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Closure ‘unfair’ By Cam Lucadou-Wells The forced shutdown of Dandenong South commercial kitchen I Cook Foods was “valid but not fair”, a Parliamentary inquiry report has found. Fiona Patten, who chaired the Legislative Council committee’s eight-week investigation, tabled a report critical of Greater Dandenong Council’s role and the state’s “outdated” Food Act. I Cook Foods had been closed during a Department of Health and Human Services investigation into the death of a listeria-infected 86-year-old hospital patient in early 2019. By the time it re-opened six weeks later, the business was destroyed. Forty-one employees lost their jobs. Since then, the business has rejected the grounds of its closure, alleging a council inspector of planting a slug on the factory floor. It has sought compensation in the Supreme Court. “The closure order issued to that family business that had been operating for nigh on 30 years was valid but was not fair,” Ms Patten told Parliament on 4 August. “The processes that led to that closure were unfair and ... the processes used by the City of Greater Dandenong were inconsistent and completely inadequate. “Frankly, they were not up to the job of regulating the food industry in Dandenong.” The report found “evidence of inconsistent reporting practices, fluctuation in inspection procedures, inadequate processes, inadequate adherence to the processes in place and poor communication by the City of Greater Dandenong”. “The Committee believes that I Cook Foods was neither served well by the City of Greater Dandenong nor the food safety regulatory framework.” The Department of Health and Human Services - which signed the closure order as part
of its investigation into a listeria infection was also at fault. It had failed in its role to “protect us”. Its food regulations were “old” and “not fit-forpurpose”, Ms Patten said. Liberal MP Wendy Lovell said the inquiry didn’t have the ability to investigate the alleged motives behind closing I Cook Foods nor the alleged planting of evidence. Greater Dandenong Council was “inept” in dealing with food safety issues, Ms Lovell said. “The thing that I have found so amazing is, even now, all of these months later, their inability to see fault in themselves, their inability to have any empathy for the people of I Cook Foods and what it has done to that family and to their business.” Liberal MP Matthew Bach noted the “informal” and “slap-dash” manner that the DHHS was “drip-fed” information from Greater Dandenong Council food safety officers prior to the shutdown. He said there was “significant evidence” backing the closure order. “Nonetheless there needed to be a proper, formal process in place to make sure that that decision could be properly made, and that was not the case on this occasion.” In a minority report, opposition MPs noted that Community Chef, funded by both the State Governmenwt and City of Greater Dandenong, was in “parlous” financial shape. A DHHS-commissioned report in 2018 recommended “additional substantial support” for Community Chef. “This is important as witnesses before the committee claimed that one of the reasons for the closure of ICF was to enable Community Chef to take a greater share of the market in which they both operated,” the minority report stated. It called for a further investigation of the Community Chef issues.
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NEWS
No finding on slug By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Parliamentary inquiry has been unable to conclude whether or not a slug was planted by a council inspector in I Cook Foods’ Dandenong South kitchen. The upper house’s Legal and Social Issues Committee stated it was not “in a position nor equipped with the necessary expertise” to decide the “serious allegation” - also labelled as ‘slug-gate’. It left the matter to Victoria Police - which is currently undertaking an “investigation assessment“ of ICF’s “substantial brief of evidence”. At the hearings, council environmental health officer Elizabeth Garlick was asked if she planted the slug. “No, I did not,” she told the committee. Days after her inspection, I Cook Foods was closed by then-Acting Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton as part of a health department investigation into the death of a hospital patient with listeria in early 2019. ICF director Ian Cook alleged that Ms Garlick planted the slug while hunched for 17 seconds in a corner of the factory. A pest controller had found no evidence of slug activity days earlier. Nor had staff that crossed the area 64 times on the same day, Mr Cook told the inquiry. The pest controller returned afterwards finding “no credibility” to claims that the slug slithered into that location “unassisted”, Mr Cook said.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A picture of the slug as submitted by City of Greater Dandenong to the Parliamentary inquiry into I Cook Foods’ closure. A slug expert commissioned by ICF found that slug species didn’t live in the area and was nocturnal. “It should have been asleep at the time it was meant to be crawling into my factory,” Mr Cook said. The slug evidence formed four of 96 foodsafety charges against Mr Cook and ICF. All 96 charges were later withdrawn by the council at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.
Greater Dandenong, which had spent $56,000 on the case, claims it dropped the matter to avoid a legal bill of up to $1.2 million. ICF had since delivered a “substantial brief of evidence” on its closure to Victoria Police, the inquiry noted. “The Committee trusts that this and other matters will be pursued by Victoria Police as part of their usual processes.”
I Cook owner denies listeria ‘history’ By Cam Lucadou-Wells I Cook Foods owner Ian Cook has accused Greater Dandenong Council of “profoundly misleading” a Parliamentary inquiry into his business’s forced closure. At the inquiry hearings, the council had listed a “history” of food-safety complaints and ongoing listeria-related concerns against ICF. But Mr Cook said the council had omitted significant exonerating evidence that explained why ICF had never been prosecuted. In a letter on 7 August, Mr Cook has demanded that Greater Dandenong chief executive John Bennie ‘corrects the record’. A Greater Dandenong Council spokesperson told the Star Journal that the council was reviewing the letter. Mr Cook says he is not “rolling away” from two Supreme Court actions over what he says was the “illegal” closure and destruction of his 34-year-old family business. He was undeterred by the inquiry report finding the closure was “valid” but “not fair”. The report noted “extensive evidence” provided to DHHS by Greater Dandenong Council of “long-standing” food-safety issues at the commercial caterer’s kitchen.
Treatment was ‘fair and consistent’
Ian Cook in his company’s dormant commercial kitchen in Dandenong South. 202497 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Mr Cook said the issues including problems with the floor, a large oven’s placement, configurations of walkways, rusted or damaged equipment, and deficiencies in ICF’s
food safety plan were based on “blatant lies”. He was “not absolutely unhappy” with the Labor-majority committee’s “politically based” findings, he said. The report appeared to throw all blame onto the council while shielding the State Government - namely the Department of Health and Human Services and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton, he said. ICF is pursuing Supreme Court action against an independent auditor for alleged collusion with the DHHS. It alleges that the auditor’s purportedlyindependent draft report was significantly altered after being reviewed by the DHHS. After revisions, the report found I Cook Food was non-compliant with food-safety requirements - but sheeted blame on past external auditors. “I believe that I Cook Foods Pty Ltd have done what they thought was legally required, and have not deliberately tried to short cut their legal responsibilities.” In a separate Supreme Court action, ICF is sueing the DHHS for a claim of up to $48 million damages. It has also submitted a brief of evidence to Victoria Police to investigate alleged corruption.
Despite damning criticism, Greater Dandenong Council says it treated I Cook Foods in a “fair and consistent manner”. A State Parliamentary inquiry found the commercial caterer’s forced closure for more than a month in 2019 was valid but the business was “not properly dealt with by the City of Greater Dandenong”. “I Cook Foods was not subject to a sound and proper process, or fair and consistent treatment,” the upper house Legal and Social Issues Committee stated. There was “minimal evidence” that the council tried to work “meaningfully” with I Cook Foods to address the issues “purportedly first identified during the inspections conducted in February 2019”. “The escalation of matters to the point of pressing charges against I Cook Foods and Ian Cook seems to be inconsistent with the ‘typical process’.” In a statement, Greater Dandenong CEO John Bennie said the “council maintains that it treated I Cook Foods in a fair and consistent manner throughout”. Mr Bennie said the “abrupt” escalation in the council’s dealings with I Cook Foods “reflects the intense investigation DHHS required Council to carry out on its behalf in response to the listeria occurrence and subsequent death of a member of the public”. “Various matters of concern were discovered during Council’s series of inspections, some of which the company had taken steps to rectify and satisfied Council at the time.” The inquiry report recommended that Greater Dandenong implement all advice from an internal audit into its regulation of ICF. The council had initially resisted handing over the Maddocks lawyers’ audit, which found a lack of “detailed, coherent” inspection records and a need to review food premises classifications. “Despite the evidence from the City of Greater Dandenong that there were, variously, no issues (identified in the audit), or that the Council had taken appropriate steps to rectify issues where they had been identified, this Inquiry and the audit report suggest that this is not the case.” Mr Bennie said “identified areas of concern have already been, or are being, addressed by council” from the “multi-stage audit process”. He defended the council’s “excellent record of effective food safety regulation on behalf of the community”. “Nevertheless, episodes like this will always spark a process of review and learning, and that is well underway. “Council is now better equipped to respond to complaints and take earlier enforcement action against those with a poor track record.”
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Tuesday, 11 August, 2020
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NEWS
Isolation taking its toll By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong ‘living treasure’ Merle Mitchell is thankful that her locked-down aged-care residence is Covid-19 free. But her lingering confinement in her Waverley Valley Aged Care room brings another hardship. Ms Mitchell, 85, has been a leading voice in hearings that formed a damning Royal Commission interim report into aged-care last year. She is set to give further evidence to the inquiry, which is now investigating the aged-care response to Covid-19. In Victoria, Covid-19 has swept through more than 100 aged-care facilities and infected more than 1500 residents and staff. As a sign of their vulnerability, aged care residents make up most of Victoria’s pandemic death toll. “People have worked very hard to keep it out of this place,” Ms Mitchell said. “The downside is we’re very isolated. We’re cut off from family and friends. We don’t have any visitors at all. “While it’s driving everyone mad, including me, I’ve no doubt it’s kept the infection out of the place.” During the first Covid-19 wave in March, Ms Mitchell could at least receive visitors. The non-contact visits comprised of chats behind glass windows. After some respite, the second Covid-19 wave has taken a terrifying toll in nursing homes. At Waverley Valley, visitor restrictions returned and tightened to a total ban on family and friends. Services provided by hairdressers and masseurs have ceased. Ms Mitchell keeps in touch with loved-ones by phone. “But it’s not the same as having an ongoing conversation face-to-face.”
Merle Mitchell, pictured in 2014, says the mental toll of lockdown will linger. 126005 There’s also a toll on exhausted staff buckling under extra workloads, Ms Mitchell said. On top of their usual work, rushed staff “bring everything to us” including trays and dishes from each resident’s room at every meal time.
Then there are the many little tasks that visiting families would usually attend to, such as putting away clothes and helping with paperwork. Ms Mitchell is bracing for the restrictions to endure.
Picture: GARY SISSONS “My personal feeling is this is going to go on until Christmas. “The impact on mental health is something that will live in the community for a very, very long time.”
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NEWS
Outlook outbreak soars By Cam Lucadou-Wells Recorded Covid-19 cases at Outlook Gardens aged care home have soared to 93 residents, staff and contacts. The numbers jumped by 22 infections on Saturday 10 August. Outlook Gardens, which is being now supported by Monash Health through the pandemic, has the seventh highest infections among Victoria’s nursing homes. Reportedly, 21 Covid-negative residents were evacuated to South Eastern Private Hospital two weeks ago. Other outbreaks have surfaced at Polytrade Recycling in Dandenong (two cases), Jayco Dandenong (20) and Bestway supermarket Dandenong (eight). They were being investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services. A Polytrade spokesperson declined to comment. In the past seven days, Greater Dandenong has recorded 56 new infections, with 205 active cases. It is significantly slower than the previous week of 99 new cases. The number of active cases at that stage was 183. In neighbouring Casey, there are 357 active
The Outlook Gardens Covid cluster took a 22-case jump on 8 August. 212209 cases as of 9 August. It had recorded 113 new cases in the previous week. There were also 42 new cases in Kingston, 30 in Monash, 28 in Frankston, 33 in Cardinia and 29 in Knox.
On 9 August, Victoria recorded 394 new cases - more than 2700 in the past week. The state death toll rose by 74 in the past seven days. Most of the 210 dead in Victoria were residing in aged-care.
Picture: GARY SISSONS There were 7854 active cases at the time, including 634 hospital patients and 994 healthcare workers. Of the active cases, 1748 were aged care residents and staff.
Businesses fill the void South East Business Networks has issued an urgent call-out for more than 5000 disposable face masks to Greater Dandenong’s most vulnerable. The call comes after reported delays in the State Government’s rollout of 2.1 million free reuseable masks. In a group email on 7 August, SEBN stated that the council area faced a “shortage” of disposable face masks. “Last week 8000 masks were distributed to the local community but there is still an immediate need for more than 5000. “Without these masks, the most vulnerable members of our community are at risk, including those who are isolating in caravans with no current access to PPE, people living in community boarding houses and the homeless.” SEBN called for businesses for donations and surplus stocks of new disposable masks. “We can collect masks from your premises by arrangement - all site visits will adhere to physical distancing requirements and your individual COVID-19 safety plan.” The State Government announced mandatory mask-wearing on 23 July as a Covid-protection measure. The Department of Health and Human Services has reported delays in production and “considerable demand” for the free masks rollout for vulnerable community members. Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti, centre, with Wellsprings for Women’s Jasmine Robbins, second left, receiving food support packages for Covid-19 relief in April.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong Council will extend its Covid-19 relief program in response to the pandemic’s continuing impact. Mayor Jim Memeti said the council would need to extend its $330,000 food relief program that’s delivered about 25 tonnes of food a month to material aid providers since April. The program, which has fed about 3000 people a week, had just four more weeks of funds left, Cr Memeti said. Greater Dandenong will seek a state or federal grant to extend the program at least until the end of the year, if not longer. Cr Memeti said the council was prepared to “top up” the grant if required - as businesses and workers suffer stage-4 lockdowns. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
“It definitely needs to keep going to the end of the year or even longer. “There’s lots of vulnerable people out there. We need to make sure we can continue to feed people and give them help.” In April, the council unveiled a $4 million Covid-help package, which has since grown to $5.4 million. The package included $100 rates waivers for 11,000 pensioners and $200 rates waivers for Jobseeker recipients in 2019-’20. Prior to the stage-4 announcements, councillors recently resolved to add a further $200 rates waiver for 2020-’21. Eligible ratepayers who receive Jobseeker payments until 30 November can apply. Councillors said the targeted waivers had better value to “those that need them” than
blanket rate cuts in cities of Kingston (5 per cent) and Monash (10 per cent). “For an unemployed rate payer with a median residential priced property ... of $600,000, the $200 reduction on their municipal rates would be a 20% rate cut,” Cr Matthew Kirwan said. According to modelling, the council will suffer a financial hit of at least $10.4 million due to the pandemic in 2019-’20 and 2020’21. “This could increase unless Victoria rapidly improves on its current spike in positive cases,” a council report stated on 27 July. “The impacts of Covid-19 continue to be profound and Council, like all levels of government, needs to remain agile in how we can best respond to assisting our community through these challenging times.”
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STAR JOURNAL 5
LOOKING BACK
Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society
100 years ago
Leaders blamed for decline in Scouts
Our View
5 years ago
12 August 1920 Dandenong Police Court
50 years ago
20 years ago
11 August 1970
14 August 2000
The gauntlet has been thrown down and now the Federal Government needs to give itself a reality check. It must commit to the Scoresby Freeway project, make a decision to give National Roads status, swallow hard and spend nearly half a billion dollars. If the project is approved, it will be a huge boost of confidence in the Peninsula and eastern suburbs. If the politicians don’t they will basically be saying they don’t care about Melbourne and Victoria. The news that the State Government has decided to back the freeway has been a major boost for industry, real estate, and retail traders. So now it is up to the politicians in Canberra. Forget the band aid solutions such as widening Stud Road; what’s needed is a new link which will give business confidence and allow the eastern suburbs to grow and continue to be a major contributor to Australia’s export markets.
10 August 2015 Continuing an important job
Frank Callanan v George W Walker, debt £7 - Order for amount with 15/6 costs. George Clark inspector of Shire of Dandenong v F C Newsome, allowing a cow and two heifers to wander on the roads at Dandenong on August 1 - Fined 5/- in each instance with 2/6 costs. Shire of Cranbourne v A Phipps Coles, failing to eradicate and destroy thistles growing on his land at Eumemmerring. The defendant was fined £5 with £2/15/6 costs.
Despite an increase in population, fewer boys are being trained in the Scouting movement in this district. A clinical look at the situation has prompted the comment from the Area Commissioner, Mr W P Dawson. “Is it any wonder that our boys are walking out on us?” With a decrease in the number of Cubs, Scouts, Seniors, and Rovers in the Dandenong Scouting district during the past year, Mr Dawson has laid the blame on the standard of leaders. “The situation will not and cannot improve until Scouters realise that they must train themselves in order to lead boys and until Commissioners and Warrant committee’s divorce themselves from the fallacy that any leader is better than no leader.”
Monday, August 9, before Mr Tanner, and Messrs Pearson, Lousada and McLellan, JP’s.
It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the Dandenong Journal on its 150th anniversary. The historical milestone is a proud achievement and a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Dandenong Journal staff dating back to your paper’s first edition in 1865. Local content and in-depth reporting underpin why newspapers remain important. Journalists represent the community’s right to free speech, acting as watchdogs, informers, and voice of the voiceless. That has not changed over 150 years. I commend your newspaper on supporting the local community.
Daniel Andrews Premier of Victoria
NEWS
Time to help one another degrees, continues to affect us all, far and wide. However, amongst all the upheaval and heartache, it is evident that the goodness that exists in the human spirit continues to shine through. We have seen or experienced for ourselves acts of kindness, goodwill, bravery and love being showered on so many people, by so many, in each and every passing day. We know the importance of trying to stay connected, one with the other, in whatever way we can, whether as individuals or families and also in our many associated communities, which are so much a part of our lives. Of necessity we continue to adapt to the many changes around us. But that which we all share and can rely on, with hope and trust, is the constant and un-
MESSAGE OF
HOPE By Agnes Kean, president of Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network As one people on this our earthly home, these last few months have indeed brought this reality into focus. It has also highlighted the need for humanity to work together as a whole as we make our way through this challenging time. The Covid-19 pandemic, albeit to varying
changing love of God. Hope can aid in Overcoming, through Perseverance and faith, Every challenging adversity. So, let us persevere through this difficult time together. Draw on our hope and inner strength. Let us do whatever we can to help one another along the way.
Agnes Kean.
Picture: HILTON STONE/CITY OF GREATER DANDENONG
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NEWS
More Covid-19 outbreaks By Cam Lucadou-Wells Health authorities are contact tracing Covid-19 outbreaks at Bestway supermarket in Lonsdale Street Dandenong and Jayco’s factory in Dandenong South. The cluster of at least eight Bestway backof-store staff stems from positive test results two weeks ago. Eighteen Jayco staff have so far tested positive since its first case was detected on Thursday 30 July. A Bestway manager told the Star Journal that the first positive case was confirmed on Tuesday 21 July. He says after notifying the DHHS, he was advised to deep clean the store and self-isolate about 15 staff for two weeks. The supermarket was not advised to close for any period in the meantime, he said. Eight back-of-store staff, who had been working in close proximity, tested positive and
At least 18 Jayco workers have tested positive Picture: GARY SISSONS to Covid-19. 175773 had since recovered, the manager said. They had tested Covid-negative and were able to return to work.
Supermarket’s new role Woolworths will temporarily convert its Dandenong Plaza supermarket into an online delivery hub as Melbourne enters stage 4 Covid-19 restrictions. The store will close to in-store customers from Tuesday 4 August at 7:45pm to solely serve online grocery delivery customers until further notice. According to Woolworths, this will enable the company to pick and dispatch tens of thousands more weekly online orders to customers in the surrounding suburbs, including online orders for the most vulnerable in the community through Woolworths’ Priority Assistance service. It follows similar store conversions in March and April to meet online demand and service customers staying home in line with government restrictions. The store has been carefully picked to minimise the impact on local shoppers and ensure there are alternatives within five kilometres. For Dandenong Plaza shoppers, this means they can instead visit the Dandenong South or Endeavour Hills stores to do their grocery shopping within the government’s limits. There is no impact on jobs at the store,
with all team members retained to either pick online orders or work in neighbouring stores. “The demand for online delivery continues to grow at pace with more customers in self-isolation or seeking to limit their outings,” Woolworths Supermarkets Victorian general manager Andrew Hall said. “We understand this will be inconvenient for some of our in-store customers and have sought to minimise this as much as we can by converting stores in close proximity to others. “It’s an uncertain time for many in Melbourne and this will ensure we have the delivery capacity to support the essential grocery needs of many more customers online.” Woolworths introduced Priority Assistance home deliveries earlier this year to help the elderly, people with disability and those in mandatory isolation. To apply for Priority Assistance delivery, customers need to complete the form at woolworths.com.au/priorityassistance or call 1800 000 610 to find out more.
Meanwhile, Jayco says it immediately closed the workplace, deep cleaned and informed WorkSafe Victoria after a worker tested positive. “Staff from this area were tested for COVID-19 on the premises prior to leaving by Jayco’s company doctor and a further 20 staff were tested on Saturday (1 August).” Jayco has kept its factory and head office closed as a “precautionary measure” as the Department of Health and Human Services conducts contact tracing. “All staff will receive full pay during this period. “Our employees who have not yet been tested, have been urged to come forward for testing, should they have any symptoms.” During Covid-19, Jayco introduced precautions and health measures including a register of workers presenting as unwell. The workers would be requested to get Co-
vid-19 tests before returning to work, Jayco states. It has been temperature testing all employees, contractors and visitors onsite and provided sanitisation stations throughout the office and factory. Mandatory face masks and strict social distancing protocols were in place, it stated. “Our employees who have returned a positive test for COVID-19, are currently under the care of our company doctor and DHHS. “We wish them a full and swift recovery and we will continue to support them through this period.” On 3 August, the Department of Health and Human Services announced it was “looking into” clusters at six Melbourne settings, including Bestway and Jayco. “More information will be provided in coming days as investigations continue.”
Spotless pandemic win Spotless commercial laundry in Dandenong South have won their fight for paid pandemic leave as it remains locked down in Covid quarantine, their union says. Migrant workers who are ineligible for state and federal pandemic leave schemes will be paid leave by Spotless, according to the United Workers Union. It means the quarantined workers will receive a minimum $150 a day of pandemic leave. “This is an important step forward to ensuring low-wage migrant workers can take the swift workplace actions they need to protect the entire community from the spread of Covid-19,” UWU executive director Godfrey Moase said. “While this goes to the core needs of our members at this site, more needs to be done. “Every Australian worker needs access to paid pandemic leave now and a living income while they can’t work for an extended period of time, no matter their employment or migration status.” An anonymous employee said the paid leave would help workers “take care of bills” until the company re-opens on 7 August, pending approval by the DHHS. The majority of staff depend on this income, the worker said. In a statement, Spotless told Star Journal that it was ineligible for the federal JobKeeper
payment scheme. Those without leave entitlements could apply for $750 weekly payments from the company’s Downer Hardship Fund. The fund was established by contributions from owner company Downer and Spotless directors and executives. “We have advised casual employees of the COVID-related financial support offered by the Victorian State Government and Federal Government,” Spotless stated. From 252 Covid-19 tests, four workers have tested positive since 25 July. Three of them were family from the same household and were picked up in initial contact tracing, Spotless stated. Nine of the tests were pending. On 30 July, the site was closed and deep cleaned after the third worker tested positive. That day, Spotless also abandoned attempts to force reluctant staff back to work despite the Covid-19 infections. Employees scheduled to work the next day received ordinary pay. Spotless originally claimed that no other workers had direct contact with the first infectious case. It directed 18 “casual contacts” to self-isolate at home, and for the rest of the workforce back on deck. It has now tested 252 workers who had been on-site for 30 minutes or more between 6-30 July. They have all be self-isolated.
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NEWS
Push for social housing By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Danielle Kutchel The urgent need for more social housing has become sharper during Covid-19, a Greater Dandenong Council report has stated. Greater Dandenong, with 12 other councils in the East and South East, has endorsed a draft regional charter on homelessness and social housing. According to the report, “housing is a human right for every person, ... housing solves homelessness and ... social housing is core infrastructure for local communities.” “The economic and health and wellbeing implications of COVID-19 means that now more than ever, the local government sector needs to be a powerful champion ... for permanent, safe and timely housing for those experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness.” Social housing is rented to low income households at no more than 30 per cent of household income. It provides relief from increasingly unaffordable private rentals for low-income households. A paper by Council to Homeless Persons stated the 13-council region is ‘home’ to about 32 per cent of Victoria’s homeless people and 40 per cent of people waiting on Victoria’s social housing list. More than 44,000 Victorian households are waiting for social housing. Social housing supplies hadn’t kept pace with population growth in the past 10 years, creating the widening shortfall, according to the CHP paper. In Greater Dandenong, there were more than 2100 homeless people, 2016 national census stats show. There were 1285 in Casey. Most of them were living in “severely
A social housing apartment block in Hemmings Street, Dandenong. 207592 crowded” premises. Greater Dandenong councillor Matthew Kirwan said the council had to match its endorsement of the charter with “real action”. The council needed to make sites in Greater Dandenong available for social housing and to invest in social housing, Cr Kirwan said. In April, the council knocked back a 43unit social housing project at 2-4 Hemmings Street Dandenong amid concerns about entrenching crime in the area.
At the time, Cr Kirwan said the “well managed” social housing proposal wouldn’t feed crime but was “part of the solution”. The draft charter council’s endorsement came ahead of National Homelessness Week, from 2 to 8 August. To mark the week, the interim report of the State Parliamentary Inquiry into Homelessness in Victoria was released on Tuesday 4 August. While the inquiry itself will continue until February 2021, the interim report provides
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS a snapshot of the key areas that those who made a submission to the inquiry believe are the most important. Respondents listed public housing as their top policy priority, but housing affordability and rough sleeping were also high priorities. The survey results reinforce other evidence collected by the committee that “the key to preventing and ending homelessness is an adequate supply of safe, affordable, long-term housing,” the report said.
Covid-19 hits home By Danielle Kutchel
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A soccer showcase in Dandenong will kick things up a notch in the race for an A-League team. Gach Chuol, Greater Dandenong Councillor Jim Memeti and Sukart Alex got in some practice ahead of the Saturday 16 June event. See page 7 for the full story. 181655 Picture: GARY SISSONS
His life for others By Casey Neill
Lee Tarlamis.
Lee Tarlamis says his older brother’s cancer battle inspired him to spend his life helping those less fortunate. His service culminated in a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, announced on Monday 11 June. The Noble Park man and former state Upper House MP received the nod for service to the people and Parliament of Victoria “I’m extremely humbled. It’s not something that I’d expected,” he said. “I didn’t do it to get acknowledgement. “It was about wanting to provide assistance and help to people. “It’s a view that I formed very early on.” Mr Tarlamis said his brother fought cancer for two years before dying at age 17. “The trouble and the stress that the family went through, I saw how positive he was
throughout those two years,” he said. “It instilled in me that as tough as I think I have things, there are always people out there who are doing it a lot worse than me. “That’s why I got involved in the local community.” Initially that was through the Keysborough Learning Centre. “The centre loaned me a computer for me to do my school work,” he said.
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“I wanted to repay the favour so I was volunteering time with them.” There he met then-politician Eddie Micallef and became his electorate officer. “That’s how I got into the politics world,” Mr Tarlamis said. “That opened up a lot of opportunities to provide assistance to community groups.” He never intended to run for parliament, but “one thing lead to another which lead to another” and he was a South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP from 2010 to 2014. “That was such an honour as well, when you consider the fact that very few people get to hold that position and represent that large number of people,” he said. Mr Tarlamis was a Springvale Benevolent Society volunteer from 2002 to 2012, a Noble Park Community Action Forum member for many years, a founding Springvale Multicultural Men’s Shed committee member, and more.
He’s now a senior advisor to Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings. The world of politics is not where he thought he’d end up. The Tarlamis family moved from Oakleigh to Keysborough when he was eight months old. He went to Wallarano Primary School in Noble Park and to Chandler Secondary College, where Keysborough College’s Acacia campus now stands. Mr Tarlamis went on to study an associate diploma of business. “I grew up working with dad in the family businesses,” he said. “I thought it would be logical that I would go into the business world and maybe into management or something like that. “I really enjoyed the community stuff. “Politics became that vehicle to do it.”
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Going for goal in the world game
Going for goal in the world game A soccer showcase in Dandenong will kick things up a notch in the race for an A-League team. Gach Chuol, Greater Dandenong Councillor Jim Memeti and Sukart Alex got in some practice ahead of the Saturday 16 June event. See page 7 for the full story. 181655 Picture: GARY SISSONS
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Covid-19 had brought about a sort of reckoning in the community as people realise what homelessness means, according to homelessness agency Wayss CEO Liz Thomas. “We’ve all now realised that a homeless person isn’t a drunk guy with a bottle and brown paper bag on a park bench; it’s the person you worked with last month,” she said. Wayss wants to see targeted, specific solutions, jointly implemented by all those involved: support agencies, local councils, state and federal governments. It’s a job that’s complicated by the fact that no one knows how long Covid will go on for. But Ms Thomas said “it all comes back to housing”. In their submission to the Inquiry earlier this year, Wayss called for greater provision of affordable and appropriate housing: one and two bedroom properties that can provide a safe option for young people and those living on their own. Wayss also supports incentive-based inclusionary zoning in new housing developments, where a percentage of the development is set aside for social housing. This year, Wayss has responded to people experiencing homelessness for the first time as well as an increased number of families escaping family violence. Calls to Wayss for family violence support dropped slightly during the last lockdown and peaked as restrictions were lifted, and Ms Thomas said she expects to see a similar pattern this time. She added it was important for women to know they are able to leave the house during lockdown to escape violence and seek assistance. “If you’re a victim of family violence you can leave your home at any time to get help,” she said. Wayss can provide housing support in this situation, with a focus on finding ways for women and their children to remain in the family home if it is safe to do so, rather than having to find somewhere new to live, and
Wayss CEO Liz Thomas says more affordable housing is the key to reducing homelessness. linking them with trauma and mental health support too. And as the pandemic continues, Ms Thomas said Wayss would continue to work with governments and other support services to prepare for the “unmet need”. “We don’t know what we’re going to be facing on the other side but we do need to work in collaboration, to pool our resources to come up with the best possible solution. “Ultimately, giving people homes is, I believe, our fundamental responsibility as a community,” she said. If you are experiencing family violence and need help, you can call 1800 RESPECT, or Safe Steps on 1800 015 188. You can also email Safe Steps on safesteps@safesteps.org.au or visit their website for live web chat support. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Roger’s lasting legacy “Much loved” community stalwart Roger Hall has been remembered as a generous, respectable figure following his death at the age of 73. Mr Hall died peacefully surrounded by friends and family on Monday morning 27 July. He was remembered as a devoted grandfather, husband and father, who dedicated his life to helping others. Mr Hall leaves behind an impressive legacy including his services to Apex Dandenong, Apex 40 Dandenong, member of Dandenong North Primary School Council, Life Education, and the Disadvantage Schools Program. He was also an active member of the Rotary Club of Narre Warren and school council president of Berwick College. Simon Hall, one of Mr Hall’s three children, said his father was a hardworking man who was “always there”. “His generosity with his time did not just stop with his family, the same would be available for his friends,” Mr Hall said. “He enjoyed interacting with people and donated his time for no other thanks than making the community we live in a better place. “It was my father that taught me to not only work for myself, but to also give something back, to work for the betterment of the community we lived in.” Mr Hall said anyone would be hard-pressed to find someone more positive and who would lead by example than his father. “Throughout my life my father was always there, when I needed a father to guide me, or if I did something wrong, to pull me into line, or if I needed a hand to achieve something, or for
Roger Hall was a respected and honourable member of the Rotary Club of Narre Warren. just about anything I needed.“ The Rotary Club of Narre Warren said it was “very saddened” by the news, describing Mr Hall as man who “was the dictionary definition of what it is to be a Rotarian”. “He was well liked, good to be around and had a lifetime of selfless community service in many organisations. “He leaves a big legacy of being there and helping out on almost every event or occasion. He will be very much missed but not forgotten by Rotary, the Narre Warren and Berwick communities and of course by his family.” Gembrook MP Brad Battin said Mr Hall would be sadly missed, and remembered for
his “extraordinary commitment” to Berwick College and the wider community. “Roger was elected a member of the Berwick College school council when I attended the school in 1990,“ he said.“During my time as the Member for Gembrook, I have worked with Roger in the capacity of school council president in helping to achieve a secure future for the school, most recently on the campaign for a Health and Wellbeing Centre for the College. “I pass on my condolences to his wife, Karen, his family, the College and Rotary community. His absence will be greatly felt.”
Roger Hall will be remembered as an selfless and devoted man.
Roger Hall with family.
FOCUS ON … TAX TIME
Top tax tips for employees from the experts at the ATO
Individual Tax Returns Property Investors Companies & Trusts Self Managed Super Funds Tax Returns Online
insurers, it makes good sense to wait until all that data is finalised before lodging. This could be late July. If you lodge before that information is available, you’re potentially finalising your tax return with different amounts and you may need to amend your tax return later and pay additional tax,” Ms Kasapidis added. Top tax tips for employees Make sure you have the required records and can substantiate your claims Remember that you can’t claim the full amount of a deduction unless you have already spent the money Payments received from JobKeeper and JobSeeker are still taxed, as are Covid-19 allowances and termination payments Report income and expenses from the gig economy, such as driving for a ride-sharing platform Claim working from home expenses and
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consider using the working from home shortcut method to calculate your deduction Claim your work-related deductions such as protective equipment, employment-related mobile phone and internet usage, computer repairs, union fees and professional subscriptions Claim depreciation on tools, equipment or other assets you purchase for over $300 that help you earn your income, such as tools for tradespeople, calculators, briefcases, computer equipment and technical books Get your superannuation in order – consider salary sacrifice, contributions, co-contributions and consolidation.
While there is nothing wrong with legally maximising your refund, remember that the ATO will check the details of your income and deductions in your tax return against its vast data holdings, and may ask you questions if they notice anything unusual. So, before you claim, remember that for an expense to qualify: you must have spent the money yourself it must be directly related to earning your income it must not have been reimbursed you must have the relevant records to prove it.
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It is that time of year again when you pick up your box of receipts – or maybe you have organised them in the ATO’s myDeductions tool – and make an appointment with your tax agent to complete your tax return. CPA Australia’s tax policy adviser Elinor Kasapidis said “this year is different – with Covid-19 affecting so many Australians, your tax might be a little more complicated or uncertain than usual. With so many of us working from home, you should consider the ATO’s shortcut method for deductions between 1 March and 30 June 2020 as well as claiming for protective items. With Covid-19 affecting working patterns, the ATO expects to see claims for laundry expenses or travel expenses decline this year”. “While it’s tempting to lodge early, with so much information being pre-filled into your tax return by the ATO from external sources such as employers, banks and private health
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NEWS Bangholme’s green wedge is home to a variety of amazing creatures in the skies. Journal photographer and keen bird-watcher GARY SISSONS has staked out the area’s aerial inhabitants that hunt and dwell in the region’s wetlands and fields. Some of his prize subjects include shoveller ducks, eagles and other raptors, pelicans, red-rumped parrots and flame robins.
Spectacle in our skies
A little eagle surveys the surrounds.
A pelican in flight is a magestic sight.
A pelican’s expansive wings.
A whistling kite tip-toes on its perch.
A whistling kite scans for prey.
A whistling kite near a freeway turnoff.
A black-faced cuckoo shrike. 12 STAR JOURNAL
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A whistling kite with a catch. 212611
Tuesday, 11 August, 2020
A passing pelican. 212611
Pictures: GARY SISSONS dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Second hearing on plant By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong Council will lodge an appeal against the EPA’s approval of a proposed waste-to-energy plant in Ordish Road, Dandenong South. The council announced it will lodge its intentions to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal before the 10 August deadline. It will be the second VCAT hearing on the controversial project, following a planning permit hearing in July. In the earlier hearing, the council also opposed the Great Southern Waste Technologies (GSWT) facility. In a public statement, the council said it
remained “strongly opposed” to the proposal and the EPA’s works approval. “Council is again using its legal representatives and is already undertaking further investigative work and obtaining expert advice in this regard.” Cr Matthew Kirwan said councillors unanimously authorised the appeal’s lodgement as a preliminary step. Queries, including the appeal’s cost, would be worked out in coming weeks, he said. There was also discussion on what technical arguments could be raised against the EPA’s assessment. In his own investigation, Cr Kirwan said he had “serious doubts” on the claimed green-
house gas savings compared to burying waste in landfill. He said the EPA assessment compared the facility’s emissions to landfills where biogas wasn’t collected. However, biogas was extracted from most landfills in Melbourne, he said. The EPA “downplayed” the impact of dioxins emitted by the plant. A small amount of dioxin was “highly toxic, lasts for years in the environment and accumulates in the food chain”. According to GSWT, the facility would emit dioxins at a level below European Union environmental standards. A spokesperson said the EPA works approval was granted after a “detailed process” and “thorough examination”.
“However if Council wishes to raise any issues with the EPA that is a matter for Council.” The plant would process 100,000 tonnes a year of municipal household solid waste, commercial and industrial waste to produce 7.9 MW of electricity to the grid. Municipal household waste, which would be diverted from landfill, was estimated to make up 80 per cent of the feeder material. The project has been vigorously opposed by nearby residents, schools and community groups in Keysborough. Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti recently led a push for the council to lobby for the Dandenong South heavy industry zone to be shifted out of metro Melbourne.
An image of the 2020 Mack tip-truck that was stolen from a Dandenong South depot on 7 June.
Hunt for stolen truck, thief Young Manseerat from Dandenong showed her allegiance during the 2020 Australia Day festivities.
Aussie Day recognised Greater Dandenong’s 2020 Australia Day Festival was recognised as Victoria’s Event of the Year at the Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) Awards of Excellence program. More than 10,000 people attended the 59th annual event held at Dandenong Park on Sunday 26 January. Council accepted the honour last week in an online ceremony, and is now in the running for the National Major Event of the Year Award scheduled to be announced in October. The PLA Awards aim to promote and encourage best industry practice and recognise the outstanding work of individuals and teams employed in the parks and leisure industry. Council won the same award last year for the 2019 Springvale Snow Fest, another popular community event that attracted up to 40,000 people. Mayor Jim Memeti said Australia Day was an important celebration for the Greater Dandenong community. “Our residents come from all corners of the world, but they are all proud to call Ausdandenong.starcommunity.com.au
tralia home,” Mayor Memeti said. “The Australia Day Festival is a celebration of our similarities and our differences and gives everyone an opportunity to connect.” An important part of the Festival is the Australia Day Awards which recognise the exceptional contribution by people who work selflessly to enrich the lives of others in the Greater Dandenong community. Nominations are now open for the 2021 Greater Dandenong Australia Day Awards in the following categories: Citizen of the Year Young Leader of the Year Volunteer of the Year Sportsperson of the Year Corporate Citizen of the Year Community Group of the Year Living Treasure Award
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Winners will be selected by a community panel. Nominations close on Monday 31 August. Visit greaterdandenong.com/ australiadayawards for more information.
An image of the truck has also been released in the hope that someone can provide information on its current whereabouts. Police have released images of a masked man wanted over the alleged theft of a $200,000-plus truck from a Dandenong South business. The 2020 white Mack Granite tip-truck was stolen from the Princes Highway depot about 11.20pm on 7 June, Greater Dandenong CIU detectives say. It had yet to be registered at the time of the theft. The man, who gained entry to the depot, is believed to have sophisticated knowledge of trucks and heavy vehicles. Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
A CCTV still of a man wanted over the truck’s theft.
Springvale Lotto windfall Two Springvale men have each pocketed nearly $890,000 after winning division-one prizes in a TattsLotto draw on Saturday 1 August. They were among six division-one winners across Australia. All were from Victoria. One of them, who bought his entry online, said he couldn’t sleep since confirming the prize. “I checked my ticket on Saturday night and saw I had won division one but I didn’t believe it could be true. “I didn’t sleep afterwards and I couldn’t even sleep last night.” He said the timing of the win was perfect given Victoria’s ever-tightening Covid-19 lockdown. “With everything going on at the moment
in Victoria and with so much uncertainty, it’s come at a great time. “I’m so happy and I know this will really change my life.” The second winner bought his entry at 18 Lucky Lotto in Springvale shopping centre. The retiree was the second customer at the store to win division-one in the past three months. “I’m still in shock,” the man said. “We can’t do much to celebrate at the moment, but I still celebrated by myself. “It’s incredible news.” 18 Lucky Lotto owner Michelle Nguyen said she was glad to see a “local” win. “We’re certainly on a winning streak and we hope this continues for our customers!”
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Scenes of Covid solitude Greater Dandenong’s shopping districts have rarely been eerier during the day than after the stage-4 Covid lockdown struck on 3 August. Photographers STEWART CHAMBERS and GARY SISSONS strolled the ghost-town footpaths and thoroughfares to record a city gone silent. With Melbourne’s Covid infections reaching a daily peak of 725, the city’s retailers - with some exemptions - were ordered to close. Meanwhile shoppers were required to stay within five kilometres of their homes, only venturing out for one hour’s exercise and essential goods. The shutdown period was set for six weeks.
No traffic to wait for while crossing Buckley Street, Noble Park 212746 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
A lone stage-4 shopper walks the empty footpath in a normally bustling Springvale Road, Springvale. 212746
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Springvale Road in Springvale’s CBD is desolate at mid-Friday morning. 212746 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Food outlets closed late-morning in Douglas Street Noble Park. 212746 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Plenty of free spaces during a free parking trial in Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. 212652 Picture: GARY SISSONS
Lunchtime on Lonsdale Street. 212652 Picture: GARY SISSONS
A row of closures in Douglas Street, Noble Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Park. 212746
Shutters down in Autumn Place, Doveton. 212746 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
A hopeful sign in Autumn Place, Doveton. 212746 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Traffic lights turn green at an empty corner of Walker and Lonsdale Picture: GARY SISSONS streets Dandenong. 212652 14 STAR JOURNAL
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Tuesday, 11 August, 2020
The centre of Dandenong’s CBD with Dandenong Civic Centre and the Government Services buildings. 212652 Picture: GARY SISSONS dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Business under pressure By Danielle Kutchel It’s been a busy week for manufacturers across Victoria with the announcement of the stage four lockdown restrictions. Although the full impact of the new restrictions is not yet clear, Vonda Fenwick, chief executive officer of SEMMA, the South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance, said many of their members would feel the squeeze. Prior to the introduction of stage four, some manufacturers were just holding on. SEMMA ran surveys of its members at the beginning of the Covid restrictions in March and again in May to determine the impacts of restrictions on manufacturers - and the results, Ms Fenwick said, were sobering. By the end of May, 75 percent were reporting revenue loss, with about half having put staff off, made them redundant, put them on reduced hours or stood them down. This was a dramatic increase from the 49 percent reporting revenue loss in March. “Only about 20 percent of our manufacturers are doing well or better than they were before Covid broke out, and 80 percent have dropped,” Ms Fenwick said. She believes JobKeeper helped save many of these businesses, allowing them to keep their staff. Sixty percent of surveyed manufacturers had taken advantage of JobKeeper. SEMMA lobbied hard to have JobKeeper extended beyond September and was “very pleased” when the scheme was retained. Many of its members are SMEs with staff numbers so small they feel more like families, she said. There tends to be a low turnover rate within the industry too, helping to strengthen bonds between employers and employees and making it harder for bosses to make the call about whether to stand employees down. Then there are the implications for skills, with those being stood down not easily replaceable. “The businesses don’t just lose people they really care about, they lose that capability and those skills, which really hits them hard as well and makes the job of restarting wen business picks up all the more difficult,” she said. Ms Fenwick said SEMMA was concerned about the impact of stage four restrictions on manufacturers who had already been hit hard over the past six months. “This might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” she said. “However, in saying that, manufacturers and people who run their own businesses are incredibly resilient and I know some who’ve said to me ‘even if I have to shut down, once things improve I think I would try and start up the business again’.” Other manufacturers have indicated that while their business will shrink, they will be able to keep operating at a lower capacity and open up as things improve. As the prospect of stage four loomed, Ms Fenwick said SEMMA lobbied politicians across all sides to keep manufacturing open - to maintain people’s connection to employment, to maintain skill levels within the industry and to keep other connected industries functioning. “We said it would be devastating if manufacturing were to close,” she said. Initial lists of permitted businesses put out by the government caused some confusion amongst members, she added, particularly given many manufacturers produce products for multiple difference industries - some that were clearly to remain open, but others that may not. “If you do five percent defence work and the other 95 percent is making brackets for kitchen furniture, how do you then determine whether you should stay open, whether five percent of your workforce stays there? There wasn’t a lot of clarity,” she said. “I must admit, I felt physically sick I realised they were looking at closing manufacturing, thinking we could lose some of our smaller, quieter manufacturers.” Meanwhile, getting through to Business Victoria on the phone was virtually impossible as hundreds of others found themselves in the same boat. Information provided to the industry on Wednesday night was clearer, Ms Fenwick said. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
“We all recognise how absolutely awful this crisis is - I don’t envy the politicians at all, I wouldn’t want to be in Dan Andrews’ shoes having to make the calls he’s making - but I think this could’ve been rolled out to provide information up front that would have helped to overcome a lot of the distress and a lot of the confusion. “I think the government should have allowed themselves more time, and they should have allowed more time for manufacturers to understand exactly what the rules were and what they needed to do.” A further survey is planned for the next couple of weeks to assess the impact of stage four and to follow up on May’s results.
Vonda Fenwick, CEO of SEMMA, said stage four may be the end for some manufacturers.
OFFICIAL MEDICAL ADVICE
Don’t risk it. Always follow the health advice.
It’s up to all of us to keep each other safe. You must continue to practise good hygiene, physical distancing, and if you’re even slightly unwell, get tested and stay at home. Don’t risk it. The sooner we all do it, the sooner we’ll get through it. Have the App Visit australia.gov.au
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NAB League called off By Nick Creely In a major blow to the next crop of AFL and AFLW draftees in Victoria, the premier under-18 competition, the NAB League, has been cancelled for season 2020. It was hoped that the Country conference - with the exception of the Dandenong Stingrays - would get a start on 22 August, and the Metro conference would potentially get some games in later in the season, however with the Victoria government’s declaration of a State of Disaster last week and with restrictions going to stage four in metropolitan Melbourne and stage three in regional areas, the decision was confirmed by the AFL last Tuesday to scrap the season. At this stage, the AFL is hoping to run some representative matches between Vic Metro and Vic Country squads later in the year - if restrictions are eased as Melbourne continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic. The AFL’s head of talent and state league competitions, Tristan Salter, told AFL.com.au that, while the news was of great disappointment, it was the only option for the AFL with the current restrictions. “All levels of the game across Victoria have been impacted by the health pandemic this year and under the new restrictions, any form of training and competition for both metropolitan and regional players and clubs is prohibited,” he said. “We acknowledge this is extremely disappointing news for the players, coaches, officials, volunteers and fans of the NAB League competition and we commend every NAB League region that has worked tirelessly to find a way through. “Every step of the way, our focus has been on the safety of players, coaches, volunteers, officials and our communities. Following the updated restrictions announced by the Victorian State Government, it provided too great a challenge for all involved.” The AFL has also confirmed it will allow more players who are in their draft year to return to the NAB League next year if they are not drafted by an AFL club in 2020, in what is already going to be a new-look draft model. With the NAB League girls season manag-
The Dandenong Stingrays won’t take to the field this season. 195934 ing to get three matches in March before the season was brought to a standstill, a team of the year will be awarded but there will be no premiership awarded in 2020. Salter said that the AFL remains committed to supporting the players ahead of the AFLW and AFL drafts later this year, and praised ev-
eryone in the NAB League community for their efforts in trying to get a season up and running. “Throughout this pandemic, the NAB League community has shown great resilience and perseverance and we admire and appreciate the continued positivity during a difficult year for our community. I am not alone in
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS appreciating the challenges players, staff and their families are facing,” he said. “We maintain our commitment to all players that we will continue to explore arrangements to assist them with their talent profile ahead of the NAB AFLW and NAB AFL Drafts later this year.”
It’s an exciting new era for the Lions By Nick Creely “It’s massive to see what has happened for women in sport, and over a small window of time when you think about it.” For newly-appointed Narre South Cricket Club women’s competition coordinator Gina Smith, the growth of female cricket has been nothing short of remarkable. But she always wants to do more to help grow the game, bring more women into the sport, and open up the opportunities that they can ultimately present. Narre South, one of the rising powerhouses of the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA), will be fielding its first ever senior women’s team in the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Competition this season as the club continues to be a major driver of female cricket in the south-east region. It has appointed Smith to the vitally important role of putting together the club’s program, with the season hopefully only a matter of months away. Since becoming involved in the region’s cricket a number of years ago, Smith’s impact has been substantial - she has helped coordinate other clubs’ girls programs, including Silverton’s, and has been a major voice in bringing more females into cricket. She said that over that time, the growth of the game in the south-east has been an incredible achievement - with the DDCA first introducing its Juniors Girls Competition in 2018/19 to great success. “Narre South has been a bit of a home for me for some years - I started there about five, six years ago as a casual employee for Cricket Victoria, and the next thing we know we were trialing a girls program in the area,” she said. 18 STAR JOURNAL
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Tuesday, 11 August, 2020
“We attempted, in that time, to get a girls competition going, but it ended up being a glorified cricket clinic if you like. “But even in that clinic we were able to get a rep team together, (and) still able to play a stars T20 inaugural cup, so we were able to do things you probably shouldn’t be able to do, just because people were excited to see girls play in the area. “The following year after that we tried again, and I had moved into a full-time position with Cricket Vic, and there was no competition for the girls again to play in, there was only a competition in the West Gippy league. “So a couple of clubs here put teams in the West Gippy competition, and the same girls playing are still playing now, and now they’re doing amazing stuff. “We’ve been able to get a competition in the DDCA now (and) being involved in that comp the last couple of years has been amazing.” With preparations well and truly underway for the Lions’ senior women’s side - a club she praised for its work in promoting women’s cricket - Smith said that there has never been a better time to get involved and try something new. “We’ve only had a DDCA girls competition for two years, and Narre South have been involved since the very beginning - they’ve been the home for the Cricket Victoria girls clinic,” she said. “I’ve taken people to Cricket Blast equivalent all the way up, so to watch these now women who were there, and to have this pathway, that’s what is exciting. “One, for somewhere where these women
can play, and two, for what it says about starting again post-Covid. “That’s a massive thing this year, and part of the reason why I wanted to be involved the world’s been tipped upside down, women and everybody have a lot more time, and now is the time to try something new. “Now is the time to focus on yourself a little bit - this has come at a time in which a lot of people have had time to reflect, and think about what they can change post-Covid. “It could be fitness, or they want the physical activity, but for me, it’s a wellbeing - this is no longer a boys club, this is somewhere where we can all be involved and have plenty of opportunities. “We’re changing mindsets, and giving people a place to be a little bit different times are changing, and it’s going to change again, post-Covid is a new beginning.” The competition - which has many different grades depending on geographical location - has also seen local clubs Officer and Parkfield enter teams in recent years, and is played with Twenty20s and one-day matches on Sundays across the season. Despite some uncertainty surrounding just when the season will get started due to Covid-19 in metropolitan Melbourne, Smith said there has already been significant interest in the Narre South side. “I know a bit about the competition, and I’ve spoken to many young women through CV who I’ve met and have been part of that competition,” she said. “Firstly, it’s about recruitment, finding a team, and we’ve already got a good list of players - but everything is sitting on Covid right now, let’s hope this all kicks off, and
Gina Smith has jumped on board to put together the Narre South women’s side. Picture: SUPPLIED hope the season goes ahead.” For more information on how to get involved in the Narre South women’s side, contact Gina Smith on 0420 391 803 or womenscricket@narresouthcc.com.au dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
SPORT
Until our sport returns By sports editor Russell Bennett It’s no secret that sport is such an integral part of the Australian way of life. So what happens when Australians can no longer go and take part in it, or ride the peaks and troughs of their teams’ fortunes as diehard fans? Community sport has been put on hold for now as Victoria continues its battle with the Covid-19 pandemic. Local clubs - so often the lifeblood or epicentre of small towns, whole communities, or even booming suburbs - have gone quiet for the time being. And with that comes a sense of the unknown, so what next for generations of people who spend so many hours a week either playing or following their community sport? Matt Runnalls is a multiple premiershipwinning midfielder from his time at a number of footy clubs in the south-east. His is a story that’s far from uncommon. In fact, it comes from a situation that’s so eerily similar to that faced by thousands of people across Australia. But yet it’s one so often left alone - left unspoken under the guise of a 20-something-year-old’s perceived cloak of invincibility, or the fear or awkwardness of opening up. Since he was 17, he’s battled severe anxiety and depression, which led to several suicide attempts. He’s also lost 10 close mates who were facing their own mental health battles and couldn’t find a way through the darkness. So he refuses to shy away from his battle. He embraces it and hits people right between the eyes with his cold, hard, truth. It even led to him starting his own foundation, now a non-profit registered mental health charity, Mindfull Aus in early 2016. The purpose of Mindfull Aus is to encourage those to come out of the surrounding shadows of stigma via self-acceptance, greater education, and a greater understanding of mental health issues. Runnalls has been recognised as an ABC Heywire Trailblazer (regional, rural, or remote Australians aged 18 to 28 with a commitment to improving regional Australia) and has some heartfelt advice for those struggling without their sense of community or belonging at such a challenging time. “Sport is huge, and there are a lot of people right now aching because of losing that,” he said. “When we miss out on doing the things that we truly love - whether we’re going through the Covid pandemic, or dealing with a seasonending injury - it’s often when we see a lot of people go through unbearable amounts of emotional pain. “It’s really important we come up with tools, techniques, and strategies within our arsenal that enable us to get through those difficult times and to help us realise we’re supported during those times.” Runnalls said human beings are wired for love, belonging, connection, and a sense of contribution - and community sports provide all of those. “For a lot of blokes, their footy club is where they feel love, belonging, and connection,” he said. “As we see a lot of footballers explain, it’s a place where we get to escape for a few hours on a Saturday and the only thing that matters is that leather Sherrin. “Unfortunately when we don’t have that ball to chase around right now, that’s when our
Matt Runnalls has some poignant advice for those doing it tough without sport as an outlet during the Covid-19 pandemic. heads start to wander.” Runnalls said sport is a form of expression - almost an art form - for many young people who associate it with a sense of identity. “You know there’s comfort there, and you know you’re going to get a laugh or a smile when you’re with other people,” he said. “We’re lacking that at the minute - we’re lacking laughter, we’re lacking smiles, we’re lacking that human, face-to-face interaction that provides people the ability to feel a sense of belonging and connectedness.” But, at least for now, there’s a new kind of normal to adjust to. “With physical isolation and what we’re experiencing right now in not being able to go to training and not being around people, we start to get into some really bad and negative habits of sitting inside, not exercising or doing the things to keep our bodies flowing and moving,” he said, adding that staying physically active as much as possible - while responsibly distancing from others during the pandemic - is key. “The ability to move creates endorphins and releases them throughout our systems, which releases happy chemicals that make us feel alive. “That’s why the physical correlation to mental health is so important for everyone. “Community football and netball clubs, sporting clubs, are so huge because that’s the therapy for a lot of people - that’s where they go to get their help and support. It’s where they go to feel a sense of mateship. It’s where they go to contribute and feel a sense of meaning in their lives. This is where they get those pats on the back, the gratification of being seen, heard, felt, and understood. “It’s not just a game - it’s far more than that and we’re seeing that right now with how many
people are hurting and just wanting to go back and do the things they love. What I really hope is that people don’t take this time for granted that we use this opportunity to recognise just how important these things are to our lives, and while we can be a part of them, it’s best that we are.” Knowing the positive impacts of exercise, and socialising - albeit through non-traditional means - Runnalls said it’s imperative they’re maintained over the coming weeks of the Covid-19 battle. “We know the impacts of exercise and we know the impacts of socialising with our mates, and it’s just about trying to keep them in tact in some way and keep that routine and structure that we have and do throughout a football season, so let’s not fall back into bad habits,” he said. “Let’s lace up the runners, let’s go for a run keeping our distance. There are different ways and means of keeping the body moving, and there are also ways we can build our emotional six-pack, and I think that’s really important. “The same way we go to the gym to look good and build muscle definition is the same way we need to build emotionally for our minds. “It’s things like practicing gratitude and putting life into perspective - what we’re going through is incredibly tough, it is, but things could be a lot worse, and we’ve still got a lot of beautiful things around us that a lot of people go without. “It’s about putting life back into perspective and practicing gratitude every day, and there are plenty of means and ways to do that.” Runnalls also spoke about the significance of mindfulness in such a challenging period. “There are so many thoughts racing through people’s heads at the moment because, for the first time in a lot of people’s lives, they’ve had
Runnalls has teamed up with former Carlton 145-gamer Dennis Armfield (left) in the wellness space. to slow down,” he said. “This is a really good opportunity to go back and practice stillness and slow those thoughts down. “It’s important to acknowledge the thoughts we’re having before they get too much. We don’t want to supress them - we want to acknowledge they’re there. Often they’re action signals that something needs to change, something needs to give, or we need to remove something.” Now, more than ever, proper nutrition, rest, and exercise are key. “It’s pretty easy, while we’re at home at the moment, to sit there and binge and do the things we wouldn’t normally do,” Runnalls said. “What’s happening is horrific, challenging, and bizarre but in many ways we have to look at it like it won’t happen again, so while we’re here let’s make the most of it - let’s make the most of the opportunity of having a bit more time on our hands to pick up the phone, or go online to reach out to people who might be struggling. “Let’s not be set on waiting for people to reach out to us, either. We see that message all the time - ‘I’m always here and my door is always open’. “But sometimes people don’t need to just hear that or read it - what they need to do is experience it. We need to start reaching out as people who care, and not expect people who are struggling to scream it from the rafters because it often won’t happen.” Those seeking help should contact: Lifeline on 13 11 14 or by visiting www.lifeline.org.au; Beyond Blue at 1300 22 46 36 or beyondblue. org.au; Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or www.kidshelpline.com.au; or MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78.
Mepunga Daniel upstages sprint stars at Sandown By Mick Floyd Mepunga Daniel caused one of the upsets of the year at Sandown Park last Thursday night, defeating Simon Told Helen and Shima Shine in their heat of the Victorian National Sprint Championship. Simon Told Helen ($1.80) and Shima Shine ($2.30) dominated the market and both began cleanly before finding each other through the first turn. Mepunga Daniel swept dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
around the pair as they engaged in a bumping dual, and by the time the field had settled entering the back straight he found himself two lengths clear. Simon Told Helen challenged off the back straight but couldn’t close the gap, with Mepunga Daniel powering to the line to win by three lengths. Shima Shine overcome a chequered run to finish third, with Aston Turbine also progressing to the final.
Christo Bale continued his emergence as one of the country’s strongest sprinters with a last-stride victory in the second heat. He began cleanly but was beaten for early speed behind Lots Of Chatter and Yindi Girl Turbo to lead the field through the first turn. Christo Bale started his move down the back, sweeping past Yindo Girl Turbo, which refused to relent and retook second place behind Lots of Chatter coming off the back straight.
The pair switched out from behind the tiring Lots Of Chatter and powered home, with Christo Bale proving too strong to score by less than a length. Despite being beaten in his heat, Simon Told Helen opened as the $2.20 favourite for the $17,250 Victorian National Sprint final, which will be run on Thursday. Later in the night, track record-holder Here’s Tears claimed the Distance title in a powerful staying performance. Tuesday, 11 August, 2020
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STAR JOURNAL 19