DANDENONG
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 7 May, 2024
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Pathway to big dreams Red Roo Basketball teammates Quich Gatwech and Thomas Duach have signed a deal that will - as the sign says - ‘expand their pathways’. Last week, they signed letters-ofintent to join Baltimore City Community College in the US on full scholarships. The teenagers’ dream deal comes on the back of prodigious talent and years of grit and hard work. More on the story, turn to page 8
Picture: GARY SISSONS
Toilets off limits By Sahar Foladi Greater Dandenong Council is said to be facing a bill possibly worth millions to fix substandard disability access at its community and sports buildings. A motion to better support the wheelchair and disability community in City of Greater Dandenong was passed at a council meeting on Monday 22 April. Councillor Rhonda Garad successfully moved for a comprehensive audit and action plan to solve what seems like a widespread
disabled-toilet accessibility issue. “When we don’t provide adequate facilities for people with disability we impact the quality of their lives in many ways. “They can no longer be independent, they cannot participate in public events or outings and this can have a very big impact on their mental health. “As a parent with a child with disability, I know how incredibly difficult it is when we go out and there’s not an adequate facility it creates enormous tension and anxiety.”
As part of the motion, Council formally acknowledged the deficiencies and recognised its impact on the dignity, independence and participation of individuals impacted. The motion was widely supported and welcomed by councillors. It was said to have been due to the persistence of the long term serving councillor and several time mayor of City of Greater Dandenong Roz Blades, also a Living Treasurer. “It’s an acknowledgement that people in wheelchair and disabled people have the rights to the same facilities as the rest of us,”
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Ms Blades said. “When you go somewhere you’d expect there to be a toilet for them to use and there isn’t one there.” As president of the Noble Park Community Centre (NPCC), Ms Blades contacted the council about the lack of a disability toilet facility at NPCC’s building 2, only to find out it’s a bigger issue. “We thought we had a disabled toilet facility at the Noble Park Community Centre building 2 until last August. Continued page 4