Dandenong Star Journal - 17th February 2026

Shades of joy

Jollee and Bella stayed cool under parasols while crowds basked at a glorious Springvale Lunar New Year Festival on Sunday 15 January.

Buckingham Avenue heaved with a showcase of entertainers, foods, stalls and fireworks to bring in the Year of the Horse. More pictures, turn to page 14

Highrise tension

Springvale and Noble Park CBDs will be home to 16-storey and 12-storey high-rise apartments respectively, under new draft height limits unveiled by the State Government.

Meanwhile, new eight-storey areas have been unveiled on the fringes of Dandenong’s CBD as part of the proposed train-and-tram activity centres.

Up to four storeys could be coming to lowlying neighbourhoods in Springvale, Noble Park and Dandenong.

Subject to public consultation, most of Springvale CBD will be allowed up to 12 storeys.

In central Noble Park, up to six storeys will be allowed across the board – a dramatic escalation from City of Greater Dandenong’s 2023 structure plan.

The 12-storey sites would be three times taller than Noble Park’s tallest residences – the fourstorey flats near Copas Park – which “should be as

high as we go”, Greater Dandenong resident Gaye Guest says.

“There’s two opinions on this – you’re either with this idea that we have to live like in the inner city, or you’re against it.”

Traffic is already congested, without adding more cars and residents, she says.

Eligible buildings in the Springvale, Noble ParkandDandenong“coreareas”willbe‘deemed to comply’ with planning rules and be exempt

from VCAT review, meaning residents will have less say.

The housing densification is part of the Government’s vision for 300,000-plus new homes across Melbourne by 2051.

“We want more Victorians to have the opportunity to live close to public transport, their loved ones, and the things that matter to them,” Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said.

More on the story, turn to page 3

Passion for the traditional

By Sahar Foladi

Khelaiya Production was born out of sheer love and passion for classical music and the theatre.

Awarded for its outstanding contribution to the arts at the City of Greater Dandenong Australia Day ceremony, the community group has run for eight years and with 125 volunteers who all work together out of devotion for their work.

Khelaiya has proven successful sharing high-quality theatre, musical productions to celebrate culture, storytelling and community connection.

“I felt so good, but honestly, you should’ve seen my team and their excitement,” Harsiddhi Mody says.

“That’s their award, nobody gets out money from this.

“To be recognised, it was very humbling because everyone pitches in as a community. People do so much community work out there, and to be recognised is very humbling.”

The production team is made up of locals from Greater Dandenong and the south east. They occasionally hire spaces in Greater Dandenong to practise performances before their on-stage performance at the Drum Theatre.

and others from all walks of lives about the vast ethnicities, diversity, colours, traditions, culture, literature, art that makes up the great country.

Consisting of 28 states and eight union territories governed by the government, India is considered the most ethnically diverse country in the world, with more than 2000 diverse ethnic groups.

So much diversity in each 28 states can also be an issue so Ms Mody intended to educate the audience about each of them through her community theatre.

“All the states and provinces have their own customs and traditions. I wanted to ensure each state or province is shown, that the music and story can be narrated to people.

“Even though we are all Indian we are bound by our own state and region, and we don’t know as much as we should know about each other.

“They come and complain if they miss out on production roles, they wait for the next round.

“We are very blessed everybody wants to be part of this.”

The platform allows emerging young and se-

Not everyone can be given a role to play all the time, but great consideration is given to the role of the character and the person best suited, Ms Mody says.

nior artists, performers, technical workers and other production workers to gather experiences.

Working for a production company as a prompter and assistance, Ms Mody always dreamt of her own production team.

The Indian national migrated to Australia 30 years ago, keen to showcase, educate Indians

Noble Park backs bushfire recovery

Noble Park Community Centre raised precious funds to support those impacted by devastating bushfires in Victoria this summer.

At a morning tea on Tuesday 10 February, more than 50 people brought a plate, while businesses supplied platters, cakes and macarons. In the end, more than $720 was raised.

Noble Park CFA brigade volunteers also dropped by to the garden party, having recently spent several weeks on a tanker fighting fierce fires at Longwood and the Otways.

In the Longwood fire in northern Victoria, at least 173 homes were destroyed as well as 17 residences in the Otways. More than 500 structures have been incinerated.

Greater Dandenong mayor Sophie Tan and South-Eastern Metropolitan MPs Ann-Marie Hermans and Lee Tarlamis also supported the event.

NPCC president Roz Blades said the centre wanted to do something to help the bushfire

recovery effort, as well as to assist the Noble Park CFA down the track.

“We want to say thank you to Noble Park brigade. They and their trucks were used to

volunteer across the state – and we want to show our appreciation.”

The NPCC is a social hub for about 1000 people a week, covering a multitude of activities such as gardening, cooking, languages and arts.

It also hosts a free food pantry at 12pm Fridays to help those in need. There is a “never-ending” queue of hungry mouths to feed, with the vanloads of fruit, veg and non-perishables gone within 25 minutes.

Ms Blades says the NPCC is always on the lookout for sponsors and donations to help support the pantry.

She donates goods, which she finds on ‘special’ while supermarket shopping.

“None of it goes to waste. All that comes in, goes out.”

Donations to the food pantry can be made during business hours 9.30am-3pm Monday-Friday at the NPCC.

“I made sure the literature, custom and music shines through for all states.”

Their live performance are presented in Hindi, Urdu and English.

The production team has produced three short films as well.

Great company, fondness and dedication to art and delicious food is all that is needed to keep the production team glued together.

New homes fast-tracked

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Residents’ right to have a say in proposed high-rises in Springvale and Noble Park may becurtailed,aspartofthenewtrain-and-tram activity zones.

In these ‘core’ areas, a Built Form Overlay maybeapplied–meaningbuildingsthatmeet theheightanddesignruleswillbe“deemedto comply”.

The “streamlined” process is designed to encourage faster approvals, more certainty and investment and reduced costs.

According to the state department’s website, Greater Dandenong Council would remain the responsible authority to “ensure the design is of a high standard and will not unnecessarily affect neighbouring properties”

However, third-party notification and review rights – such as appeals to VCAT - will be unlikely. Keysborough resident Gaye Guest says already neighbours seem to have less say in what’s popping up in back yards, even if the new structures “dwarf the neighbourhood”.

She cites a second dwelling on former farmland in Keysborough that looks like a demountable ‘space module’.

According to Greater Dandenong Council, the building classified as a “small second dwelling” does not require a planning permit. Under new State Government regulations, no planning permit is needed for small second dwellings on land larger than 300 square metres.

Meanwhile a garage under construction in Noble Park towers over nearby homes, with residents “aghast at its three-storey size and commercial appearance”, Ms Guest says.

Again,itdoesn’trequireaplanningpermit, being part of an existing home in the General Residential Zone 1 and on a lot greater than 300 square metres.

The proposal is instead assessed by a private building surveyor who may issue a building permit if it complies with building regulations.

“In these circumstances, Council does not have a formal role in the assessment unless a planning permit is required or a compliance matter arises,” the council says.

16-storey skyscrapers

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Apartment buildings up to 16 storeys could soar above central Springvale and up to 12 storeys in Noble Park, under draft maps released by the State Government.

Eligible buildings in these “core areas” will be ‘deemed to comply’ with planning rules and be exempt from VCAT review, meaning residents will have less say.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny released the proposed heights and boundaries for 23 train and tram zone activity centres across Melbourne, including near Dandenong, Yarraman, Noble Park and Springvale railway stations.

The aim is to boost housing density around transport hubs, as part of the Governmnent’s vision for 300,000-plus new homes by 2051.

“We want more Victorians to have the opportunity to live close to public transport, their loved ones, and the things that matter to them,” Kilkenny said.

In Noble Park’s CBD, height limits are lifted to at least six storeys.

This is a dramatic escalation of Greater Dandenong’s structure plan in 2023, which set maximum six-storey heights only at several specific ‘landmark’ sites.

The State Government’s proposed height limits in Noble Park include:

12-storeys: Noble Manor site (bounded by Frank, Noble and Buckley streets) and the Coles Noble Park ‘gateway’ area.

10-storeys: Noble Park RSL, as well as three landmark sites near Copas Park (off Buckley and Noble streets and Leonard Avenue)

8-storeys: Douglas Street shopfronts

6-storeys: Noble Park Public Hall and Paddy O’Donoghue Centre.

Meanwhile, Springvale CBD height limits are set to rise to a nearly uniform 12-storeys – up from a mixture of eight, 10 and 12-storey sites.

Two sites will have 16-storey limits – an area between Newcomen Road, Springvale Road and the railway line, and another bounded by Balmoral, St Johns and Buckingham avenues.

Other areas such as near Yarraman stations have been classified as ‘catchments’, with gentler height limits for low-rise apartments and townhouses.

Heritage and landscape overlays will stay in place in ‘catchments’, according to the Government.

Neighbours in these areas will still have a say to know and have a say on new developments.

Inner catchments, representing up to a five-minute walk from the station or centre, propose limits of four storeys – or six storeys on larger blocks of more than 1,000 square metres. They include neighbourhoods on the fringe of Springvale, Noble Park and Dandenong’s CBD. Outer catchments, representing up to a

CBD’s height limits could soar up to 16 storeys, as seen in the draft map released by the State Government.

ten-minute walk from the station or centre, propose limits of three storeys – or four storeys on larger blocks of more than 1,000 square metres. Neighbourhoods near Yarraman station as well as near the rail corridor between Noble Park and Yarraman are classified as outer catchments.

In Dandenong, most of the change is happening just outside the CBD.

Some of the new eight-storey areas include areas near the new underpass as part of Webster Street level crossing removal project, Robinson Street, Hutton and Pickett streets and the Dandenong Pavilion area between Hemmings Park and Close Avenue.

Some of Dandenong’s oldest neighbourhoods will be ‘inner catchments’ of four storeys - or six

storeys on larger blocks.

They include streets around Dandenong Primary School between Foster and Power streets, including parts of Macpherson, McCrae and Pultney streets.

Other areas near Dandenong Market, Dandenong High School, Hemmings Street and Hemmings Park are also included.

Dandenong’s three-storey ‘outer catchments’ include areas around Webster Street, Jones Road and Dandenong North Primary School.

The draft maps are subject to community consultation across February and March.

To see the maps go to engage.vic.gov.au/project/activity-centres-program-stage-two/page/ springvale-dandenong

Residents reel as government scales up suburbs

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Several years ago, Keysborough resident Gaye Guest fought against a City of Greater Dandenong plan for building heights of up to eight storeys in certain landmark sites in Noble Park.

The landmark heights were revised down to a maximum of six storeys, and the village feel was said to be preserved.

This week, she’s rocked by State Government draft plans to up the ante – allowing for 12-storey apartment towers in the suburb.

These would be three times taller than the CBD’s tallest residences - the four-storey flats near Copas Park – which “should be as high as we go”, Ms Guest says.

“I stand in Docklands, and look up and think this is what is coming to a suburb near us.

“There’s two opinions on this – you’re either with this idea that we have to live like in the inner city, or you’re against it.”

Traffic is already congested, without adding more cars and residents, she says.

“The experts don’t know what our daily life is like. We’re not on a waterway or a major highway. We’ve always been seen as a village because we have strip-shopping.”

Ms Guest is skeptical on the ‘sky rail’, which now has set a new bar for tall buildings such as six-storey apartments at 51A Douglas Street.

“Everyone says you can build it as Sky Rail. Even the train line will now be dwarfed by buildings up to 12 storeys.”

She says the State-funded Noble Park revital-

ization project was “badged as a gift”, but had “set us up”.

“In the Government’s opinion, now we’ve got the infrastructure for 12 storeys.”

She worries about the fate of historic buildings such as the circa-1920 James building, which doesn’t have heritage protection and is earmarked for up to six storeys.

The historic Noble Park Public Hall, which is owned by the hall’s trust, has a heritage overlay but is also in the six-storey area.

“The hall’s land can’t be mortgaged, sold or leased. We won’t be letting it be built up.”

On social media, residents expressed shock at the 16-storey skyscraper heights proposed for Springvale.

It is an escalation of Greater Dandenong

Council’s 2017 structure plan, which details eight, 10 and 12 storeys on certain sites. However, no apartments have since come close to those heights.

Springvale real estate agent Vincent Golf says it’s only a matter of time that high rises soar above.

“So far everything has gone to Box Hill. Once that is built out, then those developers will filter out to Springvale.

“I don’t see any high rise on foot now but I think within five years, we’ll see something special in Springvale.”

Apartment living was “definitely” attractive, noting that the flats adjoining No.8 Balmoral Avenue car park were sold “very quickly”.

“If you build it, they will come.”

Greater Dandenong Council only received the draft maps of the height limits this week when they were publicly launched.

City futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam said the council “may consider making a submission in the best interests of our community”.

Ever alert on planning issues, Ms Guest signed up to be on the community reference group for stage-1 consultation late last year.

However, many residents didn’t seem to know about the changes until letterboxed in recent weeks.

According to a stage-1 consultation report, respondents wanted parks and open space, as well as space between buildings and travel improvements.

In Noble Park, people stated that roads were

already congested and parking was in short supply.

In Springvale, there were concerns for pedestrian safety and car congestion. More train station parking was requested.

Coming up over the next month will be stage-2 consultation as the State Government firms up details such as height limits and zone boundaries. Residents may register for the community reference group, attend information sessions and complete online surveys.

An online information session is on Thursday 26 February 6.30pm-7.30pm.

Drop-in sessions are at:

- St James’ Anglican Church Dandenong, Tuesday 10 March 3pm-6pm

- The Crescent Centre Hall, Springvale on Saturday 21 March 10am-1pm

Consultation closes on Sunday 22 March.

Details: engage.vic.gov.au/activity-centres-program-stage-two

Social-housing units up

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Works have begun on 70 new social-housing apartments for low-income tenants in Dandenong’s CBD.

Housing and Building Minister Harriet Shing turned the first sod on the $39 million project at the corner of Abbott and George streets on Monday 9 February.

“This investment isn’t just bricks and mortar,” Ms Shing said.

“It’s providing opportunity and a future through homes that are walking distance from transport, job opportunities, and services – in the places where Victorians want to live.”

The building will contain 40 one-bedroom and 30 two-bedroom apartments for people on the Victorian Housing Register, which focuses on people on very low incomes.

According to a state planning approval document in June, there will be only 31 on-site car parking spaces – a shortfall of 53 parking spaces.

Greater Dandenong Council had objected to the shortfall, especially given the number of two-bedroom apartments.

However the Department of Transport and Planning deemed lower car parking rates were acceptable for social housing.

A parking reduction would also promote walking, cycling and public transport, especially being within Dandenong CBD and with the provision of 43 bike spaces, the department stated.

The former bus depot site is within a largely undeveloped edge of the Revitalising Central Dandenong precinct.

It is near The Salvation Army Community Hub and offices, and within walking distance of amenities like Dandenong Market and Dandenong railway station.

According to planning documents, the 11-storey building is rated 4-star Greenstar for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, meaning power bill savings for residents.

It includes a 157-square-metre landscaped communal area with 22 canopy trees.

At least seven of the homes will be allocated to First Nations residents.

The development is a partnership between community housing provider Launch Housing and Homes Victoria.

Construction is also expected to start on another 89 social housing homes in Dandenong in late 2026, as part of the same partnership.

Launch Housing chief executive Sherri Bruinhout said affordable homes were the “foundation for safety, stability, community and hope”.

“Housing changes lives.”

According to the State Government, it has invested more than $170 million in Big Housing Build funds on 359 new social and affordable homes in Greater Dandenong. So far, 99 have been completed.

Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said “we’re seeing real outcomes on the ground in Dandenong”.

“More homes built, more people housed and more people getting the stability they need to thrive.”

Oasis found in feedback

The name Oasis should endure at Greater Dandenong’s newest aquatic centre, according to resident feedback.

The Dandenong Wellbeing Centre has been the working title for the $122 million pool and health facility in Mills Reserve, which will replace the 50-year-old Dandenong Oasis.

Greater Dandenong Council officers have recommended two possible names for the new centre - Oasis Pools and Wellbeing, or Oasis Aquatics and Wellbeing.

Other variants such as Oasis+ and Oasis 2.0 got public support, but non-alphabetical characters don’t comply with naming rules, the officers stated.

During public consultation, there was “overwhelming” support across all ages and community groups for the moniker Oasis as an option that’s easy to remember, say and spell.

“Oasis has been a very successful name for a treasured community facility,” the council officers’ report stated.

“The word Oasis is regarded as a strong signifier of the experience to be had within the centre.

“We heard that the tradition of this name and its long-standing connection to this place and this community are very important, and not to be lost.”

On 16 February, councillors were set to vote on whether to approve the two variants in-principle.

If approved, the names will go to 30 days of community consultation before Greater Dandenong submits a preferred name for registration at Geographic Names Victoria.

Bunurong Land Council elders were among the groups consulted. They proposed the words Nawunharr and Nawi – which were ultimately “not selected as the first preferred name for the centre”, the council report stated.

Other consulted focus groups included Dandenong Oasis members, New Parents Group, young people from Amplify, council staff and South East Leisure staff.

Council officers reported that it was critical that the facility “supports practical contemporary marketing in a competitive, commercial environment, to contribute to the financial sustainability of the centre”.

“A thoughtfully chosen name will also reinforce the centre’s identity and foster a sense of community pride and ownership among residents.”

The new aquatic centre is expected to open in 2027.

The project includes a 50-metre pool, a 25-metre 10 lane pool, two warm water pools, an integrated hockey pavilion, a new forecourt, landscaping, a car park, spa and sauna.

Solar fire at warehouse

Fire crews were on scene at a solar fire at an in-

South about 2.27pm.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find a small fire in a food distribution warehouse, an FRV spokesperson said.

“The fire involved an inverter and cabling for a solar system. “FRV and CFA crews worked together

with the incident deemed Under Control at 2.42pm.

“However, crews remained on scene for several hours to isolate the solar panels and make sure the scene was safe.”

No prosecutions over death

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A state coroner has found the death of a Koo-weerup man operating a failing forklift in Dandenong South in 2022 was “preventable”, yet there are no prosecutions afoot.

Darren Jeffrey Lamb, a 44-year-old husband and father-of-seven, was fatally crushed by a shipping container as he operated a “faulty or malfunctioning” forklift at Conroy Removals on 17 January 2022.

In her report on the tragedy last month, Coroner Therese McCarthy honed on a gap in workplace regulations for the servicing of forklifts.

She issued a series of recommendations to Standards Australia and WorkSafe.

Lamb had been hired as a high-risk forklift driver at Conroy since March 2021.

CCTV footage showed the forklift’s mast “wavering” as Lamb reversed the Hyundai 130D-7E forklift about 6.07am, Coroner McCarthy stated.

The mast then tilted “significantly backwards”, causing the 3.85 tonne container to fall on the forklift cabin’s roof.

No other worker saw or heard the accident. About half-an-hour later, an employee discovered the shipping container “suspended at an angle” and raised the alarm.

Ambulance Victoria paramedics were unable to reach an unresponsive Lamb for hours, due to the unsafe, precarious position of the container on top of the cabin.

A crane service was hired to remove the container. Paramedics were unable to revive him and pronounced him dead at 10.48am.

WorkSafe investigators found that “the bolts that assist in retaining the mast in the mast mounting hooks” had failed.

The mast attachment’s design was however the main contributing factor to the incident, they found.

Coroner Therese McCarthy ruled that Lamb’s death was a “tragic accident” arising from using a “faulty or malfunctioning forklift”.

The forklift was not routinely inspected for specific mechanical and structural defects as it “ought to have been”. But maintenance measures were “inadequate” and “not outlined” in the relevant Australian Standard, she found.

“Whilst the evidence indicates that Conroy engaged Biondo Forklifts, from whom Conroy Removals had hired the forklift to undertake

the maintenance, it is clear that they were maintaining the forklift to an incomplete or lower standard than was warranted.

“Accordingly, I find that Darren’s death was preventable in the circumstances.”

“If the inspection guidelines are more fulsome in regard to the relevant standards, and the forklifts inspected for these defects, it is

possible that future fatal incidents could be averted,” the coroner stated.

The relevant Australian Standards advise operators to follow the manufacturer’s recommended servicing of forklifts.

In contrast, the Standards set a mandatory inspections regimen for servicing other industrial trucks such as cranes, hoists and winches.

Coroner McCarthy recommended for Standards Australia to establish more detailed inspection requirements and mandatory inspection frequencies for powered industrial trucks, including forklifts.

She also recommended that Victorian workplace safety regulations impose record-keeping of inspections and maintenance on forklifts or industrial trucks.

Victorian WorkCover Authority was recommended to alert workplaces of these additional obligations.

Meanwhile after its own earlier investigation, WorkSafe has decided not to commence a prosecution.

Nor has the Director of Public Prosecutions, following a review of WorkSafe’s decision.

On the coronial report, a WorkSafe spokesperson said it was “considering the Coroner’s recommendations and will respond in due course”.

A Standards Australia spokesperson said it was reviewing the inspections standard, which was the subject of one of the coroner’s recommendation.

“We have asked the relevant Technical Committee experts to consider the evidence in this case and assist Standards Australia with preparing its response to the recommendation.

“We remain committed to working with the Coroner and relevant stakeholders on the findings.”

Standards Australia expressed its “sincere condolences” to Darren Lamb’s family, friends and colleagues.

“This tragic incident has had a profound impact, and our thoughts remain with all those affected.”

Ablett’s MND diagnosis

By Violet Li

Ex two-time Casey Mayor and VFL footballer Geoff Ablett

diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), prompting his family to launch a fundraising campaign to help bring him home from the hospital.

The diagnosis came just before Christmas after months of hospital stays and medical tests, during which doctors struggled to determine the cause of his rapid physical decline.

Mr Ablett said he had spent about 12 months in and out of the hospital over the past 15 months, after initially seeking treatment for hip and back issues.

Symptoms first became clear more than eight months ago while undergoing rehabilitation following a hip replacement, when he failed to regain strength and began losing function in his left leg, according to him.

“It took about 13 or 14 months to diagnose,” he said.

Mr Ablett explained that the condition initially mimicked arthritis and other common ailments before specialised nerve testing confirmed MND.

He also said that the stress surrounding his involvement in the IBAC Operation Sandon investi gation had taken a toll.

“There are several possibilities (of the contributing factor). Chemicals, stress. The IBAC was a lot,” he said.

“I’m still innocent today…There was no evidence. I wanted to put that I was wrongly accused, and I’m very disappointed.”

Mr Ablett served as a City of Casey councillor for approximately 12 years, from 2008 until the then-council cohort was sacked by the State Government in early 2020 due to a anti-corruption investigation.

The investigation by the Victorian Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) later found that he allegedly received significant payments and other financial benefits from property developer John Woodman while promoting the developer’s interests at the council.

Though Mr Ablett received adverse findings in the IBAC report, he was not charged, while exmayor Sam Aziz and Woodman face criminal proceedings.

Mr Ablett is now wheelchair-bound and requires round-the-clock care, including assistance with breathing, mobility and daily tasks such as bathing and dressing.

in the fundraising statement.

“MND does not discriminate and progressively takes away the body’s ability to function. Impacting mobility, speech, and independence.

“Watching someone you love face this illness is heartbreaking, especially a man, my brother, who has always been fit and active and proactive at taking on life.”

According to the fundraising page, the family’s priority is to return Mr Ablett to his own home, where he can be surrounded by loved ones, but urgent modifications are needed before that can happen.

The home is said to require accessibility upgrades, including ramps, bathroom alterations and specialised medical equipment, along with ongoing support from nurses and carers.

While Ablett has been assessed as eligible for aged-care funding, his family say delays in accessing government support have left them facing high out-of-pocket costs at a critical time.

His sister, Janice, said the family is hoping community support will help bridge the gap and allow Ablett to leave the hospital sooner.

“Any donation, no matter how small, would be deeply appreciated. All proceeds will go directly towards supporting Geoff and our family through

Flowing with life and strength

By Ursula Aruma of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation

We can find ourselves sometimes in fear and anx iety for many reasons.

The cause might be the death of a loved one, work stress or ongoing worry about broken rela tionships, or financial burdens.

These disorderly symptoms can interfere with our daily life sometimes causing tantrums during routine activities, with sudden outbursts of uncontrolled anger, characterized by screaming, crying, and, in young adults and children, kicking or throwing items or themselves on the floor.

These can also affect our performance at work.

Always try to focus on regular exercise to reduce these symptoms.

Eating a balanced diet and having a good night’s sleep, deep breathing, and mindfulness meditation.

LOOKING BACK

100 years ago

18 February 1926

GIPPSLAND FIRES

MESSAGE OF

HOPE

One way of doing this is practising one minute mindfulness by sitting in a quiet position and concentrate on your breathing and notice the breath beneath your nostrils and see how this feeling can respond to your feelings of stress and negativity.

Deep breathing can calm you and help manage the stresses.

Try to engage in activities that you like doing.

Do not hold yourself back from enjoying life

On Sunday afternoon, the ringing of the fire bell at Dandenong startled residents, many of whom immediately proceeded to the fire station, where they were informed that serious bushfires were raging in Narre Warren North, Beaconsfield, Harkaway and Narre Warren and that assistance was urgently needed. A number of motor cars, chars-a-banc, lorries etc, were quickly in transit to different locations. The temperature was scorching, and there were fierce gales of wind. Homes and all their contents were rapidly destroyed in the Narre Warren North district. Some sheds and haystacks went, and orchards were badly damaged. The fire swept into Beaconsfield

this incredibly challenging and constantly changing journey,” she said in the statement.

Motor Neurone Disease is a progressive and incurable neurological condition that gradually robs people of their ability to move, speak and breathe.

Mr Ablett was a prominent Australian rules footballer who played 229 games in the Victorian Football League during the 1970s and 1980s, predominantly on the wing for Hawthorn, where he was part of two premiership teams in 1976 and 1978.

He later had brief playing stints with Richmond and St Kilda before retiring from league football.

Mr Ablett was known for his pace and endurance, winning the AFL Grand Final Sprint multiple times during his playing career, and was part of the famous Ablett football family that includes Hall of Fame great Gary Ablett Sr.

After his football career, Mr Ablett served as a councillor and mayor of the City of Casey and ran as a Liberal Party candidate in state elections.

At the time of writing, the fundraising window remains open, with donations close to $14,000 raised.

To help, visit: gofundme.com/f/geoff-ablettdiagnosed-with-mnd-family-want-to-take-himhome

and creating a circle of friends; smile at people in passing by saying “hello” to them and start up a conversation, on your daily walks or in

and miles of fencing and telegraph poles were burnt, and it was only with the greatest difficulty and heroic fighting that dwellings were saved. The fires were the most extensive and serious that have ever occurred in the Dandenong District.

50 years ago

19 February 1976

PETER TO OAKLEIGH

Ex-Collingwood star full forward, Peter McKenna, has signed and will play with Oakleigh in 1976. Dandenong were reported to be trying to gain McKenna’s services. A Redleg spokesman said his executive did discuss Peter McKenna, but had expressed a majority disinterest in the League player. Clearly, the Redleg executive decided that one full forward, in Jim Miller, was quite satisfactory.

20 years ago

20 February 2006

Private-public role knocked on the head

Greater Dandenong councillors have rejected a controversial plan to use the private sector to deliver council services. The eight-to-three vote against the plan came after thousands of ratepayer dollars were spent on researching a Strategic Services Partnership, which is used widely in British local government, Dandenong Chief Executive Officer, Carl Wulff, councillors Kelly, Donovan and Maria Sampey, and corporate services director Ross Hepburn, travelled to the UK, which cost about $30,000. Crs John Kelly, Paul Donovan and Jim Memeti supported the proposal. Cr Sampey said British councils were different to Greater Dandenong and should not be copied. “We’re doing well as we

the supermarket.

Many of these ways will help you to relax.

You can even relax by taking a warm or cold shower, on a hot day, reading a book, or knitting, or taking time to smell the roses in the garden.

Religion or spirituality functions like a bridge between the Divine and the Human – between the ordinary and spiritual realms so that life and strength can flow from the Divine to us.

Whatever the spiritual discipline, it functions like the deep breathing given above: one returns to peace, to serenity, to self respect.

May all beings in all worlds be happy.

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

are. If it’s not broken – why fix it?” Dandenong Residents and Ratepayers Association president Jim Houlahan supported the councillors’ decision saying new councillors had received little information about the plan and residents had none.

5 years ago

16 February 2021

Methodist Church

Proposed heritage laws have given new hope to residents and Greater Dandenong Council, campaigning to save a historic church in Keysborough. The striking gothic style building with coloured stained-glass windows and shingle roof is a rare remnant of the area’s 19thcentury heritage. It stands unused and markedly deteriorated next to a towering housing estate. On 2 February the State Government announced a heritage Bill to protect historic properties from unlawful demolition and neglect. Gaye Guest, who is part of a community campaign to save the church, said the laws “give hope to some of our historical buildings which need to be looked after, nurtured and cared for. As we move towards urbanisation, we need reminders of our past, and Keysborough Uniting Church is certainly a symbol of hope. Stories and photos can capture some of our history, but nothing can replace the ‘real thing’. Last year, a Uniting Church spokesman told the Star Journal that the building was “unsafe” and neither “used or needed” by its congregation. The building itself has no formal heritage standing.

Combating racism

By Sahar Foladi

An anti-racism support network has provided its first insights after a year of documenting racism across the state, the first of its kind in Australia.

The network, established in 2025 consists of community-based support services in three locations, Wyndham, Whittlesea and the South East, to not only document racism in those areas but also encourage victims to report incidents in a push to “break the silence.”

In a joint statement, the network has compiled systemic racism locally, 52 cases were formally recorded in the past year.

Associate professor at Victoria University, Dr Mario Peucker says this is the first local evidence of racism based on complaint data in the south east or anywhere in the country, rather than research or studies.

“The networks have done incredible work, which should not be reduced to the actual number of documented cases.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg. The power and success lies in their ability to open up safe spaces for communities to break the silencing effect of racism and speak out and be listened to.

“The networks have limited power to change the lack of accountability, at least in the short term, but if they are able to continue their support and advocacy work, they can certainly help tackle that problem as well.”

The South East network is co-led by South East Community Links (SECL) in partnership with Wellsprings for Women, Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre (SMRC), and the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY).

“While this number represents only a small fraction of the experiences shared by community members, this emerging local documentation will help paint an evidence-based picture of the scope and nature of racism locally and shape targeted measures to address racism where it happens,” the joint statement acknowledged.

Wellsprings for Women chief executive Dalal Smiley says with little funding, organisations could only dedicate five hours a week on the initiative but they aimed to go far beyond what the funding allowed them.

“I think we are operating in a very constrained financial environment while racism is on the rise and yet investment in social cohesion is becoming increasingly challenging.

“The other challenge was about planning ahead as funding ceased in October last year and we still don’t know whether there will be any further financial support from the State Government.

“The three local Councils in the South East have committed to in-kind support with venues in their respective municipality but no financial support for the time being.

“If this is not the time to invest in combatting racism then when?”

According to the data collected by the network, a majority of recorded incidents occurred in public spaces, particularly on the street, in car parks, on public transport (8) and in shops/ shopping centres (8), as well as in employment (10) and schools or other education institutions (7).

The most commonly reported types of racism were described as verbal abuse or insults (33) and discrimination (25), but more than one fifth of the incidents (11) were recorded as verbal threats.

In 42 of the 52 documented cases of racism, women were targeted. Many of them being deeply impacted by the experience; some for example, decided to not use public transport any more or to take off their hijab in public.

The network say hundreds of community members shared their stories of racist abuse, threats anddiscrimination but they’ve also highlighted the importance of having safe spaces where people can feel supported and listened to.

However, victims are reluctant to take it further to the authorities due to factors like the uncertainty of the outcome especially when lacking evidence or confidence.

Ms Smiley says a dedicated case worker is needed to help victim’s “unpack”, outline options and support them in their decisions.

“These are aspects that were beyond the scope of this initial funded project and which we are now hoping with further funding we might be able to do more of.”

She says the project has tapped into the potential of the project but the clear underfunding without any prospects of funding renewal so far limits the progress of this first of its kind data.

The State Government’s five-year Anti-Racism Strategy published in November 2024 is said to be backed by a $4 million investment over two years

Record crowd expected

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

February is piling up with credit card debt, back-to-school bills and higher interest rates – so the time is more than ripe for the latest Bring Your Bills day in Springvale next week.

Bring Your Bills is a pressure valve, offering relief for hundreds struggling with household bills.

And the need is ever-growing, says South East Community Links chief executive Peter McNamara.

“We have no doubt that it will be our biggest ever.

“The first credit-card bills are coming in from the December period and there’s the back-to-school costs and energy costs.

“The latest interest rates rise is also significant. Generally it takes three months to hit home but with people already highly vulnerable with debt.”

Manyattendeeswere“working-class”people toiling on two or three jobs or young people trying to get an education, he says.

“We know it’s tough, really hard for many people across the community.

“We want the community to know they’re not alone, that there are solutions out there.”

In 2025, BYB provided a massive $8.1 million of financial relief at four events in the South East.

This included $350,000 in debts waived and$550,000ofgrants,concessionsandhardship payment plans.

to deliver four flagship initiatives.

These include: the Local Anti-Racism Initiatives (LARI) Grants Program, a state-wide anti-racism campaign in sport, a program to strengthen front line police capacity to take human-rights centred approaches when engaging with First Peoples and multicultural communities, and a workplace anti-racism program led by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

“Racism and hate have no place in our stateit’s why we have delivered the nation’s strongest anti-vilification laws and are the first jurisdiction in Australia to deliver an Anti-Racism Strategy, backed by a $4 million investment,” a Victorian Government spokesperson says.

“But we know there’s more to do - it’s why we’re establishing Multicultural Victoria, developing a whole-of-government Multicultural Strategy and have delivered $5 million to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of multicultural organisations.”

It’s also said that the government will invest $6 million in a community-led action to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia by supporting local projects that strengthens community resilience.

The Anti-Racism Network initiative was born out of the report by Mr Peucker and Professor Tom Clark, Towards Improved Anti-Racism Support in Casey and Greater Dandenong.

It was conducted by Victoria University in partnership with the two councils and launched on Thursday 20 April at Bunjil Place.

Mr Peucker and Professor Tom Clark collaborated with community organisations and residents to develop a local ‘roadmap’ of practical ways that reporting and support services could be tailored to the specific needs of local communities.

Last year, more than 1200 attended, with more than half reporting that they couldn’t pay their bills.

Tellingly, 79 per cent had not spoken to their service provider for help.

The top five issues were energy and water bill stress, rental and mortgage stress, access toutilitybillrelief,Centrelinkentitlementsand credit loan stress.

The biggest growing stressor is Australian Taxation Office bills, with McNamara critical of the ATO “brutally” seeking to bankrupt vulnerable clients before SECL stepped in.

Healsowants“constipated”bureaucracies tounlockaffordablehousing–whichisfundamental to easing other financial stresses.

The vast majority of BYB attendees are renters – who on average suffer between five and eight other financial concerns. Mortgagees are burdened with two or three debt issues.

“People will go without to pay their mortgageortheirrent,butit’sthosesupplementary costs like water and energy that are buckling them.

“Let’s not forget about people just trying to get on with their lives.”

BYB offers practical, on-the-spot help with electricity, gas, water, phone and other householdbillsnextweek,withrepresentativesfrom banks, utility companies and ombudsmen.

There will also be expert advice on tenancy rights, fines, concessions and consumer issues, as well as free financial counsellors, bilingual staff and interpreters on site.

Bring Your Bills is at Springvale City Hall, 18 Grace Park Avenue, Springvale on Tuesday 24 February, 10.30am-3pm. Free event.

Drunk driver sentenced

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A Clyde North drink driver who lost control at a Tooradin roundabout at high speed resulting in the death of his friend has been jailed for at least five-and-a-half years.

Edward Latar, 38 at the time, displayed “appalling reckless driving” in speeding and swerving erratically while under the influence of alcohol, Victorian County Court judge Duncan Allen said on 12 February.

With two passengers aboard, Latar was fleeing from an earlier collision in Pakenham South, which was 22 kilometres away.

He approached the roundabout at South Gippsland Highway and Baxter-Tooradin Road at 156 km/h and lost control about 8.38pm on Saturday 6 July 2024.

The Jeep wagon left the road, slid sideways on a grass shoulder, went over an Armco metal safety barrier, got airborne and rolled several times in a paddock.

His rear passenger and friend Daniel Sadala, 32, was fatally injured.

The much loved, intelligent and highly regarded man died at the scene despite paramedics and CFA members performing CPR, Judge Allen said. Latar and a front passenger were injured and conveyed to The Alfred hospital. Latar was released the next day.

He recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.187 – more than thrice the legal limit and that rendered him incapable of properly controlling his vehicle, the judge noted.

Before the fatality, Latar and his passengers had been downing whiskey shots at his father’s house in Cranbourne.

One of his mates nagged Latar to drive him to a partner’s house in Pakenham.

Latar initially declined to drink-drive, but eventually relented – what Judge Allen termed a “terrible decision” with “shocking consequences”.

During the fateful trip, Latar was speeding, er-

ratically swerving between lanes and became lost and disoriented while trying to find the address.

About 8.30pm, he crashed into the back of a Volkswagen Caddy van at the Healesville-Koo Wee Rup and Ballarto roads intersection, Pakenham South.

He later told police he got scared about having an accident when he shouldn’t be driving, and “took off” at high speed.

He said he panicked as the Caddy pursued Latar’s Jeep on a foggy Ballarto Road.

The Caddy gave up the chase after noting the

Jeep’s number plate and conveying the information to police via triple-0.

Seemingly unaware, Latar continued to flee down Clyde-Five Ways Road and South Gippsland Highway before he approached the Tooradin roundabout.

“And then that road was curving. That’s why the car turned - I mean the car flipped,” he later told police.

“I thought the road is going straight, I think, but the road curve(d) or there was a roundabout.”

Latar pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death, as well as careless driving and failing to give a name-and-address at the initial crash.

In sentencing on 12 February, Judge Allen said the victim Sadala’s family suffered “immeasurable” impact – a “sense of loss and grief that will never go away”,

They were also caused great financial strain, reluctantly having to sell up their home – one that had enduring connection to their lost family member.

In setting a non-parole period, the judge noted the self-employed truck driver’s guilty plea, “profound” remorse, “good” rehabilitation prospects and his distress in not supporting his wife and two children while he’s in jail.

He also noted the risk of Latar’s major PTSD and depression deteriorating in jail, as well as his exposure to war-related trauma growing up in South Sudan.

It was also significant that Latar had abstained from alcohol since immediately after the crash, given his “problematic” relationship with booze.

Judge Allen said a message needed to be sent to those seeking to drink and drive at speed and putting others at risk, as well as to heed the “devastating” impact on the victim and his family.

Latar was jailed for nine years and one month, with a five-and-a-half year non-parole period. He was disqualified from driving for five years.

Those seeking local bulk billing health support can take advantage of the GP and Nurse Practitioner Clinic now operating at Pharmacy 777 Springvale.

Open 7 days a week the clinic offers FULLY BULK-BILLED general medical consultations, treatment of minor illnesses and injuries, chronic disease management, preventative health checks as well as mental health support and ongoing care planning.

Families will benefit from paediatric consultations, childhood immunisations, growth and development checks and support for common childhood concerns. The clinic will provide vaccinations, wound care, minor procedures and Diabetes management.

The clinic will also offer bulk billed counselling as well as CBT and DBT therapy, improving the accessibility of much needed mental health support in the community.

Located inside Pharmacy 777, the practitioners will be taking a collaborative approach to improving health care in the community. Walkins are welcome, appointments are available and with clinicians on site and extended hours, locals can receive care quickly, comfortably and close to home.

Senior Pharmacist from Pharmacy 777 Springvale Ms Heba Marcos welcomes the new initiative acknowledging the gap in accessing affordable health care for the Springvale community. “We look forward to not having patients going without their Blood Pressure tablets because they cannot get an appointment with their regular GP or cannot afford to make one”- Ms Marcos said.

To be the first to find out more, contact Pharmacy 777 Springvale directly by calling 03 9457 6687.

Nursery needs a home

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A volunteer nursery helping to propagate the South East’s disappearing flora is now itself under threat.

Greenlink Sandbelt Nursery has been supplying the region’s unique indigenous plants for 34 years to councils, schools and revegetated reserves.

However its lease at Spring Valley Golf Club is up in July, with time ticking on finding a new home.

Greenlink founder and manager Louise Dorr had only good words for the golf club, which has generously provided the nursery free lodgings for the past 25 years.

In turn, the golf course has benefitted from the volunteers’ green thumbs growing plentiful vegetation for the course.

From the outset, Dorr has been part of Greenlink’s team bonded by a passion for the survival of native flora.

“Developers have moved in and destroyed these areas of indigenous species. There’s less and less of these spaces, and we tried to do something about it.”

With no ongoing government funding, the group has provided seedlings to councils, schools and reveg projects in bushland, wetlands and restored landscapes.

They grow about 40,000 plant stock a year –up to six varieties of gumtrees as well as acacias, pea shrubs and grasses, which often take eight months to bring from seed to seedling.

But in a sign of how critical their service is, they get many more orders than they can fulfill, Dorr says.

They also extoll the benefits of native habitat that attracts indigenous birds, insects, butterflies and lizards.

In its quest for a home, Greenlink has asked many customers such as Kingston, Greater Dandenong and Monash councils, golf clubs, Parks Victoria and the Suburban Rail Loop project for a spare plot of land.

So far, nothing suitable has been found.

In 2025, Greenlink supplied more than 7000 seedlings for City of Greater Dandenong’s bushland revegetation and Gardens for Wildlife programs.

It is one of six indigenous plant nurseries that the council purchases from, and plays an “important role” in sourcing species suited to the South East, Greater Dandenong city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam says.

“We have been working with Greenlink since December 2024 to find a new site, but to date no

appropriate site has been identified.

“Their long-standing contribution to environmental restoration is well-recognised and we will continue to support them.”

A Kingston Council spokesperson said Greenlink was “one of many valued suppliers” for the council’s Gardens for Wildlife and community plant giveaway progrants.

“Greenlink Sandbelt Indigenous Nursery has

been an important part of Kingston for more than 30 years, and Council values the significant contribution they make to our local environment and community.

“Council has provided advice to support Greenlink to explore options for a new location following advice that they need to vacate their current site at Spring Valley Golf Club.”

Greenlink volunteer Judith Sise OAM wrote to

Star Journal about the nursery’s fate.

“Yet an indigenous nursery that grows the trees councils rely on cannot find space on public land because it fails the definition of ‘active open space’.

“Growing shade, cooling suburbs, and supporting biodiversity does not count as activity.

“If Greenlink closes, trees will die.”

Socialists stake their claims for State Parliament

By Sahar Foladi

Victorian Socialists has revealed its candidates for the relatively safe Labor seats, Dandenong and Mulgrave in the upcoming state election.

Both young candidates chant calls for change, saying the two major parties, Liberal and Labor, haven’t delivered for working-class residents and taken the culturally diverse communities for granted.

Dandenong born resident, worker student and a renter in a shared accommodation, Jack McMahon is aiming for the Dandenong seat currently held by Gabrielle Williams MP.

He says Dandenong residents “need a win” being a safe Labor seat for a long time while other districts “get pork barrelled.”

“These out of touch politicians are in the pocket of the rich and spend their days making them richer and us poorer.

“We are neglected and taken for granted as a safe Labor seat. There is no pressure on the Labor government to better our lives because they only care about elections and think that no one can challenge them.

“Labor say they speak for diverse communities then pass laws that criminalise and vilify these communities.

“We want to offer a real working-class solution and support as opposed to Labor’s offer of being slightly less racist than the Liberals and One Nation.”

He describes himself a “community organiser” and social activist in the south east who’d

been involved in many campaigns such as antiracism and in support of migrants and First Nations communities.

is being done in their interest as working-class people.

“There’s a certain powerlessness when in decades you don’t see life improving.”

Both candidates are renters, and want better conditions for renters, as well as free education, universal healthcare and childcare.

“I’ve always been very passionate about justice, fighting injustice every step of the way, since high school. Standing up for someone being bullied, fellow work mates for better wage conditions, it’s innately in me,” Mr Buchanan says.

“One major thing is looking at inequality in our society, taxing the super-rich. My personal favourite is putting politicians on workers wages, if elected taking on no more than an average worker’s wage, a nurse’s wage, in our policies.”

the former mayor of City of Greater Dandenong.

“I think a lot of people have had enough of the Libs and Labor. We’re in a massive Labor majority (government) but things aren’t getting any better.

“Change is not something we’re ready for but something we desperately need.

“I’ve been hearing people are sick to death with how things are, with the slow progress for change, the rise of far-right. They feel nothing

Every Socialist Party candidate is said to make a commitment to take on a workers wage and donate 60 per cent of their income to local charities and support networks, something no other party is known for.

Rent freezes, reversing privatisation like tolls, more regulation on “price gouging” for supermarkets, more public housing and not social housing to answer housing costs, free schools and university are some of the policies the candidates have listed.

Both candidates have campaigned in solidarity with the people of Palestine “against Israel’s genocide in Gaza”.

Cruise North America

By Lee Mccarthy

TAKE in historic cities and rugged shores with Viking’s 15-day Canada and East Coast Explorer voyage from Toronto, Ontario to Fort Lauderdale, Florida or vice versa.

Fifteen days, seven guided tours, two countries and countless meals and experiences ensure this is the perfect once in a lifetime cruise. Start the cruise in Toronto savouring the diversity of Toronto’s food scene and explore some of the city’s treasures.

On day two, guests can experience the series of locks, canals and channels that comprise the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Day three, those who wish to can be immersed in the religious heritage of Trois-Rivieres during a trip to a historic shrine to the Virgin Mary.

Guests can explore the rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield during an exhilarating Zodiac ride or take to the water in a kayak and explore the surrounding with a member of the Viking Expedition Team.

For the culinary lovers enjoy a selection of local favourites as you explore the city’s culinary roots during a walk around Trois-Rivières.

Travellers will step back in time to explore the intriguing history of Quebec City during an excursion through its old town or explore the contrasting landscapes that form the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area during a hiking excursion.

Experience the world’s largest naval base in Norfolk, travel Nova Scotia’s shores and rugged landscapes and visit Quebec’s National Parks.

Viking’s inclusive value includes everything you need, such as a guided excursion in every port, all onboard meals including alternative dining venues, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, unlimited Wi-Fi, 24-hour specialty tea, coffee, and bottled water, access to the stateof-the-art Nordic spa, self-service laundry, and all tipping. With no children, no casinos, fewer than 1,000 guests, and all veranda staterooms, Viking’s award-winning ships take you as close as possible to each destination.

Guests can go underground in Cape Breton and get a glimpse of what life was like digging coal at the Cape Breton Miners Museum.

One treat guaranteed to please is a visit to Peggy’s Cove to enjoy a delicious lobster lunch in the picture-perfect postcard seaside village or discover distinctly Nova Scotian wines during a visit to Petit Rivière Vineyards in the Lahave River Valley or sample a selection of local beer in Nova Scotia’s picturesque South Shore district.

Enjoy Charleston’s southern charm and colonial homes and embark on a guided exploration by motor coach or experience the natural beauty of the low country during a visit to one of the only team farms in the United States.

Learn how to prepare typical Charleston dishes during an interactive cooking demonstration and explore the streets of Charleston during a walking tour as guests are invited to step inside one of the city’s historic homes.

The cruise arrives in Ft. Lauderdale Florida, with many guests taking advantage of the Post Cruise Extension to enjoy additional days exploring. A two-night extension in Ft Lauderdale costs from $1499 and is a stunning end to a truly stunning fifteen days.

While sailing, guests can attend lectures, watch a film in the eight thousand laser-projected panoramic screen in The Aula or focus on wining and dining, whatever the choice, Viking offers an unbeatable holiday in understated elegance.

Right now, the cruise is priced from $12,295 per person for a Nordic Balcony saving up to $2500 per booking with Viking’s “Fly free, flight upgrade credit”.

Book before 31 March 2026.

Iconic Experiences, Expertly Escorted

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

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

Full-Board River Elegance

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

Hand-Picked Hotel Stays

3 nights four-star hotel stay in Adelaide with breakfast

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

All Flights, Taxes & Transfers

Cairo 12 DAYS • 1 COUNTRY 11 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL • MAY, AUG-DEC 2026; JAN-JUN, AUG-DEC 2027; 2028

Step into the land of pharaohs and timeless wonders. Viking invites you to experience Egypt like never before. Sail the legendary Nile on a 12-day cruisetour through Egypt and enjoy an included shore excursion to the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum — the world’s largest archaeological museum and home to Tutankhamun’s treasures. Witness history in the making while indulging in the comfort and elegance of Viking’s award-winning river ships.

From $11,395pp in Standard Stateroom

From $13,695pp in Veranda Stateroom

Galloping into a New Year

Under a blazing blue sky, thousands of revellers celebrated the Year of the Horse at the annual Springvale Lunar New Year festival.

More than 80 stalls, an array of foods, rides, kids activities, firecrackers, performers such as Hung Hing Lion Dance and live music were rounded off by a 9.30pm fireworks finale on Sunday 15 February.

Springvale Asian Business Association –which is Victoria’s first Asian business association – has staged the festival since 1997. It’s built into a juggernaut that costs $220,000 to stage – with the help of sponsors and Greater Dandenong and State Government funds.

In what’s touted the second-largest out of the long list of Lunar New Year festivals in Victoria, only behind Melbourne CBD.

New facility opens

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park in Pearcedale officially unveiled its new purpose-built Aquatic Fauna Conservation Facility on Tuesday 10 February.

Featuring precise environmental controls and fully adaptable tank systems, the new facility has been designed to support longterm husbandry, research, and conservation breeding programs.

The first residents, Eastern Dwarf Galaxias (Galaxiella pusilla), are a small endemic freshwater species found in parts of Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

Once more widespread, its populations have become fragmented due to wetland

drainage, habitat loss, climate pressures, and competition from introduced species.

The species is currently listed as Endangered in Victoria.

Over time, the facility will expand to house additional threatened aquatic species.

Michael Johnson, owner and director of Moonlit Sanctuary, said: “When we opened Moonlit Sanctuary 25 years ago, our goal was always to create meaningful change for Australia’s wildlife.

“This new facility allows us to extend that commitment into the freshwater space, where species like the Eastern Dwarf Galaxias urgently need our help. It’s incredibly rewarding

New emergency facilities for Casey Hospital

With the official plans for the expansion of Casey’s emergency department debuted, the state government is progressing on its $280 million project, with Icon set to lead and deliver the expansions.

The project will allow the already busy emergency department to treat an extra 52,000 emergency patients annually, promising a boost in patient capacity of the ED as well as improving patient flow and reducing wait times.

In line with the new developments, it aims to meet the needs of the growing population of Melbourne’s South-East bringing key medical facilities to locals.

As part of the expansion, several facilities will be added including immediate care cubicles, short stay beds, resuscitation bays, ambulatory care spaces, procedure rooms, consult and interviews rooms, an appointed mental health zone and satellite imaging area.

The massive extension is also being completed at Werribee emergency department, and is expected to create more than 1000 jobs when construction is completed.

A new emergency facility for children is also in the works, with an additional designated zone to be added which will offer a “private, calm and

compassionate environment” for paediatric immediate care.

Casey Hospital is one of five Victorian public hospitals set to provide a specially designed children’s emergency department zone.

Melissa Horne, Minister for Health Infrastructure, said that the plans will deliver critical facilities for those living in Melbourne’s south-east.

“The expanded emergency department will deliver faster access to care, more treatment spaces and a purpose-built children’s emergency zone, ensuring families in Melbourne’s southeast get the emergency care they need, now and into the future,” Ms Horne said.

South-Eastern Metro MP, Michael Galea, also echoed Ms Horne’s comment on the expansion.

“This is a massive expansion of emergency capacity at Casey Hospital – it will reduce wait times, meaning more local families can access the care they need, in modern facilities, faster.”

With a new multi-storey carpark, which opened in September 2025, available to patients and staff, the new expansions will be delivered on the site’s existing public carpark.

Site establishment works are set to begin in the coming months, according to the official website and construction is expected to finish in 2027.

to see this work come to life.”

The construction of this facility was funded by the State Government with a Nature Fund grant through the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

Moonlit Sanctuary extended thanks to Chris Lamin (Middle Creek Farm) and Greg Martin (Aquariums by Design) for their expertise and hands-on collaboration throughout the project.

The two worked closely with Ectotherm coordinator Jamieson Brodie, and their guidance was crucial in designing the sophisticated systems that now support these delicate freshwater fish, according to the Sanctuary.

AFL practice match coming up

LocalAFLfanaticsareinforatreat,asCaseyFields will take centre stage when Melbourne takes on North Melbourne in a practice match bringing elite AFL action to the heart of the city.

The match marks another milestone in the City of Casey’s 16-year partnership with the Melbourne Football Club.

Casey’s Mayor Stefan Koomen said the ongoing partnership reflects the council’s commitment to working with organisations that connect to the principles of the community.

“Whether it’s women’s football, First Nations engagement, youth development or simply giving families access to live games and experiences,thispartnershipcontinuestomakea real difference with opportunities that connect our community through sport,” said the Mayor.

“Councilisproudofthislong-standingpartnership and the positive impact it continues to deliver to Casey residents.”

The highly anticipated practice match is expected to draw strong local interest, offering fansanearlyglimpseofMelbourne’s2026campaign while reinforcing Casey Fields’ role as a premier sporting venue in Melbourne’s southeast.

Melbourne Football Club Chief Executive Officer,PaulGuerrasaidtheclubwasthrilledto return to Casey for the practice match.

“There is always great anticipation for the

first practice match of the year, so it is very exciting to be hosting this hit-out against North Melbourne at Casey Fields next week,” Mr Guerra said.

“Our 16-year partnership with the City of Casey is an important component of the club and we are proud to work with Mayor Stefan Koomen,CEOGlennPattersonandtheirteams on continuing to find ways this connection can positively impact the community.”

Beyond the February clash, the partnership will deliver a packed calendar of programs and events throughout the year.

These include Little Demons Day and MFC Junior Members Day, AFLW matches from August to October, and the Casey Community Round at the MCG.

Community initiatives will also feature prominently, with a citizenship ceremony to be held, open AFL and AFLW training sessions, and the Koori School Holiday Program.

The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) women’s footy program will continue to encourage women from diverse backgrounds to participate in the sport, further strengthening the partnership’s focus on inclusion and grassroots engagement.

TheMelbournevNorthMelbournepractice match will be taking place on 20 February from 4:30pm at Casey Fields.

WHAT’S ON

Keeping Kids Safe

Free parenting program to keep young people safe and prevent sexual violence and harm. The program takes place over four consecutive weeks. Designed for parents and caregivers of Year 7 and 8 students. All faiths, cultural backgrounds and life experiences are welcome. Catering and additional learning resources provided, along with door prizes.

· Tuesdays 17 February-10 March, 6pm-8.30pm at South East Community Links, 186 Foster Street East, Dandenong; free event. Bookings: whise.org.au/keeping-kids-safe

Bird Puppets workshop

Recycle and reuse plastic two-litre milk bottles in this fun and educational workshop. Design and make a helmeted honeyeater or wedge tailed eagle with moving wings to take home.

· Tuesday 17 February, 6.30pm-8pm at Springvale Library, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event. Registration required: greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ ev_b9bf3f8af9044193b6d79fea7d182514

Rethink Recycling Lid Drop and Make Day

Bring your clean plastic lids and have a go at shredding, melting and remoulding them into new, functional creations right before your eyes.

· Saturday 21 February, 11am-2pm at Rethink Recycling Maker Space, 21 Aspen Circuit, Springvale; free event, no bookings required.

9 x5 exhibition launch

Works of over 200 artists at the 9 by 5 Exhibition, returning for its 18th year in 2026. A modern take on the tradition of creating art on nine by five-inch cigar box lids, as pioneered by Australian artists Tom Roberts, Charles Conder, Arthur Streeton, and Frederick McCubbin.

· Saturday 21 February, 3pm-5pm at Drum Theatre, 226 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong; free event. Registrations required, details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/9-5-opening-event

Elysian Blues + Yeo

We’re celebrating the Year of the Horse with an evening of music, food, art and fun. Featuring Ely-

sian Blues, DJ tunes by Yeo and the amazing Hung Hing Lion Dance performers. Part of the Open Space outdoor event series.

· Saturday 21 February 6pm-9pm at Bunjil Place plaza, Narre Warren; free event. Details: bunjilplace.com.au/events/open-space-elysianblues-yeo

Lunar New Year at Dandenong Market

A vibrant celebration of South-East Asian flavours, cultural performances, family fun and a cooking demonstration by celebrity Chef, Vincent Lim (Dimsimlim).

· Sunday 22 February, 10am-3pm at southern car park, Dandenong Market, cnr Clow and Cleeland streets, Dandenong; free event.

CaseyGirlsCan Tennis at Doveton

Free, coached beginner tennis sessions for Casey women, no prior skills or knowledge of tennis required. Follows the Cardio Tennis format. Part of City of Casey’s Summer of Tennis. ll equipment included but if you have your own racquet, please bring it with you.

· Monday 23 February 10am-11am at Doveton Tennis Club, Oak Avenue (Robinson Reserve). Bookings: trybooking.com/DIFFV

Bring Your Bills Day

Southeast Community Links (SECL) provides practical, on the spot help with electricity, gas, water, phone or other household bills, as well as advice on tenancy rights, fines, concessions and consumer issues. Specialists, financial counsellors and bilingual staff and interpreters available. Childrens activities.

· Tuesday 24 February, 10.30am-3pm at Springvale City Hall, 18 Grace Park Avenue, Springvale; free event.

Lunar New Year Wishing Tree

Write down your wish and hang it on the tree to bring good luck and fortune during the Year of the Horse.

· until Wednesday 4 March at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event. Details: greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/ greater-dandenong-council/events/lunar-new-

year-wishing-tree-springvale-community-hub

‘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 practical self-defence, creative arts and fun dance sessions, mindfulness and wellbeing tips, and friendly group connection and support

· Wednesdays until 25 March, 9.50am-12pm at Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18-34 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Free event. Details: 0491 144 836 or rachelw@adec.org.au

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 until 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.

Spiders of Paradise

Maria Fernanda Cardoso: Spiders of Paradise exhibition highlights the natural beauty and wonder of the Australian Maratus spider.

· until 22 February at Bunjil Place; free event.

Open Space: Pseudo Echo

Legendary Australian new-wave pioneers of 1980s synth-pop and dance-rock hits Pseudo Echo are taking you to Funky Town. Supported by Lupa J and Alkira Synth Collective.

· Saturday 28 February 6pm-9.30pm at Bunjil Place plaza, Narre Warren; free event. Details: bunjilplace.com.au/events/open-space-pseudo-echo

Clean Up Australia Day

Join thousands of Australians to remove litter from our parks, waterways, and public spaces. Locations include Ross Reserve, Greaves Reserve, WJ Turner Reserve, Booth Reserve and Burden Park.

· Sunday 1 March at various locations and times; free event, registrations required at register. cleanup.org.au

VIEW Club 40th birthday

Celebrating 40 years of fun, friendship and support of The Smith Family Learning for Life Program. Two-course dinner with Elvis tribute entertainer Funky Elvis.

· Tuesday 3 March, 6.30pm for 7pm at Dandenong RSL, cnr Stud Road and Clow Street, Dandenong. RSVP by 10 February to Gunta, gunta55@hotmail.com and 0417 511 588 or Robyn, robyn_942@hotmail.com and 0419 337 100.

The Maze opening

Join artists Jon Tjhia and Fayen d’Evie for opening of the exhibition The Maze, a blend of contemporary creativity with stories from decades past.

· Saturday 7 March, 2pm-5pm at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong (centre opens at 11am)

Neighbourhood Policing Forum. Victoria Police panel, with questions taken from the audience. Topics include crime trends, young people, drugs and drug-related crime. Submit questions prior to the event at app.sli.do/ event/29rhTNC96CCvmkt7PpeBkW/live/questions

· Wednesday 18 March 5.30pm-8.30pm at Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale St, Dandenong. Registrations required at NHP-GREATERDANDENONG-MGR@police.vic.gov.au

Free Pickleball

All equipment supplied.

· Mondays 5.30pm-6.30pm and Wednesdays 10am-11am at Olive Road sporting complex, Eumemmerring; free event. Bookings via trybooking.com

Casual pickleball

Just turn up early to secure your place. All equipment supplied.

· Fridays10am-11.30amandSundays9am-10am at Olive Road sporting complex, Eumemmerring. All equipment supplied, $5.40 per session.

SPORT

Bloods go big with the bat

By Blair Burns

Springvale South has the runs on the board against Buckley Ridges after day one of the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) Turf 1 top-of-the-table clash.

The blockbuster contest delivered from the outset, with both sides showcasing depth and quality as genuine premiership contenders.

When the teams last met in round 8, the Bloods handed the Bucks their first loss of the season with a convincing 120-run victory.

Springvale South has now beaten every team in the Turf 1 competition, but the same cannot be said about Buckley Ridges, who need to get one back on the Bloods.

After day one at Park Oval, the Bloods again hold the advantage following a strong team performance that produced 386 from 80 overs.

However, with recent high scores at the venue, the Bucks remain firmly in the contest.

After posting 427 on the same deck last week, Buckley Ridges elected to bowl first after winning the toss.

Springvale South’s depth was immediately evident, with all top six batters passing 40.

Mitch Forsyth’s unavailability opened the door for Chathuranga De Silva to move to the top of the order alongside aggressive left-hander Ryan Quirk.

De Silva, who has primarily batted at number five this season, adjusted well to the role, anchoring the innings while Quirk took control early.

In the seventh over, Quirk struck 16 runs from Ishan Jayarathna’s fourth over, including three consecutive boundaries following a strong LBW appeal - he raced to 42 before being caught at point off Harry Snowden.

De Silva (43) then combined with Cam Forsyth (41) in a 54-run partnership for the second wicket before Forsyth chopped on, giving Snowden his second dismissal.

At 3/157 midway through the innings, the Bloods were well placed.

Jordan Wyatt maintained the momentum with an entertaining 53 from 39 balls, clearing the boundary on four occasions.

Dasun Opanayaka once again underlined his consistency, top-scoring with 83.

Further contributions from Blade Baxter (45)

and Christopher Diston (33) ensured Springvale South reached 386 by stumps.

Michael Davies (3/78) and Adharsh Kannan (3/48) were the standout bowlers for Buckley Ridges, who will need to bat strongly in the second innings.

In their previous meeting, Opanayaka dismissed leading run-scorer Dale Tormey (612 runs for the season) for a duck, while Ben Wright also looms as a key wicket this Saturday.

In other matches, Beaconsfield was bowled out for 168 against Hallam Kalora Park.

Jawid Khan (4/56) played a key role as the

Hawks claimed 6/31 to close the innings.

Late strikes from Jake Cutting (4/17 off 10 overs) then left Hallam Kalora Park reeling at 4/32 at stumps.

Andrey Fernando (33) and Sam Read (62) led Beaconsfield’s batting effort, while Hawks captain Jordan Hammond made 15 before falling late in the day.

Berwick is well positioned for an outright victory after dismissing Parkmore for 129, with James Trodd and Jarrod Goodes taking three wickets each.

The Bears ended day one at 1/72, with Jarryd

Wills (34 not out) and Jake Hancock (36 not out) at the crease.

Narre South also took control against Dandenong West, led by Oshadha Ariyadasa’s explosive 62 from 37 balls, including a 28-ball half-century. Tom Arnold, who has made his name known as a bowler, also added a patient 57 from 107 deliveries as the Lions posted 231.

Dandenong West finished day one at 5/54 from 19 overs, with Jeevan Mendis claiming 4/28. Shaun Weir is yet to bat and will be crucial to the Bulls’ chances of chasing the total.

Bakers in the box seat, HSD requiring wickets on day two

By Blair Burns

Silverton would require a miracle to make finals, but that hasn’t stopped the Bakers from posting a strong score on day one against ladder leader Parkfield in the DDCA Turf 2 competition.

The Bakers travelled to Parkfield Reserve to take on the premiership favourites, with captain Robert North winning the toss and electing to bat first.

The day didn’t start well for the visitors, losing opener Gurinder Singh for a duck in just the second over, Sahan Jayawardana making the early breakthrough.

North joined Anmol Zakhmi at the crease and the skipper knew exactly what to do, get the powerful opener on strike.

The pair put on a quick 64-run partnership, with Zakhmi soon reaching his half century and continuing his blistering form after his century last week.

Both North (17) and Zakhmi (55) were dismissed by Parkfield captain Dishan Malalasekera in the space of two overs, leaving the game in the balance at 3/79. But not if Hemal Ratnayake had anything to do with it.

After a few starts this season and a recent promotion up the order, Ratnayake paid his captain and team back in spades, producing a classy knock before falling agonisingly short of a special milestone.

It is every batter’s worst nightmare, run out on 99, sometimes as little as centimetres away from elation, and Ratnayake was the unlucky recipient.

However, his knock of 99 off 139 balls was no less impressive, putting Silverton in a strong position with 232 on the board.

Malalasekera led the way for Parkfield with a captain’s performance, taking 4/65 off 24 overs. In other games, Coomoora needs just 42 runs to win against HSD in a clash that could shape the top four, with both sides chasing second spot.

The Cobras won the toss at the snakepit and elected to bat first, but at 2/8 would’ve been second-guessing that decision.

Wickets continued to fall, with only Jude Owen looking comfortable at the crease, scoring a crucial half century to give his team something to bowl at with 118, bowled out after just 41 overs.

Coomoora pair Nick Suppree (12) and Lance Baptist (6) added 20 for the first wicket before the side lost 3/3 thanks to bowling from Brayden Lambden and captain Ryan Patterson.

The first and second wickets of the Roos’ in-

nings normally bring the two best batters in the competition to the crease, but not this time.

Jarrod Munday came in at his usual position at three, but the key to the result was Krishan Alang being pushed down the order.

Munday attempted to leave everything possible, but shouldered arms as the ball crashed into off stump.

Coomoora captain Dean Krelle (19) was the final wicket of the day, stumped following sharp glovework from Anuda Akmeemana off Sakuntha Liyanage.

Joel Robertson (23 not out off 78 balls) and Liam Hard (10 not out off 82 balls) did well to weather the storm, with Alang yet to come as he holds the key to this result.

At stumps, the Roos are 4/77 chasing 118, leaving plenty in the game heading into day two.

Lyndale made light work of Cranbourne, bowling the Eagles out for just 93 in 39 overs. Manroop Singh, wicketless in his previous three matches, produced a stunning spell of 6/24 off 10 overs, with Harsaroup Singh topscoring with 22.

Aditya Hettarachchi (37) and Rajika Fernando (56) impressed in reply, while 70 not out from Usman Ali guided Lyndale to 5/180 by stumps.

Results for the match between Narre Warren and North Dandenong were unavailable at the time of print.

OTHER GRADES

TURF 3

• Buckley Ridges

Noble falls painfully short

By Justin Schwarze

A shakeup in the finals mix came in the form of a Croydon (210) upset as Noble Park (146) faltered at home in round 13 of the VSDCA East/West competition.

The result is a potential nightmare for Noble, left feeling vulnerable as it currently sits in fifth. Across the two-day action, Croydon opted to take the bat in hand after winning the toss.

Regular breakthroughs for the hosts seemingly kept them in front for the first inning, despite Josh McMeeken (62) providing resistance opening the batting and skipper Jack Conroy (64) holding tight in the middle.

The pair of McMeeken and Conroy formed a near 50-run partnership, rescuing Croydon out of trouble from 5/81 to 6/130.

Some handy knocks at the tail from Jack Ellis (19) and Chris Brown (13 not out) brought the visitors to 210 after 66.3 overs.

Jermain Levy bagged three poles for Noble and was busy early, while Muharjithan Thedchanamoorthy, Yehan Gunasingha and Janaka Liyanabadalge all took two wickets each.

In the pursuit, disaster struck early with Archie Stefan (4) being caught in the first over.

Nischaya Thapa (3) also didn’t stick around long and Noble sat at 2/25, before a middle order collapse pushed the hosts right to the brink.

After superstar Sahan Perera (14), Yehan Gunasingha (27) and Mahesh Kumara (1) fell, Noble was 5/51.

Pawan Dias Edirisinghe (59) showed plenty of fight in an attempt to salvage the innings, but partners continued to lose their wickets.

It started with captain Liyanabadalge (22) heading on his way after spooning one straight back to Conroy.

At that stage, Noble was in a dire situation at 6/90, despite Dias Edirisinghe powering along.

But again he continued to lose partners at the other end, and Noble’s last hopes were dashed when Dias Edirisinghe was caught off the bowling of Adam Quirk.

The hosts were rolled for 146, with Conroy finishing off his versatile performance by notching three wickets.

At Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Assadollah Vala epitomised an ‘almost’ day for Endeavour Hills.

The Eagles were forced to bowl after Box Hill won the toss, with the visitors quickly piling on 276.

Box Hill was led by a massive knock from Nathan Flinn (137) to guide their time at the crease and build a competitive score.

Endeavour Hills then formed a strong foundation at 2/70 with Vala settling in in the middle.

He batted extremely well but ultimately fell agonisingly short of a ton on 99, being caught.

The hosts were still tracking well despite Vala being dismissed, sitting at 4/178.

But Box Hill retaliated and took wickets in a flurry, flipping the game by taking 4/17 to push the Eagles back to 8/218.

From there, the innings couldn’t be revived and Endeavour Hills was knocked over for 250.

VSDCASUMMARY

Results R13 (two-day): Noble Park (146) def by Croydon (210), Endeavour Hills (250) def by Box Hill (276), Yarraville (152) def by Werribee (308), Williamstown (8/143) def Melton (141), Spotswood (8/285) def Taylors Lakes (192), Balwyn (9/159) def Bayswater (155), Hoppers Crossing (162) def by Altona (221), Donvale (126) def by Mt Waverley (3/258d).

Fixture R14 (two-day): Bayswater v Endeavour Hills, Melton v Noble Park, Balwyn v Yarraville, Box Hill v Hoppers Crossing, Croydon v Werribee, Altona v Donvale, Taylors Lakes v Mt Waverley, Williamstown v Spotswood.

Dandenong downed by impressive VPC debutant century

By Justin Schwarze

Dandenong (203) was on the receiving end of a milestone moment amidst a defeat to finalsbound Melbourne (6/308) at Shepley Oval in round 16 of Victorian Premier Cricket (VPC).

Resuming at 4/76 chasing 204, Melbourne saw its way through the day with star opener Farzan Chowna (84) passing 50 before being dismissed to be 5/174.

But youngster Nikki du Toit remained, batting all the way through to bringing up a remarkable unbeaten century on debut.

In a mature knock beyond his years, he reached 111 not out off 225 balls, willing his side to a comfortable victory.

Jack Harper accompanied him to the winning runs with a 90 of his own.

Noah Hurley took three wickets for the Panthers.

Casey South Melbourne (5/217) clinched its position in the postseason on the back of Ash Chandrasinghe’s unbeaten ton to down Ringwood (199).

The Swans went out to the middle at 2/48 chasing 200 but soon lost their night watchman as Nathan Lambden (6) was bowled by Ian Holland.

However, skipper Chandrasinghe and Yash Pednekar formed a near 100-run partnership to well and truly put the game on Casey’s terms. Chandrasinghe was incredibly patient, remaining unfazed when Pednekar (39) was

caught, leaving the Swans 4/141.

The Rams appeared to throw a punch back by then picking up the wicket of Daud Malik (0) shortly after.

But like he has all season, Chandrasinghe kept his composure and batted cautiously and

effectively alongside Devin Pollock.

The pair saw Casey South Melbourne to the required total as Chandrasinghe raised the bat and notched yet another Victorian Premier century.

The skipper has scored 50 or more in four of

his last five innings, including two hundreds in that time.

Chandrasinghe is now up to 772 runs for the season at an average of 65.64.

The Swans have one more home-and-away test remaining, returning home to host eighthplaced Richmond.

VICPREMIERSUMMARY

Results R16 (two-day): Ringwood (199) def by Casey South Melbourne (5/217), Dandenong (203) def by Melbourne (6/308), Kingston Hawthorn (293) def Fitzroy Doncaster (186), Frankston Peninsula (340) def Geelong (235), Prahran (226) def by Northcote (317), Carlton (9/350d) def Camberwell (200), Richmond (9/293) draw with St Kilda (305), Greenvale (169, 0/91) def by Melbourne University (9/409d), Essendon (172) def by Footscray (6/174).

Ladder: St Kilda 65, Footscray 65, Melbourne 60, Casey South Melbourne 58, Carlton 58, Prahran 52, Northcote 51, Richmond 50, Camberwell 49, Melbourne University 40, Frankston Peninsula 38, Ringwood 37, Geelong 35, Dandenong 32, Fitzroy Doncaster 27.3, Essendon 21, Kingston Hawthorn 17, Greenvale 8.2.

Fixture R17 (two-day): Casey South Melbourne (4) v Richmond (8), Dandenong (14) v Carlton (5), Footscray (2) v Prahran