THE
CITY
Greater Dandenong’s Monthly Magazine
JUNE 2017
Drum’s new direction PAGE 12
Freemasons recognised
Emerging Writers’ Festival
Refugee Week celebrations
►► PAGE 6
►► PAGE 7
►► PAGE 8 & 9
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THE CITY
Customer Service Centres Dandenong Civic Centre 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong Springvale Customer Service 397–405 Springvale Road, Springvale Keysborough Customer Service Shop A7 Parkmore Shopping Centre, Keysborough Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 18–34 Buckley Street, Noble Park All correspondence to: The City PO Box 200 Dandenong VIC 3175 Email: news@cgd.vic.gov.au Phone: 8571 1000
Mayor ’s message Welcome to the June edition of The City. The health of local waterways is important to Council and we make no butts about the fact that littering on our streets can negatively impact the environment. Read about our campaign to stop cigarette butts littering our streets on page 3. In June we celebrate Refugee Week, and as a Refugee Welcome Zone and one of the most culturally diverse communities in Australia, Greater Dandenong has much to celebrate. Read about the difference one refugee is making in our city, and find out more about Refugee Week on pages 8 and 9.
Mayor Jim Memeti
Council is also a great supporter of the arts, and this month we celebrate the Emerging Writers’ Festival. Find out how this festival is giving a voice to young storytellers on page 7. I hope you have a great month and enjoy reading this issue.
Fax: 8571 5196 www.greaterdandenong.com @greaterdandy facebook.com/greaterdandenong cityofgreaterdandenong youtube.com/citygreaterdandenong TTY: 133 677 Speak and listen: 1300 555 727 www.iprelay.com.au
My City This mosaic art is part of a permanent public art display at Noble Park Commemorative Park, near the Noble Park RSL. The display depicts the stories of local residents and reflects themes of war, migration and resettlement.
TIS: 13 14 50 council@cgd.vic.gov.au
Important Numbers Emergency calls Police / Fire / Ambulance................................... 000 Street lighting faults / non-operational United Energy............................................13 20 99 Traffic signal faults / non-operational................................... 8571 1000 Hoon Hotline................................. 1800 333 000 Hard Waste Collection WM Waste Management Services.................................................... 9721 1915 Australian Animal Protection Society.............................. 9798 8415 RSPCA....................................................... 9224 2222 Nurse on Call................................ 1300 606 024
www.greaterdandenong.com
Front Cover: The iconic Drum Theatre is a hub for the art in Greater Dandenong. Picture: Kylie Grinham.
This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.
News
#MSNOBUTTS Council is taking a new approach to tackling one of the city’s most common litter problems – cigarette butts.
#MSNOBUTTS is Council’s newest litter advocate and she’ll be out and about in Greater Dandenong helping the community understand the impact cigarette butt litter can have on the local environment. As well as educating residents about the importance of binning their butts, #MSNOBUTTS will be distributing free personal cigarette butt bins to make it even easier for the community to do the right thing. Mayor Jim Memeti said #MSNOBUTTS has an important message to share in encouraging everyone to do their part to make the city a cleaner, safer environment. “When you throw your cigarette butts on the ground they can end up in the waterways that lead to Dandenong Creek, Port Phillip Bay and beyond, with potentially devastating impacts on local habitats,” Cr Memeti said. #MSNOBUTTS is not shy and Council is inviting those who see her around the city to help spread the ‘no butts’ message by taking a photo and sharing it on social media with the hashtag #MSNOBUTTS. #MSNOBUTTS can also be found online, promoting her ‘no butts’ message in a series of short advertisements on Council’s website and YouTube channel.
#MSNOBUTTS is part of the City of Greater Dandenong’s Litter Hotspots Program – a Victorian government initiative supporting community programs that seek to tackle the impact of litter on local waterways. It is estimated that the Litter Hotspots Program has prevented over 10,000 cigarette butts from entering waterways in the past year alone. As it takes between 12–15 years for cigarette butts to break down in the water, this represents a significant environmental achievement with immediate benefits as well as a measureable positive impact that will continue well into the future. If you miss #MSNOBUTTS around the streets of Greater Dandenong please note free butt bins are also available from Council’s customer service centres.
THE CITY
Dandenong Park redevelopment focus on safety Community safety is an important priority for the City of Greater Dandenong and the redevelopment of Dandenong Park is a prime example of making our community safer. A focus of the Safe and Harmonious Greater Dandenong Community Safety Plan is creating safer public spaces through the use of physical design to enhance safety. The next stage of the Dandenong Park Masterplan will include the use of environmental design to help improve safety. Council recently surveyed residents and businesses located near Dandenong Park and talked to regular park users about safety in the park. Many respondents noted the need for more lighting and said improvements would help bring more people to the park.
While physical attributes like paths and lighting will make the area feel safer, other design attributes will also help attract people to the park at all times of the day, increasing feelings of security. New pathways, lighting and toilets will be built at the northern end of Dandenong Park this year, while further works will be considered in future budgets. Visit greaterdandenong.com to see details about the Dandenong Park Masterplan and some sketches of work due to be completed this year.
www.greaterdandenong.com
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Councillor Contacts Lightwood Ward Cr Youhorn Chea Ph/Fax: 9584 5149 0417 320 645 youhorn.chea@cgd.vic.gov.au
Lightwood Ward Cr Sean O’Reilly 0422 523 258 sean.oreilly@cgd.vic.gov.au
at Martin Pakula r Keysborough Springvale th Member fo wi w i ne et e em th r M fo Mayor Jim ,000 funding ment of $750 ing Libraries the announce vernment’s Liv Go ian or ct Vi e th r de un ry ra Lib Program. Infrastructure
Lightwood Ward Cr Loi Truong 0466 004 618 loi.truong@cgd.vic.gov.au
Paperbark Ward Cr Roz Blades AM Ph/Fax: 9701 5021 0417 053 612 roz.blades@cgd.vic.gov.au
Paperbark Ward Cr Tim Dark 0466 403 914 tim.dark@cgd.vic.gov.au
Paperbark Ward Cr Heang Tak Ph: 9548 2340 0403 072 291 heang.tak@cgd.vic.gov.au
Red Gum Ward Cr Matthew Kirwan 0403 072 295 matthew.kirwan@cgd.vic.gov.au
THU RSDAY Red Gum Ward Cr Angela Long Ph/Fax: 9795 6574 JU NE 0466 004 616 angela.long@cgd.vic.gov.au
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NOVEMBER Red Gum Ward Cr Jim Memeti – Mayor Ph/Fax: 9792 4683 0434 560 239 jim.memeti@cgd.vic.gov.au
Silverleaf Ward Cr Zaynoun Melhem 0466 518 082 zaynoun.melhem@cgd.vic.gov.au
City of Greater Dandenong Councillors recently met with local MPs for a networking breakfast.
Council Meetings TUESDAY
13 JUNE
MONDAY
26 JUNE
www.greaterdandenong.com
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TU ESDAY
13 JUNE
Council meetings are held on the second and the fourth Monday of the month.
Did you know you can watch Council meetings live online via our web-cast service?
All Council meetings are held at the city chambers at the Dandenong Civic Centre at 225 Lonsdale Street Dandenong.
You can keep up with all the latest decisions, hear questions from residents and find out the many ways your local councillors are serving the community.
The June meetings will be held: Silverleaf Ward Cr Maria Sampey Ph/Fax: 9790 1291 0438 800 027 maria.sampey@cgd.vic.gov.au
MONDAY TH URSDAY
Tuesday 13 June (Tuesday meeting due to public holiday on the Monday) Monday 26 June
To view meetings online simply go to greaterdandenong.com/ councilmeetings
MOND
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Cr Loi Truong
► Lightwood Ward
As councillors, all of us strive to work for the residents.
Firstly, I would like to thank the Lightwood Ward residents who elected me as their councillor for a third term. I would like to congratulate all the other elected councillors and also would like to say thanks to all candidates who ran but were not elected. I hope you will not lose heart and will keep on working with us to make our city better.
In each term our councillors vote on many, many issues, most of these issues have good arguments for and against. Councillors base their decisions on information from reports, debates, data and presentations. We all vote for what we believe is in the best interest of residents, now and in the future. We know that all of our decisions affect every member of the community. During each four year term we vote on so many different issues, and of course we will disappoint some people with these decisions, but we do our best with the information we have to hand. I hope our residents can see that while they may be disappointed with some decisions, we all work to do our best for the community as a whole.
I want to thank the constituents of Paperbark Ward for putting their trust in myself for the next four years. As a resident of Keysborough and Paperbark Ward I have hit the ground running attending in excess of 100 events in the seven months that I have been on Council. I was elected on the back of strong policies, including cracking down on crime. We have seen crime in the Dandenong area getting out of hand with the latest crime statistics extremely alarming, with drug offences skyrocketing and other offences also rising. To make our city safer I will continue to advocate for more CCTV cameras and an increase in lighting of the activity zones.
If you have any issues that you would like to discuss I am always here to listen. You can contact me via email at loi.truong@cgd.vic.gov.au or phone me on 0466 004 618.
Cr Tim Dark
► Paperbark Ward Hello, my name is Tim Dark and I am one of the newest councillors to the City of Greater Dandenong and the only Liberal Councillor on council.
From a survey I conducted a few years ago, I found residents were generally happy about Council services. Through these responses I would like to say thanks to our Council CEO, directors and all of council staff. I would also like to say thanks to all of the councillors who have been working together as a family and supported me during the last nine years.
One of my key goals is to improve our public open spaces including upgrading of playground equipment and the installation of barbecues and pergolas, and also dog parks in some of the most neglected parks in the area. I have also been a strong advocate for the completion of major infrastructure projects such as the final extension of the Dandenong Bypass to the South Gippsland Freeway. One of my biggest key missions however is to ensure that ratepayer funds are spent wisely. I have met many different people while door knocking and attending many different community events and I will continue to advocate on their behalf for Council to stay within the base of roads, rates and rubbish.
If you have any issues, concerns or projects that you think are valuable to our city or would like to discuss what Council is doing you can email me at tim.dark@cgd.vic.gov.au or phone 0466 403 914 and don’t forget to follow me on facebook at www.facebook. com/crtimdark
www.greaterdandenong.com
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Working for You
New life for trees
Freemasons Lane named for historical link
…putting to good use the trunks of several large trees… Council is putting to good use the trunks of several large trees that were taken down as part of the level crossing removals at Noble Park. Council worked with the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) to identify trees that could be retained at the work sites, and other trees were salvaged where possible. Under a program of Sustainable Urban Forestry some logs have been used to create habitats for native animals in Greater Dandenong reserves, while red gum timber will be used for park furniture, posts and interpretive signage.
Wood chip mulch from felled trees was also distributed to garden beds around the city, while indigenous grasses and orchids were transported to other parks and reserves. Fauna such as birds and possums were also relocated. A mobile mill meant trees were milled on site and seeds collected from the trees will be used for future revegetation projects. Mayor Jim Memeti said reusing the felled trees was important to Council. “We have a vision to be one of Australia’s most sustainable cities by 2030, and this project was a good opportunity to explore how we could be more sustainable.”
Positive Ageing Greater Dandenong is home to more than 22,000 residents over the age of 65.
and families, and have the opportunity to use their skills and knowledge to benefit the community.
Council is committed to working with the whole community to build a healthy, active and engaged city for people of all ages, and a key part of achieving this goal is ensuring that older people are supported, valued and encouraged to remain active members of our community.
It acknowledges that there are a range of older residents living in our community, including those that are frail and vulnerable and those that are active and independent, and aims to make sure all residents are considered when making plans for the future of Greater Dandenong.
In this light we have developed the draft Positive Ageing Strategy 2017–25 and we are seeking feedback from the community.
The Draft Positive Ageing Strategy 2017–25 will be available for viewing online, in our libraries and customer service centres for a four week period from mid-June.
The strategy is based on the World Health Organisation’s Age Friendly Cities framework and aims to ensure older people are able to maintain their links with their neighbourhoods
www.greaterdandenong.com
Visit greaterdandenong.com for more information.
Cr Angela Long in front of the Masonic Hall. Photo: supplied by the Dandenong Journal.
In a nod to Dandenong’s historic landmarks and storylines a new laneway has been named in honour of the Freemasons. Freemasons Lane, which was created as part of the Revitalising Central Dandenong initiative, runs east-west between Mason Street and Moysey Lane. The new road sits immediately north of the former Dandenong Masonic Hall, which was built at 5 Mason Street in 1923. The hall was used by the Freemasons until 1991, and has been recorded in the City of Greater Dandenong Heritage Study as having local historical and architectural significance. Public opinion was sought for the new name and several submissions were made in support of Freemasons Lane, including a petition. Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti said the Masonic Hall, which is now owned by Council, remained a powerful visual landmark in what is a popular pedestrian thoroughfare. He said subject to further planning and funding, the building would continue to play a role in the city with a proposal to develop it as a new art gallery.
Community Calendar
Program opens doors for actor
THE CITY
Emerging Writers’ Festival
Actor Husham Juma is pursuing his dream, thanks to the SeaACT program. At 21 he is a full time actor working with Melbourne Playback Theatre Company, and transitioning to a career on the big screen is no longer out of reach. Husham came to Australia from Sudan, via Egypt in 2003, and initially settled with his family in Springvale. During high school he discovered a love of drama classes and was introduced to the SeaACT program when facilitator Diana Nguyen visited his school. “I found my passion in acting, and for me (taking part in the SeaACT program) it was about sharing my stories, about my journey from Sudan to Egypt, meeting family and meeting friends, learning new dialects and seeing a different world. It was about having the honour of performing my story for other people.
Help celebrate creativity and innovation, and support emerging writers who are finding their voice at this year’s Emerging Writers’ Festival, from 14–23 June.
“Everybody deserves to have their voice heard and to see the joy in the faces of people sharing their stories.”
The Festival will inspire local writers to share their own stories, something local performer Diana Nguyen has been doing for many years as a community development officer with the SeaACT program.
Husham said while SeaACT gave him a voice, it also opened doors for him, with Melbourne Playback Theatre Company offering him a youth scholarship, which led to him signing with the company as a full time actor.
SeaACT is a Creative Victoria funded theatre program facilitated by Melbourne Playback Theatre Company. Established in 2013 the program found a home in Dandenong the following year.
Husham hopes to study acting full time in 2018, and dreams of success on the stage and the big screen.
Ms Nguyen said the program gave young performers a space to tell their stories and have them played back. “As a young person growing up in Springvale, programs like these were not available for me outside of Melbourne’s CBD,” Ms Nguyen said. “Venturing into the (performance) industry as a 20 year old I thought I would just act out other people’s plays, thoughts and words, but I felt disconnected by the roles and limited characters I was offered.”
SeaACT performers have been working with professional writer Didem Caia to create a script for performances during the Emerging Writers’ Festival. Work in Progress will be performed at Walker Street Gallery for three nights, from Wednesday 14 to Friday 16 June, at 7pm. Saturday 17 June is a day of creative exploration across Greater Dandenong. Kickstart your writing journey at the Emerging Writers’ Intensive workshop at Dandenong Library from 11am–1pm. Learn the art of crafting spoken word in this Spoken Word and Poetry Workshop at Springvale Library from 2pm–4pm. Join a hands-on Scriptwriting Workshop at Dandenong Library from 2pm–4pm. Enjoy an evening of electrifying performances at The Dandy Slam, at Walker Street Arts Gallery from 6.30pm–7.30pm.
Visit greaterdandenong.com for more information.
www.greaterdandenong.com
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When Ali Yaghobi talks about Australia, his home for the past four years, it is with much love and respect. The 39-year-old was born in Afghanistan, but grew up in Iran after being displaced by war. He chose to return to Afghanistan to help rebuild the country in 2003, but after a decade of studying and working with a government department, Ali’s circumstances changed and he knew it was not safe for him to remain in his home country, so he fled to Australia. In 2013 he arrived seeking asylum. With family in the Dandenong area he settled well here and in 2014 was granted a visa allowing him to stay. He was soon joined by his wife and together they have made a home. Even welcoming their own ‘Aussie kid’ six months ago. Living in one of the most culturally diverse communities in this country, Ali is a strong advocate for multiculturalism. In fact he believes that, “The great richness in Australia comes from multiculturalism”.
“Australia is a great country and is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world. People often say this is the lucky country, but this didn’t happen by chance because the people have made this luck.” Celebrating Refugee Week (18–24 June) Ali said he would like to ask refugees and new migrants one question. “This country gave you security and you now call it home. What will you do for this country?” A member of Council’s Multicultural Advisory Committee, Ali also works for the Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre. “My passion was working with the environment, but it was not so easy for me to find work here, so I started working with the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria as a community educator,” Ali said. He went on to work for the Noble Park English Language School as a multicultural education aid and interpreter. His work with the students and parents of the school left him with many lasting memories, and he is now a strong advocate for support and education for young migrants. “The transformation that the education system provides to newly arrived people is amazing. I remember a young boy who arrived for his first day of school, screaming and crying, he had no English and was very afraid of everything. At the end of the term he was happy and could communicate quite well with his new English skills.” Ali said he hopes that one day he is able to repay Australia and it’s people for all the support he has received.
www.greaterdandenong.com
Refugee Week
Refugee Week The City of Greater Dandenong has a proud history of supporting the settlement of new migrants.
HOME
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Community Calendar
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Image by artist Sha Sarawari who won the inaugural Home and Art Prize in 2016.
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Each year an average of more than 2200 recently arrived migrants are welcomed to our community – about one-third of those are refugees. Our city is among the most culturally diverse communities in Australia. The migration wave and the settlement of people from different countries are an important part of our history and Greater Dandenong’s cultural identity. Many residents who have migrated to the Greater Dandenong area have origins in parts of the world with recent histories of conflict, violence and displacement. We know that many asylum seekers and refugees face considerable challenges upon arrival in Australia, and there are many community and volunteer organisations that work tirelessly to help these people feel welcomed and supported. Council has committed to helping support these vulnerable members of our community, and is one of about 100 councils across Australia which has signed a Refugee Welcome Zone Declaration. Mayor Jim Memeti said Refugee Week (June 18–24) was an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of our refugee communities and promote Greater Dandenong as a safe and welcoming home for refugees.
“Greater Dandenong has a long and proud tradition of welcoming migrants, and I invite our residents to continue to support new arrivals,” Cr Memeti said. Visit greaterdandenong.com to find out more about our support for refugees and asylum seekers.
Refugees who use art to tell their story are invited to take part in Home, the City of Greater Dandenong’s second annual art prize.
Home will present works that celebrate the important contribution that refugee and asylum seekers make to the cultural and social fabric of Australia. Entry is open to artists who arrived in Australia as a refugee after 1 January 1990. Artwork may be produced in any media, including but not limited to painting, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, video, photography and drawing. Five artists will be selected from the applications received and invited to exhibit at the Walker Street Gallery in October this year.
Each artist will be offered financial support for the production of artworks for the exhibition, while one artist will be selected from the shortlist and will be awarded a $2000 cash prize. Exhibiting artists may also be offered a chance to participate in the City of Greater Dandenong’s Artist in Residence program. Last year’s winner was Queensland artist Sha Sarawari who came to Australia as an Afghani refugee in 2000. His winning entry Silent Conversation was a floor-based installation art piece featuring postcards explaining people’s feelings about refugees in Australia. Second prize was won by Hussein Ali Zobea of Dandenong South for his painting depicting his former home city in Iraq. Applications close Monday 10 July, 2017. Visit walkerstgallery.com.au for more information.
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Community Calendar
Event Calendar / June 2017 MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
1
► Athol
Guy – The Seeker’s Story The Drum 10.30am Ph: 8571 1666
► Drum
Theatre Backstage Tour The Drum 1pm Ph: 8571 1666
Drum Theatre
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► Combined
Probus Club of Noble Park Club Noble, Moodemere Street, Noble Park 10am Ph: 9546 2346
► Peer
to Peer Homework Club Dandenong Library 4pm–6pm (every Monday) Ph: 1300 630 920
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QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Exercise Group Jan Wilson Community Centre 9.30am–10.30am (every Tuesday) Ph: 9795 9279
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► Learning
► Zumba
Help for Adults Dandenong Library 1pm–3pm (every Tuesday) Ph: 1300 630 920
and District Diabetic Support Group Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 2pm Ph: 9546 2346
► Art
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► Noble
Park Country Women’s Association General Meeting Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 10am–12pm Ph: 9547 7261
► Council
Meeting Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, 7pm
www.greaterdandenong.com
Money at Tax Time Business Workshop Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street 9am–10.30am Ph: 8571 1000
► Sugar
Gliders Samba Drumming Workshop Drum Theatre 6.30–8.30pm (every Thursday) Ph: 8571 1666
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Storytime Springvale and Dandenong Libraries 10.30am (every Thursday) Ph: 1300 630 920
Park Community Action Forum Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 6pm Ph: 0414 274 878
► Ballroom
Dancing Keysborough Senior Citizens Hall 8pm–11pm (every Thursday) Ph: 0428 549 995
► Living
Green Workshop Heritage Hill, 10am–12pm Ph: 8571 1702
Men’s Group Springvale Neighbourhood House 9am–12pm Ph: 9548 3972
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► Library
► Noble
20
► L adies
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► Save
Network Tour 39 Clow Street, Dandenong 8.30am–3pm Ph: 8774 7662
Meeting Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street 7pm
► Springvale
Hill Museum and Historic Garden Tour 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong 10am Ph: 8571 1666
► Interfaith
► Council
Jan Wilson Community Centre 5.30pm (every Wednesday) Ph: 9795 9279
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► Social Dancing Burden Park Bowling Club, Springvale South 7pm–10pm (every Monday) Ph: 0400 882 436 of Talking Outings and Socialising (LOTUS) Jan Wilson Community Centre 10am–12pm (every Monday) Ph: 9795 9279
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► Heritage
► Dandenong
Probus Club of Sandown Club Noble, Moodemere Street, Noble Park 10am Ph: 9791 6807
► Adult
► Combined
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myGov session Springvale Library 10am–5pm Ph: 1300 630 920
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► Centrelink
Tai Chi
Series Springvale Library 6.30pm–8pm Ph: 1300 630 920
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► Tech
Savvy Seniors Greek Springvale Library 9.30am–11.30am Ph: 1300 630 920
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► Yoga
followed by Meditation Jan Wilson Community Centre 12pm–1.30pm (every Wednesday) Ph: 9795 9279
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Community Calendar
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
2
► Still
Life for Beginners Heritage Hill 10.30am–12.30pm (four week course) Ph: 8571 1566
3
► Family
Fun at the Library Springvale Library 11am (every Saturday) Ph: 1300 630 920
Dandenong Environment Group Dandenong Wetlands, Stud Road, Dandenong North 9.30am Ph: 8571 1702
Bounce Springvale Library 10.30am (every Friday) Ph: 1300 630 920
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► Learning
Lounge Digital Literacy Springvale Neighbourhood House 9.30am–11.30am (every Friday) 9548 3972
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► Me
and My Dad: Energy Dandenong Library 3pm Ph: 1300 630 920
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► Springvale
Rotary Sunday Market Springvale Railway Station 8am–2pm Ph: 0438 303 939
Train Drum Theatre 8pm Ph: 8571 1666
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City of Greater Dandenong Ph: 8571 1000 Drum Theatre Ph: 8571 1666 Dandenong Library Ph: 1300 630 920 Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens Ph: 9793 4511 Jan Wilson Community Centre Ph: 9795 9279
June
► Peace
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► Greater
► Baby
Contact:
SUNDAY
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► Emerging
Writers’ Festival Springvale and Dandenong Library Ph: 1300 630 920
Paddy O’Donoghue Centre Ph: 8571 1436 Springvale Library Ph: 1300 630 920 Springers Leisure Centre Ph: 9701 5900
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► Sisters
of Mercy English Tutoring Dandenong Library 9am–11am (every Friday) Ph: 1300 630 920
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► Keysborough
Resurrection School Community Swap 414–418 Corrigan Road, Keysborough 10am–11am
25 Rotary Sunday Market Springvale Railway Station 8am–2pm Ph: 0438 303 939
► Springvale
► The
Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly Tribute Show Drum Theatre, 8pm Ph: 8571 1666
30
► Learn
English Through Storytime Dandenong Library 11am–12.30pm Ph: 1300 630 920
Walker Street Gallery Ph: 9706 8441 Dandenong Market Ph: 9701 3850 Cultural Tours Ph: 8571 1666
Storytime
Send your event listings to news@cgd.vic.gov.au List your community event online at greaterdandenong.com/ eventlistings
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Drum Theatre Winter program
Drum Theatre takes a new direction After 11 years providing high-quality arts and cultural entertainment for people in the City of Greater Dandenong and beyond, Drum Theatre is heading in a new and exciting direction that will ensure it continues to reflect, engage with and remain relevant to our diverse community into the future.
Athol Guy – The Seekers Story
The Australian Ballet Regional Tour – Giselle
Thursday 1 June, 10.30am
Wednesday 5 July and Thursday 6 July, 7.30pm
Celebrating one of the country’s most revered music groups, Athol Guy – The Seekers Story is a musical and visual spectacular that takes the audience on a journey from the 60s through to modern day. Original Seekers member Athol Guy is joined by an all-star cast for this trip down memory lane.
Backstage Tour Thursday 1 June, 1pm Have you ever been fascinated to see how the backstage of a theatre operates? You are invited to come and have a look at the backstage of the Drum Theatre and see the mysterious inner workings with The Drum’s own Stuart McKellar.
Peace Train Friday 9 June, 8pm A night of music and story-telling, Darren Coggan will take you on a journey back in time to celebrate the life of the inspiring and prolific singer songwriter Cat Stevens.
Experience one of the world’s most loved ballets. Starring guest artists from The Australian Ballet, and graduating students from The Australian Ballet School, don’t miss this special staged production.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show Saturday 8 July, 11am and 1pm One of the most-read and famous children’s books of all time, The Very Hungry Caterpillar emerges off the page in a masterful theatrical experience for the whole family.
Roy – a Tribute to Roy Orbison Saturday 15 July, 8pm Revered singer-songwriter Damien Leith will perform songs such as In Dreams, Crying to Running Scared, Oh Pretty Woman and Blue Angel, to name a few.
Swan Lake Drum Theatre 226 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong 8571 1666 drumtheatre.com.au
www.greaterdandenong.com
Saturday 26 August, 7.30pm and Sunday 27 August, 2pm and 7.30pm With a cast of internationally recognised artists, Swan Lake will bring the superb ballet technique of Petipa’s original choreography re-staged by Victorian State Ballet’s director Michelle Sierra.
Council is implementing a new set of priorities for its iconic venue that focus on building greater community participation and engagement with its facilities and that attract curious new audiences to its performances. While Drum Theatre has established itself as the artistic and cultural heart of Dandenong through its creative programming over the past few years, Mayor Jim Memeti said there is still scope to further incorporate Drum Theatre’s services and facilities into the wider community. “We want to open Drum Theatre up to the community, to bring people more of the shows they love, and to offer them the opportunity to use its beautiful interior spaces for their community meetings or special events,” Cr Memeti said.
Diversifying Drum Theatre’s role in the community as a multipurpose venue accessible to all is just one of the ways Council has committed to ensuring this iconic institution will be sustainable into the future. “These new strategic priorities will put the local community right at the heart of Drum Theatre’s planning and programs and will ensure the theatre can best respond to our rapidly changing cultural and economic environment now and in years to come,” said Cr Memeti.
Community Calendar
THE CITY
Detox Celebrating seniors Your Home …seniors who inspire others…
A special service to help ‘Detox your Home’ will help Greater Dandenong residents safely dispose of common toxic household chemicals. Reduce the risk of poisoning and environmental pollution, and improve recycling rates by dropping unwanted household chemicals at the mobile collection being held in Dandenong on Saturday 17 June, from 8am–4pm. You will be given the specific dropoff address when you register for the collection.
Cr Roz Blades with members of the Keysborough and District Senior Citizens Club.
Greater Dandenong residents are being urged to recognise the contributions made by local seniors by nominating for the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.
The Age-Friendly Victoria Award recognises an organisation or business that creates age-friendly communities, promotes positive ageing, or improves quality of life for older Victorians.
The Awards highlight the role of seniors who inspire others as mentors, educators, role models, leaders, or behind the scenes workers. Categories include the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year, the Promotion of Multiculturalism Award, the Healthy and Active Living Award, the Veteran Community Award and the Council on the Ageing Victoria Senior Achiever Awards.
Nominations close on Friday 23 June, and winners will be announced at Government House during the Victorian Seniors Festival in October. Visit seniorsonline.vic.gov.au for more information.
You can bring common chemicals including solvents, poisons, cleaning products, fertiliser and car care products. For a full list of what can be disposed of and to register for the collection visit sustainability.vic.gov.au/ detoxyourhome or phone Council on 8571 1000.
Immunisation Timetable – June 2017 Date
Time
Location
Monday 5 June
4.30pm–6.30pm
Springvale Service for Children, 23–28 Lightwood Road, Springvale
Tuesday 13 June
10am–11.30am
Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18–34 Buckley Street, Noble Park
Wednesday 14 June
4pm–6.30pm
Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong
Monday 19 June
4.30pm–6pm
Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough
Monday 19 June
1pm–1.45pm
Jan Wilson Community Centre, Halton Road, Noble Park North
Saturday 24 June
10am–11.45am
Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong
Wednesday 28 June
10am–11.30am
Springvale Service for Children, 23–28 Lightwood Road, Springvale
www.greaterdandenong.com
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THE CITY
Business News
Toilet paper company has cheek Co-founder and CEO Simon Griffiths said the company was started when he learned 2.3 million people across the world don’t have access to a toilet. “That’s roughly 40 per cent of the global population and means diarrhoea-related diseases kill 900 children aged underfive every day,” Mr Griffiths said.
With a name like Who Gives a Crap and a commitment to donating 50 per cent of its profits to charity, a toilet paper business has been demanding attention and earning respect. Who Gives a Crap launched in 2012 with a crowdfunding campaign and began operating out of Dandenong, now its largest distribution centre.
“We’re a regular for-profit company but we choose to donate to charities that help fund access to basic hygiene and sanitation in developing countries, predominantly across South-East Asia.”
The paper used is either 100 per cent recycled fibres or bamboo and sugarcane blends, making the products forest friendly. As well as being ethical Who Gives a Crap offers products with eye-catching designs, which are predominantly sold online but also available from select retailers including independent grocers and IGA supermarkets. The company is testing products in the US and UK and aims to launch in both countries later this year. Visit whogivesacrap.org for more information.
In just three years the company has donated almost $430,000 to one main beneficiary – WaterAid Australia.
Melbourne Cable Park An Aqua Fun Park in Greater Dandenong is making a splash and bringing hordes of tourists and thrill seekers to the region.
The environmentallyfriendly Melbourne Cable Park opened its Aqua Fun Park to the community this January and welcomed over 33,000 visitors in the first 12 weeks of operation. The park offers a fun inflatable obstacle course suitable for everyone from 5 years old, but is now closed for the colder months. The park is due to reopen for September school holidays.
www.greaterdandenong.com
The wakeboarding lakes opened in April this year and offer both beginners and experienced wakeboarders the chance to enjoy their sport seven days a week, 364 days per year. The park has three lakes, which include two full size cable systems, two two-tower cable system for beginners, coaching and group bookings. The multi-million dollar Activ Concepts development is at the National Watersports Centre in Riverend Road in Bangholme.
The park is part of an emerging tourism and recreation precinct taking shape along Riverend Road in Bangholme. Melbourne Cable Park has crunched some figures and believes it could bring 100,000 tourists to the region annually, generating up to $29 million of spend across Greater Dandenong. Visit www.melbournecablepark. com for more information.
Community Community Calendar News
THE CITY
A vegetarian lunch will be provided by the Hare Krishna Temple, for which a gold coin donation would be appreciated.
Councillors with Interfaith Leaders from the City of Greater Dandenong.
The tour costs $25, which covers transport and a copy of the Many Faiths, One People book. The tours offer an opportunity to be welcomed by a member of each faith, and a chance to learn from them something of their beliefs, practices and community here in Australia.
Interfaith Network tours Discover other faiths that are observed in our community and share in the diversity of Greater Dandenong through the Interfaith Network’s regular tours. The City of Greater Dandenong is home to one of the oldest Interfaith Networks in Australia. Established in 1989 the
Network began hosting tours of places of worship in 1991. On Wednesday 14 June the Network will hold a tour, which will include visits to a Serbian Orthodox Church, a Sikh Temple, a Hare Krishna Temple and the Wat Buddharangsi Cambodian Buddhist.
There are four tours left this year, including 14 June, 9 August, 11 October and 13 December. For more information or to book a place phone 8774 7662 or email interfaithofficer@ interfaithnetwork.org.au
Support Service looks to huge growth Melba Support Services has opened a new branch in Walker Street, Dandenong, in anticipation of huge growth in the lead up to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) roll-out. The not-for-profit, community-based organisation is preparing for the introduction of the NDIS in southern Melbourne in late 2018. The service supports people with disabilities and their carers, and was successful in the most recent round of City of Greater Dandenong’s Business Grants program. Manager Innovation and Development David Glazebrook said the service had been around since the 1970s and supported people in the eastern and southern regions of Melbourne.
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“We now run a range of group homes for individuals with complex disabilities, we have an individual support program and we run a range of respite leisure options to give carers a break,” Mr Glazebrook said.
Melba also coordinates social enterprises and operates Lilydale and Frankston units for the Transport Accident Commission. “In the southern region of Melbourne the number of people supported by the NDIS is estimated to grow from about 5100 to 10,200, so that requires a significant increase in the workforce,” he said. “I have previously worked in Dandenong as a youth worker so I’m aware of its diversity and we know through NDIS figures that a whole range of cultural groups are under-represented statistically in getting funding. “For now we’ve rented a small office here and we’re talking with people to understand what their needs are for disability support. Down the track we could be a significant employer in the area, working closely with local TAFE colleges to train people in disability support.”
disability support Melba will initially employ up to five people in the Dandenong office but could employ up to 300 by 2019. “The (Business) grant has opened up networks for us and we plan to work with business groups to identify how they can employ someone with a disability,” Mr Glazebrook said. Visit melbasupport.com.au for more information.
We accept submissions for the Community News page in The City every month. Email us at news@cgd.vic.gov.au to share your story.
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CALL FOR ARTIST PROPOSALS Are you an artist who arrived in Australia as a refugee or asylum seekers after 1 January 1990? Artists with a refugee or asylum seeker background are invited to apply to exhibit in Home, which will be staged in November 2017 by the City of Greater Dandenong’s Walker Street Gallery & Arts Centre. Home presents works that celebrate the important contribution that refugee and asylum seekers make to the cultural and social fabric of Australia. More information: walkerstreetgallery.com.au or phone 9706 8441.
Photo credit Sha Sarawari, National Icon, 2016, Digital print, 102 x 92cm