DANDENONG
Tuesday, 23 March, 2021
A WORLD OF
fine food
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s largest free, family-friendly event, Dandenong World Fare returns this month delighting customers and traders alike. Dandenong Market will host a celebration of world street food and culture on Sunday 28 March, from 10am to 4pm. The event will commemorate multiple nationalities with authentic hawker style dishes, a jam-packed schedule of roving entertainment and a chance to win a Dandenong Market Street Food Tour. Dandenong, which is home to 156 different nationalities, is Australia’s most culturally diverse municipality - something the Market loves to celebrate. “Being able to share and preserve culture is 12487676-CG13-21
incredibly important to us,” Dandenong Market general manager Jennifer Hibbs said. “We hold an array of colourful cultural festivals every year, but World Fare gives us the opportunity to celebrate nationalities working together in harmony,” she said. Dandenong Market is inviting visitors to enjoy the tastes and sounds of the world while still staying close to home. World Fare 2021 will celebrate the flavours of international cuisine by ‘heroing’ the Market’s own street food fare from around the world rather than casual vendors as done in previous years. Unlike traditional Market days, each of the tasty traders will be featuring a dish that will be available for one-day only at Dandenong World Fare. After a tough 2020, more than 20 food trad-
ers are ready to welcome the community back into their homes by offering a plate inspired by their rich cultural history. “There’s nowhere quite like Dandenong … Melbourne’s multicultural heart is our most diverse municipality,” Herald Sun food editor Dan Stock said. “And its Market is the vibrant melting point of this global village. Dandenong Market is a multi-ethnic smorgasbord upon which to feast.” Nominated as one of Broadsheet’s top five picks for this year’s Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Dandenong Market promises its event will be as fun as it is filling. “World Fare not only celebrates the authentic dishes of our much-loved traders, it’s also an opportunity to relish in the sights and sounds
of the many cultures we’ve felt so isolated from over the last 12 months,” said Ms Hibbs. Pop-up roving performances including the traditional haka, the colourful Chinese lion dance and rhythmic African drums will be scattered all throughout the Market during the event. The Market has advised that outside-only event will follow a strict CovidSafe plan including a designated event seated area on The Terrace, increasd cleaning, hand sanitising stations and adherence to physical distancing requirements. Parking is free all day, but seats are limited. Find more information and answers to frequently asked questions at www.dandenongmarket.com.au/event/world-fare
FOCUS ON … DANDENONG WORLD FARE
A favour for the tastebuds Dandenong Market’s much-loved street food traders are serving up dishes from all over the world at Dandenong World Fare 2021. To celebrate cultural flavours, recipes passed through generations and traditional comfort food, 20 of the Market’s hawker-style traders have put together a never-before seen dish available for one day only. Tantalise your tastebuds at Dandenong World Fare and try one of these mouth-watering meals:
Ube Cheese Pandesal, Si Kat Pinoy Eatscetera
Chicken Biriyani, Downtown Punjab
Saffron chai, Kadak Chai
Ashak, Kabul Kitchen
Spice lovers - eat your heart out. The ladies at Downtown Punjab are bringing chicken biryani to the party. This delectable Indian dish is one that is passed down through generations and is made with a super special ingredient - a handground home-made blend of secret spices! The plate is always licked clean, and second servings are a must. Often served with roti, this dish is set to delight all your senses. Do not miss out!
Mouth-watering and loved by many, the dumpling is enjoyed by many nationalities all around the world. The team at Kabul Kitchen are bringing flavours of Kabul to the table this year with an ashak recipe that has been in the family for years. Filled with vegetarian friendly gana, these steamed Afghan dumplings are topped with lentils and a yoghurt ready for hungry customers. We bet you’re drooling already!
Get ube(r) excited for this one! Without doubt the most colourful dish at World Fare 2021, Si Kat Pinoy Eatscetera will be preparing Ube Cheese Pandesal, a purple yam-flavoured bread roll filled with a cheesy surprise. As soft as a cloud, these small buns could be made in heaven. Ube and cheese are often paired together in pancakes, cupcakes or even ice-creams. Served warm and often enjoyed with a coffee, you would be crazy not to give these a try!
Treasure Pockets, San San’s Dumpling House Xian Lim Chen from San San’s Dumpling House is welcoming you into her childhood home at Dandenong World Fare 2021. As a young girl Xian was very picky with her food so her father created what would become a family favourite - Treasure Pockets. Treasure Pockets are packed with rice, chicken and vegetables and are made with the same love as her father once did. It doesn’t get more authentic than that!
I cry, you cry, we all cry for saffron chai! Dandenong’s favourite chai cart, Kadak Chai, brings you its newest taste - kesar chai. Warm and comforting, this authentic Indian tea is the perfect substitute for your morning coffee. Packed with health benefits from the saffron strands, kesar chai is not only super delicious but good for you too. Winning! Dutch Poffertjes with crushed Speculaas, Dutch Poffertjes
Dreaming of Dutch Poffertjes? We know the feeling. That is why the team at Dutch Poffertjes is eager to introduce a new take on the classic Dutch pancakes we all know and love. Delight in the sweet flavours of melted butter, icing sugar, whipped cream and the star of the show … crushed Speculaas. Sugar rush!
Stamp your passport Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s Dandenong World Fare is going to be a rich celebration of international sight, tastes, and sounds. But the fun doesn’t stop there. Keep the celebration of hawker-style food going with a chance to win a Street Food Tour for four people at Dandenong Market. To win, all that is needed are three different stamps from three different food stalls
which can be collected when purchasing a dish at Dandenong World Fare. Once your event passport, which is available for collection from Market Square during World Fare has been completed, all you need to do is submit it in the competition barrel on the day which will be located next to Saccha Sugarcane Juice Bar. Competition details and terms and conditions can be found at www.dandenongmarket.com.au/event/world-fare
Sights and sounds all ’round
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Traditional haka performance. Dandenong World Fare isn’t only about celebrating cultural flavours. Visitors are invited to enjoy a jam-packed entertainment schedule with dazzling roving performances all day long. Move your body to the beat of African drumming group Super Mande and feel the passion of reggae band Sonik Waves. Delight in the sights and sounds of Eastern Europe and the Pacific Islands with soulful performances from German Oompa Band Wunderbass and a Fijian choir.
Looking for something loud? A traditional New Zealand haka will pop up around Dandenong Market from 11am. Or, if you’re in the mood for something colourful, a Chinese Lion Dance might be what you’re searching for. Each performer will rove in and around the Market and will appear outside for an up-close performance for those seated in the event space on The Terrace. To avoid missing out, join Dandenong World Fare from 10am on Saturday 28 March. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
FOCUS ON … DANDENONG WORLD FARE
Fabulous fun for foodies Dandenong Market’s Street Food Tours will return next month, and they are set to delight food and market lovers alike. The tasty tours will begin from Saturday 17 April and will run on select Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays every month. The family-friendly activity can be enjoyed by regular market visitors as well as new friends of the Market. “If you have missed our Street Food Tours, you’re not alone,” Dandenong Market general manager Jennifer Hibbs said. “But now it’s time to feed your adventurous side”. The 90-minute guided tour begins from the Market Management Office at 10.30am. Expect to explore the Market with a new perspective while delving into its century-old history. Tour-goers can enjoy a range of mouth-watering samples from all over the world, courtesy of some of the Market’s much-loved traders. Visit stall owners like Rhonda and Kamil from Why Not? Wooden Bakery, Sam and Alham from King of Falafel and the team at Piqniq Hut to learn the story behind their delicious street food dishes - don’t forget you’ll taste them too. There is also a Dandee Donut on the house for those who need more convincing. Tickets start from as little as $10 and will remain at this discounted rate for a limited time only. Street Food Tours will follow strict regulations to ensure that the Market is doing its part in keeping the community safe from the spread of Covid-19. Masks must be worn during the tour when participants are not eating, physical distancing observed, and each member of the tour will receive their own Market bag, bowl, cutlery, and napkins to enjoy these
Set to delight food and market lovers alike the Dandenong Market’s Street Food tours will return next month. tours which are a delight for the senses. Known as the “world market“, Dandenong Market is Melbourne’s second largest and only traditional working market. A mecca for foodies, this cultural hub has been serving the community for almost 155 years. It is a one stop shop for an abundance of fresh, affordable produce, trinkets and treasures and a rich variety of traditional fare.
Tour guide Tim Hollands loves the Market’s atmosphere which he associates with that of a street market in South East Asia. “I love the uniqueness of the Market,” Tim said. “I’m constantly blown away by it”. These tours are once in a lifetime. Not because they’re going anywhere, but because Tim and the team at Dandenong Market try to make
each one different to leave you wanting more. With Mother’s Day slowly creeping up, it is the perfect time to spoil a food-loving mum to the trip her tastebuds will never forget. It is suggested that tour attendees arrive hungry because you’re guaranteed to leave full. New tours are added monthly, and bookings can be made at www.dandenongmarket. com.au
Dandenong Market’s Street Food Tours celebrate fresh, authentic flavours, tastes and smells from all around the world, made right in front of you. So grab a foodie friend and experience the flavours of the world.
from $
10
limited time only.
SPOTS ARE LIMITED AT THIS MOUTHWATERING PRICE
BOOK NOW AT DANDENONGMARKET.COM.AU 12487679-DL13-21
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‘Crazy’ vax rush Clinics are being overwhelmed by bookings - as well as patients’ abuse and desperation ahead of the next phase of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, which started on Monday 22 March. Keys Medical Centre in Keysborough is one of six clinics in Greater Dandenong providing Astra Zeneca vaccine jabs for the phase 1B rollout. Commonwealth clinics are also set to provide 1000 jabs a week to “all comers”. Keys clinic manager Riekie Jooste says the clinic’s were “ringing off the hook” from people seeking the free jab. “It’s crazy. Everybody wants it.” But not everyone can get it yet. Eligible recipients include over 70s and over 80s, the immunocompromised, health workers, indigenous Australians over 55 and emergency service workers. Some desperate patients have offered to pay to jump the queue, including those who aren’t eligible yet. The clinic’s staff have also endured “humungous” abuse. “I’ve had to physically remove an abusive person from the clinic,” Ms Jooste says. Within 24 hours, the clinic was booked up for 300 vaccine recipients over the next three weeks. Preparations have taken a “steep learning curve”. GPs, nurses and administrators have done up to 6 hours training as well as all staff doing CPR lessons. The clinic is also stocked with adrenalin kits to treat patients who suffer anaphylactic shock. “We’ve had nurses ringing that had the Astra Zeneca vaccine because they had flu symptoms, joint pain, headaches and fever. “A lot of GPs are concerned and everyone is very scared of it. “It’s all new but we should understand that with any vaccine we can be prone to an allergic reaction or side effects.” Two extra GPs and two extra nurses have
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been hired, a second vaccine fridge bought and a separate Covid vaccine waiting area organised in readiness. It’s an expensive exercise for the clinic, but an important service for the community, Ms Jooste said. Ahead of booking, patients are being screened by trained nurses. They talk through eligibility, medical histories as well as possible side-effect risks. “With our system, we try to handle it so there’s no opportunity for an error. “It’s a new learning curve for us, but we’re ready to go.” Australian Chief Health Officer Brendan Murphy urged patients not to “badger” their GPs. “Everyone in 1B will get vaccinated in coming weeks but it will take a while for this to scale up.” “We’re not in a hurry in Australia. We don’t have a burning platform, as I’ve said on many occasions. We can take our time to do this vaccination properly.” Clinics offering Covid vaccines from 22 March include: Dandenong and District Aborigines Co-operative Limited, Dandenong Carrum Downs Respiratory Clinic, Carrum Downs North Dandenong Clinic, Dandenong North Doveton Medical Centre, Doveton Keys Medical Centre, Keysborough Parkmore Medical Centre, Keysborough Mckinley Medical Centre, Mulgrave Valewood Clinic, Mulgrave Waverley Police Road Medical Centre, Noble Park North The Phase 1B eligibility checker is at https:// covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility
· · · · · · · · ·
Better days ahead Nursing home Mercy Place Dandenong put behind a horror 2020 as its residents and staff welcomed a second dose of Covid vaccine on 18 March. Among the recipients was Fawzi Fazaa, who is supported by his granddaughter Tamara Kassis. For more, turn to page 9
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By Cam Lucadou-Wells
NEWS
A ride for sick kids By Cam Lucadou-Wells A 240-kilometre charity bike ride across Lorne’s undulating terrain was worth the pain, says Paul Atkinson. Still feeling the rigours of Ride for Sick Kids, Mr Atkinson from Narre Warren joined 40 other riders in trying to raise $150,000 on 13-15 March. Mr Atkinson, who works at Dandenong South bakery Aryzta, has been involved since the start of Ride for Sick Kids 11 years ago. In that time, he has helped raise more than $2 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities. The amount is equivalent to 15,000 nights of accommodation for families staying at Ronald McDonald House while their seriously ill children are in hospital. “It’s a fantastic service for parents so they can be near their kids in a stressful time,” Mr Atkinson said. “We’ve known people who have used the house, including some who are on the ride. It verifies what you’re doing. “A lot of us are so fortunate that our children don’t have issues. But that’s not always the case unfortunately.” Individually, Mr Atkinson is aiming to raise $8000 this year. As of 19 March, he’d exceeded $6000 - the top fundraiser for 2021. Being not a regular rider, Mr Atkinson trained up for the gruelling event in the weeks ahead. The pack of 40 riders ranged from “protypes” to “novices”. But the aim was for “everyone to get through”. “We support each other through the whole ride. Those hills take it out of you but there’s beautiful scenery.” Even still, Mr Atkinson’s legs and bottom were feeling the effects. “I think I’ll get a new, more comfortable
Paul Atkinson has helped raise $2 million in the past 11 years for Ronald McDonald House. seat for the next one.” A virtual version of the ride is continuing ‘online’ - in which riders can choose to ride between 50 and 200 kilometres. It ends on 23 March.
To take part or donate, go to www.rideforsickkids.com.au To support Mr Atkinson go to fundraise. rmhc.org.au/fundraisers/paulatkinson/ridefor-sick-kids-vic
Truck case A Victorian company has been charged with serious safety offences over a truck rolling over a pedestrian island crossing in Dandenong South. The heavy vehicle with a shipping container carrying 26 tonnes of imported timber plywood products toppled on the corner of Abbotts Road and South Gippsland Highway on 11 November 2019. The load’s consignor was charged by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator with failing its duty of safety by exposing drivers, unloaders and members of the public to the risk of death or serious injury. The NHVR alleges the consignor failed to comply with loading and restraint requirements, and failed to advise an overseas supplier of Australian safety regulations. It also failed to have any restraint system in place in the container, and failed to advise the driver and operator how the load was packed, the NHVR claimed. The consignor allegedly failed to take these measures since June 2017. During that time, 189 containers were transported without any restraint, the NHVR claims. It’s the NHVR’s first prosecution of a consignor since the 2018 amendment of the Heavy Vehicle National Law that makes all parties in the supply chain share a duty to ensure transport safety. NHVR statutory compliance executive director Ray Hassall said the law was clear that all involved in heavy vehicle transport shared responsibility for worker and public safety. “This was a serious incident that the NHVR will allege was caused by multiple breaches of safety laws,” Mr Hassall said. The case was set to be heard at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 22 March.
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IN BRIEF Man charged with robbery assault
Covid ‘crime wave’ By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Danielle Kutchel As part of Covid restrictions, more than 2000 “public health and safety offences” were recorded in Greater Dandenong last year. According to Victoria’s official crime stats, breaches of the Chief Health Officer’s Covid directions were the second most common offence at 2034 for the year - up from a handful the year before. The most common offence category was theft from cars (2096). Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said the fines deterred people from “doing the wrong thing” during Covid. Overall the community obeyed the rules, he said. Dep Comm Nugent noted an increase in offences involving online sharing of material. The Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) stated one in five alleged offenders breached the CHO directions on multiple occasions. Acting Police Minister Danny Pearson said he expected most people to pay their Covid fines - which were “no different to any other fines”. His expectation was that the “standard rules and practices to ensure compliance” continued. Overall, crime was up 2.4 per cent in Great-
er Dandenong despite sizeable drops in assaults, burglaries, thefts, drug trafficking and breaches of bail. “The pandemic, resulting restrictions and changes in mobility and everyday life impacted on Victorian crime reported to police,” the CSA stated. Dep Comm Nugent was concerned about a spike in crime now that more people were out from home, which gave burglars more opportunities. He said the Covid crime numbers were generally the largest reductions he’d ever seen. JobKeeper and Jobseeker payments also played a role in depressing crime. People weren’t needing to commit crimes to “get those dollars in”. “We have an eye on the future,” Dep Comm Nugent said. “We know there’s people struggling. We’ll work with community and others to do what we can to prevent other crimes.” The main exception to 2020’s quietened crime rate was family violence. Incidents were up by 10.6 per cent to 2818 for the year - more than 50 a week. In the family violence area, intervention order breaches (up 26 per cent), common assault ( up 3 per cent), threatening behaviour
(up 3 per cent). In June, Victoria Police denied targeting its Covid-19-related Operation Sentinel on Greater Dandenong, despite the council area recording the second-highest number of $1652 fines in the state. “Operation Sentinel is a 500-person strong taskforce that operates across the state,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said. “No specific areas are targeted as a part of their tasking. We will not be providing any localised breakdown of incidents or fines.” In August, nine men were arrested and 38 people fined during a series of anti-lockdown protests in Dandenong South. At the time, the 3175 postcode, which includes Dandenong and Dandenong South, was the South-East’s Covid hotspot with up to 137 active cases. “Please don’t try and dress your behaviour up as exercise,” Vicotria Police Asst Comm Luke Cornelius said at the time. “We all know it’s not, so stop playing us and the wider community for fools.” “Just for one moment, stop thinking about yourself but spare a thought for the loved ones of nearly 500 Victorians who have died so far (due to Covid-19). “Stay at home and stop the spread.”
Doveton Post Office one of the best Doveton Post Office has been recognised as one of Australia Post’s Licensee Award recipients for 2020. Taking fifth place for Victoria, the Doveton Post Office received the award for excellence in customer service and post office operations, as well as its contribution to the local community. Australia Post executive general manager community and consumer Nicole Sheffield said these awards celebrate the hard work Australia Post’s licensed partners commit to communities every day. “The Doveton Post Office has shown a continued and unwavering focus on its customers and supporting the local community during an incredibly difficult year, so it is only fitting that we recognise and celebrate the team’s dedication, resilience and incredible service,” said Ms Sheffield. “The critical role our Licensed Post Office network plays has never been more important than it was during 2020. The Post Office is the central hub in more than 4300 communities across Australia, providing access to more than just postal services, but essential banking and identity services too. “Not only did our Post Offices remain open during Covid-19, they helped people stay connected with friends and family, and supported local businesses to grow in an accelerated eCommerce environment.“ Rounding out the top five post offices in Victoria are: 1. Speed Post Office
A driver has been arrested after blowing a blood-alcohol reading of four times the legal limit. Police say they saw the 28-year-old driver’s car travelling erratically on Lonsdale Street in Dandenong on 16 March. The car allegedly did not stop despite the police members’ attempts to intercept it. As the car drove into a carpark on Clow Street, it struck a kerb and punctured two tyres. The man was arrested and recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.200, police say. His driver licence was immediately suspended. He is expected to face court at a later date.
‘High speed’ car impounded A driver told police that he was running late for work after being detected at 117km/h in a 50km/h zone in Dandenong South. He was intercepted by Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol officers on Portlink Drive on 11 March. The officers were conducting speed checks at the time after complaints of speeding vehicles in the area, police say. The driver is expected to receive a summons for speed offences. His car was impounded for 30 days at a cost to him of $1038.
Tony Farrelly, Andrea Bull and Lubov Bakerov celebrate the recognition. 231206 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS 2. Heathcote Post Office 3. Camberwell North Post Office 4. Wheelers Hill Post Office 5. Doveton Post Office
The Doveton Post Office is located at 3 Autumn Place, Doveton and is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am-12pm on Saturday.
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Police have made a further public appeal for dashcam footage relating to a fatal crash on Monash Freeway in Endeavour Hills. Casey Highway Patrol officers have been told two cars were involved in a minor crash about 4pm on 10 March. A short time later, one of the cars collided with a stationary truck. The driver of the car, a 28-year-old Cranbourne East man, died at the scene. No other persons were injured. Any information or dashcam footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
‘Erratic’ driver blows 0.200 - and two tyres
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A Dandenong North man has been charged over an alleged serious assault and robbery in Noble Park. Teokotai Tangatapoto, 21, has been charged with intentionally causing serious injury in circumstances of gross injury, conduct endangering life and robbery. Greater Dandenong CIU detectives say two males fought on the corner of Douglas and Frank streets just before midnight on Monday 15 March. A 32-year-old Dandenong man was allegedly assaulted and rendered unconscious. He was hospitalised with serious upper body injuries, police say. The charged man was remanded to appear at a filing hearing. He was further remanded for a committal mention at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 16 June.
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Village fees under review By Cam Lucadou-Wells Retirement villages reform is on the State Government agenda, including the controversial issue of ‘deferred management fees’. The State Government has released an Options Paper for public comment over the next six weeks. One of the burning issues is residents being “caught unawares” by fees and the overall cost of living in a retirement village. Residents have also been surprised by the size of deferred management fees (DMFs) charged by operators upon their exit or the sale of their units, the paper stated. Residents say that it’s difficult to calculate DMFs upfront and to compare costs between villages. The Options Paper raises the possibility of improving education on DMFs and villages providing “yearly contract check ups” on the status of a DMF. It also considers whether contracts are too complex, the upfront advertising of fees and charges, and clarifying repairs and maintenance obligations. The paper follows 151 public submissions - including about 85 per cent from retirement village residents and related groups. A joint submission by Housing for the Aged Action Group and Consumer Action Law Centre described DMFs as an “exploitative cash grab by unscrupulous operators preying on vulnerable elderly people”. “Typically fixed at a percentage of an unknown future amount, accruing over an unspecifiable period, these are fees that no resident can predict, applied at a point where most residents’ capacity will be at its lowest.” The groups outlined an 80-year-old case study who was “trapped” after fighting an operator for two years to repair her unit flooded due to nearby construction.
“She would like nothing more than to leave” but couldn’t afford to pay out the (DMFs) - 30 per cent of the sale price and a share of any capital gain. HAAG and CALC stated more providers threatened residents with evictions for “relatively trivial” breaches, such as smoking inside a unit. They called for a regulator to have powers to restrict or ban marketing of products where there was “significant risk of consumer harm”. Disclosure of fees was insufficient protection because “they do not protect residents against fees that are unfair”, they submitted. New Zealand operator Summerset is plan-
ning to open a village in Cranbourne North. It submitted for mandatory legal advice for incoming residents and for simpler ‘plain English’ contracts - as is the case in New Zealand. Summerset argued against disclosing all fees such as deferred management fees and departure charges in advertising material. It would make advertising “unnecessarily complicated”. The fees were already clearly stated in a factsheet and disclosure statement. Summerset submitted that disclosing prices with and without deferred management fees would be “unnecessarily complex”. Property Council of Australia submitted
that the current factsheet and disclosure statements with details on deferred fees and other charges enabled prospective residents to make an “informed decision”. Consumer Affairs Minister Melissa Horne said feedback from residents and “other interested parties” was “critical in developing the reforms”. “We’re ensuring residents of retirement villages and their families have the opportunity to share their important stories and experiences so that we can address key issues and concerns across the sector.” Details: engage.vic.gov.au/ retirementvillagesact 12487817-CG13-21
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NEWS
Pool could sink or swim By Cam Lucadou-Wells Casey Council has announced a stay-of-execution for Doveton Pool in the Park, opting for public consultation before deciding the pool’s fate. After a wave of public outrage, Casey administrators withdrew a motion on 16 March to replace the 52-year-old Olympic-sized pool with “public open space”. In an alternate motion, they proposed a round of community engagement on the issue. The motion noted the council’s commissioned experts’ findings that “an aquatic facility is not a priority” for the site and there was instead a need for more parkland in Doveton. Administrators chair Noelene Duff told the meeting that “these decisions are difficult decisions for councils”. She said the council had to look at the infrastructure demands across the “whole of City of Casey” - considering also the “newer parts” of Casey. Upon visiting the pool, she found “a building in decay, a pool in decay”. “It’s also an incredibly constrained site physically.” To consider investing in a pool upgrade, the council had to be “quite convinced of the potential use leveraged off that particular investment”. Administrator Cameron Boardman, a former competitive swimmer, noted “fondly” a “profoundly similar” situation when an ageing, unheated outdoor pool in Frankston North was on the chopping block. He said “strong” community feedback led to the pool’s renovation and ongoing survival. “We do want to hear from everybody. “And we do want to assure that when we do make a decision that it will be in the longestterm best interests as possible of the community as a whole ... with all the information at hand.” In the lead-up, Doveton Eumemmerring Township Association (DETA) vigorously opposed the proposed pool closure. Local MPs Julian Hill, Luke Donnellan and Gabrielle Williams had also voiced concerns. In a statement, DETA accused council officers of trying to “blindside” the community and push through the demolition “unchallenged”. “At short notice the Doveton community has stood up and comprehensively sent a message to Council. “To achieve more than 2000 petition signatures in a few days is truly an astonishing feat and testament to the importance of our pool.” It noted the council hadn’t ruled out an option of replacing the pool. “We are confident that if a genuine community consultation is undertaken it will reiterate that the ‘No Pool’ proposal is not something the community wants or will accept,” DETA stated. “We hope that we can move beyond this difficult last week and work with Council to find
a way forward for the site that incorporates a community pool in some form.” DETA chair Sean Balfour said support from residents in nearby suburbs showed the outdoor pool was also valued across Casey. The group had been “overwhelmed” by offers to donate, letterbox and petition for the campaign. DETA vice-chair Joshua Oostwoud said many schools and community groups used the pool for swim trials and tournaments. “A well-supported Doveton pool will avoid overcrowding at other pools in the outer southeastern region, benefit the local economy and boost our community’s sense of social cohesion. “Many people in this region rely on public transport and need amenities and facilities that are close to home; this postcode must retain its community pool.” According to a Casey Council report, the Doveton outdoor pool was an “over provision of aquatic facilities and services” which lost $190,000 from July 2019-March 2020. The report stated that Doveton-Eumemmerring’s 12,347 population was too small to justify a $40 million redevelopment including an indoor pool. It instead recommended a $4 million option for free water-play equipment in a park and social gathering space. This would address an undersupply of “district level” parkland in Doveton, including potentially dog off-leash areas, vegetation, barbecues and play space. The report also rejected a proposal from Doveton College and Our Place to relocate Doveton Library to the site, with a new 25-metre ‘indoor-outdoor’ pool, fitness centre, kitchen, allied health offices and meeting rooms. There were sufficient council community facilities in Doveton, as well as “accessible” aquatic alternatives such as Dandenong Oasis, Casey ARC and several learn-to-swim programs, the report stated. An outdoor pool at Noble Park Aquatic Centre was within 7 kilometres away. The report noted that Doveton’s pools were only open during days of or above 30 degrees Celsius in December-March. It attracted 3717 casual visitors and 15,190 during swimming carnivals in the 2019-’20 season. By 2026, a further $1.94 million would be required to maintain the pool, let alone upgrade it, the report stated. The Doveton Pool in the Park - the only outdoor pool in Casey - is listed as a locally significant heritage site. It was built in 1968 after a spate of drownings in Eumemmerring Creek. Residents reportedly raised funds and lobbied Shire of Berwick for the pool. The council raised extra funds for the project with a charge on industrial ratepayers.
Doveton Pool in the Park’s waterslide and water-play area. 231126
Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS
Plans to close the 52-year-old Doveton pool were put on hold. 231126
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Tuesday, 23 March, 2021
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STAR JOURNAL 5
NEWS
Shutdown ‘illegal’: I Cook By Cam Lucadou-Wells Dandenong South commercial caterer I Cook Foods claims its forced shutdown was illegally based on a “non-existent” report by the health department. According to the state’s food act, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton was required to be satisfied by “a report by an authorised officer” prior to issuing the closure order on 22 February 2019. ICF director Ian Cook, who has launched a $50 million lawsuit against the Department of Health - says the department conceded there was “no one report”. “This means the whole closure was illegal end of story.” He says the department gave contradictory evidence to the Supreme Court of Victoria that the report had been seen by Deputy Chief Health Officer Angie Bone. “There was no report. The report was a fraud,” Mr Cook says. For nearly a year, the Department of Health and Human Services resisted Mr Cook’s requests for the report. During a Supreme Court action, Dr Bone submitted that she had seen the “requested documents”. The court ordered the release of the report - which proved to be a two-page email by a department public health physician to Dr Bone. During a parliamentary inquiry into the ICF closure in June, committee member and Liberal MP Matthew Bach asked health department officials for the full report. Cr Bone told the inquiry that there was “no one report”. “The reality is in something that is very, very fast-moving and urgent, it’s a number of reports that are taken collectively.” Committee member Dr Bach described the two-page email as a “summary of a report” or a “precis”. The deputy chief health officer replied: “The Food Act does not specify how that report needs to be given. “Bearing in mind it was 1984, it probably would not have mentioned email, for example, so that is the summary answer.” The 30-year-old family business had been closed as part of a DHHS investigation into
I Cook Foods director Ian Cook claims his business was closed illegally. 202497 the death of a listeria-infected 86-year-old hospital patient. By the time it re-opened six weeks later, the business was destroyed. Forty-one employees lost their jobs. Prof. Sutton told the inquiry he was guided by the precautionary principle to protect the health of Victorians. “I acted to prevent the potential widespread transmission of Listeria infection to a vulnerable community of hospital patients,
Meals on Wheels recipients and residents in aged care facilities. “If I had not closed at the time I did, there was a significant risk of many vulnerable Victorians contracting Listeria.” In August, the inquiry found the ICF closure was “valid” and in accordance with the Food Act, but “not fair”. It did not rule on whether the alleged food safety issues were “adequate to warrant the closure”.
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS In 2019, Greater Dandenong Council laid 96 food-safety charges against ICF - all of which were dropped just before a hearing at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court in late 2019. The council stated it aimed to avoid a legal bill of up to $1.2 million. Victoria Police is investigating the circumstances of the closure. The Department of Health was contacted by Star Journal for comment.
Truckie sorry for ‘big accident’ that killed four police By Danielle Kutchel and Cam Lucadou-Wells An ice-impaired, sleep-deprived Cranbourne truck driver who fatally ran down four police officers in a freeway emergency lane claims he was compelled to drive by his boss. Mohinder Bajwa Singh, 48, apologised through his defence counsel Peter Morrissey SC for his actions at a hearing at the Supreme Court of Victoria on 12 March. Mr Morrissey said Singh had been recorded telling police to “tell the families ... I didn’t mean to hurt them. It was a big accident”. Singh had pleaded guilty to four counts of culpable driving causing the death of Victoria Police officers Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Constable Glen Humphris, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constable Joshua Prestney. He also pleaded guilty to three counts of trafficking illicit drugs - ice, cannabis and 1,4-butanediol. At up to 80 km/h, Singh’s prime mover drove into two police vehicles and Richard Pusey’s intercepted Porsche stopped by the Eastern Freeway, Kew about 5.36pm on 22 April 2020. Numerous passers-by gave assistance but the four police officers died at the scene. Mr Morrissey told the court that there was no aggressive driving on Singh’s part. Singh was compelled to drive by his boss at Connect Logistics in Dandenong South despite recognising that he should not have been in control of a vehicle at the time due to his condition, Mr Morrissey said. The defence counsel also stated that Singh had demonstrated that he was “instantly 6 STAR JOURNAL
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Tuesday, 23 March, 2021
Mohinder Bajwa Singh pleaded guilty to four counts of culpable driving that caused the deaths of four police officers. Picture: FACEBOOK shattered by what he did”, with no attempts to flee the scene. Singh was willing to cooperate with the investigation and court process, the court heard. Forensic psychiatrist Dr Andrew Carroll told the court that Singh exhibited traits of psychoticism, disinhibition, and detachment. Singh had a history of “odd perceptual experiences and odd beliefs” dating back to his teenage years, predating his heavy drug use. According to Dr Carroll’s testimony, Singh’s schizotypal personality trait meant he was more susceptible to developing psy-
chosis while using ice. He acknowledged it was difficult to say whether Singh’s psychosis on the fateful day was caused by his drug use. Dr Carroll said Singh was prone to impulsive behaviours, a trait which may have been aggravated by ice use. Singh had been using ice for five years, and had increased his use in the months before the crash. The court heard Singh’s weak self-esteem may have contributed to his decision to drive when pressured by his boss to do so. Singh had also expressed worry at losing his job, as he was still on probation. Singh is still supported by his wife and two children, and has undertaken a number of courses while in prison awaiting sentencing, the court heard. Mr Morrissey said Singh had “hopeful” prospects for rehabilitation. In his opening summary on 11 March, prosecutor Brendan Kissane QC told the court that Singh used and trafficked drugs, spoke often of being stalked by witches and taking little time to rest. According to phone activity records, Singh had the opportunity to rest for just five hours in the 72 hours before the crash, Mr Kissane said. Before Singh set out on the fateful journey, a work colleague told Singh’s supervisor at Connect Logistics that Singh shouldn’t be driving. The supervisor spoke at length and prayed with Singh before Singh agreed to deliver a load to Thomastown. He signed a ‘fitness to drive’ form, and left
the depot just before 5pm - only stopping to supply ice to an associate in Abbotts Road. During the next 38 minutes, the truck was observed several times “dipping and veering out of its lane” on Eastlink and Eastern Freeway, including repeated “dips” into the emergency lane. An expert opinion found Singh’s prime mover was wholly in the emergency lane at impact, Mr Kissane said. “There was no reactive braking until the time of impact” - despite the activation of the truck’s collision warning system two seconds earlier. There was no evidence of contributory faults in the truck’s braking, steering, suspension or tyres. According to a toxicologist, Singh was so impaired on ice he was incapable of properly controlling a vehicle. His level of sleep deprivation was equivalent to driving with a 0.3 blood-alcohol reading, another expert found. Police found 83 grams of cannabis and 3 grams of meth in the truck, three cannabis plants being grown at his house and 23 diazepam tablets in Singh’s Camry and home. Over the days before, Singh sold and used drugs on several occasions, including a 12hour bender on ice and 1,4-butanediol with a female in a Dandenong Motel room. He was observed by some of his drug associates as “off his head”. One of whom told him “he would kill someone if he didn’t get some sleep”. The matter will return to court for sentencing on 14 April. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
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Tuesday, 23 March, 2021
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STAR JOURNAL 7
FOCUS ON … EASTER HOLIDAYS
NEWS
An exciting 2021 season The Drum Theatre is your one stop destination for performing arts, live entertainment and events in the City of Greater Dandenong. During the month of April, the Drum will present a huge range of performances and activities suitable for children and families in its venues including rock bands, musicals, orchestras, drama, dance, comedy and circus. The Midnight Gang Presented by CDP Kids Productions, The Midnight Gang is a play by Maryam Master based on the bestselling novel by David Walliams. Twelve-year-old Tom unexpectedly finds himself lonely and lost in the children’s ward of St Crook’s Hospital, away from his family and at the mercy of evil Matron. Join the Midnight Gang as the story comes alive on the Drum Theatre stage. Duration: 1 hour. Sessions: Wednesday, 7 April, 6pm-7pm. Thursday, 8 April, 10am11am. The 91-Storey Treehouse CDP Kids presents The 91-Storey Treehouse, a play by Richard Tulloch, adapted from the popular book by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton for children 6-12 and their adults. Andy and Terry’s Treehouse has reached an amazing 91 Stories. It’s now more fantastically dangerous than ever, with a deserted desert island, a whirlpool, and a giant spider. Duration: 1 hour. Sessions: Thursday, 15
South Eastern Hospital chief executive Andrew Blyth presents the buddy bench to students.
Take a seat, meet a friend
April, 6pm-7pm. Friday, 16 April, 11am-12 noon. To book please visit drum.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au or call our friendly box office team on 8571 1666. The Drum venues can provide all abilities access. Please advise the box office of any special requirements when making a booking to ensure the most suitable seating can be allocated. All COVIDSafe guidelines will be fully met to ensure public safety for these events. All attendees will be checked in via QR code.
A Dandenong hospital is using a friendship seat to ‘make a stand’ against schoolyard bullying. Coinciding with National Day of Action against Bullying, South Eastern Private Hospital installed a Buddy Bench at St Anthony’s Primary School in Noble Park. School leader Nicole, 11, said the bench would encourage students to “make friends and socialise”. It’s a place to sit down to “boost your self confidence to meet new people” or a signal that “they might want to make more friends”, other students said. “Anyone sitting on the bench can be invited to play a game with them,” Harley, 9, said. The impacts of bullying include sadness, low confidence, insecurity, depression, the students say. “It makes people feel that they’re not good enough and not good at anything,” Gemma, 11, said. South Eastern Private Hospital consultant psychologist Jason Goh said the buddy benches would provide safe spaces for children needing support from peers or teachers. “In a way, COVID-19 has masked the affects because children have been at home more, but negative behaviour has definitely been magnified on social media. “The prevalence of bullying and youth mental health issues is a national crisis, but I
think buddy benches are a great social education tool and will help promote inclusion, start conversations about healthy relationships and hierarchy in the playground, and provide a place of comfort.” Recent Australian studies show a strong link between bullying and PTSD. About 40.5 per cent of girls and 27.6 per cent of boys show PTSD symptoms at the time of being bullied, studies found. Their torment can be triggered in later life. Mr Goh said without intervention, children who are bullied long-term are at risk of chronic depression, increased risk of suicidal thoughts, plans and attempts, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and self-destructive behaviour such as substance abuse. South Eastern Private Hospital chief executive Andrew Blyth, said the hospital was a strong advocate of buddy benches as their narrative of friendship and inclusion would carry with the students into later life. “Recent studies indicate that most Australian children have experienced bullying, with 20 per cent bullied every week,” he said. “Buddy benches are a proactive way to provide school students with a safe space when feeling lonely or in need of support. “They also provide an opportunity to spark important conversations around mental health, building a foundation for conversation throughout school and beyond.”
BUSINESS PROFILE
Hall & Partners First National’s team of Jackie Lyons, Mick Whelan, Leigh Hall, Daryl Rayner, Picture: GARY SISSONS Nicole Knecht and Michael Hall. 231452
Old firms join forces THE MIDNIGHT GANG Wednesday 7 April, 6pm & Thursday 8 April, 10am
THE 91-STOREY TREEHOUSE Thursday 15 April, 6pm & Friday 16 April, 11am
BOOK TODAY drum.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au | 8571 1666 12487094-CG13-21
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Tuesday, 23 March, 2021
The region’s two oldest real estate agents are formally joining forces. Hall & Partners First National Dandenong and McLennan Real Estate Dandenong have announced their merger. Daryl Rayner of Hall & Partners said the business was now the largest in sales and property management in the area. Between the two offices, the staff boast more than 500 years of experience. “The strong current real estate market shows that the public have great confidence in property and the long term security it provides. “Similarly the public can have great confidence in dealing with the two longest established real estate firms in the district and the
experienced professional staff available to them.” Hall & Partners - previously known as Frank Facey Real Estate - was established in 1917. McLennan Real Estate began in Dandenong in 1936. Mr Rayner said the merger created a “wealth of local knowledge and contacts, together with an all-round professional real estate service”. “Hall & Partners First National welcome you to contact myself, Mick Whelan and Jackie Lyons as well as the established Hall & Partners First National staff to discuss any Real Estate matters, or just pop in for a chat.” Hall & Partners First National will continue to operate at its original office at 254 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
A wild ride for car-jacker By Cam Lucadou-Wells A man who car-jacked a disability transport van and led police on a wild, fast pursuit through the South East has been jailed for up to four-and-a-half years. Bradley Whittaker, 23, of Mt Waverley, pleaded guilty to 15 charges in the County Court of Victoria including endangering police officers by reversing the van towards them in the confines of The Glen underground car park. He also admitted to violently robbing a 71-year-old woman of her handbag after she told him off for driving too fast in the car park. For three hours on the morning of 19 May 2020, Whittaker put the public and police officers at “considerable danger” on multiple occasions, Judge Justin Hannebery noted on 18 March. Whittaker must have been aware of the peril yet only stopped due to the “dramatic intervention” of police, he said.
The spree started with Whittaker trying to steal a Nissan Pulsar hatchback by smashing its rear window with a hammer in Crescent Street, Noble Park. He fled with two females in a stolen Ford ute with stolen plates but lost control, crashing into a brick fence on the corner of Corrigan Road. At a block of units in Kelvinside Road, he carjacked a disability support worker, demanding him to “give me the f***ing keys” to a Tarago van. As police arrived, he reversed out of the driveway with the van’s rear disability ramp scraping along the road. For nearly three hours, the van’s erratic journey was tracked by police on the road and in a helicopter in Springvale, Dandenong, Ashwood and Glen Waverley. Police called off a pursuit within three minutes after Whittaker reached 140 km/h in an 80 km/h zone in Cheltenham Road. He ran a red light at the corner of Waverley
and Blackburn roads - entering the intersection 60 seconds after the lights turned red. At different stages, Whittaker avoided police stop sticks by veering onto a footpath near pedestrians or driving onto the wrong side of the road. In The Glen’s underground car park, Whittaker was told off by a 71-year-old woman for driving too fast. He demanded her keys and ripped her handbag from her hands, causing her to fall and strike her hip and elbow on concrete. She followed Whittaker to his van. As he revved the Tarago loudly, she blared the horn to draw attention. Police arrived. In an attempt to arrest him, they used OC spray and struck Whittaker with batons. He suddenly reversed the van, causing police officers to jump out of the way to avoid being struck or pinned against a concrete pillar. After driving away he crashed into a parked car. He was arrested in a struggle, with a high-
powered laser pointer found in his underwear. His defence lawyer submitted for a longerthan-usual parole period given Whittaker’s youth, mental health, drug issues and need for intensive, long-term support. Judge Hannebery noted Whittaker’s “prolific” 26-page criminal history and “poor” rehabilitation prospects. He said it was “fortunate” that no one had been seriously injured during Whittaker’s past and recent driving history. “Your luck or the community’s (luck) cannot last forever.” He declared the community’s protection from Whittaker’s high risk of re-offending had to be a major factor in sentencing. For that reason, the court had a “deep interest” in Whittaker’s rehabilitation. Whittaker was jailed for up to four-and-ahalf years including a three-and-a-half year non-parole period. He was disqualified from driving for five years.
Smiles arrive with vaccine Mercy Place Dandenong resident Beryl O’Neil thought all her birthdays had come at once when she received her second Covid vaccine dose on her 91st birthday. “It’s the best birthday present I could’ve had,” she said. Beryl was among 83 residents and 22 staff members that received their second jab at the aged care home on 18 March following her initial dose three weeks earlier. “I was very happy to be given the vaccination,” she said. “And it didn’t hurt one bit either.” The inoculation arrived after an awful and anxious 2020 in which 13 residents and eight staff were infected by Covid-19 in August. Three of those residents died with the virus. At times, visitors were banned and residents were confined to their rooms at the peak of the crisis. Tamara Kassis was grateful that her grandfather and Mercy Place resident Fawzi Fazaa was also among the first in Australia to get a second dose. “We’ve been very careful with our Jido (grandfather) throughout the pandemic,” she said. “It’s such a relief that he’s now had his vaccinations. “As a precaution, we haven’t taken him on outings from Mercy Place Dandenong since he had surgery last year. “But now, we can go back to going out for our regular trips to local cafes for coffee and catching up as a whole family at Easter time.” Mercy Place Dandenong service manager Ralf Pelz, who also had his second shot on Thursday, said that spirits were high. “I think that for many of our residents, having the vaccination was not only a relief,
Aged care home resident Marie Jasmin.
Mercy Place resident Ann Murray.
Patricia Fernandez takes the shot.
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
but it was also a cause for celebration,” Mr Pelz said. “The mood was definitely upbeat. The past 12 months have taken a toll on our residents and staff. “While we have made every effort to keep our residents active, engaged and entertained within our home and grounds, feeling confident to go out into our community and to mix with a broader network of friends and family will be wonderful for everyone.” Mercy Place Dandenong has had direct access to Mercy Health’s infection control and clinical expertise throughout the pandemic. On 18 March, a Mercy Health team oversaw the vaccinations, which were administered by Aspen Medical.
Service manager Ralf Pelz says spirits are high after the vaccine
Laura Lepre is given the Covid innoculation.
Beryl O’Neil celebrates her 91st birthday during the second vaccine day. Tuesday, 23 March, 2021
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STAR JOURNAL 9
NEWS
Sister cities is scrapped By Danielle Kutchel The City of Casey has moved to dump a number of its sister city arrangements, following a change in Federal Government legislation. In a council meeting on Tuesday 16 March, the administrators of the City of Casey agreed to end foreign arrangements with Berwick Upon Tweed, the City of Springfield, Mianyang City, Dujiangyan City and CRRC/SRIC, a Chinese state-owned company. The council’s motion follows the passing of the Federal Government’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020, which allows the Minister for Foreign Affairs to scrutinise prevent foreign arrangements, or cancel existing ones, if the arrangement is considered to be inconsistent with Australia’s foreign relations. Administrator Cameron Boardman, who moved the motion, said the motion was required under the act. He said some of the sister city agreements that had been formed by previous councils were absurd, including some with Chinese state-owned government entities.
Several of Casey’s sister city programs have been dumped. Mr Boardman said it appeared that many of the agreements had been used to justify travel expenditure, and said it was unclear what the
purpose of some of the agreements was. “It goes without saying that the responsibility of organisations such as the City of Casey
has to be to its citizens and ratepayers first, and it’s very difficult to identify what benefits the citizens and ratepayers would’ve gotten from these arrangements,” he said, labelling them “utterly pointless”. His fellow administrator Miguel Belmar said it was an appropriate move, and that foreign affairs should be left to other levels of government. “The place of a local government municipality like Casey is to concern itself with the matters of its local community,” he said. In a a review of Casey’s foreign arrangements, council officers identified six arrangements that may fail under the new Federal legislation. All bar one of those - with Ermera District of East Timor - were found to be inactive. The sister city arrangement with the City of Springfield dated back to the council’s City of Berwick days, in 1985. Arrangements with Mianyang City, Dujiangyan City and CRRC/SRIC were signed as part of the City of Casey’s China Engagement Strategy. The strategy was axed in April 2020, after a council report found it “lacked clarity”.
Hardship relief on the way for Casey ratepayers By Danielle Kutchel Struggling ratepayers in the City of Casey can breathe a sigh of relief, after the council announced it would continue its rates freeze out to the end of the financial year. In a council meeting on Tuesday 16 March, the administrators of the City of Casey moved to continue to implement freezes on interest on outstanding rates, and to not pursue those
return to a more normal financial position in future. Noelene Duff, chair of administrators, said the move was “appropriate” given the level of hardship still being faced by many residents in Casey. It comes as the Federal Government prepares to end the JobKeeper scheme, which was put in place at the height of the first wave of Covid-19 in 2020 and has been hailed as
saving many people’s jobs and livelihoods. JobKeeper will end on Sunday 28 March. On Wednesday 31 March, the coronavirus supplement to JobSeeker payments will also be wound back. The Federal Government has announced a payment increase of $50 a fortnight for those on JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, Youth Allowance and Austudy, starting from Thursday 1 April.
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with outstanding rates, until 30 June 2021. Administrator Cameron Boardman said at the meeting that the council had considered the move “extensively”, and that it was expected to ease hardship across the municipality. Administrator Miguel Belmar said the move was part of a range of actions taken by the City of Casey during the Covid pandemic. He said he hoped the municipality would
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Tuesday, 23 March, 2021
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
A placard at the march.
A selfie taken by Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams, showing some of the Victorian Labor politicians who marched.
Labor women march through Melbourne.
Women march for justice By Danielle Kutchel
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
Signs of protest at the rally in Melbourne’s CBD
Pictures: SUPPLIED
have to march, to fight to have our voices, our stories, our experiences heard. Change needs to happen,” she said. “We marched to bring to attention that gender bias that still exists, that gendered violence still exists and that we have a long way to go. “Stories of racism, gender bias, stories of systemic challenges, stories of adversity, stories of hope, resilience and courage and support. This is real and won’t go away.” Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas also said the event was decades in the making. “The March4Justice builds on decades of women’s struggle for acceptance, respect and equality. I believe that the national March4Justice was a defining step to ensure community change - so that all women can feel safe in their streets, workplaces and homes.” “I proudly joined thousands of women across the country who stood up to have their voices heard and acknowledged. Women should feel safe no matter where they are but especially in their workplace. If the structures and processes that are currently in place don’t facilitate fairness for women then they should change,” he said.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan joined his colleagues in saying “enough is enough”. “It’s clear from the voices and lived experience of so many women in our community that a public discussion about sexual assault and power imbalance is long overdue. That’s why the march was so important,” he said. “Our community is ready for this discussion and the message is clear - enough is enough.” The March4Justice had four major demands: 1. A full police investigation of rape and sexual assault allegations, and misconduct by Members of Parliament and staff 2. An independent wide-reaching review commissioned by the High Court of gendered violence in Australia’s Parliaments including Federal Parliament 3. Australia wide strategies for deep cultural change in workplaces, and the political and criminal justice systems, focused on promoting equality, respect, fairness, integrity and a level playing field for all 4. A Federal ICAC - Independent Commission Against Corruption
Participants at the March4Justice.
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Local politicians joined thousands of women marching through the Melbourne CBD for the March4Justice to support victims of sexual harrassment, violence and assault. Held on Monday 15 March, the event was organised independently in response to numerous recent allegations of sexual assault especially in Federal Parliament - and was one of a number of similar protests held around the country. In a picture shared on social media by Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams, parliamentarians including Bass MP Jordan Crugnale, Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards, Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas and Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan can be seen joining the crowd. Ms Williams, who is Minister for Prevention of Family Violence and Minister for Women, said she had known the event would be “significant”. “This is an issue that really resonated with people and I think that’s perhaps what the Prime Minister and Federal Government misread the room on,” she said. “I don’t think they realised the reason why this resonated with people is because everyone has a story to tell and most of them are tear-soaked. “The turnout and activity online even among those who couldn’t attend, indicate that this is a watershed moment.” She said the marchers carried with them “decades of frustration at the lack of change”. “I’m hoping by having this discussion that’s out in the open about these issues, that we have them taken more seriously. I genuinely do believe this wont blow over.” Also at the march was Greater Dandenong councillor Rhonda Garad, who said it was “wonderful to stand with thousands of women and male allies today to fight for justice for women”. “A number of recent events have brought together those the care about justice for women. “The clear message from today was that women want to be believed, they want to be heard, and they want to be treated equality in law, and in every area of life.” Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said she marched because “all women deserve better”. “It’s really infuriating that in 2021 we still
STAR JOURNAL 11
LOOKING BACK
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
100 years ago
50 years ago
20 years ago
5 years ago
24 March 1921 Notice Last week we learned by cable that Australian coal could be sold cheaper in Norway than British coal. This week we are informed that Australian jam is under-selling American jam in the United States. Eggs, which are selling in Sydney at abnormal prices, can be shipped to America and sold at less than the product of the Yankee hen, in spite of the fact that the exchange is 33% against US$. Will investigations into this matter fall within the ambit of the Profiteering Court? What the public wants to know is the price free on board at Australian ports for these articles. We shall then know if we are being rooked to provide cheaper living for foreigners.
24 March 1971 Commissioned by Dandenong City Council to write the history of Dandenong, Mr Niall Brennan of Gladysdale was introduced to a representative gathering last Friday evening in the Town Hall. To mark 100 years of local government in Dandenong, the book will be published in the centenary years 1973. At the Dandenong Historical Society function Mr Brennan was assured of the society’s collaboration in his undertaking. The author will also welcome material from the public, including historic photographs as he collates data during the next year’s research. The large gathering in the society’s club rooms was also introduced to the first edition of a planned quarterly newsletter Gippsland Gate edited by former Journal proprietor Mr Greg Dickson.
26 March 2001 You old devil At 61, Springvale District ruckman and arguably Victoria’s oldest footballer Gordon McQueen says he has no intention of hanging up his boots. The fitness fanatic and five times Victorian veteran’s representative is lining up for his 42nd season of senior football “crook back” and all. “I thought this season would be my last, but the way I’ve pulled up over the preseason I reckon I’ve still got a few more seasons left in me” he said. “I’ve got a few niggling injuries and the perennial crook back like a lot of blokes my age, but I’m racing to go. I’d rather play footy than spend my weekends in a rocking chair.”
21 March 2016 Proposal for Green Wedge A wholesale fresh produce market has been proposed in Bangholme’s green wedge to tap into the south east’s vast farming region, but has already sown dissent among conservationists. Dandy fresh CEO Rod Kerley said the $14 million-plus project in the paddocks at 84 Harwood Road will create about 200 jobs. It would also be attractive to the Gippsland region’s farmers and florists trekking their products across town to Epping Markets. “We’re trying to make it easier for the retailers and for the growers,” Mr Kerley said. It would not be open to the public hence not a rival to Dandenong Market, Mr Kerley said. “We see Dandenong Market as a good client base.”
Seeking re-connection By Very Rev Dr Michael Protopopov OAM, JP of Church of Our Lady’s Dormition, Russian Orthodox Parish All the great religions understand the concept of fasting and self-denial, whether it be Ramadan in the Islamic world or Yom Kippur for the Jewish faith, and so it is with the Great Lent for Christians. Some Christians have watered down the concept of self-denial to giving up something they like for Lent or eating fish on Good Friday. Some ignore the Lent altogether. However, Lent is so much more than that. If one reads the Bible in the weeks approaching Easter, one meets a number of persons who give us an insight into what Lent really is. First, we meet Zacchaeus in Hebron, a man short in stature and a hated tax collector for the Romans. Yet, he wanted to see Jesus and climbed a
sycamore tree to get a better view. Secondly, we have the vision of the Publican and the Pharisee praying in the temple. The Pharisee was a good man and kept all the requirements of the Law, whilst the publican was a great sinner. Two totally different men, but we are told the publican went home forgiven whilst the Pharisee remained as before. Thirdly, we meet the Prodigal Son. A very wayward young man who had to learn the les-
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sons of life the hard way. So, one may ask, what have these people to do with our entering the Lenten period? The first man, Zacchaeus, admitted that he had cheated and stolen from people. Yet, something inside of this tax collector urged him to connect with Jesus. This is the first lesson of Lent - to have a desire to connect, or reconnect, with Christ. The second lesson is that although the Pharisee fulfilled all the requirements of the Law, he lacked in love as was evidenced when praying, “Thank you God that I am not like other men such as that publican.” Human pride is the root of so many troubles in this world. The publican was ashamed of his way of life and could only pray, “Lord be merciful to me a sinner.” Here one may see a clear distinction between the proud and haughty Pharisee and the man ready to humble himself before God and receive forgiveness. The Parable of the Prodigal Son is probably the most instructive of all. The young man was not afraid to offend his father, demand his portion of the family property and leave home. One may wonder how many fathers would react to such a situation today. Yet, the father gave the son his due and the young man went off to live the high life of booze, woman and newly acquired friends. However, when the money ran out, the luxury of wine, women and new friends all disap-
peared and the Prodigal could not even find a job. Eventually, he ended up looking after pigs. When on the brink of starvation, he decided that he would go home to his father. And to his credit, he felt unworthy of being called his father’s son and would have been happy to be a servant. However, when the father saw him from a great distance, he greeted him with love and reinstated the young man as his son. We too can always return to the Father and change our ways. Nothing is so bad that a little love and kindness cannot overcome. I started to write this piece by saying that all the great religions of this world have so much in common when it came to fasting and selfdenial. I now wish to add that Lent is the time for reestablishing or strengthening one’s connection with God. It is a time to reflect of how one behaves towards others. Is there respect and genuine compassion or is there pride and a judgmental attitude in one’s actions? Finally, when was the last time one went to church and had a serious talk to God? After all, he has all the answers and the Gospels remind us that “every good thing comes from above”. The end produce of our fasting and self-denial is to partake of the Resurrection in which is our hope and our salvation.
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Selba Luka, centre, receives her award from Mayor Angela Long and Deputy Mayor Sophie Tan.
Pictures: HAS MEDIA
Selba (front) and volunteer Veronica in the Afri Aus-Care veggie garden. The organisation provides cooking classes for vulnerable members of the community. 213664
By Danielle Kutchel A tireless champion for African and CALD communities has been named Greater Dandenong’s Citizen of the Year. Selba Luka, founder of Afri-Aus Care, received the award at an invite-only event at Springvale City Hall on Tuesday 26 January. She admitted the award was a total shock, but a welcome one, and dedicated it to the community, staff, volunteers, supporters and
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sponsors of Afri-Aus Care. Born in Malawi, Ms Luka often says her heart is in South Sudan as she works closely with the south-eastern South Sudanese community. Afri-Aus Care was born of her experiences when she arrived in Australia, where she experienced difficulties and hardship in her first years in the country. The not-for-profit provides mental health
support, outreach and skills development for members of the African and CALD communities. It works closely with youth offenders, providing them with a pathway out of these behaviours and into a more positive contribution to society. During the pandemic for example, ex-offenders helped create food hampers and deliver these to the most vulnerable in society. Afri-Aus Care also works with “the mamas“,
African women who are new to Australia and need assistance to find employment and learn English. Many of these women are survivors of domestic abuse, and Afri-Aus Care provides mental health support too as they build a new life. Speaking at the Australia Day ceremony, Ms Luka said she was honoured to have received such a prestigious award. “May we continue to be united. Dandenong is a great city to be,“ she said.
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Tuesday, 23 March, 2021
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FOCUS ON … SENIORS ENJOYING LIFE
Grandparents are a gift If you’re a grandparent you know the value of your contribution both economically and socially, and the Covid-19 pandemic has further highlighted the significant contribution grandparents make. National Seniors Australia has released new research on the grandparenting activities of older Australians revealing some interesting new findings. The data has noted the impact Covid-19 has had on the care grandparents provide, by the hole it’s left because of older Australians hav-
ing to socially isolate and therefore being unable to look after their grandchildren. National Seniors CEO Professor John McCallum describes grandparenting as being like ‘intergenerational Lego’. It meets many different needs and is a very flexible service. Among the research findings were: More than a quarter of older Australians were providing regular care for grandchildren The average hours spent grandparenting were 12 hours per week with women work-
· ·
ing more hours than men · One quarter of those grandparenting were also caring for another person over the age providing grandparenting services · People of 12 years were typically aged 60-79 years A smaller group was identified as the ‘sandThose grandparenting tended to be better · · off and healthier than others wich group’ who cared for both grandchiland their own aged parents. Male grandparents were more likely to be in · a partnership - only 7% of grandfathers do- dren · Some participants in the research gave posi-
·
ing grandparenting duties were single, compared to 43% of grandmothers Overall women and men who were partnered were the most likely to be grandparenting
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NEWS
Hoon’s burnout on film By Cam Lucadou-Wells A video shot out of the window of a Hallam hoon’s car as he dropped a burnout has become police evidence against him. Stephen Scordo was driving his mother’s Holden Statesman, which he lined up with a motorcycle and another silver vehicle and set off and lost traction at fast speed on a public road in January. His passenger leaned out of the window to film the burnout. Scordo pleaded guilty to his driving offences in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 18 March.
He had told police he’d gone to a “s***” car meet that day, so he thought “f*** it, I’ll do a burnout”. Scordo didn’t see what was wrong with the burnout, though admitting there were other people nearby. “I know I’m a f***head for doing it,” he told police. On 17 March, police raided Scordo’s mother’s home, where he lives. They seized two unspent shotgun rounds and two zip-lock bags of meth, empty deal bags and scales. Scordo was arrested and remanded in custody.
At the time, Scordo was on two community corrections orders with judicial monitoring. He hadn’t complied with a previous CCO. He had difficulty complying due to his mental health issues, defence lawyer Anna Balmer told the court. Magistrate Costas Kilias opted to defer sentence for Scordo until his CCOs expire in late June. His offences would in the meantime hang over his head like a “Damoclean sword”. “I want to see what he does over the next three months.” Mr Kilias ordered a Corrections Victoria assessment for Scordo, indicating another CCO
was “in the mix”. The magistrate said he’d also later consider Victoria Police’s application for Scordo’s mother’s car to be forfeited to the State. Scordo also faces a mandatory driving disqualification. He will appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 13 May for a “progress report”, with sentencing set for 11 June. He was bailed to a fixed address in Hallam, with a night curfew and a ban on driving, attending “illegal street car racing events” and using illicit drugs.
Whose land is it anyway? By Cam Lucadou-Wells An allegedly illegally parked car is the newest blight on a recently-saved stand of 26 river red gums in Noble Park. After five years of negotiations, Greater Dandenong Council recently bought the Hanna Street parkland from Yarraman Village estate’s developer. Now there’s an issue of whether the council can remove the vehicle from the green fringes of the reserve. At a council meeting on 9 March, mayor Angela Long said a car had been parked there for months. She was unsure whether the car was on the council-owned reserve or private land. “The residents thought Council had the
ability to tow that car away,” Cr Long said. “I advised them we need to work out whether it was on our property or the building’s property. “If it was on the building’s property, we cannot tow it away because it is on private land.” Cr Sophie Tan suggested installing bollards to prevent parking on the grass. City planning director Jody Bosman said “determining the boundaries of the properties should not be too much of a problem”. “Obviously what happens along the driveway within the private property is the Body Corporate’s responsibility. “Our involvement would end at the public boundary.”
The council is exploring if a car, pictured centre, is illegally parked between buildings and the Picture: GARY SISSONS council reserve. 218917
Red Roos basketballers aim for a shot at US success By Cam Lucadou-Wells Dandenong-based Red Roo Basketball’s players are making huge bounds on US college courts. Despite Covid ravaging the US, Michael Jok, Yut Gai, Daniel Akuei and Sebastian Lamonato earned scholarships and are now playing leading roles in their teams’ success. Jok, originally from Pakenham, has been starring for Dawson Community College for the past 18 months. His junior college side was recently crowned the Mon-Dak (Montana-North Dakota) conference champion two years in a row, with a 18-2 win record. The 191-centimetre guard started with Red Roo at 15 years old. Now 20, he’s in a winning US team in the end-of-season March Madness tournament. The skill level was “real real high”. Fast paced, athletic but enjoyable, he said. Gai was recently termed by his South Plains College coach as one of the team’s most consistent players. In his second year, the forward had racked up double-figures in his past three games in what is regarded the best junior college team in the country. Akuei has paved his way from junior college to the University of West Florida Argonauts. Lamonato graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with an international finance degree. A proud Red Roo owner, coach and mentor James Kerr says Jok and Gai were “going to another level” as they pitched themselves for potentially senior college scholarships. “They’re doing amazing right now. Better than you could have imagined. “There will be a lot of eyes on them. They do two years at ‘juco’ (junior college), and they’ve got to hope for a (college) team to pick them up. “That’s the pressure.” It’s taken some sacrifice, saving up in advance for flights, visas and accommodation in the US. Then when they got the call up, they left behind their families and livelihoods to chase their dreams. “You’re not earning so you’re putting the family in a bit of a quagmire,” Kerr says. “You’ve got to be fully motivated or you’re not going to do it.” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
Michael Jok says he’s enjoying the fast-paced, high-skilled junior college level. The players had not been aided by the Australian basketball system, according to Kerr. Good players have to “pay to play” at the state’s highest levels, meaning talented players like Jok and Gai weren’t being identified by Basketball Victoria, Kerr says. “If you don’t pay, you don’t play.” In contrast, the US system attracts and pays for scholarship winners’ sports and academic journeys. “What are you getting for playing rep ball in Australia? You’re paying registration and the cost of getting to training three nights a week sometimes for a club far away across the city. “What are you getting out of it? You’re not getting an education, you’re not getting a chance to play for a US college. “It’s a slim chance. I’d say there’s less than 200 Australian kids get scholarships in America.”
Yut Gai who plays forward for South Plains Junior College in Texas.
Meanwhile back in Australia, a Red Roo men’s side defeated RMIT Redbacks in a thrilling overtime final at the Ballarat Senior Basketball Tournament. It was the first time a Sudanese-Australian team had won the 58-year-old tournament. It comes on top of winning a recent AAU Australia Summer Series national tournament at Dandenong - its first hit-out after not playing for eight months due to Covid lockdown. Kerr is a big fan of AAU Australia, which is providing an affordable US college pathway for Australian talent like Jok. Jok himself credits Kerr for helping get him known. “It was hard. My name wasn’t out there because I wasn’t playing at (Victorian) state level. “When I came to Red Roo in 2015, he told me to stay committed and keep doing it over time.”
Michael Jok shoots for Dawson Community College.
Tuesday, 23 March, 2021
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STAR JOURNAL 15
NEWS
Harmony in many clothes National costumes were on proud parade at St Anthony’s Primary School and Southern Cross Primary School for Harmony Week celebrations on Friday 19 March. Under the theme of ‘Everybody Belongs’, the week celebrates multiculturalism in Australia. It included United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March. Armada Dandenong Plaza hosted a week of events including a Harmony Tree display by Dandenong Primary students, Coffee with a Cop, a roaming Kung Fu Panda and a My Island Home craft station.
Aryan, 3, at the My Island Home activity at Armada Dandenong Plaza.
St Anthony’s Primary school leaders. 231323 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Vivaan and Shivaan in Fijian wear at Southern Cross Primary. 231322 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Lucy and Lanu at Southern Cross Primary. 231322 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
AUTUMN 2021
Younghoon gives Harmony Day the thumbs up at St Anthony’s Primary School. 231323 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Students Nicole and Jackson at Harmony Day celebrations at St Anthony’s Primary School. 231323 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Parents at St Anthony’s Primary. 231323 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
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National costumes on display at St Anthony’s Primary School. 231323 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS 16 STAR JOURNAL
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Sid with his son Josh dressed in their Indian heritage clothing at St Anthony’s Primary Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS School. 231323 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
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Tuesday, 23 March, 2021
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SPORT
Berwick skipper Matthew Chasemore charges in for his club on Saturday. 231908
Berwick is now just one win away from back-to-back premierships. 231908
Pictures: ROB CAREW
Clint Tomlinson on the attack for the Bloods.
Bears prevail in a prelim By Nick Creely It’s no secret in sport that preliminary finals are often the hardest and at times one of the most satisfying games of the season to win. It’s a game in which teams are ever so close to the ultimate prize, but with just that little stumbling block in the way. And it’s a game where its equally as painful to lose. Berwick, in the end, prevailed quite comfortably in its do-or-die DDCA Turf 1 prelim against Springvale South - two perennial powerhouses doing battle at the picturesque Arch Brown Reserve, with only one spot vacant to meet the highly-confident Hallam Kalora Park unit. In a season that has many obstacles, and the pandemic so often at the back of everyone’s minds, it’s quite an extraordinary effort that Matthew Chasemore’s group is now just a win away from back-to-back premierships. They’re one of the most impressive local cricket sides on paper, and if it can hoist up the cup again this season will surely be one of the most dominant teams in recent Metropolitan cricket memory.
On Saturday, the Bears showed their class against another high-quality opponent, a Bloods outfit with plenty of momentum and with some remarkable firepower. After the Bloods won the toss and elected to bat, James Wilcock (1/27) snared skipper Nathan King, but Ryan Quirk (32) and Clint Tomlinson (51) dug in after a probing new-ball spell to put together a fluent 46-run stand. But just as the classy Quirk looked ready to explode, veteran Jarrod Goodes (2/39) found the timely breakthrough, and despite Tomlinson’s class and a gritty 20 from Jack Sketcher (20), the home team just found regular breakthroughs. Tomlinson’s first season as a Blood was an impressive one in the end, finishing with 363 runs. Wookey medalist Ruwantha Kellepotha (3/30) was particularly instrumental as the Bloods scrambled towards a defendable target, finding key breakthroughs in Paul Hill and Dylan Quirk - two vital cogs in the Bloods’ middle order. Goodes - as he so often does in big games - did a mountain of work with the ball in his 12 overs.
He’ll have a huge say on proceedings next week in what will be his first Turf 1 grand final since 2011/12, where he snagged 5/56 against the Bloods. Some late long hits from Tim Ford (19) lifted the Bloods to 9/168 from its 45 overs. It looked underpar, but if the Bloods’ star spin duo could settle into its work, anything could conceivably happen. An early wicket, that of dangerous opener Jordan Cleland courtesy of impressive quick Matt Wetering raised those hopes. But a determined Matthew Chasemore was going to do everything to stand in the Bloods’ way. As he has across done across his glittering career, the skipper made it a herculean task to prize him out. In his typically industrious, rock-solid manner, the Bears skipper provided a cool and calm influence on the contest, eventually pairing up with his experienced teammate Nathan Pilon (45 not out) to simply do what it needed to do. Chasemore was tempered, still found boundaries when needed but always maintained control as he finished on 68 not out from 118 balls as his team ran down the total
with eight wickets to spare. Whenever his team has needed him to play that role this season, the ex-Premier Cricket champion has stood up in a big way. Pilon was also instrumental, coming in at 2/61 and playing with fluency alongside his skipper. He’s building ominously ahead of the grand final, where his power through the middle will cause headaches. It leaves just two remaining - Hallam Kalora Park and Berwick - and quite fittingly, the two most consistent sides of the season. The Hawks are aiming for their first Turf 1 premiership since 2001/02 in what is looming as a memorable weekend for the club, while the Bears are looking to stamp itself further as one of the most dominant DDCA sides of the modern era. Both sides are 1-1 up against each other this season - ironically facing off in the last round of the home and away season and the first week of finals - so will both fancy their chances in a neutral venue. The action will begin from 12.30pm this Saturday. Bring it on!
Kuro Kismet launches straight into Pad favouritism By Mick Floyd He may be a Group 1 winning trainer, but for Matt Clark winning a heat of the Launching Pad stands as his biggest thrill in the sport. Kuro Kismet, a son of TAB Melbourne Cup winner Aston Dee Bee, was outstanding when pouncing straight to the lead from box 5 and running 29.18, the fastest time of the evening. The victory was the result of meticulous planning and preparation by Clark leading into the $420,000 series after Kuro Kismet reached the six win limit of the series with a victory at Sandown Park four weeks earlier. After winning his previous appearance in 29.19, Clark gave him a let short let up before returning to trial twice at the track, including a sharp 29.26 gallop two weeks ago. “I had to hold on to him (Kuro Kismet) for a month for this race. It’s been a long month,” said Clark. “We’re not just up the road, we’re three hours up the road. It’s a six hour round trip the last two Wednesdays (to trial) and to have it come off tonight - I just can’t tell you how much it means to me and my wife (Bianca). dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
“The month off has really worked for him. He gets better with every week - he’s been an average beginner and he’s gotten better and better and better with time. And tonight he jumped - he needed to from box 5 - and I couldn’t be happier for the dog and the owners.” One of the owners is Mel Mayle for whom Kuro Kismet - affectionately known as ‘Sox’ due to his distinctive white feet - is her first foray into ownership. Mayle has become such an integral part of the team that she was on handling duties. “She’s a fantastic person and she just loves handling the dog and he goes good for her. To be able to watch from the stands and kick him home, like I said, that’s my biggest thrill in racing, 100 per cent.” With his win Kuro Kismet progresses to Thursday night’s semi finals - along with the first four from each heat - from which the winners and runners up will advance to the $150,000 to the winner final on Thursday April 1st. Following his heat victory, Kuro Kismet firmed to $5.50 favouritism for the series after opening at $26 prior to the heats.
Kuro Kismet has launched into Pad favouritism. Tuesday, 23 March, 2021
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STAR JOURNAL 19
SPORT
Michael De Kauwe sends one down for Springvale. 231956
Christo Otto on the attack for Keysborough during his match winning performance. 213956
Josh Dinger was man of the match after a stunning six-wicket haul. 231955
Magpies clinch Turf 2 title By Nick Creely It’s the year of the Magpie. Narre Warren has clinched the DDCA Turf 2 premiership, producing an outstanding grand final performance to cap off a truly memorable season of cricket. Ruthless, daring and scattered with star power, the Magpies have been the benchmark for the majority of the season, and will now prepare to return to the top-tier of the association next season for the first time since 2017/18. It’s opponents, Dandenong West, were always going to provide a stern challenge at Carroll Reserve on Saturday. But like all quality sides do, an early statement from one of its gun quicks was the catalyst. Josh Dinger - who has been a colossal this season with 33 wickets at an average a tick under 10 - was immense, applying maximum pressure to the top-order. In a stunning new-ball burst, the Westers soon found themselves 4/30 with Dinger claiming all four scalps to put the opposition under the pump straight away. The Westers were never just going to lie down and found some fight through the middle order, but Dinger’s class shone above, snaring 6/21 from 9.2 overs to bundle out the opposition for just 92. Kasun Balasuriya was also virtually unplayable, bowling four maidens from his seven overs to take 1/7. In grand finals - as it so often plays out - 92 was a tricky chase. The pressure of being so close to the finish line has brought down plenty of teams in the past. But as has been the case during the Maggies’ golden season, Ben Swift (34) and Zach
The DDCA Turf 2 premiers, Narre Warren. 231955
Pictures: ROB CAREW
Allen (17) raced out of the blocks to immediately put his side in pole position, but a bit fight saw the Westers peg a few wickets back. It meant little in the end as the Magpies ran away with a six-wicket win and a memorable premiership, with Cam Dinger cooly guiding his team home with 26 not out. The Magpies also capped off the day with its second XI winning the Turf 2 Reserves premiership against Cranbourne at Narre Warren North Reserve. Keysborough, meanwhile, soared to glory in Turf 3, overcoming the minor premiers Springvale in an entertaining, high-scoring clash at Lois Twohig Reserve in Dandenong North. On one of the DDCA’s best and most pictur-
esque decks, the Knights had little hesitation in winning the toss and batting. Despite an early scalp, it proved to be a fruitful decision. Coming across this season as a gun recruit from Dingley, Christo Otto was simply the star. Prominent with the Dingoes over such a long period of time, Otto’s class and experience was on full display, crunching an outstanding 84 from 107 balls, sending five fours to the rope and three over it. Otto linked with his skipper Jackson O’Brien (65) to put together a defining 119-run stand, ultimately setting up the Knights for an ultracompetitive 5/202 from its 40 overs.
Picking up where he left off, Otto snared 2/27, alongside Jacob Hennigan who claimed 2/27 as the opposition struggled to get going in the chase, falling to 4/48, and eventually 5/64 as the Knights drew closer to premiership glory. Hasindu Waduge (65) left nothing in tank, compiling a counter-attacking half-century that provided some stunning sixes, but ultimately it was a bridge too far, with the Knights restricting them to 153. Hampton Park, meanwhile, clinched the Turf 4 premiership in a hard-fought grand final against Springvale South at Sweeney Reserve. The Redbacks were 172 for victory after half-centuries to Mark Keatinge (58) and Andrew Sharp (60). In several switches of momentum, the Redbacks - in the end - got the job done with three wickets to spare, with skipper James Kellett (56 not out) and Rob North (55) leading the way with fine knocks. It was a memorable season for the Redbacks who will now enter the Turf 3 ranks having finished on top-of-the-ladder as well in the regular season. The DDCA Premiers Turf 1 Reserves - Buckley Ridges Turf 2 - Narre Warren Turf 2 Reserves - Narre Warren Turf 3 - Keysborough Turf 3 Reserves - Doveton Turf 4 - Hampton Park Turf 5 - Berwick Springs A Grade - Buckley Ridges B Grade - Lynbrook C Grade - Parkmore Pirates D Grade - Coomoora E Grade - Fountain Gate F Grade - Beaconsfield
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Panthers are in the thick of an almighty finals fight By Nick Creely There’s no stopping James Seymour this season. The Essendon star and reigning Ryder medalist has had another run-soaked campaign, and on Saturday the gun left-hander plundered another century, sending Dandenong outside of the top eight with just a round left to play. And, crucially, the Bombers are still within striking distance of playing finals cricket. Seymour was the only batsman to look comfortable in the vital clash at Windy Hill, providing the difference between both teams with not only the bat, but with the ball too. After being sent into bat, the Bombers were struggling with champion Panther James Nanopoulos (3/33), who removed Aaron Ayre and Connor Rutland early to leave the home side vulnerable. But despite making regular inroads, the Panthers couldn’t contain Seymour. Playing a patient, yet commanding knock, the left-hander batted through the innings to score an unbeaten 108 not out, his knock coming off 150 balls with 14 boundaries. It’s his third century of the season, all of 20 STAR JOURNAL
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Tuesday, 23 March, 2021
James Nanopoulos took three wickets for Dandenong on Saturday. 224496 them being unbeaten. His knock lifted the Bombers to 6/223 from its 50 overs with the Panthers showing plenty of discipline with the ball, in particu-
lar Nanopoulos who was excellent with the new-ball. Across Seymour’s season, he has compiled 820 runs at 102.5 - utterly absurd numbers -
and in total has made a whopping 1190 runs at 79.33 in 2020/21. He is not only knocking on the door of the Victorian selectors, he’s barging it down with some immense force. It surely is a matter of time. Despite a fighting hand from Pete Cassidy (30), and able support from Suraj Randiv (23) in the lower order, the Panthers couldn’t muster up much momentum, slumping to 7/76 before showing some fight to lift to 149. Tom O’Donnell (2/27) impressed with the new-ball, removing champion openers Brett Forsyth and Tom Donnell quickly, while Cam McLure (2/30), James Seymour (2/11) and Liam Bowe (2/35) all made life difficult for the visitors through the middle. The ninth-placed Panthers are still a strong chance to feature in the Victorian Premier Cricket finals with a win at home against Greenvale in the final round, but will also need to rely on results to go its way. In the seconds, the Panthers also went down to the Bombers. Chasing 217 off the back of a haul of 4/30 from Dasun Opanayaka, the home team were rolled for 188, with Andrey Fernando continuing his strong form with a classy 70. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au