One of Dandenong RSL’s great stalwarts, Dorothy (Dot) Wade, was feted with style by family and friends for her 100th birthday on Friday 12 July. Dot has been a familiar face around Dandenong raising funds for the ANZAC appeal and pitching in to support war veterans and widows.
For more on the story, turn to page 8
By Sahar Foladi
The long-awaited Dandenong Community Hub (DCH) project appeared set to be “killed off“ in a council meeting closed to the public on Monday 8 July.
A ’procurement update’ for the DCH and another major capital project the Dandenong Wellbeing Centre (DWC) were listed as a confidential agenda item. A vote on it was deferred to a future council meeting after a fiery debate by councillors.
Council officers recommended that the council revise the hub’s concept design to “align with the budget allowed for in Council’s Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP)“ potentially scrapping four years of consultations and concept designs.
Councillor Tim Dark indicated the “kill(ing) off” of the project behind closed doors at the council meeting was not in the best interest of
the ratepayers.
“There’s a lot of councillors who’ve had serious objections to it (the project) and have not supported the project. But if you’re going to kill off a project at least have the courage to do it in public view so that your residents know how you voted and whether you voted to kill off a project that is important for the growth of future generations.”
The Dandenong Wellbeing Centre, so far estimated at nearly $100 million, is expected to cost more than that. However it’s “inappropriate” for the council to comment on the final costing as they’re part-way through the procurement process, according to the council’s City Futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam.
Councillor Rhonda Garad says it had been proposed that $30 million of hub funds will be “transferred” to cover the DWC cost blowout.
“That $30 million they’re transferring from the hub, you’ll never get that back,” Cr Garad told Star Journal.
“This is a massive financial black hole. I fear for what it’ll do to the long-term financial costs of the council.“
Regarding the proposed hub redesign, Cr Garad said council officers “want a building with just a meeting room“.
“They want to take all the community hub element out, take out the kinder, take the car parks, and they want to gut it so much that it’s not a community hub.
“They’re fooling us through the implication that it’s the same design when it’s not.
“I’m absolutely outraged on behalf of the community that have been lied to, used really, that all of their efforts have come to nothing,”
Councillor Garad told Star Journal.
“I think this is the most cynical act I’ve seen
on my four years on council.”
She fears once the DWC - a replacement for the Oasis aquatic centre - is built, the costs “would be just phenomenal.“
“For a low income suburb with low swimming participation, to spend millions on one swimming pool while gutting a project that would have higher participation and is more geared towards our municipality, to me is discriminatory.
“The business plan of the pool shows it’s not going to be residents attending the pool, it’s others coming in from neighbouring areas.“
However, Mr Manivasagasivam says the council is expected to spend $30 million on the hub “with the majority of costs budgeted over the 2025-26 and 2027 financial years.”
Continued page 6
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
The National Servicemen’s Association SouthEast branch has again come to the fore with its 21st annual Christmas toy drive.
On Saturday 6 July, the ‘nashos’ - many of them in their 80s - delivered thousands of toys to The Salvation Army depot in Doveton.
Over the drive’s history, they’ve collected up to 150,000 toys for underprivileged kids across Victoria.
“It’s been a big thing over 21 years – there’s been a lot of money raised for new toys and a lot of toys donated,” NSA president Mike Smith said.
“The rule is to give toys that any other kid would love to have.”
The toy drive had grown out of a desire to “give back” to the Salvos.
The Salvos were there for the branch members while they were young men out of home for the first time and stationed at bases such as Puckapunyal during their National Service last century.
Some of the raw recruits needed help to write a letter home or even to make a cup of tea.
“The biggest problem with this organisation is the members are getting older. Most of us are in our eighties,” Mr Smith said.
“Even though our National Service was in the 1950’s and 60’s, we’re still serving our community.
“But who knows - this could be the last one.”
413364)
An AI-powered innovation program in Greater Dandenong will aim to develop council resources to accelerate new housing supply.
The Local Government Housing Innovation Program was awarded $500,000 funding from the Commonwealth Housing Support Program (CHSP) last week.
The project jointly run by the Municipal Association ofVictoria (MAV) and Greater Dandenong Council comprises four facets:
· AI procurement support for Victorian councils
· Strengthen social license for greater density development and inclusionary housing
· Explore under-utilised public land
· Explore the adaptive re-use of councilowned buildings for housing
Greater Dandenong mayor Lana Formoso said the municipality would be leading a set of initiatives to benefit all Victorian councils.
“Greater Dandenong City Council is consistently the best performing council in Victoria at having planning applications decided within statutory periods.
“We’re very well-placed to lead the adoption of AI technology and innovative approaches to support all Victorian councils.
“Our community is acutely impacted by
housing shortages and cost of living pressures, so we’re proud to be collaborating with the Municipal Association of Victoria to level up our sector’s capacity to get new homes approved.”
The $1.5 billion CHSP is designed to help achieve a National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million new homes over five years.
Bruce MP Julian Hill said the funding was “great news for our community”.
“We need more well located and quality homes and Greater Dandenong is an excellent place to live, work and play.
“Innovative initiatives, such as the Housing Support Program, will attract more investment to our area and help with housing affordability.”
MAV president David Clark said the association was working with councils to find solutions for the housing crisis.
“The Local Government Housing Innovation Program will resource and support all Victorian councils to continue to play their role in managing population growth and increased well located housing supply in neighbourhoods and towns across the state.”
There will be a fireworks display for approximately 8 minutes at 6.50pm on Sunday 28 July.
This is for the Springvale Snow Fest event being held on Buckingham Avenue, Springvale.
If you have any animals that may be affected by this noise, it is advised that you secure them during this time.
If you have any enquires, please phone 8571 1000 or visit snowfest.com.au
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Residents at a Bangholme retirement village want answers over a nearby giant mound of soil allegedly riddled with toxic asbestos and heavy metals.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria and Greater Dandenong Council are investigating the stockpile on leased land on 576 Frankston-Dandenong Road, which looms about a kilometre from Willow Lodge retirement village.
Willow Lodge residents group president David Duckworth said the mound’s dust had been blown into the village over recent months.
“It’s directly across from us. The dust comes up as you watch them try to level it out.”
He and residents are worried by a certified environmental assessor’s report on the soilseen by Star Journal.
The report raised the alarm on several pieces of asbestos found in four different areas of the mound.
“It is assumed that asbestos is likely to exist throughout the stockpile,” the report stated.
It also reported high levels of the heavymetal, lead, and reported that the “category B industrial waste” should be transported to a lawful disposal place.
“The soils investigated are not Fill Material and should not be on-site.”
The report recommended testing to check for lead leaching into the area’s groundwater as well as a thorough audit and removal of asbestos contamination.
However, an employee from Eastern Seaboard Industries (ESI) - which is said to be leasing the site and managing the soil mound - says the EPA inspected the soil and gave it a “clean bill of health”.
“Two guys spent a few hours here, got a report back and there was nothing to worry about,” the employee Roger said.
“This is beyond a joke.”
Roger said he’d been on site for two months, with intentions to fill in and level off the property with the soil. He was also intending to sell the “clean soil on top” as top soil.
ESI director Malcolm Fletcher did not return Star Journal’s calls.
After a complaint from the public, EPA officers inspected the site, made enquiries and took soil samples for analysis on 29 May, an EPA spokesperson stated.
“EPA’s investigation is continuing.
“Acceptance of soil free from contamina-
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
tion as fill material is permitted under the Environment Protection Act 2017, provided that the soil meets EPA’s Fill Material Determination.”
Greater Dandenong Council city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam said the council was working together with the EPA
to resolve the complaint.
“At Greater Dandenong City Council, we take immediate action on issues concerning community safety.
“As this is an active investigation, we are unable to comment further.”
Greater Dandenong councillor Rhonda Ga-
rad said the “stakes are high” for Willow Lodge residents.
“They’re really worried about it.There’s a lot of threats to them – the threat of flooding as well as the nearby industry-2 zone.
“We need to find the truth.”
A Greater Dandenong councillor wants further scrutiny of flood impacts before the council endorses a proposed rezoning of a creekside parcel of farmland in Bangholme.
The northern-most parcel of 250 Fernside Drive is on floodplains just north of Eumemmerring Creek.
As part of Amendment C239gdan, it is proposed to rezone the 3.5-hectare site – which adjoins industrial land in Dandenong South - from Farming Zone to Industrial 3 Zone.
Currently, the council is also assessing a plan to subdivide the site into three lots. The applicant also holds a permit to build two warehouses on the land.
At a 8 July council meeting, Cr Rhonda Garad said the site is within the “Bangholme retarding basin” – a“critical” flood mitigation measure to protect residents atWillow Lodge retirement village as well as suburbs downstream.
Nearby upstream are more than 500 residents at Willow Lodge.
A few hundred metres downstream, the creek converges with Dandenong Creek to form Patterson River which flows by Eastern Treatment Plant, Patterson Lakes and Carrum.
According to a council report, Melbourne Water has stated it doesn’t have any objection to the rezoning on the basis of flood risk,
“subject to conditions”.
However Cr Garad moved for the council to be “fully informed” by an independent report from an interstate hydrology expert as well as advice from a public-liability lawyer.
She said the studies should be given“however long it takes”, given the “grave” risk to Willow Lodge residents’ lives and potentially “extremely high” legal exposure to the council.
Cr Sean O’Reilly questioned the cost and time in going beyond the advice of MelbourneWater – “the expert in this area” – and the council’s drainage engineers.
He said the Planning Minister would be provided Melbourne Water’s expert submission prior to authorizing the rezoning.
Cr Garad countered that MelbourneWater was not independent. It was shown to have used “dated flood mapping” during the inquiry into flooding of homes near Flemington Racecourse.
In 2017, councillors voted down a previous request to rezone the land.
However in 2022, the Victorian Civil and AdministrativeTribunal overturned a council refusal to permit two warehouses on the site.
On 8 July, council officers recommended that Greater Dandenong seeks authorization from the Planning Minister to prepare the C239gdan rezoning without changes.
Councillors voted to seek a costings report to further consider Cr Garad’s proposal.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
More rail freight investment is needed to take trucks off congested roads in the South East, according to the Greater South East Melbourne advocacy group.
In a submission to the State Government’s Victorian Freight Plan Update, GSEM called for the delivery of the promised intermodal freight terminal in the South East.
This would put more freight on rail and take “thousands of truck movements” off the road, GSEM argued.
“The Victorian Freight Plan update should include a clear strategy to support moving greater volumes of freight off roads, and onto rail, in the South East.
“The Victorian Government has promised to deliver an intermodal freight terminal in the
South East for the past decade, and this must be delivered.”
“Vital” transport routes were also needed to support a future industrial precinct in Officer South – with a potential creation of 140,000 jobs and more than $58 billion.
This included a staged extension ofThompsons Road between Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Clyde North and Koo-wee-rup Road, Pakenham.
Since 2018, freight volumes had increased substantially in the South East due to growth in warehousing and manufacturing, GSEM submitted.
The fast-growing region is home to two national employment and innovation clusters in Monash and Greater Dandenong.
“While the GSEM region is well positioned
to continue achieving economic and local employment growth into the future, this outcome is not guaranteed.
“It is critical for local industry that the capacity of this key infrastructure keeps pace with increasing population into the future, and that it remains able to service growing need from local industry for an efficient, safe and sustainable freight and logistic system.”
GSEM also called for the Government to ensure trucks fleets adopted future technologies such as automated trucks and hydrogen fuel to improve efficiency of movement, improve road safety and reduce emissions.
And the group reiterated its call for a longtouted domestic and international airport in the South East.
The State Government was contacted for comment.
An “innovative” study is underway to determine how native plants respond to climate change in Greater Dandenong and Melbourne’s East.
Federation University researcher and plant eco-physiologist Dr Kushan Tennakoon from the Future Regions Research Centre is leading the pilot program that will mointor thousands of new plants near Dandenong Stadium and other sites.
“Our involvement in this project is as the research and development partner and also to track the measurements of these plants into the future,” Dr Tennakoon said.
“The aim is to assess how these specially selected native plants will respond to predicted impacts of climate changes.”
Each project plot was carefully designed with the input from each partnering council, Greater Dandenong Council, Knox City Council and Maroondah City Council.
Three of the five plots will be close to Dandenong Stadium with each plot covering at least 1250 square metres and housing 1760 plants.
Greater Dandenong Council will include these in educational and outreach activities.
The other two plots are located in Koomba Park in Knox and JW Manson Reserve in Maroondah.
Five different plant species collected over four different climate zones will be looked at during this pilot program.
DrTennakoon says the plants were selected from different locations, factoring in the predicted temperature changes from 2024 to 2050 and 2090.
“For one species, for instance, eucalyptus, we are collecting seeds from four different locations – and this includes from wetter and cooler climates as well.
“The project is not just selecting plants specifically from the area, it’s about selecting plants and monitoring their progress with the expected rise in temperatures.”
Each tree will be mapped using differential GPS to one-centimetre accuracy to continuously provide accurate measurements of the plants’ condition into the future.
“We hope that the lessons learnt from this study can be put to good use across many other councils and across Victoria as more communities look to how they can plan for a changing climate.”
The project is the continuation of a study that began in 2022 with a planning phase and the laying out of the plots.
The plants went into ground in June and recent funding by Melbourne Water will see the project continue until at least 2026.
The next phase to include plant growth monitoring and assessing their responses to
Dandenong baby store accused of underpaying worker
A Dandenong-based baby products business has been prosecuted by the Fair Work Ombudsman over allegedly underpaying a worker. Baby & Kids Pty Ltd, which operates a Baby Direct store in Dandenong, and the company’s sole director, Qiyun Wang, are set to appear at the Federal Circuit and Family Court next month.
The firm allegedly underpaid a full-time ecommerce worker based at the firm’s former store at Hoppers Crossing and who worked at home.
She processed online orders and performed customer service for Baby Direct’s online store between January-October 2022.
In March 2023, a FairWork Inspector issued a compliance notice to Baby & Kids Pty Ltd to calculate and back-pay the worker for her final two weeks of work and untaken annual leave.
The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges Baby & Kids Pty Ltd, without a reasonable excuse, failed to comply with the Compliance Notice. The FWO is seeking a court order for Baby & Kids to backpay the worker $4374 plus superannuation, plus a penalty of up to $41,250 for allegedly failing to comply with the Compliance Notice.
Mr Wang faces a penalty of up to $8,250.
A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Melbourne on 6 August.
Springvale tobacco store hit by ‘targeted attack’
A tobacco store has been scorched in what police believe to be a “targeted attack” in Springvale early on Thursday 11 July.
Emergency services were called to a shop fully ablaze on Springvale Road about 4.30am. Victoria Police stated that they were treating the “suspicious” fire as a “targeted attack”. An arson chemist was set to attend the scene that morning.
Meanwhile, police were also investigating a car fire on Glassford Avenue, Springvale South a short time later.
“Detectives believe the two fires are linked at this stage,” a police spokesperson stated. No one was in the store or in the car at the time.
Springvale CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria brigades brought the shop fire under control in about 14 minutes. The scene was declared safe at 5.51am.
The car fire was extinguished and declared under control by firefighters at 4.50am, and deemed safe at 5.34am.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Five girls in alleged stolen car arrested
Five girls in an allegedly stolen car have been arrested after an extended follow across the South East by Operation Trinity police.
changes of climate.
Dr Tennakoon says the project will offer opportunities for Federation Uni students as some of the plots are easily accessible from the Berwick campus.
“This project really is the first of its kind and it will be immensely useful for environmental management and science discipline students because this is a natural laboratory in the outdoors, and close to our Berwick campus.
“Dandenong Stadium also attracts a large number of visitors, including students, so that will create a lot of visibility for our university’s commitment to net zero emissions and our sustainable development goals.
“My hope is that because we have pioneered this program and will continue to do the monitoring, I’m confident that Federation will be a very valuable research partner for this project.”
A Ford Escape wagon was reported stolen from a Chelsea home about 12.20am on Thursday 11 July.
Using the car’s tracking technology, police monitored the vehicle towards Bangholme and back to Moordialloc and Parkdale. Police deployed stop sticks near a reserve at Parkdale.
The group of teens spotted officers and fled the scene on foot.
With the assistance of the Air Wing, Dog Squad, Highway Patrol officers and uniform officers, all five were arrested nearby a short time later.
Four 14-year-old girls and one 13-year-old girl were taken in for questioning.
OperationTrinity involves 70 additional police each night, focusing on burglaries and car thefts.
Any information or CCTV/dash cam footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or
By Sahar Foladi
After years of talks, an LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee has finally received the green light by Greater Dandenong Council.
At a council meeting on Monday 8 July, councillor Rhonda Garad moved for the committee’s establishment to better support the LGBTIQA+ community within the City of Greater Dandenong.
A Greater Dandenong resident of 18 years, Phillip - who identifies as a gay male - has continually advocated for a LGBTIQA+ voice to be recognised.
“I think it’s taken too long but it’s a step in the right way. There’s progress.
“We just want equality to be included and feel safe in our homes.”
Phillip has dealt with being spat on, been asked to leave restaurants/shops for holding his partner’s hand and had a glass bottle smashed on his head by a stranger on a Sunday afternoon on the streets of Dandenong.
“People come to Dandenong to escape persecution from their own countries. I shouldn’t be persecuted in my own country for being who I am.”
Councillor Tim Dark told of a Greater Dandenong resident who knew 34 people from the LGBTIQA+ community who had suicided or had been hospitalised due to self-harm. Many of them were from Greater Dandenong.
“That is a deep concern. It’s a substantial issue that’s not being addressed,” Cr Dark said.
“That’s why there’s somewhat an emergency to get this action performed before somebody self-harms or takes their life.”
Cr Dark said he was left speechless against Council’s lack of action on creating the committee’s terms of reference - a task which was embarked upon in February.
“This is ridiculous.
“Since February 2024, people have been asking questions consistently, how are we not at a stage where we’ve got something to move forward?”
Council strategic growth and advocacy manager Marjan Hajjari confirmed a draft of the terms of reference could be provided by the next council meeting on 22 July.
Councillor Garad says the advisory committee’s creation was already four years overdue.
“We say on our website that we consult, advocate and represent but we have no mechanism for doing that
“For four years it’s been a sham of consulta-
tion, sham of representation. We have let the community down, I have let the community down by accepting the delay.
“I refuse to leave this (council) term without seeing an advisory committee has commenced.”
During a national plebiscite, 53.1 per cent of the federal electorate of Bruce, voted against same sex marriage in 2017.
The suburbs at that time included Dandenong North, Noble Park North and parts of Dandenong, Noble Park and Springvale.
Bruce was one of only two electorates in greater Melbourne that produced a majority No-vote.
Phillip’s constant questioning at the council’s public question time has earned him the recognition for spearheading discussions on issues and struggles of the LGBTIQA+ within the municipality.
Last year, a 301-signature petition by the Victoria Pride Lobby called for Greater Dandenong to enact an LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee.
“Seven years later (after the same-sex marriage vote) they’re finally doing something only after they’ve been pushed into it.” He also commended councillors Garad and Dark for understanding the “plight and struggles of the LGBTIQA+ community.”
By Sahar Foladi
Greater Dandenong councillors have slammed a move to close the public out of council meeting debates on major projects.
At a council meeting on Monday 8 July, councillors Rhonda Garad and Tim Dark stood to oppose going ’in-camera’ to discuss two of the council’s major capital projects, Dandenong Community Hub and Dandenong Wellbeing Centre Procurement Update.
While residents sat in the gallery on the night holding up signs in support of the Dandenong Community Hub, Cr Garad pointed out the council increasingly going in-camera in recent months.
“The public are the key stakeholder in council. To continually go in camera, which we seem to be doing more often. To hide our decision making is a backward step,” Cr Garad said at the meeting.
Councillor Tim Dark echoed Cr Garad on the “record amount of times” council has gone in camera.
“At the end of the day the decision of council is no doubt because some councillors want to vote and kill off this project and don’t have the guts to do it in public view. That is just a fact.
“The issue at hand is this is public money.
“Every single dollar that the council spends and receives is public money, it comes from the ratepayers, taxpayers,” he said.
“Decisions made behind closed doors do not work in the best interest of those who pay the rates.”
Greater Dandenong chief executive officer Jacqui Weatherill says it’s important for community members to have access to transparent discussions on decisions affecting them.
“As such, council meetings are open to the public to attend in person and live streamed to ensure they are accessible by as many residents as possible.
“The Local Government Act allows for Council to close a meeting to the public when: (a) the meeting is to consider confidential information; or (b) security reasons; or (c) it is
necessary to do so to enable the meeting to proceed in an orderly manner.”
Three resolutions were made in a closed meeting in 2022-23 and three resolutions were made in a closed meeting in 2023-24 (yet to be formally confirmed in financial year reporting).
This is compared to one resolution in a closed council meeting in 2020-21 and zero resolutions in closed meetings in 2021-22.
Councillor Bob Milkovic says while he’s not in favour of closed meetings in principle, he understands why it’s necessary in some circumstances.
“I do understand the merit in this situation as to why certain items needed to be discussed in-camera and its not to hide it from public, it’s purely to protect the financial interest of the council.
“If there was a way around it, I would’ve preferred it but, in some instances, when we talk about the commercial side of things, it needs to be not in public.
“I’m happy for anyone to call me and ask me how I voted in-camera. I’m happy to tell
them which way my vote went so people can make up their minds and base their opinion based on truth.”
Dandenong Community Association (DCA) spokesperson Silvia Mastrogiovanni pointed out no other communities had to deal with an in-camera situation during the phase of other hub developments.
“It’s a public building, from the public purse, for the public. All the other towns had public input - Keysborough South had lots of community input - and nobody said they had to go in-camera.
“They can go in-camera for the confidential parts, but they don’t have to go in-camera and hide things from the very people who pay for the facility who will use it.
“It’s a community building and they leave out the community. The others didn’t get left out, but we do.”
Councillors are expected to speak to the deferred item at the next council meeting (22 July) and determine whether a “revision of the concept design” for the Dandenong Community Hub will go ahead.
From page 1
“The concept design for the Dandenong Community Hub has been progressing towards finalisation through a community codesign process.
“We have received an architects’ report and will come back to the community in due course about next steps towards finalising the concept design.”
Dandenong Community Association (DCA) spokesperson Silvia Mastrogiovanni has been a long advocate for a Dandenong hub for more than a decade.
“We need a point of connection in Dandenong. We’ve waited patiently while the other towns (in Greater Dandenong) got it.Yet we are always dragged and now they want to do this behind closed doors?
“We’ve waited four years, we’re exhausted, we’ve had to push hard all the way to have a say in Dandenong, why?” Ms Mastrogiovanni said.
“I cry for our lack of democracy in our city towards the residents of Dandenong.”
According to the agenda item, a further report “will be forthcoming recommending the revised timing” and process for community engagement.
Ms Mastrogiovanni now fears residents of Dandenong won’t see any community hub built and if the hub is built, “it won’t be a functional hub for the community like the Keysborough and Springvale.”
“We love the Keysborough South Hub. We just need the same but bigger because we’re twice the size in population here.“
The Dandenong Community Hub was one of Cr Jim Memeti’s major 2020 council election promises. He has spoken up in council in support of both the hub and the wellbeing centre projects.
“Council shouldn’t be throwing their arms up in the air saying we don’t have money. We should have a plan in place and find the funds to deliver these vital projects,“ Cr Memeti said.
“These are long-term residents that deserve a high-quality hub like the Keysborough Community Hub. Nearly all the other suburbs have it, why should Dandenong residents suffer?
“We’ve reached a certain milestone but it’s a lot of constant battle and it’s becoming tiresome.
“How much fighting do we have to do? It’s one hurdle after another and it’s not fair to our community.”
Cr Memeti blames the unfortunate “postCovid realm” of skyrocketing prices “over budget and over time” infecting council projects, which has added pressures across all levels of government and especially local government.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in my 20 years on council.
“Council has dealt with huge projects before. We’ve built community hubs before, always on time and on budget.”
While acknowledging the council’s financial position and post-Covid challenges, he is also championing for both projects to be carried
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Retail restrictions at Springvale Homemaker Centre are set to be eased in a new planning amendment endorsed by a divided Greater Dandenong Council.
The proposal would lift the strict conditions that ban certain types of shops, such as clothing retailers and supermakets.
Currently retailers at the SHC can only sell or hire bikes, outdoor furniture and sports equipment, kitchen or bathroom items, pet supplies, or baby furniture and equipment.
The new conditions allow for a small supermarket not exceeding 500 square metres of floor space at the 917 Princes Highway site.
Greens councillor Rhonda Garad noted with irony that she supported the change, whereas the usually profree-market Crs Tim Dark and Bob Milkovic were against.
“I’m surprised we have two business people who are very pro-business who are concerned about helping businesses.”
Cr Garad said that the restrictions –once designed to protect surrounding retailers - were now causing concerns about the Homemaker’s viability.
The changes would address the dearth of small supermarkets in the immediate area, she said.
Also in favour, Cr Sean O’Reilly said businesses needed “a bit of leeway” in tough economic times.
“As we hopefully come out of this slowdown we want local jobs and this centre provides local jobs.
“How far does this council go with telling businesses how they should operate? If this council believes in free enterprise … councillors should be supporting this motion.”
He played down impacts on Springvale’s “congested” central business district close to two kilometres away, noting Homemaker was unlikely to add“10 types of noodle shops”.
Home to retail giants IKEA and Harvey Norman, Homemaker’s main retail competitors were in the neighbouring City of Monash, he said.
In opposition, Cr Dark said the “plan by stealth” would inflict “substantial” damage to Springvale traders and retailers.
It would be direct competition to Springvale Marketplace, and undermine the millions of dollars spent by Greater Dandenong to build up the Springvale CBD.
out, emphasising the long-term social, mental and financial benefits the hub may bring.
“Let’s get the work done and let’s see what happens because governments do have different funding at different times.
“We can argue that this is a vital piece of asset to the community especially with cost of living, mental health, family violence. This is where community hub can relieve the pressure off Federal and State Government funded services in the long run.
“Let’s have a plan but don’t desert it or leave it halfway.”
The item was deferred to the next council meeting on Monday 22 July after Councillors Rhonda Garad and Tim Dark stood to oppose closing the meeting to the public.
Council’s chief executive officer Jacqui Weatherill promised to “provide a report in the next meeting outlining the timelines” for the next co-design workshop.
Though a “big believer in the free market”, there were limitations, he said.
He questioned the threat to Homemaker’s viability, noting it was already busy on weekends.
Cr Milkovic, also opposed, said multinationals like IKEA needed far less support than small retailers in Springvale.
He didn’t want to see a repeat of Dandenong Plaza shopping centre “nearly killing” shopping strips in central Dandenong.
“We don’t want to have the danger of these businesses (in central Springvale) relocating to Springvale Homemaker.”
The proposed change, Amendment C244gdan, will be now forwarded for approval by Planning Minister Sonia Kilkenny.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Greater Dandenong councillors have endorsed the “cannibalising” of a laneway project to help fund a $6.24 million blowout in the long-delayed Dandenong New Art gallery works.
Vanity Lane was intended to be a pedestrian-priority link between 275 Lonsdale Street and Thomas Street that would help revitalise the ailing business district.
In a heated debate on 8 July, councillors voted to stop the Vanity Lane project, investigate selling the historically-significant Lonsdale Street building and divert funds into saving the DNA gallery.
The rest of the DNA blowout would be covered by allocations from the council’s Dandenong Activity Centre Precinct Reserve and its Major Projects Reserve.
According to council officers, the Vanity Lane project - with detailed design work about 75 per cent complete - faced a $1 million-plus shortfall.
It also had a safety flaw in the design, with waste vehicles and loading vehicles sharing the pedestrian space.
In opposition, Cr Rhonda Garad said “cannibalising”Vanity Lane was “incredibly shortsighted”.
She said businesses and residents had been banking on the activation link as a “crucial part” of revitalizing central Dandenong.
It was needed to even out the foot traffic between the Thomas Street “success-story” and the Lonsdale Street “ghost town” – and to create a thriving precinct from Dandenong Plaza up to DNA gallery.
Also opposed was Cr Tim Dark who said the council had acquired the fire-damaged 275 Lonsdale Street building and spent “thousands” in the planning, specifically to revital-
ize the struggling main street.
“Go down Lonsdale Street, in business hours, on the weekend – 24/7 Lonsdale Street is struggling.
“All of the traders directly affected were so desperate to get this over the line.”
The council was set to “kill” the project and raid dwindling reserves to cover up the “substantial error” with the DNA project, he said.
In favour of the move, Cr Sean O’Reilly said he’d “love to tell residents you can have your cake and eat it too” but the council was hit by “financial constraints” such as escalating construction costs.
“We have to be responsible with our capital works program. We don’t want to be completely debt-ridden and inflexible to future shocks that might strike this council.
“Councillors shouldn’t be building expectations in the community on a whole raft of
projects that realistically won’t be delivered.”
A council website describes 275 Lonsdale Street as a “site of historic significance” –the home of pharmacies run by the notable Couve and McKeon families as well as a statesignificant botanical collection.
A pair of boys from the Couve family were among the first from Dandenong killed at Gallipoli in World War I.
Meanwhile, the DNA contemporary art gallery set in a former Masonic hall at 5 Mason Street is expected to be completed by late-2026.
The troubled project was originally due to open as a “state-of-the art” attraction in mid2021 but has been at a standstill with 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 exact cost for the project was unknown at this stage, according to council officers.
In its recently adopted 2024-‘25 budget, the council was set to borrow $75 million in four years to build Dandenong Wellbeing Centre, Keysborough South Community Hub and the now-under-threat Dandenong Community Hub.
The debt burden – to peak at $105 million in three years - has been nominated as among the council’s ongoing financial challenges.
At the same time, the council undertook a review of its major capital works, with an “understanding” that “all projects would not be able to be delivered in their current scope”.
A Covid outbreak couldn’t deny a beaming Dorothy Wade from marking her 100th birthday with family and friends at Dandenong RSL on Friday 12 July.
Going by the names of Dot, Dottie, Mum, Nanna, Nan Nan, Ms Wade is the matriarch of four surviving children, 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
At short notice, Ms Wade’s celebration had to be moved from her home at Mercy Place Dandenong due to the outbreak of illness.
But it was fitting that Ms Wade brought up her century at Dandenong RSL, where she has long volunteered for veteran’s welfare.
Just three years ago, at the spritely age of 96, Ms Wade got her deserved ‘five minutes’ of fame on Nine News where she was given the title of Poppy Queen, recognising her many, many years of selling poppies and badges in Dandenong for the annual ANZAC appeal.
Decades earlier, Ms Wade was said to be side by side with her late husband and veteran Jack, who served charities Legacy and Carry On.
He marched in the ANZAC parade every year, while Ms Wade supported the event with fresh cakes and treats.
In 2010, Jack suffered a massive stroke and was discharged into a care home. Each day, Ms Wade organised taxis or family to drive her to be by his bedside and ensure he got the best of care.
They celebrated 70 years of marriage, two months before Jack passed away in 2015. In the same year, their eldest daughter Pam succumbed to an aggressive cancer.
Ms Wade continued supporting Dandenong RSL forming the Whirliebirds club and the Widows group.
A knitter of renowned skill, she led the group making beautiful blankets for war veterans and the needy, her daughter Paulette says.
“Her talents ranged from complex fairisle patterned jumpers to warm bedsocks and beanies.”
Her grandchildren and great grandchildren and many friends were presented with her hand knitted baby jackets, jumpers and dressing gowns.
Born in Eaglehawk on 12 July 1924, MsWade grew up with six siblings, stepping up with odd jobs and home duties to help her family make ends meet in the Great Depression.
She says that meeting Jack – while he was on leave from the Australian Army during World War II – and having a family with him were the highlights of her life.
They married on 14 July 1945 at St Paul’s church in Bendigo. When Jack was discharged from war service the next year, they settled in Berwick where they raised six children Pamela, Russell, Roland, Paulette, Greg and Daryl.
The family moved to Dandenong in 1955, where MsWade became famous for her homemade apple pies, scones, biscuits and pasties.
They faced several early hardships, such as managing Russell’s severe epilepsy and Daryl who battled Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“Despite the hardships the family put their heads down and got on with it,” her daughter Paulette says.
Ms Wade worked in the Cerebos factory in Clayton to help buy a wheelchair for Daryl,
was
of 18 and left the family with an enduring sadness.
“Dorothy’s achievements may not be measured through paid employment or personal career highlights but through her incredible tenacity to make the best of what life offers,”
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Lyndhurst Secondary College students have helped mould a new crime-fighting campaign urging young people to ‘Share IfYou Care’.
Crime Stoppers Victoria used feedback from students to hone a message for youths to report crimes such as knife fights, car thefts, robberies and aggravated burglaries.
One key factor is that young people can remain unknown as they upload footage or snapshots on their phones to the Crime Stoppers website, chief executive Stella Smith said.
“Students told us that young people are more likely to come forward if they don’t identify themselves.”
Students also made it clear that they care about their friends and family and don’t want to see anyone get hurt, such as by reporting on planned fights beforehand.
As part of the campaign, a video demonstrates how easy it is to report online and share footage and social media content to Crime Stoppers.
A student voice recorded for the campaign implores: “What if that was you?”, “What if that was your family? What if that was your friend?” and “Wouldn’t you like someone to do something about it?”
Ms Smith praised the “absolutely fantastic” contribution of Lyndhurst Sec-
ondary College “from the principal to the students”.
“Students have really driven the messaging such as Share IfYou Care.”
They also shaped some of the terminology, preferring the phrase that you can report crime and “stay unknown” rather than being “anonymous”.
“They know better than what we do about what young people.
“They’ve got the insights and the facts so that we can help to keep people safe.”
Students also told of the sorts of offences that they see and share on their social-media news feeds each day, but which weren’t being passed onto police or Crime Stoppers.
Many of them had not been aware of Crime Stoppers as an option, Ms Smith said.
Crime Stoppers will take the campaign to schools for students, parents and guardians to talk about youth violence.
According to official crime stats, serious and violent offences have soared among 14-to-17-year olds over the past year acrossVictoria.
To report information, contact crimestoppersvic.com.au or 1800 333 000.
By Violet Li
Cranbourne North’s Adhav Parasuraman presented a distinctive and down-to-earth way to boost a career path in healthcare.
The 22-year-old is a student doctor at Dandenong Hospital, but he has been a familiar face on-site volunteering since he was 18 years old.
“During high school, one of my goals was to get into medicine and study to become a doctor,” he recalled.
“I didn’t have much work experience, or any outside experience because I didn’t work during school, so I thought volunteering would be a good way to gain experience in the work environment just for future occupations.”
Starting as a volunteer concierge, Adhav quickly learned his way around Dandenong Hospital.
“This was just at the front reception where patients and family members would walk in, At the beginning, it was guiding patients around different parts of the hospital. That’s a big frame, so they get easily lost,” he recalled.
“But then during Covid, there were restrictions on how many people would have come. Sometimes the visitors would drop off items, and then I would take them to the patients.
“Then we transitioned onto the wards. This
again was something new for me because it was more personal and intimate communication with a patient.
“This was to improve the patient experience because, in the hospital, patients sometimes don’t get visited. Sometimes they can get a bit lonely. They don’t have much to do, so just being there for them, just having a chat with them, was my role towards the end of my volunteering.”
current student placements by building his confidence and allowing him to get to know the community of patients and teams at Dandenong Hospital.
“Coming into volunteering, I was definitely a shy and quiet kid. I mostly turned to my friends. But with volunteering, I had to expand that. I had to interact with people of different backgrounds, communities, and occupations,” he said.
and helped me learn those key communication skills.
“Volunteering gave me the advantage of knowing the Dandenong Hospital like the back of my hand. When I started my placement, I could easily make my way around the hospital blindfolded.
“I believe I felt and looked more confident, having the advantage of showing my work colleagues around the place.”
Looking back, Adhav could still remember those small but warm moments during his volunteer day.
“One experience was a bit special to me. One of the ladies, she broke her foot, and she couldn’t really speak much English,” he recalled.
“She couldn’t walk to the radiology room. I was pushing her around in a wheelchair to different parts of the hospital, and I stayed with her from start to finish.
“And as I was getting a taxi for her, she was really thankful and she tried to offer me a coffee, but I had to decline it because she had to go, but it’s just another memorable experience.”
“That pushed me out of my comfort zone
Adhav is currently on his rotation in the Emergency Department. He has his sights set on a future in Emergency Medicine.
By Roz Blades AM, member of
the Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network
Shavuot is sometimes referred to as the Jewish Pentecost.
It is a holiday that today commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
It is a harvest festival, which we can all relate to.
Although not as well known, it is one of the three main festivals because at all Biblical times, Jewish men were required to observe them at the temple.
The book of Ruth is traditionally read on Shavuot morning because of its link to the harvest season.
The story of Ruth takes place among the backdrop of the harvesting season, from reaping, gleaning and threshing of the wheat.
Ruth has a strong connection here as the mother of King David.
The three pilgrimage festivals found in the Hebrew bible all mark important moments.
Passover is the beginning of the barley harvest and Sukkot marks the end of the fruit harvest.
In the synagogue on Shavuot morning there is recommitment of vows where the 10 commandments are read when the Jewish people
100 years ago
10 July 1924
Dandenong Council
The Health Officer reported that during the past month there have been a few cases of diphtheria, widely scattered throughout the shire. The contacts have all been swabbed.
Two contacts from the Ferntree Gully Shire proved to be the carriers. There has been a widespread epidemic of whooping cough throughout the shire, but this not being a notifiable disease, it is not only out of control, but there is no adequate knowledge of its extent and prevalence. In view of the mortality of this illness, I think it is advisable to urge the Central Health authorities to take steps to include whooping cough and measles amongst notifiable diseases.
reaffirm their commitment to treasure and obey God’s laws.
In modern times, the Jewish people traditionally eat dairy foods, with treats such as cheesecake and cheese blintzes being popular.
The reason for this is that in ancient times a two-loaf bread offering was brought to the Temple.
As a result, two meals are eaten on Shavuot.
Hope is not divisible, it is multiplier.
Shavuot is optimistic.
Optimism is the belief that the world is changing for the better; hope it is the belief that together, we can make the world better.
It needs no courage to be an optimist, but it takes a great deal of courage to hope.
Enquiries regarding the City of Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network: administration@interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662. Visit - https://interfaithnetwork.org.au/
50 YEARS AGO
9 July 1974
Library open Aug 8
Dandenong’s $450,000 municipal library will be officially opened by the Mayor, councillor Barry Powell. The library, part of the rapidly expanding Dandenong Valley Regional Library Service, is in Stuart Street, adjacent to the municipal offices. Dandenong’s city engineer, Mr Gordan Wright said: “The library incorporates sections for children, teenagers and adults and the staff will have all modern amenities … their own washroom, kitchenette, functions office and shower. Special toilets for invalids have been included and there is a separate room to serve as a lecture room.” The library is carpeted in beige with orange patterning,the carpet being supplied by Victoria Carpets of Gladstone Road, Dandenong.
20 YEARS AGO
5 July 2004
Mental health strapped
Mental Health services will not receive any new cash injections from the State Government until at least the next financial year, an MP has revealed. Mulgrave MP, Daniel Andrews is heading a reference group set up by the government to review funding for mental health agencies throughout Victoria. The review started in April after Eastern Region Mental Health Association chief executive revealed to the Journal that people on waiting lists would have to wait more than 15 months for support because of lack of funding. Mr Andrews said that the review sought a long-term model. “We are doing a comprehensive review of funds for mental health providers all over Victoria. It’s not about fixing things for the short term,but rather for the long term.”
5 YEARS AGO
9 July 2019
Ryan takes Rangers reins
The future of one of Australia’s most successful basketball teams has been strengthened with the announcement that prominent businessman Gerry Ryan OAM has been granted the license to run the Dandenong Ranges WNBL team. Ryan, the founder and owner of Jayco Australia, which is based in Dandenong South, has a long association with basketball and support of women’s sport in Australia. “Having been involved with the Dandenong Basketball Association for a long time, this is something I am very passionate about.” Basketball Australia’s newly appointed head of women in basketball, Lauren Jackson, was thrilled with the news. The transfer of the licence of the WNBL team to Ryan will enable the Dandenong Basketball Association to focus on other domestic competitions and participation in what is a huge growth area for basketball in Victoria.
By Violet Li
Casey Council has spoken out against inadequate funding for library services and social support programs by the State and Federal Governments.
The council made a submission to the state parliamentary inquiry into local government funding and services.
The inquiry will look into the effects of cost-shifting from the State and Federal governments to local councils, the ability of local governments to meet core service delivery objectives, local government’s revenue structure, as well as whether these structures are sustainable and appropriate, and alternative models of funding.
“Escalating demands and expectations from the community and other levels of government, coupled with inflation and rising costs, have exposed the inadequacy of current funding mechanisms,” City of Casey chief executive officer Glenn Patterson said in the submission.
“This situation poses a significant risk to the long-term financial sustainability of councils and their ability to deliver core services, and to maintain and upgrade infrastructure, in line with population growth and community expectations.”
The submission first highlighted a funding gap for Casey’s library services.
Currently, Casey Council provides 78 per cent of Connected Libraries’ ongoing funding per year, while the State Government’s contribution has remained static over recent years even with great population growth in Casey.
Council noted that the funding dropped by 6 per cent over the past two decades.
“In 1998, state funding sat at 28 per cent. Currently, state funding sits at 22 per cent,” the submission stated.
“If the percentage of funding was the same now as it was in the late 1990s, council would have approximately $600,000 more state funding in 2024- enough to fund another branch.”
Council has already identified a large de-
make more books and other resources available for loan,” she stated.
“But Victorian Government funding for public libraries has been falling in real terms for years. It is not keeping pace with inflation nor this demand for library services, especially as our population grows.
“Giving people the opportunity of lifelong learning, access to the Internet, a sense of belonging and social connection, is only fair.”
The submission also highlighted an absence of State and Federal funding streams that enhance social cohesion.
The council estimated a shortfall of about $3.5 million in funding over 10 years. Council’s current Community Service Organisation (CSO) funding pool sits at $350,000. It provides the recipient organisation with up to $40,000 per year for three years.
Council noted that almost all applicants were seeking the maximum amount of funding each year just to maintain their program or service at current levels because other sources of operational funding had been unavailable.
“Casey’s community services sector is strong, capable, and resilient; however, is unable to meet not only the volume of service demand but also the diverse needs of emerging populations and the complexity of their needs,” the council stated in the submission.
“Increased demand is resulting in long waiting lists, service rationing, short-term solutions and the most vulnerable missing out.
mand for new library branches in the growth areas in Casey.
Connected Libraries chief executive officer
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Greater Dandenong Council didn’t make a submission to a state parliamentary inquiry in local government funding, but continues to lobby against cost-shifting and rate-capping, says chief executive Jacqui Weatherill.
Rather than an individual submission, the council contributed to the Municipal Association of Victoria and the FinPro submissions to the inquiry.
Weatherill said she meets regularly with Local Government Victoria and raises these issues.
“Council has consistently advocated around cost shifting and the constraints of rate capping with increasing costs.
“(Council) officers and councillors are also in frequent conversations with Victorian MPs about the challenges faced by the local government sector.”
FinPro – the peak body for local government finance professionals in Victoria – submitted to the inquiry that councils’ “financial challenges” would lead to cuts to libraries, local roads, maternal child health nurses, planning, parks and playgrounds.
The 2.75 per cent rate cap was insufficient to cover increasing costs such as labour costs, construction, insurance and service delivery, FinPro stated.
“This puts pressure on councils to limit capital expenditure, defer projects and reduce services”.
Beth Luppino submitted a letter for additional funding before this year’s State Budget as part of the advocacy campaign by Public Libraries Victoria, the peak body for public libraries in Victoria.
Together with other public libraries across the state, Ms Luppino has been calling for an increase to the Public Libraries Funding Program of $15 million over three years.
“Victorians are looking for libraries to open forlonger,expandonlineservices,delivermore literacy sessions and education programs, and
“Council has more than 80 community facilities available for hire at subsidised community rates, but in a rapidly growing community with significant and diverse needs, it is not possible to provide facilities that suit every organisation,” City of Casey manager of active communities Angie Peresso pointed out.
“Council assists wherever possible to build capacity and partner with organisations that help address support service gaps and priorities and the recently endorsed CSO Growth and Attraction Framework endeavours to strengthen the community service sector in Casey.”
registertoday
By Ethan Benedicto
A Narre Warren local has acknowledged the importance of the role employment services play when it comes to inclusion and diversity, after suffering a brain injury that impacted his physical and cognitive abilities.
The Federal Government endorsedThe Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services proposed reforms on employment services on 4 July, which called for changes to the foundations of the Commonwealth Employment Services System.
Committee chair and Bruce MP Julian Hill said back on 30 November 2023 that Australia no longer had “an effective, coherent national employment system”, after the final report with 75 recommendations over 600 pages was tabled on the same day.
A Federal Government response agreed that the reform is necessary but it will take time for such a large change to be designed and implemented.
For Chanthol, receiving a “helping hand” was all he needed to get back on his feet with the brain injury that he called himself “lucky” to still have his left eye.
“I was riding a motorbike and then I hit a trailer and crashed to the ground, half of my brain was fractured.”
Suffering a brain haemorrhage, Chanthol had difficulty with his physical and cognitive abilities, where it was common to see issues such as memory loss and longer times required when learning new processes.
“After the accident, I was a bit lost, you know?” he said.
The help he needed eventually came through MAX Solutions, an employment service that offered their support through a range of programs such as – but not limited to –Workforce Australia and Disability Employment Services.
Through a job coach, Chanthol was able to
Chanthol suffered a brain injury in 1990, and has high regard for the importance of employment services in assisting those with disabilities. (Supplied)
land and maintain employment as a cleaner and acquire the National Police Certificate and a Working with Children Check.
“They helped negotiate with the employer, for example, would it be possible to do one hour or two hours a day.
“After that, I could relax and then I could meet my requirements for counselling,” he said.
Key parts of the 75 recommendations made included a stronger and more involved role played by the Commonwealth government through the establishment of Employment Services Australia as a “rebuilt public sector core”, according to the document.
A different service model was also proposed, one that would implement a more individualised and flexible service model that acknowledges the different pathways to employment and
moves away from the “one-size-fits-all” theme.
For Mr Hill, the government’s endorsement was “broadly in line with what [he] expected” and is a “positive response”.
“The government acknowledged the need for reform of the system and pointed towards the commitments that were in the May Budget on the urgent issues we identified.
“[Such as] reforms to mutual obligations, trials of social enterprise, community-based activities and improvement to the IT systems,” he said.
The committee initially suggested that the government take appropriate time over 12 months or more to develop a roadmap of reform, which was also acknowledged by the Commonwealth’s response.
At the same time, Mr Hill was glad and surprised to see an in-depth, 23-page address of the committee’s summary of recommendations.
“I never expected in the initial response, a detailed response to every one of our 75 recommendations because that’s why we suggested the roadmap.
“I was pleased to see that the government has committed and is working on that [roadmap], I’d anticipate it to be out towards the end of the year or early next year,” he said.
All 75 recommendations were summarised into eight key points in the Commonwealth’s response, which agreed with moving away from the one-size-fits-all system, as well as the overemphasis on mutual obligation requirements which was criticised to be overly burdensome.
The establishment of regional hubs, strengthening of community engagement, localised and improvement of service delivery, development of professional and workforce conditions were some of the other factors agreed to by the Commonwealth.
The May 2024-25 Federal Budget outlined a $54 million commitment over five years to a new employment pathways package in partnership with employers across the country; which looks
to focus on people with barriers to work who are also seeking to connect to job opportunities.
“What we demonstrated through the inquiry is a significant proportion of long-term unemployed people have some form of disability,” Mr Hill said.
Another initiative, called the Real Jobs, Real Wages sees an investment of $32.1 million to support those who are at risk of long-term unemployment, and instead secure work through a tapered wage subsidy over six months.
Furthermore, the WorkFoundations initiative will look to invest $29.1 million to assist people with more complex barriers to employment, as well as building their work readiness through funding for social enterprises and businesses to deliver paid employment placements.
Federation University professor of social work and human services, Jenny Martin said that the significance of effective employment services, especially for those with disabilities“are important”.
“It’s quite competitive in the workplace, and the preparation of a job, and preparing for the interview, writing your letter, your resume, even having clothes to wear and all the guidance around it.
“For people who may have some kind of disability, they may be lacking in confidence, and they may need that extra support and guidance, encouragement to apply for jobs and support through the process,” she said.
The Commonwealth paused all compulsory participation requirements on May 2023, with a new pre-employment service entering discussion with stakeholders in July, and announced in December.
According to the government’s response, further details are to follow for the plans on employment services reforms, which at that point would include the phasing and priority for implementation.
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, support worker 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.”
She told the forum that sadly for women the issue was “commonplace”. It was important to talk about the issue in a way that women could “imagine a way out”.
Back in the 1960s, her late Lebanese-born mother’s depression while in Melbourne showed that the services available didn’t “translate” for her.
The family, including a 5-year-old Assafiri, moved to Lebanon in an effort to help her mother.
One of the biggest differences that could be made was to make family violence services more accessible to everyone, she said.
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 was little known, and 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 them”.
It took women about two years to act on violence against them at home, she said.
Wellsprings for Women chief executive Dalal Smiley said Assafiri’s story left her “gobsmacked”, despite knowing her in the familyviolence sector since the 1980s.
“Sometimes just one of those issues can leave you with trauma for a lifetime. Yet she used her experience to make so much out of it.
“The simplicity of what she did in addressing family violence in women’s lives makes you realise how complicated we make things work-
ing in this sector.”
Assafiri left the family violence sector – frustrated by being unable to find safe accommodation for a fleeing woman and two children.
It led her to the Moroccan Soup Bar, a restaurant that she imagined would be a safe space for women.
She wanted to flip the notion of kitchens being a place of female subjugation, but a means to gain financial empowerment.
Common wisdom is that women on average leave an abuser seven times before exiting the last time. In 25 years at Moroccan Soup Bar, not one of the women returned to a violent partner.
“If you provide enduring, better options than the circumstances of violence, then women don’t need to go back.”
Safe and Equal board chair Maria Dimopoulos said the book was “inspiring as much as it is searingly painful” – breaking the silence on child sexual abuse and domestic violence.
She quoted from the prologue: “I wish for readers to recognise it’s in the cracks of vulnerability where we find our strength”.
Assafiri said she wanted to take the “shame and humiliation” away from those who endure abuse.
And to “place it where it belongs – to the perpetrators … and those who maintain the
Police arrested almost 70 family violence offenders in three days as part of an operation in the Southern Metro police region last week.
Among them was a 31-year-old man who had allegedly assaulted his former partner in public.
She required hospital treatment for a facial laceration, significant bruising and broken teeth.
The man had been avoiding police for a month and was also wanted for theft and drug-related charges.
He will face court later this month.
Many of the offenders were violent on multiple occasions against partners and had been “actively evading” authorities, police say.
Their offences included assaults, threats, harassment and technology-facilitated abuse.
Some had blackmailed victims into keeping their whereabouts secret, have multiple outstanding warrants and are flouting family violence safety notices and family violence intervention orders.
Police also served 47 family violence intervention orders and executed 58 outstanding warrants.
“It shows just how serious we are in ensuring family violence offenders are held responsible for their actions and the harm they wreak on their partners and children,” Southern Metro Region Inspector Rodney Maroney said.
“Family violence is never acceptable. It can never be excused and it can never be justified.”
Also arrested was a 39-year-old man who allegedly assaulted his former partner and her dog. She left her with severe bruising.
The man had been allegedly avoiding police for three months.
Police allegedly found him in company of the former partner, breaching a family violence intervention order.
He also allegedly contravened a community corrections order for drug possession, failing to answer bail and assaulting the same former partner.
The man was remanded to face court later this month.
A 25-year-old man was found hiding under a bed at his partner’s house despite a family violence intervention order requiring him to stay away.
The man was wanted for several family violence incidents and stealing his partner’s vehicle.
He was remanded to face court at a later date.
system of secrecy and silence.”
“Equally these events don’t define who you become – and nor should they ever.”
In a passage describing child sexual abuse, she left a page blank – “I tried to find the way to capture the essence … in the end you say nothing, you say everything,” she said.
However, on being told of the abuse, her mother attempted to avoid further humiliation by setting up Assafiri in an arranged marriage.
“I went from the hands of one abuser to another,” Assafiri told the audience. But it gave her the “capacity of lived experience”.
In her imagination and “secret escapes”, she found a “world of possibility”. Leaving the abusive marriage was “harrowing” but then formed the “possibility of being freed”.
She wished she had a book similar to her memoir as a companion during the “aloneness”.
“It’s in the absolute isolation - both culturally and individually - that’s where violence thrives. It takes people away from their social connections and networks.”
She hoped that in the pages, readers could see a “pathway of hope”.
Proceeds for the book Hira: The Audacity to be Free go to the First Nations women’s domestic violence service Djirra.
A 43-year-old man who allegedly committed technology-related abuse against a former partner and contravened a family violence intervention order was also arrested.
He’d been evading police for four months.
The man was arrested and released pending summons.
A 29-year-old man who allegedly persistently contravened a family violence intervention order. The man, wanted for almost a month, had also been sought over theft-related offences. He was found while allegedly attempting to steal from a shopping complex. He was charged and remanded to face court later this month.
Support is available 24 hours a day through Safe Steps by calling 1800 015 188 or emailing safesteps@safesteps.org. au No to Violence 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). If you can’t get to a phone, ask someone else to do it for you.
Explore Asia cooking course
Embark on a six-week culinary adventure where each week you’ll journey to a different South East Asian country, tantalising your taste buds with the vibrant flavours of Malaysia, Thailand, Korea and more. Learn to create authentic dishes and immerse yourself in the rich culinary traditions of these diverse cultures.
· Wednesdays 6.30pm–8.30pm from July 17 at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; $120 for 6 sessions. Details: info@nobleparkcc.org.au or 9547 5801.
Dementia information
Understand more about dementia and navigating the journey with empathy and compassion. In this information session you will increase your awareness and understanding, as you are provided with practical insights and strategies to empower you with the knowledge and resources to support those living with dementia.
· Thursday 18 July 1.30pm–3pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Details: info@nobleparkcc.org.au or 9547 5801.
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-fundraisinghigh-tea-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
Roving Refills
Purchase eco-friendly, low-miles detergents and cleaning products. Bring your own container
such as a bottle, jar or bucket and refill it with the products. Any size or shape is fine, but ensure you clean the container thoroughly before refilling to avoid cross-contamination. City of Greater Dandenong and Roving Refills are offering 20 per cent off each purchase.
· Tuesday 23 July 9am-11.30am at Dandenong Market (The Terrace) and 12.30pm-3pm (Harmony Square).
Social Craft Group
Come and get creative with us! Bring along any crafty projects you’re working on and share your skills or learn some new ones, while relaxing with like-minded people.
· Thursday 25 July 1.30pm-2.30pm at The Open Door, 110 Ann St, Dandenong; suggested goldcoin donation. Details: 9791 8664 or Theopendoor@ssjg.org.au
Arts Tour Bus
Sit back and relax as we transport you to guided exhibition tours at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, and ACMI. BYO lunch or refresh at ACMI’s kiosk. Special offer - get a free 12-month ACMI membership with every ticket.
· Saturday 27 July, 10am-3.30pm starting at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre. corner Walker and Robinson Streets,Dandenong; $5. Bookings essential at eventbrite.com.au/e/arts-tour-bus-xacmi-tickets-919911208187
National Tree Day Bring the family and join us on National Tree Day
Springvale Snowfest
Join in on the seasonal festivities as Springvale transforms into a magical winter wonderland for the highly anticipated annual Springvale Snow Fest. Returning in 2024 for its 12th year and with even more excitement, this acclaimed event promises a day of thrills and delights for all ages.
· Sunday 28 July, 12pm-7pm at Buckingham Avenue, Springvale. Free event. Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/springvale-snow-fest
weekend to plant some seedlings at Tirhatuan Park. Includes a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Traditional Custodians from the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation,wildlife presentations, planting activities, a free barbecue lunch and native plant giveaways. Remember warm clothes and footwear suitable for uneven and muddy ground. Bring drinking water, a pair of gloves and a hand towel to wipe your hands with.
· Saturday 27 July, 10am-1pm at Tirhatuan Park, 4 Kriegel Way, Dandenong North; free event. Register at eventbrite.com.au/e/national-treeday-community-planting-at-tirhatuan-park-tickets943406603547?aff=oddtdtcreator
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
Creative Wellness for Men
Discover new opportunities to develop new skills and share stories using art as a starting point,
whilst developing meaningful connections with other men.
· Wednesdays 7pm– 8.30pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; $50 (9 weeks). Details: info@nobleparkcc.org.au or 9547 5801.
Trees: A Canopy Extraordinaire
An exhibition that celebrates, reflects and recognises the significance of trees in the local landscape over time and the timber industry that grew the local community. It marks 80 years since community forest planting began at Greaves Reserve, Dandenong in 1944. Features artwork, local historical society collections and the council’s civic and cultural heritage collection.
· Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10am-2pm until 19 July at Benga, Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae St, Dandenong. Free event.
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.
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.
Picton, Akaroa, Dunedin (overnight in port), Kaikoura, Napier, Auckland Complimentary Hotel Stay
• 1 night four-star stay in Auckland at the Crowne Plaza Auckland, an IHG Hotel with breakfast Complimentary Flights, Taxes & Transfers
Tradies and parents prescribed medicinal cannabis have joined with South East MP Rachel Payne to launch a new campaign for fair driving laws.
They have united to advocate for a legal defence for unimpaired drivers prescribed medicinal cannabis who test positive to drugs to be in place when the government’s new $4.9 million med-can driving trial starts.
Payne’s office has reportedly been contacted by numerous locals prescribed medicinal cannabis who have been penalised for detection of cannabis in their system while driving, even though they show no signs of impairment. Some have lost their license.
The campaign will include a public action day to inform the public about Victoria’s drug tests, which the Payne describes as ‘discriminatory’ as they do not screen for medications such as heavy-duty opiates but criminalise medicinal cannabis patients.
A social media campaign featuring the testimonials of impacted drivers and billboards on major roads will also be include to push the matter.
Ms Payne said Legalise Cannabis will de-
bate its motion on medicinal cannabis driving laws and the need for a legal defence in the Upper House on July 31.
“Victorian Police carry out about 150,000 random roadside drug tests every year,” Ms Payne said.
“These saliva tests do not determine whether a driver is impaired. Testing detects the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) chemical compounds in the body – often just small traces from medication consumed days before that have no impact on driving,” Payne said.
“Ordinary working Victorians are losing their licence even though they are taking their prescribed medication as directed by their doctor. There is nothing wrong with their driving. They shouldn’t be penalised because testing only shows presence.
“It’s a six-month loss of licence for a first offence, and a 12-month loss of license for a second offence. We will campaign hard in July to secure a legal defence for Victorian patients.”
More than a million prescriptions have been issued in Australia for medicinal cannabis since it’s legalisation in 2016.
By Corey Everitt
Pakenham and Dandenong are among the top ten least affordable suburbs for renters according to a new report by Suburbtrends.
The July report for their Rental Pain Index had Pakenham standing eighth and Dandenong fourth on the list of worst areas for renters in Victoria.
Pakenham achieved a full score of 100 in the index - among only two others in Victoria.
The index is derived from the average rate increase over the 12 months preceding, the average percentage of income servicing rent and the vacancy rate.
A 17 per cent average increase in rent was recorded for Pakenham while 35 per cent of income on average is going towards rent.
Dandenong had a rate increase of 22 percent and has 37 per cent of income going to rent.
This follows Suburbtrends’ report in February where Pakenham recorded a 13 per cent rate increase and rent taking 33 per cent of income.
Housing service Wayss general manager Shari McPhail said the increasing rental stress has been straining their work.
Wayss is not surprised by the findings of the report; rather, it reinforces our current experiences,” McPhail said.
“We are overwhelmed by the demand from people being pushed out of the private rental market and those struggling to
re-enter it.
“The rising cost of living, including rent increases, is driving people to their breaking point, leading them to seek our services.”
Pakenham’s vacancy rate is at 0.62 per cent while Dandenong’s is 0.66.
This stands below Melbourne’s vacancy rate which in March this year stood at 2.1 percent according to the State Government’s Rental Report.
In that same report, only 6.9 per cent of Cardinia’s dwellings were considered affordable. In Greater Dandenong, 3.9 per cent were affordable.
Melbourne’s number of affordable rentals was 11.7 per cent in March.
McPhail said Wayss is servicing ranger of people as even mortgages are becoming increasingly hard to manage - leaving the most vulnerable at risk.
“We are particularly concerned that this crisis is now affecting homeowners, with many at risk of mortgage default - a group we don’t typically assist,” McPhail said.
“Equally troubling is the fact that employment is no longer the safety net it once was; employed individuals are now turning to us to maintain their housing.
“A rapidly escalating issue is the growing number of children experiencing homelessness with their parents. These children are especially vulnerable, and there is an urgent need to provide safe and suitable short-term accommodation while we work towards long-term solutions.”
She worked at Maccas to pay her way through high school, then danced professionally to finish a master’s degree. Rachel Payne was also employed by the Family Court and Centrelink before serving a ‘political apprenticeship’ with Fiona Patten. Now theVictorian MP has a Chelsea base – her electoral office officially opened on Thursday, May 23.
“I think more people with real life experiences are needed in politics,” said the Representative for South-East Melbourne.”
“You meet a lot of people in parliament from privileged backgrounds, who believe they were born to rule. I was educated in state schools, my parents were working people and I’ve always had to pay my way.”
Rachel was elected to the Victorian upper house as a member of the Legalise Cannabis Party.
“Surveys consistently show that most Australians want this plant legalised, the latest by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found more than 80 per cent of Australians believe that personal use of cannabis should no
longer be a criminal offence, but while I’m passionate about this, my interests are in no way limited to just one reform.”
Rachel, who lives a short drive south of her electoral office with her partner, said she hoped locals would walk through the doors to meet her and the three electoral staff members based in Chelsea.
“I have a strong sense of justice and am par-
ticularly concerned about young people – those who are just finding their way. When governments invest in youth, they’re investing in the future and giving our young people real opportunities,” Rachel said.
“That’s why I believe in law making that has equity at its heart. Whether it be youth justice, anti-vilification, women’s health or housing - I want to see our state become a place where everyone has an equal opportunity to fulfil their potential.”
“But as a south-east local, you are best placed to tell me what you need to live well and what changes are necessary.”
“I’m always keen to learn more about how I can support south-eastern residents from all walks of life, and the broader community. I’m on the lookout for service gaps and it’s also great to hear what is working well.”
Rachel was born in Newcastle, New South Wales and is the youngest of five.
“My Dad worked as a gyprock plasterer and Mum was a carer and did cleaning jobs. They also took in boarders to get by and were foster
carers for a period. It was a busy home and not always a positive environment.”
“By the time I was 16, it was obvious I’d do better living independently. I couch-surfed for a while before renting a room in a share-house. I worked at McDonalds to pay the rent and finish school. It was a bit of a juggle. I was lucky to get into uni.”
“While studying at university, I worked in bars and as a burlesque dancer and came up with this cheeky stage character called Freckles Blue. I love performing and have danced in Paris and London.”
“But politics was my calling. I think it’s so important that our politicians look like our society – a kaleidoscope where we all feel represented.”
“I’m here to serve working people. Parliament should not be an echo chamber of the fortunate and financially blessed. We need to hear from people who have struggled and face cost of living pressures. That’s who I go to work for every day.”
Rachel’s office is located at 384a Nepean Highway, Chelsea.
By Violet Li
Ten supermarket chains in Cranbourne have banded together to fundraise for one of their team members who’s going through a difficult time in the family.
Elsie, a 16-year-old working at Woolworths Hunt Club, dropped out of school after her mother Joanna was diagnosed with bowel and liver stage 4 cancer in November last year.
On Thursday 27 June, Woolworths chains across Cranbourne had a WEAR BLUE DAY to fundraise for Joanna where everyone dressed in blue, a colour for bowel cancer. The fundraising has continued beyond the day, with the GoFundMe barcode still visible everywhere in the supermarkets.
Originally from New Zealand, single mum Joanna raises two teenagers on her own and has no family in Australia.
“Mum is not feeling off and on. So basically, she had an appointment the other week. They’ve said that she’s never going to be off chemo. She’s going to be on chemo for the rest of her life,” Elsie said.
“It was very stressful. Just too stressful to stay in school and concentrate.”
After finding out about Elsie’s family situation, Woolworths Hunt Club’s officer manager Suzie Cap and customer service manager Rebekah O’Reilly just wanted to help out financially.
“She [Elsie’s mum] is in a lot of pain,” Rebekah said.
“She works when she can at her desk, but that’s only part-time at the moment. She’s gone from full-time work to part-time work because of cancer. And she’s raising two children by herself with no family here.”
The fundraising started with the Biggest Morning Tea, and Suzie and Rebekah decided to branch out to do an individual one to help Joanna personally.
“I just mentioned it to my store manager and then he went to the group manager, and she was just like, yeah, let’s do this,” Suzie said.
“The group manager met Elsie. And it was her attitude and her willingness to work and just how pumped she was.
“Everyone just got on board. I think it was just a ripple effect.
“One store had T-shirts with the GoFundMe barcode on the back of them, so if customers, as they were walking around, wanted to donate, they could scan the code.”
“She’s one of our youngest team members. She works really hard all the time. She picks up any shifts that you ask her to do,” Rebekah said.
“You can see that she wants to help her mom. And we’re moms ourselves.”
The joint efforts across ten stores have helped raise about $9,000.
“I feel so amazed seeing everyone help out. It’s just honestly amazing,” Elsie said.
To help, visit: https://www.gofundme. com/f/support-joannas-cancer-fight
By Marcus Uhe
Dandenong Thunder striker Jordan Smylie put on a dazzling performance for his National Premier League (NPL) Victoria side on Saturday night in a comfortable 3-1 win over Port Melbourne at George Andrews Reserve.
The former Central Coast Mariner scored twice and provided an assist for the third goal of the night in what was the Thunder’s first win over Port Melbourne in League football since 2018, as Thunder manager Adam Piddick put a major dent in his former side’s finals hopes.
Captain Ali Sulemani opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the contest thanks to a pair of delightful ground balls, the second of which came from the boot of Smylie.
Thunder won the ball back in the defensive half in front of the Qamil Rexhepi Grandstand and immediately swung into action.
Wade Dekker, so often the receiver of through balls, turned provider in the middle of the pitch and threaded a needle through the Sharks’ final line defence, perfectly into stride for Smylie as he entered the penalty area.
Dekker’s exquisite pass was equalled, if not bettered by the next, as Smylie played the ball across the face of goal to find his skipper in prime position to tap home the goal.
Having set up his captain earlier in the match, Smylie then doubled the home side’s lead in the 25th minute.
Sensing a moment of separation from his defender, Smylie received the ball in the attacking half and immediately laid it off to Sulemani, before setting off on a darting run through a gap in the Sharks’ last line of defence.
Sulemani returned the ball back, before Smylie poked home the finish with defenders and the goalkeeper closing his space.
The first half was played largely on the Thunder’s terms, creating more chances than their opponents and looking the far more likely team to succeed.
Smylie had another shot saved in stoppage time while a handful of occasions saw the
Sharks’ defenders and goalkeeper make goal line saves to prevent further damage.
It took just five minutes into the second half for Smylie to complete his brace, courtesy of a creative volley close to goal.
With players gathered in the Thunder penalty area for a corner, a bouncing ground ball lobbed perfectly in his orbit for a turning volley close to goal.
He made no mistake with the finish to give his side an unassailable 3-0 lead, and all but secure the three points with 40 minutes remaining.
Smylie attracted unwanted attention in April when a sliding challenge that went horribly wrong against Avondale saw him receive a straight red card, and a nine-game suspension.
Since returning he has come off the substitutes bench four times, but on Saturday night played the full 90 minutes for only the third
time this season, and the first instance since February.
Along with the Mariners, Smylie played professionally abroad in Iceland last year before returning back to Australia ahead of the 2024 season.
Saturday’s brace was a long time coming, his first goals in the Thunder red and black guernsey.
Thunder failed to keep a clean sheet, conceding in the 84th minute of the contest after a defensive lapse, but Smylie’s efforts ensured the goal was merely a consolation for the visitors.
Thunder next faces Avondale away on Saturday afternoon, and will hope history does not repeat itself from the two sides’ previous fixture, when the Avengers embarrassed Piddick’s side in an 8-0 hammering at home.
By Marcus Uhe
The Dandenong Rangers’ Women’s National Basketball League 1 (NBL1) side is entering the upcoming finals series in red-hot form, completing the home-and-away portion of the season with a six-game winning streak.
The Rangers finished third on the ladder behind Knox and Keilor in first and second, respectively, thanks to a 16-6 win-loss record through its 22 games, and will face Keilor in the first round of the playoffs.
Having secured a top four place, the winner of the series will progress to the third round of the playoffs, while the loser will receive a double chance, and face the winner of Waverley v Sandringham.
Led by local talents, including WNBA draftee Nyadiew Puoch and with former Ranger Larissa Anderson at the helm as head coach, the Rangers improved from an 11-11 win-loss record in 2023 that saw them narrowly miss the finals, to being a force of the competition in Anderson’s second season.
Puoch, who achieved a childhood dream of being drafted to the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the United States in April, chose to stay in Melbourne and finish her season at the Rangers, with the draft taking place during the current campaign.
She led the team in points per game (20) and rebounds per game (eight), while forward Ashten Pretchel averaged just shy of a doubledouble, and was one of the best shot-blockers in the competition, despite only joining the team at the beginning of June.
The Rangers were the fourth-highest scoring team in the competition in 2024, averaging 80.6 points per contest, and was equal third for least points conceded per game, at 71.2, showing strong capabilities at both ends of the floor.
Keilor was one of the few teams to defeat Dandenong this season, in a low-scoring 64-69 loss in round six at home.
It was a loss to forget for the Rangers, who led by 17 points at half time before being outscored 24-46 in the second half.
But that contest was before Pretchel’s arrival, and the second meeting between the two saw the Thunder turn the tables in a 83-56 win at Keilor.
Pretchel scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in just 24 minutes and Puoch went one better with 19 points and 10 rebounds, both on efficient shooting numbers.
Dandenong’s Men’s team, meanwhile, will take on Knox in an elimination round after finishing sixth with 13 wins and nine losses.
Following a poor season in 2023 in which they finished second-last and won just four games, coach Samantha Woosnam has turned the program around with the help of a spread of contributors on the court.
The Mountain Dart League (MDL) is abuzz with excitement following its second season kicking off on Friday at various venues around the Dandenong region.
The MDL currently consists of three divisions, each with seven teams.
Season one was completed two weeks ago with surprising results in the grand finals.
In Division One, Bad Boys defeated High Fives; Division Two saw MDDA Bulls Eyes defeat Spectrum; Division Three saw Redbacks2 defeat Ruff Ryders.
The league has been boosted by two new teams joining the competition, showcasing the growth of the sport in the region.
The season consists of 14 rounds before the grand finals in November.
Various forms of competition are held during the week and anyone interested is welcome to attend, for a familyfriendly event that also caters for those with a disability.
There are times when teams need players so an opportunity may exist for those keen enough who wish to join.
Unfortunately, aspiring new teams will need to wait until the 2025 season to join, thereby giving enough time to practice before the new season.
The main venue is Mountain District Darts Association (MDDA) at 1012 Elliot Road, Dandenong South with games also being played at Dandenong Workers Club, Dandenong Club and Noble Park RSL, to name but a few.
The “Lows and Mediums” competition will take place on Sunday 28 July 2024 at the MDDA on Elliot Road, Dandenong South, a monthly competition which is held at various venues around Melbourne throughout the year.
MDL also supports out of town clubs hosting competitions.
The MDL is also looking to start a youth competition for those up to the age of 18 years old.
For those who are interested, an introduction to the rules and technical information will be carried out by Terry King of Topshot Promotions, who runs the dart shop at the MDDA.
Parents are also welcome to join.
Results R1
· Division One: Bad Boys 13 v Rebels 8, VIP 15 v Noble Park1 6, High 5’s 16 v Vales2 5.
· Division Two: Redbacks1 12 v Outcasts 9, Redbacks2 12 v Bandits 9, Stingrays 11 v Ruff Riders 10.
· Division Three: Maddaras 15 v Vales3 6, The Night Trawlers 13 v The Goodies 5.
Playmaking point guard Tad Dufelmeier leads the team in scoring (16.8 points per game) and assists (four per game) and steals (two per game), while former Dandenong junior and National Basketball League (NBL) championship winner, Mason Peatling has averaged a double-double in the Rangers’ front court.
In the only meeting with Knox this season back in April, the Rangers recovered from a slow start to win 79-74 at home.
Jacob Tryon had a night to remember in that contest, scoring 24 points on 11/14 shooting, to lead the team in scoring.
Four starters scored in double figures that night for the Rangers, including Dufelmeier, who scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and had six assists in a busy night for the guard.
Schedules have not been determined for either contests at time of publication.
By Jonty Ralphsmith
The Hampton Park Netball Club has grown from a “basket case” in 2021 to a vibrant squad of 84 players across eight teams in 2024.
The hard work of several volunteers, headed by Melinda Wilson, has been behind the growth, with Wilson joining the Redbacks in 2022, yielding quick results.
During 2022, there were 19 members across two teams, with most participants being veterans looking to rebuild the club after the club was unable to field a side in 2021.
In 2023, the club had 47 participants, including 18 juniors as the club was not only succeeding for the present, but had a constant feed of players to sustain itself into the medium term, something rarely seen in the netball club’s 22-year existence.
Most pleasingly, the success-starved netball club won two senior premierships in 2023.
“Until last year, I had only played in three finals and have been here for more than 20 years,” said veteran Donna Kellett.
“You drive that culture because you want to be part of success and you know what it’s like without having had it.
“You want the netball club to have the names of premiership players alongside the footy premiers.
“The ultimate is to win a flag and see it hanging up in the room knowing you were part of it.”
The club has taken another leap forward in 2024, with 84 participants across five senior and three junior teams, an increase of 178 per cent from 2023.
Conversations with those within the club revealed five key factors which have precipitated the growing success.
Coaching
The arrival of under-17s coach Simon Kaye and under-15s coach Nicole Van Brakel in 2023, both with leadership experience at representative level, has been a drawcard for juniors.
As well as attracting youth, the sophisticated knowledge of the coaches allows the next generation to thrive, giving the club the best opportunity of experiencing success.
Highly regarded junior Sienna Wilson praised the role of Van Brakel in her growth, and she is one of several young players skilled enough to fit into seniors training seamlessly.
“There’s a lot of quality netballers here,” said A-Grade coach Vanessa San Jose.
“Some are still developing their skills, but umpiring the under-17s two weeks ago, I got to see the talent of these girls up close and I was blown away by the players who are the future of this club.”
Long time player Donna Kellett also notes the significance of San Jose in the development of the emerging talent.
“We’ve had some great coaches come through over the years and they all have the same quality of not only being good with the seniors, but getting juniors going as well, which Vanessa does,” Kellett said.
“When you have good leadership at the top of the grades, it filters down.”
San Jose’s vocal and encouraging leadership has also assisted the senior netballers.
“I used to be a really negative player and get down on myself but Vanessa gives me the confidence to turn something bad into motivation which brings the best of me onto the court,” A-Grade player Chloe Crouch said.
Establishment of a committee:
Prior to 2024, Melinda Wilson took charge of netball club, with support from Seers.
This season, a boom of volunteers wanting to assist has eased the work load.
It has allowed the club to ensure off-court matters such as sponsorship, advocacy and training equipment are taken care of.
Culture
Melinda Wilson has been the driving force behind the culture which has sparked the organic growth.
Given her decades long involvement with local netball, she has both an understanding of what a successful local netball club needs and the network to bring it to life.
“It was simply picking up the phone and making some phone calls and they trusted that I would do what was best for the club,” Wilson
said.
“To get a lot of people i know and trust together in one club has been really cool.”
Players spend as much time watching and supporting other Redbacks teams as they do on the court.
The energy that the junior netballers bring is palpable across the whole club.
“The success of the netball is adding coffee vans, kids, egg and bacons in the morning,” said president Craig Seers.
“We haven’t got junior footballers so we’re reliant on this sort of stuff to give us culture.”
San Jose noted the culture, which encourages members to assist in off-court matters.
“It’s such a tight-knit family-oriented group who welcome absolutely anybody with open arms,” she said.
Support of the footy club
Club president Craig Seers defers most netball-specific questions to Melinda Wilson and others knowing they are better equipped to answer such questions.
But the netballers are acutely aware that when something is asked of Seers, or people involved in the football side of the club, everything will be done to accommodate them.
“The netball club was a basket case coming off Covid-19 and now, the coaching is phenomenal and everyone is buying in,” Seers said.
Club volunteer and player Chloe Gilland has seen the increasing unity between the football and netball club.
“We always do fundraising together as a club, even if the money is just going towards the netball,” Gilland said.
Football players are also regularly watching and supporting the netballers, which has been enabled this season by a change to the South East Premier League for all but one senior team meaning sides play at Robert Booth Reserve.
“The footballers really care, whereas where we’ve come from, they would not have even know you existed,” said one person involved in the club.”
Connection of the junior and senior club
Juniors play in senior teams. Seniors assist junior coaching.
The willingness of everyone to progress the club ensures that juniors are not only playing in senior teams, but also express themselves
on and off the court.
“Having the juniors and seeing how hard they work - they deserve to have a thriving club when they’re older which motivates us,” Gilland said.
The seniors, who understand their status as
role models for juniors, assist with skill development, helping establish relationships and increasing their rate of improvement and joy.
“At the moment, the juniors are probably the most important members of the club and we’re dedicating a lot of time into them,” Wilson said.
