè, Mỹ Tho (overnight in port)

1 night full-board luxury cruise on board the Indochine Junk Boat visiting Lan Ha Bay, Hạ Long Bay Hotel Stays

Four-star hotel stays in Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh City, Hội An, and Hanoi Five-star hotel

All hotel stays include breakfast Escorted Tours

Angkor Archaeological Park

Củ Chi Tunnels

Ho Chi Minh City tour

Hanoi city tour featuring Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Hội An city tour with Bánh xèo cooking demonstration and tasting

Huế city tour

All Flights, Taxes & Transfers

Overnight flight

Protesters tee off at plan

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Scores of protestors banded against plans for a 941-home ‘ghetto’ at the former Kingswood Golf Course on Sunday 28 July.

Dingley Village residents were joined by Liberal MP Ann-Marie Hermans and Kingston councillor Caroline White at the protest.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny is set to decide on the development plan for the 54-hectare site. She also has subsumed council’s planning powers over the estate.

Save Kingswood Group president Kevin Poulter said the “only village in Melbourne” was being threatened by the State Government’s “unachievable” push for new housing.

“This is scandalous and ruins Dingley Village for nonsensical, unachievable political ideology.

“Kingston Council has said it can achieve housing targets without destroying Dingley Village.”

The Government ignored its independent Golf Couse Advisory Committee’s recommendations and instead “ripped away” the council’s planning powers to make Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny the “sole decider”, Poulter says.

The 941-home proposal by developer Satterley is an 18 per cent increase on previous owner AustralianSuper’s controversial plan for 800 lots.

It proposes a mix of detached homes and townhouses of two to three storeys, including townhouse lots as narrow as 4.5 metres.

The affordable housing offering was “volun-

tarily” lifted to 10 per cent – or 94 homes.

“Useable” open space comprises 20 per cent of the 49.5 hectares of “developable land” – not including water bodies and drainage works.

Poulter says the “grotesque high density” plan lacks adequate flood mitigations, GP and child care services and adds traffic congestion.

Cr White said the protest was a “stand against

Snowfest comes to life in wintry Springvale

Amid heavy showers, the snow show did go on in Springvale.

The annual Springvale Snow Fest packed up the snow machine due to rain but live entertainment, rides and food trucks sizzled on Sunday 27 July.

In its 13th year, the free event transformed Buckingham Avenue with a lion and dragon dance, drumming and martial arts, fire twirling, slide and acrobatics.

environmental degradation and over-extension of public services that could affect us all”.

In recent weeks, Kingston Council – which has opposed the previous 800-unit plan – raised concerns over the extra homes, the “very small size” of some blocks and little detail on community facilities.

AustralianSuper bought the site for a purported $125 million in 2014, divesting it to Satterley last year.

The estate would include lower-priced townhouses for first home buyers and larger housing on smaller blocks for younger families with “immaculately landscaped open spaces”, chief executive Nigel Satterley said at the time.

The Planning Minister’s decision is expected in mid-2025.

Residents and politicians protest on 27 July against a proposed 941-home estate on the former Kingswood Golf Course. (Supplied)

Ana Real with the Springvale Snowfest neon selfie sign. (Gary Sissons: 491576)

The crowd enjoys the roving entertainment. (491576)

Springvale police officers Paul Maher, Chris Osmond and James Hobbs with pharmacist Richard Lim. (491576)

Dancers on the Springvale Snowfest stage. (491576)

Hoop Sparx. (491576)

WHAT’S ON

Reworlding Dandenong

Join artist and academic Troy Innocent for an immersive role-playing game on the streets of Dandenong in 2050. Join a three-hour guided, interactive experience in public spaces, culminating in a collective world building workshop. Part of the HOME 25 Invisible Cities roving exhibition. Children under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult.

• Saturdays 2 August-30 August, 10am-1pm at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Free event, register at greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/ greater-dandenong-council/events/reworldingdandenong-troy-innocent

Dandenong Market Winter Feast

Free ice-skating rink, soul-warming comfort food, live DJ, free face painting.

• Sunday 3 August, 10am-3pm at Dandenong Market, cnr Clow and Cleeland streets, Dandenong. Free entry.

Pop-up blood donor centre

Do you have time to give blood and change lives? Australian Red Cross is popping up in central Dandenong to take blood donations.

• Monday 4 August Friday 8 August at St Mary’s Community Centre, New Street, Dandenong. Registrations required at lifeblood.com.au/donor-centre/vic/dandenong-pop-up-donor-centre Stars and planets

National Science Week hands-on workshop with plenty of out-of-this-world experiments, and info on astronomy, moon and tides, how to survive outside of the atmosphere, astronauts and observing distant galaxies. Presented by Fizzics Education. For ages 7-11 years. Library membership required.

• Tuesday 5 August, 4.30pm-5.30pm at Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Free event, registrations required at trybooking. com/DBNAI View Club

Dandenong Evening View Club’s next guest speaker is James Wall from GardenWorld. Join us for an enjoyable and entertaining event, including dinner.

• Tuesday 5 August at Dandenong RSL, 6:30pm for a 7pm start. To book your meal, call Rose 0430 443 065.

Heritage Hill tour

Take a free tour of Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens with our expert heritage staff. Includes

two historic houses, Laurel Lodge and Benga and the surrounding gardens. Tea and coffee provided. Numbers limited.

• first Thursday of each month (next 7 August), 10am-12pm at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Free event. Bookings required at trybooking. com/DBAPH

Sustainability Saturdays

Are you passionate about reducing plastic waste? Our beeswax wrap making workshop includes an imformative chat about bees and important uses of beewax and honey. For ages 16+.

• Saturday 9 August, 2pm-4pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event. Register at eventbrite.com.au/e/13 02662541729?aff=oddtdtcreator

Springvale Urban Harvest

Come along to swap excess homegrown produce and gardening extras and meet like-minded growers in the area. Supported by The Greater Dandenong Seed Library and the Springvale Community Hub Clothes Swap.

• Second Saturday of the month (next 9 August) 1pm-3pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event, bookings required at eventbrite.com.au/e/1329320977 829?aff=oddtdtcreator.

Clothes swap

Community members are invited to contribute up to 10 items of clothing, shoes and/or accessories. All items must be clean, in good condition and ready to display on the day.

• Saturday 9 August, 1pm-3pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event. Details: Zoe, mohlz@icloud.com

Perc.U.lations

A regular poetry and spoken word event including an open mic and a featured poet. Committed to featuring at least 50 per cent poets who identify as women or gender-diverse throughout the year.

• Second Saturday of the month (next 9 August), 2pm3pm (poetry workshop), 3pm-5pm (open mic) at Kafe on Hemmings, 86 Hemmings Street, Dandenong; pay as you feel. Details: thesandandthefrog@gmail.com

Craft at NPCC

From floristry and paper craft, to painting and macrame, discover your creative flair with our casual art

and craft group. Enjoy variety as each week the activity of choice will differ from the last.

• Thursdays 11am at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; $5 per class. Wellness for Men

Each week discover new opportunities to develop new skills and share stories developing meaningful connections with other men. Weekly new topics with occasional guest speakers, some of these nights including BBQ or pizza nights.

• Wednesdays 7pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; $45 per term.

Beginners Line Dancing

A line dance is a choreographed dance in which a group of people dance along to a repeating sequence of steps while arranged in one or more lines or rows. These lines usually face all in the same direction, or less commonly face each other.

• Mondays 1.45pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; $5 per session.

HOME 25: Invisible Cities

HOME 25: Invisible Cities is a new roving exhibition in the streets and sites of Dandenong, showcasing works of a selection of refugee, asylum seeker, First Nations and migrant artists. Public art sites at Dandenong Library, Harmony Square, Garnar Lane, Walker Street, Palm Plaza as well as HOME stand at Dandenong Market. Also exhibitions and shows at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Cenre, Drum Theatre and Heritage Hill Museum.

• Runs until 27 September. Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greater-dandenong-council/ events/home-25-invisible-cities-exhibition Market memoirs

HOME 25: Invisible Cities stand at Dandenong Market features a weekly series of intimate interviews telling personal stories of migration, and the food, culture, and traditions they’ve carried with them.

• Saturdays 10am-2pm until 20 September at Dandenong Market, cnr Clow and Cleeland streets, Dandenong. Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greater-dandenong-council/ events/market-memoirs

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 men-

tal 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

“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/greaterdandenong-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 Centre, Memorial Drive. Free event.

Ladder leaders banish Bulls

By David Nagel

A lacklustre second quarter has dampened Noble Park’s hopes of locking away a place in this year’s Eastern Premier Division finals series; the Bulls going down 9.18(72) to 6.7(43) against ladderleading East Ringwood.

The Bulls led by a point at quarter time, but a 4.2 to 1.2 second term gave East Ringwood a three-goal advantage at the major interval.

In a low-scoring game the margin proved too difficult to overcome for the Bulls, who dodged several bullets in the final stanza with East Ringwood kicking 2.8 for the quarter.

The Bulls lacked reliable avenues to goal with Harry Broderick, Ben Marson, Jordan Marson, Lachie McDonnell, Matt Nelson and Josh Stern all making single contributions to the scoreboard.

Former AFL midfielder Brad Crouch joined Jack Murray, Dean Jones, Jacob Noble and McDonnell on the Bulls’ best players list.

Despite the loss to East Ringwood, the Bulls still have the destiny of their finals hopes in their own hands, with remaining games against Vermont (eighth), Balwyn (third), Doncaster East (sixth) and South Croydon (seventh) providing prospects of a winning record on the way home.

The fifth-placed Bulls play the three teams looking to unseat them from a finals berth this year.

In other games this week, Rowville was also overpowered in the second quarter with the Hawks going down 11.19(85) to 7.15(57) to second-placed Blackburn.

The Hawks led by 15 points at the first break but were smashed to pieces in a decisive lead up to half time; Blackburn kicking 6.8 to 0.3 to take control of the contest.

The Hawks had no answer to Toby Wooller, who kicked five goals for the winners, although Jesse Eickhoff, Mitchell Sruk, Nik Schoenmakers and Joshua Clarke fought the good fight until the final siren.

And five goals to Jai Neal, three to James McLean and two to Josh Burgmann have propelled Berwick to an inspiring victory over Vermont.

Scores were locked at three-quarter time, but the Wickers played inspired footy; kicking four goals to one in the final term to race out 11.7(73) to 8.6(54) victors. Neal, Samuel Frangalas, Harrison Canning

and Caleb Van Oostveen were impressive for the Wickers, who were celebrating the games-recordbreaking match of club stalwart Tom Brennan.

EASTERN PREMIER

Results R14: Noble Park 6.7(43) def by East Ringwood 9.18(72), South Croydon 14.11(95) def Balwyn 9.9(63), Blackburn 11.19(85) def Rowville 7.15(57), Berwick 11.7(73) def Vermont 8.6(54), Mitcham 11.8(74) def by Doncaster East 13.8(86).

Stingrays beaten by Chargers but impress

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Bottom-aged trio Darcy Szerszyn, Marcus Prasad and Angus Kennedy led the way for Dandenong in its 13.7(85) to 9.4(58) loss to Oakleigh on Sunday at Shepley Oval.

The Stingrays conceded seven goals in the first quarter and were never able to pull the margin back, but several players still shone.

Fresh off a reliable National Championships where he played three games as a no-frills defender, Szerszyn absorbed plenty of pressure in a 16-disposal, seven mark outing.

“I really liked Darcy’s form and as a coach he’s a player you love because he’s really good athletically, he can play taller and smaller than he is so I think he’s got a lot of benefits as a footballer to an AFL list,” Vic Country coach Rhett

McLennan said of Szerszyn.

Gus Kennedy’s tenacity continues to impress as he finished with 18 disposals, alongside Callum Smith’s 21.

It continues a strong season for Smith, who stamped himself as a player on draft radars at the national championships.

“Cal’s hands and decision making is really sure. His work output is steady and he showed he (could play forward) too so I’m really happy for him,” McLennan said of Smith’s carnival.

Marcus Prasad, meanwhile, kicked two goals in a good small forward’s display and fellow Melbourne Next Generation Academy prospect Toby Sinnema was influential with 25 disposals.

A pacy winger, Sinnema has shown glimpses of his best throughout 2025.

“He’s neat by foot and had some moments in the different games,” McLennan said.

“He showed he had some defensive aspects to his game and showed what he could do against Metro’s small forwards and played to his strengths when he got the ball which was his run, carry and left foot.”

Meanwhile, the girls were defeated by the same opponent 8.5(53) to 3.7(25).

Alice Cunnington continued her strong form in the forward line with 18 disposals and a goal, while Kiara Triep and Matilda Argus were the other goal kickers.

Gus Kennedy is piecing together an impressive bottom-aged season. (Gary Sissons: 489622)

Fixture R15: East Ringwood

Gibbs shines brightest while top three set a hot tempo

By David Nagel

It’s been a perfect start to the season for High 5’s, Bullseyes and The Chiefs after an entertaining second round of the Mountain Dart League Division 1 competition on Friday night.

Reigning-champs High 5’s continue to set a high benchmark, winning 6-3 against Rebels, with Dean Gibbs showing his class with four scores of 140 on the night.

Two of those came in the same leg, with Gibbs throwing 140, 85, 140 and 96 before pegging out 40 for a brilliant 13-dart leg.

His three-dart average of 115.62 was world class for that particular leg.

In other highlights of round two, Bill Richardson (Noble Park 1) and Ngametua Tangatakino (Check Out) both threw 180s while Steve Carr from Bullseyes had the highest checkout of 118.

In Division 2, The Bandits, The Night Trawlers, Spectrum and MDDA Black Bulls are all level on one win each after a night of competitive darts.

Duke Sharma sends one down for The Goodies in Division 3 of the Mountain Dart League. (Supplied: 491091)

Taylor from

79.

In Division 3, The Goodies are the only team on two wins after a 6-3 win over Stingers.

But most of the round-two highlights came from second-placed Madarras, with Brent Wright throwing the only 180 of the night and teammate Steve Clarke pegging out with a brilliant 108 finish.

MOUNTAIN DART LEAGUE

ROUND 2 SUMMARY

• DIVISION 1

Results R2: MDDA Bullseyes def Out Casts (6-3), The Chiefs def Noble Park-1 (6-3), Check Out def Redbacks-1 (7-2), High 5’s def Rebels (6-3).

Ladder: High 5’s 8, MDDA Bullseyes 8, The Chiefs 8, Check Out 4, Rebels 4, Out Casts 0, Noble Park1 0, Redbacks-1 0. 180s: Bill Richardson (Noble Park 1), Ngametua Tangatakino (Check Out).

Highest Peg: Steve Carr (Bullseyes) 118.

Fixture R3: The Chiefs v Check Out, Out Casts v Redbacks-1, MDDA Bullseyes v High 5’s, Noble

Park-1 v Rebels.

• DIVISION 2

Results R2: MDDA Black Bulls def The Night Trawlers (6-3), Spectrum def Redbacks-2 (7-2). Bye: The Bandits.

Ladder: The Bandits 4, The Night Trawlers 4, Spectrum 4, MDDA Black Bulls 4, Redbacks-2 0. 180s: Shane Taylor (MDDA Black Bulls).

Highest Peg: Shane Hammond (Redbacks 2) 79. Fixture R3: Redbacks-2 v The Bandits, Spectrum v The Night Trawlers. Bye: MDDA Black Bulls.

• DIVISION 3

Results R2: The Goodies def Stingers (6-3), Madarras def Stingrays (6-3). Bye: Vales-3. Ladder: The Goodies 8, Madarras 4, Vales-3 4, Stingrays 0, Stingers 0. 180s: Brent

Highest

Shane

MDDA Black Bulls provided the individual highlight with a stylish 180, while Shane Hammond from Redbacks-2 had the high checkout of

Wright (Madarras).

Peg: Steve Clarke (Madarras) 108. Fixture R3: Madarras v Vales-3, Stingrays v The Goodies. Bye: Stingers.

Ladder: East Ringwood 48, Blackburn 48, Balwyn 40, Rowville 28, Noble Park 28/ Doncaster East 24, South Croydon 24, Vermont 20, Berwick 16, Mitcham 4.

(1) v Blackburn (2), Balwyn (3) v Doncaster East (6), Noble Park (5) v Vermont (8), Rowville (4) v Berwick (9), South Croydon (7) v Mitcham (10).

Tom Brennan shows typical dash for Berwick in his games-record-breaking match against Vermont on Saturday. (Rob Carew: 492199)

City keeps surging

By Justin Schwarze

Dandenong City’s late season surge continued over the weekend when the club defeated fourthplaced Oakleigh 1-0 in round 23 of the NPL.

At Frank Holohan Soccer Complex, the contest was quite dour and lacked chances in the first half, with neither team registering a shot on target for the entire half.

Dandenong only had one shot in the first to Oakleigh’s three.

Also, only three corners combined had been handed out and no player had been booked.

However, City found the back of the net in the first big opportunity of the second half to

break the deadlock. Jamie Latham was brought down in an attack outside the box, resulting in a free kick for the hosts.

Latham took the free kick and opted to cross into the box, where Gaku Inaba timed his run to absolute perfection, getting a foot to the ball before the keeper could claim it as he guided it home.

It gave Dandenong the lead in the 55th minute, but the Cannons fought back furiously.

The visitors created multiple goalscoring chances in the second half, firing four shots on target but ultimately coming up empty handed.

City did well to play defensively and conser-

vatively, with Inaba’s goal being the only accurate attempt the team had for the entire match.

Dandenong saw out the result and made it six straight games unbeaten, this time against a team in the top four.

City continues to put pressure on the teams above on the table, drawing out good results against quality opponents over the past few weeks.

For now, Dandenong remains in seventh on the table with eight wins, nine draws and six losses.

In round 24, City will travel to face secondbottom Port Melbourne in what will be another great opportunity for the club to pick up more points and continue to put pressure on the teams above.

Lions roar loudest in bottom-team battle

By Blair Burns

Murrumbeena looks to be safe from the Southern Division 1 relegation battle after sinking Cranbourne by 62 points on a wet and windy day at Amstel Reserve.

It was an inaccurate slog in the first quarter as both teams managed a single goal in the scrappy contest, the Lions taking a one-point lead into quarter time.

The struggling Eagles kicked just one more goal for the day as the visitors outscored them 72-11, handing them a loss and most likely a oneway ticket to Division 2 in the process.

St Paul’s McKinnon held off a valiant Springvale Districts side by just eight points in what was the game of the round.

The Bulldogs held a 36-18-lead at half time, before the Demons came out and kicked 6.1 in the third term, including the last four of the quarter to trail by just one point heading into the fourth.

When they added the first two goals of the last quarter, Springvale Districts had an 11-point lead, but St Paul’s kicked four of the next five majors to win the match.

Bentleigh cemented its spot in fourth position after a 15-point victory over East Brighton as Jack Hastings led the way with three goals for the Demons.

It was a hot start for both teams with 10 goals scored in the first term, before the scoring dried up and Bentleigh held on for a crucial victory.

Dingley boasts an impressive season record of

13-1 and despite a challenge from Narre Warren, the Dingoes prevailed.

The Magpies trailed by just three points at half time, but Dingley forwards Tom Morecroft, Scanlan Lynch, Lachlan Benton and Mitchell Cook (three goals each) got on top of Narre Warren’s defence.

A five-goal haul from Cheltenham’s Dylan Weickhardt led the Rosellas to a 69-point win over Port Melbourne.

Ex-St Kilda footballer Jack Lonie had the football on a string and kicked two goals in the big victory.

Despite inaccuracy, Hampton Park won again, defeating Mordialloc by 18 points to go two wins

Thunder striking back to top form

By Justin Schwarze

Dandenong Thunder seems to be back in blistering form after the club picked up a 4-0 smashing of Melbourne Knights in round 23 of the NPL.

At home, Thunder took advantage of the home turf when they dispossessed Melbourne in midfield and drove forward in the eighth minute.

The ball found its way to Wade Dekker deep on the left wing, who fired in a cross that was headed home by Yuki Ushida at the back post.

The goal brought Ushida’s tally to 10 for the season.

Dandenong made it 2-0 when some intense forward pressure forced the Knights backline into an error with Dekker intercepting a poor pass.

He played a ball into Daniel Clark who squared it to a streaking Kyle Taylor.

Taylor shot off the first touch and found the bottom right corner from close range.

Just six minutes later, Thunder added another one through Clark.

Ushida dribbled down the right wing and went inside searching for Hassan Jalloh, but Jalloh couldn’t quite get a foot to it.

Dekker retrieved the loose ball, laying it off to Clark who fired home a shot that deflected into the back of the net to make it 3-0 after 34 minutes.

When the halftime whistle was blown, Dandenong had converted three out of its four shots on target, while Melbourne was yet to record one.

Out of halftime, Thunder looked to put the game to bed and find another score.

Ben Djiba had the ball deep on the right wing and timed his centering cross to perfection, placing it on the forehead of Ushida who got his second header goal of the evening.

From there, Dandenong cruised to the big result that has the club comfortably in the top three on the table.

After 23 games, Thunder has 14 wins, five draws and four losses whilst having a goal difference of plus-23, the league’s third best mark.

Dandenong is back at home in round 24 when 12th-placed Melbourne Victory comes to town.

clear on top of the ladder.

Young gun Ben Buller, who has now played 10 senior games this year, stood up for the Redbacks and kicked two goals in a best-on-ground performance.

East Malvern is in a slump and at the wrong time of year, having dropped its past three matches to sit third – just one win in front of fifth-placed Mordialloc.

The Panthers fell 24 points short against Frankston Bombers after kicking 3.8 in the second half.

Peter Mawson and Jordan Waite kicked three goals each in the win, while Isaac Morrisby (three goals) returned from injury for East Malvern.

Not only is Keysborough’s Kyden a very good Vella, but he is also one heck of a player and led the Burras to a 37-point win over Doveton Doves.

The young star finished with five goals to take his season tally to 34 (second in the league), while Doveton’s Jake Calvert also kicked three.

Chelsea Heights moved into second spot on the ladder after a huge 90-point thrashing over Caulfield Bears, boosting the team’s percentage.

Erishmiilan Uthayakumar kicked six goals and is, without a doubt, the in-form player of the competition, booting 18 goals in his last three outings.

Endeavour Hills’ difficult 2025 season continued as a wayward Highett put the Falcons to the sword, winning by 79 points.

The Bulldogs had nine goal scorers but were led by Brent Dyall (four goals) and Jacob Apted (three goals) in the cruisy victory.

Cranbourne’s Bailey Buntine never gave in as Murrumbeena made light work of the Eagles.

(Stewart Chambers: 488310)

Yuki Ushida scored a brace in Dandenong Thunder’s win against Melbourne Knights. (Supplied)

Gaku Inaba scored what ultimately became the match-winner for Dandenong City. (Supplied)

HOME 25: Invisible Cities

Reworlding Dandenong with Troy Innocent Saturdays in August, 10am to 1pm

An urban play adventure exploring what Dandenong will be like in the year 2050.

HOME 25: Invisible Cities is now showing across the galleries, streets and sites of Dandenong, an exhibition by 16 artists featuring stories of displacement, belonging, connection to place and Country. Visit greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/HOME to learn

Cultural Sketch at the Castle Thursday 21 August, 6pm

Explore mark making while hearing from the two of the HOME 25 artists.

Image: Atong Atem, Bigoa with Fan, 2020, Ilford smooth pearl print. Image courtesy of MARS and the artist. Photo: Nicholas Addison

Art, Memory and Desire: HOME 25 Forum Saturday 20 September, 2pm | Walker Street Gallery

Explore the personal, political, and poetic dimensions of ‘home’ at this dynamic event.

Drum Theatre | Corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong | 8571

Opening hours: Monday - Friday | 10am - 4pm | Saturday 11am - 3pm |