EHD Star Journal – 14th May 2024

Stud Road victory

By Sahar Foladi

In a major win for residents, a safer pedestrian crossing at Stud Road, Dandenong North has finally been allocated funds in the 2024-’25 State Budget after years of advocacy.

The upgrade - part of a $16.5 million, threeyear package for several metro roads projects - will improve signalisation and add a pedestrian crossing at the notorious intersection of Stud and McFees roads.

The section of the busy road has taken two lives in the past six years, including a toddler last December.

Greater Dandenong mayor Lana Formoso, who’d advocated strongly for this change, was caught in a whirlwind of emotions.

“I’m sorry there are still families suffering the tragic loss of their family members, prior to this project being promised.

“But I have done my job as a mayor, mother, resident, ambassador for road safety and I

couldn’t be happier.

“That was 10 years of relentless advocacy10 years of grit and hard work has paid off and I’m forever grateful.”

She started her advocacy for a pedestrian crossing as a resident in 2013, when attempting to cross the dangerous six-lane road with her two kids and their cycles.

Now as a mayor persistent on the issue, she is finally overjoyed at what the community had achieved.

“Alongside Greater Dandenong City Council and community organisations, I’ve personally advocated for this matter to be addressed by the State Government for a decade.

“I was pleased that the Minister for Road Safety and a representative of the Department of Transport and Planning visited us in recent months to discuss the matter, along with Gabrielle Williams, our local Member for Dandenong.

Continued page 6

Mayor Lana Formoso with her sons Hugo and Luka and Dandenong resident Sasha. 406149

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Still time to apply for Community Meals Subsidy Program

Our Community Meals Subsidy Program provides funding to local community groups to provide healthy and nutritious meals at their centre for Casey’s vulnerable or isolated older residents.

Group social meals greatly benefit the community by creating opportunities to connect and celebrate culture and diversity. Applications for the program are open until Friday 31 May.

Detox your Home is coming to Cranbourne

If you’ve got household chemicals such as bleach, weed killer, cleaning products or old cooking oil sitting unused, here’s your chance to dispose of them safely — and at no cost.

Sustainability Victoria’s drive-through Detox your Home event will be held on Saturday 22 June from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm at Chisholm Tafe in Cranbourne.

All collected items will either be recycled, repurposed, or disposed of safely. Places are limited and registrations are essential— no walk-ins accepted.

To register for this free event, search ‘Casey detox your home event’ on our website or scan the QR code.

Apply now for Casey’s Biodiversity Incentive Scheme grant

Do you have plans to improve biodiversity on your property? The City of Casey’s Biodiversity Incentive Scheme grant supports conservation projects within the community.

Applications for the grant are now open to private landowners and volunteer public land managers. Eligible applicants can choose between receiving monetary support of up to $2,000 for conservation projects or a donation of indigenous seedlings for planting.

Applications close 11.00 pm on Sunday 30 June 2024. For more information and to apply, please visit the ‘Improving our environment’ page on our website or scan the QR code. If you require assistance with your application, please email enviroeducation@ casey.vic.gov.au or contact our Sustainability and Environment team on 9705 5200.

To find out more about the application process and to submit an application, search ‘meals subsidy program’ on our website, email mealservices@ casey.vic.gov.au or contact 9705 5444.

Come cheer on the Casey Demons

Join us for a VFL and VFLW double header on Saturday 18 May at Casey Fields in Cranbourne East.

To kick-off Casey Community Round, the VFL Casey Demons take on the Brisbane Lions at 11.05 am, followed by the VFLW Dees who will play Geelong at 2.30 pm. Casey residents can come cheer on the red and blue for free.

For more information and to download your free pass to the game, visit the ‘events’ section of our website.

Provide feedback on a number of consultations currently open on our community engagement platform, Casey Conversations.

• Proposed Governance Rules: have your say on the changes to our governance rules.

• Max Pawsey Reserve Master Plan: we are seeking feedback on the changes and updates to the Master Plan.

Head to the Casey Conversations website to find out more or scan the QR code.

Minister calls in Sandown

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Greater Dandenong councillors have been seemingly in the dark about Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny ‘calling in’ a controversial rezoning of Sandown Racecourse for a 7500home estate.

In March, the minister formed the Sandown Racecourse Advisory Committee to make recommendations on the proposed rezoning of the 112-hectare racehorse and motor racing circuits.

That month, the committee received initial submissions from the proponent Melbourne Racing Club and stakeholders such as Greater Dandenong Council.

However, Cr Rhonda Garad said the first that councillors were informed by the council of the move was 7 May.

“I’m deeply shocked by this.

“Increasingly the council and therefore the community are locked out of any opportunity to shape our local community.”

The draft amendment C229gdan for Sandown proposes housing for about 16,000 residents.

As well as 20,000 square metres of commercial space for offices, dining and retail and more than 20 hectares of public space including open space, a school and community facilities.

It would retain the heritage-listed grandstand.

In its submission, Melbourne Water has voiced concerns over drainage and flooding risks from Mile Creek, which flows through the racecourse.

A flood study cited by Melbourne Water suggested properties would be “significantly impacted” in the case of a flood event similar to February 2011.

It also requested for widening of the waterway corridor to 100 metres and for all lots

on the estate to be “flood free” above climatechange forecasts for 2100.

“Melbourne Water has asked for changes to the developer’s proposed Drainage and Flood Management Strategy to ensure that new developments don’t negatively impact neighbouring or downstream properties,” a spokesperson said.

“Before endorsing development plans, the proponent must submit specified reports for assessment, and provide details of proposed drainage works to Melbourne

Water for approval.”

Planning consultant Urbis, on behalf of the MRC, responded that there were “differing views” from two flood assessments.

A separate report had found no increase in downstream flooding, Urbis submitted.

“Consequently, we consider that Melbourne Water has had sufficient input into the modelling approach and the flood study is appropriate for the purpose of exhibition.”

Greater Dandenong Council – through law

firm Maddocks - appears to have fielded concerns about the amount of public open space as well as compelling the developer to fund infrastructure on the site.

A council spokesperson did not elaborate on its initial submission.

“Council is currently reviewing the documentation, and once that has been completed, will be making a submission to the Minister for Planning that will detail our position on all matters, including the open space.

“This submission will be finalised as part of a future Council meeting report, so will be publicly available at that time.”

According to the MRC, total open space will be more than 20 per cent of the Net Developable Area (NDA).

A MRC spokesperson said it was pleased that the rezoning was “making good progress”.

“The rezoning process is a planning process only and does not determine the future of racing at Sandown Racecourse.

“Future decisions regarding Sandown will be made in the best interests of the racing industry and ultimately if there is any move to cease racing at Sandown this will be in the hands of the MRC members.”

The Sandown Racecourse Advisory Committee is expected to start public consultation from mid-May to late-June, including a public hearing.

In a report in April, the committee stated it will review “opportunities” to deliver higher density and affordable housing possibly with central courtyards and terrace housing.

It would also seek updated traffic studies on the surrounding road network – and an explanation why Corrigan Road wasn’t proposed for an upgrade.

The report also noted the “conflicting findings” on flooding – noting that the existing lake and infrastructure could result in“flooding upstream of the site”.

Modern villas now selling

Botanic Gardens Retirement Living is a welcoming community set on landscaped native gardens and neighbouring the Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne.

The rejuvenated community centre offers a welcoming, sunlit space where residents can connect with friends, family and unwind in style!

Botanic Gardens offers residents a supported retirement, well-suited for a range of lifestyles. Discover a welcoming and low-maintenance community where you’ll be spoilt for choice.

A concept drawing of the Sandown estate interface at Warner Reserve.

Hope for service’s future

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Post the State Budget, a South-East support service has renewed hope that funding for its family-violence prevention program will continue.

Wellsprings for Women’s six-year program was due to lapse in funding at the end of June.

In some heartening Budget news, chief executive Dalal Smiley said Family Safety Victoria had notified Wellsprings that “all lapsing family violence programs across Government have had funding continued”.

“For funding administered by Family Safety Victoria, this will enable the continuation of a number of critical programs to prevent and respond to family violence,” the FSV email stated.

However Ms Smiley said Wellsprings was still seeking “confirmation from the department” about the funding.

Wellsprings’ peak body Safe and Equal was also seeking “further clarification”.

In the Budget, $30.1 million was allocated for primary prevention of family violence –with further announcements to come about prevention measures in coming weeks.

Overall, family violence funding was $211

Wellsprings CEO Dalal Smiley is awaiting confirmation that funding will continue for its family-violence prevention program. 365111

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

million - up $94 million from 2023-’24. It also includes $30 million for refuges and emergency accommodation for families escaping violence.

Wellsprings’ programs particularly help women of migrant and refugee backgrounds.

“English is not their first language and they have so many struggles and challenges to deal with before they can find the space in their lives to reflect on gender equality, women’s economic security and the drivers of violence against women.”

“But we take advantage of the time they

spend at Wellsprings to learn English and acquire new skills, to broach the subject of gender equality and family violence.

“Often conversations just happen over a coffee break or around the kitchen table and not always in the classroom.”

Ms Smiley says it’s difficult to demonstrate the vital impact of family-violence prevention work at a state or national level.

“Those of us working at the forefront, with communities, having conversations on gender equality and family violence, and exploring together culturally safe and tailored messages and approaches, are able to witness the changes in people’s attitudes and behaviors.

“Prevention programs work but need to happen consistently and over long-term and in a timely manner.”

With time, the programs “grow the pool of men and women whose lives are transformed”, she said.

They instill the value of raising children free of gender stereotypes and rigid roles, as well as helping couples with shared decision-making, domestic and caring duties.

Ms Smiley was disappointed that the Federal Government’s $925 million family violence response on 1 May, allocated nothing

More bus services a highlight

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

More weekend services will be added to the popular Dandenong-Chadstone bus route 800, as part of the 2024-’25 State Budget.

Dandenong MP and Public and Active Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams posted on Facebook that the route will get Sunday services and extended services.

“Buses play an important role in our public transport network, helping to connect Victorians to work, school and each other.

“This Budget builds on our investments in public transport with $29.7 million for better services, helping people get where they need to go faster and more often.”

It comes after years of advocacy from the Fix800Bus Alliance – which gained the support of many Mulgrave by-election candidates in November for a seven-day service.

Fix800Bus Alliance stated after the budget that it understands the Sunday service, improved Saturday frequency and extended operating hours will be part of the upgrade.

Alliance convenor Peter Parker said it would improve the lives of thousands along the Princes Highway who will get seven-day buses for the first time in 30-plus years.

It is reportedly the busiest bus route in Melbourne without Sunday services.

“Route 800 operating more frequently seven days is essential for people to get to jobs and opportunities in the Chadstone, Monash and Dandenong areas.

“We look forward to a speedy implementation with wide operating hours and frequent seven-day service as befits a main

Picture: PETER PARKER/FIX 800

highway bus route.”

Last year, Infrastructure Victoria’s report recommended more weekend services for the 800 route as part of a call for faster and more frequent bus services to major centres and train stations.

It also recommended more direct links between Endeavour Hills and other activity centres.

IV also called for buses into Dandenong South’s industrial precinct, including links to Casey-Cardinia and Keysborough.

In other public transport news from the Budget, final-stage funding for the Metro Tunnel was announced, the Suburban Rail Loop is

continuing but the Airport Rail Link has been delayed for four years.

Public Transport Users Association spokesperson Daniel Bowen welcomed final-stage funding for the Metro Tunnel. A key question was its level of service when it opens in 2025, he said.

“The Metro tunnel is the government’s big chance to bring Melbourne’s rail system into the 21st century, and provide it with the all-day frequent services our growing city needs.

“If we get a shiny new tunnel but most people around the metro network are still waiting 20, 30, 40 minutes for a train, it will be a huge missed opportunity.”

Meanwhile, the Government announced the Suburban Rail Loop East section between Cheltenham and Box Hill was expected to cost up to $34.5 billion – including 11.8 billion from state funding. The latter was hoped to be matched by federal funding, and the rest of the funding from “value-capture sources”.

Transportinfrastructureoppositionspokesperson Craig Southwick said the Governmennt had hidden an up-to-$6.9 billion cost blowout on the SRL East project, with early works suffering a nine-month delay.

“Instead of being transparent with Victorians over their latest multi-billion-dollar cost blowout, Labor has buried the true cost of the SRL and cut or delayed other desperately needed rail projects to pay for it.

“Premier Jacinta Allan continues to put all our eggs in one basket, and communities across western Melbourne, growth corridors and regional Victoria continue to pay the price.”

toward prevention.

“We urge our governments to keep funding prevention because if we only focus on responding to family violence, we fail in addressing the roots of the problem.”

Australians ought to be “shocked and outraged” by the “national crisis with the increase of women being murdered every week”, Ms Smiley said.

As of 30 April, 28 women in Australia had been killed this year as a result of violence, according to Counting Dead Women Australia research.

A State Government spokesperson said last week that its “nation leading work to end family violence” included helping refugee, migrant and asylum seeker women overcome barriers in seeking help.

“We are making it easier for Victoria’s diverse communities to access help when they are victims of family violence with a range of measures such as funding Wellsprings for Women.”

Separate to the prevention programs, the Government last year allocated $788,000 over two years toWellsprings to support victim-survivors of family and sexual violence and work with perpetrators.

Budget breakdown

By Sahar Foladi

· Signalised pedestrian crossing at Stud and McFees roads Dandenong North

· Dandenong Hospital upgrade announced in 2023, includes expanded emergency department, new ICU and outpatient clinic. Still in planning stage, estimated to be completed by 2026-27.

· $535 million Monash Medical Centre redevelopment including expanded maternity care facilities, new operating suites and a new intensive care unit.

· Second stage of DandenongYouth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) upgrade underway

· Upgrades for Keysborough Gardens Primary School (estimated to be complete by 2025-26), Hallam Secondary College, Lyndhurst Secondary College and James Cook Primary School.

· A new Tech School in Dandenong announced last year is still set to go ahead. Estimated completion in 2026-27.

· A one-off $400 relief bonus payment for families at Government schools and eligible concession card holders at private schools

· New Sunday and expanded services on the route 800 bus from Dandenong and Chadstone.

A queue of commuters boards a Saturday bus service at Chadstone Shopping Centre. The 800 route’s services operate every 1-2 hours on Saturdays but is expected to run more frequently in an announced upgrade.

BUS

Lack of investment: GSEM

Advocacy group Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) has criticised the State Budget for a lack of investment in the region.

Fresh after hosting a jobs and skills summit on 3 May, GSEM chair Simon McKeon said “better direct budget support to help the region’s growth would have been a good budgetary investment”.

“The GSEM region is an important economic driver forVictoria.

“It is disappointing that there is not greater direct investment in the Greater South East Melbourne region.

“Relief for families is welcomed – but more needs to be done to support residents of Greater South East Melbourne.”

McKeon welcomed the $555 million into TAFE and training system but “more needs to be done to ensure that this investment is getting to those who need it.”

More investment in “critical transport infrastructure” was also required.

“GSEM understands the need for sensible economic management to address state debt, however growth cannot occur without the foundational building blocks of community and transport infrastructure,” McKeon said.

“We appreciate that hard decisions have had to be made but, nonetheless, we must prioritise policies and projects that provide jobs and economic growth.”

GSEM welcomed several Budget projects, including the continued Pakenham roads package as well as new schools and upgrades.

He also praised the proposed intersection upgrade on Stud Road Dandenong, the Monash Medical Centre redevelopment, the $5 million Growing Suburbs fund and continuing the planning for a renewable energy terminal at Port of Hastings.

It also praised the $71 million initiative to support young people complete their secondaryschool educations at TAFE.

GSEM includes eight council areas Cardinia, Mornington Peninsula, Casey, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Kingston, Knox and Monash.

GSEM chair Simon McKeon said more direct investment was required in the South East. 403587 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Tool thief begs for mercy

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A 34-year-old man has begged for “one more chance” after pilfering scores of power tools from tradies’ utes in car parks across the South East, a court has heard.

Travis Kenyon, of Cranbourne, pled guilty to more than 30 charges from a seven-month stealing spree in 2023 that netted about $78,000 of power saws, drills, multi-meters, drivers, nail guns, grinders, batteries, tower lights, handtools and similar equipment.

Kenyon preyed on 23 utes at day and at night, targeting Dandenong Plaza, Karingal Hub, Fountain Gate, Carrum Downs, Northland and Knox shopping centres.

Other targets were Sandhurst, Keysborough and Centenary Park golf courses, Dandenong and Cranbourne basketball stadiums and Chisholm Tafe campuses in Dandenong and Berwick.

Some others were parked at Sandhurst Motel,FrankstonRSL,HoytscinemasinFrankston and a Mornington Peninsula bottle shop.

The unemployed Kenyon would typically park next to the utes, access their rear canopies – forcing them open if they were locked - and take equipment worth up to $5000 at a time.

Despite being placed on four counts of bail

at his parents’ house and a night curfew in September 2023, he continued stealing up to his arrest in December.

His phone included photos of tools sent to seven would-be purchasers.

One of his victims recognised his power tools being sold on Facebook Marketplace by Kenyon’s associate.

The associate later told police he’d bought the tools from Kenyon for $350.

On 7 May, defence lawyer Vanda Hamilton told Dandenong Magistrates’ Court that Kenyon offended months after leaving a successful stint of residential drug rehab at Odyssey House.

He ran astray after accepting back his phone – with its list of criminal contacts, Ms Hamilton said.

He’d succumbed to “loneliness” and a need to “re-connnect”, and was now “remorseful” for his “very stupid behaviour”.

Ms Hamilton argued for Kenyon’s sentence to be deferred, in order for him to return to Odyssey.

He needed to “grapple” with a long-standing drug addiction that had “blighted his life, blighted his family’s life”.

Kenyon was coming to an age that he was young enough to turn his life around. But if he

didn’t, he’d be in and out of jail.

If he did well at Odyssey, she’d submit for a combination of 151 days already served in presentence remand and a community corrections order with “significant” volunteer work.

Dandenong magistrate Greg Connellan said Kenyon - who had served two jail and CCO sentences for similar offending - had thrown the victims’ lives into “chaos, if not into ruin”.

“These are small business people going about their daily lives ... their tools of trade disappear, their income disappears.”

Most tradies had relatively young families and carried the stress of managing their own business.

When Kenyon was charged and bailed in September 2023, he didn’t seek Odyssey’s support and continued to steal, Mr Connellan said.

“That’s my concern.

“Odyssey is a lot more comfortable than Port Phillip Prison but it’s what happens when he leaves.”

In response, Ms Hamilton argued that a CCO would support Kenyon after his release from Odyssey.

A police prosecutor submitted that Kenyon’s “prolific” thieving required “manifest denunciation” and further imprisonment.

United voice for diverse groups

More than 25 organisations have met in Hallam to raise a united voice for migrant communities.

The Multicultural Unity and Diversity Celebration forum, believed to be the first of its kind in Victoria, was hosted by South-Eastern Multicultural Community NetworkVictoria on Saturday 11 May.

The network was self-described as a “nonreligious, non-political, not-for-profit organization”.

Co-organiser Manoj Kumar of South Asian Public Affairs Council said Melbourne’s South East was seen as the “capital” of multicultural Australia.

The groups would “work together on one platform to voice the issues that matter most for migrant communities”.

“This forum will provide a great opportunity to listen to the unified voices of South-Eastern suburb communities and policymakers to get direct feedback and response.

“A summary report will be submitted to both the state and federal multicultural ministers and concerned departments for their information and follow-up.”

Mr Kumar said migrants faced difficulties such as family violence, mental health, financial uncertainty and employability due to policy changes on immigration, student visas and religious discrimination laws.

“Migrant communities see these policy changes may not make a difference and address the real situation.”

The forum was held at Hallam Senior Citizens Centre, with chief guest being Bruce MP Julian Hill.

“Compliance on a CCO is not too promising given his prior (offences).”

Pleading for “one more chance”, Kenyon told the court that he’d left Odyssey too early last time and “it all crumbled for me”.

“I really want this chance. I’m very remorseful – I know I shouldn’t have done what I done.”

Mr Connellan replied: “The word ‘remorseful’ for someone in your position isn’t a particularly convincing term.”

After holding his head in hand and pausing for 15 seconds, Mr Connellan asked Kenyon how long he’d stay at Odyssey this time.

“Two years – I need this for myself,” Kenyon said.

“Two years is nothing out of the rest of my life.”

Mr Connellan noted that he’d have to finalise the matter before he leaves the magistrate’s bench in March 2025.

He deferred Kenyon’s sentence and bailed Kenyon to re-enter Odyssey the next day.

Kenyon was ordered to remain at Odyssey until successful completion of his treatment.

If “all goes well” by early 2025, Kenyon was likely to receive a two year CCO with no further jail time, Mr Connellan said.

“You better be good to your word,” he warned.

Calls heeded

By Sahar Foladi

From page 1

“Obviously, they heeded the calls from community.”

As a resident of Dandenong, a high school teacher and now raising her own family of four in the municipality, Cr Formoso said the need for a Stud Rd pedestrian crossing was one of the main reasons she ran for Council in 2020.

“I feel like I’ve done something that is a legacy for my children, future generation and entire community.

“My kids are so proud and happy that I was able to deliver this alongside the community and the Labor Government.”

Residents including children have regularly bolted across the busy six-lane, 80km/h road to catch the bus into central Dandenong on the other side as well as to access the popular Dandenong Stadium, playground and floodplains parkland.

In 2018,VicRoads pledged to install pedestrian lights and review the speed limit after a pedestrian in her 50s was fatally struck while crossing to a nearby bus stop. As a SES volunteer, Cr Formoso was one of the first at the tragic scene of a two-yearboy who was fatally struck by a car as he tried to cross the road with his father on 17 December 2023 as reported previously by Star Journal.

Cr Formoso says once the road safety upgrades are built the community “will never see the tragedy like we saw in December ever again.”

After discussions with the Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne, the State Government decreased the speed on Stud Rd to 60km/h last month as an interim solution.

“I knew this was a tight budget but I knew once Minister Horne met with me and saw the severity of the issue there was no denying this project is for the necessity for the community,” Cr Formoso said.

She thanked Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams, council staff, engineering and planning team as well as Ms Horne for their advocacy and work towards the funding. MsWilliams described it as“a big win for the community who have advocated for this alongside me for many years”.

“I’m proud that we have been able to secure it, together.”

Ms Formoso says she understands the 2024-25 funding is for detailed design with the project to be built over the “next year or so”. Coinciding with National Road Safety Week, the council was lighting up The Drum theatre in yellow each night until Sunday 12 May, as part of the Shine a Light on Road Safety campaign.

Manoj Kumar, Sanjay Sharma and Nandhri joined the inaugural forum at Hallam. 403774 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Ruhul Singh, Nitesh Passi, Lee Tarlamis MP, Goldie Sandhu and Sawinder Pasricha at the forum on 11 May. 403774

Natasha Kaul, Mannie Kaur-Verma and Molina Asthana joined the inaugural event. 403774

Bashaiat Ahmed, Paria Butt and Dr Raju Adhikari at the Multicultural Unity and Diversity Celebration. 403774

‘No change’ to visa criteria

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A federal MP says there’s no change to the criteria preventing overseas relatives wishing to visit South East residents, despite claims of a spate of rejections.

Advocates have claimed that recent visitor-visa decisions made by the Immigration Department were “discriminatory” especially against applicants from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Cambodia and Pakistan.

It meant that family members were reportedly unable to visit Australian citizens and permanent residents for births, wedding, funerals and other significant occasions for between 3-12 months.

However Bruce MP Julian Hill said that they were “not political decisions – they are made by the Department independent of MPs”.

“Sometimes I agree the decisions are too tough, though they are difficult and on balance judgements the department has to make.”

Star Journal met with a distraught and overwhelmed pregnant mother-of-two and her husband, who was hoping that her overseas mother could visit to help her after the birth of her third child.

Her husband has given up work to help at home and do school runs. As a result, they are under immense financial pressure.

Such is their desperation, they’ve made three fruitless applications for visitor visas for a non-refundable fee of nearly $200 per time.

Mr Hill said there had been no change to the long-standing policy that applicants must meet the same “Genuine Temporary Entrant criteria”.

Applicants needed to “convince the department they only intend a short-term visit and will not overstay their visa”, he said.

“If an applicant is a citizen of a country where there is a serious civil unrest, political instability or other significant circumstances,

the Department may be less confident that a temporary visa-holder will return home prior to the expiry of their Australian visa.

“It’s important not to draw conclusions based on individual cases as the Department has to make decisions based on intelligence they receive, patterns for other visa holders and the actual evidence provided.

“They look at all sorts of things including the strength of family and economic incentives to return home, travel history and so on.”

Mr Hill said that after a “decade of decimation” of visa processing by the former Government, Labor had reduced the standard process-

ing time for visitor visa applications by more than 75 per cent.

Failed applications for visitor visas can be reviewed at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

But the reviews come at a cost of about $3500 and can take 1-2 years, according to refugee advocateWickiWickiramasingham.

Local residents’ pasts as asylum seekers arriving by boat 15 years ago are being unfairly weighed against them, he recently told Star Journal.

“These ‘boat people’ – you have detained them, released them, given them permanent protection, they become citizens and now you

stop their family visiting.

“They are being discriminated against, even though they are Australian citizens.

“If they still don’t have equal rights as others, then what’s the point (of being citizens)?”

Dandenong-based migration agent ThayhornYim agreed that it seemed discriminatory.

“They should be allowed to come here provided there’s no adverse information against them.

“It’s causing a lot of grief in the community. Especially after Covid-19 they want to reunite with their families.”

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Julian Hill says the visitor visa criteria remains the same and is not politically applied. 318937 Picture: ROB CAREW

Wicki Wickramasingham says overseas relatives of Australian citizens and permanent residents are being discriminated against. 202268 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Cup teams get their kicks

More than 200 primary school students from across the South East vied for the Paul Wade Cup at St John’s Regional College in Dandenong.

Sides from eight Catholic schools took to the outdoor and indoor fields at the Soccer Gala Day on 6 May.

The competing primary schools were St Mary’s Dandenong, St Paul Apostle North and South in Endeavour Hills, St Francis De Sales in Lynbrook, Holy Family Doveton, St Gerard’s in Dandenong North and St Kevin’s in Hampton Park.

The gala soccer day was named after former Socceroos captain Paul Wade, who is also an ex-student at St John’s college.

In the grand final, St Paul Apostle South won 3-0 against St Anthony’s, and was presented with the coveted trophy by St John’s principal Tim Hogan.

$1.3m upgrades for schools

Schools in Dandenong North and Endeavour Hills have shared more than $1.3 million in the latest round of federal upgrade funding.

Southern Cross Primary School will receive $903,962 to replace a hardcourt, retaining walls, fences and basketball and netball hoops from the Schools Upgrade Fund announced last month.

Lyndale Greens Primary School will be granted $428,656 to refurbish staff and student toilets, including painting and new stalling.

Bruce MP Julian Hill welcomed the “ter-

rific news for our community”.

“Lyndale Greens Primary School in Dandenong and Southern Cross Primary School in Endeavour Hills are thrilled they will receive substantial funding to build or upgrade critical infrastructure.

“By investing in upgraded school infrastructure, the Government is building a brighter future for local students and Australia, making a tangible difference to the dayto-day learning of students and teachers.”

As part of the funding round, Victorian public schools will receive more than $48 mil-

lion for infrastructure projects.

According to the Government, public schools with the greatest need are prioritized, including schools with high numbers of students from a low socio-economic background, First Nations students and students with disability.

The funding is set to be delivered this month.

Julian Hill welcomed $1.3 million-plus in infrastructure funding for Lyndale Greens and Southern Cross primary schools.

St Paul Apostle South Primary School players celebrate with the Paul Wade Cup.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Ethan from St. Francis de Sales Primary School, Lynbrook celebrates a goal 392098 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

St John’s Regional College principal Tim Hogan presents the trophy to St Paul Apostle South. Picture: SUPPLIED

St Gerard’s School and St Kevin’s Primary players battle indoors. 392098

A player from St Gerard’s School, Dandenong North shows his skill. 392098

An enthusiastic squad from Holy Family Primary School, Doveton. 392098 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Players from St Mary’s Primary School Dandenong show their strength. 392098

A St. Francis de Sales Primary School player jostles with a St Anthony’s Primary School player. 392098

We’re building big near you and there will be transport disruptions

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re easing congestion by building better roads and undertaking maintenance works in Melbourne’s south east. We’re also removing dangerous and congested level crossings and building the Metro Tunnel.

What we’re doing

In Cranbourne, over the coming months we’re working to open the new northbound lanes on Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, between Linsell Boulevard and Thompsons Road.

In Pakenham, we’ll open the new outbound Princes Freeway entry ramp at McGregor Road and start the final asphalting of Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road, between Greenhills and Manks roads.

In Berwick, we’ve started relocating underground services on Clyde Road, between Enterprise Avenue and Bemersyde Drive, before major work to transform the area starts later this year.

In June, the new Pakenham and East Pakenham stations will open to the community and trains will be running on the new 2.5 kilometre rail bridge.

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions

Pakenham Line 18 May to early JuneOn sections of the line

Road disruptions: Closed roads and lanes

Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East

Until mid 2024Between Berwick-Cranbourne Road and New Holland Drive

7am to 6pm, at times mid to late May

Ballarto Road, Carrum Downs and Skye

Camms Road, Cranbourne East

Between Thompsons Road and New Holland Drive

Until mid 2024 At McCormicks Road with detours and lanes closed at times between Boggy Creek and Dion Drive

Until mid 2024At Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road

Princes Freeway, Pakenham 7pm to 5am, 12 to 16 May

Cameron Street, Cranbourne East 7am to 5pm, at times mid to late May

Between McGregor and HealesvilleKoo Wee Rup roads

In sections between Berwick-Cranbourne Road and South Gippsland Highway

Station Street, Officer From 18 MayPermanently at the level crossing

McGregor Road, Pakenham 7am to 11.59pm, 19 May At Henry Road and Webster Way intersection

Henry Road, Pakenham 19 May to early July

Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road, Pakenham

At times, 16 May to late June

Between McGregor Road and Heritage Boulevard

In sections between Greenhills and Manks roads

NEWS Staying safe on the roads

Dandenong High School students got the low down on driver safety, especially in sharing the roads with trucks.

As part of the Road Safety Education Australia (RSEA) program RYDA, the group gathered at Sandown Greyhounds on 6 May to learn about the essential tools, habits and behaviours for keeping safe.

They heard from a cement-mixer driver from construction materials company Boral, and took a seat behind the wheel to learn about truck blind spots and their longer stopping speeds.

“It is essential to educate young drivers and equip them with the tools they need to stay safe on the road,” Boral asphalt executive general manager Tim Richards said.

“For us, this involves getting students up close to one of our trucks to see the road from a new perspective.

“Playing an active role in our partnership with Road Safety Education is a great experience for us and potentially life-changing lesson for the next generation of drivers.”

The event coincided with National Road Safety Week, which highlights the impact of road trauma and its prevention.

Traffic injury is the No.1 killer of Australian children under 15 and the second-biggest killer of Australians aged 15-24.

More than 735,000 students in Australia

LOOKING BACK

100 years ago

15 May 1924

The Power’s off

For months past, the expression “The power’s off,” has become a regular by-word in many establishments where the electric current is utilised, and thus Dandenong has received anything but a good advertisement at the hands of the Electricity Commission. It can be acknowledged that a great deal of work has been accomplished by the staff of men on the job of replacing poles and the necessary wiring: that necessarily there must be inconvenience to be put up with, but such interruptions have been against the interests of business people. It is not too much to expect that when the current is to be “cut off” notice should be given. But on Friday last this was not done and machines at the “Journal” office were out of action for several hours. The local authorities were informed that the work in hand was almost completed, and within a month to six weeks, the supply would be obtained from Yallourn, which means that in the near future a greatly improved electric light service will be available.

50 years ago

and New Zealand have taken part in RYDA, which has been running for two years.

RSEA chief executive Terry Briss said the program aimed to save young lives on the road.

“We need to do more than just teach a young person the skill of controlling and manoeuvring a vehicle.

“We must also equip them with the skill of critical thinking and appreciation for safety on shared roads.”

RYDA is supported by governments, charities, businesses and individual donors.

Dandenong Stadium - the home of a financiallystricken Dandenong Basketball Association in 2019. Greater Dandenong Council later created a company South East Leisure to operate the stadium and its aquatic centres. 289678

Picture: GARY SISSONS

14 May 1974

A night of ‘firsts’ for pupils

It was a night of “firsts” at Dandenong Technical College last week. The first time the college has held an apprentice award night in the form of a cabaret dinner-dance, the first

time a girl apprentice has received a special mention, and the first-time liquor has been bought into the college assembly hall. Trade instructor, Mr Barry Gannon, who organised the evening said: “it was the first time we had liquor here and the apprentices behaved with great decorum.” Andrew Fraser, 22, fitting and machining technician of Ross Street Dandenong, was presented with a bronze medallion, made in the college’s art and engineering department. A former head prefect at the college in 1969, he was named “outstanding apprentice of the year. A special mention went to Miss Karen Polgaise, 18, a secondyear motor mechanic apprentice, who is on the staff at John Ould Motors of Armadale.

20 years ago

10 May 2004

Lighting the way to Athens glory

Two Greater Dandenong residents have been chosen to run in the Olympic Torch relay in Melbourne next month. Lovell “Jim” Maynard, 72 of Springvale, and Nick Walsh, 29 of Noble Park are among 68 people who will run with the torch in Melbourne on June 5, on its way to Athens. For Mr Maynard, it makes up for the bitter disappointment of missing out on carrying the flame in the 1956 Melbourne

Olympics because he was not an amateur athlete. A top professional sprinter in his youth, Mr Maynard was serving as a petty officer in the navy when offered a position in the 1956 torch relay. “It was strictly amateur in those days and I had to sign a statutory declaration to say that I hadn’t been involved professionally. I didn’t want to run the risk of being court-marshalled by falsifying a stat dec, so I forfeited my chance.”

5 years ago

13 May 2019

Boss blackballed

The region’s iconic and financially-pressured Dandenong Basketball Association has replaced CEO Graeme Allan. It marks some upheaval at the top of the giant sporting association, which hosts three national teams, 42 state-league teams and 800 domestic sides a week. The new chief executive, Stephen Walter is well known for leading Knox Basketball from near receivership to profit. At an open meeting, two months ago, DBA revealed its financial woes to members. Members were told that action needed to be taken for the DBA to recover from a “perilous” state, a member said.

Good in character leads to immaculate before the public

By Ursula Aruma of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation

Message of Hope is always a good time to remind people that renunciation - in many areas of life, has benefits for the mind, body, the health and for reaching the objectives of life. God is the source of prosperity and power. But man ignores God who is the very basis of his life and his mind becomes a bundle of worldly and never-ending desires.

He is only interested in grabbing and grasping and full of extrovert qualities resulting in the promotion of hatred, envy, greed, and jealousy.

On the journey of spiritual progress, it is vital to perform one’s duties with a spirit of dedication and devotion to God.

This in turn will reward man with divine qualities of love and compassion and an urge to serve the less fortunate.

His mind is free from mental worries and he can live a life of peace and harmony.

Sacrificing some things in life, instead of pursuing material comforts.

Also offering the sacrifices we make with divine attributes, so that it will be beneficial for our spiritual upliftment.

We must try ceaselessly to tread this path and reach the goal, by performing one’s duty

and action without interest in the fruits of action.

It does not mean that the doer has no right for the fruit, the doer has a right for the fruit but he should not selfishly desire the fruit.

The results that the deed yields should be considered instead.

The best way to follow the path of renunciation is to keep the company of good and godly, and performing all actions with a pure heart. Be good in character, that you will make you immaculate before the public.

Enquiries regarding the Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong: administration@ interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

Ursula Aruma writes on the benefits of being of good character.

Dandenong High School students learn about safely sharing the roads with trucks as part of the RYDA program.

Dandenong High School students enjoyed learning about road safety and even had the chance to sit behind the wheel.

FOCUS ON … VOLUNTEER WEEK

Volunteering is rewarding

Volunteering is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. There are many opportunities available where your skills, experience, and wisdom can make a significant impact. Here are some ideas to consider:

Mentoring: Offer your time to mentor younger individuals or even peers who may benefit from your guidance and expertise. Many organizations, schools, and community programs are always in need of mentors.

Tutoring: Help children or adults in your community with their education. You could volunteer at local schools, libraries, or community centers to assist with homework help, literacy programs, or adult education classes.

Senior Centres: Many senior centres have volunteer programs where you can help organise activities, lead classes or workshops, or simply

spend time socializing with other seniors.

Nonprofit Organisations: There are countless nonprofit organizations that rely on volunteers to carry out their missions.You could volunteer at a food bank, animal shelter, hospital, environmental organization, or any cause that you’re passionate about.

Virtual Volunteering: If mobility or health issues make it difficult for you to volunteer in person, consider virtual volunteering opportunities. You could provide online tutoring, assist with social media management for non-profits, or participate in virtual support groups.

Remember to choose volunteer opportunities that align with your interests, skills, and schedule.

National Volunteer Week 2024

The theme is to Celebrate Service – an opportunity to shine a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve. To all the volunteers in the South-East, thank you so much for volunteering during these challenging and uncertain times. Volunteers like you make a vital contribution to our community, for which we are forever grateful.

Volunteering not only benefits others but also provides a sense of purpose within your community.

Local community Landcare groups are always in need of volunteers to plant trees.

Volunteering not only benefits others but also provides a sense of purpose within your community.

Recognition of barriers

By Ethan Benedicto

Acknowledgement was the key factor being discussed during GSEM’s barriers to work panel for youth, women and culturally diverse communities on Friday 3 May.

Four speakers were present to deliver the panel, providing insight into lived experiences from their struggles and reaching the bottom line of recognising that not everyone fits into the same mould is the first crucial step to breaking these barriers.

Mel Godinho Flores, foundation coordinator of MEGT Australia who has personal experience of family violence and AOD, said that a main hindering factor of the learning model of Australia is that there is little to no recognition of people’s capabilities, “our learning journey isn’t linear, the line isn’t straight”.

“I think our education and training system makes the assumption that everyone has a normalised education from Prep to Year 12, and that will fit into this normal line.

“As adult learners, it is probably harder than normalising youth and adolescent learning, because as we get older we break out into our electives or our chosen fields of interest [but] everyone’s a variance,” she said.

Nikita Rogers, a Holmesglen student and student teacher at Monash was diagnosed with autism when she was three and further diagnosed with intellectual disability when she was four.

She had difficulty in her early years of education, having moved to five different schools since there wasn’t a model that could cater to her learning capabilities.

“My first two schools were special schools

and when I went up to Year 6, my second school, I tested two points over the criteria and this is where things got complicated.

“I moved to a mainstream high school and out of all my school years, it was probably one of the hardest for me because at that time I didn’t know what special and mainstream was – I thought school was school,” she said.

Ms Rodgers has found solid footing as a person with high-functioning autism not just

in her workplace, but also as a member of society - having acquired her licence, gaining employment and attending panels such as the GSEM sessions despite her social anxiety.

Rebecca Packer, a Bachelor of Social Work student at Deakin University, and according to her having a “collection [and] a bigger pile of chronic diagnoses” is not what “most workplaces would consider a standard diversity”.

“The way one of my employers in the past

explained was that they know how to work with autism and they know how to work with ADHD, and with wheelchairs, but it was a combination of the two.

“I think the starting point is acknowledging the barriers, I feel as if a lot of places, when it comes to even disclosing some of these barriers, don’t quite understand how to even approach it.

“Are we listening to the people who are accessing the services that are being funded for mental education and understanding their experience? Are we listening to the voices of those who are actually using the space?” she said. Nathan Carolus, a youth adviser at the Brotherhood of St Laurence said he “found a real passion for community service” and continues to work to find ways to support those struggling with barriers to work, but even so feels “as if my hands are tied a bit”.

“I feel as if I’m locked into work as much as I can so I can sustain myself, as much as I would like to study further and go for that career development opportunities, I just feel like I’m locked in,” he said. For Ms Rogers, her “disability is silent, so I’m here to share my experience with autism and high-functioning autism, to spread awareness about being in a grey area in such a black and white world”.

Kit McMahon, CEO of Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) who also led the panel, summarised the discussion as that there is “no norm”.

“We need to create more spaces for the grey, and understand that it’s not a binary world,” she said.

‘Hollowed-out’ economy warning amid manufacturing shift

By Violet Li

Manufacturing industry advocacies are calling for the government to collaborate with and “catalyse” the sector to boost economic productivity.

In a panel discussion to understand future workforce needs in Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) at the GSEM Jobs and Skills Summit on Friday 3 May, professor Danny Samson at the University of Melbourne said Australia was increasingly moving towards being a hollowed-out economy as manufacturing was moved to low-cost countries.

Professor Samson has areas of expertise that include manufacturing and operation strategy, sustainable development, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).

He pointed out that Australia ranked 93 among 133 countries in the Harvard Economic Complexity Index which measures the richness and depth of the economy, wedged between Uganda and Pakistan. This was driven by a lack of diversification of exports.

“I think that it’s not good enough for us to continue down that path [mining and agricultural],” he said.

“We do need to get back into doing what the world’s best economies do, the richest economies do, which is that government works with [manufacturing] industry, catalyses what’s going on, and helps them [by making the rules for business easy and friendly as opposed to difficult].”

He said the manufacturing industry in the region needed to pick up its focus.

“We look at what we’ve got. We look at our current assets. We look at our current competitive advantage. We look at trends going forward. We look at the tech that we need, the skills that we need, and come up with a focused answer to the question: what should our strategy be?” he said.

“We need to have what the world’s best economies have, which is the government and business work government at all levels, and business work very close together to achieve that outcome in a focused way.”

Panellist Dr Martin Schlegel, who has 25 years of international experience in the manufacturing industry across novel materials, technology, and R&D commercialisation, said the Queensland Government provided an example of bringing a focused approach to its

policy framework.

“Australia has a quantum technology policy, an industry policy for an emerging technology that probably will be available to us in a useful and affordable way in about 10 years,” he said.

“What the Queensland Government has done is that on the back of that technology gap, they developed a strategy and some tactics, and they focus. They say that they are going to apply only in this and this and that area.

“They disregard everything else because that focus will allow them to bundle their limited resources to attract the talent that they need for these, to support the initiatives that are in their various sectors.

“All other things will leave out.”

Julie Stevens, partner engagement and activation lead at Cremorne Digital Hub, said at the panel that government, community, industrial, and education partners should come together to see what future skills would be needed in the manufacturing industry and use those to underpin the future workforce.

“We can’t do it in our silos, in our manufacturing plants, in our educational institutions… The best way to do it is just to adopt that approach of piloting things, seeing what sticks, and then leveraging the funding that’s available to help scale those and building those nodes of industry in the region,” she said.

“It has to be about building economic productivity.”

Manufacturing industry advocacies gather at the GSEM Jobs and Skills Summit on Friday 3 May to discuss the future workforce needs in the region.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Jana Perera, director commercial and business development of future skills at Monash College and Dr Martin Schlegel, principal, Chemneera Pty Ltd and executive chair of the ASTN – Australian Sports Technologies Network.

The speakers at the Barriers to Work panel, from left to right: Nathan Carolus, Nikita Rogers, Mel Godinho Flores and Rebecca Packer. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Mel (second to right) and Rebecca (far right) delved into the hardships of women, those with disability and those from culturally diverse backgrounds in finding work.

Nathan (left) is a youth adviser at BSL; Nikita (right) is a Holmesglen student and a student teacher at Monash, both speaking on their experiences and addressing employment difficulties.

Breaking down barriers

By Violet Li

As female unemployment remains concerning in the South East region, manufacturing industry representatives are advocating for ways to break down the barriers for women - particularly from culturally diverse communities.

Among the options presented at a Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) summit were adaptive shift hours, promoting manufacturing career options to female students and enlightening employers.

In a panel at the GSEM Jobs and Skills Summit on Friday 3 May, Courteney Munn, project officer of Women in Manufacturing at the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union Victorian Branch (AMWU), said the industry certainly needed more women going into different roles with the old heavy lifting fading out and more sophisticated equipment coming in.

“When I look at the manufacturing industry as a whole in Victoria, and we look at the roles that women are predominantly filling at the moment, it is the production line, casual, minimum wage sorts of jobs,” she said.

“Why aren’t we getting women into operators, robotics?”

Ms Munn found that a lot of mature age women interested in welding and equipped with a degree, predominantly migrant women, were not able to find work when she was running programs out in the southeast.

“We need to really start hammering down out in the schools, making sure that young women know about these sorts of careers,” she said.

“And then also having our industry become a bit more accommodating and flexible so that women can actually take up roles.”

Ms Munn pointed out shift hours should be made more adaptive for women.

“We look at the manufacturing industry, and it’s evolved like crazy over the last 20 years. We’re seeing new technology. It’s safer. We’re seeing guarding of pretty much everything. But we look at shift flexibility, and it just hasn’t changed,” she said.

“We’re stuck with the day, afternoon, and night shift, and that’s pretty much it.

“And we’ve seen out at Jayco. They’ve actually started to look a bit more broadly. They’re offering part-time shifts now, and that’s espe-

cially worked across the day shift.

“They’ve split that in two. So you might have 7am to 11am for one person, and then 11am till 3pm for the next person. It’s as easy as that to make this industry a bit more accommodating for them.”

A GSEM report released late in 2022 reveals that the 10-year average female unemployment rate in the South East region is one percentage point higher than the Greater Melbourne average, equating to roughly 2,000 extra unemployed women per year.

Panelist Daniel Prins, project manager at Chisholm Institute, is running an engineering project in collaboration with Jobs Victoria to

help people get into entry-level roles in manufacturing in the South East.

“Those people are from various disadvantaged cohorts with barriers to employment… We’ve placed 97 people into ongoing employment in the South East, which is a phenomenal effort, but the challenge around placing similarly equipped males and similarly equipped females is considerable,” he said.

Mr Prins said education was needed for employers.

“The 18-year-old blonde-hair blue-eyed Cert-to-Year-12 car-and-licensed-driving person doesn’t just walk in off the street to your business anymore,” he said.

“If you’re still longing for those days, your business will not succeed.

“You need to open your mind and open your eyes to see that doesn’t matter what these people look like, what backgrounds they come from. There are people from every walk of life that can have a positive impact on your business.

“It’s amazing how many of those conversations in greater detail we had to have with employers across the whole South East of Melbourne in order for them to take on people that didn’t look like what they thought an apprentice, or an entry-level role position should look like.”

Invest in workforce education, industry leaders urge

By Violet Li

Education and businesses in the South East Melbourne region should work together to invest in the local workforce, as Australia transitions to a net zero economy, industry leaders say.

A panel discussion at the GSEM Jobs and Skills Summit explored how the South East could be innovative and capitalise on emerging opportunities during the transition.

Honi Walker, chief executive officer of South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA), said it would take manufacturers a lot to transition to a wholly renewable sector.

“Skills are lacking for manufacturers in that space. And we need more people for it,” she said.

“We will need to have some kind of concession or carryover program because we can’t just switch it (fossil-fuel power) off.”

While more targeted skilled migrants were brought up in the discussion to help businesses transition more quickly, panelist Simon McKeon AO, the GSEM chair and Monash University chancellor, believed the starting point should be “who we have here today” and the industry should make it clear to education institutions what it needs from them.

“Every other educational establishment, whether it’s primary, secondary, tertiary, is up for the same challenge because there is an urgency to produce the people that we need in the future,” he said.

“Let’s sort of mature and work out how can we get the best out of what we have. For goodness’s sake, we’re going to be a great place for all sorts of people who want to

come here from overseas.

“My own bias and prejudice in this case though is that we ought to be very careful about just doing it on the easy basis of getting someone who’s already been trained overseas.

“I think we owe it to this world to roll up our sleeves and admit more than our fair share of refugees, and people that are tough. They just come here with a sheer desire to contribute.

“We need to spend money on their training.”

Emma Dawson, executive director of public policy think tank Per Capita, said rein-

vestment in TAFE, technical education, and micro-credentials was important and businesses should work together with them to facilitate the learning.

“We used to have a pathway where you finish school, you went and got a trade qualification, and then you had a secure job.We’ve removed too much of that for people,” she said.

She made an example of working and learning models in the State Electricity Commission (SEC) in the 1930s.

“The employers were hand in glove right through with educational institutions, particularly in those post-war eras,” she said.

“In Yallourn, where the SEC was located, there were two or three TAFEs in Gippsland, and apprentices would work at the SEC and then do one or two days a week of their TAFE.

“Those kinds of hybrid training on the job models really need to come back to the floor for this transition to the next economy.”

Ms Dawson also believed that businesses should make some investment in their workforce.

“What we’ve seen over recent years is this expectation that businesses will get jobready candidates. They won’t need any training or any investment,” she said.

“Government [should] incentivise business participation here. One example is, say, if you don’t spend a certain amount of your profit or revenue on training your staff, then you can pay a levy to a government fund that will provide the training for them, and they might leave your company and go somewhere else.

“Keeping those also gives business the opportunity to invest in their local workforce, to keep their workforce loyal to the region.

“So a lot of these government instruments that are being developed at the State and Federal level can be leveraged specifically to form partnerships between local training organisations and businesses that are interested in that skill space,” she said.

“This also then gives young people the confidence and the hope to put down roots, to buy a house in this region, to start a family in this region, and to then continue to build a life.

“And we’ve done these things in the past. We just need to bring some of the old-fashioned thinking back to bed.”

Simon McKeon (GSEM chair), Emma Dawson ( executive director of Per Capita), Honi Walker (CEO, SEMMA) and Michael Rowland (MC). 403587

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Manufacturing industry representatives gather at the GSEM Jobs and Skills Summit on Friday 3 May to deep dive into skill demands and trends in the sector. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Daniel Prins, Chisholm Institute, project manager – Jobs Victoria Engineering Project.

Hacia Atherton (left), founder and CEO, Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) and Couteney Munn (right), project officer – Women in Manufacturing, AMWU Victorian branch.

BUSINESS IN FOCUS

Dress the Drum Theatre

Greater Dandenong City Council is calling for expressions of interest to create a temporary artwork to enrich the façade of the Drum Theatre.

The Inside Out Public Art Commission Project is an exciting opportunity for artists to create a visually captivating, site-specific artwork that will reveal the Drum’s inner creativity on its outer shell.

Situated in the heart of Dandenong, the Drum Theatre opened in 2006 in the building

that served as the original Dandenong Town Hall (originally opened in 1890). The iconic landmark now sports a red ‘drum’ that is the core of the theatre building.

The Drum Theatre engages with artists and the community to host more than 200 performances and events for over 40,000 visitors each year. The Drum hosts everything from professional touring productions to local theatrical performances, community presentations and art exhibitions.

Don't Miss a Beat: Catch the Latest Shows at The Drum

Celebrating the Songs of Paul McCartney Thursday 20 June, 10.30am Opera Australia: La Bohème Friday 12 July, 7.30pm Saturday 13 July, 7.30pm Learn

Council invites proposal from artists, art collectives or designers to create the largescale artwork while addressing the cultural and creative parts of our community. The artwork should captivate the audience and evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity, pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms.

The temporary artwork is expected to become a landmark in its own right, while visually telling a story of the engaging experiences and vibrant programming that take place inside the theatre.

Greater Dandenong City Council is committed to celebrating our vibrant arts community, including through the installation of temporary and permanent public art across our municipality.

Inside Out will bring this public art program to one of our most iconic local buildings in one of our busiest city precincts.

Expressions of interest are open until 3 June 2024. Visit drum.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/ drum-facade-expression-interest for more information.

FOCUS ON … EDUCATION WEEK

Let strengths shine

Holy Family Primary School Doveton has partnered with St John’s College and Dandenong City Soccer Club, to run a Soccer Academy every Wednesday.

This collaboration has seen students use their athletic strengths and receive high quality professional coaching, with a focus on skill development, fitness and teamwork.

One of the school’s Communication Leaders, Emil, said that the soccer experience ‘is extremely challenging, but that is what makes it fun’.

In recognition of students’ different inter-

ests, an Art Academy was created for students who had a passion for the arts. The school celebrated the impressive art talent around the school with a special Mother’s Day Art Show.

It was wonderful seeing the special people in our students’ lives come through the school, with smiles that the shared experience of viewing the art provided. Senior Communication Leader, Rudy, said the Art Show ‘brought the community together and felt like a celebration’.

Whilst it is important to nurture talent, the priority of the school is for the students to fo-

cus on their best. The students explore their different talents, which are supported through the Chess, Performing Arts and Cooking Clubs that the school provides. Everyone is unconditionally worthy and special.

The school is about to embark on a new partnership with Stephanie Alexander Garden, focusing on growing food that can be used in the school’s growing Breakfast Club.

With so much happening, alongside strong academic and wellbeing foci, now is a great time to call 9791 1853 and book a Principal’s personal tour of this wonderful school. Mara, Year 6.

Staying safe online: Risk and dangers to watch out

Connecting with family and friends online can be fun and exciting, but it also comes with some risks.

Find out what these are and what you can do to stay safe online.

What are the risks?

Here are some of the risks and dangers to look out for:

· Privacy – your personal information could be seen by anyone, anywhere. It could be viewed by friends, family and strangers.

· Permanency – once something is posted it can stay online for a long time, even when comments or photos are deleted.

· Grooming – there are people who try to talk with children and young people online in an attempt to have sexual contact. This is against the law.

· Identity fraud – people can gather enough information about a person to steal their

identity. They can use this to do illegal things like steal your money or commit crimes under your name. It could also be used to create fake profiles to ruin someone’s reputation or to bully others.

· Trolling – this is when someone misuses social websites to cause conflict or harm to an individual or group.

Catfishing – a person can pretend to be someone they’re not by stealing a profile or creating a fake one. They can use this profile to trick people over a long period of time.

How can I protect my personal information?

It is important not to share your: address or location, phone number, school or work, sporting clubs or groups that you’re in, passwords, bank details.

Helpful hints to stay safe online

There are a few simple things you can do to try to keep safe online:

· Be careful of requests – only accept ‘friend’ requests from people you know in real life.

· Block anyone you’ve had contact with that was negative or unsafe.

· Think before you upload and share photos.

· Think carefully about sharing links to other sites.

· Keep your online friends online – never agree to meet someone you’ve only known online on your own. Take one of your parents with you and meet in a public place. If they are who they say they are, they’ll be happy to do this.

· Think about your privacy – avoid sharing personal information online that could be misused by someone in real life.

· Protect your identity – pick a username that isn’t your real name and a profile picture that doesn’t show any personal information.

· Sexting – keep sexting laws in mind when taking photos and sending or receiving images.. Courtesy: kidshelpline.com.au

· Be mindful of what you write to others –you never know who will read these comments and how they might interpret them.

The online world can be fun and risky for children.

FOCUS ON … EDUCATION WEEK

Tips to pick right school

Parents want to make great choices for their children, including the difficult choice of what school will be the best for their child.

As a former teacher, mother of four and daughter of a school principal, I want to share three ideas as you embark on this journey.

Start by considering what you want for your child within the context of the “Big Picture”

Consider what is most important to you and your family. Your child is going to learn a view of the world from their school’s focus, teachers and fellow students. This view will influence the way your child responds to life, the skills and capabilities they develop and their learning opportunities.

To assist, write down your thoughts regarding what you value and consider most important – what are the not negotiables? Write down subjects you want available, learning opportunities, experiences and the values that are important to you.

Know your child – it is important to know your child and your child’s needs

For your child to thrive, you must consider your child’s interests, needs, personality, and temperament. Consider if your child will thrive with a more tailored education to suit a specific need or interest they may have and how the school may support this. Also, does your child have any special learning needs and will the school be able to support them?

You may also want to think about how your child functions in a social learning environment and the type of support the school will provide to your child to help them learn and settle into the environment. For example, does the school provide for the type of social skills and influences you would like?

Not every child or teenager will be happy at school all the time. Life is full of ups and downs

and schools are filled with highs and lows. However, if your child is constantly unhappy, lonely or feeling unsupported, bullied or simply not learning, you may need to consider if it is time to change schools.

The “vibe” is still important in the school selection process.

My mother’s words of wisdom helped me to select a school for my first child. She encouraged me to drive around and visit the

learning spaces I was considering and said that I would know the right place when I walked in – she was right!

While you can begin a search online and look at advertisements and brochures, one of the best ways to decide is for you is to visit the school, talk to the teachers, school leaders and principal. You will get a feel for the school’s focus, learning environment and facilities. Family and friends can also provide valuable input.

What’s right for your child is unique. Hopefully, your child will make friends, enjoy school and learn what matters most, so they can achieve and be their best in the next phase of their life.

I wish you well on your journey!

- Ann-Marie Hermans MLC Member for

South-Eastern Metropolitan Region.

Some tips for selecting a school for your child.

FOCUS ON … EDUCATION WEEK

Our values

An exciting change is happening at Hallam Senior College. The College has begun the process of being reorganised and expanded to cater for the growing demand in Melbourne’s south-east and provide families with a quality local school for their entire secondary schooling journey. The school has been renamed Hallam Secondary College and will progressively move to a Year 7-12 school over the next three years.

Through our Values (Achievement, Care and Equity) we will ensure every student learns and achieves with the knowledge, skills and dispositions for lifelong learning while assisting them to be ready to take their place as positive contributors to their local and global community. Everything we do is focused on identifying and maximising individual potential, through the use of the very best tried and tested teaching and learning practice within a supportive and caring environment.

Our mission is to provide a comprehensive and guaranteed high quality education program that ensures ‘Success for All’.

Our aim is to create a school which is:

· a true learning community

· a place students wish to attend, staff want to work and parents feel welcome

· fulfilling student potential and,

· preparing students for life beyond school

As a small to medium size secondary school we have the advantage of being able to know every learner as an individual.

Despite being a smaller secondary the new school will have an extensive range of Senior Pathways available to our students including VCE (both traditional Academic and the new Vocational Major), the highly regarded Sports

Academy in Years 10 to 12 and access to the largest VET provision of any school in the Region. A multiple pathway approach provides opportunities for all students. Whatever the next step, students finishing at Hallam Secondary College will have formed a clear sense of what they want to achieve and the pathway to this outcome. Students work closely with the staff, professional course advisors and experts from industry to shape their choices.

Staff are committed to student success.

The quality of our teaching and support staff is excellent, making a significant difference to student outcomes. Targeted enhancement programs across the Academy structure assists students to reach their potential.

Appreciating and embracing different backgrounds, cultures and identities is built into our school curriculum and celebrated through specific community events.

Our College has a reputation for challenging students to be involved in a range of activities which help shape them as a learner and active community member. We expect our students to work hard, be involved in the wide range of extra curricula activities and be active members of the local community

and global community. Everything we do is focused on identifying and maximising individual potential through the use of the very best tried and tested teaching and learning practice within a supportive and caring environment.

Meet the Principal

Pam Robinson

Lyndale Secondary College, situated in Dandenong North, Melbourne, is a distinguished and forward-thinking secondary college with a proud history since its founding in 1961. Over the years, the college has remained steadfast in providing high-quality education to a diverse student body. Our commitment extends to cultivating a vibrant community that actively champions inclusion and celebrates diversity, fostering collaboration between educators and learners to instil essential 21st-century skills.

Our school takes pride in its forward-thinking approach, boasting state-of-the-art facilities, including the only Victorian Government School Augmented Reality Immersive Technology Laboratory. This innovative space is where inspiration meets cutting-edge technology, shaping the promising futures of our students.

At Lyndale Secondary College, our mission is to inspire and equip the next generation with the skills and knowledge essential for thriving in an ever-changing world. We’ve adapted our classrooms to cater to digital learners, featuring an Augmented Immersive Technology Classroom seamlessly integrating advanced technology into traditional learning environments. Aligned with the Victorian Curriculum and Senior Certificate, this immersive experience transforms abstract ideas into tangible learning, nurturing a profound understanding and passion for knowledge.

Investing in both learning and well-being, we empower students with the tools to navigate current challenges and cultivate the innovation and leadership needed for tomorrow. Our Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) program offers high-achieving students a rigorous curriculum, individualized support, and guidance from experienced teachers, fostering a love for learning and positive environments. By joining the SEAL program, students unlock their potential, gaining a valuable education for future success.

We extend a warm invitation for you to explore Lyndale Secondary College by contacting us at 9795 2366 to book a tour. Join us in shaping a future of excellence for your child.

‘Most wanted’ crackdown

Crime Stoppers Victoria has launched a targeted blitz on Casey’s 14 ‘most wanted’ persons.

CSV chief executive Stella Smith said information was sought from the public to track down the 14 who are wanted on multipleVictoria Police warrants.

“Everyone has a part to play in keeping the

Dylan WATSON

AGE: 34

HEIGHT: 180 cm

BUILD: Solid

EYES: Blue

HAIR: Brown

COMPLEXION: Fair

· Dylan Watson is wanted by police for theft, criminal damage, and driving whilst suspended.

· Five warrants have been issued for his arrest.

· Watson is known to frequent the Berwick area.

Reference number: WTD2439

Brodie IDE

AGE: 30

HEIGHT: 175 cm

BUILD: Medium

EYES: Brown

HAIR: Brown

COMPLEXION: Fair

· Brodie Ide is wanted by police for failing to answer bail, contravening a community corrections order and unlicensed driving.

· Six warrants have been issued for his arrest.

· Ide is known to frequent the NarreWarren area.

Reference number: WTD2440

community safe and this is a way that people living in the Casey area can help.

“We are asking people in Casey, do you know any of these wanted persons? Share what you know with Crime Stoppers.”

Even the smallest piece of information on the wanted persons could help lead to a conviction, Ms Smith said.

Alex SPIRIDON AGE: 37

HEIGHT: 170 cm

BUILD: Solid

EYES: Brown

HAIR: Bald

COMPLEXION: Fair

· Alex Spiridon is wanted by police for failing to answer bail, driving whilst suspended, and unlicensed driving.

· Seven warrants have been issued for his arrest.

· Spiridon is known to frequent the Endeavour Hills area.

Reference number: WTD2320

“Your information, even if you are not 100 per cent sure, could be the missing piece of the puzzle that helps investigators solve a crime.”

Ms Smith said she understood that people could feel anxious about providing information.

“We want to remind the community that Crime Stoppers is a confidential crime reporting service that does not require you to provide your personal details.”

Corey PORTEOUS AGE: 27

HEIGHT: 180 cm

BUILD: Medium

EYES: Green

HAIR: Blonde

COMPLEXION: Fair

· Corey Porteous is wanted by police for contravening a community corrections order, theft of a motor vehicle, and obtaining financial advantage by deception.

· Seven warrants have been issued for his arrest.

· Porteous is known to frequent the Clyde area.

Reference number: WTD2438

Daniel KERKVLIET

AGE: 32

HEIGHT: 185 cm

BUILD: Thin

EYES: Blue

HAIR: Brown

COMPLEXION: Fair

· Daniel Kerkvliet is wanted by police for careless driving and driving whilst disqualified.

· Six warrants have been issued for his arrest.

· Kerkvliet is known to frequent the Hampton Park area.

Reference number: WTD2437

Any information on the listed persons to Crime Stoppers at crimestoppersvic.com.au or on 1800 333 000.

Jade HOMAN

AGE: 34

HEIGHT: 165 cm

BUILD: Thin

EYES: Blue

HAIR: Blonde

COMPLEXION: Fair

· Jade Homan is wanted by police for drug driving and refusing to accompany police for an oral fluid test.

· Five warrants have been issued for her arrest.

· Homan is known to frequent the Berwick area.

Reference number: WTD2436

Zynal HASSAN

AGE: 35

HEIGHT: 180 cm

BUILD: Medium

EYES: Brown

HAIR: Black

COMPLEXION: Tanned

· Zynal Hassan is wanted by police for intentionally causing injury, theft, and handling

· stolen goods.

· Seven warrants have been issued for his arrest.

· Hassan is known to frequent the Hallam area.

Reference number: WTD2441

Fair

· Matthew Beverley is wanted by police for contravening a community corrections order, recklessly causing injury, and drink-driving.

· Five warrants have been issued for his arrest.

· Beverley is known to frequent the Cranbourne area.

Reference number: WTD2434

Collis ERNSTZEN

AGE: 39

HEIGHT: 170 cm

BUILD: Solid

EYES: Brown

HAIR: Black

COMPLEXION: Olive

· Collis Ernstzen is wanted by police for threatening to inflict serious injury, criminal damage, and driving whilst suspended.

· Seven warrants have been issued for his arrest.

· Ernstzen is known to frequent the Narre Warren and Berwick areas.

Reference number: WTD2156

Bradley BEAVEN

AGE: 49

HEIGHT: 183 cm

BUILD: Medium

EYES: Blue

HAIR: Grey

COMPLEXION: Fair

· Bradley Beaven is wanted by police for contravening a community corrections order, possessing a prohibited weapon, and possessing cannabis.

· Four warrants have been issued for his arrest.

· Beaven is known to frequent the Endeavour Hills area.

Reference number: WTD2443

Rachael DOCKERY

BALLARD

AGE: 27

HEIGHT: 172 cm

BUILD: Thin

EYES: Brown

HAIR: Brown

COMPLEXION: Fair

· Rachael Dockery Ballard is wanted by police for possessing an imitation firearm, handling stolen goods, and possession of a prohibited weapon.

· Ten warrants have been issued for her arrest.

· Dockery Ballard is known to frequent the Cranbourne North area.

Reference number: WTD2383

Brendan MOORE

AGE: 36

HEIGHT: 175 cm

BUILD: Medium

EYES: Brown

HAIR: Brown

COMPLEXION: Fair

· Brendan Moore is wanted by police for theft, possessing cannabis, and possessing a prohibited weapon.

· Nine warrants have been issued for his arrest.

· Moore is known to frequent the Narre Warren area.

Reference number: WTD2144

Josh DENTITH

AGE: 36

HEIGHT: 175 cm

BUILD: Thin

EYES: Blue

HAIR: Blonde

COMPLEXION: Fair

· Josh Dentith is wanted by police for criminal damage and careless driving.

· Six warrants have been issued for his arrest.

· Dentith is known to frequent the Cranbourne East area.

Reference number: WTD2435

William BUCKBY

AGE: 25

HEIGHT: 175 cm

BUILD: Medium

EYES: Blue

HAIR: Brown

COMPLEXION: Fair

· William Buckby is wanted by police for contravening a community corrections order and theft.

· Four warrants have been issued for his arrest.

· Buckby is known to frequent the Narre Warren area.

Reference number: WTD2442

Naturally containing fibre, potassium, vitamin K, magnesium, Boron and Sorbitol

Helps promote gut health and improved digestion

WHAT’S ON

Our City, Our Future Keysborough

Come along and share your ideas for the future of City of Greater Dandenong at this pop-up session.

· Thursday 16 May, 10am-1pm at Parkmore Shopping Centre (outside Australia Post), 317 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough. Free event. Details: 8571 1000 or ourfuture@cgd.vic.gov.

au

IDAHOBIT Flag raising

Join Greater Dandenong mayor,Cr Lana Formoso to raise the rainbow flag and mark International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination. Includes a screening of a #Proud2Be film and you will have the chance to make your own pronoun pin in Dandenong Library.

· Friday 17 May, 10am-11am at Harmony Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Free event.

Reconciliation Week Nature Play

Come along to Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve for a special Reconciliation Week themed Nature Play session. Includes a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, playgroup craft, facepainting and a BBQ.

· Tuesday 21 May, 10am-11am at Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve, MacKay Street, Springvale South. Registrations essential: childrenservadminsupport@cgd.vic.gov.au or 8571 1000.

Neighbourhood Watch public forum

All residents are welcome to Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch’s public forum and safety information Q&A. Guest speakers include Police Commissioned Officers who look after prisoners in police stations.

We have our anti-theft car number plate screws available for $3, personal alarms $14 and we can loan you an engraver to mark your valuables. Light supper provided.

· Wednesday 29 May, 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) at Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18-34 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Free event.

Rock & Roll for charity

Join us for a night of live music, dancing and fun with band Route 66 playing 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, R&R, country rock and blues. All proceeds are being donated to Canteen to support young people impacted by cancer. BYO drinks and nibbles, free tea and coffee available.

Trades & Services

· Saturday 1 June, 7.30pm–11pm (doors open 7pm) at Scout Hall, 24 Mons Parade Noble Park (opposite Noble Park Station car park and ample parking); $20 (cash only at the door). Table bookings: Rob, 0431 511 203 or robin_wood@optusnet.com.au

Art Of Soul

Enjoy the journey of your creativity in a safe environment. We use a variety of media & follow a variety of sources. This isn’t a class, it is people coming together to ‘play’.

· Wednesdays (during school term), 11.30am–1.30pm at The Open Door, 110 Ann St, Dandenong; suggested donation $5. Details: 9791 8664 or Theopendoor@ssjg.org.au

Photo exhibition

The Noble Park Community Centre (NPCC) proudly announces the grand opening of its new Exhibition Space with the inaugural showcase of emerging photographer Terry Blades in an exhibition, titled ‘Everywhere’. · runs until 28 June at NPCC, Memorial Drive, Noble Park.

Busk Stop

Busk Stop will bring a series of outdoor street performances to central Dandenong in late April and May. Concerts at Harmony Square on Thursdays in May, 11.30am-1.30pm. Also concerts at The Checkerboard, corner Langhorne and Lonsdale streets on Wednesday 15 May 11.30am-

Perform in Our Street NPK

Enjoy a weekly series of music and dance at Frank Street Open Space in May and June. The first session includes local Australian Idol favourite Kobe White singing a blent of acoustic and upbeat music, including pop and R and B covers and original songs. At the same session is ITM Tri Nguyen (pictured) - ‘Dandenong’s own Ed Sheeran’ - and Frankie Davis Jr grooving Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole and other rock classics. · Saturday 18 May, 3.30pm-5.30pm at Frank Street Open Space, Noble Park. Free event.

1.30pm and Saturday 1 June, 10am-12pm.

Also at Palm Plaza on Fridays in May, 11.30am1.30pm and Saturday 18 May 10am-12pm.

· Free event.

Conversational English

Practice your English in a casual setting over a cup of tea while you meet new people in these FREE weekly sessions.

· Wednesdays 9.30am -11.30am and Thursdays 10:30am-12:30pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Details: programs@nobleparkcc.org.au or 9547 5801.

All Abilities Art & Craft

Discover your creative style and make meaningful social connections at our All Abilities Art & Craft classes.

· Fridays 10am-12pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Details: programs@nobleparkcc.org.au or 9547 5801.

Crochet

Whether you’re eager to learn how to crochet or an avid crocheter willing to share your experience, join our little group for people who love all things crochet.

· Mondays 11am-1pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; $20 per term. Details: programs@nobleparkcc.

org.au or 9547 5801.

Badminton

Join us for social sessions for players of all abilities. Ages 15+.

· Mondays 7:30pm-10pm; $5 per session at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Details: programs@ nobleparkcc.org.au or 9547 5801.

Dandenong senior activities

Dandenong over 60’s Club (but over 50s are welcome). Join us for fun and games.

· Mondays 1pm-4pm (except public holidays) at The Dandenong Club, cnr Stud and Heatherton roads. Details: Carol, 0431 755 466 Senior activities Keysborough

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 and fifth Tuesday of the month, line dancing on Wednesdays ($3 entry), Thursday ballroom dancing lessons (12.30pm-1pm) and ballroom dancing (1pm-3pm, $3 entry). Entertainers include Gavin Chatellier (21 May).

· 1pm-3pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Rowley Allan Reserve 352 Cheltenham Road Keysborough. Tea and coffee provided. Details: Julie, 0428 561 694.

A Tra$hy Dreamland

Exhibition on display until Saturday 8 June at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Trees: A Canopy Extraordinaire

An exhibition that celebrates, reflects and recognises the significance of trees in the local landscape over time and the timber industry that grew the local community. It marks 80 years since community forest planting began at Greaves Reserve, Dandenong in 1944. Features artwork, local historical society collections and the council’s civic and cultural heritage collection.

· Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10am2pm until 19 July at Benga, Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae St, Dandenong. Free event.

Diverse trio from Doveton

By Marcus Uhe

Meet the trio of Doveton boxers set to represent the Doveton Boxing Club on the national stage in South Australia next week.

Riek Chuol, Mehrab Aghajanzadeh and Barham Mohammadi are heading to Adelaide for the National Club Championships on May 17 to 19 where they’ll don the green and black of Doveton colours in a points event.

Chuol will participate in the 57kg Elite Open class, Aghajanzadeh in the 75kg Elite Open and Mohammadi in the 54kg Junior Novice class with the eyes of the boxing community watching their every hook, jab and duck.

Competing in the elite category opens the door for Chuol and Aghajanzadeh to wrap a championship belt around their waist, should they take out their respective categories.

It will be a new frontier for Chuol, rapidly rising through the ranks of the boxing world after less than two years training at the Lace Street gym.

In 2023 he was crowned ‘Best Boxer’ and won the final of the Victorian 54-57kg Youth Male division at the Under 19 and Elite Victorian State Titles in May, and in July won the Under 57kg Youth Division National Championship at the Australian School’s Boxing Championships.

But now for the first time, Chuol will fight adults, having turned 18 earlier this year.

Stepping into the ring with people more experienced and older than him won’t be an entirely new experience, however, having honed his craft against adults while training at Doveton.

“It doesn’t alter anything, I just view them as a normal opponent,” Chuol said of his approach to fighting men compared to teenagers.

“When I first came to the gym I was sparring adults, I still spar adults now.”

While the field is yet to be determined, Chuol could find himself in the opposite corner to Charlie Senior, who will wear the green and gold in Paris having qualified for the Australian Olympic team.

Senior fought at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, but fell in a narrow loss to a Canadian fighter in the round of 16.

“If he’s there, I’m willing to fight, but it doesn’t matter who the opponents are, I just want to fight,” Chuol said of the prospect.

“It’s really exciting just going in the ring, because I know I’m going to give it my all, no matter what.

“If that happens, I’ll be ready.

“I’m really excited to get back into a tournament again.

“It’s been quite a while since I’ve been in a tournament, I’m happy to be back in the ring.”

Aghajanzadeh is young in his boxing journey, having stepped away from his first entry

to Doveton when he was a teenager.

He lost a semi final fight at last year’s State Championships, but this Club Championships will be the biggest stage he has competed on to date.

The 22-year-old has been boxing for three years, having returned to the club as a 19-yearold on the recommendation from a friend.

He first entered the club as a 16-year-old, but did not last long in his first tenure.

“I missed it,” he said of his time away from the club.

“I used to go to the gym, then I started hitting the bags and that was enough for me.

“It makes me feel alive, it makes me feel good.”

Standing comfortably over six feet tall, the southpaw describes himself as an ”awkward” fighter, with long arms and a rangey reach.

He trains six times a week, while juggling life as an electrician.

Mohammadi, meanwhile, is the youngest of the three, competing in the novice category.

Despite lacking in experience, coach Ryan Wilson is impressed with the teenager’s temperament.

“He’s very tough and aggressive,” Wilson said.

“He boxes very composed for a kid who’s had one fight.

“That’s why we’re taking him - he boxes out of his experience, so I can put him with more experienced boxers.”

With each fighter having been born overseas - Chuol in Ethiopia, Aghajanzadeh in Iran and Mohammadi in Afghanistan - the trio will represent the cross section of diverse cultures that lie within the broader Doveton community.

Aghajanzadeh described Doveton Boxing Club as “family” and Wilson said he is “very proud” of the trio and what they have each overcome to get to where they are today.

“Doveton has changed and people have moved out to different suburbs and people have migrated here, and they’re doing the place proud, for their own communities as

well (as) their own families,” Wilson said.

“The local community, they follow it religiously, what we do, and they’ve adopted these kids.

“Because they’re (here) every day and boxing is such a personal sport, that happensthey gravitate towards that and you’ve got to provide that set up for them.”

As for their chances at the Club Championships next week, Wilson believes strongly in their ability to capture silverware.

“We’ve got quite a few other boxers and I only take the ones that I think will win,”Wilson said

“I don’t take them over just to compete - we want to win, we don’t do that.

“They’re (at the club) five or six days a week.

“People drop off, that’s a big thing with boxing but these guys want it a bit more.

“They want to prove something, whether it’s for themselves or their family, just to show that people can do it from where they’ve come from.”

Barham Mohammadi’s coach, Ryan Wilson describes him as a “very tough and aggressive” fighter.

Riek Chuol’s incredible rise through the Australian boxing ranks continues.

Mehrab Aghajanzadeh’s height and reach is an asset in the ring.

Doveton Boxing Club trio (L-R) Mehrab Aghajanzadeh, Riek Chuol and Barham Mohammadi will represent the club at the Australian Club Championships next weekend. 406096 Pictures: GARY SISSONS

Home-grown revival

By Marcus Uhe Pride, loyalty, hard work, effort.

Representing the name front of the guernsey and not the name on the back. Being #rangerproud.

When Larrisa Anderson considers what it means to be a Dandenong Ranger basketballer, those are the defining characteristics that come first and foremost to mind.

Anderson, who won championships as a player in green and black and in her second year as head coach of the Rangers’ NBL1 South team, has a vested interest in the program more than an everyday coaching appointment, having grown up a Ranger and always keeping an eye on them, no matter where her basketball career took her.

In her first season as the program’s head coach in 2023, the side improved to an 11-11 record and narrowly missed out on finals qualification, but was a marked improvement on the previous year in which finals calculations were out of the picture from the very early stages.

But through 10 games the Rangers have established themselves as a force in the 2024 NBL1 season, with an 8-2 record and with a pair of impressive win streaks under their belts already.

And most importantly, those defining Ranger traits are on full display, which Anderson believes bodes well for the future of the club.

“We’ve kept a lot of the core group from last year into this year, so we’ve had that season under our belt together, which is the key to success at any program - that consistency and trying to keep that core group together,” Anderson said.

“We’ve managed to do that and add some really vital pieces to the puzzle, but that core group has really improved from last year, they really enjoy playing together.

“I’m probably most excited about the fact that we’ve got genuine Ranger talent that have played and come through right from Under 8s domestic, under 12s rep, all the way through to seniors and never played anywhere else.

“I’m super proud of the fact that we’ve got five or six of them in the team, which shows that our junior ranks would look at that and say ‘that is a legitimate Rangers team’”.

For Anderson, there wasn’t the same feeling when wearing another team’s colours in her

decorated career, quite like what there was to wear the Rangers kit, and she wants the lure of being a Ranger instilled in the current and future Rangers.

“It just didn’t mean as much to me to go and represent another club when I’d gone right through the ranks at my own junior club,” she said.

“That’s really important and it indicates a really strong pathway and culture at any club, that girls want to stay there and be there and why would they want to be anywhere else.

“To me, that’s really important, and is really indicative of the most successful clubs; that your junior talent, once they go through the seniors, actually want to stay around and represent their own club, because for me as a player, that was a big deal to me.”

Recent WNBA draftee Nyadiew Puoch and Dallas Loughridge are the team’s young stars, embodying the Ranger way as much as anyone, having grown up on the Dandenong courts. Forward, Puoch, will remain in Australia and play the remainder of the NBL1 South women’s competition for Dandenong despite having her name called by the Atlanta Dream at last month’s WNBA Draft, while guard, Loughridge has made an excellent recovery from an ACL injury and has a bright future ahead, with Anderson expecting her to find her way onto a WNBL roster next season.

Amber Smith has returned for a second season as the team’s import while Anderson’s

former Dandenong teammate in Clare Camac is back after missing last season for the birth of her third child.

The experience of Camac and Teyla Evans provide the steady, wise heads on a team otherwise reliant on youth and raw talent, including 21-year-old Elly Morgan, 20-year-old Imogen Rock and 17-year-old Manuela Puoch, the younger sister of Nyadiew.

The Rangers are learning to cut their teeth on defence and capitalise on the other end, showcasing their speed, athleticism and immense talent within the ranks at Dandenong.

They’ll soon welcome another import in Ashten Prechtel, a 22-year-old graduate from the Stanford University basketball program in the United States currently completing a season in Europe.

At 6’5”, Prechtel offers size and rebounding prowess to go with genuine two-way talent that is expected to make an immediate impact once she is ready to take the court, and make one of the competition’s already strongest teams, even stronger.

Twice the team has embarked on four game win streaks in its current record and faces a monster slate of games in coming weeks including sixth-placed Bendigo on Sunday and seventh, Ringwood on 25 May, both at home.

The Rangers’ most recent win streak came to an end on Saturday at the hands of the topof-the-table Keilor, 64-69, despite leading by 23 points at half time.

Despite not securing the victory, Dandenong kept the Thunder to its second-lowest team score of the season, demonstrating that they can match it with the competition’s best.

“I think that belief is already forming amongst the girls, but absolutely these are the teams that they’ve got to really step up against,” Anderson said.

In further positive news for the club, Bendigo Bank Community Bank Dingley Village has signed on to be the naming rights sponsor of all four senior Ranger teams in 2024.

“This partnership signifies not only a significant milestone for our organisation, but also underscores our shared values of community, growth and excellence,” General Manager of Dandenong Basketball Association, Tamie Harvey said.

“We look forward to a wonderful partnership.”

Dandy City shows fight in loss to Warriors

By Marcus Uhe

Dandenong City’s shaky defence proved its undoing once again on Friday night in a 3-1 loss to ladder-leading Heidelberg United in National Premier League (NPL) Victoria football.

The only side in the table’s top half with a negative goal differential, the strength of the competition’s pacesetters was too much for City to overcome at home.

City kept pace in the early stages of the contest and looked to match fire with fire against the heavyweight opponent until the visitors broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute.

City only had themselves to blame, giving the ball away in their own penalty area while attempting to pass out from the last line of defence after a goal kick.

John Hall’s second pass in the attempted chain was intercepted by Asahi Yokokawa within the six yard box, with Hall scrambling to reclaim possession after a horror mistake. With an unsettled defence, there was no time for the City defenders to cover the interception, as Kaine Sheppard put the visitors ahead.

Having opened the scoring, a shift in the game unfolded as Heidelberg endeavored to press home its advantage, with former Dandenong Thunder attacker Leo Mazis leading the charge.

Another former Thunder player in James Ali doubled the lead late in the half, after his teammates fought to keep an attack alive in the face of immense City pressure.

There was simply nothing Hall could do to prevent the goal as Ali completed a brilliant spin on Jackson Lino and fired home the goal from point blank range.

Defender Matthew Hennessey halved the deficit early in the second half with a long towering header that deflected brilliantly for the home side off the inside of the upright, injecting life back into the contest and giving City hope of snatching a point.

But the Warriors restored the two-goal buffer in the 62 minute with a gorgeous strike from the edge of the penalty area.

With Valli Cesnik dispossessed at halfway, the Warriors spring into action with a counter attack that reaped the biggest of rewards.

Thunder down for the count

By Marcus Uhe

Dandenong Thunder has reached the halfway mark of the National Premier League (NPL)Victoria season looking for answers on the back of a disastrous loss to bottom-placed Moreland City on Saturday afternoon.

The (before Saturday) previously winless Moreland put four into the back of the Thunder net and kept a clean sheet for the first time in 2024.

They jumped the visitors in the early stages with a remarkable start to the contest.

Thunder had barely touched the ball when Pierce Clark was taking the ball out of his goal, with the home side opening the scoring after just 44 seconds of the opening half.

Thunder was caught napping on a Moreland throw-in and payed the price as Jose Sanz let rip with a low skidding shot from outside the penalty area to make it 1-0.

It took only a further three minutes for the home side to double its advantage, courtesy of a well-constructed set piece.

A dipping ball from the right wing evaded the diving head of Sanz looking for a second but was struck sweetly on the half-volley by Michael Tzoutzidis at the back post.

The strike of Tzoutzidis gave Clark no chance of getting in the way, the visitors in early trouble.

Birkan Kirdar came close to pegging one back from a corner in the 18th minute, but his low driving shot into a congested penalty area was repelled by the Moreland City gloveman.

A dipping volley from Daniel Dixon narrowly cleared the crossbar just minutes later.

But a clumsy error from Clark brought about a spot kick in the 27th minute, and with it a 3-0 deficit.

An extended right knee from Clark while claiming a high ball with Sanz also in pursuit saw Clark make contact with Sanz face, causing Sanz to tumble to the surface and the referee award a penalty to the home side.

A dejected Clark was in disbelief at the decision, falling onto his back and smacking the ball away as Sanz returned to his feet, and Clark’s teammates protested.

Clark was shown a yellow card for the foul and then guessed incorrectly on the penalty kick, with his side now 3-0 down and in all sorts of trouble against a team that couldn’t believe its luck.

Sanz made it 4-0 in the 38th minute, first to pounce on a lose, bouncing ball in the penalty area with a thumping volley from close range making it a night to forget for the visiting team from Dandenong.

A yellow card for Kirdar in first-half stoppage time capped a horror first 45 minutes for the visitors, who failed to improve the dismal first half scoreline after the long break.

Thankfully for Thunder, the bleeding stopped, but the damage has been done.

Yokokawa spread the ball wide to Sean Ellis, with Lino standing him

side.

Ellis cut inboard and let rip from outside the area that cleared Hall and superbly in the top left corner.

3-1 in Heidelberg’s favour was how the score remained, leaving City without a win at Frank Holohan since round two, and having won just one of its last six contests.

Second-placed Avondale comes to Frank Holohan on Friday night.

The bare facts make for bleak reading for Thunder, now possessing a leagueworst goal differential of -18 and only one clean sheet through 13 rounds, while only ahead of one side for total goals conceded.

The last five scorelines make for particularly grim reading, with a total of 18 goals conceded and only three scored.

The road does not get any easier for Dandenong Thunder next week with a trip to Hume to face fifth-placed Hume City.

up on the right hand

Dandenong City defender Matthew Hennessey scored his first goal of the season on Friday night. Picture: DANDENONG CITY

Nyadiew Puoch is a key figure in the Dandenong Rangers’ return to prominence in the NBL1 South competition this year.

Picture: DANDENONG BASKETBALL