Reptiles were jumping off the page at a wildlife show at Springvale Library on Wednesday 20 September. Luka, 10, Ryan Feuerstein (The Lizard Wizard) and Zoe, 8, were joined by Reggie the Bearded Dragon (on the book) and Dino Dave the Boyd’s Forest Dragon (on Zoe’s head).
The school holiday event was part of Greater Dandenong’s Childrens Festival.
Ahead of a predicted scorching summer, Greater Dandenong’s preparation for heatwave emergencies is still a work under construction.
The municipality’s first heatwave preparedness event was held on Tuesday 19 September, at the Drum Theatre, was in response to a no-
tice of motion by councillor Rhonda Garad in July.
The motion was for the council to undertake a detailed report on emergency management necessary for events such as power blackouts during heatwaves.
“The City of Greater Dandenong’s heatwave preparedness event is a timely and essential first step, given that temperatures are current-
ly up to 12 degrees above average and our first heatwave has arrived in September,” she said.
The public event saw community members from all walks of lives attend the session.
Gaye Guest, an active member of the Greater Dandenong community, says there were a lot of unanswered questions.
“As a resident I actually came away with a little more knowledge than I had; however,
there were no real outcomes.
“Let’s say the next three days there’ll be heatwaves and my power goes off, where do I go?
“Which community centre or space will be open to me if I don’t have power?
“None of us walked out with an idea of where those centres would be.”
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Nine men and a woman were arrested as part of a 12-month police investigation into drugtrafficking and crime gangs across the South East.
Police raided homes in Cranbourne North and Narre Warren South on Tuesday 20 September.
They allegedly seized about one kilogram of cocaine, hand-gun ammunition, a ballistic vest, cash and a small quantity of cocaine.
A Mercedes Benz and a stolen BMW were also seized, police say.
On Wednesday 20 September, police raided further properties in Lynbrook, Clayton, Hampton Park, Dandenong, Somerville and Tyabb.
Drugs including methylamphetamines, cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy, MDMA and 1,4-butanediol, as well as a quantity of cash were seized.
The 12-month investigation by the Gang Crime Squad focused on alleged large scale drug trafficking, particularly cocaine, linked to former street gang members and associates.
Gang Crime Squad Acting Senior Sergeant Detective Craig Mitchell said the results were testament to a large-scale investigation over the past 12 months.
“This investigation also highlights the ongoing links to high level organised crime that many street gang members have, even after they have moved on from those specific groups,“ he said.
“We will continue to focus on those people and ensure their criminality is targeted regardless of what it involves.
“To arrest 10 people and seize a significant quantity of drugs is satisfying, especially alongside the seizure of the firearm and ammunition.“
Nawid Safar, 29, of Lyndhurst, faced Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on trafficking cocaine, possessing and trafficking methylamphetamine and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime charges on 21 September.
Bail was refused, and he was remanded for a mention hearing on 16 October.
Jacques Francois Jeanne, 31, of Hampton Park, also faced court on charges of possessing 1,4-Butanediol, possessing cannabis and possessing cocaine on Thursday 21 September.
Also charged was a 25-year-old Cranbourne North man with allegedly trafficking a large commercial quantity of cocaine, trafficking cocaine and dealing proceeds of crime.
A 22-year-old Narre Warren South man was
charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of cocaine, trafficking cocaine, possessing cocaine, prohibiting a person possessing a firearm, theft of motor vehicle and dealing with proceeds of crime and bail offences.
They were remanded in custody to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 17 January.
Police charged a 22-year-old Clyde North man with trafficking cocaine, possessing cocaine and possessing cannabis.
He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday 10 November.
Police interviewed a 20-year-old Endeavour Hills man and a 20-year-old Altona Meadows woman and released them pending further inquiries.
Police also charged a 25-year-old Clayton man with possessing cannabis and possessing prescription medication, receiving bail to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on 7 February.
A 25-year-old Hampton Park man was bailed on an outstanding warrant to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 8 February.
Police interviewed a 25-year-old Hampton Park man and released him pending further enquiries.
Police arrested a 29-year-old Lynbrook man and subsequently charged him with trafficking cocaine, possessing and trafficking methylamphetamine and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.
Youth Minister Natalie Suleyman launched the South East Community Linksrun space on Friday 22 September, among a flurry of music, dance, henna tattooing and inspiring speeches by young leaders. The Youth Links Hub annually provides support for more than 2000 youths. It is committed to its new bigger location in Douglas Street for at least 10 years.
“We are not just launching a new building; we are opening our hearts to the future,” SECL chief executive Peter McNamara said.
“Noble Park has always been home to our Youth Links Hub, but over the past two years, we’ve seen a surge in demand for our programs.We grew out of our previous space and it was no longer fit for purpose.
“That’s why we’re delighted to unveil our new Youth Links Hub—a welcoming and safe space where young people can hang out, relax, study, learn skills, and get the help they need to thrive.” The Youth Links team focuses on young people’s education, leadership, wellbeing, sports, employment and housing needs, McNamara said.
“For over half a century, SECL has been at the forefront of livering youth empowerment programs. We’ve been committed to supporting generations of young people, and helping them navigate barriers to their future opportunities.” The government’s Noble Park Suburban Revitalisation Board provided $41,000 for the new hub.
A man who burnt down a Dandenong South pool hall during a long-running dispute with his landlord has been jailed.
Bashir Hussain, now 42, set fire to his own business Star Entertainment Centre on Round Tower Road in the early hours on 1 April, 2019.
Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has rezoned the former Kingswood Golf Course for housing.
However, she has reportedly rejected proponent AustralianSuper’s development plan for potentially 800 homes on the 54-hectare site.
Ms Kilkenny announced the rezoning as the State Government unveiled its Housing Statement on Wednesday 20 September.
Kingston mayor Habi Saab said the council was “deeply disappointed” that the “valuable open space” was being rezoned.
“Council fully supports the need to address Melbourne’s housing crisis, but we don’t need to sacrifice important green open spaces like golf courses to achieve this.
“Kingston’s Housing Strategy is a positive plan that identifies more suitable sites for new housing growth to meet demand, and we call on the Minister to approve this plan as soon as possible.”
Cr Saab said details such as how many
homes will be allowed on the site had not yet been revealed. The council hoped for a “balanced” approach.
“Council is extremely interested in how the developer will be required to provide muchneeded open space and infrastructure to meet the needs of this new and existing Dingley Village community, whether social housing will be included, and how much green space will be protected to address the heat island effect and lessen climate impacts.
“At this stage we understand that there is no approved development plan that will answer all these questions.
“We expect that the local community and Council will still have a role to play in shaping these important details that go well beyond simply rezoning the site.”
Ms Kilkenny’s decision came 18 months after a planning advisory committee report was completed in March 2022.
She is believed to have requested a new development plan from the proponent.
The plan will be required to respond to “key issues” raised by a Standing Advisory Commit-
tee’s report, she said.
Further consultation with the community and the council would be required.
Critics have argued the estate would substantially add traffic pressures, flood risks as well as destroy green space.
Save Kingswood Group president Kevin Poulter fears that local “protestations will be brushed aside”.
“Kingswood cannot be built on. Kingswood is a flood plain.
“The occupants will be glad they are in three-storey units, as they will need the upper storeys to keep relatively dry.”
AustralianSuper recently announced its intention to sell off the golf course – which it had bought for a reported $125 million in 2014.
In a statement, it said the fund was now focused on “larger-scale property investment opportunities domestically and globally”.
The golf course “no longer aligned with the new strategy”.
Ms Kilkenny’s office didn’t respond to Star Journal’s questions by deadline.
A multi-state food-poisoning investigation shows I Cook Foods was treated in a starkly different fashion, according to its owner Ian Cook.
ICF is suing the state’s Health Department, claiming it was shut down with “reckless indifference” as part of a listeria investigation in early 2019.
Last week, health authorities announced nine cases of listeria in Queensland, NSW and Victoria, all probably linked to a shredded chicken product.
According to Queensland Health, the M&J Chickens ‘easy serve breast fillet’ was being “sold in commercial quantities” and used in restaurants, cafes and hospitals.
Last week, the manufacturers issued a trade recall of the product.
In contrast, the ICF’s Dandenong South kitchen was shut for more than a month. Its business serving Meals on Wheels, and meals to hospitals and aged-care homes was effectively destroyed, Mr Cook argues.
“What happened to us had never happened to any other business in the past, and it hasn’t happened to any other business since,” Mr Cook said.
At the time, ICF supplied 3500 sandwiches a week to the hospital.
No other linked cases of listeria were reported at the hospital or even in Victoria.
On 18 September, Victoria’s health department issued an advisory warning on the multi-
state clusters of listeriosis.
Five cases of listeriosis were reported inVictoria in August – the highest since 2018. One of the cases was linked to M&J Chickens, the
other four were still under investigation, a department spokesperson said.
The chicken product was manufactured in Queensland, he said.
“It’s primarily a Queensland and NSW issue. If there’s significant change, we’ll do another update.”
The Victorian health department warned people at increased risk to avoid a long list of foods but didn’t specify M&J Chickens.
The high-risk foods included cold meat products that aren’t further cooked, unpasteurized milk, raw fruit and veg not washed by yourself and raw seafood.
Queensland Health Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said the strain of listeria found in the chicken samples was the same as the strain isolated from patients in Queensland.
“This cluster includes four cases that were probably acquired at the Mater Hospital, with the fifth case possibly acquired at Redcliffe Hospital,” Dr Gerrard said.
“An official food recall is likely to follow but for now, any business or individual in possession of the product should stop using it.
“Queensland public hospitals are being instructed not to use this product.”
Supreme Court judge Michael McDonald is expected to hand down his judgment on the ICF case in coming weeks.
ICF had settled out of court with Greater Dandenong Council. However Mr Cook indicated it will launch a civil claim against the council for alleged “malicious prosecution”.
He was found guilty by a Victorian County Court jury of arson, although he has continued to deny responsibility, sentencing judge Patricia Riddell said on 7 September.
Hussain’s“act of desperation” causing nearly $1.4 million damage was apparently “born out of frustration and anger” at the landlord.
It gutted Hussain’s business on the top floor, burning through the floor to the landlord’s business below, Judge Riddell noted.
“The entire building was uninhabitable and downstairs business inoperable for about a year.”
The site was the former home of the legendary business Astra Billiards. It was sold in 2013 after the death of its owner George Grech.
Judge Riddell said Hussain had worked hard since 2015 to establish his pool hall, shisha lounge, bar and restaurant – a “passion project” in which he invested more than $500,000.
It was apparently successful until a new landlord started renovating a downstairs business into a pool hall and shisha lounge called Dunya Entertainment in direct competition to Hussain.
“Your offending was the result in large part of the financial decline of your business,“ the judge said.
“However, in my view your behaviour was also motivated at least in part out of anger and frustration with (the landlord).”
Judge Riddell regarded the landlord’s conduct as “somewhat reprehensible”.
“Many people may feel you had a justifiable sense of grievance at his behaviour.
“However, that does not justify the use of unlawful means to deal with those issues.”
Hussain made an unsuccessful claim on his insurance – as was often the case in suspicious fires, the judge noted.
He later told police he didn’t know how the fire started, saying he was only alerted to the blaze by nearby construction workers as he exited the building about 3.30am.
The landlord’s son told the court that he and his family were “severely affected”.
Dunya Entertainment was their only source of income and was unable to reopen for more than a year, he stated.
“This financial strain bled into their family life, causing significant emotional turmoil,” Judge Riddell said.
Born in Pakistan, Hussain provided for three young children and a refugee wife whose parents were killed by the Taliban.
Several referees spoke of his “trustworthiness” as a “respected businessman” and volunteer. He had no prior criminal history and a low risk of reoffending.
His offence was an “aberration and distinctly out of character”.
Hussain was jailed for three years and eight months. He will be eligible for parole in two years.
Greater Dandenong councillors warn that residents are set to be locked out of planning decisions that shape their neighbourhoods.
The State Government’s Housing Statement – a major shake-up of housing and planning across the state - sets a target of 800,000 new homes over the next decade with affordable housing quotas and fast-tracked planning approvals.
“We’re not building enough houses right now. We have to have more supply,” Premier Daniel Andrews said on Wednesday 20 September.
“More housing supply means lower prices.”
Under the reform, the Planning Minister will usurp planning powers from councils for $50 million-plus housing projects.
The assessment process will take just four months if developers provided 10 per cent affordable housing.
When asked whether he was reducing local democracy, he noted that the State Government was “democratically elected too”.
Mr Andrews said the aim was to clear a backlog of 1400 planning applications “gathering dust” with councils for more than six months.
However, according to Municipal Association of Victoria, councils aren’t to blame.
It claims that councils approved 120,000 housing permits on which construction still hadn’t started.
Greater Dandenong councillor Rhonda Garad said councils were approving about 90 per cent of applications on time.
Building delays were instead being caused by other factors.
“It’s hard to get building finance now – that’s the biggest reason … along with feasibility issues, materials and getting tradies.”
She was concerned about the long list of exemptions for developers to dodge the 10 per
cent affordable housing quota, the impact on open space, the lack of detail on ESD and the ability of residents to “push back” against inappropriate development.
Councillor Tim Dark was worried about the Government potentially fast-tracking housing projects at Sandown and the Maralinga and Southside vacant school sites.
Sandown’s owner Melbourne Racing Club is exploring the creation of a new suburb of 16,000 residents. But the surrounding roads and infrastructure were already under pressure, Cr Dark says.
“I’m concerned that Sandown is likely to be called in and approved by the Planning Minister.”
Cr Dark fears the State Government would be able to “approve whatever they like” and “without consultation of stakeholders including the community”.
He cited Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny’s recent approval of a six-storey apartment at 51A Douglas Street Noble Park – without considering the “detrimental impacts on neighbourhood amenity”.
“It’s their way or the highway.”
South East homelessness service Wayss described the Housing Statement as the most significant housing policy direction in this state for decades.
“But without careful consideration of our most disadvantaged, this group may miss out,” Wayss homelessness and housing general manager Shari McPhail said.
“We need to work with government to ensure that the 800,000 homes to be built over the next decade are targeted in the right areas to help alleviate the growing number of people experiencing homelessness.”
Ms McPhail says attention needs to go to the South East growth corridor’s “neglected“ public and community housing stocks.
“Officer South, Casey Fields and Clyde South have been named as part of the Precinct
Structure Plans and new housing and jobs, however what this means for increasing the supply of social and affordable housing is yet to be understood.”
She said the lack of mandatory inclusionary zoning was a “missed opportunity”.
“The inclusion of mandatory zoning would guarantee increased supply of social and affordable housing in all developments.”
Wayss welcomed rental reforms such as the ban on rental bidding, restricting rent increases between successive rental agreements and allowing transferable bonds.
The $2 million Rental Stress Support Package would help Wayss divert people from homelessness by keeping them in their rental properties.
South East Community Links chief executive Peter McNamara said rent rises and interest rate hikes were the No. 1 reason for people seeking emergency relief.
“The rent regulations are a fantastic move.
“We see far too many people pushed into homelessness and hardship due to excessive rent rises and rental bidding. It’s been out of control.”
He said rezoning surplus government land for housing was a “no-brainer”.
“There’s no use sitting on vacant and under-used Government land during a housing crisis.”
But there needed to be a “voice of the community sector” imbedded.
“We have seen far too many residents of Casey and Cardina suffer unnecessarily due to poor planning when it comes to logistic and essential services planning such as public transport access, digital inclusion and access to basic services.”
The Housing Statement also imposes a 7.5 per cent charge on short-stay accommodation customers. The levy will apply to about 36,000 short-stay accommodations and replace similar charges from local councils.
A man and woman have been charged over allegedly seriously bashing a victim in a Dandenong park on Monday 18 September.
Police say the pair assaulted a 39-year-old Coburg man after a verbal argument on the corner of Clow and Lonsdale streets about 3.20pm.
The victim was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
A Doveton man, 35, was arrested at the scene.
He was charged with intentionally causing serious injury in circumstances of gross violence as well as intentionally causing serious injury.
He appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 19 September.
A Dandenong woman, 27, ran from the scene. She was arrested by Greater Dandenong CIU detectives on 20 September.
The woman was charged with affray, common law assault and assault by kicking.
She was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 8 February.
Some of the city’s youngest celebrated the third birthday of Springvale Community Hub. The hub lawns were abuzz with a schoolholiday special of performances, circus workshops and butterflies.
It was part of the packed Greater Dande-
nong Children’s Festival program that ran over two weeks.
Since officially opening in 2020, the community hub has been a popular library, gallery and meeting venue with a big outdoor screen, cafe and playground.
Summerset Cranbourne North# is a modern village with resort-style facilities that will redefine retirement living, with the reassurance that there will be a modern aged care home onsite.
Located just minutes away from the local golf club and the gorgeous Cranbourne Botanical Gardens, Summerset Cranbourne North is conveniently located with easy access to nearby shopping centres, public reserves and the freeway allowing for easy commuting to and from surrounding suburbs.
To view plans and pricing, call the Sales Manager, Leanne Heathcote on 03 7068 5642 or visit the sales suite at 98 Mannavue Boulevard, corner of Mannavue Boulevard and Retreat Avenue.
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A dramatic car crash thwarted two armed kidnappers in their long and terrifying extortion attempt of a man in the South East.
Victoria Po’oi, 35, of Cranbourne North, and Conrad Tuala, 32, of Hampton Park, pleaded guilty in theVictorian County Court to kidnapping, theft and driving offences.
During the abduction, the man was driven from a meeting point in Melbourne’s west to stops in Cranbourne, Hampton Park and Noble Park on the night of 26 June 2021.
Tuala demanded “we want $1000 each” from the victim, who said he didn’t have the money.
Through the night the victim was beaten and threatened. His car and phone were stolen by his abductors.
At points, the kidnappers threatened to kill him, to smash up his mum’s house, swung a
tomahawk close to him, and punched him in the head.
He was told he’d be taken to “the farm”which the victim took to mean being taken to the bush and being killed.
At Tuala’s home, the victim was masked and tied to a chair while Tuala pressed a gun barrel into his mouth.
Po’oi later drove off with the victim in his own Honda Civic as she aimed a loaded gun at him.
Then Tuala rang Po’oi’s phone, which had been grabbed and smuggled by the victim in his jacket.
Po’oi said: “What the f***”, took her hand off the steering wheel and pointed the gun at the victim.
Her foot hit the accelerator, she lost control of the Civic and crashed into a fence in Hampton Park.
As the car’s airbags were deployed, she
dropped the gun and the victim punched her in the head several times.
In a struggle, Po’oi fell out of the car on a nature strip. She was restrained by a bystander, who also secured the gun.
Tuala drove up in his BMW and fled from police at the scene. He later fled with family members to NSW where he was arrested.
He was also charged with persistently breaching a family violence intervention order.
At Po’oi’s house, police seized an MDMA tablet and a small amount of powder containing heroin.
Sentencing judge Peter Lauristen said the “prolonged” and “terrifying” ordeal involved a series of assaults and threats against the victim.
“One can safely assume the entire incident was terrifying for the victim of the kidnapping.
“The kidnapping was the idea of Tuala and
he took the lead. But Po’oi was an active participant, assaulting and threatening the victim.”
The judge noted Tuala had been guilty of 59 previous charges and jailed nine times including for armed robbery. He was on a community corrections order at the time.
Po’oi had been guilty of 31 charges, without going to jail. She was on bail at the time.
The New Zealand-born Po’oi’s childhood deprivation including being exposed to violence was taken into account. She faced possible deportation after her release from jail.
Judge Lauritsen rated both of their rehabilitation prospects as “reasonable”.
Tuala was jailed for 45 months, including a 30-month non-parole period. His term included 798 days in pre-sentence detention.
Po’oi was jailed for three years, with a two-year non-parole period. She had already served 614 days of the term in pre-sentence detention.
Hallam Primary School grade five and six students have topped the table at a state online maths competition.
Designed by education platform Maths Circle, the ’Melbourne Rocks’ maths competition challenged students from 50 primary schools on their times table skills.
Maths Circle chief executive Bruno Reddy said Hallam Primary was a standout performer from the beginning.
“As the competition began to unfold, my team and I were fascinated by the outstanding performance of Hallam Primary; they led the field from the beginning and are to be congratulated for their excellent results.”
The comp was designed to multiply the ’joy factor’ in mathematics, with the classroom “pumping” with music and excited screams, he said.
Hallam Primary’s grade five and six team leader Deb said“the kids are still buzzing and excited to do it again next year.
“The bottom line is that it’s great when kids are learning their tables.
“It’s not easy to get them into a routine of practising but the Times Tables Rock Stars really helped because it’s fun, they love being on devices and it works.”
It showed how technology can work wonders in an economically and culturally diverse school with 40 languages, Deb said.
“We cater to refugee families, very well-off families, and disadvantaged families. We’ve got them all.
“As a school community, we don’t see the kids as culturally different, and we hope the kids don’t either.
“Melbourne Rocks has helped us show this around mathematics and learning times tables. It made it really equitable and showed the community that we’re all the same.“
Hallam Primary School will compete at a national ’Oz Rocks’ maths competition in October.
Wizards, chefs and other classic book characters came to life at a dress-up day at St Gerard’s Primary School.
Students and staff embodied their favourite characters as part of Book Week celebrations last month.
As part of the love-fest for all things literary, there was a book fair, book designing and book reviews as well as parents reading to children.
A $285 million masterplan for Moorabbin Airport has been federally approved.
The revised plan removes a controversial proposal for commercial warehouses in the airport precinct.
“The focus of Moorabbin Airport always was, and always will be, on safe aviation,” Moorabbin Airport Corporation chief executive Paul Ferguson said.
“Our approach for future land use is framed around growth, intent on improving our airspace, flight training and education as well as sustainable aviation infrastructure.”
A net-zero environmental target was set by 2050, with initiatives such as electric and hydrogen engines, increased use of simulators and online learning.
About 40 hectares of land is identified for non-aviation development, such as commercial, industrial and retail operations.
This would “drive employment growth and local community prosperity”, Ferguson said. It forecasts direct and indirect jobs to rise from 16,500 to more than 25,000 by the end of the decade.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King, who approved the plan, said it resolves several “stakeholder concerns” and “paves a strong path for growth”.
An “appalled” Dingley Village Community Association described the plan as “a lose-lose for Dingley Village”.
“It guarantees continued aviation growth with no new measures to combat aircraft noise or number of movements,” a spokesperson said.
“The plan also still supports major development across the whole of the airport site, just
not encroaching on current land assigned to aviation.”
A Save Kingswood group spokesperson said there should not be new homes built at the former Kingswood Golf Course, which is under one of “Australia’s busiest airports” circuit paths.
“A nearby area with less air traffic had a development refused.
“Student pilots even practice engine shutdowns and there is also the noise and pollution problems.
“It’s obvious too from the number of crashes nearby, that a buffer zone is needed for emergencies.”
In a statement, Kingston Council stated it was pleased with “much-needed improvements” to “protect the future of aviation at the site”.
A Dandenong-based group is tackling high unemployment rates that continue to echo through parts of the community.
Not-for-profit organisation, Sister Works, is empowering migrant, refugee and asylum seeker women in Greater Dandenong who are struggling to secure jobs.
Employment and business support coordinator, Zahra Haydarbig says securing jobs for these women has become a real issue and challenge.
“We go through inductions, OH&S and training but we don’t receive anything further from potential employers.
“It’s a matter of accepting the diversity and building the trust. Our applicants are trustable, we’re here to support those who’re passionate and ready to work.”
Sister Works provide basic supports such as English classes, computer classes, how to use public transport and gradually shift to programs to equip the participants with the necessary job-ready skills.
A range of programs are provided such as warehousing, manufacturing, hospitality, beauty and make-up classes.
Anywhere between 40 to 60 women graduate from these programs ready to join the workforce.
“Our participants are looking to work in bicultural work fields and disability support services.
“We have a variety of applicants ready for jobs, not just in warehousing and hospitality.”
The program also offers ‘Job Ready’ sessions where participants are assisted with their resume, taught interview tips, food safety skills, barista skills and other skills and certificates required to work inhospitality and restaurant settings.
“Some of our diverse women are trying to get their licence but still have the support from family and friends to drive them around.,“ Ms Haydarbig said.
“It’s a very sweet outcome of everyone’s journey, to see them grow from the initial contact they had with us.
“I feel very satisfied and proud of these women for their accomplishments.”
The unemployment rate in Greater Dande-
nong in March 2023 was more than six per cent and at its peak in June 2020, at 10.4 per cent.
In October 2022, award-winning not-forprofit social enterprise, Ability Works, in partnership with RMIT launched a research paper to identify the best ways to reach different communities in Greater Dandenong. The high multicultural population has a range of barriers to employment.
As reported previously by Star Journal, data from the City of Greater Dandenong shows that women aged 25-44 years who have settled in Australia are less likely to be in a paid employment, while 57 per cent of men with Year 11 completion are employed.
Those with limited fluency in English language are at the most affected with 31 per cent in paid work.
Ability Works chief executive Sue Boyce had said there’s a “lack of trust between the migrant community and employers because of the very big differences compared to the country they’ve come from. The employment environment is very different.”
However, Ms Haydarbig says the women are as competitive as everyone else, with the correct resources and skills provided to them during their time with Sister Works.
“Coming from war-torn countries they’re very passionate to build their future, make their future brighter and become independent.
“We’ll be there to support the participants in their employment pathway on an ongoing ba-
sis, we won’t just hand them in to employers.”
She says the organisation is seeking new partnerships between local businesses, employers, and existing organisations in the community to provide better pathways to women.
Recently, a six-week partnership between Afri-Aus Care and Sister Works involving sewing sessions came to an end.
Afri-Aus Care founder Selba Gondoza-Luka said it was sad the short-lived partnership came to an end.
“The staff from Sister Works attended the sessions to provide our Mamas with sewing skills with 15 machines.
“Some of the mamas were beginners and some intermediate.
“It was a place where women, who are eager to learn new skills, met and socialised.”
The not-for-profit organisation, run by a group of professionals from migrant backgrounds, supports CALD and African communities. It is about breaking stigmas around mental health, with a focus on primary mental health intervention.
By the end of the program, the participants produced oven mitts, small bags for keys and mobiles, and grocery-shopping bags amongst other things.
“The mamas enjoyed the entire six-weeks. We cannot go without saying thank you to Sister Works, it was great,” Ms Gondoza-Luka said.
“We are pleased to see the masterplan guarantees no decrease in land dedicated to aviation purposes and that commercial warehouses are prohibited in these areas.
“However, Council is deeply disappointed that the masterplan continues to offer no protection for neighbouring homeowners who may face large scale warehouses towering over their homes.”
Haileybury College’s spelling champ Zac Cheng not only knows how to spell ‘indomitable’, but he embodies it.
From the second year back-to-back, Zac took out a national Years 7-8 title in the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee.
Zac cleared past puzzling words such as ‘translucent’, as well as ‘suffragette’, ’indomitable’, ’catarrh’ and ‘aggregate’, to compile a 28/30 score in a whirlwind 1 minute 25 seconds.
That’s an average of less than three seconds a word.
His preparation is to do what he loves – which is reading.
“I don’t do any quizzes because the odds of one of those words coming up in the Spelling Bee is very unlikely.
“I didn’t really get nervous but I always deal with nerves by reading and doing something I enjoy.”
His tip for other competitors is to “read plenty of books in genres that you enjoy so you are more likely to remember the words.”
The two curlers he stumbled on were ‘Burramys’ – a mountain pygmy possum – and ‘cystitis’.
“I was pretty sure I was not going to win after getting 28. I honestly couldn’t believe I won,” he says.
Haileybury students Will (Year 4) and Aariyan (Year 8) were also placed second and fifth respectively.
Zac won an iPad and books and his school received a $1,000 voucher for books, technology or other equipment and resources.
He will join other Spelling Bee winners in travelling to Canberra to meet the Prime Minister later this year.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the Prime Minister again and seeing if maybe he recognises me,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee attracted close to 60,000 students from across the country.
Competitors were given 30 random words from their reading level word list and up to 25 seconds to spell each word.
In spring, many people prefer lighter and more refreshing wines to match the season’s milder temperatures and the emergence of fresh, vibrant flavors in food. Here are some types of wines that are commonly enjoyed in the spring:
White Wines
· Sauvignon Blanc: This wine is known for its bright acidity and notes of citrus, green apple, and grass. It pairs well with lighter dishes like salads, seafood, and goat cheese.
· Chardonnay: Opt for unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnays in the spring. They of-
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fer crisp apple and pear flavors with a hint of citrus.These pair well with grilled chicken, pasta with cream sauce, and seafood.
· Pinot Grigio: A crisp and clean wine with notes of green apple, pear, and citrus. It’s a versatile choice for a variety of spring dishes, including salads, seafood, and chicken.
· Chenin Blanc: Chenin Blanc offers a range of styles from dry to sweet, making it adaptable for various dishes. Try it with Asian cuisine, spicy dishes, or fruit salads.
Rose Wines
· Rose: Rose wines are popular in the spring due to their light and refreshing nature. They come in a range of styles, from bone-dry to slightly sweet. They pair well with a wide variety of springtime dishes, from grilled vegetables to charcuterie.
Sparkling Wines
· Prosecco: This Italian sparkling wine is known for its crispness and effervescence. It’s an excellent choice for brunches and can be enjoyed on its own or in cocktails like mimosas.
· Champagne: Of course, Champagne is a classic choice for celebrations and can be enjoyed year-round. Its elegance and effervescence make it a great choice for spring parties and gatherings.
Light Red Wines
· Pinot Noir: While red wines tend to be less popular in the spring, Pinot Noir is a lighter and more versatile option. It pairs well with grilled chicken, salmon, and mushroombased dishes.
Aromatic Wines
· Riesling: Riesling wines offer a delightful balance of sweetness and acidity. They pair well with spicy foods, Thai or Indian cuisine, and fruity desserts.
Crisp Italian Whites
· Vermentino:This Italian white wine is known for its bright acidity and citrusy notes. It’s a great choice with seafood, pasta, and Mediterranean dishes.
Ultimately, the best wine to drink in spring
depends on your personal taste and the specific dishes you plan to enjoy. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different wines to find your favorites, and consider local wines and seasonal offerings to fully embrace the flavors of spring.
Casey Council has proposed enforcing an Animal Management Agreement regarding dogs who have escaped from their home or bitten, chased or rushed another person or animal.
Under the draft Local Law 2023 document, an owner or occupier of private land on which any animal is kept must not allow any animal to cause a nuisance to persons who occupy adjacent or nearby land, with an Authorised Officer or member of the council’s Dangerous Dog Committee able to enter into an Animal Management Agreement with the owner or occupier of land, with the agreement setting out the obligations of the owner or occupier of the private land in relation to securing an animal on the private land.
During its meeting on Tuesday 19 September, Casey Council passed a motion to endorse the Community Local Law 2023 document to be placed on public exhibition for four weeks.
Administrator Cameron Boardman said the new local laws were an “extremely important“ document for both the community and the council and changes aimed to make the document clearer and more concise for residents and ratepayers.
“The revisions that have been undertaken have addressed a number of administrative er-
rors that were under the 2018 Local Law,“ he said.
“I would encourage interested community members to reflect and review the two versions and importantly provide feedback to us so we can incorporate any further changes or amendment as necessary.”
Mr Boardman said the key changes included animal nuisance, unsightly vacant land, enforcement capabilities regarding mandatory fencing on vacant land, the removal of abandoned vehicles and the incorporation of the Asset Local Law 2016.
Under the new document, an owner or occupier of private land must not allow private land to become unsightly.
Another addition was ensuring any owner or occupier of private land must not advertise, use or allow to be used or advertised for short stay accommodation unless they comply with the Short Stay Accommodation Code of Practice.
Mr Boardman said the council was prepared to make necessary changes in the wake of Premier Daniel Andrews and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s comments on short stay accommodation.
“It is acknowledged that from commentary from the Premier and the Prime Minister that there may be changes to the tax and statutory interpretation of short-term rental platforms, which include Airbnb.
“While we have yet to be briefed on any specific details, if there is any requirements under regulation or statute to make any further adjustments to local laws, we will do that.”
The State Government was due to make an extensive Housing Statement over the coming days, which included a proposed 7.5 per cent levy on short stay accommodation.
“We need in the order of 1.6 to two million extra homes by the middle of this century,” Mr Andrews told ABC Melbourne on Monday 18 September.
“We will quite soon make substantive common-sense announcements that means more houses will get built.”
Mr Boardman said all members of the community should review the draft document and provide any suggestions or comments.
“This is a significant community consultation exercise,” he said.
“We do want as many interested members of the community to review the local laws and provide any feedback.
“We will be taking on board any feedback we receive.”
The council has scheduled to adopt and consider any submissions at its December meeting.
To view the draft document, visit casey.vic. gov.au/local-laws
$1.5m
More than 50 GP clinics in the Bruce electorate have shared nearly $1.5 million in federal grants. The Strengthening Medicare – General Practice Grants Program opened in April, providing grants totalling $1.48 million to 54 practices in Bruce.
The grants of up to $50,000 go towards innovation, training, equipment and minor capital grants.
“After working tirelessly throughout the pandemic, GP practices deserve more than thanks,” Bruce MP Julian Hill said.
“Hence, I’m so genuinely pleased that these clinics have been approved for a grant to invest in improving local services.”
With his father being a GP and his mother a nurse, Mr Hill said “I was a great disappointment to the family for not going into medicine”.
“But I have the highest regard for the work GP practices do to care for our community.”
The Federal Government provided $220 million funding for the program nationwide. It also allocated $3.5 billion to triple the bulk-billing incentive, $1.5 billion to boost Medicare rebate indexation and $2.2 billion in other Medicare reforms.
Lyndale Secondary School students put their creative energies to the test as part of theWrite a Book in a Day national competition.
Seven teams of up to 10 students wrote and illustrated their books within 12 hours on Wednesday 14 September.
Their books will be made available online for kids in hospitals across Australia.
The competition raises funds for kids’ cancer research.
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The event featured representatives from emergency services, the Victorian Department of Health, United Energy, business and manufacturing groups, members of the public, schools, aged care facilities and Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
Emergency services representatives informed the audience on what to do in a heatwave situation and what to avoid.
“I felt that I was more empowered but still wanting more answers,“ Ms Guest said.
“There were gaps in the session because none of our questions (submitted before the event) were answered.”
Sixteen of the questions were posted online including, “What is the capacity of the waiting room at Dandenong Hospital ER and what is the plan in place to handle a large number of walk-ins on a very hot day?”
A new place for gathering is now open for those within the Sikh community in Casey, with the Bush Diwan exhibition now open in the Bunjil Place Gallery until 12 November, acknowledging diverse stories of Sikh migration and community formation in Australia.
First exhibited at the Benalla Art Gallery last year, curated by Amrit Gill and Reina Takeuchi and developed by 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, the exhibition centres on the story of Siva Singh, an early 20th century regional Victorian resident living at Reef Hills outside Benalla, Sikh community leader and civil rights campaigner.
Across October, a series of talks and workshops will also be held to explore the exhibition’s themes and ideas further, including a performance by artist Anindita Banerjee, a poetry workshop and a curator talk.
Using media ranging from screen, stills, sound, performance, sculpture, and textiles, the exhibition shines a light on Sikh history in Australia by exploring identity and the foundations of community.
Ms Gill said as diwan was a Punjabi word
which means gathering or religious event, the local Sikh community responded well to the exhibition during a community ambassador event on Saturday 16 September.
“They felt that it can have a lot of importance in the South Eastern diaspora,” she said.
“We took the word diwan’ as a starting point for this exhibition.”
The artworks include Amardeep Shergill’s ‘Aussie Phulkari’, incorporating the folk embroidery of the Punjab with the Australian colours of green and gold, and a poem named ’Sea, Pilgrim’ from artist Manisha Anjali.
Ms Gill said the works deal with themes of how individuals and communities settle and restart, find solidarity within themselves and others and gather in conversations.
“We hope that it might resonate with people,” she said.
City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff PSM said providing arts and cultural opportunities which reflect the stories held within Casey’s community was an important part of council’s responsibilities.
“As one of the most culturally diverse municipalities inVictoria, council is committed to providing a wide range of arts and cultural experiences that bring our community together,” she said.
“Bush Diwan is a unique exhibition that allows us to appreciate different forms of cultural expression, foster cultural awareness and build community connection.”
Curator Reina Takeuchi said the exhibition does not simply recount Mr Singh’s migration journey.
“Instead, it weaves together multiple narratives centered on reconciliation and community building,” she said.
“It serves as a window into the wealth of untold Asian Australian migration storiesproviding us a valuable opportunity to delve deeper into pivotal moments in Australia’s history of migration.”
For more information on the exhibition and related public programs, visit Bunjil Place’s website at bunjilplace.com.au/events/bushdiwan
By Matthew Sims
The Endeavour Hills Judo Club has looked back on 50 years of support from the community.
On Sunday 17 September, previous students reunited with former Senseis and other community members to celebrate 50 years across a number of dojos.
First operating out of Hallam in 1973, the club’s many locations over the years has included Mossgiel Park Primary School, a historical hall in Berwick’s High Street built in 1886, a hall in Hampton Park, a Taekwondo dojo in Melverton Drive, Hallam, the original hall where the Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre now stands and the Hallam Scout Hall at Gunns Reserve.
Speaking during the event, head coach Janet Lambert said she was among a number of stalwarts of the club, including Jim, Stan, Thomas, Reuben and Cameron.
“I remember saying to my husband, “I can’t live in the middle of nowhere, among the cows“.
“There was no freeway and no traffic lights in Dandenong.“
“The club would not exist or have lasted 50 years without the students and families who joined in the journey.“
Ms Lambert said she had competed since she was 10 years of age, including trips to New Zealand, Hawaii, Hungary, France, Brazil, Canada and Malta.
“I represented Australia several times at International Shiai competitions,“ she said.
Ms Lambert said the club remained strong at about 40 members.
“We traversed the Covid-19 virus and hung on as best we could by holding classes in the open air, classes with a restricted number of students ranging from five to 10 at any one time, and a variety of other options, as did many other clubs,“ she said.
“We have survived by having to move dojos more often than we would have liked.
“Now for the past nine years, excluding renovations, we have returned to our original location in the suburb of Hallam, and for that we are thankful to the City of Casey and their staff.“
Ms Lambert said anyone was welcome to sign up for training on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
“It’s a safe sport that teaches you confidence,“ she said.
“We’ve got a moral code which respects perseverance.“
For more information, visit www.facebook. com/endeavourhillsjudo
Another asked, “What advocacy is CGD doing for rights of renters to cooling?What is the role of state government in holding landlords to account?”
Cr Garad says at times of heightened difficulties where emergency services don’t have the capacity to assist large numbers of people, community members should be informed on what to do.
“While commendable, this is just the beginning.
“We urgently need greater representation from the community to co-design emergency plans that are localised, tailored to the needs of our community, and effectively communicated to every resident.”
Along with the council’s chief executive officer Jacqui Weatherill, mayor Eden Foster and other council representatives, Cr Garad will commence discussions with community groups, working towards an informed municipality to safeguard the population against heatwaves.
Since the event, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has declared El Nino, a weather pattern that occurs every two to seven years due to wind patterns in the Pacific Ocean which is known to result in increased temperatures worldwide.
As reported previously by Star Journal, as a result of El Nino, Australia is expected to swelter under a rise in temperatures this summer. A continuous increase in global temperatures for the next nine to 12 months is forecast.
Ms Guest facilitates a group of elders and recently met up with them to communicate the outcomes of the heatwave preparedness session.
“I’ll now say to them that you will not be rescued because now I know I won’t be rescued if I’m in a situation.
“We all have to start thinking now about what we’ll do to keep ourselves safe if there’s a lengthy heatwave situation.”
This is despite elderly people being recognised as vulnerable residents along with pregnant women, children, people with medical conditions and those with outdoor jobs.
Executive director of not-for-profit Sweltering Cities, Emma Bacon has worked with communities affected by extreme heat to achieve a sustainable and liveable city. Ms Bacon also attended the event on Tuesday and was one of the guest speakers.
“The event was fantastic and if more local councils can act similarly it would benefit everyone.
“What we can do is provide community members and organisations the tools to prepare for extreme heat to make sure people are aware of risks and have the understanding of how to keep safe,” she said.
“I hope that’s the beginning of the conversation, not the end.”
She has worked across movements for social and environmental justice for over 10 years as an activist and campaigner.
Explore our environment, from earth to sky, at Planetary Gestures, the latest exhibition at Dandenong’s Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre.
Through this group exhibition, artists direct us to where the sea meets the sun and dares us to imagine a future that respects the many perspectives derived from the different custodians of the planet.
This touring exhibition comes to Victoria for the first time, to explore ideas surrounding ecological systems, ancient knowledge, celestial blueprints and tidal movements.
Local and international artists including Amrita Hepi, Susie Losch, Raqs Media Collective, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Jimmy John Thaiday and Trevor Yeung, explore cycles of movement and time.
Planetary Gestures is a NorthSite Contemporary Arts exhibition curated by Tess Maunder, and is on display until Friday 3 November.
Share a meal and explore the exhibition in a special event with the curator Tess Maunder on Sunday 8 October, from 12.30pm. For just $5, you can visit Walker Street Gallery and Arts
Centre to share a meal from a local restaurant and talk about Planetary Gestures with the person who put the exhibition together.
Visit greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/planetarygestures to find out more.
Do you have a creative project of your own that you want to bring to life? Join us for a full day workshop atWalker Street Gallery and Arts Centre to find out how.
Greater Dandenong City Council, in partnership with Burrinja Cultural Centre, presents Creative Project Planning and the Funding Landscape. The workshop will give you the tools and advice to turn your creative ideas into reality. Join passionate industry experts on Saturday 7 October, from 10am-3pm, to develop a project plan, explore funding options and realise your creative dreams.
The workshop is part of the creative RISE initiative, supporting our creative community to network, build skills, and to connect and grow their creative practice.
Visit greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/creativerise for more information.
Planetary Gestures is a NorthSite Contemporary Arts exhibition, curated by Tess Maunder.
Together,
Corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/planetarygestures
these artists direct us towards where the sea meets the sun; and dare us to imagine a future deeply respectful of varied perspectives derived from the many custodians of the planet.Image caption: Raqs Media Collective, Deep Breath Film Stills, gallery view, 2019.
100 years ago
27 September 1923
High School Estate
The attention of readers is drawn to the sale of the High School Estate advertised in our auction sale column. The estate adjoins the High School and is right opposite the land bequeathed by the late John Hemmings to the public of Dandenong for Park purposes and has a large frontage to the Princes’ Highway. The estate will be subdivided into about 40 lots, having frontages of 50 to 54 feet by depths of 150 feet, making magnificent building blocks in a most favoured locality in Dandenong, having all the conveniences of electric light and water supply available, and will be sold on the remarkably easy terms of £5 deposit and £1 per lot per week.
50 years ago
26 September 1973
City of Berwick born on Monday
It will be a historic day for 22,000 residents and a projected population within the next decade of 70,000. The new city will be proclaimed by the Governor of Victoria Sir Rohan Delacombe at 2pm in the main street of Berwick. Celebrations involving 2000 people will commence from 12.45pm on Monday, when the Princes Highway through “beautiful Berwick” is closed to traffic. While speciallybottled Harkaway champagne is popping and the Southern Command Brass band entertains, dignitaries will arrive on the scene in horse-drawn vehicles, on horseback and even on penny farthing cycles.
20 years ago
22 September 2003
Syringes success
More than 79,200 used syringes were collected from safe disposal units in Greater Dandenong public toilets in the past financial year. This is despite all public toilets being locked after 9pm. Syringes are collected from 53 locations across the city by contractor SteriCorp. Ratepayers contribute about $90,000 a year towards the program. Since
January about 4000 syringes have been collected from the public toilets of Springvale’s Burden Park alone. Greater Dandenong Councillor and Springvale Drug Action Committee member Clare O’Neil said “the variances illustrated the transient nature of the city’s drug problem. For example in March no syringes were collected from Burden Park toilets whereas in July 900 were collected,”
she said. Police put the fluctuations down to drug availability.
5 years ago
24 September 2018
Homeless crisis
A void of affordable rental properties has driven Greater Dandenong into the top tiers of homelessness rates in Victoria.
The state seat of Dandenong - with 1158
people experiencing homelessness – ranks second behind the Melbourne electorate –according to analysis by Council of Homeless Persons (CHP). Adjoining seats of Keysborough, Mulgrave, and Clarinda are among the ‘top’ 20. Chief executive Katre Colvin said “political leadership” was required to fix homelessness across the suburbs which was clearly “not just a city problem”.
By Bill Kean Of The Baha’i Community Of Greater Dandenong
The overriding principle facing the world community, whatever their nation, religion, or ethnic origin, is that of laying the foundations of a global society that can reflect the oneness of human nature.
The unification of the earth’s inhabitants is neither a remote utopian vision nor, ultimately, a matter of choice. It is the next required stage in the process of social evolution, a stage toward which all the experiences of the past and present are impelling us. Until addressed, none of the problems afflicting our planet will find solutions.
Baha’u’llah, the Founder-Prophet of the Baha’i Faith asserts that“The wellbeing of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.”
We must take heart, however, in the knowledge that many dedicated people and organisations, are working on a daily basis to achieve a lasting peace on this planet.
We must also hope that their untiring efforts will bring results, as the turmoil now convulsing human affairs is bad enough and many of its consequences are already enormously destruc-
necessary
tive. We must rise above the petty squabbles that persist, and for the sake of our children and future generations, put all of our efforts into bringing about a unified and peaceful world.
We must practice justice in all we do and see things through our own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and should know through our own knowledge and not through the knowledge of others.
Baha’is believe wholeheartedly that God is actively involved in the world’s affairs, working to His own plan, in which we have our individual part to play.
“God leaves not his children comfortless.”
(Baha’i Writings)
Three-year-old Domeniko received a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to meet V8 SuperUtes driver Jimmy ’The Phantom’ Vernon and sit in his car The Purple Rocket at the Sandown 500 event over the weekend.
Hailing from Hampton Park, Domeniko was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia on 18 December last year after being unwell for some time and has been receiving treatment at Monash Children’s Hospital.
Vernon pledged 20 per cent of his corporate sponsorship funding to Kids with Cancer Foundation, which is committed to making today easier for kids with cancer and their families through providing direct financial support to families, Care Packs, Wigs4Kids, plus funding critical hospital salaries and infrastructure, cancer research and more.
Domineko, his two siblings aged 10 and 11, and his parents were treated to a pit touron Saturday 16 September, meeting Vernon and other racing car drivers and a grid walk.
Vernon said spending the day with Domeniko (Iko) was “absolutely amazing”.
“Young Iko was very intrigued by our race car,” he said.
“Iko is currently visually impaired and gets a lot of his sensory connection through touch with his hands, it was an amazing feeling when Iko grabbed my hand and his face lit up with joy.
“I want to take a moment to thank the family for coming to the track, and to Iko for riding on board my helmet to our first podium in the V8 SuperUte Series.”
Following his win in the 2022 Australian Production Car Championship, A1 class last year,Vernon is racing in the 2023V8 SuperUtes Series - driving for Kids with Cancer Foundation throughout the season, looking to raise awareness and funds to support the near 800
children diagnosed with cancer each year.
This year, Kids with Cancer Foundation has marked 25 years of supporting kids with cancer and their families and celebrated providing more than $30 million in funding nationwide through its programs.
Kids with Cancer Foundation has supported children and families in Victoria since it commenced operations in 1998 and has provided more than $2.2 million to Monash Children’s Hospital as a founding patron since 2004, assisting with the construction and fit out of the Paediatric Oncology Day Ward, as well as funding oncology staff positions.
For more information on Kids with Cancer Foundation, visit kidswithcancer.org.au
Mad Science
Make a bag mysteriously self-inflate, launch a chemical rocket, erupt a flurry of snow and explore the magic of dry ice. Suitable for ages 5-12 years. Presented by Mad About Science. This event is part of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Festival.
· Thursday 28 September 2023, 2:30pm3:30pm at Springvale Library, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale.
Community safety forum
Victoria Police Superintendent Jo Stafford is guest speaker at Neighbourhood Watch Greater Dandenong’s community safety public forum. Supt Stafford oversees the Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia police areas, is a police officer for 25 years and a former nurse. Includes Q&A and light supper.
· Wednesday 27 September, 7pm for 7.30pm start at 18 Buckley Street Noble Park. Noble Park Community Centre Art Show
Entries are open for all ages, from children and adults. Artists can enter up to four 2-D pieces of any medium. Entries close Friday 29 September, 4pm. Enter via www.npccartshow.org
· Details: 9547 5801 or email events@nobleparkcc.org.au
Dinner with a VIEW
Dandenong Evening VIEW Club’s next guest speaker is VIEW Club national councillor Rosemary Coleman. VIEW stands for Voice, Interests and Education for women and the club supports The SMITH Family’s Learning for Life Program.
· Tuesday, 3 October 7pm for dinner at the Dandenong RSL. Bookings essential. Details: Brigitte, 0491 626 527.
Garden birthday
First birthday celebration at Maralinga Community Garden. See the changes over the past 12 months. Raffle prizes, kids activities, vegies and plants for sale,
· Sunday 8 October, 10am-12pm at Chandler Road Reserve, 327 Chandler Road Keysborough.
Wellsprings dinner
Annual fundraising dinner for Wellsprings for Women. Door prizes, raffles, silent auction and
Celebrate Victorian Youth Week at this allabilities youth festival featuring basketball, soccer, table tennis, henna, art workshops, FReeZA Youth Stage, skateboarding work-
special guest Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams.
· Friday 3 November, 6.30pm-10.30pm at Killester College, Kennedy Hall, 433 Springvale Road Springvale; $100 pp (including food and drinks). Book by 13 October at events. humanitix.com/wellsprings-for-women-annualfundraising-dinner
Yesteryear: A Glimpse into Greater Dandenong’s Past
This exhibition explores our region’s changing landscape and rich historical narratives through selected artworks, images and objects from Council’s Civic and Cultural Heritage Collection and local historical society collections.
· Open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10am to 2pm (until 24 November) at Benga, Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens,
shops and interactive games. For young people aged 12-25 years.
· Thursday 28 September, 11am-2pm at Noble Park Skate Park and surrounding areas, Ross Reserve, 9 Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Free event.
66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Free event.
Planetary Gestures
Art exhibition curated by Tess Maunder. Explores ideas surrounding ecological systems, ancient knowledge, celestial blueprints and tidal movements across the land, sea and sky known as Australasia, part of the wider Asia-Pacific and the ‘Great Ocean’.
· Open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 12pm-4pm (until 3 November) at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Free event.
Places of worship tours
Bookings are open for Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network’s 2023 Public Tours to Places of Worship on 11 October, and 13 December 2023. Each tour features trips to four diverse
places of worship for $25 plus a lunch for $10$15 donation. Payment of $25 is required prior to the tour to confirm your booking.
· Details: education@interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662.
Meditation and positive thinking
Learn how to make your mind your best friend through open-eyed meditation. Led by Bhavani Padmanabhan, these free sessions are open to all. Presented by Bakhtar Community Organisation and The Brahma Kumaris Organisation.
· Saturdays 2pm at 23-47 Gunns Road, Hallam. Registrations: 9703 2555 or 0403 551 596.
Weekly badminton
Adults welcome (Mondays 7pm-9pm) and ladies and retired (Wednesdays 12pm-2.30pm).
· Hallam Badminton Club, Frawley Road Recreation Reserve; $5.
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. We are in need of a few volunteers able to arrange tables and chairs on Tuesdays from 10.15am to 11.00am.
· Rowley Allan Reserve, 352 Cheltenham Road Keysborough. Tea and coffee is supplied for all activities. Membership $10. Details: Julie, 0428 561 694
Mindfulness meditation
Held weekly for people to learn the basic skills of concentration. Meditation may benefit people with spiritual and mental health support.
· Thursdays, 2.30pm-3pm at Dandenong Hospital’s Sacred Space, 135 David Street, Dandenong. Free, no bookings required. Details: Chuentat Kang, 0405 421 706 or chuentat@ hotmail.com
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
•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.
ADVERTISERS, in this
tion are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexualservices.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.
A long-lasting friendship and the chance to be part of the wonderful culture at the Tooradin Cricket Club has lured Michael and Peter Sweeney to the Seagulls nest this season.
Mick Sweeney will toss the coin for the first time as captain-coach of the Seagulls when the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA) comes to life on Saturday 7 October.
Interested in the outcome of the toss will be his younger brother Pete, a left-arm fingerspinner and bat, while former teammate and current-day Tooradin star Tom Hussey will be a member of the first XI.
The first outing together will fulfill a promise the trio made to each other many years ago, with Mick and Pete making the switch to Tooradin after a three-year stint with DDCA Turf 2 club Cranbourne.
“It’s been a long time coming to be honest, something we’ve thought about for a while,” Mick Sweeney explained, with the season fast approaching.
“Pete is the same age as Tom Hussey, they went to school together, and I was a couple of year levels above.
“We played at Cranbourne together with Tom, then at Dandenong with him as well.
“I opened the batting with Huss for a couple of years in the twos and some of my fondest memories of playing cricket have been with Tom, in particular one year where we opened together and did really well.
“Tom left and went to Casey, for opportunity, and we’ve always said we’d play another season together.
“If not now, then I’m not sure when…so here we are.”
Mick and Pete arrive on the banks of the Westernport with impeccable CV’s after being lured to the great game at a young age in the confines of their family home in Pearcedale.
“Like a lot of other kids, we probably fell in love with the game in the backyard to be honest,” Mick said.
“Pete’s three years younger than me so as soon as he could get the arm over, we were into it.
“Like every backyard, we had our hitting zones, our out zones…if you hit my sister’s pram, you were out, that type of thing.
“We were super-competitive even back then, and then when we were old enough to face a hard ball dad would take us down the road to the nets at Pearcedale.
“That’s where it all began.”
Mick played juniors at Cranbourne, from the age of nine through to under 17s, at the same time starting his District career at Mel-
bourne – in the Dowling Shield and fourth XI.
Pete started a couple of years later at Dandenong, with Mick following his younger brother to Shepley Oval after watching him play one day.
Both are now life-members at Dandenong, with Mick making a first-XI century and Pete playing in a flag in 2010/11, with Mick as twelfth man.
There recent time at Cranbourne has proved frustrating, with Mick leading the club to three-consecutive finals appearances
without a flag.
Despite there appearing some unfinished business at Casey Fields, the pair have decided to move on.
“The time just felt right,” Mick, a right-hand middle order bat said.
“The committee was great at Cranbourne, and it was difficult telling those people that we were going to leave.
“We finished in good positions all three years, but just couldn’t get over the line, and it
felt like time for a change.
“I don’t have many years left and the lure of playing with Huss has always been there.”
Mick said making the switch from DDCA Turf 2 to the synthetic pitches of the CCCA would provide its challenges, with teams such as reigning-premier Kooweerup possessing a pace-battery to be wary of.
“Turf 2 in the DDCA is quite a unique competition, in the fact that it’s dominated by spin,” Sweney said.
“Mostly right-arm finger spin, there were some lefties like Pete, and the odd leggie as well, but very, very spin dependent.
“Pete and I were joking that we haven’t played a competitive game of synthetic cricket in over 20 years.
“And we’re coming from a spin dominated competition, to a league where it’s pretty medium-paced dominated.
“We’re expecting the ball to move around a little bit, particularly with the red ball, and the stats suggest that batters go pretty good against the white ball as well.
“For the first time in a long time I’ll have to be a fast learner, coming in with fresh eyes and learning about our team and the style and strengths of the opposition.”
Mick said expectations were always high at Tooradin, who won the premiership in 2021/22 and finished top of the table last year.
“That is one of the things that is challenging, taking over a club that has always been around the mark,” he said.
“That’s one of the questions I asked BJ (President Ben Parrott) andTom (Hussey), like, what do you blokes want from me…you’re already a fantastic cricket club…how can I help.
“They let me know a few things they thought we could improve on, but what the club has created there in terms of the culture, that’s something I want to be a part of.
“It’s difficult in one sense, because they’re already a great club and how do you add to that…but I also have full respect for the culture that’s already been created and what we’re walking in to.
“The environment that Tooradin’s got is fantastic.
“Some pre-seasons can be pretty long, but this one hasn’t been…I’ve really enjoyed it alongside blokes who get it, blokes I know, and blokes who are willing to absorb the expectation.
“Going out and enjoying the expectation of winning is fun…so we’re looking forward to it.
“And it’s all about the people, everywhere I’ve played, when I’ve played well and really enjoyed my cricket, it’s been the people that have made it special.”
Jesse Eickhoff may not be the first name that jumps off the page when you look at the Rowville Hawks’ team sheet, but his coach knows his value better than anyone.
The defender’s flawless performance in Saturday’s Eastern Football Netball League Premier Division grand final saw him crowned the Cliff Tomkins medallist as the best player on the ground, having kept the dangerous Adrian Kalcovski in-check for the afternoon while providing critical drive out of the back half.
When the two sides met back in round 11, Rowville’s last loss on a glittering run to its first premiership in the EFNL’s top division, Kalcovski kicked six, including four in a brilliant second quarter, running rings around the Hawks defenders in the decisive 47-point win.
In the second semi-final he was kept to just three, and then on Saturday he was barely sighted, kept goalless as the Eagles struggled to kick a winning score.
ItwasaselflessperformancethatBenWise said typifies the man they call “the glove”.
“He’s probably the first one picked in my
side every week, and probably has been ever since I got to the footy club,” the premiership-winning coach said of Eickhoff.
“You look at all the good sides at AFL level, you’ve always got that defender that takes the best forward and he took Kalcovski and kept him goalless, with some crucial one-on-ones throughout the day.
“Kalcovksi got him earlier in the year, it think he kicked three on (Eickhoff) before we made the change. Jesse was injured that day,
but in the second semi he played on him and Kalcovski got a couple of cheap ones.
“We spoke about it, we reviewed it and went through how he got them and what he tries to do at certain situations in the game. We were able to educate what Jesse needed to do, and came up with a plan and he executed it.”
Much like Eickhoff, the ability to respond to a challenge personified the Hawks’ performance in the decider, as on-field leadership came to the fore at the most critical of times.
At no stage did Vermont manage to kick more than two consecutive goals, no matter how many times they threatened to make a charge.
Two in quick succession during the third term cut the Hawks’ lead to just a single point, before Anthony Brolic kicked the captain’s goal to end all captain’s goals to give his side some breathing space.
While in the final term, a pair of majors in the space of 60 seconds could have seen the Hawks crumble under pressure, the lead back to within a single kick.
But through inspirational returning ruck Nik Shoekmakers, veteran forward Maverick Taylor and spearhead Lachlan Wynd, they
answered yet another challenge at the very next opportunity.
It could even be argued that the entire season was a response from the devastation of a grand final thrashing in 2022 at the hands of Noble Park, and the need to prove that their run to September was more than just a flash in the pan.
With premiership medallions and a fresh flag hanging in the rooms at Seebeck Oval, any doubt has been emphatically eschewed.
“It was pleasing for every kid that I’ve got at the footy club with a medal around their neck,” Wise said.
“These boys, 90 per cent of them have come through juniors together and they’re all the same age, they’ve played finals together. To be able to say now that they’re premiership players, it’s a bond that you’re never going to be able to lose.
“I’m just so happy and proud for them. It’s been a real hard journey over the last 12 months, not many sides bounce back and recover mentally to go from a losing grand final and execute and win the next year.
“I’m just so proud of them and I think they’ll go so much from it.”
The upcoming Premier Cricket season is an opportunity for Dandenong to set the record straight, following a disastrous 2022-23 campaign that resulted in a two-win, second-last placed finish and head coach Warren Ayres stepping down late in the year.
In Ayres’ place is club icon Tom Donnell, supported by former Sri Lankan international and Wookey Medal winner Jeevan Mendis, and former Panther RossWoodall as assistants, driving a playing group eager to write the wrongs of last season. No side took fewer wickets and conceded more runs than the Panthers in Premier Cricket last season, but in new recruits Noah Hurley, Vishwa Ramkumar and Ollie Jenkins, both the spin and seam bowling stocks have been replenished, giving Donnell high expectations of a more dangerous attack.
“We were competitive with the bat, which I think was a positive, but bowling-wise, we relied on too few,” Donnell said when reflecting on last season.
“I think that’s going to be the big improvement, the bowling stocks, and being a lot more competitive and putting-on more pressure with the ball than we did last year.
“If you can’t get wickets and put too much pressure on the opposition then you’re not going to be in too many games, and that’s something that needed to improve.
“We needed to improve in all areas, I just think the batting was a little bit further ahead than our bowling from last year.”
Evergreen Brett Forsyth will captain the side once again and will be looked upon to provide plenty of runs as he so-often does at the top of the order, but Donnell’s decision to not play in the upcoming campaign leaves a sizeable hole alongside him.
Rather than target a big name recruit to fill the breach, the Panthers are bullish on their younger stocks and development program to step-up to the plate.
“Josh Sawrey is one we’ve got who’s starting to come along, he played in theVictorian under 19s last season and he’s just going to get better and better hopefully.
“Andre Fernando finished the year really strongly in the twos. Dhanusha Gamage is another one who’s nearly ready to go at first 11 level.
“The twos did really well last year so guys like Fernando and Josh Slater need to have a good year for us. There’s quite a few options there for guys to take that spot.”
The Panthers may be seen as vulnerable this season given last year’s exploits, but under Donnell there is a determination to return to past glories.
“Training has really picked up and the stan-
dard has really picked up, and the guys are really keen to get to training and put in the work, which is a really great sign and what you want to see,” Donnell said.
“They are generally excited and the guys that were there last year want to correct the season that we had and think we’re better than what we were last year.
“It is quite a fresh playing group.
“There’s been a bit of change over the last few years and hopefully we can see the benefits of that this season with a few good performances.”
2022-23Finish: 16th
coach: Tom Donnell
captain: Brett Forsyth
ins: Noah Hurley, Vishwa Ramkumar (Ringwood), Ollie Jenkins (Camberwell)
Outs: James Pattinson, Angus Newman (St Kilda), Sahan Perera
Playerstowatch: Andre Fernando, Joshua Slater, Josh Sawrey
Homeground: Shepley Oval
•FixTuRe
Round1(oneday): Saturday 7 October v Casey South Melbourne (A)
Round2(twoday): Saturday 14 and Saturday 21 October v Prahran (H)
Round3(twoday): Saturday 28 October and Saturday 4 November v Kingston Hawthorn (A)
Round4(twoday): Saturday 11 and 18 November v Frankston Peninsula (A)
Round5(twoday): Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 November v Fitzroy Doncaster (H)
Round6(oneday): Saturday 2 December v Footscray (A)
Round7(oneday): Saturday 9 December v Carlton (H)
Round8(T20): Saturday 16 December v Northcote (H)
Round9 - Bye
Round10(T20): Saturday 16 December v Richmond (H)
Round11 - Bye
Round12(T20): Saturday 6 January v Essendon (A - Junction Oval)
Round13(T20): Saturday 6 January v St Kilda (A - Junction Oval)
Round14(oneday): Saturday 13 January v Melbourne (H)
Round15(oneday): Saturday 20 January v Melbourne University (A)
Round16(twoday): Saturday 27 and Saturday 28 January v Camberwell (H)
Round17(twoday): Saturday 3 and 10 February v Geelong (A)
Round18(twoday): Saturday 17 and 24 February v Greenvale (H)
A new era awaits St Mary’s Cricket Club in their ambitions for long-sought after success at Turf 1 level.
The Saints have battled in the top flight in recent seasons, having not qualified for finals action since promoted in season 2017-18, and only narrowly surviving the relegation battle to Parkmore last year.
St Mary’s’ percentage was worse than the Pirates’ last year, having struggled with both bat and ball, bowled out three times for scores of under 100 while making the lowest total of runs, and taking the least wickets of any side in the competition.
But things will be different in 2023-24, giving PresidentTroy Cashman a sense of anticipation for the season to come.
Susantha Pradeep’s leadership has come to the fore, setting the standards on the track and in the nets with his professionalism and workrate that has brought his teammates into line.
While the long-awaited completion of new state-of-the-art WJ Crowe Pavilion, a $6 million investment from the City of Greater Dandenong, State Government and AFL Victoria, will help to connect the club community through social events and offer a more inviting cricketing home for both the home side and its visitors.
“He’s a bit old-fashioned, he’s a very hard worker,” Cashman said of Pradeep.
“He wants people at training and wants them training hard. He’s a professional coach, that’s his job.
“We’ve been playing out of marquees with virtually no social club, very limited social events at all.
“We were getting our marquees for two sides and scorer, now we don’t need to do
311011
anything. It’s going to be a lot easier on all the volunteers.
“The rooms are enormous, the changerooms are great and everything. It will really help the club.”
Diligent recruiting in the off-season saw the club strengthen its batting lineup, through the inclusion of Safaris Moahomad, Parkmore’s leading run scorer last season, and Saveen Nanayakkara from the Brisbane club cricket scene, who’s off-spin will offer Pradeep another dimension in the field.
The return to longer-form cricket, meanwhile, is expected to aid the Saints.
“We were a long way away (last season) and we knew we had to address issues, and we believe we have,” Cashman said.
“We finished second-last and we have a lot of needs.
“We think we’ll be a better two-day side than one-day side. The guys that we recruited, they should be really good at both.”
•STMARY’ScRickeTclub
2022-23Finish: 7th in Turf 1
coach: Susantha Pradeep
captain: Susantha Pradeep
ins: Saveen Nanayakkara, Safaris Moahomad (Parkmore), Rasandu Thilakarathna, Danidu Gunarathne
Outs: Ashan Anthony, Kasun Niranjana, Daveen Sasindu
Playerstowatch: Rasandu Thilakarathna, Danidu Gunarathne
Homeground: Carroll Reserve •FixTuRe
Round1(oneday): Saturday 7 October v Beaconsfield (H)
Round2(oneday): Saturday 14 October v Narre South (A)
Round3(twoday): Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October v Springvale South (A)
Round4(twoday): Saturday 28 October and Saturday 4 November v Berwick (H)
Round5(twoday): Saturday 11 and 18 November v Hallam Kalora Park (H)
Round6(twoday): Saturday 25 November and Saturday 2 December v Buckley Ridges (A)
Round7(oneday): Saturday 9 December v North Dandenong (A)
Round8(oneday): Saturday 16 December v Springvale South (H)
Round9(oneday): Saturday 6 January v Berwick (A)
Round10(oneday): Saturday 13 January v Buckley Ridges (A)
Round11(twoday): Saturday 20 and 27 January v Beaconsfield (A)
Round12(twoday): Saturday 3 and 10 February v Narre South (H)
Round13(twoday): Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 February v North Dandenong (H)
Round14(oneday): Saturday 24 February v Hallam Kalora Park (A)
Outgoing Doveton coach Michael Cardamone is satisfied with his stint at the Southern Football Netball League Division 2 club.
Cardamone was at the helm for two seasons, guiding the club to a grand final loss as player-coach in 2022, and backing it up with a preliminary final appearance in 2023.
Also playing as a small forward last season, he contributed 53 goals, which had him second in the league goalkicking.
He says he walks out of the club a better person, ready for the next challenge.
“I felt it was a successful stint there and I’ve left the club in better hands than before I took over, so I’m happy with that and I wish them all the best,” Cardamone said.
“Some ideas and plans I put in place, especially for the young kids coming through I believe set a good culture there: it’s a place you want to play your football.
“It’s up to the next coach to continue with those standards.
“I’m a passionate guy, I left no stone unturned, I continued striving for success and I’ll continue to do that wherever the next club is.
“That’s all I could do at the club, I’m proud of the effort, they’re a good club.”
Speaking about the change from being a player-coach to sideline coach, he said:
“You learn a lot more, you see the game a lot clearer, you’ve got to make moves on the spot,” he said.
“I believe when I was coaching on the bench, I was being quicker to make moves –instead of being reactive, I was proactive to keep us ahead of the game.
“I think of times where if I was playing, I might have been a bit late.
“Would I have loved to play the year out? 100 per cent, my passion was still to have a
kick, but I got to do both during my time at the club which is fantastic.”
Cardamone is widely expected to walk into another senior coaching role if he wants it,
given clarity by the club well in advance of the conclusion of 2023 that his contract would not be renewed.
He said he would not rush the decision and
would keep his options open.
Applications for the coaching role closed on Friday, with the club expecting to have a coach announced well before night one of preseason.
Injuries were the stench that Southern Football Netball League Division 2 club Doveton couldn’t rinse in 2023.
Going one better than last season felt a tall task from preseason, when East Brighton recruited well, which ultimately propelled it to a comfortable premiership victory.
But Doveton welcomed back a series of old faces, with the hope they could be managed through the home-and-away season, before being unleashed in finals.
The old band was back together in the preliminary final, with Michael Henry, Will Smith and Matt Stapleton all following skipper Shannon Henwood out for combat against Murrumbeena.
But that core group made for an old demographic in 2023, which came back to bite them as players missing games caused a lack of continuity.
The Doves would go on to lose that game comfortably, with the four injuries suffered in the first half symbolic of the way the season panned out under outgoing coach Michael Cardamone.
“I still feel like our best was good enough we just unfortunately fell short,” Cardamone said.
“You live and die by the sword and unfortunately we probably weren’t fit and healthy enough at the right time of the year.
“We rushed them back for the finals and we were pretty close to fully fit on paper – we probably had two missing from our best side every week – but they probably weren’t as fit or healthy as they needed to be playing finals football.
“The injury toll was tough but that’s just how the cookie crumbles.
“We definitely didn’t hit our best football in 2023.
“I believe the best football we played was in the qualifying final and elimination final last year where we hit our straps.
“Everything clicked and we played really well.
“The squad we put out on the day this year was still generally good enough to get the job done, but when you’re coming up against your East Brightons and Murrumbeenas and you’ve got four or five missing every week, it becomes a lot tougher.
“You start relying on a few experienced guys too much and eventually after 18 rounds, your body starts to get tired.”
Doveton won just one of its first four games of 2023 before going on a seven-game winning streak which contained a victory over premiers East Brighton, the Vampires only loss of the season.
It was unsurprising that Chapman’s return in round 5 coincided with the turnaround of form, but he finished the season banged up
as sides targeted the Doveton barometer.
The club had planned to use him in tandem with another ruck this season, which would also have aided the small forwardline, but various reasons prevented that from ever materialising.
Another unforeseen issue which plagued the club this season was Robinson Reserve being out-of-action all season, which became a major discussion point early in the season.
The rise of Ricky Johnson and Brodie Howie were two major positives for a club lacking a junior program to help organic rejuvenation.
Johnson finished second in the league best and fairest count, building on the plat-
form he provided himself last year after a big preseason, and Howie’s first season of senior footy justified the hype that he could be a long-term player.
A tough midfield had sides preparing for a bruising contest when they came up against Doveton, but it at times lacked speed.
As well as a quick midfielder, the Doves will be on the hunt for a full forward, lacking a bailout option down the line or key target inside 50 this season, which put too much pressure on goal-sneak Cam Williamson. After having eight mainstays who averaged more than a goal a game in 2022, the Doves had just four in 2023.
