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19 OCTOBER, 2021
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Joan keeps on learning
(Damjan Janevski) 253608_01
Deer Park’s Joan Oliver could have never imagined completing a law degree at the age of 75. Having been the oldest person to ever complete VCE, Ms Oliver last month graduated from Victoria University with a bachelor of laws. Ms Oliver was taken out of school at the age of 13, but had always wanted to complete VCE. A university degree on top of that is a bonus. “I didn’t think it would happen,” she said. “I wanted to do VCE and then I was awarded a scholarship, so I thought let’s see where this goes. I was always interested in the law. I had wanted to be a police officer, but there was a height requirement and I never met it.” Ms Oliver said her favourite subjects were the criminal units, along with wills and estates, but tax and property law were quite bland. She said while she might be an inspiration for many people to look at studying at this age, she doesn’t see what all the fuss is about. And what’s next for Ms Oliver? “Certainly not working as a lawyer,” she said. “I would like to volunteer in a community organisation. “One of my lecturers pointed out that you can’t practice until you have done your practical lawyer training. I’m tossing up whether to do it. If my lecturer has her way, I’ll be doing it.”
High-density showdown A group of Keilor Downs residents are joining forces to try and stop a high-density housing development being built in the area. Keilor Downs Residents Against High Density Housing has formed in recent days, with more than 200 people joining the group. The residents are objecting to Baptcare Affordable Housing’s development at 21a Copernicus Way, Keilor Downs. The development, which is part of Victoria’s Big Housing Build Program, will comprise 23
single-storey and 24 double-storey dwellings for social housing. Feedback on the design of the project is currently open, but the state government has already given the project the green light. Planning regulations mean the development does not need a permit from Brimbank council. The group had several Zoom meetings last week, while a petition has garnered more than 300 signatures in a couple of days. Among those in the group is Brimbank councillor Maria Kerr, who lives nearby. The group has raised a number of concerns
about the development, including increased traffic from the development, access to services and public transport, and a lack of resources including mental health. The group has also made it clear they aren’t against affordable and social housing in the area but rather the high-density design of the project itself. Former Brimbank mayor Margaret Giudice is another member of the group. She said residents were concerned about the lack of consultation and transparency. She said residents had been told that the
site would be used as a retirement village or nursing home. “Someone saw a sign on the site and took a photo of the sign and put it on Facebook,” she said of how residents found out about the development. “Some people received letters. “That part of Keilor Downs is the older area. There’s a lot of elderly people living there and they don’t have Zoom.” To sign the petition: http:// ow.ly/6Ld750GrMa3. Facebook page: http://ow.ly/TvQT50GrMb5
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By Tara Murray