Welcome.
Dressmaker is what is considered a badged machine and there were many different models. It does appear that you have a left homing needle position. Many of the Dressmaker machines are left homing and take a little getting used to.
One of manuals suggests that if the needle breaks, make sure needle is not bent and avoid pulling the material when stitching. Do you have a manual for your machine?
Some threads you may want to check out:
Dressmaker Deluxe Zig Zag Sewing Machine
Left hand needle only?
Left Homing Needle Position
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.