Freaky face-off at park
Halloween was not a night for the squeamish, as trickor-treaters dressed in ghoulLeonidas, 4, and Alexander, 4, were among the revellers at Banjo Patterson Park, Lynbrook last Friday.
Off the agenda
Greater Dandenong Council has scrapped its long-held tradition of fortnightly public meetings.
For the first time in 28 years, the council is set to meet just once-a-month, citing shorter agendas and a “significant” reduction in town planning applications.
It was said to also allow more time for mandatory professional training development for councillors.
Councillors Sophie Tan and Rhonda Garad opposed the cut in meetings, including the loss of
community visibility and contact.
“Waiting a month to make decisions particularly on urgent items is a very long time and can be too long on some issues that the community are concerned about,” Cr Garad said.
Councillor Phillip Danh, who said he was “agnostic” on the idea, said the proposal wasn’t about “doing less work” but “streamlining”.
“The aim of this schedule would be to create more space for strategic thinking and long term planning rather than the constant operation in
what can be a reactive cycle every fortnight.”
Ironically, the most recent meeting on 27 October was packed with issues.
They included the introduction of household glass-recycling bins, more paid-parking meters, the cancellation of Take a Swing for Charity 2026 and a push for an external probe into the council’s workplace culture.
There were also probing public questions on Dandenong Market’s finances, illegal dumping, potholes and traffic safety, Dandenong New Art
gallery delays and the lack of squash courts at the upcoming Dandenong Wellbeing Centre.
Mayor Jim Memeti told Star News that the new schedule was “only a trial” and “not locked in concrete”. Extra meetings could be called, if required, he said.
The monthly schedule replicates many metropolitan councils, including Casey.
It will begin from the mayor and deputy mayor election and special meeting on 13 November. More on the story, turn to page 2
(Rob Carew: 513842)
Kuol leading by example
By Sahar Foladi
From feeling disconnected to lending a helping hand to the youth in the South East, Abraham Kuol calls it the “Australian spirit.”
One of four nominees as Victoria’s Young Australian of the Year 2026, the leader from Narre Warren is recognised for supporting young people and those from migrant and refugee backgrounds through sports pathways.
Recognising the important role that sport plays in engaging young people, he co-founded the Black Rhinos, a soccer and basketball club to help mentor at-risk youth together with Afri-Aus Care CEO Selba Gondoza-Luka, where he volunteered as a program manager.
But there’s more to his journey and how it shaped him as a person today.
The middle child out of nine, he was born in Kenya’s refugee camp - a place with no basic security and safety - after his family fled the civil war in South Sudan.
By the time they migrated to Australia, his sense of identity and belonging started to chip away and felt “disconnected.”
At 13, this turned around as he started to play football in organised clubs.
The exposure to community, people, guidance and mentorship people provided him through sports, is what helped him to eventually emotionally connect and belong to the community.
“The club and people I was around really grounded me. Aside from that playing football you get to have shared experience with other people and you build that trust.
“Over time, being more embedded in the community, chatting to different people from different backgrounds, it started to feel I had a home
here in Australia.
“I’m talking about people who had extremely busy lifestyles, but they showed up. They were ordinary Australians from different backgrounds, that provided mentorship and guidance, I really appreciate that,” he said.
“It gave me an insight into the world I hadn’t had access to, lawyers, doctors, a whole range either informed me of a certain topic or would help guide me based on their personal experience.
“From there it gave me the motivation to dream and work toward any goal I had.”
Having a community, a country which looks after his best interest and people he can lean on is
“what the young version” of Kuol would’ve asked for, he says.
Speaking on the crime statistics, particularly youth crime, he says many young people are lost or misguided and just need extra support from the community but he’s also inspired by other young people creating positive change and pathways.
“Help them connect to a community whether sports clubs, sports organisation, connection to school or job satisfaction,” is his advice.
“With young people at the moment, we need to encourage them to be brave, curious and bold and to create things for them.
Council scraps fortnightly meetings
By Sahar Foladi
Greater Dandenong Council has opted to revert to monthly council meetings for the first time in more than 28 years.
The scrapping of fortnightly meetings was endorsed at a council meeting on Monday 27 October, with opposition from Labor deputy mayor Sophie Tan in a surprise move.
The time saved will be used as an “opportunity” for mandatory councillor professional training development, Dr Marjan Hajjari, strategy and corporate services director, told the meeting.
According to a council report, the move was mainly due to the current and future State Government changes to the town planning framework, shifting town planning decisions from the council to the government.
This has led to a “significant” reduction in town planning applications to be considered by council.
Cr Tan opposed the item saying even without the town planning application reductions, council meetings had other items to consider and often ran until 8:30pm.
She argued other councils may be meeting once a month however, sometimes those meetings go on late sometimes until midnight.
“Sometimes we have some items deferred. We would have to wait one month to get back, it’s not flexible for our community to wait a month for answers,” she said at the meeting.
Councillor Rhonda Garad agreed saying she doesn’t understand the “sudden need for this,” and warned of the loss in community visibility and contact.
“I am concerned that we have been having fortnightly meetings for a very long time and in that time we have not found a lack of time to reflect on policy, to set strategic di-
rection, to conduct councillor training but suddenly we need more time for all these things.
“Waiting a month to make decisions particularly on urgent items is a very long time and can be too long on some issues that the community are concerned about.”
Council’s chief executive Jacqui Weatherill assured councillors that if there’s pressing business to be discussed, the council could schedule an additional meeting.
Councillor Phillip Danh, who said he was “agnostic” on the idea, supported the item saying if this model doesn’t work, they can “revert back to the original format.”
He said the proposal isn’t about “doing less work” but “streamlining.”
“The aim of this schedule, in my view
would be to create more space for strategic thinking and long term planning rather than the constant operation in what can be a reactive cycle every fortnight.
“It’ll open more time for meaningful engagement particularly in complex issues which require longer term thinking.”
He said the schedule was trailed last month but wasn’t enough to determine the permanent change, referring to the cancelled council meeting of 8 September due to “insufficient agenda items” according to a council report.
This was determined in a council meeting in August.
The new schedule will come to play at the election of mayor and deputy mayor special meeting on 13 November.
Man, 35, charged over Doveton shooting
sedan, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Police arrested a 39-year-old Keysborough man at a Cheltenham shopping centre shortly after 1pm on Friday 31 October.
“I feel we can get caught up in the young people stuck in the loop. They definitely need support but we also need to acknowledge the young people doing amazing work out there.”
Kuol now devotes his time to mentoring and guiding other young people as a director at Sandown Lions Football Club and through Black Rhinos while studying for his PhD in Criminology at Deakin University.
His interests include youth violence, risk, and protective factors for offending, and culturally and linguistically diverse young people.
He has helped raise over $3.5 million for programs to support African-Australian families and justice-involved youth.
He is one of the 10 recipients of a Westpac Social Change Fellowship scholarship 2025. The fellowship provides up to $50,000 funding towards personal development for conferences, coaching, as well as overseas learning trips for professional development.
It also provides leadership coaching and networking with other like-minded people in his chosen sector.
Teens plead not guilty
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A trio of teenage men have pleaded not guilty to an alleged murder of a Clyde man at a Lyndhurst shopping centre this year.
Nhial Nhial, 18, of Narre Warren, Lual Gany, 18, of Cranbourne North, and Gatluak Chuol Pach, 18, of Seaford, appeared at a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court committal on Friday 31 October.
The men each pleaded not guilty to murdering Timothy Leek, 24, on Friday 14 March. They also pleaded not guilty to an alleged armed robbery of IGA Alchester Village supermarket in Boronia on the same day.
According to charge sheets, the trio were alleged to have been armed with machetes while stealing about $3500 cash and $50,000 of cigarettes during the robbery.
Police have previously stated that Leek was found with serious stab wounds after a group of males fought in the vicinity of Society Avenue, Lyndhurst about 8.30pm on 14 March.
All other parties had fled the scene when emergency services arrived, police stated. Leek was taken to hospital where he later died.
At the court hearing, Chuol Pach, Gany and Nhial appeared by video link from separate remand centres.
Their lawyers successfully requested to fasttrack the committal for trial at the Supreme Court of Victoria.
about 2pm, police say.
A 35-year-old man, who was inside a Mazda
Armed Crime Squad detectives charged him with reckless conduct endangering life, discharging a firearm at a vehicle with reckless disregard
for public safety, discharging a firearm into a vehicle and possessing a firearm when an FPO applies.
The man was set to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court that day.
Police believe the incident was targeted and that the parties involved are known to each other.
A fourth co-accused requested the same at an earlier children’s court hearing, the court was told. It was Chuol Pach and Nhial’s first time in custody, their lawyers told the court. Chuol Pach was said to have an intellectual disability.
None of the accused men applied for bail. They were remanded to appear at a directions hearing at the Supreme Court on 14 November.
Black Rhinos Soccer team co-founder Abraham Kuol (number 10) with the team.(Supplied)
Abraham Kuol is a 2026 Young Australian of the Year for Victoria finalist due to his mentorship, guidance and positive impact through sport for young people.(Supplied)
City of Greater Dandenong Coucnil will follow other Councils in a once-a-month council meeting from 13 November.(Gary Sissons: 344241_05)
Police investigators at the scene of the Lyndhurst incident on Friday 14 March. (Gary Sissons: 465776)
Head monk found guilty
By Emily Woods, AAP
The head monk of a Buddhist temple has been found guilty of sexually abusing children aged as young as four in Springvale and Keysborough.
Naotunne Vijitha, 70, faced a four-week County Court trial in Melbourne after he pleaded not guilty to 19 historical child sexual offences.
He was accused of abusing six girls aged between four and 12 inside his living Buddhist tem-
ple quarters, a prayer room and at Sunday school.
Prosecutors claimed Vijitha’s abuse started after he moved to Melbourne from overseas to become head monk of the Dhamma Sarana Buddhist temple at its former site in Springvale in 1994.
The abuse continued after the temple moved to Keysborough in 2000.
The victims, who are now adults, all gave evidence to the jury in their trial, as did their rela-
tives and friends.
Vijitha’s barrister Nick Papas KC told the jury to set aside emotion and remember the allegations were from 25 or 30 years ago, so they must question their reliability and accuracy.
“Some of the events are so improbable as to stretch any grounds of credulity,” he said.
Businesses dumped with clean-up tab
By Sahar Foladi
Greater Dandenong Council has ordered a small business body corporate in Springvale to clean-up strangers’ rubbish dumped at its private car park or cop a penalty.
Located on Springvale Road, the small retail strip has been plagued by illegal dumping, mainly of household furniture.
Frustratingly for the body corporate, the mounds of junk are only centimetres away from a public road owned by the council.
Multiple mattresses, couches, tables, clothes, shoes are dumped at the site as the issue has snowballed since Covid times.
Ace Body Corporate, which manages the small businesses strip, calls it a “continued problem” as they plea to Greater Dandenong for a proper and long-term solution.
Instead, it says they’ve been, “stonewalled” by new council officers and their “strict stance,” saying the previous officers understood the complex situation and had provided them with some relief.
“It’s never-ending, and we’re fed up. It’s a fact that it’s a hotspot,” a spokesperson said.
“The problem is Council is giving threats to clean-up or pay a fine, but it’s not our rubbish. People dump it in that corner, and it gets moved out the way to get access to the road.
“It’s just a really unfair approach to one small group of businesses - we can’t even afford to pay for insurance properly.
“They have to deal with it from a different perspective because not every private property is targeted.”
Meanwhile, there’s a Tuesday 11 November deadline looming for the body corporate to clean-up the rubbish.
Otherwise it will face a penalty infringement and being taken to the Magistrates’ Court for a potential fine up to $2000, with the council ordering in its own contractors to clean up at the cost of the body corporate.
While they understand the council does not clean up private land, Ace believe the area should be treated differently because it’s a
dumping hotspot.
During the pandemic, Ace claims that the council regularly removed up to eight dumped mattresses at a time from the same site. But the council had since then withdrawn its assistance.
Currently, rubbish piles up in the hotspot about every two months, making it costly to arrange a clean-up every time, according to the Ace spokesperson.
The latest eye-sore includes three mattresses The spokesperson believes nearby residents were the likely illegal dumpers.
Installation of gates to the private car park was considered by the body among other options, at an estimated cost of $15,000 to $20,000 excluding maintenance.
However, due to the car park’s position, a small portion of it would remain outside the gate meaning if rubbish is dumped there, the body would still be responsible for its removal.
City of Greater Dandenong Council city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam, refused to provide a helping hand to the body corporate’s desperate plea during public
question time at a council meeting on 27 October.
He said while the council understands the frustration and its financial burden on small businesses, it doesn’t remove waste from private property. This responsibility remains with the landowner or occupier as intervening would set a precedent that is not sustainable across the municipality.
“We understand this can be frustrating particularly when dumping occurs just metres away from public land.
He agreed to work with the residents of the high-rise dwellings to provide “targeted education and collateral materials to residents” including how to order a hard rubbish collection service.
“Council currently operates large range of education programs aimed at reducing illegal dumping and promoting awareness of hard rubbish collection services.”
Maninvasagasivam later told Star Journal that it would “ensure the property owners have sufficient time to remove the illegally dumped rubbish and provide them advice on managing this problem through the correct channels”.
Judge Pardeep Tiwana advised the jurors he would accept a majority verdict, instead of a unanimous one, on the remaining charge.
The jury continued their deliberations on Friday morning (31 October).
Jurors retired to commence their deliberations on October 23 and returned on Thursday 30 October with a guilty verdict to 17 of the 19 charges. He was acquitted on a single charge of indecent act with a child aged under 16, while the jury will continue deliberating on a separate indecent act offence.
All-clear for purple bins in 2027
Households are set for a fourth bin in 2027, after Greater Dandenong Council endorsed the introduction of a purple-lid bin for glass recycling.
Ratepayers are expected to be charged on average $13 per household per year for the new 120-litre bins, which will be delivered to an estimated 56,000 households between April-May 2027.
Households that receive a private waste service are not included.
The bins would be collected every four weeks, with the council seeking to ensure no more than two bins being put out for collection each week.
The move was required under State Government policy, which mandates all councils to provide a separate glass service by 1 July 2027. It’s part of a standardized waste collection system across the state.
The aim of the glass bin is to reduce recycling-waste contamination and hence, the amounts diverted to landfill.
Often glass breaks in co-mingled recycling bins and contaminates paper and cardboard, making them ‘unrecyclable’, a council report stated.
The glass service would complement the State Government’s Container Deposit Scheme, which only accepts certain glass containers for 10-cent refunds, the report stated.
Glass containers make up about 30 per cent of kerbside recycling bin content in Greater Dandenong.
Greater Dandenong estimates that the glass bin service will cost $13 million over the first seven years.
This covers the cost of bin supply and delivery, as well as collecting and processing the glass.
There may be savings from reduced waste-facility gate fees and contamination charges, according to a council report.
Greater Dandenong has stated it will publish more information on the transition to the public.
“We are committed to environmental sustainability, and we will educate, inform and support our residents during the introduction of this service while meeting our obligations as mandated by the Victorian Government,” city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam said.
There are no proposed changes to the weekly red general rubbish bin and yellow mixed recycling and green food and garden waste bin collection services at this stage, the council stated.
Illegal dumping is plaguing a car park at the rear of businesses on Springvale Road, Springvale. (Stewart Chambers: 514163)
The latest illegally-dumped mattress in a private car park metres away from a laneway in Springvale. (Stewart Chambers: 514163)
Purple-lidded bins are on the way to Greater Dandenong households in 2027.
Probe rejected again
By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Sahar Foladi
A second attempt for an independent probe into Greater Dandenong Council’s workplace culture has been blocked from being tabled.
Mayor Jim Memeti cited the Local Government Act 2020 (LGA) in rejecting a debate and a vote on the issue at a 27 October council meeting.
He said councillors didn’t have powers or functions to dictate “staffing matters” or the “effective and efficient day-to-day operations of the council”.
These were instead the responsibility of the council’s CEO, he said.
It comes after an anonymous email purportedly from “we, the staff” alleging issues with the council’s internal culture, “chaotic restructures” and repeated use of external consultants.
In recent weeks, three senior officials have resigned from Greater Dandenong: long-serving chief financial officer Michelle Hansen. chief engineer David Fice and governance, legal and risk manager Nicole Rudden.
The rejected motion from councillor Rhonda Garad sought for a councillor working group to commission an “independent culture and support assessment” of the council.
She counterargued that councillors had “statutory obligations” under the LGA that compelled them to act.
This included ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, oversight of staffing structures and workplace practices and maintaining the council’s accountability, transparency and integrity.
“Why are you making this decision which effectively constrains councillors from acting in their role?”
Earlier in October, Cr Garad made another attempt for an external probe but it was voted down from being tabled by a Labor majority of councillors.
The unverified email’s allegations included favouritism, staff excluded from key decision-making, undermining staff morale, internal capability ignored while external consultants are excessively used, a divided leadership, and unfair salary banding where some managers with less qualifications or experience are paid more than better qualified colleagues.
It’s believed the council will instead embark on an internal audit of some of the email’s claims, chiefly salary banding.
Cr Memeti told Star News that there may be some “disgruntled” staff as a result of chief executive Jacqui Weatherill’s agenda for change.
“It’s a watching investigation. Let’s see that outcome before we make further decisions.”
Meeting cleaned of ‘pop-up’ intrusion
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Video of Greater Dandenong’s council meeting last week was temporarily off-limits.
The council pulled the video from its YouTube channel soon after the 27 October council meeting, replacing it with a message: “Video Unavailable: This video is private”.
The interruption was due to the need to clean out Microsoft Teams pop-up alerts that intruded into the coverage, according to the council.
The cleaned-up footage with “no edit” to the meeting’s video or audio was republished the following day.
Greater Dandenong chief customer and information officer Yuri Guzman said one of the IT officers facilitating the meeting received some Teams messages during the livestream.
“One of the messages contained private details for a resident.
“In order to protect the resident’s private information, we took the livestream down as soon as the meeting was over.
“That meant anyone watching on delay would have experienced a sudden ‘blackout’.”
Recently, Greater Dandenong reviewed its protocols after audio was muted for most of a live-streamed public meeting in July.
Strategic growth and advocacy executive manager Marjan Hajjari said the July outage was “rare and unexpected”.
The council was reviewing its protocols, strengthening contingency measures and improving communications for any repeat of the technical fault, Hajjari said at the time.
Greater Dandenong council meetings are open for public attendance, as well as live-streamed on the Harmony Square big stream and the council’s social media channel.
Parking meters in Springvale, not Dandenong Hospital
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
StreetparkingnearDandenongHospitalwillremain free of charge, but Greater Dandenong Council still planstorolloutmetersincentralSpringvaledespite expected opposition from traders.
Ata27Octobermeeting,councillorBobMilkovic won support to remove the David Street medical precinct from the paid-parking plan.
Cr Milkovic said often street parking was filled by hospital staff, who avoid the more expensive hospital off-street car park.
However, he wasn’t comfortable with the perception of charging visitors and patients “at their hardest times” for street parking.
A council report recommended meters in Springvale Activity Centre, and parts of Cleeland and Stuart streets and Stuart Street East car park near Dandenong Market, Meters will also go into the Princes Highway service lane between Foster and Webster streets when Webster Street level crossing removal works conclude.
A council report stated the meters would “improve parking experience”, including an increased turnover of vehicles in busy areas.
However the rationale may not convince Springvale traders.
In 2017, after an outcry from traders and residents, a trial of $1-an-hour parking meters in Springvale Activity Centre ended with the meters pulled out at a cost of $300,000.
Springvale Central Ward councillor Sean
O’Reilly said meters were necessary to address the masses of cars circling Springvale in search of scarce on-street parking. He said the congestion was a turn-off for potential customers and holding down trading growth.
“Since parking meters were taken out 10 years ago, the level of trade and customers in Springvale hasn’t changed while other shopping centres in the South East have grown in patronage. So people have to make a decision – do they want to unblock
the bottlenecks and for trade to grow?
“Or to pander to customers who are not prepared to pay a small amount for convenient parking?” 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 decrease. 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-deckcarparksinWarwickAvenueorQueens Avenue would be a more effective solution, he argues.
However, Cr O’Reilly said there was not a shortageofoverallparking,citingtheunusedcapacityin the multi-storey car park at 8 Balmoral Avenue.
“Peoplesaywejustneedanothermulti-levelcar parkinSpringvale.Butwewillstillhavethecongestion at on-street level.”
Mayor Jim Memeti said the estimated $1 million revenue would be invested into the council’s Springvale Revitalisation Plan.
“Thisisonewaytodelivertheplansoonerrather than later. It’s a win-win.”
The council report stated 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. 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.”
In early 2026, Greater Dandenong will engage with businesses and community on the “process and methodology” for the paid-parking rollout. It comes on top of the introduction of new parking meters, including digital payment options, in Dandenong from late this year.
Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti rejected a motion to investigate the council’s workplace culture.
Former Springvale councillor Youhorn Chea is presented a petition to remove Springvale’s parking meters from SABA’s Daniel Cheng in 2017. (Stewart Chambers: 141193)
BOOK NOW FOR CHRISTMAS FUNCTIONS
The magic of Christmas
Melbourne – get ready, because Santa’s sleigh is making a very special stop this year… and it’s landing right at Caulfield Racecourse.
Melbourne’s Christmas Wonderland - 28 November - 24 December 2025 at the Caulfield Racecourse.
Back by overwhelming demand, the magic returns this Christmas with everyone’s favourite Christmas event, Melbourne’s Christmas Wonderland. This much-anticipated event is set to captivate the hearts of visitors once again, offering an enchanting three hour experience like no other.
Melbourne’s Christmas Wonderland is an immersive, walk-through experience where every moment of Christmas has been beautifully brought to life. Every jingle, every bell, and every HO HO HO will create the most wonderful memory, reminding visitors of why the magic of Christmas is still the most prolific of all.
Advisable for children 10 and under. Visitors to this amazing Wonderland will experience:
• Magical Experience: Immerse yourself in everything Christmas under The Grand Big Top. The event is filled with beautiful decorations, lights, trees and so much more.
• Care Bears: The Care Bears are coming to Melbourne’s Christmas Wonderland! Walk through the new Care Bears Wish Land - packed with inflatables, a huge decorated Christmas Tree and Care Bears characters ready for a meet and greet.
• Live Show: Each session includes a live show featuring Care Bears, international circus acts, Santa and Mrs Claus.
• Santa Photos: No trip to the Christmas Wonderland is complete without a photo with the big man himself.
(Note - extra fee applies) Make sure to grab your gift on your way out.
• Roller Skating: Swap your shoes for skates and have some rollin’ fun on our roller-skating rink.
• Mrs Claus’ Storytelling Village: Join Mrs Claus and celebrate Christmas with some of your favourite carols and stories.
• Photo Opportunities: Snap a selfie in one of the many magical selfie photo area’s under The Grand Big Top.
• Rudolph’s Barnyard: Say hello and take a selfie with the animatronic reindeer in Rudolph’s Barnyard.
• North Pole Post Office: Write and send off your letter to Santa at the North Pole Post Office. Not sure what to write? Our special letter-writing elves will be there to lend a helping hand.
• Meet The Grinch: The Grinch will be Visting for Family Photos at his Grinch Land (Note: this is a paid Activity).
• Refreshments: Delight your tastebuds with a selection of hot/cold food and drinks.
• Jumping Castles: Get ready to jump into the
Christmas spirit on our three Christmas and candy themed jumping castles.
• Christmas Carnival Games: All the fun of the fair with full themed Christmas Fun Fair every child wins a prize.
(Note: extra fee applies)
• Children’s Rides: Spin your way through the Teacup Ride, ride the horses on a small Carousel and travel around on the Mini Train.
• Roving Characters: Meet Rudolph and Care Bears. They’re all frantically preparing for the busiest time of the year, but never too busy to say hello and stop for a selfie with you.
• The Factory: Ignite your creative spark at The Factory where you can create your own foam gingerbread house decoration.
• Christmas Craft Village: Unleash your creativity at our Christmas Craft Village where you can decorate your own Christmas stocking.
• Care Bears Christmas Village: Design your own Christmas plaster Christmas tree ornament. This magical interactive walk-through adventure features everything that’s most loved about Christmas to create unforgettable memories and rekindle the joy of Christmas.
So don’t miss the chance to make this Christmas the most magical one yet – Melbourne’s Christmas Wonderland is ready to jingle all the way back into your hearts.
Event Details:
• Location: Caulfield Racecourse - Station Street, Caulfield (enter via Gate 21)
• Dates: Friday November 28 – Wednesday December 24 (Christmas Eve!)
• Tickets via www.ticketmaster.com.au or phone Melbourne Christmas Wonderland directly on 0400 881 007.
Uber Eats driver targeted
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
An armed, drugged-up carjacker who was among a group that preyed on an Uber Eats driver delivering a cheeseburger in Doveton has been jailed.
Bailey Foehn, 22, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to aggravated carjacking, possessing 1,4-butanediol, driving while suspended and possessing a prohibited weapon.
His drug-fueled co-offender Zoe Voice, then 22, made the Uber order for a Maccas burger on her phone just before 2am on 27 November last year.
It was part of an unsophisticated plan to lure and rob the victim in the street and under the cover of darkness, sentencing judge Wendy Wilmoth said on 31 October.
The driver was alone when an armed and masked Foehn – in company with three othersdemanded the driver’s phone and keys.
The victim complied, thinking Foehn held a knife, which was later found to be an extendable baton.
Foehn then sped off in the delivery-driver’s Toyota Yaris, with Voice in the passenger seat.
The victim – an international student who had worked and saved hard for the car and phone – had tried to open the driver-side door.
He was threatened by another male in the group, holding what appeared to be a knife or sword.
“If you try to argue with me, I’ll f*** you – so go away,” the male said.
The Yaris stopped several hundred metres away. Voice swapped into the driver’s seat due to Foehn being unable to control the car.
Later that morning, police spotted Voice erratically driving the car at excessive speeds through several Cranbourne West streets.
Police used stop-sticks to deflate all four tyres of the Yaris, and pursued with lights and sirens.
However Voice continued driving on deteriorating tyres, until coming to a stop on a median strip in Evans Road.
A bottle of 1,4-butanediol was found in the car, which Foehn admitted was his.
In a police interview, Foehn stated he “didn’t
intend to harm the bloke”.
He didn’t know why he drove off with the victim’s car, but it was the “dumbest” thing he’d done.
Judge Wilmoth regarded Foehn’s offending as a “serious example of a serious offence”.
At the time, he was on ‘ice’, GHB and cannabis and said to be trying to impress Voice and his peers with his offending.
On the other hand, the victim “lost so much and still suffers emotionally”, Judge Wilmoth noted.
Left out on the street without a car or phone at night, he called out for help. No one came out to assist, so he knocked on a resident’s door to call triple-0.
Since the incident, he had felt completely alone and unprotected, Judge Wilmoth said.
The threats with a weapon still played on his mind each day, no longer left his home at night and slept with lights on.
He did not recover his stolen phone, which he is still paying off.
Voice, 23, had been sentenced on 30 June by
Judge Wilmoth to three years and three months’ jail, with an 18 month non-parole period, for carjacking and dangerous driving while pursued by police.
Foehn, being guilty of aggravated carjacking, faced a mandatory non-parole period of three years.
However, Judge Wilmoth accepted there were special circumstances due to Foehn’s mental impairment, and waived the mandatory term. His impairment included a complex mix of ADHD, paranoia and depressive disorders –which a psychologist stated were significant factors in his offending.
They contributed to impulsivity, poor decision making and a heightened need for peer approval.
His childhood deprivation, youthfulness and difficulties coping in adult remand were also noted.
Foehn was jailed for three-and-a-half years, including a two year non-parole period. He was ordered to compensate the victim $1074.
Quick thinking saves society’s annual general meeting
By Sahar Foladi
Greater Dandenong Council has issued an apology to Dandenong and District Historical Society, which was locked out of their annual general meeting venue that was booked by the society well in advance.
About 20 members of the historical group including a guest speaker were left stranded from its annual meeting point at Dandenong’s Heritage Hill on Sunday 19 October.
Thanks to its president Christine Keys’s quick thinking, the group were able to hold their meeting at the nearby St James Anglican Church.
“I thought I better do some thinking. Fortunately I have an association with St James Anglican Church, I am on their parish council, and as a consequence I was able to get into that building and have the meeting there.
“We had a speaker, an author of a book who was going to speak on his book.
“It would’ve been pretty embarrassing if I didn’t find an alternative option.
“I didn’t think we would have to remind them, I thought they had a booking system.”
She says usually a council staffer would always be there before their meeting time at 1pm and to open the facility for them.
This time, no one was there despite their booking confirmation well in advance.
She jokes if it wasn’t for her quick thinking, she would have had to take the author out for a dinner instead.
With a few delays, they were able to set up the technology in the meeting room of the church for the author, Ross Dawson to showcase his presentation to the group.
She later received apologies from councillor Lana Formoso. The council’s community strengthening executive director Peta Gillies also apologised after it was flagged by Cr Formoso at the council meeting on Monday 27 October.
Ms Gillies told the meeting that this was the first time she heard about the matter, and that she will look into the matter. She was quick to apologies to Ms Keys, but an explanation is still due.
The Historical Society and Ms Keys’ work are
highly regarded, playing a crucial role within the community to ensure Greater Dandenong’s rich stories are preserved and told. She was named Greater Dandenong’s 2020
weekly Looking Back column.
citizen of the year, is on Greater Dandenong’s heritage advisory committee and continues to contribute to Star Journal’s
Christine Keys has lived locally her whole life, with Keysborough named after her family.(Gary Sissons: 203850_01)
FOCUS ON … SENIORS
Eating well to age well too
As people grow older, making healthy food choices remains essential to maintaining health, vitality and cognitive wellbeing. At Belvedere Aged Care, our care approach ensures that residents receive nourishment, experience joy, dignity and social connection through dining.
“Eating well supports more than just physical health, it enhances memory, concentration and emotional wellbeing,” says Karin Blavo, Belvedere’s Lifestyle Manager. “We know that good nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining cognitive function, especially as we age. At Belvedere, we design our menus to stimulate the senses, encourage social interaction, and celebrate the cultural diversity of our residents’.”
A Person-Centred Approach to Nutrition
In line with the Aged Care Reforms coming into effect on the 1st of November 2025, Belvedere continues its commitment to ensure older Australians have the right to meal choices that are enjoyable, nutritious, and tailored to their needs and preferences.
“Our person-centred care approach means that every resident’s dietary needs and cultural preferences are respected and accommodated,” explains April Casio, Director of Nursing at Belvedere Aged Care. “We work closely with dietitians, our Chef and care teams to ensure that each resident receives a variety of freshly prepared, nutrional meals that support their health, independence
and overall, quality of life.”
Nutrition as the Foundation of Wellness
Appropriate nutrition and hydration are critical to maintaining good health. For residents at Belvedere, this includes:
• Bone health: Foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, salmon and sardines, help prevent osteoporosis and fractures.
• Joint health: Balanced meals and regular servings of fish contribute to maintaining healthy joints and managing arthritis.
• Gut health: High-fibre fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes support digestion and
prevent constipation.
• Oral health: Regular dental care and proper fitting of dentures ensure residents can enjoy the texture and flavour of their meals safely and comfortably.
Belvedere’s culinary team crafts menus that reflect its commitment to the best seasonal produce and ingredients with limited additives and preservatives to ensure every dish supports vitality and enjoyment.
“Food connects us to our memories, our families and our culture,” adds Karin. “At Belvedere, we honour those connections at every table.”
To find out more about Belvedere Aged Care visit belvedere.com.au
Amongst Friends
At Belvedere Aged Care, every
Eating well to age well at Belvedere Aged Care.
A time to stop and reflect
By Ann-Marie Hermans MP
At the stroke of the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of this year, we will stand in silence.
Deliberate silence is not something our modern society is acquainted with. Notifications constantly ping on our phones, cars rev on our roads, and customers chat away in our cafes.
Remembrance Day provides us with an opportunity to stop, reflect, and remember those who served and died in wars, conflicts, and peace operations at home and abroad.
According to the Australian War Memorial, 416,809 Australians served in the First World War with 112,399 being Victorians. Over 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner. In the Second World War, 990,900 Australians served, including 205,758 Victorians. Over 39,000 gave their lives and 30,000 were taken prisoner.
In my electorate of the South Eastern Metropolitan Region, over 12,000 Australians were enlisted.
These Australians surrendered their lives to give us a life free from dictatorship and tyranny, and their sacrifice afforded many rights and privileges. Giving up one’s own life is the greatest act of love.
Philosopher George Satanya once noted that ‘those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it’.
Together, we must ensure that future generations never forget the facts and lessons in history.
Parents should read history books to their children and governments should prioritise war history and its complex context and issues as a key part of our curriculum.
We must judiciously respect the institutions that our troops served under and died for, including our national flag, our constitutional monarchy, and our parliamentary democracy. If these institutions are eroded, we will fail our fallen.
Tuesday 11th November 2025 from 10.50am in the Memorial Park adjacent to the RSL.
A crowd of in excess of 150 is expected.
The short ceremony will consist of: The Last Post and Reveille at 11am and a wreath laying service at the cenotaph. Local schools will be participating in the music and poem recitals throughout the event. Following the ceremony, all attendees are welcomed back into the RSL for refreshments.
So, on this Remembrance Day, I encourage you to bring your family members to a local ceremony to participate in the moment of silence, watch the flags be lowered, listen to the bugle play and sing the National Anthem with pride as we remember.
This Remembrance Day, we remember the sacrifices made by our defence force personnel. At 11am on 11th of November we mark a minute silence to pay our respect.
Lest We Forget.
Ann-Marie Hermans MP Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region Shadow Assistant Minister for Education
Local link
By Garry Howe
Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is said to have been a driving force behind the invention of the tank and two high-ranking British men received official recognition and reward for its invention.
It is now acknowledged that the idea for an allterrain vehicle for the battlefields first belonged to Berwick Grammar student Lancelot Eldin ‘Lance’ De Mole.
If not for bureaucratic bungling, his more efficient model would have been plying the battlefields of France instead of the cumbersome and troubled British model.
The South Australian born Mr De Mole, who completed his schooling in Berwick, came up with the idea out of frustration while travelling over rough terrain in Western Australia in 1911.
The following year he submitted the idea of a chain-rail vehicle that could be easily steered and carry heavy loads over trenches to the British War Office.
In June 1913, he received a reply to say his idea had been rejected. Undeterred, he wrote to the war office again in 1914 and 1916 to inquire what had become of the tank.
The story goes that, due to various bureau-
cratic blunders, his correspondence was set aside and not given to the appropriate officers.
It must have been galling for Mr De Mole to find himself on the battlefields of France in 1918 on active service and see the inferior British model being used.
Returning to Australia after the war, he submitted a claim to the British Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors but was unsuccessful.
Sir William Tritton and Major W.G. Wilson were jointly awarded 15,000 pounds and recognised for designing and producing the first tank, encouraged by Mr Churchill.
The Royal Commission did, however, recognise the importance of Mr De Mole’s innovative work.
It noted the unfortunate consequences of his submissions being overlooked and ruled that he had no connection with the development of the tank, but conceded that a far better tank would have been developed than the one that the British eventually used and that it would have been developed at a much earlier date.
He was awarded 965 pounds for expenses and made an honorary corporal. In 1920 he was appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE).
A prototype model of his vehicle is among the collection of the Australian War Memorial.
Lancelot Eldin De Mole, a Berwick Grammar student who claims to have invented the first tank.
A model of De Mole’s tank is now at the Australian War Memorial.
154th Annual Dandy Show
Dandenong was, in the early days, a small country town surrounded by farms and a scattering of rural villages in Springvale, Noble Park, Keysborough and Hallam. Farmers on horseback droving their cattle through the streets to the market.
The first Dandenong Show was held in 1872 with draught horses being the major classes. The top prize of 3 pound went to the best draught horse. This was very fitting and showed the importance of the work the horses did during those hardearlysettleryears. Fastforward a few years and the show had taken off. The prize money was now 145 pounds.
In 1907 the show was held in the new showgrounds on Clow St. A grandstand was purchased from CaulfieldRacecourseandfundraised by 35 people giving 5 pound each
andtheLadiescommitteeorganising a “Village Fair”.
Dandenongwasproclaimedacity in1959,andin1961theDandenong LandActBilltransferredtheSociety rights to the site of Greaves Reserve. We had been holding a show on Clow Street site for 59 years and 1967 was the first show at Greaves Reserve.
The 1971 show, the shows 100th, had Mr Alfred Follett at the helm and was a record breaker. The gate takings were $4234 and 4,175 entries received. The Governor Sir Rohan Delacombe officially opened the show accompanied by Lady Delacombe.
Improvements over the years have included, the committee rooms, arena fencing, galvanised seating around the arena and power installed.
In 2002, the Cattle Sale Ring Complex was completed. This complex was built to house the Milker Ring, dismantled when the Dandenong Stock Market closed. This is used at showtime and at our Scottish Heritage Day. It has also been hired for a wedding and school events. Its tiered seating makes it ideal as an educational facility or a great venue for large family photographs.
The show was built by the blood sweat and tears of so many people. Generations of families have been involved, with 3 and 4 generations on the committee.
We have been working tirelessly to bring you the 154th Dandy Show, on the 8th and 9th of November.
The Victorian Showmen’s Guild have got all the rides sorted and come to the show between 10am
and 12 noon on either day, you buy 1 ride and get another ride free. The showbags have been ordered, and our new Kid’s Corner in the Animal Nursery has lots of fun things to make and take home. Don’t forget to get your Coffey Ford carry bag with some goodies inside. FREE Werelyonthesponsorshipdollar every year. We are so lucky with our sponsors, some have been with us for generations too. I take this opportunity to thank each of our majorsponsors;GreaterDandenong Council; Coffey Ford; Community Bank Dingley Village; Equinade; Southeast Water; The Holiday Inn Dandenong; Dandenong RSL; Dandenong Club; and Australian Portable Grandstand to name a few.
Written by, Leanne GrahamPresident of the show committee
FOODVENDORS
Women lacking supports
By Sahar Foladi
Monash University research has backed a Wellsprings For Women report into the systemic challenges for refugee and migrant women experiencing family violence.
Lack of cultural understanding, a rise in complex cases, cultural abuses like dowry related violence and forced marriages, women wrongly identified as the aggressor, and lack of interpreters are just some of the gaps identified by the Wellsprings report.
This is further backed by Monash University PhD candidate in criminology, Isabel Dunn, at Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre.
Her research focuses on how women from refugee backgrounds in Tasmania who have experienced domestic and family violence are supported by local services.
And her findings echo the report from Wellsprings.
“Some of the preliminary findings gathered so far, eats to the issues that Wellsprings has identified like interpreter issues, not enough funding in the sector as well as cultural competency being identified for workers under the pressure to understand it.”
While educational training into family violence may be available to Victorian Police officers across all fields, it’s not a compulsory training component.
Ms Dunn says her research has identified police officers and their cultural understanding plays a crucial role.
“In my research, individuals expressed whether a police officer will be helpful or be able to understand the impact of culture is really based on which police officer arrives at the scene.
“As a generalised force, there are issues with the police inadequately intervening in the situation - unless you’re lucky to have an officer who has received or taken on board the training to understand the nuances.
“Most on-the-ground police officers are not family violence specialists. That’s why we’re seeing women misidentified as aggressors across many backgrounds.”
Ms Dunn says a family violence specialist attending alongside police officers is crucial to “adequately support” them as an institution. Training and education alone is just not good enough to understand the dynamics, she says.
“Often we see police officers respond, they do
pro criminal justice response as they are meant to, and there’s not a lot of further support,” she says.
“If a Police officer is aware of other services in communities, they may make a referral, but some do the criminal justice area and they don’t loop in with the community leaders in the area.
sponds to what is a highly gendered, nuanced situation…”
Both Dalal Smiley, CEO of Wellsprings for Women and Ms Dunn call for crucial and ongoing investment in existing culturally responsive and trauma-informed services as demand rises and specialist services remain severely under-resourced.
“Family violence is not just about individual acts of harm. It is shaped by systemic failures, cultural misunderstandings and structural inequities. Addressing these barriers is a matter of justice and safety,” Dr Smiley said.
Wellsprings family violence manager Oula Ibrahim says their team have to manage both emotional weight of the crisis as well as large caseloads with “very limited housing options.”
Ms Dunn also emphasises on the need to change as a society.
“In our wider social structures, we are creating situations and system that allow structural vulnerabilities to increase the rates of family violence in these communities because family violence is not accidental- it’s shaped by a system that privileges men and masculinity over women.
“That means even if we train these people (police officers), family violence will still happen because we know people are in high stress and are experiencing external tension - whether from
Isabel Dunn, a PhD researcher, looking at how women in migrant and refugee backgrounds are supported by local services in Tasmania.(Supplied)
A Wellsprings for Women casework report into family violence has found significant gaps and lack of cultural understanding.(Supplied)
Save on Viking’s Spring sale
By Lee McCarthy
VIKING is holding its Spring Sale where a companion can fly free on its 2026, 2027 and 2028 voyages.
This special offer is on Viking River voyages and Viking Expedition voyages and the only thing to decide is who to take.
Let’s whet the appetite with some of the magnificent destinations on offer to get the ball rolling.
The special offers are available if booked before 1 December on 2026, 2027 or 2028 sailings those who get in quick can save up to AU$2,400 per couple on some 2025 voyages.
Viking voyages offer a different kind of journey. With no kids, no casinos, just award-winning small ships designed for cultural exploration, guests can discover the world in comfort, with immersive itineraries and refined Scandinavian design.
Special offers on Viking Expedition Voyages include Antarctic Explorer from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia for thirteen days.
How about Canada and the Northwest Passage from Nuuk to Toronto, Ontario for twentyseven days including eight tours?
One of the current highly sought after expeditions is the thirteen-day round trip Nuuk, Greenland with eight tours included.
On this fantastic trip guests discover Nuuk’s open-air murals and sculptures. Nuuk is home to one of the world’s largest fjords, the Nuup Kangerlua Fjord, whose waters are brimming with marine life; whale sightings are commonplace in these waters. Visitors to Nuuk come to enjoy nature, hiking along the dramatic coastline or exploring the fjord by boat or kayak. Its rugged landscape is dotted with colourful houses, set amid a beautiful backdrop of the Sermitsiaq mountain.
The city’s architectural highlights are centred around Colonial Harbor, with its plethora of colourful residences.
Hear stories of Greenlandic heritage and indulge in a spread of traditional Greenlandic dishes while enjoying a local storyteller as they share insights about Greenland’s history.
While in Greenland delve into the heritage of the sled dog and gain an appreciation for its role in Greenlandic culture or discover the
rich history of the Inuit people who have lived in the region for thousands of years through their traditional clothing and artistic heritage.
Pond Inlet in Nunavut, Canada is a gateway to Sirmilik National Park, “the place of the glaciers” in the local language. Covering more than 8,400 sq m., the park is a declared migratory bird sanctuary and supports an array of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, wolves, narwhals and beluga whales.
Another popular expedition is the brand-new Panama Canal and the Americas, a twenty adventure from Santiago to New York City with six fantastic tours.
Enjoy stops at San Salvador, Man of War Bay (Bahamas), Port Antonio (Jamaica), Panama City, Lima, Iquique and Santiago sailing the crystalline
waters of the Caribbean Sea.
This is a truly exceptional cruise and one on many travelers’ bucket list and includes the companion flies free offer on 2026 to 2028 voyages.
Canada is one of Australia’s favourite destinations and this Canadian Discovery expedition will not disappoint. A thirteen-day tour from just $13,195 pp.
Leaving from New York City and sailing the Atlantic Ocean, enjoy the beauty and history of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Quebec while savouring the diversity of the food scenes in Toronto.
For those looking for a river cruise, travelers are spoilt for choice again with the fifteen-day Rhine Getaway; the eleven-day Romantic Danube; a cruise to France’s Finest for fifteen days or
perhaps Christmas on the Rhine and Moselle for twelve days!
Guests can indulge in a Pharaohs and Pyramids twelve-day roundtrip or the Magnificent Mekong for fifteen days or perhaps an eight-day Mississippi Delta Explorer might be more appealing?
Viking have so many exciting cruises heading out in 2026, 2027 and 2028 so whether an Ocean Voyage, a River Voyage or an Expedition Voyage is calling out, Viking has it covered.
Find the perfect cruise now by visiting www. viking.com or by phoning 138 747
Offer expires 1 December 2025. Save up to AU$2,500 per booking.
The stunning La Mauricie National Park Panorama. (Supplied)
Don’t miss the chance to experience a breathtaking Greenlandic sled dog visit.
Take the chance to enjoy kayaking in Ilulissat with guides to help you enjoy.
Indulge in a spread of traditional Greenlandic dishes.
Be awed by the Inuit Culture while on your expedition with Viking.
Bergen to Copenhagen or vice versa
22 DAYS | 8 COUNTRIES
17 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: JUL 2027; MAY-AUG 2028
From $21,195pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $26,195pp in Penthouse Veranda
Oslo to Copenhagen or vice versa
15 DAYS | 8 COUNTRIES
10 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: JUL 2027; MAY, JUN, AUG 2028
From $14,195pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $17,195pp in Penthouse Veranda
Stockholm to Copenhagen or vice versa
8 DAYS | 6 COUNTRIES
5 GUIDED TOURS
SET SAIL: JUN-AUG 2027; MAY-AUG 2028
From $8,695pp in Veranda Stateroom
From $10,195pp in Penthouse Veranda
VIKING SKY, EIDFJORD, 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
HAMPTON PARK SC CLASS OF 2025
No AI copyright exemption
Country Press Australia (CPA) has welcomed the Albanese Government’s decision to rule out a copyright exemption for AI companies, but says urgent action is required to enforce copyright laws and stop AI platforms from stealing regional journalism.
CPA President Damian Morgan said the damage to regional journalism was no longer hypothetical or distant, it was already occurring.
“AI companies think they are above the law.
“They are harvesting local news stories, paraphrasing them, and delivering them back to users as answers rather than links.
“The public still consumes the journalism, but they never reach the publisher, never subscribe, and never see a local advertiser.
“The reporting is ours, but the commercial benefit is captured by offshore technology companies.”
Regional publishers operate metered or hybrid paywalls to fund journalism, but AI scraping routinely bypasses those protections, Morgan said.
LOOKING BACK
100 years ago
5 November 1925
Several picnic parties from other suburbs visited Dandenong on Tuesday, and one nearly had a tragedy. William Clayton, 10 years of age, who was with a party from Malvern Sunday School, was playing with some mates on the bank of the Dandenong Creek, near the park, when the bank gave way, and he fell into the water. Two other lads about 12 years of age, went to his aid, but he pulled them down, and they became exhausted. Another lad dived into the water and after a short struggle with Clayton, got him back to the bank. Clayton was unconscious, but was soon brought round by Dr Taylor, after which he was taken to a private hospital and made a good recovery.
Birds are tops!
50 years ago
6 November 1975
INTERFAITH
This further threatened the economic base neededtokeeplocaljournalistsemployed,hesaid.
“The problem is not only training data.
“These platforms are now replacing the publisher in real time.
Budgerigars and canaries are at present “booming” according to cage bird experts and this year’s section at the Dandenong Show is expected to be the best ever. Mr Gadsden, who has been an official in the section for many years said the Show would cater for all varieties of “man’s feathered friends” and pigeons would also be very strong. He said “in times of chaos such as our country and the world is experiencing, people who breed birds not only find relaxation, but give pleasure to friends, neighbours. anyone coming in contact with their pets. The beauty of breeding cage birds is that the hobby is rewarding and fulfilling to all age-groups, be it a boy of seven with his first pair of budgies, or an expert with his champion bred canary.”
Alleged intruder killed in struggle with house owner ‘Self-defence’
20 years ago
7 November 2005
A 19-year-old Narre Warren man was in the se-
Calling the Pilgrims of Hope
By Anita Davine, Catholic faith and member of Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network
As Pilgrims of Hope, we are called …
To walk with open hearts,
To journey with faith,
To trust that the path before us
Is guided by divine love.
As Pilgrims of Hope, we are called …
To be bearers of love,
“They extract our reporting, convert it into their own output, and keep the audience.
“That removes the economic base needed to keep journalists employed in regional Australia.”
Morgan said the policy failure that occurred when Meta walked away from funding news must not be allowed to repeat itself in the AI era.
“Google has remained engaged with the industry, but Meta walked away while still benefiting from Australian journalism.
“We cannot go through a second cycle where big tech uses regional reporting to drive engagement but refuses to fund the journalism that makes it possible.
“If AI companies want to use Australian news, they must license it and pay for it.”
Country Press Australia is calling for a national framework that ensures licensing covers both training and output.
CPA also wants regional publishers to be explicitly included alongside larger media companies, as
cure ward of St Vincent’s hospital while police waited to interview him over a bungled house burglary in which his alleged accomplice was killed last week. Police were expected to make an application to interview the man over the incident at a house in Arnold Street Noble Park. The man and another man, 23, allegedly forced their way into the house armed with a samurai sword and a gun. The men tied up and assaulted the home owner and his partner, whilst making demands for cash. The male homeowner broke free and overpowered one of the intruders, fatally wounding the 23-year-old with his sword while forcing the Narre Warren man to flee the scene with cuts to his arms and legs. Speaking to the media at the scene, Detective Stephen McIntyre said it was unlikely that the intended victim would be charged. “At this stage, we believe he was defending himself.”
Lifting the weary, embracing the broken, Creating spaces where all may belong.
As Pilgrims of Hope, we are called …
MESSAGE OF
HOPE
To be voices of compassion, Speaking truth in love, Advocating for the vulnerable, Defending the dignity of every person.
As Pilgrims of Hope, we are called …
To uphold justice, Walking alongside the forgotten, Offering mercy where there is pain, And courage where there is fear.
To light in the darkness, Healing where there is suffering, Advocating for peace where there is division, Igniting hope where despair lingers.
As Pilgrims of Hope, we are called …
To teach with wisdom and patience, Nurturing minds, awakening hearts,
well as a low-cost, fast enforcement pathway for small publishers who cannot afford lengthy litigation.
“Regional journalism is not simply a commercial product,” Mr Morgan said.
“It is public infrastructure in democratic life.
“If scraping continues unchecked, local reporting will disappear not because communities don’t value it, but because AI has siphoned away the audience and revenue that sustains it.
“Once a regional newsroom closes, there is no replacing it.”
He said the government had taken the right first step by rejecting a copyright carve-out for AI, but the next stage – licensing and enforcement – will determine whether regional publishing can remain viable.
“Australia solved this problem once through the News Media Bargaining Code.
“We now need the AI equivalent before the harm becomes irreversible.”
Dishing up lunch relief
5 years ago
3 November 2020
Police officers, Rotarians and parishioners are teaming up to give away about 100 take-away lunches each Monday in Dandenong. Since Covid’s second wave, there’s been a steady increase in meals served to people in need at St James Anglican Church, volunteer and Rotarian Leanne Byron said. The Rotary club has also supplied swags and blankets to the church for people sleeping rough, and has also provided groceries for food parcels at Dandenong based charity Cornerstone and Springvale Benevolent Society since stage 4 restrictions. Throughout Covid, Springvale Benevolent Society have provided fresh produce and grocery boxes for families who do not receive Centrelink benefits and also to individuals and families who request assistance due to loss of employment or changed circumstances during the Covid crisis.
Inspiring curiosity and wonder, For the gift of knowledge and truth.
As Pilgrims of Hope, we are called …
To serve with humility, Knowing that in the giving, we receive, That in the offering, we are blessed, That in the caring, we are also held.
Amen
[With permission of Mary Aikenhead]
• Enquiries regarding the Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong: administration@ interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662.
• Visit - interfaithnetwork.org.au/
Country Press Australia president Damian Morgan.
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
Picnic Incident
In the presence of absence
By Sahar Foladi
Internationally celebrated artist, Ibrahim Ahmed has launched his first Australian exhibition at Dandenong’s Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre.
The exhibition, Amidst the Absence, A Present is Felt is on until 16 January 2026, exploring identity, migration and masculinity.
The themes have been influenced by the artist’s experience of migration from a young age.
Ahmed was born in Kuwait, divided his childhood between Bahrain and Egypt before he relocated to the US. In 2014, he moved to Cairo.
“The idea of being raised in multiple spaces forced one to have to negotiate certain cultural codes because the cultural codes of places like Bahrain, US and Egypt are all different.
“Having to constantly code switch - this really requires a level of objectivity whether it’s a conscious one or not.
“So that act of having to sort of detach oneself from a certain loyalty to a particular cultural code, of course, allows for (an artist) to have an outlet to
WHAT’S ON
Give blood
One in three people in Greater Dandenong will need blood. Donors can register to give blood at a Red Cross pop-up centre in central Dandenong.
•Monday 3 November-Friday 7 November at St Mary’s Community Centre, New Street, Dandenong. Register at lifeblood.com.au/donor-centre/vic/dandenong-pop-up-donor-centre.
Carers walk
A relaxing walk for carers of people with disability, older person or mental illness. Coffee/tea and biscuits after the walk.
•first Thursday of the month (next 6 November) 9.45am for a 10am start at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; free event. Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/ carers-walking-group
Chana chaat workshop
Experience the bold flavours of Pakistan’s street food scene in this hands-on Chana Chaat workshop with Kanwal Lashari, a fashion designer turned food storyteller from Lahore. This event is a collaboration with Free to Feed and Libraries at Dusk. Ages 16+
•Thursday 6 November, 6.30pm-8pm at Springvale Library, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event. Register at greaterdandenong-events. bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ev_089b4e15 07ef4280a14b0c4f0db154b7
Dandy Show 2025
A fun-filled, family-friendly day out with livestock, animal nursery, Black Snake Wildlife display, arts, crafts, horticulture, cookery, show jumping, dog high jump, flying disc dogs, showbags, rides and food trucks. Fireworks 9pm on Saturday night.
•Saturday 8 November 9am-9pm and Sunday 9 November 9am-4pm at Greaves Reserve, 2-20 Bennet Street Dandenong. Tickets: dandyshow. com.au/tickets
Springvale Urban Harvest
tap into things differently and probably quicker.
“I think a lot of comfort comes along with staying in one place, being raised in one country your whole life.”
His works consists of sculpture, photography and intricate cut-outs that draw the audience into the powerful presence of absence.
The exhibition consists of his works from 2020-’25, including a new commissioned work where photographs of body parts are pressed onto Ahmed and his father’s clothes on a clothes line, a symbolism of a deep personal space.
He uses his father’s photography from the 1970’s onwards to re-enact his postures, as an acknowledgement of the past throughout the process.
The placement of the printed hands on the clothes is deliberate as physical touch between the father and son “disappeared” once they became teenagers.
The masculinity project started off nine years ago, with metal masks made from car parts dug out of the bottom of the junkyard with his recent work a step closer to being the “final” stage.
“Something about this installation feels final, but I don’t want to state it,. It feels very resolved, maybe I will move on and maybe not.
“Because this comes from my father, there’s a history there and yet it’s not historical because it’s me performing them again. They become less about posturing and more about invitations.”
He deliberately uses himself and family for the project as his body is “activated” in different parts of the world.
Ahmed says he loves the ambiguity when people can’t pinpoint where exactly he’s from.
“There’s universal accessibility to it,.
“It’s not about brown man, but a very specific mechanism that has been created in many nation states. That’s what I’m looking at, the visual language around that.”
Curator Miriam La Rosa reflected on Ahmed’s work at the Havana Biennial, where his piece was removed from display.
“What began as a moment of censorship became a generative space where absence is neither defeat nor erasure, but a mode of persistence.”
At a time when conversations around gender and power are reshaping global discourse, Ahmed’s practice reimagines masculinity in vulnerable, generous and life-affirming ways.
Each work carries the weight of personal and collective histories — made visible through what’s missing.
Come along to swap excess homegrown produce and gardening extras and meet like-minded growers in the area. Supported by The Greater Dandenong Seed Library and the Springvale Community Hub Clothes Swap.
•Second Saturday of the month (next 8 November) 1pm-3pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event. Clothes swap
Community members are invited to contribute up to 10 items of clothing, shoes and/or accessories. All items must be clean, in good condition and ready to display on the day.
•Saturday 8 November, 1pm-3pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event. Details: Zoe, mohlz@icloud.com
Fresh Cuts: short films and animations
Short films and looping animations by Swinburne University’s 2025 Screen and Media students, alongside captivating works from the global LoopdeLoop animation challenge.
•Saturday 8 November, 2pm-4pm at Harmony Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong; free event. Registrations required at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ ev_5b752ff68f5748bfb1a4bb12ff571294
Perc.U.lations
A regular poetry and spoken word event including an open mic and a featured poet. Committed to featuring at least 50 per cent poets who identify as women or gender-diverse throughout the year.
•Second Saturday of the month (next 8 November), 2pm- 3pm (poetry workshop), 3pm-5pm (open mic) at Kafe on Hemmings, 86 Hemmings Street, Dandenong; pay as you feel. Details: thesandandthefrog@gmail.com
Drum architectural talk
Explore the story behind The Drum’s bold redesign as architect Virginia Ross will discuss design priorities, heritage considerations and challenges and
reveals how heritage and modernity collide. Afternoon tea provided.
Thursday 13 November, 1.30pm at Drum Theatre, cnr Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong; free event. Registrations essential at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/ event-detail/ev_48c04088d579406ea0226e6 60c48e9d3
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day 2025 Services in Dandenong and Noble Park.
- Tuesday 11 November, services start 11am at Pillars of Freedom, Clow Street/Palm Plaza, Dandenong and at Noble Park memorial, cnr Mons Parade and Heatherton Road, Noble Park. Pollinator Night
Learn about and take a close-up look at our pollinators, big and small. Includes a Myuna Farm train ride to the grey-headed flying fox wetland colony, planting a seed and making an insect hotel. Optional dress code – dress up as a pollinator such as a bee, bird, butterfly, bat, possum and lorikeet.
•Thursday 13 November 4.30pm-6.30pm at Myuna Farm, Kidds Road Doveton; free event. Register: trybooking.com/DGQCU
Cultural Sketch
Artist/s talk about their lived experiences as artists, as participants sketch and draw the presenters, their favourite objects, the music, or respond creatively to the stories being shared. No experience needed. Ages 18+, alcohol and refreshments served.
•Thursday 13 November, 6pm-8pm at The Castle, 61 Princes Highway, Dandenong; free event. Registrations required at greaterdandenongevents.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ev_28d f2be468d6459395b77cb3d1791bfc
Reuse and Recycle Drop Off Day
The event gives you the opportunity to get rid of any larger unwanted household goods suitable for do-
nating 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 15 November 8am-1pm at Greaves Reserve, 20 Bennet Street, Dandenong. Free event. Details: 8571 1000 or greaterdandenong.vic. gov.au/recycle-day
Street Feast
Sizzling grills and freshly baked delights, from Italian paninis and fried pasta to souvlaki, Polish dumplings, loaded pitas, loukoumades, gelato, and more. Live DJ.
- Saturday 15 November, 10am-3pm at Dandenong Market (Southern Carpark), cnrClow and Cleeland streets, Dandenong; free entry.
Alex Wilkie Reserve open day
Take a ranger-guided or self-guided tour along the Nature Trail following the interpretive signage that meanders through stunning bushland.
•Sunday 16 November, 10am-5pm at Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve, Mackay Street, Springvale South; free event.
Unscripted Voices Against Racism Interactive event with Melbourne Playback Theatre, who will bring real stories of racism to life through powerful, improvised performance, followed by open forum. Hosted by Wellsprings for Women with the City of Greater Dandenong.
•Thursday 20 November 2.30pm – 5pm at The Castle, 61 Princes Highway, Dandenong. Bookings: events.humanitix.com/unscripted-voicesagainst-racism/tickets
Bunjil Place Christmas Market
Up to 60 stalls with delightful stocking fillers and unique Christmas gifts. Live music, roving entertainment, food trucks, licensed bar and the lighting of the Bunjil Place Christmas tree at 8pm.
•Saturday 29 November 3pm–9pm at Bunjil Place Plaza; free entry. Stall items and food at vendor prices.
International artist,Ibrahim Ahmed’s first Australian exhibition hosted by Walker Street Gallery. (Stewart Chambers: 512126)
Cricket world in mourning
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Every cricket club has a Ben Austin.
The affable and talented youngster that uses the platform provided by community cricket to learn, experience and grow in a sporting and nonsporting setting.
A grin from ear to ear, an infectious personality and with a story to tell about the fun of last Saturday.
Austin had plenty of stories to tell already about this season, having played six games at various levels.
Victorian cricket was numbed by the 17-yearold’s death last week in a freak accident at the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club nets.
Dandenong is within 20 kilometres of the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club where the incident unfolded in front of several witnesses.
Undoubtedly, some people in the Greater Dandenong communities will know or know of Austin.
Many more will weep.
The events that formed the backdrop of the tragedy occur at hundreds of different cricket clubs daily.
The familiarity of those circumstances makes the anguish more vivid.
Such an event provides a painful reminder of the impermanence of the seemingly permanent.
In winter, he was a star footballer.
He was interwoven into the fabric of Australia’s sporting culture.
Photos circling of Austin in recent days for older people evoke memories of their joyous sporting upbringing, with that relatable storyline tugging at the heartstrings.
‘It could have been me.’
The author of this story got to his cricket club last Tuesday set for a hauntingly similar evening to Austin.
A light net session involving throw downs and a sidearm mechanism while watching his local team play a t20 match.
The Australian men’s T20I team paid tribute to Austin at the MCG on Friday night with black arm bands and a minute silence, and organisations from as far as India and England felt his loss.
Several cricket clubs and individuals put their bats out to remember Austin.
Many clubs around the region posted their own tributes.
Dandenong District Cricket Association Club Lyndale, based in Noble Park was among them, with Ben having represented the club in Under14s.
“A talented cricketer with a promising career, his life ended doing what he loved,” the statement read in part.
Sympathies must also be extended to the Noble Park Football Club, with Ben’s father Jace a former reserves coach.
The shared grief highlighted the unity of sporting organisations.
There is a constant tussle for on-field and financial results which can overshadow that the beating heart of local sporting organisations is its people.
Community sport brings people together.
The material showing of respect that took place in some way at all level of cricket on
urday was beautiful, touching and proved the
Cricket will go on without Austin, as he would want. At the end of last season, Austin won the Ferntree Gully League perpetual trophy for juniors who show the correct attitude and dedication to
playing the game in the right spirit in their representation of the association.
Sat-
power of sport.
But all who have felt Austin’s death should honour him by taking a leaf from his book and living their life with similar values. Rest in Peace, Ben Austin.
Tribute for young cricketer Ben Austin at the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club on Thursday. (Stewart Chambers: 514281)
Cricketer Ben Austin died after he was injured during a net session. (Supplied)
Tribute for young cricketer Ben Austin at Drouin, with similar scenes occurring at matches around the state.
Garfield-Tynong Cricket Club paid their respects.
Tribute for young cricketer Ben Austin at Warragul.
A minute silence for Ben Austin in a Casey Cardinia Cricket Association match at Pakenham.
Noble bowling masterclass
By Blair Burns
Noble Park sits third on the ladder in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association (VSDCA) East West 1st XI after destroying Spotswood by 122 runs in Round 3.
Spotswood came into the clash after starting the season 2-0, while Noble Park was 1-1 but coming off a strong win against Williamstown last week.
There weren’t too many people who would’ve predicted Noble Park to come out and take 7/20 with the ball, rolling Spotswood for just 64 and easily defending their first-innings total of 186.
Noble Park opening batter Archie Stefan (43) top-scored for his team at the top of the order, while Sahan Perera (35) and Pawan Dias Edirisinghe (21) also contributed well.
Having bowled Williamstown out for 86 last week, confidence among the fast-bowling cartel was high and Noble Park couldn’t have started any better as Jermaine Levy struck with the second ball of the innings, removing Seamus Lynch LBW.
Levy and Yehan Gunasingha combined for the next six wickets in their opening spell, giving Spotswood a day that they will want to quickly forget, the visitors in trouble at 7/20 after just 7.2 overs.
Lachlan McKenna (10) was the only batter in the top seven to make double figures, with four of the top six making ducks.
Spotswood did well to bat 25.1 overs in the end as the tail order wagged to get the team to 64, but it could’ve been much worse.
Levy (3/21 off six overs) and Gunasingha (4/17 off six overs) were dominant with the new ball and led Noble Park to a big win.
In other games, Endeavour Hills was easily defeated as Hoppers Crossing bowled the Eagles out for 162 and chased the runs in the 27th over, just three wickets down.
Samasha Mudiyanselage (32) top-scored for Endeavour Hills, while a host of other players made starts.
VSDCA SUMMARY
R3 RESULTS: Werribee 4/258 def Donvale 59, Taylors Lakes 4/227 def Box Hill 204, Hoppers Crossing 3/166 def Endeavour Hills 162, Noble Park 186 def Spotswood 64, Bayswater 5/175 def Yarraville 8/173, Mt Waverley 7/194 def Altona 174, Balwyn 4/154 def Williamstown 8/150, Croydon 2/128 def Melton 125.
LADDER: Bayswater, Balwyn 18, Noble Park, Taylors Lakes, Hoppers Crossing, Altona, Mt Waverley, Spotswood, Melton 12, Werribee, Croydon, Yarraville, Endeavour Hills 6, Box Hill, Donvale, Williamstown.
FIXTURE – R4 (One-Day – Sat November 8): Box Hill (14) v Altona (6), Spotswood (8) v Bayswater (1), Donvale (15) v Melton (9), Balwyn (2) v Taylors Lakes (4), Croydon (11) v Williamstown (16), Mt Waverley (7) v Werribee (10), Yarraville (12) v Endeavour Hills (13), Hoppers Crossing (5) v Noble Park (3).
Dandenong record comfortable win in Vic Premier Cricket
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Vic Premier Cricket club Dandenong is sitting 2-1 after chasing down Kingston-Hawthorn’s 197 on Saturday.
Opener Ryan Hammel guided the chase with a measured 65 opening the batting helping get the Panthers within touching distance of the target.
A collapse of 4/14 left the hosts needing 25 runs with three wickets in hand, with Matthew Wilson taking responsibility to score an unbeaten 25, while Gehan Seneviratne played an important hand, remaining unbeaten with five off 25.
It followed Noah Hurley’s five-wicket haul for Dandenong on Day 1.
Dandenong’s Second XI suffered a rare reverse outright loss.
After Venuk Hemachandra’s century set up the game for Dandenong, which scored 255 in the first innings, Kingston-Hawthorn was bowled out for 117.
Searchingforanoutright,Dandenongscored a prompt 3/128 declared with Brad Eccles’ runa-ball 42 leading the way.
It gave the Panthers 269 to defend as they searched for eight wickets.
But strong contributions from each of Kingston-Hawthorn’s top five got them back into the contest.
Tyler Evans took two quick wickets late in the day to have Kingston-Hawthorn eight down but
they still found a way to victory.
In the Third XI, gritty bottom-order resistance from Kingston-Hawthorn staved off a Dandenong win, with the Panthers able to take only eight wickets after setting 397 for victory.
The Fourth XI had a thrilling two-wicket win, chasing down 238 off the back of a Kartikay Sharma century and unbeaten Finley Corrie 52 to finish the run chase.
Dandenong’s women comfortably chased down Plenty Valley’s 140 in their first one-dayer of the season.
Rituja Talekar took 3/20 opening the bowling before Isla Thompson anchored the run chase with a run a ball 78.
Bernardo the man to take Hallam towards premiership
By Justin Schwarze
After the most successful season in club history, Hallam is entering a new era with Anthony Bernardo set to take over the reins as senior coach.
Bernardo, a well-respected midfielder and player among the region, is being elevated from his position as assistant coach after the departure of premiership coach Tom Dalton.
The Hawks will be in a new landscape and endure a new challenge after earning promotion to Southern Division 3.
Bernardo has a decorated playing experience playing as a midfielder with stints at Seville, Officer, Dalyston, South Belgrave, Buln Buln and
Chirnside Park.
Bernardo won a league medal at Officer and has been selected in multiple team of the year sides over his extensive playing career.
He arrived at Hallam in 2025 as an assistant coach and helped the club win its first ever premiership.
He did a lot of work with the midfield in a playing coach role and helped unlock the dominant Hawks run through the middle.
Alongside Bernardo, Matthew Dean is back as a lead assistant for 2026.
Hallam enters the new division red hot after not losing a game in 2025 en route to the premiership.
Alongside Bernardo, skipper Joel Danilo is also back with the captaincy in 2026.
Star small forward and goalsneak Liam Reid has also put pen to paper to return.
Anthony Bernardo is a damaging midfielder and will be Hallam’s senior coach in 2026. (Gary Sissons: 497920)
Lynbrook go back-to-back in Dandenong District Turf 3
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Lynbrook and Keysborough have both won their second consecutive game in the Dandenong District Cricket Association Turf 3 competition.
After three wickets to opening bowler Ismatulla Shariffie and Cody Thompson kept Narre North to 131, skipper Sithara Perera guided Lynbrook to victory.
The Lakers lost both openers in quick succession, with Perera coming in at three and anchoring the innings, absorbing pressure and allowing the Lakers middle order to bat around his patient 37 in a three wicket victory.
At St Mary’s, Keysborough opening bowler Sartaj Shinwari bowled unbelievably in a competitive first innings, taking 4/25, with two of his wickets coming before the hosts had registered a run.
It put the Saints on the back foot but they were able to recover thanks to an unbeaten 81 to number four Ashan Anthony which gave them 161 to defend.
Keysborough skipper Jackson O’Brien scored an efficient 49 with contributions throughout the order helping the Knights to a two-wicket win.
Buckley Ridges proved too strong for Berwick Springs, chasing down the Titans’ 7/202 in the
last over of the match.
Seven Berwick Springs batters scored at least 14, but none was able to seize the innings and put the game beyond reach, which the visitors pounced on, with openers Cooper Gray and Mann Patel scoring 80 and 62 respectively to set up the chase.
Springvale South, meanwhile, proved far too strong for Fountain Gate, bowling the Gators out for 88 and cruising to a nine-wicket win.
Lynbrook proved too strong for Narre North. (Rob Carew: 514278)
Matthew Wilson scored an unbeaten 25 for Dandenong. (Rob Carew: 447913)
Sahan Perera scored 35 in the team’s win over Spotswood. (Rob Carew: 374100)
