ENDEAVOUR HILLS HALLAM DOVETON
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Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
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Julie is a shining example
Jenny is officially a treasure
Good sports recognised
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‘Heartbroken’ by crime spree
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Twist to robbery By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Tara Cosoleto, AAP One of the men who allegedly bound, gagged and threatened a store owner at knifepoint in a $1.9 million jewellery heist in Dandenong has claimed to be the victim’s long-term friend. Kamran Orouji, 66, of Doncaster, and Masoud Izadi, 60, of Pakenham, faced at separate hearings in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 2 February on charges including armed robbery, false imprisonment and assault. Senior Constable Tom Ballintyne, of Greater Dandenong CIU, told Orouji’s bail hearing that shortly before the alleged robbery on 29 December, the pair drove in Orouji’s daughter’s silver Camry to Bunnings in Dandenong South. There, Orouji allegedly bought cable-ties, a cap, high-vis T-shirt, wrecking bar and masking tape. They parked on McCrae Street, walked into Dandenong’s CBD and entered the rear yard of Zara Jewellers about 6pm, Sen Const Ballintyne said. The detective told the court that the alleged robbers grabbed the owner as he emerged from a toilet at the rear. Then he was “frogmarched” into the back door. Orouji allegedly held a knife to the owner’s throat and threatened “I’ll cut you” unless provided with the PIN for a safe, the detective told the court. The intruders plundered 17 kilograms of gold worth $1.792 million and $140,000 cash, smashed the store’s CCTV cameras and stole the CCTV hard drive, he said.
The owner was allegedly bound and gagged and left in a side room. Orouji and Izadi fled with the loot in the owner’s Range Rover, which was later found abandoned 800 metres away in Wedge Street, the court heard. They then allegedly drove away in the daughter’s Camry south down Foster Street, crossing Princes Highway and Thomas Street. They were arrested in simultaneous raids on the accuseds’ homes on 1 February – a day after police made a public appeal for information. None of the gold has been recovered, despite five raids by police on 1 February, Sen Const Ballintyne said. As part of a “complex case”, Sen Const Ballintyne said he had never had more CCTV footage to go through “in my life”. Telephone intercepts of the accused pair speaking in a “foreign language” were yet to be transcribed. The “traumatised” store owner hadn’t reopened the business since the “brazen” offending, the detective said. According to a defence lawyer, Orouji had been friends with the victim for 15 years. The victim’s name was found among Orouji’s phone contacts, though no communications between the pair had yet been found, Sen Const Ballintyne said. The defence lawyer questioned why the victim didn’t identify his assailant as Orouji, who was described as wearing sunglasses at the time. Continued page 5
Temple inferno The landmark Bright Moon Temple in Springvale South was gutted by fire on Sunday night. Watched by stunned onlookers, 80 firefighters battled for more than two hours to bring the fierce blaze under control. For more, turn to page 8
Picture: CHELSEA SES
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Help shape the Bunjil Place Precinct We are inviting residents and ratepayers to have your say on the development of the Bunjil Place Precinct to help shape the site’s vision. To increase investment opportunities and meet the changing needs of Casey’s community, Council is examining opportunities to develop the five hectares of underutilised land adjoining Bunjil Place and Fountain Gate Shopping Centre in Narre Warren – known as the Bunjil Place Precinct. The site could provide a unique opportunity to build on the strong social and cultural focus created by Bunjil Place, with the potential to support greater diversity of employment, tourism, economic and social activity.
A draft Concept Master Plan has been prepared to outline the vision for the development of the site. You are invited to share what you would like to see at the site via our community consultation website Casey Conversations by Friday 24 February. Your feedback will help shape the sites vision and ensure its future development meets the needs and desires of the community.
Community survey The City of Casey aims to build a community where all LGBTIQA+ people are welcomed, safe, accepted, celebrated and included. We want to hear from LGBTIQA+ residents and allies about what your experience is like living in the City of Casey, any gaps, challenges and barriers that you may be facing, and how we can assist LGBTIQA+ residents in the future. A community survey is now open until Sunday 19 February. Responses will assist in the development of the City of Casey LGBTIQA+ Action Plan. To complete the survey, please visit our community consultation website Casey Conversations.
Check your pet registration is up-to-date Before animal registration renewal notices are sent out in March, Casey pet owners should check that their pet’s registration details are up to date. This will ensure you are being charged the correct fee and that your pet can be returned to you if it becomes lost. You will need to update your details if ownership of a pet has been transferred to another person, your contact details have changed, you have acquired a new pet, or your pet has been desexed. If you have recently had to farewell your pet through illness or old age, you may also be eligible for a refund. You can check your current registration details and make any changes on the City of Casey website.
Protect against disease Lots of rain and warm weather are the perfect breeding conditions for mosquitoes, allowing an increased risk of spreading mosquito borne diseases such as Barmah Forest virus, Ross River virus, Japanese encephalitis, and Murray Valley encephalitis. The best protection against mosquitoes carrying diseases is to avoid getting bitten: • • • • •
Use mosquito repellent. Wear long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes. Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing. Remove stagnant water from around your home to prevent mosquito breeding. Use fast acting fly sprays and plug-in repellent devices indoors. Use fly screens on windows and doors.
For more information, visit the Better Health Channel website.
Ensure your home pool or spa is registered To help improve backyard pool safety and reduce the number of drowning accidents that occur, State Government laws require all home pools and spas to be registered with Council. This law applies to all pools and spas that can hold more than 30 centimetres of water. If you have installed a new pool or spa, or have not yet registered your existing pool or spa, visit the City of Casey website to learn more.
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Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
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The scene of the fourth break-in in two months at Bakhtar Community Network’s warehouse.
Bakhtar Community Organisation gave away 30 second hand refurbished bikes to new arrivals in Noble Park North on 11 December.
The charity team after piling up damaged goods from an earlier break-in.
‘Heart-broken’ by crime By Cam Lucadou-Wells A charity’s volunteers have been left in tears after burglars trashed and looted its distribution centre in Noble Park North for the fourth time in weeks. Bakhtar Community Organisation staff discovered the latest break-in at its warehouse and storage sheds on Wednesday 1 February. It was “heart-breaking” for many of the group’s hardy volunteers, who had just tidied up after the previous break-in. “This time everyone got really emotional,” chief executive Bassir Qadiri said. “They were in tears. “We had dedicated two days every weekend to cleaning up the mess, getting more donations and preparing for this weekend’s distribution. “They’re watching all their hard work disappear.” The stolen and damaged goods, such as clothes, furniture, electronics, bedding and kitchen accessories, had been set aside for 50 families newly arrived from Afghanistan and Ukraine. About $30,000 of material aid has been thieved or destroyed in the past two months. “These items are really needed by new arrivals. They start with zero, literally nothing,” Mr Qadiri said. “A family has been waiting two or three
A trail of destroyed goods from an earlier break-in at the Bakhtar Community Organisation centre at Noble Park North. months for help from us and we intended to deliver to them this week.” BCO is temporarily leasing the building from City of Greater Dandenong until 30 June. The building is earmarked for demolition as part of the council’s precinct masterplan.
Police investigating the break-in say the premises’ security is woefully inadequate, according to Mr Qadiri. It’s without electricity, CCTV or lighting, just padlocks that are too easily cut open. “Police say why did the council give you this
building? You shouldn’t be operating in these premises.” The charity has requested a safer councilowned building, where it can also run activities for job-seekers. Prior to Christmas, BCO handed out 30 refurbished bikes to new arrivals from Afghanistan and Ukraine. It’s also provided food parcels, material aid, education and job opportunities for 2500 new arrivals. Last year, it placed more than 100 in employment. “All we ask for is a safe place from Greater Dandenong Council to allow us to run this work.” Greater Dandenong mayor Eden Foster was “disappointed” to hear of the latest burglary. “Council is working closely with the organisation. “I will meet with Bassir and his team early next week, along with Council Officers, to see what further support we can offer them. “We have informed our Local Laws, Cleansing and Property Liaison teams to also follow up to support the organisation.” Cr Foster said advice has been provided to the BCO on possible security/CCTV systems. Bollards were to be installed soon. “At this stage no alternative location has been decided upon for the organisation to move to.”
‘Heartless’ bureaucrats bar family from father’s funeral A Springvale South Buddhist abbot has appealed against an immigration department’s “heartless” barring of a family’s visa to attend their late father and husband’s funeral. In January, Koung Hoy Poeung, of Hallam, died after a rapid decline in his health. His seven-year-old son Alex, an Australian citizen, was by his side. However Hoy’s de-facto partner Channa and 18-year-old son Chhayly have been stranded in Cambodia, unable to be granted entry to Australia. So far, the Department of Home Affairs has denied their applications for visitor visas to see Hoy on his death bed as well as for his funeral on 11 February. The department delegate originally alleged that the pair didn’t have a genuine intention to visit Hoy. A tribunal upheld the department’s refusal. Since Hoy’s death, a DHA delegate stated Chhayly, a student, didn’t have “strong employment or financial incentives” to return to Cambodia. “I note the applicant has other relatives residing in Australia, which would further act as an encouragement for the applicant to remain in Australia.” Channa’s application is still pending. Meanwhile, an alone Alex is being cared for by Wat Buddharangsi temple monks based in Springvale South. In a statement of support, Watt Buddharangsi abbot Venerable Sudhep Nan says he’d hoped for a delegate to be “more compassionate”. “With this refusal, Hoy’s family are broken up from one another and his son (Alex) especially is very young without his family, his mother, his brother and most recently his father.” dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
“It is heartless to have kept this family away from each other for so long, especially as they have now had the tragedy of Hoy’s passing. “We hope this story speaks to the hearts of Australians everywhere to help the family be together to at least attend his funeral.” A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said “the Department does not comment on individual cases”. “All non-citizens applying for visas to enter Australia are considered on an individual basis and against legal requirements set out in Australia’s migration legislation. “A visa cannot be granted until the Department is satisfied all requirements have been met.”
Koung Hoy Poeung, second right, with Channa, Alex and Chhayly for their last family photograph before he departed for Australia in 2019.
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Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
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Julie sets shining example By Sahar Foladi During a time where volunteering has decreased, Julie Klok set a great example of what it means to be a volunteer. Ms Klok won the Volunteer of the Year award at Greater Dandenong’s Australia Day awards in front of a proud community and her family. She migrated from the UK in 1962 with her family, studied in Frankston and later moved to Langwarrin after her marriage. Now she lives and works in the City of Greater Dandenong for over 20 years. “My 96 year old mother in law, my sister in law and my husband attended the presentation and everyone has been very kind and very proud giving me lovely feedback,” Ms Klok said. Since she has moved here Ms Klok has been part of different organisations and communities dedicating her time to make positive changes to the community. “I’ve worked full time for 30 or 40 years and then I’m what we call retired but I prefer to call it, I’ve stopped paid work and I wanted to do something to keep myself occupied and interested I like challenges,” Ms Klok said. She’s a member on board for Council’s positive ageing advisory committee-giving advice to council on support services for older people in the community as well as volunteering with Dandenong Library home library service, delivering books to residents who’re house bound, Melbourne tourism and Groomed to go. “I enjoy new challenges I get that satisfaction but I’m also contributing something positive for other people. I do like getting to know other people, it gives me a feeling of connection with the community it’s something important to me,” Ms Klok said. Her volunteering career goes way back but
Ms Klok featured in an article by Dandenong Journal in 1989. 318157 Picture: SAHAR FOLADI
Julie Klok, Volunteer of the Year. she first started with AMES as an English tutor to help new arrivals and Springvale community aid and advice bureau as an intervention officer helping those in financial need. She has also volunteered with Friends of Refugees who won the Community group of the year. Since then, she has been unstoppable. Ms Klok is also featured in Star news arti-
Picture: SUPPLIED
Ms Klok during her speech. Picture: SUPPLIED
cle from 1989 with Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Dandenong Jan Wilson about childcare centre expansion. “I’ve worked in interesting and challenging jobs all my life, I was a teacher for education and vocational training,” Ms Klok said. She was the assistant director of educational services at that time and was on the planning team for the establishment of what we
know now as Chisholm Berwick campus. “One of the projects I’m proud of is the Berwick campus I developed that. When the campus started it was a paddock with cows in it and I was responsible to overlook the planning, building and commissioning,” MS Klok said. Chisholm Berwick campus still stands tall today on Kangan Drive.
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Casey Hospital ranked second-worst in the state for treating category 2 ED patients within 10 minutes. 199744
Dandenong Hospital is in line for a $295 million upgrade. 296906
Hospital EDs crushed: AMA By Cam Lucadou-Wells Monash Health emergency departments have been among the most “log-jammed” in Australia, according to an Australian Medical Association report card. During 2021-’22, just 20 per cent of category 2 ‘emergency’ patients at Monash Medical Centre were seen within the recommended 10 minutes. This was equal worst in Australia. At Casey Hospital, only 23 per cent were seen within the threshold time, and at Dandenong Hospital just 35 per cent. They were respectively second-worst and third-worst in Victoria. However, at all three hospitals, 100 per cent of category 1 ‘resuscitation’ patients were seen immediately.
The 2021-‘22 reporting period coincided with several waves of the Covid pandemic. A Monash Health spokesperson said its hospitals experienced more presentations and need for emergency care during Covid’s “peak period”. “All patients who attend our emergency department are seen in order of clinical urgency. The most seriously sick or injured patients will always be cared for first. “We continue to do everything possible to limit wait times in our hospitals and are confident that this work will see improvement over time.” AMA federal president Steve Robson called for an “urgent” funding injection to fix a health system under “enormous strain”, including a pay-for-performance funding model for hospitals.
Friendship twist to robbery From page 1 Sen Const Ballintyne said both accused men were also seen on CCTV footage walking to the scene wearing Covid face masks. Magistrate Tara Hartnett said identification of the accused and the victim’s credibility were “triable” issues. She also noted the “strong” prosecution case and “serious” alleged offending. Ms Hartnett released Orouji on bail due to “compelling reasons”, namely to care for his wife in “dire” health. According to a defence lawyer, Orouji’s wife was stricken with cancer and paralysed. She was admitted to hospital as a result of stress from Orouji’s arrest. Sen Const Ballintyne observed she was “close to the end of her life”. On bail, Orouji is subject to a night curfew, must surrender his passport and can’t contact the victim or co-accused Izadi.
“I don’t leave Doncaster until the investigation is finished,” Orouji told the court. He will appear at a committal case conference at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 8 June. In a separate hearing, Izadi did not apply for bail. He was charged with armed robbery, assault, false imprisonment, destroying the store’s CCTV and dealing with $3500 cash suspected to be proceeds of crime. His lawyer told magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg it was the 60-year-old’s first time in custody and he needed treatment for a broken left wrist and injured knee. Izadi was remanded in custody ahead of a committal mention hearing in April. A 38-year-old man from Narre Warren was also arrested on 1 February and charged with trafficking methamphetamine.
“We have nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers who are desperate to provide care for Australians, but they need the resourcing to do that. “They’re stories of suffering and pain of people waiting for care, waiting for urgent emergency department care, surgery and treatments around the country.” Opposition health spokesperson Georgie Crozier said Victoria spent less per person on public hospitals and less healthcare staff than other state and territory, except South Australia. The proportion of Victorian emergency patients seen on time was below the national average. “Before Covid, Victoria’s health system was struggling, and since then the situation has only got worse,” Ms Crozier said. “Too many Victorians continue to be let
down by a failed system.” Prior to last year’s election, the State Government pledged up to $295 million to upgrade Dandenong Hospital including the emergency department and a new intensive care ward. A government spokesperson said since launching its $12 billion Pandemic Repair Plan in April, it had hired and trained more than 4500 health care workers. To take the strain off emergency departments, the Government funded GP respiratory clinics and Priority Primary Care Centres, as well as increased the Virtual ED and Better at Home programs, they said. “We’re rebuilding our health system to be better than it was before – that’s why we’re delivering the $1.5 billion COVID Catch Up Plan to do more elective surgery now and into the future.”
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Sergeant Craig West appeals for public assistance on the alleged jewellery heist on 30 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS January. Two days later, arrests were made. 317565 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
Central West Shopping Plaza 67 Ashley Street Braybrook 111 Bell St, Coburg VIC 1-7 Langhorne St, Dandenong Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
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Jenny officially a Treasure By Sahar Foladi Jenny MacKay retired assistant principal from Dandenong North Primary School was awarded the Living Treasure award on Australia Day. The MacKay’s career in teaching has earned them a lifetime of recognition, reputation, admiration and fulfilment. “I suppose the first word that comes to my mind is, I feel humbled but the same time incredibly grateful that somebody has seen what you do or seen it as a value to it,’ Ms MacKay said. Mr MacKay is also incredibly proud of his wife for her achievement. “He gets a lot of attention and I just like to be quite but he was very proud and happy,” Ms MacKay laughed. For her this award marks her success in what she had set out to achieve for the school and community. “We have children achieving incredibly well in terms of their education we’ve got really skilled teachers who’ve developed over the years because of the programs in place and support they’ve received.” Mr and Ms Mackay have been in the school for 39 years and 36 years respectively. All up, their teaching careers have spanned 60 years and 45 years, they’ve achieved a lot throughout these years but Ms MacKay said she’s most proud of the Afghani Mother’s group program the school had established. “It’s a difficult experience for people to come to a whole new way of life, language, leave your family behind, feel accepted and part of a community where you feel you can contribute.” The Afghani Mother group is a collective collaboration of individuals in the school who’ve helped to develop the program for more than 10 years now. “From schools perspective we’ve tried to
Jenny MacKay with Mayor Eden Foster and deputy mayor, Lana Formoso. work hard on trying to educate the mums so they’re able to help their children with learning and understand what they’re doing. We’ve got our multi-cultural aide our EAL teachers and of course the parents that have been with us over the years, they’re all part of what we have become.” The program saw roughly 225 mothers attend zoom sessions during covid to educate themselves on how to help and support their children’s education at home.
Pictures: SUPPLIED
“There was too many so we had multiple sessions on zoom. We had this amazing social connection with mums who found it so difficult to have their children home and to support them.” Ms MacKay said although she has retired she will continue her works with the program so more mothers could find it self-sustaining. “I suppose that program is my greatest joy and something I want to continue with so more group of mothers can be part of it.”
Ms MacKay won the Living Treasure award on Australia Day. The husband and wife retired in 2022 and they left the school with yet another one of their achievement, which was the MacKay Gymnasium. The gymnasium is a happy ending to their decades of service to the community and school although the duo will stay in touch with the school and the community. The school has named the new gymnasium in the honour of its legendary former leaders and is scheduled for completion early this year.
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Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
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Mum faces jail for fraud By Karen Sweeney, AAP
Interfaith Network of Greater Dandenong executive director Helen Heath is set to step down in April. 316851
A supporter of all faiths By Cam Lucadou-Wells After eight years at the helm, Interfaith Network of Greater Dandenong executive officer Helen Heath has resigned. Ahead of her 6 April departure, she is leaving what she calls “a vocation, rather than just a job to do”. She says it’s time for “new blood” to take the network to the next phase. Brought up in a Christian “tradition”, Ms Heath says she sits now across “all traditions”. “I see a lot of goodness in all the faiths.” She lists the hospitality of Sikhs, who don’t separate their spirituality from hospitality. Their volunteers famously bring food to various disaster relief campaigns. She appreciated the importance of land in the Jewish faith. Their followers’ ability to “rail back at God” was a “healthy thing”. “I was freed from those uncomfortable aspects of the Christian faith that I couldn’t identify with.” Ms Heath trained in theology not to be pious but in order to explore. It was good grounding for her role in the network. “There’s a core in us – we all have good – but how do we reach that sacred ground and we connect with each other. Honouring the differences without letting them get in the way.” This interfaith network is the oldest in Australia, initiated by City of Springvale in 1989 and continued by City of Greater Dandenong. Its current contract with the council runs until June 2024. It brings together leaders of diverse faiths in Australia’s most diverse city, and organises up to 59 group tours a year to various places of worships. Its efforts have received national and international recognition. Ms Heath sees Interfaith as a form of harm prevention – an education and a way of quelling race hate and violence. “When the Gulf War was on, my understanding was that a Christian minister, an imam and a rabbi stood together in council and offered prayers. “We offer prayers, meditations or chants in front of council every fortnight. We’ve done that since the beginning in 1989. “I guess it was a symbol. You can’t solve the problem but how do we get on here?” She says most local politicians were supportive of Interfaith, and genuinely cared for their community. “I just wish on a higher level that powersthat-be recognised the importance of this work and resourced it better. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
A Melbourne mother with a history for medical fraud will go to jail after scamming $180,000 from Medicare, but her sentence has been delayed until a decision on whether her baby can go with her. Sarah Ward, 31, was working as a receptionist at the Melbourne Digestive Clinic in Noble Park when she began putting through hundreds of dodgy Medicare claims for herself and her husband. She made up to 80 claims a day between March 2019 and when she was caught in April 2020. Over the year she submitted 781 false Medicare patient claims in her own name and 828 in the name of her husband before the clinic’s accountants tipped off Medicare and authorities. Ward pleaded guilty to a single charge of obtaining a financial advantage by deception from a commonwealth entity. But the single charge doesn’t take away the seriousness, especially with a prior conviction for a $29,000 fraud against a hospital, County Court Judge Geoff Chettle said on Wednesday. “This is really 1600 crimes committed over the course of a year ... on a daily basis she was rorting the system,“ he said. As part of her job Ward had access to the Medicare patient claims system and used that to make false claims for consultations with the two doctors who supervised her at the clinic. The total claims amounted to $181,121.75 which was paid into bank accounts for her and her husband. It was a “robbery of the Australian community“, prosecutor Adam Murphy said.
While Ward’s lawyer Michael Allen said she was remorseful for her actions, Judge Chettle pointed to a psychiatric report which included “pseudo-justification of her really being entitled to take this money because they were working too hard“. In 2015 Ward dishonestly obtained $29,000 in false refunds on behalf of patients at Cabrini Hospital, where she had then worked. Mr Allen said Ward had been working at another medical practice between the recent offending and going on maternity leave before the birth of her second child in February last year. They weren’t aware of her fraud, he confirmed. “That’s problematic,“ the judge replied. Ward has repaid the money in full, taking $100,000 from a mortgage offset account and selling a $70,000 car. She also borrowed money from her mother. Mr Allen said Ward’s family would suffer some hardship as a result of her imprisonment, which he conceded was necessary. Ward has two children, including a breastfeeding infant who it’s hoped will be able to go into custody with her as part of Corrections Victoria’s living with mum program. A decision on her eligibility cannot be made until mid-February. Judge Chettle noted she would have a harder time in custody being separated from her older child, and the younger if that application is not approved, but put the blame squarely on her. “She did that to her family,“ he said. Ward, who is on bail, will be sentenced on March 15.
A trained theologian, Helen Heath says she sits across all faiths. 316851 Pictures: CAM LUCADOU-WELLS “You can’t quantify it, it’s very hard to measure cohesion, harmony.” Social change within long spiritual traditions appears fairly glacial. Ms Heath will sometimes jokingly fly the flag for women’s rights with faith leaders. “This kind of work is like a drip on a stone. It takes forever for the stone to become smooth.” Her office is scattered with inspirations – the whimsy of Michael Leunig’s cartoons, a shimmering glass mosaic The Tree of Life, and a quote from Walt Disney: “It started with a mouse…”. Pride of place is a newspaper cut-out when faith leaders gathered together in solidarity after 9-11. When Covid lockdowns struck in 2020, Ms Heath founded the regular Star Journal column, Message of Hope as a “glimmer of light”. The column features a different faith leader each week. “It struck me that people couldn’t communicate with each other. Because of Covid, we were isolated. “I still think that’s important in this area. There are a lot of mental health problems, a lot of differences, family violence…” Her long-held dream has been for a FAiTHWORKS attraction. “The ‘I’ is little, because it’s not about the individual.” A strikingly-designed, high-tech interactive museum like Scienceworks, coupled with lecture theatre and cafe. “It could be a tourist attraction. This area is spiritually rich with lots of places of worship. “No one has said it’s not a good idea. It’s about the money or where do you put it. “It starts with a dream. But it hasn’t grown yet.”
Detox your Home Saturday 11 February, 9am-3pm Venue: Gloria Pyke Netball Complex – Greaves Reserve, Bennet Street, Dandenong (entrance off Bennet Street opposite Attenborough Street). Registration for this event is essential. Register now at greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/detox-your-home-dandenong
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STAR JOURNAL 7
NEWS
Revered temple destroyed By Cam Lucadou-Wells A revered landmark and place of worship in Springvale South has been destroyed by a massive fire. The spectacular Bright Moon Temple was engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived about 8pm on Sunday 5 February. A huge contingent of about 80 firefighters and more than 30 appliances from FRV and CFA brought the blaze under control about 10.35pm. Flames and smoke was visible across the suburbs, with devastated onlookers posting images and condolences. The cause of the fire was yet to be determined. Residents in Dingley Village, Keysborough, Noble Park and Springvale South were issued a watch-and-act message to shelter indoors. Springvale Road was closed in both directions during the emergency. Bright Moon Buddhist Society has been based on the 1.7-hectare site since 1991, converting a former sports hall into a multi-storey temple complex in Chinese Imperial Palace style. It has been a renowned part of a spectacular precinct of Buddhist temples, drawing thousands of tourists and worshippers. “Gutted for the Asian community in Springvale,“ a social media post stated. “It’s like my second home and those temples were a thing of beauty. So sad.” Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson posted: “This is utterly devastating to see and hope everyone is okay. “Thank you to our local emergency services for responding so quickly to keep our community safe.” South Eastern Metropolitan MP Lee Tarlamis stated: “It’s heartbreaking to see this destruction to the beautiful Bright Moon Buddhist Temple.”
Bright Moon Temple immersed in smoke and flames. Picture: CHELSEA SES
Master Miao Jing presents a flood-relief donation to Greater Dandenong mayor Roz Blades and Cr Youhorn Chea at Bright Moon Temple in 2011. 60467 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Bright Moon Temple in its former glory.
Picture: CHELSEA SES
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Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
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NEWS
Refugee frustration builds By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Dandenong refugee advocate says there’s soaring frustration about the Federal Government’s still-dormant election pledge to upgrade thousands of temporary visas. Wicki Wickiramasingham, a long-time ALP member and former deputy chair of Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre, says hundreds of asylum seekers in the South East had been expecting “good news” by the new year. “Still after the election, nothing has been done. They have been disappointed.” Ahead of the May 2022 election, Labor had promised to end Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEVs), and to transition holders onto permanent visas. The Government has since blamed holdups on an inherited 1 million visa application backlog. It says its has hired more than 400 extra staff and to have slashed the list to 600,000 by the end of 2022. Asylum seekers who arrive by boat, otherwise called ‘unauthorised maritime arrivals’, can only apply for a TPV or SHEV. They must re-apply every three years (TPV) or five years (SHEV) to remain in Australia. Some have been living in such limbo for up to 16 years, Mr Wickiramasingham says. Without permanent visas, they find it harder to get work and eke a living, and are barred from reuniting with loved ones left behind. Mr Wickiramasingham tells of a Tamil man who has been on a bridging visa for more than a decade while awaiting for a decision on his refugee status. In the meantime, his prime adult years have been wasted, still unable to reunite with his fiancee left behind in Sri Lanka. “He’s lonely. He has no family, just other
Wicki Wickiramasingham says asylum seekers are anxiously awaiting for the Federal Government Picture: GARY SISSONS to fulfill its promise. 235665 boat people who help each other”, Mr Wickiramsingham says. In his early 20’s, the man was arrested by the Sri Lankan military for supporting “proliberation forces”. A relative paid for his release from the army’s detention camp and then he was “put on a boat” to Australia. Now in his early 30’s, he still dreams of bringing out his parents and his fiancee that he left behind. He has not spoken to them by phone for several months. Family members are too afraid due to Sri Lankan authorities “tapping the calls” and detaining people seen as “antigovernment.
In Australia, he is hampered by his insecure visa status. Potential employers overlook him in favour of citizens and permanent residents. Often he relies on low-paid, cash-in-hand jobs, and sometimes on friends and charity for food. In the meantime, he and four other asylum seekers are crammed into an ‘affordable’ twobedroom rental, sharing the $2400-a-month rent. Asylum Seeker Resource Centre has criticised the delay in ending a “cruel and inhumane” system. Spokesperson Barat Ali Batoor said the system was introduced by the former Abbott Government to stop people arriving by sea
Seeking refuge in the SE By Cam Lucadou-Wells South East Melbourne is a hot spot for asylum seekers awaiting their fate on bridging visas. The Dandenong postcode is home to the most asylum seekers on bridging visa E in Victoria, new official stats show. The short-term visa is granted to ‘unauthorised maritime arrivals’ awaiting a decision on their refugee status. As of June 2022, there were 591 BVE holders in the 3175 postcode – about one in eight of those living in Victoria. Next highest in Victoria was Sunshine with 459. Springvale ranked seventh with 138, Doveton tenth
from getting permanent residency. “It was introduced to fail people. It was flawed and gave little opportunity for their claims.” The wait has been a “very frustrating situation” for 31,000 asylum seekers across Australia and their wider communities. “There is a lot of stress and anxiety about the delay in the announcement. It should have happened by now. There’s been nothing.” Greater Dandenong Council’s asylum seeker advisory committee reported in December that TPV and SHEV holders were “experiencing fatigue from waiting”. Mayor Eden Foster leads the Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum, which comprises mayors from across Australia. She said the taskforce was continuing to press Federal MPs for an end to TPVs and SHEVs. While understanding the causes for the delays, she said it was “cold comfort” for temporary visa holders. Bruce Labor MP Julian Hill said that “I share the community’s frustration at the delay to be frank, and have numerous friends and local constituents affected.” “Details will be announced as soon as possible. “Unfortunately it is not a simple matter to clean up 10 years of utter mess that the Liberals left in Home Affairs including a backlog over 1 million visa and citizenship applications but 500 new staff are now making progress.” A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said the Government “intends to meet this commitment as soon as possible”. “The resolution of these visa holders needs to be carefully managed.”
Greater Dandenong
with 132 and Noble Park 11th with 131. Also in the South East, Cranbourne was home to 59 BVE holders, Endeavour Hills 52 and Hampton Park 49, Hallam and Narre Warren each with 32 and Pakenham 27. The most common nationalities were Sri Lanka (1448), Iran (1423), Pakistan (502) and Afghanistan (276). A further 468 were ‘stateless’. Nearly two thirds of the BVE holders were aged between 26-45 years, and most commonly men. More than 750 were children. Across Australia, there were 10,868 BVE holders. More than 80 per cent lived in Victoria or NSW.
Sunday 26 February 10am-3pm, Dandenong Market, Corner Clow and Cleeland Streets, Dandenong
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STALLS, ACTIVITIES AND MUSIC
greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/sustainability-festival
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Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
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STAR JOURNAL 9
LOOKING BACK
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
projects, the others being the redevelopment of the former stockyard site and the Dandenong market. He expected the council would be calling for tenders in about six months. “The town hall project will be the first to be completed to kick start the revitalisation and beautification of Dandenong.“ Cr Donovan said the State Government would contribute $5m to the town hall redevelopment turning it into a 510-seat performing arts centre.
100 years ago 1 February 1923 Our Town Hall Both the exterior and the interior of the Dandenong Town Hall are urgently in need of renovation, and now that the councillors are in a spending mood they should move on this long-delayed matter of repairs and improvements to the Town Hall. The Institute rooms upstairs badly need attention, and the whole of the building requires painting and renovating, whilst more accommodation is necessary in the main hall. These are matters that might well call for a special report from the Town Hall committee of the Shire council, with recommendations for this much needed work to be put in hand as speedily as possible.
5 years ago
50 years ago 1 February 1973 Crime Drops Crime in Dandenong and adjacent environs DROPPED by 3.5% last year on the figures for 1971, District Detective Chief Inspector G A DeVere, told the Journal yesterday. Commenting on a claim in another local newspaper that crime ROSE by 32% in the area controlled by the Dandenong Chief Inspector, DeVere said; “These are the true
The ground-level rails at Noble Park carry their last train before the opening of ‘Sky Rail’ in 2018.
figures…. there were 3383 crimes in 1971 in the Dandenong CIB district of which we cleared 1441, a 42.5% achievement. “ In 1972 there were 3263 crimes, and our assessment of crime is from simple larceny through to murder and we cleared up 1636 (50.1% success). These official figures show that in fact, that crime dropped 3.5% in the past 12 months.“
20 years ago 3 February 2003 Dande facelift on way Greater Dandenong mayor Paul Donovan expects work on the proposed $12m redevelopment of the Dandenong town hall will start by the middle of next year. He said the town hall would be the first of three multi-million-dollar
5 February 2018 Final train passes by The ground level tracks at Noble Park Railway Station have carried their final train. The last passenger train went through platform two at 12.48am on Tuesday 30 January. Noble Park’s Corrigan, Heatherton and Chandler roads level crossings will be gone by 15 February. Construction to elevate the rail and Noble Park Station is almost complete, including nearly 200 concrete beams and 83 piers. Focus has now turned to laying steel track and installing overhead wiring on the line. Buses will replace trains from Tuesday 30 January to Wednesday 14 February between Westall and Dandenong stations on the Cranbourne/Pakenham Lines. Acting project manager Zeljko Dobrilovic thanked the community for its cooperation and understanding during the works.
FAITH
Most optimistic thought By Reverend Bhakta Dasa Every one of us hopes that we will have happiness in our lives. True happiness is a product of inner fulfillment. Inner fulfillment is a life without fear. Though hope helps us to transcend fear, misdirected hope is the cause of all fear and great unhappiness. On a daily basis we put our hopes in the fallible soldiers of this world. We put our hopes in our own abilities and the abilities of others. But what hope is there? We may try to block this thought out of our minds but, can anything or anyone in this world save us from inevitable death? The Vedic scriptures repeatedly remind us that we are spiritual beings having a material experience. We are not these material bodies and we are destined to live eternally in full knowledge and bliss in the spiritual realm. The Vedas go on to explain that by the power of time, everything and everyone in this material world is destroyed. Does that mean that we should be pessimistic and should just wait for the inevitable? No, not really. Actually, it is hope in the wrong thing which creates fear and unhappiness. Somehow or other, if we get the association of Godly individuals, (in the Hindu tradition it means seeking out a Spiritual master or Guru),
MESSAGE OF
HOPE he or she, with spiritual wisdom, can re-direct us how to approach the Supreme Lord. With their guidance, when we call out to God, we gain the fortunate position filled with hope, a hope of eternal happiness. We all need spiritual hope. No matter how bad any situation is, if one has spiritual hope, one has true meaning and the spirit of joy contained therein. Everyone, without exception, eventually comes to a point in life where all “material things” become meaningless. This occurs when faced with loss or death. But if during our lifetime we cultivate finding hope in the eternal love of God, with all sincerity, we will receive the full gift of God’s mercy. So, before we really learn how to find hope in God, we must realize how everything else is hopeless. That is not being pessimistic, in fact it is the most optimistic thought. Reverend Bhakta Dasa is a Hare Krishna Minister Of Religion and Chair Of The Faith Communities Council Of Victoria.
Bhakta Dasa
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NEWS
Bail reform By Cam Lucadou-Wells
SMLS legal practice director Korina Leoncio, Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner Niki Vincent and SMLS executive director Kristen Wallwork. 317915
Workplace sexual harassment silence By Cam Lucadou-Wells Prevalent but too often unreported, sexual harassment in workplaces will be the focus of a free, confidential legal help service. South-East Monash Legal Service (SMLS) launched its Advocacy Against Sexual Harassment (AASH) program at Bunjil Place on 1 February. The service will help more employees such as Layla (not her real name) who was preyed upon by a manager at a small family-run business. After months of telling him to stop his unwanted touching and lewd comments, Layla felt she had no choice but to resign, legal practice director Korina Leoncio said. SMLS negotiated a compo payment for Layla from the “obstructive” and “unwilling” employer “What was probably most striking … was the employer agreeing to undertake sexual harassment training and improve its processes.” AASH provides free, confidential legal advice, ongoing assistance and advocacy, Ms Leoncio said. “We aim to empower clients to make informed decisions … and stand with them through the process if they want to take it further.” The big hurdle was “getting clients through the door”, she said. “It seems that one of the last places a person would approach for help is a lawyer. Only some 4 per cent will come to seek a lawyer for advice.” Victoria’s Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner Niki Vincent pointed to research showing 41 per cent of women and 26 per cent of men experienced sexual harassment in the workplace in the past five years. “It is an incredibly prevalent thing that occurs.” Yet, there was also “incredible” under-reporting. Just 17 per cent made a complaint. Males were the most common perpetrators (79 per cent). Research showed it was most likely to occur in male-dominated and rigidly hierarchical workforces. Most notably, the transport industry, police and emergency services as well as health services. Gender inequality underpinned sexual harassment as well as other forms of violence against women, Dr Vincent said. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
Dr Niki Vincent. 317915 It was disproportionately inflicted on workers under 30, LGBTQIA+, Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, workers with disabilities, migrants, temporary visa holders and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds. She said many complainants were in insecure, precarious employment and did not understand their rights. “The vast majority of complaints came to me about sexual harassment after it was reported internally to their organisations and those complaints were handled ridiculously badly.” Victoria’s “world-leading” Gender Equality Act aimed to do something about sexual harassment, Dr Lindsay said. It would stand as a model to “create real change in driving gender equality”. “Goodness knows, we’ve been waiting far, far too long for that. I think a lot of us are pretty sick of all of the advocacy going nowhere or at a snail’s pace.” Under the Act, employers now had a “posi-
tive duty” to promote gender equality, and to undertake regular audits of its workplace. They must report to the Commissioner on their progress in implementing their gender equality action plans. The Commissioner’s website publishes gender audit data and action plans from 300 Victorian public sector workplaces including local councils. In its own survey data just 4 per cent of women and 3 per cent of men who experienced sexual harassment made a formal complaint. Dr Lindsay said more regular training was needed in workplaces, including bystander intervention training. “The way an organisation handles sexual harassment is crucial to seeing more people reporting.” AASH is funded for four years by the federal National Legal Assistance Partnership. Details: smls.com.au
A South East community legal service says women and Aboriginal people have suffered disproportionately due to Victoria’s “punitive” bail laws. South-East Monash Legal Service (SMLS) is among many calling for Bail Act reform, including State Coroner Simon McGregor who labelled the laws a “complete and unmitigated disaster”. On 30 January, Coroner McGregor handed down damning findings into the “harrowing” and “preventable” death of 37-year-old Veronica Nelson in a prison cell after being arrested for alleged shoplifting. “Veronica, while alone in her cell at the Dame Phyllis Frost centre, passed away after begging for assistance for several of the last hours of her life.” In a statement SMLS said there had been “exceptional growth” in unsentenced women being held in prison since tougher bail laws in 2013 and 2018. Many did not “pose a risk to the community” and more likely to have committed “low-level offences”. Their incarceration also led to the “harmful consequences” of their children often being placed in child protection. There had also been a “dramatic increase” in Aboriginal people in prison who had not been sentenced. “This is the opposite of what the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody recommended, over thirty years ago”. Aboriginal women are the fastestgrowing demographic of being held in custody without sentence. “Many of these women are victim-survivors of family violence and mothers.They need support, not a prison cell.” Aboriginal children were also “disproportionately” impacted, with 69 per cent in youth custody being on remand. Along with bodies such as Liberty Victoria, the SMLS has called for the removal of the Bail Act’s “reverse-onus” provisions. This would reinstate the presumption in favour of bail subject to “specific and immediate risk to the safety of another person or demonstrable flight risk”. SMLS also calls for a ban on remanding people facing charges unlikely to result in jail sentences. Liberty Victoria president Michael Stanton said “our broken bail laws have now had tragic consequences”. “An applicant for bail should not be required to demonstrate that they do not pose a risk to community safety in order to avoid the impact of a reverse onus provision. “That would be very difficult to prove, even for many low-level alleged offences. “The onus should always remain on the State to demonstrate why a person being held in custody before hearing or trial is justified and necessary.” The Government and Opposition have both declared support for bail reform. Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said “the death of Veronica Nelson was a tragedy – nothing less”. “Our bail laws need to protect the community without having a disproportionate or unintended impact on those accused of low-level offending who do not present a risk to community safety. “We know we need to do more in relation to criminal justice reform, including bail reform, and that work is continuing.” Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien said more than 4 in 10 prisoners were held on remand awaiting trial “while Victorian court backlogs are the worst in the nation”. The Coalition was committed to “effective bail laws that protect the safety of the community whilst giving every opportunity to those in the criminal justice system to get on the right path.”
Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
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STAR JOURNAL 11
NEWS
Good sports recognised By Jonty Ralphsmith Two figures instrumental in increasing sport participation numbers have taken out the joint sportsperson of the year award for the City of Greater Dandenong (CGD). Parkfield Cricket Club president Dave Swierzbiolek and Springvale Districts Football Club president Sean Francis took out the honour publicly announced on Australia Day. Swierzbiolek was nominated by councillor Tim Dark who noted the family-friendly culture of the club. “Dave has done a lot of work to increase female participation in sport, particularly cricket and build that camaraderie to get them involved,” Cr Dark said. “He is absolutely one of the best people at getting people involved in sport. “Parkfield Cricket Club is consistently one that stands out in the municipality, they operate on a different structure, they get local people involved. “Boys and girls come down to play cricket and parents also get involved.” Alongside Parkfield men’s player Shane Cooray, Swierzbiolek was the key individual behind the growth in women’s cricket at the club. Underlining the work that has gone into individual development, the female team started up in the 2017/18 season and there have since been many Bandits play premier cricket including: Nilakshi Perera, Su Hewawasam, Tracey Kroon (all Dandenong), Nimnadi Dahanayake (Carlton) and Kamya Mishra (Melbourne). From the Bandits’ inaugural team, five played last weekend for the club. Parkfield also had Perera, Mishra and Mannat Chadha represent Vic Country at the under-18s national championships last month. Swierzbiolek, the coach of the women’s second XI team, has promoted inclusion by overseeing a nickname change from the Bears to the Bandits which signaled the start of a unified era for the club. He also ensured the female sides have their own identity, playing with a purple strip in their uniform. While Swierzbiolek worked closely with Cooray in boosting female participation at the club, he is credited with leading the initiation of the under-18s female team which ensures sustainable numbers for the seniors. First XI captain Stephen Cannon highlighted the work he does to boost enjoyment and participation, something which is always clear when Swierzbiolek speaks to Dandenong Journal. “He’s done a lot of work getting support behind the masterplan,” Cannon said. “He’s brought the (Noble Park United) soc-
Dave Swierzbiolek has been an important figure for Parkfield for several years.
Springvale Districts President, Sean Francis has been recognised for his work increasing participation in sport. 178861 cer and cricket club closer together – the two committees work well together to share the ground. “He’s done that much, you only remember the big-ticket items but he’s always working on something at Parkfield and he always takes on a lot of things to council. “As soon as there’s a Sunday available he’ll swing it so our young guys have the opportunity to play, he got the women’s seconds playing under lights – a lot of people would put it in the ‘too hard’ basket but he’s happy to put the work in.” Swierzbiolek has liaised with the council about the Parkfield Reserve masterplan which, among other benefits, will eventually deliver a double story clubroom for the Bandits. Francis, meanwhile, has overseen the rapid growth of the Dees’ netball program. After getting it off the ground in 2018, there
was eight teams last year and already in 2023 the club has more than 100 netballers registered prompting hopes of further growth. Francis took over as president ahead of the 2017 season and has led a changing of the guard at Springvale, which has also increased participation numbers for footy. The club had an under-19s program in 2017 and 2018 and while that has since been discontinued due to a lack of numbers, many of those players have graduated into senior teams at the club It enabled Springvale to field three senior teams last season, something likely to again occur in 2023. “He’s done it by creating an environment people want to be around. He didn’t just have a vision when he took over to be a better football and netball program, he had a vision for us to be better people,” said life member and club
legend Tony Cooper. “He’s been able to increase sponsorship by increasing the value to sponsors and made us a lot more active on social media. “Then there’s the hands-on stuff he’s done – sometimes he’ll be there 7am and locking up on a Saturday – it’s exceptional leadership and he’s never asked anyone to do something he wouldn’t do.” The work of both winners to increase sporting participation in the municipality has been vital. Just 49 per cent of residents in Greater Dandenong meet physical activity guidelines – 24 per cent lower than the state average, according to the sport and active recreation participation survey 2019, by the CGD. The survey also revealed there is a significantly low level of junior and female participation in CGD, with cricket, football and netball the eighth, 12th and 13th most popular physical activities respectively. “I think Sean is a standout local sports leader in the community,“ said councillor Sean O’Reilly who nominated Francis. “He’s one of the best advocates and organisers of sports I have come across in my 10 years in council, he has a good practical approach in his dealings with council and tries to get any issues resolved in the interests of local sports. “Every club succeeds or fails on the quality of its leaders and Sean has put in a lot of energy to build both male and female participation in sport in the area of Springvale.“ Swierzbiolek and Francis both delegated praise for their recognition, though multiple people within each club said the external praise was long overdue.
Government call out for Mental Health Providers Dandenong locals can expect easier access to mental health support before 2024. The Andrews Labor Government has opened the call for providers to deliver the next round of Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals, which will be established in seven more locations across Victoria this year including Dandenong. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals provide Victorians with community-based care, focusing on prevention and early intervention - as the best possible mental health support starts close to home. Minister for mental health Gabrielle Williams said these new free and accessible services will transform the way treatment, care and support is delivered to Victorians experiencing mental illness. “The Royal Commission told us that too many Victorians find navigating the mental health system too hard – we’re removing barriers to getting that care, with services in communities providing care close to home,” she said. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals support adults and older adults experiencing mental illness or psychological distress, including those with co-occurring substance 12 STAR JOURNAL
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Dandenong Labor MP Gabrielle Williams. use or addiction, providing treatment, care and support in their community, and closer to their support networks. Along with Dandenong, the new services, set to open by the end of the year, will also be in Shepparton, Melton, Mildura, Lilydale, Bendigo-Echucaand Orbost-Bairnsdale. These services will add to the first six Lo-
Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
cal Services that opened late last year, supporting communities in Benalla-Wangaratta-Mansfield, Brimbank, Frankston, Greater Geelong-Queenscliffe, Latrobe, and Whittlesea. There are no eligibility criteria and no need for a GP referral to access the new services which act as a ‘front door’ to the mental
health and wellbeing system offering welcoming and inclusive spaces, staffed by qualified mental health professionals, including peer support workers to cater for the diverse needs of all communities. The free Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals deliver on another key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System between 50 to 60 new services to be up and running across the state by 2026, with planning underway for future Local Services in Melbourne, Werribee-Truganina, Ballarat, Craigieburn-Sunbury, Ringwood, Horsham-Ararat and WarrnamboolHamilton-Portland. The Labor Government is getting on with building a new, compassionate and responsive mental health and wellbeing system that supports Victorians who need it, as soon as they need it, delivered by trusted and experienced providers. The Victorian Budget 2022/23 included more than $1.3 billion to continue the work to reform the mental health and wellbeing system, building on the previous year’s record investment of $3.8 billion. Health providers that are interested in delivering these services can find more information on tenders.vic.gov.au dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
BUSINESS IN FOCUS
‘Artist impression, subject to change’.
Latest community lifestyle perfect place for you. A re-imagined Clubhouse precinct At the heart of Lifestyle Riverfield is a multimillion-dollar, first of its kind Clubhouse precinct. This lifestyle-enhancing hub encourages you to spend your days your way. With spaces designed for wellness, movement, relaxation, creativity, connection and entertainment, you’ll find a place to match your unique pace. Feeling energised? Move your body at the gym with state-of-the-art TechnoGym equip-
ment, plank away at reformer pilates, hit up the sports precinct or lap it up in the 25-metre pool. Ready to relax? Soothe in the spa or sauna or simply soak up the tranquil atmosphere amongst the lush community gardens. Craving some good company and entertainment? Spend time with friends in one of the many meeting spaces, gather around the fire pit, enjoy a barbecue and alfresco dinner in The Commons, or watch a classic flick at the indoor or moonlight cinema. Want to immerse yourself in work or your
favourite hobby? Set up in the coworking space/library, get creative in the Makers Studio, or harness your green thumb and tend to the kitchen garden, complete with a spacious shed. No matter your lifestyle preferences, Lifestyle Riverfield and the spaces within it have been vibrantly and purposefully made for you. The Lifestyle Lounge is now open at Lifestyle Riverfield, 25 Concerto Street, Clyde. Call 1300 50 55 60 to book an appointment with the friendly and knowledgeable team to learn moce about this next generation community.
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Settler’s Run was alive last Thursday evening as over 160 guests celebrated the launch of Lifestyle Communities latest South East community Lifestyle Riverfield - a place that’s been thoughtfully refined for the next generation of downsizers. Set to impress, this vibrant community features generous blocks and modern, lowmaintenance XL homes, expertly design for working, semi-retired and retired people looking to downsize without compromise. If you dream of living a bigger life with plenty of space Lifestyle Riverfield could be the
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Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
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STAR JOURNAL 13
NEWS
Ace coach’s journey north By Phil Jarratt Locked down in Melbourne in 2020 and unable to work, successful tennis coach and former pro Pete Taylor and his young family decided to hit the road. Getting out of Victoria wasn’t particularly easy at that time, but after a police grilling at Tullamarine, Pete, wife Donna and children Milla, 12, and Leo, seven, boarded a flight to Darwin where they settled into 14 days’ quarantine at Howard Springs, beginning a grand touring adventure through the Outback that would eventually lead them to Noosa. Pete had been to Noosa with his parents as a kid, but for the others it was a discovery. “We all just fell in love with it,” he said. “When we eventually got back to Melbourne we started talking about moving to Noosa. It was kind of a joke at first, but it kept coming back into the conversation.” Donna, who had quit a high-flying job in retail management to spend more time with the kids, and had accidentally morphed into a very successful artist, could work anywhere. Pete was the one holding them back, committed to his position as head coach of Langwarrin Tennis Club, and at the peak of his powers after 14 years of top-level coaching. But then, one day late last year he heard about a job going at the Tewantin Tennis Club in Noosa. A little light flashed on in his brain. This was their chance. Born in South Africa, Pete Taylor migrated to New Zealand with his parents in 1995, where his dad helped establish successful dairy farms. Soon his success led to job offers in the region, and the family chose Australia over Indonesia, settling in Melbourne. Before he turned 12 he’d lived in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. At his primary school in New Zealand, students were given a choice to do a full day of school or play in a tennis tournament. “So naturally I chose tennis and we made the final in the doubles and I was hooked,” he recalls. After a successful stint in the junior ranks (reaching top five in Victoria and top 20 in Australian under-16s), the bank of mum and dad helped fund Pete’s foray into the world of professional tennis’s touring pros after his graduation from high school. With the sports media fixated on the Djokovics, Federers, Nadals and Bartys, you don’t hear much about the thousands of aspiring pros who travel a world of pain playing low level tournaments in forgotten cities for chump change (or nothing) as they take one step forward and three backwards on the rickety rankings ladder. In tennis they’re known, perhaps a little cruelly, as journeymen, but as in most professional sport, the grind of the qualifying tour sometimes reveals the true spirit and the real heroes of the game. And, as a former tennis pro once told me: “If you rank top 200, you’re a bloody brilliant player.” Pete Taylor ranked top 10 in New Zealand and top 65 in Australia in his pro career. If this qualifies him as a journeyman, then it’s a badge he wears with pride. He recalls: “I spent close to a year trying to be a pro, playing pro tournaments only. As an 18-year-old travelling to all these Eastern European countries (like Slovenia, Hungary, and Romania), I was just trying to survive rather than trying to win. “I didn’t travel with a coach, no helpers, just me and a mate doing the same thing. It was really backs-to-the-wall, just trying to survive week in, week out. You get a payday if you make the main tournament, but I was still playing qualifying rounds. “The mate made it as a tour pro, I went a different route, but I think we were both happy with the experience and the outcome. “It becomes pretty clear after a while if you’re going to have to battle, and it affects different players in different ways. If you don’t have the belief that you can beat people, you fizzle out pretty quickly. Then there’s the journeymen - they might not have the results but mentally it doesn’t bother them.” Fortunately, Pete had a Plan B in the form of a bunch of offers of tennis scholarships from American universities. Knowing next to noth14 STAR JOURNAL
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The Taylors at home in Noosa: Pete, Mills, Leo and Donna.
Junior coaching at Langwarrin. ing about the US college system, he passed over some of the majors and chose Morehead State in the pretty mountains of East Kentucky’s bible belt, where five Aussie mates from juniors days dominated the tennis team. “On the academic level, it was like doing Year 11 at school. If you turned up for class you got a pass. One time I failed, so I wrote to the teacher and said I was on a sports scholarship and I needed a B to keep playing on the tennis team. “He wrote back: ‘Done.’ The other Aussies told me when I got to Kentucky, introduce yourself to the teacher, shake his hand and give him a jar of Vegemite and you’re set! On the tennis level the competition was pretty tough though, these guys could all play.” After finishing his degree and college tennis career at Texas Pan American University, Pete
Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
Picture: ROB MACCOLL
Picture: SUPPLIED returned to Melbourne where he fell in love with Donna and became an elite coach, mainly working with touring players like Marinko Matosevic, who made it to a 39 ATP ranking. Over 16 years from 2006, Pete developed into one of Melbourne’s leading head coaches, masterminding elite and children’s programs at three major tennis clubs, while growing their member bases exponentially. Looking at this background, combined with the Taylor family’s absolute passion to become part of the Noosa community, the Tewantin Tennis Club had no problems in accepting Pete’s application. He says: “You could teach a five-year-old a basic top spin in 15 minutes, but it’s not about easy results. The philosophy now is to teach them how to play like the pros from the start, taking a five-year-old and building their skills
so that by about 11 they can play club comp.“ The Taylors sold their Melbourne home in four days, moved up and settled in Noosa last month. Pete conducted his first open day at the club last weekend and is well underway with his programs, while Donna is re-establishing her successful Dots By Donna animal prints business here. She says Pete came home from coaching one day and “busted me doing my art”. He says: “I didn’t even know she could draw!” Donna made $500 at her first market stall, got 88 orders off her first social media post and a couple of years later won a major international best product award at the New York Now show. Yeah, she can draw, and he can coach. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
FOCUS ON … VALENTINES DAY
Join Archie’s Farm Restaurant & Bar for a romantic night of delicious food and beverages.
Join us for Valentine’s Day Join us at Archie’s Farm Restaurant & Bar to enjoy a romantic night of delicious food and beverages with your loved one this Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, 14 February, 2023. Our delicious Valentine’s Four-course menu has been created by our Executive Chef using locally sourced produce and the finest ingredients for the perfect date night. Starting with a complimentary glass of Australian sparkling wine, highlights from the menu include delectable canapes on arrival, with Swimmer crab
cakes, stuffed zucchini flowers and Coquille St. Jacques au gratin. Entree and main courses comprise of your choice from our seasonal and bespoke options designed especially for our Valentine’s diners. Finish your evening of love with our chef’s favourite desserts, including dark chocolate cake, honey and yoghurt cheesecake and vanilla crème brulee. Beautifully designed dining space with a welcoming ambiance, Archie’s Farm Restau-
Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day As Valentine’s Day approaches on Monday February 14, it’s important to remember that while its true origins are not completely understood, it is now celebrated as a time to show those close to you that you love them, whether it be in a familial, platonic or romantic way. Hollywood stars and characters are famous for their passionate words, so read on to be inspired to love this February 14. Romantic relationships Whether you go all out for your romantic partner or make a small but meaningful gesture, they are sure to appreciate your efforts in showing your affection. Be it a candlelit restaurant date, romantic adventure outdoors or cosy night on the couch with takeaway food, it’s not how you spend your Valentine’s Day, but with whom you spend it. “When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your lift to start as soon as possible.” Harry Burns, When Harry Met Sally “No measure of time will be long enough… Let’s start with forever.” - Edward Cullen, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 Family and friends Sending friends and family a message to let them know you’re thinking of them on Valentine’s Day will make them feel special, in a time where many people might be struggling. A simple message along the lines of “Happy Valentine’s Day, lots of love,” with some cute emojis will go a long way to brightening your loved ones’ days. “I want to be loved while I’m here, and the only way to get love is to give love.” Snoop Dogg “A promise between friends means never having to give a reason.” Phoebe Buffay, Friends
rant & Bar is the ideal venue to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year. Whether you are celebrating with friends or spending time with loved ones, Archie’s Valentine’s Menu is the perfect complement to your day. Our dedicated chefs can tailor the menu for guests requiring most dietary requirements. Please advise of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. Additionally, Archie’s Farm will be offering our à la carte menu for those looking to indulge
in the restaurant’s brand new seasonal menu. Address: Archie’s Farm Restaurant & BarHyatt Place Melbourne Caribbean Park 38 Dalmore Drive, Scoresby, VIC 3179 Phone: 4137 1234 or visit hyattplacemelbournecaribbeanpark.com Hours: 6pm - 9pm Price: $115 per person Bookings are essential to avoid disappointment.
valentine’s day dinner.
No matter how you celebrate Valentine’s Day, it’s never too much to let your loved ones know how much you care for them. Picture: ISTOCK “All that really matters is that the people you love are happy and healthy. Everything else is just sprinkles on the sundae.” - Paul Walker Love yourself Regardless of whether you have a romantic partner or not, it is also important to practice self-love this Valentine’s Day. The pandemic has had a tremendous impact on many people’s self-esteem and confidence, so perhaps treat yourself to a nice bottle of wine, box of chocolates or spa day. Indulge in your passions, make yourself feel special, loved and alive. “Everybody needs a passion, that’s what keeps life interesting. If you live without passion, you can go through life without leaving any footprints.” - Betty White “I’m all about body positivity and selflove because I believe that we can save the world if we first save ourselves.” - Lizzo
SPOIL YOUR LOVED ONE WiTH A THOUGHTULLY SOURCED, REGIONALLY INSPIRED dining EXPERIENCE. Unwind in the elegant surrounds of Archie’s Farm Restaurant & Bar and enjoy local food and wine hosted in a warm neighbourhood restaurant. Four-course set menu including a glass of sparkling wine on arrival Tuesday 14th February 6pm - 9pm $115 per person BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL
T: (03) 4137 1234 E: caribbeanpark.archies@hyatt.com 000 000 0000
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STAR JOURNAL 15
WHAT’S ON Stretching & Awareness Meditation Stretching is a form of physical exercise aiding health and relaxation to stretch the body and move into a state of calmness followed by Awareness Meditation. Meditation harmonises the body, brings stillness and connects the soul to meaning. All welcome to join us for one or both of these workshops. Mondays at The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong (2pm-2.20pm Stretching, 2.30pm-3.30pm Awareness Meditation). Gold coin donation welcome. Bookings: Jo or Tayla, 9791 8664 or theopendoor@ssjg.org.au
Springvale Urban Harvest
Free Fun Day at Noble Park
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Swap excess homegrown produce, seeds and gardening extras. The Open Table will also be there sharing recipes, cooking demonstrations and resources that will focus on innovative yet simple ways to reduce household food waste. You can also contribute clothing, shoes and/or accessories and swap for some new (to you) items at the Springvale Community Hub Clothes Swap.
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Enjoy a day of free entertainment for the whole family at the Noble Park Community Fun Day 2023. For people of all ages and abilities, this event will have something for everyone to enjoy – from live music and cultural performances, rock climbing and circus skills, to free workshops, sports, and art activities. Come along and celebrate all that Noble Park has to offer! Enter via Corrigan Road. There will be limited parking available along Memorial Drive. Saturday 4 March, 11am - 3pm, Noble Park Skate Park Memorial Drive, Noble Park.
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Afghan women focus group Bakhtar Community Organisation is organising a women focus group to be held every two weeks. The group has a key focus on developing and supporting Afghan women, especially the new arrivals to get connected in the community, receive relevant information to access the government services, overcome day to day challenges and integrate into Australian society. A light refreshment will also be provided. Every second Sunday at 23 – 47 Gunns Road, Hallam. Details: info@bakhtar.org.au or 9703 2555 (Thursdays and Fridays).
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be some game demos hosted by our friends at Next Level Games. Games featured are, Pokemon TCG, D&D, Magic: The Gathering Warhammer, Free play (BYO games or try our collection) and Mini painting tables. Drum Theatre, Corner Walker Street and Lonsdale Street, Dandenong.
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Food drive Hallam Friends of Red Cross and Hallam Community Learning Centre are working together on a food drive for refugees in our local community. Anyone can make non-perishable food donations, which will be delivered to needy locals. Donations can be dropped off Mondays to Fridays 10am-3pm at Hallam Community Learning Centre, 56 Kays Road Hallam. Details: 9703 1688 or 0455 566 570.
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Free Games Night
Sunday Jazz
Come down to Drum Theatre for our monthly table top games night. Meet up with other players in the community, try new games, paint some minis, trade cards, all ages welcome. We’ve got space for war gamers as well. There will also
Enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon filled with great food, coffee and the smooth sounds of the Jennifer Salisbury Jazz Duo performing on the Cafe Vita deck at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
Peter Rabbit
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From 12pm-3pm on 29 January, 26 February, 26 March at Springvale Botanical Cemetery, 600 Princes Highway, Springvale. Details: 8558 8238 or info@cafevita.org.au
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.
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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
Saturday 11 February at Springvale Community Hub (12pm – 1pm No Waste Cooking Workshop, 1pm – 3pm Springvale Urban Harvest / Clothing Swap). Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greaterdandenong-council/events/springvaleurban-harvest-0
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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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.
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Jobs Victoria Advocate Drop-in employment information. Monday from 10am–4pm at Springvale Library; Wednesday from 10am to 4pm at Dandenong Library; every Thursday fortnight at CoCO’S, 2-3/48 McCrae Street Dandenong; Tuesday and Friday from 10am to 4pm at Springvale Learning & Activities Centre. Contact Ali Abd Ali. Phone: 0452 647 522. Email: pathways@springvalelac.org.au
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Second go at life
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
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
Selba (front) and volunteer Veronica in the Afri Aus-Care veggie garden. The organisation provides cooking classes for vulnerable members of the community. 213664
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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NEWS
Trail bike riders targeted A new operation targeting illegal trail bike riding across Melbourne parks is the first of its kind by Parks Victoria. Locals can expect to see an increased presence of Parks Victoria authorised patrol officers in urban parks to crack down on illegal trail bike riding on walking and management trails, to raise awareness of the safety risk and damage posed by their behaviour. Recent years have seen a spike in reports of trail bike riders spotted in Lysterfield Park and Churchill National Park. The new operation, under the name Operation OXIDE will set up patrols in these areas, along with Bunyip State Park and Kurth Kiln Regional Park, which have had significant impact from increased trail bike activity since the 2019 bushfires. As well as being a safety risk in popular urban parks, like Lysterfield, illegal trail bike riding causes damage to valuable habitat for native species, causes soil erosion impacting waterways and sensitive vegetation, and can potentially impact Aboriginal heritage and cultural sites in the area. Manager of Enforcement Operations Chris Mercier said the use of motorbikes in busy urban parks like Lysterfield Park is dangerous and irresponsible. “We’ve been able to build up a picture of when and where these illegal activities are occurring- we could be out there at any time, evenings and weekends- offenders should expect to be caught.” Parks Victoria said they will work in partnership with the Conservation Regulator and Victoria Police for safety and compliance on public land. Details of those riding unregistered or unlicensed bikes will be shared with Victoria Police. The areas are likely to see increased patrols over the coming months, targeting peak riding hours during the longer sunshine hours
Operation Oxide: Parks Victoria Authorised Officers on trailbikes patrolling Lysterfield Park. ered motorbikes under the law - which can be checked on the VicRoads website Motorbikes must stay on formed roads or tracks where this activity is permitted. Check details before heading out on your ride. Comply with signage. Be aware that there are other park users such as four wheel drivers, horse riders and cyclists that may also be using the approved road and track network. There are no legal ‘single trails’ for motorbike use on public land. There are penalties for riding off road or in areas where this activity is not permitted. “Parks Victoria encourages people to get out and enjoy parks, but it is important for the safety and enjoyment of all park visitors and the health of the environment that you stay within the law,” Mr Mercier said. To report illegal trail bike riding, call Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or Victoria Police. More information at exploreoutdoors.vic. gov.au/where-to-start/trail-bike-riding-instate-forests
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Parks Victoria Authorised Officers on trailbikes patrolling Lysterfield Park. Pictures: PARKS VICTORIA and on weekends. However, Parks Victoria recognises that enjoying the Victorian bush from the seat of a motorbike is a unique experience, and have some
things to remember when planning to ride on public land: Motorbikes must be registered and riders must be licensed. Some eBikes are consid-
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• Endeavour Hills Ocean Blue Milk Bar 90/92 John Fawker Drive • Endeavour Hills Nicholls Gledhill Real Estate 2 Raymond McMahon Boulevard • Eumemmerring Atura Hotel May-17 Doveton Avenue • Eumemmerring Caltex Woolworths Service Station 40/44 Princes Highway • Eumemmerring BP Service Station 60-64 Princes Highway • Hampton Park Hampton Park Library 26 Stuart Avenue • Keysborough Caltex Keysborough 248 Cheltenham Road • Keysborough Parkmore Shopping Centre 317 Cheltenham Road • Keysborough Barry Plant Real Estate Shop 1,320 Cheltenham Road • Keysborough 7 Eleven Keysborough 309 Cheltenham Road & Cnr Kingsclere Road • Keysborough Woolworths Supermarket 317 Cheltenham Road (Parkmore Shopping Centre) • Keysborough Coles Supermarket 317 Cheltenham Road (Parkmore Shopping Centre) • Keysborough O’Briens Real Estate Shop 6, 317 Cheltenham Road (Parkmore Shopping Centre) • Keysborough City of Greater Dandenong Shop A07, 317 Cheltenham Road (Parkmore Shopping Centre) • Keysborough Michaels IGA 466 Cheltenham Road • Keysborough Keysborough Learning Centre 402 Corrigan Road • Keysborough Foodworks Keysborough 285-289 Corrigan Road • Mulgrave Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre 271 Police Road • Noble Park Sandown Park Hotel Corrigan Road • Noble Park Coles Supermarket 1 Douglas Street • Noble Park Noble Park Newsagency 22 Douglas Street • Noble Park Harvey Real Estate 26 Douglas Street • Noble Park Century 21 Real Estate 38 Douglas Street • Noble Park Ray White Real Estate 42 Douglas Street • Noble Park Caltex Woolworths Heatherton Rd & Chandler Highway • Noble Park Noble Park RSL 1128 Heatherton Road • Noble Park Lucky Star Lotto 1268 Heatherton Road • Noble Park Cellarbrations 3 Leonard Ave • Noble Park Noble Park Aquatic Centre 9 Memorial Drive • Noble Park Noble Park Community Centre Memorial Drive (Ross Reserve) • Noble Park Noble Park Bowls Club 56 Moodemere Street • Noble Park Barry Plant Real Estate 390 Princes Highway • Noble Park Harrisfield Milkbar 519 Princes Highway
• Noble Park North Halton Road Milk Bar 65 Coolavin Road • Noble Park North Jan Wilson Community Centre Halton Road (Barry J Powell Reserve) • Noble Park North Jacksons Road Service Station 139 Jacksons Road • Springvale Century 21 Real Estate Shop 5-6/64 Buckingham Avenue • Springvale Springvale Shopping Centre 46-58 Buckingham Avenue • Springvale KFL Supermarket 46-58 Buckingham Avenue (Springvale Shopping Centre) • Springvale Springvale Learning & Activities Centre 1 Osborne Avenue • Springvale Springvale RSL 23 Osborne Avenue • Springvale Caltex Woolworths Springvale 102 Police Road • Springvale Aobao Milk Bar 106 Police Road • Springvale Savemore Supermarket 774 Princes Highway • Springvale Coles Supermarket 825 Princes Highway • Springvale Sundowner Caravan & Cabin Park 870 Princes Highway • Springvale Springvale Neighbourhood House 46-50 Queens Avenue • Springvale Biggin Scott Real Estate 363 Springvale Road • Springvale Raine and Horne Real Estate 236 Springvale Road • Springvale Woolworths Supermarket 302 Springvale Road • Springvale Springvale Newsagency 321 Springvale Road • Springvale Springvale Library 411 Springvale Road • Springvale City of Greater Dandenong Customer Service Centre 397-405 Springvale Road • Springvale South Southvale Newsagency 565 Springvale Road • Springvale South Koh’s Marketplace 162-170 Athol Road (Athol Road Shopping Centre) • Springvale South BP Service Station Springvale Road & Clarke Road • Springvale South Springvale Plaza Pharmacy and Tattslotto 3/800 Heatherton Road (Springvale Plaza) • Springvale South BP Springvale 974 Heatherton Road • Wheelers Hill Mulgrave Country Club Wellington Road & Jells Road
Scan this QR code to Subscribe for FREE now! Or visit: starcommunity.com.au/subscribe 12542625-JW13-22
18 STAR JOURNAL
|
Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
networkclassifieds.com.au
Trades & Services V Deadline
Placing your classified advert is so easy... Online: networkclassifieds.com.au (24/7) Phone: 1300 666 808 (Open 8.30-5pm Mon-Fri) Email: sales@networkclassifieds.com.au
Live fish door to door delivery in metro VIC, NSW & ACT Located in Dandenong. Specialising in Tropical Fish, Goldfish, Discus, Cichlids and Aquarium Plants.
12390512-ACM24-18
We accept payment by:
12588958-FC06-23
9792 5513 www.melbournetropicalfish.com.au Factory 2, 41-43 Sinclair Rd, Dandenong
Stress, Anxiety, Overwhelm, Procrastination, Anger/Frustration, Sadness
DRAFTING All residential houses, extensions, garages and carports. Phone BARRY 9704 0148 After 6pm
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PA
YM G EN IFT T C PL AR AN DS S A AV ND AI LA B
Mood Issues, Food Issues, Career Issues, Confidence Issues and Family Issues
V Drafting
VISA/MASTERCARD/EFTPOS (1.5% credit card processing fee applies. Cheques and money orders can be posted in or hand delivered to our local office)
V Electricians
Deadline for all classifications is 3:30pm Friday.
12435758-CG03-20
PRACTICAL TOOLS TO OVERCOME:
LE
J.L. Hutt Electrical
V Air Conditioning
NEED A LOCAL HEATING, COOLING & HOT WATER REPAIRER? mindsetalchemy.com.au
BRIVIS / VULCAN / BONAIRE / BRAEMAR Specialising in air conditioning and heating
Jason 1300 644 698
★
Credit Card Welcome
www.settlementplumbing.com
★
Call Chris: 0416 079 689 - 5940 7264
PLUMBING & HEATING
LIC. 33033
V Fencing & Gates
SAXON FENCING
Be cool this summer • Brivis Evaporative Cooling • Daikin & Rinnai Splits • Pensioner discounts • Evap & Split Service Specials
12588984-AI06-23
: lise in pecia es We S dwich n a s d crafte lads Hand ealthy sa uffins H ked m ly ba s Fresh d pastrie tters an it pla g fru in n n u St
All Types of Domestic & Commercial Work
34 years experience
Sൾඍඍඅൾආൾඇඍ
Creators of Fresh and Delicious Gourmet Platters Delivered to your office or venue.
Contact us on 0428 032 321 or info@artrisancc.com.au Visit www.artisancc.com.au to see our inspired menus and free delivery details
L&L ELECTRICS
• Service and repairs to ducted heaters and evaporative coolers • Gas ducted heating changeover units • Carbon Monoxide testing • Installations & supply of split system heating & cooling • Service, repairs and replacement of hot water services
Artisan Corporate Catering Ideal for your next corporate meeting, conference or networking event. Friendly staff are ready to assist!
1198421-ACM37-15
0433 780 055
24 HOUR SERVICE
Steve on 0407 704 213
Book in for your FREE 30 minute consultation
12581420-AV49-22
12588956-AI06-23
Ring Jim for a free quote 0417 054 198
(include your name, address and phone number)
G6102263AA-dc17Jun
www.melbournetropicalfish.com.au Unbeatable wholesale prices!
MEB & SON CONCRETING Footings, garages, v crossings, drives, paths & patios. In plain, colour, slate or stencil. Also drainage, saw cutting, 3T excavator, bobcat & tip trucks. NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL
12438941-CG04-20
Buy tropical fish online
V Concrete Products & Services
Palings, Pickets, Colorbond Fences & Gates Prompt and Reliable Service
Phone 0419 775 259 or 8751 4016
C1101420-JO46-13
• Automatic & Sliding • Ballustrading • Pool & Garden Fencing FREE QUOTES
• 9791 9877 • 0411 636 400
V Guttering
section of Network Classifieds.
V Carpenters
GUTTER CLEANING
Call James 0419 158 660
1161589-LB44-14
V Concrete Products & Services
Andrew Craven Concreting www.andrewcravenconcreting.com.au
V Handy Persons
DANNY THE HANDYMAN LOCAL HANDYMAN • CARPENTRY • PLASTERING / GYPROCK Free Quotes • PAINTING • GUTTERING/CLEANING Fully insured
NO JOB TO BIG OR SMALL
Call Danny 0470 472 850 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
QUALITY HOME CONCRETING
V Painters/Decorators
No job too big or too small Free quote • Compare our prices!
9795 4247 0407 324 768
A & F CONCRETING • SPECIALISING IN ALL TYPES OF CONCRETING/ CONCRETE PATTERN, SLABS • FOUNDATIONS ETC. • ALL DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL FREE QUOTE ANY TIME RING 9700 4378 C63804-BG25-8
AA & F&D UNITED PAINTING SERVICES • Interior & Exterior • Domestic & Commercial Over 30 years experience • Honest and reasonable prices
Call Frank on 0411 370 252
12535782-JC07-22
G5790601AA-dc18Feb
12588967-AI06-23
Support your local tradesman for ALL your concreting needs!
C1085227-JO32-13
Phone Andrew on
0434 666 040
CALL FOR A QUOTE
ALL HANDYMAN SERVICES
t 6OJU 4JUFT t (BSBHFT t %SJWFXBZT t 1FSHPMBT t 1MBJO $PMPVSFE t 4MBUF *NQSFTTJPO t 'BVY #SJDL t &YQPTFE "HHSFHBUF
0408 585 508, 5998 1127
• We Take The Mess • All Downpipes Cleared • Before & After Photos • Fully Insured www.spoutsuckers.com.au
12589138-JC06-23
QUALIFIED CARPENTER/ HOME MAINTENANCE
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
ALL TYPES OF GATES & FENCES
Employment
We are an Australian owned company and have been operating since 1990. In addition to our strong background of shower screens and wardrobes we also offer 10mm Frameless Screens, Vanity Mirrors, Splashbacks & Built-in-Robes.
PRESTIGE ROBES & SCREENS PTY LTD 9768 2845 prestige@net2000.com.au or sales@pras.com.au www.pras.com.au 62-66 VILLAS RD, DANDENONG SOUTH VIC 3175
12481388-NG07-21
9702 4410 www.fairbairns.com.au
12577964-AI46-22
PRESTIGE ARE MANUFACTURERS OF FINE SHOWER SCREENS AND WARDROBES
12522603-NG46-21
REC 17042 PIC 38148 AU 06212
Quality and Service
Trades & Services section of Network Classifieds. Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
|
STAR JOURNAL 19
Trades & Services
General Notices V Trades
PLASTERING AND PAINTING
A PLANNING PERMIT APPLICATION IS PENDING AS FOLLOWS: ‘ THE USE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAND FOR MATERIALS RECYCLING (CAR DISMANTLING), THE REMOVAL OF A RESTRICTION FROM THE TITLE (COVENANT P795726P) AND A REDUCTION OF THE CAR PARKING REQUIREMENT AT 27 NICHOLAS DRIVE DANDENONG SOUTH 3175. PLANNING APPLICATION NUMBER – PLN21/0090.’ (GREATER DANDENONG COUNCIL - PH. 8571 1000, EMAIL - council@cgd.vic.gov.au )
Plastering Painting and Tiling • Professional and reliable • Pensioner discounts • Instant quote via MMS Call Keith 0432 480 865 for a free quote V Plumbing
NEAT PLUMBING SERVICE Lic. Number 27186
Employment
No Job Too Small
1172347-DJ07-15
Hot Water Specialists Blocked Drains
V Positions Vacant
FACTORY HAND/MACHINE OPERATOR
0417 382 700
Wanted for profile cutting company located in Dandenong South. Small thriving company looking for day and or afternoon shifts. Experience is not essential. Training will be provided to the right applicant.
1 HOUR EMERGENCY PLUMBING
SEWER BLOCKAGES – MACHINE CLEANED
1158529-PB42-14
ESTABLISHED 30 YEARS STANDARD RATES ON WEEKENDS gjlawplumbing.com.au 7 DAYS 0419 136 181 - 0419 136 151
Forward resumes to irene@jollymac.com.au and we will be in contact.
12586917-SN04-23
PROFICIENT
12589204-JC06-23
V Public Notices and Event
12586981-AV04-23
V Plasterers
10% discount
Chris:9700 0410 584 435 Mob: • Carlos:0414 0414 393 393 700 Ph: 7098 700
12560928-HC35-22
V Tree Lopping/Surgery
V Tree Lopping/Surgery C316291-KK18-5
V Television/Video/Audio
HIGH TREE
ANTENNA MAN
TREE SERVICE
25%
DIGITAL ANTENNAS AMPLIFIERS TV OUTLETS
0409 888 228
OFF
THIS MONTH ONLY
FREE QUOTE
12469374-CG46-20
Find us on Facebook
V Tiling
0409 14 15 19 rakruyt@aol.com
C1072232-JJ4-13
All Bathroom Renovations • Bathrooms • Toilets • Kitchens • Decks • Water proofing • Walls and Floors
Cook
Phone Geoff 0418 340 825 Fully Insured
Employment
General Notices V Public Notices and Event
V Public Notices and Event
• Casual position
Free Quotes
Call 0432 550 066 or 8707 5522
78 Heatherton Road Endeavour Hills
• LARGE TREE SPECIALISTS • HEDGE TRIMMING EXPERTS • STUMP GRINDING • MULCH AVAILABLE • CONSULTING ARBORIST • No Fuss • No Mess • No Stress
☎ 9720 5111
Sell it local
12496966-LB23-21
TREE SERVICES
1. The site at which this works is being undertaken is located at 78 Heatherton Road, Endeavour Hills (near Endeavour Hills shopping centre). The proposed works are considered maintenance works, which include the replacement of the existing Optus equipment shelter located on the site with a new Optus equipment shelter as well as ancillary equipment including replacement of cabling, cable ladder steel footings and associated works to ensure the proper functioning of the facility. 2. Optus regards the proposed works as a maintenance activity under paragraph 3(b) & 3(c) Clause 7 Maintenance of facilities, Division 4, Part 1 of Schedule 3 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 based on the description above. 3. The proposed infrastructure will comply with the ACMA EME regulatory arrangements. An EME Report and further information can be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au site number 3802001. 4. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: CPS Technology & Infrastructure, (02) 9300 1700 submissionsVIC@cpstech.com.au 5pm on 21 February 2023.
550 Princes Highway, Noble Park North VIC 3174 www.rfnsa.com.au/3174018 r The proposed upgrade to the existing facility consists of the following works; replacement of three (3) existing panel antennas with new panel antennas (each no more than 2.8m in height), installation of three (3) new 5G antennas (no more than 0.81m in height, installation of associated ancillary equipment and reconfiguration of existing equipment on the facility and within the equipment shelter. Optus regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (Amendment No.1, 2021) based on the description above. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: BMM Group, 1300 260 834, submissions@bmmgroup.com.au by COB 21 February 2023. Further information may also be obtained from the website provided above. 12588899-JC06-23
• Located at Dandenong within the Catering and Housekeeping Department • Require suitably qualified cooks to provide nutritious meal options to our residents • Reporting to the Catering and Housekeeping Manager you will ensure meals are prepared according to individual resident dietary requirements and served according to internal guidelines ABOUT YOU: • Qualifications as a Cook (Certificate 3 in Commercial Cookery) • Experience in a commercial kitchen and Aged Care is desirable but not essential • Ability to operate in a team environment and during peak periods Enquiries to: Ben Pilois, 03 9791 2777
12589168-AI06-23
DAWSONS
Need cash?
PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE EXISTING OPTUS MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION WITH 5G AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATION
PROPOSAL TO MAINTAIN AN EXISTING TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY AT
V Tree Lopping/Surgery
$20 MILLION INSURANCE
Permanent Part-Time Mercy Place Dandenong Reporting to the Chef Manager, you will be working with a dedicated team of catering staff where you will play a key role in delivering a high-quality catering service to our residents. Your strong work ethic and the ability to work independently and cohesively with the team will assist in providing quality food for our 120 bed aged care home located in City of Dandenong.
section of Network Classifieds.
Rick Kruyt
ECONOMY TILING
Pruning Removal Stump Grinding
12588952-AI06-23
HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS ANTENNA SERVICE ALL AREAS
Summer Special
Pruning & Removal of Trees & Shrubs Stump Removal Hedges Mulching & Mulch Sales Full Insurance Cover
12474326-NG50-20
ABN 20 410 687 524
SAME DAY SERVICE
Oakfern Tree Care P/L
MERCY HEALTH: CARING FOR A LIVING Residential Aged Care
Quote Ref No: 19309 R30725
Reg No 082 1317E
ROOF RESTORATION ★★Replace CleaningRoofs/Gutters/Downpipes Roofs/Gutters/Downpipes ReplaceBroken BrokenTiles Tiles ★★Cleaning ★ Re-Bedding & Pointing ★ Roof Spraying (3 coats acrylic paint) & Pointing ★★Roof ★★10Re-Bedding Year Guarantee FreeSpraying Quote (3 coats acrylic paint) For a free★quote Free phone Quote Carlos ★ 10 Year Guarantee
12475470-JW51-20 G6032580AA-dc24Jun
V Roofing
Applications close: 24/02/2023 For more information and to apply, please visit mercyhealth.mercury.com.au
12565561-AV35-22
20 STAR JOURNAL
|
Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Air safety upgrade Local pilots are being invited to upgrade their safety skills when flying in and around noncontrolled aerodromes. Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in Moorabbin says pilot safety and skills in navigating non-controlled aerodromes is the focus of the latest pilot safety seminar this week. Most Australian aerodromes are in noncontrolled airspace and Australian Transport Safety Bureau statistics show there have been more than 60 incidents, including mid-air and ground collisions, in or around non-controlled aerodromes in recent years. CASA’s aviation safety advisers host free seminars for pilots at locations around Australia year-round to encourage pilots of all experience levels to refresh their knowledge and improve their safety. This week’s seminar in Moorabbin will give pilots practical tips about flying efficiently and safely at non-controlled aerodromes and discovering the CASA resources available to support them. CASA’s Tim Penney said flying into noncontrolled aerodromes poses its own hazards and risks for pilots. “At the seminar, we’ll spend time discussing looking and listening out, radio calls, procedures, pre-flight planning and supporting systems in your aircraft that can help pilots manage the risks and fly safely into and out of non-controlled aerodromes,” Tim said. Tim said CASA may also use case studies to see how things can go wrong and how pilots can be prepared to mitigate those risks to fly safely. “Whether you’re a novice or have been flying for years, we’ve designed this seminar so pilots of all levels of experience will get something valuable from coming along. Local pilots will have the chance to talk about local safety issues with other pilots in
Two allegedly stolen cars were seized by Victoria Police at Hampton Park on Wednesday 25 January.
Four teens arrested
A plane crash at Heatherton, just after takeoff from Moorabbin Airport. The pilot was taken to hospital. their area, to hear the perspectives and questions of those that share the sky. Pilots are welcome to raise any local safety issues and ask questions about rules and regulations.
The Moorabbin aviation safety seminar will be held on Thursday 9 February 2023 at 6.30 pm at the Woodlands Golf Club. Spots can be booked on EventBrite for the Non-Controlled Aerodromes – Manage Your Risks seminar.
V
Positions Vacant
V
General Classifieds Positions Vacant
V
Positions Vacant
V
FARM HAND
HC DRIVERS
Fulton Hogan are currently looking for people experienced in Sewer and Water Construction for the following positions:
The Tint Joint Berwick is looking for a full-time automotive and flat glass tinter with experience - ability to cut and fit tint efficiently and with exceptional attention to detail. Team player, hard-working and reliable, good customer service skills, well presented, trustworthy and reliable. Must be fully licenced and able to drive a manual vehicle. Please forward resume to: sales@fletchertintgroup.com.au or phone 03 9796 2166 12479649-JW04-21
Mention this ad for $10 discount New Ladies from 5pm
Please note that we only consider applications from skilled applicants with South East Water experience in new land development water/sewer reticulation & sewer outfall construction. Please send Resume and cover letter to: ashlee.davenport@fultonhogan.com.au PO BOX 690 DANDENONG VIC 3175 Or phone Ashlee Davenport on 0419 741 584
www.escortsrus.com.au
12577486-AV46-22
$110/ 30mins Open 7 days 48 Davies Avenue, Sunshine North 9364 0770 SWA6566B
Fill your position online
V
www.networkclassifieds.com.au
section of Network Classifieds.
swa224c
12561969-JC32-22
12565959-HC35-22
NEW STAFF?
Real Estate
9775 3210
V
For Sale
V
OVERLOCK BROTHER, 5 Cotton, Industrial, As new, price $2,850 selling for $600. Call 0402 385 692 V
Dancing
LEARN Scottish Country Dancing. Tuesday 7.30 to 9.30pm Senior Citizens Centre High St. Berwick 0407 882 866 diannesides@gmail.com
Professional Services
V
Pets & Services
For Sale
BIKE HYBRID VEKTOR 5.0, French connection valve for the tubes, Maintained by Big Bike regularly, $600. Call 0413 108 461.
Accommodation
ROOMS AVAILABLE, Single rooms. Gents only. 48 Hammond Road/45 Hemmings Street, Dandenong. Ph Daniel 0417 336 906.
ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au
V
Auto Services/ Repair
OCR
Old Cars Removed WE PAY YOU
$$$ For Any Old Car TODAY
0425 702 776
Rainbow Club
NEED
9703 2011
AUTOMOTIVE & FLAT GLASS TINTER
Ladies Welcome.
CREW LEADER/FOREMAN (SEWER/WATER) EXCAVATOR OPERATORS (SEWER/WATER) PIPELAYER (SEWER)
If this sounds like you please call us on
Positions Vacant
ESCORTS R US
12586952-JW03-23
• Min 2 years experience. • Good time management skills. • Confident on the road. • Knowledge of the Melbourne Metro & able to work under high pressure. • High Remuneration
V
AMBER 22yo. Just arrived. New in town. Excellent service. Hot and sexy. Avail. now. 0433 439 831.
TWO POSITIONS
12587165-ET04-23
2 days per week, Narre Warren North. Call 0438 306 629.
Adult Services
12423634-SN31-19
Employment
Four teenagers have been arrested in Hampton Park over a series of burglaries and car thefts across Melbourne. The four males face a total of 60 charges after being arrested at a home in James Wyman Place about 11.15am on Wednesday 25 January. Two allegedly stolen cars were also seized by police. Southern Metro Crime Team detectives allege the group were involved in 11 incidents in suburbs such as Sandhurst, Cranbourne and Mt Martha between 2025 January. The teens gained access to unlocked vehicles and properties, police say. Seven vehicles were stolen, with six recovered by police. The charges include aggravated home invasion, aggravated burglary, car theft and committing an indictable offence on bail. A 18-year-old man was remanded to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 31 January. Two boys aged 16 and 17 were remanded to appear at a children’s court, and a 17-year-old bailed to appear at a children’s court.
12589182-FC06-23
V
LMCT 10227
Massage Therapists
ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.
MY SPACE - FULL BODY CARE Full body relaxation massage by young and mature asian female therapist. Shower facility. Vanity Crt, Room 33, 249 Lonsdale St, Dandenong. Katie 0402 420 986. 0431 156 192. Open 7 days.
Buy & Sell in the
Motoring section of Network Classifieds.
with us and get better results
12514849-JW40-21
ADVERTISE CALL 1300 666 808 dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
|
STAR JOURNAL 21
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Hawks: “Still the hunter” By Marcus Uhe The standard has been set for Ben Wise’s Rowville Hawks. Having shook a long-standing finals-winning drought last season on their way to a breakthrough grand final appearance, Wise now sees playing in September as the minimum of what his young side can deliver. “Our expectation now is obviously to compete and play the best we can every year, but we want to have finals as a given, and then competing for a premiership is what we strive for and we want to make sure that that’s what we’re doing every year,” Wise said. But they aren’t looking back. “Obviously after the disappointment of last year with the way that we finished, it can go one of two ways; blokes can either use it as motivation to come back bigger and stronger and with a lot of our exit meetings, that was the message that we gave them and they’ve come back in really good nick. “There’s been a lot of personal bests and guys have got bigger and stronger, and with another preseason under their belt for these young guys, they’re only going to get better.” The time for reflection is over, and 2023 is a new year. While their rapid ascension to runners-up last year put the competition on notice, Wise himself wasn’t all-that surprised, having sampled what they could deliver in a shortened 2021 season, despite the results (two wins and six losses from eight games) not reflecting their ability. And with a large majority of his squad still in their early-to-mid 20s, there’s an expectation that the progression that got them to those heights in 2022, will continue to drive them onwards and upwards. “My squad’s really young, and for those guys to really improve their strength, their
Rowville Hawks are looking to go one-better this year than their runner-up finish in 2022. 292964 Picture: ROB CAREW body, their speed, their knowledge and get their fitness base higher, if they all collectively do 20 per cent individually then I think, as a group, we’ll get much stronger within anyway,” Wise said. “So I think that’s where the biggest growth is going to come from, that’s going to come from within. “Externally we may have over-achieved, but internally I had the belief that we had the talent there to compete at the top and we had the right formulas to compete with the good sides, and we had a lot of talent that people knew nothing about. “I suppose it did surprise a lot of people around the comp, but for me, I knew what I had and within, we were pretty confident that we would be able to go pretty well, make finals and change the trajectory of where the club’s been. “Before my time we made finals and hadn’t been able to win one, so to get that monkey off the back and for the boys to be able to see what they can do, I think they’re only scratching the
surface, some of these young guys, and I think it lit the flame.” In order to keep that momentum rolling, Wise is investing in continuity. The coaching group is remaining largely the same, albeit with adjustments in roles. In James Gwilt, Wise has his “right hand man” by his side once again, but Andy Scott moves from forwards coach to the midfield, and Matt Davey replaces Alex Frawley’s role as a player-coach. “They know what we demand and the messages are all the same, I think for the playing group, that’s a positive, and I just like working with the people that we’ve got,” Wise said of his assistants. “I’ve got great support, they’re great people, good humans, that’s what we want at Rowville.” The playing group, meanwhile, will be bolstered by the addition of some bigger bodies in the guts. Jackson McDonald will return to the nest to join forces with his brother Lachlan, while
Matthew Martini has made the jump from Burwood, having made an immediate impact in senior footy, finishing second in their bestand-fairest count and named on the ball in the Eastern Football League’s Division Two team of the year. Lachlan Stapleton, meanwhile, will bring his experience from the VFL with Box Hill and Williamstown, in an addition that has Wise excited. “Getting (Stapleton) 100 per cent fit is going to be vital for us,” Wise explained. “He’s been carrying groin problems for the last couple of years and chasing his tail a little bit, but he’s been able to build his body up again to 100 per cent and I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do this year.” Walking into a group that fell short on the final day of the year, led by Anthony Brolic, Ali Zijai and Curtis Blakemore, the motivation is spoken for. And on Saturday 15 April, they’ll come faceto-face with the side that burst the bubble of their golden year; Noble Park. “That’s why you play footy, isn’t it? You want to play against the best and credit to them, they’ve been a really strong successful side ever since they came into the competition. “But over the last four or five years they’ve had a really successful playing group that played a lot of footy together and they had great experience throughout with their leaders,” Wise said. “[We’ll] accept the challenge of whatever’s put in front of [us] but we’re still hunting, we didn’t win it so we’re still the hunter. “Sides will probably respect us a little bit more, which we set out to get last year, but we’re definitely still the hunter; Noble Park are the ones that are going to have to be worried about and I’m sure that the five or six other sides that finished in the finals or close, are going to be pushing to have a crack as well.”
Jackson’s season over in historic loss for the Flyers By Marcus Uhe A season-ending achilles injury to Lauren Jackson and the conclusion of their threegame winning streak put a dampener on the Southside Flyers record-breaking night in the WNBL on Saturday. Kayla Thornton was unable to repeat her late-game heroics of last week, in which she produced the game-winning layup to get the Flyers over the line against Adelaide, missing a running hook shot at the buzzer as the Sydney Flames claimed a one-point victory, 6867 in front of a WNBL record crowd of 7681 at John Cain Arena. The occasion took a sharp turn early in the game, with Jackson forced from the court after the first minute. Jackson, who revealed last month that she was playing through the pain of a broken foot, took no-further part in the contest, having re-emerged from the change rooms on crutches later in the game. On Sunday the Flyers confirmed that scans showed a partial tear in Jackson’s right achilles tendon, ruling her out for the remainder of the Flyers’ campaign, however the 41-year-old will not require surgery. The game itself was a seesawing battle between two teams who played in a five-point thriller in Sydney two weeks ago. Rebecca Cole was on fire early, scoring all six of her points in the opening quarter, but the Flames were able to capitalise on Southside missing Jackson’s minutes early in the game to take a three-point lead into the first break. Guard, Maddison Rocci took-over in the second as the Flyers began to make the running. Rocci had 11 points in the quarter but steady three-point shooting from the Flames kept them in the contest, despite not scoring for nearly three minutes early in the quarter. A missed layup from Nyadiew Puoch in the final minute of the half threatened to derail their momentum, as the make would have given them a six-point lead just before 22 STAR JOURNAL
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the long break. Her miss, however, opened the door for Sydney to make one at the other end, to cut the lead to two at the half. The third quarter once again highlighted the absence of Jackson as scoring dried-up for the Flyers starting group. A basket from Puoch, at the six minute mark, was only their second field-goal of the quarter, as Sydney’s Tiana Mangakahia’s speed was proving effective around the basket. Taking a three-point lead into the final term, the game was truly up for grabs. The two sides traded the lead for much of the quarter, but gritty work on the offensive glass from Monique Conti and Thornton led to second-chance points for the Flyers, who opened-up a nine-point lead with three minutes remaining. Accurate shooting from Sydney’s Vanessa Panousis, however, kept stoking the Flames, and in the blink of an eye, the game was tied at 65 with less than two minutes remaining. For a team that had pulled-off close victories in recent weeks, the execution late in the game was not what the Flyers would have anticipated. Sara Blicavs turned the ball over with an errant pass to Abby Bishop with roughly a minute remaining, before Bishop missed a chance to put them ahead when the scores were tied with 10 seconds remaining. They were forced to foul Mangakahia, who made one free throw, before having one final opportunity to win the game through Thornton, who couldn’t get the friendly roll on her shot. Rocci top-scored for Southside with 19 points but was uncharacteristically wayward with the ball, throwing seven turnovers. Thornton, who was required to play nearly 36 minutes due to Jackson’s absence, added 14 points and nine rebounds, but finished a team-worst -10 on the box score. Southside next face Bendigo in Geelong on Saturday 11 February.
Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
Southside Flyers star Sara Blicavs scored eight points in their loss to Sydney on Saturday night. 211194 Picture: SUPPLIED dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
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Forsyth forces draw By Marcus Uhe A fighting innings from Brett Forsyth has continued Dandenong’s revival under Glenn Marinic in Premier Cricket, holding on for a draw against Melbourne University at Shepley Oval on Saturday. The visitors declared on their day one total of 7-345, setting the Panthers 346 to win on a rain-shortened day. Wet weather meant there was an hour of play and 10 overs lost for Dandenong to either make the 346 required or for Melbourne University to take 10 wickets to win the match. The day started terribly for the Panthers, losing opener Tom Donnell in the first over for a duck, and number three Sahan Perera not long after for five, to have the home side on the back foot at 2-6. Watching the chaos unfold at the other end, however, was Forsyth, who built partnerships with Josh Slater, Max Marinic and Angus Newman to restore stability to the Panthers’ innings, reaching a half-century in the 41st over. Both Marinic and Newman were able to occupy the crease for long stretches with Forsyth, but Maranic was caught at cover for 25 off 75, having made significant inroads. Spin from both ends for the Students, including former Australian representative Fawad Ahmed, kept the pressure on the Panthers and made scoring tough as the sun emerged in the afternoon. But as the century approached, Forsyth began to free his arms. Two boundaries off Ahmed in one over took him into the 80s, and another two into the nineties, with the milestone in sight. It would have been two hundreds in two weeks for the Forsyth family, after Mitch made his maiden century for Springvale South in DDCA Turf 1 last week. It would be Ahmed who had the last laugh, however, after the opening batter was bowled, having shouldered-arms on 97. With the big wicket out of the way, the floodgates threatened to open for Melbourne University, with Angus Newman dismissed not long after Forsyth for just two. It was up to Matthew Wilson, who finished 47 not out, and Ben Allison, to see-out the remaining overs and secure the draw with four wickets in hand and 142 runs in arrears. In Northcote, Casey-South Melbourne,
By Marcus Uhe
97 from Brett Forysth helped Dandenong secure a draw against Melbourne Uni in Premier Cricket Picture: ROB CAREW on Saturday. 317884 made it back-to-back wins in two-day cricket with their victory over Northcote. Defending 6-252, the Swans dismissed Northcote for 199, thanks to the twin-spin variety of the returning Ruwantha Kellapotha, and Luke Shelton. Kellapotha (30-10-4-53) and Shelton (173-3-44) bowled 47 of the Swans’ 78.4 overs between them to be the major wicket takers, after opening pair Nathan Lambden and Jackson Fry were at their economical best with the new ball. After seven overs Northcote had crawled to 2-3, leading to a Swans win that keeps their finals hopes alive. Dandenong’s women, meanwhile, proved too strong for Prahran. Opening the bowling after her team sent the hosts in, Poppy Gardner claimed two early wickets to put Dandenong on the front foot.
That robbed much of Prahran’s innings of any rhythm as Acacia Sutton and Emma Gallagher each played their part in keeping things tight. Some later-order hitting from Prahran’s Jennifer Taffs got her side to 172, bowled out in the 49th over. In response, all of Dandenong’s top-order bats got starts without being able to play a match-winning knock, but the Panthers always looked on top despite the loss of some late wickets. Sophie Strickland scored the winning run off the fifth-last ball of the game, but it was more a case of timing the run-chase well than a frantic finish. Nicole Faltum top-scored with 34, coming in after Jessica Bohn (26 off 64) and Tiana Atkinson (30 off 53) lay a strong foundation at the top of the order.
Bears out of hibernation to win T20 crown By Jonty Ralphsmith Berwick are premiers! In a season that has yielded just two DDCA First XI wins, the Bears went undefeated through their five T20 games on the way to lifting the trophy. Matt Chasemore was the hero in the final at Shepley Oval on Sunday, against powerhouse Buckley Ridges, with 55 off 35 in an innings where all his teammates went at just better than a run a ball. After putting 5/161 on the board, Berwick looked home when it consigned Buckley’s toporder to 6/66. But a calm Matthew Goodwright delivered 45 crucial late runs to have Buckley needing 20 off the final over with two wickets in hand for a comeback win. It was again on the experienced Chasemore to stand up with his medium pacers after conceding 25 runs in his first three overs. But he bowled to his field which saw Goodwright hole out on the first ball of the over, effectively ending Buckley Ridges hopes, before a run-out three balls later put a decisive full stop on the contest. Playing North Dandenong in the semi earlier in the day, Berwick looked scratchy at 6/79 in the 14th over before a quickfire Lachlan Brown cameo helped the club post 9/141. It got down to the final over as Alamdar Raza pierced the field and guided the chase expertly in a knock of 31, after a wobbly start for North Dandenong. Bowling the final over, Berwick’s Harkinwal Singh held his nerve defending nine runs, conceding singles off the first three balls of the over before a nervy Raza ran himself out, feeldandenong.starcommunity.com.au
Rain ruins critical day in Turf 1
Matt Chasemore played an important hand for Berwick. 316265 ing the scoreboard pinch. Buckley Ridges’ semi was much easier, DJ Watson making light work of Doveton’s 3/152 on the small Wilson Oval. The skipper pulled Stuart Johnson for four on the first ball of the 11th over to bring up triple figures as his team eased to victory.
The scourge of the weather gods has returned to haunt local cricket once again, with not a single ball bowled in DDCA Turf 1 on Saturday due to rain and playing conditions. In a season already significantly altered due to rain, after administrators put a line through two-day cricket early in the campaign as a result of losing multiple fixtures, it was hardly the result that clubs in the bottom half of the ladder would have been seeking, as they look to avoid relegation. While in the premier half of the ladder, the battle for a critical top-two spot between Springvale South, Buckley Ridges and Hallam Kalora Park will remain on a knife’s-edge for another week. North Dandenong’s visit to Springvale South to face the Bloods, and Narre South’s clash with Buckley Ridges, were both scrapped just after 9am on Saturday morning. Hallam Kalora Park and St Mary’s fixture at Hallam Rec Reserve was the next domino to fall, after both sides were asked to report to grounds. Berwick and Parkmore Pirates, meanwhile, were forced to wait until just before 2pm before being told by field umpires that no cricket would be played. There was hope that they could get on the field later in the day, but wet patches around the centre-wicket area ruled-out the prospects of a contest, due to safety reasons. In a bizarre twist of fate that only a sport like cricket could produce, players from both sides departed Arch Brown Reserve in emerging sunshine, with no rain having fallen for the best part of an hour before the decision was made. For Springvale South, it means its unbeaten season continues, having won eight games and drawn twice, with weather also intervening on those drawn fixtures. North Dandenong will be frustrated, too, as a victory could have furthered the two-win gap between themselves in fourth and Narre South and St Mary’s, tied for fifth on points. The Maroons have 33 premiership points, 12 ahead of the Lions and St Mary’s on 21. Barring a miracle, in which Gavin Lehman’s Pirates win their three remaining contests against Hallam Kalora Park, Narre South and Springvale South, and gain significant percentage, and see Berwick, Narre South, North Dandenong and St Mary’s lose their final fixtures, the washout means Parkmore have been eliminated from finals contention.
Picture: JONTY RALPHSMITH
The unbeaten 100 came off just 34 balls and contained 10 maximums, play briefly halted on several occasions as he repeatedly targeted the straight boundary, sending the ball to the banks of Dandenong Creek. Opening partner Mahela Udawatte also took to Doveton’s spin-heavy attack clobbering seven sixes in a knock of 54 off 22 balls.
A sight no one wants to see, but was a common theme at DDCA Turf 1 grounds on Saturday. 318285 Picture: MARCUS UHE
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Tuesday, 7 February, 2023
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