EHD Star Journal - 11th June 2024

Driving force

By Sahar Foladi

David GuthrieWillersdorf has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list for his extensive and significant service in the City of Greater Dandenong.

“I feel quite embarrassed,” says Mr Willersdorf, who has been named as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

“A lot of people are doing a lot of good things and I do it because I enjoy it.”

Now living in Southbank, he became involved within the municipality when he started working with Grenda Group of Companies in 1986, a bus service which thrived as Dandenong was the “logical gateway to Gippsland.”

Currently the director and company secretary, Mr Willersdorf didn’t limit himself to one job but got involved in the Dandenong community over time.

He quite literally played a role to help shape the municipality through Greater Dandenong Council’s Art Advisory Board, Drum Theatre Advisory Committee, Committee for Dandenong and a member at the Public Art Advisory Board.

“I have to be very thankful to the Grenda family too. They’ve been very supportive of my involvement in these activities outside my day-to-day job.

“That’s important because sometimes it does demand a little time away from your daily job.”

Through his myriad works as well as the countless memories and marks he has left behind, he remains humble with a sincere heart to continue changing people’s lives for the better.

He was the chairperson of Chisholm Institute of TAFE from 2008 to 2013, a board member as early as 2006, as well as a past chair of its Audit and Risk Committee and director of Online Tafe.

“The Chisholm Institute board was good

because the operations were in the area where Grenda’s bus services was operating.

“I was getting to know of the areas where we were running the bus services and also learning more about the people who used the buses to attend Chisholm.

“It all started from there. It was very rewarding that one, challenging but very rewarding.”

He went on to become the Trustee of the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation since 2009 and its chairperson since 2017. The program last year granted scholarships to 367 eligible students.

“It’s flown off from that because you can see there’s so many students that come from families that probably haven’t had much education themselves.

“Students are coming forward, wanting to do something but they can’t afford to do it.

“So that’s the beauty of the scholarships which will change their lives, their families’ lives because someone is earning money and prepared to do the education.”

“It’s very heart-warming to hear some of the receipients speak. It’s an absolute delight and made such a difference to their lives.”

Winning the Greater Dandenong Corporate Citizen of the Year 2016, he was recognised for his philanthropic support of local charities.

Since 2010 he’s been one of the organisers behind ‘Take a Swing for Charity Golf Day,’ which donates between $40,000 to $50,000 per year to not-for-profit organisations in Dandenong.

However, the biggest and “most exciting” challenge is his work at not-for-profit disability service provider Wallara.

“The most satisfying things have been with Wallara where we were able to expand.

“One of the biggest ones was when we acquired the Sages Cottage farm in Baxter which enabled us to provide extra activities for our clients (such as) looking after the animals and hospitality employment at their cafe. Continued page 6

David Willersdorf has helped shaped Greater Dandenong through countless contributions. 411769

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Your voice can help shape Casey’s future

You’re invited to share feedback as part of our 2024 Shape Your City campaign.

Share your feedback to help create our next four-year Council Plan and guide Casey’s new incoming Councillors on future decisions.

Your feedback will also be used to inform the review of the Community Vision and the development of the new four-year Council Plan, and other key strategic documents.

Engagement pop-up events will be held throughout June, providing you the opportunity to share feedback in person with Council officers. Scan the QR code or visit our Casey Conversations website for more information.

Let your imagination run wild and travel back in time as Dino Safari transforms Wilson Botanic Park into a prehistoric wonderland. Book online now via the City of Casey website or scan the QR Code.

The City of Casey’s

Arts Festival kicks off this week, with an electrifying line-up to warm your winter.

The program features more than 60 amazing arts, cultural, and entertainment events across the city throughout June and July.

Some highlights include:

MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE

• School of Rock musical presented by Windmill Theatre Company

• Queers of Concert with a local queen of drag

• Casey Live and Local Micro-Festivals

VISUAL ARTS

• Hybycozo Deep Thought installation at Bunjil Place

• Berwick District Woodworkers Club Expo

• People of Pearcedale exhibition

DANCE

• Salsa for Seniors

• The South East Area Throwdown

• Kids Dancehall and Breakin’ Workshops

Search ‘Winter Arts Festival’ on our website to view the full program.

Leading the way in vape recycling

Want to dispose of your vapes safely?

Thanks to a partnership with Ecocycle and Envirostream, residents now have the option to safely dispose of vapes at the following locations:

– Hampton Park Transfer Station: 274 Hallam Road, Hampton Park

– Melanie’s Recycle and Community Collection Hub: 13 Pasadena Boulevard, Clyde

– Casey ARC Customer Service: 10 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren

The vapes are then safely transported, disassembled and processed through a specialised recycling system. For more information, please visit our website.

Casey Conversations

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK AND HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY

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

• Shape Your City: support the creation of our next four-year Council Plan.

• Climate Action Living Lab: have your say on the development of the Living Lab.

• Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy: tell us your thoughts on our approach to minimising gambling harm and supporting community wellbeing.

• Casey Coastal Framework: have your say on the draft Framework to help inform the next steps on how we adapt to and manage coastal hazards.

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

Survey closes Sunday 7 July 2024.

Winter

Flood concerns rising

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A Greater Dandenong Council draft report has raised concerns over a “significant lack of information” about flood impacts from a proposed redevelopment of Sandown Racecourse.

On 10 June, councillors were set to vote on the council’s draft submission to the Planning Minister-appointed Sandown Racecourse Advisory Committee.

The committee was appointed by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to advise on a proposed C229 rezoning of the 112-hectare racecourse and motor racing circuit.

It would potentially pave the way for a housing estate of at least 7500 dwellings and 16,000 residents.

The council report states that it needs to be satisfied that stormwater and flood flows from Mile Creek and Police Road main drain can be “managed on site” and “not adversely impact on land downstream”.

It stated the proponent’s flood studies were “out of date”, there was no plan to mitigate flooding on downstream properties and that the proposed 60 metre channel should be widened to 100 metres.

The proponent Melbourne Racing Club also failed to specify the location of an additional 18,000 cubic metres of flood storage capacity required on the site, the council stated,

“Officers consider there is a significant lack of information in the documentation regarding flooding impacts and flood management on the site.

“Officers are concerned that if (Planning Scheme Amendment) C229 is approved, and at a later date it eventuates that stormwater cannot be effectively managed on site, what the implications of this will be for surround-

ing existing residents, new residents within the Sandown development, and Council.”

Melbourne Water has also voiced concerns over drainage and flooding risks.

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

“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 told Star Journal last month.

“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, in a responding submission stated 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.”

The Greater Dandenong Council draft submission stated Sandown is “one of the largest urban renewal sites in Melbourne” with potential for “significant benefit if planned and implemented correctly”.

It would assist in the housing crisis and potentially limit higher-density development in other parts of Greater Dandenong, the report stated.

However, it also harboured concerns over the 20-year“disjointed” and“scattered” rollout of development due to horse racing continuing for “several years”.

For instance, horse racing would hinder access to the hectares of proposed open space inside the track.

The council report also sought a cap of 7500 dwellings and a boost to affordable housing stock from 5 per cent to 20 per cent.

More detail on the fate of 200 trees of “very high” or “high” value was also required.

Greater Dandenong’s draft also calls for more certainty that the site owner would directly fund roads, community facilities, open space and other infrastructure as well as ongoing maintenance.

The MRC plan includes 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.

The heritage-listed grandstand would be retained.

A MRC spokesperson recently told Star Journal 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 public exhibition period for C229 closes on 24 June, followed by a advisory committee directions hearing on 17 July and hearings from 12 August.

End of the line for Noble Park revitalisation board

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Funding for Noble Park’s suburban revitalisation program has been scrapped in the May State Budget.

Noble Park Suburban Revitalisation Board chair Lee Tarlamis however hopes to maintain the “transformative” collaboration beyond its final meeting on 23 May.

Since 2020, the board has endorsed more than $4 million towards a long list of 44 projects of a total value of 9 million-plus.

These have included streetscape and playground works and events like the Noble Park Community Fun Day and Noble Park Big Day Out.

Public art, an AMES community garden, youth activities and community centre upgrades have also been funded.

“The key thing is when this board was established, it wasn’t intended to be an ongoing entity,” says Mr Tarlamis – also a Labor MP for the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region.

Lee

with the NP Beats crew - one of the 44 projects funded by the Noble Park Revitalisation Board.

“From the outset I made it clear that I don’t know if we’ll get funding next year. So we needed to build resilience and partnerships beyond the life of the board.

“Money was one aspect of it but bringing

people and the community together was just as important.”

He was confident that the relationships will stick.

Among the collaborators are Greater Dandenong Council, Reclink, South East Local Learning and Employment Network (SELLEN), Noble Park Community Centre and South East Community Links (SECL).

“My intention is to keep the board going for the next 12 months even in an informal capacity.

“It’s been a really good model. We’d look at rolling out this model to other areas.

“I want to thank the partners and collaborators on the board who gave up so much of their time. Their passion was so evident.”

Mr Tarlamis said the initiative had been “transformative for Noble Park”.

“When you see the precinct there’s a lot more people out and about with that sense of community ownership and community pride.

“We have more people active and wanting

to participate fully in the community. That also means people’s perception of safety will be enhanced as well.

“The next step is how do we get people to utilise these community spaces more.”

Projects will also continue over the next year, such as public artwork through the Bunurong Land Council, shade at Frank Street Open Space, a Melbourne City Football Club leadership program with high school students and a laptop rollout to disadvantaged students.

According to a Greater Dandenong Council report, the council will also look at possibly forming an advisory committee until 31 December.

The “locally-led projects” had “improved liveability and opportunities for local communities to come together”, the council report stated.

“Importantly, the Board has championed collaborative work in place, across all tiers of government, local service providers and business.”

South Eastern Metropolitan MP

Tarlamis

Greater Dandenong Council has raised concerns about flooding from a proposed Sandown redevelopment.

Celebrated Sandy awarded

By David Nagel

Sandy Roberts had no idea what the future would hold when the Channel Seven broadcaster prophetically put the final exclamation mark on his brilliant call of Geelong superstar Gary Ablett’s 1989 VFL Goal of the Year.

“Here is the magician at work; he shoots towards goal…what more can you say.”

Almost 35 years later to the day, those magicians are researchers and hematologists; shooting towards a goal of finding out more about blood cancer Myeloma.

A largely unknown disease; awareness around Myeloma became more prominent, and the disease more targeted, after Roberts was diagnosed in May 2022; becoming the public face of the battle roughly a year later.

“What can I say, it’s very humbling, we’re just so thankful that we have the opportunity to make a difference,” Roberts said, humbled again after being awarded a 2024 Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) - General Divisionfor service to media as a sports commentator.

But his true humility stems from the support he has received – from friends, family and former colleagues – who have rallied to the Myeloma Ambassador’s cause; raising muchneeded funds, and awareness, to help ignite change.

The support is not surprising however, given the respect the 74-year-old Lysterfield local has generated in a lifetime in the broadcasting industry, after being raised in a rural setting in South Australia.

“Being awarded an OAM, I have had time to reflect; and it’s a far cry from being on a farm near a little town called Lucindale,” Roberts said.

“One of my main reflections is disappointment that my mum (Nan) has passed on, because when I was young and working out what I wanted to do, she gave me a book called Foreign Correspondent.

“It was about a journalist who covered wars and conflict, and I thought ‘yeah, I wouldn’t mind doing that’.

“I got a job at News Limited in Adelaide as a copy boy, but after a year and a half, Rupert (Murdoch) decided he didn’t want copy boys anymore, so I had to look elsewhere.

“I went to Perth and got a job in radio there, as a journalist, on 6PM, reading news there as well.

“Television had come along; I wanted a crack at that; so after a couple of years overseas I got a job at 3CS Colac.

“I was there for a year, just to gain experience, but I was really keen on television.

“I got a job at BCV8 Bendigo, and from there I went back to Adelaide; did an audition at Channel Seven as a general announcer and got the job.

“A general announcer did absolutely everything, you did the news, the weather, the midday movie, the sport; and I did that for a few years before someone asked if I was interested in doing football.

“I barracked for Norwood, loved the SANFL (South Australian National Football League), so said ‘yes’ and that’s how footy started for me.”

Roberts developed his craft and work ethic in Adelaide, following sage advice given by an experienced colleague.

“In Adelaide, the guy that I was influenced by was a man by the name of Bob Francis; he was in radio and television and did them both very well,” Roberts explained.

“I asked his advice one day; he told me ‘Whatever you’re asked to do, just do it, and you’ll find out at some stage that a particular path is right for you.’

“He was right, the more overall experience you can get in the television industry, then the better off you will be.”

The career of the affable Roberts took off at the age of 30.

“It was 1980, and Seven in Adelaide was like a cousin to Seven in Melbourne; affiliated, but not like they are now,” he said.

“I was asked to go to Moscow for the Olympic Games, for Seven, I jumped at it, and that was the start.

“Ron Casey, who was a marvelous man and General Manager of Seven in Melbourne, a great lover of sport, a former chairman of the North Melbourne footy club, he did everything.

“He got the rights, he went to all the senior meetings of the IOC, and he would front the prime-time coverage for Seven from Moscow.

“After a few days, Gary Fenton, the Executive Producer for Sport, noticed that Ron was looking tired, just from the stress of it all.

“He told Ron to concentrate on the executive stuff and not the on-air stuff, and Ron asked‘well who are you going to get to do that.’

“Gary said, ‘well Sandy Roberts can do it’.

“A couple of days before the end of the Moscow Olympics, Gary and Ron got hold of me and asked if I’d like to move to Melbourne.

“It didn’t take me long to decide that one either.”

Taking over from Ron Casey in Moscow was a forerunner to his time in Melbourne, with Roberts taking the plum job of hosting Channel Seven’s Sunday sporting staple; World of Sport.

The kid from Lucindale was now sharing the screen with famous football faces such as Jack Dyer, Ted Whitten, Ron Barassi, Lou Richards and Bobby Skilton.

“I was like a kid in a lollie shop,” Roberts beamed.

“When I was asked to take over from Ron, he called me up to his office on the first day I was doing it, and he asked me before 10am in the morning, ‘what are you having to drink?

“I said, ‘no, I’m fine thanks Ron,’ but there were others sipping on a scotch, and that sort of summed up World of Sport.

“We had a running sheet, but after 10 minutes of being on air we were 15 minutes late (laughs).

“That’s how crazy it was.

“It was a long day, but a great day, being around those great people; you’re living off adrenaline.”

Versatility became a strength for Roberts who added tennis, motor-racing, horse-racing and many other sports to his skill set.

He also covered golf, at a time when a young Greg Norman was starting to emerge from the pack.

He was an absolute hero,” Roberts enthused.

“My first golf coverage for Channel Seven in Adelaide was in 1976, the West Lakes Classic, and there was this big blonde bombshell playing, and that was his first victory.

“From there, his career surged forward, I came over to Melbourne, Seven picked up the rights to golf, so obviously I worked with him a lot.

“On a personal note, he was also very good to me.

“I had a very sick son, Sam, and one night after practice, before the (Australian) Masters officially began at Huntingdale on Thursday, Greg and I flew down to my farm in the Western Districts and Sam was down there.

“Greg played a game of snooker with him, chatted to him, and was just marvelous with him, and Sam died several days later.

“Greg put Sam’s name on his hat and wore it during the Masters.”

Roberts retired from broadcasting in 2018; then battle through Covid like all others, before a fall down a flight of stairs at his Lysterfield home would change his and wife Carolyn’s lives forever.

“We live in a two-story house, and before the fall I had only a few weeks prior had openheart surgery,” he explained.

“A couple of boys came to help move a couch, from downstairs to upstairs, and I stood behind them.

“The friend in front of me tripped, lost his footing, and fell back on me, and that pushed me down the stairs.

“I passed blood so went to the hospital and had scans, and then the doctor came out and told me what he had found.

“He said, ‘you’ve got broken ribs; also, do you know you’ve got cancer.

“I had no idea; lesions were discovered on my back, on my pelvis, my sacrum; we were shocked, but just had to come to grips with it.

“We had to get organised; find ourself a good hematologist; and find out about Myeloma.

“I knew nothing about it, nothing at all, the nearest thing I knew was Melanoma…but it’s

nothing like it.”

Sandy and Carolyn worked through the initial shock, before deciding to make a difference.

“It certainly changed our life; and it probably took a year of talking about it, going through some rough patches, before my wife Carolyn and I looked at each other and asked ‘what can we do’.

“Let’s try and make people more aware; let’s publicise it and get it out there.

“It’s been extremely gratifying that so many people have come forward.

“We had our first Myeloma Long Lunch earlier this year, at the Glasshouse, in February, a wonderful sellout, 500 people, 200 on the waiting list, and it sold out in 15 days.

“BT (Brian Taylor) and Bruce (McAvaney) were involved, Jennifer Keyte hosted it, and so many people got behind it.

“People who had Myeloma came from Central Queensland and Perth; they were so happy that somebody was finally talking and telling people, what Myeloma is all about.

“It’s changed our lives; but we’re very keen to do it; and to continue doing it.

“It’s (money) not only for research, almost more importantly is having the opportunity of paying more staff, particularly in rural areas, for people that have Myeloma in the country.

“The lunch raised over $200,000, we had a separate donation of $220,000, and that’s to go to rural nurses.

“The research being done by the researches and hematologists will also benefit…it covers a fairly wide range.”

So, what is Sandy’s prognosis moving forward?

“It’s good,” he said.

“I was told I was in remission several months ago; and I just have a program that I stick by.

“I have regular blood tests and they’re looked at by the hematologist, and if there are adjustments that need to be made to what I’m taking, we make them and move on.

“He is happy at the moment; so, I am too.”

Celebrated broadcaster Sandy Roberts has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to media as a sports commentator. 412194

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

NEWS Crean receives top honour

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Labor luminary the late Simon Crean has been awarded Australia’s top citation in the Kings’ Birthday Honours List.

Mr Crean, now a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), died suddenly at 74 as part of a trade delegation in Berlin last June.

More than a decade out of federal politics, the former Federal party leader had not been previously awarded with an Order of Australia citation.

His wife Carole said the belatedness of the award symbolised Mr Crean’s humility.

“The first thing (on hearing of Mr Crean’s AC) I was really emotional that he was recognised for his legacy and all of his achievements.

“Obviously I feel very honoured and proud, not that I need that to feel proud about Simon.

“He never sought accolades or recognition for himself. He had better and more important things to do.

“Getting the top honour was something he thoroughly deserves. He would have been chuffed.”

Mr Crean was awarded for his “eminient service to the people and Parliament of Australia, to tertiary education, to business and to industrial relations”.

Raised in a political family, Mr Crean rose to Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) president before entering Federal Parliament.

He served as a Cabinet Minister under four Prime Ministers, with diverse portfolios including arts, education, employment, workplace relations, regional development, trade, energy and science.

Post-politics, he was still working “nonstop” as Monash University deputy chancellor and on a range of boards including Linfox, European Australian Business Council and Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM).

Mr Crean was “very connected with his

electorate” as Hotham MP for 23 years as well as with “the South East of Melbourne”.

Carole paid tribute to his “innovation” and “hard work” in his ministries, bilateral international agreements and promoting “the best outcomes for Australia”.

Every ministry he had, there was a significant reform in place – such as industrial relations, agriculture, trade and the Creative Australia policy.

“He always believed in culture as a foundation for what Australia is.

“He set the scene for what our society is and there is also the whole legacy of how he went about things.”

Mr Crean was “the great collaborator” who

had no illusions how tough the political world was.

“He would collaborate with everyone who was involved (in an issue) and he didn’t get hung up on the small stuff. He didn’t make enemies, he loved his colleagues and his people that worked with him.

“I heard that they said they’d put in 110 per cent because Simon was putting in 120 per cent.”

In 54 years of marriage, there was also his great verve for life, travel, culture, history and knowledge.

“I had an incredible life with him. Forget travelling all over the world, Simon was the most-travelled inside Australia – he went to

places no other politician had been to.

“It was pretty fast-paced. On top of that he always wanted his family with him.

“Simon lived for the moment before that phrase was coined. He had a lot of energy and looked for the positive in everything. He was quite an extraordinary person.

“He loved cooking, he loved beautiful things. We wouldn’t pass a church without going inside.

“He was almost bigger than life, which made everything (after his death) so difficult to accept.

“And he loved people. It didn’t have to be ‘important’ people – he just had that joy of living.”

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Former Hotham MP and Labor federal leader Simon Crean has been posthumously awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia.

Bassir to run for Casey Council

By Violet Li

Founder and chief executive of charity Bahktar Community Organisation, Bassir Qadiri, has launched his campaign for the October election, determined to be a voice for the community.

He will run for the Casuarina Ward which includes Narre Warren, Narre Warren South, and Cranbourne North.

“I never thought about it to run for council. To be honest, a month ago, I didn’t know that I was going to go ahead with this,” Bassir said.

“There is a lot of encouragement from friends, community members, and as well as colleagues. I thought that if I got into it, I might be able to have the opportunity to advocate for a wider community.

“My advocacy can reach a larger scale than just a small community.”

Community safety, stronger and more transparent financial management of rates, and responsive maintenance of parks, roads, and paths are the fundamental pursuits Bassir will strive for.

His long-term involvement with the disadvantaged, isolated, and marginalised communities in Casey and Greater Dandenong has brought him another perspective on the needs of the region: employment.

“I will also focus on increased business and local employment opportunities. Local employment opportunities are very important. In the City of Casey, there are over 6000 jobseekers from Afghan communities only. Imagine the number for all the communities we have,” Bassir said.

“If we see the unemployment rate and the job seeker rate, it is much higher in the area compared to any other places in Victoria.”

Cranbourne had an estimated 7.8 per cent unemployment rate in the December quarter of 2023, almost doubling the average rate in Greater Melbourne, according to Jobs and Skills Australia.

Working tirelessly on the frontline to support local jobseekers, Bassir is very aware of how hard it could be to secure a job.

“We are working withWise Employment and other employment agencies. We have put over 300 individuals into employment,” he said.

“We [Bahktar Community Organisation] have this partnership with businesses, we know which business needs what type of

workers. We have a list of job seekers who are actively looking for jobs.

“While we are doing this, I’m always wondering where to get employment next.”

As the former Casey Council was sacked following an anti-corruption probe, Bassir said he had formed some strategies to make sure that would never happen again.

“I was on the Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee from 2018. The committee was providing strategic advice to the council and the mayor in terms of infrastructure and other projects,” he said.

“I have some strategies that once elected, I will see how that can be achievable. At this stage, I’m not comfortable sharing that, but I have a very clear vision that’s what we can do to achieve all the dot points that I mentioned before.”

Coming to Australia in 2009, Bassir has played a versatile role in the community.

Speaking an impressive number of seven languages, he kicked off as a part-time Dari language instructor at Dandenong High School, then joined the SBS Dari program as a radio presenter, and landed at Monash Health as an interpreter.

“Monash was one of the places that supported me to understand the community,” he recalled.

“As an interpreter, I went to different de-

partments, working with people and patients who suffered from mental health, who had disabilities, and who were at the end of their lives.

“I am not a doctor. I help interpret. But I am dealing with all these scenarios that a doctor could deal with a patient, delivering heartbreaking news to family members

“That (the interpreter job) has helped me to understand the community and its needs.”

Working with multiple languages directed Bassir to multicultural communities, and eventually led to the establishment of the secular organisation Bahktar Community Organisation.

The charity organisation supports migrants and refugees with material aid and other resettlement services in the South East. More than 6000 individuals have been impacted over the years.

He has also been working with theVictorian Multicultural Commission Regional Advisory Councils since 2021.

“I was very much involved in different cultures, and this has encouraged me to stay in this country and do something,” Bassir said

“I see each culture and language as a colour, so I see Australia as a rainbow.”

Bassir is also working as a professional finance manager.

He is the 2020 Casey Citizen of the Year and 2022 Victorian Inclusive Volunteering Award winner.

Drink-driver crashes at 0.275

A police blitz has led to dozens of drivers in Casey being hit with a collective 350 fines, including a driver who was allegedly fiveand-a-half times the legal alcohol limit after crashing his car.

The 36-year-old man from Hampton Park was involved in a crash on Hallam South Road, Hampton Park and allegedly blew a reading of 0.275.

His license was immediately suspended and he was charged with drink driving, careless driving and failing to give way.

The man was summonsed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

These were among 343 offences detected

during Operation Malleus from 27 May to 31 May and Operation Sizzle on 4 June.

Other notable results were:

· Eight drivers detected with illicit drugs in their system. The final results are pending forensic analysis.

· 106 motorists caught speeding

· 11 suspended, disqualified or unlicensed drivers

· Two learner drivers involved in collisions with a full-license holder in the passenger seat

During both operations, almost 1200 preliminary breath tests and 328 preliminary oral fluid tests were conducted.

Huge service to Dandenong

From page 1

“We also have a ‘Grass Busters’ activity where people go out to mow grass and maintain the garden.”

As part of their Open Employment program, Wallara help support clients get into the workforce focusing on the permanent pathway opportunities.

“It’s an absolute delight to see the satisfaction they get out of their work and to build that

social connection with others. It’s very rewarding. “I’d like to continue doing these works because I get so much satisfaction out of them. I’d like to keep it going for as long as they’ll have me.”

Senior Sergeant David Hewatt of Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia Highway Patrol said similar operations were expected in the future.

“It’s extremely disappointing to see so many people continue to flout the law and put themselves and other road users in serious danger.

“Making the selfish decision to get behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol can end or drastically change lives in a matter of seconds.

“We will continue to conduct these operations and remove dangerous drivers from our roads.”

AC for former Premier

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Nine months after retiring from politics, former Premier Daniel Andrews has been named as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

The Mulgrave MP for more than 20 years was among six to receive the highest possible citation in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Mr Andrews was awarded for “eminent service to the people and Parliament ofVictoria, to public health, to policy and regulatory reform, and to infrastructure development”.

In a statement, Mr Andrews said that “I’m honoured to have been nominated for this award and grateful to every Victorian who contributed to some of our state’s best times and who worked so hard to see us through our most challenging”.

“I thank the Victorian community for their support for me and my team in leading our state for nine years.

“That remains the greatest honour of my life.”

Mr Andrews has largely kept out of the spotlight since his snap-retirement as Premier in September.

His near-decade at the helm was regarded to have left a vast legacy of mass level-crossing removals, transport projects such as Suburban Rail Loop and Metro Rail Tunnel, and social reforms.

On the other hand, he’s being criticized for saddling Victoria with a mountain of debt as well as project blowouts, the cancelled Commonwealth Games and several inquiries.

Victoria’s Covid-19 lockdowns, considered among the lengthiest in the world, also generated a lot of debate.

Other AC recipients included two other Labor political leaders – the recentlyretired

and

WA Premier Mark McGowan

former Hotham MP Simon Crean.

Daniel Andrews announcing his departure as Premier in September 2023.

Picture: DIEGO FEDELE / AAP

David Willersdorf has been named Member of the Order of Australia in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List. 411769

Founder and chief executive of charity Bahktar Community Organisation, Bassir Qadiri, will run for the Casuarina Ward in the October election. 410504 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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

Finishing works to upgrade the intersection of Narre Warren-Cranbourne and BerwickCranbourne roads.

Upgrading the intersection of McGregor and Henry roads.

Upgrading the Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road freeway roundabouts to traffic lights.

Finishing asphalting on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road.

Removing the old rail track, building a new roundabout and resurfacing the road at Main Street under the rail bridge in Pakenham.

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions

Cranbourne and Pakenham lines 22 to 23 June

Road disruptions: Closed roads and lanes

Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road, Pakenham

Henry Road, Pakenham

Ballarto Road, Carrum Downs and Skye

Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East

Main Street, Pakenham

At times until late June

Caulfield to Westall

In sections between Greenhills and Manks roads

Until early JulyBetween McGregor Road and Heritage Boulevard

Until mid JulyAt McCormicks Road with detours and lane closures at times between Boggy Creek and Flora Park Way

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

7am 12 June to 7am 17 June

McGregor Road, Pakenham 8pm to 5am, 17 to 18 June

Princes Freeway, Pakenham 7pm to 5am, 19 June

7pm to 5am, 19 to 21 June

At rail bridge

Between Southeast and Park boulevards

Gippsland-bound entry ramp at Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road

Gippsland-bound between McGregor and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup roads

A hub of refugee help

By Sahar Foladi

The leading Refugee Resource Hub in the heart of Dandenong celebrated its second anniversary in May.

The team at the Hub, powered by Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), reflect on what it described as a challenging but fulfilling two-year.

Some of its key achievements include colocating 10 refugee led organisations and service providers under one roof to meet the high demands of cost-of-living rises, and various complex needs.

Director of the Dandenong Refugee Resource Hub, Qutbiallam Timor says this was one of the most challenging tasks.

“The Refugee Hub has become a home to so many people supported through the services that we provide.

“Strategically, we provided partnerships to 10 refugee led organisations and services providers to co-locate under the hub, coordinate collaboratively and to deliver the services and support to the community.

“Bringing 10 organisations together under one roof is a very high achievement and impact.”

One of its major aims was to collaborate with a housing service provider but there were some gaps iwhich made the partnership difficult.

“One of the challenges is housing people seeking asylum. They don’t have the right to work or any other income resource like Centrelink, they have a higher risk of being homeless.

“At the Hub here, we were unable to have a potential service provider to co-locate here with us to provide housing services to people seeking asylum.”

City of Greater Dandenong, a Refugee Welcome zone for two decades, has become home to many refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants who are attracted through its evident multicultural landscape and shops.

According to the City of Greater Dandenong Statistics and Data, 2000 people seeking asylum are based in Greater Dandenong.

As such, this in return demands services and organisations to accommodate and help new arrivals navigate through the systems.

Organisations like the Australian Hazara Women’s Friendship Network founded by Zakia Baig took on the opportunity to collaborate with the Hub.

The organisation advocates and supports Hazara women with basic needs to kick-start a new life, many whom have fled from being ethnically cleansed by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

The AHWFN, founded in 2013, provides English classes, social classes in Hazaragi, learner-drivers permit classes and job preparedness classes amongst a few.

“We had been struggling to find a place after Covid. This building has accommodated us and revitalised our capacity,” Ms Baig said.

“We have clients all over the South East, making this location very convenient for us to be able to reach the wider community and make ourselves easily accessible.”

The organisation is regaining strength after Covid with nine students in their learner’s permit classes.

“We have activities in their own Hazaragi language to help them understand the systems quickly and easily, sharing that sense of belonging and that they’re welcomed.”

Meanwhile, the Hub team continue to grow their services, accommodating 4,000 people in two years from all over the South East as demands for crucial services increase day by day.

“Some of the people that we serve, they don’t have the right to work nor the right to Medicare. They need vital services with high capacity, they rely on charities now and that’s how our services also become limited,” Mr Timor said.

The pressure is furthered by the 54 per cent decrease in asylum seeker social support in the Federal Budget for 2024-25 bringing down to $17 million, down 95 per cent from $300 million in 2015-16.

The Hub already supports 160 asylum seekers along with their families every month who need the financial and material support, healthcare, food banks and legal support.

- Meanwhile the Hub has featured in the Ausralian Institute of Landscape Architects Victorian State Awards.

Landscape architect Enlocus won the

Landscape Architecture Award for Community Contribution for its pro-bono design of the hub’s garden.

The Garden, reclaimed from a former car park, centres around the Story Tree which symbolizes community resilience, growth and diversity of identity.

The sensory and edible garden also connects with the ASRC’s food bank program.

“A small project with a big heart, this new space for the Refugee Resource Hub, created on the site of an old carpark, now provides a place for respite and solace for those seeking refuge,” the awards jury stated.

“The role of our profession in providing foundations for safe and connected communities is clearly demonstrated through the probono services provided for this project.

“By connecting a community through landscape and food, this project demonstrates the social responsibilities held by our profession.”

Support desperately needed at ASRC food bank

By Jennifer Pittorino

Humanitarian organisation Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is feeling the brunt of the cost of living crisis, struggling to keep its food bank stocked,

The ASRC is Australia’s largest human rights organisation, providing support to people seeking asylum.

Each month the ASRC team supports more than 1000 refugees across its Footscray and Dandenong sites.

This is mostly done through providing a realistic shopping experience at its food bank.

Community food services manager Huyen Nguyen-Manh said the unique experience was created to maintain dignity and choice in what its clients would like to eat.

“We don’t provide set food baskets, people come in through the food bank in a shopping style and pick what they like,” she said.

“We have a maximum number of items they can retain based on their family size and how often they shop.”

Ms Nguyen-Manh said May was a challenging time for the ASRC, with the centre experiencing the highest number of visits to the food bank since reopening the centre post Covid in September 2022.

“With our clients facing challenging times and new families presenting to our centre, we have also seen a steady increase in the number of visits to our food bank,” she said.

“In the last seven months we saw an in-

crease of 44 per cent in the number of people accessing our food bank, and an increase of 40 per cent in the number of visits.”

These numbers have left the food bank with limited stock.

“The food triage is very low, it is the lowest the team has ever seen which is quite concerning,” she said.

Ms Nguyen-Manh said the ASRC prides itself on providing culturally appropriate foods.

“We often get feedback from what people would like to see, but we have had to restrict that,” she said.

“We are trying to provide culturally appropriate foods but we can’t at the moment.”

In addition to cutting down on the variety of foods, Ms Nguyen-Manh said they are also having to make “tough decisions” on what are essential and non essential items.

“Essential items are bread, rice, pasta , yogurt, veggies and fruit,” she said.

“Deodorant is now an extra item, as well as biscuits, which would have both normally been an essential item.”

Other non-essential items are now Asian sauces and spreads like honey, peanut butter and tahini, which are limited and harder to get.

Ms Nguyen-Manh said community donations have also dwindled.

“We have seen a significant decrease in donations from the general community which highlights that the community is also struggling,” she said.

“Alongside an increase in people needing support, the decrease in donations is putting a strain on our service and budget.

“We heavily rely on the generosity and donations from the community to stock our shelves to support our clients.

“Our cohort has no right to work, no Medicare, no income, so the lack of support and extra added barriers makes it harder for them to shop.

“More than ever we need the community’s help, food can be dropped off at both centres in Footscray and Dandenong, as well as other donation drop off points across Melbourne.”

HuyenNguyen-ManhattheASRCinFootscray. 410635

Picture:DAMJANJANEVSKI

QutbiallamTimor(left)withtheRefugeeResourceHubteam. 412179

Picture:STEWARTCHAMBERS

Bid to extend ‘Long’ tenure

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Three-timemayorAngelaLonghasannounced she’ll seek re-election in the upcoming Greater Dandenong council elections.

Longevity is in the Cr Long name – having served as councillor for more than 25 years.

She has also just received her ALP life membership for 40 years in the party.

“I was a loyal supporter (of the Labor party) even before I joined. I’ve enjoyed my time and been on polling booths at every state and federal booths and on council elections.”

She joins husband Barry, who was awarded Labor Party life membership in 2017.

Cr Long – who has survived narrow victories in the past - says no councillor seat was safe at the upcoming council election.

There were fresh faces at the previous election in 2020. Two councillors resigned, two others were defeated and one was ruled ineligible to stand.

Last year, she was in the middle of a furore over seeking ratepayer funds for her personal legal action against former councillor Maria Sampey.

Her councillor colleagues rejected Cr Long’s bid to be reimbursed $8900 in personal legal expenses.

But she was confident her profile in the community, such as running the North Dandenong senior citizens club, will hold her in good stead in Cleeland Ward.

“You can’t just show up in the election a couple of weeks before and hope to win.

“You have to show up in the community all the time.”

Greater Dandenong is regarded as a Labor stronghold. The current council make-up comprises a majority of eight Labor councillors out of 11.

Cr Long has been enmeshed in the “very strong” North Dandenong Labor branch.

In recent years, it has amalgamated with two other branches in the Dandenong state seat, as part of party reforms across Melbourne.

“North Dandenong was the biggest branch before we had to amalgamate.

“(The new branch) has got more than 100 members. A lot of people pay their funds and don’t attend branch meetings.We probably get 35-40 people there.”

$250 debt sparks violent home invasion

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

An armed man who stormed into a Noble Park North family home and injured a man over a purported $250 debt has been jailed.

Aaron Coombe, also known as Aaron Lovett, 42, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to aggravated home invasion and intentionally causing injury in what the judge termed as a “poorly executed crime”.

In November 2022, Coombe lent one of the residents $250 to help pay some outstanding bills.

Some weeks later, with the debt unpaid, Coombe and an unknown male and female knocked at the door.

The debtor’s father answered the knock, and was asked where his son was. He noticed Coombe held a hunting knife and the other male wielded a crowbar.

On entering the house, Coombe demanded “my money” and punched his debtor in the face. The debtor pushed back on Coombe, fled into his bedroom and locked the door.

Coombe kicked in the bedroom door, with the female co-offender stealing the victim’s jewellery, watches and phone. Coombe was not charged over the thefts.

The victim was treated for fractures below his eye socket and in the upper left jaw. He reported nausea, a headache and ‘brain fog’, and being unable to open his mouth to eat due to the pain.

Coombe’s 25-year criminal history included violence and property offences and several jail terms.

In 2022, he was sentenced to nine months jail and an 18-month community corrections order. He was on the CCO at the time of his latest crimes.

Judge Daniel Holding rated Coombe’s rehabilitation prospects as guarded. He was “at risk of being institutionalised, if not already”.

Raised by drug dealers, Coombe endured an “unfortunate” upbringing. He’d used heroin from 14 years of age, suffering two overdoses by 17.

He told a psychologist he needed “all the help I can get” to stop using meth – which he’d used since his mid-20s.

A lack of stable housing and possible acquired brain injury were also long-standing issues.

Coombe was jailed for up to three years and eight months.

The judge set a three-year non-parole period – which is the statutory minimum for aggravated home invasion.

Judge Holding said the sentence might be regarded as lenient in light of Coombe’s priors.

But he took into account the accused’s “genuine” attempts to rehabilitate while in custody.

Coombe’s term included 356 days of presentence detention.

Some of Labor’s South East branches were investigated as part of an IBAC branch-stacking enquiry Operation Watts in 2021 and 2022.

But Cr Long said there were rules to curb branch-stacking, such as new members waiting two years to gain voting rights and having to meet participation standards.

Labor has not lost as many members as the Liberal Party, she asserts. This was partly due to the ALP policy for equal numbers of male and female MPs.

It results in local women, well-known in the community, becoming MPs, she says.

Her highlights as a Labor member are whenever her party was elected into power.

“My saddest moment was when (former Premier) Daniel Andrews decided he was going to retire. I think he was a fantastic Premier.

“I know we went through a rough time in Covid but we’re alive. That’s the point – we’re alive.”

Cr Angela Long and husband Barry Long with their ALP life membership certificates for 40-plus years in the party. 410993

Picture: GARY SISSONS

NEWS Graduates pay it forward

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Nine proud asylum-seekers and refugees have celebrated taking a big step up the career ladder.

Fauziah, Kanimozhi, Mohsin, Sana, Kate, Somornea, Zahra, Razia and Rasvinder were each awarded South East Community Links scholarships to study a 12-month Certificate IV in Community Services.

As new arrivals, the group are charged as full-fee paying students. And so without the scholarships, they were unable to afford further education.

Since graduating, three have found work and three others are in the process of gaining employment.

Their achievements were celebrated at a ceremony at Springvale Community Hub on 5 June.

Among the students were married couple Mohsin and Sana – who was the highestachiever or valedictorian of the group.

Mohsin said they leapt on the opportunity after seeing an ad for the SECL scholarships.

LOOKING BACK

100 years ago

12 June 1924

Submitted to Auction

There was an attendance of about 400 residents at the Dandenong saleyards on Saturday afternoon, the date fixed for the disposal of the market yards site, having frontages to Lonsdale and McCrae streets. Considerable feeling had been created amongst ratepayers, owing to the fact that the Shire council adhered to its decision to sell the land referred to, despite the opposition of a large number of ratepayers. Being considered an historical event in the records of Dandenong, few attended with any serious intentions in regards to purchase, but many did so – merely for the sake of being present and seeing “how the sale would go”. Mr Keast, who wielded the hammer, said he was pleased to see such a large attendance, which was actually the largest gathering he had seen at a land sale for the past 25 years. The land had to be sold, as the Shire council intended re-building the market on portion of the land purchased for the purpose some time ago. Ten blocks were sold, for a total of about 6,000 pounds. Eight lots were “passed in” for private sale.

50 years ago

11 June 1974

Multi-Million Project on Way?

A massive multi-million shopping complex may be built on the Princes Hwy at Hallam. One of Australia’s leading real estate development companies has had preliminary

“Immediately I thought it was a great career opportunity for Rukhsana (Sana) to learn about financial literacy and how to support our community in Australia.

“When I offered to drive her to and from the course, she said: ‘Why don’t you do it too?’.

“So we both applied and were awarded this fantastic scholarship.”

Mohsin says he came to Australia with a commitment to help others in need. He has

since passed on what he’s learnt from the course to empower family and friends.

“In my culture, we work for three reasons –to look after our immediate family, our extended family, and to have the means to visit family overseas.

“Thanks to this scholarship opportunity, Rukhsana and I are on track to fulfilling our commitments.”

SECL’s role was to support and mentor the students, as well as helping them into placement work with hands-on experience.

Registered training organisation ICAN Learn delivered the Cert IV course, and the scholarships funded by Commonwealth Bank’s Next Chapter program.

SECL chief executive Peter McNamara said providing the vocational opportunities was a “no-brainer”.

“‘The South-East of Melbourne is Australia’s most culturally rich and diverse region and every day we see the amazing resolve and commitment of community members.

“It’s super pleasing seeing graduates gaining meaningful employment as a result and all on

an employment pathway.

“We look forward to expanding our partnership with ICAN Learn to further support the community…watch this space.”

ICAN Learn executive officer Tracey McCurdy said her organisation was a social enterprise focusing on community services and financial wellbeing sectors.

“We specifically focus on the self-determination of indigenous Australians and people frommulticulturalbackgroundstogrowprofessional opportunities, community and personal knowledge and pathways to employment.”

CBA community investment head Nathan Barker said its Next Chapter program aimed to address domestic and financial abuse.

“It is vital that people impacted by financial abuse and other forms of financial hardship are able to access culturally appropriate support.

“We are proud of our partnership with ICAN Learn to deliver the scholarship program and support people from diverse backgrounds to access their programs.

“I wish all graduates the very best for their future endeavours.”

lieve this council will need rateable money in the near future. The suggestion by Hanover Holdings for this complex at Hallam could assist this council in years to come.”

The site on Princes Hwy near the freeway is zoned general industrial and would need to be re-zoned to restricted business or general business. During their “in camera” meeting with Berwick City Councillors, Hanover Holdings are believed to have put forward ideas for a huge collection of shops including a K-Mart store and a bistro and car parking for 800 cars. Councill Wishart told council there was a growing dissatisfaction with the parking situation in Dandenong for shoppers.

20 years ago

14 June 2004

Council buys defence land Greater Dandenong Council’s bid to pur-

chase a parcel of Defence Department land, including an old army drill hall, in Lonsdale Street has been successful. Real estate agents estimated the site was worth at least $500,000, but the council wanted it for significantly less. The council stepped in with its priority sale offer. It indicated to wouldbe developers it would not rezone the site for any other use other than recreation. It is believed the drill hall, built in the 1890s, could be demolished, a decision that would raise the ire of local heritage defenders. Until recently, the site was used by the Australian Army Reserve.

5 years ago

10 June 2019

Townhouses: green light

A 66 townhouse development proposed for a greenfield site in Keysborough has been given the all-clear by the state’s planning

tribunal. Developer Eastar Group scaleddown its proposal from 74 dwellings, reducing the number of dwelling bedrooms and introducing a small pocket park and more landscaped space on the 3.4 hectare site for 258 Hutton Road. The council remained opposed to the revised proposal due to the overdevelopment, neighbourhood character and urban design concerns. It opposed the “sub-standard” narrow street widths with little space for street trees or onsite parking. Mr Nelthorpe said none of these points were grounds for refusal. The proposed density was in accord with the Keysborough South Development Plan, despite not offering a mix of conventional and medium-density lots.

The health of happiness and why it’s important for all

ress in the advancement of physical comforts and the intelligence quotient (IQ).

Modern society is discovering that, for complete life of satisfaction and joy, human beings must also develop their emotional quotient (EQ) and spiritual quotient (SQ).

In human society, almost all of us have very little knowledge of spirit soul and wrong conception of life for we identify us with the gross and subtle material bodies, which they’re not in fact.

Self-realization means to realize the eternal spiritual being who we really are, who is the Supreme Self, and what is our relationship with the Supreme Self.

By Her Grace Matsya Devi Dasi from the Hare Krishna Melbourne (ISKCON) temple

Whatever the activities we do, we’re all hoping for happiness.

None of us are looking for distress or sadness, but it’s coming to all of us.

Hence any intelligent one can understand that regardless of what we expect, our quota of happiness and distress will come along.

For generations man had made great prog-

WHO declares that “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease infirmity”.

“Today the spiritual dimension of health is increasingly recognized”.

Parents feel, “they want to give their child the best of everything”, yet despite their best efforts many parents are pained to see their children succumb to stress, depression, violence and even suicide.

Even though, the parents have the best interest in their children, not that they have the best knowledge for their kids.

They may be situated in different high and low positions in the estimation of human society, living under constant pressure for performance in academics, sports, competitions, etc.

The goal of the human form of life is to become fully self-realized.

There is nothing more important than this.

Indeed, this should be the one goal of everyone’s life.

Without it there is no question of genuine happiness.

As long as our happiness is based on a false bodily conception of who we are we can never fully be satisfied.

By careful research of the vast treasure house of ancient Vedic wisdom supported by thoughtful philosophical analysis, we can see very clearly that the Supreme Self is Lord Krishna and that we are His eternal servants as part of Him.

Our bodily parts, by serving the real self’s demands, become healthier and happier. Similarly, we’re part and parcels of the Supreme God, by serving Him, we can attain our eternal nature of bliss with full knowledge. Enquiries regarding the Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong: administration@ interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662 Visit interfaithnetwork.org.au/

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

The former Old Drill Hall and swimming pool in Dandenong Park. Both have since been demolished.

The nine graduates at Springvale Community Hub on 5 June.

Funds in need for mums

By Violet Li

An evaluation report by Monash University has highlighted the need for sustainable funding for a program that supports young mothers in the South East with education and employment.

Young MothersTransition Program (YMTP), launched in 2022 by South East Local Learning and Employment Network (SELLEN), aims to engage or re-engage young mothers across Casey, Cardinia, and Greater Dandenong in education and employment through a case management model.

Two transition coaches work with young mothers to help address barriers to transport, mental health, housing, and childcare so that they can complete post-compulsory education and build knowledge for future employment.

The program of complementary nature functions alongside the Young Parents Education Program (YPEP) at Cranbourne Secondary College and Foundation Learning Centre which provides inclusive education and early parenting expertise – young parents bring their baby with them and are supported by qualified parenting experts.

TheYMTP has seen over 110 young mothers in the region registered in the past two years.

Young Parents Program manager Mary Tresize – Brown said funding for the currentYMTP program ceased on 30 June and would finish by October or November this year without further funding.

YMTP is currently funded by the Women’s Leadership and Development Program (WLDP) of the Office forWomen in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

“It’s hard to secure sustainable funding. There are funding grants available of course but long term, they are not sustainable,” Ms Tresize - Brown said.

“I am working on finding ways to ensure it continues.”

A program participant, who preferred not to be named, said she wouldn’t have been able to finish school without the resources provided by YMTP and YPEP.

“Kirstie [transition coach] has been an enormous help, from helping me with clothing and other essentials for the baby to helping with more difficult things such as Centrelink, lawyers, and learning about how to acquire housing, as well as getting me a stroller that I

take everywhere with me,” she said.

“It was great I had someone to help me with everything, which I am extremely grateful…

“This program has helped me achieve major and minor goals but has also allowed me to gain so much knowledge, not only relating to schoolwork but also to general day-to-day life skills.”

The report by Dr Penny Round of Monash University evaluated the program as “overwhelmingly successful”.

Dr Round said Jen and Kirstie [transition coaches] were able to have sustained contact with young parents and be able to help them address barriers so that education was possible for them.

“They were always solution-focused,” she said.

“They were supportive, strength-based and they were the absolute resource for young

mothers to be able to re-engage with their pathways, but also to support their baby.

“They were very accessible and that was important because what happened over time was that the students learned to trust Jen and Kirstie and to know that they were there. And not only were they there, but they were helping.”

Dr Round recommended in the report that more transition coaches needed to be employed to ensure the continued success of young parents and their education.

“It was just the right people for the right job and so we need more Jen and Kirstie,” she said.

“We also need to make sure that funding is there because I just can’t imagine what would happen if they weren’t there.”

A spokesperson for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet said it was a one-off grant awarded to the SELLEN in 2021 through the Women’s Leadership and Devel-

opment Program to pilot the Young Mothers Transition Project.

“We recognise the project has had a positive impact on the lives of young mothers in Melbourne’s South East,” they said.

“We encourage SELLEN to register on GrantConnect where future grant rounds and other upcoming Australian Government grant opportunities are published.”

The South East region has recorded low Year 12 completion rates. About 16.9 per cent of young people in Casey, Cardinia, and Greater Dandenong Region have completed Year 10 or less.

According to the 2016 Census, there are 1110 young people in the region with parenting responsibilities.

Many of them lack family or other support to continue their education and obtain a Year 12 certificate.

Calls for flu vaccinations with winter’s onset

By Ethan Benedicto

With 2023 seeing one of the worst flu seasons in Australia since 2019, there is a renewed push for people to be vaccinated against the illness.

Benefits of getting the jab can include flu prevention, less severe symptoms, community protection and lower risk of complications, according to Blooms the Chemist, which is offering free flu vaccinations to some people at their NarreWarren and Cranbourne stores amid a drop in jab rates postCovid. Experts have attributed the decline to vaccine fatigue.

Federation University professor Stuart Berzins said that the Covid pandemic has altered the way that societies function in many ways, and “part of that was almost a requirement to be vaccinated and to be vaccinated regularly”.

“The immediate severity of the pandemic felt by the people has lessened, along with that has sort of become, a lessening of the urgency to keep up with vaccinations,” he said.

Professor Berzins, an expert in immunology, also added that this reaction to Covid boosters has also been felt with flu vaccinations, considering that they themselves have never been taken up by the community at the same rate the Covid vaccines were.

With vaccinations out of mind, people are “a little bit more relaxed about Covid and getting vaccines in general, which includes the importance of vaccines”.

According to the Australian Vaccine Services, 2023’s flu cases had a 10 per cent in-

With winter coming, Professor Stuart Berzins, an expert in immunology at Federation University, is encouraging everyone to get their annual flu shots to prevent illness. Picture: SUPPLIED

crease compared to 2022, with vaccination rates in Victoria down 18.9 per cent and children six months to five years being the least likely to be vaccinated.

While Professor Berzins emphasised the importance of the general public taking their flu shots, he said that “people need to be able to make that kind of decision about whether to be vaccinated being fully informed”.

“I think the last thing we want a society is to give up on sending messages about vacci-

nation because then we run the risk of people just not realising how important it is and how much it reduces the risk of becoming seriously ill from diseases,” he said.

Influenza itself is not a new phenomenon, where in 2019 there were over 300,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of the disease in Australia, according to the Department of Health.

While symptoms for the disease are more often mild than not, the main factor is that “there are different strains of influenza”.

“We’ve all heard of Omicron, we’ve heard of variations of Omicron that are sort of appearing now with their different strings of numbers and letters and so on, so people are sort of comfortable that there are different viruses out there.

“When you get infected with influenza, it’s correct that if you recover, then you are going to have some immunity built up against that form of the virus - but you don’t know if you’re going to get that form of the virus again.

“In fact the reason we need to get vaccinated every year for the flu isn’t because our immunity is weak and it just disappears, it’s because the variants of the influenza regularly change from year to year,” Professor Berzins said.

On the subject of delivering the message, the professor encouraged moderation and that “there needs to be a balance”, with different sources such as doctors playing an important role in delivering it.

“It’s important to bear in mind that a lot of

people who think they might have had influenza have probably not, they probably had a form of the common cold.

“So people who are immunosuppressed [especially] kids are at a high risk of getting very sick from influenza, so in those sorts of cases it’s even more portent to get as much protection as you can.

“The vaccine is never going to weaken your protection; it’s always going to strengthen it, so why invite the risk of having another form of influenza that might make you seriously unwell?” Professor Berzins said.

A media release by AmbulanceVictoria on 31 May detailed that they are experiencing significant demand due to seasonal illness, with flu cases having increased in the state by 65 per cent in the fortnight leading to the end of May.

While reminding the public to save triple zero (000) calls for emergencies, AV director of emergency management, Justin Dunlop added that “this time of year, is a particularly bad time for the spread of illnesses and a busy time for our paramedics”.

“By staying up to date with your yearly vaccinations, it helps you and the people around you.

“It also makes a difference by reducing demand on our paramedics who are facing a busy ahead,” he said.

For Professor Berzins, the best way that the general public can avoid being infected, or seriously ill from influenza is “to be vaccinated where effective vaccines are available”.

From left to right: transition coach Kirstie, SELLEN chief executive officer Andrew Simmons, Dr Penny Round, Young Pregnant & Parenting Network president Lyn Allison, and Young Parents Program manager Mary Tresize – Brown.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Sharing their resilience

By Ethan Benedicto

More than 150 people took a deep dive into personal accounts of tackling addiction and struggles with mental health on the night of Friday 31 May, as the Youth You Program held their latest event at Bunjil Place.

The seminar, which ran from 6.30pm to until just after 9pm, broke down tools that those battling addiction and struggling with mental health could use but also had a strong emphasis on what comes after that fight and the next steps in one’s personal journey.

Glenn Munso, the founder with lived experience of addiction and his own mental health struggles, delivered the first talk of the night, where he said he“started the program because I’d seen so many people through the [other] programs looking and feeling broken”.

“They’d lost hope, they forgot who they were as a person and they kind of just disintegrated and drifted away,” he said.

The Youth You Program is a holistic, 10-month endeavour that aims to help, support and guide young adults from ages 18 to 35 to overcome and recover from addiction.

It incorporates lessons learned from the lived experiences of coaches such as Glenn himself, as well as counselling, private support groups, mindset and life coaching and more.

“If you truly want help, and you truly want to get where you want to be, I’ve got your back,” Glenn said.

“Over the years, people would say, you don’t look that bad, or it would always be about the qualifications - you don’t do this or you don’t do that; we’re starting to recognise mental health seriously now and addiction needs to match up.

“When you remove the addiction, it’s always mental health, we need to look at, like why is that individual masked? What are they running from? What are they hiding?” he said.

Utilising a non-clinical approach is key, as well as using evidence-based techniques that ensure that the mentioned lived experiences from the coaches are relayed to the group in a position of understanding and acceptance.

Vaughn Williams, fellow Youth You coach delivered a strong speech on his journey, and how environment and labels played an important role in his recovery and current position in life.

“I don’t introduce myself as a drug addict or an ex-drug addict, I reckon that’s b******t.

“I introduce myself as Vaughn Williams because what is the benefit of me introducing myself as an ex-drug addict or a drug addict? That’s not who I am, that’s not defined who I am.

“It’s important not to put a label on yourself, because if you’re battling and you’re struggling, [and] people with mental health issues or any addiction issues at all are what you call normal people.

“Drug addicts aren’t just junkies, people are struggling and people have a hard time,” he said.

Vaughn used Bruce K. Alexander’s rat park experiment as his prime example towards the importance of the environment when it comes to one’s behaviour and the path down to addiction.

“My whole thing of this is, that your environment and community are very important, if you improve your environment and you improve your community and the people around you and get proper connections in your life, that’s how you overcome addiction,” Vaughn said.

Bruce K. Alexander’s experiment challenged the suspicion that drugs themselves were the cause of addiction.

Done through two groups of rats, one in a large, comfortable open space with ample stimuli - the rat park - and the other in an enclosed and standard laboratory cage, they were both presented with options of sweetened morphine-laced water and plain water.

The experiment implicated that environment plays a vital role in addiction, where the rats in the rat park with social connections and comfortable space opted for plain water, while the rats in the cages consumed more of the drug-laced water.

“Are you going to trap yourself in a cage, or are you going to put yourself in that park?” Vaughn said.

Courtney Rigaldi, a member of the Youth You Program, spoke about her spiral into drugs due to loss, the lifestyle that surrounded it and how she eventually broke out of the cycle through a support system.

“I needed to have a support system, which you need to have people in your corner that want you to do better and be better.

“You have to forgive yourself, your past just doesn’t define your future and you have to prioritise yourself, set your boundaries and put your own oxygen mask on first,” Courtney said.

Losing her step-father to pancreatic cancer

at a young age took a toll on her mental health, which also put a strain on her relationship with her mother.

This led to Courtney moving out at 17 to stay with her partner at that time, then settling with her biological father, where living with him she “had all the freedom in the world”.

“I could do whatever I wanted when I wanted, didn’t ask any questions, I was going out a lot, drinking a lot, and then started using drugs,” she said.

Courtney described herself as a “high-functioning” addict, with a full-time position at a company that she had been at for roughly 10 years, she felt that her addiction wasn’t impacting her responsibilities.

The death of a close friend had pushed her further down that spiral, of drugs and mental health struggles, where it was “the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with”.

“I just isolated myself, I spiralled, I was depressed”.

While Courtney realised that she had the program, as well as a circle that supported her every step of the way in her journey towards recovery, it’s the personal decision to take that initial step to ask for help and that “what you put in is what you get out”.

“Stop waiting until you’re 100 per cent ready because the truth is you never will be, so take the leap, trust the process and make the change, don’t let the fear stand in the way of a new chapter,” she said.

Before starting the Youth You Program, Glenn was put into an 18-month intensive corrections order and was given an 85 per cent chance of reoffending; however, he broke that shell and the one thing he urged for those who

struggled is to “not let the labels stop you”.

“My blueprint or my guide to helping people that are stuck [is to] find a community that pushes you.

“Find people that are going to push you to the best version of yourself, a community with the standards that match up with where you want to be,” he said.

For Vaughn, it was about “going back to basics”.

“What brings you joy? What did you love as a kid? What things interest you? Take a step back and write those things down, figure out what you are interested in.

“I went away from all the things I loved and all the things I enjoyed in my life because I put substance first.

“Comparison is the thief of joy, every single person in this room, your story is your story, and nobody can take it away,” he said.

Each speaker spent time delving into their personal accounts with the audience, detailing their struggles and how they eventually brought themselves back to a place where they are content and satisfied with who they have become.

Vaughn Williams is also currently a director for the Victorian Brothers and the vice-president of the Peninsula Dolphins Rugby League Club.

Glenn Munso is a two-time Amazon bestselling author for Drugs Do Not Discriminate and I Quit Drugs - Now What? with the Youth You Program as the core of his work towards providing a safe space to speak on addiction and mental health.

For more information on theYouthYou Program, visit youthyouprogram.com

Glenn Munso, founder of the Youth You Program stands in front of a slide detailing the steps of battling addiction and mental health struggles.

Pictures: ETHAN BENEDICTO

Courtney Rigaldi delved into her past, rife with drugs, loss, addiction and her struggle to remove herself from that environment.

Vaughn Williams also spoke on the importance of labels and the normalcy of battling addiction and mental health struggles.

NEWS Boxing concussion probed

By Emily Woods, AAP

A father has cried as he detailed missed opportunities in the months before his 18-year-old son died from bleeding near his brain after collapsing at a suburban boxing gym.

George Diamond, an apprentice carpenter from Pearcedale, was taken to hospital following a sparring session at Sting Gym in Cranbourne in February 2019.

He was getting back into boxing after taking a break following a concussion four months earlier.

Vic Diamond recalled his son George returning home from the gym and not being himself.

Sadly, the teen could not be saved and he died at The Alfred on February 21, 2019.

An autopsy found Mr Diamond’s death was caused by an “acute subdural haemorrhage, operated in a setting of martial arts activity”, the Coroners Court in Melbourne was told on Tuesday.

“There was also evidence of an older subdural haemorrhage,” counsel assisting Gideon Boas said.

“George reportedly sustained a symptomatic head injury in October 2018 during the practice of martial arts.”

Mr Diamond was sparring when his opponent hit him in the groin and repeatedly in the head on October 25, 2018.

His father Vic recalled Mr Diamond returning home from the gym that night and not being himself.

“He told me, ‘I got hurt at boxing, the gym checked me out, gave me a Gatorade and he let me drive home 20 minutes afterwards’,” he told the court.

“My question is, why didn’t they call an ambulance? There’s three medical centres a kilometre radius of the gym, why didn’t they take him to one of those medical centres?”

The following day, Mr Diamond went to work but his boss sent his home because he was vomiting, which was when Vic decided to take his son to the doctor.

He told the GP he was vomiting, dizzy, had headaches and back pain, and she sent him away but said to bring him back if it continued.

Mr Diamond’s condition did not improve so they returned to see a different doctor, and were again told to give it a few days before bringing him back, Vic said.

No MRI or CT scans were ordered, but the teen was sent to undergo blood tests.

His symptoms continued, causing the father and son to visit Frankston Hospital on

November 5 where he was diagnosed with concussion.

Vic asked the clinician to order an MRI or CT scan for his son, but emergency physician Yigal Reuben said he did not need the scan.

“I asked Dr Reuben twice to do a CT scan, he said I was being over-protective and it was unnecessary,” he said.

The doctor said radiation from the scan would not be good for the 18-year-old,Vic said.

Dr Reuben provided the young man advice about his head injury and returning to boxing, including written information about concussion.

Vic cried from the witness stand as he re-

called a heartbreaking conversation with his son on the way home from hospital.

“I said to him, ‘Georgie, maybe you should give boxing a miss for a little while’,” he said.

“He said to me ‘Dad, the gym owners had said I’m all good, they let me drive home, two GPs have said I’m all good, a doctor at the hospital has said to me I don’t even have to do a scan, we have to put trust in what they’re saying because they’re professionals’.

“That’s a regret I have.”

Mr Diamond was signed off by a GP and allowed to return to boxing in January 2019.

Doctor stands by decision not to give boxer brain scan

By Emily Woods, AAP

A Pearcedale 18-year-old’s symptoms of vomiting, headache and dizziness 10 days after a head knock while boxing were not enough to warrant a brain scan, an emergency doctor has told an inquest.

Frankston Hospital emergency physician

Yigal Reuben has stood by a decision to not order a CT scan for George Diamond in the months before he died, despite desperate pleas from the teen’s father.

Mr Diamond died in hospital from bleeding near his brain on February 21, 2019, with an autopsy revealing an older subdural haemorrhage from a previous head injury.

A coronial inquest is underway in Melbourne to investigate links between the head knock he suffered in October 2018, and his death after collapsing at the Sting Gym four months later.

Father of George Diamond, Vic Diamond (right) and family members depart after having a photograph taken outside of the Coroners Court of Victoria in Melbourne, Tuesday, 4 June, 2024. Picture: AAP IMAGE/JAMES ROSS

Mr Diamond had visited two GPs with his father after being punched in the groin and head at the Cranbourne gym on October 25.

Both doctors sent him away without ordering a CT scan or MRI.

Mr Diamond’s symptoms persisted and his father, Vic Diamond, took him to Frankston Hospital on November 5, concerned that he was not getting better.

“I asked Dr Reuben twice to do a CT scan, he said I was being over-protective and it was unnecessary,” he told the inquest on Tuesday.

Dr Reuben said he diagnosed the young man with a concussion and provided advice about his head injury and returning to boxing, including written information.

However, he did not believe Mr Diamond’s symptoms - which included vomiting that morning, back pain, dizziness and headaches - had warranted a CT scan.

“I explained to him why he needed to rest his brain and that he was not to return

to sport until he was medically cleared,” Dr Reuben told the Coroners Court on Wednesday.

“My assessment at that point in time was that a CAT scan was not going to alter his management on that day, it was not going to change, he was not going to require neurosurgery on that day.

“I still stand by that opinion ... he did not need a CT scan and he did not need an MRI scan. He did not meet my criteria as an emergency physician to investigate his symptoms with how he presented on that day.”

Mr Diamond was medically suspended from the Sting Gym after the October concussion.

He was signed off by his GP, Pejman Hajbabaie, to return to boxing on January 25. The inquest before state coroner John Cain continues.

WHAT’S ON

Interfaith public tour

Join a Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network guided tour of four places of worship in the South East - Pillars of Guidance Community Centre mosque, Doveton; Shiva Vishnu temple, Carrum Downs; Brahma Kumaris Retreat Centre, Baxter (including a vegetarian lunch, $10-15 donation appreciated); and, Dhamma Saranna Buddhist temple, Keysborough. Bring your own morning tea as well as a head covering for the mosque visit. Modest clothing would be appreciated.

· Wednesday, 12 June, 8.30am-3pm starting at the interfaith network office, 39 Clow Street Dandenong; $25 includes transport and a copy of the book Many Faiths, One People. Bookings required, contact education@interfaithnetwork.org.au

Movie Afternoon

Come and enjoy a movie called the “The Miracle Club’ with us and discuss its meaning and relevance to our connection and community.

· Thursday 13 June, 1.30pm–3.30pm at The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong; suggested gold-coin donation. Details: 9791 8664 or Theopendoor@ssjg.org.au

Understanding ATAR

Your Essential Guide to Understanding the ATAR is a free webinar for students and parents hosted by Haileybury CEO and principal Derek Scott.

· Thursday 13 June, 6.30pm. To register, go to www.haileybury.com.au/atar

Play in Our Street

Join us in Noble Park throughout June and Play in Our Street. Includes a Voice and Music Pop Up, with kids karaoke and songwriting workshop. Also create a community ‘anthem’ facilitated by Tararama

· Sunday 16 June, 1.30pm-3.30pm at Frank Street Open Space, Noble Park. Free event, registrations required at events.humanitix. com/play-in-our-street-npk-voice-and-musicpop-up

Valuing Our Trees

Afternoon tea with presentation from Dandenong and Springvale historical societies president Chris Keys on the local history of trees. Also presentation from Significant Tree Register chair Dr Greg Moore, who is also a University of Melbourne Research Fellow and will speak on the undervaluing and unnecessary removal of significant trees.

· Wednesday 19 June, 1.30pm-4pm at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong; free event. Bookings required at https://www.trybooking.com/CPCWF

Number-plate screws

Free anti-theft number-plate screws will be fitted at three venues this month by Neighbourhood Watch Greater Dandenong. Personal alarms also for sale.

· Saturday 22 June, 10am-2pm at Dandenong Bunnings; Sunday 23 June,11am-3pm at Parkmore shopping centre; and Saturday 29 June, 10am-2pm at Springvale Bunnings.

Refugee Week

Family friendly celebration of Refugee Week, in-

cluding welcoming ceremony, guest speakers, cultural performances, stalls, children’s activities, food tasting, popcorn and tea tasting, henna art and collaborative artwork.

· Saturday 22 June, 1pm-3pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event.

Noble Park Public Hall Trust AGM

Upcoming annual general meeting. Nominations for the vacant five-year term as a Trustee close on 25 June.

· Friday 5 July, 1pm at Paddy O Donoghue Centre. Details: dawndickson49@gmail.com or 0412 613 853

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.

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.

Friends of Red Cross 45th birthday

Hallam Friends of the Red Cross will be celebrating 45 years of service with a party, afternoon tea, door prize and $1 raffle. Guest speaker: Connected Libraries Doveton team leader Tanisha Taylor. All welcome, we are a very friendly group.

· Tuesday 18 June, 1pm at Hallam Community Learning Centre, 56 Kays Avenue, Hallam; $5. Details: Robert Read, 0455 566 570.

· 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 (1pm3pm, $3 entry).

· 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.

Awareness Meditation Meditation brings stillness, harmonises body & soul & connects to meaning.

· Mondays (during school term), 2.30pm–3.30pm followed by a cuppa at The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong; suggested gold-coin donation. Details: 9791 8664 or Theopendoor@ssjg.org.au

Adult Exercise

Improve fitness and energy levels for good health and wellbeing at this adult exercise group class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a self-paced, gentle aerobics class suitable for all levels.

· Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am at Jan Wilson Community Centre, Halton Road, Noble Park North; $5 per session. No registrations required. Details: 8571 1436 or communityfacilities@cgd.vic.gov.au

Fun for retirees

New members from Dandenong North and Noble Park are sought by the Waverley Gardens Combined Probus Club. In addition to other activities, club members also meet for coffee & listen to a guest speaker.

· last Tuesday of the month 9.45am-noon at Southern Community Centre, 27 Rupert Dr, Mulgrave (near Police Rd). Details: Don, 9560 6046.

Meditation and positive thinking

Learn how to make your mind your best friend through open-eyed meditation. Led by Bhavani Padmanabhan, these free sessions are open to all. Presented by Bakhtar Community Organisation and The Brahma Kumaris Organisation.

· Saturdays 2pm at 23-47 Gunns Road,Hallam. Registrations: 9703 2555 or 0403 551 596. Weekly badminton

Adults welcome (Mondays 7pm-9pm) and ladies and retired (Wednesdays 12pm-2.30pm).

· Hallam Badminton Club, Frawley Road Recreation Reserve; $5.

Yoga Classes

For all ages, experience and abilities. Mats and other equipment available. No Booking required.

· Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am-10.30am at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; $5 per class or $40 for 10 classes. Details: programs@nobleparkcc.org. au or 9547 5801

Mindfulness meditation

Held weekly for people to learn the basic skills of concentration. Meditation may benefit people with spiritual and mental health support.

· Thursdays, 2.30pm-3pm at Dandenong Hospital’s Sacred Space, 135 David Street, Dandenong. Free, no bookings required. Details: Chuentat Kang, 0405 421 706 or chuentat@ hotmail.com

Remar looking to the future with big plans to expand

You would think having an op shop, church and rehab facility would keep them busy enough, but Remar in Pakenham has big ambitions for the future with plans to expand and serve even more in the community.

A Christian-based humanitarian organisation, which first began in Spain and now found across the world, their work is largely dedicated to helping those battling addictions.

Remar’s residential rehab centre is based in Nyora which caters for adult males with the program running for 12 months.

They also run an op shop and church in Pakenham.

The rehab program takes a ‘therapeutic Christian community’ approach, where participants develop vital routines while undertaking a number of work activities such as carpentry, cooking, gardening and various farm duties.

According to Remar pastor Luis Brito, the main benefit of their rehab program is there is no waiting list and space is available for new participants.

“A lot of the men that we’ve had that have done a detox program would often have to wait for months before going to a

centre,” he said.

“We just want people to know we’re here, there’s a lot of people who struggle with addiction locally and they may not be aware there’s a closer option with the centre just being in Nyora.”

They strive to keep the entry process as simple as possible with participants able to get in touch through their website, followed by an interview with pastor Luis.

They also have ambitions to establish a women’s only rehab program after noticing a

severe lack of services throughout the state.

They are hoping to partner with organisations or individuals who could help bring this to fruition.

“It’s unfortunate, we get calls almost every week for women that need support and that there’s no programs for women,” Mr Brito said.

“We’re just hoping to find the right people to partner with us and collaborate on it.”

They are also hoping to attract more volunteers for various roles such as in the op shop,

weekly soup kitchen and at the rehab centre.

The op shop, which is crucial to raising funds for their rehabilitation and social programs, is located on 6 Michael Street, Pakenham.

It offers a wide range of items from shoes, clothing, children’s toys and even features a dedicated section for furniture.

It is open from Monday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm and is in need of volunteers to assist its day to day operations.

While every Wednesday night a soup kitchen is held from 5pm to 7pm, which is free for anyone to attend to enjoy a delicious meal and have a chat at the church site at 49 Bald Hill Road.

And it doesn’t stop there, as they also have ‘Remar Renovations’ which offers services such as carpentry, painting and gardening with profits going towards the rehab centre. It also provides a great opportunity for participants to get involved and learn new skills, earn money and help them find employment after the program.

Anyone interested in volunteering or finding out more about Remar can visit remaraustralia.org

Pastor Luis Brito (left) and Shane Seneviratne are looking forward to Remar’s future as they look to expand.

Support demand rising

By Matthew Sims

The Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC) is calling for more funding for the family violence legal sector as close to 60 per cent of clients are experiencing family violence, with the centre struggling to keep up with demand.

PCLC chief executive Jackie Galloway said there were record numbers of women requiring legal support on safety, family law and housing issues on the back of rising numbers of family violence across the country.

“The alarming spike in the number of women being killed around the country has led to a national conversation about family and gender-based violence,” she said.

“This has brought into sharp focus the intersecting nature of the national family violence, housing and cost of living crises.

“This also comes at a time when there were only modest increases to funding in the recent federal budget for legal and other front-line programs for women fleeing family violence, despite calls from the sector that the system is drastically underfunded.”

Ms Galloway said PCLC offers a range of services, from representing women at court to obtain family violence intervention orders to navigating the family law system to sort out parenting agreements, child support and property settlement.

“PCLC’s family law team recently assisted a woman and her two young daughters who fled across the country to live with the women’s parents inVictoria,” she said.

“They were fleeing years of family violence which would have left them homeless in the other state, where there were only 0.3% rental vacancies in the area.

“The perpetrator made a court application for the children to be returned to him, despite his long history of family violence and the fact that the eldest daughter was not

his biological child.

Ms Galloway said this led to“extremely complex” legal proceedings across other states.

“PCLC’s family lawyer worked with a community legal centre in the other state to successfully have the violent ex-partner’s application quashed, and also initiated family law proceedings for the mother to keep her children and remain safely inVictoria,” she said.

“Our lawyers are often involved for years in helping women through the legal system.

“Many violent ex-partners use the legal system to continue the abuse by initiating false family violence claims against the victim-survivor.

With data indicating 80 per cent of family law cases involve family violence, Ms Galloway said more reform needs to take place.

“Recent changes to the family law system have made it fairer and more accessible for women trying to escape family violence,” she said.

“While these changes are starting to make a difference, much more still needs to be done.

“To give just one example, the Family Law Act should be further amended to make family violence a consideration in property disputes, which would acknowledge that victim-survivors of abuse often have less ability to contribute to the family property pool.”

Ms Galloway said the industry still requires a “massive injection” of funding and long-term funding agreements.

“Due to limited funding, the number of women who receive help from community legal centres like PCLC and legal aid services is a tiny fraction of those who need it,” she said.

“The government response to family violence needs to build on the knowledge acquired over several decades of experience and provide reliable and adequate funding to all of the intersecting front-line services that assist victimsurvivors.”

Peninsula Community Legal Centre chief executive Jackie Galloway. Picture: SUPPLIED

NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT

The land affected by the application is located at: 10 Monterey

SOUTH VIC 3175 12 Monterey Road DANDENONG SOUTH VIC 3175

The application is for a permit to: Removal of Covenant N218223F and N218221M on Plan of Subdivision 208302 SPEAR

The applicant for the permit is: MG Land Surveyors

The application reference number is: PLN24/0107

You may look at the application and any documents that support the application free of charge:

On Council’s online Advertised Applications register: mygreaterdandenong.com OR Scan the QR code:

You may also call 8571 1000 to arrange a time to look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the responsible authority: Greater Dandenong City Council

Greater Dandenong Civic Centre Level 3, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong

This can be done during office hours 8:30am–5:00pm

Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the responsible authority.

An objection must be made to the responsible authority in writing, include the reasons for the objection and state how the objector would be affected.

The responsible authority must make a copy of every objection available for any person to inspect free of charge until the end of the period during which an application may be made for review of a decision on the application.

The responsible authority will not decide on the application until at least 14 days after the date on which the last notice is given.

If you object, the responsible authority will tell you its decision.

Captain Cam takes control of Bloods

By Marcus Uhe

Cameron Forysth’s elevation to captain of Springvale South’s First XI etches the family’s name further into the history books at Alex Nelson Reserve.

Very few families have been as intertwined with a single sporting club in recent generations as much the Forsyths’ with the Bloods, with Cameron’s brothers Ryan, Mitch, and Brett all having donned the red and white, following in the footsteps of father, Paul, in an association between club and family that dates back more than 30 years.

Brett, Cameron and Mitch each have First XI premiership medals as mementos of their successes at the Bloods, while Ryan also was an accomplished First XI player.

Harold Road is a venue within walking distance from the family home where the quartet of brothers grew up, and came to leave indelible footprints at the facility’s cricket nets, with Cameron and Mitch sharing the 2022/23Turf 1 flag as teammates.

“It’s (the club) always been a very special place for our family,” Cameron said.

“The club has always been very supportive of myself, Brett and Mitch going off and playing Premier Cricket at Dandenong, with the expectation and knowledge that we’d return and give back to the club at the back end of our playing days.

“It’s the least that we can do after the club supported us so much through our junior careers and the start of our senior careers.”

Cameron said being asked to assume the leadership capacity was“quite a special thing,” replacing talismanic opening batter Ryan Quirk after two seasons at the helm that culminated in consecutive grand final appearances.

“Making grand finals in the past three years is quite a testament to ‘Hilly’s (Paul Hill) job as captain and coach and the job that Ryan (Quirk) did over the last couple of seasons,” he said. “They should be quite proud of the position that they’ve put the club in.

“I feel quite blessed to be taking over the leadership role, given where the club’s at, at the moment.”

Leadership is not a capacity unfamiliar to Cameron, having steered a number of sides in junior cricket and at various representative levels, as well as sporadically at the Panthers.

But the Bloods’ predicament heading into the summer of 2024/25 is somewhat alien, needing to rebound from a grand final day that ended in contrasting fashion to the previous two - without premiership medallions hanging around their necks - against long-time rivals Buckley Ridges.

Cameron was unavailable for selection on grand final day due to injury, but played an in-

tegral role in his side’s return to the decider in the second half of the season, and knows the squad inside and out, quickly becoming an integral member since returning from Dandenong.

A home-and-away campaign that saw the Bloods finish in top spot, with just two losses, and be declared the second-best side for the season, suggests there’s slim room for improvement, and marginal requirement for significant change.

Personnel-wise, the squad will remain largely intact, and Cameron is not eager to mess with a largely-successful formula, but the new captain said he will draw on the triumphs of previous seasons in an effort to add to the trophy cabinet at Alex Nelson Reserve, and amplify the already steeped legacy of the current squad.

“The team plays hard but has a lot of fun and I won’t be trying to change anything from that perspective.

“There’s a few things that I’m excited to share with the group in terms of how I think we should play our cricket, and to see if we can all buy-in to that and get everyone pulling in that direction.

“I think the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 seasons where the Bloods won the premiership in Turf 1, there was much more even contributions across the team.

“If you look at the players’ stats in those years and even at individual games, I think there were a lot more guys contributing to victories each and every week.

“Last year we were probably too reliant on our best players; we had two or three guys who

had outstanding seasons but then there were quite a few other players who were probably a little bit down on what they would expect from their seasons, myself included.

“One thing that I’m going to look to achieve is to try to get a bit more even output across the team and really focus on players playing their individual roles to the best of their abilities.

“While we want to celebrate the best performers in the team, my view is that if someone plays well in the position that they’re in with limited opportunities, that should be celebrated just as much as the top order batter who gets a better chance to make more runs, or the bowler who bowls more overs and gets more wickets.

“We haven’t got together as a group and talked about last year or the season ahead yet, but I’d be very surprised if last year hasn’t stung the boys a bit.

“I expect the group is very hungry to right the grand final result from last season and go one-better this season.”

2022/23 premiership player Matthew Wetering is being touted as a ‘new’ recruit, having battled injury for much of last season and not featuring at senior level, while premiership-winning allrounder Yoshan Kumara has departed the club.

Quirk meanwhile, will remain at Springvale South but without the leadership tag.

Forsyth is confident he can return to his prolific form from the 2022/2023 season, where he was one of the competition’s highest run scorers and placed second in the Wookey Medal vote count.

Bulls downed in showpiece EFNL contest

By Marcus Uhe

A formidable first half against the ladder leaders was not enough for Noble Park to secure the much-needed four points in a standalone showpiece King’s Birthday long weekend fixture against Balwyn in the Eastern Football Netball League.

The Bulls led by a point at the long break but kicked two goals in the second half to Balwyn’s five, as the Tigers romped to an eighth consecutive win in a 7.8 50 to 10.15 75 result.

It took 10 minutes for the game’s opening goal as both sides missed chances to stake an early claim on proceedings.

It was the busy Jake Mullen that struck first for the Bulls, and goals were traded in the first term as Jackson Sketcher made an early impression with his second goal of the year.

Scores were even at the first change, neither side could break free from the contest’s shackles inthesecondterm,thankstothreegoalsapiece.

Kyle Martin goaled from a stoppage in the opening minute of the term and added a second shortly after to give the Bulls a 12-point lead.

Balwyn hit back, but the next 10 minutes was a masterclass in defending in the for-

Dandy down

By Marcus Uhe

Dandenong Thunder’s defensive frailties were once again left badly exposed on Saturday night in yet another heavy defeat in the National Premier League (NPL) Victoria competition.

Thunder conceded four goals in a game for the third time this season, going down 4-0 at home to Altona Magic in a contest that will inflict further difficulty on their ability to qualify for finals action.

The visitors did much of the attacking in the opening half and the 33rd minute saw the deadlock shatter, as Stephen Lawless put the Magic ahead.

It was a perfectly placed through ball from the Magic back half that pierced its way through the Thunder midfield and defence, and into the stride of Lawless bearing down on Pierce Clark’s goal.

Clark got a hand to the strike, but it wasn’t enough to stop the ball from trickling over the line, to set the contest alight.

The best chance for the Thunder came in stoppage time, when Muamet Selimovski was denied by flying Magic goalkeeper Ben Ratajczak.

A powerful volley on Selimovski’s right foot from the penalty spot saw Ratajczak spring to life, and touch the ball over the crossbar just moments before the referee blew for half time.

Altona doubled the advantage in the 56th minute in a similar manner to the way it opened the scoring, as another threaded ball into space brought the defenders’ undoing.

Thunder’s Ben Djiba was edged out in the chase for the ball by Jawad Rezai with both hitting the ground as a result of the collision on the outskirts of the Magic’s penalty area.

Thunder had the numbers advantage, with Clark, Daniel Alessi and Aidan Edwards all converging on the lose ball, but Altona’s Bul Juach reached it first, and kept his head with chaos unfolding around him.

He dodged a sliding challenge from Alessi and poked the ball past a diving Clark’s fingertips into the net, showcasing why he has been one of the better strikers in the competition to date.

Lawless then made it 3-0 in the 69th minute, courtesy of a delightful volley.

ward half from the Bulls, and netted another through Scott McInerney.

McInerney’s came from an intercept of his own 50 metres from goal, before kicking on the run to put his side 13 ahead after 17 minutes.

Balwyn dominated proceedings in the third, reinforcing its premiership credentials with a steely defensive effort to put the clamps on Noble Park.

The Tigers had the first nine shots on goal of the quarter and grew the lead to as far as 18 points late in the term as the Bulls battled for any forward half penetration.

Mullen’s second of the afternoon, in the 25th minute of the third term, snapped a run of four consecutive Tigers goals, and gave the home side a sniff going into the last quarter.

Veteran Liam Scott continues to hold his own since returning to the senior side, Kane Marshall impressed in his senior debut, and Martin provided a reminder of what the Bulls missed in 2023 with another great display.

A cross deep into the penalty was left by Clark for Jay Romanovski to head clear of danger, but his misdirected effort landed into the strike zone for the opportunistic striker on the edge of the penalty area.

Number four for the magic came in the 84th minute, after Saad Moukachar danced his way through Thunder defenders and curled one into the top corner to inflict further pain on the home side.

A massive two weeks awaits for Dandenong with rivals Oakleigh Cannons and Dandenong City both coming to George Andrews Reserve.

The clash against Oakleigh will be played behind closed doors on Saturday night, however, as a result of an incident between the two sides in a clash back in March that saw Football Federation Victoria impose sanctions on future fixtures between the clubs.

Muamet Selimovski had one of the better chances of the evening to put Dandenong Thunder on the board. 408997

Picture: ROB CAREW

Liam Scott was a standout in Noble Park’s defensive half against Balwyn. 354793

Picture: ROB CAREW

Cameron Forsyth will captain Springvale South in the DDCA next season. 391023

Picture: ROB CAREW

SPORT Toner and Templeton shine

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Local boys Mitch Toner and Cody Templeton have been selected to representVic Country in the under-16s national championships which got underway at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday.

Toner comes from a famous Narre Warren family, playing a key hand in the club’s under-19s premiership win last season, in between school footy commitments for Caulfield Grammar.

A strongly built athlete with power suited to the modern game, Toner spent time forward on Saturday, taking some big marks and breaking tackles with ease.

He also laid a massive tackle in the middle of the ground which led to a crucial third quarter goal forVic Country against the run of play.

“Weusedhimas aclearance beast lastyear,” said Narre under-19s coach Mark Krystalyn.

“It worked well because of his height and bulk.

“We can play him up forward and his contested work is really good - he’s very good overhead and uses the ball well.

“He’s a really good communicator too for a young fella - he ticks all boxes.”

Meanwhile, Templeton is a star on the rise from Warragul Industrials, making his senior debut as a 15-year-old last season in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition.

He showed his tenacity on Saturday, stepping through traffic at times and using the footy well.

“He’s a very special player,” said Warragul Industrials coach Michael Duncan.

“That’s not just what he does on Saturday, I watch him at training and his attitude towards training is at a different level compared to other footballers - senior and junior.

“He’s a bit lighter than most but we put him in the midfield, no worries about doing that at all.

“He’s got class - his ability to look inboard and find a target and hit it that a lot of players can’t do is really exciting.

“He can go in and get it or win it on the outside; he’s good by foot, he’s dangerous around goals, he works hard.

Having played alongside Gold Coast AFLlisted Ben Ainsworth when he was a junior, the Dusties mentor sees parallels in the way they

go about it.

“At his age, he’s a complete footballer - I haven’t seen a footballer as good as him at his age since I coached Ben Ainsworth,” he said.

“They’re similar in the way they’re fearless, so clean with the footy, hard-working and trained at a different standard to everyone else.”

Meanwhile, Marlon Neocleous led the charge among the rest of the Gippslanders, showing pace, silkiness and pressure throughout a low-scoring 9.17 71 to 7.7 49

Representative footy on King’s Birthday long weekend

By Jonty Ralphsmith

The King’s Birthday long weekend saw plenty of representative footy in the absence of the Coates Talent League.

As well as the Under-16 national championships, there were Dandenong Stingrays in actions at the Under-18 boys national championships, Under-18 girls Vic Country trial games and the AFLW Academy v All Stars games.

UNDER-18 BOYS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Dandenong Stingrays co-captains Harvey Langford and Cooper Hynes represented Vic Country on Sunday, in its opening game 13.9 87 to 11.13 78 win over South Langford, who has somewhat flown under the radar in the midst of Hynes’ recent form for Dandenong, finished with 25 disposals and a team-high six clearances to finish as one of the better performers.

He spent plenty of time in the midfield, with his second quarter the best, showing his calmness, ability to link up and cover the ground.

Hynes worked into the contest nicely to finish with a tidy 19 touches playing predominantly up forward.

UNDER 18 GIRLS VIC COUNTRY TRIALS

Dandenong’s Jemma Reynolds continues to enhance her draft stocks, putting forward a strong performance in the girls under-18sVic Country trial game against Vic Metro.

There were 48 players in action for Vic Country across two games against Vic Metro, with those matches set to assist with selection of the final squads that will compete at the national championships, which begin on 29 June.

Dandenong Stingrays were the most representedVic Country region with 12 in action including Reynolds, who was a standout in the midfield in the first half before spending time in the backline as players showcased their flexibility.

Fellow Stingray Tahlia Sanger was also strong,puttingherselfindangerouspositions

and taking some strong marks on a misty day. An aerobic beast, Sanger spent significant time on the sidelines with an ACL injury, but has shown her work rate since returning. Others in action from the Stingrays included: rising mid Kate Terri, halfback Makhaela Bluhm, tackling beast Nikita Harris, bottomaged gun Matilda Argus, the speedy Jemaya Bressan, eye-catching twins Mizuki and Nalu Brothwell, crafty forward Evelyn Connolly and the clean Jemma Reynolds.

AFLW ACADEMY v ALL STARS

Dandenong Stingrays key-position player

Zoe Besanko represented the AFLW Academy in its match against the Under-21 All Stars on Sunday at RSEA Park, Moorabbin.

The exciting tall finished with 10 disposals, four tackles and six hitouts rucking against the more seasoned Lauren Jatczak, who represents Casey in the VFLW competition.

Jatczak finished with 11 disposals and 15

hitouts in a strong performance in the Academy’s 7.11 53 to 2.6 18 victory.

The 181cm Casey prospect has had a strong start to the season for the Dees, averaging 15 hitouts and 11 disposals.

The All-Stars team was made up of prospects aged 21-and-under nominated by AFLW clubs and seen as the most draftable players.

Dandenong ruck Elli Symonds is also in the Academy but did not play due to injury.

Harvey Langford pushed his draft case on Sunday. 412520 Picture: ROB LAWSON/AFL PHOTOS

Zoe Besanko was in action on Sunday for the Stingrays. 359433

Picture: ROB CAREW

Officer’s Kayla Dalgleish pushed her Vic Country case on Saturday. 412467

Picture: JONATHAN DIMAAGGIO/AFL PHOTOS

Vic Country victory.

The dashing Xavier Ladbrook was also in action from Gippsland, as was Hamish Gill. Stingrays crafty forward Marcus Prasad, the speedy Jackson Phillips and key-position player Seamus Doherty did some nice things while Darcy Szerszyn, Gus Kennedy and Noah Wisken were also in action.

Dusties coach Michael Duncan heaped praise on teenager Cody Templeton. 356287

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS