A young published author, Senuka Maddumage, had a productive time during Covid lockdown.
Seunka, just 10-years-old from Wooranna Park Primary School, started writing stories.
Turn to page 10 for more
Senuka with his two books.
In a new health push, deep-fried ‘dimmies’ and chips are on the outer at Greater Dandenong Council’s sports canteens and kitchens. Built-inoilfryersarebeinggraduallyphased out as council’s sports pavilions are upgraded.
Clubs have also been banned from using freestanding benchtop deep fryers under new pavilion-hire agreements.
It’s hoped to promote healthier food and drink options in a municipality with some of the nation’s worst health indicators such as for heart disease.
Greater Dandenong community strengthening director Peta Gillies says clubs can still use built-in deep fryers if they’re provided.
“However freestanding benchtop deep fryers pose a safety risk to our community as they do not come with required exhaust fans nor grease traps, so cannot be used.
“Clubs that wish to sell fried food from kitchens that do not have a built-in deep fryer are advised to use air fryers instead, which is a healthier option and can be safely used on a kitchen benchtop.”
Continued page 5
Business groups are warning about the impact of incoming payroll levies announced in this year’s State Budget.
South Eastern Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) is one of many to come forward, saying they are “disappointed” by the introduction of a Covid debt levy via the payroll tax surcharge.
SEMMA chief executive Honi Walker said the government needs to refocus its priorities to support local businesses during these times.
“Government needs to focus on a path to recovery by fully implementing local content rules and ensuring a stream of skilled people are available - giving businesses the chance to invest and employ more people,” she said.
Both locally and across the state, the manufacturing sector is one of many struggling with staff shortages and people coming through schools into trainee and apprentice roles to support the industry.
Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce chief executive Lisa Moore said it will be interesting to watch the impacts that the increased payroll tax will have on businesses in the Dandenong area.
“While, yes, the government will have more money for Covid payback, the profitability of local businesses may be impacted, and slow down growth opportunities due to wages rising.
“If we look at unemployment data, statewide unemployment is approximately 3.5 per cent per cent, whereas Dandenong is approximately 7.2 per cent - these taxes may limit businesses’ ability to attract quality talent, particularly in our lower-employment area,” she said.
She said the industries that are more likely to be hit the hardest include construction, transport and warehousing, and the rental and real estate market.
Labor MP and treasurer Tim Pallas said Labor’s goals are to deliver on the promises made at the time of their 2022 re-election and help off-set the cost of living to Victorians.
The major change to this year’s budget came in the form of paying off the so-called Covid ‘credit card’ debt with the Covid Debt Payment Plan being introduced this year.
The plan includes two components, with the first bringing changes to medium-large businesses’ payroll taxes later this year.
Companies with national payrolls over $10m per year will pay an additional 0.5 per cent payroll tax, and those with a national payroll over $100m will be stung with an additional 0.5 per cent on top of that, coming into effect from 1 July of this year.
The second component will be covered by taxpayers with landholdings; those with landholds between $50,000 and$100,000 will have
a fixed charge of $500, landholds between $100,000 and $300,000 have a rate of $975, and above $300,000 will pay an additional 0.1 per cent based on the value of the landhold.
Victorians can also expect a change to the tax-free threshold for general land tax as of 1 January, 2024, which will drop from $300,000 right down to $50,000.
Opposition Leader John Pesutto said life is getting harder for Victorian families, with higher rents and increases in land tax, on top of hikes in school fees and major infrastructure projects being shelved across the state.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said the State Budget takes Victoria from the most locked down state in Australia to one of the highest taxing, as the government continues to hit business with the bill for the debt incurred throughout the pandemic.
“The government says it is the plan to pay off the ‘COVID credit card debt’ but they’re doing that by using medium to large businesses and property owners as an ATM over the next 10 years.
“This budget will be remembered for job cuts and tax hikes,” he said.
Monash University politics senior lecturer Zareh Ghazarian said the underlying message in this year’s budget is concerning.
“With the government reducing the public service size and increasing state revenue through taxes, it suggests that Labor is nervous about the state of our economy,” he said.
He said these changes to payroll tax and landhold tax will impact our local economy, making things harder for the everyday Victorian, and is likely to reduce our economic activity.
The incoming tax changes are likely to im-
A carjacker who robbed four online sellers, including two at knife-point in Melbourne’s East and South-East, has been jailed.
Lachlan Tre-Week-Kane, 25, of Wantirna, pleaded guilty at the County Court of Victoria to a spree of aggravated carjacking, six counts of theft, handling stolen goods, bail offences and driving unlicensed.
In December 2021, Tre-Week-Kane stole a car diagnostic tool, twoVW Golfs, a Holden SSV ute while meeting the online vendors.
The offences occurred across Melbourne, including a car theft in Springvale and a petrol drive-off in Clyde.
In one case, he pulled a knife on a Golf owner during a test drive and told him to get out of the car.
At another ‘inspection’, Tre-WeekKane reversed the owner’s ute, then drove forward into the owner and fled in the vehicle. The owner suffered minor injuries.
At the time, Tre-Week-Kane was unlicensed and on bail. He was said to have been overwhelmed by a desire to possess cars.
He has been found guilty of 78 previous offences, jailed five times and twice breached community corrections orders. He’d committed multiple bail and disqualified driving offences.
Judge Peter Lauritsen noted the man’s extremelylowIQ,drug-taking,ADHDand autism-spectrum diagnoses impaired his ability to make rational decisions and to regulate his behaviour.
It heightened the need to protect the community from him, the judge noted.
prove the state’s bottom line financially, but we can expect reduced spending at the local level, resulting in less money floating around for everyday businesses and locals alike.
“Landlords and business owners have two options: find ways to absorb these extra costs, or offset them to renters and customers,” Dr Ghazarian said.
He said Casey in particular, with several new developments on the horizon, is likely to feel more pressure from these incoming tax changes, particularly through increased rental prices.
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A psychologist assessed Tre-WeekKane as a high risk of violent reoffending. This risk had receded while in custody - away from his social group, financial pressures and the need for self-gratification.
Judge Lauritsen said as a young person, the accused had capacity to change but his prospects were “uncertain but tending towards the positive”.
Tre-Week-Kane was jailed for up to five years and two months, including 524 days already served in pre-sentence remand.
He will be eligible for parole after serving two years and eight months.
The Dandenong Hospital upgrade has been under-funded in the State Budget, according to the Opposition.
However, the government has returned fire, accusing the Opposition of being unable to read a budget paper.
“Our elective surgery waitlists remain high and ambulance response times continue to cost lives.”
West Gippsland Hospital, a $675 million commitment, is also under the same umbrella of $320 million announced in this budget.
“This fund will give our hospitals the flexibility they need to start on all of these projects right away – with each project staged to deliver the best outcomes and value for money.”
The $320 million funds include planning activities such as masterplan completion, due diligence investigations and feasibility studies and detailed design work.
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At the 2022 election, the government committed to invest up to $295 million alone for Dandenong Hospital with works to start by 2026.
This year’s budget announced $320 million for upgrades at seven hospitals including Dandenong.
South-Eastern Metropolitan MP Ann-Marie Hermans said she’s“really disappointed” at the “significant underfunding”.
“Labor’s financial mismanagement of the health system means Greater Dandenong patients aren’t getting the health services they need and deserve.
Altogether, the seven hospital upgrades would reach more than $4 billion according to investment promises in the 2022 election.
As the government committed an investment to each hospital in the 2022 election, it also raises the question why all seven hospitals were grouped under the $320 million Hospital Infrastructure Delivery Fund.
A Victorian Government spokesperson said the Opposition doesn’t know how to read a budget paper.
“Our $320 million Hospital Infrastructure Delivery Fund will help our hospitals plan and design their upgrades, expansions or complete rebuilds as well as support them to acquire any additional land they need.
“We are already delivering the largest health infrastructure pipeline in the state’s history and with our commitments last year this will increase to over $20 billion,” the spokesperson said.
With the initial funding allocated for planning and design work in the budget, construction dates are yet to be confirmed.
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said, “This year’s budget allocation is for planning and early works.
“When the planning process is complete, we will have a better idea of proposed timelines.”
An additional 25 level crossings have been listed to be removed in the State Budget while the outcome of Progress Street level-crossing in Dandenong South lingers.
Managing Director of Pakaflex located next to the level-crossing, Andrew Hamer and the Progress St spokesperson has recently had a meeting with City of Greater Dandenong CEO, Jacqui Weatherill on the issue.
“Truth is, decision has been made here and it’s a bad decision all I’m trying to do is say we shouldn’t accept bad decision,” Mr Hamer said.
Greater Dandenong’s Director of Business, Engineering and Major Projects, Paul Kearsley said council is aware of the safety concerns raised in the area.
“It is the responsibility of the Victorian Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project team to inform the community of its progress and the potential impacts, and to respond to any concerns raised.
“Victorian Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project team is currently finalising the first draft designs. Council engineers will review the designs to ensure they suitably address recent feedback regarding safety,” he said.
“Council will continue to advocate to assist local businesses so the Victorian Government and the Level Crossing Removal Project team are aware of their concerns.”
As part of the government’s level-crossing removal project, the rail line on Progress St would be permanently closed off and instead divert all traffic via Fowler Road onto South Gippsland Hwy.
A road bridge is proposed by Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP), which will connect Progress Street and Fowler Road in the busy industrial precinct.
Previously, Mr Hamer had meetings with Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams, Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) program director, Travis Edmonds and South-Eastern Metropolitan MP Ann-Marie Hermans.
“A lot of safety issues were raised and they (LXRP) said we’ll look into that and kick it off,” Mr Hamer said.
“They’re saying they’ve done all the modelling and it’s all good. They keep saying it’s a done deal and we go who made the done deal without talking to anyone first?”
The precinct is home to manufacturers such asVulcan, Pakaflex, Simmonds Lumber Group, JDN Monocrane and also Australia Post.
Mr Hamer said filing a petition against the project is still on the agenda.
Dandenong MP, Gabrielle Williams said, she is happy to table the petition before the parliament, provided it’s factually correct and “satisfies all the required formatting.”
“LXRP has undertaken safety assessments on this project and will continue to do so in consultation with the road management authorities throughout the design, construction and completion phases.
“Independent safety audits and traffic impact assessments are also carried out to ensure compliance with relevant road requirements and standards. This is the standard process across all LXRP projects.”
Liberal South-East MP Ann-Marie Hermans raised the topic in the Parliament on 22 March asking the Transport Minister not to proceed with the project.
“The owners of these businesses specifically chose Progress Street and Nathan Road because of this road access, and the government is now taking it away from them with their level crossing removal so-called solution.
“The government solution is not to remove the level crossing at all instead they are just closing it and permanently splitting Progress Street in two.
“So the action I seek is for the minister to save the government’s money by not removing the level crossing and not constructing a connecting road over Eumemmerring Creek, and I request in this action that the minister actually
considers the impact that this will have on the businesses and meets with the people, along with me.”
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan answered, “I acknowledge the Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region’s position to scrap this project, however the Andrews Labor Government will not agree to keep this dangerous and congested level crossing in place.
“We are getting on with the job and ensuring that locals can get where they need to go quickly and safely in Melbourne’s south-east.
“Early works on this project are set to begin in mid-2023, with the Progress Street level crossing to be gone for good by 2025.”
In opposition, nearby businesses say the level-crossing on Progress Street is not dangerous and neither does it cause congestion.
They say if the project goes ahead, Fowler Road is not designed to take on larger loads of B Doubles and other large trucks bearing large loads from both directions.
Across Melbourne, 110 dangerous and congested level crossings are to be removed by 2030 with 70 already completed, as part of the government’s commitment.
Mr Edmonds said designs for the project will be released in coming months and community feedback will be taken into account when finalising designs.
“The new road bridge will provide businesses in this busy industrial precinct with safer access to Princes Highway, while the Fowler Road and South Gippsland Highway intersection will be upgraded with new signals to improve traffic flow.”
Berwick MP Brad Battin has flown the flag for building a new airport in Melbourne’s South East.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday 31 May, he asked for Treasurer Tim Pallas to release all economic data as to the viability of placing an airport in the South East growth corridors. Mr Battin said the area was set to
be a growth area for Melbourne.
“We have so much down there with our growth, our businesses, our factories, our access to ports,” he said. “We have got so many business opportunities for the future, and it is important that we understand, not just for ourselves but also from the council’s perspective, what economic data is available to
ensure what we can look at building in the future. “We have heard many times about an airport being an option, an idea, a dream for the future of the southeast.”
Floated as part of Plan Melbourne 20172050 and the Melbourne 2030 plan in 2002, potential sites put forward have included Hastings, Tooradin, and Caldermeade.
Police have charged a 51-year-old Endeavour Hills man with murder and recklessly causing injury following a fatal stabbing in Endeavour Hills on Tuesday 30 May.
The man, who is currently in hospital under police guard, faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court via video link on Saturday 3 June.
The charges followed an incident at a property in Kassan Gardens on 30 May where a 39-year-old Endeavour Hills woman was fatally stabbed and a 10-year-old girl was also taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Police has confirmed the parties involved in this matter were known to each other.
Police have charged a 40-year-old Narre Warren man with murder as part of their investigation into an incident earlier this year where a man was fatally stabbed and dropped off at a hospital in Berwick.
Police arrested and subsequently interviewed the man during the morning of Friday 2 June, while he faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court in the afternoon.
Police also intervewed a 37-year-old man and released him without charge.
The arrests followed on from an incident on the morning of Sunday 26 March 2023, where 45-year-old Port Melbourne man Daniel Cockerill was dropped off at Casey Hospital with a stab wound to his upper body.
He was treated at the scene but passed away a short time later.
Victorians are being urged to get back to the basics of safe driving and remove any potential distractions, as new data shows a shocking amount of drivers not obeying the road rules.
Almost 3000 Victorians have been detected not wearing seatbelts or driving while using a mobile phone according to initial data from the Government’s new mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras.
During their first month of operation, the cameras have detected 2,993 offences, including 1,606 drivers and 225 passengers not wearing seatbelts and 1,162 drivers using mobile phones.
This comes as a shock to State Minister for Police Anthony Carbines.
“Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy and it’s shocking to see that so many people are putting their safety and the lives of others at risk,” he said.
”Driver distraction is a major contributor to serious and fatal collisions, and yet it is completely avoidable. I urge Victorians to buckle up and remove as much distraction as possible to them while they’re driving.”
The cameras began operation in April this year, using two high-tech AI cameras to capture high-resolution images of vehicles – including during poor weather and low light when distracted driving is even more dangerous.
Wellsprings for Women’s family violence service has had its funding boosted to $788,000 over the next two years.
Prevention of Family Violence Minister Ros Spence made the announcement on Friday 26 May.
“It’s critical that support is provided to women experiencing family violence, regardless of their culture or faith.
“This funding will enable Wellsprings for Women to continue this vital service to the community.”
Wellsprings for Women, based in Dandenong, provides women from CALD backgrounds with vital mainstream services in the City of Greater Dandenong and the City of Casey.
Chief executive Dalal Smiley had been concerned particularly about their Family Violence Case Management service prior to the announcement but was relieved to know the service will continue.
“We are worried of the State Government budget outcomes and what this will mean to our clients if we don’t receive adequate funding,” she had said.
The funding is an increase of $14,000 per year from $380,000 in 2022-’23 but falls short of the $120,000 rise sought by Wellsprings.
“Wellsprings forWomen are pleased to have its culturally tailored and responsive family violence case management service re-funded for two years,” Ms Smiley said.
“We just have to find other sources of revenue to supplement the cost of running the program.”
The service has provided case management support to women from migrant and refugee backgrounds experiencing forms of family violence.
“The funding covers the salaries of a FamilyViolence Team leader and four case workers whose role is to provide assistance to women experiencing family violence,” Ms Smiley said.
“The majority of the women have complex cases that require intensive support over long periods of time.“
There are 90 women from CALD backgrounds currently supported through this service.
More than 450 have been supported since its first year in 2021, offering culturally tailored and responsive service to meet the special needs of women from CALD backgrounds with multiple barriers in accessing any mainstream services.
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said:
“Wellsprings for Women is a fantastic local organisation and this funding will enable it to continue its vital work in Melbourne’s southeast.”
Ms Spence said the funding increase will enable a continued support for migrant refugee and asylum seeker women experiencing family violence.
“This year’s budget boost to Wellsprings for Women cements the organisation’s role in providing vital support in Melbourne’s south-east for multicultural women experiencing family violence.
“The Andrews Labor Government recognises that women of culturally and linguisti-
cally diverse backgrounds often have different needs, and we’re here to support them.”
The funding is part of a $117 million package to support victims of family and sexual violence and perpetrator intervention programs announced in the Victorian Budget 2023-‘24.
It builds on the record investment in the prevention of family violence, having invested more than $3.7 billion since the Royal Commission into Family Violence – more than every other state and territory combined, according to Ms Spence.
However, the culling of their employment support program has left Ms Smiley“heartbroken”.
Funded under the Community Employment Connector program (CEC) in partnership with South-East Community Links (SECL), the service was a “phenomenal success”.
“The CEC program delivered by SECL and Wellsprings for Women in the South Metro has been crucial in connecting vulnerable people with employment and vocational training.”
The organisation will continue to advocate for funding for its other services such as their neighbourhood houses coordination, the Adult Community funding and Further Education for the Student Contact Hour rate.
“Funding for both has fallen behind the cost of inflation in recent years,” Ms Smiley said.
Increased funding for mental health support especially for prevention programs and activities that promote mental health wellbeing at grass roots levels will also be advocated for.
Recently, Wellsprings launched its ‘Be the Voice’ magazine. It explores sexual assault, early and forced marriages and coercive control, with a balance of statistics based on the stories of 10 women from diverse backgrounds including Afghan and Indian.
The informative resource was a project funded by the City of Casey as part of the Empowering Communities grants from the Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria. WFW announced the round two funding they’ve received to take this project even further working closely with the 10 women. Round two is a one year project kick-starting from July this year.
Help is available. Call 1800 RESPECT (737 732). In an emergency, call 000.
The Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia
(MIFA) has raised concerns about the support available to vulnerable Australians experiencing complex mental illness.
In Dandenong, 20 per cent of residents are affected by mental health conditions.
MIFA says there is little help from either the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or from other Commonwealth and State/Territory psychosocial programs.
Without adequate support, MIFA warns, people with severe and complex mental illness will continue to experience adverse effects, such as homelessness, attempted suicide and marginalisation.
“There is, without doubt, a huge gap,” MIFA CEO Tony Stevenson said.
“It is a national human rights issue.
“Tragically, many governments are continuing to aimlessly kick the can down the road when it comes to funding new investment to support people with severe and complex mental health conditions.”
The state budget, dropped by the Andrews’ government on Tuesday 23 May shows some improvements to be made in the mental health sector.
Statewide, $160.2 million has been set aside for drug treatment and rehabilitation. $156.6 million will fund mental health clinical care facilities.
Mental Health Community Support Services will receive a further 90.5 million.
The government has also dedicated $10 million statewide to the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Renewal Fund.
Dandenong ranks second in Victoria for
MIFA says thousands are going without crucial mental health support. Picture: GENERIC
rates of homelessness.
A 2021 census reported 2366 homeless people in the Greater Dandenong area.
The rate of mental health issues is substantially higher among people with a history of homelessness (54 per cent) compared to the general population (19 per cent).
Wayss General Manager Shari McPhail says the numbers tell a “chilling story”.
“The number of people entering Wayss Access Point who are experiencing homelessness due to mental health issues has doubled since 2019,” she said.
“For many, living with a mental illness and accessing and maintaining a stable home can prove difficult.
“Wayss works closely with mental health agencies and as demand has increased substantially, this can delay and at times deter people from seeking the help they need.”
The Andrews’ budget has dedicated $134 million to homelessness services over the next four years, with $67.6 million for Housing First responses and supports.
Across Australia, there are 800,000 people living with complex mental illnesses. Mental illness and substance abuse issues are the second largest contributors to nonfatal disease in the country.
Severe mental health conditions also shorten sufferer’s lifespans through the higher prevalence of comorbidity.
On average, people with severe mental illness die up to 23 years earlier than the general population. MIFA has united with 40 other organisations to advocate for the Australian governments to rectify the lack of psychosocial support.
Mr Stevenson says hospitals can end up being the only option for many people, and the problem often reaches the crisis point before emergency departments are consulted.
“At the present time, all governments are undertaking an analysis of the actual need to determine how many people with severe and complex mental health conditions require support. It is clear to the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia that governments have shown absolutely no appetite at all for getting this analysis to speed up – or earmarking any funds for early investment.
“That is despite the fact that the clear gap is not just known, it is very clearly acknowledged.”
Funding support for people with severe and complex mental illnesses outside of the NDIS has decreased drastically, according to Mr Stevenson.
“The system channels people into emergency and hospital services, adding huge extra pressure to that system and in turn traumatising those involved.
“We need a focus on prevention and sup-
porting recovery, with greater investment in community mental health recovery services.”
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy 2021-2024 will hopefully help to bridge these gaps.
By the end of 2023, the strategy aims to implement and support structural workforce reforms to attract, train and transition support staff across local, regional and statewide mental health services.
The development of new and enhanced workforce roles within the industry is also a priority.
The Albanese government recently announced their support for Australia’s vulnerable homeless population.
Minister for Mental Health Gabrielle Williams announced on 18 May close to $10 million in support funds through the Labor Government’s Social Inclusion Mental Health Support Services program.
These funds were split between four organisations: St Mary’s House of Welcome, Uniting Vic.Tas, Jesuit Social Services Connexions, cohealth in partnership with the Inner West Area Mental Health Service and Launch Housing.
Almost $6 billion has been invested in mental health and wellbeing over the past three years by the Australian government, the largest investment in mental health in Victoria’s history.
The Albanese government says work is underway on 90 per cent of the Royal Commission recommendations regarding mental health reforms.
Help is available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or go to beyondblue.org.au
In an emergency, call 000.
A fire broke out at a supermarket in Lonsdale Street, Dandenong on Thursday evening 1 June with major roads blocked. A Community Alert was issued late evening due to the amount of smoke and activity in area.
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) arrived at the scene with 31 appliances, following fire panel indicator alarm and a call from the premises at 6.48pm. It took 120 firefighters to bring done the fire declared as under control at 3.47am.
The first crews arrived at the scene five
minutes after the call according to FRV.
The supermarket was still operating at the time of fire and all people were evacuated before firefighters arrived.
“Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) responded to a structure fire in Lonsdale Street, Dandenong overnight,to find a fire fully involved in the roof of a building,”FRV said. Country Fire Australia (CFA) responded with 9 units.
“The fire spread quickly across the building threatening neighbouring properties,” FRV spokesperson said.
The integrity of the building has not yet
been established and the cause of the fire is being investigated. Ambulance Victoria, Victoria Police, MelbourneWater the City of Dandenong and the EPA were in attendance.
The Princes Highway remains closed outbound between Clow Street and Foster Street, and between Walker Street and Langhorne Street.
Looking up Lonsdale St; (Princes Hwy) flashing lights and a smoke filled street police blocked traffic in a southerly direction. 338888
SISSONSPicture: GARY
From page 1
Good for waistlines, but some sports clubs fear it will be an unhealthy cut to their bottom lines. DandenongThunder Soccer Club’s kitchen facilities at George Andrews Reserve are currently getting a council makeover.
The club’s marketing director Dylan Korcari was unsure if a deep fryer was being installed. If it wasn’t, the “healthier agenda” would cost the club of vital funds.
Deep-fried hot chips were far and away the most popular food. With crowds of up to 2000, Mr Korcari doubted if an air fryer could keep up with demand.
“If you’re a kid at a sports game, you’ll want chips, potato cakes, dim sims and chicken nuggets. “If we get an air fryer it will take so much longer.
“I don’t see the benefit of getting rid of the deep fryer. If that’s the path the council chooses to go on, there would be backlash from the club. “I’d instead look at attracting more players by improving the ground itself.”
Keysborough Football Netball Club was recently told it could no longer use its benchtop deep fryer. It says it wasn’t consulted on this change to its pavilion-hire agreement. Club president Manny Scata said the lack of consultation was “poor form”.
“They’ve got to make sure if they’re changing the rules that they’ve got to consult and they’ve got to provide an alternative.”
A Cancer Council Victoria program – Vic Kids Eat Well – has enlisted 700 sports clubs, schools, outside school hours care and community groups to introduce healthier food and drink options. Often it was thought healthier items would impact a canteen’s profit, but this could be overcome with “creative marketing and savvy shopping,” Cancer Council healthy communities and nutrition manager Laura Paulsen said.
“Clubs might highlight healthy and delicious items by adding them to the front counter or near the register so they are at eye level for kids.
“Another idea is to buy in bulk, look for
specials or stick to buying what’s in season. Clubs might also buy canned or frozen fruit and vegies – they’re just as nutritious.”
Ms Paulsen said air fryers produced a healthier version of the “crispy textured favourites that many of us know and love”.
“We’ve had a number of sports clubs across Victoria start to use air fryers and they’ve received great feedback from young players and members.
“We can serve some old favourites using the air fryer, that will still taste delicious but will be better for us.
“We love hearing about Vic Kids Eat Well member organisations that are adding hearty vegetable soups and wholegrain toasties or wraps to their sports club menu, especially in our cooler months.
“We know of clubs that make big batches of frozen sandwiches to toast and then add fresh tomato and lettuce when serving them to kids.
“Toasted baked bean sandwiches are also a delicious option that our clubs love.
As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re upgrading roads to reduce congestion and improve travel times. We’re also building the Metro Tunnel to run more trains to and from our suburbs and removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 70 already gone.
Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions
Pakenham Line 8 to 21 June
Cranbourne and Pakenham lines
8.30pm 16 June to last train 18 June
8.30pm to last train, 26 June
Road disruptions: Closed roads and intersection
Cranbourne-Frankston Road, Cranbourne West Until 26 June
Hall Road, Cranbourne West Until 26 June
Evans Road, Cranbourne West Until 26 June
On sections of the line
Oakleigh to Westall
Flinders Street to Westall
Between Willow Glen and Ranfurlie boulevards
Between Cranbourne-Frankston Road and Banyan Drive
Between Hall Road and Strathlea Drive
Main Street, McGregor and Racecourse roads, Pakenham At times in JuneAt the level crossings
Hall Road, Carrum Downs 7pm to 6am on 17, 18, and 23 June
McCormicks Road, Carrum Downs 7pm to 6am on 17, 18, and 23 June
Between Rowellyn Avenue and Rangeview Drive
Between Munday Court and Edinburgh Drive
“Clubs might pre-prepare big trays of vegie-loaded pasta bake for the freezer or offer club-made burgers and wraps topped with salad.”
Sports clubs played an important role in community health, being the places children and young people were active, Ms Paulsen said. Vic Kids Eat Well groups get support from a local health promoter, resources and rewards along the way. Membership is free, she said.
“It makes sense to provide healthy options to fuel kids’ activity.”
Ms Gillies said the council recognised canteens were an important revenue source for sports clubs.
“We are always available to assist clubs to review and improve their canteen menus to provide healthier options in partnership with Monash Health and theVic Kids EatWell program.
“Council can also help clubs to identify appropriate benchtop air fryers.”
Dr Ilsa Evans is a mother, reverist, author, educator, a family violence survivor and leading expert in family violence field.
Dr Evans learnt how to operate an M60 machine gun, rose to the rank of Sergeant while she attended her lectures, took down notes, fed and took care of her three children.
“I certainly never ever would’ve thought back when I was in the military learning how to use a machine gun, that I would end up in a classroom teaching students about family violence as practitioner.
“I don’t think I ever sat down and plotted out a pathway it was just different choices made and sometimes a bit of luck along the way,” Dr Evans said.
She started off with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at age 17, after she struggled at school.
“I ended up in the military by accident.
“I left school at the end of my Year 12 because I had started school early it meant I finished Year 12 and didn’t turn 17 until the following year.”
For a young and immature girl who had a lot of growing up to do, military seemed like a good option, but it was the only one available to her.
Three years passed and Dr Evans decided that was enough of the army.
She moved into the Army Reserve while she undertook her Bachelor’s degree with a major in medieval history.
In 1995, she returned to the university again, this time to complete a teaching degree and PHD in 2005 which focused on the longterm impacts of domestic violence on survivors.
Dr Evans said her lived experience led her back to university to do the research in family violence.
“I had young children - as a single mother, I needed to look at what would suit raising them.”
A domestic violence survivor, she thought studying the subject may feed her some answers.
“That changed the trajectory of where I was going because I needed to understand what’s happened to me.
“I’ve never had anything like that happen before. It was something I struggled to understand,” she said.
Dr Evans managed all of these as a single mother.
“When you have children, the echo of the abusive relationship continues for some time.”
As she undertook her Doctorate in family violence, she interviewed 80 women for her research.
Not knowing what to do with a barrel loaded with confronting domestic abuse stories, she decided to write about them instead.
She wrote two books on family violence, ‘Broken’ was about an abused women and her escape from her relationship - an “amalgamation of all the women” she’d spoken to.
A Hallam-based builder had been promoting its “thriving” business just a day before going into liquidation.
Rawdon Hill formally announced on 25 May that it was winding up and had appointed Dye & Co as liquidators.
A day before liquidation, Rawdon Hill posted on social media that it could “help” customers of collapsed builder Porter Davis to complete their homes in the South East, according to The Age.
A Porter Davis customer in Clyde North says she came close to signing on with a deposit.
“We were about to sign on with this builder.They were the only ones that followed through with a quote for us,” she posted on social media.
“They’ve just gone into liquidation.”
In April, Rawdon Hill advertised in Star News that it had “secure product supply” and were “here to stay”.
“We acknowledge people’s reticence in choosing a builder in the current circumstances,” general manager Peter Grant stated.
“But want to emphasise that our current and future customers are and will continue not to be impacted negatively.
“We … can say with absolute certainty that we will proudly finish every single home in our strong pipeline, while we continue to pay everyone on time, every time – guaranteed.
“Rawdon Hill Homes continues to thrive and we are searching for even more local subcontractors.
“We are here and we are ready to build now.”
Since liquidation, Rawdon Hill’s Facebook page has been taken down.
The firm promotes itself as a lowvolume builder with 46 years of experience.
‘Broken’ turned out as bestselling.
“I’m incredibly proud of the journey even though nothing was deliberate.
“I’m proud of my accomplishments along the way.”
She raised her pen to caress the pages of her book not to merely raise the voices of those women but also for herself to find solace in a field so confronting.
“I needed to switch off and do something different so the light fiction was like an escape for me.”
Sixteen books later, Dr Evans is still going.
Today she works at as the Higher Education Coordinator at Chisholm Institute delivering the Graduate Certificate in Family Violence.
A heartbreaking 67 per cent of her students
have lived experience with family violence.
The course sits within Chisholm’s innovative Higher Education College - a leading course in family violence practitioner training across the sector.
Dr Evans said although there is a lot more work to do in family violence, there has been tremendous positive changes.
“I’m also on board with local organisations so I can see it not just from educational point of view.
“It’s not just reforms across the system but also community attitudes around out-dated gender norms we need that to alter,” Dr Evans said.
Help is available. Call 1800 RESPECT (737 732). In an emergency, call 000.
Rawdon Hill’s liquidator did not return Star News’s calls by deadline.
Customers were plunged into turmoil in late March when Porter Davis went bust, leaving more than 1500 unfinished homes in Victoria. Other builders such as Interface Constructions have also since collapsed. The State Government recently announced one-off compensation for 560 Porter Davis customers who signed their contracts and paid their deposits, but where Porter Davis did not take out Domestic Building Insurance (DBI), in breach of its obligations. Grant Thornton Australia was appointed as the liquidators of 14 Porter Davis companies.
By Matthew Sims
Casey bus users will soon be better connected to shops, education, schools and other transport services, thanks to an upcoming extension.
The State Government is extending Route 863 between Endeavour Hills and Hampton Park about 9km south along Hallam Road and Evans Road to Cranbourne West Shopping Village from Monday 26 June.
Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll announced the changes on Friday 26 May.
“We’re improving local bus services in Casey to make catching the bus a better option for locals travelling to employment, education, shops, healthcare and other transport modes,” he said.
The extension will connect travellers to train stations in Cranbourne West, Lynbrook, Hallam and Narre Warren and provide public transport links to the new Cranbourne West Secondary College for students who live in
Cranbourne West, Hampton Park and Lyndhurst, with services timed to coordinate with bell times in the mornings and afternoons of school days.
St Peter’s College (Cranbourne Campus), Gleneagles Secondary College and Hampton Park Secondary College will also benefit from the longer route.
The State Government will also be improv-
ing Route 895 between Narre Warren South and Fountain Gate, with the updated route going via Narre Warren Business Park when travelling between Narre Warren Station and Fountain Gate Shopping Centre.
Low usage services which previously ran express between the station and Narre Warren South will now visit all stops along the route, giving locals more travel options.
Casey Council chief executive Glenn Patterson said the bus network improvements were good news for the Casey community, making it easier for community members to travel via public transport.
“Our community deserves accessible and affordable public transport to get to and from work, school and the services they need,” he said.
“These bus routes are among those that have been identified by council as being most needed, so we’re pleased that these improvements will make travel easier for community members along these routes.
“The City of Casey looks forward to continuing to work with the State Government to improve the wider bus network in Casey, and we will continue to advocate for more buses to run more frequently to connect our city’s growing communities.”
Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards said the changes will give commuters a wider range of travel options: “We’re making it easier for the community to travel across our bus network –with the extension of these routes to provide public transport links to the new Cranbourne West Secondary College for students who live in Cranbourne West.”
Narre Warren North MP Belinda Wilson said the changes aim to get all Casey residents where they need to go with ease.
Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas said the updated routes will better connect Casey locals to vital services.
“Locals will benefit most from the extension of these routes,” he said.
Regional Development and Local Government Minister Kristy McBain got a tour of Casey Council’s priority projects for funding during a visit on 18 May.
Ms McBain was briefed on council advocacy projects including an upgrade and extension of Thompsons Road from Carrum to Pakenham.
Other priority items for state and federal funding are Casey Fields stage 3, Clyde Road corridor upgrade and the Doveton Pool in the Park redevelopment.
Casey Council administrator Miguel Belmar, chief executive Glenn Patterson, Bruce MP Julian Hill and Holt MP Cassandra Fernando were among the federal minister’s touring party.
Mr Patterson said investment in Casey and the South East would “unlock the economic and urban potential of what is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions” as well as create jobs and boost productivity.
“With more than 5000 new families calling Casey home every year, our growing population needs more investment than ever before.
“We are home to more than 390,000 residents and our population is forecast to grow to more than 550,000 by 2041, so it’s important that we work with all levels of government to ensure that we can continue to respond to the needs of our community and cater for current and future growth.“
Mr Patterson welcomed the government’s additional $2.57 million in Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program funding to Casey.
“Previous rounds of this program have enabled council to deliver a diverse range of projects that we may not otherwise have been able to deliver in the same timeframe,” he said.
“This has included everything from upgrades to recreation reserves, sporting facili-
As part of the State Budget announcements, the State Government has backtracked on its proposed waste levy on charity shops.
Charitable Recycling Australia director Jeff Antcliff, who is also an executive general manager at St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, called the news a relief.
“Charitable Recycling Australia (CRA) is relieved that the Victoria Government has confirmed the commitment to ensuring charities are protected from the impact of the landfill levy.”
The ‘protection’ will take form of a levy rebate or exemption.
Currently, charities are working with Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) “to implement the most efficient and practical support for 1 July 2023,” Mr Antcliff said.
In a letter, Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt said the support will continue in an ongoing manner.
“This new commitment reflects the government’s recognition of the important role that charitable recyclers play in Victoria’s circular economy, and the vital work charities do to support Victorian communities.
“This temporary waiver will be in place while the permanent solution is developed and finalised,” Ms Stitt said.
This announcement comes after the Victorian Government’s proposal to wind back the waste levy protections for charities from July this year.
Charity shops could have been billed an enormous $1.5 million in an “unfair” tax, which equates to 428,571 meals for those in need according to Omer Soker, chief executive officer of CRA in his open letter to Ms Stitt on 2 May.
Charity shops provide $232 million worth of relief in food, shelter, mental health services, crisis support and wide range of disability and illness support, according to the CRA.
ties and local roads to restoration of heritage assets and construction of accessible paths and pedestrian bridges – all worthy projects that have resulted in many benefits to the community.”
Mr Hill said the minister was briefed on “Casey’s rapid growth” and the need for federal
support for “critical transport and community infrastructure”.
“Kristy is a former mayor in Bega Shire, NSW, leading through bushfire disasters, and understands first hand the power of community advocacy.”
Ms Fernando said Casey Fields, especially
the soccer facilities and the upcoming Casey Mini Stadium, was the “pride of our community”.
“This crucial investment will help deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects in our region, and create jobs and long-lasting benefits for the people of Holt.”
The Victorian Parliament will launch an investigation into the state’s worsening rental crisis, which is good news for local residents being crushed beneath rising rents.
Wayss General Manager Shari McPhail said there is “growing demand” for homelessness services in the Casey and Greater Dandenong Areas as more and more citizens struggle to keep a roof over their head.
“People in our community are 2.6 times more likely to see the inside of a homelessness service than in any other local government area in Victoria,” she said.
Ms McPhail said there is increasing anxiety for renters in the region.
“There is growing concern that the Covid-19 debt levy on property investors is going to lead to rent increases, with no mechanisms in place to protect renters,” she said.
“Negotiations around the Federal Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund are now more critical than ever to supply affordable and social housing in the long-term.
“What this budget does not address is the growing demand for homelessness support services across our region, nor does it commit to any capital funding for housing, beyond the Big Housing Build.”
Ms McPhail said Wayss is concerned that the state government is leaving disadvantaged communities behind, and will continue to call for more resources in the South East.
Last week, a Greens’ motion to hold a parliamentary inquiry into the rental crisis was voted down after Labor joined forces with the Property Council and right-wing members of the cross-bench against the inquiry.
However, the committee that would been tasked with undertaking the inquiry, the Legal and Social Issues Committee, have voted to self-refer an inquiry into the rental crisis and housing affordability.
The inquiry will investigate the factors leading to low availability and high costs of rental properties, options to address insecurity, availability and affordability issues facing Victorian renters and the impact of short stays.
The adequacy of regulation with regards to standards and conditions of rental housing and the adequacy of the rental system and its
enforcement will be under scrutiny.
Barriers to first home ownership and the impact this has on rental stock and the experiences of renters will also be addressed.
Victorian Greens renters’ rights spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri, said she was pleased the committee had recognised the dire state of renting in Victoria, and the need for Parliament to provide urgent solutions.
She added that given there was nothing to support renters in the State Budget, it was even
more critical that the problems and the solutions to this crisis were put squarely in front of the government.
“Despite Labor’s disgraceful attempts to deny the rental crisis, it is good news for renters that the committee will now investigate the worsening rental and housing affordability crisis,” Ms de Vietri said.
“This inquiry will put the problems and solutions directly in front of the government who have been ignoring renters for too long.”
A young published author, Senuka Maddumage, had a productive time during Covid lockdown.
Seunka, 10-years-old from Wooranna Park Primary School, said he started writing stories during lockdown.
“During Grade 2, I had not much to do because I was stuck inside in Covid so my dad suggested I write and that progressed into print and publication.”
The talented young boy wrote 11 stories, out of which two have been published, with one making it to the hands of readers last year and the other just this year.
“I felt really happy and excited.
“I already had the story it was waiting to be published.”
His books are titled, ‘The Mess, The Muddle, The Big Mud Puddle’ and ‘The Bear and the Fishing Rod’.
“I feel excited about what the story will be like once it’s finished,” Senuka said.
His family, peers, friends and teachers say his accomplishment is remarkable.
School principal, Amanda Ellaby, said Senuka is an inspiration for other students at the school.
“Senuka is a very self-driven student whose
passion for story writing has flourished with support from both the school and his family.
“He is such an inspiration to our students as to how far you can take your small ideas and create them into stories that make a difference.”
Senuka is a bookworm who loves to read fantasy, sci-fi and realistic fiction.
He hasn’t planned writing his next book just yet but he said he’d like to write a chapter book exploring other realms and portals.
The Springvale Community Hub hosted a Reconciliation Week celebration on Tuesday 30 May, facilitated by Bunurong Elders.
City of Greater Dandenong welcomed the community to gather in National Reconciliation Week, to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples shared histories, cultures and achievements.
The theme for this year’s National Reconciliation Week is ‘Be a Voice for Generations’ and encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation where they all live, work and socialise.
The event featured a Welcome to Country and Traditional Smoking Ceremony by a local Bunurong Elder and over 150 local primary and secondary school students from across the municipality participated in the event.
Workshops for students included arts and crafts, artefacts, storytelling and Indigenous Youth Outreach Dance workshops.
The event started at 9.30am to 1pm and included a hip hop dance performance by the Indigenous Youth Outreach Project, story time in the Library presented by a Bunurong Elder and a book workshop from Kids Own Publishing.
Council said they’re committed to advancing the process of reconciliation and recognises the strong connection our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the land and waters of Greater Dandenong.
100 years ago
7 June 1923
News in Brief
Heavy falls of rain reported from the Riverina and Central Australia. The rainfall for May exceeded the average fall for the month in every rainfall district in Victoria.
Modern methods in schools include the use of the cinema and gramophone, both of which are recommended by inspectors.
Dame Nellie Melba, who was a prima donna at Convent Garden Theatre London 35 years ago, scored a great triumph in opera at the same theatre on 2 June, the King leading the applause.
50 years ago
5 June 1973
Centenary holiday is rejected by council
Dandenong City Council has rejected a move to give its employees – about 175 of them – an extra day’s leave as a centenary year gesture. The move was made in council on Monday night by Councillor Alan Pedder who said it would be “a fitting gesture” for the amount of work all employees had put into making the centenary year the success it had been. Opposing the mover, Councillor Peter Wagstaff said that notwithstanding the excellent work done by employees, it would cost the city too much while Councillor Maurie Jarvis said: “Council is very generous at the end of the year towards its employees”. Councillor Chris Ratcliffe was the only councillor to support the motion, saying “this is a gesture which is well worthwhile and would have its reward by the greater efforts by the staff
on other occasions”.
20 years ago
2 June 2003
Council on ‘outer’
The State Government formed the Dandenong Development Board because it had no confidence in the city council, Liberal MP for Eumemmerring Gordon Rich-Phillips told State Parliament last week. Mr Rich-Phillips said the board was formed to “override” Greater Dandenong Council. “This Dandenong Development Board Bill before the House is about overriding democratically-elected local government and putting in its place the Dandenong Development board to keep on development … because the Government has no confidence in the council”. However, Labor’s Adam Somyurek, who also represents Eumemmering Province, said the development board would
revitalise Dandenong.
5 years ago
4 June 2018
‘Failures’ walking it out
A mother and her daughter have both failed and couldn’t be more thankful. Both Dandenong women have tried to take their own lives and joined the 24-hour treadmill challenge at Anytime Fitness in Dandenong to support Suicide Prevention Australia. The mother walked for the entire event, from 3pm on Friday 25 May to 3pm on Saturday 26 May, “I’m in an incredible amount of pain at the moment, but that pain is so small compared to the pain you would feel if you lost a loved one,” she told the Journal on Monday 28 May. “I made a decision to walk the 24 hours on a treadmill to represent what anyone would do to save a loved one?”
Dandenong Showgrounds was a field of tartan and bagpipes for the 20th annual Scottish Heritage Day.
Magnificent Clydesdale horses, Shetland and highland ponies and Scottish terriers competed for prizes at the free event on 28 May.
The best on show were then exhibited in a grand finale - the Champion of Champions Parade.
A new four-star hotel, Holiday Inn in Dandenong has officially opened to book in those reservations.
The $12 million next-generation transformation features 124 rooms and the brand’s signature Open Lobby concept with Dandelion Lounge + Eatery.
Located in the heart of Dandenong’s business and entertainment, on 50-52 McCrae St, it’s accessible to other attractions.
City of Greater Dandenong mayor Eden Foster welcomed the new hotel opening.
“Getting out and about is easy, with the new Holiday Inn located in walking distance to the fabulous Dandenong Market, Dandenong Plaza Shopping Centre, Drum Theatre, Reading Cinemas and an array of restaurants and cafes.
“Guests looking for dining options can choose from a variety of different cuisines or can book into one of the amazing food and cultural tours offered locally through our
Afghan Bazaar or Little India precincts,” Ms Foster said.
Now she challenges anyone to find a more culturally diverse and welcoming city.
General manager, Scott Schaefer said, “Whether you’re spending time away with friends and family, or connecting over business, the hotel provides a warm and welcoming environment at an affordable price point.”
The hotel has injected more jobs in the municipality with 90 per cent of its staff employed locally.
The Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commercechiefexecutiveofficer,LisaMoore said the hotel is “much needed injection for both businesses and local community”.
“The business community - seeking places for brief coffee meetings, lunches or other business functions, will welcome the easy parking, access, and amenities.
“For the mid-to-long term, the refurbishment of this central accommodation and restaurant offering creates easy access to local shopping and attractions.”
On Wednesday 24 May, Myuna Farm held an evening nature walk through the farm wetlands to celebrate UN’s International Day for Biological Diversity.
The community gathered at Myuna Farm and caught the electric train down to the wetlands to learn about biodiversity and the flora and fauna found in the local area.
The activities included a group walk and talk about the importance of the wetlands and the biodiversity within, with a focus on the large population of Grey Headed flying foxes.
The community also participated in a frog and bird call play-back activity using citizen science apps, as well as a macro invertebrate and water bug identification activity and a seed dispersal demonstration, which involved examining the various ways that seeds can be dispersed.
“The guided walk through Myuna Farm’s wetlands was a chance for the community to immerse themselves in the rich biodiversity of the local area,” City of Casey Manager Sustainability and Environment Micheal Jansen said.
Wetlands like the one at Myuna Farm play a vital role in the healthy function of local ecosystems.
“The various organisms within the wetlands rely on each other for food sources and habitats, forming intricate ecological connections,” Mr Jansen said.
“For example, the fruit bats found in the wetlands contribute to the pollination of the local Eucalyptus forests.”
The water that enters the wetlands is largely from storm water drains.
This includes drainage from roads and roofs.
Mr Jansen said the contents that enter the run off from local drainage can have a big impact on the organisms and their ability to
survive in the wetlands.
“Maintaining a healthy wetland environment is also crucial for functions such as flood control, filtration of toxins and pollutants and for native Australian species to thrive.”
Wetlands will act as a big sponge and fill up with water, slowing flows in local creek systems.
The special plants found growing in the wetlands work to filter toxins and pollution, improving the water quality flowing through to Dandenong Creek and eventually to the bay.
The wetlands also provide unique habitat for many native Australian species, including several threatened species.
Local wildlife find their homes in more
places than just bushland.
Patches of roadside vegetation, farmlands and urban areas are also habitats for wildlife, and are not always managed and protected.
Community support for biodiversity is the best way to ensure wildlife in all habitats of the region can continue to thrive.
“Education helps foster a deeper awareness and appreciation for nature, to ensure a sustainable and thriving planet for future generations,” Mr Jansen said.
“Supporting local biodiversity requires a collective effort from the community.”
Mr Jansen said there are many ways for the local community to support biodiversity in Casey.
“Small actions such as making sure what goes down the drain at home or on the streets isn’t toxic, as the drains flow through to local wetlands such as Myuna Farm’s, and not littering as rubbish also ends up in our wetlands and waterways,” he said.
“Other ways include planting native indigenous plants to support biodiversity in the your backyard, installing nesting boxes and bird baths and getting involved with a volunteer group, such as Landcare, for more wide scale native planting.”
Keeping pets contained and making sure fruit tree netting is safe for local wildlife are also easy ways to contribute to the health of local ecosystems.
“Other things may be as simple as driving slower at dusk and dawn which is when many native species are out feeding and are at higher risk,” Mr Jansen said.
“You can participate in citizen science, such as iNaturalist, where you can contribute to species conservation without having to be an expert.”
Mr Jansen said it is important o spread “the word that biodiversity is important and worth celebrating and preserving”.
Vaping concerns
Understanding Vaping webinar with guest speaker Sharon Torpey from Drug Education Victoria. Get up-to-date, accurate information on vapes/e-cigarettes, trends and health risks, and strategies to support young people. Open to anyone including parents, teachers, sports clubs and professionals. Presented by Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia Shire councils, Quit and Monash Health.
· Tuesday 6 June,7-8.30pm. Register at events. teams.microsoft.com/event/1b07bd28c163-491b-b2dc-49c92d48b0ea@fd72cf66868a-4edd-8f84-8e91a618ab7f
Dinner with a VIEW
Dandenong Evening VIEW Club will hold a box and bottle auction at its next meeting and dinner. VIEW stands for Voice, Interests and Education for women and the Club supports the Smith Family’s Learning for Life Program.
· Tuesday, 6 June, 7pm at Dandenong RSL. Bookings essential. Details: Brigitte, 0491 626 527.
Clothes swap
Community members are invited to contribute up to 10 items of clothing, shoes and/or accessories. All items must be clean, in good condition and ready to display on the day.
· Saturday 10 June, 1pm-3pm at Springvale Community Hub,5 Hillcrest Grove,Springvale. Free event. Details: Zoe, mohlz@icloud.com
Urban harvest
Come and swap excess homegrown produce and gardening extras and meet like-minded growers in the area. Exchange home-grown fruit and vegetables, saved seeds and cuttings, gardening tips, seasonal recipes, coffee grounds, worm juice and gardening books. Supported by The Greater Dandenong Seed Library and the Springvale Community Hub Clothes Swap.
· Saturday 10 June, 1pm-3pm at Springvale Community Hub,5 Hillcrest Grove,Springvale. Free event. Details: 8571 1000 or council@ cgd.vic.gov.au
Tai Chi & Awareness Meditation
Tai Chi is a form of physical exercise aiding health and relaxation, following Shibashi DVDs 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, Tai Chi: 2pm-2.20pm; Awareness Meditation: 2.30pm-3.30pm (excluding public and school holidays) at The Open Door, 110 Ann St, Dandenong. Gold coin donation welcome. Bookings: Jo/Tayla, 9791 8664 or theopendoor@ssjg.org.au
Happy Place exhibition
The Magical Getaway Foundation’s Happy Place art exhibition features residents in Greater Dandenong depicting their ’happy place’ on canvas.
· Saturday 17 June - Sunday 18 June, 10am3pm at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens,66 McCrae Street,Dandenong. Gold coin donation.
Short film festival
Covideo Twenty23 Film Festival is a short film festival reflecting on the pandemic of 2020-22. Films include, award winning The Ninth Tower, Lockdown Loopbox, A Room for One and The End of Myself. Also featuring some of Victoria’s best Spoken Word Artists, comedians as well as celebrity judges and lucky door prizes.
· Saturday 17 June, 7pm-9.30pm at Walker
Street Gallery and Art Centre, Walker and Robinson Streets, Dandenong; $5. Bookings essential: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/ greater-dandenong-council/events/covideotwenty23-short-film-festival
Red Cross party
Hallam Friends of Red Cross is holding a birthday party in celebration of 44 years of helping the community. Guest speaker: Jennifer Seabrook from Victoria Red Cross. Light refreshments provided. All welcome.
· Tuesday 20 June, 1pm at Hallam Community Learning Centre, 57 Kays Avenue, Hallam; $5 entry, raffles $1 per ticket.
English for Daily Life
Bakhtar Community Organisation is starting basic English language and cultural integration classes in July. Led by an experienced tutor, ‘English For Daily Life’ will focus on the needs of refugees in a communicative environment.
· Details: bakhtar.aidaform.com/free-courseregistration-form or 9703 2555.
9x5 Exhibition
Now in its 16th year the 9 by 5 Exhibition proves that small things can have a big impact. Artists from around Australia present their creativity on
Places of worship tour
Bookings are open for Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network’s 2023 public tours to places of worship. Tour will visit the Turkish Islamic and Cultural Centre, Shiva Vishnu Temple, Brhma Kumaris Retreat Centre and Dhamma Sarana Buddhist Temple. Includes a vegetarian lunch for a $10-$15 donation.
· Wednesday 14 June, 8.30am-3pm. Payment of $25 is required prior to the tour to confirm your booking.
Details: Stacey Odwazny, 8774 7662, 0411 968 525 or education@interfaithnetwork.org.au
panels measuring nine inches by five inches in a wide variety of styles.
· Until Friday 7 July at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and Robinson Street, Dandenong. Open Tuesdays-Fridays 12pm4pm. Cost: free
Multicultural seniors activities
Keysborough and District Multicultural Senior Citizens Club has resumed activities for 2023. Enjoy concerts with professional entertainers such as Ron Kingston (18 April) and Marcia Rae (16 May). Also bingo on 1pm, 1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, line dancing on Wednesdays 1pm, ballroom dancing including lessons Thursdays 12.30. Membership only $5 until 30 June. Tea and coffee supplied.
· Rowley Allan Reserve, 352 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough. Details: Carol, 9580 6480.
Yoga Classes
For all ages, experience and abilities. Mats and other equipment available. No Booking required.
· Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am-10.30am at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; $5 per class or $40 for 10 classes. Details: programs@nobleparkcc.org. au or 9547 5801
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• Dandenong North Dunearn Pharmacy 11a Dunearn Road
• Dandenong North Coles Express 166 Heatherton Road & Stud Road
• Dandenong North BP Service Station Heatherton Road & Stud Road
• Dandenong North Dandenong North Senior Citizens Club 41a Latham Crescent
• Dandenong North FoodWorks Menzies Cellars
52 Menzies Avenue
• Dandenong North Menzies Milkbar 64 Menzies Avenue
• Dandenong North IGA Friendly 54 Outlook drive
• Dandenong North Liberty Fuel 182 Stud Road
• Dandenong South Georges Lunch Box 22a Amberley Crescent
• Dandenong South BP Service Station 175-187 Greens Road
• Dandenong South Lunchmaster 3/491 Hammond Road
• Dandenong South Kirkham Road Milk Bar 102 Kirkham Road
• Dandenong South Woolworths Supermarket 81-125 Princes Highway
• Dandenong South Shell Service Station 50 South Gippsland Highway
• Dandenong South United Petroleum 314 South
Gippsland Highway
• Dandenong South Caltex Service Station 275-295 South Gippsland Highway
• Dingley Village Dingley Village Newsagency Shop
• 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
Supermarket 169 Princes Highway
• Dandenong Caltex Dandenong 154-156 Princes
Highway
• Dandenong Coles Supermarket Dandenong 23-26
Princes Highway
• Dandenong Genesis Fitness Club Dandenong
63 Scott Street
• Dandenong Valley Village Mews 112 Stud Road
• Dandenong Dandenong Basketball Stadium
270 Stud Road
• Dandenong Caltex Star Mart Stud Road & Heatherton Road
• Dandenong Dandenong Lotto 308 Thomas Street
• Dandenong Gulistan Supermarket 187-189
Thomas Street
• Dandenong Quest Hotel 2-Oct Walker Street
• Dandenong McLennan Real Estate First floor, 126
Walker Street
• Dandenong North Foodworks Dandenong North 42-44 Brady Road
2/79 Centre Dandenong Road
• Doveton Doveton News and Lotto 7 Autumn Place
• Doveton Bottle O 2-Apr Linden Place
• Doveton Shell Service Station 48 Princes Highway
• Endeavour Hills Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre
Cnr Heatherton Road & Matthews Flinders Avenue
• Endeavour Hills Woolworths Service Station Cnr
Heatherton Road & Matthews Flinders Avenue
(Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre)
• Endeavour Hills O’Brien Real Estate Shop PS 5A
Cnr Heatherton Road & Matthews Flinders Avenue
(Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre)
• Endeavour Hills Coles Supermarket Cnr
Heatherton Road & Matthew Flinders Avenue
(Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre
• Endeavour Hills Woolworths Supermarket Cnr
Heatherton Road & Matthew Flinders Avenue
(Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre
• Endeavour Hills 7 Eleven Endeavour Hills Cnr
Heatherton Road & Power Road
• Endeavour Hills Endeavour Hills Milk Bar 13
Gleneagles Drive
• Endeavour Hills Endeavour Hills Medical Centre 61
Heatherton Road
• Endeavour Hills Liberty Service Station 13-17
Heatherton Road
• 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
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
•
Customer Service Centre 397-405 Springvale Road
of Greater
• 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)
South BP Springvale 974
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GREATER DANDENONG CITY COUNCIL
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DISCONTINUE AND SELL ROAD
Greater Dandenong City Council (Council) gives notice under sections 206, 207A, 223, and Item 3 of Schedule 10 of the Local Government Act 1989 and Section 114 of the Local Government Act 2020 of its intention to discontinue and sell the road known as Beck Court, Noble Park being R3 Road on LP 23922 (Road). The proposal is to discontinue the Road and sell the Road land to the abutting owner in accordance with Council’s Disposal or Sale of Council Assets and Land Policy (Proposal). The Proposal will include a creation of an easement over the Road land to protect existing services assets. Plans showing the location of the proposal are available to view on Council’s website at www.greaterdandenong.com Enquiries may be directed to John Gregory, Senior Commercial Property Officer on 8571 5307
A person may make a submission on the proposal under Council’s Community Engagement Policy and the Local Government Act 2020. Any person proposing to make a submission must do so by 5.00pm on Thursday 6 July 2023. A submitter must state within their submission whether they wish to be heard by a special committee of Council convened to hear any submissions. Council will consider all submissions received before making a decision on whether to proceed or not to discontinue the Road and sell the Road land. Submissions should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer and can be emailed to council@cgd.vic.gov.au or posted to the following address:
The Chief Executive Officer
ADVERTISERS,
Doveton Boxing Club is beaming with pride over the latest successes of club prodigy Riek Chuol.
The 17-year-old Pakenham local was crowned ‘Best Boxer’ at the Under 19 and Elite Victorian State Titles 2023, held over the weekend of 27-28 May, and won the final of the Victorian 54-57kg Youth Male division.
Having qualified for the final on Saturday by defeating his opponent in the semi finals, the bout against the more experienced William Bardsley was stopped by the referee in the third round.
Chuol said he had to overcome some earlybout anxieties to claim the title.
“I felt really nervous at first, because that boxer was way more experienced than me, and anything could happen,” Chuol said.
“But I kept composed and I fought, because I knew my mum and my sister weren’t going to be there, because they’re in Africa at the moment.
“I fought my heart out, put it all in the ring and ended up having it stopped in the third round.”
It’s the latest step on a whirlwind journey for Chuol, who only took up boxing a little over 12 months ago.
Chuol tried his hand at other sports when he was younger, including football and basketball, but nothing grabbed his emotions quite like the one-on-one nature of boxing.
“I like how there’s no easy way out, you’ve got to practice hard and train hard to become the best,” he said.
Chuol makes the trek from Pakenham to Doveton five-to-six times a week to train under the guidance of his coach Ryan Wilson.
Wilson is excited for what the future holds for Chuol, who he described as an aggressive, strong and explosive fighter with a competitive thirst and determination to improve.
“He will do whatever he has to to win, he puts it all out there,” Wilson said.
“He doesn’t go half-hearted.
“He’s stopped probably more than half of his opponents which shows his style, be-
cause as an amateur boxer there’s not a lot of stoppages due to the big gloves and head guards.
“He’s long, he’s very big for his weight category, which is due to the build he has.
“A lot of boxers compete for these titles and they’re very hard titles to come by.
“He’s gone to the top very quickly, which is very hard.”
The result means he has qualified to fight for national titles in Adelaide later this year.
Chuol hasn’t set any benchmark on where
win of the Eastern Football Netball League.
Both sides kicked eight goals in the second half but it was the Hawks’ fivegoals-to-two in the first hour of play that proved the difference in the 13.11 89 to 10.9 69 result.
Norwood kicked the opening two goals of the contest as the Hawks searched for alternative avenues to goal without Lachlan Wynd, who had been selected for the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL.
Defender-come-forward Kyle Stainthorpe was thrust into the role of fullforward, and took to the task well early, kicking his side’s first two to even the ledger.
The Rowville defence was firing on all cylinders in the second term, holding the visitors goalless while extending their lead to 20 points at the long break.
It would take the opening stages of the third term for the visitors to rediscover the scoreboard, and they quickly found another to cut the lead to single figures.
he wants to get to, but is keeping his ambitions simple as he climbs the Australian ranks.
“(My goal is) to become the best boxer I can,” he said.
“If that is to become a world champion, or a professional, that’s where I want to take my talents in the sport.”
Wilson said he can see the potential in the young star.
“He’s only so green too, he’s got so much to learn...he’ll go a long way, this kid, if he can stick at it.”
Haileybury won its first game of the APS competition last weekend with a big win over Geelong Grammar.
Playing at the Brighton campus, smaller than their usual home ground at Berwick, allowed the girls to move the ball more directly through the middle of the ground.
It resulted in the highest score of the season for the Bloods with Mia Kennedy and Dandenong futures player Indi Sherrit both kicking bags.
Both Haileybury and opponents Geelong College were missing their top-end players with the Coates League resuming last week, but others were able to stand up in their absence.
Poppy Murdoch, a bottom-aged player at the Dandenong Stingrays, was best-onground, and skipper Fern O’Brien was also strong.
While top-aged prospects return to the Talent League if selected upon its resumption, bottom-aged players remain with their school footy side in the girls space.
Last Saturday was the girls’ first full fourquarter performance and the best they have executed the gameplan all season, resulting in an 85-15 win.
Under coaches Cheyne Webster, who has experience in the Talent League, and Sean Allcock, who has been at the school for more than a decade, Haileybury’s girls are setting themselves for long-term success.
The resources available to girls footy are catching up to the highly regarded boys program, while just five players in the best team are in year 12, helping to create a sustainable culture.
Picture:SUPPLIED
The win follows three consecutive losses by under 10 points to Wesley, Geelong Grammar and Mentone Grammar, after a smashing by a strong Caulfield program earlier in the season.
Following that win, the girls had a 24-point loss to Ivanhoe on Saturday, but Kennedy kicked two goals and they were spirited after quarter time.
Webster gave an insight into Haileybury’s top-end footballers’ season so far.
Poppy Murdoch: A winger at Haileybury, Poppy plays in the inside mid-forward rotation at the Bloods which is where Webster sees her long term. She has an aggressive streak and crashes packs hard, with clean hands and impressive drive from stoppage. Fitness both ways is her next step and there is confidence, both from Haileybury and the Stingrays, that she is trending in the right direction. Sister, Ruby, also attends Haileybury and has been around the footy program as a runner.
Mia Zeilinski: A big forward who can take a contested mark and kick a set-shot goal, she has plenty of Talent League experience and is exactly the type of player that AFLW clubs are
crying out for. Has a long kick, leads aggressively and if she can match it with high-end fitness, the vice captain could be on the radars of AFLW clubs.
Fern O’Brien: The skipper is a former Talent League player but has stepped away from those commitments to focus on her studies. Having been used moreso across halfback in her Talent League days, she is an inside midfielder for the Bloods and has developed a lot of confidence. She understands when to impact and is a smooth mover which has people optimistic she could play a role at aVFLW team once her school days are over.
Zahra Clavarino: One of the tallest Talent League players, Clavarino is listed at the Dandenong Stingrays where she has played intermittently. In between, she has showed positive signs as a raw ruck/key defender for Haileybury. She reads the ball well in the air and has the capacity to grow into either a lockdown or intercepting defender. Has a long way to go on her footy journey yet, but has size and base level skill to work with, which Dandenong Stingrays coach Josh Moore has also noted. Is the brother of Haileybury alumni and former St Kilda player, Oscar.
Others: Mia Kennedy is a smart player inside 50 who has shown her tricks early in the season and has scope for improvement as a year 11 student. Alex Calogero plays an important role off halfback and is also in year 11. Meanwhile, Emily Bannon has high-end talent but has missed the early part of the season with injury. Ruck Meg Nailor is another to keep an eye on after giving her midfield first use in the win against Geelong. Nailor has shouldered a lot of responsibility in the ruck this season.
The moment called for a steady head to calm the nerves, and there was no better man to deliver that calming presence than Matt Davey who kicked three in the third term to keep Norwood at bay.
The first goal of the quarter was going to go a long way to determining the outcome, and when the visitors landed the first blow, flashbacks to the Noble Park and Balwyn games would have loomed large for those watching in brown and gold.
But goals to Zac Greeves and Jake Arundell in quick succession alleviated the tension, giving the Hawks a 27-point lead, their biggest lead of the match.
Both sides played goal-for-goal in the final stretches, but the Hawks held on for their fifth win in their last six outings.
Noble Park is back on the winners list, having comfortably handled bottomplaced Park Orchards.
The Sharks kept pace with the Bulls early, with both sides kicking four in the opening term, before the reigning premiers pulled-away in a dominant performance to finish 18.14 122 to 9.7 61 winners. After quarter time, the Bulls kicked 14 goals, where their opponents could only muster four, and finished the game by holding the Sharks a scoreless final quarter.
Key forward Liam Scott kicked five and was adjudged best-afield for the Bulls, continuing his strong goalkicking form with 11 in his last three, and in the midfield, star recruit Jackson Casey has found his groove beautifully.
At Balwyn, Berwick was always going to have its work cut-out to match its winning effort of the week prior, and the task ultimately proved too much in the 54-point loss.
TheWicks were slow out of the blocks, held scoreless in the opening quarter while conceding three from 10 shots on goal, and hit the sheds at half time trailing by 47 points.
Early in the second term, the floodgates opened.
Five goals in the first 13 minutes of the period, four of which coming from within the goalsquare, blew Berwick away before half time.
The margin was in-excess of 50 points before Berwick had their first major of the game, having conceded the first eight of the contest.
A strong showing in the second half went some way to repairing the scoreboard, but ultimately the damage had been done.
Hampton Park was made to pay for a wasteful first quarter at Caulfield.
The Redbacks were the dominant team early, with Nathan Carver kicking his team’s first two goals to put his kicking yips from last week behind him.
But while he was accurate, several of his teammates weren’t, as the visitors led by 17 at the first break despite dominating territory. Caulfield was both efficient and accurate in its forward half, typically playing its ground well.
The entries were long and direct, with Hampton Park’s defenders showing little fight outside of Jackson Philpin who took some marks and held them up well in defensive 50.
The Spiders’ lead was reduced to just six at the main break before the Bears ran all over them in the third quarter.
Hayden Stanton’s men were doughty in the last quarter and kicked the only goal but Caulfield was able to withstand the intensity elevation.
The Redback’s lack of height was clear on the day as they were found out several times.
With the middle of the ground a mudheap, the best route to attack was via the wings but Caulfield, which is renowned for defending its ground so well, clogged numbers and Hampton Park lacked aerial representation.
Carver was the standout on the day up forward with five goals but he was targeted too often, making for predictable kicks inside 50, allowing the hosts to double man him.
Fill-in skipper Trent Thomas finished with just one goal but also looked lively in the forward half, while Makaio Haywood was willing to get dirty and bust through in the middle.
Tanner Stanton was also among the best, playing in defence for a portion of the game as the magnets were shifted during a difficult third term.
Liam Myatt missed through illness but it was as much skill execution in the back half as
any in-and-under work where Hampton Park was lacking.
Doveton, meanwhile, got a 32-point win over Keysborough to consolidate its spot in the top four.
In Division One, Springvale Districts got an important win over Port Melbourne Colts.
Playing on their spacey home ground against a side accustomed to narrow confines allowed the Dees to run their opponents around.
Daniel Helmore finished with six as they showed there’s more to the forward line than Matt Wetering.
It keeps them firmly in the mix to finish in the bottom-half of the top five, with the Colts, Dees and St Paul’s McKinnon all seen to be contesting for two spots.
Dingley recorded a comfortable win over St Paul’s McKinnon and Cranbourne proved far too strong for Mordialloc.
Springvale Districts 200-gamer Matthew Thompson reckons he peaked in 2017.
That was illustrated at the best and fairest count for the club that year.
After seven rounds, he was runaway leader, before his big brother Kris took over the reigns as coach.
Matthew ended up winning by a solitary vote.
“Either my form dropped off or he does go that little bit harder!” said Matthew.
Noting that Matthew hasn’t won the individual accolade when he has been under him for a full season, Kris insists there’s no bias on his end.
“He’s just like any other player, we’re good mates outside of footy just like I am with a lot of the guys, I’m not any harder on him than other guys, never have been, and he gets no favourites from me that’s for sure,” Kris said.
“Some of the boys might disagree!” Matt quips back cheekily in the coaches room at Springvale Reserve.
Dees president Greg Scott reckons he’s had a dealing with a Thompson every day since 2016.
Their sister has overseen the rapid growth of the netball program, and their parents … well they never miss a game.
The senior coach jokes that he comes over for the annual Christmas lunch.
The contingent will all be out in force on Saturday.
Almost 20 years after Matthew remember cycling down with his mates, his two girls and five nieces are a staple at Springy Reserve.
His Dad generally enjoys some frothies while his Mum is a loud supporter.
Mum hasn’t passed on her vocal chords to her son.
Matt’s a popular teammate and played an
important role through some dark years for Springy Districts.
He stood up to lead the side when there was no-one else and remains part of the leadership group today under Mason Russell.
But the weight of his words has come via their scarcity.
Matthew’s first major memory of the club was celebrating as a young fella in September 2007 after the firsts, including Kris, and reserves won a premiership.
“He’s been first class,” said Matthew, speaking seriously about the impact of his brother.
“I don’t think I would still be playing footy if
I had someone else.
“I probably would have thrown the towel in by now, seeing the group improve as we go has been pretty good.
“He has game-plans and having a coach like that has been so different and helped everyone.
“You just have to look now at the evolution of local footy even, how you can get stats on your phone, vision, coming in on a Tuesday and having a review and watching yourself on TV like bloody hell, you wouldn’t have thought of that 10 years ago.
“Kris brought some things he learned at
VFL down to these local levels and if someone does that, the rest of the competition follows.
“We’ve been doing the reviews for years now and Kris has been a pioneer of that.”
The Thompsons were Noble Park juniors but destined for Springy Districts due to friendships.
Those sorts of recruits and stories are vital for the Dees which doesn’t have a junior club, so is often cutting it fine with player points.
As well as the two premierships he’s won, Matthew ranks a win last year over the arch rivals as the most satisfying moment of his career.
“If you want to do well, you will,” Matt says.
“If you’re mentally there and you’re determined to do well, you will, so I have always had that attitude that if I’m going to do something, I’ll give it a red hot crack so that’s why I’ve got what I’ve got, I think.
“I’m not overly skilled, I’m not lightning quick, I’m not the fittest guy out there, but I am a guy who really wants to do well and it plays on me a bit if I play a bad game, so the mental side of things is where I have an edge on some people.
“I’ve always been competitive and you get a lot of drive from mates from other clubs talking down to us.
“That was my biggest drive early on, to prove to them that we can get there and do well.
“Back in the day people would ask ‘are you gonnafoldsoon?’‘you’vegot no juniors’‘come two ks down the road’ and then last year we beat Dingley, it probably is the best home and away win I’ve had.”
Game 200 was initially set to be last week but a concussion the previous round saw him sit out.
Instead, he brought up the milestone in an important win over Port Melbourne at the ground where the memories started.
All the way back from the bike rides in as an 11-year-old.
