DANDENONG
Too cool for snow
Thousands flocked to snow in the streets of Springvale on Sunday 28 July. Among those having a ball at the Springvale Snowfest was Emma, 3, who enjoyed the snow trucked down from Mt Buller. Despite a wintry blast, there was plenty of warming entertainment to be had.
More pictures, turn to page 12
Housing opposed
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Ahead of public hearings, a large chorus of opponents have raged against a controversial proposal to redevelop Sandown Racecourse into a vast housing estate.
The Sandown Raceourse Advisory Committee has scheduled a month of hearings on the proposed Amendment C229gdan in Spring Street (19 August-16 September) and Greater Dandenong Civic Centre (10 and 11 September).
It will later report its recommendations to the Planning Minister on the proposed 7500-dwelling, 16,000 resident estate with open spaces, community, office and retail facilities on the 112-hectare site.
Most of the 255 written submissions from stakeholders such as horse trainers, jockeys, motor racing clubs as well as residents vehe-
mently oppose the plan.
Government bodies including Greater Dandenong Council, Frankston Council and Melbourne Water have submitted concerns over downstream flood risks from a “naturalized” Mile Creek.
The overwhelming majority of racing enthusiasts pleaded for the retention of the “iconic” and “sacred” 60-year-old facility.
Some cited the horse track as one of the best and safest in Australia.
Trainer Pat Carey wrote: “Sandown is a superior race course with a surface for racing that does not have an equal.
“It is absolutely crucial to the south-east corridor where the majority of horses are trained that they can access and race on a track that is widely regarded as being one of the top three premium tracks in Australia.”
Victorian Jockeys Association submitted that Sandown was “one of, if not the, safest, best and fairest racecourses in Australia for both horse and rider”.
Motor sport bodies cited Sandown as the last racing circuit in metro Melbourne. Its loss – without an alternate venue - would severely hinder motor racing in Victoria, Motorsport Australia submitted.
In support of the rezoning, Racing Victoria – though citing Sandown as a “key” racecourse – says it could manage without the racecourse.
“RV has optionality regarding future racecourse allocations given significant land holdings that it owns elsewhere.”
Some of Sandown’s neighbouring residents supported the end of racing and the extra dwellings during a housing crisis.
However, other residents were concerned
by extra traffic congestion and potentially greater flooding.
Melbourne Water, South East Water and Greater Dandenong Council awaited more details on flood mitigation and the proposal to “naturalise” Mile Creek waterway.
The council report states that it needs to be satisfied that stormwater and flood flows from Mile Creek and Police Road main drain can be “managed on site” and “not adversely impact on land downstream”.
South East Water stated there could be an increased risk of flooding downstream properties around Heatherton Road, but less risk at Ross Reserve and Corrigan Road.
“This increase is considered an unacceptable impact which is further exacerbated when considering the climate change scenario.”
Continued page 2
Emma (3) in the Mt Buller Snow ring making a snow ball (Ljubica Vrankovic: 418356)
Waste plan proposal
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Willow Lodge retirement village residents have been caught unaware of plans for a waste-water and soil transfer station on the nearby site of an allegedly contaminated soil mound.
GND Civil’s permit application for 576 Frankston Dandenong Road, Bangholme was submitted last year.
It is currently “advertised” on the Greater Dandenong Council’s online planning register.
However, Willow Lodge residents – who have complained of dust from the site – were not notified by mail out.
The village of 500-plus residents is about 400 metres to the north, separated from the site only by grazing paddocks.
Greater Dandenong Council city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam said the application was advertised with an onsite notice at the front of the property.
Letters were also sent to owners and occupiers directly abutting the site, he said. Manivasagasivam said “anyone who feels they may be affected” can still lodge objections up until the council makes a decision.
“This will not take place within the next four weeks.”
The proposed 3.4-hectare transfer station including settling ponds and slurry pits would take in about 20,000 litres of slurry a month.
Water from the ponds would be used to irrigate flowers and grass for livestock. Soil would be removed from the slurry pits to dry on the stockpile and then moved off site once a month.
Greater Dandenong councillor Rhonda Garad said it was “extremely concerning that this is being proposed in the Green Wedge”.
“I’m concerned about the lack of proper consultation with the residents directly affected and so little public consultation about this.”
The applicant argues that the agricultural
use is in keeping with the Green Wedge zone. A transfer station is permitted unless it collects construction and demolition materials.
Recently, Willow Lodge residents raised fears over an allegedly-toxic soil mound already on the proposed site.
Environment Protection Authority is investigating after a certified environmental assessor’s report found the so-called clean fill was riddled with asbestos, heavy metals.
The fill should be classified as “category B industrial waste” and taken offsite, the report stated.
Greater Dandenong Council had initially
refused the transfer station permit due to “insufficient information”.
The application was then remitted by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal back to the council.
“We requested further information, which was received and we’re assessing the new application for the use and development of part of the land for a transfer station,” Manivasagasivam said.
EPA southern metro regional manager Viranga Abeywickrema said if the transfer station was approved, the applicant should take care to check if EPA permissions were required.
Sandown hearings off and racing
From page 1
Melbourne Water said it was unclear if plans for 18,000 cubic-metres of on-site flood storage were sufficient. It stated that detailed drainage and flood strategies needed to be prepared before the amendment was decided.
Frankston Council stated the proposal’s flood modelling should be revised to include climate change. “This is particularly relevant at the moment, given the recent (flooding) events in Maribyrnong at the Kensington Banks estate.”
In one of its submissions, proponent Melbourne Racing Club stated it was “confident” that it could address the drainage and flooding concerns.
Environment Protection Authority Victo-
ria requested more details on potential land contamination which would be unsuitable for childrens playgrounds and schools.
The Department of Transport and Planning said there were insufficient details to show if the current overpass access from Princes Highway was suitable for a future estate.
Greater Dandenong Environment Group pitched for the retention of the site’s “urban forest” of 1300 trees, particularly 200-plus of very high and high value. It criticized the lack of a canopy cover target for the estate.
Meanwhile, Melbourne Racing Club submitted the estate would have a “net community benefit” with housing near Sandown Park railway station and employment clusters. It would help Greater Dandenong meet the State
AI ‘edge’ for councillor
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Greater Dandenong councillor Sean
O’Reilly is an early adopter of AI technology while on the election hustings.
The IT software expert’s Facebook page is strewn with AI-generated campaign songs in an array of genres such as heavy metal, dance, rap and country.
There are versions that also target different languages English, Vietnamese, Chinese and Khmer as well.
It’s all a bit of a hoot, with playful AI images of Cr O’Reilly – which are not quite true to life.
His trimmed-down, athletic versions look more apt to run for the Olympics than local council.
Which might be a tempting option for candidates who routinely use surprisingly youthful photos of themselves.
However the AI generators – still in their infancy – don’t seem to respond to subtle fine-tuning.
“I was trying to get it not to use a version as slim and as athletic,” Cr O’Reilly said.
“I asked it could you make it a 185-centimetre, 110-kilo, 50 year old guy with a little paunch – and then it would put on heaps of fat.”
The technology is quick to generate images and songs, but it takes a long time to refine suitable iterations.
“It takes a fair bit of tweaking,” Cr O’Reilly said.
“The hard part is not generating stuff, it is getting it to do the same thing as it did before and to build on it.”
He expects the technology to improve fairly rapidly.
“The next big step will be video. There’s nothing substantial available for widespread use by the public yet.”
target of 57,000 extra dwellings by 2051.
MRC expects most of the 7500 dwellings at Sandown will be apartments (4500), with townhouses making up the remainder.
There would be 375 allocated for affordable housing (5 per cent), but relatively more highincome, white-collar workers are expected to live there.
The 16,000 residents will be predominantly 25-44 year olds – a key demographic for apartment living.
Downsizers were expected as well, although 65 and overs will be a smaller relative part of the estate.
About 8.7 hectares would be allocated as useable public open space.
However, this could lead to “deep fake” content – realistic-looking videos that are anything but. It will get harder to work out “what’s real and what’s not”.
“When this technology gets to the point when it can generate an absolute likeness of me, other political campaigns could put me in situations that haven’t happened.”
Already, political ads have created manipulative messages by selectively editing quotes or sound-bites.
But AI could take this to ‘next level’and it could be done by anyone using an app on their phone.
“The only way to circumvent is to have a chain of evidence, to attach an encrypted digital certificate to the original recording.
“There’s big changes coming.”
Ahead of the coming council elections in October, the Springvale North Ward councillor says AI is giving him an “edge” over rivals.
“It’s getting a lot of views and a lot of attention.
“The content can be tailored to effectively target a unique demographic group. It can produce high production values for minimal cost.
“But it’s also important in campaigning to always represent the truth.”
Sean O’Reilly, pictured left, with a slimmed-down super-hero AI version of himself. (Stewart Chambers/Sean O’Reilly)
A concept drawing of the proposed Sandown estate interface at Warner Reserve. (Supplied)
Sandown draft plans show a circular internal road, space for a school (blue), a commercial precinct at the grandstand (yellow) and a landmark hospitality venue (grey, top right)
The proposed site for a slurry waste transfer station about 400 metres south of Willow Lodge, Bangholme. (Gary Sissons: 418302)
Victims demanded bollards
By Sahar Foladi
Shop owners impacted by the suspicious ramraid fire in Noble Park North had been earlier pleading for Greater Dandenong Council to install bollards.
Don Fernando’s Churros and Pizza shop was one of three businesses damaged when an alleged stolen car was driven into the adjoining music studio and set alight about 2am on Friday 19 July.
The shop incurred damage to its front window, shop sign and internally.
Fernando Cianciarulo has run the family business while living just a block away from the shopping strip.
Mr Cianciarulo and his son Tobias said they had requested the council to place bollards as they feared for the worst.
“This is not the first time. The milk bar got rammed into a year ago on purpose. The fish and chips shop was rammed in by accident,” Tobias said.
“We kept saying we needed bollards to stop things like that from happening.”
Overall, there were recent two incidents by accident and one deliberate, they say.
In an email from a council traffic engineer to Mr Cianciarulo, the traffic engineer said “motorists mounting footpath are unintentional“ in these locations.
“For any bollard to effectively deter vehicles from mounting the footpath they are required to be impact-resistant with deep and heavy foundations to prevent them from being dislodged.
“Such bollards do carry significant cost and
are difficult to install due to conflicts with underground services.
“They should be only considered where the risk of errant vehicles and pedestrian movements are significantly high.”
The damages left as a result of the 19 July incident was significant leaving Mr Cianciarulo’s family out of business with no insurance cover.
The music studio landowner not only had to bear the damages but lost 35 years’ worth of paperwork in his office space.
Mr Cianciarulo still believes the timely placement of the bollards would have avoided extensive damage.
He says they will continue to seek a solution from the council.
Greater Dandenong Council’s city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam said while it may seem like a simple solution, it only offers limited protection and won’t stop larger vehicles or vehicles moving at higher speed.
“Unfortunately, although they may seem a
simple solution for incidents such as this, particularly rigid bollards can pose a hazard to road users, restrict disabled access along footpaths and require deep foundations that conflict with services in the ground.
“We are exploring whether treatments such as large, concrete seating and garden beds could be included in streetscape upgrades in Greater Dandenong, to create physical barriers to prevent vehicles accessing pedestrian areas and improve amenity.
“Each site needs careful consideration, to balance the needs of all users and not create unintended consequences.”
Victoria Police are investigating the suspicious event on 19 July.
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-argentinianpizza-shop-from-arson-attack
SESH mail-out labelled ‘propaganda’ by green group
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A mail-out promoting the proposed SouthEast Sports Hub (SESH) in Bangholme has been attacked by a green group as “irresponsible propaganda”.
Letter-boxed pamphlets are directing residents to sign a pre-filled email to the State Government to support developer Intrapac’s 71-hectare sports precinct on Pillars Road.
Controversially, the multi-sports facility is riding on the rezoning of Keysborough Golf Club’s site at Hutton Road for a housing estate of up to 1100 dwellings.
The State Government has rejected calls to approve the rezoning of the golf course on Green Wedge A land.
Defenders of the South East Green Wedge spokesperson Matthew Kirwan said the proSESH pamphlets’ claims were “irresponsible propaganda” and had “more holes than the Keysborough Golf Club”.
He took aim at the assertion that SESH would be “no cost to the State Government or City of Greater Dandenong or you”.
“Not only is Intrapac promising to only
fund the first stage of construction, but the reality is that (Greater Dandenong) Council inherits an asset in flood prone land,” Kirwan said.
“The cost of needed roads upgrades and dealing with flood events will be borne by the Greater Dandenong ratepayer.
“More broadly, the State Government and Victorian taxpayers will inherit the costs of providing public transport to this isolated facility.”
Kirwan said the moving of the Urban Growth Boundary would threaten the South East Green Wedge and encourage urban sprawl.
“We’re already seeing climate change causing major flooding events.
“Now is not the time to be developing flood prone land, especially when it encourages urban sprawl.”
A SESH spokesperson said “substantial technical investigations” including “detailed flooding and ecological matters” had been undertaken.
“Any statement suggesting that this land is floodprone and not suitable for the SESH is
plainly incorrect.
“The project will also be delivering all of the upfront infrastructure for the project, including water and road upgrades, plus sorely needed playing fields and an accompanying pavilion.
“The SESH project has the endorsement of major sporting codes, and is actively discussing other partnership opportunities for the betterment of grassroots sporting participants across the region.”
According to the SESH website, the $30 million first stage of the 25-plus sporting field facility would be fully funded.
This would include nine sports fields, eight netball courts, two pavilions, cricket nets, playgrounds and car park.
Stage two for the remaining sport fields, pavilions, wetlands, running/walking loop and cycling criterium was “subject to funding commitments”.
The project is being pitched as a means of solving a shortage of sports fields in Greater Dandenong. The idea has been supported by Greater Dandenong Council.
The front of a SESH pamphlet, showing before and after shots of the proposed site on Pillars Road.
Fernando Cianciarulo with his son Tobias stand in front of their burnt-out Churro and Pizza store.
(Sahar Foladi: 4203335)
Three shops and two cars were damaged in the suspicous fire in Heyington Crescent, Noble Park North. (420333)
NEWS Mayor hopefuls can pitch
By Sahar Foladi
Future candidates of mayoral and deputy-mayoral roles for the City of Greater Dandenong will be have option to submit a three minute video speech for public viewing.
The notice of motion was passed at the council meeting on Monday 22 July after a long debate and questions from councillors.
The changes won’t be applied in the upcoming council election in October. After that point, it will undergo community consultation to be part of the Council Governance rules.
Moved by councillor Rhonda Garad and supported by Cr Bob Milkovic, the motion was described as “purely for transparency” and a meansofaddressingperceivedbackroomdeals.
“It’s a powerful role. I don’t think it’s a lot to ask.
“We vote on behalf of the community, we want the best person. This process is to aid that,” Cr Garad said.
The intent is to know why the candidates are chosen for the roles and how and not to change the system, she said.
“We’ve seen a lot of unhappiness and some disaffection in who has been chosen as mayor and that’s because it wasn’t an open and transparent process.
“I think it’s a healthy practice in a democratic council for the community and residents to know what kind of vision people have for our city.
“We never heard a mayor say what they want to achieve in a year and as a resident that’s what I want to hear.”
Cr Milkovic agreed, saying: “There’s nothing to be hidden here and it shouldn’t be”.
“If you’ve done any deals behind the scenes with whomever, party members, mates and friends, the public deserves to know that.
“I’d be thinking council, residents, everybody are happy to support this to say, ‘This is
who I am, this is what I’m bringing to the table and this is why you should vote for me’.Whether that’s a councillor being influenced by our residents to vote one way or the other doesn’t matter.”
Councillor Sean O’Reilly initially opposed the motion as“it won’t make a difference”, arguing that candidates are voted for by the councillors not the public.
He eventually changed his vote at the time of voting but still stands by his arguments, calling the motion a “boondoggle.”
“If I voted against it, they would say I would be against transparency but I’m against a stupid boondoggle exercise.
“Putting up a video speech in the public won’t influence the results. If a candidate put a video publicly they can do that on their Facebook page.
“Candidates can speak on the merits of their candidacy in the public statutory council meeting where the election happens.
“Candidates can speak to other councillors privately or prior to a council meeting.”
As the debate for transparency rolled on, it raised discussions about “done deals” pointing at the direction of alleged Labor party caucus-
ing in last year’s deputy mayor contest between ALP councillors Angela Long and Richard Lim.
“It’s frivolous to even make a decision because in the case of this term, decisions are always made behind closed doors. There is no question on that,” CrTim Dark said at the meeting.
“We saw the most open public transparent version of a deputy mayor and mayoral election just gone where a councillor was threatened (of losing their) lifetime Labor party membership if they didn’t vote a certain way.
As reported previously by Star Journal, Cr Long had declared she’d withdraw from the contest or risk being kicked out of the party.
CouncilWatch president Dean Hurlston had called for an immediate Local Government Inspectorate (LGI) investigation of any councillors involved at that time.
“Fact of the day is caucus has already agreed, calls have been made, they’ve met with Labor MPs, decisions have been made and the mayoralty is awarded,” Cr Dark said.
Councillor O’Reilly says he doesn’t agree with what was “alleged” by councillors in support of the motion calling it “irrelevant” justification to the motion.
“That’s a completely different issue that doesn’t relate to what the substantial motion would achieve.
“People just want councillors to focus on what’s important, get on with the job and stop talking about yourself. This motion will have negligible effect on transparency.”
He argues if the public voted on the mayoral and deputy mayoral candidates the motion would be necessary and it would“remove political elements amongst councillors of selecting who the mayor and deputy mayor are.”
“Argument against it is that the mayor may not necessarily have majority support of the councillors they’re leading.We saw that happen in Geelong and there were big disruptions.”
Nevertheless, Cr Dark mentioned the “politicking and nastiness going on within the council” where councillors don’t get acknowledged by their colleagues at events due to the “faction divide”.
“Previously we had long-serving Labor party councillors with firm positions. Then a new group of councillors got elected who used the Labor party constitution to win the influence to get what they want and to move in and build things up.
“As a result it’s been a complete mess. There are some events you physically can’t go because you know what’s going to come, the repercussions out of it and the other issues that come with it as well…”
Cheering 96 years for Our Don, a Noble Park legend
With a proud legion of family and friends, Noble Park legend Captain Donald Bergman OAM celebrated his 96th birthday this month.
The popular ex-Commando was feted at a gathering on Saturday 20 July at Noble Park RSL, where he has been more than a familiar smiling face.
At the RSL sub-branch, he’s left a lasting mark with his self-made tables embossed in military medals and memorabilia.
Also on display are his hand-carvings of the Shrine of Remembrance and the Menin Gates. They are made from a fallen Lone Pine sourced from Gallipoli.
At his birthday was a display of his awards, recognitions and photo memorabilia, including a picture with former PM
Scott Morrison at the Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne.
Bergman has served in the Air Training Corp part of the RAAF Reserve inWorldWar II and as a Vietnam veteran.
Afterwards, his decades of service extended to veterans and their families led to his Medal of the Order of Australia.
He was also a march marshal at Melbourne’s Anzac Day service for more than 50 years and has been a volunteer guide at the Shrine of Remembrance.
In 1984, he was the first non-police officer awarded the Victoria Police Chief Commissioner’s Certificate for his role as a Telecom telephony specialist assisting in an operation against SP bookmakers taking illegal bets on horse-racing.
Donald Bergman OAM with a rich collection of awards and recognitions at his 96th birthday celebration. (Rob Carew: 417108)
Among the photos on display was Donald Bergman with thenPM Scott Morrison at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. (Supplied)
Donald Bergman OAM with family and friends at the Noble Park RSL on 20 July. (Rob Carew: 417108)
(Gary Sissons: 344241)
Club earns hard-fought win
By Sahar Foladi
The Springvale District Football and Netball Club will soon reap the fruit of their hardearned campaign for better access to their home ground’s function room. .
The lead tenant at Springvale Reserve came out victorious after years of unpacking and packing furniture and signage after every home game due to the function room being hired out for community events.
The council meeting on Monday 22 July saw Councillor Sean O’Reilly’s alternative notice of motion pass.
It means that the SDFNC have sole access to the function room during the club’s playing season from April to September.
“I’m glad the council has affirmed this,” Cr O’Reilly said.
“Clubs like this hinge on the strength and cohesiveness of their leadership and this club is a quite extreme example of a well-managed, growing club.”
The gallery at the council meeting was filled
with sea of blue and red uniformed club members including chairperson Tony Cooper.
“This means we can continue to grow as a club. The alternative would’ve been we would’ve had to separate our football and netball on a permanent basis, which we wouldn’t want to do.
“The members were very happy. We’re grateful for the council for seeing the worth of our club, thankful to Sean O’Reilly and councillors (Tim) Dark and (Richard) Lim who championed the motion.”
More than a dozen volunteers had been required to unpack and pack up after every home game, as well as going through the council’s casual booking process to hire the function room. Every home game consists of volunteers stocking the bar, arranging tables and chairs, supplying a cash point and portable wi-fi, bringing in its electronic honour board, displaying a sponsors banners and liquor-licensing signage.
Now, all that can stay for the duration of the season, providing immense relief to volunteers
and the club.
“We know the facility is seriously underutilised so it’s a chance to get the maximum use out of the facility,” Mr Cooper said.
However, the changes are still to undergo a community and stakeholder consultation.
Council community strengthening executive director Peta Gillies said the results of the community consultation will be considered by the new councillors after the October elections.
“We thoughtfully prepare each engagement activity to ensure we are reaching community members who might like to contribute at a time that works for them.
“We also limit engagement activities in the lead up to the Local Government elections (election period).
“With the upcoming election period and December holiday period in mind, it is likely engagement on the allocation of the Springvale Reserve Community Facility will take place in November.
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
“We will keep the community updated on the consultation dates, when they’re confirmed, and will allow ample time for the results of the engagement to be considered by the new Council prior to the 2025 football season.”
There are nine home games per season, excluding the finals, with only three home games left for the club this season.
The club has three open-age men’s team, nine female netball teams with 110 registered females and an Auskick program for youngsters. Springvale Reserve is set to receive a $2 million upgrade as part of the 2023-’24 State Government Budget.
The upgrades include 200 lux LED competition-standard lighting for netball courts, 100 lux LED lighting for the oval and two coaches’ boxes. The pavilion will be upgraded with a new kitchen and canteen, renewal to the pavilion toilets and renewal of the coaches’ boxes.
The council will spend $100,000 for the construction of a new local level playground.
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 8571 1000 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 8571 1000.
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
The Springvale Reserve main function room which the club has gained lead tenancy for. (Gary Sissons, 415894) The Springvale District FNC clubrooms.
NEWS Levy debate resurfaces
By Sahar Foladi
In a debate spanning more than a decade, a resident has stood up to seek answers on the ongoing $350 Keysborough South maintenance levy.
Only 4560 ratepayers in Keysborough South have been paying the levy for tending to the neighbourhood’s 20 per cent open space - four times more open space than other estates.
They are a fraction of more than 16,000 residents living in the suburb.
Emmanuella Vella attended the council meeting on 22 July and raised the issue at public question time.
“We’re subjected to a maintenance levy of $350 while 5000 residents or any other people which use their 20 per cent extra open space don’t have to pay it and yet we do.
“There are certain individuals paying and other not paying - so it’s all over the shop with no concept. I feel that everybody should pay or no one should pay.”
The 20 per cent open space includes parks and reserves from Springvale Road down to Greens Road, covering the estates around Chapel Rd, Tyers Lane, Stanley Road and Perry Road as well as Tatterson Park.
The levy, collected by the council since 2011-’12, is placed in a Keysborough Maintenance Levy Reserve Fund.
According to the council website, the projected reserve balance as of 30 June 2023 was at $2.12 million.
“What’s a kick in the teeth too is not only is it $350 at the moment, there’s some talk now that the levy will be increased by Consumer Price Index,” Mr Vella said.
According to the council’s May 2016 report ‘Keysborough South Maintenance Levy Information/Newsletters to Owners’, the council and the developer entered into an agreement for the developer to establish and maintain the open space for an initial three year period. It would then revert to the council to maintain the spaces.
Councillor Rhonda Garad raised questions
of her own about the agreement, and called out the “unfair process.”
“If (homebuyers) did accept it, what were the terms it was accepted in?
“It’s not working very well where almost 5000 dwellings are paying for this and everyone else is benefiting including other residents in Dandenong.”
While the levy could be increased from $350 by CPI, Greater Dandenong city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam says the council doesn’t have any plans to increase the amount.
“Keysborough South’s beautiful network of
extensive open spaces is one of the characteristics that make it such an appealing place to live.
“The Keysborough South open space maintenance levy is charged on an ongoing basis, to ensure we can continue to maintain these abundant open spaces for the local community to enjoy.
“Most properties in the area pay the levy so maintenance costs are distributed as evenly as possible and we don’t have any current plans to increase the levy.”
According to the council levy report, the estates within Keysborough South were de-
Tributes to South East’s ‘fierce advocate’
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Known as a “tireless advocate” and “stalwart” of conservative values, former State MP Inga Peulich has died at the age of 67.
Her closest friends expressed shock at the news of the former Bentleigh and South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP’s passing on 25 July.
A “devastated” Greater Dandenong councillor Tim Dark described Peulich as “like a mum”.
“She’d been unwell for some time. No one saw it coming as quickly as it came.”
A former teacher, Peulich had devotedly mentored Cr Dark, former Casey mayor Susan Serey and many MPs part of the “next generation” of Liberals in the South East.
“Inga was the biggest mentor and guide for me to get involved in politics. Everything I’ve become in politics is because of her. I owe her a lot,” Cr Dark said.
A “stalwart for Liberal and conservative values”, she also “deeply cared about her local community and was a tireless advocate against injustices.”
Opposition leader John Pesutto said Peulich was a “fierce advocate” for multicultural communities.
“A daughter of a parent who suffered under a communist regime, Inga’s passion for fairness, democracy, freedom, multiculturalism and government transparency was evident in her 22 years in the Victorian Parliament.
“With a commitment to community, Inga’s life, achievements, career and advocacy fulfilled those dreams by continuing to pave the way for many migrants to our great state.”
Peulich served as Bentleigh MP in 19922002, returning to Parliament in the South East Metropolitan upper house region in 2006.
She held positions as Cabinet Secretary, Parliamentary Secretary for Education, opposition spokesperson for Multicultural Af-
fairs and Scrutiny of Government, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Wastewatch and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Communities.
In her inaugural speech to Parliament, Peulich described her parents arriving to Australia in 1967 with “four suitcases, a couple of small children and very little else”.
“Through sheer hard work, initiative and self-sacrifice they were able to realise their dreams.”
On her exit after the 2018 election, Peulich told Star News that it was the “greatest honour” to serve democracy and the community.
She said Liberal values and policies should
prioritise family, free enterprise, basic freedoms including religion, helping the less fortunate and responsible and transparent government.
“The challenge for our future Parliaments is to find agreement on how to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals without unduly infringing upon the rights of others.
“Having been born under a communist regime, protecting the interests of those without a voice and those who are not politically organised has been a priority for me in every decision I have taken as a parliamentarian, even though it may not have been a popular position.”
signed to “create a network of green” allowing residents to enjoy the space of “active and passive recreation.”
In 2013, the council explored other options such as removing the levy and passing costs onto all residents, either reducing the quality of open space or “even the ability to sell open space to reduce the current percentage from 20 per cent to a figure closer to traditional estates.”
However, neither of these options was considered as a “appropriate outcome.” The issue was also raised as a “late election issue” back in 2020.
Former state MP Inga Peulich with Ebony on the swing at Dandenong Park kindergarten in 2014. (Rob Carew: 122119)
Inga Peulich with Casey councillor Gary Rowe, Berwick resident Sharyn Elliott and Casey deputy mayor Louise Berkelmans in Beaconsfield in 2015. (Supplied)
Inga Peulich, pictured right, with Liberal state election candidate Susan Serey and former PM Tony Abbott in 2018. (Stewart Chambers: 177825)
Greater Dandenong mayor Youhorn Chea and Inga Peulich at Springvale Lunar New Year festival in 2018. (Rob Carew: 176732)
Wetlands in Tatterson Park, Keysborough. (Gary Sissons: 208872)A blue-billed duck in Tatterson Park Keysborough.
The Keysborogh South Open Space map highlighting the areas that are charged the $350 maintenance levy. (City of Greater Dandenong)
‘Devoid of moral qualms’
By Emily Woods, AAP
Less than three weeks after leaving a cyclist to die in Hampton Park, Peter Koutsogiannakis caused another dangerous crash.
Driving a stolen Mazda on January 23, 2022, he tried to skip through a queue of cars lined up at a train boom-gate.
Police tried to get him to pull over, but he sped onto the wrong side of the road and took off.
Koutsogiannakis then entered a bus lane against a red light and hit a Toyota sedan as they were turning right before striking a pole. He then ran from the scene.
The 30-year-old Endeavour Hills man’s “pattern of lawless behaviour” was aired by Judge Frances Hogan in Melbourne’s County Court on Monday, as he was jailed for at least five years over an earlier deadly hit and run.
Koutsogiannakis drove through a red light and struck cyclist Makaro Manapori, 58, as he was riding to work in Hampton Park on Janu-
(Con Chronis/AAP)
ary 6, 2022.
Mr Manapori was thrown 45 metres, with his bike found mangled and folded in half.
He was left “like roadkill” to die by Koutsogiannakis, the judge said previously, after he drove off and set fire to the stolen car used in the crash.
“You have shown yourself to have a sense of entitlement devoid of any moral qualms when it comes to ... the safety of others on the road,” Judge Hogan said.
“Your previous appalling driving record and failure to learn from repeated offending ... made it only a matter of time before you would kill someone.”
Koutsogiannakis was convicted for crimes including theft and dangerous driving over the crash which happened weeks after he struck Mr Manapori.
Driving dangerously had “become a way of life” for him, and his decade-long criminal record showed he had“scant regard” for the road rules and safety of others, Judge Hogan said.
“You present as a 30-year-old who has lived a self-indulgent, lawless lifestyle, and have been a repeated menace to society.”
She jailed him for up to seven years and 10 months.
He must serve five years and three months before he will be eligible for parole, and has already spent more than one year behind bars.
Judge Hogan said he had a complete lack of remorse for the offending, which he continues to deny despite handing himself into police.
Koutsogiannakis’ lawyer had contacted police after photos of him running after setting a car on fire were released to media.
“I couldn’t live with myself,” he told officers just before he was interviewed.
But he fought the charges at trial, claiming it was a case of mistaken identity.
A jury in June found him guilty of dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop at the scene and failing to render assistance to the dying Mr Manapori.
Koutsogiannakis remained silent throughout the hearing and his supporters in court cried as his sentence was handed down.
Eight boys in allegedly stolen Mercedes charged
A 13-year-old driver from Dandenong and seven other teens in an allegedly stolen Mercedes have been charged after being tracked across the South East by police.
Officers, including Operation Trinity units, caught sight of the vehicle on Mimosa Street in Glen Waverley about 12.30am on Thursday 25 July.
With the assistance of the Air Wing, units continued to follow the allegedly stolen vehicle along the Monash Freeway, where stop sticks were successfully deployed about 2.10am.
Investigators allege that the Mercedes came to a stop on Tivendale Road in Officer. Police swiftly moved in and arrested the eight teens.
The Mercedes was stolen from an address in Malvern about 4am on 24 July, police say.
· A 13-year-old Dandenong boy has been charged with car theft, dangerous driving and unlicensed driving. He has been bailed to appear at a Children’s Court at a later date.
· A 16-year-old Dandenong boy has been charged with car theft and has been bailed
Forest Hills
to appear at a Children’s Court at a later date.
· A 15-year-old Dandenong boy has been charged with car theft and has been bailed to appear at a Children’s Court at a later date.
· A 17-year-old Frankston boy has been charged with car theft and has been bailed to appear at a Children’s Court at a later date.
· A 16-year-old Dandenong boy has been charged with car theft and has been bailed to appear at a Children’s Court at a later date.
· A 17-year-old Narre Warren boy has been charged with car theft and has been bailed to appear at a Children’s Court at a later date.
· A 17-year-old Cranbourne North boy was charged with car theft and appeared before an out of sessions hearing and was bailed to appear at a Children’s Court at a later date.
· A 14-year-old Doveton boy was charged with car theft and remanded to appear at a Children’s Court at a later date.
LOOKING BACK
100 years ago
31 July 1924
“Haircutting by wireless!”
Well not exactly; only to wireless music. This luxury is to be available to Dandenong, owing to the fact of a local hairdresser conceiving the happy idea of having a wireless “listeningin” machine installed in his hairdressing salon. I presume this is to be thrown in as an extra with the eighteen-penny haircut. Anyway, ‘tis right up-to-date and will serve to pass the time pleasantly while customers are waiting their turn.
50 years ago
30 July 1974
Schooling ‘worst in state’
The Dandenong area is one of the most educationally underprivileged in the state. The problem is being aggravated by old and unfunctional buildings and a rapidly expanding population. Principal of Dandenong High School, Basil Moss said “there are clear problems with the education field in the Dandenong area”.
The atrocious conditions of some of the school buildings have been highlighted over the years by the Dandenong Journal. The latest building to come under fire is the Bristol unit, built shortly after the end of the Second World War.
The Bristol building hade major problems: a lack of proper heating to the point where students wear gloves and scarves to school; uncertain stability of the ceiling panels; uncertain electricity supply; overwhelming heat in summer; little or no repair work being done. Mr Moss agreed with the complaints saying the Bristol type building was “not suitable for Australia”. The uncertain supply of
INTERFAITH
State finance means that one cannot predict how long these conditions will be endured.
20 years ago
30 August 2004
Park’s birthday
Burden Park playground in Springvale South celebrates its 10th birthday next Sunday. The playground, on the corner of Springvale and Heatherton Roads, was funded and built by volunteers and opened in 1994. It took 1200 volunteers, including council workers and
Army reservists five days to build the wooden structure that features a castle. Greater Dandenong Mayor, Clare O’Neil said the project captured the community’s imagination.
5 years ago
30 July 2019
Solar farm proposed
A $38 million solar farm with about 68,000 solar panels has been proposed for a 44-hectare former landfill in Springvale South. The Green Wedge site bounded by Clarke Street,
Rowan Road, Westall and Springvale Roads could power 10,000 average homes and about 39,000 megawatt hours of “secure and stable green energy”. Its proponent claims the project could save 42,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
In its submission to the council, Progress Solar has claimed its design would not impede managed risks such as landfill gas explosions and leachate. It has also pledged to use thick native vegetation to screen the solar panels’ maximum height of four metres.
Steps to soothe anxiety
By Ursula Aruma of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation
This Message of Hope is for those who living with anxiousness and facing anxiety.
One who has steadfastness and sincerity can always handle their life with wisdom.
One who doubts will come to ruin.
There can be so much of chemical imbalance in our everyday life.
If you wish to have human flourishing, then remove all your fears and cultivate the power of love: this will give you the feeling that you are divine.
Erase any fear that is in your mind. Remember, you are in control of your own mind.
You are three persons, the one you think you are, the one others think who you are, and one you really are: You are Divine.
MESSAGE
OF HOPE
Maintain good sleeping and eating habits and be watchful what you read in emails and social media.
Always keep good company.
Do not get involved with gossip and loose company.
The less desires you have, the more your life will be full of happiness and joy.
Always be content with what little you have and share with others any excess.
Do not multiply your desires.
Don’t worry about anything; just pray about everything.
Offering everything to God is extremely powerful.
You need not worry or have anxious thoughts when you offer everything to the Divine.
May God calm down your anxieties and fears.
Triggers for stress – death, disease, pain of some sort.
Discuss and get help quicker.
Get stress relief from physical activity. Do something small for somebody else, even for someone you don’t like - you will be happy that you made someone happy.
Enquiries regarding the Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong: administration@ interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662. Visit - interfaithnetwork.org.au
Campaign gathering waves for pool funding
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A pro-Doveton Pool sticker campaign has been launched to press for funding the complete $14.7 million upgrade of the site.
Doveton Eumemmerring Township Association chair Stefan Koomen was pleased that Casey Council’s early works were going ahead as planned.
The council has allocated $4.26 million to the works in 2024-’25.
However, without federal and state funding, the revamp has been scaled down from a $21 million revamp to $14.7 million.
The project is staggered across three stages, with the council funding the $7.91 million stage 1 rebuild of the outdoor 50-metre pool.
Future stages will be subject to funding from state and federal governments as well as community feedback, according to a council report in March.
“Our campaign is still continuing for funding and delivering the next stage of the
upgrades so that the pool remains a great destination for families,” Koomen said.
“We are giving away free stickers so peo-
ple can get behind the campaign.”
Casey Council confirmed at a public question time on 16 July that preliminary works had started onsite, with pool replacement works to start after the 2024-’25 season.
“We do not anticipate any major disruptions to the pool operation and opening times this summer,” Casey city design and construction manager Mick Barrett stated.
Meanwhile, the relocatable building at Doveton Pool at the Park is set to be relocated to Webb Street, Narre Warren.
It had previously provided a temporary kindergarten and been leased as office space. Doveton College were seeking to lease it for adult education, according to Koomen.
“With the adoption of the (pool) master plan and the intention to provide public open space for the community it is time for this building to be relocated and the land vacated for public use,” Barrett stated.
The building will provide a home for Casey North Information and Support Service, which assists vulnerable clients and families, he stated.
After a fierce community campaign in 2021, Casey Council reversed its plans to replace all of the pools with parkland.
However DETA has criticised Casey’s plans to remove the childrens shallow pool and slides.
According to an earlier council report, the rebuilt pool may include environmentally sustainable design features, such as energy capture and recovery, more efficient electric services, and water use and capture systems.
Stage 2 could include a beach sand pit, plaza, canopy tree planting, upgraded splash pad, playground, outdoor fitness equipment, barbecue and toilets.
Stage 3 will upgrade the pool building.
The stickers are available via savedovetonpool.com or 0403 033 243.
Stefan Koomen with daughter Frankie and the new Doveton Pool campaign stickers (Supplied)
Ursula Aruma of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation.
Construction is expected to start on a solar farm and two-hour battery storage system on the former landfill site on Clarke Road, Springvale South in 2025. Operations are due to start in 2027, providing enough electricity to power more than 25,000 homes - according to the latest update from re-named proponent Progress Power. (Gary Sissons: 232202)
Homelessness hot-spots
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Launch Housing is pitching to expand its‘Youth Foyers’ program to homelessness hot-spots in Greater Dandenong and Casey.
The Education First Youth Foyers (EFYF) model gives at-risk youth a place to live while they complete their studies.
The focus is on equipping them with skills to lead an independent life.
A prospectus released by Launch Housing found that Greater Dandenong and Casey were in the top five “clear priority areas” in metro Melbourne.
The assessment was based on homelessness rates, family violence, high-school completion, post-year 12 data and forecast youth population growth.
In Greater Dandenong, more than 2000 people are homeless. According to Launch Housing, the region has a state-high 40 per cent of 15-24 year olds not in training or study and 38 per cent of people over 15 were not in the labour force.
In Casey, 34.5 per cent of youths were not in education and 29 per cent of over 15s were not working.
Youth Foyer development manager Rebecca Lee said the growing youth population and continued drivers towards homelessness had escalated the need for the EFYFs.
“When you don’t have a safe place to sleep and when you lack social support, engaging in education is an almost impossible challenge.
“Leaving school early is largely framed as a problem for educators and schools, while youth homelessness is often framed simplistically as purely a housing problem.
“But there is a demonstrated relationship between young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness and disruption to education.”
EFYFs have been running successfully in Broadmeadows and Glen Waverley over the past decade.
Of the 578 young people who’ve stayed there, 84 per cent have been employed or enrolled in study when they leave.
Several have overcome their “tough beginnings” to become firefighters, teachers, working in medicine, retail and running for local council.
“They’re starting families, buying their first homes, managing in the tough private rental market as confident, independent adults.”
Sakshi, a graduate from the nearest EFYF in Glen Waverley, left home due to a family breakdown. After 22 months at the foyer, she is forging ahead with a criminology and criminal justice degree, while working three jobs.
She is paying full study fees due to being on a permanent residency visa. Currently she is applying for Australian citizenship, and thus eligibility for HECS.
“Youth Foyers aren’t just accommodation. It provided a holistic approach which helped me with my work, life and study goals.”
Under an ‘advantage thinking’ approach, staff were on hand 24/7 to help her see her own potential and kept her motivated.
She has since ticked off an A4-sized list of goals, and now has new targets ahead.
As a criminology student, she sees how the EFYF model could also help young people in the justice system.
“It’s about fundamental supports being in place. People turn to crime because they don’t have that support.”
Housing Minister Harriet Shing said the Government knew the Youth Foyer model was working.
“Launch Housing’s work in this program over the last ten years is providing care, dignity, and safety for young people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness.
“We are determined to continue our support for programs like this and the educational services they deliver.”
Launch Housing Youth Foyer development manager Rebecca Lee. (Mathew Lynn/Launch Housing)
VCE high achievers
Haileybury students in Keysborough have scoopedthe2023annualPremiersVCEawards.
The 17 students excelled in their subject areas such as Further Mathematics, Algorithmics, Music Contemporary Performance, English, Sociology and Systems Engineering.
They were presented awards at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 17 July.
Isabella Waters who took out a Premiers VCE Award for English says the secret was to choose the subjects she enjoys.
“I’ve always loved English, so I found it easy to put effort into assignments and studying.
“Having incredible teachers also makes a difference.”
Isabella is studying Law and Languages at Australian National University and hopes to become a lawyer.
Daragh Rodrigues who received an award for Music Contemporary Performance says friends and socialising helped him cope with the pressures ofVCE.
“Looking to my friends, embracing social opportunities and being in regular contact with my teachers really made a difference in keeping me grounded and managing my expectations of myself,” he says.
Daragh is currently studying Jazz and Improvisation at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, which he hopes will lead to a career in performance.
Archie Antonopoulos, who received a Premier’sVCE Award for Sociology, credited‘discipline and consistency’ for his success.
“I studied almost every single day in Years 11 and 12 and that allowed me to complete set work and additional work.
“I’m also a strong believer in staying as organised as possible – I created timetables that mapped out what had to be completed every day and tracked the amount of time I studied daily.
“So, I was never really under any overwhelming pressure during Year 12, even during peak exam period.”
Archie is studying Commerce at the University of Melbourne as a Commerce Achievement Scholarship recipient.
Haileybury CEO and principal Derek Scott said the school was “incredibly proud of every student who completesVCE”.
“It is a challenging and rigorous program that requires hard work, commitment and persistence and, each year, our students step up and achieve impressive results.
“Every young person has different interests and passions and many different subjects awaken their curiosity and spark a love of learning that we hope students carry with them for the rest of their life.”
Other Haileybury winners of 2023 Premier’s VCE Awards were:
· Feline Leenders for Art Making and Exhibiting
· Xinxin Zhang for Chinese First Language
· Charlotte Hendrie for English
· Amber Bailey for English
· AarialWrigley for Hospitality (VCEVET)
· Jing Ru Zhang for Latin
· Georgia Poole for Sociology
· Flora Bacskai for Hungarian undertaken at Victorian School of Languages
· Joshua Ong for Algorithmics (HESS)
· Deshitha Galpayage Don for English
· Maheet Gone for Further Mathematics
· Alan Cai for Systems Engineering
· Thivyaa Mahendran for Accounting
· Beijia Guo for Chinese First Language and General Mathematics
· Ruiqiao Liang for Chinese First Language
· Yuqing Zhang for Chinese First Language
Drug driver jailed after high-speed crash
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A Hampton Park drug-driver has been jailed after fleeing from police across several suburbs, ramming a divvy van and crashing at high speed into two cars at a red light.
Ilija Stojanovic, 35, formerly of Keysborough, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to a bevy of charges including conduct endangering life, recklessly causing injury, failing to stop at a car accident and theft, firearm and drug offences.
Sentencing judge Claire Quin said it was fortunate that victims weren’t more seriously injured, given he didn’t brake or take evasive action as he crashed into the turning cars at more than 100km/h at a Lynbrook intersection.
In the early hours of 1 November 2023, he had been detected driving a stolen 2012 Jeep Cherokee with false plates at high speeds on Monash Freeway.
He accelerated away from an attempted police intercept, which was abandoned due to the risk to the public.
Tracked by the police Air Wing, Stojanovic reached speeds of about 150km/h on the freeway and more than 170km/h on South Gippsland Highway during a 25-minute escapade.
Stojanovic later reversed into a police divisional van which partially blocked his car in his home’s driveway in Hampton Park.
Two officers – one outside the van and one just starting to get out – had to take evasive action.
Police deployed stop sticks on Short Road but Stojanovic continued accelerating through traffic on two deflated tyres.
At between 112 and 127km/h, he ran a red light at Lynbrook Boulevard and South Gippsland Highway and crashed into two turning cars.
There was no evidence of Stojanovic braking prior to impact.
One of the drivers suffered severe bruises and persistent pain in her thighs, shoulders, chest and knee as a result.
The Jeep crossed a grass median embankment, crashed into a pole and came to rest on the opposite side of the highway.
Stojanovic fled on foot towards Lynbrook Village shopping centre, jumping down an embankment wall where he was arrested.
He was hospitalised for a month with leg injuries – which have hampered him ever since. A blood test revealed that meth was in his system.
Police seized a deal bag of meth and a gun
Men’s group
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Building a sharing circle for men from migrant and refugee backgrounds is “something personal” for Shankar Kasynathan.
During his term as a former Victorian Multicultural Commissioner, Kasynathan says he was troubled by the absence of such points of connection and support.
“I was working with refugee and migrant communities and coming across men harming themselves and harming others.
“In Covid, I saw a peak in family violence numbers, especially in the South East. And I looked around to see what opportunities and spaces were available for men.”
The Mens Shed movement doesn’t resonate with young migrant men, for example. Many aren’t keen to ply their hands in a workshop.
“Their go-to instead is their career, it’s employment, it’s workplace discrimination and trying to get a meaningful job.”
These themes are the ice-breakers for Kasynathan’s mens circle The Open Exchange, which meets monthly at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre in Dandenong.
As the men share their work experiences, they build trust and a “space of vulnerability”, Kasynathan says.
Conversations tend to expand into other parts of their lives.
A chat about their entitlements to workplace equality and dignity might lead into talking about respectful relationships, behaviour patterns at home and their impact on partners and children.
magazine, gun barrel and ammunition round, the Jeep’s original plates and a stolen drivers’ licence.
The Jeep had been stolen from Fountain Gate shopping centre about a week earlier.
Judge Quin noted that Stojanovic was traumatised by growing up in war-torn Bosnia.
His family initially settled in Keysborough in 2000 with limited possessions, little command of English language and no money.
The judge wasn’t satisfied that he’d suffered “profound disadvantage”, given that he’d started his own painting business.
Stojanovic had extensive priors for similar drug, driving, gun and dishonesty offences.
His daily ‘ice’ abuse, reportedly to cope with childhood trauma, was directly linked to his offending but was no excuse, Judge Quin stated.
She had “limited confidence” in him overcoming his drug addiction, though his injuries may deter any further offending.
Stojanovic was jailed for four years, with a non-parole period of two years and three months.
He was disqualified from driving for five years.
“It’s a challenge for people from migrant refugee communities to lean in. A lot of guys don’t speak English and it’s a challenge for them to have an Englishonly conversation.”
The group’s tagline is ‘you get more than you give’.
“You find that after the sharing, you get more from the space than what you came to give.”
For Kasynathan, he says he might be a case of “art imitating life”. She’s suffered his own anxiety issues and mental health challenges due to burnout at work.
He’s since become a mental-health first-aid accredited instructor and started a diploma in counselling.
“It’s been a humbling experience to be a part of the space. And to move from a multicultural commissioner role to a group faciliatator and counsellor to create this space.”
He emphasizes that the circle welcomes men of all backgrounds and not just new arrivals to Australia.
The Open Exchange meets at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre on the first Tuesday of each month, 6.30pm-8pm (enter from Robinson Street). Details: info@theopenexchange.org or 0422 845 085
Haileybury students Thivyaa Mahendran, Alan Cai, Maheet Gone, Jing Ru Zhang, Aarial Wrigley and Xinxin Zhang were among 17 Premiers VCE Award recipients at the Keysborough campus. (Supplied)
Shankar Kasynathan is leading a support circle for men of migrant and refugee backgrounds. (Supplied)
Market plan delays hub
By Sahar Foladi
The long-awaited Dandenong Community Hub may now“hinge” on a Dandenong Market Precinct Master Plan, with its concept design delayed until 2025.
The latest update on the DCH was the latest disappointment for its supporters at a Greater Dandenong Council meeting on 22 July.
According to a council report, an issue had arisen over the 300 car park spaces required for the hub.
The market precinct masterplan is now placed ahead of any final concept design for the hub, to consider how the project “fits within the overall Dandenong Market Precinct Masterplan.”
In the council meeting gallery, community members advocating for the hub project held up big poster signs “Don’t delay the Hub” and “Transparency Vs Treachery.”
Dandenong Community Association (DCA) spokesperson Silvia Mastrogiovanni sat shaking her head side to side calling the parking is-
sue “rubbish.”
“How can they tell us this about an area where we’ve got ample car parking?
“It’s all about delaying the hub. They built this building (Greater Dandenong Civic Centre) with 40 car parks, so if that’s the rule than how come we’re occupying it?
“Every other town (in Greater Dandenong) got their hub. More than once, we’ve been waiting patiently for our turn. We get our turn and now they tell us there’s delay for the money, the parking.”
A fortnight earlier, the council had proposed to siphon the hub’s funding to the Dandenong Wellbeing Centre project.
“Now they’ve taken that off and now they’ve decided Market precinct first than the hub. Didn’t they think of that four years ago? Why are they bringing that up for now?
“They talk about community strengthening but all I can see is community weakening for residents of Dandenong and that makes me so angry.”
While the hub is pending on the market
masterplan, Council city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasasivagam said they’re unable to provide a timeframe for when the masterplan will be completed.
“As soon as we finalise the precinct plan, that informs the (hub’s) design. One of the things looked at is the amount of space required for the open space, so the car parking requirement is important,” he said at the council meeting.
The community hub which was originally budgeted at the cost of $30 million has blown out to between $55-63 million.
The costs are now subject to parking requirements and the level of parking required, according to the council report.
The item caught the councillors off guard as Councillor Rhonda Garad rose to defer the item based on the lack of adequate information on the market masterplan.
“This report was thrown at us - the hub now hinged on the market masterplan. We don’t have any details on that, I know nothing. What is that?” Cr Garad says.
“We know zero about this marketplace and now suddenly the co-design hangs on that.
“It’s not good enough. I don’t understand why the hub co-design can’t continue.
“They’re trying to tie our hands behind our back now. That’s why it’s deferred so we can know more.”
Cr Garad said there had been “nothing in this ward for the community since I’ve been here in the past 25 years”.
“It’s about time, with buildings, capitalisation, a lot of major developments, we know the population will increase in this area.
“Money is tight, we get that.We understand the wellbeing centre is like a Taj Mahal and that’ll stop a lot of resources but we’re saying keep the design processes going at this stage.”
The DandenongWellbeing Centre ‘procurement update’ was discussed ‘in camera’ on the same night.
After being deferred, the Hub issue will be in front of a council meeting in late August.
Savier Singh held a sign in support of Dandenong Community Hub during the council meeting on 22 July.
The Dandenong Community Association group held their signs up during the hub discussions at the council meeting on 22 July.
Silvia Mastrogiovanni, right, with two other Dandenong residents fighting for the hub. (Sahar Foladi: 421741)
Snow magic in Springvale
Snow Fest’s magical winter wonderland returned to Springvale on Sunday 28 July.
Ever popular were the play areas in Buckingham Avenue filled with snow from Mt Buller.
Other attractions included family rides, food trucks, market stalls, sports demos, a neon-lightsselfiespot,IceQueenentertainers, singers, musicians and dancers.
The event was rounded off with spectacular fireworks synchronized to winter classics.
Shanica at the neon-lit Springvale selfie spot. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 418356)Matthew, 4, and dad Kevin D’silva enjoying Mt Buller’s snow ring. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 418356)
Cr Sean O’Reilly holding his dog Hershey. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 418356)
Winter Fairies. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 418356)
A rainbow ribbon dancers showing kids how to move with the ribbon. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 418356)
Hot kebabs sizzle in the Snow Fest cold. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 418356)
Roy, 2, Li, Lina and Julian, 9. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 418356)
Summer, Trinny, Tiffany. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 418356)
Ice Queen. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 418356)
The Mt Buller mascot meets Imogen Potter at Snow Fest. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 418356)
NDIS help in high demand
Hundreds flocked to the NDIS South Eastern Disability Expo on 26 July for answers on support, services and resources.
The event at Springvale City Hall staged by NDIS provider North Foundation was tailored for people with disabilities, their families and their carers.
They had the opportunity to meet with more than 50 exhibitors, and to discover innovative services, assistive technologies and social programs.
Jas, Ian and Kelly from Bayley House. (Stewart Chambers: 421422)
Expo organiser Ramneek Wayne, Greater Dandenong deputy mayor Richard Lim and North Foundation CEO Rubhen Jeya. (Stewart Chambers: 421422)
Amelia from Moira Financial Plan Management (pictured middle) with Charley and Evangeline from North Foundation. (Stewart Chambers: 421422)
Cannabis possession soars
By Ethan Benedicto
In a recent report by the Penington Institute, both the City of Casey and the City of Greater Dandenong were listed as some of the LGAs with the highest rate of prolific offenders for cannabis possession.
The report, titled, Cannabis Regulation in Australia: Community Safety First, detailed that Casey had 2768 offences related to personal use and possession of cannabis; with a rate of 75.8 per 10,000 residents.
Greater Dandenong had 2298 offences for personal use and possession, with a rate of 145.3 per 10,000 residents.
However, the report advocates for the regulation of the cannabis market in Australia, with ceo John Ryan saying that the current market and countermeasures to cannabis are both dangerous and “ineffective”.
“The estimate is that there’s $5 billion per year spent on illicit, illegal cannabis; in other words, it’s a massive industry.
“If you look at the data in terms of use, more than 40 per cent of adult Australians have used cannabis sometime in their life and about 10 per cent have used it in the last month.
“We’ve got this strange contradiction where it’s [cannabis] is illegal and yet it’s readily available and widely used throughout the community,’ he said.
With Casey being second in the state in population and Greater Dandenong at fourth, the report also highlighted that the significant number of cannabis-related arrests equates to a substantial amount of law enforcement resources that have been dedicated to these offences.
“It’s definitely more concentrated in socio-
use and possession.
The report emphasises that these high figures display a potential misallocation of police resources, which could instead be used to address more serious crimes.
“The challenge is whether or not we can manage it in a more effective way; the evidence is that the illegal market is obviously lying in the pockets of criminals.
“It also means that the people that consume cannabis are in contact with [these] criminals, they’re engaged in criminal behaviour when they access and consume or possess and consume cannabis, it’s making criminals out of law-abiding citizens,” Mr Ryan said.
sold only through regulated providers and dispensaries, therefore ensuring that consumers would have access to products that are consistent and safe.
When speaking on the stigma surrounding cannabis, and its close relation to violence and other drugs, Mr Ryan said that years of “fear campaigns” have been “ineffective because the level use is so high”.
Comparing data from 2001 to 2022-23, the amount of Australians aged 18 and over who have reported to have ever used illicit drugs increased by 24 per cent, with lifetime use of cannabis increased by 26 per cent.
economically disadvantaged communities in terms of arrest data, and that’s also a challenge for people, I think that sort of contact with police is a significant experience.
“The police are obviously not happy finding people possessing cannabis, and that’s why so many of those cases end up in the court or law enforcement system.
“It becomes a question of, how do we balance our priorities? Do we want law enforcement to be using resources to deal with personal use and possession, or do we want them to concentrate more on violent crime?” Mr Ryan said.
It also added that the general criminalisation of cannabis is “counterproductive”, with what the report considered to be a lower harm profile when compared to other psychoactive substances, such as alcohol; however, it remains a large factor for arrests for drug
Aside from effective resource allocation when it comes to law enforcement, public health and safety were other factors that the report emphasised, with unregulated and or illicitly produced cannabis often contaminated with pesticides, heavy metals, and other organic substances.
“There’s a lot of evidence of contaminants and pollutants in the product, which is not the case when it’s a regulated market,” Mr Ryan said.
“The other thing is, I think it stops people from talking about their cannabis use in an honest way with, for example, health care practitioners or doctors because it’s criminal,” Mr Ryan said.
A regulated market envisioned by the Penington Institute includes stringent health regulations on which products are available, how they are accessed and consumed, as well as quality control when it comes to contaminants.
Licensed production and controlled distribution would mean that cannabis would be
While acknowledging the risks of cannabis, from it being a drug of dependence to sensory impairment, Mr Ryan added that “changing to a regulated model would actually provide more honest, accurate education in the community”.
“It’s also to provide opportunities to actually face up to the level of cannabis dependence in the community so that people can have more honest conversations with their doctors.
“I see it as a net benefit to actually take it out of the shadows and shine a light on it and regulate it, control it and assist people who need help,” Mr Ryan said.
Regarding economic benefits, Mr Ryan also pointed out following a model similar to the tobacco industry, where the market could generate tax revenue and create jobs.
“We have to have a really tightly controlled approach, but that generates opportunities for tax.
“One of the issues with tax is to make sure it’s not so high that it doesn’t undermine the criminal market, so it’s a difficult challenge but it’s a challenge that can be met,” he said.
Tributes to former Cranbourne MP Jude Perera
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Former Cranbourne Labor MP Jude Perera has died at the age of 71.
His family announced with “deep sadness” on social media on 23 July that their “beloved father, grandfather and our whole family’s rock passed away”.
Perera was the first Sri Lankan-born and –educated MP elected to a lower house of parliament in Australia in 2002.
He served four terms, retiring in 2018 after a long battle with renal disease and two kidney transplants.
Several current state MPs such as Lee Tarlamis, Pauline Richards and Tim Richardson paid tribute to their former colleague.
Cranbourne’s current MP Pauline Richards posted: “Vale Jude Perera. Very sad news for the Cranbourne community. My condolences to the family of a great man.”
A State Government spokesperson said Perera was a “lifelong advocate for our state’s proud multicultural communities”.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and community.”
Growing up in Sri Lanka, Perera was steeped in left-wing politics in what was a turbulent environment.
His father Edmund, a coconut plantation manager, was a leader in the Marxist party Lanka Sama Samaja and hosted meetings with activists around his kitchen table.
After dabbling in politics and struggling to make ends meet, he left Sri Lanka with wife Iranganie and two small children for a “better life”.
He joined the ALP in reaction to the Kennett Government.
And in 1998, his political know-how helped him to build local support for ALP preselection in the seat of Cranbourne.
In his memoir released last year, he says many Sri Lankans were intially surprised at his preselection in what was then a heavily Anglo Saxon electorate.
“Many asked questions such as, ‘Did they easily give it to you?’,” Mr Perera writes.
“What they really meant was, ‘How come a dark-skinned Asian migrant has been selected by the white skin majority to stand for parliament?’”
Growing up in rural Sri Lanka, Mr Perera was steeped in left-wing politics in what was a turbulent environment.
His father Edmund, a coconut plantation manager, was a leader in the Marxist party Lanka Sama Samaja and hosted meetings with activists around his kitchen table.
After dabbling in politics and struggling to make ends meet, he left Sri Lanka with wife Iranganie and two small children for a “better life”.
In Australia, he joined the ALP in reaction to the Kennett Government.
His memoir Challenging Incomplete Democracy delved into great detail into his political philosphies.
It also described when then-Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews dumped him as opposition parliamentary secretary.
Perera had missed a division during Parliament resulting in the Opposition “losing a vote we should have won”.
“I was sick as a dog and was disappointed with how Daniel Andrews had treated me, a loyal supporter.
“This event coupled with my health issues led me to consider retirement.”
In 2020. Perera appeared as a witness in the IBAC Operation Sandon inquiry into alleged corrupt dealings between property developers, MPs and Casey councillors.
He admitted during the inquiry that his formal submission in favour of a land zoning in Cranbourne West was effectively written by developer John Woodman’s planning consultant.
Perera had earlier received financial support from the developer John Woodman for his election campaign, an IBAC report found.
“Mr Perera contended that this did not generate any sense of obligation… that assertion was contradicted by the lengths to which Mr Perera went to further Mr Woodman’s requests and objectives,” IBAC reported.
Prior to the report’s findings, Perera told Star News that he agreed that Victoria should follow NSW’s lead and ban political donations from developers.
“The issue is that people should not give donations for personal favours.”
Reflecting on his tenure as an MP, Mr Perera told Star News that he was most proud that he helped many with immmigration and visa issues.
He says he went beyond the call of duty. And in many cases his intervention helped people migrate to Australia.
However, Mr Perera said last year that his health is “not the best”. After two failed kidney transplants, he was back on three dialysis treatments a week.
He was listed for a third transplant, but unlikely to receive it due to his age and the extra antibodies he’s acquired from previous transplants, he said at the time.
The newly-elected Cranbourne MP Jude Perera on the steps of State Parliament in 2002. (Supplied)
MP Jude Perera makes a funding announcement at Lawson Pool Reserve pavilion in 2018. (Stewart Chambers: 177561)
The retiring Cranbourne MP Jude Perera, pictured right, on the hustings in 2018. 188079 (Stewart Chambers)
Penington Institute CEO John Ryan is a strong advocate for a regulated cannabis market, saying that its benefits far outweigh the negatives when it comes to safety and resources. (Supplied)
NEWS Sharing cooking secrets
Noble Park Community Centre has become a melting pot of culinary adventure, with an influx of amateur chefs participating in cooking courses in the past three months.
The five-week Cooking for Instructors course, run by Belinda Nowakowski from the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, included over 30 participants who learnt how to cook five delicious, budget-friendly recipes.
Upon completing the course, each participant received a Food Safety Supervisor Certificate, providing them with the credentials required to run their own cooking classes as instructors.
Maria Weninger was one of Belinda’s students who has since capitalised on this great opportunity by starting her own culinary program at the centre in May, the Evening Eats: Adult Cooking Class.
The program was a hit amongst participants, with one stating that the thing she loves most about the City of Greater Dandenong is being involved in Maria’s class.
“I’m happy to cook with her because she is fun to be with” she said.
After the successful Evening Eats program,
WHAT’S ON
Cupcake Creations
Indulge in a three-week journey into the world of cupcake artistry with our Cupcake Creations class. Each week, discover a new realm of design and flavour as you learn a new technique and design each week.
· Thursdays 1, 8 and 15 August, 7pm-9pm; $30 per class at Noble Park Community Centre,Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Details: nobleparkcommunitycentre.org.au or 9547 5801. Library competitions
Greater Dandenong Libraries is calling on all young artists and book critics. You can have your artwork featured on library membership cards. Artwork should be designed to appeal to ages 16-18 and must not contain any offensive content. Also young readers aged 12-19 can submit their reviews of their favourite books as part of the Y?Read competition. Book reviews can be written (30-80 word limit) or on video (30-60 second limit). Great prizes include young adult books, gift vouchers (from JB Hi Fi, Rebel Sport or Village Cinemas) and Apple AirPods.
· Submissions close on Wednesday 31 July. Details: libraries.greaterdandenong.vic.gov. au/yread or chat with our friendly staff.
Pop-Up 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 July-Friday 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/dandenong-pop-up-donor-centre Cultural Sketch
Join us to hear from, and sketch, a member of
Maria is set to lead another course, this time with an Italian flavour.
The Master Italian Cooking Course aims to equip participants with six authentic Italian recipes made simple, along with the expert knife skills necessary for efficient and safe cooking, and seeks to empower the students to cook with confidence.
Participants can choose sessions on either Tuesdays 6pm-8pm or Thursdays 1pm-3pm, starting in August; $20 per class
Details: nobleparkcommunitycentre.org.au or 9547 5801
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, 6pm-8pm at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Free event. Registration required at eventbrite.com.au/e/cultural-sketch-tickets859195806787?aff=oddtdtcreator
Writing
Group
Awaken your inner writer & spark your imagination in this encouraging and fun workshop. We will share creative writing prompts, stories and ideas. New writers welcome
· Thursday 8 August, 10am–12pm at The Open Door, 110 Ann St, Dandenong; gold coin
donation welcome. Details: 9791 8664 or Theopendoor@ssjg.org.au
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, 10am-11.30am 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, 10am-2pm at Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong; free event.
Mend It
Join our mending workshop to learn tips and tricks to mend your own clothing. Fiona from A Fitting Connection will prove to you it’s not hard and no previous sewing skills are required, just your willingness to learn a new skill. A Fitting Connection will also be accepting textiles for recycling. Items that can be dropped off include clothes, soft toys, underwear, shoes, hats and other accessories. Items must be clean and dry.
For ages 16+
· Saturday 10 August, 2pm-4pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event.
Springvale Urban Harvest
Come along to swap excess homegrown pro-
duce and gardening extras and meet like-minded growers in the area. Supported by The Greater Dandenong Seed Library and the Springvale Community Hub Clothes Swap.
· Second Saturday of the month (next 10 August) 1pm-3pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event. Clothes swap
Community members are invited to contribute up to 10 items of clothing, shoes and/or accessories. All items must be clean, in good condition and ready to display on the day.
· Saturday 10 August, 1pm-3pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event. Details: Zoe, mohlz@icloud.com HOME 24
Too Much Drama is a site-responsive project by Ethiopian-Norwegian, Naarm-based artist Olana Janfa. Combining bold images and political statements with lightness, dry humour and vivid colours and tones, the exhibition brings together old and new works by Olana, displayed across Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre and the public space.
· Runs until Friday 6 September (open Tuesdays-Fridays) at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, 1-9 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, 18-34 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Light supper provided.
The Cooking for Instructors class receive their Food Supervisor certificates at Noble Park Community Centre. (Supplied)
Maria Weninger, fourth left, with her Evening Eats students. (Supplied)
Exercise key to de-stress
By Ethan Benedicto
A recent survey revealed that 67 per cent of Australians use sports and exercise to relieve stress and support their mental health.
For participants of the Berwick Springs Parkrun, this sentiment rings true, with Amanda Cunningham saying that being active and taking on running as an everyday activity changed her life.
Amanda first began running in December of 2015, but was instead greeted with a series of unfortunate events; from her husband Dave’s heart attack and surgery, and the passing of close family members in the years to follow.
For Amanda, running and exercise has given her an “outlet”.
“I don’t think I could have gotten through what I’ve been through since 2015 if it hadn’t been for exercise.
“I’d probably be sitting in a corner somewhere, having been through the crap with [Dave’s] health, losing my sister, losing my parents, and other things going on in the family.
“It’s helped keep me focused and sort of not fall in a wallowing heap, so to speak,” she said.
However, it wasn’t necessarily just being active that helped Amanda, with her also adding that connections made with the running community can be long-lasting, with the friendships playing a key role in her de-stressing.
Vice chancellor of research and executive dean of the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at Federation University’s Berwick Campus, professor Remco Polman said that in short, moving around is key to staying physically and mentally healthy.
According to Professor Polman, being physically active results in positive emotions, “it releases endorphins, which makes you feel better”.
“Exercise and sport are good for you, but
doing it in a club context is even better, so having these social aspects, this connection with other people is above and beyond just doing exercise.
“I think it’s even more important post-Covid because people probably lost quite a lot of connections, and sport, again, is a way to reconnect with people rather than online,” he said.
Both Zavanya (Sav) and Donna are also on the same page, agreeing that communities such as Park Run foster not only the essence of being active but the enjoyment of engaging in these activities through the connections made.
To Sav who has been part of Parkrun for over 10 years, it’s as simple as getting outside
with people”.
“I suffer from anxiety and have found relief in walking or running, [and] when I was running all the time I got so much joy in what I was achieving.
“The other thing is, the people we’re meeting on a Saturday morning to go do a park run or for a walk during the week, you’re talking about lots of different things; you’re not caught up sitting in your house,” Sav said.
Donna, who was reluctant to participate at first said that once she did, she was immediately reeled in by the community spirit.
“I kept turning up by myself every week, my first friend was a man in his 60s.
“You form friendships with people that are
very tight, so there were a lot of things that came out of just that one moment of going,” she said.
Speaking on physiological changes benefitting psychological factors in the human body, increasing fitness leads to improved blood flow to the brain, which also correlates to an enhancement to the brain’s executive functions, according to Professor Polman.
“There are these changes happening, and they help in making better and quicker decisions because of the diffusion of nutrients and oxygen in the brain is decreased due to better blood flow,” he said.
Exercise is also directly related to P300 brainwaves – P3 for short – which measures the brain’s event-related potential and are typically associated with cognitive functions such as decision-making and attention.
The professor added that exercise has been shown to increase the amplitude of P3 waves; reinforced by research from a journal article on the effects of acute moderate exercise by Dr Naresh Jumar et al. with latency in P3 waves being significantly reduced after exercise.
“If you keep exercising, you actually can see that these things maintain over time, the brain as a whole responds in a better way when people exercise compared to when they don’t.
“The key here is that you have to exercise on a regular basis to reap the benefits, so if you really want to improve your fitness levels, you have to do it in a systematic and regular way,” Professor Polman said.
To Dave, Amanda’s husband, being physically active has saved his life once after suffering a heart attack, and the couple aims to maintain their lifestyle, step by step.
For Sav, sometimes all one needs to do is “put your pants on each day”.
“If you put your pants on, you can get out the door, and if you can get out the door you can get walking or running.”
Sav (left) and Donna (right) are long-standing members of the Berwick Springs Parkrun, and have listed benefits of being active not just in their fitness, but also their mental health. (Ethan Benedicto: 421292)
Shock loss for City
By Marcus Uhe
Dandenong City continues to live life on a knife’s edge in its quest to qualify for finals football in the National Premier League Victoria (NPL) but the rollercoaster season took an unwanted dip on Friday night that may prove costly in its historic desires.
A home clash against a struggling Manningham side likely to be relegated at the end of the season shaped as a golden opportunity to extend the margin between itself and its nearest contenders for sixth place, in Port Melbourne and Melbourne Knights, respectively.
Coupled with Port Melbourne facing a ladder-leading South Melbourne, a side out for blood after City’s upset of it the previous week, and the Knights facing a tough assignment with a trip to Oakleigh to face another championship contender in the Cannons, a valuable four-point lead on the vulnerable Sharks was City’s for the taking.
Instead, a calamitous final 20 minutes of Friday night’s clash saw captain Jack Webster sent off, and two vital goals conceded to the visitors, as City slumped to a 4-2 loss.
As a result, Manningham threw yet another curveball at City’s lofty ambitions to make the top six, adding another layer to the drama that is the conclusion to the NPL’s top flight.
Thankfully for City, losses for both Port Melbourne and Melbourne Knights saw them retain sixth place, adding fuel to the fire to what will be a huge contest for City at home on Friday night against Port Melbourne in the second-last round of the home-and-away season.
Concurrently, the Melbourne Knights will welcome City’s rival, Dandenong Thunder, to Sunshine, with massive consequences on each result.
Should both City and Thunder collect all three points, a ticket to the post-season will be stamped, but a pair of losses will rule City out of contention, as the Sharks will move four points clear with one match to play.
Webster was given his marching orders after receiving a second yellow card in the 72nd minute for a handball deep in defence.
He was walking a tightrope for the length of the second half, following a crude challenge late in the first 45 that netted him the first yellow.
An act of frustration following a Manningham defender not giving him enough space to take a free kick in his defensive half saw him slide into an opponent front-on from close range, and the victim needing medical attention as his Manningham teammates prosecuted the case for a harsher penalty.
They would get their wish in the 72nd minute, forcing City to play with 10 men for the remainder of the contest that at the time was locked at 2-2.
The deadlock was broken in the 85th minute, courtesy of a Ben Everson spot kick.
Stefan Brecevic was deemed to have used his arm to block an attempt on goal, and John Hall could not prevent the penalty from the Manningham striker, as the visitors edged ahead.
Nick Tolios made a triple-substitution including the introduction of last week’s hero Brad Plant in an attempt to find an equaliser, but there were no gaps to be found in the Manningham defence as time ticked away.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Everson put the result beyond doubt after a well worked chain of passes from defence presented him with a one-on-one chance with Hall that he duly converted.
It was the finishing touch on an enthralling battle that kept spectators glued to the edge of their seats throughout the two hours at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex.
Manningham opened the scoring in the fifth minute after picking its way through the City’s defence with short passes that pulled Webster, Brecevic and co out of position.
The visitors doubled the lead 10 minutes later, courtesy of a towering header from Alexander Castiello.
Castiello rose higher than his opponents after a teammate delivered a cross from a dead ball to the heart of the penalty area, and stunned the home City fans into silence in the process.
City was on the back foot for much of the first 20 minutes under constant Manningham pressure, until Damian Iaconis pegged one back in the 25th minute.
A long clearance from Hall landed perfectly
at the feet of Will Bower, who beat his opponent with a sharp turn on the left wing and dribbled into a dangerous position bearing down on the penalty area.
As defenders converged from the centre of the penalty box, Iaconis was left to his own devices, and when Bower found him with a squaring ball, Iaconis nailed the finish with a first-time shot on his right foot.
The goal kicked City into gear, and through the tenacious darting runs of Bower on the left, the home side became the aggressor, but failed to equalise before the half.
14 minutes into the second, Iaconis was the man for the moment once again, with a dragged back heel on a George Lambadaridis cross flummoxing the Manningham goalkeeper and levelling proceedings.
Webster’s departure gave the game another twist, as Manningham upped its intensity and aggression in hopes of snatching a winner with the numbers advantage.
They didn’t just find one goal, but two, as City’s ladder position became even more precarious by the end of proceedings on Friday night.
City’s clash with Port Melbourne kicks off at 7.45 on Friday night, while Thunder will begin proceedings 15 minutes earlier against Melbourne, meaning the result of Melbourne’s clash will be known to both sides before the end of the 90 minutes.
The corresponding game earlier in the season between City and Port Melbourne was a 3-1 Sharks win, however both Port Melbourne players who scored that night departed the club in the mid-season transfer window.
Rangers run out of gas in NBL1 finals
By Marcus Uhe
The seasons of both Dandenong’s National Basketball League 1 (NBL1) South sides have come to a screeching halt, following semi final losses for both the men’s and women’s programs on Saturday night.
Dandenong’s women were upset at home 96-86 byWaverley, seeing them exit the competition in straight sets at the hands of a pair of champion Southside Flyers in the Women’s National Basketball League.
Last week it was Maddison Rocci that the Rangers failed to overcome, and this week it was Rebecca Cole and Carley Ernst, who combined for 60 points for the Falcons and showed all their championship-winning experience in the big contest.
Ernst was particularly important, capitalising on an injury to Dandenong centre Ashten Prechtel.
Prechtel was seen clutching at her right wrist early in the second quarter while attempting to contain Ernst in the post, and immediately called for a substitution.
She played less than 10 minutes in the contest and Ernst immediately took control
once her opponent exited the game, leaving the Rangers without one of their stars in the sudden death contest.
The Rangers were leading 19-18 when Prechtel substituted out early in the second quarter and were outscored 46-58 across the second and third quarter as the Falcons showed why they were a dangerous seed in the lower half of the competition’s top six.
Nyadiew Puoch returned to action but only played 20 minutes, grabbing 12 points and four rebounds.
Cronin cross
By Marcus Uhe
Former Buckley Ridges veteran Michael Cronin will coach Beaconsfield for the next three seasons in the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) Turf 1 competition.
Cronin played 35 seasons of cricket at Buckley Ridges and coached for two, while his son Jake opened the batting for the club in last season’s Turf 1 premiership victory.
He replaces Mark Cooper who held the role for the previous two seasons in a captain-coach capacity.
It’s a return to the coaching chair for the first time in five seasons for Cronin, who had previously stepped away from the duties due to fatigue and burnout.
He had agreed to terms to become the curator at the Tigers’ home ground of Perc Allison Reserve, and subsequent conversations between he and the club’s committee led to him to applying for the coaching role.
Cronin will work closely with new Tigers captain Susantha Pradeep, who he previously developed a relationship with when they crossed paths at Buckley Ridges.
Pradeep finished third in the Wookey Medal vote count in 2023/24 after a brilliant season for St Mary’s, who finished last and have been relegated to Turf 2 as a result.
Beaconsfield broke a DDCA trend of avoiding relegation back to Turf 2 in 2024/25, having been promoted on the back of a Turf 2 premiership in 2022/23.
Paris call up
By Marcus Uhe
Keysborough product Nathan Ephraums earned a last-minute call up to the Australian men’s hockey team last week for the Paris Olympic Games.
Ephraums replaced Jake Whetton in the squad for Australia’s first match of the tournament against Argentina on Saturday night, in which the Kookaburras scored a 1-0 victory.
The striker was one of the stars of the Kookaburra’s gold medal winning efforts at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Having missed selection for theTokyo Olympics 12-months prior, Ephraums scored six goals at the Commonwealth Games where he was the youngest member of the squad, including two in the gold medal contest against India.
He was a member of the Kookaburra’s squad that secured qualification for the Games in 2023 It’s a maiden Olympic Games experience for the 25-year-old, who will add firepower to an already stacked Kookaburras squad that is once again expected to contend for a medal, having won silver in Tokyo.
Dallas Loughridge played all 40 minutes and filled the stat sheet with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Amber Smith was a lethal 5/7 from the three-point line in her 29-point, 12-rebound night.
It was not the way the Rangers would have liked their season to end, but it will be a campaign they can reflect on with pride, having finished third in the regular season after missing finals action in 2023.
Dandenong’s men, meanwhile, were blown away in the third quarter against Ballarat and failed to recover in the fourth, going down 91-78 on the road.
The Rangers took a one-point lead into the second half but was outscored 23-12 in the third quarter, thanks in part to an 8-0 run from the Miners where the Rangers could not find the bottom of the net.
Having not played finals in 2023 and finishing as one of the lowest ranked sides in the competition, Dandenong reaching the post-season was a huge achievement under head coach Samantha Woosnam.
Jack Roberts and Ted Dufelmeier equal top-scored on the night with 20 points.
His availability for the remainder of the Games will hinge on the fitness of Whetton, who sustained a low-grade hamstring injury in the Kookaburra’s second warm-up clash for against Great Britain on Wednesday last week, the Australian Olympic Committee said.
As of Monday morning, 29 July, he was not been named in the squad to face Ireland on Monday night, the second contest of the campaign for the Australian team.
The Kookaburra’s next fixture is scheduled for 3.45am Australia Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday morning when they tackle Belgium.
Keysborough’s Nathan Ephraums is in Paris as an injury replacement player. (File)
Amber Smith scored 29 points in the Rangers’ season-ending loss on Saturday night. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 420269)
Jack Webster’s sending off changed the course of Dandenong City’s clash with Manningham on Friday night. (Supplied)
Doves overpower Falcons
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Doveton and Hampton Park both had statement wins in the Southern Football Netball League Division 2 competition on Saturday.
Doveton flexed its muscle in a dominant 19.16 130 to 2.8 20 victory over an Endeavour Hills outfit that has beaten two top five sides in the last five weeks and pushed another to within a kick.
The conditions suited the Falcons’ rugged and gritty style but they were unable to ever get themselves in the contest, outscored six goals to two in the first term and held goalless thereafter.
Youngsters Deekon Stapleton and Brodie Howie played important confidence-boosting games as finals near, while the conditions were custom-made for Ricky Johnson’s courage.
Matt Clarke continued his strong goal kicking form with six majors, taking him to 29 for the season, including 24 in the last five weeks.
Nathan Langley also continued his strong form, with seven goals in Hampton Park’s surprise victory over Caulfield at a home ground the Bears typically play so well.
Langley kicked six goals as an aerial target forward of the footy, his contested marking critical on a small ground where players were unable to find space inside 50.
Jackson Dalton and Yor Nyanjok both kicked two in the 14.7 91 to 8.16 64 victory.
The Redbacks were never seriously challenged, kicking away to a 22-point lead at quarter time and while Caulfield responded in the second term, they were outscored seven goals to three after the main break.
Key defender Jye King and smooth mover Tanner Stanton both played critical roles.
In Division 3, Narre South Saints missed
a golden opportunity for its first win of the season, going down 8.14 62 to 10.9 69 against Lyndhurst.
The Saints finished quickly, scoring three last quarter goals and giving themselves plen-
ty of opportunities but unable to fully convert, with Ashwood holding on.
Ethan Schubert and Jordan Hancock were the Saints’ best, while Stephen Richards-Gill kicked three.
Dandenong Stingrays dominant at a frigid Frankston
By Jonty Ralphsmith
It was a Dandenong demolition.
In torrid conditions at Kinetic Stadium, Frankston, on Saturday, Dandenong kept the fancied Eastern Ranges to just two goals for the entire day, winning 15.11 101 to 2.8 20.
An 11-goal to one first half set the game up.
The conditions set in after halftime, with Dandenong’s pressure and intensity unbelievable in the third term.
After a first half where the Stingrays showed their offensive weapons, the Rays dug deep, with backmen Charlie Orchard and Riak Andrew leading an irrepressible defensive effort, while Elwood Peckett, Harry Doughton and Toby Sinnema clogged the Eastern forward 50.
Highlighting the exceptional defence, Eastern had 38 inside 50s - just nine fewer than Dandenong - despite their scoring difficulty.
The ball was almost exclusively in the Ranges’ forward half in the third term, but they weren’t given any room to convert, while Dandenong converted its only two opportunities, both in the first five minutes.
The Rays kept the intensity high with a three-goal-to-one last term, their conversion on a wet day another impressive component of the victory.
Sam Toner kicked five goals in a dominant forward display on a day his highly-regarded brother, Mitch, made his Talent League debut.
Ruck Jordan Doherty and midfield quartet Cooper Hynes, Harvey Langford, Peckett and Doughton helped a bloodthirsty midfield battle, where they were +22 in possessions and laid 86 tackles.
Most pleasing for Dandenong was the even spread of performances across the team.
Below is a breakdown of each player’s contribution to the big win.
CooperHynes: Played with his usual strength and power in the midfield, with a late goal capping off his day.
Harvey Langford: Day finished early with a
split lip but was clean and classy in the wet.
Harry Doughton: Arguably the pressure player’s best game of the season, his hunger and polish in the contest underlined a hard working 26-disposal day.
Riak Andrew: Had some important one-onone wins against the stronger-bodied full forward Remy Maclean, who was kept goalless.
Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves: Looked to take the game on playing on the wing and was part of plenty of transition play.
Henry Hayes: His desperation in the second half inside 50 was symbolic of the hunger of the Stingrays.
Kane Hurst: Showed his ability to play on small and tall opponents, rarely beaten oneon-one.
Tahj De La Rue: Was willing to put his head over the footy in defence and provided some
clean rebound.
Jordan Doherty: Has become a regular performer and was an aerial presence despite the weather and took it on with his disposal.
Justin Barnes: A last quarter goal from 50 was the highlight of Barnes’ complete hardrunning performance.
Charlie Orchard: Was clean and composed, giving repeat efforts all day. Led the defensive effort and used it well.
Archie Le Clerc: Was influential as Dandenong established a lead in the first half. A lead up forward with sticky mits taking a team-high six marks, he also converted a second quarter shot from 30 on the boundary.
Sam Toner: Kicked two first quarter goals and finished with five. Has translated his strong form at Narre Warren into the Coates League, proving tough to beat aerially.
Sonny Campbell-Farrell: Was crucial in the clinches, with his pressure coming to the fore in the wet, laying eight tackles.
Elwood Peckett: Probably Dandenong’s best, Peckett played in the midfield with 13 bruising tackles influential in the conditions. Also showed his power through traffic and kicked two goals.
Toby Sinnema: Returned to the wing role he’s played for most of the season, and his defensive running in the third quarter a key piece in stymying Eastern’s brief momentum.
Zak Smith: Had some important moments in defence and wasn’t overawed on debut.
Nate Merchant: Played as a hit-up forward and took some nice grabs.
Coren Giliam: Was the deepest forward at times and kicked the first goal of the game after taking a strong mark.
Mitch Toner: The Vic Country under-16s representative played forward and brought intensity and aggression. Didn’t kick one, but set three up: one with a brutal tackle, two with efficient disposals. One of those assists was to brother, Sam.
Riley Hillard: Took some intercept marks and laid a goal-saving tackle.
Fraser Marino: Not a day for talls, but he still was imposing with his aggressive follow-up.
Quinn Harvey: The athletic player worked well off the halfback line.
Dandenong’s girls, meanwhile, got the worst of the conditions in a double header for the second consecutive week and went down 3.9 27 to 1.0 6 in an ugly scrap.
Key-position-player Zoe Besanko was played in defence on gun draft prospect Georgie Brisbane, kept to just one goal in an enticing duel.
Tahlia Sanger continued her strong form, getting to lots of contests in a rugged display, while gun netballer Alice Cunnington moved smoothly despite the conditions.
Lilian Snow also played a complete game and kicked the Rays’ only goal and Elli Symonds was again promising in her second match back from injury.
Justin Barnes picked up 19 disposals for Dandenong. (Gary Sissons: 417599)
In Division 4, premiership contenders Hallam had a tight 8.7 55 to 4.1 31 victory over the winless South Yarra, while a four goal last quarter got Doveton Eagles over the line 9.8 62 to 7.8 50 against Dandenong West.
Ricky Johnson was influential for Doveton against Endeavour Hills. (Rob Carew: 421605).
