Star News Group

Students return to evacuated school

FIREFIGHTERS say they still do not know what caused between 30 and 40 Narre Warren students to show symptoms of watering and itchy eyes, sore noses and skin irritations yesterday (Wednesday). The stu

Super land swap

A NEW supermarket for St Leonards is paving the wayto future retail development in the town, according to a community group. St Leonards Progress Association secretary Bob Hynes said the plan to buil

Pool dead in water

A $60,000 feasibility study has poured cold water on plans for a Torquay aquatic centre, according to councillor Jim Tutt. He said Surf Coast Shire would dump plans for the proposed indoor pool after

At the centre of leadership

INSPIRATION for a Torquay 28-year-old to build a worldwide, life-changing organisation came in the form of a rehabilitating Bolivian capuchin monkey struggling to adapt to its environment. The shy mo

Learners\' logs cost P-plates

An increasing number of learner drivers are failing to secure their P-plate licences because of �incorrect and messy� logbooks, according to Geelong region driving instructors. Greater Geelong and Su

Elle inspires dad\'s big ride

RIDING a bike the stretch of Tasmania � and back to Geelong � feels like baby steps for charity cyclist Jasper Boyd when he reflects on his daughter�s own tough journey. Two brain haemorrhages marred

Battlers\' credit lifeline set to start dealing out money

A series of interest-free loans are �up and running� for struggling low-income earners and battling pensioners in Geelong. Charities have started referring clients to No Interest Loan Scheme, with ap

Whale of a season closes with a visitor record

The region has finished a record season for southern right wales along the Great Ocean Road, according to a wildlife worker. Department of Sustainability and Environment biodiversity officer Mandy Wa

Union boss slams driver penalties

Unions have slammed Geelong Taxi Network�s plan to penalise drivers for misbehaviour under a shake-up of services. Geelong Trades and Labour Council boss Tim Gooden said the reforms would lead to �co

Researchers discover hidden war treaures

A research team has uncovered a treasure trove of war relics spread across the Bellarine Peninsula in an Australian-first study. Historian Bob Marmion, archaeologist Brad Duncan and engineer John Pat

Council on Copenhagen: Don\'t call it a junket

ANOTHER Geelong councillor is packing his bags for an overseas trip at the expense of ratepayers. Councillors have voted unanimously to send John Doull to Copenhagen for a United Nations Climate Conf

Frank rises to Remembrance Day challenge

OLD digger Frank Hayes cast a solitary figure on Remembrance Day this week, standing beside the flag pole at Geelong�s Johnstone Park like a loyal soldier. The Whittington 83-year-old takes seriously

Geelong cultural capital after museum bid failure

A failed bid for a Guggenheim museum helped Geelong become a �cultural capital�, according to a Deakin University academic�s research. Associate Professor Louise Johnson said even daring to dream abo

Wings for Chicken\'s footy plan

A Geelong radio announcer is a step closer to his controversial dream of setting up a junior football club on the Surf Coast. KRock�s Paul �Chicken� Dyer said he was �thrilled� Torquay College had of

Drysdale set for surge of home blocks

DRYSDALE�S population is set to sprawl with the opening of a new growth area. City of Greater Geelong councillors have voted to adopt a rezoning amendment for stage one of a Jetty Road growth area.

November heat record

The region has baked through a November heatwave record, according to a weather expert. Geelong Weather Services� Lindsay Smail said Wednesday marked the first time the region had recorded five conse

Sea-rise maps threat to value of properties

NEW planning rules threaten to slash the value of hundreds of Geelong region properties deemed at risk of rising sea levels. Borough of Queenscliffe is the region�s first council to outline new guide

Coastal hoons face new fines

Police have new powers to issue on-the-spot fines of up to $587 in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour on the Surf Coast. Torquay Police Acting Sergeant Shane Connolly said new legislation w

Cops off the watch

A staff shortage has forced police to abandon Geelong�s Neighbourhood Watch programs, according to coordinators. They said the lack of police support would force Neighbourhood Watch to reduce its 48

Historic Queenscliff pier to become charity restaurant for children

Historic Queenscliff Pier will become a restaurant next Easter in an Australian-first charity event. Charity Restaurant will cover the pier with marquees to serve thousands of patrons at separate lun

Kel�s perfect bitch

PEARCEDALE greyhound trainer Kel Greenough described his kennel star Cindeen Shelby as the perfect professional racing dog after she led all the way to win the $72,500 Group 1 Macro Meats Crown Classi

RSL salutesits best

MORE than 120 guests attended the fourth annual President�s Awards Night at the Dandenong RSL last week to honour exemplary members and staff. The awards night was the fourth annual event, but was the

Girl left in hot car

PARAMEDICS treated a young girl who was left alone in a hot car at Dandenong during last week�s heat. Intensive care paramedics from Dandenong were called to a car park in Stuart Street just before 3p

Dandenong remembers

DANDENONG residents gathered at the Pillars of Freedom in Dandenong to honour fallen service people yesterday. More than 100 people chose the venue for the Remembrance Day service and the minute�s si

$100,000 cash found

SPRINGVALE police have praised an Australia Post employee for handing in $100,000 she found in Clayton South last week. The money was found by Georgia, who did not wish to give her last name, in a buc

Warrant for arrest issued

DANDENONG Magistrates� Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of a man charged with impersonating a Vietnam veteran. Colin Maurice Gibbons, of Dandenong, failed to appear at court yesterday (Wednes

Rocked and rolled

FRANKSTON Embona taskforce is investigating an attack that occurred in broad daylight in Dandenong last week. Police said at 8.50am on 7 November, a 22-year-old Richmond man was walking through a car

Top cop views

Mr Evans joined police from the Region 5 Multicultural Liaison Unit and clergymen for the inspection and to discuss the role of the mosque in the Greater Dandenong area. He said it was great to see th

Go to the show

THE 138th annual Dandenong Show is on this weekend and is set to be bigger and better than ever. The show will run on both days of the weekend with plenty of carnival rides, activities, performances a

Cup Day attack

Transit CIU is investigating an assault on Melbourne Cup Day at 12.01 when a 49-year-old man was walking through a concourse to the Dandenong Train Station platform when two Sudanese men punched and k

Group bashing

A MOBILE phone and a large amount of cash was stolen from a 29-year-old man in Dandenong last week. The incident occurred between 3am and 3.30am on 5 November. Police said a 29-year-old man was walkin

Derelict house gutted

POLICE are investigating a suspicious fire that gutted a derelict house in Bruce Street, Dandenong on the weekend. About 12.20pm on 8 November, the Dandenong Fire Brigade was notified of the house fir

Residents plead with council to stop anti-social behaviour

DRUGS, alcohol and loud music � it�s a nightly occurrence at the Jan Wilson Community Centre car park according to nearby residents, and they want action immediately. Noble Park resident Gilda Di Cir

Teed up for a cure

FORMER Essendon AFL star Adam Ramanauskas joined about 70 people from Greater Dandenong and City of Casey at the Team Rama Corporate Charity Challenge at the Sandhurst Club yesterday (Wednesday). Team

Rangers cop a beating

DANDENONG looked anything but comfortable at its home away from home in Tasmania on Saturday night, trounced 90-51 by Sydney Uni in Devonport. The Rangers shot the ball at a lamentable 25 per cent fro

Land release at Meridian

VICURBAN announced last week that a popular new neighbourhood in Dandenong will have a second release on 22 November. Earlier this year, 25 per cent of lots were released and sold at Meridian, Kirkha

Zipping tries for triple treat

TWO-time defending champion Zipping will be out to create history in Saturday�s Group Two Sandown Classic (2400m), and she may have to beat high-profile stable-mates Efficient and C�est La Guerre to d

Dandy blitzes with the ball

DANDENONG completed a stunning resurrection in its two-day clash with Northcote by dismissing the Dragons for 139 at Shepley Oval on Saturday. The Panthers, who looked down and out at six-for-not-many

Award with heart

AVOCARE Community Distribution Centre (ACDC) has received national praise for its healthy lifestyle contributions to Greater Dandenong residents. ACDC, a One Stop Shop, earned Greater Dandenong $10,00

Postie pelted

ROCKS were pelted at an Australian Post driver�s car in Dandenong North Sunday night. Police said the 36-year-old was travelling outbound on the Monash Freeway, just before the Stud Road exit, where t

Man burned in petrol blast

A PETROL explosion in Dandenong South on Monday has left a 42-year-old man with serious burns. Advanced life support paramedics from Clyde and intensive care paramedics from Dandenong were called to a

Indecent exposure

POLICE are appealing for information regarding a man who exposed himself to two young girls in Keysborough in September. On 23 September about 5.30pm, a man approached two nine-year-olds who were play

Awards dinner for retailers

THE Dandenong Retail Trader�s Association (DRTA) Business Awards Dinner will honour the region�s top retailers. Winners will be drawn from five categories: retailer with more than 10 employees, retai

Morgan�s scouting for decorations

CHRISTMAS is six weeks away, but 13-year-old Morgan Hancock is already in the giving spirit. Through the Noble Park Scout Group, Morgan has spearheaded an initiative to collect Christmas decorations f

Patterns of Persia

A BLEND of Persian patterns, cultural imagery and design elements will be the basis of an exhibition at the Walker Street Gallery. The exhibition will showcase the latest digital media works of emergi

Party in the pools

25849 Right: Brody Sungalis and Akira Conyers chill out earlier this year. SUMMER is coming and public swimming pools in Cardinia Shire are scheduled to open from Saturday 14 November. A range of a

Unity against units

WORRIED that the character of their street will be ruined, Pakenham residents are pleading with council to knock back an application to build seven units down Ahern Road. Spokesman for the group, Gra

4000 flock to Oaks@Normal:Gavin Robson of Pakenham and Kait Kirby from Longwarry hammed it up for th

MORE than 4000 people flocked to the Gazette Pakenham Oaks Day last Thursday. Pakenham Racing Club Manager Michael Hodge said the day continued to be popular with locals, with more than half of the c

Garden judges drop in

THERE was great excitement at Tooradin Primary School last week when judges of a garden competition arrived by helicopter on the school grounds. The school was one of 34 chosen from 200 entries as reg

Pair face car theft charges

POLICE last week charged an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old in relation to multiple car thefts in the Narre Warren and Hampton Park areas. The Casey Response Unit interviewed the youth and the 18-year-o

Kids get a grand hand

CASEY Kidz Klub has scored $1000 after golfers recently raised money to purchase play equipment for the organisation�s young people with disabilities. Casey Kidz Klub supports up to 45 children and yo