Dandenong Star Journal - 18th August 2026

Tuesday, 18 August, 2026

Phone: (03) 5945 0666 Trades & Classifieds: 1300 666 808

starcommunity.com.au FREE

Demolition begins

Best in business

Cannabis reform lost

High-flying Hawks

PAGE 3

PAGE 11

PAGE 13

SPORT

Tourists of the imagination Aged care residents at Mercy Place Dandenong are uncommonly well-travelled. For the past five years, lifestyle coordinator Marlene Laporte, pictured right, with staff Mina, Sara, Paul and Marcia, has been designing travel adventures in the centre’s dining room. “The residents have told me that I make a big difference. They tell me I light up the space,” Marlene says.

For more on the story, turn to page 12 (Stewart Chambers: 571432)

Fright flight for flu crested terns, silver gulls and a fluttering shearwater.

Phillip Island’s little penguins were expected to be inoculated with the first round of H5 vaccinations on Monday 17 August.

No poultry had been infected, with Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer introducing a temporary poultry housing requirement in higher-risk areas for owners with 50 or more birds.

As a precaution, organisers at next month’s Royal Melbourne Show have cancelled its poultry section.

Dandenong Agricultural and Pastoral Society secretary Claire Bird said a ‘wait and see’ approach was being undertaken for the annual Dandenong Show in November.

Judith Sise of Greater Dandenong Environment Group said it was “frightening to think that

we could see large numbers of dead birds in our city”.

Meanwhile, pigeon owners were granted a reprieve from a racing ban last week. Racing and fancy pigeons are said to be more resistant than other birds to the H5 virus.

More on the story, turn to page 2

BOOK A TOUR TODAY Go to belvedere.com.au or call (03) 9574 1355

Permanent And Respite Care Tailored To Meet Your Needs Couples and Individual Accommodation Available Visit belvedere.com.au for more information Find Us On

12802488-JV38-25

Dandenong Show and wildlife lovers are bracing themselves as the H5 bird flu arrived on South East shores last week.

At the time of writing, H5N1 avian influenza (H5 bird flu) has been detected in more than 73 wild birds in Victoria, including a little penguin from Phillip Island, a crested tern from Dromano and a bird in Clyde.

Types of birds currently impacted include

NEWS

H5 bird flu detected in SE The H5 bird flu has been detected in Clyde.

At the time of writing, H5N1 avian influenza (H5 bird flu) has been detected in more than 73 wild birds in Victoria, including a little penguin from Phillip Island, a crested tern from Dromana and a bird in Clyde.

Types of birds currently impacted include crested terns, silver gulls and a fluttering shearwater.

Phillip Island’s little penguins were expected to be inoculated with the first round of H5 vaccinations on Monday 17 August.

No poultry had been infected, with Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer introducing a temporary poultry housing requirement in higher-risk areas for owners with 50 or more birds.

As a precaution, organisers at next month’s Royal Melbourne Show have cancelled its poultry section.

Dandenong Agricultural and Pastoral Society secretary Claire Bird said a ‘wait and see’ approach was being undertaken for the annual Dandenong Show in November.

Judith Sise of Greater Dandenong Environment Group said it was “frightening to think that we could see large numbers of dead birds in our city”.

“I hope it remains mainly a coastal and seabird outbreak and does not spread to our resident waterbirds and other wildlife,” the dedicated volunteer at Braeside Park’s bird-rich wetlands said.

She said we can help reduce pressure on wild birds by planting indigenous habitat, reducing predation by cats and dogs, and keeping wetlands clean.

“We cannot remove bird flu, just as we could not remove COVID, but we can all reduce the other pressures on birds.”

Meanwhile, Athol Road Primary School’s

Judith Sise at the Braeside Park wetlands fears the impact of H5N1 avian flu on wild birds.

(Stewart Chambers: 482582) free-range chickens will be protected from infected wild birds as well as preying foxes. The school has installed an $80,000 fox-proof and bird-proof netting system to protect its poultry and its award-winning sustainable garden.

“In the past, if foxes got in, they would have a buffet,” the school’s Bryan Hunter said.

He said the bird flu could be “devastating” to wild populations. “Birds can move wherever they want.”

The Victorian National Parks Association and Environment Victoria warn that the arrival

of bird flu adds another serious pressure to an already vulnerable ecosystem at Western Port Bay facing pressure from development, industry and declining water quality along its shores.

They state that bird flu can have devastating impacts on marine mammals, putting animals including Little Penguins and the largest fur seal colony in the world at risk.

Species of particular significance to Western Port that are identified in the assessment as being at high, or very high risk from H5 bird flu include Black Swan (very high risk), Cape Barren

Goose (very high risk), short-tailed Shearwater (very high risk), Australian Little Penguin (very high risk), Australian Fur Seal (very high risk), Australian Fairy Tern (very high risk), Pacific Gull (very high risk), and Bottlenose Dolphin (high risk).

“Western Port Bay is too important to be managed in pieces. Bird flu is another warning that we need to be better prepared for the growing threats facing this precious ecosystem — from habitat destruction and declining water quality to disease,” said Shannon Hurley from Victorian National Parks Association.

Signs of H5 bird flu in birds are lack of coordination, tremors, swimming in circles, twisted neck or other unusual posture, inability to stand or fly, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, coughing or sneezing, swelling around the head, neck and eyes, and cloudiness or change in colour of the eyes.

The first bird confirmed in Victoria was a greater crested tern at Portland on 30 July.

Cases of H5 bird flu, also known as H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza, have previously been confirmed in Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales.

The risk to human health of H5 bird flu remains low.

Overseas, this strain has caused severe disease and high death rates in poultry, wild birds and other wildlife.

Human cases are rare and the virus does not spread easily between people.

If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife, do not touch them. Avoid direct contact. Record what you see. Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline, or using the following form: forms.bio.vic.gov.au/wildlife-influenza-investigation

Clean, groomed pigeons in Neville Arathoon’s loft.

(Stewart Chambers: 571853)

Neville Arathoon with one of his prized pigeons in Endeavour Hills. (Stewart Chambers: 571853)

Pigeons exempt from temporary flying ban

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Pigeons will no longer be temporarily cooped up, with the birds seemingly immune from the ravages of H5 bird flu.

To the relief of pigeon fanciers, Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer issued an exemption to the temporary flying-ban on lofts of more than 50 pigeons.

Dandenong pigeon club secretary Neville Arathoon said the racing ban – which lasted less than a week – came nine weeks into the pigeon racing season.

The club’s pigeons were building up their

2 STAR JOURNAL | Tuesday, 18 August, 2026

endurance, culminating in stages up to 1000 kilometres in October.

“We normally fly them an hour or an hourand-a-half a day. The birds are super fit at the moment.”

Worldwide evidence had shown the H5 bird flu had not harmed pigeons, Arathoon said.

“The pigeon is basically immune to bird flu.”

However, in the past decade or so, pigeons had been ravaged by pigeon paramyxovirus – which had led to vaccinations and high hygiene practices in the industry, he said.

“The biosecurity of pigeon fanciers is second-to-none. We all have council permits and

inspections.

“Our pigeons not like your average feral pigeon. They’re cleaned twice a day, get fresh water and grit – some are fed human-grade grain and no expense is spared.”

Springvale pigeon club secretary Daryl Kloprogge said the reprieve was a relief to an ageing industry. Most owners were aged 70 and older.

“The real worry is for the chook industry because so many rely on eggs. If they have a big outbreak at a poultry farm, they will have to slaughter the whole lot.”

According to Agriculture Victoria, pigeons are considered more resistant to avian influen-

One of Neville Arathoon’s flyers. za than other bird species. However, infection is still possible in pigeons and the disease can be fatal.

The most susceptible poultry include chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and quail.

If you find sick or dead wild birds or wildlife with signs of H5 bird flu: Avoid contact with sick or dead wild birds or wildlife and their environment.

Record what you see.

Report it to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action using the online form or by calling the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

silent Machete-armed man Dandenong as councils call for jailed over kidnapping SRL bus

By Cam Lucadou-Wells An Endeavour Hills-raised armed man who “frighteningly” kidnapped an ex-partner in his car after threatening to slay her and her family has been jailed.

Brandon Vyse, 25, of Officer, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to kidnapping, common law assault and threatening to kill.

On 25 August 2025, Vyse pleaded with the woman in a Clyde North park to resume their relationship. She rejected the offer.

An hour later, the heavy user of cocaine who was on a ‘good behaviour bond’ arrived at her relative’s house armed with a machete.

She went outside to calm him down.

“Get in the car with me otherwise I’m going to kill your family,” he said.

Scared for her and her family’s safety, she got in the passenger seat.

During their drive, Vyse demanded her phone,

and grabbed hold of her and punched her in the face.

He screamed how much he hated her, that he would murder her and her family and that she’d regret life.

The survivor managed to open the car door using her foot. Vyse told her to “get the f*** out of the car”.

After she exited, she spat blood onto the grass.

Vyse drove back for her, waved the machete and told her: “If you don’t come back with me, I’m going to kill us both.”

He drove them erratically up to 120 km/h through Clyde North, making deliberate attempts to crash into other cars. He warned if she reported the incident to police, he’d sort out her family.

Vyse was later arrested at home. Since then, he has been locked up in remand.

In sentencing, judge Tara Hartnett said the “frightening ordeal” had an enduring impact on the victim-survivor.

His “sustained”, ‘brutal” and “appalling” conduct, which was designed to intimidate her, was highly linked to his drug abuse, the judge said.

Judge Hartnett noted Vyse’s criminal priors including robbery, dishonesty, bail offences, drug offences and criminal damage, but no other family-violence incidents.

She said an “unequivocable” message needed to be sent that family violence offenders faced lengthy jail terms.

However, given Vyse’s young age, the judge also needed to factor in his “good” rehabilitation prospects.

In this regard, his drug and anxiety-depressive issues required treatment. His parents’ support and his consistent work history were noted.

Vyse was jailed for three years and 10 months, including a two-year and four-month non-parole period.

His term includes 353 days in pre-sentence remand.

Demolition starts for Little India revamp

By Carmela Mendoza Capital Alliance has begun demolition works for the first stage of its $600 million revamp of the iconic Little India cultural precinct in Dandenong.

The 8.8-hectare site at 139-157 Thomas Street and abutting Mason and Foster streets will be home for a $100 million, triple-tower retail-apartment complex housing a new Little India laneway.

Among the first shops to go were at 91-93 Foster Street, with adjoining buildings on Thomas Street and Mason Street also cleared.

The “village of buildings” with 325 dwellings will stand up to 60 metres tall, with three widely-separated towers of 12 levels, 18 levels and nine levels.

Founder and CEO of Capital Alliance, Mohan Du, said the project has always focused on delivering lasting benefits for the community.

“Seeing demolition commence is an exciting milestone for this project and the Central Dandenong community,” he said.

“It represents the beginning of a transformation that will create a vibrant destination where people can live, work, shop and connect, while celebrating the diversity that makes Dandenong so unique.”

Despite this important step in developing the area, local businesses fear for what their future may look like.

The redevelopment site is located in Dandenong’s Little India district, meaning several

Artist impression of shops among the new tripletower retail-apartment complex. (Capital Alliance) shop owners had to relocate.

Steve Khan, who has been one of Little India’s founding traders since the 1990s, fears that the new laneway “will never have that Indian feel.”

“Regrettably the future of Little India looks bleak, it seems only a symbolic name with hardly any Indian traders will be left.”

Development Victoria’s Executive General Manager Precincts, Niall Cunningham, said the start of demolition is a welcome step forward for Central Dandenong.

“We are getting the site ready for renewed community amenity, including new retail, commercial and residential development alongside a new retail precinct which will house new and existing traders,” he said.

“This is about creating homes close to jobs, public transport and services, and giving people more reasons to spend time in the growing city centre.”

Dandenong Ward councillor Jim Memeti had recently urged for the works to begin before the end of this year.

“It’s six years since that we heard Capital Alliance was the government’s preferred developer,” said Cr Memeti.

“The community is anxious about how quickly it will happen.”

Demolition and site preparation works are expected to be completed during October, later this year.

Construction of the initial stages include a supermarket, food and beverage, retail, commercial and residential developments alongside a new Little India.

The RCD initiative is supported by $290 million from the Victorian Government to transform Central Dandenong into an economic hub.

Around $700 million has been reportedly invested to date to rejuvenate and re-establish Dandenong’s city centre.

Once complete, the redevelopment is expected to attract more than $1 billion in private sector investment, create 5000 jobs and increase Dandenong’s appeal.

Development Victoria is working in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong, other state government agencies and the private sector to deliver this initiative.

The vacant site at the corners of Foster, Mason and Thomas streets after shops were demolished as part of stage 1 of the Capital Alliance project.

(Stewart Chambers: 570576)

The view of the construction site at 91-93 Foster Street. (Stewart Chambers: 570576)

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Little India shops near the construction site are closing... (Stewart Chambers: 570576)

By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Jensy Callimootoo

Greater Dandenong Council remains silent on the merits of Suburban Rail Loop, while outer south-east councils are pitching to ‘bus the loop’.

The Outer Melbourne Councils group of nine members, including Casey and Cardinia, has urged more frequent bus services along the Cheltenham-Box Hill SRL corridor before the rail tracks are laid.

OMC argues the government could introduce frequent “turn-up-and-go” services using much of the existing road network, delivering improvements at a fraction of the cost of major rail projects.

In recent weeks, speculation has peaked on the future of the $30 billion-plus SRL project’s stage 1, with tunnelling works set to begin.

Newly-installed Premier Ben Carroll has vowed he would not break contracts, but also declared another project, the Airport Rail Link, as a No.1 priority.

Unlike other South East councils, Greater Dandenong mayor Sophie Tan has steered clear of the debate.

She has consistently said the SRL and “other major infrastructure initiatives” are “decisions for the Victorian Government”.

Instead, she has spruiked the items on the council’s state-election wish-list such as upgrading Dandenong railway station, upgrading the 800 and 828 bus routes and a 12-month ‘demand-responsive’ bus service to Dandenong South’s industrial hub.

“A recent survey conducted by Greater South East Melbourne showed that 35 per cent of residents in our region regularly use buses.

“Those surveyed commonly reported that the buses don’t go where people need them to.”

Earlier this month, Casey’s then mayor Stefan Koomen – who has since announced he’ll stand for Labor in the state election - said SRL East would improve access to employment, education and health precincts in Melbourne’s middle suburbs.

However, he said it was “unlikely to significantly reduce travel times to Melbourne’s CBD” for Casey residents relying on the Cranbourne rail corridor.

Casey Council - and Cr Koomen - have been pushing for a Cranbourne line extension to Cranbourne East, Casey Fields and Clyde at a cost of $3 billion.

Transport analyst Peter Parker says bussing the SRL loop was a strong proposal, provided the bus routes were designed around the needs of communities rather than simply copying the eventual SRL alignment.

Bus priority measures, including dedicated lanes and traffic-light priority, could improve travel times, but Parker said these measures could become politically controversial.

Building dedicated infrastructure such as busways or adding bus traffic lights would come at a significantly higher cost.

Despite those challenges, he said improved buses were essential to making the SRL work.

“The SRL by itself is not going to work without easy ways for people to get to the station,” Parker said.

He highlights that precursor routes should ideally operate every five to 10 minutes, with some services potentially running express or stopping only at major destinations.

In support, Legalise Cannabis MP Rachel Payne said bus infrastructure was a “lot easier” to activate outer-suburban areas, with each bus taking 50 cars off the road.

“It makes a lot of sense. We’ve been always supportive of buses, and we’d like them to be free and accessible,” she said.

“If we make buses accessible and reliable, people will use them.”

The SRL will be an orbital underground rapid transit rail line which will connect major radial train lines from eastern, western and northern Melbourne without going through the CBD.

Tuesday, 18 August, 2026 | STAR JOURNAL 3

NEWS

Greens win, micro-parties lose

By Cam Lucadou-Wells The Greens could be among the big winners after the state’s upper house endorsed the removal of Group Voting Tickets on 11 August.

Under the reform, voters will be required to number at least five boxes, instead of numbering a minimum of one box.

Victoria has become the last state to remove GVT - which had fostered the controversial practice of “preference whisperers” and “preference harvesting”.

Perversely, it had led to crossbench MPs being elected with less than 1 per cent of the vote in the past.

South Eastern Metropolitan Greens candidate Matthew Kirwan called it an “important and well overdue moment” in Victoria.

Kirwan says with 90 per cent of voters voting above the line, GVT had allowed political parties to control preferences.

“Voters - not parties or ‘preference whisperers’ - will now be able to allocate their preferences when voting above the line for the Victorian upper house.

“Now the only person who can decide who your vote elects in the upper house is the voter themselves - as it should be.”

Only parties with a “high enough primary vote” can achieve a seat in Parliament, which will “properly reflect the will of Victorian voters”, he said.

It will also nullify parties with misleading names such as Avi Yemini’s Free Palestine Party that are designed to funnel votes to other parties.

According to election guru Antony Green, the Greens would have won eight upper-house seats, rather than four, in 2022 if GVT had been abolished.

The “big losers” of the reform are “minor parties whose election from low votes has been achieved by preference-harvesting tactics”, Green recently wrote on his blog.

In Parliament, Liberal MP Ewen Mulholland said the Liberals were “robbed” of South East Metro seats by the lower-polling Libertarian MP David Limbrick in 2018 and 2022.

Limbrick responded to the “salty” observation that if he had not been elected, there would have been no 2019 inquiry into nuclear energy in Victoria.

Nor a review of local laws at Casey Council, or

Libertarian MP David Limbrick defended his record while opposing the reform.

Greens candidate Matthew Kirwan says the ‘overdue’ reform better reflects the will of Victorian voters. debate over citizens arming themselves with pepper spray.

“When the pandemic came, who would have stood up against the government and what they did with their overreach?” Limbrick said.

“It would not have been the Liberal Party.”

South East MP Ann-Marie Hermans supported the reform but conceded it may “disadvantage” her chances of being re-elected - given she had been demoted to No.2 on the ballot for the Liberals in the upcoming state poll.

“I support democracy, so in this situation, irrespective of what the impact may be on me personally,” she told Parliament on 11 August.

She accused Labor of initiating the reform out of fear of the rise of One Nation.

“Until this point they had absolutely no interest in changing the group voting ticket because, largely, the crossbench served their own purposes and their own bills.”

Legalise Cannabis MP Rachel Payne, who was elected with 5 per cent of the vote, says she also opposes GVT but not the current reforms.

She says the changes are bad for democracy and remove diverse voices from parliament.

“When you have a diverse cross-bench, you

get better outcomes and scrutiny of legislation.

“We talk about issues that major parties are not willing to talk about, and move them through parliament.”

Instead, the “self-serving” reforms should have been accompanied by a proportional representative system, Payne says.

This would replace the eight regions with a single statewide region of 40 seats – and reduce the quotas for election from 17 per cent to either 2.5 per cent or 5 per cent.

A referendum would be required for such a reform.

Without these broader reforms, she told Parliament that the abolition of the GVT will only help to retain Labor seats, bolster the Liberals’ representation and give One Nation a “huge leg up”.

“How effective will the 61st Parliament be when you are handing the balance of power to one party,” she told Parliament.

“Victorians deserve an electoral system that puts voters, not political parties, at the centre.

“Real reform means protecting proportional representation and ensuring every vote counts fairly.”

Liberal MP Ann-Marie Hermans supported the ‘democratic’ reform, perhaps to her own personal detriment. (Stewart Chambers: 561711)

Legalise Cannabis MP Rachel Payne says the reform will reduce diverse views in parliament.

Bethany conquers Channel

By Violet Li A year after falling agonisingly short of France, Lyndhurst swimmer Bethany Forster has returned to the English Channel and finished what she started.

Bethany completed the crossing on 22 July, swimming 44 kilometres in 10 hours and 26 minutes after setting off about 3.45am.

Last year, she was pulled from the water around three kilometres from France after drifting too far with the tide.

This time, she never doubted she would make it.

“I believed that I would make it. I never doubted it,” she said.

“Everyone goes, oh, you must be proud. It’s not that I’m not proud. It’s more just that I don’t get that feeling of purely (proud) because I never doubted I could do it.

“It was just like it didn’t surprise me. It was like, okay. I did it. It’s very anticlimactic.

“And now we get on the boat and go back to England, and everybody tells you how great you are. And it’s like, well, that’s nice at least.”

Bethany described herself as “satisfied” rather than overwhelmed with pride.

A major lesson from last year’s failed attempt was nutrition.

Bethany discovered the energy gels she used last year were low in sugar, so this time she brought gels from Australia containing 90 grams of carbohydrates.

Her mother also prepared refillable pouches filled with mashed banana, strawberry and Nutella, giving her an easy source of energy during the crossing.

The conditions were relatively kind, with an air temperature of about 22 degrees and water around 20 degrees.

The wildlife was less friendly.

“There were less jellyfish than last year. They were just meaner than last year,” Bethany said.

She was stung five times by jellyfish, including once on the lip and twice on the back of her leg.

4 STAR JOURNAL | Tuesday, 18 August, 2026

Bethany Forster in the water.

Bethany Forster in the water.

Lyndhurst swimmer Bethany Forster (right) and her mum on the boat before Bethany set off about 3.45am on 22 July. (Supplied)

She also encountered a huge unexplained wave stretching across the Channel.

Bethany said she remained relatively relaxed for most of the swim.

“I wasn’t really thinking too much about the time or anything. I knew I needed to go out fast to make it easier in the second half,” she recalled.

Only towards the end did impatience set in as her mother and friend Ethan, watching from the support boat, urged her to pick up the pace.

“I was like, okay, I need to move,” she said.

Bethany trains about 14 hours a week and prepared with an eight-hour open-water swim in water as cold as 16 degrees.

And crossing the Channel has not ended her appetite for endurance swimming.

Her next ambition is a roughly 60-kilometre swim from Geelong to Chelsea, which she hopes to attempt early next year.

“I’ve got a whole list of swims that I want to tick off at some point,” she said.

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Gym-goers’ cars targeted

By Carmela Mendoza Police are reminding gym users to take simple safety measures to prevent theft, with scores of cars stolen from gyms across the South East.

Between November 2025 and April this year, police estimate about 250 vehicles were stolen from car parks at fitness facilities.

More than half of these thefts were in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia. Local detectives investigated several car thefts after keys were stolen while the owner exercised.

Between 9pm and 10.45pm on 31 July, four teenage girls attended a gym in Clyde North with two tailgating a gym member to gain entry.

They allegedly stole two sets of keys from the locker area before the group stole a grey Haval Jolion.

A 13-year-old girl was arrested and released with intent to summons. Investigations continue to locate the other girls involved. The vehicle was recovered on 3 August.

At around 7pm on 3 August, two youths entered a Noble Park gym by tailgating a member.

They stole the keys to a 2001 Mercedes Benz C200 from the change rooms.

Police are searching for a Caucasian male with brown curly hair who was wearing black and

New mayor

white Adidas slides, black trousers and a white t-shirt. A female described as African in appearance is also being searched for. She was wearing black leggings, a white hooded jumper and white runners.

Police are also appealing for information to find three people involved in the alleged car theft of car keys from a gym in Burwood.

It led to a subsequent theft of a ute on 9 June which was used as a getaway car following a factory fire.

Several vehicles in the Carrum Downs factory were destroyed, causing more than a million dollars’ damage.

A 15-year-old boy from the Melbourne area

was arrested on 3 July and was charged with aggravated burglary, theft of motor vehicle and arson. He remains before the courts.

Acting Senior Sergeant Benita Pringle said the stolen vehicles were often associated with further crimes.

“They’re more often than not used to aid further criminality, where offenders try to fly under the radar of police to commit serious and violent crimes,” she said.

“Most of these car thefts are preventable, and we’re asking gym-goers to take really simple measures before working out.”

These measures include: Secure car keys and valuables in a locker or

•

keep them with you using open storage cubes or unlocked • Avoid shelves for car keys and valuables tailgating at gyms by closing the door • Prevent behind you and not opening the door for others. in well-lit areas near the entry or in areas • Park where CCTV is “Opportunistic thieves are looking for an easy steal with as little effort as possible,” Acting Sen Serg Pringle said.

“Don’t make it easier for them to take your car,” Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Complete your Census now.

It‘s not too late.

By Jensy Callimootoo The election of a new mayor for the City of Casey will take place at a Special Council Meeting today (Tuesday 18 August).

It comes as former Mayor Stefan Koomen announced he would be standing for the Labor Narre Warren South seat in the November state election.

While not formally required, Koomen announced last week that he would step down as the Mayor after spending the last year and a half holding the position.

However, he will continue in his role as Councillor for the Waratah Ward.

Cr Michelle Crowther is the current Deputy Mayor who has been working alongside Koomen since November last year.

The newly elected mayor will hold the role until Casey Council’s annual Mayoral elections in November.

Two charged A man and a woman have been charged following alleged firearms incidents in Hampton Park and Keysborough.

Police allege that a black BMW pulled in a shopping centre carpark on Somerville Road in Hampton Park about 12:50pm on Thursday 6 August. The female driver got out of the BMW and entered the shopping centre before being involved in a verbal altercation with an unknown male before returning to the vehicle. The male passenger inside the vehicle pointed a firearm at the male victim before the pair fled. The victim was not injured.

The pair later attended a Keysborough shopping centre at about 7:20pm. The woman was confronted by a staff member after she allegedly stole items from a supermarket on Chapel Road.It is alleged that the man threatened them with a firearm before the pair fled in the BMW. No shots were fired and there were no physical injuries.

Police later located the vehicle parked outside an Aspendale property at about 1am on 7 August.

Detectives allegedly located and seized an imitation firearm, quantities of methylamphetamine and 1-4 Butanediol as well as a flick knife.

A 26-year-old man and a 27-year-old man woman were arrested nearby. The man was charged with more than a dozen offences including prohibited person possess imitation firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon without exemption, threat to inflict serious injury, committing indictable offence whilst on bail and drug offences. He was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 7 December. The woman was charged with prohibited person imitation firearm, driving while disqualified and committing an indictable offence on bail. She was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 13 August.

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Census night was Tuesday 11 August.

It’s compulsory for each household to complete the Census to help plan for Australia’s future.

For help, visit census.abs.gov.au or call 1800 181 227.

Every answer matters.

Authorised by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra 12868775-MS34-26

Tuesday, 18 August, 2026 | STAR JOURNAL 5

NEWS

Calls to dump WFH laws

By Cam Lucadou-Wells and AAP South East and Victorian business groups say the State Government needs to go further than “pause” its proposed work-from-home laws.

Premier Ben Carroll announced that the WFH laws’ start date will be pushed back from 1 September to July 1, 2027, with “sensible amendments” to be made to the legislation.

“My door will always be open to the business community,” he said.

“That is why I’ve delayed these changes, and it’s why I’m going to continue to work with the business community on making sure this policy is right.”

Full-time, part-time and casual employees will get the right to work from home two days a week on a pro-rata basis if reasonably able to under the legislation.

A grace period was already in place until

July 1 for businesses with fewer than 15 employees.

Debate on the bill, which has already passed the lower house and was expected to pass the upper house within days, has also been delayed.

The bill would still be passed before the November state election, Carroll said.

South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) and other business groups such as Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Property Council of Australia have long resisted the reform.

SEMMA chief executive Honi Walker said “hitting pause is a good idea”.

“It seems Premier Carroll is listening but consultation with business must continue.”

She said the laws, if passed, would turn the region crowned as Australia’s manufacturing powerhouse into a “graveyard”.

“If this government is truly business friendly and wants a thriving Victoria, then this government must dump this legislation.”

Walker argues that the reform would “repel investment in Victoria” along with the state’s “crippling land and payroll taxes”.

“Work from home arrangements should be negotiated between the employer and the employee,” Walker said.

“The government need not dictate the terms of employment in private businesses.

“If the government insists on this legislation – it should only be applied to the public sector not the private sector and make that clear.”

VCCI chief executive Sally Curtain hoped to persuade the Premier to “abandon this destructive course”.

“As it stands, this legislation remains a profound risk to our state’s economy.”

In its push for the WFH laws, the Govern-

ment argued that more than a third of workers – including 60 per cent of professionals – regularly work from home WFH saves families money, as well as saving hours on commuting, it stated.

Among the more contentious elements of the legislation is a requirement for employers to pay any reasonable costs to allow an eligible employee to work remotely.

Employers must respond to a work-fromhome notice within 21 days and propose alternative arrangements if they knock back a request.

Shadow attorney-general James Newbury labelled the Labor government “vandals”, accusing it of creating instability for businesses and workers.

“This government can’t be trusted,” he said.

“Ben Carroll has had four positions on working-from-home in the past two weeks.”

New leaders inducted into Interact Club The latest crop of young leaders have been inducted into Lyndale Secondary College’s Interact Club.

On 20 July, the club’s Induction Day welcomed new members to develop leadership and teamwork skills while embracing the motto ‘Service Above Self’.

They take part in projects to help the local and global communities.

Recently, the students spent time with residents at an aged care home in Dandenong North.

Interact Club member and Year 9 student Vigashni said it was a “truly meaningful and emo-

tional experience” that left her feeling “grateful and inspired”.

“I had the opportunity to speak with one resident in my mother tongue, Tamil, which made our conversation especially personal and comforting.

“Listening to the residents share their life stories and experiences reminded me how much companionship and a simple conversation can brighten someone’s day.”

The club’s sponsor, the Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills, is supporting students to attend Rotary Youth Program of En-

richment (RYPEN) this year.

RYPEN is a three-day self-development course for 14-17 year olds held in September.

Lyndale Secondary College will also field a six-student debating team at the Model United Nations Assembly – which the school is hosting on Saturday 15 August.

Among the attendees at the Induction Day were Rotary Club president and youth chair Leanne Byron, who is the Interact Club’s coordinator.

She said youth were the future of Rotary and the wider community.

Interact Club member Merin.

Interact Club president Zam.

The induction of new Interactors.

Interact Club president Zam Dayanghirang (centre) with Rotarians Colin Byron, Brian Ashworth, Leanne Byron and John Peck. (Stewart Chambers: 560719)

starcommunity.com.au CONTACT US Phone: 5945 0666

COLLECT ALL 6 KREEPY KATZ

ADVERTISING Visit starcommunity.com.au/advertise Email advertising@starnewsgroup.com.au Phone 5945 0666

IMPULSIVE, FUN AND SUPER SCARY!

EDITORIAL Email dailyeditor@starnewsgroup.com.au

Visit networkclassifieds.com.au Email sales@networkclassifieds.com.au Phone 5945 0600 Published by Star News Group Pty Ltd ACN 005 848 108.

Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas.

All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. Distribution PROUDLY numbers, areas and coverage are estimates AUSTRALIAN OWNED & only. For our terms and conditions please visit INDEPENDENT www.starcommunity.com.au

12870717-MC22-26

REAL ESTATE Email seren@starnewsgroup.com.au

6 STAR JOURNAL | Tuesday, 18 August, 2026

Shop Online 24/7 at aussietoysonline.com.au

Lyndale Secondary College’s Interact Club members.

Readers’ poll: ‘No’ vote wins DO YOU AGREE WITH WORKING-FROM-HOME? In our Facebook poll last week, Star News readers in the South East voted with a strong majority against working from home (WFH).

■ YES - 31 per cent ■ NO - 69 per cent Some of the Facebook comments included: Diane Quigley: As long as the work is completed does it matter where you work?

Karen Thomson: If that’s what the employer wants.

They’re the ones paying you.

Francess Minten: No. It’s going to ruin Australian businesses and cause massive job losses. It also opens a whole can of worms regarding Health, Safety and Wellbeing.

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Independence with support Serviced apartments available now

At Ryman we offer assisted living in a serviced apartment which includes support with meals, housekeeping and more, so you have the time to enjoy what really matters.

Centrally located in the heart of the village, getting around is a breeze with village amenities and activities at your doorstep and plenty of opportunities to connect with others.

Enjoy the benefits of assisted living

Daily main meal

Housekeeping

Towels provided

Linen changed

Electricity and heating

Regular outings

Call us on 1800 314 425 for more details.

32-40 Graham Road, Highett ryman.com.au

12879899-EB34-26

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 18 August, 2026 | STAR JOURNAL 7

NEWS

Pound the pavement

Hoon meet busted A man was arrested and a car impounded as police say they busted a hoon meet in Keysborough on Tuesday 11 August.

Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol officers say they observed a black Holden Commodore in midst of a dangerous burnout in front of multiple spectators in Bass Court about 10.30pm.

Several police units converged on the scene, stopping vehicles from fleeing and issuing fines to spectators, drivers and passengers.

The alleged burnout driver, a 26-year-old man, allegedly tried to flee by getting into another car but was arrested by police.

The Commodore was impounded at a cost of more than $1000, police say.

The driver will be summonsed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on about 20 charges, according to police.

On review of CCTV footage, police identified a second vehicle burning rubber. It was also sent to the impound yard, police say.

Several other cars at the meet were issued defect notices, including one that was immediately grounded.

Under Greater Dandenong by-laws, police also issued infringement notices to multiple onlookers, passengers and other drivers for participating, encouraging or attending the hoon event.

As part of Operation Disrupt, police are regularly attending targeted areas where local hoons meet and commit intentional high-risk driving.

Any CCTV footage or information on high-risk driving events , contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or anonymously via www.crimestoppers.com.au

By Carmela Mendoza Footpaths in Dingley Village could be overrun with foot and bike traffic, if the controversial Kingswood Golf Course housing estate’s permit application is approved, says an opposing residents group.

Save Kingswood President Kevin Poulter says footpaths along major roads will become a “massive hazard” due to the proposed influx of 2000 new residents.

The Satterley Residential Properties development plan comprises 932 houses on the former golf course despite objections from MPs, Kingston Council and residents.

“Government planning is exceptionally dismissive to residents,” Mr Poulter said.

“2000 new residents coming onto Kingswood, thanks to the government encouraging high density, and cars discouraged, creates a massive hazard.”

Kingswood borders Centre Dandenong Road, a major arterial that leads to local shops and schools.

“There will be hundreds of e-bikes, e-scooters and bicycles on the narrow footpath [on Centre Dandenong Road],” Mr Poulter said.

According to Mr Poulter, the current walkways are inadequate, with a “pole in the middle of the footpath and many more poles.”

With the extra foot traffic, “children would be infinitely safer not going onto Centre Dandenong Road,” he said.

New bright green hoardings were put up around the former golf course last month, causing major backlash within the community.

In a previous media release in October last year, the City of Kingston expressed its deep concern over the project, highlighting that the State Government “quietly announced” its approval for the development plan.

Kingston Mayor Cr Georgina Oxley said the de-

Save Kingswood Group is urging the government to stop the development plan due to concerns of extra e-bike and e-scooters on Centre Dandenong Road. (City of Kingston) cision for approval represented a dismissal to local residents.

“More than 1400 residents took the time to make submissions. They were ignored.

“The government’s own advisory processes identified serious concerns. They were dismissed.

“This approval prioritises developer interests over community wellbeing - and our residents are angry,” she said.

Mr Poulter shows gratitude towards the council for their efforts.

“The Kingston Council has almost always been outstanding, advocating on our behalf,” he said.

The developer, Satterley Residential Properties, had made “limited changes” to its submission but “significant concerns remain”, according to the council.

The revisions included scaling down from 941 lots to 932, widening roads to cater for waste collection and more detail on street parking.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny and the Department of Transport and Planning are set to decide on the permit application.

BUSINESS IN FOCUS ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTORIAL

Ann-Marie Hermans MP

A hidden crisis

/LEHU͖O 6W͖WH 0HPEHU IRU South Eastern Metropolitan Region We are forgetting a painful, hidden consequence of the cost-of-living crisis – the impact on teenage girls.

Recently, I was incredibly moved by a group of young female students in my local area, who spoke to me about period poverty. I promised them that I would raise their voices.

In Australia, 64 per cent of women have found it difficult to buy period products, and nearly 30 per cent have purposely rationed products to cut costs.

But with the current cost-of-living crisis hitting Victorian families hard, the reality for teenage girls is worse.

Parents are facing soaring mortgages and bills, leaving many financially stretched, exhausted and time poor. This means that they are often not emotionally or physically available to have the conversations or provide the support their daughters need.

Teenage girls are going without essential education about period symptoms, what’s normal and what isn’t, the support available to help manage pain and when to go see a doctor.

At school, some girls don’t have even have

Need to talk to a Member of Parliament?

I want to hear from you. Have your say!

12893261-AM34-26

6WDQGLQJ 6 WDQGLQJ X XS S IRU IRU WKH WKH UUHVLGHQWV HVLGHQWV RII WWKH 6RXWK (DVWHUQ R KH 6 RXWK ( DVWHUQ 0HWURSROLWDQ 5HJLRQ 0 HWURSROLWDQ 5 HJLRQ

the option of getting help in their first-aid room, because only two-thirds of Victorian government schools have access to a school nurse.

The students also explained that teachers are not permitted to give them any medication.

The result? Teenage girls sharing and trading medications, creating a dangerous environment where teenagers are taking unknown dosages or mixing medications without medical oversight.

The students kept reminding me that females make up 50 per cent of our population.

Period poverty directly impacts biological women and girls, and it deserves urgent attention.

It is time this Carroll-Labor government starts giving the women of Victoria the resources, health support and dignity that we deserve.

Ann-Marie Hermans MP Liberal State Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region Shadow Assistant Minister fo Community Safety Authorised by Ann-Marie Hermans MP, 1/31 Princes Highway, Dandenong VIC 3175

1/31 Princes Hwy, Dandenong VIC 3175 ann-marie.hermans@parliament.vic.gov.au vic.gov.au

Ann-MarieHermans.com.au AnnMarieHermansMP 03 9794 7667 Authorised by Ann-Marie Hermans MP, 1/31 Princes Highway, Dandenong VIC 3175

8 STAR JOURNAL | Tuesday, 18 August, 2026

Ann-Marie Hermans MP, Liberal State Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region, Shadow Assistant Minister for Community Safety.

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

‘Vigilante’ jailed over fatal pursuit

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

County Court of Victoria. around the street, and he slowed down suddenly and I couldn’t stop in time.”

Despite paramedic treatment, Mr Lamb died at the scene from severe injuries.

An officer from Victoria Police’s collision reconstruction unit opined that 4.8 seconds before impact, the Yaris was travelling about 92 kilometres an hour behind the motorbike.

At impact, the Yaris’s speed had slowed to between 36 and 72 kilometres an hour.

Reddy later told police that the bike braked “heavily”, making it impossible to avoid colliding with him.

Judge Harper said the jury’s verdict showed they accepted that Reddy was speeding and too close to Lamb at the time.

Reddy showed an “element of vigilantism”, she said.

“Having notified authorities there was no need for you to follow Mr Lamb at all, let alone pursue him along Fleetwood Drive at speed and in increasingly close proximity to him. “…It was not your role to give chase and confront the man who took your bike.

“It was no doubt an impulsive decision, but so

By Melissa Meehan, AAP Five teenage boys accused of luring unsuspecting men though dating apps before sexually assaulting and robbing them have been arrested.

The five males - aged between 16 and 18 - were arrested last week after 11 incidents were reported to Victoria Police.

The teens, all from the Greater Dandenong area in Melbourne’s outer southeast, face an array of charges including armed robbery, intentionally cause injury, sexual assault and kidnapping.

To date, 47 people have been arrested for similar attacks across the state.

Victoria Police said groups of offenders have been posing as legitimate users on online dating platforms to lure men into meeting them.

The victims are then assaulted, robbed, threatened and subjected to what police described as homophobic comments.

Acting Inspector Jarrod Dwyer described the behaviour as concerning.

“There is no place for it in our society and it will not be tolerated by police,” he said.

“This would have no doubt been a distressing situation for the victims involved – and these arrests show just how serious we are in holding offenders to account.

“Everyone has a right to go about their lives, meet new people and start a relationship in safety.”

There has been a total of 113 incidents of this kind reported to police since January 2024.

Of those, 75 occurred in 2024, 27 in 2025 and 11 so far in 2026.

12885698-AM30-26

A Dandenong-raised vigilante who caused a fatal crash while pursuing his stolen motorcycle has been jailed.

Varun Reddy, 26, of Berwick, was found guilty by a Victorian County Court jury of dangerous driving causing the death of the motorbike’s rider on Fleetwood Drive, Narre Warren.

During the pursuit, his speeding car struck the back of the motorbike and likely ran over the vehicle and rider.

The day after reporting his Honda motorbike was stolen, Reddy spotted his motorbike being ridden by a stranger David Lamb about 10am on 7 December 2023.

Reddy, who was driving a Toyota Yaris, took pursuit and called triple-zero.

The emergency operator warned Reddy to drive safely. “Please don’t put yourself at risk, all right.”

Reddy replied: “No, I won’t, yeah.”

In front of Reddy were Mr Lamb’s friends in a Honda Jazz, who were also following the motorcycle between Berwick and Narre Warren.

On Fleetwood Drive, Reddy overtook the Jazz by driving on the opposite side of the road and then accelerated towards the motorbike.

At the corner of Tamarisk Road, Reddy struck the rear of the bike, throwing Lamb onto the road and near a power pole.

In sentencing on 28 July, Judge Robyn Harper said it was likely that Reddy’s car “drove over” the bike and Mr Lamb.

Someone in the Jazz told Lamb to get up. But he told them to “f*** off, get out of here”. The Jazz fled the scene.

Reddy called triple-zero, telling them that “he stopped suddenly in front of me. It was a bend

clearly the wrong one in the circumstances, with tragic consequences.

Judge Harper noted that Reddy claimed he didn’t want to hurt Mr Lamb, he just wanted him to stop and get his bike back.

“Had you not been travelling so fast and so close to him the collision would never have taken place.”

In victim impact statements, Mr Lamb was declared as a son, brother, father, uncle, friend that was “deeply loved by so many people”.

“Every title he carried represented people who depended on him, laughed with him, argued with him, celebrated with him and expected to grow old alongside him.”

His sister said the day he died was a “horrific day”. “I will never forget it.”

Born in India, Reddy settled with his family in Dandenong. Since the fatal crash, he completed an engineering degree in mechatronics and has been working as a graduate engineer.

Judge Harper noted Reddy’s remorse, his previously good character, no priors and his declining mental health since the collision.

His rehabilitation prospects were “excellent”, with “minimal” chances of appearing in court again, the judge stated. This conviction would make it difficult for him to work as an engineer in the future.

His partner stated she may have to sell their house if he was jailed.

Reddy was supported by 19 character references, which told of a high achieving, hard working, attentive friend, Judge Harper said.

However none of this was sufficient to meet the “exceptional and rare” circumstances required to avoid jail.

Reddy was jailed for three years, including an 18-month non-parole period.

Five teens arrested over violent dating app assaults

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 18 August, 2026 | STAR JOURNAL 9

OPINION

What should children learn?

Last week the latest NAPLAN results were released.

The headlines were predictable.

Two-thirds of Australian students met the national benchmark. One-third did not.

Immediately the debate began. More funding.

More teachers. More tutoring. More testing.

Truth be told... I think we’re asking the wrong question.

The question isn’t whether our children are learning enough.

It’s whether we’re teaching the right things in the first place.

For more than a year I’ve been researching what will become my next doctoral thesis.

It began with one deceptively simple question: How should a national curriculum determine what every young person must learn?

Not what would be nice to learn. Not what interest groups want included. Not what happens to be making headlines this month.

But what every Australian child is genuinely entitled to know before they leave school.

Australia already has a comprehensive national curriculum.

It outlines learning areas, general capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities.

Yet beneath all of that sits a question we rarely ask openly: Who decided these things matter most?

Every few months another worthy idea is added to the conversation.

Financial literacy. Cyber safety. Mental health.

Artificial intelligence. Entrepreneurship. Respectful relationships. Climate education. Values-based education. Media literacy.

Every one of them has merit. But if we keep adding without ever deciding what is truly essential, eventually schools become responsible for everything - and accountable for all of it.

Perhaps that explains why so many teachers tell us they are overwhelmed.

This year, through the Belonging in Casey competition, more than 2,000 students across our municipality of Casey answered one simple question: “What does belonging mean to you?”

The entries were extraordinary.

There were paintings. Poems. Dance performances. Photography. Stories.

Year 12 reflections that displayed insight well beyond their years.

Teachers told us something that has stayed with me.

“When students were given permission to think deeply, they surprised us.”

Maybe that’s the point. Young people aren’t simply empty vessels waiting to be filled with content.

They are thinkers. Creators. Problem-solvers.

Future parents. Future employers. Future voters.

Future community leaders.

Education should prepare them for all of those roles.

LOOKING BACK 100 years ago 19 August 1926 TURF WICKET Deputation to council A special meeting of council met a deputation on behalf of Dandenong and District Cricket clubs. Messrs Branston and Ewart, on behalf of the clubs, requested council’s assistance with providing a turf pitch on the wicket at the Dandenong Show Grounds. Mr Branston considered that a turf wicket would advance the interests of cricket in Dandenong. Dandenong was not as well represented in sport as it should be, and they wished to encourage the young men in cricket. It was desired that the council make the ground suitable by enclosing it. The ground was now open to the public and practically useless as a reserve. It would cost something like 500 pounds to fence. The matter was referred to the Show Grounds committee for a report at the next meeting. In support, Cr Harris said it would be a great thing for the town and would attract large numbers of people to Dandenong, and the town would be put more on the map than it was now.

50 years ago 16 August 1976 Three players at Dandenong Three Dandenong footballers played at different VFL clubs 10 years ago when the trio worked together at the SEC. They are Bill Thompson (ex-Essendon) Danny Hibbert (exCollingwood) and Garry Crane (ex-Carlton).

Many things have happened to the trio from 10 years ago. Thompson served in Vietnam and returned to captain Williamstown, Hibbert played many games with Collingwood and became famous for the league mark-of-the-year, Crane played great football for Carlton and was a premiership player. All currently play for Dandenong Football Club.

20 years ago 14 August 2006 Beat goes on as historic hall rocks with new life The $1 million conversion of Dandenong’s Armitage Hall into the city’s Muso Network’s headquarters was unveiled last Thursday.

Known as The Castle, the building in Hemmings Park on the Princes Highway, was opened by Greater Dandenong mayor Peter Brown. Cr Brown said the hall was built in 1929 as a Scout Hall. “The American armed forces used it during the Second World War as a hospital base and I am told that the dance 10 STAR JOURNAL | Tuesday, 18 August, 2026

In my previous research, I argued that cultural education should help shape more inclusive schools, workplaces and communities by building understanding, empathy and stronger systems.

The more I research, however, the more I find myself asking an even bigger question.

What is the actual purpose of school? Is it to produce higher ATAR scores? A workforce? University graduates?

Or is it to help young Australians become capable, ethical, resilient human beings who can think critically, communicate respectfully and contribute positively to society?

Perhaps the answer is all of the above. But if that’s true, shouldn’t we be far more intentional about how we decide what belongs in the curriculum?

Every compulsory subject reflects a value judgement. Every omission does too.

When we teach something, we’re quietly saying: “This matters.”

When we don’t, we’re making exactly the same statement. That is why curriculum should never simply be a collection of inherited subjects or historical traditions. It should represent a universal learning entitlement.

The essential knowledge, skills, values and capabilities every Australian child deserves - not because they’re easy to assess, but because they’ll help young people flourish throughout life.

This isn’t a criticism of teachers. Far from it.

Our teachers work extraordinarily hard within a system that continually asks them to do more.

It’s not even a criticism of the curriculum itself.

It’s a call for a national conversation about its

purpose. Because if we don’t first agree on what education is for, we’ll never agree on what should be taught.

The future of Australia won’t be shaped only by economic policy or election promises.

It will be shaped every day inside classrooms.

By the questions we encourage young people to ask. By the values we model. By the skills we choose to prioritise.

And by whether we have the courage to rethink assumptions we’ve inherited rather than simply adding one more topic to an already crowded curriculum.

Truth be told... perhaps the most important lesson we can teach our children isn’t what to think.

It’s how to think, how to belong and how to build a better Australia together.

P.S. Watch this space!

The Belonging in Casey entries have now been received, and the standard has been nothing short of inspiring. From essays and artwork to photography, dance, poetry and performances, our young people have amazed us with their creativity, insight and heart.

Choosing the finalists has been incredibly difficult - and let me assure you, Casey has some extraordinarily talented students that we should all be proud of.

We’ll be celebrating all of our finalists and winners at the Belonging in Casey Awards Ceremony on Friday 18 September, and everyone is welcome to attend. We’ll share the event details over the coming weeks - we’d love to celebrate our young people with you.\

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

Le Pine funeral director Ashley Crow lamented that services were emptier due to Covid lockdowns in 2021. (Stewart Chambers: 247117)

floor was one of the best around in days gone by. It was also the first venue for men’s basketball in Dandenong.“ More than $12 million has been spent building a raised stage, backstage area and audio-control facilities and an acoustic buffer. The Muso Network’s programs include its annual Battle of the Bands competition, jam nights, gig nights and music workshops.

5 years ago 17 August 2021 Mourning the loss of fitting farewells In his 32 years as a Dandenong funeral director, Ashley Crow has seen many creative final tributes. But during Covid lockdowns – such as the current one – funerals have been hollowed to 10 mourners. The past 16 months, some families have opted to delay services until sometime ‘down the track’. Some chose

to go ahead with a small gathering such as the family of a widely-admired young school teacher. “There would have been 1000 people there under normal circumstances,” Mr Crow recalls. “I worry that people cannot say goodbye in a meaningful way and come to the reality of what’s occurring. This Covid pandemic is one of the hardest periods I have observed.” Meanwhile, funeral directors have adapted to these sparsely-crowded times with web streaming.

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Business of the year Skatco Pty Ltd celebrates a stellar night. (Barry Gan Photography)

Soap Aid receiving its second award for the night, the Innovation, Environmental and Sustainability Award.

Wallara Logistics’ Simon O’Brien, centre, with the Transport and Logistics Award trophy.

Successful Endeavours, which won the Small Business Award.

The 2026 awards held at Hyatt Place Caribbean Park.

Greater Dandenong mayor Sophie Tan.

Opening doors to success

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A world-class industrial-door manufacturer in Dandenong South has truly opened doors in its first two years of business.

Skatco Pty Ltd’s phenomenal success was recognised with Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce’s business-of-the-year award on 13 August.

The firm’s workforce has grown to 25 – many of whom roared into celebratory mode as they claimed the trophy.

In the past year, revenue has phenomenally blossomed four-fold.

All while “bringing back” manufacturing and innovation in Dandenong’s “stalwart” manufacturing hub, Skatco chief executive Adam Shannon says.

“If we support each other and grow together, anything can happen,” he told the audience at Hyatt Place Caribbean Park.

Prior to this, Shannon had spent years at the helm of a $300 million-a-year multinational. As that business grew, he had stopped enjoying it, he said.

On the eve of his 50th birthday, he decided to launch his own company Skatco to “make a difference” and “build something for my community”.

He identified Skatco’s market niche of making industrial and commercial doors – massive, heavy-duty doors for pharmaceuticals, coolrooms, freezers, airports, defence and wind-swept Antarctica.

Shannon says he sourced people from Italy, the Netherlands and US as well as components from the other side of the world.

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

He found a willing partner in Italy, who supports the enterprise financially while Shannon leads as the CEO and GM. On his to-do list is a desire to rewrite Australian Standards, and set a new benchmark for industrial doors.

“It’s about growth in our community,” Shannon said. “We’ve invested in design and experience, we’re setting the bar to move forward.”

The upbeat awards night brimmed with success stories – such as charity Soap Aid, which recycles hotel soap bars for life-saving hygiene products in vulnerable communities.

Other category winners were Successful Endeavours, MISCO Australia, Pure Dairy, Hyatt Place Caribbean Park and Wallara Logistics.

And a special mention for Matt Rattray from Successful Endeavours who scored two door prizes on the night.

GREATER DANDENONG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS 2026 ■ Business of the Year: Skatco Pty Ltd ■ Community Impact/Customer Experience: Soap Aid Ltd ■ Hospitality, Tourism and Wellbeing: Hyatt Place Melbourne ■ Transport and Logistics: Wallara Logistics ■ Large Business: Skatco Pty Ltd ■ Innovation, Environmental and Sustainability: Soap Aid Ltd ■ Manufacturing: Pure Dairy Pty Ltd ■ Emerging/New Business: MISCO Australia Pty Ltd ■ Small Business: Successful Endeavours Pty Ltd

Category winners Hyatt Place Caribbean Gardens and Soap Aid, with Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce president Brenda Garrard-Forster.

MISCO Australia director Rhiannon Frankas, right, with the Emerging New Business trophy.

The Pure Dairy team, which claimed the Manufacturing Award.

Tuesday, 18 August, 2026 | STAR JOURNAL 11

NEWS

South East radio’s new home officially launched Community station Casey Radio (3SER) has unveiled its new studio in Keysborough in an official opening on 12 August.

Originally established in Dandenong in 1991, the South East broadcaster on 97.7 FM has a home at the Wallara complex in Bridge Road.

Wallara - which has supported adults with disabilities for 60 years - hosts its own show, Hey Hey It’s Wallara, on 3SER on Wednesdays 11am–1pm The station also broadcasts music, talk and sport including VFL and VFLW games as

well as culturally diverse shows across Greater Dandenong, Casey and parts of Frankston and Kingston.

And it remains a training ground for prospective announcers and DJs on commercial stations.

As a volunteer organisation, the station relies on donations to help keep the lights on through affordable sponsorships and donations.

The station is always on the lookout for volunteers to either present shows or work behind the scenes.

Tessie gets into character at a Mexican day away at Mercy Place Dandenong. (Stewart Chambers: 571432)

Travels and smiles abroad Thanks to the creativity of carer Marlene Laporte, the world is often at the doorstep of a Dandenong aged care home’s dining room.

Marlene often plays dress-ups, sweeping staff, volunteers and residents at Mercy Place into imaginative Hawaii-themed vacation cruises, airport adventures, nativity plays and royal visits.

Many of the residents line up early for these special events - including a ‘flight’ to France with boarding passes, check-in desks, French cuisine and personalised travel booklets.

Last week, Marlene and residents donned sombreros and guitars for a Mexican fiesta.

Each event takes three months of planning, as Marlene uses donated materials to make each of the vibrant, unique costumes.

She says she aims to transport residents out of their mundane, daily schedules, and keep them connected and smiling.

“The residents have told me that I make a big difference. They tell me I light up the space.

“It’s beautiful to go home and realise that I made someone’s day.”

After caring for her mother, she says she’s passionate about care work.

“Every day is an opportunity to return to someone who needs it most and I think the most vulnerable people right now are the elderly.”

Hey Hey It’s Wallara broadcasts from 3SER’s new Keysborough studio. (Gary Sissons: 568400)

Mercy Place volunteers Carlyle, Fay and David.

David, John, Thomas and Carlyle enjoy the ‘day away’ in Mexico.

Wallara CEO Phil Hayes-Brown and Casey Radio president Leigh Drew at the new studio’s launch.

Casey Radio president Leigh Drew with Casey’s outgoing mayor Stefan Koomen at the launch.

3SER president Leigh Drew speaking at the opening.

INTERFAITH

Love can change anything: It can welcome, comfort, help...

By Peter Davine, former Catholic priest Most days I visit a large shopping centre and I say, “Hello” or “Have a great day” to the shoppers as I pass young, old, couples with a baby in a pram, students, and people who appear to be struggling with health issues.

Some people ask, “Do I know you?” and I reply that I speak to nice people.

I’ve become friendly with the staff in the supermarket.

I talk about studies and relationships, having worked with people experiencing broken marriages for many years.

I have no agenda or ulterior motives and only want to keep people connected and build a better world.

I do it out of love.

Love is reaching out to others without asking anything in return.

12 STAR JOURNAL | Tuesday, 18 August, 2026

MESSAGE OF

HOPE Love can change anything.

It can welcome a stranger, it can comfort the lonely, the grieving, the ill.

It can help resolve family conflict, give meaning to life for people struggling with depression or low self-esteem.

Love can inspire us to forgive others or ask forgiveness.

Those we meet are our brothers and sisters and members of our world family.

Reach out and say: “Hello. Have a good day”

or “How are you”.

I have been overwhelmed by the warm responses I receive, the handshakes, hugs and beautiful smiles.

When people smile, something special happens to me and I’m sure, to them.

Why don’t you try it?

Don’t be afraid.

Our community needs this, as does our nation and our ailing world as well.

Give people hope and let them know that you care, that you are taking them seriously and you’ll help if you can.

It might just be a matter of directing them to an appropriate agency or a community support group.

Notice those who pass you by in the shopping centre or on the streets where you walk.

Many look to be carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders with stress written all

over their faces.

Many people feel marginalised and isolated, grappling with an ever-increasing cost of living, rising rental costs, high food prices, to name just a few issues.

These people are looking for hope, encouragement and love as they struggle to move forward with their lives.

Listen to people, hear what they are saying and try to be there for them if possible and in any way you can.

Be a messenger of hope.

Smile.

Say ‘hello’.

Make a difference.

Enquiries regarding the Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong: administration@ interfaithnetwork.org.au Visit https://interfaithnetwork.org.au/

• •

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

‘No’ to cannabis referendum

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A bid for Victorians to “have a say” on legalising cannabis use has been resoundingly defeated in the state’s Legislative Council.

Legalise Cannabis MP Rachel Payne led a parliamentary debate on 12 August for a plebiscite – which is a direct public vote - on the matter.

Greens, Libertarian and Animal Justice MPs supported the move. It was emphatically voted down by Labor and Liberal-Nationals MPs. Ms Payne, a South Eastern Metropolitan MP, called for a plebiscite on ending the state’s 99 years of cannabis prohibition – backed by a survey of 80 per cent support from Victorians.

“This is not about telling Victorians what the answer should be, it is about trusting them to make the decision.

“If we genuinely believe in democracy, we should trust Victorians with this question.”

Prohibition had inflicted “criminal records and consequences” for almost 4000 Victorians arrested for cannabis possession each year, she said.

Such as stigma, loss of job opportunities, loss of licence, denial of housing and navigating the criminal justice system.

At the same time, prohibition had failed to reduce use or eliminate the illicit market, she said.

Legalise Cannabis MP Rachel Payne argued for a plebiscite on legalising personal use and cultivation of cannabis. (Gary Sissons: 480136) “I do not think we have ever identified cannabis as saying that it is harmless.

“We all acknowledge that there are harms and risks associated with cannabis.

“But what we do know is that the greatest

harm is caused by the interactions with the criminal justice system.”

As a supporter of legalising cannabis, Libertarian MP David Limbrick said he supported the motion, though he did not like plebiscites.

“I do not think that people’s rights should be voted on.”

But he agreed that creating a legal, regulated market would tackle a $1 billion-plus industry for organised crime in Victoria.

Labor MP Ryan Batchelor advised Legalise Cannabis to continue its “relentless grind” of advocacy, but not through a plebiscite.

“I do not think that putting standalone questions to the people on indicative policy issues is the way that our democracy has operated and should operate.”

He said the Government was focused on “harm minimisation” in initiatives such as the Richmond North supervised injecting facility, drug-checking and pill-testing services, and naloxone vending machines.

He also noted its reforms for allowing medicinal cannabis.

Liberal health spokesperson and MP Georgie Crozier supported medicinal cannabis – because it was regulated, along with safeguards and rigorous testing.

But she opposed the motion, voicing concern about the harms and potency of cannabis.

“I am worried about the issue … of having a few plants growing in the backyard and who regulates that.

“It will not drive out a black market; it will, I believe, further a black market.”

Street robbery: Teenager bashed, forced to strip naked

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A machete-armed robber who forced a 14-yearold boy to strip naked before taking his clothes and possessions at a Springvale shopping centre has been jailed.

Jordan Bonney, 24, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to armed robbery and intentionally causing injury to the boy.

In sentencing on 21 July, judge Anthony Lewis said the “unquestionably serious” attack was unprovoked and “undoubtedly designed to humiliate” the victim - who Bonney had first met that night.

“When you had finished robbing him, you left the victim stranded and naked in the middle of the night in suburban Springvale.”

Bonney had met a trio of 13 and 14 year olds, including the boy, at Southern Cross railway centre on the night of 17 March 2025.

He provided them with drugs and alcohol, before the whole group travelled to Springvale railway station about 11pm and walked to the shops at Springvale Junction.

Bonney led the boy away from his friends, and attacked him on some stairs at the shopping centre.

He yelled and punched him – accusing the boy of “running your mouth” about one of the girls in the group.

He demanded the boy to strip naked and hand over his clothes, phone, vape and debit card. The boy was left wearing just socks and a face mask.

Bonney displayed a 30-centimetre machete stored down his pants, and told the boy: “You’re lucky I didn’t stab you.”

He then used his phone to record the boy, threatening to stab him if he didn’t say “I like touching little girls”.

The boy, who pleaded for Bonney not to kill him, said he’d do anything he wanted.

“I’m done with you,” Bonney said. “Normally I kill people when I bash them.”

Bonney walked away with the boy’s clothes, while the still-naked victim knocked on doors for help.

The boy could not see out of his right eye due

to the bashing. Emergency services were called, and he was treated for head and facial haematomas at Dandenong Hospital.

In a victim impact statement, the boy said he was being treated for PTSD, anxiety and depression as a result of the robbery.

“It took some weeks for the injuries to his face to heal, which included two closed eyes, cut lips, and swelling to his face,” Judge Lewis noted.

“He has become less trusting of people and no longer feels safe, especially when travelling on public transport alone.”

Bonney claimed that he had intervened due to a perceived grievance that the victim had mistreated one of the girls. There was no evidence that what Bonney had been told was true.

Despite Bonney’s claim, Judge Lewis said the offending was a “completely unjustified attack on a defenceless child”.

The judge noted Bonney’s “significant” pattern of dishonesty and violent offending over the past five years, including a breached CCO and a jail term.

Prior convictions included carjacking, armed

robbery, affray, weapons possession and recklessly causing injury.

After being released from custody in late 2024, the estranged father of one was using drugs on a daily basis.

He was in poor mental health, reporting psychotic symptoms such as auditory hallucinations. There was insufficient evidence to show he was psychotic at the time of the robbery, a psychologist reported.

Bonney was said to present with complex PTSD, as well as depression, anxiety and social anxiety. The psychologist attributed the PTSD to factors such as Bonney’s insecure childhood surrounded by drug abuse and violence.

Noting the accused’s youthfulness, the judge rated his rehabilitation prospects as “reasonable”. Those prospects would be maximised by a period of supervised parole in the community, Judge Lewis said.

Bonney was jailed for two-and-a-half-years, with a 20-month non-parole period.

His term included 430 days in pre-sentence detention.

Man arrested after armed siege near Minaret College in Doveton

By Jensy Callimootoo A 47-year-old man has been arrested following a siege in Doveton that prompted a lockdown at Minaret College’s Doveton campus on Thursday afternoon.

Police were called to reports of a man armed with an edged weapon on Agonis Street shortly after 3.30pm on August 6.

Officers located the man at the rear of a property and attempted to negotiate with him before he was arrested without incident.

The man was taken to hospital for assessment and is expected to be interviewed by police at a later date.

The incident occurred shortly after students had been dismissed from Minaret College’s Doveton campus, with the school im-

plementing safety measures and entering a period of lockdown while police responded.

In a message to parents, the college said police attended quickly and clearance was later given for staff and students to leave the campus.

The school thanked staff, students, parents and the wider community for their actions during the incident and said it would debrief

with police.

“We have a comprehensive safety plan and measures in place to continue to keep students, staff and the community safe,” the college said.

Police have not reported any injuries arising from the incident.

The circumstances surrounding the man’s behaviour remain under investigation.

12892935-JO33-26

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 18 August, 2026 | STAR JOURNAL 13

NEWS

Free legal help is a win-win

By Carmela Mendoza Noble Park Volunteer Legal Service serves as a free legal aid for the people of Greater Dandenong.

Volunteers are mostly Monash University law students who offer free advice to clients with almost any legal problem.

Run by Easton Legal in partnership with the Noble Park Community Centre, Gamini Jayasinghe is the lead supervising lawyer with 18 years of experience.

“We deal with everything except immigration,” he said.

The most common issues that are dealt with are debts, money agreements, bills, fines, family and property.

The law students listen to the issue, formulate their own research and have Mr Jayasinghe approve their suggested advice.

This process takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the issue.

Mr Jayasinghe and the other volunteers are motivated through their willingness to help out in the community.

“A lot of clients don’t have that access to justice or advice,” he said.

“To get an appointment with a lawyer and get some preliminary advice, you could be looking at $1000, which people just don’t have, “It also gives us an opportunity to provide information to people who really need it.”

Noble Park Community Centre has been hosting the service since September 2024.

Mr Jayasinghe was invited to do a presentation for disability carers and in a passing comment with the centre manager Grissel Walmaggia, they both suggested it would be a great venue for a free legal service.

Within four weeks, he was able to have the service running and now helps clients throughout the community.

“In Greater Dandenong, it’s very diverse but can have limited language capabilities. It’s really important to make sure people understand what their rights and obligations are,” Mr Jayasinghe said.

In addition, the law students get real practical experience in giving legal advice.

Most are part of the Monash Street Law program that focuses on volunteer legal advice to

Noble Park Volunteer Legal Service supervising lawyer Gamini Jayasinghe with law-student volunteers Angelina Ann and Grace Li. (NPVLS) boost basic understanding of key rights and laws.

“I was also a Monash graduate,” Mr Jayasinghe said.

“They get the autonomy of seeing real clients, which you just don’t get from an academic environment, “It’s helpful for them in the workforce and for their own confidence.

“It’s not a game. There might be student vol-

unteers but they’re working with the highest degree of professionalism. The advice that’s given is the same advice you’re going to get in a law office.”

The free legal service offers help for any problem, even in its early stages.

“Peace of mind is pretty important. Dealing with a problem at an early stage may mitigate the worst-case scenario,” Mr Jayasinghe said.

‘Context matters’: Shark fear challenged

By Violet Li A marine biologist who has come face-to-face with broadnose sevengill sharks in Western Port said a recent shark bite in Tasmania should be viewed with context rather than fear.

Marine biologist, filmmaker and science communicator Sheree Marris, who is currently working on a social impact campaign highlighting the natural wonders of Western Port, has recently filmed the same shark species believed to have been involved in the Tasmanian incident.

A diver suffered non-life-threatening injuries near Bruny Island in July after an encounter with what police believed was a roughly two-metre broadnose sevengill shark.

Sheree said one particularly important detail was that the diver had reportedly been spearfishing and was retrieving a freshly speared fish when the incident occurred.

She said a wounded fish could create multiple signals capable of attracting an opportunistic predator.

“A struggling, injured fish can create a sensory cocktail of movement, vibration and chemical cues in the water,” she said.

“To an opportunistic predator, that could signal a potential easy feed.

“We can’t say exactly what motivated this shark, but context matters. There’s a big difference between a shark randomly biting a person and a shark investigating a situation where a freshly speared fish is involved.”

Sheree said she preferred to call what happened a shark “incident” rather than an “attack”, arguing the latter could reinforce the perception of sharks as aggressive animals hunting humans.

She said sevengills were opportunistic feeders that could take advantage of struggling, injured or dead animals.

“They’re not villains in the ecosystem. They’re part of what makes the ecosystem work,” she said.

Sheree has experienced the species first-hand while filming in Western Port and said the encounter initially made her nervous.

14 STAR JOURNAL | Tuesday, 18 August, 2026

Sevengill shark. (Western Port Down Under/Jack Breedon) “It was my first time seeing one. So, I was nervous. I’m not going to lie,” she said.

“You have to have a healthy respect. You’re getting in the water with a wild animal.

“But once I saw one, I actually became quite relaxed being around them because they’re just such magnificent animals to have a look at.

“I would jump back in the water in a heartbeat if I knew I could see one.”

She described the sharks as sometimes inquisitive but also capable of being quite shy, rather than the fast-moving and erratic predators often depicted in popular culture.

Broadnose sevengills can grow beyond three metres and feed across the marine food web, including on fish, rays, other sharks and marine mammals.

Sheree said predators such as sevengills played an important role in regulating ecosystems and consuming vulnerable, diseased or dead animals.

“They’re like a garbage cleaner,” she said.

“They have a really important role, and I think

if people knew how incredible they are and also knew bits about their biology, people would go, ‘Oh wow, that’s really amazing.’”

The species is also unusual among sharks.

While most modern sharks have five pairs of gill slits, the broadnose sevengill has seven.

They belong to an ancient evolutionary lineage, with fossil evidence of related sharks stretching back more than 150 million years to the Jurassic period.

Each shark also carries a distinctive pattern of spots that can be used to identify individuals, effectively acting as a ‘shark fingerprint’.

For Sheree, seeing the species in Western Port also reinforces the ecological importance of the bay.

She said sheltered Western Port waters were used by various shark species to pup, while the area also provided nursery habitat for species important to recreational and commercial fisheries.

“I don’t want to scare people,” she said.

“I want people to actually have this sense of fascination, not fear.”

“It is a very positive step to get some initial information at an early stage, “The name of the game is resolution. Try to get an outcome as early as possible so that you can move on.”

Sessions run every Wednesday at Noble Park Community Centre from 6.30pm-9.30pm with bookings essential.

Bookings: https://npvls.com.au

Water tank company fined $50,000 after student’s serious fall A water tank construction and repair company has been convicted and fined after an engineering student was seriously injured on a Keysborough excavation site.

JS Armstrong Water Tanks Pty Ltd pleaded guilty at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 6 August to failing to ensure a safe workplace.

It was fined $50,000, plus ordered to pay $4,452 costs.

The firm’s workers had been working at a residential site, preparing for the installation of an 89,000-litre water tank.

In March 2024, a 20-year-old engineering student, assisting with shovel work, was leaning over the edge to pass a bottle into the excavation when the ground below her gave way.

She fell three metres and landed on a brick, suffering a vertebral fracture, spine tenderness and whiplash.

WorkSafe investigators found there were no warning signs, fencing or battering at the excavation site.

They found soil was seen peeling away from the walls of the excavation while workers were inside.

JS Armstrong admitted it was reasonably practicable to reduce risk by ensuring the sides of the excavation were battered, to have a safe entry point to the excavation and to have barricades or warning barriers at least one metre from the edge.

WorkSafe chief health and safety officer Sam Jenkin said it was unacceptable for work to continue within an excavation at risk of collapse.

“This young person was seriously injured in an incident that could have been entirely prevented if appropriate control measures had been in place and the warning signs were not ignored,” Mr Jenkin said.

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Democracy for all at forum More than 90 students from eight high schools have got the lowdown on Australian democracy.

Student representative council members took part in a Youth and Democracy 101 Forum at Springvale City Hall on 4 August.

They took part in workshops with the Victorian Electoral Commission, Youth Affairs Council Victoria and Greater Dandenong’s Young Leaders, followed by a mock election.

The keynote speaker was Martina Charoensak, a 2025 Young Leader and current Victorian Youth Congress member.

Aptly, the day was rounded off with a “traditional democracy sausage”.

Greater Dandenong chief executive Jacqui Weatherill said the aim was to “deepen understanding of Australia’s democratic system, explore advocacy opportunities and learn how young people can influence decision making”.

Greater Dandenong’s Young Leaders, who codesigned and hosted the democracy forum. (City of Greater Dandenong)

More than 90 school representative council students at the Democracy 101 forum. (City of Greater Dandenong)

The event was organised and co-designed

by Greater Dandenong’s Youth and Family Services team as well as its 2026 Young Lead-

ers of Council.

This created a “highly relevant and engaging learning experience”, Weatherill said.

“Key themes and priorities identified by participants will be presented to Council by the Young Leaders in September”.

Victoria Government calls for compo review after pothole crisis

By Ethan Henson

rent legislation that has been in place since 2004.

“The compensation legislation has been in place since 2004, and it’s fair to ask whether it still meets Victorians’ expectations.

“The Carroll Labor Government will look at the current legislation, and we’ll consider if we have the balance right.

“But our firm focus is on fixing the roads.

“That’s why we have funded a record-breaking $1.04 billion road maintenance blitz to rebuild, repair, and resurface roads right across the state to get Victorians home sooner and safer.”

Opposition roads and road safety spokesperson Danny O’Brien says Victorian motorists shouldn’t need compensation, instead “they should have the roads fixed”.

Criticising the state government for letting the ‘rot’ continue after two years of budget cuts in road maintenance.

“No one should believe that this govern-

ment is actually interested. This is a review that they’ll never have to worry about or that they’ll never have to deliver,” O’Brien said.

“Victorian motorists will see through exactly what this government is doing.

“We’re in a cost of living crisis, people are blowing tyres, cracking rims, damaging their vehicles and they’re not even getting compensation for it.

“Ben Carroll cut the roads maintenance budget by $214 million over two years when he was Minister for Roads, starting the rot that has now led to the appalling state of our roads.”

12892547-EA34-26

The Victorian Government has called for a review of its pothole compensation scheme after reports of just 2 per cent of motorists’ claims being accepted.

After the dangers that a series of potholes posed to drivers in Bunyip on Monday, August 10, the Herald Sun reported that 98 per cent of Victorian motorists were rejected for compensation due to not meeting the required damage threshold of $1,681.

A Victorian Government spokesperson says the government is looking into the cur-

Our firm focus is on fixing the roads.”

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 18 August, 2026 | STAR JOURNAL 15

networkclassifieds.com.au networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services ANTENNAS

TRADES BUSINESS PROFILE

PLUMBING AFFORDABLE PLUMBING

SAME DAY TV ANTENNA SERVICE

฀

CONCRETE PRODUCTS & SERVICES

NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL FREE QUOTE ANY TIME RING 9700 4378 C63804-BG25-8

• Units • Garages • Driveways • Pergolas Plain/Coloured • Slate Impression • Faux Brick • Exposed Aggregate

TENNA SERVICE SAME DAY TV AN • 40 Years Family FR QUO EE Owned & Operated TES nty • 25 Year Warra nt cou • Senior/Pensioner Dis #1 in DANDENONG

12740246-AV02-25

Phone Andrew on 0408 585 508 andrewcravenconcreting@gmail.com Support your local tradesman for ALL your concreting needs!

0488 816 557

No job too big or too small Free quote • Compare our prices!

฀ ฀

1198421-ACM37-15

฀

All Types of Domestic & Commercial Work ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀

฀

9702 4952

24 HOUR SERVICE ฀ ฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀

฀ ฀

฀

฀

฀

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

฀

฀

฀

฀

฀ ฀ ฀

Jason 1300 644 698

฀

AA & F&D UNITED PAINTING SERVICES

DANNY THE HANDYMAN

FENCING & GATES

RUBBISH REMOVAL

SAXON FENCING

NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL FREE QUOTES

FULLY INSURED

GARDENING, MOWING & TREES Complete Garden Care • Tree Pruning and Removal

Phone Dean 0430 286 265

9793 9970 - 0419 514 977

TREE LOPPING/SURGERY

0470 472 850

Oakfern Tree Care P/L Pruning Removal Stump Grinding

Phone Geoff 0418 340 825 Fully Insured

General Classifieds section of Network Classifieds.

Professional Services

Palings, Pickets, Colorbond Fences & Gates

PLUMBING

Prompt and Reliable Service

Phone 0419 775 259 or 8751 4016

• Steel Fencing & Gates • Automatic & Remote Gates • Balustrades & Handrails

0411 636 400

Leaking taps Burst pipes Hot water Blocked drains Gas heating Leak detection

CCTV inspection Pipe relining Storm water Sewerage Blockages from $79

24/7 SERVICE

TPH TAX SENIOURNST DISCO

0468 263 127 | Lic. no 122277 | www.triplezeroplumbing.com.au

12838648-CV04-26

QUA L I T Y GAT E S & F E NC I NG

TAXATION/ ACCOUNTING

LOCALPLUMBER

C1101420-JO46-13

9791 9877

2 CUBIC METRE BINS FROM $260 BIN SIZES 2-3-4-5 AND 6 CUBIC METRES UNWANTED CARS REMOVED FREE FAST FRIENDLY AND EFFICIENT SERVICE

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

DRYWALL REPAIR GUTTER REPAIRS GUTTER CLEANING TILING INSTALL/REMOVE BLINDS INSTALL TOWEL RACK INSTALL TV WALL MOUNT HANG PICTURES, MIRRORS PROMPT & RELIABLE

CALL DANNY

• Deceased Estate Cleanouts

12739938-JV01-25

local handyman

CARPENTRY DECKING, PERGOLA DOORS, WINDOWS, LOCKS ALL REPAIRS WOOD ROT REPAIR REPLACE PERGOLA POST GENERAL REPAIRS PAINTING EXTERIOR/ INTERIOR PLASTER, WATER DAMAGE

GARDEN SERVICES

• Rubbish Removal

10% discount

Chris:9700 0410 584 435 Mob: • Carlos:0414 0414 393 393 700 Ph: 7098 700

SUPER SERVICE BIN HIRE

• Interior & Exterior • Domestic & Commercial Over 30 years experience • Honest and reasonable prices

• Mowing – Home • Gutter Cleaning • Gardening, Pruning • Poisoning, Hedge Trimming

ROOF RESTORATION ★★Replace CleaningRoofs/Gutters/Downpipes Roofs/Gutters/Downpipes ReplaceBroken BrokenTiles Tiles ★★Cleaning ★ Re-Bedding & Pointing ★ Roof Spraying (3 coats acrylic paint) & Pointing ★★Roof ★★10Re-Bedding Year Guarantee FreeSpraying Quote (3 coats acrylic paint) For a free★quote Free phone Quote Carlos ★ 10 Year Guarantee

• Bookkeeping • Accounting • Tax returns

Buy & Sell in our 12875468-EA25-26

฀

HANDY PERSONS

C316291-KK18-5

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

• All Metal Roofing • Architectural Cladding • Senior Discounts • Family Business

12 - Year Warranty Open 24/7 Free Inspections

PAINTERS/DECORATORS

Call Frank on 0411 370 252

฀

‘It’s All In The Name’ • Roof Repairs & Replacement • Gutter Repairs & Replacement • Fascia & Eave Repair & Replacement • Tile Roof Restoration

12643213-AA42-23

J.L. Hutt Electrical

12438941-CG04-20

Call Chris: 0416 079 689 - 5940 7264

฀

ROOFING

“Local paper is the most established and best way to reach our local community” - Sussan

฀

฀★

SEWER BLOCKAGES – MACHINE CLEANED฀

฀

฀ ฀ ESTABLISHED 30 YEARS ฀ ฀ STANDARD RATES ON WEEKENDS ฀ ฀ ฀฀฀ ฀ ฀ gjlawplumbing.com.au 7 DAYS 0419 136 181 - 0419 136 151

12662037-SN03-24

12535782-JC07-22

฀

★

฀

1 HOUR EMERGENCY PLUMBING

Reg No 082 1317E

L&L ELECTRICS

฀

12355821-ACM25-17

Call 1300 666 808

ELECTRICIANS

12868337-FR21-26

฀

9795 4247 0407 324 768

12789389-JO31-25

G5790601AA-dc18Feb

FAST FRIENDLY EFFICIENT lmyantenna.com.au Phone 7am-8pm | instal

QUALITY HOME CONCRETING

12619662-RR29-23

www.andrewcravenconcreting.com.au

Speak to our classified team and find out how easy it is to advertise. Start building your brand today and be seen every week in Network Classifieds Trades and Services.

Andrew Craven Concreting

฀

Call Now 0417 128 536

Grow your business with From plumbers to pest control, carpet cleaning to building services, dry cleaning to computer repairs, lawn mowing and more, Network Classifieds has been connecting local businesses with the local community with our Trades and Services each week.

• SPECIALISING IN ALL TYPES OF CONCRETING/ CONCRETE PATTERN, SLABS • FOUNDATIONS ETC. • ALL DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL

฀ ฀ ฀

10% discount on hot water service installations if you mention this ad.

TRADES & SERVICES

A & F CONCRETING

฀ ฀ ฀ ฀

1158529-PB42-14

0488 816 557

Lic 47089

฀

12681352-MS15-24

FAST FRIENDLY EFFICIENT Phone 7am-8pm | installmyantenna.com.au

฀ ฀ ฀

12475470-JW51-20 G6032580AA-dc24Jun

12619662-RR29-23

• 40 Years Family FR Owned & Operated QUO EE TES • 25 Year Warranty • Senior/Pensioner Discount #1 in DANDENONG

Motoring section of Network Classifieds.

0479 181 177

Want to place an ad but not sure where to start?

Call our helpful classified team between 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri for FREE advice!

16 STAR JOURNAL | Tuesday, 18 August, 2026

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

WHAT’S ON Small Business Bus Free business advice for Greater Dandenong small businesses. Meet one-on-one for 45 minutes with an experienced business adviser to discuss your goals, challenges and opportunities.

Tuesday 18 August, 10am-4pm at Dandenong Market, 22 Clow Street Dandenong; free event.

Bookings essential at calendly.com/businessvicsbb2/business-advice-dandenong-city-council-18-august-2026

·

Composting workshop Practical knowledge on converting household food and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost. Part of National Science Week celebrations. As part of the event, one lucky participant will win a compost bin.

Wednesday 19 August, 10.30am at North Dandenong Neighbourhood House, 41 Menzies Avenue, North Dandenong; free event. No bookings required.

·

Your Story, Our Collection A special one-day community event, held alongside the Extraordinary Stories exhibition. Handson activities, conversations, creative stations and story-sharing sessions. Tell us what’s missing, what should be preserved, and what stories future generations need to know.

Thursday 20 August, 10am-12pm (community conversation workshop) and 12pm-2pm (activities and pop-up booth) at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong; free event. Registrations required at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/ event-detail/ev_2509b4f52ca9476ca78baa9 e0dce5742

·

new ways of being in your city. Hosted by play designers from RMIT’s future play lab.

Thursday 20 August, 4pm-6pm at Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong; free event. Registration required at https://events. humanitix.com/urban-play-date-2

·

Spot the Scam Spot sneaky tricks and protect your personal information. Become scam-aware in the digital world.

Friday 21 August, 2.30pm-3.30pm at Springvale Library, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event. Registration required at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ ev_0f7ecd2960cc4673b1d45d2f6cdc27aa

·

Celebrate National Science Week with a memorable after-dark walk and wildlife spotting for the whole family. Includes up-close encounter with a selection of live nocturnal animals presented by Black Snake Productions.

Thursday 27 August 6pm, 6.30pm, 7pm and 7.30pm at Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve, MacKay Street, Springvale South; free event. Registrations required at greaterdandenong-events. bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ev_0bcc297f ddbc4be595460ab00ae353d1

·

60 We accept

202632001-RV31-26

PETS & SERVICES

Rainbow Club

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

MASSAGE THERAPISTS ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.

Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number.

It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice.

For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

12423634-SN31-19

48 Davies Avenue, Sunshine North 0468 693 833

SWA6566B

12652832-AI48-23

ADULT SERVICES

Open 7 days

·

Green Screen - tech tricks Take a photo with the green screen, then replace the background to different settings. Get creative and have some fun.

Discover how plants grow, thrive and survive. Activities include recording plant anatomy, creating seed models and testing soil pH using litmus paper. For ages 7-12. Presented by Mad About Science.

Saturday 29 August, 2.30pm-3.30pm at Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong; free event. Registration required at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/ event-detail/ev_404cead8eaca44f29219126 6398e4a76

·

The Big Book Week Show Maestro Flipper, the Penguin Conductor, brings Book Week stories to life with songs, movement, audience participation and plenty of fun. Suitable for families. Presented by Carp Productions.

Saturday 29 August, 2.30pm-3.30pm at Springvale Library, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event. Registration required at ht tps ://greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ev_cd484fe6327942a99000975b2b7b2cff

·

Creative Writing workshop For all young writers aged 12-25. Choose from the following workshops: advanced creative writing skills with author Kelly Wilson, or publishing and marketing your work with author Danielle Binks.

Afterwards, we announce the winners of the Write It Out: Greater Dandenong Short Story Competition.

Wednesday 2 September, 4.30pm-7pm at Springvale Library, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event. Registrations required at events.humanitix.com/write-it-out-creative-writing-workshops

·

Threatened Species Night Learn about the threatened species in the local area. Catch the train down to the wetlands to visit the threatened Grey-headed flying foxes.

Wednesday 2 September, 4.30pm-6.30pm at Myuna Farm, Kidds Road, Doveton; $5. Bookings required: https://www.trybooking.com/ events/landing/1627117

·

Celebrations

Real Estate ACCOMMODATION

TO SHARE

ROOMS AVAILABLE, Single rooms. Gents only. 48 Hammond Road/45 Hemmings Street, Dandenong.

Ph Daniel 0417 336 906.

ROOM AVAILABLE Keysborough area, Suit mature male 40 plus. Bills incuded Phone 0449 967 533

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

PROFESSIONAL

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

Join one of Victoria’s leading independent community media organisations.

Star News Group is seeking an enthusiastic, results-driven and customer-focused Print & Digital Sales Representative to join our dynamic sales team.

General Classifieds

$110/ 30mins

Learn how to mix, mould, and dry rice clay to create usable art pieces such as small sculptures, bowls, or jewellery. Please bring a plastic container to take your work home. For ages 16-plus.

Thursday 27 August, 6.30pm-8pm at Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong; free event. Registration required at https:// greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/ event-detail/ev_af60f167ab7645159b9dc7dfae505bf0

With a proud history of delivering trusted local news across print, digital, newsletters and social media platforms, Star News Group connects businesses with highly engaged audiences throughout Melbourne’s south-east and regional Victoria.

About the Role : This is an exciting opportunity to manage an established client portfolio while actively developing new business opportunities across our diverse media platforms. The successful applicant will work with local businesses to create effective advertising campaigns incorporating: • Newspaper advertising • Digital display advertising • Sponsored online content • Email marketing campaigns • Digital Newsletter Key Responsibilities : • Maintain and grow an existing client base.

• Identify and secure new business opportunities.

• Develop tailored advertising and marketing solutions for clients.

• Prepare proposals, presentations and campaign recommendations.

• Work collaboratively with editorial, design and digital teams to deliver outstanding client outcomes.

About You: You will possess: • Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills.

• Strong organisational and time management abilities.

• A positive attitude and a passion for helping local businesses succeed.

• A current driver’s license and reliable vehicle.

What We Offer : • An established territory with existing clients.

• Competitive salary package including base salary and commission.

• Supportive team environment.

• The opportunity to work with a respected and trusted community media brand.

• If you are passionate about sales, enjoy working within your local community and thrive in a fast-paced media environment, we’d love to hear from you.

The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.

Send your application letter and resume to: Advertising Sales Manager Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au

The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Motoring MOBILITY VEHICLES

MOTOR VEHICLES HINO TRUCK

MOBILITY SCOOTER

12890553-JR32-26

*Full colour 10cms x 1 col or 5cms x 2 col

Try your hand at designing jewellery or a beaded brooch with facilitator Maroulla’s guidance or bring along your own art and craft projects such as painting, sewing, collage or origami. Materials provided for the beading activity. All welcome.

Rice Clay Sculpture

PRINT & DIGITAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE

*

sales@networkclassifieds.com.au

Beading - Art and conversation.

·

Plant Power

POSITIONS VACANT

$

1300 666 808

·

·

Friday 28 August, 2.30pm-3.30pm at Keysborough Community Hub, 10 Villiers Road, Keysborough; free event. Registration required at https://greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ev_fe694d0b6f7f44a7856223ee79c07cad

Employment

Announce your special occasion • Birthday Greetings • Congratulations • Welcome Baby • Newlyweds • Happy Anniversary

Extraordinary Stories

Family Night Walk

With bestselling Australian author Kate Solly and her latest cosy mystery, The Paradise Heights Miniature Railway Bust-Up. Wednesday 26 August, 10.30am-11.30am at Keysborough Community Hub, 10 Villiers Road, Keysborough; free event. Registration required at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net. au/#!/event-detail/ev_e2a210f3270d4201bcb863260ecc201c

Announcements

·

Blast off with Edison robots as participants code their way through fun moon missions, from building a lunar rover to searching for space minerals.

For ages 7-12. Presented by PrimeSci. Saturday 22 August, 2.30pm-3.30pm at Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong; free event. Registration required at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/ event-detail/ev_0146607281474bffac5c12dc 186e970e

Author conversation

Through music, games, role-play and creativity, you’re invited to participate, explore and imagine

South Metro Showtime presents a family friendly murder mystery with twists, turns, and tutus.

Wednesday 26 August - Saturday 29 August, 7.30pm-10pm (plus matinee on Saturday 29 August, 2.30pm-5pm) at Drum Theatre, corner Walker and Lonsdale streets, Dandenong; ticket prices vary. Bookings: greaterdandenongevents.bookable.net.au/#!/event-book/ev_d3 665d2c17a244a18608928766b92737

Edison Space Code Quest

·

·

Revenge: Best Served Sweet

Showcasing treasured objects, artworks, and recorded stories from the Greater Dandenong Civic and Cultural Collection. It highlights Greater Dandenong’s past and present while revealing its evolving community identity.

Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am-2pm (until 27 August) at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong; free event.

Drop in and chat with Council’s Waste Education team about the Container Deposit Scheme Bin Baskets and other recycling questions: Why can’t coffee cups go in the recycling bin? What should I do with soft plastics? How can I recycle these items correctly?

Thursday 20 August, 10am-12pm at Keysborough Community Hub, 10 Villiers Road, Keysborough and Monday 7 September, 10am12pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event. No bookings required.

Reworld Your Neighbourhood

Wednesday 26 August, 6.30pm-8pm at Springvale Library, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event. No bookings required.

Learn about Endeavour Hills Mens Shed with woodworking, music, copper work, free giveaways for kids, face painting. Donations accepted for items on display. Sausage sizzle, soft drinks available. Free tea and coffee.

Saturday 22 August, 10am at Endeavour Hills Mens Shed, 289 Power Road, Endeavour Hills.

Details: ehms.org.au

Mens Shed open day

Waste-Wise pop-ups

·

·

Freedom Gladiator 180 kg capacity 1400 watt motor, up to 50 km per battery charge 2014, 730,000 kilometres 14 km/h max on the clock.

14 inch wheels, 15 degree climbing capacity.

VIN JHDFE7JPMXXX10418.

GMV - 14 ton; Travelled only 740km as new with accessories TARE - 5045Ton. includung fast charger.

Reg: 1BT9RX

$2600

Price: $60,000

Phone John 0490 129 153

Phone 0408 590 726

Tuesday, 18 August, 2026 | STAR JOURNAL 17

SPORT

Lachlan Wynd tugged this one left but kicked four goals for Rowville on Saturday. (571974)

Nik Schoenmakers and the Hawks were head and shoulders above Doncaster East at Seebeck Oval on Saturday. (Gary Sissons: 571974)

The story of the day. Rowville’s Mitch Gamel wins a holding the ball free kick after a strong tackle on Hugh White. (571974)

High-flying Hawks win big

By David Nagel Rowville looked every inch a genuine premiership contender in Eastern Premier Division on Saturday after an explosive start propelled the Hawks to a 21.14 (140) to 11.5 (71) victory over Doncaster East.

The Hawks treated their home crowd at Seebeck Oval to a memorable first-quarter performance, booting 7.4 to 1.1 in their second-best opening stanza of the season.

The second-placed Hawks booted 8.1 against Vermont in round-12, but this was arguably more impressive against the third-ranked team in the competition.

The Hawks were clearly up and about early, and that enthusiasm spread like wildfire after debutant Thomas Mai kicking a ripping goal off his left foot just two minutes into the contest.

A key member of the Hawks Under-19s this year, Mai gathered cleanly in traffic; then showed a nice turn of foot before drilling one from 25 out.

Tate Scrivanos then clunked a great mark and kicked truly, before Matt O’Brien gave the visiting Lions their only first-quarter joy.

The Hawks were eight points up, eight minutes into the match…but the fun was about to begin.

An in-form Seth Macdonald took a great hanger before snapping around his body with his right foot, before skipper Anthony Brolic sauntered

past Brock Coleclough for a handball receive and drilled one from mid-range.

The lack of pressure from the Lions was alarming; paying one of the best midfielders in the competition no attention at all.

Brolic then played a key hand in the resultant centre clearance, with two handballs and a smother leading to a team-lifting goal on the run from Mitchell Gamel.

Tyson Sruk then kicked the last two goals of the first quarter; the first a cracker on the run and the second after a frustrated tackle from Seb Spadafora slipped higher than intended.

The Hawks led by 39 points at the first change, which soon became 45 after Sruk hit full-forward Lachlan Wynd with a precision lace-out kick.

Doncaster East did provide a response, but the margin never got closer than 29 points as the Hawks cruised home to victory.

Macdonald was brilliant with five goals, providing a versatile target in the forward line, while Wynd snagged four majors in a confidence booster heading towards finals.

Sruk was terrific through the midfield and ended the day with three, while two each to Mai and Scrivanos showcased the depth of talent at the club; with both recently elevated to seniors.

Nik Schoenmakers was once again super-effective in the ruck, while Nashua Wood and Jesse

Eickhoff joined Macdonald, Wynd and Sruk on a very impressive list of best players.

The Hawks, who can’t finish anywhere but second place, get the chance to possibly rest some aching bodies in their final home-andaway match of the season against sixth-placed Balwyn at Seebeck Oval this Saturday.

The Hawks will play either Doncaster East, or more likely Vermont, in the qualifying final on Saturday 29 August.

Noble Park, meanwhile, will begin the process of entering some unfamiliar venues into Google Maps after the Bulls were officially relegated from Premier to Division 1 next year.

The Bulls were crushed by Balwyn, 20.12 (132) to 2.4 (16), while the win of South Belgrave over South Croydon; 12.15 (87) to 12.13 (85), condemned the Bulls to their first fall in over 25 years.

South Belgrave now sits a game clear of the Bulls with just one round left to play, with a healthy percentage gap also providing an added blanket of security.

South Belgrave led by just two points at threequarter time, with last-quarter set shots to Tim Smith and Clay Tucker proving just enough to hold on.

Daniel King and James Wilsen kept things tight with a goal each for the Bulldogs, but some game-saving marks from Tyreece Leiu and Jacob

Grant saw the Saints hang on for a well-celebrated victory.

It’s been a tough grind for the Saints, who now maintain their Premier Division status after being promoted from Division 1 after premiership success last year.

Noble Park will travel to South Croydon this week for its last game in Premier Division under departing coach Steve Hughes.

Club legend and current assistant-coach Kyle Martin will take over the senior gig next year; beginning a revival process for a once strong and powerful football club.

• EASTERN PREMIER RESULTS R17: Blackburn 23.10(148) def Berwick 10.20(80), Rowville 21.14(140) def Doncaster East 11.5(71), Balwyn 20.12(132) def Noble Park 2.4(16), South Belgrave 12.15(87) def South Croydon 12.13(85), East Ringwood 11.8(74) def by Vermont 16.7(103).

LADDER: East Ringwood 60, Rowville 52, Doncaster East 48, Vermont 44, Blackburn 40/ Balwyn 34, Berwick 32, South Croydon 18, South Belgrave 8, Noble Park 4.

FIXTURE R18 (Saturday 22 August): Rowville (2) v Balwyn (6), Vermont (4) v Berwick (7), South Belgrave (9) v Blackburn (5), Doncaster East (3) v East Ringwood (1), South Croydon (8) v Noble Park (10).

City’s third on the trot as Thunder falls flat

By Justin Schwarze Dandenong City is well and truly safe from relegation after its strong second half of the season continued with a 2-0 defeat of Altona at home on Friday night in round 24 of the NPL. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the hosts, who left their winning run late by scoring two goals in the final 10 minutes of regular time.

Dandenong controlled possession and was more proficient on the attacking front in the first half, recording nine shots to three, but both sides registered just one accurate attempt each.

In the 80th minute, with the scores still level, Will Bower received the ball in the forward third for City.

He carried the ball all the way into the box and attempted to lay a pass off to Wade Dekker, but it was fortunately deflected right back to his feet.

He took full advantage of the space, burying

18 STAR JOURNAL | Tuesday, 18 August, 2026

his shot as it was deflected by a second defender to give his side the lead.

Five minutes later, a calamity at the back from the Magic gifted Dandenong the opportunity to double its buffer as Jack Peraic-Cullen tapped it in on the line.

Dekker received the ball on the corner of the box and played a low cross in front of goal, where it spilled from the hands of the Altona keeper and right to Bower, who couldn’t get proper connection on it.

Peraic-Cullen was there to clean things up, putting the sealer into the back of the net and enjoying a jubilant celebration with his teammates and a pack of fans on the sidelines.

The 2-0 triumph saw City move into eighth on the table with its third-straight victory.

Dandenong will look to extend its win streak to four when it welcomes Preston Lions to Frank Holohan Soccer Complex on Saturday.

Dandenong Thunder sunk to its fourth-con-

secutive loss and is officially relegated after being outclassed by Preston Lions 3-0 on Sunday afternoon.

A Jonas Markovski hat-trick put Dandenong away at Genis Steel Stadium, as the attacker helped himself to a brace inside 15 minutes.

And Thunder was lucky to only be down by a pair of goals, as the word ‘dominant’ would be an understatement for the Lions’ first-half display.

The hosts had registered 15 shots, with six on target, to not a single attempt at the other end from the visitors.

In fact, the only statistic that Dandenong had more than zero was fouls, which stood at four.

Markovski completed his hat-trick and put Thunder out of their misery with a brilliant finish into the bottom left corner just after halftime.

Dandenong sits second-bottom with two rounds to play and it doesn’t get any easier this week with a matchup against table-leaders Oakleigh.

Dandenong City picked up its third consecutive win in round 24. (Supplied)

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

JOCs charge past Magpies

By Justin Schwarze St John’s Old Collegians has booked itself a date with Dandenong West in this week’s second semi-final after the JOCs comfortably put away Ashwood in the Southern Division 4 qualifying final on Saturday.

Souter Reserve in Dingley was the backdrop for the first taste of finals nerves; Collegians struggling with accuracy despite having double the number of scoring shots in the opening period.

It appeared the JOCs would go into quarter time behind after managing 1.4, before Farhad Azad executed a quality finish to snatch the lead at the 26-minute mark 2.4 (16) to 2.1 (13).

And the momentum remained with St John’s, as the ball lived in its forward half in the second term.

Collegians put two on the board in the opening 10 minutes through Shannon Marsh and Matthew Carnelley, before the Magpies drew one back.

But the rest of the period was one-way traffic, highlighted by Marsh booting back-to-back majors, followed by Azad kicking his second redtime goal of the game.

Azad’s late major boosted the JOCs to a 7.5 (47) to 3.1 (19) buffer at the main break.

Ashwood attempted to rally early in the second half as Harrison Shugg nailed one just over 90 seconds into the third term, but three unanswered Collegians majors extended the margin to 40 points.

The Magpies gave themselves a slither of hope to round out the quarter, trimming the deficit at the final change to 27 points, 10.5 (65) to 6.2 (38), by slotting the final two of the quarter.

But any doubt was quickly put to bed as St John’s stamped its authority and piled on eight straight scores, five of which were goals, to bury the Magpies.

The Collegians worked efficiently, dashing any Ashwood comeback chances by holding the Magpies scoreless in the final term.

Star Timothy Edwards’ third goal was the sealer, ensuring the JOCs advanced with a 15.8 (98) to 6.2 (38) prevailing.

Marsh starred up forward with a bag of five, while Edwards slotted three and Azad and Carnelley each booted a pair.

In Sunday’s elimination final, Narre South survived a major scare against Clayton in a bizarre

Tim Edwards takes a spectacular grab for St Johns Old Collegians on his way to three goals in the big win over against Ashwood on Saturday. (Gary Sissons: 571975) game of massive momentum swings that ended with extra time.

The Clays started hot at Dingley after the Saints kicked the first, nailing three in a row to head into quarter time in front 3.1 (19) to 1.0 (6).

Narre South quickly got the contest on its terms in the second, holding onto the footy and sending in a barrage of forward-50 entries, leading the Saints to a near-flawless quarter of 6.2 to no score.

Suddenly, Narre South had built up a 7.2 (44) to 3.1 (19) advantage at halftime.

Clayton fired back with a statement in the third, booting four unanswered goals to draw level at three-quarter time at 7.5 (47) apiece.

The fourth quarter had a real finals inten-

sity to it as both teams went goal-for-goal, before Nathan Aliotta kicked a miraculous snap over his shoulder to put the Saints up by a point late.

The Clays then managed to score a behind in the dying moments, and the siren sounded shortly after to signal full time with the scoreboard still knotted.

The extra period was dominated by the Saints, but they completely failed to capitalise.

However, Narre South managed to apply pressure and retain possession to squeeze out the victory by kicking five straight behinds.

Aliotta led the way with three goals as his side was victorious 10.12 (72) to 10.8 (68).

It sets up a thrilling second week of finals, with

Dandenong West facing off against St John’s for a spot in the grand final, while the seasons of Ashwood and Narre South are on the line in the first semi-final.

SOUTHERN 4 RESULTS - FINALS WEEK 1 Qualifying Final (2 v 3): St John’s Old Collegians 15.8 (98) def Ashwood 6.2 (38). Elimination Final (4 v 5): Narre South 10.12 (72) def Clayton 10.8 (68).

FIXTURE - FINALS WEEK 2 Saturday - Second Semi-Final: Dandenong West (1) v St John’s Old Collegians (2) Sunday - First Semi-Final: Ashwood (3) v Narre South (4)

•

Hard-fought battle as Narre Warren locks down second

By Blair Burns Narre Warren secured a top-two spot in Southern Division 1 footy with a hard-fought victory over Springvale Districts on Saturday at Kalora Park, winning by 17 points, 11.12 (78) to 9.7 (61).

A strong first half from the Demons saw them causing some problems for second-placed Narre Warren, leading 46-29 at the main break.

Erishmiilan Uthayakumar was the focal point up forward for Springy with four goals for the game as his team’s only multiple goalkicker.

After a slow start, the Magpies found some form and gathered some momentum as they dominated proceedings in the second half to kick seven goals to two.

But despite a strong third quarter, Steve Kidd and his troops still trailed by four points before a three-goal-to-zero final term saw them home.

Will Howe led the way up forward with three goals, while Ethan Kennedy kicked two majors.

Tom Miller was named Narre Warren’s best player, while Lochie Conboy was Springvale Districts’ top performer.

In other games, Cranbourne produced a brave fight against Dingley and almost beat the Dingoes for a second time this year, but the ladder-leaders were too strong in the end to win 8.13 (61) to 7.7 (49) at Amstel Reserve.

Despite a really competitive effort from the Eagles, the loss could spell the end of the season for the side, unless results go their way this weekend, currently sitting seventh.

It was ultimately a poor first quarter which cost Cranbourne at home, with the Dingoes jumping out of the blocks to lead 28-8 at the first change of ends - the final margin just 12 points as the Eagles tried to play catch-up all day.

Jarrod Hocking was the best player in the

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Mitchell Tonna brings down Zane Merdanovic during the hard-fought clash between Narre Warren and Springvale Districts at Kalora Park on Saturday. (Gary Sissons: 571976) loss, generating plenty of drive for the side and using his speed and silky skills, while Marc Holt and Trent Marotta slotted two goals each.

For Dingley, it was Marcus Toussaint, Lachlan Benton and Kai Stretton who were dominant.

St Paul’s McKinnon has jumped into sixth spot on the ladder, even on points with fifthplaced Murrumbeena, after a big upset win over Cheltenham, 13.8 (86) to 10.17 (77).

Talk about limping to the line … the Bulldogs

had a 79-21 lead at three-quarter time and the Rosellas had managed just 1.15 in three quarters of football.

A 58-point lead had to be enough right? Well, it almost wasn’t.

The reigning premiers kicked nine of their total 10 goals in the fourth quarter as they outscored St Paul’s McKinnon 9.2 (56) to 1.1 (7).

The Bulldogs even kicked the first of the fourth quarter three minutes in to extend the margin to 64 points before Cheltenham kicked

nine straight to make the home side nervous.

Jesse Wadeisha kicked six goals across the first three quarters for St Paul’s McKinnon, while Jack Lonie kicked four final-quarter goals.

Bentleigh went big against Port Melbourne to cut open the Colts at the small JL Murphy Reserve and win by 120 points, 26.13 (169) to 7.7 (49).

Castan Racunica had his biggest game of the year with 10 goals to take his season tally to 53, sitting second in the competition - Ben Cavarra also had a day out with five.

Harvey Allan and Aydin Rielly fought hard for the home side and managed two goals each in the loss.

Murrumbeena currently occupies fifth spot on the ladder and is in the finals frame after a strong win over Hampton Park despite inaccurate kicking in front of goal, winning 18.25 (133) to 7.9 (51).

The first quarter was a good contest with the Lions leading by just 12 points before they put the foot down in front of their home crowd to pile on a big score as Ed Standish slotted four majors, with three other players booting three goals.

Makaio Haywood was brilliant for the Redbacks with two goals and plenty of the ball, with Liam Scott also kicking two in the loss - Mason Hawkins backed up a big performance nicely in the ruck.

SOUTHERN DIVISION 2 RESULTS Chelsea Heights 15.13 (103) def East Brighton 10.5 (65), Mordialloc 14.21 (105) def Doveton Doves 6.3 (39), East Malvern 14.6 (90) def Frankston Dolphins 5.10 (40), Highett 21.22 (148) def Caulfield Bears 7.4 (46), Keysborough 15.4 (94) def Hampton 10.9 (69).

•

Tuesday, 18 August, 2026 | STAR JOURNAL 19

No t J u s t A g e d C a r e .

A P l a c e To B e lo o n g.

Choosing aged care is one of life’s most important decisions. It’s about finding more than quality care, it’s about finding a place where you or your loved one feels safe, valued, and truly at home.

At Roshana Noble Park Aged Care, we’ve created a warm and welcoming community where compassionate care, meaningful connections, and comfortable living come together.

Here, every resident is known as an individual, supported with dignity, and encouraged to continue living life in a way that is meaningful to them.

BOOK A FREE TOUR NOW

•

24/7 Registered Nurse Availability

Personalised Care & Clinical Support • Permanent & Respite Care • Modern Private & Companion Rooms • Safe & Secure Living Environment • Beautiful Gardens & Comfortable Shared •

For nearly 30 years, Roshana Care Group has been caring for Australians with a commitment to compassion, respect, and excellence. Today, we’re proud to bring that same trusted care to the Noble Park community.

Book your complimentary tour today Come and experience the warmth of our community and discover why so many families trust Roshana with the care of those they love.

Spaces • Engaging Lifestyle Programs • Freshly Prepared Meals Every Day Roshana Noble Park Aged Care (03) 7504 7600 521 Princes Highway, Noble Park VIC 3174 admin.noblepark@roshana.com.au

“Your Life, Your Way. Every Minute, Every Day.” — R O S H A N A

C A R E

G R O U P

Proudly caring for communities across Victoria Noble Park | Elsternwick | Macleod | Lysterfield

08 9279 9888

admin@roshana.com.au

www.roshana.com.au 12888379-AM31-26

20 STAR JOURNAL | Tuesday, 18 August, 2026

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au