WHEN Mr Andrew Fielder, committee president of the Australian Animal Protection Society, 10 Homeleigh Road, Keysborough compiled his spring 2013 annual report he was delighted to relate that the new veterinary clinic building in the society’s grounds was “up and running”.
The former clinic was destroyed by fire last year and the veterinary staff worked for some 12 months in two portable clinics in the shelter’s car park.
Proceeds from the veterinary surgery assist in the running of the shelter. The shelter can be contacted by phoning 9798 8415 or 9798 8044 for veterinary services.
In describing the new clinic Mr Fielder said, “The clinic building is virtually identical to the old one and in the same position so the new brighter cleaner surroundings will be a better experience for the patients and their companions and will provide a safer environment for treatment.
“Another benefit is a new digital x-ray machine which replaces the one destroyed in the fire.
“Although the animals still have to be sedated, the pictures are available immediately, and can be emailed to other vets, and, re-taken if necessary, involving only one sedation, which makes it a much better and a safer diagnostic tool.
The hired temporary clinic has now been removed and the car park is back to its original site.”
Mr Fielder is fortunate in his leadership role to be enthusiastically supported by vice-president of the committee Elaine Small, treasurer Christine Giles, secretary Pat King and members Terry Cheshire, Elizabeth Johns and Jill Womersley.
Flood of memories
On Tuesday 24 September at 6pm the mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong, Cr Angela Long, invites interested residents to join her in viewing at the Paddy O’Donoghue Centre at 18-34 Buckley Street, Noble Park a graphic exhibition of 100 framed photographs portraying the Gannawarra 2011 floods.
Gannawarra is a rural region 250 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, and it includes the townships of Cohuna, Kerang, Koondrook, Leitchville and Quambatook.
The exhibition, arranged in conjunction with the Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre Dandenong, will continue until Friday 14 November. Full details can be obtained by phoning the Paddy O’Donoghue Centre on 9238 1436.
Over the years residents of the then shire and now City of Greater Dandenong have suffered the loss of livestock and damage to houses and outbuilding and they are no strangers to flood damage. I can still remember when my late parents farmed our property at Lyndhurst seeing the low-lying paddocks near the railway line as a sea of floodwater, and of helping move cows and horses to higher levels and safety.
Some of the flood-prone areas include Frankston-Dandenong Road, Abbotts Road, Hallam Road, Hampton Park, Bangholme, parts of Kooweerup, particularly Clyde and Langwarrin, just to name a few. Floods in ‘the swamp’ Kooweerup area always posed a constant problem and Carrum Downs was regarded as a trouble spot.
Golden exhibition
To celebrate its golden anniversary of collecting, preserving, researching, and, sharing local history the Dandenong and District Historical Society launched an exhibition on Friday September 20 at Laurel Lodge, Heritage Hill, Dandenong.
Laurel Lodge backs on to Benga at Heritage Hill and the entrance is off 66 McCrae Street.
The Then and Now exhibition started on Saturday, September 21 and will continue until Sunday 6 October. Some 100 photos are on display, each depicting facets of the particular decade in which it was taken. To contact the historical society phone 9794 8967 or email dandhist@yahoo.com.au
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