THE
CITY
Greater Dandenong’s Monthly Magazine DECEMBER 2017 / JANUARY 2018
Carols in Harmony Square PAGE 7
Our new Mayor
Australia Day Festival
Year in Review
►► PAGE 3
►► PAGE 9
►► PAGE 16–17
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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
Mayor ’s message This year has been such a busy year for everyone, and I am proud to be seeing out 2017 as your newly elected Mayor. Firstly I would like to wish all of our residents a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. I am looking forward to welcoming 2018, and I promise to do my best for all residents living in the City of Greater Dandenong. Welcome to the bumper December/January edition of The City magazine. We have so much happening over the festive season. Turn to pages 6 and 7 to read about the beautiful Christmas decorations dotted throughout our city, as well as the Carols event and New Year’s Eve in Harmony Square.
Mayor Cr Youhorn Chea
Keeping our city clean is a top priority. Turn to page 8 to read about the return of our popular Pop-up Drive Thru Recycling Days, or turn to page 14 to read about how we are deterring seagulls in central Dandenong.
Fax: 8571 5196
On a lighter note, read about what’s happening at the Drum Theatre during December on page 21, or see page 22 to find out more about delicious local produce.
www.greaterdandenong.com
I hope you enjoy this edition of The City, and you all enjoy a safe and healthy festive season.
Phone: 8571 1000
@greaterdandy facebook.com/greaterdandenong cityofgreaterdandenong youtube.com/citygreaterdandenong TTY: 133 677 Speak and listen: 1300 555 727 relayservice.gov.au TIS: 131 450
My City Council has been providing immunisation services to children and adolescents for many years. This photo was taken during a vaccination session at a local high school in the 1960s. This photo was taken by Graham Southam and was found in the photographic archives being digitised for our Digital Archive Collection.
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: Carolers get ready for the Carols by Candlelight event in Harmony Square. Picture: Hilton Stone.
This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.
News
THE CITY
Introducing the new Mayor Lightwood Ward Councillor Youhorn Chea has been elected Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong for the fourth time. Cr Chea has served as a Councillor for 20 years, and was elected Mayor in 2001, 2007 and 2012. Cr Chea has lived in Greater Dandenong since he fled Cambodia in 1982. Using his own experience living in refugee camps and building a new life for his family, Cr Chea wants to inspire refugees and migrants living in this city. “Greater Dandenong is one of Australia’s most culturally diverse communities, and I believe it is one of the most vibrant in our country,” Cr Chea said. “I hope I can inspire the many refugees who call our city home to believe they can achieve great things in their lives. Anything is possible if you believe.” Cr Chea said Greater Dandenong was a place for tolerance, peace and harmony, and said the Interfaith Network of the City of Greater Dandenong helped bring all religions together in harmony. Cr Chea is looking forward to watching Springvale transform over his term as mayor. The Springvale Boulevard project will uplift the main thoroughfare through Springvale’s shopping district, and will create a signature boulevard that reinforces the suburb as a leading cultural destination. Work will continue on planning and building the Springvale Community Precinct, which will include a state of the art library and community spaces for all. “I would like to acknowledge the good work of our most recent Mayor, Councillor Jim Memeti,” Cr Chea said. “Jim has led this council with enthusiasm and dedication, and has attended hundreds of events and functions representing the people of this city. His work is appreciated by everyone.” Cr Chea thanked his fellow councillors for entrusting him with the role of Mayor, and said he was looking forward to representing the whole community for the coming year.
www.greaterdandenong.com
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Councillor Contacts Lightwood Ward Cr Youhorn Chea – Mayor Ph/Fax: 9584 5149 0417 320 645 youhorn.chea@cgd.vic.gov.au
Keep on top of your kerbside waste collection dates, and enjoy some of the beautiful scenery around Greater Dandenong with your free 2018 Community Calendar.
Lightwood Ward Cr Sean O’Reilly 0422 523 258 sean.oreilly@cgd.vic.gov.au
Lightwood Ward Cr Loi Truong 0466 004 618 loi.truong@cgd.vic.gov.au
The calendar, which came with a copy of this magazine, features a waste collection calendar, handy waste and recycling tips, and some beautiful images of our community.
Paperbark Ward Cr Roz Blades AM Ph/Fax: 9701 5021 0417 053 612 roz.blades@cgd.vic.gov.au
If you did not receive a copy of the calendar or if you would like extra copies you can pick one up from Council’s customer service centres or phone 8571 1000.
Customer Service Christmas hours Friday 22 December All centres close at 12pm, call centre closes at 5pm Saturday 23 December Parkmore open 9am–1pm, all other centres and call centre closed Monday 25 December Christmas Day CLOSEDe a unicorn rid Tuesday 26 December Boxing Day CLOSED ress up like or d Wednesday 27 December Normal hours resume nicorn au Monday 1 January New Year’s Day All centres and call centre closed Tuesday 2 January Normal hours resume (except for the Paddy O’Donoghue Centre which will reopen on Monday 8 November)
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
Council Meetings
AY
MONDAY
MONDAY
TH URSDAY
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THU RSD Red Gum Ward Cr Angela Long Ph/Fax: 9795 6574 DECEMBER 0466 004 616 angela.long@cgd.vic.gov.au NOVEMBER Red Gum Ward Cr Jim Memeti 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
Silverleaf Ward Cr Maria Sampey Ph/Fax: 9790 1291 0438 800 027 maria.sampey@cgd.vic.gov.au
www.greaterdandenong.com
2018 Community Calendar
DECEMBER
JANUARY
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Just one Council meeting will be held in each month for December and January.
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 last meeting of 2017 will be held: Monday 11 December The first meeting of 2018 will be held: Monday 29 January
To view meetings online simply go to greaterdandenong.com/ councilmeetings
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THE CITY
Habitat, hollows and nesting boxes The Grade 5 and 6 students used the reserve as an outdoor classroom, learning about local wildlife, the importance of hollows in trees and logs, and conducting biodiversity surveys. During two programs run across 2017 the students surveyed habitat trees and hollows and even surveyed the number of animals living in the reserve. They were excited to find some resident scorpions and Southern Brown Tree Frogs in addition to the more visible birds, possums and bats that call the reserve home. Council’s bushland team partnered with students from Dandenong West Primary School to help create a home for wildlife at Dandenong’s Fotheringham Reserve.
The students then built nesting boxes which have been placed in the reserve and will be monitored by special video cameras, the students and Council’s bushland team.
The students have so far built 14 nesting boxes and their posters about the project are in the display boards at the reserve.
The nesting boxes will become home to owls, parrots, possums, microbats, wood ducks and kookaburras. Council would love to hear from schools who would like to get involved in this project in 2018. Phone 8571 1000 for information.
Council has reclaimed timber to help make interpretive signs for local reserves.
Recycled wood guides the way
In 2016 an old bridge was dismantled and the ironwood was reclaimed to form the base of new signs at Dandenong’s Fotheringham Reserve.
Sustainable Urban Forestry
In 2017 Council reclaimed the logs from red gum trees removed to make way for the level crossing removal project in Noble Park. The timber was milled by Council’s arboriculture team and used to create 23 signs. The signs were installed across three reserves, including Coomoora Flora and Fauna Woodland Reserve and National Drive Reserve, all of which contain important remnant bushland and are home to a range of indigenous animals and plants. The red gum signage is a great example of the sustainable reuse of a local resource, and the signs pay homage to the rich heritage river red gums have in the City of Greater Dandenong. The signs will weather and change over time but the hardwood will stand strong for a lifetime. The signs contain historical and botanical information about the parks and talk about the flora and fauna that call our city home.
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Working for You
New Year’s Eve in the Square It’s one of the biggest nights of the year, and the last night of the year…so how will you celebrate?
FREE ENTRY AND PARKING
Join us in Dandenong’s Harmony Square for a family friendly New Year’s Eve celebration, complete with live entertainment, children’s rides, food and market stalls, and fireworks. Up to 10,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will start at 6pm and finish at the family friendly time of 9.30pm. Free parking will be available at the Walker Street and Thomas Street multi-deck car parks. Proudly sponsored by Nova 100 the event will be held in Harmony Square, Dandenong, on Sunday 31 January, from 6pm. Fireworks will light up the night sky at 9.25pm at the conclusion of the celebrations. Visit greaterdandenong.com/ newyearseve for more information.
Sunset Cinema Friday night fun in Harmony Square is back with the return of Sunset Cinema in February. The free movie sessions will be held at 7pm, every Friday night from 2 February to 16 March. Two of the evenings will feature a double header, with the second film starting at 9pm. Films include recent box office hits such as Moana, Red Dog: True Blue and Beauty and the Beast (2017), classic 80s hit The Goonies, and a 2007 documentary about a battle to be the record scoring player in classic arcade game Donkey Kong. Bring your own seats, blankets and a picnic and enjoy an outdoor cinema experience in the heart of Dandenong. Visit greaterdandenong. com/sunsetcinema to see the program and find out more details.
www.greaterdandenong.com
Merry Christmas from your Councillors As another year comes to a close, the festive season is a great chance to take stock of the year that has been and make plans for the year ahead. So much has happened in Greater Dandenong, and indeed across the world, in 2017, but our residents continue to be resilient and optimistic. For many of you this time of year is a chance to take a holiday and spend time with loved ones, to celebrate Christmas and ring in the new year with family and friends.
That is what we will be doing, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for contributing to our vibrant and diverse community in 2017. We look forward to the arrival of 2018 and commit to representing each and every one of you next year.
Merry Christmas to you all and may the next year be a safe and healthy one.
Community Calendar
Carols in Harmony Square Kick off the festive season with the 70th annual Greater Dandenong Carols in Harmony Square on Friday 15 December. Carols in Harmony Square is a free family event and this year the celebration will include exciting performances, interactive kids’ activities after 6pm, as well as food and market stalls. Say hello to the roving performers, soak in the Christmas spirit and dance and sing along to your favourite carols. Enjoy delicious food on sale and check out the market village to pick out a perfect Christmas gift for someone special. If you are ready to get festive, join family, friends and neighbours in Harmony Square. Santa Claus will make an appearance direct from the North Pole, and there is free parking in surrounding streets and the Walker Street and Thomas Street multi-deck car parks from 6pm. This year’s event is proudly brought to you by the City of Greater Dandenong and we invite you all to join us in Harmony Square from 6.30pm–9.30pm for all the fun.
THE CITY
Christmas in Greater Dandenong
The Christmas spirit is alive and well in Greater Dandenong, with beautiful decorations brightening our streets this festive season. Look out for our larger than life Christmas trees, festive flags and roving performers between now and December 25.
The centrepiece of this year’s decorations will undoubtedly be the night lights at the iconic Drum Theatre in Dandenong. Installed earlier this year, the lights will be in Christmas colours and help add festive cheer to Dandenong’s main thoroughfare. Santa atop his giant reindeer will find a new home this year, in Lonsdale Street near Dimmeys, while a 9m tall Christmas tree will be installed in Harmony Square. Adding to the cheer in the Square will be present boxes around the base of the trees, decals on the stairway entrance and a life-sized nativity scene in the library window. Colourful tree guards and light pole decorations will pop up across the city, including in Dandenong, Noble Park and Springvale, while super-sized Christmas trees will be meticulously decorated in Multicultural Place, Springvale and Douglas Street, Noble Park. Roving entertainers will also engage shoppers during the busiest retail time of the year. Watch out for giant bouncing elves and roller skating baubles in central areas of Springvale, Noble Park and Dandenong, in the week before December 25. If you love our Christmas decorations and entertainers and take photos while out and about, don’t forget to share them on our social media channels, including Facebook and Instagram. Visit greaterdandenong.com/christmas for more information about festive celebrations in Greater Dandenong.
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Do the right thing help keep our streets clean
Pop-up Drive Thru recycle day returns The City of Greater Dandenong will offer residents another chance to reduce waste in the return of the popular Pop-up Drive Thru Recycling Day and Homecycle collection. On top of the once yearly hard waste collection, the Pop-up event gives residents a chance to dispose of unwanted household items that will be given a new life. The free collection will be held at Greaves Reserve, Bennet Street Dandenong on Saturday 3 February. There will be a limit of 15 items per drop off, and they must be brought in a car or trailer.
At Christmas we find ourselves getting lots of new things. Often it’s a case of out with the old and in with the new, but how do we do this in the right way? The City of Greater Dandenong encourages residents to dispose of rubbish and unwanted items responsibly, all year round.
Rubbish can simply be sorted into kerbside collection bins, and every household is eligible for one hard waste collection each year, but much of our rubbish is recyclable and can in fact be very valuable. Ebay and Gumtree are popular sites to help turn your trash into someone else’s treasure, while making a few dollars. You could also re-gift unwanted presents, or host a garage sale on a sunny weekend. Donating to a charity op shop is also a great option to make sure your unwanted household items get put to good use.
www.greaterdandenong.com
But there are some simple steps to make sure these donations don’t go to waste. Op shops operate during business hours, and ask that all donations are made while their shop is open and staff or volunteers are available to receive donations. Leaving donations outside of a closed shop is considered illegal dumping and you could face a fine. Charity shops bear the cost of disposing of the items left out in the elements, meaning your donation will actually take away from the needy families who rely on these services. Most charity op shops and donation bins are now under surveillance, and if identified illegal dumpers can face fines of more than $6000. So please help keep our streets clean by doing the right thing and ensuring your unwanted items reach those who need them most. You can report vehicles seen dumping items at op shops to Council on 8571 1000. Visit greaterdandenong.com/ littering for more information.
Some items will be donated to charity, while others will be recycled to create new products. What you can bring: ► TVs
and computers ► Electrical appliances ► Whitegoods (fridges, freezers, washing machines) ► Furniture (chairs, tables, couches, desks) ► Mattresses ► Bicycles ► Homewares (children’s items, prams, pushers, baby car seats) In addition to the Pop-up event you can give smaller unwanted goods a second chance with a free one-off kerbside collection of recyclable and re-usable goods. Homecycle will help pass on items such as clothing, toys, games, sports equipment and small electrical items. Collections will take place from Monday 22 January to Saturday 3 February. Visit greaterdandenong. com/popup for more information.
Community Calendar
THE CITY
Australia Day Festival
Australia Day is one of Greater Dandenong’s biggest and most significant days of celebration, and the 2018 event promises to welcome the whole community with open arms. With residents from more than 150 different birthplaces, Australia Day celebrations represent an opportunity for people from all walks of life to reflect on what it means to be Australian. The event, which is proudly sponsored by Leader Community Newspapers and Nova 100, will once again be held in Dandenong Park, on the corner of Pultney and Foster streets on Friday 26 January from 3pm to 9.30pm.
The family-friendly event will include a Welcome to Country and a Smoking Ceremony followed by a flag raising ceremony and presentation of the Australia Day Awards on the main stage. Award categories that will be presented on the day include: ► Citizen of the Year ► Young Leader of the Year ► Volunteer of the Year ► Leadership Award ► Multicultural Award ► Sportsperson of the Year ► Corporate Citizen of the Year The free festival will include a main stage and youth stage with live entertainment, roving performers,
a dedicated food court, community and market stalls, rides (costing from $2–$6) and many more family activities. The festival will also create awareness and celebrate Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people history and culture.
The day will finish on a bright note with a fireworks display lighting up the sky at 9.25pm. Visit greaterdandenong.com/ australiaday for more information.
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Community Calendar
Event Calendar / December 2017 MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
December Heritage Hill
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► Hobby
Circle Springvale Neighbourhood House, 46–50 Queens Avenue, Springvale 9am–11.30am (every Monday) Ph: 9548 3972
► Combined
Probus Club of Noble Park Club Noble, Moodemere Street, Noble Park, 10am Ph: 9546 2346
5 Help for Adults Dandenong Library 1pm-3pm (every Tuesday) Ph: 1300 630 920
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► Learning
► Heritage
► Dandenong
► Yoga
Evening View Club Dandenong RSL, 44–50 Clow Street 7pm Ph: 9560 9717
Hill Garden Tour 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong 10am–12.30pm Ph: 8571 1666
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► Library
Storytime Springvale and Dandenong Libraries 10.30am (every Thursday) Ph: 1300 630 920
Jan Wilson Community Centre 10am–11.30am Ph: 9795 9279
11 12 13 14 ► Combined
Probus Club of Sandown Club Noble, Moodemere Street, Noble Park, 10am Ph: 9791 6807
► Dandenong
and District Diabetic Support Group Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 2pm Ph: 9546 2346
► Council
Meeting Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, 7pm
► Interfaith
Network Tour 39 Clow Street, Dandenong 8.30am–3pm Ph: 8774 7662
► Library
Tech Assist Dandenong Library 3pm–5pm (every Thursday) Ph: 1300 630 920
► Bilingual
► Dandenong
Storytime – Hindi Springvale Library 10.30am Ph: 1300 630 920
Jayco Rangers vs Sydney Uni Dandenong Stadium, Stud Road 7.30pm Ph: 9794 7192
► Noble
Park Community Action Forum Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 6pm Ph: 0414 274 878
18 19 20 21 ► Social Dancing Burden Park Bowling Club, Springvale South 7pm–10pm Ph: 9547 1907
► Little
Hobby Group Springvale Neighbourhood House, 46-50 Queens Avenue, Springvale 1.30pm–3pm (every Tuesday) Ph: 9548 3972
► Learning
Help for Adults Springvale Library 2pm-5pm Ph: 1300 630 920
25 26 CHRISTMAS DAY
www.greaterdandenong.com
► Strength
Training Jan Wilson Community Centre 6pm Ph: 9795 9279
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BOXING DAY
Alex Willkie Reserve
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Community Calendar
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
► Alex
Wilkie Nature Reserve Open Day Mackay Street, Springvale South 9am–3pm Ph: 8571 1702
Contact:
SUNDAY
2
► Family
Fun at the Library Springvale Library 11am (every Saturday) Ph: 1300 630 920
THE CITY
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► Greater
Dandenong Environment Group Dandenong Wetlands, Stud Road, Dandenong North 9.30am, Ph: 8571 1702
► Art
Club for Adults Heritage Hill 10.30am–12.30pm Ph: 8571 1666
City of Greater Dandenong Ph: 8571 1000 Drum Theatre Ph: 8571 1666 Dandenong Library Ph: 1300 630 920
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► Sisters
of Mercy English Tutoring Dandenong Library 9am–11am (every Friday) Ph: 1300 630 920
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► Dandenong
Jayco Rangers vs UC Capitals Dandenong Stadium, Stud Road 7pm Ph: 9794 7192
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► Springvale
Rotary Sunday Market Springvale Railway Station 8am–2pm Ph: 0438 303 939
Jan Wilson Community Centre Ph: 9795 9279
15 16 17 ► Carols
in Harmony Square Harmony Square, Dandenong 6.30pm–9.30pm Ph: 8571 1000
Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens Ph: 9793 4511
Wilkie Nature Reserve Open Day Mackay Street, Springvale South 10am–5pm Ph: 8571 1702
Paddy O’Donoghue Centre Ph: 8571 1436
► Alex
Springvale Library Ph: 1300 630 920 Springers Leisure Centre Ph: 9701 5900
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► L anguage
Playgroup for Families Seeking Asylum Dandenong Library 11am (every Friday) Ph: 1300 630 920
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► Dandenong
Jayco Rangers vs UC Capitals Dandenong Stadium, Stud Road 6.30pm Ph: 9794 7192
Dandenong Market Ph: 9701 3850
Strength Training
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► Shrek
the Musical Drum Theatre 3pm and 7pm Ph: 8571 1666
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► Shrek
the Musical Drum Theatre 3pm and 7pm Ph: 8571 1666
Walker Street Gallery Ph: 9706 8441
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► New
Year’s Eve in the Square Harmony Square, Dandenong 6pm–9.30pm Ph: 8571 1000
Cultural Tours Ph: 8571 1666
Send your event listings to news@cgd.vic.gov.au List your community event online at greaterdandenong.com/ eventlistings
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Community Calendar
Event Calendar / January 2018 MONDAY
TUESDAY
1
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
2
NEW YEAR’S DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY
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► Noble
Park Aquatic Centre is open 5.30am–8pm
Visit
nobleparkaquaticcentre. com.au for special event details
Dandenong Oasis
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► Valewood
Toastmasters Club Dandenong North Senior Citizens Club, 41a Latham Crescent, Dandenong North 7.15pm–9.30pm Ph: 0417 512 344
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► Happiness
Project (transition to high school workshop) Heritage Hill 10am–3.30pm Ph: 9793 2155
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► Happiness
Project (transition to high school workshop) Heritage Hill 10am–3.30pm Ph: 9793 2155
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► Happiness
Project (transition to high school workshop) Heritage Hill 10am–3.30pm Ph: 9793 2155
15 16 17 ► Kids
Craft Workshop Dandenong Market 11am–3pm
► School
Alex Wilkie Reserve
Holiday program Dance and Drama Workshop Dandenong Civic Centre 1pm–3pm Ph: 9793 2155
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► Dandenong
Oasis is open 5.30am–9.30pm
Visit
dandenongoasis.com.au for special event details
22 23 24 25 ► Homecycle waste pick up begins greaterdandenong.com/ popup
► Closing
date for Summer Reading Club
► Council
Budget Consultation drop in session Dandenong Library 11am–12pm Ph: 8571 1000
► Council
Budget Consultation drop in session Springvale Library 11am–12pm Ph: 8571 1000
► Closing
date for entries in the Healthy Waterways Video Competition
► 2k18
29 30 31 ► Council
Meeting 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong 7pm
www.greaterdandenong.com
Street Style Soccer Tournament JC Mills Reserve, Cleeland Street, Dandenong 9am–5pm Ph: 9793 2155
Community Calendar
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
5
6
Wilkie Nature Reserve Open Day Mackay Street, Springvale South 9am (every Friday) Ph: 8571 1702
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► Alex
January
12
► Australian
Open coverage on the Urban Screen Harmony Square, Dandenong
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► Kids
Craft Workshop Dandenong Market 11am–3pm
19 ► Alex
Wilkie Nature Reserve Open Day Mackay Street, Springvale South 9am (every Friday) Ph: 8571 1702
► Australia
Day Festival Dandenong Park, corner Pultney and Foster streets 3pm–9.30pm Ph: 8571 1000
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► Springvale
Rotary Sunday Market Springvale Railway Station 8am–2pm Ph: 0425 806 006
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of Concrete Noble Park Skate Park 11am–5pm
► Australian
Open Women’s Final Live on the Urban Screen Harmony Square 7pm
► Springvale
Rotary Sunday Market Springvale Railway Station 8am–2pm Ph: 0425 806 006
► Australian
Open Men’s Final Live on the Urban Screen Harmony Square 7pm
Community Calendar submissions This calendar lists free and low cost events happening in the City of Greater Dandenong.
► King
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If you have a community event you want listed on this calendar please note we work at least two months in advance, and we use the event calendar on our website to populate this page. For this reason we ask that you use our website to list your event in the first instance. Visit greaterdandenong.com/ eventlistings to list your event. Please be aware that we have more event listings than we can fit on this calendar each month, so some events may not run every issue, however we will make every effort to promote all community events, support meetings and other activities where we can. If you have regular meetings that go throughout the year, we do not automatically carry these listings over from one year to the next. You will need to email website@cgd.vic.gov.au to let us know whether you want your event listed for the new calendar year, and what the dates will be. For any other queries relating to this page you can email news@cgd. vic.gov.au
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Video spreads a healthy message Get creative and help spread an environmental message through the second annual Healthy Waterways Video Competition.
Deterring birds in Dandenong Council is calling on local businesses and individuals to reduce the food source for birds in central Dandenong. Council will also install deterrents on four multi-storey buildings and clean up nesting sites in a bid to reduce seagull numbers. Mayor Youhorn Chea said this two pronged approach would help drive birds away from the area, and would deter them from nesting again next year during breeding season.
He said Council officers were working with local businesses to educate them about practical ways to help reduce the problem.
Businesses are being asked to remove potential food sources, as well as limiting access to roof spaces and eaves where birds might be able to nest. “We also implore people to stop feeding birds in public places, it is not good for the birds’ health and is encouraging them to make a home here,” Cr Chea said. Council officers will be issuing formal notices to people who feed birds, or leave food waste uncovered or bins overflowing. For information about preventative measures or to report issues visit greaterdandenong.com/birds or phone Council on 8571 1000.
Anyone aged 25 and under who lives, works or plays in the City of Greater Dandenong is invited to make a short video which shows the importance of waterway health and how to achieve healthy waterways. The key messages behind the video can be shared in a variety of ways, including musically, visually, theatrically or with animation – the choice is yours. To be eligible your video must be between 30 seconds and four minutes long, and must include a visual or verbal reference to the Greater Dandenong area or suburbs. Submit your entry online before 25 January. Visit greaterdandenong.com/ healthywaterways or phone 8571 1000 for more information.
Immunisation Timetables – December 2017 and January 2018 Date
Time
Location
Monday 4 December
4.30pm–6.30pm
Springvale Service for Children, 23–28 Lightwood Road, Springvale
Tuesday 12 December
10am–11.30am
Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18–34 Buckley Street, Noble Park
Wednesday 13 December
4pm–6.30pm
Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong
Monday 18 December
1pm–1.45pm
Jan Wilson Community Centre, Halton Road, Noble Park North
Monday 18 December
4.30pm–6pm
Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough
Tuesday 9 January
10am–11.30am
Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18–34 Buckley Street, Noble Park
Wednesday 10 January
4pm–6.30pm
Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong
Monday 15 January
4.30pm–6pm
Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough
Wednesday 24 January
10am–12pm
Springvale Service for Children, 23–28 Lightwood Road, Springvale
Saturday 27 January
10am–11.45am
Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong
www.greaterdandenong.com
Community Calendar
Library holiday hours
THE CITY
Game on for reading fun Computer games and sports games can be fun, but sometimes curling up with a good book is just what a child needs. This summer children are invited to join the Summer Reading Club at Greater Dandenong Libraries, and record the books they read for a chance to win some great prizes. With the theme ‘Game On’, recommended books will include those with sporting and technological themes. From computer games to the Commonwealth Games, the books will interest everyone.
School’s out, but the library is in. If you are looking for a great holiday read or want to explore what’s on offer at the Springvale or Dandenong libraries here’s what you need to know about opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period. Friday 22 December 9am–6pm Saturday 23 December 10am–5pm Sunday 24 December 12pm–5pm Monday 25 December CLOSED Tuesday 26 December CLOSED Wednesday 27 December 9am–5pm
With Australia due to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, books about countries involved in the Commonwealth Games will also feature on the book list.
The Summer Reading Club will launch on 1 December and finish on 23 January. Visit greaterdandenong libraries.com.au for more information or to register.
Summer in the city Looking for something to keep the kids busy over the summer school holidays, then look no further than Council’s website. The Summer in the City webpage will list all of the activities happening in Greater Dandenong, including school holiday programs and events, workshops and activities.
The page will also link to Council’s online events calendar, which lists activities hosted by other organisations and businesses. Visit greaterdandenong.com/ summerinthecity to keep up to date with what’s on and plan some holiday fun.
Thursday 28 December 9am–5pm Friday 29 December 9am–5pm Saturday 30 December 10am–5pm Sunday 31 December 12pm–5pm Monday 1 January CLOSED Tuesday 2 January 9am–9pm (normal hours resume)
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Year in Review – 2017 January
May
Thousands of people celebrated at Council’s annual Australia Day Festival. Ten local people were recognised for their community work, including Angela Beveridge and Deng Yong Deng, who were joint winners of the Young Leader of the Year Award. Noble Park’s Yvonne Smith was named Citizen of the Year.
Talent was on show at the Drum Theatre on May 5 when Council screened the second annual Short Cuts Film Festival. Entries came in from around Australia and there were so many high quality films that a Shorter Cuts festival for junior filmmakers was also screened in Harmony Square as part of September’s Children’s Festival.
March The final Enterprise Trail marker was unveiled in Springvale Road, Springvale this month. The trail is part of the Spirit of Enterprise Project commemorating the Enterprise Migrant Hostel and the important role it played in migration in Australia.
February Council celebrated all things sustainable at the 2017 City of Greater Dandenong Sustainability Festival. The fourth annual family-friendly event was held at the Dandenong Market, and included the presentation of the Sustainability Awards.
June Council joined with the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council to launch a public awareness campaign to reduce car theft. Operation Bounceback is supported by Victoria Police and Neighbourhood Watch.
April In a nod to Dandenong’s history a laneway that sits alongside the Dandenong Masonic Hall was named Freemasons Lane. Council owns the hall, and is planning to make it a prominent part of the landscape again by developing it into an art gallery.
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Community Calendar
September The sixth annual Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival celebrated our youngest residents. The festival included free and low cost activities and workshops, as well as daily movies on the Urban Screen in Harmony Square, and the headline event The Little Day Out for BIG Imaginations at Ross Reserve.
July The popular Open House Melbourne program came to Greater Dandenong, with five public locations offering free behind the scenes tours. Locations included Heritage Hill’s Benga House and Laurel Lodge, and St James Anglican Church. There was even a ghost tour of the Drum Theatre.
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October Council celebrated the re-opening of Springvale City Hall with the Mayoral Family Fun Day on Sunday 8 October. The event attracted thousands of visitors who took part in free family activities, and toured the refurbished town hall building.
August More than 50 primary school children attended the second annual City of Greater Dandenong Children’s Forum. The children took part in informal workshops and discussions as Council sought to capture their views on a wide range of topics.
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Hundreds of people joined an AFL legend for our fifth annual Walk Against Family Violence. Local sporting clubs pledged to take a stand against family violence in a photo frame campaign run across social media, while hundreds of walkers followed a path from the Dandenong Market to Harmony Square to listen to Kevin Sheedy and other guest speakers talk.
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Future plans for local parks
What would you like to see in the 2018–19 Council Budget? In early 2018 Council will be developing its new Budget and Annual Plan which will highlight the key activities to be undertaken in the 2018–19 financial year. As part of this process we would like to know the community’s thoughts and suggestions on what we should be focusing on over the next 12 months.
Council is creating master plans for four district parks and is looking for input from the community to help guide the future use of each one. The parks include: ► Warner
Reserve, Springvale
► Burden
Park, Springvale South
► Frederick
Wachter Reserve, Keysborough
► Parkfield
Reserve, Noble Park.
The purpose of the master plans is to ensure that these parks continue to meet the needs of our community. The parks currently have a range of uses, including passive and active recreation. These master plans will focus on the future development of facilities and activities that most effectively meet community needs.
Masonic Hall new home of art Have your say on Council’s proposal to transform the Masonic Hall in Dandenong into a state-ofthe art gallery. The hall, in Mason Street, was built in the 1920s. As part of the proposed development Walker Street Gallery would be relocated to the Mason Street site, and the building extended
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The first stage of the master plan process will focus on researching how the parks are currently used, and what the community’s aspirations are for the future. The four reserves will be treated individually and separate master plans will be created for each one. If you are interested in being part of the conversation regarding one or more of these parks, there will be an opportunity to provide initial input in mid-January 2018, and face to face consultation is planned for February. Further feedback from the community will also be sought in 2018 once the draft master plans are put together.
Visit greaterdandenong.com to have your say, or phone Council’s Strategic, Design and Sustainability team on 8571 1000.
and refurbished to allow new improved spaces for local and visiting exhibitions and artists. Greater Dandenong Mayor Cr Youhorn Chea said the proposed Masonic Hall Art Gallery Redevelopment is based around a vision of celebrating art and culture in Dandenong. “The project aims to create an art gallery that is an exceptional cultural facility,” he said.
There will be many opportunities to have your say, including online activities and hard copy feedback forms which will be available at Council’s customer service centres, libraries and community centres. In January we are also offering the opportunity for people to drop in to the Dandenong and Springvale libraries to share their ideas with Council staff. Dandenong Library Level 2, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong Tuesday 23 January, from 11am–12pm Springvale Library 411 Springvale Road, Springvale Wednesday 24 January, from 11am–12pm
Visit www.greaterdandenong. com for more information.
“The vision is to create a new public icon within central Dandenong that fosters participation and inclusivity amongst Dandenong’s diverse community.” Visit greaterdandenong.com and visit the Tell Us section to find out how to have your say. Council invites feedback until 15 December 2017.
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Emergency phone numbers The City of Greater Dandenong is reminding residents of the telephone numbers they need to use to contact police, fire or ambulance services in the event of an emergency. The quickest way to get the right emergency service to help you is to call 000 from any phone in Australia, unless you are hearing or speech impaired, in which case the number is 106. Non-English speakers can also be transferred to a translator once connected to the 000 operator.
Did you know that the City of Greater Dandenong has an after-hours service? Council understands that not all emergencies strike during the hours of 9am–5pm. If you have a Council-related issue that needs to be urgently addressed you can phone Council on 8571 1000 at any time of the day and someone will be there to assist. Less urgent issues can also be addressed via the smart phone app Snap, Send, Solve. Just snap a photo of the problem, fill in the description and send it via the app, and the responsible authority will be alerted to the problem. Visit snapsendsolve.com for more information.
It’s an emergency Emergency management is not just about the response. It is more than lights and sirens. Effective emergency management is about preparation and knowing what to do before an event happens. Emergency service groups offer plenty of tips on preparing yourself for an emergency situation, but one simple mobile phone app can help you be prepared while on the move. The VicEmergency app provides information about emergency situations unfolding in your neighbourhood. Visit emergency.vic.gov.au to download the app. Here are some basic tips to help you get the most out of the app:
► Create
a ‘watch zone’ for your home address. Normally 5km will provide you with enough notice of lockdown or evacuation situations.
► Create
a second ‘watch zone’ for your current location. A 5km zone will help alert you to incidents wherever you are travelling to. During peak summer period extend the ‘watch zone’ to 10km if you are travelling in rural or regional areas.
► Click
on the ‘menu’ tab and the ‘icons explained’ tab, and have a discussion with all family members about the icons and the information contained. Discuss what your family should do if an alert comes through.
Being prepared is in your hands.
► Install
it to all devices operated by family members, including those for school and work.
Summer brings fire risk Preventing fires this summer is everyone’s responsibility. Council is encouraging residents to check their properties for potential fire hazards, and make sure those hazards are removed before the hot weather hits. Good preparation will make it easier to keep your property fire safe over summer. Over the years dropped cigarette butts have started some terrible blazes across the state, and Council is encouraging smokers to dispose of their butts correctly to avoid disaster.
Throwing or dropping cigarette butts out of a car window or in garden beds can cause grass fires, which have the ability to spread quickly in the right conditions. If you see someone dropping cigarette butts out of their car or in the streets visit epa.vic.gov.au/get-involved/reportlitter or phone 1300 372 842 to make a report. Disposing of lit cigarette butts can incur fines of more than $600.
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Festive food fun Each year, Victorians throw out 250,000 tonnes of food – enough to fill the Eureka Tower from top to bottom. This equates to $4 billion worth of wasted food.
Reducing food waste saves resources and money. Council is running a free workshop that will help you cut food waste this Christmas. Take the stress out of Christmas cooking with the team from PlanBuyCook. Get a detailed menu and plan for shopping and menu ideas for the big day that will cut the waste and stress. You’ll leave with a fuss-free festive meal plan and ways to use up the leftovers. The workshop will be held at the Jan Wilson Community Centre, Halton Road, Noble Park North, on Monday 11 December, from 6.30pm– 7.30pm. Phone 8571 1702 to book.
Kerbside collections for larger developments Council has worked closely with the Department of Health and Human Services to introduce a household waste collection for residents at a new Dandenong development. Usually larger scale apartment developments need to organise for their bins to be collected by private companies as the logistics of
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Springvale Community Precinct With the completion of the City Hall refurbishment, the Springvale Community Precinct is beginning to take shape. Over the next three years the site will be developed with a community hub that will provide a variety of learning, leisure and cultural opportunities. It will include a modern state-of-the-art library, community meeting areas, a civic services area and outdoor green spaces.
A design competition and public consultation phase earlier this year has seen detailed plans drawn up for the site. You can view hard copies of these plans at the Springvale and Dandenong libraries or visit our website greaterdandenong.com/ springvalecommunityprecinct to look at detailed designs.
collecting the large numbers of bins put out by residents can cause issues. However, Council and the government agency have proven these issues can be addressed by working closely together. Residents of the Potter Street building are now happy to be included in Council’s household collection, which means they can keep on top of their pick up dates via Council’s website or the free waste calendar that we provide to residents each year.
Visit greaterdandenong.com/ waste for more information about garbage, recycling and green waste collections across Greater Dandenong.
Community Calendar
Christmas at The Drum Join two of Australia’s premiere singers for a night of Christmas cheer at Drum Theatre. From Bach to Bing is a glorious fusion of traditional and modern Christmas music.
Join David Hobson, Australia’s most acclaimed classical tenor, and coloratura soprano Georgia Wilkinson, fresh from starring operatic roles in Europe, for a night of fun for all ages.
Shrek the Musical He’s been a popular character at the cinemas for many years, and now Shrek has taken the theatre world by storm. The smash hit Shrek the Musical is coming to Drum Theatre in Dandenong this holiday season. Based on the story and characters from the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, this hilarious and spectacular production is a must see, all-singing, all-dancing comedy.
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Princess Fiona from her tower, guarded by the fire breathing, love sick Dragon. Add the vertically challenged Lord Farquaad, a gang of fairytale misfits and a biscuit with attitude, and you have an irresistible mix of adventure, laughter and romance, guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages. See Shrek the Musical presented by MTS Studios, at Drum Theatre, from Friday 29 December to Sunday 31 December. Tickets from $29.75. Visit drumtheatre.com.au to see show times and to book tickets, or phone 8571 1666.
Join our unlikely hero Shrek, and his loyal steed Donkey, as they set off on a quest to rescue the beautiful
The evening progresses from ancient carols, through to Bach Oratorio, the Messiah and traditional carols, to modern Australian carols and Bing Crosby favourites. There will even be some sing-along moments. This will be a special night to remember, with David and Georgia being accompanied by acclaimed international pianist Rhodri Clarke. A special guest, Greater Dandenong resident and rising star Jason Maroudis, will also perform. From Bach to Bing will be held at Drum Theatre, on Thursday 21 December, at 7.30pm. Tickets from $59. To book visit drumtheatre. com.au or phone the Box Office on 8571 1666.
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Business News
Christmas trading at Dandenong Market Christmas food and gift shopping will be made easy right up until the last minute at the Dandenong Market.
Extended trading hours will give every shopper the chance to buy the freshest treats and that perfect present right up until 4pm on Christmas Eve. Santa will also visit, direct from the North Pole, arriving on Saturday 2 December at 11am. Children can meet Santa and his elf every market day from 2 December to Christmas Eve. Visit dandenongmarket.com.au for more information. CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR TRADING HOURS:
Taking local foods to the country
Tuesday 19 December 7am–4pm Wednesday 20 December CLOSED Thursday 21 December CLOSED Friday 22 December 7am–5pm Saturday 23 December 7am–4pm Sunday 24 December 7am–4pm Monday 25 December CLOSED Tuesday 26 December CLOSED Wednesday 27 December CLOSED Thursday 28 December CLOSED Friday 29 December 7am–5pm Saturday 30 December 7am–4pm Sunday 31 December 10am–3pm Monday 1 January CLOSED Tuesday 2 January 7am–4pm
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Products made in Greater Dandenong will be on show at a rural World’s Longest Lunch in March. Council’s Economic Development Unit has teamed with Little River Wines and Marian Rennie to run a lunch event during the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. The lunch will feature a long table set for more than 100 guests amid rolling foothills and lush grazing paddocks along the Goulburn River in a grand garden on one of the oldest farming properties in Acheron. A renowned artist and cook, Marian, will meld gorgeous in-season produce with exotic aromas and flavours from Greater Dandenong’s diverse, thriving multicultural food heartland.
Serious foodies and wine lovers are invited to feast on multiple dishes served over five courses, highlighted by unusual treats like Craft & Co Gin, Kaiju Beer and premium wines by Craft & Co and Little River.
The World’s Longest Lunch will be held at Marian Rennie’s Gallery at Acheron, on Friday 16 March, from 12pm–4pm. Visit www.melbournefoodand wine.com.au for more information and to book your place at the table.
Community Community Calendar News
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Anzac Centenary project
Joyce Milne, Mary Colquhoun and Thi Hoi Nguyen with their completed portraits.
A project to document the stories of 100 service men and women for the Anzac Centenary will include interviews with local veterans. Valman Productions and Films4Change Inc are interviewing subjects for The 100, which will be launched in 2018, in line with the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI.
Centenarian Portrait Project Three Greater Dandenong seniors have had their images recorded as part of an art project encouraging different generations to exchange perspectives. Created by Embraced Inc, in association with Arcare Aged Care and the Victorian Seniors Festival, the Centenarian Portrait Project matched 100 of Melbourne’s oldest residents with skilled young high school artists. For many of the artists it was the first time they had met someone
aged over 100, and for the subjects it was a chance to share their life stories with someone of a younger generation. Sittings were held over several meetings, giving the pair a chance to get to know each other. The resulting artwork has also become a beautiful keepsake for the families of the subjects, with the pieces exhibited during the Victorian Seniors Festival before being donated to the subjects.
The project aims to create a digital archive for future generations to capture the experiences of Australian Military Service Personnel, and in turn help future service men and women prepare for their time in the military. Visual and audio recordings will help share the stories and the achievements of individuals during and post their military service. The Dandenong Cranbourne RSL supports the project and will act as a backdrop for some of the interviews. If you would like to find out more about the project you can contact project manager Val Athanassiou at valman@y7mail.com
Donations wanted The Springvale Benevolent Society is seeking food donations to help feed needy families this festive season.
Historical Society on the move The Springvale and District Historical Society will be temporarily relocating while the Springvale Community Precinct is being redeveloped.
Christmas themed and general food items are being sought to help make up food parcels for distribution.
The Society will close its building at 7 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale from the start of December, and will re-open at 11 Morwell Parade, Springvale from February 2018.
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The Society will move into the new Springvale Community Hub when it is completed, but in the meantime will operate out of the Morwell Parade building.
Christmas is the perfect time to think about giving, and the Society believes that every family deserves to celebrate Christmas. Hours of operation will remain every Thursday, from 12pm– 4pm. For more information phone 9548 2732.
If you would like to make a donation please phone 9546 5558.
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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New Year’s Eve in the square
Sunday 31 December 2017
6pm-9.30pm Harmony Square, Dandenong 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong
Free entry
Live entertainment • Roving performances Rides $2-$6 • Free family activities Fireworks 9.25pm
Friday 26 January 2018
3pm-9.30pm Dandenong Park Cnr Pultney & Foster streets, Dandenong
Free family activities • Live entertainment Rides $2-$6 • Youth stage • All ages Food & market stalls • Fireworks 9.25pm
Media partners
Alcohol and smoke free events
greaterdandenong.com 8571 1000