THE
CITY
Greater Dandenong’s Monthly Magazine
FEBRUARY 2017
Get active in Greater Dandenong PAGE 3
Australia Day Honours
Sustainability Festival
1000 Books Before School
►► PAGE 7
►► PAGE 8 & 9
►► PAGE 12
2
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 correspondance to: The City PO Box 200 Dandenong VIC 3175 Email: news@cgd.vic.gov.au Phone: 8571 1000 Fax: 8571 5196 www.greaterdandenong.com
Mayor ’s message Welcome to the February edition of The City magazine. In this month’s edition we celebrate a win for Dandenong motorists with the announcement that the intersection of Robinson Street and Princes Highway will become fully signalised. Council has been advocating for this for many years. Read more on page 6. We also celebrate the environment at the Family Sustainability Festival on Sunday 26 February. A fun family day out the festival will teach you how to protect the environment and do Mayor Jim Memeti more with less. See page 8 to read more. While you are on page 8, please read about our Homecycle and Pop-up hard waste collection initiatives, offering residents a chance to reduce their waste to landfill. After proving a real crowd pleaser last year, Sunset Cinema is back with some awesome family films. Turn to page 12 to see the full schedule of movies. Our libraries are also launching a reading program to help all youngsters reach the milestone of 1000 books before they start school. See page 12 for more information. I encourage you to enjoy the last month of summer in this great city of ours.
@greaterdandy facebook.com/greaterdandenong cityofgreaterdandenong youtube.com/citygreaterdandenong TTY: 133 677 Speak and listen: 1300 555 727 www.iprelay.com.au
My City What’s on the box? This public art piece ‘In the Lounge’ is situated in Palm Plaza, Dandenong, and invites visitors to sit and relax for a while. The piece was developed by artists from Big Fish P/L.
Public Art
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 Noble Park Sports and Aquatic Centre in Memorial Drive is the ideal place to cool off this summer. Open every day the pool offers plenty of fun for the whole family. Picture: Kylie Grinham.
This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.
News
The health of Greater Dandenong residents
THE CITY
Active city The City of Greater Dandenong is a strong advocate for the physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits of active participation in sport. Greater Dandenong is one of the most culturally diverse municipalities in Victoria and we recognise that sport is a great equaliser. In 2015 Council conducted a Sport and Active Recreation Participation Survey, which identified that the most popular sporting activities in Greater Dandenong differed from those undertaken across the state. Walking, swimming and cycling all ranked higher with our local residents than the state’s most popular sport of basketball.
VicHealth recently released a survey that revealed the state of health of Victorians. About 300 Greater Dandenong residents were surveyed over the phone in late 2015, and their results were compared against other Victorian residents to complete the survey. Greater Dandenong received an overall health and wellbeing score of 74.9 out of 100, compared to a state average of 77.3. Mayor Jim Memeti said Greater Dandenong performed similar to or better than the Victorian average across more than half of the indicators measured in the survey, and importantly perceptions of a close knit community were high. “Like any other area we have our challenges, but what’s now important is that we use this data to help improve the health and wellbeing of our residents,” Cr Memeti said. “Greater Dandenong is a wonderful city of opportunity and we pride ourselves on having many strengths. For example more than 60 per cent of residents said they considered their neighbourhood a close-knit community, two per cent higher that the average recorded for metropolitan councils.”
Greater Dandenong has a strong commitment to increasing safety in our community and works closely with Victoria Police to achieve this. The survey also revealed that Greater Dandenong had a more positive alcohol culture and were at less short term harm from alcohol than respondents from across the state.
“Building a city that values, supports and enhances the health, wellbeing, safety and happiness of all Greater Dandenong residents is one of Council’s most important priorities when planning and developing services, programs and infrastructure for the future,” Cr Memeti said.
Council’s survey also identified that affordability and access to sporting clubs were the biggest obstacles to sports participation in Greater Dandenong. Council actively works to increase participation in sport by working with local clubs and sports bodies, as well as organising a range of free health and wellbeing activities for residents. Council has also established a successful partnership with Cricket Victoria which provides a 75 per cent discount for new players in junior teams, making sport more affordable. Visit greaterdandenong.com/ sportandrecreation to find out more about sports clubs, sports grounds and activities available in the City of Greater Dandenong.
“We agree that everyone should have a fair and equal opportunity to reach their full health potential and additional support for people experiencing disadvantage would be welcomed to improve health outcomes for different population groups.”
www.greaterdandenong.com
3
4
THE CITY
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
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 FEBRUARY 0466 004 616 angela.long@cgd.vic.gov.au
10
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
Council Meetings MONDAY
13 FEBRUARY
MONDAY
27 FEBRUARY
www.greaterdandenong.com
28 10
FEBRUARY
NOVEMBER NOVEMBER
M O N DAY
13
FEBRUARY
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 February 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
Monday 13 February Monday 27 February
To view meetings online simply go to greaterdandenong.com/ councilmeetings
M O N DA
27
FEBRUARY
THE CITY
Cr Roz Blades am
► Paperbark Ward
I am very proud and humbled to be re-elected in Paperbark Ward to represent all of you.
There is much to look forward to in the future for our community, including the development of the Ross Reserve Master Plan – the skateboard park and aquatic facilities are already family favourites. Works are well underway to remove three level crossings in Noble Park, including crossings at Heatherton, Corrigan and Chandler roads. While the works have caused some disruption to parking arrangements at the Noble Park Station, and traffic movements around the three crossings, drivers will see the benefits of this project in mid-2018.
► Lightwood Ward One of the biggest changes happening right now in Lightwood Ward is the refurbishment of the Springvale Town Hall. The hall has been closed since October, and work crews have been busy working on internal renovations, including a new kitchen, flooring, improved stage area, and heating and cooling. A new outdoor deck will also be built.
Consultation with the community showed that people love the Town Hall and wanted to keep it for community use, so these works will make sure the iconic building is open to the public for many, many years to come.
The Noble Park Community Action Forum meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6pm at the Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, where all residents can have a voice. Through this forum there have been many opportunities for residents to speak to the Level Crossing Removal Authority to ask questions about the level crossing removal project.
I will be very busy this year working hard to represent the Paperbark community on Council. I will be working on strategies for our older residents as a member of the Positive Ageing Advisory Committee. I am also involved in the Community Safety Advisory Committee and have been championing the installation of six more CCTV cameras in Noble Park. As your representative on the Eastern Transport Coalition, we are working hard to improve public transport for you. I am always available and happy to talk about any topics that are important to you, so feel free to contact me at roz.blades@cgd.vic.gov.au or on 0417 053 612.
Cr Youhorn Chea While the hall is closed for hire at the moment, it will reopen for business as soon as the works are complete. At this stage we anticipate this will be July, but you can visit greaterdandenong.com to keep up to date with the progress. The Town Hall is just the first step in the process of creating a new community precinct for Springvale. The second stage of the project will be the construction of a community hub including, a new customer service centre, meeting rooms, a new library and open space. Work on the Springvale Boulevard Project aims to turn Springvale Road into a signature boulevard. Last year local residents, businesses and school children were engaged to tell us what would make Springvale even more sensational. All of your ideas have been considered in future plans for this boulevard which will help reinforce Springvale as one of Melbourne’s leading cultural destinations. The future definitely looks bright for Springvale.
Council will further consider its position in respect of parking metres in Springvale on 27 February, 2017. If you would like to contact me about anything please phone 0417 320 645.
www.greaterdandenong.com
5
6
THE CITY
Working for You
Traffic lights for busy Dandenong intersection
Cr Angela Long, Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams, Cr Matthew Kirwan and Mayor Jim Memeti celebrate the funding of works at this intersection.
After a long campaign to get traffic lights at a Dandenong intersection local councillors are celebrating a $1.7 million State Government funding announcement. The intersection of Princes Highway and Robinson Street will become fully signalised, with traffic lights at each point, including a fully controlled right turn from the Highway into Robinson Street, and pedestrian crossings.
g Winnin k r Artwo
Mayor Jim Memeti said Council had been advocating for traffic lights since 2008 and would contribute $500,000 to the project. “This is one of the busiest intersections in Dandenong, with something like 35,000 vehicles driving through every day,” Cr Memeti said. “Having traffic lights here will help traffic flow more smoothly and will make things safer for drivers and pedestrians.”
Make your own pull-up banner Young artists shared an environmental message through the 2016 Pull-Up Banner Design Competition. Grade 5 student Bilin, from Springvale Rise Primary School, designed the winning artwork which will be turned into a pull-up banner that will be displayed at Council events. For her effort’s Bilin also won a visit to her school by the Dolphin Research Institute. Featuring Harry Habitat, a 300-year-old river redgum tree, the winning entry highlighted the importance of keeping litter and pollution out of our storm water drains. Council received more than 20 amazing entries from talented grade 4, 5 and 6 students across the municipality.
www.greaterdandenong.com
Between 2010 and 2015 there were 12 crashes recorded at the intersection, including four serious crashes. VicRoads will begin construction works on the intersection upgrade mid-year.
This year a new pull-up banner competition will feature another of Council’s much loved environmental characters – Lily Litter. The banner will focus on the importance of making sure recycling, rubbish, waste, compost and yard clippings are disposed of in the right way to avoid any of them getting into stormwater drains, and your design must include Lily Litter. Once again the competition is open to Greater Dandenong students in grades 4, 5 and 6, and designs can be created by individuals or groups. This competition is sponsored by Melbourne Water Through the Living Rivers grant and closes on 29 June. For more information contact Council’s Litter Prevention Officer Amy McLoughlin on 8571 1000 or at amy. mcloughlin@cgd.vic.gov.au
Community Calendar
THE CITY
Australia Day Award winners JAN UARY
26 Angela Beveridge
Sophie Molineux
Citizen of the Year Yvonne Smith Yvonne is a Noble Park resident who is a long term volunteer contributor to the Country Women’s Association, Noble Park RSL, The Queen Elizabeth Centre, special schools in Noble Park and Dandenong and the University of the Third Age. Her contribution embodies the spirit of Citizen of the Year.
Young Leader of the Year joint winners Angela Beveridge and Deng Yong Deng Angela participated in the Young Leaders Program and has gone on to become a program mentor for other Young Leaders. She is now at university and still finds time to volunteer for Kids Hope Australia, World Vision, Red Frogs (Schoolies Support), Dandenong Church of Christ and Council’s Youth Services. Deng has assisted other young people through The Weekend Academy (an activities program for South Sudanese youth), the Bounce Back program which is conducted with Victoria Police for young people from the juvenile justice system, the South Sudanese Basketball program and as a church tutor.
Volunteer of the Year Celine Tauro Celine has been a volunteer tutor with the Too Low in English program organised through St Mary’s parish in Dandenong for 13 years. Although not a trained teacher, Celine has developed her own teaching material at her own cost to support the program and has given countless hours to her students.
Leadership Award Jo Raphael Jo has been involved with Fusion Theatre since 1997. Fusion Theatre provides a theatre skills experience for all abilities adults. In addition to her daytime role as a lecturer in arts at Deakin University, Jo is passionate about providing quality drama classes, performances and learning for all abilities students.
Multicultural Award Atiq Abed Atiq works actively within the local community to support stronger communities and social inclusion. His paid employment at AMES is complemented by extensive voluntary work with South East Community Links, a research project for the Burnet Institute, development of cross cultural
football/soccer teams, voluntary learn to drive mentoring, and is driving the development of a new not-forprofit community organisation called Southeast Connect.
Sports Person of the Year Sophie Molineux Sophie plays women’s cricket at local, state and international level and has been selected for the inaugural women’s Big Bash League. At 18 years of age Sophie has achieved so much and has a distinguished career ahead of her. She also gives back to the sport through volunteering with the Gippsland Girls Carnival.
Corporate Citizen of the Year Ronald Anson Ronald is the owner and operator of the Norden Group – a transport and automotive business based in Dandenong. Ronald has trained over 90 apprentices since the inception of his business in 1959 and has supported the Jobs for Dandenong Taskforce. He has been involved with the Rotary Club of Dandenong since 1979 and has supported numerous charities and philanthropic causes such as Wallara, Yooralla, Hanover and Relay for Life.
www.greaterdandenong.com
7
8
THE CITY
Helping residents recycle In a bid to help residents recycle more household waste Council will introduce some new initiatives this year.
Free Event
Two pop-up drive thru recycling days next month will give residents the opportunity to dispose of waste that would otherwise be put out for hard waste collection. The first will be at Greaves Reserve in Dandenong on Saturday 4 March, while the second will be in front of the Springvale Town Hall on Saturday 18 March. Homecycle will also give residents the chance to take part in a oneoff collection of items that can be recycled. The items are not normally included in regular kerbside recycling, and include clothing, electronic items, toys, sporting equipment and plastic bags. Homecycle will invite residents to leave their recycling bin out for 24 hours after their regular collection during a week in March, and fill the bin with useful things for recycling. A second bin collection will then take place in their neighbourhood, and all items will be recycled or repurposed. More information about both initiatives will be distributed to all households in the lead up to the collections. In the meantime visit greaterdandenong.com/ wasteandrecycling for more information.
♻︎
www.greaterdandenong.com
Sustainability Festival Families looking for a fun and informative day out will enjoy the City of Greater Dandenong’s Sustainability Festival, which returns to the Dandenong Market in February.
new hands-on activities, demonstrations and displays, as well as some of the more popular elements from past festivals. A new addition to the festival is the food trucks that will be serving some delicious treats.
Now in its fourth year, this free event celebrates and promotes environmental sustainability in a friendly and enjoyable way with activities, demonstrations and information that will appeal to all ages, and with innovative ideas that can be implemented in everyday homes.
Attendees can learn gardening skills, meet native animals and discover new ways of growing, preparing and cooking food. There will be spot prizes given out throughout the event, and Council will present the winners of the annual Sustainability Awards.
Families can learn the simple steps they can take at home or in their backyard to help them do more with less, that will not only help create a better environment, but may also save them money.
This exciting event will also feature:
Last year’s event had a record number of attendees, and this year’s event promises to be even more popular with
► Face
painting and children’s activities powered smoothies ► Sustainable product stalls ► Take-home plantings ► Musical entertainment ► Cooking demonstrations ► Pedal
Community Calendar
THE CITY
Healthy waterways video competition If you’ve got something to say about the state of the environment then get your creative caps on and be in the running to win a $1000 cash prize. The Healthy Waterways Video Competition is the newest category in Greater Dandenong’s Sustainability Awards. Sponsored by Melbourne Water’s Living Rivers fund, the competition encourages young people aged 12–25 who work, live and play in Greater Dandenong to create a short video on the theme of healthy waterways. There are no strict rules about the type of video. It could include a song or rap, take the form of a documentary, feature animation or stop motion, or simply be a selfie style video with an environmental message. Your entry could be anywhere from 30 seconds to four minutes long. Entries close on 10 February. Finalists will have their entries screened before the Sunset Cinema screening of Finding Dory, in Harmony Square, Dandenong, on Friday 24 February at 6.30pm. The winner will be announced at the Sustainability Festival, at Dandenong Market, on Sunday 26 February. For details visit greaterdandenong.com/sustainabilityawards
Food Waste Avoidance workshop
► Experts
on hand including sustainability specialists and Council’s environmental staff. For more information visit greaterdandenong.com/ sustainabilityfestival or phone 8571 1000.
The Sustainability Festival is proudly presented by the City of Greater Dandenong, sponsored by the Dandenong Market, and supported by Leader Newspapers, Solgen Energy Group, LEDified, Sustainability Victoria and the Sustainable Living Foundation. When: Sunday 26 February, 10am–3pm Where: Dandenong Market – southern upper level car park (between the old Clow St Municipal Offices and the market)
Did you know? Each year in Victoria, households throw out 250,000 tonnes worth of food – enough wasted food to fill Melbourne’s Eureka Tower. That’s equivalent to the average Victorian household throwing away approximately $2,200 worth of food every year.
Come along to this workshop for some great tips on: ► Meal
planning in minutes storage tips and making food last ► How to save money on your food bill ► Cooking meals using common foods that are wasted ► Smart cooking and kitchen tools to make cooking easy. ► Food
Tuesday 28 February 6.30pm–7.30pm Paddy O’Donoghue Centre in Noble Park * Limited places, bookings are essential To register, please contact Council on 8571 1702
www.greaterdandenong.com
9
10
THE CITY
Community Calendar
Event Calendar / February 2017 MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
2
8
9
16
February
6
► Business
Information Session: Starting Your Business Right Dandenong Library 6.30pm–8.30pm Ph: 1300 630 920
►
►
urden Park Dance B Burden Park Bowls Club, Springvale South 7pm–10pm (every Monday) Ph: 9547 1907
13
7 Bingo Keysborough Seniors Club, 352 Cheltenham Road 12.45pm–3pm (every Tuesday) Ph: 9798 6503
14
Noble Park Community Action Forum Paddy O’Donoghue Centre 6pm Ph: 0414 274 878
15
Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve
► Combined
Probus Club of Sandown Club Noble Noble Park 10am Ph: 9791 6807
►
►
THURSDAY
ibrary Toddler Time launch of 1000 Books L Before School Dandenong and Springvale Library 10.30am Ph: 1300 630 920
►
andenong Food Lovers Tour D Central Dandenong 10.30am–12.30pm Ph: 8571 1377
►
ife Drawing Classes L Heritage Hill 6.30pm Ph: 8571 1666
►
ugar Gliders Samba S Drumming Workshop Drum Theatre, 6pm Ph: 8571 1666
► Council
Meeting Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street 7pm
20
21
► Business
Information Session: Planning and Starting Your Business Dandenong Library 6.30pm–8.30pm Ph: 1300 630 920
at Heritage Hill 5.10pm and 6.20pm (every Wednesday) Ph: 0405 427 183
Carpet Bowls Keysborough Seniors Club, 352 Cheltenham Road 12.30pm–3pm (every Monday) Ph: 9798 6503
►
27
22
► Yoga
► Indoor
23
► A
Fine Romance: The Magic of Fred Astaire Drum Theatre 10.30am Ph: 8571 1666
Golf Day 28
T ake a Swing for Charity Golf Day Sandhurst Golf Club 11am–5pm Ph: 8571 1576
► Business
Information Session: Taxation Considerations for Home-based Business Dandenong Library 6.30pm–8.30pm Ph: 1300 630 920
►
ouncil Meeting C Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street 7pm
www.greaterdandenong.com
A Fine Roma
Community Calendar
FRIDAY
►
3 unset Cinema: S Big Hero 6 (PG) Harmony Square, Dandenong 7pm
►
►
4
aileybury 2017 Lunar New H Year Festival Haileybury Keysborough campus, 855 Springvale Road 3.30pm–9pm
Shab-E-Taranoom Drum Theatre 7.30pm Ph: 8571 1666
Contact:
SUNDAY
►
10
5
► Greater
Dandenong Environment Group meeting Dandenong Wetlands, Stud Rd, Dandenong 9.30am Ph: 8571 1702
11
► World
Wetlands Day Tirhatuan Park, Kriegal Way, Dandenong North 4pm–7pm Ph: 8571 1702
►
12 Springvale Rotary Sunday Market Springvale Railway Station 8am–2pm Ph: 0438 303 939
17 unset Cinema: Hunt for the S Wilderpeople (PG) Harmony Square, Dandenong 7pm
►
18 ummer Community Festival S Burden Park, Springvale 11am–11pm (fireworks at 9.30pm)
►
►
► Summer
Community Festival Burden Park, Springvale 5pm–11pm
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
Sunset Cinema: The Book of Life (PG) Harmony Square, Dandenong 7pm
►
SATURDAY
THE CITY
19 ummer Community Festival S Burden Park, Springvale 11am–9pm ye Hard Fun Run D Tirhatuan Park, Kriegel Way, Dandenong North 9.30am
Jan Wilson Community Centre Ph: 9795 9279 Paddy O’Donoghue Centre Ph: 8571 1436 Springvale Library Ph: 1300 630 920
G
24
25
► Sunset
Cinema: Finding Dory (G) and Healthy Waterways Video Competition screening Harmony Square, Dandenong 7pm
26 Sustainability Festival Dandenong Market 10am–3pm
Springers Leisure Centre Ph: 9701 5900
► Family
► Springvale
Rotary Sunday Market Springvale Railway Station 8am–2pm Ph: 0438 303 939
Walker Street Gallery Ph: 9706 8441 Dandenong Market Ph: 9701 3850 Cultural Tours Ph: 8571 1666
Send your event listings to news@cgd.vic.gov.au
ance Food Lovers Tour
List your community event online at greaterdandenong.com/ events
www.greaterdandenong.com
11
12
THE CITY
“Read at least three stories a day; it may be the same story three times. Children need to hear a thousand stories before they can begin to learn to read,� Australian author Mem Fox.
1000 Books Before School A reading program being launched at the Greater Dandenong Libraries this month aims to encourage early literacy skills.
1000 Books
The 1000 Books Before School program is an initiative of the State Library Victoria and the Public Libraries Victoria Network and aims to encourage a love of reading in children before they start school. Dandenong and Springvale Libraries will work with Maternal and Child Health Service staff to deliver the program to Greater Dandenong families. Children from birth to five years old can register for the program, which involves parents and caregivers sharing books, online stories, eBooks or talking books. The program will complement existing library programs including Story Time, Toddler Time and Baby Bounce. Each child will receive a gift upon signing up and as they reach different milestones they will be rewarded for their involvement. To register visit your local library, or phone 1300 630 920.
New Collection supports VCE students
Sunset Cinema Enjoy free family-friendly flicks under the setting sun in Harmony Square throughout February and March.
Greater Dandenong Libraries will be introducing a trial VCE English support collection this month.
Sunset Cinema will show popular releases and family favourites on the Urban Screen every Friday night at 7pm, from 3 February to 17 March. The final screening will be a double feature, with a second movie starting at 9pm.
Late last year local secondary schools were asked to provide information on the English and Literature titles VCE students would be studying across 2017.
Bring your own chairs, blankets and picnics, and enjoy some awesome blockbusters with family and friends. Visit greaterdandenong.com/sunsetcinema
The library anticipates the collection will grow and offer VCE English students study support materials as well as key novels and plays. The collection will be located near study areas at both Dandenong and Springvale Libraries. Use of the VCE English collection will be evaluated throughout 2017 to assess whether the initiative will continue in future years.
www.greaterdandenong.com
3 February 10 February 17 February 24 February 3 March 10 March 17 March
Big Hero 6 (PG) The Book of Life (PG) Hunt for the Wilderpeople (PG) Finding Dory (G) WALL-E (G) When Marnie was There (PG) 7pm Oddball (G) and 9pm Eddie the Eagle (PG)
Community Calendar
THE CITY
Secondary school immunisations Do you have a child that has just started Year 7?
The City of Greater Dandenong’s immunisation team visits all secondary schools in the municipality offering free vaccinations to Year 7 students. Vaccines offered include ones against the Human Papilloma virus, Chickenpox and the DiphtheriaTetanus-Pertussis vaccinations. Immunisation consent cards were handed to Year 6 students last year. Parents are asked to read, complete and return these cards even if you decide not to have your child immunised at school. Visit immunehero.health.vic.gov.au to learn more about the Year 7 secondary school immunisations. If your child is starting Year 7 this year and you have not received an immunisation consent card from your school, please contact immunisation@cgd.vic.gov.au or phone 8571 1000.
Catch up service Every Monday, from 9.30am-10.30am, Council holds a catch up service for newly arrived families (migrants and refugees) to get their children up to date with the Australian immunisation program. Parents need to present their child’s vaccination records to be assessed and to have a “catch up” schedule started with an immunisation nurse. All newly arrived families who have children that have had any vaccinations overseas should attend this particular session as the catch up service cannot be provided at general immunisation sessions. Please bring all documentation related to your child’s previous vaccinations, as well as your Medicare card and child health records (if available). This service is also appropriate for families that require any other catch ups, or have concerns about vaccination requirements, especially in relation to the No Jab No Pay and No Jab No Play policies. The sessions are held at the Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street. For more information contact the Immunisation Team at immunisation@cgd.vic.gov.au or phone 8571 1000.
Immunisation Timetable – February 2017 Date
Time
Location
Monday 6 February
4.30pm–6.30pm
Springvale Service for Children, 23-28 Lightwood Road, Springvale
Wednesday 8 February
4pm–6.30pm
Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong
Tuesday 14 February
10am–11.30am
Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18–34 Buckley Street, Noble Park
Monday 20 February
4.30pm–6pm
Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough
Monday 20 February
1pm–1.45pm
Jan Wilson Community Centre, Halton Road, Noble Park North
Wednesday 22 February
10am–11.30am
Springvale Service for Children, 23–28 Lightwood Road, Springvale
Saturday 25 February
10am–11.45am
Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong
www.greaterdandenong.com
13
14
THE CITY
Business News
Clean Up Australia Day This year you can register to take part in the Business Clean Up Day on Tuesday 28 February, the Schools Clean Up Day on Friday 3 March, or the National Clean Up Day on Sunday 5 March. You can register your own clean-up site, or volunteer to help at an existing site. Council is a keen supporter of the event and will lend a hand by providing extra gloves and bags to clean up sites, and by collecting rubbish cleaned up by registered volunteers. You can register a pick up location with Council before your clean up event by phoning 8571 1715.
Businesses, schools and individuals can help make Greater Dandenong more beautiful by taking part in the annual Clean Up Australia Day events. Clean Up Australia Day is our country’s largest community-based environmental event and Council is calling on the whole community to take part.
Remember to register as a volunteer and dress appropriately for the weather on the day. We suggest you wear closed-toe shoes, gloves, a hat and sunscreen. Visit cleanupaustraliaday.org. au to register for your nearest clean-up site.
In 2015 more than 90,000 volunteers cleaned up at 1425 sites across Victoria, removing 3135 tonnes of rubbish.
Take a Swing for Charity Practice your swing, have a laugh with some friends or just give back to the community at this year’s Take a Swing for Charity golf event. Held on Monday 27 February the golf day aims to raise $55,000 for donation to a local charity.
www.greaterdandenong.com
Now in its seventh year the event has raised more than $300,000 for charities including the State Schools Relief Fund. Email sebn@cgd.vic.gov.au to register or find out how to donate.
Quest Dandenong Central opens The revitalisation of central Dandenong continues to deliver with Quest Dandenong Central opening its doors. Located at 2–10 Walker Street, Dandenong, this new accommodation venue offers guests easy access to public transport and is close to a diverse range of multicultural restaurants and cafes. The property boasts 95 apartments, including studio, one, two and three bedroom configurations, and also includes onsite parking, a conference room and gymnasium. The opening of Quest Dandenong Central represents another step towards achieving the vision of the Revitalising Central Dandenong initiative, a program led by Places Victoria in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong, other government agencies and the private sector. This $290 million program aims to reestablish Dandenong as the capital of Melbourne’s south-east. Business and recreational tourism are key drivers of growth in Greater Dandenong and Quest Dandenong Central is an important addition to the infrastructure supporting this important economic sector. Visit questapartments.com.au for more information.
Community Community Calendar News
THE CITY
Community shed Dandenong Neighbourhood House is taking enrolments for its community shed program. Traditionally known as the Men’s Shed, the organised class changed its name last year to keep up with the times. With more women joining the woodworking program, Dandenong Neighbourhood House decided to come up with a more relevant name. This year the shed returns, to continue with some great community projects and encourage the men and women of Dandenong to learn new skills. Classes run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays with participants encouraged to come and share a chat while working on a project. Filled with tools the shed offers an opportunity for people to socialise while creating something with their own hands. Bookings for Term 1 are now open. For information phone 9792 5298.
ng o n e d n a D r te a re G in Pets will pay half price as their pet will only be registered for half the year. If a pet is registered for the first time between the end of January and 9 April the owner will pay full price but they will have their registration covered until April the following year. A few important facts: ► All
There are about 14,000 cats and dogs registered in the City of Greater Dandenong and many of them are just as much a member of the family as any parent or child. State laws require all pet owners to register their cats and dogs with Council. Registrations are due on 9 April each year.
✎✎✎
Residents who need to register their pet for the first time between mid-October and the end of January
new cats and dogs must be microchipped before they can be registered ► Pets under three months old can be registered for the rest of the current year for free ► A
portion of your registration fee goes to the State Government’s Bureau of Animal Welfare to fund research and education into responsible pet ownership ► Registering your pet gives you the best and fastest chance of your pet being reunited with you if it becomes lost
► Failure
to register your pet will incur a penalty.
One of the most important roles of Council’s Animal Management team is to reunite lost pets with their owners. By registering, microchipping and keeping your details up to date, you can ensure you have the best possible chance of finding your lost pet. Council runs a Facebook page to help share information about lost and found pets, and has so far helped reunite many animals with their very worried owners. For more information visit Facebook and search for Greater Dandenong Lost and Found Pets. Visit greaterdandenong.com/ animals for more information about registering and taking good care of your pets.
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.
15
Family
SUSTAINABILITY
v
Learn more, do more, save more DANDENONG MARKET SOUTHERN CAR PARK
SUNDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2017 10AM-3PM • PHONE 8571 1000
greaterdandenong.com/sustainabilityfestival
FREE FUN FOR THE W
H
OLE FAMILY... Children’s activities • Entertainment • Coo Native animals up close • king demonstration • Pedal-powe s red smoothies • Foo d trucks • Spot prizes, sustain ability awards and more
Event Partners
FREE ENTRY