EHD Star Journal - 21st October 2025

Bollywood vibes

More pictures on page 14

Golf course shock

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A 941-dwelling development plan for the former Kingswood Golf Course has been approved despite a 13-year fight by opposing residents and Kingston Council.

On 18 October, Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny announced on the green-light for developer Satterley Property Group’s plan across 15 stages for the 54-hectare site in Dingley Village.

The project includes 10 per cent “affordable housing”, 20 per cent public open space, hun-

dreds of trees retained and thousands planted, according to the government.

A sporting and community centre would also be built.

“We’re unlocking underutilised land to deliver more homes and create new opportunities for people in Melbourne’s south-east,” Kilkenny stated.

“The only way to make housing fairer for young Victorians is to build more homes faster – this is exactly why we’ve been overhauling our planning system because the status quo is

not an option.”

More than 1400 objections were lodged against the development plan, with concerns over flooding, traffic congestion and loss of biodiversity and open space.

Kingston Council also raised an array of concerns, including the small lot sizes, drainage infrastructure and significant tree removal.

A decade ago, about 8000 residents had opposed an earlier AustralianSuper Residential Properties proposal for 800-dwellings on the site. Their fierce campaign has continued since Sat-

terley unveiled a beefed-up plan for more units.

Save Kingswood Group president Kevin Poulter said “Dingley Village is in shock” at the approval of “the worst possible extreme-development insane plan”.

He slammed the State Government for being “hell-bent on destroying Dingley Village”.

“More important to Labor is the panic to meet their over-stated housing numbers for all of Melbourne.

“If a treed, open space is near you, residents look out - they are in your sights.”

Allegations aired

By Sahar Foladi

A councillor has called for a Municipal Monitor at Greater Dandenong after her motion for the council to launch an external independent assessment into an anonymous email’s allegations was defeated.

A five-ALP-councillor majority voted against hearing independent councillor Rhonda Garad’s urgent-business motion on Monday 13 October, therefore the motion’s contents were not publicly disclosed.

Cr Garad, independent councillor Bob Milkovic and Greens endorsed member Isabella Do voted in favour of hearing the motion.

It’s believed the council will instead embark on an internal audit of the claims made in the email, which was sent purportedly on behalf of “we, the staff“ from an encrypted email address.

The email makes allegations about council’s internal culture, its “chaotic restructures” and repeated use of external consultants.

Allegations include favouritism, staff excluded from key decision-making, undermining staff morale, internal capability ignored while external consultants are excessively used, a divided leadership, and unfair salary banding where some managers with less qualifications or experience are paid more than better qualified colleagues.

Labor councillor Sean O’Reilly said he didn’t think anything Cr Garad said at the meeting met the test for urgent business.

“I think where the difference was - she thought her motion was important, but being important is different to urgent.

“There is no evidence of any urgency, therefore the test fails.”

Cr Garad says her motion was emailed to all councillors prior to the council meeting.

She says a Municipal Monitor should be called by the Minister for Local Government to investigate the governance issues.

“I think we are moving to that stage. We are seeing so many concerning behaviours.

“We are moving to a point where that would be a possibility.”

As urgent business, she outlined the impact on council’s operations and services to the community, citing the Local Government Act “to ensure good governance” and “not only to act but act quickly and be seen to act quickly.”

She outlined the uncertainty, stress and “environment of tensions” among the organisation’s staff.

Cr Garad says a councillor-only meeting to discuss the issue was denied prior to Monday’s council meeting.

However, a councillor session was held after the council meeting with Michael Shatter, the chair of the council’s audit and risk committee.

Council’s CEO Jacqui Weatherill, in a premeeting with councillors, is reported to have said the anonymous email complaints were “none of the councillors’ business.”

Cr Garad described both meetings with the CEO and the chair for risk committee Mr Shatter as “browbeating” and “intimidating” .

“It was like, you keep and support me or support that motion, to me it was almost like an ultimatum.”

According to Cr Garad, councillors were informed that Weatherill, with Shatter, would “determine the scope of an internal audit” and later report the findings to councillors.

Cr O’Reilly was hesitant to comment on the “internal discussions” as a matter of confidentiality.

“My understanding is there’s going to be several parties having input into (the audit).”

Labor councillor Phillip Danh says it’s “reasonable” to expect the CEO to be part of the internal audit and that he trusts the process.

He described both meetings as “helpful”.

“The dialogue was good to understand what the process looks like, the context behind what happens when these sorts of issues arise - having a major reaction to an unverified piece of correspondence isn’t always the best path forward.”

According to Cr Garad, it was made clear by Shatter that the internal audit only addresses the allegation of council staff salary banding.

“Audit risk only looks at financial issues, gover-

nance in terms of systems and its implementation particularly around safety and issues like fraud. They don’t look at cultural issues,” Cr Garad says.

She says that her separate legal dispute against Weatherill was used against her, with Shatter describing it as a conflict of interest on multiple occasions.

In Cr Garad’s view, a conflict of interest should only apply when the legal dispute is being discussed.

“It’s a blatant attempt to punish accountability and shut down scrutiny.”

Recently, her legal conflict with Weatherill escalated after the council refused her ‘cease-anddesist’ demand to publicly apologise and retract a media statement on her social-media retweets over the Gaza. conflict.

She has lodged her legal complaint at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). No hearing dates have been confirmed.

Weatherill, has refused to comment on the email, saying the council doesn’t communicate “with or about our staff via the media.”

“The residents of our city benefit from officers’ hard work every day and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts,” she recently stated.

“We promote a culture of open feedback and take it seriously.

“Council staff can raise any issues with their manager, human resources advisers, their union or through our structured staff consultations and regular surveys.”

Aspiring mayor warns against ‘boycott’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Mayoral aspirant Sophie Tan has warned of “consequence” for councillors who boycott Greater Dandenong mayoral elections next month.

Cr Tan, a twice deputy-mayor, confirmed she was running for mayor for the 2025-’26 term.

The Labor councillor declared she was “passionate about our community and believe Greater Dandenong deserves strong accountable leadership”.

Her vast platform includes upholding the “highest standards of integrity and openness”, as well as a strong local economy, a safer, cleaner city and advocating for asylum seekers, housing, transport, sport, open space and gambling reform.

She says her election would reflect “our city’s diversity” and “gender equality in leadership”. However, independent councillors Rhonda Garad and Bob Milkovic have confirmed they may not show up for the 13 November election. They say they don’t wish to endorse what they claim has been a predetermined outcome by Labor figures: Cr Tan for mayor and Cr Phillip Danh for deputy mayor.

“I like how people still say it’s an election, assuming there’s a democratic process,” says Cr Milkovic, who has been an ‘apology’ at past

IN BRIEF

Trio charged after Hallam agg burg

Three men have been charged after an alleged aggravated home burglary in Hallam early on Sunday 19 October.

A group of offenders allegedly stole gardening tools from an occupied residence’s garage in Cardamon Drive about 1.35am.

The sole occupant of the home was not injured.

The group fled in a Toyota Landcruiser, which was soon spotted on Monash Freeway, near Heatherton Road.

Police say the vehicle was driven in convoy with a stolen Toyota 86 sports car in Springvale and Noble Park.

The vehicles stopped in Norris Court, Dandenong North. The occupants allegedly fled on foot and were arrested by police.

A laser-printed gun was found in the Landcruiser, police say.

Casey CIU detectives charged a 33-year-old Doveton man with attempted aggravated burglary, burglary, theft from a motor vehicle, car theft, handling stolen goods, possessing a category-E handgun, possessing a prohibited weapon, negligently dealing with proceeds of crime and committing an indictable offence on bail.

He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court that day.

A 34-year-old Hampton Park man was charged with car theft and going equipped to steal.

He was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 4 March.

A 60-year-old Dandenong North man was charged with car theft.

He was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 5 March.

The Landcruiser was allegedly stolen from Norwood Road in Caufield North on 17 October.

The Toyota 86 was allegedly stolen from Dandenong Road, Malvern East on 11 October. ‘Erratic’ drink-driver allegedly blows .160

A 32-year-old driver has lost her licence and had her Nissan impounded in Mulgrave after an alleged blood-alcohol reading more than thrice the limit.

Police say they received reports of a white Nissan Patrol driving erratically on Monash Freeway about 11.30pm on Friday 17 October.

Officers pulled over the Nissan and the driver allegedly claimed to have consumed three glasses of wine.

The Lynbrook woman then produced an alleged evidentiary breath test reading of 0.160.

The reading resulted in her immediate loss of licence for 12 months.

The Nissan was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1150.

She was expected to be charged on summons with drink driving.

P-platers’ cars impounded after alleged high speeds on Monash Fwy

Two P-platers have had their vehicles impounded after being allegedly detected at high speed on Monash Freeway last weekend.

mayoral votes.

Cr Tan said each councillor had responsibility to take part in the election, as set out in the Local Government Act 2020.

“When councillors elected to council, they had sworn in under the Oath or Affirmation that they’ll abide by the Model Code of Conduct and the Local Government Act 2020.

“If anyone breached the Act, there’ll be a consequence.”

Councillor Phillip Danh has not confirmed or ruled out running for a leadership position.

“My priority will remain to be focused on constituents in my ward.

“If an opportunity arose to serve a bigger role, I would not take it for granted – it’s a serious job and it has to be done properly.

“If I think it’s something that my colleagues would be supportive of, I’m happy to think about it and consider it going forward.”

On the potential boycott, Cr Danh said councillors could vote as they pleased but were paid to turn up to meetings - unless they were an apology for illness or personal reasons.

In recent years, there has been growing disquiet about exclusively Labor-aligned mayors since 2008.

The mayor and deputy mayor roles are elected by an absolute majority of councillors. Eight of the 11 councillors are ALP members.

In March, Cr Garad unsuccessfully proposed for the public to vote for the mayor and deputy mayor, in order to break the ALP stranglehold.

She says under the current system, there was “no point” for non-ALP councillors even “putting up our hand” for mayor.

Cr Sean O’Reilly said that Labor councillors weren’t bound by party rules to only vote for Labor mayoral contenders. The exception was to use ALP caucus provisions to break a deadlock, when no mayoral candidate had an absolute majority.

“It should be, in my opinion, a normal vote in the chamber.”

A 20-year-old woman from Bonnie Brook was detected at 180 km/h, well over the 100 km/h speed limit, in Glen Waverley early on Sunday 19 October, police say.

Nunawading Highway Patrol officers intercepted her Hyundai i30 just prior to Jacksons Road in Mulgrave.

The probationary driver allegedly stated that her need for speed was because she “had to be somewhere”.

Her car was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1159.

She is expected to be charged on summons for speed and speed dangerous.

Meanwhile a 19-year-old P-plater from Berwick was allegedly detected speeding at 156km/h on Monash Freeway early on Saturday 18 October.

Police responded to reports of a fast-moving Ford Falcon overtaking traffic outbound on the freeway about 1.30am.

Officers intercepted the Ford after it reached alleged speeds of up to 156km/h in Wheelers Hill. A P-plater for less than a year, the man was expected to be charged on summons for driving offences.

His licence was suspended on the spot and the Ford was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1046.80.

Why the wait for mental-health ED?

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Mental health patients languishing in Dandenong and Casey hospital emergency departments are still getting specialist care and support, according to Monash Health.

In April-June, just 4 per cent of adult patients were transferred from Dandenong Hospital ED to a mental health bed within eight hours, according to official Victorian Agency for Health Information statistics.

At Casey Hospital, none of the adult mentalhealth transfers occurred within eight hours.

This was the lowest rate in the state, and well below the 44 per cent statewide average.

A Monash Health spokesperson said its Emergency Psychiatric Service (EPS), located in the ED, identifies and actively manages patients who need mental health assistance.

“This ensures patients receive specialist care and support before they transition to a dedicated mental health bed.

“At our emergency departments at Casey Hos-

pital and Dandenong Hospital, mental health care begins the moment a patient is identified as needing support.”

Star News has received reports of patients staying for up to five days.

A South East reader, who is the parent of a frequent ED mental health patient, said they had waited more than 36 hours – not including the waiting room time.

Most waits just to see a doctor could be at least eight hours, let alone to get an ED, he said.

“If you’re a mental-health patient, you then get to wait for the EPS team to come and see you which often is several more hours.

“EPS will then consult with the duty psychiatrist. Often that takes the form of an overnight in ED to wait until the psych sees the patient in the morning.

“If there is consensus that an admission is required, only then will they try to find a bed. More time in the ED waiting for that.

“Often, the admission just does not happen because there are no beds available. So, the pa-

tient is sent home.”

The reader said the private mental-health sector was “largely inaccessible”. “Psychiatrists charging $800 plus for a consult assuming you can actually get an appointment.”

Monash Health declined to comment on why such high numbers of Dandenong and Casey mental-health patients were staying in ED for beyond eight hours.

VAHI statistics suggest that mental-health unit beds were full, particularly at Dandenong (99 per cent occupied in April-June).

On average, patients stayed nearly a fortnight in Dandenong and Casey mental health beds, marginally longer than the rest of metro Melbourne.

At Dandenong, 22 per cent of patients occupied beds for 35-plus days. This was more than double the rate of other Melbourne units.

The Department of Health was also asked for the reason behind the waiting times. It didn’t respond by deadline.

Kanga gone but racing still assured

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Melbourne Racing Club’s plans for keeping Sandown racecourse open for racing are unchanged, despite the sudden departure of chair John Kanga.

Over several years, MRC had sought to rezone the 112-hectare racecourse, releasing a proposal for a 7500-dwelling, 16,000-resident housing estate.

However in an election coup last year, Kanga and a group opposed to a Sandown selloff wrested control of the MRC board and upended the plans.

This month, Kanga announced his immediate resignation after a “series of public attacks directed at me personally”.

“While I completely reject the nature and accuracy of those attacks, I do not want them to distract from the Club, its members, or the excitement of the Caulfield Cup Carnival,” he stated.

In a statement last week, MRC backed Sandown’s “vital role in Victorian racing” with a “high-quality” surface and “important training and trial facility”.

The club also intends to potentially develop “excess land” at the venue.

Any future development would “complement and support the continuation of racing” at Sandown, the MRC stated.

“The Club’s broader strategy focuses on bring-

Melbourne

ing Sandown back to life — improving the racing and racegoer experience, unlocking untapped non-race-day revenue, and engaging with local communities and younger audiences to grow the sport’s appeal.”

In December, a State-appointed Sandown Racecourse Advisory Committee (SRAC) found the housing-estate plan was “well founded and strategically justified” – especially with targets of 51,000 new homes in Greater Dandenong by 2050.

Food relief pantry lays empty

By Jensy Callimootoo

Casey North Community Information and Support Service (CISS) has released an urgent appeal for donations for food, toiletries and hygiene products, as their supplies run short.

“Unfortunately, our shelves are now almost empty, and we’re reaching out to our community for help,” CISS posted on an online appeal.

In particular, CISS has requested food that is still in date and non-perishable items, such as canned tuna, soup or veggies. Along with long-life milk, cereal, fruit cups and dry pasta.

The non-for-profit organisation’s critical work involves providing essential emergency relief products but recent Federal cuts has meant that their essentials voucher and pantry services have had to be dramatically reduced.

According to CISS’ chief executive officer, Helen Small, the Department of Social Services warned in July that CISS funds would be decreased in October.

But coincidentally, the amount of people coming in for supplies has significantly increased.

Over the last six months, CISS’s clientele has had to accommodate a new market of working individuals and families who are still unable to make ends meet along with others who are rough sleepers.

Small, who’s been working at CISS for three years, notes that her team has “never seen the pantry like this.”

“People used to get a bag of food a couple of times a week, now they’re needing one a day,” said Small.

It comes after the Casey Council’s new advocacy initiative to increase funding and raise awareness to address food insecurity in the region.

In 2024, an Annual Household survey found that 40 per cent of Casey’s residents had run out of food or couldn’t afford to buy more.

Small says the council has been “very helpful” in the current crisis, but the organisation is still struggling to meet the growing need.

CISS has asked for any donations to be dropped off at, Suite 2, 30–32 Verdun Drive, Narre Warren VIC 3805.

Their opening hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 9:30am to 4:30am and Wednesday 12pm to 6pm.

“The Sandown site presents a significant redevelopment opportunity with the potential to make a substantial contribution to required housing supply in the City of Greater Dandenong and the southeast region of Melbourne more generally.”

The SRAC noted many “passionate” submissions to retain horse and motor racing at the site.

But the fate of those sports at the venue was a matter for the MRC, it stated.

Star News stated last week that “Monash Health has yet to respond as to why there’s such an alarming disparity” in the stats at Casey and Dandenong compared to the rest of Melbourne. At that stage, Monash Health wasn’t requested to comment on the statistics. It has since been invited to respond on the figures in this week’s follow-up story.

Lifetime ban

A Springvale man has been fined $5000 and received a lifetime ban from abalone fishing in Victoria after being convicted of illegally obtaining a commercial quantity of abalone from Port Phillip Bay.

The man in his 50s was sentenced last week in the Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court after being found guilty of five charges including trafficking in a commercial quantity of abalone.

The man had been apprehended by Fisheries Officers in March 2025 along the Mordialloc foreshore with a bag containing 113 abalone, 108 of which were under the legal minimum size of 10 centimetres.

The smallest abalone measured less than 8 centimetres and the man admitted to officers that he intended to sell them.

The legal bag limit is five blacklip abalone and zero greenlip abalone at Port Phillip Bay with a state-wide limit of 10 maximum abalones a person can have in possession at any one time.

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Director of Community Engagement and Major Crime Ian Parks said the verdict sends a clear message to anyone considering compromising Victoria’s abalone fishery, which is the state’s most valuable commercial fishery and highly regarded by recreational divers too.

“This type of excessive abalone collection, and its illegal sale on the black market, threatens the sustainability of wild stocks, the viability of legitimate commercial abalone licence holders, and food safety standards for seafood consumers.

“Commercial abalone fishers and processing facilities are subject to stringent food safety protocols to ensure the product that is exported, served in restaurants or enjoyed at the family dinner table is high quality and safe to eat.

“Illegitimately sourced seafood, including abalone, risks the health of consumers through poor handling, contamination and inadequate storage at the right temperature.”

man later fined $5000 and banned from abalone fishing for life. (Fisheries Victoria)

Vanity Lane site for sale

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Greater Dandenong Council is set to sell-off land once earmarked for being a key pedestrian link in central Dandenong.

At a 13 October meeting, councillors endorsed selling 275 Lonsdale Street, next to Vanity Lane, as “surplus to council’s requirements”.

In the lead-up, about a dozen traders and property owners petitioned against the sale.

They argued that the link would draw pedestrians from Thomas Street into “underutilized” parts of Lonsdale Street.

“Now, after years of waiting, we are disappointed to learn that Council is considering selling this strategically located property,” the petition stated.

“This move contradicts the original intention and will likely deny Lonsdale Street the opportunity to fully recover and thrive.”

There were also two submissions in favour.

Cr Bob Milkovic said it was time for the council to “cut its losses” after originally buying the site for about $1 million.

velopment of Dandenong Market.

“Why on earth would you cut off the main conduit between those two?”

She hinted that a “large area of residential development” was being planned at the Market.

“If we don’t have the money… why don’t we think outside the square?” she said, suggesting a partnership with commercial developers in Vanity Lane.

In 2019, the council purchased the firedamaged site with a view to integrate it into Vanity Lane.

The man was further banned from being on any boat less than 20 metres in length with abalone fishing equipment onboard and prohibited from any abalone fishing for life unless rescinded or varied by a court.

He also had his diving gear forfeited.

Mr Parks said Victoria was home to worldclass fisheries and the VFA will continue to focus on disrupting major fisheries crime to ensure that remains the case for years to come.

“We’re serious about protecting Victoria’s valuable wild abalone stocks so they can be managed sustainably for future generations to enjoy,” he said.

The magistrate also placed a prohibition order on the man from possessing any abalone or commercial fishing equipment within one kilometre of a marine or estuarine waterway in Victoria.

Push-back from traders had made it hard to proceed, even to demolish the building, he said. It left the site idle, neither making money or serving any purpose, he said.

“When a project is completely off-track, we just need to cut our losses.”

Cr Sean O’Reilly agreed that the council was better off focusing on the rest of its “full plate” of capital works projects.

“We wouldn’t want this council to say let’s keep spending, buying and racking up the sorts of levels of debts we see in state and federal governments.”

In opposition, Cr Rhonda Garad said the “extremely short-sighted” move would deprive the only pedestrian link between proposed 700 new dwellings in the Capital Alliance development in Little India and a planned rede-

However last year, the council voted to stop the project and reallocate funds to cover a $6.4 million blowout in the long-delayed Dandenong New Art Gallery works.

According to council officers, the Vanity Lane project – with detailed design work about 75 per cent complete – faced a $1 million-plus shortfall.

It also had a safety flaw in the design, with waste vehicles and loading vehicles sharing the pedestrian space.

A council website describes 275 Lonsdale Street as a “site of historic significance” – the home of pharmacies run by the notable Couve and McKeon families as well as a state-significant botanical collection.

A pair of boys from the Couve family were among the first from Dandenong killed at Gallipoli in World War I.

FOCUS ON … CHILDRENS WEEK

Supporting our students

By Ann-Marie Hermans MP

Diagnoses for autism and ADHD are rising in Australia.

For many of these students, targeted support is crucial for them to flourish academically, socially and emotionally.

Currently, support includes adjusting classroom activities and creating unique goals that are specific to their learning where they can work more effectively.

To achieve this, schools apply for additional government funding and create individual education plans.

Sadly, despite the best efforts of schools and teachers, many of them are simply struggling to keep up with the breadth and depth of individual needs, resulting in students falling behind.

In some cases, long-term, unmet student needs can lead to extreme situations for all those involved in the classroom.

Over a period of five years, the number of instances where educators are resorting to physically restrictive measures almost doubled.

There were 1,522 incidences of restraint and seclusion in 2019, increasing to 2,900 last year.

SBS recently reported on several unacceptable examples of students with disabilities being left outside in caged areas while others were physically hurt by fellow classmates.

It beggars belief that this could happen in a developed country like ours but sadly it does.

I believe a multi-faceted approach is needed to resolve these issues.

For parents who would like to explore the medical route, the Federal Government should ensure that getting a diagnosis is as efficient and affordable as possible.

Further, the shortage of ADHD medication could possibly be mitigated by improving supply chain resilience, adjusting prescriber rules, and expediting the approval of alternatives to major brands.

Within the classroom, distracting mobile phones should be banned, and a program promoting routine and providing clear and consistent expectations should be implemented statewide.

While these are not silver bullets, they would certainly go a long way in making a difference for all students, including those with neurodiverse needs.

Every child deserves to feel supported and safe, and that’s exactly what I’m fighting for, as your local Member.

NEWS Spaghetti junction tops list

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Some of Greater Dandenong’s most notorious intersections including the “mythical” ‘Spaghetti Junction’ in Springvale have been named as among the region’s most dangerous in an RACV survey.

In its My Melbourne Road survey, road users picked the junction of Springvale, Police and Centre roads and Princes Highway in Springvale as the No.1 most dangerous in the outer South East.

Nearby, the intersection of Smith and Police roads in Mulgrave was also highly ranked.

Also nominated were the notorious roundabout at Heatherton Road and Douglas Street, Noble Park as well the Perry Road intersections with Cheltenham Road and Bangholme Road.

According to RACV, there were more than 90,000 traffic movements through the Springvale junction per day.

Transport Victoria crash data has recorded numerous injury crashes, including two fatalities, since 2012.

RACV policy head James Williams said this “vast stretch of tarmac with roads going everywhere” was a convergence of a north-south road, an east-west and a further diagonal road.

“It’s clearly not a human-centric designed junction.”

He said it was “mythical in its complexity” and “frightening” to road users, with many crashes and damaged road signs.

Turning traffic were “double-filtered” by being forced to wait in “islands” in the midst of the intersection.

According to the RACV, governments were “reportedly unwilling to address (the double filtering) because of heavy traffic volumes”.

The junction is dotted with crashes since 2012 - orange denotes fatalities, blue denotes serious injuries and yellow denotes other injuries. (Department of Transport)

A relatively cheap upgrade was to clear footpaths of hazards and debris and ensure pedestrian provisions were up to design standards.

Long term, a Westall Road extension would relieve traffic volumes through the intersection. This would also potentially end double-filtering for right-turning traffic.

“You have to run to make it across,” Williams noted.

Greater Dandenong councillor Sean O’Reilly said the council had put in speed humps and other traffic-calming measures to deter ‘rat-runs’ on side streets.

“I don’t use the intersection much myself. You just know it’s fraught.”

The intersection was also dangerous for a surprising number of pedestrians using the locale.

A costly grade separation might be the only way to fix the design, he said.

Meanwhile, Williams said the junction had been long on the radar of governments as a problem, as well as a priority for RACV’s advocacy, he said.

In its report, RACV recommended linemarking and signage to simplify the intersection, particularly the left turn slip/service lane from

The intersection is among 84 across Melbourne identified by RACV as the most risky and frustrating.

A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said it was “constantly monitoring” roads and ways to improve their safety.

“We are investing more than $1.1 billion to deliver life saving infrastructure as part of our road safety strategy, including $412 million of new funding this year to reduce road trauma.”

Water-bill initiative eases flow of information

By Sahar Foladi

A new Dari language video has been launched by South East Water in partnership with community organisations to tackle language barriers amongst new arrivals.

Together with Southern Migrant Refugee Centre (SMRC) and Casey North Community Information Support Services (CISS), the video explains to new arrivals about their water bills and payment-support options available.

Dari is Afghanistan’s official language, as well as Pashto.

The initiative responds to the increasing demands for financial information, particularly in the 3977-post code area of Cranbourne and surrounds which are overrepresented in South East Water’s bill-stress data.

South East Water’s general manager Karen Lau says its vital especially for new arrivals to know supports are available to them.

South East Water strategy manager Karen Lau and Casey North CISS financial counsellor Lauren Booth with the Dari-language leaflet. (Supplied)

“We really want our customers to know, especially new arrival customers, that the water that comes out of your tap is safe to drink.

“So, some of our migrant communities come from places where the water straight out of the tap is not safe to drink and that might lead them to think that they need to be spending their lim-

ited resources on bottled water supply, for example.

“We like to reassure them that we have excellent quality drinking water. That can ease some financial pressure for families if they know that they can take that water straight from the tap.”

The video features Dari-speaking presenters Batool Hussaini and Wahjia Azimi, engaged through SMRC’s bicultural service to ensure the content is culturally appropriate and easily understood.

The video content also explains help is available during financial hardship.

It is hosted on the South East Water website on a special Dari language page, which is also added to the online self-help library of Casey North CISS.

Financial Counsellor at Casey North CISS, Lauren Booth says language barrier is the key issue “right off the bat” for clients.

“I just think it’s really disappointing because they’re reaching out when they’re most vulnerable for the assistance and they’re already find-

ing blocks.

“Even trying to access services like our crisis support and more longer-term case management with our financial counselling.

“We just saw this massive gap. We throught wouldn’t it be great if we had something that we could send to these clients via email or in the mail or if they come in off the street, we can hand them some brochures and at least they feel connected to us.

“They feel like we’re wanting to assist them. We’re thinking of them.”

She says South East Water have “just starting to chip away at it” and if the initiative is proven successful, it could have a “flow on effect.”

The City of Casey is home to more than 7,240 Dari speakers, with a 10.8 per cent increase recorded in the 2021 Census.

South East Water’s Dari-language videos are available at southeastwater.com.au/dari, with further information and support available in English at southeastwater.com.au/support or by calling 131 851.

Apprentice forges success

A Dandenong-trained boilermaker apprentice has forged a victory at the 2025 Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) Gala.

Ana Gamero, who trained at Chisholm Institute, was awarded Apprentice of the Year at the event in front of 400 industry leaders, apprentices and advocates at Marvel Stadium this month.

“In a male-dominated industry, it’s incredible to see women breaking barriers and empowering each other,” Gamero said.

“EWIT is proud to support and uplift women, especially single mums. You’re capable and strong — believe in yourself and keep shining.”

Gamero was recognised for her technical excellence, leadership and dedication in a sector comprising of women in just 3 per cent of apprentices in trades.

The EWIT Gala celebrated the achievements of women and non-binary people in trades.

LOOKING BACK

100 years ago

22 October 1925

Mechanic’s Institute

From the monthly meeting, Mr R.A.Titcher presiding CORRESPONDENCE

From Secretary Dandenong Oddfellows’ Lodge, directing attention to the disgraceful condition of the lodge room, and asking for better consideration in this respect. There were insufficient chairs provided and those in the room were dilapidated, and one of the usual tables was missing. Existing conditions were neither creditable to the lodge, nor the institute. – Secretary to reply to the affect that attention would be given to the request.

50 years ago

20 October 1975

Tony Greig to visit England cricket captain Tony Greig will visit Dandenong on Wednesday – to attend a sportsman’s night at the Windsor and make a

It aimed to spotlight those breaking barriers and reshaping the future of Australia’s skilled workforce.

Gamero thanked Chisholm for its support and equipping her with strategies and knowledge to thrive.

Chisholm’s engineering education manager Maddie Dutton said the win was testament to the “strength and potential of women in trades”.

“(Gamero’s) journey reflects the values we champion – resilience, excellence and the courage to lead.”

Compiled by

personal appearance at Walton’s store. Greig will “team” with former Australian captain Ian Chappell, former English speedster Frank Tyson and jockey John Letts. The evening has been organised by the Dandenong Football Club

and tickets are $15 all-inclusive. Greig will be at Waltons at 2.30pm when those visiting the store will have the opportunity to win a bat autographed by Greig.

20 years ago 17 October 2005

Mental Matters

Walk spotlights psychological health

Co-star of the television hit comedy Kath and Kim, Peter Rowsthorn, had a personal interest in taking part in Dandenong’s annual Mental Health Doesn’t Discriminate. What About You? community walk. Rowsthorn, who plays Brett, the long-suffering husband of Kim, led the walk of more than 1000 people through central Dandenong. The actor said he was one of many to know people afflicted with mental illness. His friends, Crowded House drummer Paul Hester and actor mate Mick Cummings, took their lives. “We have got to try and front it (mental illness) and address it.” Rowthorn led the walk from Dandenong Park to the Dandenong Mar-

ket. 5 years ago 20 October 2020

A colourful back-to-school

St Anthony’s Primary School students were given a colourful welcome back to classrooms on 12 October. Staff, including principal Patrika Rowley, dressed up brightly for morning car park duty – the first since Covid lockdowns closed schools in August. On went the bubble machines as students walked through flags, balloons, streamers and welcome signs. As they settled in, welcome back treats and student ‘survival kits’ awaited them. “It was to congratulate them for all their hard work during remote and online learning and to celebrate being back at school together,” Ms Rowley said. “The school grounds were once again filled with extremely excited students with big smiles on their faces.” Excited students and staff were adjusting well to the new Covid-safe hygiene procedures, she said.

October brims with celebrations for Judaism

MESSAGE OF

By Roz Blades AM

Well what a pleasure to be asked to present messages of hope on behalf of the interfaith network.

Firstly, G’mar chatima tovah is the greeting for

Yom Kipper from 1-2 October 2025.

This is the religion’s holiest day of the year.

The name itself comes itself from the Holy Day of Atonement.

Yom Kippur concludes the 10 days of repentance with new years celebration on Rosh Hashanah. Sukkot was from 6-13 October 2025.

This is a most joyful seven-day festival where people dwell in temporary huts called Sukkahs to commemorate the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert.

We expose ourselves to the elements in greenery covered huts commemorating the sheltering

of our people as they travelled from Egypt to the promised land.

Coming after the high holiday, Sukkot is a time of joy and happiness.

The first two days are Yom Tov, where work is forbidden, candles are lit in the evening and festive meals are preceded with the Kiddush and contain challah dipped in honey.

Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah was from October 13-16 2025.

These holidays immediately follow Sukkot with Shmini Atzeret being the 8th day of assembly and Simchat Torah celebrating the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle.

Simchat Torah is a component of the biblical jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret which follows immediately after the festival of Sukkot in the month of Tishrei.

October certainly is a celebratory time for us and I am delighted to share this with all of you. These regular annual celebrations give us all hope for the future. There is much to look forward to.

Enquiries regarding the Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong: administration@interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662. Visit interfaithnetwork.org.au

Gaps affecting vulnerable

Wellsprings for Women is raising the alarm over growing challenges faced by migrant and refugee women experiencing family violence across the South East.

Over the past financial year, Wellsprings’ Family Violence Case Management Program has reported a significant rise in complex cases, exposing what it says are serious systemic gaps in protecting migrant and refugee women.

Some of the key issues identified are: lack of cultural understanding, women misidentified as the aggressor, language barriers and lack of interpreters, temporary visa vulnerabilities, overlooked forms of abuse such as dowry related violence and forced marriages, and health and financial barriers.

Wellsprings chief executive Dalal Smiley called for investment in existing culturally responsive and trauma-informed services.

She also called for mandatory access to interpreters, stronger coordination between housing, legal and support services, targeted support for women on temporary visas and systemic reform

ensuring migrant and refugee women are heard, believed and protected.

“Family violence is not just about individual acts of harm, it is shaped by systemic failures, cultural misunderstandings and structural inequities. Addressing these barriers is a matter of justice and safety.

“Too often, the very systems meant to protect women are the ones failing them.”

As a result these women are left to navigate “discriminatory and fragmented systems”, Smiley said.

The demand for family violence support continues to surge, yet specialist services for migrant and refugee women remain severely under-resourced, according to Wellsprings.

Long waitlists and turn-aways are becoming the norm.

“Our team is managing large caseloads with very limited housing options, all while carrying then emotional weight of the crisis they face every day,” Oula Ibrahim, family violence manager at Wellsprings for Women says.

Women were frequently told to communicate only in English, or faced courts and service system that were inaccessible, discriminatory, or fragmented.

Some were forced to rely on their children or family members for interpretation, leading to breaches of confidentiality and compounding trauma.

Perpetrators exploited legal loopholes to sell assets, file cross applications for intervention orders, or monopolise legal services to block women from representation.

Reported family violence incidents in Greater Dandenong have soared 20 per cent since 2022-23, according to Crime Statistics Agency data. More than 3000 were reported in the past financial year.

If you or someone else you know needs help, call 1800RESPECT

Wellsprings for Women casework report into family violence has found significant gaps and lack of cultural understanding. (Supplied)

South East scoops manufacturing awards

South East manufacturers have scooped this year’s Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards.

Members of SEMMA (South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance) won six of the 13 award categories – and were finalists in eight categories. They included Amiga Engineering’s Jourdan Webb, who won the Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year. Amiga Engineering also took out the Small Business Manufacturer of the Year. Other winners were:

• Alstom (Large Business Manufacturer of the Year)

• Multipanel (Leader in Construction Technologies)

BUSINESS IN FOCUS

• A W Bell (Leader in Gender Equality and Inclusion)

• Volgren (Leader in Transport and Rail)

SEMMA chief executive Honi Walker said it was further proof that South East Melbourne was the nation’s “manufacturing powerhouse”, as reported in a GSEM Deloitte paper recently.

“SEMMA exists to support local manufacturers when it comes to advocacy on important issues such as local content and supply chains – perhaps there’s a new award category for Most Local Content Improvement ensuring our sovereign-capability focus remains central to our local and national manufacturing strategy.”

Will your children keep the business you built?

This question keeps many Springvale business owners awake at night. Years of hard work, only to watch rising property taxes and succession rules threaten everything they’ve created.

Accounting and financial planning firm House of Wealth has addressed this challenge for over 20 years. Serving Springvale and Mulgrave, the firm has helped more than 500 local families save millions in property and other taxes. Through smart portfolio restructuring, one Springvale restaurant owner now saves $65,000 annually in property tax—savings that compound year after year.

This track record earned recognition when Mayor Councillor Jim Memeti presented Managing Director Wilson Fung with the Best Professional / Real Estate award at the Springvale Asian Business Association gala, sponsored by Business Victoria. Fung and his team expressed deep gratitude to clients and the local business community, while acknowledging SABA champions Vincent Golf and Daniel Cheng for their community work. The firm specialises in property tax savings

and retirement income growth, serving businesses like this year’s other award winners—bakery owners, cafe operators, restaurant families, and retailers across Melbourne’s Asian business community.

Their approach centres on starting early. When $65,000 in annual tax savings compounds at 7% returns over 20 years, it grows to over $2.6 million—more than enough to secure children’s futures. The earlier families begin, the more dramatic the generational impact.

House of Wealth’s Springvale office at 2/2 Warwick Avenue offers complimentary financial reviews, with consultations in English, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Contact (03) 9558 5655 or visit HouseofWealth.com.au.

The client example mentioned represents one individual’s specific circumstances. Individual results vary based on personal situation. The 7% projection is illustrative only; actual investment returns may differ and are not guaranteed.

FOCUS ON … BREAST CANCER AWARENESS Supporting early detection

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) has launched a new Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, Know Yourself. Feel Yourself, urging women to give their breasts the same attention they give their faces in the mirror.

BCNA wants all women, particularly young women, to be confident in establishing a conscious breast routine. An action that could save their life.

For the first time data captured by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows that tumour size matters. It is one of the predictors of survival. Early detection is key, regular self-checks increase the likelihood of a woman noticing changes that don’t feel or look normal for them.

The Know Yourself. Feel Yourself campaign takes the familiar habit of focusing on our faces andreframesitasaremindertocheckourbreasts.

BCNA has used the latest information to create a new step by step breast check education video to encourage women to be proactive in their breast health. Watch the video at https://www.bcna.org. au/know-yourself-feel-yourself/

Breast Cancer Network Australia CEO, Kirsten Pilatti says the organisation is broadening its scope of support to include behavioural changes and early detection.

“As a network of women with lived experience, we know the big difference early detection can make and the latest data released by the AIHW confirms this. Our campaign creates awareness, and the breast check video provides a practical tool that empowers women to take action.”

Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in women in Australia. On average more than 1,000 women under age 40 each year– around three every day. Younger women are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage and with more aggressive disease, they face added challenges including being dismissed by the health care sys-

tem. Impacts include financial burden, fertility loss, early menopause and career disruption.

Jess Pearce, a mum and nurse who features in the campaign, knows this reality all too well. She was told she was “too young” when she first raised concerns about changes in her breast. A year later, aged just 33, she was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and has since undergone a double mastectomy.

How to check your breasts

Source: https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/ screening-and-diagnosis/how-to-check-yourbreasts/

Finding breast cancer early gives you the best chance of effective treatment.

You should examine your breasts regularly to

be aware of anything that looks or feels different. If you notice any changes in your breast that are new or unusual for you, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Not all breast changes are cancerous (they may be ‘benign’ changes).

Screening with regular mammograms is also important, even when you don’t have any symptoms.

Work out what’s normal for your breasts

Everyone’s breasts look and feel different. They may be lumpy, different sizes from each other, or different shapes. One or both nipples might be pulled in (‘inverted’), either since birth or when your breasts developed.

Try to get used to your ‘normal’ by doing selfexamination regularly. There’s no right or wrong

way to check. You can:

• Sit or stand in front of a mirror with your arms by your sides, then above your head or pulled back.

• Feel your breasts in the bath or shower, when you use body lotion or when you get dressed. Just decide what you are comfortable with and what suits you best.

When you check your breasts, try to be aware of anything that’s different for you.

Symptoms of breast cancer to check for It’s common to hear “I felt a lump” from people who have had a breast cancer diagnosis. A lump is one sign, but there are many other symptoms or warning signs to watch for.

Breast changes may include:

• A lump or swelling in your breast or underarm (armpit)

• Changes in the shape or size of the breast

• Irritation or dimpling of your breast skin

• Pain in any area of your breast that is unusual or ongoing

• An indent (puckering) in part of the breast when you lift your arms

• A rash or red, crusty or flaky skin in your nipple area or your breast

• A change in the shape of the nipple, such as it turning inwards (‘inverting’)

• Discharge from the nipple, other than breast milk.

Remember to check all parts of your breast, your armpits, and up to your collarbone. Not everyone has symptoms. In some cases, a lump is too small to be felt or cause any changes to the breast. Routine screening is important to pick up changes and cancers.

Don’t delay, if you find a change in your breast that’s unusual for you, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Arrested outside drug court

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A judge described it as “breathtaking” that a trafficker arrived at a Dandenong Drug Court appointment in a dubiously-obtained Landcruiser laden with meth and cash.

Shamit Naidu, 30, of Cranbourne South, pleaded guilty at Victorian County Court to drug trafficking, negligently dealing with proceeds of crime and resisting an emergency worker.

At the time of his arrest in September 2024, Naidu was on a drug court treatment order for similar offending.

He was approached by patrolling police, who recognised Naidu’s NSW-registered 4WD from a police circular that day.

The vehicle, with false number plates and a partially covered VIN, was obtained as part of a fraudulent motor-finance application scam.

There was no suggestion Naidu was part of the scam, sentencing judge Gabriele Cannon noted on 25 September.

Inside the car were a portable scale, three deal bags containing 68 grams worth of pure meth, $2500 cash, empty deal bags, a glass smoking pipe and other people’s bankcards.

“It is indeed breathtaking that you thought it appropriate to drive a car which was clearly not yours with false registration plates to a Drug Court appointment with that car containing a significant quantity of methamphetamine and other accoutrements of trafficking,” Judge Cannon stated.

The amount of meth was 45.5 times the traffickable threshold, and 1.36 times the commercial trafficking threshold of the drug in pure form.

At a nearby bus stop, Naidu kicked and

thrashed out at police as they tried to handcuff him. Police deployed capsicum spray to subdue him.

In a police interview, he claimed he didn’t hear police identify themselves as police because he was on the phone.

“I just seen four people jumping on me … what would you do?”

Judge Cannon accepted the resisting of arrest was reckless rather than intentional.

Migrating to Australia at age 11, Naidu grew up in “significant family dysfunction”. He was said to battle mental health and drug issues.

A painful, serious motorcycle crash in 2021 had limited his ability to work and led to heavy meth abuse.

Judge Cannon noted that Naidu was dealing drugs at a street level partly to support his heavy

addiction, as well as for financial gain.

She was told that he had abstained from drugs since his arrest, including a two-month stint in residential rehab.

His promising rehab was cut short when he was found with nicotine vapes. As a result, he was discharged and returned to remand custody.

In August, his drug treatment order was cancelled and he was resentenced to 263 days jail for previous offending.

Judge Cannon noted that Naidu, who is a permanent resident, faced likely deportation after his sentence. It was not appropriate to sentence him to less than 102 days jail to avoid mandatory deprtation, she said.

Naidu was jailed for three years, with a twoyear non-parole period. It runs concurrently with his other jail term.

Shared-use path for Progress Street project

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A new 800-metre shared-use path link is set to be built as part of the controversial Progress Street level crossing removal project.

The path announced on Monday 13 October will be constructed on the east side of South Gippsland Highway, between Dandenong Bypass and Hallam Valley Road.

It will link to a surrounding path network, allowing workers to walk or cycle to workplaces on Hallam Valley Road and local bus services.

The path, delivered jointly by the State Government and Greater Dandenong Council, is expected to open in mid-2026.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams said the path would make it “ safer for pedestrians and cyclists to move through the area”.

The level-crossing removal project has resulted in the permanent closure of Progress Street at the crossing.

A road bridge was built south of the rail line to connect Progress Street to Fowler Road.

According to the State Government, there have been five near-misses at the “dangerous” level crossing. It also resulted in significant boom gate wait times, it stated.

However its removal was opposed by nearby businesses, who say the diverted traffic volumes on Fowler Road and road bridge design will create further safety risks.

With 38 active driveways, businesses say the road is too narrow and dangerous to handle the almost 8000 vehicles a day, including A and B Doubles, trucks, cars, Australia Post e-bikes, semi-trailers and pedestrians.

They have been raising safety concerns for their staff as well as massive impacts to business operations if forced down what they have termed a “goat track.”

Businesses were also concerned that the footpath won’t be installed until after the road bridge was opened.

In response to safety concerns, the project added indented parking to widen Fowler Road “driveable width” from 8 metres to 10 metres,

Sharing ancient stories

SeaLinkSouthEastQueensland(SEQ)has partnered with respected Quandamooka Elder Matt Burns to share the ancient stories and cultural wisdom of North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) through its signature Indigenous experience, the GoompiTrail.

A proud Noonuccal and Nughi man, Mr Burns has been delivering First Nations tourism experiences for more than 30 years.

Raised on Minjerribah as a traditional hunter and gatherer, his connection to Country is personal, profound and powerfully engaging. With knowledge passed down through generations, he brings the land and its stories to life through artefacts, cultural performance and hands-on demonstrations that invite guests to learn, connect and reflect.

“I’ve been doing this all my life,” said Matt Burns, SeaLink SEQ’s Cultural Programs Leader.

“The most rewarding part is seeing people change their perspectives, when they learn something new about Aboriginal culture or history, and it really stays with them.”.

Unlike newer offerings, the Goompi Trail is a well-established and deeply local experience, now marking its 30th year. This coastal walk was created by Mr Burns and is still personally led by him, a cultural authority who grew up on the island and has dedicated his life to sharing its stories.

Mr Burns guides guests through Dunwich (Goompi), providing a First Nations perspective on the island’s ancient past—sharing bush medicine, traditional hunting methods, native wildlife, and culturally significant sites.

The journey begins with a scenic passenger ferry ride from Cleveland to the island, where guests are welcomed with a traditional Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony beneath the native gums, before taking part in an interactive presentation of traditional tools and hunting implements. As guests walk the coastline with Matt, they gain insight into bush medicine, native foods, traditional knowledge and culturally significant sites that have shaped the Quandamooka way of life for tens of thousands of years and will gain insight into life before colonisation.

“It’s not just a tour,” Mr Burns said. “It’s a cultural conversation. We talk about how our people lived, the signs and sounds we look for in nature, and how everything is connected. You come away with a new awareness of the land around you.”

In addition to the Goompi Trail, SeaLink offers a range of immersive cultural workshops co-designed and led by Mr Burns, tailored to groups of all ages, including: Bush Tucker and Bush Medicine Tours – Learn how native plants have long been used for healing, nourishment, and sustainable living. Spear and Boomerang Throwing Demonstrations – See traditional hunting techniques in action and discover the skill behind these ancient tools. Dance and Didgeridoo Workshops – Join the local dance troupe as they share the stories, rhythm, and movement of

Aboriginal culture through dance and live didgeridoo performances. Cultural Awareness Programs – Engaging sessions tailored for schools, workplaces and community groups to deepen understanding and respect for Quandamooka history and traditions.

The day concludes with a leisurely rooftop meal at Straddie Brewing Co, featuring a generous lunch and locally crafted beverages, before guests return to the mainland on a SeaLink ferry service of their choosing.

Mr Burns’ programs are recognised across

Queensland for their educational and cultural value. He regularly partners with schools, universities and government bodies, and delivers Indigenous cultural training to SeaLink employees working in the Quandamooka region, ensuring authentic, respectful engagement with Country and community.

SeaLink South East Queensland General Manager Ben Renwick said Matt’s work is foundational to SeaLink SEQ’s reconciliation journey in the region.

“Matt’s passion and knowledge create truly

meaningful experiences for both visitors and our team,” said he said.

Matt has worked alongside SeaLink SEQ for over a decade and officially joined the team in 2019.

“Whether you’re joining a dance workshop, exploring ancient traditions on the Goompi Trail, or sitting on the headland listening to stories passed down through generations, SeaLink’s cultural tours offer a level of authenticity, depth and perspective you won’t find anywhere else,” Ben said.

rivers, the Rhine. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and spectacular scenery of the Middle Rhine. Sip the region’s renowned wines, the roots of its terraced vineyards reaching back to Roman times, and savour the culinary traditions of Alsace.

7 Nights

Full-Board River Cruise

3 night Murray River cruise on board PS Murray Princess with all meals and sightseeing

Tour of Murray River Bridge and historic Roundhouse

Guided nature walk of Salt Bush Flat

Taste Riverland food and wine

Dragon-Fly flat-bottomed boat wildlife tour

Hotel Stays

3 nights five-star hotel stay in Adelaide with breakfast

1 night four-star hotel stay in Kangaroo Island with breakfast, lunch and dinner

Fully Escorted

Barossa Valley Tours

Full day Barossa Valley tour with lunch and wine tastings including:

Saltram wine estate, lunch and wine tasting at Lambert Estate, visit to Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, photo stop at Menglers Hill Lookout, vineyard tour & wine tasting at Jacob’s Creek visitor centre, stop at Beerenberg Farm, and free time in Hahndorf to explore the historic German settlement

Fully Escorted Kangaroo Island Tours

2 day Kangaroo Island tour including: Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, Clifford’s Honey Farm, In-Flight Birds of Prey Display at Raptor Domain, Seal Bay Conservation Park guided beach walk, lunch at Emu Bay Lavender Farm, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, and Flinders Chase National Park

All Flights, Taxes & Transfers

God-awful mess left at squathouses

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Two abandoned homes as part of the recentlysold St John of God Pinelodge Clinic in Dandenong have become a rubbish-strewn eyesore.

Last year, the two dwellings at 2 and 4 Woodlee Street were sold off along with the clinic around the corner on Heatherton Road.

They are littered inside and out, with mattresses and shattered furniture in makeshift bedrooms. Outside are piles of trash, including whitegoods.

Dandenong resident Allan Bassett said the unsecure homes have been an open invite for drug users and squatters.

He said he was told Greater Dandenong Council recently issued a clean-up notice to the new owner, but the “mess” remained last weekend.

It appeared that an owner had tried to screw the doors closed from the inside – which failed to deter visitors, he said.

“The property owner has done very little to restrict access to both premises. It’s not fenced off – anyone can just walk in off the street.

“Meanwhile the immediate residents live in fear, as our local council fails to take the steps to provide the safety we require.”

Greater Dandenong city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasigasivam told a 13 October council meeting that the owner was planning to demolish the homes.

But the council was unable to establish the time-frame, he said.

The council told Star Journal last year that its approach was to resolve such issues with the owners, including to secure, occupy or demolish the property.

In 2023 and 2024, Greater Dandenong investigated at least 64 reported squat houses in the municipality, declaring that it had resolved 57 of the cases.

FWO blitz on migrant employees’ workplaces

Authorities have targeted employers of migrant workers in a series of snap inspections in the South East.

The Fair Work Ombudsman and Australian Border Force visited about 40 businesses in suburbs including Clayton and Dandenong from Tuesday 7 October.

Most businesses inspected were in the fast food, restaurants and cafes sector, as well as the hair and beauty, manufacturing, recreation, and health sectors, FWO stated.

Fair Work Inspectors were checking time and wage records, including pay slips, to ensure that migrant workers were paid correctly.

They also were educating workers on recent changes to workplace laws, such as the right to disconnect, which took effect on 26 August.

The inspections targeted employers of migrant workers with subclass 482 visas, a temporary visa for workers with skills in demand, and subclass 494 visas, a visa which enables regional employers to address labour shortages by sponsoring skilled migrants.

FWO has prioritized workers in fast food outlets, restaurants and cafes, who were often migrants or young people vulnerable to exploitation.

Intentional underpayment of workers may be a criminal offence.

“Workplace breaches that involve migrant workers can be particularly serious as these workers can be vulnerable to exploitation,” Fair Wok Ombudsman Anna Booth said.

“We find they can be unaware of their workplace rights or unwilling to speak up if something seems wrong.

“It is crucial visa holders know that they have the same workplace rights as all other workers, and protections for their visas exist if they call out workplace exploitation.

“We urge workers with concerns about wages and entitlements to contact us.”

Australian Border Force (ABF) Sponsor Monitoring Unit officers also provided employers with information about migrant worker protections, which came into effect in July 2024.

“Appropriate enforcement action” had been taken, such as the council hiring contractors to clean up a squathouse’s front yard in Sheales Street Dandenong in 2024.

$270k fine

A commercial laundry service in Dandenong South has been fined $270,000 after a driver died from a fall off a truck’s elevated tailgate.

Ensign Services (Aust) Pty Ltd, trading as Laundry Services Australia, pleaded guilty at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to failing to ensure a safe workplace.

Trucks were reversed into a dock at the laundry and their tailgates lowered to form a bridge for loading and unloading linen trolleys.

In June 2023, a driver fell 1.2 metres from the tailgate onto the laundry dock’s concrete floor.

The 55-year-old man was taken to hospital and died from his injuries. WorkSafe investigators found the truck didn’t have fall protection handrails installed at the time.

Ensign admitted it was reasonably practicable to install swing gates at the dock, which could be used when trucks didn’t have safety handrails.

The court heard that Ensign engaged trucks and their drivers for laundry deliveries and collections.

On Wednesday 15 October, a magistrate convicted and fined Ensign, as well as ordering it to pay $8500 costs. WorkSafe chief health and safety officer Sam Jenkin said it was crucial for workplaces to do everything in their power to prevent falls.

“Since 2021, 39 workers across nearly a dozen industries have tragically lost their lives in falls from height,” Mr Jenkin said.

“We have the tools and education to prevent every single one, but it’s up to employers to ensure all appropriate safety measures are in place.”

Rodrigues Transport Pty Ltd, the deceased driver’s employer, is also facing charges over the incident.

It will next appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 11 November.

Acting ABF Commander Field Operations and Sponsor Monitoring, Melati Smith, said the joint activity reinforces that Australia will not tolerate exploitation and abuse of migrant workers or its visa programs.

“Migrant workers play a key part in the economy. There is no place in Australia for employers who exploit them,” Acting Commander Smith said.

“Our message is clear to employers: do the right thing and abide by your obligations. Don’t exploit vulnerable workers or abuse our visa regime — there is no excuse, and the consequences could be severe.”

Employers can check their workers’ rights using Home Affairs’ dedicated Visa Entitlement Verification Online system.

Criminal penalties for exploiting migrant workers include up to two years’ jail and/or a fine of up to $118,800.

Dazzling art showcased

Home-grown creativity was on proud display at the annual Noble Park Community Centre Art Show last weekend.

This year marked 20 years of local art – including from local school students, aged care residents and all-abilities artists.

This year, Sue Jarvis won the open section with her painting Oromo Woman. John Wade was runner-up.

Students from Sirius College’s Keysborough campus took out best schools display for their dazzling works, followed by St Elizabeth’s Primary School.

This year, the community art show won the inaugural ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Arts’ award at the Greater Dandenong Australia Day Awards.

It showcases 2D works such as painting, photography and mixed media by both emerging and established artists.

Diwali lights up at Dandenong Market

Delirious dance sparked Diwali joy at Dandenong Market on Sunday 19 October.

Photographer ROB CAREW captured some of the packed program of performers for the Festival of Light.

Show-stoppers from Noopur Arts Academy and Studio J performed classical Indian dance, while NB Dance Studio and SJ Crew got crowds moving in upbeat Bollywood style. Meanwhile, a feast of South Asian authentic dishes and sweets brought flavours for the masses.

Housing crisis growing

By Jensy Callimootoo

The Council to Homeless Persons has launched a new Walk in Her Shoes campaign at Bunjil Place Library, to highlight the rising numbers of women and young girls struggling with homelessness.

The event involved an immersive exhibition, connecting lived experiences of homelessness to faces.

Three key women were central in sharing their unique - yet albeit too similar - stories, including Brea, a stern champion for youths suffering with homelessness, who used her own experiences to help others. As well as Diana and Vanessa, who both faced family violence.

Diana, who is now a forceful advocate for those experiencing domestic violence, shared her own history of seeking refuge at safe houses dedicated to providing shelter to victims.

She also shared the stigma and shame that is often coupled with homelessness, and the hardships of pushing through existing beliefs on why people end up rough sleeping, championing the importance of raising awareness and with that –compassion.

“Empathy is the starting point for action,” Diana said.

New data from CHP’s 2025 housing security index reports that nearly 60 per cent of those struggling with homelessness are women and that family violence remains to be the driving cause.

The issue is remarked as pressing, coupled with a rising cost of living, housing crisis and fresh data from the Crime Statistics Agency revealing an alarming spike of nearly 14 per cent in reported family violence cases in the City of Casey.

With an increase in numbers of people showing up at their doors, homelessness services and housing facilities are struggling to keep up, as their capacity to provide resources is inundated and social housing waitlists continue to grow by 7.4 per cent from the previous year according to CHP.

According to the report, “the decades-long lack of investment in social housing across the state”, can be attributed to the crisis.

Shari McPhail, manager for homelessness and housing at Wayss, said that it has never been as difficult to provide housing to rough sleepers. That more needs to be done in collaboration with

a number of actors to increase accessibility and manage the growing gap in available services.

Based in Pakenham and Dandenong, Wayss reported that in mid 2025, thousands of people were being turned away from their services due to the lack of capacity, with thousands more missing out on resources entirely.

Leanne Petrides, the executive officer for Community Information and Support Cranbourne, supported McPhail’s calls for more action, highlighting the stress on CISC volunteers who want to do more for people asking for help at their facilities, but are ultimately not being adequately supported by the current system.

Help shape the future of early childhood education

By Early Learning Victoria

Early Learning Victoria Laak is looking for passionate early childhood professionals, administration staff and centre cooks to help local children get the best start in life in 2026.

The centre, one of 14 government-owned early learning and childcare centres opening across the state in 2026, will offer long day care and integrated and sessional kinder programs.

Every day is different, which Early Learning Victoria chief executive Darren Youngs says is “really exciting” for staff at the four centres already operating.

“Our approach is to meet each child’s learning needs and preferences in individual ways, while ensuring that children have access to nutritious food, rest and relaxation and the

opportunity for uninterrupted periods of play throughout the day.”

Youngs says every team member plays a vital role, with play-based learning and children’s

development and wellbeing the focus.

“This includes our incredible early childhood teachers and educators, room leaders, chefs, administrators, educational leaders, assistant directors and centre directors,” he says.

Community is a big part of the culture at Early Learning Victoria, with centres rapidly becoming local hubs for child and family services, often conveniently co-located with local schools.

This gives young Victorians the best start in life and means families have the opportunity to go back to work if and when they choose.

Youngs says early childhood education and care is a rewarding and highly impactful career where you have the opportunity to instil a lifelong love of learning in our next generation.

“Staff at our centres have access to ongoing

professional learning opportunities, including coaching and mentoring, career-development opportunities and upskilling,” he says.

“They also enjoy competitive wages and conditions.”

Urging qualified candidates to apply, Youngs also has some advice for anyone who’s interested but may be unsure where to start.

“If you are not yet qualified, please reach out to the Early Learning Victoria workforce team who can advise you on your first steps. Everyone starts somewhere.”

Early Learning Victoria is a child-safe organisation with a positive work culture supported by strong values.

Find out more at earlylearning.vic.gov.au/ jobs or email elv.workforce@education.vic.gov. au

WHAT’S ON

Preserve precious garments

Discover the secrets to preserving your precious garments and heirlooms with textile conservator Larry Edwards. Bring along an item or photograph for discussion. Afternoon tea provided.

■Wednesday 22 October, 1.30pm at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens (Benga House), 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong; free event. Bookings required at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ev_7e9b49ae959d 441895ad868cf828c898

Tea and Tech

Learn about new technology over a cup of tea (or coffee). Learn more about how to use your mobile devices, how to make video calls with your family and how to connect with your friends from around the world through social media.

■Wednesday 22 October, 2.30pm-3.30pm at Keysborough Community Hub, and Friday 31 October, 2.30pm-3.30pm at Dandenong Library. Free events, registration required. Details: libraries. greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/lib-seniors-festival

Safe online surfing

Stay safe online, learn more about scams and how to keep your identity secure.

■Friday 24 October 10.30am-11.30am at 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event. Details: libraries.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/lib-seniorsfestival

Open Studios weekend

Take a free, self-guided tour through the studios, workshops, galleries and gardens of an array of talented artists and makers hailing from across the south east region. Includes Garage 35 Art Studio35F Buckley Street, Noble Park and Janet Matthews Studio - 6 Tom Gearon Court, Narre Warren North.

■Saturday 25 October and Sunday 26 October, 10am-4pm at various locations. Details: casey. vic.gov.au/events/open-studios-weekend-2025

Art premiere

Celebrate the Australian premiere of Ibrahim Ahmed’s evocative new exhibition, Amidst the Absence, A Present is Felt. Includes conversation with the artist, performance, DJ set and refreshments.

■Saturday 25 October, 6pm-9pm at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong; free event. Bookings essential at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net. au/#!/event-detail/ev_8a4ce685730f458a863

d59470d42c15a

Choir concert

Cranbourne Chorale presents “Showtime”, a varied mix of music that will have you tapping your toes. A delicious afternoon tea will be served after the concert. A fantastic hamper will be raffled off.

■Sunday 26 October, 2pm at Presbyterian Church, cnr Sladen and Russell streets, Cranbourne; adult $25, conc. $20, children under 12 $5. Tickets available at the door, or book on 0438 358 032 or Humanitix website.

Mosaic art workshop

Learn the essentials of mosaic-making in this fun, hands-on workshop. No experience needed.

■Tuesday 28 October at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event. Details: libraries.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/ lib-seniors-festival

Conversation with Ibrahim Ahmed

Join acclaimed artist Ibrahim Ahmed for an intimate evening of art and storytelling. After the talk, walk together to Vespertine Gardens to ‘plant’ a personal or professional seed of intention, a simple, reflective offering led by Ibrahim.

■Tuesday 28 October, 6pm-9pm at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and, Robinson Street,Dandenong;freeevent.Bookingsessential at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/ event-detail/ev_bdba680500234df0926b8b97b14ae9ff

Age is just an attitude

Uplifting and energising session with TV personality

Carol O’Halloran, a true pioneer in health, wellness, and positive ageing.

■Wednesday 29 October 10.30am-12.30pm at Lexington Gardens 114 Westall Road, Springvale; free event. Details: keyton.com.au/home/events/ lexington-gardens-age-is-an-attitude

Start a vegie garden

Come join with us to learn how to start a vegetable garden at home and explore the beautiful plant display. Organised by the City of Greater Dandenong Horticulture team.

■Thursday 30 October 10.30am-11.30am at Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong; free event. Details: libraries.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/lib-seniors-festival

Finger food feast

Come together for a finger food feast and enjoy Hoffmanns Duo performing covers of the classics.

■Thursday 30 October 12pm-2pm at Reveal Church, 2-8 Gleneagles Drive, Endeavour Hills; $10. Details: casey.vic.gov.au/ageing-positivelyfestival

Open Studios

Maker Space is an Arts Access Victoria program for young deaf and disabled artists. They have made Halloween themed sculptures with paper pulp. Enjoy live music from Beyond Rhythm. Gluten free, nut free and vegan catering options. Auslan interpretation on request.

■Friday 31 October, 12pm-3pm at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong; free event. Details: artsaccess.com.au/whats-on/maker-space-dandenong-open-studio

Community lunch for carers

Hosted by the Lynbrook Friendly Carers Group, this free lunch brings carers together for good food, great company, and a few fun games. Bookings are essential.

■Friday 31 October 11am-2pm at Lynbrook Community Centre, 2 Harris Street,Lynbrook; free event. Details: casey.vic.gov.au/ageing-positivelyfestival

Wellness for Men

Each week discover new opportunities to develop new skills and share stories, developing meaningful connections with other men. Weekly new topics with occasional guest speakers, some of these nights including BBQ or pizza nights.

■Wednesdays 7pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Details: socialplanet.com.au/activity/view?id=39653

G’Day English

Learn English you’ll actually use in daily life here in Australia - the kind of language you hear at the shops, at work, with neighbours, or down at the footy. The goal is to help you feel at home in Australia - not just with grammar and vocabulary, but with the rhythm, expressions, and culture of Aussie English.

■Thursdays 6:30pm at Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Details: socialplanet.com.au/activity/view?id=41022

History of Dandenong Town Hall

The Place To Be: Dandenong Town Hall exhibition is celebrating 135 years of the iconic venue —now

cherished as the Drum Theatre— which has stood as a cornerstone of local life. Explore its remarkable journey through photographs, fashion, stories, and shared memories.

■Mondays to Fridays, 10am-4pm from 15 October-20 February at Drum Theatre, 226 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong and Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am-2pm at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens (Benga), 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong; free event.

Myuna Farm walks

Join us for a walk around the Myuna Farm wetlands this Walktober. Free admission to Myuna Farm is included with your ticket.

■Thursdays during October, 11am-12pm at Myuna Farm, 182 Kidds Road, Doveton; free event WOW! Childrens exhibition

Amazing artwork created by grade 5 students from Dandenong West Primary School, guided by local artist, Abhijit Pal. Students reflected on their personal and family histories, cultural identities, and aspirations through drawing, writing, and mixed media.

■Mondays-Fridays 9am-5pm until 7 November at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove Springvale; free event.

Indoor Pickleball

Casual, indoor pickleball sessions. All equipment provided during this coach-free session.

■Mondays 7pm-8pm and Wednesdays 10am11am at Olive Road Sporting Complex, 2 Frawley Road, Eumemmerring; free cost, or Sundays 12.30pm-2.30pm at Vickerman Building, Casey Stadium, Cranbourne; $6.20 for two hours. Bookings: trybooking.com/events/landing/1343237 (Olive Road) or 5996 6052 (Casey Stadium).

“WE” - Women’s Empowerment Workshops

Workshops designed to uplift and empower women from all backgrounds in a fun and supportive environment. Topics around personal welbeing such as Self Defence, Financial Independence, Bollywood dancing, Psychology and Japanese Ink Art.

■Wednesdays 10.30am-12.30pm at Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18-34 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Free event. Details: 0490 059 026 or kerry@adec.org.au

Register at https://forms.gle/XnfaMAUHPHqBYq5u5

Redbacks recruiting well

By Blair Burns

Hampton Park is not going to walk into Southern Division 1 short of star players…and the side won’t be short of belief either when next season rolls around.

Coach Luke Bull led the Redbacks to a premiership this year in Division 2 and the club has just signed a couple of big recruits in Heath Briggs and Liam Hasler.

Briggs comes across from Cora Lynn in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition after winning this year’s senior best and fairest at the Cobras.

While Hasler is an exciting young player from Endeavour Hills, looking for a season free of injury and a fresh start at the Redbacks.

Bull was stoked to sign the duo, which he said would add plenty to the senior side in 2026.

“Briggs has just come off a best and fairest with Cora Lynn, so it was really pleasing to sign him,” he said.

“He has got a few friends at the club with his housemates playing with us, so it was super good to get him down to the club.

“We also signed Liam Hasler from Endeavour Hills – he is a really underrated player and will be very good for us.”

Briggs has called Cora Lynn home since the start of 2016 when he left Narre Warren Junior Football Club and moved to the Cobras.

Since then, he never looked back playing 114 games for Cora Lynn, kicking 78 goals and being named in the best 53 times.

“Briggsy is a high quality player and has played at VFL level with Casey, he is only 25 so he still has plenty of good football ahead of him, he’s only coming into his peak,” Bull said.

“Liam Hasler wouldn’t really be known throughout Division 1, but if you watched Division 2 closely, you would see what a high calibre player he is – he is only 23 years old.”

The goal for Hampton Park next season isn’t to just compete … it’s to win the entire thing – it’s a brave call, but there is a feeling of optimism sweeping around Robert Booth Reserve.

“From our list, we want to add at least five or six players … we’ve got a lot of top-end talent and that will increase our overall depth massively,” Bull said.

“We would’ve already competed with Division 1 sides this year, but if you want to push deep into September, which we do, you’ve got to top up the list a bit.

“We want to go up there and win it straight away, it has been done before and I think it can be done again.”

Heath Briggs has put pen to paper at Hampton Park and will help the Redbacks as they look to challenge in Southern Division 1. (Stewart Chambers: 499247)

St John’s Old Collegians ready for new era in new league

By Justin Schwarze

Dandenong-based football club St John’s Old Collegians will turn a new page in the club’s history as it successfully transferred from the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) to the Southern Football Netball League (SFNL) for 2026 and beyond.

In an exciting time for the club, the move is aimed to give the club more of a community feel whilst it also launches a brand new netball program.

The netball will feature two teams that will play at St John’s Regional College, a first in the club’s 35-year history.

“It’s good to finally get it over the line and become that community club,” president Adam Paterson said of the move.

“We think that we’re more suited to the local stuff and we’re keen to see how we shape up.

“It’s good to be more of a local club now, it’s something we’ve been thinking about and going back and forth at committee level.”

The JOCs will slot into Division 4 of the SFNL next year after finishing eighth in Division 2 (the fifth tier) of the VAFA in 2025.

The club has re-signed most of its playing list from the past season and has also brought back senior coach Ben McGee.

Now, St John’s will have plenty of local rivalries in its new competition landscape, including Dandenong West and Doveton Eagles, who are both within five kilometres.

“We’re keen to have some local rivalries,” Paterson said.

“We always had trouble attracting supporters to away games on the other side of town and we were always the outlier in the VAFA.

“We’ve seen clubs around us grow pretty quickly by the Southern League.

“Performing week in and week out allows us

to grow a supporter base and allows us to hold onto our players who now don’t have to travel as far.

“We’re an old club and we’ve been successful over the years but we probably haven’t been able to grow our brand locally so I’m keen for us to be able to show off our level of footy and our ability to climb up the ranks.”

High scores on day one as Sahan Perera raises the bat

By Blair Burns

After both Noble Park and Endeavour Hills won the toss and bowled last week to no avail, it was no surprise when they both decided to bat after winning the toss on Saturday.

And this week, that decision yielded far better results than last as both sides posted strong totals in the first Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association (VSDCA) two-day game of the season.

Noble Park posted the biggest score in round 2, finishing up at 8/360 against Williamstown, capitalising on a brilliant batting surface at Moodemere Oval.

Noble Park star Sahan Perera, who made six centuries last season, was a class above as he took the bowlers to all parts of the ground to score 127 and lead his team.

The team went at a solid 4.5 per over throughout the 80 overs to post a strong score, only losing four wickets in that time.

Pawan Dias Edirisinghe (83 not out) and skipper Janaka Liyanabadalge (57 not out) were in control late in the day, pushing the total higher and higher.

against Donvale, who were up and about.

However, Zac Perryman (73) and Samasha Mudiyanselage (56) began to get the scoreboard ticking, putting on 128 runs for the second wicket. As occurs often in cricket, once Perryman was dismissed by Nagendra Vadula, so too was Mudiyanselage, departing on the very next ball in the following over.

With two new batters at the crease, things were tough, and Vishal Panditharatne (duck) was the next man to go, as Vadula also bowled him.

Cameos from Adish Bhavsar (39), Bineth Bandara (25) and captain Tyrell Panditharatne (30) helped Endeavour Hills reach 9/264 off the 80 overs.

Donvale opening bowler Patrick Rowe put in the hard yards, bowling 25 overs for impressive figures of 5/65.

VSDCA SUMMARY (Day One)

lost opening batter Clement Tommy (five) in just the third over of the day

R2 Results: Noble Park 8/360 v Williamstown, Endeavour Hills 9/264 v Donvale, Croydon 200 v Bayswater 1/20, Spotswood 279 v Hoppers Crossing, Yarraville 9/244 v Mt Waverley, Werribee 153 v Altona 2/44, Box Hill 136 v Balwyn 8/155, Melton 155 v Taylors Lakes 0/31.

Berwick poised for big win

By Blair Burns

After a comprehensive loss in round 1 against Springvale South, things have just gone from bad to worse for Hallam Kalora Park.

The Hawks, who were runner-up last season, are staring down the barrel of an outright defeat against Berwick in the second round of the DDCA Turf 1 competition.

Alarm bells must be ringing inside the camp of Hallam Kalora Park who couldn’t have started the season any worse, as the top order has failed to survive the new ball in both matches.

There is no doubt that Berwick, which finished third last season, is staking its claim to be serious premiership contenders, but the Hawks have been poor thus far.

The Bears lost the toss and were sent into bat first at Hallam Recreation Reserve on a wicket that was playing some tricks.

They lost opener Lachlan Brown (three) early, as well as Jake Hancock (two) and skipper Michael Wallace (duck).

But Jarryd Wills (53) and Vinuda Liyanage (56) stabilised as Toby Wills chipped in with 28 to push the score to 171 – all out after 44 overs as Lee Brown took 4/33 off 12 overs.

It was Hallam Kalora Park’s turn to bat and they found the going tougher than the Bears, losing three wickets inside the first nine overs.

Leigh Booth (12) and Jawid Khan (11) were the only Hawks to reach double figures, as they were bowled out for just 54 in 22 overs – four players making ducks.

Toby Wills was instrumental, taking 5/9 off five overs in an electric spell which included three LBWs, one bowled and one caught.

Having already secured the win, the Bears had the Hawks flightless and sent them back in, searching for an outright victory.

Wills picked up where he left off, sending both Benjamin Hillard (three) and Booth (13) back to the sheds, leaving Hallam Kalora Park in all sorts of trouble at 3/18 at the end of the day’s play.

In other games, Buckley Ridges scored in excess of 260 for the second consecutive week, finishing with a strong total of 278 against Dandenong West.

While the Bulls’ opening bowlers Joel Zietsman (2/51) and Nuwan Kulasekara (3/40) worked hard, the Bucks just bat so deep.

They were 2/27 and had lost Dale Tormey (23) and Jayson Hobbs (two), who were their two leading scorers in round 1.

But Troy Aust (42 off 90 deliveries) and Ben Wright (69 off 116) dug in, helping Buckley Ridges get past 100, before Zietsman knocked over Aust.

The foundation allowed Ishan Jayarathna (59) and Michael Davies (33) to come in and play with freedom, both scoring at more than 100 strike rate to guide the Bucks to a big total.

Dandenong West had nine overs to bat on day one and they struggled as Jayarathna caused some problems, removing Nipunaka Fonseka and Nathan Power for ducks – leaving the Bulls at 2/26 with a very difficult run chase on their hands this weekend.

The match between Narre South and Springvale South currently hangs in the balance after the Lions made 210, with the Bloods currently

3 votes ... Berwick bowler Toby Wills has taken a combined 7/10 in the match against Hallam Kalora Park so far and also made 28 with the bat. (Gary Sissons: 464090)

2/16 in the second innings.

The Bloods started well as Dasun Opanayaka, Nicholas Boland, Josh Dowling and Jarryd Straker all took early wickets.

Narre South looked like it could be in trouble with the scores sitting at 6/112 – with run scorers Kyle Hardy (48) and Jeevan Mendis (33) both back in the sheds.

But Adam Snelling came out at number eight and produced a scintillating knock of 74 off 77 balls (including four sixes) to breathe life back into the game and get his side to 210.

Boland (3/37), Blade Baxter (3/57) and Straker

(2/27) were the multiple wicket takers on the day.

Springvale South batted for nine overs but wasn’t able to get through without loss as Ryan Quirk (six) and Chris Diston (duck) were both given out LBW in successive overs – Tom Arnold and Mendis making the breakthroughs.

At 2/16 with Mitch and Cam Forsyth at the crease, it is anyone’s game when the round 2 clash resumes this weekend.

Beaconsfield batter Ashan Walgamage scored a brilliant unbeaten century to guide the Tigers to a strong score of 5d/278 against Parkmore Pirates.

Last season, the Sri Lankan left hander made

two half centuries, but it’s fair to say this is his best knock in recent seasons, finishing on 136 not out.

After losing a few early wickets, Walgamage, along with Karan Singh (34) and Mitchell Tielen (34 not out), came in clutch.

Parkmore batted for 15 overs on Saturday to finish at 3/16, looking at an inevitable loss, which could likely be an outright loss.

TURF 1 RESULTS (Day One)

R2 Results: Buckley Ridges 278 v Dandenong West 2/26, Narre South 210 v Springvale South 2/16, Berwick 171 v Hallam Kalora Park 54 & 3/18, Beaconsfield 5/278d v Parkmore Pirates 3/16.

Panthers beaten by reigning premier St Kilda at Shepley

By Jonty Ralphsmith

An unbeaten 174-run partnership between St Kilda pair Ed Newman and Adam Crosthwaite sunk Dandenong to a six-wicket loss at Shepley Oval on Saturday.

Defending 285 after half centuries to Brett Forsyth, Ryan Hammel and Josh Slater on Day 1, the Panthers got off to a strong start, with St Kilda sitting at 3/42 early in the day thanks to a high-octane opening spell by James Nanopoulos and Noah Hurley.

Newman’s arrival at the crease brought with it a sense of calm, with St Kilda number five batter Tom Russ also playing a role in stemming the momentum, playing a composed 29 before the match-winning partnership.

First change bowler Matthew Wilson bowled well without reward for the Panthers, which sit 1-1.

The women’s side was beaten by seven wick-

ets with 10 balls to spare on Sunday after Ishita Tiwari led the Panthers to 6/127.

Dandenong’s Second XI had a draw with St Kilda in a match which ebbed and flowed as the Panthers chased 366 for victory.

Vishesh Bansal batted exceptionally for 115, while Aaron Fernando also raised his bat, finishing with 54.

Liam Antonello and Jett Kelly finished unbeaten, batting well as stumps approached and St Kilda mounted one final charge towards victory.

The Third XI also had a draw, with St Kilda finishing on 8/276 chasing 320 with St Kilda able to establish several important partnerships at key times to prevent the Panthers from claiming 10 wickets.

The Fourth XI had a 129-run loss chasing 304 with Shehzad Singh the shining light finishing unbeaten on 76, clattering six maximums.