The 70-hectare South East Sports Hub (SESH) in Bangholme has been sensationally shelved.
Property developer Intrapac withdrew its planning application for the sports and recreation precinct at 226-256 Pillars Road, after its deal with Keysborough Golf Club expired last month.
Prior to expiry, KGC members emphatically voted against extending the 10-year deal.
Tuesday, 28
Residents aged 100 or older and who had spent a large part of their lives in the municipal area gathered with family, carers and friends for a Seniors Festival event.
They included Jack Rogerson, 104, Haydee Sibilant, Xuan Oahn Hoang, Anna Maria Zeffiro and Charles Maxwell.
Deputy mayor Sophie Tan and councillor Bob Milkovic also attended.
Pictured is Doreen Murdock, 100,who was among a dozen of Greater Dandenong centenarians who were feted at the morning tea in Keysborough last Tuesday. More pictures, turn to page 13
With a legion of support from sports clubs and bodies, the SESH was touted as a “once in a generation opportunity” to address the shortage of sport facilities in the region.
Intrapac had pledged to fund the $30 million stage-one of the SESH, including nine sport fields, netball courts and two pavilions. The total package was to span more than 25 sport fields.
However, the plan was controversially tied to the rezoning of the golf club’s current home in the Green Wedge - a move that the State Government resolutely rejected.
The golf course in Hutton Road would have been sold to Intrapac and turned into a 1600 home estate, while KGC moved to a new Intrapac-funded golf course near the SESH on Pillars Road.
Intrapac and KGC took aim at the State Government for failing to back a “$60 million free kick“ of extra housing and sports fields.
Environment groups rejoiced, praising the Government for holding firm on the Urban Growth Boundary.
More pictures, turn to page 3
(Stewart Chambers:
Accused of underpaying
The former operator of a Hallam servo has been accused of underpaying a migrant worker.
It’s part of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s legal action against six United Petroleum outlets for underpayments.
Satarupa Patel, a sole trader and the former commission agent of a United Petroleum outlet on Princes Highway, Hallam had allegedly underpaid an employee a total of $9271 between October 2020-March 2021.
The employee was an Indian national who was on a temporary resident visa at the time was paid unlawfully low flat rates of no more than $15 an hour.
FWO alleges that the worker was entitled to be paid minimum hourly rates of at least $28.38, and additional payments of at least $15.81 per hour of overtime worked.
There are no allegations levelled against the Hallam servo’s current operator.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said the nature of the alleged contraventions meant that litigation was the appropriate response.
“Any employer who allegedly significantly undercuts the legal rates risks facing legal action,” Ms Booth said.
“We allege the employer here was paying flat hourly rates that were only barely above half the worker’s owed minimum rates for ordinary hours, and about one-third of their total owed rates for overtime hours.
“These levels of underpayments will never be tolerated.”
Ms Booth said protecting migrant workers was an “enduring priority” for the FWO.
“We applaud the worker in this case for assist-
CITY OF CASEY
ing the Fair Work Ombudsman’s investigation.
“Migrant workers have the same workplace rights in Australia as any other worker, and protections for their visas exist if they call out any exploitation.”
The FWO is seeking penalties in court of up to $13,320 per contravention.
The regulator is also seeking an order requiring Ms Patel to rectify the alleged underpayment in full, plus superannuation and interest.
A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Melbourne on 3 December.
The proceedings are the latest legal action by the Fair Work Ombudsman against former operators of United Petroleum-branded outlets, which follow audits of 20 outlets across five Australian states.
Total penalties from concluded litigations have exceeded $230,000 to date.
The Fair Work Ombudsman filed 146 litigations against employers involving visa holder workers, and secured nearly $23 million in penalties in cases that have included visa holder workers, in the seven financial years to June 2024.
Casey Council seeking clarity on waste deal
By Violet Li
A City of Casey councillor has urged tighter oversight of the municipality’s role in the South East Metropolitan Advanced Waste Processing (SEMAWP) partnership.
The SEMAWP comprising of nine South East councils including Casey, Greater Dandenong and Cardinia Shire has been contracted to deliver residual waste to a future Energy from Waste facility at Maryvale in Gippsland.
The 25-year waste-supply agreement with the consortium of Veolia, Masdar Tribe and Opal was signed last year.
At the October Casey Council meeting, councillor Lynette Pereira successfully moved a motion calling for greater transparency and accountability in the city’s involvement with the SEMAWP.
The motion directs council officers to write to the SEMAWP Board seeking assurances about governance, probity, and legal compliance associated with the SEMAWP Agreement and all other relevant Agreements and Contracts, in consideration of changing policy and regulatory conditions, Federal Waste and Circular Economy Strategies, the Victorian inquiry into waste-to-energy, and ongoing legal action by Paper Australia (Opal) against the State Government, and recent experience with international waste to energy projects.
The motion passed unanimously.
A report outlining the board’s response will be presented to the council by February 2026.
Cr Pereira said her motion was a “common-sense step to protect ratepayers and ensure transparency” around the city’s longterm waste arrangements.
“It is not about criticising the partnership,” she said.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Remembrance Day Services in Casey
Remembrance Day services are being held across Casey to commemorate those who have bravely served our country.
Community members are welcome to attend the services on Tuesday 11 November.
Visit the Council event page to find out more about the events taking place across Casey at: www.casey.vic.gov.au/events
Stay up to date with Councils e-newsletter, the Casey Catch Up
“It’s about due diligence, good governance, and ensuring our community isn’t exposed to unnecessary financial or environmental risk.”
She highlighted global challenges with waste-to-energy projects, including technical failures and rigid long-term contracts that have left councils “bearing the financial risk.”
Councillor Carolyn Eaves noted that the reports requested are reports that would be generated by any organisation as part of their strategic scanning of their operating environments.
“I don’t think they’re very difficult reports to provide us,” she said.
Environmental Volunteering with Casey Friends
Love nature and have time to spare?
Get involved with your local Casey Friends group.
Casey Friends meet monthly and undertake activities like planting, weeding, litter collection and other projects that keep our city beautiful.
Volunteering supports biodiversity and builds community connection. To find out more visit: www.casey.vic.gov.au/enviromental-volunteering Spring
Get ready to move, laugh, and connect with your community — all for free!
Join us this November for a month of fun, family-friendly activities across the City of Casey. From silent discos to walking football, trampoline fitness, and morethere’s something for every age and ability.
Scan the QR code to check out the calendar of events on our website.
Get the free Casey Catch Up e-newsletter delivered straight to your inbox every month.
In the newsletter you will find regular news and events to help keep you up to date with everyhting happening across Council.
Learn about the issues that affect you, and keep connected to the services and initiatives available in your community and across Casey. Visit casey.vic.gov.au today and sign up.
into Summer is Back!
Councillor Lynette Pereira has urged tighter oversight of the municipality’s role in the South East Metropolitan Advanced Waste Processing (SEMAWP) partnership. (File)
It’s game over for SESH
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
In a major shock, the massive South East Sports Hub (SESH) in Bangholme - as well as a housing estate at a Keysborough Green Wedge golf course - are both off the table.
Property developer Intrapac, who was in partnership with Keysborough Golf Club (KGC), has withdrawn its application for the 70-hectare sports and recreation precinct at 226-256 Pillars Road.
The plan was controversially tied to the rezoning of the golf club’s current home in the Green Wedge - a move that the State Government resolutely refused.
The golf course would have been sold to Intrapac and turned into a 1600 home estate, while KGC moved to a new Intrapac-funded golf course near the SESH on Pillars Road.
Intrapac and KGC’s 10-year deal expired on 30 September, with a proposed extension voted down by KGC members last month.
With a legion of support from sports clubs and bodies, the SESH was touted as a “once in a generation opportunity” to address the shortage of sport facilities in the region.
Intrapac had pledged to fund the $30 million stage-one of the SESH, including nine sport fields, netball courts and two pavilions. The total package was to span more than 25 sport fields.
Intrapac chief executive Max Shifman says the State Government had denied the community a “$60 million free kick”.
“The Victorian Government has let a privately-funded regional sporting facility - supported by major bodies such as AFL Victoria, Football Victoria, Golf Australia - go begging, at a time when the government’s finances are in a deep hole,” he said.
“This will leave a generation of young people in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne without the sporting facilities they need to maintain their physical and mental health.”
KGC president Darrell Swindells said he was disappointed in the State Government’s refusal to rezone, despite Greater Dandenong Council’s
support for the move.
The club had previously argued the SESH deal was vital for its survival and push for a broader membership and healthier bank balance.
But Mr Swindells said the club was still financially healthy, boosted by Intrapac’s sign-on option payments with interest over the past decade.
“It won’t be the state-of-the-art program we’d hoped for. But we will still be considered one of the best golf courses in the area.
“We don’t see ourselves falling over but we’re certainly in a different position.”
He and Shifman saw some irony in the Government approving a development plan for 941 homes at the former Kingswood Golf Course in Dingley Village days earlier.
“It demonstrates that the State Government is more concerned about protecting imaginary lines on maps than achieving real, on-the-ground outcomes,” Shifman said.
“New housing approvals continue to languish under the current State Government direction and show no sign of improving any time soon.
“That something of the magnitude of the KGC/SESH project could not even be considered on its merits, despite every opportunity afforded
to it, shows how disconnected the State is from the needs and wants of real Victorians.”
After a 10 year campaign by opponents, Greater Dandenong Environment Group president Isabelle Nash welcomed the “great news” that “the towel has been thrown in”.
“It’s been an exhausting process. We’re happy that the State Government stood by their word and didn’t rezone the golf course and change the Urban Growth Boundary.
“Knowing that green space and old trees will remain and we won’t be fighting another 1500 cars in morning and evening traffic... it’s not just good for residents and the golfing community but also the birds, insects, bats and wildlife on that course.”
Greater Dandenong Council’s city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam confirmed Intrapac’s withdrawn application, adding that the developer was continuing to pursue its application for a new golf course at Pillars Road.
Defenders of the South East Green Wedge spokesperson Matthew Kirwan welcomed the latest news, but was sceptical whether this was the last word on the KGC redevelopment.
“I think the fact that Intrapac are still funding
Paid parking push in Springvale, Dandenong
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Greater Dandenong Council may seek to reintroduce paid street parking in central Springvale, nearly a decade after removing parking meters due to a public outcry.
A council report recommends the roll-out along with further parts of Dandenong in order to “improve parking experience”, including an increased turnover of vehicles in busy areas.
The locations are Springvale Activity Centre, parts of Cleeland and Stuart streets and Stuart Street East car park near Dandenong Market, and David Street near Dandenong Hospital.
Also, the Princes Highway service lane between Foster and Webster streets will be added when Webster Street level crossing removal works conclude. In 2017, after an outcry from traders and residents, a trial of parking meters in Springvale Activity Centre ended with the meters pulled out at a cost of $300,000.
Springvale Asian Business Association
president Daniel Cheng said the 12-month trial was a failure, despite the council’s assertion at the time of a 7 per cent increase in visitors.
“It was a huge decrase. People would go instead to Clayton and Glen Waverley - so we lost a lot of business. Traders were screaming about it for the whole year.”
Cheng said the high parking congestion was caused by a shortage of spaces, not turnover.
New multi-deck car parks in Warwick Avenue or Queens Avenue would be a more effective solution, he argues. The upcoming council report states Springvale CBD’s “extremely high” parking detracts potential visitors.
Introducing paid parking would encourage turnover, unclog parking spaces, and increase visitors and customers, the report argues.
An estimated $1 million revenue could be invested in the council’s Springvale Revitalisation Plan. The report also notes the “high” parking charges at Dandenong Hospital car
park was pushing more parking onto surrounding streets. David Street, between Cleeland and Stud roads, was busy for long periods as a result. Disabled parking spots near the hospital would not be charged.
Often, the community favoured “large volumes of available free parking” but “without meaningful input” on how it creates a “positive parking experience”, the report stated.
The report recommended no increase in parking fees.
“These schemes improve parking through increasing turnover, improving parking availability and making it easier and more convenient for customers to visit,” it states.
“Paid parking schemes are rarely utilised as primarily a source of revenue.”
The paid-parking rollout comes on top of the introduction of new parking meters, including digital payment options, in Dandenong from late this year. Councillors were set to vote on the report on 27 October.
Draft maps released for higher-density housing
Draft maps have been revealed for new higher-density planning zones surrounding Springvale,NoblePark,YarramanandDandenong railway stations.
They are among 23 train and tram zones, earmarked for new planning controls, that have opened for public consultation on Monday 20 October.
The Springvale-Dandenong zones extend from west-east from Westall Road to Dandenong Creek.
Their span is interrupted by several pockets such as Sandown Racecourse, Yarraman Creek, Greaves Reserve and Dandenong West Primary School.
A draft map of a proposed Springvale train and
Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said the zones consultation was about “working with communities to ensure more Victorians have the opportunity to live close to public transport, their loved ones, and the things that matter to them”.
“The only way to make housing fairer for young Victorians is to build more homes – that’s why we’ve been overhauling our planning system because the status quo is not an option.”
An online information session for Springvale-Dandenong is scheduled for Monday 27 October, 6.30pm-7.30pm.
An online survey is also available until November.
a golf course in Bangholme and the
Last boom gates down at Webster Street
The last of 27 level crossings have been removedontheCranbourneandPakenham lines.
The milestone was marked by the dismantling of boom gates at Webster Street Dandenong.
Webster Street is now permanently closed at the rail line.
The Level Crossing Removal Project stated that it means the lines through the soon-to-open Metro Tunnel were boomgate free.
At Webster Street, more than 200 trains passed through the crossing each day, with boom gates down for more than an hour during morning peak.
Works are underway on a new road underpass connecting the Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street to Cheltenham and Hammond roads, opening to traffic in 2026 - two years ahead of schedule.
Across the three rail lines – Cranbourne, PakenhamandSunbury–atotalof23hours of boom gate down time in the morning peak have been eliminated for more than 500,000 motorists, according to LXRP. There have also been 14 new and upgraded stations and 24 kilometres of new and upgraded cycling and pedestrian paths.
North-south, the draft Springvale zone extends from Mile Creek to Heatherton Road, the Noble Park and Yarraman zones from south of Leon Trembath Reserve to Popes Road, and the Dandenong zone from David Street to Kirkham Road. The four zones, being near the Cranbourne/ Pakenham lines that will link to the new Metro Tunnel, are part of the State Government’s response to the housing crisis.
The public will get a further say on draft planning controls before they come into effect, the State Government stated.
The Government aims for 300,000 new homes in at least 48 train and tram zones by 2051.
The Pakenham and Sunbury lines received power and signalling upgrades for the fleet of High Capacity Metro Trains.
The Cranbourne-Dandenong line was duplicated to boost its train capacity.
Keysborough Golf Club President is still spruiking development means that both are playing the long game”.
A render of the now-shelved South East Sports Hub (SESH). (Intrapac)
Intrapac chief executive Max Shifman wearing a Say YES to the SESH T-shirt at a promotional SESH Cup junior soccer event. (Anita Milas Photography)
A render of the proposed Hutton Road estate on the site of Keysborough Golf Course. (Intrapac)
‘Angel’ families left behind
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A locally formed Afghan Locally Engaged Employee (LEE) Alliance is still fighting for their endangered families to join them in Australia.
Its president Nisar worked as an interpreter with American and Australian forces in Afghanistan until he migrated under Australia’s LEE resettlement program in 2014.
He formed Afghan LEE Alliance (ALA) in 2021, representing 50 interpreters, contractors, partner organisations and drivers who assisted Australian military and diplomatic missions.
With their deep knowledge of Afghan cultures, languages and localities, the LEE were key liasions for visiting forces.
But because of their work, LEE families remain very much in danger and stranded overseas.
“While our interpreters were protected by (the ADF) with ammunition, our families were without weapons,” Nisar says of the families’ sacrifices.
“At the moment we have families in Pakistan. Police can knock on the door, take everything from you and tell you to go back to Afghanistan.
“You have to bribe them to stay in Pakistan.”
Australia’s LEE resettlement program officially closed in 2023 and later extended to mid-2024, with more than 2500 visas granted to Afghan LEE and their close relatives since 2012.
However, an estimated 1000 LEE and family members remained stranded at the time of closure.
The Federal Government continues to pro-
cess existing LEE applications in the meantime. Afghan LEEs and families are still able to apply under an expanded humanitarian and family visa program for 26,500 Afghans through to 2025‘26. Currently, only immediate family such as a spouse and dependent children under 18 are
prioritized for resettlement.
A Government-commissioned review found this concept of family was incompatible in Afghanistan, which includes strong ties to siblings and extended family members.
As Nisar says: “In Afghanistan, if they can’t get the (LEE) they will get their brother or sister.”
The review found that if the program was open to extended family, the resettled LEE could be at the expense of UNHCR refugees.
Naval veteran Peter Erson, who worked closely with LEE interpreters in Afghanistan, regards them as “our guardian angels”.
He has written several letters on behalf of Afghan LEEs, requesting resettlement for their families hiding in Pakistan
So far, he’s had a success with a LEE’s sister and her kids gaining visa-entry and a safe home in Hallam.
But he’s disappointed that after more than a decade, there still remains a large backlog.
“This is not a backlog, this is just people sitting on their a***s.”
His former LEE interpreter Raz, who was awarded an ADF Bronze Commendation Badge for his service, says “we never felt safe for a second” .
“We were waiting – when are we getting killed? When will we get shot, or will they kidnap us, kill our families.”
Meanwhile, Raz’s family members remain stranded in Afghanistan despite applying for entry to Australia.
ADF veteran Bruno Bertucci, the RSL’s welfare advocate, says he’d worked closely with LEE interpreters.
“We are quite upset. We become family over there, our brothers-in-arms. A lot of them and their families made sacrifices.
“If it was up to us, they’d all be here because that’s what was promised.”
RSL dinner reunites LEEs, veterans in Dandenong
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
It was an unlikely reunion after 18 long years.
Raz Mohammad and Peter Erson formed a bond of brotherhood in the Afghanistan war zone in 2007.
Raz was an Afghan Locally Engaged Employee (LEE), putting his and his family’s lives on the line as an interpreter and cultural guide for Australian forces.
He worked side by side with Peter, who was the ADF’s only investigator of non-combatant or civilian deaths.
In a role akin to NCIS, they examined scenes of unimaginable horror and peril.
In the aftermath of suicide bombings and IUD explosions, they searched for fingers in body bags in order to identify victims.
Yet after their work together ended, they had not seen each other for 18 years and had little idea of their whereabouts.
That was until the two spotted each other over a table at Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL this month.
It was at an Afghan veterans and interpreters thank-you dinner organised by the RSL, which followed a successful thank-you lunch for Iraqi interpreters in June.
Both get-togethers are believed to be a first of a kind in Australia. They are co-sponsored with Berwick RSL.
On his way to the reunion, Peter was skeptical about the Australian Government “keeping its
word” about resettling LEEs in this country.
“In the back of my mind, I’m asking did the government bring them out. When I was invited to the dinner here, the first thing I wondered was if Raz was going to be there.
“Then across at the end of the table, lo and behold, there he is. Eighteen years later.
“I’m just so glad because he looked after us.”
Raz’s local insights were invaluable on the job. Such as advising the ADF not to trust a local police commander who promised to return a victim’s car to their family.
He showed conspicuous bravery when he ran
in the line of fire to protect a motorcyclist who was shot after breaching an ADF checkpoint.
The rider in front of the wounded victim however was shot dead.
“Our soldiers told them to stop, stop. But they probably didn’t listen to the command, and our guys started shooting them.
“The one who was injured said please don’t shoot me. I hugged him and said no one will shoot you, I am here with you.”
He further de-escalated the situation, imploring local police to stop firing at the ADF in retaliation.
“I yelled at them to stop this shooting because this incident happened by mistake, the Australian forces didn’t intentionally shoot him. It happened accidentally.”
Raz later mediated with the dead rider’s grieving family, to resolve the incident in a “traditional Afghan way”.
He was awarded an ADF Bronze Commendation Badge for his actions.
Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL veterans support services manager Vladimir Nagorny said the aim of the thank-you events was to formerly recognise the interpreters’ service.
“These men and women were the eyes, ears, and advisers of the Australian Defence Force during the mission — often putting their own lives, and the safety of their families, at great risk.
“It has taken considerable time and effort to have their service properly recognised within the RSL community.”
Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL veterans support manager Vladimir Nagorny, LEE interpreter Raz, veteran Peter Ensor, Afghan LEEs Sheraz, Aman and Nisar, RSL welfare advocate Bruno Bertucci and LEE Salaiman. (Gary Sissons: 511503)
Peter Ensor and Raz Mohammad reunited in Dandenong after serving together in Afghanistan in 2007. (Gary Sissons: 511503)
Thank-you dinner for Afghan veterans and interpreters on 6 October at Dandenong. (Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL)
Stuck truckie unwarned
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A State Coroner has called for an urgent installation of warning signs at a level-crossing blackspot where a Dandenong South-based truckie was killed in late 2023.
John Frank Stubbs, 30, of Frankston South, sustained fatal injuries when his truck’s trailer got stuck at a railway level crossing at North Shore Road, near Geelong and was struck by a train.
The experienced driver from Membrey’s Transport and Crane Hire at Dandenong South drove a prime mover to Lara, picking up a 16-tonne load to deliver to Corio on 11 December 2023.
During his trip to Corio, a pilot vehicle safely crossed the North Shore road tracks but Stubbs’s trailer “bottomed out” and was stuck just after noon.
Moments later, the level crossing lights, sirens and boom gates activated.
Stubbs had enough time to get out of the way of the train but re-entered the truck in a likely last-ditch effort to try to avert a collision, according to a coronial investigator.
Two men in the pilot vehicle said they believed Stubbs tried in vain to raise the low-rider trailer using the hydraulics system.
The approaching train driver saw two men waving their arms toward him as he rounded an 80km/h speed curve.
In vain, he applied emergency brakes about 222 metres away, but struck the trailer.
Stubbs was thrown from the truck and under the train. He died at the scene.
A coronial investigator Leading Senior Constable Robert Nuske examined the 200-millimetre-plus gradient at the crossing – the scene of 37 incidents since 2017.
“Most vehicles and semi-trailers that cross the intersection would clear this gradient easily,” he stated.
“Low loader semi-trailers would need to make the necessary adjustments.
“If you are unfamiliar with this crossing, then it would be too late to turn around due to the sheer size of you truck and trailer.”
According to a 2022 Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model survey, the level crossing was ranked the 17th riskiest in Victoria.
Despite this, there had been no upgrades to it since Stubbs’s death, Deputy Coroner Paresa Spanos reported on 17 October.
VicRoads and Greater Geelong had however closed one lane to force heavy vehicles to take a wider approach on the crossing.
A National Heavy Vehicle Regulators route planner and network map now states the crossing
Don’t
is unsuitable for vehicles longer than 20 metres –due to the risk of short-stacking, rather than referring to the gradient.
The deputy coroner said Stubbs’s truck didn’t become stuck because of a fault or lack of maintenance of the track, nor due to careless driving or failing to respect the level crossing’s safety features.
“It appears that the incident was due to Mr Stubbs being unaware of the gradient slope of the level and how it would impact his journey.”
A V/Line review identified the level crossing roadway’s “vertical geometry” was non-compliant with its current standard.
Deputy Coroner Spanos recommended that signage was urgently required at the North Shore Road level crossing to forewarn drivers of its “problematic gradient”.
This would allow them to pull over to adjust their hydraulics or seek an alternative route.
“This would appear to be a relatively simple strategy to help prevent similar incidents resulting in deaths or significant injury.”
The deputy coroner stated the installation of a warning system for train drivers and prohibiting trucks from using the rail crossing during certain times was unlikely to be installed in the near future, if at all.
A convoy of truck drivers join a funeral procession for their colleague John Stubbs in Dandenong in 2023. (Gary Sissons: 381663)
Sth East leaders shortlisted
A pair of South East leaders have made the shortlist of Victoria’s Australian of the Year nominees. Springvale Indochinese Mutual Assistance Association (SICMAA) president Be Ha, 75, is among the four nominees for the Senior Australian of the Year for Victoria.
Meanwhile, youth leader Abraham Kuol, of Narre Warren, was among the nominees for Young Australian of the Year for Victoria.
Ms Ha, who arrived from Vietnam as a refugee in 1979, has been recognised for turning her adversity into a lifelong commitment to support refugee and migrant communities.
She co-founded SICMAA, which delivers vital services to tens of thousands. She is widely regard-
LOOKING BACK
100 years ago
29 October 1925
Dandenong Cemetery
A deputation of trustees of the Dandenong cemetery was introduced to the council by Cr. Butler, with a request for assistance. Mr. F. Singleton, secretary to the trustees, said the matter was important. The trustees employed a sextant for 4 ½ days a week, and it cost about 186 pounds a year for maintenance of the cemetery, while revenue this year was about 80 pounds. The trustees did not wish to come cap in hand to the council, but they looked at the cemetery as a public institution. There was very deep sentiment in the matter, and many of the old pioneers were buried in the cemetery. Unless the trustees got assistance, they could not maintain the cemetery as it should be maintained. They suggested a subsidy of 50 pounds and hoped the council would show practical sympathy. The president considered the plea a very good one, and the cemetery should be kept in order, in honour of the dead and respect for the feelings of the living. The council would go carefully into the matter, and would give all the assistance it could,
INTERFAITH
ed as a pioneer in refugee settlement, multicultural advocacy and community development.
Ms Ha continues to volunteer for SICMAA and to advocate for cultural inclusion, aged care reform and community health.
A criminology PhD student, Mr Kuol has used sport and his knowledge to help young people in his community.
He co-founded the Black Rhinos soccer and basketball club for at-risk youth and is a director of Sandown Lions Football Club.
The 28-year-old has helped raise more than $3.5 million for programs to support African-Australian families and justice-involved youth.
As a popular public speaker, Mr Kuol has been
50 years ago
27 October 1975
Bridge holds up station
Yarraman Railway Station will begin operating as soon as the overhead footbridge is ready. Mr Lind, Member for Dandenong, said in State Parliament last week the railway was a matter of urgency for the Dandenong Electorate. “One of my constituents told me that she had reached
How to have hope and joy
By Neville Walker, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Charles Dickens’s historical novel published in 1859 is set during the French Revolution.
Since reading this in high school, many years ago, the opening lines have caused me to reflect upon how they apply to our earthly experiences:
MESSAGE OF HOPE
actively inspiring genuine social change.
The Victorian award recipients will be announced on Thursday 6 November.
They will join other state and territory recipients as finalists for national awards on 25 January.
National Australia Day Council chief executive Mark Fraser said the Victorian nominees reflected the power of an individual to make a positive impact.
“The nominees for the Victorian awards share a sense of passion and purpose,” Fraser said.
“From lives spent advocating for others, selflessly giving to care for those in need, finding new ways to solve problems or create change, they are all driven by a sense of caring.”
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
50 years of age waiting for the station and hopes she will not have to wait another 50 years.” The local paper (The Journal) reports that the nonprovision of the footbridge is causing the delay and is the difference between the Yarraman station being ready and the Seaford Station being ready. The Minister for Transport, Mr Meagher said: “The Yarraman Station would have been operating by now, but for the fact that the contractor went bankrupt like many others recently. Unlike Seaford Station, or Kananook Station, which is the correct title, Yarraman Station is an island platform. The moment the footbridge is ready, the station will be open for traffic and I hope this will be in the near future.”
20 years ago
24 October 2005
Sizzling Siddle has his state chance Dandenong paceman, Peter Siddle was selected in Victoria’s squad for the ING Cup one-day game against WA played in Perth yesterday. The 21-year-old became only the third player to gain selection after paceman Will Carr – now playing for Berwick and Cameron White – now playing for Richmond and was discovered by the Panthers as a raw-boned 15-year-old from Bairns-
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
“It was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.“
Do you know of anybody whose life has always been “best”, full of “light” and “hope”?
If so, I would like to meet them!
We all go through troubled times including periods of darkness and despair.
The challenge is how we face these roadblocks and the values we rely on.
There are many quotes attributed to Nelson Mandela. He endured 27 years imprisonment in
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Phone 5945 0600
dale. Club President, Michael Findlay, said Siddle, who was recruited from Morwell, reckoned it was his niggling line and length that caught the eyes of the Victorian selectors.
5 years ago
27 October 2020
Trees’ last stand
Residents of a Noble Park housing estate feel duped after developers were given VCAT’s green light to bulldoze “the only trees in the village”. Homeowners say they they’d bought into the 158-dwelling Yarraman Village in 2016 after a salesperson indicated that the stand of mature river red gum trees would remain. Shawna Laviss said “I feel the greed of the developers and the bottom line of money has been put before the environment and the people of the community.” To add insult to injury, Ms Laviss was among nine formal objectors but wasn’t notified of the VCAT hearing. “As a result of Covid, the case was suspended and that was the last I heard until the shock news of the ruling yesterday,” she said. The developer The Village Building Company denies making representations to prospective buyers that it would retain the trees.
harsh conditions.
During this time, he suffered many periods of darkness and despair, he managed to rise above them and gave hope to South Africans that apartheid could be overcome.
In a letter to his wife Winnie, he emphasized that “hope is a powerful weapon” during challenging times.
He also counselled: “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”
A religious leader Russell M Nelson, taught “the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives”.
The primary focus of our lives should be family.
Families will bring challenges but also allow us to learn. Whilst teaching our families we also learn and grow. May this be a focus of our lives so we can have joy.
The teachings of Jesus Christ can give hope to both his followers and non-believers.
Some of His attributes that can help us are forgiveness, love, compassion, humility, gentleness, patience, courage and charity. As we apply these attributes in our lives it will give us strength to face life’s worst, dark and desperate times.
It will also strengthen us to be able to serve others and help them through similar struggles.
History has recorded many struggles and triumphs.
Those that have overcome struggles would reflect upon them, learn and seek to use these experiences to the betterment of not just their lives, but the lives of their families and fellowman.
Enquiries regarding the Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong administration@interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662.
• Visit interfaithnetwork.org.au
SICMAA co-founder and president Be Ha is among four shortlisted as Senior Australian for the Year for Victoria. (Gary Sissons: 296175)
Neville Walker.
Greater Dandenong councillors and residents at the stand of 26 River Red Gums at Yarraman Village. In 2021, the council struck a deal with the developer to save the parkland. (Gary Sissons: 230064)
50YEARSOFCHANGINGLIVES
CONGRATULATIONSTOOUR2025AWARDWINNERS
For five decades, Community College Gippsland (CCG) has empowered people of all ages to learn, grow, and thrive through its RTO, Learn Local and ECG Secondary College programs.
This milestone year marks 50 years of empowering people across Gippsland and South East Melbourne, creating pathways to education, employment and lifelong success.
Our award recipients represent the heart of what we do, people who have shown dedication, perseverance, and courage to reach their goals and embrace lifelong learning.
We are so proud of every student for their achievements and the example they set for others in our community.
Special Congratulations to:
Community Builder Award
Cher and Martin Spratt (Lime Box
Café & Hopeworks Food Hub)
Industry Partner Award
Warragul Community Aged Care
With Heartfelt Thanks to Our Sponsors:
Select Office Supplies | Little Saints Early Learning Centre | Warragul Crownlea | Crosier Scott Architects | Tanya HeaneyVoogt | South East LLEN | Evans
Petroleum | South Gippsland Bass Coast LLEN | Club Hotel Warragul | Biz IT
Warragul | Skillinvest | Let’s Do Hair
Warragul | James G Morrison Building
Contractors | Heenan Plumbing | Callum
Dondors - Ray White Pakenham & Officer |
| Local Jobs Program | Brotherhood of St Laurence
‘Angered’ council leads backlash
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Kingston Council has vowed to “fight every step of the way”, as it lashed out against the State Government’s approval of 941 homes on the former Kingswood Golf Course.
Mayor Georgina Oxley said the council and Dingley Village community were “angered and deeply disappointed” by the announcement on 18 October.
“More than 1,400 residents took the time to make submissions. They were ignored.
“The Government’s own advisory processes identified serious concerns. They were dismissed.”
Kingston will demand a binding infrastructure contributions package to reflect the “real cost” of supporting thousands of new residents and mitigating flood impacts, Cr Oxley said.
“This decision may have been made in Spring Street, but the consequences will be felt in Kingston for generations.
“We will continue to fight for our community every step of the way.”
Developer Satterley Property Group’s plan spans across 15 stages on the 53-hectare site.
The project includes 10 per cent “affordable housing”, 20 per cent public open space, hundreds of trees retained and thousands planted, according to the government.
A sporting and community centre would also be built.
On 18 October, Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny celebrated the unlocking of more housing in the region.
“We’re unlocking underutilised land to deliver more homes and create new opportunities for people in Melbourne’s south-east,” Kilkenny stated.
“The only way to make housing fairer for young Victorians is to build more homes faster – this is exactly why we’ve been overhauling our planning system because the status quo is not an option.”
However, Cr Oxley said allowing 941 new homes on the site was “just reckless” after “our community has made their concerns abundantly clear for years”.
The concerns included flooding, traffic
“chaos”, pressure on schools, sports facilities and health services, the loss of mature trees and open space, and the “complete loss of local character”, she said.
“Let’s be clear – this is not just another development.
“This is a fundamental transformation of an established suburb that was never planned to absorb this scale of growth.”
A fierce public campaign had been waged against development on the course since 2014. State and federal MPs from both Labor and Liberal parties have sided with Kingston and residents’ opposition.
Save Kingswood Group president Kevin Poulter said “Dingley Village is in shock” at the approval of “the worst possible extreme-development insane plan”.
He slammed the State Government for being “hell-bent on destroying Dingley Village”.
“More important to Labor is the panic to meet their over-stated housing numbers for all of Melbourne.
“If a treed, open space is near you, residents look out - they are in your sights.”
Second monitor named at council
A second Municipal Monitor has been appointed at Kingston Council.
John Watson has been announced to work with the other monitor John Tanner AM to oversee the council until 31 December.
Watson has previously served as a monitor at Darebin Council, as well as executive director at Local Government Victoria, chair of Victorian Local Government Grants Commission and director of Northern Health.
In a statement, Kingston mayor Georgina Oxley and chief executive Peter Bean said they’d work closely with the monitors.
“We have been working well with Mr Tanner since he started in August and look forward to meeting Mr Watson,” they said.
“We will continue to do everything we can to assist them in their role as we go about delivering excellent service to the people of Kingston.”
In August, the State Government appointed Tanner and an unnamed second monitor until the end of 2025 to provide “good governance and support for council’s decision-making procedures”.
In response, Liberal MP Ann-Marie Hermans told Parliament on 28 August she wanted assurance that the move wasn’t a “political tool” used to “silence great councillors and steamroll contentious planning issues”.
The monitors’ announcement came days after a large public gathering against development at Rossdale golf course – a development opposed by Kingston Council.
Similarly Kingston has opposed a 941-dwelling proposal on the former Kingswood golf course - which has since been approved by the Government.
In Parliament, Liberal Bev McArthur accused Local Government Minister Nick Staikos of “covertly weaponizing” his portfolio to “seize control of councils that refuse to toe the Labor Party line”.
On 22 August, Local Government Minister Nick Staikos said “Victorians expect their councils to maintain a high standard of processes and practices, and these monitors will help the council best serve the Kingston community.”
The monitors would address issues such as conflicts-of-interest, health-andsafety practices, the relationship between councillors and between councillors and council officers, and decision-making processes, according to the Government.
Residents and MPs protest against development at the former Kingswood Golf Course in June this year. (Supplied)
An illustration from Satterley’s draft development plan for the former Kingswood Golf Course.
An illustration from Satterley’s draft development plan for its proposed 941-lot housing estate at Dingley Village.
Flooding in the eastern section of Kingswood Golf Course. (Supplied)
Outback Music Festivals return
THE Australian Outback will sing again in 2026 with the return of two iconic camping-based music festivals, The Big Red Bash which is renowned as the world’s most remote music event, and Australia’s Biggest Outback Music Festival the Mundi Mundi Bash.
Each features three days of music and unique outback entertainment - from world record attempts and charity fun runs to camel rides, comedy and outdoor film nights.
The Birdsville Big Red Bash will return to the Simpson Desert across July 7-9 next year, while the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash will return to the Mundi Mundi Plains across August 20-22 with both blockbuster Outback music events putting tickets on-sale this week.
The 2026 festival line-ups are a roll call of Australian music royalty with Missy Higgins (Big Red Bash only), The Teskey Brothers, Hoodoo Gurus (Big Red Bash only), Jon Stevens (Mundi Mundi Bash only), John Butler (Mundi Mundi Bash only), The Living End (Big Red Bash only), Birds of Tokyo (Big Red Bash only), Jessica Mauboy and other legendary acts set to hit two of the most extraordinary stages on earth.
THE FULL EVENT LINE-UPS INCLUDE:
Birdsville Big Red Bash: Missy Higgins, Hoodoo Gurus, The Teskey Brothers, The Living End, Birds of Tokyo, Jessica Mauboy, Shannon Noll, Kate Ceberano, The Whitlams, Tim Finn, Troy CassarDaley, Chocolate Starfish, Ross Wilson, Furnace and the Fundamentals, ‘50 Years of Fleetwood Mac’, Shane Howard, Wes Carr, Jem Cassar-Daley, Tom Busby and Gypsy Lee.
The 2026 event will see Gypsy Lee join her mother and Bash regular Kate Ceberano for the first time in Birdsville, while Jem Cassar-Daley will also join her father Troy at the event for another familial moment on the edge of the Simpson Desert.
Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash: The Teskey Brothers, Jon Stevens, John Butler, Boy & Bear, Baby Animals, Jessica Mauboy, The Whitlams, Leo Sayer, Tim Finn, Richard Clapton, Troy Cassar-Daley, Chocolate Starfish, Furnace and the Fundamentals, Wendy Matthews, The Radiators, Shane Howard, Fanny Lumsden, ‘50 Years of Fleetwood Mac’, Hot Potato Band, Tom Busby and Wes Carr.
Greg Donovan, Bash event founder/owner and Managing Director of the Outback Music Festival Group who stage both events said 2026 marks a joyful return to form.
“We’re stoked to be bringing back the full Birdsville Big Red Bash after taking a breather this year,” he said.
“Our team are recharged and ready to give festival-goers an unforgettable outback adventure. Tickets are already selling fast, we’re so grateful for the ongoing support of our festival goers.
“After the first hour of on sale tickets are already 40 per cent sold for the Big Red Bash and we’re hoping for an equally great response when the Mundi Mundi Bash tickets go on-sale.”
For Donovan, the Bash festivals are about
more than music - they’re about moments.
“Watching families dance in the shadow of the 40-metre-high Big Red sand dune as the sun sets behind it, or seeing thousands on the Mundi Mundi Plains under that endless sky with the Barrier Ranges behind them is pure magic,” he said.
Missy Higgins is looking forward to headlining the Big Red Bash’s return.
“My band and I absolutely love playing in the desert for The Big Red Bash,” she said.
“Surrounded by giant sand dunes and people having travelled miles in their dusty caravans to get there… it’s so unique and so Australian. There is an incredible line-up set for 2026 and we’re all thrilled to be invited back to play again.”
Meanwhile, The Teskey Brothers are eager to make their Bash debut.
“We’ve heard a lot about these desert shows from our friends and we can’t wait to get out there in the red dust and see what it’s all about,” Josh Teskey added.
“Very excited for these shows.”
The 2026 edition of the Big Red Bash will also mark the return of crowd favourites Hoodoo Gurus.
“We’re psyched to be making a return visit to The Big Red Bash next year,” frontman Dave Faulkner said.
“Our first-and only-time there in 2023 was one of the most memorable gigs of our lives. What an insane idea: gather a motley crew of merry misfits and savvy self-starters and headout to the backof-beyond to enjoy a few days of music, mirth and merriment?! Whoever thought of that is a genius because it was amazing and I can’t wait to experience it again.”
Event organisers are working on a new activity to replace the world-record breaking Nutbush dance-offs at both Bash events with further announcements to come.
Both events are all-ages, dog-friendly and BYO and offer a rare kind of freedom where thousands
of campers share songs, stories and sunrise views that stretch on forever. Heavily reduced ticket prices for kids under 18-years-old are available. The festivals offer up uniquely Australian destination adventures for families, grey nomads, camping and caravanning enthusiasts and intrepid travelers alike with around 10,000 expected to converge on Big Red outside of Birdsville and close to 15,000 on the Mundi Mundi Plains. More information head to: www.bigredbash.com.au and www.mundimundibash.com.au.
The Hoodoo Gurus on stage at Mundi Mundi.
The Nutbush World record from the air. Preparing for the festival.
Heading out to Birdsville for the Bash. (Matt Williams)
Enjoying the outback serenity.
Kicking up some fun and dust at Mundi Mundi.
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29 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: MAR, APR, SEP 2027; MAR, AUG 2028
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Lisbon to Athens or vice versa
29 DAYS | 9 COUNTRIES
23 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: FEB-JUN, AUG, SEP 2027; FEB, MAR, MAY, JUN, AUG 2028
From $24,095pp in Veranda Stateroom
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Lisbon to Barcelona or vice versa
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6 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: OCT, NOV 2026; FEB, APR-JUN, SEP-DEC 2027; JAN-JUNE, SEP 2028
From $4,995pp in Veranda Stateroom
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7 Nights
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 five-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
Our elders celebrated
the centenarians’ long legacies.
Apprentice and mum breaking barriers
By Sahar Foladi
A single mother of four is breaking down barriers in a male-dominant industry, empowering women through her journey.
Ana Gamero migrated to Australia at the end of 2008. Not only did she have to navigate through life and the new systems here, but she was also personally challenged as a family violence survivor.
Her strong persistence to come out stronger and be more than just a survivor, to set an example for her children, has earned her Apprentice of the Year award in front of 400 industry leaders, advocates and apprentices at the Empowered Women in Trades Gala this month.
“You come to a country which is not yours, you create your own home in a little room sharing with other people, you get lost in that train and bus, you cry several nights - I think you build with courage.
“Some people are lucky to continue with a partner. I unfortunately wasn’t very lucky, I had an unlucky relationship my ex.
“The only good things he has given me is my three other children,” she says.
“I’m proud that they can see that giving up was not an option for Mum.
“I’m passionate about paving the way for my children and others as a single mum. It’s not an easy task but it’s also not impossible.”
After a break to focus on her young kids at that time, she knew she had to move on to make a stable living for her family.
Being a “tomboy” at home, she spent quality time with her father fixing things around the house. He was an industrial engineer, Ms Gamero has also a background in civil and electrical engineering.
She quickly paired her love for construction
and desire for a stable income and stumbled across an eight-week wielding course.
That led her to apprenticeship as boilermaker at Dandenong’s Chisholm Institute, , where she is now in her second year.
Gamero was recognised for her technical excellence, leadership and dedication in a sector comprising of women in just 3 per cent of apprentices in trades.
Despite this, she says male colleagues still question why she prefers to hold and work with metals.
She admits the male dominance can be “very scary” at times.
“As an apprentice they will limit what you can do, don’t give you the opportunities to work like
them. They will say this is very difficult, you can’t do that, instead of teaching it.
“They are very determined in their word that women can’t do it, because it’s male jobs.
“No one is taking away that strength within the man but it’s also letting them know females are great in details and strength - it has so many diversities.”
She recommends staying focused on yourself rather than on changing men’s thoughts.
Her journey has already inspired her 17-yearold daughter to take up engineering at TAFE through her school.
She is in her second year aiming to become a mechanical engineer.
Greater Dandenong Council has issued an alert to ratepayers about a suspected SMS scam.
“We have heard reports of residents receiving SMS reminders to pay rates, when they have already paid,” chief financial officer Michelle Hansen said.
“We are concerned this could be a scam.”
“We encourage anyone receiving SMS reminders about payments to check back with the official app, website or invoice from the relevant authority and make sure they pay through official channels.”
Hansen warned people to be “very cautious” about clicking links in SMS or emails.
Greater Dandenong’s centenarians were feted at a morning tea in Keysborough on Tuesday 21 October.
Ten residents aged 100 or older and who had spent a large part of their lives in the municipal area gathered with family, carers and
friends for the Seniors Festival event. Deputy mayor Sophie Tan and councillor Bob Milkovic were among those to celebrate
Jack Rogerson, 104, of Keysborough Ward with his son John. (Stewart Chambers: 511403)
Haydee Sibilant of Noble Park Ward. (Stewart Chambers: 511403)
Oanh with her mum Xuan Oahn Hoang, 102, of Yarraman Ward. (Stewart Chambers: 511403)
Anna Maria Zeffiro (Noble Park Ward) with family members. (Stewart Chambers: 511403)
Ana Gamero in action. (Stewart Chambers: 512217)
CUP SWEEP
Mental health upgrades
By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Violet Li
Upgrade works may have led to dismally-high numbers of mental health patients languishing in Dandenong and Casey hospital emergency departments, according to the State Government.
In April-June, just 4 per cent of adult patients were transferred from Dandenong Hospital ED to a mental health bed within eight hours, according to official state health statistics.
At Casey Hospital, zero per cent of the adult mental-health transfers occurred within eight hours.
These were the lowest rates in the state, and well below the 44 per cent statewide average.
The rates are also a far cry from five years ago at Dandenong Hospital (54 per cent) and Casey (52 per cent).
In the same period, adult mental-health bed occupancy has risen from 94 per cent to 99 per cent in Dandenong, and slightly dipped from 74 per cent to 72 per cent at Casey.
According to the State Government, temporary intensive care area (ICA) closures during upgrade works may have contributed to higher
occupancy rates.
Intensive care area beds have been upgraded at Monash Medical Centre to improve gender separation, safety and quality of care, with works underway at Casey Hospital and set to begin at Dandenong Hospital in early 2026.
“We know demand for mental health support continues to grow,” a government spokesperson said.
“That’s why we’re investing in upgrades to intensive care areas across the state and delivering six new Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Hubs in emergency departments, including at Monash Medical Centre.”
The spokesperson said Monash Health delivered the state’s largest mental health service for a “rapidly growing and diverse community across Melbourne’s south-east.”
“We’re expanding mental health services so people can get care sooner and closer to home right across Victoria – including through the new Dandenong Mental Health and Wellbeing Local, the upcoming Cardinia Local and the Hospital Outreach Post-suicidal Engagement (HOPE) aftercare program at Casey and Dandenong.”
Star News has received reports of patients
staying for up to five days at Dandenong Hospital.
Cranbourne resident Ray, whose daughter has been a frequent patient at both hospitals, says they’ve languished up to 36 hours in the Casey Hospital ED.
The issue for him is not whether care starts, but how long it takes for that care to start.
He said Casey Hospital’s emergency department is often overwhelmed, with most of its 25 cubicles occupied.
Ray said his daughter was referred to Monash Health’s community mental-health services, first the Early in Life Mental Health Service when she was younger, then the Youth Consultation and Treatment Team (YCTT).
These services offered psychiatric reviews and therapy, but had limited capacity, and she was eventually discharged and told to find a private psychiatrist.
For the daughter, private care proved unaffordable.
“If I said I’d been to the emergency department 300 times in seven years, I wouldn’t be lying. A good proportion of those times, what happens is you get turned around pretty quickly and
Get your most grisly gear and frightful frocks set for the inaugural Halloween Spooktacular in Springvale.
sent home,” Ray said.
In a statement, a Monash Health spokesperson said that at the EDs, mental health care begins the moment a patient is identified as needing support.
“Our Emergency Psychiatric Service, located within the emergency department, identifies and actively manages patients who need mental health assistance. This ensures patients receive specialist care and support before they transition to a dedicated mental health bed,” they said.
“Monash Health remains committed to working with the Victorian Government to ensure every member of our community receives the care they need to live their best possible life.”
Monash Health declined to comment on why such high numbers of Dandenong and Casey mental-health patients were staying in ED for beyond eight hours.
On average, patients stayed nearly a fortnight in Dandenong and Casey mental health beds, marginally longer than the rest of metro Melbourne, according to official statistics.
At Dandenong, 22 per cent of patients occupied beds for 35-plus days. This was more than double the rate of other Melbourne units.
Four arrests
FourSouthEastmenhavebeenarrestedaftera maninaBMWwasshotinDandenongearlier this year.
Southern Metro Region Crime Squad detectives say several shots were fired at a stolen grey BMW X5 during the early hours of Monday, 26 May. One of the occupants of the BMW, a 19-year-old Clayton South man, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including a gunshot wound. He was driven to Casey Hospital about 2.30am. On Monday 20 October, police raided addresses in Rowville, Dandenong North, and Hampton Park. Police allegedly seized items including a firearm, firearm components, ammunition, an imitation firearm, a taser, several prohibited weaponsandcash. Asmallcannabiscropwas found at the Rowville address, police say.
A 19-year-old Hampton Park man was charged with conduct endangering life, discharging a firearm towards a vehicle, intentionally cause injury, criminal damage, failing to assist police and commiting an indictable offence on bail. He was bailed to appear at MelbourneMagistrates’Courton6November.
A 19-year-old Rowville man was charged with possessing an unregistered firearm, prohibited weapons and proceeds of crime as well as failingtoassistpolice. Hewasbailedtoappear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 5 March.
The outdoor event was designed for and by young people aged 12-25 as an inclusive, family-friendly way to celebrate Halloween.
Community Hub, 18 Grace Park Avenue Springvale on Friday 31 October 4.30pm7.30pm. For young people aged 12-25, and their friends and family. Details: youth.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/halloween-spooktacular Get on your most spookiest outfits!
The event was organised by Greater Dandenong Youth and Family with young people from the Greater Dandenong Amplify Youth Committee (formerly known as FReeZA). Halloween Spooktacular is at Springvale
Live youth performances, food stalls, free activities, a costume competition and a spooky airbrush tattoo stall are part of the fun.
A 52-year-old Rowville man was charged with possessing an imitation firearm and a prohibited weapon, cultivating a drug of dependence, trafficking a drug of dependence and dealing with proceeds of crime. Hewasbailedtoappearatcourton27February.
An 18-year-old man from Dandenong North was interviewed by police and released pending further enquiries.
Dandenong Amplify Youth Committee members planning the inaugural Halloween Spooktacular event at Springvale Community Hub. (Supplied)
Held by the Victorian Turf Club, the first Melbourne Cup was run in which year? 2. The highest Melbourne Cup Day attendance of
3. And which horse won in that year?
4. This year the annual Melbourne Cup Trophy Tour commenced with a visit to which city?
The winning strapper is presented with what trophy?
What is the type and colour of the traditional buttonhole flower worn on Cup Day?
Bart Cummings holds the record for winning the Melbourne Cup how many times?
The silk colours of which famous Cupwinner featured the stars of the Southern Cross?
Sheila Laxon, joint trainer of 2024 winner Knight’s Choice also prepared which other Melbourne Cup winner?
10. Which owner was represented by six runners in the 2013 Cup?
11. Which Melbourne Cupwinning horse originally raced in New Zealand under the name Flash Guy?
12. The 2024 Cup winner Knight’s Choice was bred near which NSW country town?
13. In 1965 famous British supermodel Jean Shrimpton sparked controversy by wearing what at Flemington?
14. Which Melbourne Cup winner was trained in Germany?
15. Which famous Cup winner carried 66kg to victory?
16. Runners in the 2025 Melbourne Cup will compete for how much prize money?
17. What percentage of the prize money does the winning jockey receive?
18. A popular cocktail served at Flemington on Cup day is called what?
19. Which country did 2006 Cup winner Delta Blues represent?
20. Which champion Australian jockey of the modern era fell off at his first ride in the Melbourne Cup?
21. How many female jockeys have ridden in the Cup?
22. What has been the most successful barrier in Melbourne Cup history?
23. And who is the only horse to have won the Melbourne Cup from barrier 18?
24. Who was the last grey horse to win the Melbourne Cup?
25. The race is now run on the first Tuesday in November, but originally it was run on which day of the week?
26. Which horse was the first and only to win the ‘Spring Grand Slam’, winning the Caufield Cup, Cox Plate, and Melbourne Cup in the same year?
27. And which country did that horse come from?
28. Queen Elizabeth II’s only attempt at capturing Australia’s crown for stayers was with which horse?
29. Who was the last favourite to win the Cup?
30. Winning connections of the first Melbourne Cup received what?
SPORT Brilliant Bucks bank win
By Blair Burns
Buckley Ridges couldn’t have started the season any better, with the side scoring big in the first two rounds and banking two early wins in the DDCA Turf 1 competition.
The Bucks made 278 against Dandenong West last weekend and after claiming early wickets of Nipunaka Fonseka and Nathan Power (both ducks) late on day one, the Bulls were in strife at 2/26.
The equation for Riley Siwes and his team was tough, 253 runs needed and eight wickets in hand.
While they gave it a fair fight, Dandenong West ultimately fell short and suffered its first loss of the season.
Despite walking out to the crease on day two with the scoreboard reading 2/26, Bulls opener Shaun Weir was not deterred.
He and Madushanka Perera went about their business in a bid to dig their team out of trouble.
The pair added 50 runs for the third wicket and things were looking positive for the side, before the worst possible scenario, a run out.
Perera cut hard forward of point and beat the fielder at cover, taking off down the pitch before he was sent back by Weir.
He attempted to turn around, sprint back towards safety and dive, but some clean fielding from Triyan De Silva and brilliant glovework had Perera short of his ground – run out for 21.
Malinga Bandara (four) and Riley Siwes (five) were the next wickets to fall and the score was looking bleak, 5-90.
Weir finally found the partner he was longing for when Nuwan Kulasekara strolled out to the crease.
The pair looked comfortable and quickly began to get the run rate ticking, putting on 63 runs and breathing some life back into the run chase.
That was until new recruit Harry Snowden got the breakthrough wicket, removing Weir for 87 with a short ball that was given by the umpire after some thought.
It was Weir’s best innings since he made the move into Turf 1 at the beginning of last season, scoring 87 off 142 deliveries.
Kulasekara (30) and Matthew Collett (17) did their best late in the innings, but the team was bowled out for 190 off 59.5 overs.
Ishan Jayarathna found his Wookey Medallist form, scoring a damaging 59 off 53 balls and tak-
ing 4/47 with the new ball.
While big fast bowler Snowden also took four wickets in the victory.
In other games, Berwick is on top of the ladder after an outright victory over last year’s grand finalist Hallam Kalora Park.
The Bears batted first in the match and scrapped together 171 before bowling the Hawks out for 54, and sending them back in.
Despite some resistance from the Hawks’ middle order through Jawid Khan (73) and Damith Perera (43), the outright was always going to be hard to avoid after such a poor first innings.
The Hawks were bowled out for 171 in their
Dandenong well placed at stumps after strong day one
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Dandenong is comfortably placed in its pursuit of Kingston-Hawthorn’s 197 in the Vic Premier Cricket competition.
The Panthers got off to a strong start on Day 1, reducing the visitors to 3/33 at Shepley Oval after choosing to bowl first.
A 47-run fourth wicket partnership and unbeaten 54 to Nic Tindall helped the Hawks scrap to 197 off 73 overs despite a five wicket haul to Dandenong’s Noah Hurley.
The consistent and attacking speedster with Victorian Second XI experience took 5/58 off 22 opening the bowling, including the two openers in his first spell.
It’s his second five wicket haul at the level after taking five against Greenvale last year.
Hurley was well aided by James Nanopoulos who was at his trusty best, taking 2/29 off 16.5 overs.
Dhanusa Ghamage is Dandenong’s only casualty at stumps, dismissed for 13, while Ryan Hammel is unbeaten on 41 off just 47 balls, while Shobit Singh was also positive, finding his way to 19.
The Second XI game is also well placed thanks to a century to Venuk Hemachandra.
Playing his first season of Premier Cricket after representing Dandenong West in the Dande-
nong District Cricket Association competition in recent seasons to help the Bulls get promoted to Turf 1, Hemachandra was the backbone of the innings with 129 off 146 opening the batting to guide his team to 255.
Jett Kelly also made a slashing lower order 42 before Nathan Whitford and Hayden Wrigglesworth reduced Kinston-Hawthorn to 5/54 at stumps.
Backing up his 118 in Round 3, Abhikaran Singh Chhina scored an unbeaten 202 off just 141 balls to help the Third XI to 4/397.
The big-hitting number four launched 16 balls over the ropes, scoring 156 of his runs from boundaries.
Kingston-Hawthorn is 0/22 after Dandenong declared, searching for a late wicket on Day 1.
Thenuka Perera’s stunning eight wicket haul has put the Fourth XI in a competitive position, with Kingston-Hawthorn all out for 238.
Bowling first change, Perera took a hattrick late in the day and nabbed five wickets with his last 15 balls to destroy the lower order after breaking a 50-run opening partnership earlier to turn the momentum of the game.
It follows two wickets across his first two games of the season for the Panthers, going at more than five an over.
The women’s game on Sunday was washed out.
second innings – the exact same total that the Bears managed the previous week.
The Bears had 54 to chase and did it with ease, as Lachlan Brown (29 not out) and Jarryd Wills (23 not out) reached the target in the ninth over.
Berwick fast bowler Toby Wills took another three wickets on day two to finish the match with figures of 10/48 off 17 overs.
Despite a rocky start losing 2/16, Springvale South successfully chased down Narre South’s target of 210.
Mitch Forsyth (63) and Chaturanga De Silva (66) were pivotal in the run chase, while Jordy Wyatt (36 not out from 19 balls) provided some late
fireworks – chasing the total five wickets down.
Lions captain Jeevan Mendis took 3/61 from 17 overs and was the pick of the bowlers in the loss.
After an unbeaten knock of 136 from Beaconsfield’s Ashan Walgamage, the Tigers bowled out Parkmore for 193 to win by 85 runs.
The Pirates started the day 3/16, so some credit has to go their way for digging in almost reaching 200.
At number eight and nine, Jack Farrington (75) and Ankit Saxena (60) put some respect on Parkmore’s name with a brilliant partnership, but there wasn’t much else to smile about.
Dandenong bowler Noah Hurley was critical on Saturday. (Gary Sissons: 464091)
Ben Wright top scored for the Bucks in round 2 with 69 in the first innings. (Stewart Chambers: 457972)
Cobras bounce back well
By Blair Burns
HSD bounced back from its shock loss against Silverton in round 1 of the DDCA Turf 2 competition to beat Cranbourne by 103 runs.
Despite struggling early in its batting innings, the Cobras managed to make 222 thanks to lower order performances from Anuda Akmeemana (61) and Ryan Patterson (59).
In reply, Cranbourne was bowled out for 119 with Harsaroup Singh (58) the only player to score more than 20.
HSD recruit Brayden Lambden was brilliant with the new ball, taking 3/34 off 15 overs, while Sakuntha Liyanage gave the Cranbourne batters all sorts of problems, taking 6/44 off 19.4 overs.
Having already won on the first innings result, HSD sent Cranbourne back out to the middle in search of an outright victory.
But Cranbourne dug deep through Bailey Paroissien (46 not out) and Prasaanth Krishnamoorthy (42) to post 3/112 and avoid an outright loss.
Cobras’ Brett Hookey was brilliant with the ball, taking all three wickets to finish with tidy figures of 3/29 off 11 overs.
In other games, Coomoora made light work of Lyndale to win by 191 runs after a dominant batting innings set them up for an easy victory.
The Roos made 309 with the bat on day one, with Jarrod Munday (107 not out), Dean Krelle (95 not out) and Joel Robertson (60) all making big scores.
Malan Madusanka (4/16) and Sam Wetering (3/23) ripped through the Lyndale batting order to give Coomoora a chance at an outright victory after bowling them out for just 118.
Faraz Rahman and Rajika Fernando (both 29) were the top scorers and battled hard, but their team was still in trouble, and they soon found themselves back out there.
Joel Robertson took the new ball and soon removed Lyndale’s Satnam Singh (four) and Girish Chopra (one).
The middle order batted for survival as it attempted to hold off the outright victory, which seemed inevitable at that point.
Brendan Ash (25), Aditya Hettiarachchi (39) and Himesh Galhenage Don (33) all looked comfortable at the crease.
After Madusanka took two quick wickets to leave the score at 6/90, the outright victory was on its way, but the lower order batted out the overs to
finish 7/132.
North Dandenong fell 30 runs short of Parkfield’s 235, bowled out for 205 – a solid effort considering they were 2/0.
Syed Masood Mehmood (80) was the standout performer for North Dandenong and batted through most of the innings to help give his team a shot at victory.
But the best performance of the day went to the player who eventually dismissed Mehmood, Parkfield’s Madusha Croos.
The opening bowler took 7/64 off 23 overs including the top four batters, even getting a run
out to dismiss the fifth.
Croos then came back on with the ball at a crucial time to rip through the tail order and destroy any hope that North Dandenong may have had with a historic bowling performance.
Narre Warren defended its score of 207 against Silverton, bowling the Bakers out for 186 in a thrilling contest.
Despite losing Anmol Zakhmi (duck) before Silverton could even register a score, the side recovered well through Robert North, who scored a classy half century.
Varinder Virk (32) and Hemal Ratnayake (40)
continued on and helped to put the Bakers in a winning position, but Magpies captain Ted Kahandawala said no.
The experienced campaigner put Narre Warren on his back and single-handedly won the game for them, taking 7/40 off 22 overs, including five of the last six wickets.
With 8.2 overs remaining and only 22 runs to get, Silverton was all out for 186 after a memorable performance from the Narre Warren skipper.
Hennadige Fernando also bowled well, finishing with 2/45 off 14.4 overs which included the final wicket which sealed the win.
High scores defended in round 2 of VSDCA competition
By Blair Burns
Noble Park made light work of Williamstown to win by a huge 274 runs in round 2 of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association (VSDCA).
After posting 360 in the first innings, Noble Park bowled out its opposition for just 86, sending them back in and almost getting the outright victory, holding them to 5/19 at the end of the day.
After a Sahan Perera (127) masterclass in the first innings, as well as a brilliant knock from Pawan Dias Edirisinghe (83 not out), Williamstown had a lot of work to do.
The day didn’t start well for the chasing side, losing opener Antone Harb (three) early in the day, with Yehan Gunasingha getting the crucial wicket.
The next three Williamstown batters worked hard to score between 15 and 20 before they too were sent packing.
Noble Park skipper Janaka Liyanabadalge made 57 not out in the first innings, and backed it up with the ball to take 4/32 off 20 overs.
He ripped through the middle to lower order and finished with incredible figures of 5/8 off 7.5 overs.
After batting for 50.5 overs, Williamstown had been bowled out for just 86 runs, and Noble Park decided to chase the outright victory, sending them back out to the middle.
Jermaine Levy bowled well without luck in the first innings and watched two of his teammates combine for nine of the wickets, but he cashed in later in the day, taking 4/9 off eight overs.
Williamstown batter Jordan Doyle was like a brick wall, scoring three not out from 54 balls as his side batted for 21 overs.
Saturday.
a one-day match on
In other games, Endeavour Hills successfully defended its score of 264 to register its first win
of season 2025/26 against Donvale.
Zac Perryman top-scored in the first innings with 73 at the top of the order and helped put his side in a good spot heading into Saturday.
Endeavour Hills struck with the new ball and immediately had Donvale on the back foot, reeling at 2/9 at Donvale Reserve.
But the likes of Jade Bardwell (46 off 120 balls) and Jay Singh (27 off 113 balls) batted time and took the possibility of an outright loss out of play.
Endeavour Hills’ Jasmeet Singh was a workhorse for his side, bowling 29 overs for an impressive return of 5/57 (including nine maidens).
Blaize Bainbridge took 2/11 off his six overs, while Tyrell Panditharatne (1/68 off 21 overs) shouldered many of the overs.
• FIXTURE – R3 (One-Day – Sat November 1): Williamstown (16) v Balwyn (3), Altona (1) v Mt Waverley (10),
(14) v Donvale (15),
v
Noble Park now sits in sixth spot on the ladder and will prepare to host Spotswood at Moodemere Oval for
Werribee
Melton (5)
Croydon (12), Bayswater (2) v Yarraville (9), Endeavour Hills (11) v Hoppers Crossing (8), Taylors Lakes (7) v Box Hill (13), Noble Park (6) v Spotswood (4).
Noble Park captain Janaka Liyanabadalge was a key player in the win. (Rob Carew: 396621)
HSD fast bowler Brayden Lambden was a strong performer in the win over Cranbourne. (Rob Carew: 511081)
