Tuesday, 31 March, 2026
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Technology abused
Human Calculator returns
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SPORT
Full in flight Thousands flocked to Dandenong Park for the annual Nawroz festival on Sunday 29 March. Organised annually by the Victorian Afghan Associations Network (VAAN), the event caters for more than 10,000 attendees every year marking the Persian new year (first day of spring), called ‘Nawroz’ literally meaning, ‘New day.’ President of VAAN, Zabi Mazoori says this year they included a lot more representations from different ethnic cultural backgrounds such as the Azeri Adena dance. “We look forward to bringing the community together to celebrate Nawroz especially at this time when there’s a lot of conflict and stress in the communities, worried about families overseas. “It’s a good opportunity to bring the community together to celebrate at least to get them away from the stress and constant worry.” Among the performance highlights were singer Tahir Khawari. There were up to 65 stalls on the day from businesses to service providers and AFL sports clubs, with a second-hand car raffled off at the end of the program. More photos, turn to page 10
With a blur of nunchucks, a rapid-fire martial arts performer wowed a packed Dandenong Park audience during the Nawroz festival on Sunday 29 March. (Gary Sissons: 539966)
Squashed out Squash players are rallying against plans to demolish the last squash courts in Greater Dandenong. The six courts are not part of the plans as Greater Dandenong Council builds its $122 million replacement of Dandenong Oasis sports centre in the next-door Mills Reserve. The council doesn’t intend to replace the squash courts, preferring to invest in trending sports like pickleball and padel.
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It means scores of passionate squash players – including a legion that have met and played for decades – have been left disenfranchised. They include 70-plus veterans like Robin Clark and Craig Young, whose vitality, agility and dexterity belie their years. They say squash is like rapid-fire chess, with more vigor than any other racket sport.
“I do it for the cardio – otherwise I’d be an old man,” Clark says. Australia was once the home of squash world champions, but courts in the South East are becoming rarer. The group at Oasis say they will struggle to meet together at the region’s nearest courts, which are often full up at night.
Terry Wilkinson says the courts are fit for state competitions but are barely promoted. “There’s potential here to turn this into a major squash club. We’re just asking for a bit of help to spark the place up. “I think it’s short-term thinking to just lose a public asset that’s been there for decades.” More on the story, turn to page 2