Homeless

By Bridget Cook
THE future of a Dandenong Aboriginal men’s group lies in limbo after they lost their meeting place last week.
The Tjaegan’s Warriors, which helps men tackle problems including drug and alcohol addiction, were told by VicUrban that they have to move from their Robinson Street, Dandenong, hall as the building will be demolished as part of the Revitalising Central Dandenong project.
The building was always only available for 12 months from January 2010 – which the group knew.
The lease on the property it operated out of expired at midnight last Thursday, so the Warriors held a protest out the front of the building during the day to help highlight their need for a new home.
The group is desperately seeking a new meeting place, preferably at no cost, which could be used several days a week.
VicUrban offered the group use of another building, but group chairman David Dryden said it wasn’t suitable.
“The alternative building appears to be derelict and further it is in a very seedy part of the precinct,” he said.
“It is located between a sex shop and a bottle shop – which is not suitable as we are helping men get over alcohol problems.”
Mr Dryden said until they found a new meeting place, they would only be able to operate one day a week at Hemmings Park.
“Previously we had ran activities three days during the week, and held a barbecue breakfast for members and their families on Sundays,” he said.
“We would love it if someone had somewhere we could operate out of; a warehouse type place would be great.”
Mr Dryden said the group was hoping for community support to allow their group to continue into the future.
“We are grateful for the support given to us by VicUrban, but the building offered to us would put our men’s group in jeopardy,” he said.
“Our group believes it is prudent common sense, and good money management to support this type of ongoing men’s work we are actively involved.”
Mr Dryden said the group was all about encouraging strong cultural connection and re-connection.
“Our ethos is based on sobriety, non-violence, family development and positive role modelling in the community,” he said.
“We are against alcohol and drug addictions, lateral violence, family violence and other anti-social behaviour.”
The group has developed social activities for the group members and their families and often engages in social activities with groups in the community, including the police.
VicUrban’s Development Director Christopher Hermann said since January 2010 VicUrban allowed Tjaegan’s Warriors to temporarily utilise a vacant building in Robinson Street, rent free, prior to its necessary demolition.
“Tjaegan’s Warriors were fully aware – via multiple discussions and their written lease agreement – that the VicUrban-owned building would only be available for 12 months,” he said.
“VicUrban needs to cut services to the building, and eventually demolish it, to make way for the construction of City Street, a new link between Dandenong Train Station and the heart of town.
“VicUrban is prepared to offer Tjaegan’s Warriors temporary use of another VicUrban-owned building; however it is ultimately up to that group to make its own decisions about a suitable and viable meeting place.”
Anyone who is keen to support the group can contact Mr Dryden on 0419 662 812.