$6m DNA blowout
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Greater Dandenong councillors were set to decide whether to scrap a laneway project to prop up multi-million-dollar blowouts to the longdelayed Dandenong New Art gallery.
The DNA contemporary art gallery set in a former Masonic hall at 5 Mason Street was originally due to open as a “state-of-the art” attraction in mid-2021. It is now expected to be completed by late-2026 and cost an extra $6.24 million – in what councillor Jim Memeti calls the “biggest stuff-up I’ve seen on my two decades on council”.
It means the project will effectively double in price to an estimate $12-13 million.
“The community wants a new gallery and is very upset. I’m also very upset,” Cr Memeti said.
“It has been sitting there for the past four years. It’s either badly handled by our contractor or the council officers, and it’s taken so long to tender out.
“The council said it was doing the job and it unfortunately hasn’t happened.
“Sometimes you’re better off buying vacant land and building something new instead.”
A council report on 8 July proposes to stop the Vanity Lane project, investigate selling the property and divert funds into saving the DNA gallery. The rest of the shortfall would be covered by allocations from the council’s Dandenong Activity Centre Precinct Reserve and its Major Projects Reserve.
The move follows an internal review of the significant delays and cost rises blighting the council’s “key major projects”.
The yet-to-be-built aquatic facility DandenongWellbeing Centre and Keysborough South Community Hub’s price-tags have continually escalated – the former’s latest expected cost was more than $98 million. There was an “understanding” that“all projects would not be able to be delivered in their current scope”, the 8 July report stated.
They were brought to a long standstill during a dispute with builder Harris HMC as well as with Covid-related supply, labour and cost
issues. Last year, the council attempted to take over the job and rectify “unacceptable” steel framing in the building as well as inground services to “derisk” the project for future builders.
According to the latest report, the majority of those works were complete but photos depict an empty shell without a floor. The steel structure frame is currently located off-site.
The expected rebuild would take two further years, plus six months of tendering. The exact cost for the project was unknown at this stage.
Meanwhile, Vanity Lane was intended to be a pedestrian-priority lane between 275 Lonsdale Street and Thomas Street. After a concept design was done in 2020, the project now faces a projected $1-million-plus shortfall. Detailed design work was now about 75 per cent complete, according to the council report. Demolition, tendering and construction was expected to take 16 months.The report identified a safety flaw in the design, with waste vehicles and loading vehicles sharing the pedestrian space.
Councillor Rhonda Garad said she didn’t believe “any significant progress” had been made to DNA.
“It’s quite extraordinary just the number of issues that have gone on here. The length of time that it’s taken is very concerning.”
Cr Garad was opposed to the“short-sighted” abandonment of Vanity Lane, which was key to activating the area between the Capital Alliance redevelopment of Little India and Lonsdale Street.
“Retailers along Lonsdale Street were in expectation that this project would be done.
“That area of the city could be enlivened with food, drinks and entertainment areas because you’re going to have a living population there.” However Cr Memeti said he was“never a big fan” ofVanity Lane’s conflict as a loading bay and pedestrian pathway.
The DNA Gallery had been touted to be a gallery of regional significance. It will include state-of-the-art exhibition spaces, workshop spaces, cafe and retail, active outdoor spaces and public art.
Facing up to violent scourge
Hana Assafiri OAM, with a panel of Sandra Maudier, Dr Nilmini Fernando and Stephen O’Malley AFSM, took a deep look at domestic and family violence at Chisholm Institute in Dandenong on 3 July. Assafiri launched her evocative memoir Hana: The
Audacity to be Free and spoke searingly as a support worker and victim-survivor of family violence.
For more on the story, turn to page 8
(Gary Sissons)
$5.00
pet registration week
Attention pet owners! Are you yet to register your furry friend for the first time with Council?
Between Monday 15 July and Friday 19 July, pet owners from the City of Casey can register their cat or dog for $5.00 — the price you would pay for a cup of coffee.
All cats and dogs over three months of age must be registered with Council.
Help us plant 12,000 trees this National Tree Day
We are hosting a free community event on Sunday 28 July to celebrate National Tree Day.
Join us at Drysdale Road Reserve anytime from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and plant a tree. Help create a valuable habitat around the Troops Creek Wetland.
A free BBQ lunch will be provided on the day.
Scan the QR code to register as a volunteer.
The $5.00 offer applies to online registrations only.
Visit the ‘register your pet’ page on our website or scan the QR code.
Council has adopted its Council Plan 2021-25 –Year 4 Review and Budget 2024/25 and a suite of strategic documents which set out our priorities and projects for the year ahead in line with our community’s feedback.
This year’s budget totals $560.8 million, including a $460.1 million operational budget, which supports the delivery of crucial services including
kindergartens, maternal and child health, waste management and infrastructure maintenance.
The budget also includes a $100.6 million Capital Works Program to deliver much-needed infrastructure and upgrades throughout the municipality.
To find out more, please visit our website.
Casual facility hire
Looking to hire a function space on a casual basis?
We offer a range of facility hire options from large halls to meeting rooms for your celebration, community group or organisation.
To see what facilities are open for casual hire in 2024 and to submit an application, please visit our website.
For more information, contact Council’s Community Facilities team on 9709 9288 or email facilitybookings@casey.vic.gov.au
New manager for Casey leisure centres
Seven of Council’s leisure facilities are now under new management, with Aligned Leisure taking the reins at Casey ARC, Casey RACE, Doveton Pool in the Park, Casey Stadium, Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre, Olive Road Sporting Complex and The Shed Skatepark from Monday 1 July.
Most programs will continue to run as usual, however families will see some changes to the learn to swim program which will now be delivered by Life Saving Victoria.
To find out more, please contact your local centre.
NEWS SEMMA backs nuclear
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
South East manufacturers are emphatically backing nuclear energy, according to a recent peak-body members survey.
Of more than 190 South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) surveyed members, 71 per cent were strongly in favour of including nuclear power into the energy mix.
Also, 61 per cent strongly agreed that nuclear was a cost-effective and reliable energy source for manufacturers, and 66 per cent had a “strongly positive” opinion of the energy source for industry.
About 14 per cent of members were strongly opposed to the propositions.
The results put SEMMA and its members firmly in favour of the federal Liberal-Nationals Coalition’s proposal for nuclear generators across the country, including the La Trobe Valley in Gippsland.
The idea has been strongly opposed by the Labor state and federal governments.
SEMMA president Peter Angelico said “the nuclear option has merit when we are talking about a long-term zero-emission consistent energy supply”.
“Globally, there are 32 countries using nuclear power (a total of 440 reactors) and many have successfully combined these energy inputs, solved waste concerns and ensured an efficient, consistent, cost-effective, safe and sustainable energy supply for everyone.
“Australia must move forward in our energy choices to remain globally competitive for the sake of our manufacturing industry that currently employs 803,000 nationally.”
SEMMA chief executive Honi Walker said manufacturing needed a “consistent, reliable baseload energy supply”.
“That is in danger if policy makers ignore this fact”.
Ms Walker said there was not enough renewable energy in the current system to support manufacturing – or domestic users.
“Renewables can provide part of that supply, but it is an intermittent supply and batteries do not generate energy – they only store it.”
Gas needed to remain in the system for manufacturing during the transition, she said.
Bruce Labor MP Julian Hill said nuclear energy was “way too expensive and far too slow for Australia’s needs”.
“Multiple independent scientific reports have confirmed that even if anyone was crazy enough to decide to go down the risky nuclear
route, it would take almost two decades for nuclear power to come on in Australia, costing $25,000 or more per taxpayer.”
He said the Federal Government was delivering “cheaper, cleaner energy right now, utilising our abundant natural resources –literally the best renewable energy resources anywhere in the world”.
“In just two years, the government has ticked off new renewable energy supply equivalent to over eight expensive risky nuclear reactors.”
Mr Hill agreed that gas was needed in manufacturing for “high heat applications”.
Palestine picketers clash with police
By Sahar Foladi
Victoria Police officers deployed OC spray during a clash with pro-Palestinian picketers in front of Dandenong South manufacturer AW Bell. The 70-person protest early on Monday 1 July was the third picket organised by Weapons Out of NAARM group and the sixth community action since the start of this year.
An activist from Dandenong, Amanda says activists held the picket line for 15 minutes beforeVictoria Police deployed the OC spray.
“Activists held on even after that it wasn’t until police started ripping off goggles and face masks that people had to be taken away for decontamination treatment from the medic.”
According to the group, they had aimed to close AW Bell for the day.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said there was a visible police presence at the planned rally to ensure community safety.
“It is understood around 30 of the attendees became hostile and officers subsequently deployed OC spray.
“A 20-year-old Brunswick man and a 27-year-old Bend of Islands woman were arrested for hinder police and are expected to be charged on summons.
“We support the right for people to protest peacefully but will not tolerate unlawful or violent behaviour.”
There was also a five-minute minor traffic disruption on Abbotts Road and Remington Drive “to facilitate safe crossing and entry for
“(It) will help us move up the value chain for growing industries like critical minerals.”
La Trobe Liberal MP Jason Wood, who for a long time opposed nuclear, now says it’s required “in the mix“ for Australia to reach netzero emissions by 2050.
He said when 90 per cent of coal power stations go off line over the next decade or so, a power combination of “wind and solar“ wasn’t reliable in all weather and all seasons.
“I fully support the solar and the wind (industries) but you have to have something humming along in the background when there’s no sun or wind.“
pedestrians.”
AW Bell is being targeted by pro-Palestinian protestors for producing parts for the Lockheed Martin F-35 joint fighter program.
The company has previously told Star Journal it does not sell any parts to Israel.
Amanda says if the call to picket is made again, she’ll certainly back it up.
“Gaza in Palestine has been bombed relentlessly for over nine months by now and Australia is complicit no matter what (Bruce MP) Julian Hill says.
“The weapon parts used by Israel in Gaza are made in factories like AW Bell and we won’t stop until they stop,” she said.
“They deny it now because we’ve put a spotlight on them, but they boasted about it until very recently.” Yvonne Bell from AW Bell declined to comment this week.
SEMMA president Peter Angelico says the nuclear option has merit. (Supplied)
SEMMA chief executive Honi Walker is calling for a reliable baseload power supply for manufacturers.
A line of PORT Police divides the protesters from the entrance of AW Bell. (Sermet Kilic)
Athlete going for gold
By Ethan Benedicto
Gearing up for the Special Olympics was nothing out of the ordinary for local athlete Nicholas Bruin, who took part in the weekend’s basketball matches at Casey Stadium.
Hoping to be selected for the national team, Nick’s spirits were high after the national team claimed bronze at last year’s Berlin Special Olympics.
A Casey local, he first took part in the Special Olympics some 20-odd years ago; but his train doesn’t stop there however, with plans to also take part in September’s leg to solidify his position as a formidable point guard with hawk-like court vision.
For Nick, his eagerness spiked as the weekend approached, saying that he“never stopped binge excited”.
“[The games], are extremely important, because without them you wouldn’t have the National or World Games.
“It also gives us the opportunity to be like ‘normal’ people and join in and have fun you know?” Nick said.
Donning green for the weekend, he played for the Dandenong Casey Titans from 11am to 5pm on Saturday 6 July and once more from 9am to 3pm on Sunday 7 July.
To Nick, the sport “came naturally”, with a family of basketball players there was no
question about it, but when asked what kept his love of the sport alive even though he is soon to be 45, it was as simple as “I love all
Special Olympics shines
The torch was lit to begin a weekend of sport at the Winter Special Olympics in Casey.
The 6-7 July event at Casey Stadium and Casey Fields platformed athletes with intellectual disabilities and autism from across Melbourne, Victoria and interstate – with a summer games to follow in September.
An opening ceremony at Casey Stadium included a march of athletes and the Victoria Law Enforcement Torch Run.
It was followed by tournaments of basketball, gymnastics, netball, bocce and table tennis.
The City of Casey has a notable history with the Special Olympics, having hosted theVictoria State Games in 203 which had 400 athletes competing in various sports from swimming, athletics and AFL.
Having been diagnosed with an intellectual disability at a young age, learning was difficult
for Nick and while he ultimately carried basketball as his token sport, he indulged himself in cricket, soccer, footy and more.
“I used to play for Cranbourne Rockets on Thursday nights, and [recreationally] basketball on Friday nights.
“I did a fair bit of athletics, gymnastics, cricket as well; and I did soccer when I was a junior in primary school,” he said.
While he noted that he could never bring himself to his favourite player’s (Michael Jordan) level, his passion for the sport is easily on par; with a fond memory just a month prior had Nick out-rebounding the much taller opposing team.
“I’m like, c’mon guys, put a body on me or something, stop me from rebounding the ball!” he said.
Although crashing the boards might be exciting, nothing beats being the floor general for Nick.
“I love bringing the ball up the court, passing it around and shooting it, just being able to direct the plays.
“Of course helping my teammates out, they have a bit of knowledge of basketball but I still help them out,” he said.
Looking ahead, Nick is confident in his abilities, confident that he and his teammates will persevere and qualify for the Special Olympics WorldWinter Games in 2025 atTurin, Italy, and claim their gold medals.
Facing up to chilled foods
Quirky, cheery vegie sculptures were being crafted by kids at a free winter school holidays program at Dandenong Market.
It was part of a two week event of interactive crafts such as designing your own market bag art or your own little chef apron.
The activities are suitable for children aged 5 and over.
It runs opposite Nesh’s Corner Deli in the market’s Meat Fish Deli Hall until 14 July, 10am-2pm.
Open on market days only – Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Brandson gives a friendly face to a carrot. (Stewart Chambers: 415260)
A rugged-up Bella and Lucas show off their food artworks at Dandenong Market. (Stewart Chambers: 415260)
Bella and Lucas. (Stewart Chambers: 415260) Lucas (7). (Stewart Chambers: 415260)
Lighting the flame to begin the Special Olympics at Casey Stadium on 6 July. (Stewart Chambers: 416905)
Indigenous dancers welcome the athletes to Casey. (Stewart Chambers: 416905)
Dandenong Casey Titans march into the stadium. (Stewart Chambers: 416905) The opening ceremony at Casey Stadium. (Stewart Chambers: 416905)
my sports”.
Nicholas Bruin going for a layup at 2023’s Berlin Special Olympics. (Supplied)
Townhouses parking plan fails due to poor response
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A plan to “transform” green space into car parking at a densely-packed Keysborough estate has been thwarted by an overwhelming lack of response.
Body corporate The Knight had proposed to “transform the small green strips” to “parking spaces” at the end of Rosevae and Grandia crescents in the Keysborough Townhouses estate.
The special resolution requires the approval of 75 per cent of lot owners.
However, 82 per cent of the 116 owners did not respond to the emailed survey.
Of those that voted, 16 (or 14 per cent) supported the extra car parks and five (or 4 per cent) did not.
Residents have told of the sparce open space, as well of neighbours parking their cars on narrow streets due to having single garages and a lack of space in their front yards.
As a sign of the pressures, some of the estate’s on-street car parking is permit only.
Keysborough resident Gaye Guest told Star Journal that the situation was a result of “poor governance from the beginning of this planning permit debacle”.
“Parking will always be an issue in these sized developments.
“(Every applicant) asks for reduced car parking and the council stamps it, creating these problems for unsuspecting buyers, residents and tenants.”
In 2021, the under-construction estate came under fire from the public over safety concerns.
These included a corner townhouse be-
ing built about a metre from a slip lane and truck access road into the nearby HomeCo shopping centre.
Nor was there room for a footpath to link the Cheltenham Road bus stop and a child care centre and shops at HomeCo.
A council-instigated safety review found the development “fully compliant” with planning policies.
However after public pressure, Greater Dandenong Council negotiated with developer Salter Brothers for a series of safety upgrades.
New rooming house is ‘OK’
by Cam Lucadou-Wells
A proposed Dandenong rooming house project has been approved by the state’s planning tribunal after being rejected by council officials.
Greater Dandenong Council had earlier refused a permit, arguing that the project would be an overdevelopment of the site at 35 Ronald Street.
However on 3 July, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ticked off on the proposed seven-bedroom, double-storey building.
The new structure would replace a single-storey weatherboard dwelling and stand in front of an existing brick singlestorey rooming house with seven bedrooms.
In total, 14 residents and an on-site manager would live in the two buildings.
A rooming house site for up to 12 occupants would not require a permit under Greater Dandenong’s planning scheme.
The council argued that the two-storey height and number of occupants didn’t suit the predominantly single-storey neighbourhood.
The three onsite car park spaces were also inadequate, it submitted.
“The proposal will generate a far higher level of activity, vehicle movements, noise, and waste than two typical dwellings of equivalent size.”
VCAT member Seuna Byrne agreed with applicant Sermit Zijai that it matched
council policy for affordable and more diverse housing in a designated mediumdensity area.
The site was in the “residential periphery” of the central Dandenong activity centre in General Residential Zone 3 – which allows a preferred maximum of three storeys and up to 70 per cent site coverage.
Two doors down from the site, a permit was endorsed by the council for four double-storey dwellings at 39 Ronald Street.
There were other recent,“visually prominent” two-storey dwellings emerging in the area, Byrne noted.
“There has already been a notable extent of recent development in Ronald Street and the surrounding area that is of a form, scale and siting that is consistent with the proposal.
“The proposal is reflective of this emerging character of the area.”
Byrne also noted access ramps and an accessible communal bathroom was being added to the existing rooming house.
“It is … consistent with strategies to support residential development that allows people to age in place.”
Under Greater Dandenong’s planning scheme, the proposal met the ‘one car parking space per four bedrooms’ requirement.
Byrne also deleted the council’s draft condition requiring no more than one occupant per bedroom.
The shallow driveways and narrow streets at Keysborough Townhouses estate. 402379
Picture: ROB CAREW
Award bolsters resolve
By Ethan Benedicto
Being recognised for your struggles and efforts is a feeling that many can appreciate, and this is especially the case for Wida Tuasif, who was awarded theVictorian Afghan Association Network’s Refugee Award on 23 June.
Firstly an author, but also an educator and community advocate, Wida is still set on the same path of bringing cultural awareness and discrimination to the forefront of everyone’s minds, especially children; saying that the award “has made me stronger and has encouraged me to continue this”.
“This award has recognised my achievements within the community, I feel stronger, more confident,” she said.
The award itself was a surprise, where on the night of the awarding she had only expected to recite one of her poems but instead turned into a “really valuable experience”.
“I didn’t expect that I was going to get something, but it was huge, I felt really honoured and proud – the moment was just amazing,” Wida said.
Living a childhood rife with turmoil and discrimination, navigating through multiple obstacles from school and racism to fitting in was the norm for Wida, and for her, the award was not just an acceptance of her childhood struggle, but of her achievements as an Afghan woman as well.
“There are no words that can describe this feeling; the moment that I got on the stage and got this award and having everyone clap for me, being an Afghan woman [was amazing].
“I’m not saying that a woman’s life is [being] violated, but there are a lot of issues going on in Afghanistan at the moment, and it’s been going on for years since the country was invaded by the Taliban in the 1990s,” she said.
Born in 1992, Wida’s family was no stranger to war, and to save her from that plight had soon fled to Pakistan when she was just 20 days old.
They lived in the city of Peshawar for nine years, where life was uncertain and had soon registered with the United Nations High Commission where they were granted residency in New Zealand in 2001.
However, it was during that time that she faced severe discrimination and bullying, which reached its peak in the aftermath of the 11 September attacks.
“Those memories have always been some of the darkest of my life,” Wida said.
“I remember at school, I was labelled as a
terrorist, my ‘friends’ would bully me and I would get tomatoes and eggs thrown at me.
“That’s why I decided that you know what, I’m going to start speaking about this when I grow up – the phase of bullying made me put pen and paper together.”
Writing became Wida’s medium to deliver her message and to support young children and women with their aspirations and have their voices heard.
“I think that’s one of the reasons why I decided that I wanted to be an author, getting messages out and also helping young children follow their dreams and their hopes, and young women out there to have their voices heard as well,” she said.
As an educator and utilising her own experiences as a child, it became clear to her that many children harbour a similar fear and have since used her books as a learning method for
Beer-affected Bobcat driver jailed over death
By Tara Cosoleto, Aap
A Bobcat driver who ran over and killed his workmate at a Bangholme worksite after having a few beers has been jailed for seven years.
Christopher Bell, 53, admitted his role in George Tereva’s September 2022 death, pleading guilty in the Supreme Court to manslaughter by criminal negligence.
Bell was driving around in circles at the work site, repeatedly driving t wards his three colleagues, when he accelerated towards Mr Tereva and ran him over.
Mr Tereva was trapped under the machinery, suffering a deep cut to his calf and abrasions to his back and pelvis.
Paramedics were called and while MrTereva was initially breathing and conscious, his condition quickly deteriorated and he died in hospital.
Bell left the scene before police arrived but returned an hour later and did a blood alcohol test that showed a reading of 0.1.
He admitted drinking four or five beers after work with the others but claimed Mr Tereva encouraged him to drive the Bobcat.
Bell told police he shouldn’t have been operating the excavator but denied performing any circles, instead saying the
Picture: SUPPLIED, JAMES ROSS/AAP
machinery bucked forward before the fatal collision.
It took 11 months for detectives to charge Bell with manslaughter by criminal negligence and he was extradited from NSW to face the charges in August 2023.
He pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court in Melbourne in May.
In sentencing Bell on Tuesday, Justice Christopher Beale found he had taken responsibility for his actions through his early guilty plea.
“I have no doubt about your remorseyou killed a friend,“ the judge said.
Justice Beale also took into account Bell’s diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder and ADHD, which would make his time in custody more difficult.
Bell was jailed for seven years but he will be eligible for parole after four.
these children, not just with literacy and other educational areas, but also as an experience.
Reinforcing the idea of opening up to the schooling environment within her young readers, one of her upcoming novels, Ali Goes To School delves into that story where Wida “socially, [is] hoping to deliver that message”.
“At the moment we’ve still got kids, kids born during Covid, that still have that fear, they’re still intimidated.
“In their little mind they make this whole perception, create this image that school is scary, like ‘we’re going to school and there’s going to be hundreds of kids and we might get bullied’ – I’m hoping to have children use those stories as a learning method,” she said.
For Wida it’s about harnessing the confidence, the assurance, and the ability for children to be kind and treat each other with respect as early as possible, in order for them, in
turn, to deliver and live with those sentiments, whether consciously or not, in their own lives.
Speaking on the award, Wida said that no one expected her to win an award as big as the one she did, and that“it’s been a huge achievement for the family and for the whole tribe, including my relatives”.
Moving forward, Wida is aiming to write and publish a story revolving around a young woman’s journey through life’s obstacles and is currently in the works.
Currently, there are two children’s books out by Wida, Aliens Don’t Belong on Earth and Don’t Give Up On Your Dreams.
Her third book, Ali Goes To School, was bound for release in early 2023 but has since had setbacks with its illustrations; however, Wida herself is in the final stages of polishing the graphics with the hopes of soon printing and launching.
Reduced prices for pet tags
Between Monday 15 July and Friday 19 July, the City of Casey’s pet registration fees will be capped at a heavily discounted rate of $5.
While the offer applies to online registrations only, Casey’s chair of administrators, Noelene Duff PSM said that the fees from pet registration help with a wide range of services, including assisting to reunite pets with owners if lost.
“[Also] education programs on responsible pet ownership including road shows and events, our Maternal and Child Health Centre’s ‘We Are Family’ program, and education in school on safety around animals,” Ms Duff said.
The city currently has approximately 37,000
registered cats and dogs, with rates for dogs and cats who have been desexed normally sitting at $50, and $25 for pensioners. Dogs that have not been desexed however would usually have a full fee of $222, with $111 for pensioners; puppies under six months have a full fee of $111 while it sits at $55.50 for pensioners.
According to law, all cats and dogs over three months of age must be registered with the council, with Ms Duff adding that “the fees also help Council to investigate puppy farms, dog attacks and prosecute offending owners.” For more information and to register your pet, visit www.casey.vic.gov.au/register-yourpet
The City of Casey will be dropping its pet registration fees to just $5 for five days between 15 to 19 July. Picture: UNSPLASH, ANDREW S
Wida Tausif with the Victorian Afghan Association Network’s Refugee Award. 416548
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
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NEWS Ending toxic traits
By Ethan Benedicto
Strangulation and stalking are found to be the most significant drivers of risk of family violence, as well as aggressive pornography, but their causes are rooted in age-long toxic masculinity, says mens behavioural change leader David Nugent.
“The problem is that the family violence starts a lot earlier and escalates to a point of desperation from the abuser or the perpetrator that is losing power and control,” the founder of the South-East based group Heavy METAL said.
“It’s about misogynistic beliefs, about power and control; you know the woman needs to serve ‘me’, the woman needs to do what ‘I’ say, that’s what we’ve got to looking at shifting,” Mr Nugent said.
Specialising in men’s behavioural change and therapy, he says a common denominator of his clients’ struggles is accepting vulnerability and the diminishing of self-worth.
Then there’s the decline of prevalence around foundational acts of masculinity that revolve around provision, protection, dominance and control.
Mr Nugent said that men “initially think it’s an anger problem”.
“But as we delve deeper into changing behaviour, it’s about power and control, their insecurities and what they’re trying to achieve with [that] power and control.
“It ties way back to our self-worth and our low self-esteem that we need to have control over others,” he said.
An acronym for Men’s Education Towards Anger and Life, the Heavy METAL group encompasses Mr Nugent’s vision of men being self-aware, acknowledging weakness as a sign and pathway to growth and not as something that should be corralled and walled off.
Speaking on the importance of battling pornography’s unconscious implements, Mr Nugent said that young men and teenage boys are “discovering porn and starting to take that as what intimacy and sex is all about”.
“We’re having discussions with young boys about how wrong [porn] is and how it doesn’t teach young men about intimacy and understanding our partners’ perspective.
“It definitely becomes a form of addiction to the point where they don’t understand that the brain craves more,” he said.
Men who were and are unable to communicate their vulnerabilities have tendencies to instead disperse those feelings of anger and frustration – though not necessarily always –through acts of violence.
“Men are confused and lost and they’re not taught how to express themselves,” Mr Nugent said.
“That’s why in the Heavy METAL program, once we work through breaking the cycle of violence, is that when push comes to shove, these men aren’t in tune with their own emotions and their own feelings.
“[They’ve] been taught that they’re not al-
lowed to express them because expressing them is a sign of weakness.”
Diving into effective communication is a key factor for Mr Nugent, providing men with the ability to respond, not just to their partners but as a general rule, in a way that is non-aggressive or overly passive.
The physical violence is the final point, according to Mr Nugent, but there is a broad spectrum of behaviours that occur beforehand from emotional abuse to coercive and controlling habits.
All of those behaviours are considered to be “a form of violence”, however, it’s not seen as so by men with those tendencies through the belief that “they understand violence is when [they] physically grab her or physically hurt her”.
“What I tell men is that we’ve been taught that to show vulnerability is a sign of weakness, but to be able to embrace vulnerability and sit with it is a sign of strength,” Mr Nugent said.
Toxic masculinity is a prevalent issue ingrained into many men, and a change in behaviour would benefit women, children and men themselves.
While also a boon towards mental health, it is a crucial step from officials serving interven-
tion orders to families’ front doors.
“When someone’s been choked or strangled, that’s the far end of the point, [men aren’t] getting what they want,” Mr Nugent said.
Speaking from their point of view, Mr Nugent said it’s as if “’you’re not meeting my needs and I’m losing control, I want to gain control – I want to maintain control in this relationship’”.
While many factors play into family violence, addressing the roots of toxic masculinity and the need to always be in control is a major step that needs to be taken through behavioural change.
Ultimately, early intervention through education and proper assistance is key in tackling long-term problems since after all, “men cannot change in a short time”.
For Mr Nugent and Heavy METAL, it’s about nurturing that progress through years of connection and acceptance with vulnerability, expressing oneself and finding self-worth in traits that do not embed themselves in the toxic aspects of masculinity.
In an emergency, call triple-zero (000).
1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
Act to end family violence for all
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Family violence can be dispelled within a generation – but it needs clear leadership, says the inspirational Hana Assafiri.
At the launch of Assafiri’s memoir Hana: The Audacity to be Free, she was part of a panel on family violence hosted by Wellsprings for Women on 3 July.
In her book, Assafiri traverses her life in migrating to Lebanon and back to Australia, as well as being family violence victim-survivor, CEO of InTouch multicultural family violence support service and the founder of the iconic Moroccan Soup Bar.
Assafiri called for “unequivocal” leadership and the end of “double-speak” about violence against women.
“We say we want to create this great utopian world where women would be safe.
“But we justify, condone and even reward behaviours that bully, coerce and violate women in practice.
“We see this play out in the highest office in the land. In Parliament House, how people
abuse one another in Question Time. On the football field. In wars.
“These are all extensions of the same mindset.”
Assafiri nominated one of the biggest differences could be made by making family violence help more accessible to everyone.
Advertising campaigns on family violence were not as clear and pervasive as ‘Slip, slop, slap’ and 0.05 drink-driving campaigns.
The 1800 RESPECT hotline should be replaced with simply calling triple-0.
She added why was it that women and children were taken away into refuges, rather than the perpetrators who could be put through treatment.
Co-panellist Sandra Maudier from Wellsprings told the audience not to be afraid to “ask the question” to suspected victims.
Dr Nimini Fernando backed up the point, advising people not to “give up” on offering support and to “travel with thm”.
It took women about two years to act on violence against them at home, she said.
Wellsprings FV funding extended
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Wellsprings for Women chief executive Dalal Smiley said in-language information was critical especially for newlyarrived women of migrant and refugee backgrounds - who may not know where to go for help.
“That is why settlement services are an important part of the whole family violence service system, even if they are not specialist family violence services, they know how to identify and refer.”
The State Government confirmed that Wellsprings was continuing to receive family violence prevention funding for at least another 12 months.
However Ms Smiley questions the “one-off” funding approach.
“It is a pity and also we feel that both the Commonwealth and State Governments should allocate on going funding for prevention services.
“That is the only way we are going to see intergenerational change.
“This is not a one -off project.”
It was important to reach out to culturally diverse communities and raise awareness on what are gendered forms of abuse, she says.
“They might not even know what they are experiencing is actually abuse and is illegal especially when the violence is not physical.
“That is why we have been advocating for on-going funding for prevention work at grass roots levels.
“Because otherwise very vulnerable and isolated women will continue to be at much higher risk of becoming victims of domestic and family violence and at times from multiple perpetrators.”
At Wellsprings, it has tailored its approach to family violence due to women not receiving the help that met their cultural, religious and personal circumstances..
“Our case workers are bicultural/bilingual and we support women who are in abusive relationships but not wanting to leave or ready to leave yet.
“A choice we made as such support is not universally provided.”
The outcome much depends on whether the service is culturally appropriate, she says.
“Was the victim/survivor supported in a way that she wanted to be supported and for the duration of time she needs that support?
“If she has children, were they also protected and supported in a way that did not further compound the trauma she is already dealing with?”
A Victorian Government spokesperson said $2.1 million was invested to support multicultural and faith organisations to deliver tailored family-violence initiatives in 2024-’25.
“All women in Victoria have the right to live safely, freely and without fear of family violence.
Hana Assafiri, pictured right, at the launch of her memoir with MC Maria Dimopoulos. (Gary Sissons: 416472)
Wellsprings for Women’s chief executive Dalal Smiley at last week’s launch of Hana Assafiri’s memoir Hana: The Audacity to be Free. (Gary Sissons: 416472)
David Nugent, founder of the Heavy METAL Group and a men’s behavioural change specialist believes that addressing toxic masculinity and misogyny is key in tackling family violence. (Stewart Chambers: 294848)
7500 DV charges in blitz
There have been almost 2700 arrests of family violence offenders and 7500-plus charges laid during a police blitz in the South East so far in 2024.
The violence includes stabbing and strangulating partners in front of children, assaulting children, stabbing elderly family members and threatening a partner with a machete.
The crackdown targeted Cardinia, Casey, Greater Dandenong, Frankston and Mornington Peninsula – with four of these municipalities in the top 15 for family violence offences in Victoria.
Police have run dedicated operations, as well as making proactive checks on known offenders and victims to increase the chances of detecting family violence.
“More than 7500 charges laid against perpetrators shows just how seriously we treat family violence,” says Victoria Police’s Specialist Investigation and Support Inspector Rod Maroney – who oversees the Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong region.
“That is an average of 17 arrests every day, or one arrest every hour-and-a-half.”
Insp Maroney said almost half of the police’s workload relates to family violence.
“We have made an enormous number of arrests this year.
“We know that family violence knows no boundaries, however, we also know that these five municipalities are some of the state’s most impacted areas.
“That’s why we have put such a heavy focus on identifying this type of offending and doing everything we can to prevent further harm.”
Family violence reporting across the state was up 3 per cent in the past year. Insp Maroney told ABC Radio it was encouraging that victim-survivors were coming forward.
Among the hundreds of incidents was a man arrested and remanded on the same day as allegedly strangling his partner in front of
her primary-school aged child.
A 42-year-man subject to a family violence intervention order was arrested after allegedly stabbing a woman, inflicting life-threatening injuries as well as assaulting a teenager.
The victim-survivor was discharged from hospital a week later with “life-changing” injuries.
The alleged perpetrator was arrested at the scene and charged with intentionally causing serious injury, intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, common law assault, three counts of making threats to kill, and three counts of contravening an FVIO intending to cause harm or fear.
A 44-year-old man subject to an intervention order allegedly threatened his female partner with a machete and caused injuries to her hand.
The man was arrested and charged with
persistent contravention of an FVIO, eight counts of contravene FVIO, threat to inflict serious injury, two counts of common law assault, three counts of recklessly cause injury, assault with a weapon, and fail to stop vehicle on police direction.
In other cases, a 41-year-old woman was charged with the alleged stabbing of a 74-yearold woman known to her.
She was charged with intentionally causing injury and stealing a vehicle.
A 42-year-old man subject to an intervention order allegedly stabbed a 70-year-old male family member and assaulted a 73-yearold female family member.
He was charged with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, common law assault, contravening a Family Violence Intervention Order intending to cause harm or fear, assault with weapon, and aggravated assault.
In the latest official crime stats, Casey ranks No.1 for family violence with 5564 incidents in the year ending March 2024.
Greater Dandenong stands 10th with 2613 incidents and Cardinia 25th with 1669 incidents.
Victoria Police advises that if you or someone close to you discloses they are a victim of family violence, please believe them and encourage them to contact police or a support service.
Support is available 24 hours a day through Safe Steps by calling 1800 015 188 or emailing safesteps@safesteps.org.au
No toViolence runs a Men’s Referral Service which helps men who use violence to change their behaviour and can be contacted on 1300 766 491.
In an emergency call Triple Zero (000).
LOOKING BACK
100 years ago
17 July 1924
Dandenong Market
Injunction obtained against Council
An interesting stage of the proceedings in conjunction with the removal of the Dandenong market yards to the Showground site was reached, when the Dandenong Shire council was served with an interim injunction preventing the council from accepting any tenders or from entering into any contract for buildings for establishing of cattle sale yards at the corner of Clow and Cleeland-streets, Dandenong, without the consent of the Commission of Health. A lengthy affidavit by Cr Tharle was read, setting out the whole of the circumstances leading up to the calling of tenders. The latter part of the affidavit stated: the majority of the council was aware of the strong public opposition to the site. The injunction was granted and made returnable for argument on 28th July.
50 years ago
16 July 1974
‘Bloody Outrageous!’ Agents lash rise in fees
The decision by Dandenong Council to raise fees at both the produce and stock markets from September 1 was described yesterday as “bloody outrageous.” The secretary of the Dandenong Stock Agents’ Association said: “The poor old farmer will be hit left, right and centre again. It is not the butcher or the customers who suffer, it’s the primary producers. At the moment, stock prices are down as low as they’ve been for a long time, particularly
INTERFAITH
(CAM LUCADOU-WELLS: 195514)
because of the lack of exports to America, Japan and England. For a bullock, the farmer was getting $500 last year, the top price for the same animal this week was $178.50. I realise that the council has soaring costs too, but what about the primary producer who is getting knock after knock?”
20 years ago
19 July 2004
Cyclone wreck found
Tracey Riddle Solved
A boat built in Dandenong that sank with a local man on board has been discovered 30 years after the massive storm devastated Darwin. Divers last month discovered the
wreck of the Darwin Princess – a 23-metre steel ferry built by Dandenong identity Max Curtain – at the bottom of Darwin Harbour. It’s believed that Mr Curtain’s son, Ray, 28 took the Darwin Princess out to sea on Christmas Eve to ride out the storm. Mr Curtain, who owned and operated the now defunct Wedge swimming pool in Dandenong, said the discovery of the Princess had solved a 30-year mystery. He hoped it would bring closure to the family with some sort of closure over the disappearance of his son.
5 years ago
16 July 2019
Traffic not calm
A traffic calming solution on Corrigan Road Noble Park has certainly got drivers feeling hot under the collar.,Greater Dandenong’s on-road bicycle lanes between Cheltenham and Lightwood Roads have put councillors at odds and distressed a mass of nearby residents. Councillor Tim Dark has vowed to act against the “absolute mess”. He will seek the other councillors support to remove the road’s markings that have narrowed it into a single lane each way. In the other corner, mayor Roz Blades says the council is making a renewed effort to educate residents on how to negotiate the road. Resident Dawn Vernon said the bike lane frequently interspersed with bus stops, car-parking bays left turning lanes for cars, was unsafe. “I would urge anyone that thinks that it is a good idea to ride a bike or even walk along that stretch of road.”
The future is a canvas
By Mevlid Osmanovic
In the vast expanse of life’s journey, every dawn brings with it a promise of renewal and endless possibilities.
No matter how dark the night may seem, the sun always rises, painting the world with light and warmth.
This cycle reminds us that hope is everpresent, even in the most challenging times.
Wherever I went, I carried my faith with me, or perhaps my faith carried me to where I was meant to be.
From a very young age, I embraced the practices of prayer and observing Ramadan, two of the five pillars of Islam that require the most dedication.
Prayer - the five daily obligatory prayers in Islam demands persistence and renunciation,
MESSAGE OF HOPE
keeping us constantly connected to the Divine power.
Fasting from dawn to sunset during Ramadan, abstaining from food, drink, and other pleasures, enables us to endure life’s hardships more easily and deepens our empathy for other’s sufferings.
I was born in former Yugoslavia, now Bosnia and Herzegovina, a multicultural and multi religious state.
For most of the time, Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived in harmony, though there were periods of turmoil fueled by nationalistic and hegemonistic aspirations against Muslims, the minority in the region.
Specifically, I was born and raised in Srebrenica, a town where genocide was committed against my fellow citizens in 1995.
I survived and soon after moved to Melbourne.
Despite the atrocities, I never harboured hatred or avoided the perpetrators based on their religion or ethnicity.
Our different ethnicities and religions are our strengths and advantages, not weaknesses.
The Almighty made us diverse so we could learn from and not hate one another.
A strong bond with God helps us better un-
A new era for Rotary in the South East
By Matthew Sims
Eighty clubs across the East and South East districts of Melbourne and into the Mornington Peninsula have come together in Pakenham over the weekend to celebrate the merging of two districts into one new district - District 9815.
The merging came off the back of one of the districts falling below the threshold of 1100 members, with District 9810 and 9820 merging into the new district during an official merging and changeover celebration on Saturday 29 June at the Cardinia Cultural Centre.
New District Governor Colin Byron said there were about 300 people in attendance across 54 clubs, including the Rotary clubs of Pakenham and Casey.
“It was a very good night,” he said.
Rotary International has more than 1.4 million members across more than 200 countries, including members across Rotaract clubs for students and young professionals, Interact clubs for young leaders aged 12 to 18 in high schools and Earlyact clubs for primary school students.
Mr Byron said the aim of the new district would be in attracting new members across all age groups and supporting a Rotary-wide
transition towards more specific groups.
“Whilst Australia has a significant amount of people willing to volunteer, young people
don’t want to come to a dinner every week,” he said.
“We’re now adopting a new model for
derstand and love those around us.
Our past sufferings should not prevent us from living in peace and harmony in beautiful countries like Australia and in multicultural, multilingual, and multi-religious places like Dandenong.
By meeting and learning about each other, we can resolve disputes and break down stereotypes and prejudices, preventing larger conflicts such a war or genocide. Hold on to your dreams, nurture them with faith, and watch as they blossom into reality.
The future is a canvas awaiting your unique touch – paint it with colours of hope, love and persistence.
Enquiries regarding the City of Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network, administration@interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 766
more cause-based initiatives.
“There’s a lot of new club formats.”
Mr Byron said there were a number of areas which Rotary acts in, including peace, environment and maternal health, with anybody welcome to propose a new club to support people within their community.
“If somebody has a cause, it could be an idea we can develop into a club,” he said.
Mr Byron said Rotary was also excited to continue towards the eradication of polio after becoming a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and reducing global polio cases by 99.9 per cent since its first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979.
“If we eliminate it, it could be only the second disease to be eliminated,” he said.
Mr Byron said the new district was looking forward to how new models could be implemented.
“We’re introducing a change in our operational model,” he said.
“We need to do more impactful projects.
“Rotary is trying to focus on what we can do to make a difference.”
For more information on District 9815, visit rotary9815.org.au
Rotary District 9815
Governor Colin Byron. (DLX Photography)
Noble Park resident Dawn Vernon next to a controversial bike lane on Corrigan Road in 2019.
Bills rise but help is here
By Violet Li
The latest BringYour Bills Day in Hampton Park has seen unprecedented needs as locals continue to struggle with the cost of living.
The sixth instalment of the serial program by South East Community Links recorded more than 200 attendances in the first and a half hours on Tuesday 2 July, already close to the entire turnout of 300 in the last event in Springvale in April.
The program, in response to the cost-of-living crisis, aims to educate and support people who suffer financial hardship with their bills, rental, legal, and fines.
Chief executive Peter McNamara said they brought service providers together to simplify things for people.
“Service providers might put them on a concession. They make them a grant. They might wipe the bills. Not everyone’s going to get their bills, or their fines, wiped, but there are some that can,” he said.
“At our last event in Springvale, we had a couple of our pensioners, but they weren’t receiving their discounts as pensioners, so this can be as simple as you’re on the wrong plan. With that couple, they wiped $700 off the payment straight away, plus they got a rebate.
“So much of the information we receive is confusing. Many people may feel guilt or shame if they get a debt, and they don’t want to open the bill. What we’re trying to do is say it’s okay. We’re here to help.”
The previous five events across Greater Dandenong, Casey, and Cardinia alleviated about $500,000 of debt and the Springvale event alone offered 250 concessions and relief grants for utility-bill customers.
A Casey local, who attended the day and preferred to be anonymous, said it was very difficult to live, especially with three children in the family.
“Grocery and mortgage are expensive, and only my husband is working and in the past two
or three months, his work is not so good. It’s very hard,” she said.
“We bought our house in December 2019. The mortgages have gone up.
“Whatever goes into the pocket just finishes at the end of the week.”
As the family has no choice but to turn on the heat in the middle of the winter, the utility bills have been huge. In the hope of wiping out the bills, she showed up on the day.
“I thought they were going to directly pay the bills, but no. They said they would apply for the concession, and then wait for it. It takes time,” she said.
“Because my bill is due in four days and I am
worried that if we don’t pay on time, they are going to charge us more.”
Another local, who also preferred to be anonymous, said the event provided a lot of information and getting information was good.
“Everybody is struggling and there’s no money left after paying all the bills every month.
That’s why I came here.”
Rachna Madaan-Bowman, senior practitioner and financial counsellor of South East Community Links said the program was about giving information and advice, and it was very critical for people to understand that they have the right to ask for assistance in hardship.
“For us, it’s a starting point to begin a con-
versation,” she said.
“It is so important that the community understands that they have a right. And many don’t know that, so it’s taking that barrier away.
“At the same time, there’s always more that can be done.
“This is an opportunity for us to learn, but also for the stakeholders to learn from it and know that they need to do more to engage with the community, especially in the current cost of living crisis.”
Community Information & Support Cranbourne (CISC) executive director Leanne Petrides, who attended the day and offered help to locals, observed that as people struggled to juggle the range of payments, they had to make room for a whole lot of essential expenses.
“What we’re hearing is gas and electricity, rent, and mortgage payments,” she said.
“So often what that means is that food and those other items tend to fall quite low in the scheme of things. People are trying to keep their heads above water and they’re trying to pay all of their bills first.”
Ms Petrides said she felt doom and gloom looking at the whole picture in Casey.
“Every day, we’re seeing people who have never come in for support services before. Every day we’re seeing between 6 and 11 brand new people coming in and just completely at a loss of where to go, where to start,” she said.
“Homelessness is on the rise and that’s pushing up into an area of people who perhaps would never have been in that position: people who have jobs.
“No longer is employment necessarily a safeguard to protect your housing.
“There are people paying 80 per cent or more on their housing and therefore they’re having to move from welfare agency to welfare agency to welfare agency, where we encourage them to try to get food to offset those other expenses that they have because people don’t want to lose that roof over their head, and that’s understandable.”
Bank interpreter service gain after years of advocacy
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
After decades of lobbying, South East Community Links is celebrating a vital change to make banking more accessible.
Last month, an updated national Banking Code of Practice was approved which for the first time enshrines a customer’s right to free access to a qualified interpreter.
SECL chief executive Peter McNamara said the hard-won gain had taken 30 years of “relentless advocacy”.
“This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of many people.
“I want to especially thank the community who trusted us with their stories and challenges, which spurred us on to advocate for these changes.”
SECL senior financial counsellor Rach-
SECL chief executive Peter McNamara welcomed the enshrining of free, qualified interpreter services at banks. 325518
Picture: ROB CAREW
na Madaan Bowman said it was a “key enhancement” in the new code.
“These critical changes will ensure that millions of Australians who require lan-
guage support, can access the financial service system with dignity and make informed decisions.”
The new version of the Australian Banking Association’s code of practice was approved by Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
The code’s enshrining of interpreters, accessible information and National Relay Services to customers was a “great example of putting the customer’s needs at the heart of the process”, ASIC chair Joe Longo recently told an ABA conference.
But there were still “poor practices” in treating home-loan customers in hardship, he said.
Mr Longo cited a family violence victim whose request for hardship assistance took five weeks and two applications until it was
approved.
He said lenders weren’t making it easy for customers to give a hardship notice, not communicating effectively or supporting vulnerable customers.
“Clearly, more needs to be done.
“The distress these issues cause people who are already in distress is one reason compliance with hardship obligations is an enforcement priority for ASIC in 2024.”
ABA chief executive Anna Bligh said the code provided a higher standard of consumer protections.
“This is a Banking Code with teeth.
“Customers can continue to take complaints to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority or the courts who can then take strong action when necessary.”
South East Community Links’ Maher, Rachna, Bob, Farhat, Julia, Tim and Carla. 414616 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Poems that fly on stage
By Sahar Foladi
She represented Victoria at the Australian Poetry Slam National Championships and is now ticking off her goals one by one.
Greater Dandenong resident and poet, Aloma Davis made a breakthrough into the realm of poetry back in 2022 as she wowed the judges at the State Final of the championship at the State Library.
As reported by Star Journal previously, Ms Davis went on to compete at the Australian Poetry Slam (APS) National Final in Sydney Opera House.
“It was amazing. The energy in the room, you can feel everybody’s anticipation, everybody there because they love what the poets do.
“Everyone was very different, some did traditional, comedy, lyrical like me.”
Despite her best efforts, birds just fly into her poems but this time at the national finals, it was snow.
Alongside “running around performing” as a poet, since then she has been ticking off her goals, from publishing one poem in anthologies to now a clear goal of having her own poem collection published.
“I don’t have a whole collection of my own because I don’t have enough poems yet.
“When I have enough, I’ll be looking to publish a collection. That’s a life goal, fingers crossed,” Ms Davis said.
Sixty pages are required to make a little book with a spine. As she works towards this goal, she’ll also be busy participating in a Fellowship with the Red Room Poetry 2024.
Ms Davis is one of five selected for a Red Room Poetry Fellowship after long-listing and short-listing out of 91 applicants.
The opportunity will see the fellows spend a week at Varuna, a poet’s residence in New South Wales, to undertake an intensive period of creative development which also includes a commission to be published as part of Poetry Month in August.
“I’ll spend a week there, working on my cycle of poems, like a mini collection tied together. I’ve never done that before so that’ll be fun.”
She is the only poet selected from Victoria whilst the rest are made up by NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania.
A lot of doors have opened for this talented poet who is also a teacher but as a local resident of Greater Dandenong. But how did she get to where she is now?
The Springvale Library’s APS Heat was how she got into the Slam Championship. While
“it’s a shame” the library hasn’t hosted the event ever since, Ms Davis remembers it as a “magical” experience.
“When I look around all the different cultures here, so many of them have this incredibly rich tradition of poetry.
“You won’t find any house from those culturesthatdoesn’thaveabookofpoetryontheir shelf. Yet if you walk into white bread houses, you’d never see a poetry book on a shelf - that’s not the case in Dandenong,” she said.
“I’d like to see few things happening in our local libraries, I think it would be magical.
“I think the diversity of voices and the experience would be jaw dropping.”
She talks up the power of an open-mic event in building a social connection between people and building a culture within the community.
Aligned Leisure partnership
Aligned Leisure has taken over the running of seven City of Casey leisure facilities as of 1 July.
The company – a subsidiary of Richmond Football Club – is managing Casey ARC, Casey RACE, Doveton Pool in the Park, Casey Stadium, Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre, Olive Road Sporting Complex and The Shed Skatepark.
Learn-to-swim programs will also now be delivered by Life Saving Victoria and the gymnastics program done in partnership with Gymnastics Victoria.
Last year, Council announced plans to streamline the management and operation of the seven facilities.
The former managers were YMCA Victoria, Skateparks Australia and Casey Netball Association across four separate contacts or service agreements.
Casey chief executive Glenn Patterson said Aligned Leisure was a highly capable, community-focused organisation with a proven record.
‘We are very pleased to partner with Aligned Leisure, who are leaders in the aquatics and leisure industry.
“They provide an exceptional range of innovative, inclusive and high-quality programs that will be delivered within the facilities.
Casey ARC in Narre Warren (Stewart Chambers: 134533)
“Our leisure facilities are highly valued by the community and play a vital role in improving the overall physical, social and mental wellbeing of our residents and visitors.”
The most exciting aspect of her journey has been seeing her name printed on a book with her poetry.
And she’s determined to make the most out of the years left ahead.
“I’m middle-aged. Every so often people die, it gives you a kick at the bum that says, you won’t be here forever, what you waiting for?
“What are you afraid of trying?
“That teenage me that wanted to be a professional writer, but that wouldn’t pay you a living, had to go through another career, she’d be so excited at the idea there’s a poem in a book with my name on it.”
She urges every poet who haven’t stepped out in the public and shared their writing yet to just go for it, and to attend SpokenWord Poetry events even if not participating but just to hear and see other poets.
“The great variety of the voices you hear is kind of reassuring to a poet because we tend to be a perfectionist and internal.
“I was very afraid of judgement and failure but I what I found was that everyone was very welcoming, they seem competitive but they’re very helpful.
“I hope anybody can look at me and say, ‘oh you can do that.’”
Her poetry is concerned about social justice, beauty and kindness so it comes as no surprise that one of her poetry performances was part of the International Human Rights Art Festival in New York in 2023.
She also has her own website alomadavis. com
Living out his dream
Former Star News sports reporter Marc McGowan is living out a childhood dream, covering the Wimbledon tennis tournament in London for The Age.
McGowan, who grew up in Narre Warren North, made his ambition clear at his first job interview with Star back in 2006.
Editor Garry Howe remembers he and fellow interviewer Narelle Coulter affording themselves a wry smile when the university graduate laid out his future plans.
“I’m not sure there was actually an eyeroll, but that was the intention,” Howe laughed.
“I don’t think Marc has forgiven us for that.”
McGowan built up the Star News sports section from June 2006 to October 2009 before leaving to further his career with the likes of the McPherson Newspaper Group in Shepparton, the NT News in Darwin, the Herald-Sun and covering elite football at AFL Media.
“I’m so thrilled he has got to live out his dream,” Howe said.
“It just goes to show what skill, ambition and hard work can achieve.”
Dandenong poet Aloma Davis is thrilled to see her work in print. (Stewart Chambers: 417453)
Former Star News sports reporter Marc McGowan is reporting from Wimbledon living out a childhood dream.
Nurses, midwives rejoice
By Ethan Benedicto
goals for the union in the future.
Local Narre Warren South resident and enrolled nurse at Frankston Hospital, Casey Collier, who attended the meeting on 26 June, was impressed with the new proposal following the confusion of the previous gathering.
In contrast to the 20 May meeting, Ms Collier said that officials “listened to all of our feedback because our big complaint was that we had no information to go off prior”.
With spreadsheets for guests detailing specific information, which included graphs on the wage increases to booklets on added benefits, Ms Collier said that communication had been much clearer with the process “much easier to follow”.
Mentioned added benefits for public sector nurses include a change of ward allowance which looks to compensate nurses and midwives when they are moved from their base ward. This in turn encourages employers to move away from redeployment as a uniform rostering practice; this factor also plays into the other benefit of the right to disconnect clause, which Victorian branch ANMF secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said gives nurses and midwives “improved access to flexible working arrangements”.
“The right to disconnect means that nurses and midwives have the right not to be continually contacted by their employer to work shifts they are not seeking.”
Staff retention was a major issue that many establishments faced, with the ANMF looking at administering local workplace implementation committees – which in-
working conditions and more.
Picture: BILL CONROY
cludes the employers; ANMF and ANMF job rep representatives – to monitor the execution of new terms and conditions.
There will also be improved night shift penalties for permanent nurses and midwives, as well as improved on-call and recall allowances. Roughly 20 per cent of a nurse or midwife’s allowance and penalties are only for permanent staff, such as the new change of ward allowance and the additional night duty penalties. “The proof will be in the pudding when employers can fill nurse/midwife patient ratios on the forward roster.”
Further improvements include a 92 per cent increase to the qualifications allowance by the end of the agreement (2027) as well as interstate public sector nurses and midwives relocating toVictoria having their service recognised for personal and long service leave. Ms Collier attributed these changes to the ANMF’s perseverance, their collective effort of speaking to multiple parties and voicing their displeasure at a state-wide scale, with the results ultimately “giving us the opportunity to have control of our own lives again”.
Bail allowed
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A Beaconsfield registered sex offender has been released on bail after being accused of failing to report contact with 11 early-teenagers over the past two years.
Father-of-two and self-employed concretor Mario Sanchez, 50, suffered a nose bleed during the bail hearing at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 3 July.
Among his 44 charges, Sanchez was accused with allegedly failing to report going on holiday with a young child.
He faced 33 other charges of allegedly failing to report child contact to the sex offenders’ registry and Victoria Police between 2021 and June 2024, as well as eight counts of unlicensed driving.
He also allegedly failed to report that he was driving any vehicle, and failed to disclose one of his businesses.
The court heard that an allegation of sexual assault against a child was being investigated by Queensland police.
Police had opposed the application, arguing Sanchez was an unacceptable risk to “vulnerable youth” as well as of ignoring reporting obligations and interfering with witnesses.
Sergeant Christopher Marlow told the court that Sanchez had been assessed as a high risk of reoffending.
The applicant had not previously shown a preference for the early-teen age group but had targeted victims known to him, Sgt Marlow said.
A defence lawyer argued that Sanchez had a prima facie right to bail and the reoffending risk could be reduced to an acceptable level.
Sanchez’s family depended on him as the sole bread-winner.
He also helped in the extensive care of his
son with cerebral palsy, the lawyer said.
A police prosecutor retorted that Sanchez would not be able to have contact with his son under a looming interim child-protection application.
Magistrate Nunzio La Rosa noted that Sanchez faced the real prospect of jail if he was found guilty of the Victorian charges.
He noted it was the “totality” of the offending – rather than the individual acts - which made it “serious” or “middle-to-upper-range”.
“Within this state he’s (allegedly) playing the proper parental guidance figure in circumstances when he was not entitled to do.”
Among a “20-page” criminal history, Sanchez was given a wholly-suspended jail term for indecent assault in 2004, had relevant priors of failing to meet his sex-offender reporting obligations and been registered as a sexual offender for life.
For about seven years, Sanchez complied with the obligations – which was in “stark contrast” to the alleged recent offending, Mr La Rosa noted.
Sanchez was “very close” to being denied bail, the magistrate said.
“If you breach bail conditions, I will have no difficulty in remanding you.”
This would put his family in great financial difficulty but “that’s a decision that you bring on them, not me”.
Sanchez, who had spent one night in remand custody, was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 2 September. He was bailed to an address outside of the family home, and required to report to police three times a week.
As part of his bail, Sanchez must not be within five metres of any children under 15 unless permitted by Child Protection authorities.
Picton, Akaroa, Dunedin (overnight in port), Kaikoura, Napier, Auckland
• 1 night four-star stay in Auckland at the Crowne Plaza Auckland, an IHG Hotel with breakfast
Flights, Taxes & Transfers
Public sector nurses and midwives agreed to a 28.4 per cent wage increase on 26 June, which also came with key improvements to penalties,
Art sparks deep thought
Casey Council officially launched the Hybycozo Deep Thought Installation, one of the most anticipated events of the Winter Arts Festival, with a celebration party on the night of Friday 28 June.
The launch party was packed with entertainment from live music, and dance performances, to hot food.
Hybycozo’s five larger-than-life geometric sculptures were brought to life through highlevel metal fabrication and architectural LED lighting.
Anthony Van Dorsten, the project manager of Vesica Aotearoa, who has brought Hybycozo to Australia and installed it at Bunjil Place, said: “I’ve been invited by Bunjil Place to install these five beautiful sculptures. So, we’ve got Deep Thought, Dodi, Trocto, Icozo, and Rhombi. They make up this incredible installation.”
“The importance of light art is massive in these days of trials and tribulations in the world. I’ve got a strong belief that light brings together a community like it always has done.
“As humans we light fires, we have been lighting flyers for millennia as the people of this land have. It’s so pertinent to be under Bunjil - creation eagle.
“I think it’s a magical story and feel truly privileged to install these sculptures on behalf of the artists,Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu.”
Anthony said it took the team a couple of days to install and six months to plan.
“The sculptures are made from perforated aluminium, steel, and brass. We’ve got five polyhedral - a dodecahedron, a truncated octahedron, a lesser triambic icosahedron and an icosahedron,” he said.
“Google origami and try to make those! Come down and please enjoy the shadow play on the ground. It is absolutely stunning when we switch the lights on at night. Thank you
WHAT’S ON
Free holiday fun
School holiday crafts at Dandenong Market. Includes market bag art, pasta play, vegie sculptures and Little Chef apron art.
· Runs until Sunday 14 July (Tues, Fri, Sat and Sundays only) 10am-2pm at Dandenong Market, cnr Clow and Cleeland streets; free events. Details: dandenongmarket.com.au/ school-holiday-program
HOME 24
Too Much Drama is a site-responsive project by Ethiopian-Norwegian, Naarm-based artist Olana Janfa. Combining bold images and political statements with lightness, dry humour and vivid colours and tones, the exhibition brings together old and new works by Olana, displayed across Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre and the public space.
· Runs until Friday 6 September (open TuesdaysFridays) at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, 1-9 Walker Street, Dandenong.
Plastic-free July
Want to learn more about minimising plastic waste? The eco-friendly electric van, GOGRN, will be making a special visit to teach you about reducing single-use plastic waste. Free craft activities for little ones.
· Friday 12 July, 10am-1pm at Multicultural Place, Buckingham Avenue, Springvale. Free event.
Beeswax Wraps
Are you passionate about reducing plastic waste? Dive into the world of sustainability with our beeswax wrap making workshop. Part of Plastic Free July with City of Greater Dandenong. Ages 16+
· Saturday 13 July, 2pm-4pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event, register at greaterdandenong.vic.gov. au/greater-dandenong-council/events/sustainability-saturdays-hub-beeswax-wraps Springvale Urban Harvest
Come along to swap excess homegrown produce and gardening extras and meet like-minded growers in the area. Supported by The Greater Dandenong Seed Library and the Springvale Community Hub Clothes Swap.
· Second Saturday of the month (next 13 July) 1pm-3pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hill-
very much to the City of Casey for having us.
“One of the core principles of what we do is foster intergenerational connectivity through the power of light art. So, what I mean by that
is light art is unique. It’s got an extremely low barrier to entry. It’s the perfect style of art for free, temporary public art that anybody in the community, no matter your age, shape, gen-
der, or sexual preference, everyone can enjoy.” Hybycozo Deep Thought Installation will be on display in the Bunjil Place Plaza until Sunday 28 July.
crest Grove, Springvale. Free event.
Clothes swap
Community members are invited to contribute up to 10 items of clothing, shoes and/or accessories. All items must be clean, in good condition and ready to display on the day.
· Saturday 13 July, 1pm-3pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event. Details: Zoe, mohlz@icloud.com
Wellsprings high tea
Wellsprings for Women is holding a 30th anniversary high tea with MC and Wellsprings patron Jo Stanley. Bring family and friends to enjoy delicious treats, inspiring speeches and reflections on Wellsprings’ support for women in our community. All proceeds go to support women’s education costs.
· Saturday 20 July at Kennedy Hall, Killester College, 433 Springvale Road, Springvale; $65. Please RSVP by 8 July at events.humanitix. com/wellsprings-for-women-fundraising-hightea-2024?hxchl=hex-qrc&hxref=evt
Keysie Market – Winter edition
Join us for The Keysie Market – Winter Edition. Come along to this vibrant outdoor community
event in Keysborough with over 100+ unique market stalls.
· Sunday 21 July, 10am-2pm at Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough. Details: Shirlene Allison, 0424 392 560 or thekeysiemarket@gmail.com
Food drive for asylum seekers
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) Foodbank at the Refugee Resource Hub in Dandenong is hosting a drive for food donations this month. The organisation provides food to people seeking asylum who do not receive government support. Donations of basmati rice, canned vegetables (corn, peas, carrot and tomato), tuna in oil,coconut cream/milk,olive oil,biscuits,razors, deodorant, jam, honey or peanut butter welcome.
· Saturday 27 July, 10am to 2pm at rear of 205 Thomas Street in Dandenong (enter via the Oldham Lane car park). Details: Kate Quin, kate.q@asrc.org.au
Noble Park Probus
A warm invitation is extended to anyone in the local community who is aged 55 and over, not working full time to visit us with a view to becoming a member at Noble Park Combined Pro-
Library competitions
Greater Dandenong Libraries is calling on all young artists and book critics. You can have your artwork featured on library membership cards. Artwork should be designed to appeal to ages 16-18 and must not contain any offensive content. Also young readers aged 12-19 can submit their reviews of their favourite books as part of the Y?Read competition. Book reviews can be written (30-80 word limit) or on video (30-60 second limit). Great prizes include young adult books, gift vouchers (from JB Hi Fi, Rebel Sport or Village Cinemas) and Apple AirPods.
· Submissions close on Wednesday 31 July. Details: libraries.greaterdandenong.vic. gov.au/yread or chat with our friendly staff.
bus Club. Meets monthly for morning tea and an interesting guest speaker. Also special lunches, day trips and extended trips such as to Bright. We make sure we promote the Probus core values of ‘Friendship, fellowship and fun’.
· First Monday of the month, 10am at Club Noble. Details: Roslyn, rgrassham07@gmail.com or 0410628249.
Awareness Meditation
Meditation brings stillness, harmonises body and soul, and connects to meaning.
· Mondays (during school term) 2.30pm –3.30pm (followed by a cuppa) at The Open Door, 110 Ann St, Dandenong; suggested gold-coin donation. Details: 9791 8664 or Theopendoor@ssjg.org.au
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.
Anthony Van Dorsten, the project manager of Vesica Aotearoa, with Hybycozo Deep Thought Installation in the Bunjil Place Plaza. (Supplied)
(Supplied)
The launch night of Hybycozo Deep Thought Installation. (Mamma Knows East)
Bunjil Place at night with Hybycozo Deep Thought Installation. (Supplied)
Colourful masterpieces
Young artist Molica Silk has announced her world of bright, vivid colour in her debut exhibition at Noble Park Community Centre.
In front of a packed gallery, Silk launched her project My Half Brain on Friday 5 July. Born in Melbourne, she has been treated with two major brain surgeries to stop a severe form of epilepsy.
As a result, Silk lives with only half a func-
tioning brain, half peripheral vision, and other complex needs.
Despite these challenges, Silk has always longed to express her artistic, colourful talents. She has combined many small pieces to create unique and striking works of art with her natural sense of colours.
Her works combine with her novel experiences, such as her recent travels to Sydney to
witness the New Year festivities and fireworks. Silk was quite taken by the beauty of the Sydney Opera House, a source of inspiration she used for one of her pieces of art, which is illuminated by a bright and vivid colour palette.
At several Noble Park Community Centre Art Shows, Silk has been nominated for numerous awards.
In 2018, she received the Club Noble Park 1st
Prize (Junior Secondary), and in 2022, she was runner-up in the same category.
Her first solo exhibition was on display at East Melbourne Library in February and March. It was on the back of this that Molica was able to launch this new exhibition at the Noble Park Community Centre.
My Half Brain is at the Noble Park Community Centre until 16 August.
Autumn’s leaves in the park by Molica Silk.
Molica Silk launches her first exhibition at Noble Park Community Centre. (Stewart Chambers)
A garden for all abilities
An upgraded community garden at Noble Park is open to more green thumbs of all
and
The ‘Accessible Garden’ at Noble Park Community Centre is designed to include gardeners in wheelchairs and with walkers.
It includes garden beds on wheels, as well as levelling and widening paths to make it easier to move around the garden.
The project was launched by Hotham MP Clare O’Neil, along with South Eastern Metropolitan MP Lee Tarlamis and Greater Dandenong mayor Roz Blades.
It has been supported from sponsor Garden World Nursery in Dingley, the centre’s horticultural group and a Stronger Communities Program grant from the Federal Government.
2366 Email: Gary.McCall@education.vic.gov.au
State MP Lee Tarlamis, Frank Cutuli, Hotham MP Clare O’Neil, Greater Dandenong mayor Lana Formoso, Roz Blades and deputy mayor Richard Lim in the accessible garden. (Stewart Chambers: 415467)
Frank Cutuli enjoys the green gardens of Noble Park Community Centre. 415467
Bulls break drought
By Marcus Uhe
Beloved Noble Park captain Kyle Martin sung the Bulls song on Saturday for the first time since September 2022’s grand final victory as his side ended an eight-game losing streak in emphatic fashion against Berwick in the Eastern Football Netball League.
With the season at a crossroads in round 12, the Bulls played a dominant three quarters of football that rendered their opponents goalless on their way to a 13.14 92 to 4.7 31 win at home.
Berwick was prevented from kicking a major until the eighth minute of the final term, courtesy of a Liam Scott turnover deep in defence.
By that stage, the Bulls had 12 on the board in an attempt to build some momentum coming into the season’s final straight.
It took 16 minutes in the opening term for either side to goal, but once Chris HortonMilne ensured the Bulls charged through the ice, the floodgates opened.
Lachlan McDonnell cruised out of the next centre clearance to find a leading Martin, who kicked truly from distance, before goals to Nathan Noblett, Jordan Marson and a second for Martin gave the Bulls a 31-point lead at the first break.
Following Horton-Milne’s breakthrough, the ball seldom entered the Bulls’ back 50 as the dynamic midfield of McDonnell, Jackson Sketcher, Luke Bull and co looked out to teach lessons.
Second-gamer Liam O’Rourke kicked off proceedings in the second term with a brilliant running goal, and Ben Marson compounded Berwick’s problem by nailing a tough set shot, after the Bulls whisked the ball the length of the ground following a fullback kick out.
A fortunate dribbling goal from Jordan McDonnell made it eight before half time for No-
ble Park, equalling their most profitable halves of the season, and making for a 52-point lead at the half.
In many respects, the contest appeared a case of men against boys, as Noble Park’s stronger, bigger bodies and physicality made life difficult for an emerging Berwick outfit finding its way in 2024.
Sniffing a boost to percentage, the intensity did not waver in the third term with a further four goals from 11 attempts.
Berwick looked up for the fight in the second half, and held their own in the territory battle early in term, but failed to make inroads on the scoreboard.
The visitors made Noble Park wait 20 minutes before Martin put through his third and fourth in a span of two minutes, and O’Rourke added to his highlight reel with a volley on the goalline to make it 12 goals unanswered before three-quarter-time.
Berwick responded with four-goals-to-one
in the final term, saving their blushes to a minor degree, but the damage was already done.
The Bulls will hope this win can springboard them to an unlikely finals place in the season’s closing weeks, having dug themselves a hole on the back of the winless run.
Martin, who played as a permanent forward, finished with four goals in a season-best display, and defender Jacob Noble played one of his best games in Bulls colours, having appeared to have found his feet at senior level.
The excellent seasons of Sketcher and Horton-Milne, meanwhile, continued in the Bull’s engine room.
In seventh place after 12 rounds, they are remarkably just two wins away from Blackburn in fourth, with Vermont and South Croydon joining the Panthers on 28 points.
A tough challenge awaits the Bulls next week when they look to exact revenge on Vermont, who came from behind to down them by two points back in four.
Terrific trio of minutes telling in City’s win
By Marcus Uhe
Two goals in a wicked three-minute period during the second half helped Dandenong City to a ninth win of the 2024 season, downing Green Gully 3-2 at Green Gully Reserve on Saturday afternoon in the National Premier League Victoria competition (NPL).
Goals to veteran pair Jack Webster and Danny Kim gave City a 3-1 advantage midway through the second 45 minutes, enough to hold the home side at bay despite a late second goal.
George Lambadaridis helped City to silence the Gully home fans by opening the scoring in the 12th minute.
After Gully was penalised for a handball in the area on a Tim Atherinos volley, Kenny Athiu stepped forward to take the all-important spot kick.
His shot hit the left upright, but Lambadaridis was quick to react in the scramble to regain possession and found the back of the net.
John Hall produced one of the saves of the season to prevent Gully leveling the contest at 1-1, with a diving effort on a brilliant free kick attempt in the 18th minute preserving the visitors’ advantage.
City’s harassing forward pressure was on full display in the opening half, making the decision to play out from the back a brave one for Green Gully on a number of occasions.
They were almost made to pay at the halfhour mark, when the tenacity resulted in Lambadaridis feeding a ground ball into the heart of the penalty area, but the ball was just out reach of a darting Will Bower.
Athiu then missed a free header at the back post to double the advantage minutes later, as the visitors experienced a wasteful period of possession.
1-0 in City’s favour was the scoreline at the half, prompting the home side to emerge from the break with a renewed vigor and enthusiasm for the second half.
A handful of early chances brought Hall into the game, but nothing that caused the ex-
(Dandenong City)
perienced stopper and major concerns.
That was until the 56th minute, however, when his goal net rippled vociferously after he was beaten at the back post.
A pair of City defenders in front of him caused no hesitation for Gianluca Iannucci, who curled the ball over Hall’s outstretched arms to level proceedings, celebrating with a cartwheel and backflip.
The celebrations were short lived for the home side, however, as the City entered the decisive period of the match.
Kim restored City’s lead shortly after the equaliser, as Valli Cesnik made an instant impact in his early minutes, following his activation into the game.
Cesnik worked a‘one-two’ with Athiu on the right wing, drawing three Gully defenders, before cutting the ball back to a trialing Kim, who
Clark close once again
By Marcus Uhe
Lighting threatened to strike twice in two weeks for Dandenong Thunder goalkeeper Pierce Clark, who came centimetres away from levelling proceedings at the death in his side’s clash with South Melbourne on Sunday night in the National Premier League (NPL).
Circumstances were almost identical the previous week’s drama, with Clark meandering forward deep into stoppage time to contest a Thunder set piece, his side trailing 1-0.
Clark’s opposing number got a fist to the initial cross, but the Thunder gloveman was there to contest the rebound and got a clear head to the ball.
With the South Melbourne ‘keeper off his line and only defenders protecting the goal, players and spectators held their breath as the ball looped high into the night sky, only to land on the top side of the net, having cleared the crossbar. It would be the final act of the match, as Thunder dropped another three points, but put in a strong showing against the ladder leaders, finishing the contest with more shots on target than their highly credentialed opponents.
The decisive moment came in the 26th minute of the contest, when Daniel Alessi was dispossessed in the defensive half the competition’s leading scorer, Harrison Sawyer.
With only Clark to beat, the talisman made no mistake, calmly slotting the chance.
Thunder next faces Port Melbourne at home on Saturday night.
Dandy boost
By Marcus Uhe
Dandenong City’s quest to make history in 2024 has been given a tremendous boost following the departure of a number of key players from Port Melbourne’s National Premier League Victoria (NPL) side, a key challenger for a spot in the competition’s top six come season’s end, as part of the mid-season transfer window.
Jackson Courtney-Perkins, Daniel Edwards and Emmanuel Peters, Port Melbourne’s leading scorer at the time of his transfer, have all departed the club, which slipped to seventh on the table as a result of this weekend’s results, and allowed City to climb to the coveted sixth place.
City manager Nick Tolios has been bullish about his club’s ambitions to make history by becoming the first team to make finals in the NPL following promotion from the second division in the previous season, and they now appear in the box seat to do so with five rounds remaining in the home and away season.
scored with a simple finish in the 65th minute.
Captain, Webster made it 3-1 just two minutes later, left alone at the near post following a corner to head home an important goal.
It was a comfortable advantage for City, but the buffer did remain at two goals for much longer, as Gully hit back, courtesy of a Jamie Latham tap-in in the 73rd minute.
Green Gully, who had their hearts broken by Dandenong Thunder goalkeeper Pierce Clark’s remarkable equaliser last week, pressed until the very end of the contest fully aware of the value in doing so following last week’s disaster, but their efforts proved to be insufficient, as City finished with the three points, climbing into the top six as a result.
Kim will miss next week’s important clash with fourth-placed Hume City on Friday night, after earning a fifth yellow card of the season.
City welcomed Jacob Herbert, John Honos and Ramsey Nasser to Frank Holohan, but lost midfielder Kurt Kouakou to Manningham and loaned the speedy Michael Martinovic to St Albans.
Matthew Hennessey, Seb Hernando and Kyan Vanderharst-Bryant, meanwhile, have each landed in the Victorian Premier League’s first division (VPL1), with Vanderhurst-Bryant on loan to Eastern Lions.
Dandenong Thunder welcomed wing, Jackson Brady from the Chattanooga Red Wolves in the United States, attacking midfielder Tom Dunn from Wollongong and experienced left back Christian Cavallo back to the club after a stint at Bentleigh Greens, but lost Kasper Hallam to Green Gully.
Jack Webster nailed a header for Dandenong City in his side’s 3-2 win over Green Gully.
Kyle Martin kicked four goals in his side’s win over Berwick on Saturday. (Rob Carew: 277789)
Leclerk fires for Stingrays
By Jonty Ralphsmith
A strong first half helped Dandenong get the better of Murray 13.12 90 to 8.11 59 in round 14 of the boys Coates Talent League at Shepley Oval.
Bottom-aged debutante Archie Leclerc kicked three first quarter goals as the Stingrays set the game up with a five goal to zero first quarter.
The 190cm forward finished with four goals and four marks in a promising first outing in Rays colours.
Trailing by 55 points at halftime, the Bushrangerscamehardinthethirdquarterinagame between two sides missing its top-line talent to the under-18s national championships.
The visitors closed to within seven points early in the last quarter, before fourth quarter specialist Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves kicked two goals in three minutes and three in the final quarter to help arrest the momentum.
A bottom-aged forward/winger part of the Vic Country squad, Hibbins-Hargreaves was not selected for the weekend’s match against the Allies but pushed his case for selection this Sunday against Vic Metro.
He finished with 21 disposals, four goals, seven marks and five tackles in a complete performance.
The absence of co-captains Harvey Langford and Cooper Hynes allowed others to take centre stage.
Ben Hopkins blended his contest work with trademark dash, and bottom-agers Jasper Russell and Toby Sinnema arguably playing their best game at the level.
Vic Country boys
Dandenong Stingrays overaged duo Jordan Doherty and Riak Andrew were included for their first game of the under-18s boys national championships on Sunday.
Vic Country was forced to overcome a stern
test from the Allies, winning 13.12 90 to 14.4 88 to setup a championships decider against Vic Metro on Sunday at 10.35am, Marvel Stadium.
Doherty was a late addition to the squad following his excellent form for Dandenong, averaging 18 disposals and nine hitouts in his eight Coates League games in 2024.
He had a tough task against highly touted Sydney Academy member Logan Smith, but still finished with eight disposals and seven hitouts, while Andrew was part of a strong defensive unit.
Harvey Langford continued his strong championships with a game-high 30 dis-
posals, nine clearances, and team-high four tackles,playing arguably the most balanced performance of any player on the ground.
Fellow Rays co-captain Cooper Hynes started brightly, accumulating 14 disposals.
Vic Country girls Officer draft prospect Kayla Dalgleish enhanced her prospects with a strong first up performance for Vic Country on Saturday.
The competitive and crafty midfielderforward has averaged 19 disposals, six tackles and a goal in her seven Coates League games in 2024 and showed on Sunday she could do it at the next level.
Dalgleish was everywhere in the first half, setting up teammate Zoe Besanko for the first goal of the game in the first minute, then kicking the second goal.
She finished with 2.2, all in the first half, showing her speed and footy smarts in winning 13 disposals duringVic Country’s 4.8 32 to 7.11 53 loss to Queensland at Brighton Homes Arena.
Fellow Stingray Jemma Reynolds was clean and elusive, gathering 18 disposals, while Besanko kicked the first goal of the game, and was Vic Country’s secondary ruck, winning 10 hitouts and three clearances.
Clarke helps Doves outlast undefeated Murrumbeena
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Pressure, fitness and intensity.
Those were the three ingredients behind Doveton’s upset win against Murrumbeena at Robinson Reserve on Saturday.
The Doves, who were defeated by the premiership favourites by 18 points earlier in the season, flipped the script, consigning the Lions to their first loss of the season with a complete four quarter performance.
A three quarter arm-wrestle gave way to a final term onslaught as Doveton ran away 14.7 91 to 8.4 52 victors.
Goals in the first three quarters came in spasmodic bursts in a game that was otherwise underlined by two sides fierce at the contest and with sound defensive setups.
Rangy tall forward Matt Clarke kicked a goal late in the third quarter which resulted in a sixth and final lead change, the Doves going into the last break leading by six points.
Given an extended rev-up at three-quarter-time, Doveton came out firing in the fourth quarter.
First it was Sam Muirhead, the key forward playing the roll of a small and gathering a loose ball deep inside 50 to extend Doveton’s lead to 12.
Then Deakyn Smith finished around the corner at the seven-minute mark.
Will and Deakyn Smith and Max Sheppard all linked up to get it deep to a Clarke one-on-one in the goalsquare for a simple conversion.
It felt like something had shifted which allowed the Doves to skip away, but coach Matt Stapleton asserted it was the product of three quarters of work rate paying off.
“I didn’t think we did too much different,” Stapleton said.
“I thought we were consistent throughout the day and we just kept at it and in the fourth quarter we got good entries and our forwards were able to clunk some marks.
“I thought it was an even performance across four quarters and it eventually turned
our way on the scoreboard.”
Facing a side accustomed to its smaller home ground, the recipe throughout the day was chaining uncontested marks and opening up the width of Robinson Reserve.
Doveton was able to do that on the back of their ascendancy in tight, winning the midfield battle and applying heat and perceived pressure when they didn’t get first hands on it.
“We spoke about (the size of the ground) but you still have to go out there and execute it,” Stapleton said.
“We went out there and worked hard and wanted to use it to our advantage which we did.”
The Doves started rapidly, putting two goals on in the first three minutes, via Max Sheppard and Lochie Conboy, capitalising on the Doves winning the first two centre clearances.
The opening scenes made a statement:
Doveton brought intensity and cleanliness.
Murrumbeena quickly responded with two of their own, and three of the last four goals of the quarter to neutralise after Doveton capitalised on their early flat footedness.
The second quarter started much the same way as the first: two centre clearance goals in two minutes
Former AFL man Deakyn Smith, playing his third game of the season for Doveton, opened proceedings before Matt Clarke got in on the act.
After four goals in the first six minutes of the second quarter, both teams were stagnated by each other’s sound defensive setups and two-way midfield running.
The game ground to a halt in the last 12 minutes of the term, with no goals scored and neither able to sustain momentum or possession, the Doves going into the main break leading by five points.
The third quarter started much the same way, with the dogfight broken by Conboy who stepped through traffic and converted at the seven-minute mark, but Murrumbeena immediately responded.
Neither team was willing to take risks as both teams proved impenetrable for another 12 minutes, as winger Ricky Johnson livened up with plenty of footy played between the arcs.
Murrumbeena took the lead back against the run of play early in stoppage time of the third quarter, before Lochie Conboy’s pressure helped Doveton quickly respond.
Matthew Jameson and Jake Ingaliso were crucial for Doveton, keeping Murrumbeena key pillars Steve Tolongs and Todd Elton goalless.
Doveton had worn Murrumbeena down and were able to run away with victory to solidify themselves in premiership conversations.
Matt Clarke was sensational for Doveton. (Gary Sissons: 414861)
Archie Leclerc’s teammates get around him on debut. (Black Boot Photography: 417831)
