Star Weekly - Brimbank North West - 21st December 2021

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21 DECEMBER, 2021

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Santa surfs into Tulla

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There will be an unusual figure in the surf at URBNSURF on Thursday. Santa will take a break from wrapping presents and preparing for his Christmas run to take to the waves.

Children will be able to surf with Santa at the bays on Thursday between noon and 2pm. The opportunity gives children the chance to not only meet Santa, but have a fun day out too.

There will be plenty of opportunities for photos too. If Santa isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of other opportunities to hit the water. Details: https://secure.urbnsurf.com/ Tara Murray

‘Blown away’ by support

By Tara Murray The owners of a food truck company whose business has been destroyed by fire have been blown away by community support.

Fire tore through Happy Camper Pizza’s factory in Braybrook on Wednesday, destroying a 1960 era food truck and severely damaging two others.

One of the owners, Sonia Lear, said the fire was the latest blow after an exhausting two years and not being able to operate the catering businesses through successive lockdowns.

She said support from the local community

had made the owners and staff vow to continue on and find ways to give back.

“It has been full on,” she said.

“We’ve been blown away by the community.

A rival pizza food truck company has set up a GoFundMe page and another one has offered us the use of one of their trailers.

“West Footscray Primary School has said we can use their commercial kitchen. Other people have offered to help with working bees.

“It has been amazing and we want to fight on and keep going.”

Ms Lear said the fire had damaged one side of the building, which they had structurally been able to prop up. The kitchen and

refrigeration container were on the other side of the building and survived.

The trucks weren’t insured, as a consequence of the pandemic.

“It takes a long time to build those trucks,” Ms Lear said. “We don’t even know where to find the people to fix them at this time of year.

“We cut the insurance during lockdown.

We couldn’t afford to pay $4000 a month so we cut it. We had only been back open two weeks and hadn’t got around to it.”

The money from the GoFundMe page will go to help complete another truck based in the country, which they had been working on before the pandemic hit.

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Another consequence of the fire is that work on a pizza bar at the factory will have to be postponed.

“We started doing takeaway pizza for the locals during lockdown,” Ms Lear said.

“We started renovating it into a permanent pizza bar. We were looking to make it into a social enterprise as well. We had been supplying the Duke Street Neighbourhood House with pizzas.

“That will have to stop for now, as we’re more about rebuilding structurally.

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To my local community members, At the end of another challenging year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year.

COVID-19 has disrupted our lives in unforeseen ways, however our community has pulled together through resilience, kindness and respect for each other. I am so proud of the determination and sacrifice shown by everyone, your contribution is greatly appreciated.

As we reopen, the Victorian Labor Government’s focus is on delivering major projects, creating jobs and facilitating recovery from the pandemic. This holiday season will be particularly special as we reunite with family and friends – a testament to everyone that has done the right thing.

Many of you will be travelling and having a well-deserved break, so please take your time on the roads. If you’re heading down to the beach, remember to swim between the flags and be water safe.

I also encourage everyone to use this opportunity to shop local and support our wonderful traders and small businesses.

I look forward to seeing many great things in the new year and I am committed to continuing to deliver for our community.

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Best wishes,

Hon Natalie Hutchins MP State Labor Member for Sydenham

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NEWS

Luba Grigorovitch preselected

By Tara Murray Former Hobsons Bay deputy mayor and current Rail, Tram and Bus Union secretary Luba Grigorovitch has been chosen as the Labor Party’s candidate for Kororoit at next year’s state election.

The party’s national executive voted last Monday to preselect Ms Grigorovitch as its candidate, ahead of current Kororoit MP Marlene Kairouz.

Ms Kairouz has been the member for Kororoit since 2008.

Ms Grigorovitch said before the preselection process that she was excited by the challenge.

“I believe that my record speaks for itself,” she said.

“I am not afraid to put in a hard day’s work, I thrive on helping people and listening to others.

“As a leader, whether that be in the workplace or the community, I like to join people around me on a journey and encourage all to get involved.

“I have a good understanding of the electorate and if successful I am determined to do all that I can as the local member, for as long as I am there.

“I want to represent a community where equality of opportunity and outcomes thrive for people in full measure, where the best quality education, services and amenities are freely available, where decent work is there for all who want it and where people enjoy the

best possible conditions of employment.”

Ms Grigorovitch has spent her whole life in the west, having grown up in Altona Meadows.

She became a member of the ALP when she was 14 and was on Hobsons Bay council between 2008 and 2013.

She also worked for former Altona MP Lynne Kosky.

In recent times she has been the secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, having held a number of roles in the organisation.

Ms Kairouz was contacted for contact.

Meanwhile, Tarneit MP Sarah Connolly is making the switch to the new seat of Laverton, which takes in part of Brimbank.

Luba Grigorovitch. (Supplied)

Emergency presentations decrease

Dennis Miles and John Owen from the Men’s Shed with the libraries they’ve built.

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Project driven by a love of books The Taylors Hill Men’s Shed has been working hard in their workshop to deliver ‘street libraries’ to families across Melton.

Resident and avid reader Silvana David approached the group to make a library to sit outside her property to encourage others to keep reading throughout the pandemic.

“I wanted to create more of a network around my area of more street libraries so that the community has the opportunity to access more books,” she said.

After the library gained popularity, Ms David asked the group to build two more to give to families in the area.

“The Men’s Shed love creating projects for their community and really need to be acknowledged for the work that they do,” Ms David said.

Team leader and a builder of the street libraries, John Owen, said the libraries have been very popular.

“It gives us something to do and gives back to the community at the same time,” he said.

The Taylors Hill Men’s Shed has been running for five years, with COVID affecting their ability to meet up for the duration of lockdowns.

But next year, Mr Owen said they will be

getting back to what they want to do.

“The thing about the Men’s Shed – it gives the guys something to do, and people to talk to.”

Dennis Miles, who is a member of the shed and also helped to create the libraries said the project was “a great idea” and that he’s looking forward to getting back next year and taking on a few more projects.

Details of Street libraries: https:// streetlibrary.org.au/ Details of the Men’s Shed: https://bit. ly/3EDr9B3

Semi-urgent care presentations at Sunshine Hospital dropped to the lowest number in more than 10 years in the last financial year, according to new data.

Data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) last week revealed presentations to public hospital emergency departments rebounded in 2020–21, following a decline in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Western Health’s Sunshine Hospital bucked that trend, seeing less patients in most categories.

The number of patients presenting to Sunshine Hospital for emergency cases was 9624, down from 9727 in the previous financial year.

The number of resuscitations was down slightly from 786 to 784.

The number of semi-urgent care cases presenting at Sunshine emergency department continues to fall.

There were 24,216 people present to the ED, down by nearly 2000 people from the previous 12 months.

Urgent care cases also continued to fall, down to 28,395 from 30,304 from the previous 12 months.

AIHW spokesperson Dr Adrian Webster said while emergency department presentations rebounded in 2020–21, the increase was in part due to fever clinics established to assess people who may be infected with COVID-19.

“Following steady annual average growth of 3.2 per cent between 2014–15 and 2018–19, and a dip of 1.4 per cent in 2019–20, presentations to public hospital emergency departments increased by 6.9 per cent in 2020–21,” he said.

“There were 8.8 million presentations to Australian public hospital emergency departments in 2020–21, compared to 8.2 million presentations in 2019–20.”

Sarah Oliver

Brooklyn air quality is improving according to the EPA Air quality has improved in Brooklyn, according to the Environmental Protection Authority’s annual report.

The report released earlier this month, highlighted the EPA’s achievements throughout the 2020-21 financial year, including improvements in Brooklyn.

According to the report, in 2020–21 the daily standard for PM10 (particles less than 10 micrometres in diameter) was achieved more frequently than in any other year.

“This improvement is thought to be due to

a combination of above-average rainfall and increased regulatory action,” the report said.

“Efforts to improve air quality for the Brooklyn community in Melbourne’s western suburbs were boosted in 2020–21 with a project focused on dust emissions from material recycling and container storage activities in the Brooklyn Industrial Precinct.”

This comes despite two fires at Cleanaway’s Brooklyn Resource Recovery Centre this year.

The EPA report said the Brooklyn industrial precinct had more than 60 industries, including

quarrying, former landfill, abattoirs, material recycling, tallow producers, container storage and a variety of small businesses from light industrial to retail and manufacturing.

The EPA has 12 active remedial notices addressing dust emissions with an estimated total cost of compliance of about $12.5 million.

The report said the notices are in relation to the installation of controls to prevent dust from onsite traffic by sealing hard stands, dust from materials-handling activities, and mud tracking out onto public roads.

The report also mentioned the Kealba landfill fires. Remedial notices have been issued to the Barro Group, which runs the site, and the group’s licence was suspended in July.

“An EPA review of air quality, odour monitoring and pollution reports indicated that odour levels from the landfill were causing community concern,” the report said.

“The current clean up notice remains in force, and we regulate this site with regular proactive compliance inspections, odour surveys, and enforcement where needed.”

Tuesday, 21 December, 2021 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 3

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Bin collection changes coming

-----------------> I N B R I E F

Brimbank appoints Fiona Blair as CEO Fiona Blair has been appointed the new CEO for Brimbank City Council, starting in the role on 24 January 2022. Ms Blair is a highly regarded leader in local and state government, with extensive experience as a senior executive. She was recognised for her leadership in the inaugural Top 50 Public Sector Women award in 2017. Fiona is known as an outstanding leader with the ability to develop staff, drive exceptional service and develop collaborative relationships. We look forward to welcoming Fiona to Brimbank and thank Warren Roberts for filling the role of Interim CEO. For more information, visit news.brimbank.vic.gov.au

Visit yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au to share your ideas and feedback on issues and projects that matter to you. Learn more about projects that are open for comment including: • Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan – Have your say on how we manage and promote responsible pet ownership and the welfare of cats and dogs in the community • Communications and Engagement – Tell us how we can continue to improve the way we communicate and consult • Melbourne Airport Rail in Sunshine and Albion – Sign our petition

Rubbish bins would be emptied every fortnight under proposed changes to waste collection in Brimbank when the municipality implements a four-bin system.

Brimbank council released its Waste Reform Preferred Collection Service Model report at last week’s council meeting, which will shape the council’s waste and recycling going forward.

The model will not be introduced until after July 1, 2023.

In the report, officers recommended a four-bin residential kerbside waste and recycling collection service model in response to the state government’s waste reforms, which required every council to change their bin systems by 2027.

Under the changes in Brimbank, the frequency of kerbside garbage collection would go from weekly to fortnightly, recycling would continue to be collected fortnightly, a new separate residential kerbside glass collection would be collected monthly and the green waste collection bin, to be known food organics and garden organics [FOGO], collected weekly.

In the 2020-21 financial year, 46,186 tonnes of rubbish was collected in Brimbank, while 16,046 tonnes of recycling was collected.

Councillor Bruce Lancashire said the issue of waste collection had become increasingly important to council and the community.

“It’s not just athing that gets collected every week and is significant to all of us and our residents,” he said.

“It’s an important part of the future of our environmental and circular economy to make sure we recycle as much waste as possible.

“It is a big step in that direction. It is complicated and there needs to be extensive community consultation.”

Cr Jae Papalia said the municipality has seen the devastating effects of landfill and that there needs to be change in the way waste is managed.

Cr Trung Luu said while he supported the initiative, he understands there will be some reservations.

“I urge the community to take part in this consultation when it occurs,” he said.

“Issues relating to the timeframe of rubbish being collected, the number of bins, bin size doesn’t change. “My family, we would struggle being a family of seven including five kids. I urge residents to sort out your bins and get rid of the rubbish.”

The council will put the model out for public consultation next year.

Season’s greetings from Brimbank We hope you can join in all the Christmas fun in Brimbank! For all the details on the no-charge activities happening around our city, visit brimbank.vic.gov.au/Christmas It’s also not too late to donate to the Brimbank annual Giving Tree Program again this year, for all the details visit brimbank.vic.gov.au/givingtree Customer service - our customer service centres in Sunshine and Keilor will be open to assist on regular business days throughout the Christmas and New Year period and will be closed on public holidays.

For more detail, visit brimbank.vic.gov.au/contact Waste collections – waste, including garbage, recycling and green waste, will be collected on normal collection days throughout the Christmas and New Year period. For more information on Council services and operating days/hours, visit brimbank.vic.gov.au

Contact us: Telephone 9249 4000

Writers and Readers Festival Story Stroll project The Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival is back in 2022! One of the new features of the event is the Story Stroll project, where residents are encouraged to submit a story of approximately 200 words on one of the following themes: I am… We are… Brimbank is… Submissions are open until 16 January.

For details and submission guidelines, visit brimbanklibraries.vic.gov.au/ writersfestival

Keep an eye out There are plenty of summer programs returning to Brimbank this January, including In2Tennis, Summer Touch Football and Midsumma. Keep your eye on news.brimbank.vic.gov.au for all the latest news and events happening around Brimbank.

Brimbank mayor Jasmine Nguyen with Emilie. (Supplied)

brimbank.vic.gov.au 131 450 Local call costs apply

Use Brimby, the new online virtual assistant

Your Councillors are always happy to hear from you Cr Victoria Borg Cr Sarah Branton Cr Thuy Dang (Deputy Mayor) Cr Sam David JP Cr Maria Kerr Cr Bruce Lancashire Cr Trung Luu Cr Jasmine Nguyen (Mayor) Cr Jae Papalia Cr Ranka Rasic Cr Virginia Tachos

0429 365 527 0407 836 064 0437 744 803 0429 355 239 0437 796 630 0429 637 689 0437 826 450 0437 740 042 0437 838 710 0437 861 296 0428 915 671

CrBorg@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrBranton@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrDang@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrDavid@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrKerr@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrLancashire@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrLuu@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrNguyen@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrPapalia@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrRasic@brimbank.vic.gov.au CrTachos@brimbank.vic.gov.au

All information was correct at the time of printing. For latest information about the impacts of COVID-19 on Council’s services visit brimbank.vic.gov.au. For the latest information on restrictions visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au 4 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

Young artist recognised Cairnlea Park Primary School pupil, Emilie, has been recognised as part of the 2021 Young Australian Art awards.

Emilie was one of the winners of the CD Dodd Indigenous award, with more than 30,000 students entering from across Australia.

Her piece was titled ‘Guragalung’.

Brimbank mayor Jasmine Nguyen presented Emilie with her award earlier this month.

Fellow pupils Liana and Raziel were also finalists in the art awards.

It’s been a big few weeks for pupils of the school, with several recognised for their writing skills.

Earlier this year pupils participated in the

PETAA Young Writers program, which was conducted by author Meredith Costain.

Following on from this program, pupils were encouraged to submit writing for potential publication in Oz Kids in Print magazine.

Some of the school’s grade five and six pupils were also provided with the opportunity to write a book review for the magazine.

Several of the pupils have had their work published in the latest edition. Lara had a poem and book review and Hoang had a story published.

Brahmjot, Michelle, Emily and Marlin all had book reviews published.

Tara Murray

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NEWS

‘Positive’ signs on hot spot fires

By Tara Murray Barro believes there’s good signs in regards to extinguishing of some of the hot spots at the Kealba Landfill.

At its most recent community meeting, Barro provided an update to residents on the hot spot fires that have been going on for more than two years.

Barro’s Nino Frasca said that there were some positive signs.

“Heat signatures that have been reported over hot spots two, three and four strongly

indicate those have now been extinguished.

“We now need to take off the last couple of metres to get the gravel base to check those areas and their integrity.

“They won’t officially be declared they have been extinguished until they are signed off by an auditor, what we are seeing is very positive as we are heading towards the holiday period.

“To that end, we are monitoring the site of the Christmas and New Year break and we are putting together a contingency plan which will be provided to the community via letter drop box and website.”

The remaining hotspot is not expected to be put out before May. While Barro will be monitoring the site across Christmas, the business will be closed for two weeks.

Barro’s Steve Murphy said they had reduced the normal closure period by one week to try and make up some of the time lost to wet weather during the year.

Meanwhile, online community meetings held by Barro will now be held monthly instead of weekly.

Attendance at the meetings, which have

been held fortnightly in recent times, has decreased.

Residents said that they weren’t getting the answers they need from the forums and were in support of the move.

The establishment of a Facebook page with information was suggested.

At the meeting, residents also raised their concerns about the lack of information from the Environment Protection Authority in recent months about the site and the fires.

The next meeting will be held on January 5.

Watch what you flush

Dr Kodikkakathu Saratchandran is retiring.

Dr Saratchandran said his favourite thing about being a doctor was the ability to be helpful to people who are anxious about their health matters and the interaction with patients was the thing he would miss most.

In retirement, Dr Saratchandran said he would pursue his interest in music, while planning to engage with the Indian community organizations and support their events and spent time with the family.

Watch what you flush is the message to Hillside and Sydenham residents.

Greater Western Water is asking residents in those two suburbs to be careful about what they flush down the toilet to help reduce the growing number of sewer blockages in their community.

There has been a 15 per cent increase on the number of sewer blockages across Hillside and Sydenham in the first 11 months of this year, with 73 sewer blockages occurring.

Flushed wet wipes, facial tissues and paper towels were the main cause of the increase.

Greater Western Water’s general manager operations and delivery solutions, Graham Holt, said these products aren’t designed for sewerage systems and can cause damaging spills.

“Wet wipes, facial tissues and paper towels don’t break down the same way as toilet paper does and can get stuck in our sewer pipes, causing blockages,” he said.

“This can lead to sewage spills in both your property and nearby properties, or in public spaces such as parks and waterways.

“By only flushing the 3Ps – pee, poo and (toilet) paper – we all do our bit to help the network run smoothly and protect the environment.”

Mr Holt highlighted that flushing wet wipes down the toilet was a major problem.

“Wet wipes, even those labelled as flushable, don’t break down like toilet paper does and are one of the main causes of blockages in our network.

“The best way to dispose of wet wipes is to put them in your bin.”

The call out coincides with the development of a national standard that defines the criteria for material suitable for toilet flushing, along with appropriate labelling requirements.

Tara Murray

Tara Murray

(Damjan Janevski) 257767

End of an era at Arthur Street Clinic It’ll be the end of an era later this week, with Dr Kodikkakathu Saratchandran seeing his last patient.

Dr Saratchandran has been a staple in many people’s lives since setting up the Arthur Street Clinic, in St Albans in 1977.

Since then, he has called the clinic home and seen thousands of patients.

At the age of 80, he has decided to retire after working as a GP for 52 years.

Dr Saratchandran graduated from Ranchi University in India in 1966 before arriving in Australia in 1968.

He would work in Mildura, before moving to Minyip and then Niddrie, and settling in St Albans.

“Regretfully life has come to a point where age has caught up, and the last two years of coping with the stress, and extra work brought on by the COVID pandemic, has taken a lot out of me,” Dr Saratchandran said.

“Age-related difficulties as well as COVID-19-related difficulties with its oppressive PPE use, such impediments took away the enjoyment of continuing practicing medicine.”

Brimbank voices concern at planning control changes Brimbank council will voice its objection to the apparent weakening of local government planning controls for land use and urban planning.

The council will write to Planning Minister Richard Wynne along with local MPs expressing its “strongest concerns” with the current direction of planning reform in Victoria.

The letter will also express concern about the removal of community rights to object, appeal or be notified about developments.

Councillor Virginia Tachos said for many

years, the planning authority role has predominately sat with local government.

“These roles and responsibilities are a fundamental obligation of local government which is the closest level of government to the community,” she said.

“Current planning reforms weaken council’s planning controls for land use and planning by removing the community’s rights to object to certain proposals, to appeal certain proposals, to know about proposals [and] prevent communities from having a say on shaping city and places.”

Cr Tachos highlighted social housing developments, public schools and the current proposal for the development of the old Albion Explosives factory in Cairnlea as projects which are affected.

“Once again they are removing the rights of residents,” she said. “It’s a real concern for this council and as well as our community and we need to make it clear to the minister we don’t support such an approach.”

Cs Maria Kerr and Victoria Borg said this was an “autocratic” style of leadership that didn’t benefit the community.

Mayor Jasmine Nguyen said the reduction of local councils’ planning powers and controls is worrying.

“We’re also extremely concerned at the removal of the community’s rights to object or appeal or be notified about development.

“This would allow developments to happen with little to no consultation with residents.

This will prevent communities from being consulted about shaping their cities and places.”

Tara Murray

Tuesday, 21 December, 2021 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 5

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Council performance improves

By Tara Murray Community satisfaction with Brimbank council decisions increased in the last financial year, according to new data.

The performance reporting framework from the Know Your Council website, assessed Brimbank council’s performance across 58 measures from community feedback and data.

The website gave the council a rating of 61 out of 100 for community satisfaction with council decisions, up 5.17 per cent on the previous year.

Across the state, the average rating was 57 out of 100, while it was 62 out of 100 for

similar-sized councils.

Community satisfaction with community consultation and engagement was ranked 59 out of 100, higher than all councils, which was 56 out of 100.

The data showed the cost of governance per councillor is well above the state average of $51,656, with $68,049 being spent per councillor in Brimbank.

The council put this down to an increase in the expenses directly related to the activities of elected councillors, and the cost of a councillor induction training program.

Brimbank mayor Jasmine Nguyen said the results highlight the council’s commitment

to delivering quality, cost-effective services to the community.

“When compared with councils across Victoria, Brimbank results fared very well in the areas of maternal and child health enrolments, animals being rehomed following collection, quality of library collection and frequency of food safety assessments.

“Brimbank libraries and leisure facilities were heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to state government policy directions to ensure safety to the community including lengthy closures of facilities.

“Brimbank worked to modify service delivery to ensure that residents could

still safely access services through the implementation of online programming, libraries to your door delivery service and click and collect options.

“The results also reflect the commitment of councillors to their community with Brimbank scoring 100 per cent in the indicator ‘councillor attendance at council meetings’.”

Cr Nguyen said the areas the council would focus on going forward included reducing the number of missed bins through the council’s waste management service, continued maintenance of roads and enrollment of indigenous children in the maternal and child health service.”

Calder work under way

The Maribyrnong River at Solomon’s Ford.

(Supplied)

Protecting waterways in the west A plan to ensure Melbourne’s western waterways are healthy and thriving for generations to come has been released.

The Victorian government last week released the Waterways of the West Action Plan, a five-year plan that responds to the recommendations of the Waterways of the West Ministerial Advisory Committee and the Waterways of the West Community Vision that had been previously released.

The plan identifies nine directions and 40 actions with short-term actions to deliver results within the first year of implementation and longer-term actions to deliver within five years.

The waterways of the west covers a network of creeks and rivers including the Maribyrnong River, Jacksons Creek, Kororoit Creek, Skeleton Creek, Stony Creek and Werribee River and goes through the inner west and out from Ballan through to Lancefield.

The plan will drive enduring protection for waterways and their parklands by addressing waterway pollution, waterway amenity and stronger land use planning and development controls and standards to guard against inappropriate development.

The directions include recognising the waterways of the west as living and integrated

natural entities and the Traditional Owners as the ‘voice of these living entities’.

The aim is to improve waterway amenity to meet community expectations, better protection of the region’s wetland values, identify opportunities to meet environmental and cultural water needs, protect the waterways from pollution, increase community connection, education and participation, and ensure accountability and transparency for action plan delivery.

Early planning and development work is currently under way for potential upgrades on the Calder Freeway.

Major Road Projects Victoria is conducting the works at Calder Park Drive, The works include traffic modelling, planning studies and environmental investigations to help understand environmental and social impacts, developing design options and confirming the scope and costs of different options.

Investigations are now also focussed on the design of a new interchange at Calder Park Drive over the Calder Freeway, including potential relocation and/or closure of existing entrance points, and road improvements to Calder Park Drive.

Community feedback on how residents use the road and views on the interchange, views on the environment and landscape, and what’s important in the local area closed last week.

Timelines and milestones for the project will be determined through this planning work, and a business case is expected to be finalised in 2022.

Both the state and federal governments have committed $50 million each to the project, with Brimbank council advocating for it with its Fix the Calder campaign.

The council is calling on both governments to commit more funding, to help fully fund the project.

The Calder Park Drive level crossing is also being removed.

Sydenham MP Natalie Hutchins said: “The future Calder Park Drive interchange will ensure the flow of traffic in the area is smoother, safer, more reliable and less congested.”

Tara Murray

Melton council appoints a new chief executive officer Melton council has appointed Roslyn Wai as its new chief executive, bringing a “wealth of knowledge” to municipality.

In a statement, council said Ms Wai has had more than 30 years’ experience working across local government, water, tertiary education and media sectors.

“I am delighted to be joining Melton City Council in 2022 to work for and with the community and council,” Ms Wai said.

“It’s an exciting vision that the community of Melton has created for its future, and I look forward to being a part of the team that brings it to life.”

Ms Wai’s was most recently Hume council’s

communications, engagement and advocacy director and served as the city’s interim chief executive until July.

Melton mayor Goran Kesic said Ms Wai was an experienced and highly regarded executive leader committed to delivering positive outcomes for the community.

“We are delighted to welcome Roslyn to the role of CEO, and congratulate her on this appointment,” Cr Kesic said.

“As a skilled leader with strong experience in organisational strategy, stakeholder engagement and people management, Roslyn will be an asset to Melton City Council.

“Her effective leadership, diverse experience

6 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

and strong community focus will be invaluable as the city continues to navigate the prospects and challenges of rapid growth.

“The City of Melton is one of Australia’s fastest growing areas. It’s an exciting time full of opportunity and we’re confident that Roslyn’s leadership and dedication will help council to create a thriving future for our community.”

Ms Wai will begin her role on January 26, 2022, and her first official duty will be to attend council’s Australia Day celebration at The Willows.

Sarah Oliver

Melton chief executive Roslyn Wai.

(Supplied)

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Serving up festive joy

Changing the game

By Tara Murray No one will go without a hot meal or a gift on Christmas Day in St Albans if Paradise 4 Kids has its way.

P4K is hosting a special Christmas lunch at the Tin Shed to provide meals to those who would otherwise spend Christmas alone.

P4K is a voluntary organisation that has a number of people come together to make a positive difference to those who may never have the opportunity otherwise.

The group has been providing hot meals to the people of St Albans on Tuesday nights since July.

‘‘

We want to celebrate with them and make a big deal about it - Jane Pallot

’’

Director Jane Pallot said she loved Christmas and wanted to share that with others in the community.

She said P4K wanted to make sure that everyone has a special Christmas and doesn’t miss out.

“It will be a special Christmas lunch with all the trimmings,” she said. “We want to do something special.

“Santa is coming and there will be gifts for everyone who’s there. There will be Christmas music and containers for people to take home food.”

Watergardens and some of its shops have come on board, providing P4K with a $1000 Woolworths gift voucher, a number of presents for adults and children and a Christmas tree for the day.

Ms Pallot said many of the people P4K expected to see on Christmas Day had been

Jane Pallot and Paradise 4 Kids will be running a Christmas lunch.

regular clients at its food van.

“They are all really excited about the food van and they love the food,” she said.

“They say we are the best soup kitchen in Melbourne.

“We ask them what they would like us to cook. They really look forward to it and get excited and send us messages asking what we are cooking.”

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Ms Pallot said anyone who wanted to and volunteer on Christmas Day was more than welcome.

“We want to celebrate with them and make a big deal about it.”

The lunch starts at noon on December 25 at the Tin Shed.

A women leaders in sport and recreation facilities program will run in Brimbank.

Brimbank council was recently announced as one of 49 recipients to receive scholarships as part of the Change Our Game scholarship grants program.

The program has been set up to support women in taking the next step up to leadership positions in the sport and recreation sector.

The program is open to recognised state sport and recreation bodies, local government authorities and regional sports assemblies, as well as individual women linked to these organisations.

Brimbank council will deliver a women leaders in sport and recreation facilities program with its grant.

Office for Women in Sport and Recreation director Sarah Styles said these scholarships are a great example of supporting women and girls to follow their dreams.

“The Office for Women in Sport and Recreation received so many incredible applications from across the sport and active recreation sector, and it was both a privilege and a challenge to arrive at the 49 individuals and organisations who have received this good news.”

Since the scholarship program was introduced in 2018, more than $1.4 million has been invested through 263 grants to support Victorian women to access a range of professional development opportunities and training courses.

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The Mother of God Primary School in Ardeer is full of green thumbs.

The school received three awards from the Victorian School Gardens Award program, a statewide initiative in which schools with community gardens are celebrated and recognised for their achievements.

Mother of God claimed the state, regional and Kevin Heinze Perpetual awards, with the school receiving $3500 in vouchers to help make the garden better next year.

Western cluster engagement leader Greg Woolford said none of this would have been possible without the whole school community helping in different ways.

“Firstly, our students who work care for and learn in the garden weekly,” he said.

“Second, the teachers who inspire and support the students learning in the garden, third Joanna [Temme] our garden educator and manager from Cultivating Community, and of course, Carol [Henderson] and Ben [Wilhelms] before her, who also worked on the garden, and finally our parents and community who care for the chooks, water the gardens over summer, weed and do so much more.”

Mr Woolford said the school was always looking for volunteers to help out with the garden.

Tara Murray

Criminal offences dropped by more than 15 per cent in Brimbank in the year to September, according to new Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) data.

The data, which was released last week, shows there were 17,741 criminal offences recorded in Brimbank in the 12 months to September, down from 21,044 offences from the previous 12 months – a drop of 15.7 per cent. St Albans was the top area for crime in Brimbank, despite a drop in previous figures. There were 4362 cases in St Albans for the reporting period.

Sunshine, Deer Park, Sunshine North and Sunshine West rounded out the top five, with all but Sunshine North recording a drop in offences.

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Star Weekly is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future.

The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business.

Sales skills/experience: • Ability to maintain existing professional relationships and to create new ones • Ability to meet defined sales and activity targets • Excellent listening skills • Accuracy and attention to detail • Effective time management to meet deadlines • Ability to operate in a team • Demonstrates initiative and flexibility • Effective oral and written communication Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.

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Senator visits Sunshine

Mill’s heritage listing changed

By Tara Murray Greens Senator Janet Rice has backed residents’ calls to make sure the Sunshine and Albion precincts are properly redeveloped as part of the Melbourne Airport Rail.

Ms Rice visited Albion and Sunshine stations last week along with representatives of the Albion and Ardeer Community Club, the Sunshine Greater Community Alliance, state MP Sam Hibbins, former councillors Miles Dymott and John Hedditch, and former Greens parliamentarian Huong Truong.

Ms Rice, who is from Melbourne’s western suburbs, said there was so much potential for the development of the area.

“The whole situation is being undermined by ad hoc decisions on substantial infrastructure.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, you don’t get opportunities like this too often.”

She backed calls for an integrated plan.

Ms Rice said she would continue to pressure federal Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts of Australia Minister Paul Fletcher to ensure the development meet the needs of residents.

“I’ve met with minister Fletcher about the plans and I said the planning was substandard and that there has to be a better outcome.

“He was quite interested in that. I’ll have discussions with him about making a site visit.”

Albion and Ardeer Community Club president Neil Head said it was good to show more politicians the current situation.

“From a community perspective, the Albion station is currently one of the most dilapidated in the state and, unfortunately, is proposed to be left in that state, according to most recent proposals from the airport rail project.

“And at Sunshine, the current proposals for the Sunshine ‘Superhub’ looks more like a

Senator Janet Rice, MP Sam Hibbins and Neil Head.

‘midget’ than a ‘super’.

“The on-site discussions focussed on the community call for a ‘pause’ to development of this particular element of the airport rail track, to enable time for a proper economic analysis of the rail options and their cost/ benefits.

“We are seeking an expert panel review,

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with public input, to reassure the community that the most effective return on investment is being obtained, and also that green space is maximised.

“The local community is very concerned that currently airport rail decisions being made pre-emptively without overarching strategic plans in place for guidance.”

Changes to the heritage listing of the John Darling and Sons Flour Mill have been approved.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning last week officially gazetted changes to the heritage registration last week. The changes further cement the site’s significance in the area. The mill was first recognised with state level cultural heritage significance in 1991.

The proposed changes will see an extension of the registered heritage area to include land on the eastern edge of the site containing the building canopy, rail siding, and load platform remnants, and amending the boundary to the northern edge to remove the public realm.

The additional land proposed for inclusion has been associated with the complex for 95 years.

Other changes include categories of works that can and can’t be carried out.

Brimbank council supported the changes at its council meeting in October.

At the time, Cr Bruce Lancashire said the changes support long standing aspirations for the heritage protection of these areas.

Changes to the heritage registration for the HV McKay Memorial Gardens is headed to a formal hearing.

Star Weekly understands all parties and submitters are in agreement with most of the proposed revised citation, but the church on the site is seeking some permit exemptions.

That hearing is not expected to be for a number of months.

Tuesday, 21 December, 2021 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 9

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21 December 2021

STAY INFORMED Mayor’s message Cr Goran Kesic

Council services and facilities: melton.vic.gov.au/COVID19 Quickly and easily connect with us online: melton.vic.gov.au facebook.com/cityofmelton Instagram @cityofmeltonofficial

As this challenging year draws to an end, I’d like to share how proud I am of the strength and support our community has shown.

Christmas is a time to create some great family memories, and it brings me joy to know that we can now reunite with loved ones this festive season.

New park has tails wagging

At Council, we’re reflecting on what we’ve achieved for our community over the last year.

A new dog park has been welcomed by dogs and their owners, adding to our list of off-lead spaces for local pooches.

We were thrilled to secure a State Government land commitment for the new Melton Hospital.

Officially opened last week, the Eynesbury Dog Park was developed to provide a safe and welcoming space for dogs to run, play, and socialise, and for neighbours to connect.

The park is located at the Eynesbury Recreation Reserve, 3 Avoca Street.

It features dog training equipment, fencing, shelter, and bench seats.

Fraser Street Reserve, Melton South

More recently, we started works on the Mt Atkinson Children’s and Community Centre, and the new Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve pavilion.

The dog park was funded with a State Government contribution of $275,000, together with $61,000 from Council.

Wireless Park, Aintree

Last week, Roslyn Wai was also appointed as Council’s new CEO. Roslyn is a highly regarded leader who is committed to delivering positive outcomes for the community and we welcome her to the role.

Christmas and New Year opening hours

We completed the new Cobblebank Indoor Stadium, and made major progress on the MacPherson Park redevelopment.

It was wonderful to also see both the new Melton Central Community Centre, and Eynesbury Early Learning Centre officially open.

MORE DOG OFF-LEAD AREAS: Boronia Drive Reserve, Hillside Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve Navan Park Reserve, Harkness

Details: melton.vic.gov.au/dogparks

Council’s new CEO Roslyn Wai has been appointed as Melton City Council’s new Chief Executive Officer.

A highly regarded executive leader, Roslyn brings more than 30 years’ experience working across the local government, water, tertiary education and media sectors, most recently as Director Communications, Engagement and Advocacy at Hume City Council.

Roslyn will start in the role on 26 January 2022.

Council venues and services will have some reduced opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period.

However, there will be no change in bin collection dates this year. For details on all centre opening hours, visit melton.vic.gov.au/holidayhours

Cambridge Ward with Cr Kathy Majdlik

In the New Year, we look forward to continuing our work to help make the City of Melton an even better place to live and raise a family.

It’s hard to believe the end of 2021 is upon us already. This is a magical time of year and it’s a joy to see our community coming together to embrace the spirit of Christmas with family and friends.

On behalf of my fellow councillors and I, I wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

We look forward to a bigger, brighter, and safer 2022 for our whole community.

If you’re at home over the coming weeks, don’t forget the Melton Recycling Facility (MRF) is offering free green waste drop off to homeowners and renters until the end of December. It’s the perfect time to tidy up your gardens and get rid of grass clippings, leaves and branches.

The MRF is open from 8am-4.30pm

Please feel free to contact me on 0437 241 436 or goran.kesic@melton.vic.gov.au regarding any Council issues.

every day, except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. For more information, you can visit melton.vic.gov.au/ gardenwaste It’s also that time of year when snakes are out and about. Remember, Council offers a free snake removal program, so if you spot a snake anywhere within the City of Melton, please stay calm and move yourself, children, and pets away from the area and leave the snake alone. Call 9747 7200 immediately, and we’ll arrange for the snake to be removed by a professional catcher at no cost.

In closing, I’d like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and hope 2022 brings good health and prosperity to you all. Remember, this is a hectic time of year, so please be careful on our roads and take good care of each other.

You can contact me regarding any Council related matters.

I can be contacted via email at kathy.majdlik@melton.vic.gov.au or on 0412 584 058.

Your Councillors – Visit melton.vic.gov.au/councillors to find your ward Councillors and their contact details

Mayor Cr Goran Kesic

Deputy Mayor Cr Lara Carli

Cr Steve Abboushi

Cr Moira Deeming

A vibrant, safe and liveable City accessible to all 10 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

Cr Kathy Majdlik

Cr Sophie Ramsey

Cr Julie Shannon

Cr Bob Turner

Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg

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Final bell for dedicted teacher

By Tara Murray Wally Antonowicz said when he started teaching at Holy Eucharist Primary School in St Albans South, he predicted it would be the school he would retire at.

Now 43 years later, he walked out of the classroom for the last time last week.

Mr Antonowicz said he had mixed emotions about retiring.

“I’m happy and sad at the one time,” he said.

“I spent 43 years at Holy Church after 14 years in the state system. I started at Sunshine Tech in 1965 and then time at St Albans Heights.

“I needed a change away from the state system, as there was too much politics. I had already been involved with the church and knew the priest.”

After an interview process, where Mr Antonowicz was offered the job on the spot, he went to work.

At the time he told the priest he planned to spend the rest of his career there.

Mr Antonowicz never took up a position of responsibility and would stay in the classroom throughout his time at the school.

“You get to interact with the children and parents,” he said. “You’re on duty all the time.

“Teaching full-time isn’t like having a 9-5 job, you’re always working.

“Teachers are a special breed and are responsible for the next generation.

“You wouldn’t have doctors, police, lawyers without teachers.”

The 77-year-old said he had originally planned on teaching until he was 80, but there were a few reasons for stepping back earlier.

He said the changes in technology had made things hard, while the pandemic and home learning had also had an impact.

“It’s forced my hand a bit. There were situations where the grade six students were

Wally Antonowicz is retiring.

(Damjan Janevski) 261772

helping me design programs, and I would just put the details in.

“At 77, I’m set in my own ways.”

Mr Antonowicz said he had taught two generations of 37 families.

Some of the students paid tribute to their retiring teacher.

“From coaching T-ball to teaching maths, you helped me learn many useful skills that could benefit me in the following years. You

always kept me on my toes and made silly jokes,” one said.

Another said: “You have represented yourself as a great leader not only to the year level but the whole school whilst guiding us how to be great and hardworking students. As a teacher, you have inspired me to do many things. I am extremely grateful for everything you have done for me this year. I hope you will continue to have a wonderful and successful life.”

The father of three and grandfather of six has also been active in the community, including at the church and St Albans Football Club.

He has lived in St Albans since 1960.

In retirement, Mr Antonowicz plans to write a book from his 43 years worth of diaries and spend more time with his family.

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Back to school Twins Colby and Sebastian, and Rania and Dania, were among the excited pupils starting school at Furlong Park School for Deaf Children last week.

The school reopened for 2021 on Thursday and there was plenty of fun for the two sets of twins and their school friends.

Colby and Sebastian, 8, and Rania and Dania, 6, are two of three sets of twins at the school this year. The school has about 65 students.

A third set of twins will start on February 11 and will be part of the school’s early years program.

Principal Lee Bullock said it was possibly the first time the school had welcomed three sets of twins.

(Damjan Janevski) 226450_01

Back to school

Twins Colby and Sebastian, and Rania and Dania, were among the excited pupils starting school at Furlong Park School for Deaf Children last week.

By Tara Murray The school reopened for 2021 on Two western suburbs advocates are calling for government action after a waste management Thursday and there was plenty of fire fun for in Brooklyn last week.

Tara Murray

There have been at least eight factory, waste management or tip fires across the west and Hume since October, while the Kealba landfill has had underground fires burning continuously for more than a year.

Former LeadWest chief executive Craig Rowley and former state MLC member Colleen Hartland say enough is enough.

“It’s a long-running issue,” Mr Rowley said.

“It doesn’t matter which party has been in power at the time, they haven’t done enough clean-up of the west.

“The urgency to clean it [industry] up has never been greater.”

Mr Rowley said during his time with LeadWest, from 2010-18, one of the biggest concerns raised by local councils was the need for a cleaner, greener and more liveable western metropolitan area.

“We were constantly talking about it with the other tiers of government, about the investment needed in the west to make it cleaner and greener.

“It just seems that it is taking a long time to get there.”

Mr Rowley said an Environment Protection Act, which changes how the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) regulates pollution, waste and contamination in Victoria, had been

delayed for 12 months.

“We’ve been waiting for so long to have confidence to be able to breath fresh air.

Confidence that our creeks aren’t going to be polluted.”

He suggests forming a steering committee which would include the EPA, WorkSafe, MFB and council representatives to have a co-ordinated approach to industry clean-up.

“I don’t think questions are being asked on Spring Street as often as they should.”

He also proposed government funding to help bring old industrial estates up to the 21st century and the introduction of better air quality monitoring systems.

Ms Hartland is a member of the Facebook group Anti-Toxic Waste Alliance, which was

set up after the West Footscray warehouse fire which spewed toxic fumes across the western suburbs for days in August 2018.

She said the group, a non-political alliance of community groups, organisations and individuals, wants action.

“There’s been a spate of these fires,” she said.

“There’s been three in the last 10 days.

“The EPA and the state government don’t seem to be taking it seriously.”

Ms Hartland said the group wanted more regulation on industrial sites, clear information about when the EPA is called in and when and for how long air quality equipment is set up.

She has also called for the act to be introduced.

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NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU An artist’s impression of the new centre.

Membership costs revealed

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Users ‘deserve better’

By Tara Murray A Brimbank councillor has said the infrastructure and services for carers and people with a disability at the new Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre are just “a drop in the ocean” of what is needed.

The ‘Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre: Promoting Access, Inclusion and Engagement’ report was presented at last week’s council meeting, following a notice of motion from councillor Maria Kerr in September.

The report highlighted the centre would have a low sensory-quiet room, two different accessible activity spaces, a community lounge and a quiet room.

It also includes two changing places, an

accessible change with hoist and accessible bathrooms.

Carers will also receive further support through the location of an on-site carer support officer.

Cr Kerr said while she acknowledges the sentiment of the report, it doesn’t go far enough. She said with ratepayers paying for the majority of the project, they deserve better.

“It is not a dedicated carers hub, it’s a Band-Aid solution and to be honest, it’s not going to serve what carers require,” she said.

“I just want to assure the community I will be advocating for a dedicated carers hub in Brimbank, carers deserve a dedicated carers space. “This space does not even have a sink.

When I questioned why there was no running

water, I was told I could bring a jug into the room, but if I’m caring for an autistic child like my own child, how I am meant to go and grab a jug of water?

“I believe there is a lot more to do and we need to go back to the drawing board.”

Cr Victoria Borg said that she believed a lot of work had been done in the centre to make the centre inclusive for everyone.

“The Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre is a once in generation facility and as such, it’s imperative to consider carers and people with disability to have maximum access, inclusion and engagement. “Initially council overruled some specific needs for this cohort of the people. We have come a long way as shown in this report.”

The cost of a membership for the new Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre has been revealed.

The council last week confirmed the pricing schedule for the centre along with the Sunshine Leisure Centre for next year.

Memberships will be based on the existing 2021-22 fee schedule adopted for the Sunshine Leisure Centre.

A council report said the decision was seen as fair as members only using SLC are not being penalised financially by the new facility opening.

There will be four different types of membership at the BAWC, learn to swim, aquatics membership, full access and premium.

The cost of a membership will be higher at the BAWC than at the leisure centre.

The cost of membership at the BAWC, which will be in place until the end of next year, will start at $31.40 a fortnight for a learn to swim membership.

The most expensive membership, which will only be at the BAWC, the premium membership will be $77.70 a fortnight for full paying members.

That will increase to $88.65 in 2023.

According to council figures, of the facilities in neighbouring municipalities, only the Maribyrnong Leisure Centre has lower fees.

Tara Murray

Cesar Melhem MP State Labor Member for Western Metropolitan Region Parliamentary Secretary for Training and Skills

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All the best for the New Year 2022

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Wage case statue a step closer

By Tara Murray A statue at the H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens highlighting one of the key moments in Sunshine’s history is a step closer.

Brimbank council recommended that the H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens Public Art Scoping Project be considered as part of the development of the new public art policy and plan 2024-2029.

The idea of the statue was first raised in 2020 by the Friends of the H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens, with a focus on Justice Henry Bournes Higgins, Mr McKay and the history of the Sunshine/living wage case.

‘‘

This is something people have been looking forward to for a long time

’’

- Sam David

The case, which is known as the Harvester case, is a landmark Australian labour law decision handed down by the Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration.

Justice Higgins declared that “fair and reasonable” wages for an unskilled male worker required a living wage that was

sufficient for “a human being in a civilised community” to support a wife and three children in “frugal comfort”, while a skilled worker should receive an additional margin for their skills, regardless of the employer’s capacity to pay.

Brimbank council last year allocated $10,000 for the scoping of the sculpture.

But as a commission at this site was not part of the current public art policy and plan 20182023, the council was limited to approving the sculpture.

Community feedback on the project was supportive.

No budget has been decided for the project,

but council director Lynley Dumble said the project could cost anywhere between $20,000 and $100,000.

Councillor Sam David said a statue was welcome for not just the garden, but the city as whole.

“This city was put together by Hugh Victor McKay, with his Sunshine Harvester workers,” Cr David said.

“A statue at the Mckay Gardens is welcome.

This is something people have been looking forward to for a long time.”

Cr Bruce Lancashire said he would like to see more art work in Brimbank parks.

Busy feet get dancing A dance school in Hillside for children with autism has been winning hearts for years and continues to do so.

BusyFeet, which is supported by the Rotary Club of Caroline Springs, was recently named as the Social Wellbeing Award winner at the Keep Victoria Beautiful 2021 Sustainable Cities awards.

Annette Butterworth has been organising the group for seven years. She said it was amazing to win an award like this.

“I didn’t think we had a hope with the 19 other finalists,” she said.

“I was over the moon, as it’s such great recognition for the program. The program is for children with disabilities between six and 16.

“As long as they are on the autism spectrum, they’re welcome.”

Ms Butterworth said the group wasn’t only

for the children but for the parents as well, giving them time to sit down and have a coffee and a bit of a break.

The students have performed at several parties, including performing in front of more than 1000 people in Tasmania a few years ago.

“The kids don’t care, they have no fear,” she said. “They hear the music and go for it. There’s a real fuzzy feeling.”

The group continued to meet over Zoom throughout the pandemic, with Ms Butterworth saying they were getting eight or nine students per session.

She said getting to have three in-person classes late this year had been really important.

Tara Murray BusyFeet students and teachers.

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School’s mental health festival

By Tara Murray Sunshine Heights Primary School will turn its focus to mental health and wellbeing when it runs a mental health festival in March.

The week-long ‘Know Yourself, Show Yourself, Grow Yourself’ festival is aimed at bringing together different services and providers to help make accessing help easier.

School wellbeing, inclusion, community and engagement lead teacher Francine Sculli said the school was keen to make this a really major community event.

“We’re really excited to bring the community

together on such an important piece and it’s a really good opportunity to normalise conversations around these struggles,” she said.

“I’m really passionate about mental health and when I saw the government opportunity [to apply for funding] I kind of thought about running a festival on the love yourself concept.”

Ms Sculli said the school had been doing work in the mental health sector previously, but this event would be 10 times bigger.

She said this was really important following the COVID-19 pandemic, where many people didn’t know how or where to access services.

“We want to bring all the elements together,”

she said. “It will be a week full of different activities. There will be services doing meditation at 8am.

“Places like Headspace Sunshine and IPC will be there and have workshops and stalls.

“You can get information on how to access services and we want to celebrate cultural diversity.”

There will be food and music at the festival and the school is also looking to get one of the local secondary colleges involved to discuss some of the work they’ve done.

Ms Sculli said they were keen to get more members of the community involved in

the festival. As part of the planning and development stage, the school will form a community advisory committee that represents the rich tapestry of the social, cultural, linguistic, gender, sexual, ability and neurological diversity in Sunshine.

“We’re also looking for community members or organisations that want to get involved,” she said. “We’re looking for people who want to run stalls and we’re looking for performers.

We want to see how we can use the festival as a platform.”

Details: Francine.Sculli@education.vic.gov. au

Art installation pops up A new interactive art installation has arrived at Lake Caroline for residents to explore.

Titled ‘The Stories That Connect Us’, the project was led by multidisciplinary artist Luciano and created by students from Creekside College in Caroline Springs.

The project is a series of interactive artwork from the students, who under the guidance of Luciano, interpreted local stories that make Caroline Springs “a special place”.

Melton mayor Goran Kesic said it was a fun and new art experience for the City of Melton.

“This is a unique art experience that we’re excited to share with our community,” Cr Kesic said.

The artwork the children created can be viewed around the lake and comes to life through augmented reality videos on viewer’s smartphones.

Viewers will need to download the Eyejack app and follow the instructions around the

lake for the full virtual experience.

“The students have created beautiful interpretations of life in Caroline Springs and it’s great to be able to view them both in print and digitally,” Cr Kesic said.

“I’d encourage everyone to take the opportunity to enjoy this installation as you walk around Lake Caroline.”

Sarah Oliver

Artist Luciano at the interact pop-up art exhibition in Caroline Springs. (Damjan Janevski) 261475_04

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NEWS

Councils tackle family violence

By Tara Murray A new program to help councils prevent family violence has been launched.

The Free from Violence Local Government Program 2022-2025, which was launched by the state government, aims to provide support to councils to deliver long-term family violence prevention initiatives.

Grants of up to $270,000 across three three years are available to councils, supporting the implementation of The Local Government Guide To Preventing Family Violence and All Forms of Violence Against Women, which

will both be released mid-2022.

Municipal Association Victoria president, councillor David Clark, said the new program will help councils to continue the significant work that has already started to prevent family violence.

“For more than a decade, Victorian councils have proven their unrivaled reach and capacity to engage with community around the issue of family violence prevention,” Cr Clark said.

“Councils are working alongside sports clubs, businesses and schools to drive real, sustainable change and we’re proud to emphasise this work through our publications

and those of our member councils.

“Councils are doing an important job engaging their communities in conversations about gender equality, respect and ending the scourge of family violence through this campaign.”

The MAV has also released a publication and video, ‘Communities Free from Violence: local government leading change’.

It shows the work of 35 council projects funded by the previous round of the grant program.

The booklet and video highlight why councils are a critical facilitator when tackling

Gifts to help ease Hillside hardship

Road money

A Hillside woman has helped co-ordinate 100 boxes of food and items to be donated this Christmas.

Nicol Allegrezza has set up Sharing is Caring as a way to help others less fortunate.

Ms Allegrezza said this year they had collected enough items to donate 100 boxes to community groups.

This is her second year collecting items after donating 20 boxes last year.

“I buy the empty boxes from a company, Reverse Advent Calendar,” she said.

“I then put out a post on a Hillside community [Facebook] page.

‘

this issue and provides examples of the breadth of diverse work many communities have already undertaken to prevent family violence and all forms of violence against women.

This work includes forming community coalitions, engaging sector experts and providing training and support to improve gender equality and prevent family violence.

Applications for the Free from Violence Local Government Program 2022-2025 are now open.

Details: https://www.localgovernment.vic. gov.au/

Brimbank council will receive more than $400,000 from the latest round of the federal government’s Roads to Recovery Program.

The council will receive $419,404 for its quarter payment, which will be used to help upgrade local roads.

Senator Jane Hume said the government was providing more than $91.72 million to 255 local government authorities nationwide to deliver safer and better-maintained roads.

“The Roads to Recovery funding … will allow councils across the area to progress a number of high-priority projects, using local knowledge to deliver the best local roads,” Ms Hume said.

“This forms part of our government’s unwavering commitment to get Australians home sooner and safer, no matter where they live.”

Assistant Local Government Minister Kevin Hogan said the investments deliver safer roads in local government areas throughout the country.

“The Australian government supports local governments to provide vital infrastructure and services through a range of programs,” Mr Hogan said. “This support includes the Financial Assistance Grant and Bridges Renewal, Black Spot, Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity, Roads to Recovery and Local Roads and Community Infrastructure programs.”

Mr Hogan said the federal government has committed an additional $100 million per year to the Roads to Recovery Program from 2019–20, as part of the Local and State Government Road Safety Package announced in the 2019–20 budget.

“Assisting local councils to maintain and improve roads under their jurisdiction is a big part of that, which is why we have made a $2.5 billion commitment through the Local Road and Community Infrastructure program and earlier this year brought forward $1.3 billion of the 2021–22 Financial Assistance Grant payment.”

It’s so heartbreaking to hear about the struggles of others - Nicol Allegrezza

’

“People take the boxes and they have two months to fill the box with grocery items. They will be filled with different types of food and they will bring it back to me.”

Ms Allegrezza donated the boxes last weekend to three different groups. She thanked everyone who had contributed.

As well as food, some homemade baby jumpers and toys had been donated.

“All up 60 boxes went to a community in Keilor East. They do food distribution every Sunday, and when I spoke to them, they mentioned they had 100 people to support this year, some of which were living from their cars.

“It’s so heartbreaking to hear about the struggles of others. “[We donated] 30 boxes went to Connecting Homes who support the stolen generation and their families and 10 boxes are going to the victims of domestic violence.”

Ms Allegrezza said she would look to run another drive at Easter.

Details: http://ow.ly/KSV350H8ZEB Tara Murray

Tara Murray

Nicol Allegrezza with one of the boxes.

(Supplied)

Council puts out $800m funding call for Sunshine precinct Brimbank council is calling for significant funding for the Sunshine precinct and the Albion station redevelopment to be included in next year’s federal and state budgets.

In the letter from mayor Jasmine Nguyen to the federal government included in last week’s council agenda, the council said it estimated the total needed was $800 million. A similar letter was addressed to the state government.

“We have urged the Victorian state government to include the required funding for the precinct works and Albion station redevelopment in the 2022-23 state budget,“ the letter said.

“We also seek matching funding within the federal 2022-23 budget, which we estimate would be in the region of $300-$400 million, for a combined total of up to $800 million.

“As you may be aware, leveraging their own and the federal government $5 billion investment into the Melbourne Airport Rail (MRL), the Victorian state government very recently announced the ‘Sunshine Precinct Opportunity Statement’ (the Sunshine Statement), an essential complementary piece to this significant transport project.

“We consider a single window of opportunity exists to coordinate engineering

and construction for both the Melbourne Airport Rail project scheduled to begin in 2022, and the necessary Sunshine precinct works.”

The council is also calling for further funding for the Calder Freeway. Both governments have committed $50 million to the project.

“The state has also made further investments into a diamond interchange at Calder Park Drive, and removal of the nearby level crossing.

“In addition to these significant recent investments, with works ultimately estimated at no less than $1.5 billion to bring the freeway

up to contemporary standard and ensure the safe passage of commuters and freight, progressive annual funding will be essential.

“Recognised as a freeway of national significance and located adjacent to Melbourne Airport, we urge you to co-fund the critical upgrades identified by the Victorian state government.”

The council is also calling for further assistance to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including re-establishing JobKeeper and JobSeeker.

Tara Murray

Tuesday, 21 December, 2021 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 15

NEWS STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

New animal management plan

By Tara Murray A new Brimbank animal management plan will focus on increasing education and compliance to help address ongoing cat and dog issues.

Brimbank council’s Domestic Animal Management Plan [DAMP] 2021-2025 was released at last week’s council meeting, detailing council’s plan for the next four years.

The plan identified several areas where the council could improve, including increasing compliance with cat and dog registration requirements, initiatives to reduce stray cat populations and associated euthanasia rates,

issues associated with barking dogs, owner control of dogs when in public places, and dogs not confined to their property.

“This DAMP recognises the broader community and personal context relating to pets and the matters that need to be better understood,” the report said.

“As a result, this DAMP also considers issues and opportunities associated with: Enhancing the understanding of the changed scope of the service within council and partnerships with relevant departments in order to address common service needs and objectives; the provision of pound and shelter services; planning of provision

for dogs in public open space; optimising partnerships with the community to achieve DAMP recommendations; enhancing communication with CALD [culturally and linguistically diverse] communities that often have divergent attitudes and experiences relating to pets; and support to pet owners in crisis situations.”

Councillor Virginia Tachos said there needs to be further education in the community to keep animals and the community safe.

“For many years we’ve had issues with feral cats and their control, which has wrecked great damage and threat to native species,” she said.

“Sadly it’s created great risk of diseases to impact on protected native fauna we need greater education for our CALD community on the dangers and threats of freal and cats and other dangerous dog breeds.

“We all bear the responsibility of protecting our environment, native fauna and our people.

“The streamlining of the cat trapping process and the nuisance dog reporting process along with identifying unregistered animals to increase registration will assist in the ongoing enforcement of the animal management plan.”

The plan will go out to public consultation for six weeks.

AVID funding available now

Chris Hatzoglou. (Supplied)

Humble Hatzoglou praises his team Chris Hatzoglou might have been recognised for his role at the Sunshine Heights Cricket Club, but the man himself says the recognition is for the whole club.

Hatzoglou and his wider family have been drivers of the club for a number of years, with the club growing from 50 people to more than 200 from more than 30 different cultures.

The work of Hatzoglou was recently recognised when he was named the winner of the 2021 Multicultural Award of Excellence for Sport.

“The award is really recognition of the club,” he said.

“It’s pretty honouring to have my name out there, but it’s more about the club being

recognised than me as an individual.

“So many individuals over the years have made the club what it is today. They’re really created an environment.”

Hatzoglou was nominated by the club for the award in recognition of his work. He started there as a player when he was 12 and has spent more than 30 years volunteering.

He had a nine-year stint as president. His brother Nick Hatzoglou now has that role.

Hatzoglou said the focus on making the club a multicultural one was something they have aimed to achieve for a number of years.

“We are a real multicultural club,” he said.

“Our parents were migrants … We understand it.

“People need a sense of belonging and that work never finishes.

“There are so many different cultures, it reflects Brimbank.”

Hatzoglou said the other thing that really thrills him, is the club has shown that you can have a real community focus, while helping others achieve their goals.

Former test player Colin Miller came through the juniors, while Hatzoglou’s nephew Peter Hatzoglou is currently playing in the Big Bash with the Perth Scorchers.

“You can have community focus and you don’t have to compromise the opportunities for people who really want to develop their cricket.”

Local communities and groups in Melton are being given the opportunity to apply for $15,000 in sponsorships and grants through a program funded

by Carolina estate developer, AVID property group.

Set on 43 hectares of land, Carolina is a $210 million master-planned community that was launched in 2019 and is under development in Deanside as a natural extension of Caroline Springs.

The sponsorship and grants program is being implemented in a bid to boost local community groups and invest into the local economy.

AVID’s Victorian general manager, Peter Vlitas, said the program was one of the ways the company supports its residents and the wider community.

“I’m so excited to launch Carolina’s first-ever sponsorship and grants program and do our bit to help contribute to the community that we have now become a part of,” Mr Vlitas said.

“In the current climate many community groups rely on external support and funding to stay operational which is why we believe in providing opportunities through our sponsorship and grants program.

“Supporting local has definitely been a big topic in Melbourne over the last year and it’s been amazing to see everyone rallying together to get community and sporting clubs back up and running.

“Our Victorian communities are very much characterised by its people, community groups and culture, and these grants are about strengthening connectivity.”

Applications are open until January 13, with successful applications announced in February.

Sarah Oliver

Fears for youth health amidst escalating vaping crisis Council is continuing to fight against the issue of vaping among Melton’s youth after a report found the problem is anecdotally widespread.

At council’s June 28 meeting, council officers were asked to engage with principals from local schools and other community groups to discuss the issue of e-cigarette use among young people.

The report was table at last night’s council meeting, outlining the engagement undertaken and how council can help address the issue.

“Currently, based on all the engagement undertaken, the report provides some outcomes that, whilst insufficient data is available at the

moment to suggest that vaping is a major issue for the city of Melton, anecdotally … it does appear that it is becoming a significant issue,” community services manager Troy Scoble said.

Councillor Julie Shannon said education is “hugely important” but that her main concern is finding out where the e-cigarettes are coming from.

“My main concern, and where I want to eventually go with this, would be to find out where these are coming from … any business that is illegally selling e-cigarettes, especially with nicotine, need to be found and charged.

“So if there’s anything we can do as a council

16 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

to help support that happening, I think that’s extremely important.”

The report also outlined that “council can play a key role in working with key agencies in the advocacy, education and awareness space to address this increasing community health issue”.

Cr Shannon moved a motion to request officers continue to work with key partner agencies, including Victoria Police, to raise awareness of the issue and illegal selling of e-cigarettes.

The motion also requested officers work with key agency partners and schools to educate

young people, parents and teachers on the impacts caused by vaping.

Cr Bob Turner asked for a further point to be added that includes the engagement of all groups within the community who engage and support youth.

Cr Steve Abboushi said vaping “really is a significant issue and I firmly believe that if action is not taken to tackle this matter urgently and as soon as possible, it will unfortunately have a devastating and lasting impact on our young people in our community”.

Sarah Oliver

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MY PLACE Ivan Chan is giving back to the community by volunteering as a Justice of the Peace. He spoke with Sarah Oliver.

What do you love about the area?

It is a quiet and friendly neighbourhood suburb, with many young families choosing to live in this area. Lots of facilities, parks and the people are nice.

What are your favourite local spots?

So many nice spots in this area. I would say Watergardens Shopping Centre is the best spot,you can do shopping, gyms, movies, dining out … sort of everything in one area!

You’ve recently been appointed as a Justice of the Peace (JP) – can you tell us a bit about what that means?

JP is a volunteering position, and JP volunteers are part of a collective group known as Honorary Justices. JPs are appointed by the governor-in-council on the recommendation of the attorney-general.

The role of a JP is customer focused and administrative that we provide document witnessing and certification services to the broader community, both during and outside business hours.

Why did you decide to become a Justice of the Peace?

There are many reasons why a person would want to become a JP. For me, I would just like to contribute to my beloved community, and spend some personal time to provide the certification and witnessing services.

Even though police can also provide similar services, more JPs can certainly free up workloads for the police.

Can you tell us about your involvement with strategy game, Othello?

Yes, in 2019 Tokyo World Othello Championship, Australia came seventh among 23 countries, and it was a very valuable experience for me and the whole Aussie team.

I am still heavily involved in promoting Othello in Australia, and recently I also support the World Othello Team Masters (WOTM), which is the online format of the World Othello Championship (WOC). Due to COVID, most people cannot travel freely so the online tournament is the way to go.

Hopefully things can get better and Othello players can play over the board soon.

What’s something people might find surprising about you?

I love playing music and running. If you hear loud guitar banging somewhere, or you see someone running on the street on a regular basis, that could be me!

Where can people find you to witness documents? Do they need to book in?

People can visit https://www.justice.vic. gov.au/justices to find their local JP and document signing station. Document signing stations provide the community with convenient access to JP, and they are located in public locations including police stations and libraries etc. You may also contact your local JP and make an appointment. Please note that online witnessing is also an option (except certifying true copies of an original document).

FROM THE ARCHIVES

(Supplied)

What is your connection to Taylors Hill?

I live in Taylors Hill and I am a school teacher.

I have been living in this area for more than a decade. I used to teach in an independent school, and also run a Chinese school in Caroline Springs

Star Weekly looks back through the pages of our predecessors

30 years ago

20 years ago

10 years ago

December 18, 1991

December 18, 2001

December 20, 2011

Tottenham Community Secondary College joins The Advocate in wishing our readers a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Local Heroes: They are mothers, brothers, friends and neighbours.

Sadly, many people will spend this Christmas alone, but elderly Brimbank residents will at least have someone to talk to during the festive season.

18 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

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BEHIND THE NEWS

Rupertswood Cricket Club president Peter Kavanagh (right) and members of the club outside Rupertswood Mansion.

(Damjan Janevski) 262012

A story hidden among the Ashes With the English cricket team back down under for the 72nd edition of the Ashes series, the cricketing world is settling back into a summer of familiar rivalry between two of the heavyweights of the game. But often missing from the retelling of one of cricket’s oldest yarns, is the central role of Sunbury at the beginning of it all. And as reporter Oliver Lees discovered, the community wants the opportunity to share that story with the world.

U

nlike the AFL Grand Final, NBA Championship or even the Cricket World Cup, the winner of the Ashes won’t receive a large golden cup with the team name inscribed on the front.

Instead what Australia and England are vying for is the Ashes urn, a diminutive 10.5 centimetre tall vessel that is believed to hold the cremated remains of a cricket bail.

Most cricket fans will know the skeleton of this story, but the role of Sunbury in it all has fallen by the wayside.

On August 29, 1882, Australia defeated England in a test match at The Oval in London.

As a sport of proud English origin, the loss was a tough pill to swallow for the British public.

Three days later, a satirical obituary appeared in The Sporting Times newspaper, which read: “In affectionate remembrance of English Cricket which died at The Oval … The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia”.

As documented in Sunbury historian Joy Munns’ book ‘Beyond Reasonable Doubt, The Birthplace of The Ashes’, the idea to create a symbol of the death of English cricket was picked up by Melbourne women Lady Janet Clarke and Florence Morphy.

On Christmas Eve 1882, the English cricket team, led by captain Ivo Bligh, played a match with guests on a paddock next to Lady Clarke’s home, Rupertswood Mansion.

Clarke and Morphy presented Bligh with the urn at the mansion that day, establishing a tradition that has persisted for 139 years, and now draws millions of viewers worldwide.

As the president of the Sunbury Historical & Heritage Society (SHHS), Peter Free has been part of a campaign to see his town put on the map for its connection to cricket folklore.

“I think it has been a well forgotten secret for a long time,” Free said. “The original Ashes ground is up near the [Rupertswood] mansion, it was supposedly the original piece of ground that the game was played on.

“All we’ve got to commemorate it is the

Rupertswood Cricket Club’s home ground.

(Damjan Janevski) 262012_09

wickets outside the post office and some statues on Evan Street, but we haven’t got the story,” Free said.

Long time Sunbury resident Graham Williams said he believes the town is missing a golden opportunity to put Sunbury on the map.

“Other towns, like Beechworth with its old gaol, have really embraced what they were famous for,” Williams said.

“But we don’t seem to have quite grasped that marketing opportunity to bring into the town.”

In 2019, SHHS received the support of Hume council to develop an Ashes museum at the Old Sunbury Courthouse.

Hume councillor Jack Medcraft was among those who threw their support behind the proposal. Medcraft said even Australian cricket legend Merv Hughes had agreed in principle to serve as the museum’s ambassador.

“We had dinner at the Rupo mansion with Allan Border, Jeff Thompson and the captain of England at the time. None of them even knew that they were in the building where the Ashes was presented to Ivo Bligh,” he said.

“Allan Border told me he thought we had the most under-resourced asset in the cricketing world. He said if we set it up properly, people would come like it’s the Mecca of cricket.”

But Free said without a strong enough working group, the idea was unable to get off the ground.

“The person driving the whole thing ended up not being very well and nobody was prepared to take it on,” he said.

“The Melbourne Cricket Club wanted to help out, but Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia weren’t interested because they’re looking at developing young juniors in cricket.

“If we had an oval attached [to the museum], we would have been alright.”

Rupertswood Cricket Club president Peter Kavanagh said his club would love to better celebrate its connection with the Ashes, but faces a similar issue of a lack of resources to get the job done.

“We want the history to be up there at the club all the time, but we just don’t have the room to do it all,” Kavanagh said.

“We have car loads of people coming all the time. I get phone calls from tourists saying they’ve got a bus sorted and everything.

“Unfortunately, there’s nothing much for them to see.”

Due to the Rupertswood Mansion being owned by Salesian College, the club is limited in its ability to entertain visitors.

Kavanagh said he’s hopeful that the announcement of $5 million to upgrade facilities at Salesian College, including the club’s home ground, will bring greater opportunity to advertise it as the birthplace of the Ashes.

Doing what he can with limited resources, Kavanagh has been working to set up a custodian of the Ashes membership for the community.

Members will receive merchandise, drink vouchers and access to regular events.

For Kavanagh and the club, it’s not quite the dream scenario of world-class facilities, but it’s a step in the right direction. “Obviously we’d love to do something when the Ashes is on, but there’s a lot that goes into that,” he said.

“All we can do at the moment is take small steps and promote the club with what we have.”

Top: A replica of the Ashes urn.

Above: The English cricket team led by Ivo Bligh that toured Australia in 1882.

(Pictures: Supplied)

Tuesday, 21 December, 2021 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 19

COMMUNITY STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

COMMUNITY CALENDAR WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication

Keilor Combined Probus The Keilor Combined Probus Club is back in business following the lockdowns. The group meets the third Monday of every month at Keilor Pub, with the next meeting on January 17, 10am-noon. New members welcome.

■ Steve, 0408 193 793, or Keith, 0409 494 801

Women’s group Duke Street Community Centre is setting up a women’s social group to give people a place to interact. The group will run every second Friday as a way to connect with other women in the community in a safe, fun and social way. It will be developed to suit the needs of the participants and will be in a casual setting.The group will meet at the centre at 1pm.

■ 9311 9973

Football players wanted Taylors Lakes Football Club is seeking male and female players for all age groups from under-8s to under-18.5s. To be eligible, children need to be born between July 1, 2003, and April 30, 2015.

■ Julie, 0409 259 389

Batter up Sunshine Softball Club is after junior players as the club kicks off its new season. The club is running a Come N Try Softball Batter Up program which is ideal for beginners, but is open to all new and returning players aged between five and 10. The program is a fun and engaging skill based program introducing players to the basics of the fantastic game with qualified coaches. Equipment is supplied.

■ http://ow.ly/TOez50GHXku

Deer Park probus The Deer Park Combined Probus Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month at The Deer Park Club, 780 Ballarat Road, from 10am. New members and visitors welcome.

■ Don, 0409 191 580

Build it workshop Hume council is hosting a free building afternoon for kids aged six and over on Monday, January 10. This free activity will take place from 2- 3pm at the Sunbury Library, with all children allowed to use the supplied Planks and Kick Bricks to build to their heart’s content.

■ 9356 6970

Rotary club The Sunbury Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 7pm.

■ sunburyrotary@gmail.com

Symbiosis exhibition This stark series of photographs that explore the relationship between a mother and daughter, against deeper themes of death and regeneration in nature is available to view until Saturday, January 15.

The series of images are available to view for free, and are presented by Hume Arts Youth Award 2020 recipient, Filipe Filihia.

■ https://bit.ly/3BTguQl

Live music at Macedon Railway Hotel Macedon Railway Hotel will welcome back guests to Annie Hall next year with gigs booked from January through to May. Head to the hotel’s website to secure your spot.

■ macedonrailwayhotel.com.au/live-shows

Toastmasters Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Toastmasters helps its members develop their public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets on the first

The photographer’s choice picture is of Brett Lockwood with his Christmas display.

(Damjan Janevski) 261868_01

and third Tuesday of each month, from 7.20-9.30pm, at the Sunbury Senior Citizens Hall.

■ vpm-4185@toastmastersclubs.org

understanding of MS to visit a mature lady in an aged care facility in Altona Meadows.

■ Sue, volunteer@ms.org.au or 9845 2744

Sewing group

AL-ANON meets

The Sunbury Neighbourhood House Social Sewing Group meets on the first Saturday of each month to chat, share ideas and sew. Beginners through experienced welcome. Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury, from 12.30-3.30pm.

AL-ANON provides support for families and loved ones living with alcoholics and problem drinkers. The group meets Mondays at St Thomas Anglican Church foyer, 117 Synnot Street, Werribee, from 7.30pm, and on Tuesdays at the St Mary’s Tennis Club rooms, 204 Grimshaw Street, Greensborough.

Garden club The Sunbury Garden Club meets on the first Tuesday of every month. There is a guest speaker at each meeting, which starts at 7.30pm at the Sunbury Football Club.

■ Cheryl, 9744 1663

Senior citizens club Senior citizens are welcome to visit the Sunbury Senior Citizens’ Club on Mondays and Fridays, from 10am-3pm at 8 O’Shannassy Street. A variety of activities offered – carpet bowls, cards, snooker, darts, board games or just a cup of coffee and a chat. Lunch subsidised. If you’re over 55 years of age and would like to meet new people, come along.

■ Frank, 0423 392 884

Fibro/CFS Support Expressions of interest to start a Fibromyalgia and CFS Support Group in Manor Lakes and surrounding areas.

Connect with real people and share information, experiences, problems and solutions.

■ wyndham.fibrogroup@gmail.com

Dads’ playgroup Tarneit Community Learning Centre hosts a dads’ playgroup every week on Thursdays.

The morning starts at 9.30am and promises to be a chance for male caregivers to connect with each other and form new friendships.

■ Shaun, 0455 521 154

BinGO MOVE is a social exercise group which meets every Monday at 11am. It involves a fun interactive game where bingo numbers trigger an exercise or dance move.

Activity suits all levels of ability, you can do seated or standing as suits. Currently running via Zoom, IPC Health will also offer face-to-face groups in Hoppers Crossing, when restrictions permit.

■ 8734 1400

The Westgate diabetes support group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Altona Bowling Club at 10am.

■ Elaine, 0415 030 996

20 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

Join the Melton South Community Singers at the Melton South Community Centre on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

■ Sue, 0400 082 413

Melton South Knit & Natter All welcome to join this social crafting group, running at the Melton South Community Centre each Monday from 10am-noon. Bring along any knitting or crochet projects and work on them while sharing tips, learning skills and catching up over a cuppa.

■ 9747 8576

Zonta club meets The Zonta Club of Melton meets on the first Monday of each month at Melton Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton.

■ Suzanne, 0417 512 420

Mahjong group Interested in learning to play Mahjong? U3A Melton has a group who play on Tuesdays at 10am.

■ u3amelton.com or 0419 563 016 Melton South Community Centre offers a number of first aid courses for people wanting to learn or renew these valuable skills. One-day classes are held on Saturdays throughout the year.

■ 9747 8576

Heritage walks Enjoy a leisurely two-hour walk around historic Williamstown and nearby suburbs with guide John. Walks start at 9.20am each Tuesday outside the Visitor Information Centre in Nelson Place.

■ John, 0418 377 336

Volunteers needed The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Community Visitors Scheme is seeking female Maltese and Italian-speaking volunteers to join its volunteer program within the Werribee and Point Cook areas to visit elderly residents in either an aged care facility or their own home. The scheme is also seeking a female volunteer with an

Singing group

First aid courses Diabetes support group

BinGO MOVE

Roger Lewis, hbcityband@gmail.com, or www.hbcb.org.au ■

Melton Men’s Probus Club The Melton Men’s Probus Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Melton Dart Club, 63a Reserve Road, from 9.45am. New members and visitors welcome.

■ 9746 0271

Musicians welcome Do you play trumpet, flute or lower brass instruments? The Hobsons Bay City Band is seeking musicians to join its community band. Rehearsals are held Mondays from 7.30pm at the Newport Lakes Primary School, Elizabeth Street, Newport. Visitors welcome.

Altona North Combined Probus The Altona North Combined Probus club meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Altona Sports Club. Meetings include a speaker, organised trips and outings, and a friendly atmosphere.

■ Lesley, 0414 481 442

GENERAL PUZZLES

9 5 6

5

No. 060

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

easy

6 2 3 9 8 3 7 5 8 2 6 4 5 1 3 7 4 2 9 3 1 3 7 4 8 5 7 5 1 5 7 medium

7 5 4 1 1 2 3 4 6 1 9 9 6 8 1 1 3 8 6 2 7 1 4 8 7 3

QUICK CROSSWORD Suggests (7) Expressing much in few words (7) Terrific (9) Caribbean Sea island (5) Sequence (6) Becoming prominent (8) Red wine (6) Most important; major (4) Not false (4) Commercial (6) Self-government (8) Water-surrounded land mass (6) Florida port (5) From Oslo, e.g. (9) Sources of light made with wax (7) Traditions (7)

1 5 9 10 11 12 14 15 19 20 24 25 27 28 29 30

No. 060

16 17 18 21 22 23 26

DOWN Brew; steep (6) Food cupboard (6)

1 2

DECODER

No. 060

hard

4 8

7 2

6 7 9 5 4

9

7

1

1

2

3

4

5

7

6

8

9

10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

3 7

H N 23

24

25

26

1

3

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

5 4 9 3 1 7 2 8 6

8 9 1 6 3 4 5 2 7

6 5 2 7 9 1 4 3 8

7 4 3 8 2 5 9 1 6

3 1 7 4 6 9 8 5 2

H

Today’s Aim: 16 words: Good 24 words: Very good

Q

L

A

I

No. 060 Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

NOTE: more than one solution may be possible

A L

A

C A L E A L O N L I T E

S T E

I

S

1 7 9 5 4 6 2 8 3 5 1 9 7 8 3 2 6 4

Y

U

B U M

Y

R

D

9 6 5 2 8 7 3 4 1 4 8 2 1 6 9 3 5 7

E

U

N

WORDFIT 3 LETTERS ADO ADS ARE ART ATE AXE BOA CAD CON DDT END FRY GEE HOG ICE ILL IRE PAT PIG RIP SAC SEA TWO VAT VET WAX

No. 060

TEXT USES WOVE 5 LETTERS ADORE AGREE ARISE ATONE ATTIC AWARE BASIL CIRCA ERECT EXILE EXTRA GOUGE HALON LASER LILAC NEARS

4 LETTERS ACTS ARES BENT CITE DRAG ERRS IDLE IOTA LIDS REVS SHOT SOUR STOP STYE SWAP

NESTS OCTAL ODOUR OVERT PASTA PIECE RARER REARS RECAP RELAX ROTOR SEATS SEEPS SLAPS SLEEP SLEET STRAW STUDS TABOO TIDAL TOAST

TREAT ULTRA VERSE WAGER WASPS WHITE WISPS 6 LETTERS ERECTS RESETS 7 LETTERS ARREARS ASPHALT

CONIFER NETTLES SCEPTIC STAPLES 8 LETTERS DIVISIVE ESCAPADE IRRITATE PARROTED 10 LETTERS INITIATORS STARCHIEST

alien, earn, elan, HARLEQUIN, hernia, inhale, inhaler, inure, lain, lane, lean, learn, lien, line, linear, liner, lunar, nail, near, neural, quern, rain, rani, rein, renal, ruin, rune, ulan, ulna, ulnae, unreal, urinal, urine

2 8 4 1 5 3 6 7 9

4 3 8 9 1 2 7 6 5

5 2 6 3 7 8 1 9 4

7 6 3 5 4 2 8 9 1

2 4 6 8 5 7 9 1 3

3 7 5 4 9 1 6 2 8

I I

22

8 2 3 4 5 6 1 7 9

6 1 7 2 8 9 3 5 4

2 6 4 1 3 5 7 9 8

8 9 1 2 3 6 7 4 5

1 2 4 6 7 8 5 3 9

9 5 8 3 2 4 1 7 6

D

E O

L

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once.

No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

E

A

E

9-LETTER WORD

33 words: Excellent

9 3 5 6 7 8 4 1 2

1 7 8 9 4 2 6 3 5

3 9 2 5 6 1 8 4 7

4 8 6 7 9 3 5 2 1

7 5 1 8 2 4 9 6 3

6 3 7 9 1 5 4 8 2

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

A

21

medium

S

20

easy

hard

5x5

19

8 2

5 9

18

7

17

1

16

6 1 2

15

8

B Z J X L Q R G Y F D E U

3

14

5

VW T P I A K CMO S H N

4 5

3

9 6

Female name (8) Places oneself on a chair (4) Railway vehicle (10) Objects for sitting (6) Maritime (8) Replenishing (a battery) (8) Medications given to a patient (10) Second largest ocean in the world (8) Large Australian spider (8) Members of a trust (8) Require (6) Gambling house (6) Ancient Greek figure of beauty (6) Australian actor — Bana (4)

3 4 5 6 7 8 13

ACROSS

7

QUICK QUIZ

7

Which US band released the 2020 album Women in Music, Pt. III?

Yvonne Strahovski (pictured), Asher Keddie and Marta Dusseldorp star in which 2020 TV series?

8

3

Dan Levy is best known for his work on which sitcom?

Who served as leader of New Zealand’s National Party for just 53 days in 2020?

9

4

The Battle of Hampton Roads was an important naval battle during which war?

Which of Donald Trump’s former lawyers wrote the memoir Disloyal: A Memoir?

5

Who voiced Mulan in the 1998 Disney film?

6

Bah Ndaw was inaugurated as president of which African country in 2020?

1

Who was Player of the Match in the 2020 ICC Women's World Cup Final?

2

10 Chris Rock plays Loy Cannon in which TV crime anthology?

ANSWERS: 1. Alyssa Healy 2. HAIM 3. Schitt’s Creek 4. The American Civil War 5. Ming-Na Wen 6. Mali 7. Stateless 8. Todd Muller 9. Michael Cohen 10. Fargo

SUDOKU

1 3

7

6 8

Tuesday, 21 December, 2021 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 21

SECTION STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

networkclassifieds.com.au www.networkclassifieds.com.au

Place your ad in print and online

Lou’s Colorbond Fencing

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12519309-CG44-21

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Contact Simon:

9309 0700 - 0411 174 000

General Classifieds section of Network Classifieds.

Management and Staff at Network Classifieds would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.

THE CLASSIFIEDS DEPARTMENT WILL BE CLOSING ON THURSDAY 23RD DECEMBER 2021 AND WILL RE -OPEN TUESDAY 4TH JANUARY 2022.

12526111-NG51-21

22 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

General Notices

Employment

V Public Notices and Event

V Reblocking/Underpinning

V Positions Vacant

MEMBER OF MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION

Motor Mechanic

Council Meeting Dates 2022

PH: 9360 5357 Mobile: 0412 378 193

At its meeting on 14 December 2021, Council approved the following

We are seeking a fully qualified motor mechanic to assist in our busy workshop.

We have excellent working conditions, very clean workshop with state of the art facilities.

Competitive salary.

No weekends, uniforms supplied.

Immediate Start - Maribyrnong.

FREE SMOKE ALARM

G6795050AA-dc29Apr 1132314-LB19-14

V Roofing

Date

TILE COAT ฀ ฀

฀

C1093409-JO39-13

Call Mark 0401 478 799

SANDWICH HAND

Venue (TBC)

15 February 2022

7pm

Council Chamber, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine

15 March 2022

7pm

Council Chamber, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine

19 April 2022

7pm

Council Chamber, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine

17 May 2022

7pm

Council Chamber, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine

21 June 2022

7pm

Council Chamber, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine

t 3FQBJST 3FTUPSBUJPO t $FNFOU 5FSSBDPUUB 5JMFT t )JHI 1SFTTVSF $MFBOJOH t 3FCFEEJOH 1PJOUJOH t "DSZMJD $PBU 4ZTUFN t $MFBO (VUUFST %PXOQJQFT t 'SFF RVPUF t ZFBS HVBSBOUFF

19 July 2022

7pm

Council Chamber, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine

16 August 2022

7pm

Council Chamber, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine

$BMM (FPSHF PS 4FC

20 September 2022

7pm

Council Chamber, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine

18 October 2022

7pm

Council Chamber, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine

15 November 2022

7pm

Council Chamber, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine

13 December 2022

7pm

Council Chamber, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine

LATIN ROOF RESTORATION

V Rubbish Removal

UNCLE TED’S RUBBISH Rubbish Removal / Garden Clean-Ups

Part-time position, 9am - 2.30pm Monday-Friday.

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For further information phone Angelo on 9311 0023 12527842-NG51-21

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Call 0411 136 259

ANTENNA MAN

V Adult Services

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V Tiling

ASAP TILING

Melton City Council (Council) acting under clause 3 of Schedule 10 to the Local Government Act 1989 (Act), proposes to discontinue part of Murray Road, Thornhill Park (the Road) shown hatched in the plan below, being part of the land contained in certificate of title volume 9829 folio 174 and known as part of Murray Road.

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V Massage Therapists

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Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number.

It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice.

For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

C & D Schroeder 9337 3695 or 0415 816 882 All trees removed or Pruned All Stumps Removed Mulching & Mulch for sale!

Free Quotes

Mark - 0460 321 701

12523135-DL49-21

TREE & STUMPMASTERS

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12327446-LN42-16

Melton Tree & Stump Removals

PLACE YOUR The section of Road is no longer reasonably required for general public use. The unused road reserve is proposed to be consolidated into the neighbouring lot at 121 Murray Rd, to facilitate Council’s delivery of the Payne’s Rd Community Centre Hub. Any person may make a submission in accordance with Council’s Community Engagement Policy, they must do so in writing within 28 days of the date of publication of this notice, that is by 5pm on 18 January 2022. Any person who wishes to speak at a Section 223 Submissions Advisory Committee Meeting in support of their written submission must request this in their submission.

Submissions should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer and emailed to legalservices@melton.vic.gov.au, posted to PO Box 21 Melton 3337 or by completing an online form that can be found on Council’s website.

All submissions will be considered in accordance with Council’s Community Engagement Policy. If any person wishes to be heard in support of their written submission, then Council will convene a Section 223 Submission Advisory Committee Meeting to accommodate those who requested to be heard in person (via video conference).

Find it in the

General section of Network Classifieds.

Any person making a submission should be aware that their submission including their personal information may form part of the agenda and minutes of a meeting of the Council and be available to the public.

Following the consideration of any submissions, Council may resolve to discontinue part of Murray Road as detailed above, or not proceed with the proposal.

ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX

Real Estate

For rent. Middle of town.

Newly renovated $330 per week.

For inspection

NEW STAFF? Get 10% Discount Use code: EMPDISC

Fill your position online ZZZ QHWZRUNFODVVL´HGV FRP DX

The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Motoring V Wanted To Buy

V To Let

Melton Unit

NEED

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

12400498-CG38-18

Free Quote 7 Day Service 45 yrs exp.

12340308-HM08-17

Trees Pruned Reshaped Grubbed out.

All Foliage/Rubbish Removed Fully Insured $10m Pensioner Discount

section of Network Classifieds.

V Professional

V Garage Sales

ANY TREES LOPPED

Trades & Services

V Positions Vacant

ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE

ADVERTISERS, in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexual services.

V Tree Lopping/Surgery

Find it in the

Phone 0412 155 613

V Pets & Services

Rainbow Dolls 1235322622-PB22-17

NOTICE OF PROPOSED ROAD DISCONTINUANCE

DIGITAL ANTENNAS AMPLIFIERS TV OUTLETS

0409 888 228

Fully insured

DRIVERS MC/HC and HR Shuttle drivers, change over drivers and interstate drivers.

Based in Laverton.

Full time, part time or casual positions available.

Local and interstate work available.

Above award wages.

General Classifieds

SAME DAY SERVICE HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS ANTENNA SERVICE ALL AREAS

V Positions Vacant

www.brimbank.vic.gov.au

V Television/Video/Audio

12423634-SN31-19

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SPORTS QUIZ 1. Sean Seamer has announced his resignation as chief executive from which Australian sporting governing body?

2. Which AFL team used to play their home games at the Lakeside Oval?

3. Which region used to be home to the NBL teams the Rollers and the Blaze?

4. Which cricketer holds the record for most Tests and One Day Internationals played for Australia?

5. Who many catches did wicketkeeper Alex Carey take during his Test match debut?

14. Which team won the 2021 constructors' championship?

6. Who captained the Australian Opals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?

15. Which Australian poker player famously won the 2005 World Poker Tour title?

7. How many Grand Slam singles titles has Venus Williams won?

16. Which AFL team will enter the 2022 season with the oldest playing list?

8. What continent has hosted three consecutive Olympic games between 2018 and 2022?

17. A young horse that is aged between one and two is called a what?

18. Mighty Roos and Mighty Jills are the respective nicknames for the men's and women's Australian national teams in which sport?

9. What two AFL teams are considered the oldest professional clubs?

10. Who won the 2021 Dally M Award?

11. Which Sydney Sixers batsman scored 76 not out and 73 in his first two games of the BBL season?

12. And in which country was this player born?

13. Which driver became F1 world champion after finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi?

19. Which former British number-one female tennis player has retired at the age of 30 due to persistent knee problems?

20. "Together For A Shared Future" is the slogan of which major sporting event, which will be taking place in February 2022?

21. Which cricketer recently became only the third Australian bowler to claim 400 Test wickets?

Venus Williams

22. Former professional rugby league player Brett Finch began his career playing for which NRL team?

27. Western Australia-born punter Mitch Wishnowsky currently plays for which NFL team?

23. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be hosted by which three countries?

28. Who is Tiger Woods' teammate for the 2021 PNC Championship?

24. Which cricketer was fined 15 percent of his match fee for an "audible obscenity" while batting in the first Ashes Test?

29. Which year was Candace Parker the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft?

25. Australia's men's national basketball coach Brian Goorjian is also head coach of which NBL team?

30. Which former Australian tennis professional had a career high ranking of world number 53, back in August 2015?

26. Australian racing driver Oscar Piastri was the 2021 Drivers' Champion in which racing championship tier?

Tiger Woods 1. Supercars Championship 2. Sydney Swans 3. Gold Coast 4. Ricky Ponting 5. Eight 6, Jenna O’Hea 7. Seven 8. Asia 9. Melbourne Deomns and Geelong Cats 10. Tom Trbojevicz 11. Moises Henriques 12. Portugal 13. Max Verstappen 14. Mercedes 15. Joe Hachem 16. Geelong Cats 17. Yearling 18. Ice hockey 19. Johanna Konta 20. Winter Olympic Games 21. Nathan Lyon 22. Canberra Raiders 23. Canada, Mexico and the United States 24. Travis Head 25. Illawarra Hawks 26. Formula 2 27. San Francisco 49ers 28. his son, Charlie 29. 2008 30. Sam Groth

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Hyundai Palisade is long on space and versatility.

(Pictures: Supplied)

Size up with Hyundai Palisade

By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring Believe it or not, there are some people who wish to maximise vehicle seating capacity without being held hostage to the LCV-like people mover or rugged off-roader. These folk need look no farther than the Hyundai Palisade, a sports utility vehicle capable of carrying up to seven or eight people.

Now, with a name in the origins of a paling fence or line of lofty cliffs, the Palisade, for 2022, is taking up more ground by the addition of a third variant - the Elite - dividing the entry-level Palisade from the range-topping Palisade Highlander. All siblings come with petrol, or diesel power in two- or all-wheel drive.

Available as a seven- or eight-seater, the Elite features a 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia unit with satellite navigation and 12-speaker Infinity Premium sound, heated front seats a single panel glass sunroof, rear privacy glass, a power tailgate and wireless smart phone charging. LED lights are positioned front and rear and 20-inch alloy wheels complete the look.

The entry-level Palisade 3.8 GDi petrol 2WD is priced at $55,000, plus on-road costs, the similar Elite chipping in at $61,500, while the range-topping Highlander 2.2 CRDi diesel AWD sells for $75,000.

On test was the Palisade Highlander 3.8-litre GDi, four-cylinder petrol, eight-speed automatic, front-wheel drive, eight-seater SUV.

Styling Despite old-style design, side on, the Palisade carries its almost five-metre length well, with wagon-like proportions doing nothing to trouble, or excite, the discerning eye.

New to the big SUV are body-coloured bumpers, with 20-inch so-called Calligraphy alloy wheels fitting in nicely. Oh, and there is a full-size spare under the rear.

Interior In eight-seat configuration, the Palisade has

rows of seats. There are three IsoFix child seat positions, meaning five seats nominally could be fitted, but it would be a squeeze.

Driving

AT A GLANCE MODEL LINE-UP Palisade 3.8 GDi 2WD $55,000 Palisade 2.2 CRDi AWD $59,000 Palisade Elite 3.8 GDi 2WD $61,500 Palisade Elite 2.2 CRDi AWD $65,500

Seven USB ports, four 12V sockets and up to 16 cup holders, including four in the each of the second and third rows, are conveniently at hand.

In addition to the previous beige and burgundy surroundings, the Highlander now offers optional black Nappa leather without a price increase.

Palisade Highlander 3.8 GDi 2WD $71,000 Palisade Highlander 2.2 CRDi AWD $75,000

Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Hyundai dealer for drive-away prices.

Infotainment Palisade has an Infinity premium audio system, access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus wireless smartphone charging, and seven USB points scattered around the cabin.

Engines / transmissions plenty of room up front. While the third row, which is sold as a three-seater, falls short of adult dimensions, it is relatively easy to gain access, the second row sliding forward up to 220 mm.

However, seat backs in the second and third row need quite a tug to raise or lower manually.

And both back rows in eight-seat versions have a 60:40 split, so it’s not as easy to carry long items when the outer seats are in use.

Boot volume is 311 litres with all three rows in position, which increases to 704 litres with two rows in use. Towing capacity of 2200 kg is nothing to write home about.

The Palisade upgrade continues with the choice of a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine, with two-wheel drive, or 2.2-litre turbo-diesel, with all-wheel drive. Both are mated with an eight-speed automatic.

Safety Advanced safety technology includes radar cruise control with stop-start, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind zone warning with intervention.

There are stress minimising cooling air vents for all three rows and head protection comes from curtain airbags covering all three

With such a big vehicle, fuel consumption becomes increasingly linked to the loads being carried. Hyundai says 10.7 litres per 100 kilometres is the average for the Palisade in the combined urban / highway cycle.

With all eight seating positions taken, the test vehicle tipped petrol consumption over 12 litres per 100 kilometres in a mix of town and country conditions.

While other eight-seat SUVs are based on a heavy-duty four-wheel-drive ’ladder frame’ chassis, the Hyundai Palisade is built like a car.

That means its centre of gravity is lower and steering and suspension should be more like the average passenger vehicle. Travelling in stop-start city low-speed conditions, this is the case.

Sharp cornering at speed is a different matter. The big unit needs a deal of due care and attention to keep it on the not-so straight and narrow. A lesson soon learnt.

Turning circle, at 11.8 metres, for a vehicle of this length, is surprisingly taut and the width (a tad under two metres) means the car can handle the average shopping centre parking spot with room to spare. The backside, however, does tend to stick out into the aisle.

Drive modes - Comfort, day-to-day driving, eco fuel saver, sport spices up things, and smart switches on to algorithms turned to the driver’s most recent behaviour patterns.

All Palisades are covered by Hyundai iCare, the company’s leading customer care program, offering owners a lifetime service plan, five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, complimentary roadside assist for 12 months on new vehicles, 1500 km complimentary first service, a dedicated Customer Care Centre and myHyundai, an exclusive website.

Customers using Hyundai servicing also receive roadside assistance for up to 10 years, 10 years of sat nav updates and more.

Tuesday, 21 December, 2021 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 25

SPORT STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Sunshine Eagles women make a winning return Sunshine Eagles women’s side continues to improve every week they take to the field in Baseball Victoria summer league division 3 west.

The Eagles sit atop the ladder after four rounds as the only undefeated team, having put some big scores on the board.

For Eagles it’s a welcome return to the competition after not fielding a side last season.

One of the coaches, Mark McKenner, said the side was doing really well and they were starting to see more numbers come down.

“The ladies are doing really well,” he said.

“Especially considering six of the girls have never played baseball before.

“A lot of the team we had the year before [2019-20 season] were mums, wives and girlfriends and they wanted to have some time to travel after being in lockdown.

“A couple of younger players including my two daughters were excited to play again so we

decided to have a crack at a women’s team.

“The week before the season we had nine players which is enough to field a team. We had a friend come down and she brought a couple of extras … We now have 14 players.”

McKenner said one of the key reasons they wanted to get the back up and going was they wanted to provide somewhere for the younger female players at the club to play once they couldn’t play juniors mixed teams.

He said there were several young girls who were either playing in the side or looking to start playing after Christmas.

McKenner’s two daughters Makayla and Lily are playing in the team and are part of the state pathways programs.

McKenner said, he and fellow coach Alan De San Miguel are thrilled with how things were traveling.

“Coaching the team from week one to new the way the ladies have developed is honestly

amazing,” he said.

“I think it is because they are having fun enjoying being around each other and it’s a good atmosphere.

“They just love playing.”

McKenner said the focus was to ensure the side continues to do the right things and the results would take care of themselves.

He said if they continue to play the way they are they should be in the mix come the pointy end of the season.

The Eagles were set to face Geelong Baycats on Saturday, after deadline.

The Eagles division 1 men’s side was due to also face the Baycats on Sunday. The men’s side sit 4-1.

For results of both of those matches, go to www.starweekly.com.au.

Tara Murray

Sunshine’s Ozzy England in action.

(Damjan Janevski) 260345

Soli Ropati is among those returning next season. (Shawn Smits) 237918_07

Falcons squad ready for 2022

Monique Andriuolo has signed with Keilor.

(Supplied)

Andriuolo joins Thunder

By Tara Murray The opportunity to be part of Keilor Thunder’s journey into the National Basketball League 1 South competition was too good to turn down for Monique Andriuolo.

Having finished her college journey in the middle of this year, Andriuolo has signed with the Thunder for the 2022 season.

Andriuolo said it was really exciting to be part of something new.

“It’s exciting to be part of the club’s journey in entering the NBL1 competition and be part of it and see where it is going,” she said.

“Keilor seemed like a good club with the community behind it. Like a real family. The atmosphere is really important.

“They ticked a lot of boxes.”

Andriuolo said the opportunity to be coached by Tom Bandilovski was something she was looking to forward to, while the playing group had started to settle in well.

She said it already seems like a fun group of players.

Also being from Melbourne’s north-west,

Keilor was the ideal location to play basketball.

Andriuolo said the side had the chance to help shape basketball in the area.

“The opportunity is amazing and it’s something I had to take when the opportunity arose,” she said.

“Here at Keilor you’ve got junior players aspiring to play at high levels and they’ve got professional players playing here.

“The community is right behind. It’s the start of the future and a good turning point for the club going forward.”

Andriuolo has been working hard to keep fit and basketball ready after returning to Australia from college in America.

She spent four years at Pepperdine University in California, and was the first Australian to play basketball at the college.

“I loved it so much,” she said.

“I’m glad I stayed the full four years and it was an experience of a lifetime.

“I learnt so much on and off the court.

“It was a different type of basketball, it was very competitive. Day in, day out you were doing everything division 1 athletes do.

26 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 21 December, 2021

“It was a competitive environment and it was something I thrived off.”

Andriuolo said main thing she would look to bring back with her to the Australian game was pace.

She said the Americans like to play a fast game.

“I like to run the court,” she said.

“That really improved and emphasised and is a big part of my game that I could improve and bring back to Australia.”

The former junior state representative said her focus for next year was helping the team the best she could.

“I’m starting with a new club and I’m really excited about it,” she said.

“For now it’s about starting off a new club and the journey of the club entering the NBL1 competition.

“I really want to focus on that for now and do my best for the club.”

The club has also announced the signing of American Tyler Kidd.

Kidd will join the men’s side in February when he arrives in the country.

The City West Falcons will be back on court on March 16 in the Victorian Netball League.

Netball Victoria released the fixture for next year’s season, with it kicking off earlier than normal.

The Falcons, who were undefeated when the 2021 season was cancelled due to the pandemic, face the North East Blaze in round one across all three grades.

The Falcons will travel to Geelong in round two to play the Geelong Cougars at Christian College Highton.

Round six and 13 will be big ones of the club, hosting home matches at their home court, Altona Sports Centre.

The season will again be played prominently on Wednesday nights, with the odd weekend, with the grand final to be played on August 10.

All games are set to be live streamed again this season, after a successful introduction in 2021.

The Falcons list for next season is starting to take shape, with a number of familiar numbers set to return.

Jane Cook, Madelyn Gray, Zoe Davies, Montana Holmes, Melissa Oloamanu Soli Ropati, Tahnysha Salanoa, Sarah Szczykulski and Emma Walters who were in this year’s championship division team are back.

The big out is captain Maggie Lind.

Lind, who shared the competition most valuable player award, has signed with Collingwood’s Super Netball side.

In a plus for the Falcons, goaler Uneeq Palavi returns to the Falcons having played elsewhere the last couple of years.

Deer Park’s fast start in the Vic premier division Deer Park has exceeded early season expectations in the Bowls Victoria premier division weekend pennant.

With a number of new faces and a last minute adjustment to playing on the outside greens, the club wasn’t sure how they would go early on.

The Parkers are cemented in the top four after five rounds, having won four of their five matches.

Parkers’ head of bowls operation and skip Mark Casey said they were happy with how they had started the season.

“We’ve got a new team together and they haven’t played together before,” he said.

“We’ve gone better than what most people would have thought we would. There’s a lot of talent, it’s about putting it together.

“There’s a lot of confidence in the team.”

Casey said their most recent win against Melbourne was one that would help set up their season.

Aaron Teys in action for Deer Park.

(Damjan Janevski) 260347_01

The Parkers defeated last season’s premiers by 35 shots, winning three of the four rinks in the process.

Casey said the result gives them a bit of an indication of where they are sitting in the competition at this early stage.

“They are one of the best teams in the competition,” he said. “If we can win our last match before Christmas [on Saturday, after deadline], it will be a great start.”

Casey said James Pearce, who has skipped the last two weeks, and big name signing Aaron Teys have been two of the standouts.

Tim Cromie is another who has had a strong season.

The rink of Casey, Tim and Koby Cromie, and Neil Smith is undefeated for the Parkers this season and is currently ranked the best in the premier division.

“It’s a bit of a team effort,” Casey said.

“Everyone is doing their job.”

Casey said the good start to the season means they are on track for their goal of playing finals this year.

“To finish top two, that is the ultimate goal and it gives us a good chance. We are right on track for what we want to do.”

The Parkers were set to face Altona, after

deadline.

The club on Wednesday announced the signing of bowls legend Gary Kelly for the second half of the season.

Casey said the club’s second side was also having a really good season, while their thirds weren’t far off the mark.

“There have been a lot of changes, but it’s really exciting.”

Meanwhile the club is still waiting to hear when it’s state of the art dome will be repaired.

The dome was damaged in recent storms.

Casey said it would be a while before the dome was repaired.

“We’re still out on the grass [greens],” he said.

There have been a lot of changes to matches and people getting used to it.

“We’re trying to work through it.”

To find out how Deer Park went on the weekend, go to www.starweekly.com.au Tara Murray

Liam Conway.

(Damjan Janevski)

Conway takes out Jets’ best and fairest

Connor Pain has started the season strongly.

(Supplied)

United defenders shine

By Tara Murray Western United star Connor Pain believes the team’s defence is behind the club’s strong start to the A-League men’s season.

After a 1-0 loss against Melbourne Victory in round one, United kept a clean sheet in their next three games on the way to three wins, including against reigning premier City.

For Pain, who scored against Brisbane Roar, said results date back to the work they had been doing since pre-season under new coach John Aloisi.

“Everyone is getting along and we’re a tight knit unit,” he said.

“We are defending really well. It’s starting at the front. Everyone is getting behind the number nine through the middle and all the way back to the goalkeeper.

“It’s a collective job. We haven’t conceded a goal in three league games. We attack as a team and defend as a team and the proof is in the pudding.”

For Pain, the extra focus on defense isn’t

completely foreign to him. The last couple of seasons he’s played as a wing back since joining United.

This season he has moved back to a role more familiar to him on the left wing, while also going inside a bit more.

“As a wing back I was used to defending more,” he said. “The last two years set me up to play a more defensive role.

“It’s nice to be a bit higher [up the field] having learnt a lot the last couple of seasons.

It’s great, as I’ve played most of my years as a left winger.

“It’s nice to be back up from and getting into dangerous areas more often.”

Pain said he was happy with how his season was going, especially considering the role change. He said he was learning new things every day.

He, like his teammates, is hoping that a few more goals will go their way. Pain missed several opportunities against Brisbane Roar before scoring the winner, which had left him frustrated at half time.

“We are getting a lot of chances but not

putting them to bed,” he said.

“Once we get one they will start to come.

The more chances we create, the more likely we’re going to score.”

Aloisi was full of praise for Pain after the win against the Roar for putting himself in good positions to score and looking dangerous.

Pain said while the side was happy with how they’ve been playing, there was still plenty of improvement to come.

Against the Roar, the club’s three imports all missed due to injury, meaning the side will only get stronger.

“We need to keep on putting in good performances,” he said.

“We need to play complete games. We are playing about 10 to 15 minutes throughout games that aren’t up to good standards.

“Hopefully results will keep coming our way.”

United was set to play Adelaide United on Friday night after deadline.

For the result, go to www.starweekly.com. au

Williamstown CYMS’ Liam Conway has claimed the Western Jets best and fairest award.

Conway starred in the middle of the ground for the Jets, averaging more than 27 possessions a game across his eight games.

He provided plenty of drive forward, averaging more than seven inside 50s a game while kicking three goals for the season.

Conway claimed the award ahead of defender Zac Pritchard. The Yarraville-Seddon Eagles young gun regularly took the opposition’s best forward and closed them down, being a key pillar of the backline.

Forward Paul Curtis and Nash Reynolds rounded out the top three, finishing equal third.

Curtis, a live wire up forward, provided plenty of highlights for the Jets fans throughout 2021. His third place finish came despite missing a couple of games through Vic Metro duties.

Curtis, from Melton South, was one of two Jets taken in the AFL draft, picked

by North Melbourne at pick 35. The other was Caroline Springs Cody Raak, who was taken as a rookie by the Western Bulldogs.

Reynolds, the side’s vice-captain, also won the trainers award.

The two awards were recognition of the Darley player’s work, including always setting the tone on the training track and working hard throughout the midfield.

In other awards, Harrison Schumann won the coaches award, Caroline Springs’ Dylan Laurie won the most improved award and Point Cook’s Joshua Kuppen won the best clubman award.

Tuesday, 21 December, 2021 BRIMBANK & NORTHWEST STAR WEEKLY 27

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