I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to everyone who contributed to making our new exhibition, HOME 25: Invisible Cities, a reality.
Earlier this year, our Creative and Engaged City team underwent a restructure aimed at achieving seamless integration across our cultural venues, libraries, spaces and places. This exhibition is a testament to the success of that integration, resulting in a truly remarkable showcase.
HOME 25: Invisible Cities is a deeply meaningful, moving and timely multi-site exhibition that highlights the lived experiences, resilience and creativity of refugee, asylum seekers, migrant and First Nation artists. I am confident that HOME 25: Invisible Cities will help establish our city as a destination renowned for telling powerful, authentic stories that reflect our diverse communities.
I encourage you to take some time to explore this roving exhibition. Congratulations to all involved.
Festivals and Events - Expressions of Interest
Springvale Snow Fest 2025
On Sunday 27 July, the Festivals and Events team will once again deliver Springvale Snow Fest at Buckingham Avenue, Springvale. Attracting 35,000 attendees in 2024, this winter carnival and multicultural food festival lets people experience snow, enjoy live stage and roving performances and participate in free activities for all ages.
Walk Against Family Violence Working Group
On Tuesday 25 November, Festivals and Events will deliver the Walk Against Family Violence. In preparation for the event, the team will organise a Working Group to invite different internal departments to help shape this impactful event, driving awareness and change in our community.
If your department or business unit would like to participate in any of the above events, please contact the Festivals and Events team.
Free Pads and Tampons in public places - installation complete at Greater Dandenong venues
The Victorian Government is providing free pads and tampons through vending machines located in public places across the state.
Free vending machines with pads and tampons are being installed at up to 700 public places across Victoria. Installation at Greater Dandenong sites has been completed. Sites include:
- Dandenong Library
- Springvale Library
- Jan Wilson Community Centre
- Oasis Leisure Centre
- Noble Park Aquatic Centre
- Springers Leisure Centre.
Delay in implementing the new Aged Care Act and the new Support at Home Program
The Commonwealth Government has been working over the past few years to deliver once-in-a-generation reforms to build a high-quality and sustainable aged care system, guided by the recommendations of the 2021 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
The key starting point for the delivery of these reforms was the development of a new Aged Care Act, which was legislated by the Commonwealth Government in late 2024, with an implementation date of 1 July 2025. This legislation is intended to strengthen the rights of older Australians, enhance the quality of care and improve transparency and accountability across the aged care sector.
However, to deliver on the intent of these reforms and following careful consideration, the Commonwealth Government has decided to briefly defer the start of the new Aged Care Act from 1 July 2025 to 1 November 2025.
The revised timeline follows extensive consultation by the Commonwealth Government with stakeholders and reflects a shared commitment to ensuring a well-prepared and effective transition.
The Minister for Aged Care and Seniors has now acknowledged the need for additional time to support providers, staff and older Australians in adapting to the upcoming reforms. The Minister also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working collaboratively with the sector to ensure successful implementation.
This extension provides Council with valuable time to continue preparations for these significant changes. We will ensure that clients are informed of the updated timeline and reassured of the continuity and quality of their care and support services.
Keysborough Community Hub
It’s time to get excited for the Keysborough Community Hub, due to be completed early in July and a soft launch opening for the community in August.
Over the next few weeks, the community will be invited to express their interest in hiring and using the venue and being involved with the official opening event in September. The hub has two large and three medium community rooms, as well as a Makers Space available for hire and programs.
An expression of interest for venue hire will open in the next few weeks. If you have an interest in activating the space for programs or being involved with the opening event, please reach out to the Hub Development team.
Arts in Greater Dandenong Social Media Growth
Recent trends on our social media channels for Arts and the Drum Theatre indicate positive trends for digital awareness of our Creative City activities.
The Drum Facebook page has had a 230% increase in engagement since February, 380% increase in link clicks and 100% increase in followers. The Arts Instagram account has had a 56% increase in views and 128% increase in engagement, with Facebook also seeing a 70% increase in engagement.
Animal Registration
We’ve had another very successful animal registration period, with over 10,200 animals registered this month. The team continues to work diligently through the list of un-renewed registrations, ensuring no animal is overlooked.
Thanks to the dedication, long hours and collaborative effort across the department, we’ve once again surpassed last year’s record - an outstanding achievement that reflects the strength and commitment of the Community Amenity team.
School Crossing Supervisors Recognised
As we wrapped up May, we had the pleasure of celebrating a remarkable milestone - one of our long-serving school crossing supervisors, Austin, turned 90 years young. Since joining Council in 2008, Austin has worked across all crossings in the municipality. Rain, hail or shine, he’s always ready for the morning call with a smile and unwavering commitment to our community’s safety.
We also extend a heartfelt thank you to Rhonda, who retired on Friday 27 June after nearly four decades of dedicated service. Rhonda first donned the fluoro vest in 1986, at just 29 years old and has faithfully served the same crossing ever since. Her cheerful presence and reliability have made her a beloved figure in the community, and we wish her all the very best in her next chapter.
Parking Compliance
Over the past two months, the Parking Team has successfully trialed the Parking Overstay Detection System (PODs) across key locations in Springvale and Dandenong. These PODs are now fully operational and have proven to be a valuable educational tool for the community and local business owners.
The initiative has also enhanced the team’s ability to respond to parking concerns more efficiently, making their work more targeted and productive. A great example of innovation supporting both service delivery and community engagement.
Maternal and Child Health: Education Program Empowering Refugee Families
This four-week community education series engaged with 18–24 refugee family members, supporting their settlement in the City of Greater Dandenong through:
- building awareness of local services
- promoting safety and wellbeing
- provisioning families with knowledge of their rights and responsibilities as community members living in Victoria
- personal empowerment.
Maternal and Child Health would also like to recognise the Council teams and external providers that supported the initiative, including Corinna Dieters, Community Waste Education Officer; Debra Newton, courtesy of partnership with WAYSS; and MIND Australia.
For more information, contact Cathie Arndt, Coordinator Maternal and Child Health.
Peta Gillies, Executive Director Community Strengthening