$59m first stage of community sports precinct (SESH) 1600 new homes
$1.3B economic impact
7160 FTE jobs supported in construction 84 hectares of public green space created
MATT WINDLEY
Sometimes there are ideas that have too much common sense to ignore.
The Keysborough Golf Club (KGC) relocation project is one of those.
The KGC wants to move to realise a long-term sustainable future.
Community sports clubs in South East Melbourne need access to more pitches, fields and courts.
Melbourne desperately needs more welllocated homes, and there is a site in Keysborough that is more than appropriate for development.
And there is a swathe of under-utilised, inaccessible brown wedge land in the City of Greater Dandenong (CGD) that is crying out to be enhanced.
This project can make all of these things happen. But the elements are interwoveneach cannot happen without the others also falling into place.
Yet as it stands, there is no avenue for this project to even be assessed let alone approved.
In 2015 the cash-strapped KGC membership voted to relocate 2km south to Bangholme on the promise of delivery of a $60 million modern-age facility.
The Club can’t afford to make the necessary upgrades to its existing course itself. So to implement its relocation project it partnered with Intrapac Property.
It is proposed that up to 1600 homes will be built on the current KGC site, leveraging Intrapac’s award-winning Somerfield Estate nearby. The new houses would be located in the midst of Keysborough’s existing public infrastructure and amenities.
Accompanying the project would be a $59 million sports facility that won’t cost the cashstrapped State Government a cent. Better yet, the South East Sports Hub (SESH), which would be almost next door to the new KGC, is proposed to be gifted to the local Council once built.
The community also needs more publiclyaccessible green space to be able to enjoy passive recreation, particularly in an area such as CGD which experiences some of Victoria’s lowest levels of key health and wellbeing indicators. This project will create 84 hectares of it.
This project is teeming with potential community benefit. But at the moment there is no mechanism to bring the concept to life, a concept that is projected to have a $1.3 billion impact on the local economy and support more than 7000 jobs.
Chief among the reasons why is the quirky positioning of the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB).
The UGB was a line that was meant to guide future growth and be reviewed periodically to ensure its relevance is maintained. Right now there is no mechanism to consider common sense adjustments such as this, at a time when land supply for homes is at historical lows.
This means a once-in-a-generation plan that would save the historic KGC, give more than 5000 people somewhere to live, provide fields and courts for thousands of local kids to play sports, and convert hectares of neglected, inaccessible brown space into beautiful, usable green space for the community to enjoy cannot even be technically assessed as there is no available pathway to do so.
That’s not to say that this proposal does not present some legitimate questions that need to be answered.
Can the area handle increased traffic? All new residential traffic will flow through Springvale Road and Hutton Road, which both have ample capacity to accommodate this increased demand. There will be no road connections to, or any effect had on, existing local streets.
Is the SESH and new KGC being built on a floodplain? No, the State Government’s modelling says it is not. And while the area in its current form has been inundated in the past, any new development on the site will of course be properly engineered and fitted with suitable landscaping and drainage to meet Council and State requirements.
Isn’t this just a ploy to make developers millions of dollars? Of course there are companies that stand to financially benefit from the project, but that’s how our economy works - the property sector is no exception, infrastructure doesn’t get built otherwise.
Won’t this leave the KGC temporarily without a home? No. The new course must be built and then satisfy strict playability criteria before play on the existing course ceases, enabling an interruption-free transfer.
And won’t this be a precedent that will create an existential threat to the Green Wedge?
There is no slippery slope here. The UGB and Green Wedge are useful tools in guiding development and protecting important environmental and agricultural values where they exist.
But it is also untrue to suggest that the current UGB was formed with perfect science, or that there shouldn’t be merit-based considerations to change it on a case-by-case basis by State and local leaders of the day.
This project isn’t about building a bunch of new houses and infrastructure in the middle of pristine, environmentally valuable green land.
This is about putting homes in a well-serviced area that was originally meant to be inside the UGB and currently has housing to its immediate north, east and south-west, completing an infill area that was historically meant to be a residential zone.
This is about converting dilapidated and underutilised brown land into usable, more
ecologically sound green space that can be enjoyed by the community and local fauna and flora species alike.
Where are our future generations going to live, work and play within CGD if we don’t keep pace with population growth and demands?
The State Government of the day should be trusted to make common sense calls on the positioning of the UGB to serve the best interests of its constituents.
This is one of those decisions.
The KGC wants to move. Intrapac wants to build affordable homes. And privately-funded, public sports facilities are waiting to be built. Why would we not consider this idea on its merits?
It is time for the CGD and State Government to enable this project to run its course through a technical approval process.
Matt Windley is a former Herald Sun journalist who helped run the South East Melbourne A-League bid campaign
Local footballers, cricketers, golfers and families are in support of the KGC Relocation, pictured with Project Ambassador, Matildas legend Theresa Deas (centre). Picture: Anita Milas.
A COMMON SENSE VISION
KCG Relocation Project
$60m new Keysborough Golf Club
$59m first stage of community sports precinct (SESH) 1600 new homes
$1.3B economic impact
7160 FTE jobs supported in construction 84 hectares of public green space created
MATT WINDLEY
Sometimes there are ideas that have too much common sense to ignore.
The Keysborough Golf Club (KGC) relocation project is one of those.
The KGC wants to move to realise a long-term sustainable future.
Community sports clubs in South East Melbourne need access to more pitches, fields and courts.
Melbourne desperately needs more welllocated homes, and there is a site in Keysborough that is more than appropriate for development.
And there is a swathe of under-utilised, inaccessible brown wedge land in the City of Greater Dandenong (CGD) that is crying out to be enhanced.
This project can make all of these things happen. But the elements are interwoveneach cannot happen without the others also falling into place.
Yet as it stands, there is no avenue for this project to even be assessed let alone approved.
In 2015 the cash-strapped KGC membership voted to relocate 2km south to Bangholme on the promise of delivery of a $60 million modern-age facility.
The Club can’t afford to make the necessary upgrades to its existing course itself. So to implement its relocation project it partnered with Intrapac Property.
It is proposed that up to 1600 homes will be built on the current KGC site, leveraging Intrapac’s award-winning Somerfield Estate nearby. The new houses would be located in the midst of Keysborough’s existing public infrastructure and amenities.
Accompanying the project would be a $59 million sports facility that won’t cost the cashstrapped State Government a cent. Better yet, the South East Sports Hub (SESH), which would be almost next door to the new KGC, is proposed to be gifted to the local Council once built.
The community also needs more publiclyaccessible green space to be able to enjoy passive recreation, particularly in an area such as CGD which experiences some of Victoria’s lowest levels of key health and wellbeing indicators. This project will create 84 hectares of it.
This project is teeming with potential community benefit. But at the moment there is no mechanism to bring the concept to life, a concept that is projected to have a $1.3 billion impact on the local economy and support more than 7000 jobs.
Chief among the reasons why is the quirky positioning of the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB).
The UGB was a line that was meant to guide future growth and be reviewed periodically to ensure its relevance is maintained. Right now there is no mechanism to consider common sense adjustments such as this, at a time when land supply for homes is at historical lows.
This means a once-in-a-generation plan that would save the historic KGC, give more than 5000 people somewhere to live, provide fields and courts for thousands of local kids to play sports, and convert hectares of neglected, inaccessible brown space into beautiful, usable green space for the community to enjoy cannot even be technically assessed as there is no available pathway to do so.
That’s not to say that this proposal does not present some legitimate questions that need to be answered.
Can the area handle increased traffic? All new residential traffic will flow through Springvale Road and Hutton Road, which both have ample capacity to accommodate this increased demand. There will be no road connections to, or any effect had on, existing local streets.
Is the SESH and new KGC being built on a floodplain? No, the State Government’s modelling says it is not. And while the area in its current form has been inundated in the past, any new development on the site will of course be properly engineered and fitted with suitable landscaping and drainage to meet Council and State requirements.
Isn’t this just a ploy to make developers millions of dollars? Of course there are companies that stand to financially benefit from the project, but that’s how our economy works - the property sector is no exception, infrastructure doesn’t get built otherwise.
Won’t this leave the KGC temporarily without a home? No. The new course must be built and then satisfy strict playability criteria before play on the existing course ceases, enabling an interruption-free transfer.
And won’t this be a precedent that will create an existential threat to the Green Wedge?
There is no slippery slope here. The UGB and Green Wedge are useful tools in guiding development and protecting important environmental and agricultural values where they exist.
But it is also untrue to suggest that the current UGB was formed with perfect science, or that there shouldn’t be merit-based considerations to change it on a case-by-case basis by State and local leaders of the day.
This project isn’t about building a bunch of new houses and infrastructure in the middle of pristine, environmentally valuable green land.
This is about putting homes in a well-serviced area that was originally meant to be inside the UGB and currently has housing to its immediate north, east and south-west, completing an infill area that was historically meant to be a residential zone.
This is about converting dilapidated and underutilised brown land into usable, more
ecologically sound green space that can be enjoyed by the community and local fauna and flora species alike.
Where are our future generations going to live, work and play within CGD if we don’t keep pace with population growth and demands?
The State Government of the day should be trusted to make common sense calls on the positioning of the UGB to serve the best interests of its constituents.
This is one of those decisions.
The KGC wants to move. Intrapac wants to build affordable homes. And privately-funded, public sports facilities are waiting to be built. Why would we not consider this idea on its merits?
It is time for the CGD and State Government to enable this project to run its course through a technical approval process.
Matt Windley is a former Herald Sun journalist who helped run the South East Melbourne A-League bid campaign
Local footballers, cricketers, golfers and families are in support of the KGC Relocation, pictured with Project Ambassador, Matildas legend Theresa Deas (centre). Picture: Anita Milas.
KCG PITCHING FOR A BRIGHT NEW ERA
modern, reimagined course funded entirely by Intrapac.
As things stand, the KGC does not have the means to complete this relocation – or any redevelopment of its existing site – with its own cash reserves.
In 2014 the KGC was on the brink of collapse.
The Keysborough Golf Club (KGC) is one of the oldest, most historically significant golf courses in Victoria.
It is a prized piece of sporting infrastructure for the City of Greater Dandenong (CGD) and broader South East Melbourne region.
However, the course and its associated facilities have hardly changed since the Club made the move from Albert Park to Hutton Road in 1950.
The current facilities are tired and do not offer appropriate access for juniors and women, whose changeroom is an old airport hangar sitting outside the main clubhouse.
The game of golf, and community infrastructure expectations, have moved on.
And to enable the Club’s membership base to strengthen and grow it’s time that the KGC moved on as well.
That’s why the Club has adopted a strategic future-proofing move to nearby Bangholme which will catapult it forward into a bright new sustainable era.
The proposed relocation is essential for maximising the Club’s growth and ensuring it realises future success.
The shift to a new $60m facility would allow KGC to move with the times, building a
At that time members voted to sell its land to developer Intrapac in a game-changing move that enabled a relocation that will deliver a modern 18-hole, 6600m course designed by renowned golf architect Graham Marsh.
Other developments will include a six-hole Par 3 short course, a driving range, golf simulator, club rooms with equitable and inclusive facilities for women and juniors and improved function spaces.
Added financial incentives for the Club will safeguard it for decades to come.
And in a key benefit for existing members, action on the current course will not cease until the new site has been deemed fit for play under a set of stringent playability tests.
“This project, while providing a great opportunity for the future of KGC, is also an exceptional opportunity for our three levels of Government,” KGC president Darrell Swindells said.
“There are ambitious targets in place for new housing and this allows what is privately-held land to become a quality housing estate. KGC would then be relocated on Green Wedge land along with an urgently needed sporting hub alongside.
“I believe it is rare for such projects to have so many wins for all concerned with no perceived downside.”
Ethos Urban projects that construction of the new course will have a $51 million impact on the local economy, supporting 310 jobs during the build-phase.
All that stands in the relocation’s way is the rezoning of the current KGC site to permit residential development to take place.
A HELPING HAND FOR THE HOUSING CRISIS
Victoria is in the midst of a housing crisis. And the City of Greater Dandenong (CGD) is not immune.
The Housing Statement released by the State Government in 2023 declared that 2.24 million new homes will need to be built by 2051 to ease acute pressure on our population.
In the context of CGD, the Allan Government’s Statewide Draft Housing Targets (2024) insisted that Greater Dandenong must see a net increase of 57,000 dwellings between 2023-51. That’s an extra 2040 new homes needed each year. There is no land available to meet this projected growth.
The 55 Hutton Road project would make a 1600 dent in that figure - and in quick time.
The proposed construction of a mix of detached and medium density dwellings on the current site of the Keysborough Golf Club (KGC) is projected to have a $1.1 billion impact on the Victorian economy.
Respected planning and economic consultancy Ethos Urban says the residential project will support 6500 jobs during construction and lead to an estimated annual retail expenditure in the realm of $68 million by the new community’s 5000-strong population. That would be a huge boost for local traders such as the Parkmore and Keysborough South Shopping Centres.
And Council stands to benefit too, with a predicted $2.9m in extra annual revenue based
on current rates and charges.
The KGC membership has voted to sell its existing land to property developer Intrapac in exchange for its relocation to a new site in nearby Bangholme.
But the project cannot take shape unless the State Government agrees to shifting the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB).
“This is a once in a generation opportunity,” Intrapac CEO Max Shifman said.
“In the midst of a growing housing crisis, and an acute shortage in Melbourne’s south-east, the Allan Government should be prioritising projects just like this which deliver tangible community benefit and more, attainable homes, whilst also utilizing existing infrastructure at no additional cost to the State or Council.”
The current KGC site falls just metres outside of the UGB, which means that residential development is not allowable.
But this is a historical anomaly - as one might be able to see by the fact that the UGB generally runs along Hutton and Springvale Roads, before skirting around the periphery of the KGC site.
The KGC was originally intended
the UGB, but in the early 2000s the Club’s management
But times have changed. The KGC wants to move to safeguard its future, and many more homes need to be built for the community.
On four separate occasions since the original line was put in place the CGD Council has publicly endorsed KGC’s rezoning push and advocated to this effect.
Because this is not about building houses in the middle of pristine, publicly accessible green space. The site is bounded by major thoroughfares and significant residential hubs that already exist to the immediate north, east and south-west.
This includes Intrapac’s highly acclaimed Somerfield site, which in 2016 was awarded Urban Development Institute of Australia awards for excellence in environmental and residential development.
The new estate would be serviced by existing infrastructure and public amenities in Keysborough.
Traffic management would see all cars from
the new estate flow through Springvale and Hutton Roads, not the surrounding suburban streets.
The estate would also develop 15 hectares of open space for public enjoyment, which is 15 hectares more than the general community has access to now given the KGC course is a private, members-only facility.
This housing estate, one that will include a proportion of affordable homes, is sorely needed in the midst of a cost of living crisis where first homebuyers and young families are increasingly locked out of the market.
CGD’s population is projected to reach 191,000 in 2036, an increase of 25,000.
But while the number of residents is going up, housing approval rates have gone down, more than halving since 2016. And there is limited to no land available for new detached dwellings in the area.
Except for the KGC site.
SOUTH EAST SPORTS HUB (SESH)
$59m first stage of
The proposed South East Sports Hub (SESH) can be a sorely needed game-changer for the provision of community sport and activity in the City of Greater Dandenong (CGD) and wider south-east region.
Slated for construction on Pillars Road in Bangholme, the prospective 69-hectare development will become a regionally significant sports and recreational hub.
The original Master Plan for the SESH site was designed based on CGD’s own sporting needs assessment.
While the Plan remains flexible to ensure it meets up-to-date community needs, current plans for Stage 1 of the SESH include two dualpurpose grounds that can cater for four football
pitches and two cricket fields, a multipurpose Aussie Rules and cricket field, a synthetic football pitch and eight netball courts.
The development will include a pavilion, lighting, landscaping, 367 car parks, a playground and open green space for the community to enjoy.
Stage 1 of the SESH, including land, is valued at approximately $59m.
It will be funded and developed entirely by Intrapac Property as part of a broader package of works that would include a new housing estate at 55 Hutton Road in neighbouring Keysborough.
Next door to the SESH would be the new home of the Keysborough Golf Club, creating a distinctive regional sporting precinct.
All of this would be built without requiring a cent of State Government or Council capital funding.
And, once developed, it is proposed that the SESH site is gifted to the CGD Council to own and operate.
Future stages of the SESH can be developed by Council and or Government as it sees fit.
Local sporting clubs across the region are desperately calling for access to more fields and courts to cater for ever-increasing demand.
Clubs are turning away prospective players owing to a lack of space to cater for more teams.
“And one of the other big problems we have is getting access to grounds for the pre-season,”
Keysborough Soccer Club president Cris Abarca said.
“Having to go outside of council boundaries to hire grounds for our large number of local players isn’t financially sound or good for our club going forward.”
Peak sporting bodies such as Football Victoria, AFL Victoria, Cricket Victoria, Rugby Victoria and Golf Australia have all publicly lent their support.
THE SESH A “YES” FOR LOCAL SPORTS BEAUTIFYING THE BROWN WEDGE
space created 84 hectares of green space created for community use
0 hectares of green space currently on proposed SESH or new KGC sites
The history of the Green Wedge is complex.
Originally implemented as a buffer to protect urban uses which were incompatible with intense uses such as quarries, landfills and processing plants, the Green Wedge also incorporates large areas of environmentally and ecologically important land.
Such land should have common sense protection mechanisms in place to safeguard it against unnecessary development.
The open space that runs through sections of the City of Greater Dandenong (CGD), including Bangholme and Keysborough, is a mix - some areas form parts of the “lungs of the city”, some are large scale landfill operations and others are degraded farm areas which act as a buffer to the Eastern Treatment Plant.
Green spaces should be able to be enjoyed by the community. Within reason, they should be able to be used for passive recreational and leisurely pursuits.
The proposed sites for the new Keysborough Golf Club (KGC) and South East Sports Hub (SESH), which are within this “Green Wedge” zone, are anything but beautiful green spaces right now. And they are not available to be used by the general public in any way, shape or form.
The sites are brown with minimal vegetation. They are not viable for agricultural purposes. They are dilapidated.
They are private property.
And they can be substantially improved.
The proposed KGC relocation project would create 84 hectares of new open space for the
0 hectares of public access space currently on proposed SESH or new KGC sites
community to enjoy.
The spaces will be green.
They will be accessible to all in the community. They will enhance local liveability They will promote physical activity and wellbeing.
Within this, the SESH will become a 69-hectare sports and recreational hub once fully developed, with fields and courts for the community to enjoy. Stage 1 of the SESH alone will consist of up to five football pitches, three cricket fields, an Aussie Rules field and eight netball courts.
New features of the developed site would also include a community wetland reserve, walking tracks and picnic and BBQ areas.
And while a small number of trees will need to be removed in construction of the SESH and new KGC, there will ultimately be a substantial increase of overall tree coverage upon completion based on the planting of new trees and retention of some existing trees across the two sites.
The new KGC would convert 75 hectares of brown space into a new state-of-the-art golf course.
With all the modern drainage and water capture capabilities plus pristine landscaping, the site will be enhanced for local flora and fauna species as compared to its current neglected state.
To the north, the existing KGC site at 55 Hutton Road is currently not accessible for the general public as it is a privately owned, members-only course.
This site is proposed to be unlocked for as many as 5000 new residents in a community estate
Ethos Urban projects that the construction phase of the SESH would support 340 local jobs and generate $58 million in economic benefit. It is also estimated that an additional $1 million per annum will be injected into the local economy via new job creation, added visitation to the facility and associated local expenditure. In becoming one of the pre-eminent sporting and leisure complexes in the CGD, the SESH would complement Council’s long-running Make Your Move physical activity strategy, helping to mobilise a municipality where statistics suggest that more than half of the resident population meets Australian physical activity guidelines. Say “yes” to the SESH.
that will also include 15 hectares of public green space, green space that will link the existing Maurie Jarvis Woodland to the north with the Keysborough Linear Reserve to the south.
The Master Plan’s Tree Retention Strategy allows for existing trees on the current golf course site to be retained and integrated into the new community. The Master Plan for the new estate will ultimately deliver a mature tree canopy area similar to what exists on the golf course today.
Preventing all this from occurring at the moment is a historical anomaly in the positioning of the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), which was originally intended to have the KGC situated within it.
If the UGB was positioned where originally intended, there would not be a debate to be had.
Housing would already be there, completing a residential precinct that already contains thousands of homes to the north, east and south-west.
“Victoria’s Green Wedge zones were established to protect environmentally significant areas, agricultural land, and open spaces
from uncontrolled urban sprawl. However, not all Green Wedge land holds the same environmental or agricultural value,” urban economics expert Rob Burgess said.
“As Melbourne faces a housing affordability crisis, there is a compelling case for strategic rezoning of low-value Green Wedge land to allow for much-needed housing development.
“Many families are currently being priced out of Melbourne’s established suburbs, forcing them to move to distant regional areas or fringe suburbs with poor infrastructure.
“Allowing development within strategically located Green Wedge areas can provide wellconnected, livable communities closer to jobs and amenities.
“This could reduce urban sprawl into more remote agricultural or environmentally sensitive areas while lowering traffic congestion and commute times.”
For the two sites in Bangholme, a golf course and sports facility would be deemed permissible for construction under current zoning overlays.
Active community supporters of the SESH include three local Aussie Rules / netball clubs, two cricket clubs, nine football clubs and a cycling club.
Local products such as Matildas captain Steph Catley, fellow Matildas legend Theresa Deas, Melbourne Victory games-record holder Leigh Broxham and former Victory teammate Kenny Athiu have all come on board as SESH ambassadors.
DEBUNKING MYTHS ABOUT THE KGC RELOCATION PROJECT
The Keysborough Golf Club (KGC) Relocation Project has generated a lot of interest and discussion in the local City of Greater Dandenong (CGD) community. This advertorial spread aims to clearly articulate the vision for the Project. And the below FAQs summarise some of the most commonly asked questions by local residents.
55 HUTTON ROAD PROPOSAL
Q: Why do we need more houses in Keysborough? It’s congested enough as it is.
A: “There is an acute shortage of developable land in the City of Greater Dandenong, with approvals having peaked in 2016 and dropped steadily since. Most of the forecast supply is for apartment development in and near to the Dandenong CBD, most of which is unlikely to be developed in the short to medium term.” - Chris McNeill - Ethos Urban
Q: Traffic already isn’t great. Won’t this make it worse?
A: “Traffic on the local road network will not be impacted by the development of the Hutton Rd site as it relies on Springvale Rd and Hutton Rd for access, both of which have ample capacity.” – Carlo Morello – Traffix Group
Q: Where will all the new kids in the area go to school?
A: “There are numerous public and private schools in the area such as Keysborough South Primary School, Lighthouse College, Haileybury etc.” - Intrapac CEO Max Shifman
Q: Will the new houses actually help people who at the moment can’t afford to get into the housing market?
A: “All new housing is helpful in times of shortage. The new development aims to deliver a variety of housing types at different price points. It has also committed to building a proportion of affordable housing to meet the needs of lower and moderate income earners which will comprise different options.” - Intrapac CEO Max Shifman
KEYSBOROUGH GOLF CLUB RELOCATION
Q: Why does the KGC have to move?
A: “It would be too expensive for the current footprint to be altered to cater for future demand for golf. Relocating will allow us to deliver this from the start.” - KGC President Darrell Swindells.
Q: Doesn’t the KGC have enough money in reserve to renovate the existing site?
A: “Currently we have sufficient funds to upgrade our watering system, but the costs of rebuilding the clubhouse, refurbishing the parking areas and ongoing renovations to maintain the competitiveness of the course would be unsustainable if the number of players were to decrease in the future.” - KGC President Darrell Swindells
Q: Why will the new course be any more sustainable than the current course?
A: “The new course will be designed and built with modern equipment and low cost maintenance in mind, featuring bunkers placed further from the back tees to accommodate the average player. The practice facilities will be free of boundary issues and equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, alongside a new clubhouse that incorporates modern cost-saving technologies. Additionally, we will have substantial funds that, when invested prudently, will enable the club to maintain competitive fees for members and guests, thus attracting more players.” - KGC President Darrell Swindells.
Q: New courses take time to bed down. Won’t it take years for the new course to be any good?
A: “Our contract is detailed and includes stipulations that the course will only be considered complete when the greens and surrounds are fully covered, fairways are 95% covered, roughs are 80% covered, and tees are completely covered. While most trees will be immature, we plan to plant some trees in selected areas at the start of construction to give them a head start.” - KGC President Darrell Swindells.
SOUTH EAST SPORTS HUB
Q: Isn’t the SESH just a “sweetener” from a developer that is getting desperate?
A: “It is a recognized planning principal that the local community should gain tangible benefit when a nearby golf course is rezoned for an alternative use. In consultation with Council some 10 years ago it was clear new sports facilities were highly desired in this area and this development was planned accordingly.” - Intrapac CEO Max Shifman
Q: How do we know for sure that the SESH will be built and isn’t just an empty promise?
A: “Intrapac has committed to the delivery of the SESH and key enabling infrastructure before they can build the majority of the new development. This commitment will be enshrined in a legally binding agreement to be signed as part of the rezoning, and registered on title.” - Intrapac CEO Max Shifman
Q: Why is the SESH being built on a floodplain?
A: “There is a difference between land that is in a floodplain, and land that gets wholly or partially inundated from time to time. The land is not classified as a floodplain under planning scheme maps and is not subject to flood-related overlays like the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay (LSIO) or Floodway Overlay (FO). While the land occasionally holds water, this is due to topography and poor drainage
infrastructure. The development will incorporate necessary drainage and infrastructure improvements to address these concerns.” - Frank Mendolia - Reeds
Q: If the SESH is gifted to Council, won’t that leave CGD millions of dollars out of pocket each year in maintenance and management fees?
A: “Maintenance of the SESH will not cost CGD millions of dollars. CGD will be able to decide how best to operate and fund the facility on an ongoing basis, however there are many options available to do so, including charging access fees which is consistent with other Council-owned spaces. In addition, the associated housing development will deliver many millions of dollars in new rate income to help cater for new and existing pieces of community infrastructure.” - Intrapac CEO Max Shifman
GREEN WEDGE / URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY
Q: If this project proceeds, what is stopping the rest of the Urban Growth Boundary from being changed to allow other unacceptable development to take place?
A: “A proper UGB should guide development but should also allow flexibility where there are good reasons to make changes. Reviewing pockets of the UGB certainly does not lead to the entire notion being scrapped. All proposals should be considered on their merits in terms of delivery on housing, employment, economic and environmental outcomes.” - Urban economics expert Rob Burgess
Q: This Green Wedge land is too important for local fauna and flora species. Why should it be altered?
A: “Parts of the Green Wedge have important ecological characteristics, but it is incorrect to suggest that all Green Wedge zoned land is of critical importance. The reasons for the Green Wedge existing are varied, and consideration of particular site characteristics is necessary. The Bangholme Green Wedge, which is more accurately a brown wedge, was emplaced primarily due to requiring a buffer around the Eastern Treatment Plant to protect it from sensitive uses, such as residential dwellings. It is simply not the case that it is critically important land used for the protection of fauna or flora. Use for a golf course or a sporting facility would enhance the ecological characteristics of this area compared with the status quo.” - Urban economics expert Rob Burgess
Q: How will the proposed SESH and KGC sites impact the environment?
A: “An environmental impact report by Nature Advisory analysed the local flora, fauna, and ecological communities within the proposed new KGC and SESH sites. The study found no native flora or fauna on any of the sites. While the area could potentially provide habitat for the White-throated Needletail, a migratory bird, the analysis concluded that no significant impacts on this species were likely. Additionally, the public spaces proposed across the project will offer new and increased quantities of highly vegetated areas, suitable for the current flora and fauna.” - Intrapac CEO Max Shifman
Artist impression
Aerial view of the site
Aerial view of the site
Fragile future...
More than 200 workers at collapsed Dandenong South manufacturer Oceania Glass had renewed hope for a Government lifeline last week.
The Australian Workers Union-aligned workforce were buoyed by the Prime Minister recently extending support to rescue Whyalla steelworks in South Australia.
There were also positive signs with a visit from a “really concerned” Housing Minister and Hotham MP Clare O’Neil at the Oceania Glass factory last Friday.
She met with workers at the 169-year-old com-
pany were worried for their families, children and mortgages.
Dwayne Gore who’s worked at Oceania for 30 years says the government needs to step in to save the enterprise.
Another long-term worker UIrich Prince said that “once we’re gone, everything else will be brought in from overseas”.
“I’ve got bills to pay. I’ve got a mortgage. I’ve got children. It’s going to be tough.
“It’s devastating in the fact that we’re one big
family here. Everyone has known each other for years and years. It’s like a family breaking up.”
Oceania, which is Australia’s only glass manufacturer, was recently put under voluntary administration – after sounding the alarm on cheap, dumped glass from overseas.
AWU state secretary Ronnie Hayden joined a chorus of calls, including from South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) for the Government to tighten anti-dumping measures and to protect its sovereign manufacturing capabilities.
“The Prime Minister’s decision to save Whyalla shows the government understands the importance of protecting our sovereign manufacturing capabilities,” AWU state secretary Ronnie Hayden said.
Oceania produces 165,000 tonnes of flat glass, and employs 260 workers.
Voluntary administrators at Grant Thornton Australia stated the business will continue to trade during the voluntary administration period, with a view to selling to an “appropriate buyer”. More on the story, turn to page 2
Workers at Oceania Glass remain hopeful that their jobs may be saved. (Rob Carew: 460999)
Workers fear for jobs
By Violet Li
Workers at glass manufacturer Oceania Glass say they are facing a hard employment market, burdens to pay bills and mortgages, and mounting pressure to support their families if the business cannot find a buyer and has to be shut down.
They also called for the government to support the manufacturing industry.
The 169-year-old glass manufacturer based in Dandenong South, which employs much of its 261 workforces, was announced as in the hands of voluntary administrators at Grant Thornton Australia on 4 February.
The business will continue to trade during the voluntary administration period, with a view to selling to an “appropriate buyer”, the administrators stated.
According to its website, Oceania Glass sold its first glass in 1856 and is Australia’s only maker of architectural glass.
Prior to its collapse, Oceania Glass submitted to the Anti-Dumping Commission that the Australian industry had suffered “material injury” as a result of clear laminate glass imported from Thailand and China at dumped and subsidised prices.
Glass worker Dwayne Gore, who has been working at Oceania Glass for 30 years, said people working here were hard workers, and they all had mortgages, children, and families.
“What they do here is actually extraordinary. You only have to walk down that plant where they’re making the glass, and you’ll understand the actual techniques and skills that the people have got here,” he said.
“People have given up their time, come in on weekends, done the hard work.”
He has been worried about the younger crowd who just landed in this industry.
“There are people here that need to go find a job if the business goes down. It’s hard enough out there to try and find something even if it wasn’t closing down,” he said.
“The government needs to do something about it.”
Ulrich Prince, who has also been working at
the business for 30 years, said he still needed to find another job if things went downhill.
He said it was a hard employment market for someone who had been in a specialised industry.
“We are the only glass manufacturer in Australia. Once we’re gone, everything else will be brought in from overseas,” he said.
“As soon as that happens, their prices will go up. Everyone will be paying more for their shower screens, their windows and everything else that we do here.”
Mr Prince said he might have to find a job outside of his skill or get retrained.
“I’ve got bills to pay. I’ve got a mortgage. I’ve
got children. It’s going to be tough.
“It’s devastating in the fact that we’re one big family here. Everyone has known each other for years and years. It’s like a family breaking up.”
Lachlan Mccracken, who just started the work a year ago, said he was worried about his future career. He may have to switch to other fields.
He said that as the government had been transitioning away from coal-powered and gaspowered energies, the manufacturing industry was hit hard.
“I like that the government is supporting that just transition, but they need to support the manufacturing first,” he said.
Union calls for glass manufacturing support
By Violet Li
The Victorian Branch of the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) is calling on the Federal Government to support glass manufacturing as the country’s only glass manufacturer, Oceania Glass, has recently gone into administration.
The union is encouraged by the announcement by the Prime Minister to back the Whyalla steelworks and calls on him to extend the same industry support to Oceania Glass.
The AWU argues that Oceania Glass, which employs 260 workers and produces 165,000 tonnes of flat glass annually, deserves similar consideration.
“The Prime Minister’s decision to save Whyalla shows the government understands the importance of protecting our sovereign manufacturing capabilities. We need that same recognition for Australia’s last remaining glass manufacturer,” AWU Victorian Secretary Ronnie Hayden said.
“Oceania Glass isn’t just another manufacturer. It’s the only float glass manufacturing line in Australasia. Once these skills and capabilities are lost, they’re gone forever.
“We can’t afford to let another critical industry disappear from our shores.
“We have seen our last sovereign plastic manufacturer Qenos shut up shop and leave in the last few months. This is urgent, I can’t state it any more plainly than that.”
Mr Hayden said the union had been seeing enterprises in their commercial districts evaporating by the month.
“It is because other countries are outmaneuvering us, knowing that once we can’t do it ourselves, we’ll be at their beck and call,” he said.
“The Future Made In Australia is more than a catchphrase, it’s our members’ livelihoods.”
Housing Minister Claire O’Neil toured the Dandenong facility with AWU officials on Friday 21 February, to witness the operation and meet with workers whose livelihoods hang in the balance.
“We’re really concerned about what’s been happening on-site here over the last few months,” she said.
11 charged after seizure of weapons
Eleven people were arrested and 20 weapons seized during a police blitz across the South East.
The arrests were made during 61 raids as part of firearm prohibition order (FPO) checks across Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia between 11-13 February.
Among the 20 seized prohibited weapons were an imitation gun, double-edged hunting knives, extendable batons, long batons, flick knives, a laser and OC sprays.
A stolen Mazda CX9 was recovered in Noble Park, as well as large amounts of drugs such as heroin, meth, GHB and cannabis.
More than 40 charges were laid.
Among them was a 56-year-old man charged with trafficking methylamphetamine, heroin and 1,4 butanediol as well as handling stolen goods and proceeds of crime offences.
Police say they seized 49 exhibits of various drugs and $2500 cash.
He was bailed to appear in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 20 May.
A 36-year-old man was charged with possessing an imitation firearm without an exemption, and possessing methylamphetamine, cannabis and prescription medication, following a compliance search in Keysborough.
He was bailed to appear in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 21 May.
Local police - including the Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia Crime Investigation Units, and the Greater Dandenong Crime Reduction Team - were supported by the VIPER Taskforce.
Noble Park tobacconist ram-raided
A tobacco shop in Noble Park has been apparently ram-raided using a vehicle in the morning of Wednesday 19 February.
The vehicle was crashed into the store’s side brick wall, causing significant damage, police say.
“It is unclear at this stage what may have been taken,” a police spokesperson said.
“A crime scene has been established and the investigation remains ongoing.”
A passer-by reported the damage to emergency services about 4am.
Detectives were expected to attend the scene that morning.
They were reportedly awaiting a council inspection to ensure the structure was safe to enter.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Mr Hayden said the current situation of Oceania Glass was the direct result of weak antidumping laws that had allowed cheap imported glass to flood the country’s market.
“I’m seeing a tsunami of glass arriving at construction sites across Melbourne. The regulator can’t keep up. We need the Feds to give the AntiDumping Commission a cash injection so they can grow some teeth and enforce the laws we already have,” he said.
“We need a cop on the beat bringing prosecutions in weeks to months.”
Mr Hayden said Oceania Glass wrote to the Anti-dumping Commission in August last year and asked them to fix up the problem, but the Commission said they might have an answer by April this year.
“Nine months is just not acceptable,” he said.
“We’re not saying that the government should be chipping in and fixing up the problems. We’re saying you already have laws in place, fix those laws, enable those laws, and make sure that the products being made in Australia aren’t being underdone by foreign countries.”
Oceania Glass in Dandenong South.
Housing Minister Claire O’Neil toured the Dandenong facility with AWU officials on Friday 21 February, to witness the operation and meet with workers whose livelihoods hang in the balance.
Victorian Branch of the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) secretary Ronnie Hayden was calling on the Federal Government to support glass manufacturing as the country’s only glass manufacturer, Oceania Glass, has recently gone into administration. (ROB CAREW: 460999)
Oceania Glass workers share their worries, after the business went into voluntary administration. (Rob Carew: 460999)
Policy overhaul calls
By Sahar Foladi
Greater Dandenong Council may be set to redraft its policy on councillors running as state and federal election candidates.
ALP-member councillor Lana Formoso made the request after unleashing criticism at the Greens endorsed councillor Rhonda Garad during councillor question time on Monday 10 February.
Garad - a second-term councillor who ran in the 2023 Mulgrave state by-election - is running in the upcoming federal elections in the Bruce electorate currently held by Labor MP Julian Hill.
The council has since confirmed she has acted in accordance with its councillor code of conduct.
Cr Formoso implored council to have its own policy on councillors “who continually take time off their council roles to campaign for state and federal elections” to safeguard transparency and conflict of interest.
“I note that it has been brought to my attention that councillor Garad is the Greens endorsed candidate for seat of Bruce in the upcoming federal election which has been up on the Greens website for quite some time,” Cr Formoso began.
“I have a few residents expressing their concerns on this matter.
“Councils who are serial moonlighters as federal and state candidates whilst occupying their roles at council must be transparent and held to account to protect the ratepayers.
“I want our council to do better and we should do better.
“I really look forward to this and I’m sure the ratepayers do as well.”
She went on to read the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) guidelines on the councillor’s duties upon their nomination for state or federal elections.
They advise a candidate must submit a written letter to the chief executive officer, apply for a leave of absence and not attend any council meetings as a councillor amongst other things.
Jacqui Weatherill confirmed that Cr Garad gave her a verbal statement and nothing on paper which left a “flabbergasted” and “gobsmacked” Cr Formoso to say Garad “failed in her duty to disclose this very significant and consequential fact to the CEO”.
Dandenong councillor Lana Formoso took issue with ‘moonlighting’ councillors running for state and federal election. (Stewart Chambers: 435813)
In her defence, Cr Garad says she’s not bound by the MAV guidelines and has been compliant with the council’s current policy on the matter.
She described the attack as “incorrect” and “defamatory” information against her in the public forum.
“Of course council should have the best practise policies. I always want us to be doing things at the highest level.
“This verbal attack was false in every way, holding me to MAV guidelines which is not our policy.
“This calling out and extraordinary outrage, it was so performative. There’s no substance to it. Why did the chair allow it to continue?
“I am attacked in an open meeting - to what advantage?
“I’m not sure why a Labor aligned councillor would attack a Greens councillor who is standing against a Labor MP.”
She says it was the same policy she followed in the Mulgrave by-election also followed through by then mayor of Greater Dandenong Eden Foster now Mulgrave MP, questioning why the need for this issue to arise now.
“You stand down when you have nominated and polls open,” she says, also adding she had told all the councillors and nothing was kept a secret.
A long term previous councillor at Dandenong Council Peter Brown served in 2003-2016 and again 2019 to 2021 posted a supportive comment
on a Facebook post which addressed the rundown of the council meeting.
He noted that the Australian Electoral Commission hasn’t declared the date of the federal election, “only then and when nominations open is a councillor constrained by conflict of interest provisions etc.”
“Cr Formoso was clearly attacking Cr Rhonda Garad just because she was an endorsed candidate for an election that has not yet been called,” he wrote.
According to Ms Weatherill, Dandenong Council’s previous councillor code of conduct stated “councillors endorse and commit to follow the existing Municipal Association of Victoria’s policy position regarding candidature of councillors in state or federal elections”.
“This code of conduct has now been superseded by the model councillor code of conduct that applies to all councils across Victoria. The new code does not have any specific provisions relating to councillors who are candidates for state or federal elections.
“In response to a request, a proposed policy on the candidature of councillors at state or federal elections and by-elections is expected to be brought to a Council meeting for consideration in coming weeks.”
Cr Formoso also commented on the contentious opposing petitions filed on the same evening on the renaming of the Thomas Street nickname ‘Afghan Bazaar’ to ‘Little Bamyan’ - the latter supported by Cr Garad.
“I’m committed to following proper process to make sure the community is consulted about any potential change and in particular ensure it doesn’t become a political platform for some,” Cr Formoso said.
“I take my responsibility as a councillor very seriously and so look forward to hear all of your perspectives before forming a view,” she indicated to the public gallery.
“This matter is very sensitive for members of our community and should not be something used to divide the community.”
Foley exits council only 1 year into contract
By Sahar Foladi
A member of Greater Dandenong Council’s new-look executive team is “finishing up” barely 12 months into his five-year contract.
Council’s chief executive officer Jacqui Weatherill has confirmed corporate development executive director Andrew Foley’s departure, while giving no clear indication of a reason.
“I can confirm there is a planned restructure of our executive leadership, to support a re-focus on the priorities of Council.
“As part of that, Andrew Foley is finishing up with Council. I express my sincere thanks for his excellent service to our organisation, including his focus on financial sustainability.
“I will be engaging with our staff soon on a new structure.”
It is also unclear whether he will be paid out for the full five-year contract or just for the year.
Mayor Jim Memeti says Ms Weatherill and Mr
Foley both came to a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.
“He came in, did what he had to do, he made a lot of savings and restructure and now there’s no need to have a director in that position.
“Council would not be advertising that job again so we’ve saved a directors wage, I guess.
“(Councillors) don’t get involved with staff or operational so the CEO advised us there’s no requirement and they both agreed there’s no job available anymore.
“We’re not privy to that (contract terms) because that’s an operational matter.
“I haven’t got a clue and I don’t think anyone would be paid a five year contract but if it was mutually agreed. I’m sure they came to some sort of agreement.”
Mr Foley was one of the three new members announced as part of Ms Weatherill’s executive team which replaced long-serving directors and
managers including Paul Kearsley, Kylie Sprague and Jody Bosman last year. His tenure began in January 2024.
Councillor Rhonda Garad says she put the question on Mr Foley’s payout to Ms Weatherill over a week ago with no response as of yet.
“I could not understand why the full contract would be paid out and I do believe we should know what the terms of his departure were.
“It’s concerning to have a departure at this level in the organisation.”
She says the move is “highly disruptive” to the council’s workflow but the executive team are a “strong” and “stable leadership team.”
The current executive team consists of Peta Gillies (community strengthening), Sanjay Manivasagasivam (city futures) as well as executive manager Marjan Hajjari (strategic growth and advocacy) and Yuri Guzman (chief information officer) joined in July last year.
Dandenong shop rammed, torched
A Dandenong juice and acai outlet has been destroyed after being rammed by a vehicle and set alight, police say.
Emergency services were called to reports of a shop fire about 3.43am on Tuesday 18 February.
Police say the vehicle was rammed through the shop front, then the shop set alight.
The vehicle occupants fled, abandoning the vehicle inside the building.
“Despite a thorough search of the area, the occupants of the vehicle were not located,” a Vic-
toria Police spokesperson said.
FRV firefighters were on scene within four minutes of the triple-0 callout. The building was “well alight” at that stage, an FRV spokesperson said.
“Crews, wearing breathing apparatus worked swiftly to contain the fire.”
Victoria Police is continuing to investigate.
Any CCTV, dashcam footage or information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
Greens councillor up for Bruce
The Greens party endorsed City of Greater Dandenong councillor Rhonda Garad is up for Bruce at the upcoming Federal election.
She says the people of Bruce are “fed up” with the status quo so a change is demanded as people feel “neglected” by both major parties.
She shares the Greens plans on housing affordability, school funds, cost of living and urge to address climate change as part of the Greens plans.
“In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should be able to afford the basics— housing, food, and quality health and education.
“Yet too many families are struggling. Parents are forced to pay thousands in ‘voluntary’ fees and out-of-pocket costs for their kids, while one in three large corporations pay no tax at all. This is unjust.”
She shares the Greens plan to “fix” both major parties failure to fund public schools especially in the face of increased cost of living pressures.
Under the Greens’ proposal, families would be $2,500 better off through direct back-to-school payments, with public school fees abolished.
In addition, basic health services would be fully funded through taxes on large corporations.
“When a nurse pays more tax than a multinational corporation, something is wrong,” Garad said.
“The Greens will tax big corporations to fully fund free GP visits, dental and mental health care.
These policies will be on the table in a minority Parliament.”
Garad has criticisedLabor for failing to tackle the underlying issues driving housing stress.
“Labor hasn’t addressed the root causes that have turned young people and families into ‘forever renters.’
“We need more affordable housing and tax reforms to prevent housing prices from spiralling further.
The LNP’s housing policy will only make things worse by inflating prices and making homeownership harder to achieve.”
The Greens’ plan also focuses on easing the cost of living through renewable energy retrofits, significantly lowering power bills and making homes more sustainable.
Police had taped off the crime scene. (460262)
A vehicle remains inside the snack outlet in Dandenong after the fire on 18 February. (Gary Sissons: 460262)
Sunny times in 50-year gala
In sweltering heat, a Lunar New Year festival celebrated 50 years of Vietnamese resettlement in Melbourne’s South East.
The event at Burden Park, Springvale on 22 February was abuzz with dragon dances, fireworks, food stalls, cultural performances, childrens activities and an exhibition 50 Years of Freedom.
The event was hosted by South Eastern Melbourne Vietnamese Association Council (SEMVAC).
Call for Nominations – Positions on Arts Advisory Board
Greater Dandenong City Council is calling for nominations to Council’s Arts Advisory Board.
Century for Noble Park Hall
Noble Park’s great landmark, the historic public hall, is set to turn 100.
The trustees of Noble Park Public Hall are holding a centenary celebration in early April, including a history board display and grand entertainment.
The main event on 5 April includes singing from One Voice Choir, a Ukrainian community choir and the cutting of a birthday cake.
The Council plays a key role in the planning, development and support of arts and culture throughout the city. The Arts Advisory Board supports the vision for arts and culture across the municipality and provides strategic input and independent advice to Council.
We are looking for two board members who have demonstrated experience, expertise or commitment in performing arts or arts/cultural activities. Experience or expertise in the following will also be viewed favourably:
• First Nations arts
• Refugee and / or asylum seeker arts
• Creative or cultural facilities
• Creative industry / business
• Marketing
• Philanthropy / fundraising / sponsorship
• Cultural tourism
Local artists from within the City of Greater Dandenong are encouraged to apply. We embrace our diverse community and work environment and encourage applications from everyone including people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people of diverse sexual orientation and gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people of varied age, ability and faith. Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Appointments will be until May 2028 and remuneration is offered. Please refer to the information pack for more details, including nomination form and terms of reference, at greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/nominations-arts-advisory
Enquiries: Attention, Coordinator Experiences and Partnerships, Creative and Engaged City.
Email: arts@cgd.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 8571 1000
Nominations close midnight, Wednesday 26 March, 2025.
Dingley CWA will provide refreshments, along with gourmet coffee and hot chocolate for sale.
The Dawn Lois Dancing School – one of the hall’s longest-term hirers - will hold a reunion in the adjoining Paddy O’Donoghue Centre that morning.
A history display from 2-6 April will depict the past 100 years of the hall’s history spanning the families and groups that have used the hall.
Local musicians Burke & Beyond will perform at the hall on 2 and 3 April.
Historian Dawn Dickson says the hall was constructed by Ernest Wanke Builders of Narre Warren on prime real estate in Buckley Street in 1924. The funds were raised by residents.
“The hall is unique because it is owned by the residents of Noble Park who elect five trustees to oversee the care of the hall.”
The hall was the first home for the suburb’s primary school, high school and church.
Ms Dickson, her late father Adrian Barnard and her late uncle Paddy O’Donoghue have been among the hall’s long-serving trustees.
Currently, City of Greater Dandenong manages the hall under a lease arrangement. A council representative sits on the trustee board.
Dickson’s book If These Walls Could Talk –which chonicles the hall’s rich history will be on sale at the 5 April event.
The official ceremony is at the hall on Saturday 5 April 1pm-2pm. Refreshments available from 10-2pm.
The history display is open Wednesday 2 April-Saturday 5 April 10am-4pm and
Noble Park Public Hall with a previous shop front, circa 1965. (Supplied)
Noble Park Public Hall trustees Al Billings, Dawn Dickson, Gaye Guest and Alan Gordon. (Supplied)
A dance group dazzles in pink. (Gary Sissons: 459947)
Cooking up a storm at Le Tuan food stall. (459947)
Michael Nghiep Nguyen at an exhibition marking 50 Years of Vietnamese Resettlement. (459947)
Eggs fried at the Le Tuan food stall. (459947)
Dancers fan out in front of the main stage. (459947)
Cr Kim Thien Truong (Brimbank City Council) and Cr Alice Phuong Le (Greater Dandenong Council) standing on the NamBus from the Vietnam Veterans Museum Phillip Island. (459947)
Cutting new pathways
Students took steps down their career pathways at an open day at Chisholm Institute in Dandenong on Wednesday 19 February.
The doors were open for more than 30 course areas, including hair dressing, TAFE teaching, hospitality and technology.
Questions were answered as parents, carers and students navigated the maze of courses, pathways, financial aid and student support. The festival atmosphere included free fairy floss, popcorn and games.
Chisholm hair and beauty education manager Vanessa Drummond sits down Marzia Rezaie from Dandenong South at a hairdressing demo. (Gary Sissons: 459577)
Student support and engagement officer Melvin Eio with a wheel of options. (459577)
Chisholm staff Naomi Nolan and John Mackay handing out the free popcorn to Setaych Salimi. (459577)
Powering through grief
By Ethan Benedicto
The grief of losing a loved one is unforgettable and for Regis and Marita Roussell, there is pain and a tightness in their chest after their son Danny was lost to an accident at Belgrave-Hallam Road.
The tragic incident on 15 January unfurled after a Ford ute veered into the path of a Mazda sedan after overtaking two vehicles, both subsequently losing control.
It just so happened that Danny Roussel, the 33-year-old son of Regis and Marita was on his way home from his usual routine run at Frog Hollow Reserve.
Just before 3:00pm, he was struck and killed. Both Regis, the father, and Marita, the mother, described the loss as horrific and life-changing.
Regis recalled the day they heard the news, he recalled that when Marita heard it, “she was really lost”.
“They had to ring an ambulance for her when we were at the police station, she was just all over the floor and it was, it was grief in its rawest form.
“We heard the news, and we had an inkling, but then it became the final nail in the coffin,” he said.
Danny loved everything fitness, he held a PhD in physiotherapy and had been in the profession for well over a decade.
Marita said that her son “lived for his fitness”.
“He jogged every single day, if not gym, he would jog, or both, and on weekends, he’d be up at you know, 5:30am, he was a very active guy,” she said.
The love from others has been overwhelming, according to the family, with family and friends showing and voicing their support.
Nevertheless, the family is still “not coping”.
“I was at counselling today, and Marita had a visit to her psychiatrist on Tuesday, that’s what we have to go through non-stop,” Regis said.
Both lamented on the loss, that with Danny still living at home, it felt emptier than before as the family never grew tired of each other, of the busyness of the home.
Their eldest daughter, Lisa, is also grieving, and for Marita, it felt as if the family had been given a “life sentence”.
“She’s not coping, and Danny still lived at
home, so we were a close family, very close,” they both said.
“We miss him you know? Him walking up and down the area, we still see his things around, and we’re kind of just waiting for him to come through the door after his run.”
Close family friend Charlotte Cox shares the family’s pain and has pledged to herself and them to be their voice of change.
After hearing the news, and seeing the support from friends and peers at work online, Charlotte felt that something could be done.
“What we were discussing was that we were concerned about where the barriers on that road are placed,” she said.
“There’s no protection between the edge of the road and the footpath.
“So I would think that the State Government have a duty of care, that if they were putting a footpath beside a main road, there should be some form of protection for pedestrians, runners, or someone walking their child.”
While Marita couldn’t find it within herself to visit the site of the accident, Regis did, and from what he saw, it wasn’t difficult to surmise that “it’s very dangerous”.
“Where Danny was jogging, it’s very close to the road, when some car goes past, you can feel the wind that it creates,” he said.
For them, it was simple - change the speed limit.
The family is aware that other traffic calming devices are out of the question, considering the arterial nature of the road, but at the same time, there seems to be no hope when it comes to changing people’s behaviour on dangerous driving.
“You can’t change silly people’s minds,” they all said.
“Someone wanted to see how fast their car could do, so take it somewhere else, not where people are going to be.
“I mean, at Sandown Racecourse you can pay to use the course, to race the car.
“So you can do that, but when you drive, clip another car, turn over and kill an innocent person?
“Danny’s life is gone.”
Growing up, it seemed to be destiny that Danny involved himself with all things active, being an avid Geelong Cats supporter since birth - a family trait according to Regis - he found himself engrossed in footy.
While he played all kinds of sports, from cricket to soccer, he always found himself on the oval field, winning the local premiership when he played for the under-16s in Noble Park.
“Everyone loved Danny, even his friends, they come here now, and they adored him, everyone, he just had this charisma on him,” both parents said.
“It was difficult for his friends to hear the news, they loved him, and even his boss came and they said they still couldn’t believe it.
“It shows how much he meant to them, to the people.”
Charlotte recalled that Danny was the “kind of person who gave so much of his time to so many people, but didn’t expect anything back”.
Danny graduated with a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University in 2015, and in the break, took his one last leap of freedom to visit the United States with Charlotte’s family, before returning to become a full-time physiotherapist.
Charlotte, alongside the family’s eldest daughter Lisa, is advocating for change, and hopes are in the air as she’s expecting to meet with local Narre Warren North MP Belinda Wilson in the coming weeks.
“There’s hard work for these changes to be made, and we want that barrier moved,” she said.
“The speed limit to be reduced as well, because the pedestrians need to be protected.”
When asked how the family deals with the grief, Regis and Marita simply said “we can’t”.
“We all sit here, in the living room, my daughter would sit opposite us, and we just sort of look at each other.
“We’re still in shock, I don’t know, we don’t say much, the TV’s going in the background but we’re not there.
“I mean, we’re here, but life is gone, that’s the only way to explain it.”
Film shines a light on the silent victims of violence
by Sahar Foladi
A new documentary ‘Unanswered Calls’ shines light on the young “silent victims” experiencing family violence.
The production led by Safe Steps, reveals the shockingfirst-handexperiencesofyoungpeoplefalling through the cracks with no dedicated services to provide advice or support to escape family violence.
Safe Steps chief exevutive officer Dr Chelsea Tobin calls for a dedicated national service for the youth.
It calls on young people to co-design a future where they have the supports, they need at the correct place and time particularly on digital platforms.
“Our system still largely views children as extensions of their protective parent in family violence situations.
“Young Australians are telling us it’s unclear where to find support that’s relevant to them.
“We need dedicated national services for youth, to ensure they have somewhere to turn to escape family violence. We need to ensure their voices are heard,” Dr Tobin said.
In the documentary young people have bravely shared their experiences of family and domestic violence, including: “I also needed someone to sit me down and tell me I wasn’t the problem, because throughout my whole experience, that’s all I’ve ever felt, that I was the problem.”
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The movie premiered in Melbourne on Wednesday 19 February before being shown in States.
The film features interviews with young people with lived experiences of family violence, as well as family violence prevention advocate, Rosie Batty AO; Commissioner for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Micaela Cronin; and Liana Buchanan, Victoria’s Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People.
“Thisisnotjustafilm,it’sawake-upcall…andwe need the call answered,” Dr Tobin said.
“Young people are in critical stages of cognitive, emotional, and social development, making them particularly vulnerable to the effects of trauma. If not addressed, this can become intergenerational trauma.”
According to Crime Statistics Agency data, there were 2651reported family violence incidents in Greater Dandenong in 2023-24.
In more than 800 (almost 31 per cent) of the incidents there was a child present either as a victim or witness.
The highest rating form of abuse was verbal and emotional followed by physical abuse in Greater Dandenong Council.
Dr Fiona Giles is a research fellow at Safer FamiliesCentrelookstobestsupportwomenandfamilies experiencing domestic and family violence within the health system.
“Domestic and family violence even if they’re (young people) not directed affected can really affect children and young people’s physical and mental wellbeing,impactdevelopmentandtheirschooling,” she says.
Althoughherworkisnotdirectlywithyoungpeople, she has interviewed a large number of women about their experiences who say they struggle to not onlyfindresourcesforthemselvesbutalsotheirchildren.
“It’s very hard and they look for services that can support them and their children. “Often, they have to go to the private sector like psychologists, but they aren’t necessarily trained in providing what we call
violence and trauma informed care.
“Sometimes the psychologists don’t really understand the dynamic of domestic and family violence, so as well intentioned they are, they can sometimes do more harm than good.”
She says increased funding in prevention programs and working with children and young people to change attitude and gender norms can help as part of that.
The formation and maintenance of positive relationshipsbetweenthenon-offendingparent(usually the mother) and the child is proven to be one of the strongest aspect in a domestic violence.
DrGilesalsocallsforinvestmentinthoseservices that can strengthen the relationships as well as organisations such as Safe Steps.
“Fromtherapeuticpointofview,thatrelationship to be strong is a very protective factor but we also know preparators also sabotage that relationship constantly fighting that dynamic.”
The highest recorded offence in Greater Dandenong in 2024 was the breach of family violence order (1557), family violence common assault (597) and criminaldamage(277),with55.7percentofresolved offences resulting in arrests in 2024 and 44 per cent left without arrest.
Out of the 55.7 percent only 16 per cent of the solved offences resulted in a summon.
There’s 41 number of victims in Family violence intervention order (FVIO) application in children’s court and 2179 in Magistrates court for Greater Dandenong. Safe Steps is Victoria’s only 24/7 family violenceresponsecentreprovidingfamilyanddomestic violence information and support, safety planning and risk assessment, access to crisis accommodation.
It also delivers part of the national 1800 RESPECT support service. On average, Safe Steps handles around 130,000 calls every year to support people fleeing violence – this can be up to 400 calls a day. Last year, Safe Steps provided 33,000 nights of crisis accommodation for people who were not safe to go home.
Regis (left) and Marita (right) Roussel, holding a memorial portrait of their son, Danny. (Ethan Benedicto: 461020
FOCUS ON … EDUCATION
Ella’s efforts paying off
Ella’s Journey to Success at ECG: Inspiring the Launch of Year 10 at Dandenong Campus.
ECG Secondary College (ECG) is excited to introduce Year 10 classes at its Dandenong campus starting in 2025, offering an alternative and supportive learning environment for students seeking a different approach to education. This initiative is in response to increasing disengagement among Year 9-12 students in Victorian mainstream schools and is designed to help re-engage with their education in a way that suits their individual needs and aspirations.
“Before coming to ECG, I struggled with engagement, low attendance, and feeling disconnected from school. I felt like I wasn’t making progress, and school didn’t feel like the right place for me.
But at ECG, the supportive teachers and flexible learning approach helped me regain confidence, take control of my studies, and rediscover my motivation. The strong connections I built encouraged me to believe in myself, and now I’m excited to pursue further studies in nursing. ECG gave me a safe space to grow, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to turn things around.” Said Ella Anthony.
Ella’s perseverance and dedication to achieving her personal and academic goals, along with her natural ability to motivate her peers, paid off when she was honoured with the Most Improved Award in 2024.
A New Pathway for Students in Dandenong More young people are becoming dissatisfied with traditional schooling, especially with the exam pressure and academic workloads. ECG addresses this by prioritising nurturing relationships in its teaching approach.
The new Year 10 program at the Dandenong campus provides a second chance for students to re-engage with their education in a way that suits their individual needs and aspirations. The curriculum focuses on hands-on learning and realworld experiences, ensuring that students are prepared not only for further education but also for future employment opportunities.
ECG offers Years 11 and 12 (VPC and VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate programs) across all campuses in Warragul, Leongatha, Pakenham and Dandenong.
“We understand that not every student thrives in the conventional academic setting,” said Russel Praetz, Principal at ECG. “By launching these Year 10 classes at Dandenong, we aim to provide a nurturing space where students can rediscover their passion for learning with a hands-on approach. Students will receive tailored support to help develop their confidence, life skills, and career readiness, ensuring they are set up for success in their chosen pathways.”
ECG’s curriculum promotes resilience, confidence, health, wellbeing, and practical life skills, all tailored to student interests. At the heart of ECG’s educational offerings are the four pillars of applied learning, supported by rich experiential learning opportunities in Years 11 and 12, and project-based learning aligned with the Victorian Curriculum standards for Year 10.
With Year 10 Expressions of Interest (EOI) for mid-year enrolment is open at Dandenong campus, ECG encourages students and families to explore this unique opportunity to step into a learning environment that understands and meets their needs. To learn more or to apply, please visit https://ecg.vic.edu.au/enrol-with-us/ or contact 03 5622 6000 or info@ecg.vic.gov.au.
Help your child read
Helping your primary school child learn to read is an essential and rewarding journey that sets the foundation for their academic success and lifelong love for learning. As a parent or caregiver, you play a crucial role in fostering their reading skills and nurturing a positive reading environment. Here are some effective strategies to support your child’s reading development:
1. Read Together: Set aside regular time to read with your child. Choose age-appropriate books that interest them, and take turns reading aloud. Encourage them to ask questions and discuss the story, characters, and plot to enhance comprehension.
2. Create a Reading Space: Designate a cozy reading corner in your home where your child can retreat to explore books independently. Make it inviting with comfortable seating, good lighting, and a collection of books at their level.
3. Be a Role Model: Demonstrate your own love for reading by letting your child see you reading books, magazines, or newspapers regularly. Children often mimic the behavior of their parents or caregivers, so your enthusiasm for reading will be contagious.
4. Phonics Practice: Phonics is a fundamental aspect of learning to read. Teach your child letter sounds and the relationship between letters and their corresponding sounds. Use fun games and activities to reinforce phonetic skills.
5. Sight Words: Introduce sight words, which are frequently used words that may not always follow phonetic rules. Make flashcards and use them in sentences to help your child memorize and recognize these words quickly.
6. Reading Aloud: Continue reading aloud to your child, even as they become more pro-
ficient readers. Listening to more advanced books enhances their vocabulary and comprehension skills.
7. Word Games: Engage in word games like Scrabble, Boggle, or word puzzles that make learning enjoyable and interactive.
8. Library Visits: Take regular trips to the library and allow your child to choose books that intrigue them. This fosters a sense of ownership and excitement about reading.
9. Encourage Writing: Reading and writing go hand in hand. Encourage your child to write stories, letters, or a journal. This practice reinforces their reading skills while stimulating their creativity.
10.Be Patient and Positive: Learning to read can be challenging, and every child progresses at their own pace. Celebrate their efforts, and avoid putting too much pressure on them. Create a positive and supportive learning environment.
11.Use Technology Wisely: Utilise educational apps and online resources that are designed to promote reading skills. However, monitor their screen time and ensure it doesn’t replace real books and face-to-face interactions.
12.Celebrate Progress: Praise your child’s achievements and milestones. Acknowledge their improvements and make them feel proud of their reading accomplishments.
Remember, every child is unique, so tailor your approach to suit their individual needs and interests. By making reading enjoyable and fostering a love for books, you are nurturing a skill that will serve them well throughout their lives. Patience, consistency, and encouragement will go a long way in helping your primary school child become a confident and proficient reader.
Ella receiving her 2024 Most Improved award from Gloria Castle of Warragul Crownlea (on the left) with Russel Praetz, Principal of ECG (further left) and Leigh Gartlan, Campus Lead of ECG Dandenong.
Playing for a cause
By Sahar Foladi
Take a Swing Golf charity has done well in raising funds to help expand the Noble Park Community Centre food relief program.
The annual charity event held on Monday 17 February at Commonwealth Golf Club in Oakleigh South this year focused to raise funds for the community centre’s kitchenette, increasing the program’s service by 200 additional meals per day for the community.
President of the governance committee at the community centre, Roz Blades says the event was “remarkable.”
“Weather God smiled on us and the facility was beautiful.
“We had huge amount of auction prices the community had been fantastically generous with their donation.
“Our volunteers did a wonderful job in getting everything ready.”
Over 76 local business people participated in the event with an early indication of $40,000 raised to directly benefit those in need and double the NPCC’s provision of meals and services for individuals and families from all walks of life.
Council will announce the official amount raised in coming weeks.
Ms Blades says this will do better for the wider community.
“What we have in Noble Park is almost humanitarian crisis where people don’t have enough to eat and we need to supply facilities for disabled people.
“We’ll get some money for food for people, it’s all about Noble Park responding to a need, and the need is enormous.”
The organisation and its volunteers provide a weekly free Tuesday lunch where people can gather for lunch and also mingle with one another to target social connections as one of the key issues faced by the community.
The centre currently supports over 1100 families and individuals within the community.
The joint Greater Dandenong City Council and Industry event is a unique golf day that offers local business and industry the chance to give back to the community.
This year’s event marked the initiative’s 16th birthday helping thousands in the community, including those experiencing food insecurity, poverty, homelessness, domestic violence and health issues.
Since its inception the event has supported more than 18 local charities and funds raised have also supported programs to remove barriers to employment and assist people with disabilities.
Through small group of local business and industry sponsors, the event has raised more than $660,000 over its history. An exact amount has not been finalised as volunteers are still hard on counting the amount raised.
Last year it raised $51,000.
Ben Ryan, Zack Thomson, Paul Allen and Luke Gattuso from Macpherson Kelley (Stewart Chambers: 459697)
Gareth Wyatt with Martin Solomon (459697)
Priya Prasad with Sandra George (459697)
Grissel Walmaggia and Roz Blades from Noble Park Community Centre with Cr Sophie Tan (centre) (459697)
Jane Lake (459697)
Grant Guenther, Ian Shannon, Nirad Shah and Jamie Keyzer enjoyed the weather and golfing. (459697)
Ben Ryan (459697)Mark Micallef tees off (459697)Zack Thomson participates on the day. (459697)
David Willersdorf and Fiona Curry (459697)
The ultimate adventure awaits
BY LEE MCCARTHY
IF you are one of those fortunate travellers who have covered the globe, seen as much of Europe, Africa and Asia as you desire and are seeking a new experience, this one is for you.
It’s time to explore the final frontier, Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic.
The diversity and ruggedness of the terrain in the Arctic and Alaska will grip you as you celebrate life on a voyage of extremes.
Viking started sailing in the high Arctic in 2025 offering passengers the chance to be one of the first to pass through the scenic Canadian Maritimes and along the famed St Lawrence Seaway with time to visit historical cities along the East Coast.
Viking’s Australian and New Zealand managing director Michelle Black said this was a unique journey allowing passengers to witness stunning vista’s, unique wildlife and diverse cultures and enjoy a truly memorable voyage to the Earth’s far north by sea.
“We are pleased to be able to offer such a wide range of new and exciting expedition voyages sailing between the polar regions of the Arctic to Antarctica and the Great Lakes,” she said.
“These destinations offer encounters with wildlife like nowhere else in the world,”
“Guests will sail glassy inlets with whales and penguins between dramatic landscapes, glaciercarved fjords and rugged mountain ranges while immersing in the culture and traditions of the traditional Inuit peoples of the Arctic.”
“Our polar voyages offer an unbelievable opportunity to experience the remote wilderness and excite every type of traveller.”
The journey begins in cosmopolitan Nuuk, Greenland’s capital city and one of the smallest in the world, with just 16,000 residents.
Located on the southwest coast, the city is home to one of the world’s largest fjords, the Nuup Kangerlua Fjord, whose waters are brimming with marine life and where whale sightings are commonplace.
Visitors to Nuuk come to enjoy nature, hiking along the dramatic coastline or exploring the fjord by boat or kayak. Its rugged landscape is dotted with colourful houses, set amid a beautiful backdrop of the Sermitsiaq mountain.
Passengers will have the chance to cruise these waters on the Viking’s Special Operations Boat and witness Greenland’s west coast, one of the Arctic regions spectacularly scenic highways and a favoured transportation route for Greenlanders. Iceberg-filled waters drift past changing landscapes, evoking experiences that were once followed by intrepid explorers for centuries.
Kayak among Icebergs In Illulissat, Greenland paddling along the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Floating icebergs glisten under the midnight sun as they drift by.
The Pond Inlet in Nunavut, Canada which sits on the northern shores of Baffin Island at the eastern entrance to the famed Northwest Passage is home to a small but vibrant Inuit community, and
nicknamed the ‘Jewel of the North.’
The surrounding Arctic landscape a panoramic mix of glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains. Pond Inlet is also a gateway to Sirmilik National Park, ‘the place of the glaciers’ in the local language.
Covering more than 8,400 sq mi, the park is a declared migratory bird sanctuary and supports an array of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, wolves, narwhals and beluga whales.
The Canadian High Arctic is a region of raw natural beauty and is characterized by extremely cold temperatures and extended periods of darkness.
The spectacular natural beauty is dominated by rugged terrain, snowcapped mountains, drifting icebergs and vast ice fields that stretch to the horizon.
During the journey enjoy enriching days of exploration with the use of expedition equipment, including walking poles, binoculars and dry suits for kayaking which is all included in the fare.
Greenland enjoys a diverse food scene and the country’s capital encourages visitors to fully embrace the gourmet dining experiences on offer.
With most of the country covered in ice, traditional Greenlandic cuisine heavily features seafood, fish and meat.
In restaurants serving traditional fare, Suaasat will commonly be found on the menu—a tasty stew of potatoes, onion, rice or barley and meat. A selection of cafes and eateries offer tasting plates
or tapas-style dishes, providing a sampler of local delicacies to enjoy, alongside international favourites.
These are just a few of the highlights of Artic
cruise with Viking - a chance to make memories to cherish forever.
To enjoy the itinerary and find out more please visit www.viking.com or phone 138 747.
Viking Orion in the Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, Alaska
Viking guests will sail glassy inlets with whales and penguins between dramatic landscapes, glaciercarved fjords and rugged mountain ranges
Why ‘Coolcations’
TAKEN a Coolcation recently? All the ‘cool kids’ are taking ’coolcations’ where they explore vivid and exciting destinations like Canada, Alaska, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland.
‘Coolcationing’ is one of the top travel trends of 2025 and is so called as many travellers are tired of travelling in the intense heat so are choosing destinations like Scandinavia, Alaska and Canada.
As this is the very region Viking calls home, they are without question the best placed to show travellers around these spectacular regions and share their homelands with them.
Viking introduces their passengers to the history, culture, architecture and art of the region and offer them the chance to explore their culinary uniqueness all while travelling in understated luxury.
Travelling the far seas of Canada, Greenland, Iceland and the Arctic is a chance to discover distant shores and visit villages and scenery not overrun by tourists.
From quaint fishing villages to snowcapped mountaintops, witness majestic landscapes, and learn about Inuit traditions, revelling in the history of Viking exploration.
Visit vibrant Bergen in Norway, home to the Hanseatic League’s only kontor (trading enclave) still in existence.
Join shrimp-peeling experts as they demonstrate their different preferred methods. Try both and see which techniques works best before savouring a hard-earned meal with white bread and a glass of chilled white wine.
Meet some of the four-footed locals and learn about the classic Norwegian brown goat cheese called Gjetost.
Norwegians love their coffee, and a trip behind closed doors to discover the process that brings Friele, Norwegians favourite coffee to life and learn about the fascinating art of ‘cupping’ will entice the senses.
Explore the stunning beauty of the Svalbard archipelago, hundreds of Norwegian islands halfway between Norway and the North Pole. Stunning panoramas unfold here with dramatic fjords leading into glimmering bays surrounded by massive glaciers and rugged peaks cloaked in snow.
The austere tundra unfolds to an Arctic desert where polar bear, Arctic fox and reindeer roam. Many regions have been designated Important Bird Areas by BirdLife International for the countless winged creatures that breed and hunt along the coast.
The region’s endless wonders can be explored by zodiac, kayak and by land. Discover what life in the Arctic is like during a drive through Longyearbyen and a visit to the Svalbard Museum.
Journey to Camp Barentz in the remote Advent Valley and meet its lovable husky dogs and their musher.
cruises in cooler climates,“ they explained.
“It is for this reason we enjoy sailing around Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Alaska and Canada. Cruises we have completed in these regions are Viking Empire (49 days), In the Wake of the Vikings (15 days), North Pacific Passage (22 days) and Iceland and Norway’s Arctic Explorer (15 days).“
Back onboard recharge and renew body, mind and spirit in Viking’s Scandinavian-inspired Spa, a Nordic sanctuary of holistic wellness, today while at sea.
Whether choosing to unwind in the sauna, refresh in the Snow Grotto or take a dip in the Thermal Pool, it’s hard not to feel recharged and revitalized.
Discover the area’s natural beauty by kayak against a stunning backdrop of sweeping mountains or ascend into hard-to-reach places and admire panoramic views around Ísafjördur on an exhilarating ATV excursion.
Get to know a local Greenlander and share a traditional snack during a home-hosted visit. Learn about the local culture, their traditional
Fossil hunting, sled ride, and a thrilling ride to the advent Valley by ATV are just a few of the adventures to experience.
clothing and fabric, and gain insight into village life. Cap the visit by sharing a kaffemik, a Greenlandic tradition used to celebrate special events or milestones, such as birthdays or births. Enjoy this cultural exchange while tasting homemade Greenlandic cake and pastries
Viking travellers Jenny and Phil Morup were full of praise for their recent trips.
“All of our Viking cruises have been enjoyable and adventurous. We particularly enjoy scenic
Viking’s inclusive value includes everything needed for a fabulous trip, such as a guided excursion in every port, all onboard meals including alternative dining venues, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, unlimited Wi-Fi, 24-hour specialty tea, coffee, and bottled water, access to the stateof-the-art Nordic spa, self-service laundry and all tipping. With no kids, no casinos, fewer than 1,000 guests, and all veranda staterooms, Viking’s award-winning ships take their passengers as close as possible to each destination.
To learn more about Viking’s Coolcations visit www.viking.com or call and speak to member of the team on Reservations (AU) 138 747.
Viking guests Jenny and Phil Morup dressed for kayaking in Canada on the Great Lakes.
Jenny and Phil Morup, guests on Viking’s Arctic Explorer cruise with the sign which signifies the end of the Svalbard City limit and the risk of roaming polar bears. (Supplied)
LEE MCCARTHY
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Chaos at Casey meeting
By Ethan Benedicto
The City of Casey’s first meeting on Tuesday 18 February was cut short after continued disruptions from the assembly, adjourned at 7:52pm to a later date.
After answering all registered 63 public questions, the council managed to go through two officers’ reports for consideration before Mayor Stefan Koomen officially adjourned the meeting.
The first report for Casey is to endorse the proposed notice of motion for telecommunications in growth areas and to proceed to the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), as well as a motion for early years education.
In summary, the agenda looked for Casey to call on the MAV, a body of the State Government, to consider cellular telecommunications networks as an ‘essential service’, especially in new residential and commercial estates.
There was also a motion for the MAV to request the State Government to consult with the council’s Best Start Best Life (BSBL) reforms, and issues that have been identified that will prevent Victorian children from having access to two years of funded kinder.
Both motions were carried unanimously by the council but were echoed by protests of “no” from the assembly.
Akoonah Ward councillor Scott Dowling first motioned the topic, seconded by Tooradin Ward councillor Jennifer Dizon.
Dowling said “I think it’s an excellent motion,
it’s looking after our young kids and the future of our society”.
Dizon, who said that she had been in touch with residents from in and around Clyde and Clyde North said that “residents have mentioned that they couldn’t even contact triple 0”.
“This is not just an inconvenience, but also a safety risk, reliable mobile coverage, especially in growing areas,” she said.
Cranbourne Gardens councillor Michelle Crowther, emphasised the Early Years section, saying that “we are heading for a crisis in Casey kinders”.
“Currently we can’t service our maternal health needs, in terms of appointments and there are also 100 children this year missing out on 4-year-old kinder,” she said.
Casuarina Ward councillor Kim Ross also showed her support for the Early Years motion, adding that “given the high percentage of children aged zero to six years, and the need for support for them and their parents”.
The second item of discussion was the road discontinuance of Sofra Road/Bells Road crossing at Clyde North, with officer Kathryn Seirlis saying that the motion was to finalise a small discontinuance of a section of the road.
The reason was to make room for the desalination pipeline “at the request of the State Government and Melbourne Water”.
“We went through public consultation for the proposal and got no submissions, so we recommend for this to be endorsed,” she said.
For background, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action requested for Casey to discontinue to road ‘for the purpose of minimising the road reserve at the intersection of Sofra Road and Bells Road’, as per the agenda.
This would mean that the water supply easement could increase in size.
There were no questions from councillors, with Dillwynia Ward councillor Anthony Walter moving the first motion of support, followed and seconded by Correa Ward councillor Gary Rowe.
However, it was at this point that the gallery had risen in volume again, with mayor Koomen asking for the public to “show some respect to your councillors as they speak to the motion”.
He gave the final warning with no reaction from the people and adjourned the meeting.
The other motions in the agenda that were not touched on included the 2024-2025 Growing Suburbs Fund applications, with priorities, in order, for the Hallam Community Learning Centre expansion, Courtenay Ave and Hoystead Ave Reserve District Playground upgrade and Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre renewal.
There was an estimated cost of $660,000, with $330,000 from the council and the other $330,000 from the Growing Suburbs Fund on the Hallam Community Learning Centre.
The Reserve saw an estimated cost of $1.5 million, with $750,000 from the council and $750,000 from the fund/
Likewise, the Doveton Learning Centre saw an estimated cost of $926,000 in total, with $463,000
from the council and $463,000 from the fund.
The final officer report on the agenda included the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) Fund Applications, with the council looking to submit applications for three active transport projects.
This included the Graves Road shared user path in Akoonah Ward as the first priority, with 650 metres of shared pathway to be considered from Liara Boulevard to Domain Drive.
Once and if completed, the path would see safer walking and cycling routes along a 70-kilometre-per-hour arterial road.
The estimated cost was $493,350, with $246,675 from the council and $246,675 from GAIC.
The second priority would be the BerwickCranbourne Road and Clyde-Five Ways Road roundabout shared user path, with a proposed 800 metres of shared path network around the roundabout, also improving pedestrian and cyclist safety.
However, this requires private land consent for a small section.
The estimated cost is $614,900, with $307,450 from council and $307,450 from GAIC.
Likewise, the third priority was the Ballarto Road footpath in Cranbourne Gardens Ward, which would see a 1.5 metre footpath to connect existing footpaths between Houlder Avenue and Riverwood Drive in Junction Village.
The estimated cost is $164.450 with $82,225 from the council and $82,225 from GAIC.
Councillors weigh in after challenging night
By Ethan Benedicto
Following the adjourned Casey Council meeting on Tuesday 18 November, some councillors have weighed in on the events, reflecting on the genuine concerns of the citizens.
Cranbourne Gardens Ward councillor Michelle Crowther posted on her Facebook account on Wednesday 19 February that initially, she was surprised by the crowd, and that she was “sorry to our community members who asked legitimate questions and could not hear the answers due to the interruptions.”
“I understand the community’s frustration regarding Casey Council’s permit for private land use, I will continue to monitor the use of permits, to ensure they are applied fairly and in line with the intentions communicated to councillors,” she said.
She also added that while she was speaking to community members before the meeting, she was able to answer questions about the permit system and “reduce the fears” around it. By the same token of an echoed sentiment by the gallery during the meeting, Crowther said that “a reminder that councillors are Casey community members too”.
“We are not employed full time at coun-
cil and aren’t involved in the day-to-day operations, but I reassure the community we are working very hard to represent community
views and make Casey a better palace to live, work, and raise a family,” she said.
that she was personally “disappointed on behalf of any residents who showed up with a true and proper intention to be part of the democratic process”.
There have been no comments from any other northern ward councillors as of yet, including the mayor.
In a statement the next day, Casey mayor Stefan Koomen said the public’s “threatening” behaviour would not be tolerated.
Cr Koomen said he was “incredibly disappointed with the behaviour displayed”
“This behaviour is not welcome and will not be tolerated.
“We had a number of residents attending the meeting in good faith, expecting to hear a response to their questions. Unfortunately they, along with our staff and my fellow councillors, were subjected to threatening behaviour.”
Cr Koomen said police were called due to the actions of “some individuals in the gallery”.
“I understand there is a real frustration over the past five years under Administration - the new councillors acknowledge this and we’re looking forward to listening to and representing our community.
“However, last night’s behaviour is not the way to go about this.”
The council managed to discuss two officers’ reports before Mayor Stefan Koomen had to adjourn the meeting due to constant interruptions. (Gary Sissons: 460126)
Complaints about questions not being addressed were rife, even before the officers’ reports were addressed. This sentiment continued for the remainder of the meeting. (460126)
Casuarina Ward councillor Kim Ross said
As more people moved into the room, residents moved their chairs forward, with security, in futile attempts, calling for them to leave the chairs behind. (Gary Sissons: 460126)
NEWS Debate lights up on cannabis
By Sahar Foladi
A state inquiry in reviewing current cannabis laws has sparked debates, concerns and hopes for various communities.
South East Monash Legal Service submitted in favour of softening cannabis laws in a State Parliament review initiated by South East Metropolitan MP Rachel Payne from Legalise Cannabis Victoria party.
Ms Payne wants adults to be able to possess small quantities of cannabis for personal use and grow up to six plants at home without any fear of prosecution.
The support from SEMLS comes in a bid to move from criminalisation, which affects particularly young people, to a “harm-reduction” approach.
A SEMLS spokesperson says their work with young people show significant social and legal consequences of the current cannabis laws.
They say young people should not be criminalised for cannabis use.
“Our experience shows that criminalisation leads to significant legal and social consequences, often entrenching disadvantage rather than addressing harm.
“A health-based, harm-reduction approach would be a more effective way to minimise risks while ensuring support and education are available for those who need it. Drug law reform is an important step towards a more just and evidencebased system.
“SMLS supports formal decriminalisation or a regulated legalisation scheme for cannabis use to reduce the harms caused by prohibition.
“Our clients—many of whom are already disadvantaged—face devastating consequences from minor drug offences.
“In our experience, prohibition does not deter usage but does increase harm. We must shift towards education, harm reduction, and providing meaningful alternatives for young people.
“A smarter approach to cannabis is long overdue.”
The organisation refers to global examples of decriminalisation which they say have reduced drug related harm, improved public health out-
comes and eased pressures on the justice system.
City of Greater Dandenong has the highest cannabis drug use and possession (321) in the year ending September 2024 according to the Crime Statistic Agency.
This is compared to its surrounding cities like City of Casey (298), Frankston (233) and Kingston (167).
Victoria Police has not made any submissions to the inquiry however Dandenong-based notfor-profit community organisations Dalgarno Institute made an opposing submission.
The Institute’s executive director Shane Varcoe says decriminalisation of a substance is unnecessary to achieve an educative exercise rather than a punitive one.
He is concerned the science on the harms of cannabis is being “ignored” by a minority to push “a particular agenda.”
Strict CCO for drug offender
By Ethan Benedicto
Southeast man Lionel Albert was sentenced to a strict community corrections order after serving 27 months in custody.
Albert, 41-year-old, was charged and pled guilty to five drug charges on Friday 14 February, and attended court again on Thursday 20 February, for further plea and sentencing.
Following a police raid at a Langwarrin South property where a clandestine drug lab was found in 2022, alongside 672 grams of drug-related substances, a stolen Porsche 911 coupe and a dismantled shotgun with five cartridges, Albert initially pleaded guilty to five charges.
These charges included trafficking methamphetamine, the possession of precursor chemicals, firearm possession, handling stolen goods - the Porsche - and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Albert’s CCO will run for two and a half years, with the following mandatory conditions of 100 hours of community service, supervision by Corrections Victoria, compulsory drug treatment and mental health assessment, judicial monitoring hearings every three months and immediate breach consequences.
The latter included the possibility of re-sentencing if Albert were to breach the CCO.
In court, Judge Bayles acknowledged the seriousness of Albert’s offences, his lengthy criminal history, which involved drugs, dishonesty, firearm-related convictions and his previous breaches of multiple CCOs.
However, due to him already serving 826 days in pre-sentence detention, the judge ruled that he was eligible for a supervised release under strict conditions.
The initial argument the prosecution argued for was a full prison sentence with a non-parole period, once more citing Albert’s history and the assessment that he has a high risk of re-offending.
The defence successfully pushed for a combination sentence, arguing in their stead that a structured rehabilitation program under said
Mr Varcoe says he understand why legal services are in favour of this inquiry but says he’s concerned this may attract young people toward cannabis usage.
“We want to keep them away for as long as possible and the changing of laws isn’t going to facilitate that mechanism.
“It will facilitate greater interest in use, that is our concern and all policy makers should be concerned about.”
“All you have to do is shift the management of the laws from the enforcement body to be diverted to counselling rehabilitation.
“That should be what’s done without a punitive response of having charges against you.
“We’re all for that, we don’t want to see people go to jail for ongoing cannabis use.
“However, our submissions has borne this out - no one is in jail for smoking weed, it doesn’t exist, it’s a complete fabrication.
“People are in jail when cannabis is involved, if they have acted out in a dissociative state and committed a crime whilst doing that. Consequentially they have got in trouble with the law.
“We don’t want to see people jammed up just for smoking weed but we do want it to stop because we know in the long run this is going to cause more damage (not necessarily criminal damage).”
CCO would be more effective than extended imprisonment.
Jude Bayles said to Albert “I hope you understand the effect of this order and I hope you understand that this is an opportunity that I’m giving you”.
“I’m taking a chance on you and I’ll be bringing this back in three months’ time to monitor your progress,” he said.
He also highlighted that if Albert had not pled guilty and was found so, he would have been sen-
tenced to five years in prison with a non-parole period of three and a half years.
Judge Bayles also ordered the forfeiture of all seized drug paraphernalia, firearms and stolen goods, including the Porsche 911 coupe.
Albert must report to the Dandenong Corrections Office within two working days of release.
His first judicial monitoring hearing is set for 11 June 2025, where the court will assess his progress and compliance with the CCO.
He shares his brother, who passed away last year, to be a “classic example” of the long-term impacts and sufferings of cannabis.
“So, we’ve seen the outcome, trauma and drama to him and the family on the way through.
“It was put down in monetary cost to be astronomical. We’re talking 25-35 years of grief and dysfunction and welfare because of his disability with cannabis use.
“So we’ve seen firsthand what this does and those narratives that have been ignored by procannabis lobbyists who have the leverage and the money.”
He lists the harms of cannabis use such as its mental and physical health impacts especially in the long run, costs on the state’s budget and more importantly he questions who will oversee how adults are using cannabis as well as ensuring young people are not engaged.
Podcast founder in town
Connected Libraries will welcome Victoria Devine to Bunjil Place Function Centre to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Victoria is a retired financial advisor, business owner, podcaster, educator and author.
Her podcast She’s on the Money reaches 1.2 million listeners each month, and she is the author of three bestselling books.
Victoria will discuss everything from investing and budgeting to how to avoid impulse purchasing and provide practical advice on how to have a better relationship with money.
Connected Libraries chief executive officer Beth Luppino said: “In celebration of International Women’s Day, we want to empower and give women in the City of Casey the tools to financial freedom.
“Victoria has a huge following of women in particular who want to get ahead in life by learning the tools for saving and investing wisely.
“If you, your daughter, your niece or anyone you know could benefit from learning more about being savvy with money, then why not grab a couple of friends and make a night of it.”
The event will be held on Wednesday 12 March, 7pm at Bunjil Place Function Centre. This is a free event. Book sales and signings will be available on the night.
Book now by visiting connectedlibraries.org.au or visit events.connectedlibraries.org.au/event?id=129664
Lionel Albert was sentenced to a strict CCO on Thursday 20 February. (File)
South Eastern Metropolitan MP Rachel Payne, front right, moved for a review into decriminalising cannabis use in State Parliament. (Supplied)
Executive director of Dalgarno Institute Shane Varcoe.
MPs reveal their journeys
South-East MPs have shared stories on their migrant families’ journeys to Australia and their sense of identity.
Holt MP Cassandra Fernando and state upper house member Lee Tarlamis have both penned personal stories that feature in the ‘Heartlands: At the Heart of Identity’ publication, produced by migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia.
Ms Fernando says in the book she sees herself as a reflection of the communities she serves.
“I’m hardworking, a migrant and I’m unafraid to speak up when it matters,” she says.
“These values have shaped my life, from my childhood as a migrant in suburban Melbourne to becoming the first Sri Lankan-born member of Australia’s Federal Parliament.
“My story begins in Sri Lanka, where my parents led a comfortable life. They had stable careers and a close-knit community, but they wanted something more for my brother and me. They wanted us to have opportunities we wouldn’t have had in Sri Lanka. So, in 1999, when I was just 11, they made the life-changing decision to leave everything behind and start again in Australia.
“The first months were tough. We arrived in Melbourne, then briefly moved to Sydney before finally settling in Dandenong North – and we never moved again.
“Starting over in a new country was a challenge, especially for my parents, who had to navigate language barriers, cultural differences, and the reality of building a new life from scratch. But through their courage and resilience, my brother and I
LOOKING BACK
100 years ago
25 February 1925
Scarlet Fever Scare
Dr Taylor, health officer, wanted to draw attention to the number of cases of Scarlet Fever in Springvale. The channels in Prince’s-St Virginia-St and Warwick-Ave are in a most insanitary condition. Drainage from Warwick-Ave discharges near the fence of the Springvale State School, and remains stagnant and offensive. I would strongly recommend that the council give this matter prompt attention. Dr Taylor had visited and said the drainage urgently needed putting right, particularly as there is an epidemic of scarlet fever and diphtheria in this district at present - referred to North Riding members, with power to act.
50 years ago
27 February 1975
Plan Soon for Sporting Area
Plans for Dandenong Council’s big recreational complex on Mills Reserve, Dandenong North,
learned the value of hard work and sacrifice.”
Ms Fernando said she loved the diversity in Melbourne’s South East - “a cultural melting pot of Greeks, Italians, Vietnamese, and more”.
“Here, I learned the true meaning of community as people from different backgrounds came together.”
South-East Metropolitan MP Lee Tarlamis tells of reconnecting with his heritage.
“I became determined to reconnect with Greek culture.
Sam Aziz, as then-Casey mayor, outside the soonto-open Bunjil Place precinct in 2017. (Stewart Chambers: 174279)
will be completed by the end of May. Announcing the project late last year, Council said the complex would be named the W.G. Wright Recreational Centre as a tribute to the City Engineer, Mr Gordon Wright. It is expected that the Minister for Sport, Youth and Recreation, Mr
The path to true success
By Venerable Gnanawimala Bandaraulpatha Thero, of the Dhamma Saran Buddhist faith
The Buddha’s teachings offer timeless wisdom for living a meaningful and fulfilling life.
One such verse from the Dhammapada states: “For one who is energetic and mindful, pure in conduct, acts with reflection, self-restrained, and lives by the Dhamma, fame and honour steadily increase.”
MESSAGE OF HOPE
“Embracing both the Greek community and my wife’s Vietnamese culture helped me value diversity and the importance of preserving it.
“I’ve come to see how important it is for migrants and their descendants to retain their heritage while also integrating into a new society. For me, this balance – holding onto my Greek roots while embracing my broader Australian identity – has become a lifelong journey of understanding and growth.
“I am passionate about ensuring that every
voice is heard, regardless of how long someone’s family has been in Australia or where they have come from.
“Whether they are part of well-established communities or have recently arrived, I am committed to making sure they feel represented and empowered. My goal is to build bridges and create opportunities that benefit everyone in my community, not just my own diaspora.
“I firmly believe that our society is at its strongest when we move forward together, and I will continue to dedicate myself to fostering progress, equity, and inclusion for all.”
The book, launched at Parliament House in Canberra this week by Ms Fernando, also contains reflections by SA Premier Peter Malinauskas, former Socceroo Archie Thompson as well as the children of migrants from 15 different countries.
Published recently as part of AMES Australia’s annual ‘Heartlands’ cultural project, the book is a reflection of Australia’s long and diverse history as a nation of migrants.
AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said the book was timely at a point in history when polarisation and divisiveness are on the rise across the globe.
“Stories of settlement in Australia, no matter where you have come from, are things that unite us,” Ms Scarth said.
“These stories are reflection of how migrants have helped to build Australia and helped to create the successful brand of multiculturalism we enjoy along with the high levels of social cohesion that we have built.
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
Brian Dixon, will assist Council with the financing of the project. In phase one, it is proposed to build a fully-enclosed, indoor heated swimming pool about 50 metres by 15 metres with all facilities and fronting Heatherton Road. Just south of Heatherton Road there will be a learner’s pool 25 metres by 15 metres.
20 years ago
28 February 2005
Demolition of burnt furniture store to begin The burnt out shell of a former furniture store in Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, has been described as an “eyesore” by residents and shopkeepers who want the high profile site cleaned. Greater Dandenong Council purchased the land near the entrance to Palm Plaza at auction last September for $1.4million and since then it has sat untouched. The council’s chief executive officer, Carl Wulff, said $200,000 would be spent on the tidy up, and the demolition would start this week – “the site will be converted to usable green space by May.”
This verse highlights the essential qualities that lead to both worldly and spiritual success. Let us explore its key aspects.
1. Energy and Mindfulness
The Buddha emphasized the importance of effort (v?riya) and mindfulness (sati) in all aspects of life.
Success, whether in material pursuits or spiritual growth, requires perseverance and awareness.
A person who is diligent and mindful is more likely to overcome obstacles, learn from experiences, and make wise decisions.
2. Purity of Conduct
Righteous actions form the foundation of a wellrespected life.
Purity of conduct refers to ethical and wholesome deeds, free from dishonesty, cruelty, or selfishness.
Living virtuously fosters trust, goodwill, and inner peace, making one a beacon of inspiration to others.
3. Thoughtful Action
A wise person does not act recklessly but considers the consequences before making decisions. Thoughtful action prevents regret and harm.
The Buddha always encouraged reflection (yoniso manasik?ra), which allows one to act with wisdom rather than impulse.
4. Self-Restraint and Dhamma Living True greatness arises from discipline and adherence to the Dhamma (the truth and righteous
way of life).
Practising self-control (sa?vara) over speech, thoughts, and actions helps in maintaining harmony and cultivating wisdom.
By living according to the Dhamma, one naturally earns respect and admiration.
5. Unwavering Diligence
The final quality is heedfulness.
The Buddha repeatedly warned against negligence, as carelessness leads to downfall.
A person who remains vigilant in their duties and spiritual practice ensures steady progress in life, leading to both worldly success and ultimate liberation.
This verse beautifully encapsulates the path to genuine success: effort, mindfulness, ethical conduct, careful reflection, self-restraint, and diligence.
Those who cultivate these qualities will not only gain recognition and respect but also pave their way towards inner peace and enlightenment. Enquiries regarding the Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong: administration@interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662.
5 years ago
18 February 2020 Aziz resigns from Libs, not Casey Former Casey mayor Sam Aziz has fired a broadside at a state shadow cabinet member whilst resigning from the Liberal Party. Cr Aziz, who is facing serious corruption allegations in the state IBAC Operation Sandon inquiry, stated opposition local government spokesperson, Tim Smith was “riding the wave of media-driven crucifixion.” In November, IBAC heard that Cr Aziz and Cr Geoff Ablett allegedly received hundreds of thousands of dollars from property developer, John Woodman for favourable planning decisions. Mr Smith responded on Twitter that “I’ve never been attacked from Cairo before, but I am genuinely delighted that Aziz has resigned from the Liberal Party. Whilst he’s at it he should resign from Casey Council. Let’s hope he has the ticker to return to Melbourne to answer serious questions from the anti-corruption commission.”
Holt MP Cassandra Fernando and South Eastern Metropolitan MP Lee Tarlamis contribute to the book. (Supplied)
Uniting against Islamophobia
By Sahar Foladi
The annual Victorian Open Mosque Day event said to be crucial as Islamophobia reaches heights.
The Victorian Open Mosque Day just this year took place on Saturday 15 February in six different locations within City of Greater Dandenong.
The nationwide annual event is considered to be a day of unity, an opportunity for non-Muslims to attend any mosque, ask questions and educate themselves about the religion Islam and its followers.
President of the Islamic Council of Victoria, Mohamed Mohideen OAM JP says these events are crucial in the face of rising hatred, negativity and attacks on people of faith.
“We want you to come with an open mind to learn about our culture because the Muslim community is very diverse, and every mosque has that flavour of diversity and ethnicity incorporated.
“Coming to the mosque to learn how the community reacts or behaves in general because there’s a lot of negativities out there, this year it has been the worst.
“It’s breaking down the stereotype and negativity out there that Muslim women can’t think for themselves.
“It opens the communication channel between everyone.”
Mr Mohideen, a microbiologist by profession of over 30 years was also an academic at Monash University Department of Microbiology for over 20 years.
According to the Islamophobia Register Australia (IRA) young Muslim women are most likely to bear the brunt of islamophobia due to their visible and identifiable hijab (head covering) especially those who are unaccompanied or with children are seen as easy targets.
From 2014 to 2021, reports have stayed consistent where majority of the victims were women 78 per cent and the majority of perpetrators were men (70 per cent).
The open mosque initiative first began in 2017 with just 14 mosques with a goal to encourage people to “better understand the Muslim” community and in doing so, bring the community together.
Now over 34 mosques are part of the popular event.
“I see the open mosque day as a symbol of unity, today we see a lot of division, faith hatred and we’ve seen it with two sisters attacked at the Epping Plaza.
“We’re saying we will not accept this behaviour, we will work with the community and people to make the society a better place to live in.
“We can’t allow the fear and hatred to take over us, we are above that. We want to be accepted and be part of the Australian society and also keep our faith.”
He says unfortunate events such as the Islamophobic attacks doesn’t sway him from holding the open mosque day event but rather it drives the ICV to do more.
The highly organised and well attended open mosque day comes once a year but there are more opportunities and events held throughout the year
which engages with the wider community.
Holy months like Ramadan, where Muslims fast every day from sunrise to sunset, is another opportunity where mosques have their doors wide open for wider community to eat with them as they break their fast (called iftar).
ICV and local mosques offer hot meals at sunset for the entire 30 days of fasting or majority of the month.
The Keysborough Turkish Islamic and Cultural Centre Mosque on Greens Road is part of the initiative as well as five others like Emir Sultan Mosque on Cleeland St.
Mr Mohideen encourages everyone to either attend an open mosque day or attend their local mosque on any given day as they will be welcomed with warmth.
“One thing I always tell people is, just to keep an open mind, do not fear Muslims, ask them a questions, they will not be offended they will answer to the best of their ability, and you will make new friends.”
Going back in time for a glimpse at history
By Ethan Benedicto
Relics of the past are soon to be unveiled as the Narre Warren North community and surrounds prepare themselves for the opening of a 25-year-old time capsule.
Scheduled to take place on Saturday 15 March, the grand reveal of 36 capsules from 2000 is just under a month away, with artefacts placed underground by local schools, community organisations and charities to be displayed for all to see.
John Ternel, Narre Warren North Community Association member said that he, his family, and many others are excited to unpack the treasures that were left behind.
“Look I’m very excited because you’ve got 25 years of history down there about to be opened up, and we get to see what was happening in the community all that time ago,” he said.
“We also have the chance to read some of the stories from the schools, a bit of a snapshot in a
sense of what their lives were like.
“It’s like stepping into a time machine, uncovering memories, trends, and the everyday
items that shaped our lives back then.”
These 36 containers were put together by 29 groups as mentioned above, which, once fully ‘excavated’ will be displayed inside the Narre Warren North Hall for everyone to see.
The day will begin with a brief welcoming ceremony at 11am, which is followed by the excavation at 11:30.
However, the excitement doesn’t end there, for at 2pm, a new time capsule will be inserted, put together by current community organisations to be opened in 27 years, just in time for the Narre Warren North Primary School’s 175th anniversary.
As the president-elect of the Rotary Club of Dandenong and Endeavour Hills, John had in mind of playing his part and storing trophies, flyers and pamphlets that are relevant to Holden, since for him, “it’s about more than just nostalgia—it’s about preserving history”.
“I’m planning to put together a collection of artifacts that capture significant moments,
including the rise and fall of Holden Australia, which was such a huge part of our automotive and cultural identity,” he said.
“Since Holden has closed down, it would be a great opportunity for people in the future to see what was going on 27 years ago.
“They’re going to be seeing these old Commodores, which, at that point, I’m guessing would be collectibles.”
He further added that aside from the historical significance of the items that are soon to be unearthed, there are also personal and emotional connections, from childhood keepsakes and other mementos.
“For me, opening a time capsule is about preserving and celebrating history—not just personal memories but moments that defined our community and country,” he said.
“It’s a chance to look back, appreciate how far we’ve come, and ensure future generations understand the journey that got us here.”
Interfaith Network public tour of the Keysborough Turkish Islamic and Cultural Centre. (Gary Sissons: 448001)
Visitors taking part in a recent public tour at The Keysborough Turkish Islamic and Cultural Centre. (Gary Sissons: 448001)
Mike Allday (left) and John Ternel (right) at the site of the time capsule. (Stewart Chambers: 459500)
Mohamed Mohideen president of the Islamic Council Victoria. (Supplied)
Mosque leader Muazzam Abbai addressed the public.(Gary Sissons: 448001)
The Keysborough Turkish Islamic and Cultural Centre is also part of the Open Mosque Day. (Gary Sissons: 448001)
The Keysborough Turkish Islamic and Cultural Centre during a Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network public tour. (Gary Sissons: 448001)
WHAT’S ON
Dandenong Holi Mela
Fun-filled festival of colour (Holi) returns for the 16th year. Includes scrumptious food stalls, variety stalls, DJ, non-stop music, powdered colour water balloons for kids, dry powder Holi and waterbased Holi.
• Saturday 1 March, 12pm-8.30pm at Dandenong Park, 174 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Free event. Details: The Australian Indian Innovations Inc, 0411 429 598
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/greater-dandenong-council/events/clean-australiaday
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-dandenongcouncil/events/multicultural-anxiety-supportgroup
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
Career and Support Expo
Looking for a job? Find out about available services at Career and Support Expo, which brings together community and service organisations into the one place. Find the right support in your language, or information on living and working in Australia. Speak to an expert on financial information or chat with someone about health and wellbeing, housing, job readiness, job training, pathways and education.
• Wednesday 5 March, 10.30am-1pm at Dan-
LOCALPLUMBER
denong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Free event, registrations essential at greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/careerexpo2025 Details: GameChange, 8571 1000 or gamechange@cgd.vic.gov.au
International Womens Day breakfast
Join Killester College for a free International Women’s Day Breakfast . If you wish, a donation towards the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project would be greatly appreciated.
• Friday 7 March, 6.45am (for a 7am start)
-8.30am at Springvale Town Hall, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event, registrations essential at trybooking.com/events/landing/1352169 Details: Killester College, 9547 5000 or stran@killester.vic.edu.au
Lexington Gardens Retirement Village Market Day
Indoor market offers homemade baked goods, jams and relishes, jewellery, knitwear, wooden toys made by our own men’s shed, handstitched items, bags and purses and more. This market day will have Easter and Mother’s Day specific gifts. Some stalls are cash-only. Enter via reception.
• 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.
Noble Park Public Hall centenary Celebrate 100 years of the residents-owned Noble Park Public Hall from 2-6 April. The official ceremony includes singing from One Voice Choir, a Ukrainian community choir and the cutting of a birthday cake.
• Ceremony at Noble Park Public Hall, Buckley Street on Saturday 5 April 1pm-2pm. Refreshments, including gourmet coffee, hot chocolate and Dingley CWA food, for sale from 10-2pm. History display is open Wednesday 2 AprilSaturday 5 April 10am-4pm and Sunday 6 April 10am-12pm.
Dawn Lois Dancing School reunion
The Dawn Lois Dancing School is staging a reunion to coincide with Noble Park Public Hall’s centenary celebration.
• Saturday 5 April from 10.30am at Paddy O’Donohue Centre, Buckley Street.
Late drama in Dandy Derby
By Justin Schwarze
Dandenong was left with no clear ruler as late drama caused City and Thunder to share the points in the highly anticipated derby in the NPL.
The round 3 game was played at Thunder’s home field, George Andrews Reserve, on Saturday night.
City was looking for its first win of the fresh campaign, while Thunder snagged a 2-1 win against Green Gully in the opening round.
Play was ignited when Thunder defender Mersim Memeti played a poor pass through midfield, leading to a quick possession turnover in a dangerous area.
A nice ball was played over the defence to the attacking threat of Will Bower, who managed to keep himself onside.
He carried the ball into the box before holding up, playing a short pass to a breaking Thomas Giannakopoulos.
Giannakopoulos took one touch then fired from outside the box with a wonderful strike that beat the diving keeper to put City 1-0 up after just six minutes.
The strike was powerful enough to get the best of long-time A-League keeper Jamie Young, taking one bounce before speeding into the bottom left corner.
The visitors looked to double their lead when Bower was in again a couple of minutes later, making an impressive run down the right wing, taking the ball from the halfway line and beating his man.
Young quickly came out to meet him, and he fired his shot wide of the target.
A good build up from Thunder saw a flurry of passes before a one touch pass from striker Hassan Jalloh laid the ball off at the feet of Daniel Clark.
Jalloh made his run while Clark played a beauty, chipping both City defenders, allowing for Jalloh to run onto the ball in full stride inside the box.
Jalloh’s first touch was magnificent, carefully sliding it past a scrambling Pierce Clark to even the scoreline in the 19th minute.
Jalloh has started the season on fire, the goal marking three straight games he has found the back of the net for Thunder.
A good tackle in midfield led the hosts on the counter attack, as once again Jalloh played the ball to Clark.
Clark opted to go himself this time, but fired the ball over and wide on his left boot in his attempt.
Following that, a long pass out of defence for Thunder was cleverly flicked off the head of Yuki
Noble Park fires warning shot in tantalising round 3
Noble Park sits loud and proud at the top of the Mountain Dart League Division 1 ladder after a hard-fought 12-9 victory over second-placed V.I.P.
In other games, High 5’s are firmly lodged in fourth place after a thrilling 11-10 victory over Rebels, while Bulls Eyes also snuck through by the same score against Clayton Bowling Club.
Bad Boys were the biggest winners of round 3, scoring a commanding 16-5 victory over Redbacks to move to third place on the ladder.
Results R3: High 5’s def Rebels 11-10, Noble Park1 def V.I.P. 12-9, Bulls Eyes def Clayton Bowling Club 11-10, Bad Boys def Redbacks 1 16-5.
Ladder: Noble Park 12, V.I.P. 8, Bad Boys 8, High 5’s 8, Bulls Eyes 8, Clayton Bowling Club 4, Rebels 0, Redbacks 0. 180’s: J. Wolff (Bad Boys), G. Warner (High 5’s), J. Johnson (Bulls Eyes), Josh (Clayton Bowling Club).
Highest Peg: M. Clouter (High 5’s) 124.
Ushida, directed to the dangerous Jalloh.
Ushida continued forward, while Jalloh drew the lone man back for City before playing a through ball into Ushida on the left.
Ushida took a couple of dribbles to open his angle then shot, forcing a stunning save out of Clark with his outstretched right hand.
Right on the brink of halftime, Thunder had a corner which was deflected into the box, fortunately finding Ushida all alone on the left who released a shot which beat Clark but appeared to be going wide.
However, Kyle Taylor turned in the shot at the goalline to lift the hosts into the lead right before the whistle to the break.
Thunder came close to taking their advantage to 3-1 after the intermission when Jalloh crisply cut inside the City defence, getting a shot away but was bettered by a desperate dive from Clark.
City were looking to respond when a long, deep pass was played back to Giannakopoulos, whose first shot was blocked, before firing an absolute rocket that just blazed over the crossbar.
Despite missing, City looked primed to get their names back on the scoresheet.
After a foul, City found themselves in a promising position, with a free kick just outside the box.
Diego Cuba put tremendous curl on the shot, steering the ball clear of the wall, but the shot was kept out by the right hand of a leaping Young.
The clock ticked past the 90th minute mark, leaving just a few minutes for City to find a leveller.
With seven and a half minutes of stoppage time played, City had a corner with the full time whistle imminent.
A high, looping corner landed perfectly onto the forehead of substitute George Lambadaridis who managed to caress the ball up and into the right corner, bringing the visitors a remarkable equaliser at the death.
Thunder were unable to get anything going in the final minute of injury time, leaving the derby all square at 2-2 at full time.
The improbable result salvaged a point for City, who is unbeaten but yet to win a game this season, drawing all three of their matches thus far.
It was a frustrating result for Thunder, who dominated possession for large portions of the match before dropping two points right at the end.
They sit sixth with a win, loss and a draw early in the season.
In round 4, City will host Hume City and Thunder travel to take on Altona Magic.
Twin centuries for Panthers
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Centuries to middle-order batters Dhanusha Gamage and Shobit Singh lifted Dandenong to 5/363 against Footscray at Mervyn Hughes Oval.
Evergreen skipper Brett Forsyth set the innings up for the sixth-placed Panthers, scoring a patient 68 opening the batting, which allowed Gamage and Singh to pick off a weary attack.
Gamage’s century was his first score beyond 50 since starting the season with backto-back half centuries, and he looked in control until he was undone by part timer Dylan
Singh, meanwhile, remained unbeaten to continue a breakthrough summer for the emerging talent.
He brought up his third century and sixth 50-plus score in the last over of the day in a knock which mixed his usual firepower with periods of grit.
Meanwhile, North Dandenong product Jawid Khan scored a quick 18 off 10 to finish the Panthers’ innings.
James Nanopoulos will lead the bowling attack next week as Dandenong looks to rise up the ladder.
Brasher on 105.
Shobit Singh delivered Dandenong another century. (Rob Carew: 439516)
Will Bower was lively for City, notching an assist in the 2-2 draw with Thunder. (Supplied: 459721)
Hawks dismiss Bloods test
By David Nagel
Springvale South (100) has suffered a major setback in its quest to win the DDCA Turf 1 premiership after a demoralising display with the bat against Hallam Kalora Park (6/249) on Saturday.
The Bloods were well-positioned with just two rounds remaining in the season; sitting second with games against the third-placed Hawks and ladder-leaders Buckley Ridges to come.
Win both and the Bloods would finish in top spot on the ladder and gain some serious momentum ahead of this year’s finals series.
But that hope is now forlorn - and destiny now out of their own hands - after the Hawks proved far too powerful in their one-day contest on the weekend.
There was no sign of the carnage to come as the Hawks batted beautifully before tea after skipper Jordy Hammond had won the toss and elected to bat first.
Turf 1’s leading runscorer Damith Perera (63) was once again productive for the Hawks, while Mahela Udawatte (41), Ben Hillard (31 not out), Austin Fardell (30) and opener Leigh Booth (24) all contributed nicely to a healthy score.
Josh Dowling (2/47) was the only multiple wicket-taker for the Bloods; who were in early disarray after the tea break.
Needing a rate of 5.56 to win, the first gamble backfired when Jordy Wyatt (0) was sent back to the sheds from just the fourth ball of the innings.
Wyatt clipped William Whyte (1/20) into the safe hands of Ben Hillard at deep backward square leg…and the Hawks were on their way.
The score was soon 2/14 after Jordy McKenzie (9) edged Hammond (3/15) to the waiting right glove of Perera; before Bloods’ skipper Cam Forsyth (1) came and went in a hurry.
Forsyth took a leaping ball from Whyte on his right hand and was forced to retire hurt at the end of the seventh over.
The Bloods were effectively 4/20 when Blade Baxter (0) mistimed a drive to mid-on, and a perceived 5/28 when Ranel Seneviratne (6) was trapped in front by Hammond to give the Hawks’ skipper his third wicket for the innings.
Opener Nick Boland (30) provided resistance as he watched the carnage unfold from the other end; and Paul Hill (21) and Andrew Staude (19) battle bravely, but it was all done and dusted as Jagveer Hayer (2/22) and Lauchlan Gregson (2/24) mopped up the tail of the innings.
The Bloods could now slip to as low as fourth after fellow finals contender Berwick (193) survived a second thrilling contest of the season against
Beaconsfield (164).
The Bears defeated the Tigers in the last over back in round six; and this time required a lusty blow from skipper Jarrod Goodes (31 not out) to get the job done.
Resuming at 1/10, the Bears were cruising at 1/73 before Lachlan Brown (48) cut a short-wide delivery from leg-spinner Charlie Johnson (2/34) into the safe mits of Jake Cutting.
Nick Shirt (30) then did likewise to mid-off, before things got interesting when Jake Hancock (4) edged through to the keeper.
The Bears’ big guns failed to fire through the middle order, and when Brodie Herkess (10) was bowled around his legs by Daniel Maskiell (3/23) the home side was 7/129 at the tea break.
That soon became 8/140 before Jordy Cleland (17) and Goodes steadied the ship with a 21-run partnership.
When Cleland exited centre stage the Bears were 9/161 and still requiring four runs for victory.
Goodes wasted little time in banking the points; depositing Ashan Madhushanka (2/50) over the fence to deliver the Bears a one-wicket victory.
Goodes and Elliot Mathews (14) batted on, putting on 32 for the final wicket before stumps were pulled for the day.
Berwick heads to Narre South this week while
Beaconsfield makes the trip to Dandenong West in one of the key battles as teams look to avoid relegation.
There were no complaints about the pitch at Strathaird Reserve after a sparkling century from Narre South (8/232) opener Kyle Hardy (117) led the Lions to a crucial victory over Dandenong West (8/187).
Narre South was penalised six points last week for not preparing its pitch to standard; but nailed its preparation this time around.
A total of 419 runs were scored, with Hardy cracking five fours and a remarkable 10 sixes over the boundary rope.
Hardy and number-three Vikai Kelley (45) shared a 149-run stand for the second wicket, with further contributions from Adam Snelling (30) and Riley McDonald (15) pushing the Lions to a winning score.
Dandenong West skipper Riley Siwes (5/21) provided a late-innings highlight for the Bulls, claiming the wickets of McDonald, Zac Wilson (0) and Morteza Ali (0) to chalk up his hat-trick.
The Lions were 3/227 at one stage but lost 5/5 in the last 15 balls of their innings.
The Bulls were always behind the asking rate in reply, with Shaun Weir (45), Siwes (37), Don Pulukkuttiarachchi (27) and Bailey Howarth (26) all making some handy runs.
Ali (2/27) and Joel Zietsman (2/38) claimed multiple wickets for the Lions in their 45-run victory.
And Buckley Ridges (3/178) remains the top-dog in Turf 1 after a rock-solid victory over North Dandenong (173) at Lois Twohig Reserve.
Westley Nicholas (5/46), Dale Tormey (3/32) and Sanka Dinesh (2/11) set things up for the Bucks, who had little concerns despite no wickets to their two leading bowlers this season; Ishan Jayarathna and Hussain Ali.
The Bucks were then in cruise-control in reply, with Jake Cronin (100 not out) making his first fifty for the season before powering his way to triple figures.
Cronin, Ben Wright (32) and Dale Tormey (22 not out) made sure there were no nasty surprises in the run-chase; the Bucks averaging more than seven runs per over.
The Bucks are now guaranteed a top-two finish and a double-chance come finals.
North Dandenong faces the daunting prospect of a trip to Hallam Kalora Park this week, with victory over the second-placed Hawks the only way it can maintain its place in Turf 1 next season. Results R13: Berwick 193 def Beaconsfield 164, Hallam Kalora Park 6/249 def Springvale South 100, Narre South 8/232 def Dandenong West 8/187, North Dandenong 173 def by Buckley Ridges 3/178.
Ladder: Buckley Ridges 60, Hallam Kalora Park 58, Springvale South 52, Berwick 48/Beaconsfield 24, Narre South 24, Dandenong West 24, North Dandenong 24.
Fixture R14 (One Day): Dandenong West (7) v Beaconsfield (5), Hallam Kalora Park (2) v North Dandenong (8), Narre South (6) v Berwick
Springvale South (3) v Buckley Ridges
Jayarathna leads time-honoured hunt for Wookey Medal
By Marcus Uhe
The highest honour in the Dandenong District Cricket Association appears Ishan Jayarathna’s to lose after a stellar season for the Buckley Ridges all rounder.
The Wookey Medal, awarded to the best player in Turf 1 for the home and away season, will be awarded on Sunday 2 March, with Jayarathna a runaway favourite with one round to play.
His all-round abilities have been integral to the Bucks’ recent successful period but this season he has taken his game to a new level, influencing games more than he ever has.
While his batting has not reached the height of previous summers, having only passed 36 once (107 not out), his new ball exploits have consistently given his side the upper hand early in their opponent’s innings.
As of round 13, he leads the competition for wickets taken with 34, five ahead of Hallam Kalora Park’s William Whyte in second place.
In five contests he has taken a wicket in the opening over of the bowling innings and with four hauls of five wickets he comfortably leads all comers.
It was in the first half of the season where his destructive ability with the ball was maximised, no better against North Dandenong, when his 6/30 kept the Maroons to just 81 in the first innings. By season’s end he could finish with an average below 10, an exceptional result for an opening bowler that bowls half of his overs at the tiny confides of Park Oval.
the Wookey Medal this weekend. (Rob Carew: 386712)
Jayarathna is all but guaranteed maximum votes in four matches; round five against Berwick (6/33), round six against North Dandenong (6/30), round eight against Dandenong West (6/17) and round 12 against Berwick (107 and 3/54), with round two (2/32 and 36) and round 10 (5/61 against Beaconsfield) also likely to attract attention from the officials.
Among the names on his hit-list this season include Damith Perera, Mahela Udawatte, Venuk Hemachandra, Shaun Weir, Jarryd Wills and Matthew Hague, while the wickets of Tyler Clark and Sasith Livera triggered the beginning of the end for a fighting Beaconsfield performance in round 10.
If Jayarathna is not the man to leave the Dandenong Club with the most coveted prize in the
DDCA hanging from his neck, here are a couple of names to keep an eye on as his most-likely challengers.
JEEVAN MENDIS - NARRE SOUTH
371 runs at 46.38, 1 x 100s, 2 x 50s. 24 wickets, two five-wicket hauls
In a season where not much has gone right for Narre South, the continued excellence of Jeevan Mendis has been a shining light.
The 42-year-old winner of the award in 2022/23 will likely finish the home-and-away season leading his side for runs scored and wickets taken, showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.
A run-a-ball 71 and the big wicket of Jordan Wyatt against Springvale South in round five set the tone for another excellent summer for
the Sri Lankan, whose batting has matched the quality of his bowling.
3/65 and 47 against Beaconsfield in round nine, and 60 and 6/52 against Buckley Ridges in round 11, will be his best chances of polling maximum votes from the umpires, before relying on other contributions to catch their attention
Unfortunately for Mendis, his team’s poor fortunes this summer will count against him.
His 122 against Berwick will be overshadowed by Jake Hancock’s ton for the Bears in the same game, while his 6/93 against Hallam Kalora Park in round 10 will be lost in the wash of a heavy defeat.
NUWAN KULASEKARA - DANDENONG WEST 287 runs at 23.92. 26 wickets, one five-wicket haul
Another former international still showing out at Turf 1 level, and the beneficiary of the blessing of two specialist skills.
When Dandenong West has won this summer, Kulasekara, the winner of the McDonald Medal in Turf 3 two summers ago, has been at the forefront.
His 3/40 against Berwick in round two changed the course of the innings and was supplemented by 43 from 36 with the bat, his 3/25 against Narre South helped roll the Lions for 101 in round six, and his 5/24 helped defend 226 against Beaconsfield in round seven.
The problem for Kulasekara is that his side went winless between rounds eight to 13, with the Bulls on the end of some heavy defeats in that period of the season.
Buckley Ridges’ Ishan Jayarathna is the overwhelming favourite to claim
(4),
(1).
Hallam Kalora Park skipper Jordy Hammond led from the front of Saturday, taking 3/15 in a dominant victory over Springvale South. (Rob Carew: 460837)
Westley Nicholas had the ball on a string; taking 5/46 for Buckley Ridges against North Dandenong on Saturday. (460834)
