EHD Star Journal - 8th September 2020 by Star News Group

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Freedom fighter By Cam Lucadou-Wells There’s still unfinished business for retiring four-time Greater Dandenong mayor Youhorn Chea. A refugee who survived Cambodia’s ‘killing fields’ in 1982, Cr Chea will devote himself to fighting his “unlucky” homeland’s ‘dictatorship’. “I’ve served 23 years for the City of Greater Dandenong. Now it’s time - before I pass away - to see my country have freedom and democracy.” In 1997, Cr Chea was elected on the council - the first Cambodian-born councillor in Australia. Four years later, he was installed as Greater Dandenong’s first Asian mayor. Two years ago, Cr Chea refused to be intimidated after he, state MP Heang Tak and former MP Hong Lim were named in a death-threat letter that he believed came from the top of the Cambodian Government. As president of Cambodian Association of Victoria, Cr Chea had been outspoken against Cambodia’s long-serving Prime Minister and former Khmer Rouge commander Hun Sen. He accused Sen of being re-elected in a “fake election”. And Cr Chea still vows that he will not be silenced. He’ll speak against the regime’s visits, property purchases and fundraisers in Australia. He’ll rail against how 55 opposition MPs and 2000 local councillors in Cambodia were “sacked” by the Government. “There’s no democracy, no Parliament - just one party. “In Cambodia, if you say something (against the regime) you go to prison or have an ‘accident’. It’s not good at all.” Cr Chea hasn’t been back to his homeland since 2016.

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Post-retirement, Youhorn Chea is devoting himself to human rights in Cambodia. 214513 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS That year, Clarinda MP Hong Lim was banned from Cambodia after labelling the gunning down of political activist Kem Ley as a “political assassination”. Cr Chea says his country had become like “the Khmer Rouge again” - a time in the 1970s and 1980s when one million Cambodians were killed or died from starvation. His parents and five of his siblings were among the victims.

He and his family were enslaved in an unsanitary concentration camp, forced to carry out hard labour in hunger, thirst and oppressive heat. He contracted hepatitis C, drinking unclean water from rice fields. After escaping, Cr Chea and his surviving family members were separated, spread across the world. Understandably, he is most proud of the

harmony among Greater Dandenong’s 150plus nationalities. It’s exemplified by the spread of Sikh, Muslim, Christian and Buddhist places of worship, the strong Interfaith Council and councillors’ universal support for multiculturalism. As mayor during 9/11, he feared a backlash against Muslim communities. He asked for Greater Dandenong Interfaith Council leaders to come together to pray for peace. “I haven’t seen any discrimination here that I have seen in other places. “The Muslim community came to pray and to explain that killing someone was not part of the Muslim tradition. “If you kill an innocent person you go to hell.” At the last council election, Cr Chea led the charge to scrap the recently installed parking meters in central Springvale. It was an illustration of how councillors need to listen to residents and businesses first, he said. “Small business people were almost dying. No one was coming into Springvale - it was a very, very stupid idea.” Springvale has transformed under Cr Chea’s watch. Twenty years ago, residents felt unsafe, heroin and crime were rife on the streets. A social worker as well as councillor, Cr Chea pushed for rehab and support services. Victoria Police moving into a station on the main street was a game-changer, he said. Until Covid-19 hit, “Sensational Springvale” was a thriving shopping and dining destination. A highlight is the Lunar New Year festival that brings together the Chinese, Vietnamese and Cambodian communities. “We need to have an open heart, to forgive and forget the past. Cambodia and Vietnam have been fighting for 200, 300 years. Continued page 14

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Call for gambling 000 line By Danielle Kutchel A petition to implement a “fourth line” to triple-zero specifically for mental health emergencies has gained more than 12,000 signatures and is showing no signs of slowing. As the spotlight shifts to mental health and wellness, the petition has gained momentum, far surpassing the 1000 signatures its organiser, mental health advocate Heidi Everett, was expecting. “I thought 1000 would be quite decent. We hit that within about a week and it ballooned up after that,” she said. She believes the petition has struck a chord in a community in which many have reached breaking point during the Covid-19 pandemic. While a report released last week by the Coroners Court of Victoria shows no increase in suicides to date during the pandemic, psychologists have reported a massive increase in people requiring assistance. Ms Everett believes that’s where her suggested mental health hotline proposal could help. She’s seeking a “fourth line” to be added to triple-zero, so that when people call the emergency number they hear: “police, fire, ambulance or mental health?” The mental health line would be connected to a crisis assessment treatment (CAT) team, who are trained specifically to deal with mental health crises. This team would then take appropriate steps to help the person in crisis. They would be supported by paramedics for emergencies

Mental health advocate Heidi Everett is calling for a fourth line to be added to triple-zero for mental health emergencies. involving medical incidents. Ms Everett says in a utopia, people with lived experience of mental ill-health and carers would also be on the team. Currently, she says, if someone calls triplezero for suicidal thoughts or mental health crisis, paramedics and police respond with the support of a mental health worker - but Ms Everett wants to see that flipped, with the mental health workers becoming the primary responders in a situation they are most

equipped to deal with. She believes it would help reduce the burden on hotlines like Lifeline and Beyond Blue, and added that in “if you’re in a mental health crisis, the last thing you’re going to do is remember those numbers or go searching for them on the internet. Triple-zero cuts through that.” “I’ve used Lifeline so many times but even they say contact triple-zero in an emergency,” Ms Everett says. She added that the fourth line would be particularly useful for those who have no idea who to call in a mental health emergency people like farmers, business owners and parents who are now, for the first time, experiencing the mental ill-health. Clinical psychologist and director of Lakeside Psychology, Michael Tomek, said he thought the concept of a fourth line was “interesting” and that he could see the appeal. But he stressed it would be important to consider all the pros and cons of the suggestion and how it would impact the triple-zero system. He acknowledged that the state’s psychiatric triage system is currently “under the pump”. “Often we have to leave messages to them and they get back to us. It’s very challenging ... The pressure is being felt in not only in the community but also by psychologists and the public mental health team.” In fact, he said, demand at his clinic - including enquiries and requests for appointments - has doubled since March. A spokesperson for Victoria Police said officers are “attending an increasing number of

mental health incidents every year”. According to the spokesperson, Victoria Police works with mental health professionals to improve training in the area for its officers, with mental health training woven into all aspects of training for recruits. “In addition to recruit training, all frontline Victoria Police officers will receive additional in-depth training solely dedicated to assisting people experiencing a mental health crisis,” the spokesperson said. “It will also help to prevent the escalation of incidents and associated harm to the individual, police and community and enhance diversion to assessment and treatment.” An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson confirmed that they respond to over 75,000 mental health emergency calls, with more than 17,000 of those being connected with a specialist mental health nurse within the organisation. The others “require a lights and sirens emergency response and admission to an emergency department”. Telstra provides Australia’s triple-zero service. To connect a fourth line, the legislation governing the service would need to be updated. To view the petition, visit https://www. c h a n g e. o rg / p / a u s t ra l i a n - g ove r n m e n t 000-mental-health-line If this story has raised any issues for you, please contact: Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue. org.au

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Works on a new pavilion at Olive Road Sports Complex will start in months.

$1m boost

Shukria’s award-winning art piece.

Teen refugee wins prestigious art prize A Narre Warren teenager who came to Australia as a refugee has won a leading youth art prize. Year 11 student Shukria Shukria Oruzgani, who arrived in Australia from Pakistan two years ago, has won AMES Australia’s One Planet youth art prize. Shukria, an ethnic Hazara whose family fled their home in Afghanistan a decade ago, says she is thrilled to have won the One Planet art competition. “I’m very honoured to have won the competition. I’m passionate about art and I love painting,” the 18-year-old said. “But, I’m also interested in maths and science and maybe medicine.” Shukria’s family lived for many years in Quetta, in western Pakistan, after fleeing their homeland because of the persecution of the Hazara ethnic minority. But targeted attacks on Hazaras by extremists inside Pakistan forced the family to flee again. 2 STAR JOURNAL

Over the past couple of months, the young people and students who engaged with AMES Australia have had the opportunity to enter the One Planet art competition held by AMES’ Youth Services division. In partnership with sponsors 7-Eleven, entrants have had the chance to win prizes including laptops and tablets, with the aim of helping young people with their study needs. Shukria’s winning entry will also be turned into a large mural to be displayed at the Multicultural Hub in Melbourne’s CBD. AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said many wonderful entries were supplied, all with different interpretations on the theme of ‘one planet,’ showcasing our young people’s talents. “The judges were all very impressed with the thought and work that went into all of the entries and applaud all of the entrants on their work,” Ms Scarth said.

Tuesday, 8 September, 2020

Shukria Shukria Oruzgani’s creative talents has been recognised.

Works on a new pavilion at Olive Road Sporting Complex are set to start after the awarding of a $1m State Government grant. The $2.043 million redevelopment in Doveton will include a mulitpurpose community room, changerooms, first aid room and kitchen/kiosk for netballers and other sportspeople. The grant was allocated from the government’s Growing Suburbs Fund. It will be more than matched by $1.043 million from Casey Council. Work on the 18-month project was expected to start in November. A further $1.35 million was allocated from the GSF towards an upgrade of Strong Drive Children’s Centre in Hampton Park and the new Orana Community Place, Early Years Facility in Clyde North City of Casey administrators’ chairperson Noelene Duff said the GSF was “vital” in delivering projects that communities urgently need. “It means a major boost to the local netball teams that have been using the old facilities for generations, and it will be an asset to bring together the Doveton/Eumemmering community for a broad range of activities. “Casey Netball Association and Hallam Fire Brigade have been key in supporting this project.” Casey chief executive Glenn Patterson said work could now start on the “shovel-ready” projects in a “matter of months”. Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said the complex was a “great facility for our local netballers and will be even better with the new pavilion”. Local Government Minister Shaun Leane said the GSF built a “legacy of investment in our fastest-growing communities - creating jobs and delivering the facilities communities need to thrive”. “This is going to be more crucial than ever as we recover from the impact of coronavirus.”

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Crophouse raiders jailed By Cam Lucadou-Wells A burglary gang used heat-sensing radar to search for cannabis crop houses, including a family home in Keysborough, before raiding them in the early hours. Five masked men forced open the front door of the Thurbro Drive home about 3am on 17 January 2019, Victorian County Court judge Carolene Gwynne said during sentencing on 1, 2 and 3 September. A pregnant female was home as the intruders took bags of cannabis, a phone and $1000 from her purse. They fled in two getaway cars with false plates, leaving a trail of cannabis from the damaged front door to the driveway. The female declined to give information to police officers. Shortly after, the offenders drove onto their next target in Chadstone. According to covert recordings, they were confronted and fled from a “large Aussie bloke” at the home’s front door who was “not a nip”. Police arrived, finding 15 cannabis plants in the garage and rear shed. Again, the occupant gave no information to police. The crew had plans for three further break-

ins that morning. But they were thwarted by police during an attempted intercept in Preston. In all, seven offenders were charged and pleaded guilty to up to eight “sophisticated” and “highly organised” break-ins. On several occasions, they wielded crowbars and garden shears as they confronted occupants. The most serious was an aggravated home invasion in Sunshine North in 2018 in which a male occupant was ordered to lie on the floor by two masked intruders. He was threatened with garden shears and a crowbar. A large TV, iPhone and purse were stolen. No cannabis was at the premises. The first “foray” was a brief, unsuccessful aggravated burglary in Huxley Avenue Mulgrave in September 2018. As part of the gang’s “research”, a car with a forward-looking infrared radar (FLIR) would scan for heat spots in houses - an indication that indoor-heated crops were inside. Police observed a car scanning for potential targets in Noble Park, Springvale South and Dingley in an early morning in December 2018.

There was no identifiable leader or instigator, and different teams of offenders took part in each break-in, Judge Gwynne noted. The offenders would have known that victims were unlikely to report the burglaries to police, she said. Police launched an “equally sophisticated” investigation including car bugs, phone taps, CCTV, traffic cameras and phone records, she said. Rhys Abela-Rogers, 20, with no prior offending, was charged with all eight break-ins and trafficking cannabis. The “talented” junior footballer had confronted several victims, including in the Sunshine North home invasion. He was jailed for up to seven years, 11 months. He will be eligible for parole after five years. Charlie Farrugia, 21, was involved in five burglaries and trafficking cannabis. He was on a community corrections order at the time but with “relatively limited” criminal history. He was jailed for five years and 11 months, with a non-parole period of at least three years and 10 months. Abdulahi Ali, 22, and Dylan Farrugia, 24,

pleaded guilty to charges relating to five and six of the break-ins respectively. They had not been directly involved in violent confrontations with occupants. Dylan Farrugia, on a good-behaviour bond at the time, was jailed for up to six years and nine months. He will be eligible for parole after four years and four months. Ali, with a more “troubling” criminal record, was sentenced to six years and seven months’ jail, with a non-parole period of at least four years and four months. Getaway driver Damien Monro, 25, and Jake Synan, 23, pleaded guilty to taking part in the final night of the “high-end, prolific” spree, including the Keysborough agg burg. Monro, who had been on bail at the time, was jailed for up to four years, and eligible for parole after two years and eight months. Synan was jailed for up to three years, seven months. His non-parole period was at least two years and two months. All offenders’ jail terms, except for Synan, include 593 days already served in pre-sentence remand. One other, Jackson Balshaw, is yet to be sentenced.

‘Long-term’ fix for trouble spot in Dandenong West By Cam Lucadou-Wells There will be no “band-aids” in fixing of a complex, entrenched crime hot-spot in ‘inner’ Dandenong West, says Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams. Ms Williams, after meeting with Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti on 4 September, said “strategic, long-term thinking” was required for the area bordered by Robinson, Hemmings and Pickett streets and Railway Parade. She will be seeking a meeting of several Government ministries, Victoria Police and Greater Dandenong Council. The meeting will discuss “short and long term options to boost community safety” and for “better outcomes for local residents”. “I don’t want to simply band-aid over complex issues that require thoughtful, longterm policy interventions across multiple levels of government and agencies,” Ms Williams said. “We owe it to our community to work collaboratively in their best interests.” A multi-agency approach had been called for in a notice-of-motion by councillor Maria Sampey in June. She said at the time that “fearful” residents were wanting out from the area, blighted by crime, street prostitution, drug and alcohol abuse and anti-social behaviour. One issue was to better engage with residents “who currently feel ignored”, her motion’s preamble stated.

SEJ

A social housing project at 2-4 Hemmings Street was rejected by council this year due to antisocial concerns in the area. 207592 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Cr Memeti told Star Journal the council had applied for a $495,000 infrastructure grant for the area, which would be bolstered

by a letter-of-support from Ms Williams. The grant would cover items such as mobile CCTV, variable message signs, as well as

public artwork to rejuvenate the area, Cr Memeti said. Council officers had started collecting hard rubbish from the area’s streets on a daily basis, he said. “We want to give the area a council presence. We acknowledge there’s a problem there.” In June, Cr Matthew Kirwan said the area should be a “fantastic place to live” given it was within walking distance of the library, market and train station. A “one-off” police blitz in 2019 suppressed the issues for only a few months, but won’t solve entrenched social issues such as poverty, homelessness, squats and poorly-managed rooming houses and a lack of safe and affordable community housing. “Most of these are State Government issues so we need them to take the lead. “We’re finally coming to the point that we need a plan to deal with this, not just with a one-off police blitz.” In June, a Victoria Police spokesperson said the precinct was a “busy area” but there had been no increase in reported crimes or calls for assistance. Police conducted regular proactive patrols in Greater Dandenong including the precinct in question as part of the ongoing Operation Tidal, the spokesperson said. “We are aware this is a busy area, particularly given the proximity to the Dandenong CBD, and task our officers to patrol accordingly.”

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Concern for lost learning By Cam Lucadou-Wells Students won’t only need to catch up on schoolwork but also recapture school morale, says Dandenong North Primary School’s principal. Kevin Mackay says the second-wave classroom lockdown and Covid-19’s impact generally has been “devastating” for many children - who will begin to return to school from 28 September. He compares the impact to generations who grew up in the polio pandemic in the 1950s or the Cold War’s threat of nuclear holocaust. “One can only imagine the effects longterm. “Kids are very adaptable but they’re reading the fear in their parents’ voices and body language.” It’s been a particular challenge for a school community, in which 90 per cent of students are from non-English backgrounds. Some parents misunderstood lockdown rules, thinking they weren’t allowed to leave the house at all. They forbade their kids from their own backyards for light and exercise, Mr Mackay says. “It’s worse the second time around,” he says of the latest wave. “From what we’re hearing from the kids, they’re struggling because there’s no substitute for teaching in a classroom.” School milestone events have also been cancelled, such as Year Six camps, Harmony Day celebrations and Book Week parades. “We’re planning on making a special event calendar for the kids when they return,” Mr Mackay said. “It’s to build up team spirit again. “We will be losing more learning time however, so it’s a double-edged sword.” Due to student and teacher burnout, lesson time has been reduced by two hours a day during remote learning. Over a shutdown of 100 days, that equates to 200 lost hours per child. Mr Mackay recently made headlines with his view that some Preppies at the school will need to restart Prep in 2021.

Berwick Lodge Primary School principal Henry Grossek says he doesn’t support the idea of Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS preps repeating their school year. 206312

No need to repeat Kevin Mackay is ready to rebuild school morale in Term 4. 214367 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS They won’t be ‘repeating’ Prep because they never really started it, Mr Mackay says. “The research into the ineffectiveness of repeating grades is based on doing the same thing twice. “These kids, though, haven’t done it once.” He said the situation was unique to his school’s high number of non-English-speaking households. Learning from home, these students are deprived of English conversation with teachers and peers. Fundamental skills wither, like reading, learning sounds and vocab. In lockdown, students also miss critical socialisation skills - learning to share, take turns, put your hand up, gaining confidence to ask a question of a teacher. Yet, there have been positive discoveries, Mr Mackay says. Teachers have learnt new ways to use technology, students have enjoyed Webex videoconferencing to catch up with classmates. As Mr Mackay speaks, he notes the classrooms are “unnervingly quiet” and without their usual “bustle”. The school has only been open for up to 30 children of essential workers during lockdown - down from 800 in term one. “It’s like a ghost town. “We’re looking forward to getting back as one school again.” Under the State Government’s ‘road map’, Prep to Year 2, VCE/VCAL and specialist school students will be returning to school from 28 September. The rest of primary and high-school students’ returns will be staged from 26 October.

A leading Berwick primary school principal says preps shouldn’t have to repeat a year of school following months of remote learning as it would have negative impacts. Henry Grossek, who has been principal at Berwick Lodge Primary School for 31 years, said remote learning “shouldn’t be a reason” to repeat children, which may contribute to issues of low self-esteem, as well as emotional or social difficulties. “When we repeat kids: Is the benefit of repeating going to worth having them taken away from their age-group peers in the classroom with whom they already have sort of a bond? The answer is you really need something quite drastic for children to repeat,” he said. Mr Grossek said while Mr McKay raised a “worthwhile topic for public discussion”, he did not believe the “majority of people would agree with him”. “I certainly don’t support that approach. Kevin’s an experienced well-respected prin-

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Under ever-enduring lockdown, Greater Dandenong’s Covid-19 active cases have plummeted to their lowest levels for two months. As of 6 September, the figure was 53 - down from 101 a week ago. The 3175 postcode including Dandenong, Dandenong North and Dandenong South has also relinquished its title as the South East’s hotspot. In the past two weeks, active cases in the postcode have dropped by more than 100. The total sharply dwindled to 27 as of 6 September. It is now less than the 33 active cases in the 3977 postcode, which includes Cranbourne, Skye and Botanic Ridge. Noble Park/Noble Park North has 16 active cases (unchanged from last week), Endeavour Hills one (down by 14), Keysborough nine (down by five) and Lynbrook/Lyndhurst 8 (down by two). Also in single digits are Sandown Village/ Springvale (3), Hallam (9) and Doveton/ Eumemmerring (3). In the meantime, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has identified Greater Dandenong and Casey as Covid-19 hotspots due to a rising proportion of positive tests. Brett Sutton told a media conference on 2 September that the council areas - along with the “usual suspects” such as Wyndham, Brimbank and Hume - were “more of a concern in recent days”. There’d be also a push to lift the consistentdandenong.starcommunity.com.au

ly low testing rates in the region, he said. According to Department of Health and Human Services data, Casey (1 per cent) and Greater Dandenong (1.2 per cent) are above the metro positive test average (0.8 per cent). Professor Sutton said there continued to be transmissions in aged care, Peninsula Health and high-risk workplaces. Known aged care clusters have been recorded at Outlook Gardens in Dandenong North (116 cases including 41 residents), Estia Health Keysborough (20 including seven residents) and Mercy Place Dandenong (23 including 12 residents). An ongoing outbreak of 48 cases has also been linked to Dandenong South truck manufacturer Vawdrey Australia. The cluster has 16 active cases. Monash Health spokesperson Rhonda Stewart told ABC Melbourne Radio that test numbers were “slightly down”. They mirrored the drop in cases and peoples’ possible complacency toward testing. Ms Stewart said it was important for symptomatic people to get tested. It helped halt the spread of Covid-19 along with self-isolation and contact tracing. Statewide, there were 43 new Covid-19 cases and nine deaths in the 24 hours up to 7 September. Active cases dropped from 2620 to 1872 in the past week. A vast proportion of active cases are 916 linked to aged care and 216 health care workers.

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cipal and he’s probably speaking on behalf of his community,” he said. While Mr Grossek acknowledged the pandemic had presented challenges and that some children and parents were coping with remote learning better than others, he did not anticipate more children repeating in 2021. “Our starting point in the classes is to keep children as best as you can with their age-group peers,” he said. “What we’ve noticed and it seems to be a trend, is it’s the lack of their peer group friends (that) seems to be having a bigger impact. “The other issue that we sometimes forget is that whilst adults make decisions quite rightly on behalf of children, it is the children in this case who would have to repeat and deal with the potential consequences. In this case it more than likely be negative.”

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Mens Shed goes virtual Its new home may not quite be open but Endeavour Hills Mens Shed is keeping men in “virtual” conversation. In weekly online meetings, the Mens Shed brings together ‘blokes’ to chat about DIY projects, hobbies and what’s going on in their lives. It’s part of the Mens Shed’s “ramped-up” response to the social and economic damage from Covid-19, president Trevor Ratcliffe said. “While we have been in lockdown our members have been meeting on-line and the need to extend what we have enjoyed to others in increasing numbers. “So, for blokes who want to meet new people, share some stories, talk about the things which interest you and escape from the isolation we are waiting for you.” The Mens Shed’s long-awaited new home in Sydney Pargeter Reserve is nearing completion. When open, the shed would teach basic DIY skills for people “displaced” due being out of work, Mr Ratcliffe says. “The aim is to provide a practical ‘appreciation’ of DIY skills so that more of us can tackle our own home maintenance or acquire basic knowledge and skills which might attract employment. “Rather than leading to a certificate this is about building resilience in ourselves, improving our circumstances and strengthening our community in difficult times.” Mr Ratcliffe said initially there would be woodwork and metalwork streams. Further courses may include electronics/ computers, mechanics and vegetable growing, household budgeting as well as health and wellbeing activities and community projects. Suitably qualified volunteers are being sought to oversee the sessions. “What we are planning to do may not be consistent with community perceptions about what a Men’s Shed is or should look like,” Mr Ratcliffe said.

Endeavour Hills Mens Shed invites all men to join its online meetings.

Endeavour Hills Mens Shed members in a pre-Covid meeting. “But our vision has never been about perceptions. “Our vision has always been about men’s

The new site in Syd Pargeter Reserve.

health and building community capacity, wherever that leads, and now, that is more important than ever.”

To join in the online chats or find out more about the new building, contact the group’s secretary Paul Morris on 0418 313 395.

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‘Viral’ tweet apology By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Keysborough South Ward election candidate has apologised over a tweet on Dandenong South lockdown protests that has been seized upon by her political rivals. Rhonda Garad, of The Greens, says her comment about “a group of white supremacists” in the mass gatherings from 24 August was not aimed at protestors from the local Albanian community. Her tweet read: “A group of white supremacists fight the State Govt, the Chief Medical Officer and Police, who are protecting the health of Victorians. “Imagine being new arrived, living in #Dandenong and having to face them everyday.” Despite Dr Garad deleting the tweet, she and her post has attracted sharp criticism across social media. Dr Garad, who has lived in Dandenong for 26 years, married an African and has children of diverse backgrounds, strongly denies she is racist. “My children and my husband have had to face this discrimination. The last thing I want to be seen is to denigrate or demonise people.” “I want to fully apologise for any hurt that I may have caused and say that I am a big supporter of the Albanian community.” The tweet was posted before it was revealed that predominantly locals were involved, she said. She made the “white supremacist” reference out of concern about the rise of such groups in-

Rhonda Garad said her deleted tweet was aimed at white supremacist groups, not the Albanian community. 210666 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Protestors and police in Kirkham Road, Dandenong South on 26 August.

cluding a “small group” in Melbourne. Over seven days, police arrested 10 men and issued 72 fines as they cracked down on the mass turnouts at George Andrews Reserve, Kirkham Road and surrounds. Though wearing masks and walking for “exercise”, the offenders were allegedly in breach of Chief Health Officer bans on outdoor gatherings of more than two. Dr Garad said the protests weren’t acceptable but were understandable. Dandenong residents were generally supportive of the lockdown but disproportionately impacted by the restrictions. “I think people are struggling. I think people are worried and scared. “A large part of the community have lost work and may have missed out on JobKeeper provisions. “We are in uncharted territory and people are wondering what’s next, how to put food on

the table, how to pay the mortgage.” She accused the State Opposition of deliberately playing down the health consequences of Covid-19. “They’re making Daniel Andrews and the Chief Health Officer the enemy and not the virus itself.” ALP candidate Ramy El-Sukkari said the actions of some protestors shouldn’t reflect on a whole community. “One of the key (attributes) for any candidate is to unite the community.” Mr El-Sukkari said a combination of forces were behind the protest - people were under pressure and facing rumours of an extension of stage four restrictions and the State of Emergency. Greater Dandenong has lower than average Covid testing rates compared to metropolitan Melbourne. More effort should have been made to put

Picture: GARY SISSONS

the public health message in different languages and to engage community leaders, Mr El-Sukkari said. Mayor Jim Memeti said the Dandenong South protest sites had settled down in recent days. They still had a police presence, he said. He said frustrations had swelled due to the losses of jobs and businesses. But he urged residents not to disobey the Chief Health Officer’s agenda. “I do urge people in the community that if they’re feeling symptoms to get tested. We want people to get checked so they don’t spread it to anyone else.” As of 4 September, active cases in the Dandenong 3175 postcode had plummeted to 41 - down from 137 a fortnight ago. Active cases in Greater Dandenong were 72, a drop of 13 from the previous day.

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STAR JOURNAL 7

BUSINESS PROFILE

A family friendly focus By Danielle Kutchel Shoppers looking for a family feel while picking up their groceries will find exactly that at Michael’s Fresh Food Market Keysborough. The local IGA store has that warm, smallbusiness feel because it’s family owned - so the focus is entirely on serving the customer, in every sense of the word. Store manager Mario articulates the philosophy behind the store: that it’s staff’s job to look after every customer that walks through their doors. If customers would like something but can’t find it on the shelf, Mario says they can try and get it in. Products are tailored to what buyers like - for example, Michael’s Fresh Food Market stocks a wide variety of health foods and products to serve increased interest in wellbeing, as well as a large range of Asian goods. The store hosts a servery where customers can have meat cut to their liking on the spot. The servery allows the store to have flexibility in their meat lines: one week, customers might find delicious chicken kievs, and the next week, wagyu steaks. Staff will happily bone out a leg of lamb to make it easier for you to manage at home, or provide advice on cooking methods and seasonings. And, Mario says, it’s the freshest meat pos-

Stop and get your coffee fix at the instore cafe. sible - “any fresher and it’ll jump at you!” He says since Covid-19 restrictions hit, the store has seen an influx of people keen to use their time to try out new ingredients and recipes. For those who have cooked themselves out, a range of pre-made meals from My Muscle Chef and YouFoodz will still satisfy at dinner time. The store cooks its own takeaway food in an on-site kitchen too, with a cafe offering takeaway snacks like toasties and cakes, and tapping into the coffee culture with delicious brews.

Store manager Mario with some of the fresh produce. 214776 Those who would prefer to shop from home are in luck: Michael’s Fresh Food Market offers home delivery, with staff picking each individual order with care. Click and col-

lect is also available. Michaels’ Fresh Food Market Keysborough is located at 466 Cheltenham Rd, Keysborough and is open seven days a week, 7.30am-7.45pm.

Now’s the time for dry cleaning at Waverley Gardens By Danielle Kutchel With so many people working from home, we’ve become accustomed to wearing trackies and pyjamas to ‘work’ - but that’s no excuse to let your business and formal wear languish in the wardrobe. Now is the time to get your cleaning and alterations done at Endeavour Hills Dry Cleaners and Waverley Gardens Dry Cleaners. Ensure your work-from-home wardrobe is up to scratch for those all-important Zoom calls with their latest super deal: five or more business shirts washed and machine pressed for $3.80 each (terms and conditions apply). Other deals are also available in store. An experienced seamstress is able to take care of all your alterations, from trouser shortening to tailoring and new zips. No fabric or job is too difficult. Embroidery is now also available. As term four and the potential easing of restrictions looms near, now is the time to get ahead of the rush and get your children’s

school uniforms pressed and ready to go for back to school. Whether it’s blazers, school dresses, trousers, shirts or shorts, Endeavour Hills and Waverley Gardens Dry Cleaners are up to the task. If you’re getting into the spring cleaning spirit, bring your doonas, blankets and bed-

spreads in for a clean - the experienced team can give all your bedding a thorough clean for the new season. Preserve the memories of your big day with their wedding dress cleaning and preservation boxing service. Endeavour Hills and Waverley Gardens Dry Cleaners are also experienced in cleaning traditional and cultural wear, including saris. Both stores have been owned and run by the same family for over 30 years - meaning you can be sure of a service that’s reliable and consistent, and that you can trust. Endeavour Hills Dry Cleaners is currently open 9am-3pm Monday to Friday and 9am1pm Saturday. They are located at Shop 80, Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre. Call 9706 1867 for more information. Waverley Gardens Dry Cleaners is currently open 10am-2pm Monday to Saturday. They are located at Shop 17A, Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre. Call 9547 7880 for more information or visit www.wgdc.com.au

Waverley Gardens Dry Cleaners.

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Would you have an operation if you knew the surgeon had no medical qualifications? Would you get into a taxi if you knew the driver of the car didn’t have a driver’s licence? Not many of us would, but every year thousands of Australians entrust their personal tax returns to bogus individuals posing as tax practitioners, most of whom possess no qualifications or experience to do the work. With the tax-time landscape being even more complicated in 2020 due to the impact of the global pandemic, the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) is urging taxpayers to ensure that their tax practitioner is registered by checking the online public register at tpb.gov.au/onlineregister. It’s a free and easy to use resource, and one that could potentially save taxpayers thousands in penalties and additional fees. It follows a recent case of Brisbane based, Kent Scott Hacker and his associated companies One Stop Global Staffing Pty Ltd (OSGS) and Naleview Pty Limited. In November 2018 the ATO raided the of-

Tuesday, 8 September, 2020

fices of OSGS and discovered evidence indicating that Mr Hacker’s business, OSGS, had been preparing and lodging income tax returns unlawfully for thousands of taxpayers. Mr Hacker had kept records of the taxpayers’ personal details including their date of birth, tax file number and bank account details. The TPB began investigating the matter and in February 2019 brought proceedings before the Federal Court seeking both civil penalties and an interim injunction. Following this Mr Hacker and his companies gave an undertaking to the court that they would cease their activity. Despite this undertaking, and a later court order to display large notices at the OSGS office warning taxpayers of the risk of using Mr Hacker’s services, Mr Hacker carried on providing tax agent services, often to unsuspecting clients. On 27 July 2020 the Federal Court delivered two judgements, finding that Mr Hacker and his businesses had contravened the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 on numerous occasions and were in contempt of court by providing tax

agent services after undertaking to the court that they would not do so. Chair of the TPB, Mr Ian Klug, AM said, “It is quite extraordinary that each time Mr Hacker admitted to being in contempt of court, he went on to unlawfully lodge additional income tax returns for clients.” ‘We would urge anyone paying for tax agent services, particularly during this tax-time, to be suspicious of the promise of large tax refunds and check the TPB register to ensure the legitimacy of their agent’s registration.” “Never share your myGov password with anyone as doing so puts your personal and financial information at risk.” The Court will hold a further hearing on 28 September 2020 to decide on penalties. Mr Klug said he was looking forward to the Court imposing an appropriate penalty. “The right decision will not only address Mr Hacker’s misconduct, but it will strengthen the integrity of our tax system.” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

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Tuesday, 8 September, 2020

STAR JOURNAL 9

LOOKING BACK

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

100 years ago 9 September1920 Langwarrin Venereal Hospital At a meeting of the Cranbourne Shire council on Saturday, the Standing Orders were suspended in order to hear Mr Marks, who sought the co-operation of the council in order to oppose the proposed transfer of control from the Military authorities to State officials. He asked the council to appoint a delegate to a deputation to be arranged to wait upon the Premier, and that the member for the district (Mr Groves) be asked to oppose the movement. Cr Berry pointed out that £166,000 had been spent on buildings by the Government - at the hospital - which had proved a most useful institution in the past. Cr Berry said he thought the council should not take any action in the manner, as the Langwar-

rin camp had turned out between 16,000 to 20,000 soldiers cured. He moved that no action be taken by council in the meantime. Seconded by Cr Hill and carried.

50 years ago 8 September 1970 Priest’s blast at boys’ funeral An Anglican priest caused a stir at the funeral of two boys last week when he attacked the local authorities for not cordoning off water holes and other danger spots in Eumemmerring Creek. Rev Arthur Marshall was addressing mourners at the funeral of drowning victims Stephen and Neil Brown of Fugosia St Doveton, who drowned in the Eumemmerring Creek. “I understand there have been other drownings in the same creek before.” Mr Marshall added: “Certainly we can pray for the boys and those who are grieving. But

prayer is a complete waste until we take some definite action and put pressure to bear on local government.”

from the inner city who have consistently undermined Waverley and the actions of Greater Dandenong Council.”

20 years ago

5 years ago

11 September 2000 Waverley war continues The AFL and opposing council had “egg on their faces” after Waverley Park was heritage listed, said State Labor MP for Dandenong Mr John Pandazopoulos. He said despite the Heritage Council voting unanimously to have Waverley protected, the AFL would use all its resources to continue the fight for demolition. Mr Pandazopoulos said: “I welcome the decision of the independent heritage council which is egg on the faces of those who criticised Greater Dandenong Council to have Waverley Park heritage listed. It’s a win for the outer suburbs over the corporate yuppies

7 September 2015 Left Stranded Waiting for a bus isn’t usually a year-long task. But that’s exactly the situation Keysborough South residents are in, with bus bays at their doorsteps yet to fulfil their purpose. Keysborough South Action Group is kicking off a petition in a bid to change the situation, with no funding for a bus service allocated in this year’s State Budget. “We’re petitioning because there is nothing within three kilometres and it’s isolating the community and it’s limiting job opportunities for young people,” spokeswomen Nina Kelly said.

NEWS

Positive for the future By Tamil Senior Citizen Benevolent Society (Victoria) In Australia and all over the world, people have endured great suffering in these unprecedented times as a result of coronavirus. We express our deepest condolences to all those who have lost loved ones. Angry, frustrated, scared, lonely ... We are all feeling a lot of big feelings right now. To understand what can and can’t be controlled, the Bhagavad Gita can be a particular source of comfort at this time. Arjuna’s war was different from what we are facing today, but he too felt overwhelmed by the circumstances he was in. Lord Krishna’s teaching highlights that we

have the right to do our duty, but the results are not dependent only upon our efforts. For most of us our dharma today is to first and foremost follow the guidelines being put out by our local, state and federal governments to protect ourselves, our families and our communities, despite the sacrifices entailed. During these difficult times, we can find comfort from the words said by Krishna: “Whatever happened, happened for the good. “Whatever is happening, is happening for the good. “Whatever will happen, will also happen for the good.” Dedicate everything to God and he will look after you.

The challenges we are currently facing are temporary and we will get through this. We need to let go of that which is not in our control. Continue to be strong and face everything boldly. Better times, filled with joy and freedom are ahead of us. May God bless everyone.

Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs. Picture: CAMERON L’ESTRANGE

OPINION Disadvantage not racism I think it is counterproductive to describe how our system works as “systemic racism“. I prefer to call the issues thrown up by BLM as highlighting problems of entrenched disadvantage. I believe the term systemic racism can have

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the effect of making people feel bad or wrong about their own success. I think we can all agree that there are problems and address those problems without making other people, who are only doing their best, wrong. Kevin Walsh, Former Mayor of Greater Dandenong, Keysborough

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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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Riding safe in wetlands

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You can’t be too safe these days. A cycling installation in Dandenong’s wetlands has been given the high-vis vest treatment - and a face mask, in keeping with the Covid times. Picture: GARY SISSONS

NEWS

A big serving of harmony By Cam Lucadou-Wells There’s a lot of warmth as well as sumptuous food cooking in the kitchen at the ADRA AfriAus Care Community Centre Springvale South. Since its Covid-19 food relief program started in March, Black Rhinos Basketball Club members have been busy in the kitchen learning how to cook African food from matureaged men and women. The kitchen sizzles and wafts with authentic flavours of boiling chicken (the road runner), with fresh greens from the kitchen garden and authentic staples such as asida, mula and sukumawiki leaves. Afri-Aus Care’s Founder Selba_Gondoza Luka says the cooks are “one family”, two generations working together. There’s the young basketballers who regard each other as “brothers” and “sisters”. They call Ms Luka their “Mum” and community development officer Veronica Ajobong “Auntie”. In this ‘family’, the young people form the Ubuntu Peer to Peer Restorative Group. They are regarded as leaders of today at Afri-Aus Care. And the centre is like a “home” where elders and youth relate well, under the concept of ‘Ubuntu and the Positive Change Model’ - that is “harmony and humanity”. “Under the Ubuntu concept, if someone is going to harm the family, our community would do anything to protect you,” Ms Luka said. Black Rhinos players are doing more than just keeping busy while basketball courts have been locked down for five months.

They’re learning work skills - cooking, sewing, gardening, packing and delivering muchappreciated fresh food parcels in Greater Dandenong on Tuesdays and Casey-Cardinia on Fridays. These dedicated volunteers are supported with pathways toward paid employment . The cooked meals are being delivered to some of Afri-Aus Care’s women’s health and wellbeing group. It’s one way to connect and support during the pandemic. The team will soon start to share videos of each week’s recipe via YouTube. Before Covid-19 restrictions, the women’s group regularly gathered for gardening, sewing, cooking and getting culturally-appropriate support with domestic violence, mental health and parenting skills. The members are now meeting online. With support from Community Four and ADRA, information and updates about Covid-19 will also be sent online with short YouTube videos in some of the communities’ common language. Afri-Aus Care also offers culturally-appropriate counselling services 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. She said the City of Greater Dandenong was also providing decent food for Afri-Aus Care men’s and women’s groups.

Goch shows the benefit of fresh produce from the veggie garden. 213664 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Ruben and Goch learning a bit about cooking from Afri-Aus Care community development officer Veronica Ajobong. 213664

Ruben and Goch at the stove with Afri-Aus Care’s Veronica Ajobong looking on. 213664

The crew with their delivery van at Springvale South. 213664

Veronica Ajobong and Selba Gondoza Luka, both of Afri-Aus Care. 213664

Beatrice, front, with food provided to the community. 213664

The vegie garden at ABRA Community Centre. 213664

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 8 September, 2020

STAR JOURNAL 11

NEWS

Feeding the vulnerable An emergency relief effort has targeted isolated refugees subject to family violence during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since 30 April, inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence and charities have delivered 342 relief packs including more than $20,000 of food in Melbourne. As part of the inSpire program, 91 clients - and a further 110 family members - have shared 739 weeks’ worth of food. The deliveries are also a chance for social interaction for some of the most isolated households in iso. Like many, mother-of-two Liana - not her real name - was in a critical situation. As a migrant ineligible for JobKeeper or JobSeeker, her life crumbled when she was let go from work at the start of Covid-19. With mounting stresses, she endured increasingly severe family violence. In a temporary refuge without family support, Liana called the relief packs a “lifeline”. “I was so overwhelmed I couldn’t help but cry. “That night, I cooked my daughter’s favourite meal and for the first time in weeks we sat together as a family to eat and talk, with a smile on our faces.” inTouch chief executive Michal Morris said case managers received a 36 per cent surge in requests for help during Covid-19 - 8,490 contacts between April-June. Of particular concern were the number of requests for financial assistance due to loss of income, Ms Morris said. “A significant number of our clients like Liana, are on temporary visas and are ineligible for government income support, including stimulus initiatives implemented in response to COVID-19. “This has left many of our clients and their children in an even more vulnerable position.

“Not only are they experiencing family violence and trying to seek safety and stability during the current climate, but they need support to meet even their most basic day-to-day needs.” An inTouch case manager said the relief packs took pressure off clients worried about putting food on the table. “Clients have told me they feel like they haven’t been forgotten in the community, and are being acknowledged.

“It gives them a sense of dignity.” The relief packs include culturally appropriate, seasonal and locally sourced fresh fruit, vegetables and staple pantry items. Up-to-date information on Covid-19 has also been provided in the packs, in the women’s own languages. InTouch will also provide 2000 reuseable masks made by not-for-profit social enterprise The Social Studio, which employs refugees and new-arrived migrants.

One of thousands of inTouch deliveries during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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An emergency food pack delivery by an inTouch helper.

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NEWS

Woodman sells up By Brendan Rees A property developer who is at the centre of an anti-corruption probe involving alleged dealings with ex-Casey councillors has sold his planning company to his son. John Woodman’s Mornington-based development consultancy Watsons Pty Ltd will close its doors after selling the business to a new company owned by Mr Woodman’s son, Heath Woodman. Mr Woodman is at the centre of an Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) inquiry into alleged dealings with councillors at Casey Council with former mayor Sam Aziz being a ‘person of interest’. CEO of Watsons David Newman confirmed the sale, saying the new company Marshal Pty Ltd will have “no links” to Mr Woodman, nor will he have an operational role. “He will not be a director or any sort of owner of the new entity,” Mr Newman said. “He will derive no income from the new company and he will have no control or influence over the new company. I cannot be clearer than that.” Mr Newman, who will soon be CEO of Marshal, said Watsons would cease operation from 30 September, with the change being “warmly welcomed” by clients and staff. “This is a fresh start with a new direction and a new set of organisational values and behaviours and will place even greater emphasis on professionalism and accountability,” Mr Newman said.

He said Heath Woodman was an “independent successful businessman in his own right” and it was “important to note the sale is taking place on commercial terms for fair market value after a thorough valuation process”. The new company will be based at the company’s St Kilda Road office with staff working from home since the Covid-19 pandemic started, he said. “We are embracing working from home in the future also, which is particularly good for our many staff who live on the Peninsula. The Watsons Mornington office has now closed. Mr Newman reassured the change was not a restructure, but a brand new business with an emphasis on greenfield sites. “Obviously this has been a challenging time for the staff and now is the right time for a fresh start. The new business indicates we want to move forward and that means moving forward without John Woodman and with a whole new positive business plan and set of processes.” Mr Woodman bought Watsons in the 1990s and acquired several ’notches on the belt’ including the $650 million Martha Cove development at Mt Martha. Meanwhile, a key figure in the IBAC inquiry is former Casey mayor Sam Aziz who returned to Australia in August after 10 months of being overseas. He remains in hospital in Sydney. An IBAC spokesperson said public hearings will be resumed as soon as practical, in line with the directions of the Chief Health Officer.

Sam Aziz and John Woodman in a Subway outlet in Skye.

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Coomoora Woodland Flora and Fauna Reserve. 208872

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Council aims to for zero-carbon by 2040 By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong Council will plot a zerocarbon future as part of adopting a 10-year ‘climate emergency strategy’. The “road-map” aims for Greater Dandenong to achieve net carbon emissions as a council by 2025 and as a community by 2040. A council report on the 2020-2030 strategy stated “substantial”, “transformative” changes were required from the council and the community towards climate change. There was the need for effective information and education on environmental issues. “Council will focus on increasing engagement with our residents and businesses, including our culturally and linguistically (CALD) community members and those with low income levels.” The council will also engage local busidandenong.starcommunity.com.au

ness and industry leaders to accelerate “responses that support the economic viability of local businesses”. Cr Matthew Kirwan, at a council meeting on 24 August, said the Covid-19 pandemic showed the dangers of “not preparing adequately”. “The risks to our resident’s health due to heat stress, our local economy and our environment are clear. “As the strategy says ... ‘This is not the time for complacency, it is the time for action’.” Cr Sean O’Reilly said the council sought to be a leader, ready to implement new clean technologies at the earliest opportunity. “The technologies are progressing now and hopefully we see a day where the old, dirty forms of energy are replaced by cleaner technologies.”

Some argued that one municipality couldn’t impact on global issues of climate change, Cr O’Reilly said. But heat stress was already affecting residents, particularly “our elderly citizens”. That impact could worsen in the future, he said. The strategy was three years in the making, drawing on 1070 public submissions as well as reports from business services multinational Ernst and Young. According to feedback, 92 per cent of respondents were worried about climate change. And 94 per cent wanted the council to take action. The council had already formally recognised an existing “climate emergency”, that all levels of government should commit to reduce greenhouse gases and keep global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Remote technology will used to detect vehicles overstaying in parking bays in central Dandenong. As part of a $508,670 first phase, 1006 inground sensors will be installed to collect data for the “more efficient” issuing of parking infringements in parts of the activity centre. “Sensors would initially only be installed at locations where existing parking restrictions were already in place.” According to a council report tabled on 24 August, the council intended to expand the sensors into other parts of central Dandenong, central Springvale and “satellite” installations such as Dandenong Hospital precinct in two further stages. The sensors are also capable of “customer service applications” in the future, such as real-time data on parking availability and online fee payments, the report stated. The technology also would provide key information for traffic management planning. Duncan Solutions, which won the project tender, had installed similar systems elsewhere in Australia such as City of Canada Bay and Central Coast council.

Remote sensors will detect overstaying cars in central Dandenong parking bays. 195178

Tuesday, 8 September, 2020

STAR JOURNAL 13

NEWS

Freedom fighter farewell From page 1 “They have the same suffering as us, the majority of them are refugees as well.” Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti paid tribute to Cr Chea’s career. “He’s definitely been a good ambassador for the community, especially the Cambodian community and residents from a refugee background. “He’s well respected not just with the Cambodian community but the wider community. “Cr Chea has done a lot for Springvale. When he joined Greater Dandenong Council, Springvale was known for all the wrong reasons ... it was known as ‘Heroin City’. “He worked hard with his constituents, MPs and council officers to change the Springvale area. “Now it’s known as ‘Sensational Springvale’. It has a lot to do with what Cr Chea has done in the past 23 years.”

Youhorn Chea tries a different kind of pitch. 176998 Picture: GARY SISSONS

Councillors Heang Tak, Sean O’Reilly and Youhorn Chea during the first sod-turn of the new Picture: GARY SISSONS Springvale Community Hub in 2018. 183393

Youhorn Chea after receiving a death threat that he believed came from the Cambodian Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Government in 2018. 183610

Youhorn Chea lobbies for the removal of parking metres in Springvale in 2015. 141193 Picture: ROB CAREW

Councillors and the community turn the first sod on the gateway in Buckingham Avenue. 122331 Picture: GARY SISSONS

Springvale Asian Business Association’s Daniel Cheng and councillors Youhorn Chea, Roz Blades Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS and Heang Tak say “No’’ to Springvale parking meters. 138300

Youhorn Chea promotes a mayoral charity ball in 2018. 186126

14 STAR JOURNAL

Tuesday, 8 September, 2020

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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STAR JOURNAL 17

SPORT

Dandenong Panthers champion Tom Donnell believes Ed Newman is primed for a big season. 188123

Picture: ROB CAREW

The excitement is building By Nick Creely One thing is certain in this time of uncertainty surrounding when the cricket season does get underway - Dandenong will embrace its unpredictability and flexibility as it seeks a return to the Victorian Premier Cricket finals in 2020/21. The Panthers finished ninth in the 2019/20 season, just two points shy of a finals spot after a tense and agonising draw in the final round of the home-and-away season at home against St Kilda. And champion batsman Tom Donnell who will once again go around as captain this season alongside new coach, the legendary Warren Ayres - said that the Panthers will be primed and ready to charge up the ladder when the season does get the much anticipated green-light. “The aim is obviously always to play finals and see what happens from there, but it’ll be interesting, we’ve got a few new players, bowlers, which is good,” he said. “We were around the mark last year, we just had some bad losses in games that could have gone either way, but that’s the way it goes. “It’s an incredibly tight competition, and sometimes that’s the way it goes. You have to be on your game each week to perform well. “Hopefully we push back in, and with a few new players it’ll be interesting to see - the season most likely will be all one-day (games), so you need to get off to a fast start with a short season. “We just want to get into some training, and see how the boys are going.” With the pandemic forcing community 18 STAR JOURNAL

sport to come to a grinding halt for the majority of 2020, Donnell said it was vital that the club stayed connected and positive in a tough time for so many people. “The situation with what’s happening (in Victoria) has impacted everyone, and I guess for us it’s a bit different coming into the season with a new coach, and a fair few new players at the club,” he said. “It does make it harder to get around everyone, and get to know the new players, and how Warren will go for the guys that don’t know him, so it’s been different, but we’re looking forward to being able to do something soon. “There’s obviously the group chats with the players and coaches, and we’ve been big on that, and we’re trying to keep everyone together and doing weekly challenges. “We’re trying to get out and do something, and while we can’t see each other and train properly, its important to stay in touch and keep everyone motivated. “It’s pretty easy to lose motivation during this time, I think.” A focus on bolstering the bowling stocks has seen the Panthers recruit quicks James Maxwell from Casey-South Melbourne, Jack Fowler from Kingston Hawthorn and Braden Taeuber from Monbulk. Highly-promising speedster Adam McMaster has also returned from Melbourne. “If you look at the quicks that have come and gone from the club in the last few years, the turnover has been huge, so we needed to get some depth in and some consistency in those blokes to support the veterans and guys that you can count on, like (James) Nanopoulos and (Peter) Cassidy,” Donnell said.

Tuesday, 8 September, 2020

“We wanted to get some guys with a bit more pace, and even if they were a little bit more raw that’s something we’re after. “We feel like we can control things pretty well with those guys like Nano and Cassidy, but we want some unpredictability I suppose and that’s what we’re looking for.” Donnell also said that competition for spots will be fierce at the club, with the Panthers also adding in batsman Aaron Fernando from Casey-South Melbourne and retaining the majority of its list. But he also pointed to an exciting crop of young cricketers coming through the club, believing they will be given every opportunity to knock down the door for selection. “There’s plenty of spots up for grabs, so hopefully these new guys can push and perform well,” he said. “There’s a lot of options, and I reckon we’re going to play a lot of players. I think spots are going to be keenly challenged, and I think we’ll look to get both young batters and bowlers through. “Playing some of those young guys is just as important - we need to be looking to the future too when the older guys move on. “We’ve got a great group of young players, so now it’s just about giving them games and opportunities to get used to the standard and know the game a bit better. “Because the season isn’t going to be normal, you possibly can mix things up a bit and see how things can work, we’re not sure just yet structurally how we’ll look. “It may depend week-to-week on conditions, or opposition, so we need to be flexible

which is a great thing for our club to give guys opportunity in different positions.” One emerging star that Donnell said was generating plenty of excitement was Ed Newman - a cricketer of prodigious talent who will be desperate to make a statement. “Ed Newman is still really young, and he took massive steps last year - I know he lost his Victorian contract but I don’t think its necessarily a bad thing for him,” he said. “He’s a better player now than he was two or three years ago, and he’s a better all-round player. “The way he hits the ball, and his fielding is primed to take the next step, so we’re really excited.” In terms of the youth and developing players coming through Shepley Oval, Donnell said there will be plenty of youngsters to keep an eye on when the season does get a start. “We’ve got guys like Max Marinic - he played in the thirds last season, and should be able to take up that next step to the seconds, and push further from there,” he said. “To even see further improvement from guys like Comrey Edgeworth and Josh Slater is exciting, so we feel we’ve got guys who can push up and have even better years than they did last year.” With the evergreen Donnell set to once again lead the Panthers into another season, the champion batsman said he just wants to continue enjoying his cricket. “I’m looking forward to it - I don’t have many years left in me so we’ll see how it goes and have a bit of fun, and hopefully the younger guys can push up and play well,” he said. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Lloyd is leading the way By Lance Jenkinson Stepping into the head coaching role of the Vic Metro under-18 women’s state basketball team will be seamless for Lloyd Klaman. The Dandenong Rangers NBL1 women’s coach has spent the past three years as the team’s assistant. Klaman was delighted to be announced as the coach for the 2021 program and is looking forward to working with some of the elite up-and-coming talent in the state. “It’s a really good honour,” Klaman said. “I’ve been an assistant for three years and working with some good coaches. “I just enjoy getting to work with the best kids in the state.” Klaman takes over the role in a time of uncertainty with the Covid-19 pandemic causing havoc for Victorian sporting organisations. With the metro region under lockdowns in recent months, Klaman has been unable to scout players ahead of state trials. “Usually you’d be looking at the kids playing VJBL right now,” he said. The benefit of Klaman’s appointment is that he already knows most of the players in the system. A large chunk of the Vic Metro team will come from the bottom age under-18s and under-16s from last year. Having not had contact with the players for over six months, Klaman reckons he might be in for a shock next time he sees them. “I’m expecting kids to be a lot taller than last time I saw them,” he said with a laugh. “Usually you go away for Christmas and you come back in February and you think ‘gee, they’ve grown’. “Imagine what they’re going to look like after six months!” Klaman’s one certainty upon return is that the Vic Metro players will be ready for whatever comes their way.

When it comes to underage sports people, basketballers in this state are as battle hardened as they come. “I think these kids will bounce back,” Klaman said. “They’re kind of seasoned campaigners. “By the time they get to under-18 top age, most of these kids have played 800 to 1000 games.” Despite the pandemic, Klaman is still fielding phone calls from U.S. college scouts interested in Victorian talent. It is one of the reasons he loves the job so much, getting to play a part in building up the next generation of basketball stars and following their progress. “Australia is a hotbed for female basketball,” he said. “Even the ones I coached four years ago, you keep in contact with the girls and follow their careers. “A lot of them are going to play WNBL when they come back or represent Australia.” Klaman believes the biggest challenge confronting the Vic Metro players will be balancing their schedules. He is aware of the need for the players to ease into training and games. “Once these kids come back, it’s not only nationals, they’ll have their club commitments and their schools are going to want them to train with them,” Klaman said. “As much as I want to get them back to training and go crazy, we’re really going to have to manage their bodies because all of a sudden a lot of kids are going to go from zero to 100 overnight. “We’re going to have to walk slowly when we start this thing.” Other Dandenong links to the Vic Metro under-18 program include Katrina Barry, the team manager of the girls team, and Brent Andrews, the development coach of the boys.

Lloyd Klaman relishes the chance to work with Vic Metro’s elite talent again in 2021. Picture: COURTESY OF BASKETBALL VICTORIA

Eye-opener for former Socceroos defender Ognenovski By Lance Jenkinson It is a mere speckle in the rear-view mirror, but 90 minutes of football back in March could help shape the future of Dandenong City in the National Premier League. City fans will not be rushing to their laptops in their free time to mull over a YouTube replay of their team’s 3-0 loss to Avondale, but coach Sasa Ognenovski certainly has. Five games were played before the NPL shut down its 2020 season due to Covid-19, with Dandenong City picking up a solitary point, but Ognenovski was not too concerned by his team’s form until that “eye opening” night against Avondale. On home soil, Dandenong City was run off its feet and beaten in a manner that impressed Ognenovski. City was made to look slow and tired, while an effervescent Avondale showcased why it has enjoyed a sustained period of time near the top of the ladder. Since football was shut down, Ognenovski has reflected on that night and just about come to terms with the fact that City’s playing style and personnel needed a refresh. “In the first three games, we were thereabouts and we had three or four players out that would’ve been in our starting team,” he said. “We looked at those results and said ‘yeah, there’s still a level of improvement that we’ve got’. “Then the Avondale game, for me, was the real eye opener. “They’re a quick, dynamic team, really proactive and always want to go forward. “They’ve got dynamic boys up front, high pressure and you haven’t got time to dwell on the ball. “That’s the top team in the competition and have been for the last two or three years and if we’re going to compete with the top half of the ladder then we need to get to a stage where we can match them in that dynamic side of football.” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Dandenong City coach Sasa Ognenovski has not sat idle during the lockdown. Picture: COURTESY OF DRAZEN JURINA/DANDENONG CITY Ognenovski is aware the Avondale way might not have suited Dandenong City’s class of 2020. It takes time to implement change and you need the playing personnel to pull it off. City, at least, has an abundance of time before 2021, as well as a largely fresh canvas to work from. Ognenovski revealed that up to 10 players would not have returned for City if there was a re-start in 2020, due to work and personal reasons. That would have left City in a “tricky” spot, prone to relegation, but given the season was cancelled, it now gives Ognenovski a chance to rebuild the team for next season and one that will be better suited to a more dynamic

style of game. “I think the club has come to a point where you need to refresh the list,” he said. “A few of the boys have been there for a long time and the results haven’t been where they should be.” Ognenovski will make it a priority this offseason to introduce younger players up to speed with how modern football should be played. After pouring over hours of footage from matches locally, nationally and internationally during Melbourne’s lockdown, he is set in his vision for how Dandenong City will play its football in 2021. Understanding the need for experience in

certain positions, Ognenovski will not simply throw youngsters into the deep end in a sinkor-swim way, of course. He will, though, exhaust all avenues in his bid to nourish City’s list with the best young, energetic talent and willing learners from the local region in favour of slow high-priced one-and-done veterans. “It’s time to bring in some new signings, refresh the list and get the club to where it should be and that’s comfortably in the NPL and building with a heap of talent from the Greater Dandenong area,” Ognenovski said. “There’s a lot of young talent at Dandy City that I’d like to bring through and they can have that ownership of a club instead of constantly bringing in recruits every year to top up the list. “I get a lot of joy out of seeing the young talent in there and wanting to improve them and giving them an opportunity.” Ognenovski will be in dialogue with the Dandenong City board in the coming weeks to discuss his vision. The 41-year-old former Socceroo understands it can be a “balancing act” for clubs in deciding which route to take when constructing a squad, but is adamant he can make it work. “I think Australian football, in general, doesn’t give enough young players an opportunity,” he said. “The old NSL was a testament to giving young players the opportunity because, if you have a look at the golden generation [of Socceroos], all those boys were playing in the NSL from 16, 17, 18, 19 years-of-age. “You don’t see enough of it in the ALeague and you don’t see enough of it in the NPL as well. “There’s not a lot of teams willing to blood and give young players an opportunity because it’s so cut throat.” If ratified by the board, Dandenong City could look a whole lot different by the time it takes to the field next season.

Tuesday, 8 September, 2020

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