Glory in their sights
Dandenong Rangers under-14 basketballer Keegan has eyes on a bright future, as two of the Rangers’ underage sides prepare to compete for national titles next month. Star Journal went behind the scenes at training to see what makes the talented under 14 girls and boys sides tick.
More on the story, turn to page 18
Big screen heroes
Dandenong-based Emerson School’s success story is inspiring audiences overseas, with a multiaward-winning documentary.
A week after launching a state-of-the-art $6.1 million technology wing, the school has launched a film Unlocking the Potential: The Vital Role of Specialist Education.
The film highlights the “miracles” that happen in transforming specialist students’ lives, equipping them for fulfillment beyond school.
The documentary was two years in the making with an extraordinary compilation of interviews of parents, past and present students, principal John Mooney, school council, school staff, the Monash Krongold Clinic, lifelong partners and friends.
“If you’re experiencing difficulties in your learning, where you may not be motivated or you might be marginalised - well, wouldn’t it be lovely to go to a school where you’ll actually be
able to unlock, discard all their worries and fear?” Mooney said at the launch on 6 August.
His friend and retired principal Kevin Mackay now helps at the school.
“I think the most powerful thing about the film was the stories of the parents who would have been devastated without the support of the school.”
Filmmaker Amel Tresnji said he wanted the film to be a “blueprint” for other schools.
“Part of the film was for me to essentially investigate what makes the school very unique.
“The first thing I recognise, it’s John - because John is the leader, his philosophies, his kindness, his ability to really see the best in people and cultivate that is really quite unique.”
More on the story, turn to page 19
(Stewart Chambers: 491963)
SEMMA opposes WFH laws
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A South East manufacturers group says proposed work-from-home laws are “impossible” for the $54 billion sector.
“This proposed policy threatens the viability of the manufacturing sector,” South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) chief executive Honi Walker said.
“It will deter investment and drive away innovation, employment and economic growth,”
Walker said manufacturers can’t make their products from home
“As manufacturers, we are simply asking the government to allow private industry to negotiate directly with our employees – as we do now.
“No changes to current legislation are required – just common sense.
“If this work-from-home policy is enacted and applied to manufacturing – there will not be a manufacturing sector in Victoria.”
The State Government argues that enshrining the right to work at least two days a week at home was good for families and the economy.
“Not everyone can work from home, but everyone can benefit,” Premier Jacinta Allan said.
“If you can do your job from home, we’ll make it your right – because we’re on your side.”
This month, the Government announced it will start consultation on the types and sizes of businesses covered by the scheme.
It expects to introduce the legislation next year.
According to the Government, WFH saves
to SEMMA, Victoria’s $54 billion manufacturing sector employs 283,000 people and includes more than 200 manufacturers in the South East.
Kicking goals and aiming high
South East residents have taken part in what is considered a groundbreaking job hunting initiative in the face of high youth unemployment rates.
Thirteen participants took part in the six-week program and received support from allied health professionals with a focus on building self-confidence and interpersonal skills in preparation for finding work.
The participants enjoyed hosting a soccer tournament after the conclusion of their graduation ceremony on Wednesday 6 August in Dandenong.
The initiative is brought by IntoJobs, part of the IntoWork Group, in partnership with City in the Community (CITC), the charitable arm of Melbourne City Football Club (FC).
Kicking Goals, delivered by Mas National (also part of the IntoWork Group), combines the power of sport with essential life skills training, providing a supportive and engaging environment for young jobseekers aged 18 to 24.
The program is designed to help participants overcome social anxiety, build new connections, gain the motivation and confidence needed to succeed in the workforce and any other barriers to seeking employment.
Zak Arslan, a 22-year-old participant whohas struggled to secure employment in the past, found the physical activity aspect of the program very exciting.
“I’m getting out there because I tend to be antisocial, but I lack the motivation to do social things, so being able to do this is really enjoyable.”
He hopes to improve his fitness and potentially discover new skills and passions through the program.
Also he’s keen to secure a job in a library, where he can apply his diploma in library and information management.
“I learned how to manage a library, provide customer support, handle basic IT tasks, and create promotions.
“Being knowledgeable about books is a great skill, and I’m excited to use it.”
IntoJobs has found that young people need to market themselves more to employers through direct calls and canvassing.
While the primary focus is on building motivation and confidence, the program also opens doors to various opportunities, such as voluntary positions and potential paid employment through Melbourne City FC and IntoJobs. IntoJobs Operations and Performance Manager for Victoria and South Australia, Dallas Quick, said that Kicking Goals was launched in response to a notable rise in youth unemployment in the region.
“Our aim was to create a program that not only helps young people get out of bed but also instils in them the motivation and confidence to engage in daily activities and explore their future prospect.
“Our consultants are dedicated to supporting participants at the end of the program, whether they need further motivation and confidence-building or are ready to pursue job opportunities.
“We want to ensure that every participant has
a clear pathway forward.”
The program also facilitates direct connections between participants and potential employers, going beyond just resume submission to enabling opportunities for appointments in-person.
Each day, participants receive support from allied health professionals who focus on their mental and physical well-being.
They also engage in team-based activities on the field, using soccer as a tool to develop crucial skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership whilst also partake in goal-setting exercises, discuss confidence building techniques and work on improving communication skills.
Greater Dandenong’s unemployment in the region remains high, having above national average of youth unemployment by 22 per cent as last reported by the Star Journal in August 2022.
The diverse multicultural community is facing an above-national-average unemployment rate of 6.7 per cent compared to a national average of 4 per cent in February 2025 according to Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force.
Youth unemployment in the South East region sits at 10.8 per cent according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Labour Force data in comparison to the national percentage of 9.5 per cent.
Feedback spurs shift
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Greater Dandenong’s annual community awards ceremony is proposed to be open to the public next year after strong “feedback”.
Councillors are set to vote on a recommendation for the 2026 Australia Day Awards as well as a citizenship ceremony to be an open event at Springvale City Hall on 26 January.
Days out from the 2025 ceremony, Greater Dandenong reversed its plans to stage the event for awardees and their families only due to a public outcry.
At the time, the council stated that traditionally the citizenship ceremonies were not public, and when combined with the awards they were kept that way.
“The interest from the community has inspired us to reconsider this and open (the) event on a registration basis.”
According to the council, the traditional awards venue at Dandenong Park was no longer viable to increased infrastructure and operational costs.
Combining the awards and the citizenship ceremony also saved money.
The two-in-one format also provided new citizens with a “powerful example of local leadership and civic engagement”, the report stated.
It proposes no changes to the award categories but for a streamlined judging panel of councillors and community members for the 2027 awards. Living Treasure, volunteer of the year, arts, sportsperson and corporate citzen award wer the least popular for nominations.
workers an average of $5308 a year, cuts commuting congestion and time, and supports working women with children, carers and people with a disability.
WFH workers also work nearly 20 per cent more hours than those in the office full-time, the Government argues.
SEMMA chief executive Honi Walker.
The group celebrated their graduation ceremony by hosting a soccer tournament in Dandenong. (Supplied)
The initiative is brought by IntoJobs, part of the IntoWork Group, in partnership with City in the Community (CITC), the charitable arm of Melbourne City Football Club (FC).(Supplied)
Greater Dandenong Australia Day Award winners were feted at Springvale Town Hall on 26 January 2025.
Muralist dips lid to Dandy Pig
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Decades of dormant memories are being roused by a blazing mural tribute to the iconic Dandy Pig neon sign.
Acclaimed artist Claudio Mantuano has portrayed the emblematic pig in a 75th-year commemorative artwork inside Dandenong Market.
Prior to the project, he had been aware of its local significance, akin to the Skipping Girl sign in inner Melbourne.
“It wasn’t until I started painting the mural and chatting with the shoppers and vendors that I learned how many happy memories it holds.
“People would share their own personal childhood memories about the sign, some even going back to the early 1950’s.”
Once prominently perched above the Dandy Bacon shop on Lonsdale Street, the suited pig tipping its top hat advertised the Gippsland Co-operative Bacon Curing Company.
It was the first thing people would see coming into Dandenong, and like a “welcoming back home” for some, Manutano said.
“To others it simply holds memories of going to shop for their smallgoods.
“’We’d buy a big slab of bacon,’ one of the locals told me.”
In 1983, the sign was removed upon the closure of the bacon factory.
It was relocated to Dandenong Market in 1993, taken away for conservation and reinstated atop of the market in 2013.
Manutano says he painted the pig into a night scene to enhance the “neon glow effect” and give it “pop”.
“We also thought it would be a good idea to represent the sign in its old format when it was
accompanied by the oval ‘Dandy’ sign.
“To show the space of time between the old sign and the new refurbished sign, I chose
only to light up the pig itself and not the ‘Dandy’.”
Meanwhile, the painting is capturing a new
Little India ‘won’t disappear’ despite doubts
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Little India will remain part of a future $600 million revitalization project in Dandenong, says developer Capital Alliance’s chief executive Mohan Du.
This month, Little India retailers have raised doubts about whether they could afford to stay in the Foster Street precinct.
Currently the traders pay a discount rent to the State Government’s Development Victoria. But recently Housing and Building Minister Harriet Shing stated they will be paying “market value” in the new development.
Last year, the State Government approved the precinct’s masterplan, including 470 new homes, 2500 square metres of community space, a new supermarket and food market hall
Du says existing traders will have “first right” to occupy the revitalized precinct.
“We don’t want to see Little India disappear.
“Whether there’s animosity with the current arrangements (between DV and the tenants), in the future … there is an absolute expectation that it would uplift the retail envelope.
“We’ve had nothing but positive feedback from the local business community. They want
this to happen.”
Capital Alliance hasn’t made any tenancy offers yet, he says.
“We’re not in a position to do that. We haven’t even finished the permit application stage yet.”
He expects to lodge planning-permit applications for the project’s early stages by late September, with a view to offering tenancy agreements by early 2026.
The first stage will be building the Little India, retail and entertainment areas as well as residential apartments between Thomas and Mason streets.
Building all seven stages, including potentially a hotel, dwellings, offices, education and health services and cinema, will take up to 16 years.
Part of the Capital Alliance plan is to bring in “mini-majors” such as a supermarket chain to attract more shoppers, as well as family-friendly entertainment activities.
“We want to make it as vibrant as possible. It won’t be exclusively Indian traders.”
Du’s vision is for a “new, modern and safe” precinct that’s active with office workers and businesses.
“You have natural surveillance and people
RACHEL PAYNE MP
will be proud of their local community.
“What the area needs is scaleable development, not just literal towers and towers of housing.
“We think you also need to create a vibrant retail and entertainment precinct.”
The State Government’s $290 million Revitalising Central Dandenong project has progressed in fits and starts since 2006.
But there’s much “untapped” potential in the city, Du says.
“There’s an opportunity to create something very special in central Dandenong.
“It’s the second largest employment hub in Melbourne, the second capital of metropolitan Melbourne.”
Long-term clothing retailer Sudesh Singh recently told The Guardian that “the bottom line is, we can only survive if the rental is reasonable”.
“It’s no longer a precinct, it’s no longer Little India.”
“They’re selling it as a Little India. But if we look at that, they’ve got hotels, motels and accommodation. They want to make it like Bourke Street.”
Development Victoria precincts acting group head Ronan Mellan said DV provided a range of
supports for existing traders including rental assistance, business mentoring and assisted debt management.
“The brand new Little India precinct in Central Dandenong will offer modern facilities and create more opportunities for businesses to thrive.”
In June, Housing and Building Minister Harriet Shing stated to a Parliament inquiry that currently tenants were paying below-market rental rates.
“All current traders will be given an opportunity to be part of the redevelopment, with Capital Alliance being the new landlord and on commercial terms that reflect market values.
“In preparation for the development of stages 1 and 2 within the Revitalising Central Dandenong project, tenants in these stages have been issued with vacation notices.
“Most of the current trading tenants have been provided with relocation options for their consideration and it should be noted that some tenants will not be relocating because of commercial considerations.”
DV was also supporting relocating and vacating businesses, including rent-free periods to assist with the costs of moving, she stated.
legion of Dandy Pig fans. “There was so much positive feedback from children whilst I was painting. They absolutely love it.”
Claudio Mantuano pays homage to the 75-year-old Dandy Pig sign in a new mural at Dandenong Market. (Stewart Chambers: 493790)
Supporting those in need
By Sahar Foladi
Erin Harper is a devoted volunteer of nine years for Vinnies South Eastern Soup Van in Dandenong sharing the importance of human connections and community.
As demands grow for free hot soup, fresh produce, blankets and other items, so does the need for real conversation, kindness and compassion.
“Once you get involved…you don’t want to stop,” Ms Harper says.
“You see the impact you make on the people, not just in giving them soup or vegetables - it’s the emotional support and to be a listening ear to them when needed.
“A lot of people don’t have a big network support so it’s a really nice position to be there so that we can provide that support to people.”
Ms Harper, born and raised in Greater Dandenong, is one of the charity’s long-serving members.
The soup van is operated by at least 50 volunteers on a weekly basis with anywhere between five to 10 volunteers a night juggling between work and life demands.
A long line of at least 140 people in need gather at the corner of Clow and Lonsdale Street opposite of the Dandenong Market, within one hour of the soup van’s arrival.
Apart from Dandenong, the service is currently being served in Berwick.
To accommodate and streamline the service, a new soup van hub in Hallam is soon to be completed late this year to gain better reach all over the south east.
Currently, the soup van operates out of the St John Regional College kitchen in Dandenong preparing and packing the food.
Ms Harper echoes the massive outcry over cost of living pressures, saying the van is serving many people “who can’t make ends meet”
“They’re very appreciative for the most part. We’ve see a lot of change in five years in the kinds of people we are serving.
“Pre-Covid it was people sleeping rough.
“Now we’re getting people who can’t make ends meet but also we’re seeing a large influx of new arrivals.
“They let us know if we weren’t able to provide this service they would have to make the decision in feeding their family, having running water and so on.”
She says they are fortunate if they receive novelty items such as chocolate biscuits for their clients.
They make sure to provide culturally appropriate items so clients are comfortable to cook with it.
It’s not just about feeding or providing items to those in need, Ms Harper says.
The bigger picture is also taking their burden away and giving them freedom to decide what they can provide for their families.
The soup van also donates whatever they receive from their partners like the stallholders from the Dandenong Market, many of whom are new arrivals themselves.
Lentils, rice, pasta, canned food, cereal, milk, infant consumption snack, tune, crackers and other toiletries, nappies for babies, blankets during winter, if they are fortunate and so on.
Frontline organisations like South East Community Links (SECL) have long spoken on the rising demands for their services such as financial counselling in light of rising cost of living pressures and housing crisis.
Initiatives like Kathy’s Auction of second-harnd items and SECL’s Bring Your Bills Day are growing in popularity as a result.
There are 45 rough sleepers in City of Great-
er Dandenong according to the Dandenong Zero website, a project partnering Greater Dandenong Council and Launch Housing since 2022.
Overall, there’s 70 listed as homeless including nine in temporary stable housing, eight in respite or hotels and eight unknowns.
In April, Greater Dandenong had 53 rough sleepers, the highest amount since the beginning of 2025.
Soup Van Street Services
Every Tuesday DANDENONG
• 6.16pm – 7.15pm Dandenong Plaza Corner of Clow & Lonsdale Streets – opposite Dandenong Market
THURSDAYS – Berwick & Surrounds
• 6:30pm – 7pm Narre Warren IGA Car Park
• 7:15pm – 7:45pm Orient Place, Hampton Park (car park)
SUNDAYS – Berwick & Surrounds
• 6:30pm – 7pm Narre Warren IGA Car Park
• 7:15pm – 7:45pmOrient Place, Hampton Park (car park)
TUESDAYS – Mobile Pantry Van (1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month)
• 11:30am – 11:45am Narre Warren IGA Car Park
• 12:00pm – 12:30pm – Orient Place, Hampton Park (car park)
The lie you’re being sold about housing
Every week, without fail, the headlines scream:
“Gen Z will never own a home.”
“The dream is over.”
“Housing crisis deepens.”
“Cost of living has sky rocketed.”
Turn on talkback radio, scan your feed, or listen to a panel show - and it is the same fear-driven rhetoric on repeat.
But here is the truth: property prices aren’t the problem.
A lack of preparation is.
And the real crisis? It’s not in housing - it is in how we’re raising and educating the next generation.
Let’s talk real numbers.
In 2000, we bought a house in Mulgrave for $160,000. Today, that same home is worth $1.2 million.
Back in 1981, our family home in Adelaide cost $80,000. It is now worth over $1.3 million. Sounds insane, right? But here’s the context:
•In 1980, the average wage in Australia was around $14,500.
•In 2000, it rose to $34,000.
•By 2019, it was $89,000.
In comparison:
•A loaf of bread was 54 cents in 1980. Now? $3.50.
•Electricity was 5.4 cents/kWh in 1980. Now? 19 cents/kWh.
•Fuel was 3 cents a litre in 1980. Now? $1.79 per litre.
Yes, things are more expensive, but so has income risen exponentially.
So, stop saying young people can’t buy. The question is: have we equipped them with the right tools?
The Root Cause: We Are Failing Our Kids
Our children do not need handouts. They need hand-ups.
They need financial education. They need grit. They need to know how to navigate life
with clarity and confidence.
Not finish their trade school and jump to a $100K salary and the first thing they do is go and buy a brand new Hilux!
Our two older kids, 23 and 24 - both own homes.
One of them, Saffal, owns three. No inheritance. No silver spoon. Just solid advice, clever planning, and zero victim mentality.
Why?
Because they were raised with:
•Financial literacy
•Self-responsibility
•A relentless work ethic
•A belief that they could, and would, succeed
They have been taught how to use the system, not complain about it.
Meanwhile, the rest of society is bubble-wrapping kids into helplessness.
We tell them “the world’s too expensive” and “life’s unfair.” We mollycoddle them. We fill their ears with fear and their futures with doubt.
Dad’s favourite line is “Fair? What is fair?”
Politicians & Media: Stop the Fear Mongering
We’ve got land. We’ve got opportunity. But we’ve got short-sighted leadership.
Media thrives on crisis because panic drives ratings.
Politicians thrive on reaction because out-
rage gets votes.
But where is the vision? Where is the policy with backbone and imagination?
We need:
•Multigenerational lending options to promote family wealth and resilience
•Zoning that encourages smart housing, not urban sprawl
•Schools teaching money skills, not just trigonometry
•Mental health support that prioritises dignity over dependency
•Leaders who stop reacting and start creating
The Solution: Empowerment Over Pity
We have spent 30 years working in real estate and financial literacy. We have delivered workshops that wake young people up and show them what is possible. And funny thing is, it works!
Give kids:
- A breakdown of how mortgages work, assets, liabilities and sustainability
- The truth about compound interest and living within your means
- Access to property grants and smart investment tools
- A mindset that embraces action, not blame
And they will stop asking “Why can’t I?” and start saying “Watch me.”
We don’t need more headlines. We need more hope.
Hope with substance. With guidance. With real tools.
Parents: empower your kids.
Schools: teach them life, not just exams.
Banks: innovate, don’t be greedy.
Politicians: lead. For real.
Let’s reclaim the Australian dream - not with nostalgia, but with knowledge.
Let’s raise a generation who does not just survive - but thrives.
Connected Libraries is joining the statewide “Houses at Parliament” campaign to raise awareness of homelessness in Victoria.
Across all libraries, staff and library visitors are folding paper origami houses to symbolise the growing number of Victorians experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and to show that everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home.
“This simple but powerful activity is a way for our community to stand in solidarity with people doing it tough,” CEO Beth Luppino said.
Homelessness affects more than 30,000 people in Victoria on any given night, with growing numbers of women, children, and older people among those most at risk.
Community members are invited to visit their local library to fold a house and learn more about the housing crisis and what can be done to help.
Origami templates and information are available. Drop into a Connected Libraries location to show your support or to learn more about the campaign, visit: vhn.org. au/housesatparliament
Erin Harper along with a companion Jonathan in Dandenong during their Soup Van run on Lonsdale Street. (Supplied)
At least 140 people make their way to the soup van every Tuesday evening from 6.15pm. (Supplied)
Vinnies South East Soup Van is set to receive a new hub in Hallam to help streamline their operations.(Supplied)
Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald, CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria.(Supplied)
Helen and Sunny from Connected Libraries with folded paper origami houses. (Stewart Chambers: 493679)
Early intervention key
By Ethan Benedicto
As a crucial step was taken to address homelessness with the formation of the Southeast Homelessness and Housing Alliance, conversations around underlying causes were rife, especially among the youth.
Kelly Bendon, assistant principal at Lyndhurst Secondary College, spoke at length about how mental health and properly addressing the needs of a growing person are integral steps that need to be taken to prevent the possibility of homelessness.
As the senior school’s improvement and successful pathways leader, she spoke on the importance of well-being, mental health and communication, with behaviour playing a key role.
“We will see students that are acting out, through either physical fighting, swearing, or it could be through avoiding school,” she said.
“And through that, we’re often having conversations with our students to unpack what’s actually going on for them, and trying to find out what the root cause is.
“At times, we’re seeing a lot of students sleeping rough; we saw a lot in the past where students are couch surfing, going between friends’ homes.”
Bendan said that it’s not uncommon for her and her peers to see students as young as those in Year 7 “sleeping in parks”.
In turn, it highlights for them the work that is needed at a much earlier stage when it comes to tackling homelessness as a whole.
While the school itself is equipped to handle mental health work, their initial initiative of turning to child protection could prove to be more “apprehensive” for them than helpful.
“There are a lot of young people who haven’t had any experience with child protection, many with experiences of domestic violence,” Bendan said.
“So for them, they’re very apprehensive actually to connect and engage with these people.
“For us, it also means that there is a lot of work to do; we’ve sat in the school at time up to 7pm at night where we’re giving dinner to these kids because they won’t disclose what’s wrong or what’s going on, and at the end of the day they don’t have a safe place.”
Bendon added that one of the riskier times of the year is towards the end of terms, recounting that it is a time when students go into a long period without the safety and security of school.
“For many of our students, school is that safe place,” she said.
“We have kids that will rock up at 7:30am and stay after school until it’s really late just because they don’t have a safe place to go after that.”
Backpacks 4 VIC Kids, Victoria Police, as well as other services and organisations, are often partnered with the college, in what Bendon sees as “schools becoming one-stop shops for everything”.
“We have social workers at the school, we have a number of mental health clinicians, so we’re trying to provide that holistic service to young people.
“This is where schools are no longer just about teaching literacy and numeracy; we’re providing everything we can, but we can’t do it alone,” she said.
Stressing the importance of collaboration, Bendon said that having an overarching organisation, such as the Alliance, provides not only multiple avenues of assistance but also the logistical prowess to aid and cater for those in need.
“We’re all really eager to connect with our community services so that we can intervene early for these young people,” Bendon said.
Oak Tree Hill is a well-established retirement community with beautiful gardens, located in Glen Waverley. Set on 15 hectares, it’s close to parklands, Monash Aquatic Centre, Waverley Private Hospital, and Glen Waverley Bowls Club. Enjoy nearby shopping at The Glen, cafes, and restaurants, with a community shuttle for easy access.
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Kelly Bendon, assistant principal at Lyndhurst Secondary College, spoke on the importance of early intervention in preventing homelessness. (Ethan Benedicto: 493590_10)
Slice of Doveton history
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, we’re looking back at Captain Doveton’s former house.
Below is the extract that appeared in the Journal on Thursday June 10, 1965.
DOVETON - One of the most historic houses in the State of Victoria - this home built in Doveton Ave. - was built and occupied by Captain Doveton himself towards the end of the last century.
The present occupant is Miss Douglas who has lived there for 47 years.
“When my parents moved here,” she recalls, “the district was known as Dufton in the County of Cutpawpaw. Gradually, over the years, it changed to Doveton.”
Mrs Fow, of Grant St. Oakleigh, whose family occupied the house before the Douglases, said that in the 15 years her family lived there her father would allow no one to cut down the flagpole which stood in the middle of the front garden.
Since then, the flagpole has gone.
To Mr J.M. Swords, of Nepean Hwy., Frankston, whose family owned property in the district, Doveton was originally known as Grassmere.
“It was changed to Doveton by the PMG Department,” he said, “because there were too many Grassmeres in the State. At that time there was a one-room house - Eummemering Schoolwhere GMH now stands.”
And that, believe it or not, is the concise history of Doveton.
Sixty years on, Captain Doveton’s house still stands is one of just two early houses left on Doveton Avenue, Eumemmerring.
Built in the 19th Century, the house was named after Captain John and Margaret Doveton who bought the house in 1894, lived almost a de-
LOOKING BACK
100 years ago
13 August 1925
LETTER BOX
At its last meeting, the Cranbourne Shire council was notified by the Deputy Postmaster-General that its application for a letter box in the centre of Cranbourne had been granted, and the pillar would be placed at the corner of High and Bakewell-streets. Daily clearances and deliveries would be made by telegraph messenger.
50 years ago
11 August 1975
Colts’ flag to Redlegs
Dandenong took off the grand final in the inaugural VFA Colts competition yesterday, when they beat Geelong West by 13 points. The Redlegs were undefeated for the season, and congratulations go to coach Doug Black and his young charges. However, Dandenong did not have the Grand Final all its own way and the Redlegs had to withstand many strong Geelong West challenges before taking the flag. Early in the match, the Redlegs were constantly in trouble with a crosswind and inaccurate kicks for goal. Trailing by a point
cade before the house was sold on August 1903.
Despite their short stay in the town, in 1954 the area was named after Captain John Doveton.
The home is heritage listed, but some fears arose in the community following the news in 2024 that the owners were seeking to sell the property and were entertaining offers from developers.
into the last term and confronted by a talented Rooster team, Dandenong came home fiercely and goals to Hunter and Davenne and two to Devlin clinched the pennant for Dandenong.
20 years ago
15 August 2005
Walkers help Journal the huge strides
“Happy Birthday to The Journal,” says Dandenong
The movement sought to ensure that Captain Doveton’s house remained out of private hands, and especially the hands of developers.
City of Casey however decided against the
resident Ambalawarner Sathiavan with a smile.
He’s on his weekly paper round delivering the Journal throughout central Dandenong – as he has done for 15 years. Mr Sathiavan, 50, is one of the team of 215 walkers employed by distribution company Salmat Targeted media. They stomp their way across an estimated 1720 kilometres of footpath taking the paper to your home, shop or business each week. “It’s a great job,” he says. “It gets you out and about and meeting up with lots of friendly people”. And while he’d love to say it’s all for the love of The Journal. Mr Sathiavan admits he picked up his second job to help get his cholesterol level down and just never gave it up.
“Before I knew it my cholesterol level was normal and I’m still eating the ice cream and chocolate I love.” Each Monday the father of two walks the four-kilometre circuit through the central Dandenong business district delivering the Journal.
“It’s a personalised service,” says Salmat operation manager Neil Collyer. “Our distributors do an outstanding job, considering the terrain and elements in which they sometimes have to work.”
As the Journal’s 140th birthday approaches, re-
purchase, despite stating it as a “rare example of a surviving Victorian house in this urbanised and industrialised area”.
The council stated that it was protected by a local heritage overlay, which ensured it couldn’t be demolished without permission.
ThehousewassoldinAugust2024for$600,000.
gional editor Peter Simcock thanked the boys, girls, mothers, fathers and the hundreds who help deliver the paper each week.
5 years ago
11 August 2020
Outlook outbreak soars
Recorded Covid-19 cases at Outlook Gardens aged care home have soared to 93 residents, staff and contacts. The number jumped by 22 infections on Saturday 10 August. Outlook Gardens which is now supported by Monash Health through the pandemic, has the seventh highest infections among Victoria’s nursing homes. Reportedly, 21 Covid-negative residents were evacuated to South Eastern Private Hospital two weeks ago. Other outbreaks have surfaced at Polytrade Recycling in Dandenong (two cases), Jayco Dandenong (20) and Bestway supermarket Dandenong (eight). They were being investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services. In the past seven days, Greater Dandenong has recorded 56 new infections with 205 active cases.
A local community movement sprang up, with future City of Casey mayor Stefan Koomen and MP for Bruce Julian Hill as notable supporters.
Future Casey mayor Stefan Koomen outside Captain Doveton House as it went up for sale in 2024. (Gary Sissons: 396485)
Local realtor Les Donaldson stands out the front of the cottage when it went to auction in 2016.
(Stewart Chambers: 151778)
The historic Captain Doveton’s house on Doveton Avenue, Eumemmerring as it appears in the Journal in 1965.
A former Dandenong Journal paper boy Sean Whitaker in his Dandenong gym in 2013. (Gary Sissons: 139437)
Compiled
Tributes flow for ex-mayor
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Former City of Springvale mayor Leon Trembath has been remembered as a passionate force of the environment.
Trembath, 83, a father of three, grandfather and retired professional firefighter, died after a long illness on 31 July.
He served as a Springvale councillor from 1975-’87, including as mayor in 1979-’80.
A recently published obituary described his “lifelong passion for the environment and conservation” as a “guiding force in his life”.
“His strength, thoughtful presence, and care for the natural world will be sadly missed.”
According to a story on Gippslandia website, Trembath penned a column on native plants for Dandenong Journal in the 1960s “well before the topic was popular”.
He also led the creation of a bed of native trees in Roth Hetherington Reserve. The trees were from each state in Australia
Aptly, the Leon Trembath Reserve at Corrigan Road, Noble Park bears his name.
Roz Blades OAM, a long-time Springvale and Greater Dandenong mayor, was first elected onto council in 1987 -the year that Trembath’s tenure ended.
“Environmentally, he was very ahead of his time,” Blades says.
At council, he was a “wry debater” interested in holding council officers to account, as well as social justice and the environment.
“He was very interested in the environment, and made a very positive contribution.”
Blades had long been friends with Trembath’s first wife Noelle, who also served as a Springvale councillor.
Their son Mark Trembath continued the Springvale councillor dynasty.
A former Springvale councillor-colleague Jan Tresize OAM recalls being an ally to Trembath’s conservationist causes.
“I agree that he was ahead of his time. When I started on Springvale Council, (ex-councillor) Bob Luxford said to me that (Trembath) got more brains than the rest of them together.”
As a councillor, he had been a key in the fight to preserve remnant bushland at Alex Wilkie Reserve in Springvale South, Tresize said.
Efforts to restore woodland
A weeding program is set to rehabilitate one of Greater Dandenong’s most intact pockets of remnant bushland.
Coomoora Woodland Reserve in Springvale South, which supports more than 350 native plant and animal species, will be weeded and restored as part of a two-year project Bush to Bay: Linking Landscapes on Bunurong Country.
Greater Dandenong city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam said the reserve was historically home to endangered Southern Brown Bandicoots.
It was now a vital “stepping stone” for critically-endangered Swift Parrots.
The project will control weeds of national significance such as Bridal Creeper, Blackberry and a range of herbaceous plants, and restore indigenous flora “sourced from local provenance populations”.
“This approach provides a high return on investment by enhancing habitat connectivity, supporting native wildlife, and ensuring long-term success of weed control programs.
“Targeted revegetation will reduce future maintenance costs by outcompeting inva-
sive species and creating a self-sustaining, resilient ecosystem.”
The aim is to also build a “connected conservation network”, linking with bushland areas and coastal sand dunes in Kingston such as Rowan Woodland Reserve.
Bush to Bay partners Greater Dandenong and Kingston councils with traditional knowledge and guidance from Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
This will ensure the project respects and enhances Country’s cultural and ecological values, Manivasagasivam said.
The project running over the 2025-‘26 and 2026-‘27 financial years was awarded $194,000 from the State Government’s Peri-urban Weed Management Partnership Program.
“The council was under pressure from various organisations to let it go and not protect it.
“Now it’s a key education centre for school classes and groups to visit. It’s something that City of Greater Dandenong is quite proud of.”
Trembath was also strong on social justice, supporting the Springvale Neighbourhood House and a cafe to employ young people when the youth unemployment rate was a staggering 25 per cent.
“He did a lot of things with schools and involving young people.
“He believed if kids were involved in the planting of trees, they would care for them.”
Trembath also combined with former Springvale mayor, the late Eric Mitchell, to form the Friends of Braeside Park group that still tends to the sanctuary’s orchid-rich bush, wetlands and education centre.
With some irony, he planted River Red Gums in a ‘peace sign’ configuration in a reserve next to a Noble Park shooting range.
“He really picked his mark there,” Tresize said.
Another of his initiatives was convincing Victoria’s road authority to select indigenous species for roadside plantings.
In 1976, Trembath was quoted in the media when a scrub fire burnt out The Grange bushland reserve in Clayton South.
It consisted of the State’s last-known example of Cheltenham heath, and “there’s nothing left — not even a leaf,” Trembath said at the time.
Almost 100 native flower species grew in the reserve, he said.
Up until recent years, he had become a garlic grower, nestled in a bushland paradise in Madalya in the Strzelecki Ranges.
There, he and second wife Cathy lived in his self-built “off grid” home ‘Churinga’ made of reused materials. It was powered by his own hydro-electric turbine at a Jack River waterfall as well as solar panels.
A decade ago, the self-sufficient hydro scheme as well as his harvesting of native mountain pepper were featured on the ABC.
His funeral was held at Yarram Cemetery on Monday 11 August.
Springvale mayor Leon Trembath, with wife Noelle and children Mark, Melissa and Justine in 1980. (The Journal)
Coomoora Woodland Flora and Fauna Reserve. (208872)
Youth vote for new arrivals
By Taylah Xuereb
A group of young people supported by South East Community Links have teamed up for a Bill in the Y Victorian Youth Parliament.
Madina Hakimi, Kris van der Kamp, and Hamid Tawasulli’s Increased Job Opportunities for Newly Arrived People Bill 2025 proposes further educational support and employment opportunities for those who have arrived into Australia within the past year.
The youth Legislative Council passed the Bill with 20 votes. The Youth Governor, Lily Trethowan will present this successful Bill to the state’s Youth Minister Natalie Suleyman for consideration.
The Bill specifically aims to facilitate job application workshops, accessible English language courses, and financial incentives for businesses who employ newly arrived people.
At its core, this Bill is fighting for newly arrived people to experience a successful integration into Victoria’s local communities.
Member of the SECL team, Hamid Tawasulli opened the debate outlining the intentions of this Bill, promoting its ability to aid newly arrived people and their communities.
“Ensuring newly arrived people are given the skills they need to get employment is extremely important, ensuring that they have ongoing opportunities to proactively engage in the Australian economy,” Tawasulli said.
The SECL team’s gratitude for the experience cannot be mistaken. Their passion comes from their personal experiences as two thirds of the group were once newly arrived people themselves.
“I came [to] Australia four years ago. I was kind of lost, I couldn’t find a job,” stated Tawasulli.
Another member from the team, Kris van der Kamp saw the opposition’s criticisms as a learning experience, demonstrating the passion and drive behind this team.
“New people looking at your Bill will always give you new ideas and new ways of looking at [the Bill]”, Kamp stated.
Founder of the non-profit organisation, Third Culture, and 2023 Youth Premier of Youth Parliament, Krushnadevsinh (Kano) Ravalji recognises the importance of young people having conversations and learning experiences on diversity and equality.
The Bill mainly fights for further educational and occupational support for newly arrived people, which Ravalji believes will benefit local communities.
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“We’re investing this money, all these resources but the return that you get on it is really good. Whether that’s in social economics, whether that’s in crime rates, whether that’s in the future,” Ravalji said.
The Y Victorian Youth Parliament program provides young people the platform to express the concerns they have for their local communities, whilst acting on the issues they believe deserve attention.
INTERFAITH
“We saw in the last federal election that young people are now more [politically] active than ever before,” Ravalji stated.
SECL team member, Madina Hakimi shared the same sentiments, which she considers a valuable takeaway from the program.
“You’re important, your voice is important,” Hakimi said.
Taylah Xuereb is a member of the 2025 Youth Press Gallery
Poem for peace
By Dr
Pannasobhana
Thero, Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network executive committee member
May I invite you to reflect with me … and may our hearts be in shared humanity, let us pause for a sa cred moment of unity.
In a world trembling with conflict and division, Where voices cry out for justice, safety, and dignity,
May we come together—across faiths, cultures, and traditions—
To affirm the sacred truth that peace is not only possible, but essential.
May the wisdom of all our faiths guide us
To speak with compassion, act with courage, and listen with open hearts.
Let us remember the children who sleep amid war,
The families displaced by disaster, And all who yearn simply to live in peace.
In this sacred circle, May our differences become strengths,
Our diversity a blessing, And our unity a beacon of hope. Let us walk gently on this earth, With minds attuned to justice, Hands ready to serve, And hearts anchored in peace. May peace prevail in our homes, Peace prevail in our nations, And above all, May peace prevail in our hearts. Enquiries regarding the Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong: administration@interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662. Visit - interfaithnetwork.org.au/
Rev (Dr) Pannasobhana Thero, Buddhist monk and City of Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network executive member. (Supplied)
SECL Youth Parliament team member Kris van der Kamp. (Taylah Xuereb)
Man jailed after preying on minor
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A 23-year-old man has been sentenced for a sexual act with a child in her grandparents’ house in the South East three years ago.
He was found guilty by a Victorian County Court jury of sexually penetrating the then-15 year old in a bedroom at night in 2022.
The man was found not guilty of four alleged sexual offences against another child under 16, who was also the victim’s sister.
At the time, the then 20-year-old man was living at the grandparents’ home.
The victim was visiting. She was asleep when the man entered the bedroom. And she told him twice to stop.
It was a place that the girl should have felt safe, Judge Michael McInerney said in sentencing on 5 August.
Further, the victim was related to the man’s partner.
It had resulted in a deep family rift, according to the victim’s mother. She told the court that “we don’t feel that part of family is family now”.
In sentencing, Judge Michael McInerney noted the offence still clearly impacted on the victim and her mother three years later.
The charge carried a six-year standard jail term with a 15-year maximum. Other adults needed to be deterred from similar acts.
Despite the prosecution calling for a straight jail and parole sentence, the judge opted for a ‘combination’ sentence.
Judge McInerney noted the man had endured unusual series of four aborted trials and other delays.
He had no prior criminal record, an excellent work record but a “difficult” upbringing marred by domestic violence.
His risk of reoffending was assessed as low.
He was said to be at risk of deportation, and being separated from his partner and children.
The man was jailed for nine months, fined
$8000 and put on a supervised three-year community correction order of 200 hours of unpaid work as well as therapy.
His jail term includes three months of presentence remand.
He will be on the sex offenders register for 15 years.
BUSINESS PROFILE
Shisha lounge targeted
Staff and customers have fled from a shisha cafe in Noble Park that was allegedly firebombed late on Wednesday 6 August.
Two unknown offenders reportedly entered Arabian Lounge and Cafe on Princes Highway about 11.40pm.
The owner Sunny Singh told Nine News that the offenders pointed a gun at a staff member’s head, demanding the CCTV hard drive.
“They took him hostage.”
The staff member and two customers managed to flee before the offenders allegedly used accelerant to set fire to the establishment, police say.
Police are hunting for the two offenders who fled the scene.
The building was “fully involved” when firefighters arrived.
The blaze was deemed under control by 12.13am but the premises was effectively gutted.
In March, the building was reportedly rammed by a ute and caught alight.
Nine News reported that Singh had owned the business for only several months, spending $250,000 on its refurbishment.
“Nobody has the right to take our living from us,” Singh said.
A police investigation is underway.
Any information or CCTV/dashcam footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Safe from the start
By Ann-Marie Hermans, Member For South Eastern Metropolitan Region
records of WWCC holders, and up-to-date evidence of training.
The public exposure of alleged paedophile childcare worker Joshua Brown was a watershed moment for Victorians.
Brown worked in 23 childcare centres and faces more than 70 charges for his alleged actions.
2,000 children were sent for STI testing, and despite thousands of reports being made against other alleged offenders, they continued to work unabated.
Clearly, our childcare system is fundamentally broken, and as a mother, I could not be more dismayed. Recently, the Opposition introduced a bill to overhaul the Working With Children Check (WWCC).
Labor voted it down.
You read that right: Every single Labor member present in the Legislative Assembly opposed our legislation.
The same government that tells us how to live our lives - from what we can say to what stove we can cook on - couldn’t bring itself to back straightforward legislation to keep our kids safe.
But we’ll continue pursuing reform.
A Battin Liberal Government will introduce the following:
• Stronger screening: Tightened processes and
• Transparency: Parental access to centre safety data, independent star rating system of centres, and a pilot program of parent advisory groups to guide policymaking.
• Workforce quality: Register of educators, improved training, psychometric testing for new workers, and strengthened whistle-blower protections.
• Independent oversight: New statutory authority to investigate and report to Parliament.
• Technology safeguards: No personal phones during shifts and CCTV in all early learning centres with strong privacy protections.
• Federal cooperation: Work with the Federal Government to link federal childcare subsidies to safety performance.
In the Legislative Council, the Liberals successfully passed a motion with bi-partisan support to refer the performance of the childcare regulator for investigation by the Victorian Ombudsman. One of the most important duties of any government is to protect children.
While we can’t eliminate all risk, the recently exposed systemic failures, shows that action must be taken now.
And that’s exactly what the Liberals are fighting for.
County Court of Victoria.
Ann-Marie Hermans, Member For South Eastern Metropolitan Region.
New scenic river voyages
Debuting in Late 2027, the new Viking Brahmaputra will sail the company’s first River Voyages in India and as with everything Viking, the trip will be a stunning journey discovering the senses of this amazing country.
The Viking Brahmaputra, a new 80-guest vessel has been designed specifically for the Brahmaputra River. Currently under construction and scheduled to debut in late 2027, the Viking Brahmaputra will set a new standard for modern river voyages in India. The ship will sail between Guwahati and Nimati Ghat in the northeastern state of Assam as part of Viking’s new 15-day itinerary, Wonders of India. In addition to an eight-day river voyage, the itinerary includes a fully guided land program with overnights in Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
“With its rich heritage, deep cultural traditions and fascinating natural wonders, India is a vast and vibrant country that has captured the imagination of explorers for centuries,” Viking Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen said.
“In recent years, our guests have particularly enjoyed visiting Indian ports on our ocean itineraries. We are now delighted to introduce a new way for curious travellers to explore the heart of this phenomenal country, in-depth and in Viking comfort.”
The new Viking Brahmaputra will host 80 guests in 40 outside staterooms. Featuring the signature Scandinavian design for which Viking is known, all staterooms and suites will have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with a veranda. Guests on the three-deck Viking Brahmaputra will also enjoy a range of amenities, including a Spa and Fitness Centre and an open-air Sky Bar on the Upper Deck.
The fifteen-day Wonders of India itinerary program will operate round-trip from Delhi, with hotel stays in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur that bracket an eight-day Brahmaputra River voyage, sailing east or west, respectively.
With thirteen included tours, guests will be immersed in India’s cultural treasures and will have the opportunity to experience as many as ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Guests will delve into the rich history of India’s Golden Triangle, exploring Agra’s fabled Taj Mahal, strolling through Old Delhi’s winding streets and glimpsing Jaipur’s ornate Palace of Winds.
While sailing the Brahmaputra River, guests will see Guwahati’s temple, encounter the thriving villages along its banks, search for the onehorned rhinos and buffalo of Kaziranga National Park and discover the cultures of Majuli, one of the world’s largest river islands.
For additional immersion opportunities, Viking is also offering a variety of new pre- and postland extensions for Wonders of India, including Delhi (two nights), Dubai (three nights; fully guided), Kathmandu (four nights; fully guided) and Cochin and Mumbai (five nights; fully guided). Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans
and lakes around the world. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen
often says Viking offers experiences ’For The Thinking Person’ and has more than 450 awards to its name.
new cruise and the extensions on offer, please visit Viking at www.viking.com or call 138 747.
The new Viking Brahmaputra will sail the company’s first river voyages in India in 2027 and it’s time to book for great discounts.
Window views and comfortable seating ensures dining is a pleasure on board the newest ship in the Viking fleet.
The comfortable and charming Lounge aboard the brand-new Brahmaputra. (Supplied)
A comfortable relaxed and immaculate Explorer Suite aboard the Viking Brahmaputra.
A stunning Veranda Stateroom aboard Viking Brahmaputra.
LEE MCCARTHY
SCANDINAVIAN DISCOVERY
Oslo to Stockholm or vice versa
8 DAYS | 4 COUNTRIES | 6 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: MAY-SEP 2027; MAY-AUG 2028
From $7,895pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $9,595pp in Penthouse Veranda
SCENIC SCANDINAVIA & BALTIC JEWELS
Bergen to Stockholm or vice versa
15 DAYS | 4 COUNTRIES | 12 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: MAY-SEP 2027; MAY-AUG 2028
From $14,595pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $17,995pp in Penthouse Veranda
Uncover the long history and rich culture of Bergen, encircled by majestic mountains, fjords and glaciers, and take in the setting that inspired the Viking sagas.
ICONS OF THE VIKING AGE
Bergen to Copenhagen or vice versa
22 DAYS | 8 COUNTRIES | 17 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: JUN-AUG 2027; MAY, JUN, AUG 2028
From $21,295pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $26,395pp in Penthouse Veranda
BERGEN, NORWAY
Full-Board River Cruise
3 night Murray River cruise on board PS Murray Princess with all meals and sightseeing
Tour of Murray River Bridge and historic Roundhouse
Guided nature walk of Salt Bush Flat
Taste Riverland food and wine
Dragon-Fly flat-bottomed boat wildlife tour
Hotel Stays
3 nights four-star hotel stay in Adelaide with breakfast
1 night four-star hotel stay in Kangaroo Island with breakfast, lunch and dinner
Fully Escorted
Barossa Valley Tours
Full day Barossa Valley tour with lunch and wine tastings including:
Saltram wine estate, lunch and wine tasting at Lambert Estate, visit to Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, photo stop at Menglers Hill Lookout, vineyard tour & wine tasting at Jacob’s Creek visitor centre, stop at Beerenberg Farm, and free time in Hahndorf to explore the historic German settlement
Fully Escorted Kangaroo Island Tours
2 day Kangaroo Island tour including: Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, Clifford’s Honey Farm, In-Flight Birds of Prey Display at Raptor Domain, Seal Bay Conservation Park guided beach walk, lunch at Emu Bay Lavender Farm, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, and Flinders Chase National Park
All Flights, Taxes & Transfers
ON … EDUCATION CHOICES
Next generation of leaders
Student Leadership and encouraging students to have agency in the community and in their learning, is critically important at Dandenong High School.
From Year 7 onwards, we provide opportunities for students to take responsibility and enact leadership; by explicitly teaching leadership strategies in the classroom and through a range of enhancement and leadership development programs and encouraging students to have an authentic voice in school improvement and creating real change. Leadership Development Programs include:
■ Year 7- 12 Student Representative Council
■ Year 7-9 Melbourne Victory Football Program
■ Year 9 Youth Development (Outdoor Education and Leadership)
■ Year 10 Leadership Development Program: Implemented in 2025
■ Year 11 Leadership Development Program: Increased in student involvement from 51 students in 2021 to 101 in 2025 which includes City Leadership Conference
■ Year 12 Student Leadership Program, which includes Canberra Leadership Trip Additional Opportunities for Student Leadership
The school ensures that all students have the opportunity to enact leadership through:
■ Their involvement in school sports events (swimming and athletics), House Chorals and the School Production.
■ Collaboration with School Leaders and the SRC in the development of school improvement, including the involvement of students in Subcommittees
■ Promotion and recognition of participation as well as excellence in school events
■ Analysis of AtoSS data by Year 11 students to identify what is working well and how we can further enhance the student experience
Celebrating our Successes
Through our ongoing work to enhance student leadership and agency, we have experienced significant increases in Student Opinion Survey and School Climate data. In many areas, the school is well ahead of the state average. Over the past 2 years we have seen:
■ Sense of Connectedness- 16 per cent increase in positive endorsement
■ Student voice and agency- 18 per cent increase in positive endorsement
■ Sense of confidence- 16 per cent increase in positive endorsement
■ Sense of inclusion- 16 per cent increase in positive endorsement
■ In addition we have had seen students leaders having success beyond the school, including students receiving community leadership awards- Keely Xia (Skyline)
Our Focus in 2025 and beyond is maintaining the ongoing impact of students and student leaders both within and outside the school.
In 2025 we have established the idea of Student Leaders leaving a legacy to continue their impact beyond their graduation:
■ Introduction of the Legacy Luncheon, where Student Leaders are involved in the induction of the new Student Leaders into their role, passing the leadership torch and providing insights to support their success
■ Employment of former students as Tutors for year 11 & 12 students through our Senior Study Centre. Each of the Tutors are high achieving VCE students who excelled in their VCE studies
■ Sharing the impact that student leaders are having as they graduate from the school and contribute to the wider community, through developing an Alumni
At Dandenong High School, we are creating the next generation of Australia’s leaders.
2025 Student Leaders with Susan Ogden.
2025 Senior students with a tutor.
FOCUS ON … EDUCATION CHOICES
ensure
reach
Nurturing success
At Lyndale Secondary College, we recognise that every student is an individual and strive to “treat every child as our own.“ We set high standards, encourage hard work, and support our students to achieve their very best. This commitment makes us a vibrant and engaging learning community.
Lyndale has a proud history of serving the Dandenong and broader community. Our Principal team is dedicated to leading a school community that builds upon the strong culture already established. We aim to see all our students flourish and complete Year 12 equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to achieve their future ambitions.
Our College community holds high expectations for student performance, attendance, and behaviour. Our excellent results in these areas reflect our unwavering commitment. To ensure our students reach their full potential, we provide extensive support services focusing on course and career planning, as well as student welfare.
With an enrolment of approximately 900 students, Lyndale offers the benefits and opportunities inherent in a large school. The College boasts
Improving confidence and strength with martial arts
Students from ECG Secondary College Dandenong have been stepping onto the mats at South East BJJ in Dandenong South, and stepping up in strength, confidence and character.
Through a structured self-defence program focused on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), students are developing far more than physical fitness. This hands-on program is helping young people build resilience, emotional intelligence, selfdiscipline and teamwork, which are essential life skills that set them up for success beyond the classroom.
BJJ equips students with practical selfdefence techniques that emphasise control, strategy and focus. MMA adds a full-body workout, stress relief and real-world lessons in perseverance, respect and empathy. Together, these powerful disciplines are shaping students into more confident, capable and connected young people, both on and off the mat.
The partnership with South East BJJ is a direct reflection of ECG’s mission to support students who may be facing challenges in mainstream education by providing access
to positive role models and meaningful, realworld learning experiences. By engaging with skilled martial arts trainers in a structured, supportive environment, students gain not only physical skills but also self-belief, connection and purpose.
“These sessions are about more than just fitness,“ said the Campus Lead, Leigh Gartlan. “They’re about showing students what they are capable of when they’re supported, respected and challenged in the right way.“
At ECG, programs like this are part of a broader approach to education that values wellbeing, connection and engagement as the foundation for personal growth and longterm success.
ECG is proud to support initiatives that empower students to find strength, not just in their bodies, but in their character, mindset and relationships. We encourage students and families to explore this supportive, student-centred learning environment.
For more information or to apply, visit ecg.vic.edu.au/enrol-with-us/ or contact 03 5622 6000.
a broad curriculum, specialist learning areas and facilities, extensive staff professional development, and a wide range of co-curricular programs. These elements contribute significantly to the comprehensive development of our students’ academic, cultural, artistic, social, and sporting achievements, all while maintaining the essential sense of belonging found in great schools.
We welcome your interest and warmly invite you to contact the College at (03) 9795 2366 with any enquiries.
To
students
their full potential, Lyndale Secondary College provides extensive support services focusing on course and career planning, as well as student welfare.
Lyndale Secondary College offers a vibrant and engaging learning community.
Improving strength, confidence and character through martial arts.
Meet the School Principal & Leaders
Pam Robinson - Lyndale Secondary College
Susan Ogden
Susan joined Dandenong High School as a graduate teacher and was appointed Principal in 2012. Since then, she has embarked on leading the community through a period of intense cultural change and continuous school improvement.
A committed and innovative educator, Susan has held additional leadership roles as the Network Chair for the Greater Dandenong Principal’s Network and as an Executive Principal supporting other schools in the Southern Region, both positions she accepted to facilitate her drive and passion for making a difference within her community and the
broader community of schools across Victoria.
Apart from three decades as a high achieving educator, Susan is a parent and grandparent with a deep connection to young people and thorough knowledge and understanding of the challenges teenagers face in today’s world. With a firm eye to the future, Susan believes nothing is more empowering than education and recognises that learning best occurs when students feel connected, happy and supported at school. This is the culture Susan and her dedicated team have worked tirelessly to create during her tenure as Principal. Susan’s advice to her students is always to
Philip O’Reilly
Married with three kids, I’m a passionate educator who loves soccer, AFL, and the occasional video game session to unwind. I feel incredibly fortunate to be leading such a supportive and inclusive school community here at Spring Parks Primary School. Our parents, students, and staff
www.springparksps.vic.edu.au/ spring.parks.ps@education.vic.gov.au
work together to ensure every child has the best chance to succeed. I’m especially proud of our recent NAPLAN results, which reflect the hard work and dedication of our team, you can view them on our website. Please don’t hesitate to reach out or come and visit us, we’d love to connect.
Minhaj Hussain, and Montanna Mc Guinness — are proud examples of the values that define our school community. At Hampton Park Secondary College, student leaders thrive in a culture that values growth, inclusivity, and student voice. Chandrima speaks to the school’s
is inspired by the school’s innovative environment, seeing his leadership as
abridge between student voice and meaningful change. For Montanna, HPSC’s empowering culture and caring teachers have shaped her aspiration to become a nurse, instilling leadership, communication, and compassion along the way. Together, these students reflect a school community where ideas are heard, diversity is celebrated, and potential is nurtured. “Highest senior school results of local government schools” - Wayne Haworth Every Principal is proud of their school community, and I am no exception. The achievement of many of our students is simply remarkable. Over the past few years, we have implemented many structures, processes and strategies to engage, challenge and enhance learning outcomes. This combined with high expectations has resulted in the college recently
“Treated unfairly”
By Violet Li
A Casey ratepayer was shocked to learn that she has been placed under an Unreasonable Complainant Conduct (UCC) Register after sending no more than five emails to councillors and council executives in a week.
Casey Council’s UCC policy is in place to help the council manage behaviour from people making complaints. The policy aligns with the Victorian Ombudsman’s good practice guide.
Jillian Nambu, a mother of three, said she had been treated unfairly by Casey Council. She questioned whether it was a means to stop her from contacting councillors on community issues.
She is also calling for a review of the UCC policy ahead of its compulsory review in 2028.
She said the placement had been causing her a lot of stress, and she cried for two days after learning the news last week.
“I was crying because I’m not an aggressive person. I believe people deserve respect,” Ms Nambu said.
“I’m just there trying to bring up issues that I think are important, that the community cares about, and I care about.
“And then it made me feel like I had done something so horrible that I must be put on a register.”
In a notification letter to Ms Nambu on 20 June, a council officer notified her that her conduct had been found to be “unreasonable” under the following two categories:
•Unreasonable persistence – directly emailing the executive leadership team and councillors on numerous different occasions, rather than directing communication to Customer Service for processing
•Unreasonable demands - making demands for council staff to change processes or expectations around council operations, such as the council meeting registration process or public questions
The letter specified the history of the council’s dealings with Ms Nambu that eventually led to her placement under the UCC Register, including her emailed queries about the Council Meeting Registration Process, Youth Services Review, and Council Meeting public question time process.
Ms Nambu sent an email under the subject of “Youth Services” on Thursday 19 June, to a relevant council officer, all councillors, and several executive officers.
According to Ms Nambu, she raised a question regarding youth services at June’s Casey Council meeting, but believed she didn’t get the response she wanted.
“I asked a question at the council meeting, and I felt like it was a response but not an actual answer,” she recalled.
Ms Nambu sent another email on the same day, with the subject of “attendance requirement for reading of public questions and answers”. The email was sent to a generic council address, all councillors, and several executives.
“I agree that the safety of all attendees to council meetings must be taken seriously, and I appreciate it, thank you. However, I hope you are now considering new ways to allow full participation into the meetings by residents,” she wrote in her emails.
“Additionally, you must do something about the fact that residents must attend the council meeting in order for a public question to be read and responded to. I understand that all valid questions are still read and can be found in the minutes, however, it is democratic that ALL submitted questions are read in front of all attendees at council meetings…
“I urge the Council to commit to reading and responding to all submitted public questions, regardless of the resident’s ability to attend in person, starting from the next meeting.”
A day after these two emails, Ms Nambu was placed under the UCC Register.
Ms Nambu had also earlier initiated email chains on the proposed Hampton Park Waste Transfer Station to all the councillors and the executives in June.
But this topic did not seem to trigger the UCC policy, as it was not mentioned in the letter notifying her that she was on the UCC register.
Ms Nambu is still trying to understand the ramifications of her placement on the register.
The notification letter said Casey would begin reviewing her engagement with council officers, and the council would appreciate it if she could utilise Customer Service as a means of contacting Council.
“This will ensure that your enquiry is man-
aged in line with the Council’s Customer Service Charter. In doing so, you will be provided with an RM number, which better allows staff and you to ensure that the enquiry is managed end-to-end efficiently and appropriately,” the letter states.
“Council request that you please cease contacting Council Officers and Councillors directly, as this leads to inefficiencies and duplication of responses.
“Failure to cease these behaviours may result in Council implementing additional measures in line with our Unreasonable Complainant Conduct Policy, such as taking more direct action regarding any further communications you have with Council.”
She was also encouraged to write to only her local ward councillor, not all councillors to avoid “duplication of workload”.
According to the UCC policy, the UCC Register allows the council to take steps like limiting contact to written communication, restricting which staff they can speak to, and, in rare cases, stopping contact altogether.
The policy states that these actions are only taken when necessary and are reviewed regularly.
Once aware of her placement under the UCC Register, Ms Nambu wrote to Casey Council to object to the decision. Councillors were also copied in.
She believed that her emails had not been unreasonably persistent nor unreasonably demanding, and the placement decision was made subjectively.
She also questioned why she should not directly email councillors.
“The City of Casey is our democratic local government, so why can’t people discuss democratic and inclusivity issues surrounding public questions and council meetings with the coun-
Casey bin lid swap starts
Casey Council will soon begin swapping bin lids to meet the State Government’s standardised household waste and recycling system.
From Monday 11 August until Friday 12 December, Council will be swapping rubbish and recycling bin lids across the City of Casey – red for garbage and yellow for recycling.
In line with the State’s push for uniform kerbside services across all councils by 2027, Casey will be changing more than 250,000 bin lids across the municipality.
The new state-wide colour coding includes red lids for general rubbish, yellow for co-mingled recycling, lime green for food and garden waste, and purple for glass.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen said they are working together to update every bin lid in Casey, so they meet the state-wide standard.
“From Monday 11 August, our crews will be out and about swapping lids, so keep an eye out when they’re in your neighbourhood,” he said.
“With more than 250,000 bins across our community, it’s a big job. Thanks so much for your patience and support.
cil?” she wrote.
“Also, why can’t these issues be discussed with elected councillors and council staff as part of a democratic government?
“Where does it say that people must contact customer service and never anyone else? I can’t find anywhere where it says not to email council staff. Please help me locate that information.
“Am I really not allowed to contact councillors? I thought they need to hear the voices of their residents to actually represent the residents. We live in a democracy.”
A council officer emailed her a day later, stating that they “acknowledge her advocacy and intention to represent the interests of children and the broader community”.
“However, after a review of the pattern and frequency of your recent correspondence, it was determined that the actions met the criteria outlined in the UCC policy.”
Casey’s Manager Communications and Corporate Governance, Chloe Casey said the council cannot comment on specific resident circumstances or management under UCC.
“The Unreasonable Complainant Conduct Policy was first endorsed on 22 June 2015. It explains what unreasonable behaviour from complainants looks like and outlines how Council can deal with it. The goal is to reduce the negative effects this kind of behaviour can have on staff, resources, and other people accessing Council services,” she said.
“Each case is looked at carefully. People are told in writing if any restrictions are placed on them, why it’s happening, and how they can ask for a review. Being on the register usually lasts for a year and is reviewed annually.”
When asked how many people are placed under the UCC Register, the council did not share the number.
“The good news is the old lids will be recycled and turned into new kerbside bins, made using 30 per cent recycled content.
“A win for Casey and for the environment.”
According to the Council, the budget for the lid changeover is $3.6 million (ex GST), with final costs depending on two key factors, including first pass changeover completion and damage bin replacement.
The higher the percentage of lids being changed over in the first attempt, the better it is financially for Casey, Council noted.
Bin replacement is also a factor, as new bins are significantly more expensive than lid replacements, and this has been factored into the cost.
Council is asking residents to leave their rubbish and recycling bins on the nature strip until 5pm on their regular recycling collection day, even if the bins have already been emptied, which is said to help contractors access and change over lids efficiently.
For more information, visit: casey.vic. gov.au/kerbside-bin-changes
Casey resident Jillian Nambu, a mother of three, is shocked to learn that she has been placed under an Unreasonable Complainant Conduct (UCC) Register. (Stewart Chambers: 494114)
Casey resident Jillian Nambu, a mother of three, is calling for a review of the Council’s UCC policy ahead of its compulsory review in 2028.
Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen and contractor Jessie and Lyn the Bin are notifying the community of the bin lid changeover. (Stewart Chambers: 491853)
Red lid for general rubbish under the new standard.
Shooting for the top!
By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Justin Schwarze
There’s a frenzy of energy on the boards at Dandenong Stadium, as two teams of teen talent prepare to fly across the Nullabor to vie for national titles.
On a Tuesday training night, the Dandenong Basketball Association Rangers Under 14 girls and boys sides show off their speed, athleticism and skill.
There’s a focus on “selfless” basketball during an intense pressure-defence drill.
Usually hungry for scores, the Rangers boys are right up in each other’s faces and trying to stifle free-flowing play.
“Everyone wants to be (NBA star) Steph Curry and shoot threes,” assistant coach Brett Poulton says.
“It’s a bit unfashionable to be playing defence.”
One of the side’s strengths is the cohesive teamwork, he says. And that all 10 players on the squad are capable of scoring.
“We don’t rely on one player.”
Girls coach Peter Newton instructs his team to start a “20, 20, 20” drill.
As the basketballs and players whirl about the court, he is asked what stands out about his team. Extreme talent and athleticism, he says.
Also the focus is on collective leadership. There isnotasinglecaptain–insteadleadershipisshared and instilled throughout the group.
Both teams have been forged with much the same players over the past two years. Both have built close teamwork, with most players top-agers.
The two representative sides are the cream of the crop in the region and among Victoria’s top-5 sides in their age group.
Both have won a clutch of state and national trophies.
And so they have won the right to compete with 23 other sides in the National Junior Club Championships in WA next month.
Parents and supporters are digging deep, raising more than $80,000 for air fares and other travel expenses.
Some of them will be joining their kids on the interstate mission.
No one doubts the players and families’ dedication to the cause.
They play or train four-five days a week, regularly travelling across Melbourne, Geelong and the regions as well as interstate.
A brother and sister make their way from Traralgon, others from Frankston and all over the South East.
Three of the boys also play for the Vic Metro side, one for Vic Country and others even manage to fit in school football.
“Success comes from buying in,” Brett Poulton says. “It’s a fair commitment to go interstate – and that commitment breeds success.
“It wouldn’t be possible without the family support.”
Boys coach Kieren Poulton is overseeing the team defense drill, as they prepare for a key match against a heavy-scoring Diamond Valley side.
He also keeps up a brutal schedule, assisting and travelling with Dandenong men’s NBL 1 side and the Vic Metro underage squad.
Kieran says his focus is on teamwork.
“It’s about having the right mindset and energy, and wanting to play for each other – for one goal.”
Fieldingsidesinboththeboysandgirlsbrackets is a massive achievement for the club as a whole.
Dandenong Basketball Director of Coaching
Ex-AFL coach snubs Casey
By Cam Lucadou-Wells and AAP
The tyranny of distance – it’s why Casey Council is calling for the AFL to bring more elite footy closer to its suburban fans in the growing South East.
But a 10-word parting shot by terminated Melbourne AFL coach Simon Goodwin on 5 August that “probably what I won’t miss is driving down to Casey” shows that distance argument runs two ways.
Goodwin was referring to the Demons’ training base at Casey Fields in Cranbourne East – about 50 kilometres from the MCG by car.
He hoped that a touted permanent base at inner-suburban Caulfield Racecourse would be “up and running soon”.
Last week, Casey mayor Stefan Koomen pleaded the case for more AFL “in the suburbs”.
“It is hard for residents in Casey to see their heroes play, which I fear is fast becoming a thing of the past,” he said.
“I’m talking about the journey for a Casey resident to see their team play— because from some parts of our municipality, it can take up to two hours to get to the MCG.
“That’s not just inconvenient—it’s a barrier to participation. We want our kids to grow up with access to elite sport in their own backyard.”
Tamie Harvey says it’s a major milestone for the club. “It’s a testament to the level of athletes we have playing and the coaches we have working with our athletes,” she said of the achievement.
“We’re so proud of both teams going, it’s such an unbelievable feat.
“It’s such a great learning experience as well.
“We’re really proud of the program we’re building at Dandenong. “It just shows the pathway of development and how good our coaches are.”
The 2025 Under 14 Club Championships in Willetton, Western Australia are on Sunday 28 September - Friday 3 October.
is
for
“We currently have the population of Canberra living in Casey, and in 15 years we will be the size of Tasmania,” he said.
“Why wouldn’t we expect the AFL to seriously consider what they can do for this region? They did it for Ballarat, and that’s been a success. Casey is next.”
Recently, Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti called for an AFL stadium in the South East to boost the dwindled ranks of local Aussie Rules juniors.
“If the AFL are serious, they’d look at building a stadium in the South East,” Cr Memeti said.
“If the kids are going to games, they’ll want to play and this will increase participation.
“They need a stadium to attract the 1.5 million people in the South East – we don’t go to games of footy often because it’s now too far away.”
However Cr Koomen said Casey wasn’t asking for a new stadium but to “build on what we already have”.
Located in Cranbourne East, the multi-sport precinct Casey Fields is home to the Melbourne Football Club’s elite AFLW team and serves as their key training base.
Casey Fields hosts regular-season VFL and VFLW Casey Demons and Melbourne Football Club AFLW games, as well as pre-season AFL matches.
While the AFL has recently purchased Waverley Park and continues to push for a team in Tasmania, Mayor Cr Koomen said it’s time to look closer to home.
Milestone for show
Entries are open for the 20th anniversary of the Noble Park Community Centre Art Show.
The iconic event was the brainchild of Hugh Kilgower and local business owner Inara Taylor in 2004.
“The most gratifying thing is that it didn’t fail,” says Taylor.
“People ran with it, and it’s gotten bigger and better as time went on.”
In 2006, the show found its permanent home at the Noble Park Community Centre and has since grown from strength to strength under the stewardship of a dedicated team of volunteers.
A defining feature of the show has been its inclusivity, welcoming entries from school students, aged care residents, and all-abilities artists.
In 2024, the event set records by drawing more than 1,500 visitors.
That same year, NPCC was honoured with the inaugural ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Arts’ award at the Greater Dandenong Australia Day Awards.
The 2025 exhibition will continue its proud tradition of showcasing 2D works such as painting, photography, and mixed media by both emerging and established artists.
With no commissions taken on sales, the show supports artists directly while fostering a vibrant local arts scene.
Major prizes, including a $750 award, are on offer.
The art show is on 17-19 October. Entries close on 6 October.
To become a sponsor, email events@nobleparkcc.org.au or contact the Centre directly at 9547 5801 to receive a sponsorship package.
Dandenong Basketball’s under 14 Girls team , back from left, Payton, Charlize, Olivia, Elesha, Dara and Zali, front, Sibella, Zofia, Cheng and Lexi. with coaches Evie Curtis and Peter Newton. (Stewart Chambers: 491963)
Dandenong Basketball’s under 14 Boys team, back from left, Kieren Poulton (coach), Harry, Blake, Cadel, Cruze, Hamish and Brett Poulton (assistant coach), front, Nathan, Aiden, Keegan, Hugo, Zayne and Cooper. (Stewart Chambers: 491963)
Zali at training for the Under 14s DBA girls. (Stewart Chambers: 491963)
Jayden Truman (10yo) with his work Bear of Cool Throne at last year’s Noble Park Community Centre Art Show. (Rob Carew: 435471)
Dara
set
the national club championships in September. (Stewart Chambers: 491963)
Success stories screened
By Sahar Foladi
Some of Emerson School’s former students watched themselves on the big screen for the first time at a premiere screening of an award-winning school documentary on Wednesday 6 August.
Bailey Milani, like many of the other parents and students, says he can’t imagine being anywhere else other than Emerson School.
Mr Milani, who lives independently and works at Officeworks, watched the film Unlocking the Potential: The Vital Role of Specialist Education, along with his young sister Brooke Milani.
“It was very heart-warming, very beautiful and inspiring to listen to everyone of how they feel about the school- it’s just absolutely beautiful.
“Personally, I think I’ll struggle so much in a mainstream school, because I won’t get as enough support by all the teachers.
“I just feel so much more connected being in a special school where everyone feels loved, special, valued and respect themselves for who they are.”
Bailey played a role in Brooke’s life, inspiring her into working in a specialist environment with kids.
She says she sees her own brother in the little kids and protects them in that sort of way.
“It brings me closer to why I work for little kids with disabilities.
“Bailey especially, he’s grown up in such an inconsistent sort of disruptive environment in terms of his personal life.
“Being involved in such a school that is so inclusive and connected - it makes me happy as his little sister, that he’s happy, especially.”
Former student Waleed Khawli, who initially thought he “couldn’t do anything” when he started at Emerson School, is now a successful business owner based in Endeavour Hills.
He is a social media sensation known as @ flavourflavourflavour, winning hearts and likes online through his dancing and fun personality.
“I had all my cousins go to high schools. I didn’t see that I needed this school until I realised I did.
“Teachers noticed I liked business, so I started doing business here (at the school) with a car wash for the teachers.
“As much as I loved the school, as soon as I got my license, that’s it.”
Since then, he has been on many news chan-
Another former student featured in the film, Judy Kelly says if not for Emerson, she wouldn’t have gone to Tafe, secured a job at Myer and been there for more than 31 years.
Parents - who saw their children suffer in mainstream schools from bullies, lack of connec-
tions, isolation in classrooms and activities, lack of support and understanding for their childfind Emerson has been a “godsend”.
There are a lot of ‘firsts’ for the more than 360 students at Emerson School as a parent mentioned in the film. Their first time making friends, first time being invited to birthday parties, first day enjoying school, and the first time being excited to talk about school at home.
Emerson School showcased in award-winning film
By Sahar Foladi
Emerson School officially screened an international award-winning documentary Unlocking the Potential: The Vital Role of Specialist Education, leaving its audience deep in emotions.
The work by multi-award-winning filmmaker Amel Tresnji captured the essence and importance of the Dandenong specialist school.
It was the first time the entire 110 minutes of the film was screened.
A shorter 75 minute version had won 13 international awards including Best Educational Film and Best Film on Disability at the Cannes World Film Festival.
The film provided crucial insights into the “miracle” transition of students from being potentially welfare recipients to independent taxpayers as well as their families who became part of the school.
AproudprincipalJohnMooneyOAMsaysthey want more people to know that easier pathways through school and beyond can be achieved.
“If you’re experiencing difficulties in your learning, where you may not be motivated or you might be marginalised - well, wouldn’t it be lovely to go to a school where you’ll actually be able to unlock, discard all their worries and fear?”
He has been a long advocate of streamlining enrolments at specialist schools without barriers such as meeting thresholds of entry and scoring certain numbers on a test.
In doing so, he has changed lives of the students and helped families in easing their deep concerns for the future of their child.
The documentary was two years in the making with an extraordinary compilation of interviews of parents, past and present students, Mr Mooney, school council, school staff, the Monash Krongold Clinic, lifelong partners and friends.
The launch at Hoyts Chadstone on Wednesday evening 6 August brought together people from all walks of lives, government departments, professions along with the school’s community including Emerson’s school council, former students, staff and families.
Some of them didn’t shy away to admit they had tears roll down their face.
Retired principal of Dandenong North Primary School, Kevin Mackay OAM also attended on the night, as one half of a longstanding partnership with Mr Mooney in running programs
to help families and students in their respective schools.
“I think the most powerful thing about the
film was the stories of the parents who would have been devastated without the support of the school.
“John’s just an inspiration. He didn’t want the film to be about him, but it should be about him too because without him, it wouldn’t happen.”
Mr Mackay now works at Emerson School few days a week because he loves it so much.
Mr Tresnjic however, couldn’t have truly portrayed the film without highlighting the incredible leadership of Mr Mooney.
“Part of the film was for me to essentially investigate what makes the school very unique and the first thing I recognise, it’s John - because John is the leader, his philosophies, his kindness, his ability to really see the best in people and cultivate that is really quite unique.
“I thought it was really important being an educational film and essentially a blueprint of how
we can replicate something like this to help other schools develop certain strategies and cultures.
“I thought it was really important to recognise where John’s motivation comes from, how that trickles down to the staff, to teachers, the students, how all of that affects everybody as a whole environment and that really is what allows everyone to thrive.”
This is not the first time Mr Tresnjic has worked with the school.
He first met and worked with Mr Mooney in 2015 on the film, ‘SingFest: The Literacy of Music’ which highlighted the importance of music in education earning 18 international awards.
The documentary inspired another three documentaries on Dandenong North Primary School, ‘The Reading Factory at DNPS,’ ‘Talk for Life: English as an Additional Language’ and ‘Giving Back.’
nels and had articles written about his chicken dance in a bid to save his business Mama’s BBQ Chicken and Salad Bar.
A full house watched Emerson School’s award-winning film, ‘Unlocking the Potential: The Vital Role of Specialist Education’ at Hoyts on 6 August. (Sahar Foladi: 495105_03)
After watching the film’s launch, the audience mingled and had photograph sessions.(Sahar Foladi: 495105_01)
Emerson School principal John Mooney stands proud with filmmaker Amel Tresnjic, former student Bailey Milani also featured in the film and Kevin Mackay OAM.(Sahar Foladi: 495105_02)
WHAT’S ON
Social media safety
Informative and engaging program designed to help adults navigate the digital world safely. This session will cover essential topics such as protecting your personal information, buying and selling online, and social media safety. Library membership required.
• Thursday 14 August, 10.30am-11.30am at Springvale Library, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event, registrations required at trybooking.com/DBQTD
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 16 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/ reworlding-dandenong-troy-innocent Tree planting
Plant some indigenous seedlings with us in the beautiful Dandenong Wetlands reserve. Includes Welcome to Country, a Smoking Ceremony and free lunch. Bring warm clothes, suitable footwear, drinking water, a pair of gloves and a hand towel.
• Saturday 16 August, 10am-1pm at Dandenong Wetlands, Dandenong Creek Trail, Dandenong North. Free event.
Reuse and Recycle Drop Off Day
The event gives you the opportunity to get rid of any larger unwanted household goods suitable for donating or electronic and household goods suitable for recycling. To avoid missing out, it is highly recommended for resident to attend as early as possible.
• Saturday 23 August 8am-1pm at Greaves Reserve, 20 Bennet Street, Dandenong. Free event. Details: 8571 1000 or greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/recycle-day
HOME 25 lunchtime tour
Take a tour of the unique exhibition HOME 25: Invisible Cities through Dandenong’s streets and
spaces. Tour starts at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, and spans Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, Drum Theatre, Dandenong Library, Harmony Square, Garnar Lane Lightboxes, Drum Facade and Palm Plaza.
• Thursday 28 August, 12pm-1pm. Free event. Register at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ev_6e8333331fc 84626a33a2a89aa2e8cdd
Sports Club at the Hub
Join in small-sided soccer games at Springvale Community Hub. Make new friends and practise your skills in a fun and casual environment. For young people 12+.
• Fridays until 12 September at Springvale Library, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event. Details: Greater Dandenong Libraries, 1300 630 920 or cgdlibraries@cgd.vic.gov.au
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
Showcase of our special city
A showcase of the public’s best photos of Greater Dandenong’s favourite places will again feature in a 2026 community calendar. The council is calling for entries for its annual Community Calendar Photography Competition.
Photos can include city scapes, parks and reserves, hidden suburban gems or the natural world.
A judging panel, including the Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre curator, will select 12 photos to appear in the calendar. Those finalists will appear in an exhibition where visitors can help choose their favourite photo for a People’s Choice Award prize. The competition closes on Monday 15 September.
• Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/photographycompetition
• 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 mental health and wellbeing. For people aged 26 years and over. You don’t need a referral, Medicare card or visa. Interpreters available. Walk-ins welcome.
• Mondays, 10am to 2pm at Springvale Community Hub (Meeting Room 2), 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event. Details: 8908 1800 or dandenonglocal@mindaustralia.org.au
Cenre, Drum Theatre and Heritage Hill Museum.
A past winning photo of Springvale Market. (Sophea Pan)
Charging Bulls roll Balwyn
By David Nagel
The equation for Noble Park is simple; win the remaining two games and it will play finals.
The Bulls kept their season alive with a stirring victory over third-placed Balwyn at Pat Wright Oval on Saturday, grinding out a 15.5(95) to 12.10(82) success over a Tigers’ outfit bristling with VFL talent.
Leading by six points at the final break, the Bulls shot out to a 12-point lead after former AFL star Brad Crouch kicked a set shot after two minutes of play.
But Balwyn responded in style, with a classy set shot from Nathan Oakes setting up a threegoal run for the visitors.
Jordan Marson then levelled the scores for the Bulls, before Josh Stern gave a raucous home crowd something to cheer about in a busy and important last quarter.
The smooth-moving forward kicked a great goal from 35 metres out, turning onto his right foot after a quick gather to kick the best goal of the last stanza.
Stern then turned provider, booting long to Harley Fairbank who marked cleanly and raced into an open goal.
Fairbank’s goal locked away the four points for the Bulls, who sit sixth…but level on points with fourth-placed Rowville and fifth-placed South Croydon respectively.
Stern was brilliant for the Bulls, making it back-to-back four-goal hauls after showing similar signs against Vermont last week.
Crouch ended the day with three, while Kevin Kean was also important with two majors on the day.
Stern and Crouch were joined by Bodey Lambert, Jack Murray and Harry Broderick on the Bulls’ list of best players.
The Bulls’ host seventh-placed Doncaster East this week in a must-win encounter, before a lastround visit to South Croydon.
Rowville needs just one more win to play finals despite a heartbreaking four-point loss to Doncaster East.
The Hawks led by 16 points at half time, and by nine at the final break, before the Lions kicked 2.4 to 0.3 in the last quarter to sneak home with a 9.14(68) to 9.10(64) success.
Josh Clarke kicked three for the Hawks, while former AFL forward Josh Schache nailed three crucial goals for the Lions.
In other games, South Croydon rolled Berwick by 16 points at Edwin Flack Reserve, while Toby Wooler kicked 12 goals in Blackburn’s 74-point thumping of Mitcham.
And Vermont pulled off the surprise of round 16, scoring an eight-point victory over secondplaced East Ringwood.
Sam Weideman was the only multiple goalkicker for the Eagles, booting two six-pointers to get his team across the line.
EASTERNPREMIER
Results R16: Berwick 7.7(49) def by South Croydon 9.11(65), Mitcham 15.2(92) def by Blackburn 25.16(166), Doncaster East 9.14(68) def Rowville 9.10(64), East Ringwood 7.10(52) def by Vermont 9.6(60), Noble Park 15.5(95) def Balwyn 12.10(82). Ladder: Blackburn 56, East Ringwood 48, Balwyn 44, Rowville 32, South Croydon 32/ Noble Park 32, Doncaster East 28, Vermont 28, Berwick 16, Mitcham 4.
Fixture R17: Balwyn (3) v East Ringwood (2), Blackburn (1) v Berwick (9), Rowville (4) v Mitcham (10), Vermont (8) v South Croydon (5), Noble Park (6) v Doncaster East (7).
James Johnson just one visit away from darts perfection
By David Nagel
James Johnson from Bullseyes produced one of the great legs of the Mountain Dart League season on Friday night – throwing two 180s in his leg against Tokoa Lazaro from Check Out.
Johnson was on track for a perfect nine-dart leg, but had to settle for a brilliant 14-dart finish in a battle that went down to the last legs of the night.
Check Out eventually won the match 1110, with Trevor Peea providing the finish of the night with a 108-pegout.
Close games were the order of the evening in Division 1, with ladder-leaders High 5’s fighting off a strong challenge from The Chiefs, winning 12-9 in the end.
Gary Warner kept a steady hand for High 5’s, throwing a crucial 96-pegout, while Stewart Taylor kept The Chiefs in the hunt with a superb 180.
Redbacks (1) got the better of Noble Park (1), with Shane Hammond providing the highlight with a terrific score of 160.
Hammond’s teammate Michael Meredith helped the Redbacks bank the points, firing in an 81 finish, a pegout matched by Chris Richardson from Noble Park.
And in the final game of Division 1, Rebels defeated Outcasts 12-9 thanks to a great night at the oche from Kaye Dawson.
Dawson shot two scores of 140 and also had the highest pegout of the match, firing in a 60 finish to give the Rebels the edge.
The close match in Division 2 came from The Bandits and Spectrum, with The Bandits sneaking across the line with an 11-10 victory.
It all came down to fine margins in this one,
James Johnson was heading towards the holy grail of darts - a perfect nine-darter - after beginning his leg against Tokoa Lazaro with six treble twenties. (Supplied: 489850)
with a brilliant 180 from Keith McIlverna and a 90-pegout from Michael Keating leading The Bandits to a thrilling win.
Black Bulls were a little more commanding against Redbacks (2), winning 16-5 thanks to a stylish 140 from Blake Wii and a classy 80 pegout from Shane Taylor.
Jamie Pellegrino threw a lovely 140 for Redbacks, but it wasn’t enough to get them across the line.
And there was also a very close finish in Division 3, with Madarras holding on for an 11-10 victory over Stingers.
Ian Cole pumped his fist for Madarras after a quality 180, while teammate Michael Bignell also showed his class with a ripping 92 pegout.
In the other game in Division 3, Stingrays
were far too good for Vales (3), winning 17-4 on the night.
Brett Dykes threw a 140 for the winners, while Hank Kollner captured one of Vales four legs for the night with an impressive 55 pegout.
MOUNTAINDARTLEAGUE
• DIVISION1
Results R4: Rebels def Outcasts 12-9, Redbacks (1) def Noble Park (1) 12-9, Check Out def MDDA Bullseyes 11-10, High 5’s def The Chiefs (12-9).
Ladder: High 5’s 16, The Chiefs 12, Check Out 8, MDDA Bullseyes 8, Rebels 8, Noble Park (1) 4, Out Casts 4, Redbacks (1) 4.
Tons: Brendan Simmonds 30, James Johnson 27, Mick Cloutter 25, Dean Gibbs 25. 180s: James Johnson 2, Bill Richardson,
Ngametua Tangatakino, Gary Warner, Paul Tune, Steve Brown, Stewart Taylor.
HighestScore: Tokoa Lazaro 154, Harry Pearce 142.
HighestPeg: James Johnson 134.
Fixture R5: MDDA Bullseyes v Redbacks (1), The Chiefs v Rebels, Check Out v High 5’s, Out Casts v Noble Park (1).
• DIVISION2
Results R4: Black Bulls def Redbacks (2) 16-5, The Bandits def Spectrum 11-10. Bye: The Night Trawlers.
Ladder: The Bandits 12, MDDA Black Bulls 8, The Night Trawlers 8, Spectrum 4, Redbacks (2) 0.
Tons: Chris Riddle 12, Shane Taylor 11. 180s: AshCanfor,ShaneTaylor,BernieVaughan, Andrew Sherriff, Keith McIlverna.
HighestScore: Jay Knox 157.
Highest Peg: Aaron Kirkmoe 110, David Kirkmoe 110.
FixtureR5: Spectrum v MDDA Black Bulls, The Night Trawlers v The Bandits. Bye: Redbacks (2).
• DIVISION3
Results R4: Madarras def Stingers 11-10, The Stingrays def Vales (3) 17-4. Bye: The Goodies.
Ladder: The Goodies 12, Madarras 12, Stingrays 4, Vales (3) 4, Stingers 0.
Tons: Steve Clarke 14, Jordan Russell 13, Brad Brooks 11.
180s: Brent Wright, Brad Brooks, Ian Cole.
HighestScore: Joyce Grigg 171.
HighestPeg: Steve Clarke 108.
Fixture R5: Stingrays v Stingers, The Goodies v Vales (3). Bye: Stingers.
Bodey Lambert was one of Noble Park’s best in an upset victory over third-placed Balwyn on Saturday. (Rob Carew: 486765)Rowville still needs one more win to play finals after a disappointing loss on the weekend. (Gary Sissons: 493641)
Dingoes hold on in thriller
By Blair Burns
Dingley was just too strong for St Paul’s McKinnon in what could well be a grand final preview, as the Dingoes narrowly held on by seven points.
Both teams are genuine contenders for this year’s Southern Division 1 premiership and battled it out in a thriller, with Dingley limping to the line to take its season record to 15-1.
Lachlan Benton had a day out for the Dingoes, kicking four goals to be named his team’s best player, while Brayden O’Toole (three goals) was solid for the Bulldogs.
Bentleigh bounced back from its loss to Narre Warren as it thumped Port Melbourne by 79 points, as Thomas Dowsing and Castan Racunica kicked four majors each.
The Demons kicked an impressive 12.5 in the second half, taking their opportunities in front of the goals to extend the margin further, despite six goals from Colts’ Mitch Clarke in the loss.
Cranbourne fell short against Springvale Districts by 14 points, despite an enormously improved effort from when they met the Demons earlier in the year.
With the scores sitting level at 53-53 going into the final quarter, it was anyone’s game, but goals from Matt Wetering and George Angelopoulos saw them to victory – Ryan Jones (three goals) wound back the clock for Cranbourne.
Narre Warren has won four out of its past six matches after getting one back on Murrumbeena to win by 27 points as Will Howe continued his stellar form with another five goals.
At half time, the Magpies were in front by 22 points but hadn’t put their dominance on the scoreboard with 5.10, but they rectified that in the third term with 5.1 to run away with the four points – the win pushing them into sixth position.
Jake Richardson was also influential in the forward line with three goals, however he broke his troublesome hand and will miss the final two rounds.
Cheltenham got back on the winners’ list with a healthy 46-point win over East Brighton, who have now slipped to seventh position on the ladder.
The Rosellas set the tone and destroyed any hope of a Vampire victory with a six-goal-to-zero opening quarter, with 13 scoring shots to 1 helping them establish an early 42-point lead which they maintained.
Rex Kilburn had the football on a string, while Charlie Brookes and Max Davis (three goals each) led the way in the forward line.
In Southern Division 2, all eyes were on the
top-of-the-table clash between Hampton Park and Chelsea Heights, with the Demons cruising to a 33-point win.
Much like the Southern 1 top-two clash, this could be a preview of the Division 2 grand final and it looks as though Chelsea Heights is the team to beat.
It was Demon dominance in the first half as they kept the Redbacks to just one goal in the first half, kicking seven of their own – the scoreboard reading 46-7 at the main break.
Hampton Park coach Luke Bull kicked three goals in a brilliant performance, two of those
coming in the fourth quarter where the Redbacks controlled the play six goals to three, but the damage was done.
Keysborough and Highett battled it out in an old-fashioned shootout and unfortunately there had to be a loser, as the Burras narrowly lost 113102.
It was a brave fight from Chris Smith’s men, led by Ethan Bakes and Simon Marchese (four goals each), but Mitch Hoar and Rhys Wilkinson (three goals each) were the difference for the Bulldogs – Jackson O’Meara also impressed in the win.
An unanswered six goals in the second term led Caulfield Bears to a 35-point victory over Doveton Doves on Saturday – Lynden Dunn and Jye Lewis kicked three majors each.
A best-on-ground performance from Frankston Dolphins’ Damien Rayson (three goals) led his side to a comfortable 59-point win over Endeavour Hills.
East Malvern was too good for Mordialloc, winning by 37 points thanks to the reliable forward duo of Isaac Morrisby (five goals) and Charlie McGaw (four goals) – Cameron Debruin (four goals) was impressive in the loss.
Kennedy leads way for Stingrays in under-17 showcase
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Dandenong Stingrays midfielder Gus Kennedy has put his best foot forward to play in the AFL’s annual Under-17s Futures game on the MCG on AFL Grand Final day.
Kennedy was one six Stingrays in action for Vic Country against NSW/ACT in an under-17s trial game at Casey Fields on Saturday morning.
His selection for the representative game follows 12 Dandenong Stingrays games in 2025 where he has averaged 17 disposals and five tackles, being a key member of the midfield group.
He has particularly stepped up through the middle portion of the season with top-aged midfielder Jack Lawrence and Louis Hodder missing to school football commitments.
The teenager’s form has him well on the radar of clubs ahead of the 2026 AFL Draft and follows selection as a member of the Under-16s Vic Country squad.
Jackson Phillips, Wil Antrobus, Marcus Prasad, Bentley Avenell and Noah Bevis were the other Stingrays in action.
Phillips got some midfield minutes and had a busy third quarter, prominent in the forward half setting the game up by foot, while he won a handful of clearances to show his burst.
Antrobus applied pressure in defensive 50, halving some crucial contests in the second quarter, while Bevis competed well throughout the match in the ruck.
Avenell was selected despite having just one Coates League game under his belt, a three goal
outing against Oakleigh.
At 198cm, his height is enticing and he looked a dangerous forward presence at times, winning a free kick and slotting a set shot goal in the second quarter.
Prasad, a Melbourne Next Generation Academy member, was quieter, but has shown his traits as a front and centre forward who applies pressure and kicks goals consistently through the Talent League, which led to a call up for a Vic Country game.
Athletic defender Darcy Szerszyn was rested for the clash, having proven his capabilities as a versatile defender in a trio of Vic Country under-18s games.
Left to right: U17s coach Leigh Stewart, Bentley Avenell, Noah Bevis, Gus Kennedy, Wil Antrobus, Jackson Phillips and Marcus Prasad, Jon Mole and Dandenong Stingrays coach Nick Cox. Front: Trainers Marissa and Tiarna Adams.
Gus Kennedy impressed onlookers. (Stewart Chambers: 495019)
Dingley’s Christopher Horton-Milne was one of the Dingoes’ best players on Saturday. (Gary Sissons: 482705)
