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Rhinos step up to help
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WNBA superstar returns home
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DBA chief walks By Cam Lucadou-Wells In the midst of a Covid crisis, Dandenong Basketball Association chief executive Stephen Walter has quit - just 15 months after being hired to rescue the sporting giant. Citing differences with the board, Mr Walter says he tendered his resignation effective from mid August. “My contract was up and I wasn’t seeking an extension.” Regarding some of the board’s proposed initiatives,“I didn’t think (they were) the right thing to do at this juncture,” Mr Walter said. “I had the opportunity to present my case. “I left on my own terms. “I wish the DBA the best of luck. I think I’ve steered them through a difficult financial situation in 15 months - and my job was done.” As of 23 August, the DBA had yet to announce the news. The sport’s frozen in indefinite Covid-19 lockdown, with no income flowing. But Mr Walter says he’s left the DBA in a better place. During his tenure, he says he rebuilt strong relations with clubs and cut costs, like its Rowville-based canteen business and WNBL side Dandenong Rangers. The renamed side Southside Flyers, now owned by Jayco’s Gerry Ryan, still works closely with the DBA, Mr Walter says. He inherited an association bleeding with heavy annual losses - including more than $400,000 in 2018-’19 - and limited cash reserves. In the 12 months prior, four board members had departed. Chief executive Graeme Allen was terminated. After “significant financial challenges”, the association will turnaround a “healthy” profit for 2019-’20. But now without Mr Walter, the DBA faces
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the stern challenge of Covid-19 with no competitions. Its $90,000-a-week income from more than 800 domestic, state and national teams has dried to zero. In early July, the stadium briefly re-opened for limited training. Two days later, it closed as Victoria plunged into more severe shutdowns. The new season is likely to be delayed beyond its hoped-for October start, Mr Walter said. Since March, many staff were stood down, with some retained on the $1500-fortnightly JobKeeper scheme. The DBA has also been aided by about $50,000 in state grants and payroll tax relief. Greater Dandenong Council has waived the DBA’s stadium rent since March. “The fact we improved our balance sheet, we were able to weather the storm,” Mr Walter says. “There’s still significant overhead for businesses that manage and run stadiums. “Hopefully there’s several months in reserve to see it through and then to get the kids playing again.” On joining the DBA, Mr Walter was hailed for previously turning around Knox Basketball from near-receivership to profits. “With Knox now thriving at an elite, representative and domestic competition level, (Mr Walter) will no doubt look to do the same at Dandenong,” a DBA statement said at the time. The Star Journal unsuccessfully tried to contact the DBA for comment.
Adopt a pose Mike, pictured on the shoulder of Charlie Keele, is one of about 19 cats available for adoption at Australian Animal Protection Society in Dandenong South. The shelter is exempt from the 5-kilometre travel restriction and open by appointment. Turn to page 4. Picture: GARY SISSONS
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Pokie reform plea By Tess Kelly A former gambling addict who was jailed for stealing money has joined a chorus of voices to call for gambling reform in the City of Casey. In a submission to the council, Carolyn Crawford begged the City of Casey to join the Alliance for Gambling Reform after her gambling addiction led to her being imprisoned in 2016. The Alliance for Gambling Reform is a collaboration of organisations and local councils that aims to reform the gambling industry to reduce the harm it causes, particularly in local communities. Ms Crawford was charged with stealing $400,000 from her previous employer over a period of seven years. She used the money to play the poker machines in the Casey area. “I had become addicted ... the money I took went into those dreaded machines,” she said. Ms Crawford said gambling in Casey is at an extremely dangerous level with hotels and clubs operating for 20 hours per day, prior to Covid-19. “It’s just awful and really needs to improve.” By joining the alliance, Ms Crawford said the council would have more power to slow and stop the increase of poker machines being installed at gambling venues. “If we can all fight this battle and at least stop one person ending up the same as me I
would be very happy.” The alliance’s executive director Tony Mohr has called for the City of Casey to join the alliance as a leadership council, working alongside 22 other local councils to advocate for state and national gambling reform. “No level of government is closer to the devastation poker machines cause than the local council,” he said. Mr Mohr said gambling is especially devastating in the City of Casey with $132 million being lost to these machines per year. This is the second highest loss for any council area in Victoria, falling just behind the City of Brimbank. The alliance is seeking $25,000 from the City of Casey to fund support to councils to prevent gambling harm, and continue research and awareness for its damaging effects. “The alliance also works with leadership councils on local priorities such as community education, improving council policy and raising awareness of gambling harm through local advocacy,” Mr Mohr said. Ms Crawford said, if the City of Casey were to join the alliance, it would show they cared for their residents. “Any council fighting the battle against any increase in pokies in the area should be very proud of themselves and I hold any council doing this very warmly in my heart,” she said. Alliance board member Tom Cummings also fell victim to gambling in Casey when he
relapsed in 2014. Mr Cummings said venues in the area would offer cheap bistro meals with gambling as the “after dinner entertainment”. Mr Cummings said the gambling problem in Casey was largely to do with financial pressures on young families living in new developments. “Financial pressure can take its toll ... the machines themselves are inherently unsafe and prey upon the most vulnerable members of our society,” he said. If the City of Casey were to join as a leadership council, Mr Cummings said the alliance would provide resources and guidance when dealing with applications for poker machines and provide strong community support for those suffering from the harms. As a member of the leadership council, City of Frankston councillor Glenn Aitken said the alliance had provided them with detailed research to help the fight against poker machines in Frankston. He encouraged every council in Victoria to join the alliance, not only the City of Casey. “It needs to be a really big voice and a widespread voice on the issue of gambling to deal with it.” The City of Casey and several gaming venues in the area were contacted for comment but declined to respond.
Bryce rolls up his sleeve for worthy cause By Brendan Rees Narre Warren State Emergency Service volunteer Bryce Wickham has rolled up his sleeve to generously donate blood to help those in need. The 2020 Emergency Services Blood Challenge is two thirds of the way through, and SES members are well on their way to eclipsing last year’s total. Mr Wickham is one of 147 SES volunteers to have made 251 donations so far - up 48 per cent from this time in 2019. “This would be my 25th donation of blood over 10 years, some of which have been for the Emergency Services Challenge,” Mr Wickham
said. “I try to donate every three months, however, there have been a few breaks due to overseas travel.” With just a slight pinch, Mr Wickham said giving blood was rewarding and straightforward. “It also helps that the staff are always friendly and make you feel very comfortable,” he said. “Years back, a friend told me she was donating for the first time. After she explained how simple and smooth the process was I thought I’d give it a go. For me, it’s another way of lending an arm and blood to help others.” Three lives can be saved by just one blood
donation, meaning SES members may have helped up to 753 people who have had medical complications, cancer treatment, road trauma injuries and more. Emergency service workers and volunteers who want to take part should join a Lifeblood Team, and call 13 14 95 or go online to make a blood donation appointment before 31 August. Australia Red Cross Lifeblood centres are an essential service remaining open during the Covid-19 pandemic. Donors are reminded that Lifeblood facilities across Victoria are strictly regulated, and always comply with the highest safety and hygiene standards, including extensive cleaning.
Customers get a last minute haircut at New York Barbers in Berwick before it was forced to close its doors due to the stage four coronavirus restrictions. 21265 Picture: GARY SISSONS
Council backs businesses in Casey Casey Council has launched a $510,000 support package to provide a range of resources, tailored support and grants to local businesses directly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Adopted at council’s 18 August meeting, the Backing Business in Casey package aims to support local businesses by boosting their long-term recovery efforts, increasing business capabilities and creating a stronger and more resilient local economy. Informed by insights collected from council’s Covid-19 Business Impacts Survey conducted in April and May, the package is designed to complement the Victorian and Federal Government business stimulus packages, address limitations in other programs and provide support to Casey businesses who have otherwise been excluded. The Business Grant Program is just one initiative of the package that allows eligible businesses in Casey to apply for a share of a $200,000 grant pool. Businesses may apply in one of five steams with grants ranging from $2000 to $5000. The grants have been designed to support local businesses directly impacted by Covid-19 by providing catalyst funding for projects and activities that will boost long term business and economic recovery. Successful applicants will also be matched with a business development mentor for up to three free mentoring sessions valued at $450. The sessions will help ensure recipients can leverage their funding to deliver projects and activities to their greatest potential and are best placed for long term and sustainable recovery. Casey Council chair of administrators Noelene Duff was proud to see council launch another program that caters to local businesses’ diverse needs. “Over the past few months, we have seen incredible resilience, agility and innovation across Casey’s business community, however, it remains a challenging time for many and Council is committed to providing support that meets our local businesses’ varying needs” Ms Duff said. “This package is a welcomed addition to complement the support council is already providing Casey businesses since the beginning of this pandemic.” Businesses can call the Casey Business Helpline on 9705 5200 to receive tailored advice and support from a council economic development officer.
Bryce Wickham of Narre Warren State Emergency Service donates his blood. 2 STAR JOURNAL
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Tuesday, 25 August, 2020
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Angry Sampey sidelined By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Greater Dandenong councillor has challenged being unilaterally stood down from attending Dandenong Market board meetings. Cr Maria Sampey has flagged a notice of motion at a 24 August council meeting for her to be reinstated as a non-voting councillor representative at market board meetings. She had been stood down from the July meeting over “a page and three quarters” of “vexatious, unfounded” complaints by employees from the council-owned market dating back to 2014, she said. The issue was debated ‘in camera’ at the 10 August City of Greater Dandenong meeting. However, in an apparent oversight, the discussions were publicly livestreamed on the council’s website. Cr Sampey said the “vague” complaints included addressing a market employee as “she”, and asking another “who are you?”
In the first case, she had a “mental blank” and forgot the employee’s name. In the second, she had asked the complainant’s name because she hadn’t been introduced. “I was just taken off the board for no reason,“ Cr Sampey said. “They’re all vexatious allegations and it just needs to stop. It’s absolutely ridiculous. “I think (a market employee) needs to apologise to me ... she should have introduced me.” On 27 July, Cr Sampey’s fate was sealed in a letter signed by immediate-past mayor Youhorn Chea, in place of mayor Jim Memeti who has a conflict of interest due to owning a stall at the market. She says her removal should have instead been decided by a resolution of all 11 councillors. In the letter, Cr Chea stated he’d been briefed by Mr Bennie on two market employ-
ees’ complaints about Cr Sampey’s alleged “disrespectful behaviour”. “I believe it is inappropriate for you to attend (the 28 July Dandenong Market board meeting) in the capacity of Councillor Representative,” the letter stated. “I stress that this will be only whilst the matters remain unresolved and is not intended to be ongoing or for an unlimited period of time. “I would strongly encourage you to rethink your position of not providing a response to the complainants and that all parties work to resolve any outstanding matters quickly and amicably.” The alternative councillor representative Cr Tim Dark attended the 28 July board meeting instead. In her 24 August motion, Cr Sampey said that despite writing an apology and agreeing to “enter into mediation in good faith”, she is still being prevented from attending the market meetings.
Under the market’s articles of association, “the Board, in my opinion, does not have the right to stop me from attending,” she stated. Cr Matthew Kirwan said a message should be sent to the market’s board that “it’s our market and it’s answerable to us”. “I have seen no valid reason why Cr Sampey should not be able to attend board meetings. “Cr Sampey has apologised, she’s agreed to enter into mediation - she’s behaving in a reasonable manner to the complaints raised to her. “There’s no reason for not to fulfill the role she’s elected to do.” Ms Sampey had long attended board meetings as a non-voting councillor representative since 2013. The role is as an observer, not as a director. Greater Dandenong Council and Dandenong Market declined to comment.
$6.6m Noble Park Aquatic upgrade fast-tracked By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Noble Park Aquatic Centre is set for a $6.6 million upgrade. 210326 The council has a long wishlist for state and federal stimulus funding, Cr Memeti said. This includes up to $15 million in grants for the $60 million Dandenong Oasis redevelopment. “I believe there will be more of these grants to come to get the economy going.” Cr Memeti also recently nominated fasttracking the State Government’s removal of
Webster Street level crossing, slated for 2025 Greater Dandenong is also applying for up to $250,000 in community safety funding, including for Hemmings Street. In May, the Federal Government announced more than $1 million of Covidstimulus grants for Greater Dandenong. The grants will be used for three projects, including a $500,000 full-size basketball court between NPAC and Noble Park Skate
Picture: GARY SISSONS Park by March 2021. In the same period, the shopping strip in Hemmings Street, Dandenong will receive $317,000 to complete its stage 1 upgrade. It would fund landscaping, street furniture and extend the pavement upgrades to Jones Road and Purdy Avenue. Also funded are $200,000 footpath and exercise station works at Warner Reserve, Springvale by April 2021. 12454370-CG29-20
A $6.6 million upgrade of Noble Park Aquatic Centre is expected to start by early 2021, thanks to a Covid-19 stimulus grant. Premier and Mulgrave MP Daniel Andrews announced $3.3 million towards a new gym and changerooms as part of a joint Greater Dandenong Council and State Government project. “Noble Park Aquatic centre is used and loved by so many in our community - this will make it even better,” Mr Andrews said. “The project will deliver a new gym, better facilities and local jobs as we rebuild from the coronavirus pandemic.” The new gym will comprise 80 items of equipment and three group spaces for highintensity aerobics, gentle exercise and spin classes. There will also be new female, male and accessible change areas, and provision for 24/7 operation. The project is one of 27 “shovel-ready” projects funded by the State Government’s $68 million Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program. Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti said the council would allocate $3.3 million towards the project - which is the first stage of a two-step upgrade for NPAC. There’s no specific funding in City of Greater Dandenong’s 2020-’21 budget. But the council was ready to deliver it, Cr Memeti said. “We welcome the grant from the State Government. “When we get funding like this and it’s shovel ready - we’ve done all the planning and we can deliver it. “It’s good to start by February.”
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Tuesday, 25 August, 2020
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STAR JOURNAL 3
NEWS
Adoptions plummet Charlie Keele with cat Mike. 213486
Pictures: GARY SISSONS
Stage-4 ‘iso’ has struck a Dandenong South animal shelter, with a plummeting in adoptions in August. Only in recent days has the Australian Animal Protection Society shelter confirmed that its services are exempt from the five-kilometre travel rule. These services include vet care, discount pet desexing, as well as cat or dog adoptions.
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They are all open by appointment. At the start of stage-4, the AAPS was seemingly cut off from visitors. In its deep industrial setting, it was effectively land-locked from many households at all. “It was a bit of a mad scramble because we didn’t think we’d find homes for our animals for six weeks,” AAPS spokesperson Charlie Keele said. “We worked with rescue and foster care groups to find a lot of our animals a safe home environment so they didn’t spend more time than they needed to in the shelter.” In that period of uncertainty, the shelter’s adoptions dropped despite pets becoming ever popular during Covid-19. In the first three weeks of August, the shelter adopted out 19 animals - down from 58 at the same time in July. Ms Keele says AAPS remains stringent on adoption applicants. “We’re making sure we’re finding people for the long term and not just while the pandemic is affecting their lives.” The AAP is also fundraising to help owners keep their pets while under Covid-19 financial pressures. Details or appointments: 9798 8415
Hugo and Boss. 213486
Get creative in lockdown Arts in Greater Dandenong is bringing some cheer to lockdown with a number of online arts activities for residents to get involved with. On Friday 28 August, the council will host an online workshop titled ’Self-care Sewing Workshop: Make an Eye Mask’. Participants will learn how to hand sew an eye mask, using materials found within the supermarket or around the house and basic hand sewing techniques. The finished eye mask will be filled with hasmine rice and can be heated for relaxation purposes.The class is suitable for both beginners and experienced sewers, and bookings are essential at greaterdandenong.com/ makeaneyemask The council’s Writer in Residency Program Opportunity is currently taking submissions for those with a way with words and wish to work with them. Arts in Greater Dandenong and Greater Dandenong Libraries will support writer/s through this remote residency program, with the successful applicants provided with honorarium of $1,000 and mentoring opportunities. Applications for the Writer in Residency Program close Sunday 30 August. Submit your interest at greaterdandenong.com/artsopportunities
It’s up to all of us to keep each other safe. You must continue to practise good hygiene, physical distancing, and if you’re even slightly unwell, get tested and stay at home. Don’t risk it. The sooner we all do it, the sooner we’ll get through it. Have the App Visit australia.gov.au
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Tuesday, 25 August, 2020
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Covid outbreaks continue By Cam Lucadou-Wells New Covid-19 outbreaks are being investigated at an aged care home, a truck manufacturer and Dandenong Hospital. At least two residents and five staff members at Estia Health facility in Keysborough have tested positive. According to a 21 August statement, the patients were transferred to hospital and the workers were self-isolating.
At Dandenong Hospital, two patients and a healthcare worker were infected as of 23 August. Meanwhile, 21 Covid cases have been linked to Vawdrey Australia’s semi-trailer factory in Dandenong South. Over the past seven days, there were 34 new cases in Greater Dandenong - down from the highest weekly rise of 99 on 10 August. Accordingly, active cases have dropped substantially from 211 to 122 in the past week.
In Casey, there were 92 new cases for the week, but active cases dropped by nearly half from 346 to 182. Statewide, Victoria’s active cases plummeted from 7414 infections to 4012 in the past week. However over the same period, there were 1204 new cases and 81 further deaths. The state’s death toll rose to 415 - most from aged care. Active cases in Victorian aged care dropped
from 1999 infections to 1616. The Estia home is the third Greater Dandenong aged-care centre infected with the virus. Over the past week, the cluster at Outlook Gardens Aged Care in Dandenong North has swelled by six to 113 - 57 staff, 40 residents and 16 other contacts. There are also 21 cases linked to Mercy Place Dandenong - 11 residents, eight staff and two other contacts.
Covid fines Black Rhinos scoring wins off the court for walking beside lake By Cam Lucadou-Wells
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like youth coordinator Atong Ayom. “It’s all worth it seeing the reactions in the end,” she says of the food relief service. “It’s a lot of work getting done, I love doing it.” A law and youth work student, Ms Ayom is also support worker for “my boys” at the Black Rhinos Basketball B Team. It’s a basketball program that doubles as crime prevention. She’s there to support them with all kinds of issues - like getting a job, fine struggles or family issues. Meanwhile, digital content creator Vivian Tong who is a social worker at Afri Aus Care is on hand to “capture the moment of helping”. She wants her images to “empower the community”.
Afri-Aus Care sources the deliveries from the City of Greater Dandenong’s food relief program in Springvale, ADRA donations and Rotary Cluster Clubs donations. They take care to tailor the parcels for African diets, with lots of fresh food, vegetables and cereals. Ms Luka’s daughter Kwacha Luka tirelessly manages the Afri-Aus Care ADRA Springvale food relief centre. She says donations are starting to run out. Donations such as money, canned food, rice, feminine hygiene products, nappies and milk are welcome. Tax deductible donations can also be made to Afri-Aus Care via its Commonwealth Bank of Australia account, BSB 063 167 and account number 10841841.
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Esther and Kwacha packing food parcels. 213612
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A Keysborough pair walking with children in Lysterfield Lake Park have been fined for breaching Covid-19 stay-athome rules. The male and female, who were not wearing masks, told police they “didn’t think the virus was that serious”, a Victoria Police spokesperson said. “When speaking to police, it was clear they were deliberately breaching the directions.” Their infringements were among 168 fines issued by Victoria Police on 19 August. There were 24 fines for not wearing face coverings, 48 curfew breaches and 12 at vehicle checkpoints. Meanwhile, a contentious stage-4 ban on driving to exercise was last week lifted by the state’s Chief Health Officer. A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said people must take their daily exercise at the “closest practicable location within five kilometres of home”. “You may drive to a location such as a park or running track within your 5km radius to exercise, ensuring you are exercising for a maximum of one hour, once a day. “We all need to make sacrifices to ensure we stop the spread of this deadly disease and protect the lives of Victorians.” Under the direction, the commute or drive to exercise is included in the onehour time limit. On 19 August, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton flagged revising the travelto-exercise rule, saying people should not be “too constrained” in order to get exercise. He said confusion may stem from “literally 150 pages of legal directions” that had to be issued by the DHHS for stage-4. “There’ll always be elements that come after the fact. I’m happy to look at them in fine detail.” Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Rick Nugent said he was not aware of many drivers being fined on their way to exercise. “I’m not sure that that’s necessarily been a particular problem. “We essentially enforce the directions as they’re written by the Chief Health Officer.” Victoria Police can issue on the spot fines of up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses for refusing or failing to comply with CHO directions.
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By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Black Rhinos basketballers have swapped dunking baskets for packing food parcels during the pandemic. Under the umbrella of Afri-Aus Care, the players have delivered food and hygiene products for families in the organisation’s women’s groups in the South East since March. After five long months, there’s no doubt the young athletes are missing their basketball. But now they’re scoring the satisfaction of helping families in need with the weekly food drops - about 20 in Greater Dandenong, 35 in Pakenham and Cranbourne. “It’s about connecting - they connect to families that they are not otherwise in contact with,” Afri-Aus Care Founder Selba Gondoza Luka says. The need is certainly real during Covid, with job and work-hour losses hitting the community hard, Ms Luka says. Afri-Aus Care supply households of women and children with culturally-appropriate food items for instance. It also offers culturally-appropriate counselling and referrals to appropriate agencies and GPs as the community suffers high rising levels of depression and anxiety. More support in this area is needed, Ms Luka said, Since the pandemic, the women’s groups can no longer meet in person. Beforehand, they’d regularly gather for gardening, sewing, cooking and help with domestic violence, mental health and parenting skills. But Afri-Aus Care is keeping in touch online and through food deliveries. Personally, Ms Luka takes refuge in morning prayer and meditation. It’s her “self-care” routine that helps her “help people to help others”. “That’s what makes me happy. That I’m able to wake up and do the work I’ve always loved - which is to help people and mentoring the young people at Afri-Aus Care who have become leaders of today” Her group, her work is built on the concept of ’Ubuntu and the Positive Change Model’ that is, “harmony and humanity,” she says. “Under the Ubuntu concept, if someone is going to harm the family our community would do anything to protect you.” Afri-Aus Care is flanked by young leaders
2.VodafoneandOptusregardtheproposedinstallationasaLow-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018(“TheDetermination”)based on the description above. 3.InaccordancewithSection7ofC564:2018MobilePhoneBaseStationDeploymentCode, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments shouldbedirectedto:VanessaWanatNokiaSolutions&Networkson0406001832or at communityrelations.vha@groups.nokia.com by Tuesday 8 September 2020. Further informationmayalsobeobtainedfromtheRFNSAwebsiteat:www.rfnsa.com.au/3175038. Tuesday, 25 August, 2020
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STAR JOURNAL 5
HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR OUR ENERGY BILLS Over the last few months, every Victorian has felt the impact of coronavirus. For many of us, everyday costs like our energy bills have been hard to cover. But it’s important we know we’re not alone. There are rules which mean we all have the right to help from our energy company if we’re struggling to pay. Participating in a payment plan means you can’t be disconnected. By simply calling and asking for support, your company will let you know how it can help. Help is there if we need it.
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Tuesday, 25 August, 2020
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Drug-fuelled hoon jailed By Brendan Rees A drug-fuelled hoon who spun his stolen car out-of-control in a fatal crash in Cranbourne, killing two of his friends, has been jailed. Dylan Cassidy, 22, was sentenced to 11 years and five months’ jail, after pleading guilty to litany of charges including culpable driving causing death, drive in a manner dangerous, and failing to render assistance after an accident involving death during a Victorian County Court sitting on 20 August. In her sentencing remarks, Judge Liz Gaynor said: “This was absolutely appalling, incredibly dangerous offending.” The court was told Cassidy, who has never held a licence, was “wildly out-of-control” and high on drugs when the Holden Commodore he was driving veered on the wrong side of the South Gippsland Highway and slammed into another car on 11 August, 2019. The crash killed Cassidy’s teenage friends, Jordy Kirkwood and Byron Hampton, a former Hallam Senior College student, who were pas-
Emergency crews at the scene in August, 2019. sengers in the car’s back seat, the court heard. An 18-year-old man in the front seat climbed out, brandishing a knife and had to be restrained before police arrived. Another passenger, a teenage girl, survived but suffered severe injuries. The court heard Cassidy, who was on bail at the time of his offending, escaped through a window and fled the scene before closedcircuit television captured him returning to
the wreckage and grabbing a satchel containing drugs. The court heard he made no attempt to help anyone at the scene and discarded the drugs on Camms Road as he fled but was apprehended by bystanders shortly after. The court was told Cassidy was speeding at 102km/h before mounting a centre median strip and becoming airborne. He collided with the other car, trapping a mum as her two daughters - aged six and nine - screamed in the back seat, the court heard. The mother suffered a non-displaced skull fracture and concussion, while one of her daughters who was a “previous active and outgoing girl”, had been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, the court heard. The court was told in the hours before the crash, witnesses saw the Commodore reaching speeds of 123km/h on a freeway and doing burnouts at the Frankston Bombers Football Club. Judge Gaynor told Cassidy, who dropped out of school in year 10, that his driving was
“disturbing” with a “real chance ... of even more deaths and even more serious injury”. “You have permanently affected the lives of your victims, you have caused two deaths, you have caused serious injuries to two little girls, you have caused immense distress to the families of those people who died,” Judge Gaynor said. In a victim impact statement, the mother of Byron Hampton, said her son was about to start an electrical apprenticeship, describing him as a “gentle boy” who was loved by his family. The court heard Cassidy had a troubled upbringing and started using cannabis and ecstasy from the age of 12, before becoming addicted to ice at 14. He had also never held a stable job. In sentencing, Judge Gaynor took into consideration his drug use, disadvantaged background and determination to get off drugs and stop offending but noted that she was guarded about his prospects for rehabilitation.
High hopes amid Covid’s challenging run to the end By Cam Lucadou-Wells With her New York Marathon plans dashed by Covid, a Dandenong High School PE teacher has set her sights on a challenge closer to home. Lana Formoso, of Dandenong North, is well on her way to running 100 kilometres during the month of August - the equivalent of nearly two-and-a-half marathons in 31 days. In her youth, she trained as a middle-distance runner with Olympic aspirations and played soccer at state level. Now her toils are for charity. Her current mission will raise money for Fred’s Big Run - with all proceeds to The Fred Hollows Foundation. Each day, Ms Formoso chips away, running as far as she can in one-hour increments - all that’s allowed under Covid-19 restrictions. All the while, she’s teaching remotely, home tutoring her two sons, volunteering for Greater Dandenong SES and planning a tilt at Greater Dandenong’s council elections in October. Prior to Covid, Ms Formoso was intently training for her first marathon event in New York in June 2020. As part of her entry, she
was to raise $2000 for a homelessness charity. “I need to have a focus or a goal to achieve things. I like having things to work towards,” she said. Ms Formoso showed that determination in the 100-kilometre Oxfam Trailwalker in 2019. At the 29-kilometre mark, she tore her calf. But she taped up the injury and limped to the finish line in 22 hours. Hobbled on crutches for two weeks afterwards, she said there was no way she was going to finish it. Even with her self-motivational powers, she’s finding the Covid lockdown a bit of a grind. It’s particularly hard for her sporty sons and her students. Much of her remote teaching is about checking in on her students’ mental health and reassuring them they’ll make it through. “The first lockdown was a bit of a novelty for them. With this one, it’s Oh My God, I don’t know how much more I can take.” Fred’s Big Run supports Fred Hollows Foundation, which provides sight-restoring operations for people across the world. The cause follows the inspiring lead of the late eye surgeon Fred Hollows. To donate, go to www.fredsbigrun.org/ fundraisers/lanaformoso
Lana Formoso is in the midst of a 100-kilometre fundraiser - one hour at a time.
Forum unites community in tackling mental health By Brendan Rees More than 70 Casey residents have gathered for a virtual forum to discuss ways of supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Federal Labor MP for Holt Anthony Byrne led the Zoom forum on Thursday evening, 13 August which included leading mental health professionals in Australia. Mr Byrne said the question and answer style forum provided genuine conversations about current mental health challenges facing Victorians with some participants raising ideas for improvements in mental health practices. Special guests included Patrick McGorry, a Professor of Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne; Dean McCaughan, Headspace Narre Warren manager; Jemma Schmutter, co-chair of the youth action committee at headspace Narre Warren; and youth advocate Jake Downward. “I wish to thank everyone for being involved in the mental health and well-being forum, and special thanks to Professor Patrick McGorry for his excellent mental health briefing during a challenging period of time for everyone with the Covid-19 pandemic,” Mr Byrne said. Mr Byrne told the forum that Australia had dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
seen a surge in demand for mental health services due to the Covid-19 pandemic - with “extraordinary and unprecedented constraints” placed on public mental healthcare services and practitioners who “continued to provide the best care they can”. “We know that young people are disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the stage four lockdown measures that are needed to stop the spread of this deadly disease,” Mr Byrne said. “Many health professionals - including GPs, psychiatrists, and emergency physicians - are seeing significant growth in the number of patients seeking treatment and support for their mental health like at headspace Narre Warren. “Data shows there has been a 33 per cent rise in children and young people in Victoria presenting to hospital with self-harm injuries over the past six weeks, compared to a year earlier.” Professor and psychiatrist Jayashri Kulkarni, who is the director of the Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre, said mental health symptoms could be exacerbated by fears of a “never-ending lockdown” - leading to an increased sense of panic. “If you’re worried that you or someone you
know is having mental health difficulties, it’s important to seek help from your GP or another mental health professional,” Prof Kulkarni said. “Everyone is going to experience ups and downs during isolation - feelings of hopelessness, frustration, anger, sadness and anxiety will be commonplace,” she said. “It’s important that everyone builds an element of routine into their lives to combat mental deconditioning, and ensure that they are continuing to function normally. This will also help them transition back to ‘normality’ when lockdown is lifted.” In August, the Australian Government announced it was providing an additional $12 million to ensure people in Victoria can access 24-7 mental health support through digital and telephone counselling services during the difficult time. This is in addition to 10 additional Medicare subsidised psychological therapy sessions for people subjected to further restrictions in areas impacted by the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Federal Labor MP for Holt Anthony Byrne. Tuesday, 25 August, 2020
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NEWS
Phone help during Covid By Danielle Kutchel Court Network has announced the operation of its new telephone service to help vulnerable and distressed court users navigate the court system in Victoria and Queensland. The new service has been established to respond to the challenge of the Covid-19 situation, with many community and court services being forced to suspend face-to-face support to court users. The new telephone service will enable the Court Network’s 500 volunteers to continue to assist thousands of people using the court system in these two states. Maya Avdibegovic, the Court Network’s executive director, said that through the Covid-19 crisis courts and court users’ access to justice has been compromised and significantly impacted, in particular those experiencing family violence. “Very quickly we realised that we needed to adapt and established a new service model to support all court users,” she explained. “Setting up a free 1800 number was the ideal solution. “Our trained Court Networkers are only a phone call away; they are there for victims, witnesses, accused, family and friends.” She said that over the phone, Court Net-
work staff are able to help the court user navigate the system, providing non-legal information and support. “For many people, going to court can feel like it is the worst possible day in their life - a calm, gentle and informative voice is so powerful,” Ms Avdibegovic said. The new telephone support line number is 1800 571 239. It is free and is available Monday to Friday between 9 - 5pm. Court Network is a not-for-profit community organisation that has been funded in Victoria and Queensland to support court users through its hundreds of trained and experienced volunteers for 40 years. Until the advent of the COVID19 situation, these volunteers operated through the courts in these states to assist any court user who may be distressed or seeking support as they attend court. Government support for the service in both states was recently withdrawn. A private donor stepped in to provide Court Network Victoria with the funding to continue their work, however the Network is currently also lobbying the government to restore its funding.
Horses galloping from a property in Hyssop Drive, Hallam on Wednesday 19 August, about 5pm.
Hallam horses home safe Five horses that galloped through residential streets have been safely returned to their paddock in Hallam. The group escaped through temporary fencing at a property on Hyssop Drive late in the afternoon on Wednesday 19 August. They were filmed galloping in a line down the middle of the street. They ran directly along Fitzgerald Road into another paddock, City of Casey safer communities manager Caroline Bell said. Nearby residents closed the gate to secure the horses. Ms Bell said the horses’ owner was contacted and safely took the horses home. “Further communication by Council officers with the horse owner today has con-
Horses gallop from a property in Hyssop Drive, Hallam on Wednesday 19 August, about 5pm. firmed that the horses are well and in good spirits. “There were no human or animal injuries reported and no enforcement action is being considered at this time.”
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Nurse’s $600 fines waived by council By Cam Lucadou-Wells A student nurse who incurred $660 of parking fines in a school zone near Dandenong Hospital has had the bill waived by Greater Dandenong Council. The nurse, who was fined while working at the hospital, told Seven News she’d assumed the school zone didn’t apply due to the Covidlinked shutdown of schools. She had unknowingly transgressed several times until receiving the infringement notices in the mail. Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti said the council contacted the nurse to waive and convert the fines into an official warning. “When enforcing these rules, staff are not
aware of the driver’s occupation. This can only be determined through a process of appeal.” The council didn’t comment on whether it would issue parking permits for hospital staff during Covid. However Cr Memeti said the hospital could “resolve the problem” by making its “noticeable” on-site car parking free to its staff. “Council has done this by waiving parking permit fees in its own multideck car parks.” At the time, the school zone protected children of essential workers were still attending Dandenong North Primary School. “There are sufficient children attending that a crossing supervisor is required to be on duty and, therefore, the parking restrictions
must be enforced,” Cr Memeti said. “Council’s parking management officers are concentrating on the ‘red signs’ (such as) No Stopping and No Parking on school days, and the notices were only served on school days. “Red signs are traffic safety signs to protect both motor and pedestrian traffic.” He said sending infringement notices by post sometimes leads to multiple notices issued before the first one is received. “This is not an ideal situation but is forced upon us by the current circumstances.” When asked about the issue, Premier Daniel Andrews said hospital staff shouldn’t be fined while saving lives.
A man was charged over being found with an imitation gun at Dandenong Basketball Stadium car park. 156110
Gun ‘fired’ in basketball car park By Cam Lucadou-Wells A man has been charged after being found with an imitation firearm outside Dandenong Basketball Stadium. A nearby resident says they heard the hooded and masked man fire what seemed to be a “BB rifle” three times in the parkland about 4.30pm on Sunday 16 August. Marked police cars, a div van and a helicopter swiftly descended on the area, popular for recreational exercise and play, witnesses say. Police confirmed a 32-year-old Ferntree Gully man was arrested after an imitation firearm was found in his vehicle in the stadium’s car park. He was charged with being a prohibited person with a firearm, a prohibited person with an imitation firearm and disorderly conduct. The man was also fined $1652 for breaching Covid-19 restrictions. He was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 3 December.
Five road ‘black spots’ get cash The Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria has welcomed a $14.3m State Government funding boost to help multicultural communities during the pandemic.
Funding boost for diverse communities By Brendan Rees The leader of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) has welcomed funding to assist multicultural communities directly impacted by the Covid-19 State of Disaster. Eddie Micallef, chairman of the ECCV, said the $14.3 million funding boost was a step in the right direction to better resource multicultural communities and organisations to respond “safely and sustainably” during the crisis. “This funding acknowledges the frontline role that many multicultural organisations are playing in supporting migrant and refugee communities to stay connected, supported and safe during this pandemic,” he said. The funding includes $6.9 million for expanded health messaging and support for multicultural organisations that work on the ground to deliver emergency relief, such as culturally specific accommodation and food for those self- isolating or in quarantine. It will also ensure positive cases and dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
their close contacts are cared for and taken through compliance checks in a culturally appropriate way, while also providing cultural advice to support the work of the coronavirus contact tracing team. A Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Taskforce (CALD) Communities Taskforce will also be established to help multicultural and multi-faith communities through the pandemic, with representatives from the Victorian Multicultural Commission and various departments. The funding package also includes $5.5 million to continue and expand the distribution of vital health advice that has been translated into 55 different languages, ensuring people understand and comply with restrictions designed to keep people safe, with a focus on supporting younger CALD members. Support for multicultural communities has been rolling out since the beginning of the pandemic, with advertising campaigns on TV, social media, digital platforms, newspapers and radio, as well as a series
of community roundtables. The latest in-language videos released earlier this week feature frontline health workers speaking about their experiences in Oromo, Vietnamese, Turkish and Korean. In April, when the first wave of the pandemic hit Victoria, Mr Micallef said ECCV along with its members first called for the establishment of a CALD to act as a “key part of a proactive and strategic response” to the impacts of Covid-19 on communities. “We are pleased that the Victorian Government has listened to the feedback about the value of harnessing the capacity and connectedness of the multicultural sector in a more coordinated way.” Mr Micallef said ECCV supported the further investment in translated materials, adding “formal translated communications are not sufficient on their own” and creative forms of messaging that “resonate with people’s culture delivered by sources that they trust and engage with can have a greater impact.”
Five road projects in Greater Dandenong have received more than $2.5 million as part of the Federal Government’s ‘Black Spot’ program. The upgrades include $917,000 for sealed shoulders, guard rails and raised reflective pavement markers on a section of Worsley Road, Bangholme between Perry and Thompsons roads. The Harold and Corrigan roads intersection in Noble Park will receive $569,000 for traffic signals and a pedestrian crossing. Raised pedestrian crossings and geometry improvements to the Cleeland-David streets roundabout in Dandenong have been funded $464,000. The Government also granted $193,000 for a roundabout at Whitworth Avenue and Lewis Street, Springvale, and $176,000 for two raised intersection platforms on Liege Avenue, Noble Park. Victorian Senator David Van said community input was critical to identifying the key black spots on local roads. “None of these projects would be delivered without the community’s vital input and I encourage all residents and motorists in the region to nominate projects for future funding rounds.” Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Michael McCormack said Victoria would receive $38.7 million for 92 projects under the program’s 2020-‘21 funding round. “The high-priority locations we are funding have seen a total of nine fatal crashes and a further 521 causing injuries recorded over the past five years.” Tuesday, 25 August, 2020
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FOCUS ON … EDUCATION CHOICES
Helping students thrive By Pam Dyson, principal, Noble Park Secondary College Noble Park Secondary College is a year 7-12 secondary college with a culturally diverse population that offers unique educational opportunities for students to thrive academically, socially and creatively. Our school motto is ‘Our Best Always’ and we encourage participation and excellence in all aspects of our college life. As a response to cater for our high achieving students, in 2020, our College introduced a Year 7 “Galileo Program”. This program is designed to challenge students with higher order thinking, rather than ask students to accelerate or complete more set tasks. Students enrolled within this program undertake in depth studies in English, mathematics, humanities, science and technology with a special emphasis upon fostering independent learning. As per the photo accompanying this article, students are challenged with problem solving, as in this case, working with coding in the robotics unit of work. For 2021, we will be enrolling year 7 students within the Program, and our current 2020 year 7 students completing the program, will be advancing to a new year 8 Galileo Program. Students undergo academic testing and references, regarding suitability for such a pro-
Students are given challenges as part of the Galileo Program. gram, and there is flexibility for movement to move in and out of the program, based upon feedback and assessment from teaching staff. We offer very successful VCE, VCAL and VET programs in the senior years, with a robust counselling process to ensure students choose
subjects that are best suited to their needs for their chosen future pathways. As a response from student voice, the College has introduced more electives from years 7-10, encouraging extension programs which incorporate high level technology, using cod-
ing in robotics, chess and mathematics competitions at the national level, personal leadership skills, as well as the promoting creativity with visual and performing arts subjects. Students have appreciated the opportunity to be involved in this innovative change of curriculum offerings, which has led to increased engagement and achievement. Our College adopts a consistent approach to education through a “Teaching and Learning Framework” for all staff and students at all year levels, defining clear expectations and explanations, leading to improve student outcomes. Through this explicit framework, students understand the purpose of each lesson and what is required to achieve the required skill level. Our student and parent opinion surveys have consistently over many years indicated strong confidence in our College, with all responses above 85 percent and many above 90 percent. We are very proud that these results are way above the state average for all Victorian secondary schools. We invite you to view our website which showcases how we believe we provide the best educational opportunities for our wonderful students to live up to our proud motto: “Our best always”. We are currently accepting new enrolment enquiries at all year levels, for 2021. Please phone the college on 9546 9066.
FOCUS ON … TAX TIME
TPARs due by 28 August The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has reminded businesses that pay contractors for certain services that they may need to lodge a Taxable payments annual report (TPAR) with the ATO by 28 August 2020. This is the first year that businesses that pay contractors to provide road freight, information technology, security, investigation, or surveillance services may need to lodge a TPAR with the ATO. This is in addition to those businesses providing building and construction, cleaning, or courier services that are already required to report. “In response to Covid-19 many businesses have had to quickly adapt, and many have needed to contract out more services. We also know many contractors are struggling right now. It is not fair if an honest contractor misses out on business because a competitor is under-cutting them by doing things like underdeclaring or not declaring income. The TPAR helps us shed light on payments to contractors and keep things fair,” ATO Assistant Commissioner Peter Holt said. Businesses should take the time to check if they need to lodge a TPAR and to make sure it
is lodged with the ATO by 28 August 2020. The ATO website ato.gov.au/TPAR has information that businesses or their advisers can use to quickly determine if they need to lodge a TPAR. “Many restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, pharmacies and retailers have started paying contractors this year to deliver their goods to customers as a result of COVID-19. These businesses may not have previously needed to lodge a TPAR. However, if the total payments received for these deliveries or courier services are ten per cent or more of the total annual business income, you’ll need to lodge,” Mr Holt said. Lodging the TPAR online is quick and simple. There are four options to lodge online: Check if your business accounting software can create and lodge the TPAR. Talk to your software provider if you’re not sure. Complete and lodge your TPAR through the ATO’s Business portal. Individuals and sole traders can lodge using a myGov account linked to the ATO. Registered tax professionals can also lodge the TPAR on behalf of their clients.
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The team at Zimsen Partners from left, Thaminda Peris, Dancy He, Brad Mur, Lauren Tran and Jacky Chan. 210396
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“Zimsen Partners wouldn’t have been able to keep growing over the last 20 years without exceptional service and satisfied clients. “We have a deep understanding and consideration for our clients which is a testament to our success over last two decades.” Zimsen Partners is an industry leader throughout Greater Dandenong as well as wider Melbourne. The firm is based at 7 Keysborough Close, Keysborough. Email clientsupport@ zimsenpartners. com.au or phone 9798 6622.
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LOOKING BACK 100 years ago 26 August 1920 Deputation waits on Commissioner On Thursday afternoon 19th, a deputation from the Dandenong Brach of the Victorian Farmers Union waited on the Railway Commissioner (Mr Miscamble) with a view to ensuring immediate relief from the congestion of goods traffic now existing in the Dandenong railway yard. Cr Harris stated that the deputation would not attempt to dictate to the Commissioner as to what should be done, they fully realised that the department had many calls at the present time. Nevertheless, the matter which they had under discussion was in his opinion one requiring immediate attention. The speaker went on to say that Dandenong council contemplated a heavy distribution of road metal from Dandenong siding
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
for municipal works, which would add to the present congestion considerably.
50 years ago 25 August 1970 Bomb scare at factory; ‘work on’ is ordered Despite a police request a top official refused to evacuate workers at the Frigidaire plant at General Motors Holden last Wednesday night following a bomb scare. More than 100 employees on the afternoon shift continued working for more than half an hour after a call was received at Springvale Police station that a bomb had been planted in the Frigidaire section. Only after the men finished work at 8.30 for their half hour tea break were they told not to return to the production line until 9.15pm. After the hoax call was received, a crime squad car went to the plant just before 8pm. Police were told later that a security officer wanted
to evacuate the building but was overruled by a superior officer. Police searched what they termed “a highly dangerous” section of the plant for the alleged bomb.
20 years ago 28 August 2000 Heinz mean beans Attempts to keep the Dandenong Heinz factory open have failed and in 32 days the gates will close for the last time. A lock-in by disgruntled Heinz workers had failed to persuade Heinz management to keep the plant open and after tense negotiations the workers agreed to accept a redundancy package of eight weeks pay and $10,000, plus for casuals, $750 for each year worked. After 45 years in Dandenong, Heinz management have decided to operate out of New Zealand and country Victoria forcing unemployment upon
300 local workers. AMWU assistant secretary Mr Ray Campbell said that the Heinz had provided a stable income for generations of local families.
5 years ago 24 August 2015 Sky’s the pokies limit The heavy cost of poker machines is a high one but hidden from everyday concerns, according to those leading the newly formed Alliance for Gambling Reform. Greater Dandenong became one of the first councils to sign up to the national alliance this month. Within its borders more than $117 million was poured into pokie machine slots in 2014/15. The council area is the third highest grossing area for pokies in Victoria, yet also one of the most socio-economically disadvantaged.
NEWS
Lounge room rock ‘n’ roll By Cam Lucadou-Wells Live entertainment is still finding a way - even if it’s streamed from a makeshift lounge room stage. From their home, Noble Park father and son duo Rick Charles and Adrian Jamale have been enthralling a growing legion of rock-and-roll Facebook fans. Every Sunday afternoon 3pm, they create a whole new concept show with lights, backdrops and smoke machines. They prepare up to 40 hours a week, don costumes, assume the roles of legends such as Elvis and Freddie Mercury and belt out classics across the eras. Their most recent show on 23 August was ‘Back to the Eighties’ with Bryan Adams, Boy George, The Police, Wham, Billy Idol, A-Ha and Bruce Springsteen. It’s all to share “a bit of joy”, Mr Charles says. Decades ago, Mr Charles started with Dandenong band The Night Owls before forging a formidable solo act that’s graced clubs and venues such as Crown Casino, Reef Casino and Jupiter’s Casino. But Covid-19 pulled Mr Charles’s hectic schedule to a sudden halt. Normally booked up to two years in advance, Mr Charles felt a panic as the work just vanished. “Generally if your industry is the first to go down, you’re going to be one of the last to get up. “That first week I went into an inner depression. It’s hard to hold back your inner feelings when there’s nothing you can do about it.” He then took a deep breath, and turned to his “unshakeable” belief in God, he says. In the first Facebook concert, he and Mr Jamale performed a few gospels - hoping to inspire people in the same situation. They drew 50 viewers. Then they tried rock-and-roll. And it went off, Mr Charles said.
Rick Charles and Adrian Jemale’s lounge-room act is attracting a world-wide following. Since then their concerts have drawn up to 1600 viewers around the world. Their TV moved to the other side of the lounge room, in came backdrops, smoke machines and lighting. Recently, Mr Charles saved the day for a couple who had planned to renew their wedding vows in Graceland. He stepped in, performing a series of songs for the grateful couple. “What started out as nothing has become crazy.
“The comments we get from people are that they’re looking forward to these concerts. It brings them positivity during this hard time.” Mr Jamale, who’s studying music composition at Box Hill Institute, says the show gives an “escape” to their “virtual family” each week. “It’s nearly like creating a community in itself.” He says the pandemic has made him appreciate human connection. “I’m never again going to take for granted the power of a handshake or a hug.
“As difficult as it is right now, it’s going to make us a lot more stronger and more grateful for each other.” Post-Covid, the online shows could very well continue, the pair say. “We’ve built up something with so many people - even people I’d never met before in my life,” Mr Charles said. “I can’t see us saying goodbye, I’m just going back to clubs.” The concerts are streamed live 3pm Sundays on the Facebook page ‘Rick Charles Hogg’.
Light at tunnel’s end By Reverend Deacon George Piech Meat of St Mary’s Parish Dandenong & Chaplain to the South Sudanese Catholic Community As people of hope throughout our history, we believed that we will overcome this time of uncertainty. As people who have experienced so many hardships throughout our history, let us remain hopeful that at the end of the tunnel there is a great light. For the families who have lost their loved ones, here or back home, please be assured of my solidarity with you. Even though I can’t visit you and support you in this difficult time, please be assured of my spiritual prayer with you and your family. A time will come soon when we will gather again and celebrate a memorial service for all the lives lost during this lockdown. 12 STAR JOURNAL
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Let us look after our young ones who missed so many opportunities this year due to this pandemic. Let us assure them that things will go back to normal and help them in their journey of recovery. Let us help one another and look after one another. Let us join the wider community in solidarity in caring for the lonely and the vulnerable in our city. Stay blessed and protected.
Reverend Deacon George Piech Meat says we’ll overcome this period of uncertainty. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Call for $500 rate waiver By Cam Lucadou-Wells A council election candidate has called for City of Greater Dandenong to boost its waiver for unemployed ratepayers to $500. Rhonda Garad, who has been endorsed by outgoing Greens councillor Matthew Kirwan, is standing in the Keysborough South ward in the October election. She says the council’s $200 rebate to 2020’21 ratepayers on JobSeeker needed to be more generous. “It would be substantial in terms of financial relief but also a show of support from the council for what people are going through right now. “We’re in extraordinary times where we need extraordinary measures. “The community are suffering great distress at the moment.” A public health researcher, Ms Garad is studying the profound impacts of climate change and Covid-19 on mental health. She said the council could review its spend-
Rhonda Garad has called for greater rates relief for unemployed ratepayers. 210666 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS ing to prioritise greater rates relief. During Covid-19, the council announced a $4 million relief package including 2019-’20 rates waivers for pensioners ($100) and unemployed ratepayers ($200).
It recently extended the $200 waivers for the unemployed into 2020-’21. Greater Dandenong has also contributed $250,000 towards a massive food distribution effort of at least 120 tonnes since April.
With the program’s funds near exhausted, the council is seeking state and federal grants to extend it into 2021. The council’s Covid material aid food-box deliveries had nearly doubled from 1900 a week to 3500, he said. Since April, the program has distributed 120 tonnes of food, 5550 disposable masks and other necessities since April. The council contributed $250,000 with a further $50,000 of donations, but has nearly exhausted the program’s funds. Greater Dandenong will seek a state or federal grant to extend the program at least until the end of the year, if not longer. As of 12 August, the council had received 722 rates hardship and Jobseeker rebate applications as part of its Covid-19 relief package. It had also provided $100 waivers to 10,728 pensioners on their 2019-’20 rate notices. The council has also distributed thousands of disposable masks to vulnerable community members in boarding houses, rooming houses, caravan parks and aged care centres.
No wait for council poll By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Riley, a poodle-Maltese cross or ‘moodle’, chasing an undersized tennis ball at the Tirhatuan Park small-dog off-leash area. 213486 Pictures: GARY SISSONS
Dog park makes small off-leash strides Beau and Riley are among the pets stretching out in a new off-leash area for smaller dogs in Tirhatuan Park, Dandenong North. The enclosued space is designed to allow small canines to exercise safely away from the popular off-leash area next door. The park includes new water fountains, with seating and shelters to come.
Riley with an undersized tennis ball at the Tirhatuan Park small-dog off-leash area.
Beau stretches the legs at Tirhatuan Park. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
Beau, a poodle-Maltese cross or ‘moodle’ in the small-dog park.
The 2020 council elections will go ahead after being endorsed by the state’s Chief Health Officer. Local Government Minister Shaun Leane said there were no “administrative or procedural barriers” for the postal elections up to Saturday 24 October. “This decision was not made lightly and is based on the best public health advice available. “The Chief Health Officer has advised that October represents a period when risk is likely to be substantially lower than at present, and there are no compelling public health grounds for the elections to be delayed.” CHO Brett Sutton was also satisfied by the VEC’s physical distancing, cleaning, hygiene and workforce planning for the election, Mr Leane said. ‘Safe Campaigning Guidelines’ have also been developed for candidates. The guidelines include advice on how to safely conduct permitted campaign activities, safety for campaign teams, hygiene and physical distancing. A “disappointed” Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) had pushed for deferral of the elections due to the impact of Covid-19. “We face the very real proposition that many exceptional candidates will not nominate,” it stated. “Current stage 4 and 3 restrictions also make campaigning very difficult and costly.” MAV president Coral Ross said it was “incredibly frustrating” that the “common-sense decision to delay elections” wasn’t taken. “We have been calling for a deferral of local government elections for months now due to the significant impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on free and fair elections. “Minister Leane’s announcement today means that the elections will not have the quality and diversity of candidates that Victoria deserves.” Under stage 4, door-knocking and letterboxing have been banned - forcing candidates to use more costly mailouts for pamphleting And even if restrictions are eased to stage 3, door-knocking would still be prohibited. Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti has been in favour of October elections - provided stage 4 restrictions don’t linger beyond midSeptember.. “Without letterboxing, it’s very difficult if you’re looking to get a message out for voters,” Cr Memeti said. He said there was still a window for two or three letter-box drops if the six-week stage-4 period is lifted by 13 September. “When it was stage 3, I thought it was no problem - but if it’s still stage 4 (up until the election) I might have a problem.” Tuesday, 25 August, 2020
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STAR JOURNAL 13
NEWS
Drawing on past laughs In the late 1940s the Journal published a series of cartoons by Alec Brierly under the heading ’Looking Back on The Good Old Days’. The detailed sketches are humorous vignettes of Dandenong’s early history accompanied by a short yarn explaining the historical context of the moment captured in ink. Alec Brierly began putting his own interpretation on Dandenong’s early history after reading George F. Roulston’s book, Dandenong’s Early History. The Dandenong and District Historical Society holds many of Brierly’s original sketches.
Various Old Photo’s and Cartoons taken at Dandenong Historical Society.
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Going for goal in the world game
Going for goal in the world game A soccer showcase in Dandenong will kick things up a notch in the race for an A-League team. Gach Chuol, Greater Dandenong Councillor Jim Memeti and Sukart Alex got in some practice ahead of the Saturday 16 June event. See page 7 for the full story. 181655 Picture: GARY SISSONS
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A soccer showcase in Dandenong will kick things up a notch in the race for an A-League team. Gach Chuol, Greater Dandenong Councillor Jim Memeti and Sukart Alex got in some practice ahead of the Saturday 16 June event. See page 7 for the full story. 181655 Picture: GARY SISSONS
His life for others By Casey Neill
Lee Tarlamis.
Lee Tarlamis says his older brother’s cancer battle inspired him to spend his life helping those less fortunate. His service culminated in a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, announced on Monday 11 June. The Noble Park man and former state Upper House MP received the nod for service to the people and Parliament of Victoria “I’m extremely humbled. It’s not something that I’d expected,” he said. “I didn’t do it to get acknowledgement. “It was about wanting to provide assistance and help to people. “It’s a view that I formed very early on.” Mr Tarlamis said his brother fought cancer for two years before dying at age 17. “The trouble and the stress that the family went through, I saw how positive he was
throughout those two years,” he said. “It instilled in me that as tough as I think I have things, there are always people out there who are doing it a lot worse than me. “That’s why I got involved in the local community.” Initially that was through the Keysborough Learning Centre. “The centre loaned me a computer for me to do my school work,” he said.
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“I wanted to repay the favour so I was volunteering time with them.” There he met then-politician Eddie Micallef and became his electorate officer. “That’s how I got into the politics world,” Mr Tarlamis said. “That opened up a lot of opportunities to provide assistance to community groups.” He never intended to run for parliament, but “one thing lead to another which lead to another” and he was a South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP from 2010 to 2014. “That was such an honour as well, when you consider the fact that very few people get to hold that position and represent that large number of people,” he said. Mr Tarlamis was a Springvale Benevolent Society volunteer from 2002 to 2012, a Noble Park Community Action Forum member for many years, a founding Springvale Multicultural Men’s Shed committee member, and more.
He’s now a senior advisor to Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings. The world of politics is not where he thought he’d end up. The Tarlamis family moved from Oakleigh to Keysborough when he was eight months old. He went to Wallarano Primary School in Noble Park and to Chandler Secondary College, where Keysborough College’s Acacia campus now stands. Mr Tarlamis went on to study an associate diploma of business. “I grew up working with dad in the family businesses,” he said. “I thought it would be logical that I would go into the business world and maybe into management or something like that. “I really enjoyed the community stuff. “Politics became that vehicle to do it.”
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Tuesday, 25 August, 2020
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NEWS
A Lynbrook man’s amazing sketch of Banjo Paterson Park.
Chris Rodrigues with his daughter Emma at Banjo Paterson Reserve Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Lynbrook. 213060
Dad unlocks artistic skill By Brendan Rees For Chris Rodrigues, sketching a popular park in Lynbrook has offered a soothing outlet while in lockdown. The self-taught artist and father-of-one spent just a couple of nights using digital pencils for a change, to create his eye-catching piece depicting Banjo Paterson Park. “It was the most therapeutic thing I’ve done in a long time,” Mr Rodrigues said.
his now 14-month-old daughter a month after she was born - which turned out to be an “absolute smasher on the second attempt”. With no artistic formal training, Mr Rodrigues said his latest creation proved rewarding. “It’s come up really well, it’s surprised me to be honest. “It was interesting to get into a lot of treescape and different bush. I thought I would just inspire myself to take out the brushes and
start painting again.” Mr Rodrigues, a Lynbrook resident, said he had taken a photo of the Banjo Paterson Park on his phone to create his detailed and intricate piece - an exercise he said that “just takes me somewhere else”. But the one thing he said that “really struck” was the support he received from the community after posting his artwork to Facebook. “They’re so supportive and appreciative of things. This is such a lovely community.”
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A creative director by day, Mr Rodrigues used Adobe Frescoon his iPad to create his stunning piece, a program that is equipped with tools that behave like the real thing including pencils, brushes, markers, inks and other media. “It’s incredible, but takes some getting used to. The result is quite close to the real thing.” It is only his second drawing using the program. The first was last year when he sketched
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1. Optus regards the proposed installations as Low-impact Facilities under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) or permissible under A Code of Practice for Telecommunications Facilities in Victoria, based on the description above 2. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2018 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Should you require further information or wish to comment, please contact Chan Chen at Axicom, 02 9495 9000, community@axicom.com.au or Level 1, 110 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065 by Wednesday 9 September 2020. Further information may also be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3174005, www.rfnsa.com.au/3976002, www.rfnsa.com.au/3175040
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M0270 Noble Park: 400 Princes Highway, Noble Park North VIC 3174 (RFNSA 3174005) The proposed facility consists of the addition of new 5G equipment and associated works as follows: r Installation of three (3) new panel antennas, 0.59m long, on an upgraded headframe r Installation of new ancillary equipment, including twelve (12) Remote Radio Units, cabling and antenna mounts r Reconfiguration of existing equipment on the facility and within the equipment shelter, including removal of existing Remote Radio units
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DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.
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Tuesday, 25 August, 2020
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STAR JOURNAL 17
SPORT
Australian superstar Liz Cambage has returned home to play in the WNBL.
Picture: SUPPLIED
A superstar returns home By Nick Creely She’s back. Australian basketball superstar Liz Cambage will make a return to the WNBL this season, signing with the Southside Flyers in a major coup for the competition, and for basketball in the south-east. One of the best women’s basketball players anywhere in the world, the 29-year-old threetime WNBA All-Star centre missed the current WNBA season with the Las Vegas Aces due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and will now return to Australia for the first time in three years after last playing in the competition for the Melbourne Boomers in 2017/18. “I am really looking forward to playing for the Flyers in the WNBL this season. I know they had a great first year and I am keen to help the team go one better and win the championship,” Cambage said when confirming her decision to join Southside Flyers. “It will be great playing with a number of Opals teammates, and of course our coach Cheryl Chambers - who is an assistant coach with the Opals. Flyers captain Jenna O’Hea is one of my favourites, she is also the Opals captain - she is like my captain on and off the court.“ Chambers, the Flyers’ coach, said the addition of Cambage to the line-up is very exciting. “Liz is a superstar of women’s basketball and we know what she will bring to the team on the court, which is really exciting for us,“ she said. “She has a great attitude and will be great for the team, not only on the court, but also off the court and in the community. Her profile will be great for the Flyers and the WNBL.“ Cambage’s career kick-started at Dandenong, where she played her junior basketball. 18 STAR JOURNAL
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She then started her professional career with the Rangers in the WNBL in 2007, playing six seasons before spending time in China and the WNBA. Incredibly, she’s been an All-Star in every competition she’s been involved with since 2010. Flyers owner Gerry Ryan is also thrilled that Cambage has decided to return home to where it all started, and that she will be part of the team this season. “It is exciting to welcome Liz home. I remember her playing for Dandenong in 2007 as a young up-and-coming star,“ he said. “It will be great to see her in action for the Southside Flyers this season and I am sure it will be a real bonus for the WNBL.“ Under strict Covid-19 protocls, Cambage has joined several of her teammates for some unofficial training at the Dandenong Stadium, before official training commences in September. She said that, while Covid-19 has interrupted her basketball journey overseas, the opportunity to come home and play in her home country, for her very first team (the Rangers, before they were rebranded as the Flyers), was one she wasn’t going to take for granted. “While the coronavirus interrupted my WNBA career, it has given me the opportunity to play in Australia,“ she said. “I have always enjoyed playing in the WNBL
Tuesday, 25 August, 2020
Cambage in action for the Boomers in the 2017/18 WNBL season. 173518 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS - it is one of the best competitions in the world and I hope to see more supporters get behind the Flyers this season. “I want to thank Gerry Ryan, not just for giving me the opportunity to play in Australia for the Flyers, but for the incredible support he continues to provide women’s sport and of course women’s basketball. He has been a great supporter for many years.“ The 2020/21 WNBL season will be important for Cambage and members of the Opals squad as they finalise preparations for the Tokyo
Olympics next year. With the signing of the Australian superstar, it’s been an incredibly busy, yet successful offseason for the Flyers, who finished runners-up in the 2019/20 WNBL season. The Flyers have previously secured the signatures of three of their most important players, with star trio Sara Blicavs, skipper Jenna O’Hea and star shooting guard Bec Cole recommitting for WNBL 2020/21 as the squad looks to go one better. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
SPORT
The Wickers join Eastern By Nick Creely The Berwick Football Club is officially Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL) bound. The Wickers - who won senior football flags in 2015, 2017 and 2018, as well as finishing runner-up in 2019 in the AFL Outer East - will join the powerful Eastern league’s Premier Division in 2021, joining local clubs Noble Park and Rowville after being officially transferred to the competition in a move that’s been mooted for almost two years. The Wickers will become the competition’s 46th senior club. It was back in early December last year at the EFNL annual general meeting that the clubs voted by an overwhelming majority for the Wickers to move into the competition, pending a transfer from the club’s latest competition, AFL Outer East, and ratification by AFL Victoria. The club, which is one of the most powerful football clubs in the south east corridor, has long expressed a desire to join the formidable suburban competition as the club and the community continue to grow in numbers. It will field seniors, reserves, under-19s and women’s sides in 2021. The addition of Berwick will provide the league with an 11-team competition in Premier, with a return to 10 teams in 2022. In a statement issued on Monday last week, the league said that the Berwick Football Club will add so much to the powerful league, with clubs informed of Berwick’s arrival that afternoon. “Berwick’s home ground, Edwin Flack Reserve, is a high quality venue for sport in general and the club’s facilities are state of the art and will fit in perfectly with the rest of the league,” a league statement read. “The league is very excited by the addition of the Berwick Football Club to the league and we wish them all the best in their inaugural season.” Berwick president Glenn Gambetta said the club was absolutely delighted to be joining the Eastern Football League after a long process. “The excitement at the club is unprecedented,“ he said. “In these most uncertain times, when no one knows what’s around the corner, the only thing that these guys have had to look to from a football perspective is the fact that we’re going to Eastern. “It sets a challenge for us, and we’re really looking forward to it.“ Gambetta said the move was not just going
Berwick has joined the powerful Eastern Football Netball League. 185297 to benefit the football club, but the entire region. “We had a belief that a club in the area had to put their hand up - the good kids going through here and Gippsland, if they want to play they have to travel to a Noble Park or Rowville,“ he said. “So we’ve made this decision just as much for football in the area as for the Berwick Football Club.“ Gambetta thanked the Eastern Football Netball League for facilitating the move across from the Outer East. “I’d really like to thank Troy Swainston
Picture: ROB CAREW
(Eastern CEO) and the board, they’ve been fantastic in supporting us and assisting us,“ he said. “They’ve had the resolve to get us over the line, so all credit to them.“ AFL Outer East region general manager Aaron Bailey confirmed that the Berwick Netball Club will remain in the AFL Outer East, with just the senior football club transferring to the Eastern league, and wished the Wickers the best for the future. “AFL Outer East can confirm that the Berwick Football Club has been successful in its application to join the Eastern Football Netball League for season 2021,” Bailey said.
“We are pleased to announce that the Berwick Netball Club will remain in the AFL Outer East in 2021, with all 10 sides competing in netball next year. “AFL Outer East and the Berwick Netball Club have begun the process of developing a long term vision for the club that will ensure it has the structures in place that will see the club compete in a football/netball structure in the long term in the Outer East. “Further announcements in regards to competition structures, salary caps and player points will be made shortly. “AFL Outer East wishes Berwick Football Club the best for the future.”
Local stars named for Australia as cricket’s return nears By Nick Creely The Australian women’s cricket team is set to have a distinctly local flavour to it as international cricket prepares for its return in late September, with Sophie Molineux and superstar Ellyse Perry named in an 18-player squad for an upcoming series against New Zealand. The pair - who are listed for Dandenong in the Victorian Premier Cricket competition - are expected to play a big part in the series against the White Ferns, with the three Twenty20s and three One Day Internationals set to be the first played since the world champions played in front of 86,174 people at the MCG on 8 March, prior to the Covid-19 lockdowns around the world. Incredibly, Australia has won 18 ODIs in a row and has a chance to equal the world record for consecutive ODI wins held by Ricky Ponting’s men’s team of 2003. Perry - who is a global icon in women’s cricket in what has already been a remarkable career - has been included in the squad despite undergoing hamstring surgery in March, and has been able to progress in her rehabilition process despite Melbourne’s Stage 4 restrictions. The superstar all-rounder, who will be hoping at some stage to make her club debut for Dandenong, has an imposing international record, which includes a doublecentury against England in an Ashes clash dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
in Sydney last year. National selector Shawn Flegler told cricket.com.au that Perry was right in the mix to be ready and raring to go come next month. “Ellyse is progressing well from a significant hamstring injury and we want to give her every chance to be available for selection,” he said. “So we’ll continue to monitor her progress over the coming weeks.” Exciting Bairnsdale product Molineux who has risen through the ranks at Dandenong since joining as a teenager in 2013/14 to become a domestic star - will be hoping to lock down a spot in the Australian side after promising performances to date. The 22-year-old - who has taken 21 wickets from 21 Twenty20 internationals, four wickets from a single Test match, and six wickets from three ODIs - was impressive in the 8 March clash at the MCG, snaring 1/21 in the Aussies’ dominant win over India. With the matches scheduled to be played in New South Wales and Queensland, Cricket Australia said in a statement that it will work with revelvant authorities to ensure cricket can be played. “The schedule for the series has matches in both New South Wales and Queensland but given the current Covid situation changes may be required. Cricket Australia will continue to work with relevant authorities and advise any changes,” the statement read.
Dandenong star Sophie Molineux has been picked for Australia. Tuesday, 25 August, 2020
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