100 years ago
24 January 1924
Destruction of Ornamental Trees
At a meeting of the Dandenong Branch of Australian Natives Association (ANA) on Wednesday evening January 16, a motion was carried on the proposition of Mr A B Wilson seconded by Mr W J Field, protesting against the cutting down of ornamental trees in Lonsdale Steet which should be retained, and that additional garden plots be provided wherever possible.
50 years ago
31 January 1974
Parking cut in Dandenong
Kerbside parking in five of Dandenong’s busiest streets will be cut from one hour to half-an-hour. The new ruling will take effect almost immediately. The city council on Tuesday night decided to reduce kerbside parking time in Lonsdale St between Clow and Foster Sts, in Scott, Walker and Foster Sts between Thomas and Lonsdale Sts, in Langhorne St between Lonsdale and Walker Sts, and in Lonsdale St parallel with the outer separator outside the post office. In a further move in what is undoubtedly the council’s biggest shake-up of parking regulations for years, present free all-day parking in council owned car parks will be reduced to two hours.
20 years ago
26 January 2004
Poorest of poor: Survey
Greater Dandenong is the most disadvantaged urban area in Australia states a report released last week. The Australian Bureau of Statistics report identified Dandenong’s poor socioeconomic status based on a breakdown of the 2001 census figures. Dandenong Mayor Kevin Walsh said the result was ‘disappointing’ and surprising. “The city provides a number of facilities to help people, particularly support services. We have a very high number of non-English speaking migrants – many starting with few employment opportunities. Despite individuals earning an average of only $264 per week, Cr Walsh said Dandenong remained a destination for jobs for many people.
5 years ago
28 January 2019
Overcoming hazards
Be Ha’s life of community service has been all about ‘paying forward’ generosity. The kindness bestowed on her, her husband and children after they fled as refugees from communist Vietnam in 1979. “They opened their arms and hearts to welcome us – we were lucky to have that. “We have to pay back and help the community as well.” Now recognized with a Medal of the Order of Australia (AOM), she immediately pitched in to help others. Her life hung by a thread when she and scores of others escaped on a small fishing boat form Vietnam, fighting off deadly pirate attaches, then floating for a month, starved of food and water before they were rescued by a British cargo vessel Entalina. “I am so proud to be Australian and for my Vietnamese community,” she said.
Compiled by Dandenong & District Historical Society
