and
have signed a deal that will - as the sign says -‘expand their pathways’. Last week, they signed letters-ofintent to join Baltimore City Community College in the US on full scholarships. The teenagers’ dream deal comes on the back of prodigious talent and years of grit and hard work.
More on the story, turn to page 8
Greater Dandenong Council is said to be facing a bill possibly worth millions to fix substandard disability access at its community and sports buildings.
A motion to better support the wheelchair and disability community in City of Greater Dandenong was passed at a council meeting on Monday 22 April.
Councillor Rhonda Garad successfully moved for a comprehensive audit and action plan to solve what seems like a widespread
disabled-toilet accessibility issue.
“When we don’t provide adequate facilities for people with disability we impact the quality of their lives in many ways.
“They can no longer be independent, they cannot participate in public events or outings and this can have a very big impact on their mental health.
“As a parent with a child with disability, I know how incredibly difficult it is when we go out and there’s not an adequate facility it creates enormous tension and anxiety.”
As part of the motion, Council formally acknowledged the deficiencies and recognised its impact on the dignity, independence and participation of individuals impacted.
The motion was widely supported and welcomed by councillors.
It was said to have been due to the persistence of the long term serving councillor and several time mayor of City of Greater Dandenong Roz Blades, also a Living Treasurer.
“It’s an acknowledgement that people in wheelchair and disabled people have the rights to the same facilities as the rest of us,”
Ms Blades said.
“When you go somewhere you’d expect there to be a toilet for them to use and there isn’t one there.”
As president of the Noble Park Community Centre (NPCC), Ms Blades contacted the council about the lack of a disability toilet facility at NPCC’s building 2, only to find out it’s a bigger issue.
“We thought we had a disabled toilet facility at the Noble Park Community Centre building 2 until last August.
Continued page 4
A cyberattack embroiling Monash Health has exposed personal details of victim-survivors of family violence and sexual assaults dating up to 50 years ago.
The data breach occurred at Victorian company ZircoDATA, which was used to scan archived historical documents at Monash Health.
It exposed archived data from the family violence and sexual assault support units at Monash Medical Centre, the Queen Victoria Hospital, and Southern Health from 19701993.
“We are deeply disappointed to be in this position and understand the distress this may cause any impacted clients,” Monash Health chief executive Eugine Yafele said in a statement on 3 May.
“We take any matter involving cybersecurity extremely seriously.
“Our team is working tirelessly and diligently to verify those who are impacted and understand what data was compromised.”
On 29 February, ZircoDATA reported that a third party accessed its system and “identified an allegation on the dark web that some of our data has been stolen”.
Yafele stated that Monash Health was “re-
cently” informed that its data was involved. Monash Health’s own systems weren’t compromised, he stated.
“Monash Health is deeply sorry that the external breach has occurred, and we continue to work with ZircoDATA in the investigation.
“Our number one priority is providing support to those people who may be impacted by this breach.”
Monash Health has set up a dedicated cyber-breach support line at 1800 491 663 for people who may be impacted.
More information is also available at monashhealth.org/cyber
The Drum Theatre was almost unrecognisable in a colourful transformation for the preview of the most awaited Netflix series, Heeramandi, The Diamond Bazaar.
Seats for the preview filled out quickly at the private screening which saw a culturally diverse community turnout at the heart of Dandenong on Monday 29 April.
According to a Netflix spokesperson Dandenong is among the first to participate in the private screening.
“Heeramandi is such a special series, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the cast are so loved, that we wanted Australia’s own Little India in Dandenong to be among the first in the world to see it.
“We were thrilled to create this moment for the community, and have been overwhelmed by the feedback. As one guest put it - it was a gift for the senses!
“It has been hugely rewarding to see our members love stories across genres and emotions from India.
“In 2024, we’re taking this to the next level with the biggest names and freshest voices in Indian entertainment bringing their most special films, series and documentaries to Netflix, and we can’t wait for our members to see them.”
The series, released from Wednesday 1 May is inspired by true events set in the pre-independent India,a saga of love, betrayal, struggle and freedom.
Community members were able to enjoy bites of chicken tandoori, samosas, masala chai as they mingled around amongst the well decorated foyer with colourful drapes of fabrics covering the ceiling.
Backdrops with couch, candlelight, colourful gold fabrics and red ‘N’ for Netflix were staged with professional photographers on the scene to take Instagram worthy shots.
The traditional attire themed event saw sparkles of big jhumkis (earrings), multi-coloured draped saris, and of course, nothing is complete without a henna station.
Despite a national family-violence “crisis”, a South-East prevention program’s state funding is due to lapse on 30 June.
Ahead of the State Budget on 7 May, Wellsprings for Women is seeking renewed funding for its “often undervalued” family-violence prevention programs.
Chief executive Dalal Smiley said their plight was unassisted by the Federal Government’s family violence response on 1 May, which included a $925 million Leaving Violence Program.
“The federal announcement was disappointing as it has $0 allocated to prevention.
“We urge our governments to keep funding prevention because if we only focus on responding to family violence, we fail in addressing the roots of the problem.”
Australians ought to be “shocked and outraged” by the “national crisis with the increase of women being murdered every week”, Ms Smiley said.
As of 30 April, 28 women in Australia had been killed this year as a result of violence, according to Counting Dead Women Australia research.
Ms Smiley says the less extreme forms of family violence also caused life-long harms to women and children’s mental health and spanned generations.
Wellsprings’ programs particularly help women of migrant and refugee backgrounds.
“English is not their first language and they have so many struggles and challenges to deal with before they can find the space in their lives to reflect on gender equality, women’s economic security and the drivers of violence against women.”
“But we take advantage of the time they spend at Wellsprings to learn English and acquire new skills, to broach the subject of gen-
der equality and family violence.
“Often conversations just happen over a coffee break or around the kitchen table and not always in the classroom.”
Ms Smiley says it’s difficult to demonstrate the vital impact of family-violence prevention work at a state or national level.
“Those of us working at the forefront, with communities, having conversations on gender equality and family violence, and exploring together culturally safe and tailored messages and approaches, are able to witness the changes in people’s attitudes and behaviors.
“Prevention programs work but need to
happen consistently and over long-term and in a timely manner.”
With time, the programs “grow the pool of men and women whose lives are transformed”, she said.
They instill the value of raising children free of gender stereotypes and rigid roles, as well as helping couples with shared decision-making, domestic and caring duties.
A State Government spokesperson said its “nation leading work to end family violence” included helping refugee, migrant and asylum seeker women overcome barriers in seeking help.
“We are making it easier for Victoria’s diverse communities to access help when they are victims of family violence with a range of measures such as funding Wellsprings for Women.”
Separate to the prevention programs, the Government last year allocated $788,000 over two years toWellsprings to support victim-survivors of family and sexual violence and work with perpetrators.
The Wellspring prevention program, which includes community education, has been running for six years.
Free Kinder is available for three- and four-year-old children in Victoria at participating services. Free Kinder is available in sessional (standalone) and long day care (childcare) settings, saving families up to $2,563 each year, per child.
At kindergarten, your child will:
• learn language, literacy and numeracy skills through play, art, music and dance
• learn to express themself and make friends in a safe and caring environment
• build skills and confidence before primary school.
Contact your preferred kinder service or local council to learn about how to enrol for 2025. Visit vic.gov.au/kinder
A quiet, zero-emission garbage truck powered by hydrogen was being pitched to councils, truck companies and waste operators in Dandenong South on 1 May.
Greater Dandenong mayor Lana Formoso was among the guests getting behind the wheel of the hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) powered truck at manufacturer Hendrickson – which makes component parts for the vehicle.
“The hydrogen garbage truck will play an important role in reducing carbon emissions,” she said.
“I look forward to seeing zero-emissions trucks on our roads.
“I’m proud that Dandenong South is the home of such innovations. Our manufacturing hub is a major national player in manufacturing innovation and the hydrogen truck is just one example.”
Touted as an Australian first, the big green truck is being trialed by Solo Resource & Recovery on the Gold Coast.
The proponent Pure Hydrogen has earmarked Dandenong for perhaps manufacturing the truck as well as being one of its main hydrogen-refuelling stations.
Initially, the stations in Dandenong, Geelong and Port of Melbourne are expected to each produce 420 kilograms of hydrogen a day through solar and green electricity.
It would be enough to refuel about 20 trucks a day at each station.
By 2026, production is expected to rise to 1000 kilograms each a day.
Dandenong is also seen as a possible site to manufacture fleets of Pure Hydrogen buses and prime movers for domestic and export markets, as well as generators, electolysers and refuellers.
Pure Hydrogen national sales manager Clint Butler said currently the Australian-de-
signed vehicles are being assembled in China.
“We’re hoping in two or three years to have a factory in Queensland, NSW and Victoria –and Dandenong is one of the ones earmarked for Victoria.”
Recently, Casey Council announced its partnership with Cleanaway to trial a lowemission garbage truck running on converted cooking oils.
Councils, enthusiastic to reduce emissions, will start to force waste collection contractors to go hydrogen, Butler predicts.
“We field enquiries from councils from across Australia every day. As we have the trucks on the road, it will open the floodgates.”
Butler says a dampener is the lack of gov-
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ernment subsidies for hydrogen vehicles. In contrast, the US offers 80 per cent subsidies.
Another hand-brake is the lack of infrastructure, such as access to hydrogen fuel.
Pure Hydrogen is proposing ‘hydrogen highways’ of micro-hubs along Hume Highway, Western Highway and the Princes Freeway between Melbourne and Geelong.
These would refuel vehicles such as its Taurus prime mover, which has a range of 400 kilometres.
It also proposes mobile refuelers that will visit truck depots in Dandenong.
The technology has moved on from the Hindenburg airship disaster in 1937.
“Not a day goes by without hearing about
the Hindenburg. Do you know since then we’ve put a man on the moon using hydrogen? And the International Space Station uses hydrogen to provide fresh water for its astronauts?
“Since the Hindenburg, we don’t put hydrogen in a canvas balloon. We store it in a type-4 carbon cylinder which is the strongest part of the truck.”
Waste trucks often catch fire due to batteries being ill-advisedly disposed in household rubbish.
In such situations, the truck can expel its hydrogen load into the air within minutes –whereas diesel fuel gravitates under the truck.
From page 1
“From that point onwards we initiated conversations with the council to see what we can do about that.
“I’m finding out that there are other buildings without disabled toilets. There needs to be some money in the budget to provide it because it’s a human right for disabled people.”
The nearest public disabled toilet is outside the NPCC building but is very inconvenient to access during night and rainy weather. About 1000 people use the NPCC, including a“vibrant and multicultural group mostly in wheelchairs.”
The audit on all council public facilities will inform the development of an action plan to address the deficiencies, include indicativecosts,estimatedtimelinesforimplementation and potential funding resources.
Councillor Jim Memeti sees the urgent need to ease accessibility issues in the community but he’s also concerned how council will source the funds.
“The majority of council buildings have aged so we try to upgrade the public facility so they’re disability friendly at redevelopment stage.
“Unfortunately, there are a lot of old buildings that would not meet the standard requirements and I think four out of five of our buildings would come back as a fail after the audit report,” Cr Memeti said.
“From council’s point of view, we want to upgrade all the toilets straight away but it’ll come down to where the funds will come from?”
The NPCC, on the list for an urgent upgrade, has received a budget allocation of $50,000 for only a detailed design for a disabled toilet. While Ms Blades welcomes the funding, an interim solution to an accessible toilet is still needed in the meantime.
A stopgap measure suggested by Ms Blades is being looked at by council officers as one of the interim measures but it’s unclear how many facilities may need and benefit from this measure.
A council spokesperson said a “comprehensive audit” was last undertaken in 2020.
“In 2020, Council endorsed its Public Toilets Strategy (2020-2023). Most of the facilities were found to be compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act, but there were nonetheless other proposed actions that could improve their amenity.
“A number of the recommendations have been actioned.
“Council will now consider actions from that audit and whether some facilities need to be upgraded.
“It’s important to note that renewal of toilets within buildings is driven by a range of factors such as the standard of facilities, building conditions, functionality and utilisation rates.”
A bodybuilder who stabbed his partner to death using six knives in Endeavour Hills while her young daughter tried to stop him has been told to “stop the crocodile tears” by a judge.
Sven Lindemann, 52, held his head in his hands and let out loud sobs on Friday as the Supreme Court in Melbourne was told how he murdered his partner on 30 May, 2023.
But Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth yelled at Lindemann to “stop the crocodile tears” because it was clear he was pretending and he had no genuine remorse.
Lindemann stabbed Monique Lezsak 17 times at her home, hours after she broke up with him because she found a new partner.
Her daughter, known in court under the pseudonym Lily, heard yelling from a bedroom ensuite and ran to see her mother being attacked by Lindemann.
He stabbed his former partner, strangled her and dragged her through the house.
Lily tried to stop Lindemann, kicking him and twice pulling the knife out of his hands, but he kept grabbing more weapons.
He used six knives in total, breaking two of them, as he inflicted the fatal stab wounds to Ms Lezsak’s head, neck and chest.
Lily also suffered five wounds during the attack.
The distressed young girl called triple zero, telling operators there was a murderer in the house.
When police arrived, they heard her pleading with her mother not to leave her, but Ms Lezsak could not be revived.
Lily’s twin brother and Ms Lezsak’s mother were also inside the Endeavour Hills home at the time of the attack.
Police found Lindemann in the bedroom with a self-inflicted stab wound to the chest.
Before stabbing himself, Lindemann
made a $70,000 bank transfer and tried to call his ex-wife who lived in Adelaide.
Lindemann was remanded in custody at the Melbourne Assessment Prison after undergoing emergency surgery.
In recorded conversations with his parents, Lindemann blamed Ms Lezsak, saying she “poured petrol onto the fire” and that she “wrecked everything” for him.
His barrister Lucinda Thies told the court
Lindemann, who has pleaded guilty to murder, accepted responsibility for his crimes and regretted his behaviour.
But Justice Hollingworth disagreed, saying she could not accept he held genuine remorse.
“He still maintains she ruined his life,” she said.
Ms Thies asked the judge to take into account Lindemann’s strong family background, lack of prior convictions and previous good character.
However, Justice Hollingworth said those attributes did not make him unique, especially in a case of serious family violence.
“Domestic violence abusers and offenders often present one face to the world and one face to their partner - your client is no different,” she said.
The judge noted it was a very serious example of the offence, especially considering there were young children and a grandmother present.
Prosecutor Kristie Churchill said women were entitled to end relationships without that choice leading to their deaths.
She encouraged the court to send a strong message to the community that such crimes warranted serious punishment.
More than a dozen of Ms Lezsak’s family and friends filled the court for the pre-sentence hearing, where the mother-of-two was remembered as a beautiful person inside and out.
“She didn’t deserve this and neither did her children,” her friend Donna Brown said.
“I struggle every day with what happened and the selfishness of his actions.”
Lindemann, who is facing up to life in prison, will be sentenced at a later date.
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Pupils spanning nine decades celebrated Dandenong Primary School’s 150-year milestone on Saturday 4 May.
On their return to the enduring brick schoolhouse that’s stood on Foster Street since 1881, the school books and backpacks were absent. Instead, a high tea, birthday cake, balloons and a 1999 time capsule.
Among the alumni was Labor state MP Jackson Taylor, who joined current school captains Hamsini Karthik, Hasan Mujtaba, Mahzyar Ahmadi, Maria Khan on stage.
Principal Daniel Riley unveiled a letter of congratulations from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
As part of its sesqui-centenary, Riley and students created histories and displays reach-
ing into the school’s deep past.
Storied ex-students include former Prime Minister Sir John McEwan, Australian of the Year Simon McKeon, journalist Joe Hildebrand, comedian/writer Tegan Higginbotham and Olympic basketballer Mel Dalgleish.
Among theVIPs on Saturday were Premier’s secretary and Bentleigh MP Nick Staikos, Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams, Dandenong Ward councillor Jim Memeti and Greater Dandenong mayor Lana Formoso.
The school began with a handful of students in a humble “wooden shack” near the railway station in 1874.
Now it boasts 400 students from 50 nationalities and speaking 40 languages.
Christopher Bell was having a few beers with workmates when he decided to jump behind the wheel of a Bobcat he had never driven before.
The 53-year-old drove around in circles at the site in Bangholme, repeatedly driving towards his three colleagues on the afternoon of 7 September, 2022.
The group considered the mood to be jovial but it quickly turned to tragedy when Bell accelerated towards George Tereva and ran him over.
Mr Tereva was trapped under the machinery, suffering a deep cut to his calf and abrasions to his back and pelvis.
Paramedics were called and while Mr Tereva was initially breathing and conscious, his condition quickly deteriorated and he died in hospital.
Bell left the scene before police arrived but returned an hour later and did a blood alcohol test that showed a reading of 0.1.
He admitted drinking four or five beers but claimed Mr Tereva encouraged him to drive the Bobcat.
Bell told police he shouldn’t have been operating the excavator but denied performing any circles, instead saying the machinery bucked forward before the fatal collision.
It took 11 months for detectives to charge Bell with manslaughter by criminal negligence and he was extradited from NSW to face the charges in August 2023.
In a pre-sentence hearing in the Victorian Supreme Court on Wednesday, Mr Tereva’s long-term partner, mother and daughter all submitted statements.
His mother Pauline told Justice Christopher Beale her son was a beautiful boy who was so full of life.
“I can’t stop thinking about what happened
and how he must have suffered,” she said through tears. “I have a lot of anger and frustration over the senselessness of it all.”
Bell kept his head down throughout her statement and appeared to be holding back tears.
His barrister Angie Wong said Bell was deeply remorseful and took full responsibility for his offending.
“The guilt and the horror is something that weighs upon him heavily,” MsWong said.“This is a case of stupidity rather than wickedness ... but it had extremely grave consequences.”
Prosecutor Erin Ramsay conceded Bell had genuine remorse, and he did not intend to run
over and kill Mr Tereva.
But she submitted he did deliberately drive towards Mr Tereva, even after the 34-year-old said he wasn’t going to move.
Ms Ramsay said it was clear Bell lied to detectives as CCTV footage showed him performing the circles and driving at the group repeatedly, and those lies led to the 11-month delay in charges being laid.
But Ms Wong said detectives were able to assess the Bobcat and CCTV footage shortly after the incident, so Bell shouldn’t be solely to blame for the delays.
She submitted her client had diagnosed ADHD and post-traumatic stress disorder,
which could be linked to his offending as he was more impulsive and used alcohol to cope.
Ms Wong conceded a jail term was the only appropriate sentence but said Bell’s time in custody would be more onerous due to his mental health conditions.
Justice Beale accepted Bell had genuine remorse and his very early guilty plea warranted a substantial discount on sentence.
But the judge also noted Bell’s lies to police and his assertion that Mr Tereva encouraged him to get behind the wheel, even though other witnesses did not hear such encouragements.
Bell will be sentenced on 14 June.
Talented teens and childhood friends Thomas Duach and Kuich Gatwech are the latest basketballers from Dandenong-based club Red Roo headed to the US.
The supremely athletic and motivated duo recently signed letters-of-intent to join Baltimore City Community College on four-year full scholarships.
For the occasion, they resolved not to smile for the Star News photographer.
But befitting their journeys of perseverance, the pair remained pictures of steel-eyed determination.
They’ve known each other since“little kids”, their families attending a Presbyterian church in Mulgrave. And played on the same team at Red Roo for several years.
And now the pair say they can’t wait to fly out together in August.
“We’ve got good chemistry together,” Thomas says of his on-court role with Kuich.
“With him cutting to the basket and me getting the ball to him.”
Kuich says: “I’ve know Thomas for years, he’s from a good family, we’ve grown up together.
“It’s great to be going over with someone I know.”
There’s a growing list of Red Roo recruits plying themselves at US colleges. But this is the first time two have been selected simultaneously for the same US college.
Aside from their athletic gifts, it’s clear this pair have been rewarded for years of hard work.
Thomas commutes up to two hours oneway by bus from Kilsyth to train with Red Roo at the Hoops 24/7 centre up to four nights a week.
But of course, it’s been worthwhile “doing what I love and playing basketball”, he says.
Similarly and unfailingly, Kuich buses to training from Burwood. He says it’s taken years of hard work, and really taken his goal seriously in the past few years.
“It was a mental battle, I got through it and it’s now paying off.”
Kuich, a forward who loves defence as well as attacking the ring, submitted his highlights film to Baltimore. And they clearly liked what they saw.
While studying business, he hopes that Baltimore is just the start of the US basketballing adventure – and that he doesn’t have to return home for a long time after that.
“I’m just very grateful. I knew the time would come but I didn’t know when.”
His family have always been behind him, as well as his teammates – and most importantly, he kept faith in himself.
“Of course, always I kept believing – no matter what people told me.”
Thomas is feeding off the advice of older brother Josh Duach, who is on a basketball scholarship with Iona College in NewYork City.
“I can’t wait. It’s pretty good!”
His brother has given him insight into walking into a “new experience” a long way from home and at such a young age.
Thomas’s plan is to “stay motivated, deal with the hard times that will come and stay the course with the schoolwork”.
He humbly attests to bouncing back from “many failures”, always striving to get better.
“Never lose heart, stay motivated, regroup and fix what’s messed up.”
The point guard loves attacking the ring and sharing the ball with teammates, helping them get easy shots.
He will study business management, while hoping to “make it as far as possible with my basketball”.
Red Roo coach Teny Puot – who is an assistant coach with South Sudan’s inaugural Olympics basketball team in Paris this year –lavishes praise on the two proteges.
He attests to Thomas’s “great character” and discipline.
“He’s not afraid of hard work – a guy who won’t back away from any challenge or assignment thrown at him.
“He reminds me of some of my older mentors with that vibe of wanting better.”
The more extroverted Kuich was a “vocal leader”.
“He’s always asking questions – that’s what everyone looks for as a coach or a teacher. He’s not afraid to put his hand up.”
Red Roo founder James Kerr credits the duo’s perseverance on the court and in the classroom.
“The No.1 determining factor is they never give up. They persevered.
“It’s very, very rare that we get two young men going to the same college on a full scholarship.”
Also big factors were their will to win and their dedication to schoolwork.
“We know they can play basketball, but we also want them to graduate.
“It’s very important that they’re a student first, a person and then a player.”
Greater Dandenong mayor Lana Formoso says funding for a controlled pedestriancrossing at a notorious Stud Road blackspot is “imperative” in the State Budget on 7 May.
For years, Cr Formoso and the council have lobbied for traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Stud and McFees roads, Dandenong North.
“It is imperative that the State Government funds traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing.
“Our community cannot wait for another budget cycle to see this matter addressed.”
The speed limit was recently reduced from 80 km/h to 60km/h between Cheam Street-Heatherton Road after a 2-year-old boy was tragically killed crossing opposite Dandenong Stadium in December.
He was the second pedestrian killed on the section in the past six years.
The speed reduction was a welcome “interim measure” but the “full project” needed to be “properly funded”, Cr Formoso said.
“The traffic crash data on this stretch of road is terrible.
“Along with many in our community, I’ve advocating for years for a proper solution.
“After the tragic loss of a toddler’s life in December 2023, the urgency of this project cannot be over-stated.
“As we promote active and sustainable transport, we must have a way for pedestrians, commuters and cyclists to safely cross this road.”
In March, the Department of Transport and Planning was said to be investigating further safety improvements at the McFees Road-Stud Road intersection.
More than 25,000 commuters travel on the six lane roadway each day.
Residents, including children, regularly
bolt across the road to access the popular Dandenong Stadium, a bus stop, playground and floodplains parkland.
The nearest pedestrian crossing is 850 metres away at the Heatherton Road lights, with the eastern side of Stud Road largely without a footpath.
It means many attempt crossing unsafely or instead drive across rather than taking a detour of about 1.7 kilometres.
In 2018, VicRoads pledged to install pedestrian lights and review the speed limit after a pedestrian in her 50s was fatally struck while crossing to a nearby bus stop.
Casey Council says it is financially unviable to bridge the kindergarten infrastructure gap under the State Government’s free childcare reform.
The council has instead endorsed a new service model that will only build kindergarten infrastructure for population growth, not the full demand required under the State Government’s free childcare reform.
The April council meeting dropped the outcome of a recent kindergarten service review. The review was conducted in response to the State Government’s Best Start, Best Life (BSBL) reforms, which outline an increase in hours for three and four-year-old kindergarten in the coming years.
As part of its review, council examined the impact of the reforms, the demand from population growth, and the priorities of Casey’s current and future kindergarten families.
The review found that by 2036, an additional 5800 kindergarten places would need to be provided by the sector, which is more than double the size of the council’s current kindergarten service.
The outcome recommended building infrastructure for population growth only. Demand modelling forecasts six new kindergartens with a total of 28 rooms, which would lead to a construction cost of $48.7 million.
Council believed that the arrangement would “reduce the risk to its financial sustainability” and the BSBL reform was “likely to place Casey in the position of providing infrastructure beyond council’s financial means
and prioritise kindergarten infrastructure over other important community infrastructure”.
Casey’s chair of administrators Noelene Duff PSM said the council would continue to deliver kindergarten services, however, there would be no increase in staffing levels.
“We will continue to offer services to our community in a way which is within our capacity,” she said.
“While we’ll keep doing what we’ve always done, and that’s offering high-quality kindergarten service delivery, we’ll also have to work with other providers in the sector.”
The new service model will also decrease the number of sites managed by the council in the coming years and procure new early years managers to deliver kindergarten services from sites it no longer manages.
“Council will package groupings of sites and run an Expression of Interest and alternative early year managers will deliver some of the kindergarten services, at various sites from 2026, to cater to the reforms and additional demand,” Ms Duff said.
Ms Duff said as sites move to other providers to manage, all current kindergarten staff will retain their employment, and where necessary, will be relocated to remaining council kindergartens to enable council to provide the additional hours required at these sites.
“Council will work with the Department of Education to find another provider to operate the two kindergartens on school sites that we currently manage. This process will commence as soon as practicable,” she said.
“Given current workforce challenges and taking on the feedback from the market, a
staged implementation of the new service model will be needed, to ensure the sector can respond appropriately. It is anticipated that this will take five or six years to fully implement this new service model.”
Ms Duff said council’s priority is to ensure all future Casey families can access highquality and free kindergarten services in their local area, regardless of who is delivering the service.
“Council will continue to play a strong role in kindergarten service through service delivery (within our current staffing capacity), the provision of current and future growth infrastructure, and management of the Central Registration and Enrolment Service,” she said.
“We will also advocate strongly that the State Government, not-for-profit, and private sector also play their part in delivering this reform.”
A Department of Education spokesperson said any further decisions regarding the future of Casey Council’s kindergartens should be made in consultation with the community –including the families who use and value the services the council provides.
“We will continue to work closely with the council as it considers its future role as a service provider,“ they said.
“Victorian Government funding for council-run kinders inVictoria has increased significantly since 2022 – with Free Kinder delivering an average 30 per cent to 40 per cent increase in funding per child compared to average parent fees that were previously charged, on top of existing funding streams.”
Following the State Government’s kerbside reforms, Casey Council has ceased the provision of free extra rubbish bins for households of six or more.
The change means that no new “exemptions” would be provided for large households from 22 April, and the existing 10,000-plus free extra bins will be removed by July 2025. With 14 months until it comes into force, resident Maral Nikola, the eldest in a family of six, is concerned about not just hers, but other large families’ waste accumulation.
“Where is the garbage supposed to go? It depends on what everyone’s using and how often they’re using it and whatnot, but you know, garbage does accumulate really, really fast,” she said.
Addressed in Casey’s most recent agenda on 16 April, the extra bins policy was found to be financially unsustainable, open to misuse and countered waste minimisation principles.
The report further details that the free bins cost $1.2 million per annum, which adds $10 to $12 to the residential Waste Service Charge for each household Casey-wide. That cost was expected to grow by $115,000 each year.
The exemptions have been in place for more than 20 years, with Casey currently providing 6796 garbage bins and 3131 recycling bins that do not attract a charge.
The other exemption for residents with medical conditions will however continue.
Dr Harpreet Singh Kandra, senior lecturer at Federation University’s Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, supports the council’s initiative towards better waste management.
“The root of the problem is waste, and it’s responsible for three per cent of the carbon emissions in Australia,” he said.
“Particularly Casey Council, it’s growing massively and they’re [council] projecting a growth of 40 per cent by 2046.
“And when you talk about a smart city, you have to think about sustainability, and they’re recognising that. If we look at the volume of waste, it will obviously increase as more people come and make Casey their place of residence.”
Dr Kandra said the current go-to strategy of adding more landfill will only create more greenhouse gas emissions, which is “against the [council’s] objective of becoming net zero in the next few years”.
“The other option for them is to start convincing the community to reduce their waste generation, and again if you provide more bins, you’re actually giving [people] an opportunity to produce more waste.”
Casey’s acting manager for sustainability and waste Thomas Johannsen said that the exemption for households of six or more “does not align with the State Government
Kerbside Reforms”.
“[It] is also open to misuse as there is no efficient way of confirming eligibility without breaching privacy of residents in the households.
“Residents who are wanting to reduce their waste are encouraged to place food waste loose in the food and garden waste bin - this action will send less waste to landfill and help create nutrient-rich compost which is sent to farms all around Victoria,” he said.
According to a State Government website, a new four-stream waste and recycling system is coming, with separate bins for glass, food organics and garden organics, mixed recyclables
and household rubbish.
Mr Johannsen added that “discontinuing the new exemptions immediately will prevent the number of services to be cancelled and bins retrieved from increasing by approximately 1200 services”.
“Fewer waste services will also reduce the amount of waste to landfill per property and therefore generation of greenhouse gases,” he said.
Beginning 1 July 2025, any additional garbage or recycling bins that have been provided free of charge to households with six or more people in one property will be removed.
“Delaying the cancellation of existing ser-
vices to July 2025 will allow for project planning and communication with affected residents,” Mr Johannsen said.
“The delayed removal of services will also provide ample time for affected residents to transition to alternate arrangements.
“Council will communicate with all impacted households regarding the policy change and also prior to retrieval of the bins, which will be recycled in the manufacture of new bins,” he said.
However, according to Ms Nikola, this “will not be enough time”.
“I think we’re all just really bust people and it’s really hard to keep up with a schedule or a maintenance schedule, if you will.
“Are people supposed to hold rubbish in their houses for over a week? Especially with the bigger households, you know.”
Ms Nikola also lamented the trial and error phase that all new processes undergo, emphasising the difficulties families like hers, and larger ones, would then have.
“We have two green bins and one blue bin and at times it’s fine, but for whatever reason we have an event, or just simply that everyone has a few extra things this time around - for the green bins unless they plan on taking them every second or third day we would not be able to handle it.”
Dr Kandra, while understanding the struggles that larger families would go through, sees this as an opportunity for the entire municipality to reduce its waste.
“There is a lot of opportunity for people to share the waste, learn better practices of waste management from each other,” he said.
“Where the council is saying that we won’t give you an extra bin, [they’re] giving those families an opportunity to re-look at their waste management reduce the waste, recycle and reuse as much as possible - and I think that’s the right step in the right direction.”
Possible positive impacts of this proposed change also move further towards improvement to waste management, with Dr Kandra saying that “if the council has to spend more money on waste management, then obviously ratepayers will also have to pay more rates towards the waste right?”
“When you reduce your waste, you are actually reusing your resources in a better way, which means that you are actually trying to reduce your cost of living - if you are producing more waste then that means you’re not using your resources properly,” he said.
Further compacting loose bags in garbage bins is one practice he suggested that families take more heed of, as well as ensuring that the right waste goes in the right bin.
“If everyone thinks [of] this as a blessing in disguise, then I think it’s an opportunity to contribute towards Australia becoming net zero,” Dr Kandra said.
An alleged high-speed hoon from Berwick will contest up to 110 charges in a trial lasting an estimated 10 days, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court has heard.
Sushant Mittal is accused of speeding up to 262km/h, drag racing on freeways and seatswapping with a passenger while driving on the Monash.
He had rejected a sentence indication in March that included a jail term if he pleaded guilty.
At a contest mention on 30 April, a police prosecutor indicated he’d call 10 witnesses, including three expert witnesses, to give evidence
An occupant has escaped a suspicious house fire in Falkiner Drive, Dandenong this morning (1 May).
Victoria Police are investigating the blaze which started shortly before 7am.
“The fire caused extensive damage to the property,” a police spokesperson said.
“One occupant was inside at the time but was not injured during the blaze.
“The exact circumstances surrounding the fire are yet to be established and the investigation remains ongoing.”
FRV arrived at the home about 7am, finding the garage and about 30 per cent of the house ablaze.
An emergency alert for smoke was issued for surrounding residences in Dandenong and Dandenong North.
“Firefighters contained the fire to the house,” an FRV spokesperson said.
“The situation was under control at 7.14am.”
A building surveyor was also expected to attend to inspect structural damage.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Four boys have been charged after an alleged police pursuit across the South East on Tuesday (30 April).
Knox CIU detectives charged three with car theft. They were bailed to appear before a children’s court at a later date.
A fourth boy was to be later summonsed, police say.
Further charges were to be laid in relation to the driving offences.
Two13-year-oldsfromNoblePark,a14-yearold Doveton boy and a 15-year-old Springvale boy were arrested after an allegedly stolen red Isuzu D-Max ute struck two rounds of police stop sticks and crashed at slow speed into a tree on Springvale Road, GlenWaverley, police say.
The ute had been spotted by police in Box Hill and followed on the Monash Freeway by units including the AirWing.
A first round of stop sticks were deployed on Monash Freeway in Glen Iris just before 2am.
A police pursuit was initiated, with a second round of stop sticks, before the ute crashed.
The Springvale boy was bitten by a police dog while allegedly resisting arrest. He was taken to hospital with minor injuries, police say.
The ute was reportedly stolen from a Coldstream address on Thursday or Friday the week before.
The arrests were part of Operation Trinity, which rosters 70 extra police at night.
As a result, police say they have made more than 1,400 arrests relating to burglaries and car thefts – with the overwhelming majority of these offenders’ children.
A further 2300 night shift arrests have also been made for other criminal offending.
over about 10 days.
The police informant who charged Mittal was expected to present a“substantial number” of exhibits over about two days, a prosecutor told the court.
Another two days would be required for the
expert evidence, he said.
Defence lawyer Sean Hardy told the court that he expected to call two witnesses.
He said he had no reason to dispute the estimated length of the trial.
The charges relate to 12 alleged high-speed driving incidents in Hallam, Clyde North, Berwick, Dandenong North, Eumemmerring, Mulgrave, Blackburn North, Glen Waverley, Parkville, MtWaverley, Box Hill North,Wheelers Hill and Melbourne in 2022 and 2023.
They include counts of reckless conduct endangering life, dangerous driving, a P-plater driving a prohibited vehicle, driving at dangerous speed, unlawful assault and driving a vehicle in a race or speed trial on a highway.
On 5 March, Mittal rejected magistrate Fran Medina’s sentence indication of jail and a community corrections order if he pleaded guilty. His lawyer at the time had submitted for a three-year CCO and three-year loss of licence with a non-conviction.
On 30 April, magistrate Jacinta Studham told Mittal that the sentence indication would have included a discount for pleading guilty.
By contesting the charges, Mittal had lost his entitlement to a discount if found guilty, she said.
Mittal, who is on bail conditions including a ban on driving, will appear at a mention hearing at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 21 May.
Banjo Paterson Reserve was a riot of colours as
celebrated its 12th Holi Festival of Colours in perfect autumn weather on Saturday 27 April.
Organised by the Lynbrook Residents Association, the event highlighted diversity and community spirit.
Volunteers played a crucial role in ensuring the festival’s success, underscoring the commitment of Lynbrook’s residents to come together and celebrate inclusivity year after year.
The City of Casey election campaign has kicked off, with a Hallam resident announcing his intention to run in the October elections.
A Casey resident for more than 15 years, and from a law background, Ezatullah Alam has worked at the Federal Government, the State Government, and here at his doorstep, Casey Council as an integrity officer from 2022 to 2023. He is also a Labor member.
“I think my experience in the government sector and the skills I have, the general skills and the legal skills, will help guide my decisions and make the best decisions in the best interest of the community,” he said.
“A law background does give you that critical skills.You analyse the situation.You think about the consequences and not just blindly make decisions.”
Mr Alam said his area of expertise was the conduct rules for public servants and he had
always been very passionate about the notions of integrity and accountability.
That landed him in the integrity officer role at Casey Council two years ago.
“Integrity is an important part of every or-
ganisation, whether it’s a council or it’s any other organisation,” he said.
As an integrity officer, Mr Alam processed Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and looked after privacy breaches.
He took care of the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) reviews and complaints made to the Ombudsman by members of the public in relation to the services the City of Casey was providing.
He ran awareness activities about FOI and privacy breaches within the organisation.
He was also responsible for investigating fraud and corruption.
“Similarly, I was the integrity agency liaison.When I was the acting team leader, I was the responsible person for conflict of interest declarations, personal interest returns, infringement reviews, and so on,” he said.
In addition to his professional pursuit, Mr Alam said he was a very community-based person who had been active since 2013.
He volunteers for cultural events, religious events, and youth events across different associations in the community.
Mr Alam launched his new round of research as early as possible. He started to talk with people in the community to hear the issues a few weeks ago.
“Overall inflation is a big problem. The crime rate has also increased. I’m not only limiting that to Casey. I’m saying overall in Victoria and Australia, and Casey’s part of it,” he said.
“A lot of people want improvement to the parks. Everyone wants that.
“In certain streets along the schools, cars are speeding. Residents are asking for speed bumps to be put on the streets.
“I think I have a really good understanding of the community by now. I know what people think, what people want, what people need, and what might be improved or could be addressed.”
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF ENRICHING LIVES
Two decades of passion, innovation, and commitment have shaped Lifestyle Communities into a haven for those seeking a purposeful and joyful way of living. Managing director and Cofounder James Kelly shares, “Our homeowners are the heartbeat of our community. From day one, our mission has been clear: to be a ‘business for purpose’ that enriches lives and fosters meaningful connections.”
“We set out to create a different experience for downsizers, to offer a space that strikes the perfect balance between connection and privacy, independence, and activity. With a clearly defined purpose and a steadfast commitment to this goal, 20 years later, we’re proud to say that we still lead the market in our product offering.”
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Works on the second stage of an upgraded Youth Prevention and Recovery Care centre in Dandenong have started.
Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt announced the completion of five refurbished bedrooms and bigger, improved administration areas as part of the first stage of the multimillion-dollar project.
YPARC services provide 24/7 clinical care for young people aged 16-25 with mental health challenges.
A key recommendation from a state Royal
100 years ago
1 May 1924
Sporting News
Football
Dandenong V Oakleigh
Dandenong made a poor start in the Melbourne Districts Association on Saturday last, as they had to scratch for a team and had to take to the field with only 17 men, the eighteenth man going out after the game had been in progress for about ten minutes. Despite this drawback, however, they gave a surprisingly good display for three parts of the match. In the last quarter, lack of training told on them and the locals had things pretty much their own way.
Oakleigh - 9.14 (68 points)
Dandenong – 5.7 (37 points)
Commission into the state’s mental health system, the YPARCs reduce pressure on hospitals by offering early intervention care.
“We’re giving young Victorians confidence that when they need mental health support, there are local services that will give them the tailored mental healthcare they need, close to home like this YPARC facility in Dandenong,”
Ms Stitt said.
“Delivering the right support and care can be lifechanging for young people in our community – while we know there is more to do,
50 years ago
7 May 1974
Govt. gives $22,000 towards new home units
A Dandenong home for the aged in Clow St. has been given a $22,000 grant from the Federal Government. Mr Max Oldmeadow, MHR for Holt, was told of the grant by the Minister for Aged Services, Mr Hayden. President of the Thuruna committee, Mrs Eavia Tharle, said yesterday: “We’re delighted. We get a two-for-one Federal grant and the Lions Club of Dandenong has helped us with finance of about $7,000. This means the units will cost overall about $30,000 and we have to provide the furnishings.” Mrs Tharle said that there were 48 people occupying the site and the additional four would bring the total occupancy to 52.
initiatives like ourYPARC services are taking us in the right direction.”
The Dandenong upgrade is being overseen by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) in partnership with Monash Health and builder, Bowden Corporation.
Construction on the upgrade’s second stage is underway with the project on track to be completed later this year, the Government stated.
The second stage will refurbish an additional three bedrooms and improve the cen-
20 years ago
3 May 2004
Councillor in a flap and squawking over scavenging gulls
Greater Dandenong councillor, Peter Brown, wants to make it an offence to feed seagulls. Cr Brown said residents had complained about the large numbers of gulls scavenging for food and making a mess in the Andrew Erikson Gardens in Springvale Road. “Where birds flock they also roost. They make a hell of a mess, rip open rubbish bags, squawk and carry on and their droppings are seeing buildings affected. I think it should be made an offence to feed birds in site specific areas.” The council’s head of environmental health said although seagulls, pigeons and bats were a nuisance, they were an “extremely” low health risk. He said continuing to educate people not to feed them was the best approach to the problem.
tre’s living, dining and interview facilities. The Dandenong YPARC centre will remain operational while the upgrade takes place, with works planned and managed to minimise impact to consumers, staff and families.
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said the service was already helping young people across Dandenong.
“I’m pleased we can support this work by providing more fit-for-purpose facilities.”
5 years ago
6 May 2019
Housing costs hit
Who of your local Federal election candidates is responding to the growing void of affordable homes and rentals in Greater Dandenong? The municipality is in the top tiers of homelessness rates in Victoria according to analysis by Council for Homeless Persons late yesterday. In the latest Rental Report, there were 71 lettings in Greater Dandenong that were affordable to people on Newstart benefits. Bruce MP Julian Hill said an ALP Federal Government would build 250,000 affordable rental homes in the next decade for Australians on low and moderate incomes. It would encourage ‘build to rents’ with tax concessions, reform negative gearing, provide more transitional homes for women fleeing domestic violence, young people in out-of-home care and older women on low incomes. Compiled by Dandenong & District Historical Society
the Greater Dan denong Interfaith Network
Executive CommitteeCommodities in our day to day lives are basic goods and materials that are widely used and are not meaningfully differentiated from one another.
Key commodities such as crude oil, natural gas, coal, agricultural products, fertilizers, base metals, and precious metals play a critical part of our daily lives.
However, in a world affected so profoundly by wars- both physical and cyber, disinformation, hatred, and racism- hope has become the world’s most valuable commodity.
Hope is what makes us wake up every sin-
gle day with a spring in our steps and go about our daily tasks in anticipation that our efforts today will lead to a better tomorrow for those around us.
Hope makes us try to reconnect with old friends and family with whom we have fallen out.
It is only hope, that keeps those with terminal illness on course with their medication till the very end of their lives and those who require extensive physiotherapy to keep on track with their rehabilitation efforts both physical and mental.
Hope fuels those fighting disinformation that - one day the world will embrace the truth.
Advocates for peace cling on to hope that physical wars will see ceasefires however shaky and eventual permanent peace.
Those faced by hatred have learned to forgive and embrace those that spew hatred towards them because they believe with awareness and the fullness of time that people do change their inappropriate behaviours.
Racism has engulfed society towards like no
time since the end of World War 2. Yet, there are many who hold their heads high despite being subjected to horrific racism daily.
They have hope that basic humanity eventually emerges even in the worst racist and they will correct the errors of their ways.
Hope powers our every dream be it overcoming challenges in work or our personal lives.With out hope- humanity will simply give up in the face of the slightest changes.
This in turn makes - Hope: The World’s most valuable Commodity!
Enquiries regarding the City of Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network: administration@interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662
Community organisation, South East Community Links (SECL) brought back its Bring Your Bills Day event to help address the mounting cost of living pressures since Covid.
The initiative aims to educate, support and find a solution for anyone facing financial strain with their bills, rent, fines and much more.
Following its program trial last year, SECL has brought the much needed program back for 2024 to help locals experiencing financial hardships.
The community turnout is the embodiment of the dire situation for those struggling, as 300 people attended the event, more than the double anticipated by SECL.
“Our community lives in the most disadvantaged local government area in Melbourne. Many people are struggling to meet their rent and bills, let alone secure employment and provide for their families,” chief executive officer of SECL Peter McNamara said.
During the four hour event, rent increase notices, utility bill increases and fines emerged as the top three issues.
“Almost 65 per cent are very worried about paying their utility bills due to increasing costs and 43 per cent of people with children said their kids have missed out on after school activities,” Mr McNamara said.
The program has proved to be helpful in many ways by participants. Last year’s events led to 52 concessions and grants for participants, as well as 86 per cent attendees being on track with their utility bills and with more than $160,000 in debts resolved.
However, one of the main differences at this year’s event was community members facing
multiple bill issues.
“Our financial counsellors were extremely busy sitting down with community members to help with these issues,” Mr McNamara said.
Peninsula Community Legal Centre and the Energy and Water Ombudsman were some of the busiest stalls.
Along with City of Greater Dandenong, the program is supported by Consumer Affairs Victoria, Services Australia, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, the Energy and Water Ombudsman, South East Water, Peninsula Community Legal Centre, Metro Trains Melbourne, Commonwealth Bank, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, Metro Trains, the Victorian Public Tenants Association and more.
A new Rental Stress Support Package has been launched by the State Government as rental stress continues.
South East Community Links (SECL) will receive a State grant to support around 1,400 renting adults and 3,000 children as part of the $7.8 million package announced by Minister for Consumer Affairs and Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams on Friday 3 May.
The chief executive officer of SECL Peter McNamara welcomed the news saying it’ll help launch their new program, Private Renter Support.
“This Rental Stress Support Package will enable us to establish our new ‘Private Renter Support Program’ in direct response to the escalating rental housing stress on our doorstep.
“It means that people experiencing rental housing stress will have better and faster access to support including information, advice, advocacy, and referrals for legal assistance.
“We’ll have two dedicated financial counsellors on site to help people navigate their financial issues so that they can keep a roof over their heads and reduce the risk of homelessness.”
However, this will not be an ultimate solution for families and communities facing housing crisis, he says.
According to SECL the demand for sup-
port to navigate rental stress has increased by almost 40 per cent since 2020 and represented 30 per cent of all crisis sessions with clients in 2023.
“The Rental Stress Support Package won’t solve the housing crisis, but it does acknowledge that community services are dealing with increased demand and urgently require extra resources.
“It’s encouraging to see theVictorian Government recognises the pressing need to address the impacts of rental stress amidst the rising cost of living.
“We can’t afford to wait for housing supply to catch up when people are on the brink of homelessness right now.”
Access to stable housing along with rental stress are the key priorities for majority of
SECL clients with 85 per cent not owning their own homes.
AroundVictoria, 5 per cent of households face serious rental stress and so has increased demand on organisations that provide financial counselling, legal assistance, advocacy and provide information.
Dandenong MP MsWilliams said the support package will provide extra help which builds on more than 130 rental reforms delivered so far.
“The community organisations supported through the Rental Stress Support Package do critical work to support Victorian renters, and we’re proud to support them as we address the housing supply crisis through our Housing Statement.”
The other organisations receiving funding are Anglicare Victoria, Launch Housing, Justice Connect, Housing for the Aged Action Group, Child and Family Services Ballarat, Quantum Support Services and Mallee Family Care.
TenantsVictoria was also selected in partnership with local not-for-profit organisations ARC Justice, Barwon Community Legal Service, Peninsula Community Legal Centre and Westjustice.
The package builds on a $4.74 million investment to support Consumer Affairs Victoria’s tenancy programs, including the Tenancy and Retirement Housing Assistance and Advocacy Programs.
Three men have been arrested and large amounts of cash and drugs have been allegedly seized in home raids in Noble Park and Keysborough.
Major Drug Squad detectives raided a residence in Noble Park and two in Keysborough on 2 May as part of a fourmonth drug-trafficking investigation, police say.
Large amounts of heroin, methylamphetamine and ketamine were allegedly seized.
At the Noble Park address, six kilograms of alleged meth in packages and nine kilograms of alleged heroin in 27 packages were seized.
Police say a commercial quantity of ketamine, various drugs in personal-use quantities, magic mushrooms and at least $100,000 cash were also seized.
At the Keysborough homes, police allegedly found $30,000 cash, various drugs and related packaging and paraphernalia.
A 29-year-old Noble Park man was charged with two counts of trafficking a large commercial quantity drug of dependence (heroin and methylamphetamine), trafficking a commercial quantity of ketamine, possessing proceeds of crime and weapons offences.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 29 July.
A 26-year-old Noble Park man was charged with possessing psilocybin (magic mushrooms).
He was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 3 July.
A 29-year-old Keysborough man was released pending further enquiries.
Detective Acting Inspector Damien O’Mahoney of the police’s Major Drug Squad said teams of dedicated detectives were “working around the clock to remove significant quantities of dangerous drugs from our streets”.
“The harm that illicit drugs inflict on the community has the potential to have traumatic and life changing impacts on a range of innocent parties.
“We see it translate directly into a broad range of areas including road trauma, family violence, homicides, shootings and other violent offending intrinsically linked to the illicit drug trade.
“We are intent on targeting the drug dealers, traffickers, and manufacturers causing harm in our community.”
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic. com.au
$25,000 generously donated by locals for laptops
Casey residents and long-time library users
Robin and Arnis Dzedins have donated $25,000 to Connected Libraries to purchase laptops and Wi-Fi dongles.
“Our gift is a practical way to support our local library service to expand its social inclusion and access programs, especially to those who are learning English and starting to use computers,” Robin said.
“We have chosen to give back to the community through the library because we value the way it has enriched our own lives over many years.”
The laptops will be made available to library members from June 2024. There is no cost to borrow a laptop. Connected Libraries members can search the library catalogue and reserve a laptop by visiting connectedlibraires.org.au
When notified of availability the laptop can be collected from Hampton Park Library.
“Laptops offer members of the Casey community access to technology at home when this might not be possible otherwise. When family budgets are tight this is a wonderful and free resource,” Connected Libraries chief executive officer Beth Luppino said.
Connected Libraries graciously accept donations big or small from community members at any time. The library has Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status and donations over $2 are tax deductible.
If you would like to see how you can make a difference at your local library, please visit connectedlibraries.org.au/donations
Connected Libraries chief executive officer Beth
Arnis Dzedins
and Robin Dzedins (right). Picture: SUPPLIED
From the food, games, clothes and rides, the Holland Festival celebrated everything Dutch on Saturday 27 April, marking the event as its 50th anniversary.
While the festival’s last four celebrations were held at Akoonah Park in Berwick, a new venue at the market hall at Caribbean Park was chosen for a range of reasons, one of them being due to “weather insecurities”.
Berwick Rotary Club treasurer, and one of the team of four who had organised the festival over the last five months, Paul Rubens said that “the main reason is that we want to be out somewhere weatherproof”.
“The Caribbean Gardens has 7000 square metres under roof that we can use, and we’ve used every inch of it,” he said.
The festival proceeded without a hitch, with returning attractions such as Dutch soldiers from the Eighty Years’ War - equipped with halberds, pikes and armour - and cultural food galore.
“It was amazing, we filled the place out but at the same time there was a fantastic buzz in there - it was like a big European Munich beer festival,” Mr Rubens said.
“We expected 4000 to 5000 people and we got well over 6000 people.
“We’ve had a lot of Dutch exhibitors there as well, about 100 sites and they were all taken,” he said.
Other attractions included Dutch costumes dating back 150 to 200 years, which were being displayed on mannequins, and Campagne Batavia, the group of steel-clad soldiers who fired their muskets over the lakes.
“They looked awesome, they were an army corps that won the first battle against the Spanish during the EightyYears’War.
“We also had a DJ and a saxophonist who came out from the Netherlands, especially for us and another gig,” Mr Rubens said.
DJ Xtralers and saxophonist Martijn De Jong were the names of the performers, and they were accompanied by other groups such asThe Accordion Accents Ensemble and ZING! Sing in Dutch.
Other performers included young prodigy Indi-Lee, Rudy the One Man Band, Possum on the Roof, The Van Tongeren Sisters and Shivantha.
Mr Rubens said that the festival, which aligned with the celebration of King’s Day in Netherlands, was catered for families, with
children being a focal point in the Rotary Club’s planning.
Tickets were $22 for an adult, $16 for concession and $10 for children, who then had access to all the rides the festival had to offer.
“You work for months and months and you hope it all works out and that people come, but you don’t know until the day,” Mr Rubens said.
The Rotary Club, with Mr Rubens and six others, had been working on the festival’s spe-
cifics since November 2023, saying that organising the event had “become a little bit of an obsession”.
“A hundred per cent of the proceeds will go to charity, and everybody was a volunteer.
“Not that money is the important thing, but we probably doubled or tripled the amount we ever made,” Mr Rubens said.
Also present was the Netherlands Ambassador Ardi Stoios-Braken, who visited the festival
between 1pm and 4pm.
“The embassy has always supported us in advertising and other ways, and I felt a bit honoured about it,” Mr Rubens said.
The festival was flooded by the colour orange, a traditional nod to the royal Dutch family which consisted of members from the House of Orange, dating as far back as the 1600s to William the Third, or William the Orange.
Government, industry, education and community leaders from the South East gathered for a jobs and skills summit at Bunjil Place on 3 May.
Advocacy group Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) hosted the summit with an aim for practical solutions to drive muchneeded employment growth in the region.
That day, it also announced that formerVictorian deputy premier James Merlino was joining the GSEM board.
He joins other independent board members Simon McKeon AO and Margaret Fitzherbert.
The South East had significantly higher long-term unemployment than the Melbourne average, according to a recent GSEMcommissioned report.
It also had concerning rates of female unemployment, declining workforces in the region’s top two industries, high numbers over-qualified for their jobs and lower rates of education.
“Greater South East Melbourne is the fastest-growing region in Australia’s fastest-growing city. The population is set to grow from 1.5 million to two million over the next decade,” GSEM chair Mr McKeon said.
“To accommodate this level of growth and to cater to the needs of workers and employers, the region needs well-planned investment
by government, industry, and the education sector.
“The future prosperity of the region’s residents depends on a skilled and adaptive workforce that is future-focussed and responsive to the changing nature of work.”
The ideas generated at the summit were to form a‘jobs and skills roadmap’ – which will be launched by a GSEM delegation at Parliament House, Canberra on 26 June.
Among the workshop and discussion topics were the opportunities in transitioning to a net-zero economy, and the barriers to work for young people, women and culturally diverse communities.
The think-tank gathered state and federal government bodies as well as eight local councils including Cardinia, Greater Dandenong and Casey.
Education providers Chisholm Institute, Federation University, Monash University and South East Local Learning & Employment Network as well as South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance and Womens Health in the South East were also there.
Guest speakers included Dunkley MP Jodie Belyea, representing federal Skills andTraining Minister Brendan O’Connor.
Victorian Jobs and Industry Minister Natalie Hutchins and Opposition Leader John Pesutto also addressed the audience.
In the 15 years since she first graced our screens in MasterChef, season one winner Julie Goodwin has become a beloved name throughout the country, donning many hats from radio host to Today presenter, contestant on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! and, of course, cookbook author.
Now, Julie Goodwin is baring all in her memoir ‘Your Time Starts Now’ and making a stop at Bunjil Place in her national book tour, after the support during her return to MasterChef in 2022 inspired her to speak out about her history with mental health more explicitly.
“When I first came out publicly about those struggles - once when I gave up the radio, and again on MasterChef series 14 - the response was quite humbling and informative,” she said.
“There were a lot of people who were thankful for me speaking about it, and who said that me being open helped them to speak about their struggles.
“I’m always looking for purpose in things that happen, and while it was a really crappy thing that happened, if the purpose was to give a voice to these issues, then that’s what I’ll do.”
While the experience of writing the memoir may not have necessarily been a cathartic one for Julie - “the jury’s out on that,” she laughed - it was an experience coloured by many confronting and oftentimes difficult lessons, and one she is now happy to be finished with.
“It certainly brought a few things to light that I could have gone the rest of my life without examining, so I’m not sure if catharsis is the right term just yet,” she said.
“At the moment, I’m just so proud I got the book done.
“It took a year to write, and that included big stretches of time writing, but also long stretches to stop and heal before I could go again. But I’m glad that it’s done and I’m so glad that it’s honest.
“I don’t see the point in writing half a story, so I thought I would just put it all out there.
“It was very hard to write down some of those most painful and shameful and hurtful things. But I’ve also written with a lot of honesty about the great things.
“And I’ve learned things I never knew I needed to learn, about the human condition and compassion for other people, but also compassion for yourself.”
And this self love is something Julie is excited to be working into her new self-driven lifestyle, one she credits, in part, to her MasterChef return.
“I was very unsure about going back,” she said.
“I outline in the book that I was only three weeks out of a stay in hospital when I got the phone call asking me to go back on, so it seemed like a very silly idea on the surface. But something felt right about it, so I thought I would prepare and just see what happens.
“And I will never stop being grateful that I did that, it was a big turning point for me.
“I had lost the joy in cooking, and most everything, for a while, but preparing to return to MasterChef brought it back for me, and now it’s back to being a real staple in my life.
“It continues to be my love language and it’s why the book is peppered with a few recipes.
“And now my days look great, they look like whatever I choose them to look like.
“One of my biggest lessons learned is that I get to make choices, and some of them - like leaving the radio show or closing my cooking school - are very hard choices, but making those choices has opened the door to other things.
“So now I’m on a book tour, I do cooking demos and food shows, I play with my granddaughter, and I’ve taken up painting.
“I’m doing things that make me happy, as well as things that provide me with a living.
“There’s a lot more balance and a lot more to look forward to.”
With the release of her book and the commencement of her book tour set to take place on Tuesday 23 April, Julie is overcome with a wealth of emotions, many of which are unlikely to hit until her first signing begins. But, hoping to connect with her fans, and cultivate an safe environment and supportive environment, Julie is looking forward to the tour and the release of her book, hopeful that, above all else, she can provide a source of comfort and solidarity.
“I’m a bit nervous about the tour, because obviously I’m talking about some really personal stuff, but at the same time I’m excited.
“It’s a real privilege to be in this position where I have a voice and agency, and I’m very aware of that.
“And these kinds of events where I’m face to face with people are the least nerve wracking.You get to have good chats with people, and it’s interactive, which is what I love.
“I hope that if there’s anyone who can relate to the things I talk about, that they can find a fellow human who is going through something similar, and maybe some pathways forward.
“The only reason to do this is in the hope that it might reach someone who needs it, and that it might touch somebody who has experienced something similar and doesn’t know what to do with it.
“Or that it might inspire someone who can see some of the symptoms of an impending breakdown to seek help.”
In between her painting and time spent with loved ones, Julie has also been hard at work in the dance studio, set to return to screens on Dancing with the Stars later this year, before a much needed holiday with friends.
But with her newfound sense of control, Julie is living up to the message of her book’s title, relishing in choosing to spend her time doing things that bring her joy.
“Life is a moveable feast,” she added.
“It’s an adventure, and I never quite know what’s around the corner.”
And for Julie, that’s nothing short of exciting.
‘Your Time is Now’ is on sale now, and fans can attend Julie’s event at the Bunjil Place Library on Wednesday 8 May at 7pm.
This is a free event, but bookings are essential via events.connectedlibraries.org.au/ event?id=61009 Book sales and signings will be available on the night.
VIEW club dinner
The next dinner meeting of the Dandenong Evening VIEW Club features guest speaker Cathy West from The Body Shop. Dandenong Evening VIEW Club supports the SMITH FAMILY’s Learning for Life Program.
· Tuesday, 7 May 7pm at Dandenong RSL . New members and guests are very welcome. Bookings essential: Brigitte, 0491 626 527. Student environment summit
The City of Greater Dandenong and CERES are bringing back the Student Environment Leadership Summit back. A no-cost, full day event that help students develop and deliver sustainability projects. Open to primary schools in Greater Dandenong. Primary schools may bring a small number of students from grades 5 and/or 6.
· Thursday 9 May, 9.30am-2.30pm at Springvale Town Hall, 18 Grace Park Avenue Springvale; free event, registrations essential. Details: sustainability@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Writing Group
Awaken your inner writer & spark your imagination in this encouraging and fun workshop. We will share creative writing prompts, stories and ideas. New writers welcome.
· Thursday 9 May, 10am–12 noon at The Open Door, 110 Ann St, Dandenong. Gold Coin donation is welcome. Details: 9791 8664 or Theopendoor@ssjg.org.au
Photo exhibition
The Noble Park Community Centre (NPCC) proudly announces the grand opening of its new Exhibition Space with the inaugural showcase of emerging photographer Terry Blades in an exhibition, titled ‘Everywhere’.
· opens Friday 10 May, 11 am-12 pm, and will run until 28 June at NPCC, Memorial Drive, Noble Park.
Come along to swap excess homegrown produce and gardening extras and meet like-minded growers in the area. Supported by The Greater Dandenong Seed Library and the Springvale Community Hub Clothes Swap.
· Second Saturday of the month (next 11 May) 1pm-3pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event. Clothes swap
Community members are invited to contribute up to 10 items of clothing, shoes and/or accessories. All items must be clean, in good condition and ready to display on the day.
· Saturday 11 May, 1pm-3pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event. Details: Zoe, mohlz@icloud.com
Compost workshop
Discover the secret to making ‘black gold’ for your garden in International Composting Awareness Week (5-11 May). Learn how to turn food scraps and garden waste into compost that saves you money and enriches your garden. One lucky attendee will win an in-ground worm farm to take home. Facilitated by Sustainable Gardening Australia and is designed for ages 16+.
· Saturday 11 May, 2pm-4pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Free event, bookings required. Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greater-dandenong-
In March 2025 the Noble Park Public Hall will celebrate its Centenary Year. The Trustees are hoping to form a working committee and invite all local organisations or individuals to join it. A public meeting will be held on Tuesday May 7 2024 at 4 pm in the Noble Park Public Hall ( Paddy O Donohue Centre). All welcome. · Details: 0412 613 853
council/events/food-scraps-soil-compostworkshop
Autumn Awareness Art Circle Autumn as a time of harvest and abundance, can be appreciated. The creative space provides us with the opportunity to reflect on what we presently have, allowing us deeper gratitude for our lives. Gather with us on this morning for connection, and the arts, to nourish our senses and spirit.
· Monday 13 May, 10.30am–12.30pm (cuppa at 10am) at The Open Door, 110 Ann St, Dandenong; suggested donation $10. Bookings essential: 9791 8664 or Theopendoor@ssjg. org.au
Busk Stop
Busk Stop will bring a series of outdoor street performances to central Dandenong in late April and May. Concerts at Harmony Square on Thursdays in May, 11.30am-1.30pm. Also concerts at The Checkerboard, corner Langhorne and Lonsdale streets on Wednesdays on 8 and 15 May 11.30am-1.30pm and Saturday 1 June, 10am-12pm. Also at Palm Plaza on Fridays in May, 11.30am-1.30pm and Saturday 18 May 10am-12pm.
· Free event.
Conversational English
Practice your English in a casual setting over a cup of tea while you meet new people in these
FREE weekly sessions.
· Wednesdays 9.30am -11.30am and Thursdays 10:30am-12:30pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Details: programs@nobleparkcc.org.au or 9547 5801.
All Abilities Art & Craft
Discover your creative style and make meaningful social connections at our All Abilities Art & Craft classes.
· Fridays 10am-12pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Details: programs@nobleparkcc.org.au or 9547 5801.
Crochet
Whether you’re eager to learn how to crochet or an avid crocheter willing to share your experience, join our little group for people who love all things crochet.
· Mondays 11am-1pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park; $20 per term. Details: programs@nobleparkcc. org.au or 9547 5801.
Badminton
Join us for social sessions for players of all abilities. Ages 15+.
· Mondays 7:30pm-10pm; $5 per session at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Details: programs@ nobleparkcc.org.au or 9547 5801.
Art Of Soul
Enjoy the journey of your creativity in a safe environment. We use a variety of media & follow a variety of sources. This isn’t a class, it is people coming together to ‘play’.
· Wednesdays (during school term) 11.30am–1.30pm at The Open Door, 110 Ann St, Dandenong; suggested donation $5. Details: 9791 8664 or E: Theopendoor@ssjg.org.au
Dandenong senior activities
Dandenong over 60’s Club (but over 50s are welcome). Join us for fun and games.
· Mondays 1pm-4pm (except public holidays) at The Dandenong Club, cnr Stud and Heatherton roads. Details: Carol, 0431 755 466
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The Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC) is advising future clients to be aware of upcoming changes to family law in May.
The laws on how a court makes parenting orders for children after separation will change, aiming to simplify the law and make it more accessible, confirm the best interests of the child as the priority of the family law system, and elevate safety.
While most separating parents make their own parenting arrangements, parents can apply to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia for parenting orders where the parents are unable to reach an agreement.
Parenting orders cover things like how much time a child is to spend with each parent, and who is responsible for making decisions about major long-term issues such as healthcare, schools, and religion.
PCLC chief executive Jackie Galloway said 66 per cent of matters filed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in the 2021/22 period involved risk factors such as family violence, child abuse, mental health issues or drug, alcohol or substance abuse putting a child at risk.
“The changes to the law are the result of years of advocacy by victim-survivors of family violence and organisations like ours who work with them,” she said.
“Court data shows that in 2021 to 2022, family violence was alleged in 80 per cent of matters filed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE AN EXISTING MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION ON AN EXISTING MONOPOLE AT SANDOWN PARK, GREYHOUND RACING CLUB, SPRINGVALE VIC - 3171 INCLUDING 5G
1. The proposed facility consist of the addition of new Vodafone 5G equipment and associated works as follows:
•Installation of Three (3) 5G antennas not more than 1.2m in length on new steel mounts;
•Installation of Three (3) Remote Radio Units (RRU’s) installed on new steel mounts;
•Installation of ancillary equipment, cabling, GPS antennas and other items associated with the safety and operation of the facility; and •Reconfiguration and installation of equipment within the existing equipment shelter.
2. Vodafone regard the proposed installation as low impact under The Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 based on the description above.
3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Should you require further information or wish to comment, please contact: Abhishek Gampala from Nokia Solutions & Networks on 0413 809 856 or at communityrelations. vha@groups.nokia.com until 5pm Tuesday 21 May 2024. Further information may also be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/3171002
12688040-JC20-24
“While issues of risk have long been considered, previously the language of “safety” was not used in the Family Law Act when it came to decisions about parenting.”
Under the new reforms, the courts must now explicitly consider the safety of the child and their carer, along with five other issues in a new, simplified list of factors to consider when determining the parenting arrangements which will be in the best interests of a child.
“By removing the word ‘equal’, the new reforms make it clearer that there is no parental entitlement to equal responsibility or equal time with children under Australian law,” she said.
“Who will have parental responsibility is solely guided by what is in the best interests of the child, including safety, and is decided on a case-by-case basis.”
Ms Galloway said the majority of the new changes will come into effect on Monday 6 May.
“From then, the changes will apply to all new and existing parenting proceedings, except where the final hearing has already begun,” she said.
“So if you have a family law matter where the final hearing has not started before 6 May 2024, these laws will apply to you.”
For more information, contact PCLC on 9783 3600 or pclc@pclc.org.au
Peninsula Community Legal Centre chief executive Jackie Galloway. Picture: SUPPLIED
ADVERTISERS
PLEASE NOTE
Paint and Hardware Sponsorship Expression of Interest
Greater Dandenong City Council is currently seeking a paint sponsor and a hardware sponsor for Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, as well as other existing and future arts venues in Greater Dandenong.
Located on the corner of Walker and Robinson streets, The Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre is the City of Greater Dandenong’s home of the arts. It hosts an exciting range of high quality and diverse exhibitions from leading Australian and international artists.
Council is looking for two sponsors able to supply paint and/or hardware materials for the gallery’s quarterly program of exhibitions.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE TUESDAY 28 MAY, 11.59PM. For more information visit: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/paint-and-hardwaresponsorship
Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au
Part time/casual required for our Dandenong South branch, the ideal candidate will possess confidence, excellent communication skills and the ability to interface with people.
Email: dandenong@cameomemorials.com.au
Noble Park’s winning run to open the new Eastern Football Netball League season is over after conceding a three-quarter-time lead at home against Vermont on Saturday afternoon.
Ahead by six points at the final break, Vermont kicked 3.3 to Noble Park’s 2.1 to sneak home two-point winners, 9.11 65 to 9.9 63.
The opening goal of the final term was always going to be significant, and it was last season’s runner up that struck first to tie the scores.
The Eagles won the ball in the Noble Park forward line from a stoppage and scrapped their way forward, leading to an easy goal at the back that slipped the Bulls’ clutches, locking the scores at 50 apiece.
Tom Nelson then provided a quick reply in the eighth minute, restoring the Bulls to a sixpoint lead.
The latest of the Nelson family to join the Bulls, Nelson intercepted an errant kick from an Eagles defender at centre-half-forward and goaled on the run from distance.
Ben Marson doubled Noble Park’s advantage just a minute later, marking just outside the goal square and completing a simple snap on his left after the Bulls won the centre clear-
ance, for an equal game-high 12-point lead. Vermont responded after an overzealous tackle from Dean Jones caught Eagle Ryan Fitzpatrick, around the neck, and key forward Daniel Nielson tied the scores in the 16th minute with a classy checkside snap after a
scramble in his side’s forward 50.
A Jordan Marson turnover in the middle of the ground nearly proved fatal, as the prevailing kick from the Vermont attacker looked destined to bounce through for an open goal, but the ball’s momentum remarkably died in
the goal square, allowing Mitchell Woolgar enough time to recover and launch another attack.
The latter stages of the game saw the Bulls under constant fire from repeat Vermont inside 50s, but they managed to continually find answers when challenged.
A series of behinds saw the Eagles edge ahead, and the pressure fell onto Noble Park’s shoulders, desperate to retake the lead.
But Vermont played the dying stages well, stacking extra numbers behind the ball to stymie the Bulls’ attacks, and take the heat out of the game with short kicks and marks when required. The final siren sounded as Fitzpatrick lined up for another final quarter goal, bringing jubilation to the Eagles and seeing Bulls slump in despair, knowing they had let four points slip through their fingers.
It was a signficant result for Vermont, yet to win in 2024 after falling desperately close to Rowville in last season’s grand final.
Jackson Sketcher, Anthony Marson, Tom Bower and Nathan Noblett were all excellent for the Bulls, with Ben Marson leading the scoring with three goals.
The second-placed Bulls host the thirdplaced East Ringwood in round five.
Dandenong Thunder remains uncomfortably close to the drop zone in the National Premier League (NPL) Victoria competition in 11th place near the halfway mark of the season after a disappointing 3-0 loss on Friday night to the Melbourne Knights.
Melbourne, needing to show something after the dismissal of head coach Ben Surey and Assistant Coach, Craig Moore during the week, received the cliche ‘new manager bounce’, making Thunder look poor in the process.
Thunder found themselves on the back foot after just five minutes as a result of a bizarre decision from Ali Sulemani.
A miss-directed lofted ball by a Knights midfielder from the centre of the pitch dropped at his feet deep in defence on the Thunder’s left, but his inboard touch on the volley, intended for Daniel Dixon, put his central defenders under immense pressure.
Aidan Edwards recovered the ball and played back to Ben Djiba, but he gave the ball away to Knights striker Ciaran Bramwell.
Bramwell steadied himself before letting rip with his right boot from outside the area, making the home side pay dearly for the mistake.
Sulemani was again caught out of position in the 26th minute as the Knights took a 2-0 lead.
Sulemani’s opponent slipped around the back of him on the right-hand wing and collected possession moments before reaching the touch line.
Bramwell passed a tracking Daniel Alessi in the centre of the penalty area and finished with a simple tap-in in front of Pierce Clark.
It became 3-0 in the second half after the home side put themselves under pressure at the back once again.
The Knights acquired possession in their back half and picked their way down the Thunder’s right side of defence before teeing up a shot for Saif-Eddine Sakhi, whose bullet burst through the fingertips of Clark.
Ben Djiba’s attempt to swoop on a pass just inside the Thunder’s defensive half proved costly, as it forced a reshuffle of the Thunder backs as they tracked towards their goal, ultimately unable to recover in time.
It capped a poor week for Thunder, eliminated by Moreland City in a penalty shootout in the Dockerty Cup on Wednesday night.
Last week’s return to winning ways against a battling St Albans can now be seen as a flash in the pan, as the loss to Melbourne Knights
makes it four losses in five league matches.
Crucially, they continue to drop vital points at home, with the St Albans win the only victory at George Andrews Reserve this season, and the goal difference falls to -14, undoing the good work from the 3-0 win the previous week.
They’ll face their Cup conqueror in Moreland City away on Saturday afternoon, which is
winless in the league thus far.
Cross-town rivals Dandenong City only fared slightly better in a 3-1 loss to Port Melbourne.
City conceded twice in five minutes in the second half against the high-flying Sharks to fall to its fourth loss of the season, simply outclassed by a better opponent on a number of occasions.
Tom Bower came close to opening the scoring in the 29th minute with a backwards header from an awkward angle, but it was the home side that opened the scoring before half time.
Sharks striker Emmanuel Peters charged past two City defenders to gather a lofted through ball over the defensive pair, to square a cross perfectly for teammate Jackson Courtney-Perkins at the back post.
With John Hall shutting off the near post, he was unable to recover in time to quell the attack, allowing the home side to edge ahead in the 37th minute.
City’s defences were methodically opened up again by the Sharks in the 60th minute as the home side made it 2-0.
Sending numbers to the ball in an attempt to force a turnover on the right, space was left on Port Melbourne’s left side for Daniel Edwards to whip in a cross once the ball found its way to the open side.
The ball dragged Hall away from his goal, but he was unable to meet the cross in time, as Courtney-Perkins added a second goal with a volley, having slipped Jack Webster in the centre of the penalty area.
It was 3-0 shortly after, as Port Melbourne took the ball the length of the pitch against a tiring Dandenong defence.
Dispossessed deep in attack and with numbers pressing high in a desperate effort to reduce the lead, City was opened up on the counter attack as Peters found the back of the net, having slipped through the last line of defence.
City manager Nick Tolios let rip with a quadruple substitution in the second half, bringing on Kenny Athiu, Kyan Bryant, Tim Atherinos and Michael Martinovic for Tom Bower, James Xydias, Nicholas Hamakiotis and Brady Quinn, all at the same time.
Atherinos made an impact by pegging back a consolation goal for City, capping a brilliant run on the left hand side and negotiating a tangle of legs to make it 3-1 in the 77th minute, but that was where the scoring started and finished for the visitors.
Bryant nearly connected with a volley in the 85th minute sent his shot over the bar, while Athiu forced a goalline save from the Sharks stopper in the 88th, but the valiant efforts were in vain, having fallen too far behind in the first half.
Despite the result, City remains well placed in seventh as the season reaches its halfway mark.
City welcomes second-placed Heidelberg United to Frank Holohan on Friday night.
Hampton Park, Springvale Districts, Keysborough, Doveton Eagles and Cranbourne all tasted victory in the Southern Football Netball League (SFNL) on Saturday.
Hampton Park prevailed 10.16 76 to 6.6 42 over Endeavour Hills in skipper Liam Myatt’s first game for three weeks.
Winger Tanner Stanton, midfielder Jayden Weichard and defender Luke O’Brien were among the standouts as Hampton Park built on an early buffer they created.
Defenders Ricky Boccari and Luke Peters were staunch for the Falcons, while John Rafferty and Liam Hasler fought hard in the midfield.
Doveton, meanwhile, fought hard on the road against premiership favourites Murrumbeena, defeated 15.10 100 to 16.22 118.
A six goal to one second quarter was the difference, opening up a 44-point lead for the hosts, with Doveton unable to reel them in despite 10 second half goals.
Ash Browne was a key figure up forward, while recruit Lochie Conboy also played a significant role.
The Doves were significantly weakened with ruck-mid duo Dylan Chapman and Harley Primrose unavailable for selection.
Tom Shaw showed glimpses of his 2022 form in the Burras 9.15 69 to 6.9 45 victory over Skye.
The forward backed up four goals in his first game of the season against St Kilda City with five against Skye as Keysborough led throughout the contest.
Springvale Districts maintained its top-two position with an 18.18 126 to 9.100 64 victory over Port Melbourne at Port Melbourne.
A seven-goal-to-three first term set the tone for the visitors, with Liam Giove and Kyle Hendy leading the way, while Daniel Helmore kicked five.
Cranbourne nabbed its first win of the season, winning 15.11 101 to 1.2 8, with small forward Tyson Barry kicking four goals.
Doveton Eagles netted its second win of the season, staving off a second half fightback from DandenongWest to prevail 14.9 93 to 12.7 79.
Leigh Tannahill and Jacob Flannery led the
The Dandenong Stingrays boys ran over the top of Gold Coast Academy at Belvedere Reserve on Sunday, winning 15.8 98 to 10.9 69.
The Rays were led by a five-goal haul to Cooper Hynes and splendid midfield performance from Harry Doughton who played like he had a point to prove after missing out on a Vic Country trial.
Doughton set the tone for his day with a strong holding the ball tackle at the first centre stoppage of the day, using his free kick to hit up a leading Jacob Grant inside 50.
That sort of hard tackling and handsome inside-50 kicking was a feature of the midfielder’s day, as he finished with 18 disposals and five tackles.
After Gold Coast wrested territory and control for much of the first quarter, Doughton set up Harvey Langford inside 50 who kicked a stabilising goal for the hosts.
After trailing by 24 points at quarter-time, the Stingrays dominated the second quarter to give themselves a strong launchpad for a deadly second half.
Cooper Hynes took a series of contested marks inside 50, Sam Lewis (23 disposals) won a series of clearances, Berwick’s Kane Hurst was unstoppable as the Rays tightened up in defence and fellow Berwick boy Riak Andrew laid some tough tackles.
With Hynes spending time forward, onball minutes opened up for some lesser known names including Devon Meadows’ Toby Sinnema, who was clean in tight.
Tyson Anic’s running goal from 50, set up by a chain of handballs after a Charlie Orchard one-on-one win on the wing, was the highlight of the second quarter and was decisive in turning the momentum.
Soon thereafter, the Rays went the length of the field from a kick-in with Endeavour Hills’ Jacob Grant the beneficiary, before
Lewis burst from clearance and set up Hynes to put the perfect footnote on a strong quarter of footy.
Dandenong continued on the momentum in the third, kicking six goals to two, including four in quick succession to jump out to an 18-point three-quarter-time lead.
Other standouts included Max Lee, who brought energy and spark, Berwick’s Raiden Bergman, who capitalised on his first opportunity of the season and Tom Sullivan, who showed his closing speed on several occasions, while Fountain Gate forward Coren Giliam snagged a major.
Earlier, Dandenong’s girls went down 4.1 25 to 6.11 47 against Gold Coast Academy.
Their absences, however, opened the door for a series of debutantes to make their mark, with Alice Cunnington the best of the lot.
Cunnington showed her calmness in traffic and took two big contested marks in quick succession in the third quarter as the Rays looked to hang on.
The Stingrays jumped the well-regarded Gold Coast early, kicking the only two goals of the first quarter via Molly Reimers and Charlotte Gilmore.
Dandenong played smart footy and were desperate in the contest, led by Kate Terri (22 disposals, six tackles), whose two-way presence in the engine room has been a surprise and welcome addition this season.
Gold Coast took the lead at the 13-minute mark of the second quarter with the visitors outclassing Dandenong in the second half.
In her second match at the level, Ruby Geurts (16 disposals, five marks) stood tallest in defence, winning several intercept possessions critical one-on-ones.
Another debutante, Gabrielle Mehrmann, kicked the Stingrays’ two second half goals, while Jemma Reynolds and Nikita Harris both had some nice moments.
way for the visitors at Greaves Reserve, while Zac La’Brooy and Jason Loomes kicked four each.
Brock Jenkins and Isaac Braaksma did their best to keep Dandenong West in the contest.
Matt Neve and Harry Sharlassian led Hallam’s 17.12 114 to 4.5 29 victory over the struggling South Yarra, while Lyndale was outclassed 25.17 167 to 3.8 26 against the table-topping Hampton.
