DANDENONG
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Tuesday, 20 February, 2024
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Sandown future: all or nothing
‘Palestine’s Day’ protest
Storms lash suburbs
Buckley’s amazing comeback
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40¢ Inc. GST
Community effort for new mural Grace, 11, was among many young artists who have put the finishing touch to a stunning mural at Keysborough Kookaburras Bowls Club. Local artist Adrian Olguin designed the mural which has cheered up a formerly drab brick wall. More, turn to page 14
Picture: ROB CAREW
Action stations By Cam Lucadou-Wells An overdue shared home has been proposed for Keysborough CFA brigade and Greater Dandenong SES unit. The emergency services, both called on by hundreds impacted in last week’s fierce storms, have been long operating from unsuitable, outdated stations. Under the plan, they would be co-located at a large vacant block next to Rowley Allan Reserve on Cheltenham Road Keysborough. Talks are still at an early stage between the SES, CFA, State Government and the site’s owner City of Greater Dandenong – including on the question of funding the co-facility. At last year’s election, the Government committed $500,000 towards planning a new home for Keysborough CFA. The fire brigade is cramped inside a 60-yearold station, which can only just fit a secondhand pumper and a command vehicle. The brigade has long lamented that the building has little room for new members, car
parking, a proper kitchen or sufficient office space to serve the rapidly-growing surrounds. Crews were also often caught in gridlock on Chapel Road, especially during school pick-up and drop-off times. The brigade has also requested a “business hub” so CFA members can work at the station and respond to callouts faster. Meanwhile Greater Dandenong SES is also seeking to shift from its works depot in a lightindustrial area in Dandenong to a more accessible home. Unit controller Michael Prior said the proposed site was a “much better location” and an opportunity for “state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and resources needed for an emergency response”. “Our headquarters is in an industrial estate. We’d like to be closer to our community. “There’s recognition that the Keysborough CFA and the SES stations are not fit for purpose. And the CFA and the SES have a joined position on a co-located facility.” There had been “preliminary” discussions
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with Greater Dandenong Council about the plan. It was hoped to secure State Government funding in 2025 or 2026, Prior said. Moordialloc MP Tim Richardson said there was “active consideration and discussion” of the idea, and that the Government was “sympathetic”. “We acknowledge and understand the unsuitability for Keysborough CFA and Greater Dandenong SES in their current facilities and welcome the opportunity to explore their needs going forward. “Potentially to bring together a shared facility … we’re very keen on the proposal.” Greater Dandenong mayor Lana Formoso, who volunteers at Greater Dandenong SES, said the 13 February storm was a “perfect example of why we desperately need the new facilities”. “This would be up there as a priority for the municipality. “Where the SES unit is at the moment makes it difficult for us to get out in time for jobs. “It’s not for a lack of wanting (the project to go ahead), it’s a matter of getting the funds.”
Keysborough South councillor Rhonda Garad said State Government funding for the move should be an “absolute priority”. “Surely emergency services and the protection of the community is a priority for this State Government.” She described Keysborough CFA’s current lodgings as “appalling” and a “cupboard”. “We can’t keep forcing this incredibly important organization in this building - whose people give up their time to protect our community. “They can barely breathe. It’s not fit for purpose, entirely inappropriate. “Even while getting the trucks in there holds up all the traffic (on Chapel Road)”. The Cheltenham Road site was a “good location” on a main road and close to the Keysborough estates . She said a co-facility would bring cost savings, synergies and cross-overs from the two services’ volunteers working alongside each other. CFA Victoria didn’t respond by deadline.
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NEWS
Detective Senior Sergeant Glyn Woolley addresses the media at Dandenong North on 14 February. 389251 Picture: GARY SISSONS
A male cyclist wanted over an attack on a female jogger on Dandenong Creek Trail, Dandenong North on 31 January. Picture: VICTORIA POLICE
Creek trail jogger attacked Police are hunting a sex attacker after an “opportunistic” assault on a female jogger on Dandenong Creek Trail last month. Sexual Crimes Squad detectives opened an information caravan in Dandenong North on 14 February as part of the investigation. They have released footage of a man they are hoping to identify. The victim was allegedly attacked while running along the trail, near Outlook Drive just north of Mercer Court, about 3pm on 31 January. She was running in a southerly direction on the trail when she first saw the stranger on a bicycle. After turning around shortly after to start running north, the same man allegedly approached her from behind and threw her to the ground. The man lay on top of her and attempted to remove her clothing, however the woman screamed and successfully fought him off. He jumped on his bike and took off south towards Tirhatuan Park. CCTV footage showed him covering his face with his T-shirt along a nearby street. Detective Senior Sergeant Glyn Woolley of the Sexual Crimes Squad said it appeared to be a random, isolated and opportunistic assault. “We have no reason at this stage to believe the attack was targeted nor have we found any similar incidents occurring in this area over the past few months. “This is a concerning attack on a woman who was simply going for a run through her local park. “She has been exceptionally brave and managed to fight him off before contacting police. “The victim is distraught obviously. They’ve gone about their normal daily exercise and been attacked by a stranger.” The alleged attacker is described as being possibly in his late teens or early 20s, of a thin
Mounted Branch police and horses patrol the Dandenong Creek Trail where a female jogger was attacked. 389251 build and with an olive complexion, potentially of Indian or sub-continental appearance. He was wearing a grey T-shirt, dark coloured pants, slides and socks at the time. Det Sen Sgt Woolley said detectives had
canvassed a significant amount of CCTV in the area. Local police had also patrolled the park to attempt to find the man in recent weeks. “No one else was around at the time. It is
Picture: GARY SISSONS
concerning and that’s why we’re making an appeal to the public in case his behaviour does escalate.” Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Flag raised for Serbian Statehood Day The Serbian national flag was raised for the first time in Harmony Square to mark Serbian Statehood Day on Thursday 15 Feburary. Mayor Lana Formoso – the first Greater Dandenong mayor of Serbian heritage – hoped the event would become an annual tradition. Serbian Statehood Day marks the outbreak of the First Serbian Uprising in 1804 as well as the formation of the first modern Serbian constitution in 1835. “We have worked hard to find our place in multicultural Australia,” Cr Formoso told the gathering. “It is with pride that we raise our children, the next generation, to respect their Serbian heritage, and also respect and embrace what makes multiculturalism so precious, valuable and liveable.” 2 STAR JOURNAL
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Ambassadors, priests and mayors were at the historic gathering for Serbian Statehood Day. Among the guests were Rade Stefanovic, the Serbian Ambassador to Australia, as well as Ivana Isidorovic, who is the Serbian embassy’s deputy head of mission. Priest-Stavrophor Milorad Loncar, Keys-
Tuesday, 20 February, 2024
borough Serbian Orthodox Chuch dean Aleksandar Savic, Kingston mayor Jenna Davey Burns, Greater Dandenong deputy mayor Richard Lim and councillor Bob Milkovic were also in attendance. Greater Dandenong is home to up to 5000 residents of Serbian origin. They’re among 33,000 in Victoria. Cr Formoso said 68 per cent of Greater Dandenong’s residents were born overseas “just like both my parents”. “They like many Serbs who left former Yugoslavia for a better life and a better future for their themselves and their families. “Many did so due to the awful devastation of war. “I was born here but both my parents and I have strong family ties to their homeland and deep cultural connections.”
Serbian ambassador Rade Stefanovic and Greater Dandenong mayor Lana Formoso jointly raise the Serbian and Australian national flags. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
No go for partial Sandown sell-off
Dandenong Hospital. 296906
By Cam Lucadou-Wells A partial redevelopment of Sandown Racecourse has been ruled out by its owner Melbourne Racing Club. Effectively, it means the iconic 112-hectare site could be either a 16,000-resident estate or retained as a horse-racing and motorsport facility. In an update to members on 8 February, MRC chair Matt Cain said a part-sale would reduce Sandown’s long-term value by an estimated $300 million and “fail to net a proportional financial return”. “Financial analysis (by planning consultant Urbis) revealed that redeveloping 50 per cent of Sandown would yield approximately onethird of the returns compared to full development. “In light of these findings, the Executive Committee unanimously agrees that not pursuing a partial redevelopment and instead maintaining Sandown as an asset in its entirety best protects the Club’s future.” The MRC is seeking a rezoning of the racecourse which could pave the way for a suburb of 7500 dwellings and 16,000 residents. But its board is believed to be split on a selloff, with several directors in favour of retaining the racecourse being elected in 2022. Mr Cain stated that any decision to cease horse racing at Sandown was in the members’ hands. The State Government plans to start the formal consultation stage for rezoning in the first-half of 2024, he stated. According to plans released in 2022, the re-
Charges over death
Melbourne Racing Club has announced Sandown Racecourse, pictured, won’t be partially Picture: GARY SISSONS redeveloped. 156216 development would allow buildings up to 12 storeys in its ‘town centre’ and up to six storeys in other parts. It would include a mix of apartment towers, townhouses, offices, dining and retail – as well as a kindergarten, day care, primary school, maternity and child health services, a community meeting space and an indoor sports centre. It promises seven hectares of reserves and sports fields, including parks and trails along Mile Creek, and the retention of the heritagelisted grandstand.
A concept drawing of the proposed Sandown estate.
Monash Health has been charged over the death of a mental health patient at Dandenong Hospital. The charge stems from the patient taking her own life while being treated in the hospital’s mental health unit in February 2022, according to WorkSafe. WorkSafe alleges that the health service failed to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that persons other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks. The matter is listed for a filing hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 13 March. It is the second current Worksafe prosecution of Monash Health relating to a patient’s death in mental health treatment. The charge over the death of an acute mental health unit patient at Casey Hospital in 2015 will be next heard at the Victorian County Court on 4 March. A further WorkSafe case relating to a 2021 assault of a nurse at Monash Medical Centre is scheduled for Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 24 June.
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Tuesday, 20 February, 2024
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STAR JOURNAL 3
NEWS
Heat issues rise By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong and Casey are among the hottest areas of Melbourne – and not in a good way, particularly for their most vulnerable residents. Out of 27 government areas, Casey ranked second highest and Greater Dandenong sixth for the urban heat island effect, according to Victorian Council of Social Services research. Casey’s UHI effect - which means the trapping of heat in urban environments - was on average 3.7 degrees hotter than the leafy, eastern suburbs in Maroondah. The VCOSS paper found the six most socioeconomically disadvantaged government areas in Melbourne were among the eight hottest. Greater Dandenong - the most disadvantaged - had an urban heat effect about 2.2 degrees hotter than Maroondah. Socio-economically, Casey is also ranked below average. South East Community Links chief executive Peter McNamara said extreme heat added “another layer of stress - from financial hardship to health concerns” upon people struggling to put food on the table amd pay the rent. He noted 79 per cent of SECL clients were struggling to pay their energy bills. “We see heat having a profound impact on mental health, family dynamics and daily life. “We find that many community members take their families to places with shade and air-conditioning like the Dandenong Plaza. But simply getting transport can be an issue in the soaring heat.” SECL’s financial counselling service was available to help residents navigate rising energy bills, Mr McNamara said. “Emergency relief services are more important than ever during extreme temperatures. These need to be properly funded so that people can make ends meet.” Community Information and Support Cranbourne executive officer Leanne Petrides says clients struggling to meet basic needs were also the least likely to afford energy-efficient cooling. “If they do have air conditioning, many will choose not to use it, in order to avoid high electricity bills. “This is something we hear most from our older clients, who are also more vulnerable to the impact of extremely hot weather conditions.” Renters, residents in older properties and a rising homeless cohort were also at risk, Ms Petrides said. “(People who are homeless) are highly vulnerable to heat-related health issues whether they are sleeping outside, or in their cars, or in poorly renovated rooming houses with tiny rooms and little ventilation. “Access to drinking water, as well as shower and toilet facilities are severely curtailed, and add to the risk.” VCOSS chief executive Juanita Pope said poorer people were “feeling the heat more”
Farag trial set to go ahead By Cam Lucadou-Wells
SECL chief executive Peter McNamara says residents seek cold places like Dandenong Plaza Picture: GARY SISSONS during heatwaves. 290797 due to being in hotter suburbs and cheaper housing. “Extreme heat is a threat to everybody, but especially those already living with a health condition or on a low-income. “Living on a low-income or with a health condition severely limits your ability to prepare for a heat wave and stay cool.” More trees, more parks and less concrete were part of the solution, Ms Pope said. She called for investment in free housing retrofits to cool low-income households. “We need to recognise people on lower incomes, who live in cheaper housing in hotter areas, need extra support to deal with heat.” Previous VCOSS research found homeowners were twice more likely than renters to live in insulated dwellings. The latest research paper speculated why the urban heat island effect was higher in lowincome areas. “The factors that lower the UHI effect might make homes more desirable and therefore less affordable for low-income households; i.e. more parks, more trees, less development, further away from major roads,” it stated. “Low-income households might also have less time and confidence to participate in local planning decisions and campaign against high density development.” Greater Dandenong Council held its first heatwave preparedness seminar in September. Its extreme heat sub-plan is set to be reviewed by the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee. Other council initiatives include improv-
A long-running prosecution against a Dandenong hotel’s developer looks set to be finally tried next month. Emad Farag and his company E & M Farag Pty Ltd are contesting Greater Dandenong Council’s accusations of failing to fix an alleged litany of fire-safety risks at the City Edge apartment hotel at 229 Thomas Street. The council also charged both Farag and the company of occupying the building’s first-floor offices while it was still allegedly defective and without an occupancy permit. In October, Farag’s lawyer had threatened to apply for a permanent stay due to the council’s law firm failing to serve a full brief and submissions in time. His lawyer told Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 12 February that there would now be no application – having now received the documents. The case has dragged on through several adjournments since 2021. In February 2022, Farag initially didn’t appear at a court hearing, which was then conducted in his absence. However, he dramatically appeared in a video link after lunch just as magistrate Jason Ong was poised to pass sentence. The matter was set down for a threeday contest hearing on 6 March.
Leanne Petrides. 347968 ing canopy coverage through tree planting, facilitating affordable energy upgrades for residents, and requiring extensive landscaping as part of new developments, a spokesperson said. The Sustainability Festival on 25 February will focus on urban heat and “empower residents with simple actions they can take to protect themselves”, mayor Lana Formoso said. Advice on staying safe in a heatwave is available on emergencyprepare.com.au/heatwave
The hotel at 229 Thomas Street Dandenong, which is the subject of a long-running City of Greater Dandenong prosecution. 269928 Picture: ROB CAREW
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Ward boundary review of Greater Dandenong City Council Notice of preliminary report and response submissions period Preliminary report Under the Local Government Act 2020, the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) must review a council’s ward boundaries at the request of the Minister for Local Government when there has been a change in the number of voters per councillor in one or more wards. Greater Dandenong City Council is one of 10 local councils to have its ward boundaries reviewed between February and April 2024 to make sure voters are represented equally at the next local council elections. The councils with ward boundaries under review have been divided into 3 groups. The VEC will soon share ward boundary options for these councils in a preliminary report.
Making a submission You are invited to make a response submission to the preliminary report to have your say on the ward boundaries of Greater Dandenong City Council.
Submissions open at 9 am on Wednesday 28 February. The VEC website features a public submission tool, which you can use to map your proposed ward boundaries and make a submission. You must make your submission by 5 pm on Wednesday 20 March: • online at vec.vic.gov.au • by email to greaterdandenong.wardreview@vec.vic.gov.au
• by post to VEC, Level 11, 530 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000.
Public information session Online public information sessions to explain the processes and open the preliminary submissions period will be held at: • 12 noon on Monday 26 February • 12 noon on Tuesday 27 February. For more information or to register please visit vec.vic.gov.au
Public submissions close at 5 pm on Wednesday 20 March
vec.vic.gov.au | 131 832
@electionsvic
Authorised by S. Bluemmel, Electoral Commissioner, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria. 12665881-ET08-24
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STAR JOURNAL 5
NEWS
Stand up for seniors push By Cam Lucadou-Wells It’s on for ‘young’ and ‘old’ for Yarraman byelection favourite Phillip Danh. The ALP member and Monash law student has flagged opposition to outsourcing Greater Dandenong Council’s home and aged care services as well as prioritizing youth issues as his main issues. “I’m a big proponent against privatization of home care and aged care services. That will be something I strongly oppose. “We need to get these bread and butter decisions right. “There’s a lot of cost of living pressures so even the whiff of something like this happening is a cause of great concern. “People want to know for sure that these important services aren’t going anywhere.” Many Victorian councils, including Casey, have outsourced home aged care services and cut staff as a result of a new Commonwealth Home Support Program. Greater Dandenong is publicly yet to decide whether to continue in-house support for residents over 65 or with disabilities. No changes will occur before June, and not without a council resolution. Danh also wants to ensure young people are engaged to ensure community safety. This includes prosperity and local jobs for the next generation.
Phillip Danh at Parkfield Reserve, Noble Park North. 388124 He’s gained inspiration from knocking on hundreds of doors, talking with local voters about “bread and butter” issues. He wants a council “re-focus” on rubbish, roads, street lighting and graffiti removal, as well as grants
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
for sport clubs and volunteer groups. His political pedigree includes serving as an electorate officer for federal MPs Julian Hill and the late Peta Murphy who died of breast
cancer last year. As the Dunkley MP, Murphy was a “wonderful advocate”. “Even on days she was really sick, she worked her arse off even on weekends.” In Hill’s office until 2022, Danh worked mainly in “refugee advocacy” and helping in complex immigration matters for the “largest Afghan population in the country”. “That was really rewarding to help people. Despite language barriers, I was learning how to listen and to understand their situation.” While Hill was “neutral” in the Yarraman campaign, he’d given general advice to “work hard”, “put your face out there” and “talk to as many voters as possible”. “I’ve had a working relationship with him. But that’s the extent of it, I’m running it independently.” Last year, Danh also assisted at pre-poll centres and doorknocking during the successful Mulgrave by-election campaign for Labor MP Eden Foster. Foster’s election led to her resigning from the Yarraman Ward council seat, and as a result this by-election. In the 2020 council elections, he came within 90 votes of winning Keysborough Ward. “I think I’m someone who can bring a new energy on the council. “The current (councillor) demographic is quite old. “Young people need a seat at the table.”
Call to end the ‘glass ceiling’ from councillor hopeful By Cam Lucadou-Wells A glass ceiling is stopping politicians of migrant backgrounds from getting a “fair go”, says Yarraman Ward councillor-candidate Sam Afra. An ALP member who has long stood up for ethnic communities, Afra says the political system is not working for migrants. “Stop using ethnic communities as political footballs. “We have a glass ceiling and it must be broken to allow migrants to sit on a higher level of position. “Look at the profile of how many people from migrant backgrounds are on the front bench of Government. We’re not getting a fair go.” Over the past 30 years, Afra has served as board member of Ethnic Communities Council of the South East (ECCOSE) and
similar state and national bodies. He’s also been a Casey councillor in 1997’00, a founder of Casey North Information and Support Service and a community advisory chair for Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust. He proudly remembers ECCOSE spearheading a successful two-year campaign during the Howard Government for refugees on temporary protection visa holders to gain permanent residency. Remarkably, the then-Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone accepted their argument. “I have a long history of advocating for the community with a mind for social justice.” This by-election, he’s running as “genuine candidate” for a seat as a Greater Dandenong councillor out of his own funds.
Despite his raft of experience, he believes he has “very little chance” of winning against the heavily-favoured Phillip Danh. On council, he would push for better community consultation, more transparent spending and less financial waste. Afra also wants more activities with young people in schools, as well as stimulus for small businesses. “If you do something about youth and more economic activities I believe the crime activity will be much smaller. “If you see more crime happening, most of it is coming from younger people. If they have no hope and no life, they jump to the wrong side.” Local resident Sritharan meets with Yarraman Ward candidate Sam Afra. 388063 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Yim pledges community over politics By Cam Lucadou-Wells Migration agent and energetic volunteer ThayHorn Yim is active in the community on many fronts. And he’s more than willing to pitch in for another job as councillor in the vacant Yarraman Ward seat on Greater Dandenong Council. “I live in the area and I want the area to change. “In the past people seem to play around and remain with the status quo and go with the flow. “I’ll listen to the community concerns and take action. I think I can help the community there and represent Yarraman much better.” One of five ALP members running in the Yarraman by-election, he insists his candidacy is “not about party politics, it’s about community”. “Some of the candidates are not involved in the community. What I ask others is think who can best represent them – who lives in the area and understands the area?” Yim has been part of a Dandenong West Community Action Group, which has combined residents, businesses, community groups, police and the council in cleaning up the Hemmings Street precinct. For years, the area was blighted by high number of rooming houses, drug deals, street 6 STAR JOURNAL
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Thay-Horn Yim on Hemmings Street, Dandenong which has been the focus for community safety Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS concerns. 388072 sex workers, hard rubbish dumping, burglaries and community safety concerns. Yim recounts his daughter fleeing from a pursuer on the way home from Dandenong railway station. “The police response was very slow. We think it is important that police respond a lot faster. “However we’re not blaming the police force – we understand that they are under a lot of strain. We need to increase police resources
Tuesday, 20 February, 2024
in order to maintain community safety around Dandenong.” Funding has flowed from the State Government and the council. The solution has been streetscape works, police patrols and CCTV to deter crime. “It’s something moving on rapidly,” Yim says. “It’s much better there now.” There’s room for more improvement, with ideas for a community garden and multicultural food fairs, he says.
Council wards shake-up Public submissions are open for a review of Greater Dandenong Council’s ward boundaries. The Victorian Electoral Commission is reviewing the boundaries for the council’s 11 wards, with a view that each ward has roughly the same number of voters. The VEC will then make a final report to the Local Government Minister Melissa Horne by 24 April. Submissions open on Wednesday 28 February and close 5pm, Wednesday 20 March. Online information sessions will be held by the VEC at 12 pm, Monday 26 February and 12 pm, Tuesday 27 February. Details: vec.vic.gov.au/electoral-boundaries/council-reviews/subdivision-reviews/councils-under-review/greaterdandenong-city-council dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
BUSINESS IN FOCUS
A retirement lifestyle like no other – Forest Hills.
A lifestyle like no other What does your perfect day look like? Is it a relaxing day getting out in the garden to plant some new shrubs? A family outing to the Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre? Or time to unwind and chat with friends over a cuppa? Well, the good news is when you live at Forest Hills, you don’t have to choose! Located in a peaceful enclave of Nunawading, Forest Hills stuns with picturesque gardens and a recently renovated community centre, featuring an alfresco dining area and elegant shared spaces for residents to meet and relax. Meet Costa Georgiadis at Forest Hills Within Forest Hills, you’ll find a world of ac-
tivities. From indoor bowls to exercise classes and an onsite wellbeing centre, the possibilities really are endless. Garden enthusiasts will especially love the luscious outdoor spaces within the retirement community - which are the perfect setting for an afternoon with author and landscape architect Costa Georgiadis. If you want to broaden your garden knowledge over some light refreshments and in excellent company, you are invited to our exclusive gardening event on Monday March 18. RSVPs are essential, so visit keytonevents. com.au to secure your spot.
Calling all gardening enthusiasts Forest Hills retirement community boasts beautiful landscaped gardens and provides the perfect setting for an afternoon with Costa Georgiadis. Be inspired with an informative gardening session to chat all things planting, pruning and blossoming.
Monday 18 March at 1pm 264-272 Springvale Road, Nunawading RSVP essential. Scan the QR code today keytonevents.com.au
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Tuesday, 20 February, 2024
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STAR JOURNAL 7
LOOKING BACK
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
100 years ago 21 February 1924 Local Motor Industry The Park Garage The large garage being built in Pultney Street Dandenong will be able to accommodate 24 cars. This firm are local agents for Dodge cars, Republic motor trucks, Harley Davidson and Triumph Motor Bikes and Austral kerosene engines. Millett’s Railway Garage The firm has the local agency for well known motor cars and motorcycles including the Fiat, Oakland Six, and Ford cars, vans and wagons. This firm is also noted for its excellent car hire services near the station as a factor in their success. McQuade’s Motor Depot Mr McQuade is the Dandenong agent for the Nash Car, and he stocks all parts for Ford Cars and 1-ton trucks. The car hire services at this depot has made a name for itself, both as to quality of cars and capability of drivers. Blain Bros’ Garage The above old established garage is the local agent for Buick cars, Indian Motorcycles and Douglas motorcycles. Blain Bros have installed in front of their premises the only petrol bowser on the kerb in the town.
50 years ago 20 February 1974 Fluoridation backed by Council Dandenong councillors have agreed unanimously that the city’s water supply should be fluoridated to protect children’s teeth. “Australia has the worst record for dental health in the world,” said Cr Titcher. “We already have one part of fluoride to ten million in Melbourne’s water supply. This should be increased ten times to bring it up to standard.” As a pharmacist, he had taken extreme overdoses to prove to himself the safety of fluoride before introducing the recommended level to his own children.
“My children’s teeth are now in perfect condition,” he said.
but he “fully supported” the teachers right to protest.
20 years ago
5 years ago
16 February 2004 Teachers snub ALP MP Teachers campaigning for a better pay offer snubbed Mulgrave Labor MP Daniel Andrews during a visit to Noble Park’s Carwatha College to present awards on Thursday morning. About 25 teachers held a rally outside the school. Mr Andrews described the action as “pretty much a non-event”,
18 February 2019 Old Woman Robbed A 63-year-old women has been robbed of $1000 cash and her phone by a preying bag snatcher who fled in a stolen car in Springvale. As she started to cross St Johns Avenue about 2.45pm on Monday 11 February, the robber ran up behind her and snatched her bag. He fled into a white 2013 Mer-
cedes Benz A2 sedan with four others inside. The victim was uninjured during the robbery. The escape vehicle was believed to have been stolen with three other cars during a residential aggravated burglary in Keysborough on Friday 8 February. Between 4am and 5.40am intruders stole keys from a bowl inside a home on Donnici Drive. The burglars then entered the garage stealing three vehicles inside and one vehicle outside. A 19-year-old man was arrested on Sunday 10 February in relation to the aggravated burglary.
Apply now Community Grants Program Council’s Large Grants Program offers eligible non-profit organisations opportunity to apply for funding to support: sustainability and capacity-building of important local services. the delivery of projects that contribute to achievement of Councils Plans and Strategies. initiatives that build community capacity, social inclusion and healthy partnerships. initiatives that provide social and economic benefit to the City of Greater Dandenong. The Large Grants Program is open between Friday 1 March and Monday 1 April. Grant information sessions will be available to learn about Council Grant programs. Apply online and find out more at:
greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/grants
12664385-AA05-24
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Tuesday, 20 February, 2024
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NEWS
Tasers rolled out locally Dandenong and Springvale general-duties police are the first to carry Tasers as part of a rollout across Melbourne. The first crop of 160 officers, including Public Order Response Team members, have completed training at the Victoria Police Academy, with the new weapons already deployed in the field. Police say that already the Tasers have been drawn to safely arrest multiple suspects including a man wielding a machete in a pizza shop and a sex offender who taunted police with a pickaxe and hammer before arming himself with a knife. In more serious instances Tasers have been deployed such as when a man allegedly grabbed at a police officer’s gun. They were also deployed when a man armed with a knife allegedly punched an officer in the face and an accused carjacker who violently resisted arrest after an erratic driving spree. Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the devices gave police and PSOs “crucial middle ground in dealing with high-risk, volatile situations”. “More often than not merely drawing a Taser is enough to bring a situation to a safe conclusion. “In many ways they are a negotiation tool. They’re about less force, not more. “The community should be assured any officer carrying a Taser will undergo rigorous training whether they’re having an existing device replaced or getting one for the first time.” Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne
Gatt said the association was proud to “make this happen” not only for the safety of its members, but the safety of the community. “We’ve long argued that there’s an enormous gap between a baton or OC foam or hands-on use of force, and the use of a firearm at the other end. A Taser provides a less-thanlethal option that bridges that gap.” “Put simply, they save lives.”
The next generation Axon Taser T7 devices are linked to an officer’s body worn camera. “The next generation devices Victoria Police has selected also activate an officer’s body worn camera if it’s not already recording,” Chief Comm Patton said. “That means there’s an independent record of what occurred – whether the Taser was deployed or not.”
The camera will start recording as soon as the Taser is drawn and the safety switch turned off. The footage will include what happened in the 30 seconds beforehand. The cameras of police and PSOs nearby will also be activated if they’re not already recording. Police training includes strict protocols on when a Taser can and can’t be used as well as a series of reality-based scenarios. A dozen Taser training centres have been established and are now in operation. Around 40 Taser instructors and assistant instructors have been employed. The Critical Incident Response Team, Special Operations Group and general duties police at regional stations are having their existing Tasers replaced. It’s expected the entire rollout to more than 10,300 frontline police and PSOs will be complete by September 2026. Highway Patrol and transit police are included in the $214 million rollout. Around 320 metropolitan and regional police stations will receive a fitout to facilitate storing the devices. Victoria Police’s specialist officers have been using the devices for 20 years. The Special Operations Group has had Tasers since 2004 and the Critical Incident Response Team since 2005. Frontline police based at numerous regional stations were equipped with them following a trial which began in 2010.
FOCUS ON … MEDICALLY SPEAKING
New treatment receives big $5m boost A newly funded Monash University-led research program will investigate the potential of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR T) cell therapy, previously only effective in blood cancers, for the treatment of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer* is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia and remains a leading cause of death worldwide. At present, there is no cure for advanced prostate cancer.** A multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional team of researchers has been awarded a $5 million Synergy Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to develop highly-tailored treatments for prostate cancer, using next-generation CAR T cell therapy. NHMRC Synergy Grants support outstanding multidisciplinary teams of investigators to answer major questions that cannot be answered by a single investigator. CAR T cell therapy uses the body’s own immune system T cells and has transformed treatment for some blood cancers. However, CAR T cell therapy could also be effective in solid cancers including prostate cancer, based on recent evidence published by members of the new Synergy team. The Synergy Grant program will be led by Professor Gail Risbridger from Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI), Professor Phillip Darcy from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Professor Paul Timpson from The Garvan Institute of Medical Research. Professor Risbridger explained that the best evidence for the usefulness of CAR T cell therapy so far has been in blood cancers. She said that the importance of the team’s approach was the discovery that this therapy could be effective in attacking solid cancers when modulated with chemotherapy. The project is split into two parts. In the first part, the team will use a range of animal models and human cell samples in the laboratory to describe the changes in cells that hapdandenong.starcommunity.com.au
A promising new treatment for prostate cancer receives $5m funding boost. pen in the tumour microenvironment (TME) that make it easier for T cells to enter tumours. In the second part of the project, the team will use cutting-edge engineering and manufacturing methods to improve the production of CAR T cells, which will help T cells move to where they need to be in the body, stay alive, and work effectively to kill prostate cancer cells. Professor Darcy said, “We want our cells to drive to their intended destinations in the least amount of time and with the fewest accidents.” The team’s new technologies and extensive biology knowledge will help them understand the basic physiological mechanisms enabling the therapies to kill cancers. They will test their new CAR T cell production technologies on tissues donated by patients, genetically compatible mouse models, and 3D platforms. *Australian Government Cancer Australia, Figure 1, Estimated cancer incidence in Australia 2022 **Our World in Data, based at Oxford University, Causes of death globally in 2019
HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SKIN CHECK YET?
If you have a history of sunburn, multiple spots, previous skin cancer, or a family history of melanoma, you are at risk of skin cancer.
Anyone with changing spots, or spots that look quite different to others on their body, should have them assessed by an accredited skin cancer doctor as soon as possible. A full-body skin check by accredited skin cancer doctors is the best aid in early diagnosis. To make an appointment book online at HotDoc/advancedskincancer.com.au
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NEWS
Peace march for Cambodia Protesters have marched from Springvale to Dandenong calling for peace in Cambodia ahead of a visit to Australia by that nation’s Prime Minister. Fifty marchers including three Buddhist monks and five Cambodian groups trekked 10 kilometres as part of the ‘Pilgrimage for Peace’ on Saturday 17 February. Their journey concluded with presenting a petition to Bruce MP Julian Hill at his Dandenong office. The petition called for the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to raise issues of human rights and democracy with the Cambodian PM Hun Manet. It also calls for the release of political prisoners. Also among the protest were former state MP Hong Lim, former Greater Dandenong mayor Youhorn Chea and current Clarinda MP Meng Heang Tak. All three have claimed to have received death threats from supporters of Cambodia’s rulers. “We hope the march will draw attention to the lack of democracy and human rights in Cambodia,” Tak said. Cambodian PM Manet will attend the ASEAN Special Summit in Melbourne on 2-4 March. Manet is the son of the previous Prime Minister Hun Sen, who ruled for nearly 40 years. He won last year’s elections in a landslide last year after the main opposition party was banned. The march was organised by the Cambodian Australian Federation, the Cambodian Alliance for Peace Agreements on Cambodia, the Cambodian National Rescue Party, the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Federation and the Cambodian Association of Victoria.
Buddhist monks head up the pilgrimage on Buckingham Avenue Springvale on Saturday 17 Pictures: ROB CAREW February. 389350
Protestors preparing for the Pilgrimage for Peace. 389350
Clarinda MP Meng Heang Tak. 389350
Greater Dandenong former mayor Youhorn Chea. 389350
‘Racism not Welcome’ street sign in central Springvale. 389350
‘Will you free my Palestine?’ About 300 pro-Palestine protestors marked Valentine’s Day with an event in Harmony Square, Dandenong. Placards including ‘Will you free my Palestine?’, flags and banners were flown defiantly after Greater Dandenong councillors recently voted down a motion for the council to fly the Palestinian flag. Free Palestine Dandenong organiser Amanda said the council backed away from the threats of fines and ‘red-tape’ that it issued against recent pro-Palestine gatherings. “The council was considerably more friendly and offered to turn the Big Screen off this time without us asking. It shows what happens when you push back a little bit.”
She declared Dandenong’s community as “pretty pro-Palestinian”. “The vibe was high. We’re in week 17 so people are a bit tired but we get a lot of support and positive responses from the community.” The protestors marched onto Bruce MP Julian Hill’s office to send a message to the Federal Government, Amanda said. “The message was you are complicit in the genocide by siding with the US, engaging in the bombings of Yemen, cutting the funding of UNWRA and supplying weapons and having contracts with Israel. “We reject their blood money.”
The pro-Palestinian march turns up Walker Street Dandenong. 386848
Flying the flag and giving out leaflets. 386848
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A protestor tied in a Valentine’s Day theme. 386848
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Visa backlogs cleared By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Wicki Wickiramasingham says many refugees are still waiting for permanent visas. 235665 Pictures: GARY SISSONS
Julian Hill welcomed the increase in citizenships and visas granted in the past year. 384998
through years of migration limbo due to the previous Liberal Government’s policies,” Mr Hill said. “The majority of these visa holders, who have lived in Australia for a decade or more, have now been granted their permanent visa so they can build their lives and businesses with certainty.” However, refugee advocates say thousands of asylum seekers and refugees are still in wait. Dandenong-based advocate Wicki Wickeramasingham welcomed the Government’s progress but said long-frustrated RoS hold-
ers were still yet to reunite with their overseas families. He cited the case of a refugee who was granted a RoS and had been estranged from his overseas partner and three adult daughters for 17 years. Despite paying $22,000 in fees, he has been waiting 12 months for family reunion visas. Also many asylum-seekers were languishing up to four years in the legal system to appeal against their visa refusals, Mr Wickeramasingham said. Others were still waiting for an interview after lodging visa applications several years ago.
“People still in the courts are struggling. Some of them don’t have a Medicare card or work rights. They’re forced to work illegally for day-to-day living and to support their families back (in their homeland) - some of them are unable to pay the rent. “The Government should withdraw the applications from the courts by making a decision on their visas. “My request to the Labor Party MPs is please look after the Tamils. They are in danger if they return to Sri Lanka. Don’t allow them to go back against their wishes.”
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Bruce MP Julian Hill has welcomed a clearing of a backlog in citizenships, partner visas and humanitarian visas in the past 12 months. He said the Government was “committed to cleaning up (former Home Affairs Minister) Peter Dutton’s shocking mess”, including 500plus new staff to clear the visa backlogs. “After a decade of Liberal decay and dysfunction, Peter Dutton left behind a complete mess, with over 1 million visa and citizenship applications backlogged in his black hole of a department. “For the first time in more than five years the Australia’s Humanitarian Program has been delivered in full, and wait times for almost every visa have been slashed.” Temporary partner visa finalisations were up 54 per cent in July-December 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. Permanent partner visas were up 158 per cent – the largest increase in at least 17 years, Mr Hill said. Despite a 23 per cent increase in applications, the permanent partner visa waiting list was down from 54,000 in June 2021 to 29,335. Citizenship approvals had also increased 13 per cent. “Efficient visa and citizenship processing is not a luxury for people in South East Melbourne - it’s an essential service in a multicultural society,” Mr Hill said. “Knowing that family members can visit for special occasions, and allowing families to be together.” Since February 2023, 14,390 Resolution of Status visas have been ‘fast tracked’ for refugees on Temporary Protection Visas or Safe Haven Enterprise Visas across Australia. As of 31 January, there were about a quarter (5685) of RoS applications remaining. “Thousands of TPV and SHEV holders lived
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Guiding young drivers By Violet Li David Jefferies from South East Community Links (SECL) has been nominated for the 2023 Volunteering Awards after more than 13 years of mentoring young drivers under the agency’s L2P program. He was acknowledged under the Volunteer Commitment category for his sustained and substantial record of commitment to the community and the organisation. The L2P program, funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and completely free, matches young learner drivers with volunteer mentor drivers who help them meet the required minimum of 120 hours of supervised driving with a supplied car before they can apply for a probationary license. The start of a decade-long service was very easy. In retrospect, there was an interest and a sign-up, David said. “I am a member of the Lions Club of Wheelers Hill, and I’ve been there for about 25 years. Back then, I think we had a person come from SECL, and gave us a presentation about this L2P scheme,” he recalled. “A few of us volunteered to sign up and have a go at doing it. “I thought I’d enjoy it. And there you are. The rest is history.” Having mentored 91 learners and currently on the road with 5 boys, David has long come up with his own ‘mentoring syllabus’. Instead of organising driving for just one
David Jefferies and Afghani learner Shuk are about to hit the road. or two hours as most mentors do, he would go out for three or four hours with the kids and plan the best for the wheel tour.
Volunteer who stands up in a time of crisis By Cam Lucadou-Wells There’s a simple secret to leading an SES unit through an intense 48-hour post-storm cleanup. Coffee. Greater Dandenong SES unit controller and notorious caffeine drinker Michael Prior consumed plenty of it as his team helped restore normality across the battered region. On top of his full-time job as a planner, Prior usually volunteers up to 25 hours at the unit. You can at least double that during a storm event like last week – events that seem to be rising in frequency and intensity. It underlined why Prior was awarded City of Greater Dandenong’s Volunteer of the Year recently. “The recognition is nice but I do it to serve the community. “It’s weeks like this that reminds me how important volunteer emergency response is in Greater Dandenong. “There’s no better feeling in the world to use my skills and experience to help others less fortunate in the community.” Under Prior’s three years at the helm, the unit has thrived with a surge of recruits collectively speaking 37 languages. It has promoted women into leadership roles, and recently won the Multicultural Excellence Award for Emergency Services as well as a Community Recognition Award from Bruce MP Julian Hill “It’s really a recognition of the focus we place on the culture and inclusiveness in the unit.” The big change happened when Prior asked women members why they were leaving the unit soon after completing their eight weeks of training. The reason was the locker-room. Many were uncomfortable changing into PPE in front of their male colleagues. Separate locker rooms then paved the way for an influx of women from diverse communities. “We rely on the whole team at SES. We have a breadth of deep experience, we rely on people from all walks of life. “We have a very strong, positive culture in which we support each other. We don’t have individuals that take on all the work.” 12 STAR JOURNAL
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Dandenong SES unit controller Michael Prior received the City of Greater Dandenong’s Volunteer of the Year award.
Picture: SUPPLIED
“We might drive into the city and do hook turns, and we’d like to go right around the out to Western Ring Road and go right around it
over the West Gate Bridge,” he said. “One of my favourite drives is to drive down from Dandenong to Frankston along the beach road, then to Mornington down Mornington Main Street, then onto the windy road that goes to Dromana, then up Arthur’s Seat, and eventually come back to Melbourne on the Peninsula Link Freeway. “It gives the kids a good big variety of different conditions.” Working with young people has allowed David to understand the generation. Most of the learners are from the Dandenong area, where a large ethnic varied population is present. He has mentored young people from Afghanistan, China, India, Pakistan, and Egypt. “We discussed a wide range of subjects, like school, employment, and immigration,” he said. “Immigration is a big one. “I’ve got quite a few young people who started off as migrants and then they’ve Aussies!” Speaking of the award nomination, David was not aware of it until someone told him about it. When asked why he thought he would be nominated, he said: “Probably because I’ve been there so long, and I’ve done a fair bit of mentoring.” “I just like doing it.”
Storm aftermath hits hard By Cam Lucadou-Wells During an arduous clean-up after last week’s destructive storm, it took days to restore power and clear fallen trees throughout Greater Dandenong. More than 20,000 customers in the region were without power after ferocious gusts wreaked havoc on Tuesday afternoon 13 February. As of Thursday, several hundred remained off the grid with some estimated to wait as long as Sunday. Meanwhile, Greater Dandenong SES depot was hit by the black-out as it responded to more than 280 requests for help – mainly to clear fallen trees on roads and buildings. The unit swiftly swung into action, thanks to generators and manual back-up processes. “This is the most severe weather I’ve seen in the past decade,” unit controller Michael Prior said. The worst impacted were Dandenong North, Noble Park North and Springvale – including the corner of Stud Road and Monash Freeway as well as Springvale Road. “A lot of traffic lights were out on Tuesday afternoon and night, which made it dangerous for our crews to respond.” All 40 of the SES unit’s volunteers were on deck – some working up to 14-hour
Picture: GREATER DANDENONG SES shifts. Even with the help of neighbouring SES units, it took two days to work through the mountain of jobs. The unit has been bestowed with gratitude, including a hand-made card from a pre-school and several offers of food and coffee. Greater Dandenong mayor Lana Formoso was among the trained volunteers clearing numerous trees with chainsaws. She was in a crew of up to three that responded about 25 callouts. “It was like a cyclone that came here. Everyone has been working around the clock, juggling other jobs and family.”
Unit controller Michael Prior at the Greater Dandenong SES depot. 303261 Picture: GARY SISSONS Prior set a target of women in 50 per cent of the unit’s management roles by 2023. The unit exceeded the target, achieving 60 per cent. It also allows SES women to directly communicate with other women as may be required by cultural customs. The diverse team also breaks through language barriers in its multicultural community. “We’re always looking for new members especially those who speak multiple languages.” Mayor Lana Formoso, also a volunteer at Greater Dandenong SES, said she had an “incredible amount of respect for Michael”. “Since he became unit controller, he’s been giving of his time, generous with his knowledge and willing to help the greater community. “He’s an incredible human being. The amount of work he does in the community is extraordinary. He’s exactly what a leader should be.”
Tuesday, 20 February, 2024
Greater Dandenong SES controller Michael Prior and mayor Lana Formoso during the cleanup. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Angela’s leading the way By Emma Xerri Now approaching the completion of her latest project, senior project manager Angela Vorng is excited to add the Hall Road Upgrade to the list of things she can point out to her kids on their daily drives to school. Born in Cambodia, where she grew up surrounded by devastation of the civil war, Ms Vorng and her family fled the country to start a new life in Australia at the age of 13. It was only two years later that Angela, despite the difficulties of attending a school in a new language, happened upon her dream career. “A female engineer from Monash came to my school in Year 9 or 10, and it was at that moment that I thought, ‘I would like to wear that hard hat’,” Ms Vorng said. “So I was pretty focused after that session on my goal to become an engineer.” But the Monash University alum admits the course had its challenges. “First year was pretty hard. I actually failed two subjects, which goes to show that it’s okay to fail sometimes. But I managed to do really well in my second and third year. “After I graduated I worked in the private sector, specialising in high rise buildings and bridges. “But I realised I didn’t want to just sit behind a screen and do calculations, so I decided to begin navigating work across different councils, from Dandenong to Cardinia and then Knox. “I spent nearly 10 years in local government but it wasn’t enough of a challenge, so I moved to the rail sector, where I worked for seven years. “And recently I thought, I’ve done pretty much everything there is to do in rail, so let’s go back to roads, and that’s how I landed my current senior project manager role at Major Road Projects Victoria.” With the Hall Road upgrade now approaching completion, Ms Vorng is able to reflect on the success of the project and acknowledge the importance of her own part in the project, a certain leadership that has not always been
Major Road Projects Victoria senior project manager Angela Vorng is helping to break down the barriers faced by women in engineering. afforded to women in the industry. “I feel really connected to the project. I started my work on Hall Road in 2019, so I’ve been involved at a business, budgeting and federal funding level,” she added. “To see this huge milestone finally achieved
is a big relief, and I’m really excited. “Each time I drive past I’ll be able to tell my kids ‘Mummy was involved in this’, so it’s a legacy. “And it’s a completely different industry from when I started. When I was moving from
company to company, I was probably the only female there. “There were times when my managers on site wouldn’t listen to me because I was a female, and I would have to stand my ground. But now there are women in leadership roles and working on site in things like traffic control. Even our female cadets are fantastic. “Having women in the interview process is also so important. I will always make sure that, as well as skillset, we are looking at attitude and mindset, and giving young girls the opportunity to do the same work as their male counterparts.” And for Ms Vorng, who claims she has never been good at maths or science, this type of support is crucial. “I think lots of girls fear STEM careers because it means they need to be good at maths and science, but honestly, I still don’t know my times tables and my kids always laugh at me. “Of course, there are still times when I doubt myself, especially because I’m not a native speaker. So I always feel like I need to do more to showcase myself. “But the things I have gone through have made me more resilient.” Between her career success and the masterful way she manages the busyness of her personal life, Ms Vorng is an example of what women can achieve when they set their mind to it, engineering or otherwise. “My home life is hectic. I have four kids who are in school and play sports. My husband also works in the construction industry and has early starts, so my mornings are filled with making lunches and their favourite fried rice for afterschool snacks, before hopping on virtual meetings. So by 10am, I have already done half a day’s work. “A lot of the time your mindset is the key drive, especially for women who are often made to feel that you can’t have a successful career while being a wife and a mum. “But we underestimate our power as females. “We can do just as much as our male counterparts.”
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Tuesday, 20 February, 2024
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WHAT’S ON Greater Dandenong Sustainability Festival The annual festival has stalls featuring Australian Animal Protection Society, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Environment Protection Authority, Greater Dandenong Environment Group as well as council info on environmental emergency management, biodiverse backyards, waste education. Also live music, face painting, kitchen food art and stage show by local green thumb Doug the Gardener at 11.30am. Sunday 25 February 10am-3pm at Dandenong Market, cnr Clow and Cleeland streets, Dandenong. Free event.
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Friends of Red Cross Hallam Friends of the Red Cross meets on the third Tuesday of the month. If you feel like dropping in for chat or a cupper, you are most welcome attend our meeting. We are a very friendly group of people, who like to chat and raise funds to assist people in the community who need assistance. next meeting Tuesday 20 February, 10.30am at Hallam Community Learning Centre, 56 Kays Avenue Hallam. Details: Robert Read, 0455 566 570.
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Open Air Movies The next film of Greater Dandenong’s Open Air Movies series features American documentary Chasing Coral (2017) (PG). Bring your own chairs, blankets and picnics. Free activities provided by The Dolphin Research Institute. Friday 23 February, 7pm-9pm at Harmony Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Free event.
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Reuse and Recycle Drop Off Day Get rid of any larger unwanted household goods suitable for donating or electronic and household goods suitable for recycling. Includes furniture, bikes, homewares, clothes and linen, TVs, computers, electrical appliances, whitegoods and mattresses. Held by City of Greater Dandenong. Saturday 24 February, 8am-1pm at Greaves Reserve, 20 Bennet Street, Dandenong. Free event. Maralinga Community Garden open mornings During February the Maralinga Community Garden will be open every Saturday in celebra-
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tion of Sustainability month and the Greater Dandneong Sustainability Festival at the Dandenong Market on Sunday 25 February. Come and view our garden, our chemical free produce, enquire about bed hire, and view our eclectic collection of nature items. February 24, 8.30am-10am at Chandler Reserve, 327 Chandler Road Keysborough. Parking on Maralinga Avenue. Details: Bryan, 0409 003 652 or bryan.hunter@education. vic.gov.au. Free event.
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Victorian Mosque Open Day Learn about the Islamic faith and the diverse Muslim cultural norms. Activities include guided mosque tours, hijab tutorials, henna tattoo art, and discussions about Islamic beliefs. Sunday 25 February, 9.30am-4pm. Venues include Emir Sultan Mosque Dandenong, Islamic Education and Welfare Association of Dandenong (Hallam Masjid), Noble Park Mosque, Young Muslims of Australia Markaz Dandenong and Albanian Sakie Islamic Society of Dandenong.
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That Made Me Laugh, That Made Me Wonder Join us for a fun morning sharing poems, jokes, limericks and other reading material over a cup of coffee in homely setting. All welcome. Monday 26 February, 10.30am–11.30am at The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Gold Coin donation is welcome. Bookings essential: 9791 8664 or Theopendoor@ssjg. org.au
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Noble Park Community Fun Day Enjoy a day of free entertainment for the whole family, with live music and cultural performances, various workshops, sports, and art activities. Funded through the Noble Park Revitalisation Project. - Saturday 2 March, 11am-3pm at Noble Park Skate Park, Memorial Drive, Noble Park.
South Metro Region Metro Squad). Light supper provided. Wednesday 27 March, 7pm for 7.30pm start at Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18-34 Buckley Street, Noble Park. (Ample parking rear of centre off Frank Street).
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Senior activities Keysborough & District Multicultural Senior Citizens Inc is an over 55s club with bingo on first, second and fourth Tuesday of the month ($3 entry and $1.50 per bingo book), live concerts with professional entertainers on third Tuesday of the month, line dancing on Wednesdays ($3 entry), Thursday ballroom dancing lessons (12.30pm1pm) and ballroom dancing (1pm-3pm, $3 entry). Concert entertainers include Alex Matthews (20 February) and Col Perkins (3 March). 1pm-3pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Rowley Allan Reserve 352 Cheltenham Road Keysborough. Tea and coffee provided. Membership for remainder of F/Y 23/24 is $5. Details: Julie, 0428 561 694.
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The Open Door workshops Welcome to The Open Door, a centre for creative spirituality without fear or judgement. We run a variety of weekly workshops - open to all: Tai Chi / Gentle Movement Meditation (Mondays 2pm-2.20pm), Awareness Meditation (Mondays 2.30pm-3.30pm), Centering Prayer Meditation (Tuesdays 2.30pm-3.30pm), Art of Soul (Wednesdays 11.30am-1.30pm) and Guided Imagery Meditation (Wednesdays 2.30pm-3pm). We also run monthly workshops, including Line Dancing – Thursday 15 February 10.30am-11.30am (First & third Thursday of month).
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Question the Space Enjoy works by artists Rachel Burke, Ross Coulter, Jordan Fleming, Guerrilla Girls, Melbourne Art Library, Kent Morris, Dean Norton, Tina Patlas, Kenny Pittock, Nick Selenitsch and TextaQueen. Artwork locations include Walker Street Gallery and various venues around central Dandenong. until Friday 1 March at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong (open Tuesday-Friday, 12pm-4pm).
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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 1 March) at Benga, Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Free event.
Adult Exercise
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Improve fitness and energy levels for good health and wellbeing at this adult exercise group class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a self-paced, gentle aerobics class suitable for all levels. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am at Jan Wilson Community Centre, Halton Road, Noble Park North; $5 per session. No registrations required. Details: 8571 1436 or communityfacilities@cgd.vic.gov.au
Fun for retirees
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New members from Dandenong North and Noble Park are sought by the Waverley Gardens Combined Probus Club. In addition to other activities, club members also meet for coffee & listen to a guest speaker. last Tuesday of the month 9.45am-noon at Southern Community Centre, 27 Rupert Dr, Mulgrave (near Police Rd). Details: Don, 9560 6046.
Meditation and positive thinking
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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 Neighbourhood Watch public forum · · · Yoga Classes · Yesteryear: A Glimpse into Greater
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Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch safety information session with Detective Sergeant John Curnow (38 years in Victoria Police, worked in Armed Robbery Squad, Dandenong CIU, Southern Metro Crime Squad) and Dectective Sergeant Katie Johnston (16 years in Victoria Police, including Springvale police and
Dandenong’s Past
Adults welcome (Mondays 7pm-9pm) and ladies and retired (Wednesdays 12pm-2.30pm). Hallam Badminton Club, Frawley Road Recreation Reserve; $5. For all ages, experience and abilities. Mats and other equipment available. No Booking required.
NEWS
An electrifying tribute to musical majesty and timeless hits
WIN
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TICKETS Queen Rocks is coming to The Drum Theatre in Dandenong on Friday 22 March, for one show only.
Mural lights up bowls Young painters have made the final brushstrokes on a stupendous mural at Keysborough Kookaburras Bowls Club. Over consecutive Saturdays, the youngsters put the finishing touches to the mural designed by Keysborough artist and graphic designer Adrian Olguin. At the painting’s forefront is the club’s young bowler Tiffany Brodie watched on by local wildlife and a row of singers in a kookaburra-like chorus on a park bench. The pixels on the outer sides of the painting is a depiction of today’s modern age, Olguin recently told Star Journal. “The pixel agent speaks to the digital age we’re in and obviously transitions into a more natural feel of the area and the club.
“Back in the day there were 70 to 80 year olds playing, whereas today, it’s more modern where you have players of all ages.” Mr Olguin said his passion for art started off when he was 16 years old. “I was very interested in graffiti at the time, as every kid was, so that kind of evolved into painting, having something a little bit more artistic.” Olguin also teamed on what was dubbed as the ‘largest legal graffiti in the world’ when he brightened up the Springvale underpass wall. He next hopes to paint a larger mural on the outer wall of the club, which faces the Rowley Allan Reserve and the traffic on Cheltenham Road.
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TO ENTER Rob Weller, Rebecca Brodie (sister of Tiffany, the bowler depicted in the mural), Grace , club outdoor president Gloria Munro, president Noel Daly and artist Adrian Olguin. 389374 Picture: ROB CAREW
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NEWS
Charges after fatal crash Cobras members (rear left to right) Jamal, Doug West, John, Jason and Riki, and (front left to right) Pictures: GARY SISSONS Michael and Daniel. 385977
Coach and player Michael puts pressure on Jamal at Sandown Cobras training. 385977
Cobras show no sign
of slowing down Despite rumours to the contrary, Sandown Cobras All-Abilities football side is still very much alive. The multi-winning club is seeking male and female players aged 16-plus with a disability for the upcoming 2024 Football Integration Development Association (FIDA) season. Based at Edinburgh Reserve, coach and administrator Doug West has been in footy across Melbourne for 50 years or so. He remains the backbone of the team. Late last year, the team’s parent club Sandown Cobras Football Netball Club went into
recess for 2024. It cited a lack of playing numbers and funds. It led to some wrongly thinking the final whistle had blown for the All-Abilities side, despite recent premiership glories. “In close to 15 years, we’ve had three grand final runs and won two of them. And we’ve been in finals every year except during Covid lockdowns,” West says. “That’s not bad for a little club.” There’s no sign of financial strife, with the club able to subsidise player registrations. West just needs more help – such as goal
A man has been charged over a fatal truck crash in Noble Park North on 12 February. Police say a rental truck crashed into a pole on Jacksons Road about 3am. A 47-year-old woman, who was a passenger in the truck, died at the scene. Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives charged a 32-year-old man from Forge Creek with dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop, failing to render assistance and driving while disqualified. He was refused bail and will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 14 February. Any information and dashcam footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
umpires, a runner, a trainer, team manager and canteen workers – for Sunday games as well as training twice a week. He’s a proud advocate for the value of sport for building up young people. “All-abilities is important not only for Greater Dandenong. Every council should be getting in and doing it.” Training runs on Mondays and Wednesdays, 5pm-6.30pm at Edinburgh Reserve, Springvale. Details: Doug West on 0407 837 667
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STAR JOURNAL 15
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Facilities Officer Gleneagles Secondary College is currently seeking a highly skilled Facilities Officer. We offer a fantastic working environment, outstanding conditions, with flexible working options, underpinned by variety and autonomy. This is a full-time ongoing position, working 7:30am to 3:30pm. Key Responsibilities: • Maintenance of the building, gardens, and grounds of the College • Undertake appropriate renovation work as identified in collaboration with the college Principal. • Work through maintenance log requests and liaise with the Maintenance team as required. • Comply with Occupational Health & Safety and Work Safe standards. • Attend maintenance team meetings. Trade qualifications or experience highly desirable, conditions negotiable. For more information, including remuneration, contact the college Principal, Chad Ambrose 9708 1319 or gleneagles.sc@education.vic.gov.au
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STAR JOURNAL 17
SPORT
Berwick crumble as City on the winners’ list Buckley applies heat By Marcus Uhe
By Marcus Uhe An incredible fightback with the ball from Buckley Ridges saw it complete a remarkable comeback in what became a comfortable victory against Berwick in the Dandenong District Cricket Association’s Turf 1 competition’s penultimate round. Berwick flew out of the gates thanks to a rollicking hundred from Matthew Hague and a half-century from Jarryd Wills before falling in a heap in a loss that could have disastrous consequences on their finals hopes. At 1/196, Hague’s departure for 107 started a collapse in which the Bears lost their next four wickets without a run scored, and finished all out for 221 in the 54th over. All-rounder Ishan Jayarathna took four of the top six wickets in a wicked spell of reverse swing, while veteran spinner Westley Nicholas also took four, and Michael Davies the remaining two. The Bucks cruised to 2/92 at stumps on Saturday, before wrapping up the chase before the tea break on Sunday for a six-wicket victory. Roshane Silva (61) and Ben Wright (58) shared in a 115-run partnership for the fourth wicket that erased the majority of the deficit, while Jake Cronin (47) and Josh Holden (45) both made excellent contributions. Hague backed-up his century with 2/27 with the ball as the Bears’ only multiple wicket-taker. The loss sees the Bears fall out of the top four despite having occupied a position for much of the season, now needing a win over Springvale South at home to progress to the finals next week and for other results to fall in their favour. Buckley Ridges, meanwhile, remain in third place. At Narre South, a final over thriller saw Springvale South suffer a second-consecutive defeat, this time at the home of the Lions by six runs. After the pitch was deemed unsafe to use on Saturday due to moisture in the surface, the game was shortened to a 45-over one-day contest to be played on Sunday. The Lions won the toss and chose to bat but immediately found themselves in-trouble, with an opening spell from Jackson Sketcher reducing the hosts to 3/25, the in-form Vineth Jayasuriya joining his captain, Kyle Hardy and promoted wicketkeeper Riley McDonald in the sheds for single-figure scores. It was left to Jeevan Mendis (76) and Alex Cruickshank (50) to rebuild the innings, with both hitting crucial half-centuries in a 111-run partnership, before the returning Brad Parker’s 39 helped the home side to reach 8/211. Sketcher finished with 4/35, with Jarryd
Ishan Jayarathna’s four wickets helped Buckley Ridges defeat Berwick this weekend. 386712 Picture: ROB CAREW Straker held wicketless. The Bloods made a similarly poor opening to their innings, as opening pair Mitch Forsyth and Ryan Quirk were both removed in the opening two overs. Jordan Wyatt played the corresponding role of Mendis, hitting his third half-century of the season in an innings of 75, before falling victim LBW to Mendis’ leg spin. His departure initiated a collapse of 5/40, and when Straker fell at 9/161, the task ahead of the Bloods seemed too much. Paul Hill then almost did the impossible, a brilliant 44 nearly snatching the game from Narre South’s grip. He hit boundaries to the leg side and manipulated singles with Josh Dowling as the two chipped away at an unlikely victory. With three overs remaining, the Bloods needed 16 off the final 18 deliveries. Hill’s confidence was up, clearing fielders on the deep mid-wicket boundary despite being just a single wicket away from losing the contest. The final over began with the Bloods needing just eight runs, Hardy trusting Jawed Hussaini with the critical responsibility. He bowled two dot balls to open the over, before Hill went for one too-many leg side boundaries, this time picking out Hardy on the fence on the third delivery. Hardy was the hero with the ball for Lions, taking 5/51 to decimate the opposition’s middle order, and catapult his side to second on the table. Despite the result, Berwick’s loss means the Bloods secure top spot on the Turf 1 ladder for a second consecutive year, ensuring home ground advantage for the first two weeks of finals, should they require it. North Dandenong has blown its chances of making a late run for the top four, falling short
of St Mary’s’ total of 151 at Carroll Reserve on the back of a stunning performance from Saints captain-coach Susantha Pradeep. Pradeep top-scored with the bat for his side with 59 before taking 5/37 to keep the Maroons to 141. Pradeep played a stabilising role in the middle order after opening pair Wendyl Pires and Chameera Fernando were both removed without scoring. The Saints reached 151 after 69.3 overs on day one, but secured two North Dandenong wickets before the close of play to stay in the hunt. Jawid Khan was moved from his usual opening position to five, but could only manage two runs as part of a middle order that struggled to impact the contest. Clayton McCartney stood tall with a captain’s innings of 56 but was left wanting for fellow contributors, Syed Mehmood the nextbest scorer with 33. Deeshan Umagiliyage took 5/54 to join his captain with a five-wicket haul, his second for the season, in a win that keeps St Mary’s hopes of staying up in Turf 1 alive. Should the Saints defeat Hallam Kalora Park next week and Beaconsfield fall to the Maroons, the Saints could edge Beaconsfield out of the top flight on percentage. Beaconsfield was thrashed by Hallam Kalora Park this weekend by 172 runs. 73 to Jordan Hammond and 70 to Ben Hillard helped the Hawks reach 7/289, before rolling the Tigers for 117 in 45 overs on Sunday. Spinner Charith Keerthisinghe took 4/32 to lead the Hawks’ attack with the ball, Riley Clark top scoring with 27 in a side missing his brother, Tyler. The Tigers were made to bat again, reaching 1/35 when play was called.
Siddle and Slater save Dandenong’s day By Marcus Uhe Some late hitting from Peter Siddle and a nearcentury from Joshua Slater has given Dandenong a chance at securing a win in the final round of the Victorian Premier Cricket season against Greenvale at Shepley Oval. Dandenong posted 8/294 on the first day of the two-day clash, the lower order saving the innings after batters at the top of the scorecard failed to fire. Slater hit 93, his fifth half-century of the season, while Siddle finished with 71 off 55, with nine fours and a six. The two added 82 for the eighth wicket at nearly a run-a-ball pace before Slater was bowled in the second-last over, losing his balance while attempting a ramp shot. It was a much-needed contribution from the pair, having joined forces at 7/197 in the 74th over. Slater was the lynchpin of the innings in the 18 STAR JOURNAL
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Peter Siddle’s cameo with the bat proved vital for Dandenong on Saturday in Premier Cricket. 389337 Picture: ROB CAREW middle order, forming valuable partnerships with Matthew Wilson (50), Ben Allison (40) to go with his stand with Siddle. Brett Forsyth could only add 10 in a rare low score, to finish with 781 runs for the season with four hundreds and one half-century, barring the Panthers batting again next week.
Tuesday, 20 February, 2024
Siddle is playing just his second game for the Panthers this season after bowling against Kingston-Hawthorn in round three. The right-arm quick, past premiership player and Life Member at Dandenong took 221 wickets for Australia in 67 Test matches and presented Dandenong debutant Matthew Sheridan with his First XI cap before play on Saturday morning. The Panthers may choose to bat on next week, having finished the day eight wickets down. The game will have no bearing on the makeup of the final eight, with both teams unable to qualify for finals action. Local rivals Casey South Melbourne finished the first day of its pivotal clash with Footscray on the back foot, with the visitors reaching 7/279 at stumps. The Swans will need to take the remaining three wickets and chase the target if they wish to climb into the top four at season’s end.
Dandenong City has secured its first win since returning to the top flight of the National Premier League (NPL) Victoria competition thanks to a 3-2 thriller at home over Altona Magic on Friday night. Defender Jacob Alexander’s deflected strike in the 85th minute restored City’s lead after they let slip a 2-0 advantage, sending fans into raptures in the Flipovic Stand at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex. Three minutes either side of the halftime interval swung the game in City’s favour as the home side found themselves with a two-goal lead. Midfielder George Lambadaridis opened the scoring with a volley from distance in the 43rd minute. After Danny Kim won the ball back in midfield for City, Lambadaridis made an unchecked run to the edge of the penalty box and made the opposition pay for their poor marking. Tenacious pressure from City’s attackers created the second goal, winning the ball back close to goal to create an easy opportunity. Valli Cesnik dispossessed a Magic defender before finding Kenny Athui, whose shot was parried by Magic goalkeeper Ben Ratajczak. He was unable to secure the ball, however, with the rebound falling to Will Bower, who calmly slotted the ball into an open net. The lead was halved just eight minutes later thanks to a delightful chip from Magic striker Bul Juach. A long ball from deep in Altona’s defensive half caught Dandenong offguard, with Juach lobbing the ball over the outstretched arms of John Hall, who’d come off his line. The second Magic goal to equal the score was eerily similar, as striker Darcy Anastovski bisected two City defenders following another clearance out of the Magic defence. The tie was short-lived, however, as City pressed hard for the equaliser, rewarded in the 85th minute with Alexander’s strike. Alexander was superb for City, winning a number of critical challenges in the back half to keep the Magic at bay. City defender Matthew Hennessy suffered what appeared to be a lower leg injury in the second half, forced off the pitch following an awkward landing. Cross-town rivals Dandenong Thunder did not fare as well, still winless after two rounds following a 2-1 loss to Manningham United Blues on Saturday afternoon. It’s two losses in two weeks after taking an early lead for Adam Piddick’s side, making for a frustrating opening to the new campaign. A Birkan Kidar freekick in the 10th minute opened the scoring for Thunder but a deflection from a Blues set piece saw Daniel Alessi credited with an own goal in the 38th minute, tying the scores before the break. A costly mistake from the Thunder allowed the home side to take the lead in the 53rd minute, with Aidan Edwards dispossessed close to his own goal as Dandenong looked to play the ball out from the back from a goal kick. Christos Theodorakopoulos made Thunder pay with what would be the final goal of the match. Thunder sit 12th on the NPL table as one of four sides yet to collect a point from two matches. They welcome Heidelberg United to George Andrews Reserve on Saturday night, while seventh-placed City head across town to face St Albans. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
SPORT
Free-falling flag favourite By Jonty Ralphsmith The issue of Dandenong West’s perennially misfiring batting lineup has reared its head in the last game of two-day cricket before finals kicks off. Chasing 228 for victory from 90 overs at a typically quick Casey Fields, the Bulls were bowled all out for just 56 by Cranbourne. Sent into bat for 10 overs late on day one, leading run scorer Shaun Weir was dismissed by a Jakeb Thomas ‘rip-snorter’ that caught the shoulder of the bat. Night-watcher Adam Reid followed him back to the pavilion before stumps, but it was the following day where it became ugly. Matt Collett didn’t trouble the scorers which put a premium on the runs that skipper Anthony Brannan scored. Brannan remained stoic while Thomas ripped through the batting order at the other end. The right arm quick got vice-captain Riley Siwes caught and bowled, went straight through former internationals Nuwan Kulasekara and Malinga Bandara and struck Bailey Howarth on the pads. Thomas finished with 7/19 off 17 in a masterful and tireless display. That quartet contributed eight runs between them, while Brannan tried his best to establish partnerships. Leggie Jamie Love got the last wicket, Dandy West limping from 8/29 to 56 all out in a disappointing display. Dandy West was able to avoid an outright despite being 171 runs behind with plenty of time remaining in the day when forced to bat again. But given it was usual suspects Weir and Brannan who staved off the Eagles bowling attack, the grit of the second innings would hardly have raised confidence. Outside of that pair, it has been slim pickings for Dandy West this season. Bandara bobbed up for a cameo last game, Nathan Power continues to be backed and
Picture: ROB CAREW
Jakeb Thomas went on a tear against the ladder-leaders. 319025 looks to have a solid defence but has yet to pass 10 this season, Howarth has struggled and Collett has a few starts but nothing to write home about. Kulasekara is the only other player to have a half-century this season, but that 71 against bottom-placed Keysborough makes up more than half his runs tally for the season. That Dandenong West was chasing such a high score was demoralising in itself, given Cranbourne was 7/101, before Harsaroup
Singh put on 61 with Tim Fathers who occupied the crease sensationally. When Kulasekara went through the star batter, Fathers, who finished unbeaten on 49, continued resisting, firstly alongside Marty Kelly and then skipper and number 11 Clint Ayres, who did well to only play at balls he needed to. To go with his stunning bowling figures, Thomas also made a handy 31 justifying his promotion to number three, with Cran-
bourne’s spread of contributors belying their reputation of being overly reliant on too few - and in stark contrast to their more lauded opponents. Elsewhere, Parkmore overcame Narre Warren, Mackenzie Gardner led HSD to victory over Lyndale and in Turf 3, Doveton North reverse-outrighted Silverton, Fountain Gate was too good for Lynbrook and Coomoora and Berwick Springs both recorded outright wins.
Spectacle for the ages as Hasindu Waduge goes large By Jonty Ralphsmith ‘Do they sell popcorn here?’ That was the apt call from one of Hasindu Waduge’s Fountain Gate teammates on Saturday after he took Lynbrook spinner James Kellett for 22 runs en route to an unbelievable century. Waduge brought up three figures with a six which sailed 15 metres over long-on, stationed right on the fence, a shot which captured the essence of his fearless innings. “(Teammate) Rodni Kumara told me I was on 99 so there was no point of knocking and getting a single so I thought I would have a crack,” Waduge said. “And I think that probably sums up Hasindu and what he brings to our side and the way he bats,” president Justin Smith added. “He’s not afraid to attack the bowlers, hit shots and get us off to good starts. “He’s got us off to some really good starts and taken the pressure off.” “It’s one of the best innings I’ve seen this year and one of the best I’ve seen at Fountain Gate for a long time.” Waduge is the second highest run-scorer in the DDCA Turf 3 competition behind Jackson Marie - the only player who could argue he has played a better knock this season. It captivated, entertained, intimidated and undoubtedly worried fellow premiership aspirants given it’s the finest of a long line of important knocks the Gators’ bat has played this season. The century came off 66 balls at a strike rate of 152 - excluding his knock, the aggregate run rate on a tricky Marriott Waters Reserve wicket was 2.78 across the course of the match. The opener’s last 44 runs came off 17 balls; once he was set, he was swinging to try and clear the carpark at Marriott Waters Reserve. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
Hasindu Waduge poses for a photo following his stunning knock. 389858 Picture: JONTY RALPHSMITH After bringing up his 50 with a sweeping cover drive for four, Waduge had a 15-minute period and the sort of momentum cricketers dream about: a willow crunch echoed around the venue after every ball he faced. He forced the fielders to run to the rope more than he had to run between the wickets. Underlining just how splendidly he struck the ball, his knock contained just two singles. Alongside 15 boundaries and three maximums were a series of twos and threes, most of which were shots which plugged metres inside the rope. Opening with the patient Karan Singh, Waduge gave himself time to assess conditions, his first 11 balls yielding just two runs
before he exploded. Waduge pounced on anything short or straight throughout his innings, swinging hard knowing he only needed to clear the infield to get value for his shots. At the other end for most of his innings was skipper Chanaka ‘Ted’ Sampath, whose productive 35, built off brute strength, released the pressure and complemented his partner well. Most runs in the first half of his innings came through the cow corner to mid-wicket region, before he sprinkled in elegant strokeplay through the ‘V’ with the same damaging effect. Lakers skipper Jay Walia continued attacking with his field settings to try to thwart the
right hander’s momentum which allowed him to inflict maximum pain in the first 23 overs. After taking Kellett’s first over for five fours, all swinging straight through the line of the ball, Waduge tried to repeat the dose in his second, only to be caught and bowled. It was an anticlimactic end to an innings which showed the very best of DDCA power hitting, and brought a grinding halt to the Fountain Gate onslaught. From 1/145, the Gators slipped to to 192 all out, keeping the door ajar for Lynbrook. The Lakers lost three wickets before stumps on day one but remained in the hunt thanks to a deep batting order which has been on show on several occasions this season. Despite falling to 7/73, Walia, batting at 10, nearly dragged his team over the line on Sunday with a brave 44 off 46 before the nagging consistency of Rodni Kumara proved too much. Kumara finished with 5/31 off 20.1 as the clear standout bowler of the innings. Fountain Gate’s tail was then forced to dig in to stave off the brief threat of a reverse outright when Lynbrook all-rounder Sithara Perera reduced them to 6/64, just 76 runs ahead with plenty of time in the game left. The Gators ultimately held on, getting their fruits and cementing a finals spot off the back of a jaw-dropping batting display. Waduge now has 509 runs for the season including two centuries and four 50s. “At the start the pitch was a bit tough, some balls stayed down,” Waduge said. “When Ted came to the wicket, it was really easy to bat because I had no pressure - he was hitting shots as well “I was backing myself to clear the field and was hitting it very well.”
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