By MARG STORK
THE reason Greater Dandenong is ‘great’ is the people who laid the foundations of our historic city.
Tour guides taking visitors around won’t ever be stumped for remembering the names of early settlers — all they have to do is look at the street signs.
That’s why the council must be complimented on preserving our history by naming new streets and lanes, especially in the central business district, after residents who drove the city’s progress.
A lane dear to my own heart bears the surname of Dandenong resident Greg Dickson.
The lane is alongside the Nu Hotel and runs off Scott Street, beside the building where I worked for many decades for the late Mr Dickson, sole owner of The Dandenong Journal.
I’m proud to know his name will be perpetuated — the former Mallee boy whose mother owned the Ouyen Express.
Curran Lane, one of our newest streets, is named after a former railway employee who lived in an Edwardian house in Thomas Street opposite the old Boomerang picture theatre.
Curran Lane has been extended as part of the revitalisation of our city centre to provide a pedestrian and vehicle route.
Talking about the Boomerang brings happy memories of the picture theatre run by Mr Leber and the lolly and ice-cream boys with their laden trays of goodies at the Saturday matinees. Those were the days!
Talking faiths
The VCE exams are done and dusted, the crowds have once again thronged the Dandenong Show, and we saluted our Diggers at Remembrance Day service.
Now there’s to be a Talking Faiths seminar at the Dandenong library. Held twice a year, the seminar explores different faiths to foster understanding and tolerance in the community.
Run by the libraries in partnership with Dandenong’s Interfaith Network, it’s a bridge-builder, strengthening cultural ties.
This session, on Thursday, will spotlight Hinduism, offering a basic introduction to the ancient faith and the opportunity of meeting members of the Hindu community.
Greater Dandenong Council’s community services director Marl Doubleday says interfaith dialogue is vital to cohesiveness in the city’s cultural melting pot.
“Our multicultural community offers a world of diverse cuisines, clothing, music, culture, and faiths that we can experience right in our own backyard.
“Programs such as the Talking Faiths help us understand and celebrate our differences and explore the things we have in common.”
Do you have a milestone, memory or question for Marg? Email marg@yourweekly.com.au or post submissions to A moment with Marg, c/o The Dandenong Journal, PO Box 318, Dandenong 3175.
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