David Dryden believes the future of the Tjaegan’s Warriors is injeopardy if they accept this building as their meeting place.
By Bridget Cook
A DANDENONG Aboriginal men’s group, which helps tackle problems including drug and alcohol addiction, faces a bleak future after losing their meeting place.
VicUrban has told the Tjaegan’s Warriors that they have to move from their Robinson Street, Dandenong, hall next year as the building will be demolished as part of Revitalising Central Dandenong project.
VicUrban’s development director Christopher Hermann said that the building was always only available for 12 months from January 2010 – which the Warriors knew.
The group is now seeking a new meeting place to conduct its weekly meetings.
VicUrban has offered the group the use of another building but chairman David Dryden said it was not suitable.
“The alternative building appears to be derelict and 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.
“It would take a lot of work to get it up to standard.
“If we accept this building, we will be taking a step back rather than forward.”
The Tjaegan’s Warriors were formed in 2008. The group has between 20 and 30 men who attend its weekly meetings.
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.
Mr Dryden said the group was hoping for community support to allow it to continue. “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.”
VicUrban’s Mr Hermann said that since January 2010 VicUrban allowed Tjaegan’s Warriors to temporarily utilise a vacant building in Robinson Street, rent free, before it was demolished.
“Tjaegan’s Warriors were fully aware – via multiple discussions and their written lease agreement – that the VicUrban-owned building would be available only 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 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.
