EHD Star Journal - 11th May 2021

ENDEAVOUR HILLS HALLAM DOVETON

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Tuesday, 11 May, 2021

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Work rights stoush

Where to get the jab

Cornerstone milestone

Veteran moves on

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Having a ball Aaron’s goal celebration would make a Socceroo proud. The Endeavour Hills student starred in the inter-school Paul Wade Cup – presented by the acclaimed national footballer of the same name - at St John’s Regional College.

More on page 12

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

$3m solar fine A Dandenong South solar-panel company has been fined a thumping $3 million and its director $450,000 for “unconscionably” preying on thousands of home-owners.

Vic Solar Technologies and its director Sunny Srinivasan, 31, of Southbank, were prosecuted by Consumer Affairs Victoria over its misleading door-to-door sales methods.

The CAV director submitted for penalties of up to $750,000 and $75,000 fines for Vic Solar and Mr Srinivasan respectively.

On 3 May, Justice Michael O’Bryan, of the Federal Court, opted for more substantial punishment.

In 2014-‘18, Vic Solar signed up 4300 customers to rooftop solar systems. At least $21 million was gained from selling to home owners.

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It targeted those who expressed interest with door-to-door sales that breached unsolicited agreement laws.

Sellers used false testimonals, misleading scripts and misled about the ‘One Solar’ solar panel’s country-of-origin and being part of a global manufacturer.

They failed to clearly advise home-owners about their rights to terminate the agreement.

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Customer witnesses had been charged up to $13,500 for systems – up to $6000 more than the average price for a system of similar size and quality.

“The consumer loss, across all of the sales made by Vic Solar, was … potentially in the millions of dollars,“ Justice O’Bryan said.

Vic Solar promoted a false ‘Community Bulk Buy’ scheme that was “at the heart of Vic Solar’s marketing efforts” to thousands of customers.

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Beaten with a belt

By Cam Lucadou-Wells An Endeavour Hills father has been accused of beating his 12-year-old daughter to the point of her vomiting.

The 44-year-old pleaded guilty after accepting a sentence indication at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 5 May. He was charged with assault and recklessly causing injury for striking his daughter repeatedly with a belt across her neck and shoulders at home on 12 January.

He was also charged with repeatedly threatening to strike his wife with a wooden stake stored in the corner of the master bedroom.

On 12 January, the daughter was cleaning her room when the accused called out for her to turn on the TV for him.

She continued cleaning her room, so her “angered” father dragged her into the living room, a police summary stated.

As she huddled against the wall, the man removed his belt and struck her with it multiple times.

Despite pleas from his wife to stop, he con-

tinued until his daughter vomited on the floor.

The next day, a clinic’s doctor treated the daughter’s swollen and bruised neck and shoulders but didn’t seem to perceive an assault.

Remarkably the doctor recorded the injury as a ‘Ry neck’ – presumably a “wry neck” – and recommended “negative energy exercises”.

His consultation notes did not record how the injury occurred. According to police, the victim didn’t tell him the circumstances.

Two months later on 11 March, child protection officers were notified of the man’s behaviour and attended the family home.

The daughter told them about the assault.

She was taken to Endeavour Hills Police Station to report the matter.

The next day, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court issued a final intervention order to protect the victims.

On 19 April, the man was arrested. In a police interview he claimed he only threatened to strike his daughter with a belt as a “disciplinary measure”.

According to a police statement, the man

exhibited controlling behaviours such as forcing his wife to sleep on the floor.

The wife told police that she’d fled the house many times in fear of her safety.

“Now he threatens to beat me with the stick or beat the children with the stick if we are bad or talk back to him,” she stated to police.

The man denied threatening to strike his wife. He kept the stake for protection against his brothers-in-law, he claimed.

At court on 5 May, the man accepted a sentence indication of a community corrections order with unpaid work and treatment.

The man was willing to relocate back from NSW to Victoria for the CCO, his lawyer Adrienna Kisvarda said.

Magistrate Julie O’Donnell noted the seriousness of the charges. There was much utility in the man’s guilty plea by sparing his daughter from giving evidence at court.

Ms O’Donnell ordered a CCO assessment including parenting, anger management and family-violence programs.

The man will be sentenced at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 19 May.

$1m fix for unloved Springvale car park

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Springvale’s unpopular 8 Balmoral Avenue car park may be set for a proposed near-$1 million revamp in the next 12 months.

In Greater Dandenong Council’s 2021-’22 draft budget, $942,793 has been allocated to install new one-way ramps to bypass three of the car park’s tightest corners.

The six-deck, 517-space facility has been central Springvale’s great parking paradox.

It often stands more than half empty while drivers hunt for sparse on-street parking.

Greater Dandenong councillor Richard Lim said the re-design should attract drivers back.

Many had been deterred by the numerous head-on bingles and scrapes on the tight, blind corners between levels, he said.

Cars are regularly wedged at the corners for up to 20 minutes, with long traffic queues behind them. In an emergency, the result could be dire, Cr Lim says.

The project should prove cost-effective for the council in the long-term.

He said the car park would raise an extra $700,000 revenue a year if it was fully utilized, Cr Lim said.

In the past, an extra one-way ramp was installed on the first floor with successful results.

There were further flaws still to be rectified – such as moving back and painting an intrusive pillar from the diagonal chicane entrance.

More lighting and CCTV was required to make people feel safe, he said.

He’d notified Springvale senior police of issues of high-revving hoons and groups hanging out on the top deck, he said.

Cr Lim, who runs a nearby pharmacy, bought parking permits for his staff. But few

Cr Richard Lim says the half-empty car park’s redesign will more than pay for itself. 224778 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS use them – many too “scared” to walk into the dark empty car park at night.

The ‘No.8’ car park was built by private developers in 2011.

The council contributed to the construction for an extra two levels to create more public parking.

Since then, the council has fixed a litany of faults such as broken-down lifts, ticket machines, boom gates and the first level’s tight corner.

Tight-corner blackspots will become one-way.

$3 million solar fine From page 1 In door-to-door sales, consumers were “more vulnerable to predatory and unfair sales tactics because they may not have undertaken any investigation of available market prices or alternative products,” Justice O’Bryan stated.

“Some consumers may also experience heightened sales pressure when a sales representative visits their home.

“In short, the conduct involved dishonest and unfair trading practices directed to consumers in vulnerable circumstances.”

Vic Solar, which went into administration in November 2019, was unlikely to be able to pay the fine, Judge O’Bryan stated.

But it was important for the court to “mark its disapproval” of the conduct and deter others.

Neither the company nor Mr Srinivasan showed evidence of contrition, he noted.

Mr Srinivasan – who is director of Grid Support Services and Eco Connect Solutions - was disqualified from managing a corporation for five years.

Consumer Action Law Centre chief executive Gerard Brody, in response to the court’s “very positive outcome”, said the State Government needed to ban unsolicited sales of rooftop solar panels.

This would accord with the Government’s committed ban on unsolicited sales of “traditional energy”.

“As Victoria transitions to a zerocarbon future, we need to promote trust in the solar industry and door-to-door sales and cold calls only serve to undermine this trust,” Mr Brody said.

“Crucially, any ban must cover the entire solar industry and not just the companies participating in the Government’s Solar Homes Program.

“Some of the worst cases of misconduct are occurring outside of this program.”

Vic Solar has been excluded from the Solar Homes Program.

The State Government currently has no plans to ban approaches for solar panel sales, a spokesperson said.

Consumer Affairs Minister Melissa Horne advised customers to “keep an eye out for aggressive sales techniques” and report unfair business practices to Consumer Affairs Victoria.

The “strong (court) outcome puts companies doing the wrong thing on notice that they’ll be held accountable”, she said.

“Helping Victorians to save on energy bills by going solar is a key priority for the Government, and consumers should be able to investigate installing panels without the risk of being misled or ripped off.”

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Court bid for work rights

By Cam Lucadou-Wells An asylum seeker in the South East has been banned from paid work as he waits years on a legal bid to remain in Australia.

The man, effectively without a legal income, risks deportation by working cash-inhand jobs to survive.

Otherwise he and his family depend on charity, he says.

The man says his protection visa – along with his permit to work – was revoked by the Federal Government after he launched a High Court of Australia appeal to stay in the country.

He is likely to wait for up to three years for his hearing – a case that will cost him $10,000.

After close to a decade in off-shore detention centres and in Australia, he says he risks persecution if he returns to his homeland.

“I could go back to the jails. I could die and no one would ask what happened to me.”

He was denied Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) payments – a program that has been cut in recent years.

Refugee advocate Wicki Wickiramasingham said he knew a lot of asylum seekers awaiting court cases in similar destitution.

He called on the Government to reinstate bridging visas with work and Medicare permits for those awaiting judicial reviews.

“Charity can only do so much,” he said.

The Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre deputy chair told of a local elderly and chronically ill woman without rights to Medicare.

She suffered a medical emergency but could not afford to be treated in hospital.

Only the good will of doctors acting for free saved her, Mr Wickiramasingham said.

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre director Abiola Ajetomobi said the situation was a “wake-up call” for new Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews to “step up” and find permanent resettlement solutions.

Wicki Wickiramasingham says many asylum seekers are being banned from work while awaiting Picture: GARY SISSONS years for legal hearings. 235665 The Government’s “punitive policy” was robbing people seeking asylum of the chance to work, study and meaningfully contribute, she said.

In the meantime, families’ mental health deteriorated under the insecurity and uncertainty.

“How are they going to survive? They’re in

the lowest level of poverty.

“People want to be active participants in the community and they’re being robbed of that for no reason.”

The ASRC discourages people from working in cash jobs or exploitative conditions.

Our employment services teach clients about “rights and responsibilities”, Ms Ajetomobi said.

However the pressures exerted on families to make ends meet were understandable, she said.

“I don’t know any reason why someone capable of working should not be able to work.

“The Government’s asylum system has broken them. People and familes are broken.”

A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said protection visa applicants who are pursuing a judicial review “generally have permission to work if they had it on their last visa”.

A person’s eligibility for Medicare was based on their visa status, the spokesperson said.

SRSS eligibility assessments were done on a case-by-case basis.

“The SRSS program provides short-term, tailored support to individuals who are unable to support themselves while they engage with the Department of Home Affairs to resolve their immigration status.

“It is not an ongoing welfare entitlement.“ Bruce MP Julian Hill said he was not surprised by the reported cases.

“My office is seeing more and more distressing cases where vulnerable people have been left behind and abandoned by the Morrison Government.

“People treated awfully by Centrelink, and a surge in cruel decisions and delays in processing visa and citizenship applications.

“Australia is a decent country, and we can do better and treat people more fairly.”

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Principal’s pool ‘vision’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A principal devoted to improving school services in Doveton and Hallam has added his support to retaining the threatened Doveton Pool in the Park.

Greg McMahon, executive principal at Hallam Senior College, was on a Casey Council working party to develop a “vision“ of the pool’s future.

He was blindsided by the council’s bombshell proposal in March to demolish the outdoor pools for parkland.

“The reaction from all of us was we were a bit bemused. A pool was always part of our discussions then suddenly it wasn’t.

“The key is it’s still open for discussion so we’re still pursuing the idea that there’s a pool for the community.”

He and others such as Doveton-Eumemmerring Township Association, Doveton College and Our Place had put a “great deal of thought” into an alternative vision.

Their submissions, rejected by Casey, were to relocate Doveton Library to the site, with a new 25-metre ‘indoor-outdoor’ pool that could be used all year round.

It would make the heritage-listed pool a “central identity”, a hub of Doveton, Mr McMahon said.

“The pool is the one thing kids say they do in the summer. It’s a really important symbolic area and a massive recreational area in Doveton.”

It’s hard to gauge demand due to the current outdoor pools being open only on days of or above 30 degrees Celsius in December-March.

Greg McMahon, right, with Hallam Senior College partnerships manager Keith Pimblett. 193915 Picture: CAM LUCADOU-WELLS Mr McMahon said formerly threatened public pools such as Fitzroy had become vibrant recreational areas.

“With the need for more housing stock in

Dandenong, I can’t see Doveton not regenerating over time.

“It may take a generation but you have to be thinking for the next generation.”

An enclosed pool would take away the vagaries of weather, which had made it impossible for schools to book in learn-to-swim programs, Mr McMahon said.

“Our kids really need to know how to swim.

Every student is supposed to learn to swim.

“But not knowing when the pool would open or close was an issue.”

An on-site library would also be prime position for the 650 students at the adjoining Doveton College, Mr McMahon said.

The submission also included a fitness centre, kitchen, allied health offices and meeting rooms at the pool.

A Casey Council report, in rejecting the proposal, stated there were sufficient council community facilities in Doveton such as the community hub and library in Autumn Place.

There were also “accessible” aquatic centres at Dandenong Oasis, Casey ARC and Noble Park Aquatic Centre, the report stated.

Mr McMahon had led the acclaimed transformation of the adjoining Doveton College.

The “success story” comes from providing a learning space for families, not just students.

He says a hub at the pool would provide much-needed additional space for the college’s “wraparound services” including adult education, allied health and early childhood learning.

“Doveton College exceeded all expectations. That was because of the vision of people like (philanthropist) Julius Colman.

“All we want is a bit of vision for what this (pool) land will be for the next generation.”

Wood defends church and temple safety cash splash The assistant customs, community safety and multicultural affairs minster said he’d visited the congregations after they revealed their fears and anxieties.

The St Thomas Syro-Malabar Parish, a Catholic church based in Dandenong South, had been serially ransacked and vandalised.

Without security fencing and CCTV, the church was being overwhelmed. According to the church, Intruders stripped copper wiring and practically “demolished” one of the buildings “floor to ceiling”.

“I thought it was a worthy project straightaway, which would be seen favourably by assessors,” Mr Wood said.

However, the funding application was deemed ineligible due to seeking funds for new buildings or major upgrades on the site, according to assessors.

“I saw it missed out. So do I not intervene and allow the vandalism and fear to continue, or intervene and do my bit to make it a safer place for the worshippers?

“I knew I’d cop flak.”

The parish’s priest Father Fredy Eluvathingal rejected the department assessment.

He said the church would be based in exist-

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Assistant Federal Minister Jason Wood said he knew he’d “cop flak” after hand-picking churches and temples for funds to protect themselves from intruders.

Mr Wood defended his redirecting of $3 million of Safer Communities funds to protect crime-hit places of worship in Dandenong South, Cranbourne South, Keysborough and other parts of the country.

The three temples in the South East each received $300,000-plus for security measures such as alarms, CCTV, fences, lighting, bollards and external blast walls and windows.

In doing so, Mr Wood over-ruled a Home Affairs Department’s assessment which deemed their applications as either ineligible or too low-scoring on merit.

The Labor Opposition had labelled Mr Wood’s a “disgrace” and “shameful” rort that was using taxpayers’ money for “political gain”.

Mr Wood said the recipients, including in the South East, were not in marginal seats but Labor strongholds. None were in his La Trobe electorate.

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also gained grants from Mr Wood’s intervention.

In both cases, they had either a monk or priest living alone on sites that were targeted by nocturnal vandals and burglars.

Barry Jandu, a spokesperson for the Sikh Gurdwara temple, labelled the controversy as “disgusting”.

“Jason Wood has come out of his way, come to the temple, talked to the priest who felt threatened over his safety and security.

“We don’t know when will be the next time someone can walk in.

“I’m surprised they’ve had a go at Jason Wood. He helped us in a time of need.”

Mr Wood said intruders had stolen a donation box and vandalized the Cranbourne South temple late at night. It was a “potentially dangerous” situation for the lone monk on site, he said.

“There’s no way I’m not going to hear their issues. My No.1 issue is protecting our community, particularly our multicultural community.

“When there was potential of something sinister happening I had no option but to intervene.”

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ing buildings with “minor refurbishments”.

Its function centre hosted meetings and bible classes during the day on the site.

Fr Eluvathingal said looters visited at least six times since it was granted a council permit to conduct a place of worship several months ago.

The parish sought Federal funding for CCTV, lighting, fencing and alarms before they could open the church – which had been five years in the planning.

“The vandalism was of such an extent, we couldn’t worship there. From floor to ceiling, they had demolished it.

“Every piece of copper cable was stolen, the electric meter was destroyed. Even our metal fencing panels were stolen overnight.

“Our community members are afraid of coming to the property.”

Fr Eluvathingal was shocked that his parish is now embroiled in political scandal.

“I don’t know the Minister involved (Mr Wood). I’m a simple parish priest.”

The Buddhist Meditation Association of Victoria temple in Cranbourne South and the Sikh Gurdwara temple in Keysborough

STAR JOURNAL 5

NEWS

Laundry fire CFA warning CFA has warned on the potential of laundry fires after a clothes dryer ignited a home fire in Bangholme on Sunday 2 May. Two crews from Carrum Downs CFA as well as FRV firefighters were called out to the small lodge property about 7.30pm.

They contained the blaze to the home’s laundry and removed the dryer from the house. The fire was brought under control in about 20 minutes, the CFA stated.

Carrum Downs brigade captain Terry Larkin said the occupant safely fled from the scene.

“Thankfully, they shut the door of the laundry room, which assisted crews in containing the fire to the one room, making it more difficult for the fire to travel through rest of the house.”

The CFA stated it was important for resi-

dents to maintain their laundry electrical appliances and to safely store chemicals to prevent fires, burns and chemical accidents.

Other safety tips are: Keep electrical appliances and cords away from water.

Always let the clothes dryer complete its cooldown cycle before stopping.

Clean the lint filter after each use.

Don’t use a clothes dryer without a lint filter or with a lint filter that is loose or damaged.

Clean the back of the dryer regularly to prevent a build-up of lint.

Turn your clothes dryer off when you are not home or sleeping.

Make sure that the clothes dryer has adequate ventilation to prevent overheating.

· · · · · · ·

A laundry fire in Bangholme sparked a warning from CFA.

Community hub consultations begin this month

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong Council has announced public consultations on the shape and sweep of Dandenong’s long-awaited community hub.

Residents and groups are invited to attend one of three public workshops held at Dandenong Civic Centre in May. They can be attended in person or viewed online.

The long-awaited hub is expected to offer complementary services, facilities and func-

tions for groups and residents to meet under one roof in central Dandenong.

A location has yet to be decided, with the council recently starting on a business case and concept plan.

Dandenong Community Association spokesperson Silvia Mastrogiovanni recently stated that Dandenong needed a “neighbourhood hub”.

“We need … a positive place with a home like feel where Dandenong residents can relax, connect and learn as well as get access

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to modern children’s services like other suburbs.

“Covid-19 has shown what the cost of feeling disconnected is. A new heart for Dandenong is what is needed for what sometimes feels like a fragmented suburb for residents.”

In its draft 2021-’22 budget, the council allocated $325,000 towards detailed design.

Melbourne-based architecture firm Croxon Ramsey with public-consultation specialists Outside of the Square Creative Consulting have been hired.

The hub is expected to be built and opened by 2024.

The workshops are on Thursday 13 May 7pm, Tuesday 25 May 10am, and Thursday 27 May, 7pm.

To register for one of the workshops, go to https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/ dandenong-hub-open-workshop For those unable to attend, feedback can be emailed to community.consultation@cgd. vic.gov.au with the subject title Dandenong Community Hub, or call 8571 5370.

Expression of Interest Multicultural Communities Network The City of Greater Dandenong is seeking expressions of interest from members of the community to join the Multicultural Communities Network.

The newly formed Network will provide advice and feedback on Council’s plans, strategies, frameworks, and policies where community consultation is sought.

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Call for ‘secret’ report

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier has requested a copy of a ‘secret’ letter that purportedly exonerated I Cook Foods on the day of its enforced closure by health authorities.

Ms Crozier told State Parliament that she lodged freedom-of-information requests for “critical correspondence” sent by Knox City Council to the state’s health department on 22 February 2019.

It was allegedly sent the same day that the Dandenong South-based ICF was closed by the department as part of an investigation into a patient’s death from an alleged listeria infection at Knox Private Hospital.

By the time it re-opened six weeks later, the business was destroyed. Forty-one employees lost their jobs.

“Such is the seriousness of these allegations regarding the circumstances that led to the closure of I Cook Foods, I have also written to the Chief Commissioner of Police alerting him to the FOI lodged with Knox City Council, highlighting to him the potentially critically important nature of the requested correspondence.”

Ms Crozier and ICF director Ian Cook say they were approached by a person who claimed the letter asserts that the patient did not eat ICF sandwiches.

She was allegedly on a “special diet” that excluded sandwiches.

Mr Cook says he had received an “almost completely blacked-out” redacted version of the document under FOI last year.

“We always knew there was something in this report.”

He said it emboldened “conspiracy theories” about why ICF was closed by the authorities.

“If they just made a terrible mistake in clos-

Ian Cook claims health authorities knew he was innocent at the time of his closure. 202497 ing us, why didn’t they fix it?”

The alleged contents are at odds with State Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton’s testimony to a 2020 Parliamentary inquiry into ICF’s closure.

He told the inquiry that the patient was reportedly “fond of eating the sandwiches provided in hospital” – all supplied by caterer ICF. “Whilst in hospital the patient only consumed food from the hospital, with all food provided by Knox Private Hospital’s sole caterer, I Cook Foods”, Professor Sutton said.

When asked about the alleged ‘secret’ document, a Knox City Council spokesperson said: “Our only role was to evaluate food handling practices at Knox Private Hospital.”

“Our assessment determined that food

handling practices at the hospital were compliant.

“Knox City Council took no further part in the (Department of Health and Human Services) investigation.”

ICF is suing the Department of Health and Greater Dandenong Council over what it asserts was a wrongful closure of its business.

Among its allegations is that a council officer planted a live slug during a factory inspection.

In August, a Parliamentary inquiry into the matter found the ICF closure was “valid” but “not fair”.

Victoria Police is reviewing its closed investigation into the circumstances of the closure.

In 2019, Greater Dandenong Council laid 96

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

A picture of the slug as submitted by City of Greater Dandenong to the Parliamentary inquiry into I Cook Foods’ closure. 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.

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Tool to address self-risk

By Danielle Kutchel Artificial intelligence could be the next great tool in preventing suicide.

Social enterprise Life Central Services has partnered with a number of other organisations, including Suicide Safer Communities, Helpnet, Black Ink Holdings and Sherlock Intelligence Systems, to develop ASSAT - Aggregate Suicide Safety Assessment Tool.

ASSAT’s software provides real-time assessments of suicide risk, taking into account data on things like geographical location and school.

Paired with that data, ASSAT can allow its user to find trends and patterns that can pinpoint potential locations of suicide clusters.

At a launch event on Thursday 22 April, stakeholders and supporters gathered at Larte Centre Cafe in Cranbourne East to hear more about the tool and its uses.

Drew Gormlie, director of Life Central Services and Suicide Safer Communities, told the crowd that his “journey to suicide prevention was not an intended one”.

After completing suicide prevention training, he discovered that suicide was “a huge issue” in the south east, with a significant cluster amongst youth.

He and Debra Croft, prevention services director at Life Central and principle designer of Suicide Safer Communities’ programs, trained as many people as they could in suicide prevention techniques over the next couple of years.

“We still felt like we were trying to hold the tide back with a bucket,” he said.

But when a suitcase fell on Ms Croft’s head, their hopes and goals took a new turn.

On a plane trip home from the US, Ms Croft was hit on the head by a suitcase as it fell out of an overhead locker.

Its owner sat next to her, and the two began

Drew Gormlie of Life Central Services. chatting on the way home.

As it turned out, the stranger worked in IT and had been involved in the development of the platform that was to become Watson, now a question-answering computer program.

“It occurred to me: if I could give him the right data, could he tell me where the next suicide cluster will be?” Ms Croft told the room.

“Our governments could then go in and do pre-emptive work and prevent that suicide loss.”

Michael Findlay, who helped develop Sherlock, with Debra Croft.

The man said it could be done, and they began work on developing what would become Sherlock, the technology behind ASSAT. Mr Gormlie said the technology is unique in the world.

“It promises to allow us to identify the complex nature of contributing risk factors in real time,” he said.

“It’ll assess it right now so we can address complex issues in the community right now.

“It’s complex technology that has never

been done before.”

The project attracted ATO support and is now close to commercialisation.

The next move is to take the Suicide Safer Communities framework and new artificial intelligence software to the town of Corryong, which has recently experienced multiple youth suicides and mental health issues.

To find out more, visit https://suicidesafercommunities.org.au/

CHECK IN NOW

Click here to check in

CHECKING IN KEEPS US SAFE Victoria, it’s up to all of us to keep checking in.

It’s the best way to stop the spread of coronavirus, and keep protecting our businesses, communities, and each other.

So let’s all keep it up.

Because checking in keeps us safe and open.

For more information visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne 12494306-SN20-21

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Tuesday, 11 May, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 9

LOOKING BACK

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

metal road, it is difficult to make it bind, and it will lie rolling about the road for years, making a perfect trap for crippling horses.

The Journal 10 May 2021

100 years ago 12 May 1921 Road Making Letters to the Editor Sir - I desire to point out the mistake, that is often made, in making blue metal roads where sand is convenient; and not overmuch traffic.

For Bush roads with moderate traffic, sand with as much soil as will make it bind, makes a very much better road than blue metal, and a great saving of horses’ feet, whether shod of unshod. White loam, that is to be found almost everywhere that spear-grass grows, is the next best thing when road is formed. Of course any road requires a little attention; a sand and loam road can be repaired much better than a blue metal one. In repairing a

A Crichton 50 years 11 May 1971 Trees in danger of axe The attractive line of claret ash trees in Power Street Dandenong could feel the axe this morning following a recommendation to last night’s city council meeting. Because of the damage caused by root systems to the footpath and fencing, the council’s engineering department is reluctantly pressing for their removal. Immediate replacement of non deciduous varieties is planned between McCrae and McPherson Sts.

20 years ago 14 May 2001

CRACKER Greater Dandenong has continued its resurgence as a hub of industry after wooing Japanese-owed snack food company to build a $10m food manufacturing plant and create 220 jobs. The announcement is a coup for the council’s economic development unit who helped convince Terra Harvest Food managing director Al Lewin that Dandenong was the best place to base his company’s Australian manufacturing and exporting operations. Mr Lewin said he looked all over Victoria before deciding on Dandenong’s South Park Industrial Estate in Greens Road.

5 years ago 9 May 2016 Judge thanked by accused A man smiled and uttered “thank God, yes” as a court slapped him with a five-year inter-

vention order to protect his ex-partner and her two children.

The 33-year-old was accused of twice choking the ex-partner in her home in defiance of an earlier full intervention order. At the time he was serving a community corrections order for threading to kill a mechanic who he believed was having an affair with his ex-partner. His offences included disqualified driving, assault, intentionally causing injury as well as criminal damage for allegedly shattering a glass cake holder at a Narre Warren Kebab outlet. During a police interview over the incident he showed no remorse and made jokes, the court was told.

The man was accused of six breaches of an intervention order since October by attending the ex-partner’s home. A defence lawyer said the accused pleaded guilty to the driving and criminal damage charges but contested the recent family violence-related offences.

LETTERS Why Doveton Pool matters Doveton-Eumemmerring Township Association (DETA) is aware that Casey Council has put forward their arguments in defence of their proposal to remove all pools from the Doveton Pool In the Park precinct.

We would like to put forward our own arguments and rationale for wanting to retain some or all of the pools.

They are as follows: Casey only has two public indoor pools and one outdoor pool (Doveton), yet it is the largest municipality by population in Victoria and one of the fastest growing in Australia.

The existing public pools are currently overcrowded. It makes sense to retain and promote an existing pool rather than close it down and potentially have to build another one, on another site, in the future when it becomes necessary.

Doveton is the third most disadvantaged suburb in Victoria, according to the respected Dropping of the Edge Report prepared by Jesuit Social Services. The ABS SEIFA rankings of relative advantage/disadvantage also includes Doveton in the top 10 most disadvantaged suburbs in Victoria.

Communities of high disadvantage like

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Doveton require additional support and special consideration for the needs and wellbeing of residents, especially young people.

If young people have a safe and affordable local meeting space, like the Doveton Pool, they are less likely to engage in anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.

Multicultural Importance: Doveton and surrounding suburbs have very culturally and ethnically-diverse populations, with many recently-arrived families. It is vital that these groups have access to a local and affordable place for swimming, to reduce high instances of drowning and death of children. The Doveton Pool is a safer alternative to creeks and other waterways. This was the original reason for the pool being built 50 years ago and remains as important as ever.

The Doveton Pool has had little opportunity to be economically viable in recent years, due to heavily-reduced opening hours and lack of local engagement with the community and the schools.

The pool is used regularly by schools and swim groups from across Casey and the outer south east. Doveton Pool is uniquely suited for these types of events.

During the 2020 COVID restrictions, DPIP, being outdoor, was the only pool that was able

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to open in the municipality and supported many residents and swimming groups during a very difficult period. Doveton residents were proud to welcome groups from across Casey and support them through this difficult time.

Long-term need: The Doveton/Eumemmerring population is rapidly expanding due to rezoning, subdivision and the creation of three new infill estates by developers. This growth is also occurring in neighbouring suburbs and any decision to remove the pool now would be short sighted.

The Doveton Pool in the Park site is large enough to both retain a pool and recreation facility and also meet the needs for more open space, as outlined in Casey Council’s Open Space assessment. By working together, if all parties are willing, we can find a better solution.

There are many options to help fund the upgrade of the pool that are yet to be considered, including: pool memberships, community partnerships, philanthropic contributions, developer levies and government grants.

The pool presents a great way to build and strengthen a disadvantaged community. Together we need to look at the opportunities

that this historic and unique asset offers, rather than simply focusing on the perceived deficits identified by the council.

Joshua Oostwoud, Vice-chair Doveton-Eumemmerring Township Association (DETA)

War crimes must be pursued I note that as Australia is withdrawing from Afghanistan there are calls to drop the investigations into war crimes. Whilst I agree that the war was ill conceived, treated as an orphan and given insufficient political and intellectual attention to the detriment of the soldiers, I feel dropping the war crimes action would be a mistake.

It is one thing to make a mistake, it is another thing entirely to abrogate your own values.

The mistakes and indeed arguable negligence of those higher in the chain of command are a mitigating factor only and cannot be used to avoid responsibility for your actions.

Indeed understanding and sticking to our values is what marks us as predictable and therefore somebody whom other people can do business with.

Kevin Walsh RFD, Major RAINF (ret’d), Former Mayor of Greater Dandenong

NEWS

Concentrate for success

By Ursula Aruma of Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation of Australia and PNG Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment.

With the majority, the bark of thought is allowed to “drift” aimlessly.

Such drifting must not continue for those who want to steer clear of catastrophe and destruction.

They who have no central purpose in life fall easy prey to worries, fears, troubles, and self-pitying. All are indications of weakness, which lead to failure, unhappiness, and loss.

Concentration will enable one, whoever they are, whatever the activity they are engaged in, to finish it much better than otherwise.

Whether in material assignments, or in ordinary day-to-day work or in spiritual effort, concentration of mental energies is a must, if success is to be achieved.

It is the key that can open the treasurechest of wisdom.

A person should steadily focus their thought forces upon the object which they have set before them.

They should devote themselves to its attainment, not allowing their thoughts to wander away into fancies, longings, and imaginings.

This is the royal road to self-control and true concentration of thought.

Even if they fail again and again to accomplish their purpose (as they necessarily must until weakness is overcome), the strength of character gained will be the measure of their true success.

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Tuesday, 11 May, 2021

MESSAGE OF

HOPE And this will form a new starting point for future power and triumph.

Concentration is essential for all.

It is needed not only for meditation, but even for worldly affairs and ordinary living.

Whatever be the task one is engaged in, if one does it with concentration, one will develop both self-confidence and self-respect.

Concentrated attention must be employed to keep the mind attached only to good promptings. Success or failure in the good task depends upon one-pointedness.

One-pointedness will increase power and skill.

It is acquired by concentration.

From this, a person should develop interest in meditation.

Of course, one may yearn to hear music and derive joy therefrom; or see the bodies of near relatives who have died and derive sorrow therefrom!

Yearning may thus have pleasant or even unpleasant consequences.

Yearning must have the strength to inspire endeavour.

When yearning is weak, endeavour declines; when one is strong the other too is active.

Ursula Aruma attests to the power of one-pointedness.

Meditation gives concentration and success in all tasks.

I pray that as a community we will unite

together for the upliftment of all people and find hope as we try these simple recommendations. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Surge in vaccine demand

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Covid-19 vaccine bookings have rebounded despite widespread publicity of blood clotting side-effects, a Keysborough clinic has reported.

As of 10 May, there have been 11 Australian cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia linked to the Astrazeneca vaccine.

The innoculation is still considered lowrisk, particularly for over-50’s and considering 1.4 million doses have been injected.

Keys Medical Centre in Keysborough reported vaccine recipients plummeted to a handful a day after news of the first clotting cases in Australia.

Clinic manager Riekie Jooste said numbers have restored to a “fully booked” 100 a week since over-50s became eligible.

Out of about 400 patients, two have reported mild complications such as joint aches.

“With anything there could be a side-effect.

There’s patients that have had side-effects from the Pfizer vaccine in America.

“This is a trial for every person.”

The clinic is among few in Greater Dandenong that is booking in patients from other GP clinics.

Ms Jooste says the challenge now is to spread the workload across more clinics.

Particularly from 17 May, when the program opens up to all over-50’s.

“Our question is are all the other medical centres going to provide the vaccine?

“South East Melbourne Primary Health Network still don’t know.”

From the start, the Keys clinic’s staff have faced fierce abuse especially from walk-up visitors expecting a vaccination without booking.

“Sometimes I ask is it worth doing other medical centres’ patients when they come and cause a lot of trouble.

“They don’t realise we’re not a mass vacci-

Keys Medical Centre staff Argime Lumamovska and Bianca Samperi have a fully booked waiting list for Covid vaccine patients. 236540 Picture: GARY SISSONS nation centre. They can’t just walk in.

“We run at a big loss from doing this, but patients come first. We make sure they have a chance to talk to the doctors about side-effects.”

The vaccine roll-out could well become an annual event, updating for new strains like the flu shot, Ms Jooste says.

“No one knows when it will stop. This could

be a thing that stays with us.”

Meanwhile, Dandenong Hospital is also providing pre-booked vaccinations for groups 1A and 1B. Monash Health recently opened a mass vaccination centre at Cranbourne Turf Club.

“We’ve seen high demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine at our Cranbourne high-volume vaccination centre,” a spokesperson said.

“Walk ins are welcome at this location, but we encourage everyone to book their vaccine appointment by calling 1800 675 398.”

About 85 per cent of Monash Health’s Phase 1A healthcare workers had received their first of two vaccine doses.

For details on Covid-19 vaccination, speak to your GP or go to www.health.gov.au

Vaccination hub open for business in the south east

By Danielle Kutchel The south east is now home to a major vaccination hub with the opening of a centre at Cranbourne Turf Club.

The club opened as one of Victoria’s newest vaccination hubs on Tuesday 4 May to a queue of locals ready to roll up their sleeves.

Run by Monash Health, the hub will take walk-ins but bookings are encouraged.

Nurses there are administering the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is the preferred vaccine for those in the over-50 age group, and has been shown to be effective against Covid-19 in clinical trials.

The opening comes as Australia’s vaccine rollout opens to Phase 2A patients - those over the age of 50.

The Cranbourne hub was expected to vaccinate between 300 and 400 people in its first day alone.

Andrew Smith was the first one to receive the shot at Cranbourne, and said he had been looking forward to it.

“I think being vaccinated is a good idea, I think most people will take up the offer,” he said.

Geraldine McKenzie was also among the first to be vaccinated and said after seeing the queue, she was glad she had made an appointment.

She said she plans to bring her 100-yearold mother to the hub soon to receive her shot too.

“It’s excellent to have had it done, I hope everyone does,” she said.

“Get your jab!”

Also among those in the queue was Juan Carlos Loyola from Doveton Special Soccer School.

“I’m very happy. It’s something that is very good not just for myself, but for my family and my community,” he said of his immunisation.

“It feels like the right thing to do.

“As a leader of a group in the community, I’m encouraging them to do it.” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Juan Carlos Loyola gets the vaccine. 236118

Geraldine McKenzie rolls up her sleeve for the vaccine at the Cranbourne Turf Club. 236118 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Locals queue for their jab. 236118

He said Australia was in a fortunate position compared with other countries like India, and his own homeland in South America, which could explain why some people were hesitant to book in for a jab.

“We have two choices: live with fear in the house, not going out, or we get the vaccination, listen to the advice from the government and enjoy life. I really enjoy the second option!” he said.

“My message for my community is: just do it, don’t be scared, because in the long run we will get the benefit of being free of all these problems.”

Jeroen Weimar, Victoria’s testing chief, dropped into the Cranbourne facility to receive his shot on Tuesday 4 May.

team, which is producing the AstraZeneca vaccine, as well as the army of scientists and medical professionals in Australia and around the world who helped develop the medicines.

Mr Weimar encouraged the community to go and get their shots when they became eligible.

“When it’s your turn, just get vaccinated.

Let’s get it done,” he said.

The vaccination hub is located at Cranbourne Turf Club, 50 Grant Street, Cranbourne and is open from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week. Walk-ins are welcome between 9am and 4pm daily.

To book your appointment, call the Department of Health on 1800 675 398.

He described the vaccination as “an emotional moment”.

“It’s like a physical turning point but also a symbolic turning point – now, we’re on our way back,” he told Star News.

“Exactly a year ago we were in our first lockdown and you couldn’t see a way out of it.

“Here we are a year later, we’ve got 530,000 or so Victorians vaccinated.

“It’s a start – we’ve got a long way to go, but if we can get the vaccine to people, if we all keep hold of zero community transmission, then you can finally see the beginning of the end.”

He thanked the Melbourne-based CSL

Tuesday, 11 May, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 11

NEWS

Hayden from Saint Anthony’s Primary School is pumped after his goal. 232431

Paul Wade presents the cup to St Anthony’s Primary. 232431

Skills galore at St John’s More than 200 young footballers showed off their skills in front of former Socceroo skipper Paul Wade at St John’s Regional College, Dandenong.

Boys and girls from St John’s seven feeder primary schools were tussling for the annual Paul Wade Cup on 3 May. In the final, St Anthony’s Primary School in Noble Park won a 4-2 scorefest against the Endeavour Hills-based St Paul Apostle North Primary School.

Other teams hailed from St Gerard’s Primary, Holy Family School, St Paul’s Apostle South, St Kevin’s Primary, St Francis De Sales Primary and St Mary’s Primary.

Mr Wade, an 118-game international, presented the winner’s trophy named in his honour.

The tournament was organised by St John’s VCAL and Year 9 soccer academy students as well as Olympiacos Melbourne Football Club.

Saint Anthony’s Primary School players with Paul Wade and the cup. 232431

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Saint Anthony’s Primary School students Ashuel, Raffaele and Hayden celebrate. 232431

Paul Wade with St John’s Regional College VCAL students Chante and Matt at the tournament.

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St Paul Apostle Primary School players celebrate a goal. 232431 12 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 11 May, 2021

Raffaele after he scores for St Anthony’s Primary School. 232431

Aaron from St Paul Apostle North Primary School celebrates his goal in fine style. 232431 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

IN BRIEF

No-chop shopping

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong Council has ditched a proposal to remove street trees from Buckingham Avenue, Springvale.

The council prepared a report on replacing six trees with parking spaces between Balmoral and Windsor avenues.

Springvale Central Ward councillor Richard Lim said he and other councillors didn’t support the move.

This was especially in light of the proposed $943,000 works to upgrade the under-utlilised 517-space car park at 8 Balmoral Avenue.

“Six car spots isn’t going to make a difference. I want more trees to make Springvale streets more attractive.”

The idea to remove the trees had been raised by previous councillor Youhorn Chea in August 2020, two months before he retired.

He said shoppers would at times search up to an hour for on-street parking. Six extra parking bays would cater for up to 70 cars a day.

Cr Chea noted that he’d long supported more tree planting in parks, but more parking was “very important” for businesses and residents.

“I’m not in any way opposed to planting trees,” he said.

According to Cr Lim, Buckingham Avenue could be partly covered by a roof in a bid to create a “tourist strip”. It could host live bands on weekend nights.

It would complement the adjoining public square, Multicultural Space, which could also potentially include a roof, TV screen and extra seating.

The precinct could be a greater attraction than the upcoming Springvale Boulevard, he said.

Cr Lim was wary of the disruption to traders from the $6 million first stage works

One of the six trees saved from the axe on Buckingham Avenue, Springvale. 214157 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS on Springvale Boulevard.

The 12-month project involves a full streetscape upgrade of the road and footpaths on Springvale Road between Balmoral and Windsor avenues.

There are expected to be local impacts such as traffic management, noise, dust and nighttime construction works.

Greater Dandenong Council stated that pedestrian access and signage to shops will be maintained during the works.

The ‘boulevard’ will feature widened footpaths, trees with year-round shade, garden beds and better street lighting.

The aim is to improve pedestrian movement and safety and offer better shopping and

A concept drawing of the future Springvale Boulevard from Post Office Lane. dining experiences as well as spaces for community events.

The project is due for completion in mid2022.

By Danielle Kutchel

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

Police have uncovered a 44-year-old alleged offender hiding in a pile of clothes in his Keysborough bedroom.

The man was accused of pointing a laser at a police helicopter, police stated on 3 May. Police officers in the Air Wing directed officers on the ground to a house in Amanda Court.

They found the laser hidden in a basket in the front yard, police say. The man was found during a search of the home.

The 44-year-old was expected to be charged on summons with prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft, interfering with crew or aircraft, reckless conduct endangering life, possessing a prohibited weapon and assault police

Three arrested in Noble Park raid

Cheers and happy tears for Barbara Surprise parties are difficult to pull off – but clients and staff at Cornerstone Contact Centre have managed to successfully surprise one of their own with a special celebration.

Long-serving volunteer Barbara cried tears of joy when her services were recognised at a lunch last week.

The centre’s clients gathered for their usual lunch on Tuesday 4 May, with Barbara manning the water station – little knowing that there was a surprise waiting in the wings.

Cornerstone CEO Naomi Paterson ran guests through the week’s upcoming diary dates before springing the news of Barbara’s 22 years of volunteering with the centre, to cheers and much applause.

Federal Bruce MP Julian Hill presented the shocked volunteer with a beautiful bouquet and praised her work in a short speech.

“Twenty-two years of service to the community is a wonderful milestone,” he said.

“On behalf of everyone over so many years that you’ve helped, served, supported and given a nice smile or warm words to, it is wonderful.

“It’s more than just a meal, it’s a sense of community and people to have a word to and a laugh and smile with, and to make some friends, so thankyou Barbara for making it such a pleasure.”

Somehow, the secret was kept safe over months of planning and Barbara said she had had no idea of the centre’s plans for her celebration.

“I’m dumbfounded, I was shaking. It’s just so beautiful for somebody to do this,” she said.

Barbara recalled that it was her neighbour who first introduced her to Cornerstone more than two decades ago – and after her first visit, she very nearly didn’t come back.

An unfortunate incident in which she accidentally sprayed whipped cream up the wall caused her some embarrassment – but despite it all, she’s been coming back ever since.

She said the clients are part of the reason

Laser offender uncovered

Three people have been arrested by police during a drug raid of a Noble Park home on Thursday 29 April.

Dandenong Divisional Response Unit officers seized illicit drugs believed to be cannabis, meth and 1,4-butanediol as well as cash and weapons such as a knife, a compound bow and a baton, police say.

Ammunition, gun powder and alleged stolen goods including a drone, passports, identity cards and driver licenses were also reportedly seized by police.

A 34-year-old man, a 37-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man were arrested at the scene at Corrigan Road.

They were taken to Dandenong police station, interviewed and charged with possessing drugs of dependence and making a false document.

One of them was remanded in custody, another bailed and the other released pending summons.

Man charged over factory fire A 31-year-old man has been charged over a factory fire in Rodeo Drive, Dandenong South.

The blaze started about 8.50pm on Tuesday 4 March, causing significant damage, police say.

The Narre Warren man was arrested soon afterwards.

Greater Dandenong CIU detectives charged him with arson and burglary.

He was remanded in custody to appear at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.

$57m super unclaimed An estimated $57 million in superannuation lies unclaimed in the Bruce federal electorate.

Bruce MP Julian Hill said a few minutes tracking lost super could save local workers thousands of dollars.

“People might not be aware that they have multiple funds, or what super contributions they have lost when they have changed jobs.

“A few minutes spent tracking down lost superannuation could save local workers thousands of dollars.”

Details: www.ato.gov.au/Forms/Searchingfor-lost-super/

38 more police in South East

Barbara has volunteered at Cornerstone for 22 years. 236037

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Naomi Paterson with volunteer Barbara.

Bruce MP Julian Hill with volunteer Barbara.

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she has stayed for so long.

“They can drive you nuts, but I drive them nuts too – I give back!” she laughed.

“I have learned a lot from them. I’m very streetwise now.”

And she won’t be hanging up the apron anytime soon.

Although Barbara conceded she’s “not getting any younger”, she said she would love to keep volunteering at Cornerstone for as long as she is able.

“I think if I could get to 25 years I’d be happy,” she said – before being lost in a crowd of well-wishers.

The South East is set to receive one of the largest allocations of extra police officers in Melbourne over the next 12 months.

Victoria Police announced an extra 38 officers in Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong as part of 396 across Victoria.

It was just behind the state’s biggest deployment of 44 in Melbourne’s Westgate division in the West and North West.

Greater Dandenong will receive nine more officers, Cardinia six and Casey five.

Ten extra highway patrol members and five more crime scene services officers will be shared across the South East.

The new recruits are training at the Police Academy and will be deployed from October.

The latest deployment is the final stage of 2729 new officers funded by the State Government since 2018 Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said it was a “milestone for the biggest recruitment drive in Victoria Police’s history”.

“In particular, this allocation will see 15 more police going to our Professional Standards Command. Of those, 11 officers will be responsible for developing a specialised unit dedicated to investigating family violence committed by Victoria Police employees.

“Some of these resources will also be there to support our complainants and victims.”

Six police would be sent to a new division to tackle cyber crime.

Tuesday, 11 May, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 13

NEWS

Bridge swings into place A massive rail bridge has been inched into place over Eumemmerring Creek.

The 63-metre bridge, which is part of the duplication of the track between Dandenong and Cranbourne, was slid across the creek by a team of 50 workers.

It had been pieced together from steel segments trucked in from Geelong, before being hoisted into place in three days.

After 60,000 hours of design-and-construction, the 340 tonnes of Australian steel with

11,600 steel bolts was maneuvered by steel strands connected to a launch runway.

The plan avoided damage to the waterway or sensitive vegetation.

Workers are expected to return to lay railway track at the site this year.

The $1 billion Cranbourne line upgrade includes eight kilometres of duplicated track, a new Merinda Park station and the removal of three level crossings.

The new rail bridge next to its existing companion bridge.

An aerial shot of the new rail bridge over Eumemmerring Creek.

Fifty workers inched the giant bridge across the banks of Eumemmering Creek.

Enjoy Eid festival fun

Sarim, 2, poses on a crescent moon at Armada Dandenong Plaza.

An Eid Festival celebrating the end of the Ramadan fast will be held at Armada Dandenong Plaza.

The shopping centre will host an Eid Festival Fun Day on 15 May including an animal farm, kid’s earmuff decoration craft station, face painting, cooking demonstrations and henna art.

Free showbags will be offered by selected retailers while stocks last.

Eid al-Fitr – the Festival of Breaking the Fast – is celebrated by Muslims worldwide as the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting in Ramadan.

A crescent moon is on display at the plaza’s centre court. It’s symbolic of Ramadan, which starts when the moon is sighted in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Plaza centre manager Mark Tannahill said Ramadan and Eid were significant calendar events observed by many of the centre’s retailers, customers, contractors and staff.

“The Eid Family Fun Day will be an inclusive event and a great way for the whole community to come together.”

The family fun day is on Saturday 15 May 11am-2pm at Armada Dandenong Plaza. Details: www.armadadandenongplaza.com.au

WHAT’S ON 8664 or theopendoor@ssjg.org.au

National photo comp See stunning photos by 130 of Australia’s best photographers at Warragul Camera Club’s 48th National Photographic Competition and Exhibition. Entry is free to see more than 400 photographic works, including landscape/seascape, nature, portrait, rural Australia and animals.

High-quality full-colour comprehensive catalogues available.

Friday 14 May - Sunday 16 May, 10am-4pm at the West Gippsland Art Centre, Warragul.

Neighbourhood Watch

WASEMA Women’s Friendship Cafe is a welcoming environment for women to relax, make

All welcome to a public Q&A forum hosted by Neighbourhood Watch Greater Dandenong.

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My Aged Care navigator A free confidential drop-in service that gives you independent information about home care packages from many providers and how to access them. The session is facilitated by COTA ( Council of the Ageing). Off street parking available.

Wednesday 12 May, 2pm-3.30pm at North Dandenong Neighbourhood House, 15 Latham Crescent, Dandenong North.

Voices of Casey

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Tuesday, 11 May, 2021

Voices of Casey brings you ’Reflections’, a song suite covering thoughts about the past and present - their first post-Covid concert.

Sunday 16 May from 2.30pm at Fiddlers Green Auditorium, 57 Gloucester Avenue, Berwick; Adults $15, under 15 $10, Fiddlers Green residents $10. Bookings: 0412 741 195.

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Writing Group

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Fun for retirees The Combined Probus Club of Waverley Gardens has re-commenced its club general meetings.

New members and visitors are welcome. Have a coffee, listen to a guest speaker and join other organised activities.

9.45am-noon on last Tuesday of the month at the Southern Community Centre, Southern Reserve, Rupert Drive, Mulgrave. Details: Don, 9560 6046 or wavgardcomprob@gmail.com

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Are you interested in awakening your inner writer? A monthly, organic group of creative writers brainstorm ideas, do timed exercises, share prompts and pieces written at home in a fun and relaxed manner.

Thursday 13 May 10am-12pm at The Open Door, 110 Ann St, Dandenong; gold coin donation welcome. Bookings: Jo or Tayla, 9791

O’Donoghue Centre, 18-34 Buckley Street Noble Park. Details: Dawn, 0407 325 030 or president@nhwgreaterdandenong.org

North.

Friendship cafe

Great Set of Teeth

Picture: EMMA FLEETWOOD

Mens Shed friends, share experiences, learn new skills and connect to services and opportunities.

Wednesdays 9.30am-12.30pm (during school term) at North Dandenong Neighbourhood House, off Latham Crescent, Dandenong

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Guest speakers are Victoria Police Senior Sergeant Debra Lay and Greater Dandenong Council officer Peter Johnstone. Personal alarms and anti-theft car number plate screws available.

Wednesday 19 May 7.30pm at Paddy

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Keysmen Shed is a place for men to talk, joke, work, play and socialise in a fully-equipped kitchen and workshop. New members welcome.

Fridays 9am-1.30pm behind Keysborough Learning Centre, Caribbean Drive, Keysborough. BYO lunch.

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EVERY WEEK Pick up your favourite local newspaper, the Dandenong Star Journal or Endeavour Hills Doveton Hallam Star Journal from local outlets listed below or subscribe to our digital edition and have it sent to your device every week!

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Tuesday, 11 May, 2021

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SPORT

His passion will be sorely missed by the Panthers. 202622

Picture: ARJ GIESE

Nanopoulos after his remarkable 8/16 last season. 224496 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Panthers stalwart departs

By Tyler Lewis It’s the end of an era!

James Nanopoulos’ glorious tenure at the Dandenong Cricket Club has come to an end, with the electrifying all-rounder joining Victorian Premier Cricket rival Frankston Peninsula.

Nanopoulos joins old friend, Paul Boraston, who now coaches the young Heat group.

After almost two decades at Dandenong, Nanopoulos is looking forward to playing alongside a young group and the change of scenery.

“It’s the fresh start and trying to teach some young kids how to improve their game and get the best out of themselves,” he said.

“For me, get back to proving to some new faces that I can still compete and do well.

“Hopefully it will keep me pretty fresh.

“I have been at Dandenong for 17 years, I don’t really know much different.

“Obviously I go in with open eyes and ears, I’ll listen and learn to take in some new stuff.

“I guess playing against them might be a bit weird, but once we get out there it hopefully be all systems go.

“I loved my time at Dandenong, wouldn’t trade it in for anything,” Nanopoulos said.

The attacking all-rounder leaves the club after a 236-game stretch after walking through the gates of Shepley Oval as a fresh-faced 15 year old, needing to be guided along, he got exactly that in a club treasure.1 “To come through and start as a kid, finish as an adult, it has been a long ride and an enjoyable one at that,” he said.

“Liz (Williamson) nurtured me through as a kid.

“She is an absolute champion, she has been a massive influence on my cricket at Dandenong.

“I couldn’t possibly thank her enough for everything she has done over the past 10 or 12 years she has been there.

“She is unbelievable,” Nanopoulos said.

As for joining his new side, Nanopoulos is linking up with a fellow exciting all-rounder in Frankston’s Brodie Symons.

“He’s a beauty! He bats, bowls, fields and has got all the skills,” he said.

“Cricket Victoria have obviously ear marked him with some potential.

“Hopefully I can teach him a few things and he can really stamp himself on the competition and then go a bit higher,” Nanopoulos said.

No player has played more Victorian Premier Cricket games with Nanopoulos than his now former captain, Tom Donnell. Donnell expressed how big of a hole the absence of his great mate leaves, on and off the field.

“He obviously leaves a massive gap,” Donnell said.

“Not just on field, we are talking 16 to 17 seasons, it is sort of just a familiar face around the place that is gone.

“On the field he has been great, more so the familiar face around the club that everyone knows is probably going to be missed the most.

“We wish him all the best,” he said.

For a long time, but more specifically in the last two seasons – where Nanopoulos has taken 83 wickets – Donnell has had the luxury of throwing the ball to him when he needs the game to move long.

“He has been our main go-to bowler for the last few seasons, he has had a really good patch of form,” he said.

“His bowling up front with the new ball and then coming back and tying up an end – it is going to be missed.

“When he gets a wicket he sort of gets on a roll, he continues that on and not just gets one

wicket, he gets a couple and puts the team in a better position.

“It is definitely going to be missed by the club, deeply, you don’t take 80 odd wickets in two seasons and easily fill that hole.

“His reliability that the team is going to miss a lot,” Donnell said.

As for Donnell, if he is to continue on next season and come up against Nanopoulos, he hinted it won’t be an unentertaining contest between bat and ball.

“It will be interesting, we have had quite a few battles at training,” he said.

“We sort of know what we can and can’t do.

“It will be interesting and something we would struggle to take seriously to be honest.

“He doesn’t bowl quick enough to drop short.

“Would look on the front foot, probably a dirty slog over mid-wicket to get on top of him, but he is probably a bit too smart for that so I would be happy to get bat on ball to start with,” Donnell joked.

Nanopoulos joins a number of Dandenong players that have left the club at the conclusion of the Victorian Premier Cricket season, but few could ever leave a bigger legacy at Shepley Oval.

We The People makes huge first impression on track

By Michael Floyd West Australian stayer We The People stormed into RSN Sandown Cup calculations with a brilliant last-to-first victory on her Sandown Park debut on Thursday night.

Despite arriving in Victoria having placed in all six runs over 715m at Cannington – including running second to Zack Monelli in the group-one Galaxy – We The People was sent to the boxes a $5.10 chance after drawing box eight.

She was a clear last out of the boxes and after riding a bump early was still six lengths from the leader with a lap to go.

With a clear run down the back, We The People swept around the field to assume the lead with 150m to go and from there was never challenged, storming to a three-and-ahalf-length length win in a slick 41.82.

Caretaker trainer Jamie Ennis was delighted with the performance and believed there was further improvement to come ahead of a tilt at the $250,000 RSN Sandown Cup heats 18 STAR JOURNAL

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Tuesday, 11 May, 2021

on Thursday, 27 May. “Sean sent her over in terrific order and I basically just had to turn up and she’s done the job,” he said.

“Just going back on her Perth form, it seemed that the more runs she had at Cannington the better she got.

“As you saw tonight, she still got lost a little bit mid-race and had to negotiate a few dogs.

I’m sure time wise she can go a bit quicker but obviously she’ll have to when the groupone dogs turn up.”

The win not only halved her quote to win the RSN Sandown Cup – she firmed from $51 to $26 with TAB – the time also elevated We The People to fifth place in the Speed Star match race standings, much to the delight of the ownership group.

“And so they should be – they sent their pride and joy across to have a crack at the good races, and if you’re not excited about that you may as well not have them.”

We The People is the latest Western Aus-

Caretaker trainer Jamie Ennis with We The People after the West Australian made a huge impression at her first look at Sandown Park. tralian trained greyhound to make an impression on this side of the Nullabor.

Earlier in the night, Sunset Spitfire has his first look at Sandown Park in an exhibition trial between races, running 29.25 and consolidating his standing as $8 equal favourite for the Harrison-Dawson, a position he shares with fellow Western Australian and the sport’s newest millionaire, Tommy Shelby.

Meanwhile group-one Galaxy winner Zack Monelli – second favourite for the RSN Sandown Cup – will round out his Cup preparations with an exhibition trial over 595m on Sunday. It’s anticipated he’ll set a time that will have him at the pointy end of the Speed Star standings.

In other highlights from the night’s racing, Lakeview Walter’s unbeaten record at Sandown Park ended at five after he was unable to reel in the impressive Dr Madison in race eight.

Best-of-the-night honours went to Jepara when he prevailed in an enthralling battle with He Shall Rodger in race five.

The reserve, Substantial, gained a start as a reserve in race one and landed himself in the black book after scoring in 29.37 at just his fourth career start. Interestingly, the time was the third fastest wining time by a reserve outside of Speed Star events And 73-year-old Kevin Quinn landed his first city winner when Ollie saluted in the final event. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Bulls gain ground on the competition

By Tyler Lewis EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION ROUND 5 Noble Park has worked its way to 3-1 from its last two outings and has surged itself into the top three at the conclusion of round four.

Not only have the Bulls’ side recorded two impressive wins, its 13.17 (95) to 9.8 (62) win on Saturday came on the road against fellow top-four placed side Norwood without its hometown hero Kyle Martin.

If that wasn’t impressive enough, the Bulls shrugged off a four-goal-to-one head start at the first interval and were only leading by two points at the final change before slamming home five goals to one in the last.

The Bulls were flooded with young stars, Lachie McDonnell – back from Collingwood VFL and Goy Lok – back from Sandringham VFL. Jackson Sketcher was also among the best players on the ground, as the Bulls secured a fantastic win.

Noble Park take on Rowville this week, which has not had the start to the season it would have desired.

SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2 ROUND 5 After five rounds of home and away football, Springvale Districts remain the team to beat, as the top-of-the-table Demons are yet to taste defeat.

Matt Wetering is quite literally leading from the front for the Demons outfit, with 23 majors in his five matches this season.

On Saturday, the Springvale Districts outfit travelled to Petersen Street Reserve to take on Hampton, where it came away 19.14 (128) to 6.4 (40) winners.

Wetering slotted eight, but in a sign of where the side is, was named the sixth best Demon on the ground.

George Angelopoulos was exciting for the winning side, collecting best on honours.

Hampton Park, meanwhile, also landed a crushing defeat, this time over Heatherton.

The Redbacks were up to their noses in the contest at the first interval, holding just a 10-point lead.

But a six goal to one second term started the avalanche that led to the 18.16 (124) to 7.5 (47) victory.

Kyle Hendy kicked four and was among the best, while Liam Myatt kicked two of his own and was also named among the best players on the ground.

With a deep list and it starting to mould together, the Redbacks are a team to watch.

Keysborough’s difficult season continued

Club legend Alison Downie has swapped her Carlton jumper for a Rangers’ singlet as she makes her return to the court.

236826 Picture: SUPPLIED

Downie is back on the boards The Bulls have come a long way since their round-one win over Berwick. 234453 Picture: ROB CAREW on Saturday with a hefty 5.8 (38) to 19.16 (130) defeat at the hands of Caulfield.

Matt Carnelley remains a shining light for the Burra, as he filled his boots once again, he now has 21 from five games.

DIVISION 3 ROUND 5 In an eight-team competition, the fight for finals action is hotter than usual.

One slip can cost everything.

Endeavour Hills is well aware of that as it chases its way out of Division-3 football.

On Saturday, it fought out a gritty 9.7 (61) to 6.12 (48) win over South Yarra.

Coming off his half a dozen last week, Sam McLean booted another triple, improving his tally to double digits from three games.

Nick Gay was judged best afield, it’s the fourth time in five matches that he has been named in the best.

Narre South Saints, meanwhile, sensed an opportunity to sink the teeth into an undermanned Doveton Eagles outfit on Saturday.

Doveton Eagles had its troubles with numbers at the start of the year, and it was always going to reflect on the results with a lack of depth.

But the Eagles will still be extremely disappointed with the 31.24 (210) to 4.6 (30) defeat

to the fifth-placed Saints.

The Eagles conceded nine goals at the bookend quarters – the first and fourth – which intensified the margin.

The Saints had 10 individual goal kickers in the 30-goal win.

Jayden O’Brien cashed in with nine, while Brandon Nolan also kicked seven.

DIVISION 4 ROUND 5 Lyndhurst remains one of the teams of the competition, after defeating Dandenong to improve its season ledger to 4-1.

The 11.16 (82) to 6.9 (45) victory keeps the Lightning in third position behind Carrum Patterson Lakes and Cerberus.

Tyson Sparkes was impressing for the winning side, as he kicked two and found plenty of the footy.

While the Lightning recorded a splendid win, albeit expected, Hallam caused the upset of the round, disrupting the run of Cerberus in a sensational win.

The Hawks held on to a 6.6 (42) to 3.11 (19) win over the undefeated side.

While wayward kicking proved to be a downfall for Cerberus, it was an amazing effort by the Hawks who have now claimed its second win of the season.

Dark weekend for our Dandenong sides

By Tyler Lewis Dandenong City remain winless at the bottom of the Nation Premier League men’s table after going down to fifth-seed Bentleigh Greens.

Under lights on Friday night, the Thunder conceded the two Greens’ goals inside the first 39 minutes.

City hit back almost instantaneously after the second, with Luca Slavica finding the back of the net just before half time.

Dandenong Thunder, meanwhile, played on Sunday night at the same venue the under-21’s were washed out at.

Oakleigh Cannons got on the board in the 31st minute, finding the back of the net to gain the lead from a free kick, but it was soon equalised in the 34th minute.

The two teams were neck and neck at the half, before Oakleigh found the back of the net again in the 57th minute – edging out to 2-1 lead.

Oakleigh pushed ahead to a 3-1 lead, courdandenong.starcommunity.com.au

tesy of a penalty, before the Thunder made it a one kick game in the 84th.

Four minutes of injury time were added which left plenty of time for the Thunder, but it wasn’t enough as the final whistle blew with the scores locked on 3-2.

With 12 scoring shots to eight on target, the Thunder was unable to capitalise on its shots.

The loss was soured even further for the Thunder with a red card given just seconds before the final whistle to Guiseppe Marafioti.

UNDER 21 ROUND 11 While Dandenong Thunder (ninth) would have no doubt been looking forward to the challenge that was ahead when it travelled to take on second placed Oakleigh Cannons in its Round 11 clash, the Thunder may have won in a way of its own by sharing the points.

The match between the two sides at Jack Edwards Reserve was a wash out, leaving both sides wondering what could have been.

Joshua Meaker strides away for Dandenong.

235924 Picture: ROB CAREW

By David Nagel There was some great news mixed in with some mediocre results for the Dandenong Rangers this week with a legend returning to the court but both the men’s and women’s NBL-1 teams going down.

The Rangers are thrilled to announce that club-legend Alison Downie has come back to Dandenong Stadium for 2021, re-joining the senior women’s program for a huge NBL1 South season.

Having started playing with DBA nearly 20 years ago, Alison returns to the club that she has helped win multiple WNBL and SEABL championships and played nearly 800 senior games.

She has recently been dominating in the ruck for Carlton Football Club in the AFLW, playing four seasons with the club before departing at the end of the 2021 season.

Downie’s first assignment was a difficult one with the Rangers being overpowered early by Nunawading, conceding a 57-30 half-time lead before the final score settling at 106-82.

The Rangers fought hard to keep the margin attainable in the second half with Dallas Loughbridge scoring 27 points, Emilee Harmon 23, and Tenaya Sooalo adding 14 points to a consistent all-round game.

The Rangers currently find themselves in thirteenth place on the NBL-1 ladder and face a difficult task this week when they welcome the second-placed Frankston Blues to Dandenong Stadium for a 6pm start.

The Dandenong Rangers men’s team is getting closer and closer to its first win of the season after pushing the Mt Gambier Pioneers all the way to the final buzzer on Saturday night.

The Rangers had their home-court crowd excited at the final break, leading 75-69, but a 28-16 final period saw the Pioneers home to victory, 97-91.

Despite the Rangers moving to a 0-5 record there were promising signs, with Sean Macdonald scoring 24 points and Oliver Brown scoring 17 points and snaring 13 important rebounds. Brown’s double-double was matched by Lawson Eales, who 15 points to go with 10 boards.

The Rangers will be hopeful of opening their account when it rolls out the red carpet for a 3-2 Frankston Blues on Saturday night. The big clash commences at 8pm.

Tuesday, 11 May, 2021

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STAR JOURNAL 19

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Tuesday, 11 May, 2021

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