Star Weekly - Melton Moorabool - 11th January 2022 by Star Weekly

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A year interrupted YEAR IN REVIEW ... THE YEAR THAT WAS

2021 was meant to be the year that life returned to normal. Instead we found ourselves bouncing in and out of lockdowns as a new COVID-19 variant made its way to Australia. As the Delta variant took hold in Victoria, Melbourne earned the title as the most locked-down city in the world, notching up 267 days in lockdown since March 2020. Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs once again bore the brunt of Victoria’s COVID infections as the state’s third wave surged through households in Wyndham, Hobsons Bay, Brimbank, Hume, Melton, Whittlesea and Maribyrnong that were not yet eligible for vaccination. At the peak of the third wave, Hume, Wyndham, Brimbank, Melton and Whittlesea were the five most-infected local government areas in Victoria. But as more vaccinations became available, residents of Melbourne’s north and west turned out in record numbers to be jabbed, helping to halt Delta’s spread and enabling the city to reopen in time for Christmas. We look back at how 2021 unfolded across the Melton and Moorabool. As the state emerged from its first lockdown of the year – a five-day “circuit breaker” lockdown which ended on February 17 – it was revealed that Melton’s aged care residents would need to wait to access COVID-19 vaccines, with the municipality’s facilities left left out of the week one vaccination schedule. It came as aged care homes with no recorded cases of the virus were prioritised. Meanwhile, Melton council launched legal action in the Supreme Court against the state government’s decision to approve Cleanaway’s plan to receive and store contaminated toxic soil from the West Gate Tunnel project at its Ravenhall tip. RSL Sub-branches across Melton and Moorabool were celebrating in April after they were granted permission to hold Anzac Day services amid tough COVID-Safe regulations. Services were held in Ballan, Bacchus Marsh and Caroline Springs after Anzac Day services

Australia’s first drive-through COVID-19 vaccination hub opened in Melton in August.

were cancelled across Victoria in 2020. But just one month later, Melton and Moorabool businesses were counting the cost of the “circuit-breaker” lockdown, aimed at crushing the latest COVID-19 breakout to plague Victoria. The lockdown was the state’s second for 2021. Local farmers were dealt a blow in July when AusNet announced that its preferred route for overhead poles for the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project would run from Bulgana, north of Ararat, to Sydenham, passing through a number of farms. Melbourne was placed back into lockdown for 12 days on July 15. A COVID-19 outbreak at Bacchus Marsh Grammar school triggered an urgent testing blitz and forced more than 2300 students into isolation.

(Damjan Janevski) 246770

Pop-up testing sites were established at the Bacchus Marsh and Ballan railway station carparks. The Moorabool community was on high alert after news broke of the growing cluster, sparked by an asymptomatic COVID-19 positive teacher. Melbourne was plunged back into lockdown in early August – just nine days after exiting the previous lockdown – as cases surged in Caroline Springs, Wyndham and Altona. In a bid to drive up vaccination rates, the state government opened Australia’s first drive-through COVID-19 vaccination hub at the former Bunnings Warehouse site in Melton. Authorities labelled Melton, particularly the High Street shopping precinct, as an area of concern as cases continued to surge. In late August, regional Victoria, including

Moorabool, re-entered lockdown. A report from Melton council in September revealed the profound impact of the pandemic on Melton, identifying a rise in the unemployment rate to 11.1 per cent and a 40 per cent spike in family violence rates. On October 26, businesses celebrated Melbourne’s reopening after the sixth lockdown. But in November, Melton councillors voted not return to the council chamber until May, 2021, opting to continue holding online meetings until then. The decision to continue with online council meetings came amid some councillors’ concerns about high COVID-19 infection rates in the community and the redevelopment of the council chamber to ensure future meetings are COVID-Safe.

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Vaccine mandate sparks revolt December 21 Melton councillors have spoken out against the state government’s vaccine mandate, with some councillors describing the mandate as “segregation”. Crs Moira Deeming, Kathy Majdlik, Julie Shannon and Sophie Ramsey, and mayor Goran Kesic shared their opposition to the state government’s introduction of different restrictions for vaccinated and unvaccinated people after Cr Ramsey raised a notice of motion calling for the council to write to Health Minister Martin Foley and the Department of Health to seek clarification about what forms of vaccine certificates are deemed valid. Cr Ramsey raised the motion after hearing about people being turned away from venues when they present their vaccine card obtained at the time of vaccination as proof of vaccination.

Cr Deeming opposed the motion, saying that she could not align herself with any decision in relation to vaccines and mandates because “she does not agree with either of them”. “I just don’t want to be a part of anything that affirms segregation in any way, shape or form … I just believe that segregation via these coerced vaccine passports is immoral in and of itself, but I do understand the other side,” she said. Cr Majdlik also opposed the motion, saying she agreed with Cr Deeming. “I think that we’re having this discussion in and of itself shows the very many, many flaws in this whole system in the discrimination around vaccinations and mandatory vaccinations,” she said. “I commend Cr Ramsey for obviously the access and inclusion aspect of this but … if I were to agree with this, it almost seems like I would be agreeing to the actual vaccination

passport system which I don’t personally agree with … and for that reason I can’t accept this motion.” In supporting the motion, Cr Julie Shannon said “I absolutely disagree with segregation”. “However, I’m probably going to vote yes for this because purely its clarification and I know quite a few poor old people who have had similar situations. They know I don’t agree with it, many don’t agree with it. “… This is clarifying what on earth we can do with this stupid situation that we find ourselves in as a society and we shouldn’t even have to be having this discussion.” Cr Kesic said about Cr Shannon’s speech: “I would sign your statement”. Cr Ramsey said she agreed with her fellow councillors. “I don’t like the segregation element of this either, but at this point now all I’m trying to do is … seek clarification as to what is acceptable from the people that are making judgement

calls at the moment,” she said. However, Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg said: “I don’t think it’s really a point in time to talk about people’s dismay at vaccinations or anything like that”. The councillors’ comments comes just weeks after they voted to continue holding virtual council meetings until the end of April, amid some councillors’ concerns about high COVID-19 infection rates in the community and the redevelopment of the council chamber. In a statement to Star Weekly, Cr Kesic said councillors were entitled to voice their own views. “Council meetings are a democratic forum where councillors are encouraged to openly debate matters and put forward their own views,” he said. “Council fully complies with the vaccine mandates as legislated by the Victorian government.”

Power route is chosen November 30

Moorabool Environment Group’s Jodie Valpied and David Laffy at Bacchus Marsh.

(Damjan Janevski) 234309_0

Done the dirty: Soil sign-off anger April 20 Moorabool Environment Group is considering further legal action after the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) signed off on a plan that paves the way for toxic soil to be dumped in Bacchus Marsh. Maddingley Brown Coal’s (MBC) Environment Management Plan (EMP) for the storage of West Gate Tunnel Project spoil at the Western Soil Treatment facility was approved last week. In approving the EMP, the EPA found that

MBC had appropriate measures in place to keep the environment and community safe. It’s the second time the EMP has been approved, after the EPA reversed its approval for the site’s original EMP last December after it was found to be unlawful. Moorabool Environment Group president Jodie Valpied said they were considering all options to oppose the EPA’s decision. The group is also pursuing legal action in the Supreme Court of Victoria seeking to overturn Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s

decision to amend the Moorabool Planning Scheme so the PFAS and asbestos-riddled soil could be dumped in Bacchus Marsh. Dr Valpied said the group had been told by the EPA that it “did not consider that it had any obligation to consult the community”. “Given the high impact of this decision on our community, we should have been consulted. There have been some phone calls with some community stakeholders, but concerns raised weren’t taken on board,” she said.

AusNet has announced a specific route has been narrowed down for the controversial Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP), proposing for overhead lines to run between Sydenham and Bulgana. The company also released preliminary findings of its investigation into undergrounding the transmission line, including full and partial undergrounding, which is an option for which locals and councils have been lobbying . The investigation found undergrounding the transmission line would cost 16 times more than an overhead line and require significant soil and vegetation removal and disturbance of Aboriginal cultural heritage. AusNet said this would limit opportunities for future renewable development and would not meet the technical availability and reliability requirements of the electricity system. As a result, overhead construction has been recommended by the investigation. However, AusNet is continuing investigations into undergrounding for some sections of the network as well as landscape assessments currently underway as part of the Environment Effects Statement (EES).

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Melton testing site worker injured Police are investigating after a traffic controller was injured in an “alleged deliberate act”, which closed a Melton COVID testing site on Wednesday, January 5. In a statement posted to Facebook, Western Health chief executive Russell Harrison said the traffic controller at the drive-through testing site was injured on Wednesday morning “in what is alleged to have been a deliberate act”.

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Nimmy Justus and Veronica Bertram deliver cards to the Bacchus Marsh fire brigade.

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Big thanks on the cards Frontline workers in Bacchus Marsh have been thanked by the community after two locals recognised the hard work and sacrifice workers have made over the last two years. The “Thank you Frontline Workers Project” was developed by Nimmy Justus and Veronica Bertram after their participation in Moorabool’s 2021 Community Leadership Program. Ms Justus is a crafter and card maker who led two card making workshops at the Darley Neighbourhood House and the Lerderderg Library for community members. Ms Bertram has lived in Bacchus Marsh for 34 years and has built networks through her work in the hospital and her connections within the local community, which were key in their project planning. Together they decided to design a project that would encourage the Bacchus Marsh

community to participate in expressing gratitude and appreciation for local frontline worker organisations. These organisations included the Bacchus Marsh Hospital, paramedics, SES, CFA and Police. On Monday, December 20, 2021, Ms Justus and Ms Bertram delivered the cards of appreciation to all the frontline worker organisations, just in time for Christmas. “It is really important to express thanks and gratitude to these frontline worker organisations at this time of year,” Ms Bertram said. “Having community members acknowledge the challenges experienced in this tough year works to lift people’s spirits, knowing that the community appreciates them so much.”

The state government has commissioned a business case for a new TAFE campus in Melton. On Wednesday, January 5, Training and Skills Minister Gayle Tierney announced work was under way, led by Melton MP Steve McGhie. There is currently no dedicated TAFE or post-secondary education provider for Melton, despite being one of the state’s fastest growing areas with a forecast population of 330,000 by 2026.

New primary school Construction of Melton’s Strathtulloh Primary School is complete, with the school ready to welcome pupils at the start of term one. The school features an administration building, which includes a library, art, food and science learning spaces and a performing arts and physical education building. FOR BREAKING NEWS, VISIT Web: starweekly.com.au Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly @starweeklynews @star_weekly

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Pricing under the pump

Pricing under the pump By Benjamin Millar

‘‘

Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.

strongly encourage residents to complain to the ACCC

’’

- Steve McGhie

Mr McGhie said he has taken the issue up with the Consumer Affairs Minister Melissa Horne and will be contacting federal Gorton MP Brendan O’Connor to discuss this issue soon, as fuel prices are regulated by the federal government. “In the interim I strongly encourage residents to complain to the ACCC [Australian Competition and Consumer Commission]” he said. The ACCC’s latest petrol monitoring report showed that average petrol prices rose in the 2020 September quarter after a record low earlier in the year. Although the ACCC does not set fuel prices, it does monitor retail fuel prices on a daily basis. A spokesperson said it has the power to investigate where it sees issues of concern. “Where we find sufficient evidence we will take action to protect consumers against misleading and anti-competitive conduct by fuel retailers.” Mr McGhie’s promise to take action was widely welcomed on social media, where some residents said they had seen price differences of up to 50 cents per litre between Melton and Watergardens.

Fuel prices at Melton petrol stations last week. (Damjan Janevski) 226880_01

Melton’s Andre Peters said the lack of independent competition makes it easier for the major fuel companies to keep prices inflated well above those in neighbouring suburbs. “Sadly there is no competition in Melton as there are no independents,” he said. “Generally we pay at least 20 cents a litre more at times in Melton.” A BP spokesman said petrol prices at the pump can be impacted by a number of different factors.

He said while there are currently about 1400 BP branded sites across Australia, about three quarters are owned by independent business partners who set their own retail pricing. “When it comes to retail fuel pricing, our aim is to be competitive and attract customers to our sites,” he said. “Generally speaking, the price at the pump is impacted by a number of different factors. In particular, international product prices and competition between service stations in a local

area. There are also other factors including exchange rates, taxes and local operating costs.” On Monday, unleaded 91 pump prices at Melton’s BP, Coles Express and 7/11 Mobil were all at 155.9 cents per litre, according to price comparison website Petrol Spy, with Woolworths Caltex at 168.9. Meanwhile Bacchus Marsh BP, Coles Express and 7/11 Mobil prices were 129.9 cents per litre – 26 cents less per litre – and independent outlets were just 119.9 cents per litre. 628174

12481545-NG07-21

By Benjamin Millar

Melton’s petrol prices are coming under greater scrutiny with a local MP vowing to help take action to bring prices in line with neighbouring areas. Melton MP Steve McGhie said the area’s families are being unfairly hit with higher prices than people in neighbouring suburbs, often paying more than 20 cents per litre extra at the pump and spending at least $10 more every time they fill up. “I have had many constituents raise concerns regarding the prices of petrol in Melton being noticeably higher than in other areas,” Mr McGhie said. “I am deeply concerned that families in Melton are paying more than they should be.”

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Health merger gets green light March 16 A permanent merger of the western suburbs’ two health services has been given the green light by both the Western Health Board and Djerriwarrh Health Services administrator. The approval follows a report on the proposed voluntary amalgamation of Western Health and Djerriwarrh Health Services that recommended proceeding with a voluntary amalgamation based on “clear community benefits” from such a move, especially in light of the state government decision to

hand operation of a new Melton Hospital to Western Health. The recommendation for amalgamation has been sent to the secretary of the Department of Health for consideration, paving the way for the merged entity to be responsible for almost one million people living in the fast-growing corridor. Western Health and Djerriwarrh Health Services currently service the healthcare needs of 985,000 people from Footscray and Williamstown to Bacchus Marsh, employing more than 7600 workers across 13 sites.

Talks about a potential merger began early last year but stalled during the COVID-19 crisis. A joint statement released by the services stated that the immediate priority remains certainty and confidence for staff and communities. “While the department make its reviews, both health services have prepared the way for a joint transition team to be put in place to drive change in the event the minister for health approves the voluntary amalgamation,” it stated.

The statement promised that Bacchus Marsh and Melton Regional Hospital will continue to operate as a community-based hospital, Grant Lodge residential aged care at Bacchus Marsh will be retained and that there will be no reductions in overall health staffing numbers, and no losses to frontline clinical staff as a consequence of amalgamation. “There will be ongoing community participation and engagement with local service planning, clients and patients will continue to have choice as to where they access care.”

Ballan Hospital moves to close September 21

Kylie Fisher (front left) with members of her team on the COVID-19 frontline at Western Health. (Supplied)

Health worker’s plea to vaccinate September 7 A Western Health worker on the COVID-19 frontline has spwoken of colleagues’ fears of returning to a situation like last year and pleaded with people to get vaccinated. Kylie Fisher said Western Health, which operates hospitals at Sunshine, Footscray, Williamstown and Sunbury, had more than 400 patients hospitalised with the coronavirus in 2020 . “I’m privileged to be able to work with a group of nurses called the critical care outreach team, the ICU liaison nurses at Western Health,”Ms Fisher said. “Last year they helped prevent hundreds of admissions to our intensive care units by acting as an extension of the ICUs. “They helped support our ward nurses to support our patients and our communities. “They would often come to me overwhelmed, sometimes in tears. “They were worried. They would come to

work worried. “They were worried about their colleagues. “They were worried about how they would support their colleagues on the wards, looking after overwhelming numbers of acutely unwell patients – patients that we usually don’t see admitted to the wards.” Ms Fisher said staff were worried about their families when not at work. “They would go home after 12-hour shifts, long shifts,“ she said. “They would have showers before they would leave work . “They’d drive home, get out of their cars, get changed out of their scrubs in their garages, have a shower again, before they would go in and speak [to] or hug their families and their loved ones. “I saw tears. I saw exhaustion. I saw nurses consoling nurses. “I saw blood across the ridges of their noses and their ears from wearing PPE for 12 hours at a time.

“Long shifts on their feet. “Kilometres and kilometres of k’s they’d clock up responding to emergency calls and calls for assistance on the ward.” She said staff would come to her and say the situation was like nothing they’d ever seen. “These patients are young, they’re fit …they’re well and then the next minute we’retaking them to ICU,” Ms Fisher said. “… As their manager, I’m worried I’m goingto have to ask them to stand up and do it again– and they will. “These are senior ICU nurses who have seen it all before, they’ve done it all before, and I have to probably have to ask them to do it all again. “They will but they shouldn’t have to. “So, I’m asking – we’re lucky, we’ve got science, we’ve got a vaccine – please, if you haven’t already, get yourself vaccinated. “Make that appointment. “Keep yourselves safe, keep your family and your loved ones safe, keep the community safe.”

Ballan Hospital will be closed and Ballan District Health & Care taken over by a new operator after the board deemed it “unviable” to continue. The assets and operations of BDHC will transfer to new owner mecwacare from November 1, but the 10-bed hospital will be closed as part of the deal. Board chair Lyn Gunnell said the decision to close the hospital after more than 50 years was not taken lightly. “Operation of small, rural private hospitals is no longer viable, with many people opting out of private health insurance, economies of scale hard to achieve, and patients having easy access to Ballarat and western Melbourne hospitals,” she said. “The hospital beds will be repurposed for other healthcare services.” Ms Gunnell said the board felt not-for-profit mecwacare shared BDHC’s values, with a 62-year history of providing care. Interim chief executive James McComb said a few workers will lose their jobs, but the majority of the 130 staff members will transfer to mecwacare with their full entitlements. “We provide vital health and aged care services, and this agreement resolves years of financial uncertainty for the organisation,” he said. “Our staff and residents now know that there will be a strong future for our services in Ballan.” All aged care residents are guaranteed their existing arrangements. The takeover comes after the state government provided an urgent $500,000 assistance package in 2018 to help keep the service’s doors open. Mr McComb said the BDHC board had explored a range of options over the past couple of years to make the organisation more viable. The situation was “all too familiar” in other regional towns, he said.

For the future: New hospital site selection welcomed July 13 Melton council and local developers have welcomed moves to secure a parcel of Cobblebank land for the new Melton Hospital. Last week, the state government announced plans to compulsorily acquire a site on Ferris Road for construction of the future 24-hour public hospital. The land sits within the Cobblebank Metropolitan Activity Centre and is close to the train station and the Western Freeway. 6 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 11 January, 2022

Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said the selection of the site is “an exciting milestone” for everyone who supported the campaign for a local public hospital. “The Melton Hospital is a huge priority for our community and together with our residents, council has advocated strongly for this vital facility,” she said. “We look forward to construction starting in 2022 which will hopefully see the hospital operational by 2026.” Melton councillors welcomed the news at the recent council meeting. Cr Sophie

Ramsay said the project is something that everyone has been “biting at the bit” to see proceed. Local developer Intaj Khan said finalising a site for the new hospital will be a boon for the area. “This hospital will really improve the infrastructure in the area, it’s the best location they could have chosen,” he said. “I can see this area is going to be really great, I can see the hospital and the train station and everything else coming along and I think it’s really good.”

Mr Khan said a lot of infrastructure is needed to meet the needs of the booming population, but projects such as the hospital are a promising sign. The state government is continuing to finalise a business case for the Melton Hospital, to guide further detailed planning. Planning will include how the new Melton Hospital will link with services at other public hospitals in the western region including Sunshine Hospital and the new $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital.

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Women step up to the front line MARCH 2 The Eynesbury Fire Brigade’s newest captain has hit the ground running in putting her community on the front foot against fire danger. Kylie Newton’s passion for fighting fires stretches back more than a decade, when she was still living in Melton, but it took some time before she discovered it could even become reality. “I always had an interest in firefighting and everything CFA, I had seen them around but I always thought you had to be a man,” she said. “Everywhere I saw them I just saw men doing it, then about 12 years ago I finally made some inquiries and I joined the brigade at Melton. I didn’t know anyone at first, but I made a lot of friends.” With a number of experienced firefighters and mentors more than happy to show her the ropes, Ms Newton began attaining valuable skills and experience she took with her upon moving to Eynesbury and joining the local brigade in 2012.

Captain Kylie Newton (front), firefighter Dalyn Causon and auxiliary president Kimberley Briggs. (Damjan Janevski) 228951

Her “fast learning journey” continued and she has recently completed her biggest step yet, taking over as the unit’s captain. Other women also taking central leadership roles at Eynesbury include auxiliary president Kimberley Briggs and secretary Meghan Willingham. “Firefighting is still very male dominated,

but that doesn’t mean to say they’re not welcoming,” Ms Newton said. “I think there may be a lot of girls out there who may think you need to be a man and I want to show them that is not the case.” Ms Newton is no stranger to the danger that out-of-control fires can pose to communities. She has been at the coalface of campaign

fires stretching from Tasmania to northern New South Wales and was in the thick of the fighting against the horrific 2019-20 summer bushfires. “You meet so many amazing people and form friendships doing what you do and what you love,” she said. Ms Newton is also aware of the dangers closer to home, with Eynesbury’s beautiful natural setting meaning fire remains an ever-present threat. “To be honest, anyone who comes to our gorgeous little town always comments that we have one road in and one road out and that’s through a grey box forest,” she said. “Our township has grown significantly in the last few years, we have a school now and a sport complex opening soon, so we have a lot of residents who may not know the risk. “Part of our role is to ensure they are ready for fire, it’s trying to teach them that knowledge, download the apps, use the apps, the tools that are in place, rather than wait until they see smoke.” Details: facebook.comEynesburyfirebrigade

Burnside Heights’ senior women’s captain Ebony Stevens and senior men’s captain Corey Patmore. (Supplied)

Football club rewarded OCTOBER 26

Nicole Brasher and her sons Dylan and Aidan started a charity to collect secondhand cricket gear to donate.

(Damjan Janevski) 225390

A second life for old cricket gear FEBRUARY 2 A Taylors Lakes family has launched a charityaimed at providing second-hand cricket gear toAustralian families. The Brasher family had plenty of cricket gearit no longer needed, and was keen to pass on the items to other families so they could be put to good use. When they couldn’t find a charity or organisation that donated second-hand gear, they took matters into their own hands and started 2nd Innings Cricket. Mum Nicole said both her sons had amazing experiences with sport and they wanted to give others the same opportunity Dylan and

Aidan started their cricket careers at Taylors Lakes and now play for Footscray in Victorian Premier Cricket. Dylan has represented Victoria on a number of occasions. “We’ve always wanted to do something and help other kids enjoy sport,” Nicole said. “We thought we would try and recycle the cricket equipment. Dylan is sponsored by ICON and there’s a lot of gear in good nick. “We tried to find somewhere in Australia to donate, but we couldn’t find anywhere. “We could find places to donate overseas, but wanted to donate to people in Australia.” She said 2nd Innings Cricket would look to

donate gear to a different charity each year. This year, they’re donating to Reclink, an organisation which provides low or no cost sports, recreation and arts opportunities to people experiencing disadvantage. The family has put a call out to anybody else in Brimbank who has used cricket gear lying around that they want to donate. They’ve also contacted cricket clubs in Brimbank, asking them to come on board. 2nd Innings Cricket will host a barbecue at Taylors Lakes Cricket Club on February 16 from 7pm for anyone wanting to drop off gear to be donated. To organise for equipment to be picked up, contact 2ndinningscricket@gmail. com.

For the love of books, where they live DECEMBER 14 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

Burnside Heights Football Club is among many grassroots Victorian sports clubs that have played a part in keeping the state’s roads safe. Burnside Heights, along with over 150 other football and netball clubs across Victoria, will share in more than $1 million as a reward for participating in the Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) Club Rewards Program. The program was designed to help grassroots clubs to get back on the field as they prepare to return after the cancellations of the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Burnside Heights president Justin Peagram said it was “worthwhile” to take part in the program, which asked clubs to use their social media to promote road safety. “We were happy to get involved,” Mr Peagram said. “It’s a good cause … and we don’t want any of our players, or parents, or anyone connected to the club to experience road trauma or death. “We got all of the families involved, and all players across our club … we highlighted to people that road safety does actually mean something. “It was definitely worthwhile to be a part of.” Mr Peagram said funding from the government will go towards training tops for next season, to get players excited about the game after two interrupted years. The Melton and Melton South football netball clubs and Keilor Park Football Club were also program participants. Tuesday, 11 January, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 7

2022 THE ASTROLOGICAL YEAR AHEAD with Sudhir

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20) The Ram: Fire – Spirit – Outgoing

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20) The Bull: Earth – Matter – Fixed

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21) The Twins: Air – Ideas – Changeable

Love

With the asteroid Chiron slowly making it’s way through Aries over the course of the year, there’s a strong focus on healing. In matters of the heart, this has to do with slowing down and honouring the deep sensitivity required to do no harm in love. Opportunity in matters of the heart will certainly come your way, as Jupiter spends time with you from May through to October, but you will have to open up to the tenderness required for the flame to fully ignite.

You have a very large unruly guest in your midst by the name of Uranus. The function of Uranus is to liberate us. The question is whether we want to be liberated. In the realm of love, Uranus is going to shake things up, like a farmer shakes up the soil to make it more alive. Truth liberates. In matters of love, the presence of fearless truth will deepen your connections. If love can’t bear the presence of truth then it needs to be reviewed and renewed.

In matters of the heart, the strongest influence will be coming your way from Neptune, who is in Pisces. You love dancing around in the world of ideas. Anyone who comes close to you, will have to fall in love with your busy-ness, your curiosity, and your sense of play. Neptune in Pisces will lean on you to open up to a depth of feeling, and a depth of longing, that is presently out of your range. See this as an opportunity to explore parts of yourself that are unknown.

Money

Jupiter will be in Aries from May through to October. Jupiter is the planet of expansion, luck, good fortune, and opportunity. The omens are clear. This is the time of the year when you can expect the greatest support from the cosmos, to get that project that you have been treasuring in your imagination, over the line. The key will be to align your sensitivity and intuition with your enthusiasm and bravado. By engaging both you will be unstoppable.

The presence of disruptive Uranus in Taurus, means that those who are able to adjust quickly to a constantly-changing environment, will prosper. If you try to dig your roots in when the sands are shifting, you will suffer all the indignities that come from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Remember, Uranus is here to set us free. Any disruption that he brings is with that in mind. Bulls aren’t always the most manoeuvrable of animals. Work on your flexibility.

By upping your skill levels, money will eventually come and find you. Focus on finding excellence in whatever it is that you do. You will know you have it when your work, craft, art, or trade begins to bring you waves of joy. There are a lot of disruptive forces at play in the world at large as we speak. As flexibility is built into your hard-drive, you are well positioned to thrive. Change is a food that nourishes you, whereas for others it just breeds anxiety.

Direction

We are living in interesting times. All of our institutions are in a process of regeneration and renewal. It would be all too easy to focus on what’s falling apart, but the reality is that this moment in history contains the seeds of great possibility, providing we can have our wits about us. Even as Pluto sets this up, and Uranus continues to provide us with unexpected shocks, your job is to keep dusting yourself off and staying true to your naturally-optimistic spirit.

The North Node of the Moon, or the Head of the Dragon, is moving through Taurus for the whole of next year. The North Node is like a big magnet, pulling us forward into fresh adventures and unknown pastures. This, along with Uranus, is setting you up for journeys into unknown places, both in your external world and in your being. The moment you get comfortable with change, you will find a different kind of security and safety that is wild and free.us with unexpected shocks, your job is to keep dusting yourself off and staying true to your naturally-optimistic spirit.

Pluto is breaking down societal structures, in order to renew them. As long as we remember the renewal part, then these crazy days will prove to be potent and creative. Uranus in Taurus keeps sending all sorts of shocks through our culture, mostly via the media. The true nature of the various traditions we live in is being revealed for what it is. You have a natural affinity for media, messages, and communication. This coming year you will have an effect by speaking clearly.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22) The Crab: Water – Feeling – Outgoing

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22) The Lion: Fire – Spirit – Fixed

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22) The Virgin: Earth – Matter – Changeable

Love

Over the coming year, and in spite of all the shifts and changes going on around you, you will find yourself feeling more and more steady in your heart and soul. This very much goes for your world of affection. As a child of the Moon, your moods and emotions will always be in flux. That’s the nature of water signs such as Cancer. Disruptions should take love deeper. If they don’t, then now is the time to learn how to turn ruptures into fields of opportunity.

You are a creature of the Sun. Whatever goes down, you are always going to be looking at ways to shine your light. Interestingly, when it comes to looking into the year ahead, there is always a parallel theme of regeneration and renewal at play. Love will invite you to put your ego aside, and yet shine. In attempting to do both, you will find a deeper love and a deeper light; one that isn’t dependant on other people’s approval in order for you to shine.

Neptune is in Pisces, directly opposite Virgo. Neptune and Pisces are everything that Virgo isn’t. Where you love groundedness, rhythm and plans, both Neptune and Pisces choose intuition. Where you are pragmatic, Neptune and Pisces are imaginative. In love, this means that you are likely to be flooded by waves of feeling that hold great possibility but make no sense to your logical mind. Your soul is calling for experiences that are overwhelming in their beauty.

Money

Around money and finances, you are always going to be driven by a pull to comfort, safety and nourishment. That’s your nature. Within a context of deep societal change, as we are experiencing now, this becomes a powerful challenge. Jupiter will be in Aries from May until October. During this time fortune will shine on those who are willing to turn their ideas into action. He will spend the rest of the year in Pisces. Use your intuition as well as your energy.

In matters of money, it is worth noting that you are presently being challenged by the presence of Saturn in your opposite sign, Aquarius. This means that life will lean on you to balance your needs with the needs of the community around you. A community that allows no individuality would be robotic and cold. To go with individuality alone, and ignore community, would inevitably end up being harsh and unkind. Factor this into your financial decisions. You are not alone.

As you sift, sort, research, and analyse, so life defies you. We are in a period of extraordinary change. Uranus is shaking up the market’s tectonic plates. Pluto is regenerating and renewing cultural and economic norms. These are reflected in the presence of climate change, a pandemic, and loud voices from the right and left that want everybody’s attention, no matter what. Neptune in Pisces is challenging you to dare to dream. Imagine, and enact a positive vision.

Direction

With Pluto travelling ever so slowly through your opposite sign, Capricorn, you are being faced with a constant challenge. Pluto is dismantling various rigidities that have crept into our culture, opening up the possibility of regeneration and renewal. The temptation is to give into fear. The better option is to trust your feelings and work at finding the opportunities and possibilities that are present, should one wish to find them. Bring your love to bear in matters that matter.

There are a few very influential planets working to bring your passions to ground. To burn passionately without having one’s feet on solid ground, is to self-immolate. Nobody wants that. Fire needs a hearth to contain it, otherwise it becomes a wildfire, invoking danger and damage. Saturn in Aquarius is a part of this equation. Saturn is the cosmic handbrake. To slow down and be ever more aware of the implications of our actions is a good thing. Go with it.

As an earth sign, you love it best when there is solid ground beneath your feet. Uranus is shaking your foundations. Pluto in Capricorn is also on a cosmic mission to regenerate structures that are becoming damaging or irrelevant. Of all the earth signs, you are the one most likely to be able to adapt to change. This will only happen if you take time out from trying to figure out all the details and, instead, step back and look at the big picture. Be ahead of the game.

The outer planets provide the deep underlying pulse of the year ahead. Let’s begin with Pluto, the most distant. Pluto brings regeneration and renewal. He is in Capricorn. He is breaking down old structures so they can be rebuilt in more life-affirming ways. Neptune is next. He symbolises our longing to melt into life’s flow, in love or meditation. He is in Pisces, the sign of bliss, inviting us to honour our need for soulful or spiritual experience. Uranus follows. Uranus’ function is to liberate us. He is in Taurus, the sign of money, resources and pleasure. Uranus is rattling our addiction to unsustainable comforts. He is waking us up to that feeling of aliveness that comes when our lives are in flux. Saturn follows. His job is to keep us real. He is in Aquarius. He will make us consider our various ideas of freedom, some of which are narcissistic, and some of which honour the fact that we are connected to a web of community that demands care. Jupiter, the last piece in the puzzle, will shift between Pisces and Aries. Jupiter provides a sense of possibility and optimism. In Pisces, he will encourage us to be more soulful. In Aries he will nudge us to get out there and have a go at making our most heartfelt dreams real.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23) The Scales: Air – Ideas – Outgoing

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21) The Scorpion: Water – Feeling – Fixed

Love

Venus is your guiding planet; and love is your driving force. You hold a lot more sway than others might imagine. It is time to bring your love out into the world at large, and let it impact on the work you do, and the people you have around you. Romance is important but it’s not enough to silo it into one small part of your life. Shine your love wherever you go and who ever you cross paths with. The more you share it, the more love will come back to you.

Ruled as you are by the planet Pluto, who is presently in Capricorn, your love-life is always going to be an on-going journey of re-invention and renewal.Your propensity for secrets is equal to your love of bringing that which is hidden out into the light. The South Node of the Moon is moving through Scorpio offering you a golden opportunity to shed the skin of old habits and patterns that keep you in less than nourishing loops. Relax your hold and let love do its thing.

You are ruled by two passions. One is to figure out how to make sense and meaning out of all the crazy things that life throws at us. The second is to get out and see the world. The South Node of the Moon has now left you alone. In love, you no longer have the feeling that some sort of an old snag is holding you back. Jupiter is in Pisces for some of the year, deepening your need for immersive emotional experience. Love will alternate between intimacy and adventure.

Money

Your ruling planet Pluto, is interestingly named after the Greek God of precious gems and minerals, hidden deep beneath the earth. You are less likely to be distracted by all the ructions going on in the economy, and the surrounding culture, than most. Your instinct for transformation and change, and the wealth that can arise from riding such waves, is well-honed. Watch for old habits that can keep you locked in repetitive cycles. Reinvent yourself as often as required.

Jupiter, your guiding planetary light, dips in and out of Pisces and Aries. It is in Aries between May and October. While it is there, you will be prone to stepping into action, even if you don’t know what the effects will be. There is no harm in allowing your adventurous self open slather. Your adventurousness and optimism will bring you good fortune in the long run. It always does. Outside of this time, lay low and do all the contemplating that you need to do.

Direction

There are powerful shifts, changes and challenges afoot in the world we live in. Tempted as you are to glide over the top of such things, this is not going to be possible this time around. In fact, your capacity for connection, and your passion for the just and the beautiful, is sorely needed in the world at large. Honour your voice. Know your worth. As you do so, your authority will start to shine. A powerful positive vision is needed to balance out the negativity that is around.

You are the Master, or Mistress, of Transformation. Whenever things go awry, you are hard-wired to create gold from seemingly insoluble mayhem. With Uranus shaking our collective foundations, it is your job to find alternate openings. If you aren’t engaged in the work of renewal, you aren’t following your implicit destiny. Old solutions won’t work. Ingenuity and courage are vital now. Under pressure, you have the capacity to tap into both in bucket loads. Use your courage to regenerate, creatively, emotionally, and practically this year.

With Jupiter jumping between sensitive, contemplative Pisces and gung-ho Aries, you are invited to bring both your sensitivity and your rambunctiousness to the table. If you get stuck in one or the other, you will only be half the person you are meant to be. Endless, oceanic contemplation, with no fire or passion, leads to brackish lethargy. Pure passion, with no sensitivity or awareness, would only singe your senses. Be wild and intuitive both, as you gallop forth into life.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19) The Goat with the Fishes Tail: Earth – Matter – Outgoing

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18) The Water-bearer: Air – Ideas – Fixed

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20) The Fishes: Water – Feeling – Changeable

Money is very rarely the driving force for Librans, unless it can lead to a deepening of beauty or justice in the world. Still, we all have to deal with it’s presence in our lives. With Jupiter in Aries from May to October, the cosmos is challenging you to get off the fence and make one of those decisions you have been avoiding in secret for way too long. As you step into action, so your strength comes to the fore and your gifts are shared. Moving your energy will enrich you.

Direction

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21) The Centaur: Fire – Spirit – Changeable

Love

The year begins and ends with Venus in your midst, which bodes well for love, as long as you don’t get too distracted for the rest of the year. Pluto is near the end of his sixteen-year transit of Capricorn. He has well and truly done the work of breaking things down. Now his focus is on planting new seeds and encouraging renewal. Let this be the journey of your love-life, too. This year and the next are for rejuvenating those parts of you that have done it tough.

Saturn is the key driver in your love-life. He is in Aquarius and, ironically, is associated more with the brakes than the accelerator. Saturn’s message is always to slow down, stop, and get real. This means getting out of the torturous trap of idealising love to such a degree that nothing and no-one satisfies. Drop the ideal and be with what’s real. Once you start to enjoy this and stop fighting with it, you will discover a flowering field of affection right before your eyes.

With Neptune travelling through Pisces, the flavour of love that suits you best, is one that is immersive, overwhelming and spiritually blissful. Pleasure is not enough for a Pisces; you want ecstasy and nothing less. This is a powerful current to be swimming in, but that’s how you like it. The danger is that you sacrifice your ego on the wrong altar. When you get it right, you get access to the kinds of feelings poets sing about. Offer yourself fully to love, with awareness.

Money

It’s a volatile and changing marketplace. To put down solid roots, one needs to have a real sense of the positive potentials of a changing future. To be stuck in rigid orthodox patterns won’t give you the flexibility to change course when you need to. There’s a wildness to goats that is present in goat-people. Know where vitality and vibrancy is. That’s where you will find the most interesting possibilities. You are pragmatic enough not to be led up any dubious trails.

Your focus is very much on gathering your resources and getting your foundations down. These are tricky times for doing this. Your great skill, of course, is to think outside the box, and go about things in unorthodox ways. As Uranus in Taurus continues to unsettle all those institutional systems that we once thought were sacrosanct, so your ability to function from left-field is a godsend. Saturn will ensure that you slow decisions down and don’t be reactive.

The world needs visionaries. The most successful entrepreneurs are usually those who have dared to have a vision and who have dared to trust their intuition. It takes courage to go down this path. With Neptune travelling through Pisces, and joined by Jupiter till May and then again after October, all the omens are in place for you to ride a great breaking wave. Waves can be fickle things. Be sure to have your wits about you, and a good accountant close by, for reality checks.

Direction

There are a lot of things happening in the world that could easily lead to one descending into a dystopian mindset. Pluto, in Capricorn, has been breaking things down on all levels. Pluto does this in order to create anew. Those with even one optimistic bone in their body, should be looking at the creative possibilities of this time, rather than fighting tooth and nail for what is now long gone. Pluto has pretty much done his work. Invest in a regenerative future.

You are beholden astrologically to both Saturn and Uranus. Saturn’s job is to slow things down and keep them steady. Uranus’ role is to shake things up and set us free. Your task is always to figure out how to fly high with your feet planted on solid ground. As the ground shakes beneath your feet this year, so the whole idea of what liberation really is, comes to the fore. You love community and you are an advocate for individuality. Get creative. Put the two together.

The presence of Neptune in Pisces is a profoundly powerful placement. Take all the qualities of Pisces and dial them up to ten. Neptune and Pisces are symbols of humanity’s spiritual thirst. Everybody feels the feeling of separation in one way or another; and everybody craves the feeling of integration, in whatsoever form it may take. It’s a valid thirst. Let yourself feel it and it will guide you where you need to go. Never be ashamed of the deep currents flowing through your heart.

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Illustrations light up library

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An exhibition by one celebrated childre of Australia’s most n’s lighting up Melton book authors is library. Never be late for a a striking series of Parade includes book illustrations by award-winning author and illustra tor Shaun Tan (inset). Featuring a collect ion of illustrations from Tan’s best-kn own including The Arrival picture books , The Red Tree, The Lost Thing, Rules Singing Bones, Cicada of Summer, The and Tales from the Inner City, the showcase celebra tes Tan’s unique approa ch As well as being an to storytelling. acclaimed writer and internationally illustrator, Tan has branched out into theatre design and concept art for ﬁlms Horton Hears a Who and Pixar’s WALL-E . He directed the Academ y Award-winning short based on his winning ﬁlm The Lost Thing, picture book of the same name. Never be late for a Parade is showing at Melton Library and Learning Hub until March 7.

Nursing boss ba nned

Benjamin Millar

By Benjamin Millar

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The Victorian Civil and Administrativ The director of nursing e The allegations at Djerriwarrh Health Tribunal last week returned a Service during a included inadequ ruling disqualified Ms cluster of perinat ate formal reviews Meek from applyin that education and training al deaths registra at Bacchus Marsh of overall clinica l practic for nursing and g for midwifery tion for a period of Hospital has been perinatal deaths as e and staff and that 10 years. banned from working as they occurred. The ruling been aware of deficien Ms Meek should have a nurse or midwif Ms Meek ceased workin e for a of former follows last year’s disqualification decade. cies in midwifery skills. g at DjHS in 2015 maternity “She failed and surrendered The Nursing and her Little for a 10-year services manager Mary the deficien to take adequate steps to ensure Midwif and midwife in 2016. registration as a nurse cies period ery were identified and Board of during for her failures Austra lia sought a remedied,” the same period. 10-year ban for Julia the tribunal found. Djerriwarrh Health Meek in the wake of reports Services chief executi A 2015 review by identify ing “catastr Presiding VCAT membe professor Euan Wallac ve ophic” identified failings behind a r Wendy Boddison Belinda Scott said while she was e and series of “avoidable” “catastrophic and unable to comment deaths systemic and other adverse unprecedented Hallymembers Pamela Barry and Bernad patient outcomes ette Djerriwarrh on individual practitioners, also found Ms Meek at DjHS obstetric governance failings” with the from 2013 to 2015. has implemented failed to ensure shift by shift presenc services at DjHS during e of a midwife compet the change” across the health service “profound External reviews identifi the period. Ms Meek, 63, faced in foetal surveil ent since 2015. ed that the perinatal “It has robust clinica allegations in the tribuna lance monitoring mortality rate was that she had failed l govern l in birthin ance significantly higher the process g suite. systematic trainin to take adequate the state average and than deliver effectiv g, continued profess es, The tribuna much higher than e systems and process steps to ional be expected for a low would in her role es at DjHS for ensurin l found there was no clear criteria development and strong leaders as director of nursing risk unit. hip that ensures Djerriwarrh g only maternity , which she had the cases suitable held since 2005. is a safe, level of the capacit y of DjHS were accepte to fully-functioning health service secure and There was also found to be inadeq d. of Bacchus Marsh, Melton for the people and Caroline uate Springs,” she said.

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10 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 11 January, 2022

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 063

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

4 6 2

9 8 6 4 4 5 9 3 8 1 5 9

1 8 3

7 7 9 6 3 9 2 5

QUICK CROSSWORD Police officer (3) Responsiveness (11) Erected once more (7) Word formed by letters of another (7) Armed forces (8) Dove-like bird (6) Televisions (abbrev) (3) Of, or relating to, Palestine (11) Differing strikingly (11) Hearing organ (3) Its capital is Moscow (6) Force (8) Decorate food with other food (7) Sickening (7) Reminding one of something (11) Used a seat (3)

11 12 14 15 17 19 20 21 24 25 26

2 8 9 5

3 4 5 6

ACROSS 1 3 9 10

7 8 13 15 16 18 19 20 22 23

No. 063

Rapid (5) Ecologist (10) Modern Persia (4) Forming a mental image of (9) Of, or relating to, Israel (7) Arab state (5) Aid (10) Divide into parts (9) Compass direction (9) Quack medicine (7) Absorb, immerse (7) Tennis player Federer (5) Kick out (tenants) (5) Therefore (4)

DOWN Pertaining to colour (9) Small smooth stones (7)

1 2

medium

8 7 1 2 6 4 2 5 3 7

DECODER

No. 063

3 3 8 5 4

1 9 8 4 7

4 2 8 6 1 8 3 2 3

hard

6 5

3 4 3

10 11 12 13

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

4 LETTERS APES BEST CARD CLOT CYST FEET GEAR HACK MASK MEAT PATE RIDE TENS TEST

9-LETTER WORD 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”.

Today’s Aim: 16 words: Good 24 words: Very good 32 words: Excellent

N I

5 LETTERS AGAIN

AGENT AGILE AGLOW ASHEN ASIDE ASSET AVAIL BELIE BLISS CAPES CHIDE CHIRP COBRA DOGMA EASEL EAVES EDITS FABLE FICHE FRONT GLINT

No. 063

GOOFY GRABS HARMS ISLAM LEARN LOSES MARES MERES MIRED MUFFS OBESE RABBI READY ROOTS SENSE SHARE SKIMS SLATE SLEET SLEPT SOLAR

SPORT STACK STYLE SUITE SWEAR TENSE TERMS

7 LETTERS BESEECH BETTORS FLASHER LESSENS PEASANT PENSIVE

6 LETTERS CHEATS EMERGE ENSIGN WHILST

8 LETTERS DOMINOES ENDORSED FORTIETH HABITUAL

ante, anted, anti, band, bandit, bane, bean, behind, bend, bent, bind, dean, dent, detain, dine, dint, entia, hand, hind, hint, hinted, indite, inhabit, INHABITED, neat, tend, than, thane, then, thin, thine, tine

9 7 1 4 8 3 5 6 2

6 5 4 7 1 8 3 9 2

3 7 2 5 9 4 1 6 8

9 1 8 6 2 3 7 4 5

7 4 5 2 8 6 9 1 3

1 2 3 9 7 5 4 8 6

8 6 9 4 3 1 2 5 7

2 8 7 1 6 9 5 3 4

4 9 6 3 5 7 8 2 1

5 3 1 8 4 2 6 7 9

4 5 8 9 2 6 7 3 1

6 2 3 1 7 5 8 9 4

3 1 6 5 4 7 9 2 8

7 9 4 2 1 8 6 5 3

2 8 5 3 6 9 4 1 7

1 6 2 7 5 4 3 8 9

8 4 9 6 3 2 1 7 5

5 3 7 8 9 1 2 4 6

1 9 6 2 7 5 3 8 4

7 3 4 6 8 9 5 2 1

8 5 2 1 4 3 9 6 7

5 6 8 7 1 2 4 3 9

4 1 7 9 3 8 6 5 2

9 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 8

6 8 1 3 9 7 2 4 5

3 4 9 5 2 1 8 7 6

2 7 5 8 6 4 1 9 3

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

hard

medium

easy

9 3

3 LETTERS AGE AGO ASH AVO BEE BET CHI CPA DIP EKE EWE FEE GEE HER HES ILK INS LAD LEE MEN RAG RID TEE UGH

F P BMT DA K ROU J Z

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YEAR IN REVIEW ... SPORT

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Top-age champ: Brewer shocked by medal win OCTOBER 26 Caroline Springs gun Stephen Brewer thought he was too old to be winning league best and fairest awards. At 37, Brewer had been taking his footy year by year for the last five years or so, aware his career is coming towards its end. So when he was recently named the Western Region Football League’s Barry Priest Medalist for the best player in division 1, he was shocked. “I’m in shock to win one at my age,” he said. “I had gone close before, but to win one at my age in a different format and not being there in person, it was a bit of a surprise. “Not many people win one at my age. “I’m very grateful to win it.” Brewer was at home with his partner when the online count started. With a number of messages, his feed of the awards started to lag. Having hit the front in the second last round, Brewer knew he didn’t have the best game in the final round. “I wasn’t confident of getting votes in the

final round,” he said. “It wasn’t my best game. “Anthony Eames [Spotswood coach] always makes it difficult for me. I did okay. “I couldn’t remember the other results.” The win is Brewer’s first league best and fairest win. He came fourth in 2019 in his first season with Caroline Springs, having finished second in 2014 when he was at Greenvale. Brewer said this year was much better than 2019, which was derailed by an injury which left him unable to train much. Brewer is the first person to admit that he didn’t think he would still be playing now. “When I was finishing up in the VFL, the AFL doctor with the club said you won’t be playing on like Dustin Fletcher [who played AFL until he was 40]. “Your body is beat up. I’d had hip and knee injuries. “Whenever you’re over 30, people are alway quick to retire you. I’ve gone into most years, the last five or six years, thinking it could be the last. “The end can come quickly. A bad injury and then you can fall off the cliff quickly.”

Stephen Brewer starred for Caroline Springs this year.

Brewer credits his fitness and knowing what his body can do, as key reasons why he has continued to play quality football. Brewer said he had loved playing at Caroline Springs in recent years, but wasn’t 100 per cent sure what his playing future held. “Caroline Springs has been so welcoming,”

Triple Crown win: Charge survives challenging run

he said. “Coming across as a 35-year-old who didn’t know anyone and was considering retirement at the time. “I would love to keep coming back. I live and work in Bayside, so I have a big decision to make.”

Community rallies around injured player JUNE 8

MAY 11 Melton’s Sprintcar sensation Jordyn Charge is celebrating his strong conclusion to the 2020-21 season, which culminated in a dramatic Triple Crown Series win. The 21-year-old racer’s second-place finish in last Sunday’s third and final round at Simpson Speedway in the state’s west saw him clinch a cherished victory in the Triple Crown Series for 360 Sprintcars. Charge dominated the opening two Triple Crown Series rounds and had been hoping to make it a clean sweep in the final round, his first Simpson Speedway appearance since claiming a sensational second-place finish on the track in last season’s Australian 360 Sprintcar Championship. Topping the timesheets in qualifying, Charge went into heat racing full of confidence, but the Melton speedster crashed on the fourth lap while leading and failed to finish due to considerable front-end damage. As Charge’s busy pit crew raced to repair the damage, a shaken up Charge was looked over by ambulance personnel. Charge was given the all-clear to take his place in his second and final heat race, storming from the back of the field in his repaired racer to claim a remarkable second place. The fastest qualifying time and his second place heat finish, made Charge the fourth highest qualifier heading into the Top 8 pole shootout, but he slipped back to finish sixth. This put Charge into position six for the feature race, but an electric start at the drop of the green flag saw him quickly fire into third place. For 20 laps he chased hot on the heels of second-placed Domain Ramsay, closing in as they began encountering lapped traffic. Charge narrowly avoided crashing into the back of his rival’s car when Ramsay rapidly slowed with an engine issue, but skirted clear and charged into second. Despite his best efforts to run down leader and current Australian champion Brett

Melton’s Sprintcar sensation Jordyn Charge on his way to a dramatic Triple Crown Series win. (Supplied)

Milburn, Charge ran out of time in the 25-lap event and greeted the chequered flag in second. The second-place finish was enough to deliver Charge the overall point standings win in the Triple Crown Series for the 2020-21 season. “I would have loved to have taken out a clean sweep of the Triple Crown Series, but it wasn’t to be and second was good enough for me to take out the series point standings win,” Charge said. “It was certainly a challenging run at Simpson Speedway after the crash in my opening heat race and then an action-packed feature race, especially in the lapped traffic. “How I finished it was a great way to

14 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 11 January, 2022

thank my team for all of their efforts throughout the night – they were the key in helping me wrap up the Triple Crown Series.” Charge also praised the support of sponsors including Victorian Towing Services, SupaF Spares, Western Nissan Caroline Springs and Wil’s Auto Melton. The Triple Crown Series win marked the end of Charge’s 2020-21 season campaign, with the focus now on preparing for the 2021-22 season. “To win the Triple Crown Series was a fantastic way to conclude the season, and hopefully we can build on this strong finish to the season heading into our 2021-22 season,” Charge said.

Family and friends are rallying to support Melton footballer Dyson Stevens as he begins a long road to recovery from a serious neck injury. Stevens received the injury during the first quarter of the Bloods’ Ballarat Football League clash against Darley on May 8, with the game stopping for close to an hour while he was treated by paramedics on the ground. He was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital and placed in an induced coma after damaging his C4 vertebrae and shattering his C5 bone, causing severe damage to his spinal cord. Stevens emerged from the coma and spent a week in the intensive care unit of the Austin Hospital followed by a fortnight in recovery in the spinal ward. His younger sister Ebony Stevens said he was moved to The Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre on June 1, where he will spend significant time relearning, training and preparing his body for his life outside of hospital. “Unfortunately, during this difficult time, COVID-19 has also removed any visitors to see him,” she said. Ms Stevens has organised an online fundraiser to raise funds to try and pay for all things her brother requires to adapt to his new lifestyle when he finally arrives home. “We want to give him everything he needs to live the best quality life possible, given the new challenges he will be faced with,” she said. “We need your support to bring my big brother home.” Ms Stevens described her brother as a passionate sportsman, fitness fanatic, and a disciplined and hard working person you could always count on. “He lights up the room with his infectious energy and has a heart of gold – he is simply an amazing person.” Further details: gofundme.com/ do-it-for-dyson

YEAR IN REVIEW ... SPORT

STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

Darley’s latest premiership ‘silenced the critics’ APRIL 6 A second premiership is even sweeter than the first for Darley in the Ballarat Cricket Association. The Lions made it back-to-back premierships after beating Golden Point with a strong all-round team performance For Lions coach Brian Wheelahan, this one is slightly more special. Last season the Lions, who were undefeated, were awarded the premiership after the grand final didn’t go ahead due to COVID-19. “Even though we deserved it last year but not doing it by taking the last wicket or hitting the last run there is some doubt over it. “Last season was our first premiership in the BCA, but on the weekend it felt real. “Winning it this season silenced the critics I’m still pinching myself, it’s a huge weight off my shoulders.” The Lions didn’t have it all their own way this season. Wheelahan and Rahmatullah Khwaja missed early games due to the COVID-19 boundary between metropolitan and country zones. They slowly started to get going and hit their straps in the back end of the season. Wheelahan admits that while they weren’t the best team on paper, the group had plenty

of heart, which helped them get over the line. “It was an up and down season and we didn’t fire until the last five to six weeks We found ways to win. “Credit to the playing group who were able to win those big moments and back themselves in.” After wins against Wendouree and Mt Clear in the finals series, they set up a clash with Golden Point. The two teams were due to face off in last season’s grand final. Wheelahan said they knew they would be in for a fight. “They are a class outfit and bat really deep,” he said. “Getting the prime wicket of Josh White had them on the back foot Manjula De Zoysa played a beautiful knock.” Wheelahan said they were rapt to restrict them to 165, bowling them out with three overs remaining. Khwaja took 3-40 for the Lions. Openers Anthony Taylor and Danza Hyatt got Darley off to a flyer, before both falling when the score was 56. The Lions held steady with all but one batter getting a start. Mitch Ward [22 off 52 balls] and Madushanka Ekanayaka [24 off 13] got the job done at the end. The Lions finished 5-166, winning with more than eight overs remaining.

Darley’s premiership team.

(Supplied)

Wheelahan said in the shorter format you needed everyone to contribute. “There were little handy contributions of 20-30,” he said. “The skipper Bradley Barnes made handy runs at three and Mitch didn’t panic at the end of the innings.” Wheelahan said they would enjoy the

Curtis drafted to North

success the next few weeks before looking ahead to next season. “The seconds are full of kids,” he said. “We’re in a fantastic position to go from strength to strength. We want to be a powerhouse for years to come.”

A stayer

NOVEMBER 30

JULY 6

Melton South’s Paul Curtis is expected to bring an X-factor to North Melbourne’s forward line next year. Curtis was selected by the Kangaroos with pick 35 on Thursday night in the AFL draft. North Melbourne list manager Glenn Luff told North Melbourne media following the draft that Curtis was a player the club rated very highly. “We brought in five boys, we went into the draft knowing it was a draft that had some versatility,” he said. “We’ve addressed the midfield over the last four to five years with some real elite talent and we bring in another elite midfielder in Jason Horne-Francis, and then from there we really addressed some needs that we had to fill long term. “And then to bring in Paul Curtis as a small forward with some X-factor, he should really complement what we’ve already got down there in the forward line. “We’re really excited with what we’ve brought in in the draft. “We feel like we have a really even mix of players coming through the club in this offseason and we’re excited to see them on the track.” It’s been a steady rise for the Western Jets forward, who kicked five goals across his first three NAB League matches in 2021, before slotting nine goals in the last four outings. He earned selection for Vic Metro in the trial match against Vic Country, where he caused major headaches, kicking 3.5 from 18 disposals. Being drafted tops off an up and down few months for Curtis who was diagnosed with COVID-19 a couple of months ago. Speaking before the draft, Curtis told Star Weekly that he was very keen and excited to play football professionally, but it was also nerve-wracking at the same time. Curtis found his love for the game at 11-years-old when he started playing for Melton South. “At that age I was just playing for fun … just playing with my mates from school,” he said. But when he reached the under-16 team, he realised how serious he was about the sport after making a few squads and having his name out there. “I started taking it a bit more seriously, as

Diggers Rest football legend Shaun Sims has added yet another milestone to his storied career, as he ran out for his 350th match for the Burras at the weekend. Sims’ tally includes matches from his first match as an under-18s player in 2001, to seniors and reserves football in the Riddell District Football League. Speaking before the Burras reserves match against Romsey, Sims said it was difficult to pinpoint a singular favourite moment from his 20-year playing career. “It’s been about the journey,” Sims said. “Definitely I’ve been thinking more about the friendships I’ve made and all of the opportunities that game has given me outside of football. “I’ve been lucky enough to captain for a long time and I also moved into assistant coaching and then coaching. I’ve taken lessons from these things into my work life and professional life, too.” Sims made an immediate impact upon arriving at the Burras, as he led the under-18s side to a premiership as captain in 2002. In 2001, Sims was awarded the club’s best and fairest as well as the RDFL’s Doug McIntyre Medal. He went on to serve as the Burras senior captain from 2004 to 2012, earning a place in the RDFL’s team of the year in seven straight seasons. Sims then went on to coach the seniors from 2014 to 2017, leading the club to a memorable 2016 premiership, their first since 1993. “That 2016 win was a real highlight after losing so many grand finals before,” Sims said. “I still remember the feeling in the rooms afterwards, the relief that it was done. That year definitely played a major role in the years that followed.” Burras club president Ben Morse said Sims has set the tone at the club for years. “He’s done everything at the club, but more than anything, he’s led the culture of the club,” Morse said. “He sets the standards through the way he treats people, his pride in the place, and the way he carries himself.”

Paul Curtis is headed to North Melbourne.

(Supplied/Mandy Borg)

well as still having fun,” he said. Melton South coach Heath Pritchard said the club was rapt that Paul had been drafted. He joins a handful of players from the club to make it onto an AFL list. “To have a young man who started with the junior section of the club in the under-10s and have him represent us in three senior games this year and also come and watch us, even being a water boy, every Saturday when he wasn’t playing at the Jets, shows the club’s connection

to Paul and his career going forward.” Curtis was the only Jets player who was taken in the draft. But it was good news for a former Jet, Josh Honey, who was upgraded to Carlton’s senior list. Honey was taken in the 2019 rookie draft and has been on the rookie list since. He made his debut in 2020. It was in late 2021 when he found his feet at senior level.

Tuesday, 11 January, 2022 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY 15

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