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Tuesday, 19 July, 2022
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Market indoor playground re-opens
Council backs funding for Sri Lanka
Former AFL star commits to Dingley
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SPORT
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Parking fees return to Lonsdale Street
40¢ Inc. GST
Course falls short The state’s Department of Education and Training has launched a weekly audit of a much-lamented mental health course at Chisholm Institute. Meanwhile, law firm Gordon Legal is investigating a potential class action on behalf of the online course’s frustrated and distressed students. As reported last week by Star News, the South-East based TAFE’s Certificate IV in Mental Health online course was suspended for several months after an internal review. This was in response to a litany of student complaints, such as poor training materials, faulty links and videos and a lack of available trainers. The course has been offered as a Free TAFE program to tackle a shortage of mental heath workers across the state. A DET spokesperson said the Department would attend Chisholm weekly to monitor the delivery of the course “ensuring it meets industry standards”. “We’re incredibly disappointed this course has clearly fallen below the high standards of our Free TAFE programs. “We’ll work to make sure no other Chisholm student has this experience and consider an audit of other online mental health courses to ensure they are all providing the quality training Victorian students deserve.” The department stated it would meet with student representatives to “get the job-ready training they need to make a difference in our mental health system”. A Chisholm spokesperson stated it welcomed the Department’s “additional support … to ensure students have the best learning experience”. In March, 200 students’ educations were put on hold while Chisholm upgraded the Certificate IV in Mental Health, Diploma in Mental Health and Diploma in Alcohol
and Other Drugs. Chisholm had stated that its review “identified that a number of assessment items were required to be updated and aligned to the requirements of industry”. The “vast majority” of students remain enrolled online and are continuing their studies without further delays, Chisholm stated. On resumption on 11 July, student Rachel Scanlon said the course materials didn’t seem to have been updated. She reported that there were still faulty video and web links, and a lack of teachers. And she’s faced with a glut of six assessments to do in her first week back. Ms Scanlon had hoped to finish her Certificate IV and look for paid work last month. But the end date was now possibly December. After the stress and anxiety, student Leigh Lambert was switching to another training provider. Learning was “impossible” due to a lack of teaching support and assessments and poor materials that “didn’t make sense”. His first chaotic modules in 2022 were a “waste of time”. Chisholm met his complaints with vague answers, he says. “I questioned my own sanity and what my future held. “It was not properly preparing people for being trained and ready for the industry.” Gordon Legal partner Andrew Grech said the potential class action was just in the early, investigative stage but “on the surface, it looks pretty bad”. It seemed to share a “troubling pattern” with the firm’s class action for 1000-plus aviation students against Box Hill TAFE. In both matters, the institutes seemed to “not have proper governance of courses and not properly monitoring them”, Mr Grech said.
A touch of holiday snow Sithika and Chanlina enjoy machine-made snow as part of a school holiday program in Springvale. More snow fun on page 6
Sithika and Chanlina. 287063
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By Cam Lucadou-Wells
NEWS
Stadium’s entry fee abolished The door entry fee for Dandenong Stadium has been removed. The removal of the fee will increase access to the facility and will seek to improve physical activity in the municipality. It is a result of South East Leisure (SEL) - part of the Greater Dandenong City Council - taking over the management of the stadium from Dandenong Basketball Association on 1 July. SEL chief executive John Clark was thrilled to remove the fee and make the stadium more accessible for all. “It is important for SEL to provide an inclusive and accessible environment at our facilities, with the support of the Dandenong Basketball Association and Volleyball Victoria, the removal of the door entry fee at Dandenong Stadium is a good first step to enhancing the experience for our stakeholders,” he said. “This will allow quicker and easier access to the stadium and allow patrons to enjoy this premier sporting facility, whether that be as a player, spectator or official. SEL is set on providing world class leisure experiences for all.” Dandenong Stadium is home to WNBL’s Southside Flyers, Dandenong Basketball Association, Volleyball Victoria, and hosts numerous national, state and school events annually. The website has also been revamped. Go to dandenongstadium.com.au
Parking fees return By Cam Lucadou-Wells Parking fees are set to return to Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. A three-year trial of free parking to reinvigorate the shopping strip between Clow and Foster Streets was ended in a unanimous vote by Greater Dandenong councillors on 11 July. Before the vote, several business owners told the Star Journal that free parking should remain. Parking meters could drive shoppers into free parking areas such as Dandenong Plaza, an owner argued. Another owner said the council should first ensure the public could safely park there after a spate of vandalism and anti-social behaviour. According to a council report, free parking had “not had the expected beneficial outcomes and to the contrary now appears to be impeding retail activity in the strip”. Traders were reporting that tenants, staff and owners used the spots as “convenient free parking” and it made it hard for customers to park nearby, the council stated. “Free parking is in effect having an increasingly deleterious impact on the strip’s trading rather than resolving the opposite.” Councillor Sean O’Reilly said the move would ensure customer parking was readily available. Trader feedback showed that “when you make something free, it can be used and misused”. “A token cost of a small parking fee will make it more likely to be use by actual shoppers rather than by traders.” Councillor Rhonda Garad said traders would be consulted on the amount of the parking fees. The council estimated it had lost up to
Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. 235584 $1.05 million in revenue as part of the threeyear trial. A further year would cost another $300,000
Picture: GARY SISSONS – $450,000, which could otherwise be used to maintain and upgrade the Dandenong Activity Centre, the council report argued.
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Tuesday, 19 July, 2022
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NEWS
‘Flying’ car thief crashes By Cam Lucadou-Wells A 25-year-old car-jacking “thug” who crashed into the back of a tow-truck has been jailed. Dung Yat, 25, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to charges including drug possession, carjacking, car theft and driving unlicensed. Yat commandeered a car belonging to a fellow party-goer at a house at Doveton in August 2019. He intimidated the victim to act as his unpaid “taxi-driver” – in what sentencing judge Richard Maidment on 13 July called an “act of thuggery”. The driver dropped off Yat’s cousin in Cranbourne and drove Yat to Lynbrook to play pokies – before Yat changed his mind. Back in Doveton, Yat demanded the keys
and stole the vehicle. He later returned to the party-house, awaking the victim to threaten him not to call police. “I characterised your criminal record as showing that you acted as a thug over a period of years,” Judge Maidment said. “The offence of car-jacking is another example of thuggery, of standing over somebody and forcing them to comply with your wishes, then taking possession of their vehicle and then intimidating them with a further threat of violence upon them.” Soon after, the unlicensed Yat stole a car from a Wheelers Hill home and crashed it into the back of a tow-truck in Narre Warren. The truck was travelling about 40km/h; the tow-truck driver described Yat’s speed as “flying”.
Giant turtle back in play
Yat then fled the scene, leaving behind the newly-damaged stolen car where a container of butanediol was later found. His criminal history spans seven years, including past convictions for car theft. He has been in custody since arrested in Oakleigh in October 2019. He was a young man at “real risk of being institutionalised”, the judge noted. Born in Egypt to Sudanese parents, Yat arrived in Australia in 2001. Yat was expelled from school at Year 9 after falling heavily into ‘ice’, GHB and bad influences. “No doubt that was continuing during your current offending.” Sent to an international boarding school in Kenya at 14, he experienced the traumas of an
South-east no on substances
Dandenong Market re-opened its indoor playground with much fanfare on Sunday 11 July. More than 25,000 visitors enjoyed grooving with dancing zebras from Born in a Taxi as well as taking selfies with the playground’s giant ‘Ghost Turtle’ and other larger-than-life puppets. The playground was open for only six months before it closed during the Covid pandemic. It is now open each Market day, with a dedicated toddler zone.
By Jonty Ralphsmith
The turtle was a hit with patrons.
People had a blast at Dandenong Market across the holidays. 289984
erupting tribal war. He took refuge in mountains and a UN compound. His traumatic childhood experiences had impacted his mental health, Judge Maidment noted. This did not lessen his culpability for his offending, but would make jail more burdensome, the judge said. Yat’s rehabilitation prospects were “seriously guarded”. But on the other hand, he was young and his family attested to his “many good qualities”. “There’s plenty to be optimistic about, if you put your mind to it,” the judge said. Yat was jailed for up to three-and-a-half years, with a non-parole period of two years, four months. His term included 722 days already spent in pre-sentence custody.
Picture: ROB CAREW
People in Melbourne’s south east are less tolerant of alcoholism and drug use than the rest of the state according to a recent survey. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) surveyed 212 residents in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia Shire, who were almost always more supportive of measures and legislation being introduced which discouraged or prohibited the consumption of substances. Participants were asked about their attitudes towards alcohol, tobacco and other illicit substances in a series of questions where they could either answer in support, in opposition, or neither. The south east was the most in-support region for more severe drink-driving penalties and putting a minimum price for different drinks based on alcoholic content. It was also in favour of increasing alcohol and tobacco tax to pay for education, health and treatment programs, and to generally discourage smokers. Pill testing was not popular in the south east with 10 per cent less support than the state average and supervised drug consumption had 41 per cent support – the third lowest in-support region in the state. The south east also disapproved of cannabis, believing action should be taken against people found in possession of cannabis. Thirty-one per cent of people in the south east said those found in possession should be either fined or sanctioned in another way such as community service – the state average was 22 per cent. Fifty-four per cent of people supported increased penalties for the sale or supply of marijuana and cannabis – well above the state average of 45 per cent. The region was also most in-support for penalties against sellers of cocaine and ecstasy.
The only question which yielded belowaverage support from the south east compared to the rest of the state was banning alcohol sponsorship of sporting clubs. Also bucking the trend was that 38 per cent of people that completed survey supported reducing trading hours for pubs and clubs. Whilst this made the southeast the third most in-support region for the proposal, it is significantly down on the 56 per cent support in 2010. Alcohol and Drug Foundation National Manager Strategic Programs, Eleanor Costello had a simple explanation for the south east’s intolerance. “The south east Dandenong region experiences high levels of disadvantage with many community members experiencing disproportionate levels of AOD-related harms,” she said. “As community members are closely affected and experience the impacts of AOD use first hand, this is likely to impact on attitudes related to alcohol and other drugs use in this community.” Proposals that the south east was the most in-support region in the state: more severe drinking penalties; minimum price for different drinks based on alcohol content; stricter law enforcement of supplying tobacco to minors.” The foundation works with 158 clubs in Greater Dandenong and Casey through the Good Sports program, and there is six local drug action teams. Proposals that the south east was the second most in-support region in the state: increase price of alcohol, raise legal drinking age, displaying health warnings on alcohol containers; limit TV alcohol advertising after 9.30pm; ban cigarette additives – to make cigarettes less attractive to young people; increased penalties for sale/ supply of illicit drugs; prohibit sale of e-cigarettes to under 18s.
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STAR JOURNAL 3
NEWS
Focus on vaccines, masks By Cam Lucadou-Wells The State Government will be promoting mask-wearing indoors, Covid booster shots and flu vaccines as part of a winter Covid advertising blitz. The ‘Stay Well in Winter’ campaign comes after a 53 per cent rise in Victorians in hospital with Covid, with more cases expected with the spread of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. Over the past month, reported active Covid cases have been on the rise in Casey, Greater Dandenong and Cardinia. As of 11 July, there were 963 active cases in Cardinia, 990 in Greater Dandenong and 2875 in Casey – the most in the state. Over the past week, there was an average of 161 new cases a day in Cardinia, 160 in Greater Dandenong and 460 in Casey – again, the state’s top. Postcode hotspots were the 3977 postcode including Cranbourne and Botanic Ridge with more than 900 active cases, Narre Warren with 511 cases, Pakenham 465, Berwick 436, Clyde 420, Noble Park 307 and Dandenong 287. Flu and cold cases are also adding pressure on hospitals and healthcare workers, Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said. “Our nurses, ambos and doctors have never worked harder, and we can’t thank them enough.” The campaign will encourage third and fourth Covid-19 vaccination doses, flu vaccination, wearing masks and ventilating indoor settings. There are no new mandates for mask wearing – but it is “strongly recommended” in indoor and crowded settings. Ms Thomas also requested employers consider working-from-home arrangements. “We are working with business and com-
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has announced a new winter campaign on keeping Covid safe. 252284 Picture: LOUISA JONES munity leaders to ensure advice and information is provided to the wider community – to help all Victorians stay well this winter,” she said. “Wearing a mask, getting up to date with your vaccinations and ensuring indoor areas are well ventilated are small but effective steps Victorians and businesses can take to manage their own COVID-19 risk this winter.” Another round of the Government’s Small Business Ventilation Grant program was also announced. In a change to public health orders, the Covid-testing and quarantining exemption period for people infected with Covid has been revised down from 12 weeks to four. This is due to evidence of decreasing immunity after Covid infection. Positive cases – who are still required to isolate for seven days – are now also able to leave home to drive a household member to obtain essential food. Recently, a fourth Covid-19 vaccination dose was being made available to more people. The ‘winter dose’ is available to adults 30 and over who have received their third dose three months ago or been infected since their third dose.
Michael Theobald of Lynbrook received a liver transplant in 2019. 289674
Call-out for more donors
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By Marcus Uhe
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When Lynbrook mother Sashi Theobald put her son Michael to bed during the first six months of his life in 2018, she would walk away wondering whether he would be awake when she came to check on him the next morning. “It’s insanity, but that was my situation, my reality at the time,” Ms Theobald said, reflecting on the period. “It doesn’t feel real that one hour he was fine, the next he could be in a life threatening situation where could be sent to hospital.” Michael was diagnosed with Ornithine Transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, a lifethreatening condition that causes dangerous levels of ammonia to accumulate in the bloodstream and travel to the brain, resulting in symptoms such as vomiting, a refusal to eat and even a coma. She estimated that in the first six months of his life, Michael would have spent 90 to 95 per cent of his time at the Royal Children’s Hospital, where she formed a close bond with fellow parents, and medical staff, whose compassion and care for her son in such a critical period was evident. “His nurses in his ward would visit him and there was genuine concern,” Ms Theobald said “The team there handled a volatile and insane situation so well. “I could see a lot of them took it really personally, they said they would lose a lot of sleep. One consultant even said Michael caused them to go grey.” He would go through ups and downs during his treatment, where the downs would necessitate a stint in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and what Ms Theobald would describe as a “developmental reset”, where he had to re-learn how to consume food and coordinate his body to complete tasks such as sitting upright. In need of a liver transplant, Ms Theobald registered herself to be a donor for her son. She had always harboured ambitions of being a donor but the pressing, critical nature of her son’s condition meant there was no time to waste. As the donor, her recovery would have dic-
tated her taking things easy, to the point of not being able to carry or hold her son. But she was willing to make the sacrifice. “I remember talking to the specialist during the process and telling them, ‘If I’m nervous or shaking, just ignore it. I really want to go through with it. I need my son’s life to keep going on.’ “I didn’t want to leave it to chance. I knew how serious Michael’s condition was. “As soon as (Michael) was put on the list, I put my body down as a donor.” At the final hour, literally days before going under the knife, a liver became available for Michael, and at seven months he received the critical surgery that would change his life forever. Nearing his fourth birthday later this month, Michael is still suffering some lingering effects of the disease, requiring occupational and speech therapy. But for Ms Theobald and her family, it’s a world away from what could have been. “This is normal, doable,” she said. Ms Theobald is sharing her story to raise awareness of DonateLife Week, from 24 to 31 July. Throughout July and August, DonateLife Victoria are encouraging up to 100,000 more Victorians to register as organ and tissue donors as part of the Great Registration Race. Around 1750 Australians are on the waitlist for an organ transplant with a further 13,000 on dialysis. 1174 lives were saved as a result of an organ transplant in 2021, and while four in five Australians support organ donation, DonateLife says there are 13 million Australians eligible aged 16 and over who have not registered. Ms Theobald is encouraging everyone to take the time to register to ensure that the decision is made before too late. “Don’t leave it to chance,” she said. “It’s so much easier than you think. “You wouldn’t change one person’s life, you’d change everyone that person meets. There’s such a domino effect.” Register to become an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Murder accused held A Noble Park man and a Yarraville woman have faced court on a charge of murdering a man in Fitzroy on Tuesday 12 July. Homicide Squad detectives, with the Special Operations Group, arrested the 43-yearold man and the 21-year-old woman in Noble Park about 5.30pm the following day. The charges follow a 55-year-old Fitzroy man being fatally shot in Napier Street, Fitzroy, police say. The co-accused Duc Nguyen, of Noble Park, and the woman, whose identity was suppressed by the court, appeared by video link at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday 15 July. Defence lawyer Ayla Dodson, in arguing for the suppression order, said there was “very limited knowledge” on the woman’s role
in the shooting. “I’m given to understand she was not the gunman in this matter.” She also stated the vulnerability of the woman, who had “serious” drug dependency while taking an “intensive” medication regime for anxiety, depression and methamphetamine treatment. The woman’s mental health was in “rapid decline” while being unable to access antipsychotic medication since her arrest two days ago, her lawyer said. Magistrate Graham Keil said it was “profoundly disappointing” that the female accused was in “such a vulnerable position”. Though facing a murder charge, she was entitled to “civilised care”. Detective Senior Constable Aaron Price from the Homicide Squad told the court that
police were compiling a large amount of CCTV footage over a widely-travelled area by the accused pair. Audio recordings from phones and other electronic devices, and forensic material such as DNA, fingerprints and ballistics would be examined. The detective’s bid for an extended 18-week period to hand up a brief of evidence was opposed by defence lawyers. Instead, Mr Keil set a 10 week deadline for the hand-up brief. He said he didn’t want people “languishing in jail” without knowing the basis for the charges. Neither accused applied for bail. They were remanded to appear at a committal mention at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 4 November.
No to Springvale townhouse ‘congestion’ By Cam Lucadou-Wells A proposal for eight townhouses in a narrow residential court in Springvale has been knocked back as an ‘overdevelopment’ by Greater Dandenong councillors. In a narrow vote, most councillors sided with two formal objectors against the plans for 2 and 4 Luxford Court at a council meeting on 11 July. They defied council planners, who recommended the project as “highly compliant” with the Greater Dandenong Planning Scheme. A mix of two-bedroom and three-bedroom dwellings were to replace a pair of single-storey weatherboard houses on the 1184-squaremetre site. Against the proposal, Cr Richard Lim said the proposal would “overcrowd” the narrow and congested court. The proposed 10 on-site car spaces were insufficient, with some households owning up to three or four vehicles, Cr Lim said. Also opposed, Cr Rhonda Garad and Cr Tim Dark said the “overdevelopment” would house potentially up to 30 residents. Cr Garad said the council should make de-
Design illustrations of a eight townhouse proposal at 2-4 Luxford Court Springvale, rejected by Greater Dandenong councillors cisions based on the interests of the community, not what the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal could decide. In favour of the project, Cr Sean O’Reilly said the council had to decide the matter on
“planning grounds”. He said it was pointless to argue against the 10 parking spaces, which met the state’s planning guidelines. Cr O’Reilly said the area was becoming more densely developed “as it should be”. It was “smack bang in the middle” of an array of services, public transport and supermarket, and next to a large open space at Erickson Gardens. Also in favour, Cr Bob Milkovic warned against making assumptions of how many residents and cars would occupy the site. A council report stated the residential incremental-change zone on the edge of Springvale activity centre was well suited for medium-density housing. The townhouses’ design respected the neighbourhood character, with “appropriate” open space, setbacks and landscaping, it said. “The proposal is not an overdevelopment of the site and respects the preferred neighbourhood character.” The report stated the proposal would not result in “unacceptable traffic and parking issues”.
IN BRIEF Hit-run cyclist hospitalised A cyclist was seriously injured in a night-time hit-run crash in Dandenong on Wednesday 13 July. Police said a car and the 39-year-old Dandenong man collided at the corner of Morewell Avenue and Moomba Parade about 8.45pm. The car, believed to be a white Toyota Aurion, stopped briefly and then drove westbound along Moomba Parade. The cyclist was taken to hospital in a serious, stable condition. Any information or dashcam footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Man critically injured in stabbing A man was found critically injured with suspected stab wounds in central Dandenong, police said. Emergency services were called to an unresponsive man in McCrae Street about 1.35am on Friday 15 July. He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police are investigating. Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Teens nabbed for burglaries, car thefts A Noble Park boy is among six teens arrested over a spate of aggravated burglaries across Melbourne this month. Southern Metro Regional Crime Team detectives said the group, aged 15-17, stole a white Subaru from Safety Beach and silver Land Rover from Mt Martha on 10 July. Then over the following four days, they committed aggravated burglaries in Dandenong South, Mt Martha, Safety Beach, Mt Wadandenong.starcommunity.com.au
verley, Edithvale, Mordialloc, Montmorency, and Eltham, police said. They allegedly stole a silver Volkswagen, a silver BMW and a silver Kia from homes in Mt Waverley and Eltham. All three vehicles are yet to be recovered. Police tried to intercept the stolen Subaru and Land Rover in Beaumaris about 1.30am on Thursday 14 July. The cars were allegedly driven at police, striking two police vehicles before fleeing the scene. Police Air Wing tracked the Subaru prior to the arrest of the car’s four occupants in Seaford. Two other people believed to have travelled in the Land Rover were also arrested in Seaford. The Land Rover is yet to be found. Five of the arrested teenagers were charged with aggravated burglary and car theft. A 15-year-old Frankston teenager was also charged with aggravated reckless exposure of police officer to risk by driving a stolen motor vehicle, possession of methylamphetamine, dealing with the proceeds of crime, unlicensed driving and commit indictable offence while on bail. A 15-year-old Hastings teenager was also charged with unlicensed driving and commit indictable offence while on bail. They and a 15-year-old Noble Park teenager were remanded to appear at a children’s court. A 17-year-old Ferntree Gully teenager and a 17-year-old Carrum Downs teenager were bailed to appear at a children’s court. A 15-year-old Seaford teenager was released pending a summons. Detective Senior Sergeant David Cox of Southern Metro Region Crime Team said police had an “intense focus on disrupting youth-networked offenders” as part of
Operation Alliance. “In the first instance, we will do everything in our power to prevent crime but when crime does occur, we will be there to hunt down those responsible for threatening our community and put them before the courts.”
Person found dead in Bangholme car fire A person was found dead in a burnt-out vehicle in Bangholme. Emergency services were called to the parked vehicle on Bangholme Road about 6.40am on Wednesday 13 July. An arson chemist was expected to attend later that morning, a Victoria Police spokesperson said. Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Almost $9000 stolen Police detectives are hunting a man who stole almost $9000 using skimmed bank cards. The man withdrew money from victims’ bank accounts by using the cards at 12 ATMs in Springvale and other suburbs between December 2021 and March 2022. Police said the victims reported unauthorised cash withdrawals totalling $8790 without knowing when or how their bank cards were compromised. The man is described as Caucasian appearance, aged in his 30s and medium build. He’s been often captured on CCTV wearing a black New York Yankees baseball cap, blue surgical mask, black hoodie with white writing on the chest, blue denim jeans and black-andwhite Adidas joggers. Stonnington CIU detectives are investigating, and urge other victims to come forward. Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
VCAT rejected a permit for four townhouses at 76 St John’s Avenue, Springvale
VCAT snubs three-storey development By Cam Lucadou-Wells The state’s planning tribunal has refused a four-townhouse development at 76 St Johns Avenue, Springvale. The proponent Nam Xuan Hong appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a permit for three triple-storey units and a doublestorey dwelling on the 616-square metre block. The site currently hosts a single-storey house and an outbuilding. On 12 July, VCAT member Michael Deidun noted a permit for four double-storey dwellings had already been granted when the site was within the Residential Growth Zone. The amended permit was presented after the site was rezoned into the less intense General Residential Zone 3. City of Greater Dandenong, which had refused the applicant’s permit bid, argued the project would “dominate the streetscape”. Mr Deidun agreed that it would “contrast strongly” with the area’s emerging neighbourhood character. He was not persuaded by the proponent’s argument that the design fit with the area’s incremental change zone and “preferred neighbourhood character”. Mr Deidun noted the “sheer” threestorey front facade with a “strong gable form” top floor was out of step with nearby three-storey dwellings. The “extremely limited” landscaping opportunities, and narrow gaps between the buildings and neighbours’ fences also didn’t fit with the surrounding area. The upscaled permit application provided no additional housing so there was “little planning benefit” to weigh against the identified “disbenefits”, Mr Deidun stated.
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Tuesday, 19 July, 2022
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By Cam Lucadou-Wells
STAR JOURNAL 5
NEWS
Ice Age brings cold comfort A welcome blast of snow landed on Springvale Community Hub lawns on Friday 8 July. The blizzard didn’t drop from the skies, but from a snow machine. It was part of the City of Greater Dandenong’s school-holiday screening of popular family-flick Ice Age. Aside from the outdoor cinema, there was a flurry of snowdrops and a glam parade of snow princesses. It served as a fun entree ahead of the return of Springvale Snow Fest on 31 July. The Snow Fest in central Springvale will feature play areas covered in real snow from Mt Buller, foods, crafts, music, rides and live ice sculpture. The day will be capped by fireworks at 6.50pm. Details: snowfest.com.au
Sambie in the snow-machine flurry. 287063
Emily enjoys the snowfall. 287063
Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS
Snow princesses with Chanlina, Sithika, Unnati, Seth, Emily and Sambie.
Sambie keeps her cool. 287063
Emily and Sambie with the snow princesses. 287063
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St John’s STEM building opens doors for learning By Jonty Ralphsmith Dandenong’s St John’s Regional College opened its new junior STEM building on Friday 15 July. STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) buildings give students the opportunity to develop skills in these areas applied to real world issues, learning problem solving
in the process. The school held a ceremony to officially open the building, named after Genevieve Robertson, a teacher at the school for 11 years. When she passed away in 2016, she left behind a legacy of meticulous teaching, particularly in teaching, across decades.
A short time before her death, she organised a reunion with her past students, where Ms Robertson’s science teachings shone through in their pursuits. The Fidelis Community Garden was also opened on the day and is named after Fidelis Burgess – one of three people who founded the first community of sisters in Dandenong, 1912.
Archbishop Peter Comensoli blessing the new junior STEM building with St John’s student Murray. 289555 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS 6 STAR JOURNAL
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Tuesday, 19 July, 2022
As well as having a historic link, to Ms Burgess, the name was chosen because the word can be translated to ideals of faith, loyalty, trust, dependability and truth. These are key characteristics of the school’s core values. An acorn sculpture is also being unveiled and pays homage to the school’s past and religious links.
Archbishop Peter Comensoli blessing the new junior STEM building with St John’s student Murray. 289555 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Funds for Sri Lanka By Jonty Ralphsmith and Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong Council is supporting an Australian foreign aid peak-body’s call for $10 million in Federal funds directed to Sri Lanka during its economic crisis. The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) believe the funds will help prevent a humanitarian disaster as the South Asian island country faces foreign debt, inflation and instability. At a meeting on Monday 11 July, the council decided to write to the Federal Government requesting that Australia protects Sri Lankans in Australia and provides humanitarian aid. The money being requested would go directly to the people, with Australia one of several countries being called upon by the United Nations to assist the situation. Seven out of the nine councillors in attendance agreed that Australia should grant Sri Lankans humanitarian refugee status immediately, more than the annual quota; not send Sri Lankans back to their homeland; and, ensure the aid addresses the fuel and food shortages. “The situation is dire and getting worse by the day,” Councillor Rhonda Garad said. “I would greatly urge our councillors to support Sri Lanka at this time of need, to support our community who are in great distress at this time.” However, Liberal councillors Tim Dark and Bob Milkovic both opposed the motion. Cr Dark acknowledged the difficulties that Sri Lanka currently face, but could not support something so vague. “I find it to be loaded in the way that it doesn’t go to actually specifically tie us to any commitment or to any support,” Cr Dark said. He added that there was a lack of clarity around certain wordings, opening it up to interpretation and meaning the council would be supporting a “very grey area”. “It is less about actually directly helping the people that are there and providing an instant capital injection of funds; and more about whether they should or shouldn’t be deported and should or shouldn’t be given a refugee visa to come to Australia and that is the reason I at this stage will not be supporting this motion.” There were several Sri Lankan Australians in the gallery, including Meha Sivarasa, whose uncle Navaratnam is currently living in the family’s home country. He suffers from a heart condition and given the strain on the health system, Ms Sivarasa holds concerns for his health, but the family speak regularly. Navaratnam is running out of medication and cannot get medical appointments due to the lack of fuel.
Keysborough has had to use Rowley Allan’s manual scoreboard at times across the past few years when the electronic scoreboard has failed. Picture: SUPPLIED
Sri Lankan-Australian community members with Greater Dandenong councillors and resident Alex Breskin after the 11 July council vote. Picture: JONTY RALPHSMITH Like everyone else in Sri Lanka, Ms Sivarasa’s family is forced to do all their tasks in a short period when they have access to electricity. “I was emotional when Rhonda was speaking and I’m really glad she highlighted the funds being sent to Sri Lanka was not (going) directly sent to people in need, so it is very important to help people and ensure it reaches them,” she said. “It’s really hard to express but it means the world to me – if anything can come out of this, I would be extremely happy. I know it is the least we can do but it is important we do something.” A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said Australia’s offshore humanitarian program was designed to assist people fleeing their home country because of persecution, severe human rights abuses and no option to return or resettle in another country. Priority is given to the “most vulnerable” identified as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and referred to Australia for resettlement, the spokesperson stated. The program has also flexibly responded in
the past, including to crises in Afghanistan and Ukraine in the past year. Home Affairs Minister and Hotham MP Clare O’Neil recently travelled to Sri Lanka to launch a fishing boat monitoring program to help prevent people smuggling. At a press conference in Sri Lanka, she said people smugglers were “telling lies to vulnerable Sri Lankans” about Australia’s border protection policies. “I have a very clear message: Australia’s border protection policies have not changed. If you try to come to Australia by boat, you will not make it. “You will be intercepted, you will be sent back to Sri Lanka, and you will probably have lost thousands of dollars in the process and your fishing vessel – the livelihood of your family. “We have had now a number of people attempt to make this journey from Sri Lanka to Australia, and I can tell you directly: all of those people are now back in Sri Lanka.” On 20 June, the government also announced $50 million in aid - including $22 million to the World Food Programme to feed three million people in Sri Lanka.
Advocate issues desperate call for refuge By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Dandenong refugee advocate is ramping up his call for Tamil asylum seekers to be joined by family members stranded in Sri Lanka. Wicki Wickiramasingham, a long-time ALP member, says it’s time for the newly-installed Labor Federal Government to re-open a special humanitarian visa program. It should be similar to what was offered for Tamil refugees fleeing civil war in Sri Lanka 20 years ago and more recent humanitarian responses, he argues. “We expect the government to respond with the same generosity as for refugees in Afghanistan and Ukraine (last year).” So far, the government has offered aid, both humanitarian and to ‘stop the boats’. But no humanitarian visas. With the Sri Lankan Prime Minister and President resigning, the nation was “without a leader”. “The current situation is very, very bad,” Mr Wickiramasingham said. “All the citizens (in Sri Lanka) are suffering without food, electricity, petrol and water and medical necessities. Hospitals have been cancelling surgeries. “There are still people losing their families during the (Sri Lankan civil) war. “We should be giving them a better future.” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
First priority should be visas for partners and children of long-suffering asylum seekers living in Australia, he argues. About 11,000 asylum seekers in the South East languish without income support or work rights, he says. Some have not seen their relatives for up to 16 years. Their children are growing into adults without them, he says. The former Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre director, like many Tamils, has fled warstricken Sri Lanka. He migrated to Australia on humanitarian grounds in 1988. He is pleading with desperate Tamil community members to stop their families from fleeing on people smugglers’ boats. By that method, many lives had been lost at sea, he said. “I agree no boats should come here. “We don’t want to lose lives in the sea because they trusted these illegal agents.” Dandenong-based migration agent Thayhorn Yim said Sri Lanka was in a “crisis happening before our eyes”. He called for Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to give a “reprieve” to Sri Lankan asylum seekers or visitors in Australia. “This is just like what the previous Coalition Government has done for Ukrainians recently. “It would be very inhumane to force them to return at this time.”
Wicki Wickiramasingham says the situation is desperate in his former Sri Lankan homeland. 235665 Picture: GARY SISSONS
Scoreboard to switch on at reserve By Jonty Ralphsmith The electronic scoreboard at Keysborough’s Rowley Allan Reserve looks set for an upgrade. Various issues have plagued the scoreboard for more than five years, with two games this year being without the electronic scoreboard, resulting in a volunteer needing to operate the manual one. The Burras’ recent clash with Mordialloc was the most recent game affected, but president Manny Scata was optimistic the issue would be fixed by next week. “I was advised that there is an upgrade plan for the scoreboard next week which should alleviate all the problems we’ve been having,” he said. “It’s been a while but we’re getting a solution.” The president said the physical scoreboard was fundamentally robust – it is the computing and communications system that were failing. Therefore, viewers would not notice a change but Mr Scata was confident the new system was generally successful, reducing the chance of continual issues. In 2019, the council addressed another issue relating to the scoreboard. The wi-fi connectivity was continually dropping out, which the council took action to address. Mr Scata thanked Councillor Tim Dark for continuing to put the issue of the scoreboard on the agenda. Cr Dark has raised the issue at several council meetings in the past, and did so once again on Monday 11 July. “(The issue) has been going on for a very, very, very long time now and I think now that we’re receiving correspondence from the umpires and people that are trying to run a game about the stresses and issues with it, whether we could look at potentially getting an external audit for someone to see exactly where the issues are,” he said, further stating the importance of having a conversation with the club. “I think now it is becoming quite a pressing issue.” Cr Dark was told the council would make it a matter of priority. The cost of the upgrade would be covered by council. Keysborough play in Division Two of the Southern Footy League and its next match at the ground is on Saturday 6 August against Skye. Tuesday, 19 July, 2022
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Dyllon builds connections By Marcus Uhe As stress continues to build for both our health sector and individuals, Dyllon Juriansz is looking to make a difference in the lives of many. The Narre Warren support coordinator has started a group called ‘Connected’, a safe, nonjudgmental space for adults experiencing mental health issues, including severe instances such as suicidal ideation, to connect with fellow sufferers over a cup of coffee. His Facebook group has just under 100 members as they search for a venue to begin face-to-face gatherings. As a qualified social worker with 12 years of experience under his belt, he said the idea was sparked by affordability concerns, and the demand for services currently being stretched to the brink. “I think the biggest issue I’m finding is that to try and get into a psychologist, there is multiple months wait,” Mr Juriansz said. “To try and get in to see a psychiatrist is virtually impossible at the moment. “I think what people don’t understand is, when you get a mental health plan from a GP, people think, ’Oh yeah, all my appointments with a psychologist will be bulk-billed and there’s no out-of-pocket costs,’ when in fact, Medicare only covers a small portion of that cost. “So for a lot of people, you’re out-of-pocket anywhere from $150-200 just for an appointment with a psychologist, and nobody can afford that. The system is really failing these people that need some sort of mental health support.”
Dyllon Juriansz has started a group called ‘Connected’ for those suffering mental health issues. 289100 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS By contrast, Connected will be completely free and informal, with Mr Juriansz happy to let participants shape the sessions based on their needs and wants. “The feedback I’ve got from the group is (they) want it to be very non-structured; I’ll open it up to the group and ask them, ’What would you like to talk about today, what were your highlights of the week, and was there anything you were struggling with or comfortable to share with the group, by all means.’
“But people have said, ‘We don’t want it to be in a structured way, where we do go around (the group) because some people may not be comfortable talking about those issues.’ “It’s not clinical. I don’t want to offer therapy because that’s not what it’s about. It’s more connection and friendship that this is focused on. “I just want to create a safe space for adults to feel supported, that’s all it is, and make them feel connected with other community members.”
The next step in the evolution of the group is to find a suitable venue within the City of Casey to host their meetings. To begin with, Mr Juriansz is suggesting a monthly gathering on a weeknight as he gauges demand and interest from the community. But early impressions indicate there will be no shortage of participants. “I’ve heard some really desperate people out there saying, ’Oh my God, this is an absolute gift, we’ve been waiting for something like this to be formed. There is absolutely nothing in the community.’ “I get that these people are connected with doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, but above all they don’t have a connection to people who are experiencing or going through those hardships themselves. This is where the Connected group came from.” His message for anyone experiencing mental health stresses is: “Don’t stand in silence. There are always people out there who care, but it takes courage to say, you know what, I need help. That’s the first step, just reaching out to someone, that’s my key message in the whole thing.” To register your interest in joining Connected, head to the Facebook group by searching for Connected, or go to facebook.com/ groups/685686799205770 You can also contact Dyllon at dyllonjconnected@yahoo.com If the content in this story has raised concerns with you, 24-hour support services such as Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) are available.
Greater Dandenong non-profits supported by Sandown The Sandown Community Support Fund (SCSF) announced the latest round of funding support for groups within the Greater Dandenong community. Sponsored by Greyhounds Entertainment and Sandown Greyhound Racing Club, the SCSF enables non-profit clubs and groups to continue their excellent work within the community by supplying financial support through grant funding. The fund helps non-profit organisations deliver projects and services that drive our local community. “It is an honour to work alongside local clubs to help enhance the wider community. The financial support is key in planning and executing programs that will further build and develop the communities that we all call home. It was a pleasure hosting all those involved on Thursday,” said Adrian Scott, CEO of Sandown Greyhounds. The fund is a vital initial step towards rebuilding local groups who have been severely affected throughout the pandemic. “The past couple years have been incredibly tough on everyone and as a community we must stick together and lend each other a helping hand. It is vital that we support these
clubs as they continue the rebuilding process in our local community,” said Suong Tran, general manager of Greyhounds Entertainment. The successful groups were acknowledged with a presentation on 14 July at Sandown Greyhound Racing Club. The successful groups were: Burden Park Bowls Club. Mazenod old Collegians Football Club. Southern Pirates Cricket Club. Noble Park Secondary College. Clayton Football Netball Club. Road Safety Education Limited. Springvale Benevolent Society. Sandown also unveiled their new Indigenous acknowledgement site with a Welcome to Country, conducted by Uncle Mik and Jungala and supported by the Bunurong Land Council. Sandown acknowledges the stories, traditions and living cultures of the Bunurong peoples and is committed to building a brighter future. Community groups in the City of Greater Dandenong are encouraged to apply for the next round of grant funding which is open until 6 October 2022.
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LOOKING BACK
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
100 years ago
50 years ago
20 July 1922 Prince’s Highway A correspondent (‘Roaster’) in Thursday’s “Argus” contended the newly-formed road between Oakleigh and Dandenong was being neglected and was being “tinkered“ with in a way of repairs by shovelling earth and bluestone into potholes. He also directed attention to an idle tar boiling plant at Springvale. Mr F W Fricke of the Country Roads Board on Thursday denied there was any justification for complaint against the section from Oakleigh to Dandenong. He had travelled over the road on Saturday, and it was in a splendid condition, tarred throughout. The tar boiling plant at Springvale had been used last summer, but winter, when the roads were wet, was not the time of the year to undertake tarring.
18 July 1972 Social worker not expensive A social worker in Dandenong would not be a costly expense to the community; in fact, it would cut down on expenses in many areas. This was stated by Mrs Margaret Whitlam, wife of the ALP leader Gough Whitlam, when she spoke in Dandenong last Wednesday night to the Labor Women’s Involvement Group. An audience of 300 attended the Windsor and was chaired by Jean Melzer, state secretary of the ALP. Mrs Whitlam wore a mid-length, grey-white-and-camel-striped frock with suede boots and belt.
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Special guests were in attendance on Thursday 14 July: Sandown Greyhound Racing Club’s Todd O’Neill, Neil Brown, Adrian Scott, Greyhound Racing Victoria’s Stuart Laing, Uncle Mik, Jungala and Cr Richard Lim. Picture: SUPPLIED
20 years ago 15 July 2002 Arcade businesses facing financial ruin! Dandenong’s near empty Vanity Arcade has
been ‘raped’ by shopping centre developments on the other side of the city, says an angry trader. The trader, who did not want to be identified, said the arcade, which a council survey has found to have an occupancy rate of just 19.4 per cent, faced a bleak future and businesses and landlords faced financial ruin. “Development on the eastern side of Lonsdale Street has raped the arcade. The council has blatantly shifted central business district to the eastern side of the city,” the trader said. “Centres like Palm Plaza kill strip shopping centres so just think what it has done to a small arcade like ours?” The trader slammed Greater Dandenong Council, claiming it had not done enough to rejuvenate or help secure the future of the city’s first arcade-style shopping centre.
5 years ago 17 July 2017 Electric truck takes lead Australia’s first commercial electric vehicle hit the road in Dandenong South. SEA Automotive handed Kings Transport the keys to the first of nine SEA VE10 electric trucks on order on Wednesday 12 July. It can travel 200 kilometres on a single charge. “The quantum shift has now officially occurred,” SEA executive chairman Tony Fairweather said. “Wouldn’t it be fantastic to not hear the noise or smell the exhaust fumes from that large waste collection trucks that visit each of our homes at least once a week? This is not just possible, now it’s inevitable. The technology is better and cheaper than ever and forecast to be substantially more efficient and one-third of the current cost by 2020.” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
FOCUS ON … MEDICALLY SPEAKING
One place for all smiles Missing teeth can be restored using dentures or bridges, but these do not provide chewing power as they are not directly attached to the gums and jaw bone. Dental implants are the only restorations that can also bring back the functionality of the tooth. An implant is a titanium rod shaped like a screw. It is embedded into the gums to serve as replacement tooth roots for missing teeth. Once the implant is embedded, it will be topped off by a crown that provides the restoration’s aesthetic appeal. Implants are specially designed and custom-made for every patient. Before a patient can qualify for dental implants, the doctor will check the gum condition. There must be enough gum tissue and jaw bone to hold the implant in place. Implants can be used for single-tooth replacements and to hold complete dentures in place. Implant surgery is straightforward and painless. A local anaesthetic will be applied and the gums opened where the implant will be placed. Once the bone is exposed, the implant will be inserted deeply, and the gums stitched closed. Over time, the gum tissue heals around the implant and bonds with it like natural tooth roots. Implants are permanent, immovable, and strong. They can restore chewing power like you still had natural teeth. Dr Edelmiro DeHoyos and Dr Claudia Beltran are the solution for implant surgery. Both are well versed, highly skilled, and strive to provide the most beautiful dental restorations possible for our patients. Visit our website or call our clinic to get more details about dental implants. Contact Endeavour Smiles Group - one place for all smiles, Endeavour Hills, 8771 5972. Endeavour Smiles Group - one place for all smiles.
Organ donation on the up By Elle Cecil Recent statistics released by the Organ and Tissue Authority show that the number of Victorians that registered as organ and tissue donors in 2021 increased by 87 percent compared to 2020. Almost 90,000 Victorians registered in 2021, while across Australia there were 349,947 new registrants, up from 186,656 in 2020. Many of these registrations were conducted through Medicare’s Express Plus smartphone app, which most people had downloaded to link their COVID-19 vaccine certificates to their check-in apps. “Victorians are some of the most generous people in the country. We know about 80 percent of Victorians support organ and tissue donation, but only 22 percent have registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register,” says DonateLife Victoria state medical director, Dr Rohit D’Costa. “In such a challenging year for our state, it’s been heartwarming to see so many Victorians take the time to register as organ and tissue donors - a decision that could one day save many lives.” 2021 saw 1,174 Aussies receive an organ transplant thanks to the life saving generosity of 421 deceased donors and their families, with 110 Victorian donors. There are currently around 1,850 Australians on the transplant waiting list, while over 13,000 Australians are receiving dialysis and would benefit greatly from a kidney transplant. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) around 170,000 Australians die per year from a total population of 25.7 million. Organ donation can only occur when someone dies in hospital due to the requirement that organs need to be functioning well to be considered for donation. Of the approximately 80,000 people that pass away in hospital, only around two percent die in a way where they can
be considered for organ donation. The resulting number is 1,250 potential organ donors, which is currently 600 less than the number of people on the transplant waiting list. When a person passes away in Australia, their family is always asked for consent to organ donation. While around 90 percent of families consent if their loved one was a registered donor, a total of 56 percent of families consented in 2021. This is why it is vital to tell your family that you have registered to be an organ and tissue donor, and that it is your wish to help others once you pass if you can. “Ultimately, the decision to donate your organs and tissue will come down to your family. We know that 90 percent of families will consent to donation if you are a registered donor,” Dr D’Costa says. “This number is halved if they don’t know you wanted to be an organ and tissue donor, or you haven’t registered. Therefore, it’s really important not only to register, but to also have the conversation with your loved ones. Dr D’Costa also urges Victorians who signed up to be a donor via their driver’s license to double check their registration status. Only in South Australia can you register to be a donor via your driver’s license, though Victoria used to accept these registrations. If you’re unsure whether you’re registered, check online. Though 80 percent of Australians publicly support organ and tissue donation, only 36 percent are registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register. Anyone in Australia aged 16 and over can register to become a donor, regardless of medical history or lifestyle.It takes less than a minute to check your status or join the Australian Organ Donation Register. All you need to do is grab your Medicare card and visit www.donatelife.gov.au. You can also register through the Medicare Express Plus app or by phoning 1800 777 203.
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Roberts walks free By Karen Sweeney, Emily Woods and Callum Godde, AAP Jason Roberts, of Cranbourne, has walked free after two decades in prison with a fresh jury finding him not guilty of murdering two Victoria Police officers. Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller were ambushed and killed in the early hours of 16 August, 1998 while staking out armed robbery targets. Bandali Debs, of Narre Warren, is serving a life sentence for their murders. Roberts, now 41, was convicted alongside Debs and jailed for a minimum 35 years in 2003. But a new Supreme Court trial was ordered for Roberts after allegations of police wrongdoing were investigated by Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog, IBAC. After hearing months of evidence from dozens of witnesses, jurors returned their not guilty verdict on Monday 11 July. They had been staying together at an undisclosed location to keep them away from outside influence while they made their decision, deliberating from Thursday and through the weekend. Justice Stephen Kaye said the trial was one of the hardest he had seen a jury consider, given the length, Covid-19 complications, density of evidence and burden for each juror. “This case has involved an enormous responsibility on each of your shoulders,“ he said. He gave the jurors a lifetime exemption from jury duty, but said he may waive it if any of them “have got a taste for the job“.
Roberts walked from the court surrounded by his lawyers and the awaiting press pack. He did not answer questions. Three appeal judges found long-undisclosed conduct by one particular officer had corrupted Roberts’ initial trial. Senior Constable Glen Pullin destroyed an original statement made about the murders and substituted it with a backdated document, containing dying declarations of Sen Const Miller about there being a second offender. He then lied about its existence in what the judges labelled a “gross and fundamental corruption of the trial process“. Among the evidence jurors considered was that of Roberts himself, who confessed that when police came for him for the murders, he lied to protect himself. He told them he knew nothing about the shooting murders and denied being involved in robberies with Debs. “I knew what (Debs) had done and I didn’t want to be dragged into it,“ he told jurors. “I lied because Ben killed two police officers. That’s not a small thing.“ He said he got up during the night and saw Debs with a gun, listening to a police scanner. Debs, he said, told him in detail about a “shootout“ with the officers. Roberts, who pleaded guilty to 10 armed robberies with Debs at the start of the trial, was 17 when he did the first robbery - getting involved while dating the four-time killer’s daughter Nicole. Debs also gave evidence at the trial, claiming Roberts was with him at the Silky Emperor
and fired the first fatal shot at Sgt Silk when their car was pulled over in Moorabbin. Debs, giving evidence from prison, rejected suggestions his evidence was designed to minimise his own role and was labelled a “vile and evil person, a psychopath and liar“ by Roberts’ barrister David Hallowes. Police colleagues also gave evidence, including Sergeant Helen Poke who said she won’t forget the words Sen Const Miller uttered as she cradled his head in her lap: “Get them, I’m f***ed, two offenders, one on foot, six foot, dark hair, checked shirt, dark Hyundai“. Sgt Silk died at the scene, Sen Const Miller died in hospital. Following the verdict, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the officers’ deaths had an enormous impact on the police force. “Our thoughts are with the Silk and Miller families today and we know this will be a difficult time for them,“ he said in a statement. “We will continue to support both families as well as the many police who continue to be impacted by the tragic loss.“ Victoria’s Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said the verdict was unexpected and would bring enormous grief to the policing community. “Losing not one but two of our members at work some 24 years ago is the worst thing you could ever imagine,“ he told reporters outside court. “To have a day like today, some 24 years later, is probably just only second to that.“ Roberts will face a plea hearing over the 10 armed robbery charges on 8 September.
Helping hands for country’s new arrivals More than 200 new arrivals were given warm clothes, blankets and hot food at Bakhtar Warehouse in Noble Park. Bakhtar Community Organisation (BCO) helpers gave away the goods, as well as kitchen accessories, shoes, TVs, computers and toys on Sunday 26 June. In partnership with Cook4Cald, they also cooked halal chicken biryani for the crowd. Joining in the effort was Victorian Multicultural Commission deputy chair Bwe Thay as well as Chan Ying, David, Jessi and Adam from the international peace organisation HWPL. The warehouse opens on weekends, supporting up to 25 families with “all kinds of support that they require”, BCO chief executive Bassir Qadiri said. “We have a referral system from refugee resettlement organisations such as AMES and Spectrum. “We receive at least 15 to 20 referrals each week.” The warehouse receives donations from charities such as Rotary and St Vincent de Paul on Saturdays, and distributes the goods to the referred families the next day.
Bakhtar Community Organisation helps those in need.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton expressed his disappointment at the outcome of the trial. 210086
Very difficult day: Patton By Marcus Uhe Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton has described the decision to release Cranbourne’s Jason Roberts from prison after two decades behind bars as “very disappointing”. Mr Roberts was released on Monday 11 July after a fresh jury found him not guilty of murdering police officers Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller in August 1998 in Moorabbin. In 2003, he was jailed for a minimum of 35 years, alongside Narre Warren’s Bendali Debs, who is serving a life sentence. A new Supreme Court trial was ordered for Mr Roberts following investigations into alleged police wrongdoing by Victoria’s anticorruption watchdog, IBAC. Chief Commissioner Patton, a former colleague of the late officers, said Victoria Police would “continue to wrap our arms around” those impacted by the incident, including the families of the victims and fellow police officers. “It’s a very difficult day for Victoria Police,” Chief Commissioner Patton said. “We’ll come together and continue to do what we do and be strong. From my point of view these days, while I used the word disappointing, I think what we see out of this is the resilience, the strength of policing organisation and our policing family. “They went to work nearly 24 years ago. They were murdered. They didn’t come home. We mourn them still, we do every day.” He paid tribute to the dignity, strength of character resilience and respect of the families of the victims. “Days like this I immediately... sought to contact Carmel (Arthur, Senior Constable Miller’s widow). I also spoke this afternoon with Ian Silk. “As you would expect, they described themselves as devastated, and words cannot describe what they’re feeling as a result of this decision.” When asked about the prospects of appealing the verdict to the High Court, the Chief Commissioner said the decision was a matter for the director of public prosecutions. “We put forward what I thought was a very substantial body of evidence and a very strong case. I don’t think I can take the matter any further than that.”
Acclaimed award-winning entertainer Tom Burlinson stars in a brand-new show -‘Swing That Music’, accompanied by his Great Big Band at The Athenaeum Theatre, Collins Street Melbourne on the 12 August for the first time in Melbourne. And your local Star has FIVE double passes to the show to giveaway to our readers! Many favourite swing classics have been selected for ‘Swing That Music’ including On a Clear Day, Teach Me Tonight, You Are the Sunshine of my Life, Pennies from Heaven, Mr Bojangles, On the Street Where You Live, And I Love Her, A Lot of Livin’ to Do and of course, Swing That Music. These songs, featured in Swing That Music, include Academy Award winners, Broadway classics, Jazz standards and modern Pop treasures. Tom’s Great Big Band will include some of the finest musicians in the country, providing all the power, excitement and atmosphere of this time-honoured musical style.
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‘Fair go’ for mechanics By Jonty Ralphsmith Drivers will have a greater choice of mechanic under a new Federal vehicle service-and-repair sharing scheme. Car manufacturers will now be required to make vehicle service and repair information available for all repairers and training organisations at a “fair price”, according to the Federal Governmen. Bruce MP Mr Hill praised the scheme, which took effect on Friday 1 July. “Everyone should be able to choose where they get their car serviced,” he said. “Finally, after years of campaigning by Labor, independent car mechanics will have a fair go to compete for service and repair work. “This change will level the playing field and is terrific for consumers and small business, putting downwards pressure on costs.” Real-time access to vehicle information such as digital files and codes vary from car to car but are needed to complete many aspects of a repair or service. According to the government, car manufacturers generally own and control technical information and in many cases only share it with their dealership’s networks and affiliated repairers. This makes it difficult for independent repairers to effectively compete for business. Automotive Service and Repair Authority (AASRA) secretary Stuart Charity supported the scheme. “The new scheme will lead to a stronger Australian automotive service and repair industry keeping 19.8 million vehicles on the road.”
Sam McEwin with councillor Richard Lim.
Picture: JONTY RALPHSMITH
Marketing wisdom By Jonty Ralphsmith Digital marketing expert Sam McEwin was invited to a business breakfast at Sandown Greyhounds on Thursday 14 July. Founder and director of BizWisdom, which provides digital marketers with skills and strategies, Mr McEwin spoke about how small businesses could give themselves a point of difference. McEwin spoke about different, less-tapped forms of advertising, emphasising the importance of digital advertisements and using social and traditional media as a promotional tool. He did, however, say digital marketing
could complement – rather than replace – traditional advertising. “There are segments over the world that don’t watch as much TV or spend time watching subscriptions or other media that is digital, so what we are experiencing is not the death of traditional media,” he said. “Some of the tradional media is growing but we are seeing fragmentation and that’s really challenging for big brands; instead of putting advertising dollars into one channel, there are several. “For small business, that’s even more challenging because we have limited resources and we can’t put it in to all channels; we have
to make a decision about where we will put it in today so we can try and get some return so we can increase the marketing budget and invest in something more.” He also informed patrons of the significance of striking a 60-40 balance between brand endorsement with direct-response advertising to optimise short and long-term returns. The sit-down breakfast was hosted by the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce and provided small businesses in the area with an opportunity to network. People have until Saturday 13 August to enter for an award at the chamber function held later in the year.
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Selba Luka, centre, receives her award from Mayor Angela Long and Deputy Mayor Sophie Tan.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells Twanny Farrugia has made it his mission to
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
City’s top citizen
complex grieving process for donors’ families. “Out of one person, you have seven trans-
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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WHAT’S ON Men’s Shed Keysborough Men’s Shed is a group based on old-fashioned mateship. It provides a place where men can feel included and safe, and is a tonic for their health and wellbeing. Activities include woodwork projects, cooking for lunches, welding, maintenance around the place and assistance to the community. It’s in the reserve outside the rear of Resurrection Primary School, 402 Corrigan Road, Keysborough (enter driveway opposite 16 Loxwood Avenue). Fridays 9am to 2pm. Details: Michael Howlett, 0408 545 196.
Reducing plastic waste workshop Join us this Plastic Free July to learn all about alternatives to single-use plastics for everything in meetings, to catering and celebrations. We will also share with you fun, plastic-reducing activities you can run with your groups. The online event is on Wednesday 20 July from 5.30pm to 6.15pm. Go to greaterdandenong.vic.gov. au
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Fun for retirees Waverley Gardens Combined Probus Club is seeking new members from Dandenong North, Noble Park and Springvale North. In addition to other activities, members meet for coffee and listen to a guest speaker. From 9.45am to noon on the last Tuesday of the month at Southern Community Centre, 27 Rupert Dr, Mulgrave. Details: Don, 9560 6046.
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Photography competition Every year Greater Dandenong City Council produces a Community Calendar for residents which features photos taken in our municipality. Residents can submit photos taken in their local community to win cash prizes and feature in the 2023 calendar. All photos chosen to appear in the calendar will also feature in an exhibition at the Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre later this year. Photos can be of architecture, outdoor space or something different that captures your imagination. Prizes are $1000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place. Submissions close on Friday 16 September. Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/photography-competition
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A Floral Muse Exhibition An opportunity to admire the beauty of the decorative use of flowers and plants to embellish home furnishings, create amazing public spaces and to learn plant symbolic cultural meanings. Weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, at 10am. Location: Benga, Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens – 66
·
Learn how to reduce plastic waste through an online event on Wednesday 20 July.
McCrae St, Dandenong.
Conversation circle Join the Conversation Circle at Dandenong Library and make new friends whilst practising English in a friendly, relaxed and safe environment. This program is suitable for adults. Low to intermediate levels of English language skills are required. When: Every Thursday during school terms 6-7.30pm.
Monday from 10am–4pm at Springvale Library; Wednesday from 10am–4pm at Dandenong Library; every Thursday fortnight at CoCO’S, 2-3/48 McCrae Street Dandenong; Tuesday and Friday from 10am–4pm at Springvale Learning & Activities Centre. Contact Ali Abd Ali. Phone: 0452 647 522. Email: pathways@springvalelac.org.au
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Upending Expectations: Contemporary Glass - Exhibition
Jobs Victoria Advocate
Launching in Victoria exclusive to Dandenong, Upending Expectations: Contemporary Glass
Drop-in employment information.
celebrates a diverse range of artists whose experimental, innovative and at times cross-disciplinary practice, utilises glass and its properties of light, transparency and reflection. The exhibition features Australian artists Gabriella Bisetto, Cobi Cockburn, Nadege Desgenetez, Mel Douglas, Rose-Mary Faulkner, Nicholas Folland, Kirstie Rea, Harriet Schwarzrock and Brendan Van Hek along with international artist Annie Cattrell (UK). Exhibition dates: Tuesday 28 June - Friday 5 August, 12pm-4pm. Location: Walker Street Gallery
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Photos te your stor ll ies
Valour r ewarded
Wyndham to enter an residents are being invited which aims amateur photo comp to showcase etition toget
By Cam Luca
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STAR JOURNAL 15
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NEWS
Food for the homeless Pets of the Homeless is helping Dandenong’s Cornerstone Centre to provide meals for people who don’t have a home, thanks to a donation from Sunbites’ Good Fuel Fund. Cornerstone is a community organisation that provides meals, emergency relief, community engagement programs and referrals for homeless and marginalised people in and around Greater Dandenong. The organisation partners with other local service providers to host a range of different services including a shower truck, laundry van, a homeless person’s health nurse, vaccinations and many other services. Cornerstone CEO Naomi Paterson said the organisation had been working with Pets of the Homeless since 2020. “At the time, many locals experiencing hardship were visiting Cornerstone for food assistance, and we had become aware of the need for pet food for many of our community members who were struggling to feed their pets,” she said. “One of our team members will collect a donation of pet food from Pets of the Homeless roughly once each month. When our supplies are running low, we will place an order.” The Sunbites Good Fuel Fund - an initiative designed to fuel local charities - has awarded a $25,000 donation to Pets of the Homeless Australia to help centres like Cornerstone continue to do good. Founded in 2015, Pets of the Homeless provide almost 30,000 meals to pets a month. Pets of the Homeless Australia founder Yvonne Hong said animal bonds were extremely important to those who are homeless. “Having a pet can help ease our loneliness, help us reduce stress and anxiety and most importantly they connect us to society,” she said. “For someone who’s struggling, that connection is sometimes the only thing that keeps them going and that is why it is so important for us to help maintain that human animal bond.” The donation from the Sunbites Good Fuel Fund will enable Pets of the Homeless to continue assisting people experiencing homelessness and help them to stay together with their pets.
Pets of the Homeless Australia founder Yvonne Hong is helping people without a home stay with their pets. “As the only Pet Food Bank in Victoria, the $25,000 donation from the Sunbites’ Good Fuel Fund will enable Pets of the Homeless to provide almost 30,000 meals to over 55 of our
community partners assist with veterinary care and provide a safe home for pets when their owners are unable to take care of them,” Ms Hong said.
Sunbites is committed to supporting charities that are fuelling their community and will be donating $25,000 each month from April to November of this year to a local charity.
Program helping refugees realise dreams Share hooning concerns A new program is helping former refugees and migrants realise their engineering dreams by providing cadetships across Major Roads Projects Victoria (MRPV) projects, including the Lathams Road and Pound Road West upgrades in Melbourne’s South East. The Engineering Pathways Industry Cadetship (EPIC) Roads Program harnesses latent engineering talent and provides full-time employment to job-ready cadets across Major Transport Infrastructure Authority (MTIA) projects. The industry-first program aims to bridge the gap faced by new Australians in matching their international qualifications to Australian workforce requirements. Mohammad ‘Tariq’ Zia and Abdulwahed Salloum are graduate engineers working on the Lathams Road and Pound Road West Upgrades, respectively, and are just two of the 21 newlyinducted cadets, including 16 across MRPV projects. Growing up in Afghanistan, Mr Zia’s childhood ambition to be an engineer was inspired by a family relative working in the industry. He was driven by his desire to contribute to the development of his country by facing the challenge of modernising the infrastructure across Afghanistan. Mr Zia remembered the prolonged war as a child but wasn’t directly impacted during his primary and high school years. He pursued engineering after high school and graduated with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Dawat University in Afghanistan in 2015. After graduating, he worked as a structure design engineer at the Ministry of Urban Development and Land of Afghanistan for about three years. In 2018, he was a victim of an attack at the Ministry, where a bomb exploded in the employee car park, killing and injuring many of his co-workers who were walking to their cars. “Thankfully, my car was parked around 50 metres away from the explosion and I was shielded by other vehicles… that day was one of the worst days of my life,” Mr Zia said. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
“The war had its impacts directly and indirectly on everyone in Afghanistan; you never knew what was going to happen next and whether you could have been the next target.” In June 2021, Mr Zia relocated to Australia under a humanitarian visa as threats from extremist groups continued building. “During this time, I was searching for meaningful employment, so I can learn and grow my professional career,” he said. He was successful in securing work helping Afghan refugees find employment. However, the EPIC Roads Program presented an opportunity for Tariq to pick up engineering again - this time in Australia. “Fortunately, I passed all my tests and interviews and secured a job with Winslow Infrastructure on the Lathams Road Upgrade. “Engineering is my passion, and I am grateful I have found the EPIC program. “There is a different standard of engineering between Afghanistan and Australia, but I am learning more and more every day and really enjoying myself. “I have no words to describe how grateful I am for this opportunity.” Mr Salloum’s love for building started 22 years ago in his home country, Syria, when he was gifted a Lego set for his fifth birthday. While his family lived in Syria, he said his father was a physician and struggled to find work “because he was required to be part of the regime single party and he refused; joining the party would force him to become their soldier or spy.” His family sought freedom by moving to Saudi Arabia. When he finished school, he thought his engineering dream was over when he discovered expat dependants wouldn’t study at Saudi Arabian universities. In pursuit of education, he studied at Malaysian and English universities, coming up against protracted Visa processes. “I dreamed of working on infrastructure and that’s where my passion was... I arrived in Australia in 2018 full of hope that I would kick-start the career of my dreams,” Mr Salloum said.
“However, to my surprise, being a foreigner with no connections meant that working as an engineer was a hopeless endeavour.” Mr Salloum’s Saudi Arabian Visa was cancelled, and he was “stuck” in Australia. “I never stopped working and looked for every engineering opportunity possible; after four years, my dream was beginning to fade,” he said. His friends introduced him to the EPIC Roads Program and encouraged him to apply. “I owed to myself, to my family back home, to never ever give up. “It was guided by an amazing team that helped the candidates through the application journey.” Mr Salloum was successful in becoming a Graduate Engineer with Seymour Whyte on MRPV’s Pound Road West Upgrade – an opportunity that he said helped him fulfil his dream. All cadets receive on-the-job training, support and mentoring and complete a bespoke postgraduate Graduate Certificate in Infrastructure Engineering Management qualification through Swinburne University. The Graduate Certificate, combined with their international qualifications and the workplace experience they gain through the program, will kick-start their careers in engineering in Victoria. “We’re delighted to be playing our part in helping qualified engineers from refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds navigate the barriers to paid employment, kick-starting their careers in major transport infrastructure projects,” Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) project director Marc Peterson said. “By providing opportunities to entry-level site engineers like Tariq and Abdulwahed onto two of our biggest upgrades in Melbourne’s South East, we’re playing a small yet significant role in helping solve the industry’s growing need for site engineers.” The paid cadetship will provide valuable local work experience and access to industry networks – addressing the barriers often faced by new Australians in accessing professional employment.
The City of Casey will host a hooning conference with the Department of Transport on Wednesday 27 July, to hear from community members about their concerns relating to intentional high risk driving. South East residents concerned about hooning behaviour are invited to attend the meeting at Bunjil Place from 6pm to 8pm on 27 July, with online access also available. It is part of the Victorian Government’s Hooning Community Reference Group, which partners with Victoria Police to bring together local community and stakeholder representatives to provide input on the issue and support the development of recommendations for consideration by government. The Department of Transport will visit four locations across metropolitan Melbourne over the next month, to understand intentional high risk driving with the aim of providing feedback and recommendations to support its deterrence. A second phase of engagement will be undertaken later in the year to develop an understanding of the hooning in regional Victoria. The conference is free and open to community members residing in the south-east region. To register for the conference, head to transport.vic.gov.au/getting-around/ roads/safer-roads-in-our-hands Tuesday, 19 July, 2022
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STAR JOURNAL 17
SPORT
Freeman a full-time Dingo By Jonty Ralphsmith Former Collingwood and St Kilda listed player Nathan Freeman has committed to Dingley for the rest of the season significantly boosting the Dingoes’ chances of a premiership defence. Freeman was a ball-magnet in his senior debut for his home club on Saturday, with Dingley then learning on Tuesday morning that it would have him for the remainder of the season. Despite being tagged, Freeman loved his debut – against a strong St Kilda City side which included former AFL stars Dane Swan, Brendan Fevola and Aaron Edwards. Freeman was a Dingley junior, and has spent time at Souter Oval in recent years despite not playing, with close friends at the club. Coach Danny Ades said Freeman fitted into the Dingoes’ midfield system immediately, and said the club was rapt to secure his services for the rest of the season. “It’s obviously a huge boost for the club,” Ades said. “It might be the shot in the arm, enthusiasm wise, that we need and has added a bit of a spark to the group. “It’s handy to have a guy who has played at such high levels – it’s just another voice that I can turn to and ask the opinions of. “He has seen a lot of different structures and played a lot of different footy all around the country so (if I have) any questions, it’s just handy and all the players just lean on him for all that information. “Something we haven’t had for a long time is bringing someone in with this much experience.” Having won it in 2019, Dingley is technically the reigning premiers, given the pandemic has prevented a grand final being played in the past two years. With five rounds to go Dingley sits fifth on the ladder, a game and percentage clear of sixth-placed Springvale. With clashes against the bottom three sides, among their five remaining games, the Dingoes are in a good position to qualify for finals. Although he is nursing a torn AC shoulder injury, suffered in a tackle during his time with Adelaide’s SANFL side, Freeman is confident he can play out the season before getting surgery. The injury did not form part of his decision to step back to local level. Freeman was in Adelaide earlier this year chasing a list position, having previously spent time on the Gold Coast using the summer to have one last shot at the top league.
Nathan Freeman will wear the Dingley threads for the rest of 2022. 289933 Upon returning to Melbourne, he reunited with the Frankston Dolphins, playing two games in 2022 and receiving coaches votes in each game. Freeman’s final VFL game with Frankston was a 23-point loss to Coburg on Sunday 5 June, where he collected 38 touches – the most of any player on the ground. He was dropped the following week, and a
Picture: ROB CAREW
hamstring injury – one which has plagued him throughout his career – has kept him off the park since. A decision was then made to have him return via local footy and Freeman is now content to play out the year with Dingley and pursue team success. Frankston coach Danny Ryan thanked Freeman for his services at the club.
“Nathan’s a much-loved member of the club; he’s been instrumental in changing the culture and giving us credibility and competitiveness over the time he played with us,” Ryan said. “He’s had a tough year, so if he’s happy to step away, play a bit of local (footy) or have his shoulder fixed, or do what he needs to do, he’s got unwavering support from me and the whole club to do that.” While Ryan said the club would be happy to welcome Freeman back in 2023, the twogame Saint is not considering that option at this stage. The seasoned midfielder arrived at Frankston after being delisted by St Kilda at the end of 2018. He spent three years prior to 2022 with the club, getting close to another AFL contract on several occasions. But after his short stint with the Crows’ SANFL side, Freeman decided to return to Melbourne for work, conceding his AFL days were over. The 27-year-old loves his work at Connors Sports Management, working with some of the AFL’s finest current and future talent, including Patrick Dangerfield and Ollie Wines. “I would have to quit my job, maybe play AFL for another year or two on a rookie wage and then when I finish that, I’d have to go looking for another job,” Freeman said, explaining his decision to give up on returning to the top level. “I had to make the final call, I’ve got this job, I’m going to do it for the next 30 years and I love it. “Now I’m settled – I don’t have this thing in the background where I’m thinking ‘if I get drafted, what am I going to do?’ “I was 20-80 to get picked up again (when I left Adelaide). “Even if I was 100 percent, I still would have had a good think about it and probably not done it anyway…it wouldn’t be worth it.” While he did not rule out a return to the VFL in the future, it would have to be under the right circumstances. “If I couldn’t go and win a flag at VFL level, I wouldn’t go back,” Freeman said. “I wouldn’t go to a club that needs another five years to get up there, I’m sort of past that - I’ve probably only got another three to four years of footy left in me.” Freeman was instrumental in Dingley’s 8.10 (58) to 6.9 (45) win over Cranbourne on Saturday, kicking two majors.
Leadership qualities take Molineux to higher ground By Tyler Lewis Dandenong’s Sophie Molineux will lead Victoria for season 2022/23 and beyond. The left-arm spinner impressed in her audition as captain last year, when she led the Melbourne Renegades to the WBBL finals. The move will see current Australian skipper Meg Lanning take a step back in leadership within the Victorian squad. “It’s been a huge honour to captain Victoria and I love representing my state,” Lanning said. “The Victorian squad has some fantastic young leaders and I’m excited to continue working with them in the seasons ahead.” Cricket Victoria’s Head of Female Cricket Sharelle McMahon said Lanning endorsed Molineux as the outstanding candidate. “Meg’s been an amazing Victorian captain for a long period of time and we’re excited about the future leadership potential in the squad,” McMahon said. “We’re fortunate to have Meg’s leadership skills to support Sophie and the full squad in years to come. “Sophie has done a fantastic job leading the Renegades and has long been seen as a leader within Victorian cricket. This is an ex18 STAR JOURNAL
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Tuesday, 19 July, 2022
cellent opportunity to further her leadership skills with our playing group. “Nicole Faltum did a great job stepping into the role last season and will continue to play an important role supporting Sophie.“ Molineux explained her excitement to take over from Lanning and revealed she is particularly excited to work with a fellow Dandy Panther. “Coming from country Victoria it’s a privilege to be named captain of the state,” she said. “I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of captaining the Renegades and am looking forward to the years ahead with Victoria. “Playing with and learning from Meg since I started at Victoria has been a great experience, she has an incredible understanding of the game, hopefully I’m able to take some of that into my own game. “It’s an exciting time for Victorian cricket; we have a really talented young squad who have been working hard over the off-season. “I’m especially looking forward to working closely with Nicole Faltum who did an excellent job leading the side last season.” Victoria kicks off their WNCL season on 23 September in South Australia as part of an extended 12-game home and away season.
Sophie Molineux will captain the Vics. 289578
Picture: GETTY IMAGES dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
SPORT
Rangers in Jekyll and Hyde mode By David Nagel
Jai Culley has come a long way in eight weeks. 290113
Picture: AAP MEDIA
Culley chalks up the first of many By Tyler Lewis Mid-season draftee Jai Culley has made an immediate impact at AFL level. Culley started season 2022 with the Dandenong Stingrays but will finish his year in the senior side of the West Coast Eagles, as his debut on Sunday afternoon against Hawthorn at the MCG was beyond impressive. The 19-year-old made his way into the centre bounce on 14 of the possible 31 occasions
and stood tall in treacherous conditions. To three-quarter time, the big-bodied midfielder already stuck 10 tackles and finished with a game-high 11 from limited minutes. In his post-match press conference, Eagles coach Adam Simpson praised Culley on an impactful debut. “We tried some things in the last 10 minutes which didn’t work…we dropped off a little bit and we got hurt,” Simpson said of the Eagles shallow finish to the match.
“Jai Culley came in for his first game, had 12 tackles and seven clearances… we’ll take that, it’s a good opportunity to play at the MCG.” Culley finished the match with 12 disposals, 11 tackles and seven clearances in his debut match, but it wasn’t enough to seal victory for the Eagles, as the Hawks out-muscled the visitors in the wet, 15.12 (102) to 12.5 (77). The first draftee of 2022 out of the Dandenong Stingrays will be hopeful to play the remaining five matches of the AFL season.
Sandown supporting local communities The Sandown Community Support Fund (SCSF) announced the latest round of funding support for groups within the Greater Dandenong community. Sponsored by Greyhounds Entertainment and Sandown Greyhound Racing Club, the SCSF enables non-profit clubs and groups to continue their excellent work within the community by supplying financial support through grant funding. The successful groups were: Burden Park Bowls Club Mazenod old Collegians Football Club Southern Pirates Cricket Club Noble Park Secondary College Clayton Football Netball Club Road Safety Education Limited Springvale Benevolent Society The Fund helps non-profit organisations deliver projects and services that drive our local community. “It is an honour to work alongside local clubs to help enhance the wider community. The financial support is key in planning and executing programs that will further build and develop the communities that we all call home. It was a pleasure hosting all those involved on Thursday.” said Adrian Scott, CEO of Sandown Greyhounds. The Fund is a vital initial step toward rebuilding local groups who have been severely affected throughout the pandemic. “The past couple years have been incredibly tough on everyone and as a community we must stick together and lend each other a
The Dandenong Rangers men’s team took its home-court crowd on a dizzying roller-coaster ride on Saturday night… eventually falling 100-96 to the in-form Geelong Supercats. The Rangers sandwiched some of their best basketball of the season in the first and fourth quarters with some huge lapses in the second and third terms to just fall short against the Cats. The Rangers led 29-24 at the first break, but looked a forlorn combination when they trailed 83-65 at the final change. But the home side produced a magnificent last-quarter comeback, with an Ellis Biggar layup with just 50 seconds left on the clock closing the gap to a solitary point at 94-95. But Geelong steadied, consolidating fifth place on the table and leaving the Rangers to digest a season that now reads just four wins from 16 starts this year. Deng Puoch continued his great recent form for the Rangers, scoring 28 points to go with nine rebounds, while Jacob Davison (15 points), Max Richards (14), Lawson Eales (13) and Calvin Enge (12) all came to life in a rapidly evolving last quarter. The Rangers will hope to continue their last-quarter form when they begin a weekend double-header against ninthplaced Ringwood at Dandenong on Saturday night. The Rangers men then hit the road for a Sunday shootout with Diamond Valley at 2pm on Sunday. The Rangers women’s team were comprehensively outclassed by Geelong in a one-sided 89-62 contest at the Dandenong Stadium on Saturday night. The Supercats showcased their talents early, leading 32-17 at quarter time and building that nicely to 52-29 at the half. The Rangers steadied the ship in the second half, but the damage had been done. Clare Camac led the scoring for the Rangers with 15 points, while Luisa Fakalata (14 points). Emilee Harmon (12 points) and Gemma Potter (nine points, nine rebounds) fought the game out until the final buzzer. The women’s team face a rollercoaster ride of their own this week, hosting second-placed Ringwood on Saturday before a winnable road-trip against bottom-placed Diamond Valley on Sunday.
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helping hand. It is vital that we support these clubs as they continue the rebuilding process in our local community.” said Suong Tran, General Manager of Greyhounds Entertainment. The successful groups were acknowledged with a presentation on July 14 at Sandown Greyhound Racing Club.
Sandown also unveiled their new indigenous acknowledgement site with a welcome to country, conducted by Uncle Mik and Jungala and supported by the Bunurong Land Council. Sandown acknowledges the stories, traditions and living cultures of the Bunurong peoples and commit to building a brighter future.
The Rangers just fell short after producing a stunning comeback against the Geelong Supercats on Saturday. 290104 Picture: DANDENONG RANGERS FACEBOOK Tuesday, 19 July, 2022
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STAR JOURNAL 19
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