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Wilson Fernandez has meticulously built a giant spectacular Christmas nativity scene in Dandenong North over the past 21 years. The popular display, with its hand-made village scapes and figurines, is back at St Elizabeth’s Parish in Dandenong North.
For more photos and details, turn to page 8
This week - 15 December - marks the 30th anniversary of City of Greater Dandenong. And it’s fair to say there were a few teething pains in the forced amalgamation of the former cities of Dandenong and Springvale back in late 1994.
Roz Blades and John Kelly were two coun-
cillors from the former councils and recall the great fights over the new entity’s name and boundaries.
For Springvale residents, their City of 94,000 people suddenly became just a suburb, Blades recalls.
Whilst Kelly remembers Dandenong’s suc-
cessful pitch to stop the council being named Heatherton.
At the time, Springvale didn’t even want to merge with Dandenong. It wanted to bond with suburbs by the bay.
Andthreedecadeson,wasthepainofamalgamation worth it?
Turn to page 12 for more of the story
Meanwhile Dandenong had a wish to subsume most of Springvale and nearly half of the City of Berwick. Suffice to say, neither got exactly what they wanted.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
In the latest blow to Dandenong’s arts precinct, the intended home of a future community arts space will instead be demolished. Greater Dandenong Council chief executive Jacqui Weatherill didn’t rule out seeking compensation after recent engineering reports found the Precinct Energy Plant (PEP) building had “structural deficiencies”.
The building may not withstand a significant earthquake and was not suitable for public use, she said.
Demolition is expected to start within three months. The future use of the site is not yet decided, Weatherill said.
“We’re procuring the demolition now. It’s not appropriate to discuss the cost during procurement.”
The site at Settlers Square was intended to house a Creative Industry Space (CIS) with artist studios, rehearsal and performance spaces and meeting areas.
Next door, the future Dandenong New Art (DNA) regional gallery – a project that has been mired in delays and cost blowouts – is now again on hold until the PEP is demolished.
According to the council, the demolition won’t cause “adverse impacts” to the closely abutting, historic DNA building.
The CIS and DNA were intended to replace the council’s Walker Street Gallery.
That replacement plan hasn’t been impacted, with the council still committed to the CIS’s “codesign and community engagement objectives” as well as the DNA “priority project”, Weatherill said.
In 2020, the council acquired the 13-year-old PEP building in a land swap with Development Victoria. Its structural flaws dated back to its construction, Weatherill said.
“Due diligence at that time (of the land swap) reported the building would be suitable to be repurposed for public use.
“However,recentengineeringreportsrevealed that the building is not suitable for public use and it may not withstand a significant earthquake.
“While the likelihood of a significant earthquake is extremely low, in the interest of the surrounds and public safety, we have taken the decision to demolish the building.”
Weatherill said there was no other cost-effec-
tive way to remediate the building to make it suitable for public use.
“We assure the community that the building is sturdy and has remained in good condition for the 13 years since it was built.”
The PEP formerly provided energy to surrounding buildings with electricity and heating thermal energy. It was decommissioned prior to its handover to the council in 2020.
Under the land swap, the council paid $125,000 to Development Victoria for the PEP, a
former Masonic Lodge which is now the DNA site as well as public open space at Harmony Square.
Development Victoria gained the council’s 34-space car park at 2 Mason Street – now part of the Capital Alliance redevelopment.
Weatherill didn’t rule out seeking compensation over the defective PEP.
“While Council may consider actions against other parties in due course, that is not our priority right now.
“Our current focus is on a timely, safe demoli-
There will be a fireworks display for approximately 7 minutes at 9.25pm on Tuesday 31 December 2024.
This is for the New Years Eve event being held at Wilson Oval, 95 Pultney Street, Dandenong.
If you have any animals that may be affected by this noise, it is advised that you secure them during this time.
If you have any enquires, please phone 8571 1000 or visit www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/new-years-eve
tion with the least amount of disruption possible for the surrounding businesses and people who work, study and visit the area.”
The DNA contemporary art gallery at 5 Mason Street was originally due to open as a “state-of-the art” attraction in mid-2021.
Last year, after a protracted dispute with builders, it is now expected to be completed by late-2026 and cost an extra $6.24 million. It means the DNA project will effectively double in price to an estimated $12-13 million.
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Dandenong Thunder has expressed “deep concern” after three Dandenong men were arrested as part of an “ongoing” police investigation into the prominent soccer club.
The Age has reported that police raided Dandenong Thunder’s clubrooms at George Andrews Reserve, as well as several nearby homes on Wednesday morning (11 December) to investigate suspected match fixing.
Meanwhile, Greater Dandenong Councilwhich owns the clubrooms - has declined to com-
ment. As has mayor Jim Memeti, who is known as a staunch supporter of the club.
Victoria Police confirmed that Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit detectives executed warrants at Dandenong addresses in relation to “an ongoing investigation into a sporting club”.
No match-fixing charges appear to be have been laid.
On 12 December, Dandenong Thunder stated: “Dandenong Thunder is deeply concerned by allegations connected to our club.
“We take this situation seriously and will continue to fully cooperate with Victoria Police’s investigation.
“The club will not make any further statement whilst an investigation is ongoing and appreciate your understanding regarding this matter.”
Three men were arrested and interviewed, police say.
A 29-year-old Dandenong man was charged with cultivating a narcotic plant, possessing a drug of dependence and failing to comply with an
Two men including an 83-year-old have been arrested and $1 million worth of stolen vehicles and assets seized during police raids on an alleged international car rebirthing syndicate in Greater Dandenong.
Police led by the Vehicle Crime Squad raided a commercial premises in Springvale and a semi-rural property in Bangholme on Wednesday 11 December.
They seized allegedly stolen vehicles, drugs and cash from the Springvale property including:
• A 2023 Nissan Navara;
• A 2023 Hino tow truck;
• A 2014 VFSS Senator;
• A 2018 Toyota Hilux;
• A 2016 VW Golf GTI;
• A 2016 Audi RS3;
• A de-identified 2016 Subaru WRX;
• A forklift;
• A Yamaha R1 motorcycle;
• An electric scooter;
• A range of stolen and cloned number plates;
• A VIN compliance plate OV laser machine (makes metal VIN compliance plates);
• Methylamphetamine; and
• About $10,000 cash.
At the Bangholme address, police seized three long arm firearms and an allegedly stolen VW Golf engine.
The vehicles will all be forensically assessed with police hoping to return them to their rightful owners as soon as possible.
A 34-year-old Springvale man and an 83-year-old Bangholme man were both arrested and interviewed by police.
The Springvale man was charged with 17 offences of handling stolen goods and deception and bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 21 March.
The Bangholme man will be charged on summons with firearms offences, police say.
Vehicle Crime Squad, Illicit Firearms Squad, VIPER Taskforce, Vehicle Examination Unit and Dog Squad officers were involved in the raids.
Detective Senior Sergeant Jarrod Turner of Vehicle Crime Squad said the result was “extremely satisfying” after a year-long investigation.
The probe started with the assistance of
Australian Border Force after a container bound for the UAE was found holding four stolen vehicles, police say.
A month later, three stolen vehicles were located at the business responsible for shipping the container.
Those seven vehicles were all seized by police.
order to provide data from a storage device.
A 33-year-old Dandenong man was charged with drug possession.
The pair were bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
A 44-year-old Dandenong man was arrested and released pending further inquiries, police say.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Stolen and rebirthed vehicles were often used to commit other serious crimes, Det Sen Sgt Turner said.
“There can be a misconception that offenders are able to move around more easily and without detection. This is not true.
“Having your vehicle stolen can have an enormous impact on people’s lives – as well
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A former primary school teacher in the South East is facing an impending sentence for grooming and sexually assaulting up to nine children.
Nicholas O’Shea, 31, of Pakenham, preyed on the teenage boys he’d met as a teacher as well as a player and coach at baseball clubs for more than a decade. Befriending his victims on social-media app Snapchat, O’Shea would send nude photos and request the same from the boys.
O’Shea also sent graphic videos of himself, as well as plied the boys with alcohol, groped, spooned and propositioned them. He pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to 13 charges including indecent acts with children, transmitting indecent communication to a child, grooming, sexual assault and sexual activity in the presence of a child.
In a plea hearing on 13 December, a “grossedout” teen victim stated he was “scared” by the predatory behaviour.
O’Shea’s messages were funny until they contained explicit photos that “I couldn’t get out of my head”, he stated.
Judge Stewart Boyles noted five victim impact statements from teens and parents in total. They “eloquently and comprehensively” showed the “clearly significant” impacts on the school and baseball clubs.
Prosecutor Zoran Petric argued for a jail sentence for the “predatory”, “persistent” and “protracted” offending
Defence lawyer Peter Chadwick argued against jail, citing no prior convictions as well as no sexual penetration of the victims.
As a result of his offending, an “ashamed” and “embarrassed” O’Shea had lost his profession and must be a registered sex offender, Chadwick argued. The teacher at the time was a “young offender”, aged 19-25 for the bulk of his offending. He’d only offended against his former students after they’d graduated from his primary school, Chadwick said.
O’Shea’s offending was linked to being conflicted over his sexual orientation, Chadwick argued. Out of shame, he hadn’t “come out” until his 30th birthday.
His hebephilic interests may have been due to being unable to connect with people his own age, Chadwick said.
His lewd messages usually occurred while binge drinking. According to a psychologist, O’Shea’s “moderate” risk of reoffending would be reduced with giving up alcohol, coming to terms with his sexuality and connecting with others of the same age. These factors were being addressed by O’Shea’s abstinence and attending counselling since his arrest in late 2023, Chadwick said.
In an earlier sentence indication, Judge Boyles indicated O’Shea may not be jailed. Instead, he could serve a recognizance release order – similar to a suspended jail term - as well as a community corrections order.
O’Shea will be sentenced next year after a CCO assessment report.
as having a significant financial impact, it also limits people’s freedom of movement and having a car might be crucial when it comes to their employment or family responsibilities.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
The Dandenong Star Journal publications are taking a two-week break over the Christmas and New Year period.
We will not be publishing on 25 December or 1 January.
We will back on 7 January for our special Year in Review edition.
Star News would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our loyal readers and advertisers for their support throughout 2024.
Greater Dandenong Council is taking legal action against an alleged long-term hoarder in Dandenong North for the first time after reportedly years of complaints from residents.
“What is happening?” a long-suffering neighbour at Prospect Hill Crescent demanded at a council-meeting public question time on 10 December.
He said the “known hoarder” had seven unregistered cars in the street and five unregistered trailers stacked about “seven foot high” with rubbish on the nature strip, but little action had been taken in the past 10 years.
“Every time we make inquiries with the council, all we’re told is ‘we’re handling it’.
“As far as I’m concerned, you’re not handling it quick enough. Seriously it’s become a joke.
“The gentleman is now filming people walking up and down the street. He’s becoming a menace to the neighbourhood.”
At the meeting, Greater Dandenong city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam said the council was “working through a process” to “try to clear that property and those vehicles”.
This included seeking a court order to take action, as well as “working closely” with Victoria Police.
Advertorial
Chief executive Jacqui Weatherill said it was
the first time the council had taken court action on the matter.
“Certainly that is a big step forward. That type of action is court-endorsed and court-ordered, and we will take action accordingly.”
In October, Star Journal reported on neighbours complaining about authorities’ lack of action on the street’s sprawling “junkyard”. They described up to five trailers on the nature strip packed to the top, a long line of trucks, a ute with a trailer full of “rubbish” parked out in front of three properties and piles of junk laid out on the nature strip.
The house can be barely seen, behind items piled to the roof as well as unmaintained tall trees, a tall grey wooden fence blocking any glimpse of the house, a heavily chain-locked gate and “Warning 24 Hour Video Surveillance NO Trespassing” signs.
Simply spend $150 in one day at eligible stores and lodge your receipts at the customer service desk to receive a Christmas scratchie.
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Keep your little elves entertained this Christmas with a different craft activity, near Big W every Thursday and Friday in December.
Thursday 12th Gingerbread House Card
Friday 13th Christmas Elf Dangley Legs
Thursday 19th 3D Wooden Christmas Word Tree
Friday 20th Wooden Santa Please Stop Sign
Plus, join us near Big W for more free fun!
Face Painting: Monday 16 December, 4pm-6pm
Balloon Twister: Tuesday 17 December, 4pm-6pm
Glitter Tattoos: Wednesday 18 December, 4pm-6pm
Face Painting: Monday 23 & Tuesday 24 December, 10am-2pm
Thu & Fri 2pm-6pm near Big W
Visit waverleygardens.com.au or scan the QR code for more info.
Let us entertain you.
Night trading will be launched in Springvale, as a part of a local business group initiative.
Springvale Asian Business Association (SABA) seeks to activate the shopping precinct at night with live performances at Multicultural Place in December as well as new LED lighting and lanterns.
It is hoped to attract more customers to the district’s popular restaurants and eateries.
Launched with a spectacular street march and dancers on 11 December, the initiative is funded from a $17 million State Government fund for multicultural traders and precincts and also backed by Greater Dandenong Council.
Small Business Minister Natalie Suleyman said multicultural businesses were the “heart and soul” of Victoria’s economy.
“We are backing local groups like the Springvale Asian Business Association so they can find new ways for their traders to grow, innovate and prosper.
“Local businesses know their community like the back of their hand, so– we’re backing them to create initiatives that will appeal to the people and families they serve.”
Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti said the initiative strongly aligned with the council’s Springvale Revitalisation Action Plan.
“The plan will identify actions for private and public sector investment and partnerships to support the Springvale community to grow.
“We will continue to deliver placemaking projects throughout the Springvale Activity Centre, including a combination of infrastructure upgrades and dynamic programming of vibrant events.”
Springvale Central Ward councillor Sean O’Reilly said night trading was the “best opportunity to grow trade” due to the Springvale Market area near capacity at peak times.
A motorcyclist has suffered serious injuries after being allegedly struck by a hit-run driver in Skye.
The 40-year-old male rider was travelling north on Dandenong-Hastings Road when struck by a white Ford Ranger Wildtrack in the north-bound emergency lane.
Police say the Ford driver didn’t stop but continued driving north.
The rider was taken to hospital with serious leg injuries.
The Ford was seen being driving erratically before the crash, police say.
Any dashcam, CCTV footage or other information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
CCTV footage of a white Ford Ranger Wildtrack allegedly involved in a hit-run crash on Dandenong-Hastings Road, Skye on December 10. (Victoria Police)
A man has died after two cars and a truck collided in Lyndhurst on Wednesday 11 December.
Emergency services were called to the crash on Western Port Highway about 4.40pm.
The driver of one of the cars died at the scene.
“There were no other reports of significant injuries, and the truck driver is speaking with investigators,” Victoria Police stated.
Police are still investigating the crash.
Any CCTV, dashcam footage or other information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A council probe has been launched into cleaning up the “deadly smell” and dirtiness prevalent in parts of Springvale CBD, particularly Springvale Market.
Greater Dandenong councillor Sean O’Reilly initiated the unanimously-backed motion at a 9 December meeting.
He says it reflects community concerns and seeks to protect Springvale CBD’s reputation as a “vibrant hub for trade and culture”.
“By tackling these cleanliness and odour challenges, we can improve both public health and economic outcomes for local businesses.”
Cr O’Reilly said the council was already trying solutions but “it’s still not good enough”.
“Springvale Market, as one of Greater Dandenong’s busiest precincts, serves as a cultural and economic cornerstone for the region.
“Addressing these longstanding issues will help preserve its appeal and functionality for years to come.”
The evidence-based council report will iden-
tify the main contributors to stench and waste issues, look at enforcement measures, assess drainage and waste systems and establish public updates on cleanliness levels.
It would also review whether council’s cleaning activities are being equitably shared between Springvale and Dandenong markets.
A cost-benefit analysis of solutions and potential funding sources would also be part of the report.
“I should emphasise that it’s not just about the council spending more money cleaning,” O’Reilly said. “
I don’t necessarily think that’s the only or best solution”.
But residents and businesses were the “heart of this solution”.
“Through their engagement and feedback, we can develop a plan that truly works for everyone.”
A proposal for mobile and fixed CCTV was removed from the motion, with councillors raising concerns about people being “monitored”.
“It shouldn’t be the headline of this motion,” O’Reilly said.
Meticulously built by hand, the Australian Nativity Scene returns for its 21st Christmas in Dandenong North.
Its creator Wilson Fernandez has single-handedly toiled for up to 250 hours a year on the Biblical figurines and landscapes, which change every week over the festive season.
Hestrivesforperfectdetailinthedisplay,which is regarded as the largest of its type in Australia.
Fernandez started the tradition to vividly depict the birth of Jesus Christ and encapsulate the spirit of Christmas.
“My philosophy is that the blessings and talents one possesses should be shared generously
to bring joy and smiles to others.”
Each year, the display has grown. Opening in early December, the display changes each week to tell the story of Christmas.
The most popular is the Three Wise Men’s visit of the newborn Jesus, which coincides with the lead-up to Christmas Day.
A Dandenong South manufacturer has been fined $50,000 after a worker’s hand was seriously injured in a pipe-bending machine.
Cryoquip Pty Ltd, which makes cryogenic gas storage and equipment, pleaded guilty to work safety offences at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 10 December.
In June 2022, the injured worker was using the machine to bend lengths of pipe to 90 degrees.
She held a pipe in place in the vice in her right hand as she pressed a button to activate the machine with her other hand.
The first vice clamped before she could remove her hand, trapping two fingers between the second vice and the pipe.
The worker didn’t press the emergency stop button, believing that it would not release the vice.
She allowed the bending process to complete its cycle and the clamp to open and release her hand.
Six months into the job, the worker previously worked in office administration and had no previous experience op-
erating plant and machinery.
She was taken to hospital by ambulance.
Three months prior, another worker’s fingers were caught in the bending machine.
WorkSafe argued that Cryoquip failed to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of serious injury.
These included failing to conduct a risk assessment of the pipe bending machine and implement controls, to provide adequate training and to provide a fixed guard between the machine and arm.
The court noted that Cryoquip had no priors and was a good corporate citizen that employed young apprentices.
On top of the fine, the firm was ordered to pay $4000 legal costs to WorkSafe.
The Australian Nativity Scene is open until Friday 10 January, 10.30am-8pm (strictly by appointments only, closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day) at St. Elizabeth Parish Church, 107 Bakers Road, Dandenong North. Free event.
Details: Wilson, 0428 927 110 or the Parish Office, 9795 6217.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A Dandenong South recycler is fighting charges of illegally dumping in two farming areas on opposite sides of Melbourne in 2022.
LA Recycling and its director Fatmir Azemi were pleading not guilty to eight charges at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 12 December.
Both are accused of dumping “industrial waste” at properties in Antimony Mine Road, Coimadai and Daleys Road, Koo-wee-rup – which were allegedly unauthorised to receive the waste.
Category-B “mulch-like” industrial waste was allegedly left at Coimadai in May 2022, according to Environment Protection Authority charge sheets.
LA Recycling and Azemi were also charged with failing to comply with an EPA notice to lawfully remove the material.
By February 2023, the waste remained at the site, according to EPA charge sheets.
The EPA also alleges two counts of illegally dumping category-C industrial waste in Koowee-rup between April-May 2022 and failed to comply with a clean-up order.
The co-accuseds were also charged with several counts of failing to lodge reports to the EPA.
A lawyer told the court on 12 December that a five-day trial was expected, including a voir dire.
LA Recyling and Azemi will appear at a special mention hearing at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 20 March.
Never did I think I would be fortunate to receive a $108,000 Scholarship from the University of Melbourne.
For as long as I can remember, education has been both a privilege and a challenge. As a firstgeneration immigrant from a low socioeconomic background, I grew up knowing that every opportunity had to be earned through grit and determination. These challenges weren’t roadblocks but stepping stones, shaping my resilience and driving me to push beyond limits.
One of the most impactful moments in my journey was receiving the Skyline Foundation Scholarship. This incredible support not only lifted the financial burden of Years 11 and 12 but also gave me something even more powerful - belief in myself. Seeing the achievements of Skyline alumni ignited a spark in me to dream bigger and contribute more. With this newfound confidence, I ran for SRC President and used that platform to initiate my school’s involvement in the Push-Up Challenge. Together, we smashed out over 60,000 push-ups and raised $3,958 for the mental health organisation Headspace, proving that collective effort can create extraordinary change.
My dream career is to become a mechatronics engineer, as I’ve always been captivated by robotics ever since I was young. However, pursuing mechatronics engineering as a young woman in a male-dominated field has always felt daunting. I didn’t have the connections or insights to navigate that world - until I attended the National Youth Science Forum. Spending a week at the Australian National University surrounded by passionate STEM enthusiasts, especially young women like me, was incredibly inspiring. I left Canberra with a clearer vision of my future and the confidence to claim my place in engineering.
Of course, my VCE journey wasn’t without its share of hurdles. Chronic migraines often left me
SchoolCaptainsandSchoolCouncilrepresentativesforDandenongHighSchool.
with severe headaches and nausea, where I was unable to focus or even attend school on some days. It was frustrating to fall behind, but I’m very grateful that I was able to push through and receive a 92.95 ATAR.
The pinnacle moment of ATAR release day was receiving a phone call that I had been awarded the prestigious $108,000 Hansen Scholarship
from the University of Melbourne - a dream I’ve held onto for as long as I can remember. Beyond the excitement, this scholarship represents an incredible opportunity to grow personally and academically. It offers the chance to live in an oncampus apartment at Little Hall and take part in personal development opportunities with other Han-
KeelyXiawhoachievedagreatATARscoreand haswonascholarshipfornextyear.
sen Scholars.
As I step into the next chapter, ready to tackle the world of engineering, I’m excited to keep building — building technology, building connections, and building a future where no dream feels out of reach.
- Keely Xia
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Thirty years ago, despite plenty of opposition, City of Greater Dandenong was “tumultuously” forced into being.
The former Dandenong and Springvale municipalities merged on 15 December 1994, as part of sweeping council amalgamations under the Kennett State Government.
One of the controversies was the new city’s name, initially said to be City of Heatherton.
A group of Dandenong councillors including Frank Holohan and mayor David Kelly resisted the State Government’s preference, and successfully lobbied for Greater Dandenong as the moniker.
“They twisted their arm, saying that Dandenong is where everything including Springvale and Berwick sprang from,” former Dandenong and Greater Dandenong councillor John Kelly says.
“(The Premier Jeff) Kennett was quick to change it to Greater Dandenong – it was a win for Dave and Frank.”
The outcome didn’t please the larger Springvale Council. With 94,000 residents, it was symbolically made the ‘second fiddle’ to the 60,000-strong Dandenong Council.
“Our city became a suburb overnight,” says the then Springvale councillor Roz Blades.
“It was tumultuous. The name changed and we had no input into that.
“There was a lot of angst, a lot of people upset over it. If we had to be together as an amalgamation, we thought a neutral name would be fair.”
Contrary to rumours, Springvale didn’t push for Heatherton, Blades said. They didn’t support the city being named after an existing township and a road.
They hadn’t settled on a name but preferred ‘City of Sandown’, she says.
Perhaps even more profoundly, Springvale didn’t want to join Dandenong in the first place.
Springvale had lobbied to merge west, retaining Dingley Village and adding Braeside Park and the bayside suburbs Mordialloc and Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Dandenong councillors submitted for a 180,000-resident ‘super city’ that would absorb the bulk of City of Springvale and 40 per cent of City of Berwick.
At the time, Springvale mayor Phil Reed slammed the proposal as “greedy” – as well as severing Dingley Village from the existing Springvale council area.
Meanwhile, the then-CEO of Berwick Neil Lucas said Dandenong had “no plan” for the remaining 60 per cent of Berwick residents.
It would commit the “residents of the growth corridor to a lower standard of living in the future”, he told Dandenong Journal at the time.
As history shows, Chelsea wasn’t keen in
joining Springvale, Blades says. And so with “no discussion”, the State Government opted for a Springvale and Dandenong alliance, without Dingley Village.
“We were aghast,” Blades said.
“We didn’t know how we would make it work. But naturally, we would strive to make the very best of it.”
For its first three years, the new Greater Dandenong didn’t have councillors. It was overseen by three commissioners Ian Cathie, John Nixon and Margaret Nicholls.
Blades and Kelly were among the re-elected councillors who formed the first council. They recall the commissioners doing a great job.
Kelly recalls there were also frictions between the “Labor-leaning” Springvale councillors and the more business-oriented Dandenong councillors at the first meetings.
“It was as tough for them as it was for us. The two councils were a bit divided when we came together on where money should be spent and how it was spent.
“Some of the ideas from Springvale were different from Dandenong.
“It took at least a term to get used to it.”
Just prior to merging, Dandenong brought
forward spending on fixing issues at its market, town hall and sportsgrounds, Kelly said.
“We were thinking what are they going to do with our money when we merged.
“There was also a feeling that knowledge would be lost (due to staff cuts) but people picked it up as time went on.”
Blades says the areas were undeniably different. Dandenong had the stock yards, industries and market, Springvale had the Enterprise hostel for new migrants.
“Every time money was spent in Dandenong, people in Springvale didn’t like it.
“We didn’t know each other well. I remember it being quite frantic at the time but I had a determination that it was going to work. We didn’t have a choice.
“When I was mayor of Greater Dandenong, I went to great pains when in Dandenong to wear the Springvale (mayoral) chains and in Springvale to wear the Dandenong chains.”
For years, the council meetings and administration offices were shared between Springvale and Dandenong.
Meetings and officers all moved to the new Dandenong Civic Centre in 2014. That was when
Greater Dandenong truly welded together, says Blades.
Kelly agrees, saying they’d hung onto the dual administration hubs for too long.
“I thought it was a bit irrational. But it was always going to take time to take the band-aid off it all.”
Kelly and Blades agreed that council mergers needed to happen in some cases.
Especially for small inner-Melbourne municipalities such as Collingwood, Fitzroy and Richmond, each with their own town hall, executives, staff and garbage trucks.
However outer suburban councils such as Knox and Frankston didn’t merge. And they kept their name.
“Whether or not Springvale with 94,000 people needed to amalgamate, I don’t know,” Blades said.
For Kelly, it’s a hard question about whether the merger was worth it.
“Most in the public were accepting of the merger. It was mainly those in council or who worked for the council who were opposed. But after all those years we all move on – we have to accept it.
“I don’t think it’s done us any bad.”
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A war of words has sparked after City of Greater Dandenong announced it would continue its appeal to strike out I Cook Foods’ lawsuit against the council.
Chief executive Jacqui Weatherill stated on 11 December that the council maintained that ICF’s lawsuit was an “abuse of process” and an “attempt to relitigate what has already been settled between the parties”.
ICF director Ian Cook fired back that the alleged planting of false evidence, including a slug, and the alleged laying of false charges by the council was the “real abuse of process”.
“Jacqui needs to stop wasting ratepayers money on bogus appeals and simply let the court decide if her Council officers have acted illegally and unethically.
“If her Council had nothing to hide, she would not be trying so desperately to keep this case from going to court.”
Greater Dandenong recently lost a Supreme Court bid to subpoena ICF’s ‘privileged’ legal advice as part of its case to strike out the lawsuit.
“Council is considering the (subpoena) decision, but it does not impact the Council’s appeal ... which is listed to be heard by the Court on 18 December 2024,” Weatherill said.
She said the council subpoena application was a “discrete issue regarding access to documents referred to by ICF and (director) Ian Cook in an affidavit and in the media”.
“Council maintains that this current action in the Supreme Court is an abuse of process, and an attempt to relitigate what has already been settled between the parties.”
Victorian Supreme Court judicial registrar Deirdre McCann ruled the council’s subpoena application as “impermissible fishing”.
She found Greater Dandenong “failed to describe with precision” how the sought documents would be used on appeal.
“I find also that it is not on the cards, that is, there is no reasonable possibility, that the production documents would assist the defendants.”
A final decision on costs had yet to be made.
McCann said her “preliminary view” was to award costs against Greater Dandenong, subject to submissions from the parties.
Greater Dandenong is appealing an August decision by Associate Justice Caroline Goulden, which dismissed the council’s application to throw out ICF and Cook’s lawsuit.
In a long-running saga dubbed ‘slug-gate’, the Dandenong South commercial caterer was shut down by health authorities as part of an investigation into a listeria-infected patient’s death at Knox Private Hospital in 2019.
In its lawsuit, ICF alleges malicious prosecution by the council and two officers Leanne Johnson and Elizabeth Garlick in charging ICF and Cook with 96 food-safety offences that were later withdrawn.
It also alleges public misfeasance against the council and officers in their inspections of ICF and ensuing prosecutions.
Among its claims are that inspector bodycam footage was altered and that a slug was planted in the factory by an inspector.
Greater Dandenong argued that the lawsuit was an abuse of process due to the parties having reached an out-of-court settlement for a previous malicious prosecution claim.
The council was seeking a waiver to accessing ICF’s “privileged” legal advice, claiming that ICF had “tactically” settled to pursue its misfeasance case solely against the State of Victoria.
After that case was concluded last year, ICF launched its new lawsuit against the council soon afterwards.
By Ethan Benedicto
The City of Casey has seen a significant spike in garbage truck fires in the last year due to the improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries and other electronic waste, prompting a contract variation to kerbside collection to include cleanup costs.
Termed ‘hot loads’, contracted company Cleanaway has formally requested Casey to pay for the cleanup after the truck fires, while the company balances it out with tending to their vehicles’ repairs.
River Gum Ward councillor Lynette Pereira, while supporting the variation, had also called for a broader approach to informing residents on proper disposal.
“Battery fires are becoming an increasing problem for the community and proper recycling of batteries is a huge issue,” she said.
“I think there are many people in the community that are still not aware of proper disposal and I’m not sure if council can do something to help disseminate that information.
“I think that would be a good move because it’s going to keep increasing and these battery fires are going to keep happening, it’s just a fact of life.”
The cleanup costs for the financial year of 2023/2024 was $110,767 which accounted for 11 hot loads.
Accepting the contract variation will increase contract costs by $100,000 to $120,000 per annum, where current costs for the 2024/2025 period are liable to be covered under the savings that exist from the Waste Management operating budget.
In the future, the impact will be included in the calculated Waste Charge and will equate to less than one dollar per household, according to the agenda.
“It’s happening all over the country, with all the vapes and all the sorts of things people are disposing of, throwing in the garbage.”
“They don’t realise the impact that that has, even the electric toothbrushes, all these things that have the little lithium batteries in them.”
“I think it would be great if we could spread that information around the community,” Pereira said.
It was in the last 18 months that these hot load cases increased, where historically, truck fires have “not been a significant issue in Casey with only one or two ‘hot loads’ per year”, according to the most recent agenda.
From December 2017 to June 2023, there were approximately 12 incidents, but more recently, Cleanway reported 15 hot loads in the period from June 2023 to October 2024.
Grevillea Ward councillor, Dave Perry, had questioned if the money could be “better spent educating” and not having the issue “in the first place”.
Michael Jansen, Casey’s manager of sustainability and waste, said that both proposed strategies by Perry and Pereira were viable, but highlighted that the reason for the contract variation was due to the recent spike in hot loads.
He said that Cleanaway “couldn’t foresee the cost that it would be impacting on their business”.
“We can quantify the cost it takes to clean up and dispose of the material and we would have had to dispose of the material anyway, that would have been our cost in any case, but the additional
cost is that cleaning up,” he said.
Jansen further added that the council “would only pay where the incident occurs and the receipts and evidence are there”.
“In terms of the education, absolutely, we have increased our focus on that and we have actually put billboards, and as part of an overall education program, which targets batteries and e-waste, in combination with that we have to have disposal opportunities as well,” he said.
Looking ahead, Casey is looking to further bolster proper awareness and education on proper disposal habits, with the variation unanimously agreed on by the council.
By Violet Li
Casey Council has moved the Council Meeting time from 4pm to 6pm for 2025.
At the December Council Meeting, a motion was passed to move the start time.
Council officers originally put forward a motion to move the start time to 5.30pm, but the recommendation was lost with a vote of three versus nine.
Councillor Michelle Crowther proposed an alternative motion for the commencement time of meetings to be 6pm, and Cr Lynette Pereira seconded the motion.
The motion was carried with a vote of 10 versus two.
Cr Crowther said the Casey community had demanded transparency and accessibility to the council meetings.
“Under our governance rules, public questions will only be answered publicly if the questioner is in attendance in the gallery. The current 4pm time and proposed 5.30pm does not allow accessibility for our community to participate in
100 years ago
18 December 1924
Rules of the roads are not too strictly adhered to in the Shire of Dandenong by drivers of cars and other vehicles, particularly in Lonsdale Street. It is nothing to see a car or cart charging along on the wrong side of the road and many drivers pass in front of pedestrians instead of behind. This practice is not only extremely ill-bred, but decidedly risky and if the “superior” persons in the vehicles have not sufficient courtesy to do the right thing they should be compelled by the unpleasant process of the law. There are also more than enough instances of persons driving vehicles and riding bicycles without lights during prohibited hours while cars are often “parked” on the wrong side of the road at night without the slightest sign of a light. But it all seems to be nobody’s business.
50 years ago
19 December 1974
PUBLIC SCHOOL SENSATION!
Medieval stocks ‘used to punish students’ Claims of medieval corporal punishment being meted out to young students at a top public school were made to the Journal yesterday. It was claimed that junior pupils of Haileybury College at Keysborough have been caned while being held in stocks – a device used in medieval days and described as a “a structure with apertures for the head, hands and feet and formerly used for public punishment”. The “canes” pieces of solid mis-shapen wood each have a name Harry, Stinger and Martha. Being a public school, punishment is the prerogative of the head-master. The secondary school division of the Education Department said department regulations required that corporal punishment be administered for grave misdemeanours and to boys only, the instrument to be a strap and only on the palms of the hands.
the council process,” she said.
“We have a very large municipality and we must allow time for our community to travel to Bunjil Place outside of work hours and participate in the council process.
“I feel the 6pm meeting time would increase the opportunity for more residents to attend and have their questions answered publicly.”
Cr Kim Ross was among the two who did not favour the new motion. She said people made decisions best earlier in the day.
“For me having an earlier time is better than a later time,” she said.
“And I recognise that a lot of the community can’t get here until later, but there’s also a fair part of the community that later doesn’t suit either. For example, parents with young children who are trying to get their kids settled, people who rely on public transport, so that’s why I’m in favour of an earlier time rather than a later one.”
She also said that the council meeting was only one forum for residents.
“It’s really important that we do offer other
opportunities and other days to give people the opportunity to put questions and discuss things with councillors and to remind residents that they can always make appointments to talk with their councillors as well.
“This is not the only forum you have.”
Casey Residents and Ratepayer Association (CRRA) talked to Star News last week to call on the City of Casey to change Council meeting times to 6.30pm.
CRRA vice president Anthony Tassone said CCRA believed that the change of Casey Council meeting times to 6pm was a step in the right direction to provide greater opportunities for more residents to attend.
“Following feedback from residents and our members, CRRA previously suggested a meeting time of 6.30pm which would be more in line with many other council’s meeting times of 7pm including our neighbouring municipalities Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Cardinia, and Knox City councils,” he said.
“Time will tell whether 6pm is the right time for meetings to maximise the opportunity for res-
ident attendance.
“The CRRA believes another matter needing attention for council meetings to increase transparency and engagement with the community is for the City of Casey to return to previous arrangements that did not require submitters of a question for public question time to be physically present in the gallery at the meeting for the question to be read out.
“This is a simple and sensible change that residents would welcome.“
Casey Council meetings historically started at 6.30pm until the council changed the time to 4pm in April 2020.
At a council meeting in December last year, a council officer recommended the time be changed to 5pm for all council meetings scheduled in 2024, following a petition with more than 200 supporters, but then Casey administrator Cameron Boardman moved an alternative motion to change 5pm back to 4pm, which was unanimously voted for.
20 years ago 20 December 2004
CRASH CITY – CASEY TOPS ROAD DEATH TOLL
The City of Casey heads the list for the most road fatalities of any Melbourne municipality so far this year. Transport Accident Commission data shows 13 people died on the Casey roads this year, seven more that the corresponding time last year. Greater Dandenong was also among five municipalities that recorded increases in road deaths this year. Senior Sergeant Pat McGavigan
of Casey police traffic management said that the figures were mixed. “The Narre Warren and Endeavour Hills response teams’ numbers were down, but they were up in Cranbourne. In fact, they were through the roof mainly through people crashing into poles and speeding.”
5 years ago
17 December 2019
PARTY’S OVER FOR PLASTICS
Greater Dandenong Council has resolved to ban single-use plastics such as bags, straws, balloons at festivals and sports events on council property
within 12 months. In a move to reduce plastic pollution, items such as plastic stirrers, cutlery and cups and “unnecessary” soft plastic packaging will prohibited. In support, Cr Mathew Kirwan said “indiscriminate use” of disposable plastics caused “well publicised” damage to human health and the environment. Balloons were killers of seas-life and bird-life, choking them after ingestion. Straws, the eighth most common plastic product in oceans, killed marine life, particularly turtles, he said. Cr Tim Dark, in opposition, said the “absolutely crazy” policy would be hard to police and enforce,
A Ukrainian group in Noble Park is one of 10 winners of life-saving defibrillators across the state.
Last week, St John Ambulance Victoria presented Noble Park Ukrainian Community Centre & School with an automated external defibrillator (AED) and pin-code access cabinet.
The prize was awarded as part of St John’s Shocktober campaign to get more AEDs into public locations.
“This device represents our ongoing commit-
Christmas fanfare
Roving musicians bring Christmas cheer in central Noble Park, Dandenong and Springvale.
■ Friday 20 December, 2pm-5pm (Noble Park), Saturday 21 December, 11am-2pm (Palm Plaza, Dandenong) and Monday 23 December, 2pm-5pm (Multicultural Place, Springvale). Free event.
Christmas nativity display
The Australian Nativity Scene (ANS) is in its 21st year on display and is regarded as the nation’s best traditional nativity scene. Created by Wilson Fernandez.
■ until Friday 10 January, 10.30am-8pm (strictly by appointments only, closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day) at St. Elizabeth Parish Church, 107 Bakers Road, Dandenong North. Free event, appointments essential. Details: Wilson, 0428 927 110 or the Parish Office, 9795 6217.
Laps and Lattes
Every Friday in December in the lead up to the holiday period, we will be running a free walking program. Every participant will also receive a free hot drink at Noble Park Aquatic Centre at the end of each session thanks to South East Leisure.
■ Fridays 6.30am-7.30am at Ross Reserve Athletics Track, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Free event. Registration is required at surveymonkey. com/r/75Z9LPK
Christmas Giving Drive
Donate new items (toys, books and food) to support people living in poverty. All donations go to local organisations helping the community. All items should be unwrapped. Donations can be made until 15 December.
■ 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/christmas-givingtree
Festive Craft at the Hub
Join us every Wednesday in December for selfguided festive craft sessions. Perfect for all ages, these sessions bring together creativity, fun, and holiday cheer. From ornaments to festive decorations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Parents, stay and share in the joy as you and your kids make seasonal keepsakes together.
■ every Wednesday in December, 10am-2pm at Springvale Community Hub. Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club dance New Vogue and Old Time dance. Please bring a plate for afternoon tea. All welcome.
■ Sunday 12 January, 1pm-5pm at 1 Codrington St, Cranbourne; $5 per person. Details:
ment to empowering communities with the tools they need to save lives,” St John’s chief executive Gordon Botwright said.
“The Ukrainian Community Centre & School is a vital part of our multicultural community, and we hope this defibrillator will provide peace of mind to everyone who walks through its doors, knowing they are equipped to respond in an emergency.”
Association of Ukrainians in Victoria member Michael Selemba said he hoped the “invaluable
asset” would never be needed.
“I truly believe this defibrillator will be an invaluable asset to the Ukrainian Community Centre, benefiting not only the community members and building users but also nearby residents and the broader public.”
According to St John’s, nearly 8000 people in Victoria suffered sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospitals each year.
In 2023, less than 5 per cent survived and only
Marilyn, 0432 107 590 and facebook.com/ groups/487808127399953
Tamil Festival Australia
A grand heritage carnival celebrating Thai Pongal with all-day entertainment for the whole family. Includes delicious Pongal, live music, traditional Tamil crafts, arts, history, sports and cuisine, rides and storytelling.- Saturday January 18, 8.30am-8pm at Caulfield Racecourse. Free entry. Details: tamilfestival.org.au
Conversation Corner
The Conversation Corner is a safe space to share stories and build new connections. Anyone is welcome to join, no bookings required, and newcomers are welcome anytime.
■ Wednesdays 1pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive. Free event. All Abilities Garden
Become a part of the team that cultivates our brand new All Abilities Garden. You will plan, grow, and take care of the wonderful garden designed by members of the disability community for people of all abilities.
■ Tuesdays 1pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive. Free event.
We Built This City
Come and see stories behind Greater Dandenong’s favourite heritage places through short videos, historic objects, photographs and oral histories from Council and local historical society collections.
■ Wednesdays and Thursdays (excluding public holidays) until 18 May 2025 at Benga, Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Free event.
Sandown Probus
Are you retired or semi-retired and would like to stay engaged and connected with others? Come along and see if you would like to join Sandown
Probus Club. Enjoy the opportunity to make new friends, expand your interests, participate in the variety of activities and hear guest speakers on a wide range of subjects.
■ 2nd Monday of each month at Club Noble, Moodemere Street, Noble Park. Details: probussouthpacific.org/microsites/sandown or Marion, 0458 660 016.
Soccer registrations open
Expressions of interest open for new players across all age groups at Springvale City Soccer Club - Miniroos 7-12, Juniors 13-16, Boys and Girls Youth 17-23, as well as mens and womens’ thirds, reserves and seniors. Miniroos and juniors training powered by No Limits Aquila Academy. Details: springvalecitysc.com.au/ Come Dance with Me - Line Dancing Come along and learn tips and techniques to this line dancing activity. Learn it well and learn from scratch from patient instructor. Suitable and tailored for all ages. No partner necessary. Wear casual clothing, bring water bottle, closed shoes and positive attitude.
■ Tuesdays from 5.45pm-6.30pm (school terms only) at Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough; $10 prepaid classes / $15 casual attendance - a five-week package that can be repeated. Details: 0412 296 827 or mariepietersz@hotmail.com
Noble Park Probus
A warm invitation is extended to anyone in the local community who is aged 55 and over, not working full time to visit us with a view to becoming a member at Noble Park Combined Probus Club. Meets monthly for morning tea and an interesting guest speaker. Also special lunches, day trips and extended trips such as to Bright. We make sure we promote the Probus core values of ’Friendship, fellowship and fun’.
139 were treated with a public AED.
When victims receive CPR and defibrillation within 3-4 minutes; the survival rate can be increased to as high as 70 per cent.
“Sudden cardiac arrest still takes too many lives each year and can impact anyone, anywhere, at any time,” Botwright said.
“Having a defibrillator within 400 metres allows for immediate intervention, significantly increasing the chances of survival.”
■ first Monday of the month, 10am at Club Noble. Details: Roslyn, rgrassham07@gmail.com or 0410628249.
Dandenong senior activities
Dandenong over 60’s Club (but over 50s are welcome). Join us for fun and games.
■ Mondays 1pm-4pm (except public holidays) at The Dandenong Club, cnr Stud and Heatherton roads. Details: Carol, 0431 755 466 Senior activities Keysborough Keysborough & District Multicultural Senior Citizens Inc is an over 55s club with bingo on first, second and fourth Tuesday of the month ($3 entry and $1.50 per bingo book), live concerts with professional entertainers on third and fifth Tuesday of the month, line dancing on Wednesdays ($3 entry), Thursday ballroom dancing lessons (12.30pm-1pm) and ballroom dancing (1pm-3pm, $3 entry).
■ 1pm-3pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Rowley Allan Reserve 352 Cheltenham Road Keysborough. Tea and coffee provided. Details: Julie, 0428 561 694.
Improve fitness and energy levels for good health and wellbeing at this adult exercise group class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a self-paced, gentle aerobics class suitable for all levels.
■ Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am at Jan Wilson Community Centre, Halton Road, Noble Park North; $5 per session. No registrations required. Details: 8571 1436 or communityfacilities@cgd. vic.gov.au
Fun for retirees
New members from Dandenong North and Noble Park are sought by the Waverley Gardens Combined Probus Club. In addition to other activities, club members also meet for coffee & listen to a guest speaker.
■ last Tuesday of the month 9.45am-noon at Southern Community Centre, 27 Rupert Dr, Mulgrave (near Police Rd). Details: Don, 9560 6046.
Meditation and positive thinking
Learn how to make your mind your best friend through open-eyed meditation. Led by Bhavani Padmanabhan, these free sessions are open to all. Presented by Bakhtar Community Organisation and The Brahma Kumaris Organisation.
■ Saturdays 2pm at 23-47 Gunns Road, Hallam. Registrations: 9703 2555 or 0403 551 596. Weekly badminton
Adults welcome (Mondays 7pm-9pm) and ladies and retired (Wednesdays 12pm-2.30pm).
■ Hallam Badminton Club, Frawley Road Recreation Reserve; $5.
Haileybury identical twins, Tianzuo Jiao and Tianyou Dai, are seeing double after achieving almost identical ATAR scores of 97.65 and 97.35.
The Keysborough brothers were one of 11 sets of twins who sat the VCE at Haileybury this year.
“When I first saw my ATAR, I was shocked – I was extremely happy and didn’t ever expect I could do this well,” says Tianyou, whose favourite and strongest subject was physics.
“I’ve been pretty lucky to have a study mate like my brother.
“We went to the library together, asked each other for help if we didn’t understand something and pushed each other to do one more exam and then one more.”
Tianyou is hoping to study Commerce at the University of Melbourne and would eventually like to create his own business.
Tianzuo was also happy with his ATAR and after seeing his twin’s impressive ATAR score first, he was hopeful of matching it.
“We picked similar subject for Year 12 and spent a lot of time studying together, so we were able to help each other out.
“Especially for Specialist Maths and Physics, we spent hours and hours discussing those kinds of questions and helping each other understand the subjects,” says Tianzuo.
He also wants to study Commerce at the University of Melbourne and become an entrepreneur.
Identical twins Tianyou Dai and Tianzuo Jiao achieved near-identical ATAR scores. (Supplied)
By Violet Li
Local charity Bakhtar Community Organisation is introducing a new strategy to make its essential workshop programs compulsory to facilitate the integration of newly arrived refugees.
The charity’s aid program provides material aid and integration programs such as cultural awareness sessions, employment pathway programs, and focus groups.
Founder and chief executive Bassir Qadiri said they had been conducting these free programs for almost four years and the only change was to make the integration programs compulsory for attendance before the members received the material aids.
“The demand has increased, and people’s expectations have increased. The reason we made this integration program is to integrate them into Australian society and also provide them with the opportunity to understand and learn about their rights and responsibilities,” he said.
“When they have rights, they need to understand they have responsibilities too. They can always receive our support, but this program will be compulsory for attendance.
“I think making this compulsory as we’re providing them the opportunity to integrate.”
Mr Qadiri also highlighted that the charity had resettled and supported over 6,000 newly arrived refugees in the past four years and had delivered over three million worth of essential aid to newly arrived refugees and those facing severe risk of homelessness.
By Marcus Uhe
A showpiece pre-christmas match up in the Dandenong District Cricket Association’s Turf 1 competition looks set to live up to the hype with Buckley Ridges and Hallam Kalora Park’s clash at Park Oval in the balance after the first day of play.
A rollercoaster day one on Saturday in which the home side had the better of the start end of the 80 overs has the Bucks 18 runs into its chase of the Hawks’ 255, but a wicket late in the day to Jordan Hammond means the home side will be without a contribution from Jake Cronin next week.
Buckley’s opening bowlers had the Hawks in dire straits to begin the day, as Ishan Jayarathna and Prav Chahal removed Ben Hillard and Leigh Booth in the opening two overs.
Hussain Ali’s introduction to the attack brought immediate success at first change, removing Jagveer Hayer for just five in his opening over, to cut the Hawks to 3/26, as the top three cobbled together only six runs between them.
Hayer’s dismissal brought Mahela Udawatte to the crease, however, and the former Buck set in for the long haul with rising star Damith Perera.
The two fought off the preying Bucks and guided the visitors to a position of stability beyond the tea break, the young apprentice combining with the experienced veteran in a collision of eras.
The two added 143 for the third wicket before Perera’s innings was cruelly brought to an end with his second century of the summer in his sights.
Udawatte crunched a half-volley from Cronin back at the bowler, who dropped the catching chance with his outstretched left hand, but deflected the ball onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end, where Perera had briefly departed.
With standing umpire Robert Forgiarini forced to take evasive action to avoid potentially being struck by the ball, he was unable to determine whether Perera had left his crease, leading to a consultation with square-leg umpire Michael Cruse that left players on the edges of their seats.
Perera was eventually given out for 86, his third score beyond 50 for the summer, continuing to impress in his first season in Hawks colours.
Udawatte reached 84 before falling to Cronin, who also claimed the wicket of Austin Fardell in his nine-over spell, for a 10-ball duck, as 4/207 quickly became 6/209, putting immense pressure on the Hawks’ tail.
Hammond made 46 but was run out in pursuit of a second run, triggering a collapse of 4/14 to close the innings in the 70th over.
The wickets were shared among Buckley’s bowlers, with Jayarathna, Cronin and Sanka Dinesh each collecting two.
The Hawks struck shortly before stumps to remove Cronin in the final 10 overs of play, with
Buckley Ridges reaching 1/18.
Hallam Kalora Park could lay claim to a share of first place if they prevail next week, but could fall to fourth, depending on outcomes around the competition.
Around Turf 1, Springvale South and Berwick piled on the runs, while Narre South is in a strong position against Beaconsfield after the first day of play.
Springvale South nudged 400 in the season’s biggest total thus far, with the Forsyth brothers pushing them to 8/384 against North Dandenong at Lois Twohig Reserve.
Mitch made 84 while older brother Cam made a captain’s century, reaching 117.
It was Cam’s first senior hundred for the Bloods, having made one back in 2007 in the Under 17s, and took his season average to 67.
Mitch and Cam Scott laid a terrific foundation for Springvale South at the top of the order, posting a 110-run opening stand, allowing the remainder of the batting card to play attacking strokes and keep the run rate high.
By Marcus Uhe
Doveton’s disastrous season in the Dandenong District Cricket Association’s Turf 3 competition has reached a new low, suffering the humiliation of an outright defeat in a single day against Fountain Gate in round nine.
The only winless side at the Christmas break, the Doves lost the first innings by six runs before declaring with an 18-run lead in the second, with the Gators completing the chase in the fourth.
Separate collapses of 4/13 and 6/12 either side of a 40-run partnership between Hassan Ali and Obaid Syed for the fifth wicket saw the Doves post just 87 in the first innings, already a fourth total below 100 for the season.
Surya Pratap spun the Doves into a web of wickets, claiming 6/22 from 14.2 overs, and taking a catch to remain involved in the action.
The Gators then raced to 5/93 in reply, declaring in the 20th over with a six-run lead to make inroads into Doveton’s second innings before stumps.
Only the most optimistic, however, could have foreseen what came next, as four Doveton batters were removing their pads and protective equipment before a run was scored.
Nadim Nazif struck with his first and third deliveries of the innings in the second over, and a further two wickets before the close of the fourth over reduced Doveton to 4/0.
Things hardly improved for Doveton, before bizarrely declaring at 8/24 after 14 overs, sporting just an 18-run lead.
Two eight-run partnerships were the longest of the innings as Tareq Rasauli top scored with seven, and Nazif grabbed 5/9 in a staggering five-over spell.
With 74 overs already bowled, the Gators were in a race against time to complete the chase late in the day to avoid returning next week for a frustrating three hours of play, and despite losing four wickets - including three in one over from Affan Syed - Fountain Gate secured the 10 points inside 25 deliveries.
The Doves enter the Christmas break anchored to the foot of the Turf 3 ladder, with a percentage of .338 and a net run rate of -2.561.
It has now been 12 months since the Doves last claimed a win, an 84-run defeat of Hampton Park on 16 December 2023.
Their season resumes on Saturday 11 January against Berwick Springs at home.
Jordan Wyatt (24) and Blade Baxter (74) both struck at 100 or higher, with Cam Forsyth and Jackson Sketcher (25) both going at 80 runs per 100 balls.
4.8 runs per over was where the run rate peaked, and where the Bloods finished at stumps, leaving North Dandenong with a humungous mountain to climb.
No Turf 1 side has passed the 380-run mark since Berwick back in November 2013 against Coomoora, while the last side to reach 370 was, coincidentally, the Bloods way back in February 2019, against North Dandenong at the same venue.
Dandenong West has a task of similar significance, with 355 runs required to beat Berwick.
Michael Wallace’s first hundred for the Bears was the backbone of the mammoth score, adding 182 with Jake Hancock for the third wicket after coming together at 3/209.
The Bulls put down a handful of chances to remove Wallace earlier in the innings and were made to pay as he reached 126.
Sporting a weakened attack without legspinner Malinga Bandara, Dandenong West could not afford to allow the Berwick batters any chances, and will be ruing not applying more pressure when the Bears slipped to 2/29 early in the day. Riley Siwes, Adam Reid and Peter Atkinson bore the brunt of Berwick’s onslaught, with each bowlers’ economy rate finishing just below five. Narre South, meanwhile, can climb off the bottom of the table with a win over Beaconsfield, with 127 more runs required to pass 178.
A brilliant opening spell of bowling from Zac Wilson and Callan Tout had the hosts in trouble early, with Beaconsfield openers Tyler Clark and Andrey Fernando both removed in the opening two overs, before a collapse of 4/15 either side of tea gutted Beaconsfield’s middle order.
Ashan Madhushanka reached 50 and Susantha Pradeep 36 for the Tigers as Jeevan Mendis’ brilliant summer continued, taking 3/65. Kyle Hardy and Joel Zietsman will resume the chase next week at 1/51.
By Marcus Uhe
A fascinating second day of Parkfield’s season-defining contest against HSD awaits next week with the Cobras in a position to put a major dent in the Bandits’ finals aspirations in the Dandenong District Cricket Association’s Turf 2 competition.
Parkfield need only a further 92 runs for victory after a successful first day with the ball at home but have just six wickets in hand as the top order’s search for runs and form is now destined to carry into the new year.
Spinning duo Nicholas Jeffrey and Roshane Cooray combined for seven wickets and seamer Hansika Kodikara grabbed two in the top order to help dismiss HSD for 127, its lowest first-innings total of the summer.
Craig Hookey opened the batting in Brent Patterson’s absence but could only muster five runs, as the weakened batting lineup struggled against the Parkfield attack.
Only opener Ethan French passed 50, reaching 51, as Mackenzie Gardner offered a secondconsecutive single-figure score.
After a blazing start to the summer for the wicketkeeper batter, in which his average peaked at 120 through three matches, his last three Turf 2 innings have yielded just 18 runs.
The often dynamic and attacking HSD batters were curtailed to just two runs per over as their innings was brought to a close in the 61st over.
It allowed the Bandits to make a start on the target and reduce its workload ahead of next week, but HSD’s bowlers, led by Ryan Patterson, were not going to let them escape with an advantage so easily.
The right-arm quick claimed the wickets of Dishan Malalasekera and Shahwali Mosavi in consecutive deliveries during the sixth over before having Nathaniel Cramer caught behind on his final ball of a brilliant nine-over spell of 3/20 to close out the evening.
Cramer and Malalasekera’s opening stand
HSD’s Ryan Patterson (bowling) took three wickets to leave his side’s clash with Parkfield in the balance. (Rob Carew: 440832)
reached 20, their second-highest of the summer, before Ryan Patterson changed the complexion of the contest to bring his side back into the contest.
Triyan De Silva chimed in with the wicket of Travis D’Souza to ensure his seven overs did not finish unrewarded, as Parkfield reached 4/35 at stumps.
Should the Bandits lose this week, they could fall as far back as three wins from fourth place, if Coomoora and Cranbourne win their respective
contests, placing extra significance in grabbing the six points on offer.
Cranbourne is eyeing an outright victory over St Mary’s having taken a first innings lead over the Saints at Carroll Reserve.
It was the Eagles’ pair of Jerseymen that are primarily responsible for their dominant position, with seamer Julius Sumerauer announcing his arrival into the competition, and Harrison Carlyon reaching 91 at the close of play.
Sumerauer grabbed four wickets in a stunning opening spell to dismantle the Saints’ resistance at the top of the order.
St Mary’s crumbled to 4/30 when Sumerauer rearranged captain Raveen Nanayakkara’s stumps in the 15th over, and returned to claim a further two wickets to help bring the innings to a close, finishing with 6/25 from 16 overs as the Saints posted 112.
Chameera Fernando’s 27 from 121 deliveries was the standout on the batting card on a torrid day for Saints, who will be fighting to avoid the dreaded double relegation in the back half of the season post Christmas.
Carlyon needs just nine further runs to reach his first century in Australia next week, with his 91 coming from 96 deliveries, as his side finished the day at 1/163, 51 runs ahead.
Should the Eagles look to press the issue, they could look to bowl the Saints out for a second time, and claim a vital extra four points.
With three teams tied on 30 points coming into round nine, the bonus points for the outright win could prove vital come season’s end.
Around Turf 2, Coomoora needs to defend 215 against Lyndale at Barry Powell Reserve, and Narre Warren is 0/28 in pursuit of Parkmore’s 217.
Dean Krelle top scored with a 38-ball 46 at number seven for Coomoora to put pressure back on Lyndale’s attack late in the innings after a shaky start from the top three.
Rajika Fernando took 4/56.
At Sweeney Reserve, a rare failure for Satheesh Fernandu at the top of the Parkmore batting card exposed the Pirates’ middle order.
Fernandu made just nine, leaving Kyle Gwynne (42), Johann Brohier (42) and Hewafonsekage Fonseka (83) to pick up the pieces.
The Pirates lasted 63.3 overs, as both Rodni Kumara and Dilraj Singh claimed three wickets apiece for Narre Warren.
The Magpies will be without star recruit Amila Ratnaike, however, for the run chase.
By Marcus Uhe
Berwick is the first team to book its ticket to the knock-out rounds of the Dandenong District Cricket Association T20 competition after a thrilling final ball win over Buckley Ridges at home on Wednesday night, eliminating the Bucks and Springvale South in the process.
Bears skipper and club legend Jarrod Goodes was the hero in a final-ball cliffhanger over the reigning turf 1 champions, removing Bucks allrounder Ishan Jayarathna and tailender Sanka Dinesh on the final two deliveries of the match, with the visitors finishing two-runs shy of victory.
After rearranging Dinesh’s timber, Goodes extended his follow through to the square boundary in front of the grandstand at Arch Brown Reserve with teammates in hot pursuit, and bowed to the captivated crowd.
It was a man-of-the-match performance from the veteran, who grabbed 4/14, including the dangerous trio of Dale Tormey, Jake Cronin and Jayarathna as his side defended 117.
Berwick chose to bat first but failed to post a strong total thanks to a spread of Buckley Ridges contributors.
Jordan Cleland opened the batting and made 23 and Michael Wallace 27 as Buckley’s bowlers, led by quick pair Jayarathna and Hussain Ali, kept the batters in-check.
Both finished with two wickets while spinners Matthew Montgomery and Dinesh bowled tight four-over spells.
The Bucks similarly found batting tough as each of the top four failed to pass 20.
Goodes removed the opening pair before the spinners, in Lachlan Brown, Elliot Matthews and Ruwantha Kellapotha, applied the clamps in the middle overs.
The final over began with Goodes attempting a ‘mankad’ on Jayarathna, before withdrawing his appeal.
The Bucks needed eight to keep its chances of progressing alive, and began the over well with a three, a wide and running two singles, leaving Jayarathna on strike with just two runs required off the final three deliveries.
(Rob Carew: 271959)
Goodes bowled a dot on the third-last ball, and had Jayarathna caught at cover on the penultimate, requiring Dinesh to win the match on his first delivery.
Dinesh swung hard but made no connection with the ball, bringing his side’s tenure in the tournament to an end, as Berwick took an unassailable lead in the group after downing Springvale South last week.
Six of the Bucks batters finished with single figures outside of Jayarathna, who made 27.
The dream remains alive for 15 teams, with six joining Buckley Ridges and Springvale on the sidelines.
Parkfield, Berwick Springs, Keysborough, Doveton, Fountain Gate and Narre Warren will all be forced to lick their wounds and regroup for next year’s competition, after dropping their
second games of the competition on Wednesday night.
Silverton sent Berwick Springs packing with a comfortable eight-wicket win with 29 balls to spare, chasing 113 thanks to 51 from marquee Talwinder Prince and 3/12 from Hemal Ratnayake.
Nuwan Kulasekara dug Dandenong West out of trouble with a 15-ball 37 to help the Bulls chase 120 against Parkfield, while Jackson Noske crunched 81 from 49 for Coomoora against Narre Warren in a 40-run win.
A Christo Otto-less Keysborough fell six runs short of chasing HSD’s 169, with Englishman Harry Funnell playing a key role with bat and ball for the Cobras.
Hallam Kalora Park was far too strong for Doveton, winning by 85 runs, and Beaconsfield
chased Fountain Gate’s 116 for the loss of just five wickets.
Lyndale’s defeat of Hampton Park, meanwhile, means all three teams in its trio, including Parkmore, are still alive.
Should Parkmore defeat Lyndale in the final group game, all three sides will finish on one win each, but Lyndale could spoil the party if they avoid a pillaging from the Pirates.
Ciaron Connolly wound back the clock with 71 for the Dales before Ben Montgomery and Usman Ali took three wickets apiece to help defend 157.
The final round of contests is scheduled for Wednesday 18 December.
RESULTS - ROUND 2
• Dandenong West 5/125 (Nuwan Kulasekara 37) def Parkfield 120 (Riley Siwes 3/15).
• Beaconsfield 5/117 (Susantha Pradeep 53, Davandeep Premi 3/19) def Fountain Gate 7/116.
• Berwick 7/117 (Michael Wallace 27) def Buckley Ridges 116 (Jarrod Goodes 4/14).
• Silverton 2/117 (Talwinder Prince 51) def Berwick Springs 9/113 (Riley Hillman 44, Hemal Ratnayake 3/12).
• HSD 8/169 (Mackenzie Gardner 39) def Keysborough 9/163 (Chanaka Kahandawala 52).
• Hallam Kalora Park 4/188 (Damith Perera 50) def Doveton 6/103 (Johnny Kamali 41).
• Coomoora 5/154 (Jackson Noske 81) def Narre Warren 7/114 (Malan Madusanka 2/9).
• Lyndale 9/157 (Ciaron Connolly 71) def Hampton Park 147 (Usman Ali 3/21).
FIXTURE - ROUND 3
Wednesday 18 December
• Parkmore v Lyndale
• Cranbourne v Beaconsfield
• Narre North v Coomoora
• St Mary’s v Hallam Kalora Park
• North Dandenong v Silverton
• Narre South v Dandenong West
• Lynbrook v HSD
• Springvale South v Buckley Ridges (Dead Rubber)
