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Trees’ last stand By Cam Lucadou-Wells Residents at a Noble Park housing estate feel duped after developers were given VCAT’s green light to bulldoze “the only trees in the village”. Homeowners say they’d bought into the 158-dwelling Yarraman Village in Hanna Street in 2016 after a salesperson indicated that the stand of mature river gum trees would remain. This claim is denied by the developer, The Village Building Company. “I was told, while I signed my contract of sale, that the trees were staying ... and not told they were going to keep putting in the application until they were successful,” a “gutted” resident Shawna Lavis said. “We’ve been left with nothing. “I feel the greed of the developers and the bottom line of money has been put before the environment and the people of the community.” Ms Lavis says the neighbouring trees were a major selling point for her family moving into the high-density estate. It was a community space for gatherings and children’s play. Then on the final inspection of the property, she told a developer how happy she was to look out at the trees from her balcony. “Not for long,” the Village Building Company representative allegedly said, revealing plans for further nine townhouses. She describes the estate as an “absolute nightmare” with dwellings crowded along narrow, stark streets. Residents hire a private garbage collection service because the municipal garbage trucks can’t fit in the confined space, she said. To add insult to injury, Ms Lavis was among nine formal objectors but wasn’t notified of the VCAT hearing. “As a result of Covid, the case was suspend-
DANDENONG 9794 0010
Yarraman Village residents Alannah Smith, Shawna Lavis, Simon Smith, Gordon Dann and Jess Brown stand up for the river red gum treeland. 218917 Picture: GARY SISSONS ed and that was the last I heard until the shock news of the ruling yesterday,” Ms Lewis said. Neighbour and objector Gordon Dann was also not invited to take part in the VCAT hearing. Mr Dann labelled the VCAT decision to remove the stand of about 25 “beautiful old trees” to add a further eight townhouses as “outrageous and gut wrenching”. The deletion of one of the planned townhouses to preserve the most prominent tree was of little consolation. “My wife and I chose ... our homesite for the bush outlook,” Mr Dann said. “For Village, its success is a victory for avarice, even gluttony, and downright pigheaded-
ness.” The land parcel was the only public open space within the village. The alternative open space at the top of the adjoining Mile Creek’s banks was an “insult”, Mr Dann said. “A mad, last-minute planting and pavilion-building program falls well short of what occupiers expected from the original sales brochure, not to mention dangerous eroded creek banks, blackberry infestation and rats’ nests.” Mr Dann urged City of Greater Dandenong to appeal the decision to the Victorian Supreme Court. The developer The Village Building Company denies making representations to prospective buyers that it would retain the trees.
“The contracts of sale and marketing documentation for the first three stages of development clearly display Village’s intention to develop this land with housing,” state general manager Tom Maidment said. “No such representations that it would remain as treed land were made to prospective buyers.” Mr Maidment said the homes, directly opposite a train station and near Greaves Reserve, would provide “much needed affordable accommodation which is exceptionally serviced”. Greater Dandenong Council weighs its options. Continued page 3
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Tuesday, 27 October, 2020
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NEWS
IN BRIEF Pair arrested in drugs raid
‘All options’ open By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong Council is exploring “all options“ to save 25 river red gum trees earmarked for more townhouses in Yarraman Village estate. Recently, VCAT found largely in favour of the estate’s developer The Village Building Company, which sought an extra nine townhouses to the 158-dwelling site at Hanna Street, Noble Park. VCAT Senior Member Geoffrey Code amended the application, approving eight of the proposed townhouses to protect the largest of the 26 river red gum trees in the northeast parcel next to the Eastlink tollway. He found sufficient public open space was retained in land next to Mile Creek - equivalent to 11 per cent of the site. The “biodiversity impacts” of removing the trees weren’t in “serious” dispute, despite river red gums having “local conservation significance”. City planning, design and amenity director Jody Bosman said the council was in “discussion with its legal team”. “We will explore all options open to it in trying to save this significant vegetation and to retain the open space as was endorsed in the original permit and subsequently agreed to by the developer. “Council is extremely disappointed that the developer has changed their mind, and disappointed with VCAT that it has agreed to the removal of these trees in this latest appeal.” Mr Bosman said the council had “fought very hard” to retain the vegetation for many years and shared the community’s frustration.
“Since 2015 when first approached by the developer, Council has consistently opposed the removal of these 26 river red gums and its position in this regard has been made clear to both the developer and VCAT.” In the VCAT decision, it was noted the council had issued a subdivision permit in November 2017 that included the “townhouse land” as within ‘Lot S7’ instead of public open space. “The Council could have ensured the creation of POS (public open space) if it had certified an amended plan showing Lot S7 as POS,” Mr Code said. “At the hearing, the Council did not provide any explanation for this course of action.” Mr Bosman told Star Journal that the endorsed plan for the subdivision permit shows the land to be a “Council reserve”. The Village Building Company state general manager Tom Maidment said Village requested the land be classified as Stage 7 so that it could be preserved for development in the future. “This was obviously supported by Council at the time.” Mr Maidment said council officers initially supported the planning application, including the extra nine dwellings, in 2015. “Then, we understand that upon review and due to the intervention of a councillor, support for the planning application was withdrawn. “We amended the application taking out the nine dwellings and the project was approved in 2016.” The developer “revisited” its plans for the extra townhouses in 2019.
“It should also be noted that this land is directly opposite a train station and adjacent to Greeves Reserve. “The homes will provide much needed affordable accommodation which is exceptionally serviced.” After the VCAT approval, Cr Peter Brown said the council should explore a Supreme Court appeal or compulsorily acquiring the treed land. “Fight fire with fire.” He said it may be a case that both the developers and the council had been “deficient” but “the losers are the residents and the environment”. “I believe the conduct of the developers in this matter borders on misleading and unconscionable. “There is clear evidence that Council could and should have done more to make the permit more restrictive. “However the conduct and representations of the developers warrants judicial review in my opinion.” Cr Matthew Kirwan said “councillors are united in finding a way to save the trees and the open space”. Nine neighbours objected to the proposal on the grounds of the developer promising a community green space, the loss of trees and the narrow streets within the estate. Greater Dandenong has one of the lowest rates of tree canopy coverage (9.8 per cent) in metropolitan Melbourne. As part of its Greening Our City strategy, it is seeking to increase the coverage to 15 per cent by 2028.
Operation Alliance arrests top 250 Three people were arrested and illicit drugs seized during an Operation Alliance police raid of a house in Springvale. A 45-year-old woman, a 40-year-old man and a 43-year-old-man were arrested at the Russell Street property about 6.20am on Friday 16 October. They were taken to Springvale and Dandenong police stations for interview. Operation Alliance was established on 13 September to “prevent, disrupt and dismantle” youth street gangs committing robberies, aggravated burglaries, serious assaults, car thefts and home invasions. In its first month, about 251 people have been arrested across Melbourne. Most of them were males in their mid-teens to midtwenties, police say. Seventy of the arrested people were remanded in custody. More than 720 charges were laid, including robbery, armed robbery, aggravated burglary, car theft, conduct endangering life, breaching bail, firearm and drug offences. At least 88 Operation Alliance raids have
been conducted across Melbourne, including in Cranbourne, Dandenong and Pakenham. During the raids, police seized illicit firearms, drugs, and prohibited weapons such as knives, tomahawks, swords, tasers, knuckle dusters, and machetes. Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Rick Nugent declared Operation Alliance as a success. “Combined with a strong focus on other serious and violent offending in the regions, this has meant there are 70 serious offenders currently sitting in cells awaiting their court date, rather than roaming our streets harming the community.” Deputy Comm Nugent said offenders often struck in sequence and travelled across Melbourne or through regional Victoria to commit further crimes. “We are utilising and sharing real-time intelligence to not only remain one step ahead of offenders to prevent further crimes from occurring, but to also identify and target the key influencers within these groups.”
A woman is arrested during the police raid of a Springvale house on 16 October. Crime Command’s Commander Mick Frewen said the operation was also successful in using specialist units, such as the Gang Crime Squad, with regional police to significantly build their intelligence on the gangs. “Experience has shown us that the people involved in these gangs, as well as other organised crime groups, will frequently change allegiances and methodologies,” he said.
Two people were arrested after a police raid seized guns and drugs from a property in Noble Park. Dandenong CIU detectives executed a drugs warrant at the Corrigan Road address about 3.15pm on Thursday 22 October. They seized three firearms, drugs, cash and ammunition. A 37-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man were arrested and interviewed by police. The woman was charged with possessing a traffickable quantity of firearms, trafficking drugs, cultivation, being a prohibited person possessing a firearm, and possessing proceeds of crime. The man was charged with drug and ammunition possession. Both were expected to face court that evening.
Stolen-ute driver crashes on Hallam tracks A 27-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly crashing a stolen ute on train tracks near Hallam railway station. Victoria Police Highway Patrol officers spotted the ute driving erratically on Henry Road in Pakenham just before 9am on Tuesday 20 October. The ute was followed by the police Air Wing into the Casey area, police say. Police successfully deployed stop-sticks on Cranbourne Road in Narre Warren. The driver continued until he crashed and flipped the ute on its side about 9.30am. Police arrested and took him to hospital for assessment before being interviewed. Rail services on the Pakenham line were temporarily cancelled due to the vehicle blocking the tracks. Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Car repeatedly rammed in Springvale A Volkswagen hatchback driver deliberately swerved at a fast rate of speed and struck another vehicle several times in Springvale, police say. The black hatch was allegedly following a purple Mazda 3 about 11.50am on Thursday 15 October. Dandenong police investigators say the VW swerved in front of the Mazda and struck it to the side several times on Police Road, Springvale Road and Glenvale Crescent. The drivers are believed to know each other. There were no reported injuries. Police are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage of the cars. Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Kingswood PS upgrade funding Kingswood Primary School will receive $694,000 to plan for an upgrade. Keysborough MP Martin Pakula said the school was one of 33 schools given approval to start detailed designs for building under the Infrastructure Planning and Acceleration Fund.
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Fake cop goes to jail By Cam Lucadou-Wells A former Olympic boxer has been jailed after he and two co-accused allegedly dressed up as cops and broke into a sleeping family’s home to steal a cannabis crop in Noble Park. Karen Saruhanyan, 41, pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to home invasion, common-law assault, impersonating a police officer and committing an indictable offence on bail. His two co-accused are on bail and facing a contested committal hearing on 26 October. At 4am on 6 April 2019, the trio arrived in a hired car, armed with crowbars and wearing police-issue uniform shirts, Police Association caps and backpacks with “police-style” insignias, sentencing judge Paul Lacava said. A couple, their children and a relative were asleep inside at the time. The intruders allegedly prised open the screen security-door with a crowbar while yelling: “We are the police. Open the door now.” Despite efforts from occupants, the fake cops forced their way inside as a young child was crying in the arms of their mother, Judge Lacava said. Holding a toy samurai sword, Saruhanyan stood over the occupants while his associates searched the house. He felled a resistant male occupant with a punch to the stomach, the judge said - though noting Saruhanyan later argued it was a push. Within eight minutes, police arrived as Saruhanyan’s associates started cutting cannabis plants on a bed sheet in the crop room. The trio fled on foot, leaving behind the hire
The 143-year-old Methodist church, right, has an uncertain future. 219034 Picture: GARY SISSONS
Pledge for historic battle By Cam Lucadou-Wells Residents fighting to save a historic Keysborough church have put the question to council election candidates. The 143-year-old Methodist Church at 176 Chapel Road is one of Keysborough’s few surviving 19th-century buildings. It stands in disuse and disrepair, its Gothic façade visibly crumbling behind a cordoned fence. The building’s owner the Uniting Church is undecided on its fate. Ten of 64 City of Greater Dandenong candidates responded to the ‘Save the Historic Keysborough Uniting Church Building Group’ survey. The respondents were Hayat Rahimi (Cleeland Ward), Geraldine Gonsalvez (Dandenong), Sam Afra, Sheree Samy and Reinaldo Pincheira (Keysborough) and Ramy El-Sukkari, Rhonda Garad and Jeruisha Williams (Keysborough South), Alexander Forbes (Noble Park) and Brad Woodford (Noble Park North). Ms Samy said community consultation should be held for ideas on not only preserving the building but converting it into a “viable usable space”. “History cannot be rebuilt or remade, it has to be preserved. “Australia in particular compared to other countries has not done much to preserve our indigenous culture and settlement history as has many other countries.” Ms Gonsalvez said she’d fully support preservation, having fought battles to protect heritage buildings in the past. “When I got elected (in 2000) I persevered to take up the fight to save the Dandenong Town Hall that was already earmarked for undesirable development purposes.
Call for Nominations – Positions on Arts Advisory Board
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“Sadly in the last 20 years since I have been out of Council, we have recently lost many of the buildings I had fought to save.” There was also effusive support from Mr Rahimi, Mr Afra, Mr El-Sukkari, Ms Garad and Mr Woodford. Organiser Elizabeth Grasso said the church had visibly decayed during 2020 as residents lobbied the Uniting Church and Greater Dandenong Council for a solution. Her group is backed by nearly 550 Facebook followers and an online petition of more than 840 signatures. “The church is special to the community and we want to save it. “We don’t care how it’s saved - as long as it’s saved.” Although listed as significant in Greater Dandenong’s heritage study, the council says it is effectively powerless to compel the Uniting Church to preserve the building. Heritage overlay protections were only triggered when development or demolition was proposed, Greater Dandenong city planning director Jody Bosman said earlier this year. “Unfortunately (the council) can’t direct owners to protect structures from decay.” In February, a Uniting Church spokesperson recently told Star Journal that the building was “unsafe” and “neither used or needed” by its congregation. “(The) building itself has no formal heritage standing. “In its current state it has been deemed unsafe and would require a significant amount of money spent on it to change that status. “The local congregation and the Presbytery of Port Philip East continue to look at options for the future of the site.”
car, plants and uniforms. Saruhanyan was arrested 100 metres away. The other pair were arrested the following month. The home’s occupants were charged over cultivating the crop. In sentencing on 20 October, Judge Lacava said the invasion must have been “confronting and frightening” to the victims. The judge accepted that Saruhanyan wasn’t involved in the planning but “went along with it”. However the operation relied on him as a third participant. It allowed the intruders to “force the issue” through “weight of numbers”. At the time, Saruhanyan was on bail for burglary and theft charges in 2017. He was jailed for four months for those offences in May 2020. Saruhanyan conceded he was ‘ice’-affected during the break-in. As a long-term drug user with a long related criminal history, Saruhanyan’s rehab prospects were “at best, guarded”. He’d arrived with Uzbekistan’s boxing squad to compete in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. There, he met his future wife, and later become a permanent Australian citizen. He faces possible deportation as a result of the latest convictions, Judge Lacava noted. Saruhanyan was jailed for up to three years, with a two-year non-parole period. It included 443 days in pre-sentence remand. He would have been jailed for up to six years, if not for his early guilty plea and preparedness to give evidence against his two co-accused.
Greater Dandenong City Council is calling for nominations to Council’s Arts Advisory Board. The City of Greater Dandenong plays a key role in the planning, development and support of arts and culture throughout the city. The Arts Advisory Board will support the vision for arts and culture across the municipality and provide strategic input and independent advice to Council. We are looking for three Board Members who have demonstrated experience, expertise or commitment in performing arts or arts/cultural activities. Experience or expertise in the following will also be viewed favourably: business and finance, marketing, fundraising and sponsorship, government, and/or cultural tourism. Local artists from within the City of Greater Dandenong are encouraged to apply. We embrace our diverse community and work environment and encourage applications from everyone including people of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander background, people of diverse sexual orientation and gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people of varied age, ability and faith. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Appointments of external persons will be until March 2024 and remuneration is offered. Please refer to the Information Pack for more details, including Nomination Form and Terms of Reference, at www.greaterdandenong.com Enquiries holli.taylor@cgd.vic.gov.au or (03) 8571 5134 Nominations close 5pm, Sunday 22 November 2020. 12466415-LB44-20
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EVERY TEST HELPS Every test helps us get closer to a new normal. Go to work safely. Get back to school. See family. So even if your symptoms are mild, or you’ve been tested before, every test helps.
For testing locations visit vic.gov.au/CORONAVIRUS Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
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Centrelink staff sacked By Cam Lucadou-Wells About 420 Centrelink call-centre casual workers in Dandenong and Mill Park have been sacked in what a union has termed a “disgraceful attack”. Some of the staff have regularly worked up to five days a week for the past two years, yet receive no severance or redundancy pay, according to the Australian Services Union. The workers were given nine days notice before their last day on 30 October. About 120 of the sacked staff, hired by labour-hire company Serco Australia, are believed to have been based in Dandenong. According to Serco, their jobs were cut due to Federal Government’s agency Services Australia ending a contract with Serco as of 30 October. Australian Services Union branch secretary
Matt Norrey said the axings were a “really disgraceful attack on workers who administer the nation’s safety net amid a deep recession”. “These workers are entitled to feel betrayed by the Morrison Government who should be protecting, not cutting, jobs.” “It is the height of hypocrisy that the Federal Government releases its Budget one week saying it’s about protecting jobs and the next week sacks 420 people from Centrelink” “This is not only devastating for these workers who are facing a Christmas without work or income, but will also have an impact on the millions of Australians currently reliant on Centrelink for support during the pandemic.” Bruce MP Julian Hill, in his budget response speech in Parliament, said the privatisation of public services was on the Government’s agenda. “They’re getting nothing — no redundancy;
no pay-out — because they’re just casual labour hire workers. “The government has privatised the Public Service and the government bakes in that privatisation in every agency — tens of thousands of casual labour hire workers. “This is the world that the government wants to return to, accelerate and run towards in this so-called snap-back recovery.” A Serco Australia spokesperson said the work required under the Services Australia contract had been reducing in recent months. “We have and will continue to work with all affected employees to identify other opportunities including redeployment into other contracts.” Most of Serco’s near-9000 staff were permanent employees, the spokesperson said. “We only use casual employment where workloads are variable or short-term in nature
to support our Government customers.” Services Australia general manager Hank Jongen said “thousands” of extra staff had been hired to support people in “this challenging time”. “We significantly boosted frontline staff to manage the temporary surge in calls and claims and we’ll continue to respond in this way when the public needs us most. “It’s important to note our service delivery partners are, and have always been, responsible for managing their own staffing levels in order to meet the contracted work and other requirements.” Since March, more than $23 billion in additional payments and 1.7 million job seeker claims had been processed, Mr Jongen said. The Star Journal contacted Government Services Minister Stuart Robert’s office for comment.
Early work begins on Hallam Road level crossing Early works have commenced on the removal of the Hallam Road level crossing and the construction of a new Hallam station. Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan and Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan welcomed the beginning of project, which provides a key connection for Melbourne’s growing south-east between the South Gippsland Highway, Princes Highway and the Monash Freeway. The level crossing has been the site of 14 near misses in the past 10 years and the boom gates are down for nearly a third of the two-hour morning peak, causing delays and frustration for the 20,000 vehicles that travel through the level crossing every day.
A rail bridge will be built to remove the level crossing to improve safety, traffic flow and connectivity between Cranbourne, Spring Square and Hampton Park Town Centre. In the coming weeks, fences will be erected around the work areas and cranes will move site offices in ahead of major works beginning at the end of the year. A temporary commuter car park will open with the site offices closing a small number of spaces in the station’s southern car park. Updated designs for the new Hallam Station were released in July. Following feedback from the community, a second entrance was
added to the design to allow passengers to access platforms from either side of Hallam Road, as well as a Parkiteer bike parking facility. Nominations for the Hallam Road Level Crossing Removal Construction Liaison Group are now open. The group will meet regularly to hear the latest project news and provide the construction team with local knowledge and perspectives. To get involved, visit engage.vic.gov.au/ lxrp-hallam. The design of the new Hallam Station, showing the main entrance looking north.
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Tuesday, 27 October, 2020
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NEWS
Spooky thrills and chills Thanks to Covid, there’s plenty of masks but not so many trick-or-treats in store for this year’s Halloween. Dandenong Market decked out in spinechilling decorations isn’t expecting its traditional 35,000-strong clusters of kids at this year’s event. In 2019, the market was a Halloween hit that attracted mini vampires, witches and zombies from “far and wide”, general manager Jennifer Hibbs said. “In many ways, 2020 would have made for the perfect Halloween: the celebration falls on a Saturday, and it’s a full moon.” This year, the market has compiled healthy Halloween-themed recipe ideas such as fruit platters and spider pizzas. There’s also selfie snaps available with the Wicked Witch of the East and with Death until Sunday 1 November. Details: dandenongmarket.com.au
A grave sight.
Macabre decorations at Dandenong Market.
The Dandenong Market’s spooky selfie spot.
Heady Halloween times at Dandenong Market
Upcoming disruptions on Woodlands Drive and Old Dandenong Road
We’ll be closing Woodlands Drive at Lower Dandenong Road from 6am Thursday 5 November to 7pm Wednesday 2 December to build the new intersection. Detours will be in place via Boundary and Mills roads or Boundary and Malcolm roads. We’ll also close Old Dandenong Road between Boundary and Tootal roads from 7am Thursday 5 November to 6pm Monday 23 November to lift the new bridge beams into place. Detours will be in place via Centre Dandenong Road or Dingley Bypass.
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Photo pre-COVID
As we continue to build the Mordialloc Freeway, there will be temporary road closures during November and December 2020. Please allow up to an extra 10 minutes when planning your journey.
Detox your Home
Access for residents, local businesses and emergency services will be maintained. There will be road signs and traffic controllers to safely guide you around the work area.
Weather conditions may affect our progress, stay up to date by visiting bigbuild.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
1847
Register now to safely dispose of your toxic household chemicals Dandenong Event: Saturday, 7 November 2020, 9am–3pm *Location details will be provided on registration Register now at sustainability.vic.gov.au/detoxyourhome 12465425-SN44-20
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Visa violence uncovered By Danielle Kutchel A new study has uncovered the startling rates of family violence faced by women on temporary visas during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study, conducted by Monash University in conjunction with InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence, is the first to document violence against women on temporary visas during the pandemic. The study followed 100 of InTouch’s clients during the first Victorian lockdown from 16 March to 31 May 2020. Participants detailed a multitude of family violence issues: starvation by the perpetrator, withholding of funds for essential medical care for children and victims, violence, and threats of deportation, among others. During this time, 72 percent of the women who contacted InTouch for assistance reported that violence had increased in frequency or severity. Soberingly, eight women reported having been removed from their house by the perpetrator; 63 percent of perpetrators had physically hurt the victim-survivor; and 87 percent had used emotional abuse. It follows a larger study conducted in 2017, also by Monash University, that also analysed family violence amongst temporary visa holders. This year’s study, InTouch CEO Michal Morris said, provides “a point of comparison to 2017 with a similar cohort of people, but it also gives us a much stronger understanding of the impact of Covid on these women.” Workers at InTouch recognised immediately that their clients were facing a crisis when Covid hit; women contacting them had higher levels of anxiety, and there was an increase in requests for help with housing and food security. While Ms Morris stressed that family vio-
CEO of InTouch, Michal Morris. lence is universal, and that family violence only affected a small percentage of the relationships of migrant families, she said women on temporary visas could face unique challenges. “When you’re looking at relationships where there is family violence, there’s power relationships and control relationships,” she said. “Where one is a permanent resident or a citizen, and the other is a temporary visa holder and there is family violence, that’s surety for one of the people in the relationship and insecurity for the other and it is a space that can be manipulated.” Often there is little opportunity for recourse for these women, as they have been excluded from Federal Government pandemic support and are unable to access any assistance from Centrelink. “These women are relying on friends, family and charity and service providers like In-
Touch to stay in their houses. They’re in an incredibly precarious position,” Ms Morris said. InTouch has received funding from the State Government to continue to provide this assistance while the women remain out of work. Part of that assistance has taken the form of delivery of food boxes to women in need around Melbourne with the help of social enterprise Kinfolk. The report only covers the first wave in Victoria; Ms Morris said the issues may have been compounded by the extended lockdown in Victoria, with many women facing six months of no income and no possibility of returning to work in their fields, which are often highly casualised. Another issue is the closure of the courts due to Covid safety concerns, which has created a backlog of intervention orders and family violence cases to be heard. “We’ve all agreed, Victoria made a choice
that was health and safety first. But there have been huge repercussions and the impact has been on some incredibly vulnerable people, so it’s about how we keep moving to try and support these people,” Ms Morris said. “I think there’s a tension because as I said, we’ve received some funding to support these people across food and housing insecurity but we’re not Centrelink. “That’s supposed to be our safety net and this group of women don’t have that safety net.” She’d like to see decisions made at a political level to better support these victim-survivors. InTouch has long called for a specific visa for temporary visa holders who experience family violence, one that gives them possibilities to recover from their experience. The new visa would not be a pathway to citizenship, but it would allow women to recover within Australia and be given opportunities to move forward and would provide basic entitlements like Centrelink and Medicare. Among other recommendations, the report recommends the provision of strategic, targeted information to recent arrivals about family violence, migration status and supports available. Ms Morris said there needs to be more and better engagement with communities around family violence. “Since [Luke and Rosie] Batty, Victorian people have really developed and matured a lot of our attitudes towards family violence and our understanding of it. “What we need to do now is make sure all the different parts of our community are on that journey around education on family violence. “We need to see the human side of these women and how we can support these women through some really horrific circumstances.”
Victoria, you know fire. The 2020-21 fire season is coming and we’re about to start an important fire safety campaign. With last season’s memories so fresh, some people may find it confronting. If you have any concerns, or you or a loved one are emotionally affected by the campaign, support is available on our website, or by calling Lifeline 13 11 14.
Plan. Act. Survive. Go to vic.gov.au/knowfire Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne 12467134-CG44-20
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS 2020
Candidates face fines
Pitch for $70 levy saving By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong Council is tight-lipped on a resident-mooted “opportunity” to reduce the Keysborough South open-space levy by 20 per cent. The $70 reduction on the $350 annual charge has been proposed by residents Domenic Boccari and Keysborough South Ward ALP-member candidate Ramy ElSukkari. The levy has been imposed since 2006 to cover the maintenance costs for the ward’s expanses of open space - said to be 15 per cent larger and higher quality than other Greater Dandenong wards. It raised $1.55 million in 2019-’20. However, the council has stated to the pair that 20 per cent of the open spaces comprise of waterways maintained by Melbourne Water. This “overlap” up to the highwater marks creates an opportunity for a possible 20 per cent levy reduction, the residents argue. After meeting with council officers, Mr El-Sukkari said the council took the question on notice but hadn’t confirmed whether residents had been overcharged by 20 per cent. He said residents were already paying maintenance levies to both the council and Melbourne Water. “We looked at it and asked does that mean there’s an overlap in term of the fees? And does that mean there’s an opportunity for residents to get 20 per cent off? “They didn’t come back with a clear answer. “The council officers can only make a case but it’s a decision that needs to be taken by councillors.” Mr El-Sukkari said he wanted to ensure the “magnificent” open spaces and facilities are maintained.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells Nine people have been arrested and two Greater Dandenong election candidates appear to have been fined at a ‘Sack Dan’ protest at Premier Daniel Andrews’s electorate office in Noble Park. Yasmin Jugo and Brad Woodford say they were told by police that they will be mailed $1752 infringement notices for breaching the directives of the Chief Health Officer. The pair of self-described ’independents’ say they will fight the fines in court. Police officers issued at least 19 fines in response to the planned arrival of a Reignite Democracy Australia protest bus outside the office at noon on Tuesday 20 October. The bus emblazoned with ‘Let Us Out’ and ‘#SackAndrews’ was diverted by police from the Mulgrave MP’s office - which was been attacked by vandals twice in the past three weeks. Mr Jugo, who is standing for Noble Park Ward, was approached by police in his car in the Princes Highway shopping strip’s parking bay. He says he’d arrived to buy tomato plants, for which he had a receipt. But police told him they didn’t believe him, he said. “I got a fine for going shopping ... I didn’t realise Daniel Andrews’ office was there as well. “I was definitely not there for the bus.” A video of Mr Jugo’s exchange with police was tweeted by former Liberal MP Inga Peulich - who Mr Jugo says he’s never met. “@VictoriaPolice issue a ($1752) fine to local council candidate @cgd & resident YazJugo for sitting in his car within a short distance of his home! Are we now a police state???” Ms Peulich posted. A voice of a female who appeared to shoot the video says: “They’re fining him. ... he just literally rolled up. He lives in Dandenong North.” At a point, she alerts a male “Brad” who wandered in front of the camera. Mr Woodford, of Noble Park North Ward, says he was approached by police while walking about 700 metres from his home. He was wearing a mask and alone when police asked him about his reasons for being there, he said.
Ramy El-Sukkari and Dom Boccari are arguing for a 20 per cent saving on the annual Keysborough South open space levy. 20218895 Picture: GARY SISSONS “We want to make sure the spaces are there but that we’re paying only our fair share.” Rival ALP-member candidate Stephen Fanous has pledged to petition residents to scrap the “unfair” levy entirely. “Those facilities are used and made available to all people in the City of Greater Dandenong. “Now more than ever, especially with Covid-19, people are going through tough times and we need to work as hard as we can to remove it.” Greens candidate Rhonda Garad argued for the levy but better ‘value-for-money’ service. Greater Dandenong corporate services director Mick Jaensch said: “All relevant facts associated with the Keysborough South Maintenance Levy will be tabled to the incoming Council following the election for their consideration.”
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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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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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Mr Woodford labelled the police resources, including an Air Wing unit hovering above, as “wasteful” and “absolutely appalling”. “Other residents tell me there is another 50 or so police officers in the nearby area and patrolling the Prince Highway. It is way over the top. “We live in a municipality which has had long ongoing issues with crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour and police seem to be overwhelmed in dealing with these issues. “Yet Daniel Andrews can find 50 cops and put a helicopter in the air for the sake of a bus carrying a political slogan. Is this really what Victoria has become?” Mr Woodford said the Government’s “beyond mindblowing” arrogance showed why voters should not vote for the ALP-aligned candidates. “The ALP are more interested in shutting you up, destroying your jobs, decimating our local communities than they are in dealing with the real issues”. A Victoria Police spokesperson said nine people were arrested for offences “stemming from breaching the directions of the Chief Health Officer”. Nineteen infringement notices were issued for “breaches of the Chief Health Officer directions”. “Investigations into the incident are ongoing and further infringement notices are expected,” the spokesperson said. “Victoria Police would like to remind everyone of the continued responsibility to adhere to the Chief Health Officer direction.”
Election 2020’s civil haven By Cam Lucadou-Wells
DANDENONG
Yasmin Jugo is approached in his car by police near Daniel Andrews’ electorate office on 20 October.
Springvale North Ward has been declared a “haven of civility” during what’s been termed Greater Dandenong’s dirtiest election. Sitting ALP member councillor Sean O’Reilly said social media commentary in neighbouring wards was at a “level of nastiness and hostility not seen in local government elections ever before”. “Compared with some of the other wards, Springvale North Ward is a haven of civility. “There has been no defacing of posters, and no personal targeting of candidates.” As reported in recent weeks, candidates from all sides in other wards have been alarmed by toxic levels of social media abuse and trolling. No candidate in Springvale North Ward had distributed how-to-vote recommendations as “we are trusting voters to select their own preference order”, Cr O’Reilly said. “Each candidate in Springvale North Ward is putting their points across in a positive way. “I’m sure that whoever wins in Springvale North Ward will work with the unsuccessful candidates to progress their ideas for the betterment of the community. “It’s what local representation should be about.” Cr O’Reilly said he’d chatted with independent rival Angela Holl a few months ago. “I have served on Springvale Rise School Council with Angela’s sister Dyna for many
years and worked with Dyna on the Lindsay Williams Crossing congestion (issue).” His messages with fellow ALP member candidate Ricardo Buensuceso had been “very positive”. Ms Holl, an independent in her first election campaign, was likewise keen to run a “clean, positive and fair” campaign. “If I win, I want to win in the right way.” It was challenging not being able to doorknock residents due to the Covid lockdown, Ms Holl said. Neither could candidates engage face-toface with voters at poll booths due to postal voting. “I’ve been pleased with the reaction on social media and from the supportive phone calls I’ve received,” she said. “Even if we’re not connecting face to face, we’re finding other ways to talk.” Residents and struggling businesses “our side of the railway line” were feeling forgotten, in contrast to their neighbours in Springvale’s CBD, Ms Holl said. They needed particular support during the Covid and post-Covid periods. “That’s not to say investment in Springvale Central (ward) is bad. That’s where the facilities are. “We should just divvy up the amount a bit.” Voting for the Greater Dandenong Council elections close on Friday 23 October. Ballot papers must be in the mail by 6pm. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
LOOKING BACK 100 years ago 28 October 1920 Dandenong Swimming Baths To the Editor Sir Dandenong growlers take the bun! Their growling causes no end of fun. They are never done throwing stones in my path. Because I worked hard for your swimming baths. Poor things! These growlers are ill, I guess; they are badly troubled with Pipitis. Money’s their god, they hug him tight; that’s where the shoe pinches - I guess I’m right. The green eyed monster has them fast. Poor dears they’ll growl on to the last. The trustees still smile, and will be happy as Larry, seeing how lives have been saved by Maggie and Harry. A word of advice Mr Growler, I’ll give - Have a
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
bath every day, as long as you live; and when a social movement is set on foot, don’t try and besmear the workers with soot. Yours E M ORGILL
50 years ago 22 October 1970 As they talked of danger tragedy was in the air At the time of the mid-air collision on Monday over Moorabbin between an air ambulance and a survey helicopter, representatives from three local councils were discussing the problems of Moorabbin Airport. Nine representatives from Springvale, Moorabbin, and Mordialloc Councils, who met in Springvale City hall, were unaware of the accident until the meeting ended at 3pm. The mid-air collision, in which five people were killed, occurred at 2.15pm
20 years ago
5 years ago
23 October 2000 Marg Stork’s sparkling memories It seems that I have known Mrs Marjorie and Harry Kirkham for most of their lives. I reported on their wedding, their silver wedding, then their golden wedding and now their diamond anniversary. Marjorie Aitkin the daughter of Mr and Mrs Ken Aitkin lived with her family on a dairy farm in Frankston Dandenong Rd Dandenong. Her fiancees Harry was also the son of leading local dairy farmers Mr & Mrs Frank Kirkham of “Green Knoll”, Hallam. The couple were married on October 5 1940 in the Scots Presbyterian Church, Dandenong and lived in McCrae St, then built a house in Ann Street. Mr & Mrs Kirkham are 83 and look back on their marriage with many memories.
26 October 2015 Flame death desperation Alone without family, friends or a home, 30 year old Afghan asylum seeker Khodayar Amini burnt himself alive in a Dandenong park. Some thought he may have been living in a car during his last weeks of life. Others think he may have spent his last despairing days hiding in scrub - much like where his blazing remains were found by fire fighters in Robert Booth reserve. The blackened mulch has become a makeshift shrine, its charred edges lined by artfully placed flowers. A memorial service was due to be led at the site on Saturday. Many in the region’s vast Hazara community did not know of Mr Amini until after he self-immolated on a video call to Western Australians refugee activists on Sunday 18 October.
OPINION
Lighting up the darkness By Helen Heath, Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network development officer With the recent lifting of some restrictions and the anticipated hope of more to come, a gentle sigh of relief is slowly rippling, cautiously, outwardly. Perhaps a shy glimmer of light in the darkness. A light in the darkness was a ritual participated in by people of faith as the last light of the last day of winter faded. People of all faiths - and none - stood in their front gardens spending some time in silence and lit a candle to remember all those who have lost their lives to the Coronavirus or to violence. They shared a thought for the exhausted front-line healthcare workers who have risked their lives and that of their families to fight the virus outbreak. As the first night of spring began, the future was looked to with prayer and hope in a collective movement from the cold and the dark into warmth and light. A Chinese Proverb says “Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness” - the candle symbolising the coming of spring, of renewal and growth and the constant presence of a Spirit that transcends us all. It does not take much to light a candle but the resolve to receive the light as a sign of hope asks much of us.
MESSAGE OF
HOPE When wearied and despairing, it takes courage and persistence to resolve viewing things differently and at odds to what our experience has shown us - indeed with what we tell ourselves. It is just not that easy. Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu known for his work as an antiapartheid and human rights activist has said: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.” Showing kindness to those we meet every day or casting a smile as we go about our ordinary business or lending an ear to one whose fear is their darkness, is like lighting a candle. We do not know how wide the light will spread but we light it so it shines for all. In the midst of her own personal hiding in horror, Anne Frank was able to say: “Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.” May a light dawn as readily as day comes, and let us together, in the days ahead, ‘light a candle’ for each other to dispel the darkness.
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NEWS
Entering the customer service area. 217161
A ‘‘welcome wall’’ with an expanse of languages. 217161
Pictures: GARY SISSONS
Seating area in the library. 217161
A glimpse inside new hub Anticipation is building for Springvale Community Hub’s doors to finally open. The hub was officially opened by mayor of the time Jim Memeti on 20 September - one of his last official acts of the previous councillor term. However due to Covid-19’s lockdown, the public have not yet pried inside the building’s spectacular curves and hues of blues, greens and reds. The outdoor areas including the great lawn and the children’s playground have been in use since September. Greater Dandenong chief executive John Bennie said the council was looking forward to welcoming the community to the “state-ofthe-art” library, community rooms, customer service area and cafe. The library is three times larger than the previous Springvale library. Visits are expected to nearly double from 340,000 to 600,000 a year. The building is aiming for zero emissions as part of a 5 Star Green Star rating. Greater Dandenong recently sought community nominations for the Springvale Community Hub Committee. The nine-member committee will provide strategic advice to the council on matters related to the hub. For updates on the hub’s opening, visit greaterdandenong.com
The view from upstairs in the library. 217161
The library’s ground floor. 217161
The library’s top floor. 217161
An outside reading area. 217161
The library. 217161
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The warm entrance to Springvale Community Hub. 217161
Meeting room. 217161
Meeting rooms. 217161 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
FOCUS ON … FIRE ACTION WEEK
Prepare now urges CFA Preparations for the fire season at CFA’s State Logistics Centre are well underway as Victorians are urged to start their own preparations this Fire Action Week. Describing the CFA State Logistics Centre as a vital cog in CFA’s bushfire response, CFA Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook said it was ready for a new fire season after more than doubling its capacity from 3200m2 to 8000m2. “Eighty-five percent of the equipment and resources used by CFA’s firefighters is supplied by the State Logistics Centre, which carries 1900 line items, with sufficient reserves of inventory to meet the demands of a major event through the use of technology and deliberate, planned high inventory levels,” he explained. “Between 1 November 2019 and 31 March 2020, it shipped out more than 187,000 litres of water and 185,000 sachets of Hydrate powder, the replenishment of PPC, being about 4400 items of Wildfire Personal Protective Clothing, 5700 pairs of wildfire gloves, 2000 pairs of boots, 1300 wildfire helmets, 6300 goggles, 40,000 litres of foam concentrate and 1700 hoses that would reach from Melbourne CBD to Wallan if rolled out in a single line, plus nearly 83,000 P2 firefighting masks with an additional small request for 450,000 community masks distributed on behalf of the federal government.” The pandemic means the Logistics Centre has also stocked and distributed more than half a million hygiene masks, according to Mr Cook, as well as 124,000 pairs of disposable gloves, 4100 litres of hand sanitiser, and close to 12,000 coveralls, for CFA use only. That’s in addition to 100,000 masks and gloves combined, with close to 8000 litres of sanitiser managed and warehoused on behalf of Emergency Management Victoria. “We’re stocked up and ready to go. This is just one way that CFA is prepared for the bushfire season,” Mr Cook said. “We’re also conducting safety training and pre-season briefings to make sure we’re at the top of our game.” Mr Cook said Fire Action Week was a time for Victorians to prepare and take stock of what they need to do to stay safe this fire season.
the VicEmergency app now so · Download you know how it works well before you need
· · · ·
Ready to go at the State Logistics Centre. “CFA and its partner agencies are prepared for the bushfire season - but we also rely on the community to do its part to stay safe. “Victorians share the responsibility of bushfire safety and now is the time to prepare your properties and talk to your loved ones about how to stay safe this fire season.” Visit cfa.vic.gov.au for more information about bushfire planning and preparation, and about leaving early. Follow some simple planning and preparation tips to make sure you’re ready for the upcoming bushfire season: Prepare your property; it can minimise property damage even if you leave early Move furniture, woodpiles and mulch away from windows, decks and eaves Prune tree branches so they are not overhanging the roof or touching walls Keep grass shorter than 10cm. Regularly remove leaves and twigs
· · · ·
Be power prepared for a fire ready summer season Now is the time for us all to prepare for bushfire season. AusNet Services continues to undertake its extensive maintenance and vegetation management program to maintain a safe and reliable network. You might notice their helicopter inspections in your area as they fly over the network to get a clear picture of how the landscape is looking. You may also notice crews trimming the trees away from lines or carrying out important maintenance work as they step up preparations for summer. You may also receive notifications for planned outages. AusNet really appreciate your patience and understanding, especially during Covid-19 restrictions, while they complete this critical work. AusNet knows it is a difficult time to be without power and are very sorry for any inconvenience caused by these works. As part of their work to prepare the network for the bushfire season 130,000 power poles and pole assets have been inspected so far, along with 7,000 pieces of pole-top equipment and 141km of powerlines replaced. They’ve invested $34 million on vegetation programs, which have removed 3,500 hazardous trees, and trimmed around 279,000 trees to improve safety ahead of the bushfire season. As bushfire season approaches, AusNet
· · · have plants higher than 10cm in front · Don’t of windows or glass doors you leave, make sure you remove all · · Before flammable items from around your home. Houses have been lost from things as simple as embers landing on a doormat Check that your home and contents insurance is current and includes a level of cover in line with current building standards and regulations. Have a plan, make sure your family knows it, and stick to it Check the fire risk where you live.
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to use it. For example, you can set up tailored watch zones for the area where you live, go on holiday or to monitor what is happening where friends and family are located. Decide which Fire Danger Rating is your trigger to leave; start checking Fire Danger Ratings daily Decide where you will go and what you’ll do with your pets Plan for all scenarios - what will you do if your car won’t start, the wind changes direction, roads are blocked, someone is hurt or people aren’t where you expect them to be? When planning with kids, make sure you know your local school policy for fire risk days. Some schools close on Code Red days, it’s important to know so you can plan for all situations. Create an emergency kit so you are ready to leave quickly and calmly Know how you will monitor for warnings and do this regularly on hot, windy days Always use more than one source to monitor warnings; ABC local radio, Sky News TV, the VicEmergency App, emergency.vic.gov.au and VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226. Get batteries for your radio, keep laptops and mobiles charged and consider getting power banks to extend their “life” in case of emergency. Defending your home requires at least two fit adults, at least 10,000 litres of water, protective clothing, and appropriate firefighting hoses and pumps. Most homes in high risk bushfire areas are not defendable on Code Red days. Defending your home is very risky - you could lose your life or be seriously injured.
LET’S BE POWER PREPARED FOR SUMMER AusNet Services is preparing for the summer season by completing an extensive maintenance and vegetation management program and conducting helicopter inspections to get a clear picture of how the landscape is looking. We appreciate your patience and understanding during COVID-19 restrictions while we complete this critical work. NETWORK MAINTENANCE
Works are stepping up ahead of fire season. Services is encouraging customers to be power prepared. Are your bushfire plans up to date and do they factor in the possible loss of electricity? During a bushfire, customers may experience interruptions to their electricity and/ or gas supply, even if their property isn’t directly affected. For this reason, bushfire contingency plans should always factor in possible loss of gas and electricity. Customers who have a private electric line also need to ensure it is clear of vegetation to reduce bushfire risk. Customers with private electric lines should contact a registered electrician or certified tree clearer for advice to clear their property of any unwanted vegetation.
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
130,000
$34 MILLION
powerpoles and pole assets inspected
spent on vegetation programs
7,000
3,500
pieces of pole-top equipment replaced
hazardous trees removed
141KM
279,000
of powerlines replaced
trees trimmed
Let’s work together to reduce risk - now is the time to prepare During a bushfire you may experience interruptions to your electricity and/or gas supply, even if your property isn’t directly affected. For this reason your bushfire contingency plan should factor in possible loss of gas and electricity. If you have a private electric line, please ensure it is clear of vegetation to reduce bushfire risk. Please contact a registered electrician or certified tree clearer for advice to clear your property of any unwanted vegetation. For more information, visit our website www.ausnetservices.com.au/powerprepared Contact us General enquiries: 1300 360 795 Faults & emergencies (24 hours): 13 17 99 12464795-LB44-20
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Tuesday, 27 October, 2020
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STAR JOURNAL 15
NEWS
Downhill run to freedom Noble Park Skate Park rolled back to life as Covid-19 restrictions eased to the ‘Second Step’. Sporty types returned to skate parks, tennis courts, outdoor pools and golf courses as of Monday 18 October. The 5 kilometre travel limit was lifted to 25 kilometres. The two-hour daily exercise limit became unlimited in duration. In Greater Dandenong, active cases dropped to less than a handful - just three as of 21 October. The south-east community cluster’s active cases was seven, down from a peak of 14. The cluster comprises four households in Springvale and Chadstone, spreading to Nazareth College in Noble Park, OC Connections in Oakleigh South and Waverley Gardens Dry Cleaners in Mulgrave..
Caleb, from Bonbeach. 218842
Anabel, from Bonbeach. 218842
Cai James, front, and Michael Wilson, rear. 218842
Cai James. 218842
Caleb, 3, from Bonbeach at Noble Park Skate Park. 218842
16 STAR JOURNAL
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Tuesday, 27 October, 2020
Cai James off the bowl’s lip. 218842
Pictures: GARY SISSONS
Michael Wilson. 218842 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
Noble Park
• • • •
Secondary College 3 Callaghan St, Noble Park, Victoria 3174 noble.park.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au www.nobleparksc.vic.edu.au
Innovative Year 7-12 Curriculum Stimulating and challenging programs Supportive and safe learning environment Cater to individual needs and pathways
Enrolment information, please telephone 95469066 Junior School - Maria Theoharis Middle School - Annette Beattie Senior School - Suzanne Menezes
Congratulations to the
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Our last year in high school certainly did not play out the way we had all expected, however, amongst the hand sanitising, remote learning and temptation to procrastinate, we made it! Although it was difficult, we can at least boast that no one has ever had quite as unique an experience as the Class of 2020! Chenda Pidor Year 12 Senior School Captain
We are always proud of our students and their accomplishments but never prouder have we been of the sheer resilience displayed by our Year 12’s during such unusual and challenging times. We commend the Class of 2020 and wish them every success in the future. And always remember… “You have more potential than you think, but you will never know unless you keep challenging yourself and pushing beyond your own self-imposed limits” Mrs Helen Karagounis Assistant Principal
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Tuesday, 27 October, 2020
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STAR JOURNAL 17
NEWS
Addressing gambling
Marjorie the mobile breast screen van is returning to Dandenong and women are being encouraged to book their mammogram.
Free breast checks BreastScreen Victoria’s mobile screening van, ‘Marjorie’, will return to Dandenong’s Palm Plaza offering free mammograms to eligible residents from Monday 2 to Friday 13 November 2020. Those aged between 50 and 74 should have a breast screen every two years. They are considered the best way to find breast cancer early before there are symptoms and when treatment is most likely to be successful. A breast screen can find cancer as small as a grain of rice, long before it can be seen or felt. All breast screens are with a female radiographer in a safe and friendly environment. Visitors don’t need a doctor’s referral or
receive the best service, regardless of their location.” The van is operating with Covid-19 safety measures in place to protect both the community and staff. Appointments are being spaced out to ensure physical distancing and to reduce the number of people in the waiting area. It also provides more time to clean in-between appointments. The van will be at Dandenong’s Palm Plaza from Monday 2 to Friday 13 November 2020. Appointments for the van can be made online at breastscreen.org.au or by calling 13 20 50.
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Medicare card, and screens only take 10 minutes. BreastScreen Victoria CEO Terri Smith is encouraging those who screened on the van when it was last in Dandenong, and those who are overdue for their breast screen, to book an appointment. “This visit to Dandenong has been organised to make sure that everyone has access to a potentially life-saving mammogram, regardless of where they live,” said Ms Smith. “Marjorie is one of our two mobile screening service vans which travel the state throughout the year. “The vans use the highest quality digital radiography machines to ensure that women
Community sporting clubs and migrant and refugee communities will receive $660,000 to address gambling harm. Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne announced extra funding for two Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VRGF) programs during Gambling Harm Awareness Week (19-25 October). A new statewide multicultural service - which will complement existing gambling harm prevention and counselling services for Vietnamese, Chinese and Arabic communities - will be delivered by Settlement Services International. The service will offer a culturally safe, central point of contact for migrant and refugee community members. It provides in-language counselling, information and activities to help them address gambling harm in their own communities, as well as a consultation and coordination service for health professionals. Community-level AFL, netball and basketball clubs will also receive extra funding to teach kids about the potential risks and harms associated with gambling in sport through their participation in VRGF’s Love the Game program. Gambling Harm Awareness Week encourages people to talk about the harms associated with gambling and the effects they can have on communities, families, friends, workplaces and individuals. “I would encourage anyone who is concerned about their own or someone else’s gambling to contact Gambler’s Help on 1800 858 858,” said VRGF CEO Shane Lucas.
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Faltum is ready to inspire By Nick Creely Dandenong young gun Nicole Faltum is very much a star on the rise in Australian cricket. She is a natural leader, has a mature head on her shoulders, and possesses talents on the cricket field that will see her continue to make a name for herself. And she wants to inspire the next generation of female cricketers coming through the ranks - to motivate them to stay persistent, work hard and make the most of the Victorian cricket pathways. This season, the emerging Victorian and Melbourne Stars player is set to be the female cricket ambassador for the West Gippsland Cricket Association in what is a huge boost for the region as it looks to continue building its female cricket participation. Faltum said that the opportunity to be an ambassador is a chance to give back to the community, and help encourage budding female cricketers to give it a go. “Just for someone to say I’m an ambassador and be in a role where I can influence and encourage young girls to play cricket is so incredible,” she said. “If I can get five more girls to play, I think that’s a huge honour, and something I’m super proud of.” Faltum said that the key to cricket is to have fun, and to make the most of opportunities that now present all cricketers across the country. “My biggest thing to start with is just to play for the pure enjoyment and fun element of it - I feel like when you do get higher, the only thing you can really bank on is that you still love it, and that it’s still fun,” she said. “Just getting them to enjoy it so much is my biggest thing, and for them think that’s it so great that girls can come together and play cricket. “And trusting in the pathways is so important - you have the opportunities now to really pursue it.” But even with so much development still left in her, she said it’s an honour to be able to be a role model for the emerging female cricketers, not only in the south-east and Gippsland, but across the country. “Especially being 20, I still learn off the higher people above me - I’ve learnt so much
Rising Victorian star Nicole Faltum is hoping to inspire the next generation of cricketers. from the likes of Kristen Beams and Elyse Villani for example from the Stars last year, especially Elyse this year,” she said. “I’m still getting to learn off the people at the top, and I’m filtering it down, so I’m privileged to be able to learn myself and pass my knowledge on to others.” The 20-year-old wicket-keeper bat is originally from Moe but has strong connections with the Cardinia Shire and the WGCA, especially the Kooweerup Cricket Club. “My partner Mitch played with Koowee growing up, and his dad Matt Davey, so I had a connection with the cricket club, and I coached the under-12s two seasons ago,” she said. “It was a role I absolutely loved and if I can be involved in any way, shape or form then that’s great.”
Picture: CRICKET VICTORIA
Faltum plays her Premier Cricket with Dandenong where she is held in high regard as both an emerging leader and cricketer. “Coming from Dandenong Women’s Cricket Club to then becoming just Dandenong, about three seasons ago, coming together and having a real club feel is awesome,” she said of the club’s culture. “To have such commedarie between the two teams is so incredible - Shepley Oval is such an incredible ground to play at, so it’s been really great.” After going through quarantine ahead of the WBBL kicking off in Sydney in the Covid bubble, Faltum can’t wait to sink her teeth into what is set to be another massive tournament. “Going through everything, and being a Melbourne team and having a quarantine, everyone is so grateful that we get to be here
and play,” she said. “Everyone’s excited, we’ve come together with our overseas and interstate players, as well as the Victorians, and come together as one.” Before the Stars’ season opener against the Melbourne Renegades (played on Sunday), Faltum said that there is always an extra layer of motivation against their cross-town rivals. “It always has that element (of added motivation) to it, no matter where you play in these games,” she said. “It’s a funny one - there’s a lot of Victorians playing against one another, and they’re actually your best mates. “It’s odd in some ways, and it’s one of the hardest ones to play because you’ve got that strong relationship, but you turn into that competitive beast.”
‘Ralph’ is quite the lad By Mick Floyd McCooly’s Lad confirmed his standing as one of the country’s hottest prospects after a brilliant 29.09 victory at Sandown Park last Thursday night. The diminutive son of Fernando Bale weighing in at just 27.9 kilograms - recorded the third fastest time run over the 515-metre trip in 2020, carving out outstanding split times of 5.04 and 18.58 along the way. “I didn’t think he could run 29.09,” said trainer Anthony Azzopardi. “The penny has finally dropped with this pup, and it’s pretty exciting.” McCooly’s Lad’s rise to prominence has been as remarkable as it has been rapid. ‘Ralph’, as he’s otherwise known, recorded the fastest ever maiden win at Bendigo at the start of October and entered the TAB Melbourne Cup market as a $71 outsider. Now, after six just career starts and four consecutive wins, he has firmed to $17 to win the world’s greatest greyhound race - sharing the third line of betting with some of the sport’s biggest names including dual Group 1 winner Black Opium, Million Dollar Chase winner Handsome Prince, and Speed Star winner Christo Bale. It’s a rise that has even surprised Azzopardi. “He was a nice pup, but nothing flash,” he said. “We put him in pre-training and (he) was going fair without getting too carried away. “I gave him a week off and a bit of work at dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
home, and he just went from something not too bad to something pretty special pretty, very quick. “I’ve never had a pup go from pre-train to what he is now so quickly - it’s just amazing.” Amazing enough for a tilt at the TAB Melbourne Cup, a race Azzopardi won in 2019 with Whiskey Riot? “It’s something I need to speak to the owners (Darren and Michael Puleio) about,” he said. “I was just concentrating on tonight to be honest. “It’s a big ask for a 20-month-old pup, but ... he might be in it. We’ll have to talk about it and weigh everything up.” McCooly’s Lad is a nephew of Hooked On Scotch and Poke The Bear, two of the fastest greyhounds of their generation. Both greyhounds were TAB Melbourne Cup finalists, with Hooked On Scotch running third in the 2019 final after winning the $25,000 winner-takes-all Shootout in the lead-up. Azzopardi agreed that the Shootout, a four-dog race open to the fastest greyhounds in the country, was an option. “100 per cent it is now,” he confirmed. Azzopardi made it a winning double on the night when Short Pork saluted in the Free For All, shaving two lengths off his previous best time in running 29.22. Short Pork has already qualified for the TAB Melbourne Cup heats by winning the ‘50 Day Countdown’ and will be set for those heats to be run on Friday, 20 November.
McCooly’s Lad, pictured here with Anthony Azzopardi, made a serious statement at Sandown Park late last week. Picture: COURTESY OF SANDOWN GREYHOUNDS Tuesday, 27 October, 2020
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STAR JOURNAL 21
SPORT
Chase with a twist Greyhound racing’s 2020 TAB Great Chase Grand Final may have looked different to the 22 community groups from across Victoria that watched the race via a private Zoom link, but all the excitement and adrenaline that the Grand Final brings to The Meadows each year was still very apparent. The Great Chase Grand Final traditionally draws more than 500 people to the racetrack for what is a wonderful celebration, however crowds are currently not allowed on course because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this, groups that attended last year’s Grand Final still had the chance to win a share in $24,000 prize money, including a top prize of $10,000 for the group paired with the winning greyhound. Following welcoming speeches from Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) chair Peita Duncan, CEO Alan Clayton and TAB general manager of wagering Trevor Parkes, a random draw took place - partnering the eight competing greyhounds with eight of the community groups, all of which belong to Victoria’s disability sector. All eyes were on the screens as the race was shared for all to witness, and coming in first place was promising greyhound Dr Tucker, trained at Darriman by Bill McMahon, who was partnered with Wood ‘n’ Crete Products, an organisation that centres around providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Based in Ararat, Wood ‘n’ Crete Products manufactures cement, lime, plaster and concrete. The organisation’s product coordinator, Russell Streeter was thrilled by the result. “We’ve been attending the Great Chase since the mid-2000s,” Streeter explained. “With the Covid-19 situation, the ‘Great Chase Community Days’ didn’t go ahead this year, which was a real shame because our guys love going to the races at Horsham each year. They talk about it all year long. “The $10,000 will come in very handy. We are currently looking at building a new activity room and undercover area at our facility, so this money will go a long way towards making that happen.” Meanwhile, the remaining seven groups that were drawn each collected $2000. Since 2003, GRV has donated more than $650,000 to community organisations that care for intellectually or physically disabled people through the Great Chase, with the event being supported by TAB since 2008. All 13 Victorian greyhound clubs participate and invite their local community groups - clients and carers - to a special community day each year, where they receive free meals, showbags and are partnered with dogs competing on the day for the opportunity to win prize money. While the on-course element didn’t go ahead in 2020, GRV has already started planning for the 2021 TAB Great Chase series, which will come back better and bigger than
By Lance Jenkinson
Painter Peeler (pictured with handler Kerrie Whybrow) netted $2000 for The Bridge Connects in Dandenong. Picture: SUPPLIED ever before during spring. 2020 TAB Great Chase Grand Final results Greyhounds and Community Groups 1st: Dr Tucker (Bill McMahon, Darriman) Wood ‘n’ Crete (Ararat) $10,000 2nd: Earn The Answers (Lyn Smith, Nambrok) - All Abilities Sports (Latrobe Valley) $2000 3rd: Sovereign Wind (Des Douch, Maffra) - McCallum Disability Services (Alfredton) $2000 4th: Jepara (Angela Langton, Anakie) - Scope
· · · ·
Weerona Avenue (Bendigo) $2000
Carry On Maxwell (Tim Britton, Lara) · 5th: Nextt (Sunshine) $2000 Equalizer (Jason Thompson, Pearce· 6th: dale) - Estia Health Yarra Valley (Yarra Junction) $2000
Paint Peeler (Jason Whybrow, Wanga· 7th: ratta) - The Bridge Connects (Dandenong)
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$2000 8th: Mepunga Sparkle (Samantha Hooke, Bushfield) - Goulburn Options (Seymour) $2000
Finals are Noble Park’s aim in the VSDCA By Lance Jenkinson Finals remain the pass mark for a new-look Noble Park in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association. While it will be a younger side taking to the field, there will be no easing of expectations for the Moodemere Street club. “We’ve been relatively successful,” club president Craig Ortland said. “We’ve made seven of the last 10 finals series in our firsts, which is pretty good. “We probably won’t be as strong as we normally are, but we’ll be competitive still. “We’ll hopefully be around the mark for finals.” Noble Park has taken a hit in both its batting and bowling departments during lockdown. Kalhan Sineth, who took 28 wickets and made some handy middle order runs last season, and Nilochana Perera, who made 337 runs last summer, are notable departures - leaving major voids that coach Matt Crozier will need to find solutions for. Ortland sees it as the perfect opportunity 22 STAR JOURNAL
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Rolling with the punches
for others to stake their claim on spots in the first XI. “We’ve lost quite a few players in our firsts,” he said. “We’ll be a bit younger this year - we’ll play a few kids, which is good. “We’ll be looking for a few of them to develop.” One man who has re-upped with Noble Park is spinning all-rounder Issy Perera. Perera has been a star for the best part of a decade with Noble Park, and showed no signs of slowing down last summer. He was ranked number one in the competition for bowling, with 30 wickets at an average of 13.17 and fourth for batting 535 runs at 41.5. While Noble has Perera in the side, it remains particularly dangerous. “We’ve had some really good Sri Lankan players, but Issy is the star,” Ortland said. “He’s had 10 years at the club and won seven club champion player awards and is one of the most decorated players in the subbies competition.
Tuesday, 27 October, 2020
“He bowls great leg spin and hardly bowls a bad ball. “Most sides just sit on him and don’t try to play shots against him.” Left-arm quick Nishantha Weerakkody has also re-signed with Noble Park. Weerakkoody took 22 wickets at 16.68 last season, so he could be called upon to take up an even bigger role with Sineth out of the mix. “He bowls very good lines - has a good bouncer and is a good competitor,” Ortland said. As the day approaches when the whites are taken out of the wardrobe and the kit comes out of hibernation, cricketers will be grappling with the new Covid normal way to play. Ortland believes the motivation for Noble Park players to do so will be to get out of the house, play the game they love and get back to a social life through the club over seeking atonement for last year’s disappointing finals exit, when they posted just 93 in an 85-run quarter final loss to Yarraville. “They’re just keen to get going,” he said. “We’ll be a totally different team compared to what we were last year anyway.”
Noble Park Bowls Club president Reg Vernon knows his sport will look different and it will take a mountain of hard work to return, but getting the chance to welcome bowlers back to the Moodemere Street greens will make it all worthwhile. The sense a relief in Vernon’s voice was obvious. He’s been concerned for the 140 members of the bowls club unable to get their social interaction and recreation fix on the bowling greens. Vernon sent out an email last week to inform members that bowls will return to the club this week, along with a few additional notes about their responsibilities as individuals to follow Covid guidelines. “It’s been a difficult time, but we’re getting through it,” he said. “We’re sending out an email to our members to tell them what they can do and what they can’t do. “It’s a bit of work for our committee with the things we’ve got to do, but it’s not a headache because so many people are looking forward to getting back to playing. “The majority of our members are middle aged to aged and they’re missing the company with their friends.” Noble Park has to follow strict protocols set out by Bowls Victoria and the City of Greater Dandenong. Vernon is confident his club will be able to adhere to any guidelines set out even if they are out of the norm. A maximum of 10 players will be allowed to play at the facility at one time to ensure social distancing and the clubhouse can only be opened for bathroom use. “We’ve got to go by all the health regulations - sanitise, masks and all that sort of stuff,” Vernon said. “We’ll have a marshal down there to make sure they’re all doing the right thing.” Vernon is predicting player limits on greens to be eased soon, if the current trend of low new Covid numbers continues. Rules will need to be eased if clubs are to play Pennant by the late-November timeline mapped out by Bowls Victoria. Even the make-up of the Pennant season will be different this season. “We usually start in the beginning of October, but it looks like it will be the end of November at this stage,” Vernon said. “The season is going to be shortened to about 14 weeks. “We won’t be having much of a Christmas break. “We usually come back late January, but we’ll come back on January 9.” Vernon’s wife, Dawn, who is president of the local neighbourhood watch, is relieved to see bowls return. While she is not a bowler herself, she can hear the toll that it has taken on some individuals from the club not being able to get out on the greens. “We’ve got lots of people that are in retirement villages and they’re just dying to get on the greens - it’s their life,” she said. “I don’t bowl, but I feel like I’m a bowler because Reg has been involved for so long that I know all about it, but there are so many people that just want to get the bowls out and roll them along the green. “A lot of them are just devastated, so this is going to be really good. “You’ve got to be able to trust people now to follow the rules now. “I know they’ll wear the masks and keep their distance and they’re all going to be safe.” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
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