Flood basin alarm
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A flood researcher has raised alarm over “wild west“ infilling of Bangholme’s retarding basin after Willow Lodge retirement village was flooded on Tuesday 16 July.
The village of more than 500 residents is on floodplains between the banks of Eumemmerring Creek and Eastern Contour Drain, and downstream from a Melbourne Water retarding basin.
The complex is surrounded by a ring of flood-protection levees as well as a retention pond.
Last week, residents watched anxiously as waters escaped the retention pond and rose under at least six elevated homes. Further homes had their backyards inundated.
“The creek is right up around us,” a resident told Star Journal.
“The retention pond is rising and the pumps are working overtime but are not keeping up.”
Fortunately, the rains stopped and the water levels subsided that afternoon. But the resident wanted answers on the cause of the overflowing pond.
Star Journal enquired with three authorities but each blamed the other for an apparent backflow issue at a nearby floodgate on 16 July.
A message from Willow Lodge alerted residents that a Melbourne Water floodgate was causing backflow issues.
However, Melbourne Water later stated it was City of Greater Dandenong’s infrastructure.
Greater Dandenong then adamantly pointed the finger at Department of Transport and Planning, and the department pointed it back
to Melbourne Water.
Three days later, Greater Dandenong councillor Rhonda Garad said the council’s head engineer advised that different authorities were managing the basin’s three floodgates.
On one side was MelbourneWater’s gate, on the other was the transport department’s gate.
Last Friday afternoon, transport department workers were still working at their floodgate, which was blocked from opening due to debris, Cr Garad said.
In February 2011, Willow Lodge residents were evacuated during a massive flood event.
Bangholme flood researcher Alan Hood warns of frantic future evacuations at Willow Lodge if floods equivalent to several in the past 100 years were repeated.
At those levels, a rampaging Dandenong Creek would spread about 1.7 kilometres
wide, would “roof gutter height” at Hammond Road and would “slam over” the Eumemmering Creek northern levee bank towards Willow Lodge.
“The people ofWillow Lodge would need to be evacuated. But there would be no vehicular access from north or south… helicopters can’t do it fast enough.”
Mr Hood was alarmed about infilling of the Bangholme Retarding Basin just north of Eumemmerring Creek and Willow Lodge.
“The question is who approved the retarding basin to be filled so it can’t work to protect Bangholme, Carrum Downs, Seaford and Frankston from loss of homes.
“EastLink built a bridge over the retarding basin for safety but it’s been wild west from EastLink to Frankston-Dandenong Road.”
Continued page 4
A retention pond bursts its banks next to Willow Lodge retirement village, Bangholme on 16 July. (Supplied)
Don vows to fight
By Sahar Foladi
The family behind popular Noble Park North business Don Fernando’s Churros and Pizza is determined to come back stronger after their shop was gutted by a suspicious fire next door.
Three shops and two cars caught ablaze in a suspicious ram-raid fire at Heyington Crescent about 2am on Friday 19 July.
Fernando Cianciarulo, who owns the pizza store, has lived and raised his family in the neighbourhood for the past 40 years overall.
“We were originally supplying churros to the food trucks but 2020 came around - there weren’t that many food trucks, they went broke during Covid.”
They opened up the shop to “give something back to the community”.
“We’ve been living here for a long time, and people always complained there wasn’t anywhere nice to go, to sit down for a coffee.
“It’s like we’re kind of forgotten because we’re not one of the nicest suburbs I suppose.”
The quiet neighbourhood, mainly comprising senior residents, had just received some renewed buzz as the shopping strip shops started to improve and “clean themselves up.”
“We had a goal in mind that people in the community would come around to cheer us on. That they would tell us this place was falling apart and you’re turning it into something good.
“With limited funds and whilst working somewhere else trying to keep the money coming in for the daily expenses, both of my sons helped me out. We used as much help as we could to get the shop running,” Mr Cianciarulo said.
“We put a lot of work in it as a family. My wife really pushed us to make it a nice place for our community. We went a year of doing well so it’s sad to see our efforts end up like this.”
The business was not covered by insurance making the situation even more dire for the family, but Mr Cianciarulo and his son Tobias aren’t ready to let go just yet after only a year in business.
“We really love this place and what we turned it into. We don’t want to let it go right now. It’s going to come back one way or the other,” Tobias said.
The public seem to have enjoyed the “gen-
erous and fresh toppings” of the pizza and the “beautiful churros” as evident by many fivestar ratings on Google Reviews.
With Victoria Police closing off the store as part of its investigation on 19 July, the family were unaware of the full extent of damage.
Evidently, the half-burnt store sign is missing its‘Fernando,’ the roller shutter at the main entrance and the entire window is gone exposing a blackened ceiling and wall.
What used to be a music studio and an office space next door is now a charred hollow building with loose infrastructure hanging.
Shocked and upset neighbours walked out to comfort the family and passed on their apologies as they looked on at the heartbreaking scene.
Theo Andasi has been living in the neighbourhood for the past 15 years and says this is the worst incident he’s seen.
“If we wanted a change to get a pizza or chips, we would go to Don Fernando’s and just to even say hello.
“This is ridiculous. We’ve never had any of this.”
City of Greater Dandenong Council’s executive director of city futures Sanjay Manivasagasivam said council will continue to cooperate withVictoria Police and the business owners“to support them as the investigation continues.”
“Our thoughts are with the businesses and community members impacted by this morning’s fire on Heyington Crescent in Noble Park North.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Mr Cianciarulo which has since garnered half of the goal amount of $10,000 to go towards the renovation of his family store.
gofundme.com/f/help-save-argentinianpizza-shop-from-arson-attack
Factory engulfed in ‘deliberate’ fire
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Police are investigating two separate “deliberate” fires that engulfed a factory in Noble Park. Fire Rescue Victoria firefighters responded to a structure fire at Tower Court after reports of flames and smoke at 4.23am on 13 July. They found a car had “impacted” the workshop.
About half of the 500-square-metre factory was engulfed in flames, an FRV spokesperson said.
“Crews wore breathing apparatus and battled the blaze externally as there was significant risk of collapse in parts of the structure.”
Greater Dandenong CIU detectives say two fires were deliberately lit at the factory in the
Shops, cars set ablaze
By Sahar Foladi
Three shops and two cars caught ablaze in a suspicious ram-raid fire in Noble Park North.
Victoria Police believe a stolen car was driven into the commercial building and set alight about 2am on Friday 19 July.
The car was allegedly stolen from Mulgrave on the same night.
FRV crews had responded to multiple Triple-0 calls, finding three single-fronted shops and two cars on fire.
Twenty-four firefighters employed five pumpers and an aerial unit in an “aggressive attack” on the fire, bringing it under control in about 30 minutes, FRV stated.
The car was rammed inside the music studio and set ablaze causing damages to the office space owned by the music studio landowner and the churro and pizza shop.
The office space is said to contain crucial business documents, 35 years worth of paperworks all turned into piles of ashes in the charred and hollow building.
Hassan lives just a block down from the shopping strip that comprises a milk bar, laundromat, music studio, fish and chips and Don Fernando’s Churros and Pizza.
“We heard a bang followed by the smell of the smoke.We heard individuals run down the street screaming at about 1.50am.
“I was awake studying for a test which is today (Friday 19 July). Once we saw the lights and heard the sirens we were prompted outside and found the businesses were on fire.
“There was a blaze ripping through. Thankfully the FRV distinguished it pretty quickly but the damage is done nevertheless.”
Theo Andasi has lived in the neighbourhood for the past 15 years and says this is the worst he’s seen.
“You get robberies but nothing as bad as this. That’s ridiculous. We’ve never had any of this.”
early hours of 12 and 13 July.
No one was injured in either incident, police say.
“The investigation into both fires remains ongoing,” a police spokesperson stated.
Any information or dashcam/CCTV footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
The neighbourhood stood on the side to watch on at the scene from a distance as they sent their apologies to Fernando Cianciarulo owner of the Churros and Pizza shop.
“He’s super distressed,” Hassan said. Victoria Police is investigating the fire.
“At this time it is not believed to be linked to any other arson incidents,” a police spokesperson stated.
Any information, CCTV or dashcam footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
A GoFundMe page has been created by Mr Cianciarulo for contributions to continue to provide ‘the best’ pizza and churros to the community.
gofundme.com/f/help-save-argentinian-pizza-shop-from-arson-attack
Don and Tobias Fernando stand in front of their fire-damaged Churro and Pizza store in Heyington Crescent, Noble Park North. (Sahar Foladi: 420333)
Three shops and two cars were damaged in the suspicous fire in Heyington Crescent, Noble Park North. (Sahar Foladi: 420333)
A factory and a car were destroyed by fire at Tower Court, Noble Park (Gary Sissons: 419117)
The gutted factory at Tower Court, Noble Park
A police officer and a firefighter at Tower Court, Noble Park
MP’s cancer battle
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Mulgrave MP Eden Foster says she’s determined to “fight and win” as she undergoes treatment for Stage 1 Lymphoma.
In a social media post on 17 July, Ms Foster, 43, revealed her diagnosis was after several medical investigations due to a swollen lymph node in her neck.
“I have caught this early, and the prognosis is good.
“I am determined to fight and win this battle and will shortly start chemotherapy.”
Ms Foster – a former Greater Dandenong mayor - stated she would focus on her treatment and recovery but remained committed to serving as the Mulgrave MP.
“While being diagnosed with cancer is a shock, I hope my diagnosis can serve as a reminder that cancer can touch everyone, no matter your age.
“Thank you in advance to everyone for extending me privacy while I receive medical treatment and for your support.”
Well-wishers on social media included current and former MPs as well as former colleagues on Greater Dandenong Council.
In a social media post, Premier Jacinta Allan sent Ms Foster “love and strength” to her and her family.
“Like every Victorian who’s received that terrible diagnosis, my heart is breaking for her.
“But, just as it has before, I know her incred-
ible grit and determination will carry Eden in her fight.”
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams posted:
“As always, Eden, you come to this with a positive attitude and tenacity in spades. Sending love and support.We’re here for you. X”
Motorcyclist killed in Noble Park crash
A motorcyclist has died following a fatal crash in Noble Park on Tuesday 16 July.
Police say that a car and motorbike collided at the intersection of Stackpoole Street and Chandler Road about 5.57pm.
The driver of the car - a 26-year-old Clayton South woman - stopped at the scene. She is assisting police with their enquiries.
The rider, a 25-year-old Doncaster man, died at the scene.
Police say they are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
Any information or CCTV/dashcam footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au
‘Deliberate’ hit-run
A man has been deliberately struck in a hit-run in Doveton on Sunday 21 July, police say.
A black Holden station wagon and a white Holden ute had been allegedly involved in illegal burnouts and street racing in the Tristana Street area about 11am.
The 42-year-old Doveton victim approached the drivers, asking them to curb their behaviour, Sergeant Paul Holtzinger of Achilles Taskforce police told ABC Radio.
The drivers got out of their vehicles and assaulted him in a home driveway, Sgt Holtzinger said.
According to police, the station wagon driver then deliberately drove at the man who was still on the driveway.
The victim was rolled onto the bonnet as he and the vehicle went through a neighbouring timber fence into another residence’s front yard.
He did not require medical treatment. An SES crew repaired the damaged fence, Sgt Holtzinger said.
The two males in the Holdens drove off toward Paperbark Street.
At this stage, they and the vehicles have not been located, police say.
Any information or dashcam/CCTV footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Ms Foster stated she was grateful for the care of the “truly world-class” Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, as well as her colleagues, staff and community. She won the state seat in a by-election last November, replacing the retired ex-Premier Daniel Andrews.
Mulgrave MP Eden Foster, with Premier Jacinta Allan, the day after winning the state by-election in November. (Rob Carew: 374312)
Calls to raise the road
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Casey Council says its urging water authorities to take action on the continued flooding of an industrial estate on Centre Road and Rimfire Drive, Hallam.
On 16 July, businesses and drivers were again stranded by the latest inundation from the adjoining HallamValley flood plain.
The industrial estate on those two roads, as well as a section of Hallam South Road, were closed to traffic for several days as a result.
In a recurring theme for more than a decade, Centre Road - the estate’s only point of access - resembled a lake that could only be traversed by trucks and other large vehicles.
Last week, four stranded drivers were rescued by Narre Warren SES from waters up to 65 centimetres deep at the flood’s peak.
Unit controller Damian Burns said it was a timely demonstration why drivers shouldn’t venture into floodwaters.
“The vehicles were trying to go through flood water that was too deep for them. The vehicles were swamped and water was going in through the door seals.
“It can be deceptive. When you drive out of Rimfire Drive, it’s not too deep. You don’t realise how deep the water will get – and once you start, you get committed to drive on.”
Eclipse Security Systems owner Greg Flood, who is based in the Rimfire Drive estate, said he and his employees were working from home but it was difficult to get in deliveries.
“The ones I feel sorry for are the retail businesses and car mechanics who effectively can’t trade. There’s no way in or out for customers.”
In the past 18 months, he estimates about 10 floods in the water-logged estate – with Centre Road lower in some sections than the
adjoining wetlands.
Businesses have long called for either a levee or the raising of Centre Road to repel the frequent flooding.
They’ve also requested repairing Troup’s Creek bridge at Shrives Road as an alternative access in the event of flooding.
The bridge was long closed due to structural damage from heavy vehicles – though it was briefly reopened for a few hours for vehicle access on 16 July, Mr Flood said.
Casey Council city and asset planning manager Keri New said a detailed assessment of the bridge found that its reopening was “not
Creek flood threat eased
Heatherton Road in Dandenong was blocked for several days as authorities issued a Watch and Act alert for a flooding Dandenong Creek catchment on 16 July.
About 64 millimetres of rain had fallen in the catchment in the previous 48 hours, with the creek peaking at 4.95 metres-plus at Rowville (Police Road Retarding Basin) - just below the Moderate Flood level of 5 metres.
It prompted SES Victoria to warn affected residents to move to higher ground in case of potentially “substantial inundation” in rural and urban areas.
“Flooding above floor level of a single-story home is likely to occur in some locations,” it stated.
Affected people were advised to “take actions immediately to protect your life and property, and move to higher ground”.
Within the day however, the water level dropped to 4.73 metres, leading to a downgraded Minor FloodWarning.
Conservation Reserve) (Stewart Chambers: 419626)
feasible”.
This was due to the impact on traffic management, structural limitations and high costs.
Ms New said the council was exploring the feasibility of lifting Centre Road’s low points.
“Further engineering investigations and flood modelling are required to determine the suitability of lifting the road above flood levels without causing any upstream flooding.”
Casey had started local flood modelling. But this couldn’t be finalised without Melbourne Water completing its Hallam Valley Flood Mapping work to confirm the “ultimate flood levels”.
“This will inform Council decision on whether lifting the road in advance of Melbourne Water undertaking flood plain improvement works or the duplication of Hallam Road will reduce the incidence of flooding affecting road access,” Ms New said.
The council was lobbying MelbourneWater to speed up its master plan to reduce the ultimate flood level on Centre Road – which was believed to be “a few years away”.
In the meantime, Casey called for Melbourne Water to “prioritise frequent maintenance” including desilting drains connecting urban catchments into the floodplain.
‘Wild west’ says researcher
“Its’ a timely reminder for people to clear the gutters and have their maintenance regime in place for their homes,” Greater Dandenongspokesperson Daniel Cooksley said.
Heatherton Road was open for both directions of traffic, as of Sunday 21 July.
Greater Dandenong SES volunteers responded to 13 call-outs for building damage such as leaking ceilings on the previous Sunday and Monday, with no driver rescues required.
From page 1
The filling had “quietly progressed westwards“ up to paddocks at 250 Fernside Drive - a site which has been controversially proposed for rezoning for industrial development.
A week earlier, Cr Garad raised the alarm on behalf of Willow Lodge residents on the proposed rezoning.
At a 8 July council meeting, Cr Garad said the site was within the “Bangholme retarding basin” – a “critical” flood mitigation measure to protect residents at Willow Lodge retirement village as well as suburbs downstream.
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”.
Councillors sought a costings report on getting independent advice on the flood impact.
As for the 16 July incident, Mr Hood said rainfall levels and Eumemmerring Creek outflows shouldn’t have caused flooding of parts ofWillow Lodge.
“It wasn’t an external flow. It was selfinflicted.
“A drainage ditch has been cut which runs all around Willow Lodge and a drain built down through the levee bank to drain stormwater from Willow Lodge into the creek.
“But it either didn’t have a flow valve, or the flow valve was stuck open.
“Water was flowing into the drainage ditch and around the back to the pumps, which were slowly draining the sump. The pumps were going but were nowhere near enough for such a big volume.”
Dandenong Creek catchment bursts its banks at Illawarra Ave, Rowville (Tirhatuan Wetlands
A marooned SUV is passed by a ute at the flooded Centre Road and Rimfire Drive estate. Hallam Valley wetlands are in the background. (Supplied)
Greg Flood and other affected business people at Centre Road, Hallam in late 2021. (Stewart Chambers: 259111)
Floodwaters escape a retention pond and surround homes at Willow Lodge retirement village, Bangholme. (Supplied)
Sandbags were used to block creek water from being diverted into a Willow Lodge retention pond, which flooded parts of the retirement village. (Alan Hood)
Council chaos backlash
By Sahar Foladi
Councillor Rhonda Garad has proposed a mandatory three-minute video speech for mayoral and deputy mayoral candidates, in response to a chaotic council meeting on 8 July.
The initiative was set to be raised as a notice-of-motion at the 22 July council meeting.
“I’m not talking about English-speaking skills but basic skills in running a meeting and for candidates to actually have a vision.”
The meeting on Monday night 8 July saw Labor deputy mayor Richard Lim chair the meeting in the absence of the mayor Lana Formoso.
Council governance coordinator Dani Trimble frequently intervened to guide the deputy mayor, who appeared confused amid the rapid-fire debates during a disputed pointof-order.
“We could have lost the Dandenong Community Hub entirely, due to the poor chairing of the meeting,” Cr Garad continued.
“What’s concerning is when you watch back the meeting, Cr Bob Milkovic wants to call a vote of no confidence in the chair – and that was ignored.
“Cr Milkovic should have been able to put it up.”
Councillor Milkovic told Star Journal that it was “embarrassing to be present.”
The meeting’s chaos escalated as councillors Garad, Tim Dark and Sean O’Reily clashed over moving debate ‘in camera’ about a controversial decision on Dandenong Community Hub funding.
Things unravelled when the deputy mayor turned down Cr Garad’s point of order, which was seconded by Cr Dark.
Councillors contested Cr Lim’s ruling, which prompted a five-minute break followed by a decision to defer the item for the next council meeting on 22 July.
Deputy mayor Lim later acknowledged his shortcomings on the night of the meeting, swearing that he’d strive to improve.
“Naturally, chairing complex, public meetings is not something I experienced as a community member.
“Chairing the last Council meeting was
Greens councillor Garad will not defend her seat
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Greater Dandenong councillor Rhonda Garad has announced she won’t defend her Keysborough South Ward seat at the upcoming council elections.
On a social media post, the outspoken Greens councillor for the past four years announced she was stepping down with a “heavy heart but great optimism for the future”.
“Reflecting on my tenure, the most rewarding aspect has been engaging with so many of you on local issues such as trees, drainage, and traffic.
“Looking at a picture of myself from before I started on the council, I see a few more wrinkles and grey hairs.”
Cr Garad nominated the upgradedWestwood Boulevard park and Picnic Park and the future Keysborough South Community Hub as among the significant projects in
her term.
Much was still to be done such as traffic safety at Keysborough Gardens Primary School, more pedestrian crossings on Perry and Church roads and removing the Keysborough South rates levy.
Cr Garad had temporarily stood down from councillor duties last year to contest the Mulgrave by-election for the Green.
Ahead of the October council elections, she endorsed a Greens “new generation” candidate Isabella Do, who is standing in Keysborough South Ward.
“She’s a really good fit in that community with strong local ties and business skills,” Cr Garad told Star Journal.
“I think it’s good to have fresh energy. To have councillors sit there for 20 to 30 years really is not in the interests of the community.
“You’ve got to bring in strong, new perspectives.
Cr Lim said it was part of the learning journey for him coming from a CALD community with English being his fourth language alongside Khmer, Mandarin and French.
“As is the case with any new skill, practice is the key to improvement, and I’m looking forward to working with Governance to build on what I have learned.
“At the same time I’ve received a number of messages and calls of encouragement from the public and ex-mayor of Greater Dandenong Rozz Blades which only drives me forward to do more.”
He urged councillors to focus on better serving the community rather than “picking on each other.”
He also referred to his mispronunciation of Cr Garad’s surname as ’garage’ due to being a multilinguist, saying these minor shortcomings shouldn’t be picked on.
“Councillors are here to serve the diverse communities and they need to understand these things.
“My pronunciation is not always 100 per cent correct but these shouldn’t always be taken into consideration.
“We need someone that has passion to help our diverse communities.”
Mayor Lana Formoso said Cr Lim will undergo further training and be provided additional resources “to build on his chairing skills.”
“This was only the Deputy Mayor’s second opportunity to chair the meeting since his training at the beginning of the Mayoral term.
a great learning opportunity for me and although I would have liked more time to prepare, it is important to be flexible and available to support the Mayor in this role.”
He lost track of the rapid-fire exchange between councillors as he tried to read the governance rules in front of him.
Protect your business and your workers
“He was kind enough to step in at short notice and it was a lengthy agenda, with complex matters up for debate.
“The State Government have acknowledged how challenging chairing council meetings can be and are introducing mandatory training following the next Local Government Election in October.”
to understand and meet your licence obligations –to maintain your business, avoid penalties, and contribute to a fairer industry.
Greens councillor Rhonda Garad won’t re-contest her Keysborough South Ward seat at the October elections.
Deputy mayor Richard Lim has defended his performance in chairing a chaotic council meeting earlier this month. (Gary Sissons: 398379)
Arts space fills the gap
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A drop-in arts space is a missing link in Dandenong’s bubbling mix of cultural communities, says creative Monique McNamara.
In July, she led a successful “pilot” for the proposed venture – a week-long festival of free arts workshops dubbed Creative Space, staged at Connection Arts Space andWalker Street Gallery.
The facilitator from Working Better Together says such an event has never happened before in Dandenong, with most participants being firsttime artists.
“It’s been amazing. Each day people came in to do art.
“All but two people hadn’t done art in their life. And that’s exactly why I did this.”
Working BetterTogether is seeking investment and funding for a social studio in Dandenong to run affordable arts workshops and develop creative skills.
It would include a space for graphic design, media, art therapy, peer support, wellbeing and creative making workshops.
“Manypeoplehavenothadtheopportunityor environment to tap into their unique creativity,” McNamara says.
“CreativeSpacewasaspacetoexplorethisand give it a go and link into an arts community here in Greater Dandenong.”
McNamara says such spaces exist in many council areas across Melbourne. And she hopes todrawtogetherGreaterDandenong’sstrongand diverse cultural groups into a creative collective.
“Creative communities are resilient communities that learn to value and celebrate difference.
“I want to create a Cultural Creative Community - where we all belong - that wants to express and celebrate identity. spirituality and creativity.”
An example of this was a recent multisensory event by City Greater Dandenong featuring an Ethiopian dinner, a live podcast interview and an interactive discus-
sion on art, cross-cultural identity and biracial experiences in Australia and Aotearoa. Creative Space collaborated with a workshop from African drummer Ousmane Sonko.
The other artists involved were exhibiting artist Olana Janfa, Being Biracial podcast hosts Kate Robinson and Maria-Birch Morunga with food from Afro Café, Dandenong.
Apply now Community Grants Program
Do you have a project, program or event that supports the Greater Dandenong community?
Our Medium Grants Program provides one-off grants of up to $10,000 to individuals and non-profit community organisations to deliver: Community Development Climate Change initiatives Arts Festivals and events
Round 2 is open from Monday 22 July and closes 11.59pm Sunday 18 August.
Grant information sessions will be available to learn about Council Grant programs.
Apply online and find out more at: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/grants
McNamara also facilitated arts sessions, WisdomWithinWellbeing creative workshops, a coffee meet-up and dinner for artists and creative businesses.
With a long career in arts, design and creative business consulting, McNamara’s creative workshopsarean“emotionalhealing”journeythatcan apply to all facets of life.
She talks about building“creative resilience”..
“I’ve had a life with challenges I have had to overcomeandcreativityhasgotmethroughthose hard times - especially when I could not express my feelings or emotions.”
Fatal mauling sentence
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A Springvale man has been ordered to pay compensation after a German Shepherd in his care escaped and horrifyingly mauled another dog.
Luan Cao had been looking after his father-in-law’s ‘Lulu’ for only a few days when she fled his yard on the evening of 15 August 2023.
As Cao tried to put Lulu on a leash, the dog escaped his clutches and ran across the road towards a woman walking three dogs, including toy-poodle ‘Cupid’.
The German Shepherd clasped her jaws around Cupid’s head and shook the small dog. Despite the efforts of Cao and the poodle’s owner to prise Lulu’s jaws open with their hands, the dog refused to let go. Indeed, Lulu bit down further on the poodleowner’s hand.
Lulu only relented after a male by-stander intervened and kicked her repeatedly.
Limp, bleeding and growling in pain, the toy-poodle was treated at an emergency vet. Unfortunately she succumbed to her injuries the next day. Her owner was treated in hospital for a fracture and puncture wounds to her hand. She developed septic arthritis and despite several surgeries, still endures chronic pain in her index finger.
In her victim impact statement, she described ongoing PTSD, anxiety and panic attacks. As a result of the trauma, she took time off work and was demoted from her managerial role. She no longer feels safe walking her dogs outside, she stated.
After the attack, Lulu was surrendered to a pound. She was assessed as unsuitable for retraining and was euthanised.
Magistrate Hugh Radford noted a remorseful Cao did everything he could to stop the attack and showed a great level of concern in accompanying the injured Cupid and her owner to the vet.
He also took into account the significant impact on the victim.
An employed chef, Cao stated he was willing but unable to afford compensating the victim for her vet bills, medical expenses and a new dog.
He hadn’t got to know the dog’s nature before the attack, he told the court.
Cao was fined $1200 plus $136 costs without conviction, and ordered onto a payment plan to compensate the victim’s $3154 in vet and medical bills.
Magistrate Radford declined to order compensation for the victim’s $4000 replacement toy-poodle due to insufficient proof of purchase.
(Gary Sissons: 244718)
Monique McNamara is seeking funding for a drop-in social studio in the heart of Dandenong. (Stewart Chambers: 418757)
Data breach concerns
By Violet Li
Environmental
Protection
Authority (EPA) Victoria’s external contact centre was hacked with thousands of customers’ information stolen, including those of Casey residents who reported odour pollution around the Hallam Road landfill and SBI landfill in the past several years.
EPA Victoria has been advised by the external service provider of its Contact Centre that data has been illegally removed from its internal systems by an unknown third party.
The stolen information was from October 2021, September 2022, and October 2022. EPA staff and about 2,800 members of the public have had some of their details hacked.
A combination of customers’ names, email addresses, residential addresses and phone numbers were illegally shared.
The environment regulatory advised the impacted public via email on Thursday 11 July.
“We have taken immediate action to rectify this as soon as becoming aware of the incident. We have written to those who have been impacted by this breach to personally inform them of the incident and what we have done to rectify it,” a spokesperson of EPA Victoria said.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause our stakeholders, partners, employees and the community.
“We have worked closely with relevant government agencies and specialist security partners to remove the threat from our systems, with all sites purged of unauthorised access, resetting of passwords and other robust security measures.
“The data and privacy of our community, stakeholders, and employees are important to us.”
The spokesperson said EPA had a dedicated security incident response team in place coordinating activities focused on ensuring the privacy of the information they hold was protected and ensuring they could effectively continue to protect the Victorian community and our environment from the harms caused by pollution and waste.
and confidential,” they said.
A Casey resident, who reported the odour pollution before, said they had received the email last week notifying their data breach.
“EPA is continuing to monitor the situation and ensure all data shared with us is secure
“I feel that the EPA, aVictorian Government agency, was careless in the handling of our personal information,” they said.
Greater Dandenong City Council postal election
My council, my vote
You must be enrolled to vote
A general election for Greater Dandenong City Council will be held in October 2024. To be able to vote in the election, you must be enrolled by the
Two categories of voters can be enrolled to vote in the Greater Dandenong City Council election: State-enrolled voters and Council-enrolled voters.
State-enrolled voters
Am I enrolled to vote?
You are automatically enrolled for this election if:
• you will be 18 years of age or over on Saturday 26 October 2024 and you live in the City of Greater Dandenong and you are on the State electoral roll for your current address.
You need to enrol if:
• you are an Australian citizen aged 18 or over on Saturday 26 October 2024 and
• you live in the City of Greater Dandenong and you are not on the State electoral roll or
• you have lived at your current residential address within the City of Greater Dandenong for at least a month and have not yet updated your enrolment details, including any changes to your postal address.
How do I enrol?
You can enrol online at vec.vic.gov.au
You can also download an enrolment form from the website. All enrolment applications must be received by the Victorian Electoral Commission by the close of roll at 4 pm on Wednesday 7 August 2024.
How can I check my State enrolment?
You can check your enrolment details online at vec.vic.gov.au at any time, or call 131 832.
Council-enrolled voters
Am I enrolled to vote?
To be a Council-enrolled voter, you must be:
• 18 years of age or over on Saturday 26 October 2024 and not a State-enrolled voter within the City of Greater Dandenong.
New rules mean you are no longer automatically enrolled if you are a non-resident property owner (e.g. a landlord or a business owner that pays rates). If you are a non-resident property owner within the City of Greater Dandenong, you need to apply to enrol if you wish to vote in the Greater Dandenong City Council election.
Who else can enrol & vote?
You may also apply to enrol if:
• you have purchased a rateable property within the City of Greater Dandenong since the last election but you are not a resident of the City of Greater Dandenong, or
• you are not an Australian citizen and you live in, and pay rates for, a property within the City of Greater Dandenong, or you pay rates on a property you occupy within the City of Greater Dandenong and have no other voting entitlement within the City of Greater Dandenong, for example you are a shop tenant and pay rates to the Council for your tenancy, and you have no other voting entitlement within the City of Greater Dandenong, or
• you are a director or company secretary of a corporation within the City of Greater Dandenong that pays rates to Greater Dandenong City Council and you have no other
“How long have they known about this?
“The EPA obviously didn’t take effective steps to prevent this data breach.
“I am worried that the data breach may cause me future financial fraud at any time. It also makes me reluctant to report anything to the EPA in the future.”
voting entitlement within the City of Greater Dandenong.
How do I apply to be a Council-enrolled voter?
If you meet any of the above criteria and wish to enrol, contact Greater Dandenong City Council on 5272 5272 for a council enrolment form. Council enrolment forms must be received by the Council by the close of roll at 4 pm on Wednesday 7 August 2024
How can I check if I am Council-enrolled?
You can check your enrolment details by contacting the Council on 5272 5272.
Thinking about standing for election?
To nominate as a candidate for Greater Dandenong City Council, you must:
• be an Australian citizen and enrolled on the voters’ roll for Greater Dandenong City Council and
• be eligible to become a councillor and
• have completed the mandatory candidate training provided by Local Government Victoria before lodging your nomination with the Election Manager.
For further information, visit vec.vic.gov.au
Enrolment closes 4 pm Wednesday 7 August 2024
State-enrolled voters can register for free VoterAlert SMS and email reminders at vec.vic.gov.au
EPA Victoria. (File)
Law change needed
By Corey Everitt
A South East resident is sick of living in fear for simply taking medication for chronic pain, prompting him to support the establishment of a legal defence for unimpaired drivers with a medicinal cannabis prescription.
A 68-year-old retiree, for the last five years Brad has been prescribed medicinal cannabis to help his sleep and treat chronic neck pain.
Despite having a strict nightly regimen where he never gets behind the wheel within 12 hours after treatment, he can still lose his ability to drive if he tests positive for cannabis.
“I only take it at night, there is nothing recreational about it, it’s not my thing,” he said.
“It can make a real mess of things for me, I am never ever sure if I will run into a drug bus.
“I always leave 12 hours after using any of the medicine before I get behind the wheel, but cannabis can stay in you for a month.”
The psychoactive effect of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the main component of cannabis - lasts only a few hours for an average dose.
However, THC is a fat soluble compound which can store in fat cells meaning it can remain in a person’s system for a matter of days or even months while a person in all other factors is sober.
Victoria Police at roadside testing use a saliva drug test which can detect the usage of marijuana up to 24 hours after usage.
If not detected, the police can ask for an impairment assessment and follow up with a blood or urine test - the latter can come back positive for cannabis use within the previous 30 days depending on level of use.
A first time detection through a saliva test penalises the driver with a 6-month suspension.
Brad has been driving for over 50 years with no offence to his name after thousands of kilometres within his personal and work life.
He finds it offensive that he could be among criminal offenders for something his GP prescribes him.
“I’ve never had a serious penalty, never lost my licence, never gone over in demerits,” he said.
“The community is better with me taking this medication, otherwise I will be driving without a good night’s sleep.
“I’m treated like a criminal for taking a legal drug.”
The alternatives are limited for him, he could go off the medication which would severely limit him as his wife lives with mobility issues.
He could try a different treatment such as opioid painkillers, which he has been prescribed in his life.
He took up medicinal cannabis in his re-
tirement and stuck with it as he got away from opioids - a highly addictive drug which the World Health Organisation says is attributed to 600,000 deaths worldwide by 2019.
Cannabis is much more manageable and effective for him, even though ‘it’s never been really his thing’ he can keep use and tolerance down.
“It’s an analgesic, muscle relaxant, it turns the whole thing down and tolerance builds slowly,” he said.
“Whereas opioids build up straight away, you have to increase your dosage for it to work. It makes you feel crook, I had liver problems when I was taking it - all of that is gone.
“I keep to a strict daily dosage, when I feel it’s not working as usual, I take some time off to build back tolerance.”
Nonetheless, Brad says he has to choose to be ‘worried all the time of being caught’. To him it doesn’t seem much relief will be coming from Spring Street anytime soon.
Recently, the State Government announced they will be starting a trial to test medicinal cannabis users while driving.
Expected to wrap up by late 2025, this was a delay from a promised solution by 2024 given
by then Premier Andrews in 2023.
The problem for Brad is compounded by his experience of never wanting to drive while impaired.
“Many of us take it at night, some people have to have treatment in the day, but we don’t want to drive under the influence,” he said.
“But this Government has done very little for the issue and seem like they are resigned to doing nothing this term.”
The central concern is legal, Brad supports the recent campaign by Legalise CannabisVictoria MP Rachel Payne in calling for a legal defence for unimpaired drivers who test positive.
“Ordinary working Victorians are losing their licence even though they are taking their prescribed medication as directed by their doctor,” Payne said.
“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 licence for a second offence. We will campaign hard in July to secure a legal defence for Victorian patients.”
Welcome award for Drum flags project
Drum Theatre’s spectacular Wominjeka flags have been awarded in the 2024 National Awards for Local Government.
The Greater Dandenong Council project – which was guided by the Bunurong Land Council - took out the Indigenous Recognition category on 4 July.
First Nations artists Uncle Mark Brown, Kylie Armstrong, Adam Magennis and Lakeisha Clayton were each commissioned to create the four “stunning visual messages of welcome” at the entrance of The Drum.
Greater Dandenong community strengthening director Peta Gillies said the project was driven by a “commitment to fostering cultural inclusivity, bridging communities, and nurturing a profound understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and culture”.
“We’re very proud of our work towards strengthening and promoting indigenous culture and that the Wominjeka project has been recognised nationally through this award.”
The flags were launched in March to coincide with National Close the Gap Day and Harmony Day.
Armstrong, who descends from the Arrente people in the Central Desert, created the flag artwork Art and Sound which features clapsticks as a means of community coming to-
gether and connecting in a shared experience. Modern-day theatre was an important accessible place to enable more people to share and experience Aboriginal culture from across Australia, Armstrong said.
Living on the Mornington Peninsula, she creates contemporary paintings based on her personal journal and connection to Nature.
Another of the Wominjeka project artists was Magennis – a Bunurong visual artist for 30-plus years – who created a design about the Barraemal (emu) ceremonial dance and Barraemal footprints across Bunurong Biik (Country).
It features the unique colours of Magennis’s self-created Kaptify art style.
The style dating back to the early 1990s is influenced by surrealist Salvador Dali, contemporary landscape art, geology and ecology as well as archaeology, anthropology, graffiti style, caricature illustration and cultural symbols.
Based in Shoreham, Magennis is director of Kaptify Art Services and Victorian Indigenous Business.
Wominjeka means ‘Welcome’ in languages of the Boonwurrung Bunurong peoples and Woi Wurrung Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation.
Arrest after carjacking
A car allegedly stolen by machete-armed carjackers in Noble Park has been recovered soon afterwards across town in Deer Park.
The rented BMW was pulled over on Allan Street and approached by two offenders about 10.20pm on Thursday 18 July, police say.
One of the pair wielded a machete and told the occupants to get out of the vehicle.
The BMW was stolen, and tracked by police to a property in Byrnes Street, Deer Park.
Detectives also found a Mazda Elite vehicle allegedly stolen from Aintree on 30 June.
A 38-year-old Deer Park woman and a 27-year-old Deer Park man were arrested at the scene.
They were interviewed and released pending further inquiries, police say.
Greater Dandenong CIU detectives are continuing to investigate.
Any information or dashcam/CCTV footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
An Iraqi-born visa-holder has been arrested in Dandenong for allegedly breaching a residential curfew.
Australian Federal Police arrested and charged the 49-year-old man on 18 July.
The offence of failing to comply with a visa curfew condition carries a maximum penalty of five years’ jail and/or a $93,000 fine.
On 18 July, the man was refused bail at a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court hearing.
The man is scheduled to next appear at the court on 29 July.
Welcome Flag artist Kylie Armstrong. (Hilton Stone)
Legalise Cannabis Victoria MPs David Ettershank and Rachel Payne. (Supplied)
Seat-swap hoon banned
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A Berwick hoon has been sentenced over seatswapping with a passenger while driving on Monash Freeway and other dangerous acts.
Subhanu Mittal, 20, had pleaded guilty to 15 charges including reckless conduct endangering life, driving with a suspended licence, dangerously losing traction and being a Pplater driving a prohibited vehicle.
Police had detailed Mittal’s 360-degree burnouts, fishtailing, 200-km/h drag racing on Monash Freeway as well as seat-swapping at high speeds on the freeway, in Domain Tunnel and on Princes Highway, Hallam over four months in 2023.
During the seat swaps, the high-powered BMW was left on cruise control and lane-assist while without a driver for up to 17 seconds. One of them was performed on the Monash on a Saturday afternoon.
With his licence suspended at the time, Mittal posted his Domain Tunnel seat-swapping video on social media with the label: “No licence, no worries”.
During the stunt in Hallam, Mittal swapped seats with a 17-year-old learner driver moving out from behind the wheel.
On a video of the incident, the L-plater exclaimed “that was crazy as s***” and that he wouldn’t do it again.
Mittal responded that it was “safe as”. There was no one in the driver’s seat for nine seconds, the court heard.
In a sentence indication last month, Dandenong magistrate Julian Ayres rejected a prosecution submission for jail time, as well as a defence submission for a non-conviction.
He noted there was a need to protect the community from “potentially disastrous consequences”.
Leaving the driver’s seat was “almost at the highest end of reckless conduct”.
“It was a miracle there was no crash or collision. It’s extraordinary – thankfully – almost inconceivable that it didn’t happen.”
On the other hand, Mittal was “very young” at the time and “obviously very impressionable” with a limited history of driving offences and no drug or alcohol issues.
“(I’m) not sending him to jail but it has to be a conviction. It’s too serious globally,” Mr Ayres said at the time.
In sentencing on 17 July, Mr Ayres said he doubled the 12-month minimum licence loss
Casey City Council postal election
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You must be enrolled to vote
due to the multiple dangerous acts.
Mittal was convicted, fined $4000, disqualified from driving for two years and put on a two-year community corrections order.
The CCO includes supervision, mental health treatment and a likely road-trauma awareness course.
Victoria Police also applied to confiscate the high-powered BMW used for much of the offending.
The car was owned by the company of Mit-
A general election for Casey City Council will be held in October 2024. To be able to vote in the election, you must be enrolled by the close of
The issue was set for a hearing at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 21 October. Mittal’s co-accused twin brother Sushant meanwhile is contesting up to 110 similar charges at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in July.
The twin had rejected a sentence indication in March that included a jail term if he pleaded guilty.
Wednesday 7 August 2024. Two categories of voters can be enrolled to vote in the Casey City Council election: State-enrolled voters and Council-enrolled voters. State-enrolled voters
Am I enrolled to vote?
You are automatically enrolled for this election if:
• you will be 18 years of age or over on Saturday 26 October 2024 and
• you live in the City of Casey and you are on the State electoral roll for your current address.
You need to enrol if:
• you are an Australian citizen aged 18 or over on Saturday 26 October 2024
you live in the City of Casey and you are not on the state electoral roll, or you have lived at your current residential address within the City of Casey for at least a month and have not yet updated your enrolment details, including any changes to your postal address.
How do I enrol?
You can enrol online at vec.vic.gov.au
You can also download an enrolment form from the website. All enrolment applications must be received by the Victorian Electoral Commission by the close of roll at 4 pm on Wednesday 7 August 2024.
How can I check my State enrolment?
You can check your enrolment details online at vec.vic.gov.au at any time, or call 131 832.
Council-enrolled voters
Am I enrolled to vote?
You will be already enrolled as a council-enrolled voter if you:
• were automatically enrolled at Casey City Council’s last general election in October 2016 because you owned property but did not live in the council area
• your circumstances haven’t changed.
If this doesn’t apply to you, you may still be entitled to apply to enrol with your council.
New rules mean you are no longer automatically enrolled if you are a non-resident property owner (e.g. a landlord or a business owner that pays rates) and purchased your property, or moved out of the municipality, after 26 August 2016.
Who else can enrol & vote?
To be a council-enrolled voter, you must be: 18 years of age or over on Saturday 26 October 2024 and
• not a state-enrolled voter within the City of Casey.
You may apply to enrol if:
you have purchased a rateable property in the City of Casey since the last election but you are not a resident of the City of Casey, or
• you are not an Australian citizen and you live in, and pay rates for, a property within the City of Casey, or
• you pay rates on a property you occupy in the City of Casey and have no other voting entitlement within the City of Casey, for example you are a shop tenant and pay rates to the Council for the tenancy, and you have no other voting entitlement within the City of Casey, or
you are a director or company secretary of a corporation within the City of Casey that pays rates to Casey City Council and you have no other voting entitlement within the City of Casey.
How do I apply to be a Council-enrolled voter?
If you meet any of the criteria and wish to enrol, contact Casey City Council on 9705 5200 for a council enrolment form. Council enrolment forms must be received by the Council by the close of roll at 4 pm on Wednesday 7 August 2024
How can I check if I am Council-enrolled?
You can check your enrolment details by contacting the council on 9705 5200.
Thinking about standing for election?
To nominate as a candidate for Casey City Council, you must:
• be an Australian citizen and enrolled on the voters roll for Casey City Council and be eligible to become a councillor and have completed the mandatory candidate training provided by Local Government Victoria before lodging your nomination with the Election Manager.
For further information, visit vec.vic.gov.au
Enrolment closes 4 pm Wednesday 7 August 2024
State-enrolled voters can register for free VoterAlert SMS and email reminders at vec.vic.gov.au
tal’s father. The father told the court he was seeking legal advice on whether to oppose the forfeiture.
BUSINESS IN FOCUS
Dandenong Pavilion dining
Dandenong Pavilion (DPav) is delighted and extremely proud to have won the MMM Best Parma in Melbourne. Our team of highly motivated and experienced chefs work tirelessly to create and deliver some of the finest food available in Melbourne and winning the Best Parma in Melbourne is testimony to this. Matt, our head chef and Joel, our venue manager, have truly enjoyed working with the MMM team, and we thank MMM for this wonderful opportunity.
We use only the freshest ingredients, and for our parma we only use free-range chicken, quality cheese and Napoli. We have developed a process whereby the breast remains moist while being thoroughly oven baked and the Napoli is home-made and tasty.
Dpav has been established for 18 years and provides the ultimate dining experience to our many satisfied guests, over 4,500 of whom have reviewed our establishment with a social media average rating of over 90%. The venue offers:
· A modern, stylish and comfortable environment.
· Plenty of on-site parking.
· A large menu catering for all dietary requirements (including children).
· Disabled facilities.
· An elegant bar area and an amazing, heated al fresco area set in gardens.
Our function spaces cater for up to 50 guests seated and around 80 in a cocktail format. Over the years, we have hosted weddings, birthday parties, engagements, wakes, baby showers, and numerous corporate events. Dpav is open every day from 11.30am to 10.30pm (kitchen closes 9.30pm). We look forward to entertaining you in our venue, and guarantee that you will enjoy your experience or we will make amends.
A few additional features: DPav is an award-winning restaurant (please
check our website for details). In addition to the best Parma in Melbourne, we also have award-winning burgers, a range of homemade scrumptious (and original) desserts, and a suite of enviable entrees a menu of Specials that changes each month. Dpav prides itself on offering the best value-for-money across the entire menu, with only top-quality produce, generous portions at affordable prices and friendly helpful service.
Coffee DPav also serves fantastic coffee, with our
baristas formally trained, and for all you coffee lovers, we are open all day, so if your local closes in the afternoon, we offer you free parking on-site, a comfortable environment (inside and out), and great coffee.
Pav’s Pantry
We have recently launched our own range of in-house, take-home condiments following lots of customer requests, all available to sample while dining and to buy on your way home. The range is called Pavs Pantry and comprises a range of sauces, spices and other condi-
DANDENONG PAVILION
ments we have used in our dishes for many years, with products available on-line at www. pavspantry.com.au or at the restaurant.
The Pav’s Pantry range comprises Habanero Hot Sauce (mild, medium & hot), Smokey BBQ (Plain and with Cayenne Pepper), Buffalo Sauce, Cajun Seasoning Spice, Chicken Salt, and from September 2024, the range will expand to include Tomato Relish (Smooth & Chunky), our unique Paprika Chips Salt, Garlic Salt and Fried Chicken Seasoning.
WINNER TRIPLE M BEST PARMA IN MELBOURNE
CHEFS
PAVILION
WON
Dandenong Pavilion has been established for nearly 18 years and we have won 12 awards. We are open for lunch & dinner 7 days a week from 11.30am to 9.30pm. Come for the food, stay for the experience. Plenty on-site parking, function spaces, stylish bar, heated al fresco area set in gardens, large menu catering for all dietary requirements.
Dandenong Pavilion – Come for the food, stay for the experience.
SEMMA slams training cuts
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A South East manufacturers group has labelled State funding cuts to 22 private training organisations as “senseless”.
The State Government argues that the affected registered training organisations (RTOs) were providing courses in over-supply or weren’t aligned with workforce needs.
However, South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) says the RTOs provided much-needed nationally accredited courses.
“It’s hard to understand why the policy makers think cutting funding during a skills crisis will help fill skilled roles or upskill people who are desperately needed in the manufacturing and building trades,” SEMMA chief executive HoniWalker said.
“This defies the government’s own recent Skills First program that clearly outlines the industries that are considered priorities. It makes no sense.”
Walker said the skill shortages would severely impact the Government’s proposed renewables sector growth and its housing plan.
SEMMA has also long warned of skills shortages such as welders, CNC machine operators and engineers.
“It is just not feasible to think reducing the number of training courses won’t negatively impact the number of trainees.
“Some people don’t enjoy the TAFE experience and prefer an RTO instead.”
Opposition skills and training spokesperson BridgetVallance said as a result of the cuts, RTOs were describing “detrimental and longterm impacts for many industries, including construction, manufacturing and early childhood education”.
The State Government argues the 22 reduced contracts were a small minority of the 242 Skills First contracts to RTOs.
The contracts were awarded according to highest priority workforce needs such as construction, clean economy and aged/disability care, it argues.
“This year, we’ve invested a further $555
million into the training system, which will support even more Victorians to upskill into meaningful, well-paid careers,” a Government spokesperson said.
“We’ve given our RTOs more certainty this
year so they can plan for the future and deliver quality training to Victorians that is aligned with real industry and workforce needs.”
In 2024, the Skills First contracts were extended to two-year terms for the first time.
SEMMA chief executive Honi Walker argues training cuts make no sense in a skills shortage. (Supplied)
Charity lunches with love
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
It’s no small task regularly cooking a warm, hearty lunch for a hall of up to 140 people.
The first Monday of each month, a committed band of nine volunteers put on a delicious two-course spread at St James’ Anglican Church for people who are homeless and in need.
On the menu last month was a mains of roast chicken, roast potatoes, gravy and ratatouille vegetables, or a vegetarian chickpea curry and rice.
This was followed by a dessert of apple crumble and ice cream.
The lunch has been a 20-year tradition, cooked by members of the church and Dandenong-Endeavour Hills Rotary Club and sponsored by The Andrews Centre in Endeavour Hills.
Chris Keys, a volunteer for the past two years, said the aim was to provide a nutritious, home-cooked lunch.
Initially, Keys started volunteering every now and again. But seeing the devotion of others in the group, like Rob Daniels, inspired her to do more.
“The people who come in do appreciate our lunches and say so – which is delightful.
“I’m delighted to see a person who is homeless and either has mental illness, or drug or alcohol addiction, get a good meal, be welcomed and treated as a guest.
“That’s my satisfaction.”
Keys has noticed a lot of new diners lately, older people who aren’t homeless but strug gling with the rising cost of food.
INTERFAITH
The willing band of volunteers who provide the free two-course lunch each month.
Around the city, she’s also spotting more signs of homelessness – such as those sleeping in cars or lugging belongings in shopping trolleys. With growing demand for food but unfortunately less volunteers, the once-weekly lunches have been cut down to monthly events.
but it can’t physically be done,” Keys says.
“If we had 40 or more volunteers we could do it every week.” Sourcing, peeling, cutting and cooking the kilos of vegetables alone takes Keys the best part of the weekend before.
Roast beef takes several days. Twenty-five kilos are ordered and picked up, marinated for 24 hours then cooked over the next day.
By Bill Kean of the Baha’i Community of Greater Dandenong
The turmoil now convulsing human affairs, and which appears to be gaining momentum, is unprecedented and many of its consequences enormously destructive.
Many of the international ‘norms and con ventions’ that have served us well in the past and have helped to stabilise the world, have now been cast aside, by some despotic regimes seeking to gain a strategic advantage over their adversaries.
“It’s for people who are ready to devote not just a day but three days a week to it.” The free lunches are on the first Monday of the month from 12pm at St James’ Anglican Church, 53 Langhorne Street, Dandenong. To volunteer, contact the church on 9793 0219.
Power of the ‘Golden Rule’: What does it mean?
MESSAGE OF HOPE
only be founded on an unshakeable belief in the oneness of humankind, a spiritual truth which all the human sciences confirm.
nity must take precedence over the promptings of our own self-interests.
There is no doubt that living by the Golden Rule, ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ would have a worldly transformational effect overnight, if implemented.
The hallmarks of a decent and caring society are Justice, Courtesy, Tolerance and Respect.
We cannot allow ourselves to be affiliated with or manipulated by the ‘sowers of dissension’ nor give the TV and radio shock-jocks the chance to infiltrate our thinking.
The world’s equilibrium has been upset and there is no going back.
We must rid ourselves of the notion that conflict is an intrinsic feature of human nature, as it is negated by the fact that we all possess freewill.
‘A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts of men.....’
It is essential to realise that world order can
LOOKING BACK
100 years ago
24 July 1924
A Busy Shopping Centre
There is now no longer any justification for the old jibe that Dandenong is only a one-day shopping town, viz., on market day. The fact is patent to anyone passing along Lonsdale Street on any of the six business days of the week and particularly so on Saturday mornings. On Saturday morning last it was especially noticeable that the main street was full as vehicles, and almost as busy as on a market day. This is as it should be, as Dandenong business people cater well for their customers. “Trade within the Empire” is a very fine national slogan, and “trade within your town” is an admirable local slogan, always remembering the bigger the local trade is the better chance there will be of the high prices, which some people complain about, coming down. 50 years ago
Anthropology, physiology, psychology, recognise only one human species.
We live in one country, the earth, the home of all peoples and the members of one family.
The unification of the worlds’ populace is not a utopian vision nor a matter of choice, it is the next evolutionary stage in the development of human progress and the advancement of humanity.
We believe that the welfare of the commu-
25 July 1974
The end of an era
The Dandenong Mechanics’ Institute – a mecca for local booklovers for 71 years, will close its doors on August 9. The 15,000 well thumbed volumes on its shelves will be transferred to the new Dandenong Library near the municipal offices. No more will library members make their way up the Dandenong Town Hall stairs to the rooms which have volumes of local history and provided reams of reference for avid students. The Dandenong Mechanics Institute was established in 1863, the first Institute being built for the committee by Mr Henry Powis on the site of the Town Hall. In 1887, efforts were made to move the Mechanics Institute to another site to make way for municipal buildings. The institute refused to give up the site, but after much argument, a compromise was reached. The institute agreed to hand over the site on condition council made suitable accommodation for the
If we really want to heal the world, we must adopt a change of attitude. Unity is our only hope.
“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.” ( Baha’iWritings ) Enquiries regarding the Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong: administration@ interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662.
Visit - https://interfaithnetwork.org.au/ Bill Kean
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
institute in the new building …. And the Town Hall opened on September 3rd 1890.
20 years ago
26 July 2004
Young giant off to dunk in Athens
Prodigiously talented Endeavour Hills teenager Andrew Bogut is set to become Australia’s second-youngest-ever Olympic basketballer after being named in the squad for the Athens games.
At just 19, the giant 207-centimetre 110-kilogram power forward will be the youngest player to represent Australia since Andrew Gaze’s debut in Los Angeles in 1984. Last July, the former Cleeland Secondary College student and Dandenong Rangers player attracted international headlines when he was named most valuable player at the World Under 19 Championships. Once his Olympic campaign ends, Bogut will travel to America for a second season with the University of Utah. “I’ll see what sort of a year I have and hopefully go for the
NBA.” Cleeland Secondary College’s symbol is the Olympic torch after it was established the year after the Melbourne games. Now it’s set to boast its own Olympian.
5 years ago
23 July 2019
Bike lanes are safer: cyclist
Dandenong North cyclist Nyssa Sims was at first a sceptic about on-road bicycle lanes. She is now a regular rider on Gladstone Road, converted by the road’s wide sanctuary. On the main, apart from going around the occasional parked car, it puts a safer buffer from the cars. It’s a similar treatment to the controversial new markings on Corrigan Road, Noble Park. Ms Simms has not ridden on Corrigan Road, but often uses the Gladstone Road lanes,then travels in the Princes Highway service lanes to Dandenong. Before the bike lanes went onto Gladstone Road, cars would drive nearer to the left and give her less space. Compiled by Dandenong & District Historical Society
(Stewart Chambers: 416004)
FOCUS ON … EDUCATION CHOICES
Explore Lyndale Secondary
Lyndale Secondary College in Dandenong North is a distinguished and forward-thinking secondary college with a proud history since its founding in 1961. Over the years, the college has remained steadfast in providing high-quality education to a diverse student body. Our commitment extends to cultivating a vibrant community that actively champions inclusion and celebrates diversity, fostering collaboration between educators and learners to instil essential 21st-century skills.
Our school takes pride in its forwardthinking approach, boasting state-of-the-art facilities, including the only Victorian Government School Augmented Reality Immersive Technology Laboratory. This innovative space is where inspiration meets cutting-edge technology, shaping the promising futures of our students.
At Lyndale Secondary College, our mission is to inspire and equip the next generation with the skills and knowledge essential for thriving in an ever-changing world. We’ve adapted our classrooms to cater to digital learners, featuring an Augmented Immersive Technology Classroom seamlessly integrating advanced technology into traditional learning environments. Aligned with the Victorian Curriculum and Senior Certificate, this immersive experience transforms abstract ideas into tangible learning, nurturing a profound understanding and passion for knowledge.
Investing in both learning and well-being, we empower students with the tools to navigate current challenges and cultivate the innovation and leadership needed for tomorrow. Our Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) program offers high-achieving students a rigorous curriculum, individualised support, and
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Students race to success
By Dongyun Kwon
Students across Victoria participated in the cross-country race at the Yarra Valley Racing Club on Thursday 18 July.
School Sport Victoria (SSV) hosted the 2024 State Cross Country Championships for the third time in Yarra Glen.
SSV state championships officer Howard Louis said about 1800 students came to the event for the race.
“It brings a lot of people through to this area that might not have been to this area,” he said.
“We’ve got eight regions across the state attending, we’ve got people as far as Warrnambool, Bairnsdale and beyond, and up to the north Mildura, Swan Hill and Echuca.
“Everybody seems to be fairly happy because it’s not raining.”
Primary school students had to get through the district, division and region levels while secondary school students started from the division level.
The top 12 performers in the region qualified to advance to the state championships.
Yarrawonga College P-12 Year 11 student Jordan Ibbott took 8th place in the Hume region competition.
“My parents encouraged me to run at a young age and I’ve continued it through school,” he said.
“I’ve learnt to be resilient from cross country.”
Another Year 11 student from Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College Sophia Hamilton said she has gotten into cross country through school.
“It [the race course] was really muddy, so it wasn’t like what I was expecting,” she said.
“I didn’t go to the regional competition but I went to the division.
“I came third and they said I could go home because my time was fast enough.”
It was the second time Milly Smyth, a Year 11 student from Norwood Secondary College, participated in the state championship competition.
She said she was happy with the result of seventh place because she made an improvement compared to the competition last year where she took 18th place.
“It was a bit tough in the conditions with all the mud but it was a good race,” she said.
“I came first at the regional competition and it was at the same place here about three weeks ago.
Smyth also got into cross country through school like Hamilton.
She said she learnt a lot about mindset.
“If you have your mind to it, you can improve at any point,” Smyth said.
“I enjoy the fitness aspect of cross country and it helps with all my other sports as well.”
The event was held in Bundoora before Covid-19 and the venue has been relocated to Yarra Glen since the pandemic was over.
SSV chief executive officer Jamie Parsons said he appreciated support from the Yarra Valley Racing Club.
“We really love having this event here, the venue is fantastic as we have the grandstand and we’re also able to have the athletes use the racetrack to run the races,” he said.
A lasting partnership for the community
A bus service and an aquatic body have come together to provide relief for the community.
South East Leisure and Ventura Bus Line announced their partnership that will allow groups who book SEL facilities to receive a discounted price on transportation services provided byVentura.
SEL facilities include Dandenong Oasis, Noble Park Aquatic Centre, Springers Leisure Centre and Dandenong Stadium.
As a family-owned and operated company based in Dandenong, Ventura joins SEL in its purpose to create active, connected communities.
The initiative aims to make it easier and more affordable for groups to access the facilities.
SEL and Ventura’s shared commitment to community values and the promotion of an active lifestyle have driven them to team up staying dedicated to an creating an environment where the community can thrive through improved access to recreational and leisure activities.
Chief executive officer at SEL John Clark says they’re excited of the opportunities to the community as a result.
“Ventura is a respected and reliable transportation provider, and together, we can offer greater convenience and affordability for those utilising our facilities. This collaboration underscores SEL’s purpose of creating active, connected communities.”
Ventura chief operating officer Derek Wood shares the enthusiasm.
“The people we work with at Yarra Valley Racing are wonderful.
“There is one more national level competition, it’s happening here on this racecourse in a few weeks’ time and there will be representatives coming from around Australia.”
“Celebrating our 100th year of operation, we have always committed to enhancing the community experience and partnering with South East Leisure allows us to do just that.
cient, and cost-effective transportation solutions that support the wellbeing and connectivity of the communities we serve.”
“We are committed to providing safe, effi-
The partnership is just one of the many
ways SEL are working to make recreational activities more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
South East Leisure and Ventura Bus Line partnership to benefit the community. (Supplied)
Dakota from Emerson School Dandenong got second in the 12-14 years multi class 3km run. (Stewart Chambers: 420226)
Sophia Hamilton. (Dongyun Kwon: 420447)
Jordan Ibbott. (Dongyun Kwon: 420447)
Chris Soumilas with his grandson Bobby from Drouin PS who competed in the 12-13 year 3km run. (Stewart Chambers: 420226)
Milly Smyth. (Dongyun Kwon: 420447)
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 12month ACMI membership with every ticket.
· Saturday 27 July, 10am3.30pm starting at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre. corner Walker and Robinson Streets,Dandenong; $5. Bookings essential at eventbrite.com.au/e/ artstourbusxacmitickets919911208187
Roving Refills
Purchase ecofriendly, lowmiles 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 crosscontamination. City of Greater Dandenong and Roving Refills are offering 20 per cent off each purchase.
· Tuesday 23 July 9am11.30am at Dandenong Market (The Terrace) and 12.30pm3pm (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 likeminded people.
· Thursday 25 July 1.30pm2.30pm at The Open Door, 110 Ann St, Dandenong; suggested goldcoin donation. Details: 9791 8664 or Theopendoor@ssjg.org.au
Disability Expo
South Eastern Disability Expo presented by North Foundation. Meet with service providers, and discover innovative services tailored to the needs of the disability community. Whether you’re looking for direct supports, support coordination, assistive technologies, or community engagement programs, the expo offers something for everyone.
· Friday 26 July, 10am3pm at Springvale City Hall, 18 Grace Park Avenue, Springvale. National Tree Day
Bring the family and join us on National Tree Day weekend to plant some seedlings at Tirhatuan Park. Includes a Welcome to Country and Smok-
ing 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,10am1pm at Tirhatuan Park, 4 Kriegel Way, Dandenong North; free event. Register at eventbrite.com.au/e/nationaltreedaycommunityplantingattirhatuanparktickets943406603547?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
Art Of Soul
Enjoy the journey of your creativity in a safe environment. We use a variety of media and follow a variety of sources. This isn’t a class, it is people coming together to ‘play’.
· Wednesdays (during school term) 11.30am1.30pm at The Open Door, 110 Ann St, Dandenong; suggested donation $5. Details: 9791 8664 or Theopendoor@ssjg.org. au
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, 12pm7pm at Buckingham Av-
enue, Springvale. Free event. Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/springvalesnowfest PopUp Blood Donor Centre
Do you have time to give blood and change lives this month? One in three people in Greater Dandenong will need blood, and they need people like you to give it.
· Monday 29 JulyFriday 2 August at St Mary’s Community Centre, New Street, Dandenong. Details: Australian Red Cross, 13 14 95. Registrations required at lifeblood.com.au/donorcentre/vic/dandenongpopupdonorcentre Library competitions
Greater Dandenong Libraries is calling on all young artists and book critics. You can have your artwork featured on library membership cards. Artwork should be designed to appeal to ages 1618 and must not contain any offensive content. Also young readers aged 1219 can submit their reviews of their favourite books as part of the Y?Read competition. Book reviews can be written (3080 word limit) or on video (3060 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.
Cultural Sketch
Join us to hear from, and sketch, a member of our arts community. The member will share their story, creative interests, arts practice, favourite music and other aspects that make up their creative world as they strike a pose for you to draw. Materials provided. Refreshments and alcohol served. Event is for people 18+.
· Tuesday 6 August, 6pm8pm at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Free event. Registration required at eventbrite.com.au/e/cult uralsketchtickets859195806787?aff=oddtd tcreator
Dying to Know Day
Southeast Palliative Care will present information for Dying to Know Day including options for future planning,what is palliative care and ‘dying
to talk together’ activity booklet. This event will give you the confidence to take steps to leave a loving legacy for those you care about and for,as well as to have those difficult conversations with loved ones. Devonshire tea provided.
· Thursday 8 August, 10am11.30am at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event. Bookings: 8571 5574.
Bring Your Bills
Get free help and advice on bills, fines, tenancy, utility relief grants and concessions. This dropin event is presented by South East Community Links.
· Friday 9 August, 10am2pm at Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong; free event.
HOME 24
Too Much Drama is a siteresponsive project by EthiopianNorwegian, Naarmbased 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, 19 Walker Street, Dandenong. Neighbourhood Watch public forum Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch presents a safety information Q&A. Guest speaker is Senior Sergeant Chris Savage, who is Officer in Charge at Springvale police station as well as the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator for Greater Dandenong. All residents welcome, please bring a friend.
· Wednesday 25 September, 7pm for 7.30pm start at Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 1834 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Light supper provided.
NEWS Scenes of Dandenong
by Sahar Foladi
Metro Trains has dropped a creative podcast segment for commuters to learn more about Dandenong while on the go.
The 126-podcast series Railway Stories covers the entire metropolitan railwork from Carnegie, Oakleigh, Toorak to Narre Warren, Pakenham, Springvale and now Dandenong.
The podcasts play automatically as commuters approach a landmark or point of interest.
“We are always looking for new and innovative ways to engage with our passengers. We loved the idea of geo-located podcasts providing our passengers and tourists with a new way to experience Melbourne while travelling by train,” a Metro Trains spokesperson said
“While our railway has a very rich and interesting history, we wanted the podcasts to look at the interesting and perhaps often not well known places you can travel to by train.
“Even locals to areas we highlight in the podcasts might be surprised at some of the historical information we have unearthed!”
For the Dandeong podcast, listeners are immediately treated to an upbeat and jolly traditional Indian instrumental.
It also features Sury Prakash Soni president of the Federation of Indian Association of Victoria welcoming listeners in Hindi language.
The focus is on the Little India precinct, just a short walk from Dandenong station, highlighting the shops “vibe and ambiance,” variety of sweet shops, food, fashion and art.
The narrator acknowledged City of Greater Dandenong as one with the biggest Indianborn migrant community with over 12 per cent calling the municipality home compared
to just three per cent making up Melbourne’s entire population.
The audios include fascinating stories about the places passengers travel through on the Cranbourne line, from an African Supermarket in Noble Park to the sights and sounds of Springvale Market.
The Sandown Park has also earned a decent coverage in the podcast with sound of supercar engines and loud cheering crowd.
An initial run of 43 podcasts was downloaded more than 14,000 times which demonstrated the interest of commuters towards the initiative.
The Railway Stories podcast partners Metro Trains with Storytowns Podcast Tour and the Department of Transport and Planning.
Little India Museum. (Gary Sissons: 235584)
Gambling losses soar
By Violet Li
Casey recorded a $159 million loss in gambling venues in the 2022-2023 financial year, which exceeds its previous greatest loss, a draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy reveals.
Casey currently has ranked second for Electronic Gaming Machines (EGM) losses among Victorian local councils, behind only the City of Brimbank.
The EGM losses dropped significantly during Covid but increased by 40 per cent to $159 million from 2022 to 2023. The greatest loss pre-Covid documented was $132 million in the 2018-2019 financial year. Up to March 2024, the losses amounted to $119 million in the last financial year.
The draft shows that there are 13 EGM gaming venues across Casey distributed disproportionately within lower socioeconomic communities, including five clustered in Cranbourne and smaller clusters in Hampton Park and Hallam.
Council states that this presented significant potential for harm to some of the municipality’s most disadvantaged communities.
Council also states the concern that Casey’s growth areas have seen new venue applications, but those communities had not established demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, which made the assessment of vulnerability challenging.
“Moreover, the relative lack of community and recreational facilities lessens the availability of alternative recreational options in these areas, heightening the risk of harm,” the council states.
The draft reveals that the Council has taken a public health approach to minimise the harmcausedbygamblingandwillalsoaddress
the harm through five key areas, including advocacy, planning and regulation, leadership, research and data, and community development and engagement.
In the planning and regulation policy, Council states that it aims to ensure planning permits licensing applications relating to EGMs are assessed and responded to according to their social and economic impacts.
Council will discourage those that have not demonstrated a net community benefit.
It will also consider discouraging new gaming venues in growth areas where the community and land use patterns have yet to be established and gaming venues and gaming machines from identified areas of disadvantage and gambling vulnerability.
A four-week public exhibition of the draft has seen many residents call for the Council to take a “bold step” to update the Casey Planning Scheme to ban any new EGM facilities, and if possible, phase out all EGMs in existing facilities over coming years. Some submissions also note that the word “discourage” used in the policy is soft, ambiguous and lacks commitment.
In response, Council says it does not have the authority to ban new or existing EGM venues outright.
“Council commits to reviewing the Casey Planning Scheme and planning policy to further strengthen decision-making guidelines on the locational characteristics where EGM venues are discouraged.”
Casey Council has deferred the endorsement of the Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy to August’s council meeting for more input.
(File)
SPORT Plant waters down South
By Marcus Uhe
A moment of genius from an unlikely hero in Brad Plant may prove vital in Dandenong City’s quest to play finals in the National Premier League (NPL) Victoria this season, playing a key role in one of the upsets of the season against South Melbourne on Friday night.
In just his fifth appearance of the season, and having only been on the pitch for 15 minutes, Plant combined with his skipper Jack Webster to catch the South Melbourne defence unaware.
From a dead ball, as City players and their South Melbourne opponents gathered around the City penalty area, Plant darted through a gap in the defence at the perfect moment, as Webster slipped the ball into his path.
The pair were completely in-sync, one step ahead of everyone else on the pitch, and most importantly, the South Melbourne defenders.
Plant gathered the ball with his first touch, turned and fired for goal, and despite not striking it cleanly, there was enough behind the attempt to trickle over the goalline.
It’s a third goal in two matches for Plant, who bagged a brace for City against Hume City in last week’s loss.
The drama was not yet over, with City forced to survive an agonising five-and-a-half minutes of stoppage time and John Hall making another trademark goalline save, but City held on to shock the competition.
In doing so, City became just the second side in 2024 to take three points from both South Melbourne and the Oakleigh Cannons, and one of only three to get the better of South Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium.
South Melbourne would have sown-up the premiership with three games remaining should they have pocketed the win, but City was eager to spoil the party.
The home side fielded an understrength side, having played a Dockerty Cup semi-final against Hume City on Tuesday night.
The competition’s leading goalscorer in Harry Sawyer started on the bench, as did firstchoice goalkeeper, Javier Lopez.
The best chance of the first half-hour fell to Vali Cesnik, who snuck into the box unguarded and was afforded a golden opportunity with the South Melbourne goalkeeper out of position having just made a save, but his rightfooted strike hit the side netting.
Minutes later, his regret was eschewed, thanks to Damian Iaconis.
An alertTom Bower made a lose ball his own in the middle of the pitch and drew a handful of defenders into his immediate quarters, allowing Kenny Athiu to slip past the final line of defence unmarked into the penalty area.
Bower’s pass intended for Athiu was wayward, but the closest South Melbourne defender unintentionally played the ball perfectly into stride for an opportunistic Iaconis on the opposite of the penalty area, who found the back of the net with his first-time strike on his right foot.
The goal shocked home fans, despite City holding its own on the possession front in the early stages, and brought the contest to life, forcing the competition’s pace-setters to come
from behind.
City took the one-goal lead into the break, with South Melbourne making a trio of substitutions coming out of half time, including the injection of Sawyer.
Within just five minutes of action, he had leveled the scores, heading home from close range for his 15th goal of the campaign.
Sniffing blood, the ladders leaders were now making all the attacking and pressing hard on the visitors as they maintained possession in the back half, eager to seal top spot on the chilly Friday night.
Midway through the second half, however, City found an extra gear.
The resilience and fortitude that carried them into the top division this season and has seen them punch above their weight time and time again in 2024 was rising to the fore once again, and the prospect of an upset stirred like the gusty wind in Albert Park.
Tensions bubbled to the surface in the 80th minute with City’s support staff and assistant coaches enraged after Cesnik was fouled away from the ball in front of the City bench.
Nick Tolios’ assistants left their technical area to confront the referees and South Melbourne player who they believed fouled Cesnik off the ball, with the offending player shown a yellow card.
Cesnik and Will Bower made way for Tim Atherinos and Brady Quinn in the 85th minute, with Tolios looking to captalise on City’s extra legs by adding two attacking threats.
While it was not either of those two that found the all-important winner, the signal of intent from Tolios was typical of a team fuelled by a ‘never say die’ attitude.
With three rounds left to play, City leads seventh-placed Port Melbourne by one point and eighth-placed Melbourne Knights by two points.
City faces Manningham, and Heidelberg in the final three weeks, sandwiching a mouthwatering clash with Port Melbourne at home in round 25 that may well decide sixth place.
Port Melbourne’s run home is far more difficult, fixtures to tackle the current top two sides in Avondale and South Melbourne either side of the City clash, while the Knights have three winnable games against Oakleigh, Dandenong Thunder and Green Gully to close the season.
City next welcomes Manningham United to Frank Holohan Soccer Complex on Friday night.
It wasn’t quite the celebratory scenes for Dandenong Thunder, despite an impressive performance against premiership contenders Avondale on the road in a 2-1 loss.
A costly turnover from Daniel Alessi at the back saw the Avengers capitalise with a deflected goal at the back post to break the deadlock late in the first half.
Wade Dekker snuck past the Avengers’ defence to level the scores shortly after the halftime interval, his seventh of the season, but the scoreline was tied for only minutes, as Avondale restored their advantage at 2-1, following a Birkan Kirdar turnover.
Thunder heads to Churchill Reserve next week to face St Albans.
Dandenong Rangers to rue missed chances in NBL1
By Marcus Uhe
A disastrous final quarter in which Dandenong’s women missed their final 14 consecutive shots saw the Rangers cough-up a fourth quarter lead in its National Basketball League 1 South (NBL1) qualifying final on Saturday night.
Despite entering the final quarter with a slender three-point advantage, the Rangers ran out of gas in the final 10 minutes, outscored 17-5 in the last term as they let a golden opportunity to advance to the preliminary final round slip through their grasp in a 59-68 loss to Keilor.
A buzzer beater at the end of the first half from Manuela Puoch saw Dandenong enter the half trailing by just one point, thanks to a 10-1 to close the half, having sunk to as many as 10 points behind.
Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) champion with the Southside Flyers and Keilor guard, Maddison Rocci was making the Dandenong backcourt work, scoring from beyond the three-point line and acting as a high-class facilitator that Dandenong simply could not match.
The Rangers came alive in the third term, outscoring the Thunder 18-14 and carrying the momentum in the final quarter, scoring five of the first seven points.
It was Ashten Pretchel that led the charge for the Rangers during the third, nailing a
pair of huge threes, two free throws, grabbing a rebound and and one assist in a 12-0 run that swung the match’s momentum to the
visitors’ favour.
But like she had earlier in the game, it was Rocci’s turn to give the Rangers’ major headaches, saving her most critical moments for when her team needed it the most.
She assisted Lily Carmody with back-toback fast break layups that saw the Thunder re-take the lead at 60-59, and from there the Thunder never looked back.
The score remained locked on a one-point Thunder lead for the next four minutes as the pressure tolled on both sides, before Carmody put the game out of reach with two minutes to play.
Layups either side of a Rangers’ time out, along with a steal and a defensive rebound pushed the lead to five, and as Dandenong continued to misfire, they were forced to foul their opponents and hope for the best in the dying stages.
Carmody and her teammate Penina Davidson were both up for the challenge, nailing a pair of free throws in the final minute to give the home side an unassailable lead.
Dandenong lost the rebound count by nine to the home side and three of the eight players that took the court in green and black failed to score, including forward Elly Morgan, who spent 28 minutes on the court.
Star forward Nyadiew Puoch was unavailable for the Rangers and left a major hole in the front court.
Pretchel and Imogen Rock each scored 18 to lead the Rangers in points, but Pretchel shot 6-18 from the field.
Rocci, however, was the best player on the court, falling one assist shy of a triple-double, with 20 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.
The Rangers will welcome Waverley to Stud Road on Saturday in a cut-throat semifinal.
Dandenong recovered from a slow start againstWaverley in April to power home with an eight-point win, 80-72
The news was better for Dandenong’s men, who stormed home with a 22-15 final quarter over Knox in an elimination final to advance to the semi final round on Saturday night.
A seesawing affair saw significant momentum swings but it was Dandenong who had the running when the contest was on the line, keeping its season alive on the back of an excellent shooting performance.
Dandenong shot 55 per cent from the field and 50 per cent from the three-point line, while its bench unit of Brandon Betson, Jack Roberts and James Roche each gave the home side a lift, outsourcing Knox’s reserves 38-4.
A trip to Ballarat to face the Miners on Saturday night is the Rangers’ next task.
Dandenong upset Ballarat on the road in their most recent meeting, 86-84.
Ashten Prechtel scored 18 points for Dandenong. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 420269)
Brad Plant was the hero for Dandenong City on Friday night. (Supplied)
Falcons in piping-hot form
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Endeavour Hills’ hot form streak has continued with a 6.13 49 to 4.9 44 victory over Caulfield.
For the fifth consecutive week, the Falcons have gone into three-quarter-time with the game on the line, and have emerged victorious in three of the last four games.
A three goal to zero last term iced the game for Endeavour Hills, with the youngsters making a statement against a finals-bound opponent.
Sam Delosa had presence inside 50, providing an important target all day, while the physicality of FallonWanganeen was crucial in helping Endeavour Hills pull away.
The ability of the defence to stand up has been another theme of recent weeks.
On average, Endeavour Hills has conceded a tick under six goals across the last five weeks, and have been kept goalless in the last quarter in the last two games.
It’s an unbelievable late season record, given fatigue and mental fragility is often associated with young teams late in games and late in seasons.
EndeavourHillscurrentlysittwogamesand percentage outside the five with four games remaining so while finals is off the cards, the experience of standing up in big moments will transfer into 2025.
Meanwhile, Hampton Park was also on the winner’s list kicking 16.11 107 to 7.4 46 against St Kilda City to bank a home victory.
Nathan Langley has proven a big midseason recruit inside 50, kicking 17 goals in five games since returning to the Spiders, providing crucial support to the energetic Declan Brunell.
Langley’s strong contest work was rewarded in tough conditions, kicking four goals, while Brunell and clean marking Aaron Holden each finished with three.
At Keysborough, a seven goal to one first half set the tone for Doveton in a clinical 11.18 84 to 5.7 37 victory.
Brothers Deakyn andWill Smith waxed well together throughout the day, while the bigbodied Harley Primrose enjoyed the physicality.
In Division 1, Cranbourne got a win it simply needed to bank, defeating Mordialloc 7.9 51 to 1.2 8, led by co-captains Dylan Cavalot and Zak Roscoe and star
mid Jarryd Barker. The Eagles currently sit a game and seven per cent behind fifth-placed East Brighton. Saturday’s game between the Eagles and
Prestigious Larke Medal for Stingrays’ captain Langford
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Dandenong Stingrays co-captain Harvey Langford was awarded the Larke Medal for the best performed player at the under-18s national championships – boys.
The 18-year-old was joint winner alongside Gold Coast Academy midfielder Leo Lombard, with the Stingrays prospect named in Vic Country’s best two players for all four games of a statement carnival.
Langford is the first Stingray to win the esteemed award since GWS’ LachieWhitfield in 2012, who was selected with pick one later in the year.
The 190cm midfielder joins an elite group to have won the award, including stars Tom Hawkins, Christian Petracca and SamWalsh.
Langford’s performances across the year at all levels in 2024 have propelled him into first round calculations.
A team-first player who soaked up the experience of playing with and against a who’s who of future AFL talent, Langford was still coming to terms with the gravity of his achievement when spoken to the following day by Star News.
“It’s definitely pretty cool,” Langford said. “Leading into the championships, I didn’t think about that or anything, but coming into the last game there was talk my name might be up there for it, so it’s definitely pretty amazing.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.”
In a midfield-heavy draft crop, the Vic Country side included 13 players who have played in the engine room at Coates League level, creating a squeeze for spots at centre stoppage.
Langford’s form and high-level output
proved irresistible to overlook for the Vic Country coaches, as he was a regular fixture in the on-ball brigade in each of the four games.
His average stats line was top-shelf, but tells only part of the story: 26 disposals, six marks, three tackles, 494 metres gained, six clearances and eight score involvements per game – all in the top five forVic Country.
A clean and physical midfielder who wins the footy, applies pressure, marks excellently and is a forward threat, his skillset is compa-
rable to Brisbane’s Josh Dunkley.
An AFL Academy member, Langford was efficient in two games for the Academy against VFL sides, standing up against bigger bodies.
He showed a different aspect to his game in each of the four outings, and with the cumulative margins of Vic Country’s four results being 22 points, he repeatedly had the opportunity to stand up with the match on the line – and delivered each time.
His composure under pressure stood out
in the first game, coming into the carnival off the back of unbelievable form for Dandenong, averaging 24 disposals and six tackles in 2024.
The midfielder’s clean hands shone in a slippery game against Western Australia, which complemented his work rate.
Vic Country’s game against the Allies showed his ability to get first hands on it at the contest and release teammates, winning a game-high nine clearances and going at 73 per cent – the second best among midfielders for the day.
“I really wanted to show my kicking ability – being able to find someone up forward, whether through score involvements or in the backline, and show my in to out handballs as well: being able to get the hardball, take a few steps, get away and get the (hands off),” Langford said.
“I’ve worked on driving power through my kick and find someone whether 20, 30 or 40 metres away…and finding the right option.”
Against Vic Metro in the final, the leftfooter was swung forward late and took a massive hanger early in the last quarter and kicking a clutch goal.
Showing his ability to take a grab has been a focus of Langford’s this season, with a 25-disposal, seven mark performance in round 1 of the Coates League giving him confidence to fly.
“I feel like I’ve had the ability to take a strong mark over the last few years of my footy but over this preseason I’ve worked on it and have shown it in my game a bit more than what I did last year,” Langford said.
“Since (round 1) I’ve built it up and been able to show the aerial (capacity).”
Harvey Langford won the 2024 Larke Medal.
Vampires will be significant in which side gets the last finals spot - but the Eagles do have a simpler last three weeks of the regular season on paper.
Fallon Wanganeen was imposing for the Falcons. (Rob Carew: 409036).
