Established in 2003
proudly serving the Northern Suburbs
12 MAY, 2026
Tea-riffic cancer fundraiser
MPCH director Lynne Harris with staff Maria Frisina, Kim Bogert and Monica White. (Damjan Janevski) 549567_01
Mill Park Community House (MPCH) is inviting the community to join its Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea event raising money for Cancer Council. MPCH manager Lynne Harris said she is excited to host the morning tea on 20 May. “Join us for a special afternoon as we come together to support those impacted by cancer and help raise vital funds for Cancer Council,” Ms Harris said. Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is a nationwide Cancer Council community fundraising event traditionally held on 21 May . Ms Harris said she changed her morning tea date to hold it in a larger space and accommodate more guests. “We are hoping to raise as much money as we can,” she said. Attendees will enjoy traditional morning tea favourites, fun games, prizes and a silent auction. n Entry to the morning tea is $5, the raffle prices are one ticket for $1 or three tickets for $2. You can reserve your spot at the morning tea event by contacting MPCH before 19 May. The event will be held from 1pm to 3pm at 68 Mill Park Drive, Mill Park. Contact: 9404 4565
RSL lease concern By Courtney Black A dance school fears displacement as Whittlesea council cosiders a proposal to lease part of Brookwood Community Centre to the Doreen Returned Services League (RSL). At its April meeting, the council endorsed a plan to permanently lease the centre’s largest room – the Hazel Glen room – to the Doreen RSL for at least five years, subject to community consultation and proof of funds. Under the proposed lease, the nine groups who regularly rent space in the centre, would be left to share the remaining smaller room.
The council rejected a larger proposal that would have handed over the entire facility to Doreen RSL and allowed alcohol sales, gaming and other commercial uses. For more than 23 years, Dance Power has provided weekly classes at the centre for a total of 10,000 students. Principal Annessa Nikolaou said the school depends on using both rooms at once. “Our classes are at capacity, with waitlists, and we utilise both rooms concurrently to meet strong and growing community demand,” she said. “Displacement would disproportionately impact female participants and reduce access to affordable local physical activity.”
Co-founder Lola Nikolaou said 15 weekly classes, and more than 200 students would be affected by the lease. “How do we tell parents that we have to cut half of our classes?” she said. Doreen RSL president Wes Wridgway said the RSL was allocated $1.6 million in federal funding that was allocated for a permanent base at Brookwood. “The funding is attached to that address and can not be transferred to another property sadly,” he said. He said Doreen RSL is willing to share the centre. “It’s a place where the veterans can feel safe, mix with like-minded people and have somewhere they can meet with their wellbeing and compensation advocates,”
✓ NEW DENTURES ARE GST FREE ✓ QUALITY DENTURE CARE ✓ HEALTH FUND REBATES ✓ PROMPT APPOINTMENTS
he said. “There will be no gaming, no TAB, no rock bands, no functions and no dining room.” Whittlesea mayor Lawrie Cox said the council’s proposal is balanced. “[It] aims to meet the needs of both the Doreen RSL and the wider community through a shared use arrangement of the centre,” he said. Community consultation is open until 31 May, with a fi nal council decision expected in July. Submitters can present their feedback to a submissions committee meeting on 11 June. Details: https://engage.whittlesea.vic. gov.au/brookwoodleasing
NO COS T IN
ITIAL CONSUL TAT AND AD ION VICE
• New Full and Partial Dentures • Implant Retained Over Dentures • Metal Framed Dentures • Sports Mouthguards • Repairs • Relines • HICAPS Available • Veteran Affairs • Victorian Denture Scheme Accepted
www.knddentureclinic.com.au like us on Facebook KND Denture Clinic
Kathy Danoucaras, Nick Danoucaras and Sam Robertson KND Denture Clinic, 192 Main Road East, St Albans 9364 3677 Also at: Suite 8, 242 Caroline Springs Boulevard, Caroline Springs. 8361 9722
Australian Dental Prosthetists Association (Victoria)
12590552-ET16-23