EHD Star Journal - 13th June 2023

Station tower fast-tracked

Win for kindness

By Sahar Foladi

Joseph de Souza is reaping what he has sowed in his 93 years of age filled with experiences, hardships and satisfaction through his multiple roles in the community.

The Anglo-Indian migrant is awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the King’s Birthday Honours list for his unstinting services to the community of City of Greater Dandenong.

“I’m over the moon. I’m so proud and yet humbled to receive such an honour.”

Mr de Souza has dedicated his life to the community with years of service to the Springvale Youth Club (now Springvale Leisure and Activity Club), the Bridge Adult Disability Service and through his role as coordinator of Justice of Peace document signing in Springvale Library.

He said volunteering has given him great satisfaction for the past 57 years and he wishes to seek nothing else.

“They come to me nervous and frightened and they go away smiling but I won’t stop yet until my time comes.”

Mr de Souza said he only continues to work hard in carrying out his roles and will try to be “worthy” of his new title.

Born in Burma in 1930, Mr de Souza escaped to India with his family where he trained on the Indian Mercantile Marine training ship.

He competed his Marine Engineering apprenticeship back in Burma and worked as assistant engineer in Calcutta until he decided for a better future for his family.

“Like a lot of people in Dandenong I’m a migrant but I’m Australian by choice.”

He left his country with his wife, three children and three suitcases to a whole new country which welcomed them with open arms.

“Australia was everything I had hoped for and my gratitude knew no bounds so I decided that, for giving me a home, a nationality and a country to call my own, I would do my best to “put back” into Australia,” Mr de Souza said.

He’s lived in City of Greater Dandenong ever since he arrived in the country, spending five years in Springvale and 52 years in Keysborough.

Since then, he’s devoted his time and efforts to serve the community.

Mr de Souza was also delighted to be rec-

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ognized on Australia Day Awards as Citizen of the Year 2023 by City of Greater Dandenong Council.

A humble, kind natured, God-fearing human being, he’s praised by all members of the community.

“Dad has done everything for the commu-

nity,” his daughter Gail said.

Heading a family of twin sons of 68 years, a 66-year-old daughter, eight grandchildren (ranging from 31 to 42 years) and eight greatgrandchildren (aged from one to 18 years), Mr de Souza will continue his works in the community.

Joseph de Souza has been recognised with an OAM for his decades of community service. 340382 Pictures: ROB CAREW

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Edwards is humbled

By Tanya Faulkner

“Humbled, I think is the biggest word.”

Phillipa Edwards, teacher at Lyndale Secondary College, has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to music through brass bands. She said she feels humbled and also overwhelmed at the recognition through the award.

“All of the stuff I’ve ever done is because I love music, cresting music and community, and connecting people. “All my life I thought I would be planting seeds of trees for other people to stand in the shade of.”

Ms Edwards has had an impressive career to date in the music industry, with several significant achievements behind her.

Award turns tragedy into triumph for Cini

By Emily Chapman Laing

Mentor, advocate, consultant, author and Clyde North local Julie Cini said she was “pretty stoked” to find out she was a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia as part of the King’s Birthday Honours.

“This is like my cherry on top of everything I’ve done and I’m really excited to be acknowledged in this way,” she said.

“As a person who’s a nobody, who’s a general everyday Joe-blow person, to be acknowledged with an OAM is testament to everything I have achieved over the years and it’s a real honour.”

Julie was awarded the OAM for her service to community health through her work with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Australia, where she has been a Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Julie’s journey began with the devastating passing of her two daughters Montanna and Zarlee, who both suffered Type 1 SMA.

Montanna was ten months of age when she passed away in 2004.

In May the following year, Julie lost her husband Ross in an accident, when she was 13 weeks pregnant with Zarlee.

Julie gave birth to Zarlee, who sadly passed away 12 months later on Christmas Day.

Where others may have succumbed to grief and loss, Julie made it her mission to advocate for the disease that took her daughters.

One in 30 people carry the gene for SMA, an inherited disease which results in the loss of nerves in the spinal cord.

The muscles connecting to those nerves, particularly in the neck, trunk, arms and legs, weaken, causing respiratory problems that prevent most children with Type 1 SMA from reaching their second birthday.

Julie has made significant advancements in the treatments available to families with SMAaffected children.

In 2017, Julie fought for a government subsidy for a life-saving SMA treatment called Spinraza.

At the time, it was the only known treatment for the disease and cost families an enormous $367,000 per year.

In 2018, she won the fight and Spinraza was listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), making the treatment $39.50 for nonconcession families, while concession holders paid just $6.40.

Since then, Julie has gotten another three treatments across the line.

“No matter what stage of SMA you’re at, you’ll be treated and it’s a game changer in the SMA world,” she said.

“It’s gone from an incurable disease five years ago to one where you will get to see your child grow up, it’s phenomenal.”

One of these treatments is a gene therapy called Zolgensma, an injection given to SMAaffected children at birth.

The treatment was PBS listed in 2022 and works by “putting a band-aid over the missing gene, helping it to be read correctly”.

“I’ve seen kids that are Type 1 and they’re walking, that was not an option five years ago but today that’s an option,” Julie said.

Zolgensma was the highest cost gene therapy in Australia, at $2.2 million.

Today, thanks to Julie, it costs between $5-$40 through a general chemist, and is free through hospital pharmacies.

Another of Julie’s highlights has been her work in getting newborn screening for SMA.

“The inception of newborn screening has been one of my big moments, to know that every child in Australia moving forward will be tested for this is an absolute delight,” she said.

“For someone in five years time who has no idea who I am, I’ve given the gift of life to them and there’s not many people in the world who can say that.

“They’re just going to know they have access to treatment and that is the legacy I get to leave.”

All of Julie’s amazing work over the past 19 years has been in support of her children, to offer other parents what Julie wasn’t able give

to her own daughters.

“I did this for my kids,” she said.

“When I get to see my kids at the end of the day when I die, I can say that if I couldn’t fix it for them, I could fix it for everyone else.”

Julie resigned from SMA Australia in June 2022, feeling she had accomplished everything she could at a national level.

However, she still involved in an advisory capacity and as a spokesperson.

“It’s still been full on, and although I resigned I still have the best interests of the community at heart,” she said.

“It was a personal achievement for me to finish what I started.

“I just knew there would be bigger and better things.”

Julie has now started an international charity called Advocacy Beyond Borders (ABB).

ABB works with patient groups and pharmaceutical industry organisations to develop and support local solutions to rare disease testing, treatment and management.

The website for ABB launched on Wednesday 7 June working primarily with Asia-Pacific countries, but Julie said the program is “rapidly” growing across the globe already, with interest in Egypt and Pakistan.

Julie is the distinguished author of ‘Leaving Life Legacies’, where she dives deeper into the loss of her family and how to keep going when life knocks you down.

She also owns two Miss Bella Bridal stores and offers workshops, mentoring and her services as a motivational speaker.

In receiving the OAM, Julie reflected on all she has achieved and how she believes this kind of accomplishment is available to anyone.

“Everyone has what it takes,” she said.

“I’m an everyday person with no formal qualifications and that’s inspiration to say to everyday people, you can do what you set out to achieve.

“It takes resilience and hard work but it is doable with the right people.”

Julie said someone once told her, when she first began with SMA Australia, that she wouldn’t be successful because of her weight.

Despite the negative commentary, Julie has created tangible and visceral change in the lives of countless Australian families.

“The sky is the limit, I am so grateful to be given this award,” she said.

“It makes all those days of pain and all those negative comments, the “you’re never good enough”, it makes it all worth it.

“I’m a middle aged, over-weight lady who just got an OAM and I’m here to say it’s doable.”

She started her teaching career in 1994 as a trumpet specialist and band director for Eltham High School and has since taught at several schools, including the Victorian College of the Arts, before coming to Lyndale in 2018.

Ms Edwards also has ties to several brass bands, both as a member and musical director, holds a life membership with Footscray - Yarraville City Band, and remains connected to both Glenferrie Brass and the Hyde Street Youth Band since 2019. Under the direction of Ms Edwards, the Hyde StreetYouth Band recently became Australia’s top Junior Band, also winning the Open D Grade against adult bands, at the Australian National Band Championships in Newcastle over Easter weekend.

Alongside her personal achievements, some of her music students are also moving on to having successful careers both within and outside the music industry.

“Music provides a vehicle for them to grow and achieve. “Some of them have gone on to be doctors, some are still musicians in bands, and some are teachers, but all of them still feed back into their communities, trying to pay things forward and being the change in the community,” she said.

But to Ms Edwards, some of the most rewarding recognitions have not been the awards.

“I was recently invited to a wedding by one of the girls I taught in school. Being invited to students’ weddings and family events; just the fact they consider me a real influence on them growing up, especially some of the ones that have come from different backgrounds.”

Ms Edwards is also co-founder of Skunkworks Productions, alongside her husband Jamie Lawson, and business partner Colin Harrison, which provides a community for musicians in the area wanting to develop their skills and connect with others.

Later this year they will be hosting their Schoolies Music Camp for Year 12 students looking at going into music, and are looking at developing a Tuba Library for more people to have access to different musical instruments without breaking the bank.

Jamie and Colin are also recipients of an OAM this year, which Ms Edwards says “takes the edge off”.

“Because Jamie, Colin and I are all together, I feel like the spotlight has been taken off me a little bit,” she said.

Ms. Edwards was just weeks ago recognised with the Janice Velma Davie OAM award, which recognises outstanding contributions by women to Australian brass bands, another honour she is most proud of. Later this year, Ms Edwards is looking forward to joining the State Youth Brass Band on their tour to Europe and China, and continuing to develop and enjoy the career she has built for herself.

Julie Cini’s leadership at Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Australia has earned her an OAM. 340195

Picture: ROB CAREW

Falling into the right job

By Matthew Sims

What was a impromptu decision to enter into aged care and rehabilitation for Endeavour Hills resident Professor Terry Haines has turned into a career concerned with helping improve the elderly’s quality of life.

The Monash University School of Primary and Allied Health Care head of school has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in this year’s King’s Birthday honours list.

Professor Haines said he grew up wanting to be a sports physiotherapist, but had to find a job while raising his first child, landing at the Peter James Centre, providing rehabilitation and aged care services in Burwood East.

“I absolutely loved it,” he said.

“I loved being able to help people live independently.

“The actual work itself was fabulous.”

Professor Haines said he soon discovered that there was work to be done in terms of preventing falls in the facility and began work on a study, which was eventually published in 2004 in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

“What we were doing was based on an ideology, it wasn’t being driven by evidence,” he said.

“Pushing against an ideology is very hard.

“By doing research that’s trying to charge the status quo, you get a lot of responses.”

The work discovered there were a number of processes in terms of staff interaction with patients which led to more falls

“Three quarters of falls occur a metre or so from the bedside,” Professor Haines said.

He was been one of the main executive

members of the Australian and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society between 2006 and 2018.

After living and working in Queensland for four years, Professor Haines and his family moved back to Victoria and put down roots in Endeavour Hills in 2008.

“I’ve never really planned my career out,” he said.

“It’s fabulous to find other areas you can throw yourself into.”

Professor Haines has published more than 330 peer-reviewed manuscripts including papers in journals including The Lancet, JAMA

Internal Medicine, PLoS Medicine, and BMC Medicine.

“If I can improve the effectiveness of the hospitals by one per cent, then that’s a much bigger impact on a much bigger scale,” he said.

Professor Haines said a common theme between his various fields of work was challenging perceptions of how work should be done.

“Just because we’ve got a theory something works doesn’t meant that it does,” he said.

Professor Haines’ other field of studies has been in health economics, after he wondered why processes weren’t being changed and how hospital’s budgets could be shifted to make

way for improvements.

“This is actually benefiting society way more than it costs,” he said.

Other projects Professor Haines has been working on including placing GPs in aged care facilities rather than allowing clients to be transferred to hospitals.

“When somebody’s going downhill, they can see to that straight away,” he said.

Despite his various personal achievements, Professor Haines said the thing he was most proud of was mentoring and collaborating with others.

“Being able to see their careers flourish... that really is the thing,” he said.

“I am parasitising the passion of others.”

Professor Haines said his success was also the product of his wife Emma.

“I can’t go and do all the things I do without my wonderful wife Emma,” he said.

“She has been a wonderful source of support.”

Professor Haines has also been a coach at the DSD Dolphins Basketball Club in Dandenong since 2008.

“I get a real kick out of mentoring,” he said.

“It’s great being able to help kids from a range of backgrounds.”

Professor Haines said it was an honour to be nominated and to receive the recognition.

“I feel like I’m just doing my job,” he said.

“It’s a nice thing to be recognised.”

Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia. If you know someone worthy, nominate them now at www. gg.gov.au.

Govt supports Green Wedge but club claims anomaly

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

The State Government has restated its support for Green Wedge policy and the Urban Growth Boundary, despite its desire to increase housing supply.

It comes as Keysborough Golf Club proposes to rezone its Green Wedge home in Hutton Road for a housing estate of up to 1100 dwellings.

As part of the plan, the club plans to shift to 256-356 Pillars Road, Bangholme, pocket a windfall up to $40 million and offer a massive 71-hectare sports precinct nearby to Greater Dandenong Council.

It argues that its course on the edge of the Urban Growth Boundary is an “anomaly”, and would ideally cater for the Government’s desire for new housing in established suburbs.

The final decision on rezoning the Green Wedge A site would be made by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny.

Her predecessor Richard Wynne was resolutely against rezoning the Green Wedge, which put a halt to a similar push by the golf

club in 2015.

Ms Kilkenny was asked by Star Journal whether the pressure for more housing translated to a potential change in its Green Wedge policy.

A Government spokesperson responded that the Green Wedge covered areas just outside the Urban Growth Boundary and were an “essential break” between urban development within the boundary.

“Melbourne’s Green Wedges were created to safeguard non-urban land outside Melbourne for its agricultural, environmental, historic, landscape or recreational values, or mineral and stone resources.”

South East Defenders of the Green Wedge has slammed the potential loss of the golf course as a “critical piece of the South East Green Wedge”, “significant habitat” and “one of the most significant sites of remnant vegetation left in Greater Dandenong”.

Keysborough Golf Club captain Darrell Swindells said “like the Government, we accept there’s a Green Wedge but we think our site is an anomaly”.

“Our site is an ideal place for housing. It doesn’t damage the Green Wedge.”

The State Government had also set up a Golf Course Redevelopment Standing Advisory Committee to advise on re-purposing golf courses inside and outside the UGB, he noted.

Meanwhile, Greater Dandenong councillors voted on 5 June to reverse its deferral of a costings report on consulting residents in

Keysborough South about the proposal.

A fierce debate centred on when was the right time to consult residents.

Some argued it was untimely before the Government’s view was known or before there were more details on the housing proposal.

Cr Rhonda Garad – who proposed the motion – said residents had the right to know from an “open and transparent” council.

The developer Intrapac estimated the new estate would comprise between 800 and 1100 dwellings, she said.

Cr Garad questioned if the council had a perceived conflict of interest given it would potentially benefit from the sports hub, developer contributions and extra rates revenue.

City planning director Jody Bosman said any rezoning or development ultimately benefits the council with rates, developer contributions and investment.

The golf club proposal would be managed by “statutory requirements” and conflict of interest provisions.

The Keysborough Golf Club at Hutton Road.

337260 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Endeavour Hills local and Member of the Order of Australia

Professor Terry Haines has carved out a varied career in fall prevention and healthcare. Picture: MATTHEW SIMS

Covid was career-changer

By Sahar Foladi

When Covid hit Australia, the lockdown and stress it brought on led many to question their careers Eesha Katyare worked as a dental assistant during Covid and while she was grateful she still had her job, she realised it was time for a change.

“I was fortunate to be able to work through the pandemic, but I wasn’t happy in my role.

“I needed more challenges and growth opportunities, I knew that I had to change careers, but it was all a bit daunting.”

Her father works in the IT industry and with a love for computers, she wanted to follow in his footsteps.

She decided to undertake the Cert IV Infor-

mation Technology course at Chisholm Institute, but there were challenges.

“I had a six month-old daughter, and my partner had already lost his job due to the pandemic.

In with new trees at a cost

By Sahar Foladi

City of Greater Dandenong has launched a tree planting initiative but is being criticised by residents for chopping down mature street trees.

The council has signed up to the One Tree Per Child program, an international initiative established by the co-founders of National Tree Day (John Dee and the late Olivia Newton John).

The program was launched with a treeplanting event by the mayor, Eden Foster, on Thursday 8 June.

“The people who started this program not only recognised the benefits of tree planting to the environment, but also to the people planting the trees,” Cr Foster said.

“Getting out in nature and getting our hands dirty has a proven benefit to our mental health.

Students from Keysborough Gardens Primary School, councillors and representatives from the Bunurong Land Council attended the first planting event.

“Council has recognised that across Greater Dandenong there are not enough trees. Trees help keep us cool by providing shade. They also provide a habitat for native wildlife,” Ms Foster said in her speech.

The program encourages and aims to get every child to plant at least one tree before they leave school.

In 2023 Council will provide opportunities for all Grade 3 students in Greater Dandenong to plant a tree, with a goal to plant 1000 trees before the end of the year.

Councillor Rhonda Garad said she’s proud to be part of the program.

“Our First Nations people have a very strong connection to the land and waters that we live on here in Greater Dandenong.

“When we form our own connections to country we continue to carry the stories of these traditional custodians.

“Today we all have an opportunity to create that connection by planting your very own tree.”

However, residents are confused by the sight of council workers chopping down trees in their neighbourhood.

Pat has lived in Fifth Avenue Dandenong for more than 50 years and was upset to see two apparently healthy trees being chopped down by the council on 30 May.

“This is all ludicrous. These are healthy ev-

ergreen trees that have blossomed this season. I can’t see in modern time this makes sense.”

She called the action “butchery” and “slaughter of healthy trees.”

Pat mentioned she’d read articles in Star Journal about Council wanting to protect trees but couldn’t comprehend why two healthy trees were chopped.

“A lot of us have taken care of the trees in the area, this contradicts all that the council says and what’s been in the press.”

Business, engineering and major projects director Paul Kearsley said the removal of the trees were part of the Council’s standard tree assessment operations.

“A large Lagunaria patersonia (Norfolk Island Hibiscus) was removed as a reactive job in response to a customer request for the tree to be pruned as it was severely overhanging their property boundary.

“During the inspection it was noted that pruning was required however to achieve the adequate clearances from the property it would leave the tree structural unsound, reduce the tree’s useful life expectancy and result in a poor quality specimen, so it was removed. “

Lagunaria patersonia is also a nominated species for removal as part of Council’s ‘Greening Our City’ street tree strategy (due to a common allergic reaction to the fruits).

Previously, the council had cut down trees on Hemmings St in Dandenong as well because they met Council’s removal criteria and Council’s Urban Tree Strategy – Greening Our City upon inspection by a qualified arborist according to Mr Kearsley.

The trees will be replaced in the 2024 planting season Mr Kearsley said.

However, residents and Greater Dandenong Environment Group say the trees provide canopy cover and bring birds to the area.

“Of course there are fewer birds if they keep cutting all the nice trees,” Pat said.

Isabelle Nash, president of the Greater Dandenong Environment Group said at a time of climate urgency, Council needs to act accordingly.

“Of course, we want to keep weed species away from conservation reserves but in residential areas we need to save as many of these trees as we can.

“We already have one of Melbourne’s lowest numbers of trees, and this is quickly becoming worse,” she said.

“I couldn’t afford to do the course and that’s when I was told about the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation.”

Established in 2007, the Foundation is an independent charitable trust, initiated and supported by Chisholm Institute, the largest vocational education provider in Melbourne’s south east.

All funds by the Foundation are allocated to education scholarships for students suffering financial hardship.

“When I heard my application was successful, I was so excited, I didn’t have to worry about the financial costs of my training.”

Ms Katyare was fully supported by the Foundation and she says it changed her life.

Today, she works as a Specialist Technician for JB HiFi Education Services, works in Victo-

rian government schools.

“This opportunity came to me through a JB Initiative called STEP (Schools Technician Education Program).

“I’m so grateful for everyone’s support which helped me secure a job with JB HiFi Education Services before I had completed the course.

“I had been through TAFE before but the teachers and staff at Chisholm were so welcoming and helpful throughout my training.”

Now she sends a clear message to people of all ages who are considering undertaking a TAFE course and starting a new career.

“If you are facing challenges, make sure you’re aware of the support available and understand you have options. There’s help available if you need it.”

Presley scores top award

By Tanya Faulkner

From slam dunking on courts, to kicking goals and blowing whistles, the journey for one Endeavour Hills local has had a lot of twists and turns.

Endeavour Hills Rugby Union Football Club women’s coach Presley Naea has come out on top at the Victorian Sports Awards (VSAs), being officially named as the 2022 Community Coach of the year.

Originally from New Zealand, Mr Naea didn’t get involved in rugby until he crossed the ditch and made it to Victoria in 2002.

Once he had kids and they started getting older, he took his son down to the rugby fields for a run around.

His sons also found an interest in the sport, however the team didn’t have a coach at the time, which is where Mr Naea’s coaching career began.

He said the club president gave him a bag of cones and balls for him to take over the coaching role and he grew to love the sport more over the years, being able to both play for his own team and coach his son’s teams at Endeavour Hills.

Once the injuries and old age came in, Mr Naea hung up his own boots, focusing on coaching the Under 18s team.

Mr Naea said his son was probably the biggest influence in his coaching career, being able to watch him grow and develop as a player, as well as learning a few things for himself along the way.

“Coaching teaches you a lot of things. Patience is the biggest thing in coaching, and being able to watch your players grow, develop and progress further.”

Last year, instead of taking the break from coaching he’d originally planned, he found himself being “that guy” to fill in for the Endeavour Hills Club women’s rugby team, with the intention of only filling the role until they’d found someone else.

However, things changed after he discovered this new side to rugby, and said after pre-season he fully committed to coaching the women.

He said they had an amazing season, and it was exciting to see a different side of rugby with the women’s team, which he said is getting much bigger around the world.

“It’s actually blowing up, even with sports in general, women’s sports are growing overall.

“Even last night at the awards, there were a lot of awards going to women, it’s like they’re putting their hands up for everything.”

He said seeing everyone at the VSAs and the calibre of finalists he was up against shows the domino effect that is happening around the world across all sports, particularly for women.

Mr Naea said his recognition as coach of the year was shocking, but humbling.

“It means a lot to me, the club I represent, my people (pacific island people) that I represent, even rugby Victoria.

“My award was the first Rugby Union Victorian Coach of the Year, and I am very happy with that.

“Just reflecting afterwards on the way home, I had my wife, son and daughter here, and I didn’t realise how much time that I’ve put into this. Been a very long and enjoyable time, with its own struggles along the way.”

Moving forward, Mr Naea is hoping to look into the representative space to challenge himself in his career even further.

“I wouldn’t mind putting myself out there and gaining more experience and knowledge around the representative side of rugby.”

Mr Naea said he owed a big thank you to the Endeavour Hills women’s team and everybody down at the club, and said they’ve played a big part in this award.

“There’s a lot of people that support behind the scenes, and without them I probably wouldn’t be recognised for this award.

“Thank you to the volunteers, and to my family too.”

The full list of winners can be found at https://vicsport.com.au/22-vsa-winners

City of Greater Dandenong mayor, councillors and students attended the first tree planting event under the ‘One Tree Per Child’ program.

Presley Naea with members from Rugby Victoria and family at the 2022 Victoria Sports award ceremony.

Picture: FIFTY MIL STUDIOS

Eesha at Courtenay Gardens Primary School in Cranbourne. 340278 Picture: TANYA FAULKNER

Attempt to save drive-in

By Sahar Foladi

A council meeting on Monday 5 June saw a petition of 1,980 signatures in a desperate move to list Australia’s largest drive-in theatre, the Lunar Drive-In in Dandenong as a heritage site urging the council to support the cause.

The petition was listed on change.org.au on 12 January this year by Shane Fischer.

“Let’s get our politicians to hear our voice and list Lunar Drive In’s a heritage site that can’t be bulldozed by the next owners and turned into another warehouse.

“Act now before it’s sold and bulldozed and gone for us and generations to come!” Mr Fischer said in his listing.

The City of Greater Dandenong Council has referred the petition to the appropriate Council Business unit for further action.

The petition asked the council to reduce land tax and stop the sale of the land in a desperate move however council has no power over either.

Heritage Victoria spokesperson said they’d received nominations for the drive-in.

“We have received a nomination for the Lunar Drive-In Theatre in Dandenong and a decision will be made in due course.

“An application for an Interim Protection Order has also been received by Heritage Victoria and is currently being assessed.”

Since the council meeting, signatures have increased to more than 2,000.

The current owner and soon to be ex-owner of the remnant of the past, David Kilderry said assessments are always made by the Heritage Council.

“The Heritage listing makes no difference. The Drive-In is already sold and will be closed.”

The 5.92ha (14.93 acres) land was sold to a private developer, Pellicano, in December 2022.

The Dandenong Drive-In is the perfect lo-

cations for many communities and one of the last out of three in Melbourne.

However, Mr Kilderry said the location of the drive-in makes it not viable with soaring land tax.

“We performed a miracle by making it viable for past 21 years.

“We’re the largest and the best drive-in and still can’t make the money,” he said.

In 2010, Heritage Council Victoria determined not to include one of the few Drive-In theatres remaining, on the Victorian Heritage Register and referred the place to the City of Greater Dandenong for potential inclusion in

the local heritage overlay.

The Dromana Drive-In and Coburg DriveIn are included on the Victorian Heritage Register and will be the last two remaining in Melbourne after the closure of the Dandenong theatre.

Mr Kilderry said the Heritage Council rejected the drive-in as a heritage site in its original building and questioned what is to be heritage listed as some original parts were removed and re-developed with new equipment.

“There’s no original sign, screen projection room, snack bar, all were replaced in the 2000’s.

“Even when original building was here they (Heritage Council) deemed it not worthy of protection,” Mr Kilderry said.

The Dandenong drive-in theatre will be closed after 67 years after it first opened in 1956 as one of the first 10 drive-in theatres built in Australia.

Mr Kilderry said they’ll keep a lot of the equipment’s from the drive-in theatre for a comeback at a future location.

“That’s something difficult because of re-establishment cost but it’s not out of the picture.

“We’ve looked at areas and we can’t make further comments.”

Brothers, Matt and David Kilderry soon to be ex-owners of Australia’s largest Lunar Drive-In Theatre, Dandenong. 209429

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Community members are heartbroken over the closure of the drive-in, which has brought them good memories for generations. 209429

Picture: GARY SISSONS

One of the three remnants of the past, enjoyed by generations from the community, is set for closure on 9 July. 307108

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Refugees are priced out

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

After long waits for permanent residency, hundreds of refugees are now facing steep, unaffordable fees to reunite with their loved ones.

In February, the Federal Government announced new Resolution of Status (RoS) visas for more than 19,000 refugees on Temporary Protection Visas and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas.

Some had been languishing in limbo in Australia for more than a decade.

Refugee advocateWickiWickiramasingham says RoS visa holders in the South East were initially jubilant about the prospect of bringing their families to Australia after a decade of separation.

However they are unable to afford the $8000-plus visas for their partners and $2750 for each child.

He’d heard of some facing costs of more than $18,000 for a partner and four children, with fees set to rise further from 1 July.

“There’s no exemptions from these fees. How can a single person earn that, especially if they have had no work rights or been unemployed for three years during Covid?”

Human Rights Law Centre managing lawyer Sanmati Verma said the policy was shadowed by the“spectre of deterrence” since a former Labor Government abolished free family reunion visas for refugees in 2012.

The move was deliberately designed to deter asylum seekers arriving by boat, MsVerma said.

As a result, impoverished refugees are required to pay “astronomical” and “exorbitant” fees under the general family visa pathway.

Ms Verma said processing waits could also be up to 10 years under the “discriminatory” wait lists.

Partner visas from the USA were usually

completed within a year, while it might take a decade for families fleeing Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, she said.

A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said as permanent residents, RoS visa holders were eligible to sponsor family members under the “family visa stream”.

“The Government is focused on providing those who engage Australia’s protection obli-

Nothing pie-in-the-sky about this award

By Sahar Foladi

Springvale’s Country Cob and Bakery has taken away the coveted title of Australia’s Best Pie Award.

The bakery’s Fish Amok pie won the title for the family-run business at the annual Australia’s Best Pie and Pastie competition run by Baking Association of Australia (BAA).

Owners Chan and Ryan Khun said they’re both very happy and excited about their accomplishment.

“We didn’t think we’d win this year because the flavour was different from last year so we are very proud,” Mr Khun said.

More than 300 bakeries entered with over 1500 pies but the fish amok pie inspired by Cambodian national dish remained unbeatable.

“It’s a very unique flavour and not many people have heard of this flavour until this competition.

“We always have these kinds of fish for special occasions and one day we had a discussion on why don’t we add a traditional twist to the pie.”

The brothers played with different recipes, sourcing ingredients that match the closest and best to the ingredients used back home.

“We explored recipe methods that we thought the judges would like in the compe-

tition,” Mr Khun said.

“There were a lot of things we did to get ready for the competition.”

Judges sampled 70 pies over the three days both hot and cold to determine the winners in an objective manner.

“This event is very important and plays a vital role for the baking industry,” the Baking Association of Australia said of the event held in Sydney this year.

The brothers also took down the best mushroom pie category for their Black Forest pie and best flavour beef pie category for Pepper Beef.

“Normally we try to do something different and always come up with creative ideas,” Mr Khun said.

This is the fourth year the brothers have won the title for their small bakery located in three different locations, Boronia, Kyneton and Springvale.

“We were thinking of retiring from the competition for some time to let others enjoy the experience,” Mr Khun laughed.

The small bakery was crowned winners in 2021 and 2022.

Last year their plain beef pie took out the top gong and the year before that, their caramelised pork and pepper pie.

The migrant brothers continue to keep their pie game strong as they come up with new recipes with the help of traditional spices.

“We plan to have a special pie of the month over the next six months as something different and new that the customers can’t find anywhere else.

“We have been doing a lot of things like Lobster pie which is very Malaysian and a Singaporea n pie that we recently created.

“Truffle mushroom is a very unique flavour as well that will be on our special months as well as Cambodian curry chicken.”

Noble Park youth hub gets $41K support

A proposed multicultural youth hub in Noble Park has received $41,000 from the State Government.

Support agency South East Community Links is setting up the Youth Links Hub as a “welcoming and safe space” for young people to hang out, relax, study, learn skills and get the help they need.

Chief executive Peter McNamara said the hub would empower and support culturally diverse youth.

“The Youth Links Hub is a welcoming and safe space where young people can freely drop in and engage in meaningful conversations.

“Whether it’s seeking guidance on education, employment opportunities, sport and social activities, emergency relief, or accessing specialist services, our dedicated team is here to provide comprehensive support, referrals, and even a friendly chat.“

The funds are provided by the Govern-

ment’s Noble Park Suburban Revitalisation Board, which has invested more than $3.4 million in 32 projects worth $8 million-plus. They go toward refurbishment and build-

ing works, including redesigning internal walls and rooms, fittings, painting, flooring improvements and interior redesign.

South Eastern Metropolitan MP Lee Tarlamis, who chairs the suburban revitalization board, said it was great to continue investing in projects that “address key local priorities and focus on improving community spaces, wellbeing and connection.”

“Noble Park is home to a vibrant, growing community, and this funding will make it an even better by continue to support local young people to access the services and opportunities they need.”

Suburban Development Minister Ros Spence said she was proud to support the project to “help unlock the suburb’s full potential”.

“Revitalisation projects in key activity centres across Melbourne are improving liveability, bringing communities closer together and boosting local economies.”

gations a chance to continue their lives in Australia with certainty and security.”

The Government revoked a ministerial direction that put ‘unauthorised maritime arrivals’ at the “lowest processing priority” for family visas.

The family visa stream is subject to capping and queuing arrangements for “some categories”.

Hills readers delighted

Young and old Endeavour Hills readers now have an updated sanctuary, with the Endeavour Hills Library renewal project recently completed.

The $114,000 project includes a fully accessible service desk and self-check station, a dedicated meeting room for study and group use with furniture donated by Federation University and repurposed floor space after the removal of an old, indoor garden to create extra room for activities and programs.

Casey Council community life director Callum Pattie joined Connected Libraries chief executive Beth Luppino and NarreWarren North MP BelindaWilson on Wednesday 7 June to celebrate the project’s completion.

“We wanted to create a more welcoming, inclusive and creative space for all and we’re hearing our community are loving the improvements so far,” he said.

“Our youngest community members are loving listening to stories and songs from our wonderful librarians in the newly defined children’s area and the new health and wellbeing corner and gaming zone are being well used.”

“Our whole community can easily chat with library staff at the new service counter, helping them to access the information they want.”

The project is the result of a $54,000 grant from the State Government through the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program, with Casey Council funding the remaining $60,000.

Ms Luppino said the investment will help create stronger and more resilient communities.

“Victorians of all ages rely on their public library for free and universal access to resources that improve their literacy, wellbeing and connectedness,” she said.

Transitioning out of the Casey Cardinia Library Corportation on June 1, the Connected Libraries rebrand follows on from Cardinia libraries partnering with Myli, My Community Library, in December 2022.

For more information about the services on offer at the Endeavour Hills Library, visit www.connectedlibraries.org. au.

Wicki Wickiramasingham, second right, with Tamil asylum seekers Sathees, Nige, Lenny, Dinesh and Roger. 333981 Picture: CAM LUCADOU-WELLS

South Eastern Metropolitan MP Lee Tarlamis, second left, and South East Community Links chief executive Peter McNamara, fifth left, announce funding for the Youth Links Hub, Noble Park.

Ryan Khun and Chan Khun were winners of the 2023 Australia’s Best Pie. 339897

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Woodman loses bid

By Matthew Sims

Property developer JohnWoodman has lost his latest Supreme Court bid to prevent the public release of an Independent Broad-based Anticorruption Commission (IBAC) report into alleged corruption in City of Casey planning matters.

The court resolution paves the way for the long-awaited tabling of the Operation Sandon report in State Parliament, which is expected to happen sometime later this year.

Mr Woodman was publicly examined in November 2019 as part of IBAC Operation Sandon hearings into Casey councillors, ALP politicians and Mr Woodman and his business associates.

In his decision released onThursday 1 June, Justice Steven Moore declared the proceeding for an ’interim’ injunction be dismissed, stating Mr Woodman had “failed to establish a prima facie case“ in relation to his claims.

According to Justice Moore’s decision, Mr Woodman began another proceeding in the Supreme Court of Victoria against IBAC in March of 2022, in which he sought to prevent publication of the report on Operation Sandon on the ground of denial of procedural fairness.

In November 2022, Justice Timothy Ginnane found that, before publishing the report, IBAC should disclose a limited number of additional documents to Mr Woodman for his response.

On Friday 20 January this year, Mr Woodman provided IBAC with his response to the draft report in relation to Operation Sandon and the further documents.

On or about Sunday 14 May, Mr Woodman became aware of media reports that the delivery of IBAC’s report to Parliament in relation to Operation Sandon was imminent.

He filed a summons seeking an ‘interim’ injunction on Thursday 18 May, which aimed to restrain the publication of IBAC’s report on the basis that its tabling in Parliament would result in him suffering “catastrophic and irreparable damage“.

Mr Woodman also sought orders that IBAC provide him with certain information.

According to a writ filed on Thursday 18 May, Mr Woodman sought final declaratory relief that IBAC breached a section of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011 and denied him procedural fairness by holding his examination in public, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining IBAC’s publication of its report and damages.

According to section 117 of the Act, an ex-

amination is not open to the public unless the IBAC considers on reasonable grounds that there are exceptional circumstances, it is in the public interest to hold a public examination and a public examination can be held without causing unreasonable damage to a person’s reputation, safety or wellbeing.

As such, Mr Woodman put forward that IBAC breached a duty of care which it owed him by publicly examining him, thereby causing him reputational damage and economic loss.

However, in his decision, Justice Moore said IBAC’s responsibility was not to uphold a duty of care.

“IBAC’s principal statutory function is to identify, expose and investigate corrupt con-

Noble Park gym to open 24/7

After a safety and security review, Noble Park Aquatic Centre’s new gym is set to open 24/7.

The centre’s operator South East Leisure stated it had implemented “extensive” security measures and surveillance systems as well as access-control technology after a “comprehensive assessment to promote safety and security of all members”.

duct,“ he said.

“The due performance of that function may inevitably cause reputational damage and economic loss to persons under investigation.

“I do not consider that Mr Woodman has a prima facie case in relation to any of his claims advanced in this proceeding.“

Justice Moore said Mr Woodman’s delay in raising his claims in this proceeding and not during the March 2022 proceeding was “egregious and unexplained“.

During the public examinations, Mr Woodman’s representatives made no application to cross-examine any witnesses.

IBAC refused to comment on the Supreme Court case.

“We have listened to our members and the community, and we are thrilled to implement 24/7 gym access, allowing our members the freedom and flexibility to work out whenever it suits their schedule,” chief executive John Clark said.

“This move is a testament to our dedication to delivering a world class leisure experience in the City of Greater Dandenong.”

The new gym was part of NPAC’s two-storey redevelopment, which was opened by Premier Daniel Andrews in March.

It includes a personal training and group training space and more than 80 pieces of equipment, fitness rooms, member lounge and dedicated women’s, men’s and accessible change areas.

The gym will open 24/7 fromWednesday June 14.

Stapledon’s IBAC fears lay behind her suicide: coroner

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Casey former mayor Amanda Stapledon believed she was headed for jail over corruption allegations when she took her own life, a State Coroner has reported.

Ms Stapledon, 58, was found dead in her car near Cranbourne Botanic Gardens on 18 January 2022 – just days after her lawyers received adverse extracts from an Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission draft report.

At the time, the lawyers had not read the extracts or provided a copy of the extracts to Ms Stapledon.

She left behind letters for family and friends expressing “regret and shame for her actions” as well as concern about losing her home and access to her disabled son Peter.

Ms Stapledon was among several ‘persons of interest’ examined in IBAC’s Operation Sandon public hearings in 2019 and 2020 into alleged corrupt dealings with property developers in City of Casey.

IBAC told Coroner David Ryan that it had not contemplated bringing criminal charges or referring Ms Stapledon for prosecution.

In his report on 6 June, the coroner stated that the uncertainty of criminal prosecution was a “significant stressor which became exacerbated over time”.

He recommended that IBAC review its policies to ensure that it advised witnesses as early as possible that they wouldn’t be prosecuted.

“It is likely that her stress and anxiety would

have been appreciably alleviated had she been informed that on the evidence before it, IBAC was not contemplating and did not intend to bring criminal proceedings against her or refer her to any prosecutorial body.”

Coroner Ryan noted that the investigation’s “natural justice process” impacted on when IBAC could inform witnesses.

It had to be balanced by the potential for further evidence coming to light to alter IBAC’s assessment of the witness’s conduct, he stated.

Friends told of a “massive” toll on Ms Stapledon’s mental health and that she “had it in her head that she was being prosecuted and she was going to be sent to jail”.

She was afraid that legal fees would cause her to lose her home, and leave her son without a home, they said.

From late 2019 to 2021, Ms Stapledon regularly met with a psychologist for severe depression and anxiety.

She’d reportedly disclosed suicidal thoughts to the psychologist but said she’d never act on them due to her son and father.

During her examination in March 2020, IBAC provided an on-site counsellor who advised Ms Stapledon they were available to support her.

IBAC conducted a witness risk assessment after she disclosed feeling stress from interactions with its officers.

However, “it was not alerted to and did not identify any concerns about Amanda’s health or welfare or signs or symptoms of distress that warranted further intervention,” IBAC stated.

Coroner Ryan noted that the impact of stress on witnesses “may not always be obvious from their demeanour during an examination”.

“Living with the uncertainty of the potential consequences of an investigation over a prolonged period has the potential to exacerbate the stress of a witness which, although initially well managed, may swell to a point of crisis.”

IBAC witnesses felt isolated due to strict confidentiality provisions, preventing them from discussing evidence with anyone, the coroner noted.

“In some cases, a delicate balance may need to be struck between the potential for an investigation to be prejudiced and the risk of serious mental harm to a witness.”

After Ms Stapledon died, IBAC developed a new witness welfare policy. A State Parliament integrity and oversight committee also reviewed IBAC’s witness welfare management.

Former mayor Susan Serey and property developer John Woodman – who were also publicly examined as part of Operation Sandon – requested a public coronial inquest into Ms Stapledon’s death.

But Coroner Ryan said he was“satisfied that an inquest was not necessary or appropriate”.

He described Ms Stapledon as “warmly remembered” as a “caring and generous person who was dedicated to serving her community” and primary carer for her son.

“She … appeared to be troubled by ‘the disconnect between her values and behaviour’ which had been exposed in the course of the IBAC investigation.”

· Lifeline 13 11 14 ·

The official opening of NPAC’s redeveloped gym in March.

Amanda Stapledon believed she would be prosecuted in the lead-up to her death in January 2022. 267031 Picture: GARY SISSONS

Property developer John Woodman and his solicitors failed to argue that IBAC denied him procedural fairness.

100 years ago

14 June 1923

Health Act Prosecutions

George Clark, inspector Shire of Dandenong

V Claude Fattick Defendant at Dandenong on 10th May, being the proprietor of a hairdressing shop which he did not keep clean all hairdressing appliances in use in such shop. Mr MacPherson appeared for the informant. Inspector Clark said that on the date mentioned, in company with an inspector from the Public Health Department, he had inspected the premises occupied by the defendant, and found them in an unsatisfactory state. Defendant informed them that he considered the regulations a lot of “bosh” and not worth putting them up in the place. He did not know when the comb produced had been disinfected, but it was not clean when he found it. He had cautioned the defendant previously about the premises being dirty. The Chairman said, as it was the first case of the kind in Dandenong, the defendant would be dealt with leniently by the Bench imposing a fine of £2 and £2/2/- costs.

50 years ago

7 June 1973

Market project put off

Dandenong Council on Monday night post-

INTERFAITH

poned – at least for the time being – a proposal to operate the produce market two days a week. The decision followed rejection of one motion and three amendments, one of which included a suggestion that the market be open on a Tuesday for general produce and a Sunday as a “flea market”. Council was discussing a lengthy report for the Town Clerk, Mr Cal Elliott which recommended, among other things, that the market operate on both Tuesday and Friday. After one of its longest meetings for

some time, Council finally decided unanimously to approve Mr Elliott’s recommendations –with the exception of opening on a Friday.

20 years ago

2 June 2003

Tolls battle gets sticky

Residents needed to send a clear message on the Mitcham – Frankston Freeway, Eumemmerring Province MP Gordon Rich-Phillips said last week. “People need to make it very

clear to these new Labor members that it is unacceptable that Premier Steve Bracks says one thing during the election campaign, and then says another thing after the election.”

Mr Rich-Phillips has thrown his support behind the Liberal Government’s Scoresby – No Tolls sticker campaign.

5 years ago

11 June 2018

Cash to help fight the harm of pokies

Greater Dandenong Council will tip $75,000 into tackling problem gambling. At their Monday 28 May meeting, councillors agreed to the three-year funding plan for the Alliance from Gambling Reform. The municipality has the highest rate of gambling losses in Victoria, dropping $118 million on pokies in 201617. Only Cr Tim Dark opposed the move. He said pokies venues in Greater Dandenong provided critical support for local sporting and social groups “which is money that Council then does not have to put in to support these clubs”. Cr Sean O’Reilly said not only should the council support the alliance, “we should be the number one ticket holder given the wreckage to family budgets that problem gambling enacts on families all around Greater Dandenong”.

Compiled by Dandenong & District Historical Society

Go within or go without

By Helen Heath OAM, executive officer

of the City of Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network

We are just one week off the winter solsticethe day of the year that has the least daylight hours of any in the year, usually occurring on, or either side of 22 June.

Happening as either of the Earth’s poles are the furthest distance from the sun, it is not only the shortest day of daylight but the longest night and maybe a time to snuggle up and take in more sleeping hours?

A signal that Winter is really upon us, for many this season of Winter is dreaded as dark, cold, and often wet and gloomy.

Following the beauty of Autumn when the brightness of a tree’s many-coloured leaves are shed, some more reluctantly and later than others, a bleak and windswept

landscape can emerge.

A tree shedding or losing its leaves means the tree spends less energy through the harsh Winter, conserving moisture within its trunk, preventing it from drying out and allowing the winds to blow through its branches, putting less strain on it.

With the lack of sunlight, it starts to reduce the amount of chlorophyll (green) it produces and begins to protect itself from the winter cold and dryness.

At this time of the year, we can also feel more inclined to stay indoors, to retreat and take refuge from the storms of life – to lay low.

This time of the year can be a kind of spiritual hibernation where we might reflect on those areas of losses (like the shedding of leaves) and take a stock take (not of the

sales variety) in mid-year (and not only for new year resolutions).

Neale Donald Walsh has said: “If you don’t go within, you go without”.

For me Winter holds the possibility of setting aside and withdrawing into a time to pause, listen and reflect with ourselves, letting go of those things, ideas, relationships that unhelpfully anchor us in the past, and trying to reframe and transform them through this cycle of conserving spiritual and physical energy.

This has the promise of preserving our spirits in readiness for the reawakening of energy in the Spring.

So “Welcome” to the winter solstice, because we know it only gets lighter from here!

Enquiries about the Interfaith Network: executive@interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662.

Animal lovers cuddle up to ‘purr-fect’ winter warmers

Animal lovers beat the winter chills with‘cat cuddles’ at Australian Animal Protection Society’s shelter in Keysborough.

At the Winter Warmer Open Day on 27 May, visitors took a behind-the-scenes tour and snuggled up to cats needing a new home.

AAPS offered discount adoption fees on the day.

‘Crazy Cat Lady’ Dorothy Sokacic with Madeline. 334538

AAPS staff member Tahlia Haworth with Fruit Loop the Tabby cat. 334538

AAPS staff member Tahlia Haworth with Frappacino the cat. 334538

Madeline the cat being stroked by three-year-old Georgia from Cheltenham. 334538

Pictures: GARY SISSONS

AAPS volunteer Claire Nass with Marnee the Cat. 334538 Nadije Sulemanovska with Clarey the Cat. 334538

Helen Heath pauses to reflect during Winter solstice time.

Hoon also scammer

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A Dandenong man has pleaded guilty to about 50 charges involving a spree of hooning, highspeed police pursuits and scamming Government disaster assistance schemes.

Dylan Desmond Milkins, 23, registered an ABN for a fictitious labour-hire and supply business with false GST credits to receive $24,170 in Covid disaster payments in 2021, Dandenong Magistrates Court heard on 8 June.

He also made a second attempt to extract $24,870 in the same manner.

Milkins also falsely claimed to be living in flood-hit Penrith NSW and Seymour in rural Victoria to gain $1000 in Commonwealth disaster relief and another attempt for $1000.

He told police that he’d come across the “scheme” on social media.

Among his illegal driving spree was a 36-second burnout dangerously near a crowd of spectators in the middle of Belgrave-Hallam Road in Hallam on New Years Eve night, police told the court.

As part of the midnight burnout, his passenger lit a series of fireworks and dropped them from his unregistered Commodore.

The incident was said to have terrified dogs inside a nearby pet resort.

Unbeknown to Milkins, a by-stander also walked up to the car, while it produced voluminous smoke and flicked out its rear end metres from the crowd, police stated.

A police intelligence officer discovered video of the episode posted on Milkins’ social media account. He later told police he believed he was fully in control of his car at the time.

Milkins was also charged over a late-night police pursuit across Narre Warren, Lynbrook, Dandenong, Springvale and Mulgrave, clocking 150 km/h-plus speeds and running a red light in February 2021.

In a second pursuit, the suspended P-plater

on bail cut through and overtook traffic at high speed, reaching 160 km/h in the Monash Freeway emergency lane.

A police officer called off the pursuit due to the alleged dangerous driving. Milkins, with no prior convictions, had spent 78 days in pre-sentence custody – a term that magistrate Michael Ong indicated was “insufficient”.

Defence lawyer Elarya George argued for his release on a community corrections order, including mental health and drug and alcohol

Market shut over water problem

Dandenong Market has been temporarily shut down due to water contamination.

In a statement, the market announced that the market would close on Friday 9 June.

It stated the contamination issue was caused by severe storms on the night of Wednesday 7 June.

“South East Water has advised there is no issue to the water supply into the Market.”

General manager Ian Sumpter said the market would be closed until the issue was resolved.

“The market will be closed immediately until … we have confirmation from the Department of Health that we can reopen.

“All water services at the market are subject to testing and must not be used including toilets, handwashing and hygiene, cleaning and, critically, food preparation and all food services.

treatment as well as road safety education and unpaid work.

Mr Ong said he needed to be convinced that a CCO was appropriate given the “lengthy and serious offending”.

He noted the police pursuits and a burnout occurred when Milkins shouldn’t have been driving, as well as the pair of fraudulent schemes against the Commonwealth.

Milkins will appear for pleas and sentencing at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 16 June.

“This is a complex process taking us longer than expected.

“The closure is designed to keep our customers, traders and their staff safe.

“We take our responsibility to provide safe drinking water very seriously and don’t issue these advisories lightly – health and safety will always be our number one priority.”

The market stated it would provide updates on its website and social media.

‘Make hemp normal’

By Emily Chapman Laing

South East hemp producers joined Legalise Cannabis Victoria in Parliament on Wednesday 31 May to push for an inquiry into Victoria’s industrial hemp industry which they hope will give the trade a much needed boost.

The motion was successfully passed, bringing new interest into the future of industrial hemp production.

Mark Smith and Ruth Cardenas, Cultivators and Developers at OneLife Botanicals and Brett Boag, Hemp Innovator and Founder at Hexcore Hemp Processing were among those involved.

“I think historically there has been a lot of bad press around hemp and there’s been no one speaking as an advocate for it,“ Mr Boag said.

“It’s tremendous for us all in the hemp industry.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what the outcomes are.“

Mr Smith of OneLife Botanicals, a cultivator and manufacturer or medical cannabis, said he is excited to see the hemp industry add to job growth in Victoria.

“Currently all industry in Australia, particularly in Victoria, is starting to fail - so we need work, we need jobs and growth,“ he said.

Mr Smith emphasised Australia’s rich hemp history, with production of the plant dating back to the First Fleet.

“The stigma that’s attached to hemp has not allowed it it’s rightful place,“ he said.

“230 years ago we were growing hemp as a Federation of the Commonwealth.“

The OneLife team are thrilled the motion for the inquiry passed.

“I think it’s wonderful, it gives us a chance at actually building this industry,“ Mr Smith said.

“Let’s make hemp normal.“

Those involved in the inquiry believe a state government funded boost to the hemp industry will guarantee more jobs across Victoria, increase the state’s export earnings and contribute to statewide carbon emissions reductions.

“With an estimated global value of $4.9 billion dollars, it is time to shine a light on this incredibly versatile, resilient, and sustainable crop,“ said South Eastern Metropolitan and Legalise Cannabis Victoria MP Rachel Payne.

“Hemp’s ability to absorb more carbon dioxide per hectare than a forest or almost any other commercial crop will be crucial in helping Victoria reach its carbon emissions reductions targets.

“We know hemp is grown for beauty products, paper, food and clothing but the construction material capability of hemp alone will be key as Victoria continues to grow.“

Canada’s hemp industry is worth $587 million with projections reaching $2.4 billion by 2030, compared to Australia’s modest $15 million industry.

Western Metropolitan and Legalise Cannabis MP David Ettershank said “Victorian farmers are crying out to get a foot in this fertile international market, so it’s now time Victorian Hemp is given a chance to thrive.“

The pressure on the Andrew’s government to shine a light on the hemp industry came af-

Covid with funny twist

By Sahar Foladi

While it may not be joyful to walk down the Covid memory lane, Covideo Twenty23 is bringing a twist through laughter.

The film festival revisits the awful 2020-21 period to the screens through an array of fantastic short films, guest speakers, performers, comedians, and a panel of judges on the night.

Filmmaker and festival director, Kuranda Seyit, said it’s a great time to look back and reflect over the Covid years.

“I was playing around with the word Covid and thought why not a short film festival about the pandemic and call it Covid-eo? And that is literally how it was born.

“I think nobody wants to remember Covid, and I am hoping that this event will be symbolic farewell, a cathartic experience, a collective healing.

ter the state budget announced the imminent closure of Victoria’s native logging industry.

“The foreclosure of native logging makes a hemp inquiry critical so thatVictoria can meet its growing need for building materials and fibre pulp,“ Ms Payne said.

Mr Smith said “the state has the opportunity to phase out toxic and environmentally unfriendly industry and replace it with a sustainable, safe alternative“.

The Greens have also welcomed the end of native logging, saying it is about time the government realised the industry is “completely unsustainable“.

Australian Greens spokesperson for forests, Senator Janet Rice says it’s now up to the Albanese government to follow Victoria’s lead.

“The Regional Forest Agreements have allowed reckless destruction of native forests for decades across Australia, pushed native wildlife to the brink of extinction, endangered our water supplies, heightened bushfire risk, and made the climate crisis worse,“ she said.

“Native forest logging is a dying industry and there’s no way around it.“

Rivalling steel: Hemp as a building block

By Emily Chapman Laing

A motion has passed for an inquiry into industrial hemp inVictoria, leading experts to flaunt the plant’s versatility.

Brett Boag, Hemp Innovator and Founder at Hexcore Hemp Processing, works with industrial hemp which he says “in some applications rivals steel“.

“As an industrial material it’s far superior to so many products and people don’t even know about it,“ he said.

“Any kind of timber products made of hard or soft wood, hemp is harder.

“It has no equal in terms of its mechanical and physical strength.“

Mr Boag also stressed the yield potential of hemp in comparison to timber, and how the by-products of hemp production can be used to make things like bowls and cups.

“It takes 25 years at best for pine to be grown, trimmed down, and turned into housing timber, and only 60 per cent of the tree is usable as housing timber,“ he said.

“Hemp however, takes 90-100 days to achieve the same result and can be used for anything that timber can be used for.

“In that same hundred days, it sequesters more carbon than a forest does.“

Mark Smith, Cultivator and Developer at OneLife Botanicals, said hemp could replace the logging industry “within 100 days“.

“We have the ability to harvest terpenes, pectin, ligin, seed, fibre and hurd,“ he said.

Mr Smith said hemp is one of the most perfect protein and amino acid sources in nature, with 369 omegas.

“We could supplement livestock feed with hemp biomass, reducing methane produced by cows, and we can still enjoy whipped cream or fancy cheeses,“ he said.

“Hemp is a win for our future, our economy, and most importantly our children.“

In a 2022 study published in Heliyon, researchers found hemp to be a “very promising renewable resource including its potential uses in paper, textiles, composites, biofuel, and food industry“.

“Hemp is naturally resistant to disease and pests, conserves water, degrades quickly, and produces environmentally friendly industrial products such as biodiesel, bio-concrete, biocomposite, paper, textile, and so on,“ the researchers wrote.

“With the advancement and adaptation of fitting technology, exploitation of the entire physical, chemical and morphological characteristics of hemp can better contribute to a clean, healthy, and sustainable planet.“

Currently cement production is the world’s single biggest industrial cause of carbon pollution, making up eight per cent of all global carbon emissions, according to Beyond Zero Emissions.

Hemp may offer a sustainable alternative to help decrease the cement content of building material.

Hemp paper also has more “recyclability“ than wood and produces a greater yield.

Researchers say these features make hemp an important resource to “slow down the deforestation process“.

Hemp acts as an air purifier, absorbing carbon dioxide and cleaning the air we breathe.

For every tonne of hemp produced, 1.63 tonnes of carbon is removed from the air, making hemp cultivation even more efficient at oxygen production than agroforestry, according to Hemp Foundation Co-FounderVishalVivek.

“From nutrition to building material, from clothing to biofuel, from ship sails to bioplastic - you name it and some part of the hemp plant can yield that,“ he said.

“I know some people are a bit over Covid and don’t want to think about it but these films really do touch on beautiful things.”

The event will be launched by City of Greater Dandenong mayor, Eden Foster along with other councillors.

Residents can enjoy award winning films such as, The Ninth Tower, Lockdown Loopbox, A Room for One and The End of Myself.

This will be the second year the film festival will be held but a first for the Dandenong community.

“The first year we held it in Geelong and had a great turnout.

“We made it into night of entertainment where we had comedians’ performers and spoken word artists performing in between the films and that’s how we’ll do it in Dandenong.”

Dandenong High School student Aziz along with his brother are among the spoken word artists who’ll perform with Afghan music on the night.

Also appearing are some of Victoria’s best Spoken Word artists such as poet Amanda Anastasi as well as Rania Ahmed, who penned an award-winning poem ‘Red Velvet’ which highlights the sufferings of children in the Syrian war.

Rapper Hisham will also be there to entertain the crowd with his beats.

“We thought we’d give it a go in Dandenong our very multicultural vibrant city, I think the community will enjoy it,” Mr Seyit said.

“It will be a good family night out and if we can make it into a tradition that would be fantastic.”

Mr Seyit said it’ll be great to feature this event annually, but the only challenge would be to get new films in the competition.

“Its a great way to look back at it and say that was a time we went through and how we’ve come through strong and better.”

The film festival will be held inWalker Street Gallery on Saturday 17 June from 7pm.

Bookings can be made at greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greater-dandenongcouncil/events/covideo-twenty23short-film-festival

Remembering those Covid toilet roll shortages - Mosa, Kuranda Seyit (Director), Aamir and Nurali at a Covidrelated play rehearsal at the Drum Theatre Dandenong in 2021. 231943

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

A selection of hemp fibres and wood products at Parliament House ahead of the debate into industrial hemp.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Ruth Cardenas and Mark Smith, Cultivators and Developers, One Life Botanicals display hemp wood ahead of Parliamentary Debate into Hemp Inquiry. 338782 Picture: TONY LEE

Great nights out at Drum

As the winter weather sets in, now is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the magic of theatre.

Enjoy great performances in the cosy setting of Dandenong’s iconic Drum Theatre this month.

Dynamic duo Marina Prior and David Hobson return to the Drum stage with an allnew repertoire in The 2 of Us. The two-hour intimate performance includes classic numbers, as well as backstage and life stories from

their famed careers.

Experience the stage adaptation of the Bengali movie Bhooter Bhobisyat by Actomania. The comedy is performed in Bengali/Bangla language.

Find fun on the school holidays with some family friendly performers, including the return of the Wiggles. With three performances scheduled, there’s never been a better time to see the world’s most popular children’s entertainment group live in concert.

Explore What's On

Masquerade

Friday

Saturday 8 July, 7pm

Delight in the magic of a winter wonderland and adventure with Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven and all your favourite characters in Disney’s Frozen Kids presented by Masquerade Youth Productions.

Drum offers a special Encore Program featuring daytime performances with lower ticket prices. Featuring everything from drama to comedy, circus and music, the program offers something for everyone and includes complimentary morning tea and

a parking voucher.

Join us in August for the next Encore show featuring acclaimed guitarists The Grigoryan Brothers. See Slava and Leonard perform original music inspired by Australia on a variety of guitars, including electric, 8 string, tenor ukulele, 12 string and classical guitars.

Discover great theatre in your own backyard. Visit drum.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au to see what’s on and book your seat today.

Thursday 28 September, 10.30am

Marina Prior and David Hobson 'The 2 Of

Khally Ballak Men ZouZou Presented by The Light of Diversity

Bon Appetit by Petit Circus

Dynamic duo Marina Prior and David Hobson return to the Drum stage with an all-new repertoire in The 2 of Us.Music, theatre, children’s theatre, ballet .... all are part of the rich feast to be found at Dandenong’s Drum Theatre.

Use DES pool, says

By Sahar Foladi

As Victorians continue to heal from Covid effects on the labour market, disability service providers say it’s high time for businesses to start recruiting from the disability workforce pool.

Wallara disability service CEO and father of a person with intellectual disability, Phil Hayes-Brown is tired of seeing the Disability Employment Services (DES) system fail and has taken a dive in the Open Employment program to tackle the profound issue.

“That has caught our attention and we decided to be more active in that space with the people we support.

“We’re really proud to be in supported employment,” Mr Brown said.

The social enterprise, Wallara traditionally specialised in Supported Employment but now with the extra flexibility of the NDIS and the support of a Philanthropic Foundation has begun placing clients into Open Employment.

Wallara has started to roll out their clients into the workforce focusing on permanent pathways.

Laurence has been with Wallara for a decade now and has moved on to work with Tutt Bryant Equipment based in Dandenong in full award wages.

“I’m happy at the moment with what I’m doing.

“One of the main bosses I was working with he was congratulating me and saying how he was impressed that other people in Wallara is willing to step out from what we do and try to take on something else like open employment,” Laurence said.

Wallara works with more than 150 people in supported employment.

Carolyn Bloch, Open Employment adviser, with four years of experience in DES said there are a number of supported employees.

“We basically started this pathway from scratch in July. Just built it up slowly up to the point where we made enough connections with businesses.”

The Open Employment initiative has seen five different businesses participate in the trial to diversify their workforce by recruiting from Wallara with 20 more who’ve expressed their interest.

“We have a lot of companies that rely on us, trust us and have known us for long time who are seeking to be more inclusive with their hiring,” Mr Brown said.

“They give our guys an opportunity to see if they could work in those organisations so we’re really enjoying seeing some of our workers try that step and make that move.”

Besides Tutt Bryants in Dandenong, Bunorong Memorial Park in Dandenong South, Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Frankston RSL have also partnered with Wallara in Open Employment.

Mr Brown said this could be an ongoing partnership.

“They’re always looking for staff in their hospitality area. We will start at the cafeteria but we see opportunities for some of our clients in the reception or sports bars.

“We’re hearing from a lot of more people with disability.”

Mr Brown said he’s tired of seeing the Disability Employment Services (DES) system fail which is why Wallara has taken the step towards open employment.

“The DES network around Australia hasn’t had any success in shifting the disability participation numbers in the workforce.

“We have been repeatedly told for several years now that over 60 per cent of workers with a disability placed in open employment by DES are not lasting past the six-month mark,” Mr Brown said.

“That’s really disappointing because there are a lot of people with disability that have a lot to contribute in the work force.”

Mr Brown said this could be due to organisations not having the skills or ongoing support necessary to be able to offer long term employment opportunities for those with additional needs.

The Philanthropic Foundation support that provides the staff resource to coordinate these placements is currently set to end in July 2024 but Wallara is hoping the success of the program will enable it to be continued.

Mr Brown said without the foundation’s support, they wouldn’t be able to continue on the open employment pathway.

“If we are paid the same financial payments as DES providers, we could be actively engaged in this.

“We can play a role in this pathway, it would be sustainable for the long term without needing foundations to help,” Mr Brown said.

People with disability make up 18.4 per cent of Victoria’s population who experience profound disadvantage with a labour force participation rate of only 32 per cent.

Meanwhile, unemployment rate in Victoria has reached 3.6 per cent while underemployment is at 6.1 per cent according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

“I call for more collaboration between disability service providers and industry to help improve this stagnant participation rate.

“I also hope the government thinks about re-imaginingtheDESnetwork,”MrBrownsaid.

Phil Hayes-Brown, Laurence Walsh and Carolyn Bloch. 336842

Picture: GARY SISSONS

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

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

Support Fair

Looking for work is a job in itself and sometimes there are other things to sort out first. Greater Dandenong Council is running a Support Fair for women, which brings together community and service organisations into the one place. Find the right support in your language, or information on living and working in Australia. Speak to an expert on financial information or chat with someone about health and wellbeing, housing, job readiness, or job training, pathways and education.

· Tuesday, 20 June, 10am-12pm or 12pm-2pm at Dandenong Civic Centre Meeting Rooms,

225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Free event, registrations essential. Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/future-focus-support-fairs

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.

Green thumbs

The Springvale Garden Club will hold its June meeting with guest speaker Beth Williams on “All things about Roses”.

· Wednesday 21 June, from 7pm at the Senior Citizens Hall, The Crescent, Springvale; $3 entry fee covers a cuppa and a chance to win a door prize. Details: Cheryl Johnson, 9551 3197 or 0425 758 278.

Kids in the Kitchen and Zen Zone

Keep the kids entertained inside with free Kids in the Kitchen and Zen Zone activities at Dandenong Plaza during the winter school holidays. In week one, Kids in the Kitchen features a work-

shop with different food craft and cooking activities every day - Decorate a Chef’s Hat (26 June), Little Chef Apron Art (27 June), Cup cake decorating (28 June), Fresh Fruit Rockets (29 June), Bakers Bun decorating (30 June). Zen Zone for the second week of the school holidays features a daily dose of kids’ wellness activities including yoga, mindful colouring in and blissful bead craft.

· Mondays to Fridays, 26 June-7 July, 11am2pm at Dandenong Plaza, centre court. Free events, no bookings required. Details: armadadandeongplaza.com.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

Multicultural seniors activities

Keysborough Multicultural Senior Citizens Inc is an over-55s club, with bingo on the first, second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, line dancing on Wednesdays, ballroom dancing lessons on Thursdays. Upcoming concerts with Michael Reed (20 June) and Col Perkins (18 July) and a bus day trip to Phillip Island tourist attractions on 25 July ($50, lunch at own expense). We are in need of few volunteers able to arrange tables and chairs on Tuesdays from 10.15am to 11.00am. Please note the club will be closed from Monday 26 June-Sunday 2 July for renovations.

· Rowley Allan Reserve, 352 Cheltenham Road Keysborough. Tea and coffee is supplied for all activities. Membership $10.

Details: Julie, 0428 561 694

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 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

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

‘soap opera’

• 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

$

•All advertisements must be pre-paid. For $29.00 you get a 4 line, ONE ITEM ONLY advertisement, restricted to “For Sale” or “Motoring” items only for private advertisers, run initially for 13 weeks or until sold. Additional lines will be charged at $3 per line per publication.

•After your advertisement has run for 13 weeks you must call us each fortnight to renew it for a further 2 week period AND reduce the price of your item by a minimum 5% for items in the “For Sale” section or 3% for items in the “Motoring” section. This process may continue until you have sold your item. If we do not hear from you we will assume you have sold your item and your advertisement will not appear.

• The sale price must be included in the advertisement and the only alterations you may make are to the PRICE of your item.

• Business advertisements, rental hire, pets & livestock and real estate are not included in the offer.

• The publisher reserves the right to decline any booking for the purpose of ongoing gain.

Expression of Interest

Submissions are invited in accordance with the EOI documents for the:

Gleneagles Secondary College Canteen Service CLOSING:

4 00pm Friday 23rd June 2023

Interested parties can contact the school for a complete package of documents.

Print and Online Sales Executive Star News Group

Star News Group seeks an enthusiastic sales executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms

Star News Group is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future

The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business

Sales skills/experience:

• Ab i l i ty to ma i nta i n ex i st i ng profess i onal relat i onsh i ps and to create new ones

• Ab i l i ty to meet def i ned sales and act i v i ty targets

• Excellent l i sten i ng sk i lls

• Accuracy and attent i on to deta i l

• Effect i ve t i me management to meet deadl i nes

• Ab i l i ty to operate i n a team

• Demonstrates i n i t i at i ve and flex i b i l i ty

• Effect i ve oral and wr i tten commun i cat i on

Appl i cants w i ll need the i r own rel i able veh i cle for wh i ch we w i ll prov i de an allowance

The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme

Send your application letter and resume to:

Advertising Sales Manager

Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au

Part-Time Telesales Representative Star News Group

Star News Group is an innovative and dynamic media company located in Pakenham, Victoria As a leading publisher of print and digital news, we are looking for a part-time Telesales Representative to join our team

Overview

The successful candidate will be responsible for increasing revenue by selling our products and services to potential and existing customers via phone call This is a part-time role with flexible hours

Key Responsibilities

•Manage a portfolio of existing customers and develop relationships with new customers

•Conduct outbound telesales calls to promote our products and services

• Achieve and exceed sales targets and KPIs

•Keep accurate and updated records of customer interactions and sales leads

•Coordinate with the sales and marketing team to align sales strategies and campaigns

•Telesales or cold-calling experience is preferred but not essential

•Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills

Are you experienced in sales and enjoy dealing with customers over the phone?

TELEPHONE SALES Inbound/Outbound

We are looking for new team members to join our team. Do you like talking to people over the phone, building rapport and great relationships?

If you are a motivated and reliable individual who loves a challenge and enjoys a fast-paced, deadline-driven team environment we want to hear from you. Work close to home with free onsite parking at our office in Pakenham. Your day will be kept busy servicing existing clients and making cold outbound calls to gain new business.

Experience in advertising sales is an advantage, but not essential.

To apply send your resume with covering letter to: Classified Advertising Manager sales@networkclassifieds.com.au

• Results driven and target-oriented mindset

• Strong organisational and time management skills

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment

• Strong attention to detail

The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme

Send your application letter and resume to:

Advertising Sales Manager

Mandy Clark

mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au

Noble Park issues warning

By Marcus Uhe

With the eyes of the Eastern Football Netball League firmly on them in a standalone clash with ladder-leading Balwyn, Noble Park produced what Steve Hughes described as their “most complete” performance of their premiership defence to date.

A stoic defensive display on the road, in which they held the Tigers to their secondlowest score of the 2023 campaign, was the catalyst for the 41-point win, 12.15 87 to 6.10 46.

Despite losing key defender Josh Tour midway through the afternoon, the tall trio of Ryan Morrison, Jack Francis and Hudson Thomas worked for, and with, each other to completely nullify Brenton Sanderson’s side, boasting the well-regarded trio of Jordan Lisle, Jeffrey Gobbels and Charlie Haley, who have kicked 55 goals between them this season.

Prior to Saturday’s contest, the Tigers had only been held goalless in a quarter once this season.

Against the Bulls, it happened twice.

Two goals to the visitors in quick succession late in the first term ensured they took momentum into the first change, having kept the ladder leaders to the first of the two goalless terms.

Luke Nelson was the beneficiary of swarming forward pressure, producing a sensational finish in traffic from hard against the boundary line, before Josh Stern converted a downfield free-kick awarded to Kevin Kean.

Balwyn wouldn’t strike until 10 minutes into the second term through Lisle, who was awarded a free-kick in the pocket and marched to the goal-line due to a 25-metre penalty.

Two goals each to Nelson and Liam Scott, however, not only kept the home side at bay, but pushed Noble Park’s lead to 32 late in the quarter.

The product of their attack was forged through their suffocating defence,with intercepts and forward-half turnovers their primary sources of scoring.

The trademark Bulls press forced the Balwyn defenders from side-to-side as they struggled to find any exits, leading to Francis and Thomas picking-off kicks to contests on multiple occasions.

Nelson’s pace, too was problematic for Balwyn, showcasing his ability to sneak out the back on the charge toward goal and stream away from his opponents.

At the smaller-than-most Balwyn Park, the speed with which Noble Park moved the football was causing headaches.

But for all their ascendency in general play, they took just a 20-point lead into the long break, with the home side kicking the final two of the half.

Balwyn’s second coming from another free-kick would have been a tough pill to swallow, and salt was added to the wound with a long bomb just before the break, undoing some of the Bulls’ good work further afield, and provided a reminder of the quality of their opponent.

Needing a steadier to get back on track, enter Ben Marson.

Providing a target, time and again for his defenders, the bullocking centre-half forward kicked the opening goal of the quarter from distance and combined with yet another Francis intercept mark to provide Christopher Horton-Milne with his first major.

The ball hardly entered the Tigers’ forward 50, managing just the single shot on goal to the Bulls’ 10 for the quarter, making the most of the breeze favouring the scoreboard end.

A three-quarter-time lead of 39 points set the task for the ladder leaders to overcome, but as the two sides traded goals down the stretch, the Bulls were able to hold strong.

“To come here and face a side on their home deck at 7-1, on top of the ladder and playing good footy and for us to deliver that, yeah I’m really pleased,” Hughes said.

Thunder left in the dark

By Marcus Uhe

Dandenong Thunder’s massive clash with NPL giants South Melbourne succumbed to bizarre scenes at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with the match abandoned at the halfway mark due to lighting issues.

Trailing 2-1 at halftime, the Thunder were set for a significant second half in the context of the season, before referees put a stop to play.

“Due to a lighting issue with the stadium, the referees have deemed there is not enough light to continue the match tonight,” South Melbourne FC said on their Twitter page on Sunday afternoon.

“Further information will be provided once updates are received from Football Victoria.”

The match will be replayed at a later date.

Dandenong went into the break having stymied the home side’s momentum, scoring in stoppage time, but had conceded two earlier in the contest to find themselves behind.

With South Melbourne sitting second on the table heading into the clash, a win for Dandenong on the road would have done wonders for their momentum as they turn for the remaining third of the NPL season.

The Thunder entered the clash having

won three of its last four contests, but fell short to Oakleigh Cannons in its most recent outing on Friday 2 June.

After a slow start to the campaign in which they acquired just seven points from their first eight fixtures, the Thunder had entered a purple-patch in the second half of the season, before losing to Oakleigh.

A season defined by clumps and streaks sees them sit eighth on the NPL Victoria table, but with a game in hand as a result of Sunday’s abandonment.

Three points would see them just up to sixth place, overtaking Altona Magic and Green Gully, in seventh and sixth respectively, while one would see them outseat Altona Magic on goal difference.

Gerhardus Damen leads the club in scoring with six goals from 16 appearances, having found the back of the net in four of his last five matches as part of the Thunder’s hot streak in May.

Dandenong will return to action on Saturday afternoon at George Andrews Reserve with another game against Bentleigh Greens at 3pm.

The home side will be hoping for a repeat of the matchup’s round three result, when it bagged the second victory of the campaign 3-0 back in March.

“I’m really glad that we’re back to the brand that we want to play.

“Our pressure around the contest was the best we’ve been all year.

“I think we laid somewhere in the vicinity of 80 tackles, which we haven’t been anywhere near there this year. That gives you a bit more of a chance on a smaller ground here, as well as guys playing their role.”

The premiership coach was full of praise for both his midfield and back six.

“Obviously they’re pretty handy forwards, so for us to win those match-ups was something we were really pleased with.

“They’ve got some guys who can hurt you pretty quick in the likes of Charlie (Haley), Lisle, and Gobbles, so we had to get those match-ups right, which I think we did.

“But we said all week that we thought the game would be won and lost in the midfield and it probably was.

“I thought we were on top at stoppages. (Jackson) Sketcher, Horton-Milne, Jackson Casey and Tom Glen, I thought they were all winners on the day.”

With the remainder of round nine to be played next week, the Bulls will enjoy a rest having recorded their first set of back-to-back wins since their three-week win streak to open the season.

Having righted the ship after a “testing”

first half of the year, beginning with losing Kyle Martin and Shane McDonald on the eve of the season with knee injuries, their current purple-patch sets the tone for their premiership defence in the remainder of the season.

“I think that (the injuries) was a bit stressful, and we weren’t playing great footy in the first six-seven weeks, which has kind of clicked,” Hughes said.

“But I think we do need a mental break as well.

“It’ll be nice to put the breaks on for a week, I think we need to.”

They’ll resume their premiership defence with a return clash against South Croydon at home, who they beat by four points in round three.

BALWYN 0.3 3.8 3.9 6.10 (46)

NOBLEPARK 3.3 7.4 9.12 12.15 (87)

BalwynGoals: Jordan Lisle 2, Jeffrey Gobbels, Alexander Urban, Tristan Van Driel, Charlie Haley.

Best: Aaron Britten, Jordan Lisle, Joshua Pollocks, Charlie Haley, Bowen Smith, Fraser Hicks.

NobleParkGoals: Luke Nelson 3, Joshua Stern 3, Liam Scott 2, Kevin Kean, Ben Marson, Christopher Horton-Milne, Jackson Casey. Best: Jack Francis, Ben Marson, Jackson Sketcher, Luke Bull, Bodey Lambert, Jack Gains.

Picture: ROB CAREW

Benjamin Marson marked everything that came his way for Noble Park on Saturday. 285139 Pictures: ROB CAREW

Kevin Kean’s forward pressure was critical to Noble Park’s win. 285139

Locals line up at Vic trials

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Dandenong Stingray Elli Symonds’ meteoric rise in the talent pathway system continued on the weekend in the Vic Country trials.

The bottom-aged ruck burst onto the scene this year with her power and contested marking impressing widely since her debut.

She was able to show those traits to a tee when the quality of opposition went up a level and has done everything in her power to be selected in the final squad.

The game saw the best 50 Vic Country Coates Talent League players play against each other with the final squad to be trimmed to 30.

Symonds was among 13 Stingrays playing in the trial match at Avalon Airport Oval in Werribee on Saturday afternoon, while there was also four Gippsland Power players.

Kayla Dalgleish, Tara Quinn, Brooke Smith, Bianca Lyne, Zoe Besanko and Abbey Tregellis all played on the comfortably-defeated red team with Symonds.

Dalgleish’s addition is a nod to her recent form since the return from community footy Quinn, who has played most of the season in defence for Dandenong, played her best game of the season last week when she played inside 50.

That’s where she played on the weekend, and she again showed positive signs, lively particularly in the final quarter when the intensity went up a notch.

Smith and Tregellis put forward their cases as 19-year-olds and bottom-ager Besanko is a tall player with good fundamentals who played for Vic Country’s under-16s last year.

Bianca Lyne had glimpses and will be favoured to make the squad, with her height and competitiveness the likeable traits she’s shown in 20 games across three seasons for the Rays.

Powerful forward Sophie Butterworth, meanwhile, was one of five Rays to play for the white team.

She led strongly and was an aerial threat and was unrewarded on the scoreboard before being rested in the last quarter.

She will next Saturday take part in an AFLW under-23 All Stars game.

Meg Robertson played in the forward line and got a lot of the footy, with her unselfishness a feature as she got involved in scoring chains several times without kicking one herself.

Captain Jemma Ramsdale played a lockdown role in defence and was vocal at the breaks, taking a quasi leadership role of the backline for the day.

Ruby Murdoch was lively with her run on the wing, and bottom-ager Jemma Reynolds was clean as always at ground level

Midfielder MikaylaWilliamson, meanwhile, had some trademark moments at stoppage and will all but certainly make the final squad.

All the Gippsland players were on the white team.

Highly regarded Ash Centra had a quiet first half, playing halfback in a game where her team dominated territory.

She was moved forward in the second half and took some marks and had some nice moments.

AmberSchutteandbottom-agerJasSowden also played in defence, while Indianna Makai’s consistency as a 19-year-old for the Power saw her able to press her case.

Dandenong Stingrays coach Josh Moore led one side, while Gippsland mentor Nathan Boyd was in charge of the other.

The final squad will be selected in due course.

Banter aplenty as Bruce Couch reaches 2000 games

By Jonty Ralphsmith

He’s seen four senior premierships, his son’s entire footy career, the evolution of local footy and some crippling lows.

Bruce Couch estimates about 20 other trainers have been through the Hampton Park football club in his 2000 games as trainer.

Some are good, others are brief, the success stories are the ones that get better job offers doing the role elsewhere.

But Bruce, who turns 80 next year, has been at the club for 45 years.

The end will be via retirement, not seeking other opportunities.

He’s a Hampton Park person who has stuck through 200-point losses at the darkest times, and never given oxygen to the thought of leaving.

“It was always about how we could get better together,” says big forward Nathan Carver who was there during the drubbings.

“He was happy to give us banter, but always found a way to boost us up as well.

“There is something about him which just makes him morale-boosting.”

Perhaps the conclusion will be next yearbut if a premiership is around the corner, as the club is building towards, the temptation will be to stick around.

The family has posed the question but a love of the club always wins out, with Hayden Stanton and the new group rejuvenating his passion.

He is at training at 4pm, helping to set up, and on a good night might be home by 7.30, and arrives at games at 10am before being released at about 7pm.

That’s been the routine on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays since his son was in under-10s, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Like thousands of parents across the country, he just wanted to get involved in helping his son’s team - only once his son graduated to the seniors, then eventually retired, ‘Couchy’ didn’t want to let go!

“They give me sh*t and I give it back to them,” he said of the camaraderie he loves

down at the Redbacks.

Across the time, he has seen the game become much silkier.

Back then, he was relied upon to treat many more knock injuries, whereas these days his work is largely put into soft tissue injuries.

The clear highlights, as for anyone associated with football clubs, are the four premierships he has been involved in - 1997, 1998, 2018, 2019.

To mark the occasion, Carver generously presented him with his 2019 premiership guernsey and a footy after last Saturday’s game against Caulfield.

“He put his arm around me at training during the week and said ‘you better get me

a slab of Scotch this weekend because it’s my 2000th game’,” said Carver.

“I thought we could do better so everyone signed a footy and we presented it to him in front of the committee, reserves players who stuck around and seniors after the match at Caulfield.

“He’s like family to us - no matter life’s challenges, he’s always here.

“I tell him he’s old and he tells me I’m sh*t!

“He always straps my shoulder and my ankle - there’s no way I’d still be able to play if it wasn’t for him but he’s more than a trainer.”

Teammates and club-people note that Carver and Couch have a special relationship, in between some expected rifts about whether the big forward is fit to play.

“I was just doing my job to get the players able to play at the best of their ability,” Couch said.

“It doesn’t really change whether it’s a grand final or normal game, I just needed to make sure they were doing their stretches.

“They were fun times and it was a great experience.”

President Craig Seers also paid tribute to the service he provided the club.

“He goes above and beyond and is always happy to speak his mind,” Seers said.

“He’s a workhorse - as long as he has some Scotch, he’s happy!”

What ‘Couchy’ says makes an ideal trainer:

· Assertive communication with the coach: “players always say they’re okay but you need to be willing to tell coaches the truth. You don’t want players to have issues later in life.”

· Gain rapport: “players need to trust that you have their best interests so they’ll be willing to do the right things by their body and be fit and ready to go.”

· Watch games the right way: “a good trainer always watches a kick behind the game to see if anyone goes down.”

· Spend time at the club: “you’ve got to love it, the good times and the bad.”

Bruce Couch is the sort of volunteer that is part of the fabric of a football club. 340647

Pictures: VICKI BARRY

What Hampton Park gifted Bruce after game 2000.

The 13 Rays representatives, along with coach Josh Moore, pose for a photo after the Vic Country trial game. 340669

Picture: JAZZ BENNETT

with grazing box, Belgrave to Lakeside Return