Dandenong Star Journal - 23rd April 2024

and landscaping was crucial open space.

“It’s our only green space so it’s just not acceptable.

“People don’t have much of a yard. Some have converted them to decking or concreting.”

Neighbours park on the narrow streets due to having single garages and a lack of space in their front yards, the resident said.

As a sign of the pressures, some of the es-

tate’s on-street car parking is permit only.

Greater Dandenong Council city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam said the council had not been notified of the proposal.

“An amendment to the planning approvals on the site would be needed.

“Council is committed to maintain open space for residents and would encourage the body corporate to seek advice before proceeding any further.”

Ward councillor Rhonda Garad said it seemed unlikely that the council would ap-

ANZAC tributes begin

tralian flag

ing an ANZAC Day service at Springvale cenotaph on Sunday 21 April. Meanwhile students such as L-R Alex, Zairene and Keyaa from Westall Primary School (inset) paid their respects. More services are ahead in Endeavour Hills (23 April), Dingley (24 and 25 April) and Dandenong (25 April).

For more details, turn to page 8

prove the proposal.

“The open space would be critical for the quality of life for the people living there, particularly for many with small children.

“Many of them have little to no yards, there are no other play areas.

“It seems quite bizarre that the body corp wouldn’t know it would be knocked back. (The permit) was only approved a few years ago.”

Cr Garad said the lack of private yards and parking was a trade-off for the “relatively lower” cost of housing.

Continued page 12

SBLT Cinaed Finall from the Royal Australian Navy and John Sayers salute the Aus-

(pictured) dur-

Pictures: GARY SISSONS

Rubber firm convicted

By AAP and Cam Lucadou-Wells

A Dandenong South rubber company has been fined $450,000 after a worker was struck in the head and killed while trying to clear a jammed machine.

Jawad Mohammadi was working on a production line at The Elastomers factory in 2021, when some rubber material became jammed.

He entered what was known as the machinery’s‘danger zone’ to clear the material on May 26, and his co-worker restarted the machine before he could leave the area.

As a result, Mr Mohammadi was struck in the head and killed after suffering a major skull fracture.

WorkSafe investigated the incident and charged The Elastomers with failing to provide and maintain a safe working environment for its employees.

The company pleaded guilty to the charge in Melbourne’s County Court with Judge Peter Rozen handing down his sentence on Friday 19 April. He noted Mr Mohammadi’s co-worker would not have been able to see him in the danger zone from where he had to restart the machine. The worker’s son described Mr Mohammadi in a statement to the court as a remarkable person who had a strong bond with everyone. His death had left a hole in his family’s hearts that couldn’t be filled, he said.

Judge Rozen said it was not a failure of the co-worker but rather the company’s practices, as the business should have been proactively assessing whether the machinery was safe.

He found it was clear the risks to worker safety were present for a considerable period and the company’s failure to address those risks showed its moral culpability was high.

However, the judge praised The Elastomers for work completed since Mr Mohammadi’s death, saying it did not “sit on its hands” and has since addressed the safety risks. He also noted the company’s guilty plea, lack of prior convictions and good

corporate character. Judge Rozen sentenced the company to a $450,000 fine with conviction, adding the

penalty would never accurately reflect Mr Mohammadi’s worth and the loss his family has experienced.

The County Court of Victoria.

Picture: AAP IMAGE/CON CHRONIS

Bill shocks absorbed

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

South East Community Links is bringing back its BringYour Bills Day as residents continue to battle the rising cost of living.

The event – which kicks off in Springvale on 30 April - supports people with fines, bills, tenancy issues, government payments and energy usage.

SECL chief executive Peter McNamara said the impacts of the increasing cost of living are still “cutting deep”.

“Our data shows an overwhelming concern among community members about their ability to afford basic necessities such as food, rent, and bills over the next year.

“There are children missing out on after school activities and excursions because families can’t afford it.”

At the event, people can meet face-to-face with SECL financial counsellors and experts from the water, power and service sectors.

It’s a golden chance to work through financial challenges – such as with bills, renters rights, financial and consumer rights, Ombudsman services, Centrelink and an array of support services.

Last year’s Bring Your Bills days in Dandenong, Noble Park, Cranbourne West and Pak-

enham attracted more than 500 people seeking help and advice.

It led to real outcomes - more than $160,000 of resolved debts and 52 concessions and grants.

As a result, 86 per cent of the attendees reported being on track with their utility bills as a result.

And 100 per cent felt more confident to make a complaint.

One of those seeking help in Dandenong last year was an injured aged-care worker unable to continue her job.

With her husband being the sole incomeearner, their monthly rent rose and the bill stresses mounted.

I felt lost, stuck and didn’t know where to go,” she said.

“I thought I would walk in and receive some advice but here they gave me some solutions.

“I feel like a big stone is lifted from my shoulders.”

BringYour Bills is at Springvale Community Hub, 3 Grace Park Avenue, Springvale on Tuesday 30 April, 10am-2pm.

Other events are planned in Hampton Park, Dandenong and Pakenham later this year.

Sikh bid for helmet exemption revving up

By Cade Lucas

There was a roar of Harley Davidson’s on Sunday morning as a bike group took off on a ride across the city.

The Azad Sikh Social Motorcycle Club (SMC) made up of Sikh motorbike riders were taking part in their annualVaisakhi motorcycle ride on Sunday, April 14, cruising all the way from Tarneit to Keysborough in Melbourne’s south-east.

The ride is part of theVaisakhi festival, one of the most important events on the Sikh calendar, that commemorates the foundation of the “Khalsa Panth” of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.

Starting from the Gurdwara Sahib (Sikh place of worship) in Tarneit and concluding at the Sikh Gurdwara in Keysborough, a spokesperson for the Azad Sikh SMC said riders made quite the impression as they journeyed through Melbourne.

“Under a brilliant autumn sky, riders adorned in traditional and colourful turbans, together with their gleaming motorcycles, made for an arresting sight as they coursed through the city’s streets,” the spokesperson

said.

With motorcyclists having to wear helmets, those colourful turbans were adorned on the bikes themselves rather than on the rider’s heads, something the club is campaigning to change through events like theVaisakhi ride.

The Azad Sikh SMC is one of a number of Sikh motorcycle clubs across the country who are pushing for an exemption from helmet laws so they can wear turbans instead.

“Caps aren’t allowed in Sikh religion and helmets fall under that category,” said the club spokesperson.

“Many Sikhs aren’t buying motorcycles because of this.”

While helmet exemptions exist for Sikh motorcyclists in the UK, New Zealand and some US and Canadian states, there are none in Australia, though some exist for cyclists,

The Azad Sikh SMC spokesperson said the need for an exemption wasn’t just about helmets.

“It is about upholding the values of unity, respect, and safety, while ensuring that everyone can express their religious beliefs freely,” the spokesperson said.

Members of the The Azad Sikh Social Motorcycle Club after completing the Vaisakhi ride from Tarneit to Keysborough on Sunday. 401796

South East Community Links’ team at the Bring Your Bills event in Dandenong last year. More than 150 residents attended. 359947

South East Community Links CEO Peter McNamara says Bring Your Bills Day is designed to support residents battling with rising costs of living. 401788 Pictures: GARY SISSONS Australian Financial Complaints Authority was one of the organisations on hand last year. 359947

Benchtop installer fined

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

An owner of a Dandenong engineered-stone benchtop factory has been fined for not complying with a WorkCover safety improvement notice.

Thai Dung Nguyen, 54, who is a partner in DTH Unik Stone, pleaded guilty at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 18 February to the single charge.

Nguyen was ordered by WorkSafe inspectors to cease the uncontrolled ‘dry cutting’ of engineered stone benchtops in September 2021, a prosecutor for the Victorian Worksafe Authority told the court.

Uncontrolled dry cutting was banned at the time due to the deadly risks to workers exposed to fine dust particles containing crystalline silica, the prosecutor said.

Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) can travel deep into the lungs when inhaled and develop into diseases such as silicosis, which is incurable and potentially fatal.

A worker told a WorkSafe inspector that the only controls used by installers were respirators, the prosecutor said.

AWorkSafe improvement notice was issued ordering the factory to use ‘wet’ cutting, grinding and polishing or alternatively to use ontool dust extraction.

The enterprise was ordered to comply within five weeks.

Despite several follow-up inspections, Nguyen didn’t install the required dust-extracting vacuums on power tools until six months later.

Since the factory’s inception in 2018, Nguyen’s two sons have been employed there as benchtop installers, the court heard.

Ninety per cent of its business was engineered stone, and 10 per cent were non-hazardous natural stone products.

Defence lawyer Thomas Bell said the fac-

tory was using a non-compliant dust extraction method up to the time of complying with the notice.

Nguyen – who had no prior criminal history - wasn’t charged with running an unsafe workplace or putting his employees’ safety at risk, Mr Bell said.

But he conceded that engineered-stone manufacturing was inherently risky with no safe exposure level to crystalline silica dust.

Last year, most state jurisdictions agreed to ban the use, supply and manufacture of engineered stone benchtops due to the deadly risks.

The ban will apply in Victoria from 1 July.

A financially struggling Nguyen was set to lose the bulk of his work due to the ban, Mr Bell told the court.

Magistrate Fran Medina took into account Nguyen’s early guilty plea.

LED BY A QUALIFIED TEACHER

But his protracted non-compliance with the notice despite several WorkSafe follow-up inspections was an aggravating feature – especially when it involved “such a significant risk”.

Although engineered stone was soon to be banned, Ms Medina said the fine had to deter Nguyen and others in the industry from failing to comply with WorkSafe notices.

Nguyen was fined $2000 without conviction. He was ordered to pay Victorian Workplace Authority’s costs of $3466.50.

PLAY-BASED LEARNING PROGRAM

It highlights kindergartens and long day care centres that offer play-based programs to help children learn and grow, before they start school.

Return of the Gremlns

By Afraa Kori

After a seven-year hiatus, the South East rap group Gremlns is making a comeback to revive Australia’s music scene.

Formed in 2014, Cranbourne’s 700Kae, Gs Phantom, Lord Levy, Mobstah, Korf, and Dandenong’s MikeWang have captivated local and global audiences through viral hits, shows, collaborations, and a feature in Germany’s preeminent hip-hop publication.

“We took time off from music to focus on ourselves as individual artists and to perfect our craft,” Gs Phantom and Mike Wang said.

“To add to that, we never really stopped making music, we were always in the studio making music but just never released anything. We have so many songs stored up that I couldn’t even tell you.

“We’ve gone through a lot, but it has made us stronger and understand each other more, so we can all agree that the break did benefit us.”

Gs Phantom said they had to return due to the direction that the music industry was taking today.

“The music scene is missing sauce and originality and that’s exactly what Gremlns is going to bring to the music scene here in Australia and the rest of the world, one day in God’s due time,” he said.

“Gremlns intends to bring good music, multiple shows and mostly being active in the scene we once helped create.

“All we can say is, whether you’re familiar with us or not, you will have a lot of catching up to do.”

Recently, the group members, excluding one, teased a possible reunion through a guest appearance at a music tribute and the launch of a studio, including a fashion brand deal.

“As far as teasing a Gremlns return we did that with our two latest shows, Mike Wang’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ and the ‘OTB’ show!” 700Kae said.

“We also linked up with Melbourne-based streetwear brand Unsolved for an exclusive 1 of 1 collab.

“They put our logo on the back of their shirts for us to wear at the show, further sporting the return of the Gremlns.”

“It was actually our first show back in more than five years as a whole group which was on 20 January this year and it was a night to re-

LOOKING BACK

100 years ago

24 April 1924

Wild weather

Following on a mild, wet summer, the autumn rains in this district have been unusually heavy and are seriously hampering farming operations, as well as doing considerable damage to potato crops. The fall at Dandenong up to this date last year was almost a record low, only 2 inches 96 points being registered at the Dandenong post office, whilst from 1st January to April 23rd this year, the record fall of 19 inches 96 points has been registered.

50 years ago

23 April 1974

AN EASY ONE TO OPEN UP 1974!

At Shepley Oval on Sunday, Dandenong introduced its new look team … and no supporter could complain. In drizzling rain for most of the day, the Redlegs bored in with relentlessness that staggered Williamstown and then finally overwhelmed it in a flood of goals. Before a good crowd, the Redlegs bounced quickly into action and but for ragged shooting for goal would have shattered the “Town” in minutes. However, it took 10 minutes into the term before the two flags went up and at the first change the Redlegs had gathered only 4 goals from 10 shots. But at three-quarter time the “Town” trailed by a dismal 56 points and at the final siren plunged to a shattering 76-point loss.

DANDENONG 16-22 (118)

WILLIAMSTOWN 5-12 (42)

Estimated attendance 4,500

20 years ago

member,” Mike Wang said.

“It was like we never left, we were all hyped and ready to put on a show and it turned out great. We loved every bit of it and still talk about it today which fuels our motivation for what comes next.”

MikeWang reassured fans that Gremlns had officially returned stronger and more committed than ever.

“We’re definitely more than ready for all good things that come to us,” he said.

“We decided that it was time to step back into the scene publicly and show the world we’re not only back but so much better. We’ve grown as individuals and have been through a lot together so we definitely have a lot to say.

“We can’t wait to show and do more, we’ve got some things planned for this year for sure. The only way we can prove it is to make things happen so keep an eye out for an announcement very soon!”

700Kae said their biggest goal was to leave a legacy in Southeast, wider Australia, and across the globe.

“Step one is to stamp ourselves back on the scene. Step two is to take over Australia and step three is obvious…world domination,” he said.

“We just want to make great and timeless music. It’s all we ever wanted and dreamed of.

“We want to stamp our names in the Australian music scene and be remembered as the

28 April 2004

DRUGS COUP

Police have won back the streets of Greater Dandenong from heroin dealers as part of an ongoing offensive that has drastically reduced the city’s crime rate. Operation Moonstone has been hailed by police as the most effective campaign in the ‘war on drugs’ in the city.

Superintendent Chris Ferguson said increased foot patrols and covert operations had all but eliminated drug dealers from the central busi-

ness districts of Dandenong and Springvale. The Superintendent said the success of the ongoing operation was reflected in a 26 percent reduction in drug related crime over the past two years. The reduction had a flow on effect with assaults, house burglaries, handling stolen goods and robberies down 33.9 per cent last year.

“There’s been positive feedback from residents and particularly shopkeepers and people on the street who have had to put up with these

kids who sparked something special for our city and country!

“For our community, we want to make our people proud. We want them to look at us like ‘damn these kids came from nothing and really made something of themselves’.We do this because we actually love the music, the lifestyle, the people, and the connections we can make along the way.”

With a pinch of experience, versatility, and a huge dose of confidence, Gremlns brought rap news to Germany with Juice magazine 2017 edition.

They were recognised as the most popular acts of the time and added a unique overseas perspective to hip-hop.

ratbags touting their wares, accosting people and trying to sell them drugs.”

5 years ago

22 April 2019

Walk into history

Few know of the rich heritage embedded in the SpringvaleWarCemetery’srowsofmarbleheadstones and immaculate lawns. It’s little known as Victoria’s official war cemetery, designed to the strict standards of Commonwealth military burial grounds in 1939. On Anzac Day, historian Dr Celestina Sagazio will guide a free walking tour. “It’s a magnificent cemetery” she said. The six-acre site holds 612 graves including many World War II servicemen and women who died in Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital after returning from the field. Others died by accident or illness. The graveyard closed in 1947. Elsewhere in the greater Springvale cemetery are 151 burial sites from World War I and World War II. Eight Victoria Cross recipients are buried at the cemetery – more than any other resting place in Victoria, possibly Australia.

Gs Phantom, Mike Wang, Korf and 700Kae back to the grind. Picture: LORD LEVY

Celestina Sagazio in the war graves section of Springvale Botanical Cemetery in 2019. 192509

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

The war graves section at Springvale Botanical Cemetery, pictured in 2019. 192509

Huge crowds for Nawroz

The Bakhtar Casey Nawroz Festival 2024 held on Saturday 13 April in Hallam was a resounding success.

Drawing a crowd of more than 2000 enthusiastic community members, the festival offered a vibrant showcase of rich cultural heritage, featuring an array of traditional activities, games, and entertainment.

A notable highlight of this year’s festival was the introduction of kite-flying activities, a first in the history of the Afghan community inVictoria.

Kite flying holds deep cultural significance, traditionally observed during major celebrations such as Eid and Nawroz (the Afghan New Year).

Alongside this, attendees enjoyed a variety of other engaging activities including the eggcrushing game, jumping castle, face painting, Henna, marble games, carom board, chess, and more.

As the afternoon progressed, the crowd was treated to live music performances while also taking the opportunity to explore the exhibition on display.

This exhibition featured a compelling collection of portraits, painted two years prior by local artists, under the poignant theme of“Lest We Forget Afghanistan”.

It served as a heartfelt tribute to the sacrifices made by the veterans and the resilient people of Afghanistan.

The festival also welcomed guests, including Narre Warren North MP Belinda Wilson, Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas, Greater Dandenong mayor Lana Formoso, La Trobe MP Jason Wood, and representatives from various community organisations.

Man accused of supplying weapons to youth

A man accused of supplying prohibited knives and machetes to youth gang members in Greater Dandenong is facing 140 charges.

The 52-year-old Cranbourne North man was arrested at a shop in Narre Warren on 25 October and released pending further enquiries.

That day, Dandenong Youth Gang Team seized more than 400 prohibited weapons, including samurai swords, zombie knives and butterfly knives, following raids at two shops in Narre Warren and Boronia – as well as a factory in Dandenong South.

Among the 402 weapons were three imi-

tation handguns, butterfly knives, zombie knives, axes, mimiature samurai swords, daggers, flick knives and knuckle dusters.

Police also seized:

· 111 cartons of illegal cigarettes and approximately 2kg of dried loose-leaf tobacco

· Quantities of methylamphetamine, cannabis and prescription medication

· 17,525 vapes – some containing nicotine –worth $461,000

· Laser pointers.

The man was served with charges, including:

· 97 counts of possessing a prohibited weap-

on without exemption/approval

· 27 counts of possessing a Schedule 4 poison

· 10 counts of displaying a prohibited weapon for sale

· Four counts of possessing an imitation firearm

· Two counts of possessing tobacco.

He was summonsed to appear in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 16 July.

Police allege that the man was selling prohibited weapons – including knives and machetes – to known youth gang members in the Greater Dandenong area.

The raids and arrest were part of Victoria Police’s Operation Alliance which targets serious and violent youth offenders.

Over the past year, 387 known youth gang members have arrested a combined total of 1,432 times, police say.

These offenders were charged with 3,286 offences.

A core group of 249 youth gang members, who were arrested more than three times over the past year, remain a “specific challenge for police”.

Fifty-nine of them have been arrested more than 10 times.

TheBakhtarCaseyNawrozFestival2024.

NarreWarrenNorthMPBelindaWilson.

Pictures:SUPPLIED

Marketstand.

Facepainting.

NarreWarrenSouthMPGaryMaas. Singingperformance.

Cracking the code

y Cam Lucadou-Wells

Sixteen-year-old whiz kid Dinith Meegahapola has cracked the code, winning a coveted visit to Apple’s HQ in the US.

The Haileybury student and app developer was one of 350 worldwide winners of Apple’s Swift Student Challenge.

Most exciting is the rare opportunity to join a Worldwide Developers Conference 2024 at the stunning space-ship-like Apple Park in Silicon Valley, California in June.

“I’ve always been interested in Apple. I’m one of those who is always waking up at 3am for the Apple events.”

Apple Park is where the magic happens for Apple fans – where the new software and new technologies for developers are unveiled, Dinith says.

“I’m really excited. Not only to see the new stuff but also to meet the people there and explore Apple Park.”

Dinith’s win was a case of third time lucky, having also entered the Swift Student Challenge in 2022 and 2023.

His winning entry was a learning app to help students understand circuit components.

Powered by machine learning, the app can identify circuit components based on user images and create circuit design prototypes.

Dinith has also been awarded for building an automatic locker using a fingerprint sensor.

Dandy-Con leaps into character

Dandy-Con will be a

There will be also food and workshops for comic drawing and Dungeons and Dragons.

Eight years ago, his mother Erosha taught him programming. But he only delved into learning the Apple program language Swift while bored in Covid lockdowns.

He hopes to start developing apps for the Apple Store, with an eye for a career in robotics or engineering.

Dandy-Con is at Dandenong Library and Harmony Square on 27 April, 11am-4pm.

“I mainly self-taught myself from the free resources online.”

But unsurprisingly, he says his dream job is to work at Apple.

Details: libraries.greaterdandenong.vic. gov.au/dandycon

Residents lament plans for green space to be sacrificed

From page 1

“It’s a case of ‘Buyer Beware’ – people knew there would be limited parking options.To forego forever that small open green space for the sake of a few car parks seems incredibly shortsighted and not mindful of the health and wellbeing of those living there.”

Keysborough resident Gaye Guest said residents have been“sold the Australian dream, but not the same one as in the past”.

“Residents bought in not only because of liveability but also because of the amenities they thought were going to be provided onsite for them. People only have to reflect back to our recent pandemic years to realise what made their life bearable back then and open space was a high priority.”

The Knight declined to comment.

In 2021, the under-construction estate came under fire from the public over safety concerns.

These included a corner townhouse being built about a metre from a slip lane and truck access road into the nearby HomeCo shopping centre. Nor was there room for a footpath to link the Cheltenham Road bus stop and a child care centre and shops at HomeCo.

A council-instigated safety review found the development “fully compliant” with planning policies. However after public pressure, Greater Dandenong Council negotiated with developer Salter Brothers for a series of safety upgrades.

Heroes and villians are set to jump off the page at Dandenong Library for the return of Dandy-Con comic festival.

carnival of costume – with graphic novels, cosplay contests, merch vendors, artist showcases, tabletop gamers and live performances.

Heroes and villians will be brought to life at Dandy-Con this month.

Dinith Meegahapola with his parents Prasad and Erosha. 402376

Picture: ROB CAREW

Pictures: ROB CAREW

The densely-packed front yards at Keysborough Townhouses estate. 402379

Sparce green space in Keysborough Townhouses may be sacrificed for car parking.

Jodie’s woman of the year

By Ethan Benedicto

Jodie Hollis was named City of Casey’s Woman of the Year on 22 March for her outstanding commitment and contribution to the community through her work and personal endeavours.

Jodie made her mark in 2017 through her volunteer work for the Narre-Cranbourne Relay for Life and in recognition of her involvement with the locality, she was given the Holt Australia Day Award in 2020.

Fast forward to 2024, Jodie said that while she was initially shocked to have won, the award has pushed her to strive for more.

“I feel excited and elated, to tell the truth, knowing who I was up against in that category - they were just so deserving of the award that it’s a pity they couldn’t give it to all of us.

“It seems that almost every year there’s another [award] under my or the charity’s belt and it does, it pushes me to continue to hit new levels and raise the bar day in and day out with Cancer Support Angels,” she said.

A not-for-profit organisation that focuses on providing direct practical, financial and emotional support to those undergoing cancer treatment, Cancer Support Angels was Jodie’s ultimate ambition and is not a centrepiece of her life.

“Back in 2013 when I had my own journey with thyroid cancer, I was looking around for support groups and I just couldn’t find any,” she said.

“I could only find online groups and also no financial support services besides Centrelink; that was one of the things that made me go ‘maybe I should look into starting a support group for people with all cancers’.

“While every single person’s journey is different, I find that we’re talking about similar things,” Jodie said.

ligaments, and after undergoing surgery she came home at the beginning of the series of lockdowns.

“There was trying to overcome the navigation of children studying at home, not being able to go anywhere and also not being able to do anything since I was stuck in a wheelchair.

“I had to sit there and say, ‘how am I going to navigate online?’, I’m not a marketer, I’m a bookkeeper.

“I just sat there and continually posted every day, we came up with new strategies but finally we got a really large donation from Village Cinemas in Fountain Gate to start our care packs,” Jodie said.

The cogs began turning for Jodie, and with the help of a then-young advertising firm that offered their services free of charge for a month, the not-for-profit moved towards its full potential.

“In the first few days that they were working for us and doing all of our online content, we had 2000 requests for care packs and we had to put it on hold after nine days so I could pack them.

“We started the campaign again, and within 12 days we had another 2000 requests for packs, so they kind of catapulted us nationally in that respect pretty quickly.

“We just had to realise that our presence was going to be more online than it was faceto-face, it was a massive pivot from what we originally planned, but thank God it worked,” Jodie said.

The journey itself had not been easy, however, and began with Jodie selling her previous business to volunteer for three years to gain insight into the people and their needs.

The organisation officially launched on 16 March 2020 and was met with a tumultuous road to begin its journey.

Jodie founded Cancer Support Angels in 2019 and is entering its fourth year of service to the community.

“When we did start in December we were hit by bushfires, and then when they died down we had severe flooding throughout the country.

“Everything from that died down, and we just started out first moral support groups and whatnot, and then around 22 March I fell over and had a a bad accident,” she said.

Jodie had broken her ankle and torn a few

Moving forward, the Cancer Support Angels is a combination of both online and in-person support, with the launch of face-to-face support groups in Casey.

At any given time, there are roughly 70 to 80 active volunteers for the organisation, and with over 5000 patients already supported, Jodie and the Angels are looking to spread their influence and work state-wide.

Jodie Hollis began her journey with Cancer Support Angels in December 2019, and the not-forprofit has since grown exponentially.

Picture: SUPPLIED

SPORT

‘Do it for my culture’ Ghee’s epic journey

Former NBL1 Dandenong Rangers point guard Jesse Ghee has become one of the first few Torres Strait Islanders to play professionally internationally, and he now hopes to see more players follow in his footsteps.

At 28, the point guard realised his dream to play overseas, signing with Xirdalan BC team in the Azerbaijan Basketball League, located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia.

Ghee said the experience has been a rollercoaster, but he’s enjoyed every second of the ride.

“It’s easier and more comfortable to stay at home and play in the leagues in Australia, but to take a step out and experience something new is amazing,” he said.

“Being around a different culture, trying new foods and learning a new language has been challenging, but I love a good challenge.

“I’m proud as a Torres Strait Islander to do it for my culture, people and family.

“It’s something that will always be with me, part of my legacy and my story.

“I still have a lot more work to do but I’m enjoying where I’m at and where life is taking me.”

Ghee was named MVP for his standout season at the Goldfield Giants in Western Australia in 2022, along with playing for Dandenong Rangers, Northside Wizards and the Ipswich Force in Queensland, and spent two seasons in the US playing college basketball for the Fullerton Hornets in California.

It’s been two decades of shooting hoops to earn his prime position, and Ghee credits his mother and sister for sparking his passion.

“Growing up, I lived on the north side of Brisbane but played in South Brisbane, meaning my mother, older sister, and I would catch buses or trains to go to my games when I was young,” he said.

“Both my mother and sister played as well, so being around them and their games inspired me to play.

“I remember at a young age I would watch my sister play her games at night.

“I used to be so tired, in my pyjamas, past my bedtime but would want to be there.

“I loved the sound of the ball bouncing on the court, how the game was being competitively played, the squeaking of the shoes on the court, and when that ball went through the net, it felt so natural to be around.

“I didn’t ever want to leave that environment.”

He’s worked with fellow Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander, NBA Champion and Australian Boomers Bronze Medal winner Patty Mills, helping run the NBA star’s Indigenous Basketball Australia program, and aims to continue helping kids not get overlooked in the same ways he was as a teen.

“Growing up, I never made the top teams, the state teams, the Australian teams.

“I had to continuously work to not only prove people wrong, that I can do it my way, and get to where I wanted to get to, but to do it for my family.”

There’s been a lot of obstacles in his career, from injuries to big losses, but Ghee’s biggest challenge to bounce back from has been his mental health.

“I think not only in basketball but in sports, it’s not talked about enough,” he said.

“I didn’t understand what it really was until I dealt with it personally.

“I’m so in love with the game that it’s dangerous and sometimes I don’t know how to detach myself from it.

“I had to take two steps back to take 10 steps forward and really understand myself, even if it was painful and uncomfortable.

“I learnt a lot about myself, and with

the help and guidance of my coach, I was able to see different ways to approach, attack and overcome these negative thoughts and feelings that affected me on and off the court.”

From his college years in California, to playing in NBL1 teams across small country towns to the big cities, Jesse has had to constantly adapt his game to the culture of his surroundings.

He wants to see more of his own culture represented, with indigenous players not only in the leagues in Australia but in Europe and the NBA.

“My mother always told me to give back to the community,” Ghee said.

“For me to be accomplishing my dream with the support she gave me, and also from my sister, I want to share that and help the next ones up.

“I’ve done it my way, and I want to show that there are other ways to be successful outside of Australia and America.

“I want to change the mentality and mindset of what I grew up around and inspire kids to be different, that you don’t have to follow but you can be your own leader and do it your way, achieving all your goals and dreams.”

Brilliant Bulls set scene with opening burst

By Marcus Uhe

A brutal opening to its round two clash against South Croydon helped Noble Park to extinguish any threat from a Bulldogs side with a point to prove on Saturday as the Bulls registered a second win from two starts and their first at home for season 2024 in the Eastern Football Netball League’s Premier division.

Noble Park kicked the first seven goals of the contest and finished the quarter 37 points ahead, never looking back to record a 13.9 87 to 4.4 28 result.

Matthew Nelson opened the scoring in the second minute after earning a freekick deep in the pocket, with the Bulls having moved the ball with ease from deep in defence.

Jordan Marson then instantly doubled the lead, emerging from the ensuing centre clearance with the football and goaling on the run from within the centre square at PatWright Senior Oval.

Forward-half pressure from Bulls made it three after 10 minutes, as Nathan Noblett’s tackling at centre-half-forward was rewarded with an unopposed run into an open goal, and Nelson made it four when he converted a set

shot in the 16th minute.

Kevin Kean showed his small forward nous with a textbook front-and-centre roving effort and snap over his shoulder for the Bulls’ fifth, and a Marson intercept mark at halfback kickstarted a breezy passage of transition that saw Kean and captain Jackson Sketcher combine through the middle to provide Jake Mullen with an easy shot on goal, having slipped through the Bulldogs’ press.

When Marson added his second having weaved his way through some South Croydon

Thunder thrashed by Avondale

By Marcus Uhe

Dandenong Thunder’s defence is under scrutiny in the National Premier League (NPL) Victoria after finding itself on the wrong end of an 8-0 thrashing to Avondale on Saturday night at George Andrews Reserve in round 10 action.

The margin was one of the heaviest in the club’s history and comes after a 3-0 loss the week prior to Port Melbourne.

The carnage began in the 13th minute when Thunder could not clear the ball after a pair of entries into the penalty area from the visitors.

Pierce Clark and his teammates protested the finish after they felt their goalkeeper was brought to ground in the lead up by the eventual scorer, Stefan Zinni, but the frustration fell on deaf ears of the referee.

Jordan Smylie was then given his marching orders in the 25th minute after a crude sliding challenge from behind on an Avondale opponent that resulted in the felled defender needing to be stretchered from the pitch, unable to return, and two yellow cards shown to players on each side for the push and shove that ensued after the foul.

Avondale went 2-0 up in the 34th minute when another wicked ball from the back half dissected the Thunder defensive line and offered a one-on-one opportunity for strikerYusuf Ahmed.

The numbers disadvantage didn’t deter Thunder’s attacking instincts, which finished the first half with more total shots and corners than its opponents, but faced a two goal deficit.

A foul just inside the Avondale penalty area by Jay Romanovski shortly after play resumed saw Avondale awarded a penalty, but Clark was up to the task, making a sensational diving save low to his left to momentarily deny the visitors a third.

Clark was picking the ball out of his net soon after, however, as Avondale picked and prodded its way through the Thunder defence to bag a third goal in the 52nd minute.

Speed on the counter attack was the key to the visitors’ fourth shortly after, before a devastating final half-hour rubbed salt into a gaping wound for Adam Piddick’s side.

Sevdim Ismaili fell victim to a wicked spin while defending George Ott, who put the ball past Clark for the fifth in a one-on-one.

pressure, the Bulls were in seventh heaven, having raced to a 43 point lead.

It took 25 minutes for the Bulldogs to scrounge its opening goal, but by the time they did, the damage had been done.

The remainder of the contest was played on an even keel, as the Bulls’ accuracy in the early stages began to desert them, kicking 6.8 after quarter time.

But South Croydon could only manage seven shots on goal for the remainder of the match after quarter time, meaning they were never going to kick a winning score.

Matt Nelson finished with two, and Joshua Stern three, while Matt’s brother,Tom Nelson kicked his first goal for the Bulls.

Through two matches the Bulls have the competition’s best defence, allowing less points than any other side in typical Noble Park fashion under Steve Hughes.

Elsewhere in the division, Rowville and Balwyn recorded comfortable wins over Norwood and Vermont, respectfully, while East Ringwood thrashed Doncaster East by 130 points in a statement result.

Noble Park heads to Berwick in round three.

Liston Diaz got the better of Daniel Alessi in an aerial duel before poking the finish through Clark’s legs in the 74th, and the stopper could not repeat his earlier penalty heroics in the 78th minute as Zinni completed his hattrick.

An eighth goal, courtesy of an inadvertent Thunder deflection at the back, completed the rout in the 87th minute.

The overwhelming onslaught from the visitors in the second half saw Thunder only manage one shot for the entire second half as the discrepancy of players on the pitch began to take hold.

It’s a third consecutive loss for Thunder, which hasn’t picked up three points since a Dandenong Derby win over Dandenong City back in round six.

Avondale catapulted to second on the table while Thunder slipped to 12th, and took a hammerblow to its goal difference, now a league second-worst -14.

Two home fixtures in the following weeks, against St Albans and Melbourne Knights, will be viewed as an opportunity to get the season back on track.

Jordan Marson kicked two goals in an opening quarter onslaught from Noble Park 280908

Picture: ROB CAREW

Jesse Ghee has become one of the first few Torres Strait Islanders to play professionally internationally.

Picture: SUPPLIED