Dandenong Star Journal - 21st July 2026

Cool in a cat crisis

Cost of living bites

Nearly half of South East households were struggling to make ends meet, according to a recent advocacy group survey.

The Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) survey highlighted many people were borrowing from family and friends to pay for groceries.

“This is not a one-off hit,” chief executive Simon McKeon said.

“Almost 70 per cent of people who needed financial help in the past year needed it more than

once, and more than a quarter needed it regularly.”

Last week, GSEM and Greater Dandenong Council launched their advocacy campaigns ahead of this year’s state election. Both gave focus to poverty.

Mr McKeon said many felt that infrastructure wasn’t keeping pace with population growth, he said.

The bus network was “vitally important to

young people and many multicultural communities in the (South East) region”

“Our election platform directly responds to these priorities, with targeted investment in better buses, improved road networks and critical infrastructure to support growing communities.”

Greater Dandenong Council agreed with GSEM that practical projects that improve quality of life were needed.

These included better bus services and con-

nections, safer public spaces, stronger community services, local jobs and modern facilities.

The council also called for funding anti-poverty measures and social and affordable housing.

Other priorities were crime prevention, gambling reform, strengthening its state-significant industrial precinct, sports and parks, bus services and a Djerring Trail extension to Dandenong.

More on the story, turn to pages 3 and 8

Refugees rise above despair

By Sahar Foladi

A powerful documentary We Are Not Powerless has stirred dialogue on the plight of refugees left stranded in Indonesia.

A humble turnout of Greater Dandenong residents was at the doco screening at The Castle in Dandenong on Sunday 12 July.

Many of them had undergone the painful and torturous journey of refugees in Indonesia now shaping Australian communities each in their own ways.

For them, the 90-minute documentary was pure nostalgia, re-visiting the same place, people, connections and emotions.

Hussain Sultani, who facilitated the screening, was one of the refugees in Indonesian town Cisarua.

In a bittersweet moment, he recognised the many connections in the film who were still stranded while he made it over the “other side” of the “invisible line.”

“I didn’t spend days but years of my life with every person in that film.

“I had experienced the bittersweet experience of bidding farewell to my own friends as I dropped them off at the airport after they’d received their visas to resettlement.

“You’d be happy for them but incredibly frustrated for yourself and the circumstances.

“You keep waiting and thinking that you’ll receive a call or update any time, every day or in a few months but that doesn’t happen at all.”

For others it was a confrontational and emotionally overwhelming experience, allowing silence to take over as they grappled with their reactions at the end of the screening.

The documentary follows snippets of Muza-

far Ali’s beautiful life in Afghanistan, his family’s forced displacement to Indonesia in 2012, and resettlement in Australia.

But that’s the story of the almost 14,000 refugees currently stranded in Indonesia, half of them being Hazara refugees from Afghanistan.

The film captures the resilience of the refugee community in Cisarua in Indonesia’s West Java, where Muzafar eventually co-founded and established the first refugee-led school.

“The film is a small excerpt from our journey of displacement - generational displacement of five other generations,” Muzafar says.

“Some people transform their resentment into power and we saw that in Indonesia - which is captured in ‘We Are Not Powerless.

“It shows how refugees regroup themselves, despite the many (immigration) policies, their struggles, and the community who build themselves to be resilient.

“The aim wasn’t to show the establishment of schools but the refugee community’s identities, the community that we built as a result.”

Representatives of the Casey Cardinia for Refugee Group also walked away with a broader knowledge about the refugees’ circumstances in Indonesia and the ongoing work to support the first refugee-led school, Cisarua Refugee Learning Centre (CRLC).

“It was really amazing, they are so strong, so resilient. I had imagined little tiny schools on the floor,” Gwenyth said.

Another representative, Anne Jones says they want to screen the film all over the country.

The group says the rise in One Nation’s popularity, especially in Cardinia Shire is a worry and they’ll be watching very closely as they figure out how to counteract it.

They expressed the party’s policies and beliefs on immigration are a concern and “completely the opposite” of their stance.

Dr Lucy Fiske is an associate professor of Social and Political Sciences at University of Technology Sydney.

She has spent more than a decade working with the refugees in Indonesia, including the one in Cisarua, to observe their way of life, practices and strategies to survive without rights.

“The school is incredibly important - it helps transform the lost time of refugees waiting into productive time,” she says.

“It allows children and adults to develop skills and nurture their talents.

“It protects against the ravages of despair that can easily take root when people are stripped of their capacity to act.

“It builds trust and mutual support between refugees, and with non-refugees too. It is transformative.”

As a result of her observations, this led her to write on topics such as social and cultural transformations through displacement, transformation of lost time into migration capital, and education and human rights.

She has also published on Australian refugee politics and policies, immigration detention, asylum processes, human rights and community development. She also serves as Cisarua Learning’s board member.

Pathway may close for refugees trapped in Indonesia

By Sahar Foladi

Discussions are under way for a potential extension of a complementary skilled visa pathway in Australia for refugees.

The Talent Beyond Boundaries Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot (SRLAP) pilot program was launched in partnership with the Australian Government in July 2021.

It concluded on 30 June this year, pending a potential extension or for it to be made permanent.

However, refugee advocates are pushing hard in talks with the Department of Home Affairs against a move to exclude refugees trapped in Indonesia from the extended TBB.

Refugee Council of Australia’s advocacy coordinator, Graham Thom says it’s “absolutely ridiculous” , calling on the government to reconsider.

“It just doesn’t make any sense to us. We are fearful that it’s going to have the absolute opposite effect, that people who were training for - whether it’s aged care or whatever - suddenly that’s not going to help them get out,” he says.

“Instead the only way they get out of Indonesia is making themselves more vulnerable.

“So, camping outside of UNHCR in Jakarta, on the street is something that looks like a sensible thing to do if you’re a refugee trapped in Indonesia, as opposed to working hard to get those skills, knowing that there is a skill shortage and you could help fill that skill shortage.

“There are employers looking to employ people. It just seems like a really strange decision by the Australian Government.”

A Home Affairs departmental spokesperson has reaffirmed the Australian Government’s longstanding policy that any refugee registered with UNHCR in Indonesia after 1 July 2014 is not eligible to be resettled in Australia.

The spokesperson says the Australian Government is “committed” to Operation Sovereign Borders and associated policies “that have been critical to countering people smuggling in our region and preventing people risking their lives at sea”

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, the Refugee Council of Australia, along with other organisations and advocates, have continuously advocated the government to uplift the July 2014 ban.

“If the goal of the Australian government is

to stop people getting on boats, which is why they implemented this moratorium on resettling people who arrived after that day, then you have to provide people with a safe pathway,” Mr Thom says.

“Where is the hope that they can get to safety, if you are banning a whole group of people? How else are they going to get to safety?

“We think this whole strategy by the Australian government is completely counterproductive, even for its own goals, let alone the damage it’s doing for the refugees themselves, let alone the damage it’s doing for UNHCR and its ability to get people to safety.”

This has meant that almost 14,000 refugees, who were excluded from humanitarian and family reunion visas since the July 2014 “stop the boats” policy by the then-Morrison Government, could potentially be excluded from the complementary pathway too.

Hussain Sultani is the complementary pathway program manager at Indonesia’s refugee-led school, Cisarua Refugee Learning Centre, who himself was sponsored on a skills visa through TBB.

Through his role, he has assisted many skilled refugees to be sponsored, addressing fields with labour shortages.

Mr Sultani say it’s a “very cruel” move, urging for at least one resettlement pathway option to remain.

“I really don’t understand why, it’s still a shock for me when I heard that’s one of the department’s demands if TBB is extended.

“There’s no genuine reasoning behind this. Skilled migration is and should be for everyone.”

Speaking on Operation Sovereign Borders, he says refugees never intended to come to Australia by boat from Indonesia.

“Refuges are deported from Iran, from Pakistan, they don’t have any options in Turkey, they are deported from there.

“The only country that hasn’t deported them is Indonesia.

“Businesses in the community continuously approach me looking for workers to sponsor from Indonesia, as most of them have gone through that phase as refugees.”

Cisarua Refugee Learning Centre chief executive Muzafar Ali says the change would “punish refugees who are stuck in Indonesia because TBB gave them hope to resettle on a skilled visa not

humanitarian.”

The TBB not-for-profit complementary pathway is designed to bridge gaps in industries experiencing critical workforce shortages and displaced professionals seeking to re-enter their fields.

In partnership with the Australian Government, the organisation works to match skilled refugees and displaced people with employers in Australia and other resettlement countries.

The businesses take on all financial costs as part of the program, including visa, TBB fees, tickets and settlement costs in Australia.

What will this mean?

Exclusion from the TBB program will extremely restrict opportunities for almost 14,000 refugees in Indonesia.

More than half - around 7,400 - are refugees from Afghanistan, mainly ethnic Hazara who fled persecution as an ethnic and religious minority in a Sunni majority.

Social and political sciences associate professor at University of Technology Sydney, Lucy Fiske says most refugees in Indonesia come from Afghanistan and Myanmar, “where there is no hope of return.”

“The Australian government could abandon the July 2014 rule and allow the UNHCR to propose refugees for resettlement regardless of their date of arrival.

“Lifting the July 2014 rule wouldn’t undermine Australia’s border protection regime or immigration program, but it would give people a tiny bit of hope.”

The United States has largely suspended its refugee programs, only accepting refugees on a highly restrictive basis.

It also suspended Afghan resettlement programs and revoked the humanitarian visas of refugees waiting to get on the plane.

Canada has also paused its private refugee sponsorship program.

At least 18 refugees are reported to have committed suicide in Indonesia in recent years. The majority were Hazara refugees from Afghanistan who had been trapped in indefinite limbo. Hope while in limbo

As Indonesia is a non-signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol on Refugees, refugee rights are extremely limited and don’t include rights to work and education.

The Hazara refugee community established its first refugee-led school in Indonesia - the Cisarua Refugee Learning Centre - led by Muzafar Ali and his wife, Nagina Zahra.

The school has worked hard to secure eligible individuals in the complementary pathway.

“In my point of view, some policies are very cruel and very unfair especially coming from those countries like Australian and USA, who played a major role participating in the war in Afghanistan,” Mr Ali said.

“From participating in the war in Afghanistan, they divided the nation. Some Afghans worked with the Australian Army, some worked with the USA, and they are the ones who deserted them.”

Muzafar Ali himself fled Afghanistan with his family to Indonesia for his work with the UN.

Dr Lucy Fiske, who has observed the refugee community in Indonesia very closely since 2015, says the school is incredibly important to “transform the lost time of refugee waiting into productive time.”

“It allows children and adults to develop skills and nurture their talents.

“It protects against the ravages of despair that can easily take root when people are stripped of their capacity to act.

“It builds trust and mutual support between refugees, and with non-refugees too. It is transformative.

The school has grown to support eleven other refugee-led schools in Indonesia, including Hope Learning Centre established by Mr Hussain Sultani and schools in Thailand.

Australia’s humanitarian pathway

According to a departmental spokesperson, about 180 Australian businesses have entered into Pilot Labour Agreements, and over 200 skilled refugees/displaced people have been granted permanent residency since the pilot commenced in July 2021.

“The Government also remains committed to a generous Humanitarian Program, ensuring Australia continues to play its part in global refugee resettlement while benefiting from the significant contributions humanitarian entrants make to Australian society,” a department spokesperson said.

Since the fall of Kabul in August 2021, the Department has granted almost 35,000 visas to Afghan nationals under the offshore Humanitarian Program.

Doveton man jailed for up to 12 years

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A Doveton man has been jailed up to 12 years after stabbing a man 14 times in a “pitiless” near-fatal attack outside a Dandenong hotel.

Gatluak Gatluak, also formerly of Moorabbin and Patterson Lakes, was found guilty by a Victorian County Court jury of intentionally causing serious injury and affray.

In the early hours of 15 July 2022, he stalked the man for 20 minutes through central Dandenong until attacking outside the Ramada Encore Hotel, Judge John Kelly stated in sentencing on 3 July.

Out of the range of cameras, he drove his knife up to the hilt into the victim several times in a “pitiless” attack, the judge said.

The internal injuries were up to eight centimetres deep. There were stab wounds to his chest, hip, upper thigh, knee, wrist, forearm and abdomen.

“This stabbing was callous, calculated, comprehensive and almost fatal,” the judge said.

“Your victim was unarmed, vulnerable, isolated, alone and unprepared for your ferocity.”

Gatluak left the man unconscious, “appallingly injured” and “pouring blood” while he alerted mutual friends at a house in Foster Street.

They rushed to the victim’s aid, called an ambulance and had “saved his life”, Judge Johns said.

The victim, with bleeding on his brain as well as massive blood loss, was placed in a medically induced coma at The Alfred hospital.

He endured blood transfusions as well as

surgery to repair several forearm muscles and a wound to his wrist and hand.

A chest tube was inserted, due to a collapsed lung.

During trial, Gatluak denied being the victim’s attacker, though CCTV cameras recorded him punching and kicking the man outside the hotel.

Another CCTV image captured him at the Foster Street house with a “red right hand”

Ultimately, the jury believed the victim, who had known Gatluak for 18 months through the victim’s partner, the judge noted.

The victim told police that Gatluak had approached, told him something happened in the past and he’d meant to fight the victim for a long time.

The victim didn’t know what it was about, nor did he want to fight, he told police.

His last memory was walking away – before he woke up in hospital.

Gatluak, a Sudanese-born father-of-three, was diagnosed with PTSD due to his exposure to war and violence from early childhood.

After arriving in Australia in 2004, Gatluak was sent by his family to boarding school in Uganda to repeat Year 11.

Without supporting evidence, he claimed to have won a scholarship at Cambridge University but instead volunteered to fight with the Sudanese army in a civil war for four years.

“You say you attained the rank of captain with three stars. You led attacks and witnessed atrocities,” Judge Kelly said.

“You complain of persistent nightmares about combat and killing following your military ser-

vice.”

His defence lawyer told the court that Gatluak was injured by an improvised pipe grenade in Sudan.

On his return to Australia, Gatluak abused a variety of drugs in response to his war trauma, the defence submitted.

He also developed a “history of damaging other people with force” , Judge Johns noted.

His convictions included several assaults, such as attacking a stranger filling up their car at a Dandenong servo.

He’d beaten his brother unconscious at home, and paired up with a friend in assaulting a party-goer in Dandenong.

In 2020, he had himself been struck unconscious by someone wielding a metal object and spent three days in a coma. He was also assaulted with a machete five years later.

Judge Johns stated that Gatluak’s exposure to violence “somewhat” reduced his moral culpability.

But this was offset by the need to protect the community from someone “trained by war to dispense savagery”

Judge Johns left the door open for Gatluak’s reform, if receptive to therapy and programs to reduce his risk of violence.

He noted Gatluak had taken no responsibility nor shown concern for the victim’s welfare.

Gatluak was jailed for 12 years and three months, with a seven-and-a-half year non-parole period.

His term includes 830 days in pre-sentence detenction.

SE households ‘borrow to buy groceries’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

South East households are buckling under cost-of-living stress, with nearly 45 per cent needing support to make ends meet, according to a recent survey.

Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) has unveiled its first ‘satisfaction survey’ that reveals people are struggling ‘under the radar’.

“Most commonly people are borrowing from family and friends and it’s not for luxuries but to pay for groceries so they can put food on the table,” GSEM chair Simon McKeon said.

“This is not a one-off hit. Almost 70 per cent of people who needed financial help in the past year needed it more than once, and more than a quarter needed it regularly.”

Two out of three people (67 per cent) were worried about the cost of groceries and bills.

Just over half of respondents (51 per cent) were stressed by rent or mortgage costs.

South East Community Links chief executive Peter McNamara said the survey reinforces what his service is seeing.

“Many people experiencing financial stress never appear in official statistics because they don’t access formal support services.

“Instead they’re borrowing money from family and friends, delaying paying bills, skipping meals, going without medication or choosing between heating their home and buying groceries.”

This shows at SECL’s Bring Your Bills events – where 79 per cent of participants are firsttime users of support services.

“This tells us there is a large group of people quietly struggling before they ask for help,” Mr McNamara said.

In 2024-’25, Bring Your Bills alleviated $12 million in debt. The following year, the debt relief tripled to $36 million – a “scale of unmet need” that is “alarming”, Mr McNamara said.

“What’s also telling is that 45 per cent of people seeking financial counselling support through us are employed.

“This isn’t just an issue for people already known to the welfare system. It’s reaching working households.”

He said people were struggling with unaffordable bills, not discretionary spending. Many were too ashamed or embarrassed to seek help, he said.

“We want the community to know they are not alone.

“We encourage people to seek help early and as often as they need it, including going directly to their bank or energy provider, not just community services, because there is far more support available than people realise.”

Greater Dandenong Council chief executive Jacqui Weatherill said cost of living and global pressures have greater impact on vulnerable communities such as Greater Dandenong.

“Although we can’t speak for the region, there are many people in need across Greater Dandenong, and this need is increasing.

“As the closest level of government to the community, we witness this firsthand.”

Greater Dandenong agreed with GSEM that practical projects that improve quality of life were needed - such as better transport connections and safer public spaces, stronger community services, local jobs and modern

Push to rein in Canberra conference costs

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A councillor has moved to rein in the size and cost of Greater Dandenong’s delegations sent to an annual local government conference in Canberra.

In a motion to be tabled at a 20 July council meeting, Cr Rhonda Garad stated the costs of the “large delegations” were significant while residents were under cost-of-living pressures.

“They rightly expect Council to demonstrate prudent financial management and responsible use of public funds.”

Last month, at a cost of about $25,000, six Greater Dandenong councillors and two council officers attended the National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) in Canberra.

Nearby councils Casey and Cardinia sent three representatives each to the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) event.

Cr Garad – who was among the council’s 2026 delegation - will move for Greater Dandenong to send no more than the mayor or acting mayor and two other councillors.

The councillors would be selected on a rotational basis to give councillors an equal opportunity to attend.

Cr Garad will also seek the council to push for livestreamed and interactive online access to the NGA sessions so councillors can take part remotely.

Any council officers’ attendance should be justified by a specific purpose, anticipated benefits, estimated cost and why it was necessary rather than online, according to her proposal.

The NGA is touted as an opportunity for councils to advocate for better federal funding, policy reforms, and to forge effective partnerships with federal ministers and MPs.

More than 200 motions were debated. Among them were two successfully-carried motions from Greater Dandenong on social and affordable housing.

facilities.

“We have successfully secured investments to improve quality of life here, and given the current environment, we are taking this advocacy to the next level.”

Mulgrave MP Eden Foster and South Eastern Metropolitan MPs Lee Tarlamis, Michael Galea and Ann-Marie Hermans were contacted for comment.

Mulgrave Liberal candidate Charles Tran said “locals in Mulgrave know that the cost of living has never been worse than under this Labor Government”.

“In the middle of a cost of living crisis, Labor has increased taxes and introduced new taxes.

“That’s why I put my hand up to be part of Jess Wilson’s new Liberal Team, to scrap Labor’s taxes that are putting pressure on local families.”

The council pushed for nationally-consistent, enforceable definitions of social housing and affordable housing, as well as for council-owned land being exempt from windfall gains tax when rezoned for social or affordable housing.

Mayor Sophie Tan was also chair of the Back Your Neighbour taskforce, which ran a stall and morning tea and met federal MPs to advocate for asylum seeker rights.

A joint report by the attending councillors has brought back ideas such as a youth council and neurodiverse employment pathways at the council.

“The 2026 NGA reinforced that the challenges facing Greater Dandenong — financial sustainability, housing supply, infrastructure renewal and community inclusion — are shared nationally, and that collective advocacy works,” the report states.

Cat rescuer takes action

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A Noble Park cat rescuer has put in her own money to intensify efforts to tackle Greater Dandenong’s stray and feral cat crisis.

Cheryl Ingram, who runs Feline & Friends Cat Rescue, bought 10 cat traps worth about $2000 last week, which she has started setting up at public housing units at Noble Street, Noble Park.

It brings her total stockpile to 11 traps – more than Greater Dandenong Council’s 10.

“It’s making people aware of the massive problem out there.”

She aims to capture, treat and foster-home up to 100 underfed and sick cats that form a semiowned colony at the flats.

This is the same location in which she had captured a starving male cat by hand the week before.

The emaciated cat, who had not been desexed, had organ failure, and barely days to live, she said.

He was humanely euthanised by a vet.

Miss Ingram hopes that most of the roaming cats, which don’t have formal owners, can be adopted into loving homes.

Currently, many are suffering from disease and malnutrition.

Many don’t win the competition for the food left out by a few of the residents.

“There are a few cats being fed at the flats, but they are not desexed and left to breed,” Miss Ingram says.

“A long-term tenant said he found another dead cat yesterday that he’d been feeding for months.”

Late last week, Miss Ingram had successfully trapped seven cats, as of 19 July – two of which were foster-homed.

One – a tomcat - was neutered and released, as he was being fed and cared for by a resident since he was a kitten.

The resident agreed to pay $100 towards the vet costs, including flea and worm treatment and vaccination. Miss Ingram paid the balance.

A large unsocialised ginger male was set to be

surrendered to the Lost Dogs’ Home. Three of the captured cats were still being assessed.

“If other cat rescues can offer help to foster care these healthy cats, it will mean fewer numbers go to the pound,” she says.

Miss Ingram, who has run her cat rescue at a loss, plans to allow residents to borrow her cat traps for free - given that Greater Dandenong Council rangers will not set their traps at the colony.

Instead the council will hire out its cat traps to residents for a $150 deposit, and council rangers will collect the trapped cats or kittens.

“Most residents there have been totally supportive. They are thankful that someone is at last doing something. It should have been done years ago.”

City futures acting executive director Brett Jackson said they were then transported to its pound, run by Lost Dogs Home.

“Council does not currently have facilities to keep kittens to run re-homing programs.

“Anyone interested in adopting cats or kittens should contact the Lost Dogs Home or RSPCA.”

He said that feeding “unowned cats” wasn’t

colony in Noble Park this

Your comments on the cat curfew

Your comments to the readers’ poll: Should we keep the cat curfew?

Zoë Mohl:

Keep the curfew, but better yet, implement a trap and release program where those who are actively trapping can bring the cat in, have them dessexed and then release them back. I get that it still puts outside wildlife at risk but over time the cats’ presence will decline.

Ann Watsonia:

(to Zoë Mohl): Great idea, however who will feed the cats and pay for their health checks? Cat colonies can grow quite big and keep expanding. Not good to have feral cats that are injured and sleeping out in this cold weather. Residents may not like cats regularly coming into their properties and using it as a toilet.

Isabelle Savannah:

It would great to extend the cat curfew and help keep cats safe as well as native birds. A campaign to support residents to desex the cats is very much needed.

Melanie Schuette:

Desexing my male cat was under $300. If owners can’t even afford that one-time payment they shouldn’t own a pet.

Becky Becky: The whole system is a set up for failure. Cat curfews don’t do anything as there are so many unowned cats. We’re told not to feed stray cats but then blame the cats when we’re told they’re killing wildlife. I can 100% say that any cat around my area is fed and the cats are not inter-

ested in any birds, even when they’re right next to them. If they’re fed, they’re not hunting.

What’s needed is free desexing and not just for those with a health care card. That way, community and stray cats can get desexed which will stop future litters and cat fights. All the research is there to show how desexing just one cat changes the outcome of how many kittens will be born. While the initial cost will be more, in the long run it’ll end up costing less for cat management as they’ll be less cats being impounded, less council rangers needed to pick up the cats and less cats being held at Lost Dogs Home (which is a whole other subject)

It’s pretty simple, desexing = less cats.

Lisa Plumridge: TNR should be made legal. Evidence, in every other country where it is legal, shows it works.

Dawn Winters: I doubt (the cat curfew) is very effective. I recently moved to Noble Park and there is a massive cat colony here. I was able to trap a mum and her five kittens, desex and rehome them all, and found another 2 kittens on the street that I also desexed and found homes for, but there were 4 more kittens and 2 mums I couldn’t catch. The kittens and 1 mum sadly passed, most likely due to disease. There are at least 15 more stray cats within a block of me, and that’s only the ones I see. And as soon as the weather starts warming up more kittens will come. All the rescuers I contacted for help were overwhelmed already and the council wasn’t interested.

the answer.

“A major contributing factor is that some people feel sorry for unowned cats and feed them without taking full ownership or responsibility for them.

“However, feeding semi-owned cats helps them to breed more and more kittens, usually into a life of disease and neglect.

“As a result, thousands of stray and feral cats are impounded, and many of these have to be euthanised (put to sleep) due to poor health or because not enough homes can be found for them.”

Mr Jackson advised people to either take ownership of the cat or to phone the council to have the cat taken to a pound or shelter for rehoming.

Miss Ingram is planning to fundraise her efforts with Cans For Cats – in which she collects recyclable containers and puts the proceeds toward cat food and traps.

Philanthropist, pharmacist and former deputy-mayor Richard Lim has sponsored Miss Ingram’s tricycle, which she’ll use to collect cans and bottles.

To donate, go to Felines & Friends Cat Rescue page on Facebook.

Readers scratch the cat curfew

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

SHOULD WE KEEP THE CAT CURFEW?

■74 per cent supported a Community Cat Program.

■64 per cent supported Trap, Neuter, Release. ■52 per cent supported cheaper desexing, cat traps and cat enclosures.

■17 per cent supported the cat curfew.

Star Journal readers have abandoned the cat curfew in our latest poll, instead supporting cheaper or free desexing and other alternatives.

In 2024, Greater Dandenong introduced its night curfew for cats, in response to a reported overpopulation of ferals and strays.

Since then, cat impounds in Greater Dandenong have soared from 700 in 2023 to more than 1000 a year in 2024 and 2025.

As a result, the council’s pound costs have blown out by $736,000 this year.

Meanwhile, cat registrations dropped from about 3500 to 3232 last year.

It has led critics to call for the cat curfew to be scratched.

In our recent poll - Should We Keep the Cat Curfew - most respondents (74 per cent) instead supported a Community Cat Program.

A CCP targets stray cat hotspots in low socio-economic areas and offers free desexing and intensive support.

Support also includes free microchipping, registration and transport assistance, community outreach and engagement with people feeding the cats.

In 2013, a CCP was introduced by Banyule Council and was the subject of a research study by Australian Pet Welfare Foundation and University of Queensland.

In eight years, the free and targeted sterilisations led to 66 per cent fewer impoundments, 82 per cent fewer euthanisations and 36 per cent fewer cat-related complaints, the study found.

The council saved $440,660 for an outlay of $77,490, according to the research.

In other poll findings, a strong 64 per cent of respondents supported Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell’s suggestion of a trial of ‘trap, neuter and release’ – currently not legal in Victoria.

Former mayor Roz Blades’s call for cheaper

desexing, cat traps and cat runs was supported by 52 per cent of respondents.

She said high desexing, microchipping and registration costs (up to $620 a cat) combined with the curfew were deterring residents from registering their cat.

For the cat curfew, only 17 per cent of respondents were in favour.

A Greater Dandenong spokesperson said the council was committed to reducing feral and stray cat numbers.

“Current benchmarking and insight gathering is in progress to further inform Council’s approach, with results expected later this year.” Its programs included “targeted and subsidised” desexing initiatives to reduce unwanted litters and future shelter admissions.

The council also promoted “responsible pet ownership” with community education and awareness.

“In addition, we undertake compliance for microchipping, up-to-date registration records, and processes to reuniting cats with owners.

“In many cases, our data-driven and early intervention approaches have assisted with the prevention of surrender and shelter intakes before they occur.”

Have your say in the next Reader’s Poll on Dandenong Star Journal’s page at facebook. com/DandenongJournal

Copper theft cuts power

By Jensy Callimootoo

A copper cable theft incident and cable damage at Sydney Pargeter Reserve has left the Endeavour Hills Men’s Shed and surrounding facilities without main power, disrupting operations and a postponement of a community open day.

Thieves allegedly cut high-voltage electrical cables between midnight and 1.30am on Monday 6 July, stripping the copper wiring before fleeing.

The damage has left several facilities at the reserve affected, with repairs expected to take weeks.

Endeavour Hills Men’s Shed member Brian Oates said the offenders targeted heavy-duty copper wiring gaining access through the switchboard. Leaving damaged cables suspended after removing the metal.

“They just took any heavy-duty copper they could get their hands on,” Oates said.

The outage initially prevented members from accessing the shed after the electric roller shut-

ters lost power.

Backup generators later restored limited electricity, but the shed remains unable to operate at full capacity.

“The generators got us back in, but we still

only have limited power,” Oates said.

The Men’s Shed contacted Casey Council after discovering the damage and was initially advised repairs could take several days.

However, members were later told the extensive damage to the electrical infrastructure could leave the site without full power for up to a month.

Oates said the incident was particularly disappointing given the important role the Men’s Shed plays in bringing local residents together.

“It’s disappointing that people would come into the area with the intention of causing this sort of damage,” he said.

Nicole Young, City of Casey’s Manager of Infrastructure and Open Space said that following investigations, it found a switchboard to be vandalised which cut the power to all buildings and lighting in the reserve.

This includes the Men’s Shed, Petanque, Football and Cricket Pavilions.

“Council began work immediately to make the

site safe and repair the damage and has also engaged with the Power Authority which is scheduled to attend the site this week to carry out repairs,” said Young.

“Once these works are complete, Council will undertake further repairs and safety checks before power can be safely restored.”

Oates said any prolonged closure or disruption would affect both members and planned community activities. Already, a Community Open Day which was scheduled for 25 July has been postponed by nearly a month to 22 August.

Copper theft has increased across Australia in recent years as high scrap metal prices have made copper wiring an attractive target for thieves.

Officer Football Club was also recently targeted in a separate incident.

In addition to disrupting essential services, authorities warn that interfering with high-voltage electrical infrastructure poses a serious risk of injury or death.

Coalition pledges to scrap fourth bin mandate if elected

The Liberal-Nationals Coalition has pledged to scrap the State Government’s fourth bin mandate, if it’s elected to power in November’s election.

It comes after 50 of the state’s 79 councils have reportedly voiced opposition to the purple-lidded glass bin rollout.

Last month, Greater Dandenong Council joined the resistance and deferred its rollout of the bins.

It cited a $3.6 million initial cost to ratepayers in the rollout’s first year, and about $1.5 million per year thereafter.

The Coalition also announced it will look

at opportunities to instead expand the popular Container Deposit Scheme, so it could recover more recyclable materials.

This is in line with councils calling for the CDS to cover a wider range of glass bottles, as an alternative to the purple bins.

Opposition local government spokesperson Bev McArthur, said the fourth-bin mandate would impose unnecessary cost on Victorian households during increasing cost-of-living pressures.

“This unnecessary mandate is already driving up costs and diverting scarce resources away from the local services and infrastructure com-

munities rely on every day,” Mrs McArthur said.

“I have travelled the length and breadth of Victoria, and everywhere I went the message from councils and ratepayers was the same: scrap the mandate.”

Opposition environment spokesperson Nick McGowan said Victorians wanted better recycling outcomes, not more bins and bigger bills.

“The Liberals and Nationals will scrap the mandate and focus on practical measures that increase recycling without adding pressure to household budgets.”

Councils that don’t comply with the State Government’s rollout deadline of 1 July 2027

were at risk of multiple $100,000 fines, according to Greater Dandenong Council.

The aim of the fourth-bin initiative is to reduce contamination in recycling bins that collect paper and cardboard.

When glass breaks in mixed recycling bins, it contaminates the entire bin’s contents and renders them unrecyclable.

A Victorian Government spokesperson said it was “making recycling as easy and convenient as possible while also keeping valuable materials out of landfill”

“We continue to (work) with councils on how to improve recycling in Victoria.”

Don’t forget the eulogy

In the past weeks, Dad has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Within seconds of hearing the news, I looked across at him and asked, “Have you started writing your eulogy yet?”

The specialist laughed. Dad laughed. Saffal (my son) rolled his eyes. Welcome to our family.

A year ago, Dad (totally free of any ailments, not taking any prescribed medicine), informed us that it was really time to settle his affairs and final rites.

At 75 he felt the time was right.

To some people, that probably sounds morbid. But in that moment, it wasn’t about death. It was about perspective.

We all know there are conversations we avoid because they make us uncomfortable. Yet death is the one appointment every single one of us will eventually keep.

This Wednesday, Dad will undergo a biopsy at Monash Health.

Wedon’tyetknowwhetherthecancerisconfined to his prostate or whether it has spread.

Like every family waiting on results, we’re hopeful. We’re praying. And we’re incredibly grateful.

Grateful to his wonderful GP, who didn’t simply tick boxes during a routine check-up.

She noticed Dad’s PSA levels had suddenly risen and acted immediately.

Grateful for the specialists, nurses and staff who have moved with urgency and compassion.

INTERFAITH

Weoftenspendtimecriticisingoursystemswhen they fail us.

This week, I simply want to say thank you to the people working every day to give families like ours hope.

As unsettling as a diagnosis can be, it has also reminded me of something Dad has been saying for as long as I can remember.

“There are only three certainties in life,” he’d say. “Death, taxes and change.” Usually with a cheeky grin.

The older I get, the more I realise he hasn’t been talking about death.

He was talking about life.

Growing up, my parents never pretended life would always be fair.

They never promised us we wouldn’t experience disappointment, grief or hardship.

Instead, they taught my sisters and I something far more valuable.

Our family has also been fortunate in another

way. For many years, three generations lived under one roof.

Like every family, we laughed together, argued occasionally, celebrated milestones and navigated life’s challenges.

Last year our two munchkins flew the coop, as they should.

That’swhatgoodparentinghopesfor.Butsharing a home with our elders taught us something increasingly rare in today’s busy world.

Time is the greatest gift we can give one another. Not expensive presents. Not another coffee mug for Father’s Day. Not another pair of socks at Christmas – red ones for dad!

Time.

A conversation over a cup of tea. Dinner around the table. Listening to the same stories, even when you’ve heard them a hundred times before.

One day, you’ll wish you could hear them just once more.

We spend so much of our lives planning careers, holidays, renovations and retirement.

Yet so few of us have the conversations that mattermost.Haveyoueveraskedyourparentswhatthey want their final years to look like?

Or my son, (who’s had three heart attacks already), who gets what? Do they want to be buried or cremated?

What music would they like played?

What stories do they hope their grandchildren remember? Have you told the people you love why

Spiritual resources in a world of conflict

By Sister Jacqueline Russell, of Brahma Kumaris and Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network member

The most effective resources in holding an optimistic attitude towards my living adventure are my spiritual resources.

To understand the incorporeal stage of God and how connection with God for guidance can become a spiritual resource involves the rearranging of some of my basic ideas about God.

When I recognise that I am truly a spiritual being living a human existence in a world destined to live out human desires and fragilities, I am in line with my spiritual resources, or strategic wisdom–resilience.

In recognising my own vulnerabilities and

100 years ago

22 July 1926

STEALING ALLEGED

Constable Taylor of Springvale charged John Rogan, with stealing a number of cauliflowers valued at 1 pound from Bartholomew Henry, market gardener. The market gardener stated

they matter to you while they’re still here to hear it?

Leave it to my son, Saffal, to take the conversation in an entirely different direction.

The other day he told me you can now have your ashes turned into fireworks.

Honestly... Sign me up.

If I’m going out, I may as well give everyone one last spectacular show.

Humour has a funny way of reminding us not to fear the inevitable but to embrace the time we have.

Because none of us knows how many Wednesdays we’ve got left.

ThisWednesday,we’llwalkintoMonashHospital together. We’ll hope for the best. We’ll trust the doctors. We’ll take whatever comes next, one step at a time.

But regardless of the outcome, one thing is already certain. Dad has lived an extraordinary life.

Not because he’s sought fame or fortune.

But because he has spent a lifetime lifting others, speaking up for those without a voice, serving his community and leaving people better than he found them. Google (YouTube) him, he’s extraordinary!

As his daughter, I can’t think of a greater legacy than that. Truth be told... our lives won’t ultimately be measured by how much money we earned, the titles we held or the possessions we accumulated. They’ll be measured by the kindness we shared, thepeoplewelifted,thetimewegavethoseweloved, and whether the world is just a little better because we were here.

comes and experiences in the face of multiple tragedies.

MESSAGE OF HOPE

weaknesses at this time of world conflict, individual conflict with myself, relationship conflict with others, what are the lessons to be learned?

For the world conflict, I can only have good wishes, an honest heart, and thoughts to bring light into the attitudes of people or their despair.

And already we are seeing signs of more people wanting to express goodness and good out-

that he went into his garden and noticed where some cauliflowers had been cut and taken away. He looked around and saw where some bags had been dragged under a fence. Witness notified the police, who sent out some black trackers. With the police and the trackers, the witness went to the accused’s place. And in

For individual situations that cause me conflict with myself, it requires a positive response when looking at them.

Positive attitude means positive thoughts on how to deal with or manage them so as not to lose heart.

For relationship conflict with others, accepting things as they are and working with them. This is where I may need help.

It is remembered that God is the wisdom of the wise, so then God knows where my strengths are and my resilience lies.

I could develop a consultation process and a relationship. How to do that?

Well, we have found meditation based on pos-

answer to questions by the police, the accused said he got some cauliflowers from his own garden. They examined the accused’s garden and there were no cauliflowers with leaves similar to the witness’s. The magistrate did not think it had been shown that the accused stole the cauliflowers and dismissed the case.

50 years ago

19 July 1976

The morgue that WAS a mill … The Winterfold Spinning Mills in Bennett St., Dandenong, is according to its former general manager “just like a morgue from an industrial point of view”. Machinery still stands in the building, but there are no people. “There’s 54 years of history in this place, which has to be burned out. I’ve stayed on to help clean up the mess.” Winterfield Spinning Mills spent the past 10 years in Dandenong after moving from Elsternwick. It had up to 30 employees. Mr Campbell said the decision was made in April to run the business down and in May the remaining 20 employees were retrenched. He said the firm found it impossible to compete with imported products and added: “If we’d offered our employees a 56-hour-a-week job with no sick leave, a bowl of rice a day and $50 a week, maybe we would have been able to compete.”

20 years ago

17 July 2006

Residents emerge victorious in tribunal ruling on toxic site Operators of the Lyndhurst tip have breached

itive thinking of myself and others, in connection with God, to be a good start.

Or prayer in conversation with God-seeking awareness of the best way to move forward.

When my companion is God, I stand a good chance of making the right choices in learning how to deal with challenges – the greatest avenue of hope is then in my resilience.

I have inner resources waiting for recognition and authenticity and to become part of my eternal wisdom.

Hope lives in an honest heart - such is life.

• Enquiries regarding the Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong: administration@ interfaithnetwork.org.au

• Visit interfaithnetwork.org.au

their planning permit by storing hazardous waste over the past 15 years, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has ruled. SITA confirmed it will fight the decision and will continue storing hazardous waste until the matter is settled in the Supreme Court at a date to be set. The tribunal’s decision has been hailed “as a win for the little guy” by RATWISE chairwoman Geraldine Gonsalves. “This is a definite triumph for democracy and grassroots environmental justice.” The face of the RATWISE campaign, Stuart Marriner, 87, said the tribunal decision made the group’s stance worthwhile. “It’s vindicated our efforts. It’s been hours and hours of reading.”

5 years ago

20 July 2021

Jug house saved Noble Park’s famous ‘jug house’ could be set to be saved forever. Greater Dandenong Council has started the process of protecting the house with the folklored brick-jug chimney on the corner of Heatherton and Corrigan roads. Recently the “vintage bungalow” with an “interesting story” went for sale, sparking speculation about its fate. In the end, it was bought for $1.25 million by a buyer who “appreciated” the house. The new owner had “no issue” with the site being potentially heritage listed. “They were buying to live in, not to develop” said real estate agent Jaymee Le. “She loves the house and wants to restore it.”

Pitches for state election

Greater Dandenong Council and advocacy group

Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) have launched their wishlists ahead of the State Election.

Housing and poverty were the focus at the council’s advocacy campaign launch in Dandenong on 17 July.

George Hatvani from Launch Housing, Shari McPhail from WAYSS and Naomi Paterson from Cornerstone Contact Centre spoke on the need to do more.

Mayor Sophie Tan said the council would push for practical projects that improve daily life.

“Our advocacy priorities are aimed at ensuring our residents can access quality services, move around our city more easily, enjoy welcoming public spaces and benefit from a thriving local economy.”

Some of the big-ticket items include:

■a $400 million rebuild of Dandenong railway station,

■creating a Noble Park Library Lounge

■a $5 million upgrade of Multicultural Place in Springvale

■$42 million Dandenong Community Hub

■Dandenong Market/Palm Plaza precinct revitalisation.

Other priorities were crime prevention, gambling reform, strengthening its state-significant industrial precinct, sports and parks, bus services and Djerring Trail extension to Dandenong.

Meanwhile, GSEM chief executive Simon McKeon said felt that infrastructure wasn’t keeping pace with population growth, he said. the bus network was “vitally important to young people and many multicultural communities in the (South East) region”.

“Our election platform directly responds to these priorities, with targeted investment in better buses, improved road networks and critical infrastructure to support growing communities.”

Mr McKeon said it was also important to

support Australia’s leading industrial hub in the South East. This included to unlock industrial land and

support advanced manufacturing to underpin local jobs and the state’s economy.

“The message is clear. If government in-

vests in the south east, it will relieve cost of living pressures, improve livability and unlock economic growth for the whole state.”

Jail for weapons, stolen cars stash

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A Narre Warren North man has been jailed over a large stash of firearms and stolen cars found at his rental bungalow.

Eden Merritt, 37, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to 28 charges, including recklessly exposing emergency workers to risk by driving into a police vehicle in Dandenong North.

Of the most gravity to Chief Judge Amanda Chambers was Merritt’s weapon stockpile including a sawn-off shotgun in a stolen car’s boot.

Three modified gel blasters, an imitation gellball automatic rifle, a 3D-printed revolver, a taser and a machete were found inside his bungalow during two separate search warrants.

At the time, Merritt was prohibited from accessing firearms. The judge was satisfied that the guns were held for an unspecified criminal purpose.

Also found at the property were two stolen

Subaru WRXs, a stripped-down stolen Audi A5 and five stolen number plates.

Chief Judge Chambers said Merritt showed a disregard for the safety of police officers during his reckless ramming of a police car. He later displayed no remorse.

In May 2024, police parked behind Merritt’s stolen VW Golf, which displayed number plates linked to several agg burglaries.

Emergency lights were activated, all four officers got out of their vehicle, and one of them knocked on Merritt’s driver-side window.

Merritt – a disqualified driver at the time - reversed and rammed the police car, causing two of the officers to take evasive action.

The Golf escaped over a footpath and down Heatherton Road and Simpson Drive.

Merritt also pled to contravening a community correction order, drug possession, handling stolen goods such as number plates, passports and ID cards, and five car thefts including a Holden ute.

Chief Judge Chambers took into account Merritt’s childhood neglect, mental health and his drug abuse.

His “reasonably extensive” criminal history dated back to 2009.

It included driving dangerously while pursued by police, car theft, weapons, drug, family violence, robbery and dishonesty offences as well as community correction order breaches.

His rehabilitation prospects were “guarded” , noting he relapsed into drug use and offending 13 days after being released from custody in November 2024.

He had unsuccessfully requested residential drug rehab at the time.

Merritt was jailed for up to five years and four months, with a non-parole period of three years and four months.

His term includes 717 days already served in pre-sentence remand.

FV victims to lose vital access to justice

By Emily Woods, AAP

A vulnerable woman arrives at court for the first time after having been abused by her partner.

With the support of lawyers, he’s pushing to get full custody of their children, while she is self-represented.

She pushes her way through the city skyscraper, jostling with people in suits and robes.

From security guards rifling through her bag, to the prospect of having to bow to a judge and publicly tell her story, the entire scene is overwhelming.

And when she finally finds the right door to enter, she will almost certainly come face-to-face with the perpetrator of her misery.

The overwhelm may prevent the woman’s understanding of what lawyers, judges or magistrates decide in her case.

It’s a situation victim-survivors of family violence face every day at Family Courts across Australia.

For four decades Court Network volunteers have helped women find their way as they navigate a complicated justice system.

But from November, these vital volunteers will have vanished from sight because the federal government decided not to commit $300,000 needed to continue the program.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland says “time limited” funding has been provided to the program since 2022 while support is provided for other programs for separated families.

Even so, the volunteers disappeared from family courts in Brisbane and Sydney at the end of June and only remain at Melbourne and Dandenong courts for a few more months.

Court Networkers connect vulnerable court users with family violence and mental health support.

They also sit with and take notes for them about the often bewildering happenings of the courtroom.

They even accompany them to the toilets when a traumatic situation can make them physically sick.

A volunteer for 11 years, Nicky describes a particularly difficult recent day, supporting two women who lost custody of their children.

One was told by a judge she would be restricted to identity-only contact, meaning no visits or communication.

“She left the courtroom and was in the bathroom vomiting, so we’re in there with her,” Nicky tells AAP inside the Court Network office at Melbourne’s Family Court.

The morning before being interviewed, she was also approached by a distressed-looking woman with no legal representation trying to obtain orders for her son to be returned to her.

Just separated from her ex-partner, the woman said he was trying to keep their child from her.

“The sort of coercive control that’s been going on in their relationship was really amping up,” Nicky says.

She helped the woman speak to a duty lawyer for advice, as she couldn’t afford a lawyer.

Nicky then sat with her in court because she was highly anxious about having to stand and ex-

plain her situation to the judge.

“I said to her: ‘This is going to be okay, we have unrepresented litigants every day of the week. Everybody knows about them, everybody’s sympathetic towards them and no one expects you to be a lawyer.’

“I was basically saying, ‘You can just talk to the judge in the way that you talk to me because there’s nothing to worry about, she’s not going to trick you up if you don’t understand.’

“She got up on her feet, she was great and she got a recovery order that says her child has to be returned to her by 4pm today.”

Prue, 91, has been a Court Network volunteer for 25 years and was awarded an Order of Australia medal for her contribution.

“We have people whose husbands have threatened to kill them, there’s vomit, they lose the plot, they go out screaming because they’re not getting what they want,” she tells AAP.

“They’re very vulnerable and it’s a question of understanding them but really it’s about loving them.”

A domestic violence survivor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as she is fearful of her ex-partner, said Court Networkers ensure “you’re not on an island on your own”

“I turned up never having been to court before, 15 years ago, and didn’t know what was up or down,” she says.

“I was so frightened.

“It wasn’t until someone sat down next to me, a Court Networker, who just made such an incredible difference, and told me her story and was so calming.

“It reduces fear, confusion and isolation. It improves the justice system by helping people engage. It stops stalling the system.”

Cutting these vital volunteers is an access-to-justice issue, Court Network executive director Kate Cahill says.

“It is predominantly women who are going to be disadvantaged by not having Networkers

Services seek help as waitlists double

By Sahar Foladi

Victoria’s peak body representing alcohol and other drug (AOD) services has revealed unprecedented demand for treatment as its waitlists grow.

The 8th sector demand survey by Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) reports that waitlists have more than doubled since the Covid pandemic, as agencies implore for an additional $70 million funding.

On any day in May, 5122 people were waiting for AOD treatment in Victoria, according to the survey of 44 agencies, such as Windana, YSAS, Uniting, Anglicare, and the Better Health Network. This is 115 per cent more than in 2020 (2385 people)

Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) AOD south-east regional manager, Danny Alcock, has worked in alcohol and other drug services for 20 years with young people.

Wait times in the south east are six to eight weeks to be triaged and prioritised on a case-by-case basis.

“We’re probably seeing numbers increase largely due to the population increase,” Mr Alcock says.

“Percentages pretty much stay the same, but the problem is resources don’t follow population growth, and some of the complexities we’re now seeing - such as how young people access substances, and the new and emerging substances that are coming through that weren’t around 20 years ago, particularly synthetic opioids and nitazenes.”

Relapse and a decline in motivation to seek support during these wait times are a significant risk.

“Certainly, the demand far outweighs the supply as far as our resources are concerned.

present.

“Being able to confidently and actively participate in your proceeding is really important; that’s an access-to-justice issue and if we’re not there, who is going to be supporting these people?”

About 56 per cent of those they support in court have experienced family violence and 60 per cent have no legal representation.

The volunteers don’t just support victim-survivors, they refer perpetrators of abuse to men’s behavioural change programs and provide emotional support to them in court.

“That means he is not going to be emotionally revved up in court, which will mean he will be listening to what’s being said and he’s more likely to take that information on board,” Ms Cahill says.

“So that is a benefit to both sides.”

Lawyers, magistrates, judges, court staff, family violence and mental health workers also depend on the volunteers’ support, she continues.

“It means the whole temperature of the courtroom goes down because people are more regulated, people are able to pay attention.”

Ms Cahill is hopeful philanthropic funding will come through before November to keep the program alive and is lobbying politicians including Lidia Thorpe.

The independent senator Senator Thorpe raised the issue in parliament at the end of June, asking whether $300,000 is “really too much for the Labor government”

ThelossofCourtNetworkwillhave“far-reaching effects” , according to Family Court Chief Justice Will Alstergren.

“Family violence is a national crisis,” he says.

“Ensuring Court Network is available to keep family law parties supported, informed and connected to the right services must remain a top priority.”

1800 RESPECT (1800

“Their motivation for help can reduce because that window of motivation is often very short when people are seeking treatment, so if they don’t get it quickly, then often they’re not motivated anymore.

“So it’s really important for us to respond quickly when we get young people either referred, self-referred, or referred.”

Social media is a major player in substance promotion to young people, who wouldn’t have been exposed to this previously, according to Mr Alcock.

Funding allows a day program limited to the YSAS Dandenong site to support young people to interact and connect with services informally, triage them, engage in social activities, meet professionals, and seek crisis support.

VAADA’s CEO, Chris Christoforou says $70 million is needed to implement “a new system in response to these challenges,” to address current demand, reduce waitlists, and build capability supportive of additional people to access help to combat addiction.

He says rebuilding the AOD treatment system can’t be put off until 2030.

“Despite an increase in the number of AOD treatment places in Victoria over the last decade, AOD services are today being overwhelmed with demand, unable to meet requests for help with substance dependence in a timely manner.”

Between 2019-’23, 94 have died in unintended overdoses in Greater Dandenong – the third highest council area in the state behind Geelong and Brimbank, according to a recent Penington Institute paper. In 2023, nearly 500 Victorians died from an unintended overdose – about two-and-a-half times the state annual road toll, which rose to 584 fatal overdoses in 2024.

Exciting new shopping experience

Bargain hunters have a new reason to visit Waverley Gardens, with Australian discount retailer Ten Tops opening its newest store on Saturday, 25 July.

Known for its commitment to offering quality products at affordable prices, Ten Tops has built a loyal following with more than 90 per cent of its range priced at $10 or less. The new Waverley Gardens store will continue that promise while introducing an exciting addition – Ten Beyond.

Located in a clearly marked section of the store, Ten Beyond will feature a curated selection of products priced from $15, allowing customers to discover even more great-value homewares, lifestyle products and trending items.

Joseph Bernardi, CEO of Bernardi Group, said the new concept expands the retailer’s offering while staying true to what customers know and love.

“Our customers trust us to deliver great value, and that’s not changing,” Joseph Bernardi said. “More than 90 per cent of our range will continue to be $10 and under. The new Ten Beyond section simply gives us the opportunity to offer even more exciting products that represent outstanding value.”

The introduction of Ten Beyond is designed to expand the range available to shoppers rather than increase prices across the store, giving customers greater choice while maintaining Ten Tops’ reputation for everyday affordability.

From household essentials and seasonal favourites to party supplies, beauty and ontrend products, the new Waverley Gardens store promises something for everyone.

The community is invited to celebrate the grand opening on Saturday, 25 July, and be among the first to explore the latest Ten Tops store and discover great-value finds across every department.

Jail over parking fines?

By

The threat of imprisonment for unpaid parking fines and toll debts has sparked backlash across legal advocates and the local community.

A Victorian Government spokesperson said there are “no plans to lift the moratorium”

“Imprisonment is a last resort in Victoria’s fines system, and a warrant can only be ordered by a court,” the spokesperson said.

“If someone is struggling to pay a fine, we encourage them to reach out to the issuing agency or Fines Victoria as early as possible.

“Support is available, and there are ways for people to manage their fines in a way that takes their circumstances into account.”

South-East Monash Legal Service (SMLS) has joined many community legal centres, legal advocates and sector partners in calling on the Victorian Government to “permanently“ and “quickly” abolish imprisonment for unpaid parking fines and toll debts.

As a member of the Infringements Working Group, SMLS plans to send an open letter to the Attorney-General urging reform.

SMLS interim chief executive Ashleigh Newnham said their centre worked daily with people experiencing financial hardship, family violence, disability, mental illness and other significant challenges.

In their experience, people arrested for fine debt are “not refusing to take responsibility”

“For many people, the choice is not between paying a fine or not paying a fine,” Ms Newnham stressed.

“It is between paying a fine and paying the rent, buying groceries or meeting other essential needs.

“Imprisonment in these circumstances punishes vulnerability, deepens disadvantage and does nothing to address the underlying causes of fine debt.

“No one should lose their freedom because they cannot afford to pay a fine.”

Senior solicitor Thu Nguyen from Pakenham’s Shine Lawyers said the government had a legitimate interest in enforcing fines and ensuring compliance with the law.

However, she believes punishment should be “proportionate” and the legal system should distinguish between people who are unwilling to comply with the law and those who are simply unable to pay.

If the current arrangements remain unchanged, she warned there is a risk that vulnerable people could become “trapped” in a cycle of debt, disadvantage and further interaction with the justice system.

“Imprisonment can have significant conse-

quences, including loss of employment, disruption to housing and family relationships, and increased pressure on already stretched correctional resources.

“From a broader policy perspective, lawmakers may wish to consider whether those outcomes are proportionate to the underlying conduct and whether they achieve the intended objectives of the fines system.“

Residents took to Gazette social media to voice frustration over justice system priorities and bail laws.

Many critics said authorities should focus on “serious offences” such as home invasions, knife crime, car thefts, firebombings and attacks on police officers.

Mark Dalton said those were the “culprits” who should be facing jail.

“They are continually getting let out on bail, no matter how many times they offend and you want to jail people for not paying parking fines,”

Ann Dunn added.

“Real criminals out on bail. This proves we have a revenue raising legal system. No justice,” Neetz Ki said.

Aimee Stockwell doubted the proposal would work, arguing prisons were already under pressure and the cost of incarceration would outweigh the value of an unpaid parking fine.

However, others supported the notion that people should face consequences for their actions.

“There needs to be repercussions for not paying fines. It’s the way it is in other states and Victoria should enforce it,” Brian Beardon said.

Cardinia Shire Council said motorists can request an internal review, nominate another driver, apply for payment exemptions or payment plans, or elect to have the matter heard in court.

If a parking infringement remains unpaid, within six months, Council refers the matter to Fines Victoria to manage further action.

Gold Class in-cinema dining, food services temporarily halted

By Jensy Callimootoo

Following reports of a rodent infestation at Village Cinemas Fountain Gate, patrons have now been advised that food services and in-cinema dining will not be available at its Gold Class facilities.

A pop-up notification on the Village Cinemas Website states that food services would be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance. No timeframe is given.

However, movie sessions will continue to operate.

Some customers who have booked in to see a film have also received communication from the centre.

One shared email from a customer states that as in-cinema dining is no longer available, customers can opt-in for a refund.

While the reason for maintenance is not outlined, many believe it may be due to the mice and rat sightings at the popular cinema complex over the last year.

As reported by this masthead earlier this week, many customers have filed reports to the Village Cinemas head office as well as Casey Council.

Patrons complained of rodents running over their legs and arm chairs during screenings, specifically in Gold Class.

A major concern outlined by patrons were safety and health worries due to food and drink services that are available.

Some customers have revealed they have cancelled their movie tickets or asked for transfer to another cinema altogether.

A Casey spokesperson told Star News that the council takes “all public health and food safety matters seriously” and that they have been working the cinemas as well as Westfield Fountain Gate to address reports of rodent activity at the site.

“Following complaints received, Council’s contracted Environmental Health Officers undertook inspections and identified evidence of rodent activity,” said a spokesperson.

‘In response, Council communicated to site management corrective actions required to be put in place under the Food Act 1984 to manage potential public health risks.

“This included requirements to strengthen pest control measures, improve food storage practices and address broader site management issues.

“Council will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the issue is effectively addressed and community health and safety remains protected.”

FOCUS ON … EDUCATION CHOICES WEEK

Growing strong together

At Spring Parks Primary School, we’ve always believed we have something very special. Our latest results have simply confirmed what our students, families and staff already knew – Spring Parks is a wonderful place to learn, grow and belong.

We have recently received our 2026 NAPLAN results, and we couldn’t be prouder of our students. Their outstanding achievements are a testament to the hard work of our dedicated teachers, the support of our wonderful families, and, most importantly, the effort and resilience of our students. These results don’t happen by chance; they are the product of a caring community working together to ensure every child reaches their potential.

We have also received the results of the Attitudes to School Survey (ATOSS), and once again our students told us they are happy, motivated and engaged in their learning. There is no greater endorsement than hearing directly from our students that they enjoy coming to school, feel supported and are excited about learning each day.

At Spring Parks, we believe that every child deserves to be known as an individual. One of the ways we achieve this is through our exceptionally small class sizes, averaging just 17 students per class. We genuinely believe that smaller classes allow teachers to build stronger relationships with students, provide more personalised support and ensure every child receives the attention they deserve.

Our commitment to student wellbeing is just as important as academic success. We are fortunate to partner with UCLF, whose trained wellbeing dogs spend an entire semester at our school. These beautiful dogs help students develop confidence, reduce anxiety, encourage positive social interactions and create a calm, welcoming environment for learning. For some students, simply spending time with a wellbeing dog can make all the difference to their day.

We also provide access to Psychologist in Schools, ensuring students who require additional emotional or mental health support can receive assistance in a familiar and trusted environment. Supporting the whole child is central to everything we do.

Students at Spring Parks also enjoy a rich and engaging curriculum. Our specialist programs include Mandarin, Physical Education, Visual Arts and Performing Arts, while our experienced classroom teachers deliver engaging Science and Design and Technology programs alongside our core literacy and numeracy curriculum. We are passionate about providing opportunities for every child to discover their interests and talents.

Choosing the right primary school is one of the most important decisions a family will make. We are incredibly proud of the welcoming, inclusive and supportive community we have built at Spring Parks Primary School, and we would love the opportunity to show you what makes our school so special.

If Spring Parks Primary School sounds like the right fit for your family, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’d be delighted to arrange a tour, answer your questions and share more about what makes our school unique.

My door is always open, and I would be more than happy to chat with you about why Spring Parks Primary School could be the very best place for your child to begin their educational journey.

Philip O’Reilly, Principal

Spring Parks Primary School students have the opportunity to grow, achieve, and succeed. (544393)

What matters most to your child?

Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. For families, selecting a school that aligns with your child’s strengths, interests, and personality can set the foundation for lifelong learning and confidence. Focusing on what matters most to your child ensures they are engaged, supported, and inspired every day.

Schools across Victoria offer a wide range of programs designed to help children thrive academically and personally. Many provide smaller class sizes, specialist teachers, and tailored learning approaches that cater to individual needs. Visiting schools, meeting staff, and exploring the curriculum can help parents understand how each school fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning.

Academic support is only one part of the picture. Social and emotional development is equally important. Children benefit from inclusive extracurricular activities; sports teams, music programs, arts workshops, and school clubs that encourage teamwork and friendship. Schools often provide a variety of programs designed to help students build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Asking your child which activities excite them can help you choose a school where they will feel engaged and valued.

Health and wellbeing are also key considerations. Many schools offer pastoral care programs, mentoring, and support networks that help children navigate challenges, develop resilience, and thrive socially and emotionally. Encouraging your child to participate in activities that promote wellbeing such as sports, arts, or leadership programs can enrich their school experience and support their growth. Ultimately, listening to your child’s voice is essential. Involving them in conversations about their schooling, what makes them feel inspired, safe, and motivated, empowers them to take ownership of their learning journey. It

also gives you insight into which schools are best equipped to nurture their talents and interests.

At the heart of every decision is one simple truth: your child’s happiness, learning, and sense of belonging matter most. Schools offer a wealth of programs, opportunities, and supportive environments to help children flourish academically, socially, and personally. By focusing on what matters to your child, you’re not just choosing a school, you’re creating a foundation for a lifetime of possibilities.

YEAR 3 NAPLAN RESULTS

ATTITUDE TO SCHOOL SURVEY RESULTS

FOCUS ON … EDUCATION CHOICES WEEK

High standards, caring hearts

At Lyndale Secondary College, we recognise that every student is an individual and strive to ‘treat every child as our own.’ We set high standards, encourage hard work, and support our students to achieve their very best.

Serving the Dandenong and broader community for decades, Lyndale has built a strong culture of learning, respect and aspiration. We aim to see all our students flourish and complete Year 12 equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to achieve their future ambitions.

High standards for learning, attendance and behaviour underpin daily life at Lyndale, and our excellent results in these areas reflect our unwavering commitment.

Students benefit from a comprehensive support structure that prioritises wellbeing alongside academic achievement, with dedicated programs for course selection, career planning and personal development.

With an enrolment of approximately 900 students, Lyndale offers the advantages of a large,

diverse school while maintaining a strong sense of belonging. Our teaching and learning is driven by data, centred on every individual student, and focused on stretching each learner to reach their potential. The results reflect this commitment: in 2025, more Lyndale students achieved high or medium growth in NAPLAN than students at similar schools, across every domain, from Reading and Numeracy to Writing, Spelling, and Grammar.

Students can access a broad curriculum, specialist learning areas, modern facilities and a

wide range of co-curricular opportunities. Ongoing staff professional development ensures teaching practices remain engaging, relevant and future-focused.

Together, these elements support students’ academic, cultural, creative, social and sporting growth, preparing them to thrive in an everchanging world.

We welcome your interest and warmly invite you to contact the College at (03) 9795 2366 with any enquiries.

ON … EDUCATION CHOICES WEEK

The Wiz builds on tradition

Dandenong High School is returning to the musical stage with our performance of The Wiz, the award-winning Broadway retelling of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, on August 28 and 29.

First premiering in 1974, The Wiz has delighted audiences for more than 50 years, offering a fresh take on Dorothy’s journey to Oz, with a vibrant blend of musical genres including Funk and R&B. Written by William F. Brown, with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, it remains one of the most celebrated musicals of all time.

For Dandenong High School, this production is more than a musical—it is a celebration of our creative, talented and diverse school community. Audiences can look forward to students singing, dancing, acting and performing songs such as Ease on Down the Road, and Brand-New Day.

The production builds on a strong tradition of performing arts at Dandenong High School. Over the past 12 years, students have presented acclaimed productions including Around the World in 80 Days and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

This year the musical involves more than 50 students in the cast and crew, supported by 11 staff members and members of Untamed Theatre, an independent company formed by past DHS students. Since March, they have been working tirelessly each week in preparation for the late-August opening.

The Wiz celebrates the school’s rich multicultural community, showcasing the many voices, cultures and talents that make Dandenong High School unique. When the curtain rises this August, audiences will witness not only a spectacular musical but also a significant milestone in the school’s performing arts history.

We invite members of our local community to attend on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 August at 7pm in the Melaleuca Theatre. Tickets can be purchased from the school.

FOCUS ON … EDUCATION CHOICES WEEK

College celebrates 40 years through the arts

Hampton Park Secondary College Celebrates 40 Years Through the Arts

As Hampton Park Secondary College celebrates its 40th anniversary, the school is reflecting on a rich history of creativity, performance and student achievement while looking ahead to an exciting future for the Performing Arts.

A highlight of this year’s celebrations is Replay, Rewind, an original production created by Hampton Park Secondary College students and staff.

The mystery-filled play follows a group of students who discover forgotten cassette tapes hidden beneath their school, uncovering stories from the past that connect generations.

The production celebrates storytelling, collaboration and the creativity that has been at the heart of the college for four decades.

The Performing Arts program continues to thrive beyond the stage. Our music space has recently undergone an exciting transformation, with new soundproofing installed by our dedicated maintenance team, creating high-quality rehearsal rooms where students can develop their skills and confidence.

Throughout the year, students have embraced every opportunity to perform.

Lunchtime performances have showcased the talent within our music program, while last term’s Talent Show highlighted the confidence and passion of students across a range of performing arts disciplines.

Later this term, our musicians will share their talentswithlocalprimaryschoolsthroughacom-

munity tour before finishing the year with the annual End of Year Performance Night. These opportunities reflect Hampton Park Secondary College’s ongoing commitment to nurturing creativity, confidence and collaboration through the arts.

As the college celebrates 40 years of educating and inspiring young people, the Performing Arts remain a vibrant part of school life, bringing students, families and the wider community together.

The community is warmly invited to cel-

ebrate this milestone by attending Replay, Rewind at hthe Rivergum Performing Arts Centre on Thursday 30 July and Friday 31 July at 6.00 pm, and experience the incredible talent of Hampton Park Secondary College students.

Lynbrook’s top dog

By Violet Li

Lynbrook hosted its first hot dog-eating competition of the year on Wednesday 15 July.

About 10 contestants took the challenge to finish three hot dogs and a lemonade in the inaugural Triple Bypass Challenge.

The challenge was held at local business Dr Hot Dog to celebrate National Hot Dog Day.

Conor Traczewski dominated the contest, completing the meal in just three minutes and 37 seconds. It was Conor’s first eating competition, but he said an “inhuman appetite” helped him claim the title.

His strategy was to maintain a steady pace without eating so quickly that he became sick.

“Just don’t eat too quickly and throw up,” he said. “I got the pace down reasonably enough, and that was it.”

Asked whether it was his best record, Conor said: “It’s my only record.”

The winning performance earned him the Triple Bypass Challenge trophy and free hot dogs for a year, with one hot dog available each week for the next 52 weeks.

Alex Brewer completed the challenge in five minutes and 57 seconds after arriving at the event tired from work.

Alex said his main objective was to beat the time set by his friend Jason Bennett, who first took the challenge and finished everything in nine minutes and 59 seconds.

“That’s what I’ve been heading on to do today, and that’s what I’ve done,” he said.

“I’m proud of myself. I’ve taken my own win.”

Former Casey councillor Damien Rosario finished in nine minutes and 45 seconds.

Asked how he felt immediately afterwards, he replied: “Full.”

Victoria

Damien admitted having a large lunch before the competition had been a mistake, but said he remained determined to finish the food and avoid looking “silly in front of the community”

He said he took part to support Dr Hot Dog owner Scott Watson and the local business, which he had been visiting regularly for several months.

Mr Watson, who has announced his independent candidacy to run in the November Victorian

“We’ve got the business Dr Hot Dog, and we just had to get involved in it,” he said.

He thanked the competitors and spectators who attended and said the event would return.

“This is the first of many,” he said. “We’ll continue to do this and make it better next year.”

Police warn of myGov tax and EOFY sale scams

Police is urging people to be vigilant of scammers targeting MyGov sign-in details to commit tax fraud and impersonating well known Australian retailers online during end of financial year sales.

The force’s Cybercrime Squad see scammers attempt to fraudulently access linked government services every year during the rush to complete tax returns, before either generating fraudulent payments in the victim’s name, or redirecting tax refunds to be paid into their own accounts.

With consumers also scrolling online for end of year financial sales coinciding at the same time, scammers use fraudulent websites to impersonate genuine online retail stores belonging to many popular brands.

Cybercrime Squad Detective Acting Inspector Carl Keenan warns everyone to be hypervigilant. She says scammers are paying to create websites almost identical to genuine brand websites to appear at the top of an internet search.

“Never click on a link sent to you that is purporting to be from the Australian Taxation Office or myGov – they will never ask you to access any online services via a link.

“Make sure you access your accounts through legitimate apps or via independent searches.

“You should also be wary of sponsored ads

BUSINESS PROFILE

either within a browser or on social media – if you find anything that doesn’t look right, don’t click on it, and always report it to the platform. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.”

To remain safe, Digital ID or Passkey to sign into myGov is the strongest way to sign in and protect your account.

Multi-factor authentication sign in option, such as SMS codes or an authenticator app are also useful.

Tax fraud:

Scammers use a variety of methods to compromise their victims’ identities, including sending phishing email and SMS scams to impersonate government agencies.

These scams can contain links to fake myGov websites.

Victims will be prompted to enter their details, unknowingly giving criminals access to their genuine myGov accounts linked to their ATO accounts.

Once they have access, scammers are able to pose as the victim in order to commit fraud.

Scammers will use the cover of events such as annual tax time to lure potential victims. Common phrases currently being used by scammers include:

-’You are due to receive an ATO Direct refund’

-‘You have a new message in your myGov inbox – click here to view’

-’You need to update your details to allow your Tax return to be processed’

-’We need to verify your incoming tax deposit’

-’ATO Refund failed due to incorrect BSB/Account number’

-‘Your income statement is ready, click on the link to view’

End of financial year sale scams:

Scammers will often impersonate popular brands using the latest technology to create convincing fake websites using the brand’s logo, designs and layouts.

Generally, they’ll include a “.com.au” domain name, and likely the stolen ABN number of the business they are purporting to be.

They might also pay for their fraudulent website to appear at the top of an internet search or offer the same products as the genuine brand at a significantly lower price.

Last year, police received 978 reports relating to tax fraud, with a total reported loss of $278,000.

These reports were then forwarded to the relevant government agency, such as the ATO, for further action.

During the same period, the Cybercrime Squad issued 20 myGov related phishing domain takedown requests.

Every child needs a fair chance to learn

Every child deserves the support they need to succeed from day one. And that’s what Successful School Starters will do.

As we all know, ADHD and autism among children in Australia is soaring, leaving teachers struggling to cope with increasingly challenging classroom behaviour.

Poor student behaviour has contributed to Victoria’s teaching crisis, which saw approximately 35,000 teachers and supporters take to the streets of Melbourne during the largest teachers’ strike in Victorian history.

But the effects go far beyond the classroom. For families, the path to diagnosis is complex, time-consuming, and frustrating at the best of times.

Not to mention expensive, a cost which many families are not able to spare during this cost-of-

living crisis.

But the journey is worse for children who aren’t diagnosed.

As both a teacher and a mother of four, I understand the realities of this issue better than most.

I have worked with students across a full range of abilities and support needs.

When children aren’t diagnosed, symptoms and behaviours worsen, putting a strain on parents, educators, and families, and unfairly leading to poorer outcomes for the child.

The Liberals and Nationals Coalition recognise this. That’s why we have announced Successful Schools Starters.

This program will embed occupational therapists and speech pathologists within the existing Primary School Nursing Program.

These specialists will observe Victorian prep students in their first days of school, to: Help identify potential learning and developmental needs

Provide advice to parents Guide families through the difficult stages of specialist assessment and diagnosis. Moreover, students requiring further review and diagnosis will receive a $500 subsidy towards their initial specialist appointment.

In the classroom, Successful School Starters will:

■Enable appropriate learning adjustments to be put in place

■Create more effective classroom environments

■Improve learning outcomes

■Because the earlier a child receives support, the better their opportunity to thrive and learn.

There were also 303 reports relating to fake online stores, resulting in a loss of $729,000. The Cybercrime Squad works tirelessly to get scam websites removed – and in response to these reports issued takedown requests for 139 fake online store-related websites.

It’s prompted a police warning for Victorians to be on alert for these scammers during this period and make a report if they fall victim. If you suspect someone has stolen your tax file number or is using your tax information illegally, call the ATO on 1800 467 033. They will explain the safeguards that need to be applied to keep your ATO account safe. Report any suspicious contact claiming to be from Services Australia or myGov to reportascam@servicesaustralia.gov.au

Scams that are not impersonating the ATO, myGov or a Services Australia brand can be reported to scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam. They also have further advice on spotting fake websites.

If you think you have been the victim of an online scam, contact your bank or card provider immediately to report the scam. They may be able to stop a transaction from going through.

If you have any information about a scam and wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

Meteorites pieces on show?

By Violet Li

Crystal World owner and international geologist Tom Kapitany is considering bringing pieces of the Cranbourne meteorite out of his private collection and putting them on display at the Devon Meadows attraction.

The plan follows Mr Kapitany’s recent appearance in an episode of the ABC documentary series Stuff the British Stole, which examined the journey of the largest Cranbourne meteorite from Melbourne’s south-east to London.

Mr Kapitany owns several pieces of Cranbourne fragments.

The pieces are normally kept privately, but renewed interest generated by the television program has prompted him to consider creating a display where visitors could see, and possibly hold, a small part of the local meteorite.

He said he obtained the fragments through an exchange with Museums Victoria, receiving pieces removed when larger Cranbourne specimens were cut, polished and examined.

Mr Kapitany’s fascination with the Cranbourne meteorite began after he moved to Devon Meadows in 1989.

He had already developed a general interest in meteorites and tektites but was unaware that one of Australia’s most significant meteorite discoveries had occurred close to his new home.

“Once I moved here, I got really keen and quite active,” he said.

“I lived so close to the Cranbourne fall and I thought, ‘Wow, meteorites, Devon Meadows’.”

Thirteen Cranbourne masses have been documented, with pieces discovered across Melbourne’s south-east, including Devon Meadows, Pearcedale, Clyde, Langwarrin, Beaconsfield and Pakenham.

The largest, known as the Bruce or Cranbourne No.1 meteorite, weighs about 3.55 tonnes and was found in what is now Devon

Meadows.

It was sent to the British Museum in the 1860s and is held by London’s Natural History Museum.

At the time, the No.1 meteorite’s owner in-

tended to donate it to the British Museum, while Victorian scientists campaigned to retain it locally.

The truth is out there - until it is not

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Here’s something to think on: “They are there until they are not – but they are not there until they are.”

This is the paradox created by Clyde North retiree and philosopher Neil Newton – who is not to be confused with the famous scientist Isaac.

The Neil Newton Paradox is a simple premise with profound implications, he says.

On an everyday level, it’s like the Sun is always “there” in Space – even if it has disappeared from our view between sunset and sunrise. It can be applied to the age-old question –do intelligent lifeforms exist beyond our planet Earth?

“The absence of observation is not necessarily the absence of existence,” Mr Newton says.

“Civilisations may exist, yet remain effectively invisible to one another because they occupy different regions of space and different moments in cosmic history.

“Before concluding that we do not observe them, we should recognise that our observations are limited by distance, time, technology and perspective.”

Mr Newton, 89, had his own ‘Eureka’ moment while contemplating a night’s tapestry of stars with his son and talking about the commonly-applied Fermi Paradox.

The Fermi Paradox poses the idea that if intelligent life is common in the universe, why don’t we see evidence of it.

Then the line came to Mr Newton – like the apple dropping on the head of his famous namesake Isaac.

“They are there until they are not. But they are not there until they are.”

Mr Newton has enjoyed a richly varied life with a long interest in science, including working in control systems engineering and research and in the Papua New Guinea police force.

He retains a vital curiosity in the big questions, including the future of AI.

Like his paradox, AI can only analyse the information available to it.

“AI helps us interpret the information we collect, but it cannot replace the need for observation, experimentation and discovery,” Mr Newton says.

Mr Newton himself uses AI to analyse and apply his paradox, as well as to learn more about the world.

“I don’t know why people my age don’t get onboard. It doesn’t increase your intelligence

but it does increase your knowledge.”

But he warns that humanity should navigate the fast-evolving AI wisely, lest it creates a technology capable of destroying itself.

Stopping it is not as simple as switching off the computers - since AI is the software, not the hardware, he says.

“It is the first time that we’ve created something that is mentally faster than humans.

“You might not be interested in AI, but AI is interested in you.”

Mr Newton hopes that his paradox will encourage intellectual humility.

“It recognises that today’s understanding is unlikely to represent the full extent of our reality.

“If so, then humanity’s greatest discoveries may still lie ahead.”

To find out more on the Neil Newton Paradox, email Mr Newton at newts1937@gmail.com

Hosted by journalist Marc Fennell, Stuff the British Stole examines culturally and historically significant objects taken or transferred to British institutions during the colonial era and the arguments surrounding their possible return.

Mr Kapitany said he told the program’s producers that the No.1 meteorite, an octahedrite iron meteorite, was displayed at the London museum’s gift shop.

“I think the problem always is having a space to put it,” he said.

“They (the London museum) said something about underneath the meteorite, the gallery below it is a science or research laboratory studying meteorites.

“The glass case had two little electronic things in it. I believe they’ll put in nitrogen into the system. If you create a nitrogen environment, it won’t rust because a meteorite in England will rust very fast.

“It’s not just ‘Let’s bring it back and chuck it back in the paddock or chuck it back in somebody’s shed’ . It really needs to be looked after.”

Mr Kapitany warned that the iron is highly susceptible to oxidation and must be protected from moisture and temperature changes.

He believed the meteorite’s association with Bunurong people could strengthen calls for it to return to Australia.

Historical European accounts recorded that Bunurong people knew of the iron mass before its scientific identification and used it during ceremonial gatherings.

Mr Kapitany said changing attitudes towards the return of culturally significant objects could create a new opportunity.

“The Australians always said, ‘We want it back’,” he said.

“The fact that it was so important to the Indigenous people means they’ve probably got a good chance of getting it back.”

An arrangement eventually saw it sent to London so that another Cranbourne meteorite piece in London could be exchanged to return to Melbourne.

Abandoned goat finds home

By Jensy Callimootoo

After months of concern from Berwick residents, a young goat abandoned on a tiny island in Berwick Springs Lake has finally been rescued in a carefully coordinated operation that brought together wildlife experts, veterinarians and volunteers.

Vets For Compassion led the rescue mission this week, with high tech equipment and experienced vets leading the tough assignment to safely catch the dumped animal, now named Nina; Spanish for ‘little girl’

Locals had repeatedly reported seeing the goat living alone on the small island, where limited vegetation and complete isolation raised growing concerns for her welfare.

According to the organisation, as a herd animal, the goat’s solitary existence was considered unsustainable, prompting a specialist rescue teamtodeviseaplantobringhersafelytoshore.

The rescue was far from straightforward.

The lake, also detailed as an island, sits close to homes and a popular children’s playground.

The timid goat would flee at the sight of people from up to 40 metres away, leaving rescuers with little margin for error.

Over the course of a month, the team conducted multiple site inspections, installed trail cameras and feeding stations, monitored the animal’s movements for 10 days and developed several contingency plans to ensure the rescue could proceed safely.

On rescue day, around 25 people took part in the operation.

Teams were stationed around the lake in case the goat attempted to swim, while a drone crew provided real-time aerial surveillance, allowing rescuers to track her movements throughout the mission.

The goat was gently sedated with a light anaesthetic before being examined by veterinarians on the island.

Wearing a specially fitted life jacket, she was then transported by boat to shore, where a third veterinarian completed her assessment.

Following a mandatory 14-day quarantine, Nina has been adopted by Edgar’s Mission, a sanctuary for rescued farm animals.

There,shewilljoinaherdofsheepandgoats.

WHAT’S ON

Disability Pride celebration

Vibrant music, speakers and performances, featuring local band Beyond Rhythm and theatre group Fusion Theatre. Stalls with local disability organisations. Creative breakout activities including LEGO and crafts. Dedicated quiet room. Light snacks and refreshments provided. All ages welcome.

• Wednesday 22 July, 11.30am-2.30pm at Springvale Library, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event. No registrations required. National Tree Day Keysborough Tree planting activities, Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Traditional Custodians, native plant giveaways, wildlife presentation and free sausage sizzle. Bring warm clothes, suitable footwear for muddy ground, drinking water, gloves and hand towel.

• Saturday 25 July, 10am-1pm at Somerfield Reserve, Eastbury Street, Keysborough; free event. Register at eventbrite.com.au/e/national-tree-day-2026-saturday-at-somerfieldreserve-tickets-1992330539275?aff=oddtdt creator

National Tree Day Dandenong Tree planting activities, Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Traditional Custodians, native plant giveaways, wildlife presentation and free sausage sizzle. Bring warm clothes, suitable footwear for muddy ground, drinking water, gloves and hand towel.

• Sunday 26 July, 10am-1pm at Tirhatuan Park, 4 Kriegel Way, Dandenong North; free event. Register at eventbrite.com.au/e/national-treeday-2026-sunday-at-tirhatuan-park-tickets-19 92331900346?aff=oddtdtcreator

Finger Knitting

Relaxed, social drop-in session. Learn simple finger knitting techniques with facilitator Maroulla’s guidance and create your own soft, stylish belt. Materials provided. Or bring along your own art and craft projects such as painting, sewing, collage, or origami. All welcome.

• Wednesday 29 July, 6.30pm-8pm at Springvale Library, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event.

Indian Embroidery workshop

• Thursday 30 July, 6pm-7.30pm at Keysborough Community Hub, 10 Villiers Road, Keysborough; free event. Registration required at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net. au/#!/event-detail/ev_e956a59304774ceda73151ddbecc3f0e

Dungeons & Dragons Miniature

Painting

Part of the STEAM Festival. Perfect for adventurers of all skill levels. No experience needed. For ages 13-plus.

• Sunday 2 August, 1.30pm-4.30pm at DandenongLibrary,225LonsdaleStreet,Dandenong; free event. Registration required at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ev_fb7a30dfaf7945b3b23f573930f3f0cf

Fantastic Fossils

Part of the STEAM Festival. Explore different types of rocks and how fossils reveal the story of life on Earth. Using real specimens and digital microscopes. Presented by Life Rocks. Suitable for children in upper primary school.

• Tuesday 4 August, 4.30pm-5.30pm at Springvale Library, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event. Registration required at https://greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/ event-detail/ev_a3658380e04b4c4eb1cf5fa9508d3849

Heritage Hill tour

Learn about the distinctive design of Benga and Laurel Lodge and learn how these homes reflect the elegance of their eras.

• Thursday 6 August, 10.30am-11.30am at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong; $5. Bookings required at greaterdandenongevents.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ev_ bb570e95dd5d4379b41c3944a54de742

Cultural Sketch

Creatives from Victorian State Ballet. speak candidly about their practice—their influences, rituals and realities—while you are invited to respond in your own way. Sketch the speaker, their objects, the atmosphere, or let the stories guide your hand. For adults. Materials provided, refreshments served.

• Thursday 6 August, 6pm-8pm at Walker Street

Join us for a mindful stitching session on Kantha, a traditional Indian embroidery technique known for its simplicity, beauty and storytelling. For ages 16-plus.

Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong; $8. Registrations essential at greaterdandenong-events.bookable. net.au/#!/event-book/ev_e58860132ea849f aa3742696a63d3f37?eventDateID=1334

Air-Dry Clay

Create and personalise handcrafted ornaments and tags using air-dry clay. This relaxed, handson workshop guides you through basic moulding, shaping, and decorating techniques. For all skill levels, ages 16-plus.

• Thursday6August,6.30pm-8pmatDandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong; free event. Registration required at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ ev_a9cbe9d7259c4fbda80187d081c64bc1

Turn Negatives to Digital Photos

Bring in your old photo negatives and learn how to use the library’s Kodak Slide N Scan to digitise them.

• Friday 7 August, 2.30pm-3.30pm at Springvale Library, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale; free event. Registration required at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ ev_cb22406d745c483ab1d5dfe01b25872c

Loneliness Awareness Week

Join Mental Health and Wellbeing Local Dandenong for a warm and welcoming morning where you can try something new, share a cuppa, meet others, and build meaningful connections in your local community.

• Saturday 8 August, 9.45am-11.45am at Keysborough Community Hub, 10 Villiers Road, Keysborough; free event. No registration required.

Silly Science Show

Step into the quirky world of Professor Q. E. Done, the eccentric Dean of the National Institute of Silly Science. Combining magic, circus skills, comedy and hands-on STEM concepts. Suitable for ages 7-12.

• Saturday 8 August, 10am-11am at Keysborough Community Hub, 10 Villiers Road, Keysborough; free entry. Registration required at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net. au/#!/event-detail/ev_14fad981e9bd4443b 10cc4f45b77c9db

Poetry Open Mic

Perc.U.lations is a welcoming, community-led po-

etry space that celebrates the voices of local writers and spoken word performers.

• Saturday 8 August, 2.30pm-4.30pm at Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong.

Sustainability Sessions

Container and Small-Space Gardening workshop. Perfect for balconies, patios, or cosy backyards, this session will help you grow fresh herbs, veggies, flowers or even fruit trees in compact areas.

• Sunday 9 August, 1pm-3pm at Keysborough CommunityHub,10VilliersRoad,Keysborough; free event. Bookings required at greaterdandenong-events.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ ev_e67545311c054794a1fec24bfe3521eb

Quiet Proof Street photography exhibition by Alberto Burgos.

• Mondays-Fridays 10am-4pm until 10 August at Drum Theatre Foyer, cnr Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong; free entry.

Eco-IQ Exhibition

Wona Bae and Charlie Lawler: Primary Succession is a sculptural and immersive installation that considers a climate-altered future shaped by ecointelligence and ecological memory.

• Wednesdays-Sundays until 15 August, 11am3pm at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong; free event.

Mens Shed open day

Learn about Endeavour Hills Mens Shed with woodworking, music, copper work, free giveaways for kids, face painting. Donations accepted for items on display. Sausage sizzle, soft drinks available. Free tea and coffee.

• Saturday 22 August, 10am at Endeavour Hills Mens Shed, 289 Power Road, Endeavour Hills. Details: ehms.org.au

Extraordinary Stories

Showcasing treasured objects, artworks, and recorded stories from the Greater Dandenong Civic and Cultural Collection. It highlights Greater Dandenong’s past and present while revealing its evolving community identity.

• Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am-2pm (until 27 August) at Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong; free event.

‘Reidy’ reaches 600 games

By Justin Schwarze

The day before Dandenong West legend Michael Reid was set to play his 600th senior game for the historic club, disaster seemingly struck.

Moorabbin - the Westerners’ opponentdidn’t have enough players to field a reserves side, so the game was called off.

But a phone call from Dandenong West’s senior coach Mick Lawrence changed everything.

“Mick asked if I wanted to play (in the seniors) and I said no, but he said all the boys in the senior side wanted me to play and I was nearly crying,” Reid said.

“I was in my truck thinking, wow, this is alright.

“Even before I got here, I was writing down a message and I had tears in my eyes.

“I was thinking this is it.”

The 59-year-old has been at the club for over four decades, enjoying a decorated career while also seeing out the darkest times at the club.

Dandenong West has gone through a number of changes in names, jumpers and identities, until it finally switched back to its original name in 2023.

“You stay somewhere because you want to see the progress of the club,” Reid said.

“Sometimes I think I should’ve retired a long time ago but then you see the development of younger guys coming up and up and up and you think you want to be part of it.

“Obviously I’ve been here a fair while and seen the progression of the club and how it’s gone, we’ve gone through the bad times and the good times, I just like seeing all the players come through.”

Now on the other side of those times, a large crowd for past players day, which included Carlton legend Anthony Koutoufides, gathered to watch Reid run out.

The people around and familiar faces brought out many stories for the milestone man.

“I couldn’t get a game in the under-18s, so I was at home and the reserves coach rang me,” Reid reflected on the start to his Dandenong West career.

“I think I told him I was going to the pub, I can’t get a game, but he offered me a game and I started playing.

“Ever since then, I was a skinny kid playing a man’s sport.

“I was pretty quick back then, so I thought if

they’re gonna beat me up, they’ve got to catch me first.

“In 1994 I broke my arm and we won the grand final, but I didn’t play.

“For a personal achievement, I won the league best and fairest that year for the reserves, so that was good.

“I’ve won a few club best and fairests, but I haven’t kicked that many goals.“

The number 600 was one he was yet to wrap

his head around, but the emotions of reaching the achievement had a big effect on Reid, even pregame.

As he overlooked Greaves Reserve for his milestone game, the memories over the years that came flooding back were overwhelming.

“I was here Friday night and I was walking around the ground crying,” he said.

“The emotion just started coming out, everywhere I walked I had a story.

“It’s just the magic of this football ground and the people in it.

“I came to this club as a kid hoping to get a game and I never left.

“You just play footy for the enjoyment, the people, and it’s good to be a part of.

“I’ll reflect back on today when the season finishes.

“Realistically, the day is not about me, it’s the club in general.

“It’s our past players day, I’ve seen a lot of these guys before, so you come up and give them a hug because you haven’t seen them for a while.

“Then all of your stories start coming back and that’s what you remember about football, it’s the people.”

The day was capped off on a fairytale note, with the Westerners enjoying a big win over the Kangaroos.

And towards the end of the contest, the hosts went coast-to-coast and Reid took a strong grab in the pocket before going back and slotting a goal.

The club stalwart was mobbed by a huge crowd streaking onto the ground, putting the icing on the cake for a day he’ll never forget.

“As soon as you walk in the gates or you walk in here, you know you’re home,” Reid said of Dandenong West.

“I can’t thank the club enough, the respect I have for the club I can’t even explain.

“It’s like a family to me, my second family.”

Rowville Hawks on fire as Wynd eight sinks the Saints

By David Nagel

A stunning eight-goal performance from Lachlan Wynd has propelled Rowville to a comfortable 74-point victory - 17.17 (119) to 6.9 (45) - over South Belgrave in Eastern Premier Division.

Wynd presented well across the full four quarters of footy, kicking two goals in each term to continue a really consistent run of form.

Wynd has now kicked 24 goals in his last four outings, with Saturday’s best-of-the-season performance backing up recent efforts of six, six and four against Noble Park, South Croydon and Vermont respectively.

Both of Wynd’s first-quarter goals came after sizzling passes from his skipper Anthony Brolic, who set up two and also kicked another from the midfield.

The Hawks led by 26 points at the first break; reduced slightly to 25 after South Belgrave kicked five of its six goals for the afternoon in the second term.

Wynd showed his versatility in the second stanza, first kicking a crumbing goal after a strong marking contest from Seth Macdonald before nailing a beautiful long-bomb from the pocket after more delightful set-up play from Bolic.

The Hawks really took control in the third, kicking five goals to one to set up a 53-point advantage at the final change.

Wynd first received nice service from Tyson Sruk, before making something out of nothing deep in the third term, and from deep in the

over

pocket, with a lovely gather and perfect snap over his left shoulder.

Rowville kicked the only three goals of the last, with Wynd landing his seventh and eighth blows with intercept marks in the forward line.

He first judged a switch kick from South Belgrave better than his Saints’ opponent, kicking truly from a set shot, before a calamitous kick-in from Deakyn Smith failed to clear Wynd on the mark.

Wynd kicked the ball back over Smith’s head for the final goal of the match.

Wynd was clearly best afield for the Hawks, while two massive kicks from Mitchell Srukwhich combined cleared more than 100 metres - made him Rowville’s only other multiple goalkicker on the day.

Wynd now looks a different player to the one that suffered with a lack of goal-kicking confidence earlier in the season.

Brolic, Lachie Stapleton and Tyson Sruk were busy through the midfield for the secondplaced Hawks, who now begin a very tough four-week stretch of the season.

Rowville begins the searching test with a visit to fifth-placed Blackburn before rolling out the welcome mat for a top-of-the-table clash with East Ringwood.

It’s then away again, with a visit to Edwin Flack Reserve to take on fourth-placed Berwick before returning to Seebeck Oval to host thirdplaced Doncaster East.

The Hawks will then start a short-priced favourite in a round-18 home clash with Balwyn. There were only two games played in Eastern Premier on Saturday, with Vermont defeating reigning-premier Balwyn by 11 points in the other.

Part one of the round-13 split-round was fought out last weekend.

• EASTERNPREMIER

RESULTS R13 SPLIT-ROUND: South Belgrave 6.9(45) def by Rowville 17.17(119), Vermont 13.8(86) def Balwyn 10.15(75).

LADDER: East Ringwood 48, Rowville 44, Doncaster East 40, Berwick 28, Blackburn 28/ Vermont 28, Balwyn 22, South Croydon 14, South Belgrave 4, Noble Park 4.

FIXTURE R14 (Saturday 25 July): Vermont (6) v Noble Park (10), Blackburn (5)

Eagles send clear message

By Blair Burns

Cranbourne has done it once again in Southern Division 1.

The Eagles have now beaten the top three teams in the competition since round eight, all away from home, starting with Dingley, then Narre Warren last week, and now Cheltenham.

The most emphatic was the win over reigning premier Cheltenham by 59 points at Jack Barker Oval on Saturday, 19.14 (128) to 9.15 (69).

While they have dropped some games they were probably expected to win, the Eagles have shown they are a genuine threat as they have sent statement after statement to the rest of the league. If they can scrape their way into finals, they have shown that there is not a team they can’t beat, and that will make some of the top sides really nervous.

It was a strong first half from the Eagles which set up the result as they took their chances to kick 10.6 to Cheltenham’s 2.6 and lead by 48 points at the main break.

But the Rosellas were always going to come home strong and the question was whether Angelo Soldatos and his Eagles troops could hold up … they did.

The home side had its chances to close the gap in the third term but kicked 4.6, before Cranbourne came home strong with six goals in the fourth quarter.

Evergreen veteran Marc Holt, who is set to play his 300th game for Cranbourne this weekend, kicked five goals and led the way up forward.

Trent Marotta (four goals) also continued his brilliant season while Bailey Buntine had a day out.

The win ultimately kept Cranbourne’s finals hopes alive as they embark on a hugely important month of football.

In what could be a grand final preview, it was Dingley who was just too strong for Narre Warren despite strong return games from a couple of Magpie stars.

The Dingoes held on to win by 11 points at Souter Reserve despite Narre Warren surging in the final quarter, the home side winning 11.11 (77) to 10.6 (66).

It was an evenly poised game for most of the day but it was always Dingley who looked slightly better.

The Dingoes were structurally sound defen-

City not safe yet as Thunder seems destined for relegation

By Justin Schwarze

There was another twist in the relegation battle as Dandenong City was stunned by Bentleigh Greens in round 21 of the NPL.

On the road, City started with the ascendancy and went 1-0 up via mid-season recruit Jackson Courtney-Perkins.

In the 14th minute, Timothy Atherinos received the ball at the top of the box then back onto his left and played a brilliant ball into George Lambadaridis.

Lambadaridis had a shot, which was partially deflected by the keeper, leaving it free for Courtney-Perkins to tap it in.

The hosts hit back just before halftime, with Yerasimakis Petratos firing a shot that was deflected by City’s defence, ending up in the back of the net.

At halftime, both teams had managed three shots on target, which accounted for all of Bentleigh’s shots, while Dandenong had fired five total attempts.

In the 57th minute, Atherinos made a poor challenge and gave away a penalty, resulting in Petratos converting from the spot to hit the front.

From there, Bentleigh repelled any advances from Dandenong and held on for the crucial 2-1 result.

It now brings Bentleigh three points closer to City as it halved the gap, now sitting just three points behind Dandenong in the last safety spot.

City has a good opportunity to bounce back in round 22 when it travels to face bottom-placed Green Gully.

But Green Gully will enter the contest with confidence after it knocked off Dandenong Thunder 3-1 on Friday to all but sink the Thunder into going down.

At Green Gully Reserve, the bottom-placed side opened the match with intent, going 1-0 up in the fourth minute thanks to a tidy finish from Bilal Habib.

Things went from bad to worse for Thunder when Josh Hope doubled the hosts’ lead inside 25 minutes.

Dandenong had unloaded two shots on target in the first half to Green Gully’s four while trailing by two scores at the main intermission.

Thunder attempted to get back into the game by drawing one back through Laat Manyec converting just after halftime, but all hope was dashed when Yusuf Ahmed put the dagger in and goaled in the 84th minute.

The result was just Green Gully’s third win for the season, now leaving Dandenong seven points below safety with five games remaining.

Up next for Thunder is a home clash with 10th-placed Altona.

ward with four goals, while defenders Trent Papworth, Jesse Davies and Hayden Johnson were brilliant - Tom Morecroft kicked four majors in the victory.

Hampton Park got one back on Springvale Districts and snapped a three-game losing streak with a resounding win over the Demons, winning 20.10 (130) to 8.6 (54).

The Redbacks actually trailed 25-21 at quarter time before they kicked into action and slotted 17 goals to four from that point on - the straight kicking also helped.

After a relatively quiet season, skipper Liam Myatt caught fire and booted seven goals, with support from Makaio Haywood (three goals).

Matt Wetering was a one-man army at the other end as he kicked four of his team’s eight goals.

Inaccuracy from Bentleigh opened the door for Murrumbeena to win big and retain its spot in fifth as the Lions roared to a 17.13 (115) to 8.18 (66) victory.

Ed Standish (six goals) and Noah Montgomery (five goals) were headaches for the Demons’ defenders as they set the game up early to go up 40-5 at quarter time.

St Paul’s McKinnon brought Port Melbourne back to earth as the Bulldogs registered a comfortable win despite kicking almost double the amount of behinds than goals, eventually winning 12.22 (94) to 9.8 (62).

Matthew Kreymborg kicked four goals and made it nine in the past two weeks, also taking his season tally to 24.

sively and are a well-drilled, dominant team.

The three-quarter time margin was 24 points and the visitors wrestled back some momentum, but Dingley took a couple of minutes off the clock late to take the four points.

Narre Warren’s Callum Porter produced a mammoth performance, with both he and Tom Miller kicking two goals each.

Will Howe continued his strong season up for-

Despite the Colts’ best efforts, St Paul’s was always one step ahead and continues to push hard for a spot in the top five.

• SOUTHERNDIVISION2RESULTS

Mordialloc 9.16 (70) def Highett 7.7 (49), East Malvern 26.32 (188) def East Brighton 1.5 (11), Hampton 16.9 (105) def Caulfield Bears 9.7 (61), Chelsea Heights 11.14 (80) def Doveton Doves 8.7 (57), Frankston Dolphins 15.14 (104) def Keysborough 4.8 (32).

Rangers set for post-season

By Justin Schwarze

An emphatic win wasn’t enough for the Dandenong Rangers Women to jump into finals contention following round 15 of the NBL1 South.

The Rangers finished the season incredibly hot to give themselves a chance, capped off by dominating postseason-bound Diamond Valley 100-83 on the road on Saturday night.

Dandenong was clinical offensively out of the gates, knocking down five first-quarter triples at a 71.5 percent clip, boosting it to a 30-21 quarter-time lead.

And the hot shooting rolled into the second, with the Rangers blitzing the Eagles by attacking the rim, finishing the term with 16 points in the paint and 10 points sourced from the free-throw line.

The visitors rode this to take the quarter 37-16 and hold an imposing 67-37 buffer at the main intermission.

Despite Diamond Valley outscoring Dandenong by 10 in the third, the margin was too great and the Rangers rolled onto the comprehensive victory.

Manuela Puoch finished the season strongly with an all-around effort of 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists on 8/14 shooting.

Adrianna Smith was also impactful, posting 22 points, five boards, five dimes and four steals.

Dandenong concluded the season in 11th position, finishing with a record of 11-11.

The Rangers Men stumbled into the finals with a disappointing 97-87 defeat at the hands of Diamond Valley after a fourth-quarter meltdown.

Both teams traded blows in the first three quarters, with the Eagles getting out to ninepoint advantages in both the second and third quarter, while Dandenong built its biggest margin of seven points midway through the second.

The Rangers owned the battle on the interior for three terms, before the hosts beat them at their own game and outscored them in the category 14-6 in the final quarter.

After the game was knotted at 64 apiece at three-quarter time, Diamond Valley shot 70 percent from two-point distance in the fourth to turn the tide of the contest and race away to the victory.

Harry Froling was the standout performer in the loss, recording 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists on 50 percent shooting.

Sam Davidson provided 21 points, while Joe Palmer struggled with efficiency but was productive by notching 18 points, eight boards and four dimes.

Dandenong held its spot in seventh on the ladder, concluding the home-and-away season with a record of 12-10.

The Rangers now find themselves in a home elimination final this Saturday against 10th-placed Casey, who secured a spot in the postseason with a convincing win over the Northern Force.