Heroes next-door
A beeping smoke alarm next-door triggered Dandenong North couple into brave lifesavers in June last year.
On 10 February, Louise Heard and husband Josh received a community safety award from Fire Rescue Victoria for courageously saving the lives of their elderly neighbours from inside a burning home.
Even months later, firefighters were still talking about the dramatic, extraordinary rescue of neighbours Neil and Kathy.
“We don’t see it as anything special, we think it’s a thing you do for your neighbours,” a humble Louise Heard said after the award ceremony.
At the time of the fire, she found neighbour Neil struggling to open the flyscreen door with his wheelchair support in the way.
Eventually Louise got inside the smoky house, helped him out and went back in for Kathy who was in her room with a bowl of water.
“Her entire bed had spot fires all over and
when she threw the water at the bed, it went up the wall like a fireball because it was electrical.
“As soon as I saw that, I said we need to get out.”
At the time Kathy was “determined” to put out the fire on her own.
“I convinced her I would put it out instead,” Louise said. “She gave me the bowl and I threw that on the floor and guided her out.
“By the time we got them to the driveway and
turned around the flames was coming through the roof and all the rooms.
“I can’t believe how fast it all happened.” They all suffered from smoke inhalations, with Kathy hospitalised with minor burns to her throat and nostrils.
The ordeal typified their neighbourhood’s community spirit, Louise says.
For more on the story, turn to page 3
Lightfall comes to Cranbourne
Embrace the spirit and beauty of Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne as it transforms after-dark with Lightfall.
From the presenters of the global sell-out sensation, Lightscape, this world-first event for Melbourne’s south-east is premiering exclusively during the April school holidays.
From large-scale light sculptures to an immersive soundscape, Lightfall promises to be a magical evening for all ages.
Casual facility hire
Looking to hire a space on a casual basis?
We offer a range of facility hire options from large halls to meeting rooms for your celebration, community group or organisation.
To see what facilities are open for casual hire in 2025 and to submit an application, please scan the QR code.
For more information, contact Council’s Community Facilities team on 9709 9288 or email facilitybookings@casey.vic.gov.au
Council Meetings
Members of the community are welcome to attend the upcoming Council Meetings which are held in the Bunjil Place Function Room, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren.
Council Meetings start at 6.00 pm and are also live streamed through our Facebook page and YouTube channel.
For more information on Council Meetings, or meeting minutes and agendas, visit our website.
With limited dates and tickets, scan the QR code to secure your tickets now!
Casey locals! Book tickets early for 50 per cent off parking. Terms and conditions apply.
Are your pet registration details up to date?
Renewal notices will be sent out shortly, so now’s the best time to make sure your furry friend’s details are correct.
Upcoming Council Meetings:
Tuesday 18 March
Tuesday 15 April
Tuesday 20 May
Tuesday 27 May (Special Council Meeting)
Tuesday 17 June
You may be eligible for a reduced registration fee or refund if you hold an eligible pensioner card, if your pet has recently been desexed or your pet is now 10 years of age.
To find out more, please visit our website.
Provide feedback on a number of consultations currently open on our community engagement platform, Casey Conversations.
• Cranbourne Hub: We’re seeking feedback on the concept design for the proposed Cranbourne Hub at 1-3 Lyall Street, Cranbourne.
• Ackland Park Reserve redevelopment project: the reserve in Narre Warren North is closed until mid-June for redevelopment works.
Head to the Casey Conversations website to find out more or scan the QR code.
Quick to help
By Sahar Foladi
A Dandenong North couple have been awarded for courageously saving the lives of their elderly neighbours from inside a burning home.
LouiseHeardandherhusbandJosharelocalparents who dashed to the rescue of Kathy and Neil last June in dramatic, extraordinary events which firefighters were still talking about months later.
They were awarded the community safety award at Fire Rescue Victoria’s Long and Good Service Awards ceremony in Dandenong on Monday 10 February.
“It was very humbling FRV included us in their recognition awards for their fire-fighters, which is a very big deal,” Louise says.
“We hadn’t told people about the fire, we’re not really like that. But it was very special for us our family.
“Wedon’tseeitasanythingspecial,wethinkit’sa thing you do for your neighbours.”
She describes the elderly couple as the “sweetest neighbours ever” who were adored by her three children.Theyhadlivedatthesameaddressfor30years.
At the time of the fire, Louise was in her ensuite when she could hear beeping and, upon checking, could smell smoke.
While Josh dialled 000, she found neighbour Neil struggling to open the flyscreen door with his wheelchair support in the way.
Eventually Louise got inside the house, helped him out and went back in for Kathy who was in her room with a bowl of water.
“You could see smoke but I wasn’t sure where it was coming from, how bad it was.
“Her entire bed had spot fires all over and when shethrewthewateratthebed,itwentupthewalllike a fireball because it was electrical.
“As soon as I saw that, I said we need to get out.” Kathy suffers from vascular dementia which impacted her reasoning, judgement and memory.
Louise says she’s grateful Kathy doesn’t remember the events of that night also because she had to “get physical” but not too hard, to get her out.
AtthetimeKathywas“determined”toputoutthe fire on her own.
“I convinced her I would put it out instead,” Louise said. “She gave me the bowl and I threw that on the floor and guided her out.
“By the time we got them to the driveway and turned around the flames was coming through the roof and all the rooms.
“I can’t believe how fast it all happened.”
They all suffered from smoke inhalations, which is what could’ve potentially led to their deaths, according to the firefighters.
“I was shocked at how much it hurts your breathing,” Louise says.
Kathy was hospitalised with minor burns to her throat and nostrils, while Louise was able to tell their daughters that their parents were OK.
The elderly couple have since moved to a retirement village in Chelsea. Their house went up for sale and renovations are almost complete for the new family to move in. “Our children are really sad that
Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Greg Christison, Louise and Josh Heard and Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti at the awards. (Supplied)
they’re not here anymore and can’t see them but I’m glad they weren’t awake when it all happened. That would’ve been upsetting for them.”
But it’s this ordeal that brought the community together and typified their neighbourhood’s community spirit, she says.
“All our neighbour were amazing, everyone was out offering what they could, it was a sweet thing in that moment. “We have a nice community here.”
At the awards, Louise and Josh caught up with the firefighter crew who attended the incident whilst their kids experienced being inside the fire truck.
“They’ll never forget me in my Rainbow PJ’s, they’re very bright,” Louise laughs. “They said a 30-second difference in our timing would’ve been a completelydifferentstoryandtheoutcomewould’ve been extremely different. “They thought and spoke about the job a lot in terms of our response, not only going into the fire but taking care of them, calling their family, waiting for ambulance, helping them the next day.
“That’s not the norm and that really stuck with thembecausefirehappensallthetimeandyoudon’t see neighbours coming out.”
Shesaysit’shardtowatchsomeone’shouseburning especially but they’re just “relieved to get them out on time.” “We’re just relieved they were okay. That was our main priority. “When it happened you don’tthinkaboutanythingelse-wejustsawandran.
“It’s something we are celebrating because that’s what we need to do in this world and community.”
Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti, who also attended the award ceremony, was “shocked” on hearing the remarkable story. He intends to recognise the couple on behalf of the council in appreciation for their heroic effort, emphasising his “soft spot” for fire fighters and their commitment to their dangerous jobs.
FRV Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Greg Christison was proud to call attention to the couple’s heroic efforts.
Trading card thieves busted
Four members of an organised-crime syndicate allegedly behind a spate of burglaries targeting collectable trading cards and crypto ATMs have been arrested.
Police say the group targeted three collectable card stores, including one in Eumemmerring, since mid-January.
TheyalsostolesixcryptocurrencyATMsacross Melbourne, including Vermont and Bentleigh.
North West Metro Regional Crime Squad detectives say stolen cars were used in the offending.
Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson said Middle Eastern organised crime syndicates were “tasking” the arrested men.
“We are confident that we have apprehended the main offenders who were sharing their criminal trade craft with lesser offenders.
“Police have also identified the lesser offenders supplying stolen goods.
In raids across Melbourne, police say they uncovered an “Aladdin’s cave” of items, including $50,000 worth of collectable trading cards including Pokemon, Disney, Lorcana, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic the Gathering, Dragon Ball Z, AFL and NBA.
Police also seized five alleged stolen guns,
Intense scene in Lynbrook
By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Violet Li
An armed man who died at a Lynbrook shopping centre had self-harmed and then was tasered by police, according to a leading Homicide Squad detective.
Homicide Squad, under Professional Standards Command oversight, are investigating what happened after police chased the 36-yearold man into the shopping centre on South Gippsland Highway about 1.10pm on Friday 14 February.
After a search, police forced the closed door of a female toilet cubicle and found the man armed andwounded,DetectiveInspectorDeanThomas said.
“It was clear he had injured himself with what appeared to be an edged weapon.
“He was still holding that weapon …
“He was armed and he was still threatening at that point of time.”
He said a Taser was deployed then police immediately started first aid and an ambulance was called.
Paramedics took him in an ambulance to a nearby park to await an air ambulance. He died at the park.
Det Insp Thomas said a post-mortem was expected on Saturday 15 February.
“We will (then) be in a better position to understand what has caused his death. “At this stage it would appear that the injury he has inflicted upon himself has certainly led to his death.”
Before the incident, Croydon Family Violence Unit members and local uniform officers had arrived at a nearby apartment to arrest the man on outstanding family violence matters.
The man, of no fixed address, was staying at what was believed to be his friend’s apartment at the time. On police arrival, the man jumped off the unit’s balcony into the shopping centre grounds and the chase begun.
The police officers involved were later taken
to Dandenong police station for drug and alcohol testing as well as to provide accounts of what occurred.
“The police involved are obviously very shaken up,” Det Insp Thomas said.
“They didn’t expect to come to work and be confronted with this.”
The State Coroner was notified, and a duty coroner was called out to inspect the scene to assist in any future inquest. A worker at the shopping centre told Star News that “apparently, the man ran through to the building and straight down to the toilets. And he barricaded himself into the girls’ toilets”.
“Andthen,thepoliceshowedupnotlongafter, andthentheyallwentdownthehallwayandwere trying to get into the toilet.”
The shopping centre worker added that there was “a lot of people around”. “A lot of people were standing over in the delivery area, which is at the back where the dumpster area is. “Everyone was standing around and surprised and asking us what was going on. “There were about 20 police, car engines, and ambulance, and then there was a helicopter as well.”
Det Insp Thomas said he expected bystanders would be traumatised. Services were available to help them, he said.
Sustainability Festival
about 100 alleged stolen car keys, ammunition, pill press machine and stolen power tools.
Among the four people arrested were the two alleged primary offenders, a 37-year-old Reservoir man and a 32-year-old Epping man.
The Reservoir man was charged with 14 counts of burglary of commercial cryptocurrency ATM and commercial games stores, being a prohibited person possessing a trafficable quantity of firearms, being a prohibited person possessing a firearm and handling stolen goods.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 2 May.
The 32-year-old Epping man was charged with five commercial burglaries, three counts of vehicle theft, theft, unlicenced driving, as well as possessing methamphetamine, a drug of dependence and a prohibited weapon.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 21 February.
Two other men, a 33-year-old and a 46-yearold both from Reservoir, were released pending further investigation.
Lynbrook Shopping Centre was cordoned off by police vehicles following the death of a man evading police. (Violet Li: 459688)
Barbs continue in dispute
By Sahar Foladi
A propaganda war has ignited on both sides of the debate over the proposed renaming of the Afghan Bazaar to Little Bamyan.
Soon after the opposing community groups submitted their petitions to Greater Dandenong Council on Monday 10 February, the alliance fighting to preserve the Afghan Bazaar name posted a video on social media platform TikTok.
In the video shot at Harmony Square, spokesperson and lawyer Massi Ahmadzay claims Hazara community members who initiated the namechange have a “hidden agenda” that “they want to take control of Thomas Street and claim it as their own.”
“They want to sell Afghan goods, they want to sell Afghan food, they want to sell Afghan rugs, they want to monopolise and claim it as their own for themselves and in the process ignore the contributions by the diverse Afghan, Pashtun, Tajiks, Uzbeks,” he said in the video posted by colleague Khalid Amiri.
“All of that have contributed to this city, they want to claim it for themselves and we’re not going to let that happen.
“It’s Afghanistan - it’s not Hazaristan, its not Bamyanistan and it never will be.”
The Australian-born Mr Ahmadzay is a lawyer by profession who sent a collective letter representing nine Afghan organisations against the Little Bamyan name to the council on Wednesday 5 February.
He told Star Journal that he has “nothing but love and respect” for his “brothers and sisters from the Hazara community and those who contribute to Thomas Street.”
“IfIhadanyracialbiastowardsthem,Iwouldn’t have used any of their services to build my home.
“It’s not going to bring me down in any way because I know who I am. I know I’m not racist toward Hazara people but if that’s what they have to resort to, to discredit me, good on them.
“My arguments will be heard in council and potentially in the court of law if that’s what it has to be because that’s where I thrive, that could be the opportunity for people to know the real me.”
He has received a strong backlash particularly from the Hazara community, offended of being accused of “taking control over Thomas Street”. They say they are merely asking for the recognition of the Hazara people in the area and that is not achieved with the term ‘Afghan.’
In response to the post, prominent Hazara community member Habib Sultani uploaded a Facebook video.
He urged people to sign the online petition for Little Bamyan, which sharply spiked from about 3400 on Monday to over 15,000 (as of Friday 14 February). It overtook the opposing pro-Afghan Bazaar online petition, which had swelled to more than 9200.
The issue on whether or not to change the name to Little Bamyan has received worldwide attention, with Afghan-born Pakistani television host and actress Najiba Faiz sharing Star Journal’s story ‘Fight over divisive Afghan Bazaar change’ on X (formerly Twitter) in support of Little Bamyan.
She stated Hazara people have lived under the term ‘Afghan’ for thousand of years and now they’re obstructed from changing the name of a bazaar.
Hazara photojournalist Barat Batoor, of Melbourne’s South East, said he’d collected 173 signa-
tures from businesses including those on Thomas Street for a Little Bamyan petition presented to Greater Dandenong Council on 10 February.
“The person who represented the (opposing) party introduced himself at the Council meeting as “representing the entire Afghan community” and in doing so the person revealed precisely why the term is so problematic and unrepresentative,” Mr Batoor said.
“He does not represent the Hazaras who own the overwhelming majority of businesses on Thomas Street and make up a significant population of Dandenong.
“He does not represent the 176 businesses and 20 organisations on Thomas Street and surrounding precinct who are against the unofficial name (Afghan Bazaar) and are in favour of a name change.
“He does not represent the 11,700 online petitioners who want the word “Afghan” disposed and instead replaced by “Bamyan.”
He says council must desist from using the unofficial and unregistered Thomas Street nickname ’Afghan Bazaar.’
“The Council cannot neglect the grievance of the business community of Thomas Street who are alienated by this name and want it disposed of immediately.
“When the council decided to name it ‘Afghan Bazaar’, the Hazara community showed strong opposition, and the council didn’t listen to it that time. We hope the council will hear it this time or this issue will remain and will keep coming back.”
Mr Batoor says Bamyan is a multicultural geographic location and not just for Hazara people. The name was chosen for its “symbolism, diversity and pluralism”, he says.
“It acts as a memento for the ancient statues which the ruthless Taliban senselessly destroyed in 2001.
“It stands against aggression and despotism and is above all a symbol for resistance and hope.”
Mr Ahmadzay however believes the argument is meritless, echoing his statement from the video.
“The country is not Pashtunistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Bamyanistan, Hazaristan - it’s Afghanistan. And that word Afghan represents every citizen including my Hazara brothers, sisters and I,” says Mr Ahmadzay, who has a Pashtun father and a Tajik mother.
He says he “sticks to that point unequivocally.”
“I can see how inflammatory that is but with utmost respect I’m not withdrawing from that statement in any way.
“It’s not about minimising or ignoring of the Hazara people or discrediting them, I don’t want to get into debate about that, the reality is the war in Afghanistan has been experienced by all including my parents who escaped.
“Using their perceived view that Hazara people have suffered more than anybody else in order to advance that agenda, I feel sorry for them if that’s what they have to do.”
He says his father despite being a Pashtun had to flee the country during the civil war and migrate to Australia in the 1980’s. Now Mr Ahmadzay endures being slanderously called a “terrorist” or “terrorist sympathiser” online by anonymous people.
“I cannot believe it’s got to this point that a reputable Australian lawyer is being referred to as a terrorist.”
Council weighs up heavily backed Afghan Bazaar debate
By Sahar Foladi
City of Greater Dandenong Council is weighing up two heavily-backed, opposing petitions on the proposed renaming of the Afghan Bazaar precinct in Thomas Street, Dandenong.
In the council meeting on Monday 10 February, both petitions were tabled - one for the renaming of the precinct to Little Bamyan by the Hazara community and the other to preserve the current name Afghan Bazaar filed by Afghan community groups.
The council meeting was widely attended members from both communities, including Barat Batoor who initiated the name-change proposal and Khalid Amiri, a spokesperson for the group to retain the name Afghan Bazaar. They were among several who stood to ask questions during public question time.
Batoor’s paper petition to the council garnered 173 signatures from businesses in Thomas Street and surrounding areas, including nonHazara traders and 19 signatures from community organisations and sporting clubs.
In a seperate online petition for Little Bamyan has attracted more than 3400 as of Tuesday morning (today) and the Afghan Bazaar has garnered over 3770 signatures.
In response, Council’s chief executive Jacqui Weatherill said the council had not made any decisions on this matter yet and both sides would be given “very careful consideration.”
“We have received a very significant amount of enquiries on this topic of Afghan Bazaar in the last two weeks from various perspectives and what they have in common is they have been very sincere, very genuine and very heartfelt.
“Any change or formal naming process would only be taken after a genuine and thorough community consultation, which will take quite a few months and will also require quite a lot of council
(Stewart Chambers: 457781)
resources, that we listen even more deeply and understand more about people’s views in regard to it.
“The mayor has been meeting with a variety of groups along with our manager for economic development and they are certainly hearing everybody views and will have a conversation with the council.”
She said depending on the dialogue with the community and the council, a name may be pursued through the Geographic Names Victoria “but it’s too early to say at this stage what kind of approach will be taken.”
“From the enquiries we have received its clear this topic is very complex and sensitive and we don’t want to rush any action on this matter
“We’re very proud of the Thomas Street precinct it’s a lively and thriving fantastic commer-
cial and cultural precinct.
“It’s a credit to all diverse traders who have created this special place over more than 20 years.
“We’re proud of the peaceful way our Greater Dandenong community gets along despites many residents having had very painful experience of conflict and division in their birth countries.”
It was also clarified that if Thomas Street’s name was changed, it would require the state government’s Geographic Name Change registrar process.
The opposing groups are trying to garner as much support as they can, including on social media platforms, Facebook and TikTok videos which have attracted more than a thousand views.
There were more than 300 comments on Batoor’s video post the council meeting and Khalid Amiri’s TikTok video has attracted more than 4000 views and over 400 comments. Both sides contain strong supporters in the community as well as online.
Batoor is a Hazara, internationally known and an award-winning freelance photojournalist and filmmaker, who called Australia home in 2012 and has become vocal on the struggle of identity and belonging through his works.
Khalid Amiri was a journalist in Afghanistan for the Afghan state broadcaster RTA and known for his courageous reporting.
He fled to Australia with his family after the Taliban took to power where he’s pursuing masters in international relations in University of Melbourne.
Amiri is also vocal on refugee rights, multiculturalism and inclusion in the community.
Khalid Amiri on the far right with members of the wider Afghan community against the renaming of the Afghan Bazaar.
Barat Batoor, the organiser of the petition for the renaming of the Afghan Bazaar. (455477)
Pro-Afghan Bazaar supporters Mursal Sadat with Khalid Amiri in a video outside a 10 February council meeting. (TikTok)
Row over public briefings
By Sahar Foladi
City of Greater Dandenong is investigating whether to become one of the first Victorian councils to open its councillor briefing sessions (CBS) to the public.
The motion, initiated by councillor Rhonda Garad, passed at the council meeting on Monday 10 February, giving council officers two months to prepare a researched report.
Cr Garad argued that live-streaming CBS’s would lead to more “transparency, civic engagement, and confidence in local government”.
The report will outline the implementation process, costs involved and the support to council staff and councillors to transition to a livestreamed CBS.
Votes on the motion were a tie, with only eight councillors in attendance.
Mayor Jim Memeti used his casting vote to get it over the line.
Councillor Sean O’Reilly opposed the motion, soon after successfully leading a motion for more transparency in the council’s handling of residents’ customer-service requests on its MERIT system.
He opposed Cr Garad’s motion on the basis of cost, saying it’s a “waste of time.”
“I don’t see any value in the motion generally now. We should be thinking about council costs and increasing efficiency.
“Within a briefing session, a lot of ideas and proposals are put forward in very early stages, different ideas are discussed and it could be extremely problematic (for residents) if broadcasted. It could cause anxiety to even see things in briefing sessions which won’t be followed through.
“Most residents aren’t inclined to see the sausage being made, they just want Council to make good decisions on their behalf.”
Councillor Bob Milkovic said he was “flab-
bergasted” by O’Reilly’s opposition.
“It’s important to realise yes, the public need to know where the (MERIT) reports are but the public also need to know what’s said behind closed doors.
“Surely this has to be way more important to make sure we show the public we have nothing to hide, we’re open, we’re transparent and we’re here for you.
“As councillors if we can’t face the conse-
Sweet new beginnings
quences of our decisions or our deliberations within the council briefing sessions in front of the public ... then we probably shouldn’t be councillors.
“We need to stand by our decisions, be open to scrutiny and we need to be able to take it and deliver our ideas to the community.”
Meanwhile, Cr O’Reilly’s motion will lead to the council’s MERIT performance being reported publicly within four months.
The information would include the number of reports received, the number closed per month, the top five categories of reports - such as illegal rubbish dumping, the median time to close reports and the percentage where council attempted to inform the reporter on the outcome.
The open-door CBS will be considered again after a report is brought to the council within the two-month period.
Cr Sean O’Reilly opposed live-streaming councillor briefing sessions due to the likely cost. (Stewart Chambers: 421288) Cr Bob Milkovic, in support of open briefing sessions, said councillors should have ‘nothing to hide’. (Gary Sissons: 432584)
Dandenong tops the charts
Greater Dandenong bookworms have topped the state in the recent BIG Summer Read. In a celebration event at Dandenong Library on 8 February, mayor Jim Memeti announced that the council area’s families had read an enormous 8931 books during the event.
“Thousands of Victorian children took part in the BIG Summer Read and this is an incredible achievement,” he said.
“Congratulations to all of you.”
The BIG Summer Read is an annual reading challenge for children aged 4 to 12 years, with 50 council areas taking part this year.
It is presented by Public Libraries Victoria and Greater Dandenong Libraries.
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said the
LOOKING BACK
INTERFAITH
event helped young readers avoid the ‘summer slide’ – where students lose literacy skills from taking an extended break from reading.
“I’m thrilled that our families read the most books this BIG Summer Read! You should all be so proud.
“I can only imagine the adventures you had as you read all of those books!
“This enthusiasm for reading is a great sign that we’ll see an uplift in literacy across Greater Dandenong too.”
Greater Dandenong’s BIG Summer Readers are treated to a performance by Mr Snotbottom at Dandenong Library at Saturday’s finale event. (Supplied)
100 years ago 19 February 1925
The Market Question
Railway Station Site
At the ordinary meeting of Dandenong Shire Council, Cr Butler moved that the necessary steps be taken to finance and complete the purchase of land on Brighton Road for the purposes of a fat cattle market. Cr Burden seconded the motion, which was declared by Cr Harris to be too vague, and after a brief discussion it was withdrawn. Nothing further was heard of the matter until Tuesday evening, when it was learnt that a special meeting of the council had been held to again deal with the site on Brighton Road, near Dandenong Railway Station.
50 years ago
18 February 1975
Hospital Crisis ‘Tip Of The Iceberg’ Dandenong and District Hospital could be just the “tip of the iceberg” in the growing financial crisis. This follows confirmation by Kraft Foods Ltd., that the firm had cut off supplies to the Dandenong Hospital. A company spokesman confirmed that Kraft had halted supplies to the
hospital. However, he said they would be reinstated when the outstanding account had been paid. As reported in the Journal last Thursday, Dandenong Hospital owes Kraft about $1,800 and the account is overdue by about 70 days. Dandenong Hospital’s public relations officers said part of the liquidity problem was linked to patients’ inability to pay accounts due partly to increasing local unemployment.
20 years ago
21 February 2005
$1.7m for welfare but councillors want review
Greater Dandenong community groups will share in $1.68 million next financial year in a council-funded grants program said to be the country’s largest. The council last week voted 8-3 to allocate the money for the 2005-06 Community Grants and Donation Program.
Councillors John Kelly, Paul Donovan and David Kelly opposed the decision and want the program overhauled. Last year the program was surrounded in controversy when it was revealed funding had been granted to the Cambodian Association of Victoria even though it was not eligible to receive it. Defending the system, Cr
Roz Blades said it was vital to the city’s wellbeing. “This program has been tightened up annually, every year there have been improvements to guidelines.” Cr John Kelly said it was frustrating that the council could hand out $1.6 million without a proper review of the program’s “nuts and bolts.”
5 years ago
18 February 2020
Paris rocks Kobe tribute
From carols at the Myer Music Bowl to national anthems at Melbourne Arena, 15 year-old singer-songwriter Paris Marie’s career has been nothing short of spectacular. Paris, of Endeavour Hills, sang Advance Australia Fair in front of 10,000 – plus fans at NBL side, Melbourne United’s final home game on February 13th. Singing the pre-game anthem never ceases to be an honour, Paris says. She wore an LA Lakers top in a tribute to the late, great Kobe Bryant. A keen Lakers fan, she remains a great admirer of Kobe’s mentality, hard work and generosity. “He wanted everyone to be the best they could be,” she said.
It is a profound privilege to work with young people
By Loreto Cannon, Greater Dandenong Inter faith Network executive member
Working with young people is undeniably a pro found privilege; a personal privilege of 36 years.
They are the custodians of our collective future, embodying a reservoir of potential, resil ience, and creativity.
In every encounter with them, educators are reminded of the importance of nurturing hope— not only for their sake but for the world they will one day lead.
Young people possess an inherent optimism
MESSAGE OF HOPE
and energy that can be infectious.
They challenge us to see the world through fresh eyes, to question assumptions, and to dream beyond the limitations we may have set
for ourselves.
As educators, our role transcends mere instruction.
We are called to guide, inspire and, most importantly, to restore hope when it wanes.
Hope, after all, is the lifeblood of possibility; without it, the will to envision and strive for a better future fades.
In the tradition of St. Brigid of Kildare, we find a compelling model for this work.
Brigid’s legacy as a patroness for those who care for the earth, advocate for justice and equality, and foster peace and reconciliation, offers a timeless vision of hope.
She calls us to contemplate not just what is, but what could be—a world renewed through compassion, courage, and community.
Her life reminds us that hope is not passive; it is an active force that demands effort and faith.
Working with young people invites us into this same contemplative and hopeful space. It challenges us to engage deeply with their struggles and triumphs, to affirm their worth, and to empower them to believe in their capacity to effect change.
In doing so, we often find that they teach us as much as we teach them.
Their passion for justice, their insistence on authenticity, and their unyielding belief in the possibility of a better world can reignite our own sense of purpose.
As we walk alongside the next generation, we are reminded that our work is not only about imparting knowledge but about nurturing hope.
Inspired by the example of St. Brigid, may we be steadfast in our commitment to justice, peace, and reconciliation.
In doing so, we honour the sacred trust placed in us and contribute to building a world where hope thrives,
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
Talented singer Paris Marie, 15, dedicated her national-anthem rendition in front of basketball fans to the late Kobe Bryant in 2020. (Gary Sissons: 204584)
$34K penalty for ringleader
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A Noble Park North man must pay $34,000 after pleading guilty to 67 charges relating to an illegal cross-border reptile trade and wildlife licence breaches.
In an ironic twist, Zehong Zheng, 24, was reunited with some of the 139 seized lizards after Sunshine magistrate Carolyn Howe rejected a department submission to destroy 31 of them.
“Why are you seeking to destroy them?” Ms Howe asked a prosecutor.
The 31 lizards were too costly to maintain for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and too difficult to find suitable homes, the prosecutor submitted.
Zheng originally faced 565 charges over 18 months after Conservation Regulator officials raided his home and a home in Caroline Springs in January 2023.
He was identified as the principal offender in Operation Pike, in which officers seized 139 native reptiles such as shingleback lizards, and Centralian and common blue-tongue skinks.
All up, the initial charges involved 158 animals across 14 species kept without a wildlife
permit, 89 illegally imported/exported animals, and 166 animals kept in contravention of Zheng’s wildlife licence.
He was also accused of forging documents for illegal sales - punishable by up to 10 years’ jail.
There was no evidence that Zheng mistreated or neglected the animals.
However his offending led to potential biodiversity and biosecurity risks, a prosecutor told Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on 11 February.
Zheng’s offending was described by his
Pair evacuated from fire
Two residents have been safely evacuated from a fierce blaze at a home in Springvale South on the morning of Thursday 13 February.
Fire Rescue Victoria and CFA members were called to the blaze about 9.48am, finding the garage fully involved by fire and spreading into the roof of the adjacent house.
“The response was escalated and the scene was deemed under control at 10.01am,” an FRV spokesperson said.
“Firefighters are conducting checks for fire extension and any remaining hotspots.
“Two occupants were evacuated safely with no injuries.”
A community warning for smoke has been issued for the Dingley Village, Keysborough, Noble Park and Springvale South areas.
Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria were on the scene.
lawyer as largely regulatory. He’d made an “extremely foolish” decision to doctor existing wildlife permits to bypass the regulatory regime.
“He’s engaging in offending which if he followed the right steps would be lawful.”
Born in China, Zheng arrived in Australia with his family when he was 14.
Speaking little English, he found it difficult to fit in at school and grew a fascination for lizards, his lawyer told the court.
The engineering graduate and now junior
project manager sought a non-conviction so to preserve his hopes of professional registration and travel to China.
In sentencing, magistrate Howe ordered Zheng to look after 22 of the seized blue-tongues - those that didn’t require to be under the care of a licencee.
There was doubt whether he’d be reissued with a wildlife licence.
The department was ordered to find homes for the remaining nine specimens.
The department also sought Zheng to pay $70,125 costs for the upkeep of the seized reptiles up to two years ago.
Zheng’s lawyer disputed the “extraordinary sum” as well as the power of the court to award such costs.
Eventually prosecution and defence lawyers settled on $30,000.
Howe sentenced Zheng to a two-year ‘good behaviour bond’ with no conviction, due to his young age, the unsophisticated crimes, guilty plea, no priors, “real prospects” of rehabilitation and a budding professional career.
Zheng must also donate $4000 to the court’s charity fund.
Lucky escape for resident
A resident has been treated for smoke inhalation after a home was destroyed by a suspicious fire in Ash Street, Doveton on Friday morning (14 February).
Firefighters got the call-out about 9.13am, finding the single-storey brick house “fully involved by fire”.
Two FRV crews in breathing apparatus doused the fire inside the building and searched for occupants.
“All occupants were accounted for and one
patient was with Ambulance Victoria for smoke inhalation.”
The fire was brought under control by 9.32am and deemed suspicious, the spokesperson said.
Victoria Police was investigating the scene.
The fire’s cause was yet to be determined, a police spokesperson stated.
“No one was injured during the incident.” FRV issued a community advisory message warning of smoke in the area.
A bearded dragon allegedly seized as part of Operation Pike. (Supplied)
Badminton centre out
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A proposed indoor sports facility in a Keysborough industrial estate has been refused by the state’s planning tribunal.
Auslander Developments sought a permit to use an existing warehouse at 32 Bass Court for two basketball courts or 24 badminton courts, and two table tennis courts.
The proponent submitted for up to 100 patrons and staff, with access to 100 car spaces, at the ‘Bass Badminton Centre’.
On 10 February, VCAT member Cassandra Rea ruled it was inappropriate to place the sports facility within the ‘buffer zone’ to the “state significant” Industrial 2 zone (IN2Z) in Dandenong South.
This is despite a school, temples of worship and houses being already in similar proximity to the IN2Z – which is home to heavy industry.
“It may be the case that these sensitive uses may cease to exist.
“It also does not justify adding to the number of sensitive uses that may impact on the functional operation of the industrial area.
“I am not persuaded that it achieves orderly planning to introduce a very large non-industrial use with 96 patrons into an area that functions as a buffer from more heavy industrial uses.”
Auslander had argued there was an “obvious notable community benefit” with little, or no, negative impacts, Rea noted.
It submitted the health and amenity of players wouldn’t be impacted by odour or dust from surrounding industries.
Rea was also concerned that the proposed sports facility’s site in an Industrial 1 zone would
be no longer available for industrial and commercial use.
“This issue is heightened given the relatively large size of the premises (3737 square metres).”
Rea also found against the parking and traffic design.
“With 100 vehicles accessing this site, and potentially more with the future development on the adjoining site that is likely to include commercial vehicles, a safe and functional layout is essential.
“I am not convinced that the layout of car parking and reliance of the accessways to provide pedestrian access in addition to vehicles, will create a desirable safe environment for these recreational patrons, particularly the length of the accessway at 97 metres.”
The matter was decided at Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) due to Greater Dandenong Council failing to decide upon the application on time.
At the December hearings, the council opposed the permit.
Monday Blitz syndicate scoops $1m lottery win
A Dandenong syndicate win of $1 million was shared among 15 Melburnians drawn on Monday 10 February.
The group syndicate, aptly named ‘Monday Blitz’, held the only division one winning entry nationally in Weekday Windfall, draw 4506.
The syndicate’s System 7 entry also won division three six times, bolstering their total windfall to $1,002,602.80.
Each syndicate member of the ‘Monday Blitz’ syndicate took home a $66,840.19 prize.
The group won the division one syndicate with shares set up by the Dande Lotto with some share bought online and sold at seven other Tatts licensed lottery outlets across Melbourne including Springvale Authorised Newsagency & Lotto.
While some of the winning syndicate members held registered entries and have been notified of their win, The Lott spokesperson Eliza
Wregg said some of the winning group might still be unaware of their good fortune.
“While we’ll be reaching out to nine of the syndicate members who registered their Weekday Windfall tickets to The Lott Members Club, the other six syndicate members hold unregistered entries and may not yet know they’re part of this winning group.
“If you purchased a share in a group syndicate for the recent Weekday Windfall draw, today’s the day to check it! Players can check their tickets online via thelott.com or via The Lott app.”
The winning numbers in Weekday Windfall draw 4506 on Monday 10 February 2025 were 30, 12, 9, 37, 11 and 29 while the supplementary numbers were 8 and 20.
Across Australia, there was one division one winning entry in Weekday Windfall draw 4506 – one in Victoria.
Oak Tree Hill is a well-established retirement community with beautiful gardens, located in Glen Waverley.
Set on 15 hectares, it’s close to parklands, Monash Aquatic Centre, Waverley Private Hospital, and Glen Waverley Bowls Club. Enjoy nearby shopping at The Glen, cafes, and restaurants, with a community shuttle for easy access.
Don’t miss out on low-maintenance retirement living, enjoying spacious, modern villas with private courtyard gardens and 24/7 emergency call systems.
Unforgettable journey to stunning destinations
IF it’s time to embark on an unforgettable journey to a myriad of destinations where each day unveils nature’s wonders and with itineraries shaped by the elements, then its timetoexploreaVikingcruise.
If water is a love language, then Viking have some of the most glorious lagoons and hot spring adventures to tick off the bucket list.
The famous cruise line’s wellness-focused shore excursions are highly sought after by travellers who want a little more from their holiday. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Iceland with impressive natural wonders including the famed Golden Circle waterfall, rugged canyons and geothermal features including the Blue Lagoon.
Soak in the mineral-rich waters of Iceland’s fabled Blue Lagoon, said to be the nation’s health and beauty secret. Meet a guide for a drive through the rugged lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula, home of this famous geothermal pool Reykjavík is home to endless charms, watched over by the majestic Esja mountain range. The breathtaking natural sites are in abundance, from towering waterfalls and soaring mountains to blue thermal springs.
Relax in the warmth of a rejuvenating oceanside geothermal lagoon during a visit to the Sky Lagoon. Unwind as and enjoy breathtaking views of the North Atlantic Ocean through the largest single window in Iceland.
There will be free time to explore the spa at leisure, or choose to partake in the ‘Ritual’; a unique seven-step experience. Start with an immune system-stimulating dip in the cold plunge, then visit the sauna, letting the heat open pores, remove toxins and cleanse the skin. Slowly stroll through the cold fog-mist space, balancing out the heat of the sauna breathing deeply and refreshing the senses. Then, apply the lagoon’s signature body scrub to exfoliate the skin before entering the steam sauna to maximize its healing benefits. Closing eyes and enjoying the moment of tranquillity. After, feeling renewed and relaxed, passengers return to the ship.
When in Budapest it is time to soak up the restorative powers of thermal baths and join locals in a centuries-old tradition. Ancient Romans discovered the benefits of bathing in the thermal waters that flow through Budapest.
Accompany a guide to one of the city’s historic baths, immersing in the therapeutic waters that have flowed here for centuries. During the visit, mingle with the locals taking a soak or observe some bathers as they pass the time with a game of chess in the pool. So revered have these waters
been that many have been sheltered within facilities that exude a temple-like aura.
For those yearning to travel this October, then it’s time to unravel the mysteries of one of the most captivating corners of Asia with the Hong Kong to Tokyo cruise.
Mingle with merchants at Hong Kong’s famed Stanley Market. Learn the nuances of Taiwan from a local. Hear about the recovery of Nagasaki and Hiroshima from residents, connect to their rebirths. And make sense of the dazzling cultures of Shimizu and Tokyo with the help of those who live there. Overnight stays in four ports allow passengers to delve deeply.
Immerse in one of Japan’s most cherished rit-
uals, bathing in a hot spring. Embark on a scenic drive by motor coach to the Aqua Garden, set in the hills above Beppu. Here, 11 onsens, or openair pools, invite a relaxing dip in the therapeutic, mineral-rich waters.
There are also sauna with a variety of salt scrubs to massage away any aches and leave feeling refreshed and invigorated.
For an authentic Japanese bathing experience, soak in the Tanayu spring pool where a guide will explain the culture and etiquette behind the tradition. Afterward, travel to Umi Jigoku, one of Beppu’s ‘Boiling Hells’. Marvel at its boiling turquoise waters and enchanting, otherworldly aura.
Viking state-of-the-art ships turn every room
into a panoramic gallery, offering incredible views with floor-to-ceiling windows inspired by Norway’s bird hides.
Whether indoors or outdoors, be immersed in extraordinary views in absolute comfort while exploring the Viking way.
Join Viking for a truly immersive experience that bringing passengers closer to nature and all her splendour and where prices cover everything guests needs, and nothing they do not.
To learn more about the many Viking adventures that await, please visit viking.com or phone 138 747.
Soak in the mineral-rich waters of Iceland’s fabled Blue Lagoon.
LEE MCCARTHY
Immerse in one of Japan’s most cherished rituals, bathing in a hot spring. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Iceland with impressive natural wonders.
A joy for the spirit and the mind
CONSIDER the joy of taking a journey to engageyourmindanddelightyourspiritwhere you return home from your dream holiday in better shade physically and mentally than when you left.
This is not only possible but by indulging in the centuries-old Nordic bathing ritual of hot and cold therapy during your voyage you will be booking your next vacation before you leave the ship.
Following Nordic tradition, Viking’s onboard Badestamp, a traditional wooden-sided hot tub, is perfect for relaxing after a day of exploration. Try the longstanding Scandinavian practice of alternating between hot and cold when bathing to relax and rejuvenate.
Or spend time discovering the benefits of utilising the world’s first snow grotto at sea aboard all Viking cruise ships.
As Steve McKenna discovered on his fifteenday voyage on Viking Jupiter from Barcelona to Copenhagen, the snow grotto is among the most irresistible features of the Viking Cruise Line.
“The key to the Nordic bathing ritual, we’re told by the spa’s therapists, is not necessarily how long you spend in each place, but how often you repeat the process. Warming the body opens the pores; the cold rinses the toxins and closes pores,” he said.
“The spa area has other wellness diversions, including a free-to-use gym with weights and cardio machines, daily yoga and stretching classes and a hair salon offering everything from trims to Nordic scalp treatments.”
As spa designer Raison d’Etre explained these relaxation therapies are onboard to help you rejuvenate the body and calm the mind enhancing your health and well-being, with the entire process designed to detoxify, energize, and restore balance.
“Connectivity to nature, a healthy lifestyle, beauty, and sound mindfulness are characteristics of the Nordic people. The LivNordic Spa
pursues holistic wellbeing by drawing on the rich resource that Nordic culture–traditional and contemporary, has to offer.”
For the second consecutive year, Cruise Critic editors awarded Viking Best for Light Expedition and Best Spa.
“The LivNordic Spa is among the most gorgeous and serene spas we’ve seen at sea.
The spa, found aboard all of Viking’s oceangoing vessels, is inspired by Nordic traditions, which offer a balance between hot and cold therapies
that are said to stimulate the circulatory system,”
Cruise Critic said
“The pretty thermal suite features a beautifully designed thalassotherapy pool with an adjacent hot tub. They’re backed by a fireplace, which uses flame-like water vapor and is the first we’ve seen in a cruise ship spa.”
“In keeping with hot and cold traditions, other features include warmed tile loungers, a rustic Norwegian-style shower that features a bucket that dumps cold water on your head, a steamy sauna and a snow grotto.”
“Even better, whereas most cruise lines charge a premium for thermal spa time, Viking has bucked the trend, making access complimentary. Viking sets the bar sky-high for cruise ship spas.”
Viking thrives on being the number one destination focused and culturally enriching cruise line. Is it time for you to discover what makes Viking the world’s leading small ship cruise line?
Book your therapeutic cruise today by visiting www.viking.com or by phoning (AU) 138 747.
The Nordic Spa, found aboard all of Viking’s oceangoing vessels, is inspired by Nordic traditions, which offer a balance between hot and cold therapies.
LEE MCCARTHY
Utilise the well equipped fitness centre while on board a Viking cruise.
Relaxation therapies including the sauna are all onboard to help you rejuvenate the body and calm the mind.
If yoga is part of your fitness routine you can enjoy onboard.
MEDITERRANEAN’S ICONIC SHORES
Barcelona to Istanbul or vice versa
29 DAYS | 8 COUNTRIES | 23 GUIDED TOURS
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Tokyo to Vancouver or vice versa
23 DAYS | 3 COUNTRIES | 8 GUIDED TOURS
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From $12,195pp in Veranda Stateroom
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Bergen to Copenhagen or vice versa
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Your itinerary
China’s Ancient Treasures, Luxury East Asia Voyage & Cherry Blossom Discovery.
23 Nights | 22 February 2026 | Prices fr $8,899pp
Witness China’s Terracotta Army and the Great Wall, cruise the highlights of the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan on Holland America Line’s Westerdam, and experience Mount Fuji in bloom.
Be swept away in China’s extraordinary ancient past during this all-encompassing trip. Follow in the footsteps of emperors in Beijing’s Forbidden City and Summer Palace, and see the Great Wall of China. Meet Xi’an’s 8,000 terracotta warriors, every one unique.
Fly to Hong Kong for a one-night stay before embarking Holland America Line’s elegant Westerdam. Be awed by Boracay’s powdery white-sand beaches before exploring vibrant Manila. From port in Keelung, discover Taipei, the bustling capital of Taiwan. Witness the tranquil beauty of Japan’s Ishigaki Island ahead of Osaka, home to sacred shrines and sushi dens. Disembarking in Tokyo for a two-night hotel stay, you’ll experience a full-day Mount Fuji tour.
In Xi’an, one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilisation, witness the astounding 8,000 life-sized sculptures of the Terracotta Army. Discovered by sheer chance in 1974 when a group of farmers were digging a well, the soldiers form part of the necropolis built for China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang in 210 BC.
Your holiday includes
Full-Board Cruise
14 night full-board cruise on board Westerdam
Visiting: Hong Kong, Puerto Princesa, Boracay, Manila, Kaohsiung, Keelung, Ishigaki Island, Naha, Osaka, Yokohama
Fully Escorted Tours
Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square; Great Wall of China and Summer Palace; fast Train to Xi’an; Terracotta Warriors; complimentary tour of Mount Fuji including the Hakone
Holland America Line’s Westerdam is a superb ship for those looking for a leisurely pace of life at sea, yet with interesting activities, modern innovations, high-quality dining options, and contemporary entertainment venues.
Ropeway cable car; complimentary boat trip across Lake Ashi and complimentary high-speed bullet train to Tokyo
Hotel Stays
Five-star hotel stays in Beijing, Xi’an and Hong Kong
Four-star hotel stay in Tokyo
All Flights, Taxes & Transfers
Overnight flight
Mixed results on surgeries
By Sahar Foladi
Elective surgery wait times have improved overall at Casey and Dandenong Hospitals, according to the latest quarterly stats released by the Victorian Agency for Health Information.
Both hospitals completed 100 per cent of urgent surgeries (category 1) within the recommended 30-day wait times in the October-December 2024 quarter. This was also the case in the same quarter in 2023.
By the end of the reporting between October to December 2024, the median waiting time for semi-urgent (category 2) planned surgeries was 67 days in Casey Hospital with 66 per cent treated within the clinically recommended time of 90 days.
This is compared to 60 days at Dandenong Hospital with a 63 per cent semi-urgent patients treated within 90 days.
Similarly, in category 3, 80 per cent of nonurgent patients were seen within the recommended time of 365 days.
This is a significant improvement from 47 per cent a year earlier.
Dandenong Hospital also recorded an improved 62 per cent, up from 43 per cent.
However, despite the improvements, there are a large number of patients receiving overdue semi-urgent surgeries despite a drop in the number of people treated at Casey (18 per cent down) and Dandenong (10.5 per cent down).
Overdue surgeries are those that occur beyond the recommended treatment times.
In Casey, there were 1899 patients who received overdue semi-urgent surgeries and 1145 in Dandenong.
The average overdue wait times are 102 days in Casey and 156 days in Dandenong.
Moreover there’s a significant amount of people still on the waiting list for planned surgeries across all categories, urgent, semi-urgent and non-urgent as of December 2024.
In Casey hospital, 2287 patients are waiting and 1744 in Dandenong hospital.
Victoria’s Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas MP says investments made to improve surgery wait times are contributing to the success of the “impressive results,” highlighting the roles of the Government’s urgent care clinics and virtual emergency department.
“Despite facing record demand our dedicated doctors, nurses, midwives and paramedics continue to provide world-class healthcare to Victorians, when and where they need it.
“We’re continuing to invest in our hospitals - growing the workforce, delivering more beds and reforming how our health services work
together – to reduce pressure on EDs and our paramedics.”
Opposition health spokesperson Georgie Crozier says the system “remains far from meeting crucial benchmarks”, noting the 65 to 70 per cent of ambulance transfers within 40 minutes.
“The government keeps shifting blame, but the reality is patients are still waiting too long for care.
“Instead of fixing the root causes, the government’s response has been to penalise health services for failing to meet targets – yet it’s patients who are ultimately paying the price.
“It shouldn’t be this hard to get patients transferred and treated on time.”
Ms Crozier also points out this is despite the reduced patient load, hospitals continue to struggle to meet the 40-minute target.
Longer ambulance wait times in Casey and Dandenong
By Violet Li
Casey and Greater Dandenong residents waited longer for the ambulance than last year, according to the latest quarterly statistics released by Ambulance Victoria (AV).
From October to December 2024, about 61.3 per cent of Code 1 incidents in Casey were responded to within 15 minutes, a drop from 64.6 per cent in the same period in 2023. The average response time was 15 minutes 46 seconds in the quarter, 35 seconds longer than the year before.
Greater Dandenong saw an 8.2 per cent decrease in Code 1 incident responses within 15 minutes in the quarter, from 74.3 per cent in 2023 to 66.1 per cent in 2024. The average response time in 2024 was one minute and six seconds longer than in 2023, from 13 minutes 49 seconds to 14 minutes 55 seconds.
Neither the performance in Casey nor Dan-
IN BRIEF
Teen arrested following aggravated burglary in Berwick
A 16-year-old boy from the Casey area has been arrested by police following an alleged aggravated burglary and the theft of a car in Berwick overnight.
Officers spotted an allegedly stolen grey Mercedes sedan travelling on the Princes Highway in Narre Warren around 3:35am on Thursday 13 February.
It was seen to allegedly have been travelling at speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour.
Police kept watch on the Mercedes as it allegedly travelled throughout Berwick and then inbound on the Princes Freeway, once again reaching speeds of up to 200km/hr.
It was claimed that the Mercedes narrowly collided with another vehicle on Wheelers Park Drive.
Officers then successfully deployed a tyre deflation device on Clyde Road, however, the vehicle allegedly continued driving to the Monash Freeway before it was dumped near the Stud Road exit in Dandenong North.
It is alleged that the driver of the vehicle fled on foot afterwards, but with the assistance of the K9 unit, police arrested the teen in a nearby reserve.
Investigators believe the Mercedes was stolen overnight from a Coachella Way property in Berwick.
This investigation remains ongoing, and anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam and/or CCTV footage or additional information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential report online at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au/ Pole falls across Monash Fwy after hit-run crash
Police are seeking public help in investigating an alleged hit-run crash in Mulgrave.
Southern Metro Crime Squad say a white Volkswagen Polo crashed into a pole on Monash Freeway at the intersection of Springvale Road about 11.45pm on Saturday 8 February.
denong in this quarter met the statewide targets of responding to Code 1 incidents within 15 minutes for 85 per cent of incidents.
Statewide, AV crews across Victoria responded to 64.9 per cent of Code 1 cases within the state-wide target of 15 minutes.
The state-wide average response time to Code 1 emergencies was 15 minutes and 42 seconds. Code 1 incidents happen to patients who require urgent paramedic and hospital care.
Statistics from the Victorian Agency for Health Information (VAHI) have shown that when it comes to the 90th percentile response time for life-threatening incidents under Code 1 incidents, Casey recorded a response time of 19.02 minutes in the October to December quarter, about 2.88 minutes slower compared with the year before. The number was higher than the statewide value of 18.74 minutes.
Ambulance Victoria (AV) executive direc-
tor Regional Operations Danielle North said demand for ambulance crews remains steadily high, with the last quarter of 2024 being AV’s fourth busiest on record.
“We have seen a 26.6 per cent increase in Code 1 cases since the pandemic began more than five years ago,” Ms North said.
“October to December is commonly one of our busiest times, and last year was no exception as our crews were called to 99,799 Code 1 emergencies. This was also the third quarter in a row close to or above 100,000 cases.
“In the face of this sustained pressure, our highly skilled paramedics and first responders do a remarkable job providing the best care to their communities, each and every day.”
Ms North said there was more work to do.
“AV continues to work with hospitals to promptly transfer patients and ensure all Victorians receive the right care at the right time,”
The crash caused the pole to fall across three laneways of southbound traffic.
No one was injured.
Police have been told four occupants of the Polo got out of the vehicle and fled in a stolen white BMW.
The Polo was stolen from a railway station on Endeavour Drive in Cranbourne North just before 8pm, prior to the crash.
Any information or dashcam footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic. com.au
Springvale boy charged with alleged aggravated burglaries, car theft
A Springvale boy has been charged over a series of alleged aggravated burglaries and car thefts earlier this month.
Southern Metro Region Crime Squad detectives say that intruders stole keys to two cars and a motorbike from inside a Caulfield South home just after 4am on 7 February.
They then fled in the victim’s BMW X5 and Ford Ranger.
The same morning, the intruders took car keys, wallets and watches from a Beaumaris property, and stole a Mazda MX5, Audi Q5 and BMW X3.
The occupants were not physically injured
during the alleged incidents.
On Tuesday 11 February, detectives arrested a 15-year-old Springvale boy, charging him with four counts of aggravated burglary and seven counts of car theft.
He was presented before a children’s court and was remanded in custody, police say.
Five boys charged with alleged overnight spree
Five teenage boys from the South East have been charged over a series of alleged burglaries and a carjacking overnight (10 February)
Police allege a white Range Rover Discovery, stolen from Elwood on 8 February, was involved in the following incidents:
• An attempted aggravated burglary at a service station on Bayswater Road, Bayswater North about 9.25pm. The offenders were disturbed by a staff member and fled.
• An aggravated cigarette burglary at a service station on Dorset Road in Croydon about 9.30pm.
• An aggravated cigarette burglary at a service station on Mount Dandenong Road in Croydon about 9.40pm.
No one was injured during these incidents.
The Range Rover was followed from Glen Waverley through multiple suburbs by Air Wing,
she said.
“More new paramedics have also hit the road to help meet demand. Since last November, we have welcomed 84 new graduate paramedics to our ranks, and a further 15 new recruits will start soon, including qualified paramedics from New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory and New Zealand.
“Our people are our greatest assets. It is through them that we continue to lead the way in patient care, including one of the best cardiac arrest survival rates in the world.
“We are also giving them the latest technology they need to do their job and get back on the road quicker. In 2025, we are rolling out new digital radios across regional Victoria and iPads to all our crews with a modern platform, making it easier and faster to complete electronic patient care records.”
Operation Trinity units and uniform police on the ground.
A short time later, the occupants allegedly dumped the Range Rover at the intersection of Stud and Boronia roads, Wantirna about 11.15pm.
The teenagers allegedly stole a Ford Focus during an aggravated carjacking on Stud Road, where the driver was threatened with a knife.
The driver was not physically injured during the incident.
It is alleged the teenagers fled in the Focus before stop sticks were successfully deployed as the vehicle approached the intersection of Belmore and Elgar Roads in Mont Albert North.
The car came to a stop on Belmore Road in Mont Albert North where the five male occupants allegedly fled on foot.
Four boys from the Dandenong area, aged 13, 14, 15 and 16, and a 15-year-old boy from the Moorabbin area were all arrested nearby.
A 16-year-old boy was conveyed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, for assessment and later conveyed to Maroondah Crime Investigation Unit.
All five teenagers were charged with aggravated carjacking, aggravated burglary, theft and aggravated burglary.
They were expected to front a children’s court on 11 February.
Police probe three-vehicle crash on Dandenong Bypass
Victoria Police is appealing for dashcam footage relating to a three-vehicle crash on Dandenong Bypass last month.
Police say the crash involved a Toyota Hilux recreational vehicle, a silver Volkswagen Golf wagon and a white Volkswagen Amarok utility about 4.32pm on Thursday 30 January.
All three vehicles were travelling eastbound in the right-hand lane.
As a result of the crash, the RV rolled on its side and the Golf caught fire.
Any information or dashcam footage to Dandenong Highway Patrol on 9767 4444.
A Casey teen has been arrested overnight after an aggravated burglary in Berwick. (File)
Mini wonders on display
Greater Dandenong’s unique annual 9 by 5 exhibition was officially opened at Drum Theatre on Saturday 15 February.
For the 17th year, the event showcases miniature art works confined to 9 x 5 inches (about 23 centimetres x 13 centimetres).
The 2025 version features 200 artists, including Saturday’s announced Best in Show winner Ivan Dinsdale with his acrylic Ferns at Sherbrooke.
Other awardees were Skye Petho, who was highly commended for her watercolour on recycled timber with ink overlay, We Come From Nature.
The Community Connections winner was Talwinder Singh for his acrylic Dandenong Butter Factory.
Greater Dandenong councillor Isabella Do as well as Adam Arness from sponsor Bendigo Bank Dingley Village were also at the event.
9 by 5 is a modern take on an iconic 1889 Melbourne exhibition of art on nine by five-inch cigar box lids, as pioneered by Australian artists Tom Roberts, Charles Conder, Arthur Streeton, and Frederick McCubbin.
The exhibition is in Drum Theatre foyer, Mondays-Fridays 10am-4pm until 2 May.
Vietnamese event celebrates 50 years of freedom
Fifty years of Vietnamese resettlement is set to be celebrated with a Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday 22 February.
Thousands are expected to enjoy the night fireworks, dragon dances, food stalls, cultural performances, childrens activities and an exhibition 50 Years of Freedom.
The event is hosted by South Eastern Melbourne Vietnamese Association Council (SEMVAC), which provides support services for people in need, including translation, housing, migration visa and Centrelink assistance.
The festival received $40,000 of Greater Dandenong Council funding.
It is on Saturday 22 February 10am-10pm at Burden Park, cnr Heatherton and Springvale roads, Springvale.
SEMVAC president Kim Son Vu (centre) with volunteers ahead of the 50-year Lunar New Year celebration on 22 February. (Stewart Chambers: 458040)
SEMVAC president Kim Son Vu (left) with volunteers ahead of the 50-year Lunar New Year celebration on 22 February. (458040)
Cr Isabella Do, Skye Petho, Talwinder Singh, Ivan Dinsdale and Bendigo Bank Dingley Village’s Adam Arness.
Visitors admire the miniature artworks at the exhibition opening at Drum Theatre on 15 February.
Best in Show winner Ivan Dinsdale with his work Ferns at Sherbrooke. (Carla Gottgens)
Highly Commended winner Skye Petho with her work We Come from Nature.
Rows of 9 by 5 inch artworks.
Community Connections winner Talwinder Singh with his work Dandenong Butter Factory.
Heart-felt tribute to ‘Aunty O’
By Sahar Foladi
A musical memoir ‘Aunty O’ based on Australia’s sweetheart Olivia Newton-John is being presented by her niece Tottie Goldsmith at Drum Theatre.
The show will kick-start at the Drum, with a focus on famous actor-singer Olivia’s life away from the limelight and the influence she had on Goldsmith.
“I feel excited and vulnerable,” Goldsmith says on the eve of opening night.
“This was not tried and tested show - you never know how people may respond.
“I just pray they don’t compare me to Olivia singing, I’m just using her song to tell her story.
“I hope they get something from it, see the joy, wisdom and depth of Olivia outside of what they already know about her.”
A well-known actor-singer herself, Goldsmith will perform her aunt’s most cherished songs alongside a five-piece band to share the very intimate details of her life and how Olivia supported her.
“A favourite memory that pops is whenever she was in Melbourne or we were traveling, we’d sit up on the bed talking and falling asleep holding hands.”
Her aunty was her “go-to” person in life and they even worked together at the Olivia NewtonJohn Cancer Wellness and Research Centre at the Austin Hospital in northern Melbourne.
For 30 years of her life, Olivia fought breast cancer until she could no longer do so in 2022.
“I felt it really deeply, I felt bonded to her, and I needed her in my life,” Goldsmith says.
“I work at the hospital, at the cancer centre, working behind the scenes. I feel her presence
WHAT’S ON
Chisholm Dandenong
Info Day
Thinking of studying (or supporting someone to study) one of Chisholm’s 30 courses? Meet the teachers, ask questions and explore Chisholm’s Dandenong campus and facilities. An info session will guide you through courses, education pathways, financial aid and student support services. Plus you can find out how to get started as a TAFE teacher.
• Wednesday 19 February at Chisholm’s Dandenong Campus, 121 Stud Rd, Dandenong. Free event, registrations are required at chisholm. edu.au/about-us/events/info-days
Greek Community Book Day
Explore the rich cultural heritage of the Greek community through music and literature with acclaimed duo Deborah Kayser and Nick Tsiavos. Also discover Greater Dandenong Libraries’ Greek language resources.
• Saturday 22 February 11am-1pm at Springvale Library. Free event.
SEMVAC Lunar New Year Festival
Ring in the Year of the Snake with an unforgettable celebration - which also marks 50 years of Vietnamese resettlement. Enjoy mesmerizing performances, vibrant cultural activities, mouthwatering street food.
• Saturday 22 February 10am-10pm at Burden Park, cnr Heatherton and Springvale roads, Springvale.
Reuse and Recycle Day
Get rid of any larger unwanted household goods suitable for donating or electronic and household goods suitable for recycling. This service is in addition to your free ‘at-call’ annual hard waste collection. No registrations required, highly recommended to attend early as possible.
• Saturday 22 February, 8am -1pm at Greaves Reserve, 20 Bennet Street, Dandenong. Free event.
Greater Dandenong Sustainability Festival
Free, family friendly event with activities, stalls, workshops and experts. Learn more about habitat home gardens, grow your own food, DIY natural beauty and skin care, recycling right and environmental volunteering.
• Sunday 23 February 10am-3pm at Dandenong Market, corner Clow and Cleeland streets Dandenong. Free event.
and doing things like this makes me feel she’s very alive.
“She’s in me in every part of my world.”
As a coping mechanism, Goldsmith turned to write about Olivia and from that, the memoir show started off “organically.”
She talks about the abandonment by her English mother (Olivia’s sister Rona) and how Olivia stepped up to fulfil that role.
“When I was not yet three-years-old, she (her mother) wanted to pursue her career and brought us to England with dad to raise us.
“Olivia felt troubled about it and stepped in with a mother’s heart. It’s the only word I can use to describe it.”
She shares how Olivia bought them tickets to the United States to visit their mother as an 18th birthday gift after she had cut all contact with her three children.
“It’s very tricky for me to understand. She was 24 years old when she had three children, she was very young, her career felt important to her, I can only imagine she made a really difficult decision.
“That was a survival technique for her. She
didn’t tell anybody her struggles in life when she moved to England or America.
“Olivia played a pivotal role in our emotional role, we wouldn’t have known her (their mother) without Olivia.”
But for Olivia, it was important to raise the young children as emotionally and spiritually strong.
“A lot of people are abandoned by their parents even when they are physically around.
“Olivia talked to me a lot of about forgiveness, surrender and acceptance which helped me with the healing process with everything.
“She helped us to understand the other part of where we came from and made us felt loved.”
Goldsmith presents Aunty O at South East Business Network’s International Womens Day event at Drum Theatre on 6 March, 12.30pm. Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greaterdandenong-council/events/international-womens-day-lunch-sebn-showcasing-women
Greater Dandenong Police forum
A Victoria Police panel will take questions from the audience about what issues are important in your community. Topics include crime trends, crime prevention, family violence, young people, road policing, drug-related crime.
• Thursday 27 February, 5.30pm-8.30pm at Springvale City Hall, 16 Grace Park Avenue Springvale. Registrations required at NHPGREATERDANDENONG-MGR@police.vic.gov.au Clean Up Australia Day
A chance for community, schools and businesses to register and join in to clean up. Register to collect and remove litter from the carparks, sports reserves, playgrounds and bushland areas in the city including Ross Reserve (10am-1pm), WJ Turner Reserve (9am-1pm) and Booth Reserve (9am-1pm).
• Sunday 2 March. Free event, registrations required at greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greaterdandenong-council/events/clean-australia-day Multicultural Anxiety Support Group
Inclusive and confidential space for people of varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds who experience persistent anxiety. Regular meetings held online on Zoom, with friendly volunteers.
• First Monday of each month (next 3 March), 6pm-7.30pm. Free event, register at greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greater-dandenong-council/ events/multicultural-anxiety-support-group
Come and Try Badminton
Join us for a fun and social badminton session. All equipment and coaching will be provided. Wear comfortable clothing and don’t forget to bring a
drink bottle. For all ages and abilities.
• Mondays 3, 17, 24, 31 March, 7pm-8pm at Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Rd, Keysborough. Free event. Registration required at greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greater-dandenong-council/events/come-and-try-badminton Laps and lattes
Join us for a scenic walk around the beautiful Dandenong Wetlands with our Heart Foundation Walking Group. Whether you’re a seasoned walker or just starting out, everyone is welcome to join in and enjoy the fresh air. At the end of each session, relax and unwind with a free hot beverage at Dandenong Stadium.
• Monday 3 March, 11am-11.45am. Meet at Dandenong Stadium, 270 Stud Road, Dandenong North. Free event. Registration required at surveymonkey.com/r/6N3FB83
Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club market
Saturday Indoor Market Large variety of stalls.
• Saturday 8 March 8am-2pm at 1 Codrington St, Cranbourne .Stall holder enquiries welcome, $10 per table, places are limited. Details: For Marilyn, 0432 107 590.
Harmony Week forum
Join us for an inspiring conversation over morning tea. Our keynote speaker, Jana Favero, deputy CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, will lead a dynamic Community Panel including Greater Dandenong Community Advocacy coordinator Peter Johnstone and Australian Federal Police community liaison officer Anisa Sharif. Ticket
registration closes 13 March.
• Thursday, 20 March, 9.20am-12pm at The Chamber Room, 1/39 Clow Street Dandenong; $35pp, Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network members and concession $25. Details: Executive@interfaithnetork.org.au
Neighbourhood Watch
Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch hosts its first public forum for 2025 with guest speaker Sergeant Jerome Ithier from Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol.
• Wednesday 26 March 7.30pm (doors open 7pm) at Paddy O`Doughue Centre, 18 Buckley St Noble Park.
Homeschool Enrichment Class
This class is designed to provide additional learning experiences outside of the standard homeschooling curriculum, with a focus on specific subjects and skills.
• Tuesdays 11.30am-1pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; $5/session.
Citizenship Test Preparation
We will help you to improve your English and understand the questions and answers in the citizenship test.
• Thursdays 6.30pm-8.30pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; $20/term.
9 by 5 exhibition
Artists from around Australia present their creativity on panels measuring nine inches by five inches in a wide variety of styles.
• Mondays-Fridays until 5 May, 10am-4pm (and select Saturdays 8 March, 22 March and 5 April, 10.30am-2.30pm) at Drum Theatre, corner Walker and Lonsdale streets, Dandenong. Free event.
Azza Zein: Tashabok Exhibition
This immersive experience delves into the complex narratives of migration, and the invisible threads linking objects, bodies, personal narratives and labour. Through collaborative drawing sessions and conversations, Zein unveils the hidden journeys of displaced objects.
• until Friday 28 February (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays only), 12pm-4pm at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and, Robinson Street, Dandenong.
Tottie Goldsmith’s musical memoir, ‘Aunty O’ is based on her aunty Olivia Newton-John as well as her own journey in life. (457724)
Tottie Goldsmith will be performing at the Drum Theatre next month. (Gary Sissons: 457724)
Wake up call to parties
By Corey Everitt
“Governments need to stop assuming there are safe seats” is what Cardinia Shire Mayor Jack Kowarzik said in a plea for the major parties to learn the lesson of the Werribee by-election by addressing the issues of voters in outer Melbourne.
Appearing this Friday 14 February on ABC Melbourne, Kowarzik spoke on behalf of advocacy group Outer Melbourne Councils (OMC) to state their view on the Werribee by-election.
The chair of OMC said the issues that affect Werribee apply to all residents on the urban fringe and pleaded with both Labor and Liberal to not take their issues for granted.
“I think the Government and the opposition won’t be properly learning the lessons of Werribee if they think those voter frustrations stop at the Ring Road and that is fair to say for both the State and Federal Government,” Kowarzik said.
OMC represents 10 councils that wrap around Melbourne from Werribee’s Wyndham City to Cardinia Shire.
Traffic congestion, infrastructure gaps, local jobs and overall quality of life were the matters Kowarzik raised regarding the 1.6 million people who live in outer Melbourne.
In Cardinia, 70 percent of residents travel outside the shire for work where many of which take a congested Monash Freeway to “Dandenong or even the city”.
“I think politicians need to stop assuming there are safe seats and respond better to voter concerns,” Kowarzik said.
“The impacts of growth are two-fold. Firstly, new residents rightly demand infrastructure, but also with those new residents, it means there are a lot of first-time voters in these seats, no one really knows who these people will vote for and that is certainly enough to swing any of those seats.”
The Werribee by-election saw an unprecedented collapse of the Labor Party’s vote in the seat
they have held safely for decades.
Recording a 16.5 percent swing away, Labor’s primary could not break 30 percent where it was previously polled at 45 percent in 2022.
The South East is strongly Labor with the exception of opposition leader Brad Battin’s hold of Berwick.
Pakenham and Bass will be key seats to pick up for the Liberal Party in 2026 as they are held by margins of less than 0.5 percent.
Narre Warren North, Narre Warren South and Cranbourne are all held by 8 percent for Labor. That margin may not feel as comfortable after Werribee was taken from a safe 10 percent lead to a razor-thin margin that is still being determined almost a week later.
However, Kowarzik was referring to both parties because even though the by-election was held as a victory by the Liberal Party it was far from a mandate stating Werribee wanted them in office.
Rather, the Labor vote splintered across many small parties. The Liberals only recorded a 3.7 percent swing in first preferences.
The Victorian Socialist saw almost the same amount of votes move to them at 3.5 percent.
In total, parties outside Labor and Liberal recorded a primary vote of 41.9 percent.
This is a trend that continues on the Federal level with current opinion polls predicting a hung parliament for the upcoming election.
Roy Morgan recorded the Coalition’s primary vote bump up 2 percent after the Werribee and Prahran by-elections to 40.5 percent.
This is higher than their result in 2022, but if it were to occur it would still be one of their lowest primary votes in history.
The ALP sits at 29 percent, they won the 2022 election on their third-lowest primary vote in history at 32.6 percent.
Roy Morgan predicted 30 percent of the primary vote would move away from Labor and Liberal. In 2022, 31.7 voted for third parties.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Jack Kowarzik (File: 390781)
SPORT Points go begging for City
By Marcus Uhe
A late equaliser from the visiting Preston Lions snatched two points from Dandenong City’s grasp in National Premier League (NPL) action on Friday night in frustrating circumstances for Nick Tolios’ City side.
With City leading 2-1 halfway through four minutes of stoppage time, relentless Preston pressure on City’s goal eventually took its toll, with the Lions converting from the heart of the goal face to level proceedings.
A cross from the right wing to the goalmouth put City’s defenders under immense pressure, with Pierce Clark unable to keep out a toe-poke from point-blank range.
It capped a rollercoaster 90 minutes at Frank Holohan Reserve on Friday night, with the lead changing hands twice in the 2-2 result.
The visitors struck first despite City marshalling possession for the majority of the opening half.
City looked exposed defensively at times but a strong last line of resistance ensured Clark had little involvement in the contest until the opening goal in the 26th minute.
The defensive line was caught napping courtesy of a brilliantly lobbed through ball from deep in City’s attacking half.
It landed at the centre of the trio of Corey Sewell, Jack Webster and Nathan Hancock, with Clark off his line and in ‘no mans land’ as he attempted to retreat to the safety of his net.
Aware of Clark’s poor position, striker Lleyton Brooks executed a delicate volley lob over City’s new shot-stopper that landed perfectly in the bot-
tom corner.
Preston took the slender advantage into the break as an upset win appeared on the cards.
Windy first half conditions turned wet in the second 45 thanks to showers during the intermission.
Jamie Latham levelled the scores in the 77th minute with City’s weight of possession eventually leading to tangible outcome.
Thunder roses bare thorns
By Marcus Uhe
A converted penalty deep in stoppage time saw Dandenong Thunder’s Valentine’s Day contest with Hume City end in late heartbreak in dramatic National Premier League action on Friday night.
Having led for nearly half of the match, it was a chaotic 10 minutes to close the fixture that ultimately cost the visitors in Broadmeadows and sent them on the long drive home with nothing to show for an excellent performance.
Thunder conceded the lead in the 81st minute when the home side levelled proceedings before the one point earned for a draw was snatched from their grasp courtesy of a late spot kick.
Muamet Selimovski’s eagerness to close down dangerous striker Lloyd Isgrove’s run on the left side of the outskirts of the penalty box brought his side undone, with the referee not hesitating in pointing to the spot for contact in the area, despite the disbelief of Thunder players.
New goalkeeper Jamie Young guessed correctly and got his hand to the shot diving to his left, but was unable to prevent the ball from trickling into the net.
Wade Dekker had a golden opportunity to level proceedings with one of the final touches of the contest but missed a simple volley from close range, leaving Thunder one goal behind when the final whistle ended proceedings.
Heavy rain throughout first half made for difficult ball handling conditions as Hume did the majority of the attacking, with Thunder’s defensive line holding strong.
Thunder broke the deadlock late in the half as Hassan Jollah made it two goals in two matches for his new side.
Thunder scored on the counter attack having worked the ball from deep in their defence half after a throw-in.
Midfielder Daniel Clark played the ball wide to the outer wing on the opposite side of the pitch to the re-introduction of play where he found a motoring Jay Romanovski.
Romanovski beat an oncoming defender and played the ball back to Clark on the edge of the penalty area, who stepped around his defender to face the goal.
His defender got his foot to the ball to end Clark’s possession, but it fell to the waiting feet of Jollah, who pounced with his right foot.
Thunder took the advantage into half time looking for an upset on the road and to move to
an unbeaten start from its first two matches
The rain intensified and tensions flared early in the second half when former Thunder midfielder was lucky to survive a potential red card, having poorly executed a sliding challenge on Yuki Ushida.
He did go into the book for a yellow card, but a number of Ushida’s teammates, including Clark, made their thoughts on the challenge very clear to the Hume City number 10.
Hume’s attacking intent was relentless in the second half as Thunder desperately tried to hold square, but the home side eventually could not be denied.
Isgrove drew Hume City level with a stunning goal on his left foot after sidestepping a handful of Thunder defenders in the 81st minute.
Both sides pressed in the dying stages following Hume equaliser as Thunder kicked into gear with the game slipping away.
Four minutes of added time only heightened the tension at Nasiol Stadium, with the home side eventually clawing their way in front courtesy of the late spot kick.
Thunder will be eager to make amends for the result on Saturday night when they host Dandenong City for the Memeti Cup in round three.
The new midfielder linked with Yagoub Mustafa on the left wing in front of the City bench, with Mustafa returning a pass to the number eight as he closed in on goal.
Latham controlled the elevated pass brilliantly and steaded with a dribble as he closed in on goal, before sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from close range.
Jack Webster made it two City goals in five
minutes, converting with a powerful headed shot from the six-yard box after finding his way to Tim Atherinos’ swinging corner.
The home side looked set to bank its first three points of the season until Preston’s late equaliser left City players and supporters with an empty feeling in their stomachs.
A late headed shot from veteran George Lambadaridis as the seconds ticked down was the final chance for City to edge clear, but his attempt was wide of the mark.
Dandenong ended the 90 minutes with 14 shots to their opponent’s six, but only five on target, compared to the Lions’ four.
Preston is now well and truly City’s ‘bogey team’ having never beaten the Lions in six meetings, including four losses and two draws.
Webster and Tom Giannakopoulos lasted the duration of the match in their first games of the season after serving suspensions in round one for incidents in last season’s elimination final.
Walking away with just two points from contests against a side that missed finals in the top flight last season and a newly promoted side in the opening fortnight may come back to haunt City later in the campaign.
While early in the season, it’s the second week in which City was forced to recover from a deficit, having fallen behind three times against St Albans in round one.
Tolios will no doubt be heartened by their reserves of resilience but equally as frustrated at not throwing the first punch.
The Memeti Cup will be on the line in round three when City and Thunder go head-to-head at George Andrews Reserve.
Thunder eye victory over arch rivals in Memeti Cup
By Marcus Uhe
Dandenong City’s club song lyrics will be put under the microscope this weekend with the return of the time-honoured Memeti Cup between Dandenong’s two National Premier League sides.
City claims that there’s “only one ‘Dandy’” when huddled up for the post game ritual but recent results in the showpiece fixture suggest a different story.
Thunder is unbeaten in its last 12 matches against its blue and white rival, having won nine of those matches and tied once.
Thunder claimed maximum points in the two meetings last summer, with a 2-1 win at Frank Holohan early in the season and a 1-0 result at home in June as one of the few sides
City failed to conquer in its brilliant run to finals football.
Birkan Kirdar was the hero in the second win, but the former Melbourne Victory midfielder is no longer in Thunder colours. Adding spice to the contest is the return of Pierce Clark to his former home of George Andrews Reserve.
Clark spent one season with Thunder in 2024 before crossing to enemy lines over summer.
Winless from its opening two contests, City will be eager to break their early season duc, while Thunder has split its first two matches of the 2025 campaign. Kick off for the contest is scheduled for 7pm.
Dandenong City and Dandenong Thunder will lock horns in a local derby this weekend. (Supplied)
Hassan Jollah has two goals in his first two matches for Dandenong Thunder. (Supplied)
Jamie Latham scored his first goal in City colours on Friday night. (Supplied)
Fresh faces bolster Doves
By Justin Schwarze
Doveton has reloaded and bolstered its line-up for season 2025 with multiple fresh faces looking to guide the club to the Promised Land.
Over the summer, the Doves welcomed recruits Zack Charles, Justyn Kennewell, Ryan Hall, Jake Calvert, Jarrod Smith and Michael Richardson through its doors.
After coming up short in the preliminary final in 2024, the Doves will look to build on their experience and be a serious premiership contender.
Calvert, a tall key forward, joins Doveton with a wide variety of football experience, including playing for the Dandenong Stingrays and the Frankston Dolphins of the VFL.
“We’ve seen him come through the Stingrays where he played some really good footy there and through the VFL system,” Doves senior coach Matt Stapleton said of Calvert.
“He’s got a lot of experience, really good size and lovely skills and can take a really nice contested mark, we’re really happy to have Jake on board.”
Richardson joins the club from Emerald, where he was a part of its 2023 premiership side.
With the season still a few weeks away, his impact has already been felt at the club.
“Michael is a really well-balanced, skilful player,” Stapleton said.
“He’s been showing some really good signs over the preseason, and he’s been really good out there for us on the track.”
Smith has returned to Doveton after playing in the club’s junior program.
He has enjoyed premiership success over his career with different clubs, winning senior titles
in 2022 with Narre Warren and last year with Nar Nar Goon.
His football resume attracted the Doves, who hope his post-season experience can translate in 2025.
“He’s going to add tremendous value for us as a forward-midfield type of role,” Stapleton stated.
“Anyone that has a premiership on their footy resume, you’re obviously doing something right.”
Other recruits announced for the upcoming season were Charles returning to Doveton from Officer, Hall from Rowville and Kennewell from East Brighton.
“All these guys, we’re looking forward to seeing what they can do for us this year to help get better,” Stapleton said.
“Ryan’s come in and led the way with the group from a perspective of his footy IQ and the way he prepares.
“Zack is still pretty young but has shown tremendous improvement, so we’re really excited to get him back into the club.
“Justyn’s played a really good amount of senior footy in a strong team and a strong competition.”
With their eyes set on ramping up before the Division 2 season kicks off on 5 April, the team looks to mesh their youth and new recruits.
There’s a goal on winning, but also one of development and culture.
“We’re looking for a few of our younger guys, 22 and under, to hopefully start to take that next step with their footy,” Stapleton said.
“These players we’ve brought in can complement some of the younger guys, which is really important for us as a footy club that we develop them as best as possible.”
Cobras, Knights push on despite Mother Nature’s impact
By Marcus Uhe
Mother Nature played an unwanted and unwarranted cameo in what was set to be a thrilling weekend of Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) across the Turf 1, 2, and 3 this weekend.
Just five of the 12 matches saw play on Saturday, with the remaining seven to be played as 45-over contests next Saturday.
Of acute importance is Springvale South’s visit to Hallam Kalora Park in Turf 1, which will likely determine who finishes second and earns a double chance in the opening round of finals, and Coomoora’s trip to Parkmore, which pits second against fourth.
From the contests that did take place, Fountain Gate’s top-of-the-table contest with Keysborough saw the Knights take the upper hand at home, with teenager Dante Happawana the star of the show.
Happawana finished with 4/21 from his 7.2 overs and two run outs as the mastermind of the Gators’ collapse.
From 3/89, Fountain Gate finished day one at 8/110, thanks to Happawana’s four wickets and his second run out.
He broke a 70-run partnership between John Mirranay and Fountain Gate captain Karan Singh at 4/89 by dismissing Mirranay for 41, before the Gators capitulated late in the day, losing 4/5.
Antony Pradeep was the next to go after Mirranay for two, having been swallowed by Christo Otto, with Singh (41), Nadim Nazif (zero) and Ray Pal (two) all departing with the score on 110.
Outside of the pair of 41s, only Shantanu Gupta reached double figures for the Gators, making 10.
Should Keysborough complete the equation next week, they will likely lock up the coveted top spot on the table with one round to play.
The Knights face Doveton in round 14, which they will expect to win comfortably.
Doveton is set for another outright loss next week, having lost a combined 17 wickets for 116 runs against Lynbrook.
The Doves equalled their lowest total of the season, reaching just 49 in the first, as Jesse Walia claimed 8/22.
Lynbrook declared at 4/60 with an 11-run lead, before taking a further seven Doves wickets for 67 runs before stumps.
Walia claimed a further two to complete a 10-wicket haul, with Jatinder Singh grabbing 4/13.
Doveton will begin day two with a 56-run lead.
Carew: 455071)
Lynbrook will be chasing the 10 points banked from an outright win as the Lakers remain an outside chance of claiming fourth place.
They are currently four points adrift from Hampton Park and Berwick Springs, tied on 40 points in fourth and fifth respectively.
The two managed 60 overs of play at Berwick Springs Recreation Reserve on Saturday, with Titans star Jackson Marie making a welcome return to form.
Marie, the most destructive batter in the competition last season, hit 106 at the top of the order in just his second score above 50 at Turf 3 level, as Berwick Springs posted 7/297.
Braydon Hillman (60) and Radomir Badzoka (42) added important contributions to the Titans’ best batting performance of the summer.
Turf 2’s only contest saw Cranbourne limp to an underwhelming score against HSD in a topthree showdown.
A HSD win will go a long way to the Cobras securing the minor premiership, and they bowled with this information in mind, leaving
Cranbourne in trouble at 9/95 at stumps.
Eagles captain Harrison Carlyon tinkered with the batting order, sending Dean McDonell to the top of the card and moving himself to number four.
McDonell’s opening partner Hayden Lamb, and number three Ketan Bakshi both departed for one, with the Eagles reeling at 2/12 once rain brought a temporary halt to proceedings.
Conditions were difficult for batting when play resumed, as Ryan Patterson and Triyan De Silva honed in on dangerous areas with the ball, beating outside edges on countless occasions.
McDonell was dropped on four in a frustrating moment for the Cobras but the emotions quickly subsided when Carlyon departed in the following over.
Tied down by the HSD combination’s dot ball pressure, Carlyon attempted to push back with an aggressive lofted stroke down the ground that failed to gain the necessary leverage.
It did not clear De Silva at mid off, who hung on to the big wicket to send the captain on his way for 14.
The Eagles opted to occupy the crease for
the remainder of the afternoon with the scoring rate barely passing two for the duration of the 56 overs.
McDonell lasted 100 balls to reach 17 and Justin Dickinson joined his skipper in reaching 14.
Patterson finished with 3/11 from his 14 overs as Harry Funnell and Sakuntha Liyanage each took two wickets.
Cranbourne is staring down the barrel of a third-consecutive loss and will need to rediscover the winning form quickly with only one round remaining until finals action begins.
In Turf 1, Berwick is 1/10 in pursuit of Beaconsfield’s 164, with Berwick spinner Lachlan Brown bagging his second hattrick in three weeks.
The left-arm finger spinner took the wickets of Michael Dunstan and Daniel Maskiell in consecutive deliveries to end the 41st over, before removing Jake Cutting with the first of the 43rd to complete the set.
With four catchers in close on Cutting’s off side and two on the leg side, Brown speared a flat, low ball at his off stump in which Cutting edged into the gloves of Jordan Cleland.
Just two weeks ago, Brown grabbed his firstever hat-trick in the final of the DDCA’s T20 competition against Cranbourne, and now has a second to show for his efforts.
Beaconsfield made a promising start to the day with a 39-run stand at Arch Brown Reserve between openers Jack Steel (28) and Andrey Fernando (26) but things went pear-shaped for the Tigers upon their departures.
In-form batter Tyler Clark managed just six before another middle-order collapse railroaded proceedings.
Beaconsfield lost 5/7 between the 36th and 43rd overs as captain, Susantha Pradeep, Abaseen Taniwal, and Dunstan all made way in quick succession.
Allrounder Ashan Madhushanka watched the drama unfold from the other end, making a resolute 30, before being the ninth wicket to fall at 9/121.
Final wicket pair Nawid Mohammady and Charlie Johnson’s 43-run partnership was the biggest of the afternoon, with Mohammady making 35 to top score for the Tigers.
The partnership could prove vital in preserving the Tigers’ percentage, which is set to play a crucial role in determining their fate in the context of the relegation battle come season’s end.
Berwick lost Jarryd Wills for eight in the four overs they batted before stumps, finishing play at 1/10.
Berwick Springs’ opener Jackson Marie crunched his first century of the summer on Saturday against Hampton Park. (Rob
Doveton coach Matthew Stapleton is excited for the Doves’ new recruits in 2025. (Stewart Chambers: 399551)
